RTHK: US VP Harris tours DMZ after N Korea missile launches

US Vice President Kamala Harris toured South Korea's heavily fortified border with the nuclear-armed North on Thursday, part of a trip aimed at strengthening the security alliance with Seoul.

Pyongyang conducted two ballistic missile launches in the days before Harris' arrival, continuing a record-breaking streak of weapons tests this year.

At an observation post atop a steep hill overlooking North Korea, Harris peered through bulky binoculars as US and South Korean soldiers pointed out features, including defences, in the area. "It's so close," she said.

Harris also visited the Panmunjom Truce Village  where then-US president Donald Trump met the North's Kim Jong Un in 2019  and talked to US soldiers at Camp Bonifas in the Joint Security Area.

On the North Korean side of the border at Panmunjom, guards in hazmat suits could be seen watching as Harris was shown the demarcation line between the two countries  which remain technically at war.

Speaking at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Harris said that US and South Korean soldiers were "serving shoulder to shoulder... to maintain the security and the stability of this region of the world".

She said the US commitment to South Korea's defence was "ironclad", adding that the allies were "aligned" in their response to the growing threat posed by the North's weapons programmes.

The allies both want "a complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", but in the interim they are "ready to address any contingency", she said.

South Korean and US officials have warned for months that Kim Jong Un is preparing to conduct another nuclear test.

Harris' trip to the DMZ is likely to infuriate Pyongyang, which branded United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the "worst destroyer of international peace" when she visited the border in August. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: G7 rejects Russia's 'purported annexations'

Group of Seven foreign ministers said on Friday they would "never recognise" Russia's annexation of four more regions in Ukraine and pledged further sanctions against Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin's efforts to annex the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions "constitute a new low point in Russia's blatant flouting of international law", the ministers said in a statement, calling the regions "integral parts of Ukraine".

"We will never recognise these purported annexations, nor the sham 'referenda' conducted at gunpoint," they said.

"We will impose further economic costs on Russia, and on individuals and entities  inside and outside of Russia  that provide political or economic support to these violations of international law."

The foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States as well as the High Representative of the European Union called on "the broader international community to reject Russia's brutal expansionism".

They said they were "united in our condemnation in the strongest possible terms of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and its continued violations of Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence".

The ministers added they were "unwavering" in their support for "Ukraine's right to defend itself" as well as "its unquestionable right to reclaim its territory from Russia".

Russia "must withdraw all of its troops and military equipment from Ukraine, and respect Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders", they said.

Putin on Friday annexed four territories in Ukraine controlled by his army at a ceremony in the Kremlin and urged Kyiv to lay down its arms and negotiate an end to seven months of fighting.

Putin was defiant during an address to Russia's political elites, telling the West that the land grab was irreversible and calling on Ukraine's emboldened army to give up and negotiate a surrender.

"I want to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters in the West: People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens forever," Putin said.

"We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities... and return to the negotiating table." (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Trend

Azerbaijan holds an important role in achieving the goal of regional stability and development, CEO at Romania's Smartlink Communications consulting company, analyst, consultant, and think tanker Radu Magdin told Trend.

According to Magdin, the recent ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was welcomed by international actors, especially the European Union (EU), which remains strongly involved in the process of normalizing Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, including at the highest level through President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Azerbaijan has the opportunity to design policies and international international engagement focused on bringing economic prosperity to all, high-quality social protection and social measures that would allow for development in the future. A strong focus on internal development, combined with the opportunities brought by rapprochement with the EU, especially at a time in which the international community is facing multiple challenges, can provide improved perspectives for Azerbaijan and the entire region in terms of energy transport infrastructure, energy commodities trade development involving Europe and Central Asia, opening up the very region to the external aid and investments to improve region stability and welfare, said Magdin.

He noted that Europes energy security is a major priority in the context of EU member states efforts to cease dependence on Russian energy resources and identify alternatives that are viable from both a political and an economic standpoint.

The agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan envisages a substantial increase in the annual volume of gas exported in the next five years, from around 2.5 percent of the EUs gas consumption now, to around 5 percent by 2027. Azerbaijan is already enjoying a significant profile as a long-term partner for the purpose of building a new European architecture in the energy field, but opportunities also lie in other areas of in-depth and comprehensive free trade, in which Azerbaijan would have direct benefits from access to a single market of almost 450 million consumers. Additionally, the region could benefit as the energy transportation hub for the energy commodities from Central Asia to Europe and beyond thus increasing region prosperity and stability perspectives, he added.

Magdin also emphasized that peace in the EUs neighborhood is extremely important.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said they did not encounter any other position from Moscow during the closed meetings. They have not encountered any other approach from Moscow at high and top levels. His remarks came during his interview with Public Television today, commenting on Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk's statement about unblocking.

Overchuk said that during the talks between the Deputy Prime Ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan no "extraterritorial corridor" in any way infringing upon the sovereignty of any of the sides was or can be discussed.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also made a statement about the need to withdraw troops to their initial positions without specifying which countries they were talking about.

"It is very important that all parts of Russia act within this logic and act in a way that does not leave the impression of actions different from the officially published campaigns on the part of Russia. This is very important. There were such phenomena. We have articulated these issues clearly to our Russian colleagues.

We believe it is important that Overchuk, who, by the way, has always made clear assessments and represented the realities around which we are holding discussions. In this sense I really appreciate his work. He is co-chairman of the trilateral commission and plays an important organizational role. His positions both at the working level and at the official level are always clear.

It is very important that other Russian government bodies that are directly or indirectly related to the topic do not take any actions that would call into question the sincerity of officially published positions.

If I may, I will not elaborate on what this is all about. Not because I have anything to hide from our people, but because this is a working process, and at this point I don't think it's correct to say more.

Is there anything in Overchuk's words that I would like to correct? There is no such thing.

A question may arise: if everything is so clear and straightforward, why isn't this issue being addressed?

In my assessment, this issue would have been resolved long ago, if Azerbaijan did not make aggressive statements. Azerbaijan is trying to put territorial demands against Armenia into subtext.

The rhetoric about the corridor. What kind of rhetoric is that? Or the rhetoric about Eastern Zangezur. That is, if there is Eastern Zangezur, then there is also Western Zangezur? What kind of rhetoric is this? Are we against unblocking the roads? ", Pashinyan stressed.
Russia faces deficit of auto parts: Cost of components is up from 35 to 65 percent

Czech Republic urges its citizens to leave Russia

Iranian MFA rejects reports on sending drones to Russia, calling them unfounded

Armenia civil society organizations request OHCHR intervention in relation to ongoing Azerbaijan aggression

Armenia First President: Need for platform launched by Catholicos can be considered depleted

Tribune: France plans to supply Ukraine with about 20 Bastion armored personnel carriers

Moscow calls on Yerevan and Baku to investigate video clips of execution of Armenian POWs

Armenia official: Everyone thinks that economic growth we have is independent of us

State Duma approves constitutional laws on incorporation of DPR and LPR regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson into Russia

Khamenei: The riots in Iran were orchestrated in advance by the US and Israel

Armenian PM receives delegation headed by First President of Italian Court of Cassation

Armenia legislature majority faction member submits petition to give up parliamentary seat

Gas prices in Europe down by almost 8%

Armenia MOD delegation visits several US military training institutions

Vahagn Khachaturyan sends greetings to Frank-Walter Steinmeier on National Day

EU calls on Baku to immediately investigate shooting of Armenian captives

Dollar, euro gain value in Armenia

Armenia MP briefs NATO countries colleagues on Azerbaijan army atrocities

Inflation in Turkey accelerates to 83.45 percent

Kazakhstan MFA: Participation of CSTO in Russian-Ukrainian conflict is not issue

Lawyer: Armenia soldiers shooting to death by Azerbaijan took place at Ishkhanasar

Armenia PM: I sincerely hope friendly Iraq will overcome challenges it faces

Azerbaijan FM briefs Switzerland official on meeting with Armenia counterpart

Anna Donchenko: Russia-Armenia trade increased 50% in first half of 2022

EU Special Representative for South Caucasus receives videos of alleged Armenian war crimes against Azerbaijanis

MFA spox: Armenia side proposed to hold next meeting of Azerbaijan border delimitation commission in October

Japan PM declares intention to conclude peace treaty with Russia

Armenian FM meets State Secretary of Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Finland FM: Not many countries recognize Russia's expansion

Diana Karazyan: Azerbaijan has merely confirmed that it has 17 Armenian POWs

Red Cross representatives visit Armenian POWs captured by Azerbaijan after September 13

PM Kishida: Tokyo will continue sanctions policy against Russia and support Ukraine

Pashinyan: Already 2nd time when Azerbaijan refuses to fulfill promise to release Armenian POWs

Spain lawmaker: Savage images of Azerbaijani soldiers shooting Armenian POWs to death are unacceptable

Security Council chief: Azerbaijan did not fulfill commitment to release 17 Armenian POWs by Sept. 30

Armenia PM: Germany is reliable partner for us

World oil prices going up considerably

Armenia ambassador-at-large to Klaar: We will not allow putting equality sign between war crimes victim and perpetrator

Azerbaijan proposes to Armenia to reschedule border delimitation commission meeting to October

Brazil to have presidential runoff

Bosnia and Herzegovina presidential candidate announces his victory

US National Archives says it still didnt get all documents from Trump administration

Donald Trump-Kim Jong-un personal letters published

Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs underscore introduction of international mechanisms for border situation control

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
It is very important to read point 9 of the statement of November 9, 2020. What Armenia is obliged to do, Armenia is ready to do, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with Public Television today.

"Are we ready (to open) the road? Yes, we want it very much. We call this project 'Armenian Crossroads.' We show that this is an important issue for us. There has to be agreement on the legal procedures for the use of the roads.

There is agreement in principle that the roads should function within the sovereignty of the states through which they pass. There should be border control and customs control at the border. There is also the disclosure of mechanisms, that is, how passport control and customs control should be conducted. With regard to all of this, Azerbaijan has no objections at the working level.

But there are subtleties. Azerbaijan says that since there is an acute conflict situation, we do not want a citizen of Azerbaijan to meet with the Armenian border guards and Armenian customs officers when crossing the Armenian border.

We say that when crossing the border, we do not want an Armenian citizen to meet with an Azerbaijani border guard and customs officer. But how to solve this issue? We believe that, as in the case of the Iranian border, there may also be Russian border guards standing here. But will there be Russian border guards on the Azerbaijani side as well? If there are Azeri border guards standing there, that would be a violation of the principle.

We propose a solution whereby the sides could delegate these functions to specialized organizations, and they would perform this function. The same can be done in the case of border control. If Azerbaijan is ready, we are ready to go to this solution.

Can it be that visas are not put in a passport? We can introduce a system of checks to be presented at border crossings.

There is agreement that there should be a travel fee paid. There is discussion about whether or not an environmental tax would also be paid? There is also a difference in terms. Should there be goods whose transit should be prohibited? Yes, there should be such goods. How should a list of these goods be compiled? And how should inspections be conducted?

These are all subtleties. What Overchuk says, we agree with that. According to the trilateral statement, the control of transport communication should be carried out by the bodies of the Border Service of the Federal Security Service of Russia.

What does it mean? It means that at the initial stage the movement should be conducted in an organized convoy. Who should ensure security in the territory of Armenia? Naturally, the relevant services of Armenia. But it would be correct, based on the trilateral statements, to have the representatives of the Border Guard Service of Russia in the column in case of problems. Here, too, we are ready to be flexible and make decisions.

We have never put any restrictions on the routes. If we consider it our project, we should be interested in the shortest and most effective route, so that international transport flow would start on that road, so that Armenia would have big income from those transit flows.

In what case will Armenia have more income? When the cargo transportation by this road, including the railroad, will be big. This is possible if the route is short, safe and the flows are not restricted by weather conditions. We are interested in all these components to open regional communications," Pashinyan noted.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn to recognize warning signs and how to get help if you or someone you know is in distress.

Emory University and Emory Healthcare offer a variety of services for students, staff, faculty and their family members facing emotional suffering due to difficult times. National hotlines can also be an important resource for immediate support.

Here are the facts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Nearly 46,000 deaths occurred due to suicide in 2020  thats 1 death every 11 minutes.

An estimated 12.2 million adults seriously thought about suicide in 2020.

In 2020, suicide rates were 30% higher than in 2000.

Suicide affects people of all ages and ethnicities. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34. In 2020, suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Groups with the highest rates of suicide were non-Hispanic white populations and non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native populations.

Suicide affects everyone, not just the person who needs help. Suicide and suicide attempts affect the health and well-being of friends, loved ones, co-workers and the community.

Additionally, the emotional, physical and economic impacts reverberate throughout the community.

Risk factors and ways to help

Various factors can place an individual at risk for suicide. Risk factors exist at the individual, relationship, community and societal levels. Examples of risk factors include a previous suicide attempt, history of depression or mental health problems, high conflict or violent relationships, lack of access to health care, historical trauma and stigma associated with help-seeking and mental illness.

Its natural to be afraid to bring up issues around depression or suicidality given the stigma that still surrounds mental health problems, says mental health expert Nadine Kaslow, a professor in the Emory University School of Medicine and chief psychologist at Grady Health System.

But what we do know is that people who are feeling depressed or feeling suicidal often feel so isolated, so alone, and like the thoughts are all inside their head, Kaslow says. Often what they need more than anything is somebody to reach out, to care, to be with them and to help them.

According to the CDC and National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), some notable warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide include:

Talking or posting about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves

Expressing hopelessness

Talking about being a burden to others

Being isolated

Increased anxiety

Increased substance use

Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions

Alternatively, there are ways that we all can help guard against suicide, including:

Having effective coping and problem-solving skills

Giving or seeking support from partners, friends and family

roviding availability of consistent and high quality physical and behavioral health care

Reducing access to lethal means of suicide among people at risk

Suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play to save lives and create healthy and strong individuals, families and communities.

If you or someone you know may need help, please consider the following community resources:

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline : Call or text 988. It is confidential, free and available 24/7. Chat at : Call or text 988. It is confidential, free and available 24/7. Chat at 988lifeline.org . Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org

Veterans Crisis Line : Call 988 then press 1 or text 838255 to reach responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Georgia Crisis and Access Line: Call 1-800-715-4225 for routine or crisis services that are available 24/7. Call 1-800-715-4225 for routine or crisis services that are available 24/7. Learn more

Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741 for free, confidential help that is available 24/7.

Social media: The NIMH notes that you can also : The NIMH notes that you can also contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friends social media updates.

Emory support resources

Emory provides a variety of resources to help students, faculty and staff during difficult times.

Many people struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings sometimes believe that they cannot seek help in the workplace because it may place their job in jeopardy, says Mellonie Hayes Mullins, a licensed marriage and family therapist and education coordinator for Emory University's Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP).

FSAP is here to provide a safe confidential space, give support and craft a plan that helps employees find their way out of that dark place, and enhance functioning in all areas of their lives," she says. "The emotional well-being of our faculty and staff is so important to maintaining a caring community at Emory."

Emorys Counseling and Psychological Services  which provides free, confidential counseling for undergraduate, graduate and professional students  recently created an eight-minute suicide prevention video to help faculty, staff and fellow students recognize and support those who may need help.

Watch When Someone Needs Your Help: Preventing Suicide:

We are continuing the critical work of making Emory a place where students know they can truly bring their whole selves. Thats a fundamental component to community well-being, says James D. Raper, Campus Lifes associate vice president for health, well-being, access and prevention. This also means that we must be able to honor and support one another's mental health  when its up and when its down.

Learn about campus resources:

Student resources:
The following article is based on results from the newly released 2021 report on the Hologic Global Women's Health Index, a comprehensive global survey on women's health. The Index surveyed women in Afghanistan for the first time in 2021.

Life was already extremely difficult for Afghan women before the Taliban returned to power in late 2021. Gallup surveys in the years leading up to the takeover showed women were struggling to afford food and shelter, few felt safe, and most saw their lives getting worse with every passing year.

Results from the 2021 Hologic Global Women's Health Index survey in Afghanistan demonstrate how millions of Afghan women's lives are on the brink.

In the first half of 2021, the Taliban's attacks on healthcare facilities left 12 health workers dead and 26 buildings damaged. At the time of the survey in August and September 2021, completed as the Taliban took control of the country, Afghanistan's healthcare system was on the verge of collapse. Essential health facilities, medications and vaccinations were scarce.

Against this backdrop, relatively few Afghan women reported getting tested for high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs/STIs) in the 12 months prior. In fact, no Afghan women -- zero respondents -- said they had been tested for any type of cancer in the past year.

But even if women had been tested for cancer, cancer treatment is not readily available in most of the country. Just one hospital in Kabul bears the treatment burden for the entire country, which had a population of more than 39 million in 2021.

###Embeddable###

The fact that women in Afghanistan were not getting medical tests does not mean they do not value visits to healthcare professionals. Seventy-one percent of Afghan women said they believe in the value of going to a healthcare professional, and 61% said they had been to a healthcare professional in the past 12 months.

However, access to these professionals will likely remain a challenge: In 2020, roughly one in three Afghans had no access to a functional health center within two hours of their home, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

With travel restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women traveling more than 48 miles without a male guardian, women may feel even more discouraged from seeking care.

Negative Emotions Hit a Record High Among Afghan Women

Gallup has been tracking Afghans' emotions since 2008. Worry, stress, anger and sadness soared to record levels among women and men in Afghanistan in 2021.

Like men, vast numbers of Afghan women reported feeling worried (85%), stressed (83%), sad (78%) and angry (62%) the day before the survey. However, women reported these emotions much more than men -- particularly in regard to anger and sadness.

###Embeddable###

Record Numbers of Afghan Women Struggle to Afford the Basics

The Taliban's takeover made Afghans' ability to afford food even worse. By March 2022, an estimated 95% of Afghans did not have enough to eat.

Gallup surveys conducted before the Taliban regained control showed Afghans had been struggling for years to afford food -- and women more so than men since 2017. At the time of the Hologic survey in 2021, a record-high 86% of women and 76% of men said there were times when they could not afford food that they or their families needed. Women also disproportionately struggled more than men to afford shelter.

###Embeddable###

Implications

In the 20 years after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the Afghan government and international organizations made a concerted effort to prioritize the development of a national healthcare system. Despite mixed outcomes, there were some key wins, such as an increase in longevity from birth (by eight years for women from 2000 to 2019), improved access to healthcare, a decrease in maternal mortality, an increase of births supervised by specialists and more demand for family planning services.

Now, more than a year after the Taliban retook control of their country, Afghan women and girls have largely been erased from public life. More than ever, they are struggling to meet their basic needs, which may directly affect their ability to get the healthcare they need. Without healthy women, it will be impossible to rebuild or move forward -- the economy is in free fall, with nearly half the country facing unprecedented levels of hunger.

Before the takeover, women's access to care, while showing small signs of improvement in areas such as Kabul, was still below international standards. But now, across Afghanistan, women are unable to visit health clinics or have a doctor examine them without a mahram -- a male chaperone.

If preventive care was rare in 2021 in Afghanistan, it is likely almost nonexistent in 2022, putting the lives of millions of Afghan women and girls at even greater risk, and making it even more important for their voices to be heard.

Read the 2021 Hologic Global Women's Health Index report.
Leslie Barcenas, an OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2021 alumna, cites her family's medical history and the challenges Hispanic patients face in the health care system as reasons she wanted to become a doctor.

Family history, Hispanic heritage motivation to become doctor

Media Contact: Sara Plummer | Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | sara.plummer@okstate.edu

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a Q&A with Dr. Leslie Barcenas, an OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alumna and an Emergency Medicine resident at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

Where are you from?

Muldrow, Oklahoma

When did you graduate from OSU-COM and where are you now?

I graduated in 2021 and Im now at INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

What can you tell us about your Hispanic heritage and background?

I am Spanish, from Spain, and Salvadorean, from El Salvador.

How important is your heritage to you?

My heritage is very important to me. My grandparents and parents are hard-working, compassionate people and that has been instilled in me.

Why did you want to go into medicine?

My mom developed heart disease from having rheumatic fever as a kid. This is a disease that is rare in the United States, but its prevalence remains high in developing countries. Growing up, I attended all her doctors appointments and served as her translator. Its important to have doctors that can relate to their patients, and right now about 3% of physicians are Hispanic.

I went into medicine to help patients like my mom. Even in English its sometimes difficult to understand medical jargon, so adding a language barrier on top of this made it difficult to communicate effectively with her physicians.

Why did you choose OSU-COM and what was the experience like as a medical student?

OSU-COM gives you the opportunity and encourages you to be involved with your community. Growing up, I didnt personally know any Hispanic doctors. When I was at OSU, I was able to volunteer at a local high school with a large Hispanic population and some of those students felt it was easier to relate and ask questions about a pathway to medicine.

How is your residency with INTEGRIS helping you achieve your goal?

INTEGRIS Hispanic Initiative attempts to teach patients English and increase their medical literacy. One of the main reasons I chose to go to INTEGRIS for my residency is because of the large Hispanic population we serve. Its important to have doctors that can relate to their patients.
According to sources privy to developments, these companies were reportedly found to be availing input tax credit (ITC) without underlaying supply of goods and services.

Sources informed that on the basis of specific inputs received against ICICI Prudential Insurance for reportedly availing ineligible ITC without underlaying supply of goods and services, certain other common intermediaries were also identified.

They informed that on further probe it was revealed that these entities had reportedly formed an arrangement to pass on ineligible ITC in the guise of marketing services and fraudulent invoices were allegedly raised by following a systematic modus operandi in connivance with each other.

Sources aware of developments said that the modus operandi was systematically planned and executed mainly at the behest of insurance companies.

The probe is learnt to have revealed that the insurance companies had been executing the modus since the inception of GST, sources pointed out.

Subsequently, searches were conducted by officials of Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) at the premises of several insurance companies and NBFCs in multiple cities, sources informed.

While the searches are still underway, sources said that ICICI Prudential reportedly paid Rs 100 crore in cash voluntarily under Section 74(5) of CGST Act, 2017 during the course of investigation.

Sources further informed that so far, GST evasion to the tune of Rs 824 crore has been unearthed and various insurance companies which availed and utilised ineligible ITC have voluntarily paid a total amount of Rs 217 crore in cash under Section 74(5) of CGST Act, 2017.

--ians ans/arm

( 300 Words)

2022-09-29-23:02:02 (IANS)
New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI/NewsVoir): DS Group's Pass Pass Pulse, India's favourite fruit candies with a tangy twist, has launched an exciting Campaign 'Pulse Ka Pandal' to bring festivities from across the country on the digital platform, this Navratri. In a one of its kind empirical bonanza, the festive revellers can enjoy the Ram Leela in the North, the famous Dandiya in the West and Durga Pujo in the East through virtual pandals set up on the Online Map to thoroughly enjoy the nine nights of festivities. Using innovation to fuel their marketing campaigns in digital space, 'Pulse Ka Pandal' is a content-tech integrated campaign, wherein the virtual pandals of the Ram Leela from the Lav Kush Mela in Red Fort (New Delhi), Garba Raas from the Karnavati Club in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Durga Puja from the Samajh Sevi, Rasbihari (Kolkata) will be streamed live. People from different parts of the country would be able to see the live feed of these places on the online maps. Speaking on the occasion Arvind Kumar, General Manager - Marketing, Dharampal Satyapal Foods Ltd. said, "India is a treasure trove of festivals and Sharad Navratri brings alive the festive spirits in the believers. The entire country celebrates Navratri and Dussehra in diverse traditions. 'Pulse Ka Pandal' will converge the traditions from various states on a single platform, whilst creating an innovative social media campaign that is exciting, resonates with our audience and leaves a lasting impression. This campaign's interesting and engaging content will surely add to the festive revelry." While in North Nau Durgas are worshipped for nine days and the Ram Leelas are organised all across concluding with the splendid Dussehra festivities. In Eastern India the five day long show starts from Shashti (6th day of Navratri) and goes on till Vijaya Dashmi, when the married women bid adieu to goddess Durga with Sindoor Khela. In western India after Pooja, people clad their colourful clothes to play Garba and Dandiya (Gujarat's folk dance) in the evening. The brand will amplify the online campaign by bringing in the local influencers to promote and boost the campaign at regional level. In order to involve the audience further, various fun engagement activities like contests, puzzles, quizzes etc. will be active at each of these locations on the online maps. Audience can participate in these contests and win amazing online gift vouchers. Pass Pass Pulse, the candy from DS Group stormed the hard-boiled candy market with its launch in 2015 and has maintained its position of No.1 hard boiled candy brand in India for the last three consecutive years. Launch Video link - www.instagram.com/p/Ci9HSp1PpM5/ Online Maps URL - maps.app.goo.gl/HF4TStexgkN7xN2e6?g_st=iw Kanika Mann Video - www.instagram.com/reel/CjF2RaLAEFL/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg= Raj Anadkat Video - www.instagram.com/reel/CjFY1RnsIid/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg= The DS Group (Dharampal Satyapal Group) is a Multi-Business Corporation and one of the leading FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) conglomerate with strong Indian and International presence. Founded in the year 1929, it is an inspiring and successful business story that blends a remarkable history and legacy with visionary growth. The Group's portfolio is extensive and diverse with presence in Mouth Freshener, Food and Beverage, Confectionery, Hospitality, Agri, Luxury Retail, Tobacco businesses and also other investments. Rajnigandha, Catch, Pulse, FRU, Maze, Ksheer, Pass Pass, BABA, Tulsi, L'Opera, Le Marche, Birthright, The Manu Maharani and Namah are some of the leading brands, the Group proudly shelters today. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

The restoration work being carried out by the government of Azerbaijan on the liberated lands is amazing, Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), Khalid Mahmood said, Azernews reports via Trend.

The remarks were made on the sidelines of the 1st Azerbaijani Think Tank Forum in Shusha.

I was very saddened to see the extent of the destruction caused by the occupying forces. Not only was the life of civilians disrupted, and infrastructure was destroyed, but even places of worship such as mosques were desecrated. The entire land is covered with mines, which complicates the restoration process even more," Mahmood said.

At the same time, the diplomat noted that its nice to see how much effort the Azerbaijani government and people are putting into the reconstruction process and building new infrastructure.

"Initiatives such as smart cities and villages, the airport in Fuzuli, which we saw today, are really impressive. I admire the Azerbaijani government and people's efforts," he added.

Further, he stressed that Armenia should finally start moving towards lasting peace for the entire region's benefit.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan cooperate in various sectors of the economy. The relations between the two countries date back to 1991. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.

The trade turnover between the two countries totaled $11.7 million in 2021.
Fans showed their excitement and celebrated the release of Mani Ratnam's magnum opus 'Ponniyin Selvan' across the state of Tamil Nadu. Fans gathered in huge numbers outside Rohini Silver Screens movie theatre in Chennai's Koyambedu. The celebration included the playing of drums and dancing in front of the cinema hall. Speaking to ANI, one of the audience members, Divya shared her thoughts about the movie. She said, "Film is really good. Manirathnam has directed well in a great way, Acting, Music, screen play VFX and everything is good and this film will be a great success and let's make it a success so that Tamils will get proud." Another audience member Sri Ram revived the film. He said, "If we go inside the theatre to watch this film we can experience a very good film. If we don't compare this PS1 film with Baahubali or other films then this film will be a great film. VFX is top matching. Manirathnam have done VXF well in his past films like Kadal ( Sea ). AR rehman music is super. From A. R. Rahman's music, Trisha's character as Kundhavai to the cinematography by Ravi Varma everything is great and interesting. I believe this PS1 film will get the National award for Cinematography. Overall art direction is good. What all expected character in this film is Vikram sir, he has acted nicely." In Madurai, fans offered milk and put garlands around the actor Vikram's poster. And even performed the pooja and were seen bursting crackers. In the film, Vikram will portray the role of Aditya Karikalan. Apart from Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will be seen in dual roles. She will play queen Nandini, the princess of Pazhuvoor, who is on a mission to seek vengeance, as well as Mandakini Devi in the historical drama. Trisha will be seen as Kundavai and Ravi will portray the character of Arunmozhi Varman. Karthik Sivakumar and Jayam Ravi., Karthi will play Vanthiyathevan. Directed by Mani Ratnam, 'Ponniyin Selvan' is a pan-India film. 'Ponniyin Selvan-Part 1' is a cinematic adaptation of author Kalki Krishnamurthy's Tamil novel of the same name which was released in the form of a series during the 1950s. It marks the third collaboration of Aishwarya with south actor Vikram after their critically acclaimed film 'Raavan' in 2010, and the fourth collaboration with director Mani Ratnam after 'Iruvar' in 1997, 'Guru' in 2007 and 'Raavan' in 2010. PS1 is a historical drama of time when the Cholan Empire was at the height of its power. The film follows the power struggle between royal families as forces conspire to capture the Cholan throne. 'Ponniyin Selvan' film used the names of real-life characters who existed at the time but the events are fictionalised to a larger extent. The story is set in the 10th century during a tumultuous time in the Chola Empire when the power struggle between different branches of the ruling family caused violent rifts between the potential successors to the reigning emperor. The A.R Rahman musical is out in theatres, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Produced by Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions. (ANI)
Kolkata residents come up with unique and innovative themes for Durga Puja pandals every year. This year, the theme of an innovative pandal set up by the Dumdum Tarun Dal, Puja Committee, is 'City of Joy, Calcutta.' It attempts to reflect the transformation of the city from Old Calcutta to today's Kolkata. Dumdum Tarun Dal of North Kolkata, which turns 45 this year, has come up with the eye-catching theme this time. In the pandal, people can catch a glimpse of G. Pal & Sons studio, a painting of a portion of the 'smoking' black poster, which had sparked a major controversy in the country a few days back, the printing press, opium distribution centre, critical infrastructure and Memorial City. Calcutta to Calcutta City of Joy--one can see Job Charnak old Tilottama. Sutanuti Gobindpur Calcutta 3 village's story of becoming today's Tilottama of Dum Dum Park Tarun Dal. Where the whole of Kolkata will catch up in terms of art. Ekchala idol darshan through Rajbari gas lamp metho path Ganesh Pine Gopeshwar Pal Glimpse of famous artists. There is a statue of Calcutta builder Job Charnock at the main entrance of the mandap. Savarna Roy Chowdhury also created the palace perfectly by the artist Pradeep Das. According to the Puja Committee Secretary, we can see this 300-year-old city every day during Pujas. Many things have changed in the city. Everything from the house to the politics. Metro construction work can be seen in Mandaps. Coffee House, Metropolitan Building, and Janbazar are also presented through piece-by-piece installation. Speaking to ANI, Biswajit Prasad, Secretary of Dumdum Tarun Dal Puja Committee said, "During the period of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, G. Pal who created idols in one night as earlier idols were made collectively like the statue of Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, Kartik but he created them separately. As per artistes, when we go out to fight, we will not take our family along but will battle that alone and win it. That's way, the entire idol is of Lord Durga, who is there to protect us." He added, "We have created a big statute of idol Kaali. The old shops of hoarding and banner in the Kolkata streets, we have depicted that too in this pandal with the help of hoardings. We have showcased the printing press also, without that pooja was incomplete. As it was used to make the invites. " Biswajit Prasad continued, "We want to give a message through this pandal to the youth that how was the old Calcutta along with the transformation into the modern city. We are showcasing before and after Kolkata. It took almost four months to create this with the help of more than 70-80 artisans who have worked day and night to make the pandal. It was built at a cost of around Rs 60 lakh." The Hindu festival of Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a yearly celebration that honours the Hindu goddess Durga and commemorates her victory over Mahishasur. Over the years, Durga Puja has become an inseparable part of Indian culture with innumerable people celebrating this festival in their own unique way while pertaining to tradition. Hindu mythology holds that the goddess comes to her earthly abode at this time to bless her devotees. For the Bengali community, Durga Puja is the biggest festival. This year Maha Shashti falls on October 1 and Vijaya Dashami on October 5. The significance of Durga Puja goes beyond religion and is revered as the celebration of compassion, brotherhood, humanity, art and culture. From the reverberation of 'dhaak' and new clothes to delicious food, there remains a merry mood during these days. (ANI)
According to new University of Colorado Boulder research published online Sept. 30 in the journal Cell, an unknown family of viruses that is currently prevalent in wild African primates and known to cause lethal Ebola-like symptoms in certain monkeys is "poised for spillover" to people. Despite the fact that such arteriviruses are already regarded as a serious hazard to macaque monkeys, no human infections have been observed to date. It is also unknown what effect the virus might have on humans if it jumped species. However, the scientists, drawing analogies to HIV (the forerunner of which arose in African monkeys), urge caution: The global health community might potentially avoid another pandemic by monitoring for arteriviruses in both animals and humans now, scientists suggested. "This animal virus has worked out how to get into human cells, reproduce, and avoid some of the crucial immune responses that we would anticipate to protect us from an animal virus." "That's pretty unusual," said senior author Sara Sawyer, a CU Boulder professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. "We need to pay attention to it." Thousands of different viruses circulate among animals all throughout the world, with the majority of them generating no symptoms. In recent decades, an increasing number of viruses have jumped to humans, causing havoc on naive immune systems with no experience fighting them off: Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2012, SARS-CoV in 2003, and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in 2020. For the past 15 years, Sawyer's lab has used laboratory techniques and tissue samples from wildlife all around the world to investigate which animal viruses are likely to infect people. She and lead author Cody Warren, then a postdoctoral fellow at CU's BioFrontiers Institute, focused on arteriviruses, which are abundant in pigs and horses but understudied in nonhuman primates. They focused on simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV), which causes a devastating sickness comparable to Ebola virus disease and has been responsible for deadly outbreaks in captive macaque colonies since the 1960s. The research shows that a molecule called CD163 plays an important role in the biology of simian arteriviruses, allowing the virus to enter and infect target cells. The researchers discovered, to their astonishment, that the virus was also extraordinarily adept at latching on to the human version of CD163, getting inside human cells, and rapidly replicating itself. Simian arteriviruses, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its progenitor simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), appear to attack immune cells, weakening important defence mechanisms and establishing a long-term presence in the body. "The similarities between this virus and the simian viruses that caused the HIV epidemic are deep," said Warren, who is currently an assistant professor in The Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The authors emphasise that another pandemic is not imminent and that the public need not be concerned. They do, however, recommend that the global health community prioritise further research into simian arteriviruses, develop blood antibody testing for them, and investigate surveillance of human populations exposed to animal carriers. A wide variety of African monkeys already carry high viral loads of many arteriviruses, often without symptoms, and certain species contact frequently humans, biting and scratching them. "Just because we haven't yet identified a human arterivirus infection doesn't mean no one has been exposed." "We haven't looked," Warren explained. Warren and Sawyer point out that no one had heard of HIV in the 1970s either. Researchers now believe that HIV originated in nonhuman primates in Africa before spreading to humans in the early 1900s. When HIV began killing young men in the United States in the 1980s, there was no serology test and no cure in the works. According to Sawyer, there is no certainty that these simian arteriviruses will infect humans. But one thing is certain: more viruses will infect humans and cause sickness. "COVID is merely the most recent in a long line of spillover events from animals to people, some of which have burst into global disasters," Sawyer explained. "Our objective is that by raising knowledge of the viruses to be on the lookout for, we can get ahead of this so that if human illnesses start, we can respond swiftly." (ANI)
The clash broke out over mining of sand on the bank of Sone river in Aminabad village under Bihta police station. The sand of Sone river is considered as higher quality in construction purpose. Hence, its price is always high due to big demand in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The clash started between Fauji group and Sipahi group around 11.30 pm on Wednesday. Both the sides were involved in verbal argument with each other over the sand mining at the particular place and it soon turned violent. They started firing on each other. Four of the persons reportedly died in the firing.

The firing between the two groups continued for the entire night and local police did not dare to go there and restore peace.

The police sources have said that they have taken the dead bodies with themselves as well.

--IANS ajk/uk

( 175 Words)

2022-09-29-20:36:02 (IANS)
The Supreme Court has declined to entertain a review petition by Axis Bank Ltd challenging an order passed in the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) for Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd. A bench, headed by Justice Indira Banerjee (retired now), upheld the ruling that National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has the discretion to admit or reject a valid initiation of the insolvency process by a financial creditor under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). "To interpret words and provisions of a statute, it may become necessary for the judges to embark upon lengthy discussions. The words of judges interpreting statutes are not to be interpreted as statutes. There are no grounds for review of the judgment and order. The review petition is, accordingly, disposed of," said the bench, also comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari, in the order passed on September 22, but uploaded on Thursday. Axis Bank had filed a review petition challenging the judgment passed on July 12 by the same bench. "It is well settled that judgments and observations in judgments are not to be read as provisions of statute. Judicial utterances and/or pronouncements are in the setting of the facts of a particular case," noted the top court, in its order on the review petition. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that certain observations made by the bench in the judgment and order under review could be interpreted in a manner that might be contrary to the aims and objects of the IBC and render the law infructuous. However, the top court said: "The apprehension appears to be misconceived." While disposing of the review petition, the top court held that judgments cited by Axis Bank did not adjudicate upon the question so raised in the civil appeal, i.e., whether Section 7 (5) of the code was mandatory or discretionary. In the July judgment, the top court had noted that the adjudicating authority (NCLT) simply brushed aside the case of the power company that an amount of Rs 1,730 crore was realisable by it in terms of the order passed by the APTEL in its favour. "With the cursory observation that disputes if any between the appellant and the recipient of electricity or between the appellant and the Electricity Regulatory Commission were inconsequential," it said. It observed that the NCLT has to consider the grounds made out by the corporate debtor against admission, on its own merits. For example, when admission is opposed on the ground of existence of an award or a decree in favour of the corporate debtor, and the awarded/decretal amount exceeds the amount of the debt, the adjudicating authority would have to exercise its discretion under Section 7(5)(a) of the IBC to keep the admission of the application of the financial creditor in abeyance, unless there is good reason not to do so. "The Adjudicating Authority may, for example, admit the application of the Financial Creditor, notwithstanding any award or decree, if the award/decretal amount is incapable of realisation. The example is only illustrative," the top court had said in its July judgment. It had said that the NCLT was required to apply its mind to relevant factors including the feasibility of initiation of CIRP, against an electricity generating company operated under statutory control, the impact of Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's (MERC) appeal, pending in the apex court, the order of the APTEL and the overall financial health and viability of the corporate debtor under its existing management. The Axis Bank counsel had argued that the application under Section 7 of the IBC was filed by the respondent financial creditor before the NCLT, Mumbai. The debt due from the appellant to the respondent financial creditor was approximately Rs 553 crore and the total debt owed by the appellant to the consortium of lenders of which the respondent financial creditor is the lead bank was approximately Rs 2,727 crore. The power company had set up a 600 MW coal-fired thermal power plant comprising two units each of 300 MW capacity, within the Butibori Industrial Area in the Nagpur district in Maharashtra. It filed an appeal under Section 62 of the IBC, against a judgment and order passed by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), refusing to stay the proceedings initiated by the respondent, Axis Bank Ltd against the appellant for initiation of the CIRP under Section 7 of the IBC. In July, the top court set aside the orders passed by the NCLT and the NCLAT dismissing the power company's plea. "The NCLT shall re-consider the application of the appellant for stay of further proceedings on merits in accordance with law," it said. The power company was represented by advocates Shri Venkatesh and Nitin Saluja. Talking to IANS, Venkatesh said: The affirmation of the earlier judgment by the Supreme Court brings some amount of reasonableness into the whole lender-driven CIRP process. The court interpreted Section 7(5) of the IBC and has held that under compelling circumstances, the default itself would not entitle admission of CIRP and the Adjudicating Authority has to apply its mind which admitting such proceedings. --IANS ss/vd ( 869 Words) 2022-09-29-20:58:02 (IANS)
BJP national President Jagat Prakash Nadda said on Thursday that the saffron party is fighting family-based parties in various parts of the country, including in Odisha. Addressing booth-level workers at the Janata Maidan here, Nadda said BJP is the biggest political party in the world with a strength of 18 crore. "There is no party in the world with such strength. We are an ideology-based national party. For us, it is always nation first, but keeping in mind the regional aspirations," he said. "This is a cadre-based party with a mass following. After the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, we formed government in Bihar, Assam and Puducherry for the first time... So, we are a national party with government in maximum states," Nadda said. "Today we are fighting against the Indian National Congress, but the party no longer remains national nor Indian as it has become a party of brother and sister," he said. "We are also fighting against dynasty-based parties. Abdullahs and Muftis in Jammu & Kashmir, Chautalas in Haryana, Badals in Punjab, Akhilesh in UP, Yadav in Bihar, and Soren in Jharkhanda. In Odisha it is one man party... We are fighting parties run by families," he added. "Dynasty politics is also prevalent in Odisha with the presence of Biju Patnaik's party. BJP is the only party that is not family-based and is driven by ideology," said the BJP chief. Nadda also informed the party workers about the steps taken by the Narendra Modi government for providing safe drinking water, power supply, pucca houses, toilets etc. for the people of Odisha. Institutions like AIIMS, IIM, NISER and many medical colleges have been set up by the Modi government in Odisha, he said. "The first tribal President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is from Odisha and more than 15 persons from the state have been conferred with Padma awards. This was never the case during the UPA rule and shows PM Modi's immense love for the state," he added. Taking a dig at the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in Odisha, Nadda said, "This government puts lebels on Central schemes. The PM Awas Yojana is being branded as Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. While 50 crore people have been included under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, 60 lakh people in Odisha are deprived of it." The Centre has allocated Rs 15,490 crore to Odisha under MGNREGA but fake bills are being made here, he said. "Similarly, crores of rupees are being spent under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Yet tribal women in Odisha are going to ponds and wells to fetch drinking water. It shows that the Naveen Patnaik-led government is riddled with corruption," the BJP chief said. Claiming that protectors have become perpetrators of crime in Odisha, Nadda said, "The state of governance in Odisha can be gauged from the fact that three ministers are accused of murder." Nadda added that even the 'Ratna Bhandar' of Lord Jagannath is not safe in Odisha. "Ratna Bhandar's key was missing and later a duplicate key was found. Uproot this type of duplicate government and bring BJP to power in Odisha," he said. "The BJD has been ruling Odisha for 20 years, yet it has failed to ensure ambulance service for pregnant women in the remote areas," the BJP leader claimed. It's time to uproot this government and bring a double-engine 'sarkar' for development, Nadda told the party workers. The BJP President is on a two-day visit to the state. This is Nadda's first visit to Odisha after being appointed as BJP chief. --IANS bbm/arm ( 600 Words) 2022-09-29-22:38:03 (IANS)
All legacy dumpsites containing 16 crore metric tonnes of waste, and taking up 15,000 acres of prime land, will be remediated under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. Union Minister of Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said: "I am proud to note that Action Plans for over 1,000 legacy dumpsites -- including those in Delhi -- containing 12.8 crore metric tonnes waste have been approved by MoHUA, with total project cost of more than Rs 8,000 crore of which the Centre is contributing almost Rs 3,000 crore. Speaking at an event 'Swachh Shehar Samvad' in Delhi, the Minister said: "India is now embarking on its next journey of Swachhata under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0. We are now targeting to go from an ODF India to a 'Garbage-Free India'." Some of the key initiatives under the mission include a renewed focus on source segregation, and scientific processing segregated fraction of waste at the ULB level. Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are being set up in every city to ensure that the segregated dry waste, including plastic waste fractions, are further sorted and processed or recycled. More than 2,000 MRFs with design capacity of 42,000 tonnes per day are already operational across 1,400 cities. The Minister said that setting up of processing facilities for Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste is being fast-tracked with a proposal to enhance processing capacity to 15,000 tonnes per day of C&D waste, to cover all cities under the National Clean Air Programme. It also includes setting up waste-to-compost plants in every city for the processing of segregated wet waste. The Minister said the Swachh Bharat Mission has been a tremendous success not just because hard infrastructure such as toilets was built but more importantly because ground-up capacity building and IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) efforts were prioritised. Much like in the first phase of the mission, we are witnessing record-breaking participation from citizens, including especially young children and students, in SBM (U) 2.0, he said. "I am glad that the Centre of Excellence at IIM Indore was launched today. I am certain that it will be yet another reinforcement of the capacity building efforts of the mission by harnessing insights from field-based learning in collaboration with the Indore Municipal Corporation, and focusing on research and innovation," added the Minister. --IANS kvm/pgh ( 395 Words) 2022-09-29-22:58:01 (IANS)
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairman Priyank Kanoongo on Thursday tweeted that there have been complaints about priests spreading superstition in the name of treatment of children and misleading them for conversion. "Some complaints have been received from Punjab and Rajasthan about priests spreading superstition in the name of treatment of children and misleading them for conversion, action is being taken", he tweeted. He also urged the people to email the complaints and videos to 'cp.ncpcr@nic.in' and further requested not to circulate the video on social media to maintain children's privacy. Earlier, after the two back-to-back shocking incidents of atrocities against minor girls in Jharkhand's Dumka, Priyank Kanoongo scheduled a visit to the district to meet the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police. "The Commission has come across with yet another incident of alleged rape and murder of a minor tribal girl by a man named Arman Ansari...under Mufassil police station on Friday. The accused, identified as Arman Ansari, has been arrested and a case has been registered under relevant sections of IPC, POCSO and SC-ST Act," an official notice from NCPCR said. "In addition to the scheduled visit of NCPCR team led by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, NCPCR to Dumka on 5th September 2022, as conveyed vide letter dated 31.8.2022, the team will also take stock of the status of the said incident on 5th September 2022, by convening a meeting with DC, SP, Investigating Officer of the case and Doctors who conducted the autopsy of the minor victim girl, besides to meet/interact with the family members of the deceased minor girl," it added. Earlier, the Jharkhand Police had informed that they have registered a case of rape and murder against the accused in the case of the minor girl who was found hanging in a field in Dumka on Saturday. "Rape and murder case registered under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and SC/ST Act. Accused Armaan Ansari was arrested. We want to collect evidence and file a chargesheet soon," Amber Lakra, Superintendent of Police, Dumka said. The case pertains to the incident when a 14-year-old tribal girl was found hanging from a tree.As per the reports, the girl was allegedly sexually exploited by a man on the pretext of marriage and was raped, killed, and hanged from the tree in Dumka. This came days after another minor girl was set ablaze in the region by one Shahrukh Moin on August 23. The girl had succumbed to her injuries on August 28. However, two unfortunate incidents have also taken a political turn as BJP MP Nishikant Dubey slammed the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand for the growing atrocities on Dalit girls and said that "underage Dalits and tribal girls are being exploited and the government is sleeping." taking to Twitter, Dubey also claimed that the minor girl was 3-months pregnant. "From the news received from the relatives of the minor girl in Dumka, it appears that the girl was 3 months pregnant. This should be investigated. "Grooming gangs" are active in Jharkhand, in which Bangladeshi Muslim boys, are exploiting underage Dalits and tribal girls and the Soren government is sleeping," Dubey said in a tweet. "Hanging body of a girl found in Dumka. She was hanging by a tree. One accused has been arrested. The investigation is underway. All facts and other things are being ascertained," Dumka Police had said on Saturday. (ANI)
Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janta Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday asked the party workers to sensitize the people on various welfare schemes of the State government through party's outreach programme. Addressing the two days preparatory meeting for the party's annual month-long 'Jan Sampark Padyatra' beginning from Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, Patnaik said, "Our party is with people and it is working for the people. So, we have to focus on sensitising the people on various welfare programmes of our government." Patnaik also advised the party workers to remind the people about the significant role of Odisha in India's freedom struggle. Party workers from all over the state, including office bearers of Youth, Students and Women wings, Ministers, MLAs and MPs attended the meeting. Pranab Prakash Das, the organization Secretary of BJD said, "The Biju Janta Dal has taken the form of a collective movement for the interests of Odisha. Now we have the responsibility to carry forward our commitments towards the welfare of people." Chief Minister Patnaik will launch the programme on October 2. During this month-long padayatra, BJD will celebrate 'Gandhi Jayanti' and 'Shastri Jayanti' on October 2, the birth anniversary of 'Utkalmani Gopbandhu Dash on October 9 and the birth anniversary of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan on October 11. Starting from the District level, the padyatra will be organised in every ward and Panchayat throughout the state. Patnaik has asked all the functionaries of the party to actively participate in the padayatra and to ensure the participation of a large number of people in the rallies and meetings.During the month-long program, the party workers and leaders will reach every household to inform them about the development schemes and public welfare programs of the Biju Janta Dal Government. The party will also have social welfare programs, like blood donation camps, plantation drives and others during the month-long march. Patnaik will launch the program on October 2 and on a concluding day on November 2, all the BJD leaders and workers will take a pledge to devote their entire life to the development and welfare of the State and its people. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda kickstarted his two-day visit to Odisha's Puri by offering prayers at Shree Jagannatha Temple on Friday morning. He was accompanied by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Nadda arrived in Puri late Thursday evening where he was welcomed by the party workers. This is Nadda's first visit to the state after taking over the party's topmost post in 2019. The BJP chief has programmes lined up later in the day, which includes his visits to Bhadrak and Cuttack. He will pay homage to late party leader Bishnu Sethi and meet his family at around 10.10 am today at Tihidi Kalipadia. Sethi passed away at 61 on September 19 this year due to kidney failure at AIIMS hospital in Bhubaneswar. Later, Nadda will participate in an event at Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR) in Cuttack. Nadda is visiting various states of the country and holding meetings with the party's state units and reviewing the poll preparedness of the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Before his visit to the state, BJP in-charge Sunil Bansal took stock of the preparedness in Bhubaneswar. He had held meetings with the party workers and assigned tasks. He had also taken part in the training camp on September 13 and 15. According to the sources, Nadda will address nearly 30,000 workers during his visit to the state. The party believes that an address by the national president would fill them with new energy for the upcoming polls. "This is the reason why Nadda is visiting every state," said the sources. Besides this, Nadda will meet the MPs, MLAs, office bearers, and district presidents at the Orissa party Office and take feedback on the delivery of the central government's schemes. Nadda will also meet the prominent people of Odisha's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his visit. Nadda will hold a meeting with the core committee in Odisha on the second day where he will discuss the party's situation in the state and instruct the party workers. Nadda will formulate the poll strategy for the 2024 general elections. (ANI)
By Trend

Malaysia highly appreciates Azerbaijan's efforts to restore peace in the South Caucasus, Associate Professor from the University of Malaya (UM) Roy Anthony Rogers said this on the sidelines of I Forum of Azerbaijani Think tank, Trend reports.

"International community plays an important role in maintaining peace and demarcation process. Armenia, whether it likes it or not, must ultimately cooperate with the countries of the region, not only with Azerbaijan, but also with Turkiye," he said.

"Azerbaijan's efforts to restore its territory and peace in the region are highly appreciated by Malaysia. I believe that Azerbaijan really cares about sustainable peace and I want to congratulate the government and people of Azerbaijan on the return of their territories. Malaysia has always supported Azerbaijan very much over these 30 years and expressed its support for the country within the UN and as the member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)," Rogers said.
In his letter, Kumar alleged that Jacob Khaling Rai, political secretary of Tamang, is using his position to "spread Christianity and conversion to Christianity" in Sikkim.

"Narendra Kumar Subba, MLA Sikkim met me and handed over a compilation of news of public appearances of Jacob Khaling Rai, all for the promotion of Christianity and Christian Institutions in Sikkim. It is apparent from the compilation that Rai is using his position to spread Christianity and conversion to Christianity in Sikkim," the VHP leader who is also a senior advocate wrote.

"I believe that the assignment of the Political Secretary of a Chief Minister and the responsibility of a pastor engaged in promoting Christianity are two different things. They should not be allowed to be mixed," he added.

Kumar said that he wanted to bring Shah's attention to the matter. (ANI)
Ahead of filing his nomination for the Congress president election, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday said that there is no "no rivalry" among party leaders who are in the fray adding that it is a "friendly contest". "We all share the same ideology, values and ideals. We want the party to be strengthened. It is a friendly contest, no rivalry," Tharoor said while speaking to the reporters here today. "I'm going to be filing at noon. You'll see me at 24, Akbar Road," the Thiruvananthapuram MP said. When asked about the candidature of senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who according to sources will be in the contest, Tharoor said that more candidates for contesting the better it will be for the party. "I only see speculation (of Kharge contesting). He's also a very respected colleague, we worked together in Lok Sabha. It will be good to have more people in the fray. From the beginning, I have said, the more candidates, the better," Tharoor said. Ahead of filing his nomination, Tharoor also offered prayers on the occasion of the fifth day of Navaratri and paid a visit to Raj Ghat to pay his homage to Mahatma Gandhi. When asked if there are chances that he will pull out from the race the Congress MP denied the possibility. Earlier this morning, ahead of filing the nomination, Digvijaya Singh, who is also in the fray, arrived at the residence of Kharge in the national capital. Nominations for the post of Congress president close at 3 pm today and results will be declared on October 19. With the Gandhis not running for the top post this time around, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was being seen as a frontrunner in the race before he opted to pull out after meeting with Sonia Gandhi on Thursday. Addressing media persons in the national capital after the meeting Gehlot said that he had apologised to her for the scenario emerging in the state triggered by his loyalists. On Thursday, after announcing his decision to contest in party polls, veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that the Nehru-Gandhi family will remain their leader irrespective of who becomes the president of the party. According to sources, Manish Tewari, a face of the G-23 group of leaders (those seeking reforms in the party) is also mulling filing the nomination for the top post. G-23 leaders Thursday evening met at the residence of Anand Sharma. Former union minister Manish Tewari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were present at the meeting. According to sources, the leaders discussed the situation emerging in the run-up to the polls. The leaders will meet again. "Nobody has filed a nomination yet. Once it is done, there will be contemplation. The democratic process has begun. BS Hooda, Anand Sharma, Prithviraj Chavan and I sat for deliberation and discussed events," Manish Tewari said while leaving Anand Sharma's residence. Asked whether G-23 will support candidates whose names have come for Congress presidential poll so far, Tewari said, "Days pass between collecting, filing and withdrawing nomination papers. The decision will be taken at that time. In English, it is called in politics 'it is the preponderance of probabilities'. Let us see what happens tomorrow." The G-23 leaders had written to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi seeking organisational overhaul and internal elections at all levels. "It is good that polls are being held in the party in a democratic way. We thanked Sonia Gandhi for the free-fair polls. Let us see who will file the nomination. We have heard a few names. We will support the best candidate in the field," Prithviraj Chavan told ANI. (ANI)
General Anil Chauhan along with his father Surendra Singh Chauhan on Friday paid tribute at the National War Memorial in the national capital before officially taking over the post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) since his appointment on September 28. Earlier, he had retired as the Eastern Army Commander in May last year and was serving as the Military Advisor to the National Security Council. This has been the first time that a retired officer has been appointed at this position for which a gazette notification was issued to announce the change in rules for the appointment. The newly appointed CDS also received the Guard of Honour at the South Block in the presence of Army chief General Manoj Pande and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari along with Navy vice chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade and Air Marshal BR Krishna. Addressing the media here, he said, "I am proud to be assuming the responsibility of the highest rank in the Indian Armed Forces. I will try to fulfil the expectations of all three defence forces, the government, and the country's people as the Chief of Defence Staff. We will tackle all challenges and difficulties together," CDS General Anil Chauhan said. Chauhan is India's second Chief of Defence Staff, after Gen Bipin Rawat who died in a helicopter crash in December last year in Tamil Nadu, who has taken over the CDS office today. In a career spanning over nearly 40 years, Lt Gen Chauhan has held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast India. Born on 18th May 1961, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. In the rank of Maj General, the officer had commanded an Infantry Division in the critical Baramula sector in the Northern Command. Later, as Lt General, he commanded a corps in the North East and subsequently went to become the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from September 2019 and held the charge until his retirement from the service in May 2021. In addition to these command appointments, the officer also tenanted important staff appointments, including the charge of the Director General of Military Operations. Earlier, the officer had also served as a United Nations mission to Angola. He superannuated from the Indian Army on 31 May 2021. Even after his retirement from the Army, he continued to contribute to national security and strategic matters. The CDS is the most senior uniformed officer in rank, the first among equals -- the only four-star officers in the country are the CDS, the chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The CDS is also the single point of contact for the government for giving military advice and is the senior-most bureaucrat in the defence ministry which has four major departments. The appointment comes amid efforts by the government to give a big push to indigenisation in the equipment for defence forces. (ANI)
Two terrorists linked with the proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed after an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Baramulla in the early hours of Friday, Kashmir Additional Director General of Police said. The encounter broke out at Yedipora, Pattan area of Baramulla. "Baramulla Encounter Update: One terrorist killed. Operation in progress. Further details shall follow," Jammu and Kashmir police tweeted. "Baramulla EncounterUpdate: One more terrorist killed. Both the local terrorists linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM. Search operation in progress. Further details shall follow, said ADGP Kashmir," Jammu and Kashmir further tweeted. Earlier today another encounter between terrorists and security forces started in the Chitragam area in the Shopian district. Further details are awaited. On Tuesday, two terrorists were killed in Avhotu village of Kulgam district in operation by the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), said the police. On search of the encounter site, two AK series rifles, grenades and other warlike stores were recovered, added the police. The police have identified the neutralised terrorists as Mohammad Shafi Ganie and Mohammad Asif Wani of Takiya, Kulgam. Both the terrorists were members of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. The army established a quick initial cordon around the suspected cluster of houses in the village which was subsequently strengthened by additional troops. On confirmation of the presence of terrorists in the suspected place, priority was given to evacuating civilians from the cordon to a safe location. After that, the Army unit attempted to induce the surrender of the hiding terrorists by making repeated surrender calls, however to no avail. While searching the target house, terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing to break the cordon. Troops retaliated with effective fire, foiling their escape attempt and neutralising one of the terrorists. In the ensuing firefight, one soldier sustained a splinter/ricochet injury in the foot. The soldier was evacuated to 439 Field Hospital, Awantipura. Meanwhile, due to the indiscriminate fire by the terrorist, the Gas Godown in the vicinity of the target house caught fire, leading to multiple explosions. Considering the safety of civilian life, efforts by Army and police were pressed in towards dousing the fire by use of water bowsers and foam sprinklers, simultaneously maintaining an impregnable cordon.Later contact was re-established and the second terrorist was also neutralised owing to the accurate fire of the troops. (ANI)
The police action came after a NEET aspirant, staying at the Sai Niwas Girls Hostel, filed a complaint with the police, accusing the sweeper of making her obscene videos. Some other girls too accused him of their videos as well.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Kalyanpur, DK Shukla said the accused's mobile phone has been seized and sent for forensic analysis.

"A worker of Kanpur's Sai Niwas Girls Hostel was taken into custody after a NEET aspirant filed a complaint accusing him of making their videos. Ten-twelve other girls came along with her. The accused worked there for about eight years," Shukla told reporters.

He said the accused had been working at the hostel for about 8 years.

"A case has also been registered and action shall be taken," he added.

Further investigation is underway.

Recently, protests erupted on the Chandigarh university campus over claims that some videos of women students were recorded and leaked. (ANI)
The Free Drinking Water scheme brought by the K Chandrashekhar Rao-led Telangana government seems to be getting a good response from the general public in Hyderabad. The Free Drinking Water scheme was introduced by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in January 2021. Under the scheme, 2.5 lakh households with water meters and two lakh slum households are receiving free 20,000 kilolitres of drinking water per month. The scheme was a part of KCR's poll promises. One of the beneficiaries named Mohammad Aleem Khan told ANI that it is the "best scheme" of KCR. "This is the best scheme of CM KCR. We get 20,000 KL of water free every month and we don't get any bill for that. We thank CM KCR for this," the beneficiary said. Another beneficiary Akbar Azharuddin also praised the scheme and demanded more of such initiatives. "This is a very good scheme and it's very useful for us. Now we don't get any bills. We request CM KCR to bring more such schemes, especially in the electricity department which will be beneficial for the middle-class family. We would like to thank CM KCR for providing this scheme," another beneficiary said. Earlier, as a part of its welfare measures and social safety net strategy, the Telangana government introduced the 'Aasara' pensions, with a view to ensuring secured life for all the poor. It is a welfare scheme of pensions to old people, widows, physically disabled and beedi workers. Tahsildar of Asif Nagar, D Sunil Kumar said that 10,000 new Aasara pensions have been sanctioned under Asif Nagar Mandal jurisdiction. Earlier on Wednesday, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao decided to give a 30% share of the profits of state-run Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) for the year 2021-22 to the company's employees as a Dussehra gift. As part of this step, the company will pay Rs 368 crore to the eligible workers. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Friday said the country is progressing fast on the path of development because the internal security of the nation is strong due to the efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as well as other security forces. "Every Hindustani is safe and the country is moving fast on the path of development only when the internal security of the country is strong," Rai said at an NDRF event organised to honour the Next of Kin (NOK) of brave martyrs who laid down their lives in the line of duty for the Nation. The Minister pointed how the security forces on the border have kept the country's border safe and noted if the country has managed to bring down Naxalism, north east insurgency as well as in keeping tab on terrorism, its security forces have played a major role along with political attempts to deal with these issues. Rai said that the sacrifice of security personnel is a loss to the country and Prime Minister Modi's focus is to make all efforts for security forces to provide them all kind of necessary infrastructure to reduce the number of deaths which will succeed all of us. Mentioning that the families of the those killed in action were honoured on this event, the Minister recalled the incident in June 2013 when a cloudburst took place in Uttarakhand's Garhwal that claimed the lives of several people and caused heavy losses. Rai said that NDRF was given the responsibilty to rescue people in the disaster and they saved people by putting their lives at risk otherwise the number of death would have been more than that. 9 personnel of the NDRF lost their lives in an unfortunate incident in Kedarnath, and six other personnel of the force sacrificed their lives while saving people in disaster-hit states of the country, said the Minister. Rai said many of NDRF personnel sacrificed their lives at various events while protecting lives of people stuck during disaster. He said that NDRF is deployed at places across the country in case of disasters like floods and earthquakes. The Minister also added that "the loss of lives and property has reduced in disasters due to key role of NDRF". Speaking at the event, Director General of NDRF Atul Karwal said the force has saved lives of around 1.48 lakh people and rescued nearly 7.5 lakh people since its inception in January 2006. (ANI)
Congress leader Manish Tewari, who is a part of the G-23 grouping, on Friday extended support to Mallikarjun Kharge in the party's presidential polls against his primary challenger Shashi Tharoor. "Mallikarjun Kharge is a senior leader of the Congress party. I and Anand Sharma have come to support his nomination here," said Tewari, after reaching the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office in the national capital. Both Tewari and Tharoor belong to the G-23 grouping of senior leaders within the party. Reports had suggested Tewari was himself thinking of contesting. "We have come in support of his (Kharge's) nomination. Shashi Tharoor was, is and will be our friend. Those who have spent their entire lives in Congress are here. Digvijaya Singh has shown grace and withdrawn his candidature. It would be good if there is a consensus," Tewari added. Separately, in a tweet, he said, "Leadership, ideological clarity, narrative & transparent access to resources are pillars of 'A' political party. Given recent unfortunate events, it's time to close ranks & strengthen @INCIndia recalling wise words of @CitiznMukherjee & work for a consensus & effective presidency." Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, "Shashi Tharoor has tried to strengthen a tradition. Both of them have said that Congress will be strengthened with this (contest)." Earlier today, Singh dropped out of the Congress presidential race. He too extended his support to Kharge, saying he "cannot think of contesting an election" against a senior leader like Kharge. Singh is the second Congress leader to pull out of the race after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot amid political turmoil in his state. Gehlot said he would be the proposer for Kharge. "Our senior leaders have decided on Kharge ji's nomination. I will be a proposer for him," said Gehlot. Congress MP Deepender S Hooda also welcomed Kharge's nomination. "I welcome Mallikarjun Kharge's nomination for the Congress president post. (I am) confident he will be elected. Over the years, he has raised the voice of the people in Parliament. I've signed his nomination papers as a proposer," he said. (ANI)
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday filed his nomination for the post of Congress president at the party office in the national capital. "I am going to file my nomination (for Congress president post)", Kharge told media persons while heading towards the party office. Earlier, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Jharkhand leader KN Tripathi filed their nomination for the topmost position. Ahead of filing his nomination, Tharoor had visited Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi today. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi also filed his nomination for the party''s topmost position and said that "the decision of party leaders is respected". "I belong to a farmer''s family. The country is seeing that son of a farmer who has experience of serving with the Indian Air Force, minister in state government and elected as deputy leader of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, can also contest for the post of AICC President," Tripathi had said before filing his nominations today. Earlier, former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot were also a part of the race which they eventually stated to have dropped. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister visited Kharge at his residence this morning. "I told him that I stand by him and can''t even think of contesting against him, I will be his proposer," Singh told reporters. Congress MP Deepender S Hooda also said: "I welcome Mallikarjun Kharge''s nomination for Congress president post and am confident that he will get elected. Over the years, he has raised the voice of the people in Parliament. I''ve signed his nomination papers as a proposer." Meanwhile, Gehlot had on Thursday said he is pulling out of the contest after he met with Sonia Gandhi and apologised to her for the ruckus in Rajasthan triggered by his loyalists over a possible leadership change in the state after Gehlot was set to file his nomination papers for the Congress chief polls. Nominations for the post of Congress president close at 3 pm today and results will be declared on October 19. With the Gandhis not running for the top post this time around, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Friday rejected the plea seeking to correct the State Emblem recently installed at the top of the Central Vista Project as it held that the newly installed lion sculpture does not violate the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. A bench comprising Justices MR Shah and Krishna Murari dismissed the plea filed by the petitioner. The court turned down the petitioner's submission that the lions in the new emblem are aggressive and remarked, "That impression depends on the mind of the person". The court said that it cannot be said that the emblem installed was contrary to or violates provisions of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. The petitioner submitted that there is no scope for artistic innovation for a state emblem and had sought appropriate direction from the Centre to correct the State Emblem of India, recently installed at the top of the Central Vista Project. The plea moved by two advocates Aldanish Rein and Ramesh Kumar Mishra stated, "The State Emblem of India Act does not envisage provision in case of violation of the emblem by the State or government itself." Hence, the petitioner has prayed to issue appropriate direction to the respondent to correct the State Emblem of India, recently installed at the top of the Central Vista Project in New Delhi which is going to house the Parliament House and Central Secretariat of the Union of India in accordance with the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. The Petitioners stated that "They are aggrieved of the visible change made in the description and design of the State Emblem of India, recently installed at the top of the Central Vista Project at New Delhi, which is going to house the Parliament House and Central Secretariat of the Union of India." The Petitioner submitted that "The state emblem installed at the top of the Central Vista, which was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister of India and Honourable Speaker of Lok Sabha, violates the description and design of State emblem provided under the Schedule [under section 2(b)] of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005." The schedule of the State Emblem Act defines Emblem as "Emblem means the State Emblem of India as described and specified in the Schedule to be used as the official seal of the government". The Schedule of the Act states that the State Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capitol of Asoka, which is preserved in the Sarnath Museum. The petitioner submitted that the newly installed State emblem of India at the top of the Central Vista project has a visible difference in the design of lions which depicts a changed composure of the lions than that of the symbol preserved in the Sarnath museum. The plea further submitted that "The lions of the newly installed emblem appear to be ferocious and aggressive with their mouth open and canine visible, while the lions of the State emblem preserved in the Sarnath museum, which has been used as an official seal so far in all respects, are calm and composed." "The Sarnath Lion Capitol of Asoka was adopted as the State emblem of India due to its philosophical and spiritual meaning. The four lions are also representative of the four core spiritual philosophies of Buddha since Buddha himself is symbolized as a lion. The three lions visible on the capital's representation in the National Emblem signify Strength, Courage and Confidence. It also signifies constant vigilance over all four directions. Thus, the State emblem of India is not just a graphic design but also has entrenched cultural and philosophical significance," the plea further stated. (ANI)
By Trend

This year marks the second anniversary since the beginning of the second Karabakh war, former Ambassador of Turkiye to Azerbaijan, board member of the Ankara Commission for Crimes in Karabakh Hulusi Kilic said, Trend reports.

The former ambassador noted that September 27, 2020 became the beginning of the 44-day second Karabakh war and the end of the 30-year grief and occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

"Two years ago, modern and vigilant Azerbaijani Army embarked on the path to victory. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave a worthy response to the enemy. On September 27, the president, the people, and the army came together as the 'Iron Fist'. This unity became a heroic epic. September 27 is sacred day. May Allah rest the soul of all martyrs in peace. We honor them with deep reverence," Kilic added.
Newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at South Block in the national capital. https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1575753612978171905?t=XMa2tZ2nDxv6ymNHx8g0_w&s=08 This came hours after General Anil Chauhan took charge as the second CDS of the country earlier in the day, after Gen Bipin Rawat's death in a helicopter crash in December last year in Tamil Nadu. This has been the first time that a retired officer has been appointed at this position for which a gazette notification was issued to announce the change in rules for the appointment. Before taking over the CDS office, Chauhan along with his father Surendra Singh Chauhan paid tribute at the National War Memorial in the national capital. CDS Chauhan had also received the Guard of Honour at the South Block in the presence of Army chief General Manoj Pande and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari along with Navy vice chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade and Air Marshal BR Krishna. "I am proud to be assuming the responsibility of the highest rank in the Indian Armed Forces. I will try to fulfil the expectations of all three defence forces, the government, and the country's people as the Chief of Defence Staff. We will tackle all challenges and difficulties together," CDS General Anil Chauhan said addressing the mediapersons. In a career spanning over 40 years, Lt Gen Chauhan has held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast India. Born on 18th May 1961, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. In the rank of Maj General, the officer had commanded an Infantry Division in the critical Baramula sector in the Northern Command. Later, as Lt General, he commanded a corps in the North East and subsequently went to become the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from September 2019 and held the charge until his retirement from the service in May 2021. In addition to these command appointments, the officer also tenanted important staff appointments, including the charge of the Director General of Military Operations. Earlier, the officer had also served as a United Nations mission to Angola. He superannuated from the Indian Army on 31 May 2021. Even after his retirement from the Army, he continued to contribute to national security and strategic matters. The CDS is the most senior uniformed officer in rank, the first among equals -- the only four-star officers in the country are the CDS, the chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. (ANI)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday lashed out at the Union government for banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates and linked the move with the upcoming assembly elections in several states. "Considering the nationwide ban of government on PFI and its eight affiliates as politically selfish and union appeasing move before the assembly election, there is more restlessness among the people than satisfaction," Mayawati said in her tweet in Hindi. She further said, "this is the reason why the opposition is also angrily attacking the move by believing it a flaw in the government's intentions and are openly demanding for a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) stating if PFI can be a threat for the country's internal security, why other such organisations should not be banned?" Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday made the announcement through a notification declaring "the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect". Along with PFI, the ban was also imposed on its fronts, including Rehab India Foundation (RIF). Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women's Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an "unlawful association". Opposing the move, the lone MLA from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Bihar, Akhtarul Iman on Thursday, said that it is not fair to ban the outfit without proving its crime in a court of law. "It's not fair to ban PFI without proving its crime in court," Iman had said, adding that the PFI is a "political organisation". Meanwhile, the Campus Front of India, the student wing of PFI termed the five-year ban as "undemocratic and anti-constitutional", and said they would challenge the government's move in Court. Issuing a statement against the ban, CFI tweeted on Wednesday, "Ban on Campus Front is Undemocratic and Anti-Constitutional; will be challenged in court. Stopped Activities in Accordance with Law". On Wednesday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the PFI ban and said, "Actions of some individuals who commit crime does not mean that the organisation itself must be banned." (ANI)
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday informed the Supreme Court that the daughter of ex-Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy's daughter was discharged from a hospital in Banglore after the delivery of her child and reached Bellary last night. CBI made these submissions before the top court in a plea filed by former Karnataka minister and mining baron, Gali Janardhan Reddy, accused in a multi-million illegal mining case. Reddy filed a plea seeking to visit Bellary on the ground of seeing his daughter and her newborn child. CBI also apprised the court that Reddy's daughter was discharged from Banglore's hospital yesterday evening after the matter was argued before the Supreme Court yesterday. CBI also apprised a bench of justices MR Shah and Krishna Murari that Reddy's daughter delivered the child on September 27 after undergoing a cesareansurgery. Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora for Reddy submitted that the mother of the child lives in Bellary. During the hearing, the court asked the petitioner's counsel not to raise the voice as it would be of no help. The court also noted that the petitioner never disclosed that the child was not born in Bellary, however, it expressed full sympathy with the petitioner. The court pointed out that what the agency is saying is the discharge took place only after arguments before this court. Reddy's counsel said that a newborn may have been born in Bangalore, but the mother and child reside in Bellary. Reddy's counsel urged the court to issue directions to the concerned court to examine the prosecution witnesses from Bellary first. The lawyer apprehended that out of vendetta may put witnesses from Bellary to be examined at last. The court said that it will pass an appropriate order later. The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the CBI to report it tomorrow after enquiring into the former Karnataka minister and mining baron, Gali Janardhan Reddy, accused in a multi-million illegal mining case, a plea seeking to visit Bellary on the ground of seeing his daughter and her newborn child. Meenakshi Arora, Senior Advocate, appearing for the applicant Reddy has prayed to permit her client to visit Bellary at least for four weeks as the petitioner's daughter delivered a child only two days back. Earlier the court had granted relief to former Karnataka minister and mining baron, Gali Janardhan Reddy, accused in a multi-million illegal mining case, by allowing him to visit and stay in the District of Bellary in Karnataka and Kadapa and Anantpuram in Andhra Pradesh with the condition. The court had then modified its January 20, 2015 bail order and relaxed his condition related to his restrictions on his visit and stay over there. Reddy was arrested in September 2011 and was granted bail in January 2015. While granting bail the apex court had imposed a condition on him not to visit these Districts. Later, he filed an application seeking to relax the bail conditions imposed on him. (ANI)
A convicted prisoner who was undergoing treatment at a hospital was caught with a prostitute at the facility in Hajipur in Bihar's Vaishali district, police said. "A convicted prisoner who was admitted to the Sadar hospital went missing from the hospital ward and was found with a woman in another room. Five people including the prisoner, the woman and hospital staff and security guards were arrested," Civil Surgeon Dr Amarendra Narayan Sai said. The matter has left the administration in shock and they are investigating how this was made possible inside the hospital. Police on Thursday raided the prisoners ward of the Sadar Hospital and found that one inmate was missing. After a search the inmate, who is a murder convict was caught with a call girl in another room at the hospital. The inmate along with four guards and one hospital staffer were detained by the police. Civil Surgeon of the Sadar Hospital Dr Amrendra Narayan Sahi told ANI that an NGO worker had provided the convict with the keys to the room. "There were four guards for security. It has to be investigated for how long such things have been going on. The prisoner was a heart patient and was referred to AIIMS in Delhi but wasn't taken there," the civil surgeon further said. The detained prisoner serving his sentence at the Mandal Kara jail was sent to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after he complained of chest pain. Police is conducting further investigations. (ANI)
A Special Court of Delhi on Friday sent three Delhi PFI leaders namely Perwez Ahmad, Mohammad Ilias and Abdul Muqeet to judicial custody. All three namely, Perwez Ahmad, President PFI Delhi; Mohammad Ilias, General Secretary PFI Delhi; and Abdul Muqeet, Office Secretary PFI Delhi were arrested last week by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the offence of money laundering in the guise of cash donations. The Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Shailender Malik on Friday gave the order to send all three accused to Judicial Custody for 14 days after ED didn't seek further custodial remand of them. All three accused were produced before the court on Friday after the end of the seven-day remand, which was granted last week by the same court. Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier had alleged that Perwez Ahmad was part of a criminal conspiracy since 2018. "He admitted to having looked after the collection of funds in Delhi. Investigation revealed that such fund collection exercise was a sham and was falsely projected to be received from PFI sympathizers whereas statements of individuals, projected as contributors, revealed that these transactions were bogus. Hence, cash from suspicious sources was nothing but proceeds of crime generated out of criminal conspiracy," ED stated. "The non-cooperative and evasive attitude of Perwez Ahmad along with his deliberate attempts to avoid joining the ongoing investigation in light of the fresh evidence viz. the statement of so-called donors and the evidence seized from various locations during searches, in this case, create further suspicion about his activities and involvement in money laundering activities," ED further stated. "It is evident that Perwez Ahmad deliberately withheld disclosure of true facts and deliberately lied and tried to mislead the investigating officer during the recording of his statements under Section 50 of PMLA, 2002," said the ED in court. ED earlier stated that the PMLA investigation against PFI in a matter registered in 2018 revealed that more than Rs 120 crores has been deposited in the accounts of PFI and related entities over the years and that a very large part of the same has been deposited in cash. According to the ED, it has recently found inputs against the PFI for "organizing a training camp with an intent to cause disturbance during Prime Minster Narendra Modi's visit in Bihar's capital Patna on July 12 this year". Besides, during the course of the investigation, the agencies have found details of numerous bank accounts of PFI. The revelation came in two separate remand copies of the Enforcement Directorate, one submitted before a special judge in Lucknow against Muhammed Shafeeque Payeth, a resident of Kozhikode in Kerala, and the other against Perwez Ahmed before a Special Court in Delhi. Both Payeth and Ahmed were arrested from Kerala and Delhi respectively on September 22 during the largest search operation conducted by a joint team of ED and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police forces, arresting 106 PFI members from 15 states. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court recently issued notice on a plea seeking direction from authorities to initiate the extradition procedure against an absconding accused in a case of voyeurism and stalking. The petitioner also seeks direction from social media platforms to delete/take down obscene material from fake Facebook and Instagram accounts. The accused is stated to be declared a proclaimed offender and is in the UAE. This was registered at Delhi Cantt police station in December 2021 and a charge sheet is yet to be filed. Justice Anu Malhotra on Wednesday directed the Centre, Delhi Police and Passport authorities to file a status report on the plea moved by X. The matter has been listed on October 18, 2022. During the hearing, Delhi Police apprised the court that an FIR under sections related to voyeurism, stalking, intimidation and section 67 of the Information Technology Act 2000 has been registered. It was also stated that the charge sheet is yet to be filed and the accused has been declared a proclaimed offender. The plea sought a direction to Delhi Police to expeditiously initiate the extradition procedure of the accused Mukesh from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as per law in terms of the India-UAE Extradition Treaty, 1999. The victim has moved a plea seeking direction to social media platforms to take down, remove, block, restrict/disable access, on a global basis, to all such videos/pictures of the petitioner uploaded on fake Instagram and Facebook user accounts and block access to these fake accounts. The petitioner also has sought a direction from the Centre to initiate the passport impounding procedure of the accused under the Passport Act or similar direction to the Regional Passport Office, New Delhi. The petitioner has also sought direction from the Delhi Police to invoke the penal provisions of the Information Technology Act 2000 against the accused. The present case was registered on 23 December 2021 under sections 354 C, 354 D, 506 and 509 IPC and section 67 of the Information Technology Act 2000. (ANI)
They said five juveniles involved in the incident were apprehended from Lal Bagh area and the weapon used in the crime, a button knife, has been found.

Police said that the knife was purchased online.

A case has been filed and a further probe is underway.

Earlier this month, a man was killed and four others were seriously injured in a stabbing incident in Delhi's Mangolpuri following an altercation.

Three persons have been arrested in connection with that case. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday approved the release of Rs 488 crore as a Central share of the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Goa for the year 2021-22, for undertaking mitigation activities as per guidelines issued by the Central government. Based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Central Government has allocated Rs 32,031crore for the SDMF and Rs 13,693 crore for the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26. These mitigation funds are to be used for undertaking mitigation activities, involving local level and community-based interventions, which will reduce the risks from disasters and promote environment-friendly settlements and livelihood practices. Shah has always emphasized that before the 1990s, the Government of India had a relief-centric approach, there was no scope for saving lives and property and it was not part of the planning process. Now as per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said, "we have worked out a scientific programme for saving lives and property based on early warning, proactive prevention, mitigation and pre-preparation." The Central Government had constituted the NDMF at the national level on February 5, 2021. State governments have been advised to set up SDMFs in their respective states. Guidelines for the operationalization of SDMF and NDMF have already been issued by the Central government. The Central government has already released an amount of Rs 3,382.24 crore as the Central share of SDMF to 21 states after they constituted their SDMF. (ANI)
The police on Friday also apprehended the hostel operator and the hostel warden.

Kanpur's Joint Commissioner Anand Prakash Tiwari said, "yesterday the police took immediate action on the serious allegation of making obscene videos of the girl students under 354B, 120B The case was registered under 202, 509 IPC".

The police further added that three people have now been arrested, including the hostel warden, the hostel sweeper and the hostel operator.

The accused have been identified as Rishi, the sanitation worker and Manoj Pandey, hostel operator.

"Forensic experts of the police are still investigating the mobile phone of the arrested accused," said Joint CP Anand Prakash Tiwari.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Congress Central Election Authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry on Friday said that a total of 20 nomination forms have been received, adding that the Gandhi family is not supporting any candidate for the party's president post. This comes after Mallikarjun Kharge, who is a known Gandhi family loyalist, entered into the fray at the eleventh hour. While several top leaders including from the G-23 faction flanked Kharge when he filed the nomination papers today. Mistry added that 14 nominations were received by Mallikarjun Kharge, five by Shashi Tharoor and one by Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi. "14 forms submitted by (Mallikarjun) Kharge, 5 by Shashi Tharoor and one by KN Tripathi. Tomorrow, we will scrutinise forms and tomorrow evening we will announce forms that are valid and the names of candidates," said Mistry at the press briefing. He further said that the Gandhi family has not endorsed any candidate for the presidential polls. "None of these three is an official candidate of the party. They are contesting on their own. The Gandhi family has not endorsed anyone's nomination. Congress president has made it very clear that she will stay neutral throughout the process and if someone claims he has her blessings and it is incorrect: Madhusudan Mistry He also added that candidates are in the fray of their own volition and Gandhis are neutral in this contest and are not supporting anyone. Senior Congress leader and MP, Shashi Tharoor on Friday filed his nomination for the post of party President at the office of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in the national capital. Kharge received support from nearly 30 Congress leaders for the party's presidential polls. These names include Deepender Hooda, Salman Khurshid, Ashok Gehlot, Digvijaya Singh, Manish Tewari, Prithviraj Chavan, and among others. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi also filed his nomination for the party's topmost position and said that "the decision of party leaders is respected". "I belong to a farmer's family. The country is seeing that son of a farmer who has experience of serving with the Indian Air Force, minister in state government and elected as deputy leader of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, can also contest for the post of AICC President," Tripathi had said before filing his nominations today. Terming Kharge as the 'Bhishma Pita' of the Congress, Tharoor said that he will not withdraw his nomination and that the contest will be friendly and there is no rivalry between the candidates. Both Tewari and Tharoor belong to the G-23 grouping of senior leaders within the party. Reports had suggested Tewari was himself thinking of contesting. Meanwhile, former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh dropped out of the Congress presidential race. He too extended his support to Kharge, saying he "cannot think of contesting an election" against a senior leader like Kharge. Singh was the second Congress leader to pull out of the race after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot amid political turmoil in his state. Gehlot said he would be the proposer for Kharge. Nominations for the post of Congress president close at 3 pm today and results will be declared on October 19. With the Gandhis not running for the top post this time around, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years. (ANI)
By Trend

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the U.S. for its stance regarding Turkiye-Greece tensions, saying that it has lost its impartiality and cannot find an ally like Ankara, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

"The U.S. does not act fairly regarding NATO member-states. Both Greece and Turkiye are NATO member states and Turkiye is in the top five in terms of its contributions to the bloc," the president told a live interview on broadcaster CNN Turk.

He continued by saying that there is no comparison between Turkiye and Greece's standing in NATO, and Washington cannot find another ally like Ankara.

Erdogan also said it is unacceptable for the U.S. to send armored vehicles to the demilitarized islands.

"Our expectation from the U.S. is not to involve Greece in wrong calculations and not to allow the manipulation of international public opinion," he added.

He also denounced Washington's recent decision to lift an arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot administration, terming it "inexplicable in terms of content and timing."

He said the move "will not go unanswered" and pledged to take all necessary steps to protect Turkish Cypriots.

The president's criticism came after Greece sent armored vehicles donated by the U.S. to Lesbos and Samos islands.

Turkiye, a NATO member for over 70 years, has complained of repeated provocative actions and rhetoric by Greece in the region in recent months, including arming islands near Turkish shores that are demilitarized under treaties, saying that such moves frustrate its good faith efforts for peace.

Turkiye and Greece are at odds over a number of issues, including competing claims over jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean, overlapping claims over their continental shelves, maritime boundaries, airspace, energy, the ethnically split island of Cyprus, the status of the islands in the Aegean Sea and migrants.

Ankara accuses Athens of illegally militarizing Greek islands in the East Aegean and questions Greeces sovereignty over them. There is also a dispute over the exploitation of mineral resources in the Aegean.

Since the beginning of 2022, Greek warplanes have violated Turkish airspace 256 times and harassed Turkish jets on 158 occasions, and Greek coast guard boats also violated Turkish territorial waters 33 times.

Among the most recent developments that flared tensions was the harassment by two Greek coast guard boats opening fire on a cargo ship in international waters, continued pushbacks by Greek elements recorded by Turkish UAVs as well as the harassment of Turkish fighter jets under a NATO mission by Greeces Russian-made S-300s.

It was reported recently that Turkish jets on a reconnaissance mission, flying in international airspace, had been harassed by a Greek defense system stationed on Crete.

Turkiye is planning to submit to NATO and its allies the radar logs showing how a Greek S-300 air defense system harassed Turkish F-16 jets during a mission in international airspace, sources said. Turkiye has also lodged a protest and demanded an explanation and investigation from Greece into an incident that was totally in violation of international laws.

On Ankara's request for recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Erdogan said: "If the U.N. Security Council acts fairly, we will speed up this process."

He also urged the international community to recognize the TRNC, adding that "this would open the way to resolving the Cyprus issue."
The Kodanad heist-cum-murder case has been transferred to the Crime Branch-CID in order to expedite the case. "Tamil Nadu DGP C Sylendra Babu issued orders transferring the case to the CB-CID on Friday," the official said. The case pertains to the Kodanad Estate owned jointly by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and her close aide V.K. Sasikala. In April 2017, when Edappadi K. Palaniswami was the Chief Minister, a burglary was reported in the estate. In the course of the burglary, the accused had hacked watchman Om Bahadur to death. Another watchman had sustained grievous injuries. Days later, the former driver of Jayalalitha, C. Kanagaraj who was the prime accused died in a road accident. Another accused, K.V. Sayan, escaped narrowly from a similar road accident. A CCTV operator at the Estate too died by suicide. The police completed the investigation and filed a final report before a Judicial Magistrate at Kotagiri On November 29, 2017, the police filed a final report before a Judicial Magistrate at Kotagiri after the investigation into the case. Thereafter, the case was committed to the Sessions Court at Udhagamandalam and the latter took it on file on January 4, 2018. Charges were framed against the accused on October 31, 2019. The police suddenly decided to conduct further investigation into the case after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) assumed power in the State. Since August 2021, the trial court had been regularly adjourning the case at the request of the police though no progress whatsoever had been reported regarding the further investigation. Supreme Court in January 2019 while hearing the petition filed by social activist KR Ramaswamy had dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into the Kodanad estate case. (ANI)
The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu police to grant permission to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to organise the rally on November 6 instead of October 2. The Court was hearing a contempt of court petition filed by RSS' Tiruvallur joint secretary R Karthikeyan against the Police for denying permission to the route march on October 2. The court made it clear that authorities would face contempt action if they violate the order. "The Court had passed orders only after taking all circumstances into consideration and that no one should be allowed to undermine a judicial order and denial of permission despite court orders seems to be a mockery," RSS Side Senior Counsel Prabhakaran argued. Police side Council Elango said that the central intelligence agencies itself had given inputs to the State regarding possible disturbance of law and order due to the action taken against the Popular Front of India (PFI). Earlier on Thursday, citing Law and order issues Tamil Nadu government denied permission for RSS planned human chain March across Tamil Nadu which was scheduled to conduct on October 2. In the official release from Tamil Nadu Government, "Chennai High Court has given permission to the RSS March and ordered the Tamil Nadu government to consider giving permission for the RSS March. Though it is said that, due to law and order issues the Government is denying permission for RSS March." "The Union Government has banned PFI and condemning this various Muslims organization are protesting across Tamil Nadu. Recently, various events in Tamil Nadu are triggering religious feelings and on the same day of planned RSS March. Few political parties have asked permission for human harmony chain demonstrations against the RSS march. Police are working day and night and patrolling to ensure law and order in the state. So it is decided not to give permission for the RSS march and other organised Human Harmony chains, "the official release said. On September 22, Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan directed the Tamil Nadu government to approve the route march proposed by RSS at 50 locations on October 2 but left it open to the administration to impose the necessary conditions. Following this order, various DMK alliance parties like VCK, MDMK and communist party requested the government not to give permission for the RSS March. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai lashed out at former CM Siddaramiah and said it was 'unfortunate' that the Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly was seeking a ban on the RSS. Talking to reporters here on Friday, CM Bommai said, "The Congress has no basis to ask why the Popular Front of India (PFI) has been banned because it was the same party that had withdrawn the cases booked against PFI". "To cover up their mistakes, the Congress leaders are demanding a ban on RSS but they don't say why it should be banned," he added. The Centre on Tuesday declared the Popular Front of India (PFI), and its associates or affiliates or fronts, as an unlawful association with immediate effect for five years, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. "PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts operate openly as a socio-economic, educational, and political organization but, they have been pursuing a secret agenda to radicalize a particular section of the society working towards undermining the concept of democracy and show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country," said the government notification. The ban on PFI and its affiliates was welcomed and opposed by many leaders nationwide. However, in Karnataka, it triggered a debate between the two leaders after the former CM and the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramiah gave a controversial statement on RSS. While comparing the RSS and PFI, Siddharamiah called for a ban on RSS too. This triggered a controversy in the state. "The RSS has built several institutions for poor, downtrodden, and destitute people, and rendered help during natural disasters. The RSS is an organization that is trying to create awareness of patriotism. I feel Siddaramaiah should not have stooped to this level," CM Bommai said. Earlier, K Suresh, Congress MP from Kerala compared the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with the Popular Front of India and demanded a similar ban on it for perpetuating "Hindu communalism." Asked about Congress top post poll, Bommai said it is an internal matter of the Congress Party and did not want to comment on it. However, he added that this may be because the election for the party president was happening for the first time. (ANI)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) and the Aligarh District Magistrate (DM), over the reported negligence in the ammonia gas leak at a meat factory causing illness to about 100 workers. The Commission has sought a report within four weeks. "The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that about 100 workers, mostly women, fell ill after inhaling ammonia gas that leaked in a meat factory in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh on September 29, 2022," NHRC said in a statement. Reportedly, the pipeline through which the gas leaked, required replacement but it was instead repaired recently and the matter was also not reported to the authorities."Information was received about an ammonia gas leak in a meat factory in the Rorawar area, where mostly women are engaged in packaging work," the Aligarh DM said.The doctors informed us that everyone who was in the factory has been brought to the medical college and they are being treated. Everyone is out of danger and there is nothing to worry about as of now. However, as per the official notice the Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, amount to a violation of human rights due to the apparent negligence of the owners as well as the local authorities, who were not vigilant towards their lawful duty. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Director General of Police and the District Magistrate, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh calling for a report on the matter within four weeks. The report is excepted to include action taken against the officers responsible as well as the status of the medical treatment being provided to the victims. "The Commission would also like to know whether any compensation has been given by the State Government to the victims or not. The report should also mention whether the meat factory management has obtained lawful approval/licenses from the authorities concerned including the NOC by the Fire Services and also whether the labour laws were being properly followed by the factory", read the official notice. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, as many as 28 workers fell ill after inhaling ammonia gas that leaked from a prawn processing plant in Odisha's Balasore district on Wednesday. Police officers and a fire rescue team rushed to the prawn factory named Highland Agro Food Private Limited and rescued 28 workers and sent them to Khantapada Hospital. Out of them, 15 were referred to Balasore and other hospitals, according to an official. "While 28 were admitted to the local community health centre at Khantapada, 15 are referred to Balasore. Till now only 7 workers were shifted to Balasore district headquarters hospital and out of them 4 are in serious condition and 3 are discharged," said Dr Julalsen Jagdev, Balasore Chief District Medical Officer yesterday. He also informed that the workers who came in contact with the gas complained of burning of the throat, nose and respiratory tract. "Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation. Many of them complained of problems in breathing and irritation in the eyes. We are giving them oxygen for breathing. The condition of the other 8 workers is not known whether they were admitted in other hospital or referred to Cuttack or Bhubaneswar," he said. Balasore MP and former Union Minister Pratap Sadangi met the workers at the hospital and discussed their health conditions with the doctors. Balasore Police are investigating the matter. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi challenging the bail granted to two persons who are accused of firing at his vehicle in February 2022. A bench of Justices MR Shah and Krishna Murari sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government and the two accused -- Sachin Sharma, and Shubham Gurjar -- on the limited issue as to whether the issue relating to bail granted to them be remanded back to the Allahabad High Court for fresh consideration. The top court posted Owaisi's plea challenging the High Court order of granting bail to the two accused on November 11. It also dismissed Owaisi's challenge to the bail granted to the third accused Aalim while noting that the role attributed to him and the allegations are that before six months (of the incident), he supplied the foreign-made pistol and no role is attributed to him with respect to any fire shot. "We see no reason to interfere with the High Court releasing the said accused on bail. The SLP relating to Aalim's bail is dismissed," the bench said while refusing to interfere with Aalim's bail. Owaisi's car had come under attack in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, while he was returning to Delhi after attending election-related events in western Uttar Pradesh on February 3, a week before assembly polls began in the State. After the incident, the police arrested three persons -- Sachin Sharma, Shubham Gurjar, and Aalim -- for their alleged involvement in the incident. Owaisi in his plea submitted that after accused Sachin came out on bail, he again threatened the petitioner with serious consequences. (ANI)
Newly introduced Gandhinagar Capital-Mumbai Central Vande Bharat flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Gandhinagar station on Friday came with a befitting Health Conscious Low-Calorie Millet Rich Regional menu, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement. "On this line, Indian Railways is all set to serve high-end delicacies suited to the taste-buds of esteemed clientele in the prestigious semi-high speed train. The elegant design and appearance of the train shall be ably complimented with local cuisine anticipating preferred train patronisation from Gujarat and Maharashtra, though the menu shall also address passenger expectations from other parts of the country," the statement read. The professional Catering Services arm of Indian Railways, 'IRCTC' shall deliver a rich cuisine experience to travellers' taste buds during the journey. Talking to ANI about the menu, the service manager of IRCTC, Arindam said that we are now offering low-calorie and hygienic food for the travellers of this new premium class train. "We have not missed our focus on the preference of fasting, Jain or senior patrons in the Mumbai Gujarat Section. Dishes prepared from Sabu Dana, Bhagar and Fruits which are otherwise light on the stomach but still have high nutritional value are much a part of the menu," he said. Arindam further said, "Maintaining hygiene in food service is a very challenging task. But, we are able to do this. All food items get ready and packed in our base kitchen. We served only packed items to the passengers to maintain maximum safety. Our onboard hospitality has been extended by engaging experienced and competent professionals of balanced gender mix at par with the Mumbai Ahmedabad Corporate Tejas Trains run by IRCTC." "The customised menu for Vande Bharat Train is also in sync with the theme of the ensuing year 2023 which is poised to be celebrated the World over as the International Year of Millets. The initiative has been steered by India in the U.N. General Assembly adopting a resolution in April 2021 and declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets," the ministry said. "In a first, Healthy Malt Beverages for travelling kids are being introduced as a service in the premium train. Replacing Chocolate Bars with local Brands of "Peanut Chikki" with Peanuts sourced from local farmers is being seen as a part of Be Vocal, 'Go Local' ideology. The Menu service is planned to suit the train schedule timings including morning tea, breakfast, hi-tea, lunch and dinner on the motto "Quality First"," it said, adding that the much-awaited experience of high-end Vande Bharat Express travels from Gandhinagar to Mumbai i.e. Mumbai Central shall be available to one and all with effect from October 1 post its inaugural run on the 30th of September 2022. (ANI)
The President's Bodyguards (PBG) carried out training at Malpura drop zone in Agra as the regiment completed 250 years. All the paratroopers underwent a low-altitude, static-line jump. A detachment of the President's Bodyguard regiment remains permanently deployed at Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield. "President's Bodyguard is the senior-most Regiment of Indian Army. This year the President's Bodyguard will be celebrating the 250th year of its raising. Over the next year, a large number of professional and ceremonial events are planned," Commandant of President's Bodyguard Col Anup Tiwari said. The President's Bodyguard, raised by Governor-General Warren Hastings in September 1773, is the senior most regiment in the order of precedence of the units of the Indian Army and It is a regiment carrying out ceremonial duties for the President of India. The personnel are excellent equestrians, capable tank men and paratroopers. It is equipped as a mounted unit, with horses for ceremonies at the presidential palace and BTR-80 vehicles for use in combat. The personnel of the regiment are also trained as paratroopers and nominally are expected to lead in airborne assaults in the role of pathfinders. The regiment is the successor of the Governor General's Bodyguard of the British Raj. The regiment saw action in Operation Ablaze in 1965 in the western theatre, with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in 1988-1989 and with the Indian United Nations Contingents in Somalia, Angola and Sierra Leone. After Independence, the President's Bodyguards have seen action in several areas. In 1962, its armoured cars were deployed for the defence of Ladakh's Chushul at heights of over 14,000 feet. The Bodyguard was the only corps of cavalry in the Bengal Presidency until 1777 when two regiments of cavalry were transferred to the Company by the Nawab of Oudh. Both the regiments were raised in 1776. (ANI)
The accused in the Ankita Bhandari case will be interrogated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to investigate this case for the next 72 hours, the police informed on Friday. "The SIT will interrogate the accused in the Ankita murder case for the next 72 hours. For this, the accused have been taken from the district jail Pauri to some secret place. Considering the sensitivity of the incident, the accused have been taken to a secret place for interrogation by the SIT," District Jail Pauri Jailor BP Singh said. The SIT will interrogate the murder accused by bringing the main witnesses of the murder face to face. The murder case pertains to a young girl (Ankita Bhandari) whose body was recovered from the Chilla Canal in Rishikesh on September 24. Son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, Pulkit Arya was arrested in the case for allegedly pushing her into the canal following an altercation. Besides Pulkit Arya, two more people were arrested in the case. "The three accused, including the main accused Pulkit, have been handed over to the investigator of the SIT," BP Singh said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Ankita Bhandari's parents on Friday.The state chief also assured her parents of strict action against the culprits. "Today, after reaching Dobh Srikot village of Pauri district, expressed condolences while meeting the family members of daughter Ankita. I assured them that by taking the strictest action against the culprits of this heinous crime, we will get the matter heard in the fast-track court," tweeted CM Dhami. Earlier on Thursday, the accused were taken on police remand. "The process of taking the accused on police remand is going on. The process of collecting witnesses and evidence is going on, after that the process of remand will be done," said SIT in charge, DIG P Renuka Devi. She also informed that the revenue officers were also being questioned. (ANI)
A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday upheld the rights of agitators for peaceful protests during the forthcoming Durga Puja against the multi-crore teacher's recruitment scam. A group of agitators sought the permission of the Calcutta High Court to conduct peaceful protest demonstrations on the streets of Kolkata. However, the state government objected to that petition claiming that the police administration will be busy in traffic management during the festival days, and any permission to continue with the protests will cause inconvenience both for the police administration as well as for the common people who will be out in the streets to enjoy the festival days. However, on Friday afternoon, Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ruled out the state government's argument on this count and chose to uphold the right of the agitators for peaceful protest. "The eligible candidates are protesting on the streets in demand of their legitimate jobs and the police are unwilling to honour their rights for peaceful protests citing puja as the excuse. This argument is not at all acceptable," Justice Mantha observed while passing the judgement. However, he said that the place of peaceful protest will have to be decided on the basis of discussions between the police administration and the protesters. "It can be either under the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Mayo Road or at Rani Rashmoni Road. The place will have to be mutually decided through discussion," Justice Mantha observed further. Recently, a number of judges of Calcutta High Court have made a number of important observations on the teachers' recruitment irregularities scam. First, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay observed that those getting jobs illegally against any consideration should either resign or be ready to face severe punishment as prescribed by the court. On Thursday, Justice Biswajit Basu expressed solidarity to Justice Gangopadhyay and said he is also ready to be a part of the battle against corruption. Justice Mantha's observation on Friday afternoon is the latest on this count. --IANS src/pgh ( 346 Words) 2022-09-30-19:22:03 (IANS)
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday expressed concern over rising unemployment and vacant posts in the state. "While on one hand, Haryana is facing unemployment rate of 37.3 per cent, highest in the country, on the other 1.82 lakh posts are lying vacant in government departments," he said in a statement here. The Leader of Opposition said the government abolished 13,000 posts without any recruitment. "Whereas about 25 lakh unemployed youth are in search of jobs in the state. The BJP-JJP government is pushing the youth into unemployment. During the last eight years, instead of giving jobs the government has only been firing employees. Today every youth of Haryana is suffering because of the policies of the government," the Congress leader said. "Today 38,612 posts are lying vacant in primary education alone, 25,534 in secondary education and 6,618 in higher education. There is a shortage of about 30,000 personnel in the police department and about 10,000 employees in the health department. Similarly, every department including irrigation, transport, skill development, animal husbandry, PWD, fire service and panchayat are running without adequate staff," he said. "During the Congress tenure, more than one lakh jobs were given in the education department alone. In comparison, the present government is not able to recruit even as many employees as they retire every year," he added. --IANS vg/pgh ( 237 Words) 2022-09-30-20:00:05 (IANS)
By Trend

The United States announced a new package of arms and supplies for Ukraine worth $1.1 billion for reinforcing Kyivs forces over the medium and long term, Trend reports citing Al Arabiya.

The package of orders for US military suppliers includes HIMARS missile systems and ammunition, systems to counter drones, radars and armored vehicles, according to a Defense Department statement.
The woman was apprehended at platform no 58 of Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station under Afzalgunj police station.

According to Hyderabad Police, Laxmi Bai, the apprehended woman, was transporting and supplying Ganja to customers at Parbani, Maharashtra. She, along with her accomplice Rahul Kokate (absconding), used to procure the narcotics from Malkangiri, Odisha and supplying the same to customers in Parbani of Maharashtra.

Rahul, along with her, visited Malkangiri, Odisha and procured 22 ganja packets wrapped in brown colour tape by concealing the same in five bags and each packet weighing 2 kg. The total ganja is 44 kg, said police.

Police had input about their movement with drugs. While on her way to Parbhani, Maharasthra, Laxmi Bai was caught red-handed at MGBS, Hyderabad but her associate Rahul managed to escape from the place. (ANI)
Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, said on Friday that even in times of crisis, super powers like the US and China help other nations in a selfish manner, whereas it is the nature of India to help others selflessly. Speaking at a programme organised by the Bharat Vikas Parishad here, Bhagwat pointed out that few countries, particularly China, used Sri Lanka and Pakistan for its selfish goals, but when they faced crisis recently, these countries did not come forward to bail them out. During the recent economic crisis in Sri Lanka, India was the only country which went out of its way to stand like a rock in its darkest hour, he said. "India not only rescued its medical students from Ukraine, but also safely brought back students from other countries. This is the character of India," Bhagwat said, adding that charity is in the heart of Indian society. The RSS supremo also said that countries that have been superpowers only dominated the world and fulfilled their vested interests, but India always lent a helping hand to the countries in distress. India wants development and progress, but not at the cost of a world in strife, he said. "India always takes the lead when it comes to helping those in desperate need of aid. India's role in helping crisis-hit countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives and Ukraine is a shining example of that," Bhagwat said, adding that other countries did not show such sense of belonging. --IANS joseph/arm ( 265 Words) 2022-09-30-21:32:04 (IANS)
Dr. Bhavi Kumar, a prominent family physician here, has warned a US house panel of the repercussions of the Texas abortion laws as being the most restrictive in the country and denounced a recent push to scale back access to the procedure nationwide. In a congressional testimony, the Houston doctor bashed the Texas abortion ban as 'white supremacist agenda'. "Abortion bans are inherently racist, inherently classist, and fundamentally part of the white supremacist agenda," said Dr. Bhavik Kumar, medical director for primary and transgender care at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast in Houston. "We don't have to imagine a world where people face the deadly consequences of being denied essential medical care. It's here." Texas' abortion laws led to 3-day delay for Houston woman's pregnancy loss treatment, he said. The three-hour hearing, held by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, followed recent efforts from several prominent Republicans to implement nationwide bans, expanding on the Supreme Court's decision in June to give states the power to restrict the procedure, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle here on Friday. Earlier this month, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said he introduced legislation that would ban abortion after 15 weeks gestation, "when unborn children can feel pain" -- a claim disputed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. If passed, those laws could prevent Texas patients from accessing abortions in states like New Mexico or Colorado, both of which have become go-to destinations for Texans looking to terminate a pregnancy. Texas is one of 14 states to have banned the procedure, according to the New York Times. Another four states have restricted abortion at varying stages of pregnancy. Experts say a nationwide ban could worsen the poor maternal health outcomes in the US, which already has the worst rate of maternal deaths in the developed world. House Republicans described the hearing as an effort by Democrats to gin up votes ahead of the November election and argued against the assertions of Kumar and other experts that abortion is a fundamental part of reproductive health care. The questioning at times became tense, as GOP lawmakers sought to portray abortion as a dangerous and radical procedure. They were supported by testimony from Dr. Monique Chireau Wubbenhorst, an anti-abortion OB-GYN who served as a health official during the Trump administration. Wubbenhorst has filed legal briefs in favour of overturning Roe v. Wade. At one heated moment during the hearing, Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Georgia, questioned Kumar's credibility by denying that transgender men can become pregnant. Kumar repeatedly pushed back. "This is not complicated," Clyde said. "This is medicine," Kumar replied. Kumar, who has worked at Planned Parenthood in Houston for four years, spoke to the impact of three overlapping abortion bans in Texas, which threaten health care providers with civil lawsuits and criminal penalties for performing the procedure. Planned Parenthood has since stopped providing abortions but continues to offer other reproductive health care services. Texas abortion law uncertainty is making doctors lose confidence and needs clarity He said the laws have affected many people seeking abortions in Texas: Survivors of rape and incest, young girls still learning about their bodies, mothers struggling with multiple jobs and children, and people with wanted pregnancies who experience grave complications. Echoing sentiments from a number of reproductive health care experts in recent months, he told the committee people who lack the resources to seek care elsewhere -- typically low-income patients and people of color -- will bear the brunt of abortion bans. "Over and over again, we are forced to violate our conscience and our training to turn away patients who need us," said Kumar, who estimates he has over the years performed thousands of abortions. Kumar recalled one woman who sought a termination at Planned Parenthood after the implementation last year of Senate Bill 8, which allows private citizens to sue providers who terminate pregnancies after about six weeks, before most people know they are pregnant. The woman worried her abusive partner would find out about the pregnancy, Kumar said. When she was told that doctors could no longer offer the procedure, "she sobbed so loudly people could hear her in the waiting room," Kumar told committee members. She barely made it to the clinic without her partner finding out, Kumar said. "Going out of state was unthinkable," he said. A national abortion ban would put patients at an increased risk of death and other poor health outcomes, he said. It also would not stop pregnancy terminations. "Patients don't care whether they're 6 weeks or 15 weeks," he said. "They know they can't be pregnant. They need care, and they'll go to whatever lengths they can to get that care." --IANS ash/pgh ( 796 Words) 2022-09-30-21:34:02 (IANS)
Researchers have used artificial intelligence to predict hospitalisation outcomes of geriatric patients with dementia on the first or second day of admission. Early outcome assessment means more timely interventions, better care coordination, more prudent resource allocation, focused care management, and timely treatment for these more vulnerable, high-risk patients. The findings of the study were published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions. Because geriatric patients with dementia have longer hospital stays and incur higher health care costs than other patients, the team sought to solve this problem by identifying modifiable risk factors and developing an artificial intelligence model that improves patient outcomes, enhances their quality of life and reduces their hospital readmission risk, as well as reducing hospitalization costs once the model is put into practice. The study looked at the hospital records of 8,407 geriatric patients with dementia over 10 years within Houston Methodist's system of eight hospitals, identifying risk factors for poor outcomes among subgroups of patients with different types of dementia that stem from diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, vascular dementia and Huntington's, among others. From this data, the researchers developed a machine learning model to quickly recognize the predictive risk factors and their ranked importance for undesirable hospitalization outcomes early in the course of these patients' hospital stays. With an accuracy of 95.6%, their model outperformed all other prevalent methods of risk assessment for these multiple types of dementia. The researchers add that none of the other current methods have applied AI to comprehensively predict hospitalization outcomes of elderly patients with dementia in this way nor do they identify specific risk factors that can be modifiable by additional clinical procedures or precautions to reduce the risks. "The study showed that if we can identify geriatric patients with dementia as soon as they are hospitalized and recognize the significant risk factors, then we can implement some suitable interventions right away," said Eugene C. Lai, M.D., Ph.D., the Robert W. Hervey Distinguished Endowed Chair for Parkinson's Research and Treatment in the Stanley H. Appel Department of Neurology. "By mitigating and correcting the modifiable risk factors for undesirable outcomes immediately, we are able to improve outcomes and shorten their hospital stays." Lai, a neurologist, has worked for many years with these patients and wanted to look at ways to better understand how they're managed and their behavior when hospitalized, so clinicians could improve care and quality of life for them. He approached Stephen T.C. Wong, Ph.D., P.E., a bioinformatics expert and Director of the T. T. and W. F. Chao Center for BRAIN at Houston Methodist, with this idea, because he had previously collaborated with Wong and knew his team had access to the large clinical data warehouse of Houston Methodist patients and the ability to use AI to analyze big data. Risk factors for each type of dementia were identified, including those amenable to interventions. Top identified hospitalization outcome risk factors included encephalopathy, number of medical problems at admission, pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, falls, admission source, age, race and anemia, with several overlaps in multi-dementia groups. Ultimately, the researchers aim to implement mitigation measures to guide clinical interventions to reduce these negative outcomes. Wong says the emerging strategy of applying powerful AI predictions to trigger the implementation of "smart" clinical paths in hospitals is novel and will not only improve clinical outcomes and patient experiences, but also reduce hospitalization costs. "Our next steps will be to implement the validated AI model into a mobile app for the ICU and main hospital staff to alert them to geriatric patients with dementia who are at high risk of poor hospitalization outcomes and to guide them on interventional steps to reduce such risks," said Wong, the paper's corresponding author and the John S. Dunn Presidential Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Engineering with the Houston Methodist Research Institute. "We will work with hospital IT to integrate this app seamlessly into EPIC as part of a system-wide implementation for routine clinical use." He said this will follow the same smart clinical pathway strategy they have been working on to integrate two other novel AI apps his team developed into the EPIC system for routine clinical use to guide interventions that reduce the risk of patient falls with injuries and better assess breast cancer risk to reduce unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnoses. (ANI)
Ahead of the 20th National Congress which is set to begin on October 16, Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) oldest retired official, Song Ping, called out Xi Jinping's policies for China and said that the policy of reform is the only way to realize the Chinese dream. Song's message came straight after four months since the Chinese Communist Party's General Office called for retired elderly officials to refrain from criticizing the leadership of Xi Jinping, Nikkei Asia reported. Those who violate discipline will be severely punished, the leadership stated. The 105-year-old retired official made his remarks in a video message recently and caused a major stir in the political circle of China, according to Nikkei Asia. "The policy of reform and opening-up "has been the only path to the development and progress of contemporary China and the only path to the realization of the Chinese dream," he said in the video message. Song's message began to circulate on Chinese social media in mid-September when left for his first overseas trip post-pandemic to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, following which the authorities began to delete parts of Song's speech related to reform and opening up. The Chinese veteran reiterated that Xi has switched to his own economic policies and wants to show that he has overtaken Deng in terms of achievements, raising a red flag, Katsuji Nakazawa, Tokyo-based senior staff and editorial writer wrote for Nikkei Asia. The message from the veteran also comes as a major warning to Xi against going too far with his policies and personnel changes and instead promoting a younger leader who defends the reform and opening-up policy to the Politburo Standing Committee. According to Nikkei Asia, Song Ping also served as a Politburo Standing Committee member under Deng after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Next month, Chairman Xi Jinping will extend his term in power for another five years, as the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) conducts its all-important 20th Party Congress. A total of 2,296 delegates have been appointed to the 20th Party Congress, including just over 200 full members and approximately 170 alternate members. They will rubber stamp Xi's third five-year term in office, something unprecedented since the excesses of Mao Zedong's reign. The CCP, in recent decades, has successfully depoliticized the Chinese masses and encouraged them only to think of economic gain. Moreover, China's COVID-19 lockdowns are draconian. This policy has raised social discontent and stunted the economy, but China is unlikely to drastically alter its approach, at least until after March 2023 when the new government is sworn in. (ANI)
China has apparently put a pause on investments or assistance in Afghanistan as the country is unhappy with the Afghan Taliban due to its non-fulfilment of commitment to safeguarding Beijing's security interests. The communist nation has started treating Afghanistan with the utmost caution, making no big investments as the country's interim government failed to safeguard China's security interests. China merely provided USD 31 million worth of aid last year, which included food supplies and coronavirus vaccines and this year in June USD 7.5 million worth of humanitarian aid after an earthquake of 6.1 magnitudes struck the Afghan land, reported the Afghan Diaspora. Highlighting the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the country's ties with China, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during a recent press briefing that "Beijing is unhappy with the Afghan Taliban as the latter has not stamped out the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) from Afghanistan." He further said, "Judging from China's communication with the Afghan Taliban, the Afghan Taliban has said repeatedly that it will not allow Afghanistan's territory to be used by any terrorist organisations to attack China or any other country. We hope the Afghan side can earnestly fulfil this commitment," during the briefing. Earlier in July, a UN report threw light on the situation and stated the ETIM has rebuilt several strongholds in Badakhshan in northeast Afghanistan and expanded its area of operations, according to Afghan Diaspora. As per the UK's Islamic Theology of Counter Terrorism, "The Taliban made no effort to expel the ETIM militants from Afghanistan despite China's pressure." Moreover, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been repeatedly targeted by Baloch separatists as well as terrorists belonging to the TTP as they consider it an exploitative project, casting a doubt on its successful completion in Pakistan, adding to the worries of China. In another incident, nine Chinese workers were killed in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when the bus they were travelling in suffered a blast. The deceased was working for the Dasu hydropower project which was a part of the CPEC project in the Upper Kohistan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- a stronghold of the TTP, the Afghan Diaspora reported. In terms of the Belt and Road initiative, the growth in direct trade has been limited so far. The complete lack of infrastructure or managerial capability on the Afghan side limits their ambition, alongside concerns about what they might be getting themselves into. Even after almost a decade after Beijing initiated the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the implementation of several of its important projects in Pakistan failed to generate any investments for the country which is headed into an economic crisis. Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan has been witnessing a spurt in local protests against the Pakistan Army over land issues. The local people are angry at the "land grabbing" spree of the army, all in the name of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). (ANI)
The United States has announced a fresh round of sanctions for an international network of companies involved in selling Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum products, including an India-based petrochemical company. The US Treasury Department said these punitive measures target Iranian brokers and several front companies in the UAE, Hong Kong, and India that have facilitated financial transfers and shipping of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products. The US government claims that Triliance, a critical component of Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors, which brokers the sale of Iranian products to foreign purchasers, has purchased millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petrochemical products from Iran-based petrochemical brokers, which were ultimately shipped to India. It also accuses India-based petrochemical company Tibalaji Petrochem Private Limited of purchasing Triliance-brokered petrochemical products, including methanol and base oil, for onward shipment to China. "Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned an international network of companies involved in the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum products to end users in South and East Asia," the treasury department said in a statement. "These entities have played a critical role in concealing the origin of the Iranian shipments and enabling two sanctioned Iranian brokers, Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Triliance) and Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co. (PGPICC), to transfer funds and ship Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals to buyers in Asia. In addition to OFAC's designations, the Department of State is designating two entities based in the People's Republic of China (PRC), Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co. Ltd. and WS Shipping Co. Ltd., for their involvement in Iran's petrochemical trade," the statement read. Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said the United States is committed to severely restricting Iran's illicit oil and petrochemical sales. "So long as Iran refuses a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the United States will continue to enforce its sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products." As Iran continues to accelerate its nuclear program in violation of the JCPOA, the US government said it will continue to accelerate our enforcement of sanctions on Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sales under authorities that would be removed under the JCPOA. "These enforcement actions will continue on a regular basis, with an aim to severely restrict Iran's oil and petrochemical exports. Anyone involved in facilitating these illegal sales and transactions should cease and desist immediately if they wish to avoid U.S. sanctions," the treasury department said. The US government also said they remain concerned about a wide range of Iranian policies, from their nuclear program, to abuses perpetrated against their own people, to supporting "Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine" with drones and military training, and destabilizing activities across the region. (ANI)
The blast occurred in the 13th security area of Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Abdul Nafee Takour was quoted as saying by TOLO news.

This explosion comes a few days after a blast was reported near the Wazir Akbar Khan area of Kabul that sparked a strong international and domestic outcry.

So far, there is no information about the casualties and the nature of this explosion.

This series of blasts come as the Taliban completed one year of its rule in Afghanistan following the exit of the civilian government last year. Rights groups said the Taliban had broken multiple pledges to respect human and women's rights.

After capturing Kabul in August last year, the Islamic authorities imposed severe restrictions on women's and girls' rights, suppressed the media, and arbitrarily detained, tortured, and summarily executed critics and perceived opponents.

Rights groups say that the Taliban's human rights abuses have brought widespread condemnation and imperilled international efforts to address the country's dire humanitarian situation. (ANI)
The Labour Convention of Indian Organisations (LCIO) is aiming to close the gap between British Indians and the Labour Party by boosting the Indian diaspora connection. The party announced that it will bridge the gap between the Labour Party and British Indians and India by fostering inclusive sustainable growth for both countries through a trade agreement; deepening cultural and educational ties between Britain and India; and engaging with India as a "partner and critical friend" on issues of concern for British Indians. The LCIO announced its relaunch on Independence Day last month to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's independence. During a special India-focussed event, the recently revived LCIO was formally launched and hailed its mission of strengthening India-UK relations, reported iGlobal. On the sidelines of the party conference in Liverpool Labour Party Leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said, "I welcome the re-establishment of the Labour Convention of Indian Organisations. The timing is poignant as people worldwide celebrate 75 years of Indian independence." Signifying another attempt by the Opposition party to connect with the Indian diaspora electorate, he said, "I'm proud of Labour's work with the Indian diaspora in the UK, particularly in strengthening ties between the UK and India. British Indians make an enormous contribution to our economy, culture, and politics. I'll welcome working with the LCIO on our mission to form the next Labour government." It comes after some years of perceived Indian diaspora disconnect under the previous Labour leadership, something which seems to have shifted this year with the attendance of India's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Sujit Ghosh, reported iGlobal. "Deputy High Commissioner @HCI_London attended the relaunch event of Labour Convention of Indian Organisations at the Annual Labour Conference in Liverpool. We welcome the initiative and look forward to working closely with @LabourIndians to further the India-UK ties. @VDoraiswami," tweeted the High Commission of India, London. Replying to the High Commission, LCIO thanked the Indian High Commissioner, V Doraiswami and said, "We are looking forward to a fruitful relationship." The speakers at the event, chaired by British Indian MP Navendu Mishra, included veteran British Indian MP Virendra Sharma and party colleagues such as Barry Gardiner and Paula Barker. "I've visited India a number of times and was really impressed by the organisation of women's groups and how they are tackling the climate crisis," said Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, who also spoke about the Indian diaspora's enriching influence on the UK with specific reference to the "amazing nurses from Kerala" employed in the state-funded National Health Service (NHS), reported iGlobal. Other speakers at the event included LCIO's Steering Committee members made up of prominent British Indian community leaders such as Neena Gill, Krish Raval, Dr Nikita Ved, and Gurinder Singh Josan. The LCIO traces its roots back to India's independence movement and said that the reason for the reinvigoration this year is to connect British Indians to Labour inclusively and to engage India on the significant issues of our time - namely the climate crisis, sustainable development and enhancing internationalism. (ANI)
A United Nations body responsible for shaping global internet development - the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - voted to appoint Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the US-backed candidate, as the group's secretary general. The win of Bogdan-Martin over chief rival Rashid Ismailov on Thursday is significant in the backdrop of wider US-Russia tensions over the Ukraine war and fears of growing censorship online by authoritarian regimes, reported CNN. Bogdan-Martin, a nearly 30-year veteran of the ITU born in New Jersey, beat Ismailov by winning 139 votes out of 172. Ismailov won just 25 votes. Bogdan-Martin will be the first woman ever to lead the ITU. "Humbled & honoured to be elected @ITU Secretary-General & grateful for the trust & confidence Member States placed in me," Bogdan-Martin tweeted on Thursday. "Ready to lead an ITU that will inspire, include & innovate, so that everyone, everywhere can harness the power of #digital to transform their lives," she added. US officials had campaigned heavily on Bogdan-Martin's behalf in the run-up to the vote, in some cases describing it as a turning point for the free and open internet -- principles that are increasingly being challenged by Russia and China as those countries clamp down on their citizens' digital freedoms, reported CNN. Last week, President Joe Biden urged UN member states to support Bogdan-Martin, arguing her leadership of the ITU will help make the internet "inclusive and accessible for everyone, especially in the developing world." The election reflected broader ideological divides over the future of the internet, with the United States and its allies favouring a highly interconnected system governed equally at the international level by UN member states, businesses, civil society groups and technical experts, reported CNN. A victory for Russia, policy experts had said, would likely have meant the consolidation of power under individual governments to set rules and standards for communications technology ranging from cellphones to satellites, and the internet within their borders. That potential power shift was previewed in a joint statement Russia and China issued last year calling for the two countries to have more representation at the ITU and underscoring their commitment to "preserving the sovereign right of States to regulate the national segment of the Internet," reported CNN. Bogdan-Martin's wide victory margin is a sign that few supported Russia and China's vision for the internet, said the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a US technology advocacy group. "Her election by ITU member states shows the international interest in ensuring the technology and the policies that surround it empower individuals rather than become a tool of control for authoritarian regimes," ITIF said. Earlier this year, the United States and 55 other countries announced their own commitment to defending digital human rights and the free flow of information online, with a senior US official describing the effort as "a key part of the overall struggle between authoritarian governments and democracies," reported CNN. Concerns of an emerging "splinternet" -- characterized by a fracturing of the digital world into democratic spaces and anti-democratic ones -- were exacerbated this year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In the war's early weeks, Russia blocked major Western social media services including Facebook and threatened imprisonment for those who shared information undercutting the Kremlin's narrative about the conflict, reported CNN. (ANI)
By Trend

On Thursday, President Joe Biden welcomed delegates from more than a dozen nations to the White House for the first time, Trend reports citing NHK.

He also released his Pacific Partnership Strategy, which promises to help them fight climate change, support their security, and rebuff China's "economic coercion." He said security in the Pacific is "critical as ever" -- for the islanders themselves, for the US, and for the rest of the world.

The US plans to open embassies in the Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Kiribati. Officials announced additional aid of more than 800 million dollars.

Some leaders in the region, however, have been resistant.

Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China, strengthening cooperation in trade and education.

Last week, the Marshall Islands pulled out of talks with US negotiators over a strategic partnership. It raised US testing of nuclear weapons in the territory during the 1940s and 50s. It said the Americans failed to address the damages to their health, environment, and economy.
The Global Alliance for Tibet and Persecuted Minorities, a UK-based rights group condemned Pakistan and China-puppet countries for supporting China over human rights violations in Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Pakistan delivered the Joint Statement on behalf of a Group of 68 countries at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, on September 26, 2022. China's puppet countries, led by Pakistan, deliberately portray Tibet and East Turkestan as "China's internal affairs" but this is historically inaccurate, said a statement by the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities concerning Tibet, East Turkestan and Hong Kong. Notably, Pakistan put forth the principles of the UN Charter including "respect for political independence, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of states," when the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report on human rights in Xinjiang. Pakistan and other China-puppet countries must also not ignore the ongoing gross violations of human rights in Hong Kong. Like any other people in the world, the people of Hong Kong should be allowed to continue to enjoy their fundamental rights as enshrined in the UN Declaration on Human Rights and which the CCP agreed to recognise at the time of the handover from the UK in 1997, added the statement. The CCP's expansionist aims to deny freedom of expression and belief to both Buddhist Tibet and Muslim East Turkestan while utilising its soft power to fuel infrastructure development projects in China-puppet countries including Pakistan, and at the same time seeks to annex Taiwan and gain absolute control of the South China Seas in defiance of international law. Such double standards cannot be ignored. All member states on the UN Human Rights Council must carry out their duty and moral responsibility to defend and protect human rights violations, wherever this occurs, including in China, Tibet, East Turkestan, and Hong Kong, said the statement. The Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities condemn Pakistan and other China-puppet countries as members of the UN Human Rights Council for failing to uphold the very principles of the UN Charter on Human Rights. China must be held accountable for its gross violations of human rights in the territories it controls, and Pakistan and other China-puppet countries must stop pandering to the dictators and blindly supporting the brutal regime in China, read the statement. Tibet, a landlocked Buddhist nation with a population of six million, and East Turkestan (Xinjiang), a peaceful Uyghur Muslim nation, were independent countries before Communist China's illegal occupation and annexation. After coming to power in 1949 Mao Tse-tung ordered the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to invade Tibet and East Turkestan on October 1st, 1949. Tibet and East Turkestan resisted their occupation and were held only by military force. The CCP does not speak for the Tibetan or Uyghur peoples, added the statement. Over a million Tibetans died as a direct result of Communist China's illegal occupation. In its 2022 Annual Report, the independent watchdog organisation, Freedom House reported Tibet as the least free country in the world alongside South Sudan and Syria. Right now, nearly a million Tibetans, many as young as six, are forcefully being entered into China's colonial boarding schools with the long-term object of annihilating Tibetan identity, language, culture, history, and religion. The Chinese authorities are collecting DNA samples of Tibetan children, some as young as three, without their parent's consent. This is a matter of great concern, and it must be stopped, added the statement. The Uyghur Tribunal, an independent tribunal in London, made a ruling in 2021 that the Chinese State has committed genocide against the Uyghur Muslims and other minorities. Whilst welcoming this independent ruling, governments and parliaments worldwide have condemned the Chinese State for genocide against the Uyghurs and other minorities. (ANI)
The first Sherpa meeting under the Indonesian Presidency was held in December 2021 and the second in July 2022.

During the deliberations, Amitabh Kant reaffirmed India's commitment and active support to Indonesian Presidency's efforts to finalize meaningful outcomes for the forthcoming G20 Bali Summit in November 2022.

"He also emphasized the need for G20 to bring enhanced global focus on and strengthen international cooperation and efforts in key priority areas such as sustainable growth, accelerated progress on SDGs, addressing climate change including through Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), tech-enabled development and digital public infrastructure, multilateral reforms and women's empowerment," the MEA said in press statement.

On the sidelines of the G20 Sherpa meeting, Amitabh Kant also held bilateral interactions with his visiting Sherpa counterparts from Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, UK and USA.

During the discussions on the prevailing geopolitical situation in the context of G20, Amitabh Kant highlighted Prime Minister Modi's recent statement on September 16, that "today's era is not of war....diplomacy and dialogue are things that touch the world".

India's constructive interventions infused greater positivity and optimism in G20 deliberations, further strengthening the collective resolve to address prevailing global challenges effectively, the MEA said. (ANI)
In a major move by Russia, President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognizing the so-called "independence" of the Ukrainian regions Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, media reports said. The decree will be followed by Russia formally proclaiming the annexation of Ukrainian territory by hosting a ceremony in Moscow, reported Al Jazeera. "I order the recognition of the state sovereignty and independence" of Zaporizhia and Kherson in southern Ukraine, reported Al Jazeera citing Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two regions are set to be incorporated into Russia along with the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk at a ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday. This comes after, as the West calls it, a sham referendum." In the referendum in the Russian-occupied regions, Russia said that it has received a majority in its favour. Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in the month of February and soon after recognised the 'independence' of Donetsk and Luhansk in the same month. Moreover, the UN Security Council is set to vote Friday on a resolution that would seek to condemn Russia for its referenda in four regions under Russian control but claimed by Ukraine, media reports said. The US-sponsored resolution would call on all countries not to recognise the change in the status of the four regions, CNN reported. The resolution, which is also backed by Albania, would reaffirm the UN commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from a "threat or use of force" is a violation of the UN charter and international law. "In this moment of peril, I must underscore my duty as Secretary-General to uphold the @UNCharter. The charter is clear. Any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the Principles of the Charter & international law," Guterres tweeted. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of the annexation of Ukrainian territories and called it illegal under international laws, media reports said. Describing Russia's move as an act of 'land grab', the top US diplomat said that the US will never recognise the annexation by Moscow. "The Kremlin's sham referenda are a futile effort to mask what amounts to a further attempt at a land grab in Ukraine," Blinken said in a statement.Earlier, Kremlin said that Russia will hold a signing ceremony on Friday to incorporate the annexed four occupied regions of Ukraine. "Tomorrow in the Georgian Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace at 15:00 [1200 GMT] a signing ceremony will take place on the incorporation of the new territories into Russia," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. (ANI)
UN special rapporteur for Afghan Human Rights, Richard Bennett condemned the blast in the western Kabul area of Afghanistan and urged to stop international crimes. Friday's blast claimed at least 19 lives and injured dozens inside the Kaaj Educational Center. Recalling the 2018 attack, Bennett said, "I condemn today's horrific attack on students @KaajAcademy #Dasht-e Barchi, #studentsnotargets.the repeat of the 2018 #ISKP attack at same location. The onslaught on #education for #Hazaras & #Shia must end. Stop attacks on #Afghanistan's future, stop international crimes." While sharing the photo of Kaaj academy before the attack, on his Twitter account, he said, "Image taken @Kaaj Academy before the attack. Crammed with eager students waiting to take their practice exams, full of hope for a brighter future. A reminder that #Afghanistan's future depends on stopping international crimes, holding perpetrators to account and #educating youth." Earlier, UNICEF condemned the blast and said that violence in or around education establishments is unacceptable. UNICEF reminded all parties in Afghanistan to adhere to and respect human rights, ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people. Earlier today, Kabul Police spokesperson Khalid Zadran told CNN that the explosion occurred at the Kaaj education centre at 7:30 am local time. "Unfortunately, the explosion has caused human casualties. Security forces have reached the area and we will share the type of the explosion and casualty figures later," said Zadran. In a Twitter post, NGO Afghan Peace Watch said a suicide bomber detonated himself among students, targeting Kaaj educational centre in a Hazara neighbourhood. This explosion comes a few days after a blast was reported near the Wazir Akbar Khan area of Kabul that sparked a global outcry. The recent blast outside the Russian Embassy in Kabul was also condemned in the strongest terms. This series of blasts come as the Taliban completed one year of its rule in Afghanistan following the ouster of the US-backed civilian government last year. Rights groups said the Taliban had broken multiple pledges to respect human and women's rights. After capturing Kabul in August last year, the Islamic authorities imposed severe restrictions on women's and girls' rights, suppressed the media, and arbitrarily detained, tortured, and summarily executed critics and perceived opponents. Rights groups say that the Taliban's human rights abuses have brought widespread condemnation and imperilled international efforts to address the country's dire humanitarian situation. (ANI)
In a big move, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday formally announced the annexation of four regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia and claimed that "this is the will of millions of people," media reports said. "There are four new regions of Russia," Putin said in a lengthy speech declaring the annexation of Ukrainian territories in the St George's Hall at a Kremlin ceremony. The speech was filled with highly critical rhetoric about Ukraine and its Western allies, reported Al Jazeera. Putin said the residents in the four annexed regions will now be Russia's "citizens forever". While denying seeking revival of the Soviet Union by the said annexation, Putin accused Western states - which have imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, in a strong statement, Putin also added that Russia would now defend its new territory "with all the means at its disposal." Defending its decision to go ahead with the referendum and announce the annexation of the region, the Russian President argued it was the "integral right" of people in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia to join Russia, reported Al Jazeera. Speaking further, Putin claimed that the people in eastern Ukraine made up of Donetsk and Luhansk - had been "victims of inhumane terrorist attacks conducted by the Kyiv regime". He also called the result of the referendum "the will of millions of people." In a major move by Russia, President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree recognizing the so-called "independence" of the Ukrainian regions Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Moreover, the UN Security Council is set to vote Friday on a resolution that would seek to condemn Russia for its referenda in four regions under Russian control but claimed by Ukraine, media reports said. The US-sponsored resolution would call on all countries not to recognise the change in the status of the four regions, CNN reported. The resolution, which is also backed by Albania, would reaffirm the UN commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from a "threat or use of force" is a violation of the UN charter and international law. "In this moment of peril, I must underscore my duty as Secretary-General to uphold the @UNCharter. The charter is clear. Any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the Principles of the Charter & international law," Guterres tweeted. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of the annexation of Ukrainian territories and called it illegal under international laws, media reports said. Describing Russia's move as an act of 'land grab', the top US diplomat said that the US will never recognise the annexation by Moscow. "The Kremlin's sham referenda are a futile effort to mask what amounts to a further attempt at a land grab in Ukraine," Blinken said in a statement. (ANI)
Refuting conspiracy theories that the United States was involved in facilitating the regime change in Pakistan, US envoy to Pakistan Donald Blome said that there is absolutely no truth in the cypher, an alleged secret diplomatic cable which was at the centre of controversy to topple former Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, media reports said. Ambassador Blome made these remarks while speaking exclusively to Pakistan's local media outlets The News International and Jang. Describing the rampant conspiracy theories like that of regime change as unfortunate, Blome rubbished all the allegations. Over Washington's oft-discussed demand for air bases in Pakistan, envoy Blome said, "I can tell you there were no discussions about air bases, one way or another." To a question regarding concerns about Pakistan's nuclear programme, the US ambassador replied, "Regional security is such an important issue right now for Pakistan." Blome further stated, "We have broad concerns about proliferation and we are working very hard and we are much committed to the non-proliferation principles to finding ways to reduce the threats of nuclear weapons around the world." "It continues to be high on the agenda of the US administration. We had a good and open discussion with Pakistani authorities on a range of security issues. We worked with Pakistan on nuclear issues over a variety of international fora. We worked with Pakistan directly in the IAEA. We participate together in global initiatives to combat nuclear terrorism. We worked together on UN efforts to prevent WMD proliferation. We just have to build strong blocks on those issues." Over relief assistance vis-a-vis the devastating floods in a large part of Pakistan, Blome said, "We have given about USD 56.5 million in an initial UN appeal. And, recently, the Secretary of State, has announced an additional USD 10 million particularly focused on food security that would go to seeds and fertilisers for farmers and repair of flood-damaged irrigation infrastructure. The money that we have already disbursed, it has been done through the UN agencies like UNDP, UNICEF and WFP. We are also working through a number of International NGOs". Pakistan's economy is also witnessing a skewed outlook with a slump in Foreign reserves and rapid currency depreciation. Earlier, Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail had said that his country is seeking debt relief from bilateral Paris Club creditors in view of the devastating floods in the country which have claimed more the 1,500 lives. Responding to a question about this debt, the ambassador said, "We are certainly sympathetic to the need for Pakistan to find ways to deal with its deferred debts. Pakistan doesn't have an enormous amount of debt with the United States in particular. So, the Paris Club debt is a relatively small amount. It is how the US would be working with Pakistan to defer payments. Our portion of the debt is small. Certainly, we want to help Pakistan to navigate this very difficult period". Regarding terrorists' attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil, Donald Blome said: "Obviously, we have enormous concerns about the threat of terrorism emanating out of Afghanistan. Pakistan is, of course, on the frontline, and has its own significant concerns." (ANI)
The US Embassy in Moscow has urged American citizens residing in Russia to leave immediately after the Russian government on September 21 began a mobilization of its citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine. The security alert was put out by the US Embassy in Russia on September 27. "Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals' US citizenship, deny their access to US consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service," the US Embassy wrote in a security alert for US Citizens in Russia. It said that the commercial flight options are extremely limited at present and are often unavailable on short notice and added that the overland routes by car and bus are still open. If you wish to depart Russia, the Embassy asked the US citizens in Russia to make "independent arrangements as soon as possible." The US Embassy noted that it has "severe limitations on its ability to assist US citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may suddenly become even more limited." "US citizens should not travel to Russia and those residing or travelling in Russia should depart Russia immediately while limited commercial travel options remain." Moreover, the Embassy highlighted that the Department of State provides information on commercial travel on the Information for US Citizens in Russia - Travel Options Out of Russia page on travel.state.gov. "This site also provides information on requirements for entering neighboring countries, procedures for travel on expired US passports in some circumstances, and visa requirements for families with American and Russian citizen family members." In a cautionary alert, the Embassy reminded US citizens that the "right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia." "Avoid all political or social protests and do not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations." Earlier on Friday, in a big move, Russian President Vladimir Putin formally announced the annexation of four regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia and claimed that "this is the will of millions of people," media reports said. "There are four new regions of Russia," Putin said in a lengthy speech declaring the annexation of Ukrainian territories in the St George's Hall at a Kremlin ceremony. The speech was filled with highly critical rhetoric about Ukraine and its Western allies, reported Al Jazeera. Putin said the residents in the four annexed regions will now be Russia's "citizens forever".While denying seeking revival of the Soviet Union by the said annexation, Putin accused Western states - which have imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, in a strong statement, Putin also added that Russia would now defend its new territory "with all the means at its disposal." Defending its decision to go ahead with the referendum and announce the annexation of the region, the Russian President argued it was the "integral right" of people in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia to join Russia, reported Al Jazeera. Speaking further, Putin claimed that the people in eastern Ukraine made up of Donetsk and Luhansk - had been "victims of inhumane terrorist attacks conducted by the Kyiv regime". He also called the result of the referendum "the will of millions of people."In a major move by Russia, President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree recognizing the so-called "independence" of the Ukrainian regions Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Moreover, the UN Security Council is set to vote Friday on a resolution that would seek to condemn Russia for its referenda in four regions under Russian control but claimed by Ukraine, media reports said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from a "threat or use of force" is a violation of the UN charter and international law. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia of the annexation of Ukrainian territories and called it illegal under international laws, media reports said. Describing Russia's move as an act of 'land grab', the top US diplomat said that the US will never recognise the annexation by Moscow. European Union leaders condemned Russia's "illegal" annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions and vowed that they will "never recognise" these areas. (ANI)
Pakistani police filed a case against the Sindhi rebel group, whom officials termed 'separatist' and called themselves as Sindhudesh People's Army (SPA) after it claimed responsibility for the attack on a couple of Chinese origin in Karachi. The couple, Dr Richard Hu and Phen Teyin, were wounded and their cashier Ronald Raymond Chou was killed when an attacker, in the garb of a patient, opened fire on them, Dawn reported. According to the official, the suspect clad in pants and a shirt and wearing a red cap entered the dental clinic, as a patient and after waiting for a few minutes, he opened fire on the couple and the cashier. The latter died in the attack while the wounded couple was rushed to a hospital, as per reported by the officials. 'Chinese' doctor and wife are Pakistani nationals, and hold Canadian passports; police say their condition is out of danger. Talking about the case, South-SSP Syed Asad Raza said that the case was registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on terrorism and murder charges on behalf of the state on a complaint lodged by a Preedy police officer, according to Dawn. The police believed that the attack was aimed at undermining Pakistan-China relations and sabotaging their joint projects in the country. According to the contents of FIR, Dr Richard Hu and his wife Phen Teyin along with their cashier Ronald Raymond Chou were busy in their routine work at the clinic when a customer entered the clinic and asked for scaling of his teeth. He seemed to be a Sindhi or Balochi speaker. After five/six minutes, he stood up from his seat in the waiting lounge and proceeded to the doctors' cabin, where he took out a pistol and started firing, killing the cashier and wounding the couple. The suspect quickly walked out of the clinic to join his accomplice, waiting on a motorcycle parked outside. They then sped away. The FIR said that through intelligence sources and social media, the police came to know that the responsibility for the attack was claimed by the SPA, a conglomerate of Sindhi and Baloch separatist outfits. According to the FIR, unknown terrorists and their facilitators believed to be belonging to the SPA had attacked Pakistanis of Chinese origin with the purported aim of undermining Pakistan-China ties and sabotaging their joint development projects in the country, reported Dawn. Besides, they wanted to spread terror in the country to achieve their numerous other objectives and gain media coverage for their organisation, it added. (ANI)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has polished the "big boots" well, his predecessor Imran Khan said in a veiled reference to the Pakistani establishment, media reports said. Imran Khan made these remarks while addressing a rally in Islamabad, where he also criticized Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja over working in collusion with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz. "I will leave no stone unturned in sending Raja to jail," Imran said and called Sikandar Sultan Raja the 'chief electoral fraud.' He also bashed Pakistan's new finance minister Ishaq Dar claiming that he was one of the key persons involved in helping Nawaz Sharif launder money. Imran also 'thanked' Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for leaking the audio of his conversation with his then principal secretary Azam Khan. "I want to thank Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It was due to the leak that people now believe that the diplomatic cypher allegedly pointing to a conspiracy to bring down my government was real," he said. After the alleged conversation between former PM Imran Khan and Principal Secretary Azam Khan about the "US conspiracy" went viral, the PTI chief on Wednesday said that the "cypher should also be leaked so that everyone would come to know how big that conspiracy was." In a series of audio leaks in recent days in Pakistan, an audio clip of Imran Khan went viral on Wednesday. "It is good that the audio got leaked, I would say the cypher should also be leaked so that everyone should come to know how big was that foreign conspiracy," Imran Khan told reporters today, as per The News International. Khan alleged that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif leaked that audio when asked who did this, as per the publication. It is pertinent to mention that "US conspiracy" refers to the foreign conspiracy which Imran Khan termed as the conspiracy by the US to topple the PTI government and replace it with Shehbaz Sharif's government in Pakistan. Refuting conspiracy theories that the United States was involved in facilitating the regime change in Pakistan, US envoy to Pakistan Donald Blome said that there is absolutely no truth in the cypher, an alleged secret diplomatic cable which was at the centre of purported controversy to topple former Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, media reports said. Ambassador Blome made these remarks while speaking to Pakistan's local media outlets The News International and Jang. Describing the rampant conspiracy theories like that of regime change as unfortunate, Blome rubbished all the allegations. (ANI)
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani air forces helicopter units have conducted live-fire drills in line with the annual combat plan, Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry.

According to the scenario of the drills, helicopters that took off from the base airfields professionally completed the tasks of destroying a fictitious enemy's land-based targets on the training ground and shielding aircraft from terrorist-sabotage groups, the ministry said.

The prescribed tasks were effectively completed during the drills undertaken to strengthen the abilities of helicopter crews and paratroopers in arranging combat operations, including controlling forces in battle, it added.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by the Azerbaijani First Deputy Defense Minister  Chief of the General Staff of the army, Col-Gen Karim Valiyev, visited the Krtsanisi National Training Center near Tbilisi on September 29, as part of the official visit to Georgia, the ministry said in a separate report.

The Azerbaijani delegation was given a comprehensive overview of the center's history and activities. The delegation then went to the Military Scientific-Technical Center Delta.

The center's military vehicles and equipment were evaluated, and the parties discussed a number of issues of mutual interest in the field of military-technical cooperation.
The Balochistan Assembly on Thursday condemned the kidnapping of a soldier in the Frontier Corps by armed men in the Harnai area, local media reported. However, the country's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has not yet given any official statement on the abduction of the FC Soldier. The assembly also adopted a joint condolence resolution while expressing grief over the Pakistani military helicopter crash in the Harnai area of the province late on Sunday which killed six soldiers on board, the Dawn reported. The session was presided over by Abdul Wahid Siddique. The resolution was moved by Minister for Communication and Works Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran on behalf of Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, provincial ministers Mohammad Khan Lehri and Zia Langove and Parliamentary Secretary Khalil Garage Bhutto. "All six personnel on board, including two pilots, have embraced shahadat," Dawn newspaper had quoted the Pakistan military's public relations wing saying in a statement on Monday, after the incident of the helicopter crash. No reason was given for the helicopter crash in the southwest area of the country. Meanwhile, this was not the first case of the abduction of policemen in Quetta. The cases of attacks and abductions of police personnel have been rampant in Pakistan. In recent months, several cases have been reported in the country. On Wednesday, a Pakistani Frontier Corps (FC) official was injured when unidentified motorcyclists whom officials termed 'militants' hurled a grenade at a Mastung area's check-post, local media reported. The police official said that the suspected militants who were riding a motorcycle hurled the grenade at the post and sped away, Dawn reported. A similar incident was reported on Monday where a policeman was killed and another was injured in the Bajaur District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In this also, the unidentified assailants attacked a check post in the Sheikh Baba area of Mamond tehsil. An official from the related department said that as many as 63 cops have lost their lives in target killings and other attacks in the current year, the highest since 2016. The majority of the attacks took place in the Dera Ismail Khan region, followed by Bannu, Peshawar and Mardan divisions. At least, 36 policemen were killed in 2017, 30 in 2018, 38 in 2019, 28 in 2020 and 59 in 2021. Since late 2021, the attacks have increased. Mostly cops were hit by target killers. The first half of July this year witnessed the worst situation in the past eight years. Apart from target killings by the armed attackers, a number of police stations, posts and vans have been attacked with grenades in the last several months. (ANI)
Families of victims and local residents raised security concerns and called on the Taliban to ensure the safety of the public and punish those responsible after the ghastly attack at an education centre in Kabul left 19 persons dead. "We ask them to ensure the security of these educational centres and institutions so that our children can go and learn in peace," said Murad, a Kabul resident, reported TOLOnews. "We are the students, first of all, they should ensure our security because we are the builders of the future of the country, not others," said another resident, Fatima, condemning the explosion that injured many. However, the Ministry of Interior clarified that the forces of the Islamic Emirate are taking all the measures in ensuring security for the citizens of the country. "We strongly condemn the enemy's strikes on civilian targets, which proves their brutality and terror, and we ask the officials of the educational institutions to inform the security officials when holding special programs," TOLOnews reported citing the interior ministry spokesman, Abdul Nafi Takoor. At least 19 people have been killed and dozens of others injured. The blast occurred in the 13th security area of Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Abdul Nafee Takour was quoted as saying by TOLO news. Moreover, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the heinous attack on an educational centre in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul - a predominately Hazara Shia area - which caused scores of casualties, mostly women. He also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. "Education is a fundamental right and an essential driver for sustainable peace and development," the UN press release read quoting UN Secretary-General. The Secretary-General reiterated his call on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians. He also called on the de facto authorities to protect the rights of all Afghans - regardless of ethnicity or gender - to access education safely and securely. Friday's blast claimed at least 19 lives and injured dozens inside the Kaaj Educational Center.Earlier, UNICEF condemned the blast and said that violence in or around education establishments is unacceptable. UNICEF reminded all parties in Afghanistan to adhere to and respect human rights, ensuring the safety and protection of all children and young people. This series of blasts come as the Taliban completed one year of its rule in Afghanistan following the ouster of the US-backed civilian government last year. Rights groups said the Taliban had broken multiple pledges to respect human and women's rights. (ANI)
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday condemned the annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia and said that the act is a serious violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty. He added that the move is opposed by France and it continues to stand with Ukraine in its battle against Russia to regain its territories. In a tweet, Macron wrote, "Russia's "illegal" move to annex four Ukrainian regions, describing the act as a "serious violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty." "France opposes this and will continue to stand alongside Ukraine to confront Russian aggression and allow Ukraine to recover its full sovereignty over all of its territory," he tweeted on Twitter. The annexation has been widely criticized by the west. Notably, the United States on Friday announced that it will impose a "swift and severe cost" on Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four regions of Ukraine, which America quoted as a 'sham referendum.' Calling the annexation "illegal", Biden said that the US will always honour Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and will continue to support the country's effort to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically. He further said that the USD 1.1 billion in additional security assistance that the United States announced this week also helped Ukraine. "We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russia's brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbour," the statement reads. US President also said he will sign legislation from Congress that will provide an additional USD 12 billion to support Ukraine. Putin signed the documents to formally announced the annexation of four regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the "United States unequivocally rejects Russia's fraudulent attempt to change Ukraine's internationally recognized borders." "We will continue the United States' powerful, coordinated efforts to hold Russia to account, cut Russia's military off from global commerce and severely limit its ability to sustain its aggression and project power," he added. Moreover, the European Union leaders also unequivocally condemned the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions and accused the Kremlin of putting global security at risk. (ANI)
A 15-year-old boy accused of bringing a loaded gun to Harrison Central High had his bond reduced Wednesday from $10,000 to $2,500 following emotional testimony from his mother.

The student was arrested on Aug. 5 for possession of a firearm on school property. He is being charged as an adult and has been in jail since his arrest. A previous request by his lawyers to reduce his bond was rejected.

The arrest occurred after Harrison Central High Assistant Principal Jaworski Rankin was informed that the student was on campus with a gun, according to court documents.

Harrison County Sheriffs Deputy Sileanna Diamond, who works on campus, was alerted and searched the student, the documents say, and found a loaded .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun tucked into the front of his waistband.

He was arrested after Detective Nickolas Pennington, who handled the case, searched the boys phone and found photos of himself posing with the gun in class and around campus, according to court testimony heard Aug. 17.

Hes not a terrible child, his mother testified at his bond reduction hearing Wednesday. His teachers say he smart, he goes to church every SundayI dont tolerate these kinds of things.

She argued her son made a mistake and is susceptible to peer pressure and wanting to be popular.

A card dealer at a Coast casino, she said she could not afford the $10,000 bond.

Her sons attorney, James Logan, asked the bond to be reduced to $2,000.

Although his mother testified she had no knowledge of her son being associated with a gang, Pennington testified that in a video call from prison the boy made possible gang signs. He said police are yet to identify what gang the signs are from.

There is no reason for a student to carry a handgun on a bus or at school, said prosecuting attorney Herman Cox who argued against the bond reduction. Thank goodness nothing happened.

Following testimony, Justice Court judge Brandon Ladner agreed to reduce the bond to $2,500.

If I knew for a fact I had a supportive parent, I was going to reduce bailI dont believe this was a terrorist threat, he said. Ladner set the initial bond and heard the previous bond reduction hearing. Guaranteed if it was any other judge, bail would have been a whole lot higher.

Ladner set conditions for the boys release prohibiting him from using guns, being around known gang affiliates and having to abide to keep a strict curfew.
DETROIT (AP)  Two Detroit residents face charges in connection with the shooting of a Michigan State Police trooper who was conducting surveillance in the city with other members of a narcotics unit, a prosecutor said Thursday.

The undercover trooper was critically wounded early Tuesday on Detroits west side when he and other members of the narcotics unit came under fire, state police said.

The trooper initially was in critical condition at a hospital. His condition later stabilized and he probably will require surgery, state police Lt. Mike Shaw told reporters.

A 28-year-old man has been charged with assault with intent to murder, possession with intent to deliver cocaine and two weapons charges, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.

A 23-year-old woman was charged with accessory after the fact and lying to a peace officer, Worthy said.

Both were arrested the day of the shooting, Worthy said.

The 28-year-old allegedly used a laser sight with his gun to shoot the trooper three times from a second-story window of an apartment building, The Detroit News reported.

It was not immediately clear if either defendant had a lawyer who could speak on their behalf.

Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Josh Holman said during the 28-year-old's arraignment that the trooper remained in a hospital Thursday after being shot twice through the chest and once through the back. A magistrate set his bond at $1 million, with a GPS tether and house arrest if he is released from jail.
Unrecognisable person working on laptop in the dark. Concept of hacking data.

SINGAPORE  A total of 213 men and 99 women are being questioned over victims losing $15.7 million to more than 1,175 scam cases, the Singapore police said on Friday (30 September).

The 312 suspects, aged between 16 and 78, were ensnared during a two-week police operation from 16 to 29 September. They are believed to be involved in mostly internet love scams, loan scams, bank phishing scams, business email compromise scams, government and China officials impersonation scams.

Police are investigating the suspects for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence.

A person who is convicted of cheating may face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine. An offence of money laundering carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. An offence of carrying on a business to provide any type of unlicensed payment service in Singapore carries a fine of up to $125,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both.

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Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.

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Violent protests have spread across Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Hadis Najafi, a protester killed in the rallies, has emerged as a symbol of the demonstrations.

A video went viral that many claimed showed Najafi, although it was a different woman.

As antigovernment demonstrations continue across Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody, a young female protester killed in the rallies has become the focus of online attention and tributes. Hadis Najafi, a 20-year-old who frequently posted on social media, has emerged as a symbol of the protests after reports say she was killed by security forces in the city of Karaj.

Najafi left behind TikTok and Instagram accounts that have become memorials to her life and pages in support of the demonstrations, with thousands of people liking and commenting on her photos and videos. Najafi's last post, on September 5, has over 16,000 comments and is filled with people paying tribute to her.

The protests erupted on September 16 and have since spread to 80 cities in Iran, according to The New York Times. Police have fired on protesters and state media has acknowledged at least 41 people have died in the rallies so far, according to The Guardian. Massive waves of people have demonstrated in support of the late Amini  who was arrested for allegedly breaking Iran's mandatory hijab rules  and called on the government to increase women's autonomy.

Women and younger citizens are taking over the internet in protest of Amini and Nafaji's deaths

The online reactions to Amini and Najafi's deaths and the ongoing demonstrations has been intense, even amid a widespread internet blackout in Iran that echoes previous attempts by the country's government to smother collective dissent. Activists have told reporters that Iranians are using numerous methods, such as VPNs, to evade internet censorship.

Numerous images and videos from the protests have been shared millions of times online. A viral video with over 10 million views shows women burning head scarves in a fire as people cheer them on, while footage of a woman cutting her hair at the funeral of her sister who was reportedly killed in the protests was widely shared across platforms.

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Holly Dagres, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Insider that what makes these demonstrations stand out from the long history of protests in Iran is that they are being led by a younger and more digitally aware generation than in previous years.

"The youth, Iranian Gen Z, who are taking the helms of these protests and saying they no longer want an Islamic Republic," Dagres said.

Over the last week, social media platforms have swarmed with videos of young adults charging the streets and crowds of people carrying signs and waving flags to demonstrate against the hard-line government. Other clips have gained traction featuring people chanting "death to the dictator." A trend has also taken off on TikTok where Iranian and Muslim women across the globe are cutting off their hair and slicing up hijabs to show solidarity with Iranian women fighting against the hijab mandates.

Meanwhile, many political leaders from other countries have spoken out online in support of the Iranian people. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new sanctions against Iran and said he would "stop at nothing to ensure that this regime is held to account." US Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted a statement last week on holding "Iranian officials accountable for the senseless death of Mahsa Amini and other human rights abuses."

In an echo of the uproar over Amini's killing, Najafi has now also become a rallying point for protesters. Her instagram photos are flooded with tens of thousands of people liking and commenting on them, a hashtag of her name was used in almost 10,000 tweets within one hour on Monday afternoon, and supporters have posted numerous illustrations and videos dedicated to her.

Najafi's older sister also posted a video of the funeral following her sister's killing, which received over 270,000 likes in the less than a week it was uploaded. On social media platforms, Najafi's name has become a popular hashtag to spread word of protests and call for change.

"Every woman in this planet must have the opportunity to choose," one Twitter user wrote, using hashtags for Najafi and Amini's names. "What to wear and what to not. Without being harassed, or oppressed."

A video that many claimed showed Najafi went viral, but it turned out not to be her

Although many posts referencing Najafi solely use her name or an image of her, many included a video of a woman tying up a ponytail in a dimly lit street.

The video circulated widely on Sunday and Monday, with many people claiming it showed Najafi walking in the street without a head scarf in protest of the government. Since then, the actual woman in the video has spoken out saying she's not Najafi, according to multiple reporters.

Although the woman in the video clarified her identity, she told BBC Persian that she would fight for the "Mahsas and Hadis'."

"Gen Z is leading the protests in Iran right now and to see a beautiful, young woman gunned down in cold blood by security forces would move anyone," Dagres said about why Najafi has become a symbol for protesters, even if the viral video didn't actually show her. "There was something about that video of the young woman tying her hair, as if readying for battle, that spoke to many Iranians."

Read the original article on Insider
Associated Press

Europe faces unprecedented risks to its natural gas supplies this winter after Russia cut off most pipeline shipments and could wind up competing with Asia for already scarce and expensive liquid gas that comes by ship, the International Energy Agency said. The Paris-based IEA said in its quarterly gas report released Monday that European Union countries would need to reduce use by 13% over the winter in case of a complete Russian cutoff amid the war in Ukraine. Much of that cutback would have to come from consumer behavior such as turning down thermostats by 1 degree and adjusting boiler temperatures as well as industrial and utility conservation, the group said.
Cooling off a 1,500-square-foot bungalow in a heat wave is expensive enough. But how big are the bills for the ever-larger mega-mansions crowning our hills?

Granted, those who can afford a $50-million home likely arent sweating a bloated electric bill, nor perhaps the carbon footprint, but experts say the cost of keeping a mansion cool can run well north of $10,000 per month.

Take "the One," a 105,000-square-foot home in Bel-Air that set a record this year when it sold to the highest bidder for $141 million, the most ever paid for a home at auction in America. Its the largest modern home in the country and looks more like a spaceship than an actual place to live.

Last year, a court-appointed receiver tasked with finding a buyer for the property told The Times that the monthly electric bill was $27,000. At the time, the air conditioning only worked on one level.

Lawrence Castillo, president of A/C company Brody Pennell, estimated that when the home is working at full capacity, the bill would be around $50,000.

The One, a 105,000-square-foot mega-mansion, set a record when it sold for $141 million earlier this year. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Castillo, whose company services more than 30,000 homes per year around the Westside and San Fernando Valley, said residential air-conditioning systems are generally split into zones so they can cool separate, specific areas depending on which part of the house youre occupying at a given time.

So while the typical home may have a single HVAC system that serves two zones  one upstairs, one downstairs  Castillo said a house like the One may have up to 50 HVAC systems and even more zones: one for the butlers pantry, one for the bowling alley, one for the movie theater, one for the candy room, and so on. A series of ducts snakes off each system delivering air to each zone, and residents can control which zones have cool air from thermostats or their phones.

Mansions of such magnitude are often used for events or parties, during which the entire house would need to be cooled, but on a typical day, residents use a much more limited space. The estate has 21 bedrooms, but it's highly unlikely all 21 would be used every night. The living room, kitchen and dining room would be cooled on a regular basis, but spaces such as the beauty salon and nightclub probably aren't set at a crisp 70 degrees all the time.

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As Californias increasingly punishing summers force residents to conserve, several celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kevin Hart have been accused of violating drought restrictions, using hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to keep their luxury compounds lush and green. Electricity isnt quite as controlled as water usage, but Castillo said the difference in usage between a standard home and mega-mansion can be staggering.

In theory, a 100,000-square-foot home would have the same energy bill as 40 2,500-square-foot homes, he said. Thats two city blocks' worth of houses to cool one property.

But in reality, he said, the mansions bills would be even bigger because more space brings more luxuries. More pools that require filters and pool pumps. More fountains and spas. More elevators and media rooms. More electric vehicle chargers. Bigger refrigerators and subzero freezers. Not to mention higher ceilings that increase the volume that needs to be cooled.

The wealthy have an obligation to look at the energy theyre consuming because their carbon footprint is so much greater, Castillo said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently came under fire for appearing in a video asking Californians to curb their A/C use while wearing a zipped-up fleece jacket, leading some to assume he was speaking in a needlessly over-cooled room. His spokesperson said the message was filmed following state conservation guidelines.

But it was a bad look during the recent run of heat waves, when people without A/C relied on frozen sheets, cold showers and portable fans to make it through the day. Some rented hotel rooms. Others posted up at grocery stores. Those who did have A/C were asked to keep it in check, as Flex Alerts pleaded with Californians to cut down on energy use to avoid blackouts.

In California  the state with the fourth-highest average electricity bills in the country  homeowners had another reason to lay off the A/C: their pocketbooks.

In June, California homeowners paid the second-highest rate in the country for electricity behind only Hawaii, according to energy broker Save On Energy. Golden State residents paid an average of 28.98 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), a 25.4% increase year-over-year that nearly doubles the national average of 15.42 cents per kWh.

A view of an energy efficient air conditioner on the deck of a unit at the Dry Creek Villas energy efficient zero-net-energy senior housing development. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Electric bills vary wildly depending on the size of your home, but according to Energy Sage, the average electricity user in L.A. spends $269 per month on electricity  or $3,228 per year. During a record-setting summer that regularly saw temperatures soar into the triple-digits, that monthly bill spikes significantly for those who use A/C.

For homeowners trying to save some money on their electric bills, Castillo said unfortunately central air is typically 70% of any electric bill during the summer, so the the main way to save is to simply turn it off, get the unit serviced or get a new system altogether.

People think that leaving appliances running or turning off lights will make a big difference, but the main difference-maker is the age and usage of the A/C unit, he said.

Air conditioning systems are built to be efficient for around 10 years, so older homes with older systems will generally have much larger bills. If your lights dim for a moment when your unit kicks on, that means the system is consuming a significant amount of energy, Castillo said.

As electricity rates get higher and bills gets pricier, more luxury homes are offering alternatives such as solar power to help cut costs.

In Bradbury, a $13.58-million listing for a 16,000-square-foot mega-mansion makes sure to note that the compound comes with solar panels. Over in Topanga, a $9.9-million listing for an 8,000-square-foot home on 17 acres rids its potential owner of a guilty conscience by offering a 12kW solar array with 60 panels that covers all electrical needs, providing unlimited hot water for truly guilt-free energy use.

Of course, solar panels have their environmental downsides as well. They're weather-dependent, they take up space, and they only last for about 25 years, while the process of making them requires extensive mining for minerals and uses toxic chemicals  and lots of electricity.

Other listings go out of their way to highlight the A/C set-ups. The marketing materials for a $12.5-million coastal villa in Malibu note the elevator, wraparound balcony and infinity pool, and that all the A/C units in the main house are new. In Manhattan Beach, an $8.9-million Midcentury home brags about the movie theater, but also its multi-zoned cooling.

In Venice, two TV writers are offering a home with an ever better pitch: No need for A/C at all, they say. Thats because the architect designed the striking residence in such a way that the vertical floor plan serves as a chimney, drawing cold air through the floor and sending warm air up and out through vents in the roof. Even on days when the temperature nears 100, they say natural (yet presumably 95-plus-degree) breezes cool the space, eliminating the need for artificial air.

J. Stewart Burns, who wrote and produced for The Simpsons, and Lillian Yu, whose credits include the new FX show Little Demon, said the homes design provides so much air flow that they don't feel hot.

Listed for $5.8 million, the property consists of two steel-framed towers connected by a bridge at the top. It holds four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms across 2,522 square feet.

Im eco-conscious, so its nice to have a house that has other ways of providing coolness without running A/C, Yu said.

The couple says they have used the money theyve saved on electricity while living in the home to ease the cost of raising their three children. Theyve since move to Santa Monica, where the cooling bill is a bit more formidable.

I use autopay for the utility bills because I dont even want to know the difference, Burns said. Its significant.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Advocates are hailing Indias Supreme Courts decision upholding a womans right to an abortion up to 24 weeks into pregnancy regardless of marital status as a milestone.

Supreme Court Justice D.Y. Chandrachud handed down the decision on Thursday that an unmarried women cannot be denied their right to a late-term abortion.

A 25-year-old single woman had reportedly filed a petition to terminate her pregnancy resulting from a consensual relationship after the relationship failed.

Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court denied her right to terminate her more than 20-week-old pregnancy, arguing that the law for such late-term abortions did not cover unmarried women.

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Chandrachuds ruling effectively granted the woman interim permission to receive an abortion.

"Even an unmarried woman can undergo abortion up to 24 weeks on par with married women," said the presiding judge.

Indias 1971 Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act had limited access of the procedure to married women, divorcees, widows, minors, "disabled and mentally ill women" and survivors of sexual assault or rape.

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Based on Chandrachuds ruling, the decision to have or not to have an abortion is borne out of complicated life circumstances, which only the woman can choose on her own terms without external interference or influence.

The court noted that every woman should have the "reproductive autonomy" to seek an abortion without the need to consult a third party.

PARI (People Against Rapes in India) founder Yogita Bhayana called the ruling a first step, it is a progressive step."

More from NextShark: Family of Vicha Ratanapakdee Outraged After SF DA Says Teen Killer Had Temper Tantrum

Indias landmark ruling comes amid the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade judgment, effectively erasing a constitutional right of women in the U.S. to abortion.

Story continues

Featured Image via Somoy TV

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By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The Turkish Academy of Creativity and the Baku Youth Center have staged a patriotic play "Good News" on Remembrance Day marked on September 27, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani anthem was played, and a minute of silence was honored in memory of the martyrs, who gave their lives for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

The heroes of the Second Karabakh War shared their memories of the war. Among the guests were families of martyrs and veterans.

Next, the audience enjoyed the play, which brilliantly showed the unity between the heroic Azerbaijani Army and the people. The actors got a round of applause.

The director of the Baku Youth Center, Nargiz Babayeva, and the head of the Turkish Academy of Creativity Erhan Ufak addressed the event.

In their remarks, praised the bravery of Azerbaijani soldiers.

The 44-day war ended with the Russia-brokered peace deal signed on November 10 by the Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian leaders.

The peace agreement ended the 30-year-old conflict between Baku and Yerevan over Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region that along with the seven adjacent districts came under the occupation of Armenian armed forces in the war in the early 1990s.

For about three decades, Armenia refused to implement the UN Security Council resolutions, demanding the withdrawal of the Armenian troops, which was the main obstacle to the resolution of the conflict.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse delivered a list of more than 300 publicly accused abusers to the Roman Catholic archbishop of San Francisco on Thursday as they urged him to release his secret files on credibly accused priests.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests took aim at Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone for being one 15 U.S. bishops  representing fewer than 10% of all dioceses  not to publicly name abusive clerics.

Every bishop is his own king and they can do what they want with these lists. About 158 bishops in the United States have released lists over the past three or four years, said Dan McNevin of SNAP, and a church abuse survivor. But the archbishop of San Francisco will not publish a list. And so we think its really important to get this list out, to get it published, to update it, to provide information to victims and their families.

An archdiocese spokesperson declined to answer emailed questions about why the archbishop hasn't released a list of priests or whether he would reconsider doing so.

In a statement, the archdiocese said it reports sexual abuse allegations to authorities, an independent review board and parishes. Lawsuits are addressed in court.

Such allegations are treated very seriously to protect the victims and the vulnerable and to insure justice for all involved, the statement said. Other than allegations that are facially not credible, investigations are initiated for any claims received. Any priest under investigation is prohibited from exercising public ministry.

All but 15 dioceses in the U.S. have either posted their own lists of credibly accused priests or, in the case of Colorado dioceses, provided names to that states attorney general that were subsequently published, according to the advocacy and research group Bishop-Accountability.org. The groups list doesnt include eparchies, the Eastern Catholic equivalent to dioceses. Twenty-nine provinces of religious orders have also published lists.

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But the releases vary widely in quality, said Terry McKiernan, president of Bishop-Accountaiblity.org. Some include the priests full assignment histories, photos and other details, while others dont. And not every diocese provides cross-references for when a priest of one diocese worked in another.

Theyre all over the map, McKiernan said.

As inconsistent as the lists are, they have provided many names not otherwise known publicly, and most dioceses in other countries have not followed suit.

The first lists were published two decades ago, and often dioceses release lists in response to outside events, such as a criminal investigation, McKiernan said. The last major surge of releases followed the 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury investigation into six dioceses.

Dioceses releasing the names of abusers can be healing for those who survived the abuse, McKiernan said.

It is one thing when Bishop-Accountability puts something out, but if a bishop does it, its tantamount to an admission, McKiernan said. Survivors have told me when its actually acknowledged by the institution itself, it makes a difference.

SNAP said it gathered the names of the 312 men associated with the San Francisco archdiocese over decades from lawsuits and investigations that were publicly disclosed. The vast majority were priests, about 10% were brothers and about five were lay persons.

All but about 30 or 40 of the men on the list have previously been named by other dioceses. Because abusers were often shuffled between dioceses, a SNAP spokesperson said it was important to name all of them so parishioners or parents of children educated by them in the San Francisco Bay area are aware they had been accused.

Its rare that they only have one victim, Mike McDonnell said. Wherever they go, we fear their predilections travel with them.

___

Melley reported from Los Angeles. Peter Smith contributed to this story from Pittsburgh.
TOWN OF WALLKILL - State Attorney General Letitia James' office said Friday that no criminal charges are warranted against a town of Wallkill police officer who fatally shot a town resident in June 2021.

The officer, who has never been publicly identified, fatally shot Christopher Van Kleeck, 31, after responding to a report of a disturbance at the man's home at the intersection of Schutt Road and Avenue A on June 12, 2021.

James said the conclusion that criminal charges against the officer were not warranted was drawn after a thorough investigation by her department's Office of Special Investigation, including interviews with witnesses and a review of physical evidence, photographs, dashboard camera footage and civilian security camera footage.

According to James' office, Van Kleeck had a history of mental illness and was well-known to members of the Town of Wallkill Police Department. On prior occasions, members of Van Kleeck's family had called police when he made threats or became violent.

James said that on June 12, 2021, Van Kleeck's mother called the Orange County Crisis Call Center asking for help for her son, who was behaving erratically. During that call, Van Kleeck grabbed the phone from his mother, told the operator not to send anyone, and threatened to "take out" any police officers sent to the house.

A dispatcher alerted responding officers to that threat over the police radio.

At about 3:30 p.m., a town police officer who had been present at two prior confrontations with Van Kleeck responded to the call. As the officer arrived at the house, he saw Van Kleeck outside the house with a knife in each hand, chasing his father. The father was running toward the patrol car, and just before he reached the car, he turned sharply out of Van Kleeck's path, moving behind a parked trailer.

James said Christopher Van Kleeck continued running directly toward the patrol car, with a knife still in each hand. Van Kleeck crossed directly in front of the patrol car and was running toward the driver's side when the officer fired his service weapon through the windshield three times, striking Van Kleeck once.

Story continues

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The officer and additional members of the Town of Wallkill Police Department who had responded removed the knives from Van Kleeck's reach, called for emergency medical services and began life-saving measures. Emergency medical personnel arrived at 3:43 p.m. and took Van Kleeck to Garnet Health Medical Center in the town of Wallkill, where he was pronounced dead at 4:14 p.m.

James said under New York's justification law, a person may use deadly physical force to defend against the imminent use of deadly physical force by another. To convict a person of a crime when the defense of justification is raised at trial, a prosecutor must disprove justification beyond a reasonable doubt.

James noted the officer who shot Van Kleeck was present at prior confrontations with him, and had heard the police dispatcher say that day that he had threatened to harm responding officers. When the officer arrived, Van Kleeck was chasing his father with two knives before he ran toward the patrol car.

James said based on the law and the evidence, under those circumstances, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer was justified in his actions.

Therefore, James said, her Office of Special Investigation determined that criminal charges could not be pursued against the officer.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record, the Poughkeepsie Journal and the Journal News/lohud. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @MikeRandall845

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: AG: No charges in man's fatal shooting by Wallkill police officer
Sep. 30Don Young volcano name rename Mount Cerberus

WASHINGTON  Alaska's U.S. senators want to rename an active volcano in the Aleutian Islands after the late U.S. Rep. Don Young.

The longtime congressman's former peers, Republican U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, say Young is a fitting namesake for a volcano. The one they hope to rename Mount Young is currently called Mount Cerberus.

"Through this legislation, my goal is that we not only pay tribute to a great man who did so much for our state, but that it ensures that what he has done for Alaskans is not forgotten," Murkowski said in a statement. "Don Young moved mountains for Alaska, it's only fitting we name one after him  even if it is a bit unpredictable."

Mount Cerberus on Semisopochnoi Island locator map volcano Don Young rename

The 2,598-foot volcanic peak is one of the most active in the Aleutian Islands, according to a statement from the senators' offices. It is located on Semisopochnoi Island.

Young died in March at age 88, after representing Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives for 49 years.

Alaska Federation of Natives, AFN, conference, Dena'ina Convention Center

Young's former chief of staff, Pamela Day, said she thought the late dean of the House would have seen the humor in the senators' effort.

"He had a very wicked sense of humor, and I think he would be tickled," Day said. "He would find it very fitting and funny, and he'd probably have a sparkle in his eye when he talked about it."

The bill would also rename the federal office building in Fairbanks to be the Don Young Federal Office Building, and the Job Corps Center located in Palmer would be the Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center.

Murkowski and Sullivan introduced the bill Thursday before the Senate adjourned for recess.

"Future generations will be reminded of this larger-than-life Alaskan, a true man of the people, who was ceaselessly invested in improving the livelihoods of Alaskans," Sullivan said in a statement.

Don Young volcano name rename Mount Cerberus
From the edge of the flooded road, standing hundreds of yards away and flood waters several feet deep in between, Sabrina Masri could barely see the Altamonte Springs home she purchased last May in the Spring Oaks neighborhood.

I tarped everything up inside and put up sandbags before the storm and left, Masri said. I think by now the water is waist high. Im going to have to wait for it to come down before I can go back. ... It was supposed to be an investment home. Now we dont know.

Masri is among scores of residents who live in homes tucked between the Little Wekiva River and the road of the same name. Nearly all of them were told by county officials early Wednesday to evacuate before Hurricane Ians torrential rains would quickly submerge the area with river water and storm water flowing down from the nearby streets.

By Thursday, emergency crews used large, heavy vehicles to rescue people out of their homes. A helicopter hovered overhead. Some residents paddled kayaks and canoes to survey the damage.

The familiar but horrific scene has played out for decades in the Spring Oaks community after every large rain event, including in 2017 after Hurricane Irma, when more than 60 residents were evacuated.

The Little Wekiva River, which flows north from Orange County to the larger Wekiva River, wraps around the edge of the neighborhood. But its the north portion of the community, where most of the homes sit in a federally designated flood plain, which consistently floods.

When that community was built around the mid-1970s, it was the big, shiny, new development, said Seminole Commissioner Lee Constantine, an Altamonte Springs resident who previously served as the citys mayor and a commissioner.

But the flooding became worse over the years, he said.

There were always problems with flooding. But nothing ever like this, Constantine said. And the Little Wekiva is a river. And rivers meander and they change. But this is the biggest flooding Ive ever seen.

Story continues

Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz said that on a typical day, 155 cubic feet of water flows along every second in that area. But during the storm, the Little Wekiva was carrying a record 800 cubic feet of water per second.

Whenever you get that sort of rain, its going to flood, he said. Its 4.4 billion pounds of water per day. There is no way to stop 4.4 billion pounds of water. This area was built in a floodplain, before it was designated as a floodplain by FEMA  and theres no way to change that. Its not a satisfying answer, but its the way it is.

After Hurricane Irma, the rivers water levels were at a record high 29.5 feet. On Thursday, the levels were at 30.7 feet, according to county officials.

Seminole officials said Friday theyve previously worked with Altamonte Springs on mitigation efforts on elevation projects or buying out the homes.

But each home would have to be assessed, said Alan Harris, director of Seminoles office of emergency management, regarding the purchase of the homes. But this area is a basin.

County officials on Friday noted that the floodwaters will likely continue rising in Spring Oaks in the coming days, as more stormwater flows northward from neighboring Orange County.

Mark Halek has lived in the Spring Oaks neighborhood for more than three decades. He has seen the flooding in his community from historic rain events such as Hurricane Charley in 2004 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. It was several days before residents could return to their homes.

As Ian approached Central Florida on Wednesday afternoon, Halek and his wife packed some of their belongings, along with their cats and dog, and spent the night in his office. He returned on Friday to see water covering his driveway and garage, but not inside his home.

Ive never seen it this bad, he said near his front yard. After Hurricane Irma, the water came up to the edge of the driveway. ... And I anticipate the water will rise more in the coming days.

Halek wondered whether storms will continue getting more powerful in the coming years and what that means for his quiet neighborhood.

Is it going to get worse? he said. I do feel very concerned about the people that decided to stay here.

Meanwhile, Masri wondered what she will do after the floodwaters recede and she returns to her new home. By Friday evening she was still not able to enter her home.

It may mean doing some remodeling, she said. I dont know.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com
(Reuters) -Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc said it had exercised the option to be released from its non-compete deal with Juul Labs Inc, nearly four years after buying a 35% stake in the e-cigarette maker that was then at the zenith of its popularity.

Altria is looking to permanently terminate its non-competition obligations to Juul, give up certain rights including its board designation rights and reduce its voting power, according to a regulatory filing on Friday.

In July, Altria slashed the value of its stake in Juul to $450 million, down from the original value of $12.8 billion, allowing itself the option to be released from the non-compete clause and invest in or engage with any other e-vapor business.

However, it did not seek to be released from the obligations at the time, and said it saw value in its investment rights in Juul.

"The decision to terminate our non-compete maximizes our flexibility to compete in the e-vapor space while maintaining our economic interest in Juul," Altria said on Friday.

A change in its stance means Altria could go it alone or pursue other vaping product makers. Privately owned Njoy, which has already succeeded with its premarket tobacco product application process, could be a takeover target, a few analysts said.

"It's more likely that Altria will seek to buy its way back into the e-cigarette category (which represents 7% of U.S. nicotine sales)," Cowen analyst Vivien Azer said.

"This decision ... increases the financial and strategic options we can pursue to secure our business and address the impact of the (U.S. Food and Drug Administration's) now stayed order," a Juul spokesperson said.

The FDA in June blocked Juul from selling its nicotine products, after a review of data submitted by the company. Juul quickly appealed to temporarily block the order.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam and Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
Paratroopers march in the pass and review ceremony for the 82nd Airborne Division Review on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, on Fort Bragg.

For the first time in three years, more than 19,000 paratroopers marched across Pike Field on Thursday for the 82nd Airborne Division Review.

The review is a time for the divisions command team to inspect all of the divisions six brigades and headquarters units, which include a division artillery brigade, combat aviation brigade, a sustainment brigade and three brigade combat teams.

The observance marked the end of the week-long All American Week, which celebrates the 82nd Airborne Division's history with retired and current paratroopers, families and the public.

Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, deferred this years review to retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel.

Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel salute paratroopers as they drive past during the 82nd Airborne Division Review on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, on Fort Bragg.

Capel served as the division's 22nd command sergeant major from May 2006 to July 2010.

Capel said All American Week shows respect, honor and thanks to the divisions veterans, and paratroopers who died in battle.

Their legacy is they didnt quit, he said. They didnt surrender. Out of all the blood and tears and sweat, they just kept moving forward.

More:82nd Airborne Division adds 2 more names to memorial

Retired Sgt. 1st. Class Robert Thompson, a native of Evergreen, North Carolina, was one of the veteran paratroopers who attended Thursdays observance.

Thompson served in the division from 1972 to 1980 and again from 1987 until his retirement in 1992.

Being a paratrooper is about excitement, esprit de corps, the thrill of jumping out of an airplane, Thompson said. Its camaraderie. Once airborne, always airborne.

Retired 1st Sgt. Clifford Stump, a 98-year-old World War II veteran from Flower Mound, Texas, didnt jump out of aircraft but is still deeply connected to the division.

Stump was drafted into the Army in 1944 and immediately sent to England after basic and advanced training.

One early morning just before June 6 a first lieutenant came in and pointed to three of us and said I want you, you and you, and thats how I got into the 82nd, Stump said Thursday.

Story continues

Stump was attached to an artillery unit that was taken behind enemy lines in a glider aircraft.

D-Day we went up and helped save the Nijmegen Bridge in Holland and came down and participated in the Battle of the Bulge and then we drove ourselves right into Berlin and occupied Berlin for a short time until we came back, Stump said.

Stump was 18 years old when he participated in the D-Day invasion and turned 19 five days later.

More:82nd Airborne Division inducts fifth Hall of Fame class

Theres a lot going through your mind and at first its, Wow what am I getting into, but everything came out all right, he said.

Stump remained with the 82nd Airborne Division until the end of the war and left the Army to earn a degree in accounting followed by another six years of military service with the Air Force.

To me, it was having a job that we had to do, he said.

Capel said current paratroopers look to the legacy of past paratroopers who never quit to forge their own legacy.

Paratroopers march past Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Capel during the 82nd Airborne Division Review on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, on Fort Bragg.

Russia, China and North Korea are all countries looking at the paratroopers to try to stop them, Capel said.

As you can tell, they havent figured it out yet, because the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division cant be (expletive) stopped.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What veterans have to say about All American Week at Fort Bragg
Passengers of an American Airlines aircraft flying from Miami to Los Angeles experienced uncomfortable moments due to an unruly female passenger behavior this Wednesday. It happened when she reportedly approached other passengers saying loudly, Were all going to die, during the flight. The pilot diverted the plane to El Paso because of the incident. There, the police arrested the unruly female passenger.

Daniel Leon-Davis, who was on the flight, told local media that the woman was standing in the front aisle while screaming, Repent! Redemption is coming,. Then, according to Leon-Davis, the female passenger allegedly tried to rush passengers before flight attendants could detain her and call the police. The plane took off after police and firefighters arrived at the location to check the aircraft. The plane camera captured the whole incident.

LeonXDavis shared the video of the incident on Twitter. In the clip, a flight attendant was heard informing the passengers in Spanish that local police would enter the aircraft to remove the woman from the flight. According to Derek Walls, a spokesman for American Airlines, the plane departed from El Paso and arrived in Los Angeles in the afternoon of that day.

Incidents on flights drop in 2022

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, incidents involving unruly passengers on flights have dropped by nearly 60 per cent since record-highs in early 2021. As of September 20, 2022, there are 1,973 reports of unruly passengers, 680 investigations initiated, 468 enforcement action cases created, and 2.0 incidents per 10k flights for the week ending September 18, 2022.

The repercussions for passengers who engage in unruly behavior can be substantial. They can be fined by the FAA or prosecuted on criminal charges. As part of the FAAs Reauthorization Bill, the agency can propose up to $37,000 per violation for unruly passenger cases. Previously, the maximum civil penalty per violation was $25,000. One incident can result in multiple violations.
Kurdish fighters walk to inspect the damage following an Iranian cross-border attack in the area of Zargwez, where several exiled left-wing Iranian Kurdish parties maintain offices, near the Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyeh, September 28, 2022. / Credit: AFP via Getty

An American citizen, a mother and her 1-day-old infant are among the 14 people who were killed this week by a barrage of Iranian missiles fired at Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq. Iran's Revolutionary Guards (ICRG) targeted Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region with dozens of missiles and explosives-laden drone aircraft.

In a statement carried by Iranian state TV, the ICRG, which the U.S. government considers a terrorist group, said its "operation will continue with our full determination until the threat is effectively repelled, terrorist group bases are dismantled, and the authorities of the Kurdish region assume their obligations and responsibilities."

Local security sources in Iraqi Kurdistan told CBS News that at least 70 ballistic missiles and dozens of drones were used in the attacks that targeted four locations in the region  one of them only about 30 miles from a U.S.-led coalition military base.

The U.S. military's Central Command said Wednesday that it "condemns the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' unprovoked attack in Iraq's Erbil Governorate," in a statement attributed to spokesperson Joe Buccino. "Such indiscriminate attacks threaten innocent civilians and risk the hard-fought stability of the region."

A wounded man is transported to a hospital following an attack on the village of Altun Kupri, south of the regional capital of Erbil in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, September 28, 2022. / Credit: SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty

CENTCOM said no U.S. forces were wounded in the Iranian strikes, but added that American forces had "brought down an Iranian Mojer-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle headed in the direction of Erbil as it appeared as a threat to CENTCOM forces in the area."

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel confirmed Thursday that a U.S. citizen was killed in the barrage of rocket fire, but he declined to provide any further detail, citing privacy concerns.

A statement by an umbrella organization of Kurdish Iranian opposition groups in the region described the attacks as an attempt by Tehran to divert attention from the dramatic upheaval in Iran over the death of a woman in the custody of its "morality police."

Story continues

Almost two weeks of protests across the country have left at least 83 people dead, according to an outside human rights group. It is the most intense unrest Iran has seen in years, and Iran's leaders have blamed outside groups for stoking the chaos.

The opposition groups in Iraq urged Iranians to join the protests on Saturday.

The Iranian Kurdistan Democratic Party, one of the main exiled opposition groups based in the northern Iraqi city of Koya, dismissed the ICRG's claims to have targeted only military bases and opposition group offices.

Among those killed by the bombing was Rehana Kanaani, who was nine months pregnant with her first child at the time of the attack. Kanaani died in a local hospital earlier this week, but doctors initially managed to save the son she'd been carrying.

"His mother wanted to name him Wanyar since she was five months pregnant," the father, Zanyar Rahmani, told the Kurdish television outlet Rudaw TV. Doctors told him from the outset that his child's chances of survival were low. The infant died Thursday, a day after his mother.

The United Nations, U.S., Britain and many other countries condemned the attack as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty.a

"With the attacks, the Iranians are trying to say that the protests are instigated by outside forces," Iraqi political analyst Hiwa Osman told CBS News. "But in reality, the protests are a natural reaction to the Iranian government's repression."

Osman said the attack was a clear message to the Iranian Kurds in Iraq, "that we can harm you, and America cannot protect you."

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Reuters

Russia's first mobilisation since World War Two, declared by President Vladimir Putin on Sept. 21, has led to widespread discontent among officials and citizens over the way the draft has been handled, including complaints about enlistment officers sending call-up papers to clearly ineligible men. "In 10 days, several thousand of our countrymen received summons and arrived at the military registration and enlistment offices," Mikhail Degtyarev, the governor of the Khabarovsk region in Russia's Far East, said in a video post on the Telegram messaging app. Degtyarev said the removal of the commissar, Yuri Laiko, would not affect the mobilisation plan set by Putin.
Opponents of abortion who were thrilled to see the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in June may find their celebration short-lived.

At least in some states.

Without a federal constitutional right to abortion on the books, abortion advocates in California, Michigan and Vermont are seeking to enshrine those rights into their state constitutions in November. If the measures passed, these states would be the first to establish an explicit right to abortion in their state constitutions. Ten state courts have interpreted that the right exists in their constitutions, but those decisions can be overturned.

One other state has a ballot initiative this fall  Kentucky  but it would do the opposite in explicitly saying there is no right to abortion under the state constitution. This is what Kansas sought to do in August, but that measure was soundly defeated, even in a conservative state.

Michigan faces 'expansive' abortion initiative

In my state of Michigan, the Planned Parenthood- and ACLU-backed Reproductive Freedom for All proposal, known as Proposal 3 on the ballot, promises to restore Roe in Michigan.

Thats extremely misleading. It would go much further than that.

More from Ingrid Jacques: Medical students shunned a doctor because of her abortion views. Is this what America has become?

The battle over abortion rights in Michigan should serve as a warning in other states. If this amendment passed, it would severely restrict the state legislature from enacting any changes to abortion provisions, and it would likely overturn existing restrictions on abortion  ones that prevailed under Roe. Those regulations include a ban on abortions after fetal viability (unless the life of the mother is at risk), parental consent for a minors abortion, and health and safety standards for abortion clinics.

While the initiatives language pays lip service to allowing the state to set restrictions after viability, it also says the state could not prohibit any abortion if a health care professional believes it's necessary to "protect the life or physical or mental health" of the pregnant individual.

Story continues

Without a federal constitutional right to abortion on the books, abortion advocates in California, Michigan and Vermont are seeking to enshrine those rights into their state constitutions in November. If the measures passed, these states would be the first to establish an explicit right to abortion in their state constitutions.

Thats incredibly vague. Proponents are trying to paint this as a middle of the road measure, but thats hardly what it is.

Michigan could become a state that has much more lenient abortion laws than it did before the Supreme Court decision.

Overturn of Roe is good for women: We helped to win legal argument to overturn Roe. Here's why decision is good for women.

According to an analysis from the nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan, the proposal could do the following:

Proposal 3 would not only preserve the right to abortion that had been federally protected by the U.S. Constitution since 1973  it could potentially expand access to abortion to later stages of pregnancy, lift certain restrictions that have previously been in place, and establish additional rights to a wider range of reproductive health services. While abortion legalization has been shown to have positive effects on women and society at large, the impact of this expansive of a constitutional right is unknown. The proposals language is broad and largely undefined, making it vulnerable to a host of legal challenges.

Republicans should have been ready

Thats why abortion opponents are working hard to push back against the proposal and educate voters about what the measure would actually do.

Citizens to Support MI Women and Children, backed by the Michigan Catholic Conference and Michigan Right to Life, say the initiative is "radical" and would undermine existing abortion regulations.

Republicans and self-proclaimed "pro-lifers" are finding themselves on the defensive in states like Michigan. Some of this could have been prevented if the Republican-controlled legislature had been prepared to offer some sort of compromise legislation after Roe was overturned. They knew it was likely coming, but they appeared to be wholly unready.

Even though it was unlikely for Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer  who has made supporting abortion rights central to her reelection campaign  to sign off on anything lawmakers would have presented her, it would have signaled they were open to reasonable compromise.

Loan forgiveness hurts some taxpayers: First lawsuit is filed challenging Biden's costly, unfair student loan forgiveness plan

In Michigan, there was a 1931 law that bans abortion, except in the case of saving the mothers life. After Roe was overturned, that law reemerged. The courts have blocked its enforcement for now, but it still exists.

The fact that the law is still in play gives the proposals opponents a huge disadvantage.

Americans want middle ground on abortion

One recent statewide poll showed that 80% of Michigan voters supported legal abortion in cases of rape or incest. Even 63% of strong Republicans indicated support in these situations.

Of course, national polls have consistently shown the majority of Americans (even Democrats) are open to restrictions on abortion based on gestational limits.

USA TODAY columnist Ingrid Jacques

So if people understand how far this proposal would take abortion in Michigan (and how difficult it is to overturn constitutional amendments), opponents hope they can persuade enough people to vote no.

This is extreme, Christen Pollo of Citizens to Support MI Women and Children told me. Its confusing. Theres a lot hidden in here that voters are not in favor of and its permanent. We're stuck with the consequences of this potentially forever if this passes.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Abortion rights in Michigan could expand. GOP should've been ready
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

The opening of a new international airport in Azerbaijan's Zangilan District is expected in mid-October 2022, Senior Advisor of the Special Representative of the Azerbaijani President in the Karabakh Economic Region (except for Shusha) Araz Imanov said.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the I Forum of Azerbaijani Think Tanks.

Imanov noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would also attend the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, the participants in the forum visited a mosque in Fuzuli's Merdinli village.

The guests were informed that the holy place for Muslims was used by Armenian occupiers to keep livestock.

"Not only Muslim sanctuaries but also Christian, Albanian religious and cultural monuments are in ruins," they were informed.

Further, the guests visited the Fuzuli International Airport, where they got acquainted with its infrastructure.

They were informed that the airport was commissioned in a record short time  within eight months, including the work on clearing it from mines.

Besides, the information was given to the visitors that it takes 35 minutes to fly from Baku to Fuzuli and that the Fuzuli airport also started operating international flights.

After, they visited the historic center of Shusha city.

There, the guests got acquainted with the busts of famous figures of Azerbaijani culture - Natavan, Bulbul, and Uzeyir Hajibayli, which got damaged by the Armenian armed forces. Then, the participants visited the Shusha fortress.

At the end of their visit, they saw one of the most picturesque places in Shusha city - Jidir Duzu.

Earlier, the day before, discussions were held on the role of think tanks in the peace process in the South Caucasus after the 2020 Second Karabakh War as part of the I Forum of Azerbaijani Think Tanks.

Currently, work is underway to restore Azerbaijan's liberated lands. Azerbaijan will rebuild its recently liberated areas in four stages. The initial stage includes the solution of the issues of governance and security, and infrastructure, while the subsequent stages include the solution of the issues of social services activities, reconstruction, and development of the economy.

In 2021, Azerbaijan allocated $1.5 billion for the reconstruction of liberated territories, followed by AZN 2.2 billion ($1.2 billion) in 2022. These funds will be used primarily to restore infrastructure (electricity, gas, water, communications, roads, education, health, and so on) as well as cultural and historical monuments.




By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Clear evidence this week that Eisai and Biogen's drug lecanemab slows cognitive decline in early stage dementia has galvanized efforts among Alzheimer's researchers toward a tantalizing goal - preventing dementia even before symptoms start.

Lecanemab is an antibody that targets and removes toxic clumps of a protein called amyloid beta that accumulate in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's. Results from the companies' 1,800-patient trial released on Tuesday showed convincingly that doing so also slows the advance of the mind-robbing disease.

In volunteers with mild cognitive impairment and early stage dementia, the drug showed a 27% reduction in cognitive decline after 18 months compared with those who got a placebo.

That amounts to an extra six months or so in which they can cook a meal, use a computer or pay their bills, said Dr. Christopher Van Dyck, director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit at Yale School of Medicine.

Scientists have already begun to debate whether the benefit is robust enough. But to many Alzheimer's researchers, the findings suggest that preventing decline altogether is possible.

"It begs the question, what happens if you intervene when only minimal brain damage has been done?" Van Dyck said.

Work toward answering that question is underway in a trial called AHEAD, a public-private partnership with Eisai, Biogen, the National Institutes of Health and the US Alzheimers Clinical Trial Consortium. The global trial, taking place at 100 sites, is testing Eisai's lecanemab in people who have elevated brain amyloid but are still cognitively normal.

"Suddenly, the relevance of the AHEAD study is really, really strengthened by these results," Van Dyck said.

The findings were especially poignant for Dr. Reisa Sperling, director of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General hospitals in Boston, who leads the trial.

Story continues

Sperling and colleagues selected lecanemab in 2019 based in part on the drug's safety profile and its ability to remove amyloid from the brain as shown in an earlier midstage trial. At that time, the drug's efficacy was less clear.

"I've been kind of holding my breath for the last two and a half years ... so it was thrilling to see these results," she said.

Sperling said she is aware of the debate over whether the 27% benefit is meaningful enough for those with early stage disease, but for people who have yet to develop symptoms, that reduction would be game changing.

"If we saw that same slowing at the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease, most people wouldn't develop dementia in their lifetime - or at least a substantial proportion would not," she said.

The AHEAD study, which in July 2020 started enrolling 1,400 healthy adults aged 55 to 80, involves two sister trials, divided according to how much amyloid is present in the brain. Those with lower amounts of amyloid will receive less frequent treatment, while those with more elevated levels will be dosed more frequently.

Initially, volunteers are screened for the presence of amyloid with a blood test from C2N Diagnostics, a St. Louis-based specialty diagnostics company. Those who test positive then undergo a special brain imaging test to confirm the presence of amyloid.

Using this screening test has already reduced by half the number of costly imaging tests, Sperling said.

She and colleagues also are considering adding a screening blood test looking for abnormal forms of another Alzheimer's-linked protein called tau.

Sperling plans to present data at an Alzheimer's meeting this fall showing that levels of this form of tau called p-tau217 increase in the blood as early or even earlier than amyloid in people who are pre-symptomatic for Alzheimer's disease.

"That's really important from a science point of view. It says to me having amyloid accumulate is already changing tau before symptoms," she said.

'A BIGGER EFFECT'

In some cognitively normal individuals, tau is accumulating in portions of the brain even before people show any signs of impairment, Sperling said. And some who have high levels of both amyloid and tau that have spread throughout the brain are showing very early changes in their performance on memory tests.

"These people all are cognitively normal, because they had to be to get into the study. But if they have amyloid beta and tau, they're not as normal as the people who only have the amyloid beta," she said.

Together, Sperling believes the blood tests will accurately predict whether people with no symptoms of Alzheimer's already have abnormal levels of amyloid in their brain.

A team at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is testing lecanemab in people with an inherited form of Alzheimer's dementia along with an Eisai anti-tau agent called E2814.

"There's good reason to believe that the two act in concert, and if we can hit both, we'll have a bigger effect than either alone," said Dr. Randall Bateman, who is leading that trail.

Sperling said in her study, people who have both amyloid and tau in their brain "don't stay normal very long."

Next year, she hopes to launch a trial testing both anti-amyloid and anti-tau agents in people with preclinical Alzheimer's disease, "because I think once people have even some tau, they're at risk."

The AHEAD trial is only a third of the way through the enrollment process, which was delayed in part by the COVID pandemic. Sperling hopes results from the lecanemab trial will encourage more people to enroll.

"I think we're on the right path," she said. "Now we have to prove it."

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Foo Yun Chee and Supantha Mukherjee

BRUSSELS/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - European telecoms providers are set to win their decade-long fight to make Big Tech pay for network costs, thanks to sympathetic EU regulators and the bloc's efforts to rein in U.S. tech giants, according to industry and regulatory sources, in the EU's strongest move yet to set a global standard.

Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica, Telecom Italia and the big operators say it is all about a fair share contribution, especially as the six largest content providers account for just over half of data internet traffic.

Alphabet Inc unit Google, Netflix Inc, Meta, Amazon.com Inc and other tech giants, however, reject the idea. Some dismiss it as an internet traffic tax while one company even called it a bid to appropriate money from one industry to support the old guard.

The battle to get Big Tech to shoulder network costs has raged from South Korea to the United States.

Four sources familiar with the discussions say they believe the 27-country bloc, which has in recent years successfully passed landmark rules on privacy and other curbs on the power of U.S. tech giants, will have a new chance to set a global standard on network costs.

"The situation that was unfair 10 years ago today is simply unsustainable," a top executive of a telecom company said. "What has changed is that for the first time we are doing it all together."

Big Tech executives are girding for a fight. "We cannot see any evidence of a failure in the telco business model ... in a way that would justify demanding a subsidy from other sectors," said a source at a large tech company. "It's extortion, not economics."

EU legislation providing a means to recover costs could result in a 3-billion-euro ($2.93 billion) annual windfall for the telecoms industry, according to Barclays.

However, in what telecom executives call the clearest sign that the sector may be winning over regulators, EU industry chief Thierry Breton has said he will seek feedback from both sides before drafting legislation.

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"Once they start a thing like this, it means it goes ahead and that it is serious. This was an untouchable taboo six months ago," said a telecoms industry source.

Breton, a proponent of European industrial champions, however, will have to step up his pace to get legislation passed before his mandate ends in 2024.

"There is a huge imbalance in negotiating power as Big Tech has no incentive to come to the table at all right now," a spokesperson for the GSMA telecoms lobbying group said. "So we need a legislative mechanism that makes them do that."

The commission is working to make sure all actors involved in data flows contribute to the financing of connectivity infrastructure, without undermining the concept of open internet, according to these sources familiar with the matter.

NET NEUTRALITY

Google has been scathing of what it says is a "sender pays" principle.

Such a move would disrupt the bloc's net neutrality or open internet access and hurt consumers, Matt Brittin, Google's EMEA president, told a conference earlier this week.

Telecoms operators have dismissed such worries. Telecom executives interviewed by Reuters said there is no plan to block traffic and that the goal is simply to ensure that the largest players contribute to soaring network costs.

Any payment to telecom operators could be restricted to only large content providers exceeding a set threshold, according to three sources familiar with the matter. A small company would not have to pay anything, they added.

Some providers want to negotiate with tech companies on market-specific deals, rather than make a blanket deal, the sources said.

The tech companies point to billions of dollars they have invested in building caches, data centers and subsea cables, and technology to deliver content more efficiently.

"We operate more than 700 caching locations in Europe, so when consumers use their internet connection to watch Netflix, the content doesn't travel long distances," a Netflix spokesperson said.

To fulfill EU goals of having 5G everywhere and Gigabit home connections by 2030, telecom companies would need to invest hundreds of billions of euros while carrying a high debt load.

Deutsche Telekom has over 100 billion euros of debt while Telefonica owes over 40 billion euros. Two sources said that any new EU law would likely have constraints to make sure the money goes into the network, and not to pay down debt.

($1 = 1.0253 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Supantha Muherjee; editing by Kenneth Li and Richard Chang)
Manitoba is taking direct aim at its foot by imposing new guide requirements for American waterfowl hunters beginning in 2023.

"American'' waterfowl hunters meaning, generally, in this instance, Minnesotans, who represent the largest share of U.S. residents who travel to Manitoba each fall to hunt ducks and geese.

Under the guise of providing better hunting-land access for its own waterfowl hunters  a joke, given the province's vast expanse and its rapidly declining number of resident duck and goose hunters  Manitoba next year will require non-Canadian waterfowlers either to pay a guide to hunt with them or to apply for a limited number of licenses issued by lottery.

Calling the proposal, "Waterfowl hunting modernization in Manitoba,'' the actual intent of the bogus idea is to pad the pockets with American dollars of a relatively small number of Manitoba waterfowl-hunting outfitters.

The irony is twofold:

 American waterfowlers, through millions of dollars of contributions to groups like Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl and others, for decades have underwritten virtually all of Canada's waterfowl conservation, much of it occurring in Manitoba.

 Canada, including, specifically, Manitoba, has done virtually nothing  ever  to sustain waterfowling among its own residents as the popular pastime it once was. Now the province claims it needs to ensure that its few remaining duck and goose hunters have places to set their decoys.

The numbers don't lie: In 1978, Manitoba, which is about the size of Texas, fielded some 55,000 (out of a population of about 1 million) resident waterfowl hunters, a number that a few years ago had dwindled to fewer than 10,000 (from a population of 1.4 million).

Meanwhile, foreign  again, meaning American, most of whom are from Minnesota  waterfowlers in Manitoba have stayed relatively constant in number during the same period, at only a few thousand (3,600, to be exact, pre-COVID).

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Manitoba justifies its proposal by saying it:

 Prioritizes resident hunting opportunities and access to the resource.

 Prioritizes existing licensed outfitting businesses "such that their services are highly sought after by clientele from across Canada, the U.S. and the world.''

 Ensures that non-outfitted, foreign residents accessing Manitoba's world-class waterfowling opportunities are sustainable and at numbers tolerable by Manitobans.

Left unsaid is that among the proposal's primary targets are rank and file Manitobans. Many of these are farmers, who for years, and in many cases for generations, have welcomed Minnesota waterfowlers to their homes or guest cabins or unused farmhouses  places where the visiting duck and goose hunters could stay for a reasonable fee to hunt and enjoy good times with their hosts.

Seeing these mom-and-pop outfits as competition, Canadian outfitters want them out of the hospitality business.

They propose doing so by:

 Reducing the total number of waterfowl licenses available to foreigners to 2,900, 1,200 of which will be available to Manitoba licensed outfitters.

 Issuing by lottery 1,300 licenses available to non-Canadians. These licenses will be good only for seven consecutive days.

 Reserving the remaining 400 foreign licenses  this will really fry DIY (do-it-yourself) American wingshooters  "to accommodate and transition non-government organizations that provide hunting opportunities as part of habitat conservation work and individuals that hold historical hunting properties in Manitoba to the new regulatory system. The licenses may also be used to mitigate impacts to outfitters in extenuating circumstances.''

The unintended consequence of the plan: Everyone will lose.

 Small-town Manitoba restaurants and motels owners, and the aforementioned farmers who historically have catered to DIY American waterfowlers, will suffer.

 Some Minnesota waterfowlers, already tired of what is generally regarded by many American sportsmen and women as a callous disdain for them  and their money  by the Canadian government, will simply stop traveling north.

 Seeing little reason to continue doing so, these same Americans will stop contributing to duck and goose habitat conservation in Canada.

Finally, some of the very businesses the plan purports to help  Canadian waterfowl outfitters  will go bust due to a decreasing number of visiting Minnesota waterfowlers.

Minnesota's duck opener last Saturday was good to very good, due largely to the presence virtually statewide of abundant blue-winged teal.

Some highlights:

 "Reports generally were fantastic,'' said Department of Natural Resources waterfowl specialist Steve Cordts of Bemidji. Hunting in the Bemidji area last weekend, Cordts saw ringnecks and redheads over his decoys, in addition to teal.

 Twenty hunters checked by the DNR in the Lac qui Parle area had near limits of six ducks apiece.

 Waterfowlers on Mud Goose Wildlife Management Area and other waters near Remer had close to four birds apiece.

 Lake Christina waterfowlers had good teal hunting on the opener. And a few thousand ringnecks were spotted on the storied lake before the season's first day.

 The Roseau area saw one of its best openers in recent years.

 Hunters on Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area had about 2.5 ducks per hunter, mostly teal and wood ducks.

The presence of so many teal surprised Cordts. They are challenging birds to count during spring surveys because they are small and relatively reclusive. That said, they didn't appear to be in Minnesota in significant numbers during the DNR's May aerial counts. Additionally, teal largely evaded banding efforts by the DNR this summer, perhaps, Cordts said, "because there were just not that many of them.''

Yet, for whatever reason  perhaps due to a migration from the Dakotas, perhaps not bluewings were abundant on opening weekend.

Reports from DNR "spy blinds'' during Minnesota's five-day early teal season, Sept. 3-7, showed good target compliance among participating waterfowlers. Only teal are legal to shoot at, and kill, during the season.

In 2021, during the state's first "experimental'' five-day teal season, 10% of observed hunters shot at non-teal ducks; this year, Cordts said, it was 4%. Also, the killing of non-target ducks was down this year from 2021, 5% to 4%.
Arizona Democratic attorney general nominee Kris Mayes and her Republican opponent, Abe Hamadeh, sparred on a debate stage in Phoenix on Wednesday, both agreeing that the differences between them -- on abortion, on the validity of the 2020 election -- were crystal-clear.

Mayes said, as attorney general, that she wouldn't prosecute any health care provider who violates a state abortion ban with no exceptions for rape and incest cases, deeming the law unconstitutional under Arizona's right to privacy. Hamadeh said he would follow the newly reinstated territorial-era abortion ban, calling his opponent's resistance "dangerous."

"I think there's a clear difference," Mayes said. "My opponent wants to put doctors and nurses and pharmacists in jail for abortion care, and that's outrageous."

While calling it "an important distinction" between them, Hamadeh said: "There's an argument to be made on both sides, but I'm tasked to uphold the law."

MORE: Trump's candidates celebrate after Arizona primary, but some Republicans are worried

He insisted that he doesn't make the law: "I think it's a sign of maturity to understand your role as attorney general is not to put personal beliefs into your decision making. Mayes blasted that stance in the case of a Civil War-era law banning all abortions in Arizona except to save a mother's life and mandating jail time for doctors who assist in the procedure.

"I will not prosecute any doctor, any pharmacist, any nurse for abortion," Mayes said. "Period."

She also told reporters after the debate that, if elected, she would issue an opinion to Arizona's 15 county attorneys that her view as the state's top legal officer is that prosecuting abortion is unconstitutional.

On stage, she and Hamadeh exchanged condescending blows about the other's background, with Mayes knocking Hamadeh's age -- he's 31 -- and Hamadeh attacking Mayes' lack of time at trial despite her background as a lawyer.

"You're confused about the Arizona Constitution -- I know you only graduated from law school a few years ago," Mayes said at one point.

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Hamadeh swiped at the Arizona Republic reporter moderating the debate and at Mayes for having worked at the newspaper 22 years ago. Hamadeh recalled how Mayes was once kicked off Sen. John McCain's press bus while she was a reporter -- which she laughed at.

"I spent 30 years as a Republican, just one year shy of the amount of time you've been alive on this earth. And John McCain supported me," she said. (And he did, when Mayes ran for the Arizona Corporation Commission.)

PHOTO: Attorney General candidate Democrat Kris Mayes debates Republican Abe Hamadeh on Arizona PBS, Sept. 28, 2022. (Joe Rondone/The Republic via USA Today Network)

While candidates in state attorney general races are often lesser known than those at the top of the ticket, such races have drawn more attention in 2022 in large part due to Republican candidates clinging to the false belief that the 2020 election was rigged.

"Every single one of these Republican candidates for statewide office are election deniers. They are all dangerous. They all do not believe in American democracy, and they must be defeated for American democracy to survive," Mayes told ABC News after Wednesday's debate, alluding to 14 Donald Trump-backed hopefuls on the ballot in Arizona.

Pressed Wednesday on his calls to prosecute crimes that he's alleged in the 2020 election, Hamadeh doubled-down on that baseless belief, telling the debate moderator, "Of course. I'm a former prosecutor, you prosecute crimes that occurred in the past."

MORE: In heated debate, Arizona secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem reveals he sat for Jan. 6, DOJ interview

Mayes seized on that. Hamadeh has said he would have challenged the election results and chanted "lock them up" at a rally with Trump in Prescott, she noted.

"For you to sit here and say that I am picking and choosing laws is ridiculous," she said.

Asked if he felt the 2020 election was rigged, Hamadeh said "clearly" -- though Trump's defeat has been verified by audits, hand recounts and numerous local officials from both parties.

"All of us want free fair and competent elections," Hamadeh said.

Mayes called Hamadeh's attacks on the last election "anti-democratic" and alluded to a Phoenix New Times report which found Hamadeh had seemingly admitted to committing voter fraud during the 2008 presidential election. In a series of message board posts as a teenager, he wrote that he had changed his mother's vote on her absentee ballot.

"I think it's ridiculous to suggest that what I do at 15 is somehow gonna affect me when I'm attorney general," Hamadeh responded.

According to FiveThirtyEight, seven election deniers are running across the U.S. for state attorney general with seven more running for secretary of state, the post that oversees election administration in most areas. That includes Arizona's Republican nominee for secretary of state, Mark Finchem, a far-right lawmaker who has said he wants to change how Arizona's elections are run by restricting mail ballots and removing electronic voting machines.

PHOTO: Attorney General candidates Republican Abe Hamadeh and Democrat Kris Mayes meet for a debate at the Arizona PBS studio, Sept. 28, 2022. (Joe Rondone/The Republic via USA Today Network)

Finchem -- who met for a heated debate of his own last week with Democratic candidate Adrian Fontes  insists Trump won the 2020 race, though Trump lost to Joe Biden.

Earlier this week, the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State announced an $11 million ad buy in Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada -- three battlegrounds with incumbent Democratic secretaries of state who are running against election-deniers. The group has also promised spending in Arizona and Georgia.

At Wednesday's attorney general debate, one thing Hamadeh and Mayes agreed on was the importance of addressing the flow of drugs into their state. They differed on how, though.

Asked about tackling fentanyl coming across the southern border, Hamadeh said he would work with the legislature and governor to declare drug cartels a terrorist organization on "day one."

Mayes said she would work with law enforcement officials along the border and go after funding in the state's $5 billion-surplus to tackle fentanyl.

Arizona's attorney general candidates spar in debate on abortion, election lies, more originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Joe Biden speaks outside Independence Hall, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a lawsuit against Biden's student debt relief.

It's the third lawsuit filed against the impending relief, with one borrower decrying a new tax bill.

The state lawsuits argue that the relief will hurt revenues, and that Biden has said the pandemic is over.

Another lawsuit has entered the fray to try and halt President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness ahead of the program's rollout.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a lawsuit on Thursday against President Biden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and the Department of Education, arguing that the cancellation will harm Arizona in myriad ways. Those include making it harder to recruit lawyers through public loan forgiveness programs, cutting potential tax revenues, and upping borrowing and law enforcement costs.

"This mass debt forgiveness program is fundamentally unfair, unconstitutional, and unwise," Brnovich said in a statement. "The question Americans need to be asking is why college costs so much in the first place."

The suit points to Biden's comments that the pandemic has ended, even though the legal maneuver to provide relief hinges on the pandemic still being in force. It also cites the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office's estimate that student loan relief will cost $400 billion over a 30-year projection, a figure that's about half of what the administration will spend on defense this year alone. Under Biden's plan, borrowers making under $125,000 will qualify for $10,000 in federal relief, with recipients of Pell Grants eligible for $20,000 in cancellation under the same income cap.

"Here, the presence of half a trillion dollars of student debt cancellation is a clear admission that the higher education industry needs structural reforms, but contains no reforms whatsoever such as requiring colleges to reduce costs, or be more transparent about the low job prospects of certain courses of study," the filing says.

Story continues

The "cancellation instead is a naked handout by one administration and one party to favored political classes (college graduates and those employed by the higher education industry) at the expense of taxpayers everywhere," the suit continues.

Arizona's lawsuit marks yet another major suit being brought against the impending relief, on which the Education Department has begun sending out guidance to borrowers.

A lawsuit hinging on the tax burden that automatic relief will cost one plaintiff was filed by a conservative law organization earlier this week, although the Biden administration seems to have sidestepped that legal challenge by clarifying that borrowers will have the option to opt out of relief. On Wednesday, a group of six GOP-led states filed their own lawsuit, saying that relief will impact their revenues and harm Missouri loan servicer MOHELA.

Student loan borrowers who are set to see their full debts relieved previously told Insider that the relief would be life-changing, and, in at least one case, allow them to keep their home. Around 20 million borrowers are expected to see all of their debt wiped, with over 40 million borrowers impacted in total by relief.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An investigation has begun after a Phoenix officer shot Ali Osman, a Somali man with a history of mental health issues, who they said threw rocks at their car.

A Somali mans family is demanding justice and transparency after an Arizona police officer killed their loved one for allegedly throwing rocks at their patrol car.

According to NBC News, Ali Osman, 34, died at a Phoenix hospital following the shooting that took place Saturday evening. Police said in a news release that two patrol units driven by unidentified officers were traveling through the intersection at 19th Avenue and Tuckey Lane when unknown objects hit their vehicles.

An officer in one of the units got out to look around and discovered a man throwing rocks towards his patrol car, NBC reported. The officer asked him to stop, but Osman  whose family said he had a history of mental health problems  allegedly refused.

The family of 34-year-old Ali Osman (above), who was allegedly shot dead by Phoenix Police on Saturday for throwing rocks at their patrol car, is demanding answers. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/ABC15 Arizona)

According to attorney Quacy Smith, a bystanders camera captured a person claiming to have experience in crisis intervention offering to speak with Osman and defuse the situation. The officer shot him as he reportedly moved to grab another rock.

Smith, a former police officer, said Tuesday at a news conference that he believes authorities were in the vicinity responding to an unrelated incident when they encountered Osman. He made clear he couldnt imagine a set of circumstances that could justify this young Black man being shot down by police in the streets of our city for throwing rocks.

Rocks. Rocks. Not boulders. Not bricks. Rocks, Smith asserted, according to NBC. These are rocks no bigger than my 4-year-old son throws over the backyard to the neighbors house.

Osmans family, who lauded him as a good man who was always eager to help others, is now pleading for information about what exactly resulted in the loss of their loved one. The incident is currently under investigation.

The City of Phoenix Police Department is committed to our transparency policy, a spokesperson said in a statement to NBC. The department will release a Critical Incident Briefing Video within 14 days of the incident to the public that will provide facts of the case. In addition, all body-worn cameras will be released.

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Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said the events of the shooting should be investigated as a top priority, and she informed the police chief as much.

My heart goes out to Mr. Osmans family, Gallego said in a statement, NBC reported. Our goal is always that people in our community, and our employees, return home to their families safely.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Arizona cop kills Somali man who allegedly threw rocks at patrol car appeared first on TheGrio.
B.G. has been denied compassionate release for the third time.

The artist, legally known as Christopher Noel Dorsey, 42, had another federal prisoner plead with the courts to reconsider him for compassionate release and not hold his 2021 denial against him.

More from VIBE.com

However, according to VladTV, a U.S. District judge rejected the Louisiana rappers court filing, entitled The Court Misconstrued Defendants Motion, and his early release request after three days of review.

Birdman had recently shared a photo of the Cash Money artist, updating fans of his status. Be home in a minute @new_bghollyhood, the Big Tymers executive captioned the picture. But its looking like B.G. will have to wait a little longer for his release.

According to the New Orleans Times, B.G. was sentenced to 14 years in prison for weapons possession and witness tampering. The charges stem from his 2009 arrest in New Orleans, where police discovered three guns  two of which were stolen  inside B.G.s car at a traffic stop.

In July 2022, Birdman penned a letter to the judge remarking on the rappers possibility to impact society positively if released early.

He is not only a generational artist, but hes got a platform and the chance to share his experience to better todays young men who need to hear what hes got to say, Baby documented. When he is released, I know he will give back and use what hes gone through to help as many people as possible.

B.G. is currently scheduled to be released from prison in 2024.

Click here to read the full article.
Voting is about to begin. Though the Nov. 8 election is still over a month away, all registered Vermont voters will receive ballots to vote early in the next two weeks, according to the Vermont Secretary of State's Office.

Those who are registered to vote do not have to request a ballot  it will be delivered automatically by mail.

Not registered yet? Those who register to vote after Oct. 1, the date the state is required to send early voting ballots, can request an early voting ballot through the day before the election or the last day their town clerk's office is open before Election Day.

Early voting ballots, also called absentee ballots, must mailed or returned to a local town clerk's office by the day before the election or can be delivered to a voter's polling place on Election Day before 7 p.m.

More:What's on the ballot in Vermont? Here are the statewide candidates and ballot items.

If a voter is disabled or sick on Election Day, they can request a ballot to be delivered to their house by two justices of the peace. The justices will then take the ballot to the person's polling place. Voters must request this service by 5 p.m. on Election Day.

Vermonters can register to vote even on Election Day.

More information about voting and voting early can be found on the Vermont Secretary of State's website.

Contact Urban Change Reporter Lilly St. Angelo at lstangelo@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @lilly_st_ang

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont voting: November general election ballots will come by mail
Dozens gathered Wednesday afternoon for Habitat for Humanity of Bay County's 100th home dedication.

PANAMA CITY  Wednesday marked a milestone for Habitat for Humanity of Bay County as the local nonprofit celebrated its 100th home.

Members from Bay's Habitat for Humanity, Bay County Chamber and the community gathered for the home dedication for habitat's 100th home in Bay County. The home was built in honor of the late John Robbins, former president of Bay's Habitat, who passed away in 2021.

According to his family and friends, Robbins had a huge heart for the work of habitat and was committed to building habitat's 100th home. This home dedication took place on Robbin's birthday making it even more special to the organization.

New arts center: New arts center aims to transform Panama City. But where is funding coming from?

"When John became president of the organization, he put forth the goal of building the 100th habitat home in Bay County," said Shay Catrett, his former colleague. "And it's a bittersweet day for us because he's put a lot of hard work into this project for so many years."

Surrounded by family and friends, the Cole family was given a key to the new home along with a gift basket, Bible and toolbox. The mother, who asked not to be identified, put in more than 500 "sweat equity hours" working alongside many community volunteers. She said she is excited and grateful to be moving into her new home with her 14-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter.

Aaron Rich, vice president Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Bay County, said it's always a special moment to provide families a foundation for success and a better future.

"When you think about 100 homes in the community, so many lives are being changed," Rich said. "One by one, we can change lives through Habitat for Humanity, and that's what makes it so special. It's truly a team effort to make something like this happen."

Donation: CPAR donates $118K to Habitat for Humanity of Bay County for Panama City mom's new home

Rich explained that any family receiving a new habitat home must complete at least 500 sweat equity hours of volunteer work. Through that process, individuals learn the skills of construction and the investments it takes to build a new home. He added that four additional homes are currently being built in the same subdivision.

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"When we build homes, we will acquire parcels of land to where we can build multiple homes in areas of the city," Rich said. "And our volunteers are the ones that contribute to the physical construction of the homebuilding to help make this effort possible."

Habitat for Humanity of Bay County aims to stay committed to its mission of eliminating poverty housing within the community. Thanks to the dedication of pending homeowners and many local volunteers, along with donations of money and materials, the organization can build affordable homes. Once built, the homes are sold to the homeowners at a very affordable cost with a 0% interest loan.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County's Habitat for Humanity dedicates 100th home
Vineyard overlooking majestic mountain range in Mendoza, Argentina

Bruno Maia / Getty Images

Elevation prevails in Argentina thanks to the magnificent Andes, the north-south backbone of the South American country, whose 2,361 mile-length bestows diverse terroir upon the world's fifth-largest wine producer. Centrally located Mendoza, whose vineyards are framed by icy peaks then irrigated by their meltwater, is key given that it produces 76 percent of all Argentine wine, and vineyards are cultivated between latitudes 23 and 45. The country's terroir includes the Andean foothills, as well as Mars-like canyons and mountains; Argentina's highest vineyard tops out at a mind-blowing 10,922 feet above sea level. While vitis vinifera grapes have been cultivated since the mid-1500s, today's pioneers are also exploring the Atlantic coast, prairies and cooler climes in Patagonia.

Home to 480,658 acres cultivated across 23,278 vineyards by 1,247 wineries in 51 regions, high-alcohol reds are no longer the norm in Argentina. Over the past two decades, winemakers have been interpreting this diversity to create world-class vintages that go beyond Malbec, the region's seminal variety. Aromatic Torrontes, electric Chardonnay, exciting Pinot Noir, adaptable Cabernet Franc, fruity Bonarda, and revived interest in old-vine Criollas have been setting the pace for winemakers across the country. Popular styles include trendy skin-contact Pet-Nats and traditional method sparkling wine, as well as cellar-worthy and easy-drinking reds and whites. Argentina has two DOCs, both in Mendoza, but more than 100 Geographical Indications (IGs).

Thanks to its seductive Andean landscape, Mendoza is a year-round destination for aficionados and snow bums. Find out what to savor from Argentina's fascinating, elevated terroir in this geographical guide.

Mendoza

The leader of the Cuyo region's three provinces that also encompasses San Juan and La Rioja, Mendoza is Argentina's wine making powerhouse. An industry pioneered by French agronomist Michel Pouget in 1853, he introduced varieties he knew best like Semillon, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also saw potential in the underappreciated Malbec grape, which is Argentina's undisputed leading star.

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Five regions  Primera Zona, Uco Valley, Northern Oasis, East, and South  cultivate 76 percent of Argentina's vineyards. Elevation starts at 1,411 feet above sea level and tops out at 6,562, ensuring wide thermal amplitude and soil profiles ranging from clay to stony alluvial. That's the magic of Mendoza, according to Alejandro Vigil, president of Wines of Argentina and director of production, vineyards and wineries at Catena Zapata.

"Mendoza stands out because, due to our mountainous location, it classifies anywhere from I to IV on the Winkler climate index: we can cultivate cool-climate Pinot Noir at higher elevations but also Bonarda in warmer areas," he says. Primera Zona is formed by Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu districts, the former fondly known as Malbec heartland and holds one of Argentina's two denomination of origin designations. Notable Lujan sub-districts include Las Compuertas and Agrelo IGs. Uco Valley's proximity to the Andes and higher elevation, meanwhile, makes it hospitable to new-found expressions, fresh acidity and buoyant fruit flavors allowing for fantastic, cellar-worthy vintages; recent 100-point scoring Uco-sourced wines include Zuccardi Finca Piedra Infinita Gravascal Malbec 2018 and 2019, Per Se Uni del Bonnesant 2019 and Catena Zapata White Bones Chardonnay 2018.

"Malbec gives different aromas and flavor profiles, adapting to where it's cultivated and the elevation, solar irradiance, temperature and soil. Warmer regions give red fruit and lower acidity while cooler regions proffer black fruit and high acidity  but they all tally up with Malbec," adds Vigil. Last year, Catena Institute of Wine released a ground-breaking 23-terroir study proclaiming this red's versatile character.

Vigil praises Cabernet Franc for being more adaptable than Malbec: "Besides its freshness, herbaceousness and high acidity at elevation, it also concentrates red fruit in warm zones that Malbec doesn't obtain." As for whites, Uco Valley is also igniting palates with Semillon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, says Diego Morales, vineyard manager at Bodegas Salentein. "Chardonnays cultivated at 4,592 feet above sea level in San Pablo IG have notable nerve with unique floral, herbaceous and citrus notes, and very good balance and acidity: their 20-year aging potential is incredible," he says.

Salta and Jujuy Provinces

In northwest Argentina, Salta's winemaking heart is Cafayate, located 5,521 fasl in Calchaquies Valley. Jesuit missionaries produced mass-approved wine in the region long before Colome  Argentina's oldest bodega  was crushing grapes in 1831. While Malbec's black fruit profile includes red bell pepper and spices, Torrontes and Tannat have also adapted to this elevated region, the former an aromatic Criolla, known as Argentina's flagship white, whose jasmine aroma pairs with beef empanadas and spicy dishes.

"I'm an advocate for Salta's high-elevation Torrontes, as it's an underappreciated and exotic white," says Valeria Gamper, the Argentine who won ASI's Best Sommelier of the Americas 2022. "Once people try Torrontes, they are easily captivated."

As for Tannat, wineries with a contemporary approach such as El Porvenir de Cafayate pick early to ensure fresher vintages in this usually tannic red. Further north in Jujuy, the Quebrada de Humahuaca IG harbors Uraqui Wine, the Americas' most elevated vineyard at 10,922 fasl. Although just 123 acres are cultivated in the Quebrada, this cool region is exciting consumers with its herbaceous and well-structured vintages. Diana Bellincioni, winemaker at Mil Suelos in Huichaira notes that Syrah is meaty yet mineral with black fruit, and retains good acidity. In order to rekindle interest in Criolla varieties, Bellincioni also makes a Chica, Criolla Grande and Moscatel blend for her family's Bodega Kindgard, which she calls "honest and simple with lots of fresh, red fruit and just 12% alcohol."

Patagonia

This remote region associated with a majestic landscape painted with fjords and icebergs is also home to beautiful wines. Chubut, Rio Negro, La Pampa and Neuquen are the provinces that currently form Patagonia's vast terroir, and what these regions lack in elevation, they make up for in extreme climate. Pinot Noir has adapted well and is cultivated in each province; vintages from Bodega Chacra in Mainque, Rio Negro, are truly world class. Sarmiento in Chubut, meanwhile, is home to Otronia, the world's most southern winery, and the alluvial limestone and lacustrine clay from nearby Lake Musters create fascinating wines.

"It's a first working with soils left behind by receding waters, and our Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir have excelled," says Otronia's head winemaker Juan Pablo Murgia. "[We've seen] fantastic natural acidity and freshness, as well as interesting aromatic profiles."

Buenos Aires Province

The prairies that extend west and south of the eponymous capital and converge with the Tandilia mountains are home to Balcarce, Argentina's newest IG, which was approved in July 2022. Chardonnay, Albarino and Pinot Noir are cultivated at Bodega Puerta del Abra, and at Costa & Pampa in nearby Chapadmalal, resulting in wines with refreshing  and pleasantly surprising  maritime influence and an average 12% ABV.
Erbil's Catholic University Students Graduate

The Catholic University of Erbil's (CUE) second graduating class on September 29, 2022. ( Julian Bechocha/Rudaw) Erbil, Iraq -- In a ceremony highlighted by the overcoming of persecution and sectarianism, students of Iraq's only Catholic university graduated on Thursday, expressing hope that their community's future will be characterized by an unfamiliar phenomenon - peace.

Fifty students of the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) graduated in a ceremony attended by senior religious and political figures from the region, using the event as a platform to promote coexistence and call for an end of sectarianism in Iraq, a country synonymous with the term.

"What our students have acquired is this social friendship that they have, the atmosphere that when they see different people from different cultural and religious backgrounds in their graduation, they are all very happy for each other and everyone is excited for them," Bashar Matti Warda, Erbil's Chaldean Archbishop and CUE's Chancellor, told Rudaw English.

CUE is a private, non-profit university located in Erbil's Christian-majority district of Ainkawa. Warda found the university in 2015. The university provides bachelor's degrees in many fields, including engineering, information technology, and pharmacy. It is a relatively new institution, with the 2022 graduating class being its second since it was established.

Warda stressed that in order for the Christian community to prosper in Iraq, help has to come from within.

"I am not in the mood for waiting for other people to do something for me. I will take care of my community as much as I can, but really nobody can do anything for us unless we move ourselves to do so," he said, urging for the utilization of education as a means of influence rather than "aiming to be powerful."

The university's top student and main student speaker is a refugee whose family fled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in 2010 to Batnaya village after receiving death threats for being Christian. In 2014, the family was once again on the run after the Islamic State (ISIS) swept through Nineveh, inflicting countless atrocities on the indigenous Christian population as well as various others including Yazidis and Shiite Muslims.

"I had to work at the age of 14 and for a year I was the only source of income for my family," Saad Hanna Polis told Rudaw English, recalling his traumatic past while proudly breathing in his success and advocating for change.

When asked about where he came from, Polis described himself as "one of the faces, the representation of that part of Iraq" and said he will provide his maximum effort for the country to recover from sectarianism and hate.

Another important figure present at the event was Cardinal Louis Sako, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Babylon. He expressed concern about the "scary" rise of illiteracy in Iraq and criticized religious extremism in his speech.

"Religious extremism has destroyed coexistence, politicized sectarianism, and broken the Iraqi fabric," he said.

According to Vida Habeeb Hanna, the public affairs and communications director at CUE, 78% of the university's students enjoy a full scholarship while the rest receive partial funding, including housing.

"This university was established for the people in need and for the people who have suffered so much. It is open to everyone, we have Yazidis and ISIS survivors who were held captive by ISIS and rescued," Hanna told Rudaw English.

"We found them a safe space here to pursue their education," she added.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

The Azerbaijani State Border Service has detained four Afghan citizens while attempting to breach the state border with Iran, Azernews reports, citing the agency.

On September 29 at around 0120 hours, the border guards apprehended four Afghan citizens while attempting to cross the state border from Iran into Azerbaijan, in the service area of the Goytapa border detachments border outpost near Jalilabad Districts Gulmammadli village.

During the investigation, it was determined that Rashidi Abdulmunir Abdulkhayum (29), Reza Ajigzey Muhammed (20), Tur Emran Abdulsamad (20), and Bakhtiyar Muhammedrasulafgan Negmuhammed(19) intended to migrate to one of the European countries passing through Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia.

Operational-investigative measures are underway into the case.

After liberating its lands from the Armenian occupation during the 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan has regained control over the 132-km section of the Azerbaijani-Iranian border.

Following the restoration of its territorial integrity, Azerbaijan is taking steps to ensure the safety and restoration of order in the liberated lands. One of these measures is to halt the flow of drugs, as well as illegal migration in the region that was previously controlled by Armenia's illegal regime in Karabakh.
The Biden administration quietly changed its policy on who is eligible for student-debt relief on Thursday, scaling back its promise to millions amid legal challenges.

Until Thursday, the Department of Educations website advertised that borrowers with privately held federal student loans  Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) or Perkins Loans  should consolidate their loans into the Direct Loan program to be eligible for up to $20,000 of student-debt relief.

The website was modified with no announcement Thursday morning. It now reads, as of Sept. 29, 2022, borrowers with federal student loans not held by ED cannot obtain one-time debt relief by consolidating those loans into Direct Loans.

FFEL borrowers with Direct Loans are still eligible to consolidate those loans, an administration official told NPR, but that policy is not reflected on the website.

While 4.1 million Americans have privately held loans, the policy change will only affect around 800,000 people, the official said, adding that, the FFEL program is now defunct and only a small percentage of borrowers have FFEL loans.

The Department of Educations website says that its assessing whether there are alternative pathways to provide relief to borrowers with federal student loans not held by ED, including FFEL Program loans and Perkins Loans, and is discussing this with private lenders.

The policy reversal comes as the Biden administration has faced its first legal challenges to the student-loan forgiveness order.

On Tuesday, the Pacific Legal Foundation issued the first lawsuit against the administrations policy, arguing that student-loan borrowers in states like Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas, and North Carolina, would be unfairly taxed for the student-loan forgiveness under President Joe Bidens program. Those enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program have their debt relief automatically applied under Bidens program, and because Bidens forgiveness is taxed and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is not in those states, recipients would be hit with an unforeseen tax.

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On Thursday, Six Republican attorneys general from Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, and South Carolina issued a lawsuit against the Biden administration, arguing that Bidens unilateral decision to cancel debt is unconstitutional.

More from National Review
Students walk through the campus of University of California Santa Cruz on Sept. 21. (Nic Coury/For The Times)

The Biden administration reined in its pledge to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans Thursday, narrowing the types of loans eligible for relief.

The basic contours of the offer remain the same. Borrowers with incomes of less than $125,000 (or $250,000 for a couple) can qualify for up to $10,000 in debt forgiveness on their federal direct student loans. The amount of relief rises to $20,000 for borrowers who meet the income limit and received a Pell Grant  a form of aid aimed at the neediest applicants  while an undergraduate.

What has changed is the treatment of loans guaranteed by the federal government but held by private lenders. This includes at least some of the loans issued through the Federal Family Education Loan, Federal Perkins Loan and Health Education Assistance Loan programs.

Initially, the administration said that qualified borrowers with these privately held loans could consolidate them into a federal direct loan and obtain debt relief. On Thursday, however, the department's website said that to receive relief, borrowers had to have applied for a consolidation loan by Sept. 29.

The Education Department "is assessing whether there are alternative pathways to provide relief to borrowers with federal student loans not held by ED, including FFEL Program loans and Perkins Loans, and is discussing this with private lenders," the website says.

Some FFEL and Perkins loans are held by the Education Department, so they remain eligible for the blanket forgiveness if the borrowers meet the income limits. But in the case of many older loans, the borrowers may not know if they are federally or privately held because they weren't given a choice by their college, said Abby Shafroth, director of the student loan borrower assistance project at the National Consumer Law Center.

To find out whether your FFEL or Perkins loans could qualify for forgiveness, go to your account at the Federal Student Aid site (studentaid.gov) and call up the My Loan Servicers list. If the servicers name is preceded by DEPT OF ED, that loan is held by the federal government.

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According to the department's latest statistics, 10.7 million people have outstanding FFEL and Perkins loans. More than 5 million of those loans are held by the Education Department.

Of the remaining, privately held but federally guaranteed loans, only a portion of the borrowers would meet the income limits for blanket loan forgiveness. One administration source told National Public Radio that roughly 800,000 people would be affected by the change in policy regarding consolidated loans.

The change was reported on the same day that six Republican-controlled states sued to block the blanket debt forgiveness, arguing that the administration didn't have the authority to wipe out student loan balances. The lawsuit contends that the relief will hurt the states because they operate or invest in lenders that make student loans.

By cutting off the ability to qualify for forgiveness by consolidating privately held FFELs, Perkins loans and HEALs into a direct loan, the administration is reducing lenders' and servicing companies' loss of future earnings. That won't end the states' lawsuit, however, or an earlier challenge brought by the Pacific Legal Foundation, which describes itself as a libertarian public interest law firm.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former President Donald Trump's administration has not turned over all presidential records and the National Archives will consult with the Justice Department on whether to move to get them back, the agency has told Congress. A congressional panel on Sept. 13 sought an urgent review by the National Archives and Records Administration after agency staff members acknowledged that they did not know if all presidential records from Trump's White House had been turned over. "While there is no easy way to establish absolute accountability, we do know that we do not have custody of everything we should," acting Archivist Debra Wall said in a letter Friday to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
FIRST ON FOX: Several Republican lawmakers shared their concerns about President Bidens latest gaffe in which he appeared to search for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., in a crowd while calling out for her.

During his remarks at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health on Wednesday, Biden appeared to search for Walorski , who died in a car accident last month.

"I want to thank all of you here, including bipartisan elected officials like  Senator Braun, Senator Booker, Representative  Jackie, Jackie are you here?" Biden said, searching for the late congresswoman. "I think she was going to be here to help make this a reality."

WH PLAYS DAMAGE CONTROL YET AGAIN AFTER BIDEN SEARCH FOR DECEASED REP. WALORSKI ADDS TO LIST OF WALK-BACKS

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, asserted that President Biden's diminished capacity is so obvious that even White House reporters showed concern. Reuters

A video tribute to the late Republican congresswoman was scheduled to play at the event but was not shown while the president and White House press pool were at the event.

Several Republican lawmakers spoke out with their concerns on the presidents mental state, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, telling Fox News Digital that "Joe Bidens diminished capacity is so blatantly obvious that even the White House Press corps couldnt hide their concern."

"Thats how you know its bad," Cruz added.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, the former physician to the president for both former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, called again on Biden to take a cognitive test. Jabin Botsford/Washington Post via Getty Images

Fellow Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served as physician to the president for both Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, again called for Biden to take "a cognitive test."

"In yet another pathetic display of incompetence, Joe Biden not only thought my departed colleague was alive, but he also had his puppet-master, Karine Jean-Pierre, deny he was confused," Jackson said in a statement.

"It doesnt take a neurologist to realize hes in serious cognitive decline. The American people know whats going on here, and they dont think the Commander-in-Chief is capable of doing his job," he continued.

"Its past time for White House staff and the liberal media to stop shielding him from questions about his mental acuity and demand he answer my call for a cognitive test," the Texas Republican added.

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Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., a practicing surgeon and vice chairman of the GOP Doctors Caucus, told Fox News Digital that the "American people can see that Mr. Bidens mental acuity is certainly in question." Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., a practicing surgeon and the GOP Doctors Caucus vice chairman, told Fox News Digital that these "kinds of senseless gaffes have become par for the course for this president" and blasted the White House for their "cover-up" of the gaffe.

"The American people can see that Mr. Bidens mental acuity is certainly in question," the North Carolina Republican said. "Whats more disturbing to me, however, is the way in which this White House continues to deceive and misdirect the American people on a daily basis."

"It appears there is nothing the White House wont do to cover up for a failed president and a failed administration," Murphy added. "The American people clearly deserve better."

Kyle Hupfer, the Indiana Republican Party chairman, released a statement on Wednesday after Biden's gaffe, saying it "calls too much into question."

"No amount of spin from the White House can justify President Joe Biden forgetting the tragic passing of Jackie Walorski  the latest gaffe that calls so much into question," Hupfer said.

"The American people deserve a straight answer, not a political talking point, as to how the President of the United States could forget that a congresswoman he was purportedly trying to honor had passed away just last month," he continued.

"White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierres explanation is a disrespectful lie to Jackies constituents and the American people," Hupfer added. "We deserve a real answer."

When asked for comment, White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates told Fox News Digital that "President Biden has delivered record job creation, achieved the biggest infrastructure investment in 70 years, empowered Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs, signed the most far-reaching gun reform since 1994, made NATO the strongest it has ever been, and taken unprecedented action to fight climate change and bring manufacturing back from overseas."

The president had mourned the late Walorski a month prior to Wednesdays gaffe, prompting the White House to play defense and clean up another comment.

President Biden appeared to search for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., whose death he had mourned a month prior, at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health on Wednesday. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

"The President speaks directly and candidly  straight from the shoulder, as he often says," White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson told Fox News Digital in a statement, when asked about the president's long track record of saying things his staffers later corrected.

"Doing so has been critical to his success in everything from rallying the world to support Ukraine to empowering Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices," Patterson added. "And when he feels the need to add context to something he said, or to direct his staff to do so  as every President has  he doesnt hesitate to."

The White House's comments came after Jean-Pierre struggled to explain away his latest gaffe. After the bizarre episode, Jean-Pierre said Biden "was naming the congressional champions on this issue and was acknowledging her incredible work."

"He had already planned to welcome the congresswomans family to the White House on Friday  there will be a bill-signing in her honor this coming Friday," Jean-Pierre said. "So, of course, she was on his mind. She was at top of mind for the president."

Jean-Pierre doubled down on the White Houses cleanup of Bidens fumble when pressed by reporters.

Biden's mental state was also joked about by his son, Hunter, in a text exchange with his therapist from his infamous laptop.

A few months before Biden launched his presidential campaign, Hunter was exchanging text messages with Keith Ablow, his therapist and friend, in early January 2019. The book highlighted that Ablow and Hunter were discussing Democratic presidential candidates when Ablow said, "Your dad is the answer" and then later quoted himself, mockingly saying, "Any man who can triumph over dementia is a giant. Think what he could do for our nation's needed recovery."

"You're such an a--hole, but that made me laugh out loud," Hunter replied.

Ablow went on to quote himself, saying, "Perhaps he can help us remember all we intended to be as a people since he can now remember his address," prompting Hunter to say that his father "doesn't need to [know] where he lives" because "that's the only thing the secret service get[s] right at least 75% of the time."

Fox News Digital's Cameron Cawthorne and Thomas Catenacci contributed reporting.
President Biden on Friday called for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino and the American Womens History Museum to be built on the National Mall in Washington.

Speaking at the White Houses official Hispanic Heritage Month reception, Biden endorsed the push to include the museums in the countrys most-visited national park, lending his support to a key symbolic demand made by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) on Thursday.

Youre proof that Hispanic history is American history, Biden told attendees while opening his remarks.

For that reason, Congress should take action to honor the Latino community and women with their own museums on the National Mall. Its time, said Biden.

The presidential endorsement is a major victory for the CHC and the museums backers, who had put significant public pressure on Biden to support their bid.

All 36 members of the CHC wrote to Biden on Thursday, asking him to explicitly endorse the idea of building the Latino Museum and the Smithsonian American Womens History Museum on the National Mall.

Todays remarks by President Biden make clear that he stands with Latinos across this country and wholeheartedly believes our stories deserve their rightful place on the National Mall. As we move forward in the site selection process for the National Museum of the American Latino, I look forward to his continued support, said Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.), who led Thursdays letter.

Bidens endorsement reflects a similar move by former President George W. Bush, whose support of the National Museum of African American History and Culture was a significant step in getting that museum built in its location on the National Mall.

Biden earlier this month called for the museum to be built in Washington, but his endorsement of a location on the National Mall specifically is likely to strengthen that effort.

Today, President Biden stood by the over 62 million Latinos in the United States and affirmed that the National Mall is the only rightful place for the National Museum of the American Latino, said Estuardo Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino.

We applaud the President for leaning into the efforts of hundreds over the last 30 years to ensure our complete story is told on our countrys grandest stage. We will continue to work with the Biden Administration, Congress, and the Smithsonian to ensure all pathways are cleared for our nations next great museum to be built where it belongs  on the National Mall, added Rodriguez.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden sent a message to Russia President Vladimir Putin following Putins nuclear threats and annexation of four Ukrainian provinces. Biden then announced that new sanctions would be put into effect today as well. Putin recently held a sham referendum in these four Ukrainian provinces, where reports show some Ukrainians were forced at gun point to vote for the annexation. This comes just a few weeks after Putin announced a mobilization of 300,000 more Russian soldiers, prompting a mass exodus of Russians to neighboring countries to avoid being drafted.

BIDEN: America's Fleet appeared prepared with our NATO allies to defend every single inch of NATO territory. Svery single inch. So Mr. Putin don't misunderstand what I'm saying, every inch. And I have been in close touch with our allies. We're announcing new sanctions today as well. That include new authorities to sanction anyone who provides political or economic support to Russia's far fraudulent territorial claims. And I've been in close touch with our NATO allies who are united in our resolve to take on his aggression.
President Biden on Friday signed a bill to honor the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), days after the president asked if the congresswoman, who died in an August vehicular accident, was in the room during an event this week.

The bill designates the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Mishawaka, Ind., as the Jackie Walorski VA Clinic. Biden signed it in a private ceremony with members of Walorskis family and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), according to the White House.

The president has been looking forward to hosting the late representatives family and other lawmakers to honor her legacy, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday. Clearly this is an important moment for her, for her family.

Walorskis husband, mother, brother and staff attended, as well as other lawmakers, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Biden made headlines on Wednesday when he was delivering a speech at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, and recognizing the lawmakers who helped make the event a reality.

Rep.  Jackie, are you here? Wheres Jackie? Biden said, referring to Walorski.

When asked about the comment, Jean-Pierre on Wednesday attributed it to the fact that Walorski was top of mind for Biden.

Walorski and two staffers were killed in an Aug. 3 car accident. She had served in Congress since 2013.

Jean-Pierre on Friday noted that the issue to combat hunger is bipartisan when asked about McCarthy visiting the White House. During her time in Congress, Walorski made combating hunger and malnutrition a key part of her work.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden has signed a short-term government funding bill to keep the government operating, the White House announced late Friday, avoiding a partial shutdown that would have otherwise occurred when the fiscal year runs out at midnight.

The law funds the federal government at current spending levels through Dec. 16, by which point Congress will have to pass additional legislation to keep the government running. The law also provides more than $12 billion in security and financial assistance to Ukraine, as it continues to push back against Russia's onslaught.

The White House thanked Senate and House leadership for pushing the funding across the finish line before the deadline.

But the short-term move only delays bigger decisions about congressional spending priorities. Those won't come until after the midterm elections determine control of the House and Senate. The Senate won't return until after the midterms.

The law also includes $1 billion to help families with heating and cooling costs, as well as $2.5 billion to assist New Mexico with recovery from the latest wildfire to hit the state and $20 million in emergency funding for water and infrastructure improvements in Jackson, Mississippi. It doesn't include the White House's desire for more funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and monkeypox outbreak.

Mr. Biden has indicated he may need to request additional funding from Congress to help Florida's recovery from Hurricane Ian.

 Melissa Quinn contributed to this report.

Tracking Hurricane Ian as it hits South Carolina

Harrowing rescues after severe floods swamp Orlando

Hurricane Ian makes landfall in South Carolina
Fresno State and its former president mishandled a spate of sexual harassment complaints against a senior administrator, according to an outside law firms examination of the matter that was released Thursday by California State University officials.

The firms report found then-Fresno State president Joseph Castro failed to take more rigorous action to address repeated reports of misconduct by Vice President of Student Affairs Frank Lamas over a six-year period. Castros "blind spot" for Lamas, the report found, negatively impacted his response to the conduct and the morale of students and employees at the school.

"The Presidents failure to more aggressively respond to reports of Lamas alleged misconduct also allowed such conduct to continue because there were no serious repercussions for it," the report said. "In summary, more should have been done."

Castro left Fresno State in late 2020 to become the chancellor of the CSU system, a coalition of 23 state universities that includes Fresno State. But he resigned just one year into his new job after a USA TODAY investigation detailed his mishandling of numerous complaints about Lamas. The Thursday report, by attorney Mary Lee Wegner, confirmed much of USA TODAYs reporting.

USA TODAY's investigation found that Castro personally received at least seven complaints about Lamas, including that he stared at womens breasts, touched women inappropriately, made sexist remarks, and berated, belittled, and retaliated against employees. But Castro never formally disciplined Lamas, instead praising him in annual performance reviews and endorsing him for a prestigious lifetime achievement award, which Lamas won.

Although a 2020 internal investigation found Lamas responsible for sexually harassing a subordinate and engaging in abusive workplace behavior, the settlement Castro authorized enabled Lamas to leave the university with $260,000 and a clean record in exchange for his retirement. It banned Lamas from working at the CSU again but promised him a letter of recommendation from Castro to help him find work elsewhere.

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Castro resigned two weeks after USA TODAY's investigation, amid an outcry among students, faculty, staff, lawmakers and labor unions. The CSU Board of Trustees voted to hire Wegner to investigate Castro's handling of the allegations.

The board separately hired law firm Cozen O'Connor to conduct a "comprehensive systemwide assessment" of Title IX practices across the CSU system, and state lawmakers authorized a legislative audit of Title IX and human resources practices at multiple CSU campuses, including Fresno. Those assessments are ongoing.

Title IX, which turns 50 this year, is the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education.

"We want to first thank the Fresno State community members who came forward to share their experiences courageously and transparently," interim CSU chancellor Jolene Koester said in a statement Thursday. "The report concluded that while the campus took action to explore and address each of the reports made, some responses substantially complied with applicable policy while others did not."

In an emailed statement to USA TODAY Thursday, Castro said he disagreed "with several aspects of the investigators' findings as they do not align with the documentation I provided to" Wegner. He did not specify the findings with which he disagreed.

"I have learned many lessons from my handling of the Title IX matter involving Dr. Frank Lamas at Fresno State," Castro said in his statement. "These lessons will ensure that I am an even more effective leader in the future, including in the area of victims rights. I will share these lessons publicly to assist higher education leaders and governing board members across the nation who face similar personnel matters."

Lamas did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. He previously denied the allegations against him.

Frank Lamas speaks to employees and staff during a homecoming event on the lower level of California State University, Fresno's student union on Oct. 25, 2019.

Wegner interviewed 30 current and former Fresno State employees for the review, including multiple interviews with Castro and his attorney over 14 hours. Castro justified his decisions about Lamas, the report said, by saying he'd followed advice he received from other people and that no one complained about his responses. Wegner noted Castro's explanations "were not always credible."

Castro "received or was contemporaneously aware of all reports" against Lamas, except possibly one, the report said, but the school conducted no formal investigation until 2020. Although he said he counseled Lamas each time, he never documented any steps he took to mitigate Lamas' behavior, the report found, and continued writing Lamas positive performance reviews. Any steps he took, the report found, "were not effective."

Despite knowing of numerous documented complaints of Lamas' sexually harassing conduct, Castro recommended him for presidencies at other universities at least eight times from 2016 through 2019, the report found, including two CSU campuses. USA TODAY's previous reporting found Castro recommended Lamas in 2018 for the presidency at CSU San Marcos.

These recommendations started "immediately" after Lamas underwent a sensitivity training because of the complaints about his behavior, the report found  a training Castro sat in on as a show of support for Lamas. In the case of San Marcos and the other CSU campuses, the report said, Castro "failed to inform the chancellor or other involved with the search about Lamas' history."

Additionally, after a 2020 investigation found Lamas responsible for sexual harassment and "abusive workplace conduct," Castro asked Fresno State's provost and vice president of academic affairs to consider letting Lamas exercise a clause in his contract known as "retreat rights" that would have enabled him to take a faculty position in the school of education. Castro did not share any information about the investigations into Lamas or any specifics of the findings against him, the report said.

Understaffing and poor record keeping by employees in key roles, such as the Title IX office, contributed to the school's ineffective response, the report found. A USA TODAY investigation in March found Castro severely understaffed the Title IX office for years despite repeated complaints from students and staff, leaving it unable to effectively respond to students who needed help.

Fresno State will hire a second survivor advocate and an interim deputy Title IX coordinator, President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval said in a statement Thursday. The school is also in the process of hiring a full-time discrimination, harassment and retaliation coordinator.

"Our Fresno State community has experienced a lot of pain, and we have deeply felt the impact of these events," Jimenez-Sandoval's statement said. "I want to acknowledge and thank our Bulldog family members who shared their experiences and thoughts honestly throughout this investigation. I know this process was not easy, and I recognize that we still have much healing to do."

In response to questions from USA TODAY in February, Castro said he regretted writing Lamas a positive letter of recommendation, praising Lamas publicly, not taking formal disciplinary action against Lamas and not mentioning any of his concerns in Lamas performance reviews. The settlement, he said, was the best way to avoid a potentially costly lawsuit from Lamas and prevent him from retreating to the faculty even if Castro fired him.

Wegner's report agreed the settlement was necessary, but it criticized Castro for not using more neutral language in the letter of recommendation.

Like Lamas, the board also gave Castro a lucrative separation agreement in March on his way out as chancellor. The board made him an "advisor to the board" for one year as part of its "executive transition program"  a position that draws a $401,000 salary.

Follow Kenny Jacoby on Twitter @kennyjacoby

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CSU chancellor mishandled administrator's sexual harassment, review finds
A court ruling Thursday lets New York's attorney general continue to seek stiff penalties from the NRA.

AG Letitia James is suing CEO Wayne LaPierre for millions in back salary; she also wants the NRA subjected to financial monitoring.

LaPierre's lawyer likened James' push for a monitor to Alabama's AG monitoring the NAACP in the '50s.

In a blow to the NRA, a Manhattan judge has given New York Attorney General Letitia James the green light to continue seeking two hefty penalties  an independent monitor who would oversee the gun lobby's finances, and millions in back-salary from CEO Wayne LaPierre.

The ruling from the bench by New York Supreme Court Justice Joel Cohen on Thursday allows the New York AG to pursue the financial monitor and significant cash penalties when her two-year-old lawsuit against the NRA eventually goes to trial.

Those salary-based penalties, if approved by a judge or jury, could add up to a small fortune.

LaPierre has made in excess of $1 million a year since 2014; he was under contract to earn $1.5 million for the years 2020 through 2025, according to court filings.

A trial date has yet to be set for the lawsuit, which accuses LaPierre and three other executives at the New York-chartered nonprofit of lining their pockets with member donations.

LaPierre was reinstated as the NRA's executive vice president at the gun lobby's annual convention in Houston in May, despite the New York AG's allegations that he and his cronies used "millions upon millions" in NRA cash for private jet travel, Bahamas vacations, and pricey meals.

Lawyers for the NRA and for LaPierre had fought hard against the New York AG's proposed penalties in lengthy legal papers and in arguments before Cohen on Thursday.

The lawyers fought especially hard against the threat of a court-imposed financial monitor, something they derided as "a de facto takeover" in legal papers in June and as "dangerous," and "unconstitutional" in arguments before Cohen on Thursday.

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"It's really just interference with his ability to do his job the way his members want him to do it, in the way his board wants him to do it," LaPierre attorney P. Kent Correll said.

In a moment of what might be called legal calisthenics, Correll went on to compare James' demands for an NRA monitorship to Alabama's assault on the NAACP in the 1950s.

"You have the attorney general of a state trying to interfere with the operation of a not-for-profit organization  that happened in the '50s," Correll told the judge.

"The attorney general of the state of Alabama wanted to do what he could to disrupt the NAACP" and demanded the group turn over its membership list as a condition of continuing to operate in Alabama, Correll said.

"It went to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court said, 'No, you can't do that. You can't interfere with an organization like this because they're engaged in free speech.'"

The judge countered that in a hypothetical case where a nonprofit had been looted by its executives, a court would need to be able to do more than just "hope for the best with the next person."

He also disagreed with the NRA's claim that a monitorship is off the table because it is not mentioned by name in New York's Estate, Powers, and Trusts Law.

The NRA is attempting to read the law "so narrowly" that no attorney general would ever be able to monitor "how funds are used by an organization such as this," the judge said.

The judge also said it was premature to assess the appropriateness of a monitor, or of financial penalties, or of any other possible remedies, "without knowing what the fact findings are that give rise to the remedy."

As for next steps in the massive case, lawyers for the New York AG said they may request one last round of depositions based on recently submitted discovery from the NRA's side.

"I'd like to set a trial date as soon as I can, subject to one party or another winning on summary judgment," Cohen said.

"Everybody's been working very hard," he added. "My understanding was that things were near the end, which it sounds like is true."

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Trend

A new structure of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) has been approved, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan told Trend.

This decision of the Cabinet of Ministers was prepared in order to ensure the implementation of paragraph 6.3 of Azerbaijani Presidents Decree No. 1769 On some measures to improve management in the field of science and education in the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 28, 2022.

According to the decision, 22 scientific institutions will function within the framework of the new structure of ANAS. The limit of the number of ANAS employees was set at 3,510 people.

In general, the management and financial expenses of the academy have been optimized.
Bob Sagets final film, "Daniels Gotta Die," is scheduled to premiere as part of the 2022 Austin Film Festival lineup.

The comedy centers on a man named Daniel who is trying to reconnect with his family, only to realize his family is trying to kill him to get his inheritance. Saget appears in the project as a character named Lawrence, but it isnt clear what Lawrences role in the movie is.

The film also stars Jason Jones, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carly Chaikin and Iggy Pop.

"Bobs passing came as a shock to the entire Daniels Gotta Die team. He was a collaborator through and through, and he really loved this film," director Jeremy LaLonde said. "Its with great sadness that he never got to see it finished. I cant wait to see how audiences react to his final performance at Austin Film Festival with his final gift to all that loved him."

FULL HOUSE STAR JODIE SWEETIN REVEALS SHE FELT BOB SAGETS PRESENCE AT HER WEDDING

Bob Saget attends the red carpet premiere and party for Peacock's new comedy series "MacGruber" at California Science Center in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2021. Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

According to the films writer, Matthew Dressel, Saget loved the script and quickly took on the role of father figure to everyone from the very first day on set. He also spoke about how hard Saget worked to make sure he was doing justice to the script and portraying the character exactly how Dressel intended him to be portrayed.

"He really brought the characters heart to the surface of the script and was intent on making sure he always got it just right," Dressel said. "On set, he always had the script pages in hand and spoke with me often about making sure the character was as I intended."

Knowing how much the "Fuller House" star loved the film, Dressel is upset Saget will never be able to watch the film, but he is happy fans will have the opportunity to watch him in one last project and give him their final goodbyes.

"If theres one person who deserved to see this film, its Bob, and I will always be sad he cannot," Dressel said. "He helped us craft a beautiful and heartwarming send-off, and I think people will really appreciate it."

Story continues

Matthew Dressel said he is upset Bob Saget won't be able to see the movie he loved so much. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

In January 2022, Saget was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Florida the day after he preformed his standup act in Ponte Vedra Beach. Emergency responders arrived shortly after and pronounced him dead in his room.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

An autopsy report released a month later concluded Sagets cause of death was blunt head trauma to the back of his head, most likely caused by a fall.

"It was a friendship that I'll never have again," Sagets longtime friend John Stamos recently told Fox News Digital. "It was a friendship that I didn't think I would have either. We were there for each other through happy times, sad times, weddings, divorces, funerals. It's going to be hard to go through the rest of this life without him."

John Stamos, left, remembered his one-of-a-kind friendship with Saget, saying it was the kind of friendship he will never find again. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

The 29th Austin Film Festival is set to run Oct. 27-Nov. 3.
Bones found in a dense wooded area in South Carolina were identified as those of a man who had been missing since July, according to authorities.

Police searched a densely wooded area over the course of two days on Sept. 24 and 25, according to the Georgetown Police Department. Georgetown is about 140 miles southeast of Columbia.

A police officer on a utility terrain vehicle spotted the bones underneath some vegetation on Sept. 25, according to a statement from the police department posted on Facebook.

The Georgetown County Coroners Office announced on Sept. 29 that the remains had been identified as those of Wesley Blake, 31.

The cause and manner of death are unknown, according to the office.

Blakes remains were found in a wooded area less than half a mile from an animal shelter where he was last seen walking around on July 29, according to police and the coroners office.

Detectives are continuing to investigate, according to the police department.

Remains of missing 30-year-old woman found in burning building, Indiana cops say

Family was worried when GA man missed sisters birthday. Weeks later his car is found

Hikers discover mysterious human skeletal remains on Colorado mountain, officials say
JERUSALEM (AP)  The online travel agency Booking.com added warnings on Friday to listings in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, following years of pressure from Palestinian officials and human rights groups.

The new alert urges customers searching for rentals in Israeli settlements to review their government's travel advisories before booking in the area, "which may be considered conflict-affected."

Foreign tourism companies like Airbnb, Booking.com and TripAdvisor long have sparked controversy for allowing West Bank settlers to post places for rent, with no mention that these settlements are considered a violation of international law. Many rental sites, from suburban-type settlements near Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem to far-flung outposts deep in the occupied territories, list their location only as Israel.

Some half-million Jewish settlers live in the occupied West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war. The Palestinians seek these lands as parts of a future independent state.

Related video: Israeli forces kill three Palestinian gunmen in West Bank

Human Rights Watch described the travel warning on Friday as a welcome step" to help prevent customers from unwittingly landing in illegal settlements. But the group urged tourism companies to go further by removing their listings in West Bank settlements.

Notification in and of itself doesnt end Bookings contribution to serious rights abuses, said Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine Director for Human Rights Watch. The company should stop brokering rentals in illegal settlements in places like the occupied West Bank."

But stopping risks Israeli uproar. Israel and its supporters have accused those who support anti-Israel boycotts, including products made in the settlements, of antisemitism. Airbnb scrapped its plan to remove listings in the settlements in 2019 after lawsuits were filed against it in the United States and Israel.

Booking.com's safety warning also appears for a few other conflict-ridden regions around the world, including the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region within Azerbaijan.
Welcome garments from Nepal given to Rosalind and Kwame upon arrival.

Can you say, Culture Shock, with capital letters? Well, that is what I experienced during our recent trip to Nepal.

Having grown up in America, a native Floridian, and although I have traveled to many nations in Africa and the Caribbean and even Turkey, I must say I was not prepared for what I experienced in Nepal.

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It wasnt just the fact that the United States is a Christian nation because I have been in Muslim nations before, it was the whole landscape that caused a cataclysmic shift in my perception of life.

Mahabharata Mountain Range in Nepal.

The first thing that I noticed on full display was the beautiful mountains in the backdrop and although I have been to the Colorado mountains before these were different once we began traveling around them.

Because most of the roads were not paved, they had humongous potholes in them and there were no street signs or lights. The cars, vans, jeeps, and tour buses traveled at very high speeds navigating the twists and turns of the mountains sometimes barely missing head-on collisions or driving off the cliffs by mere seconds.

And there we were in the middle of it all traveling for hours around the mountains to get to the villages to meet our members.

The next thing I became acutely aware of was the large idols of Buddha and Krishna and other Hindu gods and goddesses all around. I had never seen anything like it before in my life. They were huge and beautiful and everywhere.

Sadly, there were no churches on display as they are not forbidden but frowned upon as a Western religion. Thats not to say there are no Christians, but they meet in homes and are very low key as Nepal is primarily a Hindu and Buddhist nation with only 3% Christians.

In addition to the idols there were cows roaming everywhere and sometimes in packs down the middle of the street. No one is allowed to harm them because they are worshipped as a part of the Hindu religion as are monkeys, crows, trees, and dogs.

Story continues

They also worship vehicles and other objects at certain times as they have millions of gods. That is what really amazed me as I have heard of this before and seen documentaries, but to experience it up close and personal is quite different.

It caused me to open my heart and eyes to how some people experience life and religion.

MoMo dish in Nepal.

We ate lots of curry and rice as well as a dish called Momo which is a dumpling that has chicken or buffalo inside. The food was spicy and tasty overall, and the people were very warm and inviting.

It was a blessing to meet our members of Turning Point International Nepal and discuss ways to support the impressive work that they are doing despite a multitude of challenges. That brings me hope.

Rosalind Tompkins Guest columnist

Rosalind Y. Tompkins received a doctorate of humanities degree from the Five Fold Ministry Theological University in 2012. Find out more at makeahopeconnection.com.

Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Experiencing different culture in Nepal opens heart and eyes
LONDON (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Friday he had discussed shared issues with European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic including the Northern Ireland Protocol, a contentious trade issue between the European Union and Britain.

"We agreed we want to look for solutions to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. We will speak again soon," Cleverly said on Twitter, referring to the 1998 deal protecting peace in Northern Ireland.

(Reporting by Muvija M, writing by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by William James)
Critics of Mayor Adams plan to house asylum seekers in refugee-style tents slammed it as illegal and inhumane Friday as questions continued to loom over how exactly  and whether  his administration intends to comply with the states right to shelter law.

This pitch was sold as a state-of-the-art facility with food, beds and a warm New York City welcome, Councilwoman Shahana Hanif (D-Brooklyn), chairwoman of the Councils Immigration Committee, said during a rally outside City Hall. But there is nothing state of the art about a refugee camp built outdoors in a flood zone in October.

Hanifs criticisms came just hours before a Council hearing into Adams policy and a week after he and top city officials announced their latest plan to address the influx of migrants into the city by building five tents in an Orchard Beach parking lot in the Bronx. The plan, which has not yet been completed, almost immediately raised questions over whether it was being pursued to avoid following the states right to shelter laws, which require local governments to provide housing to people who seek it within a prescribed timeframe.

The city has been in apparent violation of that law dozens of times since Adams took office in January.

Hanif and other critics railed against the mayors policy Friday for a laundry list of reasons: the administration didnt consult with local elected officials before making its announcement last week, the location is remote and prone to flooding and questions remain about how exactly the tents will be used to assist asylum seekers.

Hanif also bristled over the revelation that a contractor handling the tents in Orchard Beach, Texas-based SLSCO, helped construct former President Donald Trumps southern border wall. She called Adams overall Orchard Beach plan illegal.

For months now, asylum seekers from South and Central America have been flowing into the city, many on buses directed here by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has sought to use the busing as a way to criticize President Bidens border policy. So far, Adams administration estimates that more than 13,000 migrants have come to the Big Apple, placing a strain on the citys already burdened shelter system.

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The tents in Orchard Beach are intended as a way to mitigate that crisis, but detractors view it as the wrong answer.

Queens Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz questioned why the migrants must be housed in tents when other alternatives exist. She suggested the city could provide shelter in the Javits Center, college dormitories and vacant hotels.

I urge our state and our city administration to work together finding different options because there has to be, she said. We have money to pay for all of that. We are a very rich city. Every time someone says we dont have money, we find money.

Migrants continue to be housed in city homeless shelters, and those shelters and the tents expected in the Bronx are not the only options the city currently has in the works.

Adams team is continuing to negotiate potential deals to house migrants on cruise ships. A source with knowledge of the situation told the Daily News on Wednesday that the city is in talks with the Norwegian, Carnival and Genting cruise ship companies, but is closest to hammering out a deal with Norwegian.

Where to house the migrants isnt the only outstanding question, though. For groups like the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless  which are mandated to act as watchdogs when it comes to the right to shelter law  the how remains a key sticking point as well.

Asked whether Adams and his teams recent rhetoric  theyve used the words unprecedented and humanitarian liberally to describe the crisis  has any legal significance, Legal Aids Judith Goldiner said it appears theyre making a point to employ language used for natural disasters.

What weve asked them for is to point us to whatever legal points theyre trying to make here and what laws apply, and they havent done that yet, she said.

Some answers did emerge at Fridays Council hearing, though.

In response to questions from Hanif, Adams Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said migrants to be housed in tents will get lockers to secure their belongings, that there would be one shower for every 15 residents and one toilet for every 16.

Hanif also asked Iscol if the administrations migrant tent camps need to abide by right-to-shelter rules. He responded that they dont because the tents arent being operated by the Department of Homeless Services and thus fall outside the scope of the 1979 Callahan v. Carey ruling that established the right-to-shelter in the city.

These are not homeless shelters, Iscol said of the tents. They do not fall under Callahan.

Mayor Adams fielded questions Friday about his Orchard Beach plan as well.

Asked how his administration is going to ensure migrants know that being placed in the tents is voluntary and that they have an option to go into the shelter system instead, he suggested clarity would be a priority.

We are going to give a level of clarity and let the asylum seekers and migrants know exactly whats available in the city, he said.

But he also suggested that he would measure the migrant crisis against his first priority: New Yorkers.

My ultimate responsibility is to New Yorkers, that is my ultimate responsibility: to the people of this city, he said. No other municipality is doing what New York City is doing ... We have gone beyond the call of duty to make sure that we are treating people in a humane way, and were trying to be as humane as possible.
FORT MYERS, Fla.  Joy McCormack stood across the road from a stretch of mobile homes, townhouses, and condos now covered in knee-deep flood waters.

She watched her neighbors wade to and from their homes, hoping to salvage something from the wreckage. She wondered how her home in the nearby Iona Ranch mobile home park had fared after Hurricane Ian, but she knew the devastation probably took it as well.

I think mine is going to be a total loss, McCormack said. Its the only house I have, and if its gone 

Her voice trailed off.

For Mitch Stough and his brother Mike, Fort Myers Beach was their livelihood. Now it has been destroyed.

It's leveled, Mitch told The News-Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.

LIVE COVERAGE: South Carolina braces for Hurricane Ian; 2M in Florida without power as deaths likely rise

Fort Myers Beach, along with Lee Countys other barrier islands, took the brunt of Hurricane Ians assault on Floridas coastline. The storm, a Category 4 when it made landfall, sent 150 mph winds and a towering storm surge tearing through the towns center.

Fort Myers, with its population of more than 92,000, is a popular city for tourists and spring breakers. The nearby small coastal town of Fort Myers Beach, filled with beachside bars and hotels and resorts, sits on skinny Estero Island, which left it more vulnerable as Ian pounded the region. The town has a population of nearly 6,000.

The cities and towns there were some of the first lashed by the storm. Other areas of the state are still seeing heavy rains and haven't broken free of Ian's grip yet. Local officials, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Joe Biden say the storm is likely to be historically deadly and costly.

This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, on Thursday, in Fort Myers, Fla.

Mitch and Mike Stough sheltered on the third floor of the Estero Island Beach Club, where Mike worked. From there, they had a front-row view of the chaos. Waves poured over Estero Boulevard, demolishing the lower floors of buildings and carrying away vehicles, they said. Their car went flying.

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Mitch, who worked at the landmark Lani Kai resort, said the storm surge stripped the vacation spot's first floor to its structural elements.

"Theres nothing there," he said. Fort Myers Beach is gone.

A couple of miles out, boats could be seen thrown against road guardrails, ripped from their storage yards. Closer to the Matanzas Pass Bridge, entire marina buildings were shattered, wooden docks twisted and splintered. Sheriffs deputies blocked access to Estero Island, saying the bridge was unsafe to cross.

On San Carlos Island, rows of houses were savaged by winds and water, shingles stripped, windows shattered. A boat blocked the middle of the road, dragged out of a driveway by the storm. Residents, looking shellshocked, began the monumental task of cleaning up, picking up pieces of debris from their lawns.

For Mitch and Mike Stough, there was no coming back: They said they planned to move elsewhere.

Theres nothing here for us. Our jobs are gone. Our cars gone. Theres nothing open, he said. Its going to take a couple years to get this thing back into shape again.

DESTRUCTION AND DESPERATION: See Hurricane Ian damage city by city across Florida

Damaged homes and debris are shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla.

Sanibel Island sees 'biblical' destruction after Ian

A few miles west, a chunk of the causeway connecting Sanibel Island to Florida's mainland had fallen into the sea, cutting off access to the barrier island where 6,300 people live.

There, the devastation was near total. Aerial video by ABC News shows homes with damaged or missing roofs, some that had drifted off their foundations, and rows of houses surrounded by water from storm surge.

"Sanibel is destruction. ... It got hit with really biblical storm surge," DeSantis said.

He said rescuers were working to bring those who remained on the island to safety. Two people were confirmed dead on Sanibel Island, officials said Thursday evening, part of the total death toll of 14 in the state, though the number was expected to rise dramatically.

Further south, the historic beachfront pier in Naples was destroyed, with even the pilings underneath torn out. Right now, there is no pier, said Penny Taylor, a Collier County commissioner.

Stan Pentz heard the boom of the stormwater rushing into his Iona Ranch mobile home in Fort Myers on Wednesday loud and clear. He said the water rapidly rose up the canals outside his home before bursting through his sliding doors. Pentz held onto the blinds, desperately trying to get out while his home filled with water.

Once out, the current dragged him up and around his home to some bushes, where he stayed for three hours. The debris slammed into him until he could swim toward a building for shelter.

He has already been to his house to try to save what he can, but it's no use: "It's all underwater."

'NEVER SEEN A FLOOD EVENT LIKE THIS': Here's how you can help those affected by Hurricane Ian in Florida

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fort Myers Beach 'gone' after Hurricane Ian decimates Florida's coast
An army captain in Burkina Faso has announced on national television that he has ousted military leader Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba.

Ibrahim Traore cited Lt Col Damiba's inability to deal with an Islamist insurgency as the reason.

He also announced that borders were closed indefinitely and all political activities were suspended.

Lt Col Damiba's junta overthrew an elected government in January, citing a failure to halt Islamist attacks.

But his administration has also not been able to quell the jihadist violence. On Monday, 11 soldiers were killed when they were escorting a convoy of civilian vehicles in the north of the country.

Earlier on Friday, Lt Col Damiba urged the population to remain calm after heavy gunfire was heard in parts of the capital.

More than 20 armed soldiers - most with their faces covered - appeared on state TV shortly before 20:00 local time.

"Faced with the deteriorating situation, we tried several times to get Damiba to refocus the transition on the security question," said the statement signed by Traore.

"Damiba's actions gradually convinced us that his ambitions were diverting away from what we set out to do. We decided this day to remove Damiba," it said.

A curfew from 21:00 to 05:00 was also announced.

Lt Col Damiba's whereabouts are not known.

The United States said it was "deeply concerned" by events in Burkina Faso and encouraged its citizens to limit movements in the country.

"We call for a return to calm and restraint by all actors," a State Department spokesperson said.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the move, stating it "reaffirms its unreserved opposition to any taking or maintaining of the power by unconstitutional means".

Before dawn, shots and explosions were heard in the capital, Ouagadougou, some of them coming from near the presidential palace and main military barracks.

After sunrise, the normally bustling city was largely deserted, with soldiers on the streets blocking some roads and guarding key strategic points.

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State television had stopped broadcasting and more gunfire was heard later in the day.

Lt Col Damiba said there was a "confused situation" created by "mood swings" among some soldiers as rumours of a coup intensified.

Urging people to remain calm and avoid social media speculation, the military leader said there were "negotiations under way to bring back calm and serenity".

Lt Col Damiba urged the population to remain calm after heavy gunfire was heard in parts of the capital on Friday

In January, Lt Col Damiba ousted President Roch Kabore, saying that he had failed to deal with growing militant Islamist violence.

"We have more than what it takes to win this war," the junta chief said when he was sworn in as president in February.

But many citizens do not feel any safer and there have been protests in different parts of the country this week.

On Friday afternoon, some protesters took to the capital's streets calling for the removal of Lt Col Damiba.

The Islamist insurgency broke out in Burkina Faso in 2015, leaving thousands dead and forcing an estimated two million people from their homes.

The country has experienced eight successful coups since independence in 1960.
Border Protection agents in California arrested a U.S. citizen Sunday following a brief chase in which the suspect was allegedly driving a vehicle made to resemble a Border Patrol cruiser.

Agents assigned to the Remote Video Surveillance System in the El Centro Sector alerted other agents about a possible cloned Border Protection Chevrolet Tahoe traveling east on Highway 98 on Sunday night, authorities said.

They tried to stop the SUV, but the driver kept going, a news release by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS URGE BIDEN ADMIN TO TAKE EVERY POSSIBLE STEP TO STOP ILLEGAL MIGRATION FROM VENEZUELA

"An agent positioned ahead of the vehicles location successfully deployed a Controlled Tire Deflation Device to slow the vehicle down to a complete stop, near Mount Signal Road and Highway 98," according to the release.

When the agents approached the vehicle, the 18-year-old driver fled and hid in a brush, authorities said. He was later caught.

Authorities confirmed the vehicle was a clone and that the teen was the only person inside. Agents arrested the suspect and seized the SUV.

"The border in El Centro Sector is closed, and this is yet another example of our zero tolerance for smuggling and illegal entry," Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said. "I am so proud of El Centro border security professionals who make it awfully hard on smugglers to ply their trade here!"

In August, another phony Border Patrol vehicle was found in Arizona with a driver in a fake uniform during a smuggling attempt. The driver and 10 migrants were taken into custody.
benedek / iStock.com

Just when we thought Americans were going to get some relief from high prices at the pump, Californians got hit hard with a jump. As of Sept. 30, California is paying an average of $6.29  much higher than the national average of $3.79.

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Gas prices dropped below $4 in most states roughly two weeks prior, but drivers in California and Hawaii were still paying more than $5 a gallon. Now, Californias average has spiked to more than $6 per gallon, with an increase of 70 cents for the week of September 26, 2022. This includes a 16-cent jump between Thursday and Friday.

Why Are Prices Suddenly Rising?

Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the University of Houston, told Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC News that there are four major refineries offline in California. Three are having regular maintenance and one suffered what he called an upset. The gasoline is not making it to market.

California only produces roughly 1 million barrels of oil per day, which is not enough to satisfy the states fuel needs, so it imports oil from other states. This makes California vulnerable to emergency situations in other states, such as Hurricane Ian currently sweeping the southeast coast.

It just costs money to redirect those cargos and thats why everybody has jumped the price in California, Hirs told ABC News.

Additionally, gas prices arent regulated in California, so when the price of fuel goes up for the suppliers and retailers like Shell, Exxon and Chevron, they can raise prices on customers, Hirs explained.

Unlike many other states, California drivers have not enjoyed a gas tax holiday in 2022. The state collects 68.15 cents per gallon, the highest rate in the country, according to Kiplinger.

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Drivers with diesel vehicles, however, will enjoy some relief beginning Oct. 1, when the 3.9375% sales tax on diesel fuel will be suspended for one year.

Story continues

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: California Gas Prices Jumped 18 Cents Per Gallon in One Week  Heres Why
The UAEs hotel development pipeline has swelled to 48,000 keys, the delivery of which is forecasted to cost about $32 billion, according to research carried out by global property consultancy, Knight Frank.



Faisal Durrani, Partner  Head of Middle East Research, Knight Frank, said: The UAEs world-leading hospitality market is set to expand by 25% by 2030, with a further 48,000 rooms adding to the nations extensive 200,000 key portfolio. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Dubai is set to account for the lions share of this total, with 76% of all new rooms coming to the emirate, which already boasts over 130,000 rooms. This stockpile of hotel rooms is already higher than cities like London or New York.



The emirate has cemented its status as a city with universal appeal, in large part to the world-leading government response to the pandemic and some of the worlds most visited and incredible attractions. The accolades for Dubai keep coming  Trip Advisors most popular destination for 2022, the worlds busiest international airport and the highest hotel occupancy in the world, all of which strongly pointing to room for further growth and expansion of this all-important pillar in the economy.



Turab Saleem, Partner  Head of Tourism and Hospitality, Knight Frank, explained: The UAEs vibrant hospitality market continues to expand, with a clear focus on the luxury end of the price spectrum. Our analysis shows that 70% of all the rooms planned will fall in the 4-star and 5-star category.



This comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is pushing ahead with what is set to be one of the worlds most ambitious hospitality development programmes that will see more than 275,000 hotel rooms built across the Kingdom over the course of the 2020s at a total cost of US$ 110 billion. The regions transforming hospitality sector is set to create a very attractive proposition for global travellers.



International operators continue to flock to the Emirates



Knight Franks research has also revealed a growing proportion of international operators who are rushing to be part of one of the worlds most successful hospitality markets.



Durrani added: The success of the UAEs hospitality market means international operators are keen to continue cementing their presence. Indeed, the proportion of international operators to local ones is set to rise to 60%, from 56% today.



Interestingly, Hilton Hotels will add the most rooms overall, with close to 5,000 new keys expected by the end of the decade, a 43% increase on today. This mirrors the groups plans in Saudi, where Hilton hotels will emerge as the second biggest operator by 2030 with 19,000 rooms under management, around 3,000 rooms more than the group will have in the UAE by that stage.



Knight Frank estimates that by 2030, the Accor Group will cement its place as UAEs largest hotel room operator, with close to 25,000 rooms under management, a position the group also enjoys in Saudi Arabia.



The UAEs three biggest cities  Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, continue to lead the region in terms of hotel performance, but Saudi Arabias existing cities are poised to experience a sea change in demand as Vision 2030 unfolds and business as well as leisure travel begins to overwhelm the existing supply, which will inevitably translate into heighted room rates and ADRs, at least while the existing number of keys remains inadequate for the demand yet to come, Saleem pointed out.  TradeArabia News Service
Police in California are investigating a spate of recent murders as the possible work of an unidentified serial killer.

Stockton Police made the shock announcement on Wednesday that investigators are looking into a series of unsolved cases that all share a strikingly similar pattern.

Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said in a press briefing that all of the victims were killed during the night or in the early hours of the morning, in dark places and when they were alone.

We do see some similarity where its really areas of darkness, its really areas where the person is by themselves, maybe not even knowing its coming, and thats kind of what [were] looking into in some of the most recent ones, he said.

All of the victims were killed either in cars or while they were walking alone and none of them appear to have been robbed, he said.

The ages of the victims vary as well as the locations of the murders  but each area was described as being very dark with no surveillance cameras nearby.

Additionally, there are no known witnesses in any of the cases.

People are by themselves, they dont have that situational awareness that we would like for folks to have, said the police chief.

Investigators have not confirmed how many murders fit into the same noticeable pattern however the rate of murders in the California city has surged since the start of the year.

In a press release posted on the police departments Facebook page warning the public about the concerning trend, it said that it had investigated 43 homicides in the city so far in 2022  11 more than in the same time frame in the previous year.

The gender of the victims is also unclear.

Scene of an unsolved shooting death on 30 August in Stockton, California (ABC10)

However, at least four murders that appear to match the pattern described by authorities have taken place in the city within the last month alone.

Each of the killings involved a male victim being shot dead either in his car or on a sidewalk in the early hours of the morning.

Back on 30 August, a 21-year-old man was found dead inside his vehicle at around 6.40am. He had been fatally shot.

Story continues

At around 1am on 20 September, a 35-year-old man was found shot to death inside his car.

Around the same time the following day, another male victim, 37, was found dead from gunshot wounds on a sidewalk.

Less than one week later on 27 September, a 54-year-old man was also shot to death on a sidewalk.

The Independent has reached out to Stockton Police for confirmation about whether these killings are part of the pattern in question.

Chief McFadden said that investigators had noticed enough similarities between multiple unsolved murders that police needed to warn the public  but insisted that the evidence does not yet show it is the handiwork of a lone serial killer.

We have been provided absolutely zero evidence that leads us to believe that one individual is running rampant in the city of Stockton killing people, he said.

We dont know if its one person, or if its five or six people. We just dont have that information right now.

However, he added that investigators also havent ruled out anything yet.

The department is putting together a team to examine the patterns investigators noticed related to recent homicides.

As detectives have been looking at the data and evidence for some of the recent homicides, they have noticed the homicides are occurring during the night or early morning hours and our victims were alone, police said in the announcement.

We are currently assembling a team of detectives, task force officers (federal, state, and county), crime analysts, camera room operators, and evidence technicians who will be taking a very close look at some of these patterns we are seeing.

Meanwhile, members of the public are being urged not to wander alone through dark and isolated places and to report anything suspicious.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377 or the Investigations Division at (209) 937-8323. Tipsters can also submit information anonymously at Stockton Crime Stoppers by visiting StocktonCrimeStoppers.org or calling (209) 946-0600
Two major British museums are opening up their collections to archaeologists and officials from Cambodia, in response to allegations that valuable items are sitting illegally in the UK.

The first visit is to the Victoria & Albert Museum on Friday, followed by one to the British Museum in October.

Cambodia wants the UK to help recover antiquities it says were stolen from its temples during years of conflict.

Both museums have said they are transparent about the origin of items.

The Cambodian delegation hopes to discuss the provenance of objects in the two collections and to examine them in person.

"The challenge for us is that we have been doing our research from long distance, just looking at what is publicly available on the museums' websites," says Brad Gordon, the head of Cambodia's investigations team. "For example, we are not able to see the objects from different angles."

In a statement, the V&A told the BBC that it welcomed the chance to engage in constructive dialogue with the Cambodian government, adding it was interested to see any information that sheds new light on the objects in its care.

The Cambodian team has also been invited to carry out a formal visit to the British Museum.

The Cambodians believe that the British Museum, the UK's largest, could have dozens of items in storage that were taken out of their country without permission and then acquired by the museum, as late as the early 1990s.

Many temples - such as Preah Khan Kampang Svay in central Cambodia - were left in ruins after decades of looting

Earlier this year, Cambodian culture minister Phoeurng Sackona appealed to the UK government for help. She said many important cultural treasures had been stolen from sacred temples and "wrongfully ended up" in warehouses and institutions - including the two London museums.

The Cambodians believe ancient statues hold the souls of their ancestors. By speaking to former looters and tracing shipping and sales records, they've determined that many of the stolen works passed through the hands of a rogue British art dealer, Douglas Latchford, who died in 2020.

Story continues

Before the looting - archive photos of the Koh Ker archaeological site

The group has a priority list of items they're interested in discussing with each museum. The British Museum is believed to have approximately 100 Cambodian pieces, though all appear to be in storage.

The V&A is thought to have more than 50 items; a fraction of them on display. Seeing the pieces will be an emotional experience for some of the Cambodians, who have never seen such valuable objects up close before.

"I can't wait to see what the museums are keeping," says Soklida Tek, a young researcher with the Cambodian delegation. "I want to understand why the museums are hiding our ancestors, removed from their homes."

The focus on the UK marks the latest phase in the Cambodians' campaign to recover the country's most precious carvings and statues that were pillaged and then sold on to Western museums and private collectors.

Much of the looting took place over a three-decade period of civil war and strife. The murderous Khmer Rouge regime held power from 1975 to 1979, when it is thought to have killed more than two million of its own people, and the group controlled large portions of Cambodia until the late 1990s.

The Cambodian team has marked some successes in other countries recently, with significant returns of statues from the United States.

In August, 30 artefacts that are now known to have been trafficked by Douglas Latchford into the US were sent back to Cambodia.

Map of Douglas Latchford's smuggling routes out of Cambodia

At a ceremony to celebrate the return, Cambodia's US ambassador, Keo Chhea, said the experience was "like returning the souls of our culture back to our peoples".

Both London museums have long said they are transparent about the origins of the items in their collections.

"A successful outcome would be the development of a better understanding by all of the nature of the Khmer collections at the V&A," explains London-based Cambodian antiquities expert, Ashley Thompson, who is a member of the visiting delegation and a professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

She says the V&A has already invited the team to view the objects in their collection, both the ones on display and in storage, and also to exchange information on the backgrounds of those objects.

Ultimately, she's also hoping for "an agreement on collaboration moving forward to ensure the return of any materials which are shown to be illegally held at the V&A and requested by the Cambodian government".
Canada urges citizens to leave Russia

The Canadian government has also urged Canadian citizens to avoid any travel to Russia due to the consequences of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, including partial military mobilization, restrictions on financial transactions, and increasingly limited flight options.

Read also: What Russia and Putin's power are built on  NV interview with UK writer Peter Pomerantsev

"If you are in Russia, you should leave while commercial means are still available, the statement reads.

If you remain in Russia, maintain a low profile.

The Foreign Ministry added that Canadians who have Russian citizenship may be called up for compulsory military service.

On Sept. 28, the U.S. Embassy in Russia called on its citizens to immediately leave the territory of the aggressor country, while there are still limited opportunities for commercial travel.

Read also: Seven key takeaways from Putins partial mobilization

On Sept. 27, Bulgaria recommended its citizens to leave the territory of Russia as soon as possible "due to the difficult situation".

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Chicago expanded its parental leave policy for city employees to 12 weeks fully paid, at least double what it was previously.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under the new guidelines, leave will apply to all new parents, including those who adopt or foster a child, regardless of gender, according to a statement Friday. An earlier policy provided four to six weeks of paid leave for birth parents, and two weeks for non-birth parents.

The leave plan, which will take effect Jan. 1, is available to employees who have worked for the city for at least 12 months. It will apply to about 32,000 workers, according to the statement.

I call on my colleagues in the private sector to join me in offering this critical benefit, which undeniably builds equity within our workforce, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in the statement.

The US is one of only seven countries in the world that doesnt guarantee paid maternity leave to workers. As of 2021, just 26% of state and local government workers had access to paid family leave benefits, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who work for the federal government are entitled to 12 weeks of paid parental leave under a policy that began in 2020.

Some cities are updating their leave policies: In July, Phoenix said it would provide 12 weeks of paid leave to new parents that work for the city, while Minneapoliss city council approved a similar benefit last month. Los Angeles City Council last year approved an ordinance for up to six weeks paid parental leave to all civilian city employees.

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SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean President Gabriel Boric received the credentials of Israel's new ambassador on Friday afternoon, two weeks after a diplomatic dispute after the ceremony was postponed due to the death of a young Palestinian.

Israeli ambassador Gil Artzyeli had initially been scheduled to attend the ceremony on Sept. 15, but that same day it was postponed in a move Israel's foreign ministry characterized as "unprecedented."

Chile's decision was in response to the death of a Palestinian teenager during a military operation in the occupied West Bank, the Chilean government said in a statement, adding that the ceremony had been rescheduled for Sept. 30.

(Reporting by Natalia Ramos; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
BEIJING (AP)  China on Friday dismissed complaints from two U.S. congressmembers over the quarantining of American diplomats and their family members under the countrys strict COVID-19 regulations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China adopts a science-based and effective epidemic prevention protocol for both Chinese and foreigners coming to China without discrimination.

The policy, Mao said, is open and transparent. Regardless of their status, all U.S. visitors accepted Chinas epidemic policies, including post-entry medical observation and health monitoring, Mao told reporters at a daily briefing.

Such statements by individual U.S. lawmakers are really absurd and completely groundless, Mao said, adding that the congressmen appeared to be showing signs of China phobia.

Republicans James Comer of Kentucky and Michael T. McCaul of Texas wrote to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday asking for clarification on the quarantining of U.S. diplomats and family members by the People's Republic of China.

U.S. Embassy officials in Beijing recently confirmed that 16 U.S. diplomats and their family members  throughout the pandemic  have been involuntarily held in quarantine camps and subjected to strict confinement measures with no definitive release date," their letter stated.

Committee Republicans are concerned that U.S diplomats could be or have been pressured to surrender intelligence while detained in PRC quarantine camps," it said. The PRC poses a geopolitical threat to the United States and should not be coercing U.S. diplomats into and surveilling them under draconian quarantine policies."

The U.S. Embassy had no immediate comment on the letter on Friday.

The letter followed an article in the Washington Post newspaper in July which cited the embassy saying 16 U.S. diplomatic personnel or their family members had been sent, against their will, to Chinese government medical quarantine centers since the pandemic began."

Story continues

It said the State Department concluded that was a clear violation" of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and that U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns has since secured a promise that U.S. diplomats and their family members would be allowed to quarantine in their homes or at the embassy rather at government-run isolation centers notorious for poor hygiene, overcrowding and a lack of privacy.

Mao said she was not aware to the situation of the 16 Americans mentioned or how the number had been arrived at.

It is even more nonsense to say that China obtained intelligence from the U.S. through quarantine," she said.
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas economic recovery faltered in September, with Covid lockdowns continuing to curb consumer spending and no respite seen in the housing market despite more central bank support.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The first official data for September indicated that while manufacturing improved slightly, the services industry contracted for the first time since May as virus outbreaks and the Covid Zero policy continue to weigh on consumption. That suggests while the economy likely picked up from its near-contraction in the second quarter when Shanghai was in lockdown, there are no signs of strong recovery.

A worsening global economy, currency turmoil and aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes are compounding the worries for Chinas economy. The official PMI survey and a separate Caixin index for manufacturing highlighted weakening global demand for Chinese goods, a risk also highlighted by government officials earlier this week.

The data show that the foundation for an economic recovery is still unstable, said Bruce Pang, chief economist at Jones Lang Lasalle Inc. Of the triple whammy of shrinking domestic demand, supply disruption and weakening expectations, consumption is the most prominent. Government support policies should now focus on expanding and supporting domestic private demand, he said.

After a strong start to the year when the government set a optimistic growth target of around 5.5% this year, Chinas economy has been buffeted by a series of blows since March. The housing market slump has worsened and cities continue to be locked down under tightened Covid controls.

What Bloomberg Economics Says...

Story continues

Chinas September purchasing managers surveys on balance gave a little reassurance on the recovery. Manufacturing started to stabilize, with production lifting the sector into expansion for the first time since June -- a reflection of more stimulus and reduced power shortages. That said, demand gauges were weak and the non-manufacturing sector slowed -- underlining a drag from the property rout and Covid Zero policy.

-- By Chang Shu and David Qu, economists

Read the full report here.

One bright spot is infrastructure spending, which the government is ramping up to help bolster growth. The official PMI survey on Friday showed the construction index climbed above 60 in September.

The economy is forecast to grow 3.5% this quarter from a year ago, according to the most recent survey by Bloomberg News -- up from 0.4% expansion in the second quarter, but still not fast enough to bring the growth rate anywhere close to the governments target. Economists have been cutting their full-year estimates further below 4% and see a risk of next years growth failing to reach 5%.

The economys slump probably wont reach a bottom until the first quarter of next year, when theres likely to be some relaxation of the Covid Zero policies, Jacqueline Rong, deputy chief China economist at BNP Paribas SA, said in an interview on Bloomberg Television.

Chinese stocks fell along with a broader decline in Asian equities. The benchmark CSI 300 Index closed 0.6% lower on Friday.The yield on Chinas 10-year government bond gained 1 basis point to 2.74%, while the onshore yuan strengthened 0.4% to 7.09 per dollar as of 4:36 p.m. local time.

Covid Control

China reported 712 new cases on Thursday, according to Bloomberg calculations based on government data. Cases have come well down from the spike over the summer but that is due at least in part to the restrictions in place, which are helping prevent transmission but are also damaging economic activity.

The controls on travel mean that theres little expectation for a bump in spending during a weeklong holiday next week, with many regions asking people not to travel. The policy has also caused intermittent turmoil to supply chains, taken a toll on spending and damaged business confidence, with data earlier this week showing profits of industrial firms shrank in the first eight months of the year.

The countrys mobility restrictions are estimated to have shaved about 1.1 percentage points from Chinas GDP growth in the third quarter as consumption weakened, according to Natixis SA.

This month, Chengdu was locked down for about two weeks, reviving memories of painful curbs in Shanghai this spring and once again threatening economic output. Other major cities such as Dalian and Lhasa were also locked down this month.

In addition to the Covid control policies which have hit confidence, the housing market has been slumping for more than a year, pushing some developers into default and slashing demand for steel, cement, paint and everything else needed to build apartments. Home prices slumped for the 12th straight month in August, and a plethora of measures -- such as loosening purchasing restrictions and down payments, and lowering mortgage rates for some residences -- havent been enough to resolve the crisis.

The latest was a late night announcement on Thursday that individual cities could further cut the interest rate on mortgages for first-time home buyers. However, analysts said this was likely to provide only limited help for the struggling housing market.

Im skeptical that it will have a large effect, said Craig Botham, chief China economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics in London. Rates and other restrictions have been eased several times already this year, with little discernible uplift to mortgage borrowing.

Its not the supply of credit thats the problem, its the lack of confidence in the market, driven by falling prices and failing developers, compounded by a weak economic backdrop that weighs on employment and income, Botham added.

Demand from overseas for Chinese goods is also moderating: A gauge of new export orders in the official PMI fell to 47, the lowest in four months. The volume of exports from Chinas biggest port in Shanghai already fell in August and the cost of shipping goods from the country has halved over the last three months as demand from the US and Europe for Chinese products slows because of high inflation and rising interest rates.

Some of the softening in demand reflects an earlier-than-usual peak season for companies importing goods. Historically, Chinese exports grow strongly into the second half of the year as companies in the US and Europe stock up before the holiday season. This year, the spike in shipments took place earlier, in May though July.

Until companies can shrink those inventories theres unlikely to be a strong rebound in export demand, which had been the most reliable driver for Chinese growth during the pandemic.

Peiqian Liu, chief China economist at NatWest Markets, said Chinas outlook is more mixed going forward, predicting moderating external demand may weigh on the outlook of Chinese exports and manufacturing sector performance into year-end.

(Updates with additional details, comments.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign exchange regulator named and shamed 10 banks that had assisted illegal capital outflows, vowing to crack down on fake forex transactions in authorities' latest effort to stabilise the sliding yuan.

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) listed 10 "typical" cases of misdeeds in a statement on its website on Thursday, involving money flowing overseas illegally through bank businesses such as offshore loans, trade finance, and outbound investment.

The misconduct involved local branches of 10 lenders that included some of the country's top banks, between 2017 and 2020, the regulator said.

SAFE said it will "strengthen the supervision of the forex market and crack down on illegal and unlawful behaviours with a focus on false and deceptive forex transactions."

Publishing the 10 cases is aimed at sending a warning to market players, the official Shanghai Securities News said on Friday, citing an unnamed SAFE official.

China's central bank said on Wednesday that stabilising the foreign exchange market is the top priority, and warned against one-way currency bets. The yuan has tumbled against a surging dollar over the past month.

The People's Bank of China has also asked major state-owned banks to be prepared to sell dollars in offshore markets, sources told Reuters.

SAFE will strengthen oversight of cross-border trade and investment against illegal forex transactions to safeguard national economic and financial security, the Shanghai Securities News reported on Friday.

Regulators will also closely monitor cross-border money flows, and step up the fight against fraudulent trade, the newspaper said.

(Reporting by Beijing and Shanghai newsrooms; Editing by Jamie Freed)
By Mai Nguyen and Siyi Liu

HANOI/BEIJING (Reuters) -The copper spot premium in top consumer China could stay elevated in the next few months, analysts and traders said on Friday, as demand for the metal has improved on the back of government stimulus.

The spot premium for refined copper was at 605 yuan ($85.36) a tonne on Thursday, up from 50 yuan a tonne at the end of last year. Earlier this month, it hit 825 yuan, the highest since November 2021.

The premium, which is paid on top of copper prices listed on exchanges, gives an indication of the supply/demand balance in China's physical copper market.

China has in the past few months issued trillions of yuan worth of loans and spending on infrastructure, a heavy user of copper, as it seeks to revive its economy which has been battered by COVID-19 restrictions and a global economic slowdown.

"The Chinese commercial property market has been badly hurt especially for this year, but other sectors are looking good... the copper premium will still be at a relatively high level," said He Tianyu, China copper analyst at consultancy CRU Group.

Refined copper demand in China rose 5% year-on-year in the third quarter, and is seen accelerating to a 9% year-on-year growth in October-December, he said.

Average utilisation rates at copper wire-rod mills in China rose to 70% currently, from 62% at the beginning of August, and the rate at copper tube plants rose to 67% from 64% during the same period, he added.

In manufacturing industry, another major copper consumer, official data showed September factory activity unexpectedly returned to growth after two months of contraction.

"The Chinese market has found support from improving demand, which contrasts with poor demand in non-Chinese markets and would keep the import arbitrage window open," a China-based metals trader said.

The Yangshan premium, which reflects demand for imported copper into China, rose to $108 a tonne on Thursday, close to the $112.50 level hit on Aug. 19, the highest since October last year.

Story continues

China imported 2.37 million tonnes of refined copper in the first eight months of 2022, up 7.4% year on year, official data showed.

A Chinese copper tube maker expected more purchases after China's National Day holiday, which lasts from Oct. 1 to Oct. 7.

SUPPLY TIGHTNESS

Tight supply is also helping the premium.

Visible inventories in China, including metals in Shanghai Futures Exchange and China bonded warehouses, were at a record low of 118,697 tonnes combined.

Stockpile in ShFE and the London Metal Exchange warehouses together were 171,797 tonnes, equivalent to just 2.5 days of global consumption.

"Spot premium won't come down anytime soon as the supply in both domestic and overseas markets will remain tight," the metals trader said.

In August, Chinese copper cathode output fell short of expectation due to power curbs in Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, COVID-19 restrictions and tight scrap supply, state-backed research house Antaike said in a report on Sep. 9.

Supply disruptions due to liquidity issues at Maike, China's top copper importer, also caused some tightness in the market, CRU's He said.

However, the market has remained volatile as a stronger dollar, helped by monetary tightening in the United States, could make copper more expensive to import and hurt the import premium, said another metals trader.

($1 = 7.0875 yuan)

(Reporting by Mai Nguyen in Hanoi and Siyi Liu in Beijing. Editing by Jane Merriman)
A selection of 30 innovative agritech and foodtech start-ups from around the world, working to address food security challenges, were today named as shortlisted teams vying to win the global FoodTech Challenge that has a pooled prize of $2 million.

The second edition of the FoodTech Challenge seeks to find the next wave of technology innovations on the cusp of transforming traditional agriculture practices efficiently and sustainably. Officially launched at Expo City in Dubai in March 2022, the competition is organised by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tamkeen, with ASPIRE as the lead partner.

The 30 shortlisted start-ups have been selected from 667 submissions across 79 countries, representing a 52% increase in entries compared to the first edition of the competition, which saw 437 applications from 68 countries, with previous winners announced from Australia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the UK, a release said.

Targeted at early-stage start-ups trying to enter the agri-food tech industry, the FoodTech Challenge looks for innovative solutions that address food production and food loss and waste challenges, from indoor and vertical farming to upcycled ingredients and waste efficiency. Of the shortlisted start-ups, 50% of proposals were focused on tackling food production  with a heavy focus on insect farming and aquaculture, farm management, plant-based solutions, and precision farming. Applications addressing food loss and waste solutions account for the other 50% of the shortlisted start-ups, which featured food waste tech, food sharing platforms, supply chain monitoring, and traceability as key themes.

Silal and ADQ have supported the food production track of the competition with their industry expertise, and Emirates Foundation has supported the food loss and waste track, which aligns with Nema, the national food loss and waste initiative that aims to promote positive consumer behavior to preserve and sustain food resources for future generations and contribute to the UAEs commitment to eradicate 50% of food waste by 2030 in line with Target 12.3 of the UNs Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Underscoring the global nature of the competition, the 30 shortlisted candidates are from a diverse range of countries. This year, the largest number of shortlisted start-ups came from the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Spain, the United States of America, and Singapore. The FoodTech Challenge also saw an encouraging increase in youth participation, with 47% of the teams being between 18-35 years old.

The shortlisted candidates were selected by a strong multi-sector bench of 28 technical and commercial judges. In the next phase of the competition, they will be assessed by the competitions partners in panel interviews, and then by nine finale judges to ensure that each entry is rigorously analyzed from an array of perspectives. The list of finale judges includes HE Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change & Environment and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge; Rima Al Mokarrab, Chair of Tamkeen and Co-Chair of the FoodTech Challenge; HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Founder and CEO of KBW Ventures; HE Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC); HE Badr Al Olama, Acting CEO of Hub 71; Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA); David Rosenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of AeroFarms; Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO of UPSIDE Foods; and Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank.

Salmeen Alameri, CEO of Silal, one of the agricultural entities involved in the judging process, said, When it comes to food production and food security, we are at an inflection point. We cannot continue as we are; there is a need for systemic change that presents an opportunity for devising innovative solutions to food security challenges. This competition provides an ideal platform where innovative agritech start-ups come together to develop effective solutions that help us build a robust agriculture system for future generations. We are proud to be part of this far-reaching competition and support the challenge's food production track. We will continue to work closely with our partners, invest in the latest agritech solutions, and look forward to working more closely with the successful teams.

Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates Foundation, a technical judge for the FoodTech Challenge, stated, The creativity in the submission concepts has been insightful, and even inspiring, in finding inventive solutions to tackle food loss, waste, and food production. Among these ideas, precision farming, food sharing platforms, and supply chain monitoring and traceability have shown particular diversity in the concept of solutions. As well as technical and commercial acumen, the shortlisted teams have all demonstrated a passion and dedication for addressing food supply chain issues and increasing food security. It will be interesting to see these concepts progress as they move from lab to market both in the UAE and beyond.

The next stage of the competition will identify 10 finalists. From these finalists, four winning teams will be selected to take away prizes from a $2M prize pool, which includes up to $400,000 in cash, and eligibility for support programs available through the competitions enablement partners that include acceleration support from newest entity Hub71  valued up to $540,000, an acceleration from Catalyst valued up to $760,000, as well as grants from the Authority of Social Contribution valued up to US $500,000 for social impact-related projects. The winners will not only receive financial rewards, but the partners will also collectively provide a critical community and support network to help the winners to set up in the UAE and scale up their concepts. Abu Dhabi Global Market and Abu Dhabi Residents Office, for example, will provide support for UAE commercial registration with Golden Visas. The Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi will provide technical, legal, and financial support for patent registration, and the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development will help with mentorship and go-to-market support for local agri-tech experts.

To learn more about each of the shortlisted companies and how they are addressing food production and food loss and waste, please visit: foodtechchallenge.com
By Casey Hall

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - For most of China's 1.4 billion people, regular COVID-19 tests have become a way of life. Siyuan Zhuji is trying to turn them into a work of art.

Since March, the 33-year-old multi-disciplinary artist from Jiangsu province has been filming his own nucleic acid tests with a small camera in his mouth.

His video clips show teeth and tongue and an approaching cotton bud. In some shots, a PPE-clad health worker can be seen through his teeth, administering the test.

"This is how our life is now, this period of time involves doing regular nucleic testing," Zhuji told Reuters in an interview in his studio.

"It's a way of life that's unique to our time."

Zhuji said the idea for the videos came to him when he began considering the vulnerability of the mouth, as an entry point for the virus and also for the repeated testing to find it.

He has recorded about 40 tests and says he will continue taking video with his thumb-sized camera as long as regular testing is required.

He aims eventually to display the videos simultaneously on a big screen in a grid, a snapshot of pandemic life in China. He calls his work "Hesuan Jiance", which translates as "COVID test".

"This work can represent this era. This is what I want to express. It is to record everyone's current life," Zhuji said.

The novel coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and for nearly two years China was relatively virus free. But the Omicron variant brought persistent outbreaks across the country, which authorities have been battling with a barrage of testing.

In many places, a negative COVID test is required to use public transport, and enter schools, places of work, shops, banks, parks and anywhere else people gather.

China's pursuit of "zero COVID" means Zhuji might be filming tests for some time yet.

"I will continue shooting these videos until the end of the pandemic," he said. "If I die before the end, then I will keep shooting until I die."

(Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Robert Birsel)
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - Cholera cases have surged this year, especially in places of poverty and conflict, with outbreaks reported in 26 countries and fatality rates rising sharply, a World Health Organization official said on Friday.

In a typical year, fewer than 20 countries report outbreaks of the disease which is spread by the ingestion of contaminated food or water and can cause acute diarrhoea.

"After years of declining numbers, we are seeing a very worrying upsurge of cholera outbreaks around the globe over the past year," Philippe Barboza, WHO Team Lead for Cholera, told a press briefing in Geneva.

The average fatality rate so far this year has almost tripled compared with the five-year average and is currently around 3% in Africa, he added.

While most of those affected will have mild or no symptoms, cholera can kill within hours if untreated.

A cholera outbreak in Syria has already killed at least 33 people, posing a danger across the frontlines of the country's 11-year-long war and stirring fears in crowded camps for the displaced.

Barboza also expressed concern about outbreaks in the Horn of Africa and parts of Asia, including Pakistan, where some regions are flooded.

He said only a few million doses of vaccines were available for use before the end of this year, citing a shortage of manufacturers among the problems.

WHO maintains an emergency stockpile of cholera vaccines.

"So it's very clear that we do not have enough vaccine to respond to both acute outbreaks and even less to be able to implement preventive vaccination campaigns that could be a way to reduce the risk for many countries," he said.

There was no overall estimate of the number of cholera cases across the world because of differences in countries' surveillance systems, he said.

(Additional reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
A post shared on Facebook claims that African telecommunications company Safaricom is offering a cash prize of 10,000 Ethiopian birr (about $ 190) in a promotion to mark the Irreecha festival  an annual thanksgiving ceremony in Ethiopia. The post contains a link purported to lead to a site with information about how to participate in the giveaway. But the claim is false: Safaricom told AFP Fact Check that it is not running such a promotion. The post was published on an impostor account and the link leads to an unrelated website.

The post was published on Facebook on September 24, 2022, and has since been shared more than 50 times.

Screenshot showing the false post, taken on September 28, 2022

Written in Afaan Oromo, the post translates to: Safaricom offers 10,000 Ethiopian birrs for Irreecha festival of 2015 E.C as part of its promotional works. Please fill in the following form to register for the promotion. Anyone who shares the link with five other people has a high chance of winning the prize money (sic).

E.C is an acronym for Ethiopian Calendar  according to the calendar, the current year is 2015 E.C.

Irreecha is an annual cultural festival observed by Ethiopias largest ethnic group the Oromos to celebrate the end of the rainy season and to welcome in the harvest period. It is traditionally held in the city of Bishoftu, located in the Oromia region about 50 kilometres from the countrys capital Addis Ababa.

But Safaricom, which is based in Kenya and ventured into the Ethiopian market in 2021, is not running a promotion to mark the festival.

Scam

A search found no promotion of the sort on Safaricoms official website nor its Facebook or Twitter accounts.

The telecommunications company told AFP Fact Check that it is not offering the claimed giveaway in Ethiopia.

That is a scam, Safaricom is not running such a promotion in Ethiopia, said Safaricom.

Safaricom added that it is investigating the people behind the fraudulent post and will take appropriate action.

Story continues

A link in the post does not lead to Safaricoms website either but rather to a site called AwashJobs.com and a Google form written in Afaan Oromo, titled: win free money. The form asks for personal information including a name, phone number and home address.

Impostor account

The post was published on a Facebook page called Raajii Ashennaaffi and uses a publicly available photo of Raji Ashenafi Mamade, who graduated from Adama Science and Technology University in 2022 with a dual maths and physics degree after scoring straight As in all 60 of his courses.

Ashenafi, who became popular in Ethiopia after his stellar academic performance, told AFP Fact Check that the Facebook account behind the scam is not his.

I do not own or manage Raajii Ashennaaffi Facebook page. It is an account used by malicious people who are defrauding Ethiopians and spreading fake news, said Ashenafi.

He added that he has reported the account several times to Facebook, but no action has been taken.

AFP Fact Check debunked another false post published by the same account in August claiming that Ashenafi had invented a new maths formula and app.

Many posts on the page share false or misleading information.

Ashenafi shared his official Facebook account with AFP Fact Check.
A video of menacing gray skies taken from a beach in Florida is circulating online with the claim it shows the "eye" of Hurricane Ian, which wreaked havoc in the US state in September 2022. But the footage is not of the storm, AFP found, it is more than a year old and meteorologists said it shows a different cloud formation.

"This is the eye of Hurricane Ian, Florida. #HurricanIan," a tweet shared on September 29, 2022 says.

A screenshot of a tweet taken on September 30, 2022

The clip also circulated in a Spanish-language post here, and was picked up by news sites here and here.

But the video does not show the deadly hurricane.

"There is no way that was taken yesterday in the eye of the storm," Tyler Fleming, a senior meteorologist at the US National Weather Service in Tampa Bay, where Hurricane Ian hit the hardest, told AFP on September 29.

Ian left a trail of devastation across Florida and officials reported multiple deaths as the storm headed for South Carolina and other parts of the United States.

This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite image shows Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 ( NOAA / RAMMB / AFP / Jose Romero)

"While there can be a brief period of calmer conditions in the eye of a hurricane," Fleming said, "that would only happen immediately after the first eyewall (what surrounds the eye of a storm) passes over with extremely damaging winds."

He said it was clear "from the people, the beach chairs, the volleyball net, and the lifeguard stand, no such winds had already occurred."

Instead, what can be seen in the clip is a shelf cloud with undulating asperatus clouds -- also referred to as asperitas -- underneath, according to the meteorologist.

Fleming said: "These could occur with normal thunderstorms coming onshore, and would not be associated with an eyewall."

Marshall Shepherd, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Geography at the University of Georgia, also confirmed the video did not show footage of Hurricane Ian.

Story continues

2021 footage

Through a Google image search, AFP found that the video depicts Fort Walton Beach, which is located along the panhandle of Florida, hundreds of miles from where Ian made landfall.

Media coverage of the clouds point to a video that was posted by Andrew Farnam on Facebook on June 21, 2021 with the caption: "This was in Fort Walton Beach, Florida."

AFP Fact Check also debunked the video in Spanish, here.
Coast Guard crews are busy at work as rescue missions continue following the devastation of Hurricane Ian. The powerful storm has brought catastrophic flooding, strong winds and storm surge to areas in Florida and was forecast hit South Carolina on Friday.

"It's a challenging mission, but our crews are highly trained and well-equipped for this," Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson, who serves as commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District, told "CBS Mornings" on Friday. "I talked to a number of crew that did those missions yesterday and they faced devastating circumstances, you know, really unrecognizable terrain."

He said 16 U.S. Coast Guard aircraft conducted rescues in parts of the air where planes typically don't fly. The agency rescued around 95 people on Thursday and were at another day's work Friday searching for more people in need.

"They're going into areas where we can't get at it in any other way, not by boat or by land," McPherson said. "But I will say the Coast Guard is part of a unified approach to this. It's an all hands on deck effort."

Teams, he said, have "gridded out" impacted areas and are "methodically going from box to box clearing those areas to make sure people are safe."

"Think of a military operation," McPherson said.

Along with conducting air rescues, the Coast Guard is also working to reopen ports shuttered amidst the storm. McPherson said he expects the Tampa Bay port to be reopened as early as late Friday afternoon.

"We're here for the long haul," he said.

The commander said response efforts in Florida are "more than a mission." More than 4,000 residents who are in the Coast Guard have been impacted, he said, and more than 300 were in some of the hardest-hit areas.

Crews are also gearing up for what McPherson called "the second front of a war" as the powerful storm heads toward South Carolina.

Story continues

He encouraged those impacted by the storm to call 911, and discouraged using social media to get in contact with first responders.

"We are part of this community and we're side by side with our neighbors," he said. "We will get through this and we will recover."

Ian barrels into South Carolina, causes major flooding and damage

Average U.S. mortgage rate soars to 6.7%, highest since 2007

Coast Guard surveys Hurricane Ian damage in Florida
Coast Guard crews rescued four mariners in a sailboat caught in heavy seas Thursday churned by Hurricane Ian off the Outer Banks.

The boat, named the Catalyst, was overwhelmed by 12-14 foot waves around noon at Oregon Inlet and unable to make its way to safe harbor, the Coast Guard said in a Facebook post.

One Coast Guard vessel from the nearby Oregon Inlet station responded to help the distressed sailors while another stood by at the inlets notoriously dangerous, shifting sandbar between the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound.

The stranded mariners anchored the Catalyst outside of the inlets sandbar and abandoned ship, with Coast Guard crews working to retrieve the four out of the water.

Midway through the rescue, after the sailors were already off the boat, the anchor line snapped and the Catalyst rapidly began drifting onto the bar, where the boat grounded in shallow water, the Coast Guard reported. The Coast Guard crews steersman, or coxswain, expertly maneuvered the guards vessel into the surf zone to rescue the remaining mariners and return to the station.

High surf advisories and gale warnings were in effect Thursday along the Outer Banks as Hurricane Ian moved east into the Atlantic Ocean. Today, the Outer Banks is under tropical storm warnings and storm surge watches with rain and wind pounding the chain of barrier islands.

All mariners are reminded to maintain awareness of current and forecasted weather conditions to ensure the safety of their vessel and crew, the Coast Guard said.

The Catalyst drifted onto the beach at Oregon Inlet, where it remained grounded on late Friday morning. Theres been no word yet on removal efforts.

Kari Pugh, kari.pugh@virginiamedia.com
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Comedian Trevor Noah, host of "The Daily Show" on Comedy Central, said he was going to leave the program after hosting it for seven years, indicating he wanted to dedicate more time to stand-up comedy.

The 38-year-old comedian - who moved to the United States in 2011 and was born in Johannesburg, South Africa - had big shoes to fill when he took over in 2015 after the exit of longtime host Jon Stewart.

He quickly established himself with his own brand, suited for an era where online influence was often greater than that of content on cable.

His reign on The Daily Show required him to delicately cover some crucial moments in American history, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.

"I spent two years in my apartment (during COVID-19), not on the road. Stand-up was done, and when I got back out there again, I realized that there's another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring," Noah told his studio audience late on Thursday. The Daily Show posted a clip of Noah's remarks on social media.

"We have laughed together, we have cried together. But after seven years, I feel like it's time," Noah said.

He ended his remarks by thanking his viewers as his studio audience stood up to applaud him.

Noah, who roasted U.S. politicians and the media at the White House Correspondents Association dinner in April, did not mention his exact departure date in his remarks on Thursday. It was not known who would succeed him.

The key to addressing current affairs through a comedic lens lies in a comedian's intention, Noah said in a 2016 interview with Reuters, adding that he learns from his mistakes.

"I don't think I would ever have been ready, but that's when you must do it, you will not be ready," the comedian told Reuters in the context of having succeeded his legendary predecessor.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Gerry Doyle)
A regional court on Friday ruled that Tanzania's decision to cordon off land for wildlife protection was legal, dealing a blow to Maasai pastoralists who had protested the move, a lawyer for the community said.

The nomadic community in the northern district of Ngorongoro has accused the government of trying to force them off their ancestral land in order to organise safaris and hunting expeditions.

But the government has rejected the accusations, claiming it wants to "protect" 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) of the area from human activity.

After several postponements, the Arusha-based East African Court of Justice upheld the government's decision, a lawyer for the Maasai told AFP.

"Unfortunately, the court ruled against us," Esther Mnaro said.

The Maasai had asked the court to "stop the evictions, the arrest, detention or persecution" of their members and demanded a billion Tanzanian shillings ($430,000) as damages.

The three-judge bench said no compensation was due, Mnaro said.

They "decided that there... was no loss of property and none of these people were injured during the evictions, but our evidence and our witnesses had said totally different things."

Mnaro said the community would decide whether to appeal.

There was no immediate reaction to the ruling from the government, which had previously argued the Arusha court did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Tensions have soared in recent months with violent clashes breaking out in June in Loliondo between police and Maasai demonstrators.

More than two dozen Maasai protesters were charged with murder over the death of a policeman in the clashes.

- Population growth -

Tanzania has historically allowed indigenous communities such as the Maasai to live within some national parks, including the Ngorongoro conservation area, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

But the authorities say their growing population is encroaching on wildlife habitat and began moving the pastoralists out of Ngorongoro in June, calling it a voluntary relocation.

Story continues

The relocation has sparked concern, with a team of UN-appointed independent rights experts warning in June that "it could jeopardise the Maasai's physical and cultural survival."

In 2009, thousands of Maasai families were moved out of Loliondo to allow an Emirati safari company, Ortelo Business Corporation, to organise hunting expeditions there.

The government cancelled that deal in 2017, following allegations of corruption.

The East Africa Court of Justice came into force in 2001 to ensure adherence to the laws establishing the seven-nation East African Community bloc, made up of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

ho-burs-amu/bp
Some Forsyth County disaster response crews were in route to Florida to take supplies and equipment to help with flood damage.

Channel 2s Matt Johnson was in Cumming where some of the crews have been all week.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Trailers are getting attached, equipment is getting loaded, and trucks are preparing to head south at the Servpro office in Cumming.

Theyre sending people and much needed supplies to help with catastrophic flooding damage in Florida after Hurricane Ian.

Kory Kappes is a local project coordinator with Servpro who spoke to Johnson over Zoom from an RV in Orlando.

He says his teams main job is to help clients quickly clear out floodwater thats already damaged homes and businesses.

This is what we do in a moments notice when the phone rings, you know, all of my guys are on call 24/7, 365, Kappes said. One of the most important things being loaded up today are these air movers. What they do is evaporate the water to help with flooding damage, and with so much damage in Florida today, residents there are going to need access to as many of these as possible.

TRENDING STORIES:

Widespread power outages and downed power lines have made repair efforts challenging but Kappes says his Forsyth County team is one of the most well-equipped anywhere.

Were one of the biggest locations in the countrywe have a lot of assets in northern Georgia that in a moments notice, you know, were only six to eight hours from a lot of areas we can respond to, Kappes said.

Currently, crews are very much in the assessment phase and it could take months until repairs are done in some areas.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Soon after Tal Rabin joined the University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2020 the computer and information sciences professor successfully convinced the institution to let her teach a dedicated blockchain engineering class.

I had a class of 140, but I was restricted by the size of the room, she said. There were 200 students on the waiting list who didn't get in, so it was definitely received with a lot of excitement.

This post is part of Education Week.

Despite the strong demand from students, Rabin, who specializes in cryptography, soon found the challenges that came with teaching such a broad subject with so few educational standards and course materials. With such a broad range of potentially relevant subjects to cover, Rabin says she often has to lean on the expertise of others.

I invite all kinds of speakers to talk about things that I think are important for the blockchain but that I don't know about, such as law issues associated with blockchain, the [Securities and Exchange Commission], mining data, [non-fungible tokens] and art and things like that, she said.

While interest in blockchain education is high, the courses that are available can vary significantly between institutions, and are often dependent on a small number of enthusiastic professors. If I look around at courses that my friends are teaching, people are all teaching it from their vantage point, said Rabin.

With minimal educational infrastructure  such as standards and certifications, even course materials and textbooks  to lean on, formal education in the blockchain space remains largely driven by individual professors. While they are occasionally supported by partnerships with blockchain native companies and foundations  such as Algorand Foundation, where Rabin serves as head of research  institutions of higher learning wont be able to pump crypto graduates into the industry in significant numbers anytime soon. (In any case, only eight of 240 schools screened by CoinDesk for the Best Universities for Blockchain 2022 had an undergraduate major in blockchain.)

Story continues

It might still be a long way out, because what would such a credential include? she said. Would it include the foundations of the blockchain? Would it include understanding applications on top? Things are changing daily in this field, and it takes time for these things to mature.

Enter Tradfi

Blockchain has long had a skills problem because adoption, investment and use cases have continually outpaced the availability of talent. Up until now the industry has been able to achieve significant growth relying on those who are self-taught and those they can train themselves, but that wont be enough to bring the industry into the mainstream.

Though its still relatively early days some of the biggest names in finance  including JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs  are already betting big on blockchain. In fact, JPMorgans crypto team is already staffed by 200 full-time employees.

Blockchain has the potential to touch nearly every corner of the traditional financial industry, ranging from investment banks to private equity firms, hedge funds, law firms, payments providers and more. As a result, there will be a massive need for qualified talent with an equally broad range of blockchain-based skills throughout the sector in the years ahead.

As more traditional institutions look to grow their blockchain capabilities  and with it, their talent rosters  many are looking for some sort of educational standard. That is especially true in finance, a heavily regulated industry that has long had to maintain strict licensing and educational requirements for compliance reasons, and is accustomed to considering candidates in large part based on their formal education.

While some may fear the finance industry having an outsized influence on blockchain education, Rabin said its strongest promoters remain the blockchain-native startups, at least for now.

At this point in time the people who are giving funds to universities to create educational programs are the blockchain companies, not the traditional financial industry, so at this point their voice is being heard more, she said.

Up until quite recently, however, there was no such thing as formal education in blockchain, and what exists today is hardly sufficient to support a finance industry that is taking blockchains potential seriously, as many finally are.

The relatively young crypto industry, in near total contrast, has long prized those self-taught enthusiasts over those who descend from an ivory tower, in keeping with the decentralized, grassroots nature of the movement. That mentality, however, may soon be at risk of becoming a victim of its own success.

The self-taught pioneers of the field were so effective in convincing the rest of the world to take the space seriously that many traditional financial institutions are rapidly enhancing their blockchain capabilities and are hungry for talent; too hungry to rely on the self-taught talent pool alone. Now the market is calling for a more effective and universal education infrastructure that can help carry the industry into the future.

Theres been a big step change in demand, says Caroline Lo, a partner and co-leader of the financial services practice at True, a global executive talent search firm. It started when a number of very well-known hedge funds stated that 2% of their wealth was in crypto; statements like that raised the bar of confidence that crypto is here to stay.

Today, more than a third of traditional hedge funds invest in digital assets, according to a recent PwC report, and more than two-thirds intend to increase their holdings by the end of the year.

Lo, who spent 15 working for traditional financial institutions, says the heavily regulated industry is accustomed to hiring staff with a seal of approval from a trusted educational institution, or those who have at least passed a standard evaluation.

For example, to become a salesperson selling derivatives you have to have achieved a certain level of knowledge in derivative understanding and risk profiles and know how the product is traded in order to sell it, she said. Anyone in the derivative market takes that same test, whether theyre in London or Hong Kong or New York.

Lo explains that while many in the industry are still curious about the technology and keen to expand their blockchain capabilities, they often cant move as quickly as they would like because of the challenges associated with qualifying talent.

What companies go through now when they're hiring at a junior or mid level is they have to go through more rounds of interviewing than they would for a non-crypto hire in order to build confidence and consensus that this person has the required skills, she said.

Lo added that the task is made harder by the number of enthusiasts who are self-taught but not to a sufficient degree. She explained that many can talk the talk in an interview but its much harder to identify those who actually have the required skills.

If there was some kind of understanding and certification that people could achieve, it would be very helpful to the industry, she said. It would set a bar for quality and confidence in the industry, which could help blockchain and crypto become more mainstream within financial services.

For the meantime Lo said most are relying on their ability to up-skill existing staff or hire candidates with relevant education in adjacent fields. There also seems to be a preference for candidates who participate in on-campus blockchain clubs, and those with some prior work experience at blockchain-related startups. She is also seeing a lot of traditional financial institutions putting together teams that combine blockchain skills with experts from other disciplines when they struggle to find enough candidates with expertise in both areas.

For example, where we see a lot of that activity is in building up teams in payments companies, said Lo. What a number of firms have had to do is put together a team where some people know payments and some people know crypto, but its been very hard to find anyone who knows crypto payments.

What happens to the self-taught?

While the industry is calling for more regulation, educational standards and eventually a broadly accepted credential, Lo also said it's important to exercise caution, especially in such a new and fragile field. She, like many, fears what might happen if educational requirements become too stringent, or lead companies to dismiss those without a certain credential.

You can go too far with something like that, especially in a market that is still very early but is hugely creative, said Lo. You need to make sure it's set the right way so that innovation is not stifled, but it allows for fantastically innovative and creative people to have an accreditation that recognizes them as being qualified to build, create and advise on crypto.

A field that combines technology and finance striking a balance between the self-taught and the credentialed will be delicate but vital to enabling ongoing innovation. The tech industry itself has long welcomed the talented dropout on an equal playing field with the top-tier university graduate, but finance generally has a preference for one profile over the other.

If and when a broadly accepted credential is established, however, it could serve to limit the career opportunities of those without one.

Read more: Autodidacts Welcome!

Gina Pieters, an assistant instructional professor at the University of Chicagos Department of Economics  which offers blockchain-specific undergraduate and graduate-level courses  isnt concerned that more formal education will push out those who are self-taught, however. That is because she said the two are rarely competing for the same career opportunities; the self-taught tend to prefer working for (or starting) blockchain native companies, as opposed to working for more traditional institutions.

It fulfills a slightly different niche, she said. People will continue self-studying, and we encourage that. I don't think we are replacing that, and I don't think it's a competing product.

Pieters explained that students who are eyeing careers in blockchain-native companies and startups tend to take those courses out of personal interest. Those who are keen on applying for roles with traditional financial institutions, however, seem confident that even a limited educational background in the field will serve as an asset.

If students want to go to J.P. Morgan or a traditional firm, theyll think, this might give me an edge, she said. For them its adding an additional ability to talk about when they're interviewing.

Those who are seeking jobs in major financial institutions after graduation believe that even listing a blockchain-related course on their resume is an asset, given the demand for such skills and the limited credentialing that exists. With the traditional firm going into the crypto space you see a far more traditional mindset in that regard, she said.

At the same time Pieters doesnt think those same candidates are taking job opportunities away from the self-educated. The self-study students would prefer a job with a crypto [or blockchain-native] firm, she said.

As of now the two worlds work well together, with both the formally educated and self-taught finding their own place within the industry. What she and others fear, however, is that the push to establish more formal educational standards and credentials could limit opportunities for those who are self-educated.

If firms accept sub-standard workers simply because they have formal education, that's a failure, she said. At the same time there are people for whom the formal education system works well, and to say we should only accept self-study learners is also unfair.
Saudia Cargo has signed an agreement with IATA to work on its Center of Excellence for Independent Validators for Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) Certification, the global standards for air transportation and handling of pharmaceuticals.



Saudia Cargo CEO Teddy Zebitz and IATA Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services Frederic Leger signed the agreement on September 28 on the sidelines of World Cargo Symposium, the largest and most prestigious air cargo event, held this year in London.



For the next few months, Saudia Cargo will continue rigorous preparations across multiple aspects of its operations, particularly on staff competency to handle pharmaceuticals, to comply with IATAs requirements for CEIV Pharma Certification on top of GDP (Good Distribution Practice).



The process is meant to ensure that critical healthcare cargo such as COVID-19 vaccines and other pharmaceutical and bioscience products are not compromised while they are being transported on air.



Teddy Zebitz, the companys Chief Executive Officer, said: This move shows Saudia Cargos commitment to the highest global quality standards and compliance when it comes to transporting pharmaceuticals and life sciences products. Human lives are paramount in our operations whether it involves staff or end-users. This give our customers and partners the continued confidence and peace of mind that the pharmaceuticals we transport are treated with utmost care in line with international standards.



For decades now, Saudia Cargo has been the preferred shipper for vaccines and other medicines across the Middle East and Africa. As the companys global humanitarian mission continues, it also demonstrated its strong commitment to UNICEFs goal of distributing Covid-19 vaccines for free to developing countries.



Uniquely positioned bridging the East to the West, the Jeddah-based Saudia Cargo offers fast and efficient air transport services with minimal ground handling time. In recent years, the company unveiled its multimillion new cold chain facilities with state-of-the-art features at its sprawling new cargo terminal in Jeddah and other parts of Saudi Arabia.



Saudia Cargo joined the rest of the world to save humanity, successfully carrying over 500,000 tons of cargo, mostly healthcare, and operated over 6,000 cargo flights.  TradeArabia News Service
A policeman in Charleston, South Carolina, is pelted with rain

Post-Tropical Cyclone Ian is lashing South Carolina in its second US landfall after carving a swathe of deadly destruction across Florida.

Ian returned as a category one hurricane near Georgetown at 14:05 local time (18:05 GMT) on Friday before losing some power as it marched inland.

But the danger is not over. Flooding is projected to continue throughout the region, including in Florida, for days.

Florida emergency officials announced 21 deaths as of Friday morning.

But a state medical examiner must determine if all the fatalities are directly related to the storm.

Ian was one of the strongest storms ever to hit the US when it struck Florida as a category four hurricane on Wednesday.

In coastal South Carolina, Ian damaged four piers and sent torrents of water flooding into neighbourhoods, including in the popular seaside city of Myrtle Beach.

Nearly 200,000 homes and businesses in South Carolina were without power by Friday evening.

In the city of Charleston, around 80 miles (130km) south of where the hurricane made landfall, cars were seen driving through flooded roads.

The storm is moving north with maximum sustained winds of around 50mph (85km/h), according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Although Ian weakened on Friday, it is still dangerous, says the NHC.

The agency warns that central Florida could see record river flooding into next week.

Considerable flash and urban flooding was possible across coastal and north-east South Carolina, coastal and north-west North Carolina and southern Virginia into Saturday morning, the NHC said.

There was also a chance that Ian could spawn tornados in North Carolina and Virginia as it marched north, according to the NHC.

Ian is expected to dissipate over either North Carolina or Virginia by late on Saturday.

The ruins of a petrol station in Fort Myers

Meanwhile, the full scope of the disaster in Florida - where 1.6 million people still have no electricity - is coming to light.

Story continues

"We're just beginning to see the scale of that destruction," President Joe Biden said at the White House on Friday.

He said Ian was likely to be among the worst natural disasters in US history. The storm has caused $47bn (42bn) in insured losses, according to research firm CoreLogic.

Hurricane Ian was much less damaging than category five Hurricane Katrina, which killed more than 1,800 people and wreaked $125bn in damage when it slammed into Louisiana in August 2005.

Fort Myers beach was one of the first places to encounter the power of Ian when it struck the Florida peninsula this week.

Destroyed boats in a marina

Two days on, shell-shocked residents like Pat and Kathleen Unger - who have an apartment close to the beach - are returning to their homes.

"Elevator's gone, pool sheds are gone, office is gone, the library's gone," Mrs Unger says.

"Parking lot's gone, everything's gone except for the buildings," Mr Unger adds.

"It looks like three buildings standing in the middle of the Sahara Desert."

At what was once a small marina on the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, about 30 boats have been destroyed.

"I'm in the boat business," a visibly upset man said. "Well, actually, I guess I was in the boat business. Past tense."

Meanwhile, in Cuba - where Ian knocked out electricity for the entire island of 11 million people - residents in several neighbourhoods of the capital Havana have taken to the streets to bang pots in protest at a third day of blackouts.
Two men have been indicted for the shooting death of a Seekonk man in July 2021.

66-year-old Joseph Housley was found shot to death in his apartment just before 10:00 p.m. on July 6th.

After a nearly 15 month investigation, Housleys son and his sons friend have been indicted for allegedly killing him.

Joseph Housley II, 21, and Christopher Heron, 21, both of Rehoboth, are charged with murder and carrying an illegal firearm.

Both defendants have been in custody since last fall for gun and drug charges related to a 2021 case.

They will be arraigned in Fall River Superior Court on October 18.

Bristol County DA Thomas Quinn III commends the assistant DA, Massachusetts State Police, Seekonk Police, and Rehoboth Police for their efforts in this case.

Their shared effort led to this indictment, he wrote in a social media post. We now look forward to prosecuting the case in court.

1/3

After a nearly 15-month investigation into the previously unsolved July 2021 homicide of Joseph Housley in Seekonk, we are pleased to announce the indictment of two men for the murder.  Bristol DA (@BristolDA) September 30, 2022

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Dana Chandler listens on Sept. 1 as jurors declare they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial in which she was charged with two homicides. She will stand a third trial in connection with the killings in February.

There is sufficient evidence to try Dana Chandler a third time in a pair of 2002 homicides, a Shawnee County judge ruled Thursday afternoon, but that trial must take place elsewhere after extensive media coverage has tainted the pool of available jurors in Shawnee County.

Further, Shawnee County District Court Judge Cheryl Rios ruled that Chandler, who has been incarcerated since her 2011 arrest, may post a bond of $350,000  much lower than the original $1 million bond set ahead of her August retrial.

The sudden rulings came at a status hearing Thursday, weeks after a jury deadlocked 7-5 on convicting Chandler, far short of the unanimous decision required to convict her of the 2002 killings of her ex-husband Mike Sisco and his fiancee Karen Harkness.

While a majority of jurors believed she likely had committed the killings, not enough believed prosecutors had risen above the level of reasonable doubt needed to convict.

More:Shawnee County DA will seek third murder trial against Dana Chandler, legal filing shows

It was not immediately clear if Chandler had sufficient funds to post the 10% cash required in Kansas for bail, but as a condition of any potential release, Rios required Chandler to live with her nephew in Olathe, wear a GPS monitor, report to a court supervisor, abstain from using any alcohol or drugs, and not communicate with any of the victims family members or trial witnesses, save for Chandlers siblings and nephew.

Rios also granted defense attorney Tom Baths request for a new venue, given what Rios said was an excessive amount of media coverage during the August retrial. She said while the court was ultimately able to find 17 jurors out of a pool of more than 700, the trial had barely made it to the end by the skin of its teeth after a few jurors were inadvertently exposed to external coverage of the trial.

More:Jurors split 7-5 on convicting Dana Chandler. Two members shared why they couldn't vote 'guilty.'

Story continues

Rios had initially granted Baths request to schedule a trial in Johnson County, Deputy District Attorney Charles Kitt pointed out that that decision is made by a higher court. A status conference on the trial relocation is set for Oct. 11.

Chandlers third trial is tentatively scheduled to start Feb. 6, 2022, and it should again last four weeks.

Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Dana Chandler will face third trial for 2002 killings in February
In 2018, when then-Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., was running for governor of Florida, he proudly distanced himself from the science of climate change. I am not in the pews of the church of the global warming leftists, he said while campaigning. I am not a global warming person. I dont want that label on me.

But with warmer ocean temperatures increasing the power of hurricanes and higher sea levels exacerbating storm surges, DeSantis, like many other Florida residents, may no longer have the luxury of ignoring climate change. This week, portions of the states Gulf Coast were devastated by Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane that caused 10-foot storm surges, obliterated homes and businesses and left hundreds of residents stranded.

The Associated Press reported that Ians rapid intensification occurred after it traveled over Caribbean waters that are about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) warmer than normal, largely because of climate change. That warmer water creates a lot more rocket fuel for the storm, Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach told the AP.

Despite the firmly established science linking climate change to more powerful hurricanes, as well as sea level rise that helps worsen their impact, many Florida Republican politicians, including the governor and both of its U.S. senators, have resisted government action to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing warmer temperatures. Yet even while they avoid any admission that burning fossil fuels is the underlying cause of climate change, they must also try to manage growing risks in the state that scientists have linked to the warming world.

Wind gusts blow across Sarasota Bay as Hurricane Ian churns to the south on Sept. 28 in Sarasota, Fla. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

DeSantis has embraced spending for the restoration of the Everglades wetlands and resilience for coastal cities, such as improved drainage and raising sea walls. In May last year, he said his state must tackle the challenges posed by flooding, intensified storm events [and] sea level rise. Without labeling the issue a climate change problem, the DeSantis administration estimates that sea level rise will put $26 billion in Florida residential property at risk of regular flooding by 2045.

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The governor has steered clear of venturing an explanation as to why sea levels are rising and storms are intensifying, explaining that he fears that admitting that human activities cause climate change would accept the premise that people should change their ways to reduce its severity.

What Ive found is, people when they start talking about things like global warming, they typically use that as a pretext to do a bunch of left-wing things that they would want to do anyways, DeSantis said at an event about sea level rise last year. Were not doing any left-wing stuff.

DeSantiss record on climate change has been less hard-line than his pugilistic comments might suggest. He appointed the states first resilience officer, but after the appointee left the job a few months later, did not bother to find a replacement. He also created a position of chief science officer. Environmentalists were disappointed when he appointed Michael La Rosa, Florida chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization known for advocating fossil fuel-friendly policies, to the Florida Public Service Commission, which oversees the states utilities.

DeSantis also supported buying 20,000 acres in the Everglades to prevent oil development, and the state is spending money on electric vehicle-charging stations. He even vetoed a utility-backed bill that would have hamstrung the rooftop solar market.

But Florida remains a laggard in utility-scale renewable energy, being among the minority of states with no legal requirement that its utilities increase the production of renewable energy. And this summer, DeSantis proposed prohibiting state pension funds from considering climate-change vulnerabilities and carbon emissions in its investments.

DeSantiss office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

After Hurricane Irma on Sept. 12, 2017, a canal in a trailer park in Marathon, Fla., in the Florida Keys is filled with debris and campers. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The impacts of climate change routinely pose challenges for coastal communities in Florida. Rising sea levels cause flooding on even sunny days in waterfront communities from St. Petersburg to Miami, and studies suggest the problem will get worse in the years to come.

In many recent years, the state has experienced stronger storms due to warmer water temperatures and more evaporation in the hotter air.

The state has also seen no shortage of devastating storms that coincide with the steep temperature increases witnessed over recent decades. Hurricane Irma hit Florida and its northern neighbors in 2017, causing 129 deaths and $54 billion in damages. The next year, Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 5 storm, killing 59 people in the U.S., where it racked up another $25.1 billion in damages. Numerous studies have shown that hurricanes have become stronger because of climate change, and many scientists say that effect was apparent in Irma and Michael.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference at Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside in Bradenton, Fla. (Thomas Simonetti for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

DeSantis, of course, is not alone among Florida elected officials in wanting to steer clear of that discussion. In 2015, when Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was governor of the state, the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting reported that Floridas Department of Environmental Protection employees were ordered not to use the term climate change or global warming in any official communications, emails, or reports, according to former DEP employees, consultants, volunteers and records. The Scott administration denied that such a prohibition was ever issued.

Scotts public statements, however, often cast doubt on climate science. Clearly, our environment changes all the time, and whether thats cycles were going through or whether thats man-made, I wouldnt be able to tell you which one it is, Scott said after Hurricane Irma.

As a senator, Scott has more recently shifted to acknowledging climate changes existence, but opposing actions to address it. The weather is always changing, Scott said in the 11-point Plan for America, a political roadmap he released this year in his capacity as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. We take climate change seriously but not hysterically. We will not adopt nutty policies that harm our economy or our jobs.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks outside the White House at a news conference on Sept. 15. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., acknowledges that the Earth is warming, but he has claimed that many scientists would debate what percentage is attributable to man versus normal fluctuations.

Leading climate scientists, however, note that there is a remarkable unanimity in their community regarding the long-held findings that greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation are the leading causes of global warming. In fact, 99.9% of peer-reviewed scientific papers find that climate change is primarily caused by humans, according to a 2021 survey of 88,125 climate studies.

Rubio has joined the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus and endorsed bills to deal with some of the effects of climate change, such as measures to restore both the Everglades and coastal reefs. But he opposes actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports increased production of fossil fuels, whose combustion has caused the problem in the first place.

Americans, particularly Floridians, are right to be concerned about the changing climate, he wrote in a 2019 USA Today op-ed. But they are also right to be concerned about a regressive overreaction. He added that the good news is [climate change] problems are manageable.

Rubio and Scott both have lifetime voting scorecards from the League of Conservation Voters, an American environmental advocacy group, of 7%.

Florida Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio speak to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House on Jan. 22, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Florida Republicans were not always so leery of environmental protection. Republican Gov. Jeb Bush established a conservation program to set aside $100 million in state funding for environmental protection projects, which continued under his GOP successor Charlie Crist. Scott cut it to less than $28 million. Crist is now a Democratic member of Congress who is running against DeSantis for governor.

Former President Donald Trump, another Florida resident, has also made known his feelings about climate change, calling it a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese government designed to weaken the U.S. economy.

The political polarization exacerbated under Trump has pushed Florida Republicans even further toward an anti-environmental position, as the states economy comes under increasing assault by the effects of climate change.

Climate scientists say, though, that climate science denial wont be a tenable position in the long run, as the threat to Florida is existential. Peter Gleick, a climate scientist who has received the MacArthur Fellowship referred to as the genius grant, puts it this way: A future Hurricane Ian, with the three feet of sea-level rise that is coming, will irreparably wipe out Central and Southern Florida.

How is climate change leading to worse hurricanes? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out.
Iran stepped up pressure on celebrities and journalists Thursday over the wave of women-led protests sparked by outrage over the death of Mahsa Amini, after she was arrested by the Islamic republic's morality police. The Iranian security forces' crackdown on protesters and those who support them has left 83 people dead, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization. Filmmakers, athletes, musicians and actors have backed the demonstrations, and many saw it as a signal when the national soccer team remained in their black tracksuits when the anthems were played before a match in Vienna against Senegal. "We will take action against the celebrities who have fanned the flames of the riots," Tehran provincial governor Mohsen Mansouri said, according to the ISNA news agency.

Mahsa Amini's family tells CBS News she was "tortured"

Iran's judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei similarly charged that "those who became famous thanks to support from the system have joined the enemy when times are difficult."

The warnings came after almost two weeks of protests across Iran and a deadly crackdown that, human rights group Amnesty International says, has been marked by "ruthless violence by security forces." Public anger flared after Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died on September 16, three days after her arrest for allegedly breaching Iran's strict rules for women on wearing hijab headscarves and modest clothing. "Woman, Life, Freedom!" protesters have chanted ever since, in Iran's biggest demonstrations in almost three years, in which women have defiantly burned their headscarves and cut their hair. Parallel protests have been held for days in major cities around the world, often in front of Iranian embassies and consulates.

President Ebrahim Raisi warned that, despite "grief and sorrow" over Amini's death, public security "is the red line of the Islamic republic of Iran and no one is allowed to break the law and cause chaos." Iran on Thursday arrested the reporter Elahe Mohammadi, who had covered Amini's funeral, her lawyer said, the latest of a growing number of journalists to be detained. Police have also arrested journalist Niloufar Hamedi of the reformist Shargh daily, who went to the hospital where Amini lay in a coma and helped expose the case to the world. The Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday that three additional journalists  Farshid Ghorbanpour, Aria Jaffari and Mobin Balouch  had been arrested, bringing the total behind bars to 28. Intelligence officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested 50 members of "an organized network" behind the "riots" in the holy Shiite city of Qom, the Guards said, according to Fars news agency.

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Some Iranian celebrities were among those reportedly being swept up in the arrests, in addition to a musician and singer named Shervin Hajipour who was little known before the unrest broke out. He posted a video of himself singing a song composed entirely of messages from protest tweets, which garnered tens of millions of views on Instagram before he was reportedly arrested and forced to take it off the platform.

Other Instagram users reposted Hajipour's song in support.

A former professional soccer player was also detained over his support for the protests, state media reported. "Former Persepolis FC player Hossein Maahini was arrested by the order of the judicial authorities for supporting and encouraging riots on his social media pages," state news agency IRNA said.

A protester wears a t-shirt featuring a character holding cut hair during a demonstration over the death of Mahsa Amini, outside the Iranian consulate building in Istanbul, Turkey, September 29, 2022. / Credit: Erhan Demirtas/Bloomberg/Getty

On Thursday, Tehran provincial governor Mohsen Mansouri warned celebrities against coming out in support of the protests.

"We will take action against the celebrities who have fanned the flames of the riots," ISNA news agency quoted him as saying. London-based Amnesty International criticized Iran's "widespread patterns of unlawful use of force and ruthless violence by security forces." It said this included the use of live ammunition and metal pellets, heavy beatings and sexual violence against women, all "under the cover of deliberate ongoing internet and mobile disruptions." "Dozens of people, including children, have been killed so far and hundreds injured," said the group's secretary general Agnes Callamard.

Iran's Fars news agency has said that "around 60" people had been killed, while the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights has reported a death toll of at least 76 people. Iran has blamed outside forces for the protests and Wednesday launched cross-border missile and drone strikes that killed 13 people in Iraq's Kurdistan region, accusing armed groups based there of fueling the unrest. The U.S. on Thursday said one of its citizens had been killed in the Iranian strikes, separately announcing the fresh enforcement of sanctions on Tehran's oil sales. Iran's economy has been decimated for years by punishing sanctions imposed by the West over its contested nuclear program. On Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she was "doing everything" she could to push for European Union sanctions against those "beating women to death and shooting demonstrators in the name of religion." The Iranian government has sought to play down the crisis. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said he told Western diplomats at recent U.N. meetings that the protests were "not a big deal" for the stability of the clerical state. "There is not going to be regime change in Iran," he told National Public Radio in New York on Wednesday. "Don't play to the emotions of the Iranian people."

Hurricane Ian heads for South Carolina: CBS News Flash Sept. 30, 2022

Tampa Bay's largest children's hospital survives Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian causes major flooding in Collier County, Florida
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

Congressional Democrats had a proposal that is almost certainly backed by a majority of their members, routinely commands overwhelming public support in polls, and is being embraced as a top campaign issue by their candidates who are running in the toughest races.

Whats more, given their majorities in the House and Senate, they had the time and ability to pass itand leaders in both chambers said they aimed to do it by the end of September.

They wont.

On Friday, Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress are poised to leave Washington until after the November election without passing legislation to ban lawmakers from owning or trading stocks.

Dems Quietly Try to Jam Pelosi on Stock Trading Ban

Three days before they were supposed to skip town for recess, House Democrats introduced a bill that was a product of a painstaking process endorsed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

Amid that dramatically abbreviated timelineand concerns from members that the proposal either went too far or not far enoughit didnt have much of a chance. Especially after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said he opposed it.

In the Senate, meanwhile, key lawmakers had already been on the record saying the chamber would not take up the issue before the election.

Faced with yet more gridlock and inertia, frustrations simmered among lawmakersdirected at leadership, at each other, at the process in generalas they left behind in Washington what many hoped would be a slam dunk political win and a meaningful policy achievement.

I dont know why, said Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), weve made something not so complex so complex.

Lawmakers, aides, and advocates close to the push stress that all is not lost. The optimistic outlook, as some of them tell it, is that Congress could return for the so-called lame-duck session between mid-November and January, focus on resolving differing views over what a stock trading ban should look likeand dare members to vote against a compromise bill.

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There is optimism that the advocates for the issue get on the same page and theres a real debate on a strong package, said a senior House aide. Its toxic to vote against this, which I think means a bill will pass.

But this process, tortured even by the high standards of congressional Democrats, has left some lawmakers with the distinct impression that the problem isnt that too many members oppose this version of a stock trading ban. Its that too many oppose the idea of doing anything on this issue, period.

Pelosi Deflects on Stock Trading and Punts Reform to Members

Theres some who just are genuinely opposed to it, said Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI), a vocal proponent of a stock trading ban. We did have some hope that some objections were characterized as technical and then we can work some of that out. But it may be that its really more of a fundamental objection.

Kildee, who serves as a senior whipalso known as a vote-counterfor the Democratic leadership, said he believes a very strong majority of our caucus is for it.

I think its a mistake not to do it, he said.

Many lawmakers agree, and for a number of reasons.

There is, first and foremost, the politics of the issue. Public opinion polls routinely show that voters enthusiastically support the idea of banning members of Congress from trading stocks. A poll released Thursday by polling shop Data For Progress, for instance, found that 77 percent of Americans back the idea, including 75 percent of Republicans.

Unsurprisingly, lawmakers running in competitive racesmostly Democratshave made stock trading bans a central issue in their 2022 campaigns. Craig, a leading proponent of the legislative push, is one of the most vulnerable House Democratic incumbents on the ballot this fall, for instance.

Meanwhile, lawmakers from Arizona to Colorado to New Hampshire have cut TV ads proclaiming their tough stands on the issue; Democratic operatives would have loved to cut more ads advertising a victory on the issue before November.

Beyond that, many lawmakers simply believe a stock trading ban is good policy. In recent years, investigations by news media have uncovered the remarkable extent to which lawmakers power has conflicted with their investment portfolios.

Those stories have further undermined public trust in an institution that had little to begin with. Many on Capitol Hill, eager to find ways to restore even some of that trust, worry that failure to pass something addressing the issue could have far-reaching consequences.

The grassroots on both sides are clamoring for this particular bill, said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a member of the working group that produced the legislation.

The Absurd Reason a Lawmaker Gave for Breaking Stock Rules

There are certain people and certain interests that don't want to see this happen, and it's unfortunately more a function of this having been the practice for hundreds of years at this point, Krishnamoorthi added. So now, I think everyone sees the writing on the wall. It has to happen.

For over a year, a group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers have been trying to pass legislation banning lawmakers from owning or trading stocks. In January 2021, Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced the first bill, but many other bills followed, written and backed by Democrats and Republicans in both chambers.

Top Democratic leaders had always been chilly about the idea. Pelosi herself had publicly defended lawmakers ability to participate in the market.

Despite the frequent news stories about the prolific stock trading activity of the speakers investor husband, Paul, congressional insiders typically believed that Pelosis moves reflected a reluctance on the part of senior members of her caucusher closest alliesto entertain any sweeping changes to ethics standards.

But in February, with Pelosi under considerable pressure from a diverse array of her members to take up some bill, Capitol reporters hyped that the speaker would be making an announcement on the issue, one anticipated as the moment that she might finally lend her blessing to the stock ban push.

Pelosi didnt. Instead, the speaker merely said her caucus was trying to build consensus and that the House Administration Committee would review the various proposals.

In retrospect, that moment may have marked the beginning of the end. In the months that followed, the Administration panelsteered by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), a close Pelosi allyran a slow and somewhat opaque process that alienated some of the key advocates on the issue.

Over the spring and summer, there were incremental developments in the process that seemed to gesture at progress, but some members grew convinced they were simply being slow-walked by a leadership that was never really interested in passing the legislation anyway.

Ukraine Shows Why Congress Members Shouldnt Be Allowed to Own Stocks

Still, through it all, Democratic leaders insisted they planned to arrive at consensus language for the bill in August. Pelosi said she believed it could get a vote in September. The legislative text, blessed by the speaker, was finally released in the last week of September, with three days left in the pre-midterm legislative calendar.

The proposal, titled the "Combating Financial Conflicts of Interest in Government Act, would ban high-ranking officials in all three branches of the federal governmentand their spouses and dependent childrenfrom owning and trading stocks, as well as cryptocurrencies. The legislation would also require them to place their investment holdings in qualified blind trusts, which give them no control or visibility into their investments while in office.

If that bill had come to the floor for a vote, plenty of Democrats would have been happy to vote for it. But many of the earliest advocates of a ban, like Spanberger and Roy, felt the scope of the billwhich included Supreme Court justiceswas so broad that it interfered with the original, more achievable goal of policing Congress. Progressive lawmakers, meanwhile, felt that many of the provisions were not strong enough to truly ensure stronger accountability.

House leadership decided that they wanted to kind of reinvent the wheel and do a bill that includes a variety of other things, Spanberger told reporters on Thursday.

What Im focused on, she said, is really getting back to the basics, which is like this is an issue that lots of people agree on.

Roy, a conservative Texas Republican, said publicly what plenty of Democrats privately feel at this point. Theres a lot of efforts to purposely make this just kind of die under its own weight, he told The Daily Beast. And thats not surprising.

To introduce a complex bill the week that lawmakers were aiming to prevent a government shutdownand then race to the campaign trailall but fundamentally ensured it would be put on ice.

Stock Trade Ban Gains Steam Despite Pelosis Mind-Boggling Resistance

Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat, confirmed that in remarks this week. I havent read it, he said. Its a complicated issue, as you can imagine, as a new rule for members they have to follow, and their families as I understand, so I think it deserves careful study to make sure if we do something, we do it right.

At this point, Democrats will likely have little time to do it right. If they lose control of the House or Senate, their remaining time in the majority before January will be a precious commodity, particularly in the Senate, which confirms judges and administration posts.

While many Republicans have signed on to stock trade bans, Democrats are doubtful that either chambers likely leadersSen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) or Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)would actually take up the issue if they control the gavels next year.

Still, in the Senate, where a bipartisan group of members has been active on the issue, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has long vowed to hold a vote on a stock trading proposal this year. And Pelosi could face real pressure to put something on the floor by January.

Im going to continue to negotiate in good faith and to work on this field in good faith, said Craig, the Minnesota Democrat. And I'm gonna assume that my colleagues in leadership want to do the same.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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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 wildlife trust is marking one year since beavers were successfully reintroduced to the county after an 800-year absence.

Two male and two female beavers were taken from Scotland to Willington Wetlands, in Derbyshire, following their lengthy absence from the county.

One of the pairs has since bred and, in July 2022, two kits were born.

The trust said the reintroduction had been good news for the county.

The dam-building rodents were also released in parts of England and Wales in the hope they can restore wetland habitats and boost other species.

Henry Richards, from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: "We've had kits in the first year which shows they're happy in their habitat.

"It's a big reserve for them. We've got 46 hectares here so it could mean we could increase numbers here through more kits in future years."

The trust said the creatures had helped to create a habitat around their lodge that had remained wet, even during the recent drought.

Mr Richards added: "This is one of the reasons why we want them here, because they'll fell trees and that keeps the reedbeds from drying up and keeps the habitat which is really important."

From this weekend, beavers will have protected status in England meaning it will be illegal to deliberately capture, kill or disturb them.

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday refused to address the number of people reported dead from Hurricane Ian, saying that the number of people confirmed dead by the storm will eventually be released.

I know that people have said certain things, DeSantis said. In terms of confirmed, that will be made apparent over the coming days.

Local officials and sheriffs have reported as many as 17 people killed in the storm, and President Joe Biden said it could be the deadliest hurricane in Floridas history.

Its a massive storm. I mean, I think we anticipate casualties, DeSantis said. But he did not agree with the presidents assessment.

The deadliest hurricane in Florida history was the 1928 storm that struck Palm Beach County, killing more than 2,500 people.

I dont think we will be anywhere approaching that, DeSantis said.

Instead, he said there have been some non-storm related deaths reported.

For example, in Charlotte County, they recorded a suicide during the storm, he said. They also had somebody pass away from a heart attack because you dont have access to emergency services.

More than 700 people have been rescued, DeSantis said, but he did not say how many have been reported missing or have asked for help.

Police and rescue crews are going door to door checking on people who are visibly in need.

What theyre finding is on places like Sanibel, most of the residents are just waving, thank you for coming, but they say that theyre fine, and that theyre staying put, DeSantis said. Thats a sign that some of the folks who did ride it out are stabilized in their home.

State officials did not say Thursday which areas of Southwest Florida are safe to return to. But they did urge people not to go out to look for damage  and not to fly their drones where military and search and rescue aircraft.

When you go in there with your drone, they have to stop working, Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said. Please stay out of the area and let us do our job.

Story continues

Thursdays news conference at the states Emergency Operations Center also included the CEO of Walmart U.S., John Furner, who touted a $1.5 million donation to the states disaster fund.

  

Tampa Bay Times Hurricane Ian coverage

HOW TO HELP: Where to donate or volunteer to help Hurricane Ian victims.

TAMPA BAY CLOSURES: What to know about bridges, roads in Ians aftermath

WHEN THE STORM HAS PASSED: Now what? Safety tips for returning home.

POST-STORM QUESTIONS: After Hurricane Ian, how to get help with fallen trees, food, damaged shelter.

WEATHER EFFECTS: Hurricane Ian was supposed to slam Tampa Bay head on. What happened?

WHAT TO DO IF HURRICANE DAMAGES YOUR HOME: Stay calm, then call your insurance company.

SCHOOLS: Will schools reopen quickly after Hurricane Ian passes? It depends.

MORE STORM COVERAGE: Get ready and stay informed at tampabay.com/hurricane.
Global Mission, an Abu Dhabi based non-profit, along with its international partners, has established a $17 billion fund to help achieve the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) across the globe, a senior executive told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

"This Global Fund for Sustainable Development is the most ambitious SDG-fund worldwide. Based in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the fund targets to raise $17 billion, and $1 billion each will be allocated for each SDG," said Mohamad Elsamad, Executive Director of Operation and Administration at Global Mission.

Since established in 2017 at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, Global Mission under the chairmanship of Khalid Al Mutawa has been working very hard with global stakeholders, including the UN, governments, non-governmental organisations, and other international players to support achieving the SDGs across the world, Elsamad said.

"After overcoming certain hurdles such as the global pandemic, on September 25, the birthdate of SDGs that is called action day, we were able to constitute a committee to oversee this ambitious fund," he stated.

The committee, chaired by Elsamad, comprises representatives of many global stakeholders that work towards achieving the SDGs.

The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015.

The SDGs recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth  all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests, according to the UN.

Although only eight years are left to achieve the SDGs by 2030, there was not much progress so far, Elsamad pointed out. "Actually, it was the other way around. We have experienced more environmental deterioration, more hunger and more climate change in the past few years. But we are very much hopeful that we can still make the change. Anything can be done if you create the right mindset with the right people," added.

Elsamad said the committee of the Global Fund for Sustainable Development has identified around 100 projects to start working with during the first 12 months.

"The projects will be implemented in cooperation with governments and private sector. It will be a PPP [public-private partnership] platform."

Right platform for whole planet There are a lot of leaders, corporations, managers and individuals who want to create a difference, but they are not sure how to take that initiative, the executive said. "So, if you create the right platform and you can create the impact quicker, it is easier for all other enthusiasts to join there."

He pointed out that the projects will be profitable for the investors because sustainability means financial sustainability as well. "So, were going to work hand in hand with the corporations. But, for us, the main target is going to be really the impact under the SDGs," he noted.

He made it clear that the projects will not be limited to any particular country, region or a continent. "We want to work for the whole planet. We need to create the right environment for the investors and for the companies to achieve the right goals to make an impact under the SDGs."

Asked about the top priorities among the SDGs, he said health will be one of the primary targets. "Then we are going to have a few projects in environment with a focus on carbon emissions, plastic pollution, clean water etc."

Elaborating on the projects in health sector, Elsamad said there is a huge shortage of manpower and medicines, which have to tackled.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has whipsawed his way through the national conversation this month, first by putting migrants on planes or buses to Democratic strongholds and then shifting to a more traditional role of crisis manager as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. barreled into his state.

Facing a reelection in November that could be a precursor to a presidential campaign, the approach has been awkward at points. Navigating one of his state's darkest moments, DeSantis, a Republican, must partner with a Democratic president he has spent the better part of two years demeaning. He's also gladly accepting the type of federal disaster aid and assistance he rejected as wasteful while he was a member of Congress.

But together, the developments over the past two weeks offer insight into how DeSantis might govern if he wins another term as governor or advances in a 2024 presidential contest. He's willing to use  and potentially exceed  the raw executive power of his office to pick at Americas most sensitive divides on issues like immigration. In a sudden moment of disaster, however, hes capable of striking a more unifying tone in a way that former President Donald Trump  once a close ally and now a potential 2024 rival  rarely demonstrated.

At the end of the day, I view this as something that youve got folks that are in need, and local, federal and state, we have a need to work together," DeSantis said at a briefing late Thursday, taking a far more conciliatory tone toward an administration he bitterly criticized just days earlier. He expressed appreciation that FEMA has approved every request for aid he has made, and said he welcomed the agency's director to travel with him to view destruction.

The shift in tone is almost certainly temporary. When a 12-story condo building in Surfside, Florida, collapsed last year and killed 98 people, DeSantis appeared with local officials, including Democrats who praised his assistance. He sat next to President Joe Biden during a briefing with first responders and local officials in Miami. Within months, however, he returned to partisan brawls.

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Facing another tragedy, DeSantis didn't answer questions this week about whether he would meet with Biden, saying he wasn't sure about the president's travel plans. At a FEMA briefing on Thursday, Biden also aimed to set aside hostilities, saying he would visit Florida when conditions allow and meet with DeSantis "if he wants to meet.

Biden and DeSantis both said they have spoken more than once. And at DeSantis request, Biden on Thursday declared a major disaster in parts of Florida, freeing up additional federal assistance to state and local governments and individuals.

Were going to build it back with the state and local government, Biden said.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre tweeted that Biden and DeSantis spoke again by phone on Friday, as the FEMA administrator is on the ground in Florida.

DeSantis' embrace of federal help is a shift from his early days as a congressman, when he voted against a federal relief package for New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy. That drew criticism this week from some New York-area officials and other Democrats who described the turnaround as a move from cruel to hypocritical.

Richard Conley, a University of Florida political science professor, said DeSantis is doing what he needs to do, pragmatically and politically. While DeSantis is popular in the reliably Republican area of southwest Florida that was hardest hit by Hurricane Ian, he said people will inevitably become frustrated if it takes too long to get help, and will look for someone to blame.

Hes just got to get the job done, said Conley. The question will be: Going forward, does he look very statesmanlike? Does this help him with an eventual 2024 run? I dont know, it remains to be seen.

Since his early years running for governor, DeSantis has been linked to Trump. DeSantis was a relatively obscure third-term congressman when he announced his 2018 bid for governor  and a Trump endorsement  on Fox News. He echoed some of Trumps favorite lines as he campaigned, pledging, for example, to drain the swamp in Tallahassee. Trump took credit for the victory, though their relationship is said to have chilled amid the 2024 talk.

As governor, DeSantis has elevated issues that excite the conservative base and used his resources and the power of his office to get things done his way, even if it pushed the limits of his legal authority.

During the COVID pandemic, DeSantis insisted Florida would remain open. He shunned guidance from federal health experts and once said of Dr. Anthony Fauci that someone should chuck him across the Potomac. He also stripped funding from school districts that implemented mask mandates.

This spring, DeSantis signed legislation stripping Disney of a special agreement that allowed the theme park to govern itself, after the company criticized a new state law that critics called Dont Say Gay. "

DeSantis also suspended an elected Democratic prosecutor in Tampa from office over statements about not pursuing criminal charges in abortion, transgender rights and certain low-level cases. The prosecutor has since filed a federal free speech lawsuit against the governor.

In recent weeks, Florida under DeSantis direction paid for two flights of migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. DeSantis was the latest GOP governor, frustrated over the federal governments response to policing the southern border, to transport the migrants to Democratic cities.

DeSantis defended the move as a way to make immigration a front-burner issue ahead of the midterms. Critics questioned the legality, and his Democratic opponent for governor said it represented a new low level of shrewdness.

Its amazing to me what hes willing to do for sheer political gain, Charlie Crist, his gubernatorial challenger, said.

Conley, who wrote a book about Trump and populism, said he understands the comparisons between the two men, both often provocative Republicans. But he noted key differences, including that DeSantis is more disciplined and restrained with statements on social media.

He may say controversial things, but I dont think hes going to sit around at 3 or 4 in the morning and contemplate how to get back at (Senate GOP Leader) Mitch McConnell or something as Trump would do, Conley said.

Trump also drew criticism for his responses to natural disasters, which often failed to convey empathy.

After Puerto Rico was flattened by Hurricane Maria, he flew to San Juan and threw paper towels into the crowd, withheld aid and questioned whether a death toll in the thousands was contrived by Democrats to make him look bad. On a trip to Houston after Hurricane Harvey, he was criticized for not meeting with storm victims. When he returned days later, Trump urged those at a shelter to have a good time.

Natural disasters have historically put U.S. politicians in predicaments.

Years earlier, President George W. Bush left the impression of overlooking Hurricane Karinas devastation in New Orleans when he flew over the city while returning to Washington from vacation. He later praised FEMA Director Michael Brown as doing a heck of a job.

Both New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, and Democratic President Barack Obama felt political effects of a friendly greeting after Hurricane Sandy. The image may have helped Obama project a moderate, bipartisan front days before his election for a second term but conservatives derided Christie for what they called a hug.

At Thursday's afternoon briefing, DeSantis spoke of surveying the damage, from a wiped out causeway between the mainland and Sanibel Island off Fort Myers to destroyed homes and hundreds of people rescued.

These are resilient folks, he said. They will bounce back, but we just want to make sure that we can kind of pave the way for them.
Detroit Police Chief James White at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters on Thursday, July 7, 2022.

Detroit's police unions and the city have reached atentative collective bargaining agreement that would make salaries more competitive, hoping to stem the tide of officers flocking to departments in the suburbs offering higher pay.

Upon union ratification and City Council approval, the proposed five-year contract between the city, the Detroit Police Officers Association and the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association will provide an immediate $10,000 increase in salaries, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Friday.

We are finally able to offer a contract that gives our officers the kind of raises they deserve," Duggan said of the $25 million proposal.

Weve been working with the union leadership for months to put together a package Detroit could be proud of. I really believe weve done that here.

More:2 charged after Michigan trooper shot, critically wounded in Detroit

Starting salary for a police officer would jump from $43,000 a year to $53,000, Duggan said. Those with more than four years of experience would have their salaries increased from $60,000 a year to $73,000. The salaries of detectives would increase by $11,000, sergeants would get an average boost of $10,000 and lieutenants would see an average raise of $11,000, according to the city.

Officers would then receive an annual salary increase of 4% over the next four years.

The tentative agreement also includes provisions that allow for lateral transfers  meaning the salaries of officers who transfer to the Detroit Police Department will reflect their amount of experience. The agreement would also allow academy training on a scholarship basis. Additionally, the city would be able to recover money spent on officers who train at the academy but leave to work at other departments.

More:Detroit has 43 public restrooms open year-round  leaving city's homeless with few options

The deal was described by city and police officials as "historic." It's a move, officials said, that would help recruit and retain officers during a time of significant decline in the ranks of the Detroit Police Department.

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Duggan said there are currently 300 vacancies in the department. Between August and September, he said 72 officers left, the majority of them joining other departments in the suburbs.

"I've always said weve got the best police department in the country," Detroit Police Chief James White said.

This tentative agreement, he said, treats his officers as such.

Mark Young, president of the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, said he has already received calls from officers who left the Detroit Police Department and want to come back.

"(We're turning) the tide on recruitment, retention," Young said.

White added that he has received letters from five officers who had left for other departments, also asking to come back.

Officials expect the unions to ratify the agreement by next week. Prior to Detroit filing bankruptcy in 2013, the starting salary of police officers was about $29,000, according to the city.

Funds come from income tax revenue growth

Duggan said the tentative agreement would be funded by a "dramatic increase" in income tax revenue.

In February, a Detroit Revenue Estimating Conference report estimated that would rake in $316 million in income tax revenue in the fiscal year 2023. Then in September, the Revenue Estimating Conference "raised its estimates by nearly $40 million per year over the next 5 years," said John Roach, a spokesperson for the city, in a news release.

Duggan attributed the growth to increases in construction in the city, new employment at Stellantis' Mack Avenue Jeep assembly plant and other initiatives.

Were driving the economic recovery in the state of Michigan," Duggan said.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit police tentative contract comes with big raises
Photo credit: Donaldson Collection - Getty Images



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Content warning: This article contains references to murder and sexual assault some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised.

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, starring Evan Peters as notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, quickly rose to the #1 spot on Netflix after being released on September 21, 2022. Both the TV series and Peters' portrayal have received high praise, despite backlash from family members of Dahmer's victims who were not contacted about the show before it was released to the public.

The 10-episode series covers the Dahmer murders that happened while he was living in the Oxford Apartments in Milwaukee, WI. The show also explores Dahmer's relationship with his parents, Shari and Lionel Dahmer, as well as his prison sentence and death. Ahead, we break down Jeffrey Dahmer's final days in prison and how he died.

What was Jeffrey Dahmer's sentence?

Dahmer was sentenced to 15 consecutive lifetimes in prison after being convicted of 15 murders, a sentence equivalent to 941 years. He was held at the Columbia Correctional Facility in Wisconsin, serving three years and four months in prison before he was killed.

What was Jeffrey Dahmer's life in prison like?

Dahmer's short time in person was marked by conflict. He was kept in protective custody with limited interaction with other prisoners, although he was given permission to eat meals, take classes, and do work with other inmates after his first year. Dahmer would joke about cannibalism, shaping his food into body parts and using ketchup to create "blood" while taunting guards and other inmates about biting them. Prison pastor Roy Ratcliff remembered Dahmer having a Cannibals Anonymous Meeting poster on his wall.

When did Jeffrey Dahmer die?

Dahmer was killed on November 28, 1994. He spent his last days conversing with Herman Martin, an inmate whose cell neighbored Dahmer's. Martin later released a book that was received with mixed reviews.

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Who killed Jeffrey Dahmer?

Christopher Scarver killed two men  Jesse Anderson and Jeffrey Dahmer  while the three of them were cleaning the prison gymnasium. Scarver, played by Furly Mac in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, beat Dahmer to death with a weight bar before killing Anderson.

Anderson was in prison for stabbing his wife. After committing his crime, he then proceeded to stab himself, although he survived his suicide attempt. Anderson blamed the stabbing on two young Black men and doctored false evidence to present to the police.

Why didn't Jeffrey Dahmer receive the death penalty?

Wisconsin abolished the death penalty in 1853, which is 139 years before Dahmer was convicted in 1992. The death penalty was not an option for Dahmer, although the serial killer verbalized that it was something he wished for in a court statement.

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Photo credit: Netflix

Content warning: This article contains references of murder and sexual assault some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised.

Since Netflix released its dramatized retelling of Jeffrey Dahmer's notorious murders, DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, the internet is in a frenzy as viewers try to figure out the true stories behind the real-life victims and Dahmer's family members. Between 1978 and 1991, the infamous serial killer would prey on Black, Latino, and Asian men in public spaces before killing and dismembering them in his Milwaukee apartment. According to the Crime Museum, "Rape, dismemberment, necrophilia, and cannibalism" were all parts of Dahmer's disturbing murders.

His terrifying killing spree may have gone under the radar for nearly a decade, but one piece of evidence eventually led to his arrest: Polaroid pictures. Ahead, find everything we know about Jeffrey Dahmer taking Polaroid pictures of his victims.

Did Jeffrey Dahmer really keep polaroids of his victims in his apartment?

Dahmer would lure victims back to his apartment to give them drug-laced drinks and sexually assault them once they died. He would also dismember their bodies and keep "souvenirs" like body parts, skulls, and genitals. Per Biography, "He frequently took photos of his victims at various stages of the murder process, so he could recollect each act afterward and relive the experience."

Why did Jeffrey Dahmer take Polaroids of his victims?

Photo credit: Netflix





In 1994, The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology explained that Dahmer often felt lonely and wanted "mementos to keep him company." Upon investigation, police also found drawings that exposed the serial killer's plans to make an altar in his apartment using the photos, painted skeletons, and skulls, per ELLE Australia.

How did Jeffrey Dahmer's Polaroids lead to his arrest?

On July 22, 1991, Dahmer's final victim Tracy Edwards escaped his apartment and made it out alive. According to ABC News, Tracy led Milwaukee police to discover 84 Polaroid pictures in a bedside drawer. This ultimately ended Dahmer's cannibalistic killing spree.

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Per ELLE Australia, the gruesome photos included "his victim's corpses posed in suggestive positions with their backs arched, documentation of the dismemberment process and Dahmer engaging in necrophilia." The outlet also described that Officer Rolf Mueller was in a state of shock as he told his partner, "these [photos] are real."

Dahmer was convicted of 15 murder charges and sentenced to 957 years in prison and died after an inmate attacked him in 1994.

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queer-for-fear-1

A still from the documentary series 'Queer for Fear' Credit - Courtesy of Shudder

Imagine the year is 1935. Its a dark and stormy night in the midst of the Great Depression, the Hays Code banning motion picture portrayals of sexual persuasion and immorality is newly in effect, and youre watching the Bride of Frankenstein spurn the man she was literally made for on the silver screen.

Maybe the sceneor the entire subtext-rich storycomes across like a wink from director James Whale, himself openly gay in a time and culture that meant his sexuality endangered both his livelihood and his life. Maybe you go still at the sudden, strange tension in your heart, the words for how you feel not yet known to you. Or maybe youre holding hands with a partner of the state-sanctioned gender, oblivious to the queerness of Brides choice to reject the preordained future foisted upon her, and construct the meaning of her own monstrous femininity for herself.

No matter how you might react, youre watching an example of vintage queer horrora story whose uncanny inversion of the gender and sexuality norms of its time struck a note that was inaudible to some, but rang clear for those who also found themselves outside those norms. From the start, the way horror can be a funhouse mirror reflection of the cultural anxieties and preoccupation with what it means to be a monster have made it an ideal venue for stories that resonate with the marginalized. And since the fateful days of Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, it has been built on integral contributions from queer creators.

Queer for Fear, a four-part documentary series out now from the horror streaming service Shudder, explores the evolution of horror through a queer lens, in an expansive work from executive producers and horror veterans Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies) and Steak House (By Hook or by Crook, Disney Launchpad).

Constructing community through horror with Queer for Fear

Conceived as a follow-up to Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, Queer for Fear: The History of Queer Horror features interviews with actors, writers, directors, producers, and creators who are icons of horror and suspense, including Boys Dont Cry and Carrie (2013) director Kimberly Peirce; Scream writer Kevin Williamson; Dear White People and Bad Hair writer Justin Simien; In the Dream House writer Carmen Maria Machado; and Yellowjackets director Karyn Kusama and cast members Jasmin Savoy Brown, Tawny Cypress, and Liv Hewson.

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The vibe is part horror history curriculum and part old-fashioned salon, very much by design. Its like if you said, Lets go to the Algonquin and hang out with the savvy horror art queers, Fuller tells TIME.

With such a large and enthusiastic group, a community quickly built itself around the project, House says. We wanted to interview a broad spectrum of people, because we were looking at a lot of movies from the past that white men made, and we wanted to make sure to be looking at it in a different lens today. For instance, as the shows third episode discusses films featuring dangerous women in all their gender-transgressing glory, the interviewees reflect on how these scenes and their impact are shaped by having been created entirely by men.

Read more: 21 Underrated Horror Movies You Probably Havent Seen and Can Stream Right Now

While the producers approached filming with an outline, the personal stories and connections of both Queer for Fears historical subjects and its interviewees are what brought the series to life. Says House, We discovered we were going to push boundaries further and further with each new person we talked to.

In one moving moment in episode two, Gretel & Hansel writer and son of Psycho star Anthony Perkins, Oz Perkins, describes the emotional shockwaves sent through his family as his fathers career was both defined and derailed by the franchise: Psycho was too good and therefore no good. According to Perkins, Norman Bates notoriety turned the truth of his fathers sexuality into a crushing secret, putting immense pressure on a loving, if complicated, home life. Fuller says Perkins was initially only meant to have a couple lines in the series. But when the depth of his story became clear, Fuller insisted the production take the time to capture it. It was about slowing down the history lesson and allowing the audience to absorb some of the personal aspects.

A still from the documentary series 'Queer for Fear' Courtesy of Shudder

For some, Queer for Fear was an opportunity to discover with delight just how many people shared their passion for horror. For others, like Yellowjackets star Jasmin Savoy Brown, and series consultant and Attack of the Queerwolf podcast host Nay Bever, it was a chance to deepen and strengthen the conversation, recruiting others to join the salon and, by extension, the community. For all involved, to participate in the show was to join a conversation spanning everything from the very first time they felt seen onscreen to the sexual proclivities of Rebeccas Mrs. Danversdiscussions they might previously have thought was only their own internal monologue.

House says the timing of Queer for Fear, as LGBTQ+ people face increasing cultural and legislative attacks, is especially important. Our rights are being challenged again. I hope it pushes buttons, pushes boundaries, and gets people talking. I hope this show is out there for people who dont have a community.

How queer representation, in horror and elsewhere, has evolved

As Justin Simiens says in Queer for Fear, The evolution of queer horror really parallels the evolution of queer liberation. As queer people have gained a louder voice in public conversation, there has been an increase in explicit television and film LGBTQ+ representation. Projects exploring queer themes are not only being greenlit, but actively solicitedjust look at this very series.

And yet, as House points out, Some things are better. Nothings 100% better.

Queer creators and actors are still discriminated against by studios that have already hit what they consider to be their quota of LGBTQ+ stories, reducing a boundless diversity of experiences to a single category on a streamers dropdown menu. Black and brown, transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming creators face these same hurdles, further exacerbated by racism and transphobia. The films that do get made then face high expectations from audiences and studios to open the hearts and wallets of an entire community.

Mix challenges like these with a genre as maligned as horror, and you may be fated to blunt its bite, at least sometimes. You could end up with a romp like A24s scary-silly neon spectacle Bodies Bodies Bodies. Or you could also get a film like Peacocks queer slasher They/Them, so lost in its own toothlessly self-serious approach to its subject matter that it forgets to bring the fear. Its no wonder storytelling can sometimes seem left by the wayside.

Read More: How Smile Pays Tribute to Horror Classics Like The Ring and Rosemarys Baby

The queer horror examined in the series, which includes titles spanning from the gothic literature of the 1800s to the camp vampires of the 1980s, was almost never explicit, owing to the cultural and legal constraints that kept queer characcters from being blatantly identified as such. In those films, their queerness became a puzzle to be solvedand for decades, that puzzle was largely the only template available. Audiences looking to see themselves reflected developed a keen eye for decoding. Newer queer horror that explicitly labels its characters and plots often offers a vastly different viewing experience.

Fuller, for one, says hes always been excited by the decoder ring experience of drawing the queer metaphor. Of course, he adds, it may be generational because thats always been my experience.

I find it so satisfying, like a delicious meal, that when I see modern queer characters being explicit, its not as exciting because its so one-to-one. [We might] have two queer characters, but theyre just as dumb as everybody else and die just as horribly. Thats the price we pay, he says.

At the same time, research and lived experience consistently demonstrate that meaningful representation is absolutely vital. Fuller, House, and Queer for Fears interviewees across the board were eager to celebrate the immense and essential progress thats been made in opportunities for queer creators to tell their stories. Discussing the exciting queer horror especially present today in shows like Yellowjackets, House says, A huge difference now is were starting to get people telling stories [in which] theyre not explaining [queerness]. Its just happening. I think thats the evolution.

Its when the only substance to a character is a two-dimensional rainbow nametag, that representation falls flat. As Queer for Fear makes clear, queer stories are exciting in large part because of the opportunity to relate to the dynamics and feelings they portray, whether theyre sweet, scary, electrifying, agonizing or all of the above.

Read More: The 52 Most Anticipated Movies of Fall 2022

The future of queer horror

Queer creators today find themselves tasked with both educating and entertaining. Optimistically, an adjustment period is more than understandable. So what does the ideal future of queer horror hold?

I hope we get to make movies with queer people in them, not discussing why were queer, or how did we become queer, or coming out. I hope we have stories about us as people. House says. That would be my dream for the filmmaking community.

In response to those who say with derision that horror was better before it got woke, Fuller and House can only laugh. As House points out, Theres always been a queer mafia in Hollywood. People who think horror just recently became a refuge for the marginalized should, as Fuller suggests, maybe try watching Queer for Fear. We have a lot of materialenough for two more seasons.

And although the series covers a staggering amount of historical material, the personal is what gives it its tell-tale heart. In a community of chosen family, Queer for Fear is like a scrapbook of sorts, tracing throughlines and documenting generations of a genre in which countless queer people have found a home.
Donald Trump Jr shared a meme accusing Greta Thunberg of being behind the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, echoing a conspiracy theory that has been picked up in conservative circles in the last week since the natural gas lines erupted.

The meme, which shows the young climate activist photoshopped in front of Nord Stream with explosives strapped around one of the pipelines, was shared by the former presidents son on Truth Social on Thursday night.

I could be wrong but my understanding is this is not photo shopped, wrote Mr Trump Jr alongside the meme, which has since gained traction on Twitter.

On Thursday, a fourth leak was discovered on the sabotaged Nord Stream pipelines, the Swedish coastguard has revealed. Authorities have so far been unable to determine the direct cause of the explosions on the pipelines, which carry natural gas from Russia to Europe, or who was responsible if the explosions were indeed deliberate, but some Western leaders have begun to point fingers in the direction of Moscow.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki claimed the leaks were intentional and that they probably mark the next step of escalation of the situation in Ukraine, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described them as deliberate acts, noting the incident was not an accident.

Donald Trump Jr shared a meme on Truth Social on Thursday night that accused climate activist Greta Thunberg of staging the Nord Stream leaks (Truth Social/Donald Trump Jr)

For its part, Russia has outrightly rebuffed any accusations of involvement in the geopolitical quagmire, which ensnares many European nations as the leaks have occurred in international waters  two near Sweden and two near Denmark.

It happened in the trade and economic zones of Denmark and Sweden. They are Nato-centric countries. They are countries that are completely controlled by the US intelligence services, said foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Thursday.

In Russian state media, accusations of US involvement in undersea ruptures were more pointed, with spy Sergei Naryshkin telling Interfax news agency that, We have materials that point to a Western trace in the organization and implementation of these terrorist acts.

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While the US has outrightly denied any involvement in the leaks, conservatives in the country have begun picking up the Russian line that the West played a role.

Blow up the Nord Stream pipelines? OK, weve entered a new phase, one in which the United States is directly at war with the largest nuclear power in the world, said the Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson on his prime-time programme this week.

Echoing those claims was far-right activist and radio talk show host Charlie Kirk, who suggested that the rupture couldve been staged by the US as part of an alleged midterm election operation.

If this was an act of the Central Intelligence Agency, the CIA -- which, again, is just speculation. Its very important. How does that get us closer to peace? Is this a potential midterm election operation? asked the host before noting that he was just asking a question.

The intelligence agency  theyre guilty until proven innocent in this situation. Theyre going to have to prove to us it wasnt them given the evidence that they were, basically, saber-rattling and threatening that they were going to do it, he said before noting that he prayed it wasnt the CIA and preferred that it was instead Greenpeace.

For their part, the US has outrightly denied any involvement in the rupture and has said that theyre willing to support their European allies in this apparent sabotage, US state department spokesman Ned Price late on Tuesday. The United States remains united with our allies and partners in our commitment to promoting European energy security, he said.

Outside of the louder right-wing platforms who have been teasing this theory that the US might have played a role, or even climate activist Ms Thunberg, the line has also begun picking up online in conservative circles.

Nord Stream has been compromised. No seismic activity noted following the blast that occured.Methane being released into Baltic Sea, pollution galore. Where is Greta and her Minions, tweeted Republican Michael Goldstein, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the GOP ticket in the US House to represent Connecticuts 4th Congressional District in the summer.

Nord Stream has been compromised. No seismic activity noted following the blast that occured.Methane being released into Baltic Sea, pollution galore. Where is Greta and her Minions. Why is the world Silent? Ban Cows is a big outcry for the Globalists.????????? https://t.co/9uDKD02em9  Michael Goldstein  (@DrMGoldstein) September 29, 2022

Thats so crazy the pipeline Biden promised to take out got taken out, tweeted alt-right activist Jack Michael Posobiec, incorrectly referring to a quote from Mr Biden back in February where he stated if Russia invades Ukraine, there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.

That's so crazy the pipeline Biden promised to take out got taken out  Jack Posobiec XLV (@JackPosobiec) September 29, 2022

Officials inside the US have dismissed the unproven theory being courted on right-wing media and propped up and platformed on social media as outright wrong.

A U.S. official said the United States had nothing to do with the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline, calling the idea preposterous, tweeted Washington Post national security journalist John Hudson.

A U.S. official said the United States had noting to do with the attack on the Nord Stream pipeline, calling the idea preposterous."  John Hudson (@John_Hudson) September 28, 2022

Moscow has also claimed the explosions would allow the US to send more gas to Europe.
As Florida reels from the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, which has left at least 21 people dead and over a million Floridians without power, utility companies  and a full-time storm chaser  are using drone technology to aid in rescue efforts and provide a wider scope of the destruction.

The hurricane left a devastating mark on Florida after making landfall on the southwestern part of the state Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 storm, mostly leaving carnage in Lee County but also damaging areas from South Florida up to Orlando. It made landfall in South Carolina on Friday.

Aaron Jayjack, a storm chaser from Indiana, has been facing the hurricane head on. But once hes done capturing the storm, he'll turn his attention to damage assessment and assistance, using his drone to help people figure out what happened to their property and sometimes their loved ones.

MyRadar weather storm chaser Aaron Jayjack poses for selfie in what he says is the eye of Hurricane Ian. (Courtesy of Aaron Jayjack)

There's a lot of people that are curious, Jayjack told Yahoo News. They have family that either stayed [in Florida] or they evacuated and are wondering what their property looks like, what's going on with their neighborhoods. And sometimes you can't get into these locations after the disaster because of  debris and power outages and lack of gasoline and stuff.

Jayjack positioned himself in Fort Myers where Ian made landfall and hit the hardest, spending his time between there and the Punta Gorda area. He captured extraordinary drone footage of damage along Fort Myers Beach.

He put out a message on social media that hes willing to fly over any area where people are concerned about family, friends or their home. But it has been more challenging with the government calling on drone operators to ground their devices so it they don't interfere with low-flying emergency response aircraft.

Whenever these disasters happen, shortly after they happen, they put out TFRs, which is a temporary flight restriction. So my first mission after a hurricane passes is to get into the worst-hit areas and fly my drone over and show people what has happened and usually when I do that, I start getting requests from people. I can check certain locations and fly the drone over it, he said.

Story continues

The Federal Aviation Administration put a temporary flight restriction on this area  outlined in red  of Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday. (Federal Aviation Administration)

Utility services are also utilizing and deploying drone technology to help their Ian response efforts. Florida Power & Light, or FPL  an electric utility company that services more than 12 million Floridians  is utilizing its FPLAir One drone to assess damage and help recover power. It says the drone has the capability to fly into tropical storm-force winds and gather real-time information to help identify the cause of outages.

On Thursday, the company said that it restored power to more than 750,000 customers but that there were still 1.2 million without it.

In addition to the crews who have restored power where possible to hundreds of thousands of customers, damage assessment teams continue to work throughout FPLs service area, including dozens of drone teams who are providing visuals of the damage. This vital task enables FPL to send the right crews and the right equipment to the right places to restore power safely and as quickly as possible, the company said.

Verizon is also using drones to assist in recovering its network. On Wednesday, while the storm was hitting Florida, the company said: Our mobile cell sites, generators, drones and satellite links will begin moving into the area from the safe zones where they were prestaged before the storm. We will prioritize assistance for first responders, emergency operation centers and search-and-rescue efforts.

Hurricane Ian eyewall in Punta Gorda, FL yesterday. The lightning and thunder barrage before this will stand out to me as the most unique aspect of this ferocious major hurricane. #Ian #Hurricane_Ian #Hurricane @MyRadarWX pic.twitter.com/NjvScAAoDM  Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) September 29, 2022

As for Jayjack, he says he keeps himself safe through meteorological knowledge, experience with storms and finding sturdy, tall buildings.

No matter what I shoot it with, drone [footage] always seems to resonate more with people than any ground-level footage. It's that bird's-eye view, you're not something you're not used to seeing.
DILI, East Timor (AP)  East Timors Catholics reacted with shock but also expressions of support Friday for revered independence icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys decades ago in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.

The Vatican admitted Thursday that its sex abuse office had secretly sanctioned the bishop in 2020, restricting his movements and contacts with minors and forbidding him from having contact with his homeland. The Vatican revealed the restrictions after the Dutch magazine De Groene Amsterdammer exposed the claims against Belo by two of his alleged victims and reported there were others, too.

The Holy See has not responded to questions about when church officials first suspected possible misconduct by Belo, why he was allowed to retire two decades early in 2002 and why he was then sent to Mozambique to work as a missionary priest with children. He has said he retired because of health reasons and stress.

Belo won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 with fellow East Timorese independence icon Jose Ramos-Horta for campaigning for a fair and peaceful solution to conflict in their home country as it struggled to gain independence from Indonesia.

The bishop was feted at home and abroad for his bravery in calling out human rights abuses by East Timors Indonesian rulers despite threats against his life. The East Timorese were cowed by Jakartas brutal rule, and Belos audacious defiance was viewed as heroic. Apart from the Nobel prize, he was awarded honorary doctorates by universities around the world, including Yale.

The Timorese Bishops Conference said it would work with any possible judicial investigation arising from the allegations.

If any legal process is set in motion in East Timor, the Timorese Bishops Conference will comply with and cooperate with the legal process, it said in a statement carried by Portuguese news agency Lusa and reported by public broadcaster RTP.

Story continues

Government officials in East Timor, also called Timor Leste, where the Catholic Church wields enormous influence, didnt respond to multiple requests for comment Friday, after the Vatican revealed the sanctions against the bishop. Few Timorese wanted to speak, but those who did voiced support for him.

As East Timorese, we are shocked to hear this news, said Naomi Sarmento, a Catholic. We have known Bishop Belo for a long time, a good person who has done many services for God, helped the people of Timor Leste and became a role model in the world. We will continue to support and pray that he stays healthy and continues to serve God.

Gregoriu Saldanha, who chairs the November 12th Committee, a youth organization established after a massacre at Santa Cruz during Indonesias occupation of East Timor, held a news conference in Dili to express support for the bishop. He cited Belo's contributions to the country and its struggle for independence.

We accept and submit to any decision issued by the Vatican on the allegation against Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, whether it is right or wrong, Saldanha said.

But he stressed: We will still stand with Bishop Belo, because we realize, as a human being, Belo has weaknesses or mistakes like others. If he does wrongdoing, its his individual fault, nothing to do with the religion.

He added that We cannot ignore his kindness and what he has fought for the people of East Timor. Belo is part of our struggle for independence. As a leader of the Catholic church, he has provided supports and solidarity for the peoples struggle.

He urged fellow Timorese to not spread negative news about Belo and to pray for him and his family, the church and the people of East Timor.

Belo, who is believed to be living in Portugal, has not made any public statements since the allegations were published this week. Efforts to find him have not been successful.

Belo is a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, a Roman Catholic religious order that has long had influence at the Vatican.

The Portuguese branch of the Salesians said Thursday that it learned with great sadness and astonishment of the news and confirmed they had taken him in after he left East Timor. But the Portuguese office distanced itself from him, claiming he was no longer dependent on them.

The Salesians headquarters in Rome stressed in an email that Belo remains a member of the order but noted that once he became a bishop, he reported primarily to the Vatican.

That Catholics rallied behind Belo, despite the allegations, is not surprising. A similar reaction occurred when another priest, revered for his role in East Timor's independence, was also found to have sexually abused children.

Former President Xanana Gusmao, for example, brought child supporters with him to the court last year that convicted the defrocked American priest, Richard Daschbach, on charges he abused orphaned and disadvantaged young girls under his care and sentenced him to 12 years in prison.

___

Winfield reported from Vatican City. Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal.
Aliza Noor | TwoCircles.net

Ever since she was 25 years old, Roop Rekha Verma, the former Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University and a professor of Philosophy has been fighting for justice for the oppressed. At 79, she volunteered to stand as surety for the incarcerated journalist Siddiq Kappan. Her decision was seen as an act of courage against the fear of persecution from the Rightwing governments at the Center and in Uttar Pradesh.

Support TwoCircles



Verma doesnt know Kappan directly. For ten days after he was given bail, the lawyers and family were looking for people to stand as surety.

My friend got to know about it through some people in Kerala who know Kappans wife, Raihana Siddiq. So then when I received a message from them, I volunteered to stand for surety, she told Two Circles.

Verma believes that many more people would have come forward if they knew about the surety. She has been following Kappans case since the beginning of October 2020.

He was arrested while he was on the way to fulfill his duty as a journalist. The polices version is that he belongs to PFI and there are other charges by ED and NIA but I have doubts about the credibility of these allegations, noted Verma.

A Clean Conscience Is More Important

Elaborating on her reasoning behind her decision to stand up for Kappan, Verma told Two Circles, I dont need to decide whether he is guilty or not. The court is yet to decide that. So by getting his bail completed, I am not working in any prejudicial way. She has put up her car as an item to fulfill the surety.

Verma came to Lucknow in 1958 for her studies as she wanted to pursue her bachelors from the city. She spent her childhood in Mainpuri.

There were times when acts of solidarity and protesting did not become news. But given that we live in dark times, these little instances become celebratory, she stated.

The professor is also one of the three petitioners who have challenged the premature release of the rape convicts of Bilkis Bano.

I Had Two Choices

Hence, on being asked if she had any apprehensions about voicing her opinions, Verma said, Fear has pervaded the present times. If you wish that innocent people should not be harassed, or that voices must not be stifled, then it is a dangerous thing these days.

One has to decide between two options. Whether you want to lie down as a dead person even while you live or if you want to be alive, I have chosen the second option. There is a risk but it is worth taking.

Verma said, Today, most of the hate crimes are against Muslims, Christians and they might be at the top of the list, but ultimately, whoever wishes to open their mouth and speak about the wrongs in our country, faces the danger of being jailed.



The fear, she believes is because of the fear of widespread punitive action, injustice of being lodged in jail for years much like intellectuals and activists like Gautam Navlakha, Hany Babu, Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves still in jail in Elgar Parishad case all because they raised their voices against bad system of education and administration and spoke for the poor, tribals, women and Dalits.

Kappan who got the bail in the UAPA case, will be in jail till he gets bail in the other case which was filed against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. The hearing, in this case, was postponed till 10 October.

(Aliza Noor is an independent journalist from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. She mostly covers social justice, communities, and gender).
Elon Musks Twitter account is displayed on the screen of an iPhone on April 26, 2022 in Paris, France. Chesnot/Getty Images

Elon Musk praised Russian state media in texts with a confidante, court documents show.

The Tesla billionaire said he found the outlets "entertaining" and said they had "some good points."

He made the remarks following the EU's order banning access to the outlets.

Tesla billionaire Elon Musk praised Russian state media outlets in texts to a confidante, describing them as having "some good points," court documents released Thursday showed.

The texts, first reported by The Hill, were included in court documents released Thursday amid Musk's legal battle with Twitter. The social media giant is locked in a dispute with Musk over his decision to back out of his $44 billion deal to buy the platform.

"EU passed a law banning Russia Today and several other Russian news sources. We have been told to block their IP address," Musk wrote to Antonio Gracias, a private equity investor and former Tesla executive, on March 5, the documents show.

"Actually, I find their news quite entertaining," Musk continued, according to the filing. In a follow-up text, the world's richest man described Russian media as having a "lot of bullshit, but some good points too."

"Free speech matters most when it's someone you hate spouting what you think is bullshit," Musk commented after Gracias agreed with his stance on free speech.

Musk was commenting on the order by the EU on March 3 banning Russian state media outlets, including RT and Sputnik, in the wake of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The outlets have long pushed pro-Kremlin propaganda and disinformation about the Ukraine conflict, which meant that companies in the EU were banned from disseminating their content.

Tech giants, including Meta, Facebook's parent company, and Google, had already acted to restrict access to Russian state media outlets, and Twitter complied with the ban after it was issued.

Musk, at the time, had announced plans to buy Twitter and generated controversy by criticizing policies on the platform designed to slow the spread of disinformation and hate speech, styling himself as a defender of free speech.

Story continues

In Ukraine, Musk has been lauded for providing access to Starlink, his satellite broadband system, allowing swaths of the country to maintain an internet connection despite power outages and Russia targetting the country's internet infrastructure.

In March, Musk said he wouldn't agree to requests by governments for Starlink to block access to Russian media unless "at gunpoint."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Elon Musk. AP

Elon Musk's private tweets were published by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Musk got put in touch with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella by LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman.

Musk and Nadella had a phone call, and Musk gave Nadella "feedback" on Microsoft Teams.

A large sample of Elon Musk's private texts was published Thursday by the Delaware Court of Chancery as part of his ongoing battle with Twitter.

A few of those texts show a correspondence between Musk and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, set up by LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman.

Hoffman set up a group chat with Musk, Nadella, and himself on April 27  two days after Musk announced he planned to buy Twitter for $44 billion.

Texts between Nadella and Musk show them setting up a phone call, followed by a final text from Nadella: "thx for the call. Will stay in touch. And will for sure follow-up on Teams feedback!"

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images

It's not clear from the texts exactly what Musk and Nadella discussed, or what feedback on Microsoft Teams Musk may have given.

The same day Musk asked Hoffman whether he would like to invest in taking Twitter private.

Microsoft, Musk, and Hoffman did not immediately respond when contacted by Insider for comment outside of usual US working hours.

The texts published by the court gave insight into the network of billionaires and celebrities who corresponded with Musk about his proposed purchase of Twitter  which Musk is now trying to abandon.

Notable names included former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, podcaster Joe Rogan, and billionaire Larry Ellison.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Attorney and activist Rick Chavez Zbur, shown outside the Out Here Sexual Health Center in Baldwin Hills on July 20, calls for better measures to combat the spread of the MPX virus. (Wesley Lapointe / Los Angeles Times)

Two dynamic and passionate community activists are running in the Nov. 8 election to represent the Westsides 51st Assembly District, which includes Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Hancock Park and Westwood. The area's current assemblyman, Richard Bloom, is not seeking reelection, part of a wave of resignations and retirements this year that will reshape a large swath of the Legislature.

Democrat Rick Chavez Zbur is an attorney with a long background in environmental law, LGBTQ civil rights advocacy and California Democratic Party politics. A former executive director of Equality California, a leading gay rights group, hes well-versed in how to effectively push legislation through in Sacramento. He has helped pass dozens of state laws, including legislation that makes it easier to get HIV prevention drugs and reduces criminal penalties for people who expose others to the disease. When COVID-19 upended life in 2020, Zbur urged passage of a new law requiring the state to track data showing how the virus affects the gay community. More recently, he has been outspoken in pushing for more vaccines to prevent the spread of the MPX virus.

Zbur began his career as a lawyer at a prominent firm , Latham & Watkins, where he spent about 30 years working on issues such as air quality and coastal development. He demonstrated a commitment to advancing clean energy and environmental justice during two decades on the board of California Environmental Voters, the political arm of the states environmental movement. His political resume dates back to 1996, when he ran for Congress unsuccessfully, but broke new barriers for gay candidates.

His opponent is fellow Democrat Louis Abramson, an astrophysicist who sits on the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Abramson jumped into community service after Donald Trump was elected president in 2016 and he realized he wanted to be more engaged in addressing societal problems than he was studying the ultraviolet output of galaxies. He organized a coalition to reach out to people living on the streets and try to connect them with housing and services. Amid widespread shutdowns during the early stage of the pandemic, Abramson led efforts to deliver food to elderly people and conduct census counts of homeless people when the county paused doing it. His campaign is largely driven by what he sees as the failure of existing bureaucracies to get many homeless people housed.

Abramson and Zbur are both progressives who want to decrease homelessness, curb climate change and pass tougher gun laws. With similar positions on most issues, the question for voters is really one of experience. Abramson shows promise as a community leader, and we encourage him to continue building on his record of service. But in this election, voters would be better served by Zbur. His expertise in an array of policy areas and experience with the legislative process have prepared him to be an effective lawmaker from Day One. Voters should feel confident sending him to Sacramento.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Will Rollins, 37, Democratic former federal prosecutor, left, and Ken Calvert, 69, Republican incumbent. (Associated Press)

The 41st Congressional District has been solidly Republican for decades, but California's newly drawn lines reshaped the district into one where registered Democrats now marginally outnumber Republicans. The race has become one of the most closely watched election battles in the country, one thats fueling Democrats hopes for maintaining control of the House. The Inland Empire district includes Corona, Palm Springs, Lake Elsinore, Menifee and a few other small cities.

We think Democrat Will Rollins, a former federal prosecutor, is the best choice. He brings new ideas and vigor to a district that has been represented by Republican Rep. Ken Calvert for three decades.

Calvert is the longest-serving congressional representative from the Inland Empire, but he has tarnished the office with his votes following the attempted coup of the U.S. presidency. Calvert was one of 139 House members who failed to obey the will of the voters by refusing to certify the 2020 presidential election. He also voted against a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Calverts grip has slackened in a district where conservative Republicans have made national headlines for their strident views on issues such as immigration and masking during the pandemic. The demographics of the district have changed with the addition of Palm Springs, which has a large population of LGBTQ residents.

Rollins has the ideal blend of policy know-how and pragmatism for an area with complex needs, including housing affordability, environmental pollution and infrastructure that has failed to keep pace with population growth. Rollins is knowledgeable on issues important to voters and is willing to reach across the aisle to work with Republicans to help enact policy changes. For example, he sees potential to work with Republicans to try to obtain federal funding for a task force to focus on gun-related crimes in Riverside County, and to look at ways to lower taxes for middle-class families. Rollins is the kind of politician that the country needs at a time of extreme political division.

Story continues

A former federal prosecutor specializing in counter-terrorism and national security, Rollins is familiar with the threats posed by domestic terrorism and extremism. He wants the U.S. to pursue a humane yet secure border. Rollins was an assistant U.S. attorney in the National Security Division at the Department of Justice, and he worked on the team that helped track down, arrest and arraign Southern California residents accused of participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Although a lifelong Democrat, his first jobs in politics after graduating from Columbia Law School were in Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration, serving as an assistant to Ross LaJeunesse, the governor's deputy chief of staff, and later as an assistant press secretary.

Rollins promises to champion an agenda to guarantee reproductive rights and to codify same-sex marriage into federal law, and to pursue legislation that would ensure that couples like him and his partner, Paolo, have equal rights when it comes to adoption and tax benefits. He also wants to improve access to healthcare and lower the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to at least 60. His other priorities include reforming the tax structure to lower taxes for families who are working-class or middle-income.

Calvert declined an invitation for an interview with the editorial board. He has not responded to Rollins request for a debate or hosted any public town halls. Voters deserve a candidate whos not afraid to defend his votes and actions in a public forum. This is important for any candidate, but especially one with a record like Calverts in a district with such deep needs. Voters would be wise to choose Rollins, an energetic candidate with well-formulated plans to address the needs of this district.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators will decide by Nov. 8 whether to clear Microsoft Corp's proposed $69 billion acquisition of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard, according to a European Commission filing on Friday.

The deal, the biggest in the gaming industry, will help the U.S. software company better compete with leaders Tencent and Sony.

The EU competition enforcer can clear the deal with or without remedies after its preliminary review, or it can open a four-month long investigation if it has serious concerns.

The Commission is likely to do the latter because of recent regulatory concerns over deals by Big Tech, sources familiar with the matter said.

"The European Commission's review of the deal is progressing in line with the expected regulatory schedule and process, and we remain confident that the acquisition will close in fiscal year 2023," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

Britain's antitrust watchdog earlier this month said it would open an in-depth investigation into the bid after Microsoft declined to offer concessions during its initial review.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union countries on Friday edged towards agreeing what would be the bloc's eighth round of sanctions against Russia for waging war against Ukraine, diplomatic sources told Reuters.

The EU executive earlier this week recommended that the bloc imposes more trade curbs and individual blacklistings, and moves towards - rather than adopting straightaway - a price cap for Russian sea-borne oil deliveries to third countries, mostly insured by European companies.

The 27 EU countries' envoys to Brussels discussed the proposal on Friday and several sources said they hoped for a final approval next week.

"The willingness to go ahead is high, we want to be ready as soon as possible because of everything that is going on," said one senior EU diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Sources said Russia's state-controlled diamond miner Alrosa, as well as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, were put forward for blacklisting - moves previously opposed by, respectively, diamond trading hub Belgium, and Hungary.

New import sanctions would cover steel and steel products, paper and timber, while exports of more tech equipment and services to Russia would be barred, they added.

The 27 need unanimity to impose sanctions and, should their differences prove too difficult to overcome, the matter would go to the bloc's national leaders' meeting in Prague on October 6-7.

Hungary is the most vocal critic of sanctions against Russia in the EU, which was galvanised by Moscow's fresh escalation in the seven-month war: military mobilisation, nuclear threats and moving to formally annex a large part of occupied Ukraine.

The oil cap, which would be implemented if and when the G7 most industrialised countries put in place their own, would still require unanimous approval of any particular price ceiling from each EU country, the sources said, a way to bring on board Hungary and others.

Hungary, which cooperates with Russia on nuclear power, said earlier this week it would block any new energy sanctions.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Unions top migration official on Friday urged the bloc's 27 nations to clamp down on issuing visas to Russian citizens amid heightened security concerns over Russian President Vladimir Putins nuclear threats and his annexation of parts of Ukraine.

This is clearly an escalation and that means also an escalation of the security threat towards the European Union, Migration Commissioner Ylva Johansson said.

She urged EU countries to enforce more stringent checks on Russian citizens and deny documents to anyone who might pose a threat.

Over 194,000 Russian citizens have fled to neighboring Georgia, Kazakhstan and Finland  often by car, bicycle or on foot  since Putin last week announced a partial mobilization of reservists to bolster his troops in Ukraine. In Russia, the vast majority of men under 65 are registered as reservists.

Johansson said EU authorities must stop short-term visa holders from Russia from renewing them in Europe. If a Russian person intends to stay longer than 90 days in the EU, he or she should not be issued a visa, she told reporters.

Johansson also said Russians who have fled the country should not be allowed to apply for visas abroad.

They have to do that from their home country, Russia, she said, but underlined that they should be allowed in for humanitarian reasons, or other exceptional circumstances.

Johansson also urged countries to reassess whether already valid visas should have been issued. She said that none of the measures the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, is recommending would stop Russian citizens from applying for asylum in Europe.

The right to have a short term visa into the EU is not a fundamental right. Its privilege. The right to apply for asylum is a fundamental right, Johansson said.

___

Follow all AP stories on the impact of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
Cash Not Care, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation, has revealed how signs of fraud are soaring within a taxpayer-funded program meant to help low-income pregnant mothers connect with prenatal care resources.

After one alderman called the misuse of taxpayer dollars meant to prevent infant mortality "disgraceful," the Milwaukee Common Council scheduled a hearing next week about fraud in Wisconsin's prenatal care coordination industry.

"It's pretty disgraceful, and everybody should be outraged," said Ald. Michael Murphy, who called for the hearing  which is slated for Feb. 18 at the Council's Public Safety and Health Committee.

The prenatal care coordination industry is plagued by allegations of fraud, and at least four Milwaukee area prenatal care coordination companies were referred to law enforcement late last year for criminal investigation.

"It's our mothers and babies who are heavily affected in the city of Milwaukee," said Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, who chairs the committee and will oversee the hearing.

A Journal Sentinel investigation last month uncovered soaring signs of fraud in the program, which raked in more than $22 million in Medicaid funds last year  about four times more than it collected in 2018. Despite the surge in spending, Wisconsin continues to struggle with one of the nation's worst records for Black infant mortality, a lingering problem that has shown little improvement over the years.

Murphy said he wants the council to conduct a hearing that would include testimony from state regulators and the Milwaukee Health Department.

"I'm somewhat shocked that the state isn't just as outraged as I am about what appears to be misappropriation of public dollars to be used for the benefit of preborn children and children," Murphy said.

The alderman wants health officials to detail possible alternatives to privately run prenatal care coordination and child care coordination companies. Currently, the city does not play a role in oversight of the state-run program, but the Milwaukee Health Department operates a prenatal care coordination agency.

More: Black babies in Milwaukee are dying at a staggering rate. Taxpayers are spending millions on the problem. But signs of fraud are surging.

Story continues

Like the nonprofit agencies, for-profit prenatal care coordination companies are funded by Medicaid and are supposed to help low-income pregnant women and new mothers, ensuring they receive proper medical care and emotional support, for example. The program also aims to combat Wisconsin's high Black infant and maternal mortality rates.

Britt Cudaback, spokeswoman for Gov. Tony Evers, said in an email that there are "bad actors taking advantage of a system designed to increase access to prenatal care."

She added that "these actors should be held accountable for hindering efforts to get help and support to these families so we can address inequities across our state."

Cudaback said Evers has pushed for "covering more doula services and expanding postpartum eligibility under Medicaid, as well as efforts to expand Medicaid."

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson said she was "open to a policy discussion" about problems in the prenatal care program but noted that the city does not have any regulatory authority over the industry.

Kirsten Johnson is Milwaukee Health Commissioner

"There's certainly a need for more oversight," she said.

Johnson said pregnant women in Milwaukee, especially women of color, need support and proper prenatal care.

"We know that pregnant moms in Milwaukee and pregnant moms of color are at much higher risk of poor birth outcomes," Johnson said. "It's unfortunate to hear and learn, like we did with your article, that people are not receiving those services as intended."

Some state lawmakers said they share concerns about problems in the program.

Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, compared fraud in the prenatal care coordination business to the corruption found in the child care industry by the Journal Sentinel in 2009.

"Now that it's happening again, we need to do our utmost to fix it so that the people who actually need it have those resources," Vos said in emailed statement. "Expanding Medicaid will not address the fraud. Having more oversight and eligibility checks will."

Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, also called for aggressive oversight.

"There's no denying it, if it's fraud in the system, that has to be rooted out, first and foremost," Johnson said in an interview. "Because too many kids are dying."

WI State Senator LaTonya JohnsonSenate District 6(D - Milwaukee)

The senator represents parts of Milwaukee's north side, which have some of the highest infant mortality rates in the city. The area is also home to a number of prenatal care coordination companies.

She said state regulators should be more "skeptical" about the backgrounds of some of the applicants and require education and training before allowing them to collect Medicaid money.

"The bigger issue for the state is making sure that those dollars don't go out in the first place," she said. "Because they're never going to get them back."

Contact Mary Spicuzza at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MSpicuzzaMJS. Contact Cary Spivak at (414) 550-0070 or cary.spivak@jrn.com or follow him Twitter @cspivak

THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee City Hall hearing on prenatal care fraud set for next week
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  The former president of a small Kentucky college who was fired after allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct involving employees has filed a lawsuit against the school claiming defamation and breach of contract.

William A. Jones, who was fired in November as president of Georgetown College, denies any sexual misconduct occurred, his attorney, Kyle T. Thompson, said in a news release announcing the lawsuit Thursday.

The lawsuit filed in Franklin County Circuit Court in Frankfort names as defendants the school, its president, board of trustees and administration. A call to the school seeking comment Friday was not returned.

Since being fired, Jones has been defamed, placed in a false light and damaged professionally and personally, Thompson said.

Jones is seeking damages for lost wages and pain and suffering, and a public apology.
A former Warminster police officer accused of sexually abusing five boys starting 30 years ago, could be facing new criminal charges now that Bucks County authorities have cracked the passcode on his iPhone.

Bucks County First District Attorney Jennifer Schorn revealed Thursday during a pretrial motions hearing that Bucks County Detectives had gained access to a cellphone for former D.A.R.E. officer James C. Carey.

The detectives had been trying to crack the password-protected phone since it was seized two years ago as part of an investigation into decades-old child sex allegations involving Carey, 54, of Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey.

Detectives found 100 gigabytes of data on the phone which has been extracted, and currently authorities are reviewing the content, Schorn said.

The prosecutor did not say what type of material had been found on the phone, but she stated it could result in new charges for Carey once the review is complete, which could take one or two weeks.

Former Warminster Police Officer James Carey is accused of sexually abusing five boys during his time with the department, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

But Schorn hinted to Bucks County Judge Wallace Bateman Jr., who is overseeing the trial, that some material reviewed so far is pretty concerning content, though nothing yet chargeable.

Carey is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 31 on more than 100 counts of child sexual abuse in a case that went before a Bucks County investigating grand jury, which recommended charges against Carey last year.

Bateman set a Monday deadline for attorneys to get back to him about whether the cellphone data discovery will require a continuance for the upcoming trial.

While the former police officer may face new charges, some of the original charges against him have been dropped.

The DA's office is no longer pursuing 22 misdemeanor counts of official oppression and unlawful contact with a minor against Carey, citing an expired statute of limitations, Schorn said at the Thursday hearing.

Carey has been incarcerated since his April 2021 arrest; most recently he was being held in Delaware Countys jail as part of a prison exchange, but on Thursday Bateman did not oppose his request to return to Bucks County jail.

Story continues

Court documents allege that Carey sexually abused children in his care from 1987 until 2000. He worked briefly for North Wales and Warwick police departments before landing in Warminster in 1989.

Details on secret retirement deal Warminster couldn't fire troubled cop James Carey. So it offered him a secret retirement deal

More on case against James CareyTrial delayed for ex-Warminster cop accused of child sexual abuse after his attorney quits

James Carey's victims speak in hearingMen describe alleged abuse by ex-Warminster police officer: 'I thought he was being a role model'

His duties included working as the D.A.R.E. officer at Log College Middle School, where he met and befriended his alleged victims, many who had difficult home situations and brushes with law enforcement, according to court documents.

Carey was also involved in other community activities, involving the Warminster Fire Department, Warminster Recreation Center and the Boy Scouts of America.

Authorities have alleged Carey would use his position as a police officer to get close to his victims, who were all young boys, and gain their trust.

His victims, who are now in their 30s and 40s, have previously testified that the alleged abuse occurred while Carey was on duty as a police officer.

Warminster and the Bucks County District Attorneys Office investigated Carey for allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors in 2001 and 2006, but did not have enough evidence to file criminal charges.

Warminster supervisors fired Carey in 2005 after an internal investigation found his conduct at the scene of a domestic call months earlier had violated multiple department policies. He was rehired in 2006 after filing a grievance with the police union and binding arbitration in his favor.

He was fired a second time in 2007, and township supervisors quietly approved his retirement in 2009.

Bucks County Detectives and the DA reopened the investigation into Careys alleged sexual abuse in 2020, after one his victims came forward and reported it to Warminster police.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Ex-Warminster cop could face new charges in child sex abuse case
By Raphael Satter and Christopher Bing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Suspected Chinese hackers tampered with widely used software distributed by a small Canadian customer service company, another example of a "supply chain compromise" made infamous by the hack on U.S. networking company SolarWinds.

U.S. cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said in a blog post it had discovered malicious software being distributed by Vancouver-based Comm100, which provides customer service products, such as chat bots and social media management tools, to a range of clients around the globe.

The scope and scale of the hack was not immediately clear. In a message, Comm100 said it had fixed its software earlier Thursday and that more details would soon be forthcoming. The company did not immediately respond to follow-up requests for information.

CrowdStrike researchers believe the malicious software was in circulation for a couple of days but would not say how many companies had been affected, divulging only that "entities across a range of industries" were hit. A person familiar with the matter cited a dozen known victims, although the actual figure could be much higher.

Comm100 on its website said it had more than 15,000 customers in some 80 countries.

CrowdStrike executive Adam Meyers said in a telephone interview that the hackers were suspected to be Chinese, citing their patterns of behavior, language in the code, and the fact that one victim had repeatedly been targeted by Chinese hackers in the past.

The Chinese government rejected the claim. In an email, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said officials in Beijing "firmly oppose and crack down on all forms of cyber hacking in accordance with the law" and that the United States "has been loudly active in fabricating and spreading lies about so-called 'Chinese hackers.'"

Supply chain compromises  which work by tampering with widely used enterprise software to hack its clients downstream  have been of increasing concern since alleged Russian hackers broke into Texas IT management firm SolarWinds Corp and used it as a springboard to hack U.S. government agencies and a host of private firms.

Story continues

Meyers, whose firm was among those that responded to the SolarWinds hack, said the Comm100 find was a reminder that other nations used the same techniques.

"China is engaging in supply chain attacks," he said.

(Reporting by Raphael Satter and Christopher Bing; Editing by Chris Sanders, Jonathan Oatis and Richard Chang)
By Gram Slattery

RIO DE JANEIRO(Reuters) - Brazilians go to the polls on Sunday to vote in one of the world's most closely watched elections this year.

Right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro will face off against leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Also up for grabs will be all seats in the country's lower house and its 27 state and district-level legislatures, all governorships and a third of the seats in Brazil's Senate.

THE CANDIDATES

While there are 11 presidential hopefuls, polls suggest only Bolsonaro and Lula have a real shot at winning.

Bolsonaro, a former army captain elected in 2018, has sought to impose his conservative agenda in Latin America's largest country, but has drawn criticism for failing to improve living standards and for comments widely seen as sexist and racist.

He eschews what he calls "gender ideology," and dismissed the coronavirus as "a little flu." The president has systematically dismantled federal protections for the Amazon rainforest. He has also baselessly attacked the reliability of Brazil's electronic voting system, while raising doubts about whether he would peacefully accept defeat.

Lula, a former union leader who governed Brazil from 2003 through 2010, has pledged to revive the generous social spending programs that marked his first mandate, while beefing up environmental enforcement and better protecting marginalized groups.

While in power, Lula's approval rating soared as he took advantage of a booming economy to dramatically expand Brazil's social safety net. But in the years after he left office, the economy declined, his hand-picked successor was impeached and many of his associates went to prison. Lula himself spent 19 months in jail due to corruption charges that were later thrown out on procedural grounds.

HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?

The polls open at 8 a.m. Brasilia time (1100 GMT) and close at 5 p.m. Due to the electronic nature of the vote, results will roll in quickly, likely within a few hours of polls closing.

Story continues

If no candidate exceeds the 50% threshold needed to win outright, the top two candidates - likely Lula and Bolsonaro - will head to a runoff vote on Oct. 30.

WHO'S WINNING?

Lula.

All major polls have the former president up by at least 8 percentage points, though some indicate his lead is much wider. A survey by pollster IPEC, released on Monday, showed him up by some 17 points.

But major polls are split over whether Lula has the votes needed to reach the majority needed to win in the first round.

Another issue is turnout. While Lula's support base is wider, there are indications that Bolsonaro's base is more enthusiastic.

(https://tmsnrt.rs/3rkpc7m)

WILL IT BE PEACEFUL?

That's perhaps the biggest question surrounding the vote.

Political violence is on the rise in Brazil. Several Lula supporters - and at least one Bolsonaro supporter - have been murdered due to their political preferences in recent months.

Bolsonaro has said repeatedly he might not accept an election loss, while claiming that the army is on his side. Most analysts see a military coup in the event of a Bolsonaro loss as unlikely, but many fear a period of protracted political violence and economic disruption.

Gun ownership has risen dramatically under Bolsonaro's watch, while rank-and-file police officers tend to support the president politically - a potentially volatile mix.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
Sergio Perez claimed victory on the streets of Singapore in a race that did not reach the scheduled 61-lap distance due to pre-race rain pushing back the start and a noise curfew. Perez slipped past pole-sitter Charles Leclerc at the first corner and didn't look back.

Perez and Leclerc raced away from the rest of the field while points leader Max Verstappen - who could have clinched his second straight World Drivers' Championship this weekend - started eighth and only managed a seventh-place finish after making a risky dive on Lando Norris, forcing an extra pit stop to replace over-cooked tires.

Singapore Grand Prix results

Sergio Perez, Red Bull-RBPT Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari Lando Norris, McLaren Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren Lance Stroll, Aston Martin-Mercedes Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin-Mercedes Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri-RBPT Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari Kevin Magnussen, Haas-Ferrari Mick Schumacher, Haas-Ferrari (-1 lap) George Russell, Mercedes (-2 laps)

Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri-RBPT (OUT)

Esteban Ocon, Alpine-Renault (OUT)

Alexander Albon, Williams-Mercedes (OUT)

Fernando Alonso, Alpine (OUT)

Nicholas Latifi, Williams-Mercedes (OUT)

Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari (OUT)

Singapore Grand Prix starting grid

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Sergio Perez, Red Bull-RBPT Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari Fernando Alonso, Alpine Lando Norris, McLaren Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri-RBPT Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT Kevin Magnussen, Haas-Ferrari Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri-RBPT George Russell, Mercedes Lance Stroll, Aston Martin-Mercedes Mick Schumacher, Haas-Ferrari Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin-Mercedes Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo-Ferrari Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren Esteban Ocon, Alpine-Renault Alexander Albon, Williams-Mercedes Nicholas Latifi, Williams-Mercedes

Top drivers and best bets for the Singapore Grand Prix

Verstappen has continued his imperious form from 2021 well into 2022 and absent a worthy challenger will clinch his second title barring complete catastrophe. Behind him, though, is an intriguing chase involving Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez and the other two top teams in the sport:

F1 world drivers' championship Top 5

Max Verstappen, Red Bull - 335 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari - 219 Sergio Perez, Red Bull - 210 George Russell, Mercedes - 203 Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari - 187 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 168

If not for myriad Ferrari tactical errors, and a few mistakes from Leclerc himself, the race for the title would be much tighter, leaving the other four scuffling for third place. Only Verstappen (11 wins), Leclerc (3), Perez and Sainz (1 apiece) have stood atop the podium this season.

As for history at Marina Bay, Sebastian Vettel has won five of the 12 races held there, Lewis Hamilton four and Fernando Alonso two. Retired 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg is the lone other winner on the streets of Singapore.

The last time F1 raced at the Marina Bay Circuit in 2019, Sebastian Vettel, then driving for Ferrari, won his fifth Singapore Grand Prix. (Photo by REUTERS/Thomas Peter)

Best odds for the Singapore Grand Prix (per BetMGM)

Max Verstappen (-165)

Charles Leclerc (+350)

Lewis Hamilton (+800)

Carlos Sainz Jr. (+1000)

Yahoo Sports Nick Bromberg likes Leclercs odds for both pole (+200) and a podium finish (-190) and if the former happens, the latter should follow as Marina Bay is notoriously hard to overtake on track. While Verstappen has the race wins edge this year over Leclerc at 11-3, Leclerc has won the pole position battle 8-5.

Singapore Grand Prix weekend forecast

The weather in Singapore looks to be hot and muggy with precipitation possible, most likely on race day. Rain always throws a spanner in the works in terms of on-track action and strategy calls, so Sunday may not be as straightforward as weve seen this season.
(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday opens a new nine-month termloaded with important cases on issues including race, voting rights, religious liberty, environmental regulation, the power of federal agencies and even Andy Warhol paintings.

Here is a look at some of the cases that the justices are due to hear during the term.

RACE-CONSCIOUS STUDENT ADMISSIONS POLICIES

A legal fight coming before the court on Oct. 31 gives its conservative majority a chance to end affirmative action admissions policies used by many colleges and universities to increase their numbers of Black and Hispanic students. A group founded by anti-affirmative action activist Edward Blum is appealing lower court rulings that upheld race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. Blum's group accused the schools of discriminating against applicants on the basis of race in violation of federal law or the U.S. Constitution. The schools have said they use race as only one factor in a host of individualized evaluations for admission without quotas to promote campus diversity.

VOTING RIGHTS ACT

The justices next Tuesday are set to hear arguments in an Alabama case that threatens to cripple a landmark civil rights law - the Voting Rights Act, which bars racial discrimination in voting. Alabama is appealing a lower court's ruling invalidating a map approved by the state's Republican-controlled legislature drawing the boundaries of the state's seven U.S. House of Representatives districts. The lower court found that this map diluted the electoral clout of Black voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act. The map concentrated Black voting power in the state into a single district even though Alabama's population is 27% Black.

JUDICIAL SCRUTINY OF ELECTION LAW

The justices will hear a Republican-backed appeal in a case from North Carolina that could give state legislatures far more power over federal elections by limiting the ability of state courts to review their actions. North Carolina's top court threw out a map approved by the Republican-controlled state legislature delineating the state's 14 U.S. House districts. That court determined that the districts were drawn impermissibly in a manner that boosted electoral chances of Republicans at the expense of Democrats. The Republican lawmakers in the case are invoking a contentious legal theory called the "independent state legislature doctrine" that holds that the Constitution gives legislatures, not state courts or other entities, authority over election rules including the drawing of electoral districts. An argument date is pending.

Story continues

RELIGIOUS RIGHTS VS. LGBT RIGHTS

A major new legal fight pitting religious beliefs against LGBT rights is headed to the justices. The case involves an evangelical Christian web designer's free speech claim that she cannot be forced under a Colorado anti-discrimination law to produce websites for same-sex marriages. A lower court rejected business owner Lorie Smith's bid for an exemption from a Colorado law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and certain other factors. An argument date is pending.

NATIVE AMERICAN ADOPTION LAW

The justices on Nov. 9 will hear a dispute over the legality of federal requirements giving Native American families priority to adopt Native American children. The challenge is being pursued by a group of non-Native American adoptive families and the Republican-governed state of Texas. President Joe Biden's administration and several Native American tribes are defending the 1978 law at issue, which aims to reinforce tribal connections by placing Native American children with relatives or within their communities.

ANDY WARHOL PAINTINGS

The justices on Oct. 12 are set to hear a copyright dispute between a photographer and Andy Warhol's estate over Warhol's 1984 paintings of rock star Prince. The case could help clarify the circumstances under which artists can make use of the work of others. The Andy Warhol Foundation is appealing a lower court's ruling that his paintings - based on a photo of Prince that photographer Lynn Goldsmith shot for Newsweek magazine in 1981 - were not protected by the copyright law doctrine called fair use that permits unlicensed use of copyright-protected works under certain circumstances. Warhol died in 1987.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

The justices on Monday will consider whether to limit the scope of a landmark federal environmental law - the Clean Water Act of 1972 - as they take up for a second time a married Idaho couple's bid to build a home on property that the U.S. government has deemed a protected wetland. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 determined that the property owners were required to obtain a permit under the Clean Water Act before beginning construction, which they had failed to do.

U.S. SEC IN-HOUSE TRIBUNAL

The justices on Nov. 7 will hear the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's bid to block a challenge to the constitutionality of its in-house tribunal. The challenge was brought by a Texas accountant named Michelle Cochran who the regulatory agency punished after faulting her audits of publicly traded companies. A lower court rejected the SEC's argument that Cochran could not contest the constitutionality of the tribunal's judges in federal court before the end of the agency's administrative enforcement proceeding against her.

U.S. FTC'S STRUCTURE

Axon Enterprise Inc's bid to revive its challenge to the constitutionality of the Federal Trade Commission's structure - aimed at countering an antitrust action by the agency against the Taser manufacturer - also goes before the justices on Nov. 7. The company is appealing after a lower court threw out the case.

(Compiled by Andrew Chung and Nate Raymond; Editing by Will Dunham)
Amrit Kaur with a photo of her father, Harinder Singh Brar

In September, India's Supreme Court brought the curtain down on a three-decade-old royal family feud over the ownership of properties worth more than 200bn rupees ($2.4bn; 2.3bn). BBC Punjabi's Arvind Chhabra reports on the twists and turns of the case.

The dispute erupted after the death of Harinder Singh Brar, the last ruler of the former princely state of Faridkot (now in the northern state of Punjab), in 1989. His eldest daughter had challenged the will - according to it, she didn't receive any share of the property.

The top court later said this will was "fictitious, fabricated and shrouded with suspicious circumstances" and awarded the major share of the property to two of Harinder Singh's daughters.

The journey to this moment involved years of legal tussle and at least three wills - including the now-discredited one.

The disputed will

In 1948, after India became independent, Harinder Singh - like the rulers of other erstwhile princely states - entered into an agreement with the government which allowed him to retain control over some of his assets.

This included hundreds of acres of land, forts, buildings, aircraft, vintage cars and money in the bank, all spread over the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.

"The Faridkot ruler did a lot of development work, like in railways and building hospitals," says historian Harjeshwar Pal Singh, adding that both Harinder Singh and his ancestors had a good relationship with the British.

The riches at stake included valuable properties spread across three states

Harinder Singh and his wife had four children - a son and three daughters.

Only the eldest daughter, Amrit Kaur, is alive now. Two of his children - Tikka Harmohinder Singh and Maheepinder Kaur - died without leaving any heirs.

In 1950, Harinder Singh executed his first will, which mentioned assets including four flats and money in some bank accounts - these were to be divided equally between his three daughters.

Two years later, he made a second will, which said he did not want to leave anything to Amrit Kaur. Instead, the assets would be shared between the two other daughters.

Story continues

The Supreme Court's order says that the reason for this appeared to be that "the eldest daughter had married against the wishes of the father".

Three years later, the former king executed another legal deed - a registered settlement - in London which did not disinherit Amrit Kaur.

According to this, she would only receive her share of the property after she turned 25 or legally separated from her husband, whichever came first.

But after his death, Amrit Kaur - who had reconciled with her father by then - got a shock when a third will was read out.

This one was dated 1 June 1982, a few months after Tikka Harmohinder Singh's death in a road accident.

This document said that all of the property would be managed by a caretaker trust, with the trustees including her two sisters and a relative of Harinder Singh's mother.

Court battles

In 1991, Amrit Kaur challenged the will, claiming a third's share of the properties. Her sisters Deepinder Kaur and Maheepinder Kaur and the other trustees were named as parties to the suit.

But that wasn't all. Harinder Singh's younger brother, Kanwar Manjit Inder Singh, also filed a case, arguing that he was entitled to the estate as the closest surviving male relative.

In 2013, a trial court ruled on both the suits. It said the third will was not genuine and that Amrit Kaur was entitled to a half share of all the properties along with Deepinder Kaur (Maheepinder Kaur had died in 2001).

Now the family has to divide the properties

Jassi Anand, a forensic expert engaged by Amrit Kaur, told the BBC that they had thoroughly studied the third will to establish that it was not made by the former king.

"The king was a learned man and had a beautiful handwriting. But that didn't reflect in his purported will which had so many mistakes in spellings, and his signatures had been forged," she said, adding that different typewriters had also been used to make the will.

The trial court also rejected Kanwar Manjit Inder Singh's claim to the estate.

The trust members, Deepinder Kaur and Bharat Inder Singh - Kanwar Manjit Inder Singh's son - appealed against the decision.

In 2020, the Punjab and Haryana high court upheld the trial court's decision and said that the third will was fabricated.

It also rejected the former king's brother's claim but said that he was entitled to a 25% share in the property - this was because their mother only died in 1991, two years after Harinder Singh.

In September, the Supreme Court upheld the high court's order and ordered that the trust - which had been administering the properties until now - be immediately dissolved.

The rest of the assets will now be divided between Amrit Kaur and the family of Deepinder Kaur, who died in 2018. The police is investigating the fake will.

What happens now?

Now the family needs to divide the property according to the share decided by the court.

One way is for them to sit together and jointly decide who gets what property.

The other option is execution in the court - but this, says Amarinder Singh, the grandson of Kanwar Manjit Inder Singh, would be time-consuming.

"At least the family feud is over," he says.

"But the litigation will carry on since we have a lot of properties, many of these in far-flung areas."

Read more India stories from the BBC:
Dr. Anthony Fauci and his wifes net worth soared during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a government spending transparency watchdog group.

The Fauci household net worth increased by $5 million between 2019 and 2021, and now exceeds $12.6 million, the nonprofit OpenTheBooks reported.

The chief medical adviser to Joe Biden, who has worked in government for over 55 years, is the highest paid federal employee, and will earn more than the president at $480,000 in 2022.

The majority wealth increase enjoyed by Fauci and his wife, chief bio-ethicist at the National Institutes of Health, Christine Grady, came from investment gains, gifts and awards, and federal employment compensation, according to the records.

Grady earned $238,970 in 2021, making more than the vice president.

While Dr. Fauci has been a government bureaucrat for more than 55 years, his household net worth skyrocketed during the pandemic, OpenTheBooks CEO Adam Andrzejewski told Fox News. Faucis soaring net worth was based on career-end salary spiking, lucrative cash prizes awarded by non-profit organizations around the world and an ever-larger investment portfolio.

Fauci earned nearly $1 million from foreign non-profit organizations, including the Israel-based Dan David Foundation, which gave him $901,400 for speaking truth to power and defending science while working in the Trump administration, OpenTheBooks reported.

Despite becoming a figure of controversy, the system has rewarded Dr. Fauci handsomely, Andrzejewski added. For example, he is the top-paid federal employee, his first-year golden parachute retirement pension is the largest in federal history, and hes accepting $1 million prizes from foreign non-profits.

The 81-year-old promised to step down as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president in December.

Fauci noted he would not be retiring, but would be pursuing the next chapter of his career. If he retires in December, his estimated retirement pension of $414,667 would be greater than the presidents salary of $400,000, according to OpenTheBooks.

Story continues

Congressional Republicans have vowed to open investigations into Faucis handling of the pandemic if they retake the majority in November.

Among the subjects they hope to investigate is Faucis role in pushing the NIH to sponsor gain-of-function research  research designed to make viruses more deadly and/or transmissible in an effort to study them  in Wuhan, China, where Covid is believed to have emerged.

In multiple testy exchanges with Senator Rand Paul (R., Ky.), Fauci has refused to acknowledge the possibility that U.S.-funded research may have caused the pandemic, insisting that the research being done in the Wuhan doesnt qualify as gain-of-function  though numerous experts have accused him of playing semantic games with the definition.

More from National Review
A Fayette County landlord and bar owner has been charged with sexually assaulting a tenant.

According to the criminal complaint, James Delansky told the woman to come to his bar, The Brass Rail in Point Marion, back in May.

After the woman had a few drinks, police said Delansky took her to his house.

A witness told police that the woman did not seem intoxicated when she left the bar with Delansky.

Once she was in his house, the woman told police that Delansky had handed her a drink. Delansky then allegedly told the woman he wanted to show her his home. The woman told police she remembered walking onto the back deck.

The woman told police she couldnt remember what happened after that.

According to lab results, the victims blood alcohol concentration was 0.069. Police said that the sexual assault test kit results matched Delanskys DNA.

The criminal complaint said that Delansky denied any sexual intercourse and claimed the woman asked him to engage in intercourse with her.

Delansky has been charged with raping an unconscious victim, raping a substantially impaired person, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of an unconscious person and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a substantially impared person.

He will go before a judge in a preliminary hearing on Oct. 13, 2022.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Pete Frates (center) looks on as Massachusetts politicians and state workers join in the Ice Bucket Challenge on Aug. 10, 2015. Angela Rowlings / MediaNews Group / Boston Herald via Getty Images

The FDA approved a drug on Thursday that can help slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and the Ice Bucket Challenge is partly to thank.

The Ice Bucket Challenge, the viral trend from 2014 that encouraged social media users to donate to the ALS Association or dump an ice-cold bucket of water over their head, raised $115 million. Of that money, $2.2 million was put toward funding the study that tested the newly approved medication Relyvrio, according to the ALS Association.

Back in 2014, as ice bucket videos took over people's Facebook and Vine feeds, some people questioned the value of the viral challenge. According to the ALS Association, the Ice Bucket Challenge helped ALS researchers make scientific advances and increase its annual research funding by 187%.

Calaneet Balas, president and CEO of the ALS Association, said in a news release Thursday that the FDA approval of Relyvrio is a victory for the ALS community.

The approval of AMX0035 is further proof of how the Ice Bucket Challenge dramatically accelerated the fight against ALS," she said. "Since then, weve seen new genes discovered, new assistive technology developed to help people living with ALS, and far more people living with ALS have access to care services than ever before.

The ALS Association also credited the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2016 for helping discover a gene called NEK1 that has been linked to ALS by scientists.

In 2019, Pete Frates, the man who helped make the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser go viral, died from ALS at the age of 34. Celebrities, athletes, and influencers all took part in the challenge, including Hugh Jackman, George W. Bush, and Chris Evans.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that causes people to lose the ability to move, speak, and eventually, breathe. There is no cure for the disease. On average, people die within five years of their diagnosis.

More on this
Bruce Rosenblum, an ALS patient and advocate, sits in his wheelchair.

SOMERVILLE, Mass.  Bruce Rosenblum knows the drug Relyvrio won't save his life. It might not even make a difference.

But after using a make-your-own version for months, he stopped being able to get it early this summer and he's eager to start up again.

Late Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Relyvrio to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS. Rosenblum said he's thrilled by the decision and immediately requested a prescription for it.

But he and others expressed dismay Friday after Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company that makes Relyvrio, said it would charge $158,000 a year for the drug.

It's unclear how the price will affect use of Relyvrio. The Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm (aducanumab), to which Relyvrio has been compared because of its controverial passage to approval, was also put on the market at a high price. Medicare decided to limit coverage for the treatment only to those participating in clinical trials and uptake of Aduhelm has been very slow.

Early trial data suggests Relyvrio is particularly helpful early in the fatal disease that gradually robs people of their ability to control their movement, eventually including breathing.

Rosenblum and others with ALS don't have a lot of other options.

There are only five other drugs approved to treat ALS, the most recent in 2017, but none has been shown to stop the inexorable loss of muscle control. Only one has been shown in some people to extend life, but by just three months on average.

Data on Relyvrio's effectiveness remains preliminary. A six-month trial in 137 patients, half of whom received a placebo and half the active drug, suggested Relyvrio could slow the rate of decline. A follow-up found that patients on the active drug lived longer than those who got the placebo.

COMMUNICATING BY THOUGHT: How first-of-its-kind brain implant may help paralyzed New Jersey man

Story continues

An FDA advisory committee voted in March that the data from a single study was too thin to justify approval, but in a second meeting earlier this month, the committee reversed its position and recommended approval. The drug was approved in Canada in June.

A larger trial is due to be completed next year. The company has promised to take Relyvrio off the market if the more definitive study shows the drug doesn't work.

"We can all agree that this drug is not going to stop the disease in its tracks," Clive Svendsen, an ALS researcher at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, said before the FDA's approval. A lot of drugs look promising in small trials, said Svendsen, who was not involved in Relyvrio's development, because ALS progresses at different rates in different people.

Relyvrio, a combination of two drugs, sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol, apparently works by boosting cell energy and preventing a process that can lead to cell death. It can be taken orally or through a feeding tube.

Common side effects include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and upper respiratory tract infection, but the drug appears relatively safe.

Could Relyvrio be a 'life-changing drug' for people with ALS?

Rosenblum, 63, a computer software entrepreneur who was diagnosed with ALS in 2017, said he's willing to try just about anything that promises to delay his decline.

A study published two years ago brought Relyvrio to the attention of many ALS patients. Back then, Rosenblum's doctor tried to prescribe him sodium phenylbutyrate, which was already FDA-approved to treat a different rare condition, but his insurance company denied coverage.

Self-paying through a specialty drugstore would have run him $8,400 a month, but he was able to find a nearby compounding pharmacy that could make it for $1,050. "That I can stomach," he said. Taurursodiol is available as an inexpensive supplement.

He took the combination daily from last September until May, when the prescription ingredient was suddenly no longer available. "Right now, I have no idea when I'm going to get it again," Rosenblum said. "I've used up all I had, as have most patients I know. We're all waiting."

Relyvrio was approved by the FDA on Sept. 29, 2022, to treat patients with ALS

Despite the limited evidence for effectiveness, Rosenblum said the ALS patient community has been eager for Relyvrio's approval and frustrated by the advisory committee's earlier rejection of the drug. With the typical patient living just 2 to 5 years after diagnosis, even a few months can make a huge difference, said Rosenblum, who lost two friends with the disease this summer.

Patients and advocates spoke at the FDA advisory committee hearing in early September, asking the agency to approve Relyvrio, because they have so few options.

Vance Burghard told the committee that in 2017 he needed help pulling up his pants and couldn't lift his arms high enough to put on a T-shirt. He needed a wheelchair to get to his doctor's appointments and had to stop stocking shelves and helping customers at the store where he worked.

By the end of 2018, after taking the drug, then called AMX0035, he no longer needed a wheelchair and was able to travel again with his wife, walking "many miles" through parts of Europe, China and Tibet.

"AMX0035 for me has been a life-changing drug," Burghard said, adding that his condition has been stable for three years. "I ask that you quickly approve it for the treatment of ALS so others afflicted with this disease can benefit from it."

Patients need whatever help they can get, others said.

"This is a great thing for our community. We haven't seen (many) successes," said Dr. Jinsy Andrews, director of neuromuscular clinical trials at Columbia University, and a researcher on the Relyvrio trial. "Anything that has a good safety and tolerability profile and can buy any amount of time is acceptable for someone living with ALS."

When will Relyvrio be available, and how much will it cost?

Amylyx promises to make the drug available within about six weeks, the same timeframe as after it was approved in Canada.

Co-CEO Justin Klee said before the approval that he expects patients will eventually take several drugs, including Relyvrio to slow their disease progression. "ALS is a complex, multifaceted disease," he said, so different approaches will be needed to treat it.

What started as a scientific insight has now turned into a mission for Klee and his co-CEO Josh Cohen. "It's hard to work in an area like ALS and not feel both passionate every day but also feel like we're not doing enough," Klee said. "Now that we have a platform to really drive needed change, we feel like we have a deep responsibility to do so. We also hope this is just the start.Our treatment, we think there's great data supporting it, but it's not a cure. We need to keep pushing."

Josh Cohen (left) and Justin Klee, co-CEOs Of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, makers of the ALS drug Relyvrio

Rosenblum can't prove the drug cocktail made a difference in the progression of his disease, but said he's lost strength in his right arm faster in the few months since he stopped getting sodium phenylbutyrate. He drives his wheelchair and uses his computer mouse with his right arm, so his quality of life really depends on strength in that arm.

"If nothing else, it's frustrating," to not have had access to Relyvrio, he said. "It's frustrating for me, it's frustrating for everyone else who's been on this, because we all tend to believe this is probably the best thing facing FDA approval ever."

Contact Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com

Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FDA OKs first ALS drug since 2017, Relyvrio, but it's 'not a cure'
Dog tags

There was a time when allowing gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to serve openly in the U.S. military was one of the most controversial issues in the nation. But a recently unearthed Pentagon report shows how unfounded any fears about open service by LGB people were.

The report, Repealing Dont Ask, Dont Tell: A Historical Perspective From the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was released in 2021 but wasnt publicized; now the Palm Center, a San Francisco-based think tank on LGBTQ+ issues in the military, has informed the public about it. The Palm Center has also announced it will be ceasing operations at the end of September.

The report was published by the Joint History and Research Office, which provides the Joint Chiefs with information and chronicles military activities. It appears to mirror a 2016 classified report with the same title, notes a Palm Center press release. It is unclear why the report was originally classified. The Palm Center sought comment from the Joint History and Research Office but did not receive a response.

Time and again, opponents of equality have claimed that inclusion would harm Americas most important institutions and threaten the nation itself, Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, said in the release. And time and again, thats turned out to be false. This official military study makes clear the yawning gap between fearmongering and reality, and should guide dialogue about similar claims in the present, such as fears that inclusion for transgender Americans is somehow a threat to our society.

Dont ask, dont tell was in effect from 1994 until 2011. It allowed LGB people to serve in the military as long as they were closeted. It was enacted under President Bill Clinton, who came into office promising to lift the total ban on LGB troops, but resistance from the military and Congress led to the compromise of DADT. The debate was marked by much homophobic rhetoric, often focusing on straight men having to share barracks and showers with gay men. DADT was supposed to make life better for LGB troops  but it didnt. The military wasnt supposed to be trying to out LGB members, but that went on anyway, and thousands were discharged solely because of their identity.

Story continues

Unlike DADT, the ban on transgender troops was a matter of military policy, not a law passed by Congress. It was lifted under President Barack Obama, reinstated by Donald Trump, and has now been lifted again by President Joe Biden.

Obama oversaw and signed into law the bill that ended DADT. The Joint History and Research Office report describes the fears of some military leaders as the DADT repeal effort ramped up in 2009 and 2010, then notes that when the policy was ended, it was a total nonissue.

During the debate about repealing DADT, Gen. James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps and the most vociferous opponent of inclusion in the upper ranks of the military, had told Congress that repeal has strong potential for disruption at the small unit level as it will no doubt divert leadership attention away from an almost singular focus on preparing units for combat, according to the Palm Center, quoting the Pentagon report. Yet two months later, General James Amos told reporters that the policy change had been a non-event and that he was very pleased with how the policy change had gone.

The report also states that the Pentagons Comprehensive Review Working Group found that doubts about repealing DADT were based upon misperceptions about what it would mean for gay or lesbian servicemembers to serve openly. The misperceptions reflected bias and were exaggerated and inconsistent with the experience of servicemembers who had knowingly served alongside gay and lesbian personnel, according to the working group.

Now, with bans on LGB and trans troops lifted, the Palm Center is shutting down after 24 years in operation. Creating and leading the Palm Center has been the pleasure, pride, and honor of my life, Belkin, who will remain professor of political science at San Francisco State University, said in a release. We worked with brilliant and generous partners, allies, center staff, veterans and service members to show that facts matter, that discrimination undermines our country, and that equality makes it better. Ill be forever grateful for this opportunity to help make the world a little more just.

Few organizations figured out how to move the needle on military opinion so effectively as the Palm Center, Adm. Mike Mullen, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs when DADT was repealed, added in the release. Its research and policy guidance were invaluable in showing that inclusive service was not complicated and would not harm readiness. The Palm Center reframed the national conversation over LGBT military service, using facts and research to conclusively demonstrate that inclusion makes our armed forces, and our country, stronger.

A new website, PalmCenterLegacy.com, will maintain a record of the Palm Centers accomplishments.
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Democratic candidate John Fettermans lead over Republican Mehmet Oz is narrowing in Pennsylvanias Senate race, according to a new Emerson College Polling-The Hill survey released Friday.

The survey found that 45 percent of likely Pennsylvania general election voters backed Fetterman while 43 percent supported Oz, falling within the polls margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Eight percent said they were undecided, while 5 percent said they plan to vote for another candidate.

The 2-point difference is down from Fettermans 4-point lead in the same survey last month and comes less than six weeks from Election Day.

But the latest Emerson College Polling-The Hill survey also found that regardless of who they support, 55 percent of Pennsylvania voters said they expect Fetterman to win. Forty-five percent said the same about Oz.

Respondents were also asked about the stroke Fetterman suffered in May and Ozs New Jersey residence.

Fifty-nine percent of Pennsylvania voters said Fettermans stroke will make no difference to them when they cast their ballot, marking a 9-point drop from voters who said the same in the August Pennsylvania survey. Twenty-seven percent of voters said the stroke makes them less likely to support Fetterman, while 14 percent said it makes them more likely to support the Democratic Senate candidate.

When asked about Ozs residence in New Jersey, 47 percent said it makes no difference to them, while 39 percent said it makes them less likely to vote for him. Fourteen percent said it makes them more likely to support Oz. The share of voters who said they are less likely to support Oz because of his residence has decreased by 12 points since the August Emerson College poll.

Other recent polling also showed Fetterman with a narrow lead. A Fox News poll released on Wednesday found that 45 percent of registered Pennsylvania voters said theyd vote for Fetterman if the Senate election was held today, compared with 41 percent for Oz, and a Muhlenberg College and Morning Call poll last week showed Fetterman with a 5-point lead.

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On the other hand, the Emerson College Polling-The Hill survey found that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro has widened his lead over Republican candidate Doug Mastriano by 3 points since the August Emerson poll, to 51 percent to 41 percent.

Meanwhile, President Biden has also seen a bump in the polls in the state. Forty-three percent of Pennsylvania voters said they approve of Bidens job performance, while 51 percent said they disapproved.

Since last month, President Bidens approval in Pennsylvania has increased by four points and his disapproval has dropped by six. This movement in favor of Democrats is not seen evenly in the race for US Senate and Governor, where Fettermans race is tightening and Shapiros lead is extending, said Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling.

The Emerson College Polling-The Hill survey was conducted Sept. 23-26 among 1,000 likely Pennsylvania general election voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A border guard officer controls the vehicles entering Finland at the border checkpoint crossing in Vaalimaa, Finland, on the border with the Russian Federation (AFP via Getty Images)

Finland will ban Russian tourists from entering its territory from midnight, just weeks after four other European countries took similar steps.

Helsinki has said it had made the decision because the arrival of large numbers of Russians at its border was damaging its relationships with other countries.

"The decision in principle aims to completely prevent Russian tourism to Finland and the related transit through Finland," foreign minister Pekka Haavisto told reporters on Thursday.

The development comes after almost 200,000 Russian left their country in the week after president Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilisation, the countrys first since the Second World War.

Many of the young men fleeing the military draft headed to Finland, as Russias four other European neighbours - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland - closed their borders to Russian tourists in mid-September.

Others headed to Kazakhstan, with officials saying that nearly 100,000 Russian citizens had entered its territory in the last week. Authorities in the Central Asian country have said they are struggling to accommodate the new arrivals.

Finlands move to end Russian tourism may be its most dramatic show of solidarity with Ukraine over the Kremlins invasion, but it is not its first.

On 1 September, Finland reduced the number of visas it was issuing to Russian citizens to one-tenth of the average number.

After announcing a full ban on Russian tourists, Helsinki confirmed that people will still be allowed to enter for work, study and family visits.

Finland has been considering a tourist ban for some time, with its foreign secretary saying that it had to get numbers under control.

Finland does not want to be a transit country for Schengen visas issued by other countries. This is the traffic we want to get under control, Mr Haavisto said earlier this month.

The fear is that we will be the only border country through which it is possible to come from Russia to Europe with Schengen visas issued by other countries.
WLFD Chief Brad Bowen presents the 2023 WLFD budget to leaders and representatives from the seven municipalities it covers for fire and EMS services.

The Western Lakes Fire Board has approved a huge increase in its budget for 2023, although only about 60% of what the district had sought in its August referendum.

The fire board and its task force, which was created to look into the staffing crisis facing the district and fire departments all over the state and country, have spent the past month and a half looking at options after a referendum failed in five of seven communities.

Warning that maintaining the status quo would lead to slower response times, increased risk of life and increases in home ownership costs, WLFD Fire Chief Brad Bowen and the board presented a phased-in approach over three years, starting with a $4 million budget increase, bringing its annual budget to about $10.8 million.

This would be followed by two, smaller increases of roughly $1.2 million in 2024 and again in 2025. Only the 2023 increase was decided at the meeting.

The referendum had sought to nearly double its annual budget, adding $6.3 million per year to its annual budget, which currently runs about $6.8 million.

Bowen said adding $4 million to the budget, which the board approved Sept. 28, will help address retention problems by increasing wages to be competitive against neighboring departments that pay more and to address staff burnout by phasing in more full-time positions.

We have great people here," Bowen said. "The city of Waukesha just hired one of our people last month and are eyeballing (another), and another community is eyeballing another one. We are losing our part-timers, paid-on-calls and our full-timers because were not competitive in the market, financially and shift-work wise. The current, in-house personnel are not enough to handle the calls we have.

In total, Bowen said he planned to hire additional battalion chiefs and 15 new firefighters or paramedics, phased in throughout the year.

"Priority No. 1 is addressing the wage gaps for our comparable to our neighbors and area fire departments," Bowen said. "Right now, our employees could make $4 or $5 more at our neighboring departments or choosing to work in the private sector. Thats adding to our burnout because we can't retain staff who can work for more and with more elsewhere.

Story continues

"This is a service-based, public-safety-based budget. Its probably the hardest budget Ive presented and had to discuss."

A heated debate

WLFD currently provides fire and emergency medical services to the city of Oconomowoc, town of Merton, town of Oconomowoc, town of Ottawa, village of Dousman, village of Lac La Belle and village of Summit.

Officials from each municipality agreed that the proposed budget was steep, and  without all approving the referendum  finding the money would take time that budget season didn't allow for.

Despite that uncertainty, six of the seven communities immediately were in favor of the nearly 60% increase in the budget.

More: After Western Lakes Fire District referendum fails, communities seek alternatives to address staffing shortages

More: Most Wisconsin communities rely on volunteers to respond to fire and medical calls. Experts say that model is broken.

The only holdout was the town of Oconomowoc, where officials were not comfortable paying for a higher level of service because town residents had voted no on the referendum.

Weve asked our residents what they want, we presented the best we could and it came back five out of seven said no," said Town Supervisor Eric Mullett. "I think for us now to go and say, You dont agree with us, were going to do what we want to anyways,' we would have our representatives' hides for that. It doesnt feel right to me.

Town of Oconomowoc board member Eric Mullett speaks as the seven WLFD communities debate the 2023 budget.

Town Chairman Robert Hultquist suggested increasing the budget by 40% or 50% in 2023 or going with 60% in 2023, but then implementing no increases in 2024 or 2025.

A two-hour-long debate followed in which communities attempted to sway the town's stance, including discussion on what a lesser budget would look like and even ramifications if the town of Oconomowoc didn't pay its share.

Despite the town holding firm, the four voting members on the board  the city of Oconomowoc, Dousman, Ottawa and Summit  unanimously approved the budget as proposed. The four communities are owners of the department; the other communities contract for services.

"Its good to have direction from the municipalities," Bowen told the Journal Sentinel after the meeting. "Ill continue to work with them to ensure our budget is put together for 2023, that well be able to maintain service for fire and EMS and begin addressing the challenges of our department as well as locally and throughout the state.

"For our people, this is a huge difference. It gets us to the competitive wage market as well as helping them with the bandwidth which leads directly to better response times, their ability to provide services, their mental health, their mental wellbeing."

With the budget in place and municipalities contractually committed to the budget, municipalities must now figure out how to come up with their share to pay for it.

What happens next

Each municipality has a different road ahead and has the ability to choose what is best in its particular case.

The city of Oconomowoc and Lac La Belle, where the referendum passed, stated they plan to raise levy limits up to the amounts approved  to raise $1.3 million and $61,099 increases, respectively.

Ottawa Town Chair Cheryl Rupp said the town plans to enact a fire fee by the end of the year. Ottawa will pay an additional $262,790 toward the increased budget.

Summit President Jake Riley said the village is discussing a fee as well and could also use ARPA funds, stating, "It might be a creative year" to cover the additional $530,062 it is responsible for.

Town of Merton officials said they were looking into a fire fee and possibly a spring referendum with a fee as a backup plan. Its increase for 2023 is $720,583.

Dousman President Jack Nissen said that the village is looking into its options, but is unsure whether it will be able to take any action by the end of the year. He added that officials are considering using a combination of ARPA funds and borrowing to cover the village's $226,693 increase.

The town of Oconomowoc has not yet decided on its plan of action. With the budget passed, officials there will discuss how to cover the town's additional $663,007.

All communities unanimously called on the state Legislature to step in to help.

I wish our state representatives and our state senators had their butts in those chairs to see how difficult this is,  said Lac La Belle Village President Tim Clark. They have no problem sending out fundraising letters instead of doing the hard job for us. They are sitting on a huge surplus that could help every one of us, and what are they doing? Its just ridiculous. We ought to drag their butts in here and say youre going to sit down and go through this with us and see the pain. Maybe theyll start doing their job.

Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324.

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: WLFD budget to increase by nearly 60 percent of Aug. referendum ask
The first of two Columbus men convicted in connection with the July 2021 burglary and shooting death of city employee Tearicka Cradle has been sentenced in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Ivan A. Netter, 25, of North Linden, was sentenced Thursday to a minimum of 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary, involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault, according to court records. Judge Jeffrey Brown dismissed charges of aggravated robbery, two counts of murder, all with a firearm, and having a weapon illegally. Netter will get credit for 414 days already served.

As required by the state's controversial Reagan Tokes Act, Brown gave Netter an indefinite sentence. Netter could serve up to 5  years more if the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction determines he is a continued threat to society.

More:One arrested, one at large in shooting death of city employee Tearicka Cradle

More:City of Columbus employee found by police fatally shot inside Northeast Side home

Brown also sentenced Netter to a minimum of 11 years in prison for an unrelated rape charge to which Netter previously pleaded guilty, but that sentence will be served at the same time.

Prosecutors accused Netter and a second defendant, Lonnie R. Davis, 30, of Franklinton, of trying to burglarize Cradle's home in the 2000 block of Jane Avenue on the city's Northeast Side, where she was found shot to death during the early morning hours of July 18, 2021.

Davis also pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and involuntary manslaughter, both with a gun and as a repeat violent offender, according to court records. A sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 17.

Cradle coordinated the city's Restoration Academy, now called the Empower Development by Gaining Employment program, aimed at helping people involved in the criminal justice system reintegrate into society, find and keep jobs. At the time of her death, Cradle was working in the city's Building and Zoning department.

Story continues

Following her death, city leaders praised Cradle's giving spirit and the difference she was able to make in the lives of others.

Dispatch reporters Jordan Laird, Bethany Bruner and Eric Lagatta contributed to this report.

nshuda@dispatch.com

@NathanielShuda

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: First of two defendants sentenced in death of Columbus city employee
Sep. 29NORWALK  Mary Saleh, MD, FAAP has joined Fisher-Titus Pediatrics in Norwalk and Bellevue as a pediatrician. She is board certified in general pediatrics and neonatology.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Saleh to our pediatrics practices," said Dr. Brent Burkey, president and CEO of Fisher-Titus. "Dr. Saleh brings extensive knowledge in caring for children of all ages and we are grateful for the expertise, passion, and dedication she will bring to caring for families in our community."

Dr. Saleh is experienced in providing care for children with developmental, learning, or behavioral challenges. She has a special interest in the diagnosis and care for children with Autism, care for teens struggling with anxiety and depression, and ADHD multifaceted care. Additionally, she is also passionate about caring for children with complex medical needs, former premature infants, and providing wellness and parent education for the families she sees.

A graduate of Cairo University, Dr. Saleh completed her general pediatric residency at Lincoln Medical Center with Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. She went on to complete a neonatal perinatal medicine fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas as well as fellowship training in general pediatric critical care at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Saleh has extensive experience as a pediatrician and a neonatologist both in outpatient and inpatient settings. Her lifelong passion is to help children reach their utmost potential. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, hiking with her children and dogs, kayaking, swimming, and vegan cooking.

Dr. Saleh joins the Fisher-Titus Pediatrics team that includes Dr. Karen LaSalle, Dr. Elizabeth Olds, Dr. Paul Wnek, Kathryn Falter, CNP, Brian Lynch, PA-C, Ashley McGrain, CNP, Erin Rogers, CNP, and Ken Murray, PhD, LPCC. For more information, visit fishertitus.org/pediatrics. To schedule an appointment, visit fishertitus.org/schedule or call 419-668-9409.
October is many things. Its a time to go to haunted houses, pick pumpkins and leaf-peep. Its Squirrel Awareness Month and Adopt A Shelter Dog Month. But for many people, October is about only one thing: beer.

Taking their cue from Oktoberfest, the ancient annual German beer festival, several local venues are having beer festivals in October.

Here is a partial list. It is not all-inclusive.

Oktoberfest

Parkville Market, the food hall at 1400 Park St. in Hartford, will transform its outdoor spaces into a tented beer garden for Oktoberfest on Oct. 1, 2, 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to close.

The 12-tap outdoor bar will feature beers from Counter Weight and Boston Beer Company. There will be competitions in stein hoisting, yodeling, a German spelling bee and other contests throughout the event.

Portly Pig will serve bratwurst grinders. Randys Wooster St. Pizza will sell hot pretzels.

Beer and food vouchers can be bought in advance at parkvillemarket.com/events. Those who buy vouchers online will get a refillable stein and a swag bag. Details at parkvillemarket.com.

Oktober Fest

Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort, 99 Powder Hill Road in Middlefield, will have an Oktober Fest on Oct. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m., starting at 3 p.m. for VIP entry.

In addition to hundreds of beers from 50 breweries, there will be keg tosses, stein holding contests, food trucks and vendors. Live music will be performed by New Rising Sun and Small Town Roots.

Beers are provided by High Noon, Topo Chico, Goose Island, Paulener, Narragansett, New England, Lord Hobo, Bad Sons, Bitburger, Hacker, Relic, Left Hand, East Rock, Von Trapp, Sloop, Fiddlehead, Spaten, Guinness, Peak, Happy, New England Cider, Jacks Abby, Hanging Hills, Thimble Island, Lions Head, Breckenridge, Down East, Shipyard, Southern Tier, Clown Shoes, Oskar Blues, New Belgium, Stone, Hooker, Two Roads, Devils Backbone, Citizen Cider, Lyman Orchard, Blue Point, Ranch Water, Lone Pine, Stormalong, Fishers Island, Blue Moon, Glutenberg, Elysium, Whalers, Rebel, Leinenkugel, UFO and Harpoon.

Story continues

Admission in advance online is $39, $49 VIP, $15 designated driver. On-site prices are $49, $59 VIP, $25 designated driver.

Guests can combine a visit to Oktober Fest with a visit to Haunting at the Ridge, the resorts haunted attraction. It opens at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $29.95. Details at powderridgepark.com.

Mohegan Sun Brewfest

The Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville will hold its 9th annual Sun BrewFest on Oct. 7 from 8 to 10 p.m. and Oct. 8 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Oct. 7 is the Seltzer Social, with a variety of hard seltzers from Anheuser Busch, Black Infusions, Boston Beer Company, Bud Light, Buena Fe Organic Tequila Quenchers, Canteen, Drink Mechanics, Evil Water, Fishers Island, Game Up, Good Dog, H2Roads, Hornitos, Island District Co., Kobrand Corporation, Links Drinks, Loverboy, Mass Bay Brewing, Merican Mule, NUTRL Vodka Seltzer, Ole Smokeys, On the Rocks, Spirit Fruit Beverages, Stateside, Surfside, Topo Chico, Truly, Two Roads, Vizzy and Whalers Brewing Company.

Hot Rod Cafe will serve wings and DJ Jay R One will play tunes. Admission to Oct. 7 is $40 online in advance, $45 day of.

On Oct. 8, more than 100 beers available for tasting will include ales, lagers, amber lagers, sour ales, India pale ales, stouts, German ales, dark lagers, pilsners, Belgian-style ales, brown ales, wheat beers, seasonal IPAs, seltzers, spirits, cocktails and nonalcoholic options. Vendors include Athletic, Belero Snort, Bergen, Boston Beer Company, Bud Light, Michelob, Buena Fe Organic Tequila Quenchers, Canteen Spirits, Cisco Brewers, The Cocktail Chemist, CT Valley, CUTWATER, Elysian / Goose Island, Evil Water, Fishers Island Lemonade, Good Dogg Premium Hard Seltzer, Great Falls, Grey Sail, Growler Power, Harpoon, Hartwalls Original Long Drink, Heineken, Hensch Home Made, Hog River, Jacks Abby, Kona, Links Drinks, Lord Hobo, Loyal 9 Cocktails, Merican Mule, Narragansett, New Belgium, New England, Night Shift, NUTRL Vodka Seltzer, Outer Light, Shiner, Sloop, Smuttynose, Taylor Brooke, These Guys, Thimble Island, Tumbler and Rocks, Two Roads, Whalers and Wormtown.

The Savage Brothers Band will perform, there will be a cornhole tournament and vendor demonstrations and the option to purchase food from local restaurants including barbecue, Italian, sandwiches and sweets.

Admission to Oct. 8 is $50 in advance at ticketmaster.com. Designated driver tickets are $20. Day-of, admission is $55. Valid ID is mandatory at entrance.

A ticket for admission to both the Oct. 7 and 8 events is $75. Information at sunbrewfest.com.

Brew-Ski

The Salisbury Winter Sports Association is hosting the 13th annual benefit Brew-Ski Fest on Oct. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. on Satre Hill on 80 Indian Cave Road in Salisbury. Admission is $30 in advance, $35 day of.

The event will feature live music by the Steve Dunn Band; brats, hot dogs and hamburgers from Sunday in the Country; a ski jump golf-ball roll; and about 40 craft breweries. Everyone gets a free pumpkin.

Among the brewers are Abomination, Athletic, Berkshire, Black Hog, Legitimus, Captain Lawrence, Counter Weight, Devils Back Bone, Dogfish, Elysian, Fat Orange Cat, Founders, Full Moonshine, Goose Island, Great Falls, Harpoon, Half Full, Jack Daniels Cocktails, Litchfield Distillery, Makku, Miami Cocktails, New England, Norbrook, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Skygazer, Troegs, Two Chicks, Two Roads and UFO.

More at brewskifest.com

G.O.A.T.

The G.O.A.T. Brew and Wine Fest will be Oct. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Dunkin Donuts Park, 1214 Main St. in Hartford.

Breweries, wineries and distilleries are Lost Tourist, Broad Brook, Founders, 12% Beer Project, Firefly Hollow, Hog river, NoCa, Witchdoctor, 5 Churches, Titos, Lawsons, Counter Weight, Paddle Creek, Great Falls, Coastline, Continuum, Stowe Cider, East Hartford, Jacks Abby, Rule of 3, Two Roads, Back East, Bellis, Heineken, Legitimus, Thomas Hooker, Good Dogg, Elicit, Problem Solved, Drink Mechanics, Dudleytown, Willibrew, WeHa, The Finnish Long Drink Legend of 1952, Urban Lodge, Owls Brew, Zero Gravity, Stateside Urbancraft, Litchfield, Alvarium, Waypoint, Quiver, Merican Mule, Bergen House, Hartford Flavor Company, Long Trail, Whalers, Truly, Chateau DEsclans and Savino.

Admission is $62.25. A VIG ticket, with one hour early entry, on-field access and swag, is $87.25. Designated drivers pay $27.25. See milb.com/hartford/ballpark/brew-wine-fest.

Susan Dunne can be reached at sdunne@courant.com.
A Florida-based employee has claimed that her billion-dollar company is not giving her additional time off during Hurricane Ian.

In a video posted to her TikTok on Monday, Ciara, @keepcalmvacation, described what it was like to work at a whack a** company while living in Florida during hurricane season.

She went on to recall a meeting that she had at work, where her employer said that there would not be any hurricane pay and that people have to use their paid time off (PTO) if they dont come in.

Although she acknowledged that she still has PTO that she can use, she criticised her company for not giving her or her co-workers additional time off and pay, amid the hurricane.

Youre going to take my PTO because yall dont want to pay us hurricane pay? she asked. This state is in a national emergency.

Ciara then said that this experience showed her that shes working at the wrong company, before acknowledging how much she enjoys working for herself.

She went on to claim that employers at her type of job doesnt care about their workers, despite how financially successful some companies may be.

Youre literally just a number to them, she said. But youre a billion-dollar company, and you cant afford to pay your employees for the one to two days missed because of the hurricane in a national state of emergency?

As of 28 September, the video has more than 96,2000, with multiple TikTok users agreeing with Ciaras point and criticising any companies that dont give employees additional PTO during national disaster.

Stuff like this influences employees to do the bare minimum. Gotta let people know theyre appreciated and valued!, one wrote.

This should be a law in Fl. There should be hurricane pay, another wrote,

Story continues

A third person added: PTO should not be used for things out of your control like natural disasters.

Other viewers said that theyve been in a similar situation as Ciara, one of which wrote: I worked for the state and had to use 10 days of my PTO because THEIR worker exposed me to Covid.

However, in a follow-up video, Ciara revealed that her company will be giving her a different pay rate when working during Hurricane Ian, which she said that she and her co-workers were very grateful for.

She said that even though her and her team was not required to receive hurricane pay, she felt like her company did the right thing by offering it to them, before encouraging other businesses to do the same for their employees.

According to the US Department of Labor, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require employers, who are unable to provide work to employees due to a natural disaster, to pay non-exempt employees for hours the employees would have otherwise worked.

Hurricane Ian reached southwest Florida at 3.05pm ET on Wednesday and was marked a Category four storm, due to wind speeds that were up to 155pmh. A total of eight million people were at the centre of the hurricane this morning.

The Independent has reached out to Ciara for comment.
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.
Reuters Videos

STORY: Four days after the deadly Hurricane Ian made landfall, residents of this Florida island are relying on each other to get through some tough times. The category 4 storm destroyed St James City on Pine Island, and wiped out the one road that links it to mainland Florida. A power blackout remains, and water is only turned on for two hours a day at a low pressure. We have a lot of kind-hearted people who pooled together all the resources that they have, you know, from water, from fuel, from meat, you know, from all kinds of supplies. And they've been coming. Bee San Lim and her husband set up a satellite internet connection for the community to use the day after the storm hit. Thats now become the towns aid station. It's provided food, water, and supplies to the residents who want to stay in their homes, against government evacuation orders. Many are frustrated at the lack of help from local, state and federal authorities. Theres just so much we can help each other out you know. Lim is especially worried about the many elderly folk who stayed put. There was this couple right there, a couple of elderly. The husband cannot walk and the wife has dementia. When I talked to them, he said they haven't eaten for like two days...We have peanut butter. And I gave it to him and I was going to grab more stuff, you know, and give it to him. But he rode off. I haven't seen him still. I hope that the couple somehow made it off this island. But, but - that's the concern. How many are there out here still that we haven't seen? As floodwaters recede, rescue teams have been able to push farther into areas that have been cut off from the outside world. But while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said on Sunday that more than 90 percent of the states power was restored, it still faces an enormous disaster recovery effort expected to cost tens of billions of dollars. Meanwhile, the Hurricane Ian death toll is set to continue rising, having climbed past 85 by Sunday evening, with Florida bearing the brunt of the casualties.
A neighborhood remains flooded after Hurricane Ian in Florida, on September 29, 2022 . Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

Hurricane Ian left a trail of destruction behind after making landfall in Florida this week.

One resident who stayed in her home in Punta Gorda told MSNBC the hurricane was "terrifying."

Renee Smith said she had to tie her husband to his bed because he was paralyzed.

A woman said she used duct tape and pillows to secure her paralyzed husband to his bed as Hurricane Ian pummeled their home in Punta Gorda, Florida, on Wednesday.

Renee Smith told MSNBC in an interview on Thursday that she hid under her kitchen table and made a "fort with pillows and blankets" as the hurricane  described as one of the strongest storms to ever hit Florida  made landfall.

"It was terrifying," she told MSNBC.

Before taking shelter, Smith told NBC that she had to secure her husband, Christopher, who had recently become paralyzed from the chest down due to prostate cancer that metastasized to his spine.

Smith said that her husband was scheduled to undergo radiation treatment on Wednesday, but that it was cancelled because of the storm, so Christopher was told to go home. She said they had a hospital bed in their home as a result.

"I took some blankets and I put some holes in them with scissors and I zip-tied them to the hospital bed and then I took a big tarpaulin that had grommets and I zip-tied that over it; and then I put pillows and plastic bags and I duct-taped them to the top of the sideboard," Smith told MSNBC in an emotional interview.

"I put pillows between the sideboard and the window because I didn't want him to get cut up to death if the window blew in, and then I put a life jacket on him so that if the water came in he wouldn't drown, he would float," she said.

Smith told MSNBC that her husband was "traumatized" but alive, adding that the hurricane was the strongest she had ever experienced.

You can watch the full interview below:

Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida as a Category 4 storm, left behind a trail of destruction across the state, including deadly floodwaters, downed power lines, and widespread damage to homes and local buildings.

Story continues

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead in the state though local officials expect the toll could be much higher, the BBC reported.

Some locals still remain trapped in their homes as rescue efforts are underway, officials told the BBC.

The hurricane has since moved inland and is heading towards North and South Carolina.

Read the original article on Insider
Disgraced former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been dropping more hints about a potential political comeback as he announced plans to create a new podcast and political action committee (PAC).

Mr Cuomo, who resigned in shame last year after almost a dozen women accused him of sexual harassment, released a video on Wednesday where he vowed that he is not done fighting yet.

In the eight-minute video, titled Whats Next?, the former governor said his time out of office had given him a new perspective on government and politics.

The past few months gave me a new perspective on politics, on people and even on life, he said.

I have seen it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I have seen both extremes  the worst in politics and opportunism. But Ive also seen the best in government and service.

I believe at the end of the day I will be the better for it. And I want to move forward and focus on what is really important.

He added: I have fought the good fight in government and politics all my life. And I am not done fighting yet.

In the video, he announced his plans for a new PAC to elect the right people to office saying that we do not need more panderers, we need producers.

We need people committed to fight for change and who get results, he said.

Mr Cuomo also announced plans to form a new initiative Gun Safe America Project aimed at tackling gun violence, in which he took aim at his own party for failing to call a vote on an assault weapons ban in the US Senate.

President Biden gave a speech a couple of weeks ago saying he was determined to pass an assault weapons ban, but the Senate just passed the gun bill and it had no ban and it had no capacity limits, he said.

The Democrats wouldnt even put the bill banning assault rifles on the floor with Democrats united in support to show that the Republicans are stopping passage. At least then we could frame the issue for the American people. We need a new approach and I have some ideas.

Story continues

Andrew Cuomo in August 2021 after announcing his resignation (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

During the lengthy speech, Mr Cuomo made no mention of the scandal that led him to leave office  instead slamming the social media mob which he has repeatedly blamed for his downfall.

Its a Twitter mob, but the mob has power and many politicians and press are afraid to challenge it lest the mob turn on them, he said.

Mr Cuomo hinted that people will start seeing a lot more of him when he launches his new podcast, which he vowed would be candid and unvarnished.

This forum will be different. My intention is to speak the full truth, unvarnished, from the inside out, frank and candid, he said, without detailing when the podcast will be launched or what it will focus on.

As a person whos been in the room many times for many years and knows these people and knows their games, and as a person who actually did the job.

Mr Cuomos announcement is the strongest sign yet that he is preparing to make a return to politics, following months of speculation as he slowly began reentering in public life.

It comes just days before his brother  former CNN host Chris Cuomo  stages a comeback of his own with the launch of his new NewsNation show Cuomo on Monday.

The two brothers  the sons of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo  charted a spectacular fall from grace last year after they had spent the early days of the pandemic as fixtures on TV screens across the country.

The elder Cuomo brother resigned in shame back in August 2021 after multiple women  including current and former aides in his office  came forward to accuse him of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour.

The most damning allegation came from a current aide who alleged that he groped her breast in the executive mansion in Albany.

An investigation from New York Attorney General Letitia James office found that he had sexually harassed at least 11 women and that his office had retaliated against at least one of the accusers when she came forward with the allegations.

Mr Cuomo announced his resignation one week later.

In his resignation speech, he admitted he made mistakes but continued to insist he had never touched anyone inappropriately.

Over the months that followed, five criminal cases were opened and closed into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

The final case was shuttered by the Oswego County District Attorneys Office in January, appearing to end any chances of the politician facing criminal charges for his alleged actions.

Rather than exonerating him, several district attorneys said the allegations from the women were credible but that there was not enough evidence to prosecute him.

Last week, Charlotte Bennett  one of the first women to come forward with allegations  filed a federal lawsuit against him for sexual harassment and discrimination.

Mr Cuomo has repeatedly accused Ms James of deliberately mishandling the investigation, filing a state ethics complaint earlier this month.

Following the governors August 2021 resignation, the spotlight turned onto his brother Chris.

In December, the longtime anchor was fired by CNN for advising his brother about how to handle the sexual harassment accusations.

In the aftermath of the prime-time hosts firing, a report from the New York Times said that the network had also been contacted by a woman who accused him of misconduct when he worked at ABC News prior to joining CNN.
Fox Corporation has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to support their Hurricane Ian relief efforts.

The Red Cross is on the ground providing aid and resources, including shelter, meals, medical supplies, and more, for people who the storm has impacted.

Fox Corporation will also double match the donations to Red Cross Hurricane relief efforts, including both Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian, made by Fox Corporation employees.

Everyone is encouraged to join FOXs efforts by donating to the American Red Cross at redcross.org/foxforward.

You can also use the QR code below to access the donation site.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on Wednesday, tying for the 4th-strongest storm to hit the Sunshine State.

On Thursday, it will make its way up the Atlantic coast through Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, impacting millions more Americans along the way.

In Florida, the American Red Cross has more than 500 trained disaster workers on the ground to support sheltering and relief efforts.

Leading up to Hurricane Ian, the Red Cross moved truckloads of additional cots, blankets and comfort kits, along with tens of thousands of relief supplies into the region to be prepared to help as many as 60,000 people.

The Red Cross also sent several hundred blood products to Florida ahead of the storm to ensure patients continue to have access to a readily available blood supply.

To support the Red Cross, join FOX in donating now by visiting redcross.org/foxforward.
The Circle K at the corner of Wheeler Road and Berckmans Road on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Experts don't expect a spike in gas prices due to Hurricane Ian.

Though Tropical Storm Ian is causing a lot of problems for the Southeast, motor experts say higher gas prices shouldn't be among them.

GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said that, unlike in past hurricanes, gasoline supply from refineries is likely to be very minimally disrupted if at all.

De Hann said that the biggest difference between this storm and others is the trajectory. Hurricane Harvey drove up prices in 2017 because it temporarily shut down more than 10% of the nation's refining capacity, and Hurricane Ida caused similar concerns last year when it shut down the Colonial Pipeline.

Hurricane Ian blog: Tropical storm warning in effect for Richmond, Columbia counties

Latest on Ian: Hurricane Ian may brush Georgia coast as it targets South Carolina with 85 mph winds

"Ian did not take a pass that caused any shutdowns to this point, so gasoline has continued to be produced during the storm," he said.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, there are no oil or petroleum refineries in Florida, Georgia or either of the Carolinas.

AAA spokesperson Montrae Waiters echoed De Hann's statements. Waiters said that Georgia has "plenty of gas supply" and there is "no need" for residents to "panic buy" gasoline, which could lead to an increase in prices. Waiters further reassured the public, though, that any change in gas prices is likely to be temporary.

Rather than a spike at the pumps, consumers might see fuel prices falling.

Because the destruction of Hurricane Ian is likely to cause a pause in people traveling, De Haan said demand for gas will diminish, meaning a potential drop in prices rather than an increase.

On Tuesday, GasBuddy activated its Emergency Fuel Availability Tracker in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina in order to inform drivers of which gas stations are out of fuel or power.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Hurricane Ian not expected to boost gas prices, experts say
George Clooney has spoken highly of his wife Amal Clooneys passion for helping free journalists who have been wrongly accused of and detained for their work all over the world.

The couple hosted their inaugural Albie Awards through their Clooney Foundation for Justice on Thursday night (29 September) at the New York Public Library.

The Albie Awards, named after South African lawyer and former judge Justice Albie Sachs, honoured those who have devoted their lives to justice and recognised judges, lawyers and rights groups for their work.

In a speech outside the library, the Ticket to Paradise star revealed what he loved most about creating the event with his wife.

We collaborate on everything. We collaborated on twins! George said. But you know, this is an exciting one because Amals gotten journalists out of Egypt, out of Azerbaijan, prisons, out of all over the world, Myanmar.

My fathers a journalist. I have a great affinity for them. Her mothers a journalist. So its really exciting for me when shes able to get people who are wrongly accused for doing their job [out of prison].

The Oscar-winning actor added: So for me I couldnt be more proud of my wife.

Amal is a Lebanese-British barrister specialising in international law and human rights. Aside from helping journalists secure freedom, she also frequently represents victims of mass atrocities as well as political prisoners.

The awards ceremony was attended by celebrities including Meryl Streep, John Oliver, Julia Roberts, Dua Lipa, and Bruce Springsteen.

Amal Clooney and George Clooney attend the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards at New York Public Library on September 29, 2022 (Getty Images for Albie Awards)

Sachs, who worked to end apartheid in South Africa and was a key player in writing the countrys constitution, was given a lifetime achievement award for his work.

The Justice for Journalists award was received by Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, who also became the first Filipino recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.

Elsewhere, iAct, an organisation that supports survivors of genocide in refugee camps, was honoured with the Justice for Survivors award, while Belarusian human rights group Viasna received the Justice for Democracy Defenders award.

The Hollywood power couple founded their organisation in 2016 to create a world where human rights are protected and no one is above the law.

They write on the Clooney Foundation for Justice website: We believe that justice, like war, must be waged; it doesnt happen on its own. So we gather evidence of mass human rights abuses, provide legal support to victims, and work to ensure that perpetrators are held to account.
Southeast Asian, European universities discuss higher education governance reform

A workshop on building common development strategies for higher education was held at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) in Belgium on September 29, attracting representatives of eight Vietnamese and Cambodian universities and the Francophone University Agency (AUF).









Hanoi University is among the Vietnamese schools joining the Renewed University Steering in Southeast Asia (PURSEA) project.



Participants discussed skills in making strategic plans on higher education, plan implementation, the establishment of systems for assessing teaching quality and assisting lecturers, and policies for research and capitalisation of research findings, which are all important to Southeast Asian universities, especially in Vietnam and Cambodia, during the reform of higher education governance.



The workshop was part of the Renewed University Steering in Southeast Asia (PURSEA) project funded by the EU from 2020 to 2023 within the framework of the Erasmus - Key Action 2 programme that aims at improving universities capacity.



The Vietnamese schools in the PURSEA project comprise the Hanoi University, the Hanoi Architectural University, the University of Transport and Communications, the University of Science and Technology under the Da Nang University, along with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the University of Economics and Law under the Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City.



Five universities and institutes of France, one university of Belgium, and another from Germany provide experts and experience under the project.



Sandrine Canter, who is in charge of the ULBs quality division, said PURSEA is an ambitious and important project which has seen impressive performance by Vietnamese and Cambodian universities despite the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years.



She also highly valued the Vietnamese partners efforts and capacity in coordinating this project.



Prior to this workshop, representatives of the Vietnamese and Cambodian schools had exchanged experience in this field with leaders of the University of Lorraine in Frances Nancy city.
Leave it to the Clooneys to bring out the A-list celebs for a night out in New York City.

On Thursday, Sept. 29, George and Amal Clooney hosted the Albie Awards at the New York Public Library, "an evening honoring courageous defenders of justice who are at great risk for what they do," according to a release for the event.

Clooney Foundation For Justice Hosts The Albie Awards (Arturo Holmes / WireImage,)

Part of the couple's non-profit, Clooney Foundation for Justice, the inaugural event honored individuals from all over the world who have dedicated themselves to fighting those who abuse human rights.

Honorees ranged from Justice Albie Sachs, a South African lawyer who was integral in ending apartheid, to iAct, an organization that supports survivors of genocide in refugee camps.

The Albie Awards - Arrivals (Kristina Bumphrey / Variety via Getty Images)

With such noble causes being celebrated, you better believe the star power of the red carpet was blinding. Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Dua Lipa, Oscar Isaac, Bruce Springsteen, Tracee Ellis Ross, Simone Ashley, Phoebe Dynevor, Drew Barrymore and Jodi Turner Smith are just a few of the names who signed on to be part of the evening and use their platforms on behalf of the honorees.

Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards - Arrivals (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Albie Awards)

Fans lined up on the street trying to snap photos or snag a glimpse of someone famous arriving. At one point, George made his way to quickly greet all those people waiting, shaking hands and bumping fists like a person running for president.

Back on the red carpet, the Clooneys opened up about working on the foundation, which primarily provides free legal support to victims of human rights abuses  especially journalists, women and members of marginalized communities.

Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards - Arrivals (Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Albie Awards)

"Growing up, my whole life, it just felt like, often times governments fail us," George said. "We need to  all of us be diligent ... and thats why we're here tonight. We have people who are risking their lives to do it, who are risking their freedom."

George added, "Honoring these people who are fighting for justice."

When asked by a reporter what it feels like to collaborate on these issues with his wife, he quickly responded, "We collaborate on everything."

Story continues

Laughing, he added: "We collaborate on twins."

(The Clooneys are parents to 5-year-old twins Ella and Alexander.)

"But this is an exciting group," he said, referring to the night's honorees. "Amal has gotten journalists out of Egypt, out of Azerbaijan, in prisons all over the world, Myanmar. This is something she happens to be really, specially gifted at."

Clooney next added how both of their family trees are rooted in journalism, and this is why protecting writers and free speech in general is so important for the couple.

"My father is journalist. I have a great affinity for them. Her mother is journalist," he explained. "It's really exciting for me when she is able to get people who are wrongfully accused for doing their job out of prison. I couldn't be more proud of my wife."

When asked by a reporter who taught him "the value of giving back," Clooney responded, "Your parents do."

"I think everybody does. Isn't that where you guys got it from? Your parents? I got it from mine. That's all it is. It's all the things you have to teach your kids. We try to, and I was lucky enough to have my parents teach me."

He added that he and his wife hope to impart similar humanitarian messages to their children.

"There's tons of stuff, you know? But the number one thing is: all you have to do is challenge people with power and defend people without power," he said. "That's all you have to do when you have a successful life."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
NBC

General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Willis L. Lonzer tells Symone D Sanders-Townsend how the organization is reaching out to help those affected by Hurricane Ian and efforts to mobilize members of their community to get out the vote in November.
German media group Bertelsmann is expected to weigh in over the weekend on the offers it received for RTL Groups 48.3% stake in M6 Group, Frances second largest commercial TV group.

Bertelsmann put M6 Group back on the market a little over a week ago, after its planned merger with Bouygues-owned TF1 Group was abandoned due to a number of competition concerns raised by Frances anti-trust board.

More from Variety

Bertelsmanns chief executive Thomas Rabe asked to receive non-binding offers by Sept. 23 to test the market and received offers from three major bidders, according to Le Point.

These include a vehicle comprising Xavier Niel, the French billionaire behind the telecom group Iliad who co-founded Mediawan, and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconis MFE-MadeForEurope; as well as a consortium including Stephane Courbit, chairman of TV powerhouse Banijay, Rodolphe Saade, the French shipping billionaire, and Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, chairman of the investment vehicle Fimalac; and lastly Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky, who is a shareholder in Le Monde, the French newspaper, and recently lent 14 billion to Liberation, another newspaper. The group led by Courbit has offered an all-cash 20 ($20) per share for M6, valuing RTL Groups 48.3% stake in the French banner at 1.22 billion, according to several sources.

But the amount of the bid isnt the only factor that Rabe is considering as he studies each offer. Besides looking for someone who has the right profile, pedigree and background to take the reins of M6 Group  one of Frances most profitable TV outfits  Rabe will undoubtedly look closely at potential competition challenges and the overall complexity presented by each bidder.

Story continues

Kretinsky, a Czech billionaire behind the largest energy group in Central Europe, currently presents the least competition risk, as he isnt tied to a TV conglomerate like Niel (with Mediawan) or Courbit (with Banijay, whose shareholder is Vivendi).

The German group is on a tight timeline to complete the sale. As The Financial Times pointed out in a recent report, M6 Groups 10-year license expires in May and any renewal would lock in its main shareholder, preventing a sale until at least 2028. That means Bertelsmann would not be able, in theory, to sell its stake in M6 Group until 2028 if it hasnt completed a deal by next spring.

The president of Frances anti-trust board, Benoit Cure, spoke about the sale prospects for M6 Group two days ago, on Sept. 27, at the National Assembly, and suggested that Bertelsmann will need to notify the board of exclusive negotiations with a prospective buyer before the end of October, according to the news agency AFP. He also said that the operation will likely require examination by the anti-trust board of the European Commission, which could cause additional delays that may not be feasible within this timeframe.

Addressing the timeline, Rabe told The Financial Times that RTL Group has no pressure to sell M6 and are patient and can wait. Some industry insiders are suggesting that Bertelsmann might not even go ahead with the sale after all, particularly if it becomes too complicated to achieve before May. There also remains a question mark over the succession of M6 Groups long-time CEO and chairman Nicolas de Tavernost (who is expected to step down in three years), as well as the future of Salto, the streaming service jointly launched by TF1, M6 and France Televisions in 2020.

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.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) says that he has received whistleblower reports of sexual misconduct at the FBI, comparing the agency to the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

It sounds like Sodom and Gomorrah up there, Gohmert said on the House floor Thursday. We got complaints this week about sexual harassment, about sexual improprieties on the top floor, the seventh floor where the headquarters is, of the FBI and all the favors and all the intimidation that goes along with sexual improprieties.

In the Bible, God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of the sins of those living there, including sexual immorality.

Gohmert made the comment on the House floor while arguing against a package of antitrust measures that took aim at tech giants. Republicans were split on the measure, but those who were against the bill argued that it would empower the FBI and the Department of Justice, entities that Republicans say are rife with politicization.

Those are the last people who we need to trust with reining in the Big Tech, Gohmert said.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, has said that 14 whistleblowers from within the FBI have come to his committee alleging various politically motivated biases against conservatives. Gohmert said that the reports he has received go beyond those 14 individuals.

Gohmert also compared the tactics of the FBI and Justice Department to the Gestapo, the secret police in Nazi Germany.

When it comes to intimidation and manipulation, they are right there  and I dont say this lightly  they are right there with the Gestapo, Gohmert said.

Gohmert has also spoken extensively about what he says are political prisoners held in jail in Washington, D.C., over charges relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, raising concerns about the conditions in the jail.

Gohmert will leave Congress at the end of this term, having forgone reelection to unsuccessfully run for attorney general of Texas.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Google Colaboratory (Colab for short), Google's service designed to allow anyone to write and execute arbitrary Python code through a web browser, is introducing a pay-as-a-you-go plan. In its first pricing change since Google launched premium Colab plans in 2020, Colab will now give users the option to purchase additional compute time in Colab with or without a paid subscription.

Google says that the update won't affect the free-of-charge Colab tier, which remains in its current form. The only material change is that users can buy access to compute in the form of "compute units," starting at $9.99 for 100 units or $49.99 for 500.

As Google Colab product lead Chris Perry explains in a blog post:

Paid users now have the flexibility to exhaust compute quota, measured in compute units, at whatever rate they choose. As compute units are exhausted, a user can choose to purchase more with pay-as-you-go at their discretion. Once a user has exhausted their compute units their Colab usage quota will revert to our free of charge tier limits.

In tandem with the pay-as-you-go rollout, Google announced that paid Colab users can now choose between standard or "premium" GPUs in Colab -- the latter typically being Nvidia V100 or A100 Tensor Core GPUs. (Standard GPUs in Colab are usually Nvidia T4 Tensor Core GPUs.) However, the company notes that getting a specific GPU chip type assignment isn't guaranteed and depends on a number of factors, including availability and a user's paid balance with Colab.

It goes without saying, but premium GPUs will also deplete Colab compute units faster than the standard GPUs.

Google began telegraphing the rollout of pay-as-you-go options in Colab several weeks ago, when it notified Colab users via email that it was adopting the aforementioned compute units system for subscribers. It framed the shift as a move toward transparency, allowing user to "have more control over how and when [they] use Colab."

Story continues

Some perceived the move as user-hostile -- an attempt to charge more for or clamp down on Colab usage. But in a statement to TechCrunch, a Google spokesperson pointed out that limits have always applied to all tiers of Colab usage paid plans.

"[T]hese updates are meant to give users more visibility into ... limits," the spokesperson said via email. "Colab will continue supporting its free of charge tier, including basic GPU access."

The sensitivity around pricing changes reflects how much Colab has grown since it spun out from an internal Google Research project in late 2017. The platform has become the de facto digital breadboard for demos within the AI research community -- its not uncommon for researchers whove written code to include links to Colab pages on or alongside the GitHub repositories hosting the code.
Congressional Republicans will likely find themselves in a sticky situation next year when it comes to Justice Department investigations of former President Trump should they win control of the House or the Senate in the face of pressure by the ex-president to thwart the work of federal investigators.

Some Republicans have floated defunding parts of the FBI in response to what they call a politically motivated search and seizure at Trumps Mar-a-Lago property. An ascension to power also gives the GOP a chance to put a magnifying glass to the Biden administration through congressional hearings and investigations that could also throw some speed bumps into Department of Justice (DOJ) probes.

At a recent rally in Ohio with GOP Senate candidate J.D. Vance, the former president complained that he has been harassed, investigated, defamed, slandered and persecuted like no other president, and that there has been political repression unlike anything our nation has ever seen.

J.D., you gotta get it stopped, Trump said.

But taking an ax to funding for Trump probes is unlikely. And congressional investigations may do more to sway the court of public opinion than stop DOJ probes into the former president.

Some members of Congress could make a bunch of noise, but thats about it, said Chuck Rosenberg, a former U.S. attorney and senior FBI official.

Trump is currently at the center of several investigations, two of which are under the Justice Departments purview.

Federal investigators are digging into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. A number of ex-Trump White House aides have been called before a grand jury  including former counsel Pat Cipollone and Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence  and the department has reportedly seized cellphones belonging to Trump advisers.

The Justice Department is also investigating Trumps handling of presidential records and classified documents after he departed the White House in January 2021. The FBI executed a search warrant on the former presidents Mar-a-Lago residence in August and found scores of classified and top-secret documents that had been sought by the federal government after Trump left office.

Story continues

Power of the purse

The Mar-a-Lago search spurred calls from some Republican members and GOP commentators to defund the FBI. But the logistics of actually defunding DOJ probes into Trump are politically fraught.

It is unlikely that appropriations negotiators would make cuts to the DOJ or FBI that could make it past a Senate filibuster, let alone be signed into law by President Biden. Republicans could theoretically leverage the threat of a government shutdown or need to raise the debt ceiling when negotiating for the cuts, but there does not appear to be a widespread political will among Republicans to play hardball to that extent over perceived politicization at the DOJ.

The conservative House Freedom Caucus has called for bringing back the Holman Rule, which would give more power to individual members by allowing them to propose amendments to appropriations bills that cut the salaries of specific federal workers down to $1, effectively defunding them. The arcane rule has been floated as a potential way to impact the investigations should they target investigators.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), the former chair of the House Freedom Caucus, suggested at a CPAC Texas event in August, days before the Mar-a-Lago search, that Republicans could use the Holman Rule to start defunding some of these bad agencies, the FBI, the DOJ. He did not specifically mention the agencies probes into Trump.

House Republicans restored the Holman Rule  which dates back to 1876 and is named after former Rep. William Holman (D-Ind.)  in January 2017 after securing control of the lower chamber, but Democrats nixed the procedural rule two years later when they took back the majority.

We should be able to take and restrict dollars flowing to a particular bureaucrat who we think is not doing the will of the people or following the law, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a member of the Freedom Caucus, told The Hill.

Take, for example, [Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas; take, for example [Anthony] Fauci; take, for example, other bureaucrats, the administration, but also [Attorney General Merrick] Garland and the FBI and what theyre doing, he said.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), the current chairman of the Freedom Caucus, said Garland and investigations into Trump will be included in the conferences use of the Holman Rule, but emphasized that the group plans to cast a wide net.

Were looking to fix the abuse of spending and power at all the federal levels, Perry said. Its everything.

Pressed on if there will be a particular focus on probes into the former president, he said its not specific to Trump investigations, its specific to government overreach and overspending.

While bringing back the Holman Rule is a priority for the Freedom Caucus, not all Republicans are lining up behind the initiative.

It may come back, Im not a big fan of it, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), ranking member on the House Rules Committee, adding that it tends to personalize politics in ways that are not helpful.

Shine of the microscope

Republicans have already pledged to use their congressional investigatory authority in response to the DOJs probe of Trump.

After the search at Mar-a-Lago, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) promised immediate oversight of the DOJ in a GOP majority, arguing that it had reached an intolerable state of weaponized politicization. He directed Garland to preserve your documents and clear your calendar.

The Justice Department has long responded to congressional inquiries about ongoing investigations by claiming that providing such information could interfere with national security, compromise an investigation or amount to improper political interference.

A GOP-led congressional committee would have broad ability to seek records and testimony as long as there is a legitimate legislative purpose. Congress has typically considered the needs of an agency to keep matters relating to its deliberative process confidential.

Criticism relating to those concerns rose in 2018 after former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein gave former Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), then the chair of the House Intelligence Committee, and former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), then the chair of the House Oversight Committee, access to a memo that launched the FBIs investigation into Russia and the Trump campaign.

Harry Litman, a law instructor at the University of California at San Diego and former U.S. attorney and deputy assistant attorney general, wrote in an op-ed at the time that the disclosure could compromise the investigation, unfairly expose uncharged individuals and provide a road map for defendants to sculpt their stories.

But with different leadership in the DOJ, Litman does not have the same worries about a future Congressional requests.

So long as Merrick Garland remains atop the DOJ, the Department will vigorously resist providing any information about pending investigations (as Rosenstein did in 2018), Litman said. That includes going to court, where the law is uncontroversially in their favor and they should prevail.

The Iran-Contra affair provides another notable historical instance of a congressional investigation affecting a federal criminal probe even when the dual investigations had the same target. Former National Security Council aide Oliver Norths 1989 conviction on felony charges were later overturned in part over concerns that testimony he gave to Congress on the condition it would not be used against him was utilized in his trial.

Multiple experts agreed that there is ultimately little Congress can do through oversight activities to thwart the DOJ.

David Janovsky, analyst at the Project on Government Oversight, said that while a GOP congressional investigation may add speed bumps to DOJ probes into Trump, it cannot alone stop it.

Matthew Miller, a former DOJ spokesman and an MSNBC analyst, said that the DOJ would simply refuse to turn over certain information.

Theyre pretty used to litigating these fights with Congress by this point in the D.C. courts, he said.

Concerns about congressional investigations affecting DOJ probes have already affected GOP investigations into matters concerning Trump. The National Archives and Records Administration, for instance, has declined to share records relating to the Mar-a-Lago search with Republicans on the House Oversight Committee in order to protect the integrity of the DOJs ongoing work.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FIRST ON FOX: Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee sent a letter to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry over reports his office is "effectively outsourcing" American foreign policymaking to left-wing environmental groups.

House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Michael McCaul, R-Texas, led the letter with the GOP members of his committee following Fox News Digital reports that green groups were consulted and given a key role in crafting U.S. foreign policy. The reports, based on internal State Department emails, showed outside non-governmental organizations acting as an apparent middleman in key global climate policy talks.

"We need to know the extent to which Special Envoy John Kerry is farming his work out to progressive environmentalists, which could be a violation of federal law," McCaul told Fox News Digital in a statement Friday.

In the letter , the lawmakers pointed to the reports "suggesting that your office is effectively outsourcing official policymaking functions of the U.S. government to progressive environmentalist groups, and/or utilizing them in an unlawful advisory capacity."

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS PLAY KEY ROLE IN BIDEN ADMIN FOREIGN POLICY, EMAILS SHOW

"As has been publicly reported, groups have demanded that the State Department elevate climate change above all national security, great power competition, and human rights considerations, to the top of all [foreign policy] decisions," the Republicans wrote.

"They have also advised the Department that anyone with a history of blocking climate action must be disqualified from senior international appointments," McCaul and his fellow GOP members continued.

In August, Fox News Digital reported that Kerry's office has consulted with multiple left-wing environmental groups on multiple occasions since President Biden took office in January 2021. Immediately upon taking office, Biden appointed Kerry to be the nation's first special presidential envoy for climate, a high-level State Department position which grants him a position on the White House National Security Council.

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JOHN KERRY'S CLIMATE OFFICE RIFE WITH TIES TO FAR-LEFT GREEN GROUPS

Emails obtained by Fox News Digital via government watchdog group Protect the Publics Trust (PPT) showed that staffers and advisers in Kerry's office actively sought the advice of prominent groups like the Sierra Club and the United Nations Foundation. His office also scheduled Zoom briefings with such organizations.

"For an administration claiming to be guided by the science, there are more than a few indications that the input of their political allies may be a bigger driver of policy," PPT Director Michael Chamberlain told Fox News Digital at the time. "Little wonder that the American publics trust in its government is in free fall."

Fox News Digital then reported in September that additional emails obtained by PPT showed environmental groups acting as an apparent go-between for the Biden administration in international climate discussions. The story was cited in the House Foreign Affairs GOP letter Thursday.

"The Department of States leadership in combating the global climate crisis is supported by diplomats, negotiators, and subject matter experts with diverse backgrounds and decades of knowledge and experience from the public sector, academia, NGOs, and the private sector," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital after the second report.

Kerry's office did not respond to a request for comment on the Republican letter Friday.

In the letter, McCaul and the other GOP lawmakers continued, requesting "additional clarity regarding your offices interactions with these groups, your teams solicitation of their advice, and the Departments adoption of their recommendations."

They also wrote the emails reported "suggest that your office has sent private updates regarding your foreign travel to a small, exclusive cadre of representatives of various non-profit organizations (NGOs), who remain better informed than the American people or the U.S. Congress regarding your whereabouts and policy agenda."

JOHN KERRY'S SECRETIVE CLIMATE OFFICE DISCUSSED KEEPING PLANS OFF 'PAPER,' EMAILS SHOW

"The same correspondence shows that your senior staff has asked these NGOs to weigh in on which candidates the United States government should support to fill important leadership positions inside international organizations like the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). One candidate, whom an NGO representative described in emails as horrible, went on to win a leadership seat at the OECD."

"This complicates both present and future diplomatic engagements: Now that it is publicly known that he was viewed unfavorably by American groups with privileged access to U.S. decisionmakers, our working relationships with the OECD and the officials host government could be jeopardized," the Republicans warned.

The lawmakers said its "one thing, of course, to occasionally consult with outside groups to fill in knowledge gaps and hear a variety of perspectives," but a completely different situation "to use individuals who have not gone through official vetting to form your shadow cabinet, and/or solicit their advice regularly when they have not been lawfully constituted as a federal advisory committee."

McCaul and his fellow foreign affairs Republicans warned that when the latter situation occurs, "individuals with considerable sway over U.S. foreign policy are not accountable to the American public, and normal transparency into government processes is lost."

JOHN KERRYS OFFICE REDACTED EVERY STAFFER NAME IN FOIAED CORRESPONDENCE

"Functions that are inherently governmental  like the conduct of foreign relations and the determination of foreign policy  cannot be contracted out to friends and former colleagues of your staff," they added. "Even informal arrangements that do not include financial remuneration would seem to violate the spirit, if not the letter, of this normal contracting rule."

"Furthermore, elevating outsiders perspectives in the reported manner may have the unintended consequence of discounting or making less relevant those innovative policy ideas that have been provided through official Department channels."

The lawmakers said it was "imperative" that Kerry "remind all employees and officials within the Department of their legal responsibility" to take the "appropriate measures" to "preserve all documents, communications, and other records"  including electronic ones  in line "with federal law, including the Federal Records Act and related regulations, that are related to House Foreign Affairs Committee members series of questions."

Fox News Digital reported earlier this month that far-left environmental groups have played a key role in crafting the Biden administration's foreign policy efforts. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

"We request that you preserve all information that relates to Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) communication, documents, and other records, created or disseminated from January 2021 to present, exchanged with representatives of, and/or referring or relating to, the following entities and individuals," the lawmakers wrote in bold.

McCaul and the Republicans specifically demanded Kerry preserve the records of department activities with E3G, Performance Partners, The Peoples Justice Council, Climate Nexus, the Center for American Progress, Oxfam America, the National Resources Defense Council, the Global Strategic Communications Council, the Global CCS Institute, the World Resources Institute, and Bidens green energy innovation senior advisor John Podesta.

"Specifically, this request should be construed as an instruction to preserve all documents, communications, and other information, including electronic information and metadata, that is or may be potentially responsive to a future congressional inquiry, request, investigation, or subpoena."

"This includes preserving all compilations of documents that have already been gathered in response to requests, even if copies of individual documents may still exist elsewhere in the agency," the lawmakers concluded the letter.

Joining McCaul on the letter are the GOP members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, August Pfluger of Texas, and Young Kim of California.
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith were the most recent judges on "Bake Off." Netflix

Insider spoke with 4 bakers from "The Great British Baking Show" about the series' judges and hosts.

According to them, Paul Hollywood was intimidating, and Mary Berry was empathetic.

One of the show's current hosts, Noel Fielding, takes a real interest in getting to know the bakers.

After hours of watching "The Great British Baking Show," its judges and presenters can feel like old friends  but what are they like when the cameras aren't rolling?

Insider spoke with several former contestants from various seasons of the show, known as "The Great British Bake Off" in the UK, to hear about their experience working with the series' famous cast.

One former contestant called Mary Berry a 'lovely' person who empathizes with contestants

Mary Berry judged the first seven seasons of "The Great British Baking Show." BBC/Netflix

Before she left the show in 2019, judge Mary Berry balanced out fellow judge Paul Hollywood's intimidating persona for seven years.

Fans of Berry will be happy to hear that she seems to be as lovely in real life as she appears on television.

Season-four baker Ali Imdad recalled a time when the "lovely" judge comforted him during a difficult moment even though they weren't being filmed.

"I remember once I was having a panic attack because my ganache just wasn't setting," he said. "There were no cameras, but she still just came up to me and gave me a hug and said, 'Just remember, it's just cake.'"

Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc's well-meaning antics in the tent could also get annoying

Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc on "The Great British Baking Show." BBC/Netflix

Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, who hosted the first seven seasons of the show, were known for bringing a certain comedic flair to each episode. But some bakers didn't always have time for their antics in the middle of a stressful challenge.

Imdad also competed on the third season of "The Great British Baking Show: Holidays," and he recalled a moment when the hosts interfered with the bakers' focus.

"I was with Cathryn Dresser," he told Insider. "Her bakes weren't going very well, and Mel and Sue came and they were just sort of having a laugh and a joke, and I remember Cathryn saying to me, 'I just need to finish up my bakes. Can they just please leave me alone?'"

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He continued, "So if you're having a bad time, it's probably a little distracting and annoying. but obviously, they always mean well  minus Paul."

Contestants liked Sandi Toksvig, but one said she didn't seem to have much of a sweet tooth

Sandi Toksvig and Antony Amourdoux on "The Great British Baking Show." Channel 4

Despite being a copresenter on a baking-competition show, Sandi Toksvig doesn't seem too keen on sweets herself.

"None of the judges ever spat the food out to avoid weight gain, but I think Sandi sometimes didn't try bakes," season eight's Stacey Hart told Insider. "I don't think Sandi's got a particularly sweet tooth, but she loves cheese so she always ate anything with cheese."

But her lack of a sweet tooth doesn't stop her from being a kind host. Hart said Toksvig is a "lovely woman" who the contestants fondly referred to as "Auntie Sandi."

Prue Leith apparently takes home leftovers from the show to feed her pigs

Prude Leith has been judging "The Great British Baking Show" since season eight. BBC/Netflix

Fans often wonder what the show does with all the leftover baked goods after a full day of shooting.

According to Hart, the dishes are generally shared among contestants, hosts, judges, and the crew. And since she joined the show as a judge in 2017, Prue Leith has apparently taken care of the leftovers.

"They spread it all out on a table and whatever scraps are left over Prue apparently takes home to feed her pigs," Hart told Insider. "That's what I was told."

Although Leith has previously spoken about feeding scraps from the show to her neighbor's pigs, she later said she stopped after learning it could make them sick.

Copresenter Noel Fielding takes a vested interest in the contestants

Noel Fielding and Antony Amourdoux on "The Great British Baking Show." Channel 4/Love Productions

Copresenter Noel Fielding joined "The Great British Bake Off" for season eight in 2017.

His wacky comedy tends to lighten the mood in the tent, and, according to former contestants, he's kind and supportive off-camera, too.

Hart told Insider that he makes a point to get to know the contestants before they even arrive on the set.

"In the beginning, the first day we walked into the tent, everyone was nervous," she said. "Noel came up and gave us a big hug. He knew everything about me."

Some bakers said Paul Hollywood's bad-guy persona got annoying

Paul Hollywood on "Bake Off." BBC/Netflix

Paul Hollywood seems pretty intimidating on the show, but some former contestants said he can be more annoying than scary.

"Paul tries to put on this persona of, you know, just sort of lingering behind you and trying to catch you out," Imdad told Insider. "And it's cute the first time around, but after a while, it's like, 'Could you just go away?'"

He continued, "I guess it's cute when you're watching on TV, but when you're a contestant, you just sort of want to push him off."

"I got a bit annoyed," Hart told Insider. "In the semifinals, Paul made a few comments I didn't like. He came to my workspace and said, 'Oh, got a bit of a mess on here. A messy table is a messy baker' or something like that, and I'm like, go away. I'm just trying to do my job."

But he doesn't scare everyone, and sometimes he's pretty helpful

Despite Hollywood's reputation as the tougher judge on the show, not everyone dreads facing him.

"Some may fear Paul Hollywood, but he does not scare me," season seven's Rav Bansal told Insider

Hart also said she wasn't fazed by Hollywood's persona, telling Insider, "Paul tries to be intimidating, but he didn't scare me."

She continued, "He's nice enough. I only liked him when he liked my stuff. I didn't like him when he didn't."

Season nine's Antony Amourdoux said the scariest thing about Hollywood was being judged by him because he's such a talented baker.

"He is technically so sound, he's unbelievable," Amourdoux said. "I would say he is the scariest judge because he can proper tell you off if it goes wrong."

Luckily, Hollywood is happy to give bakers pointers.

"As much as he is scary, he does help bakers with his tips and tricks," the contestant added. "Bread week, he comes alive. Other weeks he's not normally in the tent as much, but bread week he's walking around spending good time in the tent watching every single baker."

One contestant said Hollywood's appearance could get distracting

Paul Hollywood intimidates some contestants on "Bake Off." BBC

Amourdoux said that the judge's handsome looks were sometimes distracting.

"It's pretty daunting. Especially when Paul Hollywood is staring down at you with these blue eyes," he said. "One side of my mind is saying, 'This guy is so hot. Just kiss him.' And the other side of my mind is saying, 'This guy is so daunting and scary.'"

Overall, Hart said most of the hosts and judges are pretty friendly and welcoming

Noel Fielding was especially welcoming to the new bakers. Channel 4/Love Productions

Hart told Insider that the judges and hosts she interacted with were pretty welcoming and kind overall but that Hollywood didn't seem quite as friendly.

Recalling her first time in the tent, Hart said, "They all came in and made us feel good. The one person who didn't? Paul. He stayed outside."

She continued, "I didn't have any communication with him until the first judging."

Representatives for Hollywood, Leith, and Toksvig did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Traci Park, left, and Erin Darling are running for City Council in District 11, serving Venice and other coastal areas. (Los Angeles Times)

The Westside of Los Angeles will get a new City Council member in the Nov. 8 election, with Councilman Mike Bonin stepping down after two terms, saying he wanted to tend to his mental health.

Competing to replace Bonin are two lawyers, Erin Darling, 41, and Traci Park, 46. Darling finished first among eight candidates in the June primary, with nearly 35% of the vote. Park took 29%, earning the second spot in the November runoff election.

Who are the candidates?

Darling, the married father of a young son, lives in Venice, where he grew up. Darling's legal career has focused on civil rights, tenant protection and criminal defense. He served on the Venice Neighborhood Council and on the commission that oversees the county's beaches and harbors.

Park is married and also lives in Venice. As a lawyer, she has represented cities and other government entities on employee relations and other issues. She has also led worker training sessions and defended government agencies against lawsuits. Her local activism increased when a shelter for the homeless opened across the street from her home.

Erin Darling vs. Traci Park

The two candidates occupy markedly different places on the political spectrum. As a young person, Park was a registered Republican before switching to the Democratic Party. She supported two failed recalls  of Bonin and Dist. Atty. George Gascon.

Darling is an outspoken progressive who once registered with the Green Party and is now a Democrat. When Bonin announced he would not run for a third term, an alliance of liberal political organizations encouraged Darling to run.

Darling has won the support of the county Democratic Party, the Sierra Club, state Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan, Laura Friedman and Tina McKinnor, along with county Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and a host of unions, including those representing carpenters and healthcare workers.

Park has endorsements from former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and state Treasurer Fiona Ma. She also has the support of business organizations and some unions, including ones representing nurses and electrical workers and many that represent police and firefighters.

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An independent expenditure committee, funded largely by the city's police union and by real estate interests, has poured nearly $1.4 million into the campaign to elect Park. Darling also has an independent campaign backing him  with its $120,000 coming from a carpenters union.

Where is District 11?

The 11th Council District stretches along the coast, from Pacific Palisades to Los Angeles International Airport and generally as far inland as the 405 Freeway. Among the communities in the district are Venice, Mar Vista, Playa del Rey, Westchester, Brentwood and West Los Angeles.

Where Darling and Park stand on homelessness

Like Bonin, Darling opposed a Los Angeles city ordinance that allows council members to designate parks, libraries and other areas as off-limits to homeless encampments. He said too much emphasis has been put on moving people around, without creating the temporary and permanent homes that will help get them off the streets.

Darling did not take a position on another L.A. ordinance, which banned camping close to all schools and day-care centers. He said he would not fight enforcement of those new restrictions.

The Venice resident has supported a number of proposals for new housing construction, including one that would put 140 units for homeless and low-income people on the center median of Venice Boulevard in Venice. He has criticized Park for opposing that plan and for failing to specify new housing projects that she would support.

Park said she would use the anti-camping ordinance to block people from moving to certain public spaces, like around parks and libraries. She also supported the City Council in banning camping close to schools.

Park said she would put an emphasis on returning public spaces to all of the public, rather than let it be taken over solely by unhoused people.

The attorney supported police, outreach workers and others who in June shut down an encampment of about 60 tents that had mushroomed in Centennial Park, which occupies the Venice Boulevard median. Park said homeless people from the camp were given humane alternatives.

Darling said the Centennial Park cleanup was done prematurely, without adequate care and preparation for the people who lived there, some of whom ended up moving to nearby public places.

Where Park and Darling stand on policing and public safety

Park wants to beef up the Los Angeles Police Department, increasing the force from its current level of less than 9,300 to a minimum of 10,000. (Mayoral candidate Rick Caruso has called for an LAPD of 11,000 sworn officers.)

Darling says that too much of the citys budget has been funneled to police and that more money should go to other services, including mental health workers. He has not named the right size for the LAPD.

Past coverage

L.A. Times editorial board endorsement

The Times' editorial page publishes endorsements based on candidate interviews and independent reporting. The editorial board operates independently of the newsroom  reporters covering these races have no say in the endorsements.

How and where to vote

Ballots will be in the mail to all 22 million registered voters in the state no later than Oct. 10. Californians can return ballots by mail, drop them at collection boxes or turn them in at voting centers. They can also cast ballots early at voting centers or wait until Nov. 8 to vote at their neighborhood polling places.

Californians can register to vote or check their status at https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

Follow more election coverage

California voters head to the polls Nov. 8 to vote for U.S. senator, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer and attorney general. Also to be decided are races for Congress, state senator and Assembly member. Local races include Los Angeles mayor and L.A. County sheriff. Voters also will decide seven statewide ballot propositions.

More News

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
For years, Myra Williams did everything she could to get her son mental health help before he allegedly stabbed her death earlier this week at their home in Gulfport.

Myra, 68, was found dead of apparent knife wounds in the 2300 block of 32nd Avenue on Wednesday night, Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said.

Durel Louis Williams was at the scene and was arrested by Gulfport police without incident. He is held on a first-degree murder charge on a $1 million bond.

Durel, 28, has a history of mental illness, his older sister, Dantrelle Williams, told the Sun Herald on Friday.

My mother did what she could, Dantrelle said, after Durel was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and split personality disorder dating back to 2012.

Dantrelle said that Myra was able to get Durel help at Tulane University, but they were unable to afford the treatment after some time.

When you have money, you get more attention, she said. My mother was running dry trying to get him to therapy.

Once the family was unable to afford treatment in New Orleans, they turned to the state of Mississippi and had no luck, Dantrelle said.

My mother is gone today because there was no help. Theres programs for people with higher income, not lower income. When you come to a person who doesnt have anything and is seeking assistance, there is nothing for them to receive.

Despite the unspeakable tragedy that happened to her family, Dantrelle doesnt blame Durel.

Some people say I should be hating my brother she said. No, I feel sorry for my brother, because he has no idea what he has done to himself and his mother.

An autopsy on Myras body is scheduled for Friday.
L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho speaks during a recent news conference at Roybal Learning Center about a major cyberattack on the school system. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

A criminal syndicate has set a Monday deadline for the Los Angeles public school system to pay a ransom or have its data released on the dark web, which could potentially expose the confidential information of students and employees.

In response, L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho said Friday that the district would not pay the ransom and would not negotiate, following the advice of law enforcement and federal officials.

The deadline was posted on the dark web site maintained by Vice Society, which had informally confirmed to at least three reporters that it was responsible for the hack that L.A. Unified uncovered while it was in progress on Sept. 3, during the Labor Day weekend when most district employees were off work for four days.

District and law enforcement officials have declined to name Vice Society as the culprit, but federal officials posted a warning to education institutions about the syndicate immediately after the attack on the nation's second-largest school system.

Carvalho has acknowledged that the attack came from a group that is familiar to law enforcement and known for attacking school systems. On Friday, Carvalho did not contest media accounts identifying Vice Society. He continued his previous practice of not naming the amount that is being demanded.

"What I can tell you is that the demand  any demand  would be absurd," Carvalho said. "But this level of demand was, quite frankly, insulting. And we're not about to enter into negotiations with that type of entity."

In a statement released later, he added: "Paying ransom never guarantees the full recovery of data, and Los Angeles Unified believes public dollars are better spent on our students rather than capitulating to a nefarious and illicit crime syndicate."

The claim of responsibility became official with a posting on the dark web. A screenshot shows the Vice Society logo and its catchphrase "ransomware with love." The site lists as "partners" the entities that it claims to have victimized. These now include the L.A. Unified School District, which is listed along with the district logo.

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"The papers will be published by London time on Oct. 4, 2022, at 12 a.m.," the webpage states. A countdown clock ticks down the time to the deadline. Midnight in London would translate to 4 p.m. Monday in Los Angeles.

Hackers this year have attacked at least 27 U.S. school districts and 28 colleges, according to cybersecurity expert Brett Callow, threat analyst for the digital security firm Emsisoft. At least 36 of those organizations had data stolen and released online and at least two districts and one college paid the attackers, Callow said.

Vice Society alone has hit at least nine school districts and colleges or universities so far this year, per Callow's tally.

"What we now know is that whatever data Vice Society has will be released on the dark web in a little under four days," Callow said. "We dont, however, know what that data is, how much of it there is or, for that matter, whether this is a bluff and they obtained no data at all."

When the attack was discovered, district technicians quickly shut down all computer operations to limit the damage and officials were able to open campuses as scheduled on the Tuesday after the holiday weekend. The shutdown and the hack combined to result in a week of significant disruptions as more than 600,000 users had to reset passwords and systems were gradually screened for breaches and restored.

During this rebooting, technicians found so-called tripwires left behind that could have resulted in more structural damage or the further theft of data. The restoration of district systems is ongoing, but there also was another element of the attack: the exfiltration of data.

The hackers claim to have stolen 500 gigs of data  a claim that is impossible to verify unless the hackers returned a copy to district officials as proof. This is the information that the syndicate says it is prepared to release publicly.

Carvalho repeated on Friday that he believes confidential information of employees was not stolen. He is less certain about information related to students, which could include names, grades, course schedules, disciplinary records and disability status.

Whatever the case, he said, the district will provide assistance to anyone who is potentially harmed by the release of data, including by setting up an "incident response" line at (855) 926-1129. Its hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major U.S. holidays.

The district also has set up a cybersecurity task force, and the school board has granted Carvalho emergency powers to take any related step he feels is necessary.

The internal systems most damaged were in the facilities division. Carvalho said it was necessary to create workarounds so that contractors could continue to be paid and repairs and construction could continue on schedule.

In responding to the hack, the school system has worked with law enforcement, the federal government and both private-industry and in-house experts.

Cybersecurity expert Jeremy Kirk said that data theft often happens first during an attack, going on unnoticed, before the hackers make a frontal assault to encrypt and take down entire computer systems.

"Organizations and companies are extorted by ransomware gangs two ways these days," said Kirk, executive editor for security and technology at Information Security Media Group. "First, theyre asked to pay to get decryption keys to recover their scrambled data. If that doesnt work, theyre asked to pay to stop the public release of data that a ransomware group has stolen prior to encrypting the data."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sep. 30The Attorney General's Office said it made the decision not to proceed with charges after reviewing an investigation by HPD's Professional Standards Office of SHOPO President Robert Cavaco and Vice President Stephen Keogh

The state Department of the Attorney General has declined to charge two leaders of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers with misdemeanor extortion in connection with allegations contained in a civil suit filed by an ousted board member.

The decision not to proceed with criminal charges was made after reviewing an investigation by the Honolulu Police Department's Professional Standards Office of SHOPO President Robert Cavaco and Vice President Stephen Keogh, according to the Attorney General's Office.

In a joint statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Cavaco, an HPD lieutenant, and Keogh, an HPD sergeant, said they were "pleased " the attorney general "saw through these ridiculous accusations " by HPD Sgt. David Leonard "Ka wika " Hallums.

"Mr. Hallums' slanderous actions took two officers off of our roads and away from protecting our community, he attempted to weaken our union, he impacted our family lives and he sought to sully our reputations. It's shameful, " their statement said. "We appreciate the faith and support we received from our fellow SHOPO members and HPD colleagues. We look forward to continuing our work to advocate for Hawaii's police officers and the safety of our communities."

HPD's Professional Standards Office opened a misdemeanor extortion case in June after Hallums reported he was falsely accused of double-dipping into HPD and union travel funds and was blackmailed with the threat of a theft complaint.

The office forwarded the findings of its criminal investigation to Attorney General Holly T. Shikada's office in July.

"The case was sent by HPD PSO to our prosecutors for conferral and the Department is declining prosecution, " said Gary H. Yamashiroya, special assistant to the attorney general, in a statement to the Star-Advertiser on Thursday.

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HPD was notified Thursday of the attorney general's decision to decline prosecution.

Cavaco and Keogh have been on "restriction of police authority " since the start of the probe while maintaining their innocence.

Restriction of police authority is an order by the chief of police to an officer to cease the use of any police authority until further notice, according to HPD. The order might require the officer to turn in certain police equipment, including department-issued firearms and ammunition.

In order to return to unrestricted duty, Cavaco and Keogh's commanders would need to file paperwork asking Police Chief Arthur "Joe " Logan to restore their police powers. The request would be reviewed by about five different commanders prior to Logan making a final ruling.

Hallums' civil lawsuit outlining the allegations that led to the criminal investigation was filed May 31. The former SHOPO vice president alleged that other members of the union's executive board conspired to remove him by falsely accusing him of double-dipping into travel funds and blackmailed him with the threat of criminal charges.

Hallums maintained that SHOPO's previous president approved the travel and that no violations of the union's code of conduct occurred.

HPD's Professional Standards Office received a copy of the civil complaint the day it was filed and began scheduling interviews with those named in the case. The civil suit is ongoing in state Circuit Court.
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
NOTE: This article is being offered for free to all readers as a public service. Please consider a Knox News subscription at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

Voters will have the opportunity to hear directly from candidates in many East Tennessee districts at two upcoming forums.

The forums are open to everyone and candidates will be asked screened questions from audience members.

A forum for candidates in the state Senate District 7 race will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Knoxville Public Works Building, 3131 Morris Ave. in Knoxville. All candidates have been invited.

A forum for candidates in Tennessee State House of Representatives Districts 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 89 and 90 will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Annoor Academy, 724 Foxvue Road in Knoxville. All candidates have been invited.

The forums are sponsored by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Knoxville-Knox County along with Knox News and other organizations.

How to register to vote in Tennessee

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 11.

To register to vote online, go to ovr.govote.tn.gov.

To register by mail in Knox County, send your application to: Knox County Election Commission 300 Main St., Suite 229 Knoxville, TN 37902. Questions? Call 865-215-2480.

Has it been a while since you voted? Check to see if you're registered at tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup.

To register, you must be:

A U.S. citizen

A resident of Tennessee

At least 18 years old on or before the election.

How to request an absentee ballot in Tennessee

The final day to request an absentee ballot is Nov. 1, but you should do it long before that.

Voters unable to visit the polls in person may request an absentee ballot. To find out if you meet the requirements for an absentee ballot request, visit sos.tn.gov/products/elections/absentee-voting.

Knox County residents who qualify to vote by mail can send their absentee requests to fax number 865-215-4239 or email them to absenteeballot@knoxcounty.org.

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To print an absentee voting application, visit knoxcounty.org/election/pdfs/AbsenteeBallotApplication.pdf.

Early voting in Tennessee

Early voting will take place from Oct. 19 through Nov. 3.

Early voting hours are generally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Times vary at some locations, and hours are extended at some locations in the final three days.

Here are the early voting locations:

City-County Building, 400 Main St., small assembly room

Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway

Eternal Life Harvest Center at Five Points, 2014 Martin Luther King Ave. (next to Love Kitchen)

Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive

Downtown West, 1645 Downtown West Blvd.

Carter Senior Center, 9036 Asheville Highway

New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane

Halls Recreation Center, 6933 Recreation Lane

Meridian Baptist Church, 6513 Chapman Highway

Karns Senior Center, 8042 Oak Ridge Highway (open an hour early on weekdays but closed on Saturdays)

Election Day in Tennessee

The big day is Nov. 8. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Knoxville.

Voters who choose to cast their ballot on Election Day must go to their specific neighborhood polling site.

To find your polling place, use the Voting Location Search at kgis.org.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville candidate forums give voters a chance to ask questions
Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida

In this aerial view, a home burns after Hurricane Ian passed through the area in Sanibel, Florida, on September 29, 2022. Credit - Joe RaedleGetty Images

Since Hurricane Ian hit Cuba on Tuesday and Florida on Wednesday, millions of people lost power and officials launched a massive relief effort as they try to determine the storms death toll.

The storma category 4 hurricane with 155 mile per hour winds at its peakdestroyed homes, businesses, cars and major infrastructure in its path. It brought record levels of flooding and storm surges. Rescue efforts are still underway in some parts of Florida to help those trapped by the storm.

Hurricane Ian hit the Pinar Del Rio province in Cuba and Southwest Florida the hardest, resulting in large-scale electricity blackouts and damage to water systems that left some without clean tap water. Many of those who were unable to evacuate relocated to shelters and are seeking emergency assistance.

Heres how to help the victims of Hurricane Ian.

How to help Cuba and other areas impacted by the storm

The Peoples Forum, a group that supports working-class and marginalized communities, is accepting donations for Cubans affected by Ian to restore homes and purchase life-saving supplies.

Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, is also coordinating giving medical supplies to communities in need throughout Florida, Cuba, Georgia and the Carolinas. Theyre accepting monetary donations online to aid the effort.

GoFundMe has set up a Hurricane Ian Relief page for various relief projects, which the site said was verified by its Trust & Safety team. Donors can donate to individuals, families, or businesses that lost possessions or suffered damage.

How to help Florida

The Florida Disaster Fund is the states official private fund to assist communities with emergency and disaster recovery efforts. The group accepts online payments and checks, and donors can make contributions by visiting www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or by texting DISASTER to 20222. Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis said on Wednesday that funds donated would help those affected by Hurricane Ian.

Story continues

Volunteer Florida, true to its name, is connecting volunteers to communities in Florida that are in need of help after the storm, partnering with authorities, local aid groups, and larger organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. They are asking for volunteers who can provide mental health services and sign up for shifts at temporary shelters.

CORE, a nonprofit that coordinates relief efforts in underserved communities, is accepting monetary donations to help local partners based on their needs, particularly in the heaviest impacted and most vulnerable communities.

Dream Defenders, a BIPOC-centered organization that works to empower young people and communities of color, is accepting water, non-perishable food, medical supplies, and hygiene products. They are also accepting money donations and volunteers.

Operation BBQ is providing meals to first responders and those impacted by the storm in Florida. Theyre looking for both donations and volunteers.
We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com?

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether Invinity Energy Systems (LON:IES) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

Check out our latest analysis for Invinity Energy Systems

How Long Is Invinity Energy Systems' Cash Runway?

A cash runway is defined as the length of time it would take a company to run out of money if it kept spending at its current rate of cash burn. In December 2021, Invinity Energy Systems had UK26m in cash, and was debt-free. Importantly, its cash burn was UK24m over the trailing twelve months. That means it had a cash runway of around 13 months as of December 2021. While that cash runway isn't too concerning, sensible holders would be peering into the distance, and considering what happens if the company runs out of cash. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Is Invinity Energy Systems' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

In the last year, Invinity Energy Systems did book revenue of UK3.2m, but its revenue from operations was less, at just UK3.2m. Given how low that operating leverage is, we think it's too early to put much weight on the revenue growth, so we'll focus on how the cash burn is changing, instead. The skyrocketing cash burn up 110% year on year certainly tests our nerves. That sort of spending growth rate can't continue for very long before it causes balance sheet weakness, generally speaking. While the past is always worth studying, it is the future that matters most of all. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years.

How Hard Would It Be For Invinity Energy Systems To Raise More Cash For Growth?

While Invinity Energy Systems does have a solid cash runway, its cash burn trajectory may have some shareholders thinking ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations.

Invinity Energy Systems has a market capitalisation of UK31m and burnt through UK24m last year, which is 76% of the company's market value. That's very high expenditure relative to the company's size, suggesting it is an extremely high risk stock.

So, Should We Worry About Invinity Energy Systems' Cash Burn?

On this analysis of Invinity Energy Systems' cash burn, we think its cash runway was reassuring, while its cash burn relative to its market cap has us a bit worried. Considering all the measures mentioned in this report, we reckon that its cash burn is fairly risky, and if we held shares we'd be watching like a hawk for any deterioration. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 6 warning signs for Invinity Energy Systems (of which 2 make us uncomfortable!) you should know about.

Of course Invinity Energy Systems may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

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.

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> A midday take on whats happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*

*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Habreaks down crying hysterically.

TALK OF THE MORNING

Go home, Ian:



Ian has regained strength in the Atlantic Ocean and is hitting South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane.

To get ahead of the storm: President Biden has already approved an emergency declaration for South Carolina. That basically allows for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security to help with the response in the state.

Btw, the Charleston Airport has closed: It is expected to reopen at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

How many people have died?: At least 12 people are confirmed dead, according to NBC News. But President Biden said that this could be the deadliest hurricane in Floridas history, with a substantial loss of life.

Live blog of updates

The Weather Channels live storm tracker

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS:

Ugh, look at this flooded home in Naples, Fla.: From meteorologist Jason Brewer

Here is aerial video over Fort Myers: From congressional candidate Jared Moskowitz, who is also the former director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management

Photos of southwestern Florida: Taken before and during the storm

Phew, this cat was rescued: CBS News tweeted a video of a man rescuing a cat that was trapped in the flood. Watch the rescue

The Sanibel Causeway was severed: The Weather Channels Chris Dolce tweeted a before-and-after comparison. This is so sad.

Photos of Sanibel Island: From @JulieMartinTV

HURRICANE IANS STAGGERING SCALE OF WRECKAGE BECOMES CLEAR IN FLORIDA:

From The New York Timess Patricia Mazzei, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Frances Robles and Jack Healy

STORIES OF SURVIVING IAN: NARROW ESCAPES, HARROWING RESCUES, FLOODWATER FISH:

From Washington Posts Tim Craig

Story continues

Its Friday and today is the last day of September! Im Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and whats coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.

 In Congress

Were not really feeling a government shutdown right now:

The Senate voted on Thursday to keep the government open through mid-December (!)

Now, what?: The House is expected to pass the bill on Friday and send it to President Bidens desk.

Whens the deadline?: Midnight on Friday night. Congress loves a buzzer beater, huh?

Why mid-December?: It buys lawmakers more time to come up with a real spending agreement for fiscal 2023.

Whats included in the bill, besides the obvious?: It includes more than $12 billion in assistance to Ukraine and funding for disaster relief.

Whats *not* included in this bill?: Funding for COVID-19 and monkeypox, which the White House had wanted.

For context: There has been discussions and drama for weeks on whether the Senate would pass this bill with Sen. Joe Manchins (D-W.Va.) energy project proposal, but that was cut earlier this week.

INTERESTING READ  WHY THE PENTAGON HATES CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS  ESPECIALLY NOW:

From The Hills Jordan Williams

OK, so if Republicans win control of Congress, what happens to the Trump probes?:

Congressional Republicans will likely find themselves in a sticky situation next year when it comes to Justice Department investigations of former President Trump should they win control of the House or the Senate in the face of pressure by the ex-president to thwart the work of federal investigators.

One option: Some Republicans have floated defunding parts of the FBI in response to what they call a politically motivated search and seizure at Trumps Mar-a-Lago property.

Would the investigations go away entirely?: Probably not. Taking an ax to funding for Trump probes is unlikely. And congressional investigations may do more to sway the court of public opinion than stop DOJ probes into the former president.

How this could play out for each investigation, via The Hills Emily Brooks and Mychael Schnell

 News this morning

Another round of sanctions  on the house:

The Biden administration on Friday announced a new round of sanctions in response to Russias annexation of four Ukrainian territories, targeting government and military officials and their family members.

The specific sanctions

 On the campaign trail

Trump is headed to Michigan:



Former President Trump is holding a campaign rally in Michigan on Saturday.

Why this is particularly noteworthy: The event, to be held in Warren, will only sharpen questions about whether Trumps influence is backfiring against the GOP in general election campaigns.

Keep in mind: Trump endorsed conservative commentator and gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon, who is currently down in the polls to incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) by double digits (!)

And this is a race where Republicans were optimistic: Not so long ago, Whitmer was a top Republican target. Conservatives believed they could capitalize on discontent with her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular. Instead, the GOP has a candidate who hews to a hard-line anti-abortion position, meanders on whether the 2020 election was legitimate, and is suffering from a massive fundraising disadvantage.

The Hills Niall Stanage explains why the Michigan race matters so much.

NEW POLL  FETTERMANS LEAD IN PENNSYLVANIA IS SHRINKING A BIT:

A new Emerson College Polling-The Hill survey shows that Senate Democratic candidate John Fetterman is leading Republican Mehmet Oz by 2 percentage points. The margin for error is plus or minus three, so its very close. Poll takeaways from The HillsJulia Manchester

 Latest with COVID

 THE COVID-19 NUMBERS

Cases to date: 96 million

Death toll: 1,053,173

Current hospitalizations: 22,796

Shots administered: 619 million

Fully vaccinated: 67.9 percent of Americans

CDC data here.

 Notable tweets

If you havent heard of the butter board yet:



CNN tweeted an explainer of the food trend of spreading butter and toppings on a charcuterie-style board. I have  thoughts about this. Watch

 On tap

The House is in. The Senate is out. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington, D.C.

All times Eastern.

 What to watch

8:45 a.m. : Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) gave an update on Hurricane Ian. Watch

11:30 a.m. : Biden delivered remarks on the ongoing response to Hurricane Ian. Watch

Noon: The Bidens host a reception to celebrate the Jewish New Year. Harris attends and Emhoff delivers remarks. Livestream

2 p.m. : FEMA provides an update on Hurricane Ian. Livestream

2:45 p.m. : White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gives a press briefing. Livestream

4 p.m. The Bidens host a Hispanic Heritage Month reception. Livestream

 In lighter news

Today is National Mulled Cider Day. Saturday is National Pumpkin Spice Day and Sunday is National Fried Scallops Day!

Its all just a bunch of hocus pocus:

The time has finally come and the Sanderson sisters are back. Hocus Pocus 2 is now streaming on Disney Plus (!) Details from Toms Guide

And to leave you on happy note, heres the popular pastime of playing drums on a puppy belly.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WARWICK  When Jenny Reich of Barrington went to the Rhode Island premiere of "Hocus Pocus 2" Thursday, she was hoping for an answer to one question:

Did she, who was cast as an extra, make it into the final movie?

Other Rhode Islanders may be asking themselves throughout the Disney movie: Do I recognize that place?

The movie, a sequel to 1993's "Hocus Pocus," follows the Sanderson sisters, three witches brought back to life from 1600s Salem, as they terrorize the modern-day Massachusetts town while three teens stand in their way.

"They say it's 'Salem,' but. c'mon, we all know it's really Rhode Island," Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film & TV office told one of 15 audiences that watched a special "cast and crew" screening Thursday before the general streaming release Friday.

Hocus Pocus 2 in RI: A 1670s village rises in Lincoln park. Will it meet a fiery end? Witches are expected.

The entire Showcase Cinemas, all 15 auditoriums, was reserved for 1,200 invited guests  extras, crew members, vendors who supplied the production, VIPs and their plus-ones.

Jenny Reich, of Barrington, an extra in "Hocus Pocus 2," poses for a friend before a Thursday night "cast and crew" screening of the movie, which is being released on streaming Friday.

The Providence Journal watched "Hocus Pocus 2" alongside Reich, and here's what Rhode Islanders will  and will not  find familiar in the movie, which was shot entirely in the Ocean State.

What to know about 'Hocus Pocus 2': Excited about 'Hocus Pocus 2'? What you need to know now that the movie is out

'Hocus Pocus 2' spoilers: Warning, minor plot points mentioned

Here's how Rhode Island appears in the movie:

Lincoln

Chase Farm Park

It was no secret last year that Disney built a life-size replica of 1600s Salem  1653 to be precise, the movie reveals  at the town park and closed off the street running by it for several days of filming. Rumors were rampant that the village would be burned to the ground to film a climactic final scene.

Moviegoers don't have to wait to see how Disney used the fake village, as it's in the opening scenes of "Hocus Pocus 2."

Story continues

Not long after, viewers will find out what became of the fire.

Last week, workers on the set of Hocus Pocus 2 is being constructed at Chase Farm in Lincoln.

The Conjuring: What happens at Rhode Island's 'Conjuring House' ghost hunting tour? We found out

Providence

Brown University

The Ivy League campus doubles as the campus for the Salem high school.

La Salle Academy

The Catholic high school doubles as the halls and classrooms of the Salem high school.

Atwells Avenue

Doubles for a Salem street, including a stop at the Walgreens, which several characters enter to go shopping. The Sanderson sisters fly here.

Benefit Street

Stretches of the Colonial-looking street play roles as streets in modern-day Salem.

Cranston Street Armory

The Forbidden Woods, which plays a central role in the plot, were built in a sound stage in the armory.

East Providence

Newman Congregational Church, Cemetery

The church and cemetery, across Newman Avenue from each other in the city's Rumford section, are featured in cemetery shots.

Filmed in RI: How a Newport sitting room inspired Julian Fellowes to make HBO's 'Gilded Age'

North Kingstown

Quonset Business Park

The Magic Shop, which plays a central role in the plot, was built on a sound stage in the industrial park. While the stage was used for interior and exterior shots, some street scenes outside the shop were filmed in Newport.

Newport

Washington Square

Several scenes taking place at a Halloween carnival in modern-day Salem were filmed in Washington Square.

A member of the 'Hocus Pocus 2' film crew works on one of the booths set up on Washington Square in Newport in November 2021.

Just under an hour into the movie, Reich spotted herself and her daughter, 25-year-old Cornell University medical student Dustine Reich, who couldn't attend the premiere.

"We're behind a police officer," Reich said as the movie played.

Afterward, she acknowledged that, while she recognized herself and daughter, nobody else probably would.

"It was three seconds, a blur," she said of the product of her 12 to 14 hours of work on a cold day in Newport.

On stage: What's it like to play 15 roles in 'Mean Girls'? Ask South Kingstown's Grace Romanello

As an extra, she said she was paid a little bit more than minimum wage. But would she have done it for free?

"To be in a Disney picture with Bette Midler? Yeah."

And, she enjoyed watching Thursday night.

"I loved seeing all of Rhode Island in it."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Hocus Pocus 2 filmed in Providence, Newport, Lincoln, RI can you tell?
A hotel in Nebraska is being sued after firing a manager who sought treatment for depression, feds say.

The hotel in Omaha hired the general manager  who had already been diagnosed with depression  in the summer of 2019, prosecutors for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a lawsuit filed on Sept. 27 in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska.

The manager, employed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Omaha, noticed his depression-related symptoms worsening a few months later, the lawsuit says. He began having strong feelings of anger, frustration, and thoughts of self-harm, without any apparent trigger, prosecutors said.

These symptoms did not lead the manager to hurt himself or others, prosecutors said.

He called his wife and asked her to take him to the hospital on Oct. 28, 2019, court documents say. He notified human resources that he would miss work because he was going to the hospital for treatment of his depression, the lawsuit says.

Two days later, the manager was fired by his supervisor, prosecutors say. Hotel management told him they were firing him because they were afraid he would hurt other people, the lawsuit says.

Prosecutors say that the hotel did not assess the managers individual condition or ask about his ability to return to work. If he had not been fired, the manager could have returned to work  with or without reasonable accommodation, the lawsuit says.

Rather, prosecutors argue, the hotel fired him based on fears and stereotypes about depression, discriminating against his disability.

The hotel  owned by Anant Enterprises, Anant Operations, and Farnam Lodging  did not respond to McClatchy News request for comment.

In 2019, nearly 3% of U.S. adults reported experiencing severe depression, which is characterized by the presence of feelings of sadness, emptiness, or irritability, accompanied by bodily and cognitive changes lasting at least 2 weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During that same time span, moderate and mild symptoms of depression were reported in 4.2% and 11.5% of adults, respectively.

Story continues

Womens shelter closes after workers use funds for Disney trip, buying sprees, feds say

Election worker tampered with computer after polls closed in Michigan, authorities say

Walgreens manager refused to let pregnant worker leave, feds say. Then she miscarried
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Scott J. Applewhite/AP

Congress has moved to avert a government shutdown just hours before it would have begun.

President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law before the midnight deadline.

The legislation also contains funding for Ukraine, disaster relief, and heating assistance.

House Democrats and ten House Republicans on Friday passed legislation to fund the federal government hours before a devastating shutdown would have begun. The final vote was 230-201.

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law shortly before the midnight deadline. The federal government is now set to be funded through December 16.

The legislation also includes roughly $12 billion to support Ukraine's fight against Russia, $20 million to address Jackson, Mississippi's water crisis, $1 billion to help low-income Americans with heating assistance, and billions in disaster aid. The legislation also allocated billions for disaster relief, but Puerto Rico and Florida are expected to request much more in the coming months.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy led Republicans in opposing the measure, unlike in the Senate where his counterpart Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell voted for it. Of the 10 House Republicans who supported the measure, six of them are retiring. They are Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Chris Jacobs of New York, John Katko of New York, Fred Upton of Michigan, and Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio. The four additional votes in favor came from Reps. Steve Womack of Arkansas, Hal Rogers of Kentucky, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, and Garret Graves of Louisiana.

The Senate passed the funding bill on Thursday by a 72-25 vote. Twenty-two Senate Republicans joined every single Senate Democrat in backing the measure. Conservatives have long railed against increased government spending and the process of funding the government through last-minute bills.

For as much as lawmakers packed into the must-pass proposal, there are still things left out. The legislation is also known as a continuing resolution, meaning that Congress has continued its decade-long march of funding the government through a single massive bill as opposed to following the appropriations process which is supposed to end on September 30th.

Story continues

Republicans successfully blocked Democrats from including emergency aid for COVID-19 and monkeypox, though Democrats have vowed to keep pushing for it. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was also forced to request his permitting overhaul be pulled from the bill in the face of bipartisan opposition. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had promised to include Manchin's proposal as part of the deal that secured the West Virginian's vote to pass Democrats' massive climate and healthcare spending plan.

Lawmakers aren't expected to return to Washington until after the midterm elections for the "lame duck" session.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised a busy end of the year.

Florida has already begun the process of requesting more money to help recover from Hurricane Ian. Bipartisan groups of senators are trying to muster enough support for a historic codification of same-sex marriage rights and how Congress handles certifying the winner of a presidential election. Some lawmakers are still holding out hope that Congress will ban stock trading by members and senior staffers.

"Members should be prepared for an extremely, underline extremely, busy agenda in the last two months of this Congress," Schumer said on the floor on Thursday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Crowds gathered for a candlelight vigil hosted by the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition near the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul on Thursday, Sept. 29. ( Photo by Darren Thompson for Native News Online)

Saint Paul, MINN.  Hundreds gathered at Leif Erickson Park in downtown St. Paul on Thursday for a candlelight vigil honoring those who attended federal Indian Boarding Schools.

The event was hosted by the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS). Attendees engaged in ceremony and song and listened as boarding school survivors shared their experiences.

We need to acknowledge that boarding schools has been a major contributor to the devastating things that have been happening to our communities, Jim LaBelle, Sr. (Inupiaq) said during Thursdays vigil.

LaBelle is a boarding school survivor and was NABS first vice-president.

Our people are in prison, our children are in foster care in a White system, and addictions have been getting worse, LaBelle said.

In June 2021, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland announced the Department of the Interior (DOI) would review the records of federal Indian boarding schools at the National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year Session. That same day, Haaland issued a secretarial order directing the DOI to prepare a report that details boarding school facilities and sites; the location of known and possible student burial sites located at or near school facilities; and the identities and Tribal affiliations of children interred at such locations.

Known widely as the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, the effort comes after the discovery of 215 unmarked graves near the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia.

Haaland wrote in her June 22, 2021 memo: the purpose of Indian boarding schools was to culturally assimilate Indigenous children by forcibly relocating them from their families and communities to distant residential facilities where their American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian identities, languages, and beliefs were to be forcibly suppressed.

In most instances, Indigenous parents could not visit their children at these schools. Many students endured routine injury and abuse. Some perished and were interred in unmarked graves.

Story continues

Children cried themselves to sleep, and some willed themselves to not be here anymore, said NABS President Sandy Whitehawk during Thursdays vigil. But before they left, they were taught to pray and those prayers are being heard today.

Vigil organizers also urged participants to call their representatives to advocate for the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. Currently, both the House of Representatives and the Senate are reviewing a bill that will establish a truth and healing commission on Indian boarding schools.

If passed, the Congressional Commission would locate known Indian boarding schools that the federal government funded and analyze their records within five years. In addition, the Commission would collect evidence of the ongoing impacts of intergenerational trauma in American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.

About the Author: "Darren Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) is a staff reporter for Native News Online who is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Thompson has reported on political unrest, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous issues for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Indian Country Today, Native News Online, Powwows.com and Unicorn Riot. He has contributed to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Voice of America on various Indigenous issues in international conversation. He has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Criminology & Law Studies from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "

Contact: dthompson@nativenewsonline.net
Joe Raedle/Getty

Rescue crews going house to house in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian have encountered harrowing scenes, including scores of stranded people and at least one house that was completely submerged with human remains inside.

Kevin Guthrie, Floridas emergency management director, said during a Friday morning press briefing that authorities are reviewing 21 fatalities to see if theyre related to the catastrophic hurricane. The death toll is expected to rise as many parts of Lee Countyincluding the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captivaremain inaccessible by road, slowing the rescue process.

Guthrie said that crews spotted an undisclosed number of drowning victims at a house in an undisclosed part of Lee County.

Let me paint the picture for you. The water was up over the rooftop but we had a Coast Guard rescue swimmer swim down into it and he could identify what appeared to be human remains, he said. We do not know exactly how many... until the water recedes and we have the special equipment to get in there.

On Friday afternoon, the confirmed death toll stood at 25, according to CNN.

Hurricane Ian ravaged parts of Fort Myers Beach. Joe Raedle/Getty

Gov. Ron DeSantis said officials fully expect to have mortality from this hurricane. He said late Thursday that at least 700 rescues had been completed, though it remained unclear how many more people are still trapped. After surveying some coastal towns from the air on Thursday, DeSantis called the damage indescribable.

One of those deaths occurred in the town of New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County, where 67-year-old Jerry Argo and his wife found themselves trapped inside their home Thursday night as the unrelenting storm surged. While the couple waited to be rescued, Argo slipped inside the house, hitting his head on the floor, his step-grandson Samuel Mackey told The Daily Beast on Friday.

Unable to get up again, Argo died as the floodwaters rose over him, according to authorities. His wife, Alice, and the pairs two dogs, survived and are now staying in a temporary shelter.

Story continues

In Fort Myers, a 4-month-old baby went into cardiac arrest after rolling over into a position that restricted his airway. However, the childs mom, certified lifeguard Mariah Lane, began performing CPR and managed to revive her son, who is named Ace, before paramedics arrived moments later.

His mother... was out [of the room] cooking, the babys grandfather, Richard Miller, told The Daily Beast. And every five minutes or so, she goes and checks on him. And this time, he had rolled over. And she picked him up, and his face was all blue.

Meanwhile, the familys neighbors have banded together to help one another recover and rebuild.

If one doesnt have, the other one gives, Miller said. Weve helped several neighbors help put up shutters, and helped take them down. If somebody doesnt have a generator, theres a cord going across the street from another house.

Ian left widespread flooding, catastrophic infrastructure damage, and ongoing power outages after it made landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon as one of the most powerful storms in American history.

After making landfall as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds on Thursday, Ian steadily lost power before regaining strength over the Atlantic.

The storm made a second landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina, just before 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon as a Category 1 storm with 85 mph winds.

He Rescued His NeighborThen Had a Yacht Crash Onto His Doorstep

On Friday morning, the National Weather Service said a danger from life-threatening storm surge will be in effect along the coasts of northeast Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Hurricane-force winds are also expected to batter the coasts of South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina.

Although officials have issued warnings to residents in all of the states in Ians projected paths, fears are particularly strong for those in low-lying Charleston, South Carolina, where nine out of 10 residential properties are thought to be vulnerable to storm surge flooding.

Biblical downpours that accompanied Ian are already threatening to push river flooding to record levels in Central Florida in the coming days, the National Hurricane Center said. As many as half the roads in some areas of the state were made impassable by floods.

Parts of Sanibel Causeway were washed away along with sections of the bridge, cutting off Sanibel Island. Joe Raedle/Getty

Collapses of several sections of the only bridge between the mainland and Sanibel Islanda vacation hotspot off the coast of Fort Myersleft the island inaccessible by road. At least two fatalities on the island were confirmed late Thursday.

Over two million customers were still without power on Friday morning, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.

After a state of emergency was declared in South Carolina, the states emergency management division issued urgent advice on Friday before Ians arrival. Residents in affected areas were instructed to avoid walking in moving water or driving through flooded areas. If theres any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground, the organization tweeted. Do not wait to be told to move.

with additional reporting by Michael Daly

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ian started trekking through the Carolinas Friday, hammering the coast of South Carolina with flooding as it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, then taking aim at North Carolina as a post-tropical cyclone.

The second landfall on the U.S. mainland came as Floridians surveyed the damage days after the storm battered the state. Ian is expected to wreak havoc on numerous states along the East Coast as it moves inland over the weekend.

In South Carolina, trees have been toppled, roads flooded and over 69,000 households had already lost power, officials said at a Friday news conference. That number had risen to over 180,000 customers without power immediately after landfall, according to poweroutage.us. The state's five shelters were at 15% capacity ahead of landfall.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said no deaths have been reported in the state yet, "but there's still life-threatening conditions." He urged residents to stay off flooded roadways.

"This is not as bad as it could have been. A lot of prayers have been answered," he said. "...But we're not out of the woods."

Ian is the first landfalling hurricane in South Carolina since Matthew in 2016, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Officials in Florida, meanwhile, were assessing the damage and continuing search and rescue efforts after Ian slammed into the Fort Myers area on Wednesday as a Category 4 storm.

Local officials said they were sorting through potentially dozens of deaths to determine if they were storm related. On Friday, the Associated Press reported the death toll was at least 27.

Ian left a broad swath of destruction in Florida, flooding areas on both of its coasts, tearing homes from their slabs, demolishing beachfront businesses and leaving more than 2 million people without power.

Story continues

Even though the storm system has long passed over Florida, new issues were still presenting themselves Friday night. A 14-mile stretch of Interstate 75 was closed in both directions in the Port Charlotte area because of the amount of water in the Myakka River, the Associated Press reported.

There had been 700 rescues as of Friday morning, officials said. Meanwhile, 1.5 million customers were still without power across the state, and Lee County was without water after a main break.

"There's been really a Herculean effort," Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday morning.

Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott sent a joint letter Friday to the Senate Appropriations Committee chairs to secure funding to provide much needed assistance to Florida.

"Hurricane Ian will be remembered and studied as one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the United States, they wrote. Communities across Florida have been completely destroyed, and lives have been forever changed."

GET TEXT UPDATES: Sign up here for text updates on Ian.

A motorist drives though high water, as another turns around during the effects from Hurricane Ian, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Latest developments:

President Joe Biden declared an emergency in South Carolina and ordered federal assistance, according to the White House.

Losses from Hurricane Ian so far range between $25 billion and $40 billion, the Fitch Ratings credit agency reported Thursday.

At least nine people were rescued after a boat with more than 20 migrants sank in stormy weather near the Florida Keys. On Friday, the Coast Guard said one person's body was recovered near Ocean Edge Marina.

Airports in Tampa and Orlando were expected to reopen Friday, while Fort Myers Airport in southwest Florida remained closed Friday. More than 1,660 flights were canceled Friday due to the storm, according to FlightAware.

 Volusia County Community Information Director Kevin Captain said at a news conference Friday afternoon that the Daytona International Speedway has been flooded by Hurricane Ian. "Even our iconic speedway is underwater," he said.

Death toll likely to grow in Florida

The destruction left behind by Ian has made it difficult to quickly know how many had perished in the storm, but the death count reaches at least 27, the Associated Press reported Friday.

Eight were in Collier County and 12 were in Charlotte County, where the only operating hospital is no longer accepting new patients due to lack of capacity, Chris Constance, the countys commissioner, told CNN.

Local officials were also reporting deaths:

Sanibel Island officials reported two deaths on Thursday.

In Lee County, which includes the island of Cayo Costa near Cape Coral where the storm made landfall, at least five deaths were confirmed, Sheriff Carmine Marceno told CNN.

In Deltona , about 30 miles northeast of Orlando, a 72-year-old man died after falling into a canal while using a hose to drain his pool in the heavy rain, the Volusia County Sheriffs Office said.

In Sarasota County, the sheriff's office reported two deaths related to the hurricane after a 94-year-old man and 80-year-old woman died when their oxygen machines lost power during the storm.

Before hitting Florida, Ian also swept through Cuba earlier this week, killing three people.

Biden says Hurricane Ian devastation will take years to rebuild

President Joe Biden said Friday that Hurricane Ian is likely to rank among the worst in the nations history after producing devastation in Florida that will take months  years  to rebuild.

Americas heart is literally breaking, Biden said. I just want the people in Florida to know we see what youre going through and were with you, and were going to do everything we can for you.

Biden said the U.S. pre-deployed the largest team of search and rescue experts in recent American history that has so far rescued 117 people in southwest Florida.

The Biden administration Friday approved four additional Florida counties as part of a federal major disaster declaration in the state, expanding relief beyond the nine counties initially authorized. The move clears the way for FEMA assistance during recovery efforts. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell said at a Friday press conference the administration was certain to add more counties to that list.

Cape Coral Fire Chief Ryan Lamb said Ian was a "catastrophic" event.

"Its going to take years. This is a pivotal impact event," Lamb said. "This is going to affect the way we operate and do business for a very long time."

 Joey Garrison, USA TODAY; Sergio Bustos and Phil Fernandez, USA TODAY Network- Florida

Post-Tropical Cyclone Ian tracker

After slowly moving across Florida, Ian gained new strength over the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday before wreaking havoc on South Carolina, Georgia and more states along the East Coast.

It weakened to a post-tropical cyclone Friday afternoon, and by 11 p.m. it was located 60 miles south-southeast of Greensboro, North Carolina, and was moving north at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, the hurricane center said.

Check here for the latest updates on the storm's strength and track where it's headed next.

North Carolina braces for impact

In North Carolina, over 96,000 customers were without power Friday afternoon, according to poweroutage.us, as the state also braced for flash floods and the potential for isolated tornadoes.

Hurricane Ian is at our door, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said at a press conference Friday afternoon.

South Carolinians hunker down as storm tears along coast

A revived Hurricane Ian pounded coastal South Carolina on Friday, ripping apart piers and flooding streets, then weakened to a post-tropical cyclone.

As the vicious sheets of rain blew sideways and floodwaters rose on Friday, more than 50 people gathered at a Red Cross shelter set up at a North Charleston elementary school.

Edward William, 33, arrived in Charleston from Nashville four or five days ago and came to the shelter because he is homeless and felt unsafe outdoors.

A person can be homeless in weather, but not in a hurricane, he said.

If the shelter hadnt been open, William said he would have struggled.

Id have found a gas station that was open, maybe where I could have hugged up against a wall, he said. Another option would have been to crawl into a dumpster  but, he wondered, would that really be safe in a hurricane?

The main goal is to stay out of the rain, William said. The water  thats what can carry you away.

Rain whipped trees and power lines and left many areas on Charlestons downtown peninsula under water. Parts of four piers along the coast, including two at Myrtle Beach, collapsed into the churning waves and washed away. Online cameras showed seawater filling neighborhoods in Garden City to calf level.

-Joanna Johnson and Clare Amari, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal; The Associated Press

Island forecast: A look at Kiawah, Hilton Head and Pawleys

Kiawah Island: Located about 26 miles south of Charleston, the island could see up to 1.5 inches of rain throughout Friday until Ian shifts to the north, said NWS Charleston meteorologist Douglas Berry. Gusts were ranging between 35 and 45 mph Friday morning, but he said the risk of flooding would be worse in Charleston and right along the coast.

The islands location on Ians west side and an offshore flow  when air moves from land to sea  could lower Kiawah Islands tides, resulting in minor possible coastal flooding issues through Friday afternoon. There are no current flood advisories for the island.

Hilton Head Island: Tropical storm conditions were expected along the island, which is about 97 miles southwest of Charleston. The popular tourist destination could see up to 2 inches of rain Friday, with hurricane conditions possible. A high surf advisory, flood watch and hurricane and storm surge warnings were in effect Friday morning.

Pawleys Island: Gusts up to 100 mph could be in store for Pawleys Island, located 73 miles north of Charleston, said NWS Wilmington meteorologist Jordan Baker. The island is under both storm surge and hurricane warnings. Wind is certainly a big issue this time, and we're watching the surge, Baker told USA TODAY. That area and could see inundation up to 4 to 7 feet. A popular pier in the area collapsed and floated away amid the storm.

The end of the Pawleys Island pier has collapsed & is floating south. pic.twitter.com/ajJsWeXWfN  Pawleys Island PD (@PawleysIslandPD) September 30, 2022

'Heartbreaking' aftermath on a tiny Florida island

On tiny Matlacha Island near Fort Myers, the clatter of helicopters and airboats grew as the day progressed Friday, with volunteers and formal authorities alike coordinating evacuations and searches. The air stunk of mud and rotting food, and dozens of houses were destroyed, with many more significantly damaged.

Ian knocked out both bridges to the island, a primarily residential area with small shops, motels and tiny homes, intertwined with canals and boat docks. The storm laid a carpet of slick mud along portions of the island, and the loss of power meant food was beginning to rapidly rot.

Its a mess, said Sarah Yacko, 35, looking down from a second-floor balcony at the devastation in her neighborhood. Its really heartbreaking. Ive been coming here since I was in diapers.

Like many, Yacko and her family evacuated during the storm but returned immediately by boat, worried about their homes and cars. Boats jostled for position along the canal accessing the island, swerving to avoid floating debris and newly formed and uncharted sandbars.

Staggered by the destruction of her community, inn owner Janette Fraissinet, 61, took comfort in catching up with neighbors whod also boated in for the day. She is not exactly sure what comes next  residents suspect it will be weeks before they get electricity back, and probably even longer to get drinking water, sewage service or a road back to the mainland. Her motel and the owner's cottage are destroyed.

Last week, a guy offered me a million dollars for the hotel, she said. Last week I was a millionaire. Now Im homeless.

Dragging a cooler filled with gas cans, Julie Burden, 45, worried aloud about the fate of the three adjacent small houses she owns: two are rentals, and she lived in the third with her young son and elderly grandfather.

Rounding the corner, she got her first glimpse of the street.

Oh my God, she repeated, her bare feet sliding in the mud. Oh my God.

All three of the homes were intact, but mud filled each, and the winds tore off portions of the roofs, and flipped the boat dock from the back door to the front.

I was going to sit right there in that chair and ride it out but I looked at my little 9-year-old and he was so scared, Burden said.

Burden said she planned to start cleaning her house immediately but despaired at the task ahead.

I mean, it could have been worse, she said.

-Trevor Hughes

Floridians voice regrets after staying put during hurricane

Yolande Welch  95, with a bandaged leg and an injured shoulder  sat at the Port Sanibel marina with a Sanibel firefighters hand on her shoulder.

Firefighters and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officers had rescued her from Sanibel earlier in the day. Welch heard a loud crash in her living room Wednesday as one of her glass pane doors snapped and threatened to break off. She hurt her shoulder while trying to hold onto the door.

"It was hell," Welch said. "Ive been through five hurricanes, and this is the worst one."

Fort Lauderdale local Christopher Gyles has vacationed to Captiva Island with his family since 1991. Many of his 40 fellow family members fled to Fort Lauderdale, but some, including Gyles, stayed behind. Now, he said it was a bad idea.

Gyles said they watched debris being sucked into the gulf. It wasn't until Thursday morning that they were rescued by boat.

Eric and Vera Siefert, longtime Sanibel and Captiva residents in their 60s, also said staying was a dangerous error. Four of the coconut trees on their property were ripped down by high winds. As the storm surge rose to about 10 feet, water began flooding into their home.

"We were afraid," Eric said. "We were crawling on top of furniture and we thought it was going to be the end."

 Lisa Nellessen Savage, The News-Press

Contributing: John Bacon, Thao Nguyen, Jorge Ortiz, Doyle Rice, Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Ian live updates: Storm hits Carolinas; Florida death rising
Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida on Wednesday afternoon, just after 3 p.m. EDT  but the enormous damage is still being assessed. Several deaths so far have been attributed to the major storm.

The storm has left more than 2 million Florida residents without power.

While Ian has been downgraded to a tropical storm, it was expected to restrengthen later on Thursday, ahead of final landfall in South Carolina.

Fox News Digital communicated on Wednesday night and Thursday with Floridians taking shelter from the storm via social media, including a Facebook page, "Hurricane Ian Update and Recovery"  as well as with people from other states who were concerned about their loved ones caught in the storms path.

LIVE UPDATES: IAN REGAINS HURRICANE STRENGTH AHEAD OF FINAL LANDFALL AFTER FLORIDA PUMMELED BY HISTORIC STORM

One person from the Jacksonville area wrote bluntly: "Power off. Water rising."

Many others shared detailed message and stories. Here are some as the storm raged.

"I think everyone who evacuated is worried about what they will be coming back to, first and foremost," said a woman named Yelena of Venice, Florida, via Facebook Messenger.

"We evacuated when we heard its potentially landing in Venice at [a] category 4," she continued, asking that her last name be withheld.

"We have kids and parents who really wanted  to evacuate, but they wouldnt go without us."

She added, "So, [we] made [a] last-minute decision yesterday late afternoon to leave."

"Rebuilding yet again," wrote a woman from Long Boat Key, Florida. "We just finished after Hurricane Eta in 2020. Its a lot of physical, emotional and financial turmoil."

HURRICANE IAN SLAMS FLORIDA AS SCHOOLS ACT AS SHELTERS: READY TO ACCEPT ANYONE WITH OPEN ARMS, TEACHER SAYS

She also said, "I dont think people understand, even if youre insured (and many working class people on barrier islands cant afford premiums), homeowners end up footing a lot of the rebuild unless they spend years fighting. That option seems expensive as well."

Story continues

Heather Jeselskis of Maine told Fox News Digital that she has a sister in Ft. Myers, Florida, who on Wednesday night had not been heard from after the storm made landfall.

"She is on Markland Avenue in Ft. Myers," Jeselskis wrote.

"I have tried to join Facebook groups in that area. Im literally messaging complete strangers that live in that area for any information. It's going on 22 hours now, no contact," she noted as of Thursday a.m.

Then  later, on Thursday  Jeselskis messaged again with these joyous words: "OMG! She literally just made contact [with] our brother!"

"I am so relieved," she said. "My emotions have been a rollercoaster. Barely got any sleep last night. Im so thankful that she had the ability to make contact with someone."

FLORIDA WEATHER BLOGGER TALKS HURRICANE IAN AND HOW STORMS UNITE PEOPLE: NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

She wrote as well, "Its a gut-wrenching feeling knowing that others are out there suffering."

The danger wasnt over for the sister in Florida, however.

"I dont know how Im supposed to get her from her trailer," Jeselskis later messaged, "that has no roof (its been blown off). She needs help, shes alone, 2 dogs."

She added, "This has turned from a plea for contact to a plea for rescue."

Fox News Digital confirmed that Jeselskis was reaching out to authorities to try to obtain help for her sister.

Holly Weyer of Cape Coral, Florida, evacuated to Miami ahead of the storm.

"Are our friends and family still alive?" she wrote. "What will still be standing? And how do we know when we can come back, and how quickly will that be?"

She also said, "Knowing that would at least allow us to make arrangements for housing. We need something actionable that we can do, because we feel so helpless. Blessed to be safe  but helpless."

TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

She added, "Home, though  I am not sure we have one, to be honest."

Weyer then shared an image of a pin drop on a map  directly in the path of the hurricane.

This map showed Hurricane Ian approaching the coast of Florida. NOAA via Getty Images

"I am sick that more people didnt evacuate," Weyer also wrote.

"They are all so calloused by being told repeatedly that a big storm is coming  then spending money on prep/evacuation  and then it doesnt come to pass. Previous experiences created a false sense of confidence," she added.

"The general public honestly believed nothing bad was going to happen."

A woman who goes by the moniker Florida Jane in Pomona Park, Florida, chose to ride out the storm at home.

"We did not evacuate," she wrote on Facebook. "We did for two other storms, and it turned out to be for nothing. We are not complacent, however. We are staying in our home."

She added, "We live in Putnam County. It will not hit us until [Thursday], if it does at all."

"My biggest concern in this area would be tornadoes and extended power outages. I'm concerned for people who stayed behind in the coastal areas."

On Thursday morning at 4:42 a.m., she messaged, "Power went out at 4:02 am. Supposed to hit hard soon."

Later, she messaged, "Everything is great now! Power was only out for about an hour-and-a-half. Excellent linemen for FPL," she also noted, referencing Florida Power & Light. "It is raining now but nothing substantial."

Heavy traffic moved slowly on I-4 East as residents evacuated the Gulf Coast of Florida in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 27, 2022 in Four Corners, Florida. Win McNamee/Getty Images

She also wrote, "Honestly, the build-up was exhausting, I am relieved that we were lucky, thank goodness. We were inland, and it was only somewhere near a [category 1 storm] when it hit the area."

Chris Snyder of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, did not evacuate, as he was on the "opposite side of landfall" with no evacuation orders for his area.

"Watching the video of Ft Myers Beach," he messaged. "I just wonder when Jacksonville might finally get its due. It was 1962 since we were struck. We have dodged so many bullets."

SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH: HOW 3 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TURNED PERSONAL LOSS INTO SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS

He also said, "I can't imagine what those people in southwest Florida are going through. I am a retired firefighter who has never been home for a storm in 25 years. I think I've been more stressed and worried not being at work."

He added, "It's crazy the difference in perspective, between being a first responder and now just being a civilian. Everyone stay safe!"

Later, Snyder messaged, "We dodged a bullet, I think. Very windy  probably 30-35 mph sustained, with gusts to 50-ish. I am not sure of any damage as of yet. We still have power, but many dont further in town. We are about five blocks from the beach."

He added, "I am afraid downtown Jacksonville area along the river might flood somewhat bad. We will see when the sun comes up more."

Snyder then said people should visit www.Floridadisaster.org/report to share news of anyone who needed help, but strongly cautioned that this was not a substitute for 911 if lines are up.

Bryan Gonzalez runs Drones Unlimited, a drone business in Crystal River, Fla. "If residents evacuate, they worry what happened to their home," he wrote on Facebook.

"Usually they come back days after the storm because flooding and traffic. I fly drones for homeowners wanting to see their house condition and use the media for insurance faster."

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE LIFESTYLE NEWS

"Ill be flying to Hernando Beach helping homeowners see their homes," he later messaged. "These people left and have no idea of the condition of their home."

Ora-Lee Phelan has a sister in Bokeelia's Tropical Waters mobile home park; she said her sister did not evacuate before Hurricane Ian hit.

"All the reports say Pine Island is cut off and cell towers are down," she wrote on Thursday.

She also said, "Im on several Pine Island sites that are searching/rescuing. I have her on a list to search Pine Island."

She added, "Her daughter tried to call the Lee County sheriff, but the phone lines are bad. They can only get to the island by boat and winds are too high."

Amy Shever lives in Northern California but is from Florida.

"Need better evacuation options for seniors and low income [people]," she messaged.

"Sending out a list of shelters and hotels is not helpful to these demographics," she also wrote.

"I volunteer online with disaster relief. Serious lack of resources for seniors and low income  fairly consistent throughout the U.S."
An aerial view of damaged properties after Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2022. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton via Reuters)

An aerial view of damaged properties after Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2022. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton via Reuters)

At least 21 people in Florida are dead and nearly 2 million remain without power in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian as the state takes stock of the damage wrought by the powerful storm.

Kevin Guthrie, director of Floridas Division of Emergency Management, cautioned Friday that most storm-related deaths have yet to be confirmed. The death toll will undoubtedly also fluctuate as search and rescue efforts continue.

More than 1,000 rescue personnel have been dispatched to the Florida coast, with more than 700 rescues completed so far.

Guthrie said Coast Guard rescuers are encountering numerous flooded properties, including houses where the water was up over the rooftop.

At one such house, we had a Coast Guard rescue swimmer swim down into it and he could identify there appeared to be human remains, he said.

With estimated property losses potentially as high as $47 billion, Hurricane Ian could be the most expensive storm since Hurricane Andrew destroyed and damaged more than 150,000 homes in the state in 1992.

The storm, now a Category 1 hurricane, is expected to bank north and make landfall in South Carolina on Friday.

Both North and South Carolina are bracing for 8-12 inches of coastal rainfall, with some local extremes of up to 18 inches possible in some areas. Wind gusts through Friday are expected to peak at around 100 mph.

See the latest photos below.

An aerial view of damaged properties in Fort Myers on Sept. 30. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton via Reuters)

An aerial view of damaged properties in Fort Myers on Sept. 30. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton via Reuters)

Whitney Hall waves to a friend from the remains of his home while waving the American flag amidst wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on the island of Matlacha on Sept. 30. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

Whitney Hall waves to a friend from the remains of his home while waving the American flag amidst wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on the island of Matlacha on Sept. 30. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

A swimming pool lays amongst the wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian is shown on the island of Matlacha on Sept. 30. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

A swimming pool lays amongst the wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian is shown on the island of Matlacha on Sept. 30. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

Story continues

The wreckage of a car teeters on a buckled roadway in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 30 in Matlacha. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

The wreckage of a car teeters on a buckled roadway in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 30 in Matlacha. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

In this aerial view, vehicles line up to purchase gasoline in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 30 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

In this aerial view, vehicles line up to purchase gasoline in the wake of Hurricane Ian on Sept. 30 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

Vehicles drive through standing water on Sept. 30 in Port Charlotte. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

Vehicles drive through standing water on Sept. 30 in Port Charlotte. (Photo: Win McNamee via Getty Images)

A family gathers in a flooded parking lot in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on Sept. 30. (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)

A family gathers in a flooded parking lot in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on Sept. 30. (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)

A man stands in floodwaters in front of his house on Sept. 30, 2022, in Kissimmee, Florida. (Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH via Getty Images)

A man stands in floodwaters in front of his house on Sept. 30, 2022, in Kissimmee, Florida. (Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH via Getty Images)

A wall of this condo was torn off as hurricane Ian passed through Fort Myers. (Photo: Joe Raedle via Getty Images)

A wall of this condo was torn off as hurricane Ian passed through Fort Myers. (Photo: Joe Raedle via Getty Images)

An American flag lies partially submerged in the flooded front yard of a house in New Smyrna Beach on Sept. 30. (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)

An American flag lies partially submerged in the flooded front yard of a house in New Smyrna Beach on Sept. 30. (Photo: JIM WATSON via Getty Images)

Vehicles float in the water on Sept. 29 after Hurricane Ian passed through Bonita Springs, Florida. (Photo: Sean Rayford via Getty Images)

Vehicles float in the water on Sept. 29 after Hurricane Ian passed through Bonita Springs, Florida. (Photo: Sean Rayford via Getty Images)

People walk down a storm-littered road in Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 29. (Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

People walk down a storm-littered road in Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 29. (Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A woman stands in a destroyed building in Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 29. (Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A woman stands in a destroyed building in Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 29. (Photo: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

A large boat crushes a vehicle in Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo: Ted Richardson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

A large boat crushes a vehicle in Fort Myers Beach on Sept. 29, 2022. (Photo: Ted Richardson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.
Lee County, Florida has implemented a strict curfew and said it has "zero tolerance" for looting in the areas ravaged by Hurricane Ian.

County officials said Wednesday there was a report of looting in the aftermath of the storm.

Reports of looters taking advantage of the chaos caused by Hurricane Ian and walking away from destroyed homes in Fort Myers with stolen goods prompted Lee County officials to establish the temporary ordinance.

HURRICANE IAN BRING MORE FLORIDA STORM SURGE, SETS SIGHTS ON CAROLINAS

"Earlier today, when law enforcement was unable to respond because of weather conditions... there was a break-in on Cleveland Avenue River," said Lee County Manager Roger Dejarlais.

"There was looting and there was a group of people, don't know a lot about it yet, who just had their way," he added.

LIVE UPDATES: TROPICAL STORM-FORCE WINDS LASH CAROLINAS, GEORGIA AS HURRICANE IAN GETS CLOSER

Dejarlais went on to call the curfew part of a "zero tolerance policy for looting and violence" as officials ensure citizens' safety.

Exceptions to the order include traveling employment, school or medical issues.

In an update with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday morning, Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie announced more fatalities from Hurricane Ian.

Guthrie told reporters that there was one confirmed death reported in Polk County. In the hard-hit Charlotte County, 12 reported fatalities were unconfirmed.

In Collier County, there are eight unconfirmed deaths.

FOX WEATHER: WHERE IS IAN HEADED NEXT? DANGEROUS STORM'S IMPACTS WILL BE WIDESPREAD

As rescuers continue to work, DeSantis said that emergency responders had reached more than 3,000 homes in the most impacted areas, with over 1,000 rescue personnel located up and down the coastline.

FDOT had cleared over 1,100 miles of roadway and the governor said that traffic was flowing out of the area and was "better than anticipated so soon."

Guthrie noted that the state was still processing a couple of other "situations," including one where human remains had been found.

Fox News' Julia Musto contributed to this report.
Although Hurricane Ian has left Florida, Seminole residents should expect the flood waters to continue rising in the coming days  especially in areas along the St. Johns River near Lake Harney and Lake Monroe, and along the Little Wekiva River in Altamonte Springs  as storm water flows northward from Orange County, county emergency officials said Friday.

Were watching these areas very closely, said Alan Harris, director of Seminoles office for emergency management. Even as the rain has stopped, we still have the opportunity for more flooding.

Seminole will open sandbag locations on Saturday at the Old Geneva Fire Station, 320 W. State Road 46; Lake Monroe Wayside Park, 4150 Highway 17, Sanford; and the Oviedo Public Works building, 1655 Evans St., Oviedo.

Emergency officials said about 1,200 Seminole residents were directly affected by flooding and more than 150 were rescued from flooded areas.

Some of those residents have had their homes completely destroyed, Harris said. He noted that the county and Federal Emergency Management Agency are helping those residents.

We in emergency response have never seen anything like this, Harris said about the amount of rain dropped by Hurricane Ian, estimated at close to 12 inches in some areas. This is a lifetime event.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and officials with FEMA and the Florida Department of Emergency Management visited Seminole County on Friday. The governor joined Sheriff Dennis Lemma on an aerial tour, the Sheriffs Office said.

While here, Gov. DeSantis shared that many of our inland areas are under more water than areas impacted in coastal counties, SCSO spokesperson Karla Mendoza said in a statement, adding that the state and federal officials assured their support for recovery and appreciation for the first responders helping Floridians.

By Friday morning, more than half  or about 80,000 customers  of the roughly 160,000 residents who lost power during the storm saw it restored, according to officials.

Story continues

County officials said more than one million cubic yards of storm debris  enough to fill 11 Spaceship Earths at Epcot  has already been collected. Officials urged residents to be patient as trucks work their way through neighborhoods to collect it.

It will take weeks and months to collect it all, Harris said.

Seminole Fire Chief Matt Kinley said his agency responded to 600 calls for emergency during and immediately after the storm. But only three of those were for carbon monoxide issues, likely people using generators inside an enclosed area.

Seminole Sheriff Dennis Lemma said as of Friday morning there have been no confirmed fatalities because of the storm.

Jeff Weiner of the Sentinel staff contributed.

mcomas@orlandosentinel.com
FORT MYERS, Fla.  It was a tale of two mobile home parks Friday, just 200 yards apart.

On one side of Ortiz Avenue in this storm-ravaged city, residents of the Lazy J Mobile Home & RV Park returned to find that the trailers that are their homes had largely survived the wrath of Hurricane Ian, which killed more than a dozen people in Florida before leaving the state and barreling toward the Carolinas on Friday.

A few of the more than 150 or so trailers appeared to have some minor flooding and wind damage, but on the surface they looked mostly untouched.

The scene was far different on the other side of Ortiz Avenue, where residents of the Poinsettia Mobile Home Park were trying to salvage what they could from the wreckage left by a monstrous-but-fickle storm that rampaged through Fort Myers on Wednesday.

Many of them were retirees like 74-year-old Ken Williams, who moved from Wisconsin to spend his golden years soaking up the Florida sunshine in this park, which has more than 300 homes.

The trailer that Williams had moved into last year looked like it had been pried open with a can opener. The roof was completely torn off and he'd been without electricity for two days, like the more than 1.8 million other Floridians as of Friday, according to PowerOutage.us.

His insurance company has been completely unreachable, Williams said.

This is devastating, Williams said.

Ken and Barbara Williams outside their home in the Poinsettia Mobile Home Park. (Tina Russell for NBC News)

Fred Newhall, 87, said he had an epiphany as he sat in his wrecked mobile home eating Spam and cold beans. It was time, he said, to say goodbye to Florida and move in with his kids in New Hampshire.

Im getting too old to take care of this place and to be living by myself, Newhall said. Theres no sense in ever going through this again.

His trailer, which Newhall bought in 1994, was bent so severely by the fury of the storm that he could no longer get the front door and the main window open.

Fred Newhall outside his damaged home in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Tina Russell for NBC News)

The front porch was gone. So was the outdoor furniture. And so was the roof.

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It was now twisted like a big metal pretzel and resting on the driveway.

Newhall said it was only a matter of time before the local drug addicts carry it off and sell it for whatever they can get.

"It's all scrap metal," he said, chuckling a bit. "The junkies are going to have a field day."

Fred Newhall outside his damaged home in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Tina Russell for NBC News)

Surveying the wreckage, Newhall tried to put on a brave face.

I dont take all of this too seriously, he said.

Nearby, 67-year-old Nancy Mattes was trying to help out her neighbors. Her trailer wasn't damaged so she was pitching in and helping clear debris from the pathways between the rows of wrecked homes.

As Mattes worked, a 70-year-old woman who identified herself only as Mona studied the side of her trailer. It had been pried open by Ian and she could see some of what she owns inside.

"Now it's time for cleanup," she said.

Meanwhile, residents over at the Lazy J Mobile Home & RV Park were counting their blessings.

We lucked out, actually, said 18-year-old Malik Castillo as he inspected his trailer. I thought it would be much worse, to be honest. We were blessed.

Other than a few knocked-over plants, Castillo said they suffered no other damage.

Malkis Castillo's trailer suffered little damage. (Tina Russell for NBC News)

I thought there was going to be flooding on the porch because when it rains hard it usually floods in there, he said. Its unfortunate for other people, too, because they lost their homes.

Don Hill, 67, said he, too, was surprised to find his trailer still in one piece. He said theyre not built to survive the kind of punishment that Hurricane Ian dished out on the other side of Ortiz Avenue.

I feel sorry for everyone and hope they recover. You just have to have hope, keep praying and hope for the best, he said.

One block over, in an area where mobile homes sit cheek by jowl with modest bungalows, 28-year-old Martin Herrera was marveling that his trailer had survived unscathed.

"I feel happy and fortunate that our house is still standing," Herrera said.

Citlali, 15, and Martin Herrera. Unlike some other nearby residences, their home was undamaged. (Tina Russell for NBC News)

A damaged home in the Poinsettia Mobile Home Park. (Tina Russell for NBC News)

But as he looked around, Herrera said his joy was tempered by the massive destruction all around his neighborhood.

Were not happy because at the end of the day, yeah, our home is still here," he said. "But other people lost everything."

Deon J. Hampton reported from Fort Myers and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
PALU, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesias elite counterterrorism police have killed a militant who was the last remaining member of an organization that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, police said Friday.

Police said Al Ikhwarisman, also known as Jaid, was a key member of the East Indonesia Mujahideen network.

The East Indonesia Mujahideen, known by the Indonesian acronym MIT, has claimed responsibility for the killings of police officers and minority Christians, some by beheading, and has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Provincial police chief Rudy Sufahriadi said Jaid conducted at least 10 of the groups executions, including the killing of four Christian farmers in May 2021. He was killed by the Densus 88 counterterrorism unit in a shootout late Thursday in mountainous Kawende village in Poso district, an extremist hotbed in Central Sulawesi province, Sufahriadi said.

Thursdays shootout occurred four months after security forces killed the other remaining member of MIT in a jungle shootout, police said.

He was the last remaining suspected member of the group, Sufahriadi said. We have managed to eliminate a dangerous militant group that has disturbed peace in Poso.

Security operations in Central Sulawesi were intensified last year to capture MIT members, particularly Ali Kalora, the groups leader and Indonesias most wanted militant. Kalora was killed in a shootout in July 2021, two months after the group killed the four Christians in Kalemago village, including one who was beheaded.

Authorities said the attack was in revenge for the killing in March 2021 of two militants, including the son of the groups former leader, Abu Wardah Santoso.

Santoso, Kaloras predecessor, was killed by security forces in July 2016. Dozens of other leaders and members of the group who escaped to remote mountain jungles of Poso have since been killed or captured.

Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, has conducted a crackdown on militants since bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly Western and Asian tourists.

Militant attacks on foreigners in Indonesia have been largely replaced in recent years by smaller, less deadly strikes targeting the government, mainly police and anti-terrorism forces, and people militants consider to be infidels, inspired by Islamic State group tactics abroad.
Two Iowa men were each sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for making and possessing child pornography.

Jason Kinman, 40, of Council Bluffs pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor and was sentenced Sept. 20. In July 2021 a family member found Kinman with a 13-year-old girl in the backseat of a car, according to a news release. Kinman drove several hours to meet the girl, according to sentencing documents.

Officers found that Kinman used social media accounts to talk to several underage girls in an inappropriate sexual manner; he requested nude photos or videos of the underage girls and sent sexually explicit photos of himself, according to a news release, which said other pornographic images of minors were found on electronic devices at Kinmans home. He will be on supervised release for 10 years after his release from prison.

Jacob Bermel, 39, of Muscatine, was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison. Bermel pleaded guilty to charges of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography on May 23.

He used the social media platform MeWe to connect with underage girls, according to court documents. Bermel hid a camera in the bathroom of his house and made recordings that contained child pornography, according to a news release, which said he then uploaded those videos to the internet.

Bermel also downloaded and uploaded child pornography from the internet and social media accounts and had explicit images of children on his laptop dating back to July 2012, according to a sentencing memorandum.

Philip Joens covers public safety and RAGBRAI for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa men sentenced to 25 years in prison in federal child porn cases
By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran, which has blamed "foreign enemies" for protests that swept the country after the death of a woman in morality police custody, said on Friday it had arrested nine European nationals for their role in the unrest.

The detention of citizens of Germany, Poland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries is likely to ratchet up tensions between Iran and Western countries over the death of Mahsa Amini.

The escalation comes as more casualties were reported. Nineteen people were killed after security forces fired on armed protesters attacking a police station, said an official.

Tehran has responded to international condemnation of the case by lashing out at its critics, accusing the United States of exploiting the unrest to try to destabilise Iran.

The nine unidentified people were detained "during the riots or while plotting in the background," the Intelligence Ministry said in a statement carried by Iranian media.

Amini, a 22-year-old from the Iranian Kurdish town of Saqez, was arrested this month in Tehran for "unsuitable attire" by the morality police who enforce the Islamic Republic's strict dress code for women.

Her death has caused the first big show of opposition on Iran's streets since authorities crushed protests against a rise in gasoline prices in 2019. The demonstrations have quickly evolved into a popular revolt against the clerical establishment.

Demonstrations have spread from Amini's hometown to all of Iran's 31 provinces, with all layers of society, including ethnic and religious minorities, joining in.

Fearing an ethnic uprising and in a show of power, Iran fired missiles and drones at targets in neighbouring northern Iraq's Kurdish region this week after accusing Iranian Kurdish dissidents of being involved in the unrest.

Western human rights groups say that Iran, dominated by its Persian Shi'ite majority, discriminates against ethnic and religious minorities. Tehran denies this.

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CRACKDOWN

While analysts don't expect Iran's clerical rulers to fall, they are on the defensive and are struggling to come up with a strategy to defuse the fury.

Rights groups said dozens of activists, students and artists have been detained and the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Twitter that it had learned that security forces had arrested at least 28 journalists as of Sept. 29.

A senior Iranian cleric called for tough action against protesters.

"Our security is our distinctive privilege. The Iranian people demand the harshest punishment for these barbaric rioters," said Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, a leader of prayers that are held on Fridays in Tehran before a large gathering.

Amnesty International said on Friday the government crackdown on demonstrations has so far led to the death of at least 52 people, with hundreds injured.

Despite the growing death toll, videos posted on social media showed demonstrators calling for the fall of the clerical establishment.

Heavy shooting could be heard on some videos as protesters chanted "Death to Khamenei", referring to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Human rights group Hengaw posted a video that it said showed protests late on Friday in Saqez, home town of Amini. Young women were seen cheering as they took off and waved their headscarves in protest against Iran's hijab rules.

Activist Twitter account 1500tasvir, which has more than 150,000 followers, posted videos of protests in the southwestern oil city of Abadan, with demonstrators chanting "Clerics must get lost". Other videos purported to show protests in Karaj, west of Tehran, and Isfahan in central Iran.

Reuters could not verify the footage.

POLICE STATION ATTACKED

State television said "unidentified armed individuals" opened fire on a police station in the southeastern city of Zahedan, prompting security forces to return fire. Nineteen people were killed, including security forces, the provincial governor told state television. Twenty people were injured.

State media reported that the elite Revolutionary Guards' intelligence chief in Sistan and Baluchistan province was killed in Zahedan during clashes with "terrorists".

A video on social media showed aid being given to several injured protesters by their comrades, one of whom was trying to limit bleeding from a man who appeared to be shot in the neck.

Amid reports of a planned student strike, authorities said Zahedan university will hold distance learning until Oct. 8, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported.

Internet watchdog NetBlocks said on Twitter that Live network data show a regional internet disruption in effect in Zahedan.

Southeastern Iran, home to the Baluch ethnic minority, has also seen demonstrators torching government offices in at least one city. State news agency IRNA said an attempt to assassinate a judge in the town of Saravan had failed.

(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson and Toby Chopra)
Iran's government and security forces committed "crimes against humanity" in their suppression of huge nationwide protests in 2019, an international panel of lawyers probing the crackdown concluded on Friday.

The Iran Atrocities (Aban) Tribunal, which was convened by various human rights groups, heard evidence from over 250 witnesses as it investigated whether the Iranian regime broke international law in its response to the demonstrations.

The protests, of a magnitude rarely seen in Iran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and being repeated across the country in recent weeks, erupted nationwide in November 2019 after a sudden hike in fuel prices.

Activists say the authorities managed to impose control only after a ruthless crackdown that, according to Amnesty International, left at least 304 people dead in a deliberate policy to shoot at demonstrators.

The London tribunal said expert evidence suggested that the actual number killed was likely far larger and possibly as high as 1,515.

"The panel unanimously finds... beyond a reasonable doubt that the Iranian government and the security forces designed and implemented a plan to commit crimes against humanity," the tribunal's six legal experts said in their judgment summary.

It found various branches of the regime -- from the interior ministry to the feared Basij militia -- conducted murder, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, torture and sexual violence to quell the protests and conceal its crimes.

- 'Case to answer' -

Five of the six serving as jurists also concluded that protestors and bystanders were "discriminately targeted for their collective involvement in the protests or their perceived association" with them.

They cited 161 people as perpetrators of the alleged crimes against humanity, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former president Hassan Rouhani, and nearly a dozen other senior regime figures.

"We've named some of those who are responsible in the sense of there being a case to answer," Wayne Jordash, a criminal lawyer who chaired the tribunal panel, told AFP after the judgment was read aloud at an event in London.

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He said the report has particular resonance now as protesters once again face violent repression as they demonstrate across Iran over the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini on September 16.

"The current protests look like the Aban 2019 protests, and the government's response looks pretty much the same," Jordash added.

"I would be very surprised if the government isn't again engaged in a range of crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations."

- 'Suffered' -

The Aban tribunal -- named after the Iranian month when the events took place -- was founded by NGOs including the London-based Justice for Iran, which campaigns against impunity for crimes in Iran, and the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR).

It heard evidence in two public sessions held in London last November and online in February, analysing videos, written and expert testimony, and well as witnesses' verbal accounts.

Some of those witnesses and relatives of those killed or detained during the protests attended the London judgment reading and held aloft photographs of their loved ones as it concluded.

"Today, it makes me very happy -- it needed to be done a lot sooner," said Mohammad Amin, 42, an Iranian exile living in Britain since last year who witnessed the crackdown in Baluchestan, southeast Iran.

"A lot of people in my area, in my city... were injured and killed and really the people in my area suffered the most," he told AFP, speaking through a translator.

"I saw the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and the security forces shoot up protesters... they were just killing people."

The Iranian government could not immediately be reached for comment on the tribunal's conclusions.

jj/phz/cdw
Associated Press

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded publicly on Monday to the biggest protests in Iran in years, breaking weeks of silence to condemn what he called rioting and accuse the United States and Israel of planning the protests. The unrest, ignited by the death of a young woman in the custody of Iran's morality police, is flaring up across the country for a third week despite government efforts to crack down. On Monday, Iran shuttered its top technology university following an hours-long standoff between students and the police that turned the prestigious institution into the latest flashpoint of protests and ended with hundreds of young people arrested.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said Friday she has a seat at the table now and Im ready to work, leaning into her history-making role as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

Jackson spoke at the Library of Congress several hours after she made her first appearance on the Supreme Court bench in a brief ceremony that was attended by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses.

People from all walks of life approach me with what I can only describe as a profound sense of pride and what feels to me like renewed ownership. I can see it in their eyes. I can hear it in their voices. They stare at me as if to say, Look at what weve done, Jackson said in remarks that lasted 10 minutes and were frequently interrupted by applause from the invitation-only crowd. The video was livestreamed by the Library of Congress.

They're saying to me in essence, You go, girl, the 52-year-old justice said.

She said she hopes to be an inspiration to today's children and pledged to work hard through inevitable ups and downs.

I have a seat at the table now. I have a seat at the table now and Im ready to work, Jackson said.

Earlier, she was the center of attention at her ceremonial investiture at the Supreme Court, also open only to those with invitations.

Chief Justice John Roberts wished the 52-year-old Jackson a long and happy career in our common calling, the traditional welcome for a new justice.

She took her place at the far end of the bench to Roberts' left, just next to Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The justices are seated by seniority.

During the ceremony Jackson also followed the custom of every other new justice since 1972 and sat in a chair that once belonged to John Marshall, who served as chief justice for 34 years in the early 1800s.

Marshall also was a slaveholder, perhaps adding a special poignancy to Jackson taking her place in his onetime possession. She is only the third Black justice in the court's history, along with her new colleague Justice Clarence Thomas and the late Justice Thurgood Marshall.

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Friday's ceremony included the reading of the commission appointing Jackson to the court. She also repeated the oath she took when she formally joined the court in June, just after the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer.

Breyer was among a courtroom filled with dignitaries, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Speaker Paul Ryan, a Jackson relative through marriage. Jackson's parents, daughters, brother and in-laws had front-row seats.

Several wives of current and former justices also attended, including Virginia Ginni Thomas. Thomas, a conservative activist, was interviewed Thursday by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection and stood by the false claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent.

Jackson was confirmed in April on a 53-47 vote in the Senate, with three Republican senators joining all Democrats to support her.

Biden had pledged during his presidential campaign that he would nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.

Biden, Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff spent a few minutes with the justices before the court convened, court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe said.

The president said nothing during the five-minute, tightly scripted courtroom ceremony.

Back at the White House, Biden tweeted in praise of Jackson's brilliant legal mind and touted his record on filling judgeships.

In fact, weve appointed 84 federal judges so far. No group of that many judges has been appointed as quickly, or been that diverse, Biden said.

Jackson and Roberts walked down the 36 front steps of the court for photos following the ceremony. They chatted briefly on the court plaza, and when Roberts departed, the justice's husband, Dr. Patrick Jackson, joined her.

I'm so proud of you, Dr. Jackson said, as they embraced in front of a gathering of reporters and well-wishers.

Jackson is the first justice appointed by a Democratic president since Justice Elena Kagan joined the court in 2010. Kagan was appointed by former President Barack Obama, who also appointed Justice Sonia Sotomayor in 2009.

It appeared Obama would get a third high court pick when Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016. But Senate Republicans refused to take up Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland, then serving as a federal appeals court judge. Garland, now Attorney General, also participated in Friday's ceremony.

Former President Donald Trump eventually chose Justice Neil Gorsuch, the first of his three Supreme Court appointees, to fill Scalia's seat.

___

Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this report.
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan will give Micron Technology Inc a subsidy of up to 46.5 billion yen ($320 million), the industry ministry said on Friday, so it can make advanced memory chips at its Hiroshima plant, even as the U.S. chipmaker trims capital investment elsewhere.

The announcement, which follows a visit to Japan by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, is the latest example of growing cooperation between Tokyo and Washington in chip manufacturing amid increasing tension and technological rivalry with China.

"Micron appreciates the support of the Japanese government, and are proud to be a global partner in Japan's effort to expand semiconductor production and advance innovation," Micron's executive vice president of global operations, Manish Bhatia, said in a press release.

Micron said it will build its new 1-Beta dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips at the Hiroshima plant.

The U.S. chipmaker on Thursday cut overall investment plans by 30% amid a fall in demand for personal computers and smartphones.

"The milestone announcement today by METI (Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry) and Micron symbolizes the investment and integration of our two economies and supply chains," U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. "And that will only accelerate from here forward."

The latest component of Japan's plan to bolster domestic chip production comes after it gave 92.9 billion yen to U.S. firm Western Digital Corp in July to boost flash memory chip output at a Japanese plant operated with local partner Kioxia Holdings, which was spun off from Toshiba Corp.

Kioxia on Friday said it would trim production at two plants in Japan by 30% from October to bring "production in line with current market conditions".

The announcement about Western Digital's subsidy came ahead of a trip to the United States by then-industry minister Koichi Hagiuda for talks on semiconductor cooperation that led to an agreement to establish a joint research centre for next-generation chips.

Story continues

In Japan this week, Harris talked to heads of semiconductor-related businesses about incentives available to manufacturers within the United States following the passage of legislation that provides $52 billion in subsidies.

Japan is also providing money to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd to build a chip plant in Japan along with Sony Corp and auto parts maker Denso Corp.

Once the world's biggest centre of semiconductor production, Japan has seen its share of global output shrink as chipmakers expanded capacity elsewhere, particularly in Taiwan, which makes most of the world's advanced semiconductors under 10 nanometres that are used in smartphones and other products.

($1 = 144.7000 yen)

(Reporting by Tim Kelly and Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Christopher Cushing)
By Takaya Yamaguchi

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan should not rely solely on debt issuance and must instead come up with a stable source of revenue to fund an expected rise in defence spending, a senior official of the ruling coalition said on Friday, flagging the chance of a future tax hike.

In the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and an increasingly tense situation in Asia with missile tests from North Korea and a more assertive China, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to "drastically" increase Japan's defence spending within the next five years.

Kishida's administration and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have been mum on how to fund the increase in spending, which would strain Japan's already tattered finances.

"It will take some more time to figure out the estimated size of the spending increase. But we shouldn't resort to debt issuance alone in funding the cost," Makoto Nishida, a senior official of the LDP's coalition partner Komeito, told Reuters.

"We need to discuss how to come up with a stable source of revenue," Nishida said in an interview, suggesting that raising tax or cutting other spending could be among options.

Komeito's views will be reflected in the ruling coalition's proposals on next fiscal year's tax reforms, which have huge influence on the government's economic policies.

Japan's public debt, at twice the size of its economy, is the largest among advanced economies and continues to grow mainly due to increasing social welfare costs for country's rapidly ageing population.

(Reporting by Takaya Yamaguchi, Writing by Leika Kihara; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Leaders at Joint Base San Antonio, in Texas, are moving about 150 personnel from the bases Liberty Barracks after legionella, a bacteria known to cause a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires Disease, was discovered in the water system, according to a statement from the base.

The service members at Liberty Barracks are all temporary residents undergoing treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center. Each service member is being moved to different dorms and barracks based on their individual needs. Meanwhile, Liberty Barracks will undergo a process called super-chlorination, according to the statement.

After 72 hours, the water will be tested again to look for legionella or residual chlorine in the plumbing system. There have been no known cases of Legionnaires Disease or other legionella-based infections among residents or staff at Liberty Barracks, according to the statement.

Just last year, Liberty Barracks, which houses wounded and injured service members as they receive treatment, was evacuated due to legionella found in the plumbing. The building has gone through the process of super-chlorination and regular testing since then.

Liberty Barracks, a 216,000-square-foot facility, is capable of housing 360 service members.

As of the last few months, we have been fortunate to have significantly fewer service members needing the care that Liberty Barracks was designed to support, Brig. Gen. Russell Driggers, the Joint Base San Antonio and 502d Air Base Wing commander, said in the statement.

A significant portion of the facility, therefore, has been unoccupied. Water in the plumbing for these unoccupied rooms can sit stagnant, providing a breeding ground for bacteria like legionella, Driggers added.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, legionella can be found in fresh water environments, such as lakes and streams. The bacteria presents a problem, however, when it spreads into human-made water systems, causing Legionnaires Disease.
ASHEVILLE - A former city police officer who claims he was wrongly fired and his career unjustly damaged after punching a man can proceed with his case against his ex-boss and the district attorney, a judge has said.

Buncombe County Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Grant ruled against motions by District Attorney Todd Williams and Asheville Police Chief David Zack to dismiss the lawsuit by Anthony Sorangelo.

Grant, in her Sept. 19 order, said Sorangelo's complaint "contains sufficient allegations to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, and, therefore, is sufficient to survive the defendants' motions to dismiss."

The next move in the case is expected within 20 days as Williams' attorney, Kathryn Shields, said she intends to file a response to Sorangelo's original complaint. Shields, a special North Carolina deputy attorney general, declined to go into further details.

Buncombe County Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Grant

More:Defendants, Sorangelo argue over his right to a policing job

More:Fired Asheville officer, former Madison deputy, hired by another law enforcement agency

Zack's attorney, Daniel Peterson, did not respond to messages seeking comment. While Grant's order was filed Sept. 19, attorneys on both sides said they were not aware of the order until Sept. 29.

The case originated from a Feb. 11, 2020, incident where Sorangelo was kicked in the groin by a man who was intoxicated and lying handcuffed in a patrol car. Sorangelo punched the man in the face, apparently knocking him out. He was charged with misdemeanor assault. The encounter was captured on body camera footage published by the Citizen Times.

Williams sent a letter to Zack, telling the chief he would not be able to use the officer as a witness to prosecute misdemeanor cases. The DA said that was because defense attorneys would likely use the charge to question his credibility. Zack subsequently fired Sorangelo.

On Feb. 12, 2021, Buncombe District Court Judge Calvin Hill dismissed the charge. Williams then wrote a second letter saying he no longer had material showing Sorangelo should be barred from testifying. But while Sorangelo was cleared of a committing crime, Zack declined to rehire him, saying his actions constituted excessive force. The chief cited three violations of police department policy: using force that was not objectively reasonable and necessary under the circumstances, not evaluating the subject for injuries after using force and not calling an ambulance after signs of an injury.

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Sorangelo found work with the Madison County Sheriffs Office and then the Greenville County Sheriffs Office in South Carolina. But he sued, saying Williams' initial "Giglio" letter, which was in his personnel file, hurt his career.

In 1972 the Supreme Court ruled in Giglio v. U.S. that prosecutors must tell defendants about any background that might call into question a witness credibility. Sorangelo said he applied to the FBI and when they did a background check they found the first letter but not the second letter. He was not hired.

More:Fired Buncombe deputy in dismissed trafficking case 'choked' man with boot: attorney

More:Buncombe task force deputy fired, trafficking case dismissed 'in interest of justice'

More:White deputy who strip-searched Black man in Asheville stop should pay $262K: lawyers

Anthony Sorangelo, right, and other police officers from Asheville and Biltmore Forest arrest a man on the side of U.S. 25 on Feb. 11, 2020. Sorangelo was later charged for punching the man, though the case was dismissed.

Sorangelo, who is now 30, sued in January. Defendants said the case should be dismissed, arguing at a Sept. 6 hearing that Sorangelo's rights were not violated since he had no right to a particular job. But Jeff Warren, the ex-officer's lawyer, said the North Carolina Constitution gave greater protections than the U.S. Constitution, including shielding the "fruits" of peoples' labor.

In her Sept. 19 order, Grant said in order to dismiss the case, one of three conditions had to be satisfied: that no law supports the plaintiff's claim, that the complaint does not have facts to support a good claim or that the complaint actually has a fact that is self-defeating for plaintiffs. The judge said she found none.

Warren, who was hired by the Police Benevolent Association to defend Sorangelo, called the decision in his client's favor "a clean sweep."

"The courts ruling ... demonstrates that the N.C. Constitution has meaning and purpose, and that the merits of this case need to be heard," he said.

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Judge will not dismiss Asheville cop's case against chief, DA
The federal judge considering Andrew Warrens challenge to his suspension by Gov. Ron DeSantis declined in a written order Thursday to immediately reinstate the ousted state attorney, but appeared to favor Warrens arguments that his removal violated his free speech rights.

The governor is not Warrens boss, the judge opined, and has no right to tell him how to do his job.

In a 29-page order filed Thursday, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle elaborated on thoughts he expressed amid arguments in the case two weeks ago, including his preference for Warren and DeSantis to hash out the case in a trial.

When the facts are known, the case could come out either way, Hinkle wrote.

Warren, who was twice elected to be the top prosecutor in Hillsborough County, was escorted from his office Aug. 4 by an armed sheriffs deputy. It happened after DeSantis signed an executive order suspending him from office.

The governors reasons included Warren having signed onto a pair of written statements with other elected prosecutors and law enforcement officials throughout the nation in which they pledged not to prosecute cases involving abortion or transgender health care. The governor also cited policies Warren enacted within his office that discouraged prosecutions of certain low-level crimes.

DeSantis appointed Susan Lopez, a Hillsborough County judge and former longtime Tampa prosecutor, to replace Warren as state attorney. Her first acts included reversing some of Warrens policies.

Warren sued in federal court, alleging that the governors action was retaliation for his expression of free speech. He also argued that the suspension exceeded the governors authority. Lawyers for DeSantis asked for the case to be dismissed.

Judge Hinkle heard arguments from both sides Sept. 19. He declined a request from Warren for an order that would block the suspension and restore him to office while the case continued. He indicated he wanted to avoid the destabilizing effect of reinstating Warren only for an appeals court to possibly overturn the decision.

Story continues

He reiterated as much in his order Thursday.

Changes at the top of any enterprise can be disruptive, Hinkle wrote. The Governor has replaced Mr. Warren with a new state attorney, and she has made substantial changes. If Mr. Warren is to be reinstated, it should happen once. Reinstating him now, when it cannot be predicted with confidence that he will ultimately prevail in the litigation, risks further disruption.

The judges order also addressed some of the issues raised in the lawsuit.

Of Warrens signing onto the statements about transgender and abortion issues, the judge wrote that Warrens support for the statements were not an official action by him. The statements themselves contained speech protected by the First Amendment, the judge said.

There was scant evidence presented that Warren had expressed a blanket refusal to prosecute certain cases, the judge found.

He also wrote that Warren was accountable to the people who elected him, not the governor.

Elected officials are beholden to their constituents, not to some other elected official, even if the other official ranks higher, Hinkle wrote. Here, for example, the governor was not Mr. Warrens boss and had no right to dictate how Mr. Warren did his job  whom he hired, what policies he adopted, or any of the myriad other policy matters a state attorney must address.

On Friday, Hinkle also issued a scheduling order, listing various deadlines for Warren and DeSantis as they prepare for a trial before the judge. He set a Nov. 29 trial date.

Meanwhile, DeSantis lawyers have suggested a way to speedily resolve the case: Let him take it to an appeals court.

DeSantis argues in court documents that there is a substantial difference of opinion on the First Amendment question.

Under Florida law, State Attorneys are not roving elected free agents  they are state employees who speak and act for the State of Florida as prosecutors, the governors brief contends.

Getting that First Amendment question answered by the appeals court could obviate the need for a costly expedited trial, the governor argues, and could shuttle this case to resolution.

Times Staff Writer Sue Carlton contributed to this report.
A federal judge in a new ruling issued Thursday afternoon announced penalties on an auto parts supplier accused of employing children in its Alexander City factory.

Under the ruling, SL Alabama must punish any management personnel responsible for child labor violations including termination or suspension, cut ties with subcontractors who have employed child labor and provide quarterly child labor trainings for three years.

The U.S. Department of Labor and SL Alabama agreed to the terms of the judgment in August before it was approved on Thursday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Chad W. Bryan.

SL Alabama said it had hired an independent third-party firm to audit its employment policies and practices in a statement provided to the Montgomery Advertiser in late August. The company is also reviewing its employment procedures to ensure it complies with the ruling, according to the statement.

In the statement, SL Alabama maintained it did not knowingly employ minors in the factory.

SL Alabama takes very seriously its responsibility to fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations concerning its manufacturing operations. The company does not condone the employment of underage workers at its facilities and has never knowingly employed minors to work at its facilities, SL Alabama said in the statement.

The U.S. Department of Labor filed a lawsuit against SL Alabama in late August alleging the company had violated labor laws since Nov. 29, 2021, by employing children under the age of 16. SL Alabamas Alexander City factory manufactures headlights, rear combination lights and side mirrors, according to SL Alabamas website.

The ruling orders SL Alabama to:

ensure training for employees and subcontractors that addresses compliance with child labor standards

provide quarterly child labor trainings for three years, followed by training yearly and when new management or subcontracting staff is hired

impose sanctions, including termination and/or suspension, upon any management personnel responsible for child labor violations

terminate any agreement with subcontractors responsible for child labor violations

ensure that no minor under the age of 16 works at the facility

identify any machinery prohibited by law for use by those under the age of 18, and post signage prohibiting its use

acquire the following before hiring a subcontractor or staffing agency: the names of all employees; confirmation that no one under the age of 16 will be working at the facilities; and proof of the age of each employee, including photographic identification

pay all attorneys fees and expenses associated with the lawsuit.

Story continues

Another Hyundai supplier was accused in July of employing child labor. Reuters reported that SMART Alabama, LLC used child labor at its metal stamping plant in Luverne.

Underage workers as young as 12 years old have recently worked at the plant, Reuters reported. SMART Alabama LLC operates the plant, which has supplied parts to Hyundais sole U.S. manufacturing facility since 2004, according to the supplier's website.

Its unclear if SMART Alabama LLC will face charges.

Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanMealins.

Your subscription makes our journalism possible. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Child labor allegations at Hyundai supplier result in penalties
U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon on Thursday overruled an order by Special Master Raymond Dearie that said former President Donald Trump needed to provide any "final" objections or disputes regarding the items seized by the FBI during its unprecedented raid on Mar-a-Lago last month.

Last week, Dearie asked the Trump team that by no later than Sept. 30 to provide a declaration of affidavit that includes a list of any specific items in the property inventory that they assert were not seized from the premises; a list of items that were seized but to which the description of the contents or the location of the item was incorrect; and a list and description of any item that Trumps legal team asserts was seized but is not listed in the property receipt.

"This submission shall be plaintiffs final opportunity to raise any factual dispute as to the completeness and accuracy of the Detailed property inventory," Dearie wrote in the filing last week.

SPECIAL MASTER TAPS RETIRED JUDGE WITH TOP SECRET CLEARANCE TO AID IN REVIEW OF SEIZED MAR-A-LAGO RECORDS

Cannon, who appointed Dearie as special master, reviewed his order and on Thursday said there "shall be no separate requirement" for Trump "at this stage, prior to the review of the Seized Materials, to lodge ex ante final objections to the accuracy of Defendants Inventory, its descriptions, or its contents."

"The Courts Appointment Order did not contemplate that obligation; Defendant since has complied with the requirement to attest to its now-revised inventory and the parties and the Special Master are situated to proceed forward with the process pending exchange of the actual materials," Cannon wrote.

TRUMP-PICKED SPECIAL MASTER CANDIDATE SIGNED CARTER PAGE WARRANT BEFORE FBI MISCONDUCT DISCOVERED

"Should any additional matters surface during the Special Masters review process that require reconsideration of the inventory or the need to object to its contents, the parties shall make those matters known to the Special Master for appropriate resolution and recommendation to this Court," she added.

Story continues

The special master is tasked with reviewing approximately 11,000 records seized by the FBI during its unprecedented raid of Trumps private residence. The special master and his team will review those records for executive privilege, attorney-client privilege and for personal records.

The Justice Departments motion was accepted by the 11th Circuit Court last week, which allows the government to continue its review of the approximately 100 classified documents seized during the raid on Aug. 8.

Dearie, in his filing last week, announced that he has "determined that the efficient administration of the Special Masters duties requires the assistance of the Honorable James Orenstein (Ret.), a former United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, who 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 said that Orenstein has served as "an appointed amicus curiae in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court" and "currently holds Top Secret clearance."

Dearie, who also served on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, signed off on a FISA warrant to surveil Trump campaign aide Carter Page  before the FBI misconduct surrounding that application was discovered.

In the filing Thursday, the special master said he will utilize the Eastern District of New York court staff in carrying out his duties. He also noted that he will "seek no additional compensation for performing the duties of Special Master in this action," but he proposed that Orenstein "be compensated at the hourly rate of $500."

Cannon, in her order, said neither party objected to Orenstein's involvement and said the court has approved it.

Meanwhile, in the filing, Cannon extends the special master's deadline to review the documents to Dec. 16. The original deadline was Nov. 30.

Dearie has scheduled a status conference for Oct. 6.
Florida federal judge Aileen Cannon on Thursday rejected a request from the special master she appointed to review documents seized from former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate to have Trump's legal team verify that the government's inventory log of seized items is accurate.

Judge Cannon's ruling again hands yet another process win to Trump's legal team, which will now no longer face the same deadline to state on the record whether they would dispute any of the items listed on the government's detailed inventory.

Trump's legal team earlier this week filed a letter under seal raising their objection to the request from special master Raymond Dearie  even as Trump repeatedly in public statements and interviews has made baseless suggestions the FBI "planted" documents in order to incriminate him.

PHOTO: An aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 31, 2022. (Steve Helber/AP, FILE)

MORE: Special master sets timeline for review in Trump docs case, says he must explain claims of privilege

Additionally, Judge Cannon has extended the deadline for special master Dearie to complete his review to Dec. 16, beyond its prior end date of Nov. 30.

PHOTO: Justice Raymond J. Dearie presides at Brooklyn Federal Court, Eastern District, May 15, 2008, in New York. (Gregory Mango, FILE)

MORE: What to know about Raymond Dearie, the special master reviewing Mar-a-Lago documents

And rather than complying with the previous plan to have Trump provide a rolling production of the documents he's seeking to assert privilege over throughout their review, Cannon is now requiring Trump only submit a "comprehensive log" at the end of their review  which she claims is "to avoid confusion and enhance organization and clear deadlines."

Related video: Special master lays out timeline for seized documents

gov.uscourts.flsd.618763.125.0 by ABC News Politics on Scribd

Judge rejects special master's request on seized documents, handing win to Trump originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Federal Judge Aileen Cannon disagreed with the special master she appointed, ruling that former President Donald Trump's legal team does not have to comply with some of the demands he has made of Trump in setting up his review of documents seized by the FBI from the former president's Florida residence in August.

The special master, or independent arbiter, Judge Raymond Dearie, established a plan earlier this month that would have required Trump's lawyers to disclose any objections they have to the Justice Department's inventory of items seized from Mar-a-Lago in the search conducted by the FBI in August.

His order would have required the Trump attorneys to be specific about the accusations they have leveled at the FBI, requiring them to submit a list of items that "[Trump] asserts were not seized from the premises on August 8, 2022"  a possible reference to repeated claims by Trump that the FBI had planted evidence at his Florida residence when they searched it on Aug. 8.

Four days after the search, Trump complained on Truth Social that investigators prevented his lawyers from monitoring the search, "Made them wait outside in the heat, wouldn't let them get even close," and he added, "Planting information anyone?"

Dearie had also asked for a list of inventory items that Trump said had been seized, but the description of the contents or where they were found "is incorrect." And he wanted a list of documents the Trump team said had been taken by the FBI but were not listed in the detailed property inventory.

Trump's lawyers objected to these demands, arguing both that they went beyond the scope of Cannon's appointment of a special master, citing their own inability to access the documents, since they are now in the government's possession.

Cannon, who appointed Dearie as special master at Trump's own recommendation, ultimately sided with the former president's legal team over Dearie, partially sidestepping the ruling of the independent arbiter. "There shall be no separate requirement on Plaintiff at this stage, prior to the review of any of the Seized Materials, to lodge ex ante final objections to the accuracy of Defendant's Inventory, its descriptions, or its contents," she wrote in her ruling Thursday. "The Court's Appointment Order did not contemplate that obligation."

Story continues

She also ordered the special master's review process to be extended from Nov. 30 to Dec. 16, in response to recent procedural delays.

The Justice Department has not yet responded to Cannon's order. It scored a victory last week when a federal appeals court granted its request to allow government investigators to regain access to the roughly 100 documents bearing classification markings that were seized by the FBI during its search at Mar-a-Lago.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit agreed to put on hold a lower court's order  a ruling issued by Cannon  that kept the subset of sensitive records off-limits for the Justice Department to use for investigative purposes, pending the review of the materials by the special master.

The panel said it agreed with the Justice Department that Cannon's court had erred in blocking investigators' use of the classified records and then requiring them to submit the sensitive documents to the outside arbiter for review.

"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," Judges Robin Rosenbaum, Britt Grant and Andrew Brasher said. "Classified documents are marked to show they are classified, for instance, with their classification level."

So far, Trump has not indicated that he intends to appeal that ruling.

Robert Legare, Melissa Quinn and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A judge appointed by former President Donald Trump ruled Thursday that Trump does not have to submit a sworn statement identifying any evidence he believes the FBI might have planted when federal agents executed a search warrant at his Florida estate last month.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon effectively overrules a directive from the special master she named to review evidence the FBI seized in the search Aug. 8. The special master, Senior U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie of New York, last week ordered Trumps team to submit a declaration or affidavit about whether anything on the FBI's list of items removed from Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach had not been seized from the Premises, meaning items that were put there by someone else.

Trump has publicly insinuated several times without offering any proof that federal agents planted evidence during their search, which the Justice Department has said turned up 100 classified, secret and top-secret documents, as well as thousands of other documents it says belong to the government.

Dearie, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, initially gave Trump's team a deadline of this Friday to submit a sworn statement about the issue, but he pushed the deadline back to next week after there was a delay in getting a vendor who could share the documents with both parties in the case. Before Thursday, he had been expected to push the deadline back again.

In her ruling, Cannon suggested she believed Dearie had overstepped with his directive. Trump's lawyers had objected to the special master's order.

"There shall be no separate requirement on Plaintiff at this stage, prior to the review of any of the Seized Materials, to lodge ex ante final objections to the accuracy of Defendants Inventory, its descriptions, or its contents. The Courts Appointment Order did not contemplate that obligation," Cannon wrote Thursday.

She added that if any issues surface during the review process "that require reconsideration of the Inventory or the need to object to its contents, the parties shall make those matters known to the Special Master for appropriate resolution and recommendation to this Court."

Story continues

Cannon also pushed back the deadline for Dearie to complete the review, to Dec. 16, citing both the delay in getting the documents to Trump's team and his lawyers' contention that the 11,000 documents taken from Mar-a-Lago amount to about 200,000 pages. Dearie had previously been expected to complete his review by Nov. 30.

The dual components of Thursday's ruling were seen as temporary wins for Trump; some of Cannons previous orders were also seen as benefiting him. She earlier granted his request for a special master and even said the special master should review the documents for potential executive privilege claims, instead of limiting the examination to traditional attorney-client issues.

Cannon had also ordered that the classified documents seized from Mar-a-Lago should be included in the special master's review and shared with Trump's lawyers and that the Justice Department's criminal investigation into how the documents were handled should be postponed until the review was completed. A federal appeals court overturned those rulings, finding that Trump had "not even attempted to show that he has a need to know the information contained in the classified documents.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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A federal complaint alleges that from at least 2015 to 2021, Lakeland Bank failed to provide mortgage lending services to Black and Latino communities in the Newark area.

The U.S. Justice Department and a New Jersey bank have struck a $13 million settlement in a mortgage discrimination complaint that resulted in the third-largest redlining settlement in history.

According to a press release from the Justice Department, Lakeland Bank is alleged to have redlined as part of a pattern or practice of lending discrimination in the Newark metropolitan region, including in Essex, Somerset and Union counties. The term redlining refers to the illegal act of lenders refusing to offer credit to those living in areas of color because of their race, color or national origin.

Redlining creates an unequal playing field that unfairly prevents many persons of color from achieving the dream of home ownership, and this type of systemic and intentional discrimination cannot and will not be tolerated, said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger Wednesday in a statement.

This photo shows Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announcing the Justice Departments Combating Redlining Initiative in October 2021 to confront lending discrimination against communities of color. The department and Lakeland Bank have now reached a $13 million settlement in a court case alleging redlining. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/The Justice Department)

The federal court complaint claims that from at least 2015 to 2021, Lakeland Bank failed to provide mortgage lending services to Black and Hispanic communities in the Newark area. Its loan agents allegedly failed to address the credit needs of Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, and all of its branches were located in regions with a predominance of white residents.

Financial institutions that refuse to provide mortgage lending services to communities of color not only contribute to the persistent racial wealth gap that exists in this country, but also violate federal law, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.

Garland announced the Justice Departments Combating Redlining Initiative in October 2021 to confront lending discrimination against communities of color. Since its inception, the agency has reported four redlining lawsuits and settlements totaling $38 million in redress for communities suffering from lending prejudice.

Story continues

He went on to say that the settlement with Lakeland demonstrates the Justice Departments ongoing commitment to combating modern-day redlining and to ensuring that all Americans have equal opportunity to obtain credit, no matter their race or national origin.

Lakelands efforts to remedy the situation include an at least $12 million contribution to a loan subsidy fund for Black and Hispanic residents in the region, as well as $750,000 for advertising, outreach and consumer education, plus $400,000 for the development of community partnerships to provide services that widen access to residential mortgage credit.

A full-time community development officer will also be hired to oversee the growth of lending in the Newark regions minority neighborhoods, where two new Lakeland branches will be opened.

Ending redlining is a critical step in our work to close the widening gaps in wealth between communities of color and others, said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department, in its statement. Through this agreement, we are sending a strong message to the financial industry that we will not stand for discriminatory and unlawful barriers in residential mortgage lending.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Justice Department, NJ bank reach $13M settlement in mortgage discrimination case appeared first on TheGrio.
Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness and Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff Marvel Studios/Disney+

Kathryn Hahn took 40-minute pee breaks on the "WandaVision" set because of her detailed costume.

The star made the surprising confession at Variety's Power of Women event.

Hahn also said that Elizabeth Olsen showed her the ropes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Kathryn Hahn first made her Marvel debut in 2021's "WandaVision," as the villainous witch, Agatha Harkness, who manipulates Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) to steal the power of the Scarlet Witch for herself. And Hahn recently praised her costar for being "very patient" with her while she took 40-minute pee breaks.

Yes, the actor really took that long to go to the bathroom  but there's a very good reason why.

Speaking at Variety's "Power of Women" event, Hahn explained that her detailed costume took a long time to get out of.

Hahn said: "She was very patient with me as it took me like a solid 40 minutes to 10-one which ... is to urinate in the movie business." She added: "I have a lot of costume on and a very small bladder."

"WandaVision" was the first TV series produced by Marvel Studios to arrive on Disney+ and followed Wanda as she processed the overwhelming grief and trauma in her life through the lens of classic sitcoms, like "I Love Lucy," "Bewitched," "The Brady Bunch," and "Malcolm in the Middle."

Because this was Hahn's first foray into the MCU, she praised Olsen for guiding her through the stuntwork and special effects.

Hahn said: "First of all, she was my intro into this Marvel family and she very generously walked me through blasts and wires and stunts and finding truth on an X on a green screen. I was used to talking to other people."

The series also heavily relies on Wanda's MCU backstory, including her history with the evil organization, Hydra, her relationship with Vision (Paul Bettany), and his subsequent death at the hands of Thanos (Josh Brolin) in "Avengers: Infinity War."

But Olsen was also on hand to explain the whole journey to Hahn, as the actor said: "She was so patient with all of my questions: 'Who was Ultron? What is that glove with all the gems on it?'"

Story continues

Hahn's appearance in "WandaVision" isn't the last time that audiences will see her in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because she's getting her own Disney+ series which will undoubtedly explore Agatha Harkness in closer detail.

San Diego Comic-Con 2022 saw a horde of TV announcements from Marvel Studios including the new name for the series led by Hahn, titled "Agatha: Coven of Chaos."

Plot details are under wraps for the moment, but the show will arrive on Disney+ towards the end of 2023.

Read the original article on Insider
Associated Press

Alabama reclaimed No. 1 from Georgia in The Associated Press college football poll in one of the closest votes in the recent years, and six teams  including Kansas  made their season debut on Sunday. The Crimson Tide received 25 first-place votes and 1,523 points in the AP Top 25 presented by Regions Bank, two points more than the Bulldogs. Georgia received 28 first-place votes to become the first team since Alabama in November 2019 to have the most first-place votes but not be No. 1.
Sep. 30A 20-year-old Koloa man has been charged for terroristic threatening following an incident involving a bomb threat directed at Koloa Elementary School.

A grand jury indicted and charged Lopaka Santos-Dasalia today with first-degree terroristic threatening and harassment for allegedly making a bomb threat against the Kauai school on Monday.

"Our Office continues to prioritize protecting the most vulnerable in our community. Threats made against our children, or our schools will not be tolerated, " Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like said in a statement. "Mahalo to the Kaua 'i Police Department, Kaua 'i Fire Department and American Medical Response who cleared the area and assisted with the evacuation of the school."

Santos-Dasalia's bail is set at $100, 000, and he can face up to five years in prison if convicted.
 The Kremlin plans to announce their claimed annexation of occupied Ukrainian territories today.

According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the announcement will be accompanied by a voluminous speech by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that Russian annexations will not change the current course of Ukrainian liberation. He has noted that official annexation will render negotiations impossible.

 A fourth gas leak from the damaged Nord Stream pipelines has been discovered.

The Swedish Coast Guard reported the discovery. In total, two of the four leaks are located in Swedens exclusive economic zone. Investigations are underway, the Swedish government stated. NATO has called the damage to the pipeline sabotage, and stated that it has committed to prepare for, deter, and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors.

 The sham Russian referendums in occupied Ukraine have no legal value, according to the UN.

During a press briefing, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres seemingly dropped the usual diplomatic approach taken by international diplomats, and adopted a stronger tone against Russia. I want to underscore that the so-called referenda in the occupied regions were conducted during active armed conflict, in areas under Russian occupation, and outside Ukraines legal and constitutional framework, Guterres said.

 Newly announced HIMARS for Ukraine may not arrive for a few years.

18 new HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems, earmarked by the U.S. for Ukraine, are being ordered from the manufacturer directly, a Pentagon spokesperson clarified at a recent briefing. This means that they may not be ready for delivery for a few years. However, the official stressed that this doesnt mean an end to HIMARS deliveries for Ukraine from existing U.S. military stocks, though he did not specify any such deliveries at the time.

 The newly proposed eighth sanctions package from the EU may contain personal sanctions against ideologue Alexander Dugin.

Story continues

Dugin, a proponent of the so-called multipolar world and the Eurasianist theory  characterized as fascist by numerous academics  is under considering for sanctions, given his strong support for Russian imperial ambitions and its war against Ukraine. The United States has already included him in the sanctions list of persons guilty of Russian aggression against Ukraine. He is also included in the list of those who pose a threat to the national security of Ukraine and in the Myrotvorets database.

 Hungary has again blocked attempts to include the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in the sanctions list.

This is the second time the government of Viktor Orban, a noted admirer of Putins, has blocked Vladimir Gundyayev, aka Patriarch Kirill, from inclusion, stating that "no religious leader should be included in the sanctions list. Gundyayev, a close ally of Putins, has consistently supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine and reportedly told Russian soldiers that "sacrifice in the course of carrying out your military duty washes away all sins.

 International payment systems agree to limit transaction commissions for Ukraine.

According to an agreement signed by leading money transfer firms, their payment systems will limit the commission for transferring money to Ukraine to 3% of the transfer amount. Visa, Mastercard, Wise, Extrabanca, Ria Money Transfer, Small World, and TransferGo have all agreed to this limit. These reduced tariffs will be valid for nine months from the date the agreement is signed. Tariffs will then be reviewed in accordance with the current situation.

 Oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky has lost his lawsuit to regain control of the head office building of Privatbank.

In a final ruling by the Supreme Courts Court of Cassation, the appellate courts ruling was upheld, confirming that the building will remain property of the bank. Kolomoisky still has another 500 open lawsuits involving Privatbank, which was nationalized following the discovery of a $5.5 billion hole in the banks books during his ownership of it  Kolomoisky is believed to be responsible for the missing funds, as a result of fraudulent lending to other Kolomoisky-owned companies.

 Ukrainian exports to Europe have nearly recovered, but global exports are still halved compared to the pre-war period.

According to Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka, exports to the EU amounted to 90% of the level of exports recorded in August 2021. However, total exports globally are still only about half of their pre-war levels, he added. If in January-February, Ukrainian monthly exports reached the level of $6 billion or more, now we are reaching the level of $3.4 billion  this will be the result in September, Kachka noted.

 The days long read: Russia's Obscene "Referendums"

Yale professor Timothy Snyder talks about the consequences of treating Russias sham referendums as legitimate, and explains how these referendums should actually be treated.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Capt. Lillian Carranza speaks during a 2018 news conference. She is suing the Los Angeles Police Department, claiming sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

A Los Angeles police captain wants $8 million in compensation after being "gaslighted" by the department over a nude photograph that was doctored to look like her.

Capt. Lillian Carranza said that the photo of a bare-breasted woman whose face was Photoshopped to resemble her was shared within the Los Angeles Police Department and that top brass did nothing to stop its circulation or explain the image was a fake.

Part of me felt like I was being gaslighted by the department,'' Carranza testified this week. I had a feeling of helplessness, abandonment and betrayal."

Her attorney, Greg Smith, said in Thursday closing arguments the department did not take immediate and appropriate corrective action after she reported the photo was circulating in November 2018.

Nobody did a thing," Smith said, adding that the Internal Affairs Division waited a month to interview Carranza after she reported the photo. "This caused her tremendous stress.

Carranza, a 33-year veteran of the LAPD, said she suffered severe and pervasive sexual harassment in the workplace because of the photo. She testified the image was so traumatizing that she was hospitalized on Christmas Eve 2018 with severe high blood pressure and suffering suicidal ideation. She said doctors eventually had to double her blood pressure medication.

Smith asked jurors for $5 million for past economic damages and $3 million for the future suffering of his client. The case went to the jury late Thursday afternoon.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore testified last week in Carranza's lawsuit against the department that the image was intended to "ridicule, embarrass or harass or smear" her, but he opted not to send a departmentwide message about it because he feared it had the potential of becoming viral.

Moore acknowledged on the witness stand that he had sent a message to all personnel in connection with a racist Valentine-style meme mocking the 2020 killing of George Floyd that was shared by an LAPD officer in 2021. But he said that was different from the captain's case.

Story continues

"They are not on the same scale," Moore said, adding he feared the Valentine's post could further public mistrust of the police. "It needed a response to an entire world."

In contrast, Moore said, he did not accede to Carranza's request because to do so could create "a viral interest, human or otherwise," and a "potential for further embarrassment," with others potentially seeking out the photo.

Carranza, who at the time commanded the Commercial Crimes Division and now leads the Gang and Narcotics Division, alleges that LAPD command staff knew the image was being circulated, along with disparaging comments about her, but didn't alert her. Instead, she learned about the photo from a colleague.

Smith said even after Carranza sued the department over the incident, the chief did not publicly tell his officers it was fake or direct them not to share the image. Moore said in Carranzas case, the departments effort was focused on finding the person responsible for sending that out.

An LAPD adjudication of Carranza's complaint found the photograph had been distributed in at least "four different locations at different times" and "was portrayed to various officers as an image of Carranza." An investigation said it was not possible to identify who initiated the photo-sharing.

Defense attorney Mark Waterman, however, argued that no one in the workplace showed Carranza the photo or made any comments to her about it.

She was not subject to interactions in her workplace that were sexually hostile, Waterman said. No one is teasing her.

He also questioned how widespread the photo-sharing was, asking: Where is the evidence that it was sent out as her?"

The trial, which began two weeks ago, shines a light on one of several allegations made by women in the LAPD  which is 26% female  that describe a crude, sexist culture among the ranks that is too often tolerated.

Carranza has been the subject of prior derogatory incidents during her career. In November 2013, a then-detective teaching a training class was captured on audio saying that she was "a very cute little Hispanic lady" and that she had "been swapped around a bunch of times." The department, she said, knew of the recording but never told her about it until the officer who made the recording notified her.

The 2018 photo incident with Carranza came months after the City Council approved a $1.8-million payout to a female officer who accused an internal affairs lieutenant of sexual harassment and ordering surveillance of her when she rejected his advances.

In 2020, the city paid $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit from a police detective who said that she was assaulted, abused and blackmailed by a fellow officer and that department officials ignored her complaints. That officer pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor injury of a spouse or girlfriend and was sentenced to three years probation.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Anger is boiling over at House Democratic leadership for failing to deliver on a bill to ban members of Congress from trading stocks  a key priority for voters on both sides of the aisle  ahead of the midterm elections.

Democratic leaders unveiled draft legislation to tackle the issue Tuesday, just days before Congress was set to leave for an extended recess. That left lawmakers little time to review the bill or offer changes, such as closing loopholes that critics say make the bill toothless, dooming its chances of a floor vote.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) on Friday issued a scathing statement, accusing Democratic leaders of slow-walking her own stock trading proposal  introduced two years ago with bipartisan backing  and ultimately offering a more complicated bill that was designed to fail.

This moment marks a failure of House leadership  and its yet another example of why I believe that the Democratic Party needs new leaders in the halls of Capitol Hill, as I have long made known, Spanberger said in her statement.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters Friday that the bill didnt come to the floor because it didnt have the votes to pass.

The delay is a momentous setback for the stock trading reform effort, which drew a rare confluence of support from an overwhelming majority of Republican and Democratic voters.

Public scrutiny of lawmakers trades intensified when Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) unloaded much of his portfolio after attending a private briefing on the devastating impacts of COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic. Pelosi, whose husband is a prolific trader, also drew backlash when she said she wouldnt support a ban on stock trading in Congress, a position she later reversed.

Passing a stock trading bill before the midterms would have been a good faith sign to the voters that Congress takes its responsibility to the public interest seriously, said Danielle Caputo, an ethics lawyer at the Campaign Legal Center. And so obviously, thats disappointing.

Story continues

The Combatting Financial Conflicts of Interests in Government Act, spearheaded by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) at the request of Pelosi, aims to prevent insider trading among members of Congress, federal government officials and Supreme Court justices.

The bill is meant to stop insider trading by making officials put any stocks they own into whats called a blind trust, whereby the stocks are handed over to a third party that manages them without their owners knowledge.

But critics of the bill say that it contains a loophole that allows officials to get out of this requirement.

The problem is that the bill allows people to create a trust that they can claim is blind and diversified, and yet it doesnt actually have to meet the criteria that are currently in the law for it to officially be a blind trust, said Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, an advocate with The Project on Government Oversight (POGO), a nonprofit watchdog organization.

Congressional ethics committees, notorious for failing to hold lawmakers accountable for violating existing ethics rules, would sign off on the blind trusts under the proposal.

Its basically a fake blind trust, he said. We dont have that much trust in what the ethics committee is going to do because theyre notoriously weak in doing anything thats particularly restrictive or robust around what happens internally.

Critics of Democratic leaders approach say that the stock trading bill should have stuck to the legislative branch, and that including ethics reforms to the judiciary and federal government only complicated its chances of passage. Those changes could have come in future bills, they said.

Lawmakers complained this week that the Lofgren bill was not crafted with input from many rank-and-file lawmakers, particularly Republicans.

This is a complex issue requiring thought, debate, amendment and a full airing in committee to build as much bipartisan agreement as possible rather than the normal cram-down from the top that permeates literally everything we do, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who partnered with Spanberger on a stock trading bill, said in a statement Wednesday.

House Judiciary Committee member Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) said in an interview that he suspects that many members of his committee havent had time to properly review the legislation.

I would suppose there are many members who have not actually read the legislation. And its certainly an important enough issue that we need to take adequate time to deliberate on it. We know that stock trading by members of Congress and by judges  Article III judges  is unacceptable, he said, referring to judges who are nominated by the president and can only be removed from office with impeachment proceedings.

A recent analysis by The New York Times found that one-fifth of U.S. lawmakers traded financial assets in industries that relate to their work on government committees in recent years.

A 2012 law called the STOCK Act forbids members of Congress from using insider information when buying and selling stocks, but watchdogs say violations of the law are common.

We keep seeing STOCK Act violations, POGOs Hedtler-Gaudette said. We see them time and time again. And theyre not even assessing penalties on the people who are violating the STOCK Act.

The proposed stock trading ban in the House is one of several bills now being debated in the Senate from lawmakers including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).

Upon hearing the news of the stalled bill Friday, Hawley tweeted, Pathetic. This should be a slam dunk.

Congress AND their spouses from owning stock. But no. Pelosi & Company wont give up the $$$$, he continued.

The proposals from Hawley and Ossoff allow for stocks to be put into blind trusts, while the bipartisan measure from Warren and Daines is more strict and requires that stocks be sold off outright.

Supporters are still hopeful that lawmakers can finish a stock trading bill in a lame duck session after the election. But they note that there will be less pressure on lawmakers to appease voters, and Congress will already have its hands full with a slew of legislative priorities, including a government spending bill.

The Hill has reached out to Pelosis office for additional comment.

Updated 4:02 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Efforts to recover the wreckage from the fatal Whidbey Island floatplane crash began Monday, with the majority of the wreckage retrieved on Thursday.

According to Island County Emergency Management, six of the ten victims have been recovered. Five have been identified.

Investigators are still trying to determine if human remains that washed ashore at the Dungeness Spit two weeks after the crash is the seventh victim.

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy says crews have been working 24/7 to get the wreckage out of the water. She says while they have been up to the task, there have been challenges getting the wreckage out, such as the current impacting the remotely operated vehicle crews are using to reach the wreckage.

At times, when it is so strong, the ROV cant even move through the water, Homendy said.

She also tells KIRO 7 she cant imagine what the families of those lost are going through during this time.

The hardest part of my job is talking to families after terrible, terrible tragedies. I have no idea what they are going through, but I can imagine as a mom, a wife how difficult this must be to lose a loved one, Homendy said.

HAPPENING NOW:

The @NTSB has confirmed with me at least 80% of the plane that crashed off of Whidbey Island back in early September has been recovered. @KIRO7Seattle  Jake Chapman (@JChapmanNews) September 29, 2022

The Sept. 4 crash into Mutiny Bay killed nine adults and a child. So far, only one persons body has been recovered.

The NTSB found the sunken plane a few weeks ago, but with a current of 3 to 5 knots, conditions were too dangerous for divers.

The investigation and preparations have been ongoing for recovering all the victims, but Mondays efforts focused on raising the wreckage. Crews used a remote-controlled barge and crane to pull up the plane.

Story continues

KIRO 7 spoke with a dive team expert who specializes in recovering cars.

He said recovering the plane would be a slow and challenging process.

Even with a (remotely operated vehicle), it is going to be extremely challenging to be able to bring this plane up safely as well as containing the evidence inside of this plane, said Doug Bishop, lead diver for Adventures with Purpose.

On Thursday, Homendy said crews plan to be out in Mutiny Bay for a few more days as they continue to get all of the wreckage out. Homendy also said the investigation on how the plane went down continues beyond the recovery process.

And at the same time, we will be requesting, which we have already, information from the operator, from the Federal Aviation Administration, and others to help us do this investigation, Homendy said.
With former President Trumps promise to appoint only Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade coming to fruition, the line between an independent judiciary and the promotion of political objectives has continued to blur in this country.

Many citizens now unfortunately see judges as partisan politicians who wear robes instead of business suits. Potentially contributing to this image is the publicly open and accessible Facebook page of Judge Craig Baldwin, which clearly identifies him as serving on Ohios Fifth District Court of Appeals, and pictures the Scales of Justice as his cover photo.

Judge Baldwin documents his attendance at numerous Republican Party rallies, forums, fundraisers, picnics, lunches, receptions, holiday parties, and GOP Central and Executive Committee meetings throughout the state. Posts from prior years are also primarily political in nature. One photograph, dated Feb. 26, 2020, prominently displays a placard reading Celebrating the Ideals of the Republican Party, which ideals many people view as pro-business, anti-plaintiff, anti-labor union, anti-trial lawyer, anti-womens freedoms, and anti-civil and voting rights expansions.

Judge Baldwin certainly has every right to attend these events and be a loyal member of any political party he wishes; however, when he chooses to use social media to heavily publicize his GOP activities, he risks undermining his duties under the Ohio Judicial Code to seek office as a nonpartisan and to always promote the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

The irony here is that, by all accounts, Judge Baldwin is an extremely intelligent, fair, and unbiased judge; but, at least in my opinion, he is sending out the wrong message at the wrong time. To paraphrase former President Ronald Reagan: Judge Baldwin, tear down this Facebook page.

Steven A. Armatas, Plain Township

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: Judge Baldwin should take down his Facebook page
A Pitcairn man is facing a slew of charges, including impersonating a public servant, after confronting an elderly woman along Route 22 in Monroeville.

Police say Jason Birdwell, 51, followed a woman along Wall Avenue and onto Route 22, getting out of his vehicle and walking onto the median to approach her car. The woman drove away and Birdwell allegedly followed her into a restaurant parking lot on Northern Pike. The woman said Birdwell got out of his car and yelled at her, pointing to his body camera and telling her he caught her speeding. The woman said that while she got out of her car to walk into the restaurant, Birdwell yelled obscenities at her and closely followed. She said he left when she called 911.

Monroeville police said they located Birdwell driving on Route 22 and made a traffic stop. Birdwell allegedly stated he had a right to stop the woman for speeding because he was tired of the police not doing their job.

Police said they found a loaded gun, handcuff key, flashlight, clipboard used to write traffic tickets and notebooks with traffic violations in them in Birdwells vehicle. They also found a fabric patch with Fugitive Recovery Agent on it.

Birdwell also has been charged with harassment, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, firearms violations, stalking and possessing instruments of crime and more.

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(Bloomberg) -- The crisis of confidence in UK assets is running so deep that the country is close to losing its crown of Europes biggest equity market.

Most Read from Bloomberg

This years decline in London stocks has reduced the combined market capitalization of companies with a primary UK listing to within touching distance of its nearest challenger, Paris. At the equivalent of $2.5 trillion, the gap between them is only $156 billion, close to the lowest on record, according to an index compiled by Bloomberg.

The differential between the UK and French markets has been gradually eroding since Britons voted to leave the European Union in 2016. But the unprecedented market turmoil unleashed in the past week by Prime Minister Liz Trusss unfunded tax cuts has dealt a crucial blow, damaging economic confidence and sending the pound to a record low.

READ: UK Markets Have Lost $500 Billion Since Truss Took Over

Londons crown as the top European trading center was already losing its shine even before this latest confidence crisis and the plunge in sterling, with the impact of post-Brexit trade issues still weighing on sentiment, said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. With concerns deepening about the Truss administrations handling of the economy, optimism appears to be seeping away.

UK equity fund outflows are on pace for their worst year ever at $18 billion, according to Bank of America Corp. data, citing EPFR Global.

Wednesdays intervention by the Bank of England to calm markets has only bought time in stabilizing the pound and seeking to avoid broader deterioration in UK household finances and asset markets, Jefferies strategists led by Sean Darby wrote in a note.

Story continues

READ: Britains Crisis of Confidence Was Years in the Making

Only once before has the value differential between the UK and French equity markets been narrower. That was in January this year when the third-largest company in the FTSE 100 Index, BHP Group Ltd., exited London.

The weakness of sterling since the Brexit vote has contributed to the decreasing value of Londons equity market, making British companies more attractive to foreign bidders. The UK has become a fertile ground for takeovers, also reflecting cheap valuations and lack of protectionism.

Another factor has been Londons increasingly fragile position as one of Europes premier listing venues. Just $1.38 billion has been raised through initial public offerings in the UK this year, representing 14% of the European total, the smallest share in more than a decade, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Its not all doom and gloom. The weak currency is providing a big tailwind to UK large-cap earnings, with 75% of FTSE 100 revenues coming from overseas.

That means the blue-chip index is likely to continue outperforming the mid-cap FTSE 250, as long as recession fears persist and sterling remains under pressure, according to Liberum Capital strategist Susana Cruz.

(Updates with Bank of America flows data in fifth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Good news, Hoosiers! The time has come for longer days and (hopefully) warmer temperatures.

That's right. Daylight saving time has returned, and soon the entire state will be "springing forward" and getting used to that hour of sleep they lost.

The big time change happens at 2 a.m. Sunday. At that time, 2 a.m. will instantly become 3 a.m.

Daylight saving time:Everything you need to know

But Indiana's relationship with time has always been complicated, and depending on who you ask, all the wrinkles haven't been ironed out of the statewide DST model we've used for the past 13 years.

Here's a look at how we got here, according to IndyStar archives.

The way it was

Indiana spent decades taking a do what feels right approach to time. In the late 1800s, it was as simple as using the sun as your guide. It was noon when the sun was the highest, and people lived their lives between sunrise and sunset.

But the emergence of railroads and the need to coordinate clocks so folks didnt miss their trains led to the creation of standard time and four time zones in 1883.

In 1917, Congress passed the Standard Time Act, adopting similar time zones and giving the Interstate Commerce Commission authority over the boundaries. The law also ushered in "daylight saving time" for a few years before the concept was repealed by Congress in 1919.

But Indianas do what feels right attitude held strong. Some communities went along with the repeal, and other communities continued to follow it.

IndyStar has brought you the news for 116 years. Help us keep doing it.

The years that followed also led to Indianas eventual time zone spilt. From 1918 to 1961, the Indiana/Ohio border served as the dividing line between the Eastern and Central time zones. But the Interstate Commerce Commission shifted the dividing line west and cut the state in half in 1961.

That era would also see a controversial Indiana time zone bill outlawing daylight saving time  but lacking enforcement power  come and go in 1947. In 1957, a vote to make Central Time the official time zone of Indiana was ignored and ultimately repealed with the Interstate Commerce Commissions time zone shift in 1961.

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In 1966, Congress shifted authority over time zones to the Department of Transportation, and the agency came up with a compromise that put most of Indiana on Eastern Standard Time year-round while the Gary and Evansville areas would remain on Central time and follow daylight time in the summer.

After some back and forth and one General Assembly override of a Gov. Edgar Whitcomb veto, the federal idea was approved by Indiana and signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972. That compromise would hold strong for more than 30 years.

Mitchs major move

Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels

After being elected Indiana Governor in November 2004, Mitch Daniels pushed for the adoption of statewide daylight saving time when he took office.

He made DST part of his economic plan and argued the Indiana Time compromise hindered economic growth because it was confusing for those outside of the state.

Daniels was able to gather support from key legislators, and in 2005, the Indiana General Assembly adopted SEA 127, which repealed the provision exempting portions of the state in the Eastern Time Zone from observing Daylight Saving Time.

It was a slim victory that saw the bill be voted down in the House not once but twice. The margins of defeat, however, were not large enough to sink the legislation.

Squeaking out a win

In April 2005, SB 127 failed to obtain a majority vote and was defeated 50-49 in the House of Representatives. Still eligible for a revote, three House Republicans switched their positions the second time around and provided a path for the daylight saving time bill to move to a conference committee vote in the Senate.

The bill survived a narrow vote in the Senate and went back to the House for a final vote on the version adopted by both the House and Senate conference committees. The legislation would again fail in its first trip to the House with a 49-48 vote.

But because there weren't 51 "nay" votes, the matter was brought up for a second vote and finally passed 51-49 after a group of legislators changed their minds.

Beginning on April 2, 2006, Indiana became the 48th state to observe daylight saving time statewide. We now set our clocks back an hour in the fall to Eastern Standard Time and ahead one hour in the spring to Eastern Daylight Time.

Six counties in the northwestern corner and six counties in southwestern portion of the state are on Central Time. Those counties switch between Central Standard Time and Central Daylight Time.

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at 317-444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why Indiana observes daylight saving time statewide
NEW BEDFORD  The Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General announced Friday that a Bristol County Grand Jury indicted Victor Tiu Lopez on charges related to a rental scam targeting undocumented Spanish-speakers in New Bedford earlier this year.

The charges include 11 counts of larceny over $1,100, four counts of larceny under $1,200.

Lopez also faces two counts of witness intimidation, including at lest one threat on the life of a community activist, the Attorney General's office said.

The AG's office alleged that Lopez collected $22,050 in "rental deposits" from 15 people between February and April.

The AG's office accused Lopez of falsely presenting himself as the owner, or soon-to-be owner, of affordable apartments he advertised on New Bedford-area Spanish-language social media pages.

According to the AG's office, he showed the prospective renters the apartments and solicited deposits and fees from them before claiming that the apartment had been rented or changing the move-in date.

"Lopez would also sometimes ask for additional money from prospective tenants, before ultimately failing to return their calls, or simply disappeared," the AG's office said.

Adrian Ventura, executive director of the Centro Comjunitario de Trabajadores, speaks to a group at the center on the evening of Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Some of those present claimed to have been scammed by Victor Tiu Lopez, a man now facing larceny charges related to apartment rentals.

Alleged victims speak

The alleged scam was brought to public attention when Adrian Ventura, executive director of the Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores, condemned Lopez on Facebook in March.

"Many people believed him because they were in crisis," Ventura told The Standard-Times in June during a Spanish-language interview.

Among them was Alvaro, a 24-year old undocumented K'iche' man from Guatemala who accused Lopez of scamming him; who spoke with The Standard-Times in June.

Alvaro said that he and two other men  plus the seven-year old daughter of one of them  contacted Lopez in February to express interest in an $1,100 apartment. He swiftly arranged an apartment visit.

Is the market cooling on the SouthCoast?: Here's what's impacting real estate now.

Story continues

"It had nothing, not even a kitchen," Alvaro said. "But he said that he would remodel it and we could move in in a couple of months."

Alvaro said that Lopez pressured them to move quickly to pay a $1,500 fee, claiming that others wanted the apartment.

The next day, Alvaro and one of the other men gave $750 a piece. He claimed that he did not hear from Lopez again for a month  despite numerous attempts to contact him.

In March, Lopez posted a video to his Facebook account responding to rumors about accusations leveled against him by a member of New Bedford's Guatemalan community.

"People have been saying a lot of things about me regarding what I've been doing," Lopez said. "But I want you to understand what is happening. This person acted really badly by posting my photos to Facebook, saying: 'This person is this. This person is that.' With no knowledge of where I'm at, what are my processes, and what's happening with me."

Lopez's lawyer, Christopher Abreu, did not respond to requests for comment.

Accusation of a threat

Ventura accused Lopez of threatening his life at CCT headquarters in February.

"He told me not to speak to the police," Ventura said. "I told him that I had to.

"He then said: If you go to the police, you know what's going to happen to you," before he claimed Lopez shaped his hand to mimic a pistol and made shooting motions towards him. "That's what will happen to you and everyone with you."

Ventura said that he is glad to see the indictment happen.

"I'm happy to see that the system is working," he said. "We are asking for justice."

He added that the alleged victims are mostly among what the Immigrants' Assistance Center says are an estimated 10,000 undocumented residents in the city.

"There's a fear of deportation," he said. "This is also important for the large indigenous community of New Bedford that often feels ignored by the system."

That population  mainly K'iche' Maya from Guatemala is thought to be about 7,000 strong, according to the most recent estimate of the population in 2016, published by the now-defunct Public Policy Center at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Corinn Williams, director of the Community Economic Development Center of New Bedford, said that Lopez's alleged actions took advantage of the community's fear and insular nature in a difficult housing market.

"It is shame how he took advantage of vulnerable renters who trusted him with down payments for apartments that didnt exist," she said via WhatsApp. "Its particularly sad in this housing market with the scarcity of affordable apartments and rising costs of rent. So many families are so desperate to find a decent place to live."

Lopez's arraignment is set for Monday at 9 a.m. in Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River.

Contact Kevin G. Andrade at kandrade@s-t.com and follow him on Twitter: @KevinGAndrade. Support local journalism and subscribe to the Standard-Times today!

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Lopez indicted in housing scheme targeting undocumented in New Bedford
A prominent Christian pastor in Los Angeles issued an open letter Thursday that rebuked Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his recent multi-state billboard campaign that promoted abortion by quoting Jesus.

Pastor John MacArthur, 83, who serves as senior pastor of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, also accused the governor of exhibiting a worldview whose "diabolical effects" have effectively trashed the state, leading to "epidemics of crime, homelessness, sexual perversions (like homosexuality and transgenderism), and other malignant expressions of human misery that stem directly from corrupt public policy."

Newsom was met with outrage earlier this month from Christians who took offense when his gubernatorial campaign erected billboards in states where abortion is outlawed or restricted, urging women in such states to come to California to abort their babies.

Some versions of the billboards advertised California's easily obtainable abortions by quoting Mark 12:31, where Jesus says, "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these." Some members of the clergy and other Christians excoriated Newsom for including Jesus in his pro-abortion billboards, deeming them "disgusting," "satanic," and "one of the [worst] distortions of a Bible passage I've ever seen."

CHRISTIANS SLAM NEWSOM FOR DISGUSTING PRO-ABORTION BILLBOARDS QUOTING JESUS: SATANIC

"In mid-September, you revealed to the entire nation how thoroughly rebellious against God you are when you sponsored billboards across America promoting the slaughter of children, whom He creates in the womb," MacArthur wrote.

"You further compounded the wickedness of that murderous campaign with a reprehensible act of gross blasphemy, quoting the very words of Jesus from Mark 12:31 as if you could somehow twist His meaning and arrogate His name in favor of butchering unborn infants," the pastor continued.

THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES RAISE ALARM ABOUT SCOPE OF NEW CANADIAN CONVERSION THERAPY BAN

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"Furthermore, you chose words from the lips of Jesus without admitting that in the same moment He gave the greatest commandment: 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' You cannot love God as He commands while aiding in the murder of His image-bearers," MacArthur said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference after meeting with students at James Denman Middle School on Oct. 1, 2021, in San Francisco, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

MacArthur went on to express concern that Newsom's "soul lies in grave, eternal peril" for having "twisted" the words of the Bible, and that he will someday be called to give an account before God for his actions as governor.

CANADIAN CLERGY REBUKE TRUDEAU FOR INVOKING EMERGENCIES ACT, OTHER TYRANNICAL ACTIONS

"Our church, and countless Christians nationwide, are praying for your full repentance. Please respond to the gospel, forsake the path of wickedness you have pursued all your life, turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness, and use your office to advance the cause of righteousness (as is your duty) instead of undermining it (as has been your pattern)," MacArthur admonished.

Newsom's campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment by time of publication.

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom removes his mask before speaking during a press conference at the Native American Health Center in Oakland, California, on Dec. 22, 2021. Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images

MacArthur and his church made headlines in 2021 when they won an $800,000 settlement after tussling with state and county authorities for continuing to congregate in defiance of the government's COVID-19 protocols restricting houses of worship.

Citing Jesus and the Bible as the ultimate authority over his congregation, MacArthur wrote in a lengthy blog post in July 2020 that "we cannot and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on our weekly congregational worship or other regular corporate gatherings. Compliance would be disobedience to our Lords clear commands."
A hiker told rescuers she was lost and unprepared to spend the night on a Colorado peak. They told her to hunker down for the night, deputies said.

The hiker sent a signal for help using a Garmin InReach location device at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, the Pitkin County Sheriffs Office said. The 24-year-old reported she was lost on Castle Peak and needed help.

It was learned that the subject was planning to traverse from the Castle Peak area down to the Conundrum Hot Springs, but had lost the route in the darkness, deputies said in a Sept. 27 news release. The subject was concerned that she was cliffed out and might not be adequately equipped to stay the night, depending on weather conditions.

Rescuers determined that the hiker would be safe overnight because of the terrain, time of night and the weather conditions that were expected. The hiker also had enough equipment to make it through the night, officials said.

(Rescuers) advised the subject to hunker down for the night, and to prepare for a morning reassessment, deputies said.

In the morning, rescuers got in contact with the hiker and gave her route information. The hiker followed the route and made it down the mountain.

No rescuers entered the field. Deputies did not disclose the hikers name or condition.

Mountain Rescue Aspen would like to remind backcountry users to be familiar with their intended route, be cognizant of the time required to complete the route, and to have adequate equipment for inclement weather, officials said.

Castle Peak is a 12.3-mile out-and-back trail that treks up the 14,274-foot peak near Aspen. Its considered difficult and typically takes nearly 9 hours to complete, according to hiking website AllTrails.

More than 220 Grand Canyon tourists sickened with norovirus on trips, the CDC says

Hiker missing for days is found in thick vegetation on Arizona mountain, rescuers say

Hiker found dead day after telling friend he was lost in Colorado national park
Sep. 29CLARKSVILLE  A Louisville man is facing 33 charges following a police pursuit in Clarksville.

According to court records suspect Carlos Duane Holland, 25, is facing a slew of felony charges, including drug charges, a resisting law enforcement charge, felony battery against a public official and criminal recklessness.

He's also facing several misdemeanor charges.

The probable cause affidavit in the case states Clarksville police were called Tuesday afternoon to 1351 Veterans Parkway to a report of a shoplifter who'd fled the Walmart store. An officer spotted the silver SUV Holland was driving and pulled him over near the GameStop store on Veterans Parkway.

Holland's face was half-covered with a black mask and the officer wrote he saw his hand on the gear shift of the vehicle when he advised the suspect of his Miranda Rights and that he was going to be detained on theft charges.

At this time Holland did not respond to verbal commands and was looking out of the windshield. The officer told Holland several times to not drive off and said he saw Holland "slam" the vehicle into drive and accelerate into congested traffic.

Holland hit two vehicles during this part of the pursuit, both with families inside. The court documents said Holland drove recklessly while trying to elude officers and eventually went down Sam Gwinn Drive and into the parking lot of Coyle Nissan. He drove around the occupied facility at 60 miles per hour and then exited the parking lot by driving through the grass and causing deep ruts.

The probable cause affidavit said Holland then continued to drive recklessly through fields and occupied parking lots and his vehicle hit speeds of 100 miles per hour during this part of the pursuit.

Holland then turned his vehicle onto Green Tree Boulevard and hit another vehicle before suddenly slamming on his brakes and turning into the parking lot of Bass Pro Shop.

Indiana State Police joined the pursuit at this time.

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Holland was attempting to flee the parking lot and hit an ISP cruiser at a right angle, causing damage.

An ISP Trooper is recovering after being hurt during the incident.

ISP Public Information Officer Sgt. Carey Huls confirmed the officer's injuries are not life-threatening, however they are experiencing pain. Huls said prayers are welcome at this time.

Police were then able to arrest Holland in the Bass Pro Shop parking lot.

They found cocaine, 16 fake oxycontin pills, a gun and stolen items from Walmart inside the console of his vehicle, according to records.

Holland was being held in the Clark County jail Thursday on a $50,000 cash-only bond. He's due in court Friday morning.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron should resign immediately, the Louisville NAACP announced Friday, for failing to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor.

If the first-term Republican refuses to step down, the group said it will call on Kentuckys Republican-heavy legislature to impeach him.

The recent federal indictments of four Louisville Metro Police officers involved in the Breonna Taylor killing has highlighted, demonstrated, and proven the insufficiency of the state investigation led by the Attorney General of the Commonwealth and an absence of an understanding of the Commonwealths criminal laws, the NAACP said in a press release.

More:Woman shouldn't face felony for $80 in shoplifting at Walmart, Kentucky Supreme Court says

Cameron is running for governor in 2023.

In a statement shared Friday afternoon, he said, Im proud of the work Ive done on behalf of every Kentuckian, and I am honored to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth as Kentuckys 51st Attorney General.

Cameron drew criticism for his handling of the Taylor case, in which he did not charge anyone for her death at the hands of Louisville police in March 2020. Four law enforcement officers were later federally indicted in August 2022 for charges tied to Taylors death and the investigation preceding it.

In a resolution sent to Cameron and legislative leaders Thursday, the NAACP noted the AG is obligated to enforce the laws equally and fairly.

Cameron, they continued, has said, I dont care what anybody says in the national media, when it comes to supporting and defending law enforcement, we are going to do that. We are going to back the blue.

More:Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron comes to Trump's defense in Mar-a-Lago case

In separate comments in August just days after the federal indictments were announced, Cameron told the crowd at Fancy Farm, an annual political picnic in Western Kentucky, that he will always have (law enforcements) back and we will always support the blue.

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The NAACP wrote the insufficiency of the investigation and the lack of understanding of Kentucky criminal statutes were the results of the current Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in his own words backing the blue, not justice.

In a press conference Friday, NAACP President Raoul Cunningham said calling on the first Black man to hold the AG's office to resign was "not the easiest decision."

"Although he is the first African American to be elected to a statewide office, that does not exclude him from his responsibility to the entire community," Cunningham said. "Nor does it exclude him from fairness and equality. And we do not think that he possessed that in his decision."

More:Who is running to be Kentucky's next governor?

August's federal indictments brought the idea of calling for Cameron's removal back to the forefront for the group, Cunningham said. Cameron's Fancy Farm comments played a heavy role in their decision as well, he said.

"He already decided to take sides when he said he will basically defend the blue," Cunningham said. "To us, that is taking a position that is not necessarily based on fairness."

The Kentucky General Assembly has the authority to impeach constitutional officers, including the attorney general, but impeachments are rare. Spokespeople for the House and Senate Republicans did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Three grand jurors in the Breonna Taylor case filed a petition in January 2021 to impeach Cameron, alleging the AG breached public trust and misrepresented findings in his investigation to the grand jury.

Cameron's 2021 impreachment attempt was one of a few in a string of high-profile impeachment petitions at the time, including one to remove Gov. Andy Beshear from office over his COVID-19 response.

When asked if he thought legislative leaders would do anything, Cunningham said, "I can hope."

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville NAACP calls on Attorney General Daniel Cameron to resign
By A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia said on Friday it will challenge a move by the heirs of a Southeast Asian sultan to seize its Dutch assets as part of the descendents' efforts to enforce a $15 billion arbitration award against the Malaysian state.

The heirs of the former Sulu sultan on Thursday asked a Dutch court for permission to seize Malaysian assets in the Netherlands, where some of Malaysia's biggest companies have operations - including state oil firm Petronas.

The heirs are targeting Malaysian assets overseas following the government's refusal to recognise the $15 billion arbitration award by a French court in February, which found Malaysia had reneged on an 1878 land leasing agreement.

The deal was signed between two European colonists and the sultan for the use of his territory, some of which was later incorprated into modern-day Malaysia.

Malaysia honoured that deal until 2013, paying the monarch's descendants about $1,000 a year. But Kuala Lumpur stopped the payments after a bloody incursion by supporters of the former sultanate who wanted to reclaim land.

In the current dispute, Malaysia has said it does not recognise the heirs' claim and that the arbitration, in which it did not participate, was illegal.

Malaysia obtained a stay on the ruling pending an appeal, but the award remains enforceable outside France under a United Nations treaty on international arbitration.

"Malaysia will spare no expense in defending its sovereignty and its assets abroad wherever they may be situated," law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said in a statement.

He said Malaysia would take legal action in the Netherlands to "resist and set aside" any attempt to seize assets, and that the country has initiated a global strategy to proactively challenge other possible seizure bids.

Wan Junaidi also said Petronas' assets were not assets of the government of Malaysia.

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"It would be an abuse of the process of any court to seek enforcement against such assets," he said.

The Malaysian government is the sole shareholder of Petronas and collects an annual dividend from the oil firm.

Petronas did not have an immediate comment on the government statement. It has not commented on the heirs' court petition in the Netherlands.

A spokesperson for the heirs told Reuters they were surprised by Wan Junaidi's statement on Petronas' assets.

"Given the Malaysian government claims to no longer own Petronas, I imagine Malaysians would be curious as to who currently does," the spokesperson said.

In July, two Luxembourg-based subsidiaries of Petronas were seized by court bailiffs as part of the heirs' effort to claim the award.

Petronas has described the Luxembourg seizure as "baseless" and vowed to defends its global assets.

(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi, Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Martin Petty, Ed Davies and Andrew Heavens)
A man is behind bars after allegedly cashing nearly $100K in checks he stole from someones home.

On June 17, a man reported his home in the 9800 block of Humphrey Road was burglarized during the past week.

Various items were taken from the home, including appliances, televisions, auto parts, and checkbooks, according to an affidavit.

The victim said approximately 50 checks were taken and over $100,000 stolen from his bank account.

The Navy Federal Credit Union gave him photos of the checks, which showed Andrew Vescovi on 44 of them, according to the affidavit.

The victim said he did not write Vescovi the checks and did not know who that person is.

The 44 checks written to Vescovi totaled $95,847, records show.

Detectives with the Memphis Police Department (MPD) found Vescovis address in the 1300 block of Walton Road, along with a Chevrolet Colorado registered to him.

On Sept. 28, detectives executed a search warrant at Vescovis home and vehicle, and discovered the stolen checks and other items belonging to the victim.

Records show Vescovi admitted to cashing the checks over a three-month period.

Hes charged with aggravated burglary; forgery $60,000-$250,000; and theft of property $60,000-$250,000, according to the affidavit.

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A man was arrested Thursday and charged with illegally blocking access to a New York Planned Parenthood clinic that provides reproductive health services, including abortion.

Christopher Moscinski, 52, is accused of fastening padlocks and bicycle locks to the gated entrance of the Hempstead facility early July 7. Glue had been poured into some of the locks, according to court documents.

An attorney who is thought to be representing Moscinski could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.

In charging documents, law enforcement officials say Moscinski returned to the health center in a religious robe and used his body to block vehicles from entering the parking lot until he was arrested.

Federal agents say that after his arrest, Moscinski spoke to the media about the incident, saying in a July 14 interview that he put six locks and chains on the clinic's gates and that he lay in front of the gate "to try to keep that Planned Parenthood closed for as long as possible.

Moscinski is serving a three-month state jail sentence for trespassing at an abortion clinic in White Plains, New York.

Samuel Mitchell, the chief operating officer of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, said patients seeking care shouldn't be harassed and intimidated.

"Over the years, we have witnessed anti-abortion extremists spew lies and use physical force to threaten our staff, bully our volunteers, and demoralize our patients. Nationwide attacks on abortion rights have fueled their vitriol," Mitchell said in a statement. "We will not allow our communities to fall victim to extreme hate. ... We will pursue every avenue of legal recourse to ensure the safety and security of patients, staff and volunteers."

Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement that Moscinski prevented women from seeking health services they were legally entitled to.

"This office will enforce federal law to protect clinics and staff that provide reproductive health services while safeguarding the rights of their patients," Peace said.

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In 1994, Congress passed the FACE Act in response to an increase in violence toward patients and providers of reproductive health services, officials said. It prohibits violent, threatening, damaging and obstructive conduct intended to injure, intimidate or interfere with a persons right to seek, obtain or provide reproductive health services, officials said.

First-time convictions are misdemeanor violations punishable by up to a year in federal prison. Subsequent convictions, officials said, are felonies.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A man has died in the hospital after a shooting in Pittsburghs East Liberty neighborhood.

According to information from police, officers were called to the 600 block of N. St. Clair Street after a 911 call for shots fired.

When police arrived they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds.

The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to his wounds at the hospital a short time later.

No one is in custody at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A man who owned a Seattle business that managed donated cadavers for research has been found guilty in the dumping of severed human heads and limbs in remote areas of Arizona, a prosecutor says.

Walter Harold Mitchell, 61, was found guilty of 29 counts of abandonment or concealment of a dead body according to a Sept. 29 press release by the Yavapi County Attorneys Office.

The case case began unfolding in December 2020 when Yavapai County Sheriffs Office deputies were dispatched to a location outside of Prescott, Arizona after two woodcutters found a human leg and arm, according to the release.

Upon arriving deputies found 24 human body parts and the following day, two hunters found two severed heads. A total of five heads were located after law enforcement personnel scoured the area, according to the news release.

The bodies were marked with silver tags and serial numbers, officials said. There was also a label for FutureGenex at the scene, the Seattle-based business owned by Mitchell.

The business had closed in April 2020 and the man took the donor parts  packed on dry ice inside a U-Haul  when he left Washington for Arizona, according to the news release.

Once in Arizona, he stored the body parts in a freezer inside a storage shed, before dumping them outside of Prescott in November 2020, the release says. He then moved from Chino Valley to Scottsdale, where he was eventually arrested, authorities said.

Using a search warrant, investigators found evidence that linked White to the scene and documents associating him with donor parts and the FutureGenex company.

White is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 31.

Dennis McGrane. the chief deputy county attorney, said he hopes this verdict will bring some justice and closure to those families whose loved ones were donated for medical research and treated so disrespectfully, according to the news release.

Prescott is about 100 miles north of Phoenix.

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Bullets flew outside of a liquor store Thursday evening, leaving a man in the hospital seriously injured, according to Memphis Police.

Police said the gunfire happened on Summer Avenue near Tee Jays Liquor around 7:30 p.m.

Memphis Police said a man was found shot at 3085 Summer Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 29, 2022.

One man was found critically injured and rushed to Regional One Hospital, according to police.

The person who pulled the trigger took off in a dark grey vehicle, possibly a hatchback and was wearing a white shirt and hat, police said.

If you know who or where that person is, Memphis Police urge you to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

Any information which leads to an arrest, in this case, could be worth up to $2,000.

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Mark Hamill has joined Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to help fundraise for his countrys military efforts in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The 71-year-old Star Wars actor announced the news on social media on Thursday (29 September).

Sharing a picture of himself in a virtual meeting with Zelenskyy, Hamill wrote: Honoured to be an ambassador for the Army of Drones and to help President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine in any way possible.

The presidents official Instagram page also shared the news, writing: American actor who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Mark Hamill became the ambassador of the United24 fundraising platform.

He is the first ambassador to help raise funds to support our defenders, the Drone Army.

This is a difficult yet very important mission. Mark, we are sure you will definitely handle it. Thank you for supporting the Ukrainian people in our struggle for freedom.

Hamills role in this initiative will include raising funds to support Ukrainian defenders, the Drone Army, a project set up by the Ukrainian government to procure unmanned drones to assist the war effort.

The Army of Drones will be used to monitor the 2,470km front line and provide an effective response to enemy attacks, the projects website said.

This news comes following news that Russia will formally annex occupied parts of Ukraine, where it claims that residents had voted to live under Moscows rule, on Friday (30 September).

The Ukrainian government and the West have denounced the Kremlin-organised ballots as illegal, forced and rigged.

Additional reporting by outlets
Bitcoin and Ether rallied in late afternoon trading in Asia to rise over 1% as all top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization gained.

See related article: Markets: XRP jumps amid court ruling against SEC, Bitcoin gains, Ether sole loser in crypto top 10

Fast facts

Bitcoin rose 1.35% to trade at US$19,569 at 4 p.m. in Hong Kong, while Ether fell 1.82% to US$1,341, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

XRP jumped 12.75% to US$0.4923 after the Securities and Exchange Commissions attempts to withhold documents were overruled by a U.S. District Court judge in its ongoing court case against Ripple Labs Inc. The documents, written by former Division Director William Hinman, relate predominantly to a speech he gave in which he argued that Bitcoin and Ether are not securities.

Solana gained 2.98% to change hands at US$34.27 while Cardano rose 1.29% to US$0.4372.

FTX Token was up 1.75% to US$24.37 amid the publication of text messages between the guru of Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO of FTX Tokens issuer FTX US, and Elon Musk, telling him that the crypto billionaire had been potentially interested in buying Twitter.

Asia equity markets mostly fell following Wall Streets widespread losses overnight. The Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.55%, while the Nikkei 225 lost 1.83% and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 0.33%.

See related article: XRP price surges after U.S. court rejects SEC objection in Ripple lawsuit
Lawyers representing a group of Venzuelan migrants suing Florida governor Ron DeSantiss administration after they were flown from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, have warned the flight companies against destroying evidence, or risk potential federal court sanctions.

Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a federal class action lawsuit on 20 September alleging that the governor directed a fraudulent and discriminatory scheme to transport a group of roughly 50 people, including families with small children, as part of a political stunt.

On 29 September, attorneys sent letters to Vertol Systems Company Inc and Ultimate JetCharters with instructions to preserve evidence  including flight logs, passenger lists, communications with any of the defendants, and contracts with the state.

The lawsuit alleges that unnamed defendants working for the administration targeted people seeking asylum in the US with false promises of job opportunities, education and financial assistance before they boarded planes from San Antonio bound for the island, where they arrived unannounced with only the support of local groups and emergency assistance from state agencies.

Florida paid aviation firm Vertol Systems more than $1.5m for the governors migrant flight agenda, part of a $12m plan in the states budget for the relocation of unauthorized aliens.

Ultimate JetCharters allegedly provided the planes for the Marthas Vineyard flights.

Attorneys have requested preserved documents from any medium, including but not limited to emails, video or audio footage, phone logs, visitor logs, payment records, manifests, text messages, and social media posts.

Please be advised that spoliation of relevant evidence can result in sanctions and other penalties, attorneys wrote in letters to the companies on 29 September.

Floridas state budget allows the states Department of Transportation to negotiate and enter into contracts with private parties, including common carriers, to implement the program and enter into agreements with any applicable federal agency to implement the programme.

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The state Department of Transportation paid $615,000 to Vertol Systems on 8 September, according to state records. Migrants arrived on Marthas Vineyard on 14 September.

Records also show that the state paid the same company another $950,000 on 19 September  one day before state officials and aid groups in Delaware anticipated a migrant flight to that state, which was abruptly canceled.

The lawsuit details how three plaintiffs and their families  including a woman with an 11-year-old son  were rounded up and promised benefits before boarding flights.

It also details their harrowing journeys from Venezuela, their detentions and release after arriving at the US-Mexico border, and the emotional damage and anxiety after realising they were defrauded as photographs of them circulated across international media.

Defendants manipulated them, stripped them of their dignity, deprived them of their liberty, bodily autonomy, due process and equal protection under the law, according to the lawsuit.

The DeSantis administration has repeatedly defended the plan.

After spending two nights on the island at a local church shelter, the migrants were moved to a larger shelter operation at Cape Cod, where they have separate rooms, access to legal services and healthcare and other services. Several people and families have left to other destinations in the US closer to their court proceedings or families.
Sitting in federal prison, Detrick Saulter wondered if he would have ended up there had he grown up with a father.

His mother had Saulter when she was 15 and raised him on her own. Still, Saulter kept on a good path.

"She did a great job, actually," the Memphis native told Fox News. "I went to college, I went to trade school, I steered away from all the bad stuff that was going on, the drugs and gangs."

But that changed when Saulter lost his job.

MEMPHIS DA SAYS SOME FELLOW PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTORS TARNISHED THE BRAND, LEARNED LESSONS FROM THEIR MISTAKES

"Me not having a father, I didn't have anybody to lean on once I lost my job and nobody to talk to, so I started talking to the guys that I grew up with," Saulter said. "It was easy for me to fall into the same road that they was on."

"If I would have had somebody that I could to talk to about it, kind of steer me  say, You may have lost the job, but its another way, you can get another job,'" he added.

To make ends meet, Saulter started selling cocaine.

"It was the only thing I had to fall back on was the neighborhood," he said. "One thing led to another, and we got in trouble."

Saulter was caught and sentenced to five years in federal prison in 2009.

While there, he spent time thinking about all the fatherless friends he grew up with. He started thinking about his own child, Dierra.

"Up to that point, I had kind of a vague relationship with my daughter," Saulter said. "Not involved as much as I should."

But it wasn't until a phone call with a good friend, a middle school basketball coach, that he really understood the extent of the issue.

"'Man last year, only one dad came to the school to the games,'" Saulter recalled his friend saying.

"Only one dad came to the games," Saulter repeated. "It clicked."

MULTIPLE WITNESSES TO MEMPHIS SHOOTING SPREE FAIL TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR EZEKIEL KELLY'S HEARING: REPORT

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"I need to get the fathers because that's the thing that's really missing," he added. "I kept noticing that a lot of the people getting in trouble, a lot of people going down the wrong path, they don't have their father there."

From prison, Saulter formed F.A.T.H.E.R.S, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging fathers to maintain strong relationships with their children.

"I got on the typewriter one day  a manual typewriter  and just typed up this program called F.A.T.H.E.R.S.," Saulter told Fox News.

In addition to trying to build better lives for fathers and their children, Saulter says fostering better familial relationships will rebuild a Memphis community plagued by crime.

The city saw a record 346 murders last year, while major violent crimes increased 18% from 2019 through 2021, according to the most recent Tennessee Bureau of Investigation data.

"You can easily (attribute) the crime here to the lack of two-parent homes," Saulter told Fox News. "It just go hand in hand."

MEMPHIS' DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILL PUSH BAIL REFORM DESPITE CRITICS BLAMING IT FOR CRIME INCREASES

While research is limited, a 2004 study found that children from single-parent households are more than three times more likely to end up in jail by the time they reach 30 than those from intact families.

"Me and my friends, now we say, we were each other's father when we was growing up because none of us had a father in the home," Saulter told Fox News.

He also blamed Memphis crime on a lack of youth programs and on hybrid gangs, members from different groups forming their own crew.

Saulter was released from jail in 2014 and immediately got to work on his organization.

"Once I got home, I just put my feet on the ground and went at it," he told Fox News. He aimed to break the stereotypes of "deadbeat dads."

"There is a stereotype, like Black fathers not involved with their kids, so I'm like, 'Let's show them the other side,'" Saulter said. "Let's show them that we are in our kids lives."

The percentage of Black children in single-parent families has hovered around 65% from 2010 through 2019, by far the highest across all races, the Kids Count Data Center found.

MEMPHIS COMMUNITY LEADER SAYS ALL CRIMES SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY AFTER NEW DA VOWS TO FOCUS ON VIOLENCE

Saulter created a Facebook group and started encouraging Memphis fathers he knew to share pictures of themselves with their kids on the page. He began handing out Father of the Month awards and hosting monthly activities like a father-child talent show and a "Stop the Violence" event.

"I was just trying to get the fathers there so I can share with them like, Man we got to be in the kids lives  We got to show them the other way,'" Saulter said.

Since starting the organization, Saulter said, "A couple of guys who came through the organization actually got custody of their kids, and their kids (are) doing good."

Some community members have begun to recognize Saulter's work.

TENNESSEE MAN WITH AUTISM STARTS SUCCESSFUL RECYCLING BUSINESS, CHERISHES 'INTERACTING WITH CUSTOMERS'

"'Man, keep doing what you're doing,'" a man walking down the street told Saulter, the F.A.T.H.E.R.S. founder recalled.

"It's motivation, it's like a burst of energy," Saulter told Fox News. "Like, man, coming from just me typing it up on the typewriter and seeing somebody  what I typed up actually changed somebody life.

"I don't even have no words to explain it," he added. "Just that acknowledgment that it's kind of working, even though it's a process. Just those few little people that's been successful doing it, you've got to keep going."

For his own part, Saulter was able to reconnect with his own daughter.

"First I had to swallow my pride and admit that I made a mistake," he said. "From that point, I just made it my business, I don't care how mad she is at me or whatever, I'm going to see her."

Saulter didn't have a driver's license when he got out of prison, but he still managed to find rides to visit her in Mississippi, where she was living at the time.

"My effort was the most important thing, just me going, making that initial effort to have a relationship with her, and then she was receptive," Saulter said. "Now we communicate almost every day."

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As he thought about all he'd overcome in Memphis, Saulter hopes people could see that the Home of the Blues is more than just a city with high crime.

"Memphis is actually a great place, is a lot of beautiful things here" he said.

"It's not bad people here, just the circumstances that they think make them do certain things," he added. "What people deem the worst communities have the most beautiful people in there, but they just don't know how to manifest their beauty."
Karl Lagerfeld on Selfies, FEndi fur

The work of Karl Lagerfeld, the famed German fashion designer who died in February 2019 at the age of 85, will be celebrated next year at the 2023 Met Gala.

Organizers of the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit announced its theme on Friday morning at a press conference from Lagerfeld's photo studio in France for editors in town for Paris Fashion Week.

Official titled, "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty," the exhibit, according to a release from the Met, will showcase around 150 of Lagerfeld's greatest outfits across his prolific six decade career  designs he made while working for brands like Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi, Chanel and his own eponymous label.

RELATED: Cara Delevingne Celebrates Her Capsule Collection in Daring Blazer During Paris Fashion Week

The exhibition opens to the public on May 5, 2023. The Costume Institute Benefit, known also as the #MetGala, will celebrate the exhibition on Monday, May 1. #MetKarlLagerfeld



Learn more: https://t.co/iQc4Pe3PAE pic.twitter.com/5nq2GDztHB  The Metropolitan Museum of Art (@metmuseum) September 30, 2022

Most of the outfits will be accompanied by one of Lagerfeld's iconic sketches from his archive.

The drawings were the way Lagerfeld primarily communicated with his design assistants, something that inspired the Institute's head curator Andrew Bolton to pull the theme together.

"Every single design in his life was a sketch," Bolton told CNN after the announcement. "And when I saw the drawings, I thought, 'These are so charming, so whimsical, so impressionistic.' But what I didn't realize was that they contained really precise information  about a shoulder line or the length of a sleeve. And (his staff) knew exactly what this line meant or what that dot meant, and they could decode it."

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RELATED: The Best Met Gala Best Looks of All Time

The Met Gala is held annually on the first Monday of May and is one of the most highly anticipated sartorial scenes of the year.

Notably described as the Academy Awards' fashion equivalent, the style extravaganza is a fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, formally titled The Anna Wintour Costume Center  named after Vogue's editor-in-chief, who has been a chair member of the gala since 1995.

The exclusive, invite-only affair draws in the eager eyes of style seekers who can't wait to catch a glimpse of the star-studded red carpet looks that revolve around a carefully crafted theme. "Celebrities, designers, and change-makers are challenged to create costumes that serve as both a fashion statement and a tribute to the concept," per Vogue.

Tickets are expensive, going for $30,000 a piece in the past with tables costing about $275,000.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: 2022 Met Gala Co-Chair Blake Lively attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

RELATED: The Met Gala's 'Catholic Imagination' Theme Called 'Blasphemous' and 'Sacrilegious' by Critics

Though the Gala dates back to 1948, it was only in the 1970s when it began centering its exhibits around a theme. Previous themes include 2020's "Camp: Notes on Fashion," which brought over-the-top, kitschy looks that pushed fashion to its limits and 2021's "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion," which paid homage to America's expressive qualities.

The 2022 Met Gala theme was "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," with the dress code being gilded glamour and white tie to channel the time period between 1870 to 1890 (known as the Gilded Age New York).

Co-chairs for the Gala  which have included celebrities like Lady Gaga, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep, Rihanna, and Amal Clooney  have yet to be announced.

RELATED: Met Gala Co-Chairs Through the Years

Chanel : Front Row - Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2014

Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images

RELATED: Karl Lagerfeld's Red Carpet Legacy: See His Iconic Chanel Designs on Hollywood's Biggest Stars

Lagerfeld was an iconic figure in the fashion industry, known for his signature black suit, gloves, sunglasses and of course, long white ponytail.

Before his death, Lagerfeld notably said that he would never stop working, telling The New York Times in 2015 that he would "die on the spot." And just like his predecessor, Gabrielle Chanel who died while working on her next collection, he too worked until the end.

He was absent from taking a bow at the end of his last Paris Haute Couture show in January 2019, but he still designed the collection and even gave instruction to his teams at Fendi for its fall ready-to-wear line.

In addition to fashion design, Lagerfeld was a photographer and video director, having created all the advertising campaigns for the brands he designed for. He photographed his muses and worked with every top model and actress in the industry including Claudia Schiffer, Kristen Stewart and countless other A-list actresses.

The 2023 Met Gala is scheduled for May 1. The exhibit will be on display to the public from May 5 through July 16.
With many dollars up for grabs in the name, image, and likeness arena, one college athlete will be using his earnings for a better cause.

Forbes reports Michigan State Universitys Mady Sissoko is donating his NIL earnings to The Mady Sissoko Foundation. The contribution will directly support those from his home country in West Africa.

Sissoko was compelled to make a difference as he never forgot his living conditions while growing up in Bafoulabe, Mali. He recalls walking to class with other students barefoot with few having the proper school supplies.

Yeah, I did walk to school with no shoes, Sissoko said, according to Forbes.

Sissoko had a chance to have a better life when he moved to the United States seven years ago to play basketball. He isnt taking the opportunity for granted, and he will never forget where his story begins.

When he landed his NIL deal with Detroit-based Helium Sports & Entertaining Marketing Inc., he decided to donate his marketing income directly to his foundation. The contribution will work to ensure impoverished people in Mali can change their circumstances by creating opportunities.

I moved here when I was 15 and I know what it was like back home, and now Mali is a really poor country and theres a lot of people there who need help, Sissoko said, according to Forbes. I have an opportunity to help many people over there and I want to do that, so having this NIL stuff gives me an opportunity to do that. I want to do something to help people, especially the youth, so they can have a better opportunity going forward in life.

I was not surprised to hear that Mady would use his NIL opportunities to help others, said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, according to Forbes. Hes a kid who we just love because he works so hard and is dedicated to being the best that he can, and that goes on the court and off. To know that he created his own foundation to help the impoverished people of where he grew up in Mali, and to help create solutions for drinking water and to provide English classes does not surprise me. He is a kind and generous guy who has a deep care for others, especially those in his hometown. Mady is a testament to the good that we all can do.

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Sissokos gesture sets an example for how international athletes could put their NIL earnings to good use. As AfroTech previously mentioned, the NIL arena currently makes it nearly impossible for international students to pocket the money for themselves.

There have been a few loopholes as we have been learning through active players such as Oscar Tshiebwe. The Kentucky Wildcats player, also born outside the United States, was able to make NIL money while the team took a trip to the Bahamas.

Now we see Sissoko showing another gateway.

Michael Clayton, an administrator for an ophthalmology practice in Utah and the figurehead responsible for bringing Sissoko to the United States, spoke with an attorney who said if the money earned through NIL is donated, it will not violate any rules.

He cannot receive the income but if its donated to charity then its fine, said Justin Brantley, president and founder of Helium Sports, according to Forbes.

They cant take any money personally, it all has to go into the Foundation and be spent on charitable purposes, added Clayton.
WILTON -- Former Vice President Mike Pence said in Iowa on Thursday that he believes the role of the vice president is clear when presiding over the counting of electoral votes as the U.S. Senate considers reforms to the role he played in the process on Jan. 6.

Pence joined 200 Republican supporters in Wilton at the 15th annual Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner fundraiser. He spoke about the upcoming midterm elections and the resilience of Americans in the face of national disasters, like Hurricane Ian, which is battering the southeastern United States.

Pence told the Press-Citizen that, while Congress considers reforming the Electoral Count Act, the role of the vice president has always been clear and he understood his duty on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to halt the certification of Joe Biden as president. He said the Constitution says the vice president's role is to preside over a joint session of Congress where the electoral votes are opened and counted, "no more and no less."

"The role of the vice president in the counting of electoral votes has been clear throughout our history and I know that I did my duty on that day, on Jan. 6," said Pence, who served as vice president under Donald Trump.

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to reporters after at the 15th annual Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner on Thursday at the Wilton Community Center.

The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 would reform the Electoral Count Act of 1887 and includes new protections for presidential elections and the transition of power. The bill is a response to former Trump's attempts to coerce Pence to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6.

The proposed reform clarifies that the vice president's role in the joint session following a presidential election is "solely ministerial and that he or she does not have any power to solely determine, accept, reject, or otherwise adjudicate disputes over electors." The Electoral Count Act instructs the vice president, as president of the Senate, to be the "presiding officer" over the electoral count, by opening election certificates and calling for objections.

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Pence didnt say whether he would support the legislation. He said he defers to Congress to work the bill through the legislative body.

The bill already has 13 Republicans and 13 Democrats as either sponsors or cosponsors. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, expressed support for proposed changes to the Electoral Count Act to The Des Moines Register in August and is now one of the cosponsors.

More:Johnson County politicians fan out to door-knock. Here's how it went.

Former vice president focuses on electing Republicans and healing wounds in speech as Hurricane Ian batters Florida

Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann and Iowa state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann hosted Pence at the fundraiser to raise money for several down-ballot candidates in the crowd, including state Sen. Roby Smith, who is running against State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, and two candidates running in Johnson County this fall: Board of Supervisors candidate Jammie Bradshaw and House District 92 candidate Heather Hora.

Bobby Kaufmann is running against Libertarian Clyde Gibson this fall and that new district, House District 82, starting in 2023 will no longer include Johnson County, which he has represented since 2012.

Iowa state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, speaks during the 15th annual Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner in Wilton. Kaufmann is running in a new district that no longer includes Johnson County.

Pence arrived just before 6 p.m. and a line soon formed in the middle of the room to greet the former governor and congressman from Indiana. Pence took the stage while the air was filled with the smell of the fried chicken being served.

"Hello, Iowa! It is wonderful to be here 40 days away from a great American comeback, and it all starts here in the Hawkeye State," Pence said, referring to his hope for Republican victories in the Nov. 8 election.

Pence focused on the impacts of Hurricane Ian during his speech, saying it was extraordinary to see the storm come ashore and level communities on the west coast of Florida. He recalled trips he's made to Sanibel Island off the coast of Florida and how the hurricane devastated the island.

"To see that hurricane come across and sunder that island and come ashore as it did in Fort Myers ... just broke our hearts," Pence said.

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the 15th Annual Kaufmann Family Harvest Dinner, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, at the Wilton Community Center in Wilton, Iowa.

Pence said he's taken heart seeing Americans coming together to aid people in Florida and likened it to when the derecho hit Iowa in 2020 while he was vice president.

"In my years of public service in Congress, as governor of Indiana and as your vice president, my opinion of the American people went up, not down," Pence said.

Pence sounded off on his optimism for Republican chances in the midterms, stating Iowa will help the party get a new majority in Congress and "retire" Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a common rallying cry for conservatives this year.

He said he believes America can be turned around despite challenges he referenced like inflation, immigration and crime. He said it seems to him that Biden's administration is working to weaken the country.

"I came to Iowa today to say in this year and the years ahead, we need to have government as good as our people," Pence said.

More:Hurricane Ian one of strongest storms in US history; 2M in Florida without power; 911 callers stranded in homes

Pence and other potential 2024 candidates making frequent stops in Iowa ahead of the midterms

Pence has been in Iowa several times over the last year ahead of a possible run for president in 2024. He isn't alone in this effort.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Des Moines in February to join a panel discussing America's standing on the international stage with U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst; former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley held events in Dubuque and Sioux Center; and South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott joined a fundraiser in Central City for U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in August.

Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott campaigned with U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks on the outskirts of Iowa City in September prior to the "Cy-Hawk" football game featuring the hometown University of Iowa Hawkeyes playing the Iowa State Cyclones just across town. Miller-Meeks is in a tight race against Democrat Christina Bohannan of Iowa City in the 1st Congressional District.

Arkansas U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton was Miller-Meeks' guest at the tailgate event last year.

The Des Moines Register reported that earlier this year Pence made appearances at the Iowa State Fair and was met with a downpour; he spoke at the Bremer County Republican's summer fundraiser; and inCarroll in the 4th Congressional District in April. Pence also invested $400,000 in the 3rd Congressional District race by funding a TV ad for Republican candidate Zach Nunn, who is running against Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne.

Pence was asked about Trump saying he wouldn't select the former vice president as his running mate in 2024, should Trump choose to run himself. Pence did not address the question, saying he is focused on 2022.

"For me and for my family, when the time comes after the first of (2023) we will take time to reflect on how we might serve in the future. Near-term or long-term," Pence said.

Pence, during his speech, alluded to the Iowa caucuses by saying the state plays an outsized role in the destiny of the nation every four years. He said in 2024 he thinks Iowa will set the course for "strong conservative leadership in America."

"If we win back our states and our Congress in 2022, we will win back America in 2024," Pence said.

Iowa will continue to host the Republican Party's first-in-the-nation caucuses in 2024. The Democratic Party, on the other hand, is still considering changing the presidential nominating calendar, removing Iowa as the first state in that party's primary.

More:Which Republicans might run for president in 2024? Iowa visits give early hint

George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reporter covering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307, GShillcock@press-citizen.com and on Twitter @ShillcockGeorge

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks to Iowans at Wilton fundraiser
Milton firefighters will host vaccine clinics for people who want the latest COVID-19 booster shot.

Milton fire said people age 12 and older can receive the Pfizer bivalent booster, also referred to as an updated booster.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

This is different from previous booster shots because it helps protect against the BA.4 and BA.4 lines of the COVID-19 omicron variant which is currently the most prevalent diagnosed version in the United States.

The clinics restart an initiative that the Milton Fire-Rescue Department began in 2021, when it partnered with ReVue Pharmacy to offer COVID-19 vaccines to the general public.

The program halted after the demand decreased for the first round of vaccines, then it was revived after the original boosters became available.

People who are getting the shot will need to have their health insurance card. You can also save some time by filling out this form in advance.

TRENDING STORIES:

The clinic will be on Monday, October 3 from 2 to 6 p.m. out of Community Place, located at the small building next to City Hall at 2006 Heritage Walk.

The firefighters will also host two other vaccine clinics on October 21 and October 28, from noon to 6 p.m.

The Moderna booster and flu shots may be available as well.

You can get more information on vaccines, including boosters, from the CDCs website, here.

If you have questions about vaccines, this program generally, or the October 3 clinic , email Milton Fire CARES Coordinator Derek Hofmann at derek.hofmann@miltonga.gov or covidsupport@miltonga.gov.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
SAO PAULO (AP)  Women make up more than half of Brazil's electorate, but one wouldn't know it from the nation's halls of power. They represent less than one-sixth of Congress, and an even smaller fraction are also Black or Indigenous.

Some women are trying to change that on Sunday, when Brazilians will vote for their representatives in state legislatures and Congress lower house.

Women have historically faced difficulty gaining backing from political parties, which prompted laws to boost participation. Per electoral laws, a minimum 30% of parties candidates for state legislatures and the national Chamber of Deputies must be female, and they must jointly receive at least the same share of the parties allocation of public electoral funding.

Still, some parties previously have been accused of obliging female candidates to steer funds they received to male counterparts, or plowing funds reserved for all of them into just a few women's campaigns with better odds of victory.

Underrepresented women's candidacies also struggle to gain traction with voters given widespread racism, sexism and LGBT-phobia.

Here are three minority women trying to rise above the challenges and reach elected office:

SONIA GUAJAJARA - CANDIDATE FOR FEDERAL LAWMAKER, SAO PAULO

Barefoot while chanting and singing traditional songs, dozens of Indigenous people marched Sept. 18 on Sao Paulo's main avenue. They followed Sonia Guajajara, who carried a Brazilian flag splashed with red paint to symbolize the blood of her people. The Guajajara patrol their protected territory to expel invaders, which has often put them in the crosshairs of attackers  most recently this month.

Guajajara, 48, is among 60 Indigenous candidates running for seats in both houses of Congress to increase Indigenous representation.

Brazil is home to approximately 897,000 Indigenous people, according to the latest census. Yet there have only ever been two Indigenous federal lawmakers: Mario Juruna of the Xavante people, who was elected in 1982 and served one term, and Joenia Wapichana, elected in 2018.

Story continues

There is a huge invisibility as to what we are, negligence in public power, lack of public policies in Indigenous territories," Guajajara told The Associated Press in her campaign office. "That is why Im here: to try to guarantee access to these rights that were conquered on paper, but never reached us.

EDIANE MARIA NASCIMENTO - CANDIDATE FOR STATE LAWMAKER, SAO PAULO

Elsewhere in the city, in the working-class Itaquera neighborhood, a young lady with tears in her eyes approached Ediane Maria Nascimento, a Black candidate for the state legislature, on Sept. 25.

You must win!" she said. "My mom is also a housekeeper. I look at you and I see her and all she has suffered. You mean a lot to us.

Nascimento, 38, returned the kind words with a wide smile and a hug.

We are going together, said the candidate, who is a leader of the Homeless Workers Movement.

A migrant from the northeastern state of Pernambuco, Nascimento is a single mother of four. She has worked her entire life as a housekeeper and, as she noted in an interview, could become the first one to ever occupy a seat in Sao Paulo state's legislature.

Nascimento said she represents many women who, like her, have dreams of advancement, but feel nobody is working on their behalf.

We cannot have a Congress formed by a great majority of rich white men who dont represent our class," she said. "Only with us occupying these places will we be able to say I want to have rights, I want to have dignity.

DANIELI BALBI - CANDIDATE FOR STATE LAWMAKER, RIO DE JANEIRO

As a Black, transgender woman, Danieli Balbi, 33, says she is only ever called upon to discuss race and gender. But the 33-year-old university literature professor and screenwriter says she shouldn't be boxed in, and argues she is capable of discussing issues normally reserved for the white, heterosexual men who hold the levers of power.

With blonde hair extensions, Balbi on Sept. 20 handed out flyers on a busy street downtown and spoke to passersby. She explained that she is seeking a spot in Rio de Janeiros state legislature to push for more public funds for culture, education, expanded childcare and other social benefits.

And she said the state could finance greater expenditures by shifting its priorities to low-income workers, for example by revoking tax exemptions for big companies.

A Black transgender woman occupying Rio's legislature would shake up the structures," she said in an interview. "I would dispute the budget, dispute the direction of public policy and that will be very uncomfortable for them (traditional lawmakers). But I dont care.

___ Dumphreys reported from Rio. AP writer Carla Bridi contributed from Brasilia.
MLGW crews planning to go to Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian are now on hold, according to an update from MLGW Friday morning.

Crews were scheduled to leave at 6 a.m. Friday to help the Orlando Utilities Commission.

Two crews with a total of 13 workers were set to depart from the North Service Center on Tupelo Street.

Crews are currently on hold.

MLGW said the Orlando Utilities Commission no longer needs their assistance.

The company is discussing another possible location and will provide an update later.

Check back for updates.

MORE: Mid-South Entergy workers to help with power restoration efforts in wake of Hurricane Ian

#RIGHTNOW @MLGW Crews preparing to head to Florida to help with power restoration efforts in Orlando after #HurricaneIan hit the state.

Were live on @FOX13Memphis now.



More: MLGW sends crews to Florida in wake of Hurricane Ian https://t.co/HMotPp0AKc pic.twitter.com/jz6UtSsFXm  Carolyn Cerda (@CarolynCerdaTV) September 30, 2022

Hurricane Ian pummeled parts of Florida after making landfall Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 storm hurricane near Cayo Costa.

Earlier in the week, Entergy Mississippi and Entergy Arkansas sent crews to help with power restoration efforts.

Ian regained hurricane strength Thursday afternoon and is taking aim at the coast of South Carolina with an expected third landfall on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Ian: Tampa police rescue kitten found outdoors during storm

Story continues

Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

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It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in Proton Motor Power Systems Plc's (LON:PPS) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

See our latest analysis for Proton Motor Power Systems

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Proton Motor Power Systems

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the Board Helmut Gierse bought UK58k worth of shares at a price of UK0.15 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being UK0.091). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. In our view, the price an insider pays for shares is very important. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels.

Proton Motor Power Systems insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Proton Motor Power Systems is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Proton Motor Power Systems Insiders Bought Stock Recently

Over the last three months, we've seen a bit of insider buying at Proton Motor Power Systems. Non-Executive Director Antonio Bossi shelled out UK13k for shares in that time. It's good to see the insider buying, as well as the lack of recent sellers. However, in this case the amount invested recently is quite small.

Story continues

Does Proton Motor Power Systems Boast High Insider Ownership?

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's great to see that Proton Motor Power Systems insiders own 87% of the company, worth about UK123m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Proton Motor Power Systems Insiders?

Our data shows a little insider buying, but no selling, in the last three months. That said, the purchases were not large. But insiders have shown more of an appetite for the stock, over the last year. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, Proton Motor Power Systems insiders feel good about the company's future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. To help with this, we've discovered 5 warning signs (2 don't sit too well with us!) that you ought to be aware of before buying any shares in Proton Motor Power Systems.

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.

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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
A schoolgirl who has performed with some of the world's biggest rock stars has released a new single inspired by her dad's health struggles.

Nandi Bushell, 12, of Ipswich, Suffolk, has bookended this month by drumming at the Foo Fighters' Taylor Hawkins memorial gig and launching her track.

The multi-instrumentalist has also won the attention of Barack Obama and tech giant Apple's CEO Tim Cook.

Nandi said: "I wrote a song to cheer [my dad] up."

The accompanying video to The Shadows, released on 30 September, charts Nandi's journey from toying around with instruments in her former South African home as a toddler to playing guitars and drums with her dad, with current studio footage of her playing a grand piano.

"The single is about how my dad went through depression... because his auto-immune disease was worsening," said Nandi.

"He told me and he was really upset so I made a song about it."

Mr Bushell said he felt Nandi's song had "genuinely helped him" and hoped it would have the same impact on other people.

"I was having flare-ups all over my body and I was feeling really, really terrible," he said.

"Nandi was asking me questions and I was describing how I felt trapped in the bed and in my room, and she said how she wanted to do something to cheer me up. I said all my rainbows felt like they were turning to black.

"She said, 'Let me put these words into the song,' and finished it by saying, 'I'll be there for you'. I thought this is incredible, [it was] such a beautiful moment."

On Friday the 30th of September I will be releasing my first single The Shadows from my forthcoming EP. The music video, directed by Edie Amos will be available on YouTube, the song will be available on all streaming platforms. pic.twitter.com/dBSjTdA3Ru  Nandi Bushell (@Nandi_Bushell) September 25, 2022

The pair hope the track will reach a wide audience, fuelled in part by Nandi's 2.5m social media followers, a forthcoming appearance on children's TV programme Blue Peter this Monday and her meeting this week with Apple chief Mr Cook.

Story continues

Her profile has been boosted following a string of extraordinary events including performing with Lenny Kravitz, appearing on US talk show Ellen and writing a song in 2021 with ex-Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and his son Roman, which former US President Barack Obama posted on his Facebook page.

However, it is her enduring link-up with Foo Fighters that has continued to make headlines after she challenged frontman Dave Grohl to a drum battle during one of the coronavirus lockdowns. It led him to write Nandi a song and he invited her to perform with them at The Forum in Los Angeles last year.

It was there that the band's drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died aged 50 earlier this year, gave the young prodigy his drumsticks.

Nandi said it was "emotional" performing at Wembley at the start of September

Poignantly, Nandi used them during her performance for Learn to Fly at his Wembley Stadium tribute gig.

"There was this balcony where I could see the gig happening - it was emotional," said Nandi.

She said appearing at both gigs, along with playing at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert where she cried after meeting her hero Stephen Fry, had been the highlights of her life so far.

But for now her sights are set on her single release and her forthcoming EP, Into The Abyss, released later this year.

"If one person who is going through a difficult time listens to that song and decides to reach out for help, then that is a measure of success," said Mr Bushell.

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk
NASA and SpaceX will study the feasibility of a commercial Crew Dragon flight to increase the altitude of the aging Hubble Space Telescope and even whether a limited servicing mission of some sort might be possible to help extend the observatory's useful lifetime, officials announced Thursday.

The six-month study will be carried out at no cost to taxpayers and will include input from Jared Isaacman, who commanded the first commercial SpaceX mission  Inspiration 4  and who is financing another program called Polaris that includes two Crew Dragon flights and a piloted mission aboard SpaceX's new Starship rocket.

Isaacman said his team first thought about a Hubble reboost mission as a potential goal for the second Polaris mission.

During a final shuttle servicing mission in 2009, a

But during a teleconference with reporters to announce the study, officials stressed no actual flights are being planned, saying the study is primarily focused on determining whether a Crew Dragon reboost mission, either piloted or uncrewed, is possible while ensuring the safety of the iconic telescope.

"There could be something that comes out of the study that says, 'Hey, it does not make sense to have a human mission going to do this,'" said Jessica Jensen, SpaceX vice president of customer operations and integration. "So we're going to look at all the different options. At this point, everything is on the table."

Isaacman already is planning a Polaris flight in 2023 that will carry him and three crewmates to a record high altitude for a piloted Earth orbit mission and include the first commercial spacewalk.

But the second Polaris mission does not yet have any announced mission objectives and could serve as a Hubble reboost mission if the study concludes such a flight is technically feasible using a Crew Dragon capsule.

"There are specific objectives that we're trying to achieve with each mission," Isaacman said. "Certainly, the idea of boosting and servicing Hubble, should the feasibility study support it, would be a logical second mission."

Story continues

Unlike the now-retired space shuttle, which featured a 60-foot-long cargo bay and a 50-foot-long robotic arm, SpaceX Crew Dragon capsules have no external appendages. Hubble, however, was equipped with a grapple fixture during its final servicing mission, and SpaceX engineers may be able to come up with a mechanism that would allow a Crew Dragon to lock on.

An artist's impression of the soft capture mechanism. / Credit: NASA

"The inclusion of the soft capture mechanism in Servicing Mission 4 certainly makes a mission like this much more feasible and easier to talk about," said Patrick Crouse, Hubble Space Telescope project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "Part of the feasibility study is to see how that adapter is useful and what kind of accommodations may have to be made."

Like all spacecraft in low-Earth orbit, Hubble is subjected to atmospheric drag as it plows through atoms and molecules in the ultra-thin but still-present extreme upper atmosphere at 17,000 miles per hour.

When launched in 1990, the telescope was released into a 380-mile-high orbit  but over time, the altitude slowly but steadily dropped, or "decayed." During subsequent shuttle servicing missions, it was periodically reboosted.

At the end of the final shuttle servicing mission in 2009, Hubble's altitude was about 350 miles. Since then, it has dropped to an altitude of about 330 miles. If nothing is done, the telescope likely will plunge back into the lower atmosphere and break up in the mid to late 2030s.

"One of the things we'll look at is what is the maximum boost we could achieve?" said Crouse. "The preliminary assessment has been on the order of 40 to even, say, 70 kilometers (more than 40 miles) of boost."

"Certainly, if we were to get back to 600 kilometers, that's essentially the altitude we were at in 1990, so you'd add easily 15 to 20 years of orbital life to the mission if you could achieve that altitude," Crouse added.

Orbital altitude is not the only factor affecting Hubble's longevity. Only three of its six stabilizing gyroscopes are still fully operational, and other components and instruments are showing signs of age-related wear and tear. Along with studying reboost options, the NASA-SpaceX study also will consider whether a commercial mission offers an opportunity to carry out limited servicing.

Because the telescope does not have a propulsion system, an uncontrolled re-entry could result in debris hitting the ground and posing a possible threat to the public. Without a reboost of some sort, Crouse said NASA likely would start exploring options later this decade to attach a thruster to the telescope so it could eventually make a targeted end-of-life re-entry over a remote stretch of ocean.

In the meantime, NASA sees the joint SpaceX study as a model for coming up with innovative solutions, not just for Hubble but possibly for other spacecraft as well.

"We're super excited for the opportunity to conduct this feasibility study with NASA," said Jensen. "One of our main goals out of the study is going to be to take a closer look at how Dragon can safely rendezvous, dock, boost and therefore extend the Hubble Space Telescope operations."

"We obviously have a lot of experience (with) rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station," Jensen added. "So we want to use that as our foundation, but then innovate upon that. ... Really, we're just looking forward to studying what's possible and what's needed and working all this in coordination with NASA."

Hurricane Ian causes widespread damage, leaves millions without power in Florida

New leak found in gas pipeline supplying Europe

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North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein visited Davidson County on Wednesday to highlight local efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and to discuss the countys $12.5 million allocation of the state's opioid settlement funds.

Stein said he has been traveling throughout the state to find out how local governments are planning on using the funds, and to provide different communities ideas to develop programming focused on prevention, treatment, recovery or harm reduction services.

Want to know more about what is happening in Davidson County? Support local journalism, subscribe to The Dispatch.

There are a lot of different options available to Davidson County, said Stein. You are developing a strategic plan and that will help you figure out what is the best way to use these funds.... Once you have that strategic plan, you will have your roadmap for how you want to attack the crisis.

After years of negotiations by Stein and others states attorney generals, two nationwide opioid lawsuits were settled against the three of the nations largest drug distributors, McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, and one manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its parent company Johnson & Johnson.

The settlements require that the distributors and J&J pay $26 billion over 18 years, with approximately $22.7 billion available to state and local governments to address the opioid epidemic.

Davidson County is slated to receive $12.5 million out of North Carolinas $750 million allocation over the next 18 years, with approximately $1.5 million total to be paid in 2022. In North Carolina, 85% of the state opioid settlement funds go to local government, while 15% goes to the state.

"We know that this is a crisis felt at the local level, said Stein. You are on the ground floor; youre the ones that have to deal with it. It is in your jail, its your social services, you are the ones that provide treatment and health care options for people. So, we wanted the money to go where it can make the most difference and that is with the counties.

Story continues

More:How much will Davidson County get from North Carolina's settlement in lawsuits against drug makers blamed for opioid crisis?

So far, Davidson County has already received approximately $1 million in settlement funds and has created the Davidson County Opioid Settlement Funds Committee.

Davidson County Health Director Lillian Koontz, who is also a member of the local opioid funds committee, said the group is currently gathering information and studying the impact programs have had in other areas before creating a local action plan.

"While some counties are already writing checks, here in Davidson County we have formed a committee that is currently on a listening tour," said Koontz. Our committee is dedicated to using these funds in a way that allows us to make the most impact on our community and this process will take time. We are intentionally taking time to learn more about programs and other things that are currently in place, particularly focusing on success stories and the data of their current participants.

Koontz said she understands the difficulty in measuring these results, but Davidson County wants to make sure it is implementing productive programs with the maximum outreach to stop opioid addiction before it starts.

Our efforts will be collaborative as this crisis affects our entire community. We are again thankful for the resources coming our way and look forward to using these dollars to prevent addictions and help those in our community currently addicted, said Koontz.

More:Davidson County Sheriff's Office investigates incident where two found dead and two hospitalized

The state has created a website where citizens can get more information on how much money each county is getting and when; how funds are being spent, the results of the programs and other information about the opioid lawsuit settlement. The website is at ncopioidsettlement.org/

Stein said the purpose of bringing these lawsuits against the drug companies and asking for compensation was to address the consequences of the opioid epidemic and the impact that it had on local communities.

"Holding the companies accountable and making them pay $26 billion was an important part of the lawsuit, but fundamentally, we want to save people and help them live better lives. The way you do that is using these funds effectively, said Stein.

This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: NC Attorney General discusses Davidson County opioid settlement funds
The Senate easily advanced a short-term government funding bill on Tuesday after Joe Manchin conceded defeat on his push to combine the funding fix with his energy permitting package.

Congress must pass the stopgap bill, which would fund the government through Dec. 16, before Friday at midnight in order to avert a shutdown. The bill cleared an early Senate hurdle in a 72-23 vote after the West Virginia centrist agreed to remove his proposal, paving the way for the legislation to move ahead in time to keep the government open.

The chamber could officially clear the bill as soon as Wednesday, though it would require the agreement of all 100 senators, sending the bill off to the House.

Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor that he and Manchin would continue to have conversations about the best way to move forward on the permitting effort before the end of the year.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had encouraged Senate Republicans to take down Manchins effort in a floor speech Tuesday afternoon, saying that adding the West Virginia Democrats permitting plan to the bill amounted to a poison pill.

A failed vote on something as critical as comprehensive permitting reform only serves to embolden leaders like [Vladimir] Putin who wish to see America fail, Manchin said 30 minutes before the scheduled for vote. He added he also made the call due to my firmly held belief that we should never come to the brink of a government shutdown over politics.

Republicans have spent years discussing the need to speed energy projects, but McConnell said Manchins effort is insufficient.

Ill be voting no and I would urge all my colleagues to vote no as well, McConnell said.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) had also announced Tuesday that hell oppose the combo legislation, joining Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who pledged to vote down the funding bill if energy permitting provisions are attached. That permitting proposal was a key piece of Schumers deal with Manchin to pass a party-line climate, health care and tax bill this summer.



Story continues

Senate leaders unveiled the text of the government spending patch, with Manchins proposal included, minutes before midnight on Monday. The bill would extend government funding until Dec. 16 and provide Ukraine more than $12 billion in emergency cash. It also devotes $35 million to respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine, according to a summary.

The temporary funding patch includes $1 billion in heating assistance for low-income families, $20 million to help address the water crisis in Jackson, Miss., more than $112 million for federal court security and billions of dollars in other disaster aid.

The measure also allows FEMA to spend at a higher rate to respond to natural disasters in the short term, including the catastrophic flooding and power outages caused by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico. It includes extra cash and flexibility for resettling Afghan refugees and a five-year reauthorization of the FDAs user fee programs.

It does not include any additional funding to address emerging coronavirus or monkeypox needs, despite the Biden administrations request for billions of dollars in such emergency money.

The stopgap measure buys time for negotiations on a broader government funding deal that would boost federal agency budgets in the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1  a priority for Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Senate Appropriations Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who are both retiring at the end of the year.

Nancy Vu contributed to this report.
On Thursday, California governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that would facilitate child gender-transition tourism from other states.

The bill, spearheaded by Democratic state senator Scott Wiener, aims to make California a sanctuary state for out-of-state children to receive so-called gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy without the knowledge or consent of their parents. The bill includes a number of provisions designed to insulate residents of red states that have banned child gender-transition from prosecution.

It prohibits California courts and lawyers from enforcing subpoenas imposed by other states demanding that healthcare providers disclose when they perform such medical procedures on minors.

Wiener has been behind multiple lawmaking efforts in the state to undermine parental rights. In January, he pitched a bill that would allow minors to be vaccinated without parental permission.

Under the gender-transition law, California courts will have temporary emergency jurisdiction over any child and the person who accompanied the child to California to obtain the invasive medical interventions.

Californias law enforcement vows to treat any potential out-of-state arrest warrant issued for violating laws against child gender transitioning with the lowest law enforcement priority, according to the bill.

California law enforcement agencies shall not knowingly make or participate in the arrest or participate in any extradition of an individual pursuant to an out-of-state arrest warrant for violation of another states law against providing, receiving, or allowing a child to receive gender-affirming health care and gender-affirming mental health care in this state, if that care is lawful under the laws of this state, to the fullest extent permitted by federal law, the law reads.

In his signing message, Newsom claimed the legislation would empower parents by giving them choice rather than effectively strip custody from them, as many Republicans have alleged.

Story continues

In California we believe in equality and acceptance. We believe that no one should be prosecuted or persecuted for getting the care they need  including gender-affirming care, Newsom said. Parents know whats best for their kids, and they should be able to make decisions around the health of their children without fear. We must take a stand for parental choice. He also claimed that Republican-controlled states that have limited or outlawed sex-change surgeries for children in order demonize people who identify as LGBT.

A severability clause, which would allow the remainder of the bill to apply even if some provisions are held to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, was included in an amendment at the last minute, according to the Los Angeles Times, because of doubts about the bills constitutionality.

Wiener admitted to the publication that proponents of the bill aimed to push the bounds of what is permissible under the Constitution, adding that California should not serve as an arm of law enforcement of the states of Texas or Alabama.

We may have limits under the U.S. Constitution, but we are going to go right up to the edge of what were able to do to protect them and say, Unless we are absolutely forced to send you back, we are not going to send you back, he said of child arrivals to California, and their guardians, seeking transition treatment.

More from National Review
Doug Evans

A Newtown CEO, convicted in a scheme to fraudulently secure minority business contracts, has been ordered to pay $550,000 as part of a lawsuit, according to the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

Officials say Doug Evans used his four companies to illegally discard waste at three sites, possibly polluting the Little Miami River.

A quarter of the penalty  $137,500  will be awarded to the Little Miami Conservancy, the attorney general's office said in a news release.

The lawsuit, filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, claims Evans, through Evans Landscaping and three other businesses, violated state laws regulating the disposal of solid waste and construction and demolition debris at properties on Mount Carmel Road, Broadwell Road and Round Bottom Road.

"During multiple inspections over several years, health district officials saw that parts of demolished buildings, garbage and other solid wastes had been dumped or buried at the three sites, none of which is licensed as a facility for disposal," the release states.

As part of a consent order approved by the court, Evans has agreed to correct the violations and clean up the properties in accordance with a plan authorized by the Ohio EPA and the Hamilton County Health District, officials said.

When it comes to protecting the states waterways, we do not just go with the flow, Ohio Attorney Dave Yost said in a statement. Illegally dumped waste doesnt just sit there on the land  it breaks down into toxins that find their way into the water. This remedy will make sure that doesnt happen, and the fine will hit him hard where it hurts  his wallet.

Evans is subject to additional penalties should he fail to comply with any of the order's requirements, the release states.

"It is always Evans Landscapings intent to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations and to responsibly address concerns from state and local environmental agencies when and if they are raised," the company said in a statement. "Evans Landscaping will continue to ensure its business is operated in a manner that is fully protective of human health and the environment.

Story continues

While Evans Landscaping did not always agree with positions taken in this enforcement action by the representatives of the agencies and their lawyers, the company respects and appreciates the professionalism shown during the settlement process," the statement reads.

Evans was convicted of multiple conspiracy and wire fraud charges in Dec. 2018 and sentenced to 21 months in prison.

After a failed appeal and a request to the court to further delay the execution of his sentence due to fears he might die from COVID-19 in prison, Evans reported to federal prison on June 4, 2021.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he was transferred to a Cincinnati residential reentry management field office later that year. Those under the care of these offices are typically in residential programs or placed on home confinement.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio AG: Newtown CEO ordered to pay $550k as part of lawsuit
Nick Cannon and former Miss Guam Brittany Bell just welcomed baby number three. Photo Credit: Getty Images Prince Williams / Jason Merritt

Nick Cannon announced Friday that he'd welcomed his tenth child, Rise Messiah Cannon, on September 23.

Rise Messiah is Cannon's third child with model Brittany Bell.

Cannon also welcomed his ninth child, and first with Lanisha Cole, earlier this month.

Nick Cannon announced the birth of his tenth child, his third with model Brittany Bell, on Friday.

The actor and producer shared the news about their new addition on his Instagram story. "WELCOME RISE MESSIAH CANNON 9/23/2022," he wrote.

Cannon and Bell welcomed a son, Golden "Sagon" Cannon, in February 2017. Their daughter, Powerful Queen Cannon, was born in December 2020.

Nick loves having fun with his children including Golden Cannon, 5. Daniel Knighton / Getty Images

On Friday, Cannon also posted a video of the "blessingway" he and Bell hosted to celebrate their impending arrival on his Instagram feed. He revealed that she introduced him to the concept of the event where "powerful prayer warriors" speak to God on behalf of the family.

According to The Birth Hour, a "blessingway" is a celebration of pregnancy and motherhood that is distinct from a baby shower because it focuses more on the mother than the baby.

"Another Blessing!!! As my journey on this planet becomes more and more remarkable and unfathomable, all I can do is thank God," he wrote in the caption.

Brittany Bell and Nick Cannon have a daughter named Powerful Queen Cannon. Daniel Knighton / Getty Images

In addition to his three kids with Bell, Cannon also has six other living children with four other women. He shares 11-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with his ex-wife Mariah Carey; 1-year-old twins, Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, with DJ Abby De La Rosa; a 6-week-old son, Legendary Love, with "Selling Sunset" star Bre Tiesi; and Onyx Ice Cole Cannon with Lanisha Cole, who was born on September 14.

Cannon also had a son, Zen, with Alyssa Scott. Zen died in 2021 from brain cancer at the age of five months, and the child's death inspired Cannon to start a pediatric healthcare foundation.

In his Friday Instagram post, Cannon went on to acknowledge critics of his blended family who might deem their set-up unfathomable.

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"He has given me stewardship and dominion over a family dynamic that to some is unimaginable. But more importantly, he has blessed me with loving individuals to guide me with care through this purposeful life," he continued.

Cannon praised Bell's contribution to his life, calling her :the rock and foundation of my Fatherhood journey."

"She has taught me so much about parenting, psychology, spirituality, love and just life in general," he wrote of Bell.

Read the original article on Insider
By Gwladys Fouche and Pavel Polityuk

OSLO/KYIV (Reuters) - This year's Nobel Peace Prize could condemn the war in Ukraine by recognising opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the volunteers who have helped civilians, or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who ranks high on bookmakers' lists.

Or it could highlight climate change and recognise an environmental campaigner like Greta Thunberg - or go for a complete surprise, as the Norwegian Nobel Committee has done before.

The Kyiv Independent newspaper and Zelenskiy are currently favourites to be named Nobel Peace Prize laureates on Oct. 7, according to bookmakers, joining the likes of Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev and Andrei Sakharov.

"It could be a prize either for actors internally in Ukraine - fact-finding, humanitarian assistance," Henrik Urdal, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, told Reuters.

"It could also be a prize to opposition figures in neighbouring countries," he said, citing Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus and Russia's Alexei Navalny, currently in jail.

"Both have been critical of Russia's actions in Ukraine and both have been strong proponents of democracy and non-violence in their home countries."

Tsikhanouskaya and Navalny are both nominated for this year's prize, according to a Reuters survey of Norwegian lawmakers who have a track record of picking the eventual laureate.

Thousands of people can propose names, including former laureates, members of parliaments and university professors of history or law. Nominations are secret for 50 years but those who nominate can choose to reveal their choices.

Last year, journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov, who braved the wrath of the leaders of the Philippines and Russia to expose corruption and misrule, won the peace prize, in an endorsement of free speech under fire worldwide.

WAR

In Kyiv, an adviser to Zelenskiy told Reuters a prize for the president would recognise he "took full responsibility at the most dangerous moment".

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It would also be a prize for "the Ukrainian people, who today pay the highest price for the right to live without war", Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters.

Ivan Bezdudnyi, a Kyiv resident born in the eastern city of Mariupol, said a Nobel Prize focused on Ukraine would "once again demonstrate the world's support".

"For the Ukrainian people, it would signal that we are doing (the) right thing, that we are on the right path and have to fight until the end," the 24-year-old teacher said.

Still, Urdal said the awards body would be "careful" about recognising a leader of a state involved in war, even though Ukraine did not instigate it, as a party in an armed conflict "is always involved in activities that are problematic".

Russia calls the war in Ukraine a "special military operation" to demilitarise its neighbour. Ukraine and Western nations have dismissed this as a baseless pretext for aggression.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The Nobel body may also want to put the spotlight on the world's "other existential threat", climate change, said Dan Smith, head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

"You could put together a coalition receiving the Nobel Peace Prize," he said.

Thunberg, British nature broadcaster David Attenborough, Tuvalu's foreign minister Simon Kofe and the Fridays for Future group are all nominated for this year's peace prize, according to the Reuters survey.

Other potential laureates include an international organisation like the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), its children's fund, UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).

For a graphic of Nobel laureates, click: https://tmsnrt.rs/2ns5o4C

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche in Oslo and Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Temporary closure of Dien Bien Airport proposed

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam is seeking the Ministry of Transports permission to temporarily close Dien Bien Airport after the 2023 Tet Holiday.



The closure which is scheduled to last from March 1 to September 9, is intended to provide sufficient time to build a runway, apron, 15-metre-wide taxiways and technical infrastructure facilities.





Dien Bien Airport



The package is part of the airport expansion project proposed by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam. Its construction is scheduled to be finished on September 9.



Once completed, the airport will be able to serve A320/A321-sized aeroplanes.



After being expanded, the airports capacity is expected to be raised by 200,000 to 500,000 passengers.
By Joanna Plucinska

WARSAW (Reuters) - Major leaks that suddenly erupted in the Nord Stream gas pipelines that run from Russia to Europe under the Baltic Sea have generated plenty of theories but few clear answers about who or what caused the damage.

Here is what we know and what has been said so far:

WHO IS BEING BLAMED?

So far, Western governments and officials have avoided pointing a finger directly, while Russia has blamed the West.

European Union states say they believe the damage was caused by sabotage but have stopped short of naming anyone. Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said it was "very obvious" who was behind it but did not say who that was.

The Kremlin said allegations of Russian responsibility were "stupid" and Russian officials have said Washington had a motive as it wants to sell more liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe.

President Vladimir Putin said on Friday the United States and its allies blew up Nord Stream. "The sanctions were not enough for the Anglo-Saxons: they moved onto sabotage," he said.

In previous comments, the White House has dismissed the accusation that it was responsible. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday damage to Nord Stream was a deliberate act of sabotage.

GRAPHIC - Map: Leaks reported from Russian Nord Stream pipelines

https://graphics.reuters.com/UKRAINE-CRISIS/ENERGY/xmpjozoewvr/leakage-map.jpg

WHY SABOTAGE A PIPELINE?

German Navy Chief Jan Christian Kaack told German daily Die Welt in Monday's edition, the day leaks were found although he was apparently speaking before that: "Russia has also built up considerable capacity underwater. At the bottom of the Baltic Sea, but also in the Atlantic, there is quite a bit of critical infrastructure like pipelines or submarine cables for IT."

Alongside Nord Stream, a new pipeline has been built between gas producing Norway and Poland, which has been seeking to end its reliance on Russian energy, making the region highly sensitive for Europe's energy security.

Story continues

"(Russia) can intimidate Europeans through an act of sabotage. Because if they're able to blow up these pipelines in the Baltic seabed, they could do that as well to the new pipeline," said Kristine Berzina, senior fellow for security and defence at the German Marshall Fund.

However, if it was an act of sabotage, it has damaged pipelines that were built by Kremlin-controlled Gazprom and its European partners at a cost that ran into billions of dollars.

The damage also means Russia loses an element of leverage it still had over Europe, which has been racing to find other gas supplies for winter, even if the Nord Stream pipelines where not pumping gas when the leaks were discovered, analysts say.

Whoever or whatever is to blame, Ukraine may also be a beneficiary. Kyiv has long called for Europe to halt all purchases of Russian fuel - even though some gas still runs to Europe across its territory. Disrupting Nord Stream brings Kyiv's call for a full Russian fuel embargo closer to reality.

HOW COULD NORD STREAM HAVE BEEN DAMAGED?

Experts say the scale of the damage and the fact that the leaks are far from each other on two different pipelines indicate that the act was intentional and well-orchestrated.

Seismologists in Denmark and Sweden said they had registered two powerful blasts on Monday in the vicinity of the leaks and the explosions were in the water, not under the seabed.

A British defence source told Sky News the attack was probably premeditated and detonated from afar using underwater mines or other explosives.

"Something big caused those explosions which means ... Russia could do it. In theory, the United States could also do it but I don't really see the motivation there," Oliver Alexander, an open source intelligence analyst, told Reuters.

The United States had long called for Europe to end its reliance on Russian gas, he said, but Washington had little obvious motivation to act now because Nord Stream was no longer pumping gas to Europe at the time the leaks were found, although the pipelines had gas under pressure inside them.

"They already succeeded in stopping Nord Stream 2. It was already dead in the water, it wasn't going anywhere," he said.

Analysts say it is possible the damage was inflicted by devices that are available on the commercial market but that given the scale and precision, it was more likely carried out by an actor with access to more sophisticated technology.

The U.S. news channel CNN, citing three sources, reported that European security officials had observed Russian navy support ships and submarines not far from the sites of the Nord Stream leaks. Asked about the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there had been a much larger NATO presence in the area.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

At Russia's request, the U.N. Security Council meets on Friday to discuss the damage to the pipelines, while the Europeans are pressing on with their investigations.

For now, however, more direct fingerpointing between Russia and the West could worsen tensions that have already spiralled over the war in Ukraine, said Marek Swierczynski, a defence analyst for Polish think tank Polityka Insight.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus, with additional reporting by Sabine Seibold; Editing by Alexander Smith and Edmund Blair)
Sep. 29PARK RIVER, N.D.  A northeast North Dakota woman who

spent more than six decades

as pen pals with the late Queen Elizabeth II has died.

Adele Hankey, of Park River, North Dakota, died this week. She was 96.

Hankey was born on the exact same day as the Queen  April 21, 1926.

Hankey had received a birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II every year since 1952. She received her first card after sending her one to congratulate her on becoming reigning monarch and to wish her happy birthday, the Herald reported in 2020. The pair also exchanged photos throughout the years.

When Queen Elizabeth

died earlier this month

, Hankey told WDAY that she was going to miss the letters.

"Pen pal, that's what I call her, and I am going to miss that," Hankey said earlier this month. "She became queen in 1952, and I wrote her and congratulated her, and she sent back a birthday card, so I sent her one, and it has been going like that since."

And the two also exchanged notes about their shared love of a fruit spread.

"I liked the jelly she put on bread because it was the same as mine," Hankey told WDAY earlier this month. "It was orange marmalade, and she had written that back in one of her cards."

Queen Elizabeth II died on Sept. 8. A document published by the National Records of Scotland on Thursday, Sept. 29 listed the queen's cause of death as 'old age.' She was 96.

Hankey had been hospitalized in Grand Forks prior to her death and funeral arrangements are pending, WDAY reports.
Robert Eggers admirably established himself as a serious filmmaker with his chilling debut, The Witch, psychedelic follow-up The Lighthouse and recent carnage-riddled Viking thriller The Northman.

But Eggers has always wanted to remake Nosferatu  and hes now getting that chance.

Deadline reported that the eponymous vampire in Eggers film will be portrayed by Bill Skarsgard, who famously played Pennywise in Andy Muschiettis 2017 remake of Stephen Kings It. Lily-Rose Depp will reportedly play the female lead.

Director Robert Eggers has wanted to remake

Director Robert Eggers has wanted to remake "Nosferatu" for years, and was first announced to do so in 2015. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)

F.W. Murnaus original 1922 film  an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stokers Dracula novel  has been heralded as one of the scariest horror films of all time. The black-and-white silent movie chronicled vampire Count Orlok as he journeys to his Transylvanian home and preys on an innocent woman while terrifying the town with his bloodlust.

Eggers was first announced to helm the remake in 2015, but he had yet to prove himself as a director capable of yielding high returns. When his most genre-centric effort The Northman lacked box-office success, Nosferatu once again stalled.

The original

The original "Nosferatu" was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula." (Photo: ullstein bild Dtl. via Getty Images)

Its fallen apart twice, Eggers told IndieWire as The Northman hit theaters. Ive been trying to get the word out because the word did carry that Harry Styles was going to be in the movie. And I just wonder if Murnaus ghost is telling me, like, you should stop. Styles and Anya Taylor-Joy were attached to the project before it was put on pause.

Murnaus ghost seemingly changed his mind in recent months, as Eggers will now be writing and directing his passion project for Focus Features. And he clearly knows his subject.

[Werner] Herzogs movie [Nosferatu the Vampyre from 1979]  for me, and I love Herzog, hes one of my favorite directors  but I do feel like it is uneven, Eggers told IndieWire.

Story continues

But the best sequence of that movie, for me, is getting to the castle with Das Rheingold, and I dont even know if it makes sense in the film even though its awesome, he added. But at the same time because of German history and German cinema history, it was his right to do that film.

Eggers posited during that IndieWire interview that maybe Murnaus telling me I dont have the right to follow in Herzogs footsteps. Fortunately for fans of his  and those of us who cant get enough of vampire lore on the silver screen  Eggers couldnt have been more wrong.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
Vladimir Putin gave a chest-thumping speech on Friday when he declared he was seizing four territories in Ukraine and lashed out at Western countries he claimed are influenced by satanism.

But the reality in Ukraine tells a different story, one in which Russia continues to lose territory and where momentum has clearly shifted to the Ukrainians.

World leaders, lawmakers and experts quickly dismissed Putins claims on Friday, using words such as sham and phony and invented reality to describe his declaration that territories that are not under his control will somehow become a part of Russia.

He's not going to scare us nor intimidate us, President Joe Biden said of Putin. Putin's actions are a sign he is struggling, the sham referendum he carried out, and his routine he put on  the United States is never going to recognize this, and quite frankly the world is not going to recognize it either.

Leaders from across Europe read from the same playbook, pledging to support Ukraine and punish Russia for subverting international law by attempting, again, to steal Ukrainian territory.



The U.K.s Chief of Defense Staff, Adm. Sir Tony Radakin, who spoke to reporters Friday during a visit to Washington, called the annexation the invented reality of Putin, and the actual reality is that hes declared these four territories as part of Russia, but he doesnt even have control of those four territories.

The swift rejection of Putins annexation announcement and his hints that he could use nuclear weapons show how global perception of his military and its competence have changed since the start of the war. His reputation, once feared, has been so damaged by his disastrous invasion that the threats he has used for so long to shape the geopolitical narrative no longer carry the power they once did.

Moscow has faced a torrent of setbacks and humiliations since Ukrainians launched their two-pronged counteroffensive this month. Rapid gains using modern, NATO-furnished weapons forced massive and panicked Russian retreats around the city of Kherson, pushing Russian forces back into their own country or into several shrinking pockets inside Ukraine.

Story continues

The forecast for Russian forces over the next few weeks and months is equally grim, as conscripts with little training head to the front to face battle-hardened Ukrainians backed by new Western equipment, with more shipments arriving weekly.

Videos have emerged online of Russian officers telling conscripts to bring their own medical supplies and sleeping bags to the front, as Moscow is expected to leave its troops unsupported in the field.

Russia doesn't have enough people to crew the equipment that theyve got, Radakin said. The equipment theyve got is quite substantial, but much of it is ancient and in a bad condition. And then [Putin] had to go through this partial mobilizationyou then start to see a feature of this mobilization is not people rushing to recruitment offices, but it's people rushing to leave the country.

A senior Defense Department official, who like others in this story requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said there have been no significant moves by Russian forces either before or after Putins speech on Friday, further suggesting that nothing at all had changed on the ground, at least in the Kremlins favor.

In fact, Russian troops in the city of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast  an area Putin on Friday said was now part of Russia  have been almost completely surrounded by Ukrainian forces who have cut off supply lines to the garrison. On Friday, Ukrainian commanders began calling for the Russian forces there to negotiate a surrender.

Lyman has for months been a key logistics and supply hub for Russian forces fighting in the countrys east, and its loss would further cripple the already stretched Russian resupply lines in areas increasingly contested by Ukrainian forces.

The continued loss of territory that Russia now claims as its own, along with the new sanctions packages announced by the U.S. and U.K. on Friday, will further squeeze the Kremlins ability to wage war and undermine the armys ability to hold ground.

Russia will struggle to hold the territory it claims to have annexed, the Institute for the Study of War said in an analysis Friday. Putin likely intends annexation to freeze the war along the current frontlines and allow time for Russian mobilization to reconstitute Russian forces.

The institute, along with the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project, also generated a map on Friday showing that the four territories ready to be annexed actually include wide swaths of land still controlled by Ukraine.

While leaders have warned that declaring the territories part of Russia could serve as a pretext for escalating the war, Putins options are just as limited as they were before his announcement.

Ukraine has hobbled Russias Black Sea Fleet, and ship captains now avoid the coastline out of fear of being struck by missiles. The Russian air force mostly shies away from flying over Ukrainian airspace, and the Kremlin is woefully short of allies willing to enter the conflict. That leaves his ground force, which he is now stocking with untrained conscripts.

And even though Putin and other Russian officials have hinted at deploying tactical nuclear weapons, the U.S. assesses the probability as low. Weve not seen anything that indicates we should change our posture, one senior DoD official said.

One European diplomat pointed out that Russian warnings against attacking the annexed territories ring hollow, and not only because Putin is already losing ground in those regions.

Ukraine has hit Russian targets in Crimea several times, and Putin didnt respond even though he claims Crimea is now part of Russia, too, the diplomat said.

And more Western weapons are funneling into Ukraine. At the White House, national security adviser Jake Sullivan noted the $1.1 billion arms package announced this week, and we expect to have another announcement of immediate security assistance to announce next week."

The package will be worth several hundred million dollars, an administration official confirmed to POLITICO.

Drawing the aid out ensures that Ukraine can absorb the shipments of tens of thousands of artillery rounds, radars and armored vehicles, but also maintains the psychological impact of announcing regular packages of NATO-caliber weaponry to bolster Ukrainian allies and depress the morale of Russian forces and leadership, the official said.

Putin is trying to raise that morale, but his bluster on Friday is little more than a fiction of Russias strength and competence, Radakin said. He cautioned against overreacting.

That fiction is a feature of weakness, and the pressure that Russia is under, he said. Weve got to be very careful in responding to fictions.

Lara Seligman contributed to this report
(Bloomberg) -- New York City has arranged over $225 million in debt relief for more than 1,000 taxi medallion owners to aid an industry battered by competition from Uber Technologies Inc. and other app-based car services, Mayor Eric Adams said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Last month, the Adams administration finalized an agreement with Marblegate Asset Management, the largest medallion lender in the city, and the New York Taxi Workers Alliance that offers debt relief to more than 3,000 medallion owners. Many struggling drivers cant afford to repay expensive loans they took out from private lenders to buy city taxi-operating medallions.

There is something iconic about our yellow cabs, Adams said at event at City Hall where he was joined by cheering union members and officials including US Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. It is the foundation of our city.

Schumer said that because of the deal, things today are fairer for our hard-working cab drivers. Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the alliance, cited the number of taxi drivers who took their own lives due to financial strains.

Called Medallion Relief Program+, the program allows owners to restructure their loans, putting a $200,000 cap on their debts, with monthly payments limited to $1,234 for no more than 25 years. Under the program, the city makes a $30,000 down payment on the loan and agrees to take on the cost of the medallion if the owner defaults on payments.

The city also extended the deadline for owners to restructure their loans by a week, to Oct. 7.

New York reaped about $850 million in revenue from sales of 1,000 medallions from 2004 to 2014, promoting them as solid investments before 80,000 Uber and Lyft Inc. drivers hit the citys streets and devastated the yellow-cab industry.

Story continues

The deal for debt relief was originally reached in November with the administration of former Mayor Bill de Blasio following a 15-day hunger strike by taxi drivers.

We thank those of you that went on the hunger strike, Schumer told the crowd.

(Udpates with comment from union leader in fourth paragraph. An earlier version of this story corrected the amount of debt relief.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Sep. 29Seven speakers from churches in San Angelo, Lubbock, Midland and Odessa will discuss various aspects of "The Law of the Lord" Saturday and Sunday at Parkview Church of Christ at County Road West and Park Boulevard.

Host Minister Denny Wilson said the series was organized according to the ideas in Psalm 19:7-11.

Adam Orr of Westside Church of Christ in Midland will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with "The Law of the Lord is Perfect, Converting the Soul," followed by Ryan Smithey from the Ninth and Main Church in San Angelo at 11 a.m. on "The Testimony of the Lord is Sure, Making Wise the Simple."

Lunch will be served each day.

Here is the rest of the schedule:

 "The Statutes of the Lord Are Right, Rejoicing the Heart," Mike Bonner, Ninth and Main, 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

 "The Commandments of the Lord Are Pure, Enlightening the Eyes," Steve Horton, Westside, 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

 "The Fear of the Lord is Clean, Enduring Forever," Wilson, 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

 "The Judgments of the Lord Are True, Righteous Altogether," Anthony Flunder, Milwaukee Avenue Church, Lubbock, 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

 "By Them We Are Warned and Rewarded When We Obey," Royce Williamson, Ninth and Main, 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Flip, Dog in the shelter for over 2,555 days

Lake Humane Society

After spending years in the shelter system, Flip the dog has a forever home.

On Sept. 16, PEOPLE shared the black-and-white dog's story. At that time, the 7-year-old rescue pooch had spent over 2,555 days in Ohio shelters waiting to be adopted.

Jennifer Schorr, the associate director of the education division at the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, heard about Flip's situation through a Facebook post. Having lost her beloved German Shepherd to illness a few months ago, Schorr wasn't looking to adopt a new dog right away.

"But when I saw Flip, he melted my heart, and his story melted it even more," Schorr told PEOPLE, adding that she knew she wanted her next pet to be an older dog "that needed some TLC."

Enamored with Flip's sweet face, Schorr reached out to Lake Humane Society to ask about adopting the dog, who was in a foster home at the time. The shelter told Schorr that they didn't know much about Flip's history, except that he spent time at a shelter in Youngstown and likely experienced abuse early in his life.

Flip the dog finds a home after over 2500 days in the shelter

Jennifer Schorr

To ensure that Flip and Schorr would be a good fit, Lake Humane Society asked Schorr to visit the canine, so she made the 3-hour drive to the shelter to meet Flip face to face.

"They told me he might not warm up to me at first, but it was just the opposite. He came and sat next to me, and he even gave me kisses," Schorr said of her introduction to Flip.

RELATED: Dog Left Tied Outside S.C. Shelter with Note Saying She's Sick and to 'Put Down as Soon as Possible'

After this first adorable interaction, Schorr met with Flip again and then had the dog visit her house in Pataskala, Ohio.

"Flip trotted right in and made himself at home!" Schorr said.

Flip the dog finds a home after over 2500 days in the shelter

Jennifer Schorr

Schorr's residence is now officially Flip's home, and the pup has continued to amaze his new owner with his warm, welcoming personality.

"Flip is a very loving dog and loves to cuddle on the couch with you," Flip's pet parent shared.

Story continues

RELATED: Illinois Rescue Searching for a Home for 'Sweet' Senior Rescue Dog Who Adores Getting Tucked in

And while Flip is still nervous about some new things, Schorr is content to "go slow" with the dog and let him adapt to home life at his own speed.

"We take walks around the neighborhood, and he is the perfect dog. He is adjusting very well to being out of the shelter. He actually slept with me in bed the other night for the first time ever in his life. He was in heaven!" she said

Flip the dog finds a home after over 2500 days in the shelter

Jennifer Schorr

"I am confident Flip will be just fine living with me in his forever home. I love him so much already," Schorr added.

Schorr also said that she hopes Flip's story inspires others to adopt their next pet, so they can experience the companionship that blossoms after you save a life.

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.

"There are so many loving dogs that just need a chance to become your furry friend. Some may need more care and attention than others, but they all deserve it. The tail wag, kiss on the cheek, or smile on their face lets you know how much you are appreciated. It is never too late  Adopt!" Schorr shared.
Oklahoma lawmakers reconvened a special legislative session on Thursday to spend more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds, $250 million for economic development projects and $20 million for emergency drought relief.

The state Capitol was a flurry of activity as the lawmakers approved dozens of bills to spend the bulk of the state's $1.87 billion in American Rescue Plan funds.

The bills now go to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk.

What to know about the American Rescue Plan projects

Lawmakers approved about $1.4 billion in federal stimulus funds for dozens of projects after vetting 1,400 requests that added up to more than $18 billion.

Major projects include expanding high-speed broadband to rural parts of the state, improving water infrastructure and increasing access to health care.

Major projects in the Oklahoma City area include funding for Oklahoma City to move a water line near Tinker Air Force Base and a wastewater infrastructure project aimed at attracting new mega-employers to the area.

Lawmakers approved $87 million to replace the state's largest psychiatric hospital, Griffin Memorial in Norman. There's also $8 million to attract biopharmaceutical workers to the Oklahoma City innovation district and $20 million to create the Oklahoma Aviation Academy at Max Westheimer Airport in Norman.

Lawmakers put off action on human service projects

Lawmakers did not act on legislation that would have appropriated roughly $95 million in stimulus funds for a variety of projects that included expanding child care services, aid for victims of domestic violence, money for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma, funding to add more Oasis Fresh Market locations and a cash infusion to expand YMCA locations in nine counties.

The House and Senate disagreed on the details of the legislation, although it's unclear what specifically led to the dispute.

Discussions are ongoing to answer questions about some of the projects in an effort to advance them at a later date, said John Estus, spokesman for House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

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"They are not dead, just under further discussion," he said.

More:Oklahoma lawmakers block gender reassignment treatment in OU children's hospital funding

Rural economic development projects get cash infusion

Rural industrial parks and aeronautics facilities will get a cash infusion due to $250 million lawmakers set aside for economic development projects.

"The main thing we hear from businesses considering investment in Oklahoma is that they want an educated workforce and infrastructure that can support their investment," said House Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "The PREP (Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity) projects address these critical needs, and more, as we lay the groundwork for the exciting new jobs of tomorrow."

The PREP funds will provide infrastructure at industrial parks and improvements at rural airports. Lawmakers picked the PREP projects in consultation with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

Companies that are looking to relocate are seeking sites that are already equipped with water lines, broadband service and other necessary infrastructure, said Commerce Department spokeswoman Amy Blackburn.

"99 times out of 100, a business is going to go to the (site) that already has all the infrastructure," she said. "They're not going to wait on us to make those investments."

Lawmakers also set aside $52 million in American Rescue Plan funds to supplement the PREP funds.

More:Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt again calls for tax cuts only to be rebuffed by top senators

Lawmakers earmark $20 million for drought relief

The Legislature approved $20 million in emergency drought relief from the state's General Revenue Fund.

This follows $3 million in drought relief funds lawmakers appropriated in May. The Emergency Drought Commission will decide how the funds are divvied up.

Lawmakers saw the drought coming, but additional relief is needed, said Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg McCortney, R-Ada.

It is so much worse than we anticipated, he said.

More than half of the state is facing extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

More:As drought worsens, Oklahoma ranchers look to the state for relief

Will Stitt sign or veto the bills?

Earlier this week, Stitt said he will review all of the bills that come to his desk. He also indicated he won't shy away from using his veto power.

"If there's bad legislation, I'll veto it," he told reporters Tuesday.

Stitt has been critical of the Legislature's handling of American Rescue Plan funds and suggested lawmakers are catering to special interests when prioritizing projects. Lawmakers have rebuked Stitt's comments and pointed to the public process in which they narrowed down all of the requests for stimulus funds.

Top lawmakers called the special session on stimulus spending in order to have a greater role in distributing the American Rescue Plan dollars. Legislative leaders previously expressed frustration with the slow pace in which the executive branch was distributing the funds.

The governor has not signed any of the previous American Rescue Plan bills lawmakers sent to his desk. He line-item vetoed one bill and let the others become law without his signature.

Should Stitt veto any of the bills, lawmakers will likely attempt to override the vetoes before the special session ends Oct. 14. The Legislature must muster two-thirds majorities in both chambers in order to override any vetoes.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers approve stimulus spending, $20M for drought relief
After three days of jury selection, opening arguments are set to begin next week in the trial of Stewart Rhodes, the head of the Oath Keepers militia group, which helped lead the violent efforts to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Also on trial are four other Jan. 6 rioters linked to Rhodes and the Oath Keepers, all of whom face trial on charges that include seditious conspiracy, a serious and politically controversial charge rarely used by federal prosecutors.

During the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, prosecutors allege that at least three of the Oath Keepers who are on trial participated in what now has become a notorious military-style "stack" formation that confronted police officers guarding the Capitol and ultimately succeeded in gaining the defendants entry into the building.

Court documents filed by prosecutors say that as part of their conspiracy, Rhodes and his co-conspirators "repeatedly made statements that demonstrated an agreement to oppose the lawful transfer of presidential power [from outgoing President Donald Trump to newly elected Joe Biden] by force."

Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, is projected on a screen at a hearing of the House Jan. 6 committee on June 9. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Prosecutors quote Rhodes telling his alleged co-conspirators two days after the Nov. 3, 2020, presidential election: "We MUST refuse to accept Biden as a legitimate winner....We aren't getting through this without a civil war. Too late for that. Prepare your mind, body, spirit."

Federal authorities say Rhodes told his associates that "storming" the U.S. Capitol building should be part of their plan and that he hoped Trump would declare "an insurrection and call up the National Guard into Federal service AND all us veterans and we will suppress the communist/deep state enemies."

On Nov. 9, 2020, less than a week after the election, investigators say Rhodes stated in a recorded meeting on the GoToMeeting website that a "Quick Reaction Force"  a SWAT-team-type group purportedly organized by would-be rioters  would be "awaiting the president's orders."

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"The reason why we have to do it that way is because that gives you legal cover, Rhodes allegedly said, according to court documents.

But investigators say he also declared repeatedly that his followers would act "with or without the President's bidding." On Christmas Day 2020, federal authorities say Rhodes told some supporters via Signal, an encrypted app, that Trump "needs to know that if he fails to act, then we will..."

Rhodes speaks during a Patriots Day Free Speech Rally in Berkeley, Calif., on April 15, 2017. (Reuters/Jim Urquhart)

Then, on New Year's Eve, Rhodes told a "leadership" chat group, "On the 6th, they are going to put the final nail in the coffin of this Republic, unless we fight our way out. With Trump (preferably) or without him, we have no choice."

By Jan. 5, according to investigators, the would-be rioters had brought weapons and ammunition to Washington and stored the materials at a hotel in the Virginia suburbs so it could be used by what Rhodes called a QRF, or Quick Reaction Force. Early on Jan. 6, Rhodes allegedly told fellow rioters that his group "Will have several well equipped QRFs outside DC. And there are many many others, from other groups, who will be watching and waiting on the outside in case of worst case scenarios."

Yet as the riot unfolded, Rhodes complained to followers, authorities said, that "Pence is doing nothing. As I predicted. ... All I see Trump doing is complaining. I see no intent by him to do anything. So the patriots are taking it into their own hands. They've had enough."

Even after Trump failed to invoke the Insurrection Act  an action that the Oath Keepers apparently believed could provide legal sanction for their efforts to block the certification of Biden's electoral victory  Rhodes, according to prosecutors, "urged his co-conspirators to continue the fight," telling them that "thousands of ticked off patriots spontaneously marched on the Capitol. ... You ain't seen nothing yet."

Supporters of President Donald Trump battle with U.S. Capitol Police at the west entrance of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Reuters/Stephanie Keith)

After the riot collapsed in the face of police action, and after Biden's victory in the Electoral College was formally certified, investigators say Rhodes continued to encourage resistance by his followers, making "thousands of dollars of purchases of firearms and related equipment.

Even after concluding that it was "unlikely" that Trump would invoke the Insurrection Act to block Biden's accession to the White House, Rhodes urged "patriots" to "Prepare to walk the same path as the Founding Fathers of condemnation of an illegitimate regime, nullification/mass non-compliance, defiance, mutual defense and resistance."

Earlier this year, three members of the Oath Keepers initially facing seditious conspiracy charges  Joshua James, Brian Ulrich and William Wilson  subsequently acknowledged to the court that they had conspired with Rhodes and other Oath Keepers to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power and pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy charges.

Members of the Capitol Police try to fend off a mob as it tries to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Reuters/Leah Millis)

But Rhodes and his four co-defendants, who include alleged Oath Keeper leaders from Ohio and Florida as well as the only defendant who is not being held in pretrial detention, a former U.S. Navy officer and FBI employee who denied belonging to the group, maintain their innocence and have prepared to go to trial.

As the trial approached, defendants made multiple efforts to delay or distract the proceedings, sometimes putting forward exotic legal arguments.

At one point, Rhodes's lawyers suggested they were likely to argue that their client believed that Trump was lawfully going to use the 1807 Insurrection Act, which allows the president to deploy military forces to quell a rebellion, to mobilize militia forces to help him cling to office.

"What the government contends was a conspiracy to oppose United States laws was actually lobbying and preparation for the president to utilize a United States law to take lawful action," two lawyers for Rhodes argued.

Shortly before the trial was due to begin, defense lawyers asked the judge to forbid prosecutors from using certain language during the trial to describe the defendants, including such terms as anti-government, militia, organized militia, extremists, extremism, racist, racism, white supremacist and/or white nationalism. (As of the time of publication, the court record did not indicate whether the judge had ruled on this request.)

Pro-Trump protesters breach barriers to head to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

According to the Justice Department, all three of the Oath Keepers who pleaded guilty to sedition charges, James, Ulrich and Wilson, agreed to help the government build its case against Rhodes and other remaining defendants.

In a court filing summarizing their case against James, who before the riot had served as a bodyguard for Roger Stone, a veteran Republican operative and Trump ally, prosecutors said they believe that the Oath Keepers had wanted, and had made preparations, to try to block Biden from acting as president even after he was sworn in.

Prosecutors say they have evidence that when James left Texas in February 2021, he "took with him multiple firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, multiple burner phones, scopes, magazines, night-vision equipment, and other tactical gear at Rhodess request.

"Rhodes told James to be prepared to transport and distribute the equipment to others upon Rhodess instruction and to be prepared for violence in the event of a civil war. James stored this equipment in a storage shed in Alabama and awaited Rhodess instructions," prosecutors added in the court filing, which was signed by James himself.
There was a huge political scandal here last week.

Ashley Kalus, the Republican going after Gov. Dan McKees job, made a major Rhode Island blunder.

A narrator in one of her ads pronounced Pawtucket wrong. Instead of the correct Ptucket, it came out  horrors  as PAW-tucket.

Memo to candidates: no matter how hard you work on your policies, youre sunk if you get local culture wrong.

So as a public service, Im today offering a clinic on how to get Rhode Island right.

Lets start with wieners - also spelled weiners by some. You know, the kind at New York System.

The Olyneyville New York System sign that went up in 1953. Restaurant owner Greg Stevens said the sign is important to the whole neighborhood so it had to be right.

Food for thought

God help any pol who orders a hot dog there. Theyre wieners.

And never ask for one with everything on it. The proper phrase is, Gimme three, all the way.

Also, wash them down with coffee milk. Which is very different than milk in your coffee.

RI governor's race: Rivals in the state's top race, McKee and Kalus scrap over 'Paw-tucket'

Navigating local food is a minefield in many places. Ex-NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio almost killed his career when filmed eating pizza with a fork and knife. You dont do that in New York.

I imagine the same would happen here if a candidate drank a Dels with a straw. Justdont.

Journal columnist Mark Patinkin tries to drink a Dels Lemonade with a straw in Kennedy Plaza in 2019.

But its fine to order an iced coffee in December.

And though its acceptable to put ketchup on fries, youll look more local if you use vinegar.

Same with asking where the water fountain is. Now that its 2022, thats acceptable, but Im guessing bubbler will get you two extra points on your next poll, especially if you drop the "r".

More Patinkin: Coping with cancer: You're able to move on, until the next scan

Similarly, its not a scandal anymore to order a sub and milkshake in Rhode Island, but better to use words reminiscent of a power tool and a piece of furniture. If you dont know what that means, you shouldnt be running.

Another food warning: if someone here mentions they like doughboys, do not say you also appreciate World War I British infantrymen.

Story continues

Mini doughboys with cinnamon butter, caramel and chocolate dips at Iggys.

Don't get the lingo twisted

I feel bad for candidates who end up campaigning in Quonochontaug. No one gets that pronunciation right. But KWANa-k-taug is close enough.

Lets talk about the states southerly section from North Kingstown to Westerly where everyone hits the beach. The accurate name is Washington County. But dont dare refer to it as that. Its South County, which technically does not exist, yet thats what everyone calls it, and you should, too.

Moving on, if you want to look local, its better to begin a sentence with not fnuthin than something like, Just thinking out loud 

Also, try to describe locations by landmark. Its OK to say, I was in Burrillville yesterday, but youll have more credibility if you make it, I was up near Wrights Farm. Which is not a place that raises cows; it serves chicken.

Life in RI: Tenants band together against RI landlord as they face deplorable conditions

And if you do use place names, theres no such thing as close enough. I once wrote about someone living in Providences Elmhurst neighborhood but said they were from Mount Pleasant, which was only blocks away. Didnt matter. I got beat up bad for that  didnt I know anything? So if youre campaigning in Rumford, never say how glad you are to be in Riverside.

Be wary of Rhode Islands app world. By which I mean the first course at dinner. A politician caught ordering Manhattan clam chowder instead of New England is done. Also, get the calamari, which, by state law Section 42-4-19, is Rhode Islands official appetizer, seeing as how we supply the world with it.

More Patinkin: RI doesn't have a state dinosaur ... but we may soon have a state coral?

Picking the right team

Danger also lurks each year in early December. Thats usually when the annual URI-PC basketball game is scheduled. Fall into the trap of taking sides and youll lose half your votes. You are rooting for both of them.

On a similar note, if you dont know that you are decidedly not a Yankees fan, Im sorry, but even the countrys best political consultants wont be able to save you.

Although a historically blue-collar state, you dont have to pander to that here. Rhode Island has often embraced wealthy candidates, like U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell and Gov. Bruce Sundlun. But dont flaunt it.

Sundlun, owner of a Virginia horse farm, was known to ride in jodhpurs once during a horse event in Providence. This raised eyebrows in Olneyville. When running for office here, it is best not to wear jodhpurs.

Speaking of Olneyville, that of course is home to the most prominent New York System wiener place.

The big secret: How does RI Gov. Dan McKee's daughter do on NBC's 'The Voice?'

So lets end this clinic with a test.

How do you like them?

Correct, all the way.

And make sure to wash them down with coffee milk.

Mpatinki@providencejournal.com

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI politicians guide to state culture from wieners to Pawtucket
There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

So, the natural question for Pacgold (ASX:PGO) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this report, we will consider the company's annual negative free cash flow, henceforth referring to it as the 'cash burn'. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'.

See our latest analysis for Pacgold

Does Pacgold Have A Long Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. As at June 2022, Pacgold had cash of AU$11m and no debt. In the last year, its cash burn was AU$5.2m. So it had a cash runway of about 2.1 years from June 2022. That's decent, giving the company a couple years to develop its business. Importantly, if we extrapolate recent cash burn trends, the cash runway would be noticeably longer. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is Pacgold's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Although Pacgold reported revenue of AU$83.0 last year, it didn't actually have any revenue from operations. To us, that makes it a pre-revenue company, so we'll look to its cash burn trajectory as an assessment of its cash burn situation. Remarkably, it actually increased its cash burn by 707% in the last year. Given that sharp increase in spending, the company's cash runway will shrink rapidly as it depletes its cash reserves. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of Pacgold due to its lack of significant operating revenues. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

How Hard Would It Be For Pacgold To Raise More Cash For Growth?

Given its cash burn trajectory, Pacgold shareholders may wish to consider how easily it could raise more cash, despite its solid cash runway. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$31m, Pacgold's AU$5.2m in cash burn equates to about 16% of its market value. As a result, we'd venture that the company could raise more cash for growth without much trouble, albeit at the cost of some dilution.

Is Pacgold's Cash Burn A Worry?

On this analysis of Pacgold's cash burn, we think its cash runway was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. We don't think its cash burn is particularly problematic, but after considering the range of factors in this article, we do think shareholders should be monitoring how it changes over time. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 4 warning signs for Pacgold (of which 2 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

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
Soni, 37, stands with her family in front of her temporary shelter in Sindh (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

In August, the government of Pakistan was forced to declare a national emergency as devastating flooding caused what the UN secretary-general called a climate catastrophe.

The unprecedented levels of flooding have resulted in the deaths of 1,638 people, including hundreds of children, since mid-June, the National Disaster Management Authority announced.

Hundreds of thousands are thought to have been displaced and living without access to clean water, accommodation or toilets. There has been widespread destruction of homes, roads, schools, health facilities and livestock in the countrys worst flooding in recent history.

Many people are living in makeshift camps with the government unable to provide sufficient relief. Charities are steadily working to provide crucial aid but are in desperate need of more resources as the situation in Pakistan worsens.

One of those left homeless is Soni, who is living with her family in a temporary shelter in Mitiyari Hyderabad, Sindh.

She says: We are all worried. Our houses are underwater. We are sitting here at the roadsides with our children. There is nothing with us. We are poor people, what we can do. We can do nothing.

Noor Zadi speaks about the destruction caused by the floods (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

A mosque submerged in floodwater in Khairpur Nathan Shah (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

An estimated 33 million people are thought to have been affected, with 6 million in need of humanitarian assistance.

Noor Zadi, who also lives in Sindh province has lost everything in the last few months and now has no drinking water for her family.

She said: There is also a shortage of food and water. There is so much mud that peoples feet get stuck. A flood like this has not come before in our lifetimes  our house has completely vanished.

Farmer Manzoor, 20, has been left jobless and homeless by the floods (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

A man wades through floodwater in Mitiyari Hyderabad (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

Pakistan has deployed thousands of additional doctors and paramedics in the countrys worst flood-hit province to contain the spread of diseases that have killed more than 300 people, officials said last week.

Manzoor, a farmer from Sindh province, is concerned by the rising levels of sickness being spread and the risks to his children.

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He says: We prepare whatever we have for our children to eat. There have been many nights that we all go to sleep on an empty stomach. Small children are starving. So many people and children are sick: so many diseases are being spread. The children are so vulnerable.

Many people, especially men, have been forced to travel long distances to get basic supplies, in often stagnating dirty water that raises the threat of disease and illness.

Pakistans health officials have set up teams to fumigate populated areas and built isolation facilities to tackle the spread of dengue fever.

A stop sign appears above floodwater in Khairpur Nathan Shah (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

Water covers a road in Mitiyari Hyderabad (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

Much of the worst affected provinces of Sindh and Balochistan remain under water with relief efforts being hampered by the difficulties in reaching these remote areas. Many roads have been blocked and bridges swept away, cutting many communities off entirely from emergency response teams.

The rainfall that Pakistan is currently seeing is 2.9 times higher than the national 30-year average, with the worst affected provinces seeing five times as much rainfall than normal, according to the UN.

A hunger crisis is also looming after crops, food stores and an estimated 1 million livestock were swept away by the intense level of flooding.

Aid groups are also raising concerns over many women and girls living out in the open or in basic shelters, with risks to their safety and well-being.

Cattle wade in water, where dry land used to be in Jamshoro (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

Arbab, 50, sits in her temporary tent in Dadu Sindh (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

Pakistan officials say the disaster has caused an estimated $30bn in damage.

One aid group, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), was launched at the start of September and has now raised more than 25m with the UK government.

While the immediate focus of the DECs relief effort will be to save lives, with the process of rebuilding and recovery likely to take years.

Pakistan is among the 10 countries most affected by extreme weather events despite having a very low carbon footprint, according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021 and Climate Watch.

Many people are finding alternative methods such as boats to evacuate or seek supplies (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

The devastating aftermath caused by the floods in Mitiyari Hyderabad (Akifullah Khan/DEC)

An initial attribution study by scientists has found that global heating is likely to have played a role in this disaster.

What we saw in Pakistan is exactly what climate projections have been predicting for years, said Friederike Otto from Imperial College London, and a member of the DECs advisory panel on climate change.

Its also in line with historical records showing that heavy rainfall has dramatically increased in the region since humans started emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, he added.

Member charities of the DEC are working closely with national partners to support the rescue and relief effort, provide basic relief items, deliver clean water, emergency shelter materials, food and urgent health assistance.

You can find out more about the DEC and their relief work by visiting their website here.
The parents of Cayden Turner, the Moraine woman and University of Cincinnati student who was hit and killed by a car as she and her roommate crossed a street near campus Wednesday, said they just cannot believe their 18-year-old is gone.

>> RELATED: UC student from Moraine hit, killed by car; Her roommate is stable, police say

I never thought, preparing for college all summer long, that she wouldnt be able to finish, Caydens mom, Skeisha Rembert-Wilkerson, told News Center 7s Brandon Lewis on Thursday night.

I still cant believe it, said her stepdad, Jermaine Wilkerson. We lost an angel.

Friday evening, Cincinnati police announced they had arrested the 17-year-old driver who hit Turner and her roommate, Namiya Russell, also 18, as they crossed Jefferson Avenue near main campus. Russell is listed in stable condition at a hospital, the Cincinnati Police Traffic Unit said in the updated statement released Friday. Both are 2022 Chaminade Julienne graduates.

Turner and Russell were crossing Jefferson Avenue, from east to west, in a marked crosswalk when they were hit by 2014 Honda CR-V whose driver disregarded a red light as the vehicle headed north on Jefferson at high speed, according to the police traffic unit.

Cayden Turner, a UC student from Moraine, was killed in a hit-and-run accident near campus on Sept. 28, 2022.

The vehicle continued, hit a tree and came to rest on West Martin Luther King Drive. The driver ran, heading east on King Drive, according to police who were searching for that person Thursday night.

Excessive speed is a factor in the crash, the traffic unit has concluded, but impairment as a factor as yet to be determined.

The statement from the traffic unit makes no mention as to whether the car was suspected to have been stolen, as was reported initially by our news partner WCPO-TV in Cincinnati.

>>RELATED: 1 taken to the hospital after pedestrian strike in Huber Heights

Wednesday night, members of UCs Urbanism Club stood on Jefferson Avenue in protest for increased street safety. They rang bicycle bells, flashed bicycle lights and waved signs that read End Vehicular Violence and One Death is Too Many, The News Record, the independent newspaper published by UC students, reported.

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Thursday, the newspaper reported that the UC community was continuing to come together to mourn Turner and Russell:

After a fatal hit-and-run Wednesday on Jefferson Avenue involving two University of Cincinnati students, the community is coming together at the 86 Coffee Bar to remember Cayden Turner. https://t.co/VO5mF4QRP4  The News Record (@NewsRecord_UC) September 29, 2022

The Wilkersons also praised all of the people who have visited with them and expressed condolences via social media.

We are definitely surrounded by love and prayers, Rembert-Wilkerson said.

The Wilkersons want people to remember her daughter, a 2022 Chaminade Julienne graduate, as an Eagle ambassador and a member of the high school track team and a college freshman who had earned As and one B in the short time she was in college to study public relations and web design.

Rembert-Wilkerson also wants people to remember her awesome girls smile.

Turner was an organ donor, something her mother said gives me a little comfort knowing that she will live on through some other person.

Rembert-Wilkerson hopes police find the driver -- who police said ran away after crashing it not too far from the accident scene -- and prosecutes everyone who was in the car. According to police, one person in the car suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, while two other people in the car and the driver fled.

Shes also hoping the city of Cincinnati does something about making Jefferson Avenue safer for students.

Rembert-Wilkerson said she decided to speak publicly about Cayden because I want her to live on. Just because a person is tragically killed, their life and spirit can live on.

We will continue to update this developing report as we learn more.




What makes troubled and deeply disturbed teenage boys like Nikolas Cruz so enamored by Nazi symbols and prone to racial and gender hate?

As the Parkland shooters sentencing trial uncovers chilling details about his life, including a history of skinning lizards alive as a child, jurors on Tuesday got a further glance at his troubled mind. Cruz drew swastikas on the magazines found in the AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle he used in the massacre and on one of his boots, Broward County Sheriffs Office investigators testified. He made online searches on how to buy Nazi flags, about Adolph Hitlers birthday and posted comments using a racial slur. He also wrote that women are less important than a dog, the Associated Press reported.

Prosecutors arent making the case that the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was motivated by racial or gender animosity. They are trying to convince jurors Cruz was driven by antisocial personality disorder and not fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, as the defense contends. But the surfacing of white supremacy and misogyny in his trial arent surprising. Even if they didnt drive Cruz to act, its further proof that hatred is very much alive and young men seem especially prone to subscribing to it.

Cruz is hardly the first mass shooter to espouse such heinous views. The Columbine shooters, for example, referred often to 4-20, Hitlers birthday and the day the massacre occurred.

In Buffalo, authorities have said an 18-year-old targeted a grocery store in a Black neighborhood, killing 10 people, because he wanted to prevent Black people from replacing white people. In Charleston, a 21-year-old white supremacist opened fire during Bible study at a historic Black church in 2015, killing nine. In El Paso, the man accused of killing 23 shoppers at a Walmart in 2019 told authorities he targeted Hispanics and reportedly posted a diatribe online railing against immigration. In Pittsburgh, a man is about to go to trial for the 2018 killing of 11 worshipers at a synagogue. His social media history included posts about a conspiracy theory that the Holocaust was a hoax.

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Most recently, in California, a 25-year-old and self-declared incel  an online community of men who call themselves involuntary celibates and express anger against women  was arrested for violent attacks against women. He posted videos online of himself pepper spraying and harassing them.

Perhaps young, lonely men with mental health issues use women and racial minorities as scapegoats for their own marginalization. Perhaps they have found online a validation of feelings they couldnt express in real life without rebuke. Regardless, white supremacy and gender-related hatred represent a danger to America. Long are the days when white supremacists met in dingy basements and wore white robes. With easy access to guns, white supremacy can more easily turn from online rants to real acts of violence.

Much responsibility falls on online platforms where anything goes like 8chan, where authorities say the El Paso shooter posted his manifesto. We cannot let Facebook and mainstream social media platforms off the hook for their failure to prevent misinformation. At the same time, when Facebook and others remove hateful content and those who advance them, they are often accused of censorship, mainly by Republicans. Florida lawmakers passed a law that wouldve fined platforms for removing political candidates but a district judge ruled it is unconstitutional. A similar Texas law, however, was upheld and Gov. Ron DeSantis now wants to take the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Anti-Defamation League has counted 450 murders committed by political extremists in the U.S in the past decade. Most of those crimes were committed by right-wing extremists with nearly half of those by white supremacists. Mass shootings were the main factor behind high murder totals. Another ADL report released this month found Florida has seen a dramatic rise in anti-Semitic incidents  a 50% increase in 2021 compared to the previous year  and hate crimes. Our state leaders have been mum on this issue. Meanwhile, obscure groups like the White Lives Matter network feel emboldened to fly Nazi flags over interstate overpasses and publicly display they nefarious beliefs.

Perhaps we will never fully understand what drives mass shooters to commit such heinous acts of violence. But we would be foolish to ignore the increasing appeal that white supremacy and misogyny have to young men. We must wonder how many of them are on the verge of snapping. It only takes them a visit to a gun store for that to happen.
Father David Sabel

Recently, I have been traveling on a short getaway with my brother and another friend. It came at a perfect time because I was dealing with some pastor-type issues which not only pastors deal with, but even laypeople. Dealing with the public can be challenging when we hear our Lord stated the two great commandments; Love God with your whole heart mind and soul, the second being, love thy neighbor as you would love thyself.

In dealing with these two key commandments, loving God is probably a no brainer unless you have had some unexpected losses of loved ones or unexpected illnesses occur that might cause you to doubt or not love God. These situations may be infrequent.

What about, though, Loving my neighbor? That is a day-in, day-out cross-bearing activity! Even in the short time that I was with my brother, who I love dearly, we still had some negative interactions while on the trip, which influenced my writing this article today. What does it take to love my neighbor?

I got a great visual picture of what it takes to love someone. As I was traveling in Kentucky, I visited the Abbey of Gethsemani, a group of Trappist monks of the Cistercian order, which is in Trappist, Ky.

Think about it, men living together 24 hours a day 365 days out of the year for the remainder of their lives. How do you love that neighbor for your entire life? It is not like you are all related with biological family ties.

As we know even within families, we know that living within families can be difficult. Same scenario, married couples for many years, how do they keep loving the same person for so many years?

Believe it or not, there is a simple answer which I observed when I was down in Kentucky. The beauty of watching and praying together with these Trappist monks was really the answer to living the two great commandments. Through the Grace given by God, in praying and singing the Divine Office, I think these monks have been given the Grace of Understanding, Wisdom, and other Gifts of the Holy Spirit to lovingly exist together.

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Lets face it, no one is perfect in every way. We all have our imperfections. The challenge is to love them even with their foibles! As Jesus said on the cross, Forgive them Lord for they do not know what they are doing!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours is the informative name) is not just for priests, sisters or monks! Lay people can also pray the Divine Office as a part of your daily routine to help you gain Grace to Love your neighbor.

It is just not a Catholic thing. It is scripture and the Catholic church setting up a prayerful experience for any people interested in growing in holiness. Gods Grace through prayer is a tremendous way to Love God with your whole heart mind and soul, the second being, Love thy neighbor as you would love thyself.

Prayer reinforces the understanding that single people, married couples and religious can learn to truly, Love thy neighbor as you would love thyself.There are other possible perks, remember the couple that prays together stays together.

Loving our neighbor is not always an easy task, but Jesus did it. He also has given us the tools to follow His example. Lets all begin the new liturgical year, which is Advent, to try to improve our prayer lives to love even if it may be difficult.

If you are interested on learning about the Divine Office, you can easily find it on your computer under Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours, or contact me at St. Marys Catholic Church in Pontiac. Through prayer, may God guide you and help you Love your Neighbor!

Father David Sabel pastors for the Catholic Diocese of Peoria at Sts. Peter and Paul in Chatsworth, St. Joseph in Chenoa, St. Joseph in Flanagan and St. Mary in Lexington

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pastoral Perspective column by Father David Sabel
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday it was still too soon to speculate who might have been behind the Nord Stream pipeline ruptures.

"In terms of the attack - or the damage to the pipeline, at this point I think there's a lot of speculation. But quite frankly, until a complete investigation is done, no one will be able to really determine for certain what happened," Austin told a news conference in Hawaii.

Austin added that he discussed the incident with his Danish counterpart on Wednesday, "and he pointed out to me that it will be several days before he's able to get the right team in to look at the sites and really try to determine as best possible what happened."

"Until we get further information, or are able to do further analysis, we wont speculate on who may have been responsible," Austin said.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Author provided

Have you ever wondered why the coffee you make at home tastes different from the drinks you buy in cafes? Or why coffee from the same place can taste different throughout the week? You may be quick to blame the barista for changing the recipe, but our recent study, published in Matter, suggests that this variation is down to an inherent inconsistency of common brewing methods.

Luckily, we believe to have discovered a path to making a great espresso  to your taste  every time.

The quality of a cup of coffee depends on the coffees variety and origin, its roast and the water chemistry. The brewing method also plays a critical role in determining the overall flavor. Espresso is certainly the most complicated brewing method because it requires precise measurements. However, espresso also happens to underpin all coffee menus, as it is the basis for lattes and cappuccinos.

To make espresso, hot water is forced through a finely-ground bed of coffee. The barista makes decisions about how much coffee and water to use, and how finely the coffee is ground. The machines water pressure, temperature and brew volume are also crucial when it comes to taste. Together, these parameters control the relative proportion of around 2,000 different chemicals  a delicate balancing act.

Yet, even if the barista does everything perfectly, there remain large variations between espresso shots made following the same recipe. One shot may taste like raspberries and dark chocolate, and the next like motor oil. And while everyone has different flavour preferences, we believe we have derived a procedure to help the barista out, and achieve the flavour profile they intended, every single time.

Mathematics to the rescue

Our research team  which involved a team of mathematicians, chemists, materials scientists and baristas  formulated a mathematical model to simulate the brewing of an espresso in realistic cafe conditions. We used this to make predictions of how much of the solid coffee ultimately ends up dissolved in the cup. This percentage  known as the extraction yield  is the key metric used by the coffee industry to assess different coffee recipes.

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Solving a series of equations, we found that our model accurately predicts extraction yields that we see in real life, except when the coffee is ground very finely. This is because water flow through the espresso bed is quite unpredictable, resulting in sections of the bed becoming clogged. In other words, parts of the coffee are under-extracted (low extraction yield), while others are over-extracted (high extraction yield).

But the objective of a barista isnt just to produce shots that taste great, they also have to be reproducible. Consistency can be monitored by examining the extraction yields of different shots. Contrary to our expectation, we discovered that to make consistently tasty brews, the barista should use less coffee and grind the coffee marginally coarser. By doing so, they are able to achieve very reproducible, high-yielding shots.

The mathematical theory tells us that this is because reducing coffee mass means that the water flows faster through the shallower coffee bed. The coarse grind results in a relatively permeable bed, such that water flow and extraction are uniform and predictable. This method leads to fast, bright, sweet and acidic shots that taste the same each time.

Of course, not everyone will enjoy the same flavour profile  and we account for this by presenting a series of procedures that barista can use to help navigate the various flavours available within their coffee. Complex flavours  a result of tasting a mixture of both over and under-extracted coffee  can still be emulated by running and then mixing two shots with different extractions. More importantly, consumers could also simply select a different roast, that features flavour profiles more suited to their palate.

One of our key findings, however, is that baristas are able to reduce their coffee waste by up to 25% per espresso shot, dramatically increasing their annual profits with no sacrifice in quality. Using our protocol we estimate that, in the US coffee market alone, the total savings would amount to .1 billion in Americas cafes per year.

Whats more, it has been estimated that 60% of wild coffee species are under threat of extinction due to climate change. So ultimately, using less coffee is not only better for making a consistently tasty espresso, it is also better for the environment.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Jamie Foster, University of Portsmouth and Christopher H. Hendon, University of Oregon.

Read more:



The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Genesis (left-right): Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins and Tony Banks

Phil Collins and his Genesis bandmates have sold the rights to their music in a deal reportedly worth $300m (269m).

Concord Music, which has bought the rights, said the sale included Collins' blockbuster solo albums No Jacket Required and ...But Seriously!

While it did not provide a figure, the Wall Street Journal quoted $300m.

That would make it one of the biggest deals of its kind, putting Collins and Genesis behind only Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

Those two rock legends have sold their catalogues in recent deals worth between $400m and $500m. Neil Young also earned $150m by selling a 50% share in his music in 2021.

Stars selling their catalogues has become a major music industry trend in recent years, with artists including Blondie, Shakira, Mark Ronson, Chic, Tina Turner and The Killers also handing over control of their songs in exchange for large lump sums.

For them, the deals provide immediate financial security, while ensuring their music does not fall into complicated litigation after they die.

In return, investors - who range from record labels to hedge funds - make money from all future royalties generated by sales, streams and licensing deals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA

Originally fronted by Peter Gabriel, Genesis were formed in 1969 and became leading lights of the progressive rock scene.

The band survived Gabriel's departure in 1975, with drummer Collins taking over lead vocals and eventually steering the band in a more pop-rock direction alongside Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford.

Concord's deal does not cover contributions from Gabriel and another former member, Steve Hackett, but includes top 10 hits like Invisible Touch, Mama, That's All and Abacab.

Collins' solo catalogue had previously been shopped around for a sum in the region of $200m, according to trade publication Billboard.

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That eventually morphed into a bigger deal that included music by Banks and Rutherford, including Rutherford's side-project Mike + The Mechanics.

Collins' run of hit singles from the 1980s and 90s - including tracks like In Against All Odds, Sussudio and Another Day In Paradise - are likely to be the most attractive element of the deal.

His most popular track on Spotify, 1981's In The Air Tonight, has been played more than 500 million times, while Genesis's most-streamed song, Invisible Touch, has about 170 million plays.

Concord President Bob Valentine said the company would introduce the songs to a new generation of fans.

"In the world we live in today with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, all these things that drive consumption of older music, there are definitely ways for us as a record company to bring some of this music back to life," he told the Wall Street Journal.
Deadline

Terry Bradshaw, a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and one of the co-hosts on Fox NFL Sunday, revealed Sunday on air that he has battled cancer twice in the last year. Bradshaw had an incident during the pregame show last week and addressed them on Sundays episode before the rest of the schedule kicked off. Last week on []
Police on Thursday night shot and arrested a man suspected of shooting two people in Brooklyn, according to the NYPD.

The suspect allegedly shot two males at Kosciuszko St. and Broadway in Bedford-Stuyvesant around 9:32 p.m., Chief of Patrol Jeffrey Maddrey said at a press conference.

Responding officers found the suspect and engaged him in a foot pursuit, Maddrey continued.

One of the officers  a member of the NYPDs Intelligence Unit who had been patrolling in the area  fired two rounds and hit the suspect in the right leg after seeing him grab his waist (and) turn towards them, said the chief.

The suspect tried to enter an apartment on Patchen Ave. near Van Buren St., but the officers were able to apprehended him before he got inside, Maddrey said.

The suspect was arrested, and two men inside the apartment were brought to the 81st Precinct stationhouse as part of the investigation.

The Kosciuszko St. victims were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, Maddrey said.

The suspects weapon was yet to be recovered as of Thursday night, he added.

The Intelligence Unit includes officers assigned to the mayors detail, but the officer who shot the suspect was part of its operations unit, according to the chief.
Given what we know about the ongoing investigations into Donald Trump, a narrow majority of registered voters (51%) now believe he should not be allowed to serve as president again in the future, according to a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll.

Just 35% of voters say Trump should be allowed to serve again. The rest (14%) are unsure.

The survey of 1,566 U.S. adults was conducted from Sept. 23 to 27, immediately after New York state Attorney General Letitia James filed a sweeping lawsuit that accused Trump and three of his children of fraudulently overvaluing his assets by billions of dollars to obtain beneficial financial terms  one of several recent legal setbacks for the former president, who also faces potential charges for election interference in Georgia and for taking highly classified documents to Mar-a-Lago.

Trump at a rally in Wilmington, N.C., Sept. 23. (Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

As such, it may reflect the cumulative effect of Trumps mounting legal woes. Previous Yahoo News/YouGov polls asked whether Trump should be allowed to serve again in various scenarios, such as if he were found guilty of mishandling highly classified documents or if he were found guilty of obstructing the [Justice Departments] investigation.

But this was the first to ask voters to consider whether various ongoing state and federal investigations, taken together, had already revealed enough wrongdoing to disqualify Trump from another term as president (regardless of whether hes ever found guilty).

Most voters say yes.

Thats hardly the strongest position from which to launch a reelection bid  something Trump is preparing to do later this year or early next, by most accounts.

Even so, the new Yahoo News/YouGov poll wasnt all bad news for the former president. Three weeks ago, President Biden held a 6-point lead over Trump (48% to 42%) in a hypothetical head-to-head 2024 rematch  the Democrats largest advantage in months. In the latest survey, Bidens margin has shrunk to 2 percentage points (47% to 45%).

Yet while Trump remains as competitive as ever in a general-election context  where partisanship matters most  the new poll also suggests his standing among Republican voters may be softening somewhat.

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In the immediate aftermath of the FBI raid at Mar-a-Lago on Aug. 8, the GOP appeared to rally around Trump; preference for the former president (54%) over someone else (33%) in a theoretical 2024 primary match-up rose overnight among registered voters who identify as Republicans or Republican-leaning independents (from 48%-39% previously).

A law enforcement officer in front of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 9. (Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images)

But Trumps Mar-a-Lago bump is now gone. In the new Yahoo News/YouGov survey, 2024 primary support for him among Republicans and Republican leaners has fallen by 7 points (to 47%) while support for someone else has risen by 3 (to 36%). Another 17% say theyre not sure.

Fewer than half of Republican voters, in other words, favor the former president for the partys 2024 nomination. When pitted against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his likeliest rival for the nod, Trump does little better, garnering 47% to DeSantiss 34%.

As for the New York state civil lawsuit, its unlikely to change perceptions of Trump all by itself. Just 27% of Americans say they have heard a lot about it, while another 34% say theyve heard some. The rest say theyve heard a little (20%) or none (19%).

Perhaps as a result, fewer Americans think Trump inflated the value of his business assets by billions of dollars (44%) than said three weeks ago that he took highly classified documents with him to Mar-a-Lago (49%). The partisan divide also explains a lot: 83% of 2020 Biden voters and 72% of Democrats believe Trump inflated his business assets by billions of dollars; only 10% of 2020 Trump voters and 12% of Republicans agree.

Similarly, Americans are split  largely along partisan lines  over whether the New York lawsuit is motivated by a genuine desire to hold Trump and his family accountable (41%) or a political bias against Trump and his family (39%).

Trump supporters during a rally with the former president in Youngstown, Ohio, Sept. 17. (Dustin Franz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

That said, more than 6 in 10 (62%) say that if Trump committed business fraud, he should be prosecuted  a number that includes a plurality of Republicans (39%).

Right now, only 44% of Americans say Trump should be charged with a crime given what we know about the ongoing investigations. Another 25% say theyre not sure, while 31% say he should not be charged.

But there is room for James and prosecutors to make their case. In early April, 45% of Americans told Yahoo News and YouGov they thought Trump had committed a serious crime at some point in his life. Today that number is 50%. The share of Americans who think he has never committed a serious crime, meanwhile, has fallen from 30% to 27%.

Whether Trump will ever be convicted is another story. Given what we know today, just 27% of Americans believe the former president will ultimately be found guilty of a crime. More  36%  do not.

_____________

The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,566 U.S. adults interviewed online from Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, 2022. This sample was weighted according to gender, age, race and education based on the American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, as well as 2020 presidential vote (or nonvote) and voter registration status. Respondents were selected from YouGovs opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 2.7%.
(Bloomberg) -- Porsche Automobil Holding SE won the dismissal of lawsuits from hedge funds seeking about 5.4 billion euros ($5.3 billion) in damages they say they incurred during Porsches failed takeover of Volkswagen AG more than a decade ago.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Institutional investors and private shareholders had pursued Porsche for compensation for losses they suffered in the trading of Volkswagen stock. German judges on Friday also rejected related suits against VW from investors who sought 2.3 billion euros from the automaker because they say it failed to warn them about the alleged market manipulation.

The claims cant be granted under no legal aspect whatsoever, Judge Matthias Wiese said in court.

Todays ruling goes back to the tumultuous episode of Porsche trying to buy much larger VW in 2008, only for the plan to falter and Volkswagen turning the tables to take over the sportscar-maker instead. In a move that triggered mayhem among VW investors, Porsche disclosed on Oct. 26, 2008 that it controlled 74.1% of the German carmaking giant, partly through options, and was seeking a takeover -- a plan the sportscar-maker had previously denied.

Porsches communication about its intentions in 2008 werent grossly wrong or grossly misleading enough to allow any claims here, according to the judge. The company had earlier said that it considered acquiring more than 50%, a wording that well left the door open for 75% or more, he said.

For Porsche SE this is an important milestone victory, a company spokesperson said welcoming the decision.

Lead plaintiff lawyer Axel Wegner called the ruling no surprise as the court had positioned itself this way right from the start of these bizarre proceedings. Hes considering an appeal.

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Josef Broich, the lawyer for Elliott International LP, another of the plaintiffs, said his clients were also likely to appeal

The court has shown that it has misunderstood central functions of the capital markets, said Broich.

The Porsche release in October 2008 release prompted short sellers to cover their positions and drove up the price of VW shares, briefly making it the most valuable listed company on the planet. Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsches former chief executive officer, and ex-Chief Financial Officer Holger Haerter were acquitted in 2016 of market-manipulation charges over the failed attempt to swallow VW.

Porsche Automobil Holding SE jumped as much as 5.7% after the ruling.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

Porsche SE (PSE) family holding companys 37% NAV discount to market cap could narrow now that a German court has finally dismissed a 5.4 billion lawsuit against it relating to market manipulation from a failed takeover of VW in 2008, though we wouldnt rule out an appeal to the ruling.

-- Michael Dean, BI automotive analyst

The allegations date to when Porsche sought to acquire VW, a plan that was stymied by the global financial crisis because banks refused to bankroll the audacious foray. To save Porsche from bankruptcy, Volkswagen stepped in, buying the smaller company in stages until 2012 and leaving a publicly-traded holding company, whose main asset is the VW shares that Porsche accumulated.

The Porsche brand returned as a publicly-listed company yesterday in an initial public offering. The sports-car maker ended its trading debut at 82.50 euros on Thursday, settling at the top end of VWs initial range that valued the asset at 75 billion euros

Fridays decision was largely expected given the judges had signaled five years ago they were ready to throw out the suit. The plaintiffs responded by filing more than two dozen claims to have them removed from the case, alleging they were biased. While all of those claims were rejected, resolving them -- combined with Covid pandemic delays -- postponed the ruling until today.

The case is: OLG Celle, 13 Kap 1/16.

(Updates with plaintiff lawyer comment in the seventh paragraph)

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Morality police, also known as Guidance Patrol, have been emboldened in Iran in recent months and years, Ms Begum, who specialises in the Middle East and North Africa, says (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Protests which have erupted across Iran could topple the police force which monitors and arrests women who infringe the Islamic dress code, a prominent global human rights organisation has warned.

Rothna Begum, a senior researcher in the womens rights division at Human Rights Watch, told The Independent Irans morality police could have their powers removed due to the backlash they are facing.

Her comments come after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, was placed in one of the morality polices vehicles before dying in police custody in mid-September.

Ms Amini was detained by the morality police for allegedly infringing Irans stringent rules on hijabs - sparking almost two weeks of protests.

Womens rights are profoundly restricted in Iran and wearing a headscarf is compulsory in public for all women, with those who do not wear a hijab, or have some of their hair on display while wearing a hijab, facing punishments ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Morality police, also known as Guidance Patrol, have been emboldened in Iran in recent months and years, Ms Begum, who specialises in the Middle East and North Africa, said.

The researcher noted women are calling for the abolition of the compulsory hijab in Iran as she warned the protests are challenging the wider pattern of repression.

Ms Begum added: I dont think anyone was expecting these protests to happen. Iran should abolish the morality police and the compulsory hijab laws and repeal all discriminatory laws and policies against women.

Women in Iran have a rich long history of defying repression and demanding their rights.

 While women have campaigned on a range of issues and have protested against a number of discriminatory laws and policies against women including compulsory hijab, with many sentenced to prison terms, this time we are seeing men and women, regular people, taking to the streets and such protests are taking place all around the country.

While Dr Dima Dabbous, of Equality Now, a global non-government organisation which promotes the rights of women and girls, told The Independent the Iranian government is completely oblivious to the wider international community.

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Dr Dabbous added: I fear for women in Iran, these women are on their own inside. Popular support within the country will not save them. In the region, feminist NGOs are very limited in how they operate and the extent to which they can mobilise. They cannot receive funding - that is how they are choked.

The entire feminist movement in the region of the middle east and north Africa is undermined by the authorities branding it as an agent of the west. That is the easiest way to kill them off - to destroy the movement. It is a tactic to downplay and negate the movement - to kill it symbolically. It is a classic excuse to get rid of internal dissent.

It comes after earlier in the week, Mansoureh Mills, a researcher at leading human rights organisation Amnesty International, told The Independent the so-called morality police, set up in 2005, enforces these abusive and discriminatory laws and needs to be scrapped.

She also warned the number of protesters being killed in Iran is higher than state TV figures claim, with the Iranian authorities exhibiting a pattern of distorting the truth to conceal human rights abuses.

Protests in Iran have swept across over 80 cities and towns across Iran - with women waving their hijabs and hurling them in bonfires and chopping off their hair at the forefront of protests.

Over 1,200 protesters are estimated to have been arrested in the largest demonstrations to descend on Irans streets in nearly three years. Crowds have demanded Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is ousted as well as shouting Woman, Life, Freedom!, We dont want the Islamic republic and Death to the dictator.

Ms Amini was arrested by the morality police in the Iranian capital of Tehran on 13 September - collapsing in the wake of being transported to a detention centre before later going on to die in hospital.
We've picked from a patch of pumpkin-themed food, drink and seasonal events that arrived in our inbox recently, just in time for October in advance of Halloween.

You have to admit, pumpkins are a happy-looking squash, even if they're not carved or painted. Orange is everybody's color: pretty much anyone can pull off wearing it, and it fits right in with the hues of fallen leaves, haystacks, scarecrows and bonfires. When cooked, pumpkin smells delicious. And it tastes even better when you add sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, flour, milk and eggs to it.

Growing really big pumpkins is a feat that combines farming with engineering. The largest specimens end up looking more like Jabba the Hut than a jolly round Halloween pumpkin, although often they're carved into fantastical designs.

The 2021 winner of the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In at the Topsfield Fair was Alex Noel of Abington, Connecticut.

In 2021, the heaviest pumpkin measured at the Topsfield Fair weighed in at 2,092 pounds  more than a ton! Grown by Alex Noel of Abington, Connecticut, it was a bit lighter than the 2,294.5-pounder he grew in 2019.

This year's Topsfield Fair takes place at the 207 Boston St. fairgrounds through Oct. 10. The pumpkin weigh-in takes place from 4-10 p.m. Friday but you can still view the pumpkins throughout the fair. More information is at https://www.topsfieldfair.org/.

Here are few other pumpkin-related fun things coming up:

Pumpkin spiced old-fashioned doughnuts

Who can resist a buttermillk old-fashioned doughnut, tossed in your favorite fall-flavored spiced sugar?

At The Donut Stand inside the Vin Bin in Southborough, they have maple sugar glazed doughnuts that are to die for, with an Ackerman's Wood Fire Vermont maple sugar glaze and maple syrup from New Hampshire. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday and Sunday. 154 Turnpike Road (Route 9), Southborough. 508-485-8884

Mike Lombardi applies dulce de leche glaze to old-fashioned chocolate doughnuts as he prepares the morning batch for the Donut Stand inside the Vin Bin cafe in Southborough, July 9, 2021. Lombardi arrives at the shop as early as 2:30 a.m. to make 400-500 doughnuts.

Pumpkin decorating contest

In Hopedale, the Bancroft Memorial Library is hosting its first pumpkin decorating contest.

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Decorate a faux/foam pumpkin at home (no real pumpkins please  they dont keep well inside) and drop it off at the library on 50 Hopedale St. in Hopedale beginning Oct. 11. Vote with a non-perishable food item for your favorite pumpkin from Oct. 12-26. The entry with the most votes wins a prize, so vote early and often.

All food items will be donated to The Daily Bread Food Pantry in Milford. The library will have a limited number of pumpkins to give out while supplies last, but feel free to provide your own in whatever size/color/shape youd like. Good luck and happy decorating!

The Southborough Rotary Club sponsors the town's Pumpkin Stroll each year. This year the event takes place Oct. 9.

Pumpkin stroll

Don your spookiest costume for the Rotary Club of Southborough's annual Pumpkin Stroll, which takes place 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9.

The club will offer cider, cookies and other treats to make the event festive.

As is tradition, the event takes place the night before Southboroughs annual Heritage Day celebration.

Carved or decorated pumpkins should be dropped off from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 9.

Participants are encouraged to find a place to display their carved gourds on the stone wall surrounding the Old Burial Ground on Common Street and Saint Marks Street.

Once again, the Rotary is using the event to collect items for the Southborough Food Pantry. This year, the pantry is asking for contributions of coffee and tea, dish detergent or cooking oil. Drop donations off in the collection box at the Rotarys table in front of the librarys Main Street entrance.

Ryan Deans, 2, of Dorchester, left, and Finley Gaughan, 2, of Milton, check out the goats with their moms, Kate and Zaidee, during the Baby Goat and Lamb Cuddle Party at Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough on May 2, 2021.

The community is invited to walk past the lit display of silly, scary, grotesque, creative, and even beautiful carved gourds.

Pumpkin crafts, Boo in the Barnyard

At Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough, children can dress up and then visit with farm animals on Oct. 30, from 1-2 p.m., 2-3 p.m. or 3-4 p.m.

The Trustees of Reservations will have Halloween activities, including pumpkin, ghost and candy corn crafts, mask-making a special take on trick-or-treating. Pumpkin bowling, themed scavenger hunts, and yard games will also be available. Farm stores will be open with even more treats to take home, and costumes are encouraged.

Bring a bag to collect treats from barnyard friends, participate in a special Halloween craft, find the hidden pumpkins on a pumpkin scavenger hunt, and play pumpkin bowling. Snacks and refreshments available.

Cost is $24 per member carload up to five people, $30 per carload for nonmembers. For more information, visit https://thetrustees.org/event/80474/ or call 508-785-0339.

The Southborough Rotary Club sponsors the town's Pumpkin Stroll each year. This year the event takes place Oct. 9.

Where pumpkins roll: haunted trail

Among a host of Halloween-related events the Hopkinton Center for the Arts is putting on this year  including a scarecrow contest, scavenger hunt, Trunk or Treat and Monster Mash and a fun run and Wee Wicked Walk  its haunted trail sounds the most awesome and a place there are sure to be pumpkins along the way. From 6:30-10 p.m. on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, reserve a time slot to take a walk through the spooky experience. Recommended for ages 12 and up. $20 per person.

It's back! Milford Pumpkin Stroll

Mark your calendar for the Milford Pumpkin Stroll on Oct. 29, rain or shine.

To be held inside Creative Community Childcare, 23 Pine St., all are welcome to come in costume for free tick-or-treating and to view many illuminated jack-'o-lanterns.

Pumpkin carvers are asked to drop off their creations between 4:30-5:30 p.m. Families are invited to dress in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating in the building, where local businesses will hand out treats, so bring a bag.

Three $25 gift cards will be awarded for the scariest, funniest and most creative pumpkins.

The entire evening is free. A collection box for local food pantries will be set up for anyone who wishes to make a donation of a non-perishable food item.

Milfords Pumpkin Stroll is brought to you by Creative Community Childcare and Michael Shain. For more information about Milfords Pumpkin Stroll, contact Shain at mshain@bayeq.com.

Brewing up a patch of pumpkins

Visit any place beer is sold and you'll see folks loading their carts with pumpkin beers, ales and ciders. Framingham's Exhibit 'A' has Cake! that's made with "pastry beer with coffee and pumpkin spice coffee cake."

Sounds more like breakfast but we love it. Check out the list of some other good pumpkin beers at https://tinyurl.com/3bd5ruu3 .

The Southborough Rotary Club sponsors the town's Pumpkin Stroll each year. This year the event takes place Oct. 9.

It's just a Pumpkin Pie Trifle at OSV

Old Sturbridge Village will host "Phantoms by Firelight" on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting Oct. 7 and continuing throughout the month. It sounds like a great time. But what really caught my eye was something on the list of Halloween-themed treats they'll be serving: pumpkin pie trifle.

Made with layers of pumpkin, pie crust and whipped cream, and topped with ginger molasses crumbs, it sounds decadent and spicy. Downeast hard cider (cider doughnut, pumpkin or original) will also be served, another pumpkin plus.

Phantoms by Firelight will explore the myths and folklore of Halloween at OSV, in a dark and eerie light, enhanced by a troupe of performers that include acrobats, conjurers, fire jugglers and more.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $14 for youths; there are discounts if tickets are ordered online before Oct. 1. Visit https://www.osv.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: pumpkin spice doughnuts, trifle, contests, crafts and more for fall
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed treaties of annexation for four regions of eastern and southern Ukraine, escalating a conflict with Kyiv and its Western allies who called the move illegal.

Putin made the announcement in a lavish ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, before a crowd of seated supporters with Russian flags as his backdrop  which a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a Kremlin freak show.

Putin appeared to sign accession treaties for the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine in the Kremlins ornate St. Georges Hall.

This is the will of millions of people, Putin reportedly said in a speech before hundreds of dignitaries. People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever.

The Russian leader, in his speech, repeated veiled threats of Moscows nuclear capability, saying the use of nuclear weapons by the U.S. against Japan during WWII set a precedent.

The ceremony, which British intelligence warned earlier this week would take place in an effort to drum up domestic support, occurred after Russia held hastily-organized referendums in the four areas where its military is present but lacks full security and political control.

Ukrainian forces have succeeded in recent weeks in pushing back Russian forces from some occupied territories.

The four Kremlin-appointed heads of the occupied Ukrainian territories sat at a table across from Putin, and later joined the Russian leader in a group handshake and chant celebrating the accords, despite serious expressions on many of the faces of the leaders and those in attendance.

The referendum results and Putins annexation ceremony were condemned as staged and manufactured elections by the U.S. and allies, and described by the United Nations Secretary General as a moment of peril that violated the organizations charter.

Story continues

Moscow claimed that around 90 percent of individuals in these territories supported joining Russia, despite the vote taking place amid armed conflict and Russia failing to control both militarily and politically the entirety of the territories it is claiming to annex.

Media reports and statements from U.S., the United Nations and other Western countries described voter intimidation over the course of the vote, with armed Russian soldiers at polling stations and, at times, going door-to-door to collect votes.

The United States and its allies have rejected Moscows referendums.

This so-called referenda was a sham  an absolute sham  and the results were manufactured in Moscow, President Biden said at an event with Pacific island leaders on Thursday. And the true will of the Ukrainian people is evident every day as they sacrifice their lives to save their people and maintain the independence of their country and in defense of freedom as well.

Biden vowed to never recognize Russias claims on eastern Ukraine at the event on Thursday, denouncing Putins move as a flagrant violation of the United Nations charter.

I want to be very clear about this: The United States will never, never, never recognize Russias claims on Ukraine sovereign territory, Biden said.

His statement was followed by the departments of State, Treasury and Commerce announcing dozens of sanctions on Russian officials and entities they identified as tied to the referenda and annexation process and support Russias military-industrial complex.

The president announced earlier this week an additional $1.1 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total funds for U.S.-provided weapons to nearly $17 billion.

Congress on Thursday passed a stop-gap government funding bill with $12.3 billion earmarked for assistance for Ukraine.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the aid package sends a resounding message from the American people  we will continue to support the people of Ukraine every step of the way, including those living under repression and illegal occupation in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea.

Still, Putins annexation of the four eastern Ukrainian regions represents a major escalation of Russias seven-month-long war with its neighbor. Putin ratcheted up his rhetoric amid domestic criticism of the drawn out Russian military operation, calling up 300,000 additional troops and making explicit nuclear threats as Ukrainian forces claim to have liberated an estimated 6,000 sq km (2,317 sq miles) in September.

The calling up of reservists has also led to criticisms across Russia, with images of people seeking to cross the countrys borders and reports of violence at recruiting centers.

Russian forces reportedly pounded Ukrainian cities Friday, amid the annexation ceremony, with at least 25 people killed, The Associated Press reported. Missiles, rockets and suicide drones targeted the Ukrainian-controlled cities of Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Odesa.

But The Institute for Study of War, an open-source analysis organization and think tank, reported that Ukrainian forces had made a significant military gain Friday, likely completing the encirclement of the eastern city of Lyman, a strategic foothold in the Luhansk region.

ISW described the move as highly consequential and may allow Ukrainian troops to threaten Russian positions along the western Luhansk Oblast border and in the Severodonetsk-Lysychansk area.

Zelensky remained defiant in an address on Thursday, saying the annexation will not be what the Kremlin hopes for. Zelensky also met with military commanders on Friday to discuss the further liberation of Ukrainian lands from the occupiers, according to a press release.

Updated at 11:01 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The dictator is delusional about negotiations with Ukraine

Putins statement came amid the formally announced annexation of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Putin called on Ukraine to "immediately stop hostilities and return to the negotiating table".

At the same time, the Russian leader stated that Moscow would not discuss the status of four Ukrainian oblasts, the "annexation" of which he had mentioned earlier.

Oddly enough, the dictator's speech comes at a time when the operation to surround the Russian grouping near Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, is "at the stage of completion". The Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken all the approaches to the strategic city under fire control. Taking Lyman will allow Ukraine to advance on the city of Donetsk itself  which has been controlled by the Donetsk puppet authority since 2014.

Read also: Ukraine's stance will not change following Kremlins announcement of sham annexation votes  Zelenskyy

From Sept. 23 to 27, the Russian invaders staged sham "referendums" in the occupied parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts. None of these regions are fully controlled by Russia.

Ukraine and the vast majority of Western countries have declared that the Kremlin-imposed results would not be acknowledged. President VolodymyrZelenskyy also noted that the holding of a vote and an attempt to annex Ukrainian territories would not affect the process of their liberation through the efforts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russian propagandists claimed on Sept. 27 that over or nearly 90% of the population in Ukraines occupied territories had voted for annexation to Russia. Numbers of 98.42% were invented for Luhansk Oblast, 93.11% for Zaporizhzhya Oblast, 87.05% for Kherson Oblast, and 99.23% for Donetsk Oblast.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
"UKRAINSKA PRAVDA"  FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2022, 15:33

Russian president Vladimir Putin has claimed that he wants to stop military action and for "Ukraine to return to the negotiating table".

Source: Putin, during the sham and legally invalid procedure of "Signing the agreements of accession to Russia" on 30 September

Quote: "We are calling upon the Kyiv regime to cease fire immediately, to stop all military action, stop the war it started back in 2014 and return to the negotiating table. We are ready to do this. It has been stated numerous times."

Details: The aggressor countrys president once again referred to the sham referendums that Russia conducted on the territory of Ukraine as "legitimate".

Background:

Dmitry Peskov, the Russian presidents press secretary, claimed on 30 September that Russia was "focusing" on military action because Ukraine had supposedly withdrawn from the negotiating process.

On 28 September, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine must reclaim all of its occupied territories, and only then will it be possible to talk about the end of the war.

Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Presidents Office, is convinced that at the moment there is no point in either negotiations or a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






(Bloomberg) -- Vladimir Putin vowed his annexation of four occupied regions in Ukraine is irreversible, as the Russian president formalized Europes biggest land grab since World War II and accused the West of trying to subjugate his country.

Most Read from Bloomberg

They will become our citizens forever, he told officials in a Kremlin ceremony Friday before he and Moscow-installed leaders signed annexation documents. He demanded Ukraine stop fighting and begin talks, but refused to negotiate about the territories hes absorbing. We will use all means available to us to defend our lands, he said.

The United Nations has denounced the annexation as illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned it, vowing to press ahead with his counteroffensive. Dialog is impossible with this Russian president, he said.

The US added hundreds of Russian officials, including Putins top central banker and energy chief, to its sanctions list. We will rally the international community to both denounce these moves and to hold Russia accountable, President Joe Biden said in a statement, vowing to continue to provide military aid to Ukraine. The European Union also planned new restrictions.

Offensive Struggling

With his troops losing ground to Kyivs attacks, Putin has been struggling to revive his seven-month-old invasion. Hes ordered the mobilization of 300,000 reservists to shore up his battered army, triggering an exodus of Russians trying to avoid being sent to the front.

Putin has brandished the threat of using nuclear weapons to protect Russias sovereignty over the newly acquired territories, drawing warnings of harsh retaliation from the US and its allies.

Story continues

In his speech Friday, Putin didnt mention nuclear weapons specifically with regard to the defense of the annexed areas. But he denounced the US for using them on Japan in 1945. The United States is the only country in history that has used nuclear weapons, he said. Creating, by the way, a precedent.

Before the address, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the talk of nuclear escalation irresponsible and declined to say whether attacks on the annexed territories may meet the standard for using the weapons set out in Russias military doctrine.

Land Grab

Putin is laying claim to about 15% of Ukraines land area, making the move the largest forced annexation in Europe since World War II.

This is comparable to Austria and Belgium combined. Or Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands combined. Or 30% of Germany, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in a statement. Russia tries to rewrite the map of Europe.

Russia Forcing Ukraine Workers Into Rosatom After Nuclear Theft

Peskov said Putin has no plans to visit the annexed zones at present, Tass reported.

The Russian leader devoted much of the 37-minute address to reiterating his denunciations of the US and its allies for allegedly trying to turn Russia into a colony.  Lashing out at what he described as the pure satanism of Western liberal values, he said Russia has its own views on the issues of gender and family.

The signing ceremony ended with a smiling Putin holding hands with the four regions Kremlin-installed chiefs as he joined in chants of Russia in the hall. Later, he took the stage at a celebration concert authorities held on Red Square, saying, Victory will be ours!

Russian officials are moving quickly to try to formalize their grip on the occupied areas, promising to issue passports and to appoint senators representing the regions in the upper house of parliament.

In an apparent sign of the hastiness of the latest moves, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said he wasnt immediately able to say whether Russia will be annexing all of the territory of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions or just the areas held by its troops. He said the agreements Friday will cover the full areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, though Ukraine still controls parts of those.

Kyivs allies in the US and Europe have vowed to continue billions of dollars in financial and military aid to support Ukraines drive to oust Russian forces. Ukrainian troops closed in on Lyman on Friday, a key transport hub in the Donetsk region, with some analysts suggesting a large number of Moscows forces are at risk of being surrounded in the area.

Russia has also stepped up threats to European energy supplies in an effort to sap support there for Ukraine. State gas giant Gazprom warned it may shut off the last pipeline carrying its gas to clients in western Europe, while leaks discovered in the Nord Stream links under the Baltic Sea have raised suspicions of sabotage and fears of attacks on other infrastructure.

Putin blamed Anglo-Saxons for sabotage of the pipelines, without citing any evidence. The US rejected the allegation as absurd.

A Russian missile strike killed at least 25 civilians near Zaporizhzhia early Friday, Ukrainian officials said. The city is one that Russia has included in the territory it claims to have annexed, although its forces have never reached it. The victims had been lining up in a convoy to travel toward the Russian-occupied zone to evacuate relatives, Ukraine said.

(Updates with Biden quote from fourth paragraph)

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Russian President Vladimir Putin used a speech in Moscow on Friday to falsely proclaim four Ukrainian regions were now part of the Russian Federation, a move that comes amid Moscow's growing battlefield setbacks in its war in Ukraine and a decision to call up tens of thousands of reservists.

Putin claimed the illegal annexations were "the will of millions of people" to huge applause during a signing ceremony in the Kremlin's St. George's Hall despite widespread reports of voter coercion and people being pressured at gunpoint.

The illegal occupation could potentially raise the stakes of Russia's seven-month-old war in Ukraine because Putin vowed to defend the annexed territories with "all available means," a veiled reference to his insistence he would be prepared to use nuclear weapons if Russia's territory is threatened.

Russia is incorporating the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson areas of Ukraine  representing roughly 15% of Ukraine's territory  following widely discredited referenda that mirrored a similar move to annex Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014.

During his wide-ranging address Putin called on Ukraine to negotiate over the war Russia started and restated a laundry list of complaints against the West, such as that it "doesn't want us to be a free society" and it wants Russia to be a "colony." His address was full of historical inaccuracies about the fall of the Soviet Union. Putin also accused the U.S. and Britain of sabotaging Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

Other developments:

 The U.S. imposed broad new sanctions on Russia in response, with President Joe Biden saying that Putin's action lack legitimacy. "We will continue to support Ukraines efforts to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically," the U.S. leader said in a statement.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he has asked NATO to fast-track the country's membership application to the military alliance.

Story continues

To celebrate the incorporation, which Ukraine and U.S. officials have called illegal and illegitimate, an evening concert in Moscow's Red Square is also expected.

Overnight, Ukraine's prosecutor's office said at least 25 people were killed after a Russian missile hit a convoy of civilian vehicles in Zaporizhzhia attempting to deliver humanitarian aid.

Western nations, including Canada, also imposed new sanctions on Russian oligarchs, financial elites and Russian-installed officials in occupied areas of Ukraine.

Biden calls Russia's referendum 'a sham' as it preps to annex parts of Ukraine

White House: Referendums in Ukraine pre-staged and falsified

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan characterized Russias illegal annexation of sections of Ukraine as a flagrant violation of international law and part of Vladimir Putins playbook of deceit, disinformation and aggression.

"Based on our information, every aspect of this process was pre-staged and falsified, Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Friday.

Earlier Friday, Putin falsely proclaimed four Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine were now part of the Russian Federation following forced elections in those provinces last week. Putin vowed to defend the annexed territories with all available means  a veiled reference to nuclear weapons  and accused the West of Satanism.

Sullivan said Putin's threats and "saber-rattling" in Ukraine pose a risk but that there's no indication of the "imminent use of nuclear weapons."

Putins reference to Satanism amounts to over-the-top rhetoric and ranting and further illustrates that he has no basis to justify what was essentially a colonial and imperial land grab in Ukraine, Sullivan said.

Rather than fill in any kind of logic or moral defense of what he has done, he has to resort to these kinds of absurd arguments, Sullivan said.

 Michael Collins and Joey Garrison

Watc: Mr. Putin, dont misunderstand what Im saying: US will protect NATO domain, Biden says

Biden calls pipeline leaks deliberate act of sabotage

President Joe Biden said Friday that leaks in a pair of natural gas pipelines between Russia and Europe were caused by a deliberate act of sabotage.

The U.S. and its NATO allies are working to find out exactly what happened to the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, Biden told reporters at the White House.

Two underwater explosions were recorded in the Baltic Sea shortly before the leaks were found on Monday. European officials also said the explosions appear to be the result of a deliberate act, although it remains unclear who was responsible for the leaks.

Biden said the Russians are pumping out disinformation and lies about the leaks, an apparent reference to Putin accusing the U.S. and its allies of blowing up the lines.

Biden said the U.S. already has begun to help its allies protect the critical infrastructure. At the appropriate moment, when things calm down, were going to be sending divers down to find out exactly what happened, he said.

We dont know that yet, exactly, Biden said. But, just dont listen to what Putin is saying. Because what hes saying, we know is not true.

 Michael Collins

Red spray paint is seen spread across the walls on the Russian Consulate after it was vandalized on September 30, 2022 in New York City.

U.S. imposes new sanctions

The Biden administration sanctioned 278 Russian legislators, 14 individuals closely associated with Vladimir Putins military on Friday following Putin's declaration that he's announcing four regions in Ukraine.

Sanctioned individuals included two international suppliers, three key leaders in Russia's financial architecture and immediate family members of Russian senior officials, U.S. officials said.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the sanctions are part of an aggressive and coordinated effort to hold Putin and his enablers accountable for his unprovoked invasion, and limit their ability to prop up their economy.

The Department of Commerce also said it would punish 57 entities in violation of U.S. export controls, and the State Department put visa restrictions on Ochur-Suge Mongush, a Russian national accused of torturing a Ukrainian prisoner of war.

State also said that it was taking steps to impose restrictions on a total of 910 individuals including members of Russias military, Belarusian military officials and Russian proxies in Ukraine.

 Francesca Chambers

A man walks past a damaged building after a Russian attack in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022.

Biden on Putin: He doesnt intimidate us

President Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin on Friday that the U.S. and its allies will not be intimidated by the Russian leaders reckless words and threats.

Hes not going to scare us, and he doesnt intimidate us, Biden told reporters at the White House.

Bidens remarks came just hours after Putin falsely proclaimed four Ukrainian regions were now part of the Russian Federation and vowed to defend the annexed territories with all available means. Earlier, Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons if Russias territory is threatened.

Directing his remarks directly to Putin, Biden said the world would never accept Russias annexation of Ukrainian provinces and that the U.S. and its allies are prepared to defend every single inch of NATO territory.

Mr. Putin, dont misunderstand what Im saying: Every inch, Biden said.

 Michael Collins

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen as he addresses a rally and a concert marking the annexation of four regions of Ukraine Russian troops occupy - Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, in central Moscow on September 30, 2022.

Menendez: Putin getting desperate

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez said Friday that the U.S. will not recognize Russian authority over Ukrainian territory.

We will demand accountability for the atrocities in places under Russian illegal occupation like Bucha and Izyum. And we will never entertain Putins delusional attempts to rewrite the map of Europe, Menendez, D-N.J., said in a statement.

Menendez reiterated Putin's attempt to fold parts of Ukraine into Russia over losses on the battlefield were pushing the leader to take riskier and desperate measures.

Congress was on the verge of approving legislation that includes an additional $12.4 million in Ukrainian aid, and Menendez pledged the support would continue.

- Francesca Chambers

Ukraine asks for fast-track NATO application

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a video statement Friday shortly after President Vladimir Putin proclamation urging NATO to fast-track the country's membership application to the military alliance.

We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraines application for accelerated accession to NATO, Zelenskyy said in comments that were also published on the social media app Telegram.

Ukraine was granted NATO "aspirant" status in March, a month after Russia invaded Ukraine. All 30 NATO-member countries would have to agree for Ukraine to join the alliance and normally this is a process that takes years to complete.

In a news conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sidestepped a question from a reporter about whether now was the time to admit Ukraine to NATO, saying only that "consensus" from existing members was needed for that to happen.

-Kim Hjelmgaard

Annexation follows widely discredited referendums

Ukraine and Western officials have characterized the move as little more than a land grab and desperate tactic by Putin to disguise growing battlefield losses to Ukraine.

Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Only a handful of countries, such as North Korea and Syria, have recognized that annexation.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduced legislation on Thursday that would prohibit countries that recognize Russia's annexation of the four new regions from receiving economic or military assistance from the United States.

The bipartisan pair is also pushing for passage of legislation that would designate Russia a state sponsor of terror for over its actions in Ukraine. Just four countries -- North Korea, Syria, Cuba and Iran -- have the designation.

 Francesca Chambers and Kim Hjelmgaard

Russia calls in its reservists

Ever since Putin on Sept. 21 announced a call-up of reservists to fight in Ukraine, tens of thousands of men have fled Russia for neighboring countries such as Georgia, Kazakhstan and even Mongolia, where they have visa-free access.

Some Russian media have claimed the mobilization could allow up 1 million people to be conscripted, though the Kremlin denies this and Russia's defense ministry says the true figure is closer to 300,000. Some European countries such as Germany and Finland have taken steps to restrict entry for Russian citizens, citing concerns that not everyone leaving Russia is doing so because they oppose Putin's regime.

Military analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, believe Putin was forced to go ahead with the mobilization because of Russian battlefield losses to Ukraine at a time when Russia is running out of deployable troops. CSIS estimates that out of an initial invasion force of 190,000 Russian troops, the Russian army has sustained about 80,000 casualties.

 Kim Hjelmgaard

People make preparations for a concert at the Red Square, with constructions reading the words ''Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Russia'' and the St. Basil's Cathedral and Lenin Mausoleum on the background, in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of the four regions of Ukraine that held a referendum on joining Russia will attend a ceremony to sign documents on the regions' incorporation into Russia, which will be followed by a big concert on Red Square.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Putin annexes areas of Ukraine, sparking new U.S. sanctions
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday vowed to defend Russia's "homeland and values" in a defiant speech from the Kremlin in which he announced Russia was annexing four regions from Ukraine and said the West feared Russian culture.

Presenting a long list of grievances against the West, Putin accused the United States and its allies of waging a "hybrid war" against Russia and the separatist administrations it backed in eastern Ukraine.

He said the West had broken its promises to Russia and had no moral right to talk about democracy, and that the countries of the West were acting as the imperialist states that they had "always been".

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
ILYA PITALEV

Moscow celebrated the annexation of huge swathes of Eastern Ukraine Friday but President Vladimir Putins party was wrecked by a lightning counter-attack that may have trapped thousands of his men in a key city supposedly now part of Russia.

This is the will of millions of people, Putin said at a glitzy ceremony in front of high-ranking Russian diplomats still in the country. People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever.

But as he gloated, Ukrainian sources claimed that the strategic city of Lyman, which has served as a Russian military hub in Donetsk, has been encircled and supply lines cut. Lyman! The operation to encircle the Russian group is at the stage of completion, said Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko on Friday. The claim could not be independently verified but, if confirmed, it would be one of the most serious Russian military losses of the war so far.

Pro-Kremlin forces have conceded that the Ukrainians have made major gains in the region and are close to cutting off the Russian staging post in northern Donetsk, which has been under Russian control since July. An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky tweeted that Russian forces would have to ask for an exit from Lyman if they want to surrender, adding, Only if, of course, those in the Kremlin are concerned for their soldiers.

Top Diplomat Warns Russian Army of Trojan Horsemen Hides Among Us

Ukraine said earlier in the week they had made deep gains in the stronghold region and were close to taking back the territorydespite Putins claims that the region now belonged to an enlarged Russia.

Speaking after Putins formally announced that four enclaves partially controlled by Russia would be subsumed into the country against all international law, Zelensky vowed to win them back.

The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemythe enemy not only of Ukraine, but also of life itself, humanity, law and truth, he said.

Story continues

The latest military humiliation for Moscow will continue to raise speculation that Putin could decide to lash out in new, more brutal ways.

Russian state television political editor Maxim Yusin warned that Putin intended to push the button on a nuclear attack in the coming days or weeks, adding that people should have fun because it would be a shame to live out the remaining time with pessimism.

Military analysts say the recapture of Lyman could bolster morale and push the Ukrainian military to move to Luhansk province, which is the heart of the industrial region of the Donbas. Putin planned to annex Donbas after the bogus ballot referendum, which Western intelligence sources say was mostly held at gunpoint.

Draft Dodgers Slam Putins War After Finally Escaping Russia

Ukraines military outlined a large-scale counter attack. If Lyman falls, our forces can cut the main supply corridor to Russian troops in Severodonetsk and Lysychansk [in Luhansk], Ukraines military General Staff said on Telegram.

The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the gains came at the same time as a monumental supply issue for the Russians. Medical provision for Russian combat troops in Ukraine is probably growing worse, the MoD said Friday in its weekly war assessment bulletin. Some newly mobilized Russian reservists have been ordered to source their own combat first aid supplies, with the advice that female sanitary products are a cost-effective solution.

Among the other issues appears to be theft, with some new soldiers using zip ties to secure tourniquet supplies, rather than the standard Velcro attachments, which make them easier to steal. This is almost certain to hamper or render impossible the timely application of tourniquet care in the case of catastrophic bleeding on the battlefield, the MoD statement claims. Russian troops lack of confidence in sufficient medical provision is almost certainly contributing to a declining state of morale and a lack of willingness to undertake offensive operations in many units in Ukraine.

The British military also suggests that more Russians have escaped across the border than actually fought in the war so far after a mandatory draft was instated. The better off and well educated are over-represented among those attempting to leave Russia, they said. When combined with those reservists who are being mobilized, the domestic economic impact of reduced availability of labor and the acceleration of brain drain is likely to become increasingly significant.

Meanwhile in Moscow, plans for an annexation ceremony continue for Friday.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen set at Red Square as he addresses a rally and a concert marking the annexation of four regions of Ukraine Russian troops occupy - Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, in central Moscow on September 30, 2022. ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images

Putin's annexation of four regions of Ukraine raises the risk of a nuclear weapon being used in the long-term, experts warn.

"Russia is committing to an escalation," one Russia expert told Insider.

Putin sees this moment as one of "civilizational conflict with the West," a former senior intelligence officer told Insider.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions into Russia on Friday in a bombastic speech filled with anti-Western rhetoric, nuclear threats, and historical revisionism. He also warned that Russia "will defend our land with all the powers and means at our disposal."

Russia watchers and military experts told Insider that these aggressive moves and statements show Putin is "losing" in Ukraine and wants the US and its NATO allies to "back off." They warn that Putin has effectively eliminated the possibility of negotiations and stressed that these annexations raise the risk of nuclear weapons being used in the long-term.

Putin sees this moment as one of "civilizational conflict with the West," and he made this clear in his speech, Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a former senior intelligence officer who led strategic analysis on Russia for the National Intelligence Council from 2015 to 2018, told Insider.

The Russian president is "raising the stakes in so many different ways," said Kendall-Taylor, now the director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.

During his speech, Putin said that use of nuclear weaponry by the US against Japan during World War II set a "precedent."

That Putin went out of his way to make such a point is "extremely unnerving," Kendall-Taylor said, adding that it almost seems as if the Russian leader is "talking himself into it and looking for ways to justify his potential use of a nuclear weapon if he needs to do so at a later date."

The risks of Putin employing a nuclear weapon in the immediate future are "still low," she said, but she emphasized that the annexation "increased those risks."

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"I do worry now that as the Ukrainians reclaim territory that Russia has now annexed and that [Putin] claims as Russian, given that he now is so personally invested in this, that the risk of his use of a tactical nuke on the battlefield in Ukraine has gone up," Kendall-Taylor said.

'Committing to an escalation'

The Moscow-appointed heads of Kherson region Vladimir Saldo and Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donetsk separatist leader Denis Pushilin and Lugansk separatist leader Leonid Pasechnik join hands after signing treaties formally annexing four regions of Ukraine Russian troops occupy, at the Kremlin in Moscow on September 30, 2022. GRIGORY SYSOYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

"Russia is committing to an escalation," Cynthia Hooper, a history professor and Russia expert at the College of the Holy Cross, told Insider.

Putin is using the illegal annexations of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts to reframe the war for Russian citizens, Hooper said, adding that "now he and his advisors can tell a story, going forward, of how the Kremlin wants peace but Ukraine and its US supporters are insisting on war and attacking Mother Russia."

"This is scary. It is a false narrative, constructed by a person who absolutely knows his actions will prompt further conflict. It is a strategy designed in expectation of military escalation," Hooper said.

The pressing issue for Putin at the moment is that he's "been losing," Jeffrey Edmonds, a CNA Russia expert and former CIA military analyst, told Insider, and the "annexation, the mobilization  these are all measures he's trying to take to fix the problem."

The Ukraine war has been disastrous for the Russian military so far. Strategically, military experts say that Russia has essentially already been defeated. Putin launched the war with the goal of subjugating the whole of Ukraine. But Russia failed to take Kyiv and was effectively forced to turn its attention to the eastern Donbas region  a far less ambitious objective.

Russian forces are estimated to have suffered as many as 80,000 casualties, if not more, since the war began, and they've struggled with myriad equipment issues.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has in recent weeks managed to recapture a significant chunk of territory as part of a blistering counteroffensive. These losses are widely believed to be the reason behind Putin's decision last week to announced a military mobilization plan, calling up tens of thousands of reservists to help address Russia's manpower problems. There have been a number of signs that the mobilization is highly unpopular, with thousands of Russian men fleeing the country amid nationwide protests and even instances of violence.

Putin realizes that Russia is "really on a negative trajectory at this point," Edmonds said. "The counteroffensive and the fact that he wasn't able to take these territories like he thought, that was a big turning point for him and the Russian population in which he really felt like he needs to escalate  or at least rhetorically escalate and warn of nuclear weapons."

Putin knows the US and NATO do not want to go to war with Russia and is trying to send a message that if they keep providing Ukraine with weapons and security assistance, then that's "exactly what we'll have, with all the nuclear trappings that go with it," Edmonds said, "That's really where the rhetoric comes from. He's always used nuclear rhetoric, but it it is picking up."

Indeed, the mobilization and annexations come at a desperate moment for Putin. In formally annexing the four Ukrainian regions  a move that came after referendums decried as a sham by leaders across the globe  Putin is vying to hold on to what little progress Russian forces have made. But as Ukraine's counteroffensive continues, Russia may find it difficult to hold on to the territory it now claims as its own and vows to defend.

Putin announced the annexations "even as Ukrainian forces encircled Russian troops in the key city of Lyman, Luhansk Oblast, immediately demonstrating that Russia will struggle to hold the territory it claims to have annexed," according to a Friday report from the Institute for the Study of War, which has provided timely battlefield updates on the Ukraine conflict. "Putin likely intends annexation to freeze the war along the current frontlines and allow time for Russian mobilization to reconstitute Russian forces," the report added.

'There's not a negotiated settlement to this'

A Ukrainian serviceman shoots at a Russian drone with an assault rifle from a trench at the front line east of Kharkiv, March 31, 2022. FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

The annexation of Ukraine's territory, which came eight years after Russia annexed Crimea, also greatly diminishes the possibility of any negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

"The ceremony today was presented, on Russian television and to a domestic Russian audience, as a Russian victory. Putin said himself that now that these four regions have been, in his words, reunited with Russia, he is prepared to negotiate for peace  but then in the same breath, he added that any peace deal would have to respect these new territorial acquisitions and that their status was not up for future negotiation," Hooper said.

Ukraine has been clear that it will not accept any peace deal that involves ceding territory to Russia.

"Russia has been and remains an aggressor illegally occupying parts of Ukrainian land. Ukraine has every right to liberate its territories and will keep liberating them whatever Russia has to say," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet earlier this month.

Along these lines, analysts say that Putin has helped ensure that the Ukraine war won't end any time soon. The annexations solidify for "the Ukrainians that they have to defeat the Russians in Ukraine," Edmonds said, "There's not a negotiated settlement to this."

"I don't think there's room for negotiation for quite some time because the Ukrainians have been winning and the Russians just demand Ukrainian surrender. Why would you surrender when you're winning?" Edmonds added.

And if Russia continues to lose ground, particularly in territories in now claims as its own yet does not fully occupy, this could reduce the threshold for further escalation and possibly even the use of a nuclear weapon.

"In some ways the mobilization itself lowered the probability of nuclear use in the near-term," Edmonds said, explaining that Putin announced the draft to help address the issues Russian forces have been facing and that he wants to see how it all plays out.

"Now, let's say in some scenario, it doesn't fix the problem. The Russian military collapses over the winter, and he starts losing big  then I think the chances for non-strategic nuclear use go up. But I think right now he's really trying to step up the rhetoric to get the US and NATO to back off," Edmonds added.

Similarly, Kendall-Taylor said that the "unfortunate reality" is that the better the Ukrainians do on the battlefield, the higher the risk of Russia using a tactical nuclear weapon. "The stakes are higher for Putin," Kendall-Taylor said, because mobilization and annexation were "quite clearly his decisions."

Putin will give mobilization a "little bit of time to play out and to see how effective it can be in turning the tide, or at least stemming Ukrainian advances," Kendall-Taylor said, but the use of a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine is "directly tied to Russia's fate on the battlefield."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sarah Al-Khayyal, Liliana Bakhtiari, and Kris Brown

Atlanta City Council member Liliana Bakhtiari, the first queer Muslim to hold elected office in Georgia, has come out as nonmonogamous.

Bakhtiari, a lifelong Atlantan born to immigrant parents, is the second Iranian-American on the council and one of just a handful of nonbinary elected officials or out queer Muslim officials nationwide. They are not only the first nonbinary person on the Atlanta council but the first on any governing body of a major U.S. city.

The councilmember has been with their partner Kris Brown for 10 years and recently spoke exclusively to NBC News about their relationship with Sarah Al-Khayyal.

Bakhtiari said they chose to come out because they wanted to start a family together.

They said that stories like this tend to be scandalous. But were openly showing it and proud of it, Bakhtiari, 34, told the outlet in a video interview with the outlet. Brown and Al-Khayyal sat on either side of them. It should be destigmatized. Its a very valid familial structure that people should embrace.

Due to their previous work in International crisis relief, the travel made short connections with people easier, Bakhtiari said. They met Brown in 2012 at a bar. Bakhtiari said they were open to Brown about their preference to being nonmonogamous from the start.

I was like, Thats cool with me, Brown told NBC News. It was the first time that I had been with anyone who didnt want to be monogamous. For me, it was kind of a relief as well to be like, OK, I dont have to be this persons everything all the time. I can be as much of their life as works for us, and we can have this fluidity, and I really liked the feeling of that.

When people would find out that they were nonmonogamous, Bakhtiari said that they would act as if someone destroyed a fairytale for them. Those situations, they explained, made them feel like a bad partner, making them feel that Kris was only doing this for me, that I was keeping them home while I went out to have my cake and eat it, too  all of these things that were very untrue.

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This is the sort of thing that a political opponent or someone who has some ax to grind might pick up on and twist around and turn into something negative, Brown said. We want to claim it upfront, and say this is the best thing about our life.

Bakhtiari met Al-Khayyal in a virtual support group for nonmonogamous people in 2020.

Al-Khayyal told NBC News that nonmonogamy isnt only a queer thing: Straight people can also practice nonmonogamy. She said that its a part of this greater unlearning and deprogramming of societal conditioning.

Nonmonogamy for me doesnt have to be having multiple partners, Al-Khayyal said. Its also breaking down the platonic-romantic binary and being able to have these relationships that kind of exist in that gray area.

A month after Bakhtiari and Al-Khayyal began dating, the three started dating. Due to concerns for their professional careers, the three only told their family and friends.

Theres absolutely some sacrifices you have to make being with someone whos in politics, Al-Khayyal explained. But they were clear that there would be a day where we could be out, and that was also important for me. I didnt want to be in a relationship where I was always going to have to be essentially in the closet.

The three say their relationship has been difficult to keep hidden, but hope that their story can help show what nontraditional families can look like.

Theres an opportunity for us to kind of shed light on that, and be like, Hey, there are nontraditional families out there, Brown shared. Were going to grow our family, and we want those kids to also be able to navigate the world how they want to navigate the world.

NBC News reports that Bakhtiari may be the first elected person in the U.S. to come out as part of a nonmonogamous relationship according to the Victory Institute, a group that supports LGBTQ+ political candidates.

Bakhtiari said they know coming out may affect their political career.

If people dont want to re-elect me because Im in love with two wonderful people and in a happy and healthy relationship that is possibly the greatest thing thats ever happened to me, then Im good.
A long-lost episode of Tony Hancocks 1950s radio show, Hancocks Half Hour, has been found and restored and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 next month.

The penultimate episode from the shows first radio series features the actor and comedian Peter Sellers  who was standing in for Hancocks regular collaborator Kenneth Williams.

The episode, named The Marriage Bureau aired just once, on 8 February 1955, attracting an audience of 6.22 million listeners, according to the British Comedy Guide.

The news was announced by the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society on Twitter, who wrote: Were absolutely thrilled that a lost episode of Hancocks Half Hour has been found, restored, and will be broadcast on Radio 4 on 18 October.

The Marriage Bureau was never repeated and has not been heard since 1955. Only episode to feature Peter Sellers, they continued.

Sellers plays the parts given in the scripts to Kenneth Williams who couldnt make it that week. How did he play them? Tune in to find out! This is a brilliant find!

English actor and comedian Tony Hancock circa 1965 (Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The society added that a documentary about finding the lost episode, called Raiders of the Lost Archive, will be broadcast on Radio 4 on 13 and 17 October.

Hancock took his own life in Australia on 25 June 1968, in a rented apartment in Sydney, aged 44.

Hancock's Half Hour was first broadcast on radio in 1954, then on television from 1956, drawing an audience of millions every week.

Hancock played an unsuccessful music hall performer and minor stage personality, frequently ripped-off by Cockney conman Sid James and beset by the idiocies of an array of supporting characters, all voiced by Williams.
Sep. 30The American Red Cross opened a shelter at 2900 Albany St. in Brunswick on Wednesday for residents seeking a safe place to stay as Hurricane Ian passed the coast.

In Camden County, a shelter is open in Kingsland at the recreation center, 1050 Wildcat Drive.

In Brunswick, Red Cross volunteers are staffing the shelter, which has a 75-person capacity.

Around 30 people were there early Thursday afternoon when winds and light rain arrived in Glynn County as the storm made its way across Florida.

Shelter organizers have asked citizens to come to the shelter if they are in need of a safer place to stay or have a compromised living situation during the storm.

Space in the shelter is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will not be available after the storm passes.

Anybody who needs shelter is welcome, said Jim Ball, a Red Cross volunteer working at the Brunswick site.

"Just come on in," he said. "They don't need anything. All we ask them is their name and a few minor, non-specific questions. But if they need shelter and food, water, we have that."

The shelter will be open 24 hours a day.

Staff from the local health department and the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) were also onsite Thursday to aid those at the shelter.

The community has been supportive since the Red Cross arrived Wednesday, said volunteer Jamie Hicks, who drove down from Athens. Other volunteers are from Albany and Cordele.

Fox's Pizza donated pizzas. The Salvation Army also supplied meals.

The decision on when to close the shelter will be made as the storm's impact on Glynn County becomes more clear, Ball said.
(Bloomberg) -- Two Republican lawmakers asked the State Department to save documents linked to what they called the detention of more than a dozen US diplomats in Chinese Covid-19 quarantine over concern that China may have pressured them to surrender intelligence.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Chinas confinement of diplomats raises grave national security concerns, Representatives James Comer and Michael McCaul said in a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken obtained by Bloomberg News.

We must ensure the protection of all Americans abroad -- especially those who have access to classified information -- and put an end to the undignified detainment of US diplomats, they said.

Citing correspondence provided by whistleblowers as well as reporting in the Washington Post, the two lawmakers said China engaged in a sustained campaign to deprive US diplomats of their liberties under the guise of Covid-19 containment. They said the US Embassy had confirmed that 16 diplomats and their family members were involuntarily held.

Committee Republicans are concerned that U.S diplomats could be, or have been, pressured to surrender intelligence while detained, they said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called any accusation that diplomats were pressured to hand over intelligence groundless and preposterous.

U.S. Seeks to Assure Diplomats Returning to Beijing After Uproar

At the height of the pandemic in June 2020, US diplomats moving to China raised concern that the Chinese government would control their Covid testing -- possibly gaining access to DNA samples -- and that family members might be separated. Diplomats traded stories on social media that colleagues had been detained in a Chinese quarantine hotel for more than two weeks.

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The State Department later worked out agreements with China intended to minimize separations and make sure testing was anonymous.

McCaul is the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Comer has the same role on the chambers oversight committee. The two will become chairpersons of those committees if Republicans win control of the House in November, and the letter suggests they may make a priority of investigating the detentions.

Congress needs more transparency from the State Department about Covid restrictions placed on our diplomats in China, McCaul said in a separate statement.

(Updates with comment from Chinas Foreign Ministry.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Whilst it may not be a huge deal, we thought it was good to see that the CVS Group plc (LON:CVSG) Independent Non-Executive Chairman, Richard Connell, recently bought UK73k worth of stock, for UK16.18 per share. Although the purchase is not a big one, increasing their shareholding by only 2.7%, it can be interpreted as a good sign.

Check out our latest analysis for CVS Group

CVS Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Non-Executive Director David Wilton for UK94k worth of shares, at about UK17.12 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being UK16.50). It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price.

CVS Group insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. The average buy price was around UK19.25. I'd consider this a positive as it suggests insiders see value at around the current price. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Does CVS Group Boast High Insider Ownership?

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. From looking at our data, insiders own UK3.6m worth of CVS Group stock, about 0.3% of the company. I generally like to see higher levels of ownership.

Story continues

So What Do The CVS Group Insider Transactions Indicate?

The recent insider purchase is heartening. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. We would certainly prefer see higher levels of insider ownership but analysis of the insider transactions suggests that CVS Group insiders are expecting a bright future. Therefore, you should definitely take a look at this FREE report showing analyst forecasts for CVS Group.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.

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A 150-mile journey down the Neuse River scheduled to end in New Bern next month will highlight both the waterway's beauty and the perils it faces from climate change and industrial pollution.

Sound Rivers Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop joined Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Jill Howell and Oregons Rogue Riverkeeper Emily Bowes on September 28 as they set out from the Smithfield Town Commons boat launch on the Neuse River Rising paddle. The 11-day kayak trip down the river will wind through Goldsboro and Kinston before reaching its final stop in New Bern at noon on October 8.

According to Krop, the trip, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act, was planned as an opportunity to highlight not only the recreational accessibility of the Neuse River but its ongoing problems as well.

The promise of the Clean Water Act was to deliver fishable, swimmable, drinkable water for all Americans and we obviously have a long way to go to achieve that promise, Krop said. There are folks right here in North Carolina that dont have access to those clean waterways.

Though the Clean Water Act has been a game changer in fighting water pollution, Krop said there was still work to be done.

Even though we have regulations on pollution we still have a nutrient-sensitive waterway," she explained. "The Neuse suffers from excess levels of nitrogen, from runoff coming from underregulated and sometimes unregulated factory farms and from old sewer infrastructure that needs updating."

Krop added, Sound Rivers does sampling for bacteria E. coli all up and down the river and we consistently have locations that are well above the federal limit for how much E. coli can be in safe waterways.

More:The Neuse has a new Riverkeeper, and an advocate for change

The riverkeepers mapped out the paddle over the past month, planning where to camp, how much food and water to bring, and selecting which issues to highlight on a journey that will cover more than half the entire length of the Neuse River.

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Krop said in the Goldsboro area the waterkeepers will be highlighting Duke Energy and the coal ash spill of 2021 as well issues with residential developments, sediment and erosion. In the Kinston area, they will talk about issues such as factory farming, chemical runoff and waste lagoons that are affecting water quality in the Neuses lower watershed.

Keeping an eye on Hurricane Ian

Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop

According to Krop, the trip will be an interesting balance of all the beautiful parts and the recreation opportunities and also all the threats that are ongoing as well.

Krop said she was particularly looking forward to the first leg of the trip, from Smithfield to Goldsboro. The area, known by the colloquialism the Letlones, was once home to whiskey distilleries and was said by locals to be best left alone.

Its a pretty slow-moving river, especially from Smithfield on down. Theres no whitewater so its a pretty lazy, swampy river, she noted. The first couple of days are just beautiful, its an area of the river thats mostly undeveloped and really forested with lots of wildlife opportunities.

Krop said the plan calls for the riverkeepers to spend their nights either camped along the river or sheltered with nearby residents.

Theres a couple of established campgrounds and then there will be some sandbar camping, she said. And then we actually have some folks who live on the river who will be putting us up. So well be supported at certain areas as we go and then figuring it out in other spots.

Krop said the approach of Hurricane Ian will likely force the trio to shelter in place for several days.

Well probably get a couple of good days in on the water before it gets really gnarly outside. If we do get the predicted winds and rain that are forecast were definitely going to get off the water and hunker down at an Airbnb wherever we are and when things are good well get back on the water again, Krop said.

Despite the expected delay, the Neuse River Rising paddlers are still planning to arrive at the Glenburnie Park boat access in New Bern. Experienced kayakers with their own vessels are invited to join the riverkeepers on the last leg of the trip to Lawson Creek Park.

Krop said the name of the trip was inspired by one of Neuse River Risings goals  to empower communities that live along the river to become more involved in its well-being.

We were thinking of people rising up and reclaiming the river, taking back this thing we love and care for, Krop said. Its also a big nod to climate change and flooding and droughts and how the water levels are fluctuating significantly. The character of the river is changing and our communities need to rise up and get involved.

More:Trash Trout in New Bern gobbles up garbage before it hits the Neuse River

Krop said the approaching hurricane provided an opportunity to consider the dangers of climate change.

In the face of more extreme weather events we need to be thinking smartly about things like flooding and stormwater runoff so we can not only maintain the progress that weve made but actually do a lot better, she commented.

Though work remains to be done, Krop said the Neuse River has come a long way from the days when fabric companies were allowed to dump dye into its waters, turning the river a sickly green and blue for miles.

That doesnt happen any more thanks to the Clean Water Act. We have actual rules and limits about what can be put into the river, she commented. When pollution is happening we have a tool that we can use to go to court and make it stop, so thats a huge win for the Neuse River and for environmentalists.

Reporter Todd Wetherington can be reached by email at wwetherington@gannett.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Neuse Riverkeeper's journey highlights pollution in New Bern waterway
FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2022, 10:49

On Friday night, 30 September, two rockets hit the room of the building where Deputy Head of Security Affairs of Kherson Oblast and an ex-FSB [Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation] employee had lived. The collaborator died without having worked at his "post" for even two months.

Source: TASS [Russian Kremlin-aligned news agency]

Details: Russian mass media claim that Alexei Katerinichev, who called himself "First Deputy Head for Security of the Military and Civilian Administration of Kherson Oblast," was killed as a result of a rocket attack in the centre of Kherson. The occupiers accuse the Armed Forces of Ukraine of a "high-precision strike with the use of HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems".

"They hit the same room where he stayed and lived," one of the collaborators says.

Russian media report that the Deputy Russian puppet of Kherson Oblast worked at this office for a month and a half. Prior to that, he served in the border troops of Russia and in the Russian FSB [Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation] for 25 years.

Background: Vitalii Hura, the deputy "head of administration" of Russian-occupied Nova Kakhovka [Kherson Oblast] who had previously been reported killed, has appeared on Russian TV. According to the collaborator, his "death" on 6 August was allegedly staged by the FSB, who had been tipped off about an assassination attempt.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A woman working at Meghan's Smart Works capsule collection in 2019 says the duchess was 'lovely' but her royal advisors 'snooty'. (Getty Images)

In a resurfaced clip from a 2021 podcast, Meghan Markle's former royal advisors have been branded "diva-ish" and "rude."

The accusations of bad behaviour from royal aides originate from a clip taken from the 'Gal Code' podcast, hosted by Bibi Bagnall and Rob Gartland. In the clip, Bagnall explains that "In one of my previous jobs, we did an event for [Meghan] for the launch of one of her charity collections."

The collection in question was for Smart Works, one of Meghan's patronages, which launched in 2019.

Bibi Bagnall who worked the door of the launch event claims that "the diva-ish ones were the royal advisors."

Read More: Meghan Markle Spotify Podcast 'Archetypes' Sets Return Date

Bagnall adds that when asked to comply with the strict security policies required for entry to the event an advisor "scoffed" in response, leading Bagnall to believe the aide "was snooty."

On the other hand, Meghan, she said "was lovely".

"She wasn't a diva about the event or anything," said Bagnall, explaining that it was the royal advisors "who were the rude people."

At the time Bagnall claims it was reported that Meghan had left the event early. "She didn't leave the event early, she overstayed," Bagnall clarifies.

Meghan Markle poses with women dressed in some of the clothes from her Smart Works capsule collection at its launch. London, 2019. (Getty Images)

"It was all bullsh*t," added Bagnall about the negative coverage she had seen about Meghan after the event.

Bagnall also explained that Meghan was highly involved in the planning of the event she worked on, explaining: "with these things, you do think, do the royals just put their names to it?"

However, instead Meghan "was on every conference call."

Read More: Prince Harry says family 'cut him off': Who gets security in the Royal Family?

"It was the most amazing work day I've ever done." Bagnall said, adding that Meghan "has this glowy aura around her that is magical."

Story continues

Despite the strict timetable in place, Meghan "extended her day [because] she wanted to actually meet every single person who was involved and thank them personally." Bagnall explained this was unusual because it would "normally only be the top dogs that" got the recognition.

Meghan greeting an attendee at the launch for her Smart Works capsule collection in London, 2019. (Getty Images)

Smart Works was one of the first charities of which Meghan became patron when joining the Royal Family. Their work is described on their website as providing women referred from Job Centres and other partners with outfits for job interviews that allow "our clients to be the best version of themselves at a crucial moment in their lives."

Read More: What Commonwealth countries are saying about Harry and Meghan's racism claim

Bagnall's comments and perception of working with Meghan stand in stark contrast to recent revelations from Valentine Low. An extract of Low's new book 'Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown' appeared The Times.

In the extract Low claims that there were "difficulties caused by [Harry and Meghan's] treatment of staff," to which he claims that Meghan replied: "it's not my job to coddle people."

Low's sources also claim that Meghan "would take it as an insult" if she had to "talk to someone a bit further down the pecking order."

Meghan and Harry leaving Westminster Hall behind the Prince and Princess of Wales, after the service marking the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's lying-in-state, September 2022. (Getty Images)

Another anonymous source who Low reports used to work for the Sussexes is quoted as saying that on their night off "every ten minutes I had to go outside to be screamed at by her and Harry." Other claims made in the extract include staff members in tears in response to the treatment they received from the couple.

Bagnall however takes the opposite view: "I love Meghan Markle [...] and I have a reason for this," after their work interaction was so positive for the podcast host.

The clip has resurfaced not long after a video of Prince Harry from a 2021 documentary in which he condemned the treatment his wife has received from the media went viral.
Russian attack on civilian convoy in Zaporizhzhya kills 23 civilians, wounds 28

23 civilians were killed, and another 28 wounded.

The convoy was mostly composed of people waiting to enter the occupied territories, to pick up their relatives and deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.

Read also: Russian forces shells civilian evacuation convoy in Zaporizhzhya Oblast

Early reports indicate that the Russian military fired 16 rockets from an S-300 air defense system, deputy presidential chief-of-staff Kyrylo Tymoshenko said on Telegram.

Four other rocket attacks struck the territory of an auto market.

Read also: Ukraines General Staff says situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP remains tense

Oct. 1 has been declared a day of mourning in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Russian Consulate in New York was vandalized with red spray paint early Friday, in an apparent protest as President Vladimir Putin pursues his bloody invasion of Ukraine.

Officers said they responded to an emergency call just after 1:30 am that reported paint sprayed across the facade of the consulate on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

A police spokeperson said the investigation is ongoing into the potential "bias incident" and no arrests have been made.

The bright red paint appeared hours before Putin announced he was annexing four parts of Ukraine occupied by his army.

Shelling also killed at least 30 people in Ukraine's southern region of Zaporizhzhia -- one of the worst attacks against civilians in months.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the US-led military alliance NATO to grant Ukraine expedited membership, as international leaders including Joe Biden condemned Moscow's annexations.

Rosie Morse, a retiree who lives in the neighborhood near the consulate, said the spray paint "looks like art work."

"But the meaning is to express our feeling about Putin, and I can't say that I don't agree," she told AFP.

"It's vandalism but it is the expression of how people in New York are realizing Putin is killing people," said another bystander, Romen Eaulin.

bur-mdo/bgs
(Reuters) - At least 23 people were killed and 28 wounded in a Russian missile strike that hit a convoy of civilian vehicles near the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Friday, the regional governor said.

"So far, 23 dead and 28 wounded. All civilians," Oleksandr Starukh, the Zaporizhzhia regional governor, wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Timothy Heritage)
STORY: There was a steady stream of cars coming through at the Vaalimaa border crossing, although traffic had calmed after the weekend when almost 17,000 Russians crossed the border into Finland.

The Finnish government said the move would lead to a significant drop in cross-border traffic but that entry for family visits, as well as for work and studies, would still be permitted.

"It's just that today some information came in saying the border will be closed. And I had to leave in a hurry today because I don't want to give up my planned vacation," travel agent Maria Muratova said after crossing into Finland.

The almost 17,000 Russians who crossed the border into Finland during the weekend represent an 80% rise from a week earlier, Finnish authorities said on Monday.

"On the weekend we saw a lot of young men coming, trying to enter Finland. But right now it doesn't seem there are as many as on the weekend," Finnish border guard, lieutenant Markus Haapasaari said.

Reuters was not able to confirm the reports and there was no immediate comment from Russian authorities.
(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine autumn conscription campaign, calling 120,000 citizens up for statutory military service, the state news agency TASS reported on Friday.

TASS quoted the defence ministry as saying the autumn conscription was "not in any way related to the special operation", Russia's official term for its military campaign in Ukraine.

All men in Russia are required to do a year's military service between the ages of 18 and 27, or equivalent training while in higher education.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Rusal said on Friday that speculation the aluminium producer was planning to offload metal into London Metal Exchange (LME) registered warehouses was misleading.

The LME, the world's oldest and largest market for trading industrial metals, said on Thursday it was considering a consultation on whether Russian aluminium, nickel and copper should continue to be traded and stored in its system.

Rusal, the world's largest producer of aluminium outside China, has not been directly targeted by the Western sanctions imposed on Moscow after it sent thousands of troops to Ukraine on Feb. 24.

But some market sources have said they were concerned that Rusal would not be able to sell its metal used in the transport, packaging and construction industries and would deliver it to LME warehouses instead.

The suggestion "does not correspond to our physical sales, where we continue to service our global customers, including negotiating and planning 2023 offtakes," Rusal said.

Some buyers have said they are shunning Rusal's metal, while others are securing price discounts at the same time as the aluminium industry negotiates supply deals for 2023.

The LME said no final decision had been taken on whether to issue a discussion paper to ask for views on Russian metal, but that it was under consideration.

"A discussion paper could also lay out potential options which could be pursued on the basis of market feedback gathered, including the option to take no action," Chief Executive Matthew Chamberlain said in the statement.

The LME did not detail the options that would be considered in a consultation.

Rusal is expected to account for 6% of global aluminium supplies this year.

Benchmark aluminium jumped 8.5% to $2,305 a tonne on Thursday as the possibility of the LME banning new Russian metal from the list of brands that can be delivered against its contracts triggered a buying frenzy.

It was last down 0.5% at $2,185 a tonne on Friday.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt and Pratima Desai; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
An official in Sanibel, Florida, shared an update on how Hurricane Ian has devastated his small island community.

The damage is catastrophic and it is biblical, Dana Souza, Sanibels city manager, told Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on TODAY Friday. Ive never seen anything like this  residents who have lived on Sanibel for many, many years, just cant even understand the damage that weve experienced.

Sanibel, home to about 6,300 people, is located on Sanibel Island off the west coast of Florida, just south of Fort Myers.

The causeway connecting the island to the mainland was severely damaged by the storm, meaning the island is now only reachable by boat.

Image: Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Obviously our main access to the island has been cut off, Souza said. Theres been five breaches to the causeway, and so thats significant work that has to be undertaken.

Souza said officials are still working to get our crews, both search-and rescue-crews and then our first initial cleanup crews, onto the island by boat, adding that they have limited equipment thats on the island.

He also said a number of volunteers have provided boats, and are helping shuttle people to and from the mainland.

While many people are known to have survived the storm, Souza says officials are still doing welfare checks on some addresses and continuing search-and-rescue operations.

He shared one story he heard about an elderly couple living near the coast who had to climb to the highest point of their house in order to stay safe from the rising waters. He says the couple was removed from the island yesterday by a family member.

Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

In the aftermath of the storm, Souza said his team is trying to stay focused on our immediate needs while at the same time thinking about the next steps in the recovery process.

We know that people have been through a traumatic experience here, he said, And they just want to get off the island and be safe.

As of Thursday evening, at least a dozen people across Florida were confirmed to have died in the hurricane, which is headed toward South Carolina, according to NBC News.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Over 100 Chinatown-International District residents in Seattle were met by unhoused counter-protesters at a rally in protest of the proposed homeless megaplex plan in the neighborhood earlier this week.

The Chinatown-International District residents marched down the street in Seattles Hing Hay Park to the King County Council meeting before noon on Tuesday in protest of the proposed $54 million plan to build a shelter  which they refer to as a homeless megaplex  for unhoused people.

Gei Chan, one of the group leaders, noted that their protest was not against unhoused people. Rather, it was meant to voice their concerns regarding the security of their community.

So its not at all against homeless [people]. I know some people are trying to paint it that way, but its not, Chan told KIRO7. Everybody here is just asking, can the city, can the county, can [the] government take care of us?

More from NextShark: 115-Year-Old Mochi Shop Set to Close or Be Sold in SF Japantown

During the rally, some of the residents were confronted by unhoused counter-protesters who voiced their support for the proposed megaplex. In a video posted by Seattle reporter Jonathan Choe on Twitter on Wednesday, one man can be seen walking up to the residents and telling them, "Im not a criminal. Why shouldnt I live here?

Story continues

The man in the video then repeatedly proclaims, Stop selling them heroin.

Tension rose at the protest, as seen in another video posted by Choe, who has been covering the area's homelessness crisis for months. In Choes video, a woman suddenly tells the resident protesters, Go back to your country.

More from NextShark: 'Drag Race' queen Kim Chi has Orbits in a spin over her offer to help LOONA amid their agency's woes

The man recording the video then tells the woman, Theyre Americans, to which she says, Sure they are.

On May 3, King County Council reportedly approved a nearly seven-acre lease across Uwajimaya Asian Supermarket, where the megaplex will be located. The proposed 500-person shelter will reportedly replace the one run by the Salvation Army on Sixth Avenue.

Chan said Chinatown-International District residents were left in the dark about the councils decision and only found out a few weeks ago, and theyre really upset.

Why dont you build the megaplex near you guys and you guys can see what we have actually been going through for almost two years? one of the protesters said at the Tuesday rally. Again, Im here supporting Miss Kay and all the students because again, we have children, we want to have passions just like you guys, but at the same time if were being stopped because you guys decided to build this megaplex, and dont give us a chance to actually have a voice, where do we stand?

Around 60 people reportedly registered to speak at the county council meeting on Tuesday, with comments directed at Democratic councilmember Joe McDermott. While McDermott refused to talk to the media, his office reportedly sent a statement to KIRO7, explaining in part that the "CID (Chinatown-International District) deserves safety and security so that the community can thrive."

Weve also seen an exponential increase in unhoused individuals in the same stretch of time, and these individuals deserve the most robust support we can offer, as a community and region, to be housed, stable and secure, he wrote.

Dozens of protesters organized a march last week at Seattle City Hall to condemn the construction of the megaplex.

Featured Image via @choeshow
A map of Europe's natural gas pipelines from the trade body ENTSOG. ENTSOG

The security of Europe's energy infrastructure is in the spotlight after the Nord Stream damage.

Norway, now Europe's biggest supplier of oil and gas, is on high alert after acts of "sabotage".

Take a look at the sprawling network that transports natural gas around Europe.

The security of Europe's oil and gas infrastructure is under scrutiny following the discovery of leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines that have further heightened tensions with Russia.

Leaks were found on Monday in the pipelines transporting natural gas from Russia to Europe after a fall in pressure was detected.

On Thursday, Sweden's coast guard said it had identified a fourth leak earlier this week, meaning there were two in the Swedish exclusive economic zone and another two in Denmark's zone.

NATO has warned it could retaliate against what it called "sabotage", while Norway  a member of the military alliance  is planning to mobilize its military around its own infrastructure.

"The military will be more visible at Norwegian oil and gas installations," prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Friday to discuss damage to the pipelines at Russia's request.

Moscow has also said sabotage was a possibility and branded claims that it was responsible for the damage as "stupid".

A wider map of European natural gas infrastructure. ENTSOG

Norway is now the biggest exporter of oil and gas to Europe, overtaking Russia following the imposition of Western sanctions in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. The Nordic nation has several undersea pipelines running to the rest of the continent, according to the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG), a trade body.

But experts say that also makes Norway, and its Baltic neighbors, more vulnerable to potential sabotage.

"Norway's gas supply is probably the biggest and most strategically important target for sabotage in all of Europe right now," Lieutenant Colonel Geir Hagen Karlsen told state broadcaster NRK, The Financial Times reported.

Story continues

Norway has more than 5,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines, according to Norwegian Petroleum, making the security task difficult.

"The Norwegian response is understandable," Britain's first sea lord and chief of naval staff Adm Sir Ben Key told The Guardian about Norway's mobilization.

Kay pointed out it wasn't just energy that was at risk of interference. Most of Europe's internet connectivity comes from undersea cables, according to the European Parliament.

"There is a vulnerability around anything that sits on the seabed, whether that's gas pipelines, whether that's data cables that places an obligation on organizations like the Royal Navy  but not just us  to have a means of monitoring and providing security around it," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
AccuWeather

The death toll rose and rescue and recovery operations were still underway over the weekend several days after Hurricane Ian left a path of devastation across Florida. Officials said that about 4,000 people had been rescued in the days since the storm left its vicious mark, and hundreds were still being rescued from hardest-hit areas in southwestern Florida on Saturday. The southwest coast of Florida took the brunt of the storm surge when Ian made landfall on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Barriers island
WASHINGTON  A bipartisan group of 15 senators is seeking to create a commission tasked with formulating a grand strategy on China that avoids conflict with the worlds most populous nation while allowing the U.S. to pursue its interests.

Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Tim Kaine, D-Va., said Friday they would introduce legislation to create a China Grand Strategy Commission, which would be given two years to develop a whole-of-government approach guiding Washingtons relationship with Beijing.

The senators and their 12 co-sponsors  most of whom sit on the Armed Services Committee  hope to file the bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which the Senate is expected to begin debating in October.

It would harness the smartest public and private sector minds to study and evaluate on how our nations interact  striking the balance between avoiding conflict and fully pursuing our national interest, King said in a statement. Most vitally, this commission isnt putting a report on a shelf to collect dust; it will make actionable recommendations to develop a grand strategy across the entire government.

The proposed commission would mirror the two-year Cyberspace Solarium Commission, established in the 2019 NDAA. King served as co-chair of that panel, which put forward 80 recommendations on improving U.S. cybersecurity. The Maine senator has said that 85% of those recommendations have been fully or partially implemented.

Both commissions are molded after former president Dwight Eisenhowers Project Solarium, which developed a U.S. grand strategy vis-a-vis the Soviet Union.

Like the cyberspace commission, the China commissioners would include lawmakers, executive branch officials and private sector experts. The proposed China commission would consist of 18 members two co-chairs agreed upon by Congress and the president and drawn from commissioners comprised of two senators, two House members, six executive branch officials and eight individuals from the private sector.

Story continues

A summary of the legislation from Kings office says that the commission would develop a holistic approach across the federal government while defining specific steps necessary to build a stable international order that accounts for the Peoples Republic of China participation in that order. It would be tasked with developing actionable recommendations aimed at protecting and strengthening U.S. national security interests.

House China Task Force

Republicans this month vowed to establish a select committee on China if they win the House in Novembers midterm elections. House Republicans already established their own China Task Force in 2020, which Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Democrats declined to join after accusing former president Donald Trump of scapegoating Beijing for his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the Houses China Task Force remains partisan, it has advanced proposals with bipartisan support among its hundreds of recommendations. These include the $52 billion in semiconductor subsidies and tax incentives that Congress passed in July to encourage manufacturers to develop chips in the U.S. instead of China and other Asian countries as part of a broader effort to shore up the U.S. defense industrial base.

Congress also mandated in 2000 the creation of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which is tasked with submitting an extensive annual report on the national security implications of the economic and trade ties between Washington and Beijing.
Red Bull Racing's Sergio Perez (left) joins in "The One Race Returns" event at SCAPE with ExxonMobil Asia Pacific executive director Siew Kum Fong and Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling. (PHOTOS: Reuters/ExxonMobil)

SINGAPORE  No one can accuse Sergio Perez of taking shortcuts to success.

Emerging from Mexico - a country not known for producing top Formula One drivers - the 32-year-old has spent the last 11 years bouncing around good and bad teams, before finally getting his big break last year to race alongside Max Verstappen in the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

Race wins and podium finishes came for the affable Perez, as he swept to victories in the 2021 Azerbaijan Grand Prix and - more memorably - the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix this year. And with wins come fame, as he received a roaring welcome as he joined in the fun and games at ExxonMobil Asia Pacific's "The One Race Returns" event at SCAPE on Thursday (29 September), ahead of the weekend's F1 Singapore Grand Prix.

It has been a long climb to the top, but Perez has a mantra which he has even inscribed onto his race helmet, to remind himself to stay positive and hungry through everything: "Never give up."

"You'll go through many, many occasions in your life where you kind of think, maybe you're in the wrong place, maybe you should just do something else, or just look for an easier way," he said at the ExxonMobil Asia Pacific event.

"But it's always important to remember what you want to achieve. It's just so important just to stick to what you want to do, and just keep working hard. Bad things are going to be thrown at you, and it's important just to keep your target in mind all the time."

Many years of toil to earn racing chances

That "never give up" mantra must have served Perez well ever since he dipped his feet into kart racing at the age of six in 1996.

Even though he quickly became the youngest junior champion in Mexico's top karting competition, it was not until 2005 before he got his big break to head over to Germany to compete in the Formula BMW ADAC series. Another slow climb up the various Formula race series ensued before he finally earned his F1 ticket with Sauber in 2011.

Story continues

After years of toiling under the radar, not knowing when he might have his chance at racing in an elite set-up, what advice would Perez give to his younger self making his debut in 2011?

"Don't try to control things that are out of your control," he said at the ExxonMobil Asia Pacific event.

Referring to his one-year stint with McLaren in 2013 - when he endured a difficult season with a team in decline - Perez added, "When I was a bit younger, I tried to control too many things, and things got too stressful as I tried to do too much, like what happened when I joined McLaren.

"But I would say to my younger self not to be too worried. There will be surprises along the way and you just have to make the most of the opportunities given to you, make sure you push yourself as much as you can when you're given the chance."

Mexican GP win will be 'magical thing'

Perez has certainly been given the chance to shine upon joining Red Bull Racing, and he has seized it with great success. Riding high in third place in this season's overall standings, behind Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, the Mexican is on course to outdo his career-best fourth-place season finish last year.

He enthused that the biggest difference he finds between his current team and his previous ones is "the level of detail my teammates are searching for all the time", as Red Bull seek to regain the constructors' championship they last won in 2013.

Despite his recent successes, Perez feels he could have done better this year, as he struggled with a couple of team upgrades to the race car midway through the season.

"Once the team started upgrading the car, it got a bit out of my hands and it took me a few races to adjust to the improvements. I'll have to react better to these adjustments in the future," he said.

For now, Perez can enjoy the fruits of his long climb to the top as he joined ExxonMobil employees in a blaze-pod reaction challenge, and play a radio controlled car game with primary-school students from the South West District at the SCAPE event, which was also graced by Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Mayor of South West District.

But there are still dreams to be fulfilled on the tracks for the Mexican this season. While the drivers' championship may be virtually out of reach with Verstappen far ahead of the chasing pack, one race will particularly be of great interest for Perez: the Mexican Grand Prix at the end of October.

"It would be a magical thing if I'm able to win in Mexico this year," he said with a big grin. "The crowd would be insane, absolutely crazy, and I really hope I can experience it this year."

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.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Shiva Rajbhandari

Even during the most challenging times in history, it's important to highlight those who are continuing to follow their dreams and are taking strides to make the world a better place. Each month, Seventeen is honoring young people as Voices of Change, those who are making a difference in their community and the world at large.

Shiva Rajbhandari didnt run for the Boise, Idaho School Board of Trustees for himself  he ran for his peers, his teachers, and all students across the district that deserve a voice in their own education.

In the fall of 2021, following an extensive, two-year effort to present a long-term sustainability plan for Boise schools to the board  and one particularly frustrating appointment with his principal  Shivas decision was made. There was this culture that saw students not as constituents of the school board, not as the primary stakeholders in our education, but as a nuisance, Shiva told Seventeen.

He announced his candidacy in June 2022, and on September 6, days after his 18th birthday, Shiva won and became the first student ever elected to the Boise school board. He defeated the far-right incumbent candidate, who failed to reject an endorsement from a local extremist group that encourages censorship.

According to Shiva, his win marks a much needed, long overdue change for Boise and represents the irrefutable power of young people mobilizing together to make a change. My election to the school board is not a one-off thing, he shared. We're boots on the ground in the classroom. We know what's going on in our schools. All we need is the voice and the vote to make it better.

Although already a longtime climate activist, and gun control and mental health advocate, Shivas journey in changemaking is just getting started. For his unwavering support for teachers and students across his city  and country  and his tireless efforts to expand climate education, Shiva Rajbhandari is recognized as a Seventeen Voice of Change.

Story continues

What inspired you to run for the school board?

Shiva Rajbhandari: I got involved with school board politics while working with students across the school district at the Idaho Climate Justice League, organizing a clean energy commitment and long term sustainability plan for our schools. In the Boise school district, energy's our second largest expenditure and we could save about half of that energy budget each year by 2030 with this long term sustainability plan. So for two years, we reached out to our school board members. We sent dozens of emails, organized postcard drives (sending over 300), and delivered the largest petition our school district had ever received. But we didn't get a lot of engagement from our board members.

Last fall, I sent a letter to our school board president asking for a meeting. I didn't immediately get a response, but I know he read the letter because about a week later, I was called to my principal's office and reprimanded for reaching out to our board members. To me, that highlighted this lack of student involvement in educational decision-making in our school district. That was when I decided to run for the school board and change that.

Our schools  especially here in Idaho  have also been under attack from far-right extremists. Our lieutenant governor put together this indoctrination task force with a goal of undermining our public schools and undermining our public school teachers. We protested, but the district wasnt providing our teachers or students the support they deserved. One time, I walked into my English class and half of an assignment was blacked out like a CIA document because my teacher was intimidated. It felt like our school district didnt have our back.

What does it signify having a student on the school board?

SR: Its representation. Students should be involved at all places where decisions are being made, but especially where decisions are being made in education. I want to show just how much students can bring to the table when we're given a seat.

Apart from winning the election, what was the biggest highlight from your run? What was the biggest challenge?

SR: The biggest highlight was meeting so many different people and hearing so many perspectives on education, particularly from students. I want to raise all of us up and tell all students that your voice is welcome here. We want you to be involved in making decisions for our schools.

The biggest challenge was ageism. I'm so qualified to be on the school board. I've been an advocate for climate education. I've been a voting rights advocate here in Idaho. I'm on the Boise School District Sustainability Committee. I was the ASB vice president of my Student Council junior year. Im very, very involved in the school district and our community and very invested in our schools. And yet some people still said I wasnt qualified because I'm only 18. It was frustrating because theyre not looking at my qualifications. Theyre profiling me based on my age. If you're 18, you're allowed to serve your country, so why can't you serve your schools?

When did you first get involved with activism?

SR: I learned about climate change in the seventh grade. It was super isolating because at the time, the media wasn't really talking about it and our world leaders really weren't addressing it. When you're 13, that's a really big thing. So for a year and a half, I had climate anxiety looming over my head. Then in ninth grade, there was a climate strike organized by the Sunrise Movement here. That turned this sense of isolation into a sense of empowerment, seeing over 1500 of my peers coming out to the capital and demanding our elected leaders to take action. I got involved with the Sunrise Movement and later started the Extinction Rebellion Youth chapter here in Boise. I started the green club at my school and got involved with saving wild salmon and steelhead.

How do you balance being on the school board and being a full-time student?

SR: Its a little hard. I've kept a Google calendar since the tenth grade and that really helps. I make sure I get eight hours of sleep a night. I schedule meetings during lunch, before school, and after school.

How else do you protect your mental and emotional health?

SR: Rest. Its all about regenerative culture. Im lucky to be a part of this big team because there is room to rest. There are other students who are just as qualified as me to carry the torch. I go camping on the weekends. Running is my me time. I make space for myself and take time to myself.

What do you most hope to achieve during your time on the school board?

SR: The biggest impact will be the establishment of a student position on the school board. I will set a precedent for a student voice in our schools. Once students have the means to participate, the sky really is the limit.

My top priority is addressing mental health in our schools  and that's a really multifaceted challenge. At Boise High, where I attend, our student counselor ratio is one counselor to 375 students, whereas it should be one to 250. We need to hire more mental health professionals in our school. We need to provide those resources to every student. We need to provide resources for teachers to talk about mental health in the classroom and avenues to make it part of our curriculum. It's about de-stigmatizing and making space for students to feel comfortable, for students to recognize their own mental challenges and know how they can face them and where they can get help. We also need to move our schools to later start times. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics say no school should start before 8:30 AM.

Climate action is also really important to me, like the long-term sustainability plan [mentioned above]. I want to see our board approve that plan by the end of this year.

What are your plans for the future?

SR: Go to college. I want to be an environmental lawyer because of all the work I've done with salmon and steelhead conservation. Its shown me the power you can have with litigation and how you can give a voice to the voiceless.

What does being a Voice of Change honoree mean to you?

SR: Its a really big honor, but it's a really big responsibility. On the school board, I'm not just carrying myself. I'm carrying this idea of having students in government and having student representation. All of us have the power to make change in our communities. You all can change the world.

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La Andy Hien Duc, 37, purportedly shouted that there was a bomb on the SQ33 flight, grabbed another passenger's luggage from the cabin's overhead compartment and assaulted a member of the crew who tried to restrain him. (PHOTOS: Getty Images, MINDEF)

SINGAPORE  A 37-year-old man who allegedly made a bomb threat on a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight from San Francisco was charged in court on Thursday (29 September) with causing alarm and causing hurt.

La Andy Hien Duc, an American, had purportedly shouted that there was a bomb on the SQ33 flight, grabbed another passenger's luggage from the cabin's overhead compartment and assaulted a member of the crew who tried to restrain him, according to media reports.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man's urine tested positive for controlled drugs.

The accused has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation and will return to court on 13 October.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said two Republic of Singapore Air Force F16C/D fighter jets were scrambled to escort the Airbus A350-900 plane until it landed at Changi Airport.

The Singapore Army's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defence Group and Airport Police Division subsequently verified the threat to be false and the suspect was arrested.

Comments from Law and Home Affairs Minister

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Thursday said the accused is suspected to have been under the influence of controlled drugs.

Speaking at at a conference by the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (Sana), Shamugam said the case is but one example of the harmful consequences of drug use.

If found guilty of causing alarm, La Andy Hien Duc faces a fine of up to $5,000. The maximum punishment for causing hurt is three years' jail and a $5,000 fine.

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.
photo Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty

As proven by everything from The Man Who Laughs and Joker to It, American Horror Story and The Black Phone, there are few things creepier than a toothy, enthusiastic-to-the-point-of-derangement grin. Smile takes that idea to its extreme, building an entire horror film around an ear-to-ear smirk that affixes itself to peoples faces right before homicidal nastiness occurs. As far as signature sights go, its a reliably unnerving one, and italong with a healthy dose of cheese and The Ring-by-way-of-It Follows derivationdo much to make writer/director Parker Finns feature debut the sort of entertainingly dim, unoriginal and shock tactic-loving studio effort thats catnip for teens venturing out to the multiplex with friends on a Friday night.

Making turn that frown upside down literal via a litany of show-off shots in which the camera rotates and loop-de-loops in order to flip the action, Smile is a tale about the unholy hell wroughtin the mind, and in the real worldfrom witnessing trauma. For Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon), a therapist who treats psychiatric patients at a New Jersey hospital, the painful incident that shaped her life was the suicidal death of her boozing, pill-popping mother, which she observed as a child and propelled her on her medical path. Rose is a calm and caring physician who tells her patients that the things theyre seeing dont exist and cant hurt them. While that may be true about manic Carl (Jack Sochet), who mutters standard-issue spooky stuff about how Were all going to die, its less accurate when it comes to Laura Weaver (Caitlin Stasey), a college student who shows up in Roses admittance room with a wild story to tell.

Amsterdam Is a Way Bigger Disaster Than Dont Worry Darling

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According to Laura, shes being stalked by an evil invisible specter that sometimes resembles people she knows, and other times takes the form of strangers. Regardless, those figures are always doing their best Clown Prince of Crime impersonation, and they dont seem very friendly. Laura claims that this malevolence began when her professor took a claw hammer to his face in front of her, for reasons that make about as much sense as her own current haunting. Rose instinctively considers this to be a figment of Lauras deluded psyche, which sets her up for another dose of lethal distress when Laura freaks out in her presence, develops her own awfully creepy grin, and uses a very sharp object to carve a smiley face-style gash in her neck.

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Unsurprisingly, this calamitous day on the job rattles Rose, who goes home and chugs some wine with her back to the refrigeratora residential location that weirdly turns into a recurring hot spot for unpleasantness (and broken glasses). Roses fiance Trevor (The Boys Jessie T. Usher) is less sympathetic to his future wifes travails than her cat Mustache, and he soon becomes a pain in the ass to whom Rose cant turn. Luckily for her, one of the cops investigating Lauras self-inflicted demise is her ex-boyfriend Joel (Kyle Gallner), a sweet and friendly guy whom she initially rebuffs before realizing hes the only one who cares about her as well as has the connections she needs to aid her sleuthing. That inquiry ramps up quickly once she begins seeing Laura and a collection of likeminded smiling-like-crazy apparitions both in her dreams and, more distressing still, during her waking hours.

Finn has a habit of staging gruesome nightmarishness and then revealing it to be a hallucination or slumbering reverie, although that hoary gimmick isnt nearly as tired as his jump scares. That said, theres something amusing about the writer/directors unwavering dedication to jolting his audience in any and every corny way possible, be it via the sound of a cat food can being opened, a car honking at a jaywalking pedestrian, or a ghoul popping out of the shadows to scream with demonic rage. These moments are almost never frightening, but theyre so routine that they wind up inadvertently benefiting Smile, bringing jack-in-the-box tension to just about every one of its compositions. Aiding that situation is Finns shrewd use of background spacea darkened doorway, or a window looking out onto a forestto suggest hungry and deformed creatures lying in wait, ready to burst forth at any moment.

All of this renders Smile a cheap amusement park ride, and yet that doesnt mean its not a frequently pleasurable one. Though the film has no genuine interest in trauma as an infectious plague that corrupts and destroysand can only be overcome through direct confrontationit takes its nerve-rattling duties seriously. In its first half, Finns beaming phantoms lend the proceedings a requisite chill, and Bacon enthusiastically transforms Rose from a poised and professional woman of reason into a red-eyed, frantic promoter of curses and superstitions, which earns her lots of concerned and distraught responses from her unkind sister Holly (Gillian Zinser), her considerate boss Dr. Desai (Kal Penn) and her former psychiatrist Dr. Northcott (Robin Weigert). At least a few of these supporting players get a chance to show off their sinister sneering stuff, and while that image results in diminished returnsin large part because some of the actors smiles are more unsettling than othersFinn admirably stays the course, going bigger and bolder right up until his monstrous finale.

Save for a couple of exposition-heavy scenes about Rose and Hollys youth that no one, including the actors and director, seem to care about, Smile moves at a swift pace, coating itself in a bruised color palette and employing a score that veers from music-box twinkling to calamitous clamor at a moments notice. Finn doesnt just borrow from the aforementioned horror films but also The Conjuring and even Alien 3, and once his story reveals the mechanics behind its mayhem, it loses a decent bit of steam. Still, by melding familiar elements into something that feels, if not new, then at least suitably polished and animated, Smile does just enough to earn the midnight-movie status it desperately craves. And if an econo-line franchise ensues, well, that wont be anything to grimace about.

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Two soldiers were sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to illegally smuggling Mexican nationals into the U.S. while in uniform as part of a larger circle of troops involved in the scheme.

Emmanuel Oppongagyare, 22, and Ralph Gregory Saint-Joie, 19, were sentenced Sept. 20 to 21 months and 13 months in prison, respectively. Oppongagyare was a soldier with the Pennsylvania National Guard, and Saint-Joie was an active-duty soldier. Both were stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

The pair were stopped at a border control checkpoint in Hebbronville, Texas, where authorities discovered two undocumented immigrants in the trunk of the car. Both soldiers were wearing their Army uniforms.

Read Next: The Army is Having No Issue Retaining Soldiers, Amid a Crisis Recruiting New Ones

The two were recruited to smuggle the immigrants from McAllen, Texas, a border town, to San Antonio, a 240-mile drive, according to the Justice Department. Both were paid $100 for gas money when they initially picked up the two Mexican nationals at the border in June 2021, but it isn't clear how much they were going to be paid when the job was complete.

Oppongagyare and Saint-Joie were instructed to wear their uniforms during the smuggling to avoid questioning by authorities. The recruiter told the pair "the same tactic worked in previous smuggling events," according to court records.

The two service members were hired by Isaiah Gore, 20, who pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges in December 2021, along with Denerio Williams, 22, and Ivory Palmer, 21. Gore was sentenced to 30 months in prison and Williams received 24 months. Palmer is awaiting sentencing. All three were Texas-based soldiers.

Troops who serve jail time are typically discharged from service.

The military has had a massive presence on the U.S.-Mexico border for more than a year. The bulk of those troops come from the roughly 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, part of Gov. Greg Abbott's troubled Operation Lone Star mission that has been quietly scaled back in recent months.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Army Veteran Who Stole Millions Worth of Equipment from Fort Hood Gets Jail Time
(Bloomberg) -- South Koreas semiconductor output fell for the first time in more than four years in a sign chipmakers are bracing for a slowdown in global demand.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Semiconductor production slid 1.7% in August from a year earlier, a sharp reversal from the 17.3% gain reported in July, Statistics Korea data showed Friday.

The first fall in output since January 2018 coincides with chip inventories soaring 67.3%, suggesting producers are adjusting to a deteriorating international outlook. Factory shipments also fell for a second consecutive month in August, dropping 20.4%, the statistics office said.

The trio of indicators offers the latest evidence that the global economy is headed toward a downturn, led by cooling electronics demand that has been a major source of economic growth.

In the US, Micron Technology Inc. delivered a weak forecast for the current quarter, saying its acting swiftly to cope with the weakening demand, including slowing production.

Koreas Exporters Show More Hints of Slowdown in Global Demand

Earlier this month, Koreas Samsung Electronics Co. also warned of a gloomy outlook for the second half of the year. The market for dynamic random access memory, Samsungs key cash driver, is tumbling so fast that it halved in size between May and July, according to IC Insights.

Chipmakers are the biggest industrial sector in South Koreas trade-reliant economy, which is battling high energy prices and a currency that has depreciated the most in Asia this year outside the yen.

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WASHINGTON  A U.S.-built space-monitoring telescope that was moved from New Mexico to Western Australia is officially operational, according to Space Operations Command.

The Space Surveillance Telescope was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to locate and track debris in geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles above the Earths surface. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense signed an agreement with Australia to move the telescope to the Southern Hemisphere to fill a coverage gap.

SST was relocated from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in 2017 and in 2020 captured its first images. Since then, the system has moved through a rigorous test program that culminated in todays initial operations milestone. The Space Force expects the telescope to be fully operational next year.

With testing complete, the Space Surveillance Telescope will allow greater space domain awareness by providing ground-based, broad-area search, detection and tracking of faint objects in deep space, Australias Department of Defence said in a Sept. 30 statement.

Under the 2013 agreement, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Space Forces 21st Space Wing will jointly operate SST. The U.S. still owns the telescope, but Australia is responsible for its operators, training, facilities and infrastructure.

SST is part of the group of satellites and ground-based radars and telescopes that make up the U.S. Department of Defenses Space Surveillance Network. The SSN tracks thousands of objects, including debris and active satellites.

The domain awareness mission is a top priority for the Space Force and U.S. Space Command. An April report from the Union of Concerned Scientists estimates there are approximately 5,500 active spacecraft on orbit  up from about 1,400 in 2015. Proposals submitted to the Federal Communications Commission in recent years indicate that total could grow by 58,000 satellites in the next decade.

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While those systems are providing important services like improved connectivity and communications, a Sept. 29 study from the Government Accountability Office raises concerns about how large constellations could affect the space environment.

According to GAO, the additional congestion increases the likelihood of space debris, creates emissions in the upper atmosphere and disrupts astronomical research by reflecting sunlight and transmitting radio signals.

Although these effects might be small for single satellites, the effects of many satellites operating in large constellations are larger, or in some cases, unknown, GAO states.

Speaking Sept. 28 at the virtual State of Defense conference, Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David Thompson said the explosive growth in satellite traffic makes it more difficult to deconflict objects and avoid collisions. He advocated for the creation of rules and standards for disposing of defunct spacecraft that ensures satellite owners clean up after themselves.

I think we have to start by putting those sorts of controls and norms and standards of behavior in place, Thompson said. If we do that, we should be able to manage use of the domain.

GAOs study also supported the creation of regulations for repositioning or disposing of old spacecraft and limiting debris  one of four policy options raised in the agencys report. The other proposals include funding targeted research into technologies that could lessen the impact of large constellations, improving data sharing and improving organization and leadership structures.

A policy framework consisting of interrelated options could help policymakers and the space community mitigate the potential environmental and other effects of the growth in large constellations of satellites, according to GAO.
The State Bar is seeking a judge's order to compel two former employees to submit to questioning about suspected corruption at the agency that allowed Tom Girardi, above, to avoid discipline for decades. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The State Bar of California is taking two former employees to court in a bid to force them to divulge what they know about suspected corruption at the agency that allowed Tom Girardi to avoid discipline for decades.

In a pair of filings in recent days in Los Angeles County Superior Court, lawyers for the State Bar wrote that the former employees were believed to have information relevant to the investigation but had flouted subpoenas issued in July directing them to testify under oath.

In seeking a judges order to compel them to submit to questioning, the State Bar did not name the former employees. Instead, the lawyers identified each only as a confidential witness in what agency lawyers said was an attempt to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Inquiry-related interviews and correspondence reviewed by The Times indicate that one of the former employees is Tom Layton, a once-prominent State Bar investigator who had a close friendship with Girardi while the lawyer was the subject of numerous ethics complaints.

As The Times has previously detailed, Layton accepted free legal work, travel and meals from Girardi and one of his children worked at the lawyers Wilshire Boulevard firm. Girardi and the investigator were frequently seen together at Girardis law office, political fundraisers, civic events, the Jonathan Club and upscale steakhouses such as Mortons and the Palm.

Layton did not return messages seeking comment.

Both former employees are represented by Robert Baker, a veteran L.A. litigator who knew Girardi for decades and defended him in numerous lawsuits brought by disgruntled clients and peers over the years.

Baker declined to identify his clients but said both had previously sued the State Bar.

Layton sued the agency in 2016 for wrongful termination after questions arose about his connection to Girardi and reached a $400,000 settlement. Asked if one of the unidentified witnesses was Layton, Baker said, Im not going to get into that.

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Baker told The Times that both former employees have settlement agreements that release them from any further claims, debts, liabilities, demands by the State Bar. The settlement terms, he said, released the plaintiffs from any claims of whatever nature"  suggesting they could not be forced either to turn over documents or answer questions about the Girardi probe.

Baker called the State Bar's investigation, which is being conducted by an outside law firm, Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg LLP, a scam.

Exterior of State Bar of California offices in downtown Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Theres no reason in my opinion to do an examination about the State Bars former employees after Mr. Girardi has already been disbarred, Baker said in a brief phone interview. Whats the purpose of this? They are spending money of lawyers dues  what do they anticipate doing, except blaming prior employees for an alleged transgression by Mr. Girardi and the State Bar?

In the wake of Girardis astonishing downfall, evidence has poured out about corruption at his vaunted firm, Girardi Keese, and elsewhere. A trustee overseeing the law firm bankruptcy estimates that Girardi stole $14 million from clients in the final decade before his firm collapsed. In one notable example, Girardi wired $300,000 from a client trust account to a sitting appellate judge with whom he was carrying on a years-long extramarital affair.

The Times has also reported how Girardi cultivated close relationships with State Bar officials as well as with private judges who played key roles in administering the settlements from which he is now accused of misappropriating funds.

The bar announced the outside firms investigation in January, saying its purpose was to identify actions by anyone with ties to the State Bar that may constitute malfeasance in how discipline complaints against Girardi were handled.

At the time, Ruben Duran, the chair of the bars governing board, proclaimed, Mark our words: We will go wherever the evidence leads us."

In the ensuing period, little has emerged publicly about the progress or scope of the investigation.

A hearing on the requests by the State Bar is scheduled for Oct. 28.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Salem Police Department headquarters in Salem, Oregon on Monday, March 15, 2021.

Nearly a dozen officers in Oregon, including two who have worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police, could permanently lose their police certification due to allegations that include theft and driving while drunk.

The Department of Safety Standards & Training is the state agency responsible for certifying and licensing officers, emergency dispatchers, private investigators and other groups that deal with the law. The department also investigates cases involving officer discipline, including economic sanctions.

DPSST's Police Policy Committee has made recommendations to thedepartment's board regarding the discipline of 11 officers. The board will vote Oct. 27.

In November 2019, Marion County Sheriff's Office deputy Jerry Wollenschlaeger medically retired with a settlement agreement during a criminal investigation after he was charged with theft for stealing a $12 credit from a video poker machine, according to court documents. Wollenschlaeger reached a civil compromise with the woman whose money he used and paid her $1,000.

In the proposed action document from DPSST, his certification would be revoked for life.

Raymond Dube, a former officer with the state police, was terminated in October 2019 after allegations he was untruthful during a criminal investigation into whether he was intoxicated while driving his vehicle. After an investigation, DPSST issued a notice of intent to revokehis police certification because Dube does not "meet the requirements of good moral fitness," according to the investigation report. The Police Policy Committee is proposing to revoke Dube's certification for 10 years.

Tyrone Jenkins, a former deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, was being investigated by DPSST for a criminal citation involving a domestic disturbance. The Linn County district attorney decided not to prosecute. The Police Policy Committee is recommending the board take no action against his certifications.

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Steve Bellshaw, a former deputy chief for the Salem Police Department, is also under investigation by DPSST. His case is not before the board at its next meeting.

Bellshaw retired under a separation agreement earlier this year where he was paid $53,500 in severance pay. DPSST is investigating the separation agreement. This was first reported by the Salem Reporter.

Requests for records for the DPSST investigation by the Statesman Journal were denied except for the general release of the agreement.

Dejania Oliver is the breaking news reporter for the Statesman Journal. Contact her at DAOliver@salem.gannett.com or follow on Twitter @DejaniaO

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: State board to vote on revoking police certifications for officers
From October 1, ECU will start exporting electricity to Poland

Once that process begins, ECU will control 50% of the electrical export market to Poland,

The enterprise was granted the right to export electricity to Poland with a capacity of 110 MW after winning a daytime auction held by the transmission system operator Ukrenergo on Sept. 29.

Read also: Energy of independence: Ukraine to recharge Europe

As a result, the state-owned energy trader displaced the dominant private player and received the right to supply 50% of the export volume offered at the auction.

"In recent years, state-owned companies have not exported electricity to Poland, and now the state will again earn where only private companies used to earn," said Vitaliy Butenko, CEO of the Energy Company of Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine could earn up to $2.35 billion from electricity exports to Europe annually

He also noted that the successful entry of ECU ended the dominance of the one private player in this export direction, which, in turn, increased the income of another state-owned company  Ukrenergo.

According to ECU, Ukrenergo received almost 35% of all that it had earned in the Polish direction in a single day compared to the previous five months.

Earlier, it was reported that the operators of transmission systems of continental Europe ENTSO-E agreed to increase the available capacity between Ukraine and the European Union during the daytime.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Hurricane Ian may have left Florida, but its not done inflicting damage on the Sunshine State.

Early projections estimate Ian will cost Floridas insurance market between $30 billion and $50 billion at a time when the states insurance market is already on life support. The result will be higher costs for all Floridians.

While northeast Florida as a whole dodged a bullet with Hurricane Ian, John Fords home wasnt so fortunate.

It was just a big boom, said Ford.

A large oak tree now lies on his roof, having poked a hole in the ceiling, allowing water into the frame of his home.

Still, Ford says hes lucky.

If it landed literally 10 feet that way, its over my in-laws portion of the house, said Ford.

Ford is insured, which is good news.

But the damage to Fords home is the least of Florida insurers worries right now.

The market was gonna lose a billion dollars before this storm. So, you have to understand like, if there was a year that we didnt need a storm it was this year, said State Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg).

Brandes has been raising red flags about the health of Floridas property insurance market for years in the Florida Legislature.

Florida has seen six insurance companies go belly up this year alone.

Now with Hurricane Ian, Brandes expects that number to climb.

He anticipates companies that do stay in the Florida market will have to raise rates drastically to stay afloat.

Insurance rates in Florida have already doubled over the past four years.

If Im advising the governor right now, you know, give it a week or two and then you need to call a task force to really put together the solutions for Floridas property insurance going forward or were essentially gonna have a middle class thats priced out of property insurance in Florida, said Brandes.

Ford told us the downstream costs of the storm could be a concern, but right now hes focused on getting his home back to normal.

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What just happened down south is devastation. So, I expect things to rise, I expect things to have an effect, but you know, well adjust, said Ford.

Sen. Brandes said there is a silver lining as far as the insurance market is concerned.

If the storm had hit Tampa Bay as originally expected, it would have had a much greater impact on Citizens, the state-backed insurer of last resort.

Citizens insures more than one out of four homes in Pinellas County, which would have increased the potential for a hurricane tax to need to be levied on all policyholders throughout the state.

In Lee and Highlands, which took the brunt of Ians wrath, Citizens insures fewer than one in 10 homes.

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A 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday after he was in a classroom with a loaded handgun at Edmonds-Woodway High School, according to the Edmonds Police Department.

According to the Edmonds Police Department, a student told a teacher they had saw the gun. The teacher notified the principal and the principal called 911.

The 911 call was made at approximately 1:11 p.m. and officers responded to the scene within minutes.

At 1:31 p.m. officers entered the classroom, with 25 to 30 students, and removed the student and secured the weapon.

The gun was described as a .40 caliber handgun with a scratched off or altered serial number.

The 15-year-old was booked into the Denny Juvenile Detention Center on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm on school grounds, being a minor with a gun and having a gun with an altered serial number.

There were no reported injuries.
Studio Ghibli will be holding touring exhibitions in cities across Japan ahead of its theme parks opening in November.

The Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition touring art installation is headed to five cities across Japan to give fans a taste of what is to come this November at Ghibli Park.

The exhibitions will showcase behind-the-scenes memorabilia of the theme parks conception, including versions of the attractions inspired by the beloved films of Hayao Miyazaki and his animation studio.

It will reveal director Goro Miyazakis process and creativity in creating the theme parks facilities, including his design documents and sketches for the park.

More from NextShark: Demon Slayer Movie Submitted for Oscars 2021

In the exhibition "Aya and the Witch," materials are set up to explain how Miyazaki creates 3DCG animation that is unique to Studio Ghibli. In another exhibition, the materials and models used in the process of creating Baron and Louise from the movie "Whisper of the Heart" will also be displayed. Visitors will be able to go behind the scenes of the film productions.

More from NextShark: The cafe pigeon 'Animal Crossing' fans all know and love is coming back to the series

The Ghibli Exhibition will include photo-friendly installations, such as the Catbus, which visitors are allowed to sit in, and a life-sized reproduction of the pergola of Satsuki and Meis house from 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro.

More from NextShark: Master of None Will Return for Season 3 to Focus on Lena Waithes Character

"Howl's Castle," which appears in the film "Howl's Moving Castle," will be built in the theme park's "Valley of Witches" and is scheduled to open in March 2024. In the meantime, visitors of the exhibition can take pictures with a life-sized reproduction of one of the legs from Howls Moving Castle. The installation will also include valuable models used in the creation of the castle.

More from NextShark: Mandopop song mocking Chinese nationalists as 'Fragile' goes No. 1 on Hong Kong and Taiwan YouTube

As for fans of Spirited Away," visitors can witness Yubaba in her office from in the exhibition "Fake Director's Room." In addition, fans can sit and take a commemorative photo with Kaonashi in the "Ghibli Narikiri Famous Scene Exhibition."

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Yubaba

Exclusive regional merchandise will be available at each exhibition, including pins, hand towels, stickers and bandanas.

towel

pin

The Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition has started in Nagano Prefectural Museum of Art and will last until Oct. 10. It will then be opened to the public in Aichi Prefecture from Oct. 29 until Dec. 25. In 2023, the exhibition will reportedly travel to Kumamoto, Hyogo and Yamaguchi.

Ghibli Park, which is located at Aichi Expo Memorial Park in Nagakute, Aichi, will open on Nov. 1. Fans will be able to experience the theme parks first attractions, including the Grand Warehouse, the Hill of Youth and Dondoko Forest.

All Images via Studio Ghibli via PR Times
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Friday hosted a formal investiture ceremony for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the court, with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both in attendance.

Jackson, appointed by Biden to replace fellow liberal Justice Stephen Breyer, who retired in June, was sworn in in July and has already been participating fully in the court's activities. As such, Friday's event was purely a formality. She is now part of the three-member liberal minority on the court, which is dominated, 6-3, by conservatives.

Speaking later in the day at a Library of Congress event, Jackson referred to the historic nature of her appointment, stressing the importance of representation for Black people, women and other groups historically excluded from power in the U.S.

People from all walks of life approach me with what I can only describe as a profound sense of pride and what feels to me like renewed ownership. I can see it in their eyes. I can hear it in their voices. They stare at me as if to say, Look at what weve done, she said.

They say, This is what we can accomplish if we put our minds to it. They might not use those words, but I get the message. Theyre calling on the ancestors, hearkening back to history and claiming their stake at last. They are saying to me, in essence, 'You go, girl,' she added.

Jackson is the third Black justice, after Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas, and is the sixth woman to serve on the court. For the first time, the Supreme Court has four women serving as justices at the same time.

During the short ceremony at the court, Chief Justice John Roberts made brief remarks, telling Jackson it was "my pleasure to extend to you a very warm welcome."

Jackson on Friday initially sat in a chair that was once used by Chief Justice John Marshall in the 19th century, and that has been used for investitures since 1972. Roberts then invited her to join the other justices behind the bench where he administered the judicial oath. The ceremony ended with Jackson taking her seat on the far right of the bench, as is customary for the most junior justice.

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Biden and Harris sat with other dignitaries in the courtroom, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several senators. Biden and Harris also met briefly with the justices before the ceremony, a court spokeswoman said. Breyer and fellow retired justice Anthony Kennedy were also present.

President Jose Biden, Jr., Vice President Kamala Harris, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson at a courtesy visit in the Justices Conference Room prior to the investiture ceremony on on Sept. 30, 2022. (Fred Schilling / Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States)

Spouses of the current justices were among those at the event, including Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who has questioned the results of the 2020 presidential election and gave evidence Thursday to the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.

The court's new nine-month term begins Monday, with the justices taking up a series of contentious cases, including several touching upon race. The court announced Wednesday that members of the public will be able to attend oral arguments for the first time since the pandemic led to a shutdown in March 2020. The court will continue to provide an audio livestream of arguments, a development introduced during the pandemic.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Ginni Thomas told January 6 investigators on Thursday that her husband was "unaware" of her texts with Mark Meadows.

She blamed the committee for leaking the texts, calling the 2020 election a "Heist," to the news media.

She said her husband learned of her texts after the leak while in the hospital, according to CBS.

Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, told the House panel investigating the January 6 insurrection that her husband didn't know she was texting former President Donald Trump's White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows about the 2020 presidential election.

"I know he was completely unaware of my texts with Mark Meadows until this committee leaked them to the press while he was in a hospital bed fighting an infection," Thomas said in an opening statement to the committee, according to CBS.

The committee leading the probe into the attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, hoping to overturn the election, interviewed Ginni Thomas, a conservative activist, on Thursday after The Washington Post reported in March about her text messages with Meadows.

Biden already had been declared president-elect on November 10 when Thomas texted Meadows: "Help This Great President stand firm, Mark!!!...You are the leader, with him, who is standing for America's constitutional governance at the precipice. The majority knows Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History."

Thomas also emailed Arizona lawmakers days after the 2020 election, urging them to "do your constitutional duty" and appoint "a clean slate of Electors" for the state, the Post reported.

During her voluntary meeting with the committee, she reiterated that she believes the election was stolen, according to CNN. She also described her husband as "uninterested in politics" and said she doesn't discuss her "day-to-day work" or who she is "calling, emailing, texting or meeting," CBS reported.

She told the committee, according to CBS, that she didn't talk to her husband about legal challenges to the 2020 election, "as I was not involved with those challenges in any way." They do not speak about pending Supreme Court cases as "an iron clad rule," CBS reported, quoting a a source familiar with her appearance before the committee.

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In January, Clarence Thomas was the only Supreme Court justice to dissent when the High Court rejected Trump's bid to block the release of some presidential records to the January 6 committee.

The committee postponed a hearing scheduled for September 28 because of Hurricane Ian in Florida and it has not released a new date.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In March 1965, Martin Luther King, Jr. led a civil rights march in support of voting rights in the Jim Crow South across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to the state capitol in Montgomery. That march, immortalized by the bloody repression committed by Alabama state troopers on the bridge, led directly to the passage of the historic Voting Rights Act that put an end to Jim Crow voting restrictions. Fifty-seven years later, on Oct. 4, the Supreme Court will hear arguments from the state of Alabama that what remains of that Voting Rights Act should be gutted.

After the 2020 Census, Alabama designed new Congressional maps that swept up Black voters across the state and packed them into just one majority-Black district, dispersing the rest in majority-white districts that tilt heavily Republican. The state was left with six such districts and only one majority-Black district in a state where over a quarter (26.8%) of voters are Black.

A group of Black voters and the Alabama chapter of the NAACP and Greater Birmingham Ministries sued, arguing this was a violation of the Voting Rights Act. But Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has an aggressive legal theory. He argues in Merrill v. Milligan that legislative district maps challenged under the Voting Rights Acts Section 2 for failing to provide equal representation to racial minorities through racial vote dilution should be judged solely by a race-blind standard.

The race-blind standard Alabama wants the court to accept is based on the average result of numerous algorithmically generated district maps that do not take race into account. While the use of computer-generated maps is common in partisan gerrymandering cases, it would be a new development in Voting Rights Act cases. Perhaps that is because applying a computer-generated race-blind test to a race-conscious law goes against the purpose of the law.

If the court doesnt accept this new race-blind standard, Alabama wants the court to rule that the Voting Rights Act no longer applies to the redistricting of single-member districts, which would produce a similar result.

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Its a frontal attack on the body of precedent thats existed for the last 40 years with respect to Section 2, Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a Harvard Law School professor, told HuffPost.

The arguments put forward by Alabama, and backed by the Republican Party, would overturn at least 40 years of Supreme Court precedent on how courts should judge Section 2 redistricting complaints. They fly against the history and meaning of the Voting Rights Act, which was enacted to prevent states from restricting access to the ballot for racial minorities and provide for their equal representation.

People march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during commemorations for the 57th anniversary of

People march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during commemorations for the 57th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" on March 6 in Selma, Alabama. (Photo: Brandon Bell via Getty Images)

Their arguments are likely to be met with a friendly ear by the Supreme Courts six-justice conservative supermajority that has long opposed race-conscious policies. If the courts conservatives accept Alabamas arguments and further gut the Voting Rights Act, the result would be fewer Black and Latino elected representatives at all levels of government from municipal government to state legislatures to Congress.

If Alabama prevails here this is going to result in the biggest decline in Black and Latino representation in generations, Stephanopoulos said.

Its Not A Close Case

To reach this result, Alabama Republicans, who control state government, cracked Black communities across the historic Black Belt, including splitting the majority Black city and county of Montgomery into three congressional districts, two of them majority white, and then packed the 7th district with a large percentage of Black voters. This map effectively diluted the Black vote, denying 27% of the Alabama population the right to be represented by someone of their choice.

A group of Black voters and the Alabama chapter of the NAACP and Greater Birmingham Ministries brought a lawsuit against Alabama arguing that the map amounted to racial vote dilution under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which is used to challenge voting laws and district maps as harming racially minorities because it did not include a second congressional district where Black voters had an opportunity to elect a candidate who represented their interests.

In doing so, they argued, the map failed to meet the preconditions for racial dilution set by the Supreme Court in its decision in the 1982 case of Thornburg v. Gingles.

The courts decision in Gingles came after Congress overrode the courts 1980 City of Mobile v. Bolden ruling that limited Section 2 challenges only to cases where the law or map under question was explicitly motivated by racial discrimination. Congress overrode this decision when it reauthorized the Voting Rights Act in 1982, and included language stating that Section 2 challenges can succeed if they show a disparate negative impact on the racial minority bringing the challenge.

In Gingles, the court laid out a framework to govern how courts should judge Section 2 racial vote dilution cases under the new disparate impact regime. The Gingles framework demanded that those bringing Section 2 racial vote dilution cases meet three tests in order to prove that an additional majority-minority seat is warranted.

First, the minority population must be sufficiently large enough and reside in a geographically compact region. Second, that minority population must be politically cohesive, as in it must share a common voting pattern. And third, the majority and minority populations are politically polarized in a manner where the majority population, in this case, whites, must also vote cohesively as a bloc in a manner that would always defeat the minoritys preferred candidate.

In the Alabama case, the challengers argued in the lower courts that their claim met all three prongs of the Gingles framework. The Black Belt, named for the color of its fertile soil, was home to the states cotton plantations where enslaved Black people lived and worked. The region is still home to the majority of the states Black population, who have a shared history of descent and culture. Black voters in the Black Belt are also a politically cohesive community with similar interests and voting behaviors. And Black and white voters are highly racially polarized with whites voting overwhelmingly for Republicans and Blacks for Democrats.

State troopers watch as civil rights marchers cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge over the Alabama River in Selma, Alabama two days before troopers used excessive force driving marchers back across the bridge, killing one protester. (Photo: Bettmann via Getty Images)

State troopers watch as civil rights marchers cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge over the Alabama River in Selma, Alabama two days before troopers used excessive force driving marchers back across the bridge, killing one protester. (Photo: Bettmann via Getty Images)

A three-judge district court panel, consisting of two judges appointed by former President Donald Trump and one by former President Bill Clinton, agreed with the challengers that the Gingles framework required Alabama to draw a new map with two majority-Black districts and ordered a preliminary injunction blocking Alabamas map from going into effect. The panel then rejected Alabamas appeal stating that it was a straightforward Section Two case, not a legal unicorn, that rests on an extremely robust body of evidence.

Whether the challengers are substantially likely to succeed on the merits of their Section Two claims, was not, the court said, a close one.

Its not a close case, said Stuart Naifeh, who is one of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund lawyers representing the Black voters of Alabama in the case. This is a case where Alabama has perpetuated a redistricting scheme that limits the ability of Black voters to elect candidates of their choice.

This Divvying Us Up By Race

But Alabama had a final move to protect their congressional map denying Black voters a second opportunity district: appeal to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Courts six-vote conservative supermajority made clear in their first term together that they have no qualms with overturning existing precedent and rewriting the law to match the ideological agenda of the conservative legal movement. Their decisions overturning Roe v. Wade and rewriting gun laws show that. And destroying the Voting Rights Act has long been a goal of the conservative movement.

Many or most of the conservatives on the court hate the Voting Rights Act, hate disparate impact statutes in general, hate race-conscious policies, and have a powerful ideological motive to do whatever they can to trim and change and cut back on current law, Stephanopoulos said.

As an aide in Ronald Reagans Justice Department, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote numerous memos in opposition to the disparate impact amendment adopted with the 1982 Voting Rights Act reauthorization.

It is a sordid business, this divvying us up by race, Roberts complained in his opinion in a 2006 Voting Rights Act case.

Roberts also wrote the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision that gutted the Voting Rights Act Section 5 preclearance provision, which required states with a history of racial discrimination to get voting laws and maps precleared before their adoption, by invalidating the laws preclearance formula.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote perhaps the fiercest rejection of racial vote dilution cases brought under Section 2 in the 1994 case of Holder v. Hall.

[I]n pursuing the ideal measure of voting strength, we have devised a remedial mechanism that encourages federal courts to segregate voters into racially designated districts to ensure minority electoral success, Thomas wrote. In doing so, we have collaborated in what may aptly be termed the racial balkaniz[ation] of the Nation.

When Alabama petitioned the court to reverse the lower court panels injunction suspending the states map for it to draw a new one this year, the court agreed and ordered the map to go into effect for the 2022 election while it took up the case in its October term.

All of the conservative justices supported this position save for Roberts, who wanted the court to take up the case for argument but not take the extreme step of overriding the injunction imposed by the lower court panel.

Reduction In Representation

Our argument is the existing standard has been in place for 40 years, and it works, Naifeh told HuffPost. States know what they need to do to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Alabama chose not to do those things here. And theres no need to modify the standard.

But, the real question, Naifeh noted, is what the six-vote conservative bloc, who apparently have no interest in respecting precedent that goes against their shared ideological concerns, will do.

Theres a range of outcomes that the court could reach in this case. The court could provide clarification about the existing framework while keeping it in place, as Roberts suggested in his dissent in staying the lower court panels injunction.

The addition of Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh swung the court hard to the right empowering conservatives to bring cases like Merrill v. Milligan. (Photo: JONATHAN ERNST via Getty Images)

The addition of Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh swung the court hard to the right empowering conservatives to bring cases like Merrill v. Milligan. (Photo: JONATHAN ERNST via Getty Images)

Were hopeful that we can persuade him and possibly one other justice that the court should reaffirm the Gingles standard, Naifeh said.

The court could also tighten the standard required under Gingles to make it harder to bring a challenge. It could require challengers to meet a higher level of scrutiny when they bring cases under Section 2. It could uphold Gingles while finding that Alabama is not required to draw a new district.

Or the court could, and what most observers believe it will do, accept Alabamas argument and overturn its longstanding precedent on Section 2 cases.

While that would not threaten Alabamas existing one majority-minority district, it would be devastating for Black and Latino political representation in other states, particularly in the South.

If the court went all the way as far as Alabama is suggesting it could prevent states from ever drawing any new majority-minority districts and potentially threaten existing majority-minority districts, Naifeh said.

This result is what Stephanopoulos and University of Michigan political science professor Jowei Chen found in their 2021 Yale Law School Journal article The Race-Blind Future of Voting Rights, and laid out in a brief filed to the court in support of the Black voters of Alabama.

For their article, Stephanopoulos and Chen did what Alabama wants to do to choose race-blind district maps and ran a series of randomized algorithmic map simulations that did not take race into account for 19 of the 20 states with sizable Black or Latino voting age populations. They then compared the average number of majority-minority districts arising from the race-blind algorithmic process to existing maps that do factor in race in some circumstances, as required by existing precedent on Voting Rights Act cases.

Their study found that a race-blind approach would reduce Black political representation in Southern and Border South states and Latino representation in Western states. In the Deep South, this would lead to a reduction in seats favoring Democrats and an increase in the number of Republican legislators.

In Alabama, for example, the race-blind approach produced up to 10 fewer majority-Black districts in the state legislature than currently exist.

The reduction in Black and Latino political representation would result in exactly what the Voting Rights Act sought to address.

And thats the government being responsive, Naifeh said. Its not just, oh, Black people get their own elected officials. Its when you have that kind of circumstance where the social conditions and the political conditions and the history are leading to a government that is not responsive to the needs of the minority community then the Voting Rights Act applies.

When communities are not allowed equal representation, they are subject to arbitrary and dismissive governance. Based on the lower court panels findings, Black Alabamians are already being denied government that is responsive to their concerns.

The Supreme Courts likely gutting of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, when applied to redistricting, will only make matters worse in Alabama and across the country by taking away the liberty the Voting Rights Act granted to racial minorities to engage in self-government. It pushes back the progress that advanced across the Edmund Pettus Bridge 57 years ago.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
The man accused of fatally hitting a teenager with an SUV over their political differences was charged with murdering the 18-year-old on Friday.

Shannon Brandt admitted to hitting Cayler Ellingson with his car early on the morning of September 18 in McHenry, N.D., after the pair had a political argument. Ellingson allegedly went to call his mom after the argument, but Brandt said he thought the teenager was calling for people to come get him.

Brandt initially fled the scene but called 911 afterwords, saying he hit Ellingson because he thought the teen was part of a Republican extremist group. Police reported that Brandt was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Brandt was initially charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The vehicular homicide charge has been dropped due to the new charge of murder, Foster County States Attorney Kara Brinster announced on Friday.

He posted $50,000 bail and was released with no curfew or house arrest, but he is not allowed to consume alcohol, cannot leave North Dakota, cant come in close contact with the Ellingson family, cannot possess a firearm, and has to be part of a 24/7 sobriety program, court documents showed.

There was no evidence that the incident involved politics or that Ellingson was in an Republican extremist group, North Dakota Highway Patrol Captain Bryan Niewind said.

An autopsy report indicates that Brandt ran over Ellingson and did not merely hit the teen with his SUV, according to Fox News.

When Brandt called 911 to report the fatal incident, he asked the operator if hes going to prison, and said he knew it was more than a total accident.

He also claimed that Ellingson wouldnt let go of his vehicle.

I just tried to take off and, he..he wasnt going to let me go, I, I hit him. I didnt mean to and, and hes subdued. I was scared to death but hes subdued, he cant do anything to me now so, so this is why Im calling you, Brandt told the operator, according to the outlet.

More from National Review
A suspect wanted for a fatal stabbing in Chelsea has been brought back to the city after being located more than 250 miles away in New Hampshire, police said Friday.

Suspect Travis Forbes, 34, is facing murder charges for knifing victim Jamal Burton, 38, during the Aug. 31 attack, police said.

Forbes had fled to New Hampshire and was arrested in the Granite State on Sept. 8, cops said. He was extradited back to New York on Thursday.

His accomplice, Nylisha Macon was arrested within a few hours of the stabbing, but cops didnt announce her apprehension until Forbes was in custody.

Macon, 42, was charged with assault.

Burton got into an argument with the duo on Seventh Ave. near W. 28th St. around 12:50 a.m., according to police.

As the three fought, Macon struck Burton at least once. Forbes then pulled a knife and plunged it into the Burtons chest multiple times, cops said.

Medics rushed Burton to Lenox Hill Hospital, but he couldnt be saved.

It was not immediately disclosed what sparked the bloody fight or if Burton knew the two attackers prior to the fight.

Burton lived in East New York, Brooklyn, about a mile from Macon, police said. Forbes lived in the Bronx.

Forbes was ordered held without bail following a brief arraignment proceeding at Manhattan Criminal Court Thursday. Macon was ordered held on $40,000 bail at her arraignment on Sept. 1.
OSLO/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden's Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) said on Friday reversed a ban against exporting military equipment to Turkey, following the Nordic country's decision to join the NATO military alliance and agreement to overcome Turkish objections.

The Sweden and Finland sought membership to NATO earlier this year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but faced a hurdle as its application needs the approval of all 30 current members, with Turkey raising objections.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to block their bids over Ankara's accusations they supported the YPG in northern Syria, which it views as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which is also deemed a terrorist group by the United States and European Union.

Sweden and Finland effectively banned arms exports to Turkey in 2019 after its incursion into Syria against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, with ISP revoking existing permits and granting no new ones since then though no formal embargo existed.

The three countries reached a breakthrough agreement on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid in June, where Sweden and Finland agreed on a set of steps to be taken to address Turkey's concerns about the candidacies.

The ISP said in a statement it began giving export permits during the third quarter but did not reveal which companies or products had been given the go-ahead, citing confidentiality.

"Taking into account the altered defence and security policy conditions, ISP has after a full review decided to grant a permit for follow-up deliveries from Swedish defence industry to Turkey," the authority said.

Turkey in May this year said it had received positive signals with regards to a lifting of the embargo.

(Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Supantha Mukherjee; editing by Niklas Pollard)
By Michael Shields

ZURICH (Reuters) -Finance Minister Ueli Maurer, a fiscal hawk who recognised the need to turn on the money taps to help Switzerland get through the coronavirus pandemic, will step down at the end of this year, he said on Friday.

Maurer, former leader and still member of the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), has been finance minister since 2016. He had also served as defence minister and held the revolving Swiss presidency in 2013.

His successor is set to be decided on Dec. 7, when parliament elects cabinet members, he said. The SVP as biggest party in parliament would have no problem maintaining its two of the seven cabinet seats, he added.

Maurer, 71, said no single event led to his decision to step down, but noted that after four decades in politics, it was time for a change.

"In the past one-and-a-half years, I felt I have a lot of energy to do something else," he told a news conference in Bern.

Maurer, an old-school politician who rose from his farming roots in Zurich to reach the highest ranks of Swiss government, said he did not intend to play an active role in politics once he leaves.

But he took a final shot at the news conference on Friday at the "spending spree" gripping Swiss politics that he complained was leading to structural deficits.

He also revealed he pays no attention to the news media other than a daily glance at the teletext news page, and told staff to let him know of any big stories that had dominated the news for at least a week, which he said was seldom the case.

He said he knew the cleaning women in the government building where he worked better than anyone else, and suggested people read more books rather than just social media.

He told reporters he had just read Tolstoy's War and Peace, adding: "That brings more to me than your products."

(Reporting by Michael Shields, Editing by Miranda Murray and Jane Merriman)
Taco Chon's owner has hired a lawyer to fight a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Taco John's against the business.

Husband-wife team Diana and Lee Hutton, attorneys at The Hutton Firm in Minneapolis, are handling the case for Taco Chon, Diana Hutton confirmed. The Hutton Firm filed an answer and counterclaim in mid-May, claiming Taco John's is engaging in trademark bullying and that Taco Chon's "authentic Mexican cuisine" could never be confused with Taco John's "West-Mex." Should Taco Chon win the case, the counterclaim asks for $150,000 or more in damages for monetary and non-monetary harm as well as coverage of costs Taco Chon incurred during the suit, including attorneys' fees.

"This is not the first time  and this is not going to be the last time  that a big company has targeted a small business in order to corner them and harass them and force them into either closing their business, changing their name, et cetera," Diana Hutton said.

Taco Chon owner Juan Ramos stands in front of the St. Cloud location Thursday, April 28, 2022. He's being sued by Taco John's because of the similarity of their business names.

Taco John's lead counsel, Hal Bruno of Robinson Waters & O'Dorisio, P.C. in Denver, Colorado, said Taco John's made a "very reasonable offer" to Taco Chon to change it's name to Chon's Taco before the suit was filed and has repeated the offer several times to Lee Hutton, and is not engaging in trademark bullying. Taco John's has also filed a reply to the counterclaim in late May.

"Taco John's has an obligation under trademark law and under its franchise agreements with its franchisees to make sure the trademark is not diluted," Bruno said.

Taco John's filed a complaint in the United States District Court in Minnesota in April, asking for a permanent injunction to keep Taco Chon from using that name for any Mexican-themed restaurant; give Taco John's all of Taco Chon's profits while the business operated under the name Taco Chon; and that Taco Chon pays damages, attorney fees and court costs.

More:Minnesota-based Taco Chon restaurant owner says he'll fight the Taco John lawsuit

Story continues

"That is something that we are entitled to under the federal trademarking statute," Bruno said. "If we have to try the case, it costs money... and if we have to go to court ... we want everything that we're entitled to under the law. It's pretty simple."

Bruno said Taco John's "won't try the case halfway" if it comes to that, but that the company is hoping to settle before a trial. He also said he believes Taco Chon is "milking" the case for publicity reasons.

"The last thing Taco John's wants to do is try this case," Bruno said. "It's just not worth it in terms of time and money. We want Mr. Ramos to change his name to something that is not going to dilute the goodwill of Taco John's name."

The customer counter and menu board at Taco Chon is pictured Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in St. Cloud.

Bruno said this is the only trademark infringement case Taco John's has filed against a third-party user that he knows of.

Hutton said it's rare for cases like this one to make it to court, as often the two parties reach a settlement.

"There's really not a case that has been litigated all the way through so that we can have a precedent," Hutton said.

Hutton said the two parties are in the discovery process, which is the formal process in which both sides share information about witnesses and evidence to be presented at trial. It is too early to tell whether their client would be open to settling out of court, she said.

"Our client is willing to fight," she said. "He is willing to fight for his American dream. ... He doesn't want to have this big company that has nothing to do with him claiming that he is trying to take advantage of the notoriety and fame of the Taco John's brand."

Taco Chon owner Juan Ramos told the St. Cloud Times in April his company's name goes back 30 years to a store his parents ran in Mexico.

"I was always dreaming to have a taco store here in Minnesota," Ramos said.

"Chon" is a nickname for a person named Concepcion, Ramos said.

More:Customers support Taco Chon with business, donations after news Taco John's would sue over name

Taco Chon has two locations, including one in St. Cloud.

Hutton said the differences between the two companies are stark and there's no possibility for consumer confusion.

"They're just two completely different concepts and businesses," she said.

Hutton, who is also originally from Mexico, said that in the case, Taco John's is attempting to present itself as an authentic Mexican fast food restaurant.

"The management for Taco John's is just white, white people," Hutton said. "So it's a little bit difficult for them to tell us what Mexican food is."

A Birria Taco Plate specialty is ready to be served Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at Taco Chon in St. Cloud.

But Bruno said this case isn't a cultural war, or anything more than protecting Taco John's brand and franchisees' investments. Taco John's started as one location of a family business in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the company feels the need to protect the small business owners who have invested in their franchises and pay royalties to use the Taco John's name, Bruno said.

"It's not about whose Mexican food is more Mexican," he said. "It's not about Mr. Ramos being an immigrant. This is a black-letter trademark dispute. Of all the names that Mr. Ramos chose to take, he chose one that absolutely is only one letter off of Taco John's name."

Bruno said Taco John's is waiting for the magistrate to set a settlement conference.

"Taco John's wishes Mr. Ramos well," Bruno said. "All he has to do is change his name."

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Taco Chon counterclaim alleges trademark bullying by Taco John's
WASHINGTON  Warning that Hurricane Ian was likely to rank among the worst in the nations history, President Biden pledged full support to the residents of southwest Florida, where the Category 4 storm made landfall on Wednesday, and South Carolina, which prepared for 85 mph winds and surging floodwaters on Friday.

It's going to take months, years to rebuild, Biden said, speaking from the White House. And our hearts go out to all those folks whose lives have been absolutely devastated by the storm.

President Biden discusses the federal government's response to Hurricane Ian at the White House on Friday. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The hurricane has killed 21 Floridians, a number that is expected to rise, and more than 1 million residents of the state remain without electricity. As it traveled toward South Carolina, Ian lost, but then regained, speed.

Biden approved Floridas emergency declaration last week. On Thursday, as Florida began the painful process of recovery and South Carolina braced for the storm, the president issued a state-of-disaster notice for Florida, targeting nine counties. He also approved South Carolinas emergency declaration. Together, these designations will provide state and local governments with reimbursements from the federal government for storm recovery costs that are all but certain to run into the billions of dollars.

Damaged homes and debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Fla., on Thursday. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

I just want the people of Florida to know: We see what youre going through, and were with you, Biden said, outlining other federal efforts in response to Ian, including the deployment of mobile telecommunications equipment to restore cellular service. The Biden administration has sent 2,000 federal response personnel to Florida, as well as 400 members of the Army Corps of Engineers who will examine the state of storm-damaged infrastructure such as bridges.

The White House also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was already moving to house storm survivors who lost their homes to Ians punishing winds and rains.

Every single minute counts, Biden said Friday. He said he had spoken with Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida on multiple occasions in recent days and with Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina on Friday morning. He pleaded with South Carolinians to listen to local officials, who have been urging residents of low-lying coastal areas to evacuate.

Story continues

A worker moves a sandbag after a pump was placed to remove water from the Battery in Charleston, S.C., as the effects from Hurricane Ian are felt on Friday. (Alex Brandon/AP)

Biden was a senior senator from Delaware when Hurricane Katrina slammed into Louisiana in 2005, catching both local officials and President George W. Bush by surprise. Seven years later, as the vice president of the United States, Biden watched as President Barack Obama responded to Superstorm Sandy with widely praised compassion.

Now, as president, Biden is dealing with the most powerful hurricane to have come along during his administration. And even as he vowed that help would flow from Washington as long as necessary, he acknowledged that the scenes of devastation emerging from Florida were difficult to see  and will, for many, be just as difficult to forget.

Americas heart is literally breaking, he said.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  A suicide bomber struck an education center in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital on Friday, killing 19 people and wounding 27, including teenagers who were taking university practice entry exams, a Taliban spokesman said.

The morning explosion at the center took place in Kabul's Dashti Barchi neighborhood, an area populated mostly by ethnic Hazaras, who belong to Afghanistans minority Shiite community. The Islamic State group has carried out repeated, horrific attacks on schools, hospitals and mosques in Dashti Barchi and other Shiite areas in recent years.

Around 300 recent high school graduates, boys and girls, had come to the Kaaj Higher Educational Center at 6:30 a.m. to take practice exams, said one survivor, 19-year-old Shafi Akbary. The facility helps students prepare and study for the entrance exams, among other activities.

About an hour into the session, the blast went off.

First, we heard the sounds of a few gunshots at the main gate. Everyone was worried and tried to run to a different direction," said Akbary, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone. "Soon after that, a huge explosion occurred inside the center.

Akbary, who was unharmed, said he saw dozens of bodies and wounded people scattered around him. I was so afraid and couldnt even move myself to help them. Later, other people ran inside and took us out, he added. Akbary said he has attended classes at the center the past six months

Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman of the Kabul police who gave the casualty toll, said students were among the victims of the blast, but he did not specify how many. He said education centers in the area will need to ask the Taliban for additional security when they host events with big gatherings like Friday's exam prep.

Police have arrested a suspect who may have links to the attack, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said later. He was unable to provide any updates on the casualties.

Story continues

The Emergency NGO Hospital in Kabul said in a tweet it had received 22 patients so far, adding that most of them were women aged 18-25 who were taking an exam.

Husnia Azimi was one of those killed in the suicide bombing. She left home Friday morning to attend the exam, even though her sister Zainab told her it was late and not to go.

Once she left, it was around 09:00 a.m. that we heard about the explosion," said Zainab. "We didnt hear its sound, but once we got the news, we went to all the hospitals, Ali Jinnah hospital, Watan hospital, and other hospitals.

"But when we went to the Emergency Hospital, we got a call from Ali Jinnah hospital that my sisters dead body was found. Then we went back there and saw her body.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. But the Islamic State group, the chief rival of the Taliban, has been waging a campaign of violence that has intensified since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Afghanistans Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite Muslims, have been a frequent target of the violence. In Dashti Barchi, IS carried out a 2020 attack on a maternity hospital that killed 24 people, including newborn babies and mothers, and an attack on a school in 2021 that killed more than 90, mostly schoolgirls. The neighborhood sees frequent bombings of minibuses and, earlier this year, a school and another education center were hit near simultaneously, killing six.

The local police chief, Abdul Rahman Nafiz, criticized the center for failing to inform security officials about the practice exam.

Neither police officials nor intelligence officials were aware of any activity going on or a big exam happening in this center, so the officials from the center were very reckless, he said. "Now our mujaheddin (Taliban police) are here, and they are investigating the incident.

Amnesty International's South Asia campaigner, Samira Hamidi, said Friday's attack showed the "utter failure of the Taliban, as de-facto authorities, to protect the people of Afghanistan.

She said the Taliban have taken few measures to protect the public, especially Shiites and Hazaras "Instead, their actions of omission and commission have only further aggravated the risk to the lives of the people of Afghanistan especially those belonging to ethnic and minority communities, she said.

The U.S. charge daffaires for Afghanistan, Karen Decker, condemned Friday's attack in a tweet.

Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear," she said. We hope for a swift recovery for the victims & we grieve with the families of the deceased.

The United Nations children's agency UNICEF said it was appalled by Friday's horrific attack. Children and adolescents are not, and must never be, the target of violence, it said in a tweet.

Since seizing power, the Taliban have banned most girls beyond the sixth grade from attending school. But female high school graduates from previous years can go to university.

___

Faiez reported from Islamabad.
(Bloomberg) -- A new trove of text messages between Elon Musk and Twitter Inc. executives, close friends, potential investors and Silicon Valley bros sheds light on how a $44 billion deal by the worlds richest person to buy the social media company came about -- and ended up in court.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The texts show who wanted to be part of the buyout and reveal the inner circles musings on who should run the company if Musk did come to own it. They were disclosed as part of Twitters lawsuit to make Musk follow through on his $54.20-per-share offer, which is slated to go to trial in Delaware Chancery Court next month.

Read court filing here

Among the many texts, Musk discloses that he has a minor case of Covid in late March, is usually up until ~3 am and no longer has a personal assistant.

Here are 10 glimpses behind the scenes.

1. Jack Dorsey, Twitters former chief executive officer, worked to get Musk to join the board shortly after activist investors starting agitating for change at the company in 2020.

I tried my hardest to get you on our board, and the board said no, Dorsey wrote. Thats about the time I decided I need to work to leave, as hard as it was for me.

Dorsey is jack jack on Elons phone.

Read More: Dorsey Tried to Add Musk to Twitters Board Well Before Deal

2. Musks relations with Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal went from friendly to frosty within a week. On April 5, Agrawal tweeted that Musk was being appointed to Twitters board -- and got Musks approval for the language of the tweet.

But by April 9, the tone had shifted dramatically. Agrawal upbraided Musk over his tweets disparaging the company.

Story continues

You are free to tweet is Twitter dying or anything else about Twitter -- but its my responsibility to tell you that its not helping me make Twitter better in the current context. Id like to provide your perspective on the level of internal distraction right now and how it [sic] hurting our ability to do work.

What did you get done this week? Musk snapped back.

Im not joining the board. This is a waste of time, he texted 40 seconds later.

Will make an offer to take Twitter private, he texted 15 seconds after that.

3. A few minutes later, Musk texted with Chair Bret Taylor about fixing Twitter. The texts suggest he already knew about Twitters bot problem, which he would later cite as a reason to abandon the deal.

This is hard to do as a public company, as purging fake users will make the numbers look terrible, so restructuring should be done as a private company, Musk wrote. This is Jacks opinion too.

Read More: Twitter Calls Musk Counterclaims Made-for-Litigation Tale

4. On April 20, Musk texted Oracle Corp.s Larry Ellison.

Any interest in participating in the Twitter deal? he asked. Ellison said yes. Musk asked how much.

A billion ... or whatever you recommend, Ellison replied. Musk recommended $2 billion. On April 24 Ellison said, Since you think I should come in for at least $2B ... Im in for $2B.

5. Several of Musks friends had ideas on whom Musk should hire. Investor Bill Lee suggested Bill Gurley of Benchmark Capital. Jason Calacanis noted that Twitter CEO is my dream job.

6. Joe Rogan was a fan of the deal. I REALLY hope you get Twitter, the outsize podcaster texted. If you do, we should throw a hell of a party.

Read More: Musk Sought Trump Word Search to Prove Twitter Fake Accounts

7. Steve Jurvetson suggested Musk hire Emil Michael, the former chief business officer of Uber Technologies Inc., and texted Michaels LinkedIn account over.

I dont have a LinkedIn account, Musk responded.

8. Gayle King of CBS asked Musk in April for an interview, saying buying Twitter was what the kids call a gangsta move and suggesting that Oprah Winfrey might want to join the board. King said shed like a Twitter edit button.

Twitter edit button is coming, Musk responded.

9. Musk warned Calacanis against offering investment in the deal to randos.

It makes it seem like Im desperate, he said.

Calacanis said he only wanted to be supportive: You know Im ride or die brother.

Read More: Twitter Gets Win Over Musk With Fast-Tracked October Trial

10. In March, Sam Bankman-Fried, the crypto billionaire, tried to get in touch with Musk through an associate to discuss joining in a deal for Twitter. Musk appeared uninterested -- and unaware of Bankman-Frieds wealth, asking, Does he have huge amounts of money?

Eventually he warmed to the idea, so long as I dont have to have a laborious blockchain debate.

Its unclear if they met.

The case is Twitter v. Musk, 22-0613, Delaware Chancery Court (Wilmington).

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's Constitutional Court on Friday ruled Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had not exceeded the maximum eight years allowed in office, clearing the way for the former coup leader's return from a five-week suspension.

The decision will be a big boost for Prayuth, a staunch royalist whose premiership has been beset by attempts to unseat him, including four house censure motions, a conflict of interest case and protests challenging his leadership and the monarchy.

"The accused ... has been in the prime minister position not exceeding the limit stipulated by the constitution," a judge said in a 25-minute televised reading.

"Therefore he is not disqualified."

The case was brought by the opposition Pheu Thai party, whose government was toppled eight years ago by then-army chief Prayuth.

Despite portraying himself as a reluctant leader wanting to hold power only briefly, he served as prime minister of a junta until an election in 2019, after which parliament chose him to remain premier.

The judges on Friday voted 6-3 in his favour, with the court concluding his tenure started in 2017, when a new constitution was promulgated, meaning he could serve until 2025 if re-elected. An election is due to take place before May next year.

PERIOD OF REFLECTION

Prayuth, 68, had been suspended from office while the court deliberated the case, which he said had given him time to reflect.

"This past month I have realised that I need to use my limited time in government to push important projects to their realisation, for the progress of the country and for the future of our children," he said in a Facebook post after the ruling, promising big infrastructure upgrades.

Prayuth is among the longest-serving premiers in Thailand, a country that has seen more than 10 coups in the past century and had numerous leaders from the military.

An opinion poll in early August showed his popularity waning, with nearly two-thirds of respondents wanting him to leave office, while a third said the court should decide.

Story continues

Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of the political juggernaut created by billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra - who was himself ousted in coup in 2006 - said the ruling showed it was time to reform the court to create "appropriate checks and balances".

"The verdict does not cleanse Prayuth. The opposition sees Prayuth as someone who wants to maintain power in every way possible," it said in a joint statement by the opposition bloc.

"He also broke his promise to the people from the beginning when he said he won't stay long."

Scores of protesters gathered in central Bangkok to denounce the ruling and they called for opposition parties and activists to join forces in demonstrations to remove Prayuth.

"We can no longer rely on the court and others to function, it is now the duty of the people to decide the future of the country," pro-democracy activist Somyot Pruksakasemsuk told the crowd.

"Together we can drive out Prayuth ... We need a democracy without Prayuth Chan-ocha."

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; additional reporting by Jiraporn Kuhakan; writing by Martin Petty; editing by Robert Birsel and Mark Heinrich)
On the very first National Latino/a Physician Day, which takes place Saturday, advocates are working to raise awareness of the relatively small number of Latino physicians and surgeons there are in the United States amid growing health care needs and disparities in the community.

"For the last 40 years, the number of Latino physicians has not changed. That's a failure," Dr. Cesar Padilla, one of the organizers of the campaign and a clinical assistant professor at Stanford's University School of Medicine, told NBC News.

Latinos account for 7% of the overall physician and surgeon workforce and 9% of all health care practitioners and technicians, according to a recent Pew Research Center analysis. Meanwhile, almost 1 in 5 Americans, 62.6 million, are Latino, according to the latest 2020 census numbers, a 23% increase from 2010.

"There was urgency to increase the number of Latino physicians in the United States before Covid. Its a crisis now, Padilla added, noting to the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on the Latino community.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Latinos are 1.5 times more likely to test positive for Covid-19, twice as likely to be hospitalized and 1.8 times more likely to die to the virus than their white counterparts. In total, so far Latinos made up 17.1% of all Covid-related deaths and 24.6% of all cases.

Latinos are less likely to have health coverage than their non-Latino counterparts at 20% compared to 9%, according to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services. Along with language and cultural barriers, socioeconomic factors have also led to poorer patient outcomes, the report noted.

Physicians who speak the same native language and are able to relate to the cultural experiences of their patients have been linked to higher patient outcomes, a notion that is also supported by The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The nonprofit group, which accredits all graduate medical training programs for physicians in the U.S., emphasizes the need to educate physicians who are more likely to work in underserved areas or with minority patients on these nuances.

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I was the only Mexican in my medical school class out of 104 students. That did not sit very well with me because I felt anxiety. I felt sort of out of place, said Padilla, who is double-fellowship trained from Harvard Medical School in critical care medicine and obstetric anesthesiology, with additional training in critical care echocardiography.

Dr. Michael Galvez, director of pediatric hand and upper extremity surgery at Valley Childrens Hospital in Madera, California, was also concerned by the low number of Latino faculty in the surgical field and partnered with Padilla to help raise awareness on the disparity.

Dr. Michael Galvez performs pediatric hand surgery. (Courtesy Dr. Michael Galvez)

It cant be just us, said Galvez, who completed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute research fellowship and residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford. When you look around and you realize that youre one of the few Latino or Latina physicians  its not enough.

Padilla added, If you were to double the Latino matriculants into medical school, it would take 92 years for the Latino medical workforce to meet the needs of the community.

Although the National Latino/a Physician Day hasn't received any congressional recognition, it has gained widespread support from Latino and non-Latino organizations, nonprofits and societies, including from the American Medical Association, the nation's largest group representing physicians and the National Hispanic Medical Association, among others.

We want patients to be outraged, too, Galvez said. How is it that were writing off the pandemic when there are significant factors that have affected families? Simply having a family member die is a big deal and its traumatic. Its something thats going to take our community longer  to really gain a new equilibrium.

Both doctors are focusing their attention on California, the state with the largest Latino population, at 40%, by highlighting pipeline and support programs for marginalized aspiring medical students. Latinos account for 11% of the state's medical school graduates.

Out of the nation's 940,254 total active physicians, 50,797 are Latino. California has the largest total number of active physicians with 113,718, 6.3% of which are Latino. In Texas, Latinos account for 11.3% of total active physicians; 15.8% in Florida; 5.2% in New York and 4.5% in Illinois, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges' 2021 State Workforce Data Report.

One of the support programs the doctors highlighted is California Medicine Scholars, a systemwide pilot program that collaborates with local universities and community colleges to increase the number of Latino and minority pre-medical students and diversify the workforce.

Its received $10 million in funding from the state of California and about $5 million from private donations.

Now this is just one state. But what we need is we need this program to be multiplied across the country, Padilla said.

Dr. Cesar Padilla trains Areli Valencia, a Stanford medical student. (Courtesy Dr. Cesar Padilla)

Another program helping the next generation succeed in medical school is Alliance in Mentorship/MiMentor, a national nonprofit connecting underrepresented aspiring physicians with mentors. The program has more than 13,000 members with 10% coming from California with a Latino background, according to Padilla, who serves as its chief medical education adviser.

Many Latinos have untraditional pathways in higher education, or they begin their higher education journeys at community colleges.

The cost of attending medical school is also a challenge for many Latino families.

For those looking to attend, the average total cost of medical school is $218,792, or a yearly cost of $54,698, according to Education Data Initiative data. For Latinos, the average debt is $211,659. Additional costs can also quickly add up, including living expenses, exam and equipment fees, among others.

Its going to take so many years to get things better. Were going to keep working towards this until there is complete awareness from every institution [and] medical school. Were not going away, Galvez said.

After recently completing surgery on a young patient, the childs parents told him he was the first Latino physician theyve met. Galvez said it was an honor.

Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Two men scammed hundreds of people across the United States into giving them Walmart gift cards in separate schemes, federal prosecutors say.

Yao Lin, 51, and Wen Xue Lin, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, according to a Sept. 30 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia. Each faces a $1 million fine and up to 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Neither Yao Lin nor Wen Xue Lins lawyers immediately responded to McClatchy News request for comment.

Both men worked with unnamed co-conspirators and received 3% of the money converted from the Walmart gift cards, the release says. They both say they did not know the gift cards were obtained fraudulently and thought the only victim was Walmart.

Between Feb. 19 and March 29, 2021, Yao Lin completed 1,649 transactions using 1,271 Walmart gift cards, which added up to $533,341.75, the release says. The gift cards came from 370 individuals in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Yao Lin purchased different kinds of gift cards with the Walmart ones across the southeast U.S., including in Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, according to his plea agreement.

After Yao Lin was arrested in 2021, officials say they found 28 Google Play, Steam and Apple gift cards in his vehicle, totaling approximately $9,300.

In one instance, a man was convinced to pay $5,000 in Walmart gift cards over an unspecified period of time, the release says. He believed some of the money was for a woman, but she didnt exist.

Wen Xue Lin used Walmart gift cards to purchase other cards totaling $287,335.34 during a three-day period before he was arrested Sept. 26, 2019, in Georgia, the release says. After his arrest, authorities found 1,298 Walmart Vanilla Mastercard and American Express gift cards worth $229,100 in Wen Xue Lins car. There was an estimated $40,000 remaining on the cards.

Wen Xue Lin told authorities he used an app to get gift card numbers from sources in China, the release says. Then, he bought new gift cards and sent them back to China, prosecutors say.

Story continues

In one case, a man was told there was a warrant out for his arrest and he had to buy Walmart gift cards to avoid getting arrested.

Officials have not identified if Yao Lin and Wen Xue Lin were working with the same co-conspirators.

The two men will be sentenced within 90 days, according to the release.

Ex-Walmart worker stole 1,000 iPads, Apple watches, feds say. Hes headed to prison

Bogus company stole $2.5 million from Medicaid and left town, Missouri prosecutors say

Womens shelter closes after workers use funds for Disney trip, buying sprees, feds say
All four games have followed a familiar formula thus far for the Colorado Buffaloes defense  save for one half against TCU. The Buffs havent been able to control the line of scrimmage, their front has been worn down and players are constantly out of position.

Colorado will be matching up against a different type of team this week as Arizona has relied on the passing game more than weve seen from others teams in recent weeks. Arizona is averaging more than 300 yards passing per game and a shade under 30 points per contest.

Here is what the Buffaloes defense will have to do to steal a win in the desert:

Stop the run

Even though the Wildcats dont run the ball as their primary mode of attack, it doesnt mean the front can have an off day. Arizona is still averaging 125 yards per game on the ground, and while this is a step down from the other teams that Colorado has faced so far this season, this still means that Arizona can succeed in this area. The front has to improve this week and shut down Arizona on the ground.

Slow down the Wildcats' passing attack

Jayden de Laura and the Wildcats receivers have come out firing so far this season. CUs defensive backs will be tested early and often by Arizona and they will need to be up to the test this week. De Laura has been a potent weapon since transferring over from Washington State and will need to be the main focus of the Buffaloes defense on Saturday.

Create some big plays

Colorado has gotten a few turnovers so far this season, intercepting one pass and recovering three fumbles. What Colorado has not done in four games is generate enough of a pass rush to make an impact with only three total sacks. Arizona has also done a good job of protecting its QB, only allowing five sacks through four games. Colorado will need to get after the QB this week and make him uncomfortable. If CU is able to do this, maybe it can force an interception or two, as de Laura has already thrown six this season.

Story continues

Further reading

[lawrence-related id=11120,11116,11038,10953,9890]

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Story originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire
As Florida begins to cleanup after Hurricane Ian, the sunshine state is getting help from the Mid-South. Wednesday night, hundreds of guardsmen and women from the Tennessee National Guard started their journey to Florida. Its unclear what exactly the members will be assisting with, but Col. Christian Cornette with the 164th Airlift Wing Division in Memphis tells FOX13 he expects his members to at least help with removing debris.

We think a lot of debris removal, we have that capability amongst the army and the air force folks here in Tennessee. Were really unsure until our folks get down there, said Col. Cornette.

Even though members left Wednesday night, Col. Cornette tells FOX13 it may take a while for those service members to arrive.

With over 1,200 people, it is a big muscle movement that were going through, and so it is taking time to ensure safety of our members, said Col. Cornette.

To help other rescue crews, Col. Cornette says the Tennessee National Guard brings some of their own equipment.

They do bring in some of our own equipment. Whether its army or air, they bring equipment and, in some cases, high water vehicles, dump trucks, said Col. Cornette. They will be able to hopefully support any needs that Florida has.

It may seem National Guard members are always ready to respond at a moments notice. Col. Cornette tells FOX13 thats because planning for natural disasters like Hurricane Ian begins before hurricane season starts.

The planning for this has actually occurred on an annual basis for hurricane season amongst the states.

Col. Cornette says he hopes his members are able to provide relief to rescue crews and he is proud of the work the men and women will be doing.

The men and women who are mobilized to go down and meet these requirements are going down to an uncertain situation and were proud of what theyre willing to do and we just want them to be safe.

Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.

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A pair of Toronto artists have collaborated to create a reimagined version of a classic Raptors jersey to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Photo via TIEJA Inc.)

The Toronto Raptors are known to be one of the most socially active organizations in all of North American sports, often leading the line in driving social change and advocating for inclusivity in sports and society.

The Raptors brand has long represented a space that promotes and encourages diversity, while fostering a fan base that welcomes dialogue towards progressive social change.

Indigenous artist Mike Ivall  also known as Big Nish  has collaborated with Toronto artist Casey Bannerman to design a custom Raptors jersey in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

This project gives me a sense of pride, both for my city and my heritage. The inspiration for the design actually came in 2019, when the Raptors won the NBA Title," Ivall said. "I thought it would be cool to see my culture in the Raptors logo, so I indigenized it in the woodland art style. My art is my personal healing journey. It allows me to learn language and teachings that I never had growing up.

The reimagined take on the classic white jersey is done in a woodland art style, featuring "Giiwedin"  the Ojibwe word for "North"  emblazoned above a modified version of the original Dino logo.

The item will go live for sale at caseybannerman.com on Friday, Sept. 30. Part of the proceeds will go to the Orange Shirt Society, a non-profit organization that supports Residential School Reconciliation and creates awareness about the inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools.

According to Indigenous Foundations, the residential school system "forcibly separated children from their families for extended periods of time and forbade them to acknowledge their Indigenous heritage and culture or to speak their own languages" between the 1880s and the end of the 20th century.

"I am proud to be collaborating with a talented First Nations artist to bring a sports jersey that all Canadians can take pride in," Bannerman said. "Anytime we can mix art, sport and charity together is a win."

Story continues

The Raptors squad is currently opening its training camp in Victoria, B.C., before touring through Canada during the preseason ahead of its home opener on Oct. 19.

More from Yahoo Sports
PFAS were detected in 65 per cent of uniform samples tested (Getty Images)

Toxic forever chemicals commonly used to make childrens clothing could pose a serious health hazard to wearers exposed to the compound, a new study has warned.

Chemicals such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used to make clothing and textiles resistant to water and stains.

PFAS are nicknamed forever chemicals because they are impossible to break down naturally and accumulate in both the environment and the human body.

They have been linked to cancer, birth defects, kidney disease, decreased immunity, reproductive problems, asthma, obesity, and neurodevelopmental or behavioural issues.

The study, published in the Environmental and Science Technology journal, detected high levels of PFAS in 65 per cent of school uniforms and other childrens garments, including snowsuits, rainsuits, bibs, hats, mittens and even pushchair covers tested.

According to several surveys in the United States, PFAS is frequently found in blood samples of children aged between three and 11. With around 20 per cent of public schools in the US having uniform requirements, the researchers now worry that the health of millions of children could be at risk.

The international team of researchers looked at 72 textile samples used in childrens school uniforms.

What was surprising about this group of samples was the high detection frequency of PFAS in the garments required for children to wear, says Graham Peaslee, a professor of physics at Notre Dame.

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.

The team tested the clothing using particle-induced gamma ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy, a novel method that tests for the presence of fluorine, which has previously used to detect PFAS in cosmetics, fast food packaging, face masks, firefighting gear, and drinking water.

Flourine was detected in 65 per cent of samples tested. School uniforms had a higher amount of chemicals lingering on the fabric when they were made out of 100 per cent cotton rather than synthetics.

There is no consumer option to purchase clothing that can be washed instead of clothing that comes coated with chemicals to reduce stains, says Peaslee.

We hope one of the outcomes of this work would be increased labeling of textiles to fully inform the purchaser of the chemicals used to treat the fabric prior to sale so consumers have the ability to pick garments that were not treated with chemicals for their children.
Trevor Noah announced he is leaving "The Daily Show" on Thursday, Sept. 29.

"I realized that after seven years, my time is up," he said as the audience gasped. "But in the most beautiful way."

He thanked his fans for an "amazing seven years" that have been "truly wild."

"I remember when we first started... So many people didn't believe in us. It was a crazy bet to make. I still think it was a crazy choice." he said. "And what a journey that it's been."

Noah took over for former host Jon Stewart, who left the show in 2015. At the time, the South African comedian was not well-known in the United States and faced what he would later call an uphill battle to win over audiences.

But despite those challenges, Noah said in his announcement that he has "loved hosting the show."

"It's been one of my greatest challenges. It's been one of my greatest joys," Noah said in his goodbye on Sept. 29. "We've laughed together, we've cried together... But after seven years I feel like it's time."

A special message from Trevor Noah pic.twitter.com/lMM8ll51fu  The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 30, 2022

It was not immediately clear when Noah plans to leave, nor has Comedy Central named a successor.

In a statement to Variety, Comedy Central said the network is "grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years."

"With no timetable for his departure, were working together on next steps, the network said in a statement. As we look ahead, were excited for the next chapter in the 25+ year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them.

Story continues

Noah, for his part, said he hopes to see more of the world around him. He said in his announcement that he hopes to travel, perform and learn more languages after leaving the show.

"There's another part of my life that I want to continue exploring," he said.

"The point is, I want to say thank you," he concluded. "Because man, I never dreamed that I would be here."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Trevor Noah announced he is departing The Daily Show after seven years hosting the late-night television program.

Noah appeared to make the announcement during a studio recording of his show, which airs four nights a week on Comedy Central.

I just found myself filled with gratitude for the journey, Noah said.

Its been absolutely amazing, he continued. Its something that I never expected, and I found myself thinking throughout the time, everything weve gone through: the Trump presidency, the pandemic, just the journey of  the more pandemic  and I realized that after the seven years, my time is up.

The news was first reported by Decider and later confirmed by Variety.

I realized theres another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring, Noah said. I miss learning other languages, I miss going to other countries and putting on shows, I miss just being everywhere.

Noah indicated he wasnt leaving the show immediately but did not provide a specific timeline for his departure.

We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years, a Comedy Central spokesperson said in a statement. With no timetable for his departure, were working together on next steps. As we look ahead, were excited for the next chapter in the 25+ year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them.

The comedians national profile rose after he took over the late-night program from host Jon Stewart in 2015. Noah had begun contributing to the show a few months prior.

Since joining The Daily Show, Noah hosted the Grammy Awards twice.



He frequently draws on national politics and current news for his shows content, also serving as the headline entertainer at this years White House Correspondents Dinner.

This story was updated at 9:59 a.m. Sept. 30.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
"Time is up, but in the most beautiful way" - Trevor Noah tells a stunned studio audience he is leaving The Daily Show

Comedian Trevor Noah has announced he is standing down as host of The Daily Show.

Noah said he was "filled with gratitude for the journey" but that there was "another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring".

The 38-year-old has hosted the satirical news and talk show since taking over from Jon Stewart in 2015.

He said the timing of his departure would be announced later and that he would continue as host in the meantime.

Noah began his career in his native South Africa, releasing a string of stand-up specials and hosting a late-night talk show before relocating to the US in 2011.

He was still a relative unknown when he was chosen to take over the Daily Show on the Comedy Central network, but has since become an internationally-recognised star and won numerous television awards.

Noah made the announcement at the end of his show on Thursday night, prompting shocked gasps from the studio audience.

He thanked the show's crew and loyal fans for an "amazing seven years", adding: "It's been wild, truly wild".

"I remember when we first started... so many people didn't believed in us," he said. "[Appointing me as host] was a crazy bet to make. I still think it was a crazy choice, this random African.

"I just [find] myself filled with gratitude for the journey. It's been absolutely amazing. It's something that I never expected."

A special message from Trevor Noah pic.twitter.com/lMM8ll51fu  The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 30, 2022

He said that after everything that has happened during his time hosting the show - including Donald Trump's presidency and the Covid pandemic - he had decided his "time is up, but in the most beautiful way".

"I've loved hosting this show, it's been one of my greatest challenges, it's been one of my greatest joys. But after seven years, I feel like it's time," he said.

Story continues

"I realised there's another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring. I miss learning other languages, I miss going to other countries and putting on shows. I miss just being everywhere and doing everything.

"I'm really grateful to a network who believed in this random comedian nobody knew on this side of the world.

"I never dreamed that I would be here. I sort of felt like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I came in for a tour of what the previous show was, and then the next thing I know I was handed the keys.

"All I can say is thank you very much."
A man admitted to trying to kill and dismember a gay man he met on the dating app Grindr before calling 911, federal prosecutors say.

Chance Seneca, 21, of Louisiana described Grindr as his hunting ground in an interview with investigators and acknowledged he had planned to continue murdering until he was caught or killed, court documents state.

When asked whether men were the target of his homicidal urges, Seneca replied, saying, Yeah. Ive never really wanted to hurt  women, But  its just mostly men, according to court documents.

Seneca, of Lafayette, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping on Sept. 29 in connection with the alleged attempted killing of the man he met on Grindr on June 20, 2020, a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Louisiana states.

Court records show there are several pending counts against Seneca that are under review, including a hate crime with an attempt to kill charge.

McClatchy News contacted Senecas attorney for comment on Sept. 30 and was awaiting a response.

Ultimately, the victim survived the attack that left him comatose for three days and with permanent nerve damage, according to court documents.

The events of June 2020

A day before prosecutors say Seneca tried dismembering the man  and planned to preserve his body parts  on June 20, 2020, he targeted another Grindr user, according to his plea agreement.

Grindr is a dating app used by members of the LGBT community, including gay and bisexual men.

On June 19, 2020, Seneca, who had his own room in a house owned by his father, lured a different gay man to the Lafayette home after messaging on Grindr and Snapchat, court documents state.

However, ultimately, he decided not to murder the man and let him go, the documents say.

The next day, Seneca drove to pick up another gay man he met through Grindr and brought him to his fathers house, where he suggested engaging in sexual activities while his father was away, according to a complaint. There, Seneca convinced the man to put on handcuffs before the pair headed into the bathroom.

Story continues

In an interview, Seneca told a detective that the proposed meeting was a pretext and that he intended to kill and dismember the man, the complaint states.

While in the bathroom, Seneca strangled the man with a belt until he was unconscious and put him in the bathtub, according to court documents.

Then, he hit the mans head with a hammer before stabbing him in the neck and slitting his wrists to ensure he was not alive before starting the dismemberment process, investigators say.

Seneca explained that he had hoped to remove and preserve Whites hands but that he could not finish his plan while speaking with a detective, according to the complaint.

During the attack, he began crying and apologizing to his unconscious victim, saying, Im setting you free before calling 911, the complaint states.

Investigators say Senecas act of calling the police was a self-described effort to be put into a mental institution.

While speaking with a 911 dispatcher, Seneca stated, in part, that Its my fault, I tried to control everything so good, and It was going so well, according to the complaint.

After Lafayette police arrived at Senecas fathers home, they found Seneca smoking a cigarette outside and discovered the victim in the upstairs bathtub, the complaint states. In the bathroom, officers found a knife, ice pick, saw, and hammer.

Seneca was taken to the Lafayette police department, where he waived his Miranda rights and made several recorded statements to authorities, according to the complaint.

Meanwhile, Senecas victim was taken to a hospital, where he was in a coma for three days, investigators say.

The victim needed extensive medical care from the attack, which caused permanent nerve damage in his left hand, according to court documents. Additionally, he was left with scars.

The facts surrounding the events that took place in this case are very disturbing, U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown said in a statement. It is nothing short of miraculous that the victims who endured the vicious attacks from (Seneca) survived. We will continue to fight to seek justice for victims who suffer at the hands of defendants such as this.

Senecas sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25, and he faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Lafayette is 135 miles west of New Orleans.

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Former President Trump will hold back-to-back rallies in Arizona and Nevada next week, the latest sign that hes ramping up his political activity ahead of the November midterms.

Trump is set to appear in Minden, Nev., to campaign for GOP Senate hopeful Adam Laxalt and gubernatorial nominee Joe Lombardo on Oct. 8, before jetting off on Oct. 9 to Mesa, Ariz., where hell stump for Kari Lake, the GOP nominee for governor, and Blake Masters, the states Republican Senate nominee.

The rallies are only the latest political engagements for Trump, who has started campaigning more aggressively for his endorsed candidates in the lead up to the midterms.

Hes expected to appear in Michigan on Saturday for a rally. Tudor Dixon, the GOP nominee for Michigan governor, is also expected to speak at that event.

And just last week, Trump traveled to North Carolina to campaign for Rep. Ted Budd (R), whos vying against Democrat Cheri Beasley to succeed retiring Sen. Richard Burr (R).

While Trump remains deeply popular among the GOPs conservative base, his busy campaign schedule also could have some drawbacks for Republicans. Democrats have sought to put Trump and his hold over the Republican Party at the center of this years midterm elections, casting the November vote as crucial for the future of American democracy.

Still, Trumps presence on the campaign trail could help fire up Republican voters at a time when the party has a shot at flipping control of the House and Senate. The GOP only needs to pick up five seats in the House to regain the majority, and only one in the Senate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Letters exchanged between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and former U.S. President Donald Trump between April 2018 and August 2019 have recently been published.

Korean-American Club, a nonprofit composed of South Korean journalists from different news agencies, published 27 personal letters exchanged between Kim and Trump in the latest issue of its magazine, The Korus Journal.

I am ready to work with your excellency with all my heart and devotion, Kim said in a letter dated April 1, 2018, nearly six weeks before he first met Trump at the Singapore Summit.

On the same day, Trump responded that he was happy to meet Kim to drastically improve relations between their respective governments.

More from NextShark: Memphis airport reinstalls photo of Asian man in Elvis outfit after taking it down due to 'negative feedback'

Trump also wrote a letter thanking Kim for the repatriation of the remains of 55 U.S. troops who died during the 1950-53 Korean War.

Thank you for keeping your promise to start the repatriation process of our soldiers, Trump said in the letter dated Aug. 2, 2018. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Kim greeted Trump on his birthday in 2019 with a letter that also mentioned the one-year anniversary of their historic meeting in Singapore.

More from NextShark: Creator of Free Website for COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Uses Platform to Raise Anti-Asian Hate Awareness

Trump replied two days later, saying he and Kim shared a unique relationship and a special friendship.

According to the Korus Journal report, Kim sent two letters in September 2018, in which he indicated his desire to personally discuss with Trump a potential denuclearization of North Korea.

The plan excludes then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and then-U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo, with Kim noting that Moons interest is unnecessary.

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The most important cause of what your side considers the headache of missile threats and nuclear problem is the military actions of your side and the South Korean military that threatens our safety, Kim wrote. And until these elements are eliminated, no changed outcome can be anticipated.

Story continues

Kim reportedly sent Trump the letters three months after their first summit in Singapore. At the time, North Korea was under heightened pressure to commence negotiations on potential denuclearization.

Trump, who has dubbed the messages love letters, sent 16 letters to the North Korean leader, who sent 11. In 2020, journalist Bob Woodward quoted excerpts from the letters in his book Rage.

More from NextShark: Man who violently attacked deaf woman in NYC has 27 prior arrests

The book posited that the letters indicated a diplomatic courtship that resulted in Trump making history as the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader. According to Woodward, the messages were filled with declarations of personal fealty that might be uttered by the Knights of the Round Table, or perhaps suitors.

The two leaders exchanged letters actively for about a year, halting only after their second summit in Hanoi failed to make progress. In Kims final letter in August 2019, he complained to Trump that North Korea had gained nothing from the U.S.

As of now, it is very difficult for me and my people to understand the decision and behavior of you and South Korean authorities, read Kims letter, dated Aug. 5, 2019.

Kim expressed how offended he was by the paranoid war exercises jointly conducted by the U.S. and South Korean soldiers.

As your excellency indicated at some point, we have a strong military  and it is a matter of common knowledge that the [South Korean] armed forces are no match for our military, Kim added. Setting aside the differences in military power, I have no intention to attack South Korea or start a war. I have no inclination to do that indeed.

Earlier this year, Kims letters were among the presidential records U.S. authorities retrieved from Trumps resort Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

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Sep. 29The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will travel to two area high schools next week, giving students and staff a rare opportunity to engage in the proceedings of the state's highest court.

The court will hear three appeals each at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris and Leavitt Area High School in Turner beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. These events are part of a larger program by the state to expose students to the judiciary branch of government.

Teachers will share with students copies of court briefs in advance of the cases. Students will be able to ask the lawyers questions after the cases are heard, and, when the cases are decided months later, schools will receive a link to the decisions.

In each case, the Supreme Judicial Court will be tasked with determining whether or not the law was applied correctly. There are judges, but no jury in appeals.

"We hope that providing real-time exposure to the third branch of government supplements the students' civics education and exposes Maine learners to the concept of justice," Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill said in a prepared statement. "The practice of appellate law is rarely seen on television or in the movies."

Leavitt Area High School Principal Eben Shaw said he's excited for students to learn how the judicial branch operates.

"Unless you're in the field, you don't get to experience it, and the Supreme Court, when they're in session, there's not a lot of opportunity for the public to see what's going on," Shaw said. "Anytime the kids get a chance to see how things happen in real life . . . it's a good experience."

Julie Finn, a legislative analyst in Maine's judicial branch, said judges and lawyers also appreciate holding court in a different locations and getting out in the community. She said the judicial branch is often the branch of government which is talked about the least.

Story continues

"Just seeing (the court) from a perspective that's not personal . . . for students to see that, and see it in a real way, not in an overdramatized TV way" is "invaluable for them," Finn said.

Since 2005, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court has traveled to 40 high schools around the state to hear oral arguments in actual appeals cases so students can observe the process.

State Rep. Sawin Millett of Waterford and state Sen. Jeffrey Timberlake of Turner each invited the court to visit the high schools which serve their respective communities.

Oxford Hills students will hear arguments from State of Maine v. Dana Healey, Deanna Dorsey v. Northern Light Heath et al., and State of Maine v. Duane Marquis.

Leavitt students will hear arguments from Stephen T. Witham v. Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, State of Maine v. Douglas Wilcox and State of Maine v. Mark D. Penley.

"It is such a great opportunity for the kids, and I'm super appreciative that the court reached out and was willing to come down," Shaw said. "I feel very fortunate that they did reach out to us."
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. and its Western allies need to be concerned about potential Russian attacks on infrastructure in the wake of alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines that run from Russia to Europe under the Baltic Sea.

European and NATO officials are blaming sabotage for three leaks in the underwater pipelines, but have not accused anyone directly. Russia has blamed the U.S., without evidence, for the damage.

Sullivan said the U.S. has no new intelligence on infrastructure threats, but NATO territories have stepped up monitoring.

(Reporting By Steve Holland and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Leslie Adler)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. will announce a new Ukraine security aid package next week, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday.

Sullivan made the announcement as he condemned Russia for a "sham" referendum annexing part of Ukraine.

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Timothy Gardner and Simon Lewis

(Reuters) - The Russian ambassador to the United Nations on Friday told the Security Council that the U.S. has much to gain in gas trade from damage to the Nord Stream pipeline system under the Baltic Sea but stopped short of blaming Washington for this week's explosions.

A council meeting convened at Russia's request addressed leaks discovered on Tuesday on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines on which Russian-controlled Gazprom and its European partners spent billions of dollars.

A main question about the blasts was whether the United States could gain from the destruction of the pipelines, ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. "The answer is undoubtedly."

"American liquefied natural gas suppliers should be celebrating the manifold increase in LNG supplies to Europe," Nebenzia said.

Earlier on Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States and its allies blew up Nord Stream. "The sanctions were not enough for the Anglo-Saxons: they moved onto sabotage," he said. The United States and other countries have imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia since Putin sent his forces to invade Ukraine in late February.

The White House has dismissed the accusation it was responsible.

"Let me be clear, the United States categorically denies any involvement in this incident and we reject an assertion saying the contrary," Richard Mills, the U.S. deputy representative to the United Nations, said at the meeting.

Mills added that the United States has boosted LNG exports in recent years because Russia has long not been a reliable supplier of energy to Europe. Russia has in years past cut off gas supplies to Eastern Europe in winter during gas pricing disputes.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Russia, which slashed gas deliveries to Europe in response to the sanctions, has also said sabotage was a possibility and said accusations by some that it perpetrated the damage were "stupid".

Story continues

The leaks have raised concerns about the safety of other energy systems in Europe and investigations about who was to blame.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday discussed protection of critical infrastructure "in the wake of the apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea," the White House said.

Analysts say it is possible the damage was inflicted by devices that are available on the commercial market but that given the scale and precision, it was more likely carried out by an actor with access to more sophisticated technology.

The magnitude of the explosions probably corresponded to an explosive load of several hundred kilos, the permanent missions to the U.N. of Denmark and Sweden said in a letter dated Thursday to the French U.N. Mission, which holds the presidency of the 15-member council for September.

The ruptures also represent a risk to the climate. The pipeline leaks may mark the biggest single release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, recorded, the UN Environment Programme said.

Sergei Kupriyanov, a Gazprom spokesperson, told the council meeting that 800 million cubic meters of natural gas had escaped. The volume of escaped gas was equivalent to three months' supply for Denmark, he said.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline, once the main route for Russian gas to Germany, was already shut but cannot now be easily reopened. The new Nord Stream 2 pipeline had yet to enter commercial operations.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner and Simon Lewis; editing by Grant McCool)
By Arathy Somasekhar

HOUSTON (Reuters) - U.S. fuel supplies are "unacceptably" at or near 5-year lows amid hurricane threats and the oil industry must do more to address prices and demand, a Department of Energy spokesperson said on Friday.

The spokesperson was commenting on a report that the chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp, the largest U.S. oil producer, had warned the Biden Administration against limiting U.S. fuel exports.

Exxon did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

"The nation is facing serious risks from hurricanes and in some parts of the country, oil and gas supply levels are unacceptably at or near 5-year lows," the Department of Energy spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

"The administration has impressed upon the oil and gas industry that it must do more to ensure fair prices and adequate supply for all Americans, while meeting the needs of our allies," the spokesperson added.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm last week said the Biden administration at that time was not considering restrictions on U.S. oil product exports.

(Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar; additional reporting by Sabrina Valle; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee has proposed extending the deadline for Boeing to win approval for two new variants of the 737 MAX until September 2024.

Boeing faces a December deadline to win approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the 737 MAX 7 and 10 variants, or it must meet new modern cockpit-alerting requirements that could significantly delay the planes entry into service.

Boeing shares fell 3.4% on Friday. It said it is "is focused on meeting all regulatory requirements to certify the 737-7 and 737-10" and argues it is safer to have one common 737 cockpit alerting system.

The requirements were adopted as part of a certification reform bill passed after two fatal 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people and led to the best-selling plane's 20-month grounding.

Senator Roger Wicker proposed an amendment that would extend the deadline and said he is hoping it will be attached to a must-pass annual defense bill, people briefed on the matter said. It is not year clear if Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell and other key lawmakers agree. Wicker's office declined comment.

Wicker filed his amendment on Thursday, the same day a harsh Sept. 19 FAA letter to Boeing became public.

The FAA raised significant concerns Boeing would not be able to win certification this year and told Boeing it has not completed key work needed in order to certify the MAX 7.

Lirio Liu, the FAA's executive director of aviation safety, in the letter said the agency had told Boeing to turn in all remaining System Safety Assessments (SSAs) by mid-September "if the company intends to meet its project plan of completing certification work (and receiving FAA approval for the MAX 7) by December."

The FAA added, "most concerning, however, is that Boeing has yet to provide an initial submittal for six of the

outstanding SSAs." The FAA said the letter speaks for itself.

Story continues

Boeing said in a Sept. 22 letter to the FAA that it was "hard at work to complete" required SSAs.

It said 10 were under revision by Boeing to address FAA comments in preparation for resubmittal, and that the remaining 6 were in the final stages of preparation and review prior to submittal.

On Sept. 15, Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun predicted the company would win approval for the smaller 737 MAX 7 this year.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Daphne Psaledakis and Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Friday imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Russia over its declared annexation of parts of Ukraine, targeting hundreds of people and companies, including those in Russia's military-industrial complex and lawmakers.

Washington acted after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday proclaimed the biggest annexation in Europe since World War Two, declaring Russian rule over 15% of Ukraine territory occupied by Russian forces.

"We will rally the international community to both denounce these moves and to hold Russia accountable. We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russias brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbor," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.

The latest sanctions come on top of sweeping measures already imposed by the United States and allies this year that have already crippled Russia's international trading and local economy. But they stop short of Russia's energy industry, the country's largest source of hard currency.

Russia's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. In a speech on Friday, Putin criticized the West as neo-colonial and Satanist; Ukraine said it would fast-track its application to join NATO, the U.S.-led Western military alliance.

Guidance from the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments warned that anyone outside Russia, including companies, that provide political, economic or material support to Moscow faced a heightened risk of sanctions.

The Treasury sanctions generally freeze any U.S. assets of those designated and bar Americans from dealing with them.

Commerce added 57 entities in Russia and Crimea to bar exports.

Treasury said it imposed sanctions on 14 people in Russia's military-industrial complex, two leaders of the central bank, family members of top officials and 278 members of the legislature "for enabling Russia's sham referenda and attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory."

Story continues

Russia moved to annex the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in eastern and southern Ukraine after holding what it called referendums  votes that were denounced by Kyiv and Western governments as illegal and coercive.

Among those designated for U.S. sanctions were Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak; 109 State Duma members; the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia and 169 of its members; and the governor of the Central Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina.

Among the targets related to Russia's defense procurement was a Chinese supplier the Treasury accused of supporting Radioavtomatika, a U.S.-designated Russian defense procurement firm.

Washington said Sinno Electronics Co Ltd, previously placed on the Commerce Department's entity list, maintained a relationship with the Russian firm even after the invasion of Ukraine in late February.

Sinno did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Taco LLC in Armenia, Russia's Novastream Limited, a Belarusian state-owned supplier, and Russian technology and defense firms were among other companies designated over Russia's defense procurement.

FAMILY MEMBERS

Treasury also designated family members of Russias National Security Council, such as Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustins wife and two adult children, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigus wife and adult children and National Guard head Viktor Zolotovs wife and adult children.

In addition, the immediate family members of the deputy chairman of Russias Federation Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, and Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov were hit with sanctions.

The U.S. State Department in a separate statement said it imposed visa restrictions on more than 900 people, including members of the Russian and Belarusian military and "Russias proxies for violating Ukraines sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence," barring them from traveling to the United States.

The United States singled out a Russian national, Ochur-Suge Mongush, for his involvement in what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called a gross violation of human rights perpetrated against a Ukrainian prisoner of war, and said Mongush and his immediate family members cannot enter the United States.

Canada also announced measures on Friday against dozens of oligarchs, financial elites and their family members, plus 35 Russian-backed senior officials in the regions where the referendums took place. Britain also put sanctions on the central bank governor and imposed new services and goods export bans.

The United States hopes Friday's sanctions will reduce Russias militarys ability to menace Ukraine, and undermine Russias major sectors in technology, industry and defense, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said so that its capacity to project power, threaten and coerce its neighbors and wage wars of aggression is reduced over time.

Washington's targets are largely proportionate to Russia's annexation, said Brian O'Toole, a former Treasury official now with the Atlantic Council think tank.

The action against Sinno Electronics serves as a warning to other Chinese companies and those that might do business with Russia, he said.

"I'm impressed at how robust this is given that this was a relatively short turnaround," O'Toole said.

Sullivan spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday about their "shared concern" over the Russian annexations and the need to protect critical infrastructure after the apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, the United States said.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Steve Holland, Karen Freifeld, Doina Chiacu and Heather Timmons in Washington and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Tim Ahmann, Howard Goller, Grant McCool and Marguerita Choy)
Vietnamese firms eye investment opportunities in Cuba

The Vietnam-Cuba Business Promotion Forum was held on Friday in the capital, highlighting the great potential for investment and cooperation between the two countries.













The forum is an important event for the Vietnamese business community to learn about investment opportunities in Cuba and its policies to attract foreign investment capital.

The event was attended by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, representatives from state agencies and a high-ranking Cuban delegation led by Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, who is on his official visit to Vietnam.



Speaking at the forum, Deputy PM Khai said this is an important event for the Vietnamese business community to learn about investment opportunities in Cuba and its policies to attract foreign investment to Cuba.



He said in recent years, relations between the two countries have been well maintained in all fields, from politics and diplomacy to economy, science and technology, and culture and education.



In recent years, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Cuba reached US$250-350 million a year.



Vietnam has maintained a stable supply of rice, a vital commodity for the Cuban people, to the country.



Vietnamese enterprises also export various goods to Cuba, such as electrical appliances, electronics, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, construction and industrial materials, and household appliances.



Vietnam also considers importing drugs, vaccines, and biological products and welcoming Cuban medical experts to work.



"The Vietnam-Cuba trade agreement, which took effect from April 2020, is an important legal basis for businesses of the two sides to take advantage of tariff preferences and strive to increase annual trade turnover to $500 million in the next five years", the Deputy PM said.



Regarding the investment field, Deputy Prime Minister Khai said he highly appreciates Vietnamese businesses that have taken opportunities for investment in Cuba.



In the context of difficulties caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Viglacera Corporation and Thai Binh Company are pioneers in implementing investment projects in Cuba and have achieved outstanding results.



Currently, there are five investment projects underway in Cuba, including four in Mariel Special Development Zone and a construction material production project in Santa Cruz.



Other projects like a diaper production factory, ViMariel industrial park infrastructure development project, and Sanvig Building Materials Manufacturing Joint Venture have come into operation, making important contributions to meeting the needs of the Cuban market.



They also help attract new investors and create more jobs for Cuban workers.



Suchel laundry detergent joint venture and Thai Binh solar power project will come into operation in November and December 2022, respectively, to meet market demand and increase electricity output in Cuba.



Deputy PM Khai said with the significant participation of ministries, agencies, and corporates from both state and private sectors of Vietnam, the two sides will actively exchange and establish new cooperation and investment opportunities, contributing to further promoting the economic cooperation between the two nations.



Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marreno Cruz said his country continues to move forward in its socio-economic strategy, with the participation of many economic sectors.



The Cuban government has promulgated several measures to promote domestic production in industry, agricultural products and food.



He stressed that Cuba is in a period of solid transformation to direct its economy to recovery and development.



The PM said to give the highest priority and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese corporates to invest more in Cuba.



Introducing the Mariel Special Development Zone, where several Vietnamese businesses have invested, the Cuban leader said Cuba is an investment gateway to export to other countries in Latin America.



He said that Cuba is promoting investment attraction in renewable energy, tourism, and food production, which are potential areas Vietnamese businesses can invest in.



In November 2022, it will host the Habana International Trade Fair, the country's most important trade event after more than two years of the pandemic.



The Cuban leader expressed his hope that Vietnamese businesses will join to learn more about new investment opportunities in Cuba.



He said he believes the trade and investment relationship between the two countries will turn into a new phase.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Education Department said on Thursday it estimates that the one-time student debt relief plan given by President Joe Biden in August will cost an average of $30 billion a year over the next decade.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said this week that Biden's plan to cancel some student loan debt will cost $400 billion.

Biden said in August the U.S. government will forgive $10,000 in student loans for millions of debt-saddled former college students, keeping a pledge he made in the 2020 campaign for the White House.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; writing by Kanishka Singh)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday discussed concerns over Russia's attempted annexation of Ukraine territory and the apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the White House said in a statement.

"In the wake of the apparent sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, they discussed protection of critical infrastructure," the White House statement said.

(Reporting By Paul Grant; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
WASHINGTON  The head of Britains armed forces described the Russian-instigated war in Ukraine as a grinding duel between largely fixed artillery positions along the front line, interrupted by skirmishes for battlefield advantage, with neither side on top.

U.K. Chief of the Defence Staff Adm. Antony Radakin said Russias reinforcing of its troops in Kherson, which Moscows forces captured early in the war, is representative of a rather static picture of the conflicts trajectory thats not conducive to quick wins.

He spoke to reporters during a visit to U.S. military leaders in Washington following a trip to the U.K.-sponsored Atlantic Future Forum aboard the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier docked in New York.

The battle for Kherson speaks to what I think has been a feature of the whole war, which is, quite often, its that there is a competition, Radakin said. And you get these grinding effects. And its not that one side has enormous advantage over the other.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday declared eastern Ukraine regions Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia as part of Russia, following sham referendums there this week. He threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend them. Western governments have called the annexation illegitimate.

Radakin said hes cautious about pinning Ukraines military fortunes on a singular class of arms, like battle tanks.

Ukrainian officials have said they want modern tanks from the West to beat back Russian troops. In Germany, the question of whether or not to send Leopard tanks has completely crowded out the public perception of Berlins level of assistance to Kyiv.

According to Radakin, Ukrainian forces excel at using a diverse set of weapons that play to their defensive strengths and finding new avenues for employing them on the battlefield, like drones deployed to find targets. He added that he is wary of the argument that an X number of battle tanks would lead to a massive shift in outcomes.

By the same token, the dynamics of upcoming bad weather on the battlefield should not be overstated, Radakin argued.

The fight thats going on at the moment is not massive formations maneuvering around at speed, he said. Its a grinding conflict, much of it skirmishes. And then from the skirmishes you then see opportunities.
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain urged North Korea to return to dialogue with the United States on Friday, expressing concerns over the Asian country's latest launch of ballistic missile tests.

"We urge North Korea to refrain from provocations and take concrete steps towards complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation," a statement from the British Foreign Office said.

"The UK is committed to peace on the Korean Peninsula, upholding the rules-based international system and securing an end to North Koreas unlawful activities."

(This story fixes typo in first par)

(Reporting by Muvija M; editing by Michael Holden)
(Bloomberg) -- Ukraine formally applied to join NATO Friday but the alliance responded with immediate caution, seeking to avoid provoking a full-blown conflict with Russia since members are compelled to come to each others defense.

Most Read from Bloomberg

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the accelerated bid in a video address to the nation, saying Ukraine has already made its path towards NATO, demonstrating compatibility with the alliances standards.

We trust each other, help each other and protect each other, he said. We know it is possible.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters late Friday in Brussels the alliance remains open to all democracies in Europe and that Ukraine has a right to choose its own path, but the immediate focus is on providing support to Kyiv.

Ukraine may have trouble getting allies to even accept the invitation given the current tensions with Russia. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly pointed to NATOs enlargement as a threat to Russia, even though US and European officials have dismissed those allegations.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday reaffirmed the Biden administrations position that Ukraines request to join NATO should be considered at a different time. The best way for us to support Ukraine is through practical, on-the-ground support in Ukraine and that the process in Brussels should be taken up at a different time, Sullivan said.

Ukraines bid would need sign off from all 30 allies, a process that can take years even in the smoothest of circumstances. Kyiv has long expressed its desire to join the military alliance but thats seen by many as a more provocative step than its bid to join the European Union.

Story continues

We understand that this requires the consensus of all members of the alliance, Zelenskiy said. While this is happening, we offer to implement our proposals regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and all of Europe in accordance with the Kyiv Security Compact, which was developed and presented to our partners.

A leaders statement from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Bucharest in 2008 has long left room for ambiguity over Ukraine. Leaders then welcomed the countrys aspirations for membership, saying that Ukraine, along with Georgia will become members of NATO.

Sweden and Finland most recently applied to join the alliance but their applications have faced hurdles from Turkey. Only after a countrys application has been ratified by all allies do they enjoy collective defense benefits under Article 5.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, NATO allies have supported Kyiv with military aid and training on a bilateral basis but have been careful not to intervene more formally as an alliance. Theyve also stepped up their presence on the alliances eastern flank.

Ukraines announcement comes as Putin declared four occupied regions as part a Russia, formalizing one of Europes biggest land grabs since World War II.

(Updates with Sullivan comments in paragraph six)

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2022 Bloomberg L.P.
IRYNA BALACHUK  FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2022, 17:12

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine is ready for negotiations with Russia, but only with another president of the Russian Federation, not with Vladimir Putin.

Source: Zelenskyys video address after the meeting of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine on 30 September

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Ukraine was and remains a leader in negotiation efforts. It is our state that has always offered to negotiate with Russia on coexistence on equal, honest, dignified and fair terms. It is obvious that with the current Russian president, this is impossible. He has no idea what dignity and honesty are.

Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another Russian president."

Details: According to Zelenskyy, several decisions were agreed upon at the meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the National Security and Defence Council on 30 September.

One was that only "the strengthening of Ukraine and the expulsion of the Russian occupiers from the entire Ukrainian territory" will bring peace. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine would follow this path.

The other decision was that Ukraine would apply to join NATO.

Background: Earlier on 30 September, during the sham and legally invalid "signing of agreements on accession to Russia", Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that he wants to end hostilities and "bring Ukraine back to the negotiating table".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
KYIV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian presidential adviser said on Friday Russia would have to appeal to Kyiv for Moscow's encircled troops to be allowed out of the Russian stronghold of Lyman in eastern Ukraine if it was concerned about them.

"Today (Russia) will have to ask for an exit from Lyman. Only if, of course, those in (the) Kremlin are concerned with their soldiers, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Timothy Heritage)
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met military chiefs on Friday to discuss "the further plan for liberation" of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.

Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app that he and the military chiefs also discussed supplies of weapons for the country's armed forces, as well as Russia's possible further plans following its invasion of Ukraine.

(This story corrects to fix spelling in headline)

(Reporting by Max Hunder, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
UKRAINSKA PRAVDA  FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2022, 09:14

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russian army lost nearly 500 military personnel, 8 UAVs and 2 fixed-wing aircraft on 29 September.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: Russian forces suffered their greatest losses on the Kramatorsk and Donetsk fronts.

Total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February and 30 September 2022 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses - ed.]:

Approximately 59,080 (+500) military personnel;

2,338 (+13) tanks;

4,932 (+23) armoured combat vehicles;

1,391 (+6) artillery systems;

333 (+2) multiple-launch rocket systems;

176 (+1) air defence systems;

264 (+2) fixed-wing aircraft;

225 (+1) helicopters;

1,003 (+8) operational-tactical UAVs;

246 (+0) cruise missiles;

15 (+0) ships/boats;

3,768 (+17) vehicles and tankers;

131 (+0) special vehicles.

The information is being confirmed.

Previously: Seven Russian Shahed-136 suicide drones attacked southern Ukraine on the evening of 29 September, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down five of them.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ukrainian army completing encirclement of Russian troops in Lyman

"We cannot give details on the places that have been taken yet, he said.

Since the Armed Forces of Ukraine can bring out and put up the flag, theyre share joyful videos, but the fighting is still ongoing. After taking stabilization measures, it will be possible to say more  when all security measures are taken and there is no enemy counterattack.

According to him, the occupation garrison of Lyman is cut off from the supply of ammunition and manpower.

Read also: 500 Russian troops eliminated in one day, says General Staff

"It is difficult to comment as the operation is still underway, stated Cherevaty.

The operation is aimed at encircling this group. Virtually all approaches, logistical routes of the enemy through which they delivered ammunition and manpower are under Ukrainian military fire control.

Cherevaty said that the Russian army is much more strongly fortified near Lyman than in other areas.

"That's why it took time, but our General Staff and the staff on the ground outplayed them tactically: planning and carrying out the operation at a high level of military experience and training.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported in its Sept. 29 update that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had probably almost completed the encirclement of Lyman, as well as cut critical ground lines of communication that support the Russian army troops in the area of Drobysheve-Lyman.

"It is highly unlikely that any deployment of additional, newly mobilized, forces to Lyman will afford the existing Russian grouping significant defensive capabilities and prevent Ukrainian troops from collapsing the Lyman pocket," ISW experts noted.

On the morning of Sept. 30, it was reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had entered the town of Yampil, Donetsk Oblast, which is located about 17 kilometers southeast of Lyman.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
"UKRAINSKA PRAVDA"  FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2022, 12:19

Ukrainian soldiers have reclaimed the town of Yampil, Donetsk Oblast, near Lyman city, which is now almost encircled by Ukrainian forces.

Source: video referenced by DeepState Battle Map analysts; Telegram of Denis Pushilin, the leader of "Donetsk Peoples Republic"; UP sources in Ukrainian Intelligence

Details: In the video that appeared online, the Ukrainian military says "Yampil is ours", as fighters stand near the Yampil Educational Complex.

At the same time, Russian military propagandists massively reported that Russian troops "left Yampil."

Pushilin also said that the militants had lost control of Yampil.

Quote: "Now Krasnyi Lyman is half-encircled; the road from Svatovo is under our control, but periodically under fire. Subversive and reconnaissance groups are working all the time. Yampil and Drobysheve are not under our full control."

Background: Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine probably completed the encirclement of the Russian group in the area of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast on the evening of 29 September. According to some reports, the Ukrainian military will be able to take the city if the Russians do not receive any reinforcements.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Ukrainian military (illustrative photo)

The settlement is located southeast of the city of Lyman, whose occupation garrison, according to both independent military experts and Russian propagandists, has been besieged.

There has been no official confirmation from the military leadership of Ukraine.

Read also: Seven Russian tanks with newly mobilized troops deployed to Lyman, says General Staff

At the same time, the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War reported in its update that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have probably almost completed the encirclement of Lyman, as well as cut critical ground lines of communication that support the Russian army troops in the area of Drobysheve-Lyman.

"It is highly unlikely that any deployment of additional, newly mobilized, forces to Lyman will afford the existing Russian grouping significant defensive capabilities and prevent Ukrainian troops from collapsing the Lyman pocket," ISW experts noted.

Read also: Ukrainian army advancing to Lyman, newly-mobilized Russians heading to frontline, ISW says

Yampil is located just over 17 kilometers from Lyman.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Friday he and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had discussed the war situation in Ukraine and ways of strengthening Kyiv's military capabilities.

In talks held as President Vladimir Putin prepared to proclaim the annexation of Ukrainian territory seized in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reznikov said Austin reaffirmed Washington would not recognise votes in four Ukrainian provinces that Kyiv and Western governments denounced as illegal and coercive.

"Discussed updates from the front line ... and ways of strengthening our capabilities," Reznikov wrote on Twitter.

"Good news to be announced soon," he added, without saying what he was referring to.

He said Austin had "confirmed (the United States) wont recognise 'referenda'", and added that the Ukrainian armed forces would press on with efforts "to deoccupy our land".

The United States this week unveiled a $1.1 billion arms package for Ukraine that includes 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher systems, accompanying munitions, various types of counter drone systems and radar system.

(Reporting by Max Hunder, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
LONDON (Reuters) - British defence minister Ben Wallace met his Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv this week to discuss the ongoing war and reiterate the country's support, the British government said on Friday.

"The Defence Secretary met with Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov to discuss the Armed Forces of Ukraines ongoing offensive to recapture and liberate territory seized in Putins illegal war," the government said in a statement.

"The pair also talked about the next steps in the war as Ukraine battles to free itself from Russias occupation, and what further support the UK can provide."

(Reporting by Muvija M, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
Babar Azam impressed for Pakistan (K.M. Chaudary/AP) (AP)

Babar Azam carried his bat for 87 not out, leaving England chasing 170 in their must-win Twenty20 clash in Lahore.

With the in-form Mohammad Rizwan missing  officially rested despite his hot streak  Babar thrived on the responsibility as he held court throughout the 20 overs and guided his team to 169 for six.

Babar was a class apart, hitting three sixes and seven fours in his 59 balls, as he gave the hosts a chance of pushing for an unassailable 4-2 lead in the series.

We have been set a target of 170 to win the sixth IT20.



Scorecard: https://t.co/VPMsyjQEre



#PAKvENG  pic.twitter.com/W8AboK0FGq  England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 30, 2022

Rizwan has been a constant thorn in Englands side and without him the Pakistan powerplay got off to a false start. The pressure began building early, as Reece Topley and David Willey both worked through cheap opening overs, and early wickets quickly followed.

Rizwans replacement, Mohammad Haris, found the shoes too big to fill, managing one clean blow for six before horribly mis-judging his angles and threading Richard Gleeson straight to short third-man.

Shan Masood was close behind, trapped on the crease as Willey rapped his knee-roll, leaving Babar to shoulder the burden. The skipper responded by sending three of his next four balls to the boundary, jump-starting the innings to 40 for two at the end of the powerplay.

Babar had eased himself into his usual rhythm but needed support from the middle order. He managed stands of 47 and 48 with Haider Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed, but both partnerships came to a halt thanks to Sam Curran.

The all-rounder turned in handy figures of two for 26, hustling Pakistan with a selection of gently deceptive short balls and cutters. Haider, who gave Adil Rashid a warm welcome with a hack for six over long-on, holed out on the pull and Iftikhar made a quick 31 before picking out Harry Brook in the deep.

Pakistan piled on 63 in the last five as Babar moved through the gears, with Topleys tidy figures spoiled by a final over that leaked 19.
Undertaker Roland Tay Hai Choon, 75, was charged with three counts of Personal Income Tax evasion and one count of failing to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) for his businesses. (Screengrab: YouTube)

SINGAPORE  Undertaker Roland Tay Hai Choon, 75, famous for providing pro bono services to the poor and needy, was on Friday (30 September) charged at the State Courts with income tax evasion of $427,427 and failing to register for goods and services tax (GST) for his business.

Tay is accused of under-declaring his business income in his Personal Income Tax returns for Years of Assessment 2011, 2012 and 2013 to evade the tax amount.

He is also accused of failing to register for GST when the total value of his taxable supplies exceeded $1 million for four consecutive quarters. As a result, he is alleged to have failed to account for $286,963 in GST between 2010 and 2013.

He is out on $80,000 bail and the case will be heard again on 18 October, according to media reports.

In a statement after he was charged, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) said the offences were detected via a regular audit programme.

Warning of severe penalties for those who evade tax, IRAS said it will not hesitate to prosecute offenders, who face a penalty of up to four times the amount of tax evaded or up to five years' jail.

IRAS also encouraged firms and individuals to immediately disclose past tax mistakes, saying such disclosures will be treated as mitigating factors when considering actions to be taken.

Additionally, IRAS offers a reward based on 15 per cent of the tax recovered, capped at $100,000, to informants if the information provided leads to recovery of tax that would have otherwise been lost.

The maximum punishment for making a false statement in a tax return is three years' jail and a $10,000 fine. Offenders are also liable for a financial penalty of three times the tax undercharged.

For failing to register for GST, the maximum punishment is a fine of up to $10,000 along with a financial penalty of 10 per cent of the tax due from the date on which the business is required to register for GST.

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.
Sep. 30PLATTSBURGH  The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship members and friends celebrate their relationship with Rev. Nicoline Guerrier, their settled minister, on Sunday, Oct. 2 at Temple Beth Israel in Plattsburgh.

"We use the word covenant because we really see this as kind of making promises both to one another, but toward our larger movement that asks us to do justice in the world and to live our values out loud," Guerrier said.

"So, we are both responsible to each other and we're responsible to our faith commitments as Unitarian Universalist. So, that's why we're framing it as a covenanting. It's a promise-making ceremony and celebration."

'LET THERE BE CAKE!'

The long-awaited celebration comes after a unanimous vote officially calling her into this role in April.

"People were so happy with the vote; there was a spontaneous call to 'Let there be cake!'" fellowship member Michelle Ouellette said.

As a result, there will definitely be cake at the festivities, which will take place at Temple Beth Israel to allow for more space for indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Everything will kick off outdoors with live music, crafts for all ages, a fire pit and conversation circles at 2 p.m. that day.

Should the weather take a turn for the worse, activities will move into the temple's social hall.

A Celebration of Covenant service will follow these festivities at 4 p.m. and will take place both on Zoom and in person, inside the temple's spacious sanctuary. This service will affirm the fellowship's covenant to work together with the minister to create a beloved community  work that began a few years ago, when Rev. Guerrier first began to establish a relationship with the fellowship.

"Every time she graces the pulpit, she facilitates such loving, inspiring, thought-provoking church services," Jessamyn Neuhaus, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who has been a fellowship member since 2004, said.

Story continues

A BRIDGE

Vivian and Don Papson joined the fellowship because of Rev. Guerrier. The two credit her for being "compassionate and wise, redemptive and real," and say that she bridges the gaps between her native Canada and the United States, removing political and psychological barriers.

Those are not the only gaps she's bridged.

Rev. Guerrier, herself, says that her life and ministry have been sustained by the awe she experiences at the Fellowship's ability to learn from one another and build connections and commitments across differences of culture, religion, race, class, gender, sexuality and belief.

As she strives to create spaces where all can experience belonging and worth, Rev. Guerrier draws on both her Asian and European heritages, as well as her identity as a queer person.

In doing so, "she consistently speaks to the religious needs of our small but spiritually diverse congregation, crafting sermons, small group gatherings and worship experiences that truly support every individual's search for truth and meaning," Neuhaus said.

SOCIAL-WORKER SKILLS

Neuhaus and others are also grateful for the skills Guerrier brings from her 30-year career as a social worker.

"She has a wide array of talents and gifts that will help our congregation grow and flourish," Lindamarie Hill, another member, said.

"She radiates a comforting presence, and brings a sense of genuine caring and compassion."

"I've been impressed with the way she lives her values, caring deeply for the planet in addition to caring for others," Ouellette said.

"She works to live a sustainable life and helps us dream of new ways of doing what is right for each other and our world."

Board of trustees co-chair Connie Shemo agrees.

"We are so fortunate to have a minister who brings such a diverse range of skills: thoughtful inspiring sermons, empathetic counseling, a passion for environmental issues, as well as fostering deeper connections with the broader UU world," Shemo said.

"She's really the whole package. Or to put it more succinctly: Nicoline rocks!"

SPIRITUAL/ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER

Reverend Nicoline is not only the spiritual leader, but is also the organizational leader of the Fellowship and has to attend to the matters of the heart as well as matters of the world, according to member Simone Lutz.

"I've been invited to participate in a number of services at the Fellowship as a reader," Lutz said.

"These experiences have given me an opportunity to interact with Reverend Nicoline and the Worship Team, and I have great respect for everyone involved.

"She/they has/have chosen passages for me to read that are very much in sync with my personality and beliefs  even though we haven't known one another very long. This demonstrates her/their insight and perception.

"There are many words that come to mind when I think of Reverend Nicoline's abilities and personality and the strengths that she/they brings to our community. I formulated this list based on her/their sermons, discussions, or invitations to participate in various groups and activities related to UU and our community:

"Inspiring, thoughtful, hopeful, reflective, intelligent, patient, problem-solver, trustworthy, collaborator, honest and open, responsible, gracious, compassionate, team player, articulate, dignified, encouraging, visionary, respectful, caring, courageous, tolerant, dedicated, flexible, communicator, and empathetic."

Email: rcaudell@pressrepublican.com

Twitter@RobinCaudell
The 74

Its Hispanic Heritage Month and the signs and advertisements celebrating the culture are abundant. I feel, as I often do this time of year, mixed emotions. As a Mexican-American educator, I understand the good intentions behind the signs; celebrating diversity and honoring different cultures should be applauded. But if we really want to celebrate the []
The US has struck a partnership agreement with Pacific island nations amid concern in Washington over growing Chinese influence.

It also announced $810m (725m) in financial support and said it would recognise Niue and Cook Islands as sovereign states.

Fourteen nations signed the deal including the Solomon Islands, after reports said its leader would not sign.

The region has strategic importance as the gateway to Asia from the Pacific.

Its location and its need for assistance, particularly to help it deal with the impact of climate change, has triggered a battle for influence - with China keen on playing a prominent role.

In June Beijing proposed a sweeping trade and security deal with 10 countries in the region. But it was shelved after many of the countries declined to sign.

Washington's 11-point declaration covers matters from security to climate change. The White House said the deal came amid an "increasingly complex geopolitical environment".

"The security of America, quite frankly, and the world depends on your security, and the security of the Pacific Islands," said US President Joe Biden during the two-day meeting - the first time Pacific nations had been invited to Washington for an in-person summit.

Much of the new US funding is in the form of a 10-year package to clean up dirty waters in the South Pacific.

Between 2006 and 2017, Beijing provided close to $1.5bn in foreign aid to the region through a mixture of grants and loans, according to the Lowy Institute.

Earlier this year US Vice President Kamala Harris said the US would triple its funding for economic development and ocean resilience for the Pacific Islands.
In response to the actions of the Kremlin, the United States imposes sanctions against Russian officials and their family members

"The United States unequivocally rejects Russias fraudulent attempt to change Ukraines internationally recognized borders, including by holding sham 'referenda' in the Ukrainian Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions," the statement reads.

In response to the Kremlin's actions, the United States is imposing sanctions against Russian officials and their families, Russian and Belarusian military officials, as well as a number of companies that support the Russian military-industrial complex.

It is noted that the State Department will impose visa restrictions on 910 people from this list. Among them is also Russian citizen Ochur-Suge Mongush, who is accused of torturing a Ukrainian soldier.

Additionally, 109 MPs from the Russian parliament, 169 members of the Russian senate, and other members of the Russian government, including the head of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, Elvira Nabiullina, have also been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Read also: EU plans to impose sanctions on far-right ideologue Dugin and singer Rastorguyev, reports Politico

These personal sanctions include the wife and two adult children of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the wife and children of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the adult children and the closest relatives of deputy chairman of Russias Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, and the chair of the Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko.

14 Russian firms connected to that countrys military-industrial complex  and a number of their international suppliers  have also been sanctioned.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed "agreements" on the annexation of occupied territories of Ukraine with the heads of the Donbas puppet authorities, and collaborators in Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts, on Sept. 30.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
On Friday morning, the Biden administration announced a wave of new sanctions against a number of individuals and entities including the head of Russia's central bank, following Vladimir Putins move to annex four areas of Ukraine.

The White House and Ukraine say the annexations are illegitimate; the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State are responding by adding new individuals and companies to the already sprawling sanctions effort being imposed by the US and the West.

We will not stand by as Putin fraudulently attempts to annex parts of Ukraine," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "The Treasury Department and US government are taking sweeping action today to further weaken Russias already degraded military industrial complex and undermine its ability to wage its illegal war.

In his own statement Friday, President Joe Biden said Russia was "showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere." He added that the US "will always honor Ukraines internationally recognized borders."

President Joe Biden Thursday at the Whiten House during an event with leaders from the U.S.- Pacific Island Country Summit (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, joined Yahoo Finance Live on Friday and noted Putin "is losing on the battlefield." Russia is attempting to annex these regions "while its army is being kicked out of those very regions," he added.

While sanctions have taken some toll on Putin's ability to wage war, he noted, he said it's not realistic to expect sanctions to collapse Russia's economy.

New individuals targeted, including Russia's central bank governor

One arm of the new sanctions will name additional Putin allies individually. The White House has targeted an ever-growing list of Russian officials for economic penalties, recently discussing efforts to punish "facilitators" of Russias attempts to evade sanctions all around the world.

Treasury will sanction Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of Russias Central Bank. The highly regarded banker has worked to limit the damage to Russias economy in recent months even after she reportedly tried to quit soon after the invasion of Russia, only to be told no by Putin.

Story continues

According to the Treasury Department, Nabiullina is a former adviser to Putin and will now be personally subject to an array of sanctions. Her bank, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, had already been sanctioned.

Elvira Nabiullina at a news conference in Moscow in 2019. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov)

Olga Skorobogatova, the deputy governor of the bank, and Aleksandr Novak, a Russian Deputy Prime Minister, are also being added to the sanctions list.

Fridays move will also bring in more Russian leaders and their family members into the orbit, and include Belarusian military officials. Belarus has been a close Putin ally since the beginning of the invasion and provided a staging ground for Russian troops along its border with Ukraine.

Treasury is announcing sanctions against 14 new individuals "in Russias military-industrial complex" including two international suppliers and other immediate family members of top Russians. Sanctions are also coming for 109 additional members of Russias Duma and 169 members of Russias Federation Council, the upper chamber of its parliament.

Friday's action came after Putin held a "signing ceremony" to formally incorporate Ukraines Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions under Russian control. The annexation has been called a sham by Ukraine and the West.

Britains Foreign Office also announced a new series of sanctions this week, but it remains to be seen whether these new measures will be any more effective at deterring Putin's resolve.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at a ceremony sign treaties formally annexing four regions of Ukraine on September 30, 2022. (GRIGORY SYSOYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

New export controls

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security also announced new export control efforts Friday that will apply to entities and individuals both inside and also around the world if they provide political or economic support to Russia for its purported annexation.

Administration officials have long touted export controls as a means to cut off Russia from resources such as high-tech semiconductors and the larger 21st century economy amid questions about how effective the move could actually be given Russias alliance with nations like China.

Commerce will add 57 new entities located in Russia and the Crimea region of Ukraine to its list of export control targets. Officials also underlined Friday that export control efforts can also apply to companies in outside countries that provide support to Russia and Belarus.

There are now a total of 392 entities subject to export controls. The administration is "clamping down on entities that are seeking to support Russias military effort  inside and outside of Russia  and will continue to coordinate with our allies and partners to continue to cut Russia off further from the technologies and other items it needs to sustain its war effort, Commerce Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez said in a statement.

Finally, the U.S. State Department is also imposing new visa restrictions on 910 individuals, including on a Russian soldier named Ochur-Suge Mongush who's accused of war crimes. The new visa restrictions will apply to both members of Russia's military as well as Russias proxies according to the state department. Belarusian military officials will be included in the new restrictions as well.

This post has been updated.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit.
A server at Duck Duck Goose, a popular upscale restaurant in Fells Point, finished her dinner shift Tuesday night and headed to a nearby bar to grab drinks with a co-worker.

It was an ordinary evening in the historic waterfront nightlife district that attracts tourists and locals alike, including many service industry employees whose work powers the neighborhood economy.

The server stepped outside while her friend was playing pool. Minutes later, she came bursting back through the door to Lil Phils Tavern, screaming about gunfire without yet realizing she herself had been shot; the bullet passed through her arm. Another man, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, was hospitalized in grave condition, officials said.

The double shooting was reported around 1 a.m. Wednesday in the 700 block of South Broadway Street  the latest stark reminder of Baltimores senseless gun violence. Police have not said whether either victim was an intended target.

A young lady got shot for doing nothing more than having a drink after work in Fells Point, said Ashish Alfred, the owner of Duck Duck Goose. We need to be asking ourselves a real question: What are we doing? Thats not theoretical, its not rhetorical.

This is America  and were just standing around with our hands in our pockets, watching people die.

Instances of gun violence, which happen with routine frequency in some of Baltimores poorest and most disadvantaged neighborhoods, rarely occur in touristy areas such as Fells Point. While shootings in more affluent areas often grab headlines and attention, Alfred said, the problem is the same throughout Baltimore and other American cities. He questioned why elected officials arent doing more to address the issue.

Lets all agree we have failed a generation of men and women by telling them the only way to solve their problems is to pick up guns, he said in an interview Thursday. But what are we doing for the next generation?

Story continues

An accomplished chef and Baltimore resident, Alfred started Duck Duck Goose Bethesda before opening the Fells Point location in 2018. He has spoken publicly about earlier struggles with trauma and substance abuse that threatened to derail his career.

Im a chef. I have no real knowledge of the criminal justice system other than having been disciplined by it, he said. But right now, it seems like were not doing much more than mopping up the blood.

Alfred recalled something he witnessed while helping wait tables during a recent shift: He was standing near an outdoor table when he saw two kids on scooters bump into each other. One of them immediately appeared to reach for a gun. Alfred said he intervened and was able to prevent the situation from escalating. But he said the incident reinforced his sense that, unfortunately, guns are everywhere  in some cases because people want to protect themselves.

The Fells Point shooting Wednesday unfolded about an hour after a separate incident around midnight Wednesday, when four people  three women and one man  were shot outside a Northeast Baltimore apartment complex. Residents reported being terrified for their safety and outraged by the citys apparent inability to help them escape a culture of violence they feel powerless to change.

On Wednesday night, two teenagers were shot about a half-mile away on Moravia Road.

Despite those and other shootings this week, Baltimores homicide rate has been trending downward after an increase through the summer.

During a City Council hearing Wednesday, Baltimore Police Department leaders cited some progress in their efforts to curb violence. For the first time in six months, they said, the citys annual homicide tally is one less than this time last year.

Even so, Baltimore remains well on track to surpass 300 homicides for the eighth year running. The departments 2022 homicide clearance rate is hovering around 41%, including six open warrants.

The vast majority of the killings are concentrated in majority-Black neighborhoods plagued by decades of growing poverty and disinvestment. But Alfred said violence anywhere should receive the same level of attention as gunshots in Fells Point.

This is not a Black or white issue, said Alfred, whose parents immigrated from India. Its red blood in the streets.

At the Broadway Street shooting scene Wednesday afternoon, a bullet hole was visible in the door of a vape shop and traces of blood still stained the sidewalk. Police said detectives were working to obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses and identify a suspect.

By Thursday afternoon, the bullet hole had been covered with a Halloween-themed sticker depicting a cartoon pumpkin. Locals and tourists strolled past. People were eating lunch outside, enjoying the sunny fall weather and harbor views. Some were surprised to learn about the recent shooting. Others said theyll think twice before going outside during late-night hours.

Fells Point Fun Festival, a longtime annual neighborhood celebration, was scheduled for this weekend but has been postponed because of unsafe weather conditions. The festivals new dates are Oct. 28 to Oct. 30, pending city approval.

The area has experienced instances of violence in the past, sometimes prompting outcry from businesses. In the summer of 2021, more than 30 business and restaurant owners threatened to withhold tax payments if city leaders didnt address crime, trash and other problems.

Alfred said officials have occasionally blocked off some roads to better control traffic flow into Fells Point, but he equated those efforts to putting a Band-Aid over a bullet hole.

While a perception of rampant crime is bad for business, Alfred said, what happens when potential employees no longer want to work in Fells Point?

His manager called early Wednesday to tell him about the server getting shot. Alfred said she has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. He said the woman encouraged him to speak out about the violence, though she asked not to be identified by name. She didnt know the other victim, whom police described as an unidentified male.

This is a young woman, a blue-collar worker who shows up in her uniform every day and serves her clients, Alfred said, his voice becoming choked up. Shes well-educated, well-spoken and dedicated. She has two young children she supports.

How much more on our doorstep could this possibly get?
Associated Press

A famed extreme skier from the United States who was killed after falling from one of the world's tallest mountains was on Sunday given a traditional funeral at a Sherpa cremation ground as Buddhist monks officiated over a ceremony attended by family, friends and government officials. Hilaree Nelson, 49, fell off the 8,163-meter (26,775-foot) summit of the worlds eighth-highest mountain. Nelson's body was taken to the Sherpa cremation grounds in Kathmandu from a hospital morgue on the back of a open truck, which was decorated a poster of her and bedecked with garlands of flowers.
Tropical Weather-Florida (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Death and destructions are not the only things Hurricane Ian brought to Florida this week. Along with the storm surge and high winds which devastated the southwestern portion of the Sunshine State, Governor Ron DeSantis chickens have also come home to roost.

The man who first made his name in Congress by opposing hurricane relief is now begging the federal government to bail out his state. In doing so, hes providing a timely reminder to the American people as to why Republicans  and DeSantis specifically  cannot be trusted to govern this great country.

First, lets state what should go without saying: Floridians need and deserve our help. Following tornadoes in the western portion of Kentucky last year and flooding in the eastern part this year, I condemned liberals who suggested my home state reaped what it sowed by voting for the likes of Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. Florida is no exception. The people there, regardless of politics, are human beings and our fellow Americans. We have a moral and patriotic duty to come to their aid.

Yet, there was one thing those Twitter liberals got right: their criticism of McConnell and Paul. They too have opposed disaster relief for other (Democratic) areas. Indeed, Republicans seem to only care about Americans when theyre in red states. Thats despicable.

Floridas answer to these heartless and calculating politicians is, of course, Ron DeSantis. We know just how cruel he can be  this is the man who kidnapped refugees and flew them halfway across the country just this month. But DeSantis has always shown his true colors, going back to his earliest days as a Tea Party congressman.

In January 2013, the newly elected Congressman DeSantis opposed a $9.7 billion flood insurance aid package to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey. Though he expressed sympathy for the victims, he said that allowing the program to increase its debt by another $9.7 billion with no plan to offset the spending with cuts elsewhere is not fiscally responsible. In short, DeSantis was sorry for what happened, but not enough to help. His response was basically the equivalent of a shrug emoji.

Story continues

Fast forward nine-and-a-half years. Now-Governor DeSantis wants the federal government to pick up 100 percent of the cost for debris removal and emergency protective measures for the 60 days following the hurricane. Yet when people bring up his hypocrisy, the governors spokesman says that we have no time for politics or pettiness.

It isnt politics or pettiness to point out a glaring double-standard, one that seems to prove Republicans are incapable of caring for anyone but themselves. Nor is it petty to point out that Florida  a state governed by Republicans since 1999 and in which Republicans control both houses of the legislature  is in the midst of an insurance crisis.

Since the beginning of 2020, ABC News reports, at least a dozen insurance companies in the state have gone out of business, including six this year alone. A further 30 are being watched by the states Office of Insurance Regulation because of financial instability. Meanwhile, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation  created as a last resort for desperate homeowners  has seen the number of policies it underwrites more than double since 2020.

The problems facing Floridas homeowners are compounded by the shockingly low levels of flood insurance in a state barely above sea level. The New York Times reports that in the counties under an evacuation order for Hurricane Ian, only 18.5 percent of homes are covered through the National Flood Insurance Program. Of those, only 47.3 percent of homes inside government-designated floodplains have flood insurance, while outside of the area designated a floodplain by the NFIP  areas still very likely to have been damaged by the storm surge  only about 9.4 percent have flood insurance.

Ian, like Sandy in 2012, was more of a flood event than a wind event. As such, traditional homeowners and even hurricane insurance is unlikely to cover much of the damage. Those without flood insurance will be left to foot the bill to recover and rebuild, or to rely on the government for assistance.

In fairness, not all of this is DeSantis fault. He cant control the fact that Florida is susceptible to hurricanes, nor can he control whether people have flood insurance or national insurers do business in the state. Im also not inclined to blame him for the rampant litigation and insurance fraud in the state.

But its worth noting that insurance premiums more than doubled during DeSantis term. Former governor Charlie Crist, who is DeSantis Democratic opponent in his race for reelection, pointed out that Floridians now pay the highest property insurance premiums in the country.

Despite a new law allocating $2 billion to a reinsurance fund, which Bankrate says can help home insurance companies share risk, which lessens the likelihood that any one company will become insolvent, the damage from Hurricane Ian is likely to far exceed what that reinsurance fund can handle. Its no surprise, then, that DeSantis is looking to Washington  and to President Biden, a man he routinely denigrates and insults  to bail his state out.

Washington and President Biden should and, I expect, will do just that  because unlike Ron DeSantis, Joe Biden is a decent man. He doesnt play politics with peoples lives and homes the way DeSantis has done from quite literally the moment he first entered Congress. Biden will help Florida, not because it is politically beneficial to him, but because it is the right thing to do.

DeSantis will, no doubt, try to take credit for that. We should not let him. The man has shown us who he is time and again. The only reason he is advocating federal aid in this disaster is because its his own state, one which will suffer immense economic and humanitarian harm without it. Had this hurricane hit a blue state, though, DeSantis would probably be demanding we let our fellow citizens fend for themselves.
Vulnerable Democratic Texas Congressman Vicente Gonzalez missed a number of votes in the House of Representatives this week, citing the "ongoing public health emergency" of COVID-19 as his reason to vote remotely while he attended a number of events in his home state instead.

The embattled Democrat opted to vote by proxy, the process in which a member of Congress can have another member vote on legislation in their absence, choosing Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., to vote in his stead.

"I continue to be unable to physically attend proceedings in the House Chamber due to the ongoing public health emergency and hereby grant the authority to caste my vote by proxy to the Honorable Lou Correa (California), who has agreed to serve as my proxy," Gonzalez's official proxy letter stated.

Of the votes missed by Gonzalez, the most high-profile was the Friday passage of a largely Democrat-backed bill that avoided a shutdown of the federal government, and was described by some as a crucial piece of legislation.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE VICENTE GONZALEZ CLAIMS MAYRA FLORES, SUPPORTERS STOLE TEXAS SPECIAL ELECTION

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, attends a House Financial Services Committee hearing titled Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy featuring testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in Rayburn Building on February 27, 2018. Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/ Getty Images

Fox News Digital reached out to Gonzalez's office for comment on why he chose to be in Texas for a specific campaign event on Thursday evening hosted by the Cameron County Democratic Party rather than the numerous votes held in the House on Thursday and Friday, but didn't receive an immediate response.

His office responded after publishing that his attendance at the event took place after House voting had ended on Thursday evening, and that he attended three other events in an official capacity during the Friday voting hours in which the bill to avoid a government shutdown was passed.

A number of other members also opted to vote by proxy, but it wasn't immediately clear if they were also attending events. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi extended proxy voting earlier this month until after the November election, declaring that the coronavirus pandemic still amounted to a public health emergency.

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Other members have also continued to use the language citing a public health emergency in their proxy letters when unable to attend votes in the House Chamber, including Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Texas, Gonzalez's opponent.

PELOSI EXTENDS PROXY VOTING IN THE HOUSE UNTIL NOVEMBER DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC WHICH BIDEN SAID 'IS OVER'

Gonzalez, who currently represents Texas' 15th Congressional District, is facing a tough re-election battle against Flores in the state's 34th Congressional District, after deciding to run there following the redrawing of district maps.

Fox News' Power rankings has rated the race as "lean Democratic."

The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Sep. 30If you wanted some barbecue at Red Hot & Blue, 2601 S. Range Line Road, your time has run out. The restaurant had announced on its Facebook page that it would close its doors when the food ran out. It ran out Sept. 28.

The first announcement also said: "After 25 years, the family-owned business of Red Hot & Blue Joplin will be smoking BBQ for the last time. We are retiring from the restaurant business."

The restaurant, which dates back to the early 1970s as Shotgun Sam's Pizza and later as Raphael's Mexican Restaurant-Cantina, is to be razed.

A new restaurant, Hawaiian Brothers Island Grill, is to be built there. The company has not announced its plans for the site.

Hawaiian Brothers Island Grill is one of the fastest growing restaurant brands in the country. With over $55 million in revenue in 2021 from restaurants in six states, the company is planning to open 20 to 25 additional locations this year. The business was started in 2018 at Belton by brothers Cameron and Tyler McNie, who decided to put their own spin on the Hawaiian plate lunch after working 15 years in their family's Hawaiian grill business on the West Coast.

A company's website can tell you a lot about the company. Make sure to check out the community section of hawaiianbros.com. You will learn about the 1880's evolution of the plate lunch and how sugar and pineapple plantation laborers from all over the world contributed to the culture of Hawaii. It's a fascinating story that underscores the multicultural relationships that contributed to the island's unique traditions.

A plate lunch, according to the website, consists of meat, rice and a macaroni salad. There's Huli Huli chicken, Molokai chicken and Kilauea chicken, which apparently is lava hot. They also have pulled pork and seasoned vegetables. Their take on Spam is unusual. They put seared Spam that's glazed in teriyaki on rice and wrap it in dried seaweed.

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Who would have guessed that a classic Southern-style barbecue restaurant would be replaced by a West Coast-inspired Hawaiian restaurant?

After 25 years, Red Hot & Blue will be missed, and it's a two-way street. The restaurant's Facebook post concludes with: "Our time here is marked with gratitude and appreciation toward Joplin and the surrounding communities in which we served. We will cherish all the friendships we made along the way with both customers and employees alike, and thank you for all the cherished memories."

ArtWalk marks 15th season

Thursday's ArtWalk in downtown Joplin will be the last of this season. It will kick off at 5 p.m. at City Hall, Sixth and Main streets, with two proclamations from the mayor. One will recognize National Arts and Humanities Month. The other will express appreciation for the hundreds of artists and musicians who have participated in the ArtWalk, and the venues that have hosted it.

The ArtWalk, which will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will feature painter Scott Leeper at Club 609, 609 S. Main St. Musician Tough Luck Chuck will perform at M and M Bistro, 612 S. Main St.

At Beast & Barrel, 530 S. Main St., contemporary paintings by Philip Ledbetter will be featured.

At Plant Parenthood, 528 S. Main St., works by Marta Churchwell, Merlen White, Daria Claiborne, Connie Miller, Brent Skinner and others will be shown.

At Urban Art Gallery, 511 S. Main St., art by Lori Marble will be on display. Music will be by Vagabond Grove.

Ron Erwin and Thao Nguyen, 412 S. Main St., will show photography from their international travels.

At the Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S. Joplin Ave., Eric Beezley will show abstracts. Artists in the backroom will be Rosie Thornhill, Mandy Stanley, Misty White, Brooks-Elizabeth Billings, Brad Peters, Ashley Williams and Brent Edwards. Music will be by Dwayne Smith.

At Spiva Center for the Arts, 222 W. Third St., ArtWalk artists Shawn Riley and Ashley Williams will be featured in the lobby. The main gallery will feature the urban fantasy paintings of Rob Mango. The regional gallery will show Local Color Artists celebrating 150 years of Joplin in "Reflection of Joplin."

Contact Wally Kennedy at wkennedy@joplinglobe.com.
When Texass gubernatorial candidates meet on Friday evening for their first and only debate this season, there will be many more eyes than just those of Texans watching the TV.

Beto ORourke is set to square off against Republican Gov Greg Abbott, the incumbent, as Democrats seek to flip the governors mansion blue in one of the reddest states in the country while the former congressman Mr ORourke seeks to prove that he can win a nationally-prominent election.

Its a local race with many national implications, thanks to recent moves by Mr Abbott as well as Mr ORourkes well-reported political ambitions. Mr Abbott has won supporters in conservative circles across the country with his efforts to use state funding to bus migrants across the country, dropping them off without planned aid available in liberal-held jurisdictions like Washington DC. Mr ORourke, meanwhile, has long held a national following and tapped into that energy earlier in the campaign by confronting Mr Abbott and other Texas officials publicly at a town hall over the Uvalde shooting.

Polls of the race show Mr Abbotts lead growing over Mr ORourke: a troubling sign for Democrats this close to the election. The race has now come down to a one-month last-ditch sprint in which Mr Abbott is hoping to use to coast to an easy reelection victory and Mr ORourke is struggling to stay relevant.

A major Latino group is working to shift that dynamic, and has poured money into an ad campaign targeting the states sizable Spanish-speaking demographic with an ad campaign entitled Abbott nos abandono  Abbott has abandoned us  on local cable channels ahead of tonights contest.

With the state of the race in mind, heres what to keep an eye out for tonight:

Immigration and the battle over the buses

At the top of the list tonight for both candidates will likely be immigration. Its a surprising topic given that most US immigration enforcement is handled at the federal level, but Mr Abbott and other conservatives have successfully (once again) reframed the issue just in time for an election thanks to their PR stunt effort to bus migrants across the country, captivating news organisations and Republican fans alike.

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As such, both parties are likely to touch on this. Mr Abbott will likely tout his programme as he has done publicly in recent weeks, a move that has the dual purpose of showing off his own decision-making qualities while serving to embarass liberals regarding the state of US border enforcement and migration. Mr ORourke, however, will likely (or hopefully, in the minds of Democratic strategists) pivot to criticising the issue on ethical and cost issues, portraying the practice as a cruel waste of taxpayer money that in reality is dealing with only a small fraction of migrants in the state. Its an important topic, for sure: despite the lack of control Texass governor has over the border itself, immigration policy and border security remained the most important topic cited by voters in a February survey from University of Houston.

Texass power grid

The failure of Texass power grid in 2021 for a while seemed like it might be the biggest issue on the minds of voters this year. A staggering 246 people lost their lives and thousands more faced extreme energy costs when millions lost power and heat during one of the worst winter storms in recent Texas history. Making the situation worse, the states junior senator, Ted Cruz, was caught trying to flee the state for Cancun during the storm while millions remained in subzero temperatures.

Failure was blamed by state officials on poor management of the grid, which was found to not have been winterised properly ahead of the storm. After the crisis, all three members of the Abbott-appointed public safety board resigned, and the head of the states energy grid management system, ERCOT, was fired. To be sure though, theres still bad blood in the state resulting from what many called a total failure by leaders to prepare for issues like climate change and just basic management of Texass utilities.

Uvalde

Easily the touchiest subject that could be brought up tonight, the ghastly elementary school massacre in Uvalde remains a serious topic of debate for not just Texas but the nation at large.

Months after the horrific attack, its still unclear why the suspect was left in a classroom with wounded and terrified children and their teacher for what countless experts would later say was a unconscionable period of time. State law enforcement agencies face accusations of a cover-up, hiding the actions of local police officials and others from devastated parents and families.

If this subject is brought up, expect Mr ORourke to pressure the governor into explaining why he hasnt been more vocal in demanding the release of a full accounting of what happened to the public.
Oof! said veteran Weather Channel reporter Jim Cantore as a tree branch knocked him over during a live broadcast from Punta Gorda, Florida, on Wednesday. Cantore jumped up and continued, without missing a beat. You know what? I think Im just going to come in here for a second, he said before making his way, through the 110-mph winds of Hurricane Ian, to grab onto a signpost.

Jim, come on in for some cover, my man, come on in, said Mike Bettes, the anchor, as the cameras cut away to the studio. We can have a conversation when youre under some cover. Thats too much.

Live, on-the-scene storm shots have been a longtime staple of weather reporting. Yet, as videos of Cantore and of other reporters spread on social media, some asked: Is it necessary to send television crews to the middle of a dangerous storm? And how ethical is it for reporters to be put in such risk when everyone else has been ordered to evacuate?

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

Nora Zimmett, the president of news at the Weather Channel, said that having meteorologists broadcasting live from the field was critical to the channels mission of giving people the information they needed to stay safe.

It is very hard to do that when youre showing a static shot that has no context of how conditions of wind and water can affect a human being, she said. Without the context of a human being in the elements, I can tell you, people still dont understand why theyre being told to leave.

She said that the channel used unmanned cameras this week in places that were too dangerous for reporters, such as in Fort Myers, Florida.

Aside from concerns about the safety of weather reporters, some worried that the dramatic shots of reporters on the ground could encourage others to attempt to make similar videos to rack up followers on Instagram or TikTok, where videos related to #HurricaneIan had more than 2 billion views as of Friday morning. Zimmett said that the Weather Channel regularly warns people not to venture into dangerous conditions to shoot their own clips.

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Deb Aikat, an associate professor at the University of North Carolinas Hussman School of Journalism and Media, said that local television networks, concerned about ratings, send reporters to the center of storms to distinguish their footage from the competition. But local news stations, which are struggling with declining advertising demand and decreasing viewership from young people, typically have fewer resources than national networks and could end up in unsafe situations.

Still, Aikat said live broadcasts offered substantial news value. I feel worried, but at the same time, its precious coverage, he said. Media are competing in a very tough space, so journalists want to extend themselves.

Jack Maney, a meteorologist with KLBK, a CBS-affiliated television station in Lubbock, Texas, said he understood the ethical concerns, particularly if networks were sending in teams of people who did not sign up for that specific risk, but that meteorologists typically wanted to be on the ground. He added that meteorologists were trained to read the storm and knew how to assess risks.

Im one of the people who wants to be there in the action, feeling the storm, being there at the center of it all and seeing the things that we study for years and years of our lives, he said. Thats one of the fascinations of it.

 2022 The New York Times Company
OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - The Economic Community of West African States on Friday condemned the seizure of power by a group of soldiers in Burkina Faso.

The regional bloc said the coup came at an inopportune time when Burkina Faso had made progress towards returning to constitutional rule following a January military takeover from a civilian government.

(Reporting by Thiam Ndiaga and Anne Mimault; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Leslie Adler)
The warden of a federal prison in West Texas and his brother were arrested Tuesday in connection with the shooting of two migrants, one of whom died, according to multiple reports.

Texas Rangers arrested Mike Thomas Sheppard, the warden of the private West Texas Detention Center in Sierra Blanca, and Mark Sheppard on Thursday. The pair, both 60, are accused of shooting at a group of four migrants from a truck on Tuesday evening.

The group was walking along a roadway south of Sierra Blanca before stopping at a water tank. A pickup approached the group, two men emerged and then opened fire as the migrants tried to hide behind the tank, according to court documents obtained by The New York Times.

One man was shot in the head and killed. A woman was shot in the stomach and taken to a hospital, where she is recovering.

The truck was registered to the private company that runs the West Texas detention center and was reportedly assigned to Mike Sheppard at the time, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Both men were charged with manslaughter, according to the court filings. The FBI, U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations are assisting the Texas Department of Public Safety in the investigation, the Times added.

Mike Sheppard was fired shortly after his arrest.

The warden at West Texas Detention Center, Sierra Blanca, TX, has been terminated due to an off-duty incident unrelated to his employment, a spokesman for the jail company told the San Antonio Express-News.

The facility houses migrants in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
WESTMINSTER  For about 11 weeks, 22-year-old Geraldine (Comforti) Nelson enjoyed a perfect life.

In March of 1943, she traveled from her home in the Oakdale section of West Boylston to Blackstone, Virginia to marry her fiance, 24-year-old Private Edmund O. Nelson, who was stationed there at Camp Pickett.

The Rev. F. C. Hawkins, minister of the Baptist Church of Blackstone, performed the ceremony, held on March 9, 1943.

There was little time for a honeymoon and the couple would reside in Blackstone for the next couple of months before Nelson was called to duty on May 24.

Sadly, it would the last Geraldine would see of her husband, as he was whisked off to the Mediterranean Sea and the war zone along the North African coastline. Then, a year and a half later, he would lose his life to a German snipers bullet.

Edmund O. Nelson

Mark Landry, the veterans graves officer as well as a member of the towns veterans committee for the Westminster Historical Society, provided a good deal of information to help complete this column, as well as each on soldiers from Westminster.

This is the continuation of the series Remembering Local World War II Heroes.

Staff Sgt. Edmund O. Nelson (1918-1944)

Edmund Ola Nelson was born in Westminster on Sept. 27, 1918 to Jesse G. and Edith M. (Smith) Nelson, in a rented house at 235 South Ashburnham Road. He also had a younger sister, Avis I. Nelson,

His father Jesse worked in a paper mill at the time of Edmunds birth, but the family later moved to a house near the Gardner State Colony where Jesse would work as a caretaker.

While living on Bragg Hill Road in Westminster, Edmund attended Fitchburg High School from which he graduated in 1938. Following his graduation, Edmund worked at the Crocker Burbank Paper Mill in Fitchburg, which also employed his father and sister.

Shortly after the U.S. involvement in World War II following the bombing at Pearl Harbor, Edmund enlisted in the service on Jan. 19, 1942 in Boston. He reported to Fort Devens and was assigned to Company D, 38th Infantry Regiment Training Battalion, Platoon 4.

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Private Nelson was then sent to Camp Croft in South Carolina for six weeks of basic training, after which he came back to Fort Devens on April 20. He was then assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Thunderbird Division.

His regiment was stationed at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod for several weeks before the division boarded rail cars relocating them to Camp Pickett near Blackstone, Virginia in January 1943.

A marriage in Virginia

It was during his stay at Camp Pickett that Edmund married Geraldine A. Comforti on March 9, 1943 in Blackstone. When Edmund and his battalion left two months later for North Africa, Geraldine moved back to Oakdale.

In late May, Edmunds first battalion boarded the USS Harry Lee, a class attack transport that saw service with the U.S. Navy during World War II. It joined a huge convoy that zigzagged its way south, over the equator, along South America, and entered the Mediterranean Sea, before heading to the North African coastline.

Battalion travels the Mediterranean

Over the next year and a half, Sgt. Nelson and his men would see action in many of the war zones. They would traverse the Mediterranean Sea with stops at Sicily, the Anzio Beachhead, Southern France, Normandy, and wherever needed to combat the German enemy.

An item in the April 20, 1944 edition of the Fitchburg Sentinel noted that Sgt. Nelson had been wounded in action somewhere in Italy. There were no other details to the extent of his injuries.

More: Lt. Waino Friberg was shot down off the coast of Naples, Italy

Returning to duty

Apparently, he was not put out of commission for very long. By late August, Nelson and the 1st and 3rd Battalions arrived in Grenoble, France to help set up roadblocks as a way to prevent the Germans from moving forward.

At just before midnight on Aug. 23, 1944, First Battalion guards on one of the road blocks observed gun flashes in the vicinity of Domene.

Sgt. Nelson was in the midst of one of those roadblocks on the main highway into Grenoble. As several Germans soldiers attempted to break through the lines and move into the town a firefight ensued. A series of bullets flew, striking Sgt. Nelson, who fell dead on the spot.

More: Staff Sgt. Edwin Darling was one of eight WWII casualties from Westminster

William Warren, who was part of the First Battalion, would later report that Edmund was wounded at about one o'clock in the morning. He was with two other soldiers who placed him into an ambulance, while the German who did the shooting was killed by the men.

However, another account from Edward A. Krecht, noted that Edmund was killed almost instantly as six bullets had entered his body.

Edmund O. Nelson square located in Westminster at the junction of Oakmont Avenue and South Ashburnham Road

News from the front initially stated that Sgt. Nelson was missing an action, but shortly thereafter the confirmation of his death was reported by the army.

Staff Sgt. Nelson was killed on Oct. 24, 1944, at the age of 26, and is buried in the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, in Draguignan, France.

Square honors sacrifice of Staff Sgt. Nelson

The square in Westminster at the junction of Oakmont Avenue and South Ashburnham Road is named in honor of Staff Sgt. Edmund O. Nelson.

A heartbroken Geraldine Nelson never remarried. She became a registered nurse working in several Worcester area hospitals, eventually retiring from Worcester County Hospital in 1983.

Two years later, she died at the age of 64 following a lengthy illness. She left two brothers, four sisters and several nieces and nephews, as well as an empty place in her heart from a love lost at war so many years earlier.

Comments and suggestions for Remembering Local World War II Heroes can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Edmund Nelson of Westminster killed in Domene, France by German sniper
What to watch: Hocus Pocus 2, Blonde, and Brazil are all new to streaming this weekend. (Disney/Netflix/20th Century Fox)

Wondering what to watch this weekend? Just on the cusp of spooky season, some of the first thematically appropriate choices for film streaming reveals itself in Tim Burtons supernatural detective mystery Sleepy Hollow, showing on Netflix. Thats all in this weeks selection  for now  but theres other visual spectacle to behold.

That can be seen in the lavish black and white photography of the divisive and sensationalist, semi-fictionalised Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde, a new Netflix original film. Its also in the gorgeous landscapes of Kasi Lemmons Harriet (showing on BBC iPlayer) another historical and biographical film that plays with fact and fiction in order to paint an impression that addresses both the person and the myth created around them.

Read more: Clarence House 'concerned' by The Crown S5

Also, while Hocus Pocus 2 may be the star attraction of the streaming offerings of Disney+, theres still plenty to discover in its ever-expanding line-up of classic film. This weeks example is Terry Gilliams Brazil, a classic sci-fi opus that matches a pessimistic view of the future with genuinely romantic flights of fantasy.

Please note that a subscription may be required to watch.

Brazil (1985) - Disney+ (Pick of the week)

Jonathan Pryce on the set of Brazil, written and directed by Terry Gilliam. Embassy International Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Terry Gilliams dystopian sci-fi magnum opus Brazil follows Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce), a bureaucrat at the bottom of the ladder, who regularly flees the monotony of his day-to-day work through a recurring daydream: one where hes rescuing a beautiful woman.

Sam ends up investigating a case that caused the wrongful arrest and then death of an innocent man, instead of wanted terrorist Harry Tuttle (Robert D Niro). But he also ends up meeting the woman from his daydream, and in trying to help her gets caught in a web of mistaken identities, mindless bureaucracy and lies.

Full of gorgeous production design, anarchy, passion and terror, its the perfect synthesis of the directors satirical sensibilities with a genuinely earnest romance, even amidst its wild depiction of a totalitarian hellscape.

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Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) - Disney+

(L-R): Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, and Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson in Hocus Pocus 2, exclusively on Disney+. (Disney)

Set 29 years after director Kenny Ortegas 1993 autumnal classic, Hocus Pocus 2 brings the Sanderson Sisters Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) singing their way back to Salem for another night of witchcraft. This time, its highschool misfits Becca (Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) who unwittingly bring the trio back to life after relighting the Black Flame Candle following a trip to the witches old home, now a museum owned and operated by mysterious Sanderson-Stan Gilbert (Sam Richardson).

Directed by 27 Dresses helmer Anne Fletcher, this long-awaited follow-up has a lot to live up to. In the years since part one was conjured, Hocus Pocus has since become a nostalgia-tinged cult kids hit thats spawned a spillover fandom from the drag world.

Read more: The cast of Hocus Pocus 2 on the 'dream' of a sequel

Both worlds are played to here, as Fletcher injects some new blood into the cauldron alongside a welcome-yet-underused appearance from Ted Lassos Hannah Waddingham as a magic mentor figure to the sisters in an attempt to please fans old and new.

While its great seeing the return of Doug Jones delightfully  decrepit Billy Butcherson  and Tony Hale provides some fun added gags - those arriving eager to see more familiar faces summoned between the spells may be left wanting. Still, this is a legacy sequel and with the spell book left curiously open, this surely isnt the last weve seen from the Hocus Pocus world.

- SB

Also on Disney+: The Greatest Showman (2017)

Blonde (2022) - Netflix

Blonde: Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe. (Netflix)

A film that claims to both be an expression about the real Marilyn Monroe but also about her status as commodified symbol, Blonde falls spectacularly short of such insight, instead becoming a hollow exercise in victimisation and an ironically misogynistic and reductive portrait of the very woman it seeks to rescue from the image of her that it perpetuates.

Read more: The Blonde backlash explained

Adapting the novel by Joyce Carol Oates, the film is a fictionalisation of Monroes life, intentionally smudging the line between fact and fiction in order to emphasise the divide between her public and private selves.

Watch a trailer for Blonde

But to this film Monroe is still more symbol than person, a lamb led into the slaughterhouse of Hollywood, but also an inevitable tragedy of a woman trying to recreate her father in every man that she meets. Its remarkably unsympathetic and, as revealed in interviews with Dominik himself, uncaring about the actors artistic craft and actual legacy.

Its only interested in her misery, in turning that misery into a spectacle, and as a result renewing the very treatment of the star that it purports that it is seemingly positioning as tragedy. Its simplistic  dull, even  to say the least, and the films craft desperately tries to counteract this through its showboating, sensationalist imagery. A disappointing and even disturbing misfire from an otherwise accomplished director.

Sleepy Hollow (1999) - Netflix

Johnny Deep And Christina Ricci star in Sleepy Hollow, directed by Tim Burton. (Getty Images)

One of the better late career efforts from gothic expressionist Tim Burton, Sleepy Hollow follows New York detective Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) as he is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of mysterious deaths, where the victims are found beheaded.

Read more: Everything we know about Tim Burton's Wednesday

The locals believe the culprit to be none other than the ghost of the legendary Headless Horseman, and while the supernatural is at play Burton uses the story to unearth the evils of early America, his fog-covered supernatural whodunnit seeing hypnotic, painterly monochrome tableaus soaked in blood.

Its a film far more admirable for its craft and visual storytelling than its scripting, which fumbles its way through a particularly unwieldy second act.

Also on Netflix: The Final Destination (2009), Halloween II (2009)

Harriet (2019) - BBC iPlayer

Cynthia Erivo as abolitionist Harriet Tubman in historical drama Harriet. (Focus Features)

A better example of to how to take historical license in the exploration of a famous figures psychology is 2019's Harriet. Kasi Lemmons, director of the excellent Eves Bayou, peers into the life of Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo), showing her escape from slavery and transformation into one of Americas greatest heroes, a guide on the underground railroad leading slaves to freedom.

As in Eves Bayou, Lemmons focuses in on embodying a sense of spirituality through her filmmaking, taking a rather literal interpretation of the visions from God that Tubman was said to receive as she guided her followers.

As the film sometimes veers between dreary cliche and sometimes real beauty, Terence Blanchards score also oscillates between being somewhat mismatched or elevating a particular dramatic note into something transcendent. It doesnt always work  perhaps half of the time  but for the most part Harriet is a lyrical, atypical approach to what could have been bog standard Hollywood biopic fare.

Also on iPlayer: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019), The Hurt Locker (2008)

Watch: Cynthia Erivo and Kasi Lemmons talk to Yahoo about Harriet
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic rival Beto ORourke are set to go head-to-head in their first, and most likely only, in-person debate Friday evening scarcely more than five weeks before Election Day.

The highly anticipated matchup, being held at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and aired by News Nation, poses potential risks and rewards for both candidates, an opportunity to trade barbs face to face after months of launching attacks on the campaign trail and through political ads.

Based on recent polling, the race is headed for the closest margin a Texas gubernatorial election has seen in more than 20 years. But with Abbott consistently leading ORourke by 5 or more percentage points in multiple polls, the debate carries very different stakes for the two candidates.

The Matchup: The 2022 Texas governor's race debate: Here's what you need to know

The Main Event: Here's how to watch the Texas governor's debate between Greg Abbott and Beto O'Rourke

Abbott has the most to lose given that the status quo is if nothing changes, he wins, said Mark Jones, political science fellow at Rice University in Houston. For Beto, the debate is extremely important because it gives him the opportunity to perhaps shift the dynamic of the campaign or force Abbott to do or say something that he later regrets.

But even if one candidate scores points or blunders, will voters notice? The debate takes place when many Texans will be sitting in the stands of their local high school football stadium.

The race is one of several gubernatorial contests attracting national attention where issues such as abortion, border politics and a flagging economy socked by high inflation have brought federal issues into state campaigns.

Could this debate move the needle?

While the debate does provide a chance for both candidates to land some punches, Jones is doubtful that the debate will have an impact on undecided voters and the election's outcome.

The only time debates move the needle is if one of the candidates makes an egregious error  but, by and large, most debates pass unnoticed, said Jones. Scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, the debate will be competing for voters attention during Friday night football and other end-of-the work-week social activities.

Story continues

Races to watch: Abortion, voting and COVID-19: Why we're eyeing these 10 governor's races in 2022 midterms

Though ORourke has proposed an additional four town-hall style debates, Abbott has not yet agreed to that idea, with his campaign implying that Friday's debate is the only one he is willing to attend.

Early voting starts Oct. 24. Election Day is Nov. 8.

Abbott bets on the border

For Abbott, Jones said the strategy will be to maintain his steady lead.

If the status quo doesn't change between now and Nov. 8, I think we're looking at an Abbott victory with the principal doubts revolving around what the margin of victory would be, Jones said.

The fact that the polling has been pretty consistent suggests that (the Abbott team) feels pretty comfortable where they are. Obviously, a 10-point lead is better than a 5-point lead, but I think that they're pretty happy with the fact that this has been stable, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor.

In a state where Democrats have not won a statewide election in decades, Abbott holds a significant advantage in his bid to win a third term, analysts say. Abbott is further bolstered by his war chest of more than $45.7 million, based on the most recent campaign finance report covering February to June of this year. His campaign already has aired four statewide TV ads, and two Spanish-language ads.

According to an analysis by the non-partisan election forecasting site FiveThirtyEight, Abbott is "clearly favored" to win the race. Out of 100 possible outcomes or scenarios the analysis simulated, Abbott won 94 out 100.

Abbott has catered his campaign messaging to the Republican base, focusing on the issues that are most popular among GOP voters, especially highlighting his efforts to address border security and the influx of migrants on the Texas-Mexico border.

Border security issues poll well in the state," Rottinghaus said, adding that he was surprised that busing of migrants to other states polls fairly well. Its not overwhelming, but you've got a majority of Texans who approve and so  that's a winning issue for Abbott.

Abbotts key focus during the debate will likely be to double down on his main talking points and avoid making any egregious mistakes that could hurt him among Republican base voters, Jones said. But he also will have the opportunity to go on the offensive by grouping ORourke with national Democrats, including President Joe Biden.

Typically in midterm elections, the incumbent party in the White House doesnt fare well. Jones said Abbotts goal will be to harness Texans' frustration with the Biden administration and direct it toward Beto.

It's far too easy for Abbott and the Abbott campaign to now tie (ORourke) to the Biden administration, because during 2018, Beto did not run as a national Democrat, he ran as sort of a unique Texas Democrat. Whereas after in 2020, when he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, he ran as a national Democrat, and that's the image that has remained with him, Jones said.

"When Beto ran for Senate, he just skated on a skateboard," Abbott told the USA Today Network on Tuesday. "When he ran for president the first time, he really took policy positions, and they were part of the leftist progressive agenda that repel people in Texas. The values that he has stood for are not Texas values. I will make that clear during the debate."

O'Rourke focuses on gun access, abortion

For ORourke, the debate presents a critical opportunity to score points against Abbott.

I think his strategy is to probably go on the emotional angle to try to provoke Abbott into some type of response that can be used against him later on, Jones said. There'll be amplified media coverage if something occurs, so I think if you're Beto, you're trying to paint Abbott into a corner. Get him to say or do something that he would later regret.

Beto O'Rourke, Democratic candidate for Texas governor, speaks during a town hall meeting at the McAllen Creative Incubator Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in McAllen,Texas.

O'Rourke will seek to attack Abbotts record with a particular focus on his stances on gun access and abortion, given the recent mass shooting in Uvalde and the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to end constitutional protections for abortion.

Both politically seismic events have had a mass mobilizing effect among Democrats nationally, giving the party more optimism that the midterms might not bring the red wave that pundits had been forecasting. And with both issues particularly relevant in Texas, theyve been core parts of ORourkes campaign strategy.

Abbott has signed several bills over multiple sessions loosening gun restrictions, including legislation last year that ended the requirement to obtain a permit to carry a gun. And this year, he has rejected demands by some to call a special legislative session to address gun safety and has dismissed as unconstitutional raising the minimum age to purchase an assault-style rifle, a step Uvalde families are pushing for. On abortion, he signed a near-total ban on the procedure, which took effect this summer.

More: Uvalde committee splinters over question of raising the age to buy assault weapon

He's in a weak spot in that he wholeheartedly opposed gun control legislation, and he supported the trigger (abortion) law, Jones said. He can waffle a little bit on it, but by and large, he owns those policies, his policies on gun control and abortion, which are in the minority now. For abortion, its only in the minority because they didn't include a rape and incest exception. If they'd done that, he'd be pretty close to the majority, but they did.

Based on recent polling, Abbott isn't aligned with the majority of Texans on those issues. According to the most recent poll from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, a large majority of Texas voters support at least some access to abortion, especially in case of rape or incest. The only exception in the Texas ban is when the life of the pregnant person is in jeopardy.

A majority of Texas voters also indicate they support some gun restrictions, including raising the minimum age to purchase assault-style rifles from 18 to 21.

One thing for sure ORourke is going to do is talk about the impact of gun violence, and he will definitely bring these very emotional examples," Rottinghaus said. "And if Greg Abbott cannot show the emotions that parents and communities feel when they sort of get to these issues I think that it might make him look too robotic.

Viral moment: Beto ORourke lashes out with expletive after heckler laughs over Uvalde mass shooting

Any particularly fiery moments in the debate also would provide fodder for ORourke in TV and social media ads.

Beto needs to pull out all the stops and do everything he can to get earned media coverage to connect with voters to try to mobilize people who otherwise wouldn't turn out to vote, Jones said.

Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is running against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for governor this year, interrupts a news conference headed by Abbott in Uvalde, Texas Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills) ORG XMIT: TXDL203

Appealing to moderates, independents

From February to the end of June, ORourke raised a record-breaking $27.6 million  the most any candidate for statewide office in Texas has ever raised in a single reporting period. Those dollars have funded three TV ads that have aired statewide and one Spanish ad.

Several videos in ORourkes robust social media campaign feature Republican voters who attest that, despite their previous voting record, they would be voting for ORourke in this election after seeing the Democrat on his recently concluded marathon 49-day campaign tour across the state. ORourke appeared at more than 70 town hall-style events in more than 65 counties, marketed as a grassroots campaign for all Texans.

Rottinghaus says ORourkes main challenge moving forward will be to peel off any undecided, moderate or independent voters who might be dissatisfied with the direction of the Republican Party in Texas, and try to convince them Abbott is undeserving of a third term in office.

Swaying reluctant Republicans, moderates and independent-leaning conservatives is job one for Beto O'Rourke, Rottinghaus said. Democrats are going to come out in big numbers for him; we're seeing big rallies the way we saw in 18 and 20. So he's going to get those Democrats to come out, but if he's going to win, he's got to take a bite out of Abbott's natural advantage among the Republican base.

More: Republican Greg Abbott, Democrat Beto O'Rourke secure nominations for governor in Texas primary elections

But for ORourke, thats a tall ask in a race that has become a battle of the bases.

The biggest challenge for both sides is that this is a very polarized race, where partisans are already committed to their candidate and there are a few undecideds, Rottinghaus said. So I think we will see a lot of time spent on base mobilization, and ORourke will spend time and money trying to specifically target people who will potentially leave the Republican ticket or leave the Republican base temporarily.

We want to use the hour of the debate to prosecute the case against Greg Abbott and make it very clear for voters why he should not have four more years, said O'Rourke campaign spokesman Chris Evans. Whether it's the six major mass shootings to happen on his watch since he took office, whether it's rising crime since he took office, whether it's the grid failing and 700 people dying, whether it's property taxes going up 40% since he took office  on any given issue, we're going to be able to talk about how Greg Abbott has failed Texas and point out how Beto is also able to offer a better path forward.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times reporter John Moritz contributed

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas governor campaign: O'Rourke, Abbott face off in Friday debate
Michigan is the place that put the world on wheels but how to best support the state as it competes for EV business in the hyper-competitive marketplace and keep up with growing need for more EV charging stations were among topics I talked about this week with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her Republican challenger, Tudor Dixon.

Whitmer, a first-term Democratic governor, is facing Dixon, a businesswoman from Norton Shores. While not a debate  per se  the two candidates who are hoping to win your vote on Nov. 8 sat with me separately for two segments, answering essentially the same questions. The segments air on Michigan Matters at 8 a.m. Sunday on CBS Detroit.

We also talked about EVs, with Whitmer telling me shell buy a Michigan-made electric vehicle when done with elected office (she is currently being driven, as a perk of her current job) and Dixon, meanwhile, saying she drives a Chevy Tahoe, and added she couldnt afford an EV even if she wanted one.

Whitmer talked about the importance of landing EV battery plants as a way to entice more business to Michigan. She also mentioned GMs $7 billion investment in four plants in Michigan revolving around EVs announced in January, which is expected to create 4,000 new jobs.

Landing an EV battery plant is key to how well build out our (EV) infrastructure, Whitmer told me.

Whitmer also talked about how the state is stepping up to add more EV charging stations around Michigan and with other states along Lake Michigan.

More from Carol Cain:Detroit auto show a chance to show off more than just cars

More:Cranbrook's Women Rock Science event ensures STEAM careers don't skip girls, diversity

Dixon, meanwhile is critical of the states potential financial support of a proposed EV battery plant in Big Rapids by a Chinese battery parts maker. She took to social media Thursday to post a video in which she says Whitmer and the state Legislature are working together to put hundreds of millions of taxpayer money into a Chinese corporation that will be building a battery plant in the state of Michigan.

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The proposed facility by Gotion Inc. would be a boon to Mecosta County with over 2,000 jobs. It has gained support from the Republican-controlled state Legislature and communities near the project. Gotion was founded in China in 2006; its U.S. subsidiary incorporated in California in 2014.

We also talked about the pandemic and how Michigan businesses have fared.

Whitmer discussed the early days of the crisis and how she made decisions on things like keeping businesses and schools closed after talking to national experts.

Dixon talked about how small business owners she has talked to as she crisscrosses the state criticize Whitmers handling of the crisis as it went on  as businesses and schools stayed closed longer than other states. Dixon added that states led by Democratic governors stayed closed longer than those led by Republican governors.

Both candidates talked about K-12 education and the need to better prepare young people for the tech jobs of the future.

And there was talk of Proposal 3  which is before Michigan voters and deals with abortion. Dixon further explained her views on the subject and Whitmer discussed her lawsuit challenging Michigans statute criminalizing the procedure.

Both mentioned their kids as being a motivating force as they continue on the campaign trail.

I asked each their thoughts about the other. Dixon said some interesting things about Whitmer, and Whitmer, well, she didnt go there.

After we wound down our interviews and each dashed off to her next campaign stop, I couldnt help but smile. Not over any issue. It was about the significance of having two strong women running for the top elected job in Michigan. Its hard to believe it has been 20 years since a woman was first elected governor in Michigan.

Shes the One! was the giant headline the Free Press ran when Jennifer Granholm cracked the glass gubernatorial ceiling.

When the dust settles, and votes tallied on Nov. 8, one thing is certain  a woman will again be leading our state.

Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of Michigan Matters, which airs 8 a.m. Sundays on CBS 62. See Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican challenger Tudor Dixon on this Sundays show.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer and challenger Dixon share their thoughts on EVs and more
Whoopi Goldberg has strongly criticised Ryan Murphys Jeffrey Dahmer series on Netflix.

Last week, the streaming giant released the controversial series, Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Dahmer, who is portrayed by Evan Peters, murdered 17 men and boys between the years 1978 and 1991. He was arrested in 1991 and was murdered in prison three years later.

The series became the subject of debate during a recent episode of The View.

Co-host Goldberg argued against the show, highlighting the traumatic effect such shows can have on the families of victims.

She said: Ryan [Murphy] is an amazing artist. If that were my family, Id be enraged.

Because it is being killed over and watching your child get [killed], and then you have to listen to how it went and all this other stuff that, as a person whos lost someone like that, its just  you cant imagine.

Goldberg continued: Over and over and over! I think, if youre gonna tell these stories, be aware that a lot of the people who are part of these stories are still with us.

(COURTESY OF NETFLIX)

Her co-host Sunny Hostin advocated for the series, suggesting that it would teach viewers about the young, Black and brown gay men who were Dahmers targets.

These communities are still marginalised, and sometimes treated the same way, Hostin said.

There were other pieces to this story that even I didnt know.

Relatives of Dahmers victims have since spoken out against the series. Rita Isbelle, whose brother Errol was murdered by Dahmer and is portrayed in Monster.

Isbelle said seeing herself on screen felt like reliving it all over again.

I feel like Netflix shouldve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it. They didnt ask me anything. They just did it, Isbell said.

Its sad that theyre just making money off of this tragedy. Thats just greed.

The streaming giant recently removed a tag categorising the show as LGBTQ following an online backlash from viewers.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Alice and Jerry Argo got married last year.

Last night, Hurricane Ian made her a widow.

It happened so quick, she told The Daily Beast on Friday. Its just like a slap in the face, to lose your husband that quick.

As torrential rain and relentless winds battered Florida on Thursday, Alice, 72, and Jerry, 67, realized they were in trouble. Ian was hammering their two-bedroom, one-bath home in New Smyrna Beach, and the surrounding streets were flooded waist-high, rendering the area inaccessible to regular emergency vehicles. So Alice and Jerry, who was disabled, were put on a waiting list to be rescued by crews using high-water Bearcats to save stranded residents.

Before long, the floodwaters burst into the couples home, swiftly reaching knee-level and continuing to rise. The two hurried to round up their petsa cat, three dogs, two cockatiels, and a parrotand tried to grab whatever they could. While Alice was in the other room, Jerry suddenly slipped from the stool he was sitting on, falling to the floor and becoming completely submerged except for his head, she told The Daily Beast.

He said, Alice, help me, she recalled. I couldnt get him up, he weighs 250 pounds. So I propped up his head with a pillow, and he said, Call 911. He was laying in the water from 9 oclock to 10 oclock, and the paramedics [hadnt gotten] there.

The water kept going up, and Alice said Jerry cried out, Im going to end up drowning!

I said, Theyre coming, theyre coming, Alice continued. I called four more times, and he goes, Im dying. I said, No, youre not. And then he went silent and slipped under the water.

Help finally arrived at around 10:30 p.m., according to Alice. But rescuers were unable to revive Jerry and he was pronounced dead on the scene, according to authorities, who have not yet publicly identified him.

Jerry had been laying in the water for more than 90 minutes by then. Alice said she told this to the emergency responders, who pulled a submerged coffee table up above the waterline and laid Jerry down on it in the kitchen while Alice waited in the other room.

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They gave him oxygen, CPR, shock treatment, Alice said. They worked on him for maybe an hour, and then they come in and give me a hug. And I said, Whats that for? They said, Were sorry for your loss. I said, What? And they said, Your husband died.

The cause of death was drowning, the Florida Medical Examiners Commission confirmed Friday.

Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of people across the state lost homes, loved ones, and all of their worldly possessions in the ferocious Category 4 hurricane. As of Friday, Florida authorities say they are reviewing 21 deaths statewide as potentially attributable to Hurricane Ian. That figure is expected to climb as rescue and salvage crews are able to access more and more affected areas, such as the hard-hit barrier islands of Captiva and Sanibel, which were inundated with water in what Gov. Ron DeSantis called a biblical storm surge. In Lee County, emergency responders happened upon a scene similar to the one in which Argo lost his life, according to Kevin Guthrie, Floridas emergency management director.

Let me paint the picture for you, Guthrie said at a press conference. The water was up over the rooftop but we had a Coast Guard rescue swimmer swim down into it and he could identify what appeared to be human remains. We do not know exactly how many until the water recedes and we have the special equipment to get in there.

Jerry, who was retired, did a lot of griping, but he tried to help out people, Alices daughter, Lisa Mackey Mitchell, told The Daily Beast, describing her moms husband as an eager church volunteer who brought food to the needy and mowed his neighbors lawns.

My mom lost everything, and now she has no one, Mackey Mitchell said. She lost her home, her husband. Everything.

Alice, who badly injured her back in the ordeal, was taken to a local storm shelter with two of their three dogs, according to her daughter. The third was rescued separately by a responding deputy, who took it to an animal shelter, although Alice isnt sure which one. On Friday, she managed to get to her daughters place, which has suffered extensive damage of its own and is presently without power and utilities.

She has no money until the 3rd, and the money that she gets from her retirement is not even enough for her to get by, Mackey Mitchell said, noting that she is struggling financially, as well.

Medical workers told Alice that her injured leg was becoming infected, but Mackey Mitchell said neither she nor her mom had enough cash on hand for antibiotic ointment, among other necessities. Alice does have some money stashed away inside her now-ruined home, according to her daughter. However, she said she cant get anywhere near the structure since the area is so badly flooded.

My mom doesnt have anything, Mackey Mitchell went on. Clothes, furniture, electronics, nothing. Everythings all saturated with water. She probably lost her three birds, we cant even get in there to see if theyre alive. She had a beautiful cat, we dont even know if its alive Me and my boyfriend, we tried to go over there and theres no way to get near the place.

Tracking down her third dog will come next for Alice, along with calls to FEMA and any other federal or state authorities in a position to assist.

In the meanwhile, Alice said shell keep going, the way her husband would have wanted it.

Ive just got to be tough, hang in there, keep my chin up for him, and do the best that I can, she said. [The paramedics] wouldnt let me go in the kitchen and give him a kiss goodbye, and tell him I loved him. But he knows I still love him. Im going to miss him. Gonna leave my wedding ring on, thatll keep me cheered up.

On Friday afternoon, Ian made a second landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina, as a Category 1 storm with 85 mph winds. The National Weather Service is now warning residents about deadly storm surges and flash flooding, with low-lying areas such as Charleston, South Carolina said to be particularly vulnerable. The storm is forecast to move inland across eastern South Carolina and central North Carolina tonight, and is expected to dissipate over western North Carolina or Virginia by late Saturday.

 With reporting by Michael Daly

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A woman has been charged in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of her 12-year-old daughter in Weld County.

Paramedics and police responded to a 911 call to a hotel in Firestone on May 2, and upon arrival found a 12-year-old girl unresponsive, according to a news release from the Weld County District Attorney's Office.

The girl was taken to UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont, and then transferred to Children's Hospital in Aurora. She died May 7, according to the news release.

An autopsy concluded the girl died from complications related to acute fentanyl toxicity.

The child's mother  30-year-old Mystique Wadena  was arrested Wednesday on allegations that she provided the fentanyl that resulted in her daughter's death. She's been charged with child abuse resulting in death, a Class 2 felony, and distribution of a controlled substance, a Class 3 drug felony.

Investigators say the woman was using and dealing fentanyl from her hotel room. The night before the 911 call, investigators say she arranged to have her three minor children  who were not in her legal custody  brought to the hotel to visit, according to the news release.

Investigators allege that, during the visit, two of the children consumed some of her fentanyl pills, resulting in the death of the 12-year-old girl, according to the release.

About two years ago, Wadena was seriously injured after being shot by her neighbor, Tiera Kelley, who told investigators she was angry after hearing Wadena yell at her then 4-year-old child earlier in the day of the shooting. Investigators said the Kelley went to Wadena's apartment later to confront her, resulting in a fight, and then went back to her own apartment to get a gun and shot Wadena multiple times.

Kelley was sentenced to 32 years in prison last October after pleading guilty to attempted murder and menacing.

In a letter written by Wadena read by a prosecutor during Kelley's sentencing hearing last year, Wadena said "I am not a victim, I am a survivor," and described how she overcame her injuries, including relearning how to walk.

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Wadena remains in custody at the Weld County Jail on a $100,000 bond. She is next scheduled to appear in court Oct. 5.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Mother charged in fentanyl overdose death of child in Weld County
Susan Russo, who was dubbed the Black Widow killer by prosecutors for having her husband murdered in 1994, died of natural causes on Friday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported.

Russo was 67 years old.

Russo was assigned to the Central California Womens Facility in Chowchilla and had been receiving medical treatment at a local medical facility since Aug. 16, according to a CDCR news release.

She was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy for the slaying of 43-year-old David Russo. He was a U.S. Navy chief petty officer serving at Lemoore Naval Air Station.

Russo arranged to pay her boyfriend $100 to kill her husband so she could collect benefits as his surviving spouse, including a nearly $1 million insurance policy. She let the boyfriend and an accomplice into her home, where they shot her husband and disposed of his body, authorities say.

Russo was admitted to state prison from Fresno County on Oct. 15, 1996, to serve life without the possibility of parole in state prison.

She was also sentenced for six years for soliciting another person to commit or join in the commission of murder, to be served concurrently.

Former Governor Jerry Brown in 2017 commuted her sentence to 25 years to life, which made her eligible for parole.

In January of 2018, a parole bored ruled in favor of freeing Russo, but Brown blocked her parole. Back then, Brown said she was still a public safety risk who had more work to do.

Russo had alleged she was been physically abused by her husband. In my thinking I was protecting myself and my children from an abusive husband and father, Russo wrote in her handwritten 2012 clemency petition.

A parole board investigation into her claims of being battered by her husband came back inconclusive after Brown commuted her sentence.

The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner Office will determine Russos official cause of death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Miamis New World Symphony has found its second artistic director.

On Friday, the symphony announced that Stephane Deneve, an internationally lauded conductor and music director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, will assume the role this season. Deneve succeeds the symphonys founding artistic director Michael Tilson Thomas, who announced earlier this year that he would step down from the role due to health concerns.

Tilson Thomas, who is considered to be one of the worlds greatest living conductors, co-founded New World Symphony 35 years ago. The symphony was designed to be an ensemble and intensive three-year fellowship program for music school graduates to further their education and hone their skills.

Stephane Deneve is one of the great conductors of our time, leading major orchestras of the U.S. and Europe. He has shown a talent for developing the artistic stature of his ensembles and broadening the symphonic repertoire, said NWS chairman William Osbourne in a statement. He is deeply committed to passing the traditions of classical music to the next generation.

Deneve brings an impressive resume of experience to the position. Originally from France, he has performed and lead programming at prestigious institutions around the world.

He was previously the principal guest conductor The Philadelphia Orchestra, chief conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic, chief conductor of Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Deneve regularly conducts the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony and Toronto Symphony.

Deneves peers hold him in high regard as an educator, as well. He is a graduate and prize-winner of the Paris Conservatoire and has worked with young musicians at New World Symphony, Tanglewood Music Center, the Colburn School, the European Union Youth Orchestra, and the Music Academy of the West.

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The New World Symphony, for over 35 years, has been at the forefront of musical education and has built a groundbreaking tradition of re-imagining the future of our artform, pushing boundaries with passion, curiosity and open-mindedness, Deneve said in a statement. It is with great joy and a humbling sense of purpose that I am joining today the family of the New World Symphony, making it now my mission to continue the inspired dream of its founder and guiding soul, Michael Tilson Thomas.

Deneve will work alongside Tilson Thomas, who took on the less strenuous role of artistic director laureate in June.

New World Symphony co-founder Michael Tilson Thomas accepts the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors at a State Department dinner in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8, 2019.

In March, Tilson Thomas announced that he would step down as artistic director to focus on his health. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and has been receiving treatment.

In a statement, Tilson Thomas welcomed his friend and colleague Deneve to the symphony, lauding him as a devoted, enthusiastic, and internationally recognized musician.

When Ted and Lin Arison and I started the New World Symphony 35 years ago, we hoped that we were creating an institution that would continue to grow, evolve and serve the musical community and the public. It was our profoundest belief that our success would be measured by how much attention we could devote to each Fellow who came through the program, Tilson Thomas said. With over 1,200 alumni sharing their art and a strong and vital future secured for the institution, I feel we have realized our dream. How reassuring to know that Stephane Deneve will carry that dream forward.

This story was produced with financial support from The Perez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
By Krisztina Fenyo and Krisztina Than

BUDAKESZI, Hungary (Reuters) - David Zih, who works in Hungary's film industry, never thought he would end up living in a yurt to escape the surging costs of living. He was planning a house with a terrace and a view on his plot of land near Budapest.

But mounting construction and energy prices have forced him to rethink. The 37-year-old head camera technician has bought the yurt, a large circular domed tent like those used by nomadic people on the steppes of Central Asia.

"By the time the yurt is ready it will be half the cost of what a lightweight house would have been. I got a quote for a house like that in the spring and by the autumn costs rose by another 30%," Zih said.

His new home, with windows and an insulated wooden base, and its slatted wooden walls and ceiling covered with insulation and waterproofing, will cover 80 square meters among the pine trees in Budakeszi and be finished before the cold sets in.

Zih, who currently lives in a rented flat with a communal heating system, said once he moves in, he will make big savings in the yurt which he will heat using electric wall-mounted heaters.

Zih is one of an increasing number of Hungarians who are choosing yurts as their permanent accommodation because of the energy crisis.

Yurt builder Gabor Adorjan said his orders have soared and he is fully booked until next summer, all with orders for the largest-size yurt typically used as homes.

He estimates around 1,000 yurts exist in Hungary now, with an increasing number being used as homes. Before, they were used only for tourists or people living remotely off-grid.

'HUGE RELIEF'

"Some say this will stay like this in the future probably because many people choose this not only because of rising energy prices but also because of the rise of construction prices," Adorjan said.

Building a yurt up to the size of Zih's would cost less than 10 million forints ($23,400), he said, which is less than a quarter of what a small house would be.

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The largest yurt takes around three days to construct. There are about a dozen yurt builders in Hungary, and most of them said they have had lots of new inquiries and orders.

Yurts are cheaper to heat, as the air circulates in a single round space which keeps heat in for longer, while the walls are insulated, Adorjan said.

"Even a small stove can heat up a yurt within a short time," Adorjan said.

The Pogany family, who live on a farm near Kecskemet in eastern Hungary, keeping sheep and growing pumpkins for sale, moved into their yurt three months ago.

In their former farmhouse, they only heated one room with a wood stove and even that got cold by the morning. Now they will use a stove and electric floor heating in their yurt, which is decorated and kitted out like any apartment, with pictures, plants, a sofa, bed, dining table and neat kitchen area.

As they expect their first child, keeping warm is more important than ever. They plan to live in the yurt for years, while trying to save up to rebuild their old farmhouse.

"For me it is a huge relief ... I have no fear that we would be cold as I know the stove will keep us warm," Petra Pogany-Bago, a 22-year-old babysitter, said, sitting alongside her husband in their cosy home.

Mihaly Pogany, 28, who works as an insurance agent, says the world has changed and people must adjust to a lower level of comfort.

"It's a big luxury to heat flats to 26 Celsius," he said.

($1 = 427.9000 forints)

(Writing by Krisztina Than; Editing by Alison Williams)
Yvonne Orji is back for another comedy special, and this time its more personal.

Following the success of her debut special Momma, I Made It! in 2020, the actress and comedian joined HBO once again for A Whole Me. The shows title is a double entendre of a popular Nigerian phrase and of her fully stepping into who she is.

As her first special was filmed right before the pandemic, being right in the middle of it for her second time around made it a time for reflection and healing.

I literally recorded Momma, I Made It! on February 29th  God gave me an extra day, Orji told Shadow and Act in a recent interview. And March 13th, the world shut downThe first one came out in the middle of the Black Lives Matter movement and everything that was going on. So, it was just wild. And then people needed the levity, but then once the work kind of stopped, the work began because then it was the internal work that I had to do. When you dont have the distraction of the outside work, you gotta figure you out.

I call it a grown folks comedy, she added. When I toured it, it gave people a moment to sit with themselves and the moment that they probably wouldnt have had or werent even expecting to have, but I got a few DMs like That ride home was real introspective.

Orjis dive into baring her soul center stage was also inspired by watching Jerrod Carmichaels Emmy winning special, "Rothaniel."

We were already in the writers room for the skits and the vignettes, she shared. And I watched that the week it came out and I just remember being like, Yeah, that special was special. When I think about the kind of art that I want to put out, I want it to say something.

Along with touching on heavy-hitting topics such as the effects of the pandemic, therapy, and trauma, it takes a different approach with scripted vignettes. The Nigerian entertainer tapped Nigerian creators for the special, which its timing is perfect as it premieres on Nigerian Independence Day.

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When I initially sold the special to HBO, I was like, I got it. I wanted to be like African In Living Color. Cause for me, I wanted to just bring other people that I knew that were funny and give them a platform.

Yvonne hopes the comedy special can serve as a way for the Black community to start having tough conversations by coming together through laughter.

I talk in the special about how I think everybody [needs therapy], especially African Americans. Theres been so much trauma. Bringing African Americans to America, traumatic. Already in the ancestral line of what it means to be an African American in America. Whenever people are like, I dont need therapy. Im good on that. Its like, no we all do.

Hopefully not only when Nigerians see this, when African Americans see, theres lots of topics that I know that its hard for us to have the conversation either with our parents or with our friends. But Im like, Hey, look at me. Im doing it for you.'

A Whole Me premieres on HBO on Oct.1.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country will file an expedited application to join NATO after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties to annex parts of eastern Ukraine.

In a statement, Zelensky called Ukraine and NATO de facto allies and said his country would seek formal membership in the alliance.

De facto, we have already proven interoperability with the Alliances standards, they are real for Ukraine  real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction, Zelensky said.

Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. Under a procedure consistent with our significance for the protection of our entire community. Under an accelerated procedure, the statement continued.

Putin on Friday signed four ascension treaties to annex the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine after holding referendums in the area decried as sham elections by the West. Moscow, however, claims the territories want to be apart of Russia.

The plan elevated the stakes of the war, which Putin is desperate to turn the tide in amid recent gains made by Ukraine in its counteroffensive.

Ukraine has sought to join NATO since Russias annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, something Moscow has fought against. While the alliance has stepped up its military support for Ukraine, Zelensky in March conceded that his country was unlikely to join.

Asked about Ukraine joining the alliance, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters that every democracy in Europe has the right to apply for NATO membership but noted that the alliance is more focused on helping Kyiv defend itself against Russias invasion.

NATO Allies when they met at the NATO Summit in Madrid stated also very clearly that we support Ukraines right to choose its own path, to decide what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of. Then, a decision on membership of course has to be taken by all 30 Allies and we take these decisions by consensus, Stoltenberg said.

Story continues

Our focus now is on providing immediate support to Ukraine, to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian brutal invasion, and then thats the main focus and the main effort of NATO Allies as we speak, he continued.

Zelenskys statement Friday didnt make clear when exactly Ukraine would file for NATO membership. However, it acknowledges that all members of the alliance will have to approve of its bid.

But the statement said it was possible for Ukraine to join under an accelerated procedure, as Finland and Sweden started its accession into the alliance this year under the same process.

Security has no alternatives. But determination is needed to guarantee it. We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraines application for accelerated accession to NATO, Zelensky said.

Updated at 1:28 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
ALONA MAZURENKO  FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2022, 16:58

On 30 September, a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council was held under the chairmanship of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: Presidents Office of Ukraine

Quote: "Members of the National Security and Defence Council [NSDC] have discussed the issue of further attempts by the Russian Federation to annex the territory of Ukraine and escalate armed aggression.

Information was heard from Oleksandr Lytvynenko, the head of Ukraines Foreign Intelligence Service, Vasyl Maliuk, the Acting Head of the Security Service, and Kyrylo Budanov, the Head of the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Armed Forces.

The participants in the meeting discussed ways of countering the aggressor countrys attempts to annex Ukrainian territories."

Details: The heads of the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson Oblast Military Administrations and Tamila Tasheva, the presidential representative of Ukraine in Crimea, briefed the participants in the meeting on the sham referendum that Russia held in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Numerous violations and manipulations with voter lists occurred during the sham referendums.

In addition, the NSDC considered the issue of ensuring the collective security of Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic space.

The participants in the meeting listened to reports from Dmytro Kuleba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olha Stefanishyna, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and Ihor Zhovkva, the Deputy Head of the Presidents Office.

Background: Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened an urgent meeting of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine on 30 September.

On 29 September, the Kremlin announced that "a ceremonial signing of the agreements on the accession of new territories to Russia" would take place on 30 September.

On 30 September, the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, signed the "agreements on the accession to Russia" of the occupied Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts and announced that from now on their residents are citizens of the Russian Federation.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






FRIDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2022, 19:19

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a telephone conversation with Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, during which they talked about further support for Ukraine.

Source: Office of the President of Ukraine

Details: Zelenskyy has highly appreciated Japan's non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine, as well as its significant financial and humanitarian support.

Quote: "We expect that this important and comprehensive support for Ukraine will continue and deepen. Until the complete victory over the aggressor."

Details: Zelenskyy also expressed his gratitude to Kishida "for Japans clear support of [Ukraines] sovereignty and territorial integrity", and for the fact that Japans Prime Minister condemned Russias nuclear blackmail during his speech at the opening of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York.

The parties discussed the international communitys response to the unlawful referendums which Russia has held in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

They also touched on the subject of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the conditions of aggression.

Zelenskyy expressed his hope that Japan will take an active role in the postwar reconstruction of Ukraine and will continue to implement the major infrastructure projects that had already been started.

The president also invited Kishida to visit Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The next owner of 79 S. Powells Island Road gets a four-bedroom wood frame house, about 10 acres of open fields, more than 800 feet of Tye River frontage and a piece of Nelson County history.

The property is accessed off Tye River Road in Arrington; a gravel drive leads past first a little outbuilding believed to be the builders blacksmith shed, then a large barn and finally up to the white farmhouse on a hill.

Its difficult to distinguish between old and older in a home thats undergone so many changes in its century-and-a-half history, but Nellysford realtor Charlie Wineberg has made some educated guesses. He thinks the left half of the house  kitchen and dining room on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second  is original.

The floors on this side of the house are two steps up from the rooms on the right side and the windows are situated very low in the walls, practically at floor level. Rooms on the left side also have wider floorboards than the presumed addition and theres some evidence of a former staircase connecting first and second floors in the original half.

Current owner William Yagel provided a brief written history of the house, explaining the wood stove in the newer addition living room attaches to the original exterior of the chimney. Exposed brick on the other side of the wall in the older half seems to support this theory.

Yagel also wrote hes certain the surviving board and batten siding under the front porch is original, or at least very early. Wineberg explained this section has been protected by the front porch  the rest is weathered and covered in vinyl siding.

Historic or otherwise, the house has plenty of quirks: an orange front door, a massive second story closet or spare room off the staircase, and colorful patterned vinyl flooring in one of the older rooms. Also, anyone taller than 58 definitely will have to duck in the original half of the second story.

Winebergs photo of the multicolored leaf print flooring was picked up by an old house page on Facebook: And I was surprised at the number of people who said love that floor.

He said the house was renovated in the 1980s, which explains some of the more modern touches in the kitchen and sole first-floor bathroom.

You get the sense that peeling back the layers of alterations  and vinyl flooring  will reveal more historic charm, which Wineberg said was Yagels intention with the property. Some of the wall has been removed in one of the newer addition rooms to reveal what looks like original bead board.

But raising a family, plus pigs, cows and chickens, got in the way, Wineberg said. Interviewed Sept. 15, Yagel said he purchased the home in 2006. A Deacon in the Episcopal Church, he recently finished seminary school and has taken a new position at Grace Episcopal Church in Radford, and hes moving his family.

Yagel also owns a neighboring four-acre parcel, which hell be keeping. The sale of 79 S. Powells Island Road includes an easement across this parcel for the new owners to access a sandy-banked river put-in.

With the property, Yagel will be passing on a cassette tape the previous owner gave him: a recording of a conversation about the houses history with a descendent of William Hall, who built the home in 1888.

Yagel said on the tape the previous owner talks with Sarah Hall Glover, in her 90s at the time. As Glover tells it, her grandfather William Hall didnt believe the South should secede and left Nelson to join Union forces in Alexandria when the Civil War started. After the war, he returned to Nelson to marry his southern sweetheart, who was then disowned by her family. The two raised nine children in the original, smaller half of the home. According to Yagel, there once was an even earlier, pre-Civil War dwelling associated with the family on the other side of S. Powells Island Road.

In his history of the home, Yagel also wrote Hall was a New York native, who worked on the construction of the Orange & Alexandria line through Amherst and Nelson counties before the Civil War. According to historic maps courtesy of the Library of Congress online archives, the Orange & Alexandria railroad connected Gordonsville to Alexandria and Charlottesville to Lynchburg.

The Nelson County Historical Society has a genealogical record for a Hall family that settled in Nelson County, starting with William Hall, born in 1800 in New York, who had eight children. He and two of his sons, William Washington and Edward, and two of his sons-in-law, are reported to have worked for the Orange, Alexandria and Manassas railroad. William Washington Hall was born in New York in 1839, moved to Nelson County circa 1865 (the end of the Civil War) and died in Tye River in 1914. He had nine children, all born and married in Nelson County.

Elevated railroad tracks are just visible from the kitchen window in 79 S. Powells Island Road, though Wineberg said theyre so much higher than the house that passing trains are hardly audible.

If you follow those tracks about a third of a mile southwest, you hit a railroad crossing over the Tye, the subject of a historical marker along U.S. 29 in Amherst just before the Nelson County line.

The marker reads: On 11 June 1864, about 800 yards east, the Botetourt Battery prevented the destruction of the Orange and Alexandria bridge across the Tye River. This bridge was an important part of the Confederate railroad network for the movement of troops and supplies throughout Virginia. Confederate pickets of the Botetourt Battery were able to prevent Union troops from destroying the bridge, which then allowed Confederate General Jubal A. Early and the 2nd Corps to reach Lynchburg by train and prevent its capture.

Hall men could have helped build this bridge. But what Union troops couldnt destroy, Hurricane Camilles flood waters did on the night of August 19, 1969.

The railroad bridge over the Tye was almost entirely washed away in the storm, save for four tracks spanning the chasm left behind, a photo from the aftermath of the storm shows.

No Southern Railway passenger trains are operating through Lynchburg and probably wont be for several weeks as a result of the damage to Southern lines in Central Virginia. The major damage is in Nelson County where the double line, steel bridge across the Tye River south of Shipman in Nelson County was washed away, The Daily Advance reported on Aug. 23, 1969. A Southern Railway employee told the paper it would need to be rebuilt piece by piece and would take several weeks.

Instead, the bridge was rebuilt in only 11 days, according to the Nelson County Historical Society, and another historic photo shows the fast progress. A Sept. 3 update from the paper reports that limited passenger service was restored that day.

Yagel thinks flood waters from the Tye rose just to the houses concrete front porch. A refrigerator was found washed up outside the blacksmiths shed about 200 feet downhill.

The home at 79 S. Powells Island Road has been listed on Zillow for $279,000, but Wineberg said the property was under contract during the Sept. 15 tour.

The new owners intend to live in the house and are intrigued by the possibilities here, he said.
The University of Lynchburg recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation that will send six students to Wyoming for free next summer to dig up dinosaur bones and participate in career training in geosciences.

I was so excited. I cant think of another word, said Brooke Haiar, professor and chair of the environmental sciences and sustainability department at the university. This is our second time applying and the National Science Foundation is historically difficult to get funding through.

The nearly $400,000 GeoPaths grant will cover travel expenses, lodging and food for 18 students over the next three years.

Students will receive six credit hours, which can count toward any major they decide to pursue.

Beverly Reid, executive director of career development at the university, said from this experience, she thinks students will see the whole package and understand where they could see themselves fitting in.

Reid said her office will do workshops with students before they travel, geared toward helping them understand the careers that are related to the research they will be doing in Wyoming.

Theres so many different things that you can do that are related to this and theyll continue to kind of explore some of that while theyre out there doing field work, Reid said.

According to Haiar, students will learn how to prepare dinosaur bones when they are pulled out of the ground, museum cataloging, microscope skills, and social media and outreach skills for science education.

A normal day during the summer for students in Wyoming includes breakfast in the morning followed by a drive out to the site, which takes about 45 to 50 minutes. Once the group arrives, they set up a shade shelter and Haiar assigns students their jobs for the day.

Depending on the weather, the group digs from three to four hours.

Haiar said theres also a stipend associated with the trip so students who would normally have to work during the summer can take time off and participate, as well as a stipend for the fall class which focuses on career preparation and training.

Students will have the opportunity to listen to speakers who have careers in geology and have backgrounds similar to the group of students.

Haiar said diversity in geology isnt high and she hopes the presentations provide encouragement for the students.

Im looking forward to hearing what they have to say, Haiar said.

During the summer, students also will work with the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) in the form of an internship, although not a traditional internship as most of their work will be done under Haiars supervision.

In a news release from the University of Lynchburg, VMNH Executive Director Joe Keiper said he is excited about the partnership between the museum and the university.

This project is the intersection of exciting science and student training, Keiper said in a release. In addition, it continues a great collaboration with the University of Lynchburg, where academic and museum resources leverage one another.

After the trip in the summer and class in the fall, Reid hopes students will get to see all the different possibilities of careers they could explore.

You see them [students] just kind of develop into these young professionals that are like, Now Im going to pursue graduate school or now Im going to work as a naturalist. That to me is such a turning point in their lives and to be in the middle of this is so much fun, it really is the best part of my job, Reid said.

This isnt the first year Haiar has taken students to Wyoming. The professor said shes been doing this a long time and when she looked back at the number of students who participated and identified as an ethnic minority, the number was very small.

By providing the financial means to cover the experience ... Im hoping to kind of alleviate any barriers that are existing for those students to be able to participate; thats the goal, Haiar said.
Mt. Hope United Methodist Church

Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 290th and Highway 6, McClelland, would like to invite all to join us on Sunday mornings for our worship service at 9:30 a.m. Children are welcome for the regular worship service and childrens sermon during the worship service.

You do not have to be a member to participate in our church activities. Everyone is welcome.

Underwood Lutheran Church

Underwood Lutheran Church, 10 Third Ave., will hold Sunday activities. Education begins at 9 a.m., followed by in-person worship featuring Holy Communion at 10:15. Pastor Scott Dalen will deliver a sermon based on Luke 17:5-10. The online video will be available later in the day.

Gethsemane Presbyterian Church

On Sunday, Oct. 2, Gethsemane Presbyterian Church will be worshiping at Bethany Presbyterian Church at 1900 S. Seventh St. The service starts at 10:30 a.m. and will include communion. There will be no service at Gethsemane.

We will resume services at Gethsemane on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. David Hanna will be the speaker.

Adult Bible study meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Our Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays until 10:30 a.m.

Oink Oink Bingo will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, with dinner at 6 p.m. and bingo starting at 6:30. For $10, participants will receive a pulled-pork sandwich, chips, a drink and 20 games of bingo. Additional sandwiches and bingo cards can be purchased.

Our Fall Garage Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15. There will be lots of great merchandise, including holiday decor. Items will not be priced; customers pay what they think items are worth.

Our church is collecting Iowa 5 cent-refund cans/bottles for one of our mission projects, the Kanesville Honor Guard Society. Your donations help! Bags can be dropped off anytime at our front door. For more information, contact the church office at 712-366-2513 or visit us on Facebook at gethsemanepresbyterianchurch.org.

Timothy Lutheran Church

Timothy Lutheran Church, 3112 W. Broadway, offers services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The church alternates between traditional services and praise services each week. Bible study and Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. If a month has a fifth Sunday, the church hosts a combined service at 9 a.m. Food and fellowship after service on fifth Sundays and there is no Bible study or Sunday school on those days. The church is handicap accessible.

St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church

St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church rings the church bell each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. to welcome people to worship at 11055 Dumfries Ave. There are directional signs from Wabash Avenue and Pioneer Trail leading to the church. We are a growing, friendly, Bible-teaching church led by Pastor Jason Kinney. This Sundays sermon title is Tempted to Sin, and the scripture reading is from James 1:13-18.

Sunday School for all ages, including adults, begins at 9:15 a.m. Following worship, we enjoy donuts and coffee in the Fellowship Hall. Greeters are Shelley Ferneau and Melissa Kinney. The Ladies Bible Study and Youth Groups meet on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Visit our website at www.stpaulsecc.org for more information. We are handicapped accessible.

Compass Christian Church

Compass Christian Church welcomes you to worship with us Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We are located at 2007 S. Seventh St., just west of the South Expressway. The church is handicap accessible. During worship, a cry room is available, along with childcare for children ages 1-4. Compass Kids grades K-5 meet downstairs for special Bible lessons during the sermon. You may also worship with us at compasscb.online.church or on YouTube.

On Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m., mens and womens Bible study meet.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m., The Bridge young adults (ages 18-30) will meet at Compass Christian Church with childcare provided. The group meets bi-weekly  bring a friend and join us for supper, fellowship and Bible study.

On Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., adult prayer group, students in grades 6-12 and kids in kindergarten through fifth grade meet.

For questions or more information, visit our Facebook page, Compass Christian Church CB, our website compasscb.org or call the church office at 712-366-9112.

Broadway United Methodist Church

Broadway United Methodist, First Street and Broadway, is seeking, growing and serving with unconditional love and acceptance. Broadway holds traditional worship Sundays at 8:30, followed by coffee and donuts in the DeLong Lounge. Contemporary worship is held at 10:30 a.m. Services are held in person and livestreamed to our Facebook page or broadwayunitedmethodist.com/live. Masks are optional.

Activities include Student Life Breakthrough Sundays at 6 p.m. On Mondays, Philips Cupboard is open noon-2 p.m.; Boy Scout Pack 40 meets at 6 p.m.; and Bibles @ Barleys is at 8:30 p.m. Womens Bible Study will be held Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the DeLong Lounge. Praise Band Rehearsal will be at 5:30. A Community Meal will be served at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall, followed by Foundations Groups and Bell Choir rehearsal at 6:30. Choir will practice at 7:30. Mens Brown Bag: The Bible Year, meets Thursdays at noon. Philips Cupboard, a nonfood pantry, is open noon-2 p.m. on Fridays.

For more information, visit our website at broadwayunitedmethodist.com or call the office at 712-322-7741 (closed Fridays).

Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church

Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, 1800 Fifth Ave., invites the public to participate in our live worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The Sunday worship service will be recorded live and can be viewed on our Facebook page: Fifth Avenue UMC, Council Bluffs. Face masks are optional. Upcoming Events: Meal & Message, 6 p.m., Oct. 12; Meal & Message, 6 p.m., Oct. 26; Trunk or Treat, 6-8 p.m., Oct. 29. The church office can be reached at 712-323-7374 or through our email at fifthaveumchurch@gmail.com.

Bethany Presbyterian Church

Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1900 S. Seventh St., will have worship at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullingers message will be Passing on the Faith, and the scripture is 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Liturgist is Evelyn Hall, and greeters are Will Tomcykowski and Linda Cody. There will be a childrens chat. This is World Wide Communion Sunday, and we will be sharing this event with Gethsemane Presbyterian at Bethany.

Saturday, Oct. 1 is Social Saturday, with crafts, etc. from 9 a.m. to noon. Bible study will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 3. We are a handicap accessible facility.

Community of Christ Church

Community of Christ Church, 140 W. Kanesville Blvd., invites people to attend Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m. Our theme this week is If You Only Had Faith. Scripture readings for this week are Luke 17:5-10; Lam. 1:1-6; Psalm 137; 2 Timothy 1:1-4. Sunday school starts at 9:15. We also have prayer service Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Please call our office at 712-323-4498 for any questions. There are virtual ministries out on our World Church Website under Ongoing Ministries at www.cofchrist.org.

Epworth United Methodist Church

Epworth United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B, worships on Sundays at 9:25 a.m. The people are friendly, the worship is meaningful and the building is handicap accessible. Masks and hand sanitizer are available. We also invite you to our Bible study on Thursdays at 9 a.m.

We keep in prayer for the healing of our community and nation for God. If you want us to pray for you personally, let us know your prayer requests by phone or online at Friends of Epworth UMC Facebook. Office hours are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Phone: 712-323-3124.

Faith Lutheran Chur

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Faith Lutheran Church, 2100 S. 11th St., invites you to join us for traditional worship with Holy Communion at the 9 a.m. Sunday service, and we will be observing LWML Sunday. The Operation Barnabas donation box will be out to accept donations to support those who are active or inactive members of the military. The LWML Zone Fall Fest will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Johns Honey Creek.

On Tuesday, there is a 9:30 a.m. adult Bible study in the downstairs fellowship hall that is open to everyone. Please enter by the rear door. The Faith Praise Team meets for practice Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., and confirmation class is at 5:45. The Faith LWML meets Thursday at 1 p.m. for a contemporary Bible study with Pastor Ron, followed by a brief business meeting to discuss upcoming LWML mission projects. All women of the congregation are welcome. Sunday worship services are available on Faiths Facebook page and on YouTube by searching for Ron Rosenkaimer. For more information, contact the church office at 323-6445.

New Horizon Presbyterian Church

New Horizon Presbyterian Church has three services on Sunday, with traditional services at 8 and 11 a.m. and the praise service at 9 a.m. Communion will be served at all services on Sunday, Oct. 2. Sunday school for kindergarten through eighth grade and adults meets at 10 a.m. On Wednesday, the Praise Team will meet at 5:45 p.m., bell choir at 6:30 and Chancel Choir at 7:30. The Deacons will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6. Sunday services are available on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NewHorizonPC.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 517 S. 32nd St., welcomes everyone to join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The guest pastor is the Rev. Jan Desterhaft. Her sermon is entitled, Where You End the Story. Scripotures are 2 Timoty 1:1-14 and Lamentations 3:1-26. This is World Communion Sunday, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be served. During the month of October, we will be receiving Peace and Global Witness offering. On Monday, Oct. 3, the Story Street Pantrys Mobile Pantry will be at Westminster from 11:30 to 12:30 for those who need food items. We are handicapped accessible through the northeast door of the church.

Corpus Christi Catholic Parish

The month of October is dedicated to The Holy Rosary. Join us as we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day of the week at Corpus Christi  Queen of Apostles, 3304 Fourth Ave., Council Bluffs; and Corpus Christi Our Lady of Carter Lake, 3501 N. Ninth St., Carter Lake. Everyone is welcome.

Our Weekend Mass in English is celebrated on Saturday at 4 p.m., on Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. (Council Bluffs) and at 9:30 a.m. (Carter Lake). Our Sunday Spanish Mass is at noon (Council Bluffs). Readings for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time are Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4; Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; 2 Timotny 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-10.

Daily Mass is celebrated as follows: In English Tuesday through Friday at 8 a.m. (Council Bluffs) and in Spanish on Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m. (Council Bluffs).

Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles.

The Corpus Christi Parish Annual Chicken Dinner will be held Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with dine-in and take-out at St. Albert Catholic School, 400 Gleason Ave. The meal will include Staleys Broasted Chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, coleslaw, dinner roll and dessert. Gift baskets, raffles and crafts. Tickets are on sale at the parish office at 3304 Fourth Ave.

For more information, call the parish office at 712-323-2916 or 712-323-4716 (Spanish) or visit our parish website at www.corpuschristiparishiowa.org.

Emanuel Lutheran Church

Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2444 N. Broadway, welcomes everyone to come as you are and be who you are! Our weekly worship service is at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. Our worship service and weekly Sunday school show can be found on our YouTube channel or Facebook page. Visit us online at emanuelcb.org.

Saint John Lutheran Church

Saint John Lutheran Church, 633 Willow Ave., holds worship at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Sundays. Worship is also available to watch on YouTube. Our website is www.SaintJohnELCA.org, and our Facebook page is Saint John Lutheran Church Council Bluffs IA. New member classes to join St. John will meet Sunday at 9:45 a.m.

Wednesday morning Bible study meets at 9 a.m., and Wednesday evening Bible study meets at 6:30 p.m. Confirmation and high school youth also meet at 6:30. Bell choir practices at 6:30 p.m., and Chancel Choir starts at 7:30.

The building is handicap accessible. Please call the church office with any questions, 712-323-7173.

Broadway Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) The Rev. Carol Hall and members of our congregation invite you to join us for Sunday worship at 9 a.m. at Broadway Christian Church, 2658 Ave. A. We celebrate communion weekly; communion is open to all. A hearing loop is installed for those who need it. Guests are invited to join us in fellowship after worship for coffee and donuts.

Pieceful Hearts Quilters will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 9:30 a.m. Bible study will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Overeaters Anonymous meets Mondays at noon. Alcoholics Anonymous meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. The church is ADA-accessible. Masks are optional. To submit prayer requests or for more information, call the church office at 712-323-7741 or email us at office@bcccb.org. Visit us online at www.bcccb.org or on Facebook.

First Congregational UCC Church

Come and join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ), located at 611 First Ave. Coffee is available. Our service is also provided via Zoom. Please email the church for information on how to join the Zoom meeting: cbfirstcong@gmail.com.

First Congregational offers a free Community Dinner the last Friday of each month. Everyone is welcome. The next dinner is Friday, Sept. 30 from 5 to 6:30. Come and enjoy a meal and fellowship!

Our Saviors Lutheran Church

Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 600 Bluff St., can be reached at 712-322-6655. Everyone is welcome. Worship services are Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School begins at 9:15 a.m., and Youth Sunday School (skit, music, Bible story and games) at 9:30.

For more information, see our Facebook page under Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Council Bluffs or the website at oursaviorscb.org.

Thursday morning Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m., and prayer time is at 11:15 a.m. Bell choir practice is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by choir practice at 7:30 p.m.

Other activities this week include Al-Anon meetings Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Education Building. The Food and Pet Food Pantry is open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call the pantry directly at 712-522-3522 on Thursday only between 9:30 and 11 a.m.

St. Pauls Episcopal Church

St. Pauls Episcopal Church is located at 22 Dillman Drive in Council Buffs. Our services are held each Sunday morning beginning at 11 a.m., and we invite visitors to attend and share with us these very enjoyable and enlightening services. For additional information, please contact the church at 712-323-7188.
The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education took action this week to add a reimbursement requirement to a policy that discourages employees from resigning after they have signed a contract for the following school year.

The measure reflects the difficulty school districts have had filling positions since the pandemic took hold.

We offer teachers their contracts for the following year early in the spring so that we can plan to strategically allocate staff and create class rosters and schedules, Superintendent Vickie Murillo said. This new policy was approved by the board as a measure to limit the number of teachers who would consider breaking their contract after they have committed to returning the next school year.

The district already had a policy  No. 420  aimed primarily at teachers stating, in part, Non-administrator, licensed employees must submit a written resignation no later than the last day of the current school year or the date specified by the employing board for return of the contract  whichever date occurs first.

The date that comes first would be the deadline for returning a contract, which is during or at the end of April for most Iowa public school districts.

It is extremely difficult to find high-quality teaching candidates after the hiring season has come to a close, Murillo said.

This week, the board passed a revision of this policy that expands it to include all employees on contract, whether or not they are licensed. The revised version adds:

Any contract employee submitting a resignation after contracts are due for the upcoming school year will be required to reimburse the district per Regulation 420.1. The superintendent/HR designee may waive these provisions if the employee is relocating or taking a position outside of a 75-mile radius of Council Bluffs.

Regulation 420.1 contains the new language about the reimbursement:

Any contracted employee submitting a resignation after contracts are due for the upcoming school year will be required to reimburse the district $4,000 for liquidated damages incurred in hiring replacement personnel.

Murillo doesnt expect this to apply in very many cases.

We appreciate our teachers and their commitment to our school district, she said. Over the past three years, we have had no more than 11 teachers break their contracts  but we also know there are life-changing circumstances that may cause a teacher to move away from our community. If a staff member would move  farther than 75 miles from Council Bluffs, we may waive these provisions.
The public is being asked to help the Mills County (Iowa) Sheriffs Office identify a body recovered in April from the Missouri River.

According to authorities, the body of a man was found April 23 in the river north of the Highway 370 bridge. The man was wearing dark pants and boxers.

The Iowa medical examiner was able to identify some of his tattoos:

A large skull or face on the right side of his back

A skull or face with ram-like horns and a goatee on his left shoulder blade

A design possibly depicting animal teeth or fangs on his right calf

A red geometric shape on the right side of his chest

A large geometric shape resembling a compass or four-pointed star with a face in the center on his right foot

Faces on his right shoulder

A large red geometric shape containing a long red line with a red ring at the top located on his right side

Police ask that anyone who recognizes the tattoos contact the Mills County Sheriffs Office at 712-527-4871.
Members of Page County Horizons have followed through with their intent to file for an injunction to stop the Page County Board of Supervisors from moving forward with the proposed Shenandoah Hills Wind Project.

The request for the restraining order was filed Sept. 26 and served to the members of the Board of Supervisors on the morning of Sept. 27, according to a news release issued the next day by the Shearer Law Office of Des Moines. The firm is representing the group of concerned Page County citizens and previously filed a 116 page petition requesting a temporary restraining order against the board Sept. 19 in Page County District Court.

This case is about an abuse of process. There are many written statutes in Iowa that govern how counties can legislate, and Page County is not in compliance with these statutes. Simply put, theyre doing it wrong, Shawn Shearer, who serves as co-counsel for the petitioners, said in the Sept. 28 release.

Invenergy, a developer and operator of sustainable energy options based in Chicago, has developed the Shenandoah Hills Wind Project proposal that would result in the construction of 28 wind turbines in Page County, if finalized. During a meeting Aug. 2, the Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 in favor of approving the application from Invenergy. However, work is still continuing on drafting the decommissioning and road use agreements for the project.

Although Invenergy was not listed as a defendant in the petition filed Sept. 19, Shearer contends in the Sept. 28 release that a lawyer with Invenergy sent a letter to the Shearer Law Office requesting that Invenergy be allowed to intervene in the case through a motion to intervene.

My clients expressed intent to request a temporary restraining order against the board in the petition. At that time, there was no emergency. It seems that Invenergy is intent on creating an emergency for the people of Page County at all costs, Shearer said in the Sept. 28 release.

Theodore Sporer, who also serves as co-counsel for the petitioners, described the letter from Invenergy the most provocative and incendiary letter I have ever received from a lawyer in my over 35 years of practice, according to the Sept. 28 release.

Having a corporation that is foreign to the litigation and is not a party defendant nor representative of any other party to the litigation attempt to threaten petitioners counsel with sanctions for facilitating our clients First Amendment right to petition their home court for relief is outrageous, Sporer went on to say in the release.

While the legal act of intervention by a third part is widely accepted in Iowa state courts, Shearer said in the release Invenergy is not in a position to utilize the statute.

Under the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, third parties with a legitimate interest in a litigation can ask to intervene in an action. The problem here is that Invenergy continues to try to put the cart before the horse.

The Shenandoah Hills Wind Project has not been granted any land use permits as of today  nor have any of the other pre-requisites been met. We are asking that the board not be unduly influenced by the outside interests and that they follow Iowa law.

The people of Page County have been asking for this for three years. Unfortunately, it appears that a court order is the only way to get the board to comply, Shearer said in the Sept. 28 news release.

The group of concerned Page County residents filed their initial 116 page petition Sept. 19 in the Iowa District Court for Page County requesting a temporary restraining order be issued against the Page County Board of Supervisors that would halt all further decisions arising from a county ordinance passed in October 2019.

The tipping point in the three-year dispute between Page County Horizons and the Page County Board of Supervisors came Aug. 2 when the board voted 2-1 in favor of approving the application from Invenergy for the Shenandoah Hills Wind Project.

I appreciate your passion, but I want you to know that Ive looked at this long and hard. I believe its in the best interest of Page County, Morris said to the crowd of more than 100 people attending the Aug. 2 meeting.

Supervisor Jacob Holmes, who was elected to the Board of Supervisors after the passage of the 2019 wind ordinance, cast the lone vote against approving the Invenergy application.

The top reason Im not voting for this is the application is full of problems. We have errors everywhere. We have things that arent complete. Weve got things that arent done. Weve got things that are in question, Holmes said.

Shearer said those were the same issues his clients had with the proposed application.

The Page County Board of Supervisors told its citizens repeatedly that the ordinance would be amended to correct known deficiencies before any wind project would be approved.

Under legal threats from wind energy interests, the board then refused to amend the ordinance and approved the Shenandoah Hills Wind Project. When the board fails its citizens, the courts are the only option available to force the board to comply with its constitutional and statutory duties to the people of Page County, Shearer said in the Sept. 19 news release.

Prior to approving the project application from Invenergy, the Board of Supervisors hired the Des Moines law firm of Ahlers and Cooney to provide legal advice on the application.

I believe we have zero choice because, as has been stated a number of times, we have J.D. (King), who is our zoning administrator, who looked at the proposed permit. He deemed it was suitable and met the criteria of our ordinance.

However, some questions have arisen since then and, quite frankly, for the safety and security of the county, I think we need some advice beyond what we have in house on the legality of that because, quite frankly, if we approve or deny, either way, I think the county is going to face some litigation, Morris said July 5 when the hiring of Ahlers and Cooney was approved.

In the Sept. 19 news release issued by Shearer Law Office, the Page County filing is touted as the latest in a series of petitions filed in Iowa counties seeking to protect citizens from outside plundering of our resources. The Page County filing is an important next step for Iowans and emphasizes the need to stop the pattern of intimidation, threats of litigation, and undue influence forced upon local government officials.

My clients have no intention of allowing companies based in the Windy City to blow into their county and threaten to bankrupt it through litigation until the county bends to the will of the Chicago way, Sporer said the Sept. 19 news release.
Rental property owners will see an increase in registration fees for the first time since the City of Council Bluffs implemented the registration program in 2015 to ensure that housing is properly maintained.

The Rental Property Registration Program requires landlords to register their properties with the city each year, and the registration fees are meant to cover the cost of the program, including the salaries of the citys three building inspectors, permit technician, and part of the citys chief building official. The seven years of collected data shows that this has not been the case.

For fiscal year 2022, registration fees brought in $221,045, but the actual cost of the program was $405,367, leaving a balance of $161,795 that has been covered by the citys taxpayers.

Its not fair to the taxpayers who dont make a profit off their business to supplement their profits, Mayor Matt Walsh said during the City Councils Sept. 26 afternoon study session.

Registration fees vary based on the type of residence: single family, duplex, single apartment units and apartment buildings.

The fee structure, which hasnt changed since 2015, has been:

Single family, $35

Duplex, $70

Apartment, $17.50/unit

Apartment building, $25/building

For example, if a landlord owns two single family homes and one duplex, their annual registration fee would be $140  $70 for the two single family homes and $70 for the one duplex.

If a landlord owns one building with 20 apartments, the fee would be $375  $350 for the apartments and $25 for the building itself.

The new fee structure, which goes into effect in 2023, is:

Single family, $71

Duplex, $106

Apartment, $35.50/unit

Apartment building, $51/building

The registration fees will be reevaluated after three years to see if the program is still paying for itself.

Maybe were staying in line and were going to be able to stay there for a while, so we dont have to raise it for another couple of years, said Courtney Harter, the citys director of community development. That would be ideal.

The reason for such a drastic jump in price is that when the registration program was first conceived, the city didnt have any data with which to determine how much the fees should be if the program was going to pay for itself.

When they did the rental program, (chief building officer) Steve Carmichael did some back of napkin analysis and I believe he came back and said $65 a rental unit, Walsh said. The council said, what do you mean, believe? Well, we dont know, we dont have any historical data, and so the council rolled it back to $35. But, Steve was pretty close.

In addition to setting the new registration fees, the city council also passed an amendment to the Vacant Property Registration Program during Mondays meeting.

Changes include clarifying what properties are covered under the law  any one or two-family house that is

unoccupied for 120 days or more;

designated uninhabitable for human occupancy;

exposed to the elements such that deterioration is occurring or where vermin, accumulated debris, and/or uncut vegetation is present.

Property owners will be required to register their property once a year if it meets one or more of the above conditions at a cost of $300, which covers the cost of the city inspecting and/or cleaning up vacant properties.

City properties and properties that are under construction are not required to be registered.

Under certain conditions, some properties will still be required to register with the city, but will be exempt from the $300 fee:

properties marked for sale or for rent;

vacant properties undergoing remodeling or repair;

vacant properties subject to a development or redevelopment agreement with the city;

single vacant properties that will be reoccupied within 120 days.

There was also a slight change in the appeals process. In the initial bill, the mayor was given the final decision on appeals, but after consulting with the members of the community who would be impacted by the bill  namely, landlords  it was proposed to instead give the final say to a five-person board of appeals, which would be made up of two landlords, two members of the community who are not landlords and one city official.

During the afternoon study session, Councilman Chad Hannan argued for reverting back to having the mayor make the final decision.

I believe when a decision affecting someones livelihood is made, it should be made by somebody of which the people have control over, whether or not they continue to hold that position, Hannan said.

Ultimately, a compromise was agreed to that includes both a board of appeals and the mayor: when a property owner challenges whether a property should be considered vacant, the appeal will first go to the appeals board. The appeals board then makes a recommendation and sends it to the mayor, who has final say in the matter.

Additional information will be available on the citys website at councilbluffs-ia.gov/2522/Vacant-Property-Registration.
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Algerias military rulers and their civilian facade continue their theft of cultural heritage of their neighbors, the latest episode was the appropriation of Moroccan mosaic in their national squad outfit which triggered an immediate condemnation from Moroccos cultural ministry demanding Adidas to withdraw the Tshirts or risk a lawsuit.

Moroccos culture ministry lawyer Mourad El Ajouti warned Adidas of the cultural appropriation they have committed and asked the company to withdraw the Tshirts within 15 days.

Moroccos culture authorities have shown vigilance in recent months after many appropriation attempts of Moroccan heritage by Algeria.

Algeria has often unlawfully used Moroccan architecture and cultural heritage. For instance, in 2019, Algerian authorities organized a heritage fair featuring Marrakech Koutoubia tower on its main poster!

Not to mention Algerias failed attempt to brand Moroccos traditional haut couture the Caftan as its own!

This systematic and state-sponsored theft of Moroccos cultural heritage led Rabat to take serious action including listing its cultural assets with the UNESCO.

In April last year, Morocco launched the Moroccan heritage label to protect Moroccos tangible and intangible cultural heritage from appropriation.
A Congress bipartisan group sent a letter Thursday to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, raising concerns over Algerias growing ties with Russia and calling for sanctions against officials in the Algerian regime for arms deals with Moscow.

The call by the bipartisan group, led by Congresswoman Lisa McClain, follows a similar call from Senator Marco Rubio on the Biden administration to issue sanctions against Algeria.

Reports indicated that Algeria signed an arms deal with Russia last year worth more than $7 billion. The deal reportedly would see Russia sell Su-57 fighter jets, air defense systems and more.

Under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which Congress passed in 2017, sanctions are to be imposed against countries that strike defense or intelligence deals with several countries, including Russia.

This recent Algeria-Russia arms purchase would clearly be categorized as a significant transaction under CAATSA. Yet, no sanctions available to you have been crafted by the State Department, stated the letter to Blinken, which is signed by 27 members of Congress.

The Trump administration issued sanctions, using CAATSA, against Turkey after it went ahead with a deal to acquire Russian S-400 air defense systems.

US lawmakers from both political parties have been pressing the administration to crack down on countries or individuals that engage with Putin and his government, which ordered a further invasion of Ukraine in February.

The United States needs to send a clear message to the world that the support for Vladimir Putin, and his regimes barbaric war efforts will not be tolerated, the letter to Blinken read. Therefore, we request you begin to immediately implement significant sanctions on those in the Algerian government who were involved in the purchase of Russian arms.

Thursdays letter cited Russias desperate need for funds to continue its war on Ukraine and the Kremlins subsequent efforts to punish the EUs involvement by blocking natural gas sales to European countries.

Saying that Russia is likely to continue to push for additional arms sales to other countries, the US lawmakers said: It is critical that President Biden and his administration prepare to sanction those who attempt to fund the Russian government and its war machine, through the purchase of military equipment.
Heavy gunfire rang out early Friday in Burkina Fasos capital  near the presidential palace, the main military camp and some residential areas  and the state broadcaster went off the air, sparking fears of a mutiny nine months after a military coup detat overthrew the countrys president.

Soldiers are reported to have taken up positions along the avenue leading to the presidential palace and blocked access to administrative buildings and the national television. A government spokesman could not be reached. It was not immediately known where Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba was in the West African country. He had given a speech the day before in Djibo, in the north of Burkina Faso. Last week, Damiba had traveled to New York where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly as the countrys coup leader-turned-president. In his speech, he defended his 24 January coup as an issue of survival for our nation, even if it was perhaps reprehensible to the international community.

It was not clear yet if this was a coup attempt but it bore the hallmarks of other power grabs that have swept across West and Central Africa over the past two years. That takeover was largely celebrated by civilians fed up with former President Roch Kabores civilian government that was unable to rein in Islamist militants who have killed thousands of civilians in recent years and taken over large parts of the north and east. Yet the violence has failed to wane in the months since Damiba took over. Burkina Fasos coup came in the wake of similar takeovers in Mali and in Guinea, heightening fears of a rollback of democracy in West Africa.
Planned oil and gas exploration in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo could expose more than one million people to pollution and disease, according to a report released by the environmental group Greenpeace Africa.

The planned selling of 30 eastern land blocks that extend into a famous gorilla reserve would also threaten wildlife and food security, while causing conflict, poverty and corruption, according to the report. Residents in the area accuse the government of keeping them in the dark and expressed fear of losing their livelihoods when companies start drilling for fossil fuels. Representatives for Greenpeace Africa and partner organizations visited about 30 villages in July to gauge the communitys awareness of the planned exploration and how they intend to protect their land and livelihoods.

Many communities were unaware, so they didnt know this was underway, which is quite shocking given how much the government has said it plans to really put people ahead of everything else, said Mbong Akiy Fokwa Tsafack, head of communication at Greenpeace Africa. This is echoed by Bantu Lukambo from an NGO monitoring the welfare of communities around Virunga National Park, who says that no one asked residents what they thought of the oil and gas drilling project. The government is supposed to have public input before undertaking such exploration, he said, but failed to do so. Even parliament members were not included in the decision-making process, he added.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi defended his governments plan while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last week, saying oil discovery would bring economic development to his people. The oil exploration blocks overlap parts of Congos most pristine ecosystems and Virunga Park, which is home to over 1,000 species of animals and birds. The 20-page report from Greenpeace urges the government to halt the projects and encourage alternative investments in renewable energy sources.
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

In summer 2021, a group of agricultural education teachers decided to see how well the farm management concepts they were teaching in their classes translated to real life.

The instructors, who all teach at school districts in Educational Service Unit 16, divided into two teams and signed up to participate in the annual Testing Ag Performance Solutions program  TAPS for short  at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte.

This summer, the teachers returned to West Central, not to participate in the TAPS competition, but to build a curriculum for high school ag education classes in collaboration with center faculty and staff.

North Platte High School ag teacher Collin Swedberg said including high school students in the program is a new approach to teach students how to make important farming decisions.

One thing that I always think the ag program does is give students a practical way to learn things that theyll use out of high school, Swedberg said. Its not just a school thing to practice making decisions, but you actually build on things that youll use out of high school.

The TAPS program, which started in 2016, brings together teams of farmers, agronomists, students, state agency employees, Nebraska Extension professionals and others who direct the planting and management of corn or sorghum on a plot at the research center.

Throughout the competition, the decisions that participants make affect the yield, price and ultimately the profitability of their plot.

Participants decide what kind of hybrid to select and crop insurance to purchase. They make decisions about planting population, their marketing strategy and the timing and quantity of irrigation and fertilizer.

They get some help from technology, such as sensors that measure the amount of water in the soil and cameras that measure the amount of nitrogen in crop leaves.

In the end, teams are ranked on who is the most profitable, with teams who use water and nitrogen most efficiently being recognized.

Many of the teachers were intimidated by the number and technicality of the decisions they needed to make, but thats part of the beauty of the TAPS program, said Chuck Burr, Extension educator at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center.

Working with the teachers in making the day-to-day decisions was what we were hoping for by inviting them to be part of the competition, Burr said.

Swedberg said TAPS will help students learn how do you make farming decisions and not just guessing.

Through the curriculum they have to investigate, do their own research, he said, to find whats the optimum rate of nitrogen or what time should you plant, whats the best seeding rate.

Students will have to dig deeper to find the answers, he said.

They have to do it like a farmer would, because a farmer obviously has money invested in this and they want to make those good decisions, Swedberg said. Students, if theyre simulating, dont have as much of that.

The TAPS competition, Swedberg said, will give students motivation for their decision-making process.

At North Platte High School, were going to do it with a small group of students after school starting this spring, Swedberg said. Hopefully we will go into the summer as well where they can make those decisions real time. They can go out and see their plot real time and see that progress and hold it in their hands.

Creating the high school curriculum wasnt an easy process, said ESU 16 Administrator Deb Paulman. Agriculture is complex, and so are the precision agricultural tools that participants in the TAPS program use to aid in decision making.

The teachers wanted to empower students to make decisions without overwhelming them with information. At the same time, the complexity is part of the magic of TAPS  and of agriculture in general, she said.

The way that kids learn to make decisions is by making decisions, Paulman said. This is like a taste of the real world. Its a real experiment.

After their own experience in the program and conversations with farmers, Husker researchers and other TAPS participants, the teachers worked to develop curriculum modules for their students around two of the six major decisions that TAPS participants make.

The first two modules  one on hybrid seed selection and seeding rate and another on nitrogen application  will be piloted in several Nebraska high schools during the 2022-23 academic year. The teachers will then evaluate which aspects of the curriculum worked well and which ones could be improved and make adjustments accordingly, she said.

Several school districts in other parts of the state have already expressed interest in adopting the program after the pilot year.

Its been exciting to see so many groups work together to adapt the TAPS program for high school, said Tammy Mittelstet, who coordinates educational pathways and statewide educational partnerships for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Nebraska.

In particular, she said, it has been gratifying to see so many different groups  farmers, ESUs, Husker faculty and staff, teachers and school administrators, among others  work together to make a program they believe in available to high school students.

In Nebraska, where one in four jobs is related to agriculture, it is very likely that the skills student learn through the TAPS curriculum will be used later in their careers.

The most important thing is that we all recognize we are here for the same reason, she said. We all want a successful economy, we all want successful students and we all want a successful workforce.

Educators who are interested in the program can contact Kelly Bruns at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte, extension.unl.edu/statewide/westcentral/ or by phone at 308-696-6702.
Last of three parts.

Even on its 1,559th and last day of operation, North Platte wasnt alone in running its World War II Canteen.

Women from North Plattes First Lutheran Church were joined that day by their counterparts from St. Johns Lutheran Church of Gothenburg in neighboring Dawson County.

The latter church spent a total of 17 days at the Canteen, serving every eight weeks during the last years, the Gothenburg Times wrote April 4, three days after Canteen Commander Helen Christ and founder Rae Wilson locked the 1918 Union Pacific Depots dining-room doors for the last time.

It was a fitting tribute, not just to them but also to Dawson Countys aid to North Plattes mission of hospitality to U.S. and Allied service members.

Prompt, regular help

Like Logan County, Keith County and North Plattes Lincoln County neighbors, Dawson County people quickly stepped up to help after the Canteens Christmas Day 1941 launch.

Mrs. Lew Wonderling suggests, the Times wrote on Jan. 29, 1942, that Gothenburg people who wish to do something for the boys in the service could be of real help by getting behind the Canteen at North Platte. She offers the use of the Wonderling truck to transport supplies.

Gothenburgs Platte Valley Community Club donated supplies to the Canteen that same day, The Telegraph wrote in its Jan. 30 issue.

Gothenburg had 2,330 people in 1940, compared with 3,469 in 2020. By Feb. 6, the American Legion Auxiliary in Cozad (population 2,156 in 1940, 3,776 in 2020) was preparing to host the first of many regular Cozad Days at the Canteen over the next four years.

This is a very definite way in which we can help our boys, and any day some of our own Cozad boys may be going through on a troop train, said the Feb. 6 edition of the original Cozad Local.

At Cozads Canteen debut Feb. 12, hundreds of homemade cookies, popcorn balls, candy, stationery, apples, etc., which had been donated here were given to some 500 uniformed customers.

On June 23, Lexingtons Legion Auxiliary led the first regular Canteen turn for the county seat that grew from 3,688 people in 1940 to 10,069 in 2020.

Volunteers served some 2,000 customers, up to half of them Black soldiers riding a 17-car troop train, the Lexington Clipper (an ancestor of todays Clipper-Herald) wrote June 25.

From Farnam to Buffalo Grove

Nine Dawson County communities appear on the 125-member Honor Roll list that stretches from the Wyoming border to David City, from the South Dakota to Kansas lines and across the Colorado line into Sedgwick and Phillips counties.

Farnam, which had 346 people in 1940  exactly twice as many as it had in 2020  hosted its first serving day on Dec. 5, 1942.

A group of 73 Farnam volunteers may have been captured in U.S. Signal Corps film footage shot at the Canteen. Moving pictures were taken of the group at noon, the Times reported, with the Farnam Press supplying the date of Aug. 5, 1945.

The first Canteen visit for Overton, which had 491 people then and 702 in 2020, was noted in the May 14, 1943, edition of the Elm Creek Beacon:

The opportunity to serve some 3,500 eager soldiers traveling on 16 trains, both regular and troop trains, was a new and pleasant experience for 50 workers who made the trip to North Platte Sunday to truly make it Overtons day at the Canteen.

Eddyville mustered 87 volunteers in and near their town to host the Canteen on Sept. 28, 1944. That represented more than one-third of the towns 1940 population of 237  a figure that had shrunk to 105 by 2020.

Sumner, with 296 people in 1940 and 306 in 2020, joined North Plattes Episcopal Church of Our Savior in staffing the Canteen on July 28, 1945, the Daily Bulletin reported.

And on Dec. 11, 1944, the Canteen tables were staffed by some 35 people from Buffalo Grove, based around a store and at least two country churches about 12 miles northwest of Lexington.

They supplied 50 dozen eggs, 57 dozen cookies, 25 birthday cakes, 50 pounds of meat, one-half bushel of apples, 24 pounds of coffee, 90 loaves of bread, 14 quarts of pickles, five jars of sandwich spread, 19 pounds of butter, eight quarts of cream and three dozen doughnuts.

Thirty-five dollars was also donated to help make Buffalo Day at the Canteen a big success, the Clipper reported Dec. 21.

On Dec. 23, Buffalo Grove-area residents held a coyote hunt. Echoing similar regional Canteen fundraisers, hunters auctioned off their trophies to send funds to the North Platte volunteers.

A near-fatal sacrifice

Buffalo Groves example wasnt unique. The Canteen Honor Roll includes a few other communities that were never formal towns, like Thune in McPherson County and Lillian and Tallinn Table in Custer County.

The Canteen also received regular help from small-town and rural church groups and service clubs, which often didnt wait for an organized community day to travel to North Platte and pitch in.

The 2-Better-U Club was assisting the North Platte Canteen on Thursday of last week, the Local reported on Jan. 29, 1943.

Twenty-one farm women in the Hillside Hustlers club, also northwest of Lexington, served almost 4,000 service members on March 24, 1945.

Ten sons of individuals in the group are in the service, and with the shortage of help many of the members have had to assume added duties about the farm, the Clipper wrote March 30.

Dawson Countys dedication to aiding the Canteen almost cost four Cozad women and volunteers their lives on Nov. 25, 1944.

Driving back home on U.S. Highway 30, their car collided with a truck west of the Maxwell U.P. viaduct while coping with what the Times called a blinding snowstorm and icy pavement.

Both drivers apparently were blinded by the smoke of a passing train and snow and did not see the other, the Kearney Hub added.

Three of the women suffered serious injuries, including 36-year-old Mrs. Verne Dickinson. She suffered a deep gash above her knee when the truck fell on top of the womens car.

Fittingly, a service member saved her life. The Hub said Pvt. Clyde Rowley, stationed at the Bruning Army Air Base in south central Nebraska, arrived a few seconds later and applied a tourniquet so she wouldnt bleed to death.

After the Canteen closed, the Gothenburg Times  whose Honor Roll town was there at the end  recalled how North Platte-born U.P. President William Jeffers had supplied its permanent home.

When Jeffers did so, the North Platte Canteen was on the way toward making World War II history, the Times wrote.

Its not just North Plattes history. It belongs to all the 125 communities and 55,000 volunteers who won the lasting gratitude of 6 million service members who fought the Second World War.
Great Plains Health is expanding its visiting hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning Saturday.

The move was announced Thursday.

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can access the hospital through the main entrance under the overhang at 601 W. Leota St., according to a press release from the hospital. After 6 p.m., visitors will need to exit or enter through the emergency room doors, located on the far west side of the hospital, as well as have a state ID or drivers license available.

Visitors are still expected to wear a mask during their visit.

It is exciting to extend time for visiting hours, Tina Pate, chief nursing officer, said in the release. We know how important visiting hours are to patients who need that special time with loved ones. We are in a place now where we can safely and strategically adjust to some more normal routines for patients and visitors.

Active symptom screenings at the hospitals front desk are discontinued, but Great Plains Health requires visitors to monitor symptoms and refrain from entering the facility if a person:

Has had a positive test for COVID-19 within the last 10 days.

Has a pending COVID-19 test.

Has symptoms of COVID-19. That includes chills, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, a new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Theres no question that Nebraskas trio of state property tax credits  if theyre all claimed  will keep Nebraskans net 2022 tax bills much lower than they otherwise would be.

But they may not be lower than last years net property tax bill. Or even as low as their total bill was 16 years ago.

The Telegraphs final 2022 installment of its annual budget season coverage looks at the degree to which the state credits implemented in 2007, 2020 and this year blunt the effect of North Platte local governments property tax bills.

Together, those three credits would lower Nebraska property owners tax bills by 22.4% for 2022 taxes payable in 2023, based on figures state officials announced earlier this month.

Our previous tax tracker story Thursday reported that gross 2022 tax bills will go up for the three homes we track each year, based on newly approved 2022-23 budgets for the eight governments serving their owners.

Home 1, north of the Union Pacific tracks, will face a $2,398.40 bill before credits. Thats $147.59 more than in 2021.

The gross tax bill will be $2,233.09  $76.96 higher than last year  for Home 2, south of the tracks and near Westfield Shopping Center.

Home 3, south and west of Home 2, would pay $208.77 more in 2022 taxes if the state credits didnt exist. Its gross tax bill will be $6,057.80.

That hasnt been the end of the story for some time now.

State senators, who imposed lids on local budget and tax-rate growth in 1996, turned to more direct tax relief with the 2007 Property Tax Credit Fund.

Its proceeds go to counties, which reduce property owners total tax rate by an amount the Department of Revenues Property Assessment Division sets based on the funds annual balance.

After statewide complaints about property taxes continued through the 2010s, the 2020 Legislature took a more indirect approach with the separate Property Tax Incentive Fund.

Instead of funneling more money to further lower net local tax rates, Legislative Bill 1107 established a state income tax credit for a part of property owners school district tax bills.

After offsetting 6% of school tax bills in 2020, the credits percentage quadrupled to 25.3% last year and 30% for 2022.

Finally, senators included a similar income tax credit based on community college property taxes in passing LB 873 last spring. It will also offer a 30% credit in its initial year, Gov. Pete Ricketts has announced.

If Nebraska property owners dont actually owe income taxes in a given year, the state will pay them the school and community-college credits.

One catch: While property owners automatically receive the original tax-rate discount, they must claim the school and now the community-college credits when they do their 2022 income taxes.

Many Nebraskans failed to claim the school credit in 2020, 2021 or both, although they still can, Ricketts said during a Sept. 13 visit to Ogallala.

Since 1969, some Nebraskans also have been eligible for a homestead exemption, another direct property tax discount. Like the income tax credits, it must be applied for each year.

Homeowners are eligible, according to the Revenue Department, if theyre 65 or older or have developmental or permanent physical disabilities.

Honorably discharged but 100% disabled veterans also are eligible, as are their unremarried widows or widowers if the service member died on active duty or from a service-related disability.

Among The Telegraphs three sample homes, only Home 2  the one near Westfield  has received homestead exemptions at any point since 2006.

A previous owner claimed the exemption in 2010, and the current owners did likewise in 2021, according to the Nebraska Taxes Online website.

Claiming a 2021 homestead exemption cut Home 2s net tax bill last year to no more than $102.32, based only on that exemption and the direct discount from the Property Tax Credit Fund.

Since its too early for any of our sample homes owners to claim 2022 school or community college tax credits, this years figures on the accompanying chart assume that all three will claim those credits but none receives a homestead exemption.

As the chart shows, the state credits couldnt guarantee lower net tax bills for all three.

Home 1, the north-side home, can receive 2022 tax credits totaling $537.02 if its owners claim both of their income tax credits.

But that still leaves them with a net tax bill of $1,861.38  $32.02 higher than their net 2021 bill.

Like other homes north of the Union Pacific tracks, Home 1s taxable value went up 7% this year compared with 4% for homes south of the tracks.

Home 2s net 2022 tax bill would be $1,733.08  $500.01 below its gross bill  if its owners receive all three of the newer tax credits.

If they remained eligible for and claimed a 2022 homestead exemption, the net tax-bill figure naturally would be far lower.

Finally, Home 3s net 2022 property tax bill would fall to $4,701.41 with the Property Tax Credit Fund discount and the two income tax credits applied. Thats $1,356.39 less than its gross tax bill.

One last fact emerges from The Telegraphs 2022 tax tracker analysis: Even the millions of state dollars now being thrown into property tax credits arent always enough to lower effective property tax bills over the long term.

Home 1s current owners would pay $133.34 more in net 2022 taxes than their predecessors paid in 2006.

Home 2s owners, unless theyve claimed a 2022 homestead exemption, would pay $109.36 more than its previous owners paid 16 years ago.

And Home 3s net 2022 tax bill  assuming the school and community college credits are claimed  would be just $24.77 less today.
(Bloomberg) -- European Union energy ministers backed an initial package of measures to tame the gas crisis, and the bloc pledged to come forward with more next week as the crisis only intensifies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Ministers signed off on a deal to curb power demand and grab profits from energy companies to redistribute to struggling consumers. But amid clamor for more action and criticism the commission has been too slow to act, Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson promised to do more.

The gnarly issue of a cap on wholesale gas prices is set to come back on the table again -- even as its not clear consensus can be achieved. The commission insists that any price cap has to be accompanied by stricter demand cuts, and not all member states are ready for that. Proposals for an alternative gas benchmark and common gas purchases are also likely to get another hearing.

Overshadowing the meeting in Brussels was the sabotage earlier this week of the Nord Stream pipelines, which has thrown the focus onto security and prompted a rush to bolster defenses. As the bloc plans a stress test of its energy infrastructure, Norways allies offered help protecting oil and gas assets.

Key Developments:

Habeck signals Russia to blame for Nord Stream destruction; Putin blames Anglo-Saxons

Ministers agree initial package of measures

Italy sends navy to protect pipelines

Norways armed forces bolster security, and gets help from allies

Gas flows via Ukraine stable; prices fall 7%

Satellites capture first images of pipeline leaks

Draghi warns against distorting market

France mulls shielding businesses from costs

Read this: How Would You Manage Europes Energy Crisis?

Story continues

Norway Gets Help From Allies (5:50 p.m.)

Norway has accepted offers of help from Germany, France and the UK as it increases its presence around oil and gas installations in the North Sea, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told reporters. It has redirected two of its coast guard vessels and a maritime surveillance aircraft to patrol the area, he said.

ConocoPhillips Spots Drones; Ups Security (3:50 p.m.)

ConocoPhillips Skandinavia AS said it has raised the security level and emergency preparedness around its offshore and onshore facilities, and has spotted drones in the area.

The company is cooperating with authorities, it said.

TotalEnergies SE said late Thursday it had spotted an aerial drone close to an oil field in the Danish North Sea, following similar reports from Norway.

EU Sees Stress Test on Infrastructure (3 p.m.)

Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said shed work with her home affairs counterpart to propose a stress test on European energy infrastructure as a response to the Nord Stream blasts.

I will work with my colleague Commissioner Ylva Johansson to propose to the member states a stress test of the physical protection of critical energy infrastructure, she said. 

Given the possible serious possible impact of an incident on the internal market and across borders, an EU-wide approach is needed and we will work with member states to define the test scope and timing to reinforce the resilience of the EU energy system to threats.

Ministers Demand More Action (2:45 p.m.)

Czech Energy Minister Jozef Sikela, whose country holds the rotating presidency, called on the commission to press ahead at pace with more measures to stem the crisis.

Sikela has heard serious concerns from member states about the lack of urgency.

We have to act now, he told reporters.

Common gas purchases, work on a parallel benchmark gas index, and measures to cut the link between gas and power prices should be considered.

Habeck Points Finger at Russia (2:20 p.m.)

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck indicated that Russia is to blame for the Nord Stream explosions, in the clearest statement yet from a European leader.

Theres an investigation ongoing and we should wait for the result but that Russia is saying it wasnt us is like saying Im not the thief, he said. I dont know who has done the explosions but saying it wasnt us is not an answer I would trust.

The Kremlin has denied responsibility.

Habeck Underlines the Challenge (2:15 p.m.)

Habeck underlined the challenge facing ministers as they contemplate measures such as gas price caps: We need to find a way to reduce prices without risking supply.

For now, theres no agreement on any kind of gas price cap. But several member states are still pushing.

Im optimistic well find better solution than what is currently on the table, he told reporters.

Progress on Oil Price Cap (1:15 p.m.)

Theres been progress in discussions on the oil price cap, according to Polands ambassador to the EU, Andrzej Sados.

A new draft on the broader sanctions package will be circulated in coming days for discussion on Monday, he told reporters in Brussels.

Poland is one of the key backers of the plan in the bloc.

How Big Is the Nord Stream Leak? (1 p.m.)

Whichever way you look at it, the amount of natural gas bubbling up in the Baltic Sea from Russias ruptured Nord Stream pipelines is massive.

The underwater pipes, damaged by what European and US leaders say was sabotage, contained 778 million cubic meters of gas, based on data compiled by the Danish Energy Agency. That would be enough to meet three days supply for Germany, Europes biggest user of the fuel. Its also the same as two-and-a-half days of production from Norway, currently the continents top gas supplier.

What Happened to the Caps? (11:45 p.m.)

As the EU moves forward with its first package of measures, its becoming increasingly clear that some of its most radical ideas are running into stark divisions within the bloc, as well as market realities.

Some key member states have all but dropped an idea of putting a price cap on gas from Russia. That was meant to cut Moscows revenues as well as helping European prices. The idea was also floated of a wider cap that would also cover gas from Algeria and Norway.

The problem is any such measure would endanger supply, at a time when the bloc is desperate for alternative sources of gas. And capping LNG is probably not an option in a vastly competitive global market.

Another idea is a cap on the wholesale gas price, as backed by 15 nations. Thats looking hard to execute as it would require an overhaul of the market.

That leaves the option of capping the price of gas just for power production in order to sever the link between gas and power and alleviate the burden on bills. Its the narrowest, most modest version of a price cap, though it still comes at a big fiscal cost.

EU Ministers Back Package (11:06 a.m.)

Ministers reached an agreement on an initial energy intervention package, setting a goal to reduce power consumption and agreeing to tap windfall profits of companies and redirect them to customers and businesses.

It includes a binding target for each member state to lower its electricity use by 5% during peak hours during the heating season. It also allows governments to slap levies on fossil-fuel companies and power producers with cheaper inputs, a move the bloc estimates could raise 140 billion euros ($138 billion).

Habeck Says Allies Should Avoid Exploitation (10 a.m.)

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck suggested that countries stepping into supply gas to the EU, which include Norway and the US, shouldnt exploit the skyrocketing prices at Europes expense.

I call on the EU to work for a different negotiation position with those states which are supplying gas, he told reporters. Because in this situation, we are in a partnership, and partnership cannot mean exploitation.

Italy Sends Navy to Protect Pipelines (9:20 a.m.)

Italy is reinforcing protection of strategic trans-Mediterranean pipelines, the Navy said.

Two ships of the Italian Navy, equipped with remote-controlled submarines, are in charge of monitoring key areas in the Mediterranean Sea, specifically around the infrastructures transporting energy from Maghreb countries to Italy, according to a statement.

EU Focuses on Three Steps for Now (9:15 a.m.)

Ministers are likely to sign off on a package based around three main measures -- the easiest ones on which to achieve consensus. A gas cap is not part of the package as its proved too controversial, at least for now. The main measures to be approved today are:

A mandatory power demand reduction target at peak hours

A profit-grab on power producers with cheaper input costs -- for example those using nuclear, renewables

A levy on excess profits of fossil-fuel producers. The funds would be redistributed to help struggling consumers

German Finance Chief Says Putins Energy War Will Fail (9:10 a.m.)

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said the government is protecting Europes biggest economy from the fallout of the energy crisis with an all-in strategy and warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that his energy war will fail.

Putins goal is clear, Lindner said in a speech to the lower house of parliament in Berlin ahead of a vote approving the governments temporary cut in sales tax on gas purchases to 7% from 19%. Our prosperity should be shaken, our economic structure hit so that in the end our social cohesion erodes, also with the aim of bringing the solidarity that this country has for Ukraine to an end, Lindner added. Were sending out a clear signal that he will fail.

Sweden Taking Steps to Secure Infrastructure (9:20 a.m.)

Swedish Energy Minister Khashayar Farmanbar said authorities are taking steps to secure energy infrastructure after the Nord Stream blasts, which he said were probably perpetrated by a state actor.

Norway Cant Avert Sabotage (9 a.m.)

Norways security service lacks tools to prevent sabotage against the countrys energy facilities while such risks have increased, public broadcaster NRK reported, citing the agencys Deputy Chief Hedvig Moe.

Frustration at Slow Pace (8:30 a.m.)

Some member states expressed frustration that more hasnt been done to reach an agreement sooner to bring down gas prices.

The European Commission set out earlier this week the risks of implementing a gas price cap on its own without additional measures.

Not Safe Enough Yet to Assess Pipeline Damage (8:25 a.m.)

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he spoke with his Danish counterpart, who said it will still be several days before its safe enough to assess the damaged pipelines.

There is a lot of speculation but quite frankly, until a complete investigation is done, no one will be able to determine for certain what happened, Austin told reporters in Hawaii.

EU to Focus on Three Steps (8:20 a.m.)

Ministers will focus on three measures that were the easiest to secure consensus around: a reduction of electricity demand, a cap on profits from energy producers with cheap input costs, and a tax on excess profits from fossil fuel companies. A cap on gas prices is not on the table.

Czech Energy Minister Jozef Sikela said more needs to be done, and now.

This is just the first part in the puzzle. We must not stop here, Sikela said. We are in an energy war with Russia. The winter is coming and we have to act now.

Europes Biggest Reactor Reaches Full Capacity (8 a.m.)

Europes newest nuclear reactor now has the biggest output too, bringing some relief to the regions strained electricity market.

Finlands Olkiluoto-3, which sits on a peninsula by the Baltic Sea, reached full power for the first time last night, its operator Teollisuuden Voima Oyj said.

Germany Warns of Gas Shortage Threat This Winter (7:30 a.m.)

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said the governments move to put a lid on gas prices wont hinder efforts to cut consumption, but he reiterated an appeal for all consumers to use less fuel to avert a shortage this winter.

Were still in this emergency situation and if we dont save, if households dont reduce usage, then the threat remains that well have too little gas this winter, Habeck said in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio.

The EU must also come up with a unanimous response to help bring down prices for gas imported into Europe, he added, accusing some countries, even allies, of making out like bandits.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Iran is seeking to gain a more secure foothold in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), and the protests spreading across Iran present a good justification for Tehran to take action, as well as being a key venue for suppressing the protests.

Irans relationship with the Iraqi Kurds has changed much over the past decades, particularly since 2003 when the U.S. invasion of Iraq led to the creation of the official KRI, complete with its own oil - ostensibly. When the KRI launched a failed referendum for independence from Baghdad in 2017, the Iranians started to become more active. Tehrans natural ally in Iraqi Kurdistan is the PUK party, which is no longer the dominant party. The dominant party, the KDP, is closer to Turkey, but its position is also weak - and getting weaker, with Iran happy to fill in the cracks.

Since the Kurdish referendum failed, militant Iraqi Kurdish groups have deployed to the Iraq-Iran border, causing significant anxiety in Tehran. These groups, who join the PKK (the Kurdistan Workers Party) in this border region now, are using this move for extra funding (smuggling) and as preparation to pounce should the situation between the U.S. and Iran escalate into a military move by Washington. Or, in an unforeseen development, should nationwide protests create massive instability in Iran, giving the Kurds an open window to make their move (like they did in Syria).

From this perspective, Irans attacks this week on Iraqi Kurdish
- Indonesias government banned exports of unrefined nickel ore in 2020, so now most of the exports going towards Chinas stainless steel mills are in the form of nickel pig iron.

- Nickel prices have slumped from their March high of $55,000 per metric ton to just $23,000/mt right now, as nickels traditional market deficit shifted into a slight surplus.

- Seeing its production surge by 41% year-on-year in January-July to a total of 814,000 tons, Indonesia is bringing about an increasingly bearish outlook for the nickel market.

- In less than two days after Hurricane Ian passed through respective parts of the US Gulf, Chevron, and BP already started returning personnel to their platforms there, with no damages reported.

- Considering the brevity and relatively little impact, this year will be much weaker than 2021 in terms of lost production  in September 2021 alone some 800,000 b/d of output was lost to storms.

- Before making landfall, Hurricane Ian shut 11% of oil production in the US Gulf of Mexico (some 190,000 b/d and 184 million cf/d) yet mostly as a measure of precaution.

- As S&P Global Platts notes, the US hurricane season is picking up steam after a slow start, already producing seven named storms and the first hurricane to make landfall, Hurricane Ian.

1. 2022 Hurricane Season Not As Bad for Oil

- As S&P Global Platts notes, the US hurricane season is picking up steam after a slow start, already producing seven named storms and the first hurricane to make landfall, Hurricane Ian.

- Before making landfall, Hurricane Ian shut 11% of oil production in the US Gulf of Mexico (some 190,000 b/d and 184 million cf/d) yet mostly as a measure of precaution.

- Considering the brevity and relatively little impact, this year will be much weaker than 2021 in terms of lost production  in September 2021 alone some 800,000 b/d of output was lost to storms.

- In less than two days after Hurricane Ian passed through respective parts of the US Gulf, Chevron, and BP already started returning personnel to their platforms there, with no damages reported.

2. Indonesia Is Becoming the Nickel Problem

- Seeing its production surge by 41% year-on-year in January-July to a total of 814,000 tons, Indonesia is bringing about an increasingly bearish outlook for the nickel market.

- Nickel prices have slumped from their March high of $55,000 per metric ton to just $23,000/mt right now, as nickels traditional market deficit shifted into a slight surplus.

- Indonesias government banned exports of unrefined nickel ore in 2020, so now most of the exports going towards Chinas stainless steel mills are in the form of nickel pig iron.

- US investment bank Goldman Sachs has just revised its three-month pricing target downwards from $26,000/mt to a mere $16,000/mt, with the Indonesian supply surge aggravated by low nickel demand in Europe.

3. Nigeria Misses Out on Oil Bonanza

- Whilst other OPEC producers have used the windfall revenue of 2022 to build up piles of cash, Nigeria has failed to capitalize on it as fuel subsidies spin out of control.

- Data from Nigerias national oil company NNPC shows that it did not contribute a single naira to the countrys budget, despite marketed crude prices averaging 94 per barrel in Jan-Aug 2022.

- The crux of the matter is that Nigeria imports market-price gasoline into the country and then sells it at a subsidized rate, only to see the barrels smuggled into neighboring countries which have higher gasoline prices.

- Nigeria does not have an operational refinery and even the much-lauded Dangote refinery is at best going to see first production at the very end of 2023.

4. Corn Stocks Remain Dangerously Low

- The double whammy of worldwide droughts and the Russia-Ukraine war are squeezing corn availability to the tightest level since 2011, heightening the risk of famine in some of the worlds poorest nations.

- Whilst the restart of corn exports from Ukraine provided some ray of hope, the US harvest is expected to be the lowest in three years whilst Europe will suffer a 15% drop compared to last year amidst the worst drought on the continent in at least 500 years.

- According to Reuters, the worlds buffer stocks of corn will be enough for a mere 80 days of consumption, down almost 30% from 5 years ago.

- Considering that the harvest is still up for further downgrades as Latin Americas crop cycle remains extraordinarily dry, the idea that the 2012 food riots might repeat themselves is not that unlikely.

5. Blue Ammonia Might Not Be As Clean As Thought

- On September 10, the German port of Hamburg saw the first delivery of blue ammonia, a non-emitting fuel made from hydrogen, coming from the United Arab Emirates.

- Up until now, blue ammonia has been a nascent niche industry with several deliveries to Germany, Japan, and South Korea, almost exclusively from Middle Eastern exporters.

- As Bloomberg writes, the problem with Middle Eastern ammonia production is that the process isnt particularly non-emitting  blue ammonia is made from natural gas, then associated carbon emissions are captured and trucked to producing oil wells, where it is used for enhanced oil recovery.

- Hence, the net emissions benefit of blue ammonia is questionable, however for as long as the EU does not have coherent standards for new fuels, blue ammonia deliveries might see substantial trade volume increases.

6. Once a Stale Industry, Europes Geothermal Plans Get Big

- Europes often-forgotten geothermal industry is set to experience a purple patch in the upcoming years as EU countries struggle to find viable alternatives to gas-fired heating.

- Whilst Europes geothermal landscape has up until now been dominated by Iceland, France, and Hungary, Germany is poised to become the largest up-and-coming region with investments tallying 1.5 billion by 2030.

- The one big challenge ahead of geothermal drillers will be success rates. In France or Hungary, success rates exceed 90%, but for newcomers, wells are less likely to be successful and often require ultra-deep drilling to depths of up to 5,000 meters.

- According to Rystad, the average capacity-weighted levelized cost of heating for Europe stands at 39 per MWh, roughly half of gas condensing boilers and a third of solar thermal heaters.

7. US Seeks to Develop Home-Grown Uranium Enrichment Know-How

- As Russia-US relations continue to worsen, the Biden Administration is doubling down on developing the United States uranium enrichment capacities.

- The thing is that Russia remains by far the largest uranium enricher, covering two-fifths of the market and still supplying a quarter of nuclear fuel used in the US 93 operational reactors.

- The US lacks domestic uranium-enrichment companies as the only remaining enrichment facility in New Mexico is owned by Urenco, a British-German-Dutch consortium.

- Meanwhile, uranium prices have been trading around the $50 per pound mark, effectively in stagnation since May as the wider retreat of commodities has been offset with a renewed momentum for nuclear energy.
Producers of the OPEC+ alliance that are discussing the possibility of agreeing next week on an oil production cut have narrowed the range of options to between 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) and 1 million bpd, sources at OPEC+ told Reuters on Friday.

Major OPEC+ producers have already initiated discussions on a potential cut in their collective oil production quota to support the market, which has been dragged down by fears of a recession in recent weeks.

"Maybe during the weekend or Monday it will be more clear. Usually, the consultations conclude just before the meeting date," one source at OPEC+ told Reuters today.

OPEC+ meets on Wednesday, October 5, to discuss the market and fundamentals situation as oil prices have fallen below $90 per barrel, a level last seen just before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It is "likely" that the group will agree on a cut, a source at OPEC told Reuters.

At the previous meeting, OPEC+ reversed the 100,000-barrels-per-day increase for September and returned the October quota to the levels from August.

While the slight tweak in the group's collective target was negligible for oil market balances, OPEC+ signaled readiness to intervene in the market at any time. The meeting in early September decided to "Request the Chairman to consider calling for an OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting anytime to address market developments, if necessary."

Earlier this week, Reuters sources familiar with Russian thinking said that Russia was likely to propose at the next OPEC+ meeting that the group cut 1 million bpd from the group's collective output.

Even if the production cut target is lowered, the actual production cut could be much smaller, considering that many OPEC+ members, including Russia, are pumping well below their respective targets.

Nevertheless, a substantial reduction in the collective quota would be a signal to the market that the OPEC+ alliance is closely watching the price movements, although it always says it doesn't target a specific price of oil.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Large obstacles, like clouds and buildings, can block sunlight from reaching solar cells and even small objects, such as dust and leaves, can block sunlight from reaching solar cells.

The results have been published by the American Institute of Physics Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy.

Researchers from Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Advanced Thermal Functional Materials, and Shanghai Solar Energy Research Center Co. Ltd explored how different shade conditions impact performance of single solar cells and two-cell systems connected in series and parallel.

The results have been published by the American Institute of Physics Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy.

Large obstacles, like clouds and buildings, can block sunlight from reaching solar cells and even small objects, such as dust and leaves, can block sunlight from reaching solar cells. Understanding how the loss of incoming radiation affects power output is essential for optimizing photovoltaic technology, which converts light into electricity.

The researchers explored how different shade conditions impact performance of single solar cells and two-cell systems connected in series and parallel. They found that the decrease in output current of a single cell or two cells connected in parallel was nearly identical to the ratio of shade to sunlight. However, for two cells running in series, there was excess power loss.

Author Huaqing Xie, of Shanghai Polytechnic University and Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Advanced Thermal Functional Materials explained, In the real world, photovoltaic cells are sometimes shaded by obstacles, which significantly alters the amount of incoming light. The degradation effects make power optimization difficult and result in significant power loss.

Photovoltaics connected in series create a single path with the electrons flowing from one cell into the next. In contrast, cells in parallel provide two lanes for electrons to travel through, then recombine later. In practical applications, networks of solar cells are connected in series and parallel to expand the output current and power capability.

The team found that the decrease in output current of a single cell or two cells connected in parallel was nearly identical to the ratio of shade to sunlight. However, for two cells running in series, there was excess power loss and a rise in temperature, which can cause further output degradation. For example, with 29.6% of the series photovoltaic module in the shade, the current decreased by 57.6%.

Xie noted, Our study indicates that many factors, including shadow area, shadows on different cells of the module, and the connection of cells and modules, may affect the performance.

Previous studies have explored the consequences of shade on large photovoltaic modules but have largely ignored single cells and simple systems.

Related: European Energy Security Faces New Risks With Nord Stream Explosions

In these complicated systems, shadows on one single cell may play vital role on the system output and reliability, said Xie. Therefore, studying single cells or a simple arrangement of two connected cells is necessary for solar panel development.

In the future, the authors hope to examine the microscopic interaction behaviors and mechanisms in photovoltaic cells subjected to different shadows.

***

One would have thought that this type of research would have been done a long time ago. But serious solar aficionados have come to realize that solar cell quality has more at issue than simply area and price. The installations need maintained regularly. The designs matter. And now we know how they are wired internally has a large effect on the performance.

Knowing this will help consumers make better, more informed decisions about particular solar offerings. One day there might even be label requirements that show just what a panel actually is inside and have actual comparable ratings. Someday. Maybe.

Lets hope the folks in Shanghai keep going. Perhaps they will accumulate enough information that designs improve and perhaps a sensor might be invented to say Wash Me!

By Brian Westenhaus via New Energy And Fuel

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared four Ukrainian regions part of Russia, amid renewed warnings the Kremlin may use a strategic nuclear weapon.

In a ceremony at the Kremlin, the authoritarian leader announced that Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be subsumed by Russia, following four referendums, which were widely declared as illegal and a sham.

During a speech in Moscow, the Russian leader held a minutes silence for fallen soldiers, with thousands of troops now thought to have died in the war against Ukraine.

He told the assembled audience, of the so-called referendums The results are known, well known. People made their choice  the only choice.

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian troops reportedly half-encircled a Russian garrison based around Yampil and Dobryshev in the east of the country. It is being reported as one of the biggest defeats of the Kremlins army so far.

Overnight, missiles tore through a convoy of civilian cars preparing to cross from Ukrainian-held territory near Zaporizhzhia into the Russian-occupied zone, killing at least 23 civilians, according to Reuters.

Calling the annexation the will of millions of people in Ukraine, he warned Kyiv to take this expression of will with great respect and that Russia would protect its new annexed territory to provide safe living for our people.

Putin also hit out at the West, describing Nato allies as greedy and wanting Russia to be its colony, accusing it of waging a hybrid war against the Kremlin.

They dont want to see us a free society. They want to see us as a crowd of slaves, he added.

They dont need Russia. We need Russia!

After days of controversy, the Nord Stream pipeline in the North Sea mysteriously exploded.

Nato issued a statement saying it was reckless, deliberate sabotage but fell short of blaming Russia.

Nuclear threat

This comes amid reports Russia will defend the new territory using any means, including threats of nuclear weapons from both Putin himself, and former prime minister Dmitri Medvedev.

Related: Oil Jumps On EIA Inventory Data

Sir Roderic Lyne, the former British ambassador to Russia told the BBC Putin is trying to warn Ukrainians and the West that he is now considering these four provinces of Ukraine to be Russian territory so any attack on them is going to be treated as an attack on Russias territorial integrity.

And he [Putin] said explicitly, he will use any means to defend Russias territory.

Saying the nuclear threat should be taken seriously  he added using them would have a massive downside for Russia.

By CityAM

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The European Union is preparing the eighth round of sanctions against Russia as Moscow escalated its war in Ukraine by holding illegal referendums in four Ukrainian regions, which Putin is preparing to annex today.

The 27 EU member states have moved closer to agreeing on the scope of the eighth package of sanctions against Russian entities, individuals, and exports since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine at the end of February, EU diplomats told Reuters on Friday.

The willingness to go ahead is high, we want to be ready as soon as possible because of everything that is going on, a senior EU diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Over the past ten days, Putin announced a partial mobilization  the first Russian troop mobilization since World War II, which could lead to further isolation and more Western sanctions against Russia, including on its energy exports. Russia also staged referendums in occupied regions in eastern Ukraine, drawing widespread indignation from around the world, most of which called the voting sham referendums. Today, Putin is preparing to announce the annexation of those regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

On Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the Commissions proposals for the eighth package of sanctions in response to Russias escalation of the war in Ukraine.

Today, in this package, here, we are laying the legal basis for this oil price cap, von der Leyen said, commenting on the G7-led idea of banning Russian crude oil from imports by sea unless the oil is sold at or below a certain price the buyers expect to set.

The eighth package is planned to include further restrictions on trade with Russia.

A sanctions package would need unanimous approval by all 27 EU member states, but Hungary has said it would block new energy sanctions against Russia.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Biden Administrations calls for U.S. refiners to limit their fuel exports would only lead to a more severe crunch overseas which will push crude oil prices and gasoline prices in America higher, U.S. supermajor ExxonMobil has warned.

In August, amid low inventories at home, the Biden Administration urged American refiners to limit their fuel exports, according to a letter U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm had sent to seven big refiners obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

Given the historic level of U.S. refined product exports, I again urge you to focus in the near term on building inventories in the United States, rather than selling down current stocks and further increasing exports, Secretary Granholm wrote in the letter, according to the Journal.

Commenting on the Administrations calls for lower fuel exports, Exxons chief executive Darren Woods wrote this week in a letter to the U.S. Department of Energy reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Continuing current Gulf Coast exports is essential to efficiently rebalance marketsparticularly with diverted Russian supplies.

Reducing global supply by limiting U.S. exports to build region-specific inventory will only aggravate the global supply shortfall, Exxons top executive wrote in the letter.

Referring to low inventories in the United States, Woods wrote in the letter, Free market incentives remain the most efficient way for the industry to address these problems.

Earlier this week, EIA data showed that U.S. exports of petroleum products jumped by 11% to a record 6 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first half of 2022, with exports growing at their fastest pace in five years.

President Biden, for his part, this week urged  again  fuel retailers to bring down prices at the pump.

My message is simple. To the companies running gas stations and setting those prices at the pump: Bring down the prices youre charging at the pump to reflect the cost you pay for the product. Do it now, President Biden said on Monday.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Diesel and petrol stations in France are running out of fuel, according to an industry union, as a refining strike takes its toll.

Stations around the le Havre and Lyon have been affected, according to the GCT union.

France was already battling a shortage of refined products, with Russias exports to Europe falling in recent months. But then French refinery strikes initially took half of the nations refining capacity offline, hoping to resolve a dispute over pay.

The strike, which among others, took Totals 240,000 bpd Gonfreville refinery offline as well as a couple of Exxons, was expected to conclude on Thursday.

But on Friday, reports came in that strikes were disrupting Totals oil products refining and delivery for a fourth day. The total refining sector outages in France now make up 60% of the nations total refining capacity, Reuters calculations show.

Earlier this week, Total said it was preparing to service all of its stations through the strike, whereas Exxon limited how much refined crude products it was sending to its customers in France. Exxon also said at the time that it had a supply response team in place to be able to continue to supply product from unaffected sources.

Frances total refining capacity is roughly 1.4 million bpdthe fourth highest in Europe.

TotalEnergies said on Friday that there was no impending fuel shortage due to the strikes since the company built up its stocks and is importing.

There is no need to rush to the station (for gas), TotalEnergies said on Friday. Despite those affirmations, Reuters also reported on Friday that Frances largest sugar maker, Tereos, said it had to curtail production somewhat at some of its factories after Total advised it that it would not be able to supply it with any more diesel until the end of the week.

The CGT union said that the strikes could potentially last past Friday.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Germany is currently in an extremely tense situation in terms of energy supply, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Friday, adding that Europes biggest economy still risks running out of gas this winter.

We are still in this emergency. If we don't save, if households don't reduce consumption, we still risk not having enough gas in the winter," Habeck told the local Deutschlandfunk radio as quoted by Reuters.

The ministers assessment of the energy supply situation came a day after Germany announced plans for a multi-billion-euro defensive shield to protect households and businesses from surging energy prices, and a day after the German regulator warned once again that energy and gas conservation is needed if Germany is to avoid gas shortages this winter.

On Thursday, the German government that it would ditch earlier plans for a gas levy on consumers and instead would introduce a gas price cap to curb soaring energy bills, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz setting out a $196 billion (200 billion euros) defensive shield to protect companies and consumers against the impact of soaring energy prices.

Under the new plan, Germany will introduce an emergency price brake on gas and electricity prices and also scrap a previously planned gas levy on consumers to avoid any further price increases. The gas levy, which was slated to come into effect from Saturday and remain in place until April 2024, was intended to help utilities cover the cost of replacing Russian supply.

Also on Thursday, Germany's Federal Network Agency, Bundesnetzagentur, said that gas consumption rose too much last week to levels higher than in previous years, and without considerable gas conservationincluding from householdsthe country will find it difficult to avoid gas shortages this winter.

Without significant savings, also in the private sector, it will be difficult to avoid a gas shortage in the winter, the agency's president Klaus Muller said on Thursday.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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OPEC raised its September crude oil production to the highest level since 2020, a Reuters survey found on Fridayyet failed to meet its September quota.

OPECs production for September came in below its specified quota for the month, although the month on month increase in production was higher than the promised 64,000 bpd hike.

The survey found that OPECs September production reached 29.81 million bpda 210,000 bpd increase over August. For its 10 participating members in the OPEC cut, Septembers production was 130,000 bpd over August levels, but still shy of their full production targets.

For September, the survey found that the 10 participating members of the OPEC production pact underproduced their target by 1.32 million bpdan improvement over their 1.4 million bpd shortfall in August.

As widely expected, Saudi Arabia managed to raise its production by 50,000 bpd for September, reaching its 11 million bpd target. The UAE and Kuwait also hit their targets.

Iraqs production was little changed according to Reuters.

Libya and Nigeria, exempt from the OPEC production agreement, raised their production, helping contribute to the groups overall production increase.

OPEC+ has reportedly narrowed down its options for Novembers production plans, and is currently discussing a production cut between 500,000 bpd and 1 million bpd, a Reuters source said on Friday. The larger OPEC+ group is scheduled to meet on October 5 to formalize its plan for November.

Earlier this week, Russia was reportedly recommending to the group a production cut of 1 million bpd.

Signs point to OPEC+ being willing to defend somewhere near $90 oil. Currently, the Brent benchmark is trading at $88.30 per barreltrading down despite the heightened geopolitical situation with Russia and Ukraine, the tight market, and increased tensions over the Nordstream 1& 2 gas pipeline explosions.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Russian exports of crude oil and refined products declined substantially in September, according to Petro-Logistics data cited by UBS commodity analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

According to Petro-Logistics, total Russian crude oil exports averaged 3.15 million barrels daily this month, which was down by 280,000 bpd from August. Crude exports to Europe slumped by 314,000 bpd from August to about 900,000 bpd.

The data shows that crude oil exports to Asia - now Russias biggest market - in September were down by more than 250,000 bpd to an average daily of 1.6 million barrels, Staunovo tweeted. He added that some 187,000 bpd of Russian oil on water still had no fixed destination.

Exports of refined oil products declined by 146,000 bpd this month, to 2.26 million bpd, the data also showed.

Data from Kpler, on the other hand, showed that over the seven months from March this year Russian oil exports had risen on the year, by 17 percent. Fuel exports, however, dipped by 5.5 percent over the same period, American Shipper said, as quoted by bne IntelliNews.

Meanwhile, Energy Intelligence reported that details have begun to emerge about the G7 oil price cap on Russian exports. Citing unnamed delegates at the APPEC energy conference, the cap for Urals crude will be set at around $50 per barrel, while the caps on Russian fuel exports will vary between premiums for some products and discounts for others.

Gasoline and diesel are among the products whose price cap will be higher than the price for Russian crude, while naphtha and high-sulfur fuel oil would be capped at a discount to crude.

One condition of the price cap system would be that parties that buy Russian crude or products under this system would be banned from reselling them, the report noted. Interestingly, refiners purchasing Russian crude oil outside the price cap system would not be sanctioned, Energy Intelligence also said.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Dutch authorities have withdrawn the export license of the company operating the TurkStream gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey, the company, which is based in the Netherlands, said.

South Stream Transport noted, however, that the flow of gas will continue as it applies for a new license, Reuters reported, citing the company. The revocation of the license was prompted by new EU sanctions against Russia.

"Throughout 2022, the European Union periodically imposed additional sanctions aimed at restricting companies exports of materials, technology and services supporting Russias activities, the pipeline operator said in a statement as quoted by TASS.

As a result of new sanctions on September 18, 2022, the export license of South Stream Transport B.V., the operator of the TurkStream offshore gas pipeline, through which Russian gas is transported via the Black Sea for consumers in Turkey and European countries, was prematurely revoked."

"The introduction of new sanctions does not restrict the continuation of gas transportation by South Stream Transport B.V. In this regard, the gas supply of various industries and millions of households in Turkey and European countries will not be affected in the short and long term, the company said.

The TurkStream pipeline, which has a capacity of 31.5 billion cu m annually, supplies Russian gas to Turkey and Southern Europe. It was launched in 2020 as part of Russias efforts to diversify its export routes away from Ukraine.

From its launch in early 2020 and the end of 2021, the TurkStream pipeline carried some 18 billion cu m of gas to Turkey and 16.8 billion cu m to European countries, Turkish media reported early this year.

Now, following the sabotage of the two Nord Stream pipelines, TurkStream remains the only conduit for Russian natural gas to Europe besides the pipelines that pass through Ukraine.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Musician and composer Danny Elfman won two Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award and has been nominated for four Oscars.

But hes never had an honor like the one hes about to receive in Lincoln.

Wednesday is the start of Danny Elfman Week at the Lied Center for Performing Arts and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, four days of concerts and other activities that will culminate with a stage show by Elfman himself.

This is a first, Elfman said in a phone interview last week. It makes me kind of blush to think about it. I am extremely flattered.

Lincoln is in good company. Elfman said Paris had a similar program a few years back, but it wasnt this much.

There is indeed a lot to take in during the Lincoln fest, and Elfman will be present for many of the activities.

He has written more than 100 film scores, including Batman, Edward Scissorhands and 15 more for director Tim Burton. He also has written television themes (Desperate Housewives, The Simpsons), music for stage productions and orchestral works.

He got his start with his brother in a street performance troupe, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo (including an appearance on The Gong Show you can find on the Internet, though he doesnt recommend it: You cant control whats on YouTube, he said in the interview.)

That evolved into the popular new wave band Oingo Boingo in the early 1980s, in which he rose to prominence.

His concert at the Lied Center, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, is titled Danny Elfmans Music From the Films of Tim Burton. He said its a show put together in 2013 for a London premiere. It marked his return to the stage about 18 years after the end of Oingo Boingo.

It was designed to be my comeback performance, he said. I believe it was the 25th anniversary of (our) collaboration.

Elfman was apprehensive about it. It would be time-consuming to put together, and he wasnt sure about singing onstage after all that time.

I still have an enormous amount of stage fright. That never changes, he said. And after an 18-year break, that anxiety gets magnified about a million times.

The London audience, he said, was so great that it made me feel like I could do this.

He has performed the program at iconic venues around the world. At the Lied, he will be joined by the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra with conductor John Mauceri, violinist Sandy Cameron and a large University of Nebraska choir. The show will include a giant screen to project movie clips, storyboards and sketches from the Burton-Elfman collaboration.

Another concert, on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., will feature Third Coast Percussion performing the Elfman Percussion Quartet, a piece he composed for the group. That concert is in Kimball Hall on the UNL campus.

He said they requested the piece, written in 2019, via legendary composer Philip Glass for a music festival in Big Sur, California. Third Coast Percussion was to perform a Glass composition at the festival, and Glass thought it would be nice to have another work to complement his.

I took half a second and said Yes. It was instant, Elfman said.

Elfmans piece is part of Third Coast Percussions 2022 program Perspectives, which wont include the Glass composition. When asked if his piece could stand alone, Elfman demurred.

Its hard getting me to talk about my own music in any way, he said. How good is it or will it stand alone? I like to think so, but the audience gets to decide that question.

Elfman said he will be involved in the weeks events as much as possible. Other programs on the schedule include a showing of the Burton film Beetlejuice, scored by Elfman, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The film, starring Michael Keaton and Geena Davis, will be at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center on the UNL campus.

On Friday, Sandy Cameron will perform the Nebraska premiere of Elfmans Violin Concerto at Kimball Hall. She will be accompanied at the 7:30 p.m. concert by the UNL Orchestra, which will be conducted by Mauceri.

Students will get a chance to meet Elfman. He said he will speak at UNL film and music classes while he is in town, but has no idea what he will talk about.

What I look forward to most is taking questions and getting a lively conversation going, he said. I like the improvisation of having nothing prepared (so) I request having a Q and A rather than a speech. The questions are all over the place.

Kind of like his career. He said the thing hes most surprised about his work is that he has been able to pivot into areas  such as composing  that he previously knew nothing about. Its also what gives him the most satisfaction.

It was like jumping off a cliff and hoping youre gonna land on something soft and not get killed, he said. To do something Ive never done and pull it off is still the most exciting thing in the world to me.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  The Kremlin paved the way Tuesday to annex part of Ukraine and escalate the war by claiming that residents of a large swath overwhelmingly supported joining with Russia in stage-managed referendums that the U.S. and its Western allies have dismissed as illegitimate.

Pro-Moscow officials said all four occupied regions of Ukraine voted to join Russia. According to Russia-installed election officials, 93% of the ballots cast in the Zaporizhzhia region supported annexation, as did 87% in the Kherson region, 98% in the Luhansk region and 99% in Donetsk.

In a remark that appeared to rule out negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy told the U.N. Security Council by video from Kyiv that Russias attempts to annex Ukrainian territory will mean there is nothing to talk about with this president of Russia.

The preordained outcome sets the stage for a dangerous new phase in Russias seven-month war, with the Kremlin threatening to throw more troops into the battle and potentially use nuclear weapons.

The referendums began Sept. 23, often with armed officials going door-to-door collecting votes. The ballots asked residents whether they wanted the areas to be incorporated into Russia.

Moscow-backed officials in the four occupied regions in southern and eastern Ukraine said polls closed Tuesday afternoon after five days of voting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to address Russia's parliament about the referendums on Friday, and Valentina Matviyenko, who chairs the body's upper house, said lawmakers could consider annexation legislation on Oct. 4.

Meanwhile, Russia ramped up warnings that it could deploy nuclear weapons to defend its territory, including newly acquired lands, and continued mobilizing more than a quarter-million more troops to deploy to a front line of more than 1,000 kms (more than 620 miles).

After the balloting, the situation will radically change from the legal viewpoint, from the point of view of international law, with all the corresponding consequences for protection of those areas and ensuring their security, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

Many Western leaders have called the referendum a sham, and the U.N. Security Council was scheduled to meet later Tuesday in New York to discuss a resolution that says the voting results will never be accepted and that the four regions remain part of Ukraine. Russia is certain to veto the resolution.

The balloting and a call-up of Russian military reservists that Putin ordered last Wednesday are aimed at buttressing Moscows exposed military and political positions.

The referendums follow a familiar Kremlin playbook for territorial expansion and more aggressive military action. In 2014, Russian authorities held a similar referendum on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, under the close watch of Russian troops. Based on the voting, Russia annexed Crimea. Putin cited the defense of Russians living in Ukraine's eastern regions, their supposed desires to join with Russia, and an existential security threat to Russia as a pretext for his Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine.

Putin has been talking up Moscow's nuclear option since Ukrainians launched a counteroffensive that reclaimed territory and has increasingly cornered his forces. A top Putin aide ratcheted up the nuclear rhetoric Tuesday.

Lets imagine that Russia is forced to use the most powerful weapon against the Ukrainian regime that has committed a large-scale act of aggression, which is dangerous for the very existence of our state, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council that Putin chairs, wrote on his messaging app channel. I believe that NATO will steer clear from direct meddling in the conflict.

The United States has dismissed the Kremlin's nuclear talk as a scare tactic.

The referendums asked residents whether they want the areas to be incorporated into Russia, and the Kremlin has portrayed them as free and fair, reflective of the people's desire for self-determination.

Tens of thousands of residents had already fled the regions because of the war, and images shared by those who remained showed armed Russian troops going door-to-door to pressure Ukrainians into voting.

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko, who left the port city after the Russians seized it after a months-long siege, said only about 20% of the 100,000 estimated remaining residents cast ballots in the Donetsk referendum. Mariupol's pre-war population was 541,000.

A man toting an assault rifle comes to your home and asks you to vote, so what can people do? Boychenko asked during a news conference, explaining how people were coerced into voting.

Western allies sided firmly with Ukraine, dismissing the referendum votes as a meaningless sham.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the ballots were a desperate move by Putin. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said while visiting Kyiv on Tuesday that France was determined to support Ukraine and its sovereignty and territorial integrity and described the ballots as mock referendums.

Elsewhere, trouble emerged for Putin in the mass call-up he ordered of Russians to active military duty.

The order has triggered an exodus of nearly 200,000 men from Russia, fueled anti-war protests and sparked violence. On Monday, a gunman opened fire in an enlistment office in a Siberian city and gravely wounded the local chief military recruitment officer. Scattered arson attacks had been reported earlier on other enlistment offices.

One destination of fleeing Russian men is Kazakhstan, which reported Tuesday that about 98,000 Russians have crossed into Kazakhstan over the past week.

The European Unions border and coast guard agency says 66,000 Russian citizens entered the 27-nation bloc from Sept. 19 to 25, a 30% increase over the preceding week.

Russian officials tried to intercept some of the fleeing reservists on one of the main exodus routes, issuing conscription notices on the Georgian border. According to the state-run Tass agency, an enlistment task force was handing out notices at the Verkhnii Lars checkpoint, where an estimated 5,500 cars were lining up to cross. Independent Russian news sources have reported unconfirmed claims that draft-age men will be banned from leaving after the referendum.

As Moscow worked to build up its troops in Ukraine, potentially sending them to supplement its proxies who have been fighting in the separatist regions for the past eight years, Russian shelling continued to claim lives. Russian barrages killed at least 11 civilians and wounded 18 in 24 hours, Ukraines presidential office said Tuesday.

In other developments, Ukrainian authorities reported more success in their counteroffensive to reclaim territory in some of the very regions where Russia is staging the referendums to consolidate its grip.

Ukrainian troops claimed to continue their push beyond the Oskil River in the countrys east, pressing further into the Donbas. A video on social media Tuesday showed Ukrainian soldiers entering the village of Koroviy Yar, 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) from the river. Ukraines military intelligence said that the countrys forces continued to force Russian troops out of the northeastern Kharkiv region and claimed to recapture the major railway junction of Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi.

The war's human toll was also reflected in a U.N. human rights monitoring mission's first comprehensive look at violations and abuses Russia and Ukraine committed between Feb. 1 and July 31, the first five months of Russia's invasion.

Matilda Bogner, the missions chief, said Ukrainian prisoners of war appeared to have faced systematic mistreatment, "not only upon their capture, but also following their transfer to places of internment in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine and Russia itself.

The war has brought an energy crunch for much of Western Europe, with German officials seeing the disruption of Russian supplies as a Kremlin power play to pressure Europe over its support for Ukraine.

The danger to energy supplies grew when seismologists reported Tuesday that explosions rattled the Baltic Sea before unusual leaks were discovered on two underwater natural gas pipelines running from Russia to Germany. Some European leaders and experts pointed to possible sabotage during an energy standoff with Russia provoked by the war in Ukraine. The three leaks were reported on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which are filled with natural gas but not delivering the fuel to Europe.

The damage means that the pipelines are unlikely to be able to carry any gas to Europe this winter even if the political will to bring them online emerged, analysts at the Eurasia Group said.
The La Vista man whose body was found near U.S. Highway 275 south of Fremont had been struck by a car, officials said Friday.

Yashua Martinez, 27, of La Vista, was found dead by construction crews south of Morningside Road before 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Highway 275 at Morningside Road was closed for about seven hours as officials investigated.

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office, the Fremont Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol and the Douglas County Crime Lab investigated and determined Martinez had been walking in the area.

People who knew Martinez, who formerly lived in Georgia, or who had contact with him in the Fremont area are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 402-727-2700 or use the P3app to submit information anonymously.
A 20-year-old man accused of fatally shooting another man in Omaha  and who later escaped from an Arkansas jail  was ordered Friday to be held on no bail.

Wuanya Smith has been charged with second-degree murder and two firearms charges in connection with the Aug. 12 fatal shooting of 22-year-old Anthony Collins III. Collins was shot about 12:10 a.m. that day near 49th and Hamilton Streets. He died later that day.

The murder charge means prosecutors think Smith intentionally killed Collins but without premeditation.

Collins was taken to Methodist Hospital by a private vehicle after he was shot at Hamilton Food Mart near 49th and Hamilton Streets. Witnesses said Smith had arrived at the store in a truck and shot Collins.

Omaha police found the driver of the truck, who said Smith was the shooter and described his unique tattoos.

Smith was arrested Sept. 7 by the U.S. Marshals Service Eastern Arkansas-Little Rock Task Force after he was found in Benton, Arkansas. But days after he was taken into custody, Smith climbed over an 12-foot fence topped with razor wire and an 8-foot barbed wire fence at the Saline County Jail and escaped.

Smith fled into a wooded area and two people took him to somewhere in Little Rock, Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright said. Officials arrested him nearly 24 hours later after receiving information on his whereabouts.

Smith was taken to a hospital and got 25 staples in his leg and nine staples in his arm from cuts from the razor wire.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced Thursday evening that the city is reversing course on plans to remove the protected bike lane on Harney Street.

In a statement, Stothert said that a private donor will provide funding to maintain the protected bikeway until construction of the citys streetcar system begins on Harney Street. In the meantime, the bikeway will be restriped and new bollards and delineators will be installed, according to the Mayors Office.

The news came shortly after cyclists gathered Thursday to protest the planned removal of the bikeway, the citys only protected bike lane, with a group ride down Harney Street.

Known as the Market to Midtown Bikeway, the protected bike lane was established through a pilot program that began in July 2021 and ends Friday. The two-way, 2-mile lane runs along Harney Street from 10th Street to Turner Boulevard. The bike lane is set between the curb and parallel parking spaces with bollards providing a barrier from the vehicles.

Last week, Stothert announced that the city would not be extending the pilot program beyond Friday. In a letter to council members, the mayor credited the pilot program with providing enough data for an evaluation and future decisions about protected bikeways in our urban core. The evaluation would include consideration of Harney Street and other east-west streets for locating a permanent protected bikeway in the future.

However, the mayors announcement last week also made it clear that the decision to end the pilot program would result in the removal of the bikeway.

That sparked a backlash from community members, who cited a lack of transparency in the decision. Critics included Bike Walk Nebraska, the group that initially proposed the Harney Street bikeway and provided the funding for the pilot project.

Frustration continued to build and ultimately led to Thursdays protest, in which dozens of cyclists rode down Harney Street.

Isabella Manhart, one of the events organizers, said the turnout showed how important the bike lane is to many Omahans.

It sends the message that people here in Omaha care, and that there are people who are willing to show up and say that safe streets matter, Manhart said.

In her announcement Thursday evening, Stothert reiterated her commitment to seeing dedicated protected bikeways in the citys urban core  a vision that the City Council also voiced support for in a resolution approved just days before the mayor announced the pilot program would not be continued.

As soon as that decision was made, the city started considering numerous options to keep and pay for the dedicated protected bikeway, Stothert said Thursday. The emergence of the private donor allowed the city to keep the bikeway.

The donor, who was not identified, will pay for the ongoing maintenance of the bikeway, as well as a study of alternate routes and a conceptual design for a permanent protected bikeway.

In ending the pilot program, Stothert cited safety concerns regarding the citys planned streetcar. A route concept approved earlier this month would see streetcars running east along a portion of Harney Street.

In her statement Thursday, the mayor said the Harney Street bike lane could potentially be moved to the north side of the street so that it wouldnt conflict with the streetcar on the south side of Harney. Or it could ultimately be moved to another street.

I remain 100% committed to dedicated protected bikeways, and I am grateful to the donor making this possible, Stothert said in the statement.

In response to Thursdays development, Manhart said event organizers were glad to hear the protected bikeway is here to stay for the near future, but that continued investment in Omahas bike infrastructure is needed.

This fight isnt over, Manhart said. We need more protected bike lanes, but having this one stay here is a great place to start.
LINCOLN  A Lincoln doctor has been arrested in connection with alleged sexually inappropriate behavior with patients he was treating for substance abuse or mental health issues.

The Metro Area Fugitive Task Force arrested Dr. Scott E. Schmidt, 54, at his home Thursday morning without incident.

A warrant for his arrest had gone out a day earlier.

In the probable cause affidavit for Schmidts arrest, Jeremy Schwarz, an investigator with the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office, said the allegations involved five young men in their 20s and early 30s. Schwarz said he learned of the allegations in an Aug. 3 call from a DEA agent and at a later meeting with him and an investigator with the Nebraska Department of Licensure.

Schwarz said two of the five alleged victims filed reports earlier this year with the Lincoln Police Department, but their cases were inactive by August, when he began his investigation.

He said that on Aug. 14, one of the accusers  a former patient of Schmidts at Pine Lake Behavioral Health & Medical  came to the Sheriffs Office with audio and a video recorded statement.

The man alleged that after he disclosed to Schmidt he had been drinking, Schmidt came over to his apartment on May 27 and ended up pulling down his gym shorts, exposing himself to him and offering oral sex.

Schwarz said phone records show that Schmidt later apologized by text, saying, Sorry if I was outa (sic) line.

When he didnt respond, Schmidt sent another text saying that if the man didnt want to come in for his appointment the following Monday it was OK.

On Sept. 16, another accuser came to the Sheriffs Office with audio and a video recorded statement.

He told Schwarz he had been Schmidts patient from 2016 until he was fired June 10. On his first visit, he said, Schmidt gave him a cellphone to communicate. Later, he expected him to send pictures. He now feels like the doctor was grooming him.

He described an incident where Schmidt asked him to come over to his house and talked about gay stuff. When he told him that he was straight and that he didnt want any part of it, he said Schmidt told him not to mess with him, Ill ruin your life. He told Schwarz he felt extorted.

He told Schwarz he feared that Schmidt, who is an addiction medicine specialist, would cut him off from his medication for severe depression and anxiety and tell other doctors not to take him as a patient. He said he worried that he would have to resort to buying drugs on the street.

In later office visits, he alleged that Schmidt would tell him that he wasnt sending him enough pictures and he needed to step it up.

He told Schwarz that about half his visits to Schmidt resulted in Schmidt examining his genitals and on one occasion touching him.

On Sept. 16, a 28-year-old man went to the Sheriffs Office with more allegations of a similar nature. He said that while he was a patient, he moved in with Schmidt, a longtime family friend.

He told Schwarz he started feeling unsafe there after Schmidt offered to pay him $2,000 to touch himself. He told him not to ask again.

In court records, the investigator said that after taking medication the previous night, the 28-year-old woke to find that Schmidt had lifted his shirt and was looking at his penis.

The man told Schmidt to get out and later learned that the doctor had sexually abused him multiple times while he slept, Schwarz said.

Schmidt, 54, is facing charges of first-degree sexual assault and second-degree sexual assault related to two of his accusers.

He hasnt yet made a court appearance in the case.

Attorneys Eric Brown and Christa Israel, who are representing four of Schmidts accusers, said Schmidts practice of medicine and history of red flags is troubling.

His medical license had previously been suspended in 2014 over alcohol use, according to state medical licensing records.

We are pleased the state is moving forward with consequences criminally. Unfortunately, the victims of Dr. Schmidts betrayal of trust are now forced to deal with a lifetime of trauma. Its just all extremely sad, Brown and Israel said in a statement.

Brown and Israel  and the Sheriffs Office  encouraged anyone with information concerning Schmidts alleged misconduct with patients, or enabling of that misconduct, to confidentially come forward to either the Sheriffs Office, Lancaster County Attorneys Office or their law office.

Dr. Jared Ray at Pine Lake Behavioral Health & Medical said that once it became aware of the allegations against Schmidt we acted swiftly and decisively.

Our primary concern at this time is the health and safety of our patients and providers and we are confident that the justice system will do what it needs to do in this situation, he said.

Ray said the Pine Lake staff looks forward to continuing to provide medically necessary care for the Lincoln community, and we will remain future focused, hopefully putting this behind us and remaining committed to helping individuals and families seeking lasting change and better health.
LINCOLN  A donation of books Friday will provide Nebraska prison inmates more opportunities to learn about an Omaha native who spent time in prison before becoming a leading voice for Black Americans and an internationally known human rights activist.

The Omaha-based Malcolm X Foundation gave 96 copies of The Autobiography of Malcolm X to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha and Paul Feilmann of Omaha delivered the books to the department.

The book, first published in 1965, was a collaboration between Malcolm X and journalist Alex Haley. It came out the same year that Malcolm X was shot and killed.

McKinney said he believes the book can have a positive impact on those in prison.

Its important for them to know the story because Malcolms story is a story of redemption and perseverance, he said. It shows how he was able to change his life overall.

Born in Omaha in 1925 as Malcolm Little, Malcolm X spent time in foster care during his teenage years and wound up in prison as a young man. He went on to become a major advocate for Black empowerment and a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.

During his lifetime, Malcolm X was a controversial figure. McKinney said some people may still see him as controversial because they do not know his whole journey. I believe his message was ... to stand up and be proud of who you are and to not allow your situation to define you and not to allow others to hold you back from the things that you believe in and that you seek, McKinney said.

Feilmann helped arrange the book donation. He said he got inspired when the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission voted in mid-September to add Malcolm X to the Nebraska Hall of Fame. He will be officially inducted in 2024.

State prison Director Scott Frakes welcomed the donation. He said he read the book at age 12, at the urging of a friend, and credited it with helping him see the world in a much different way. He said he would recommend it to others.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Paul Feilmann's name.
ATLANTA  A Georgia judge has shot down a central component of the $1.5 billion incentive package offered to electric vehicle startup Rivian.

If the ruling survives a likely appeal, it would not only disrupt the Rivian project, but could provide a pathway for residents in other parts of the state to challenge controversial local property tax breaks to corporations and developers. The ruling is likely to send shockwaves through Georgia economic development circles, which use incentives known as tax abatements to woo industry and new development.

Ocmulgee Superior Courts Chief Judge Brenda Holbert Trammell ruled a local development authority failed to establish that bonds at the center of the Rivian project are sound, feasible and reasonable. She further sided with seven residents who challenged the Rivian incentive deal, ruling that the type of land lease negotiated with Rivian is one subject to property taxes.

Trammell also chastised the Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton counties for not doing its due diligence to determine whether Rivian is financially viable. The California-based startup, with thousands of employees at its manufacturing facility in Normal, reported about $15.5 billion in cash on hand at the end of the second quarter. But the company has lost billions over the past two years as it works to scale up its operations and compete with Tesla and other automakers that are converting to electrified fleets.

During the most recent financial quarter, Rivian reported a net loss of $1.7 billion, and the companys CEO R.J. Scaringe said he expects higher costs and supply chain issues to widen the companys losses this year. However, Scaringe said the company expects to meet its production goal of 25,000 vehicles in 2022.

The JDA has put the issue of the Projects economic feasibility squarely before the Court and therefore it bears the burden of proving the same  a burden which it has not carried, Trammell wrote. She went on to say the JDA has not put forward sufficient evidence demonstrating that the Project would promote the general welfare within the territory of the Authority.

Seven members of Rivian opposition group Morgan County Land, Sky & Water Preservation challenged aspects of more than $700 million in local property tax incentives offered the automaker.

The state of Georgia offered Rivian the use of 2,000 acres of land essentially for free through 2047. As part of the deal, the JDA entered into a long-term rental agreement on the property along I-20 where Rivian plans to build a $5 billion EV and battery factory and employ 7,500.

Development authorities use lease transactions such as bonds for title and usufructs to grant property tax breaks to companies and developers as a legal workaround of state law, which has no constitutional or statutory mechanism to provide property tax incentives.

The JDA contends the Rivian lease is a usufruct, a common type of lease in which the tenant has limited rights and isnt subject to property taxes. The Morgan County Board of Tax Assessors ruled earlier this year the land lease agreement constituted a usufruct.

Instead of paying typical property taxes, Rivian and officials with the JDA reached a payment in lieu of taxes agreement or PILOT in which the automaker would pay a reduced tax bill of more than $300 million to local governments and school systems over 25 years.

Rivian opponents contend the Morgan board erred in granting its approval, and that deal isnt a usufruct but an estate for years, in which the tenant has more complete control of the property and is subject to taxes. Trammell agreed.

John Christy, an Atlanta attorney for the Rivian opposition, said the courts 34-page opinion, reflects a careful consideration of the issues.

My clients are grateful for the Courts time and attention to this important case, Christy wrote in an email to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In a statement, the JDA and the Georgia Department of Economic Development said the agencies were currently assessing all legal options.

As the entire country is looking to revitalize and grow domestic manufacturing, protect American jobs, and secure the countrys economic independence, we are disappointed and respectfully disagree with Judge Trammells decision, the statement read. This is a transformational project for the people of this community, the State of Georgia, and the United States of America.

The statement said the JDA and state intend to work with Rivian to move this project forward and see it through to completion.

A Rivian representative declined to comment.

Tax break workaround

Bond for title deals are complicated legal transactions that act as a sort of legal workaround of the Georgia Constitutions prohibition on gratuities, which prohibits government from providing a good, service or property without an equitable return.

The bond for title deals amount to a real estate transaction where a development authority holds the title for the property while the company makes rent payments to the authority. In Rivians case, the authority sought the courts approval to issue bonds totaling up to $15 billion, which represents the potential future value of the project, but not an amount of money that changes hands.

Neither the JDA nor Rivian planned to publicly sell the bonds and taxpayers would not have been on the hook for them.

Since development authorities do not pay property taxes, they can lease the property back to the projects developer while providing a tax break.

But the bonds must be approved by a judge and they are rarely turned down as the Rivian deal was Thursday.

The Rivian incentive package was the largest such deal in Georgia history until Hyundai was offered $1.8 billion in similar incentives to build its EV plant near Savannah.

The ruling comes at a critical time for Rivian when work on the 2,000-acre site has already begun.

The JDA acquired the full project site in early August and paid Plateau Excavation nearly $48 million to grade the first 500 acres of the property in anticipation of formally breaking ground on the factory in the coming weeks.
New art exhibit at the university YMCA

CHAMPAIGN  The University YMCA's Art at the Y exhibit "Azuki: Manga as a Bridge Between Cultures" will present the work of local artist Kofi Bazzell-Smith, a U.S. Japan Bridging Scholar.

An opening reception was held on Sept. 22 at the Y's Murphy Gallery.

The exhibit is currently on display through Oct. 21. It is free and open to the public.

Bazzell-Smith is pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in New Media at the University of Illinois and is a professional boxer who studied manga in Japan. He creates works in both English and Japanese. His goals are to publish in Japan, to open avenues for more diverse representation in the form, to bridge Black and Japanese cultures through art and language, and to pioneer teaching manga as a studio-based practice in western academia. In summer 2022, Bazzell-Smith taught the first and only studio-based Japanese manga course in the U.S. at the University of Illinois. He is currently a Mellon Foundation Interseminars Initiative Fellow with the Humanities Research Institution.

The University YMCAs Art at the Y program seeks to engage issues of social justice, international understanding, environmental activism, and faith and cultural understanding through quality arts programming. Some of the most profound insight, critique, and creative thinking around the issues which comprise the mission of the University Y happen in and around the arts.

Visit universityymca.org/art for more information.
NORMAL  An administrator with the Division of Student Affairs at Illinois State University is dead after a bicycle-pedestrian crash on Monday.

Adam Peck, 49, of Bloomington, died Friday around 11 a.m. He was the pedestrian in the crash that happened around 5:30 p.m. Monday on the ISU campus near South University Street, according to a joint press release from McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder and Illinois State University Police Chief Aaron Woodruff.

Woodruff said the bicycle was a motorized e-bike. No citations had been issued as of Friday.

Peck was injured in the crash and taken to Carle BroMenn Medical Center. His organs were donated after his death, the release said.

The crash remains under investigation by Yoder's office and ISUPD.

Peck was the assistant vice president in ISU's Division of Student Affairs, where he started in January 2021, a campus-wide email said. He had previously served as assistant vice president and dean of student affairs at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

"Adam was a wonderful person, friend, and colleague to all of us, said Levester Johnson, vice president for student affairs. Our hearts are broken, but we face this together as a Redbird community.

ISU President Terri Goss Kinzy added her condolences in the email.

"My thoughts, along with those of the entire Illinois State community, are with Adam's family, colleagues and friends during this incredibly difficult time," the statement said. "I encourage anyone who is impacted by this loss to reach out for support."

An obituary posted publicly on Peck's social media pages said he was survived by his wife and two children, mother, brother, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Additionally, it said, he had "adopted" many students and treated them as his own children.

"Adams special charisma captivated everyone from colleagues to friends and family," the post said. "He had a rare gift for making everyone feel important and he managed to touch the lives of countless people."

An hour after the post was created, more than 200 people had commented, sharing condolences and memories.
BLOOMINGTON  A 39-year-old Bloomington man was sentenced Wednesday to over seven years in prison for possessing a handgun as a felon.

A press release from the United States Attorneys Office, Central District of Illinois, states that Lamel Johnson received his 92-month sentence in federal court before Y.S. District Judge Joe B. McDade.

It said prosecutors provided the court evidence that Johnson acted as armed security when his associate illegally sold another person a gun. Right after that transaction, the release said police pulled Johnson over and found a Smith & Wesson 9mm loaded with a high capacity magazine in his waistband.

The Bloomington man was charged in January 2021, and pleaded guilty this June to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Normal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Springfield Office investigated the case with help from the McLean County States Attorneys Office, the McLean County Sheriffs Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Services.

The case was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Keith Hollingshead-Cook.
BLOOMINGTON  Around two dozen supporters gathered in front of the courthouse in downtown Bloomington on Thursday to protest what they maintain were wrongful convictions that led to the imprisonment of innocent men.

Organizer Tammy Alexander, of East Tennessee, said shes a co-host of a podcast called "Snow Files." It covers the case of Jamie Snow, who was convicted 2001 of the murder of 18-year-old gas station attendant William Little, shot and killed in a 1991 robbery in Bloomington.

The Bloomington man has maintained his innocence since his 1999 arrest, and is seeking exoneration. In February, Snow was authorized to review 7,704 pages of discovery documents from his trial, following a motion by his lawyers with the Illinois Exoneration Project.

She said that all speakers and others in attendance have been deeply impacted by the tragedy of wrongful convictions.

Families have been ripped apart, children raised without fathers, mothers struggling to support their families alone, and men suffering in prison for decades for crimes that they did not commit, she said.

Advocates also continue to push for exoneration for Barton McNeil, who is serving a 100-year prison sentence at the Pinckneyville Correctional Center on murder charges for the June 15, 1998, death of his 3-year-old daughter, Christina. He has long maintained his innocence, and prosecutors conceded earlier this year to an evidentiary hearing on two affidavits claiming McNeils ex-girlfriend, Misook Nowlin, confessed to the murder of McNeils daughter.

In an interview with The Pantagraph, Alexander said she wrote to Snow long ago after reading an article about his case, stating she believe he didnt get a fair trial. She said Snow wrote back, saying: Im innocent, and if you let me Ill prove it to you.

Andy Schiltz, of Bloomington, said he served as a juror in the case filed against Susan Claycomb Powell, who was acquitted of being Snows getaway driver. He told The Pantagraph that hes convinced without a doubt that Snow is innocent.

He said the case gives him no confidence in the justice system, in that prosecutors have too much power. Alexander and Schlitz both called for a convictions review board to be established in every judicial district in the nation.

Also attending were two of Snows daughters, Nicole and Jessica Snow. Now 29, Nicole Snow said shes been advocating for her fathers innocence since she was in first grade, and she was just under 7 years old when he was convicted.

I often get told that I'm lucky that I was so young when my father was convicted, she said. However, she said she was aware enough to know a tragedy had hit the area, and something horrible was happening to her family.

Snow said shes grateful to her mom, who became a single mother when her father was convicted.

The pain of her dad being ripped away caused irreversible effects, she said, and created a rift between her brothers, who were experiencing unimaginable heartbreak.

It was constant chaos and there was no reprieve in sight, said Snow.

She said the strength of her mother, and her aunt, Claycomb-Powell, inspired her. Nicole Snow said while she always struggled with anxiety and depression, and with maintaining personal relationships and boundaries therein, she only turned out okay through sheer willpower and the determination to prove others wrong.

And it wasnt because she was too young to understand what was happening to her family, she said.

She said she turned to reading as an outlet, and took her mind to different worlds.

I remember being in grade school and hiding in the bathroom for hours reading, she said. I also remember disassociating on the school bus and imagining my dad stopping it and taking me home  the pipe dreams of a confused little girl.

I still find myself daydreaming that scenario, but as an adult now.
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

Sept. 30, 1922: "Why Wives Go Wrong" was explained to a good-sized feminine audience at the Chatterton Opera House. The play is a melodrama dealing with matrimonial troubles after a two-year trial and ends happily, pointing a decided moral. The leading woman, Miss Hilda Graham, made a brief speech between the second and third acts in which she explained the play. It was repeated in the evening, and will be given again this afternoon and evening with a matinee to ladies only.

75 years ago

Sept. 30, 1947: One in three freshmen at Illinois State Normal University this fall came armed with a state scholarship, setting an all-time record, university officials said. Each of the 516 state scholarships is worth $320 to prospective teachers studying at one of the state's five teacher colleges; the awards exempt students from state tuition, based on their outstanding high school records.

50 years ago

Sept. 30, 1972: Mrs. Louise Lynn closed her restaurant, Lynn's Lunch, after more than 28 years in business. The restaurant at 942 W. MacArthur, Bloomington, served made-from-scratch meals in a homey neighborhood setting. Lynn said the decision came as her husband is recovering from an illness, her 89-year-old mother is staying with the family and parking became an issue after MacArthur Street was changed to one-way.

25 years ago

Sept. 30, 1997: A popular restaurant/bar and a gift shop were destroyed by a wind-blown blaze that frustrated firefighters for hours and threatened an entire block of downtown Pontiac. There were no injuries. The blaze apparently began in Country Balloons and Gifts, 121 N. Mill St., and quickly spread to Allan's Pub & Grub, 123 N. Mill St. Both businesses were gutted.
BLOOMINGTON  New details have come to light in the Jelani Day death investigation, confirming rumors and filling in gaps, a review of emails by The Pantagraph has shown.

Day, 25, was a graduate student from Danville studying speech language pathology at Illinois State University when he was reported missing from Bloomington in late August 2021; the next day his car was found an hour north of campus in Peru.

His body was pulled from the Illinois River near Peru on Sept. 4, 2021, and confirmation of his identity was released to the public on Sept. 23 of that year.

His cause of death later was determined to be drowning, but the manner of death remains unknown.

Through the Freedom of Information Act, The Pantagraph requested all emails containing Days name that were sent to and from LaSalle County officials from October 2021 to August 2022.

The 460 pages of documents give a fragmented view of how the investigation into Days disappearance and death continued in the months after calls for justice were chanted in the streets.

Days family continues to strive for justice in this case, insistent that he was murdered.

New answers

An email thread included in the released documents contains a long list of questions submitted by a news organization along with several answers, many of which have never been confirmed or released to the public.

Among the information obtained from LaSalle County, The Pantagraph found details about the circumstances under which Day's belongings were found, including:

His car, found by a high school student on his way to work at the Illinois Valley YMCA;

His wallet, found by a person searching for their lost drone;

His phone, found along Interstate 74 by a driver who had pulled over to secure a load;

His clothes, found by two ISU students on the bank of the Illinois River.

Sarah Raymond, deputy chief for the Peru Police Department, told The Pantagraph those emails should have been redacted from The Pantagraph's FOIA request and not released.

The Jelani Day Joint Task Force collectively decided that the information contained in that email not be disseminated as its an integral part of our investigation, which is ongoing, she said earlier this month.

The Pantagraph is publishing the information because it helps to shed light on the background of a case that has attracted significant public interest and concern.

In the past year, Days mother, Bolden Day, has used every opportunity to call attention to her sons investigation and to spread information about her sons case, including the puzzling disbursement of his belongings.

Last October, she led a march throughout Peru with civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson at her side, pointing out key locations in the case.

I need you to see for yourselves the area of where Jelanis car was found, the area where the clothing was found, the area where the body was found, the distance between the three, Bolden Day said to the crowd of more than 500 people. None of this stuff adds up.

Until now, law enforcement agencies have not publicly disclosed all of the information about Day's belongings. After Days car was found, police did report finding inside the vehicle the clothes he was seen wearing in surveillance video before he went missing.

The email thread containing these answers began with Raymond communicating with Special Agent Siobhan Johnson, from the FBI field office in Chicago.

Im not sure if we should give everything. Should I do an in person interview? Let me know what you think, Raymond wrote on March 29.

The next message shows Raymond consulting other law enforcement officials from the Jelani Day Joint Task Force, which includes the LaSalle County Sheriffs Office, the Bloomington, Peru and LaSalle police departments, Illinois State Police, Illinois Attorney Generals Office, FBIs Chicago office and the FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit.

Peru Police Chief Bob Pyszka signed off on the answers: I have no problem with it from Peru PD standpoint.

But before the other agencies chimed in, the chief in Bloomington expressed pause.

In an effort to ensure we handle this appropriately; I would prefer we have a conference call to discuss before any decision is made, Chief Jamal Simington wrote.

Raymond told The Pantagraph the information was never released to the reporter who had sent in the questions.

An email to Simington requesting comment on the matter was answered by a Bloomington police spokesman, who told The Pantagraph that all questions should be directed to Peru police.

The Jelani Day case is being investigated by a joint task force. All members are working in complete coordination at all times. All activities taken have (been) to ensure we do not compromise the investigation in any way, said Brandt Parsley, Bloomingtons public information officer. Since we are part of the joint task force, please refer all questions to the direct spokesperson for the task force, Peru PD, as they have the lead.

No further discussion of the matter was included in the documents.

The Pantagraph provided the email thread to Bolden Day, who said it shows that Bloomington police want to distance themselves from the case.

"Jamal (Simington) doesnt want anything put out about this," Bolden Day said. "Bloomington messed up from the beginning."

Concerning law enforcement's decision not to release the information, Bolden Day said, simply: "They don't want you to know."

Uniform in response

After the task force collectively decided to decline sending those answers back to the reporter in March, available information became even more limited to the public in an already shrouded case.

Emails show Raymond told members of the task force to deny interview requests, give a uniform response to inquiries and tell reporters no information is available.

I enlisted the help of the FBI for the response. You are all welcome and SHOULD use the first paragraph exactly as it states so that everyone is uniform in response. The last part you need to make more your own and include that 'ongoing' and there is 'no additional information' currently, she wrote July 29.

That prepared response: The investigation into the death of Jelani Day remains ongoing. Complex death investigations take time to thoroughly investigate, and the Jelani Day Joint Task Force is employing all available investigative techniques to bring this case to a resolution as soon as possible. The task force continues to solicit tips from the public, and the $10,000 reward for substantial information regarding Days final hours remains active.

Members were encouraged to customize this portion: We will need to decline your request for an interview at this time to protect the integrity of this ongoing investigation. There is currently no additional information available for release.

LaSalle County emails show the response in action, as reporter after reporter was denied any update on the case.

Shattered iPhone

When The Pantagraph last obtained LaSalle County emails in October 2021, rumors were surfacing that Days phone had been found, but police did not return requests for comment before the story was published.

Emails now detail how law enforcement came to possess the phone nearly a year ago.

In the email that was never given to the inquiring reporter, Raymond wrote that police had run the serial number for Days phone through a law enforcement database and found it had been sold to an EcoATM on Oct. 13.

EcoATM operates kiosks where people can sell or recycle smartphones. They are often located in major grocery chains.

An investigation into this took place and found a male had found the phone on the side of Interstate 74 when he had stopped to strap down a load he was losing on his van, Raymond wrote. He saw that it was a newer iPhone and it was all broken but thought he could get some money for it. He went straight to Walmart and sold it for $89 to the EcoATM.

Police contacted the company, which still had the phone and agreed to send it to law enforcement. Raymond said they then turned it over to the FBI for forensic analysis.

However, because of Apples software encryption for the companys newer phones, Days phone couldnt be broken into without his passcode.

Apple is unable to perform an iOS device data extraction as the data typically sought by law enforcement is encrypted, and Apple does not possess the encryption key, according to Apples law enforcement guidelines.

Investigators were able to retrieve a partial file system dump, but it did not contain much usable information  "a few voicemails and no personal pictures or texts," Raymond wrote.

Until software updates come out to be able to break into the phone, we wont know what, if anything of value, is even on it. That could take years, Raymond wrote.

Days other belongings

Days 2010 white Chrysler 300 was located in Peru on Aug. 26, 2021, tucked into a wooded area near the parking lot for the Illinois Valley YMCA  appeared there was an attempt to hide the car due to (its) location, Raymond wrote.

A teenager saw it on his walk from LaSalle-Peru Township High School to the YMCA, where he works, according to the documents.

Anyone who walks the path would have seen the car and knew it was out of place, Raymond wrote.

The student reported it to the front desk at the YMCA and it was then reported to police.

Bolden Day told The Pantagraph the student had actually seen his car on Aug. 25, but he didn't think to tell anyone initially. When it was still there the next day, he told his supervisor.

When the car was analyzed by police, they noted the license plate had been removed  not ripped off  and it was never located. A state police investigator used a metal detector in the area, but the plate and its screws were not found, according to the Peru deputy chiefs email.

A lost drone led a young man to find Days wallet, Raymond wrote, but her description did not include a date and location for where the wallet was found.

His drone had gps and when he couldnt find it he called his mother. They tracked the drone and while looking for it they found the wallet, Raymond wrote.

His father recognized the name on Days ID and after an internet search, he called police to report what they had found.

Bolden Day said this conflicts with information police had previously given her.

She said Peru police told her during the initial investigation that someone reported seeing her son walk down a residential street and throw his wallet. "But they changed it to this boy who lost his drone," she said.

Days clothing has been a significant source of scrutiny in this case, from his family as well as observers on social media.

The hat and T-shirt he was seen wearing the day before he was reported missing were found in his car, but his shorts, socks and shoes were found three and a half weeks later on the north bank of the Illinois River.

Two ISU students found the clothing the day before dental records confirmed the identity of Days remains  and two days before that was announced to the public.

The email confirms the students found his clothing, but no further detail is included.

Days family has said those students told police they went searching for clues in the LaSalle-Peru area and after they found his clothes, they retained attorneys and did not speak with police.

Looking forward

It has been one year this month since Jelani Day's body was identified, but the unanswered questions still weigh on this case.

His mother said she's seen surveillance video recorded at ISU that showed Day talking with people on campus.

But in her email, Raymond wrote, No one spoke to him that day or came forward to say they had. Video shows him looking on his phone but there is absolutely no way to tell if he is texting or browsing."

The FBI is still offering a $10,000 reward for substantial information regarding Days final hours, but with no evidence that anyone has come forward, and law enforcement shutting down any inquiries, the case appears to be in danger of fading from the publics attention.

An investigative reporter expressed this in August when she requested comment from LaSalle County officials.

Our fear is that the general public will see the report and feel the authorities are being silent or ignoring this case, she wrote.

Bolden Day questioned the police investigation. "They are not doing what they're supposed to do," she said. "They haven't done the things that could possibly find what happened to Jelani.

"Why they're stalling, why they're covering up things is beyond me."

But she pledged not to allow her son to fade.

"I'm not going to let it slip out of people's mind," she said. "I just need everybody to continue to help me because we're going to find what happened to him."
During a hearing, prosecutors said the aunt pushed the boy into the lake, then stood by as he sank. Divers found him at the lake bottom a half hour later.
Spring 2023 YSEALI Academic Fellowship launched

The US Mission to Vietnam is seeking candidates for the Spring 2023 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship on civic engagement, environmental issues, social entrepreneurship, and economic development.

Vietnamese citizens between the ages of 18 and 25, full-time undergraduate students or those who have graduated from college, university, or other institutions of higher learning, who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and potential in their university or place of work, have an interest in community service and volunteerism, and have a good command of English, are invited to apply for the program.

This is an opportunity to represent Vietnam as YSEALI fellows play a critical role in strengthening regional and bilateral ties. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2022.

YSEALI is the US governments public diplomacy program to provide skills training to youth in Southeast Asia. YSEALI seeks to build the leadership capabilities of youth in the region, strengthen ties between the United States and Southeast Asia, and nurture a community of leaders who work across borders to solve shared issues.



The YSEALI Academic Fellowship is an intensive short-term academic program whose purpose is to provide groups of young leaders with a deeper understanding of the United States and a particular theme, while simultaneously enhancing their leadership skills. The five-week programs will consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures. The coursework and classroom activities will be complemented by educational travel, site visits, leadership activities, and volunteer opportunities within the local community. During the academic residency, participants will also have opportunities to engage in educational and cultural activities outside of the classroom. If conditions allow, the Fellowship will include an educational study tour to other areas of the United States where they will meet with local, state, private, and nonprofit organizations working in the field.



The in-person program in the United States will be organized taking into consideration all necessary safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state, local, and campus authorities.



Should health, safety, and travel conditions continue to pose significant challenges, the program will pivot to a modified virtual format, and the Fellows will engage in similar activities but online from their home countries.



All participant costs, including program administration, international and domestic travel, ground transportation, books, cultural activity fees, mailing and incidental costs as well as housing and subsistence expenses will be paid for by the U.S. Department of State.



More information about the program, including details about how to apply, is available at https://tinyurl.com/yhxjrrsa.
The latest developments:

Downgraded to a tropical storm: Ian weakened to a tropical storm early Thursday with winds of 65 mph, and the center of the storm was about 40 miles east of Orlando around 8 a.m. ET, the National Hurricane Center said. Based on wind speed, Ian tied with 2004's Hurricane Charley as the strongest storm to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida Peninsula, both with 150-mph winds at landfall.

Ian weakened to a tropical storm early Thursday with winds of 65 mph, and the center of the storm was about 40 miles east of Orlando around 8 a.m. ET, the National Hurricane Center said. Based on wind speed, Ian tied with 2004's Hurricane Charley as the strongest storm to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida Peninsula, both with 150-mph winds at landfall. Tropical storm warnings still in place: Hurricane warnings along the east and west coasts of Florida were changed to tropical storm warnings when the system weakened. The warnings on the East Coast stretched north to Cape Lookout, North Carolina.

Hurricane warnings along the east and west coasts of Florida were changed to tropical storm warnings when the system weakened. The warnings on the East Coast stretched north to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Record-high storm surges: Ian's storm surge hit up to 12 feet in some places in western Florida. On Thursday morning, a storm surge warning -- meaning life-threatening surges could hit -- was in place for a coastal stretch from northeastern Florida into an area north of Charleston, South Carolina.

Ian's storm surge hit up to 12 feet in some places in western Florida. On Thursday morning, a storm surge warning -- meaning life-threatening surges could hit -- was in place for a coastal stretch from northeastern Florida into an area north of Charleston, South Carolina. More than a foot of rainfall: Lehigh Acres near Fort Myers got 14.42 inches of rain, and Warm Mineral Springs near Port Charlotte got 11.05 inches. Up to 30 inches of rain may have fallen in parts of Florida by storm's end, forecasters say.

Lehigh Acres near Fort Myers got 14.42 inches of rain, and Warm Mineral Springs near Port Charlotte got 11.05 inches. Up to 30 inches of rain may have fallen in parts of Florida by storm's end, forecasters say. Other states brace for Ian's destruction: The storm on Thursday is expected to move into the Atlantic Ocean, threatening coastlines. Governors in Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina have already declared states of emergency.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  Hurricane Ian destroyed a cross-section of Florida, trapping people in flooded homes, forcing patients from nursing homes and hospitals, cutting off a popular barrier island and obliterating a historic waterfront pier. Nearly 2.7 million people lost power as rain fell and waters rose.

Floodwaters rose waist-high near Orlando, far inland, as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the United States crossed the peninsula. Ian's tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 415 miles (665 km), drenching much of Florida and the southeastern Atlantic coast.

"It crushed us," Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told ABC's "Good Morning America." He said roads and bridges remained impassable, stranding thousands in the county where Ian made landfall just north of Fort Myers. "We still cannot access many of the people that are in need."

Authorities confirmed at least one storm death in Florida  a 72-year-old man in Deltona who fell into a canal while using a hose to drain his pool in the heavy rain, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said. Two people died in Cuba after Ian struck there.

Marceno said that while he lacked any details, he believed the death toll would be "in the hundreds." Gov. Ron DeSantis later said that toll was not confirmed and was likely an estimate based on 911 calls.

President Joe Biden formally issued a disaster declaration Thursday, and Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said the agency is supporting search and rescue efforts. The U.S. Coast Guard also began rescues on southwest Florida's barrier islands early Thursday, as soon as winds died down, DeSantis said. Full story here:

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IAN TRACKER

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CHICAGO  A former suburban Chicago mayor in failing health is set to be released from federal prison just three months into a one-year sentence for taking $5,000 to help a red-light camera company.

U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin on Thursday ordered former Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta's release from Federal Medical Center-Kentucky in Lexington. A petition from Presta's lawyers said his already poor health had declined rapidly since reporting to prison in late June.

Presta's lawyers filed a motion asking Durkin to order his release due to what they described as grave health concerns, including heart disease, vertigo, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Presta, who is in his early 70s, will be under home confinement supervised by federal probation officers for the remainder of his sentence and must repay $70,000 in restitution.

Presta resigned as Crestwood's mayor in November when he pleaded guilty to felony counts of official misconduct and other crimes.

According to his plea agreement, Presta took the money in exchange for helping the company, SafeSpeed LLC, put more cameras in the southwest suburb as well as increase revenues from existing cameras by approving more violations.

Omar Maani was an executive at SafeSpeed. He was cooperating with the FBI, and the exchange of cash was recorded on a camera.
SPRINGFIELD  Moultrie County State's Attorney Tracy Weaver filed a lawsuit Friday against Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other top Illinois Democrats, alleging that they violated the state's constitution with the passage and signing of the massive criminal justice reform law known as the SAFE-T Act.

The law was signed by Pritzker in February 2021. Among other things, it eliminates the state's system of cash bail effective this January, mandates all police officers wear body cameras by 2025 and makes significant reforms to law enforcement use-of-force standards.

It has been hailed by criminal justice reform advocates as a vehicle for reducing the amount of incarcerated people who are awaiting trial, with many contending that the cash bail system disproportionately impacted poor people and people of color.

However, the law has come under significant scrutiny from Republicans, law enforcement officials and state's attorneys, who claim among other things that it does not give judges enough discretion to detain dangerous people under certain charges.

Starting Jan. 1, judges will be able to consider several factors for pretrial detainment for those charged with a forcible felony that is not probation-eligible, including if the defendant is danger to an individual or to the community or considered a flight risk.

However, individuals charged with probational offenses such as second-degree murder, drug trafficking, arson, robbery can only be denied pretrial release under the flight risk standard.

With cash bail set to go away Jan. 1, the issue is pressing.

While reform to improve criminal justice is something to continually strive for, the Safe-T Act, as currently written, undermines the exact thing it purports to represent  the safety of our communities, Weaver said. I would encourage the citizens of Illinois to read the Act as well as reach out to their local legislators as amendments to this bill may be forthcoming.

In the 30-page suit, Weaver claims that the law violates various provisions in the state's constitution, including with the process in which it was passed.

Weaver claims that legislators violated the provision mandating that laws be kept to a single subject, that it did not receive the proper three readings a bill needs prior to passage and that it violates the separation of powers.

The 764-page law addresses 265 separate statutes and, Weaver claims, touches five "clearly distinct and divergent subjects."

Weaver joins a handful of state's attorneys across the state who have filed similar lawsuits. Earlier this month, the state's attorneys of Kankakee, McHenry and Will counties filed lawsuits. Earlier this week, Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy joined them.

In a statement, the governor's office dismissed the claims made in the lawsuit as "weak" and vowed to defend the law in court.

"This lawsuit is a weak attempt to protect the status quo that lets murders and abusers pay their way out of jail," said Pritzker spokesman Alex Gough. "The SAFE-T Act not only prevents that from happening, but also provides law enforcement officers the tools they need to fight crime, like body cameras, additional training and access to mental healthcare. Victims rights organizations support the law and the state will defend creating a more equitable criminal justice system in court."

Attorney General Kwame Raoul; House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside; and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, were also named in the lawsuit.

The SAFE-T Act has become a major flashpoint in the race for governor, with Pritzker defending the law and state Sen. Darren Bailey, the Republican nominee, calling for its full repeal.

Though most Democrats agree with the general principles of the legislation, it is widely acknowledged that more changes will be made to it either in the November veto session or when lawmakers return for regular session in January.

READ THE LAWSUIT
CHICAGO - Gov. J.B. Pritzker has contributed $1 million to the campaign of Democratic secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias even though Pritzker just four months ago backed Giannoulias opponent in the primary.

The contribution from Pritzkers campaign, reported Thursday amid a flurry of roughly $10 million in contributions from the billionaire governor in recent days to Democratic candidates and organizations throughout Illinois, marks the first time Pritzker has contributed to any campaign run by Giannoulias, the former state treasurer who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2010.

The governors largesse comes with early voting getting underway in some parts of the state and as Republican candidates relentlessly hammer their Democratic rivals on crime and an overhaul of the states criminal justice system that includes ending cash bail on Jan. 1.

Pritzker, who in June contributed $55,000 to Chicago City Clerk Anna Valenicas campaign for the partys secretary of state nomination, always said he would support the Democratic nominee, even if it wasnt Valencia, spokeswoman Natalie Edelstein said. Giannoulias handily defeated Valencia in the June 28 primary.

The governor does not take the threat of Republican extremism lightly and is committed to supporting candidates who will fight for our shared Democratic values at every level of government, Edelstein said in a statement.

Along with Pritzkers $1 million, the Giannoulias campaign on Thursday reported $769,000 in additional contributions from labor unions, auto dealers and other supporters. Thats on top of more than $1.3 million in large-dollar contributions that campaign had previously reported since July 1.

Giannoulias spent more than $5.2 million in the first half of the year to win the primary and came into the general election campaign with more than $773,000 cash on hand in his campaign fund, state campaign finance records show.

We appreciate having the broad-based support of Democrats across the state  from the governor at the top of the ticket on down to the legislative and county office, campaign manager Hanah Jubeh said in a statement.

Giannoulias faces longtime Republican state Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington in the Nov. 8 election. Brady on Thursday touted endorsements from former GOP Gov. Jim Edgar and organizations including the Illinois Education Association, one of the states largest teachers unions, which is backing Pritzker and the Democratic nominees for other statewide offices.

Brady entered July with less than $6,000 in his campaign fund after spending more than $514,000 in the first half of the year. Since the general election campaign got underway, Brady has reported raising nearly $165,000 in large-dollar contributions.

At an endorsement event Thursday in Springfield, Edgar said Bradys ability to work across the aisle could serve him well, and that out of all the GOP candidates for the constitutional offices, Brady might have the best shot of winning.

But Edgar acknowledged Bradys financial disadvantage to Giannoulias, especially in light of Pritzkers contribution.

We dont have people handing out that kind of money in the Republican Party, Edgar said. For the party of the rich, we sure dont show it sometimes. And the party of the Democrats, who are supposed to be the working man, they seem to have all the money.

Pritzkers campaign this week also gave $1 million to Attorney General Kwame Raouls reelection effort. It is the governors first contribution to Raoul this election after Pritzker backed Raoul with nearly $3 million in 2018. Raoul is facing Republican Thomas DeVore, a downstate attorney known for his largely unsuccessful legal challenges to Pritzkers pandemic restrictions.

DeVore opened the door for Pritzkers contribution to Raoul by lending his own campaign $250,001 last month, a move that lifted contribution limits for both candidates.

The GOP nominee has attacked Raoul for being too closely aligned with Pritzker, a claim he repeated in a Facebook post Wednesday after Raouls campaign reported the contribution.

Ive told all of you that Raoul is Pritzkers lap dog, DeVore wrote. Make sure your friends see that Pritzker just gave Raoul $1M bucks. Oh Jay Bob!!! Hes getting scared!!!!!

Raoul dismissed such criticism, saying in a statement, No contribution has or will ever impact my independence.

Gov. Pritzker has shown great leadership the last four years, and through our many times working together, he has always respected my independence, Raoul said. I appreciate his support for my work and that of my fellow Democrats in Illinois and across the country.

As Democrats seek to maintain their 4-3 advantage on the Illinois Supreme Court, Pritzker also is giving $500,000 each to the two Democratic candidates for open seats on the high court, 3rd District Appellate Judge Mary K. OBrien and Lake County Circuit Judge Liz Rochford. Thats the maximum contribution to a judicial candidate from a single source under a measure Pritzker signed into law earlier this year.

Pritzker also is doling out cash for the campaign operations of Democratic lawmakers in the state legislature.

The House Democrats, led by Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch of Hillside, on Wednesday reported a $3 million contribution from Pritzkers campaign fund, on top of previous contributions totaling $5 million.

Pritzker last month gave $1 million to the Senate Democrats, led by Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park.

The governors campaign said he intends to give Senate Democrats another $1 million but is seeking assurances that none of the money will go to support embattled Democratic state Sen. Michael Hastings of Frankfort.

Pritzker last week called for Hastings resignation due to ongoing questions about his treatment of women. The governor also called for the resignation of Sen. Emil Jones III, who pleaded not guilty last week to federal bribery charges, but Jones has no opponent on the November ballot.

Harmon, who asked for and received Hastings and Jones resignations from positions on his leadership team, has not called for them to resign their Senate seats.

A spokesman for the Senate Democrats campaign operation on Thursday reiterated that the caucus is not supporting Hastings reelection bid against Republican Patrick Sheehan of Lockport.

Pritzker so far has personally donated $125 million from his vast fortune to his campaign fund for his reelection bid. Through June 30, he spent $62 million while facing a nominal opponent in the Democratic primary.

Federal tax records show he gave another $24 million to the Democratic Governors Association, which ran ads during the primary campaign aimed at boosting his preferred opponent, Trump-endorsed Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey of Xenia.

Chicago Tribunes Jeremy Gorner contributed from Springfield.
KENOSHA, Wis.  The man who survived a shooting by Kyle Rittenhouse that left two others dead during a Wisconsin protest in 2020 has filed a secret petition to change his legal name because of what he now says was continued harassment related to the case.

Gaige Grosskreutz has called for an investigation by the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court on how the sealed petition was leaked to a conservative news outlet this week.

Grosskreutz, 29, of West Allis, Wisconsin, issued a statement after the petition became public. It said he has received death threats in the two years since he was shot in the arm during a protest in Kenosha and that he was seeking the name change to protect him and his family.

But the real story here isnt that I am seeking to change my name, but that a process that is supposed to protect and shield those in danger was undermined and sealed information was released to the right wing media within hours of my filing," the statement said.

Grosskreutz's attorney, Kimberley Motley, has requested records of who had access to the petition on Tuesday, the day it was filed with the clerk.

Clerk of Courts George Christenson said he has begun looking into the matter, the Journal Sentinel reported.

Grosskreutz was shot by Rittenhouse on Aug. 25, 2020, after Rittenhouse fatally shot two other men with an AR-15-style rifle during a violent protest that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake Jr.

The confidential name change petition was first reported by the Kenosha County Eye, whose editor, Kevin Mathewson, was himself a figure in the protest. Mathewson is a former Kenosha alderman who called for armed people to come and defend the city in a post to a Facebook account called The Kenosha Guard.
The labor union and trial lawyer-backed All for Justice independent expenditure committee has so far reported raising $3.5 million, with, Im told, at least another $5 million in pledges. The committees sole purpose is to back the two Democratic candidates running for the Illinois Supreme Court, Appellate Justice Mary K. OBrien and Judge Elizabeth Rochford. And its spending is finally beginning.

A press release claimed, an initial (advertising) buy of $3 million, with plans to spend millions more informing residents of the 2nd and 3rd districts of these extremists on the ballot.

The ad features a woman emphasizing that just one seat on the Illinois Supreme Court could imperil or preserve abortion rights.

Mark Curran and Michael Burke want to ban abortion in Illinois, even in cases of rape and incest. Women put in jail for making their own medical decisions? Thats not what I want for my kids. Thats not what I want for anyone. Mark Curran and Michael Burke are too extreme and they dont belong on the Illinois Supreme Court.

The ad will almost surely face legal opposition. The Illinois Republican Party made a big deal last week about a similar TV ad aired by Supreme Court Justice Burkes Democratic opponent, Appellate Justice OBrien.

The ILGOP demanded that OBrien take down the ad, which claims, Mike Burke says he agreed with the decision to overturn Roe. Hes supported by the extreme groups that want to ban all abortion for Illinois women.

Burke is backed by anti-abortion groups. The first sentence in that excerpt, however, is hotly disputed by the Republican Party, which claims Justice Burke, has not expressed any opinion on that issue or any issue that may come before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Justice OBriens campaign, however, pointed to Burkes attendance at an important Illinois right to life banquet. Burke said this year that, like the U.S. Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, he too is a constitutional originalist, meaning he refers back to the original drafting of the Constitution rather than subsequent court rulings when making a decision. He also noted that abortion is not an enumerated right in either the Illinois or the U.S. constitutions.

Its very difficult to legally force a TV station to take down a candidates advertisement. But, as weve seen in the past few weeks with Dan Profts People Who Play by the Rules PAC ads for Darren Bailey, its not nearly as difficult to force an independent expenditure committee to prove the truthfulness of what its saying in its ads or see them yanked.

Time will tell if the new All for Justice ad stays up.

Meanwhile, the opposition research is starting to come out on Curran. My associate Isabel Miller posted some of it on CapitolFax.com last week, but expect more to emerge on topics like Currans comments about the January 6 attempted insurrection (the police officer who shot Ashli Babbitt should resign, he said) and on gay rights (Curran said at a rally opposing a same-sex marriage bill that the law would result in the loss of liberty for those opposed to same sex marriage).

And, of course, theres abortion. Curran has attended anti-abortion rallies, donated some of his own campaign funds last year to Illinois Citizens for Life and praised Donald Trump for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, among other things.

Curran is also the former longtime sheriff of Lake County, which is fully in the 2nd Supreme Court District, and he may still have some residual name recognition from his 2020 race for U.S. Senate, which Curran lost to Dick Durbin 55-39.

Money-wise, the Supreme Court races started about even in July, as far as the candidates were concerned. But that has changed considerably in the past month or so.

Democratic Justice OBrien has since reported raising almost $1.6 million to Justice Burkes $13,000. Democratic Judge Rochford has reported raising $742K to the Republican Currans $137K, much of it from his family.

The Ken Griffin-funded Citizens for Judicial Fairness independent expenditure committee had more than $5.5 million in the bank at last check. It is not expected to help Curran, but is expected to jump in for Justice Burke. The Firewall Project, which is raising money to back Republicans for the Supreme Court and Greg Hart for DuPage County Board Chair, has reported raising $440K in the past few weeks.

But the Democrat-affiliated All for Justice IE committee is hoping to have a budget of as much as $8-10 million by election day. So stay tuned.
For too long, the corrupt Chicago political machine has bought elections by pumping big money into communities like ours hoping they can force their preferred candidate onto voters. The definition of insane is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If we elect the machines preferred candidate, Illinois will never change. We need a representative that has a history in advocating for the people, one who knows the lay of the land and understands the issues at hand.
Consolidated Bank Ghana Ltd. (CBG) has commissioned its ultra-modern SME Centre at Kokomlemle to cater for the needs of SME Clients. Commending the Bank, the Deputy Minister of Finance in charge of Wealth Creation, Hon. Dr John Ampontuah Kumah praised the Bank for its unflinching support to the SME Sector.



According to the Deputy Minister, who is also a Member of Parliament for Ejisu in the Ashanti region, SMEs account for an overwhelming proportion of employment creation in Ghana. In supporting them CBG aligns with the Governments agenda for SME growth and development.



The Deputy Minister also commended the Bank for partnering with the Ghana Employment Agency in rolling out the YouStart programme thus positioning the Bank as the SME Bank of Choice in Ghana.



Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of CBG, Mr. Daniel Addo said the Centre provides SMEs with a one-stop shop for capacity building and financial support.



According to him, SMEs are the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, contributing about 75% of GDP and constituting almost 85% of businesses in Ghana. He said, at the SME Centre, experts will provide advisory services to the SMEs.

The Managing Director announced that Euromoneys recent ranking of CBG as 2022 Market Leader in SME is a strong complement to what the Bank has done over the last 4years, granting over a 1.5billion to the sector. He also touched on the number of activities to boost the sector. This includes:



 Introduction of a programme dubbed CBG Adesua Series. This programme engages and educate entrepreneurs.



 Partnering with Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) to disburse concessionary loans totalling GHS154billion to 34,000 SMEs



 Partnering with German International Cooperation (GIZ) to train 500 Artisans by December 2022.

 Partnering GIRSAL in supporting the Agric Sector



The Guest Speaker at the event, Hon. Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in charge of MSME commended and lauded CBG for the initiative.



I am particularly excited about the Banks focus on prioritizing support towards Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) promotion for national development because the growth of our MSMEs largely depends on the financial support that is needed to be injected into viable and high-growth firms as well as start-ups. I wish to congratulate CBG for its profound support for the promotion of MSMEs in the country.



The Deputy Minister further indicated that on an ongoing basis she would personally visit the Centre to see how Entrepreneurs are faring.



Earlier in the day, CBG also commissioned its plush Trade Fair Branch located on the Giffard Road. The Branch re-emphasizes the Banks commitment to superior customer experience and convenience. The Managing Director, Mr. Daniel Addo indicated that the Bank is embarking on a bank-wide standardization exercise to project the branches by making them more customer friendly.



Present at both events were, the Deputy Managing Director, Corporate Resources, Madam Nana Ama Poku, Director, Retail and Business Banking Mr. Emmanuel Nikoi, Director, Global Markets Mr. John Zigah, Director, Operations Mr. Samuel Barketey, Director, Information Technology Mr. George Mensah, General Managers and Heads of Departments of CBG and some Customers of the Bank.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Police's ongoing investigation into the Mankesim murder case has established that the two suspects, Michael Darko alias Nana 1 and Christopher Ekow Clarke, have murdered one other person bringing to two the number of people confirmed to have been gruesomely murdered by the suspects.



The second murdered victim, Gloria Yeboah, a petty trader, from Obokrom in Kumasi was reported missing sometime in June 2022 when she left home in her quest to travel abroad.



The suspects lured the deceased to Accra on June 17, 2022, and took her to Mankessim under the pretext of preparing her to travel to Holland. However, she was later killed by them.



The body of the deceased has been found and police have been able to locate her family who has identified her as Gloria Yeboah.



Police are providing the necessary support to the family in these difficult times.



The Police are also following a lead on a possible third victim who might have been murdered by the suspects.



Investigations so far point to the fact that the suspects are involved in ritual murders. They lure their victims, sometimes under the pretext of helping them to travel abroad and then kill them.



We, therefore, urge any member of the public who has dealt with the suspects or knows someone who has ever dealt with them to contact the police on 0243809991 to assist the investigation. We would like the public to note that this is a temporal number dedicated only to this investigation. Police said

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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As the Chair of the sixth World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum (WTPF-21), the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful presented a Report on the WTPF-21 to participants at the ongoing Plenipotentiary Conference(PP-22).



The report which was presented on 28th September, 2022 summarises the preparatory process, roll-out and outcome of the WTPF-21. The report, as presented by the Minister, covers five thematic areas as listed below:



 Enabling environment for the development and deployment of new and emerging telecommunication/ICT services and technologies to advance sustainable development



 Affordable and secure connectivity in mobilising new and emerging telecommunications/ICTs for sustainable development



 Digital literacy and skills for inclusive access



 New and emerging technologies and services to facilitate the use of telecommunications/ICTs for sustainable development



 Use of telecommunications/ICTs in COVID-19 and future pandemic and epidemic preparedness and response



The 2022 Session of Council, the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly as well as the World Telecommunication Development Conference have all applauded the outcomes of WTPF-21.

The Plenipotentiary Conference (PP) is ITUs highest policy-making body which meets once every four years to set the Unions general policies, adopt the four-year strategic and financial plans, as well as elect the senior management team of the organization, the Member States of the Council, and the members of the Radio Regulations Board. This years conference dubbed PP-22 will be held in Bucharest, Romania, from 26 September to 14 October, 2022.













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.

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Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned votes in occupied parts of Ukraine to join Russia, but gave no timeline for sanctions Canada promised a week ago.

Trudeau says the referendums are an attempt by Russia to redraw the map as it loses territory in the war it started in February.

Moscow claims people in the four regions it occupies voted upwards of 87 per cent to join Russia, but western governments say the process was rigged.

Trudeau says Russia is trying to justify its war by claiming territory so that it can paint Ukraine as the aggressor.

The prime minister also phoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday to pledge his support for the country.

Yet Trudeau had no timeline for when Canada would sanction more Russians.

"We are going to have stronger sanctions; those will be announced very soon," Trudeau said, arguing Canada is among the countries that has sanctioned Russia the most.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced more sanctions were coming last Thursday.

Ottawa has similarly provided no details since announcing Monday that it would sanction Iranian officials for the human-rights crackdown that followed the death of Mahsa Amini, after she was arrested by the country's morality police.

Trudeau said he promised Zelensky that Canada will do what it can to make sure the "sham referendums" aren't endorsed by other countries.

"We're also going to continue working with the world to recognize that what Putin is trying to do is completely illegitimate," Trudeau told reporters Thursday afternoon.

He was visiting Quebec's Iles-de-la-Madeleine to tour damage caused by post-tropical storm Fiona last weekend.

Earlier Thursday, Defence Minister Anita Anand said Russia's votes violate the international rules-based order that has been in place since the end of the Second World War.

"Canada condemns these actions and I personally am disgusted by them, as they are reprehensible," she said.

"Ukraine's territory will always remain Ukraine's territory."
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako-Atta, apologized for the poor nature of the Cape Coast  Takoradi road as he inspected the Essikado-Ketan section of the road with Hon. Joe Ghartey.



Mr. Amoako-Atta has therefore given the Chief Executive Officer of Asabea Constructions, Samuel Ofori Larbi, an eight-week deadline to complete works on the Nkroful Junction to Ketan stretch of the main Takoradi-Cape Coast Highway.



The Minister gave the deadline after the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency, Hon. Ghartey had raised concerns about the poor state of the road.



Hon. Ghartey had expressed his dissatisfaction in no uncertain terms with the deterioration of the road.



In order to avoid traffic when the Minister for Roads was on inspection in his constituency, Hon Joe Ghartey was seen on a motorbike riding behind his constituency youth organizer, Mohammed Sani.



Mr. Ghartey told the Roads Minister that whilst as an MP he had received a lot of support from the Department of Urban Roads, he could not say the same about Highways.



Mr. Amoako-Atta admitted indeed that Hon. Ghartey was right that the road was indeed in a poor state, saying he was not satisfied with the progress of work and reports reaching him that the contractor had left site about four times.



The Roads Minister, therefore, charged the Regional Highways Officer to give him a daily report of the progress of work, insisting that the contractor must finish the work within eight weeks.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Director General of the Cote dIvoire Lottery Regulatory Commission (LONACI), Mr. Dramane Coulibaly, paid an official courtesy call to the KGL Group as part of his familiarization visit to the National Lottery Authority (NLA) of Ghana on the twenty-eighth of September 2022.



Mr. Dramane Coulibaly and his delegation, accompanied by Mr. Samuel Awuku, the Director General of Ghanas National Lottery Authority was warmly received by renowned entrepreneur and Executive Chairman of the KGL Group, Mr. Alex Dadey.



This working visit was facilitated by Mr. Samuel Awuku and the National Lottery Authority in his quest to foster strong bilateral relations between both Organizations and Nations.



Exploratory conversations were held on the expansion of the NLAs flagship product Ghana 5/90 Lottery into Cote dIvoire and other West African countries.

As official Digital Partner of the NLA, the KGL Group, through its subsidiary KEED, is on a mission to lead the expansion of the 5/90 Digital play channel, 5/90 mobile into Cote dIvoire and other West African Countries.



Chief Executive Officer of KGL Group, Mr. Christian Salamouni, demonstrated with practical case studies based on the success of the 5/90 mobile lottery in Ghana, how the Group has leveraged best-in-class digital technologies to drive value across the lottery ecosystem.



Mr. Alex Dadey, Executive Chairman of the KGL Group thanked Mr. Coulibaly for his visit, and after a tour of KGL Groups offices and operational sites, expressed his hope that this visit will cement the deep positive bonds of friendship and yield a strong working relationship between both Nations.







Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, has underscored the need for increased funding and investment to promote access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in deplorable communities.



Besides, he said, increased funding must be distributed in an equitable manner to ensure that all communities in dire need of WASH facilities were catered for.



How can Ghana progress in its development agenda when more than half of its citizenry regularly use communal restrooms and over 31 per cent of our rural areas still practice open defecation- a habit inimical to ones health and wellbeing? he queried.



Parliamentary dialogue



Mr Bagbin said this in a speech read on his behalf by his counsel, Magnus Kofi Amoatey, at a parliamentary dialogue in Accra yesterday[September 29, 2022] on ways of enhancing WASH services delivery in the northern part of the country.



Organised by World Vision Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, the event brought together 12 Members of Parliament (MPs), mostly from the northern part of the country, policymakers on WASH and other civil society organisations.



It was on the theme Prioritising WASH in Northern Ghana for accelerated socio-economic wellbeing.



The National Director of World Vision Ghana, Dickens Thunde, said MPs as direct representatives of people played a key role in the quest to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities as part of the sustainable development goals.



Statistics



Statistics from the 2021 population and housing census (PHC) revealed that the five northern regions did not have adequate access to WASH services and facilities as compared to other regions.



The PHC indicates that although averagely 87 per cent of Ghanaians have access to some form of safe drinking water, the five regions in the north fell below the national average to about 60 per cent.



For instance, while Greater Accra and Ashanti Region had 97.7 and 94.5 per cent respectively, North-East had 54.5 per cent.



Again, while the PHC indicated that the national average for open defecation was 17.7 per cent, the five northern regions had more than 50 per cent of its population practicing open defecation.



Savannah Region and Upper East Region recorded open defecation rates of 68.5 per cent and 68.4 respectively as against the national of 17.7 per cent.



MPs comments



Commenting on the issue, the MP for Garu in the Upper East Region, Albert Akuka Alalzuuga, said there was inequality in the distribution of resources with the five northern regions at a disadvantage.



People in certain areas due to influence and political expediency are able to attract development projects, but others are not able to do that and this should not be the case, he said.



The MP for Ahafo Ano North, Suleman Adamu Sanid, said the country would not be able to effectively address the problem of lack of WASH facilities without tackling the problem of settlement.



According to him, people tend to create new settlements without taking into consideration the availability of social amenities.



A borehole is drilled in one community and in a short time another person has created another settlement not far and is calling for water. We should not allow people to settle anywhere where access to amenities does not exist, he said.



The MP for Tempane, Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, said apart from providing WASH facilities in deprived communities, there was the need for increased education to encourage people to have attitudinal change on how to promote hygiene.



Some people have washroom facilities in their house but they feel it is good to do open defecation. We must educate people about the negative effects of open defecation, she said.

Source: Graphiconline









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.

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Former Zambia president Edgar Lungu says he is ready to face the law if he stole during his term.



Mr Lungu is unhappy that he, as well as his former government officials and family members, have been subjects of investigation for crimes allegedly committed when he was president.



He was particularly displeased that state investigators on Thursday went to a piece of land that he owns to carry out investigations.



Mr Lungu has since appealed to his successor Hakainde Hichilema to start the process of removing his constitutional immunity from prosecution so that he can clear his name.



He who alleges, must prove and we will defend ourselves," he later told members of parliament and supporters from his Patriotic Front party who visited him.



"My urge is that may the president institute the lifting of my immunity by going to parliament to lay a case so that he can eventually prove what crimes I committed," he said.



Mr Lungu, who last year lost power to Mr Hichilema, has previously denied many allegations of corruption during his time as president.

Source: BBC









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The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has elected Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas for the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU respectively.



The elections form part of the objectives for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22) which is being held in Bucharest in Romania from 25th September to 14th October 2022.



In a congratulatory message to the newly elected to the high-level positions of the ITU body, the Minister for Communication and Digitalisation (MoCD), Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful assured the incoming Secretary-General of Ghanas utmost collaboration and support at all times.



Commenting on their individual profiles, she said that, Ms. Bogdan-Martin has over the years, championed gender digital inclusion and youth empowerment, and that it was a fitting tribute to her tireless efforts that she becomes the first woman to lead the 157-year-old organization.



She added that she was yet another the first female elected for the position of Director of the ITU in 2018, noting therefore that she was confident that Ms. Bogdan-Martin would bring her experience to bear.



Also expressing the best wishes to Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, the Deputy Secretary-General-Elect of the ITU, the Hon. Minister said she believes that he would work hard to assist the General Secretary to ensure the ITU achieves inclusive global connectivity and digital transformation for the benefit of all member-states.



Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful also assured him of getting the full support of Ghana to enable him to discharge his duties.



*Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General-Elect is the youngest to take this position. Indeed, the ITU resolutions on gender and youth inclusion come to bear that we have already had a team of elected Secretary General and Deputy as a lady and a youth. This has so far been a truly historic ITU Plenipot, the most gender-responsive and youth inclusive ever. To our friends Gisa Fuatai Purcell and Dr. Chaesub Lee, we look forward to your continued support to the ITU* The Minister stated.



She said that Ghana and all Member States were grateful for the leadership of the out-going Secretary-General of the ITU, Mr. Houlin Zhou, and his Deputy, Mr. Malcolm Johnsonl for the years of service to the ITU, adding that .*"we wish you a well-earned retirement*



The Hon. Minister used the opportunity to encourage the other competitors who stood for the positions and lost. She said. ..*well fought and better luck next time. and we hope to count on your rich experience for the benefit of all ITU Member States*



This years ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 (PP-22) was the first gender-responsive Plenipotentiary. The ITU aims to reach the target of at least 35% of women participants, up from to 22% of women participants at PP-2014, and 29% at PP-2018.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Police have arrested Sixteen persons in connection with a shooting incident at Asamang Tamfoe in the Eastern Region.



The incident occurred between some persons believed to be illegal miners and a community anti-galamsey taskforce on 29th September 2022.



Police have retrieved one pump action gun, two excavators, two water pumps and a battery.



Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects and retrieve any other weapons in their possession.



The Police have also seen a viral video on the incident which is being reviewed as part of the investigation.



"We would like to assure the public that all the other perpetrators will be arrested and brought to face justice." Police said

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Gomoa Fetteh Royal Family says one Kwasi Alhaji who carries himself as Chief in Gomoa community is not the Mankrodo (Chief) of the area.



The Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, in a statement, disclosed that self imposed chief is a landguard fuelling conflict in the area.



Gomoa Fetteh is a peri-urban town and subject to the Royal Ahunako Stool of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area.



The creation of intra family insecurity, conflicts, and divisions within and among the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, particularly Gomoa Fetteh which has become a den for the deadly chieftaincy conflicts and landguardism in the area.



In consultation with the Queenmother of the town, Nana Nkrabea Amoesima I, Ebusuapanyin and Elders of Gomoa Fetteh, the Kingmakers concluded that the brewing conflicts which have stalled the development of the area is championed by Kwasi Alhaji, strutting about as Mankrado, yet a non-indigene whos attempt to be gazetted by the Central Regional House of Chiefs as a legitimate sub-chief to the Gomoa Fetteh Royal Stool has been suspended indefinitely by the Central Regional House of Chiefs.



Since the late 90s, Gomoa Fetteh is without a legally recognized Chief as a result of a raging dispute between the two royal houses of the Gomoa Fetteh Stool namely: Efuwa Akoa house; represented by one self acclaimed Ebusuapanyin Kow Abeka and Maakowa house; represented by the main Ebusuapanyin Kofi Ahomka, for both houses in the Abor Twidan Royal Family/clan.



Nonetheless, the Abor Twidan Royal family/clan is only one clan with one Ebusuapanyin, but this same Obirifo Ehunako Ahor Ankobea II has certified 3 more members namely; Kweku Dadzie, Kow Abeka and one kwame Annan all in the same Abor Twidan Royal family/clan as ebusuapanyins creating conflicts here and there among the family.



Customarily, the succession of the Gomoa Fetteh Stool is a rotating one between the two (2) aforementioned royal houses. However, after the death of Nana Abor Ewusie XIX, Chief (Odikro) of Gomoa Fetteh in 1999, the emergence of Nana Abor Yamoah II, allegedly a non-indigene who does not hail from any of the ruling houses, rather, hails from the Asona clan of Dago was uncustomarily enstooled as Chief of Gomoa Fetteh and managed to get the backing of the sellf-acclaimed ebusuapanyin Kow Abeka together with numerous gunmen led by the ex convict miscreant kwesi Alhaji.



"This dispute is what has continued for years in several legal battles between the ruling houses of the Stool until the demise of Nana Abor Yamoah II in April 2019 after which the cronies, and landguards of the deceased chief, led by the same ex-convict Kwasi Alhaji, are reported to have launched a wave of terror in the area and unlawfully imposing one Kofi Baah, styling himself as Nana Abor Atta II in a maneuvering with the help of the embattled Omanhene, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II.



The aforementioned revelations are well known to the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council and other government institutions and security agencies after decades of terror in the area, they further said.



The statement continued; Unfortunately, a recent decision by the Cape Coast High Court in a suit filed by the main Abor Twidan Royal family has barred Kofi Baah self styled Nana Abor Atta II and his cronies from conducting themselves as legitimate Chiefs and custodians of the Gomoa Fetteh Stool until further determined by a competent court of jurisdiction subject to the approval of the Gomoa Traditional Council.



But in the meantime, the Queenmother of the town, Nana Nkrabea Amoesima have informed the Paramount Queenmother (Omanhemaa), HRM Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I of Gomoa Fettehs commitment to support her selfless campaign to drive massive reforms that would help the Traditional Area as a whole to recover its distinguished reputation from injustice, unrest, disunity, underdevelopment and acts of terror that continue to undermine security, particularly in Gomoa Fetteh.



However, the Paramount Chief, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobia II continues to face other suits.

The most recent being a motion on notice for an injunction praying for an Order to restrain him [Paramount Chief] from performing any duty whatsoever as to the Gazetted Paramount Chief and President of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council pending the determination of the suit and for further order appointing an Acting President of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, Secretary of the Royal Family of Gomoa Fetteh, Nana Essel, elucidated in the statement.



Reacting to the acusations, the accused Mankrado of Gomoa Feteh, Nana Kwansi Kwansah II a.k.a Kwasi Alhaji said the allegations were untrue and mere attempts to smear him and his hard- earned reputation.



He said the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council recognises him as the legitimate ocupant of the mankrado stool.



He also questioned why the the Royal Family of Goamoa Feteh were not present at the Birthday celebration of the Omanhen of the Gomoah Traditional Council .



Registrar of the Gomoah Akyempim Traditional Council, Henry Effah Agyei who was contacted to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the claims said Kwasi Alhaji came to swear himself in to the President of the Gomoa Traditional Council, Obirifo Ahunu Ahor Ankobea II as the legitimate Mankrado of Gomoa Feteh in December, 2020.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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President of Africa Schools Sanitation Foundation (ASSF), Kwame Tutu, has reiterated the need for the government of Ghana to declare the issue of dirty lavatories and urinals in our public schools a national crisis.



He has maintained that proper sanitation facilities (such as toilets and latrines) promote health because they allow people to properly dispose of their waste, preventing pollution of their environment and reducing risk to themselves and their neighbours.



The experienced Journalist and Communication Expert believes that the situation in which some schools have terrible and filthy toilets and urinals, or none at all, endangers the lives of students, teachers, and the community as a whole.



The situation he lamented results in an unhealthy environment contaminated by human waste.



He stated that without proper sanitation facilities, waste from infected individuals can contaminate a community's land and water, increasing the risk of infection for other people.



According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, nearly one-third of the world's schools continue to lack basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services.



He argued that adequate WASH facilities are especially important for ensuring girls' safe and healthy participation in school.



According to him, this could be attributed to increased female attendance, with available data indicating that 10% of women and girls in at least 15 of the 36 countries surveyed did not have a private place to wash and change at home.



In addition, he stated that in the absence of proper sanitation facilities, people are frequently forced to live in and drink water from an environment contaminated with waste from infected people.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Close to Thousands of residents at Kyebi in the Akyem Abuakwa South Municipality and Akwatia in the Demkyembour District of the Eastern Region have been displaced by floods after heavy downpours on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.



At Akwatia and Bodua in the same district, close to a thousand residents have been rendered homeless, after about five hours of heavy downpours.



The long hours of rainfall, which greeted the residents left them stranded as many households were displaced in various communities.



On Thursday the affected victims were seen packing their belongings from their rooms.



At Kyebi, this is the first time, the community precisely is experiencing flooding despite torrential rains every year.



Some residents at Kyebi who expressed worry about the incident blamed the recent flood on illegal mining activities in neighboring communities.



Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive for Abuakwa South, Asabea Annan after the incident on Thursday, morning together with the NADMO officials toured the affected communities to sympathize with the victims.



She told DGN Online that her outfit is collaborating with the NADMO to get some relief items and distribute them to the victims.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku has donated learning materials to the Akuapim North Municipal office of the Ghana Education Service.



The materials included 2,400 pieces of mathematical sets, 22,400 BECE past questions and a cash donation.



According to Mr. Awuku, the items are aimed at helping BECE candidates in the Municipality to prepare for the exams.



This is just my modest contribution to help improve education in this area. As you know, education is the backbone of every country, and we cant joke with that.



Over 2000 students are expected to sit for the BECE in the Akuapim North Municipality this year.



Sammi Awuku believes this gesture will go a long way to help our brothers and sisters to prepare for this challenge in their educational life. As parents and guardians, we need to help them overcome this hurdle and as a son of the soil Im playing my role.



On his part, the Municipal Education Director, Lawrence Dzah, said the gesture has come at the right time.



He said students in the Municipality needed to prepare adequately for the upcoming exams.



This donation will cover all schools in the municipality including private schools because if the students do well, it will uplift the name of the municipality.

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.

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Photo: The Canadian Press

Yukon RCMP say both an officer and a suspect have been shot during a confrontation in Whitehorse.

RCMP Chief Supt. Scott Sheppard says officers from Yukon, B.C. and the Northwest Territories were at a home to arrest a man on Wednesday whom they considered a high risk, prolific offender when he fled on foot.

Sheppard says the man approached a police officer and an incident occurred where both the officer and the suspect were shot.

He says both people sustained serious injuries and are in stable condition in hospital.

Police say the suspect is facing a string of charges including attempted murder.

Sharon Craig, with the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which investigates police-involved shootings in Whitehorse, confirmed that an investigation had been launched and that more information would be released next week.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid says demand for petroleum products in the country has seen significant growth from an average of 7 to 41 percent in 2021.



According to him, the unprecedented surge in consumption is as result of various technological based schemes and interventions being implemented by the downstream regulator to curb illicit fuel activities over the past few months.



Dr. Abdul-Hamid said this at the official opening of the 5th Edition of the Ghana International Petroleum Conference (GhIPCon), in Accra on Wednesday, 28th September 2022,



The 3-day conference is on the theme Energy Transition in the African Petroleum Downstream Context: Prospects, Challenges and the Way Forward.



He mentioned that the sector currently has annual sales value of GHC32.94 billion representing a contribution of 7.2 percent to Ghanas Gross Domestic Product (GDP).



Africas petroleum downstream sector is entering a new era. As the world looks to accelerate its transition away from fossil fuels, the pressures on our industries are mounting, he said.



We are all exposed to the global energy transition, as our countries depend on oil and gas revenues. Ghanas petroleum downstream industry which has an annual sales value of about GHS32.94 billion according to 2021 estimates contributes 7.2% of the countrys GDP.



This represents a 41% increase in demand for fossil fuels as compared to 2020. This is an unprecedented surge in consumption of fossil fuels when the annual average over the years had been between 5% and 7%, The NPA Chief Executive stated.



He emphasized that Ghana is committed to reducing the emissions from consumption of energy products.



We at the National Petroleum Authority are committed to reducing the emissions from the energy products we consume in Ghana, and this culminated to the reduction of sulphur content in transport and industrial fuels from a maximum of 5000ppm to a maximum of 50ppm.



As previously mentioned, Ghana is one of the few African countries that consume low Sulphur fuels, with a roadmap for local refineries to comply, he said.



Dr Abdul Hamid further charged participants at this years conference to deliberate on the key issues with a focus to devise strategies for deployment.



Speaking on behalf of the Energy Minister, a Deputy Minister of Energy, William Owuraku Aidoo, says Ghana remains committed to an energy transition agenda and the development of the petroleum industry.



Ghana remains committed to both an energy transition agenda and the development of its petroleum industry, including downstream sector, we believe that the way forward is to strike an important and fair balance between the two without compromising our determination to maximize the benefits we need for our industrialization, he said.



I am convinced beyond measures that the conference will provide significant outcomes to guide us on the way forward, and I look forward to further engagements in this direction, he added.



He further charged players in the West Africa Sub region to improve refinery capacity to produce high-quality fuels to reduce Green House Gas emissions.



The conference is being organized by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) in collaboration with the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors (CBOD).



It has attracted major players including CEOs, experts and decision makers in the petroleum sector across the West Africa Sub Region.













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Hundreds of people on Thursday gathered in front of the house of Christopher Ekow Quansah, the Tufuhen of Mankessim, to catch a glimpse of him and self-styled pastor Michael Darko, who allegedly murdered one Ms. Georgina Asor Botchwey.



A police team had led the two accused persons, who allegedly confessed to the killing of three more people, to the house of the Tufohen, located just after the Pacific Fuel Station, near the Mankessim Lorry Station for further investigations.



The crowd hooted at them amid name calling and casting of aspersions as drivers in traffic temporarily stopped over to watch the two, who have notoriously become famous.



A source told the GNA that the two accused persons had confessed to killing three other people, a male and two females and led the police team on Thursday afternoon, to the various locations.



The witness said the accused persons first took the team to the house of the Tufohen at Mankessim and Akwakrom near Mankessim, where they carried out their criminal activities.



The police thoroughly searched the rooms and took vital document and information for further investigation.



Again, in Mankessim, the two took the police team to a location where a male teacher was allegedly invited by them and was shot and killed instantly and his toes cut.



The police were also taken to a location in the Ekumfi District where they allegedly shot and killed a female trader and buried her under a bridge in the Ekumfi District.



The team also visited a location at Batanya in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamakese District, where they allegedly killed a young lady from Kumasi.



Apparently, the two pretended to be travel agents and prepared a traveling document for her to travel to Holland.



The two allegedly told the police that they met the lady at Batanyaa on the Cape Coast-Assin Fosu Highway and killed her.



The family of the deceased, who were at the mortuary in Cape Coast on Thursday afternoon, identified the body of their relative.



Meanwhile, a crack team of police personnel from the Central Regional Command were also led by the accused persons to arrest a 26-year-old mason in Mankessim, in connection with the alleged murder.



Sources, who did not want to be identified, told the Ghana News Agency that they saw the third suspect being whisked away and identified him as one Abbey, the in-law of Quansah.



According to the sources, Quansah, confessed to have hired the husband of one Esi Akyere to dig the pit in his houses at Mankessim.



Following the revelation, the police swiftly moved to the community and with the backing of the chiefs arrested Abbey, who initially denied the act but later admitted to digging the pit for GH50.



According to Abbey, who is also one of the leaders of the Youth Volunteer Group in the community, the Tufohen paid him the agreed amount in instalments of GH20 and GH30 respectively after the work.



Baffled by the revelation of the suspect, the sources said, the chiefs assembled all the members of the Youth Volunteer Group and impressed on them to confess if they were complicit in the murder case, but they all denied any knowledge of it.



The sources also said police personnel had been stationed at the deserted family house of the Tufohen where two dugout holes were found in two obscure and dirty separate rooms while it had also intensified patrols.



Earlier, Nana Akwa III, the Chief of Akwakrom, at a press conference, called for the arrest and inquiry into the activities of a fetish priest in the community and one Mr. Kwesi Gyan, the Abiradze Ebusuapayin of the Tufohen who could not be tracked since the news broke out.



We are appealing to the police to interrogate his fetish priest in the community who the Tufohen liked so much and took cover prior to his arrest, Nana Akwa pleaded.



Nana Akwa, who is also a legal practitioner, wondered how the Tufohen dug the craters containing numerous bottles and dead materials without the knowledge of the Ebusuapanyin.



Since the arrest of the Tufohen, all attempts to reach his Ebusuapanyin, who was always in the community, has not been successful. There is no way anyone can dig out two pits in two separate rooms in a family house without the knowledge of the Ebusuapanyin. This is incomprehensible.



More so, prior to the arrest of the Tufohen, his Ebusuapanyin was billed to meet the Chief and elders on some teething community issues, but he cannot be found. And why is he not answering our calls, the Chief revealed.

<iframe width="470" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mjoO9wYRg58" title="Mankessim murder; Asor's mother narrates full story" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="470" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vr8K7vqL6eY" title="Alleged ritual killing at Mankessim: Two suspects charged with murder; remanded into Police custody" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Source: GNA/Youtube









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Bernard Allotey Jacobs has charged the leadership and members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to protect the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at all costs.



The former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Central Regional Chairman was alarmed at the embarrassment that the President had to endure at the Global Citizen Festival held in Accra on Saturday, 24th September, 2022.



The President was booed by a section of the crowd gathered at the event while addressing them.



The disgruntled patrons could be heard chanting 'away' to elicit their disapproval of the President's presence during the concert which was televised on national screens and via YouTube to an audience across the globe.



Expressing his resentments over the patrons' conduct, Allotey Jacobs accused the opposition NDC of orchestrating the move.



As a veteran in politics, he strongly believed the NDC stationed some people within the crowd to hoot at the President and also mobilized bloggers to blog it so as to create an impression that Nana Addo is unpopular with the masses.



"You would realize that some bloggers have been organized behind the scene just to take pictures and then make noise about and that is propaganda," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo".



Allotey also took a swipe at the rank and file of the NPP for failing to avert the incident.



"Your leader is always your leader. You should ensure any path he charts is clear. What he (President) said was full of wisdom and hope . . . They should be conscious of themselves that though it's left with two years for the President to end his tenure, once he is the leader of the party, he needs the protection of every party member. For the party, your leader is more important than anything else," he advised the ruling party.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, has condemned the behavior of some patrons at the Global Citizen Festival towards President Nana Akufo-Addo.



During the festival which was held in Accra over the weekend, some of the attendees booed and chanted 'away' when the President appeared on stage to deliver a keynote address.



The incident has since gone viral with critics stating the treatment meted out to the President is a reflection of how the citizens feel about his administration.



Addressing the issue during "Kokrokoo" panel discussion programme on Peace FM, Kwamena Duncan argued that the President had the option not to attend the event because he had busy schedules the week ahead of the festival and was tired but ignored his fatigue to make it to the event.



The former Minister was very indignant at the crowd embarrassing the President when he had made all efforts to be present.



However, he strongly believed President Akufo-Addo is least perturbed by the boos.



"Those who did that are the ones who know why they did it. But the Akufo-Addo that we know, it isn't things like this that will distract him. For me, things like this give him energy," he stated.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A video showing top Gabonese government officials standing under the rain to send off their president as he departed for France on Wednesday, September 28, has gone viral.



President Ali Bongo Ondimba was filmed at the airport with one of his military aides holding an umbrella over him while his cabinet members lined up in a file under the rain to shake him and bid him farewell as he departed the country for France.



The video has received widespread reactions with many condemning the president for allowing his aides to stand in the rain.



Watch the video below..













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.

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The National Democratic Congress Minority in Parliament says it has noted with serious concern the inability or refusal of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led Government to account for over $100million accruing from Ghanas Petroleum lifting in the first quarter of 2022.



The NDC Concerns follow a report by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) that reported on the issue a few days ago in their Semi-Annual Report.



According to the Minority, the decision by the NPP Government to transfer revenues accruing from about 944,164bbls of crude lifting in the Jubilee and TEN fields to a company established in a haven (outside Ghana) without Parliamentary approval, amounts to a gross violation of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) and Public Financial Management Act (Act 921).



A statement issued by John Abdulai Jinapor, Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, said The Minority is very much alarmed that contrary to requirements of the PRMA, revenues accruing from the nations oil fields are not being paid into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF), which has been confirmed in the 2022 semi-annual report on petroleum receipts by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC).



Below is the full statement:



US$100 MILLION WORTH OF GHANAS OIL MONEY MISSING  MINORITY RAISES CONCERN



The Minority in Parliament has noted with serious concern the inability or refusal of the Akuffo-Addo/Bawumia led Government to account for over $100Million accruing from Ghanas Petroleum lifting in the first quarter of 2022.



The decision by the current NPP Government to transfer revenues accruing from about 944,164bbls of crude lifting in the Jubilee and TEN fields to a company established in a safe haven (outside Ghana) without Parliamentary approval, amounts to a gross violation of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) and Public Financial Management Act (Act 921).



We have become aware that following the acquisition of a Seven percent (7%) interest in the Occidental (Oxy) transaction in respect of the Jubilee and TEN Fields by the Government ostensibly for GNPC in 2021, the Minister of Finance has clandestinely ceded the shares to an offshore company known as JOHL (a company set-up in the Cayman Islands) in a very surreptitious and opaque manner.



The Minority is very much alarmed that contrary to requirements of the PRMA, revenues accruing from the nations oil fields are not being paid into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF), which has been confirmed in the 2022 semi-annual report on petroleum receipts by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC).



As if this is not enough, the report further reveals that Capital Gains Tax was not assessed and collected by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the sale of the 7% interest by Anadarko in the Jubilee and TEN Fields in 2021.



This NPP Government is proving by the day, that the nations oil resources cannot be entrusted in their care because not long ago the PIAC under the chairmanship of Dr. Steve Manteaw accused them over their inability to account for about GH2 billion of Ghanas oil cash for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 fiscal years.



This is surely another Agyapa deal in the making and we as a Minority will not sit aloof for this Government to raid the national purse, especially at a time when the nation is struggling to raise much needed revenues for critical expenditure.



We demand that the Minister of Finance and for that matter Government, must with immediate effect repatriate all such illegal transfer payments back into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF).



Failure to comply with our ultimatum will compel the Minority to use the necessary parliamentary processes to haul the Minister of Finance to parliament for possible censure.



John Abdulai Jinapor

(Ranking Member, Mines and Energy Committee)







Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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There are multiple reports of massive gunfire in the capital of Burkina Faso, where a coup is reportedly underway. The national broadcaster, Radio and TV, has gone off since the wee hours of today, Friday, September 30, 2022. Reports indicate that there was a heavy gunfight overnight.



The Reuters news agency reports that the gunfire is coming from the main army camp and some residential areas in the capital.



Multiple tweets indicate that there is a heavy army presence, and some roads have been blocked. The current military junta headed by Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba deposed the democratically elected government of Christian Marc Kabore in January, citing the failure of the government to curb rising insecurity.



Since taking over, however, the security situation in the country has continued to deteriorate with attacks on military personnel and formations.



The most recent incident led to the death of 11 soldiers with about 50 civilians missing in what is suspected to be a terrorist attack.



A BBC report said twenty-eight other people, including 20 soldiers, were wounded in the Monday attack, and a search for the missing people is ongoing. The vehicles, which were escorted by a military patrol, had been taking supplies to residents in the north of the country, it added.



Junta leader speaks at UN General Assembly



The junta leader, while addressing the just ended 77th United Nations General Assembly, defended the January 24 overthrow of the democratically elected president, describing it as necessary and indispensable. It was, above all, an issue of survival for our nation, he said. Thats even if it was perhaps reprehensible in terms of the principles held dear by the United Nations and the international community as a whole.



On the issue of terrorist threat across the region, he emphasized: No precautions or prevention measures will prevent terrorism from crossing the Atlantic if the Sahel is abandoned.



Nothing at all will be able to stop the youth in the Sahel countries and its surroundings from giving in to the temptation of perilous immigration to Europe through the Sahara and the Mediterranean if these youth no longer have any hope by staying at home.









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.

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Salar de Olaroz Lithium Mine, Argentina July 5, 2015. Credit: Planet Labs, Inc./Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Lithium may be the lightest of all metals, but demand for it has been extremely heavy in recent years.

That's because lithium is a major player in the transition to clean energy: a critical component of the batteries that power smartphones, laptops and, critically, electric vehicles (EVs.) Most of the world's supply is currently mined in South America, but a global "gold rush" is on to find new sourcessuch as Canada, where several new mining projects are in the exploration phase.

Thanks to the Climate Positive Energy (CPE) initiative at the University of Toronto, one of several institutional strategic initiatives, Amalie Wilkinson was able to spend this past summer focusing on research into the potential risks associated with lithium mining. Specifically, her work focuses on the potential social and ecological impacts of lithium extraction in Canada.

The CPE's goal is to help develop policy solutions that will ensure Canada's place as a clean energy role modela goal Wilkinson shares personally. It's also one reflected in the work the group has been doing as part of a team that includes partners from the University of Guelph, the University of Sydney and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"We're looking at the cost to Indigenous communities and to the habitat," says Wilkinson, a member of University College who is entering the third year of a honors bachelor of arts degree program, majoring in international relations and peace, conflict and justice studies. "We're examining those dynamics, and then asking what solutions could be implemented so that we can tackle climate change without endangering the entire environment.

"We want to inform how we can make a clean transition a just transition."

Recently, an Anishinabeg First Nation in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region of Quebec asked to lead its own environmental assessment of one mining project scheduled to be established on ancestral land. Another proposed project has raised environmental concerns.

"The main issue there is that the proposed mine is near a body of water called an 'esker,' which is a type of geological formationtypically a long narrow ridge of sand and gravel left after a glacial period marking the former beds of meltwater streams," says Wilkinson. "It produces a lot of high-quality water, so when the mining company came in, the community had a lot of concerns about the fact that the water could be contaminated."

As part of the CPE project, Wilkinson spent a week with a team in Abitibi-Temiscamingue this summer conducting field interviews with stakeholders. "We've also done online interviews with companies and other industry players, as well as broader civil society actors, to try and get a full picture of what the perceptions are."

In addition, they performed an intensive review of academic and other literature on the subject.

Lithium-ion batteries present a real solution to the problems created by energy sources such as fossil fuels: they are rechargeable and store energy efficiently. So how can lithium be sourced in a way that minimizes harm to people and habitats?

It's still very much an open question, though solutions may be at hand. One thing to note, says Wilkinson, is that fully replacing gas-powered vehicles with EVs is not necessarily desirable.

"That's mainly a solution for rich countries. And it would have massive impacts on local landscapes through mining as well as emissions produced from mines: so the first thing is only taking as much as we need, and not producing more than that."

Reducing transport costs is also key, as is the testing of nascent technologies such as direct lithium extraction. "Essentially, this removes lithium from the mines as water, then returns the water to the ground. It's a way of consuming less water than has been done in mines in South America, for example."

A committed environmental activist, Wilkinson has been interested in sustainability issues since she was in Grade 4, when she became interested in the problem of deforestation. "I sent a letter to our federal government. The response I got disillusioned me with the political processthere didn't seem to be much political will to protect our environment," she says.

Involvement with human rights issues and advocacy followed in high school. But Wilkinson experienced a big turning point last year when she was encircled by a giant wildfire during a canoe trip in northern Saskatchewan.

"It was a situation where I was looking straight into this massive fire that had been exacerbated due to climate change," she recalls. "I realized something like this can reach you wherever you are, even in a Global North country like Canadaand it's something that's only going to get worse. It really flipped a switch inside of me. I said to myself, 'You've got to do something. If it's not going to be you, who's going to do it?'"

Spurred into action, Wilkinson soon founded the Toronto chapter of Stop Ecocide. Launched in England in 2017, the organization seeks to make "ecocide"defined as widespread, long-term damage to the environment caused by such activities as deforestation, industrial fishing and oil spillsan international crime.

Her lithium research is already earning praise. In August, the CPE held its first research day project showcase and student awards event. Wilkinson was one of three undergraduate researchers who was presented an award by a panel of judges from the fields of business and innovation.

"I was honored that the judging panel recognized my research," she says. "For me, it was very much a testament to how new and how critical this research is, looking at the perspectives of communities who are impacted by mining for a clean transition in Canada.

"The local stakeholders in Quebec's emerging lithium sector have not yet had a significant voice in academic discussions around critical minerals and clean energy. In my opinion, it is important that this change."
Poland and Germany have long been at odds over the disaster.

Germany said Friday that mass fish deaths in the Oder river were a "man-made environmental disaster", blaming toxic algae growth sparked by the introduction of salt into the waters.

Presenting a report into the disaster that saw at least 300 tonnes of dead fish pulled from the river in Germany and Poland this summer, the German environment ministry said the most likely cause was "a sudden increase in salinity".

The "introduced salt" led to "massive proliferation of a brackish water algae that is toxic to fish", it said.

However, "due to a lack of available information, the experts had to leave open what caused the unnaturally high salt content", it added.

German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke said it was clear that "human activity" was to blame.

Polish authorities had on Thursday released a separate report that also blamed toxic algae for the fish deaths.

But the Polish report said the disaster had most likely been caused by poor water quality as a result of high temperatures and very low water levels over the summer.

Poland and Germany have long been at odds over the disaster.

Berlin initially accused Warsaw of failing to communicate the problem, while Poland slammed Germany for spreading "fake news" about the discovery of herbicides and pesticides in the water.

A report in Germany's Der Spiegel magazine on Friday accused Polish authorities of failing to cooperate with their German counterparts to investigate the fish deaths.

Polish authorities became "more and more reserved, in some cases almost secretive", Lilian Busse, the head of the investigation, was cited as saying.

The Spiegel report said Greenpeace investigations had shown high salt levels at a copper mine in the city of Glogow may have contributed to the disaster.

"It is obvious to me that the Polish government wants to cover up the causes of the fish kill in the Oder," Ralph Lenkert, environmental policy spokesman for the far-left Die Linke party, told the magazine.

Explore further Poland blames toxic algae for Oder river fish kill

 2022 AFP
CPK model of the Oxitocin molecule. Credit: CC0

The neurohormone oxytocin is well-known for promoting social bonds and generating pleasurable feelings, for example from art, exercise, or sex. But the hormone has many other functions, such as the regulation of lactation and uterine contractions in females, and the regulation of ejaculation, sperm transport, and testosterone production in males.

Now, researchers from Michigan State University show that in zebrafish and human cell cultures, oxytocin has yet another unsuspected function: It stimulates stem cells derived from the heart's outer layer (epicardium) to migrate into its middle layer (myocardium) and there develop into cardiomyocytes, muscle cells that generate heart contractions. This discovery could one day be used to promote the regeneration of the human heart after a heart attack. The results are published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.

"Here we show that oxytocin, a neuropeptide also known as the love hormone, is capable of activating heart repair mechanisms in injured hearts in zebrafish and human cell cultures, opening the door to potential new therapies for heart regeneration in humans," said Dr. Aitor Aguirre, an assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering of Michigan State University, and the study's senior author.

Stem-like cells can replenish cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes typically die off in great numbers after a heart attack. Because they are highly specialized cells, they can't replenish themselves. But previous studies have shown that a subset of cells in the epicardium can undergo reprogramming to become stem-like cells, called Epicardium-derived Progenitor Cells (EpiPCs), which can regenerate not only cardiomyocytes, but also other types of heart cells.

"Think of the EpiPCs as the stonemasons that repaired cathedrals in Europe in the Middle Ages," explained Aguirre.

Unfortunately for us, the production of EpiPCs is inefficient for heart regeneration in humans under natural conditions.

Zebrafish could teach us how to regenerate hearts more efficiently

Enter the zebrafish: famous for their extraordinary capacity for regenerating organs, including the brain, retina, internal organs, bone, and skin. They don't suffer heart attacks, but its many predators are happy to take a bite out of any organ, including the heartso zebrafish can regrow their heart when as much as a quarter of it has been lost. This is done partly by proliferation of cardiomyocytes, but also by EpiPCs. But how do the EpiPCs of zebrafish repair the heart so efficiently? And can we find a "magic bullet" in zebrafish that could artificially boost the production of EpiPCs in humans?

Yes, and this "magic bullet" appears to be oxytocin, argue the authors.

To reach this conclusion, the authors found that in zebrafish, within three days after cryoinjuryinjury due to freezingto the heart, the expression of the messenger RNA for oxytocin increases up to 20-fold in the brain. They further showed that this oxytocin then travels to the zebrafish epicardium and binds to the oxytocin receptor, triggering a molecular cascade that stimulates local cells to expand and develop into EpiPCs. These new EpiPCs then migrate to the zebrafish myocardium to develop into cardiomyocytes, blood vessels, and other important heart cells to replace those that had been lost.

Similar effect on human tissue cultures

Crucially, the authors showed that oxytocin has a similar effect on human tissue in vitro. Oxytocinbut none of 14 other neurohormones tested herestimulates cultures of human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hIPSCs) to become EpiPCs, at up to twice the basal rate: a much stronger effect than other molecules previously shown to stimulate EpiPC production in mice. Conversely, genetic knock-down of the oxytocin receptor prevented the the regenerative activation of human EpiPCs in culture. The authors also showed that the link between oxytocin and the stimulation of EpiPCs is the important "TGF- signaling pathway," known to regulate the growth, differentiation, and migration of cells.

Aguirre said, "These results show that it is likely that the stimulation by oxytocin of EpiPC production is evolutionary conserved in humans to a significant extent. Oxytocin is widely used in the clinic for other reasons, so repurposing for patients after heart damage is not a long stretch of the imagination. Even if heart regeneration is only partial, the benefits for patients could be enormous."

"Next, we need to look at oxytocin in humans after cardiac injury. Oxytocin itself is short-lived in the circulation, so its effects in humans might be hindered by that. Drugs specifically designed with a longer half-life or more potency might be useful in this setting. Overall, pre-clinical trials in animals and clinical trials in humans are necessary to move forward," concluded Aguirre.

Explore further Special cells contribute to regenerate the heart in zebrafish

More information: Aaron Wasserman et al, Oxytocin promotes epicardial cell activation and heart regeneration after cardiac injury, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2022). Aaron Wasserman et al, Oxytocin promotes epicardial cell activation and heart regeneration after cardiac injury,(2022). DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.985298
Photo: The Canadian Press

The United Conservative Party government says it will spend another $750 million on health care as part of an agreement with the Alberta Medical Association.

It said the deal announced Thursday is to guarantee that all physicians receive an average rate increase of between four and 5.25 per cent over the next three years.

The $750 million is to be used for recruitment and retention programs, rural and remote programming and expanding capacity across the system.

Health Minister Jason Copping said urgent action is needed to stabilize the health-care system that has been under increased pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There is no quick fix, there is no easy fix," Copping said at a news conference in Red Deer, Alta.

There have been concerns over how sustainable the health-care system will be as a "bad flu season" approaches.

Copping said Alberta Health Services is working to increase its capacity to prepare for the potential of increased hospitalizations.

Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren, president of the Alberta Medical Association, said it's important to build trust and maintain relationships between doctors and the government.

"Trust is something that is easily broken and hard to rebuild," Warren said at the news conference. "It's the actions going ahead into the future that really is going to be building that trust."

Copping said the government's relationship with the association has improved over the past year.

The agreement comes as the United Conservative Party prepares to choose a new leader and premier on Oct. 6 to replace Jason Kenney. The new leader will face a provincial election in the spring.

Warren said it doesn't matter who the next premier is.

"Health care is health care and patients need that care no matter who is running the boat," said Warren. "Stability is necessary to begin rebuilding and healing and making change. Introduction of chaos is not helpful."

The association filed a lawsuit in April 2020 accusing the government of breaching collective bargaining rights and negotiating in bad faith after it unilaterally tore up a master agreement with doctors and tried to make changes to how they are compensated for their services.

The 11,000 physicians represented by the association refused to ratify a tentative deal in March of 2021, citing distrust of the government as a key factor.

Warren said the lawsuit will remain in place until legislation that allowed the province to rip up the contract is rescinded by the government.

Just over 70 per cent of the physicians who voted were in favour of the agreement, which will be in place until March 2026.
The model of binocular stereo vision. Credit: Optics Express (2022). DOI: 10.1364/OE.470391

Location-based services are becoming increasingly important in indoor environments with the development of Internet-of-thing (IoT) technologies. The visible light positioning (VLP) system offers great potential because of its immunity to radio frequency-induced electromagnetic interference, a free and unrestricted spectrum, and a much higher level of security.

Recently, a lot of research work on line-of sight (LOS) VLP have been demonstrated with high accuracy at very low costs. However, for LOS VLP, blocking and shadowing is a major problem; and there is the requirement for large numbers of LEDs. Few methods to solve this problem have been investigated.

In a study published in Optics Express, Dr. Lin Bangjiang's group from the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter of the Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed a non-line-of sight (NLOS) VLP system using a binocular camera and a single light-emitting diode (LED). It can realize 3D high-precision positioning of an arbitrary posture by the reflected lights from the floor.

The researchers proposed a system model which consists of two function modules: a NLOS optical camera communication (OCC) module and a binocular stereo vision module. The former uses the reflections to receive the coordinate information of the LED by an improved OCC signal recovery model. And the later estimates the camera's position by a proposed binocular position estimation algorithm, which is based on the principles of binocular stereo vision.

They then proposed an error compensation algorithm to optimize the error of the system on the z-axis, which is the key problem about depth estimation for the binocular camera that the error on the z-axis is far greater than that on the x and y axes.

Additionally, the researchers designed an experimental testbed and chose a STM32 microcontroller unit to driver a LED. At the receiver, they used a binocular camera to capture the reflected lights from the ground at two different exposure modes (one long and one short).

They gained the LED position by the NLOS OCC module using the short exposure image, and got the pixel coordinates of the projection of the LED reflected by the ground in the long exposure image. An inertial measurement unit is fixed together with the binocular camera to measure its pose.

Using this information, the researchers calculated the error between the estimation value and the measured value of the camera's position.

This study overcomes the challenge of the shadowing/blocking of the LOS links, realizes 3D arbitrary attitude positioning with the minimum number of beacons (only single LED), and greatly improves the practicability of VLP.

More information: Tianming Huang et al, Indoor 3D NLOS VLP using a binocular camera and a single LED, Optics Express (2022). Journal information: Optics Express Tianming Huang et al, Indoor 3D NLOS VLP using a binocular camera and a single LED,(2022). DOI: 10.1364/OE.470391
Seaweed dyed with biomaterials. Credit: Department of Seaweed

As the environmental impact of the fashion and textile industries becomes clearer, the demand and need for sustainable alternatives is growing. One international research group aims to replace toxic synthetic dyes with natural alternatives, ranging from plants to microbes to food waste.

Walk into any clothing store and you'll find a rainbow of fluorescent shirts, pastel sweaters and blue jeans that rotate in and out of style each season. The colors of each garment are pristine, eye-catching and identical, but there are consequences hidden in those racks of colorful clothes.

Our planet and the factory workers producing our clothes are paying a steep price: toxic chemicals used in the synthetic dyeing process pollute waterways and soil.

Introduced in the 1860s, synthetic dyes and pigments have become commonplace in the textile industry. These dyes are part of the reason why clothes of every color imaginable are so readily available: they offer quick and easy alternatives to the natural sources of color that used to be the only option.

While this synthetic process has become normalized, using natural pigments to dye textiles has been part of human history for thousands of years.

BioColour suggests it's time to revisit and reimagine this long history.

Associate Professor in Design at Aalto University and member of the BioColour research group Kirsi Niinimaki explains, "We're looking back in history to see how we can bring the information we had before synthetic chemicals existed to the current day, but also how we can apply it in a more modern way by working with the [textile] industry."

BioColour is an international research consortium of designers, material scientists, biologists, mathematicians and engineers. These researchers from Finnish, American and Brazilian universities and research institutes work together to find non-toxic and biodegradable natural alternatives to synthetic dyes and pigments.

Natural dyes at an industrial scale

BioColour's research isn't just about identifying and testing natural color sources, it's also about working with the textile industry and consumers to bring widespread change to the new normal of synthetic colors.

One such example comes from Finnish design house Marimekko. Using dyer's woad, a plant native to Finland, the project tested this alternative to synthetic indigo, a dye that's created using toxic chemicals like formaldehyde.

This collaboration revealed an additional perk of natural dyes: as a Finnish design house, by using a plant cultivated in Finland, Marimekko could tell a local story with dyer's woad that wasn't possible with synthetic indigo.

Such collaborations are an opportunity to challenge and learn from each other, says Niinimaki. While BioColour challenges industry partners to work with different methods and recipes that draw on historical practices, industry partners put dye recipes to the test outside of precise laboratory conditions.

"In a laboratory, it's possible [to adjust] processes, but when we go to the industry, it's not possible to precisely modify the recipes," says Niinimaki, 'we have to accept the industrial processes and what comes out of them."

The textile industry isn't the only source of collaboration: Food and agricultural industries create massive amounts of biowaste that spell untapped potential of natural dyes. By-products such as onion skins and willow bark from these industries can be used to dye clothing, creating new side streams and reducing waste.

Though the details are still secret, Niinimaki also described an ongoing collaboration with a food company that aims to investigate how much pigment can be extracted from food waste material. They will also test the durability of said colors.

Fabrics dyed with dyer's woad as part of Professor Niinimaki's research. Credit: Valeria Azovskaya

Changing attitudes towards color

Ensuring consumers are willing to purchase naturally dyed textiles is vital in the quest to replace synthetic dyes. Yet, consumers still find this concept to be a strange one, according to Niinimaki.

Synthetic dyes are appealing because they provide long-lasting and identical colors between each garment. As Niinimaki points out, however, that 'sameness' is one of fast fashion's problems.

"Blue is a trendy color, but why does everything have to be the same blue? Even in mass production, why can't we accept that there might be different kinds of blue? Why does everything have to be the same?"

Natural dyes, which are not as stable, may look different from garment to garment and even fade over time.

These fading colors don't need to be seen as a negative, however.

Niinimaki believes fading colors open the door to an attractive new type of design: garments could be designed to reveal new patterns as certain colors fade over time.

While BioColour's consumer studies aim to identify and change current attitudes to colors and textiles, other researchers in the group are investigating the durability and longevity of natural dyes. Fading colors may offer interesting design potential, but they aren't the only option.

Drawing on history to invent the future

Natural sources of color aren't limited to plants and mushroomsthe world of microbes offers huge potential for the future of dyes and pigments.

Bacteria can be a source of non-toxic biodegradable pigment and a method of helping dyes to stick to textile fibers. Using bacteria in the natural dyeing process harkens back to the slower pace of fashion, as it can take weeks of growing and feeding the bacteria.

This use of bacteria in the dyeing process has inspired BioColour collaborators from the VTT Technical Research Center to investigate lab-grown colorants. Their research explores how the DNA of microbes can be modified to produce a variety of different pigments that could be scaled to wider textile production.

Lab-grown colorants are a particularly promising future because, as Niinimaki explains, there is limited land to cultivate plants for dyes. Climate change is and will continue to change our environment and cause food and water insecurity. This means resources will need to be diverted to food cultivation.

These pigment-producing microbes expand the possibilities of non-toxic, biodegradable dyes while saving land and resources in the process.

While it may be drawn from history, the research behind natural dyes is anything but old news.

Explore further New method can remove dyes from wastewater
Male reindeer walking on a national road in Jamtland, Sweden. Photo: Marianne Stoessel/Stockholm University. Credit: Marianne Stoessel/Stockholm University

Reindeer herding has a long history in northern Norway, Sweden and Finland. It has shaped the Fennoscandian mountain landscape, and is also seen as means to mitigate climate change effects on vegetation. Yet a new study published in Scientific Reports shows that the majority of this grazing land is exposed to cumulative pressures, threatened by the expansion of human activities towards the north.

The grazing land in northern Fennoscandia is increasingly disturbed by cumulative land-use pressures. Intensive forestry, outdoor tourism, road and railway traffic, but also mining and wind farms are developing north. The newly published study has mapped and estimated the overall extent of these cumulative pressures, together with other stressors, namely predator presence and climate change.

Previous studies have mostly focused at regional scales, but here the authors have used an integrated large-scale GIS analysis over three countries: Norway, Sweden and Finland. Their results suggest that about 60% of the region is subjected to multiple pressures, and that 85% is exposed to at least one pressure. This dramatically reduces the size and the quality of the summer grazing area. The study found that only 4% of the area still remains undisturbed.

PhD student Marianne Stoessel examining traces of herbivory in the Swedish mountains. Photo: Rozalia Kapas/Stockholm University. Credit: Rozalia Kapas/Stockholm University

"In northern Fennoscandia, we are lucky to still have one the oldest herding systems in Europe, where reindeer can roam freely over 40% of Norway, Sweden and Finland. Or at least, they used to. With the rising human presence taking place on multiple fronts, the resilience of northern pastoralism is under threat," says Marianne Stoessel, first author of the study, and Ph.D. student at Stockholm University.

The fact that many pressures are at play in this region is not new. The reindeer herders, the policymakers, and also the scientific community studying reindeer ecology are well aware of these problems.

"What is new is the fact that we finally managed to get an overview of these pressures over the whole area. This was not easy, as the different land uses act at different scales and can be very dynamic, so can be the predators, and the effects of climate change on grazing," Marianne Stoessel says.

Female reindeer and her calf in their summer grazing grounds in Vindelfjallen, Lapland, Sweden. Photo: Marianne Stoessel/Stockholm University. Credit: Marianne Stoessel/Stockholm University

"Grazing is a key process for maintaining plant biodiversity, even in the mountains. So it was important for us to study the extent of these cumulative pressures with having the summer pastures in mind, where grazing takes place," says Professor Regina Lindborg, Stockholm University, co-author of the study and the coordinator of the research project.

Due to the high extent of cumulative pressures over the region and because of the climate change, this study suggests a high risk of vegetation and landscape change in the future, leading to a concentration of grazing in less disturbed areas and encroachment of trees and shrubs in disturbed ones.

The study is a part of the research project titled "The interacting effects of land-use and global warming on the grazing lands of northern Fennoscandia."

Explore further Willow-dominated wetlands of Lapland fells are resilient to reindeer grazing

More information: Mapping cumulative pressures on the grazing lands of northern Fennoscandia, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Mapping cumulative pressures on the grazing lands of northern Fennoscandia,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20095-w
Animation of the growth of a floating crystal from N=3 to N=19 particles. Particles are added one by one to the surface of the liquid under magnetic field. The attractive capillary forces are counterbalanced by the repulsive magnetic forces. The assembly shows a symmetry typical of atomic crystals. Credit: Universite de Liege / N.Vandewalle

A research team led by the GRASPGroup of Research and Applications in Statistical Physicsat the University of Liege (Belgium), demonstrates how to manipulate the mesh, shape and symmetry of floating crystals by wandering, in a controlled way, between their metastable states. This study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Multi-particle systems are of interest in several areas of physics. Their structure is governed by their interactions. In particular, in the presence of attractive interactions, these systems tend to self-assemble, minimizing their energy. This phenomenon exists at all scales, governing the formation of molecules and planetary systems. Depending on the complexity of the interactions, particles can form simple periodic structures (crystals), or more complex ones like protein chains.

Magnetocapillary interactions between particles allow self-assembly of floating crystals along liquid interfaces. For a fixed number of particles, different states with different symmetric characteristics, called metastable states, coexist. Various pioneering works have observed the existence of metastable states in floating crystals.

As different states coexist, it is difficult to control the formation of specific structures. However, controlling the formation of metastable states is a key ingredient to functionalize such assemblies, paving the way for self-assembling microrobots for example. The way to control the state of a floating crystal has never been studied before.

"Self-assembly has attracted the interest of academia and industry because of its use to fabricate tiny structures," says Nicolas Vandewalle, professor of physics and director of GRASP. "Indeed, some structures are too large to be prepared by chemical synthesis and too small to be assembled by robotic methods. In particular, the micrometer-millimeter scale is usually the bottleneck between standard bottom-up and top-down manufacturing methods."

One of the main characteristics of self-assembled systems is that due to the high number of degrees of freedom, there are often several local minima in addition to the global minimum energy state. These metastable states can be observed at all scales, at the molecular level, in colloids, at the mesoscopic scale and at the macroscopic scale.

Different assemblies of N particles on the surface of the liquid. For each number N of particles, two different assemblies are shown opposite each other, demonstrating the metastability of the assembly. Credit: Universite de Liege /N.Vandewalle

Interest in how to exploit these metastable states for active structuring has recently increased. Therefore, a fundamental question, which the researchers addressed in this study, is to define the conditions for navigating between the different metastable states.

"In the study we have just published," says Ylona Collard, a researcher at GRASP and first author of the article, "we studied magnetocapillary self-assemblies composed of 3 to 19 particles. For a fixed number of particles composing the assembly, several different states coexist, distinguished by their shape, mesh size and symmetry."

The researchers proposed two different, but complementary, experimental techniques to navigate in a controlled manner between these different states. The first allowed a change of state for a fixed number of particles. This is achieved by applying a horizontal magnetic field that induces a deformation of the assembly.

After relaxation, the assembly will have changed state with a certain probability. The second technique controls the growth of an assembly by choosing the desired state for an assembly of N (number) + 1 beads from an assembly of N beads. An infrared laser is applied to the water surface to generate thermocapillary fluxes, controlling the trajectory of the new bead added to the system.

"Models have been proposed to study the frequency of occurrence of the different states of an assembly at its creation," explains Nicolas Vandewalle, "and to model the two experimental techniques. The simulations are in very good agreement with the experimental results. An analogy between these magnetocapillary assemblies, which can be reduced to a smaller size scale, and colloidal crystals has been proposed to broaden the perspectives of this work."

This work is indeed relevant for the fabrication of microscopic structures such as electronic circuits, microrobots or new materials with new physical properties.

Explore further Triggering microscale self-assembly using light and heat

More information: Ylona Collard et al, Controlled transitions between metastable states of 2D magnetocapillary crystals, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Ylona Collard et al, Controlled transitions between metastable states of 2D magnetocapillary crystals,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20035-8
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A team of researchers from Universite Clermont Auvergne, working with a colleague from Universitat Bayreuth, has found evidence that suggests the Earth's composition changed over time during its early years via collisional erosion. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their study of the amounts of samarium and neodymium in meteorites and what it showed them about the processes that led to the current makeup of the Earth. Zoe Malka Leinhardt, with the University of Bristol, has published a Perspective piece in the same journal issue outlining theories regarding the formation of the Earth and the work done by the team on this new effort.

Prior research has suggested that planets form from collisions of material in accretion disks that build up around stars during their early years. The characteristics of such collisions are believed to play a role in the resulting makeup of the resulting planets, such as their tilt angle. Prior research has also shown that Earth has a core of iron and nickelsurrounding that is a layer of iron silicate mixed in with magnesium. The top layer is described as a layer of silicate. The density of the material decreases from the core to the crust, which, Leinhardt notes, makes the crust more vulnerable during collisions.

Prior research has also uncovered a mysterywhy does the crust contain heavier minerals? A theory has suggested that they may have been pushed upward due to incompatibilities with other materials. Unfortunately, these theories do not explain why there are higher quantities of some minerals in the crust, such as neodymium, than there should be based on how much can be measured in the core.

Three main theories have been developed to explain this anomaly. One suggests it is an illusion; there is actually more of it in the core than can be measured. Another suggests that it is because material from the accretion disk had differences in makeup. The third suggests that as heavier materials were pushed up and accumulated in the crust, some were knocked into space during new collisions.

In this new effort, the researchers have found evidence supporting the third theory. They measured the amounts of neodymium in meteorites, assuming they were similar in makeup to Earth's building blocks, and found that up to 20% of the Earth's outer layers could have been removed by collisions, which would explain the ratio of heavy minerals such as neodymium in the crust compared to other, lighter minerals such as samarium.

More information: Paul Frossard et al, Earth's composition was modified by collisional erosion, Science (2022). Paul Frossard et al, Earth's composition was modified by collisional erosion,(2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abq7351 Zoe Malka Leinhardt, Earth was seasoned by countless blows, Science (2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.add3199 Journal information: Science

 2022 Science X Network
Flares burn off methane and other hydrocarbons at an oil and gas facility in Lenorah, Texas, Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. Climate scientists have found that methane emissions from the oil and gas industry are far worse than what companies are reporting, despite claims by some major firms that theyve reduced their emissions. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman, File

As serious as the methane escaping from ruptured pipelines on the floor of the Baltic Sea may be, there are alarming incidents of massive methane releases around the world frequently.

Climate scientists have found that methane emissions from the oil and gas industry are far worse than what companies are reporting, despite claims by some major firms that they've reduced their emissions. That matters because natural gas, a fossil fuel widely used to heat homes and provide electricity, is made up of methane, a potent climate warming gas. It escapes into the atmosphere from well sites and across the natural gas distribution network, from pipelines and compressor stations, to the export terminals that liquefy gas to ship it overseas.

Scientists measuring methane from satellites in space have found that methane emissions from oil and gas operations are usually at least twice what companies reported, said Thomas Lauvaux, a scientist at University of Reims in France. In Permian Basin, the largest oil and gas field in the United States, methane emissions were two to three times higher than what companies reported, he said.

"Everybody claims they have reduced their emissions, but it's not true," Lauvaux said.

Governments around the world, especially in the U.S., are also notorious for underestimating how much methane escapes into the air, said Cornell University ecology and biology professor Robert Howarth, who studies natural gas emissions.

In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency uses voluntary self-reporting from industry, instead of independent verification, which is what's needed, Howarth said.

Globally, Turkmenistan is among the worst offenders for releasing methane into the atmosphere, while Saudi Arabia is among the best at capturing it, based on satellite observations, Lauvaux said. The U.S. falls somewhere in the middle, with some companies capturing methane pretty well and others performing terribly.

Lauvaux and other scientists have observed more than 1,500 major methane leaks globally, and potentially tens of thousands of smaller leaks, using satellites, he said.

Most of the oil and gas industry's methane emissions come from pipelines and compressor stations, according to Kayrros, a company which analyzes satellite data.

A flare burns at Venture Global LNG in Cameron, La., on Friday, April 21, 2022. Climate scientists have found that methane emissions from the oil and gas industry are far worse than what companies are reporting, despite claims by some major firms that theyve reduced their emissions. Credit: AP Photo/Martha Irvine, File

Many of those so-called leaks are not accidental; they occur when companies perform routine maintenance. For example when a pipeline needs repair, operators need to bleed gas out so they can weld without an explosion. But instead of capturing the gas, most companies just open the pipeline and release the methane into the air, a practice which is legal in the U.S. and elsewhere. Some companies do capture methane instead of just releasing it, but more could adopt the practice, scientists said.

One way the oil and gas industry tries to reduce methane emissions is by flaring, or burning off, what they consider excess gas. Companies might employ a flare when they're drilling for oil, and gas comes up along with the oil. If they don't have the pipeline infrastructure to transport it to customers, or if they've decided that gas, which is generally cheaper than oil, isn't worth the effort, they may send the gas up a flare stack to burn it off.

In Turkmenistan, scientists found flares malfunctioning for as long as three years. "This gas is just pouring into the atmosphere," Lauvaux said.

A study released Thursday by scientists at the University of Michigan found that flaring releases five times more methane in the U.S. than previously thought. Flares, they found, are often unlit or not working, allowing gas to escape directly into the atmosphere.

Reducing flaring or making sure flares are working properly would go a long way, said Genevieve Plant, a lead author of the study and climate scientist at University of Michigan.

"If we take action soon, it will have a large climate impact," Plant said.

Fossil fuels are by no means the only source of methane. The gas can come from decaying garbage in landfills and livestock agriculture, even plants breaking down in reservoir dams. Fossil methane may make up some 30% of the total.

David Archer is a professor in the geophysical sciences department at University of Chicago and focuses on the global carbon cycle. He thinks much of the methane that has escaped from the Baltic Sea pipelines dissolved in the water.

The leak is dramatic, but it doesn't compare to the daily impact of methane emitters such as agricultural operations, Archer said.

The amounts "from oil wells and cattle are much larger, just harder to visualize. If the explosion in the Baltic looks large, it's because it's concentrated," he said.

Explore further Baltic Sea pipeline leak damages marine life and climate

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Conformational changes upon client-chaperone engagement. a Top view of superpositing peptide-receptive MHC I in the chaperone complex (MHC I hc, teal; tapasin, orange) with peptide-bound H2-Db (gray, PDB ID 2F74) in cartoon representation. hc heavy chain; 1, 2,  strands of editing loop of tapasin. b Side view of the superposition shown in a 5, 6, 7,  strands of MHC I hc; 9, 10,  hairpin of tapasin. c View onto the concave interface of tapasin in superposition of MHC I-bound tapasin from the chaperone complex (tapasin, orange; MHC I hc, teal; 2m, green) with client-free tapasin (gray, PDB ID 3F8U). d Superposition as in c but viewed onto the C-terminal domain of tapasin. IgC domain immunoglobulin constant domain,  2 m  2 -microglobulin. Credit: Nature Communications (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32841-9

As task forces of the adaptive immune system, T lymphocytes are responsible for attacking and killing infected or cancerous cells. Such cells, like almost all cells in the human body, present on their surface fragments of all the proteins they produce inside. If these include peptides that a T lymphocyte recognizes as foreign, the lymphocyte is activated and kills the cell in question.

It is therefore important for a robust T-cell response that suitable protein fragments are presented to the T lymphocyte. The research team led by Simon Trowitzsch and Robert Tampe from the Institute of Biochemistry at Goethe University Frankfurt has now shed light on how the cell selects these protein fragments or peptides.

Peptide presentation takes place on so-called major histocompatibility complex class I molecules (MHC I). MHC I molecules are a group of very diverse surface proteins that can bind myriads of different peptides. They are anchored in the cell membrane and form a peptide-binding pocket with their outward-facing part.

Like all surface proteins, MHC I molecules take the so-called secretory pathway: they are synthesized into the cell's cavity system (endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus) and folded there. Small vesicles then bud off from the cavity system, migrate to the cell membrane and fuse with it.

The maturation process of the MHC I molecules is very strictly controlled: in the ER, proteins known as "chaperones" help them fold. The chaperone tapasin is essential for peptide loading in this process.

"When an MHC I molecule has bound a peptide, tapasin checks how tight the binding is," says Trowitzsch, explaining the chaperone's task. "If the bond is unstable, the peptide is removed and replaced by a tightly binding one." However, it has not yet been possible to clarify how exactly tapasin performs this taskespecially because the loading process is extremely fast.

The biochemists and structural biologists from Goethe University Frankfurt have now succeeded for the first time in visualizing the short-lived interaction between chaperone and MHC I molecule by means of X-ray structure analysis.

To do this, they produced variants of the two interaction partners that were no longer embedded in the membrane, purified them and brought them together. A trick helped to capture the loading complex in action for crystallization: first, the research team loaded the MHC I molecule with a high-affinity peptide so that a stable complex was created.

A light signal triggered cleavage of the peptide, which greatly reduced its ability to bind the MHC I molecule. Immediately, tapasin entered the scene and remained bound to the MHC I molecule that lacks its peptide. "The photo-induced cleavage of the peptide was pivotal to the success of our experiment," says Tampe. "With the help of this optochemical biology, we can now systematically reproduce complex cellular processes one by one."

X-ray structure analysis of the crystals revealed how tapasin widens the peptide-binding pocket of the MHC I molecule, thereby testing the strength of the peptide bond. For this purpose, the interaction partners form a large contact area; for stabilization, a loop of tapasin sits on top of the widened binding pocket.

"This is the first time we have shown the process of loading at high resolution," Tampe says. The images also reveal how a single chaperone can interact with the enormous diversity of MHC I molecules, says the biochemist. "Tapasin binds precisely the non-variable regions of the MHC I molecules." However, the new structure not only improves our understanding of the complex processes involved in loading MHC I molecules. It should also help select suitable candidates for vaccine development.

The research was published in Nature Communications.

Explore further Road signs for immune defense cells

More information: Ines Katharina Muller et al, Structure of an MHC ItapasinERp57 editing complex defines chaperone promiscuity, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Ines Katharina Muller et al, Structure of an MHC ItapasinERp57 editing complex defines chaperone promiscuity,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32841-9
Left: Data storage using probe force. Right: Data storage area drawn with a width of 10 nm or less. Credit: POSTECH

A method to draw data in an area smaller than 10 nanometers has been proposed in a recent study published in Physical Review Letters

A joint research team led by Professor Daesu Lee (Department of Physics) of POSTECH, Professor Se Young Park (Department of Physics) at Soongsil University, and Dr. Ji Hye Lee (Department of Physics and Astronomy) of Seoul National University has proposed a method for densely storing data by "poking" with a sharp probe. This method utilizes a material in the metastable state, whose properties change easily even with slight stimulation.

A thin film of metastable ferroelectric calcium titanate (CaTiO 3 ) enables the polarization switching of a material even with a slight pressure of a probe: A very weak force of 100 nanonewtons (nN) is more than enough. The joint research team succeeded in making the width of the polarization path smaller than 10 nm by using this force and found the way to dramatically increase the capacity of data storage. This is because the smaller the size of the path, the more data the single material can store.

The data storage capacity increased by up to 1 terabit (Tbit)/cm as a result of drawing the data storage area using a probe on the thin film. This result is 10 times greater than that of a previous study (0.11 Tbit/cm) which suggested a probe-based storage method using another material. Unlike the data storage method that uses electric fields, this probe method only requires a very small force, so the burden on the device is also small.

The results from the study are drawing attention as they have proved that materials achieve higher performance in an unstable metastable state. The findings are anticipated to be applicable in next-generation electronic devices with improved integration and efficiency in the future.

Explore further Boosting memory performance with strong ion bombardment

More information: Ji Hye Lee et al, Flexoelectricity-Driven Mechanical Switching of Polarization in Metastable Ferroelectrics, Physical Review Letters (2022). Journal information: Physical Review Letters Ji Hye Lee et al, Flexoelectricity-Driven Mechanical Switching of Polarization in Metastable Ferroelectrics,(2022). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.117601

Provided by Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)
In this Monday, Dec. 10, 2018 file photo, a bust of the Nobel Prize founder, Alfred Nobel on display at the Concert Hall during the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm. This years Nobel season approaches as Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster. The famously secretive Nobel Committee never leaks or hints who will win its prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. So it is anyones guess who might win the awards that will be announced starting next Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Credit: Henrik Montgomery/Pool Photo via AP, File

This year's Nobel Prize season approaches as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster.

The secretive Nobel committees never hint who will win the prizes in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. It's anyone's guess who might win the awards being announced starting Monday.

Yet there's no lack of urgent causes deserving the attention that comes with winning the world's most prestigious prize: Wars in Ukraine and Ethiopia, disruptions to supplies of energy and food, rising inequality, the climate crisis, the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The science prizes reward complex achievements beyond the understanding of most. But the recipients of the prizes in peace and literature are often known by a global audience and the choicesor perceived omissionshave sometimes stirred emotional reactions.

Members of the European Parliament have called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine to be recognized this year by the Nobel Peace Prize committee for their resistance to the Russian invasion.

While that desire is understandable, that choice is unlikely because the Nobel committee has a history of honoring figures who end conflicts, not wartime leaders, said Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The stage is set ahead of the socially distanced virtual Nobel Prize ceremony in the Golden Hall in the City Hall of Stockholm, Sweden, on Thursday Dec. 10, 2020. This years Nobel season approaches as Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster. The famously secretive Nobel Committee never leaks or hints who will win its prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. So it is anyones guess who might win the awards that will be announced starting next Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Credit: Fredrik Sandberg/TT via AP, File

Smith believes more likely peace prize candidates would be those fighting climate change or the International Atomic Energy Agency, a past recipient. Honoring the IAEA again would recognize its efforts to prevent a radioactive catastrophe at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant at the heart of fighting in Ukraine, and its work in fighting nuclear proliferation, Smith said.

"This is really difficult period in world history and there is not a lot of peace being made," he said.

Promoting peace isn't always rewarded with a Nobel. India's Mohandas Gandhi, a prominent symbol of non-violence, was never so honored.

In some cases, the winners have not lived out the values enshrined in the peace prize.

Just this week the Vatican acknowledged imposing disciplinary sanctions on Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo following allegations he sexually abused boys in East Timor in the 1990s.

Nobel Peace Prize winners Dmitry Muratov from Russia, right, and Maria Ressa of the Philippines embrace during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall, Norway, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. This years Nobel season approaches as Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster. The famously secretive Nobel Committee never leaks or hints who will win its prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. So it is anyones guess who might win the awards that will be announced starting next Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won in 2019 for making peace with neighboring Eritrea. A year later a largely ethnic conflict erupted in the country's Tigray region. Some accuse Abiy of stoking the tensions, which have resulted in widespread atrocities. Critics have called for his Nobel to be revoked and the Nobel committee has issued a rare admonition to him.

The Myanmar activist Aung San Suu Kyi won in 1991 for her opposition to military rule but decades later has been viewed as failing to oppose atrocities committed against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.

In some years, no peace prize has been awarded. It paused them during World War I, except to honor the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1917. It didn't hand out any from 1939 to 1943 due to World War II. In 1948, the year Gandhi died, the Norwegian Nobel Committee made no award, citing a lack of a suitable living candidate.

The Nobel diploma and medal in physiology or medicine presented to Charles M. Rice is displayed, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, during a ceremony in New York. This years Nobel season approaches as Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster. The famously secretive Nobel Committee never leaks or hints who will win its prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. So it is anyones guess who might win the awards that will be announced starting next Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Credit: Angela Weiss/Pool Photo via AP, File

The peace prize also does not always confer protection.

Last year journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia were awarded "for their courageous fight for freedom of expression" in the face of authoritarian governments.

Following the invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has cracked down even harder on independent media, including Muratov's Novaya Gazeta, Russia's most renowned independent newspaper. Muratov himself was attacked on a Russian train by an assailant who poured red paint over him, injuring his eyes.

The Philippines government this year ordered the shutdown of Ressa's news organization, Rappler.

The literature prize, meanwhile, has been notoriously unpredictable.

Few had bet on last year's winner, Zanzibar-born, U.K.-based writer Abdulrazak Gurnah, whose books explore the personal and societal impacts of colonialism and migration.

US President Barack Obama talks with Nobel Institute Executive Director Geir Lundestad, left, as first lady Michelle Obama, second from right, and others look on during a Nobel Signing Ceremony at the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009. In a break with Nobel tradition, the former secretary of the Nobel Peace Prize committee, Lundestad, said that the 2009 award to President Barack Obama failed to live up to the panels expectations. Lundestad wrote in a 2015 book that the committee had expected the prize to deliver a boost to Obama. Instead the award was met with fierce criticism in the U.S., where many argued Obama had not been president long enough to have an impact worthy of the Nobel. Credit: AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File

Gurnah was only the sixth Nobel literature laureate born in Africa, and the prize has long faced criticism that it is too focused on European and North American writers. It is also male-dominated, with just 16 women among its 118 laureates.

A clear contender is Salman Rushdie, the India-born writer and free-speech advocate who spent years in hiding after Iran's clerical rulers called for his death over his 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses." Rushdie, 75, was stabbed and seriously injured in August at a festival in New York state.

The list of possible winners includes literary giants from around the world: Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, Japan's Haruki Murakami, Norway's Jon Fosse, Antigua-born Jamaica Kincaid and France's Annie Ernaux.

The prizes to Gurnah in 2021 and U.S. poet Louise Gluck in 2020 have helped the literature prize move on from years of controversy and scandal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands with soldiers after attending a national flag-raising ceremony in the freed Izium, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. This year, a group of lawmakers at the European Parliament have called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine to be recognized for their resistance to a Russian assault widely viewed as genocidal. Credit: AP Photo/Leo Correa, File

In 2018, the award was postponed after sex abuse allegations rocked the Swedish Academy, which names the Nobel literature committee, and sparked an exodus of members. The academy revamped itself but faced more criticism for giving the 2019 literature award to Austria's Peter Handke, who has been called an apologist for Serbian war crimes.

Some scientists hope the award for physiology or medicine honors colleagues instrumental in the development of the mRNA technology that went into COVID-19 vaccines, which saved millions of lives across the world.

"When we think of Nobel prizes, we think of things that are paradigm shifting, and in a way I see mRNA vaccines and their success with COVID-19 as a turning point for us," said Deborah Fuller, a microbiology professor at the University of Washington.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed poses for the media after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize during the award ceremony in Oslo City Hall, Norway, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2019. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won in 2019 for making peace with neighboring Eritrea and a year later a year brutal and largely ethnic conflict erupted in a rebellious region of the country, Tigray. Some accuse Abiy himself of stoking the tensions, which have resulted in atrocities committed by his army along with all sides in the war, and critics have called for his Nobel to be revoked. Credit: Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix via AP, File

An exterior view of Oslo City Hall the venue of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. This years Nobel season approaches as Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster. The famously secretive Nobel Committee never leaks or hints who will win its prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. So it is anyones guess who might win the awards that will be announced starting next Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File

Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov from Russia poses for a photo as he works on his speech at his room in The Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. This years Nobel season approaches as Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster. The famously secretive Nobel Committee never leaks or hints who will win its prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. So it is anyones guess who might win the awards that will be announced starting next Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File

The ten 2016 Nobel laureates in literature, medicine, chemistry, physics and economics are seated, front row left, across from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and the royal family during the 2016 Nobel prize award ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall on Saturday Dec. 10, 2016. This years Nobel season approaches as Russias invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster. The famously secretive Nobel Committee never leaks or hints who will win its prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature, economics or peace. So it is anyones guess who might win the awards that will be announced starting next Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (Jessica Gow/TT News Agency via AP, File)/TT News Agency via AP)

Physics at times can seem arcane and difficult for the public to understand. But the last three years, the physics Nobel has honored more accessible topics: Climate change computer models, black holes and planets outside our solar system.

Some harder-to-understand topics in physicslike stopping light, quantum physics and carbon nanotubescould capture a Nobel award this year.

The Nobel announcements kick off Monday with the prize in physiology or medicine, followed by physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and literature on Thursday. The 2022 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Oct. 7 and the economics award on Oct. 10.

The prizes carry a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (nearly $900,000) and will be handed out on Dec. 10.

Explore further Nobel awards season comes to an end with economics prize

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Graphical abstract. Credit: Tokyo Tech

Each day, millions of biological processes occur in our body at a cellular level. Studying these processes can help us learn more about how cells function, a field that has continued to intrigue researchers. Recently, however, there has been a new player in this field. A new analytical methodsingle-molecule detectionhas gained momentum due to its success in observing specific, biologically relevant molecules and the processes associated with them.

Scientists have tried ways to use single-molecule detection assays to study proteins and their post-translational modifications (PTMs). PTMs are enzymatic changes observed after protein synthesis, wherein functional groups are added to the amino acids in the protein, enabling it to perform a specific function.

The study of PTMs can help us understand cell signaling and the origin of several diseases. However, assays aiming to do so have to be highly selective and specific to that protein. Given the lack of sensitivity of current techniques, obtaining single-molecule PTM measurements is challenging.

Recently, researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have found an "electrifying" way to overcome these limitations. In their recent breakthrough, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, a team of scientists led by Associate Professor Tomoaki Nishino from Tokyo Tech reported the single-molecule detection of phosphorylation in peptidesshort amino acid chainsand the formation of an orthophosphate junction with the help of electronic signatures.

Dr. Nishino explains, "We chose peptide phosphorylation, an archetypal and biologically relevant PTM, for our detection studies. The aim was to develop a tool that could detect even the slightest alteration in the chemical structure of amino acids."

To start with, the team studied the electronic properties of phosphorylated peptides using their inorganic analog, orthophosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ). They prepared a phosphate solution (PO 4 3- ) and subjected it to a scanning tunneling microscope (STM)-assisted break-junction (BJ) technique. When the current was passed between two gold STM electrodes, an orthophosphate group was found to bridge the nanogap between the electrodes by forming a stable junction due to the interaction of its negatively charged oxygen atoms with the gold. It was this junction and its signature that drove further experiments.

The single-orthophosphate junction was found to possess a high conductance of 0.4 G 0 and distinct electronic properties, the latter of which enabled this procedure to be highly specific and accurately sense the PTM in question (i.e., phosphorylation). To further test their technique, the team carried out in situ single-molecule phosphorylation assays, where they were able to differentiate between phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides with 95% accuracy and 91% specificity.

The method demonstrated in this study provides an unforeseen perspective into the world of PTMs in proteins. This novel technique will also open up new avenues for the use of single-molecule detection of PTMs in clinical diagnosis and pharmaceutical applications.

"There is a strong connection between protein phosphorylation and the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases. Our method will allow scientists to detangle how phosphorylation regulates the cellular events that lead to the origin of a disease and thereby aid in the development of treatments," concludes Dr. Nishino.

Explore further Toward self-restoring electronic devices with long DNA molecules

More information: Takanori Harashima et al, Unique Electrical Signature of Phosphate for Specific Single-Molecule Detection of Peptide Phosphorylation, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2022). Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society Takanori Harashima et al, Unique Electrical Signature of Phosphate for Specific Single-Molecule Detection of Peptide Phosphorylation,(2022). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05787
Photo: Armed Forces of Denmark Gas bubbles up from pipeline leak in the Baltic Sea, Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of sabotaging the Russian-built gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea to Germany.

Speaking Friday in Moscow at a ceremony to annex four regions of Ukraine into Russia, Putin said the Anglo-Saxons in the West have turned from sanctions to terror attacks, sabotaging the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in what he described as an attempt to destroy the European energy infrastructure.

He added that those who profit from it have done it, without naming a specific country.

European nations, which have been reeling under soaring energy prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have noted that it is Russia, not Europe, that benefits from chaos in the energy markets and spiking prices for energy.

Explosions that rocked the natural gas pipelines ahead of huge methane leaks probably corresponded to an explosive load of several hundred kilos," Denmark and Sweden wrote Friday in a letter to the United Nations.

Norwegian researchers published a map Friday projecting a huge plume of methane released by the damaged Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines will travel over large swaths of the Nordic region.

We assume the wind on the leak area blew the methane emissions north until the Finnish archipelago, then bends toward Sweden and Norway, Stephen Platt, a professor with the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, said.

The independent institution is part of the Integrated Carbon Observation System, a European research alliance, which said was confirmed by ICOS ground-based observations from several stations in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. the enormous amount of methane gas emission

These methane levels arent dangerous to public health but the gas is a potential source of global warming.

Moscow has requested an emergency meeting at the U.N. Security Council to discuss the pipelines and called for a thorough international probe to assess the damage to the pipelines, which carry natural gas from Russia to Europe. Russia says it looks like a terror attack, probably conducted on a state level.

The suspected sabotage this week on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines has produced two methane leaks off Sweden, including a large one above North Stream 1 and a smaller one above North Stream 2, and two leaks off Denmark.

Following the suspected sabotage this week of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that carry Russian natural gas to Europe, there were two leaks off Sweden, including a large one above North Stream 1, and a smaller one above North Stream 2, and two leaks off Denmark.

The North Stream 2 leak has diminished, but is still on-going, the Swedish coast guard said. However, navigational warnings for ships were slightly increased to 7 nautical miles (13 kilometers or 8 miles) from 5 nautical miles from the incident areas, the coast guard said in a statement.

The Danish and Swedish governments have described the ruptures as the result of deliberate actions.

Russia also has said the leaks resulted from deliberate acts, saying it looks like a terror attack, probably conducted on a state level.
Credit: Newcastle University

Newcastle University research has identified the chemical responsible for the crab and lobster mass mortalities on the Northeast and North Yorkshire coasts.

Two documentaries, on both BBC and Channel 5, have highlighted the plight of the fishermen who work off the coasts of Whitby and whose livelihood has been threatened by the mortalities. The Fishmongers' Company had already contacted Dr. Gary Caldwell a researcher in marine biology at Newcastle University to commission a study into the deaths of the crustaceans. This work which has been completed and analyzed will soon be submitted for academic publication.

A series of mass mortalities of crabs and lobsters were recorded along the Northeast and North Yorkshire coasts during autumn and winter of 2021. The cause of the die-offs was unknown, with suggestions ranging from a toxic algae bloom to the release of poisons from intensive dredging of the Tees estuary.

Pyridine toxicity

Early research in the lab revealed high levels of pyridine, a chemical with a long history of release into the River Tees, in the tissues of the dead crabs. However, there were no data on whether pyridine is toxic to crabs. The Fishmongers' Company commissioned Newcastle University to undertake research to fill this knowledge gap.

In this research, edible crabs (Cancer pagurus) were exposed to a range of pyridine solutions, while their behavior, indicators of cellular stress, and survival over periods of up to three days were recorded. At the upper range of tested concentration which was comfortably within the pyridine levels found in the dead crabs, pyridine caused convulsive behaviors, paralysis and death within six hours. The onset of paralysis took longer as the pyridine concentrations were lowered, but mortalities remained high even at lower concentrations.

Dr. Gary Caldwell, Senior Lecturer in Applied Marine Biology, said, "Our research has shown that there is no doubt that pyridine is highly toxic to crabs. The levels of pyridine we tested were below the levels recorded by the Environment Agency from the bodies of the dead crabs and yet we saw it caused death in the edible crabs.

"The next step for our research was to explain the scale of the deaths over such a large stretch of the coastline."

To evaluate the scale of the deaths, Dr. Miguel-Angel Morales, a physical oceanographer in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Newcastle University, combined the toxicity data with computer simulations of the North Sea currents and tides during and after the autumn dredging activity.

The modeling showed that pyridine would be quickly transported along the coastline, with areas around Hartlepool and Redcar worst affected, with the potential to kill approximately half of the crab population after only 24 hours of exposure. Levels of pyridine sufficient to kill approximately 10% of the population within three days were predicted to reach as far south as Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. The timeline of the transport of pyridine along the coast closely matched the timeline of mortalities reported by the fishing community and the general public.

With the experiment and analysis complete, the next step will involve the publication of the findings in an academic journal.

Explore further Dynamic evolution of aluminum coordination environments in mordenite zeolite
An engraving by Louie-Auguste de Sainson depicting a residential dwelling (left) constructed on top of a mound approximately one metre tall. Credit: State Library of New South Wales

Pacific island nations suffered severe depopulation from introduced diseases as a consequence of contact with European vessels, a new study from The Australian National University (ANU) shows.

The research, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, indicates population declines were a lot larger than previously thought.

According to the study, the main island of Tonga had a population decline of between 7086% once Europeans made contact.

Researchers from the ANU School of Culture, History & Language, Ph.D. candidate Phillip Parton and ARC Future Fellow Professor Geoffrey Clark, found there were between 100,000 to 120,000 people in Tonga prior to European contact.

"I and my co-author used aerial laser scanning data to map residences on the main island of Tonga and then used archaeological data I collected as part of my Ph.D. to estimate the population," Mr. Parton said.

"This improved understanding of the past has allowed us to show a significant population decline from 50,00060,000 to 10,000 during a 50-year period on the main island of Tongatapu in the Kingdom of Tonga.

"Because this number is so much larger than anything anyone had previously considered, I used shipping and missionary data to check my estimates and found they were plausible.

"Obviously, this shows a big reassessment of the impact of globalization in the 19th century.

"As in many parts of the world, the population of Pacific islands suffered severe declines after contact when Europeans introduced new pathogens."

Explore further Tonga is home to 170 islands. A new one just formed from an underwater volcanic eruption

More information: Phillip Parton et al, Using lidar and Bayesian inference to reconstruct archaeological populations in the Kingdom of Tonga, Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports (2022). Journal information: Journal of Archaeological Science Phillip Parton et al, Using lidar and Bayesian inference to reconstruct archaeological populations in the Kingdom of Tonga,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103610
The informal talks in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa come ahead of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt from November 6-18.

Environment ministers from some 50 countries gather in DR Congo on Monday for the pre-COP27 climate talks, with rich countries expected to come under pressure to contribute more to fight global warming.

The informal talks in the central African country's capital Kinshasa come ahead of the COP27 climate summit in Egypt, from November 6-18.

Ministers and other delegates are expected to discuss points that could lead to impediments at the main summit.

But no formal announcements are expected at the pre-COP27 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's climate negotiator Tosi Mpanu Mpanu told AFP.

A Western diplomat, who requested anonymity, said that since the COP and pre-COP are both being held in Africa "the emphasis will certainly be on support from industrialised countries to countries in the south".

The theme was also present during the 2021 COP26 climate talks in Glasgow, which ended with a pledge to keep global warming at 1.5 degrees centigrade compared to pre-industrial levels.

Poorer countries had pushed for a mechanism that would account for damages caused by climate change. But wealthier nationsthe largest pollutersrejected the call and the participants agreed instead to open a "dialogue" on financing damages.

Roughly the size of Western Europe, DR Congo has 160 million hectares of rainforest that acts as a carbon sink.

Egyptwhich holds the presidency of the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP)has said it wants to make the latest summit about implementation.

The pre-COP27 summit in Kinshasa ends on Wednesday.

Forest protection

The DRC is expected to drive home the message that it is a country that can provide solutions for climate change during the talks.

Roughly the size of Western Europe, the DRC has 160 million hectares (395 million acres) of rainforest that acts as a carbon sink.

It also has huge reserves of minerals such as cobalt and lithium, which are deemed critical for the transition to renewable energy because of their use in battery production.

Kinshasa is asking for more funding to protect its rainforests, which are currently threatened by slash-and-burn agriculture as well as logging for charcoal production.

DR Congo is expected to drive home the message that it is a country that can provide solutions for climate change.

"The more resources we have at our disposal, the more climate action we can put in place," said Congolese negotiator Mpanu Mpanu.

Ahead of the pre-COP27 summit, the government organised a scientific conference at the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve in the forested northeast. It ended with scientists urging the international community to "support all initiatives" to protect the rainforest.

However, the demand comes after the government put 30 oil and gas blocks up for auction in Julyignoring warnings from green activists that drilling could harm rainforests and peat lands and release vast amounts of heat-trapping gas.

Around 30 billion tonnes of carbon are stored across the Congo Basin, researchers estimated in a study for Nature in 2016. The figure is roughly equivalent to three years' of global emissions.

The DRC, one of the poorest countries in the world, argues that drilling for oil and gas could help diversify its economy and benefit the Congolese people.

Explore further African countries to stand by 1.5C target at climate talkstalks

 2022 AFP
Phenotypic diversity in silkworms. Credit: BGI Genomics

BGI Genomics, in collaboration with Southwest University, the State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, and other partners, has constructed a high-resolution pangenome dataset representing almost the entire genomic content in a silkworm.

This research paper, providing genetic insights into artificial selection (domestication and breeding) and ecological adaptation, was published on September 24 in Nature Communications.

Previously, due to the scarcity of wild silkworms and technical limitations of former studies, many trait-associated sites were missing. This is the first research ever to digitize silkworm gene pool and create a "digital silkworm", greatly facilitating functional genomic research, promoting precise breeding, and thus enabling additional silk use cases.

The team deeply re-sequence 1,078 silkworms (B. mori, including 205 local strains, 194 improved varieties, and 632 genetic stocks and 47 wild silkworms, B. mandarina) and assemble long-read genomes on 545 of these samples, generating 55.57 T of genomic data.

This pangenome dataset contains the most comprehensive information on the genomes of domestic and wild silkworm, and is the largest long-read pangenome in the world for plants and animals to date. At the same time, in-depth studies on various genetic variation, population structure, artificial selection and ecological adaptations and economic traits of silkworm have been carried out, yielding fruitful results.

Characterization of structural variation in 545 silkworm genomes. Credit: BGI Genomics

The origins of the domestic silkworm

The domestic silkworm, B. mori, domesticated from the wild mulberry silkworm, B. mandarina. It has an history of over 5,000 years, but its domestication origin location has long been an open question, due to a lack of strong biological evidence.

The material in this study represents the richest genetic diversity from all major sericulture regions of the world. The study found out that endemic species from China's lower and middle Yellow River region are distributed at the base of the domestic silkworm branch on the evolutionary tree, thus suggesting that the domestic silkworm originated in this region. The available archaeological evidence, including a half cocoon excavated in 1926 at Xiyin Village, Xia County, Shanxi Province, and a stone-carved silkworm pupa excavated in 2019 at Shicun in the same county, provide important support to this conclusion.

Geographic distribution and phylogenetic tree of silkworm. Credit: BGI Genomics

Breaking the bottleneck in silkworm breeding

The traditional breeding of silkworms has a long and unique history, but since the 1990s remained stuck in a bottleneck. Systematic analysis of the genetic basis of domestication and improvement selection is essential to solve the unresolved issues in silkworm breeding. The team has identified 468 domestication-associated genes and 198 improvement-associated genes, of which respectively 264 and 185 are newly identified. These genes will be important candidate targets for molecular improvement of silkworm.

At the same time, it was found out that the Chinese and Japanese utility species share less than 3% of the improvement loci. This not only reveals the relatively independent breeding histories of Chinese and Japanese silkworm, but also explains why this shared genetic basis provides such hybrid advantages for both species. This result sheds new insights for future breeding of the silkworm.

Economic traits of silkworm breeding

Yield and quality of silk have long been targeted as the main economic criteria for artificial selection of silkworm. However, up to this date, little is known about how genes and loci control these quantitative traits. The pangenome is arguably the 'nearest bridge' between phenotypes, especially complex traits.

Silkworm domestication and breeding. Credit: BGI Genomics

A case in point is the regulation of silk production by the cell cycle-related transcription factor BmE2F1, which was revealed through selection signaling and structural variation. CRISPR-cas9 mediated knockout of BmE2F1 reduces the number of silk gland cells by 7.68% and silk yield by 22%. Conversely, the transgenic overexpression of BmE2F1 increases the number of silk gland cells by 23% and silk yield by 16%.

Fine silk has unique applications and higher economic value, but the genetic basis of fiber fineness remained previously unknown. Analysis of rare variants in the genomes of slender varieties led to the identification of BmChit -GlcNAcase, a gene controlling silk fineness that can significantly be detected in fine varieties, and CRISPR-cas9 mediated knockout, resulting in coarser silk fineness produced by domestic silkworms. This suggests this gene plays a key role in determining silk fineness.

Genetic basis of silkworm economic traits. Credit: BGI Genomics

Adaptive traits of silkworm breeding

Diapause is a common ecological adaptive trait in insects that ensures that insects can survive despite unfavorable environmental conditions. Although the diapause hormone was first identified in the silkworm in 1957, little information is available on the embryonic dipause gene. In this study, based on the analysis of the pnd strain and genomic structural variation in the silkworm, and functional validation by gene editing, the BmTret1-like gene revealed itself to be an important determinant of post-embryonic stalling. This is the first time that a post-embryonic determinant gene has been identified in an insect.

This study reveals the complete pan-genome of the silkworm to unlock artificial selection and ecological adaptation insights. Shuaishuai Tai, co-author and BGI Genomics senior researcher commented, "With comprehensive sampling and dataset combined with a variety of experiments to identify genes for future potential study, we hope to accelerate the process of silkworm molecular design breeding."

Explore further Genetic study of silkworm helps unravel its long history of domestication

More information: Xiaoling Tong et al, High-resolution silkworm pan-genome provides genetic insights into artificial selection and ecological adaptation, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Xiaoling Tong et al, High-resolution silkworm pan-genome provides genetic insights into artificial selection and ecological adaptation,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33366-x

Provided by BGI Genomics
Assistant Professor Luis Escobar (at center) holds a vampire bat as Karen Sarmientos, a student at Universidad Distrital in Colombia, feeds it a sugar water solution through a dropper before returning it to the wild. Photo courtesy of Laura V. Avila Vargas. Credit: Virginia Tech

In June, Virginia Tech Assistant Professor Luis Escobar led a team of students into the Andes Mountains and lowlands of Colombia to understand how vampire bats can help predict and prevent the next big epidemic.

Escobar is an expert in assessing how diseases respond to climate and landscape change in the College of Natural Resources and Environment's Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. With a $358,000 grant from the National Science Foundation and support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), his latest project examines how vampire bats carrying the rabies virus can help scientists forecast areas where wildlife virus transmission might occur in the coming years.

The study documents in-depth how the confluence of geography, population traits, and climate change affect the spread of infectious disease from bats to other species and proposes new models for predicting when and where such spillover events will occur. The findings could shed light on what environmental conditions increase the likelihood of transmission of rabies as well as other diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, such as coronavirus and the Ebola virus.

Colombia's varied climate and topographyfrom the cold, arid elevations of the Andes Mountains down to the hot, humid lowlands and coastal areasoffer the ideal setting for such research.

"Climate change and rising temperatures increase the risk of spreading infectious disease," Escobar said. "Colombia provides a great system to see the effects of extreme temperatures up close without having to wait for climate change to unfold. We are monitoring large areas and different climates and elevations to create a big-picture study of the factors behind the geography of spillover to answer the question: Can we predict spillover across spatial areas?"

Vampire bats are ideal wildlife hosts for studying disease transmission. They are a frequent source of pathogen spillover in Latin America, where livestock deaths from the rabies virus are common. As bats and bat-borne infections creep farther north due to warming temperatures, vampire bat rabies represents a significant threat to cattle, livestock, and other animals in the southern United States.

"Many epidemic-causing pathogens come from bats, which can infect a wide range of species from carnivores to livestock and humans," Escobar said. "We have learned many lessons about disease thanks to rabies, which makes rabies an excellent model for understanding how the ongoing climate change can trigger the next pandemic. If we can get a good idea of how conditions of the environmentlandscape, temperature, rain, urbanizationincrease or decrease disease transmission, then we can better understand how pathogens cross species lines to spread into the public and cause epidemics and even pandemics like COVID-19."

As lead investigator in the study, Escobar, who is an affiliated faculty member with the Global Change Center and the Center for Emerging, Zoonotic, and Arthropod-borne Pathogens, is conducting all field research in addition to handling general project oversight and management.

His colleague, Professor Eric Hallerman from the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, will conduct a population genetic assessment from the vampire bat samples. He also will examine the relationships among different vampire bat populations to determine whether they share genes or have independent colonies, which may help the team better understand transmission processes.

Co-principal investigator Lauren Childs, associate professor of mathematics in the College of Science, will put together different data patterns, creating a mathematical modeling framework to reconstruct and help project future spillover events.

The Virginia Tech scientists are partnering in the effort with senior scientists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Universidad de La Salle in Colombia, and officials from the Colombian Departments of Health and Agriculture.

Students find the chance to excel in fieldwork

To collect the first field data in June, Escobar assembled and trained a team of Virginia Tech students, including one graduate student and three undergraduates. The team, joined by students from four Colombian universities, visited four sites with differing elevations, temperatures, and ecological conditions to trap and sample more than 250 vampire bats.

Working at night, when bats are most active, they caught bats in large rectangular mist nets in forests and farmlands. They also learned how to descend into caves wearing biohazard suits, gloves, and masks to capture bats during the day. The bats were placed in bags and taken back to a mobile lab, where Escobar and the students identified the species, measured them, drew blood samples, tagged them, and fed them a sugar water solution before releasing them.

The opportunity to acquire hands-on experience in research and fieldwork is a priority for the college. Students studying in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation are expected to complete an experiential learning experience before graduation; one option for fulfilling this requirement is undergraduate research.

The college and department also value inclusion and opportunity, and Escobar specifically encouraged applications from students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds in disease ecology.

Dyess Harp, from Berryville, Virginia, who graduated in June with a degree in fish and wildlife conservation, said the experience affirmed her interest in pursuing a master's degree in the field.

"The opportunity to get hands-on experience in biodiversity, disease ecology, and bats, and be part of such a multicultural, supportive team was a dream come true," said Harp. "For me, this was a really encouraging thing because queer people, especially transgender people, have historically not been included in field research trips of this scope."

Quan Dong, a senior from Annandale, Virginia, majoring in wildlife conservation and biological sciences, called it "the trip of a lifetime."

"This was by far my best college experience to date," he said. "Field work is a unique experience that cannot really be replicated any other way. I was able to learn skills related to the physical aspects of field work, such as the techniques for setting up a mist net and pacing yourself for a day of hiking through the mountains. I was also able to learn how to be an effective researcher, providing critical feedback and collaborating with others. I expect these skills to stay with me throughout my life and help to stimulate a fruitful career in wildlife conservation."

Dong also formulated his own separate research project on bat acoustics and echolocation activity. He recorded bat vocalizations and is now investigating the unique and common languages of vampire bats across various regions.

Escobar and a new group of students will return next year to collect more samples and complete the study. In the meantime, the team is analyzing a century's worth of historical data from Latin America, looking for patterns in climate change and rabies spillover that may be helpful in predicting future transmission events.

"Students who study wildlife conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment have a unique opportunity not only to get mud on their boots, but also to conduct work with the CDC and other health agencies that study wildlife diseases," Escobar said. "Through projects like this, we are filling a critical niche: the empirical study of climate change effects on disease emergence."

"Student success is the central focus of our department, and gaining research experience working in new environments and with pressing environmental issues is a great way for students to expand their resume and ensure their success as they move beyond Virginia Tech," said Joel Snodgrass, department head and professor in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. "Dr. Escobar's work represents just such an opportunity and clearly demonstrates the benefits to our students of a diverse faculty and student body."

Explore further The first look at how rabies affects vampire bat social behavior
Credit: NASA/JPL

Venus, often called Earth's "evil twin" planet, formed closer to the sun and has since evolved quite differently from our own planet. It has a "runaway" greenhouse effect (meaning heat is completely trapped), a thick carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere, no magnetic field and a surface hot enough to melt lead.

Several uncrewed scientific missions will study how and why that happened in the next decade. But now some scientists want to send a crewed mission there as well for a flyby. Is that a good idea?

With a slightly smaller diameter than Earth, Venus orbits closer to the sun. This means that any water on the surface would have evaporated shortly after its formation, starting its greenhouse effect. Early and sustained volcanic eruptions created lava plains and increased the carbon dioxide in the atmospherestarting the runaway greenhouse effect, which increased the temperature from just a little higher than Earth's to its current high value of 475C.

While the Venus year is shorter than ours (225 days), its rotation is very slow (243 days) and "retrograde"the other way round to Earth. The slow rotation is related to a lack of magnetic field, resulting in a continuing loss of atmosphere. Venus' atmosphere "super-rotates" faster than the planet itself. Images from many missions show V-shaped patterns of clouds, composed of sulphuric acid droplets.

Despite the harsh conditions, some scientists have speculated that Venus' clouds might at some altitudes harbor habitable conditions. Recent measurements apparently showing phosphinea potential sign of life as it is continuously produced by microbes on Earthin Venus' clouds have been strongly debated. Clearly, we need more measurements and exploration to work out where it comes from.

Future missions

What we know about Venus so far has been gathered from several past probes. In 197082, for example, the Soviet Venera 714 probes were able to land on Venus' harsh surface, survive for up to two hours and send back images and data. But there are remaining questions about how Venus evolved so differently from Earth, which are also relevant for understanding which planets orbiting other stars may harbor life.

The next decade promises to be a bonanza for Venus scientists. In 2021, Nasa selected two missions, Veritas and DaVinci+, due for launch in 202830. The European Space Agency selected EnVision for launch in the early 2030s. These are complementary, uncrewed missions which will give us deeper understanding of Venus' environment and evolution.

Veritas will map Venus' surface to determine the geological history, rock composition and the importance of early water. DaVinci+ includes an orbiter and a small probe that will descend through the atmosphere and measure its composition, study the planet's formation and evolution and determine whether it ever had an ocean. EnVision will study the planet's surface, subsurface and atmospheric trace gases. It will use radar to map the surface with better resolution than ever before.

India also plans an uncrewed mission, Shukrayaan-1, and Russia has proposed Venera-D.

Craters on Venus seen by Venus Nasas Magellan probe. Credit: NASA/JPL

Do we need crewed flybys?

The idea of a crewed flyby of Venus was suggested in the late 1960s, and involved using an Apollo capsule to fly people around the planet. But this idea ended when Apollo finished. Now, the Artemis project to fly around the Moon, and other ideas of crewed missions, have led to the idea being floated again, most recently in journal papers and at a recent meeting of the International Astronautical Federation, an advocacy organization, in September 2022.

The idea would be to fly a crewed spacecraft around Venus and return to Earth. This would allow scientists to test deep-space techniques such as how to operate a crewed mission with significant time delays when communicating with Earth. It could therefore prepare us for a more complex, crewed mission to Mars. However, the crew wouldn't do any landing or actual atmosphere investigation at Venusthe conditions are way too harsh.

The researchers who back this idea argue that you could also use Venus' gravity to alter the spacecraft's course for Mars, which could save time and energy compared with going directly from Earth to Mars. That's because the latter option would require the orbits of the two planets to be aligned, meaning you'd have to wait for the right moment both on the way there and back. However, as a crewed mission to Mars would be highly complex, going directly from Earth to Mars would keep designs simpler.

Sending humans to a planet that may harbor living organisms also won't make it easier to find them. It is riskywe may end up contaminating the atmosphere before we discover any life. The best way to look for biochemical signs of life is with uncrewed probes. There would also be significant thermal challenges and higher radiation from solar flares due to closer proximity to the Sun.

And, unfortunately, with a flyby mission like this, only a few hours of data would be possible on the inbound and outbound trajectories. It would be a highly expensive venture, which would no doubt produce some amazing imagery and useful additional data. However, this would add little to the detailed and much longer bespoke studies currently planned. I, therefore, believe the likelihood of a crewed mission to Venus is very unlikely.

There have also been conceptual, more far-fetched studiesincluding sending crewed airships to hover in Venus' atmosphere, rather than just flying by. This is a nice idea, which may achieve more science than a flyby, but it remains a distant and unrealistic concept for now.

For the moment, we only carry out crewed exploration in low-Earth orbit. The Artemis project, however, aims to fly people around the Moon and build a station, called Gateway, in lunar orbit. This is being designed to do science, enable crewed landings on the Moon and crucially to test deep space techniques such as refueling and operating in a remote environment that could in the long run help get us to Mars without doing training at Venus.

Explore further NASA picks Venus as hot spot for two new robotic missions

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
WHITE CREEK  A White Creek woman has been indicted for her alleged role in an incident where her husband is accused of firing multiple shots at police.

Jane Jenkins, 43, is facing felony charges including two counts of first-degree attempted murder and three counts of second-degree attempted murder for the incident that took place on July 7.

State police responded to 210 Jermain Hill Lane at about 10:43 p.m. for a report of a landlord-tenant dispute.

Police said 38-year-old Matthew Parant, who rents a home on the property, got into a dispute with the property owner and got a rifle from inside his home. He then is accused of firing shots at officers and the property owner.

Parant then barricaded himself in the home as numerous law enforcement agencies responded to the scene. The State Police Crisis Negotiations Unit responded and communicated with Parant for several hours to no avail. He left his residence just before 4:30 a.m. and attempted to flee the scene in a van when he was taken into custody.

No one was injured in the incident.

Parant was arraigned in Washington County Court on Sept. 16 on felony charges including three counts of second-degree attempted murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder and reckless endangerment. He also faces two counts of misdemeanor second-degree menacing and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

Authorities said previously that a woman on the property was not cooperative with the investigation.

Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said on Thursday that Jenkins is being charged as an accomplice to Parant. He would not discuss the specifics about her case.

The attempted murder counts allege that she intended to cause the death of a state police trooper, Washington County Sheriffs deputy and the landlord, court documents showed.

Jenkins denied any involvement in shooting at officers in a court filing. She alleged that the property owners had driven by that morning to take photographs and/or record her and Parant. Jenkins said the landlord had indicated they wanted to move the couple to another home on the property, so they could rent it out as an Airbnb.

Jenkins also alleged that there were issues at the property such as a leaky roof, mice and bird infestation and problems with appliances.

Jenkins denied any wrongdoing.

I stayed in the residence the entire time. I did not participate in my husbands conduct, (or) condone his behavior, she wrote in a statement.

In addition to the attempted murder counts, Jenkins was also charged with a felony count of first-degree reckless endangerment and misdemeanors of second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

She was arraigned in Washington County Court on Sept. 23 and is free on bond.

Jenkins attorney, Brian Premo, did not return a message seeking comment.
Democratic congressional candidate Matt Castelli on Friday criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not yet holding a House vote on any legislation banning members of Congress from trading in stocks while in office.

Members of Congress using their privileged positions to get rich off the stock market is among the many reasons that the American public has lost faith in current leadership in Washington, Castelli said in a news release. This should have been a top priority of congressional Democrats, and its one of the reasons that I will not support Nancy Pelosi for another term as speaker.

Various bills have been proposed in both the House and Senate that would require members of Congress, spouses and dependents to either divest of stock or place it in a blind trust while in office.

House Democratic leaders have said they might schedule a vote before the November recess.

Castelli, a former CIA counterterrorism official who lives in Glens Falls, is running against U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville.

In other political news of the region:

Employment legislation

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, on Friday announced she introduced legislation to assist employers that prefer to use work experience rather than college degrees as the basis of hiring.

So-called skills-based hiring could be particularly useful for filling jobs during the ongoing labor shortage, Stefanik said in a news release.

The legislation would establish a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Council program to provide education about skills-based hiring and consulting to ensure that hiring practices of employers who voluntarily participate in the program comply with federal guidelines.

The EEOC could not open an investigation of an employer because the employer participated in the program.

NFIB

The National Federation of Independent Business, a small business advocacy group, endorsed state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, for re-election.

Woerner is running in the 113th District against Republican challenger David Catalfamo, an economic development official and writer from Wilton.

Elsewhere in the region, NFIB endorsed state Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, who is running in the 45th District against Democratic challenger Jean Lapper, a certified public accountant and financial adviser from Queensbury; Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, who is running in the 44th District against Michelle Ostrelich, a Schenectady County legislator; Assemblyman Jake Ashby, R-Castleton, who is running for an open seat in the 43rd Senate District against Democrat Andrea Smyth, a health care and family issues policy advocate from Troy; and Assemblyman Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, who is running unopposed in the 114th Assembly District.

NFIB report cards

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, received a perfect 100 score, based on her voting record on small business issues during the current congressional session, on a recent National Federation of Independent Business report card.

Stefanik also received a 100 for the previous two-year session.

Elsewhere in the region, Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, received a 14 score, out of a possible 100, for this session, and a 40 score for the previous session.

Tonko is running in the 20th District against Republican challenger Liz Lemery Joy, a former blogger and speaker from Schenectady.

League of Conservation Voters

The New York League of Conservation Voters endorsed state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, for re-election.

Woerner is running in the 113th District against Republican challenger David Catalfamo, an economic development official and writer from Wilton.

Elsewhere in the region, the league endorsed Democrat Michelle Ostrelich, a Schenectady County legislator, who is running in the 44th Senate District against Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville.

Stec endorsement

State Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, on Wednesday announced that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2032 of St. Lawrence County endorsed his re-election bid.

Stec is running in the 45th Senate District against Democratic challenger Jean Lapper, a certified public accountant and financial adviser from Queensbury.

Leftover campaign cash

State Sen. Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon, who is not seeking re-election, had $60,349 left in her campaign fund, as of Sept. 2, the date of the most recent report filed with the state Board of Elections.

Jordan has said she expects to contribute unused campaign funds to other Republican candidates in the region.

Stefanik endorsements

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, on Tuesday announced that 110 elected officials, including Ogdensburg Councilman Daniel Skamprie, a Democrat, endorsed her reelection bid.

On Friday, Stefanik announced that 111 elected officials from Herkimer County endorsed her re-election bid, including Democrats John Brezinski, District 8 county legislator, and Dorayne Peplinki, a Warren Town Board member.

Moose calling

State Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, is regarded as an expert on the call of the wild.

Stec on Sept. 24 was a judge at the Great Adirondack Moose Calling Contest at Indian Lake.

Now, if I can only be fortunate enough to actually see one, he wrote in a Facebook post.
FORT EDWARD  Village Mayor Matthew Traver told residents that the issue of obtaining and retaining officers was one of the driving forces behind seeking alternative options for policing the area.

A paper handed out at Wednesdays meeting about the future of the village police department named 15 officers that were hired either part-time or full-time since 2016 and indicated only five of those individuals remain on the force.

The mayor explained that since March, the county has been helping the few bodies they have at the village department.

With the people we have, we just cant cover these shifts the way we want to, Traver said. At this point, we really are having a difficult time recruiting and keeping members.

He goes on to say large turnover is a large part of the problem.

The village of Fort Edward is considering contracting with the Washington County Sheriffs Office for its policing services.

Although the village is less than two square miles, as of 2019, the population was 3,268.

Traver says originally the Village Board and the Washington County Sheriffs Office were considering a hybrid model, but the mayor said that option was not legally feasible for the county due to liability issues.

Officer Morgan Brown has only been on the police force for a year. Traver said she was required to complete training at the police academy followed by six months of field training on the job. Brown completed her training hours with the Washington County Sheriffs Office after former Fort Edward Police Chief Justin Derway and Sgt. Dean Watkins were charged with falsifying training records. Derway and Watkins were both accused of signing off on training hours they did not witness and in some cases werent even on duty.

The village attorney was most concerned with a police reform bill that was passed and is slated to take effect next fall. The definition of police officer was changed to include the words accredited department, which he said puts a lot of these small departments in trouble.

According to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, accreditation is a progressive and contemporary way of helping police agencies evaluate and improve their overall performance. It provides formal recognition that an organization meets or exceeds general expectations of quality in the field. Accreditation acknowledges the implementation of policies that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. The program was implemented in 1989, but will become a requirement for law enforcement agencies in 2023.

A resident in attendance asked the lawyer what the accreditation process looked like, to which he said he was unsure as regulations had not yet been released.

A copy of the September 2022 police accreditation standards can be found at: www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ops/docs/accred/Standards_and_Compliance_Verification_Manual_Revision_%20092022.pdf

Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said he oversaw the accreditation process for the Sheriffs Office, but did not offer insight to the crowd or the board about the process.

Most residents expressed their concerns about cost and emergency coverage 24 hours a day, since the proposed plan only included 20-hour coverage.

The mayor said this was only the first step in the process and a way to hear the feelings of the public. No timeline for action has been announced as an official contract has not yet been discussed or drafted.
NORTH WILDWOOD  Charges have been filed against a father and son accused of being behind a business burglary on the Boardwalk last month. Brian Barone, 56, and Christian Barone, 19, both of Garfield, Bergen County, were issued warrants after an investigation by police.

Brian Barone is currently in the Essex County jail, police said Thursday.

Both men are charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal mischief, theft and possession of burglary tools, police said in a news release.

North Wildwood police charge Irish citizen with car theft NORTH WILDWOOD  Police say a man from Ireland stole a car in the city and crashed it over t

They were recorded on video walking on the Boardwalk the night of Aug. 11, when they are accused of breaking into a business near 25th Street and the Boardwalk about 3:30 a.m. via its basement. One of the men forced his way into the basement while another stood aside as a lookout, police said.

About $4,500 in cash was stolen from the business, police said. After the break-in, police issued a news release with their photos and a suspect vehicle in an attempt to identify the burglars.
Photo: The Canadian Press Krystal Abotossaway, president of the Indigenous Professional Association of Canada.

Chelsee Pettit spent much of the summer collaborating with designers to create and manufacture apparel reflective of the Indigenous values she hoped would be on people's minds when Canada marks its second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

But in the days leading up to Sept. 30, she noticed many companies had not had the same forethought and were scrambling to place bulk orders with her store, Aaniin.

"It's just a little funny how last-minute other organizations that are all non-Indigenous are, and they're pushing that (work) back onto Indigenous people," said Pettit, an Anishinaabe woman.

"We're not like big box stores that just have disposable T-shirts and are at everybody's beck and call. Working with us ahead of time as opposed to just laying it on us a week before the day, I think would be super helpful."

Pettit has tried her best to accommodate last-minute orders, but she and other members of the Indigenous business community see the trend as a sign of how much more work corporate Canada has to do to turn support for Indigenous communities into a 365-day-a-year effort.

While many businesses encourage staff to don orange shirts  a tradition started by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad in 2013  or to sell wares in the bright hue on Sept. 30, those efforts quickly fade. Companies often don't do much more to elevate Indigenous voices and causes.

"It is positive that we are seeing education happen and awareness-building happen, but it can be quite triggering and harmful for Indigenous Peoples who see it as one day of performative action and nothing throughout the rest of the year," said Tabatha Bull, president and chief executive of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

Bull and Pettit say if an employer is looking to make a mark on truth and reconciliation goals, they should also be doing that work all year round.

Those efforts should begin with educating staff about both long-standing and new traumas Indigenous Peoplesface and how to support those affected.

Pettit recallsbeing at work in 2021, when the remains of 215 children were found at a former residential school site in British Columbia.

"My boss at the time was like, 'Oh, well, everybody knew about that already' and just like kind of brushed it off, but I was feeling very emotional that day for obvious reasons, so there's tons of work that has to be done," she said.

That's borne out in studies too.

A 2021 report from equity organization Catalyst Canada found about 52 per cent of the 86 Indigenous respondents surveyed are on guard at work and about 60 per cent feel psychologically unsafe on the job.

The study was based on a survey of 820 Canadian workers from various under-represented groups, but Catalyst isolated results from Indigenous respondents for this report because their need to feel on guard was so significant.

Krystal Abotossaway, president of the Indigenous Professional Association of Canada, said she has seen more companies move toward reflecting on what they can do to improve their corporate culture and support Indigenous communities in recent years.

Land acknowledgments, which note which Indigenous Peoples lived and took care of a site events are being held on, are an increasingly common and good start, she said.

Bull counts at least 200 companies, including Bank of Montreal, Uber, Walmart and Rogers, as members of the CCAB's Progressive Aboriginal Relation program  an initiative helping them build cultural awareness and make progress on reconciliation plans.

Others have yet to take on such work. Bull thinks they're slower to act because they feel overwhelmed and afraid of having difficult conversations.

"Some corporations are just not even knowing what the right question is to ask," she said. "I think we need to move beyond that, if we're going to really progress as a country."

Abotossaway said they can start by marking other Indigenous days and use them as an opportunity to educate.

Among those she suggested are Red Dress Day, which commemorates the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and International Inuit Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day and Louis Riel Day, which celebrates the life of the late Metis leader.

The efforts shouldn't stop there, she added. Companies should reflect on how their governance structures, hiring policies, talent pipelines and workforce education programs align with Indigenous needs, she said.

"We've seen a lot of learning and development content come out, but that's usually just one course and it might be just an hour long," she said.

"Is it mandatory or is it not mandatory? And then how many of your employees or workforce are participating in it?"

Abotossaway and Bull agree any corporate actions on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or other days should involve Indigenous Peoples at every step  even if the action is selling orange apparel.

Bull said, "If you're going to create an orange shirt, ensure that you're working with an Indigenous artist, ensure that the Orange Shirt Society or an Indigenous organization benefits from that and you're not making a profit off of the orange shirt or Sept. 30."
UPPER TOWNSHIP  The Township Committee on Monday joined a growing number of communities in support of a state-level parents bill of rights, a bill introduced in response to education standards that went into effect this year.

Committee member Kim Hayes cited the compressive health education standards in introducing the resolution, which was approved unanimously. She said local families feel cut out from decisions on their childrens education.

Hayes said the resolution should not be seen as an attack on the Upper Township Board of Education. Instead, she said, the vote was about how to best support the schools, the students and parents.

I think its important to note that the local school boards hands are tied by the state Department of Education, Hayes said. The state Department of Education sets the standard, and then holds it over the head of the local school board and says, Meet this standard or lose funding. Meet this standard or be subject to state takeover. So this resolution is in no way meant to chastise or impugn our local school boards.

The standards were approved in 2020 but have become increasingly controversial this year as they begin to impact what takes place in local classrooms.

Some residents and parents argue the standards go too far, with much of the ire focused on the sex education element, especially over standards connected to sexuality and gender identity.

The standards also cover topics of consent and bodily autonomy, and far less controversial areas of nutrition, physical fitness and prevention of substance abuse.

In Ocean City, a neighboring community where Upper Township students attend high school, the issue has led to demonstrations and a City Council resolution supporting the parents bill of rights. It also has seen pushback from advocates who say the criticisms alienate and endanger students, including from some Upper Township teachers.

Some Upper teachers participated in a rally on the Boardwalk, and a walk around Ocean City High School, with a message of acceptance for gay, bisexual and gender non-conforming students. Some participants argued the controversy over the education standards could leave some students feeling ostracized.

That was never the intent, say critics of the education standards.

In no way, shape or form will I ever, ever, ever stay on the side of anyone trying to harm kids, said Ocean City Council member Tom Rotondi at a recent City Council meeting.

Rotondi said people misunderstood the parents bill of rights.

It only said three things. One, we want the parents to know what is being taught. Two, when its being taught, and three, three, (how) to opt out, he said, adding Republicans and Democrats supported the bill. He said it happened to coincide with a school board vote in which a divided board narrowly voted to accept the standards. Rotondi said the council vote had nothing to do with the school board vote or the rally held across from City Hall before the meeting where it was approved.

In describing the standards, the state Department of Education says they reflect the latest research for effective health and physical education programs.

In a statement issued in the spring, officials with the department said the content of the standards was being misrepresented.

The 2020 NJSLS-CHPE were designed to address the needs of each student to gain knowledge and skills in caring for themselves, interacting effectively, respectfully and safely with others, and analyzing the impact of health choices, it reads. The statement also cited a five-month discussion and public comment period before the standards were adopted.

The standards call for students to feel part of the community and to understand gender identity and sexual orientation, as described in state documents.

All individuals should feel welcome and included regardless of their gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation, read the standards.

Ocean City School Board adopts revised health, phys-ed standards OCEAN CITY  The citys Board of Education on Wednesday adopted revised health and physical 

Legislators, including state Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, introduced the parents bill of rights in June.

Parents are rightly upset about the stream of ultra-left indoctrination from some activist educators which seek to miseducate our students instead of preparing them for success in the real world, said Testa at the time, saying schools should stick to English, math, history and science.

The wide-ranging bill includes language specifically allowing parents to withdraw their child from lessons related to the health education standards regarding sexuality, sexual orientation and sexual transition and for parents to be notified in advance.

The bill has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.

Mike Scanlon, a resident of the Seaville section of Upper Township, said Monday he was appalled by the earlier vote of the townships Board of Education to accept the standards.

I feel that the parents concerns fell on deaf ears, he said. As a parent of children in the district, I find the new standards to be offensive and not age appropriate. Tonights vote reassures me, a little bit, that theres still morals and integrity and theyve not been totally lost in Upper Township.

I think many of us experienced through the pandemic how easy it is to remove parents from the conversation about whats best for the education of their children, Hayes said.
A little piece of nature is a precious thing in a Jersey Shore resort. Some are so valuable, especially because of their role in the regions storied birding history, that significant money has been spent restoring and maintaining them.

The great challenge is that while small sections of habitat can be protected from development and degradation by people, their size and disconnection from nature typically deprives them of needed natural influences.

Ocean City is the latest oceanfront municipality to find out theres more to a pocket natural area than just setting the land aside.

The Howard S. Stainton Wildlife Refuge is 16 acres in the interior of the island centered by some wet land distant from the vast wetlands to the west. The wetness of the little refuges wetlands depends on a high water table and rainwater, which has been rare in this years drought.

When theres shallow standing water thanks to rainy seasons, migrating birds stop by and some local waterfowl take up residence, and may be viewed from a small tower that is the only public access. This year theres been little of that in the expanse of cracked mud with a sliver of water remaining, which offers an unsightly and smelly experience.

Theres a famous isolated natural habitat a couple of islands south that has had its own challenges and been restored adequately, but nowhere near its former glory.

The 22 acre Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is among the nations oldest wildlife refuges, designated by the borough in 1947. In 1965, it was named the first National Natural Landmark in New Jersey.

The sanctuary was famous for its concentration of nesting herons and egrets, which lasted most of the 20th century. Then its little wetland dried up, upland vegetation took over and feral cats invaded, preying on birds. The wading birds left starting in 1995 to nest elsewhere, first moving to a bayside dune forest in Avalon.

Stone Harbor cracked down on the feral cats and people feeding them, and used inmates on work details to clean the marsh, remove invasive plants and spruce up the place. A project restored the tidal flow of saltwater to the sanctuary, and another created walking paths through it.

South Cape May Meadows is 200 waterfront acres in West Cape May world famous for their avian diversity. The Nature Conservancy led a complete restoration of this former cow pasture in 2007 that included the sustainable, managed flow of fresh water through the property.

The improvements at the Stone Harbor Sanctuary and South Cape Meadows dont seem possible at the Stainton Refuge in Ocean City. Nor has the site ever been ecologically important enough to justify such efforts. In more than a century of world-class bird watchers enjoying South Jerseys natural riches, none that we know of has mentioned the site among dozens theyve recommended.

New Jersey Audubons guide to birding trails in the region says least terns and black skimmers may visit the Stainton Refuge when theres enough water for fish to feed on, and its a very young wildlife refuge and bears watching in the coming years.

Any improvement in the Stainton Refuge would seem to depend on a new and sustainable source of water. A city resident wondered if the fire department could simply pump water into the dried pond. That would require hundreds of thousands to more than a million of gallons of city water, which would be costly, not last long and probably isnt even legal.

The refuge was created under a settlement agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which deemed it unbuildable wetlands, and a local housing developer. In a city so densely built up, 16 acres of open space is welcome however little it may be used by the public.

If the city and its residents want to improve upon its value to wildlife and make it more pleasant to neighbors and visitors, we think they should look into whether it could be a preserve for rare native flowers and plants that need undisturbed and usually wet ground that drains well. South Jersey has many of these, and where they occur naturally they are threatened with disturbance by the public.

The plant kingdom may make better, more consistent use of the Howard S. Stainton Wildlife Refuge, while it still occasionally welcomes wildlife from the animal kingdom.
Hurricane Ian will strike the South Carolina coast on Friday. That's when the wind will pick up in New Jersey. Then, days of tidal flooding and rain will come, lasting until at least Tuesday. Meteorologist Joe Martucci says while this will be a multi-impact storm, no major problems are expected.
A 13-year-old was taken into custody by Davenport Police on Thursday after allegedly making threats of terrorism against students and staff at Frank L. Smart Junior High School.

Police have not said if the person taken into custody is associated with the school, nor has the nature of the threats been released.

The school was not placed on lockdown.

According to police, a school resource officer was approached by a member of the school district about the threats.

Police officers were sent to the school and coordinated with district staff to investigate the threats.

It was determined that there was no immediate threat to the school, but because of the seriousness of the possible threat and disruption of the school the 13-year-old was arrested and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call the Davenport Police Department at 563-326-6125, Crime Stoppers of the Quad-Cities at 309-762-9500, or submit an anonymous tip via the P3 Tips mobile app or submit a tip online at qccrimestoppers.com.
District Court Judge Henry Latham said Friday he would hear arguments next week for a continuance request in the murder and kidnapping trial of Henry Dinkins.

Attorneys for Dinkins, the man accused of the kidnapping and shooting death of 10-year-old Breasia Terrell in July 2020, filed a motion Tuesday in Scott County District Court to have the trial pushed back to a later date. Scott County Attorney Michael Walton filed a resistance to the motion.

Latham set the hearing for 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in the Scott County Courthouse.

The trial is currently scheduled for Oct. 25 in Linn County District Court, with pretrial motions to be held Oct. 24.

Six previous continuances have been granted in the case. Two of those requests were made by Dinkins' defense teams and were not opposed by Walton.

Dinkinss attorneys, Chad and Jennifer Frese, of Kaplan & Frese LLP, of Marshalltown, said Dinkins' right to a fair trial and effective counsel would be denied if the continuance was denied. They pointed out in the motion they were appointed to the case April 4 and needed the continuance to work through a large amount of evidence and a number of witnesses yet to be deposed.

The Freses stated in the motion the case is extraordinarily labor-intensive with many issues, and the trial is expected to take three weeks, and none of the parties would be prejudiced by a continuance. The motion states the County Attorneys Office has listed about 90 witnesses in support of the trial information.

The motion states that depositions were conducted in late June and that the Freses were able to depose about 50 witnesses over three days. Additional depositions still need to be conducted.

Separately, according to the motion, the defense has discovered volumes of information regarding the family of the victim of this crime which requires additional investigation. The specifics of the information are confidential and can't be shared without a court order. But the information is believed to be vital to Dinkinss defense.

The Freses also have been consulting with expert witnesses on several issues, according to the motion.

Finding expert witnesses with availability in the relatively short window since the appointment of the undersigned has been challenging, they said. "Many experts are booked and have been booked for some time due to backlog of cases which remain from COVID.

While this case has been pending for some time, the fact remains that the undersigned have been on this case for five and one-half months, the Freses said in the motion.

In his response to the motion by Dinkinss attorneys, Walton said by agreement of both parties the trial was scheduled for Oct. 17. That trial was rescheduled to Oct. 24 upon the courts own motion.

The state, Walton said, is prepared and ready to proceed to trial on the scheduled date."

Walton said Dinkinss previous defense attorney did not request depositions of the states witnesses, the defense at that time did request and receive a large volume of documents, video and other discovery material. These items were produced electronically to defense counsel and contained over a terabyte of material.

Walton added that the Freses deposed 50 witnesses during the week of June 22. At that time the parties agreed to take additional depositions on Aug. 22. That date for depositions, Walton said, was canceled at the request of the defense.

The State has made it clear to the defense that it will make any suggested date for depositions work, Walton said in his response. The State has cooperated with all requests for discovery scheduling and will continue to do so.

Walton said Breasias mother waited nine months before learning the fate of her missing daughter, then learning her daughter had been murdered. Since the arrest of the defendant, she has waited over one year for justice and resolution of this case.

He added  ... the delay will almost certainly cause the necessity for a new prosecution team on a very complex case, Walton said. The passing of time may affect the ability to locate witnesses as well as their memories of the event.
Be encouraged, Republicans.

That was the message former Vice President Mike Pence reiterated throughout his speech Thursday at the 15th Annual Kaufmann Family Dinner.

I want you to be encouraged going into this election, Pence said. Were going to get it all and then some.

The former vice president focused his speech around reelecting Republicans to win back Congress, which will help set the course for strong, conservative leadership going into the 2024 presidential election, he said.

He told reporters that Republicans have a great opportunity for an "American comeback" this year and that it is starting in Iowa by reelecting Gov. Kim Reynolds, and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.

Pence headlined the fundraiser as a featured speaker, It's his second visit to Iowa in a month. He was at the Iowa State Fair in August, joining Grassley on a tour of the fair. The recent visits are one of many since the 2020 election, sparking rumors of a potential presidential run in 2024.

But he has yet to give a clear indication.

Pence told a group of reporters following his speech that he is focused on the midterm elections but alluded to a possible run in 2024, saying he would evaluate his next steps in the new year.

When the time comes after the first of the year, well take time to reflect on how we might serve in the future, the near-term or the long-term, Pence said.

Pences multiple visits to Iowa could provide him a slight advantage in the presidential race since Iowa has the first-in-the-nation caucus. His face-to-face time with Iowa legislators and residents could set the platform for being a potential frontrunner.

Pence has also attended party fundraisers and speaking engagements intermittently in the state since the 2020 election, including a speech at the University of Iowa in November 2021.

State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said the main reason for his visit was to help maintain Iowas Republican trifecta in the General Assembly and called his career in public service a lifetime achievement.

Kaufmann went on to make a speech of his own following Pence, rallying the local crowd.

"In our party, our issues, all these pieces that we've pushed past are attempted to uplift everyone, to give everyone an opportunity to pursue the American dream," Kaufmann said.
Amid warm fall weather, about 20,000 people gathered Friday morning atop two hills in Custer State Park to watch 1,400 bison stir a cloud of dust. Horse riders and trucks drove the herd towards the corrals for the 57th annual Governor's Buffalo Roundup.

Several spectators said they waited more than two hours in a long vehicle line that stretched through the parks wildlife loop to see the roundup, a long-standing tradition at the state park that brings in first-time and returning visitors from across the United States and around the world.

Larry Poss, 63, of Larchwood, Indiana, attended the roundup this year for the third time.

Love the bison. I think the animals are so intriguing, theyve been around here for millions of years, Poss said.

One couple came to watch the roundup as part of their 40th wedding anniversary celebrations. Ann Ernst, 67, and Bill Ernst, 70, said they traveled from Ferguson, Missouri to watch the bison. Ann said its always been on her bucket list.

About 60 riders helped herd the bison towards the corrals in the southern portion of the park. Crowds filled the two viewing areas flanking the corrals to watch the animals. Just before 10 a.m., fewer than 100 of the beasts crested a hill. A cloud of dust rose from the remaining herd that followed, which joined the stragglers on their path to the corrals.

Rob Foiles, 28, of Watertown helped herd the bison with his horse Cookie. He had watched the roundup before, and said I gotta be the guy on the horse running, chasing buffalo, crackin a whip.

Foiles, who normally works with cattle, said that bison behave differently than cattle. What would make a cow take one step could make a bison run a hundred yards one way, and they move much more quickly, he said.

There was not very much time at a standstill or at a walk. It was long trotting and a lope, and a few times we were flat out running, he said.

The roundup tradition, although a major spectator event, is centered around the health of the parks bison herd. The animals undergo health checks and about 400 are sorted out to be sold because the parks grasslands can only sustain about 1,000 bison.

Custer State Park Superintendent Matt Snyder said the majority of the animals are sorted after roundup day to allow them time to calm down, but staff did sort some on roundup day to allow the public to view the process.

The animals are confined to cattle-like chutes, where they are handled one at a time. While none of the animals are comfortable with the experience, some caused more ruckus than others by crashing into the sides and backs of the chute walls.

Calves are separated from their mothers during the process, a task not made simple by protective tendencies. Once temporarily separated, the calves are vaccinated, tested for disease and branded. This year, calves received a 2 and S brand, standing for 2022 and South Dakota.

The more mature animals are checked by a veterinarian. The cows are specifically examined for pregnancy by Dustin Brown with the Fall River Veterinary Clinic. Brown inserted an ultrasound wand into the cows to check for signs of pregnancy. He showed reporters an image of a small baby bison forming inside one cows uterus. Cows that are not pregnant are referred to as open.

Prior to the sorting, Gov. Kristi Noem held a press conference in the parks Bison Center, which opened in May. The center provides a history of the bison herd at the park, which started at a mere 36 animals.

Noem, who normally rides her horse in the roundup, did not do so this year because of her recent back surgery. She did walk her horse and greet attendees before the bison came through.

It was kind of hard to not do that, she said. I had the chance, though, for the first time, to really go out and visit with people that traveled from across the state to come and watch this and shake their hands. There were people I met from all across the country and different countries that came here.

Four generations of Noems family attended the event, spanning from her mother to her granddaughter.

This is such a family event, she said. And South Dakota is so focused on building stronger families.

Dave Flute, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations and member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, also spoke to press in the Bison Center, highlighting the importance of bison to the Native American tribes of South Dakota. Flute said he was able to recite a prayer in Lakota prior to the roundup for the riders, the horses and the bison themselves.

The buffalo is very important to our people, as well as many tribes across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountain region. It provided everything we needed to be able to sustain ourselves throughout the whole year, Flute said.

Although no tribes were officially represented at the roundup, Flute said they are always welcome.

The open invite is always there, he said.
For the first time in two years, the Black Hills Powwow will return to The Monument in Rapid City next weekend with a couple of changes.

Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje, vice president of the volunteer board, said this year the powwow will host a Wacipi 101 class through a collaboration with the Human Relations Commission-Mniluzahan Okolakiciyapi Ambassadors.

Bad Warrior-Ganje said the presentations will occur in half-hour increments before the powwow and after the grand entry. She said the classes are in part to encourage more education around wacipis, or powwows.

"It's to encourage people's understanding," she said.

It will also provide a safe place for people to ask questions and to help people understand what they're seeing. Bad Warrior-Ganje said it will also help with teaching people how to be respectful.

She said some ways to be respectful are by not touching dancer regalia, not taking photos when emcees request no photos or videos be taken, and more.

Another change is there will not be "Youth Day" to open the powwow Oct. 7. Instead there will be a youth conference. Bad Warrior-Ganje said since schools won't be in session that Friday, they won't be able to host the youth day.

The powwow will begin Oct. 7 with a youth conference at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Great Plans Tribal Leaders Health Board. Much of the day will take place in the Summit Arena with the arena blessing and veteran's grand entry starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Saturday, Oct. 8 events will begin at 8 a.m. for the lineup of the downtown Native American Day parade, which will proceed down Main Street at 10 a.m. Doors will open at 11 a.m. for the arts and trade show in The Monument's Barnett Fieldhouse. It will close at 11 p.m. The second session of grand entry and the Miss He Sapa Win Black Hills Powwow Crowning Ceremony will be between 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Session three begins at 6:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the last day of the powwow, there will be a special honoring at 11 a.m. in the Summit Arena followed by session four from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Each session includes singing and dancing contests. The contest winners will be announced at the end of the fourth session. The full schedule can be found at https://www.blackhillspowwow.com/schedule.

Tickets to the powwow are available at the door, or online at https://www.themonument.live/events/detail/blackhillspowwow22.
Crazy Horse Memorial will host its annual Autumn Volksmarch on Sunday. The event, held in conjunction with the Black Hills Volkssport Association, takes place the same weekend as Custer State Parks Buffalo Round-Up.

The Crazy Horse Volksmarch is a 10K (6.2-mile) organized hike to the top of the worlds largest mountain carving in South Dakotas southern Black Hills. Each year, Crazy Horse Memorial hosts spring and fall events.

Gates open at 6 a.m. Crazy Horse Memorial will offer reduced admission to hikers. The admission fee is $10 for one hiker, $15 for two hikers and $20 for three or more. Additionally, hikers pay $3, cash or check only, to the Black Hills Volkssport Association at registration.

Registration will be open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot west of the Welcome Center. The first hike begins at 8 a.m. and hikers must be off the trail by 4 p.m. Pets are not permitted.

A donation of three cans of nonperishable food items per person is encouraged. The Memorial will donate the contributed food to regional food drives.

Regular admission will apply to visitors who are not hiking. The Crazy Horse Memorial complex will be open at 6 a.m., and breakfast will be available at the Laughing Water Restaurant.

To learn more about Crazy Horse Memorial, to plan a visit, and for information about making a contribution, call 605-673-4681 or visit crazyhorsememorial.org.

To stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the Crazy Horse Memorial on Facebook (/crazyhorsememorial), Twitter (@crazyhorsemem) and Instagram (@crazyhorsememorial); and follow The Indian University of North America on Facebook (/TheIndianUniversityofNorthAmerica) and Instagram (@IndianUniversityCrazyHorse).

The Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is dedicated to protecting and preserving the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians by continuing the progress on the worlds largest sculptural undertaking, the memorial of Lakota leader Crazy Horse; providing educational and cultural programming to encourage harmony and reconciliation among all peoples and nations; acting as a repository for Native American artifacts, arts and crafts through the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center; and establishing and operating the Indian University of North America and, when practical, a medical training center for American Indians.
Photo: FortisBC

A Civil Resolution Tribunal member has ordered a Prince George-area property owner to pay FortisBC Energy Inc. more than $1,400 for the cost of repairing a ruptured natural gas line.

In a decision issued this week, CRT vice chair Shelley Lopez found the owner at fault for the July 2021 mishap on his five-acre rural property because he had failed to obtain a valid BC 1 Call ticket and had not exposed the line by hand digging before deploying his excavator.

The owner had countered that Fortis failed to provide an accurate sketch and to adequately mark the gas line with a tracer line and alleged that, after he previously obtained a ticket in 2018, a technician from the company could not fully trace the line but said that he could still go ahead and dig on certain areas of the property.

The tickets last two years, Lopez noted, and did not accept the owner's "apparent assertion that it is impractical for him to have to call BC 1 Call every time he wants to dig around his property."

Moreover, Lopez found the technician who visited his property after he obtained the previous ticket did not authorize the owner to dig in the area where the gas line was damaged in July 2021.

It was not a complete win for Fortis. The company had been seeking $2,387.45 but Lopez settled on $1,429.55 and agreed with the owner's assertion that he should not be responsible for the amount Fortis on spent digging and searching for a tracer wire after the rupture.

In invoicing the owner, Fortis did not separate out the cost of repairing the line from the cost of the search for the tracer wire, Lopez noted, and allowed $1,100 for the cost of the search, based on the owner's "undisputed" description of the repair work two Fortis employees carried out in the aftermath.

According to Lopez, the owner bought the property in April 2018 and sometime later the same year, obtained a BC 1 Call ticket to determine where the utilities were located but did no excavation work at the time.

In 2019, asked Fortis to locate the gas line because he wanted to build a shop and install a gate and fencing at the beginning of his driveway near the road. The technician could only identify about 30 feet out from the house, meter and main line.

In summer 2020, the owner dug and installed the gate and posts at the beginning of the driveway without any trouble. Then, in July 2021, he decided to add fencing off the edges of the gate.

He marked the post to angle away from the gate and driveway into the bush line and hand dug just over two feet down where he hit very hard compact clay that he believed was undisturbed and left him feeling safe to continue digging to a four-foot depth with an auger on his excavator.

"As he inserted the auger to clean out the hole, he 'caught' the gas line that was on the holes edge," Lopez said.

Lopez found it "unreasonable and below the standard of care" for the owner to have proceeded with digging by machinery on the basis that in 2019, the technician said he "thought" the gas line ran down the middle of the driveway.
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Don't get your knickers in a twist, it's just a haunted Airbnb.

The Sanderson sisters of "Hocus Pocus" fame are inviting guests to stay at their creepy cottage in the remote woods of Salem, Massachusetts, this Halloween season.

The witchy trio's home has been recreated in celebration of "Hocus Pocus 2," which will be streaming on Disney+ beginning September 30.

Those brave enough to spend the night in the cottage may want to sleep with one eye open. "Wooden boards that groan under the weight of curious cats and cupboards filled with blood of owl and herb that's red (and even a hair from Winifred's head) await those who dare to explore the cottage's dark corners," Airbnb said in a statement.

Guests can even try to cast enchantments from the sisters' spell book, though Kathy Najimy, who plays Mary Sanderson in the movie, doesn't recommend it.

"Don't open that book -- there's a witchcraft book, but I wouldn't open that if I were them," she told CNN.

Najimy said that she and her costars, Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson), believe fans of the iconic movie will enjoy the experience.

"It's going to be unique and frightening a lot like me," Najimy said. "The actual whole cottage will have all the Sanderson's touches. But they'll have the things that people need to have a good time, sheets and towels and beds and broomsticks and dead man's toes and frightening things like that too. Really wild vivid recreation."

As for Najimy's favorite room in the cottage? Mary's loft, of course. "I'd be lying if I didn't say it's my favorite room," she said. "It'll have Mary's broom. It's got frightening charm, little bits of scary things and is much better than the other two witches' kingdoms. My loft is going to be cool."

The cottage will host two guests for an exclusive stay on October 20 for only $31. The listing will be offered on Airbnb starting October 12 at 1 pm ET.
As the sun heated up Thursday morning, Rapid City's third ladder truck was blessed and customarily pushed into the Rapid City Fire Department's Station 6 on the south end of town.

Truck 6 joins Truck 3 and Truck 1 in the ranks of the RCFD's ladder trucks. Truck 6 was built custom by Rosenbauer to fit Station 6. It is approximately eight feet shorter than Truck 1. It has a 109-foot aerial ladder, a 2,000-gallon per minute water pump, a thermal imaging camera mounted to the ladder nozzle, and holds 500 gallons of water as well as approximately 2,000 feet of hose line.

Economic growth and the increase of multi-story residential and commercial structures produced a need for a ladder truck, RCFD Capt. Trapper Lappe explained.

"For stations (1 and 3) to get a ladder truck up here in a decent amount of time, it takes a lot," he said, adding that Station 6 was built in 2002 due to the projected growth in the area.

Truck 6 joins Station 6's front line ambulance, a wildland apparatus and two hazardous material response vehicles with trailers. Lappe said the pushing back ceremony held Thursday has centuries of history.

"Traditionally, back in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, horse-drawn carriages were the main fire apparatus throughout the country," Lappe said. "What they would do is unhook the horses when they got back to the station and push the fire apparatus back in the station because horses aren't real good at backing up."

Once motorized engines came into play, Lappe said stations began to do a ceremony with the truck and push it into the station like they used to with the horse-drawn carriages.

RCFD Chaplain Jim Tolley led the blessing ceremony on Thursday after Lappe spoke briefly, explaining the pushing portion of the ceremony.

"This blessing begins with the view that we live with many unknowns. We call upon God to guide and protect us under all circumstances," Tolley said.

Tolley, a cabinet-maker who has worked as a chaplain for the RCFD and the Black Hawk Fire Department for four years, used three elements to bless the truck: a reading of Psalm 121, water and oil.

"With this water, I bless the heart of our new family member," Tollley said. "May this water bring relief, healing and consolation to all those who are suffering. With this water, I now bless this crew... I ask that God keep our firefighters and EMS alert and focused. That they stay refreshed and that they realize that their presence here is soothing water to those who suffer from unexpected tragedies."

Tolley explained the "special place" oil has held "long before the days of scientific medicine." He said olive oil has been used for centuries to treat burns.

"Today oil becomes the symbol of healing," Tolley said before anointing the Maltese cross on the side of Truck 6 and ending the blessing with a prayer.

After the prayer, firefighters at the station sprayed the new truck with water from Engine 1, which is going back to Station 1 now that Station 6 has its newest vehicle.
President Putin signs treaties on incorporation of new subjects into Russia

MOSCOW, September 30 (RAPSI)  President Vladimir Putin has signed agreements on the admission of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics to Russia and the formation of new regions in the country.

People have made their choice. An unequivocal choice. Today we are signing an agreement on the accession of four new subjects of the Russian Federation. Because this is the will of millions of people, Putin said before signing the agreements.

The solemn signing ceremony took place in the St. George Hall of the Kremlin in the presence of the heads of the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.

The signing of the documents has launched the procedure for the accession of the four territories to Russia: the treaties must be first examined by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation for compliance with the fundamental law, and in case of a positive decision, ratified by the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Parliamentarians will also have to discuss the draft federal constitutional law on the adoption of new subjects in the Russian Federation. The adoption procedure will be completed after the ratification of international treaties and the adoption of the constitutional law by the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.

The issue of the accession of new republics and regions to Russia will be finally closed after the adoption of the Federal Constitutional Law on the Formation of New Subjects in the Russian Federation and the introduction of appropriate amendments to the Constitution. This will happen after the respective decisions are made by the lower and upper houses of parliament.

Referendums in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions were held from 23 to 27 September. An absolute majority of their residents voted for the accession of the territories to Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking about the referendums, reminded that Russia is guided by the opinion of people living in the respective territories, and they are the masters of their own destiny. Deputy head of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev said that the referendums should restore historical justice.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Hamilton is celebrating St. Franciss Feast Day with a Mass, animal blessings and a community meal on Sunday, Oct. 2.

Well-behaved animals will be allowed in the church for the 10 a.m. Mass, then there will be more blessing of animals on the lawn followed by a community meal, with family activities and drawings, open to everyone.

Father Tom Lankenau, S.J. (Society of Jesus, he is a Jesuit) started as the new parish administrator at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community in Hamilton this summer. He formerly served at the St. Francis Xavier Church in Missoula.

Father Lankenau said Francis wasnt always a saint.

Certainly not the peaceful sandal-wearing and animal-loving image Hollywood likes to portray, he said. Francis was a spoiled brat. Coming from a wealthy family of silk merchants, he loved spending money and having a good time. To build his reputation, the young Francis entered military service. While fighting against neighboring Perugia he was taken prisoner and put in an isolated dungeon. It was here where for the first time he began to wonder about his purpose in life.

Lankenau said that during his period of reflection Francis slowly responded to God who was calling him to a new path. His conversion was not sudden and he felt he was called to make more time for prayer to help him figure out what God wanted of him.

In what was a watershed moment in his life, he encountered a leper and offered him the kiss of peace, Lankenau said. This changed Francis forever, he encountered Jesus in the leper. He heard Christ asking him to rebuild his Church. At first, he thought Gods desire was about a physical church building, but he soon found the true meaning.

Lankenau said Francis rejected his material possessions and former lifestyle.

Francis donned a brown habit and devoted himself entirely to serving Jesus Christ, he said. Over time, Francis realized that what Jesus wanted from him was to renew the Church and rebuild it by bringing people to a deep and authentic encounter with the crucified and risen Lord. St. Francis became a gentle, humble man who reminds us to care for creation.

Lankenau said that following the spirit of the man means recognizing and accepting Gods unconditional and never-ending love.

We are intimately related to each other and to animals, we need to find ways to reach out and include them as brothers and sisters, he said. [Earth] is our common home, it is home for the animals and home for humans. We take care of our home and animals. If we mistreat animals we are mistreating ourselves.

Lankenau said that St. Francis died in his 20s.

He had a short life, an intense life, a life of conversion and a life that points us in the right direction as Christians, he said. We dont love creation for the love of creation but to imitate Christ  in suffering, in poverty, in service to those on the margins. So, the feast of St. Francis is a universal feast, anybody can come.

Father Lankenau said that besides caring for animals, St. Francis also cared for people and that the celebration on Sunday is designed to bring people together.

We open our doors to everyone who wants a meal, he said. I think that is what St. Francis would have wanted, is community. This is the Bitterroot Valley, lets celebrate that. Especially after COVID and the division in our country lets find a way to celebrate who we are as humans and as children of God.

He invites everyone to bring their pets also.

We really do get attached to our pets, Lankenau said. When they are sick, we feel they are hurting and we want to do something for them, like a child.

St. Francis Church business manager Nancy Bevins said that the church invites the community to share a meal.

"From noon to 2 p.m., we invite all to come and share a meal with us at St. Francis, 411 S. 5th Street, Bevins said. The Knights of Columbus are grilling burgers, brats and hot dogs. The Ladies of St. Francis are bringing their special dishes to share. It is a true outpouring of caring for our community and all truly are welcome."

She said The Salvation Army of Hamilton Service Center coordinator Fidelis Temukum is helping to get the word out to single moms, families, and anyone who would enjoy a friendly meal.
The Montana Department of Justice likely discriminated against an applicant for a job in its legal services bureau by denying that person the position due to their political beliefs, a state employment investigator found.

A Human Rights Bureau investigative report dated Sept. 21, obtained this week by the Montana State News Bureau, found that Andres Haladay, a former Helena City Commissioner and attorney, was likely passed over for a conservative-leaning candidate. That was after Haladay expressed liberal and progressive beliefs in an essay prompt during the hiring process for the Agency Legal Services Bureau chief position at the Montana Department of Justice.

That agency is run by Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen, elected to the office in 2020 and former Speaker of the House in the state Legislature. The investigative report states former Deputy Attorney General Kris Hansen, another former Republican state lawmaker who had hiring authority in the process, overrode the hiring panel assembled to select an applicant who was considered to be a weaker candidate than Haladay.

Reached by phone on Tuesday, Haladay said he was pleased with the investigators findings.

For approximately 10 years Ive represented government agencies and public officials of varying political and ideological backgrounds and its never once been an issue in my professional career, Haladay said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice on Thursday called the complaint "silly" and said the other candidate was chosen for their managerial experience.

"We will appeal," spokesperson Emilee Cantrell said of the discrimination finding.

Over the course of the Human Rights Bureaus investigation, the Department of Justice maintained that it drew no conclusions of candidates political beliefs from the essays. Additionally, the department argued that while Haladay was a strong candidate, the better candidate was selected for the job.

Based on the evidence presented in their final report last week, a Human Rights Bureau investigator wrote that that position is unworthy of belief.

The Department of Justice posted the job in November 2021. Along with a cover letter and a resume, candidates were required to submit an essay on the responsibility of government to the people of Montana. At the time, Haladay was the deputy chief legal counsel at the Montana Department of Corrections.

Of the three candidates considered for the job, Haladay was ranked second by the hiring committee, while Assistant Attorney General Pat Risken was ranked third, according to the investigative report. The first-place candidate withdrew their name from consideration during the hiring process.

Haladays political beliefs were publicly known before the process, due to his public position on the Helena City Commission from 2014 until leaving that office earlier this year. According to the report, Haladay was aware his personal beliefs did not align with the current administration of the justice department, but he still felt his essay should be honest about his beliefs.

Haladays essay on the role of government espoused the need for government to protect a womans right to abortion access, as well as address climate change to guarantee a clean and healthful environment.

In comparison, Riskens essay is described in the report as sharing a view that government should be limited, rather than acting as a societal safety net. Risken wrote it is the responsibility of everyone to protect clean air and water, and not the role of government to hinder development or utilization of the land.

The Human Rights Bureau investigator wrote that argument does not appear credible, due to the political nature of the essays Haladay and Risken submitted, as well as the hiring panel ranking Haladay above Risken.

The Human Rights Bureau investigator never got to speak with Hansen, the Deputy Attorney General at the time, about her decision to override the hiring panels ranking and select Risken for the job; Hansen died in July. Members of the hiring panel told the investigator Hansen did not wish to explain her reasoning, but had the authority to make the selection, according to the report.

Cantrell said Thursday that Haladay was offered a lower-level job as deputy bureau chief and a staff attorney position but did not accept.

Risken, who is not listed as the bureau chief on the department's directory online, has since retired, Cantrell said. Haladay has not applied for the job, Cantrell said, despite DOJ reportedly reaching out and encouraging him to do so.

In the 2021 Legislature, the Montana Department of Justice was the lone proponent of a bill that would have expanded the number of positions to be appointed by political agency heads, like the Attorney Generals Office. The legislation was pitched as a measure to help elected officials cycle out employees from past administrations and move the agency in a direction essentially approved by the voters.

They need to be able to implement (the elected officials) goals, Sen. Doug Kary, a Billings Republican who carried the bill in the state Senate, said at the time. Without having employees that are willing to work with the director to implement those goals, those goals cannot be implemented.

The proposed bill died on a Senate floor vote.

The Human Rights Bureau process now moves to mediation between Haladay and the justice department. If the parties cannot resolve the matter within 30 days, the case moves to an administrative officer who may hold trial-like proceedings to settle the case.

Haladay declined to say Tuesday what he is seeking in the mediation but did add he hopes the hiring process does away with the essay. In this case, his political beliefs made Haladay a member of a protected class, part of the threshold required to establish that unlawful discrimination took place.

Im hopeful we can resolve this and I really do think the essay needs to be eliminated as a criteria for eliminating candidates from nonpartisan employment, Haladay said.
Cases of COVID-19 have reached their lowest levels since April, hospitalizations have dipped and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has downgraded the Richmond area to a low level of transmission for the first time in months.

But Dr. Elaine Perry, director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, cautioned that COVID levels could increase again this fall. Cases and hospitalizations have climbed in the autumn each of the past two years as more people congregate indoors.

We are very encouraged by seeing our COVID-19 community levels drop this week, Perry said. We hope people enjoy this time of low levels while still remaining flexible and ready to implement more mitigation procedures should we shift back into higher levels.

There were 1,200 average cases across the state Friday, the lowest number since late April, when the BA.4 and BA.5 variants were spreading across the country. Cases rose until late May and stayed relatively flat until late July.

For the past two months, COVID cases have declined in Virginia.

Hospitalizations, which tend to lag behind cases, have begun to drop. COVID hospitalizations rose from May to August, peaking at about 800 hospitalizations per day throughout the state.

Hospitalizations have been on the downswing since the beginning of September. There were 579 average hospitalizations Friday, the lowest number since early July.

The community level for the Richmond area has been downgraded to low after bouncing between medium and high all summer. Most of northern and eastern Virginia are low, and much of western and southwest Virginia remain medium, including Albemarle and Montgomery Counties and Roanoke.

Four localities in far southwest Virginia remain high, including Wise and Giles Counties. The CDC assigns community levels for each county and city based on case and hospitalization rates.

Omicron-specific booster shots were released this month, and roughly 15,000 Virginia residents received a shot each day this week. Eighty-one percent of Virginians are considered fully vaccinated, meaning they have received both doses of a two-dose series.

Roughly 3 million residents have received a booster, and almost 600,000 have gotten a second.
A Richmond physician and two doctors who formerly practiced in Hanover County have agreed to pay $50,000 and $100,000, respectively, for issuing prescriptions for controlled substances that were not for legitimate medical purposes, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

The government alleged that in July, August, September and November of 2019, Dr. Salman Akbar, 55, issued seven prescriptions for tramadol, an opioid, and/or lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, to an undercover officer assigned to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force over the course of four visits to Akbars office on Hioaks Road. Akbar has agreed to pay $50,000 within 60 days for allegedly issuing prescriptions in violation of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, according to the settlement agreement.

Separately, the government alleged that in March, April, June and July of 2016, Dr. Steven Deschner, 67, issued three prescriptions for morphine and Dr. Bonnie Deschner, 67, issued two prescriptions for morphine, to an undercover DEA task force officer over the course of four visits to the Deboss Clinic, owned by the Deschners. They agreed to pay $100,000 within 10 days for allegedly issuing prescriptions in violation of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, according to the settlement agreement.

Further, the Deschners agree they will not seek to re-obtain their DEA prescribing privileges or obtain a new DEA registration.

The government alleged that Akbar and the Deschners issued the prescriptions outside the usual course of medical practice in Virginia and without a legitimate medical purpose.

The resolution obtained in both cases was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the DEAs Washington Division-Richmond District Office. The parties reached a final understanding, pursuant to a number of terms and conditions in the signed agreements, to avoid the delay, uncertainty, inconvenience and expense of protracted litigation, according to settlement documents.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said the civil claims settled by the agreements are only allegations. The agreements are neither an admission of liability by the three physicians, nor a concession by the government that its claims are not well founded, the settlement agreements state.
Richmond police said an arrest has been made in a fatal stabbing on Nutmeg Court.

Authorities announced Thursday that Michael Benbow, 27, of Richmond was apprehended and charged with murder.

Police responded to an incident at around 7:09 a.m. Wednesday in the 5400 block of Nutmeg Court.

In an apartment, officers discovered a man and a woman with apparent stab wounds, police said.

The man was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Authorities identified her as Tykeytah Burford, 27, of Richmond.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Richmond police at (804) 646-6739 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
From its humble beginnings with four dancers tap dancing in senior living communities, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago became one of this nations best contemporary dance companies. In her curtain speech Thursday introducing Hubbard Streets 45th season, artistic director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell paid homage to her companys journey and to Lou Conte, the man who started it all.

But Hubbard Street has never been about one person. What is abundantly clear from her first full season in the directors chair is that Fisher-Harrell is committed to Hubbard Streets legacy but will not be bogged down by it. The biggest move thus far is redirecting the ship toward American choreographers and themes after decades gazing across the Atlantic.

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Through Sunday at the Harris Theater, Hubbard Streets season opener is a sweet trio of works. Each is umbrellaed under the title Refraction and meticulously packaged to show off the dancers versatility.

About those dancers: If youre a Hubbard Street fan youll notice more new faces than familiar ones  just five of the 15 dancers on the roster have more than a season under their belt.

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The evening opens with a revival of Cuban choreographer Osnel Delgados The Windless Hold. A world premiere by Chicagoan Randy Duncan follows, showcasing Duncans signature style of balletic jazzy modern. And Darrell Grand Moultries Dichotomy of a Journey, premiered last season at the Museum of Contemporary Art, gets a reboot here, stretching out on the Harris larger stage.

Delgado created The Windless Hold during an artistic exchange with between Hubbard Street and his Havana-based Malpaso Dance Company in 2019. When it premiered at the Auditorium Theatre, The Windless Hold was a full year away from COVID-19s wrath bearing down on the United States. But for this second viewing, thats where I went in the pieces opening section. The Windless Hold is like a salve, a kind of counterpoint to the months of isolation we didnt know were coming.

The opening tableau has Jacqueline Burnett, Jack Henderson and guest artist Alexsander Swader compassionately, but not gingerly sharing weight, gliding through the diagonal runway of a crisp beam of light on the floor (by lighting designer Manuel Da Silva). The ensemble enters like sylphs with flittering, backward traveling bourees. Each is eventually sucked into a vortex of circular runs and unison swirls. The metaphor, perhaps, is that letting go of each other leads to being swept up by a whirlwind  however you define that.

The mind ventures to thoughts of endless meetings, the daily grind, the ups and downs of relationships. On this night, thoughts of Hurricane Ian tearing through Delgados country and ours crept in. But there is relative calm in the eye of a storm. As the ensemble undulates around them on the perimeter, soloists Burnett and Henderson  separated from the group by their topaz-hued pants and tops (by Branimira Ivanova) while the rest of the company wears shimmery ruby  are unflappable. Is their stoicism amid chaos the windless hold, and if so, can I get some of that?

Though Moultries Dichotomy of a Journey shares little with The Windless Hold, community and care still come to mind. Moultries reverie appears to be more about what we as individuals can do to serve a collective good.

Case in point: V. Michael McKays gospel anthem In My Dreams is nestled halfway through the pieces seven vignettes. What should I do? What is my task? pleads McKays lyrics. Soloist Elliot Hammans oscillates between majestic technique and contorted self-flagellation, thrusting his chest, pounding the stage or repeatedly assuming a Christ-like posture of pronated knees and arms outstretched.

Throughout Dichotomy of a Journey, Moultrie appears to ask if a society can be greater than the sum of its parts. That is surely true in the finale, an aspirational joyful noise set to music by Donald Lawrence. Crimson and white separates (also by Ivanova) set a subtly patriotic tone. But its the quieter moments that, for this critic, are most striking: a tender duet for Jacqueline Burnett with one the best partners in the business (and real-life hubby), David Schultz; a poignant group section to music by Nils Oliver Frahm; and the opening tableau to Ezio Bossos magical String Quartet No. 2. These are the bits that tugged my heartstrings the most, injecting an otherwise frenzied laudation with a deep sigh of relief.

Duncans modus operandi is to make technically rigorous, raucous crowd-pleasers. With Love Infinite, Duncans first ever work for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, he does not deviate. Reliably joy-filled, Duncans style is a Chicago-style blend of Graham and Horton techniques, seasoned with balletic accents and a jazzy veneer. Count on deep contractions in the torso, emotive jumps and impressive partnering, plus lots of brises and pas de chats. The man uses more brises than Marius Petipa.

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Duncans ironclad ethos comes from his time in the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, where he was a longtime company member and artistic director upon Holmes death in 1986. Duncan led the company until 1995 and has been the styles primary steward. But unless youve trained with Duncan  which new dancer Morgan Clune did at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, where Duncan has been a faculty member for almost 30 years  the technique can be an unnatural, effortful slog. New powerhouse and featured soloist Shota Miyoshi, however, leaned into his classical modern training at SUNY Purchase and confidently owned the stage  brises and all.

Thumping new music by Ira Antelis, a polka-dotted stage from lighting designer Dustin Derry and all-white palette by costumer Luis Razo gave the whole piece a 90s white party vibe. And let me be clear: Love Infinite is not and was not a slog. But it is outside most of these dancers comfort zones, and it showed. A few cracks in the edifice of an otherwise gorgeous piece, with more time, should surely gel.

Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic.

Review: Hubbard Street Dance Chicagos Refraction (3.5 stars)

When: Through Sunday

Where: Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St.

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Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Tickets: $15-$110 at 312-334-7777 and www.hubbardstreetdance.com
Community leaders on Friday expressed outage over the shooting of a Huguenot High School student who was wounded while walking to his bus stop on McDowell Road near Chippenham Parkway Friday morning.

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you news of a shooting that took place this morning at a bus stop, Huguenot Principal Robert Gilstrap wrote in a letter to families on Friday.

Gilstrap said the student was shot by someone in a passing car and taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The shooting was witnessed by other students, he said.

School Board Chair Shonda Harris-Muhammed tweeted Gilstraps letter shortly before noon Friday, adding what we know in this hour is the student is stable.

Richmond police spokesman James Mercante later identified the victim as a 17-year-old male. He said officers were called to the 900 block of McDowell Road at about 8:19 a.m. and that the victim was walking toward the bus stop when the shooting happened. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, Mercante said.

The RPS Crisis Support Team is also at Huguenot High for students and staff, Gilstrap said.

News of senseless gun violence can have a powerful effect on students, Gilstrap wrote. We also encourage you to listen to your child and to discuss with them any feelings or reaction they may have to this event.

Richmond School Board member Jonathan Young, whose 4th District includes Huguenot High, said about a dozen students were waiting for the school bus when the student was shot.

I am appalled by this increasing vile violence as I am by the inept response by political leaders in this town some of whom advocated for defunding the police and championed a catch and release public safety approach, Young said.

Our students are because of it sustaining unspeakable harm, he added.

Ninth District Councilman Michael Jones said he was disheartened by what Young said in response to Friday mornings shooting.

This is not the time to politicize the trauma the students are facing, Jones said. Today is not the day for talking points. Today we open our arms and say we are here.

School Board member Nicole Jones said politicizing what happened Friday morning would not have changed what happened. She added she and Councilman Jones have worked together to keep their neighborhoods safe.

How about we focus on what we should be doing? How do we come together to figure out a strategy so our kids are staying safe?

Nicole Jones said in an interview: Im in shock. It hits close to home because I live in this neighborhood and it is the district that I represent."

Her main focus Friday was on the children. Many of the students who were at the bus stop attend River City Middle School.

I want to make sure our students are safe and that they are being attended to, she said. Seeing something like that is difficult.

Michael Jones, who lives two blocks away, was on the scene Friday morning. He felt anger when he heard what had happened.

Young people should be able to get to and from school safely, the councilman said. Our students need an environment that is unfettered by violence.

He added: We have to find a way to ensure our young people have a home."

Police said anyone with information is asked to call Detective O. Reyes at (804) 646-3874 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Mark Bowes, of The Times-Dispatch, contributed to this story.
Virginia school districts had until Friday to spend nearly $215 million of federal relief funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) ACT which provided $30.75 billion to the Education Stabilized Fund. The money was split into three funds concerning higher education, the governor's emergency education relief, and K-12 education.

Of that $30.75 billion, the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Education (ESSER) Fund received $13.5 billion. The emergency relief funds were reserved to address the impact of COVID-19 on schools across the country.

School divisions had until Friday to spend that money, known as ESSER I, on a variety of pandemic-related expenses, including staff pay, technology to enable virtual learning, and repairs or upgrades to HVAC systems to make school buildings safer upon students return, and must submit their ESSER expenses to the state for reimbursement by November.

To learn more about the state of school emergency relief fund plans, over the summer the Richmond Times-Dispatch sent public records requests to each of the states 132 public school systems.

School systems in the Richmond area were allocated $29.6 million of ESSER I funding, according to records from the Virginia Department of Education. More than 75% of that money went to Richmond Public Schools ($13.7 million) and Henrico County Public Schools ($9.4 million). Chesterfield County Public Schools, the largest division in the area by enrollment, received $5.6 million, and Hanover County Public Schools received just over $900,000.

Records shared with the Times-Dispatch show that RPSs ESSER spending included $5.7 million in devices to support virtual learning, $1.7 million in sanitation services for school buildings and $1.6 million to provide mental health services for students and staff, while Henrico Countys largest expenditure was more than $3 million to pay classroom monitors and substitute teachers.

Most of the school districts that responded to the Times-Dispatchs request confirmed that they had spent most or all of their ESSER I allocations by the middle of July. But in some districts, significant amounts of money were not spent until the programs final months.

Some of that is merely a result of timing. A spokesperson for Newport News Public Schools, which had yet to spend nearly $200,000 when the district responded to the Times-Dispatchs records request, confirmed Thursday that in July, the district was still waiting on an invoice from a cybersecurity software provider that has since been received and paid.

But in other cases, it is unclear whether the districts have spent all of the money allocated to them. Representatives for public school systems in Amherst and Madison counties and the cities of Chesapeake and Danville  all of which had not yet obligated at least $30,000 of ESSER I funds as of July  did not respond to follow-ups from The Times-Dispatch to confirm whether they had spent the remaining money.

Charles Pyle, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Education, told The Times-Dispatch via email that money allotted to school divisions that had not been requested for reimbursement by the November deadline would revert back to the U.S. Treasury.

ESSER I is not the only allotment of federal relief money designed to help school systems get through the pandemic. ESSER II, an additional $54.3 billion in federal funding for local schools, was awarded as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, signed into law in December 2020.

And a third round of funding, ESSER III, was designated for schools in March 2021 after the American Rescue Plan was signed into law. The $1.9 trillion relief package included $122 billion in new relief funds for elementary and secondary schools.

Funds from ESSER II and ESSER III are required to be spent by September 2023 and September 2024, respectively.

Roberto Rodriguez, assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Educations office of planning, evaluation and policy development, said at an education seminar in July that our administration is going to stay solidly focused on making sure these dollars are put to use for recovery and meeting the needs associated with the pandemic.

However, Rodriguez said, there are longer-term considerations to keep in mind, and solutions will not appear overnight.
Virginians with disabilities are struggling to afford care at home or a place to stay in an assisted living facility because state financial assistance doesnt offer enough help with current costs, according to the Commonwealth Council on Aging, a state government advisory board.

The council is asking the General Assembly to pitch in to increase these allowances.

It is also asking the legislature to consider additional protections for adults who are under guardianships or conservatorships, such as requiring periodic court hearings to review these cases, a recommendation of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission last year.

And it suggests giving courts more scope to review state agency decisions denying such benefits as Medicaid coverage, food stamps and the grants that help people pay for assisted living facilities. Now courts are limited to asking if an agency had evidence before it when making a decision, but not whether the decision addressed an individuals actual needs.

Urgent action is needed to promote realistic options for Virginians who need assisted living care, the council said, adding that Many older people with disabilities are not able to cover their housing and other living expenses with that amount, and thus could not use the waiver that allows the use of Medicaid funds for non-medical at-home support services.

The council also asked the General Assembly to expand a tax credit meant to help older or disabled Virginians buy or modify housing. The credit is now capped at $5,000 or 50% of the cost of modifications.

An estimated one in 10 Virginians have a disability. More than 25% of Virginians will be over the age of 60 by the year 2025. For these individuals, accessible housing is a high priority, the council said.

Elderly Virginians access to help when they need it is a must, now and in the future, said state Sen. Monty Mason, D-Williamsburg, who represents an area thats become a mecca for retirees.

He said many elderly and disabled individuals struggle to find places in assisted living facilities, because the states auxiliary grant program thats intended to help cover the bill, falls far short of the real cost.

The grant was increased last year to $1,609 a month, but thats a fraction of what assisted living facilities pay to provide a place to live, meals, medication management and help with a range of the day to day things everyone needs to do.

As a result, the number of assisted living facility operators who accept individuals with the grants has declined over the years, the council said.

I visited one just the other day where it cost $4,800 a month, $7,800 for memory care  what business in world is going to accept payment thats one-third the cost of doing business? Mason said.

If we could get it a little closer to the cost, maybe we can start saying if you want a license, you need to take one or two auxiliary grant recipients,  he said.

Mason said he was intrigued by the councils mention that some states, unlike Virginia, allow their Medicaid programs to pay for assisted living facility care. He said that might be another approach to boost access for those who need it.

For aging and disabled Virginians who want to stay at home but need help to do so, Virginia Medicaids monthly home- and community-based supports allowance, capped at $2,288.75, or 165% of Social Securitys Supplemental Security Income, also falls short of what such help actually costs, the council said.

It suggests raising the cap to 200% of SSI, a move that state Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington proposed last year, but that did make into the state budget. Her proposal would have added $4.3 million to the states share of the $19.8 billion Medicaid budget for this year, while drawing $4.4 million of federal money to the joint state and federal health insurance program for the elderly, disabled and impoverished.

The council also wants the legislature to set minimum staffing levels for nursing homes, something the General Assembly has declined to do for roughly two decades.

Virginia is one of only 16 states that do not set staffing minimums. A 2021 study by the General Assemblys Joint Commission on Health Care found that one-fifth of Virginias nursing homes are not meeting federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expectations for total direct care hours per resident, the council noted.

It also wants the General Assembly to require nursing homes to designate a staff member who will be in charge of the facilitys infection control efforts.
With Hurricane Ian expected to bring heavy rains as it heads up the East Coast, three outreach workers for Daily Planet Health Services fanned out across Richmond on Thursday night to deliver blankets, ponchos and sleeping bags to homeless people living without shelter.

The Daily Planet, established more than 50 years ago, pays the outreach workers with savings it receives from a federal drug pricing program it joined two years ago, named 340B after a section of the Public Health Services Act, covering more than 1,000 community health centers, clinics and hospitals across Virginia. But the federal program has become enmeshed in a local controversy under a national spotlight after the New York Times exposed Bon Secours Health Systems alleged misuse of drug profits at the expense of a hospital it owns in one of Richmonds poorest neighborhoods.

The furor over the allegations has overshadowed the 340B programs importance to organizations such as the Daily Planet, as well as the Vernon J. Harris East End Community Health Center in Church Hill, less than a mile from Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital, which critics say has been hollowed out while its owners use it to reap profits in more affluent parts of the region.

340B is a huge advantage to our patients, said Dr. Patricia Cook, chief medical officer at Daily Planet, which operates at 10 locations in the Richmond area, including two in homeless shelters. I want the program to have the ability to offer medications to patients who otherwise would not be able to control their diabetes, their HIV, their hepatitis-B.

The 340B program already was under fire - from pharmaceutical manufacturers, some of which have stopped supplying drugs to pharmacies covered by the discounts, insurers that allegedly have lowered reimbursements for discounted medications, and pharmacy benefit managers that allegedly have excluded entities covered by the program in exchange for rebates from manufacturers.

But criticism of the program has focused on hospitals, which can operate multiple contract pharmacies under a change in federal regulatory guidance in 2010. The change, coupled with expansion of 340B under the Affordable Care Act, sparked a massive increase in the number of pharmacies that can take advantage of the discount to pocket the difference with what insurers typically pay for the drugs.

Community health centers, using either their own or contract pharmacies, represent 5% of the program, said Colleen Meiman, a former federal regulator who serves as national policy adviser to state and regional associations for health centers.

We are collateral damage in somebody elses war, Meiman said in an interview.

The program became a state issue earlier this year when the General Assembly approved legislation Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed into law, to prohibit insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from paying less for drugs covered by 340B than they would for those that are not, excluding those pharmacies from preferred insurance networks and charging higher co-payments.

The legislation, House Bill 1162, was sponsored by Del. Otto Wachsmann, R-Sussex, who sold his pharmacy in rural Stony Creek to a health center there in 2019. He also works part time for another federally qualified health center in Sussex. He introduced the bill for the Virginia Community Healthcare Association, which presented him with its inaugural Torch Bearers Award on Thursday for his role in passing the new law. We were very fortunate that he is a pharmacist who understands the impact and the need for the program, said Lynn Cantwell, communications director at the association.

Wachsmann said in an interview that the law is necessary to prevent insurers from discriminating against health centers and the contract pharmacies that serve them. They dont want to pay even what the [independent pharmacies] pay for the drugs, he said, contending that threatened the viability of many independent pharmacies in rural Virginia.

Doug Gray sees the program much differently as executive director of the Virginia Association of Health Plans, representing insurance managed care companies. He said the new law simply ensures that contract pharmacies and health centers pocket the difference between what the drug costs them and what insurers normally pay for it. What this does is lock in their profits, period, Gray said this week.

However, the health plans and pharmacy benefit managers backed off their opposition to the bill after persuading Wachsmann and a House committee to exclude public and not-for-profit hospitals from its protections. Hospitals are treated differently under 340B than health centers and other federal grantees, including those, such as Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, that serve a disproportionate number of patients who are uninsured or relying on Medicare and the federal/state Medicaid program. In Virginia, the program covers 30 hospitals.

The federal law doesnt specify how profits from the drug discounts can be used, according to Meiman, who used to work for the Health Resources and Services Administration, which regulates the program. Grantees, such as Daily Planet, are obligated under federal law to use all sources of income for the same purposes specified by their federal grants, she said.

Much of the furor over Bon Secours use of the program has focused on its alleged lack of investment at Richmond Community Hospital, founded by Black doctors and serving a low-income, mostly Black community with high health needs. Yet the hospital is registered as the owner of satellite Bon Secours operations in affluent areas in order to reap profits under 340B from patients who live nowhere near Church Hill.

I did not know it is as bad as it appears to be, said state Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, in response to reports that Bon Secours had eliminated basic medical services, including an intensive care unit, at the hospital. The poorest people have some of the highest health care needs, McClellan said. That means you need to invest the profits in the services you get in the community.

Richmond City Council President Cynthia Newbille, who represents Richmond Community Hospital as part of the 7th District, said she is asking Bon Secours for a plan and enforceable commitment for reinvesting its profits from the program directly back into the Richmond Community Hospital/East End community to deliver the critical clinical services our residents need.

Virginia hospitals say they use savings under 340B to pay for a wide range of health care services that dont pay for themselves. The money also helps compensate for low reimbursement rates under Medicaid and a provider assessment to pay the states share of expanding the program, beginning in 2019, under the Affordable Care Act.

Other providers, pharmaceutical companies, and insurers are not contributing to state [Medicaid] program costs even though they benefit from the coverage program, said Julian Walker, spokesman for the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.

Walker said 304B enables hospitals that serve high numbers of low-income patients in communities dealing with sustained hardships to stretch scarce federal resources and provide more comprehensive care to their patients and communities.

In an era of skyrocketing drug prices, 340B has been critical in helping hospitals expand access to comprehensive health services, including life-saving drugs, he said.

The allegations about Bon Secours' use of the profits also have dismayed some of the programs biggest supporters in Congress, which also is enmeshed in debate over ways to both protect and reform 304B.

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, said the 340B program helps rural and underserved patients with affordable prescription drugs and expanded health care services.

Given the rural nature of Virginias First Congressional District, I understand and hear directly from constituents about how this program improves the quality of life of so many patients, said Wittman, who is seeking re-election in a newly drawn district that includes western Chesterfield and western Henrico, as well as part of Hanover County.

Like any federal program, we must always ensure these resources are properly allocated and reaching those they are intended to help, he said in a statement.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, a former Richmond mayor, said, The 340B program is really, really working. We could not serve our low-income population if not for 340B.

Kaine said the question for hospitals is, Do they use the savings they gain to help low-income patients or not?

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, is one of the programs biggest congressional champions, introducing legislation last year that would impose protections at the federal level for health centers, pharmacies and hospitals against allegedly discriminatory practices by insurers and health benefit managers.

She has been very supportive of the folks using the program effectively, said Meiman, national adviser to Virginia community health centers. She has little patience with those who dont.

In July, Spanberger and 180 other congressional representatives pushed President Joe Biden's administration to prevent pharmaceutical companies from withholding drugs that would be subject to 340B discounts.

David Bowman, spokesman for the Health Resources and Services Administration, said a provision of Bidens proposed budget would require covered entities in the program to report their savings under 340B and how those savings are used.Bowman said the agency also has notified nine pharmaceutical manufacturers that they are violating the requirements of the law by unilaterally refusing to sell, or limiting sales of, discounted 340B drugs to covered entities that use contract pharmacies to dispense the medications.

He acknowledged litigation by manufacturers over the agencys power to enforce the law, but said it would continue to exercise its available authority under the 340B statute to hold manufacturers accountable for compliance.

Cook, chief medical officer at the Daily Planet, said, We have seen some manufacturers limit their [drug] formulary for 340B, and that is hurtful. Currently, Daily Planet relies on a contract pharmacy with two locations in Richmond to dispense drugs to the non-profit organizations patients, but it plans to create its own in-house pharmacy over the next two years.

The organization uses savings on drugs sold to a relatively small number of patients who have insurance to help pay for services to those who do not. But the programs primary benefit is the discount on drugs that their patients otherwise couldnt afford.

What 340B does is help us ensure that those uninsured patients can afford medications," Cook said.
Michael Paul Williams Follow Michael Paul Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

In U.S. politics, its all fun and games until the hurricane winds roar. Which explains why our current model of blowhard leadership needs to change.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis finds himself in need of federal aid from a president he has trolled as President Brandon, to the delight of audiences who break out into the insipid Lets Go, Brandon! chant.

Please dont ask me to explain how Lets go, Brandon!  weird code for (bleep) Joe Biden  became the rallying cry of the American political right. Suffice it to say that this puerile behavior should have no place in the serious business of governance, where lives are at stake.

But every day is election season into todays politics.

Virginia has no natural immunity to storms like Ian, which will only become more intense as global warming increases, even as Republicans in thrall to the fossil fuel industry oppose measures to combat this existential threat.

Virginias governor might want to consider the inevitable crises and not go out of his way to antagonize Biden by campaigning on behalf of election denier Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for governor in Arizona, as he plans to do in October.

I am comfortable supporting Republican candidates and we dont agree on everything, Youngkin said by way of explanation, as if the insurrection-stoking, democracy-threatening lie of the stolen election is just another mundane policy position on which people can disagree agreeably.

I have said that I firmly believe that Joe Biden was elected president, he added. I have to say in all candor I wish he wasnt, because I dont think hes done a good job for America.

Youngkins superpower, so far, is to appear more moderate than his stances suggest. But he needs to sit out the Arizona campaign because the GOP candidate he would lend support to has staked out disqualifying ground that renders her manifestly unfit to hold office.

As for Youngkins elections regrets, Biden is the president weve got and the president whose support we will need in Virginia should disaster strike. Hurricanes have no respect for politics or partisanship.

Some of the most damaging U.S. storms in recent memory have devastated red states or states governed by Republicans.

The slow response to flood-devasted New Orleans after 2005s Hurricane Katrina led rapper Kanye West to say, George Bush doesnt care about Black people.

Republicans lost their minds during the bromance of then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and then-President Barack Obama after the latters support in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

That moment was recalled Thursday by FOX News commentator Jesse Watters, who asked political operative Karl Rove: Is Biden going to fly to Florida, and is he going to try to hug Ron DeSantis, and should Ron DeSantis hug him back?

This foolishness, during a moment of devastation, suffering and loss of life, should tell us that our partisanship has become too poisonous for the body politic.

Hurricane Harvey (2017) arrived on Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana and hung around like an unwanted house guest who wouldnt leave, inundating Houston. Four years later, a severe winter storm would take out Texas power grid, leaving millions of people without power for days.

Recall, after the devastation in Puerto Rico following 2017s Hurricane Maria, then-President Donald Trump flinging rolls of paper towels into a crowd and complaining that the ravaged island had thrown our budget out of whack. His administration subsequently withheld $20 million in hurricane aid, according to a HUD Office of Inspector General report.

Trump, according to the Washington Post, opposed disaster relief money for Puerto Rico and wanted more money to go to Florida or Texas instead.

Puerto Rico hadnt fully recovered from Maria before being hit by Hurricane Fiona on Sept. 18, and stands to be even more forgotten in Ians wake.

Meanwhile, the same DeSantis who as a congressman voted against federal aid to victims of Sandy quickly sought federal assistance this week, as he should have.

We live in a very politicized time, DeSantis -- fresh off his shameless political stunt of flying 50 migrants from Texas to Marthas Vinyard -- told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday.

But you know, when people are fighting for their lives, when their whole livelihood is at stake, when theyve lost everything -- if you cant put politics aside for that, then youre just not going to be able to.

A migrant who reads the plight DeSantis described might think: Hey, that sounds like me!

DeSantis and Biden spoke, presumably like adults. We can assume the governor called the president by his given name, and Florida will receive the help it needs.

But that moment of calm in the partisan storm should have us asking: Can we make the pause button permanent?
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Exposing students to reality of slavery Affordable Care Act has not reduced medical innovation Editor, Times-Dispatch: Lisa Guernseys column in The Times-Dispatch, A more accurate teaching of history, reminded me of my first year teaching in a Virginia public school in 1977. While rummaging through a storage room after school in search of some helpful teaching materials, I found a beat-up copy of a recently replaced history textbook. In it were descriptions of the enslaved people in early Virginia as content, with their lot in the tobacco fields. Disgusted, I threw it in the trash. That year, I gave my students a healthy exposure to the realities of slavery, and some parents complained that I was too liberal. Now I wish I had held onto that textbook and given it to a museum. It was an artifact of racist propaganda. Editor, Times-Dispatch: A letter writer recently blamed the Affordable Care Act of 2010 for the decline in life expectancy in the United States since 2014 when it peaked at 78.9 years. The Peterson Center on Health Care and Kaiser Family Foundation says the decline then was caused by an increase in drug overdoses and not ACA. Life expectancy increased in 2018 and 2019 going back up to 78.8 years. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports a decline in life expectancy since 2019 has been largely driven by the COVID19 pandemic. Peterson-KFF estimates 234,000 deaths could have been prevented if people had been vaccinated for COVID-19. ACA has not reduced medical innovation as the letter writer opined. According to the U.S. STEVE BAILEY. RICHMOND. Chamber of Commerce, American scientists are currently conducting more than 140,000 clinical trials across all 50 states exploring therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics and cures needed to fight disease from coronavirus to cancer. DAN RUSNAK. RICHMOND. Thanks for fixing Vita Trail in Byrd Park Editor, Times-Dispatch: Never thought Id live to see it, but I did. Wow! Richmond Parks & Recreation is resurfacing the Vita Trail in Byrd Park near Police Memorial Way. Ill skip all the about time sarcasm, and go straight to a big, old thank you on behalf of all the walkers, joggers and runners. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Richmond Parks & Rec. ERNEST IRBY. HENRICO.
Rain will continue through most of Friday night across metro Richmond, with a marginal, but significant chance of smaller, more localized intense squalls passing through.

Gusty breezes, upward of 25 mph, will continue through the night as the center of Ian pushes northward across western North Carolina and western Virginia. But the core of the storm made landfall at the South Carolina coast on Friday afternoon, so the winds near the center of the storm will weaken dramatically as the night progresses.

Ians circulation will collapse further during this weekend, but it takes a long time for all of the moisture from a storm of that size to settle out. Once the more consistent rain in Richmond comes to a close early on Saturday morning, most of Saturday will be dry with a few peeks of sun here or there.

With an occasional breeze turning from the south, afternoon temperatures will reach into the 70s. So for much of the time, Saturday will actually be a relatively nice fall day.

As Ians leftover circulation drifts eastward, it will bring a final round of rain on Sunday to central Virginia, but this rain will not be as consistent as what moved across metro Richmond on Friday afternoon, only adding a few tenths of an inch to the totals from Friday.

Admittedly, some drier air worked southward into central Virginia on Friday, cutting back on the scope of rainfall, and leaving southwestern Virginia and Hampton Roads with the heaviest rainfall statewide. This easing of the rain totals will go a long way in backing away from the threat of river flooding in central Virginia early next week.

Total rainfall across metro Richmond once the Sunday rainfall ends will be along the lines of 1-2 inches, rather than the 3-5 inches that we were concerned about earlier in the week. Considering that some of Richmonds worst flooding has been associated with tropical systems, we are fortunate to have missed the worst impacts. Florida and South Carolina have not been as lucky.

Monday and Tuesday remain fairly cloudy with an occasional chilly wind from the northeast, but with only a few nuisance showers around. Afternoon temperatures will stall in the lower 60s both days as a result. A more seasonable period follows from Wednesday through Friday with more sunshine, afternoon temperatures in the 70s, and daybreak temperatures near 50.

Looking farther upstream for next weekends weather, we see a large mass of much cooler air starting to build in the Alaskan Arctic. That air will flow southeastward out of Canada and into the upper Midwest, finally arriving in Virginia for the weekend of October 8-9. It looks to bring the coolest air so far this season, with sunshine and highs in the 60s. It is probably still too early to be talking about a frost or a freeze, but lows Saturday or Sunday night next weekend may start inching toward the lower 40s.
Emergency management personnel in the Roanoke and New River valleys have been preparing in tandem for the arrival of Hurricane Ians remnants all week, Roanokes Battalion Chief of Emergency Management Trevor Shannon said Friday

Weve been talking directly with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, Shannon said. Its not just each locality doing their own thing. We have conversations throughout the entire week and try to plan for these things so that we respond as a unit and not necessarily as each individual locality.

The storm, having already slashed a destructive path through Florida, made its second coastal landfall in South Carolina on Friday afternoon and headed inland. The National Weather Service had Ian  reclassified as a post-tropical cyclone  on a projected northward course through central North Carolina overnight and then passing almost directly over the Roanoke Valley at midday Saturday.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency for Virginia on Wednesday, giving the state time to mobilize emergency resources and equipment needed for response and recovery efforts.

Youngking encouraged all Virginians and visitors to make a plan, have supplies on hand, and follow official sources for the latest forecast information and guidance, the news release aid.

Phil Hysell, a warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, said Friday that Southwest Virginia could experience heavy rain overnight Friday into Saturday morning.

During that timeframe, we could see between 2 and 3 inches of rain, which may lead to some localized flooding, especially in the urban areas and low-lying areas, Hysell said.

Shannon said his crews in Roanoke were preparing for the rain by carefully staffing its public safety units.

Well have two swift water boat teams in service starting tonight around 7 p.m., and theyll work until 7 a.m., Shannon said Friday. Well reevaluate in the morning. But it is sounding like the most severe weather is going to be coming tonight into tomorrow morning.

Hysell said during the same timeframe, residents could also expect to see wind gusts between 25 to 45 mph.

Some of the higher elevations may see a higher wind gust, Hysell said. That will bring down a few trees, concerning the wet ground with those winds. That will lead to some isolated to scattered power outages, and may even bring some trees blocking roads.

Shannon said in addition to staffing boat teams in Roanoke, another four people will staff a technical rescue truck.

The benefit of that technical rescue equipment is that, with the increased winds and likelihood of trees and power lines coming down, theyll be able to assist in situations that might involve downed trees, Shannon said.

The battalion chief said some streets in the city that are known to flood will also be pre-staged with barricades.

The citys transportation division announced on social media Friday that Wiley Drive near Wasena Park, plus the low water bridge at Smith Park and Winona Avenue, would be closed until further notice due to the incoming storm.

Hysell said smaller creeks and streams may produce localized flash flooding overnight Friday.

Considering weve been fairly dry recently, the mainstream rivers like the Roanoke River can handle a lot of precipitation, Hysell said, so were not looking at a big concern for river flooding.

The meteorologist said while the storm may lose its tropical nature by the time it gets to Southwest Virginia, a flood watch is in effect in the region through Saturday afternoon.

We have wind advisories in effect that also go through early Saturday afternoon, Hysell said. Anytime we have any watches, warnings and advisories in effect that shows our level of concern that its a potential threat to life and property.

Hysell said the No. 1 storm-related killer in Virginia is flash flooding.

Most of those fatalities are the result of people driving their vehicles across water-covered roads, Hysell said. It only takes 12 to 18 inches of water to sweep a vehicle off a road or even damage a roadway.

Both Hysell and Shannon encourage drivers to turn around when they encounter water in the road.

Theres a reason that there are barricades in the roadway. And if it says Road Closed, that means road closed for everybody. Occasionally, well get people that say, Well, I didnt think that was for me, or, But I had to get to the store, Shannon said. Theres a lot more danger with moving water than you could ever think of while youre just in that rush to get to the store.

Shannon also encouraged residents to sign up for alerts through mass notification systems in their localities, and to keep a 72-hour preparedness kit on hand.

Thats something we would like for them to have during the entire year and have it ready when they need it, so that theyre not in a panic, and theyre not rushing to the store to buy all the last bottles of water they have, Shannon said.

The battalion chief said that while refuge stations have not been scheduled to open yet, his teams work closely with the American Red Cross to determine the need for such stations as the storm rolls on.

Hysell said the storms moisture-laden remnants could roll on through the Southwest Virginia region through Sunday.

We will see rain lingering with remains of Ian through at least Sunday and Sunday night, but the rainfall rates, by the time we get to tomorrow afternoon and into Sunday, will be much lighter, and the winds will be lighter, as well, Hysell said. It will remain kind of dreary and wet through the weekend.

The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, a shelter for homeless individuals, was prepared Friday to accommodate guests during the storm.

Anytime that weather events come through, we do our best to talk with our guests about upcoming weather, spokesperson Kevin Berry said, but we also keep an eye on it ourselves to see if there are any outward services that might be affected.

For example, the shelters Manna Food Pantry service, which supplies housed families with boxes of food throughout the Roanoke region, was suspended through the weekend.

Thats because the weather report took a bit of a turn, and we just want to make sure that our volunteers and our guests and our staff are safe, Berry said.

But the Rescue Missions in-house food and shelter services will continue as they always do.

One thing that we know is super important for our guests is continuity, Berry said. Many times theyre dealing in their lives with a lot of movement, and just continuing to offer the same services, as they typically are, is critical.

New and old guests at the Rescue Mission are encouraged to take advantage of its services during the storm at all hours.

Were a refuge, Berry said. We will have safe day shelter for those who are at the Mission. If you see somebody outside before its getting bad, or while its bad, let them know that the Rescue Mission is here for them.
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said Thursday that the owner of The Knights Inn was aware of criminal activity that took place at the hotel, encouraged it and profited from it.
They were handed out buttons Thursday night in the lobby of the Nederlander Theatre. Ive seen Wicked (blank) times, they read, allowing the user to borrow a marker and ink the number. Wandering around the lobby, I saw some impressive digits, although Ill note immodestly that few matched my own.

Thats because Wicked, more than any other Broadway show in living memory, made a huge commitment to Chicago in the early aughts. It ran here for more than three and a half years, making a big commitment to Chicago-based actors and musicians and reminding every other show out there of the potential strength of the Chicago market. The buoyant downtown theater and restaurant districts in those years owed much to Wicked, which put money in servers pockets, helped at least a couple of actors buy houses here and filled the streets of the Loop, eight times a week.

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Such was the interest in the show at the time, I was persuaded to go back for every big cast change, watching great performers like Ana Gasteyer, Rondi Reed, Telly Leung, Heidi Kettenring (now Dolly in Hello, Dolly! at the Marriott Theatre) and Gene Weygandt (Broadways Come From Away) cycle through the lead roles. (I looked up one of my favorite Fiyeros, Kristoffer Cusick, and was chagrined to discover hes now 48 years old.)

Ive written countless times about why I think the show (about to be turned into two movies) works. Fundamentally, its part of a movement at the time to note the complexity of moral choices and the prices we have to pay for making them: as such, it has a lot in common with the (pain will come) Harry Potter books. Hamilton, in my view, marked both the climax and the end of that era, which roughly coincided with the Obama administration. Musicals and plays now are far more likely to assert moral imperatives and absolutes than encourage relativistic thinking. If you read me often, youll know I lament that, although there are brave holdouts if you look hard.

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And, of course, the green girl and the blonde girl, as they refer to each other, are everyperson figures. Were all either one or the other.

Viewed now, Wicked is a reminder of how musicals can support complex stories when you have a book writer of the quality of Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life), great songs by Stephen Schwartz and a rich, visually splendiferous production, as directed by Joe Mantello.

For the record, the current national tour has a great second-generation Elphaba in Lissa deGuzman, who never missed a note (and even added a couple) and whose emotional connection with the shows fans is palpable. Shes well supported by Jennafer Newberrys Glinda, Natalie Venetia Belcons Madame Morrible and, especially, Jordan Litzs droll Fiyero. And if you are a longtime Broadway fan, youll enjoy seeing the veteran John Bolton as the Wizard.

And if you are worried, there has been no diminishment in production values. Too much at stake for that. Of all that abides here, its the consistency of the musical direction that impress me the most.

Wicked, which is back for what by todays standards is another long run, always looks like it was built for the Nederlander Theatre and the city of L. Frank Baum that returns its affection.

It has been a while since I sat in a Chicago theater packed with diverse, paying customers and excited for every moment. Most heartening. Once the audience has gotten over the hump of a return with Wicked, theres a decent chance theyll finally decide to come back for more, all over the city.

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com

Advertisement

Review: Wicked 3.5 stars

When: Through Dec. 4

Where: Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St.

Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Tickets: $59-$194 at 800-775-2000 and www.broadwayinchicago.com
The numbers are in for Virginia Military Institute, and they dont look good.

The schools incoming freshman class clocked in recently at about 375 cadets, this for a school that based its budget on having 500 or more paying customers.

Im not the greatest mathematician, but thats a shortfall of about 30%, a staggering number.

As a VMI graduate, its obvious that I love the place and hold it dear. At the same time, I have long been an advocate for the school moving into the 21st century while de-emphasizing a mind-set that prizes the Confederacy.

After all, VMI with its honor system and core values has much to offer the 21st century. You could argue that the schools transition to a leadership role in education in terms of gender and race is critical for the country.

VMI, after all, is the place that produced Gen. George Marshall and many other fine leaders over the years.

Unfortunately, this has not been a popular perspective among its old corps graduates, many of whom are my contemporaries, a number of whom are not fond of my public commentary on this issue.

Its no secret in Virginia that our current governor rode into power with a campaign focused on trumping up issues about critical race theory.

A rabble-rouser in the alumni base at VMI seized on this issue and has built a movement strongly suspicious of any measures aimed at updating the VMI culture.

VMI, as many know, had removed Confederate statues, named its first Black superintendent, retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins, and increased the number of black people on the Board of Visitors.

The new governor promptly altered the Board of Visitors when he came into office, removing key figures and playing to the crowds fears about Critical Race Theory.

The fears about CRT are pretty much hogwash, but they delighted the fearmongers among the alumni base.

Now, of course, those alums will soon put more pressure on Gen. Wins, blaming him for the bad numbers. Wins by all accounts I respect has done an outstanding job leading VMI through a very difficult time.

There are factors that help explain the shortfall, including a reported drop in the pool of white males seeking a college education, thus the tremendous need for all institutions of higher education to shift focus toward females and minority populations.

Thus, the governors very cynical political campaign and his playing to the narrow-minded elements of the alumni base couldnt come at a worse time for VMI.

It all leaves me very sad. It doesnt have to be this way.

I have long written and said that VMI needs to get out and lead on issues of diversity, which Gen. Wins has attempted to do despite substantial opposition. The school is built on a unique system that has much to offer the future.

Theres nothing worse for me than watching the narrow-mindedness of the alumni base literally strangle VMIs great promise.
Priddy would restore the loyal opposition Elected officials need to restore the forgotten virtue of the loyal opposition while debating public policy.

Tribal disputes between partisan candidates harden our stalemate, frustrate the electoral process, and discourage voter participation. Candidates for city council should become role models for good-faith, collaborative discussion.

When Luke Priddy, Democratic nominee in the special election for the unexpired term on the Roanoke City Council, spoke those words, he reminded me that finding common purpose for cooperation once inspired teamwork between political leaders. Priddy squares off against partisan posturing that only foments division and frustrates progress.

George McGovern, Democrat from South Dakota, the most liberal senator of the era, was inspired to make commonsense federal law that would feed hungry children while attending public school. But the senator was warned by Democratic leadership that no Republican would co-sponsor legislation using federal funds to feed poor kids in Atlanta, Boston or Chicago.

McGovern enjoyed telling the story: not dissuaded, he approached Bob Dole, Republican from Kansas, and the most conservative senator of the era. Bob, he implored, I want to put sandwiches in paper sacks and hand them out to hungry kids at lunchtime in every school in America.

McGovern then asked the powerful legislator from Kansas: Bob, do you know where I can get some [bread]? Dole smiled. He shook the hand of his liberal colleague: Yeah, I do. You need white, wheat or rye? 

To this day, the life-changing school lunch program (known now as SNAP) remains the legacy of loyal opposition embraced by Sen. George McGovern and Sen. Robert Dole decades ago.

Our elected leaders should restore the forgotten virtue of loyal opposition. And we should elect Luke Priddy to the Roanoke City Council. He is that leader ready to square off against partisan posturing that foments division and frustrates progress.

Gary Crawford, Roanoke
After harvest, farmers worldwide generally burn the waste that remains, creating dangerous levels of toxic haze and wasting potentially valuable resources. The MIT spinoff company Takachar is providing technology that can be used in the field to convert that agricultural waste into a solid, clean-burning fuel. Credit: Kevin Kung

To prepare fields for planting, farmers the world over often burn corn stalks, rice husks, hay, straw, and other waste left behind from the previous harvest. In many places, the practice creates huge seasonal clouds of smog, contributing to air pollution that kills 7 million people globally a year, according to the World Health Organization.

Annually, $120 billion worth of crop and forest residues are burned in the open worldwidea major waste of resources in an energy-starved world, says Kevin Kung SM '13, Ph.D. '17. Kung is working to transform this waste biomass into marketable productsand capitalize on a billion-dollar global marketthrough his MIT spinoff company, Takachar.

Founded in 2015, Takachar develops small-scale, low-cost, portable equipment to convert waste biomass into solid fuel using a variety of thermochemical treatments, including one known as oxygen-lean torrefaction. The technology emerged from Kung's Ph.D. project in the lab of Ahmed Ghoniem, the Ronald C. Crane (1972) Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT.

Biomass fuels, including wood, peat, and animal dung, are a major source of carbon emissionsbut billions of people rely on such fuels for cooking, heating, and other household needs. "Currently, burning biomass generates 10% of the primary energy used worldwide, and the process is used largely in rural, energy-poor communities. We're not going to change that overnight. There are places with no other sources of energy," Ghoniem says.

What Takachar's technology provides is a way to use biomass more cleanly and efficiently by concentrating the fuel and eliminating contaminants such as moisture and dirt, thus creating a "clean-burning" fuelone that generates less smoke. "In rural communities where biomass is used extensively as a primary energy source, torrefaction will address air pollution head-on," Ghoniem says.

Thermochemical treatment densifies biomass at elevated temperatures, converting plant materials that are typically loose, wet, and bulky into compact charcoal. Centralized processing plants exist, but collection and transportation present major barriers to utilization, Kung says. Takachar's solution moves processing into the field: To date, Takachar has worked with about 5,500 farmers to process 9,000 metric tons of crops.

Takachar estimates its technology has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by gigatons per year at scale. ("Carbon dioxide equivalent" is a measure used to gauge global warming potential.) In recognition, in 2021 Takachar won the first-ever Earthshot Prize in the clean air category, a 1 million prize funded by Prince William and Princess Kate's Royal Foundation.

Roots in Kenya

As Kung tells the story, Takachar emerged from a class project that took him to Kenyawhich explains the company's name, a combination of takataka, which mean "trash" in Swahili, and char, for the charcoal end product.

It was 2011, and Kung was at MIT as a biological engineering grad student focused on cancer research. But "MIT gives students big latitude for exploration, and I took courses outside my department," he says. In spring 2011, he signed up for a class known as 15.966 (Global Health Delivery Lab) in the MIT Sloan School of Management. The class brought Kung to Kenya to work with a nongovernmental organization in Nairobi's Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa.

"We interviewed slum households for their views on health, and that's when I noticed the charcoal problem," Kung says. The problem, as Kung describes it, was that charcoal was everywhere in Kiberapiled up outside, traded by the road, and used as the primary fuel, even indoors. Its creation contributed to deforestation, and its smoke presented a serious health hazard.

Eager to address this challenge, Kung secured fellowship support from the MIT International Development Initiative and the Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center to conduct more research in Kenya. In 2012, he formed Takachar as a team and received seed money from the MIT IDEAS Global Challenge, MIT Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship, and D-Lab to produce charcoal from household organic waste. (This work also led to a fertilizer company, Safi Organics, that Kung founded in 2016 with the help of MIT IDEAS. But that is another story.)

Meanwhile, Kung had another top priority: finding a topic for his Ph.D. dissertation. Back at MIT, he met Alexander Slocum, the Walter M. May and A. Hazel May Professor of Mechanical Engineering, who on a long walk-and-talk along the Charles River suggested he turn his Kenya work into a thesis. Slocum connected him with Robert Stoner, deputy director for science and technology at the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI) and founding director of MITEI's Tata Center for Technology and Design. Stoner in turn introduced Kung to Ghoniem, who became his Ph.D. advisor, while Slocum and Stoner joined his doctoral committee.

Roots in MIT lab

Ghoniem's telling of the Takachar story begins, not surprisingly, in the lab. Back in 2010, he had a master's student interested in renewable energy, and he suggested the student investigate biomass. That student, Richard Bates '10, SM '12, Ph.D. '16, began exploring the science of converting biomass to more clean-burning charcoal through torrefaction.

Most torrefaction (also known as low-temperature pyrolysis) systems use external heating sources, but the lab's goal, Ghoniem explains, was to develop an efficient, self-sustained reactor that would generate fewer emissions. "We needed to understand the chemistry and physics of the process, and develop fundamental scaling models, before going to the lab to build the device," he says.

By the time Kung joined the lab in 2013, Ghoniem was working with the Tata Center to identify technology suitable for developing countries and largely based on renewable energy. Kung was able to secure a Tata Fellowship andbuilding on Bates' researchdevelop the small-scale, practical device for biomass thermochemical conversion in the field that launched Takachar.

This device, which was patented by MIT with inventors Kung, Ghoniem, Stoner, MIT research scientist Santosh Shanbhogue, and Slocum, is self-contained and scalable. It burns a little of the biomass to generate heat; this heat bakes the rest of the biomass, releasing gases; the system then introduces air to enable these gases to combust, which burns off the volatiles and generates more heat, keeping the thermochemical reaction going.

"The trick is how to introduce the right amount of air at the right location to sustain the process," Ghoniem explains. "If you put in more air, that will burn the biomass. If you put in less, there won't be enough heat to produce the charcoal. That will stop the reaction."

About 10% of the biomass is used as fuel to support the reaction, Kung says, adding that "90% is densified into a form that's easier to handle and utilize." He notes that the research received financial support from the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab and the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation, both at MIT. Sonal Thengane, another postdoc in Ghoniem's lab, participated in the effort to scale up the technology at the MIT Bates Lab (no relation to Richard Bates).

The charcoal produced is more valuable per ton and easier to transport and sell than biomass, reducing transportation costs by two-thirds and giving farmers an additional income opportunityand an incentive not to burn agricultural waste, Kung says. "There's more income for farmers, and you get better air quality."

Roots in India

When Kung became a Tata Fellow, he joined a program founded to take on the biggest challenges of the developing world, with a focus on India. According to Stoner, Tata Fellows, including Kung, typically visit India twice a year and spend six to eight weeks meeting stakeholders in industry, the government, and in communities to gain perspective on their areas of study.

"A unique part of Tata is that you're considering the ecosystem as a whole," says Kung, who interviewed hundreds of smallholder farmers, met with truck drivers, and visited existing biomass processing plants during his Tata trips to India. (Along the way, he also connected with Indian engineer Vidyut Mohan, who became Takachar's co-founder.)

"It was very important for Kevin to be there walking about, experimenting, and interviewing farmers," Stoner says. "He learned about the lives of farmers."

These experiences helped instill in Kung an appreciation for small farmers that still drives him today as Takachar rolls out its first pilot programs, tinkers with the technology, grows its team (now up to 10), and endeavors to build a revenue stream. So, while Takachar has gotten a lot of attention and accoladesfrom the IDEAS award to the Earthshot PrizeKung says what motivates him is the prospect of improving people's lives.

The dream, he says, is to empower communities to help both the planet and themselves. "We're excited about the environmental justice perspective," he says. "Our work brings production and carbon removal or avoidance to rural communitiesproviding them with a way to convert waste, make money, and reduce air pollution."

Provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
WILMINGTON, N.C.  Hurricane Ian churned toward landfall in South Carolina Friday afternoon.

South Carolinas coast was under a hurricane warning. Friday afternoon, wind gusts made trees around Florence wave back and forth. Rainfall ranged from light to moderate early Friday.

The hurricane warning stretched from the Savannah River to Cape Fear, with flooding likely across the Carolinas and southwestern Virginia, the center said. The forecast predicted a storm surge of up to 7 feet into coastal areas of the Carolinas, and rainfall of up to 8 inches.

The Associated Press reported many people had left Charleston for high ground and store owners were using sandbags to protect their businesses from flooding.

Ian left a broad swath of destruction after it came ashore Wednesday on Floridas Gulf Coast as one of the strongest storms ever to hit the U.S. The storm flooded areas on both of Floridas coasts, tore homes from their slabs, demolished beachfront businesses and left more than 2 million people without power.

Heavy rain, strong wind gusts and a dangerous storm surge are forecast for the Pee Dee and Grand Strand as Ian headed toward the South Carolina coast.

We have significant concerns with the potential for dangerous storm surge flooding with high tide later this morning/early afternoon, especially in the Storm Surge Warning areas, Steven Pfaff, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington wrote in Friday mornings storm briefing.

The projected storm surge has increased to 4-7 feet from Little River to South Santee River and 3-5 feet north of Little River.

With the surge will come the potential for washed out roads, beach erosion, damage to marinas and damage to structures where there is weakened shoreline protection.

American Airlines canceled its two flights in and out of Florence Regional Airport on Friday. The airline was expected to resume flights on Saturday.

The main airport in Charleston has closed ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Ian, the Associated Press reported.

Officials with the Charleston International Airport said they shuttered the airport, where airlines had already canceled dozens of fights, and winds reached 40 mph. The airport will remained closed until 6 a.m. Saturday.

As of Friday morning most of the Pee Dee was under a tropical storm warning while Williamsburg County was under a hurricane warning. Georgetown and Horry counties were also under a hurricane warning.

The Pee Dee and Grand Strand both were placed at potential risk for major flooding rains. The Pee Dee and Grand Strand are predicted to receive 4-6 inches of rain while areas around Georgetown area could receive 6-8 inches.

This amount of rainfall could result in flash flooding, especially near low-lying and other locations prone to flooding, Pfaff wrote in the briefing. The heaviest rainfall is expected through (Friday) with drier conditions expected to develop by Saturday

An eastward jog in Ians projected path now places the storm near Dillon early Saturday morning as it moves north into North Carolina.

A variety of impacts will increase during the day including strong winds, surge inundation, heavy rainfall and tornadoes, Pfaff wrote in the morning briefing.

The risk for isolated tornadoes will increase during the day and persist into the evening, according to the briefing.

Williamsburg and southern Florence counties could see wind gusts up to 110 miles an hour while the remainder of the Pee Dee could see winds up to 73 miles an hour as Ian moves through.

FEMA Friday announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of South Carolina to supplement the state, tribal and local response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Ian beginning on Sept. 25 and continuing.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, under the public assistance program, will be provided at 75% federal funding.
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 New US Sentencing Commission releases its first set of tentative policy priorities | Main | Weekend round-up of stories from incarceration nation 

September 30, 2022

"The Lost Right to Jury Trial in 'All' Criminal Prosecutions"

The title of this post is the title of this recent article available via SSRN authored by Andrea L. Roth. Here is its abstract:

The Sixth Amendment states that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to . . . trial, by an impartial jury. Similarly, Article III mandates that the trial of all crimes, other than impeachment, shall be by jury. Nonetheless, tens of thousands of federal defendants each year are denied a jury in petty cases with a potential sentence of six months or less. These cases can carry significant consequences and involve not only regulatory crimes but traditional crimes like theft, assault, and sexual abuse. This apparently blatant contradiction of the Constitutions text is justified by the so-called petty-offense exception, originating in nineteenth-century Supreme Court dictum that cited to the Founding-era practice of allowing certain offenses deemed petty by Parliament or colonial charters to be summarily tried by a justice of the peace. While a couple of commentators over the last century have criticized this doctrine, it has never been fully litigated. Harnessing previously unexplored historical and textual sources, this Article offers the most comprehensive argument to date that the petty offense exceptions existing rationales are untenable. Indeed, as the sources reveal, controversial summary bench trials could just as naturally be read as inspiration for the Framers conspicuous decision to guarantee a jury in all criminal prosecutions. Ultimately, if one looks to text and history to interpret the jury right, it must at the very least extend to defendants formally charged by the Department of Justice in federal criminal court. The Article concludes by exploring the implications of a jury right in federal petty cases, including the importance of the right, and implications for state defendants and the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

September 30, 2022 at 09:36 AM | Permalink

Comments

The one threat that prosecutors can legally make to induce a defendant to plead guilty that most offends me is the threat to indict his family members unless he agrees to plead guilty. Several Circuit Courts (but not the U.S. Supreme Court) have held that it is legal and Constitutional for a prosecutor to threaten to indict the defendant's family members unless he agrees to plead guilty. See, United States v. Marquez, 909 F.2d 738 (2d Cir. 1990)(citing cases from 4 or 5 other Circuits, including the 4th Circuit). My former client, Roger Damron, who was prosecuted in the Southern District of West Virginia circa 1996-1997, testified at my trial that he had pleaded guilty because U.S. Attorney Rebecca Betts had come to the jail and threatened to indict his wife for conspiracy to commit money laundering unless he pleaded guilty. At the time, Damron was meeting with prosecutor Betts without defense counsel present. When Betts had called defense counsel to ask him to meet her at the jail, so she could speak with Damron, he told her that he had a conflicting gold tee time, but it was okay if she went and met with Damron alone. Damron testified later that his wife was a brittle diabetic in her 60s, and he feared that she would die if Ms. Betts sent her to prison, so he caved and pleaded guilty. Betts threatened Damron because she feared she would lose her upcoming trial against Damron, since 50 of the 52 investors who claimed to have lost money to Damron had recently recent bank drafts from an offshore bank, returning their "lost" investments. Evidence later showed that the con-man, Stephan Oles, who Damron had invested their money with feared that he was about to be indicted, so he committed an entirely separate fraud to get money to return to Damron's investors. It was Stephen Oles (not Roger Damron, who was then being held in jail) who directed the offshore attorneys to cut the bank drafts and send them to the U.S. investors. In the face of having 50 of 52 investors have their monies returned a few weeks before Damron's trial was scheduled to begin in Huntington, West Virginia, U.S. Attorney Betts went to the jail, without counsel present, and threatened to indict Damron's wife unless he pleaded guilty. Damron later testified that he pleaded guilty to save his wife's life. And I do not think the law and Constitution should permit things like this to happen. It's wrong.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Sep 30, 2022 10:32:18 AM

See also, dicta from "Bordenkircher v. Hayes, 434 U.S. 357, 364 n.8 (1978) (A Court need not consider any benefit to or adverse action that might be taken by the prosecutors towards another person, besides the accused).

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Sep 30, 2022 12:35:08 PM

I wholeheartedly agree.

I have seen this happen to two defendants that were part of the same conspiracy charge (the top two targets). The threat was first made to get them to stand down at their detention hearing, then ultimately the reason both decided to plead guilty... If not for this threat, one defendant plainly stated he would have proceeded much differently

Posted by: Shanta | Sep 30, 2022 1:21:23 PM

Let's do a one year experiment and thereafter evaluate the results. Since prosecutors are accused of abusing the plea process to extort bargained-for pleas, during this one year, we'll take the extortion tool away from them and provide that there will be no plea bargaining, and hence no bargain-related threats. Every defendant will fully get his constitutional right to a jury trial on the original charges.

At the end of the year, we'll ask prosecutors, judges, defense lawyers, defendants and crime victims whether they like that system, or whether they'd prefer the one we have now.

I have a pretty good idea what the answer will be, especially from defendants, defense lawyers and judges, but we won't know for sure until we try the experiment.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Oct 1, 2022 11:42:22 AM

Bill Otis: What do you think of the legality of a prosecutor being able to say to a defendant, "If you don't plead guilty, I am going to indict your wife?" Should that remain legal, as it appears to be now? I am not talking about the entire guilty plea process, just this one sub-issue.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Oct 1, 2022 1:08:23 PM

Jim Gormley --

Depends on the evidence. If the prosecutor has an objectively reasonable, good faith belief that there is sufficient evidence to warrant an indictment of the wife and then result in a guilty verdict, there is absolutely nothing wrong with his telling he husband that he (the prosecutor) is willing to give him and his wife a break from the punishment her behavior has earned, but only if the husband pleads guilty to the charge his own behavior has earned.

If, on the other hand, the prosecutor does not have such a case against the wife, and the threat is based on flimsy or non-existent evidence against her, it should not be allowed. (But in such a case, the wife would get acquitted anyway, if the judge even let the case go to the jury).

Now I'd be interested to find out if you would support the experiment I proposed.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Oct 1, 2022 1:45:01 PM

Mr. Otis, I'm sure it would be a great consolation to everyone if the defendant and his brittle diabetic wife were exonerated at trial after they spend several months in jail and the wife dies of her illness.

The system worked!

Future generations will look back at coercive plea bargains -- and they're *all* coercive -- with the same horror with which we look back at slavery. The only way to determine guilt is with a fair trial, not with a claim of a good faith belief in guilt. As for your proposed experiment, how about an experiment where some muggers threaten to kill you if you don't hand over your wallet, and others simply kill you and take your wallet. If everyone prefers the former, that doesn't make either one acceptable.

Note that I'm suggesting *fair* trials, not the kinds of trials we have now, in which prosecutors have an enormous advantage, and can't be punished even if they suborn perjury or if they fake or hide evidence or rely on debunked forensic pseudoscience.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Oct 1, 2022 3:21:19 PM

Keith Lynch --

"Mr. Otis, I'm sure it would be a great consolation to everyone if the defendant and his brittle diabetic wife were exonerated at trial after they spend several months in jail and the wife dies of her illness.

The system worked!"

I see you don't mention evidence -- a telling omission.

"Future generations will look back at coercive plea bargains -- and they're *all* coercive -- with the same horror with which we look back at slavery."

You have no clue what future generations will think. But if a point be made of it, slavery ended many generations ago, and there a far MORE plea bargains now than there were then.

P.S. Judges CANNOT accept coerced plea bargains, and they don't -- unless they're all crooks. Are they? Are the defense lawyers who seek them and sign them all crooks too?

"The only way to determine guilt is with a fair trial, not with a claim of a good faith belief in guilt."

Then go assert your right to a trial and quit whining. And while we're at it, how is it that you know what has for decades eluded the Supreme Court -- that trials are the only way to determine guilt?

"Note that I'm suggesting *fair* trials, not the kinds of trials we have now, in which prosecutors have an enormous advantage..."

That's true. They do have a big advantage. It's called "evidence," which is the reason you don't mention it.

"...and can't be punished even if they suborn perjury or if they fake or hide evidence or rely on debunked forensic pseudoscience."

Such as fingerprints, DNA and surveillance tapes.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Oct 1, 2022 5:09:35 PM

Keith Lynch --

Do you really not get it that the huge majority of defendants who plead guilty do so because they know the evidence is overwhelmingly against them and that they would lose if they went to trial?

Do you really not know that?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Oct 1, 2022 9:23:48 PM

Bill Otis: In the case involving my former client, Roger Damron, he had been under indictment for more than a year and was within a few weeks of going to trial, before the US Attorney met privately with him in jail (defense counsel was not present) and threatened to indict his wife unless he immediately pled guilty to all charges. The U.S. Attorney never suggested indictment of Damron's wife until AFTER 50 of the 52 investors received the return of their lost investments in the mail, via offshore bank draft. These bank drafts were arranged by the real con man in the case, Stephen Oles, who defrauded Mr. Damron out of the investors' money, thinking that it was Damron's personal funds. Oles had already testified under subpoena before the Grand Jury that indicted Roger Damron. Oles knew that he was next, and he arranged the return of monies to try to head off his own indictment. The Government later proved that Oles committed a whole nother fraud scheme, to get the $410,000 to repay 50 out of 52 of Damron's investors, just a few weeks before Damron's scheduled securities and wire fraud trial. The Government's theory was that Damron was the person causing the return of funds to investors, on the eve of his trial, but it was really Damron, as the Government later learned from their follow-up investigation. The Government filed a contempt motion against Damron, for allegedly violating the pre-trial restraining order on his assets (normally daily living expenses excluded). I testified under subpoena at the Contempt Hearing that based on my conversations with the offshore attorneys, the money to fund the bank drafts sent to West Virginia came from Stephen Oles money. Based on my testimony, the District Judge declined to find Mr. Damron in contempt of court, or to order the investors to pay their bank draft funds into the registry of the court. In the days after the Government lost the contempt hearing, Rebecca Betts, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia met alone with Mr. Damron in jail (and without defense counsel present), and threatened to indict his wife unless he pleaded guilty to all 52 counts of his indictment. Damron later testified at the trial of 4 others that he had pleaded guilty to save his wife's life, because she was in her 60s and a brittle diabetic. At the time the 4 other defendants were tried in 1999, Stephen Oles was a fugitive, who had cut off his ankle monitor, and fled Southern California by boat to Mexico. Some years later, Oles was arrested in England and extradited to West Virginia, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. But for Betts' threat, Damron would have gone to trial, and probably would have been acquitted on 50 out of 52 counts of the indictment.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Oct 2, 2022 2:44:34 PM

Jim Gormley --

Thank you for your detailed response. Nothing in it changes my view that it is proper for the prosecutor to threaten to indict the wife if the grand jury's evidence against her meets the same true bill standard applied to any other case. It is likewise proper for the prosecutor to offer (otherwise unearned) leniency for the wife if, after having properly and with adequate evidence of guilt indicted the husband, the husband agrees to plead guilty (almost always to some reduced set of charges).

If a person wants to avoid the unpleasant choices being indictred presents, his best option is to refrain ab initio from the behavior that gets him indicted. The idea that only the behavior of the prosecutor is to be examined, while the behavior of the defendant gets shoved behind the curtain as if it has nothing to do with the case, is, with all respect, silly.

Now let me ask again: Would you support the one year experiment I proposed with no plea bargaining allowed?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Oct 2, 2022 5:22:17 PM

I heartily endorse Bills solution. I will gladly pay more tax money to fund the prosecutors and judges needed to give a trial to each accused criminal. They can then serve out the full sentences for the crimes they commit, not a watered down version with less or no prison time. God knows that keeping these people in prison will make our communities safer. A beefed up judicial and prison system is a worthy investment.

If Douglas and his ilk here were honest, they would also endorse this deal. It gives them their stated goals. The prosecutors lose some power and give the attorneys a chance to defend their clients, even in cases they are sure to lose. The issue is the goals not stated, that they want the benefits of plea bargains without the risk of going to trial.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Oct 2, 2022 11:59:29 PM

Mr. Otis: You're right for once. I indeed don't know that "the huge

majority of defendants who plead guilty do so because they know the

evidence is overwhelmingly against them and that they would lose if

they went to trial." You don't know that either. Nobody knows that.

Almost every day I read another news story about someone who was

exonerated after spending decades in prison. I've studied how

accused people get convicted, and concluded that it has very little

correlation with guilt. I've also studied how accused people get

exonerated, and concluded that it almost always depends on freakishly

rare circumstances, such as a film crew just happened to be filming

near him at the time of the crime (the Juan Catalan case), providing

an airtight alibi. Or evidence that was supposed to have been

destroyed years earlier being accidentally preserved into the DNA era.

So it's obvious that for every one of the thousands of Americans who

have been exonerated of serious crimes, there are at least a hundred

equally innocent Americans who were not.

So any innocent person accused of a serious crime who, unlike you,

is paying attention knows that if they plead guilty they may spend

a few years in prison, but after that they'll be free albeit with a

permanent felony record. And that if they do go to trial they will

almost certainly lose, especially if they can't afford a multi-million

dollar "dream team," and will spend the rest of their life in prison.

And that even if they win, they may spend more time in jail awaiting

trial, especially if they're elderly, have medical conditions, or are

known by their fellow prisoners to be accused of a sex crime or

to be a snitch.

Jim Gormley's client is an example of "reverse prisoner's dilemma,"

which consists of prosecutors saying something like, "Nice wife you

have there (or parent, or child). It would be a shame if something

happened to her."

More common is regular prisoner's dilemma, in which accused people are

rewarded for testifying against others. It was already ancient when

used in the Salem Witch trials. They only thing unusual about those

trials is that we know for a fact that every accused person was

innocent, since witches don't exist. Also note that no accused

witches who confessed, repented, and agreed to name and testify

against other accused witches were executed.

As for fingerprint evidence, ask Brandon Mayfield. Or read the 2016

President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology's Report on

Forensic Science in Criminal Courts, which concluded that nearly all

pattern-matching forensic sciences other than single-source DNA, at

least as currently practiced in the US, are invalid. For instance

matching bite marks to teeth, shoe prints to shoes, hair (without DNA)

to people, bullets to guns or to batches of other bullets, handwriting

to its author, and even fingerprints to fingers. Don't take my word

for it, read that government report for yourself.

I assume we're agreed that it's profoundly unjust when an innocent

person pleads guilty. I hope we're all agreed that the fact that

the person was coerced or tricked into claiming to be guilty doesn't

excuse it. (But, again, a guilty plea isn't necessarily a claim to be

guilty, otherwise Alford pleas wouldn't exist.)

But what about when a guilty person pleads guilty? If he doesn't get

exactly the same sentence as he would if he had gone to trial and

lost, then either the plea bargain sentence is unjustly lenient or the

trial sentence is unjustly harsh, or both. You can't logically claim

otherwise unless you maintain that insisting on a trial isn't actually

a right, but is a separate crime in itself. So plea bargains are

unjust whether the defendant is guilty or innocent, unless there's no

trial penalty. And if there was no trial penalty, few people would

ever agree to plead guilty, since at trial there's always a chance

of acquittal, and the right to appeal if you lose.

You're also right that I "have no clue what future generations will

think." It could be that the US will fall into a brutal dictatorship,

reinstate slavery, or worse. But I'm an optimist. I believe in

progress, both technological and moral. I could be wrong. Last year

we came close to a permanent Trump-dynasty dictatorship. Thankfully

the January 6th mob was neither well-led nor well-armed. One of the

first things Dictator Trump would have done is execute the Central

Park Five, even though they were proven innocent and weren't accused

of a death penalty offense. They did give (coerced) confessions, and

one of them pleaded guilty.

As for the slavery analogy, the best argument for plea bargains is

that the system would collapse if everyone demanded a trial. Very

likely true. And the best argument for slavery was that the

southern economy would collapse if it was abolished. Which also

turned out to be true. The South went from the wealthiest part of

the US to a century of extreme poverty. But it was right to abolish

slavery despite this.

The added burden on the justice system can be mitigated by legalizing

all victimless crimes, especially drugs. It's nobody else's business

what substances an adult chooses to put into his or her body. Or what

sex acts consenting adults choose to engage in.

It is plea bargains, not trials that "shove the behavior of the

defendant behind the curtain as if it has nothing to do with the

case." Trials require that alleged behavior to be proven "beyond

reasonable doubt"; plea bargains take guilt of that alleged behavior

as the axiom on which the whole system is built. "If a person wants

to avoid the unpleasant choices being indictred [sic] presents, his

best option is to refrain ab initio from the behavior that gets him

indicted" is egregious question begging, a perfect example of treating

the guilt of every accused person as magically proven, perhaps by a

cop's intuition or by the frenzied barking of a "K9 unit."

As I've said, 44 years ago I was falsely convicted of office burglary

via a coerced and tricked plea bargain. I was completely innocent of

that all other crimes more serious than jaywalking. I don't claim to

be perfect. For instance I am ashamed that, although I'm normally

horrified and angry when someone is wrongfully convicted of a serious

crime, I would be quite pleased if it were to happen to you, since

apparently no other evidence -- there's that word you wrongly think

I ignore -- would convince you of how utterly broken and profoundly

unjust our system is, how totally lacking in both the scientific

virtue of falsifiability and the religious/humanist virtue of

humility. At the very least, people ought to have all their rights

restored and their record expunged once they have "paid their debt

to society" by serving their sentence.



Posted by: Keith Lynch | Oct 3, 2022 12:06:11 AM

Tarls, though I cannot speak for my "ilk," I hope you have paid enough attention to my writings to know I have been a robust advocate for jury trials in all criminal justice settings (even in habeas actions). Most critically, no plea deals are even possible absent them being offered and pursued by prosecutors --- and the extreme use of pleas advances prosecutorial tendency to overcharge defendants safe in the expectation that charges will never be seriously reviewed by a jury or anyone else. Ergo, I think it is Bill's prosecutorial "ilk" you need to lobby to get them to stop, in your words, seeking "the benefits of plea bargains without the risk of going to trial."

Or, perhaps SCOTUS will some day live up to its purported commitment to constitutional text and history in this context and, at least in federal cases, comply with Article III's command: "The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury." I do not recall your criticism of SCOTUS rulings in which Justices have limited the jury trial right in various setting. Do you share my affinity for a robust interpretation of Article III and the Sixth Amendment to cover any and all form of "Crimes"? The more that defendants have the right to demand jury review of contested facts (and if we do not allow punishment based on acquitted conduct), the more likely they will be to seek for juries involved in our criminal justice process.

Put simply, Tarls, you are preaching to the long-ago converted (eg, I have criticized rulings like Watts and praised rulings like Apprendi and Blakely for decades). Jury trials serve as an important and needed check and a critical form of transparency for the work of the state in criminal justice systems. I also think we should have juries play a role in all forms of sentencing (not just capital sentencing) and they should also be part of parole and supervised release revocation proceedings, too (despite problematic SCOTUS rulings to the contrary that they do not have to be).

Posted by: Doug B. | Oct 3, 2022 9:57:01 AM

Post a comment
(AFP via Getty Images)

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has called for a lifetime ban for the spectator who threw a banana at Richarlison during Brazil's friendly win over Tunisia.

Richarlison scored in the 5-1 win in Paris but saw a banana thrown onto the pitch during his goal celebrations. The following day, Richarlison called on footballs governing bodies to take firm and swift action against those responsible for the racist attack, with Thiago Silva among the players offering their support.

Tottenham followed suit with their own condemnation of the incident and now Conte, speaking ahead of Tottenham's weekend trip to Arsenal, said: "We have to take the good part of the situation, you know? Richy played with the national team, and scored a goal.

"Then I think what happened is incredible because in 2022 to be witnessing this type of situation is embarrassing for everybody. I hope these people can be banned from football for the rest of all their lives.

"It is a situation that is very disappointing to make a comment about. I want to take the best part of the game from Richy and he scored three goals and he enjoyed to play with Brazil."
Arctic Monkeys UK and Ireland tickets: How to see the bands 2023 tour

Arctic Monkeys are back and have finally announced a UK and Ireland tour.

While the band have played several dates and festivals across Europe this summer, they have only graced a UK stage once. Headlining Reading and Leeds festival this year, the band brought their four-year hiatus away from a UK stage to a close with a set that saw, as The Independent described it, front man Alex Turner transformed into a blue-eyed fifties crooner, hunting an ex around local pubs.

Thankfully the festival was not a one-off return to the UK. On Friday (23 September), the band released new tour dates, which will see them visit a host of venues across the UK and Ireland.

Cities set to be visited include London, Glasgow, Dublin and the bands hometown of Sheffields Hillsborough Park, with the shows taking place throughout May and June next year.

Support throughout the tour will come from fellow rock and roll bands The Hives and Liverpool newcomers The Mysterines.

The Sheffield rock band recently announced that their new album The Car will be released on 21 October and will feature 10 new songs written by Turner and made with the bands regular producer James Ford.

According to a press release, The Car finds Arctic Monkeys running wild in a new and sumptuous musical landscape and contains some of the richest and most rewarding vocal performances of Alex Turners career.

The bands new single Thered Better Be A Mirrorball was released in August, marking the first time theyd put out music in four years.

How to get Arctic Monkeys tickets for 2023

General sale tickets will go on sale on Friday 30 September at 9am from SeeTickets.

Note that sales are limited to four tickets per person so, if youre the friend who plans everything for the group, make sure youve got someone else on hand to grab any extra tickets you need.

For the Dublin show at Marlay Park on 20 June 2023, tickets are available via Ticketmaster. But like the other shows, tickets go on sale on Friday 30 October at 9am.

Where to see Arctic Monkeys in 2023
Bilia AB

Bilia AB's annual general meeting will be held on April 5, 2023.

The Nomination Committee for the Annual General Meeting 2023 comprises the following members:

 Mats Qviberg, Chairman of the Board in Bilia AB

 Tim Floderus, appointed by Investment AB Oresund, Chairman of the Nomination Committee

 Sofia Steinwall, appointed by the Engebretsen family

 Emilie Westholm, appointed by Folksam

The Nomination Committee shall prepare proposals for the 2023 Annual General Meeting regarding Chairman of the Meeting, Board members and Chairman of the Board, fees to be paid to each of the Board members, renumeration to the auditor and, if necessary, proposal for changes in the process of appointing the Nomination Committee.

Shareholders who wish to present proposals to the Nomination Committee for the 2023 Annual General Meeting can submit them via email to nominering@bilia.se. In order for the Nomination Committee to be able to consider submitted proposals ahead of the AGM, these should be available to the Nomination Committee by January 6, 2023.

Gothenburg, September 30, 2022

Bilia AB (publ)

For information please contact:

Carl Fredrik Ewetz, Investor Relations, 010-497 07 73, carl.fredrik.ewetz@bilia.se

Per Avander, VD och koncernchef, 010-497 70 00, per.avander@bilia.se

Kristina Franzen, CFO, 010-497 73 40, kristina.franzen@bilia.se





Bilia is one of Europes largest car dealers, with a leading position in servicing and sales of cars, transport vehicles and trucks plus supplementary services such as financing and insurance. Bilia has about 150 facilities in Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg and Belgium plus two online auction sites, one in Sweden and one in Norway. Bilia reported a turnover of about SEK 35 bn in 2021 and had about 5,300 employees.

Bilias Service Business comprises a well-developed range of services and service concepts that are continuously developed to simplify car ownership for the customers. Bilia offers accessories and spare parts, original services and repairs, tyre hotels, rim repair, car glass repair along with other workshop services, store sales and e-commerce.

Bilias Car Business comprises sales of both new and used cars, transport vehicles and trucks, plus supplementary services such as financing and insurance. Bilia sells cars from Volvo, BMW, Toyota, Mercedes, Renault, Lexus, MINI, Porsche, Nissan, Dacia, Smart, Alpine, Jaguar, Land Rover and XPENG as well as transport vehicles from Renault, Toyota, Mercedes, Nissan and Dacia and trucks from Mercedes.

Bilias Fuel Business comprises fuel sales and car washes in Sweden.

Attachment




Photo credit: Peerapat Tandavanitj - Getty Images

The Japanese cherry blossom tree is one of the countrys most iconic symbols and is often regarded as its unofficial national flower. It's also a major reason why travellers dream of visiting Japan in spring.

SEE JAPAN'S CHERRY BLOSSOM

They're loved for their delicate blossoms, which the Japanese celebrate each spring with parties and picnics among the trees, and are planted in public parks all over the country.

You can join two exclusive trips to see the cherry blossom with Good Housekeeping, visiting Tokyo to see the beautiful flowers in bloom in 2023 and 2024.

On our cherry blossom cruise, youll visit Tokyo, Mount Fiji, Kyoto and more on a luxury 12-night sailing aboard the beautiful Celebrity Millennium.

Or, if you prefer to experience Japans bustling cities and scenic countryside on a tour by land, you can join a 10-day cherry blossom trip that will take you far and wide through this fascinating land. Youll explore Osaka, Hiroshima, the historical Himeji Castle and Kyotos famous Bamboo Forest.

Photo credit: Prasit photo - Getty Images

Ahead of these unforgettable holidays to Japan, here are 12 unusual facts about the Japanese cherry blossom, or sakura...

1. Scientists are working on creating a second Japanese cherry blossom season

Botanists at Kyoto University have stumbled on a way of genetically modifying the sakura so that it blossoms in spring and autumn. They made the discovery while trying to create a rice grain that could be harvested more than once.

While theyve not quite achieved a tasty enough grain to bring to market, applying the same method to the cherry blossom has shown promising results.

2. The blooms only last a week

Once the cherry blossom trees have flowered, their delicate beauty usually only lasts a week, with the petals constantly falling to the ground and carpeting it in a swathe of pink.

Photo credit: Lucas Kay Magtraveler / EyeEm - Getty Images

Its also part of why the blossoms can represent fragility and fleeting beauty in Japanese culture.

3. Once the petals have fallen, cherry blossom season (hanami) is over

The new period is called hazakura, which is the name for the time between the petals all falling off the trees and the new leaves budding.

Story continues

4. The sakura are constantly mutating

There are more than 600 different species of sakura flower, including a number of hybrids, with changes appearing in the number of petals, the size of the flower, changes in their colour, and differing yields of fruit.

Photo credit: Sean Pavone - Getty Images

5. The number of petals give the flowers their names

Flowers that have five petals (or less) are known as hitoe, while those than have between five and 10 petals are called hanyae. If the flowers have more than 10 petals they are called yae.

6. Japan is home to a 2,000-year-old sakura tree

Its the oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan and can be found at the Jissou Temple in Yamanashi Prefecture. Called the Jindai Zakura, this mighty sakura tree has a huge root circumference of 13.5 metres.

7. The petals and leaves are eaten

The petals and leaves are first soaked in a salt solution, in a process known as shiozuke to produce sakurazuke  the name for the edible leaves and petals.

Photo credit: Alvin Huang - Getty Images

Thats then either put on bread or wrapped around the popular Japanese sweet treat known as mochi, made from a rice paste and eaten during hanami season.

8. Blossom tea is also popular in Japan

Sakurazuke leaves can also be put in hot water to create a cherry blossom tea. As the leaf diffuses into the water and infuses it with colour, it gives it a beautiful pink hue and delicate flavour. The tea is often drunk on special occasions, such as weddings.

9. The Japanese year follows the blossom

The new business and academic year in Japan begins in April with the blossoming of the trees, giving you a chance to socialise and get to know your new work and study mates during the celebrations.

Photo credit: Masahiro Makino - Getty Images

10. Sakurako is a popular name in Japan

Ko means child in Japanese, and Sakurako, child of the cherry blossom, is a popular girls name.

11. The trees actually produce cherries

Coming out in the summer after the blooms have disappeared, the trees small, sour tasting cherries arent edible for humans  but birds love to snack on them!

12. Theyre blossoming earlier

Due to climate change, the cherry blossom season has been consistently falling earlier in the year. Celebrations used to take place in early May, but have gradually moved forward in the calendar. 2021 saw the earliest peak  on 26th March in Kyoto  since records began more than 1,200 years ago.



Book your place on a cruise around Japan or a land tour of Japan during the cherry blossom season.

FIND OUT MORE

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Students at the University of Illinois at Chicago on Aug. 24, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Ive taught college for almost 30 years. Ive never had so many students tell me theyre depressed. Ive never had so many students quit attending class or drop out so close to graduation.

When I look at students faces, I sometimes see the thousand-yard stare  a look of exhaustion and sadness and defeat.

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I know that thousand-yard stare because I used to have it. I tell students I used to sit in a college classroom instead of standing in front of it. When I talk about my depression in class, that stare becomes more of a gaze. They listen, I think, because theyre not used to having adults talk about mental health issues.

I posted a short video on our departments website telling students about my own struggles with depression. I tell them to seek counseling if theyre dealing with depression or anxiety. I waited until I was 40 before seeking counseling. Dont make the same mistake, I tell them.

Advertisement

Oct. 6 is National Depression Screening Day. Shouldnt every day be National Depression Screening Day?

College students are in a mental health crisis, and college and university administrations arent doing enough to address it.

Boston University released a study earlier this year that found that the mental health of college students has been on a steady decline for the last eight years. Researchers said the number of students who experienced one or more mental health problems had doubled since 2013.

The Mayo Clinic reported in July that up to 44% of college students have revealed having symptoms of depression and anxiety. The symptoms, the medical center said, include difficulty with schoolwork, loss of interest in social commitments, changes in eating or sleeping patterns, emotional outbursts, a sense of being overwhelmed, panic, low self-esteem, lack of energy and thoughts of self-harm.

The college years have always been fraught with anxiety as students try to manage life away from home for the first time. But college life was torn asunder by the pandemic.

Yale University researchers attribute the increase in mental illness on college campuses in part to the isolation caused by the pandemic. Students who were used to socializing with one another found themselves alone on social media rather than hanging out with their friends. Students and teachers met on Zoom rather than in classrooms. With Zoom, it was easy just to tune out and turn inward.

If you have the flu or COVID-19, you should isolate yourself. But this doesnt work with depression. It just makes you more depressed.

What are colleges and universities doing to address the demands of students who are facing mental health issues? Not enough  and their inaction is exacerbating the problem.

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Many of the nations college students are turning to their campus counseling services for help  only to encounter limited staff, red tape, restrictions on the length of services, and long wait times, Forbes magazine wrote in July.

Students may turn to their professors to talk about their mental health struggles, but faculty members lack the training to provide counseling. In addition, they are grappling with their own mental health issues. In a survey of professors led by Boston University researchers, half of the respondents said institutions need to do more to support their psychological well-being.

Its up to administrators to take the lead on this issue. They need to address mental illness with the same sense of urgency they addressed the coronavirus. But this isnt happening.

If college administrators continue to neglect the mental health crisis, they do so at their own peril. Enrollment at colleges and universities has been decreasing. Studies show that mental illness is the main reason why students are dropping out of college or postponing their graduation.

Administrators want students to do well in college. They should want students to be well too. Unaddressed mental health problems jeopardize both objectives.

Perhaps administrators are waiting for the right day to address the mental health crisis.

Advertisement

Oct. 6 is National Depression Screening Day.

Chris Lamb is chair of the journalism and public relations department at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
30 Sep  Rumour has it that Lin Chi-Ling will soon be making her public appearance again, the first since giving birth to her first child.

As reported on Epoch Times, the Taiwanese model-actress, who previously settled in Japan with husband Akira and their baby, is scheduled to promote her new book, "Be Your Better Self" in Taipei on 9 October.

It is noted that the book has been on the bestseller lists of many bookstores in Taiwan for 20 consecutive weeks, even without Lin going on a promotional tour for it.

Lin reportedly has already returned home to Taiwan earlier with her mini family to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with her parents.

The actress tied the knot with Akira back in 2019. She announced the birth of their child in January this year.

Lin's book has been on the bestseller lists for weeks

(Photo Source: Lin Chi-Ling Instagram)
Photo: Eugene Butler, GFDL 1.2, via Wikimedia Commons

As a passenger with a window seat on a plane, there are sometimes gorgeous sights to behold when you look out: a glorious sunrise over a sea of clouds, a bird's eye view of the city below, the myriad of stars in the night sky.

But seeing a fighter-jet escorting your flight can bring about mixed feelings, to say the least. For Twitter user Vera @veratheape, she noted that "fighter jets were circling around us for a good hour until we landed" and thought "someone important just arrived".

Fighter jets were circling around us for a good hour until we landed. I thought someone important just arrived and didnt know that was us This guy yelled at the back of airplane saying there is a . 4 hours delay because of this guy and he got arrested.

Singapore! Here I am pic.twitter.com/hcf1wQlrpo  Vera Token2049 (@veratheape) September 28, 2022

Vera was one of the passengers on board Singapore Airlines flight SQ33 that was delayed due to an in-flight bomb hoax. The plane departed San Francisco on 26 Sep 2022 (Mon) at 10.26pm.

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), preliminary investigations indicated that a 37-year-old male passenger had allegedly claimed that there was a bomb in a hand-carry bag, and had assaulted the crew.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Republic of Singapore Air Force (@thersaf)

A Facebook post by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) pointed out that "the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and SPF were mobilised immediately. The Republic of Singapore Air Forces F-16C/Ds escorted the aircraft to safety at Changi Airport, and teams from The Singapore Armys Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Defence Group and Airport Police Division were on site to verify the claims".

Under the escort of the two RSAF fighter jets, SQ33 landed safely at Changi Airport on 28 Sep (Wed) at about 5.50am. The threat was subsequently verified to be false, and the suspicious person was arrested.

Story continues

Here, a list of how the RSAF is every-ready to defend our skies, tackle air threats, and offer aid.

Scrambling jets to tackle air threats

No, it has nothing to do with eggs. When jets are scrambled, they (the pilots and their aircraft) are ordered to take off immediately in an emergency or for action.

According to PIONEER, the RSAF's Air Defence Task Force deals with more than 350 suspicious air threats each year.

On 11 Sep 2021, for instance, RSAF F-16 jets were scrambled to investigate an unauthorised entry by a Royal Malaysian Police helicopter into Singapores territorial airspace, specifically the eastern part of Pulau Tekong. Thankfully, our security wasn't compromised, and the F-16 jets were stood down.

In 2021, the RSAFs new A330 MRTT was used to help the US airlift Afghanistan evacuees from Qatar to Germany.

In 2021, the RSAFs new A330 MRTT was used to help the US airlift Afghanistan evacuees from Qatar to Germany. | Photo: Sim Ding En

Offering aid in rescue efforts

On 27 Aug 2021, the RSAF's A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) lived up to its name of being a multi-role machine and showed that it was more than ready to provide humanitarian aid. With a 77-person crew, one landed in Qatar to airlift 149 Afghan evacuees to Germany.

Fun fact: The A330 MRTT can transform into a "flying hospital". Indeed, it can be configured to support aeromedical evacuation missions, so that the SAF can deploy medical forces overseas to ensure our soldiers have quality healthcare and medical support. It is also able to mount stretchers in the cabin itself, making them sturdier and more secure in the event of turbulence.

Furthermore, medical equipment on board is powered by the plane's own power supply. Previously, in the KC-135R, portable batteries had to be used.



Photo: Facebook/@ngenghen

Offering aid in relief efforts

2020 didn't start on a great note, especially for the folks Down Under. Bush fires in Australia burnt out of control, destroying thousands of homes. Two RSAF Chinooks were deployed with 42 SAF personnel to aid relief efforts. Aside from transporting firefighting and relief supplies, the helicopters were also used to evacuate Australians living in areas affected by the fires.

(Armed) force for good

The RSAF has always answered the call of duty, providing aid whenever the world needs help. Here, a timeline of some of its rescue, peacekeeping, and relief efforts:



The RSAF's first HADR operation was a Flood Relief Operation in Kuantan.

The RSAF's first HADR operation was a Flood Relief Operation in Kuantan. | Photo: Facebook/@TheRSAF

1971: The then-Singapore Air Defence Command's first HADR mission was in Pahang, Malaysia (shown above) to transport food and medical supplies, as well as rescue survivors affected by a flood. The air force was only three years old.



1983: The RSAF saved 13 lives during the Sentosa cable car accident.

1986: Helicopters were deployed to evacuate the Hotel New World collapse casualties.

1990: In a joint Singapore-Brunei operation, the RSAF delivered relief and medical supplies to Amman, Jordan.

1993: Four Super Puma helicopters and 65 crew were sent on the RSAFs first UN peacekeeping mission to support Cambodias elections sponsored by the UN.

2000: A C-130 detachment, along with three military officers and 24 crew were sent to Timor-Leste to assist in the International Force for East Timor transition to the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor.

In September 2005, the SAF deployed 4 RSAF CH-47 Chinook helicopters and 41 personnel from its Peace Prairie detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, to assist in relief operations for Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.

In September 2005, the SAF deployed 4 RSAF CH-47 Chinook helicopters and 41 personnel from its Peace Prairie detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas, to assist in relief operations for Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. | Photo: Facebook/@TheRSAF

2005: RSAFs three CH-47 Chinook helicopters were deployed from the Peace Prairie Detachment in Texas, US (shown above), to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief operations in Louisiana.



2009: Since 2009, RSAF Super Pumas, the S-70B Naval helicopter, and Fokker 50 Maritime Patrol aircraft have been deployed to the Gulf of Aden, part of the SAF Task Group under the multinational CTF 151 to support counter-piracy efforts in the area.

2011: A C-130 transport aircraft, a KC-135 tanker aircraft, and 115 SAF personnel were deployed to provide disaster relief during the New Zealand earthquake.

2014: During the MH370 crisis, the RSAF deployed a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, a C-130 transport aircraft, and a Sikorsky S-70B helicopter to search for the missing plane.

2015: A RSAF imagery analysis team and one KC-135R were sent to Iraq and Syria to support a multinational coalition effort against the Islamic State extremist threat.

In 2015, 2 RSAF C-130s headed to Nepal to assist in post-earthquake relief efforts.

In 2015, 2 RSAF C-130s headed to Nepal to assist in post-earthquake relief efforts. | Photo: Facebook/@TheRSAF

2015: The RSAF made 11 flights into Nepal since 26 April that year during the Nepal earthquake (shown above), to transport personnel, equipment, and relief supplies, as well as evacuate 71 Singaporeans and 24 other nationals.



2017: Following a collision between an oil tanker and the US warship USS John S. McCain in Singapore waters, the RSAF deployed Super Pumas, Chinooks, Fokker-50s, and C-130s in search-and-locate efforts.

2017: Four RSAF CH-47 Chinook and 34 RSAF personnel were deployed to Temple, Texas for Hurricane Harvey relief operations.

Survivors of the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami boarding the RSAF's C-130.

Survivors of the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami boarding the RSAF's C-130. | Photo: Facebook/@ngenghen

2018: Following a 7.5-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Central Sulawesi on 28 Sep 2018, two RSAF C-130 transport aircraft were deployed by the SAF to support the Indonesian government's disaster relief efforts. According to MINDEF, the RSAF flew more than 90 sorties (a sortie is an operational flight by a single military aircraft), transported over 800 displaced persons out of the affected areas, and ferried about 250 tons of supplies.

2020: Two RSAF CH-47 Chinook helicopters were deployed to support bushfire relief efforts in Australia. In total, the RSAF helicopters flew over 30 sorties, transported more than 260 persons and ferried close to 73 tons of supplies.

2021: One of the RSAF's new A330 MRTTs was deployed to provide humanitarian aid by assisting to airlift 149 Afghan evacuees from Qatar to Germany.

For the latest updates on Wonderwall.sg, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Telegram. If you have a story idea for us, email us at hello@wonderwall.sg.
Hurricane Ian dominated news cycles for much of the week. After forming and eventually leaving Cuba without power after slamming the island, the Category 4 storm became one of the strongest ever to hit the U.S.

As of this recording on Friday morning, the storm had killed at least six people in Florida and was tracking north toward Charleston, South Carolina.

For historical context, we take a look at how the storm progressed through the week.

By Tuesday morning, Ian had intensified into a Category 3. In the afternoon, concerns grew that the storm would continue to intensify. More than one million people in Cuba were left without electricity.

On Wednesday morning, Ians winds were reaching 155 mph and the region around Tampa, Florida, was bracing for a direct hit. By the afternoon, the storms eyewall had reached Florida and more than 2.5 million people were told to evacuate.

By Thursday morning, Ian had been downgraded to a tropical storm as the state dealt with the destruction. Meteorologists also warned that the storm could intensify once again.

On Friday, Ian was once again a Category 1 storm and tracking north along the Atlantic Coast.

There were several stories of note related to Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021. A trial began for the founder of the Oath Keepers and four associates. In separate trials, a rioter received a 7-year sentence and another was convicted. Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, spoke with the House committee investigating the events of the day.

In other national news, President Joe Biden had an embarrassing moment during a press conference. Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated Robert F. Kennedy, asked for his release. A gunmaker is being sued over a July 4 parade shooting. And students in Virginia protested transgender policies.

In science, health and technology news, NASA rammed an asteroid. Pumpkin farmers are adapting to changing conditions. Nightly newscasts are morphing due to streaming habits. And teens are seeking out birth control following the Supreme Courts abortion ruling.

In economic news, consumers have been gaining confidence as gas prices have fallen. Fewer people applied for unemployment benefits. The White House wants airlines to show more details about prices on plane tickets. Apple is shifting iPhone production and Amazon plans another Prime Day.

And in international news, Russia annexed four regions of Ukraine on Friday. Edward Snowden was granted Russian citizenship. Patrol boats spotted Chinese and Russian naval ships off the coast of Alaska.

 Compiled and narrated by Terry Lipshetz from Associated Press reports
Chops in the Church

New Horizons United Church of Christ will host "Chops in the Church" from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1. Food served will be: Grilled smoked Iowa pork chop and Choice of baked potato or sweet potato, sweet corn and homemade pie - $12 or grilled hot dog potato chips, and chocolate chip cookies - $4. Ten percent of proceeds will go to Akron Care Center Activities Fund. Dine-in or carry-out or Free Delivery within Akron City Limits! Phone 568-3446.

World Communion Day

Mayflower Congregational UCC will celebrate World Communion Day with a joint worship service at First Christian Church. The service will be on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 11 to noon, at 2101 Jackson St.

Organ restoration concert

St. Luke Lutheran Church is inviting the public to a free organ concert, at 2 p.m. Oct. 9, at the church, 2039 S. Saint Aubin. The concert will celebrate the restoration of the churchs organ that was accomplished thanks to $70,000 in donations. The concert will feature organists from the area, including the Rev. Del Olivier, Yvonne Hazlett, Dave Ewoldt, Jeremy Owens, all from Sioux City, and Felice Rodvik from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A reception will follow the concert. For more information on this concert, contact Michelle Smith at sweetiebassoon@hotmail.com

75th Anniversary

Hope Lutheran Church at 218 W. 18th St., South Sioux City, will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary on Oct. 23. Worship Service with Communion will be at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 11:30 a.m. The History of European Organ Music in 90 minutes. At 1 p.m. Miroslawa Cieslak Concert. 2:30 p.m. Worship Service. 3:30 p.m. Refreshments.
SIOUX CITY  A large portion of Woodbury County was placed under a burn ban at 6 p.m. Friday.

The areas included in the ban are: Anthon, Bronson, Correctionville, Cushing, Danbury, Lawton, Moville, Oto, Pierson, Salix, Sergeant Bluff, Sloan and Smithland.

This only applies to the portions within Woodbury County, according to the Iowa State Fire Marshal.

Upon investigation, it was determined by the State Fire Marshal that conditions in these areas are such that burning constitutes a danger to life or property, said Anthony Gaul, Sergeant Bluff fire chief in a press release.

The National Drought Monitor shows Woodbury County and much of Northwest Iowa continue to experience conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought. Some locations in northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota are one step further, reaching exceptional drought.

On Wednesday, rural fire departments were dispatched to multiple fires sparked by combines.

Residents living in these areas are allowed to burn with a permit from the local fire chief. A resident found in violation of this ban could be charged with a simple misdemeanor.

This ban will remain in effect until the fire departments in these areas notify the State Fire Marshal that conditions have improved and are no longer a threat, according to the release.
SAC CITY, Iowa  An Early, Iowa, woman faces up to 10 years in prison after entering a plea in connection with the deaths of more than 1,000 pigs in Sac County hog confinement facilities.

Elana Laber, 34, entered an Alford plea Monday in Sac County District Court to one count of first-degree criminal mischief. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but the judge enters a guilty plea into the record. Laber also has agreed to enter a written guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of livestock neglect. That plea has yet to be filed, according to online court records.

According to terms of a plea agreement, a judge at Laber's Nov. 21 sentencing hearing will decide if she will serve a 10-prison sentence or whether it will be suspended. Additional charges of first-degree criminal mischief and animal neglect will be dismissed.

Law enforcement officers discovered the dead pigs in varying stages of decomposition in two confinement sites in late June after receiving a report. The pigs had had no access to feed or water.

According to the Sac County Sheriff's Office, Laber, whose job was to maintain both sites, told deputies someone had shut off the breakers that control the electricity the night before, causing the pigs' deaths. A veterinarian inspection determined the pigs had been dead for at least a week. Laber later told deputies she knew the pigs had been dead but did not know what to do.

The pigs were owned by Corey AGR Inc., of Lytton, Iowa. The estimated loss is more than $150,000.
SIOUX CITY -- An Onawa, Iowa, man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison on drug and gun charges.

Dustin Haynes, 38, pleaded guilty in March in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, manufacture and attempted manufacture of methamphetamine and illegal possession of a firearm.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Haynes, who was prohibited from possessing firearms because of previous felony convictions, threw away three baggies of meth while attempting to flee on foot from police officers after a Sept. 1, 2021, traffic stop. Officers seized meth lab components, a shotgun and two boxes of pseudoephedrine, an ingredient to make meth, from his vehicle.

Haynes admitted to authorities he planned to make meth and sell it.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Kenneth Rader cheered fellow rioters and jeered police officers, following their retreat up the steps at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Within 90 seconds of the mob's breaching of the Capitol doors, Rader, wearing a blue "Trump 2020" hoodie, was among the first wave to enter the building. Once inside, he stopped near the Senate wing door and watched, picking up pieces of glass and plaster as souvenirs before leaving a couple minutes later.

"Frankly, he looked out of place," his attorney, Brad Hansen, said.

His actions before and after that day, in addition to his participation in the rioting, led a federal judge on Thursday to sentence Rader, of Sioux City, to 90 days in prison, plus three years on probation with the condition he continue substance abuse treatment.

"I want you to do well, but I don't want you in 2024 to come back and do this again," Senior Judge Royce Lamberth said in the hearing, conducted via video from a Washington, D.C., courthouse.

Rader, 54, will self-report to prison. The judge did not set a deadline for him to do so.

"For the record, I do recognize that this event was entirely wrong. It was wrong, and my actions were wrong," said Rader, who participated in the hearing from Sioux City with his attorney.

Rader pleaded guilty in June to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building. Three other charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea.

In arguing for the prison sentence, a government prosecutor detailed Rader's social media posts leading up to Jan. 6 in which he said he had joined a militia, was ready for civil war and referred to beheading Joe Biden if he tried to take office.

Rader traveled to Washington on Jan. 5 and was among the hundreds of supporters of former president Donald Trump to protest the results of the November 2020 election in which Biden had defeated Trump. The mob gathered outside the Capitol before breaking into the building in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying the electoral college results declaring Biden the winner.

Rader attended the Trump-led "Stop the Steal" rally before marching to the Capitol. On his way there, Rader stopped to tell a reporter, "What they're going to find out today are three words: we the people. We the people have the final say."

On video shown Thursday, Rader could be seen cheering on fellow rioters and following them up the Capitol steps. Another video showed him standing inside, picking up pieces of debris before leaving. Once outside, he recorded a video of himself, saying, "Everyone thought we were joking. ... This is what you call serious."

"He does not appear to regret his conduct, even to this day," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Konig said, referring to a Sept. 20 post on Rader's Facebook page in which he insists Trump is still president. Konig recommended the 90-day prison sentence, half of the maximum six-month prison term.

Hansen said the government's sentencing recommendation was not unreasonable, but probation alone also would be appropriate, given Rader didn't hit anyone or destroy anything during his short time inside the Capitol.

"He was certainly whipped into a frenzy by everything that happened in the 2020 election ... and he got carried away," Hansen said.

The FBI arrested Rader in Sioux City on Jan. 20, 2021, after a family member had tipped off agents to his participation in the insurrection. Rader told FBI agents during a September interview that he had attended the Jan. 6 rally but never entered the Capitol. The FBI confirmed Rader's presence in Washington through cellphone records, and relatives identified him as the person shown in screen shots of the video footage.

"Everyone that went in (the Capitol) is wrong," Judge Lamberth told Rader.

Lamberth said he believed Rader realized once he entered the Capitol that he, too, was wrong, prompting his quick exit. But because of Rader's criminal history of 23 prior convictions and past drug use, Lamberth added the probation term to his prison sentence, a step the judge said he has not taken with other insurrectionists he's sentenced. Lamberth warned Rader he'll send him back to jail if he violates any conditions of probation.

As part of his plea agreement, Rader must pay $500 restitution to the Architect of the Capitol to help offset the nearly $1.5 million in damage done to the building during the riot.
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Cambodia gold smuggling finally busted

Police in Vietnam raided a large gold smuggling ring that had illegally brought nearly 200 kilos of gold into the country from Cambodia.















Police in Vietnam seize gold that was illegally brought into the country from Cambodia.



Lieutenant General To An Xo, Chief of the Ministry of Public Security Office announced on Thursday that they had raided the gold smuggling ring that had brought 198 kilos of gold into Vietnam on September 28 and 29. The ring leader and suspects were identified.



"We seized 103 kilos of gold, over USD2.8 million and VND26.7 billion (USD1.1 million) along with relevant equipment, devices and evidence," he said.









Over USD2.8 million and VND26.7 billion (USD1.1 million) seized



According to Lieutenant General To An Xo, it was a giant gold smuggling ring related to numerous suspects in many provinces and cities across the country and had been operating for a long time.

The suspects bought US dollars and then used that money to purchase gold in Cambodia for import into Vietnam.



The ministry is coordinating with the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam to evaluate the evidence, identify and confirm the role of different suspects, further invest the case and seize evidence.
Publications under a variety of names that are all tied to conservative political operative Dan Proft have been mailed to thousands of homes throughout Chicago and the suburbs. The publications appear to be newspapers but the content they contain has become controversial for pushing right-wing talking points and material that some, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, decry as racist. (Todd Panagopoulos / Chicago Tribune)

The best way to drive out fake news is with more and better real news.

Thats the conclusion that jumped to mind with the announcement this week that the Robert R. McCormick Foundation committed $7.5 million toward three nonprofit news organizations and one of the nations top journalism schools.

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I couldnt help but consider this development in contrast to the newspaper-looking broadsheet that landed on my doorstep again this week  courtesy of the media message manipulator Dan Proft.

The McCormick commitment comes on top of $10 million the foundation earmarked earlier this year for my organization, the Better Government Association. And that, in turn, followed the $61 million plunked down by investor Michael Sacks, the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and others to help radio station WBEZ merge with the Chicago Sun-Times.

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All this money is going toward expanding and strengthening news media in the city of Chicago and across the state. The commitment comes at a time when the notion of objective truth is under overt attack, and the persistent barrage is eroding the underpinnings of our democratic system.

The newest tranche of philanthropic largesse  the $7.5 million from McCormick  will help Chicago news nonprofits Block Club Chicago and Injustice Watch expand operations, help bolster the Springfield-based Capitol News Illinois bureau and facilitate yet more expansion at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism.

The money is making a huge difference. And the publication of truth in the form of journalism cannot happen soon enough. The fate of our digital town square in Chicago and across Illinois depends largely on our ability to produce more fair, accurate and incisive news.

Thats because the big contributions are landing just as the people of Illinois right now are targeted by a fake-news perpetrator called People Who Play by the Rules PAC. The group is headed by Proft, a failed-political-candidate-turned-Roger-Stone knockoff who left Illinois for Florida but keeps some of his media shenanigans parked here back home.

This is not about Profts politics. People of goodwill can respect political views, both liberal and conservative. But disdain for the truth  Profts palette of choice  is something we all need to call out and abhor, regardless of our personal politics.

Profts stable of demonstrably phony newspaper-looking leaflets has been dropped on doorsteps across northern Illinois  sort of like poison candy left in a bucket on the porch for unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. Except the purpose of his ersatz infobombs is to poison not the stomach but the mind.

The PAC-publishers name  Play by the Rules  itself is a nontruth. As regards the mega-sized leaflets, a basic tenet of its business strategy seems to be, Break any rule you see.

Be honest with readers? Broken. Adhere to the facts? Broken. Be a positive force in the community? Broken.

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Profts venture is a COVID-style contagion, one that does ill to all who come across it. No wonder hes so down on people wearing masks.

Take Paddock Publications, the publisher of the suburban newspaper Daily Herald. Its reputation is in tatters after an ill-considered decision to print the Proft mega-leaflets, which are produced by Local Government Information Services, run by conservative publisher Brian Timpone.

Proft is not limiting himself to printing broadsides on broadsheet, either. His Twitter feed deals in racist-adjacent ramblings. He refers to the Illinois bail-reform law, the SAFE-T Act, as Pritzkers Purge Law. This invokes the Purge series of movies that traffic in white-nationalist, anti-immigration tropes.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is targeted heavily in the mega-leaflets, commented on the fake papers recently. If you look at what hes printed, its clearly all about the idea that, again, what hes printing, that Black people are threatening your way of life. Thats essentially what hes putting in these publications, Pritzker said.

Proft doesnt exactly go high road in his retorts to Pritzker. In one, he references Pritzker as JBelly. Thats an apparent reference to Pritzkers plus-sized build. Very classy; pure Proft.

When the reader of a real newspaper sent a letter to the editor and expressed concern over the welfare of an accused criminal, Proft had a difficult time showing his compassion. The death culture in Chicago illustrated, he tweeted. Prey identifying with their predators.

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When a half-truth or outright lie appears in a Proft broadsheet, its not a flaw  its a feature. In this sense, the form and function of the fake Proft newsprint presents a challenge to the very idea of truth. His leaflets undermine the tenets of political dialogue, and the damage they do to our democracy is becoming more evident as time goes on.

In contrast to Proft  in ways that shame the intent and effect of his broadsheets  the nonprofit news organizations that got money from the McCormick Foundation are working to publish objective facts in engaging ways. They dig for the truth and would never sanction an effort to manipulate it, as Profts pamphlets set out do.

Their good journalism will not supplant Profts fakery. If the pandemic has taught us anything, its that virulent viruses mutate. But real reporting can stand in contrast and expose Profts costume content for the counterfeit concoction it is.

Mark Twain is quoted as saying a lie gets halfway around the world and back while the truth is still trying to knot its boots. It would be good for us all, regardless of our politics, if the lies Dan Proft prints, masquerading as news, would get halfway around the world  and stay there.

David Greising is president and CEO of the Better Government Association.

* Editors note: This has been updated to identify the entity that produces the leaflets.

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Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
STORM LAKE, Iowa  A Texas man has pleaded not guilty of trying to kill another man in a Storm Lake hotel room.

Miguel Garcia-Montelongo, 55, of Monte Alto, Texas, entered his written plea Friday in Buena Vista County District Court to charges of attempted murder, willful injury resulting in serious injury, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Garcia-Montelongo is charged with assaulting Mario Zamora Cordova on Aug. 5 at the Budget Inn hotel in Storm Lake.

According to court documents, Cordova was at the hotel to discuss a job with Garcia-Montelongo, who offered him drugs. When Cordova refused, Garcia-Montelongo became upset, pushed Cordova to the ground, grabbed a 10-15-inch knife and began gouging Cordova's eyes before attempting to sexually assault him.

Cordova kicked Garcia-Montelongo, causing him to fall on Cordova's right leg, breaking it and dislocating his ankle. Cordova was able to stand up and punched Garcia-Montelongo in the face before exiting the room and calling his wife, who called 911.

Police found Garcia-Montelongo in the hotel room and took him into custody without incident.
SIOUX CITY  For more than an hour on Friday morning, local emergency officials negotiated with a woman on the roof of a downtown apartment building before getting her down.

Before 11 a.m., Sioux City police responded to a call about someone on top of the Pierce Regency Apartments, 1023 Pierce St. By 11:03 a.m., officials were talking with the woman who could be seen crying.

By 11:20 a.m., the Sioux City Fire Department had a ladder up but the woman then hid behind a pillar.

By 11:27 a.m., the woman shifted to the west side of the roof.

By 11:39 a.m., the woman was seen lying on the edge of the roof and could be heard crying loudly.

Around 11:56 a.m., fire officials made it on top of the building and were then able to start the process of getting her off the roof.

At least four police cars, two fire trucks and an ambulance were present at the scene and traffic was rerouted in the area.
Before 11 a.m., Sioux City police responded to a call about someone on top of the Pierce Regency Apartments, 1023 Pierce St. Around 11:56 a.m., fire officials made it on top of the building and were able to start the process of getting her off the roof.
Ian lashes South Carolina as Florida's death toll climbs

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)  A revived Hurricane Ian has pounded coastal South Carolina after causing catastrophic damage in Florida. The storm washed away parts of piers and flooded streets in parts of South Carolina. The U.S. death toll from Hurricane Ian rose to at least 27 as Florida authorities confirmed several drowning deaths and other fatalities. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Friday that the deaths included a 22-year-old woman ejected in an ATV rollover because of a road washout. Many other deaths were drownings, including that of a 68-year-old woman swept into the ocean by a wave. Authorities expect the death toll to rise further.

Putin illegally annexes Ukraine land; Kyiv seeks NATO entry

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed treaties to illegally annex parts of Ukraine, while Kyiv has submitted an accelerated application to join NATO. At the Kremlin, Putin and the pro-Moscow heads of the four Ukrainian regions inked the treaties in a sharp escalation of the war. The signing came three days after the end of Kremlin-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that Kyiv and the West dismissed as a bare-faced land grab, held at gunpoint and based on lies. NATO's chief said the war is at a pivotal moment, and that Putins decision was the most serious escalation" since the war began. Russia pounded Ukrainian cities, with one strike in the Zaporizhzhia regions capital killing 30 people and wounding 88.

U.S. captives 'prayed for death' on brutal ride from Ukraine

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP)  One of two American veterans released from Russian captivity after being captured in Ukraine says they both prayed for death during the brutal ride to freedom. Alex Drueke says he and fellow Alabamian Andy Huynh endured three months of captivity that included execution threats, physical torture, solitary confinement and food deprivation. But he says the final 24 hours were the toughest because of mental and emotional torture. Drueke tells The Associated Press that he and Huynh both prayed for death during the ride to an airport in Russia, unsure of what they would face. The men arrived back in the United States last week. Both traveled to Ukraine in the spring to help fight off the Russian invasion.

North Korea fires 4th round of missile tests in 1 week

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters. It's the North's fourth round of weapons launches this week and seen as a response to military drills among its rivals. Japans Defense Ministry and South Koreas military each said they detected the two North Korean missile launches Saturday morning. South Korea says it has bolstered its surveillance posture and maintains a military readiness in close coordination with the United States. North Korea has carried out a record number of missile tests this year. Experts say Pyongyang is trying to expand its weapons arsenal amid stalled nuclear diplomacy with Washington.

After #FreeBritney, California to limit conservatorships

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law Friday that will limit the use of conservatorships, the process in which guardians can be granted legal power to make life decisions for those deemed unable to make them. The new law, authored by Democratic Assemblymember Brian Maienschein drew attention after Britney Spears' conservatorship case became a national cause. It will require that judges document all alternatives to a conservatorship before granting one and give potential conservatees preference for selecting a conservator. Maienschein, who represents parts of San Diego, hopes the new law will help protect the autonomy of Californians with disabilities.

Army officers appear on Burkina Faso TV, declare new coup

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP)  More than a dozen soldiers have appeared on Burkina Faso's state broadcaster to declare they have overthrown the country's coup leader. In a statement carried Friday night, their spokesman declared that Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba was no longer in charge. They say Capt. Ibrahim Traore is Burkina Faso's new leader. Damiba and his allies had overthrown the democratically elected president only nine months ago, coming to power with promises of make the country more secure. However, violence has continued unabated and frustration with his leadership has grown in recent months. Damiba had just returned home after addressing the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Arizona judge wont suspend ruling that halted all abortions

PHOENIX (AP)  An Arizona judge has refused to suspend her order that allowed enforcement of a pre-statehood law making it a crime to provide an abortion. Friday's ruling from Pima County Superior Court Judge Kellie Johnson means the states abortion providers will not be able to restart procedures. Abortions were halted on Sept. 23 when Johnson ruled that a 1973 injunction must be lifted so that the Civil War-era law could be enforced. Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich sought the order lifting the injunction. Planned Parenthood argued newer laws take precedence. They asked Johnson to put her ruling on hold to allow an appeal.

In Ian's wake, worried families crowdsource rescue efforts

Desperate to locate and rescue their loved ones, social media users are sharing phone numbers, addresses and photos of their family members and friends online for anyone who can check on them after Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida. While authorities recommend that those in distress contact official emergency channels, strangers online are braving the conditions to step in and answer the pleas for help. And the family members are more than grateful. Heather Donlan says her social media post crowdsourced the person she holds responsible for saving her father's life.

NFL's handling of concussions questioned after Tua's injury

The NFLs handling of concussions has evolved dramatically from the days when players were given smelling salts on the bench and sent back into the game. The league and the NFL Players Association have implemented extensive protocols and hired unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants to work with team physicians at each game to diagnose concussions. Still, football is a violent sport and injuries similar to the frightening one Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered Thursday night seem unavoidable. The most effective means of protecting players remains enforcing strict concussion protocols, which players, fans and others are concerned didnt happen with Tagovailoa.

Some officials now say monkeypox elimination unlikely in US

NEW YORK (AP)  Some U.S. health officials are conceding that monkeypox is probably not going away anytime soon. The diseases spread is slowing but the virus is so widespread that elimination is unlikely. That conclusion was in a recent CDC report and echoed Friday by an agency disease-forecasting scientist. The CDC report contained some good news: The U.S. outbreak seems to have peaked in August. The average number of cases being reported daily is fewer than 150. That's just a fraction of what was reported in the middle of the summer. Officials expect the decline will continue for at least the next several weeks.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Jill Biden told a Democratic women's group Friday that Republicans underestimated the power of women but that, together, they will make sure that they never make that mistake again.

The first lady said that when extremists attack rights that a vast majority of Americans support, like a womans right to choose, or when they stand in the way of affordable prescriptions or clean energy, they are letting down all Americans.

She also said it makes me angry to see politicians who treat government like a sport and perform political stunts" to score a few more points against the other side.

There are no teams to root for or against. Just people, Biden said at a luncheon during the Democratic National Committee's Women's Leadership Forum's annual conference.

There are real lives at stake here. You know that, and I know that it makes you angry. It should make you angry," she said. She described new laws enacted by President Joe Biden as some of the most transformational legislation in generations.

And we did it with only 50 votes in the Senate, the first lady said. Just imagine what Joe and his administration could do with just a few more partners in the House and the Senate.

We could restore womens rights to make our own choices about our own bodies, she said, referencing the decision by the Supreme Court's conservative majority to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion, leaving individual states to decide the issue.

In response, the Republican Party said women are suffering in Joe Bidens America.

From skyrocketing crime, to a rainbow fentanyl crisis, to historic inflation and a baby formula shortage, women cannot afford Joe Bidens America, said Emma Vaughn, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee.

Vaughn said the party has been working to empower women voters and recruit a record number of female candidates, and that the party, which is led by a woman, Ronna McDaniel, stands for all women and we look forward to earning their vote in less than 40 days.

Biden said Democrats can't decide what Republicans do, but we can decide what were going to do, and what women do is win.

She said women helped elect her husband "and we will decide what happens in November in races up and down the ballot, because we dont just get angry, we get to work.

Women voting in 2020 broke for Democrat Biden over Republican Donald Trump, 55% to 43%, according to AP VoteCast.

Republican leaders have underestimated the power of women, but were going to make sure that they never make that mistake again, Jill Biden said.
A secretive group of large energy users  which could include social media data centers, food processors, manufacturing plants and cryptocurrency mining sites  said they should be able to buy electricity on the open market rather than from Iowa utilities.

The Iowa Economic Alliance released results of a poll Thursday showing 64 percent of Iowans support competition among utilities, rather than a territory-based system where customers just have one provider choice. But under an Alliance proposal, only large energy users would be able to choose their provider by purchasing electricity through a market like the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which manages generation and transmission of high-voltage electricity across 15 states including Iowa.

These large users would agree to pay the costs of stranding a utility so small energy users  like individuals  would not see their rates increase, R.G. Schwarm, executive director of the Iowa Economic Alliance, said Thursday.

In our proposal there would be a plan to mitigate that cost, he told The Gazette. That amount would hold harmless other customers.

Chaz Allen, executive director of the Iowa Utility Association, which represents investor-owned utilities including MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy, said a proposal like this would ultimately put more of the costs on smaller customers nonetheless.

We dont believe they will have the best interest of Iowans with this proposal, Allen said Thursday. Anytime you take the big user off the network, the costs put into that have to be borne by other customers.

Allen said he tried to listen into the news conference Thursday, but was not allowed to join the virtual meeting.

We dont know who the Iowa Economic Alliance is or who they represent, he said, adding Schwarm and lobbyists representing the group all work for Des Moines law firm BrownWinick, which represents Big Tech firms, like Facebook, Google and Microsoft.

One of the groups lobbyists registered with the Iowa Legislature is Paige Thorson, Gov. Kim Reynoldss deputy chief of staff until September 2021.

Schwarm would not say Thursday which firms are part of the Alliance, but said the coalition includes large retail, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.

The Alliance, which became a registered nonprofit in 2021, is based in Des Moines, has assets of $224,000 and lists its subject area as business promotion, according to Guidestar.org.

The Alliance hired top pollster J. Ann Selzer to poll 807 Iowa adults in September 2021 and again last month about whether they favor competition in utility service. Selzer gave an overview of the results in a virtual news conference Thursday, but the detailed results were not provided to reporters.

Schwarm said electricity bills have been rising, which causes a big impact for a large energy users.

The Alliance provided information showing how the cost to provide electricity to the State Capitol Complex in Des Moines has increased since fiscal 2007, while energy use there generally has declined.

Energy prices and energy loss continue to be one of the most determinant factors for a lot of businesses, Schwarm said at the news conference. This might be a tool to develop and retain and recruit businesses if they have a different landscape of energy use.

Schwarm said the proposal does not call for deregulation and would not change energy transmission. The Iowa Utilities Board still would have regulatory oversight of the process, he said.

The group said it will continue to meet with stakeholders and participate in the Iowa Economic Development Authoritys working group to explore energy-related policy.
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two people who were left stranded in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Sanibel, Florida, on Sept. 29. Several oth
We are different from them.

Instinctively, thats what youre thinking, right? Not that you dont have reason.

The news out of Iran that a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa Amini mysteriously died in custody after the nations morality police hauled her in for some violation of their oppressive dress code for women is appalling. As thousands of Iranians take to the streets in protest, women publicly cutting their hair and burning their hijabs, CNNs Jake Tapper certainly spoke for many of us when he called on Western leaders to make it clear that they stand with the women, with the people, of Iran.

One could not blame any of us for looking at that mess and being grateful to live elsewhere. Grateful that we are different from them.

After all, no American woman risks being carted off to jail for allowing too much hair to show from beneath her scarf. On the other hand, she  or her doctor  may face that fate if she has an abortion, thanks to a recent Supreme Court ruling that robbed women of that right. That, however, is but one iteration of the larger age-old struggle for control of womens bodies.

Consider for a moment the era of lynch laws in which thousands of African-American men were maimed and murdered for usually fictitious crimes of passion against white women. This was routinely framed as a means of controlling the supposedly dangerous sexuality of Black men.

Yet  and this is rarely commented upon  the violence also controlled the sexuality of the women it theoretically protected. This is not to draw equivalence between what Black men and white women endured; that would be silly. But it is to note that the same mechanisms that restricted Black men from white women necessarily did the same in reverse. So any white woman who wanted, as a free adult, to give her body to some Black man, was proscribed from doing so by custom, law and threat of violence.

There is a throughline linking that prohibition with modern fights over Black womens hairstyles, requirements for transvaginal ultrasounds for women seeking abortions, women being kicked off airplanes for cleavage violations, public acts of body shaming and more. Meaning the pervasive, if little-spoken, understanding among men that womens bodies are community property, ours to regulate, approve, critique and use as we see fit.

This is not to say mens bodies have not also occasionally been subjected to those same processes. Yet it seems obvious that there has always been a special interest in policing the bodies of women. Perhaps you saw last years TikTok wherein a random guy complains to a group of women that their bikinis are pornography  at the beach, no less.

One strains to imagine a scenario wherein a random woman feels herself emboldened to tell a group of guys she doesnt approve of their swimwear. Or that they are too fat, bald, ugly or exposed for her approval. Or that they must jump through some medically unnecessary hoop before they can receive healthcare.

All of which tempers any temptation to smugness over Irans deadly excesses. We are different from them, yes, certainly.

But as this nation lurches toward an authoritarian model restricting what people may read, see and say, as prohibitions on same-sex marriage and even contraception are contemplated and as womens bodies are policed with increasingly brazen impunity, lets be honest with ourselves.

We are not nearly different enough.
In 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, besieged by corrupt Tunisian officials who harassed and humiliated him as he tried to sell fruit from a street stand, set himself on fire in protest. His death shocked the conscience of not just Tunisia, but much of the broader Mideast, spurring the Arab Spring protest movements.

It is too soon to know to what degree the death of Mahsa Amini will impact Iran. After all, the Persian, Shiite nation is distinct from the Arab, mostly Sunni, Mideast. And Amini's death on Sept. 16 wasn't self-inflicted but came at the hands of the so-called "morality police" who had detained her for an alleged violation of Iran's strict law on wearing a head scarf.

But just as Tunisians reacted with rage, Iranians are responding. Protests have broken out in more than 80 cities, including one where demonstrators briefly took over. So far, at least 54 people have been killed, according to estimates from human rights groups.

The pushback has been particularly fierce in Kurdish regions, partly because Amini was of Kurdish heritage. But the protests are much broader, more defiant and more consequential than an issue of heritage. In fact, they are the most significant protests against the theocracy since the so-called Green Movement that the government crushed in 2009.

Tehran is returning to familiar tactics of violence and silencing internet communication to smother the current protests. But Iran's underlying problems remain, and Iranians desperate under the destitution and restrictions imposed by corrupt, incompetent and brutal rulers appear near a breaking point. Accordingly, what began as a protest against Amini's death and religious laws governing dress and other fundamental aspects of everyday living has become a much more comprehensive rejection of the regime, including its ailing supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his son and possible successor, Mojtaba. ...

Even though the country is convulsing, it doesn't mean an end to the religious regime that took hold after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Barbara Slavin, director of the Atlantic Council's Future of Iran Project, told an editorial writer. "I don't think that this is the beginning of the counterrevolution, or another revolution, in Iran," Slavin said. It is, however, "more widespread than we've seen" and "the most serious threat to the regime" since 2009.

Beyond decrying the religious restrictions, Iranians are protesting economic misery brought on in part by U.S. sanctions over Tehran's potential nuclear weapons program. Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi (a hard-liner "selected, not elected" in 2021, said Slavin, due to the theocrats ruling out ostensibly more moderate candidates), has made many particularly young Iranians feel they have nothing left to lose, even if the Islamic Republic has an enduring record of cruelly crushing dissent.

Slavin said that the Biden administration has reacted more strongly than the Obama administration did during the Green Movement. Back then, in part out of fear that Tehran would frame the uprising as a Western-led movement, the administration had a hard time finding its voice. Not now. As national security adviser Jake Sullivan told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, "What we learned in the aftermath of that is that you can overthink these things, that the most important thing for the United States to do is to be firm and clear and principled in response to citizens of any country demanding their rights and dignity."

The administration should be as firm, clear and principled as it continues negotiating a possible re-entry into the Iranian nuclear deal that former President Donald Trump abrogated in 2015. Negotiating does not mean agreeing. Indeed, talks are stalled and may not culminate in a new pact. But it's worth pursuing a diplomatic path to the administration's pledge to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

As for the unrest on the streets, the U.S. should continue to be firmly on the side of protesters, who are right to defy a theocracy that through its heinous human rights record has defiled the religion it's based on.

Tragically, most of the democratic aspirations of the Arab Spring were never realized. That may again prove to be the case in Iran. But what's certain is that every society has a breaking point, and the death of Amini just may have brought Iranians to theirs.
In 2020, the reassessment of race relations in the U.S. produced an orthographic kerfuffle about whether and how to capitalize accepted terms for racial, ethnic and gender-defined groups.

Fissures opened in news media  not merely about whether to use African American or black American to denote Americans of African descent  but whether to capitalize Black and, at the same time, whether to continue to lowercase white and how to handle these choices for other groups. These debates hinged on determinations about the cultural identity of those groups. The outcomes were not what we might have expected.

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The Associated Press and The New York Times style guide updates indicated that Black should be capitalized, while white should not. The Times writes: There has been no comparable movement toward widespread adoption of a new style for white, and there is less of a sense that white describes a shared culture and history. Moreover, hate groups and white supremacists have long favored the uppercase style, which in itself is reason to avoid it.

One month later, The Washington Post opted to enforce an uppercase standard for White and Black Americans, arguing that white Europeans do possess a distinct cultural and historical identity that merits acknowledgment in style guides. Using similar logic, the National Association of Black Journalists and the racial equity organization Race Forward also issued style guidelines that capitalize White and Black.

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This intense focus on names  how others refer to us and how we refer to ourselves  is of course not new and always needs to be taken seriously. Language is the primary tool we have for managing the construction of reality. But why should anyone specifically care about uppercase and lowercase usage guidelines?

The word capital derives from the Latin capitalis, or of the head. In the history of the languages using the Latin alphabet, the uppercase or capital letter is the king and lowercase letters are the royal subjects. Uppercase is not so different from upper class. Capital letters lead sentences into battle. Capitalization can denote the champions and heroes within each sentence. Debates about capitalization are debates about power. Who has it and who doesnt. Who rules and who obeys.

The presence (or absence) of capital letters to denote cultural identity  or its absence  tilts the earth. How could it not, if the intent of the uppercase is to project power? But ironies abound.

Consider this sentence from a newsletter published Aug. 24 by historian Heather Cox Richardson: Because of the wealth gap between white and Black Americans  the average white family has ten times the wealth of the average Black family  more Black students borrow to finance their education.

White people have 10 times more wealth, but Black people have a capitalized adjective. Who is the winner here?

One can well imagine that the white family might object, orthographically speaking, to being given the short end of the stick. Certainly not enough to trade their additional wealth. Perhaps enough to vote for Donald Trump. Conversely, it is impossible to imagine that the Black family would not happily trade their top tier in the case wars for the white familys additional wealth. The point being, if we cant have everything  which we cant  why not have the most important thing?

The premise of these case wars is that capital letters matter, that they are scarce and nonfungible signals of status and power. And that for this reason, we cannot live without them. And because capital letters represent contested terrain, we are willing to go to war over them.

But what if capital letters are not needed at all? What if capital letters are a vestigial legacy of fixed typeset publishing and conventions emerging from page formatting and space limitation imperatives? The printed page has its own politics. The printed page requires its own forms of order and obedience, but they do not need to be ours.

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In the digital age, informal communication has encouraged the relaxation of usage rules. The internet is nothing if not informal. Texting, instant messaging and Twitter posts routinely ignore capitalization conventions. (Avoiding the shift key saves time.) Many computer programming languages also avoid capital letters. Emoji now freely mingle with letters.

In contrast, the use of all-caps in social media  as in this famously mocked Donald Trump tweet to the president of Iran  denotes SHOUTING, in which the noise overrides the signal.

Consider the alternative. It is almost impossible to get agitated by a statement presented entirely in lowercase. Eliminating the keyboard shift key  and with it the capital letter  instantly restores flow to our communications. If we really want to democratize language, we should do away with capital letters altogether.

Off with their heads! It might just save the world.

Peter Schwartz is a writer based in the Pacific Northwest. He has a doctorate in political philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley, taught at the university level and founded an online legal news and data company. He publishes the Substack newsletter Wikidworld.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
In 1972, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment by a two-thirds vote and gave the states until 1979 to approve it. They failed to do so. This month, however, proponents of the ERA are fighting to revive the amendment on multiple fronts. On Wednesday, a federal appeals court heard arguments in a case designed to make the United States archivist publish and certify the amendment. One week earlier, senators pressed Colleen ShoganPresident Joe Bidens nominee to replace the current archiviston whether she would declare the ERA to be legitimately ratified.

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This flurry of activity 50 years after initial congressional passage is just the latest twist in the unnervingly long road the ERA has taken on its path attempting to become the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. If it makes it, it would guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of sex. The people pushing for it think they have a case because three states approved the ERA long after the initial deadlineNevada in 2017, Illinois in 2018, and Virginia in 2020and many Democrats believe it should now be part of the U.S. Constitution. Republicans counter that actually, five states withdrew their approval already, so the math doesnt work, and add that the deadline is long past, anyway.

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The entire mess has been laid at the feet of the archivist of the United States, a position Shogan will soon take over (pending confirmation), hence the lobbying. Proponents of the amendment are also upset that the Biden Administration is taking the same slightly technical position that Donald Trumps did: The archivist cannot certify the ERA without confirmation from either a federal court or Congress. The disappointment is, on some level, understandable: Those supporting the ERAs resuscitation argue that it is the solution to our current political horrorsthat the amendment could protect a national right to abortion and contraception, enshrine LGBTQ equality (including same-sex marriage and trans rights), and justify federal legislation protecting women from domestic violence, wage discrimination, and more. Once the archivist certifies the ERA, they argue, the federal judiciary can finally implement a full guarantee of sex equality under law. Thats why they sued the last archivist for refusing to act, and its why theyre pressuring the next one already.

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This argument has strong emotional appeal. It is also absurd. There is nothing wrong with the ERA itself; obviously a constitutional right to sex equality would be an improvement. But the campaign to revive the ERA reveals a baffling misunderstanding about the actual contours of the ongoing fight over who has legal rights in this country. It is like bringing a butter knife to a gunfight.

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We understand why those supporting the ERA are annoyed right now. The process of amending the constitution is inherently political, and politicians have previously bent the rules to push amendments through: After the Civil War, for instance, Congress forced southern states to approve the 14th amendment as a condition for rejoining the unionwhile simultaneously rejecting the legitimacy of these state governments, denying them congressional representation. Moreover, two northern states rescinded their approval, depriving the 14th Amendment of the necessary support from three-fourths of the state. Yet Secretary of State William Seward chose to ignore their actions and certified the amendment anyway. So anyone who claims states could withdraw their support for the ERA has to explain why they could not withdraw support for the 14th Amendment.

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Due to all this, there are obvious reasons to be frustrated by conservative efforts to scorn ERA revival as a brazenly unconstitutional jokebut reasonable people can disagree about whether theres a lawful path forward for the amendment right now. What we find befuddling is the fact that any progressive in 2022 could still believe that the current federal judiciary would greenlight ratificationor that the ERAs ratification would matter to the federal judiciary. The Supreme Court is not occupied by reasonable people; it is occupied by a far-right Republican majority that just overturned Roe v. Wade. Even Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not believe that a handful of states could drag the ERA across the finish line decades after the deadline. But we are asked to believe that John Roberts will? How about Clarence Thomas and Sam Alito? It is impossible to imagine these six jurists brushing aside so many procedural regularities in order to ratify the ERA by judicial decree.

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Then there is the substantive question that lies at the end of these procedural hurdles: If the ERA were somehow ratified, and five justices were persuaded to acknowledge it, does anyone seriously think this court would apply it in a way that mattered? After Roes reversal, many progressives have finally begun to understand that this Supreme Court starts from a conclusion and works its way backwardthat its reasoning is typically window-dressing on a fundamentally political judgment. Now we are told to hope against hope that this exact same court would reverse course because we added a few words to the Constitution? When will progressives understand that the words of the law matter far less than the people who are interpreting them?

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The whole situation feels similar to a particularly annoying lament about the original decision in Roethat the 1973 decision is flawed and somehow weaker because it did not justify the right to abortion rights on the basis of the equal protection clause (Roe is rooted in the due process clause). This has always been misguidedit is farcical to theorize that SCOTUS might have upheld Roe if only it were justified as a matter of womens rights from the start. Roe wasnt overturned because it wasnt reasoned wellit was overturned because it guarantees a right to abortion, and thats what the conservative justices wanted to change.

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Adding an explicit ban on sex discrimination to the Constitution will not bring Roe back. And if the ERA were already on the books, it would not have been an obstacle to Roes reversal.

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Standing in front of the archivist trying to convince her to adopt this amendment feels a bit like lobbying at the principals office for a new policy without acknowledging that the entire school is already on fire. The whole problem with the Supreme Court right now is that they do not care about the rules. The conservative justices are willing to blow up precedent, seize power from the elected branches, and rig elections on the shadow docket forever, because they have secured an illegitimate majority and they feel comfortable. Changing the rules is not going to make them uncomfortable. Only the force of actual political power that could threaten their current lock grip could do that.

Women are more activated right now politically than they have been in a long time. Progressives need to give those women something real to rally behindsomething substantive that has the potential to change the current situation on the ground, not a Hail Mary stunt that will divert energy and resources. Adding a few words to the Constitution so the court can keep doing whatever it wants? Its not even close to enough.
At first glance, it may seem shrug-worthy that the king of Saudi Arabia has named his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to replace him as the countrys prime minister. MBS, as the prince is known, has already been running the country, while his ailing father has served as a figurehead, for some time.

But in fact, the promotion is likely a significant move, for reasons that have not been publicized: Assuming the title of prime minister protects the Crown Prince from a ruling of liability in a U.S. courtand possible arrest while traveling abroadfor his role in the 2018 murder of Saudi critic and American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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First, lets deal with the true power dynamics of the Saudi kingdom. When Barack Obama was president, I heard stories (which Ive since confirmed) about two senior U.S. officials meeting with Saudi King Salman in his palace office. While talking, the king gazed at a picture frame on his desk. Off in a corner, the crown princewho wasnt so famous at the timesat typing on his laptop. Gradually the officials realized what was going on: the dutiful son was typing what his ailing father, the king, should say; the picture frame was, in fact, an iPad (or some sort of tablet), and the king was reading aloud a script written by the prince.

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Its possible that the kingwho is now 86 and in declining healthpromoted his son this past Tuesday simply in order to preempt any challenges to his succession. Any uncertainties about the line should have been settled in 2017, when MBS detained dozens of members of the Saudi elite, including several cousins, keeping them locked up in luxury hotel suitessome for as long as a yearostensibly on charges of corruption but also to compel their loyalty to the existing Royal Family power structure. Still, its conceivable that incipient challenges still loom, which this move would preempt.

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But a more likely rationale for promoting the Crown Prince now is spelled out in a story by Stephanie Kirchgaessner in the Guardian (and confirmed to me by a former U.S. intelligence official who has kept up close contacts in the Middle East). Two years ago, Khashoggis fiancee filed a civil suit against MBS for kidnapping, torturing, and killing the journalistan American resident who has sharply criticized the Royal familyinside the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The U.S. district judge in that case asked the Biden Administration to weigh in on whether MBS should be granted sovereign immunitya concept, dating back to the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, that, among other things, protects heads of state from being sued or tried in other countries. The Biden administration was given until Oct. 3this Mondayto reply.

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It is debatable whether a defense minister and deputy prime ministerthe posts that MBS held until this weekcould be considered a head of state. It is beyond debate that the prime minister is a head of state. Now that MBS is prime minister, President Biden has no say in the matter (no doubt, to his relief); MBS, promotion in hand, now has sovereign immunity.

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Its true that, even if MBS didnt have sovereign immunity, U.S. authorities would have no way to enforce a judges ruling against him. However, if the judge were to rule in favor of Khashoggis fiancee, the Princeif he remained mere deputy prime ministercould face legal troubles on any trips to the United States and, possibly, to other countries as well.. However, as prime minister, he can relax.

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The U.S. intelligence community released a report last year, concluding that MBS approved an operation to capture or kill Khashoggi and that he wields total control over the elite guard that carried out the crime. The report was an unclassified summary of a much larger investigation conducted during the Trump presidencythough Trump ignored, even dismissed, its findings, choosing instead to believe MBS denials of any personal culpability. Trump also said that it would be unwise to cut off MBS, citing the American jobs created by the billions of dollars in arms sales to the Saudi kingdom. When he entered the White House, Biden said he would hold the Saudis accountableand he has done so to a certain degree, ending the flow of certain weapons that the Saudis have used in Yemen. However, he has backpedaled in order to keep Saudi oil flowing, especially to European allies, after Russias invasion of Ukraine. Biden was put in a spot by the U.S. district judges request for a statement of interest in the civil suit against MBS. Now, the spot is erased.
This article is from Big Technology, a newsletter by Alex Kantrowitz.

On Thursday afternoon, the Delaware Chancery Court released two exhibits of evidence: hundreds of text messages between Elon Musk and other relevant parties in the Twitter deal, which Musk tried to walk away from earlier this year, leading Twitter to sue to force the deal through. The trial is set to begin on Oct. 17.

Given that its Musk, many of the exchanges are revealing, irreverent, and extremely fun. Theyre also a rare look into the inner workings of Silicon Valley dealmaking, giving us some insight into Musks process and how he lost interest in his prized acquisition.

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Here are the most revealing exchanges, with some analysis along the way.

March 24, 2022: Twitter = Influence

Joe Lonsdale: I love your Twitter algorithm should be open source tweet - Im actually speaking to over 100 members of congress tomorrow at GOP policy retreat and this is one of the ideas Im pushing for reigning in crazy big tech. Now I can cite you so Ill sound less crazy myself :) Our public square needs to not have arbitrary sketchy censorship. Musk: Absolutely Musk: What we have right now is hidden corruption!

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Two weeks before Musk announced hed acquired 9.2 percent of Twitter, he received a text about his influence over tech-policy conversations from Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale. From the outset, its clear: Controlling Twitter means great political influence.

March 26: Jack Plants the Seed

Jack Dorsey: Twitter started as a protocol. It should have never been a company. That was the original sin. Musk: Id like to help if Im able to.

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Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, who had recently stepped down as CEO, nudges Musk to get more involved with Twitter, viewing him as a magical elixir that can cure the platforms problems.

April 3: Musk Makes His First Move

Parag Agrawal: Im super excited about the opportunity and look forward to working closely and finding ways to use your time as effectively as possible to improve Twitter and the public conversation. Musk: Sounds great!

Musk acquires 9.2 percent of Twitter, becoming its largest individual shareholder. As the news hits, Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal seems excited to work with him.

April 4: Joe Rogan Weighs In

Joe Rogan: Are you going to liberate Twitter from the censorship happy mob? Musk: I will provide advice, which they may or may not choose to follow

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As Musk asserts his influence over Twitter, podcaster Joe Rogan, a frequent critic of social-media giants content-moderation policies, is among many who encourage him to use his power to fulfill their objectives. Musk is lukewarm. His pursuit of Twitter is ideological but hes not a classic culture warrior.

April 5: Musk Wants a Board Seat and Jack Is Elated

Musk: When is a good time to talk confidentially Jack Dorsey: Anytime [1.5 hours later] Musk: Thanks, great conversation Dorsey: Always! I couldnt be happier youre doing this. Ive wanted it for a long time. Got very emotional when I learned it was finally possible.

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Musk now says hell join Twitters board and Dorsey remains convinced his involvement will be good for Twitter.

April 6: Gayle King Is Here!

Gayle King: Gayle here! Have you missed me (smile) Are you ready to do a proper sit down with me so much to discuss! Especially with your Twitter play what do I need to do ???? Ps I like a twitter edit feature with a 24 hour time limit we all say shit we regret want to take back in the heat of the moment

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Musks inbox fills with media requests as the process develops. CBS News host Gayle King drops a line and asks for an interview.

April 7: Musk and Parag Bond Over Code

Musk: I interface way better with engineers who are able to do hardcore programming than with program manager / MBA types of people Agrawal: In our next convo- treat me like an engineer instead of CEO and lets see where we get to.

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Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal tries to ingratiate himself with his new would-be board member by flexing his technical chops.

April 9: Musk Ditches the Board Plan

Agrawal: You are free to tweet Is twitter dying? Or anything else about Twitter - but its my responsibility to tell you that its not helping me make twitter better in the current context. Next time we speak, Id like you to provide you perspective on the level of internal distraction right now and how it hurting our ability to do work. I hope the AMA will help people get to know you, to understand why you believe in Twitter, and to trust you - and Id like the company to get to a place where we are more resilient and dont get distracted, but we arent there right now Musk: What did you get done this week? Musk: Im not joining the board. This is a waste of time. Musk: Will make an offer to take Twitter private.

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In a series of tweets over the weekend, Musk asks Is Twitter dying? pointing to its declining use by high-profile celebrities. Just two days after trying to bond, Agrawal scolds Musk. The next day Agrawal says Musk will not join the board.

April 9: Musk Knew About the Bots All Along

Musk [to Bret Taylor]: Fixing twitter by chatting with Parag wont work Musk: Drastic action is needed Musk: This is hard to do as a public company, as purging fake users will make the numbers look terrible, so restructuring should be done as a private company

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Soon after Agrawal scolds him, Musk writes to Twitter board chairman Bret Taylor, saying he cant work with Agrawal and will take Twitter private. Notably, Musk demonstrates hes aware of Twitters fake-user problem, which he would later claim Twitter misled him about.

April 15: Musk Hates Twitter Blue

Jason Calacanis: What committee came up with the list of dog shit features in Blue?!? Its worth paying to turn it off! Musk: Yeah, what an insane piece of shit!

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Media personality and angel investor Jason Calacanis makes a number of amusing appearances in the chat logs. He and Musk dont seem to like Twitters subscription product, Twitter Blue.

April 20: Elon Taps Larry

Musk: Any interested in participating in the Twitter deal? Larry Ellison: Yes, of course Musk: Cool Musk: Roughly what dollar size? Not holding you to anything, but the deal is oversubscribed, so I have to reduce or kick out some participants Ellison: A billion or whatever you recommend

Musk is now all-in on taking Twitter private, he just needs all the money. He texts billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison to see if he wants in. Ellison casually suggests a billion-dollar investment. Musk gets him to double it.

April 25: Jack Encourages the Plan

Musk: I basically following your advice! Dorsey: I know and I appreciate you. This is the right and only path. Ill continue to do whatever it takes to make it work.

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Musk agreed to buy Twitter on April 25. By then, hed publicly insulted the company, made it look stupid with his board antics, and gave up on its CEO. He has to yet send a poop emoji, but thats coming. Dorsey offers more support.

April 25: Marc Andreessen Requires No Additional Work

Andreessen: If you are considering equity partners, my growth fund is in for $250M with no additional work required Musk: Thanks! Musk: Sure, would be great to have you as an equity partner

Venture Capitalist Marc Andreessen offers a big check with no additional work required. This may be a vote of confidence in Musks ability to do business. It may also be money to hurt Andreessens political opponents, who support the content moderation that Musk opposes.

April 26: One More Ill-Fated Call With Parag

Musk: You and I are in complete agreement. Parag is just moving far too slowly and trying to please people who will not be happy no matter what he does Dorsey: At least it became clear that you cant work together. That was clarifying

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Dorsey now sees Musks plan diverging from his own. The relationship with Agrawal, Dorseys chosen CEO, is toast.

April 27: Be On My Podcast?

Tim Urban: I havent officially started my podcast yet but if you think it would be helpful, Id be happy to record a conversation with you about twitter to ask some of the most common questions and let you expand upon your thoughts Urban: but only if it would be helpful to you

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Musk is on the receiving end of a healthy dose of media and influencer interest throughout this process. Its interesting to watch Urban, the creator of the website Wait But Why, carefully try to position himself as helpful to Musk even though landing this interview would be a coup.

April 27: Your Thoughts on Twitter Conversational OS?

Marc Benioff: Happy to talk about it if this is interesting: Twitter conversational OS- the townsquare for your digital life Musk: Well I down own it yet

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Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff drops in with some jargon. Musk is not impressed.

April 27: Satya Nadella Drops By

Satya Nadella: Thx for the chat. Will stay in touch. And will for sure follow-up on Teams feedback!

The sheer number of powerful people asking for Elon Musks ear demonstrates how powerful controlling Twitter would make him. Here, Musk takes the opportunity to deliver some Teams feedback to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

April 29: Hire My Son

Musk: Please send me anyone who actually writes good software Steve Jurvetson: Ok, no management good coders, got it. Musk: Yes Musk: Twitter is a software company (or should be) Jurvetson: Yes. My son at Reddit and some other young people come to mind.

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Venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson texts to recommend former Uber exec Emil Michael for the Twitter CEO job. When Musk says hes looking for people who can code, Jurvetson volunteers his son.

May 1: Post-Deal Diligence at Moms

Musk [to Sean Parker]: At my moms apartment doing Twitter diligence calls

Twitter accepted Musks offer to buy it in late April. Musk is doing diligence in May.

May 10: Youre Making Me Look Desperate

Musk: Whats going on with you marketing an SPV to randos? This is not ok. Calacanis: Not randos, I have the largest angel syndicate and thats how I invest. Weve done 250+ deals like this and we know all the folks. I though that was how folks were doing it.  Musk: Morgan Stanley and Jared think you are using our friendship not in a good way Musk: This makes it seem like Im desperate Musk: Please stop

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Jason Calacanis returns, this time for a Musk scolding after Calacanis marketed investment in the Twitter deal to his angel syndicate. Calacanis apologizes and tells Musk hes a ride-or-die friend who would jump on a grande for him.

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Within a month, Musk would make it plain to the public that he wanted out of the deal, and by July, he would attempt to terminate it. Here, after three months of Twitter drama, he appears fed up with Twitters managements unwillingness to go along with his planand, perhaps, with people trying to use his investment for their own purposes and agendas. Of course, Twitters stock price also plummeted around this timefar, far below Musks offer to take the company privatemaking the entire deal a far less enticing prospect.

Musks Twitter purchase made him the most sought-after person in business, but it was a mixed blessing. To judge by his texts, at least, focusing on building rockets and electric cars might even come off as the simpler, better option. Next month, Musk will go to court to try to unwind the deal. It might not be as easy as hed like.
Inna Melnyk came to Slovakia in 2016, and is researching ways to tackle pollution.

Inna Melnyk (third from left), and her colleagues V. Kyshkarova (Voznesensk, Mykolaiv region), O. Porodko (Lviv), N. Chechitko (Bucha, Kyiv Region), H. Yankovych (Uzhgorod), and O. Semeshko (Kherson). (Source: Archive of Inna Melnyk)

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The week before Russia invaded her homeland, Ukrainian scientist Inna Melnyk had a vacation. She and her husband and their two children, who live in Kosice, planned to visit Kyiv. Their relatives advised them to postpone their trip, and they did.

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Days later, her friends, fellow students, acquaintances, and even acquaintances of acquaintances began pouring into eastern Slovakia in the wake of the Russian invasion  and her Slovak colleagues at the Institute of Geotechnics at the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) in Kosice started helping, providing housing, clothes and even pots and pans for the new arrivals.

Many colleagues, even those abroad in other countries such as Sweden, Italy and Slovenia wrote or called the scientist to offer help, which they then supplied to her colleagues from Ukraine.

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Related article Ukrainian scientist in Slovakia: The situation is catching up with us Read more

"Together with my husband we met the refugees at the border, drove them to the city, helped with tickets, bought medicine for those who had stood in line at the border, as it was cold then. We also bought and delivered medicine and haemostatic agents for the army," Melnyk recalled in an interview with The Slovak Spectator.

"My husband gave the car that he had left in Ukraine to a classmate on the front line."

I.Melnyk is not the only Ukrainian at the institute, which also hosts PhD students from Ukraine. Even they helped  donating blood and buying equipment for the Ukrainian army, which they still do to this day based on requests from their friends. Melnyk's brother, who lives and works in South Africa, also buys equipment for people on the front lines. It is then up to Inna and her husband to ship it.
Ukraine's territorial integrity must not be questioned, Slovakia's top constitutional officials state.

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Slovakia will not recognise the annexation of any of Ukraine's territory currently occupied by Russia. The top constitutional officials in Bratislava issued a joint statement fully supporting Ukraine and its territorial integrity.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four territories  Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson  in Moscow on Friday.

In a joint statement issued prior to the ceremony in Moscow, President Zuzana Caputova, Speaker of Parliament Boris Kollar and Prime Minister Eduard Heger condemned Russia's attempt to annex Ukrainian territories.

The full text of their statement is as follows:

"We strongly condemn the attempt of the Russian Federation to annex parts of Ukraine's territory illegally. These areas were forcibly taken from Ukraine by Russian military aggression, which so grossly violated the UN Charter, and every basic principle of international law, and caused enormous human and material damage.

"The results of the pseudo-referendums that the Russian Federation organised at gunpoint in the occupied territory have no valid legal effect. They are just an illegitimate attempt to cover up an act of aggression and cannot be accepted.

"In this way, Moscow is undermining efforts to achieve peace, purposefully escalating the situation and trying to intimidate and discourage the international community from further supporting Ukraine in its just struggle to defend itself. If Slovakia were to accept these actions, we would deny the basic principles that our own sovereignty and territorial integrity are based on.

"We emphasise that the Slovak Republic recognises Ukraine as an independent and sovereign state, a candidate for membership in the European Union, whose territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders must not be questioned."
https://sputniknews.com/20220929/over-250000-people-took-part-in-demonstrations-against-pension-reform-in-france---union-1101358705.html

Over 250,000 People Took Part in Demonstrations Against Pension Reform in France - Union

Over 250,000 People Took Part in Demonstrations Against Pension Reform in France - Union

PARIS (Sputnik) - More than 250,000 people across France have participated in demonstrations against pension reform and demanding a rise in the minimum wage... 29.09.2022, Sputnik International

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According to CGT, over 200 demonstrations against the increase in the retirement age to 65 years took place in France on Thursday. More than 250,000 people have taken part in demonstrations, also demanding a minimum wage of up to 2 thousand euros ($1,966).The protest action in the French capital Paris began after 2 p.m. local time (12:00 GMT) with a walkout from Denfert-Rochereau square to the final point of Place de la Bastille, a Sputnik correspondent reported earlier on Thursday. He added that the demonstrators included representatives of the Yellow Vests movement, trade unions, supporters of leftist, communist and socialist parties, as well as radical youth from the black bloc.The demonstrations have been held at the call of the country's three major trade unions, namely CGT, the Federation Syndicale Unitaire, and the Solidaires labor union. Demonstrations caused disruptions in the movement of rail and public transport, as well as led to the closure of the Eiffel Tower for visits.The protesters have been marching peacefully, with the column being controlled by police cordons, until some radicals began smashing bank windows and spray-painting bus stops. Violent clashes with police broke out as the demonstrators were about to reach the final destination, Place de la Bastille. Aggressive youths were provoking law enforcement by throwing bottles and smoke pellets. The police responded with batons and detentions.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/auto-driver-who-invited-arvind-kejriwal-to-dinner-says-hes-a-huge-fan-of-modi-attends-pms-rally-1101383780.html

Auto Driver Who Invited Arvind Kejriwal to Dinner Says He's A 'Huge Fan of Modi', Attends PM's Rally

Auto Driver Who Invited Arvind Kejriwal to Dinner Says He's A 'Huge Fan of Modi', Attends PM's Rally

Delhi State Chief Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have been campaigning hard in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat. The western... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T18:14+0000

2022-09-30T18:14+0000

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Auto driver Vikram Dantani who invited AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to dinner at his home in Ahmedabad in what turned out to be a headline-grabbing event a fortnight ago, on Friday said that he's a "huge fan of PM Modi" and a loyal supporter of the BJP. Dantani attended Prime Minister Modi's public rally in Ahmedabad city on Friday and was photographed wearing a saffron scarf and cap, dress often associated with the BJP, which runs both the state and the country."I came here [for the rally] because I am a huge fan of Modiji. I have been a member of the BJP since the beginning and have always given my vote to the BJP in the past. I am not saying this under any pressure," Dantani told reporters.Earlier this month, Dantani was in the spotlight after he invited Kejriwal to have dinner with him at his home in Ahmedabad. The AAP supremo accepted the invitation and traveled in his car to have dinner with him.On being asked by the press why he invited Kejriwal to visit his home, he revealed that he was asked to do so by the union of auto drivers in Ahmedabad."I invited Kejriwal for dinner because I was asked to do so by our union leaders. As soon as I offered to host him for a meal at my home, Kejriwal accepted. I did not know it would become such a big issue. Otherwise, I am not at all associated with the [AAP]. I have not been in touch with any AAP leader after that episode," he said.Elections in Gujarat are scheduled for December with the BJP looking to retain power for a record seventh time in the state.On the other hand, Kejriwal has also held a series of public meetings there in the last few months, as the AAP goes all out to woo the state's citizens to vote for his party.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/finland-becomes-last-eu-country-bordering-russia-to-restrict-entry-of-tourists-cabinet-1101366893.html

Finland Becomes Last EU Country Bordering Russia to Restrict Entry of Tourists: Cabinet

Finland Becomes Last EU Country Bordering Russia to Restrict Entry of Tourists: Cabinet

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Finnish government closes borders for Russian tourists starting Friday, thus becoming the last European country bordering Russia to do... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T09:27+0000

2022-09-30T09:27+0000

2022-09-30T09:27+0000

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finland

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russia

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"On 29 September 2022, the Finnish Government issued a resolution to significantly restrict the entry of Russian tourists into Finland. The entry restrictions will enter into force on 30 September 2022 at 00.00, and they will remain in force until further notice," the government said on the website.According to the statement, the decision applies to Russian tourists intending to visit Finland or traveling to other EU countries through Finland.Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania have agreed to restrict the entry of Russian tourists from September 1 and agreed on a common regional approach to the possibility of travel by Russians.On September 9, the European Council approved the decision on the complete suspension of the visa facilitation agreement with Russia. This move resulted in an increased visa application fee, the need to present additional documentary evidence, increased visa processing times, and more restrictive rules for the issuance of multiple-entry visas. It was also agreed that European countries bordering Russia could restrict the entry of Russians at the national level.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/indian-lawmaker-raises-eyebrows-with-threat-to-send-school-principal-to-afghanistan-1101370257.html

Indian Lawmaker Raises Eyebrows With Threat to Send School Principal to Afghanistan

Indian Lawmaker Raises Eyebrows With Threat to Send School Principal to Afghanistan

Himachal Pradesh legislator Hans Raj has often courted controversy. Earlier this year, he made headlines when he allegedly beat a student at a government... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T12:11+0000

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A state legislator in India's Himachal Pradesh state stoked controversy after he was allegedly heard threatening a school principal and demanding the enrollment of one of his relatives in a purported audio clip that has gone viral.In the purported audio clip, Hans Raj, the Deputy Speaker in the Himachal Pradesh state assembly, could be heard pressuring the school staffer."I am a deputy speaker in Chamba. I will ask Anurag ji (federal Minister Anurag Thakur from Himachal Pradesh) to speak to your chairman. He will set you right," the legislator is heard stating in the audio.But things continued to heat up as the principal stood his ground and responded that the legislator's relative cannot be granted admission on the basis of these threats.His reactions triggered confusion on social media, with one netizen even jokingly suggesting the lawmaker could now start issuing visas to the country on an official basis.School enrollment is done strictly based on merit and grade-specific criteria in India.Any deviation from admission rules can become problematic, considering these learning institutions have to release their respective lists of students admitted every year in public.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/lavrov-eu-lost-its-autonomy-suffers-enormous-losses-from-what-us-dragged-it-into-1101362390.html

Lavrov: EU Lost Its Autonomy, Suffers Enormous Losses From What US Dragged It Into

Lavrov: EU Lost Its Autonomy, Suffers Enormous Losses From What US Dragged It Into

Since the launch of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, Western countries have adopted several packages of sanctions against Russia. The Ukraine... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T06:44+0000

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the European Union has lost its autonomy and is suffering enormous losses from what the United States has dragged it into.No CIS state is immune to interference from the West led by the United States, Lavrov added. The goal of the West is to further fragment the post-Soviet space, to divide the peoples; the most striking example is the creation of an "anti-Russia" in Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov said. "It's no secret that the philosophy of 'divide and rule' is actively used by the West in relation to the states of the former Soviet Union. The goal is absolutely clear - to further fragment the post-Soviet space, to divide our countries and peoples, to impose unprofitable schemes of interaction, to push them to the margins of global processes," Lavrov said.For several months, European countries have been facing an acute economic crisis, partially caused by supply chain disruptions and sanctions imposed by the West against Russia in response to its military operation in Ukraine. With prices on energy, food skyrocketing and household and business asking for more financing assistance, some of the EU countries have adopted relief packages to boost the economy and mitigate consequences of the crisis. The EU has already approved seven packages of sanctions against Moscow.In February, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine responding to calls for help from the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Western countries responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Moscow, while also ramping up their military support for Kiev.

https://sputniknews.com/20220924/lavrov-says-russia-wants-west-to-make-first-step-toward-dialogue-blasts-eu-nato-and-us-1101191219.html

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, and state Sen. Darren Bailey will face off in the Illinois governor's race this November. (Erin Hooley and Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

In their first debate of the general election campaign, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey focused Friday on crime and gun control as the GOP assails anew a Democratic-backed law that will launch a cashless bail system next year.

The first-term Democratic governor used the 45-minute virtual meeting sponsored by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors to try to paint his Republican rival as a Donald Trump extremist who would take our state backward.

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Pritzker touted his efforts to protect abortion rights, upgrade the states credit ratings and enact minimum-wage increases while fighting hard through a deadly global pandemic, saving lives and livelihoods.

But Bailey, a state senator and wealthy farmer from Xenia who has made repealing the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act a top priority, said, sometimes I cant figure out if our governor is a fool or a liar in trying to dupe us to disregard Republican warnings about the new law.

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Touting his farming background, Bailey said using his hands makes me common with about everybody else in the state as he contended its time that a farmer get in the seat of leadership in Illinois and get it under control.

Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey at Around the Clock Restaurant on Sept. 21, 2022, in Crystal Lake. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

Despite some of the name-calling, the debate was largely civil. Still, Pritzker, a billionaire entrepreneur and an heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, appeared to be the aggressor in repeatedly pointing to Baileys conservatism  from opposing abortion except in cases where a womans life was in danger to his actions in fighting the governors COVID-19 mitigations.

You know, my opponent likes to ignore the fact that we went through a deadly global pandemic. He ignored it while we were in it, hasnt been vaccinated, didnt wear a mask, didnt encourage people to. The reality is that as we were fighting through that pandemic, we were spending dollars to save peoples lives, Pritzker said.

But attacks by Bailey and Republicans who contend pretrial detention provisions over cashless bail in the SAFE-T Act will bring Chicago-like crime to the rest of the state have put Pritzker and Democrats on the defensive. Under the new law, judges will be able to detain accused offenders if they are considered a threat to others.

Darren Bailey wants to keep the current system where murderers and rapists and domestic abusers can buy their way out of jail. Meanwhile, a new mother who needs diapers or baby formula and commits shoplifting in order to obtain those things is in danger of sitting in jail for months because she cant afford a few dollars in bail, Pritzker said.

Thats unfair and it is unsafe for our families and our friends and I want to keep dangerous people in jail, he said, contending Baileys warnings of criminal uprising is a desperate election ploy.

Bailey countered that Pritzkers defense of the law was amazing and pointed out the new law is opposed by police unions and nearly every states attorney in Illinois.

They know what this bill says. They know that it is very problematic. They know that it is going to wreak havoc across this state. Its the same havoc thats taking place right now in the city of Chicago, he said.

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker at the Jackson County Democrats annual dinner during the Working Families Bus Tour on Aug. 25, 2022, in Murphysboro. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Despite Baileys vow to repeal the law, he said he hasnt personally filed any legislation in the state Senate to do so. He said he didnt need to because he co-sponsored much legislation that would make changes to the controversial law.

Bailey was referring to a package of bills, introduced in February and co-sponsored by nearly all 18 of the Senates GOP members, that included a measure that would reinstate cash bail. None of the bills has received even a committee hearing, which Bailey said is typical of a legislative process dominated by Democrats in Springfield.

Despite promises to work with lawmakers in both parties if elected governor, only two bills on which he was the lead sponsor have been signed into law since he joined the legislature in 2019.

Theres a set agenda. The only bills that are allowed out  look, Im not the only one, Bailey said. Only one bill, in many cases, youre kind of given this little token that, Heres this bill; well let you get it through. 

But in defending his scant record, he also scoffed at the idea that the number of bills someone passes is a measure of effectiveness as a lawmaker.

Thats a problem in our state, Bailey said. We have too many laws already on the books.

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Bailey also restated his vow to repeal the states Firearm Owners Identification card, required for gun owners, calling it simply a money grab and unnecessary with federal background checks to purchase a firearm.

Illinois has the most restrictive gun laws in the nation. The problem is, those laws arent being honored and theyre not being followed, Bailey said. So as I look at our gun laws that we have in existence, I can look back at almost every violent crime thats been committed and I can see the law that should have protected that and avoided that if it were followed.

He added, All other states around us are doing just fine with a lot less criminal activity and shootings.

But Pritzker said Bailey voicing support for repealing the FOID card showed Bailey also opposed universal background checks.

Thats not what the federal background check does, but it is what the background check in Illinois does. And thats one of the reasons that we need a FOID card for people who are acquiring firearms. Another, of course, is to keep people who shouldnt have them from getting one, Pritzker said, adding his support for a state and federal ban on assault weapons.

Pritzker chastised Bailey for, in the past, having backed legislation to remove Chicago from the state. The governor said he has sought to encourage economic development throughout Illinois and that most of the transportation dollars in his massive infrastructure program is being spent outside of Cook County.

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My opponent has said that he would throw Chicago out of Illinois, Pritzker said. I think youve got to love Chicago just like you love every other part of the state. And, again, Ive acted that way as governor.

But Bailey said that in the legislature he has been that voice for the rest of Illinois that feels left out and neglected compared to Chicago and its suburbs.

He said too many laws are passed that are one-size fits all and disregard regional views. One example, he said, was a new law curbing carbon emissions to help with climate change. It will close coal mines and natural gas plants in the region and is part of the radical direction that our current governor is trying to push us, Bailey said.

The debate Friday came one day after Bailey told the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board on Thursday that he considered Chicago an unruly child in the family of Illinois. On Friday, the state Democratic Party highlighted a video of a Bailey appearance before a Belleville church last year in which he described incidents where two of his children rebelled and he said he kicked them out of his house. He said after prayer and fasting the family reconciled.

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Biden Says Nord Stream Pipeline Incident 'Deliberate Act of Sabotage,' US Investigating

The United States considers explosions that disabled parts of the Nord Stream energy pipeline system between Russia and Europe a deliberate act of sabotage, although the US will soon send divers of its own to investigate details, President Joe Biden said on Friday.

"You also asked me earlier about the pipeline, and let me say this: it was a deliberate act of sabotage, and now the Russians are pumping out disinformation and lies," Biden said following remarks on Hurricane Ian. "We will work with our allies to get to the bottom of exactly, precisely what happened  and at the appropriate moment when things calm down, were going to be sending divers down to find out exactly what happened."

The Biden administration has so far denied involvement in the attacks on both the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
UN Chief's Remarks on Referendums Did Not Mean to Insult Russia - Office

UN chief Antonio Guterres did not mean to insult Russia with his statements on the accession referendums, he was fulfilling his duties as the secretary general, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.

On Thursday, Guterres' office said that the secretary-general had talked with Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia and expressed his concern regarding the referendums held on Ukrainian territories and their "annexation" by Russia. Russia has said Guterres overstepped his powers by declaring non-recognition of the referendums.

"This was not meant as an insult, it was meant as a reaffirmation of Secretary General's role - the defense of the [UN] charter and the principles on which this organization is built," Dujarric told a briefing.

Guterres very much hopes that his contacts with Russia will continue, the spokesman added.

"The Secretary General does not believe in any way that communication needs to be halted, on the contrary, in the time of suffering he believes that he can speak to all the parties involved," Dujarric said.
https://sputniknews.com/20220930/merkel-we-need-to-work-on-pan-european-security-architecture-with-russia-1101370965.html

Merkel: We Need to Work on Pan-European Security Architecture With Russia

Merkel: We Need to Work on Pan-European Security Architecture With Russia

While Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel tried to improve relations with Russia and supported the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline construction project. In... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T11:49+0000

2022-09-30T11:49+0000

2022-09-30T11:49+0000

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Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that in the future it is necessary to continue working on a pan-European security architecture with the participation of Russia, according to the German news portal n-tv, which quoted her speech at the anniversary of the city of Goslar.She also said that currently Germany has "no reason to be complacent." However, the former Chancellor also noted that with sufficient strength and self-confidence, even this crisis could be surpassed.Merkel, 67, retired from politics in late 2021 after 16 years of service as Germany's head of state.On September 26, the Nord Stream AG pipeline operator said that a dispatcher had registered a rapid gas pressure drop on Line A of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The incident occurred in Danish waters near the island of Bornholm. Later that day, the operator said that a pressure drop had been registered on both strings of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The Swedish and Danish authorities said they had detected undersea explosions. The incidents are being investigated by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office, as well as the authorities of Sweden and Denmark. Russia considers the incident on the Nord Stream gas pipelines to be an act of state terrorismOn February 24, Russia began its military operation in Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. In response, the West and its allies have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/nasa-spacex-launch-feasibility-study-to-give-hubble-telescope-longer-life---officials-1101359472.html

NASA, SpaceX Launch Feasibility Study to Give Hubble Telescope Longer Life - Officials

NASA, SpaceX Launch Feasibility Study to Give Hubble Telescope Longer Life - Officials

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - NASA and SpaceX are going to conduct a feasibility study on the possibility of boosting the Hubble Space Telescope 40 to 45 miles higher... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

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"The idea is of a commercial crew to boost Hubble into a higher orbit," NASA Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Thomas Zurbuchen said on Thursday. "We have signed an agreement that we announce today to do [a feasibility study] on that."NASA and SpaceX signed their unfunded Space Act Agreement on September 22, the space agency said in a blog on Thursday. The two organizations will now conduct a feasibility study on boosting the Hubble Telescope, which was launched in 1990, into a higher orbit with the Dragon spacecraft, at no cost to the US government."SpaceX and the Polaris Program want to expand the boundaries of current technology and explore how commercial partnerships can creatively solve challenging, complex problems. Missions, such as servicing Hubble, would help us expand space capabilities to ultimately help all of us achieve our goals of becoming a space-faring, multiplanetary civilization," SpaceX Vice President of Customer Operations and Integration Jessica Jensen said.Teams expect the study to take up to six months, collecting technical data from both Hubble and the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, NASA said in the blog.The Hubble's original orbit was 380 miles or 600 kilometers above the ground but over the years it has decayed to 335 miles above the earth, NASA said. Currently, three is a 50% probability that Hubble will fall back to earth 15 years from now in 2037 if its orbit is not boosted before then, NASA added.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/nearly-200000-uk-nationals-sign-petition-calling-for-early-general-election-amid-crisis-1101385460.html

Nearly 200,000 UK Nationals Sign Petition Calling for Early General Election Amid Crisis

Nearly 200,000 UK Nationals Sign Petition Calling for Early General Election Amid Crisis

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Over 191,000 UK nationals have signed a petition calling for an immediate general election in the country over dissatisfaction with a new... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

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"Call an immediate general election so that the people can decide who should lead us through the unprecedented crises threatening the UK. The chaos engulfing the UK government is unprecedented  the UK itself may cease to exist as Scotland seeks independence. This is the greatest set of challenges we have seen in our lifetimes. Let the people decide who leads us through this turmoil," the statement by the petition organizer, Darrin Charlesworth, read.The UK government has responded, saying that the country is "a Parliamentary democracy and the Conservative Party remains the majority party. The Prime Minister has pledged to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations."The signing process will run through January 28, 2023. Parliament will consider the petition for a debate as it has already been signed by more than 100,000 people.Meanwhile, UK lawmakers are taking steps to trigger a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Liz Truss over the new support plan for the country's economy, the broadcaster Sky News reported on Monday, citing a British lawmaker on condition of anonymity.Last week, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled a new 60-billion-pound growth plan to support the country's economy amid the rising cost of living. The plan includes canceling the planned rise in corporation tax, keeping it the lowest in the G20 at 19%. Since the announcement, the yield on Britain's five-year government bonds has risen to its highest level since 2008, at 4.6%, which means a lower demand for British debt securities, triggering a barrage of criticism against the Truss government.The next general election in the United Kingdom is scheduled to be held no later than January 2025. The election is an opportunity for British nationals to choose a member of parliament who will represent their interests or concerns in the UK House of Commons (Parliament's lower house) as well as propose new laws.

https://sputniknews.com/20220924/why-uk-pm-truss-economic-rescue-plan-wont-fly-could-put-paid-to-tories-election-hopes-1101174418.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/new-audio-leak-of-imran-khan-allegedly-reveals-new-details-about-big-foreign-conspiracy-1101375526.html

New Audio Leak of Imran Khan Allegedly Reveals New Details About Big Foreign Conspiracy

New Audio Leak of Imran Khan Allegedly Reveals New Details About Big Foreign Conspiracy

Imran Khan has been raising the issue of foreign conspiracy since April when a coalition government led by Shehbaz Sharif ousted the PTI chairman in a... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T13:38+0000

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Another purported audio clip of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his cabinet colleagues surfaced on Friday, regarding a meeting between a US official and Pakistans ambassador in Washington, Asad Majeed, concerning the 'regime change' in Pakistan.The second sound clip surfaced two days after Khan was strategizing with his then-principal secretary Azam Khan to transform the threatening message of the US Ambassador to Pakistan, Asad Majeed Khan, into a government document.The latest leak seems to be a continuation of the first part, where Azam Khan had advised Imran to invite cabinet ministers and the foreign secretary to convert the conversation of the cipher sent by Pakistan's Ambassador in Washington about his meeting with a US official into government records.The 109-second audio purportedly features a conversation between Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Azam Khan, and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in which the PRI chief can be heard saying the meeting between Majeed and the US official took place on March 7.Asad Umar inquired Khan if he was intentionally calling the cipher a letter.Because this isn't a letter, it is a transcript of the meeting, Umar said, referring to the minutes sent by Majeed to Islamabad.US Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia Donald Lu was the central figure in Khan's claims about a US-backed regime-change conspiracy. Pakistan's former PM had previously accused Shehbaz Sharif of leaking the audio file to the public. He demanded that the government release the cipher to the public.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/nord-stream-terrorist-attack-uk-labour-party-conspired-against-its-members-will-us-invade-haiti-1101359017.html

Nord Stream Terrorist Attack; UK Labour Party Conspired Against Its Members; Will US Invade Haiti?

Nord Stream Terrorist Attack; UK Labour Party Conspired Against Its Members; Will US Invade Haiti?

European gas prices spike as international security analysts reason that a state actor perpetrated the attack on German infrastructure. 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

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Nord Stream Terrorist Attack; UK Labour Party Conspired Against its Members; Will US Invade Haiti? European gas prices spike as international security analysts reason that a state actor perpetrated the attack on German infrastructure.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines. Russia has called Secretary Antony Blinken's statement that the Nord Stream pipeline attacks serve no one's interest a lie. Also, European gas prices spike as international security analysts reason that a state actor perpetrated the attack on German infrastructure.Regis Tremblay, an American citizen living in Crimea, joins us to discuss the Ukraine crisis. The US is set to ramp up weapons transfers to Ukraine. Also, the UN Security Council is set to meet Friday on the pipeline attacks, and Central Europe is experiencing mass protests over the economic downturn.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss Asia. Vice President Harris has visited the DMZ on the Korean peninsula. Also, an Australian senator slams the US empire for destabilizing the entire region.Ricardo Vaz, political analyst and editor at Venezuelanalysis, joins us to discuss the Global South. A resolution has passed the Senate condemning any potential extra-democratic actions to overturn the Brazilian election. Also, USAID is continuing with its regime change operation aimed at Venezuela.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss the US empire. The US empire threatens to punish Sudan if it allows a Russian Naval base in the Red Sea. Also, imperialism and capitalism are bleeding the world dry.Jamarl Thomas, co-host of Fault Lines, joins us to discuss UK politics. Al Jazeera has aired a three-part series that reveals a shady plot by the UK Labour party to stop Jeremy Corbyn from becoming prime minister. Also, we examine the new cold war that is being waged by the US empire.Dan Cohen, filmmaker, and writer for the Gray Zone Project, joins us to discuss Haiti. A recent Mintpress article shows that the US is considering a full-scale invasion of Haiti.Ajamu Baraka, 2016 VP Candidate for the Green Party, joins us to discuss US foreign policy. Ukraine has condemned a number of Latin American nations for accepting the Donbass referendum. Also, we discuss the US "gangster war" on Russia and US-occupied Europe.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

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/nord-stream-to-dump-unprecedented-methane-gas-levels-but-may-not-have-major-effect-experts-claim-1101359173.html

Nord Stream to Dump Unprecedented Methane Gas Levels But May Not Have 'Major' Effect, Experts Claim

Nord Stream to Dump Unprecedented Methane Gas Levels But May Not Have 'Major' Effect, Experts Claim

On Thursday, NATO issued a strong statement on the Nord Stream breaches in the Baltic Sea, calling the damage the result of deliberate, reckless, and... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T00:26+0000

2022-09-30T00:26+0000

2022-09-30T00:26+0000

nord stream sabotage

nord stream pipeline

methane

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Though methane leaking from the yet unexplained damage to the Nord Stream pipelines is likely to dump an unprecedented amount of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, some experts see it as a drop in the bucket after reviewing data released by the Danish Energy Agency, which allowed experts to produce preliminary estimates of methane leakage.The leak isnt likely to affect marine life in the way an oil leak might, despite its size, according to Jasmin Cooper, a research associate at the Sustainable Gas Institute. The environmental impact will be toward global warming.The environmental group EDPs calculation doubles that of the Aliso Canyon Disaster, with chemical engineer Andrew Baxter saying just one of the pipelines could release emissions equalling the annual emissions of two million cars.A researcher with the Laboratory of Climate and Environmental Sciences in France preferred a wider perspective, comparing the projected emissions to the 250 million cars operating in the European Union alone.However, some scientists caution against underestimating the potential impacts of the leak, which echoes the worst-case scenario projections compiled by the Danish government 778 million cubic liters, veering from more conservative estimates.Paul Balcombe, a faculty member in the chemical engineering department at Imperial College London, warns that the effects of the leak are still coming into focus, and that [the leak] would have a very large environmental and climate impact indeed  even if it released a fraction of this.Due to safety concerns, access to the site is limited. Danish officials said on Wednesday that both pipelines, which have already released more than half of their gas, could be empty by Sunday, at which point scientists, security officials, and forensic scientists will have better access.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier Thursday that the incident looks like a terrorist attack on a state level. "It is very difficult to imagine that such a terrorist act could take place without the involvement of some state, he said at the time. According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, Moscow is ready to consider requests from EU countries for a joint investigation.

https://sputniknews.com/20220929/eu-lawmaker-from-poland-deletes-tweet-thanking-us-for-damaging-nord-stream-pipeline-1101349715.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/north-korea-has-fired-ballistic-missile-toward-sea-of-japan-south-korean-military-announces-1101397091.html

North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea of Japan, South Korean Military Announces

North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles Toward Sea of Japan, South Korean Military Announces

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has fired six missiles in four tests in the past week, making 20 ballistic missile and two cruise missile... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

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The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Saturday morning that two ballistic missiles had been launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), headed toward the Sea of Japan.The Japanese Defense Ministry has since reported that Pyongyang had tested two short-range ballistic missiles that flew between 217 and 248 miles, and had reached a maximum altitude of 31 miles.Japanese Coast Guard officials said they believed the missile had fallen outside of Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and not caused any damage to any vessels.Citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yonhap earlier reported that the pair of launches were detected in Pyongyang's Sunan area between 6:45 a.m. and 7:03 a.m. local time on Saturday.Other nations have long objected to Pyongyang's ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, but the socialist state says it needs those weapons in order to guarantee its safety in lieu of a permanent peace treaty and the withdrawal of 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea.Negotiations to denuclearize the Korean peninsula took place between the US and DPRK in 2018 and 2019, but fell apart after the US refused to reciprocate North Korean moves by lowering some of its economic sanctions.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/observers-a-big-winner-from-nord-stream-destruction-is-us-1101371764.html

Observers: A Big Winner From Nord Stream Destruction is US

Observers: A Big Winner From Nord Stream Destruction is US

Russian intelligence services have found a Western footprint in the recent sabotage attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines. However, one country benefits the... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T12:28+0000

2022-09-30T12:28+0000

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nord stream sabotage

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germany

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"It is certainly true that the United States will be one of the main beneficiaries of the destruction of the Nord Stream system," says Alex Krainer, founder of Krainer Analytics. "Already now American gas traders are reaping staggering profits on transatlantic gas trades. US gas suppliers can load a large vessel at a cost of about $60 million. In Europe, that same cargo can fetch as much as $275 million."At the same time, Krainer presumed that the attack could have been conducted by rogue elements from London and Warsaw, albeit with US military intelligence and technical support. He has drawn attention to an infamous tweet by former Polish foreign minister and incumbent European MEP Radek Sikorski, who tweeted "Thank you, USA" in response to the blasts. A few days later, the tweet was deleted, prompting a new wave of suspicions among netizens. Incidentally, a Norway-Poland natural gas pipeline was inaugurated on September 27, a day after the Nord Stream pipelines were attacked.Whats more, The New York Times revealed on September 27, that the CIA issued a "vague warning" in June 2022 to a number of European countries, including Germany, that Russia's two Nord Stream gas pipelines could be targeted in forthcoming attacks. The agency did not specify who the attacker could be.The problem, however, is that it is not at all clear that the EU can survive in energy terms without Russian hydrocarbons, Quin explains.Previously, 40% of Europe's natural gas came from Russia. For its part, Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its gas supplies with inexpensive energy being a pillar of the country's economy.The anti-Russia energy embargo championed by Washington has amplified the already swirling energy crisis in the EU, prompting European manufacturers to shift operations to the US. "A big winner from the energy crisis in Europe: the US economy," the Wall Street Journal summarized on September 21.Meanwhile, the destruction of Nord Streams apparently hammered the final nail into Germany's ability to resume gas supplies from Russia this winter and sent energy costs rising even higher. Following the sabotage attack, European gas prices surged more than 20% at one point on Tuesday, while on Thursday European and German shares tumbled, according to Reuters.Moscow Already Has Materials on "Western Footprint"While the unprecedented pipeline attacks require a thorough joint investigation, preliminary findings suggest the involvement of Western actors, according to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Moscow already has materials that "point to the Western footprint in organizing and carrying out" the blasts, SVR chief Sergey Naryshkin told reporters on Friday. Naryshkin characterized the explosions in the Baltic Sea as an "international terrorist act," adding that the collective West is hiding the true perpetrators. Earlier, on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the incident at the Nord Stream pipeline had taken place in the area controlled by US intelligence.Data from Flightradar24 analyzed by Sputnik showed that US military helicopters earlier this month, prior to the incident, regularly circled for hours around the area where the gas leaks occurred on the Nord Stream pipelines near Bornholm Island. However, the Pentagon told Sputnik that it would not "get ahead" of an investigation by its European partners and comment on the matter.Meanwhile, Ukraine and some other European countries rushed to point the finger of blame at Russia, suggesting that Moscow itself blasted its pipelines in Danish and Swedish territorial waters, providing zero evidence or clear reasoning to substantiate their assumptions. The Kremlin resolutely shredded the accusations as absurd and stupid. For its part, the US showed unusual restraint and said that it wouldn't accuse Russia or anyone else before Europe conducts its own investigation into the matter.Why a Joint EU-Russian Probe is a Must"I believe such an investigation would be an excellent opportunity for western European governments to rekindle dialogue and constructive cooperation which will prove critical to preserving peace on the continent," said Alex Krainer. "Given that the Nord Stream pipelines connected Russia with Germany, and that Germany has sustained the heaviest blow from this act of state terrorism, I believe these two nations should have key roles in such an investigation."Russia requested a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the attacks on Nord Stream pipelines with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noting on September 28 that the scale of destruction at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines from Russia to Germany has all the earmark of a terrorist act by a state actor. Moscow has signaled readiness to consider requests from EU countries for a joint investigation into the incidents. Still, no such requests have been received so far.On September 26, Nord Stream AG pipeline operator told Sputnik that a dispatcher had registered a rapid gas pressure drop on Line A of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, with the incident occurring in Danish waters near the island of Bornholm. It turned out later that both Nord Stream 1 and 2 had been damaged. The Swedish and Danish authorities said they had detected powerful undersea explosions which prompted nations to conclude that the destruction was caused by sabotage.The 1,224-kilometer-long Nord Stream 1 pipeline system was designed to deliver up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany's Lubmin. Nord Stream 2 was meant to double that capacity thus making Germany a major European gas hub. US officials have long vocally opposed the Russo-German energy cooperation with the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations alike trying to throw a wrench in the works of Nord Stream 2 project. Eventually, Nord Stream 2 was suspended on February 22, 2022, while Nord Stream 1 had to step down pumping due to technical problems and inability to get timely repair services due the West's anti-Russia sanctions.

https://sputniknews.com/20220928/nord-stream-pipeline-reportedly-left-forever-useless-after-alleged-sabotage-1101314461.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220929/kremlin-nord-stream-terrorist-act-could-hardly-have-occurred-without-state-involvement-1101335568.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/over-90-people-arrested-as-demonstration-near-iranian-embassy-in-oslo-turns-violent-1101360552.html

Over 90 People Arrested as Demonstration Near Iranian Embassy in Oslo Turns Violent

Over 90 People Arrested as Demonstration Near Iranian Embassy in Oslo Turns Violent

Speaker of Norwegian Parliament Masud Gharahkhani called violence in connection with the demonstration unacceptable behavior and called on the protesters to... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T05:23+0000

2022-09-30T05:23+0000

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A total of 95 people were arrested by Norwegian police during a demonstration at the Iranian embassy in Oslo on Thursday, some of them for vandalism and violence against the police, including stone throwing.Police operations manager Gjermund Stokkli confirmed that the law enforcement had to employ considerable resources and use tear gas to gain control of the situation.According to Stokkli, around 100 protesters had gathered around the Iranian embassy, some of them carrying Kurdish flags. According to the police, the demonstration was not announced in advance.Speaker of Parliament Masud Gharahkhani, himself of Iranian origin, hailed what he referred to as "the Iranian youth's fight for freedom", but called violence in connection with the demonstration unacceptable.Earlier in September, protests erupted across Iran after the death of a young woman who had been taken into custody by Tehran's morality police for wearing an improper head covering. Iran said she died of a heart attack. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi ordered a special investigation into the case and expressed condolences to her family. However, this case caused condemnation from the US and its allies, including sanctions imposed by the US Treasury, whereas Western media have compared the backlash with George Floyd protests in the US and the Black Lives Matter riots across much of the West.On Wednesday, Iran launched cross-border missile and drone strikes in Iraq's Kurdistan region after accusing Kurdish armed groups based there of stoking the wave of unrest that has rocked the Islamic Republic.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/people-have-made-their-choice-putin-announces-support-for-recognition-of-4-new-regions-of-russia-1101369245.html

'People Have Made Their Choice': Putin Marks Support for Four New Regions' Entry Into Russia

'People Have Made Their Choice': Putin Marks Support for Four New Regions' Entry Into Russia

Between September 23 and 27, the Donbass republics and areas of Kherson and Zaporozhye freed during the course of Russias military operation in Ukraine held... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T12:22+0000

2022-09-30T12:22+0000

2022-09-30T17:08+0000

donbass, kherson & zaporozhye referendums to join russia

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donetsk people's republic

lugansk peoples republic

zaporozhe

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Vladimir Putin has expressed his full support for the incorporation of the Donbass and the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions into Russia, and signed a decree to that effect."Dear residents of Russia, residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, the people of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions...you know that referendums have taken place. The results have been calculated. The results are known. People have made their choice, an unequivocal choice," Putin said, speaking at a ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday.This right is also based on the historical unity of generations of residents of the four regions with Russia, from the period of Ancient Rus to the time of Catherine the Great, to the Second World War, Putin said."We will always remember the heroes of the Russian Spring, those who died for the right in their native tongue, to preserve their culture, traditions, their faith. For their right to live," the president added, referring to the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in eastern and southern Ukraine in the months following the Western-backed coup in Kiev in February of 2014."This includes the fighters of the Donbass, the martyrs of the 'Odessa Khatyn', the victims of the inhuman terrorist attacks carried out by the Kiev regime. It includes volunteers and militiamen, civilians, women and children, the elderly. Russians, Ukrainians, people from various nationalities." Putin asked for a minute of silence to honor the memories of the fallen, including the Russian servicemen who have died over the course of the special military operation.Crisis Whose Roots Go Back DecadesThe current security crisis in Ukraine goes back decades, Putin said. "In 1991, at the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, without asking the will of ordinary citizens, representatives of the then-party elites decided on the collapse of the USSR, and people found themselves cut off from their homeland at a stroke. This tore apart dismembered our community of peoples, became a national catastrophe. Just as the borders of the union republics were cut up behind the scenes after the Revolution [of 1917], the final leaders of the Soviet Union, contrary to the direct expression of the will of the majority of the people in the 1991 referendum, destroyed our great country and simply placed the people before this fact," Putin said."The Soviet Union is no more. The past cannot be returned, and Russia does not need this today. We are not pursuing this. But there is nothing stronger than the determination of millions of people who by their culture, faith, traditions, language consider themselves part of Russia, whose ancestors lived for centuries as part of one state. There is nothing stronger than the determination of these people to return to their true historical fatherland," Putin said.Message to Kiev and Its Western SponsorsThe president said that the people of the Donbass have faced eight years of "genocide, shelling and blockade," while in Kherson and Zaporozhye, authorities attempted to foment hatred against Russia and everything Russian. While referendums were being held, he said, Kiev threatened to target women schoolteachers working in election commissions, and promised repressions against millions of people who took part in the plebiscites.The president called on Ukraine's authorities to respect the choice made by the residents of the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye, and warned that Russia would protect its territories using all available means.Putin also promised that the cities and settlements, housing stock, schools, hospitals, theatres and museums damaged in fighting would be restored, as would industry and infrastructure.Ukraine a Preview of What West is Preparing for Humanity: PutinAppealing to the servicemen of the Russian armed forces, the Donbass militiamen, and members of their families, Putin outlined what they are fighting for."Our compatriots, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine -the native part of our united people, have seen with their own eyes what the ruling circles of the so-called West are preparing for all of humanity. In Ukraine, they have essentially thrown off their masks, shown their true nature. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the West decided that the planet -all of us forever would have to accept its dictate. In 1991, the West was counting on Russia not to recover from the shocks it faced and fall apart on its own. This almost transpired, we remember the 90s, the terrible 90s, filled with hunger, cold and hopelessness. But Russia stood firm, revived, strengthened and again took its rightful place in the world," Putin said.This is the reason for their pursuit of the "total desovereigntization" of nations, aggression against independent states, traditional values and unique cultures, Putin suggested. Some countries agree to this "vassal" status voluntarily, while others are bought off, threatened or destroyed, leaving entire nations in ruins, according to the president."It is precisely this greed, this effort to preserve its unrestricted power, which serves as the real reason for the hybrid war being waged against Russia by the collective West," Putin said. "They do not need Russia in principle. We do."The US and its allies are counting on their continued ability to act with impunity, according to Putin.Russia will not live under these "rigged, false" rules, he added.The West has no right to "even stutter about freedom and democracy" in evaluating the votes on the will of the people of Crimea, the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye, according to the president.Moscow will never accept the West's "colonial-style" approach to international politics, and attempts to discriminate against and divide people into categories based on political nationalism and racism, including Russophobia, Putin said. He recalled that the West should recall its historical role in the global slave trade, the genocide of the Native peoples of North America, the plundering of India and Africa, the Opium Wars waged by France and Britain against China in the 19th century."What they did amounted to the hooking of entire nations on drugs, the purposeful extermination of entire ethnic groups for the sake of land and resources, the organization of the hunting of people like animals. This is contrary to human nature, to the ideals of truth, freedom and justice. We are proud that during the 20th century, our country led the anti-colonial movement, which opened opportunities for development for many peoples of the world - to reduce poverty and inequality, to defeat hunger and disease," Putin said. This, and the West's failure to colonize Russia, to receive unfettered access to its riches, are additional reasons behind the West's Russophobia, he suggested."The West managed to grab hold of Russia's wealth at the close of the 20th century, when the state was destroyed. At that time we were called friends and partners, but in fact were treated as a colony. Trillions of dollars were pumped out of the country using the broadest variety of schemes. We all remember this, and haven't forgotten anything. And during these past days, the people of Donetsk and Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye spoke in favor of restoring our historical unity," Putin said.Vassals' 'Masochism'Putin accused the United States of treating even its allies like "vassals," all the while cynically referring to them as "allies with equal rights." He recalled the many scandals involving revelations that the US openly spies on the leaders of allied nations, and suggested that these officials "shamefully," "silently and resignedly swallow this loutish behavior."Europe has suffered from a colossal migratory wave sparked by the West's "destructive policy, wars and robbery," Putin said. "The American elite is in essense using the tragedy of these people to weaken their competitors, to destroy national governments," he added, noting these problems apply to countries like France, Italy, Spain and others whose national identities are now under threat.These same nations have continued to support round after round of new anti-Russian sanctions, Putin said, with US pressure "practically leading to the deindustrialization of Europe, to the total takeover of the European market. These European elites understand all this, but prefer [to support] the interests of others. This is no longer just servility, but a direct betrayal of their peoples. But God help them, this is their business.""But sanctions are not enough for the Anglo-Saxons, and they have moved on to sabotage. It's incredible, but true. By organizing explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines running along the bottom of the Baltic Sea, they have factually begun to destroy the pan-European energy infrastructure. It's clear to everyone who benefits from this," Putin suggested."US dictate is based on naked force," Putin said. "Sometimes this is wrapped up in a beautiful wrapper, sometimes without, but the essence is the same - the 'law of fists'." This is evidenced by the hundreds of US bases dotting the globe, the formation of new exclusive military blocs, with all nations that enjoy or seek genuine strategic sovereignty "automatically categorized as enemies." Even US allies who dare to go against Washington's will are slapped with sanctions, he argued.The majority of nations have instead supported rational cooperation with Moscow, something the West did not anticipate and does not accept, the Russian president said.Dollars Can't Be Eaten"Printed dollars and euros cannot feed people. They cannot be fed with these pieces of paper. And the virtual, inflated market capitalization of Western social media [companies] cannot be used to heat homes," Putin said. "Therefore, politicians in Europe have to convince their fellow citizens to eat less, wash less often, and dress warmer in their homes. Those who begin to ask fair questions about why this is happening are immediately declared enemies, extremists and radicals, and the finger is pointed at Russia, which is said to be the source of all your troubles. They lie once again," Putin said.Putin said he does not expect the West's elites to find constructive ways to get their nations out of the energy and food crises which they caused - long before Russia ever kicked off its military operation in Ukraine. Instead, he suggested that just as the West escaped the looming economic crises of the 80s by plundering the assets of the Eastern Bloc after its collapse, today, they will attempt to repeat this process by "breaking Russia" and other nations pursuing a sovereign policy. "If this does not take place, I cannot exclude that they will try to bring the [global economic] system to a complete collapse, on which everything can then be blamed, or, God forbid, decide to use the well-known formula of 'war writes off everything'," Putin warned.He stressed that Russia understands its responsibility before the international community, and "will do everything possible to bring such hotheads to their senses. It is obvious that their neo-colonial model is ultimately doomed."Two Dramatic WeeksThe territorial changes come in the wake of 12 days of dramatic proceedings, which began on September 19 when the civic chambers of the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics issued formal appeals to republican authorities to hold referendums to become part of Russia. The initiative was quickly joined by those areas of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions under the control of pro-Russian civil-military administrations, and a series of paper ballot-based referenda were held over a five-day period in each territory.Russia recognized the DPR and LPR on February 22, on the eve of the start of its special military operation to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine.The question posed to voters in the referenda in the two states were Do you support [your republics] entry into the Russian Federation with the rights of a subject of a Russian Federation? In Zaporozhye and Kherson, the question posed was Are you in favor of [your region] exiting Ukraine, forming an independent state and joining the Russian Federation with the rights of a subject of the Russian Federation?The results of the referenda showed overwhelming majority support for joining Russia, including 99.23 percent support in the DPR, 98.42 percent in the LPR, 87.05 percent in Kherson and 93.11 percent in Zaporozhye. Turnout was 97.5 percent in the DPR, 92.6 percent in the LPR, 76.9 percent in Kherson and 85.4 percent in Zaporozhye, respectively.The territorial changes come in the aftermath of an eight year-long political and security crisis which began in February of 2014, when Ukraines democratically-elected government was overthrown in a US-sponsored coup detat and replaced by a pro-Western client state which proceeded to try to drag the country into the European Union and NATO. The crisis prompted Crimea to break off from Ukraine and rejoin Russia in March 2014, and sparked an armed conflict in the Donbass in the spring of that year.In February 2015, the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France met in the Belarusian capital of Minsk to sign the so-called Minsk peace agreements  which envisioned the then-self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics returning to Ukraines control in exchange for broad autonomy. Successive Ukrainian administrations waffled on the idea, while the Verkhovna Rada parliament refused to make any progress in this area, leading to nearly seven years of an uneasy ceasefire punctuated by regular shelling, sabotage, assassination and sniper attacks against the breakaway territories. In early 2022, the security crisis reached a fever pitch, with Moscow preempting a feared Ukrainian all-out invasion of the Donbass by launching its special military operation.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/physician-calls-for-biden-to-receive-cognitive-assessment-at-next-annual-medical-exam-1101393464.html

Physician Calls for Biden to Receive Cognitive Assessment at Next Annual Medical Exam

Physician Calls for Biden to Receive Cognitive Assessment at Next Annual Medical Exam

Following repeated misstatements by US President Joe Biden concerning Washingtons relationship with the Chinese island of Taiwan, administration officials... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

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2022-09-30T18:42+0000

2022-09-30T18:42+0000

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The myriad of gaffes, misstatements, and bizarre behavior by Biden merits a deeper examination of his mental state at his next annual examination in November, Dr. Nicole Saphier, a physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and assistant professor at Cornell Universitys Weill Cornell Medical College, wrote in a recent op-ed for the UKs Daily Mail.Saphier is also a well-known commentator on conservative news outlets such as Fox News and has written several books railing against what she says are the shortcomings of the US government in the healthcare sphere.Saphier recalled several examples of gaffes by the 79-year-old chief of state, including an incident on Wednesday in which Biden asked about Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN), who was killed in a car accident roughly two months ago.Biden notably recognized her death at the time and even called Walorskis family to express his personal condolences, her brother told the New York Post.She also noted that Bidens personal presidential physician noted in his last exam in November 2021 that Bidens ambulatory gait is perceptibly stiffer and less fluid than it was a year or so ago.While I am a physician, I haven't formally examined President Biden. I cannot diagnose the president or any other person from afar. But common sense demands that we not ignore the troubling signs in front of our faces.If Biden were found unable to fulfill his duties as president, the office would fall to US Vice President Kamala Harris, who may be known for her word-salads but is just 57 years old. Biden could step aside voluntarily, but if he doesnt, he can still be removed from office by the consensus of many of the nations top political leaders, via a process delineated by the 25th amendment to the US Constitution.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/rules-for-thee-but-not-for-me-referenda-the-west-recognized-when-it-suited-them-1101393969.html

Rules for Thee But Not for Me: Referenda Results the West Recognized When It Suited Them

Rules for Thee But Not for Me: Referenda Results the West Recognized When It Suited Them

Joe Biden vowed this week that Washington would never, never, never recognize the results of the referenda held in the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T19:05+0000

2022-09-30T19:05+0000

2022-09-30T19:11+0000

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The United States and its Canadian and European allies have dismissed the results of the plebiscites held in the Donbass and the liberated areas, seemingly reading from the same talking point playbook and describing the votes as a sham, absolute sham or an illegitimate/illegal sham. President Biden dubbed the votes a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Washington and its partners have threatened Moscow with a raft of new sanctions as it moves forward to formally incorporating the territories into the Russian Federation.But recent history shows that Washington and its allies are not at all averse to using referenda to hasten the destruction of their adversaries, or even to expand their own territorial realms, when it is convenient for them. Sputnik recalls a few big examples.Yugoslav BreakdownThe destruction of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was a tumultuous and blood-soaked process which began in the late 1980s, and culminated in the collapse of the nations successor, the rump state of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in 2003. The collapse has been attributed to a range of factors, including rising nationalism and growing centrifugal processes which began after the death of post-WWII Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito in 1980, and International Monetary Fund-approved economic reforms that were carried out through the second half of the decade.Western diplomatic support for nationalist forces in the breakaway territories would also prove pivotal in the early 1990s, as would NATOs material and military support during the latter part of the decade.In early June 1990, the parliament of the Yugoslav republic of Slovenia issued a declaration of sovereignty from Belgrade. Six months later, on December 23, 1990, authorities in Ljubljana organized a referendum, with voters asked whether the republic should become an independent and sovereign state. 90.83 percent of Slovenias residents turned up for the plebiscite, with 95.71 percent voting Yes. The republic subsequently declared formal independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991 and, following a brief series of skirmishes between Slovenian territorial defense forces and the Yugoslav Peoples Army, the latter was forced to pull out of the republic.Croatia followed suit, with republican authorities organizing an independence referendum on May 19, 1991. A month later, on June 15, 1991, the republics parliament approved Zagrebs exit from the SFRY. The move sparked a large-scale conflict between Croatian forces, the Yugoslav military and local Serb militias. The war lasted until 1995 and caused the deaths of as many as 70,600 troops and civilians, while more than 600,000 Croats and Serbs were displaced from their homes.Germany and the European Economic Community  the predecessor to the European Union, played a crucial role in assuring that Slovenia and Croatia did not become international outcasts after proclaiming independence from the SFRY. Bonn (which remained the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany until mid-1991), welcomed leaders from the breakaways in December 1991, giving them the nod on independence and opening embassies in early 1992.Within the EEC, Bonn successfully put down French resistance to recognizing the pair of Yugoslav republics as independent on the grounds that doing so was premature and could destabilize the region, and the blocs then-12 members approved a resolution authorizing recognition if Ljubljana and Zagreb met a series of vague conditions, including respect for democracy and the protection of minorities. Germany pushed through the diplomatic recognition of Slovenia and Croatia in the face of resistance from the United Nations, and even hesitation from then-US President George H.W. Bush, who did not follow suit with recognition until April 1992. Bonn also provided Croatia with vast quantities of armaments and military equipment from the armories of the former East Germany.With the precedent set by Slovenia, Bonn and Brussels followed a similar pattern in other Yugoslav republics, speedily recognizing the results of plebiscites in Macedonia (where a vote was held on September 8, 1991) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (where a referendum boycotted by local Serbs took place on March 1, 1992). The US and the EEC recognized the latter as an independent state in early April of 1992. However, Macedonia did not get formal diplomatic recognition from Washington until 1994 as the US bid to placate its Greek allies, who were concerned over the new nations name. Germany, France and other EEC bloc nations recognized Macedonia in December 1993.Soviet BreakupThe Western powers trod a similar, albeit more careful path in supporting the breakup of the USSR, remaining wary of the countrys military power and seeking to preserve the trust and goodwill of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev as he made one geopolitical concession after another abroad and carried out broad economic and political reforms favorable to the West at home.Between July 1989 and March 1990, the nationalist supreme councils of the Soviet republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia declared sovereignty from Moscow. From February 9 and March 3, 1991, republican authorities organized popular surveys and polls on independence, with between 74.9 and 93.2 percent of voters voting in favor. These votes would later help serve as a basis for recognition.Around the same time, on March 17, 1991, union authorities held a referendum on the preservation of the USSR as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics. Republican authorities in the Baltics forbade the referendum from being held on their territories, with officials in Armenia and parts of Moldova and Georgia also boycotting it. In areas where the vote did take place, including the Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kirgiz, Tajik, Turkmen and Uzbek republics, 77.8 percent of voters among the 148.5 million people who took part voted in favor of preserving the union. The US and its Western European allies made no formal comments on that vote.For the United States, recognizing the Baltic republics independence was never a problem from a legal standpoint, since Washington and many of its allies never formally accepted the Baltics incorporation into the USSR in 1940 in the first place. The Bush administration formally recognized Estonia, Latvia and Lithuanias independence on September 2, 1991. The EEC nations did so about a week earlier, immediately after the collapse of the so-called August Coup attempt by communist hardliners trying to stop Gorbachevs reforms.Don't Mess With TexasThe destruction of communist adversaries in Eastern Europe isnt the first time Western leaders used the power of the popular vote for purposes benefiting their interests.Much of the modern state of Texas was part of Mexico before it was gobbled up by European colonists backed by the power of the United States military. In March of 1836, a group of settlers held a convention of the representatives of the people of Texas seeking to secede from Mexico, accusing Mexico City of reneging on guarantees of constitutional liberties, autonomy and republican government.Delegates voted in favor of separating from Mexico and joining the United States, but the White House initially rejected the idea, prompting Texas to temporarily become an independent country. Texas was annexed by the US in 1845, sparking the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, in which over 11,000 people perished. After the conflict, Mexico was forced to sign a humiliating peace treaty that allowed the US to acquire some 845,000 square km of territory, including areas which today comprise all or parts of the states of California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.The above examples demonstrate that the will of the people can actually enjoy the support of Western leaders, serve as justification for a range of diplomatic and even military actions and pay major economic and geopolitical dividends...if and when elite interests are at stake. In other cases, all bets are off.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/russian-foreign-intel-nord-stream-blasts-are-intl-terrorist-act-with-west-hiding-the-culprits-1101364494.html

Russian Foreign Intel: Nord Stream Blasts Are 'Int'l Terrorist Act' With West Hiding the Culprits

Russian Foreign Intel: Nord Stream Blasts Are 'Int'l Terrorist Act' With West Hiding the Culprits

The scale of destruction at the Nord Stream gas pipelines indicates that it was some kind of terrorist act, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

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The explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines are an "international terrorist act," with the so-called collective West hiding the true perpetrators, said the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).Russia already has materials that "point to the Western footprint in organizing and carrying out" the blasts, SVR chief Sergey Naryshkin told reporters. Earlier, on September 28, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the scale of destruction at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines from Russia to Germany indicated that it was some kind of terrorist act. Dmitry Peskov rejected suggestions that Russia had blown up the pipelines as "absurd," while the Russian prosecution declared the explosions an act of international terrorism.Peskov spoke after Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier on Thursday that the incident at the Nord Stream pipeline had taken place in the area controlled by US intelligence.According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, Moscow is ready to consider requests from EU countries for a joint investigation into recent incidents on the Nord Stream offshore gas pipelines. The Russian mission to the United Nations has requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the attacks.On Monday, Nord Stream AG pipeline operator told Sputnik that a dispatcher had registered a rapid gas pressure drop on Line A of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, with the incident occuring in Danish waters near the island of Bornholm. The operator later said that a pressure drop had been registered on both strings of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The Swedish and Danish authorities said they had detected undersea explosions, with the consensus being that the incident resulted from sabotage.At the same time, operator Nord Stream AG called the destruction on the offshore gas pipelines unprecedented, adding that it was impossible to calculate the amount of time needed to rectify it.The work of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which remains filled with gas, has been suspended since the end of August due to problems with the repair of turbines resulting from western sanctions slapped on Russia in response to its ongoing special military operation in Ukraine.Boasting a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year, the 1,224-kilometer (760 miles) main gas supply route to Europe is designed to deliver blue fuel through the Baltic Sea from the entry point in Russia's Vyborg to the exit point in Germany's Lubmin.The construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, stretching from the coast of Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany, was fully completed in September 2021, and work was underway on the launch, which included both technical measures and obtaining regulatory permits, primarily from the German authorities. However, after Russia recognized the sovereignty of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR), the German government stopped pipeline certification in February. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that "the project is actually frozen."

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https://sputniknews.com/20220929/eu-lawmaker-from-poland-deletes-tweet-thanking-us-for-damaging-nord-stream-pipeline-1101349715.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/south-africas-ramaphosa-denies-money-laundering-allegations-over-limpopo-game-farm-theft-1101371367.html

South Africas Ramaphosa Denies Money-Laundering Allegations Over Limpopo Game Farm Theft

South Africas Ramaphosa Denies Money-Laundering Allegations Over Limpopo Game Farm Theft

Arthur Fraser, who formerly ran South Africas State Security Agency (SSA), filed a criminal complaint against President Cyril Ramaphosa on 1 June 2022... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T11:37+0000

2022-09-30T11:37+0000

2022-09-30T12:32+0000

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cyril ramaphosa

south africa

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vehemently denied allegations of money laundering in connection with the theft of $4Mln from his luxury farm in the northern Limpopo province in February 2020, AP reported.Ramaphosa told the Parliament in Cape Town on 28 September that he had reported the crime on his Phala Phala estate to a police general at the time.He added:There was a theft at the farm and I reported it to a general in the South African Police Service [SAPS] who later informed me that he has also reported it to another general in the SAPS."The President promised he would cooperate "to the fullest of his ability with the investigation. No criminal charges have been brought against Ramaphosa. However, he faces an inquiry by a police unit for high-profile crimes and a Parliament-appointed panel of independent legal experts over the theft of a large amount of money in US dollars from his ranch in 2020.The panel is to decide whether Ramaphosa should answer for an alleged breach of his oath of office.The allegations targeting Ramaphosa first surfaced in June, when a criminal complaint was made by former head of the State Security Agency, Arthur Fraser.Fraser, believed by some to be a Jacob Zuma ally, who served during the tenure of Ramaphosas predecessor, claimed to have videos, bank accounts statements etc, concerning the theft at the Phala Phala estate.According to Fraser, robbers broke into Ramaphosas Phala Phala game reserve in the north-east of the country and found and stole $4Mln cash hidden in furniture. Fraser alleged that Ramaphosa concealed the theft from police and the tax authorities. Instead, he purportedly organized the kidnapping and questioning of the robbers, and then bribed them to keep silent.In response, Ramaphosa's office confirmed that there had been a robbery at his farm in Limpopo "in which proceeds from the sale of game were stolen". The president was out of the country at the time and reported the incident to the police's presidential protection unit, the statement from his office said.Ramaphosa became president in February 2018 after Zuma resigned in the face of numerous corruption allegations, which he denied. However, the African National Congress (ANC) has remained split between supporters of the two men. The damning allegations surfaced ahead of the ANC policy conference which took place from 28 to 31 June to decide who the party's presidential candidate would be in the 2024 elections.Accordingly, allies of the present South African president have suggested ulterior motives behind the complaint, tailored to sully the reputation of the 69-year-old Ramaphosa. His predecessors, Zuma and Thabo Mbeki, lost the confidence of the ANC and, as a result, resigned the presidency. Mbeki agreed to step down as South Africa's president in September 2008 after the country's ruling party formally requested his resignation over allegations he abused his power. Zuma resigned after intense pressure from his own party in 2018 amid numerous allegations of corruption.The allegations come as Zuma refused to rule out a political comeback after serving time in jail, eNCA broadcaster reported on Tuesday, citing a statement released on the Twitter page of Zuma's daughter.Zuma started his prison sentence in the summer of 2021 after being sentenced to 15 months in prison for defying a Constitutional Court order to give evidence at an inquiry investigating corruption during his nine years in office.However, in early September 2021, the South African government's department of correctional services reported that Zumas parole had been brought forward because of a medical report, although no details were given about the nature of his illness.

https://sputniknews.com/20220831/south-africas-ramaphosa-ready-to-offer-explanations-over-limpopo-farm-theft-saga-after-probes-end-1100228395.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220927/south-african-ex-president-zuma-reportedly-considering-political-comeback-after-imprisonment-1101289890.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/the-biden-administration-seems-to-be-okay-with-terrorism-1101357929.html

The Biden Administration Seems to Be Okay With Terrorism

The Biden Administration Seems to Be Okay With Terrorism

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Israel allowing drone strikes for assassinations, and Hurricane Ian... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T07:00+0000

2022-09-30T07:00+0000

2022-09-30T10:01+0000

the backstory

radio sputnik

cities

poland

inflation

january 6

radio

nord stream

russia

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The Biden Administration Seems to be okay with Terrorism On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Israel allowing drone strikes for assassinations, and Hurricane Ian hitting the Florida coast.

Alex Krainer - Author of The Grand Deception & Hedge Fund Manager | The Magnitsky Act, Payback Against Putin, and Terrorism in the OceanJason Goodman - Founder of Crowdsource the Truth | Democrats Actively Protect Ray Epps, Small Cities, and Casinos Ruin CitiesIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Alex Krainer about the bombing of Nord Stream pipelines, the Western war against Russia, and Polish aggression. Alex spoke about his investigation into Bill Browder and how Bill Browder connects to the globalist war on Russia. Alex discussed his allegations against Poland and why Poland would attack the Nord Stream pipelines.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Jason Goodman about the political problems of bigger cities, the misconceptions of capitalism, and Congressman Thomas Massie. Jason contrasted the big cities from smaller cities and how career politicians speed up problems in bigger cities. Jason discussed the Democrats refusal to investigate Ray Epps and the narrative made against Trump supporters.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

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radio sputnik, cities, poland, inflation, january 6, , radio, nord stream, russia
https://sputniknews.com/20220930/the-hill-fires-jewish-journalist-katie-halper-after-defending-rep-tlaibs-apartheid-israel-claim-1101395746.html

The Hill Fires Jewish Journalist Katie Halper After Defending Rep. Tlaibs Apartheid Israel Claim

The Hill Fires Jewish Journalist Katie Halper After Defending Rep. Tlaibs Apartheid Israel Claim

US Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and other progressive lawmakers have aroused condemnation for criticizing Israels policies toward Palestinians under its rule... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T21:32+0000

2022-09-30T21:32+0000

2022-09-30T21:32+0000

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Last week, US Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian-American in the US Congress, spoke at an event hosted by American Muslims for Palestine. She described the links between the Palestinian struggle and others, such as Black Lives Matter, and called upon activists to be consistent with their political beliefs.The comment aroused fury from some American Jews, drawing condemnation from American Defamation League (ADL) CEO Johnathan Greenblatt, US Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), and several other prominent figures. However, it also saw some rally to her defense, including journalist Katie Halper, who until Wednesday co-hosted Rising on The Hills digital news channel, Hill TV.Normally, these videos receive little editing or oversight, according to The Intercepts Ryan Grim, who once also served as a Rising host. However, Halpers got kicked back, and when she tried to suggest changes, was told on Wednesday that we will not be needing you to appear on Rising tomorrow am.Nexstar Broadcasting Group, which owns The Hill, is the largest owner of television broadcasters in the United States, owning 197 different television stations, most of which are affiliates of major news networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.I Am a Jew and I Am OutragedThe bad news: I was censored and fired by The Hill over defending Rashida Tlaib & labeling Israeli apartheid apartheid. The good news: I shot the censored video with an actually independent media outlet, Halper tweeted on Thursday. That video was then hosted by New York-based news outlet BreakThrough News.Im not a Jewish colleague of Tlaib, but I am a Jew and I am outraged. Not by Tlaib, but by the attacks on Tlaib. Rashida Tlaib is saying that Israel is an apartheid state and that people who claim to have progressive values cannot support an apartheid state. No matter how loose a definition of progressive we use, it certainly excludes supporting a racist apartheid system, Halper said in the video.So the question we should be asking ourselves as progressives and Americans and some of us as Jews is not how to excoriate Rashida Tlaib for pointing out the obvious, or how to turn all criticisms of Israel as challenges to Israels right to exist or as expressions of antisemitism. Rather, the question to ask is how an apartheid-free Israel would look.Censorship of Israel CriticismThere has been an attempt in recent years to censor the speech of those critical of Israels policies, especially in the Palestinian-majority areas of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. The rise of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, initiated by Palestinian activists and modeled on the global anti-apartheid boycott used to pressure South Africa to change its anti-Black policies in the 1980s, has been met by accusations that such demands are antisemitic.Tlaibs colleagues, including Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), have also attracted criticism and antisemitism accusations for criticizing Israeli policies.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/top-armenian-azerbaijani-diplomats-to-meet-in-geneva-sunday-armenian-foreign-ministry-1101364702.html

Top Armenian, Azerbaijani Diplomats to Meet in Geneva Sunday: Armenian Foreign Ministry

Top Armenian, Azerbaijani Diplomats to Meet in Geneva Sunday: Armenian Foreign Ministry

YEREVAN (Sputnik) - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, will meet in Geneva on October 2, Armenian... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T07:52+0000

2022-09-30T07:52+0000

2022-09-30T07:52+0000

world

azerbaijan

armenia

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"The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet in Geneva on October 2," Hunanyan said.According to Hunanyan, the Armenian side will take part in the meeting, "despite the provocations from Azerbaijan."He noted that Armenia is focused on achieving lasting peace in South Caucasus and expects the same from Azerbaijan.Hostilities broke out on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the early hours of September 13, in an area unrelated to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan said it started an offensive in response to an Armenian "provocation." Armenia said Azerbaijani forces shelled Armenian civilian towns with no military infrastructure, including the resort town of Jermuk.Both countries agreed to a ceasefire later on September 13, which failed overnight. Another ceasefire went into effect late on September 14.On September 19, a trilateral meeting was held in New York between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Mirzoyan, and Bayramov.

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/us-house-sends-bill-to-avoid-government-shutdown-fund-ukraine-conflict-to-bidens-desk-1101392139.html

US House Sends Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown, Fund Ukraine Conflict to Bidens Desk

US House Sends Bill to Avoid Government Shutdown, Fund Ukraine Conflict to Bidens Desk

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US House of Representatives on Friday passed legislation to fund the federal government and provide approximately $12.4 billion in... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T17:22+0000

2022-09-30T17:22+0000

2022-09-30T17:23+0000

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us economy

us budget

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House lawmakers passed a stopgap funding bill to continue fiscal year 2022 funding levels through December 16 in a vote of 230-201, avoiding a looming government shutdown. Congress now plans to pass a full-year spending bill in the coming months, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.The legislation also provides approximately $12.4 billion in new aid for Ukraine, including $4.5 billion in economic assistance, $3 billion in security aid, $2.8 billion for US European Command and $1.5 billion to replenish US weapons stocks.The bill also authorizes $3.7 billion in US military equipment, including from stocks replenished by the legislation, to be sent to Ukraine using Presidential Drawdown Authority.Additionally, the bill allocates $540 million to increase critical munitions production, $35 million for nuclear incident preparedness in Ukraine and $2 million for an Inspector General report on Ukraine assistance monitoring.The State Departments Office of Inspector General on Thursday announced the launch of a project to specifically audit the humanitarian assistance sent to Ukraine to ensure that taxpayer funds achieve their intended objectives.The legislation also funds domestic initiatives such as low-income heating assistance, disaster relief and investigative activities associated with Afghan resettlement operations.The bill will now head to the White House, which has supported the legislation, to be signed into law by Biden. The administration also looks forward to working with Congress to pass a full-year appropriations bill soon, the White House said.

https://sputniknews.com/20220929/us-senate-passes-bill-to-avoid-government-shutdown-authorize-124bln-in-new-ukraine-aid-1101354757.html

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https://sputniknews.com/20220930/us-will-support-kievs-efforts-to-regain-territories-strengthen-ukraines-hand-militarily-biden-1101382381.html

US Will Support Kiev's Efforts to 'Regain Territories', Strengthen Ukraine's Hand Militarily: Biden

US Will Support Kiev's Efforts to 'Regain Territories', Strengthen Ukraine's Hand Militarily: Biden

The president's comments came just hours after the leaders of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics and the heads of the pro-Russian administrations in... 30.09.2022, Sputnik International

2022-09-30T14:37+0000

2022-09-30T14:37+0000

2022-09-30T15:10+0000

joe biden

donbass, kherson & zaporozhye referendums to join russia

russia

ukraine

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The United States "condemns Russia's fraudulent attempt today to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory," and will "continue to support" Kiev's efforts to regain it "by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically," President Joe Biden has announced.US military support will include the $1.1 billion in "additional security assistance" announced earlier in the week, Biden said.Biden's remarks came on the heels of a ceremony in Moscow on Friday attended by President Vladimir Putin, Russian legislators, the leaders of the Donbass republics and pro-Russian administrations in the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye, where agreements on these territories' accession into the Russian Federation were signed. The latter must now be ratified by the Russian Duma and the Federation Council.The ceremony followed referendums in each of the four territories where residents were asked whether they would like their republic or region to join Russia. An overwhelming majority of residents voted in favor, with support ranging from 87-99 percent, and turnout from 77-97.5 percent.The United States poured over $5 billion in cash into Ukraine's pro-Western political establishment and civil society organizations through the 1990s, 2000s, and early 2010s, and delivered billions of dollars in additional financial and security assistance in the aftermath of the 2014 coup d'etat in Kiev to shore up the new government's war against the Donbass. In 2022, after Russia launched a military operation to 'demilitarize' and 'de-Nazify' Ukraine, Washington and its allies sent tens of billions of dollars' more in military aid to Kiev, ignoring Moscow's warnings that the deliveries would escalate the conflict.

https://sputniknews.com/20220930/people-have-made-their-choice-putin-announces-support-for-recognition-of-4-new-regions-of-russia-1101369245.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220927/local-electoral-commissions-referenda-in-kherson-zaporozhye-dpr--lpr-recognized-as-valid-1101288885.html

https://sputniknews.com/20220930/pentagon-to-set-up-new-military-command-in-germany-to-arm-ukraine-report-says-1101363078.html

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Starting Saturday, U.S. military veterans discharged or released between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, who have never enrolled in VA health care will be eligible for benefits from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

They can take advantage of a one-year, special enrollment period starting Oct. 1, according to U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th.

Eligible vets will have served in a combat theater after the Persian Gulf War or in combat against a hostile force after Nov. 11, 1998, the newly passed Honoring Our PACT Act states.

The PACT Act adds 23 conditions to the list of presumptive service-connected conditions due to burn pits and other toxic exposure for Gulf War-era and post-9/11 veterans, Spanbergers office said in a statement Thursday. Under the new law, veterans who meet these conditions will no longer need to prove that their service caused their condition.

The Honoring our PACT Act will mobilize health care and benefits for vets exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, as well as veterans of the Vietnam War, Gulf War and the post-9/11 era.

Spanberger, a former officer with two federal agencies, voted for the bipartisan bill. Signed into law in August, the PACT Act will provide generations of Virginia veterans and their families with the care they deserve through the VA, the congresswomans office said.

The men and women of our armed forces put their lives and health on the line to protect their fellow Americans, Spanberger said. Through their selfless service to our country, many of our service members were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

For decades, our nations toxic-exposed veterans and veterans advocates have fought to make sure that these heroes get the same level of care as everyone else who puts on the uniform, she said. With this legislation, we are making decades-overdue progress to help the VA fulfill its promise to care for all Virginia veterans who have borne the battle.

With the legislation now signed into law, post-9/11 combat veterans who were discharged or released on or after Oct. 1, 2013 are eligible to receive VA health care for any condition related to their service, for up to 10 years from the date of their most recent discharge or separation.

For burn-pit exposure, the law also adds more locations to more toxic-exposed veterans can receive disability compensation, Spanbergers office said.

It adds the presumptive conditions of high blood pressure and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to the list of presumptive conditions, five additional locations for presumptive exposure to Agent Orange, and three additional locations for presumptive radiation exposure for Vietnam-era veterans.

The law also requires the VA to provide a toxic-exposure screening to every veteran.

Lastly, the Honoring Our PACT Act expands the benefits available to a veterans surviving family members, Spanbergers office said.

In January 2023, the VA will begin processing benefits from the Honoring Our PACT Act.
The High Plains Mini-Con returns to Uptown Scottsbluff for its sixth year on Saturday, Oct. 1. The convention runs from 10 a.m.  5 p.m. and will feature several vendors, panels and events at the heart of the mall.

Mathew D. Rhys, the conventions vice president, said the free-to-attend convention is a celebration of comics, games and all things nerdy made for people in the Panhandle and beyond.

We wanted to recognize that you dont necessarily have to go to a big city to be part of nerd culture, he said. You can like comics, you can like movies, you can like anime or tabletop games and still be where youre from.

Rhys said the event wraps up somewhat earlier than other conventions because many attendees drive from out of town and that allows them to get home before it gets too late.

The first year, we just kind of threw stuff together and we reached out to people I knew in the con scene in Colorado and Wyoming, Rhys said. Weve gotten to the point where, fortunately, weve got some more name recognition and we have been seeing this really steady increase in people coming. In 2020, we kind of had a drop, and this will be the second year since that, so were trying to see how that shakes out.

This years mini-con features around 17 groups of vendors, comic creators and artists. Many of these will sell comics, prints, stickers, collectibles or tabletop books and miniatures at their own booths. Other notable events include board games, a raffle and a cosplay contest.

Cosplayers can come dressed as their favorite characters. Registration starts at 11 a.m. and the contest is at 4 p.m.

Two comic professionals, Josh Duncan and Dan Conner, are hosting events at the convention. Duncan will teach a comic-making workshop throughout the day. Conner will lead a panel about working on comics at 2 p.m.

Mini-con board member Bran Belford will host his own panel about horror movies from the 1990s.

An interactive panel at 1 p.m. will feature a conversation and debate stage where guests and panelists can discuss nerdy topics. This panel is known as Fighting with your Friends, and has become a staple of the event.

We were trying to find some stuff to do that would make it interesting, unique and fun. We had found that whenever wed get together to talk about planning, the first part of our meetings were always talking about what movies were happening and what kind of things were doing, Rhys said. We talked about, Why dont we make this a thing? That kind of jovial comic shop talk is what sprung the idea for that.

Rhys and some of his friends have been making indie comics of their own since 2006. Theyve regularly attended conventions in the past, and over the past six years, their mini-con has garnered several regular attendees of its own.

Were glad to have that. We want to be part of this community, not just people who live here, Rhys said. We would love to have people think about the mini-con as something that makes Scottsbluff, Scottsbluff.

Other businesses are working with the Mini-Con to host events which would appeal to convention guests. Game Time Cards and Collectibles, just across from the booths and vendors in Uptown Scottsbluff, will host Magic: The Gathering tournaments beginning at noon Saturday.

The Midwest Theater downtown will also screen Spider-Man: No Way Home  The More Fun Stuff Version, an extended cut of the 2021 film, to coincide with the convention. Showings will be on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1 at 6:45 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 2 at 12:45 p.m.
Bright colors of Southern Europe flow on the walls and roofs of the centuries-old architecture, blending elements of the East and the West by the South China Sea. Various religions  Catholicism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Mazu beliefs  have coexisted in harmony in Macao, which enjoys a unique landscape bathed in lasting and kaleidoscopic glamour.



Artworks provide glimpses into the vicissitudes of the city, and these scattered jigsaw pieces of time thus become eternal. Thanks to an ongoing exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City, the epitome of Macao's architectural heritage can be admired by visitors to the former imperial palace, hopefully stirring a cross-cultural dialogue.

In Centuries-Old Legacy: Macao's Landscape and Architecture Paintings from the Macao Museum of Art, which opened in the Zhaigong (Palace of Abstinence) Gallery earlier this month, 82 works present a panorama of the area around the Historic Centre of Macao, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. It will run through Nov 6.

More than 20 inscribed locations across the city witness the assimilation of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. They have a wide spectrum, ranging from Catholic churches and temples, to traditional residences and infrastructure from the era under Portuguese governance. The Ruins of Saint Paul's, a 17th-century Catholic religious complex, for example, has become a symbol of Macao.

According to Noah Ng, curator of the exhibition, the paintings on display are created not only by local artists, but also by painters from home and abroad. From an 18th century map of the city, Macao's legend is gradually unrolled through various media, including oil paintings, ink-water paintings, woodcuts and sketches.

"These historical images in different styles connect the footprints of artists in Macao throughout different periods of time," Ng says. "It creates a travelogue amid the historic architecture in the gallery."

From the images, visitors can clearly see how the Portuguese communities and Chinese villages formed and developed across several centuries.

A-Ma Temple, where people worshipped Mazu, the goddess who protects sailors, is widely considered as the oldest extant temple in the city. Several 19th-century paintings depicting scenes around the temple may remind people of how life centered on this cultural root in the old days. Meanwhile, a 2001 watercolor work, which adeptly creates a sense of changing light, may reveal the rich stories experienced by the Mandarin's House, a former residence of Zheng Guanying, a well-known scholar of the 19th century.

William Prinsep, a 19th-century British merchant, traveled to Macao in 1838. As a prolific amateur painter, his work may not excel in artistic terms, but he has left us with crucial and vivid historical references thanks to his drawing pens.

Such an exhibition at the Palace Museum may have extra meaning as a way to pay homage to history. As Leong Wai Man, director, Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region, noted, Macao used to be a gateway for Westerners and Western culture through which they could reach the Chinese rulers in the Forbidden City between the 17th and 18th centuries.

Among them were Jesuits like German astronomer Johann Adam Schall von Bell, Portuguese mathematician Thomas Pereira, Flemish astronomer Ferdinand Verbiest and Italian painter Giuseppe Castiglione.

"They made great contributions to Sino-Western cultural communication," Leong says.

According to Leong, the close cooperation between the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Palace Museum has been continuous since the returning of Macao to the motherland in 1999. Cultural relics from the Palace Museum have been annually exhibited in the special administrative region, while the ongoing exhibition is the first time works from Macao have been exhibited on such a large scale at the Beijing venue.

Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, also reveals that the upcoming collaboration between the museum and Macao will not only involve exchange exhibitions, but also greatly benefit the fields of academic study, relic conservation, and archaeology, among others.
Dear UF community,

As the magnitude of Hurricane Ians devastation becomes even more clear, I want to acknowledge and extend my sympathies to members of our university community who are dealing with its impacts first-hand -- as well as to all Gators who have families, friends and loved ones affected by the storm.

UFs Gainesville campus was largely unscathed, but several IFAS facilities in Southwest Florida were damaged by flooding and high winds, and there may be as-yet-unreported damage to other facilities in the region. Ian continues to affect parts of northeast Florida this afternoon, but currently we are not aware of any injuries to UF personnel or students caused by the storm.

I want to extend my thanks to everyone who has worked tirelessly to keep the university and our facilities up and running during the storm and in its aftermath. I also thank those who have continued their important work assisting others during this time, from dining and residence hall staff to UF agricultural extension agents to UF Health staff members. You exemplify the best of what it means to be a Gator.

Members of the community who want to help those in need can do so in a variety of ways, including the American Red Cross and the Florida Disaster Fund. People may also donate to Aid-a-Gator, which provides funding to students experiencing unanticipated expenses due to emergency situations. Donations also can be made to Aid-a-Gator for faculty and staff.

Again, I offer my heartful sympathies to all those who are experiencing losses or challenges as a result of Ian. I wish everyone a rapid recovery. We look forward to the Gainesville campus return to normal operations this Saturday.

Warmly,

Kent
It doesn't matter whether it is a hurricane or tropical storm by the time it makes landfall again on the East Coast, Ian will bring plenty of rain to Iredell County, according to the National Weather Service.

"NWS is telling us to expect 4-6 inches of rain with gusts up to around 35 mph," Kent Greene, Iredell County Fire Services and Emergency Management director, said in an email.

Greene said he and the department will continue to watch forecasts and attend the NWS briefings as it prepares locally for the storm.

The NWS issued a number of warnings, including a tropical storm warning as winds are expected to be as high as 40 mph overnight and could increase to as high as 60 mph as the storm brings what will eventually be a 100% chance of rain for the area. Winds are expected to subside on Saturday.

The question remains exactly how strong the storm will be as it crosses over Florida, back into the Atlantic Ocean, and then is expected to make landfall again in the Carolinas.

As the tropical storm moved northeast on Thursday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center issued hurricane warnings for parts of South Carolina where the storm is expected to make landfall while tropical storm warnings and storm surge watches were issued for areas southward of Duck.

No matter what it is, Greene said that in Iredell County, all of their generators have been checked to ensure they are serviced and fueled as they prepare for the storm and all shelter equipment has been inventoried and is ready, but it isn't anticipated any will need to be opened.

Mooresville Fire-Rescue has one swift water team deployed to the North Carolina Emergency Management Western Branch Office in Conover, but Greene said there are an additional five teams in the county should they be needed.

Statesville readies itself for Ian

Like its county counterpart, Statesville's departments made preparations for the storm in a number of ways, which according to the city included cleaning out storm drains, filling up gas tanks for city vehicles, generators, and equipment, while city crews also sharpened chainsaws and made sure generators, radios and other communication equipment are in working order as well.

We have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, said City Manager Ron Smith. From downed trees and power lines to flooding and road closures, we will have crews on standby ready when needed.

The city encouraged residents to prepare for emergency situations with emergency preparedness kits, which typically included bottled water, nonperishable foods, blankets, change of clothes, batteries, and first aid supplies.

For Statesville Electric Utilities customers, they are asked to report any outages to 704-878-3479 and provide an address and a callback number while being urged not to call 911 to report a power outage.

The last major tropical storm to hit Iredell County was Tropical Depression Ida last August.

In May, at least one tornado touched down among numerous funnels clouds and struck northern Iredell County, and damaged several buildings.
The 16th Yerevan International Shakespeare Theater Festival will be held from October 17 to 22 under the patronage of the "MENQ" charitable non-governmental organization with the support of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Armenia. Culture is a strong support for Armenia, especially now, cultural figures should become a pillar for the motherland with their work.

This year, the festival will host more than 250 participants and guests from 10 countries, including prestigious artists, international festival directors from Italy, Hungary, Romania, Kazakhstan, South Ossetia, Iran, Bulgaria, Russia, Georgia and France.

More than 19 performances with the participation of 18 theater groups will be shown on 11 Yerevan theater stages.

The headliners of the 16th Yerevan International Shakespeare Theater Festival will be "Winter Tale" of Saint Petersburg Theater of Young Audience (Russia) and "Romeo and Juliet" of IM Perfect Theater Group (Italy).

This year, during the Shakespeare festival, public-charitable and cultural values are united. Tickets will be on sale and all the proceeds from the festival will go to charity.

A performance will also be shown by the Novorossiysk Drama Theater (Russia), "King Lear" on the stage of the Achemyan Drama Theater in Gyumri. A special program entitled "FestOFF" will be held within the framework of the festival, which is intended for students and independent theater groups.

The opening of the festival will take place on October 17 at 19:00, with the performance of "Romeo and Juliet" in National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet after A. Spendaryan (directed by ballet master, national artist of the USSR Oleg Vinogradov).

There will also master classes during the festival. The Yerevan Shakespeare Festival has obtained an exclusive agreement. On the days of the festival, famous theater director, teacher, laureate of several theater awards, Yuri Butusov (Russia) will conduct master classes. This is an unprecedented opportunity to interact with a famous director.

Please be noted that the news of the festival can be found on our newly created website https://www.tobe.am/.

We would like to remind, that the Yerevan International Shakespeare Theater Festival is a member of the world-famous European Shakespeare Festivals network. Since 2016, the director of the festival is Karo Balyan. The founder of the festival is Hakob Ghazanchyan, the president of Theater Workers Union of Armenia.

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WOODLAND  Those without access to early learning now have the option of signing their 4-year-old up for a new transitional kindergarten program in Woodland Public Schools.

The first day of the Jump Start Kindergarten program starts Nov. 2 for children who turned 4 years old by Aug. 31, the district said in a news release this week.

The students will attend from 8 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. five days a week at the North Fork Elementary School. School buses will be available for students at the normal stop times, the district said.

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Eligibility to join the program extends to all Woodland residents regardless of whether they live in the North Fork school zone.

Jump Start will include aspects of a full-day kindergarten curriculum taught by certified teachers and paraeducators. The program will work to address the whole child, the district said, by providing varied learning experiences.

Though the free meal program provided to all schools during the COVID-19 pandemic has expired, families can apply for the Free and Reduced Lunch program on the Woodland Public Schools food services website.

The district said space in the program is limited, encouraging families to apply as soon as possible through the districts Jump Start Kindergarten webpage.

Woodland follows several Cowlitz County school districts who have launched a similar program aimed at the subset of students who may not be old enough for kindergarten but also not eligible for federally funded early learning programs like Head Start and Early Head Start.

Kelso, Longview and Kalama districts all recently began their own transitional kindergarten programs.
CLARK COUNTY  Fresh off the success of its Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge habitat-restoration project, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has set its sights on another historic project. This time, the organization is focusing on the East Fork Lewis River, specifically the Ridgefield Pits  an area encompassing nine abandoned pit mines about 4 miles upstream from La Center.

On Monday, the state Recreation and Conservation Office awarded $7.74 million to the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership to help ensure the survival of salmon in Washington. A total of $76 million in grants was awarded through the offices Salmon Recovery Funding Board for 138 projects in 30 counties. Clark County received the second-largest share behind Jefferson County.

This is incredibly important work, Gov. Jay Inslee said in a press release Monday. The projects will help restore salmon across the state. That means more salmon for our endangered orcas, more jobs for people and industries that rely on salmon and improved habitat that can better protect us from floods and the effects of climate change.

According to Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, communications associate for the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, the bulk of the grants  $7.05 million  will go to the East Fork reclamation project.

Its similar to Steigerwald  a very large project, a very expensive project but one that has a huge amount of value for salmon, flood risk reduction, erosion control, Zimmer-Stucky said.

While the Steigerwald project was the largest habitat-restoration project on the Columbia River, Zimmer-Stucky said this project would be the largest such effort on the East Fork Lewis River.

The groups other projects include a regional fish passage barrier assessment and development of an online mapping tool; final design for a portion of projects also on the East Fork Lewis River that removes a hardened bank and reconnects two tributaries; final design for another portion of an East Fork Lewis River and Mason Creek project; and final designs and permitting for Woodard Creek restoration in Skamania County.

The need for the East Fork reclamation project arose from flooding that occurred in 1995 and 1996.

The river shifted course during a flooding event. Mining had been going on out there since the 1950s, so it was a pretty well-established mining area with abandoned pits, said Elaine Placido, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnerships executive director.

In the nearly two decades since the flooding occurred, Placido said, the river has not yet recovered. Although the organization could continue to wait, she said it could be quite some time.

If we chose to ignore the problem, it could naturally recover, but it could take over 100 years to do that, Placido said.

In the meantime, salmon and steelhead spawning has been eliminated and rearing opportunities have been significantly reduced, she said.

The warm-water ponds (created by the pit mines) block access for fish to the upper portion of the watershed, and warm-water ponds benefit fish that prey on salmon, Placido said. Its a pretty inhospitable area for salmon in that portion of the river.

Places like this are really rich for critters  fish, wildlife. It doesnt look like that anymore, said Paul Kolp, principal restoration ecologist for the organization.

Prior to the flooding, Kolp said, the river wound its way around the mining pits; after the flooding, it went directly through them.

Were really trying to restore the natural alluvial processes, (where the river would) shift back and forth and was able to support cold-water species like salmon and steelhead. Today it doesnt, Kolp said.

To restore the river habitat, the mine pits will be filled in using on-site materials, and about 300 acres of floodplain will be regraded. Kolp said the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership will also try to preserve existing features or areas that already support cold-water species.

This is going to be a big floodplain reset, Kolp said. There is also a mile to a 1 mile of side-channel work were going to do, and were going to remove some fish-passage barriers.

With the total cost for the project estimated between $12 million and $15 million, the grants awarded Monday will cover about half of the tab. Placido said the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership will need to secure additional funding for the project, which it hopes will come through the Legislature.

For that, were looking for support from the Floodplains by Design program with the Washington Department of Ecology, she said.

Placido said the Legislature is expected to determine how much funding will be allocated to the program during the 2023 session.

If the Legislature supports the program at $70 million, then the East Fork reclamation project will be funded, Placido said.

However, if the Legislature decides to allocate less than $70 million, the project wouldnt receive any funding through the Floodplains by Design program.

Its most efficient and effective if we go big on restoration projects to ensure all of our project benefits are met  instead of trying to piecemeal a lot of different little projects together, she said.

Placido is hopeful that the organizations success with the Steigerwald project, which received funding through that same program, will help move the project forward.

But for now, it will have to wait  somewhat impatiently, Placido said  for the Legislature to convene in January.
PORTLAND  Three of Oregons largest hospital systems are suing the state over its alleged lack of adequate mental health care, which they say has forced the hospital systems to house patients in need of mental health treatment for months.

Providence Health & Services, Legacy Health and PeaceHealth say in the lawsuit the Oregon Health Authority has forced them to provide care theyre not equipped to give for patients who should be civilly committed to psychiatric institutions such as the Oregon State Hospital, The Oregonian reported.

The state psychiatric hospitals ongoing capacity crisis, along with a recent court ruling that strictly limits who can be admitted, has left community hospitals with nowhere to send patients in need of mental health treatment. Hospital representatives say they have been forced to treat those patients long-term.

The necessary components for safe and effective treatment provided at long-term care facilities  such as security, private rooms, kitchens and physical exercise  are not feasible at hospitals that are also responsible for meeting the short-term acute care needs of their communities, a joint statement for the facilities read. As a result, patients left in these environments by OHA do not receive needed care and, in many cases, decompensate back to unstable conditions.

State hospital spokesperson Amber Shoebridge didnt specifically comment on the lawsuit.

Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State Hospital remain focused on the care of the hospitals patients and supporting them on their road to recovery as they search for a new path forward, Shoebridge told the newspaper.

The hospital systems want the health authority to start admitting civilly committed patients again at the Oregon State Hospital, although a federal court order issued last month says they cannot.

Trying to stem a capacity crisis at the hospital, a judge ruled in August that the hospital must only admit patients accused of a crime but found unable to aid in their own defense, or those found guilty except for insanity.

Civilly committed patients are those who have been deemed a danger to themselves or others, and whom a judge has ordered for involuntary treatment at the state hospital.

Those patients are often initially committed to an acute care hospital for short-term medical treatment only.

The hospital systems say Oregon Health Authoritys failure to provide adequate facilities for civilly committed patients is a violation of their civil rights.
OLYMPIA  Heat pumps could soon be mandated in all new residential construction, if a code change proposed by the Washington State Building Code Council goes into effect.

More than 50 people testified on Thursday at a council meeting about the proposed changes to the Washington State Energy Code. Dozens more submitted written testimony both in support and opposing the measure.

Supporters of the proposal say it would be a step toward reducing carbon emissions across the state, which Washington legislators and Gov. Jay Inslee have made a priority in the next decade. The controversial proposal has also drawn criticism from people across the state, especially those in Eastern Washington who say relying solely on heat pumps would be difficult and expensive in the cold winters.

We can not make housing more attainable while making it more expensive, Jennifer Thomas, of the Spokane Home Builders Association, told the council.

The new code would require that heating of air and water in new single-family dwellings, duplexes and townhouses be done by a heat pump, either gas or electric. There are some exceptions, including for those houses with no more than 1,000 square feet of conditioned floor area and small water heaters with a water storage volume of no greater than 20 gallons.

The state building code council, comprised of 15 members appointed by Inslee, is in the process of updating the states energy code. Earlier this year, it added restrictions to the use of natural gas heating in new commercial buildings and multifamily homes.

The council will hear public testimony at a number of meetings through October and will vote on adoption of the code changes on Nov. 18.

Those who testified in support of the heat pump proposal said it will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide cleaner air for homeowners. Environmental advocates said burning less fossil fuels is necessary to fight climate change.

Naghmana Sherazi, of the Lands Council based in Spokane, said the natural gas used in Washingtons homes is expensive and unhealthy. She pointed to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that found indoor air quality could be two to five times more polluted than outdoors.

Electrifying homes and buildings would be a low-cost way to continue to live in a healthy and green environment, she told the council.

A number of people who testified in favor, most from Western Washington, said they had switched to heat pumps in recent years and saved money on their heating bill.

Jonathan Kocher at RMI, a nonprofit that works to improve energy practices, said mandating heat pumps would be a modest and necessary step toward decarbonizing the building sector.

We simply cannot continue to add fossil fuels to buildings, he said.

Heat pumps can both heat and cool, which would be cheaper for installation and throughout the homes life, Kocher said.

Those who testified against the proposal disagreed. The Building Industry Association of Washington, whose members testified against the proposal, estimates it could add about $72,210 over a 30-year mortgage compared to using natural gas.

Because Eastern Washington sees 100-degree temperature swings throughout the year, a heat pump is not sufficient to cool and heat during the extreme times, Brian Burrow, CEO of environmental consulting firm Really Clean Energy, told The Spokesman-Review.

Opponents also criticized the council for moving too quickly on the proposal.

Thomas also criticized the council for not doing an independent cost-benefit analysis of the proposal.

I dont want to be in such a rush to do something at this juncture that we make decisions that ultimately exacerbate our current energy and pollution problems, she said.

Another concern: the states electrical grid.

Mike Brown, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 77 union based in Spokane, said the electrical grid already is taxed, and there will need to be significant work done to improve the system. It could take years to update transmission lines because of supply chain issues, a labor shortage and lack of real estate.

When we go to upgrade transmission lines in order to endure this, thats going to be one of the biggest challenges, he said.

Both supporters and opponents of heat pumps acknowledge that there is more work to do to lower carbon emissions than simply mandating heat pumps.

Burrow criticized the mandate because he said it ignores the big picture of reducing carbon emissions. Having heat pumps in every home will only bring marginal improvement to reducing emissions.

To really address the emissions, the state needs to focus on building more homes and retrofitting older homes, Burrow said. Most homes in Spokane were built before a lot of efficiency measures were put into place, and the state should focus on helping homeowners fund improvements to better seal their windows, insulate their homes or replace old furnaces. He also said more housing should be built near major employers and business districts to reduce emissions from people commuting to work.

I feel like they are missing the greater opportunity and the more impactful opportunity, Burrow said.
The iPhone 14 Plus is set to go on sale next week and we take a look at whether its worth buying.

The iPhone 14 hasn't got off to a good start and customers are either settling in for the cheaper iPhone 13, or flocking over to the iPhone 14 Pro, despite its higher price tag. The situation is such that Apple has had to ask its contract manufacturers to reduce the iPhone 14 production and dedicate the resources to iPhone 14 Pro models. However, Apple has one model yet to go on sale that could change the fate of the non-Pro iPhone 14 series  iPhone 14 Plus.

The iPhone 14 Plus is the bigger version of the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, and is actually a new iPhone 14 variant, and marks Apple's return to the concept of a Plus-sized variant of its standard iPhone. It starts at Rs. 89,900 for the base 128GB variant and is the most affordable 6.7-inch variant of the iPhone you can buy now. But is it a clever choice? Should you buy the iPhone 14 Plus, or spend more and upgrade to the iPhone 14 Pro?

iPhone 14 Plus: Why should you buy it?

- One of the main reasons to get an iPhone 14 Plus is its larger 6.7-inch display size. The iPhone 14 Plus is the only iPhone with a 6.7-inch display you can buy today under Rs. 1 lakh. The only other iPhone with an equally big display is the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which sets you back by Rs. 139,900.

- Having a large 6.7-inch display is useful for those who love to watch movies, or stay glued to their screens for something or other. You get more space, despite the notch present on the top.

- The second biggest reason to consider the iPhone 14 Plus is its mega battery life. Apple says the iPhone 14 Plus offers the longest battery life on any iPhone till date. Hence, don't be surprised if you manage to use the phone for two days on moderate usage.

- The iPhone 14 Plus also has one of the fastest and well optimised chipsets in the smartphone industry  the A15 Bionic chipset. In the real world, there isn't any visible difference between this and the A16 Bionic chip.

iPhone 14 Plus: Why getting the iPhone 14 Pro is a better idea?

- The iPhone 14 Plus is not the most powerful iPhone you can buy, since it misses out on the A16 Bionic chip.

- You only get two 12MP cameras at the back instead of the triple camera setup on the Pro. Plus, no higher resolution 48MP camera here.

- The Dynamic Island is still an iPhone 14 Pro exclusive feature, and that means you have to deal with a small notch on the iPhone 14 Plus. Not the most pleasant sight.
From popular children's choir to Peking Opera, cultural carnival promises a surge of nostalgia as the People's Republic of China celebrates its anniversary.

The Forbidden City Concert Hall is pulsating with excitement. The popular performing arts venue at Zhongshan Park in Beijing is hosting a series of shows this fall to mark the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The cultural festival kicked off with a concert on Saturday by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Fan Tao. It featured compositions adapted from popular movie scores by American composer John Williams, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Through the upcoming weeklong National Day holiday next month and up until December, the venue will host 16 shows covering a wide range of performing arts, including classical music, dance and Peking Opera.

On Saturday, the orchestra, led by conductor Zheng Jian, will perform for the first time with the all-male Beijing Master Choir. According to orchestra director Meng Haidong, the concert will be a surge of nostalgia for music lovers. "The Chinese songs prepared for the concert were all released between the 1960s and the '80s, and they mirrored the development of the country," Meng says.

Conductor Yang Li will lead two concerts by the Beijing Philharmonic Choir on Sunday, one each in the afternoon and late evening. The famous children's choir was founded in 1983 by Yang's father, the late Yang Hongnian, a veteran musician and music educator. The group had performed at the opening ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

"Choral music is well-received by Chinese audiences. We will perform popular children's songs, and will have the audiences sing along," Yang Li says.

The highlight of the choir's program is Let Us Sway Twin Oars, a song that featured in the 1955 Chinese movie Flowers of Our Motherland, regarded as the first children's flick after 1949. Listening to Mother Telling Stories in the Past, a children's song released in 1957, and Snowflakes, the theme song of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, are on the list too.

Songs by Chinese ethnic groups will also be performed at the concert to celebrate the unique diversity of the country's culture, Yang Li adds.

Star performers of the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing will take center stage on Monday with a dedication to contemporary Peking Opera composed by Zhu Shaoyu. The 76-year-old has been composing for the genre for five decades and one of his best-known works is Peking Opera Red Cliff, which premiered in 2008 and toured both home and abroad.

Peking Opera, or jingju, has a history of more than 200 years and was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010. It brings together a multitude of art forms, including singing, dancing, martial arts and acrobatics.

Wang Rongrong, a Peking Opera artist who has been working with Zhu since 1992, is among the star attractions. "This genre of opera has developed over two centuries. Composers have played a key role in keeping the old art form alive by adding contemporary touches," says Wang, who has been working with the theater company for four decades.

"Zhu's music showcases the beauty of each different singing style of Peking Opera. The compositions remarkably involve several traditional Chinese musical instruments including the erhu, bamboo flute and drum," she adds.

Other highlights of the cultural extravaganza include a French concert by soprano Zhang Liping, a crossover performance by pipe organ player Shen Yuan and dancer-choreographer Wang Yabin, and a show by Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre. This is the only professional platform in northern China dedicated to Kunqu, an extant form of Chinese opera with a history of around 600 years and another UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Chorale No 2 in B Minor, by Belgian-born French romantic composer Cesar Franck, will be performed during the Shen and Wang Yabin crossover show on Dec 2 to mark the composer's 200th birth anniversary.
Australia could have tough new data protection laws in place this year in an urgent response to a cyberattack that stole from a telecommunications company the personal data of 9.8 million customers, the attorney-general said Thursday.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the government would make urgent reforms to the Privacy Act following the unprecedented hack last week on Optus, Australia's second-largest wireless carrier.

Dreyfus said I think it's possible for the law to be changed in the four remaining weeks that Parliament is scheduled to sit this year.

"I'm going to be looking very hard over the next four weeks at whether or not we can get reforms to the Privacy Act into the Parliament before the end of the year, Dreyfus told reporters. Parliament next sits on Oct. 25.

Dreyfus said penalties for failing to protect personal data had to be increased so that corporate boards could not dismiss fines as a cost of doing business.

The absolutely huge amounts of customer data companies held for years would have to be justified under the amended law, Dreyfus said.

Companies need to look at data storage not as an asset, but as a liability or a potential liability, Dreyfus said. For too long we have had companies solely looking at data as an asset that they can use commercially."

The government blames lax cybersecurity at Optus, a subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., also known as Singtel, for the theft of current and former customers' personal information.

Singtel apologized in a statement issued Wednesday by its management saying, We are deeply sorry to everyone affected by the data theft.

Since the incident, our focus has been on supporting Optus' efforts to help impacted customers and strengthen their security controls, the statement said.

Information security is of paramount importance to the Singtel Group and a top priority across all of its business units and we invest significant resources to continually strengthen our defenses against emerging threats, the statement added.

The data included passport, driver's license and national health care identification numbers which could be used for identity theft and fraud.

Authorities are critical of Optus' initial failure to disclose that Medicare numbers were among the stolen data. That became apparent Tuesday when the hacker dumped the records of 10,000 customers on the dark web  six days after Optus discovered the cyberattack.

The urgent legislative response is separate from a broader review of the Privacy Act that began three years ago. The law was passed in 1988 and critics argue it badly needs to be adapted to the digital age.

Optus could potentially be fined a maximum 2 million Australian dollars ($1.3 million) for breaching the Privacy Act, the government said.

It could be fined hundreds of millions of dollars over a similar security breach under European Union laws, the government said.

Submissions to the Privacy Act review have suggested penalties for breaches equivalent to 10% of revenue from Australian operations.

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has argued against increased fines, telling the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Tuesday: Honestly, I'm not sure what penalties benefit anybody.

Optus maintains it was the target of a sophisticated cyberattack that penetrated several layers of security.

After an emergency meeting with banking and consumer regulators, Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones said fraudsters and scammers were already beginning to use the stolen data, which includes phone numbers and email addresses.

With personal information stolen from 38% of Australia's population of 26 million in the hack, you can't overestimate the impact of this breach on consumer issues, Jones said.

He warned compromised Optus customers against activating URLs they receive by text or email because they could be from criminals attempting to steal more information.

We're all working as best as we can to try and work our way through the long tail of problems that is going to be a consequence of this massive data breach, Jones said.
Google lets you to log in or sign in onto other websites, apps and services with its Sign in with Google service. Know how it works.

Nobody likes to memorize complex and lengthy passwords, or login IDs. Not only is it complicated, but it takes a lot of time. With most websites requiring you to first create an account and then proceed to the services, wouldn't it be great if there was an app to do all this password remembering business for you? Before you rush to open another Google Chrome tab, your very own Google account can help you do that. Google has had a service for a few years now that allows you to sign into other websites as well as platforms. It is called Sign in with Google.

You can see that while logging in to the Twitter app, BGMI and more on your new phone, right? Do you wonder what it is? More importantly, do you wonder how it works and whether it is safe to use? If you have these reservations, dive into know all about the Sign in with Google service. Trust us, it is going to make your internet life a lot easier.

Sign in with Google: What is it?

In Google's own words, Sign In With Google helps you to quickly and easily manage user authentication and sign-in to your website. Users sign into a Google Account, provide their consent, and securely share their profile information with your platform.

In layman's English, it simply means that Google takes over the job of providing all the login data to a website, app or game, and eliminates the process of manually putting in your ID as well as password. It is different from the saved passwords feature since the login and authentication is entirely managed by Google, and you don't need to set anything manually.

How does it work?

While logging in to a website for the first time, you get to see a Sign up with Google button that provides that website with all the necessary details you provided to Google. When you log in the next time as a member, Google authenticates the verification process and all you need to do is tap on the button.

Benefits of Sign in with Google

- The biggest reason why this feature exists is to eliminate manual login and account setup processes on third-party websites as well as sources. A button click is all you need to do for logging into a service.

- It speeds up verification. What could take up to five minutes with IDs and passwords, can now take just a second.

- You don't need to memorize your ID or passwords. Just a click will log you in.

- There is a lesser chance of getting hacked, since Google is handling the verification process in the background.

- The sign in process works uniformly with websites, apps and games. Hence, having it enabled liberates you from manual authentication.

- Despite the Sign in with Google, you can continue to have your 2-factor authentication in place. Hence, you can use it to login to Twitter and you will be asked to enter your OTP sent via SMS.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today revealed that a total of 252,767 individuals have been screened for non-communicable diseases (NCD) as of yesterday (29 September 2022). The figure was recorded in MySejahtera, part of several health features that were previously added to the application.

Khairy further elaborated that from the total number who did the screening, 173,722 individuals were aged 40 and above with only 6.31 per cent recorded as being healthy. Meanwhile, 47.34 per cent of that category were confirmed to have NCD while the other 46.34 per cent had risks of NCD.

The remaining 79,045 individuals were below 40 years old and the results found that only 13.91 per cent were healthy. As for the rest within the category, 31.48 per cent were confirmed to have NCD and 54.58 per cent had NCD risk factors.

The Health Minister said that those that were found to be at risk were referred to the health clinic to undergo further examination to confirm their health status. Moreover, he added that they were subsequently given interventions to control the risk factors and diseases they may have.

Khairy stressed that NCDs are still a major disease burden in Malaysia and almost half of those with NCDs never know their health status or are unaware they have NCDs until they reach a severe stage. Therefore, he urged those aged 40 and above with NCD risk factors, and who had never done health screening, or done it a long time ago, to immediately book an appointment in the MySejahtera application to do the health screening at nearby health facilities.

The Health Minister said that the MySejahtera application had been updated with various new functions to support the implementation of the National Health Screening Initiative (NHSI), which is one of the main activities under Thrust 3 of Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat (ANMS) which is a long-term plan to guide the nation towards turning healthy living into a culture as it steers out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, MySejahtera users can access their health information through the 'Health Record' function on the application after undergoing a health screening at a government health facility.

He said the function would be extended to all registered private facilities, including screening under the PeKaB40 and SOCSO programmes. Khairy added that the appointment for health screening could also be made through the Appointment function in MySejahtera, in addition to using the existing appointment system at health facilities.

So, what do you guys think of the statement by Khairy? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond!
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Atom Computing, a California-based startup that builds quantum computers, opened its largest research and development facility in Boulder on Wednesday.

The new location marks a win for Colorado's growing quantum industry, which is centered around the Denver-Boulder area. Other players in the market include Boulder-based ColdQuanta, Quantum Corporation in Englewood and Quantinuum, a result of a merger between Honeywell Quantum Solutions in Broomfield and U.K.-based Cambridge Quantum.

Quantum computing is not only garnering more attention in the eyes of the publicinvestors are opening their checkbooks to the burgeoning industry. It "attracted almost twice as much capital in 2020 and 2021 ($2.15 billion) than it had over the previous 10 years combined ($1.16 billion)," according to the Boston Consulting Group.

Atom's Boulder facility will serve as the development site of future generations of quantum computing systems.

CEO Rob Hays said his company decided on the Centennial State for its talent and quantum expertise. Over the next three years, he expects to spend $100 million in Colorado as the company boost hiring efforts.

"The addition of Atom Computing helps further position Colorado as an economic leader for the next big wave of technology development and will create more good-paying jobs for Coloradans," said Gov. Jared Polis, who attended the Wednesday ribbon-cutting event.

Polis described Boulder as "already one of the world's most booming centers for the quantum computing sector."

IBM defines quantum computing as "a rapidly emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers."

Lasers, solar cells, atomic clocks for GPS and MRI scanners are all examples of technologies that use quantum mechanics.

Atom's scientific adviser Jun Ye, who is also a physics professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, foresees more opportunities for Colorado students to "lead the next wave of innovations in quantum research and the market."

He called recent Colorado University graduates "early trailblazers of the rapidly growing quantum industry."

On top of Ye, CU claims other prominent researchers in the quantum physics field, such as professors Margaret Murnane, Henry Kapteyn and Noah Finkelstein.

Atom founder and CTO Ben Bloom, who graduated from CU Boulder, added, "We are committed to Colorado."

Established in 2018, Atom Computing is headquartered in Berkeley, Calif., north of Silicon Valley, where many of the globe's technology giants call home.

Explore further The best of both worlds: Combining classical and quantum systems to meet supercomputing demands

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Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
NREL's communication-less microgrid method allows grid frequency to vary across a wider range than normal. Devices watch the frequency and adjust their power output according to the frequency's changes. Credit: NREL

During a power outage or after a disaster, it is hard to beat the simplicity of a diesel generator. Just supply fuel and start it upso easy, anyone could do it. Renewable microgrids, on the other hand, are not so simple, with their suite of controls, software, and asset coordination. But the beauty of renewables is that fuel is free and already available on-site, even in remote disaster areas.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has now published a description of the improvised controls that saved NREL during its own outage, which could make microgrids easy and low cost where they are needed most.

The publication, titled "Unleashing the Frequency: Multi-Megawatt Demonstration of 100% Renewable Power Systems with Decentralized Communication-less Control Scheme," describes a microgrid approach that sidesteps the central controlleran expensive and complicated componentand its reliance on communications, instead using native controls of battery, solar, and wind systems.

"NREL's approach makes it possible to assemble devices into a microgrid without arduous configuration, relying on just renewable energy and amateur electrical experienceperfect for recoveries in a pinch," said Przemyslaw Koralewicz, NREL engineer and co-developer of the communication-less method.

A low-cost recovery resource

When NREL experienced a surprise power outage, the laboratory had few options for recovery: No microgrid controller and no preconfigured setup. Just a large battery, solar panels, and wind turbines. Other campusesor districts, neighborhoods, and homescould find themselves in similar circumstances, and during an outage is no time to be fumbling with complicated configurations. Like NREL, communities can now implement a resilient microgrid off the cuff, using controls that exist on essentially any energy resource.

While microgrids are an apparent answer for recovery and resilience, the costs of a controller present a barrier to communities. In 2019, NREL found that microgrid controllers have a mean cost of $155,000/megawatt, potentially putting resilient microgrids out of reach for vulnerable areas.

Besides costs, controllers introduce a tangle of communications and system settings, often opaque, proprietary, and designed to suit particular scenarios. These features can be useful for minimizing energy use and costs, but recoveries often call for a quick-and-ready option. NREL's method prioritizes fail-safe startup, foregoing elaborate programs and communications in favor of exceedingly basic controls, while still allowing more advanced designs to be built on top.

Developers of the communication-less microgrid method observe the NREL Flatirons Campus' battery energy storage systems. Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL

How does it work?

NREL's scheme is decentralizedthe devices do not exchange data or issue commands (i.e., they are "communication-less"). Instead, devices self-regulate using system frequency as the common language. In short, a battery or other power source forms the grid by supplying power at a set frequency. Other generators like solar panels and wind turbines follow the grid by watching frequency and changing their power accordingly.

The method is nothing too newso-called "droop" controls are familiar in standard fossil fuel generatorswhich is part of the appeal. The NREL researchers showed that the method works with 100% renewable energy, can be scaled, and is feasible with most any energy device.

What is innovative is that NREL's method frees the grid frequency from a tight 60 hertz (Hz). Unbound by mechanical rotation, the microgrid frequency can take a wider range. In fact, that range is precisely how the devices coordinate without communicating: As frequency rises past 60 Hz, generators reduce power. At even higher frequencies, the generators reduce their power further, rebalancing the frequency around 60 Hz. The system self-stabilizes, never overcharging the batteries or underserving the loads.

If this sounds more difficult than a diesel generator, it might be. It still requires some device programming and parameter setting, which are detailed in the report.

"NREL's method is the very first step in a design that could become the standard for fail-safe microgrids," Koralewicz said. "Our communication-less method could be natively configured in future devices or possibly certified for easy access by operators. With standardized adoption, microgrids of any typemilitary bases, hospital backups, even networked districtscould count on an unfailing foundation to their day-to-day operations."

The frontier of renewable energy systems

At the frontier of power systems, engineers are addressing the technical matters of operating the grid with mostly renewables. Outstanding questions relate to inverters, which are the power electronic devices that interface renewable energy to the grid, and particularly, how inverters can form the grid in ways that fossil-based resources traditionally have. The UNIFI consortium is taking on the inverter challenge with the combined effort of dozens of research institutions, led by NREL.

NREL's communication-less method is one example of a grid-forming strategy, the sort that will be needed as systems push toward higher levels of renewables. In proposing the method, NREL is breaking ground into some of the trickier topics that confront UNIFI and power systems everywhere, such as how to handle grid protection and which controls should be essential on grid-forming devices. The authors approach these questions in the report, offering one direction that future energy systems can take on the path to decarbonization.

Explore further Video: How having more than enough renewable energy capacity can make the grid more flexible
Tanzania has historically allowed indigenous communities such as the Maasai to live within some national parks, including the famed Ngorongoro conservation area.

A regional court on Friday ruled that Tanzania's decision to cordon off land for wildlife protection was legal, dealing a blow to Maasai pastoralists who had protested the move, two lawyers for the community said.

The nomadic community in Loliondo in the northern district of Ngorongoro has accused the government of trying to force them off their ancestral land in order to organise safaris and hunting expeditions.

But the government has rejected the accusations, claiming it wants to "protect" 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) of the area from human activity.

After several postponements, the Arusha-based East African Court of Justice upheld the government's decision, a lawyer for the Maasai told AFP.

"Unfortunately, the court ruled against us," Esther Mnaro said.

"They have delivered a very impugned judgement," another lawyer, Yonas Masiaya, told AFP.

The Maasai had asked the court to "stop the evictions, the arrest, detention or persecution" of their members and demanded a billion Tanzanian shillings ($430,000) as damages.

The three-judge bench said no compensation was due, Mnaro said.

They "decided that there... was no loss of property and none of these people were injured during the evictions, but our evidence and our witnesses had said totally different things."

Mnaro said the community would decide whether to appeal.

There was no immediate reaction to the ruling from the government, which had previously argued that the Arusha court did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Tensions have soared in recent months with violent clashes breaking out in June in Loliondo between police and Maasai demonstrators.

More than two dozen Maasai protesters were charged with murder over the death of a policeman in the clashes.

Population growth

Tanzania has historically allowed indigenous communities such as the Maasai to live within some national parks, including the Ngorongoro conservation area, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

But the authorities say their growing population is encroaching on wildlife habitat and began moving the pastoralists out of Ngorongoro in June, calling it a voluntary relocation.

The relocation has sparked concern, with a team of UN-appointed independent rights experts warning in June that "it could jeopardise the Maasai's physical and cultural survival."

Since 1959, the number of humans living in Ngorongoro has shot up from 8,000 to more than 100,000.

The livestock population has grown even more quickly, from around 260,000 in 2017 to over one million today.

As climate change leads to prolonged droughts and low crop yields, pressure on the pastoralists has increased, forcing them into conflict with wildlife over access to food and water.

In 2009, thousands of Maasai families were moved out of Loliondo to allow an Emirati safari company, Ortelo Business Corporation, to organise hunting expeditions there.

The government cancelled that deal in 2017, following allegations of corruption.

The East Africa Court of Justice came into force in 2001 to ensure adherence to the laws establishing the seven-nation East African Community bloc, made up of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Explore further Tanzania rescinds decision to lift ban on wildlife exports

 2022 AFP
Japan's Digital Agency Minister Taro Kono is seen on Sept. 20, 2021. The Digital Agency was set up in Japan 2021 to nurture competitiveness in digital technology. Credit: Philip Fong/Pool Photo via AP, File

The politician tapped to help Japan keep pace with the digital age has his work cut out for him.

After all, the nation known for Nintendo games, Lexus sportscars and other gadgetry galore also loves the fax machine and the traditional "hanko" seals that work as analog signatures.

But Digital Minister Taro Kono has a reputation for no-nonsense action and for defying vested interests in high places.

"I have no intention of playing coordinator," he told reporters in a small briefing that was, aptly, conducted online Friday.

"If people don't listen, I am going to beat them up," he added with a laugh.

Japan ranked 28th among 64 nations in digital competitiveness in 2021, little changed from five years before, according to a study by IMD, a Swiss-based independent academic organization, which looked at how well equipped nations are to encourage technological development and to leverage them for the future. The U.S. was No. 1, China No. 15.

Kono, a former foreign minister and defense minister, has flaunted his digital savvy for years.

Kono's Japanese Twitter account, which has drawn 2.5 million followers, features everything from a bowling video to policy commentary. Fluent in English, having attended Georgetown University, he also has an English Twitter account with 70,000 followers.

In a YouTube video last month, he urged people to get a My Number Card, a digital identity card for Japanese citizens and residents that they can use for online government applications and link to a driver's license, library card or online banking.

But Kono knows it will take more than social media stardom to wrest Japan out of its analog doldrums. He noted the endeavor doesn't have to be complicated; people will naturally choose what's convenient.

"Even a child knows that a seal doesn't really work as personal identification," he said, while adding that he loves Japanese seals as craftwork.

"There is a mindset that it's someone else's problem," he said of society's complacency.

During the coronavirus pandemic, when remote working became widespread around the world, Japanese realized how far behind they had fallen, Kono said.

The Digital Agency was set up in Japan last year to nurture competitiveness in digital technology.

Some skepticism remains. Critics say the idea of "a digital transformation" is already outdated and only Japan is still talking so much about it.

In 2018, the minister in charge of cybersecurity, Yoshitaka Sakurada, became a target of ridicule when he didn't know what a USB port was.

Yet technology experts have pinned great hopes for what Kono might achieve. Kono has always stood apart among ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers. His father was a prominent lawmaker known as a maverick. His grandfather was also a legendary politician.

And rock the boat is what Kono needs to do.

His agency has shown by example by becoming more open and diverse, adding people from the private sector and other walks of life who may have ideas on the change Japan so critically needs.

What will be his benchmark measure for success? "When there are smiles everywhere," Kono said.

Explore further Japan begins COVID-19 vaccination drive amid supply worry

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
An Optus phone sign hangs above its store in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Australias federal and state governments on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, called for Optus to pay for replacing identification documents including passports and drivers licenses to avoid identity fraud after 9.8 million of the telecommunications companys customers had personal data stolen by computer hackers. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Baker, File

The computer hacker who stole personal data of almost 10 million customers of a telecommunications company in one of Australia's worst privacy breaches used techniques to conceal their identity, actions and whereabouts, police said on Friday.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough, who heads cyber investigations, said the international probe, that includes the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, into the Optus cyberattack last week would be "long and complex."

"You can be assured that our very clever and dedicated cyber investigators are focused on delivering justice for those whose personal information has been compromised," Gough said.

The government blames lax cybersecurity at Optus, Australia's second-largest wireless carrier, for the theft of current and former customers' personal information.

Cybersecurity Minister Clare O'Neil described the crime as "quite a basic hack." She said Optus, a subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., also known as Singtel, had "effectively left the window open for data of this nature to be stolen."

Optus maintains it was the target of a sophisticated cyberattack that penetrated several layers of security.

Gough declined to say whether the crime fitted the description of "sophisticated" or "basic."

"I'm not going to go into the details as to the attack because ... it is subject of our ongoing investigation," Gough said.

"But I would say that whoever is behind this attack has used obfuscation techniques to conceal their identity, their location and their activity," she added.

While details of 9.8 million Optus customers were stolen, authorities are most concerned for more than 10,000 customers whose records were dumped on the dark web on Tuesday as part of an extortion attempt.

The hacker later withdrew a $1 million ransom demand in a post that apologized for the crime and claimed that all the stolen data had been destroyed. Experts are skeptical.

Gough declined to say whether any further extortion attempt had been made.

But she announced police forces throughout Australia had combined resources to "supercharge" the protection of the 10,000 who are most vulnerable to identify theft and fraud. Police are also working with the finance and services sectors to detect fraud.

"Customers affected by the breach will receive multijurisdictional and multilayered protection from identity crime and financial fraud," Gough said.

Operation Guardian will eventually extend to the next-most vulnerable tier of customers, the 2.8 million who have had their driver's license and passport numbers stolen.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Optus had agreed to pay to replace the passports of compromised customers.

"I think that's entirely appropriate," Albanese said.

Explore further Australia demands Optus pay for new customer ID documents

 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Molly Russell was exposed to online material 'that may have influenced her in a negative way'

A 14-year-old British girl died from an act of self-harm while suffering from the "negative effects of online content", a coroner said Friday, in a case that has shone a spotlight on social media companies.

Molly Russell was "exposed to material that may have influenced her in a negative way and, in addition, what had started as a depression had become a more serious depressive illness," Andrew Walker ruled at North London Coroner's Court.

The teenager "died from an act of self-harm while suffering depression", he said, but added it would not be "safe" to conclude it was suicide.

Some of the content she viewed was "particularly graphic" and "normalised her condition," said Walker.

Of the 16,300 posts Russell saved, shared or liked on Instagram in the six-month period before her death, 2,100 related to depression, self-harm or suicide, the inquest was told.

Russell, from Harrow in northwest London, died in November 2017, leading her family to set up a campaign highlighting the dangers of social media.

"Molly was a thoughtful, sweet-natured, caring, inquisitive, selfless, beautiful individualalthough a few words cannot possibly encapsulate our wonderful girl," her father Ian said in a statement.

"We have heard a senior Meta (Instagram parent company) executive describe this deadly stream of content the platform's algorithms pushed to Molly as 'safe' and not contravening the platform's policies.

"If this demented trail of life-sucking content was safe, my daughter Molly would probably still be alive and instead of being a bereaved family of four, there would be five of us looking forward to a life full of purpose and promise that lay ahead for our adorable Molly.

"It's time the toxic corporate culture at the heart of the world's biggest social media platform changed," he urged.

Silicon Valley 'shockwaves'

The week-long hearing became heated when the family's lawyer, Oliver Sanders, took a Meta executive to task.

A visibly angry Sanders asked Elizabeth Lagone, the head of health and wellbeing at Meta, why the platform allowed children to use it when it was "allowing people to put potentially harmful content on it".

"You are not a parent, you are just a business in America. You have no right to do that. The children who are opening these accounts don't have the capacity to consent to this," he said.

Lagone apologised after being shown footage, viewed by Russell, that "violated our policies".

In a statement issued following the ruling, a spokeswoman for Meta said: "Our thoughts are with the Russell family and everyone who has been affected by this tragic death.

"We'll continue our work with the world's leading independent experts to help ensure that the changes we make offer the best possible protection and support for teens," she added.

Children's charity NSPCC said the ruling "must be a turning point", stressing that any delay to a government bill dealing with online safety "would be inconceivable to parents".

"Tech companies must be held accountable when they don't make children's safety a priority," tweeted the charity.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said the ruling should "send shockwaves through Silicon Valley".

"The magnitude of this moment for children everywhere cannot be understated," he added.

In a reaction later Friday, Prince William, much of whose charity work is focussed on mental health issues, said no parent should ever have to endure what the Russells had been through.

"They have been so incredibly brave. Online safety for our children and young people needs to be a prerequisite, not an afterthought."

Explore further Instagram curbs self-harm posts after teen suicide

 2022 AFP
The first "Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners Across the Globe: Storytelling Contest," sponsored by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under the Ministry of Education and hosted by Hangzhou Culture, Radio and Television Group, officially launched on Wednesday.

The contest will create a new model of "Chinese Bridge and media integration," allowing Chinese language lovers from all over the world to gather online to tell stories in Chinese, helping the language go global, enabling the world to embrace Chinese and popularizing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

There are three stages in the competition: preliminary round, semi-finals and final. There is no theme in the preliminary round, while the themes in the semi-final and final will be "change" and "breakthrough," respectively. Participants can register for the competition via email, competition website or social media. During the award ceremony, the virtual and digital metaverse will be utilized to create a profound experience for Chinese language lovers all over the world.

Interactive social media participation will be possible through TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Participants can post their works on their personal social media accounts using the hashtag #2022Chinesebridgestorytelling.

According to the organizers, they will focus on building the contest into a new engine of "global Chinese language fever," further promote the global development of international Chinese communication, gather global bilingual talents, train Chinese and foreign cultural exchange leaders, promote the exchange and integration of cultures around the world, deepen the understanding of Chinese language and culture among overseas Chinese learners, and continuously expand the international influence of Chinese.

The "Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreigners Across the Globe" has been held for 14 consecutive sessions since 2008, and its scale and influence are constantly expanding.
Last month we began the Jewish New Year of 5783 by addressing the life of Moses, our greatest philosopher and lawgiver.

Now as we say goodbye to 5782, we turn our attention from the theoretical and philosophical to the practical, that is to the deeds that make a society work or fail. We turn our attention to the stories that surround the life of Moses successor: Joshua.

Unlike Moses, Joshua was neither a philosopher nor a great writer. He gave us no great intellectual insights. Instead, Joshuas story is of the tale of a pragmatist. He is the man who turned Moses ideas into everyday realities. Joshua is a technocrat and soldier, more the doer than the thinker, more the pragmatist than the idealist. Joshua leaves no great insights nor quotable phrases. Instead, his is a narrative that echoes throughout both Jewish and world history and impacts our lives even until today.

The story of Joshuas life is one of a man who has to deal with daily lifes messy details. The Bible tells us that Joshua did not deal with the future but with the here and now, not with great ideas but rather with the myriad of details we call life. His stories are not that of the academic ivory tower but of the basic necessities of survival. A Talmud passage attempts to differentiate Joshua from Moses by stating: The face of Moses was like the sun; the face of Joshua was like the moon (Bava Batra 75a). In other words, the Talmud saw Joshuas shine as a reflection of the work that Moses already had done.

Others might disagree. When we read Joshuas story we come to realize that he was much more than a mere reflection of Moses. In reality, there are two Joshuas. The first Joshua was Moses loyal deputy, the second Joshua only appears after Moses death as he assumes the task of national leadership.

We learn about the first Joshua in Sefer BaMidbar (the Book of Numbers). In the desert, the text calls him Moses mesharet. The Hebrew term mesharet means a loyal subordinate. Joshua is the paradigm of a disciple plus intern; he is also the eternal optimist. When the 10 spies stated that Israel could not succeed, Joshua, along with Caleb, wrote the minority report insisting that Israel should press forward and enter the land of Canaan. The people of Israel rejected their report and for that mistake the Children of Israel would spend some 40 years wandering in the desert.

We first learn of Joshua as a fierce fighter. He fought Israels first battles and won. Not only was he a fierce warrior, but he was also a brilliant general. He taught us that leaders must never lead from behind but must always live by the dictum acharai/after me! From Joshuas perspective, leadership from behind is no leadership at all. Joshua was not only fierce in war but also generous and kind in peace. We know about his professional life yet we know little about his personal life.

After Moses death we meet the second Joshua. This is a Joshua who mixed faith with innovation, and creativity with a generosity of spirit. Our second Joshua is a person devoted to both the past and to the future. He is a leader willing to take calculated risks, to listen, and to act. Joshua taught us not to fight the next battle based on the last battle. He understood that a nation dare not base its military on the superficial but must understand its future challenges and prepare itself to meet them. Joshua taught that leaders who do not keep their focus on the here and now tend to fail themselves and their nations.

Joshuas life is one that raises many questions. He first enters the Biblical stage as a warrior. The Bible never reveals to us the reasons that Moses picked Joshua. What we do know is that long before Joshua became Israels second leader he demonstrated his leadership capabilities. During the years of aimless wandering in the desert, all who were a part of the post-Exodus generation would perish and a new generation would be born into freedom. It was this new generation that would be tasked with entering into the land of Israel. Of the 12 who scouted the land, only Joshua and Caleb would survive and cross the River Jordan. By the time they entered into the land of Israel, they were old men with young ideas.

Joshua was also lucky. Moses had to struggle to succeed and often failed; Joshua seems to have been above the fray. During his term of office, we read of no major criticism, and the people generally tended to do what he asked. Had Israel learned the lessons of the golden calf? Was Joshua the savvy politician, actor or both? Was he simply lucky? The text is silent.

Unlike Moses, Joshua was a leader who had crossed the River Jordan both physically and mentally. Joshua was Israels first leader of a now independent and less immature nation, one whose destiny would be in its own hands. By crossing the river, Joshua became a leader who by necessity would have to deal with lifes less exciting but practical issues. Joshua took us from national childhood to national adulthood.

In typical Biblical fashion we see Joshuas positive and negative qualities. Joshua was a strong and optimistic leader. Yet he never appointed a successor, and after his death the nation would have to deal with a political vacuum. Is the text teaching us that strong leaders prepare their replacements? Does Joshuas life remind us of how dangerous it is for a nation to be burdened with a weak line of succession?

Joshuas life teach us who live many millennia later much about leadership and war. Did Israel suffer because it quit its battles too early? Is the text telling us that a premature peace may hold dire consequences later and that leading from behind is a formula not for peace but for disaster?

These are open questions raised by Joshuas life and leadership. They are questions to be debated for all eternity. Perhaps this is the reason that the story of Joshua contains no lofty pronouncements or poetry. His tale is a story that teaches us that war is a dirty business, sometimes necessary but never glorious. Joshua taught us that at times nations must do what is necessary but never celebrate anothers suffering. These are essential lessons to consider as we enter the New Year of 5783.
State officials awarded two contracts on Thursday worth $307 million to build nearly 14 miles of new barriers along the Texas-Mexico border.

The Texas Facilities Commission voted to approve a $167 million contract for New Mexico-based Southwest Valley Constructors Co. to build nearly 6.7 miles of border wall near Del Rio and a second contract worth $140 million to Montana-based BFBC of Texas, which plans to build 6.95 miles of wall in the Rio Grande Valley.

John Raff, the commissions deputy executive director, said the state has either closed or is in the process of closing agreements to acquire just over 2.5 miles of land for the Del Rio project. Raff said BFBC of Texas will begin with 2.73 miles in the Rio Grande Valley.

Francoise Luca, a spokesperson for the Facilities Commission, said in an email that the new sections of wall will be built on private land once the agency secures land-use agreements with the property owners.

The land-use agreements are on private land and remain in the negotiation stage, she said.

Former President Donald Trump made building a wall his signature issue, and the federal government constructed 80 miles of new barrier during his four years in office, including 21 miles along the Texas-Mexico border. When President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he halted border wall construction, canceled some of the previously awarded contracts and repurposed some of the wall money for other border projects such as levees.

More than a year after Gov. Greg Abbott announced that Texas would use state money to resume border wall construction along the approximately 1,200-mile Texas-Mexico border, the state has so far completed 1.7 miles of barrier on state-owned land in Starr County, according to the Facilities Commission, which is overseeing the project.

That segment was erected by New York-based Posillico Civil, Inc., which won a $162 million state contract in November to build a total of 8 miles of wall  a cost of just over $20 million a mile. By comparison, border wall construction under the Trump administration ranged from $6 million to $34 million per mile, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. Luca said the Facilities Commission is still finalizing land-use agreements for this contract segment.

The Facilities Commission has said it is working with private property owners to secure land for additional wall construction. During Thursdays meeting, commission leaders didnt reveal additional details about land acquisition; the agencys website says it is contacting and working with about 150 landowners to secure land-use permission agreements that align with the projects goals.

In February, the commission obtained 1,700 metal panels, enough for about 1.3 miles of barrier, from the federal government that were intended to be for the Trump administrations border wall. The panels were free, and the state paid Posillico Civil $2 million to haul them from San Diego to Eagle Pass.

In July, the commission purchased $43.3 million worth of bollard panels  enough to erect 12.8 miles of barriers  from a Texas company, Gibraltar Fabrications.
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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
China's consumer market is in a sound trend of development and is likely to see continuous recovery in the next stage, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.



The country's retail sales of consumer goods rose 5.4 percent year on year in August, up 2.7 percentage points from July, MOC spokesperson Shu Jueting told a regular press conference.

Big-ticket consumption saw sustained growth. For example, major companies' retail sales of automobile and home appliance products climbed 15.9 percent and 3.4 percent year on year, respectively last month, continuing the upward trend since June, Shu said.

Shu also highlighted the steady expansion of online consumption and the gradual recovery of service consumption, noting that online retail sales of physical goods went up 5.8 percent year on year in the first eight months of 2022, while catering revenues logged 8.4-percent year-on-year growth in August.

China's policies on stabilizing growth and promoting consumption have effectively boosted the consumer market recently, Shu said, adding that more efforts will be made to further promote consumption recovery.

The ministry will focus on promoting consumption in key fields including automobile, green and intelligent home appliance as well as catering and accommodation, among others.

It will create new scenarios of consumption through digital empowerment and the integration of business, tourism, culture and sports, make good use of consumption platforms, such as consumption festivals and expos, and promote the development of new business forms, Shu said.

Measures will also be taken to build county-level commercial systems, improve the supply chain for agricultural products, and accelerate the development of centers for international consumption.
Security researchers are warning of previously undisclosed flaws in fully patched Microsoft Exchange servers being exploited by malicious actors in real-world attacks to achieve remote code execution on affected systems.

The advisory comes from Vietnamese cybersecurity company GTSC, which discovered the shortcomings as part of its security monitoring and incident response efforts in August 2022.

The two vulnerabilities, which are formally yet to be assigned CVE identifiers, are being tracked by the Zero Day Initiative as ZDI-CAN-18333 (CVSS score: 8.8) and ZDI-CAN-18802 (CVSS score: 6.3).

GTSC said that successful exploitation of the flaws could be abused to gain a foothold in the victim's systems, enabling adversaries to drop web shells and carry out lateral movements across the compromised network.

"We detected web shells, mostly obfuscated, being dropped to Exchange servers," the company noted. "Using the user-agent, we detected that the attacker uses Antsword, an active Chinese-based open source cross-platform website administration tool that supports web shell management."

Exploitation requests in IIS logs are said to appear in the same format as the ProxyShell Exchange Server vulnerabilities, with GTSC noting that the targeted servers had already been patched against the flaws that came to light in April 2021.

The cybersecurity company theorized that the attacks are likely originating from a Chinese hacking group owing to the web shell's encoding in simplified Chinese (Windows Code page 936).

Also deployed in the attacks is the China Chopper web shell, a lightweight backdoor that can grant persistent remote access and allow attackers to reconnect at any time for further exploitation.

It's worth noting that the China Chopper web shell was also deployed by Hafnium, a suspected state-sponsored group operating out of China, when the ProxyLogon vulnerabilities were subjected to widespread exploitation last year.

Further post-exploitation activities observed by GTSC involve the injection of malicious DLLs into memory, drop and execute additional payloads on the infected servers using the WMI command-line (WMIC) utility.

The company said at least more than one organization has been the victim of an attack campaign leveraging the zero-day flaws. Additional details about the bugs have been withheld in light of active exploitation.

We have reached out to Microsoft for further comment, and we will update the story if we hear back.

In the interim, as temporary workarounds, it's recommended to add a rule to block requests with indicators of compromise using the URL Rewrite Rule module for IIS servers -

In Autodiscover at FrontEnd, select tab URL Rewrite, and then select Request Blocking

Add string ".*autodiscover\.json.*\@.*Powershell.*" to the URL Path, and

Condition input: Choose {REQUEST_URI}

"I can confirm significant numbers of Exchange servers have been backdoored  including a honeypot," security researcher Kevin Beaumont said in a series of tweets, adding, "it looks like a variant of proxying to the admin interface again."

"If you don't run Microsoft Exchange on premise, and don't have Outlook Web App facing the internet, you are not impacted," Beaumont said.

Update: Microsoft has officially confirmed details of the two flaws, adding it's working to release a fix. More details here.
Get out the vote

I encourage everyone to vote on Nov. 8, research the candidates and the issues, and make an informed vote.

Remember that on Jan. 6, 2021, the Capitol police stood up to an angry mob that wanted to prevent certification of a free and fair presidential election. Remember Adrian Smith, the only Nebraska congressman who sat down and voted no to certification, supported the mob and Trumps Big Steal lie!

Rep. Smith takes an oath of office each time he is elected to Congress, but his actions on Jan. 6 dishonor the oath and the state of Nebraska. By voting no to certification, his action said all presidential votes in Nebraska and the other 49 states were not valid.

Show Rep. Smith that votes count in our state. Remember to vote and research before you vote.

Beverly Anderson

Aurora

Why I am running for the GIPS School Board

My name is Eric Garcia-Mendez and I am running for the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education in Ward C.

My decision to run for public office is one I did not take lightly. Before deciding to run for office, I spent many sleepless nights wondering if I was up to the task. Since announcing my run for school board, I have received an outpouring of support from many in the community who value having someone like me run for public office.

Growing up in Grand Island was a unique one. I am the son of two immigrant parents, my father is from Guatemala and my mother is from Mexico. I grew up the same way a lot of students in the GIPS district grew up, helping their parents interpret at local medical clinics, the local DMV and grocery stores. These experiences molded me into who I am today.

I have spent the last three years in Grand Island establishing myself in my work and learning about this community from a professional capacity. I have been connecting with community members, advancing new programming and advocating for those who are underserved. My empathy for this community will never stop. I am not afraid to ask hard questions. All of these qualities and experiences will help me serve well on the board.

I am running for the GIPS School Board because 53% of Latino students in the district deserve to have representation from someone who shares similar experiences as theirs in the community. I go into this not with an agenda but with the foresight of a proven leader that will identify gaps, that will stand up for our community at large and be a true advocate for our teachers, students and families of Grand Island.

Eric Garcia-Mendez

Grand Island

Helzer the right choice for state education board

I attended an event last spring hosted by our local NSEA organization. Danielle Helzer spoke briefly to our small group. She was articulate and personable. She listened thoughtfully while taking notes and responded to our concerns with solutions. I left our meeting energized and with the hope that someone above in leadership was ready and willing to partner with all stakeholders  children, parents, teachers and administrators to do what is best for all children.

In August, I attended an event at a church in Hastings with the Dream Team running for state school board. I was anxious to hear what Sherry Jones had to say. She is a retired teacher. I found myself in a nearly two-hour long what I can only describe as a teacher hate fest. I sat in a room where the MC of the event, the candidates, our state senator and a local school board member applauded the idea that teachers want to groom children. I felt outcast as an educator and left with an understanding that these are not people concerned with partnering with stakeholders but are pushing a hateful agenda, further politicizing and demonizing our profession with unfounded claims.

We are in an era where teachers are leaving in droves because of the disrespect of our profession. My vote goes to the candidate who is willing to listen, respect and partner with all stakeholders to do what is best for all children. Education is far too important to leave in the hands of political radicals pushing a hateful and hurtful agenda. As a teacher and as a mom, my vote goes to Danielle Helzer.

Katie Schroeder

Hastings

The voter fraud fallacy

As I consider the ballot initiative requiring citizens to show a photo ID in order to vote, I am reminded of what my father used to say, If it aint broke, dont fix it. I know of no instances of voter fraud in Nebraska, much less any irregularities that would have affected our last election. There were none. The same is true nationally. Why add unnecessary obstacles to voting when we should be encouraging full participation? I urge you to vote against Initiative 432.

Marvin Andersen

Grand Island

Unhappy with comics, puzzles changes

I called The Grand Island Independent and Omaha World Herald to complain why they changed the comics and crossword puzzles in the paper. I was told that we would have to call Lee Enterprises, who owns both papers, to voice you opinion. So please call them if you agree with me.

Jerry Case

Grand Island

Reading through the newspaper

I am as happy as a clam at high tide this morning. I have just finished reading the local newspaper and it did hit the spot before I venture out among the other Junk Jaunters.

On the Opinion page, page A4, a timely editorial reprinted from the Wall Street Journal on the Covid pandemic. Then there are a couple of letters to the editor on reasons to endorse a couple of political candidates. One for mayor candidate Dan Brown, the other one for State Board of Education candidate Danielle Helzer  both quality letters.

Then there are the last three letters, all discussing the change of the newspaper with the comics and puzzles. I might mention that these last three letters where all written from women, who are very unhappy with the new changes. This reminds me of an old song, When Momma aint Happy, no one is Happy. I too am unhappy, as I am a big Dilbert fan.

Loren L. Avey

Grand Island

Game shows arent what they used to be

Having family in Grand Island, I read The Grand Island Independent column, Salmon Says: 'Game shows fun; contestants not so much.'

I generally dont watch game shows on television much anymore, unless Im stuck in the lobby of my doctors office and the TV is on and tuned to a game show. Just a few weeks ago this scenario actually happened, when I was waiting for my name to be called (by the doctors nurse, not the catcall of a studio). Only then, did I realize that The Price Is Right host Drew Carey had grown a beard, and that there are now male models pointing to luxury prizes (such as cars) instead of a scantily-clad female model in a bikini. Admittedly, the carnival or circus atmosphere is fun. However, some contestants still act like blabbering idiots.

I can remember when Bob Barker was the host and a hysterical female contestant had her top fall down and the shows censors appropriately made the graphic parts fuzzy for the viewing audience. I do miss the old time game shows such as Match Game and Hollywood Squares. Sometimes, the well-known celebrities made the ordinary civilian contestants look good just by their presence. I noticed on the recent Price Is Right, they had COVID-19 social distancing  instead of a packed studio-audience. I almost thought it was fake when I first saw it. Contestants still havent corrected their fetish for frenzied exuberance.

James A. Marples

Longview, Texas
YORK  Arraignment proceedings have been set in York County District Court for Isaac D. Shoff, 44, of York, who is accused of threatening to kill, kidnap and hurt certain York residents.

It is alleged Shoff left messages to a local office saying he was going to harm two people and specifically was going to kill one of them, according to court documents.

Another message was left at that office in which Shoff allegedly threatening to take a specific person and his/her family hostage, according to court documents.

Later, the York Police Department was contacted on the report Shoff had physically assaulted one of the people he threatened in the 200 Block of South Lincoln Avenue.

Officers said the people threatened by Shoff were afraid for their safety and wellbeing.

Shoff was taken into custody and charged with making terroristic threats and assault.

This past week, in York County District Court, a motion for bond review was denied. However, a motion to determine competency was granted.

Arraignment proceedings were set in the matter for Oct. 11.
YORK  A man accused of assaulting a deputy with the York County Sheriffs Department has pleaded not guilty to the charge; meanwhile, 11 other charges against him have been dismissed.

Fidel Martinez, 45, whose address is now listed as him being held in custody in Lincoln, entered his not guilty plea this week in York County District Court.

He, along with Bianca Gonzalez Marengo, 35, of Omaha, was allegedly caught with a large amount of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in York County.

The case began in the middle of the night when the deputy saw a vehicle without license plates leave the interstate at the Bradshaw exit. The vehicle then immediately got back onto the interstate and a traffic stop was initiated.

The driver was identified as Angel Navar of California and Marengo was the passenger. The deputy said the driver gave him someone elses license and the intransit sticker did not look legitimate.

According to court documents, Navar handed the deputy a bag with a large amount of methamphetamine inside it  right before he shoved the deputy with both hands and started to run south in the ditch. The deputy said they tripped and rolled down the hill, with Navar on top of him who was trying to grab his taser. It is alleged Navar yelled for the deputy to give him his gun and Navar grabbed the deputys throat and choked him until he could not breathe, until the deputy could punch Navar in the left side of his face. Then Navar punched the deputy in the head twice.

Another deputy arrived, which spooked Navar, and the deputy was able to get control of him.

Meanwhile, Marengo was found in the drivers seat of the vehicle as if she was waiting for Navar to get in so they could leave.

It was discovered Navars real identity is that of Fidel Martinez and he was on federal probation. A search of the vehicle was conducted, during which 18 grams of marijuana were found along with $1,268 in cash, two glass pipes containing methamphetamine, a half gram of methamphetamine in a bag and 27 grams of methamphetamine that spilled onto the ground where the deputy and the driver had their altercation.

Initially, Martinez was charged with possession of 10-22 grams of methamphetamine, strangulation, criminal impersonation, no drug tax stamp, possession of money during a drug violation, false reporting, obstruction, resisting arrest, possession of one ounce of marijuana and being a habitual criminal. All those charges have been dismissed and the only remaining charge is assault of an officer.

Upon Martinez pleading not guilty to the assault charge, a jury trial has been scheduled for late January.
Hurricane Ian making landfall (NOAA photo)

Sending sympathy and solidarity today to our neighbors, countrymen, and friends on the West coast of Florida and across the central section of the State. Yesterday at 3:05 p.m., Hurricane Ian made landfall (defined as the point of lowest pressure crossing land) at Cayo Costa, 20 miles north of Fort Myers, as a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 150 mph. Spreading destruction in a wide swath across the State, it dumped over two feet of rainfall near New Smyrna Beach and more than a foot in Orlando. It is currently downgraded to a tropical storm but is strengthening over the Atlantic and is expected to make landfall again in South Carolina later today, possibly as a hurricane, meaning a storm with winds of force 12 on the Beaufort scale, equal to or exceeding 64 knots / 74 mph.

My friend Jim Sherwood did an extensive photographic project of the aftermath of hurricanes and tornadoes 20 to 35 years ago now. I'd have to check with him on the time frame, but I know the project included Hurricane Hugo in 1989. His pictures were amazing. One that I remember showed a car neatly perched on top of a concrete lawn table as if on a pedestal, and another showed a more or less perfectly preserved bathroom hanging in the air, the house around and underneath it having been torn away by the wind. The toiletries were still arranged in orderly fashion on shelves and the window with its "X" of masking tape was unbroken. Jim paid his own way to areas devastated by several hurricanes and tornadoes. He used a Pentax 6x7 and Kodak VPS color film, and made 16x20 prints of the work using a Hope commercial processor. The set was extensive and dramatic, but has never been published. Jim is an accomplished photographer, with pictures in the permanent collection of MoMA and other top institutions.

Some friends who were flooded out of a low-lying area of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 opted not to rebuild. They moved instead...to Denver, Colorado, known as "the mile-high city," 5,280 feet above sea level.

Mike

'Golden Oldie' Books o' the Week

I was going to link to The Life of a Photograph by National Geographic ace Sam Abell, the book version of Sam's video talk we've been discussing, but guess what? Sold out since we mentioned it the other day. You can still score one of the few remaining copies of the 4-volume Sam Abell Library from 2013, but buy it directly from the publisherthey still have it at the $75 publication price (I called them in Santa Fe to check), and Amazon is already charging four times more. We need a reprint of Sam's classic Stay This Moment!



This book link is a portal to Amazon. You're very kind use our links, as they help support the site.



B&H Photo

Original contents copyright 2020 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)

Featured Comments from:

Bruce Bordner: "I was very tempted to go out and shoot after Hurricane Sandy in NJ, but I was dissuaded by many stories of homeowners becoming very upset by photographer/videographers 'feeding on their pain.' I can't really see their point unless they thought everyone was making money from pictures of their disaster...I still don't get it, but I didn't want to chance it. Be careful if you're in one of these situations and be very respectfulthey're hurting."

Mike replies: I believe most of the scenes Jim photographed were when people were absent. I could be wrong. But I don't recall seeing people in his pictures.

Albert Smith: "I live halfway between Orlando and Daytona and as usual we spend the week before the actual landfall watching every news update for changes in the projected path of the storm. It is nothing less than slow torture. You go to bed thinking it's going in a divergent direction then wake up with the cone right over your town. Five days out, three days out, one day out, they are still not sure. The most distressing sight is the so-called spaghetti paths, a dozen 'expert weather centers' project the expected line of movement and they are always in disagreement. The Euro center seems to be closer than most over the years, but they insist on adding in the never-even-close tracks and averaging them into a cone. I wonder what it was like 100 years ago before satellites and computers when the first clue that a storm was coming was the storm landing. The new technology is great but I know that I shaved some time off my life watching the stress inducing coverage leading up to the storm, 90% of which was wrong.

"We can't complain or feel bad about our situation: tons of flooding, power lines down (no electricity, well water, air conditioning TV, etc.), no supply to stores or gas stations, and mentally contemplating that there will be weeks of this. Giant trees are down, collapsing power lines and assuring no quick fixes. But other than some roofs and underwater living rooms, the houses are still here and just looking at photos from the southwest coast of the peninsula will make us feel like we won the lottery.

"The issues with supply from the pandemic was bad. How can anyone expect to rebuild after this? Thousands of from-the-ground-up new houses will be needed and last year you couldn't find basic housing supplies like drywall or roof shingles for general maintenance. This will take years.

"To my fellow Floridians: be strong. To the folks in the path in the Carolinas, pay attention and don't dismiss what's coming. Good luck to you."
MARION  Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza joined state and local officials at a press conference in the Williamson County Administration Building to talk about two bills being introduced in the Illinois House and Senate.

Together with State Rep. Dave Vella of Rockford and State Sen. Christopher Belt of Swansea, Mendoza is championing HB 5785 and SB 4229, which are measures to ensure timely compensation for the next of kin of fallen first responders and members of the armed forces.

Mendoza first became aware that a problem existed with timely compensation to families during a memorial service at the Police Officers Memorial in Springfield. Eleven officers were honored at the memorial service.

Tammy Pierce, mother of fallen officer Brian Piarce Jr., whispered into Mendozas ear after the memorial service that they were not able to access funds set aside for survivors because the fund was out of money.

Officer Brian Piarce Jr. was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 4, 2021. Officer Pierce was not married, so his parents applied for money from a state fund that is set aside for the families of fallen first responders. They were told they qualified, but the fund was out of money.

It seemed absurd to me. Legislators budgeted $5 million that year in death benefits. We underestimated by almost half what benefits would be needed, Mendoza said.

She added that no family should have to wait longer than it takes for the Comptrollers Office to get the claim and pay it.

It is the very least we can do, Mendoza said.

The legislation also will extend the time a family has to apply for benefits. They currently have one year; the new law extends it to two years.

Tammy Pierce told those gathered that 24,948 officers were killed in the line of duty in the past 30 years in Illinois. She said it is in their honor that we need to stand behind this legislation and take care of the families of officers who will give their lives in the future.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard spoke on behalf of the Illinois Sheriffs Association.

We ask the public to get a hold of their representatives and express their support for this legislation, Bullard said.

The bills sponsor, Sen. Chris Belt and chief co-sponsor, Sen. Dale Fowler, both spoke during the conference.

Theres no such thing as an ordinary day for our first responders and safety officers, Belt said.

These guys have our backs every day, and were going to have yours, Mendoza said to the police officers and firefighters gathered at the press conference.

In addition to Tammy Pierce, two other women in the audience have lost children in the line of duty. Sharon Reveal, mother of Firefighter Kevin Reveal who died Sept. 29, 1996, and Beverly Conrad, mother of Officer Adam Conrad who died Jan. 20, 2016, both attended the press conference.

I think its wonderful. Specifically, I like the extension to apply for benefits after the first year, Conrad said.

Conrad did not know they could apply for benefits until that first year had passed.

Reveals family, which included three small children, was able to get some benefits. One of his sons is a trooper with Illinois State Police.

Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the spelling of the Pierce name and the comptroller's first name.
The death rate for malignant neoplasms  commonly known as cancers  is 37% higher in Southern Illinois than in the rest of the nation.

Thats according to death rate data from 1999-2020 maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and analyzed by The Southern Illinoisan. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death both nationally and locally, ranking behind only heart and coronary diseases.

Nationally, the 20-year death rate for cancer  calculated as deaths per 100,000 residents  is 187.4. In Southern Illinois, it is 256.7, and it has been consistently at that level year-by-year since 1999, but Jennifer Badiu, SIH system director of cancer services, said she expects the local number to begin to decline in the coming years.

Her reasoning is simple: prior to 2015, Southern Illinois did not have a large-scale, local medical facility specifically focused on the treatment and prevention of cancers as well as all-important screenings. Since the opening of the SIH Cancer Institute in Carterville, she said physicians and providers are finding instances of cancer earlier and providing local care for many forms of cancer. On average, providers at the institute see more than 300 patients each day.

The statistics show cancer has a significant impact on the region. Among Southern Illinoisans, breast cancer and colorectal cancer are very prevalent as is lung cancer, a condition which can be traced, in part, to the regions significant rate of smoking.

Like many other maladies on the chart of the regions biggest killers, environmental factors  lifestyle choices  play a key role.

When it comes to cancer incidents, it comes down to two factors, explained Dr. Muhammad Popalzai, a hematologist-oncologist and medical director of the SIH Cancer Institute. One is genetic factors and the other is environmental factors. If you want to do something about cancer, you can change the environmental factors and the single most common environmental factor in our region is smoking.

Popalzai added that other factors such as obesity, eating processed foods and poor life choices also play a role in cancer.

Really, its behavioral risk factors; it is lack of exercise or habits like smoking or eating a lot of fast food, he said.

Much like with diseases of the heart, medical advancements in recent years have impacted both survivability of cancer and improved quality of life for patients.

Everybody talks about the increased survival with cancers nowadays. Of course, the treatment has come a long way for many of them, seeing even stage 4 lung cancer patients surviving for five years or more, which is remarkable, Popalzai added.

Badiu said a focus on cancer in the region is leading to more awareness and education.

For example, we have been able to engage primary care providers to increase lung cancer screening awareness to make it easier for them by establishing some best practice advisories so they could order the screenings, she explained.

Badiu said an increase in screenings, in turn, means more cancers are being detected earlier.

An increase in awareness and early screening has a big impact on survival rates and benefits, she said.

Popalzai agreed.

The most effective way to reduce mortality from cancer is to never let it happen in the first place or if it happens, catch it early on in the course of the disease, he said. The effort should be to diagnose the cancer at stage 1 or stage 2 because the earlier it is found, the easier it is to treat.

He also stressed the importance of routine exams and checks and said patients must take a role in cancer prevention. He urged regular lung screenings, mammograms and colonoscopies.

The major impact will come from screening efforts, he said. Patients should prioritize getting the recommended screenings when they need to. They must know and advocate for themselves that way.
Hurricane Ian will be a problem for much of South Carolina, including The T&D Region, on Friday.

The storm is forecast to make landfall midday Friday as a Category 1 hurricane. But the storm is so broad that gusty winds, heavy rain and storm surge will arrive hours before.

The T&D Region will feel the storms greatest impact Friday and Friday night, with heavy rain and localized flash flooding, the National Weather Service reported Thursday evening.

The Midlands could see peak wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph on Friday afternoon. Three to six inches of rain are possible.

Conditions will remain windy at times into Friday evening, but should improve by Saturday. The potential for tornadoes is low.

Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties are all under a tropical storm warning and a flood watch.

Along the coast, 4 to 7 feet of storm surge is expected, rivaling problems created by hurricanes over the past decade. If Ian comes ashore as a hurricane, it would be the first hurricane to strike the state since Matthew in 2016.

National Guard troops are being positioned to help with the aftermath, including any water rescues, and highway crews will be ready to clear roads.

Gov. Henry McMaster issued no evacuations, but he said that doesnt mean the storm isnt dangerous.

We know we can handle this if we use our heads and follow the rules, McMaster said.
Anticipating high-speed winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Ians trajectory through the state, the South Carolina State University campus will close on Friday.

Only essential personnel should report for work.

Students who remain on the campus Friday should expect to shelter in their residence hall rooms during the storms peak periods. In the event of emergencies, students and employees are advised to call the Campus Police at 803-536-7188 or dial 911.

Out of caution, the university has postponed the investiture ceremony for President Alexander Conyerss Inauguration to 2 p.m. Saturday. Students and employees are encouraged to attend the event in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center, and the public is invited.

The Presidential Inaugural Ball scheduled for Friday night in Columbia will continue as planned. Guests are advised to be mindful of weather conditions.
China's combined tax and fee support policies have helped ease the burden on market entities and stabilize the macroeconomy, official data showed on Thursday.



The country's tax refunds, as well as tax and fee cuts and deferrals exceeded 3.4 trillion yuan (about 478 billion U.S. dollars) by Sept. 20, Cai Zili, an official with the State Taxation Administration told a press conference.

The total consists of approximately 2.21 trillion yuan worth of value-added tax credits that had been refunded to taxpayers' accounts, 591.6 billion yuan of tax and fee cuts, and 632.6 billion yuan of deferred tax and fee payments.

"Multiple policy tools have been effectively combined, creating synergy and supporting efforts to bail out businesses in difficulty," said Cai.

Official data shows that China has deferred 525.6 billion yuan worth of taxes and fees for 3.05 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector since the implementation of the tax and fee deferment policy.

It is estimated that the policy in general is expected to save over 20 billion yuan in financing costs for these companies.

Thursday's press conference also showed that China's accumulated export rebates and exemptions totaled 1.35 trillion yuan in the first eight months, playing a positive role in promoting the steady increase of the country's exports.
Gov. Mark Gordon on Thursday appointed Uinta County GOP committeeman Karl Allred to be Wyomings interim secretary of state.

Allred, a foreman at a gas plant, will have less than six weeks before overseeing the general election following former Secretary of State Ed Buchanans resignation earlier this month. He was among three people nominated for the post by the Wyoming Republican Central Committee on Saturday. Gordon was required to pick from among those three.

Beside administering the November election, Allred will oversee business and lobbyist registrations, among other things.

Allred is a member of the GOP central committee that nominated him. Hes been a perennial candidate in various elections over the years. He ran for legislative seats in 2020, 2018 and 2014, losing all three times in the primaries, according to Ballotpedia. This summer, he ran in the House District 19 Republican primary and lost to Jon Conrad. He also came in fifth in the race for his precincts committeeman (Eric South, a Uinta County commissioner, won that race).

In 2017, Allred unsuccessfully sued former Gov. Matt Mead over the capitol reconstruction and other state contracts. The following year, he was among a group of conservatives who violated University of Wyoming policy by open-carrying on campus during the Wyoming Republican Party convention, according to reports from the time. The move was part of an effort to challenge the schools gun ban.

The statement from Gordons office on Allreds appointment was pointedly short. It notes that state law obliges Gordon to choose from among the three candidates nominated by the State GOP, and that two of Wyomings five elected constitutional officers are now unelected appointees. The other unelected appointee, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder, took up that post after the former state superintendent, Jillian Balow, left to take a similar job in Virginia. He lost the primary election for the post to Republican nominee and Morningstar Partners Oil & Gas regulatory affairs manager Megan Degenfelder.

Given the short timeline for the interim secretary of state to get up and running before November, GOP Chairman Frank Eathorne asked Buchanan to stay through the general election. But Buchanan went ahead with his plans, leaving the post with about three months remaining on his term to take a job as a judge in Goshen County.

Republican nominee for secretary of state Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, will almost certainly take up the post in January, given that he doesnt have an opponent in the general election. He couldnt take over the job earlier because his term as a state representative isnt over.

That meant the GOP State Central Committee had to select three candidates for the interim position to send to Gordon, who had to appoint one of them within five days of that selection. There were 10 applicants, all of whom said they backed Gray for secretary of state.

Two of the applicants  Mary Lankford and Patrick Miller  had experience working with the secretary of states office.

Lankford was the Sublette County clerk for 32 years and is now a lobbyist for the County Clerks Association. Patrick Miller is currently assistant attorney general and advises three of the boards and commissions that the secretary of state sits on. Neither of them, however, were among those selected for referral to Gordon.

In a statement emailed to the Star-Tribune after Allreds appointment, Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, wrote that none of the choices that the State GOP forwarded to Gordon were reasonable options when there were former county clerks that applied for the appointment.

Allred called Yin a flippin idiot at the GOP State Central Committee meeting on Sept. 17.

We need to get rid of him, he said.

Besides Allred, the GOP State Central Committee voted Saturday for Sheridan County GOP Chairman Bryan Miller, and Marti Halverson, a far-right former lawmaker and Lincoln County GOP chairwoman.

Miller challenged incumbent Cyrus Western for House District 51 in the August primary and lost. He also lost his race for precinct committeeman.

Gail Symons, a Sheridan-based politico and owner of the nonpartisan blog Civics307, said that Miller has some pretty strong opinions regarding U.S. and state constitutional requirements around elections and First Amendment rights.

They are not supported by anybody who I would consider to be an expert, Symons said, adding that there could be a logical concern about what Miller might have done during a tenure as secretary of state.

During the 2020 election cycle, Halverson was tied to conservative espionage efforts against Gordon and other politicians deemed not supportive enough of former president Donald Trump, according to a New York Times investigation.

She also applied and was one of the three candidates that the GOP State Central Committee selected back in January for the interim state superintendent of pubic instruction position. She was selected along with Schroeder, former headmaster of the private Christian school Veritas Academy, and Thomas Kelly, chair of the military and political science department at the American Military University.

This story has been updated.
An exhibition of Indigenous art will make its debut Sunday at Landers Fremont County Pioneer Museum before touring around the state, the country and several international locations.

The exhibition, titled Grounded, includes works by 15 contemporary Native artists. It was put together by ArtSpirit, an arts program of the Episcopal diocese of Wyoming, and the international arts nonprofit CARAVAN.

According to a Sept. 8 news release from the diocese, the show is meant to provoke discussion about connecting with humanity, nature and the self.

At this moment in time, our world is calling for restoration, from within and without, for a realignment of a sacred harmony and an awareness of a new balance between ourselves and the earth and all of life upon it, it says.

Riverton resident Robert Martinez, a Northern Arapaho artist, curated the exhibit.

Other artists featured in the exhibit include:

Ben Pease (Apsaalooke-Crow)

Brent Learned (Arapaho and Cheyenne)

Carlin Bear Dont Walk (Apsaalooke-Crow and Northern Cheyenne)

Donald Montileaux (Oglala Sioux)

Henry Payer (Ho-Chunk)

Hillary Kempenich (Anishinaabe)

Jackie Larson Bread (Blackfeet)

Jackie Sevier (Northern Arapaho)

Jim Yellowhawk (Itazipco and Cheyenne River Sioux)

Joanne Brings Thunder (Eastern Shoshone)

John Pepion (Blackfeet)

Louis Still Smoking (Blackfeet)

Talissa Abeyta (Eastern Shoshone)

Wade Patton (Oglala Lakota)

Art by Martinez, Pepion, Still Smoking and Pease is currently on display at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper. Theyre part of the Creative Indigenous Collective, a group of contemporary Native artists who live in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota.

Grounded will stay in Lander through Nov. 14. Its organizers havent announced specific dates for subsequent showings, but the exhibition will make additional stops in Casper, Cheyenne, Jackson, Worland and Rock Springs.

Afterwards, itll tour around the state and the United Kingdom, and end with showings in the Middle East.
First Danish factory put into operation in An Giang

A Danish company, Spectre, which specializes in technical outdoor sport garments, opened its first factory in the southern An Giang province on Friday.

Workers at the factory





This is the 3rd Spectre factory in Vietnam and the first Danish FDI project in An Giang with a total investment of approximately VND17 million which will create 2,500 jobs for local people.





The opening ceremony saw the attendance of Ambassador of Denmark in Vietnam Nicolai Prytz, Chairman of An Giang Peoples Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh, co-owner and responsible for Production and Business Development at Spectre, Jesper Klausen, and many leaders from the local authorities and enterprises.

The new factory was built in accordance with high Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) standards and was granted the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) gold certification. By using solar energy and advanced design features, the factory can reduce around 1600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Speaking at the ceremony, ambassador of Denmark in Vietnam Nicolai Prytz said that the project is another strong testament to the increasing Danish investments in Vietnam.

"It also shows how important the Government of Vietnams strong commitment to carbon reduction is in order to attract quality investments in Vietnam," he said. "These investments in sustainable production require green energy supply for operating."

Denmark is now one of the biggest European investors in Vietnam. With the coming visit of the Royal Crown Couple of Denmark and a business delegation of 36 companies in early November, it is expected that more Danish investment deals, especially in the energy sector, will be finalized in the coming years.




Chinese makers of heating appliances, including electric blankets and electric heaters, have seen explosive growth in exports to Europe as the continent heads into winter in the throes of an energy crisis amid rising prices of natural gas, industry experts said.

Statistics from AliExpress, Alibaba Group's business-to-customer or B2C site that sells consumer goods to overseas markets, showed sales of heating appliances, such as electric blankets, in the European market surged nearly 300 percent in September compared with that in August.

Sales of Chinese heating appliances in France, Germany and Poland skyrocketed 306 percent, 303 percent and 297 percent month-on-month, respectively, during this period, given that European consumers are expanding their purchases of heating appliances ahead of the approaching winter.

Moreover, there is surging demand for heat pump water heaters, which gather ambient warmth from the air and compress it to heat up water, especially in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, with orders soaring more than 100 percent year-on-year in the past 90 days, said Alibaba.com, the business-to-business platform of Alibaba.

In July, the European Union's 27 member states imported 1.29 million units of electric blankets from China, an increase of 150 percent compared with 521,000 units in June, China's General Administration of Customs said.

"With natural gas supplies from Russia becoming volatile and amid continuously soaring energy prices, China's energy-saving heating appliances at reasonable prices are increasingly gaining popularity among European consumers," said Liang Zhenpeng, an independent consumer electronics analyst.

In addition, exports of air source heat pumps are expected to maintain a more than 50 percent growth rate this year, according to ChinaIOL.com, a professional research institute focusing on data monitoring in the home appliances market.

Jiang Han, a senior researcher at market consultancy Pangoal, warned that the Europe is currently short of energy, but not home appliances.

"The soaring demand for heating appliances might be short-term. If the energy crisis in European countries eases, it will be unclear whether there will still be high demand for heating appliances. Some Chinese manufacturers may face the risk of overcapacity at that time," Jiang said.

Chinese home appliance brand Midea Group is ramping up efforts to upgrade its heat pump products, which could reduce 60 to 80 percent of carbon emissions compared with coal-fired boilers so as to address the natural gas shortage in Europe.

In the first seven months, exports of Midea's heat pumps surged 215 percent year-on-year, data from ChinaIOL showed.

According to Cinda Securities, with strong demand arising from European consumers, and given the commercial and industrial use of heat pumps, demand for heat pumps in the European market is expected to exceed 40 million units in the future, with the total market scale surpassing 400 billion euros ($387 billion).
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A Pima County jury on Friday convicted Christopher Clements of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the 2014 death of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez.

Clements, 40, is facing a second trial in February in connection with the kidnapping and killing of 6-year-old Isabel Celis, who went missing from her bedroom in 2012.

Maribel was killed two years later, in June 2014. Both cases went unsolved until 2018, when law enforcement leaders announced Clements arrest in connection with the death of of both girls. The jury of six men and six women spent Wednesday and most of Thursday deliberating before returning with a guilty verdict Friday afternoon. The trial lasted 10 days and and the state called 24 witnesses. Clements did not take the stand.

Pima County prosecutors say Clements encountered Maribel while she was walking to a friends house, after hed left his own house following a fight with his girlfriend. Deputy Pima County Attorney Tracy Miller told the jury that while they dont have a witness to explain how or why Clements abducted or killed Maribel, they believe that Clements  who was more than a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than Maribel  suffocated the teen and put her body in his trunk.

He then briefly returned to his house looking for bleach before going to the remote desert area in Avra Valley where Maribels body was eventually found, prosecutors say. Clements girlfriend told jurors that when he came home the next morning he headed straight for the shower, then insisted she clean his clothes, the floor where he had walked and the shower curtain.

Cell phone records of Clements movements the night of Maribels death puts him in the vicinity of where her body was recovered. The records also revealed that he had been using a police scanner app the night she was killed.

Clements was not connected to the case until March 2017, when he was assisting investigators with an unrelated case and pointed out landmarks in the area where Maribels body was recovered. At the time, law enforcement had not released any details about the specific location.

Detectives collected DNA from Clements, which when tested against a hair found on Maribels body, could not rule him out as a suspect. A search of his electronic devices turned up a password-protected folder on a tablet that contained dozens of pictures of underage girls, some scantily clad and some later identified as local children. His computer showed searches that included Maribel Gonzalez, trace evidence on body, and body found in desert.

Miller told the jury during closing arguments that the mountain of circumstantial evidence pointed only to Clements and provided no reasonable doubt of his guilt.

Clements attorney, Joseph DiRoberto, presented witnesses who disputed the states experts testimony, but called no character witnesses and did not establish an alibi for Clements the night of Maribels death.

A collective sigh of relief could be heard from the first two rows of the gallery, with several of Maribels family members crying softly as Judge James Marner polled the jury for their individual verdicts. There was no visible reaction from Clements, who stared straight ahead, motionless.C

Clements sentencing date is expected to be set in a Oct. 12 hearing. He faces at least 35 years in prison or up to life behind bars.
The same thing that opponents hated about the states expanded Empowerment Scholarship Account program may have saved it.

By making the program available to all 1.1 million school children, the Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey multiplied the number of people with a stake in the existing program.

So, when opponents of the voucher expansion effort decried its potential effect on public school funding and launched a petition drive to repeal it, they faced a galvanized opposition.

The Arizona Secretary of State hasnt made it official yet, but it appears that the petition drive by Save Our Schools has fallen short of the number of signatures needed to refer the issue to the ballot.

Christine Accurso, a leading opponent from Gilbert, credits in part the effort she spearheaded to protest where volunteers were collecting signatures to refer the program to the ballot. That caused a significant number of potential signers to at least think twice, if not decline altogether, she said.

What changed this year is this is the law we all always wanted, she said. Its not just for select students in Arizona, but for all students in Arizona.

So there were potential beneficiaries, such as home-schooling families, who had a direct stake in this ESA debate and came out to protest signature-gathering by Save Our Schools members.

Fatigue was also a likely factor. Many of the same people worked on petition drives related to K-12 education in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021.

Their team has gotten exhausted, Accurso said. I am too, though.

Wes Oswald, a Tucson teacher and leading signature-gatherer through the years, acknowledged the fatigue factor.

People are just exhausted by this. Theyre tired of it. Theyre sick of their voices not being heard, he said.

An additional factor, Oswald noted: This was almost exclusively volunteer-led. The others relied heavily on volunteer petitioners.

Then theres the little-noticed time factor: Ducey signed the bill 10 days after it was passed, as late as he could. That reduced the number of days for petitioners to gather signatures from 90 to 80.

Beth Lewis, who heads Save Our Schools, estimated originally that the group had collected about 141,000 signatures, but that was a rough and optimistic estimate. Opponents who have reviewed the petitions say the real number is less than 100,000, or far fewer than the 118,823 needed.

The Secretary of States Office has 20 days from Sept. 23 to complete its review.

Debateless in CD6

It turns out that getting the candidates in Congressional District 6, Republican Juan Ciscomani and Democrat Kirsten Engel, to debate will be an impossible task.

On Aug. 29, Engel showed up for a debate on Arizona PBS in Phoenix. Ciscomani did not. Engel got the stage all to herself.

Something similar happened in reverse on Sept. 22. Ciscomani, the Republican candidate, faced an empty chair when he showed up to a forum that day. Donovan Kramer, the editor of the Casa Grande Dispatch, was expecting Engel, but she was a no-show.

We were definitely expecting it, Kramer said. We had a seat set up, and we were left with one candidate.

As a result, it was a relatively short event, broadcast on Facebook Live, with Ciscomani answering a series of questions and then giving a closing statement, Kramer said.

There apparently was a communications breakdown with Engels campaign. Kramer said Engels team accepted on Aug. 18, but Engel spokeswoman Sophia Brown said the candidate had never confirmed her attendance and did not receive any information about the forum after early August.

In addition, Arizona Public Media in Tucson tried to arrange a debate, but that became impossible due to logistics issues, host Christopher Conover said. Instead, both candidates will come in for separate interviews, which is scheduled to be aired at 8 p.m. on Oct 14 on Channel 6, KUAT.

Abortion issue escape

While Ciscomani tweaked Engel about the Casa Grande debate fiasco this week, Engel tweaked Ciscomani over an incident in which a person approached him at a campaign event in a park to ask about abortion bans.

To be honest, Im an independent, Im on the fence, Im like learning, you know, the voter said, as somebody videotaped. My question is, whats your feeling about it?

As the voter asked, two members of Ciscomanis campaign staff approached him, said his wife was calling him and needed help with their kids. Ciscomani pulled out his phone and said she texted me right now, give me one second, then walked away.

Nearby under the same ramada, legislative candidate Stan Caine shrugged his shoulders and said Is he just going to walk away?

The progressive group Indivisible identified the voter as Sonia E and spread the video, mocking Ciscomani as running away from the issue.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Two brothers in Texas have been arrested after authorities say one of them opened fire on a group of migrants getting water near the U.S.-Mexico border, killing one man and shooting a woman in the stomach, according to court documents filed Thursday.

The shooting Tuesday was in rural Hudspeth County about 90 miles from El Paso, where the woman was transported and recovering at a hospital, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

DPS said the victims were among a group of migrants standing alongside the road getting water when a truck with two men inside pulled over. According to court documents, the group had taken cover as the truck first passed to avoid being detected but the truck then backed up.

Michael Sheppard and Mark Sheppard, both 60, were charged with manslaughter, according to court documents. It was not clear whether either man had an attorney and no contact information could immediately be found Thursday.

Records show that Michael Sheppard was a warden at the West Texas Detention Facility, a privately owned center that houses migrant detainees and contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Scott Sutterfield, a spokesman for facility operator Lasalle Corrections, said Thursday that the center's warden had been fired due to an off-duty incident unrelated to his employment. He declined further comment.

Authorities located the truck by checking cameras and finding a vehicle matching the description given by the migrants, according to court records.

Associated Press writer Acacia Coronado contributed to this report.
More than 300 were taken to hospitals after fights broke out. In the U.S., hurricane experts question whether islanders should even try to rebuild as storms get stronger and deadlier each year. See the latest photos in our news roundup.
KENOSHA, Wis. (AP)  The man who survived a shooting by Kyle Rittenhouse that left two others dead during a Wisconsin protest in 2020 has filed a secret petition to change his legal name because of what he now says was continued harassment related to the case.

Gaige Grosskreutz has called for an investigation by the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court on how the sealed petition was leaked to a conservative news outlet this week.

Grosskreutz, 29, of West Allis, issued a statement after the petition became public. It said he has received death threats in the two years since he was shot in the arm during a protest in Kenosha and that he was seeking the name change to protect him and his family.

But the real story here isnt that I am seeking to change my name, but that a process that is supposed to protect and shield those in danger was undermined and sealed information was released to the right wing media within hours of my filing," the statement said.

Grosskreutz's attorney, Kimberley Motley, has requested records of who had access to the petition on Tuesday, the day it was filed with the clerk.

Clerk of Courts George Christenson said he has begun looking into the matter, the Journal Sentinel reported.

Grosskreutz was shot by Rittenhouse on Aug. 25, 2020, after Rittenhouse fatally shot two other men with an AR-15-style rifle during a violent protest that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake Jr.

The confidential name change petition was first reported by the Kenosha County Eye, whose editor, Kevin Mathewson, was himself a figure in the protest. Mathewson is a former Kenosha alderman who called for armed people to come and defend the city in a post to a Facebook account called The Kenosha Guard.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to annex parts of Ukraine in defiance of international law, vowing to protect the newly incorporated regions by all available means" in another escalation of his seven-month invasion of the country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by saying his country is submitting an accelerated application to join the NATO military alliance.

Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for peace talks but immediately insisted he wont discuss handing back occupied regions  keeping him on a collision course with the Ukrainian government and its Western backers that have rejected his land-grab.

In a Kremlin ceremony at the ornate St. George's Hall to herald the annexation of the occupied parts of Ukraine, Putin accused the West of fueling the hostilities as part of what he said is a plan to turn Russia into a colony and a crowds of slaves. The hardening of his position, in the conflict that that has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people, further cranked up tensions, already at levels unseen since the Cold War.

The European Union immediately responded to Putins latest step with a joint statement rejecting and condemning the illegal annexation of the four regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

The EUs 27 member states said they will never recognize the illegal referendums that Russia organized as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ukraine vowed to continue fighting, and Zelenskyy announced the accelerated NATO application, although it wasnt immediately clear what that would mean, since it requires the unanimous support of the alliances members.

De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards. They are real for Ukraine -- real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction, Zelenskyy said. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the alliance.

The Kremlin ceremony came three days after the completion in occupied regions of Moscow-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that were dismissed by Kyiv and the West as a bare-faced land grab held at gunpoint and based on lies.

But Putin, in a fiery speech at the ceremony, insisted that Ukraine must treat the Kremlin-managed votes with respect.

After the signing ceremony of treaties to join Russia, Moscow-installed leaders of the occupied regions gathered around Putin and they all linked hands, before then joining chants of Russia! Russia! with the audience.

Putin also railed at the West, cutting an angry figure as he accused the United States and its allies of seeking to destroy Russia. He said the West acted as a parasite and used its financial and technological strength to rob the entire world.

He portrayed Russia as being on a historical mission to reclaim its post-Soviet great power status and counter Western domination that he said is collapsing.

History has called us to a battlefield to fight for our people, for the grand historic Russia, for future generations, he said.

The separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine have been backed by Moscow since declaring independence in 2014, weeks after the annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. The southern Kherson region and part of neighboring Zaporizhzhia were captured by Russia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Both houses of the Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubber-stamp the treaties for the regions to join Russia, sending them to Putin for his approval.

Putin and his lieutenants have bluntly warned Ukraine against pressing an offensive to reclaim the regions, saying Russia would view it as an act of aggression  threats that Moscow can back up with the worlds largest arsenal of nuclear warheads.

The Kremlin-organized votes in Ukraine were an attempt by Putin to avoid more defeats on the battlefields that could threaten his 22-year rule. By setting Russias gains in stone, at least on paper, Putin seemingly hopes to scare Ukraine and its Western backers with the prospect of an increasingly escalatory conflict unless they back down  which they show no signs of doing.

Russia controls most of the Luhansk and Kherson regions, about 60% of the Donetsk region and a large chunk of the Zaporizhzhia region where it took control of Europes largest nuclear power plant.

The push forward with annexation comes with the Kremlin on the verge of another stinging battlefield loss, with reports of the imminent Ukrainian encirclement of the eastern city of Lyman.

Retaking it could open the path for Ukraine to push deep into Luhansk, one of the regions Russia is absorbing.

It looks quite pathetic. Ukrainians are doing something, taking steps in the real material world, while the Kremlin is building some kind of a virtual reality, incapable of responding in the real world, former Kremlin speechwriter turned political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said.

People understand that the politics is now on the battlefield, he added. Whats important is who advances and who retreats. In that sense, the Kremlin cannot offer anything omforting to the Russians.

Russia on Friday also pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets and suicide drones, with one strike reported to have killed 25 people. The salvos together amounted to the heaviest barrage that Russia has unleashed for weeks.

They followed analysts warnings that Putin was likely to dip more heavily into his dwindling stocks of precision weapons and step up attacks as part of a strategy to escalate the war to an extent that would shatter Western support for Ukraine.

A Ukrainian counteroffensive has deprived Moscow of mastery on the military fields of battle. Its hold of the Luhansk region appears increasingly shaky, as Ukrainian forces make inroads there, with the pincer assault on Lyman. Ukraine also still has a large foothold in the neighboring Donetsk region.

In the Zaporizhzhia regions capital, anti-aircraft missiles that Russia has repurposed as ground-attack weapons rained down Friday on people who were waiting in cars to cross into Russian-occupied territory so they could bring family members back across front lines, the deputy head of Ukraines presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said.

The general prosecutors office said 25 people were killed and 50 wounded. The strike left deep impact craters and sent shrapnel tearing through the humanitarian convoys lined-up vehicles, killing their passengers. Nearby buildings were demolished. Trash bags, blankets and, for one victim, a blood-soaked towel, were used to cover bodies.

Russian-installed officials in Zaporizhzhia blamed Ukrainian forces for the strike, but provided no evidence.

Russian strikes were also reported in the city of Dnipro. The regional governor, Valentyn Reznichenko, said at least one person was killed and five were wounded.

Ukraines air force said the southern cities of Mykolaiv and Odesa were also targeted with Iranian-supplied suicide drones that Russia has increasingly deployed in recent weeks, seemingly to avoid losing more pilots who dont have control of Ukraines skies.

Zelenskyy held an emergency meeting of his National Security and Defense Council on Friday and denounced the latest Russian strikes.

The enemy rages and seeks revenge for our steadfastness and his failures, he posted on his Telegram channel. You will definitely answer. For every lost Ukrainian life!

With Ukraine vowing to take back all occupied territory and Russia pledging to defend its gains, threatening nuclear-weapon use and mobilizing an additional 300,000 troops despite protests, the two nations are on an increasingly escalatory collision course.

That was underscored by the fighting for Lyman, a key node for Russian military operations in the Donbas and a sought-after prize in the Ukrainian counteroffensive launched in late August.
After constant efforts to push forward innovation-driven development, China has made visible progress in industrial upgrading, with new growth drivers emerging and new business forms flourishing, a recent report showed.



In 2021, the industrial output of major high-tech manufacturers made up 15.1 percent of the total value-added industrial output, 5.7 percentage points higher than that in 2012, according to a new report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The output of new energy vehicles last year was 28.2 times higher than that of 2014, while industrial robot output was 12.5 times higher than the 2014 figure, the report said.

China's services sector has an improving structure. In 2021, the added value of information transmission, software and information technology services accounted for 7.2 percent of the added value of the services sector, up 2.5 percentage points from 2012.

Innovation-driven efforts

What is behind these stellar figures is China's perseverance in promoting scientific and technological innovation.

In 2021, China invested 2.8 trillion yuan (about 393.2 billion U.S. dollars) in research and development (R&D), up by 1.7 times from 2012. The share of R&D expenditure in GDP stood at 2.44 percent, nearing the average level of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries.

At the end of 2021, the country had a total of 330,000 high-tech enterprises and 4,762 "little giant" companies, representatives of China's small and medium-sized enterprises that specialize in niche markets and are endowed with cutting-edge technologies and great potential.

The number of authorized patents registered an average annual growth of 15.5 percent during the past 10 years.

The government has also pooled efforts to optimize mechanisms to smoothen the financing channels for technology firms. The country launched the sci-tech innovation board in 2019 and the Beijing Stock Exchange in 2021, tilting financing more in favor of innovation-powered firms.

Official data showed that 46 of the around 2,200 Chinese listed firms in emerging industries are valued at over 100 billion yuan each, up from zero 10 years ago.

Burgeoning new economy

Changes in the Chinese economy gained momentum after the country switched gear to new growth drivers.

Over the last decade, China has been promoting deep integration between the digital economy and the real economy. As a result, cashless transactions have become ubiquitous in daily life.

Online shopping has become a bright spot in China's consumer market, as the online retail sales of physical goods exceeded 10.8 trillion yuan in 2021, accounting for 24.5 percent of the total retail sales of consumer goods, said the report.

Driven by the record-setting sales volume of online retail, China's courier sector handled 108.3 billion parcels in 2021, surging by 18 times in the 2012-2021 period, reinforcing China's top status in the world in terms of express delivery volume.

The report also highlighted the booming digital economy. The added value of core industries in the digital economy accounted for 7.8 percent of GDP in 2020 and the size of China's digital economy ranked second globally.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday for an illegal annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory in a sharp escalation of his seven-month invasion of Ukraine. Its leader immediately countered with a surprise application to join the NATO military alliance.

Putins land-grab and President Volodymyr Zelenskyys signing of what he said is an accelerated NATO membership application sent the two leaders speeding even faster on a collision course that is cranking up fears of a full-blown conflict between Russia and the West.

In response, the U.S. sanctioned more than 1,000 people and firms connected to Russias invasion of Ukraine, including its Central Bank governor and families of National Security Council members.

Putin vowed to protect newly annexed regions of Ukraine by all available means," a nuclear-backed threat at a Kremlin signing ceremony where he also railed at the West.

Today's developments from the Russia-Ukraine war:

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to annex parts of Ukraine in defiance of international law, vowing to protect the newly incorporated regions by all available means" in another escalation of his seven-month invasion of the country.

The U.S. on Friday sanctioned more than 1,000 people and firms connected to Russias invasion of Ukraine, including its Central Bank governor and families of National Security Council members

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by saying his country is submitting an accelerated application to join the NATO military alliance.

The European Union immediately responded to Putins latest step with a joint statement rejecting and condemning the illegal annexation of the four regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The EUs 27 member states said they will never recognize the illegal referendums that Russia organized as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Read the full stories here:

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PHOENIX  LGBTQ activists in Arizona are stepping up efforts to fight stigma and intolerance amid the global outbreak of monkeypox  even as they work to get more people vaccinated against the viral disease, which is contracted through close or intimate contact.

Some conservatives, including state Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, have posted anti-LGBTQ messages on social media in connection with the disease. And in Washington, D.C., two men filed a police report in August saying they were punched by assailants who used an anti-gay slur and referenced monkeypox.

We are still trying to overcome the stigma of the HIV and AIDS era, so to have a new illness start to emerge more prevalently that has taken root to some extent in the gay male community  it triggers concerns, said Jeremy Helfgot, a spokesperson for Phoenix Pride. The concern is that we may see that kind of stigma return.

Monkeypox, which is rarely fatal, is among the family of viruses that includes smallpox. Symptoms include lesions that may look like pimples or blisters, along with possible fever, chills and muscle aches.

The richest source of virus can be found in the lesions of monkeypox, said Grant McFadden, director of the Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy at Arizona State University. Any physical contact  whether sexual, through clothing or bedding  has the potential to transmit the virus.

Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 in laboratory monkeys in Denmark. Although the source of the disease remains unknown, it has been linked to rodents. The first human cases were reported in 1970 in Africa, and until recently, the disease was found almost exclusively in Central and West Africa, McFadden said.

The latest outbreak arose in May when cases were identified in Europe and the U.S. So far this year, about 67,000 cases have been reported globally. That includes 25,000 in the U.S., with about 470 of those in Arizona, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People of color  especially Black and Hispanic people  have been disproportionately affected, CDC statistics show.

Given that COVID-19 also has disproportionately affected people of color, some worry those most in need of care arent getting the help they need.

The white gay community has a lot of resources  they have nonprofit organizations, they have clinics and private doctors that are culturally atuned to our queer community, said Richard Zaldivar, an LGBTQ advocate in Los Angeles. But when you look at people of color communities, we do not have that capacity.

Broadly, LGBTQ individuals face more barriers to health care, research shows. A February study by researchers at UCLA found lesbian and bisexual women and gay men are more likely than straight men and women to experience bias when getting medical care.

Helfgot worries that, like HIV and AIDS, monkeypox is perceived by the public as a so-called gay disease because most cases in the current outbreak have occurred among men who report sexual or close intimate contact with other men.

Ignorance itself is almost its own kind of opportunistic infection, and it will take hold of anyone whos willing to embrace it, he said. It is clear there are subsets of the U.S. population that, for lack of a better word, hate the LGBTQ+ community. So when theres a new opportunity to say, Hey, look, we can blame this particular community, they are going to jump on it.

He and others recalled the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, when a lack of support and knowledge at times led to hysteria. Some Americans wanted to force those with AIDS to quarantine or carry around an ID card.

Zaldivar was a young activist during that time, working to educate Latinos in the Los Angeles area about HIV/AIDS. He later founded The Wall Las Memorias project to build a monument in LAs Lincoln Park to those lost to AIDS.

I decided I wanted to give back, because I understood the cultural constraints that we had in dealing with HIV and AIDS and sexuality, Zaldivar said. It was a different period of time.

I think we see the stigma attached to monkeypox, (but) not as great as HIV because I think the community, the powers that be, the media have been a little bit more understanding of stigma and queer community.

Its a health issue, he said. And it impacts everybody and anybody.

In Phoenix, the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS held a virtual town hall recently to talk about stigma, how to identify symptoms and when and where to get vaccinated. The group encouraged anyone facing backlash to seek therapy and support and to speak out.

The CDC issued a guide to help reduce stigma around monkeypox. Suggestions include stressing that monkeypox can be acquired regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Health experts note that anyone could contract the virus through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids or sores. Its also possible to be infected via respiratory droplets.

The CDC recommends vaccinations primarily for those who are in close contact with someone who has monkeypox and for those whose sex partners have been diagnosed recently. However, the nation is facing a shortage of available doses.

In Maricopa County, home to the vast majority of Arizonas monkeypox cases, vaccines are being prioritized for those considered high risk. The Southwest Center and other sexual health clinics are leading the charge on vaccine distribution.

This Saturday, the center is partnering with Phoenix Pride to hold a free vaccination clinic as part of the Pride in Your Health campaign leading up to the 41st Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade in mid-October.

Casey Simon, director of health care operations at the Southwest Center, has seen both men and women coming in to get vaccinated  which gives him hope that education is working.
As Tucsons landmark Mexican restaurant El Charro is celebrating its centennial year, several Tucson restaurants are hoping to follow in its footsteps.

Here are seven Tucson restaurants that have been around 75 years or longer.

Arizona Inn (92 years)

2200 E. Elm St., arizonainn.com

Arizonas first congresswoman Isabella Greenway opened the Arizona Inn in late 1930 as a way to employ World War I vets in the hotels furniture shop and to house travelers. The inn is still operated by Greenways descendants and the dining room is still a destination for locals and tourists alike, serving an upscale Southwestern-influenced New American menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

El Minuto Cafe (86 years)

354 S. Main Ave., elminutotucson.com

Started in 1936 by Lebanese immigrant John Juan Shaar, the cafe is still run by the family, now in its fourth generation. Shaar originally opened the restaurant a few miles east off Congress Street, but that building was demolished in the 1940s to make way for Interstate 10. The restaurant moved next door to the familys home in Barrio Viejo and was spared the urban renewal wrecking ball of the early 1970s, although the family home was not so fortunate.

Teresa Shaar, Juan Shaars granddaughter who has managed the restaurant for 40 years, opened a second location of El Minuto on the east side in early 2007; it was open just seven months before closing that summer, a casualty of the recession.

Teresa Shaar, who has been running the downtown restaurant since her 90-year-old mom Rosalva retired, is now working alongside her children.

It took awhile for my kids, she said. But my kids love it now. When they see the clientele we have and the regulars who come every day for lunch and were so faithful during the pandemic. Everyone loves our food and we have a great location with the (Tucson Convention Center). They see the great potential.

Crossroads (86 years)

2602 S. Fourth Ave., crossroadsfinemexican.com

When it opened in 1936, Crossroads was a drive-in in an area that had few, if any, drive-ins or restaurants. The Mexican restaurant, anchoring the corner of South Fourth and East 36th Street, is largely regarded as the patriarch on a street that now boasts some of the citys most iconic and enduring Mexican restaurants.

Carusos (84 years)

434 N. Fourth Ave., carusositalian.com

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Nicasio Zagona opened his Italian restaurant in 1938 blocks away from where Carusos has stood on North Fourth Avenue for nearly 80 years. Zagonas son, Salvatore Zagone Sr., took over the restaurant, known for its authentic Italian fare and historic copper sauce pot, in the early 1950s and ran it through the 1990s, when his son, Salvatore Jr., took over. The senior Zagone died in early 2021 at the age of 100. Zagone Jr. runs the restaurant with his cousin, Andrea Ande Motzkin.

El Corral (83 years)

2201 E. River Road, elcorraltucson.com

Leroy C. Perkins opened the steakhouse in 1939 in an area of Tucson that had gone from barren desert to burgeoning subdivisions over a span of a dozen years or so. The ranchhouse vibe matched the menu of mesquite-grilled steaks and slow-roasted prime rib, which is still the restaurants trademark served alongside the house favorite tamale pie. The restaurant has been owned and operated since 1975 by Agro Land and Cattle Co. Inc., which also runs Pinnacle Peak steakhouse, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, which has been around since 1962.

Casa Molina (75 years)

6225 E. Speedway; casamolina.com

Gilbert Molina Sr. opened his familys Mexican restaurant in 1947, involving his children in the business from the beginning. The original restaurant, which initially had seating for 16, is now run by Gilbert Jr., who also owns Casa Molina del Norte at 3001 N. Campbell Ave.

A small grease fire in the fryer in April shuttered the Speedway restaurant. Molina Jr.s daughter, Yaredezette Molina-McGuire, who manages the Campbell Avenue restaurant with her brother Gilbert III, said they are awaiting official approvals to reopen the flagship restaurant.

The Campbell Avenue restaurant originally opened in 1963 on Campbell Avenue and East Limberlost Road, where Trader Joes is located. It opened at its current location in 1989, one of several spinoffs from the original restaurant from various family members that numbered nine at one time, including the storied Molinas Midway that closed in 2017 after 63 years in business.

Molina-McGuire, 49, whose two adult daughters work in the restaurant, and her 43-year-old brother are intent on continuing their father and grandfathers legacies.

We pass it on generations to generations, just like Carlotta and Ray (Flores of El Charro), she said. Thats our goal, to keep it on for generations. Thats why my grandfather started it.

Lil Abners Steakhouse (75 years)

8501 N. Silverbell Road; lilabnerssteakhouse.com

The popular steakhouse started in 1947 as a watering hole for local farmers and cowboys before it added food to the mix. Its been owned by former Tucson attorney David Hoffman since 1981, when he bought it from a former client.

On most nights, the restaurant prepares hundreds of steaks and ribs on an open flame grill on the patio, serving generations of Tucsonans and tourists alike.

Its like the old West. Its a neat old place, said Connie Gilbert, who, with coworker Shawn Bell, has managed the restaurant for Hoffman for 40 years. Im sure there are a lot of memories that a lot of people have because its been here so long. Old memories and they just pass it down.
Stroll Stone Canyon is moving forward with a new brand name.

The magazine, written by and for residents of Owassos luxury neighborhood, celebrated a recent name change by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Owasso Chamber on Thursday.

Stroll is part of the national niche magazine franchisor, The N2 Company, launched in 2004, that is circulated among nearly 600 prestigious U.S. neighborhoods, including Stone Canyon in Owasso.

We help bring people closer together, local franchisee Shannon Ruesch said. They feel like theyre getting to know their neighbors by reading their stories  the stories about their kids, their pets, their vacations  its really very a connecting thing.

N2 Publishing was renamed Stroll in July, converting Stone Canyon Living into Stroll Stone Canyon. The publication is among nearly a dozen other Oklahoma neighborhood magazines that now share the same name.

The major shift to Stroll came as company leaders acknowledged the need for brand evolution and consistency across all markets.

They (subscribers) are still getting the same great publication; now were unified, Ruesch said of Stroll. Were reaching people where they need us. We help businesses get to where they need to be.

Owasso Chamber President Chelsea Feary added, We are very excited to be here today with Shannon to help her host a ribbon cutting.

More information about Stroll can be found at strollmag.com.
A Cleveland, Oklahoma, man was killed in a boat crash on Lake Keystone on Thursday evening, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Garry Dugan, 52, was piloting a 2010 Azz jet boat into the evening sun in the Appalachia Bay area just before 6:30 p.m. when an abrupt left turn in front of an eastbound vessel resulted in the crash, state troopers said.

The eastbound boat, a 2008 Warhawk jet boat, struck Dugans boat, throwing him into the water, troopers said in a preliminary crash report.

Dugan was pronounced dead at the scene by EMSA medics.

Troopers cited inattention and the sunset as likely causes of the crash.
After a suspect in a homicide led police officers on a chase that ended downtown with the evacuation of the Cox Business Convention Center and the arrest of a 21-year-old man in his stepfathers slaying.

The events started about seven hours before the arrest, when Tulsa police responded to Sunset Plaza apartments, 250 E. Independence St. A caller reported that Camreion Williams, 21, had shot his stepfather and fled, according to a Tulsa Police Department social media post.

The shooting victim, identified as Pete Clifton, died shortly after being taken to a hospital, police said. The mans stepson was identified in reports as a person of interest in the shooting while he remained at large early Friday.

Police later received a call that Williams had returned to the apartment, but he fled when officers arrived there. A pursuit led officers about two miles to downtown Tulsas Cox Business Convention Center, where Williams reportedly ran inside shortly after 8 a.m.

Tulsa County Sheriffs Office deputies assisted as police began evacuating the convention center in the search for Williams, who reportedly worked there as a part-time building operations employee. Police encouraged residents on social media just after 8:15 a.m. to avoid the area.

Williams reportedly was located just after 8:30 a.m. inside a maintenance room, police said. He is being held without bond in the Tulsa County jail on a first-degree murder complaint.

The slaying is being investigated as the citys 59th of the year. Another homicide investigation had launched earlier Friday after a man walked into a north Tulsa bar with a neck wound and collapsed, police said.

Clarification: Police provided updated information later about Williams' employment history in Cox Business Center. The story has been corrected.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Thursday told visiting leaders from more than a dozen Pacific Island countries that the U.S. was committed to bolstering its presence in their region and becoming a more collaborative partner as they face the existential threat of climate change.

The president addressed the leaders who gathered in Washington for a summit as the White House looks to improve relations in the Pacific amid growing U.S. concern about Chinas growing military and economic influence.

A great deal of history of our world is going to be written in the Indo-Pacific over the coming years and decades, Biden said at the start of a meeting with island leaders at the State Department. And the Pacific Islands are a critical voice in shaping the future, and thats why my administration has made it a priority to strengthen our partnership with your countries.

Biden delivered his remarks as his administration unveiled its Pacific strategy, an outline of the White House's plan to assist the region's leaders on pressing issues like climate change, maritime security and protecting the area from overfishing. The administration also pledged that the U.S. would add $810 million in new aid for Pacific Island nations over the next decade, including $130 million on efforts to stymie the impacts of climate change.

Were seeing the consequences of climate change around the world very vividly, including in the United States right now, and I know your nations feel it acutely, Biden said.

Leaders from Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia and New Caledonia are attending the two-day summit that Secretary of State Antony Blinken kicked off Wednesday. Vanuatu and Nauru sent representatives, and Australia, New Zealand and the secretary-general of the Pacific Island Forum sent observers, according to the White House. The president hosted leaders for a dinner Thursday evening at the White House.

The summit comes amid worrying signs to the U.S. that Beijing has grown its influence in the region. Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands signed a new security pact with Beijing, and ahead of the summit signaled it would be hesitant to sign any end-of-summit statement critical of China.

The Marshall Islands this month suspended talks to renew its security partnership with the U.S., citing the longstanding impact of U.S. nuclear testing in the area some 70 years ago.

A joint declaration issued at the end of the summit included a nod to those concerns. It stated that the U.S. was "committed to addressing the Republic of the Marshall Islands ongoing environmental, public health concerns, and other welfare concerns and to the safe removal and disposal of unexploded ordnance.

Among the new initiatives the White House announced are plans to ask Congress to appropriate $600 million over 10 years to support economic development, promote climate resilience efforts for Pacific fisheries and more. The administration says it will also establish a regional mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Suva, Fiji. The White House also reiterated previously announced plans to open embassies in the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Kiribati.

The White House also announced plans to recognize the Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign states, after "appropriate consultations." The U.S. currently recognizes the islands as self-governing territories.

Meg Keen, the director of the Pacific Islands program for the Australia-based Lowy Institute, said the recognition means the Cook Islands and Niue would be eligible for some of the U.S. funding announced by Biden on Thursday.

The 16-page document notes heightened geopolitical competition impacts for the Pacific Island countries that also directly affect the United States.

Increasingly those impacts include pressure and economic coercion by the Peoples Republic of China, which risks undermining the peace, prosperity, and security of the region, and by extension, of the United States, the strategy document says. "These challenges demand renewed U.S. engagement across the full Pacific Islands region."

Among the broad strategy aims laid out by the Biden administration in the document are expanding the number of U.S. diplomatic missions from six to nine across the Pacific and completing work to renew strategic partnership agreements with the Pacific Island nations of Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands that are set to soon expire. The strategy also calls for increasing the presence in the region of the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Pentagon.

White House officials acknowledge that U.S. inattentiveness toward the region since the end of the Cold War has left an opening for Beijing to exert its influence.

Plans for the summit were announced earlier this month, just days after the Solomon Islands called on the U.S. and Britain not to send naval vessels to the South Pacific nation until approval processes are overhauled. The Solomons in April signed a new security pact with China.

Ahead of the summit, the Solomon Islands signaled it was unlikely to sign on to an end-of-summit joint statement, according to a diplomat familiar with summit planning. The diplomat, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the resistance was driven in part by the Solomon Islands tightening relationship with Beijing.

But in the end, the Solomon Islands signed on to the joint declaration. The statement instead included calls for bolstering the Pacific economy, tackling climate change, maintaining peace and security across the Pacific, and more, but avoided any direct mention of China.

Besides their meeting with Biden, island leaders met Thursday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.



Associated Press writers Nick Perry in Wellington, New Zealand, and Kevin Freking in Washington contributed to this report.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)  Ian has dropped from a hurricane to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved across South Carolina.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Ian, which carved a swath of destruction across Florida earlier this week, had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph on Friday afternoon.

Ian hit Floridas Gulf Coast as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds Wednesday, flooding homes and leaving nearly 2.7 million people without power.

Earlier Friday, a revived Hurricane Ian battered coastal South Carolina, ripping apart piers and filling neighborhoods with calf-high water, after the deadly storm caused catastrophic damage in Florida and trapped thousands in their homes.

Ians center came ashore near Georgetown with much weaker winds than when it crossed Floridas Gulf Coast on Wednesday as one of the strongest storms to ever hit the U.S.

Sheets of rain whipped trees and power lines and left many areas on Charlestons downtown peninsula under water. Four piers along the coast, including two at Myrtle Beach, collapsed into the churning waves and washed away. Online cameras showed seawater filling neighborhoods in Garden City to calf level.

Hours after weakening to a tropical storm while crossing the Florida peninsula, Ian regained strength Thursday evening over the Atlantic. Ian made landfall in South Carolina with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. When it hit Floridas Gulf Coast on Wednesday, it was a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph.

After the heaviest of the rainfall blew through Charleston, Will Shalosky was checking out a large elm tree in front of his house that had fallen across his downtown street. He noted the damage could have been much worse.

If this tree has fallen a different way, it would be in our house, Shalosky said. Its pretty scary, pretty jarring.

In North Carolina, heavy rain bands and winds crept into the state Friday afternoon. Gov. Roy Cooper warned residents to be vigilant, given that up to 8 inches of rain could fall in some areas, with high winds.

Hurricane Ian is at our door. Expect drenching rain and sustained heavy winds over most of our state, Cooper said. Our message today is simple: Be smart and be safe.

Ian left a broad swath of destruction in Florida, flooding areas on both of its coasts, tearing homes from their slabs, demolishing beachfront businesses and leaving more than 2 million people without power. At least nine people were confirmed dead in the U.S.  a number that was expected to increase as officials confirm more deaths and search for people.

Rescue crews piloted boats and waded through riverine streets Thursday to save thousands of people trapped amid flooded homes and shattered buildings.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that crews had gone door-to-door to over 3,000 homes in the hardest-hit areas.

There's really been a Herculean effort, he said during a news conference in Tallahassee.

Climate change added at least 10% more rain to Hurricane Ian, according to a study prepared immediately after the storm, said its co-author, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab climate scientist Michael Wehner.

Among those killed were an 80-year-old woman and a 94-year-old man who relied on oxygen machines that stopped working amid power outages, as well as a a 67-year-old man who was waiting to be rescued after falling into rising water inside his home, authorities said.

Orlando residents returned to flooded homes Friday, rolling up their pants to wade through muddy, knee-high water in their streets. Friends of Ramon Rodriguez dropped off ice, bottled water and hot coffee at the entrance to his subdivision, where 10 of the 50 homes were flooded and the road looked like a lake. He had no power or food at his house, and his car was trapped by the water.

Theres water everywhere, Rodriguez said. The situation here is pretty bad.

University of Central Florida students living at an apartment complex near the Orlando campus arrived to retrieve possessions from their waterlogged units.

Deandra Smith, a nursing student, was asleep when others evacuated and stayed in her third-floor apartment with her dog. Other students helped get her to dry land Friday by pushing her through the flooded parking lot on a pontoon. She wasnt sure if she should go back to her parents' home in South Florida or find a shelter so she can still attend classes. Im still trying to figure it out, she said.

In Washington, President Joe Biden said he was directing every possible action be taken to save lives and get help to survivors.

"Its going to take months, years to rebuild, Biden said.

I just want the people of Florida to know, we see what youre going through and were with you.
With limited materials and nourishment, Public Service Company of Oklahoma crews are putting in 16- to 18-hour work days to restore power in Florida after Hurricane Ian, a company supervisor said from there Friday.

Were a little bit east of Orlando, Florida, said Travis Andrews, PSO distribution system supervisor. Were working on several broken poles right now, several spans of wire down.

More than 2.6 million utility customers in Florida were without power at the height of the outages, and the website poweroutage.us reported that more than 1.57 million remained without electricity Friday evening.

Im sure well be here for a few days, Andrews said.

PSO has three crews in Florida comprising 150 personnel from Lawton, McAlester and Tulsa, he said.

Andrews discussed the conditions in which the workers are living but said they are keeping up their good spirits.

We are going to a semi-trailer tonight to sleep in bunk beds, Andrews said. Were working 16 to 18 hours a day. Weather is not too bad  85 degrees.

But finding something to eat is difficult, as most of the establishments where the workers have tried to find food are closed, he said.

We just tried to get some lunch, and all the lunch places are closed. There was no food in Walmart, so we found a few bags of chips, he said.

Other than everything being super wet down here and a lot of traffic, were doing good, he added.

PSO crews are working closely with Tampa Electric Co., or TECO, which is directing the Oklahoma team on where to go and what to do.

They tell us when to show up; they give us a contact who we work for, Andrews said. Were working for a TECO lineman right now, and we go through him for everything. If we have to go get materials, if we want to energize a line  weve got to go through him.

It takes a village to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Ian, Andrews said.

Seeing how these storms operate, from material to people to lodging to eating and stuff, it takes a lot of people, and you never realize how many people it takes to get the job done, Andrews said. Were out here in the field, but theres a lot of people behind the scenes that are taking care of us, as well.

The mutual assistance agreement between Florida and Oklahoma is an understanding that they will be there for each other in times of great need.

Weve had people from Florida come to Oklahoma and help us back in the 07 ice storm, Andrews said. Its just nice to be able to reach out, and were happy to come down here and help them.

On Friday, PSO crews were working on three feeder lines, which are part of the distribution grid.

Were anticipating getting all three of those feeders on tonight, Andrews said. I dont know how many people that will affect, but it will affect Im sure a couple thousand.

Despite any obstacles they face, the crews keep up their good spirits working together as a team.

The group that Im with, the Tulsa District, the morale is great, Andrews said. This group of guys that we got have really done great, and I couldnt ask for better men.
The shiny gold building inspired by Eldon Shamblins Stratocaster has been finished for nine months, but when  or even if  the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture at 422 N. Main St. might open is anyones guess.

Across the street from Cains Ballroom, within blocks of the Tulsa Theater and the Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan centers, OKPOP is thought to be a guaranteed success. Ever since it was first proposed in 2008 and made public in 2009, backers have insisted OKPOP will be self-sustaining  if it can just get built.

And thats the problem.

About $30 million has already been spent, including $25 million from a state bond issue. That also includes the donation of the land on which it sits and revenue from a tax increment financing that paid for upgraded utilities that helped several other properties in the area.

Officials, though, say another $35-$40 million is needed to finish out the interior, including installation of exhibits. A request for $20 million from the states $1.8 billion American Rescue Plan allocation was turned down, and legislative leadership seems cool to further funding the project.

Last session, the Legislature agreed to a $46 million bond issue for the Oklahoma Historical Society on the condition none of the money be used for OKPOP.

Nevertheless, OHS Executive Director Trait Thompson said OKPOP is going to open when asked last week during a conversation on the new buildings third-floor outdoor terrace overlooking downtown Tulsa.

But, he acknowledged, Were on a burn rate.  Were pretty good through the end of the (fiscal) year.

That means Thompson and OKPOP Executive Director Jeff Moore have about nine months to find a way to bring to life what they say would be a museum in the same league as Seattles MoPOP, Clevelands Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Nashvilles Country Music Hall of Fame.

Were not going to stand still, Thompson said. We need to start raising money in earnest.

They also havent given up hope of getting some state assistance.

State Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat has in the past been unenthusiastic about museum projects, but his spokesman, Alex Gerszewski, said in a text that Pro Tem Treat isnt opposed to finding a path forward for the museum, whether its through additional funding, or a partnership between the museum and the City of Tulsa. He first wants to analyze all of their needs and make a decision that is most beneficial for the museum and the state of Oklahoma.

Thompson said the city has committed $1 million on ARPA funds to the project and has already kicked in several million dollars besides. Tulsa County has pledged $2 million in ARPA money.

But that still leaves OKPOP far short of whats needed, and the city is also looking at a Gilcrease Museum rebuild that is $30 million over budget.

According to Moore, the idea of a popular culture museum first came up during a conversation between him and fellow OHS staffer Larry ODell in 2008. Bob Blackburn, Thompson predecessor as OHS executive director, liked the concept and a year later was pitching it in Tulsa.

Blackburns original cost estimate was $33 million, but soon that had been upped to $42.5 million. He tried for several years to sell the Legislature on a bond issue for that amount, and appeared close to closing the deal in 2013 but a tornado outbreak at Moore caused supporters to withdraw the proposal.

With the assistance of then-Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, Blackburn was able to get a $25 million in bond issue in 2015. That was part of a package that included an identical amount for what became the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.

Bingman said recently it was clearly understood at the time that the $25 million was all the state would put into the project. Facing tight budgets, lawmakers were not in the mood to spend money on museums. The state had already poured more than $100 million into the Oklahoma City project over two decades and in 2015 had been idle for three years.

Oklahoma now has a $2.8 billion surplus, though. Last session the Legislature hardly blinked in approving $45 million for a new National Guard museum in Oklahoma City. And then there is all the money it put into the First Americans Museum, which for all of its trials and tribulations has been a huge success in its first two years.

A lot has happened since Blackburns 2009 press conference announcing the museum. The site changed several times, state revenue cratered three years in a row and COVID-19 arrived. Construction costs skyrocketed. A grumbling among legislators that billionaire philanthropist George Kaiser should pay for anything Tulsa wants continued.

Today, a three-dimension piece of art called Pop Explosion hangs from the ceiling of the shiny gold building at 422 N. Main St. It is the only exhibit in place, and seems likely to be so for the near future.

Locked away in the back is a treasure trove of Oklahoma popular culture, from a young Chester Goulds cartoon in his college newspaper to the piano Leon Russell played on his last tour with Elton John.

And there they remain.

Related
PAWHUSKA  The Osage Nation Congress unanimously adopted a resolution Friday calling for the repeal of an Oklahoma law limiting instruction on race, gender and history.

Historys ugly, Osage Nation Congresswoman and resolution sponsor Whitney Redcorn said. I dont know how you avoid any emotion attached to it. This started out as pursuing a gentle ask, but the deeper we dove, the more apparent it became a soft ask wouldnt work, as theres no way to make the bill (House Bill 1775) better.

Along with several of her colleagues, Redcorn expressed concern Friday about the chilling effect House Bill 1775 has had for teachers when it comes to covering certain topics, including the Osage Reign of Terror, when Osages were systematically killed by non-Osages for their oil money in the 1920s.

There has been public concern that this law prohibits the school system from teaching about history when it contains racial issues, such as slavery and the war waged on Native Americans by the United States government. The vague nature of the law has created anxiety among Oklahoma educators, the resolution states.

The Osage Nation, being fully aware of the positions both for and against this legislation, and being aware of the confusion surrounding HB 1775, both real and manufactured, urges and supports the repeal of HB 1775 by the Oklahoma Legislature at the next legislative session for the benefit of the school districts of Oklahoma, and the children they serve.

According to Oklahoma State Department of Education official student counts, more than 130,000 Native American students attend public schools across the state.

House Bill 1775 is a controversial new state law that prohibits teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior to another and that anyone, by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

It was co-authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant.

Consequences for failure to comply with HB 1775 include the downgrading of a school districts state accreditation status and the suspension of the license or certificate of involved school employees.

Alleged HB 1775 violations in Tulsa and Mustang recently led to the downgrading of those school districts state accreditation.

Concerns about breaking that law have also been publicly cited by individual teachers.

A teacher at Dewey High School told The Oklahoman in August that she would not use Killers of the Flower Moon in her classroom out of concern that it could be construed as a violation of that law. Dewey Public Schools attendance area includes a portion of far northeastern Osage County.

That same month, a Norman High School English teacher resigned after a parent complained about her decision to provide students with a QR code to the Brooklyn Public Library, which is offering students nationwide access to its full library of e-books to counter book banning at some schools.

During floor debate on the measure, Congressman Eli Potts mentioned that some area school districts have canceled guest speakers scheduled to address the Osage Reign of Terror, the subject of David Granns best selling book, Killers of the Flower Moon, and a soon-to-be-released movie by the same name, out of concern that it could be construed as a violation of HB 1775.

Those who dont learn from their history are doomed to repeat it, Potts said. Our teachers are scared to speak the truth about what happened. Our education advocates are scared to speak the truth because of what this bill is.

A federal lawsuit filed in October 2021 by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, on behalf of multiple organizations plus individual teachers and students from the Edmond and Millwood districts, claims that HB 1775 violates both the First and 14th amendments and is unconstitutionally vague, too broad and racially discriminatory, and has had a chilling effect on teachers lesson plans.

Tulsa World Opinion podcast: House Bill 1775 is a dumb law, but were dealing with it
The past two years have been an awakening for many people like us in Tulsa. We are business women, mothers, caretakers and community volunteers. Weve been focused on building new projects, creating jobs and giving our full focus to caring for our families.

The pandemic didnt just disrupt our economy or the schooling of our children. It rattled our perspective of what our job is as a voter in Oklahoma.

Showing up at the polls is not enough to ensure good government. We all play a collective role in holding our elected officials accountable to outcomes more than just on election day.

It is why we formed Women for Tulsa where we advocate for candidates, no matter their party affiliation, and advocate for policies that serve Tulsa families, promote safety, demand excellence in our public schools, support a pro-business climate and pursue constitutional liberty.

We have worked to support Tulsa School Board members Jennettie Marshall and ELena Ashley. While we are most intentional about local elections, we are giving our overwhelming support to Gov. Kevin Stitt as he seeks re-election in November.

Stitt has proven to be a leader who we can count on for many reasons, but the chief among those is his leadership on education.

Stitt understands the need for quality teachers in Oklahomas classrooms. He has made solid progress in making teacher pay and benefits competitive, and he has vowed to provide matching state funds to secure six-figure salaries for Oklahoma teachers who will work hard to advance the success of Oklahoma students. Stitt has insisted on making education spending transparent in Oklahoma. He was the first governor in state history to call for a forensic audit of how taxpayer money is spent in TPS. Women for Tulsa are firmly behind his call to make sure education spending is in line with the students best interest.

Stitt understands that many families are trapped in failing schools. He has been an ardent advocate of empowering the caregiver, legal guardian and parent with freedom to get children into the learning system that fits their needs.

He called for and signed into law a bill to allow students access any public school of their choice without constraint of a ZIP code, He called for and signed into law an increase in the Equal Opportunity Scholarship Fund, from $5 million to $50 million annually, to help our most underserved families access education resources.

His support of family and citizen involvement in our schools is key to the future success of the students and in producing a qualified and credentialed workforce that Oklahoma needs to retain and attract job-creating businesses.

Stitt shares our values in education and has demonstrated in his first term that he is committed to governing in a way that prioritizes Oklahomas children.

Stitt isnt just talk. He has delivered on what he promised. We are confident he will keep disrupting the status quo until all of Oklahomas children are growing and accessing the best education possible.

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Tulsans have anticipated the opening of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture ever since the frame of the structure started going up north of downtown. But were now learning that the museum is far from finished and could run out of money within the next nine months.

Whats more: These financial woes are completely unnecessary, if only the state would follow through on its commitment to the project.

The museum, also known as OKPOP, was first proposed in 2008 as a place where exhibits could display the states many contributions to music, art, literature, film and television.

The location is prime: It stands across the street from Cains Ballroom and a short walk from the Tulsa Theater. As envisioned, it could be a world-class site on par with venues such as Seattles MoPOP, Clevelands Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Nashvilles Country Music Hall of Fame.

The exhibits, plus event spaces inside the building and on its rooftop, give it the potential to be a national destination and cornerstone of the citys lively Arts District scene.

But rising construction costs and delays caused by the pandemic have prevented OKPOP from being completed.

To date, $30 million has been spent on the museum, with $25 million coming from state-approved bonds. The city of Tulsa has contributed millions more and pledged $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. Tulsa County has pledged an additional $2 million in ARPA funds.

But OKPOPs request for state ARPA money was turned down, and lawmakers have been reluctant to provide more funding. Last session, the Legislature approved $46 million in bonds for the Oklahoma Historical Society  which oversees OKPOP  on the condition that none of it be used on the unfinished museum.

Currently, the museum is a shell of a building thats been used for events, with just one exhibit on display. Numerous other exhibit items sit in storage for lack of funds to properly display them. OKPOP is a place loaded with possibilities but lingering in fiscal purgatory.

The danger is that OKPOP might share the fate of the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, which saw its completion dragged out over two decades and its final cost soar to more than $100 million.

This doesnt need to happen. We dont have to wait for millionaire and billionaire philanthropists to ride to the rescue. While support from the philanthropic community is always welcome, we shouldnt get into the habit of dependence on donor generosity.

The state now has $2.8 billion in surplus funds. Finishing OKPOP will take between $35 million and $40 million  a miniscule fraction of that surplus cash.

Going back to the story of the First Americans Museum, the potential return on investment is high  now that the Oklahoma City facility is finally open, its been a success.

OKPOP is a worthwhile project that needs to be completed. It checks the boxes for helping the states tourism industry while further priming the city for added economic development.

Whats needed now is follow-through from the state. Lawmakers committed to build OKPOP, so its on them to appropriate the money needed to complete it.

We tout Oklahoma values as a strength; one of those values is finishing what we start.
Vietnam always accompanies and supports Cuba to the best of its ability, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed in his meeting with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, who is on a five-day visit to Vietnam starting Wednesday.

At his meeting with the Cuban premier in Hanoi on Thursday evening, Party General Secretary Trong also shared the challenges that Cuba is facing, especially those caused by the U.S. embargo and the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He highly appreciated PM Marreros visit to Vietnam, saying that it will contribute to deepening the special traditional friendship as well as strengthening cooperation ties between the two countries.

This image shows Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) welcoming Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in Hanoi on September 29, 2022. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Party General Secretary Trong suggested that the two sides enhance coordination and actively boost relations across all three channels, namely Party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, while effectively implementing cooperation agreements, according to national radio station Voice of Vietnam.

Vietnam stands side by side with and supports Cuba to its best possible capacity, the Vietnamese Party leader told his guest.

PM Cruz expressed his delight to visit Vietnam, extended his thanks to the warm welcome by the Vietnamese leaders and people, and briefed the host about the Cuban situation.

The guest highly valued the great achievements Vietnam has gained over the past years, emphasizing that such achievements serve as encouragement and reference for Cuba, the Vietnam News Agency cited Cruz as saying.

Cruz also conveyed the invitations of President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel and other Cuban leaders to General Secretary Trong to visit Cuba at an appropriate time.

On the same day, the Cuban PM also had separate talks with Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Like the Party leader, Phuc told his guest the same message that Vietnam will support Cuba to the extent possible, including helping the Latin American country ensure food security.

Phuc conveyed the sympathy of the Vietnamese Party, state, and people to Cuba over the fuel storage facility fire in Matanzas City on August 5 and the damage caused by Typhoon Ian on Tuesday.

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz (L) hugs his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on September 29, 2022 in this image. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Phuc also asked the Cuban government to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to feel secure while investing in the country.

In his meeting with PM Cruz, legislature chief Hue emphasized that the Vietnamese National Assembly will continue to work closely with the Cuban counterpart, and affirmed that Vietnam values, preserves, and contributes to promoting the solidarity, friendship, and special cooperation relations between Vietnam and Cuba.

The Cuban PM extended his separate thanks to Phuc and Hue for their enthusiastic welcome to him and the Cuban delegation.

He expressed with Phuc his appreciation to Vietnam for sharing difficulties with Cuba in the COVID-19 fight, while telling Hue that Cuba highly appreciates the special traditional friendship between the two countries, whose foundation was laid by late Vietnamese State President Ho Chi Minh and late Cuban President Fidel Castro, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Earlier, at his meeting with PM Cruz on Thursday morning, Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh informed the guest that Vietnam would offer the Cuban people 5,000 metric tons of rice as a contribution to Cubas efforts to overcome socio-economic difficulties, on the traditional spirit of mutual aid between the two nations.

The ongoing visit by Cuban PM Cruz is of great significance as it marks the first time after 49 years that a Cuban prime minister has visited Vietnam after this position was restored thanks to the new Cuban Constitution adopted in 2019, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Thanh Tung.

Vietnam and Cuba have seen their bilateral relations develop fruitfully since the two countries established diplomatic ties on December 2, 1960, after the success of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959.

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Police officers announced on Thursday afternoon that they had launched an investigation into the origins of seven unidentified cadavers that had washed ashore on Phu Quoc Island City off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam.

Local residents from Duong To Commune discovered the first two dead bodies on Bai Truong Beach at around 11:00 am on Thursday and immediately reported the incident to police officers.

The two bodies were swollen and in a state of decomposition, according to a police report.

Five more cadavers were found on the same beach shortly after.

Officers discovered Chinese-issued ID cards in the wallets of two of the victims.

They went on to clarify whether the bodies may have been related to a shipwreck in which nine Chinese nationals had been rescued by local people on Phu Quoc on September 24.

The survivors of the accident said that their fishing boat had 20 members on board when it was wrecked in the Cambodian waters near Vietnam.

The police of Phu Quoc City also called on local people to report any missing relatives in order to facilitate identifying the bodies.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
At least 12 people died of suspected food poisoning on a Chinese-flagged ship off Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, southern Vietnam, a border guard official said on Friday afternoon.

Preliminary information from a rescue helicopter showed that 21 crew members suffered suspected food poisoning on Wu Zhou 8 ship, which was located about 63 nautical miles from Con Dao Islands off Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Ten of them were found dead on the vessel, while the other 11 were taken to the military medical center of Con Dao by the rescue helicopter.

On their way to the medical center, two more passed away.

The remaining nine victims were in a critical condition.

All 21 victims are Chinese nationals, according to a border guard official in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Vietnams Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) has sent a rescue vessel to the Chinese ship and is expected to reach the destination by Friday night.

The Chinese-flagged ship was traveling from Thailand to China, the MRCC added.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Hanoi on Thursday, as part of his offiicial visit to Vietnam from Wednesday through Sunday.

Society

-- Two Chinesec ID cards were found among seven bodies washed ashore on Phu Quoc Island off southern Vietnam on Thursday, according to local police.

-- Vietnamese police on Wednesday busted a ring that smuggled 198kg of gold from Cambodia into Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.

-- All vehicles have been banned from traveling on Nguyen Huu Canh Overpass in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City since 7:00 pm on Thursday. The structure is being repaired, the local Department of Transportation said.

-- Ho Chi Minh City is facing an increasingly severe shortage of nursing staff as new recruits cannot fill the void left behind by resignees, the municipal Department of Health said on Friday.

Business

-- Vietnam's aquatic product export revenue surged 33 percent year on year to reach US$2.8 billion in January-August, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

-- Vietnamese enterprises should focus on meeting quality requirements and ensuring green and sustainable growth, the Vietnam News Agency quoted experts as saying at the Vietnam-EU Trade Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday.

Education

-- Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training has proposed that the central government allow it to use VND3.5 trillion ($147 million) from the state coffers to buy school textbooks for lending to K-12 students from the next academic year onward, Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong said on Thursday.

-- Laos hosted a Vietnamese higher education exhibition with the participation of 40 Vietnamese universities and more than 1,300 12th graders from 12 high schools in Vientiane, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training said on Thursday.

World News

-- Reuters cited Russia as saying on Thursday that leaks spewing gas into the Baltic Sea from pipelines to Germany appeared to be the result of state-sponsored 'terrorism.'

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The number of international visitors arriving in Vietnam, particularly those from other Southeast Asian countries, has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic was put under complete control this year.

But while regional neighbors such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia make up the majority of arrivals to Vietnam, the number of visitors from traditional source markets such as South Korea, China, and Japan remains low.

As such, domestic travel firms across the country are developing new strategies to tap both new and old markets.

Preparing for peak tourism season

According to Saigontourist Travel Service Company, the number of new arrivals to Vietnam seems to be increasing and the company is operating at full capacity in order to meet the demands of tourist groups from Europe, Australia, and America.

The summer travel season has passed, so we are now promoting inbound tours, Nguyen Huu Y Yen, director of Saigontourist, said, adding that the firm is currently recruiting more staff members to help keep up with demand.

Travel service platform Travelner has also recorded a surge in the number of foreign tourists booking flights to Vietnam since the country fully reopened international tourism in March this year.

To meet current demands and prepare for an expected spike in tourism toward the end of the year, Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet has launched several new international routes, including 17 direct air routes linking Vietnam and Indias Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Bangalore; services from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to South Koreas Busan City, and those from Hanoi to Japans Nagoya and Fukuoka.

More promotion programs needed

Large hotel chains operating in Vietnam currently report occupancy rates of 70-80 percent despite the summer travel season having ended.

Hoteliers in large cities say that the majority of these guests hail from Australia, Singapore, and South Korea.

According to Nguyen Thi Khanh, chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, October is Vietnams 'high season' for tourism.

This year, Khanhs organization expects international arrivals in October to mainly comprise individuals and small groups, rather than large delegations.

In order to tap potential visitors, tourism enterprises across Vietnam are working with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

In addition to the limitations of [Vietnams] visa policies, we face a shortage of programs to promote Vietnam, Khanh added.

According to Nguyen Minh Man, director of communications and marketing at TST Tourist Company, the upcoming tourism season is expected to be a success despite many source markets not having full reopened.

Currently, the number of South Korean visitors entering Vietnam is increasing rapidly, while that of tourists visiting Vietnam from India and other ASEAN countries is also on the rise.

Vietnams airlines clear backlogs of passengers following Typhoon Noru After ceasing operations for one day due to Typhoon Noru, 10 local airports, including Da Nang, Chu Lai, Buon Ma Thuot, and Lien Khuong, on Wednesday resumed normal operations. Some 60,000 passengers were affected by flight cancelations on Wednesday, according to airlines. Air carriers hurriedly relaunched operations the moment they were given the go ahead by flight authorities in order to cope with the backlog. A representative of Vietnam Airlines said that the national flag carrier has added more flights and is using wide-body aircraft capable of doubling its passenger capacity for several routes. Passengers were also supported in changing their flights or accessing refunds for tickets.

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Thousands of vehicles were stuck in serious congestion on streets around the Nguyen Huu Canh overpass in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday morning as the major link for travelers from Thu Duc City and Binh Thanh District to the heart of the city was blocked for repair works.

The bottleneck began at around 7:00 am as many commuters, who were unaware of the blockade, still took their familiar daily U-turn at the foot of the Saigon Bridge to enter the Nguyen Huu Canh overpass, but were met with a ban sign placed at the entrance of the overpass.

A ban sign is placed at the entrance to the Nguyen Huu Canh overpass in Ho Chi Minh City, September 30, 2022. Photo: Duc Phu / Tuoi Tre

Although they were instructed to detour around the Vinhomes Central Park residential complex toward Nguyen Huu Canh Street, thousands of them quickly overloaded street sections below the blocked flyover, causing the serious gridlock.

Starting Thursday night, all vehicles have been banned from the Nguyen Huu Canh overpass for its main span to be repaired.

The span's four cable bundles had been broken during the construction of a sewer system, according to results from a recent inspection.

Traffic congestion occurs at the U-turn below the Saigon bridge in Ho Chi Minh City, September 30, 2022. Photo: Duc Phu / Tuoi Tre

While authorities have built a two-phase repairing plan, they have yet to officially announce how long the ban will last.

Cars are advised to make a detour from the Saigon Bridge to Dien Bien Phu Street, then take a U-turn at the streets intersection with Nguyen Van Thuong Street before turning right into Nguyen Huu Canh Street.

Motorcyclists, meanwhile, can take an alternative route from the Saigon Bridge to Dien Bien Phu Street, then take a U-turn at the Hang Xanh intersection, before turning right into No. 602 Alley on Dien Bien Phu Street to enter Nguyen Huu Canh Street.

Traffic congestion occurs at the U-turn below the Saigon bridge in Ho Chi Minh City, September 30, 2022. Photo: Duc Phu / Tuoi Tre

After its inauguration in 2002, the Nguyen Huu Canh flyover was repaired once in 2017, after which the 618.29m-long and 12.7m-wide structure has been regularly maintained.

The current cable break is considered a serious problem as it caused a girder of the 55.5-meter-long leading span to separate from the bridge, making the span sag.

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Foxtel today revealed the cast of season two comedy drama Upright  starring actor and writer Tim Minchin and House of the Dragons own Milly Alcock.

In season two the misfit duo of Lucky (Tim Minchin) and Meg (Milly Alcock) set off on another uniquely Australian road trip, this time with their sights set for Far North Queensland.

Returning cast include Heather Mitchell (Love Me, Palm Beach), Ella Scott Lynch (Amazing Grace, The Code), Daniel Lapaine (Catastrophe, Five Bedrooms), Daniel Frederiksen (The Dry, Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries) and Asmara Feik (The True History of the Kelly Gang, The Listies Work for Peanuts), as Lucky and Megs family.

Joining the cast are Noni Hazlehurst (June Again, A Place To Call Home), Jessica McNamee (Mortal Kombat, Packed to the Rafters), Hayley McElhinney (Mystery Road: Origin, Doctor Doctor), Darren Gilshenan (How To Stay Married, Stateless), Tom Budge (Gallipoli, Judy & Punch), Anita Hegh (Total Control, Janet King) and Travis Cotton (New Gold Mountain, Neighbours).

Tim Minchin said: We are so grateful for the incredible actors who signed up to be a part of the second season of Upright. Legends of the industry and newcomers alike, they grabbed hold of the quirky characters we had conjured and made them more exciting and nuanced and funny and real than we could have dreamed. It is one of the great thrills of the job; to watch your words come alive in the hands of brilliant actors.

Brian Walsh, Executive Director of Drama for the Foxtel Group and Executive Producer said: We are thrilled with the high calibre of Australian acting talent that have come on board for the second season of Upright. It is testament to the breakout success of the first series, the standout creative team at Lingo Pictures including the brilliant Tim Minchin and the wonderful scripts filled with humour and heart. We are also excited that Milly Alcock will reprise her role as Meg after her incredible global success in House of the Dragon.

An airdate is yet to be announced.

Upright is a Lingo Pictures production for Foxtel and Sky UK, with Jason Stephens (Lambs of God) returning as producer. Meg OConnell (Robbie Hood) also produced, alongside Lingo Pictures Helen Bowden (The Secrets She Keeps) as executive producer. Mirrah Foulkes (Judy and Punch) directed the new series. Niki Aken (The Hunting) is script producer, and the writing team included Niki, Ian Meadows (Seachange) and Natesha Somasundaram (The Unlisted). Tim Minchin also wrote, and executive produced the series. Executive producers for Foxtel are Brian Walsh and Lana Greenhalgh.

Production credit: Upright is a Lingo Pictures production for Foxtel and Sky UK. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland. Financed with the support of Screen NSW and Cutting Edge. Entertainment One (eOne) is managing international sales.
New UK drama Ridley starring Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty) begins today on BritBox.

From Monday there is also a new $2 deal for new subscribers.

Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty) plays retired Detective Alex Ridley who is lured back to the service as a consultant when his former protegee asks for his help cracking a complex murder case.

Also starring Bronagh Waugh (The Suspect, Unforgotten, The Fall) and Georgie Glenn (Call the Midwife); and

produced by the writer behind Vera, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Casualty and Father Brown.

Saturday 1 October on BritBox.
Netflixs very first Australian-commissioned documentary Puff: Wonders of the Reef, has won at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards in New York.

The film by Wild Pacific Media and BioQuest Studios won the Outstanding Nature Documentary category.

Filmed in Queenslands Great Barrier Reef and narrated by Rose Byrne, the documentary follows a baby pufferfish travelling through a microworld full of fantastical creatures as he searches for a home on the Great Barrier Reef. Using special camera techniques the documentary shows the underwater world up close.

Director & producer Nick Robinson (Australias Ocean Odyssey, Kakadu, Life on the Reef), told TV Tonight, Nature documentaries and blue chip documentary films like this are normally made by the Brits, so its fantastic that weve finally got one one back for Australian producers. Its really exciting.

Id like to thank Netflix, the whole team at Wild Pacific Media and BioQuest Studios for all their efforts in bringing this story to life. It was a real feat to make a whole film about a fish thats the size of your fingernail. Its quite an achievement to actually tell this story.

Pete West was the cinematographer. Electra Manikakis (pictured right) is the executive producer. Peta Ayers (pictured left) is writer, Louise Polain is producer, Bobbi Hansel is the lead editor.

And a massive thank you for Rose Byrne, Screen Australia, Screen Queensland.

Full winners list here.
Earlier this week, the Italian parliamentary election concluded with Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy gaining the most seats. Meloni's party, which is described as either right-wing or "far-right," poses to be the country's most radical government since the end of World War II, as Italy wrestles with long-term economic decline and widespread public dissatisfaction and disillusionment. For the European Union, the result is undoubtedly demonstrative of the significant challenges ahead as it grapples to keep unity amidst rising discontent.



Italy is one of the grandest and most admired countries in the world. Boasting one of the world's most iconic and influential cultures, the peninsula has acted as a critical shaper of Western civilization, from the Roman Empire to the Catholic church. Italy is lauded for its architectural and artistic wonders, including the Colosseum in Rome, the canals of Venice and the leaning tower of Pisa. Its beauty is unparalleled. Yet all these historical marvels are diluted by an increasingly grim modern reality reflecting the country's long-term economic decline.

In the year 2008, Italy's GDP stood at $2.4 trillion. At the end of 2020, it sat at $1.89 trillion. The figures tell a 14-year-long story of decline, stagnation and hardship. The country suffered greatly as the global financial crisis accumulated in a debt implosion across the eurozone, which has strangled the Italian economy and other regional countries. The crisis subsequently created a rift between Rome and Brussels, forcing Italy to accept eyewatering austerity programs, which, as per Greece, inflicted severe economic damage on the country.

The result of Italy's economic decline and widespread disillusionment with politics across the country amidst problems of corruption has been a surge in non-mainstream and alternative political parties. They primarily advocate an ideology of Euroscepticism, often even arguing for Italy's separation from the euro currency itself. This has included the Five Star Movement party and, as seen now, the right-wing Brothers of Italy. None profess to oppose the European Union openly, but it is quite obvious that there is dissatisfaction with Brussels.

Nobody knows what direction Italy will take under Giorgia Meloni, given an energy crisis and continued public disapproval, which caused the collapse of the Mario Draghi government. Nonetheless, facing Italy's highly fragile economic situation, it seems likely that she may end up on a collision course with the European Union as a whole, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threatening the country with "tools" if it takes the wrong course. To some extent, Italy's position within the bloc will become more autonomous and assertive.

Yet, one thing is clear: Meloni's victory in Italy represents a trend towards right-wing parties throughout Europe as a whole, reflecting the broad failure of its economic governance since that fatal year in 2008. With the cumulative impact of the energy crisis further squeezing people's incomes, hammering businesses and creating more discontent, this trend will only get worse. It is a sign of the times for the European Union and will pose great challenges to its internal unity. If the bloc wishes to become more resilient, it ought to rethink its economic policies, reassert its strategic autonomy as opposed to being subdued by the actions of third-party countries, and focus on attaining prosperity than the pursuit of other countries' hegemonic goals and ideological crusades.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn.
Fourteen University of Dayton faculty and staff in six labs will be part of the Intel-funded Ohio-southwest Alliance on Semiconductors and Integrated Scalable Manufacturing to help develop a workforce for Ohio's semiconductor industry needs.

The University will receive $210,000 during the next three years to lead the materials science and engineering part of the network and develop training modules integrated into UD undergraduate courses. UD will contribute to the alliance's other thematic areas as well, including supporting microelectronics, manufacturing systems, and semiconductor supply chain security and sustainability.

"By being part of this alliance, we can enhance our capability to prepare our students for careers in the semiconductor industry that will be very much a part of Ohio's future," said Guru Subramanyam, a professor in UD's electrical and computer engineering, electro-optics and photonics and bioengineering graduate programs, and UD's lead on the project.

Training modules to be developed for UD students include:

Introduction to Silicon as part of an Introduction to Materials Science course for all engineering students.

Semiconductor Device Fabrication Processes as part of an Intro to Nanotechnology course that will introduce basic semiconductor fabrication processes in a cleanroom.

Introduction to Thin Films and Thin Film Deposition Systems, which will introduce fabrication of thin films using physical and chemical vapor deposition systems.

UD faculty and staff will come from the electro-optics and photonics, electrical and computer engineering, chemical and materials engineering, civil and environmental engineering and engineering mechanics, and engineering management, systems and technology departments, as well as the University of Dayton Research Institute. UD centers and labs part of the initiative include the Center of Excellence for Thin-Film Research and Surface Engineering, the Nano-Fab Lab; and labs researching interferometry, metrology, silicon nanophotonics, advanced nanomaterials, chemical and materials engineering, environmental chemistry characterization and remediation.

"We share the alliance's commitment to build a world-class semiconductor knowledge base and workforce training ecosystem that will expand and accelerate Ohios leadership toward becoming the Silicon Heartland. This multi-disciplinary project not only signals our strengths in the School of Engineering, it also will be a stepping stone for additional investments in collaboration with the University of Dayton Research Institute and UD College of Arts and Sciences," said Gul E. Kremer, UDs School of Engineering dean.

Anyone interested in learning more about UD's semiconductor research and education should contact David Ashley, UD School of Engineering director of industry relations, at dashley1@udayton.edu.

For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Austria has not seen any proposal on a price cap for imported natural gas that would guarantee sufficient supply to Europe, energy minister Leonore Gewessler said on Friday.

"I am aware that the various EU members have differing views on the topic, but the others must be clear that Austria is dependent on natural gas imports and on Russian gas imports," she told reporters before a meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels.

"In all these proposals, I have not seen any certainty that the partners supplying us would still deliver enough gas to Europe if we are not prepared to pay the price demanded."

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; editing by Kate Abnett)
In a gated compound camouflaged by the thick, dripping vegetation of inland Indonesia, all is quiet. A curtain may stir. The hushed commentary on a TV chess match may mutter indistinctly. An insect or two may chirrup. But mostly, this dark-cornered, sinister place, which is being minded by callow young caretaker Rakib (Kevin Ardilova), feels eerily still and expectant, like a spiderweb waiting for the return of its spider. Makbul Mubaraks Autobiography  the Indonesian filmmakers impressive debut  gives a Godfather-style, power-corrupting-the-naive story the Conradian overtones of Apocalypse Now. But with its powerful sense of mood, it emerges from Coppolas shadow by summoning evocative, specific shadows of its own, out of Indonesias troubled, genocidal, terrifying past.

The spider returns. General Purna (Arswendy Bening Swara), recently a towering figure in the military dictatorship, has retired and is coming home to run for Mayor of the region. Rakib, whose family has been in service to the generals for four generations, is expected to chauffeur him around, wait on him, be an obedient, dog-like companion. At first Purna is offhand with Rakib, impatient. Soon, though, the young man starts to look on the general as a kind of father figure, perhaps for all the ways, in power and influence, he is different from his actual father, who is incarcerated with no apparent hope of release, and for whom Rakib has nothing but disdain. You look like me when I was your age, says the general with the approving air of one whose walls are hung with portraits of himself. Rakib starts wearing the military jacket the general provides.

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Their evenings are spent in front of the TV or across a chessboard with Purna dispensing fragments of his toxic philosophy to Rakib, who absorbs them like a sponge. Their days are spent driving around to makeshift hustings, putting up posters and giving speeches. The general, clearly regarding the sham-democratic procedures of the upcoming election as beneath him, is shilling a controversial plan to build an energy plant nearby, which will dispossess a lot of the local inhabitants of their meager landholdings. Most of them are too afraid to speak up; the few who do are promptly silenced. Then one of the generals posters is defaced, and Rakib, enjoying the newfound standing that his proximity to power gives him, and cocky in the belief that the old man may be imperious and demanding but is hardly cruel, finds the culprit and delivers him to the general, like a cat bringing in a bird. There follows, for Rakib, a short, sharp, shocking lesson in the ruthlessness and abject depravity of his employer.

Although the film features crowd scenes and a full cast of supporting characters, it is essentially a two-hander, and both Swara (recently seen in Kamila Andinis Before, Now and Then) and Ardilova (who played in Andinis Yuni as well as Edwins Locarno-winning Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash) are remarkably persuasive. Swaras narrow-eyed Purna, essentially a lean, vain, Indonesian Col. Kurtz, can turn on a dime from malicious and very probably mad, to genial and fatherly. And by the end when all those qualities exist simultaneously, his is a deeply disturbing portrait of absolute powers ability to corrupt absolutely. Ardilova is equally strong, in a role that requires him to age psychologically without aging physically; in the few months the films traces he goes from surly youngster to cocky sidekick to disillusioned, soul-sick penitent, who knows hes ventured too far into the mire to ever be able to get out clean.

Its a moral murkiness that DP Wojciech Staron interprets visually, in layered images that, especially in interiors, are usually partially impeded in some way. The camera peers at the characters through grilles or furnishings or windows that cast diffuse reflections across the frame. At times this technique becomes a little overbearing especially later, when Rakibs inner turmoil and the sense of walls-closing-in claustrophobia are better demonstrated by counterpoint, as in a scene of revelry occurring  in line with the immutable laws of recent Southeast Asian arthouse cinema  in a karaoke parlor. Such moments offset Mubaraks directorial restraint, which, while commendable, can occasionally mute the drama down to a barely audible murmur, where a howl, or a tuneless forced duet on a schmaltzy local pop hit, would be more fitting.

But in large part, Autobiography is an auspicious, atmospheric first feature that knows how to co-opt generic conventions and a richly cinematic style, in order to illuminate some of the the darkest recesses of Indonesias recent history. Without laboring the allegory overmuch, Mubarak, working from his own nicely pared-back screenplay, builds up a convincing if despairing vision of the legacy of atrocity, in which the children of the Indonesian dictatorship era can only fully reckon with their nations violent past by taking on some of its attributes themselves, at significant cost to their souls. As such, the chess games that Purna, the representative of the venal old guard, plays with Rakib, standing in for the new generation, are an imperfect metaphor, considering the desperately unfair terms of engagement that Indonesias youth have inherited. But then, is there a game where one side wrote the rules, owns the board and controls all the pieces, while the other can only field one trembling pawn?

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Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

Partners at Deloitte in the UK and Switzerland will receive an average income of more than 1m each for the second year in a row, after the accountancy firm enjoyed another successful year.

Each partner will receive an average distributable profit of 1,058,000 in the year to the end of May, about 33 times the UKs average annual pay. This is the first time the sum has exceeded 1m and is an increase of about 24% compared with the same period the year before.

Equity partners do not receive a salary but instead receive a share of profits as income, with 672 of them sharing 711m in profits in the 2022 financial year.

While the average distributable profit rose, the total payout they received was flat year on year because the 2021 results were flattered by a 196,000 windfall for each partner after the sale of Deloittes UK restructuring business to Teneo, an advisory firm.

The big four accountancy firms  Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC  benefited from an increase in business in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic as companies made a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and looked to introduce newer technology.

Deloitte, which has 20,000 UK employees, said resilient markets and corporate investment had driven revenues up in the combined UK and Switzerland by 10% to 4.9bn during the financial year, with business growing in all areas. Revenues grew fastest, up 15% year on year, in the consulting division, which advises businesses on changes such as new technology.

However, Deloitte has not escaped scandal. In April the UKs accounting regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, said it was investigating Deloitte over its audit of the bus and rail operator Go-Ahead over wrongly withholding 50m of taxpayers money. The regulator is also investigating Deloittes audits of the motoring group Lookers and building materials company SIG.

Other big accountancy firms have also enjoyed rapid growth in the past year. Last week EY reported that global revenues rose by almost 14% in the year to June. PwC partners also received an average payout of more than 1m in the same period  albeit one flattered by the sale of another business.

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The post-pandemic M&A boom has waned dramatically over the course of 2022, with global deals so far worth a third of what they were in 2021 as businesses brace for a possible global recession, according to Dealogic, a data company.

Nevertheless, accountancy firms are still looking at growth areas such as increased demand for sustainability reporting, as well as the continued introduction of digital technology.

Richard Houston, a Deloitte senior partner who also serves as chief executive, said: Demand for all our services was strong, particularly in cloud technology, digital transformation and M&A services.

Our results have enabled us to make record investments  the highest in over a decade  in reward, promotions and skills. We enter the new financial year with momentum and are well placed to navigate the current economic headwinds.
Glasgow was the starting point for the longest, non-stop, baton relay ever attempted as the city passes hosting duties to Egypt for Cop27, having hosted Cop 26 last year.

The weather affected plans to hold the event at Glasgow Green after heavy rain and wind battered the city on Friday.

Children at Sunnyside Primary School in Craigend, Glasgow, were on hand to ensure the baton left smoothly on Friday as three pupils read out a message that was then placed inside the baton.

Thousands of runners, cyclists and sailors will work together to pass the baton hand-to-hand from Glasgow across more than 4,800 miles (7,800km) to Sharm el-Sheikh as part of Running Out of Time relay.

Children at Sunnyside Primary School join the opening stage of the Cop27 baton relay (Hamish Frost/PA)

It is expected the baton will take 38 days to reach Sharm el-Sheikh and the journey will be completed in 732 stages of about 6.2 miles (10km) each.

The baton, which has been designed by Glasgow-based company 4c Design, will pass through 18 countries via land and sea, including Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus and Israel, before arriving in Egypt.

During its route through Scotland, the baton will visit special projects such as the Glasgow Food Policy Partnership and the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve in Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway.

Running Out of Time co-founder Jamie Hay said: Its taken a huge collaborative effort to get this ambitious project to the start line.

Volunteer from Running Out of Time holds the baton which has been designed by 4c Design (Hamish Frost/PA)

Our aim is to deliver a powerful message to the decision makers at Cop27 with so much support that it is impossible to ignore if were to have a hope of securing a transition to a safe climate future.

Running Out of Time symbolises the very essence of climate action  its an extraordinary, bold, ambitious plan that will only succeed because everyone has worked together. I know we can do it.

Leader of Glasgow City Council, councillor Susan Aitken, said: Cop26 shone a light on just how dire the situation facing our planet is and that collective and accelerated action is the only option to save humanity from a global catastrophe.

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While nation states make pledges, it is cities, like Glasgow, that are delivering on a low carbon and climate resilient future and must remain central to future policy decisions and action.

Runners with Running Out of Time at Sunnyside Primary School in Glasgow for the opening stage of the Cop 27 baton relay (Hamish Frost/PA)

Now we must keep up the pressure on world leaders and governments to make sure that commitments of the Glasgow Climate Pact are delivered.

The message contained within the relay baton will, Im sure, continue to convey that strength of feeling that we saw here in Glasgow last year.

Participating in the Running Out of Time relay to Cop27 is another opportunity for Glaswegians to have their voices heard and to show their continued commitment to fighting climate change.

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council (Jane Barlow/PA)

Mr Hay said: This is our most critical mission yet. Our aim is to deliver a powerful message to the decision makers at Cop27 with so much support that it is impossible to ignore if were to have a hope of securing a transition to a safe climate future.

Running Out of Time symbolises the very essence of climate action  its an extraordinary, bold, ambitious plan that will only succeed because everyone has worked together. I know we can do it.
Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng (PA) (PA Wire)

Concern about the Truss-Kwarteng dash for growth mini-budget has morphed into the threat of a full-scale financial crisis, prompting the Bank of England to do more quantitative easing to ease panic in the market for government bonds.

The trigger was the plan to cut taxes by about 45 billion a year, indefinitely, in the hope that this, and some reforms to planning and other regulations, would stimulate the supply side of the economy so that it would grow and revenues would recover, despite the fall in tax rates.

The trouble was there is no evidence that tax cuts have this effect on long-term growth, and a lot of scepticism that the reforms would do any good. This departure from basic fiscal arithmetic was compounded by the Government not allowing the Office for Budget Responsibility to comment on whether it would work. The Chancellor presumably knew what answer they would give and did not want anyone to hear it. Unfortunately, financial markets saw the plan for what it was, and started demanding a premium for government bonds to compensate them for worries about how this would all resolve itself.

This Singapore-on-Thames strategy could have been attempted without spooking markets. It could have done revenue-neutral tax reforms, cutting those it thought would stimulate entrepreneurship, clawing back money from other taxes. And it could have allowed time for the other reforms to show their effect on growth and tax revenues before cutting taxes further  in other words, waiting for the evidence to come in before spending the proceeds.

Some commentators are toying with the idea that markets were spooked because of the prospect of a Labour government taking over. This I doubt. Its too early to tell exactly what Labour would do, but so far it has sounded relatively stern and conventional about borrowing. Theres a risk that Labour would be tempted to go for its own Left-wing version of the dash for growth but so far they look like the fiscal hawks. So I would guess that Sir Keir Starmer is the anchor for markets, not what is scaring them. Instead, that is Truss and Kwartengs flight of madness.

Tony Yates is a former senior adviser on monetary policy at the Bank of England
WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland has imposed sanctions on Gazprom Export, a unit of Russia's gas company that exports natural gas, the interior ministry said on Thursday.

In April, Poland imposed sanctions on 50 Russian oligarchs and companies, including Gazprom, in a move to increase pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. Simultaneously, Russia halted gas exports to Poland as Warsaw refused to pay in roubles.

Under the latest decision Gazprom Export's assets will be frozen. Access to financial funds and economic assets of the sanctioned company is banned, the ministry said.

It added that the company's deputy head Mikhail Sereda had been put on the sanctions list by the United States.

"The activities of Gazprom Export LCC are of strategic importance for the government of the Russian Federation," the ministry said on its website.

(Reporting by Marek Strzelecki and Anna Koper; editing by David Evans)
FILE PHOTO: Electric poles are pictured in front of the PGNiG Termika Zeran thermal power station after sunset in Warsaw

GDANSK (Reuters) - Polish gas company PGNiG said on Friday it has secured regasification capacity at Lithuania's liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Klaipeda in a 10-year deal.

The deal with terminal operator Klaipedos Nafta will allow PGNiG to import 6 terawatt hours (TWh) of LNG, equivalent to over 500 million cubic metres of natural gas annually via the terminal through 2032, the Polish firm said in a press release.

"I am convinced that the cooperation (...) will not only contribute to the business plans of both companies, but will also enable further integration of gas markets in this part of Europe," said PGNiG chief executive Iwona Waksmundzka-Olejniczak.

"Allocation of the long-term capacity extends our future cooperation and will further contribute to the enhanced energy security of the region (...)," said Klaipedos Nafta CEO Darius Silenskis.

PGNiG started importing LNG through Klaipeda in May and has received six deliveries at the facility, with part of the cargo sold to customers in the Baltic States and the rest transported to Poland, the company said.

(Reporting by Karol Badohal and Patrycja Zaras; editing by Jason Neely and Chizu Nomiyama)
By Carolyn Cohn and Tommy Wilkes

LONDON (Reuters) - British pension funds with big losses in gilt market derivatives have sought emergency funds from the companies they manage money for as they race to dump assets to raise cash, industry sources said on Friday.

Many pension funds were caught out during the surge in bond yields this week that forced the Bank of England to step in. The funds had to stump up cash to meet collateral demands.

Some funds crashed out of derivative positions because they could not raise the money in time, but are trying to put those hedges back on so they are not exposed to further volatile moves, the people said.The cash demands from liability-driven investment (LDI) funds that manage the derivatives prompted a crisis that threatened many of Britain's biggest pension funds. Some fear it could spread wider contagion.

Some pension funds sought help from their sponsors, the parent entities whose employees' pensions they manage, including trying to open credit lines with banks, according to three pension consultants and one pension fund manager.

The extent of the liquidity squeeze on pension funds remained unclear after the Bank of England on Wednesday said it would buy 65 billion pounds ($72.21 billion) of gilts and postponed plans to sell bonds it already holds. "Schemes are looking to do whatever they can to reinstate their hedges", including seeking standby facilities with their sponsors, said Simeon Willis, chief investment officer at XPS Pensions Group.One pension fund manager, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said his scheme had requested its parent open up a credit line on Wednesday when it looked like it was running out of cash but was refused. The BoE then made its announcement, sending bond yields lower and easing the panic.

The pension scheme of Serco, the outsourcing giant, requested a credit line from its parent, British media reported on Friday. Serco declined to comment.

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"We've had companies understand the importance of the hedge saying can we support the pension schemes, and we've had pension funds looking at their short-term liquidity facilities," said Calum Mackenzie, investment partner at Aon.

LDI strategies help pension funds match their liabilities, the future payouts they must make to pension members, and their assets.

The market has boomed in the past decade and in Britain totals almost 1.6 trillion pounds in assets, according to the Investment Association.

These strategies, sold by the likes of BlackRock, Insight Investment and Legal & General, are complex, use derivatives and leverage, and are designed to protect against volatile price swings in gilts.

But markets moved so fast this week that the strategies could not keep up.

The pension schemes were forced into selling assets to raise cash but found everyone was doing the same, pushing the price of those bonds even lower and prompting more calls for cash in a "doom loop" that by Wednesday the BoE had decided threatened financial stability.

Banks expect pension funds will try to stay as liquid as they can, and sell other assets.

"Funding surpluses will likely be used to reduce leverage, rather than hunting yield. Assets will be kept as liquid as possible," said Estian Schoonraad, who works on RBC Capital Markets' LDI team, in an email sent to pension funds on Friday and seen by Reuters.

"For the immediate market implications, I expect the selling of less liquid assets to continue more gradually as the market stress abates. Any recent forced selling of gilts + linkers could be replaced when conditions allow."

Pension funds own anything from government and corporate bonds to stocks and less liquid investments like those in private equity.

RBC did not respond to a request for comment. Insight and L&G declined to comment. BlackRock said it was cutting leverage in its LDI funds.

($1 = 0.9002 pounds)

(Reporting by Carolyn Cohn and Tommy Reggiori Wilkes; Editing by David Gregorio)
Trained by the genial Sir Mark Prescott, the five-year-old mare heads into the race on the back of five straight Group One wins. It was in one of those in Germany last year that she beat Torquator Tasso, who subsequently won the Arc 12 months ago. It was at that point the form buffs began to sit up and take notice of Prescott's mare. While it is unusual for a multiple Group One winner to still be in training at the age of five, her owner Kirsten Rausing felt she would have to win elsewhere to get the recognition she deserved. Her season did not get under way until the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July, but she won that easy enough and then disposed of this year's Oaks winner, Tuesday, at York. Now it is the big one. A race both Rausing and Prescott would love to win and while it may have been some time since the last five-year-old mare took the laurels, Arc winners Enable (2018), Solemia (2012) and Sea The Stars (2009) all broke from her same berth in stall six. "She's drawn in six and the experts say that's not too bad. I'll have to hope they are right," said Prescott. "I haven't looked into winning stalls yet, I'm still a bit put off from doing my own research as the last thing I looked for was the last five-year-old mare that won - and it was 1937! "I don't suppose many have tried having won five Group Ones, but on the other hand, those that had would normally be retired by now." While Prescott admits her two wins this season have brought her more recognition, he wonders how much more is left in the locker. "So far she has got better and better with age, but can you do it again? That's the question. They all reach a ceiling and it's a case of 'have we got there yet?," he said. "Her two wins this year have been her two most high-profile ones, certainly. But those German races last year were perhaps better than we realised. "There were people pitying me and Miss Rausing, saying those German races didn't really amount to much. Then, after the Arc, they were asking why she hadn't run in it! It was all those who had been decrying the form!" While Alpinista does handle soft ground, Prescott does not feel she needs it to be seen at her best. "All of us trainers are like farmers, really. When it comes to the ground we are never quite happy," he said. "I wouldn't know what to make of the Japanese horses, you wouldn't have thought they'd want the ground too soft but you just wouldn't know. Obviously they are all good horses in their own right. "I'm just taking the view that our horse is there, we were always going to be whether Mr Haggas ran Baaeed or not, we said we'd have a go at it this year and her whole year has been geared around it, so we're going. "I'm going, as Miss Rausing has insisted - despite it being sales season!"

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Aidan O'Brien's Luxembourg is likely to go off favourite having been beaten just once in his career - in the 2000 Guineas. He missed the Derby with an injury but has been brought back expertly by his trainer and landed the Irish Champion Stakes last time out. He will race over the trip for the first time.

Aidan O'Brien

"The plan was always to start in the Guineas and then maybe go to the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby, but he pulled a muscle behind after the Guineas and he had to have a good, long break," said O'Brien. "He was just about ready for his first run at the Curragh and he was trained hard for his second run in Leopardstown. "Obviously his work hasn't been as hard from Leopardstown to Longchamp because of the nature of the races, but he seems in good shape at the moment. "We always thought a mile and a quarter/mile and a half would be well within his compass and we had it mapped out that he would go from the Guineas to the Derby - we always felt that that would really suit him. "Leopardstown was a perfect race after the Royal Whip. He put his head down and fought hard to the line, so we were very happy with that." O'Brien also runs Broome, winner of the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot in June. Westover won the Irish Derby in fine style but has not been seen since disappointing in the King George. His connections shunned the St Leger to run in the Arc. "It's all systems go with Westover. We're looking forward to it. His preparation has gone well," said trainer Ralph Beckett. "I'm very happy with the draw (seven) for Westover. Draws are all very well if you are good enough. You wouldn't want a wide draw. "All preparations have gone as well as can be expected. He is very well. Let's hope he is good enough." Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners, Juddmonte, said: "Stall seven looks nice. I don't know historically how it's gone, but I don't think anyone has any complaints with the draw. "The horse is in good form, Ralph is happy and Rob (Hornby, jockey) is happy. Let's just hope he gives a good account of himself on the day. "We have no doubt the ability to do it is there and if we get a bit of luck in running and it plays out nicely, hopefully we'll be in with a good shout. "The first couple of furlongs are important and you see where you're going to slot in. After that you need to get the gaps and you need the luck. "It's a very wide-open race. I think Luxembourg and Vadeni are two top-class colts, as is Mishriff. The Japanese horses look very strong and then you have last year's winner Torquator Tasso. "It is a strong renewal and it will be interesting to see how we compare." John and Thady Gosden run both Mishriff and Mostahdaf, but neither fared well in the draw, receiving berths 17 and 16 respectively, while William Haggas' Alenquer is among the outsiders.

The article Alpinista heads into Arc on the back of five straight Group One wins appeared first on Planetsport.com.
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A total of 16 targets have been destroyed by the Turkish armed forces in a military operation against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Turkiye's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday.

The operation destroyed caves, bunkers, shelters and command posts of the PKK in the Asos Mountain region of Iraq on Tuesday, the minister said at a press conference in the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak.

The targets were hit by airstrikes of the Turkish Air Force, the local NTV broadcaster reported.

Turkiye respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty rights of all its neighbors, especially Iraq and Syria, Akar emphasized.

"Syrians are our brothers, Iraqis are our brothers. There is no problem with that. Our problem is terrorists. We are after terrorists. This struggle will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated," he said.

Turkiye regularly conducts cross-border operations on the PKK bases in northern Iraq.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over 30 years.

Iraq has protested against the Turkish operation in northern Iraq as a violation of its sovereignty.
(Bloomberg) -- The House on Wednesday passed a package of bills intended to reinvigorate trust-busting in the US, marking the first time Congress has voted to expand antitrust laws in decades.

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The package passed 242-184 after days of infighting on both sides of the aisle. Next, it will go to the Senate, where it is expected to pass before moving on to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The bills in the package are much narrower than a separate antitrust bill that Congress has been considering, called the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, which would prevent the largest technology platforms from using their market dominance to the disadvantage of rivals. That bill, which is co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, has stalled amid an enormous lobbying campaign by Alphabet Inc.s Google, Amazon, Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc.

Colorado Republican Representative Ken Buck, a co-sponsor of the bill, said the smaller package will help America with Big Tech.

The bills that advanced Wednesday are designed to bolster procedures around antitrust enforcement, but wont change existing laws. Still, by strengthening resources for the antitrust agencies and giving states control over where corporate consolidation cases are tried, the vote marks a win for the Biden administration and the growing movement of activists advocating for antitrust reforms.

Democratic Rhode Island Representative David Cicilline, a co-sponsor of the bills, called the package a modest yet critical first step to modernizing the antitrust laws.

The Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act would increase corporate filing fees for mergers and give that money to the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Departments antitrust division, which are both strapped for resources amid a consolidation wave.

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Another bill, the State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act, would allow state attorneys general to pick the location where their federal antitrust suits are heard, making it easier and less costly to try their cases. The legislation, which Google has opposed, would bar companies from asking judges to shift the trial venue to their home courts where they might have an advantage.

The third bill in the package would require companies pursuing mergers to disclose subsidies they have received from nations that pose a risk to the US, such as China.

Shortly before the vote, House lawmakers held a fundraiser with Amazon lobbyists at a Capitol Hill winery, according to a copy of the attendees obtained by Bloomberg News. Key lawmakers, including the chairs of committees tasked with overseeing the tech industry, attended the event, which included corporate lobbyists representing a number of industries.

The fundraiser comes as the larger bills that the tech companies oppose languish. The companies have expressed less opposition to the smaller bills that passed Thursday.

The major tech companies and their trade groups have opposed the bills, though they are much narrower than separate legislation that would force the companies to change how they operate. That measure, called the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, has stalled but could still come up for a vote later this year.

The legislation that passed Thursday was bogged down by bickering among both parties, which intensified this week when the House announced its intention to hold a vote.

Despite support from Senate Republicans for the measure, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana earlier this week circulated a memo urging Republicans to vote against the package, claiming it would empower President Joe Bidens politically motivated regulators. The top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan of Ohio, has echoed that anxiety, claiming the merger filing bill in particular would give new resources to FTC Chair Lina Khan, an increasingly important target for Republicans.

At the same time, a handful of Democrats from California, home of most of the tech giants, circulated a letter opposing the state venues bill, claiming it would burden an an already-overloaded court system. But Californias Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with dozens of other attorneys general, are advocating in favor of the legislation, which could give them a home court advantage as they pursue complex and difficult antitrust litigation -- particularly against the well-heeled tech companies.

The disagreements foreshadowed a battle ahead over more sweeping changes to antitrust laws. If the GOP wins the majority in the House in November, Jordan, a major critic of antitrust reform, would likely become the leader of the Judiciary panel.

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FILE PHOTO: Illustration shows letters arranged to read "Sanctions" in front of flag colors of EU and Russia

By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union countries on Friday edged towards agreeing what would be the bloc's eighth round of sanctions against Russia for waging war against Ukraine, diplomatic sources told Reuters.

The EU executive earlier this week recommended that the bloc imposes more trade curbs and individual blacklistings, and moves towards - rather than adopting straightaway - a price cap for Russian sea-borne oil deliveries to third countries, mostly insured by European companies.

The 27 EU countries' envoys to Brussels discussed the proposal on Friday and several sources said they hoped for a final approval next week.

"The willingness to go ahead is high, we want to be ready as soon as possible because of everything that is going on," said one senior EU diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Sources said Russia's state-controlled diamond miner Alrosa, as well as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, were put forward for blacklisting - moves previously opposed by, respectively, diamond trading hub Belgium, and Hungary.

New import sanctions would cover steel and steel products, paper and timber, while exports of more tech equipment and services to Russia would be barred, they added.

The 27 need unanimity to impose sanctions and, should their differences prove too difficult to overcome, the matter would go to the bloc's national leaders' meeting in Prague on October 6-7.

Hungary is the most vocal critic of sanctions against Russia in the EU, which was galvanised by Moscow's fresh escalation in the seven-month war: military mobilisation, nuclear threats and moving to formally annex a large part of occupied Ukraine.

The oil cap, which would be implemented if and when the G7 most industrialised countries put in place their own, would still require unanimous approval of any particular price ceiling from each EU country, the sources said, a way to bring on board Hungary and others.

Hungary, which cooperates with Russia on nuclear power, said earlier this week it would block any new energy sanctions.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
As the energy crisis deepens in Europe, France is reportedly willing to reconsider its opposition to the proposed MidCat natural gas pipeline across the southern Pyrenees mountain range.

According to Tiago Antunes, Portugal's secretary of state for EU Affairs, the MidCat pipeline was discussed with France's junior Europe minister, Laurence Boone, at a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, in which the essential topic was gas and electricity interconnections between Spain and France.

"The reaction I had from France was that they were willing to revisit the MidCat with fresh eyes, with an open mind," Antunes told Reuters in Lisbon, "taking into account the arguments of Portugal, Spain and also Germany."

Only three weeks ago, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his opposition to the MidCat project, arguing that two existing pipelines across the Pyrenees  which separate the Iberian Peninsula from France  are under-utilised with flows going mainly towards Spain.

Antunes said that the proposal from the two Iberian countries and Germany for building MidCat were now reinforced due to the energy crisis in Europe and the "geo-strategic risks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine".

"We expect that, with a new assessment of the project by France, and taking into account the new circumstances, it will be concluded that it is worthwhile and must move forward," he said this week, adding that the project was "in the interest of the whole of Europe".

Mooted in 2013 for the transfer of natural gas, the MidCat project would double the volume of gas piped between Spain and France. The original proposal was suspended in 2019 for environmental and economic viability reasons.

Antunes said that MidCat could now be used to transport renewable gases, such as green hydrogen.

France sceptical

French scepticism about the new pipeline has highlighted the competing visions for Europe's future energy mix as the continent confronts a power crisis and aims to reduce its reliance on Russian gas.

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Although President Macron bluntly said he saw no case for the multi-billion euro project  saying it would take too long to build to ease the looming energy crunch  he maintained it would also be costly for France and go against ambitions to shift towards a green economy.

Officials in Spain and Germany have reportedly said they believe France has been acting to protect its own ailing nuclear industry and fend off competition from Spain as a staging post for imported gas.

Russia supplied 40 percent of Europe's gas before the invasion of Ukraine.

Now, Europe is scrambling to diversify its energy sources and MidCat was among the projects EU ministers discussed at an emergency meeting in Brussels earlier this month.

LNG versus green hydrogen

In August, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the pipeline as "dramatically missing" from Europe's network and raised the issue with Macron during a videocall.

Immediately afterwards, Macron retorted there was spare capacity in the pipes already linking Spain and France and MidCat could not be constructed swiftly enough to ease this winter's crisis.

Both Spain and Portugal have a large gas import capacity, with seven LNG terminals which convert shiploads of liquefied natural gas back into vapour form for use by industry and households. If the infrastructure was in place, that gas could be piped to other countries such as Germany via France.

Berlin's primary interest in MidCat lies in the potential of green hydrogen rather than short-term LNG supplies.

Officials in Madrid and Berlin argue the pipeline could be repurposed to carry zero-emission hydrogen fuel made in the Sahara desert or elsewhere to Europe's industrial heartland.

But France would rather produce hydrogen locally than rely on imports and has questioned Germany's vision for hydrogen  which is notoriously more difficult to transport than natural gas.

In the face of French resistance, Madrid and Berlin are said to be exploring alternatives that could bypass France altogether and build a pipeline under the Mediterranean to Italy.
Hurricane Iana Category 5 storm that just hit Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republicmade landfall in Florida late Wednesday afternoon.

With over 150-mile-per-hour winds and devastating blows to the state's power lines, the hurricane hit Fort Myers on the southwest side of Florida especially hard. Footage shared on social media depicted homes ravaged by floods and ripped from their foundations. Hurricane Ian arrives just three months after Tropical Storm Alex knocked out power grids across Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach. The devastation follows Puerto Rico's ravaging from Hurricane Fiona, which prompted millions of dollars in emergency relief aid from the government.

"Weve never seen a storm surge of this magnitude," Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference, according to AP News. "The amount of water thats been rising, and will likely continue to rise today even as the storm is passing, is basically a 500-year flooding event."

If you're looking to help, luckily many relief organizations throughout Florida and the Caribbean are already on the scene. From those repairing homes and power lines, to organizations preparing meals and passing out clean water, below are a few trusted and helpful organizations that could use your help now.

The Florida Disaster Fund

Established by the state itself, the Florida Disaster Fund is a private resource for emergencies and disaster response that also accepts help from volunteers. Based in Tallahassee, the group accepts donations on its official website.

The PRxPR Relief and Rebuild Fund

The PRxPR Relief and Rebuild Fund in Puerto Rico is donating 100 percent of the money received to local hurricane relief. The group works with local organizations to restore access to clean water and repair hundreds of damaged roofs.

Convoy of Hope

To ensure that no one goes hungry or thirsty as they're displaced from their homes or forced to evacuate, Convoy of Hope is a group that provides groceries and response vehicles for those devastated by Hurricane Ian. The group is currently on the ground in Florida, where they plan to set up distribution points to assist victims of the storm.



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American Red Cross

The Red Cross has been able to set up temporary solar grid power systems and help local hospitals the past month throughout the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. They encourage local residents in non-impacted areas to visit RedCrossBlood.organd help out by giving blood and platelets to support injured victims of the storm.

The United Nations World Food Programme and World Central Kitchen

Feeding the hungry in the Dominican Republic, the United Nations World Food Programme was sent to prepare meals and assist victims. The World Central Kitchen, which previously crossed the borders to help people in Ukraine, also made landfall in Puerto Rico.

The Hispanic Federation

The Hispanic Foundation was already working to repair health centers in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona earlier this month, but the group has since expanded to help those in the Dominican Republic as well. Over the past five years since Hurricane Maria, the organization supplied over 7.5 million pounds of food, water, and medicine in conjunction with local town mayors.

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Visit the FOX Weather Wire for live updates on Ian as it rips through Florida. Click here for the latest forecast, power outages and more.

During the last two decades, Lee County, Florida, has been ground zero for two major hurricanes with nearly identical strength, but that is where the similarities end between the two destructive storms.

Back in August of 2004, Hurricane Charley made landfall on Cayo Costa Island as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds and a central pressure of 941 mb, and on Wednesday, Hurricane Ian matched Charley's strength.

Charley crisscrossed the Sunshine State, and by the time it exited off the east coast, a damage value of $22.9 billion (adjusted to 2022-dollar value) was done.

Damage assessments from Hurricane Ian will likely take several months to complete, but in terms of rain and surge, how many Floridians experienced damaging winds, the storm has already surpassed impacts from Charley.

Here are the top differences between the storms.

LIVE COVERAGE: HURRICANE IANS DESTRUCTIVE 100+ MPH WINDS SPREAD ACROSS FLORIDA PENINSULA

Hurricane Ian Landfall

The size of a hurricane can significantly affect the population impacted by damaging winds.

Hurricane Charley was on the small side of the hurricane scale and only produced sustained hurricane-force winds outwards of about 15 to 20 miles from the center.

This small composition limited the impacts to those who found themselves near the storms center, but the center rode along the busy I-4 corridor, home to millions of Floridians.

Strongest FL Landfalls

In comparison, Ians hurricane-force winds extended outwards around 50 miles, and tropical storm-force winds were experienced outward up to 175 miles from the center.

The wide core forced authorities to issue a Hurricane Warning for 15 million residents in Florida, including Orlando, Tampa, and the entire Southwest Coast.

HURRICANE IAN TIES 4TH-STRONGEST STORM TO MAKE LANDFALL IN FLORIDA

Several factors can impact the size of a hurricanes storm surge, but in the case of the two Gulf Coast landfalling cyclones, Ian vastly outdid Charleys impacts.

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The FOX Forecast Center said because of Ians width and how long the hurricane maintained a significant intensity played a role in how large the storm surge reached.

During Hurricane Charley, areas around Ft. Myers Beach and Captiva Island reported a water level rise of around 9 feet, but the surge was limited in scope.

In comparison, Hurricane Ian produced a storm surge that Governor Ron DeSantis said reached at least 12 feet in some areas.

A significant storm surge was reported from the Florida Keys and stretched hundreds of miles along Floridas Gulf Coast.

HURRICANE IAN STORM SURGE FLOODS HOMES, SENDS BOATS FLOATING DOWN STREETS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Due to different atmospheric features in play, Hurricane Ian crawled through the Florida Peninsula while Charley resembled the speed of a bullet train.

Ian was expected to take around 24 hours to cross the approximately 120-mile wide Peninsula, while Charley only took around 7 hours due to the storms forward speed.

The fast movement allowed Charley to remain intact longer, which proved to be disastrous along the I-4 corridor as sustained hurricane-force winds were reported across the Peninsula.

The forward speed of a hurricane can lead to significant deviations in rainfall.

Hurricane Charley Size

7 FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT HURRICANES

Charleys fast movement through the state limited rainfall amounts, and many communities reported seeing less than half a foot of rain from the 2004 event.

The disaster was not remembered for its flooding, as most of the torrential rainfall lasted for only hours.

Charleys heaviest rainfall amounts were reported along Floridas Gulf Coast, around the area of landfall.

Hurricane Charley Rainfall Amounts

Due to Ians slow movement, communities that stretch from the Gulf Coast, along Interstate 4, to the Atlantic Ocean, could see double, triple or even quadruple the amount of rainfall that Charley produced.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Weather Prediction Center warned some areas could see at least 20 inches of rain before the storm exits the coast.
Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

A new 50p design featuring an image of King Charles III has been unveiled by the Royal Mint and will enter circulation by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, a special memorial coin range commemorating Queen Elizabeth II will be released on Monday at 9am. Charles portrait will appear on a 5 crown and a 50p celebrating the Queen.

Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint, told the PA news agency: We expect customers will start to be able to receive the commemorative range from October and then we expect the 50p memorial circulating coin to be appearing in peoples change probably from December.

The Kings effigy, which has received the personal approval of Charles, was created by sculptor Martin Jennings, the Mint said. As is tradition, the Kings portrait will face to the left, the opposite direction from Queen Elizabeth II.

Chris Barker, of the Royal Mint Museum, said: Charles has followed that general tradition that we have in British coinage, going all the way back to Charles II actually, that the monarch faces in the opposite direction to their predecessor.

The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: :: CHARLES III :: D :: G :: REX :: F :: D :: 5 POUNDS :: 2022, which translates to: King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith.

The design will start to appear on circulating and commemorative coins produced over the coming months.

The Royal Mint, based in Llantrisant, south Wales, has depicted the royal family on coins for over 1,100 years, documenting each monarch since Alfred the Great.

Anne Jessopp, its chief executive officer, said: The Royal Mint has been trusted to make coins bearing the monarchs effigy for over 1,100 years and we are proud to continue this tradition into the reign of King Charles III.

Although technology has progressed, we continue to honour British craftsmanship passed down through the centuries. Our team of skilled modellers, tool-makers and engravers will ensure that the Kings effigy will be faithfully replicated on to millions of coins.

It is a privilege to sculpt the first official effigy of His Majesty and to receive his personal approval for the design. The portrait was sculpted from a photograph of the King, and was inspired by the iconic effigies that have graced Britains coins over the centuries.
Lidl has been ordered by a Swiss court to stop selling a gold chocolate bunny which is considered a copycat of one popularised by Lindt.

The countrys federal court has stopped the German discount retailer from selling the Favourina rabbit in Switzerland after proving the public could be easily confused.

Lidl will also have to destroy its Swiss chocolate bunnies, although it is understood this will mean the chocolate will be melted for other products rather than thrown away.

"Destruction is proportionate, especially as it does not necessarily mean that the chocolate as such would have to be destroyed, the court summary read.

The Lindt original, one of the brands most popular products (Lindt)

The ruling applies to the Lidl Schweiz and Lidl Schweiz DL brands in Switzerland which can no longer sell the Favourina.

Lindt has been chasing a settlement to protect the bunny, one of its best selling products, since 2018 but the Swiss commercial court last year threw the case out.

However, upon appeal the company, whose full name is Lindt & Spruengli, have now won with the higher court conceding the two products were likely to be confused even though there were some differences between them.

In the public mind, they cannot be distinguished, the court ruled. Given the overall impression produced, Lidl's bunnies arouse obvious associations with the shape of Lindt's.

Lindt was able to prove the similarity through surveys, which showed public recognition of the gold bunny brand.

Lidl told the AFP it could not provide any information concerning legal proceedings which are still ongoing.

It follows a move by Germany's federal court, which ruled last year that the gold tone of its foil-wrapped Easter bunny had trademark protection.

Lidl has been approached for further comment.
Former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob waves to members of the media before departing for a meeting with the King, in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Friday ordered a probe into possible misconduct by a former top prosecutor who had brought corruption cases against several senior members of his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party.

Tommy Thomas, who served as attorney-general between 2018 and 2020, will be investigated for sedition, unauthorised disclosure of government secrets, and abuse of power, the prime minister said in a statement.

Ismail Sabri has faced pressure from some UMNO members to investigate Thomas, who detailed in a memoir last year some of the key decisions he made during his tenure as attorney-general.

These included bringing graft charges against UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the now-jailed ex-premier Najib Razak, among others.

Ahmad Zahid and Najib, who deny wrongdoing, have said the charges against them were politically motivated. Both men remain highly influential and were among the party members calling for the probe into Thomas.

Thomas declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

The probe comes as Ismail Sabri faces separate demands from UMNO to call for early polls to capitalise on its success in recent local elections.

UMNO was voted out amid widespread graft allegations in 2018 by a coalition led by Mahathir Mohamad, who appointed Thomas.

But the party returned to power last year when Ismail Sabri was appointed premier following the collapse of two successive governments, including Mahathir's.

Ismail Sabri is expected to attend a meeting of senior UMNO officials later on Friday to discuss possible election dates, Malaysian media reported.

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
(Owami Davies)

A review into the way police handled the disappearance of Owami Davies has found officers did not visit her familys home until 20 hours after she was reported missing.

The 24-year-olds concerned family reported her missing to Essex Police at 12.50pm on July 6, but the force did not visit her home in Grays, Essex, until about 8.20am the next day.

The lengthy delay has been picked up in an investigation into Essex Police and the Met Polices handling of the high-profile case - a probe that has uncovered important learning points for both forces.

Among them are recommendations aimed to improve their handover and communication when passing cases from force to force.

The review has also acknowledged concerns that Ms Daviess race affected the way police responded to her disappearance, but says an independent advisory group found no evidence of racial bias.

The student nurses disappearance prompted a major, seven-week police investigation that began in Essex before moving to London.

A joint review of the case by Essex and Metropolitan Police Service, published on Friday, cites the fact there were two other high-risk missing persons cases and an attempted murder in the same district as reasons why police were initially slow to attend her family home.

It adds that this delay led to a lag in her details being added to the Police National Computer (PNC), which is used to share information with other forces.

On July 6 - after Ms Davies had been reported missing in Essex - she was spoken to by Met Police officers outside a property in Croydon, who had attended after reports of concern for her welfare.

The review found that while officers dealt with her compassionately, she not been circulated on the PNC at the time, meaning they could not have known she had been reported missing.

The police contact with Ms Davies after she was reported missing was reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). But when the nursewas found safe and well in Hampshire on August 23, seven weeks after she went missing, the police watchdog said it would take no further action.

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The new internal review has acknowledged concerns from the Black community that race was a factor in how officers responded to Owamis disappearance.

During their investigation, the Met published several appeals for information about her whereabouts - including one that erroneously featured an image of another woman.

The review concluded: The mistake was due to human error and was corrected as soon as it was noticed. There was no evidence of racial bias. We apologised for the error.

It added: Members of the Central Race Independent Advisory Group as well as IAGs in Croydon and West Thurrock were closely linked in with the investigation as it progressed with information shared transparently. They were asked to scrutinise our actions and response and actively challenge us as needed.

The IAGs also took part in the review process and were again encouraged to challenge us. They were satisfied there was no evidence of racial bias. We will be presenting the findings of the review to our Central Race IAG next month.

The Met says learning points found in the review will be used to improve our response to future missing person investigations.

Commander Paul Brogden said: This was the biggest missing person investigation conducted by the Met this year and officers worked tirelessly over several weeks to ensure Owami was found safe and well.

As with any large policing operation, we have worked with our advisory groups to review our actions. Im pleased that their feedback was largely positive, both about the officers involved and our handling of the investigation.

The review did identify some important learning points, including how a missing person enquiry is transferred from one force to another to ensure work isnt duplicated and any urgent enquiries are carried out as swiftly as possible.

He added: The focus of every missing person investigation is to find the person safe and well. I understand there will be cases that result in significant interest from the public and the media, however we must balance the need for information with the persons right to privacy. We remain in contact with Owami and her family and we wish them well for the future.
 Flash

The government of Finland on Thursday decided to significantly restrict the entry of Russian tourists into the country. As of midnight on Thursday and until further notice, Russian citizens traveling with tourist visas will be banned from entering or transiting the country.

A Foreign Ministry press release noted that the move aims to "completely prevent Russian tourism." "The reception of visa applications is severely restricted," it said.

Russian citizens can still enter Finland for study, work or medical purposes, and logistics and transport workers are also exempted.

Russian citizens who own property in Finland can also enter the country if they can prove that the visit is essential for maintenance purposes.
Facebook Meta Rohingya (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

With roosters crowing in the background as he speaks from the crowded refugee camp in Bangladesh that's been his home since 2017, Maung Sawyeddollah, 21, describes what happened when violent hate speech and disinformation targeting the Rohingya minority in Myanmar began to spread on Facebook.

We were good with most of the people there. But some very narrow minded and very nationalist types escalated hate against Rohingya on Facebook, he said. And the people who were good, in close communication with Rohingya. changed their mind against Rohingya and it turned to hate.

For years, Facebook, now called Meta Platforms Inc., pushed the narrative that it was a neutral platform in Myanmar that was misused by malicious people, and that despite its efforts to remove violent and hateful material, it unfortunately fell short. That narrative echoes its response to the role it has played in other conflicts around the world, whether the 2020 election in the U.S. or hate speech in India.

But a new and comprehensive report by Amnesty International states that Facebook's preferred narrative is false. The platform, Amnesty says, wasn't merely a passive site with insufficient content moderation. Instead, Metas algorithms proactively amplified and promoted content on Facebook, which incited violent hatred against the Rohingya beginning as early as 2012.

Despite years of warnings, Amnesty found, the company not only failed to remove violent hate speech and disinformation against the Rohingya, it actively spread and amplified it until it culminated in the 2017 massacre. The timing coincided with the rising popularity of Facebook in Myanmar, where for many people it served as their only connection to the online world. That effectively made Facebook the internet for a vast number of Myanmar's population.

More than 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring Bangladesh that year. Myanmar security forces were accused of mass rapes, killings and torching thousands of homes owned by Rohingya.

Story continues

Meta  through its dangerous algorithms and its relentless pursuit of profit  substantially contributed to the serious human rights violations perpetrated against the Rohingya, the report says.

A spokesperson for Meta declined to answer questions about the Amnesty report. In a statement, the company said it stands in solidarity with the international community and supports efforts to hold the Tatmadaw accountable for its crimes against the Rohingya people.

Our safety and integrity work in Myanmar remains guided by feedback from local civil society organizations and international institutions, including the U.N. Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar; the Human Rights Impact Assessment we commissioned in 2018; as well as our ongoing human rights risk management, Rafael Frankel, director of public policy for emerging markets, Meta Asia-Pacific, said in a statement.

Like Sawyeddollah, who is quoted in the Amnesty report and spoke with the AP on Tuesday, most of the people who fled Myanmar  about 80% of the Rohingya living in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine at the time  are still staying in refugee camps. And they are asking Meta to pay reparations for its role in the violent repression of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, which the U.S. declared a genocide earlier this year.

Amnesty's report, out Wednesday, is based on interviews with Rohingya refugees, former Meta staff, academics, activists and others. It also relied on documents disclosed to Congress last year by whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former Facebook data scientist. It notes that digital rights activists say Meta has improved its civil society engagement and some aspects of its content moderation practices in Myanmar in recent years. In January 2021, after a violent coup overthrew the government, it banned the country's military from its platform.

But critics, including some of Facebook's own employees, have long maintained such an approach will never truly work. It means Meta is playing whack-a-mole trying to remove harmful material while its algorithms designed to push engaging content that's more likely to get people riled up essentially work against it.

These algorithms are really dangerous to our human rights. And what happened to the Rohingya and Facebooks role in that specific conflict risks happening again, in many different contexts across the world," said Pat de Brun, researcher and adviser on artificial intelligence and human rights at Amnesty.

The company has shown itself completely unwilling or incapable of resolving the root causes of its human rights impact.

After the U.N.s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar highlighted the significant role Facebook played in the atrocities perpetrated against the Rohingya, Meta admitted in 2018 that we werent doing enough to help prevent our platform from being used to foment division and incite offline violence.

In the following years, the company touted certain improvements in its community engagement and content moderation practices in Myanmar, Amnesty said, adding that its report finds that these measures have proven wholly inadequate.

In 2020, for instance, three years after the violence in Myanmar killed thousands of Rohingya Muslims and displaced 700,000 more, Facebook investigated how a video by a leading anti-Rohingya hate figure, U Wirathu, was circulating on its site.

The probe revealed that over 70% of the video's views came from chaining  that is, it was suggested to people who played a different video, showing what's up next." Facebook users were not seeking out or searching for the video, but had it fed to them by the platform's algorithms.

Wirathu had been banned from Facebook since 2018.

Even a well-resourced approach to content moderation, in isolation, would likely not have sufficed to prevent and mitigate these algorithmic harms. This is because content moderation fails to address the root cause of Metas algorithmic amplification of harmful content, Amnesty's report says.

The Rohingya refugees are seeking unspecified reparations from the Menlo Park, California-based social media giant for its role in perpetuating genocide. Meta, which is the subject of twin lawsuits in the U.S. and the U.K. seeking $150 billion for Rohingya refugees, has so far refused.

We believe that the genocide against Rohingya was possible only because of Facebook, Sawyeddollah said. They communicated with each other to spread hate, they organized campaigns through Facebook. But Facebook was silent.
Romania's education minister Sorin Cimpeanu has resigned under public pressure after allegations of plagiarism.

Cimpeanu stepped down late on Thursday after he was accused of "fraudulently appropriating" part of a university course he had taught.

"I have decided to leave my post," the official wrote on Facebook. The decision has been acknowledged by Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.

The former minister allegedly plagiarised 13 chapters of a course he taught at the University of Agronomy and Veterinarian Medicine.

An investigation by news website PressOne found the chapters had been previously published by two other university professors.

Cimpeanu had denied the allegations and said he took over the course with the consent of its other authors.

Although Romania has seen many allegations of plagiarism against politicians and judges, Cimpeanu is believed to be the first senior government minister who has resigned as a result.

Romanian PM Nicolae Ciuca has himself been accused of plagiarising parts of his doctoral thesis on military science, allegations he denies.

Cimpeanu -- who has served as education minister three times since 2014 -- was first appointed under a cabinet led by former left-wing Prime Minister Victor Ponta.

Ponta also had to hand back his doctorate amid plagiarism charges against him.

The Romanian government is yet to approve an educational amendment -- proposed by Cimpeanu -- that would place a statute of limitations of three years on plagiarism charges.
Britain has ramped up sanctions against Russia, with new measures targeting vulnerable sectors of the economy, in response to President Vladimir Putins illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine.

The Russian ambassador to London, Andrey Kelin, was summoned to the Foreign Office to be told of the UKs objections to the Kremlins actions in the strongest possible terms.

Earlier, Prime Minister Liz Truss condemned the move by Russias leader, saying Britain will never accept his claim to the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and said they amount to a violation of international law.

Under the new sanctions, Russia will lose access to UK services including IT consultancy, architectural services, engineering services, and transactional legal advisory services for certain commercial activity.

Britain is also banning the export of nearly 700 goods crucial to Russias industrial and technological sectors, while the governor of the Russian central bank, Elvira Nabiullina, joins the list of senior figures subject to travel bans and asset freezes.

Announcing the move, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: The Russian regime must be held to account for this abhorrent violation of international law.

Thats why we are working with our international partners to ramp up the economic pressure through new targeted services bans.

What happens in Ukraine matters to us all and the UK will do everything possible to assist their fight for freedom.

I have summoned the Russian Ambassador, Andrey Kelin, to protest in the strongest terms against Putins announcement of the illegal annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory.  James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) September 30, 2022

The Foreign Office said Russia is highly dependent on Western countries for legal services, with 85% of all its legal services imported from G7 countries, with the UK accounting for 59%.

Story continues

Denying Russian firms access would hamper their ability to operate internationally.

Following the estimated flight of more than 170,000 IT specialists from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, the ban on IT consultancies is expected to further erode Russias ability to keep up with technological developments.

In a statement, Ms Truss said: Vladimir Putin has, once again, acted in violation of international law with clear disregard for the lives of the Ukrainian people he claims to represent.

Vladimir Putin is once again violating international law with his threats to annex more of Ukraine. We will not hesitate to take further action, including imposing more sanctions to cripple Putins war machine. We will ensure he loses this illegal war. pic.twitter.com/LhFvzdlx80  Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 30, 2022

The UK will never ignore the sovereign will of those people and we will never accept the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as anything other than Ukrainian territory.

Putin cannot be allowed to alter international borders using brute force. We will ensure he loses this illegal war.

The latest move by Russia, currently under pressure after a series of Ukrainian successes on the battlefield, has prompted condemnation globally and has been rejected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Since becoming Prime Minister, Ms Truss has vowed to follow the lead of Boris Johnson in providing as much support as is needed to Ukraine.

In a call with Mr Zelensky this week, she said the UK will not accept the annexations.
Texas detention warden and brother arrested after two migrants are shot, one fatally, while walking on road

A jail warden and his twin brother have been arrested for allegedly shooting one migrant dead and wounding another.

Sixty-year-old Michael Sheppard, who worked as a warden at West Texas Detention Center, and his twin brother Mark Sheppard have been charged with manslaughter. During the Tuesday evening incident, the twins allegedly opened fire on a group of at least four migrants walking along a roadway near Sierra Blanca.

The group had stopped to drink water when they heard a car approach and tried to hide. An affidavit from one of the migrants obtained by The New York Times states that the brothers allegedly yelled profanities at the group and told them to come out.

The migrants eventually continued walking after hearing what they thought was the Sheppards vehicle leaving, only to be struck by gunfire. A man was fatally shot in the head and a woman was shot in the stomach and later transported to a hospital in El Paso, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

The Sheppards have denied screaming at the group and stated in an affidavit that they left the scene because they believed they had shot wild animals, according to the Times.

On Thursday, authorities located a vehicle linked to the investigation, which was assigned to Michael Sheppard by LaSalle Corrections  the company that operates the West Texas Detention Center  and conducted the arrests in Hudspeth County, the Texas Tribune reported. He has since been fired from the private detention centre.

The FBI, Border Patrol and Homeland Security are the agencies leading the investigation after the Hudspeth County Sheriffs Office notified them of the events.

Michael Shepaprd (El Paso County Jail)

According to the affidavits obtained by the Times, the group of migrants stopped at a water tank around 7pm on 27 September. They attempted to hide when they heard the Sheppards vehicle.

The brothers reportedly said that they intended to hunt ducks and thought they had found javelinas when Michael Sheppard leaned on the truck and opened fire.

Story continues

The West Texas Detention Center said in a statement to ABC News that Michael Sheppard was fired due to an off-duty incident unrelated to his employment.

Mark Sheppard (El Paso County Jail)

In 2018, The Intercept reported that Michael Sheppard, who then oversaw immigration and customs enforcement, was accused of verbal and physical abuse by a group of African migrants and asylum-seekers at the detention centre.

The victims claimed that during the week they spent in West Texas, they were pepper-sprayed, beaten and sexually abused by wardens who responded to Sheppard. They alleged that Michael Sheppard often told them, Shut your Black [expletive] up and once punched a man in the face and kicked his ribs.

The allegations were escalated to the FBI, but it is unclear if criminal charges were brought in the investigation or whether anyone was held accountable. An ICE spokesperson told The Intercept that the agency had stopped using West Texas for immigration detention in 2019.
Trevor Noah is quitting as the host of The Daily Show, saying his "time is up" after seven years on the late-night talk show.

The South African comedian took over from fellow US comedian Jon Stewart in September 2015.

Thanking his audiences in the studio, at home, and around the world, he labelled the decision to hire him for the Comedy Central show in the first place "crazy".

Noah joked: "I remember when we first started, so many people didn't believe in us - it was a crazy bet to make. I still think it was a crazy choice. This random African, bringing a Chinese guy from Malaysia."

Malaysian comedian Ronny Chieng, the Daily Show's senior correspondent who was with Noah on stage, chipped in: "Yeah, Chinese guys with accents on American TV".

Noah was virtually unknown in the US when he was picked to be host, despite being a celebrity in South Africa.

Calling it "one of the best experiences of my life", Noah said that it was after beginning to tour with his comedy again that he realised that he missed "being everywhere doing everything".

He told his live studio audience: "I realised after seven years, my time is up... but in the most beautiful way.

"I've loved hosting the show, it's been one of my greatest challenges, it's been one of my greatest joys.

"We've laughed together, we've cried together... but after seven years I feel like it's time you know?"

His studio audience then gave him a standing ovation.

Noah didn't give any details about when exactly he would be leaving the role, or who would be taking over from him, just saying: "We'll figure out the timings and the whens."

Click to subscribe to Backstage wherever you get your podcasts

During his tenure on the political and news-based satire he made stylistic changes and increased millennial-based references, impersonations and characterizations for his comedy.

Noah's departure from The Daily Show follows that of James Corden, who announced in April he would be leaving The Late Late Show early next year. At the time, the show's network, CBS, was said to be looking at cheaper alternatives to replace the British star.
As Russia prepares to annex four Ukrainian regions, Kyiv's forces are finishing the job of driving Moscow's retreating troops out of a fifth and threatening their foe's supply lines.

On Friday, the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be incorporated into Russia in a Kremlin ceremony that will be rejected by most international capitals.

But the Kharkiv region, an early target of Moscow's February 24 invasion and home to Ukraine's largely Russian-speaking second city, will not feature in the event, after a stunning counteroffensive.

On Thursday, Ukrainian tanks and armoured personnel carriers were manoeuvring freely through the industrial town of Kupiansk in the east of the Kharkiv region, once a key Russian supply hub.

Kupiansk hosts a severely-damaged bridge across the Oskil river, a natural barrier that the retreating Russians had attempted to hold, and a rail line once used to supply the occupation forces.

"This is a major railway hub that connect to the Luhansk region and then onto the Russian railway system," said Kupiansk's new Ukrainian military administrator Andriy Kanashevych.

"So obviously, in terms of logistics and in terms of supply, it was important for them to control it," he said.

Russian forces did try to hold Kupiansk, despite the collapse of their front outside Kharkiv city and their catastrophic retreat across northeastern Ukraine, leaving wrecked tanks in their wake.

- 'Car for his mother' -

On September 19 the west bank of the Oskil was in Ukrainian hands, but an artillery duel was under way and the built-up areas on the east bank were still fiercely disputed.

On Thursday, for the first time, the town was secure enough for the fire brigade and civilian volunteers to pass food packages hand-to-hand over the shattered ruins of the bridge.

A single corpse in Russian fatigues lay by the eastern end of the span under a cloud of flies, as medics carried sick and wounded civilians back towards the west on stretchers.

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"That's a Lada Kalina for his mother," one of the Ukrainian volunteers joked about the corpse, referring to reports Russia is compensating the families of slain servicemen with new cars.

The road deck of the bridge has collapsed into the river and only the pedestrian footpath along the side is passable for troops and civilian refugees crossing between the banks.

Two dozen men are needed to pass the 2,000 British-supplied ration boxes across the gap to be loaded into a truck for distribution to the most recently liberated areas on the east bank.

Despite the damage to the town centre bridge, Ukrainian forces have found an alternative way to move heavy vehicles, including tanks and Western supplied APCs to the east side.

The tanks have fanned out, backed by infantry and -- despite the occasional incoming shell -- have secured a large urban area, including places that had been occupied for seven months.

The battle knocked out water and electricity and many civilians have left, leaving Kupiansk with around 10 to 15 percent of its pre-war population of 27,000, according to Kanashevych's estimate.

As late as Tuesday there were still Russian forces in the industrial district of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, five kilometres (three miles) south of the bridge -- and civilians are only to starting to leave.

"It was really tough, really tough. We were terrified... with no water, no electricity, no gas, no mobile connection," said Ludmyla Nagaytseva, 52, as families cooked in the open.

"There was no way. Only today we managed to catch a weak signal."

On Thursday, a Ukrainian armoured personnel carrier and infantry platoon stood guard in front of the district cultural centre as local residents boarded buses to take them to the bridge.

- 'Like prison' -

One old man staggered out of the building shouting and gripping the left side of his chest. As his knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground, the troops' medic rushed to administer first aid.

The speed with which Kupiansk fell in the first days of the February invasion fed suspicions that the area's Russian-speaking population harbours divided loyalties between Kyiv and Moscow.

Most local people encountered by AFP seemed relieved to be liberated by Ukraine, and some were overjoyed. One man, 30-year-old business owner Maksim Korolevsky, said the town had been betrayed.

"On February 24, a lot of people, about 200 or so local guys, came to the enlistment centre to fight for Ukraine," he told AFP, blaming the town's former pro-Russian mayor, Gennadiy Matsegora.

"But on February 25, Russian APCs with Russian flags and Russian soldiers were in front of the place. What could we do? We couldn't do anything," he said, complaining of harassment and searches.

"Every pro-Ukrainian opinion was punished by Russia," he said. "Seven months under occupation, it was just like being in prison."

The Russian flags and soldiers have gone from Kupiansk now, but the invasion's notorious "Z" symbol is still visible -- painted onto wrecked military vehicles and bullet-riddled civilian vans.

Beside two of the cars lie bloated corpses in military boots.

dc/gw
Angelina Jolie and Dua Lipa have publicly expressed their support for the protesters in Iran.

Protests broke out across the country earlier this month following the death of Mahsa Amini - a 22-year-old woman who had been detained by Iran's "morality police" for wearing her hair outside of her hijab.

As the death toll from the protests reached 76 this week, demonstrations in support of Iranian activists have appeared in London, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Berlin, and Paris.

Jolie, Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, addressed the unrest in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

"Respect to the brave, defiant, fearless women of Iran. All those who have survived and resisted for decades, those taking to the streets today, and Masha Amini and all young Iranians like her," Jolie wrote. "Women don't need their morals policed, their minds re-educated, or their bodies controlled. They need freedom to live and breathe without violence or threats."

She concluded, "To the women of Iran, we see you."

Lipa also voiced her support for the protestors during a Twitter Live, saying in her video, "The images of women protesting in the streets by cutting their hair and burning their hijabs is one of the most powerful and inspiring things I've seen for many years... To any listeners in Iran or from Iran, we see you, we hear you, and we stand in solidarity with you."

Iranian officials claim Amini died from a heart attack on 16 September, while eyewitnesses allege she was severely beaten and died as a result of her injuries.
Covid-19 infections in England and Wales are continuing to increase, new figures show.

The rise means the total number of infections in the UK has also gone up, though the trend in Scotland and Northern Ireland is unclear.

Some 1.1 million people in private households across the UK are likely to have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest survey, which covers the seven days to September 17 in England and the week to September 20 in the other three nations, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This is a rise of 14% from 927,900 in the previous survey, which covered the week to September 13/14.

(PA Graphics)

It is the first time the UK-wide total has been above one million since late August, though it is still some way below the 3.8 million weekly infections in early July at the peak of the wave caused by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the virus.

The figures come as the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 is also continuing to rise.

Sarah Crofts, ONS deputy director for the Covid-19 infection survey, said it is too early to identify whether this is the start of a new wave.

But Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the Zoe Health Study which is based on coronavirus symptoms reported by volunteers across the country, said on Thursday it was clear were now seeing an autumn wave of Covid-19, combined with increases in hospital admissions.

New data from our #COVID19 Infection Survey show in the most recent week:  infections continued to increase in England and Wales the trend in Northern Ireland and Scotland was uncertain  https://t.co/Rs1ppXzoCa pic.twitter.com/csbekH41Fe  Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) September 30, 2022

In England, the number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the week to September 17 was 857,400, or around one in 65  up from 766,500, or one in 70, in the seven days to September 14.

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Wales has also seen a rise, where the latest estimate for infections is 62,900, or one in 50 people, up from 39,700, or one in 75.

In both Scotland and Northern Ireland the trend is described by the ONS as uncertain.

In Scotland, 117,100 people were likely to have had Covid-19 in the latest survey, or around one in 45, compared with 98,800 or one in 55 in the previous week.

And in Northern Ireland, the estimate is 23,100, or one in 80 people, compared with 22,900, also one in 80.

The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus has risen in all regions of England except the East Midlands, North East and South West, where the trend in the most recent week was uncertain.

All age groups in England are estimated to have seen an increase.

Infection rates are highest among over-70s, where 1.7% of people were likely to test positive in the most recent week, or around one in 60.

Rates are lowest among young children between the age of two and school Year 6, at 1.2%  the equivalent of one in 85.

The ONS infection survey is the most reliable measure of the prevalence of coronavirus and is based on a sample of swab tests from households across the UK.

Separate figures from the NHS show the number of people in hospital in England with Covid-19 stood at 7,024 on September 28, up 37% week-on-week.

Patient numbers topped 14,000 in mid-July at the peak of the BA.4/5 wave, after which they started to fall steadily.

This decline came to a halt in mid-September, however.

(PA Graphics)

The rate of Covid-19 hospital admissions is also increasing, with 7.6 admissions per 100,000 people in the week to September 25, up from 5.0 the previous week.

Rates are highest among people aged 85 and over, at 82 per 100,000.

This is up sharply from 49.4 and is the highest rate for this age group since mid-August.

In Scotland and Wales, patient levels are now on an upwards trend, while in Northern Ireland the latest available data shows numbers are still falling.

Around six in 10 patients who test positive for Covid-19 are being treated primarily for something else.

But they need to be isolated from patients who do not have Covid, putting extra pressure on hospital staff already struggling to clear a record backlog of treatment.

Professor Tim Spector of the Zoe study said: With rates on the rise, especially in the vulnerable elderly age groups, the impact on hospitalisations could be higher.

However, the youngest age group are showing possible early signs of case numbers slowing. Children tend to be a leader of infection trends, so if this continues next week it is possible that the Covid wave might not be as bad as previously predicted.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said it was clear now that we are seeing an increase in levels of Covid-19.

Cases have started to climb and hospitalisations are increasing in the oldest age groups. In the coming weeks, we expect a double threat of low immunity and widely circulating flu and Covid-19, creating an unpredictable winter and additional pressure on health services, she added.

The number of people in hospital with coronavirus throughout 2022 has remained well below levels seen in 2020 and early 2021, before the rollout of vaccines.

People aged 65 and over, frontline health and care staff, carers, and people who have a weakened immune system or are pregnant can book their autumn COVID-19 booster online. https://t.co/Z8k1inG1M5 pic.twitter.com/MBbabtDFE4  NHS England (@NHSEngland) September 29, 2022

More than a quarter (28%) of over-80s in England have now received an autumn booster dose of vaccine, along with a similar proportion (28.3%) of 75 to 79-year-olds.

The UKHSA figures, which cover vaccinations up to September 25, also show that 18.5% of 70 to 74-year-olds have had the booster, as well as 12.9% of people aged 65 to 69.

All people aged 65 and over in the UK are eligible for the booster, providing they had their last jab at least three months ago.

Doses are also available to frontline health and care workers, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

The booster is intended to increase protection against serious illness during the next waves of the virus and will eventually be offered to everyone aged 50 and over.
How to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian left a trail of damage throughout Cuba and Florida. As it heads toward South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane, its left thousands of residents scrambling to recover in its wake.

Organizations are already mobilizing to assist in the relief and recovery efforts following the destructive storm.

How to help after Hurricane Ian: GoFundMe verified fundraisers

GoFundMe has corralled many different funds focused on both long-term and short-term relief efforts in Florida following Hurricane Ian. Some fundraisers are aimed toward funding evacuation expenses, local disaster relief teams on the ground, and animal rescue missions.

Fundraisers that have been vetted by GoFundMe:

PHOTO: Damaged boats are seen amid a downtown condominium after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Fort Myers, Florida, Sept. 29, 2022. (Marco Bello/Reuters)

Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon is a disaster relief group composed of military veterans, with a focus on serving underserved or economically-challenged communities. The organization is raising funds to support its work in Florida.

It said it had route clearance teams prepared ahead of the hurricanes land impact to assist with clearing trees and debris from roadways.

Feeding Tampa Bay

Feeding Tampa Bay provides food to almost 1 million food-insecure families in west central Florida. The groups disaster readiness team is FEMA trained and prepared to handle disaster situations.

It works in collaboration with the Tampa Bay area emergency operations centers to provide food, water and hygiene items during disaster relief situations.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen, started by chef Jose Andres, provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. The group said it has people staged across Florida, so its relief team can begin serving meals to those who need them as soon as Hurricane Ian passes.

They are raising money to support their efforts feeding the communities, the organization said.

PHOTO: People embrace as they survey property damage from Hurricane Ian, Sept. 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Fla. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

CDP Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund

This fund supports initiatives that prioritize communities devastated by Atlantic hurricanes, especially those facing systemic barriers to equitable recovery, according to the organizations website.

Story continues

It focuses on meeting medium- and long-term needs, like rebuilding homes, funding mental health services, and other challenges communities face in the recovery process.

Florida Disaster Fund

The Florida Disaster Fund is Florida's official private fund that provides financial assistance to cities across the state during emergencies and disasters.

Good360

Nonprofit Good360 is providing relief and recovery in response to Hurricane Ian, mobilizing on the ground forces in Florida cities including Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa. The organizers say they plan to focus on both long- and short-term needs for care and clean-up, providing water, tarps, non-perishable foods, hygiene kits, blankets, and mold remediation products.

How to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Right-wing Canadian intellectual Jordan Peterson had an emotional response to Olivia Wilde naming him as the inspiration for Chris Pine's villainous character in her new feminist thriller Don't Worry Darling.

During a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Peterson became choked up after being asked if he is indeed a "hero to the incel community," as Wilde described him. "Sure. Why not?" Peterson replied. ("Incel," short for "involuntary celibate," usually refers to isolated young men who resent their inability to find romantic or sexual partners.)

"People have been after me for a long time because I've been speaking to disaffected young men," Peterson said. "What a terrible thing to do that is." He then began visibly crying. "I thought the marginalized were supposed to have a voice."

Jordan Peterson; Chris Pine in 'Don't Worry Darling'

Chris Williamson/Getty Images; Warner Bros. Pictures Jordan Peterson; Chris Pine in 'Don't Worry Darling'

Peterson continued, "It's very difficult to understand how demoralized people are, and certainly many young men are in that category. You get these casual insults, these 'incels'  what do they mean? These men, they don't know how to make themselves attractive to women who are very picky, and good for them. Women, be picky. That's your gift, man. Demand high standards from your men. Fair enough. But all these men who are alienated, it's like they're lonesome and they don't know what to do and everyone piles abuse on them."

Wilde's film, which opened last week, stars Florence Pugh as a seemingly happy '50s housewife who slowly realizes that something is very wrong with her suburban idyll, including her marriage to workaholic Jack (Harry Styles) and the looming presence of Jack's boss, Frank (played by Pine). In a recent conversation for Interview magazine, Wilde called Peterson a "pseudo-intellectual" and "this insane man," and said he was the model for Frank.

Peterson went on to tell Morgan that Wilde's comments were a "low-level" critique compared to others he's faced. He referenced the issue of Captain America last year, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, that compared him to Marvel's "mystical super-Nazi" known as the Red Skull.

Story continues

"When Olivia Wilde made her comments, the first thing I did was check out the trailer for her movie, which I quite liked! I thought, 'I'd go see that movie,' and perhaps I will," Peterson said. "It didn't really bother me If I had to be played by someone, [Pine] is a very good-looking man, so that's all right. I hope he gets my fashion style choice right when he plays me."

You can watch Peterson's full interview above. The Don't Worry Darling conversation starts around 40 minutes in.

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Thursday.

The JCS said in a statement that it detected two short-range ballistic missiles, launched by the DPRK from the Sunchon area in South Pyongan province between 8:48 p.m. (1148 GMT) and 8:57 p.m. (1157 GMT) into the eastern waters.

The DPRK fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters on Wednesday and one short-range ballistic missile into the eastern waters on Sunday.

In 2022 alone, the DPRK test-fired ballistic missiles 19 times and cruise missiles twice, respectively.
Almost two million children in the Horn of Africa need urgent treatment for life-threatening severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF has estimated.

Northern Kenya is facing its worst drought in 40 years, causing livestock and crops to die and many children to starve.

The annual rains have failed across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia for the past four years, forcing 1.5 million people to leave their homes in hopes of finding food and water.

The Kenyan president, William Ruto, has declared the crisis a national disaster.

The hunger emergency is accelerated by the war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic, which has pushed up prices for cooking oil, bread and wheat flour to all-time highs at local markets, UNICEF said.

Now, pastoralists in northwest Kenya have been forced to dig into pits in dry river beds in search for water.

Many children crowd the "stabilisation room" for serious health issues in the Lodwar County and Referral Hospital in Kenya's region.

One woman and her three grandchildren have been affected by the hunger.

Agnes Ekereu said: "All my livestock have died because of the drought."

Other inhabitants of Turkana County include nomadic herders known for their vibrant beadwork and clothing.

These sub-sections of the community have fewer resources to fall back on, which pushes them closer to the brink.

"I have lost so much," said Loudi Lokoriyen, a goat-herder searching for water outside the town of Lodwar.

"Close to 300 [goats] have died, 50 camels have died, and they still continue to die."

Scientists from NASA say that the drought has been caused by climate change and the La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean.

UNICEF and other aid groups have predicted that the next rains are also likely to fail the Horn of Africa, which will hurt communities not responsible for global carbon emissions.



Mohamed Malick Fall, UNICEF regional director for eastern and southern Africa, said: "It's not the [countries] ironically that are contributing more to that global emission that are paying the heaviest price."
Thirteen people have been killed after Iran fired missiles and drones at militants in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

Iran said it would continue attacking "terrorists" and has blamed Iranian dissidents of involvement in the unrest sparked by the death of a woman in police custody.

Fifty-eight people were wounded and 13 killed in Wednesday morning's strikes in the provinces of Erbil and Sulaimaniya, said Iraq's state news agency.

At least 10 bases used by Iranian Kurds were reportedly targeted.

The US military said it had shot down one drone heading to Erbil because it was a threat to American personnel in the region.

"No US forces were wounded or killed as a result of the strikes and there is no damage to US equipment," it said in a statement.

Mayor of the Kurdish city of Koye, Tariq Haidari, said a pregnant woman was among two people killed there, and that 12 were injured - some critically.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the operation would go on "until the threat is effectively repelled, terrorist group bases are dismantled, and the authorities of the Kurdish region assume their obligations and responsibilities".

Iraq's foreign ministry condemned the cross-border attack and said it would summon the Iranian ambassador.

Protests have spread across Iran since an Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, died after being detained by morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely.

Outcry over the 22-year-old's death has sparked some of the most serious protests for years, with dozens of people killed as authorities try to snuff out the dissent.
Josep Lluis Rodriguez has not given up hope of an independent Catalonia. But five years after a banned referendum, he no longer expects anything from the deeply-divided separatist leaders in Barcelona.

"Of course there is frustration and anger, because they didn't do what they should have done," the 62-year-old former company boss told AFP of the leaders who failed to make good on their separatist promises.

"It's clear they are no longer openly interested in independence," he said, standing outside the church in Arenys de Munt just north of Barcelona.

The ill-fated referendum of October 1, 2017 unleashed a political crisis from which the separatists have never recovered, and on the eve of the anniversary, Catalonia's pro-independence coalition was on the point of collapse.

Many Catalan independence flags can be seen fluttering from balconies along the main street in Arenys de Munt, a town of of 9,000 residents which was the first place to hold a symbolic referendum on independence in 2009.

Hundreds of municipalities followed suit, driving a groundswell of pro-independence activism which would reach its climax in the events of October 2017 under the regional government of Carles Puigdemont.

Despite being banned by the Spanish courts, the 2017 referendum organised by the separatist government went ahead but descended into chaos as police moved in to stop it, sparking confrontations marred by violence.

"October 1 was when civil society really came out en masse," catching the separatist parties by surprise who had not expected such a huge mobilisation in response to their moves towards independence, Rodriguez said.

"It was only later that we realised that they didn't have a concrete plan, nor structures in place (for achieving independence)," said Rodriguez, an activist with the ANC, the region's biggest grassroots separatist movement.

Despite the police crackdown, the fact the referendum took place at all was "a great victory for the Catalans", he said.

Story continues

And to mark the anniversary this Saturday, he will attend a demonstration in Barcelona bent on securing a new referendum.

"We're organised and when the time comes, we will mobilise."

- Divided and squabbling -

The results of the October 2017 referendum were never independently corroborated, and weeks of confusion followed, culminating in a short-lived symbolic declaration of independence by the Catalan parliament.

That proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back, with Madrid sacking the Catalan government, suspending the region's autonomy and putting its leaders on trial as it struggled to handle Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

Despite passions running high over independence, the region itself remains divided, with only 41 percent in favour of separation while 52 percent want to remain in Spain, the latest survey suggested.

But it's a far cry from the 49 percent who wanted to break away in the October 2017 poll.

Last year, the separatists again won a majority in the regional elections and managed to cobble together a fragile coalition grouping the left-wing ERC and hardline JxC.

But they are sharply at odds over how to achieve independence, with ERC backing a negotiated strategy via dialogue with Madrid, while JxC prefers a confrontational approach given that Spain has ruled out any new referendum.

"The political deadlock is ongoing, the Catalan government is divided and every day they attack each other in the press over a thousand things," said Joan Botella, a political scientist at Barcelona's Autonomous University.

"Nobody is suggesting a way forward or how to resolve the conflict."

- 'Won't happen in my lifetime' -

Fed up with the impasse, the ANC called people onto the streets for the annual "Diada" march on September 11 with a rallying cry denouncing the politicians and insisting "only the people and civil society can achieve independence".

The powerful movement has been openly critical of the Catalan government's dialogue with Madrid, and this year its leader Pere Aragones did not attend the rally.

Police said 150,000 people turned out for the event, the lowest figure in a decade -- without counting the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"People feel cheated and frustrated but it doesn't mean they will stop backing independence," said Josep Sanchez, mayor of Arenys de Munt, standing next to a small monument by the town hall marking the 2017 referendum.

But shopkeeper Magda Artigas has lost any hope of seeing the emergence of an independent Catalan republic, despite voting for one in successive referendums in 2009, 2014 and 2017.

"I'm already 64, it won't happen in my lifetime," she said with a sad smile.

rs/hmw/mg/jmm
A mobile-phone relay mast is seen behind an electrical pylon in Tilloy-les-Cambrai

By Mathieu Rosemain, Supantha Mukherjee and Elvira Pollina

PARIS/STOCKHOLM/MILAN (Reuters) - Once unthinkable, mobile phones could go dark around Europe this winter if power cuts or energy rationing knocks out parts of the mobile networks across the region.

Russia's decision to halt gas supplies via Europe's key supply route in the wake of the Ukraine conflict has increased the chances of power shortages. In France, the situation is made worse by several nuclear power plants shutting down for maintenance.

Telecoms industry officials say they fear a severe winter will put Europe's telecoms infrastructure to the test, forcing companies and governments to try to mitigate the impact.

Currently there are not enough back-up systems in many European countries to handle widespread power cuts, four telecoms executives said, raising the prospect of mobile phone outages.

European Union countries, including France, Sweden and Germany, are trying to ensure communications can continue even if power cuts end up exhausting back-up batteries installed on the thousands of cellular antennas spread across their territory.

Europe has nearly half a million telecom towers and most of them have battery backups that last around 30 minutes to run the mobile antennas.

FRANCE

In France, a plan put forward by electricity distributor Enedis, includes potential power cuts of up to two hours in a worst case scenario, two sources familiar with the matter said.

The general black-outs would affect only parts of the country on a rotating basis. Essential services such as hospitals, police and government will not be impacted, the sources said.

The French government, telecoms operators and Enedis, a unit of state-controlled utility EDF, have held talks on the issue over the summer, the French government and the sources said.

The French Federation of Telecoms (FFT), a lobby group representing Orange, Bouygues Telecom and Altice's SFR, put the spotlight on Enedis for being unable to exempt antennas from the power cuts.

Story continues

Enedis declined to comment on the content of the talks held with the government on the matter.

Enedis said in a statement to Reuters all regular customers were treated on an equal footing in the event of exceptional outages.

It said it was able to isolate sections of the network to supply priority customers, such as hospitals, key industrial installations and the military and that it was up to local authorities to add telecoms operators infrastructure to the list of priority customers.

"Maybe we'll improve our knowledge on the matter by this winter, but it's not easy to isolate a mobile antenna (from the rest of the network)," said a French finance ministry official with knowledge of the talks.

A French finance ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the talks with Enedis, the telecoms groups and the government.

SWEDEN, GERMANY & ITALY

Telcos in Sweden and Germany have also raised concerns over potential electricity shortages with their governments, several sources familiar with the matter said.

Swedish telecom regulator PTS is working with telecom operators and other government agencies to find solutions, it said. That includes talks about what will happen if electricity is rationed.

PTS is financing the purchase of transportable fuel stations and mobile base stations that connect to mobile phones to handle longer power outages, a PTS spokesperson said.

The Italian telecoms lobby told Reuters it wants the mobile network to be excluded from any power cut or energy saving stoppage and will raise this with Italy's new government.

The power outages increase the probability of electronic components failing if subjected to abrupt interruptions, telecoms lobby chief Massimo Sarmi said in an interview.

TRAFFIC FLOW

Telecom gear makers Nokia and Ericsson are working with mobile operators to mitigate the impact of a power shortage, three sources familiar with the matter said.

Both companies declined to comment.

The European telecom operators must review their networks to reduce extra power usage and modernise their equipment by using more power efficient radio designs, the four telecom executives said.

To save power, telecom companies are using software to optimise traffic flow, make towers "sleep" when not in use and switch off different spectrum bands, the sources familiar with the matter said.

The telecom operators are also working with national governments to check if plans are in place to maintain critical services.

In Germany, Deutsche Telekom has 33,000 mobile radio sites (towers) and its mobile emergency power systems can only support a small number of them at the same time, a company spokesperson said.

Deutsche Telekom will use mobile emergency power systems which mainly rely on diesel in the event of prolonged power failures, it said.

France has about 62,000 mobile towers, and the industry will not be able to equip all antennas with new batteries, the FFT's president Liza Bellulo said.

Accustomed to uninterrupted power supply for decades, European countries usually do not have generators backing up power for longer durations.

"We are a bit spoiled maybe in large parts of Europe where electricity is pretty stable and good," a telecom industry executive said. "The investments in the energy storage area have maybe been less than in some other countries."

(Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain in Paris, Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm and Elvira Pollina in Milan; Additional reporting by Inti Landauro in Madrid; Editing by Matt Scuffham and Jane Merriman)
Holiday Inn owner InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) said it has fully restored service on its systems after it was the subject of a cyberattack earlier this month.

The UK-based hotel group said on September 6 that it had been targeted by hackers who had disrupted its booking systems.

In an update on the incident, the company said that while it had suffered a period of disruption in the wake of the attack, within 24 hours it had reactivated its booking websites and mobile app together with most of its other booking channels and revenue-generating systems.

IHG said in a statement: Service at our reservation and customer care call centres has been recovered and all our systems restored. During the disruption in our central systems, IHG-branded hotels continued to operate and were able to take reservations directly.

The company also confirmed it was carrying out a review of security measures in response to the incident.

Following the hack, the BBC reported that a couple from Vietnam had claimed responsibility for the attack, with the hackers reportedly saying they chose to delete company data for fun after accessing company systems through a weak password.

IHG did not comment on the nature of the attack but said that it had seen no evidence that the personal data of guests had been compromised.

We have continued to carry out additional steps as part of our recovery and assurance plans to review and further enhance our security measures, the hotel group said.

External specialists were engaged to investigate the incident, and no evidence of unauthorised access to systems storing guest data has been identified.

We have also reported the criminal activity to law enforcement. We continue to work closely with our hotels and owners throughout this time.
Japan called Thursday for "constructive and stable" ties with China as the two sides marked 50 years since the normalisation of relations, albeit with little public fanfare.

Growing friction over China's military might and regional sabre-rattling has left ties between Beijing and Tokyo frosty, and there was no major diplomatic ceremony to mark the anniversary.

Instead, messages from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping were read out at an event in Tokyo backed by the government and the Chinese embassy, and hosted by the powerful Keidanren business lobby.

In his message, Kishida, who was not present at the event, warned that relations with China, "while possessing various possibilities, face many challenges and issues".

"I would like to build constructive and stable Japan-China relations for the peace and prosperity of not only our two nations but also the region and the world," he said.

Xi said in his message that ties were of "great importance", adding he was willing to work with Kishida to use the anniversary as an "opportunity".

The countries should "work together to build a China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era," he added.

The world's second and third-largest economies are key trading partners and just a few years ago seemed poised for a diplomatic blossoming, with plans for a state visit by Xi.

Since then, ties have significantly soured as Beijing bolsters its military, projects power regionally and beyond, and takes a harder line on disputed territory.

In recent months, Chinese missiles are believed by Japan to have fallen within its exclusive economic zone, and Tokyo has protested what it calls growing aerial and maritime violations.

Japan also regularly complains about Chinese activity around the disputed Tokyo-controlled Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims and calls the Diaoyus.

The war in Ukraine has only deepened the divide, with Japan backing Western allies opposed to Russia's invasion while Beijing avoids criticising Moscow.

Story continues

Japan's brutal occupation of parts of China before and during World War II also remains a sore point, with Beijing accusing Tokyo of failing to atone for its past.

Despite all the tensions, the two countries remain economically intertwined: China is Japan's largest trading partner and Japan is China's second-largest after the United States.

And there have been reports that Xi and Kishida could hold talks online or in person in the coming months.

bur-sah/kaf/lb
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis caused an uproar in the US in early September after sending two planes full of migrants and asylum seekers on planes to the upscale town of Marthas Vineyard, promising jobs and housing for them on arrival. The move followed several months of efforts by other Republican governors to send thousands of migrants from border zones to Democratic cities. According to our Observers, the initiatives create a political spectacle using human life as a political point.

On Monday, September 19, nine buses full of migrants and asylum seekers arrived in New York City, a record number of new arrivals in one day. And they all came from border zones in Texas.

The first bus of migrants had arrived in Washington, DC in April 2022 as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott's plan to share the burden of migrant border crossings with the rest of the country  in particular, Democratic cities. The plan came after the Biden administration cancelled Title 42, a health order during the pandemic that allowed border agents to deny entry even to those seeking asylum.

Since then, countless other buses have made the more than 2,700 km journey from Texas to Washington, DC, or even further to New York City and Chicago. Over 11,000 migrants have been sent from Texas as of September 16. Arizona officials have started similar initiatives, bussing nearly 2,000 people to the capital.

The buses are made up of asylum seekers, many of them from Venezuela, who are seeing political and economic protection. While some of them may have entered the country illegally, they have been registered with border agents and begun the legal process for asylum.

Once theyre registered, migrants can arrange transportation or lodging  or they can board a bus provided by state officials. The bus trips from Arizona and Texas are supposed to be voluntary  contrasting with DeSantis initiative, in which migrants were lured onto planes with misleading promises of work, housing and legal aid.

Story continues

But those welcoming the migrants in northern cities say that this scheme has taken place without proper organisation, leaving service providers and public officials stretched thin and with insufficient resources to welcome thousands of migrants and asylum seekers.

People were cheering and saying, Welcome to New York

Camille Mackler is the executive director of Immigrant ARC, a network of associations providing legal support to migrants and asylum seekers. She was there when one of the first groups of migrants arrived in New York City on August 10.

It was chaotic. The buses came in and they got swamped. Police were trying to keep some semblance of order and help people get into the terminal. There was a tonne of media there, just rushing them. There were protesters, volunteers. People were cheering and saying, Welcome to New York.

They didnt know where else to go so they hopped on the bus to New York

As for the people getting off the buses, it was hard to tell the emotions just from the look on peoples faces. But I dont know that they were entirely aware of being a news story at that point. There were a lot of single men. Those I spoke to were the ones who really just had nowhere to go, and didnt know where else to go so they hopped on the bus to New York. There were others, young women and families. It was so frantic. There were volunteers with food and clothing that people looked through because they had nothing. They literally just had the clothes on their back and the papers in their hands. But a lot of them really didnt know what to do next.

New York City officials, as well as volunteers and aid organisations, have mobilised to meet buses as they arrive, proving food, water and basic supplies. The majority of those who have arrived  at least 8,500  are living in shelters in the city. The city has also built temporary structures like tents to handle the rapid influx. Shelters welcomed more than 2,200 people within just one week in September.

In addition to food and shelter, aid organizations have been trying to provide legal assistance to migrants navigating the asylum-seeking process.

It was important for us to be there because we knew that people would have questions about where to go next. We knew that people came here to ask for asylum, so they wanted to know how to do that and how to fill out their legal paperwork. If you dont show up to immigration hearings, the consequences are devastating. So we just wanted to give folks an orientation and understand their needs. The reality is that these people want to file their applications, ask for immigration benefits and ask for asylum and protection. At a minimum, they should be informed of how to do that and have a fair chance to present their case.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has promised to continue providing shelter for the migrants who arrive but has called for coordination with Texas Governor Abbott in order to better anticipate the citys needs.

Migrants themselves are being used as a tool by governors to highlight what they say is insufficient federal attention to border issues

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick is the policy director at the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit research and advocacy organisation focused on immigration.

At heart, this is a publicity stunt in an election year in which migrants themselves are being used as a tool by governors to highlight what they say is insufficient federal attention to border issues. The governors of Texas, Arizona and now Florida [Editors note: all Republican officials] are spending enormous amounts of money to charter buses  and in the case of Florida, a plane  to take migrants from the border to primarily Democratic cities. These governors are deliberately refusing to provide any notice to the cities in the US to which people are being sent.

It's worth noting that for many migrants, these buses are a positive. Normally, its really the migrants own responsibility to arrange transportation from the border to their ultimate destination. For many migrants, the fact that Texas and Arizona are offering free bus trips to the places they want to go is something that they very deeply appreciate. New York City is a pretty good place to be if you are an asylum seeker  there is a wealth of resources, a network, nonprofit organizations that have come together. But Border Patrol agents have been putting random addresses on their paperwork, like homeless shelters. And they may arrive at that location only to find out that there are no resources waiting for them.

While the buses are intended to be completely voluntary, some migrants have said that they didnt actually want to go to New York. Others say they were told by federal authorities that they must come to New York to complete their immigration procedures.

Plus, according to US law, asylum seekers are not authorised to work for at least the first five months after submitting their case. This leaves them dependent on aid organisations, already overextended by the pandemic.

Reichlin-Melnick says there are valid concerns about the US federal governments treatment of the countrys borders.

Once a migrant leaves the custody [of United States border control officials], that person is not really the federal governments concern  they, by and large, dont care what happens next. There is a legitimate concern here that the federal government hasn't taken a leading role in working with both the border and receiving communities inside the United States to better manage this flow of people from the border.

Still, Mackler said that properly welcoming immigrants is possible, with the right support and coordination.
Burnley Vintage Car Show (Photo: Andy Ford)

Crowds flocked to see a vintage car show in East Lancashire at the weekend  can you spot yourself in the photos.

The Burnley Vintage Car Show was held on Saturday, September 24, and was said to be a revved up day of fun for the whole family.

Held in the town centre from 11am to 4pm, the event featured a range of classic machines for visitors to see up close, while the Burnley Leisure dinosaurs and Burnley Alliance Silver Band entertained attendees in equal measure.

Burnley Vintage Car Show (Photo: Andy Ford)

On top of this the famous Jurassic Park Jeep drew plenty of attention and Lightning McQueen proved popular with people of all ages. At Burnley Bus Station, a vintage bus also turned heads throughout the day.

The event was delivered by Burnley Business Improvement District (BID) with support from Charter Walk, Burnley Council, Burnley Bus Company and the Rotary Club of Burnley, and BID Project Manager Andrew Dean was delighted with how it went.

We were really pleased with the reaction to the event and to see the town centre so busy was great, said Andrew.

Burnley Vintage Car Show (Photo: Andy Ford)

Id like to say a massive thank you to all of the exhibitors for coming along on the day and were also very grateful to our town centre partners who each played their part in creating a buzzing atmosphere with plenty of activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

He then commented on the footfall figures which proved very strong, even for a Saturday.

He saic: The early feedback from businesses regarding the number of visitors has been overwhelmingly positive, with a popular bakery confirming they were selling out of stock just after lunchtime and both Rhode Island and Cosy Coffee commenting that the town centre seemed even busier than a Burnley FC matchday.

Burnley Vintage Car Show (Photo Andy Ford)

I loved seeing so many smiling faces too and we will definitely look to bring the event back next year on a larger scale to build upon what took place at the weekend.

The Burnley Vintage Car Show had initially been scheduled to run on Saturday, September 10, but was postponed out of respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
US rapper Coolio will be missed profoundly following death aged 59 (Zak Hussein/PA) (PA Archive)

Coolio touched the world with his talent and will be missed profoundly following his death aged 59, his management have said.

The US rapper, responsible for 1990s hit song Gangstas Paradise, died on Wednesday afternoon.

Coolios manager at Trinity Artists International, Sheila Finegan, confirmed the death to the PA news agency.

We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon, the agency said in a statement shared with PA.

He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly.

Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing.

Please have Coolios loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

The rapper was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friends house in Los Angeles, according to US media outlet TMZ.

As well as for his successful music career, Coolio became well known in the UK for his appearances on Channel 4 reality show Big Brother.

The rapper came third in the sixth series of UK Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, losing out to broadcaster Terry Christian, who was the runner-up, and presenter and model Ulrika Jonsson, who won.

But along with Jonsson he went on to join the cast of Ultimate Big Brother the following year in 2010, the last series of the show to air on Channel 4.

Jonsson told PA that his death was a shock but the pair had shared so many laughs together.

I spent a fair bit of time with Coolio  he was a misogynist, broke wind a lot; he fancied himself as a cook but my God, we had so many laughs, she said.

The rapper was born in Pennsylvania, but later moved to Compton, California, where he released his first single in 1987.

He recorded Gangstas Paradise for the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, and it went on to become one of the most successful rap songs of all time.

The track topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won Coolio the Grammy award for best rap solo performance in 1996.

Story continues

Pfeiffer said she was heartbroken to hear the news of his death, adding that she remembered him as nothing but gracious when they worked together.

Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio, she wrote on Instagram, sharing a clip of the film featuring the track.

A life cut entirely too short.

I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song.

Sending love and light to his family. Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr.

Gangstas Paradise was also parodied by US musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic, as Amish Paradise, though at the time it was claimed that Coolio had not given him permission to do so.

However, Coolio stated in interviews that the pair had since made amends.

Yankovic paid his respects to Coolio with a short tribute on social media.

Sharing a picture of the pair embracing, he wrote: RIP Coolio.

After news of his death broke, officials at Wrigley Field in Chicago played the hit song as well as Coolios Fantastic Voyage throughout the stadium, as the hometown Cubs hosted the Philadelphia Phillies

Coolio was nominated for five other Grammys during a career that began in the late-1980s.

Heavyweights from the rap world, including Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and MC Hammer, paid their respects to him after the news was shared on social media.

Former NWA star Ice Cube said he had witnessed Coolios grind to the top of the industry in his own tribute.

This is sad news, the rapper and actor wrote on Twitter.

I witnessed first hand this mans grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace @Coolio.

MC Hammer described Coolio as one of the nicest dudes Ive known as he shared a picture of the pair together with Tupac and Snoop.
Rapper Coolio, responsible for 1990s hit song Gangstas Paradise, has reportedly died aged 59.

The US rapper, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, died on Wednesday, his manager confirmed to multiple US outlets.

He was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friends house in Los Angeles, according to TMZ.

Coolio came third in the sixth series of UK Celebrity Big Brother in 2009, losing out to broadcaster Terry Christian, who was the runner up, and presenter and model Ulrika Jonsson, who won.

But along with Jonsson he went on to join the cast of Ultimate Big Brother the following year in 2010, the last series of the show to air on Channel 4.

The US rapper, real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr, died on Wednesday, his manager confirmed to multiple US outlets (Yui Mok/PA)

The rapper was born in Pennsylvania, but later moved to Compton, California, where he released his first single in 1987.

He recorded Gangstas Paradise for the 1995 film Dangerous Minds, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, and it went on to become one of the most successful rap songs of all time.

The track topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won Coolio the Grammy award for best rap solo performance in 1996.

The song was also parodied by US musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic, as Amish Paradise, though at the time it was claimed that Coolio had not given him permission to do so.

However, Coolio stated in interviews that the pair had since made amends.

Yankovic paid his respects to Coolio with a short tribute on social media.

Sharing a picture of the pair embracing, he wrote: RIP Coolio.

After news of his death broke, officials at Wrigley Field in Chicago played the hit song as well as Coolios Fantastic Voyage throughout the stadium, as the hometown Cubs hosted the Philadelphia Phillies

Coolio was nominated for five other Grammys during a career that began in the late-1980s.

Story continues

Among those to respond immediately to the reports was fellow US rapper Vanilla Ice, who said he was freaking out after hearing the news.

Im freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away, the rapper, real name Robert Matthew Van Winkle, wrote on Twitter.

In his own online tribute, US rapper LL Cool J wrote: Rest in power my brother. @Coolio Love and Respect.
US Vice President Kamala Harris toured South Korea's heavily fortified border with the nuclear-armed North on Thursday, part of a trip aimed at strengthening the security alliance with Seoul.

Pyongyang conducted two banned ballistic missile launches in the days before Harris's arrival, continuing a record-breaking streak of weapons tests this year.

At an observation post atop a steep hill overlooking North Korea, Harris peered through bulky binoculars as US and South Korean soldiers pointed out features, including defences, in the area.

"It's so close," she said.

Harris also visited the Panmunjom Truce Village -- where then-US president Donald Trump met the North's Kim Jong Un in 2019 -- and talked to US soldiers at Camp Bonifas in the Joint Security Area.

On the North Korean side of the border at Panmunjom, guards in hazmat suits could be seen watching as Harris was shown the demarcation line between the two countries -- which remain technically at war.

Speaking at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Harris said that US and South Korean soldiers were "serving shoulder to shoulder... to maintain the security and the stability of this region of the world".

She said the US commitment to South Korea's defence was "ironclad", adding that the allies were "aligned" in their response to the growing threat posed by the North's weapons programs.

The allies both want "a complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", but in the interim they are "ready to address any contingency", she said.

South Korean and US officials have warned for months that Kim Jong Un is preparing to conduct another nuclear test.

Harris decried North Korea's "brutal dictatorship, rampant human rights violations and an unlawful weapons program that threatens peace and stability".

- Yoon talks -

Washington has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea to help protect it from the North, and the allies are conducting a large-scale joint naval exercise this week in a show of force.

Story continues

Harris' trip to the DMZ is likely to infuriate Pyongyang, which branded United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the "worst destroyer of international peace" when she visited the border in August.

Harris arrived in Seoul after a trip to Japan, where she attended the state funeral of assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Earlier Thursday, Harris met President Yoon Suk-yeol for talks dominated by security issues -- although Seoul also raised its concerns over a new law signed by US President Joe Biden that removes subsidies for electric cars built outside America, impacting Korean automakers such as Hyundai and Kia.

Harris, America's first woman vice president, also met what the White House called "groundbreaking women leaders" of South Korea to discuss gender equality issues, a topic she said she raised with Yoon during their talks.

Yoon, who has pledged to abolish Seoul's Ministry of Gender Equality, has faced domestic criticism for a lack of women in his cabinet.

- Nuclear test? -

On Wednesday, the South's spy agency said North Korea's next nuclear test could happen as soon as next month, likely after China's upcoming party congress but before the US midterms.

The isolated regime has tested nuclear weapons six times since 2006, most recently in 2017. Earlier this month it changed its laws, declaring itself an "irreversible" nuclear power.

"North Korea's growing nuclear missile threat raises concerns in Seoul about the reliability of Washington's defence commitments," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

But sending the USS Ronald Reagan supercarrier and Harris to South Korea demonstrates both America's military capabilities and political will, he added.

During President Yoon's tenure, Seoul and Washington have boosted joint military exercises, which they insist are purely defensive. North Korea sees them as rehearsals for an invasion.

During her trip, Harris also raised the issue of Seoul working more closely with Japan on security issues.

Seoul announced Thursday that it would hold trilateral anti-submarine drills with Japan and the US, the first such exercises since 2017.

South Korean officials said this weekend they had detected signs Pyongyang could be preparing to fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

sh/ceb/smw
FILE PHOTO: Didier Lombard, former CEO of France Telecom, arrives at the Paris criminal court

PARIS (Reuters) - Charges of "moral harassment" were upheld by the Paris Court of Appeal on Friday against the former CEO of French telecoms group Orange Didier Lombard, one other former executive and two still with the company related to a spate of worker suicides in the late 2000s.

"The guilt of former executives of Orange was upheld on appeal," the court said in a statement.

The workers' deaths during a restructuring at the company in the late 2000s led to deep soul-searching over corporate culture in France.

Orange had also been found guilty of the same "moral harassment" charge during the December 2019 ruling, and fined 75,000 euros ($73,733), but the company had then said it would not appeal.

Many individual managers have been convicted of harassment, and often fired as a result, but not companies themselves.

($1 = 1.0172 euros)

(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; editing by Dominique Vidalon and Jason Neely)
As a federal enterprise, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. On behalf of the German Government, GIZ provides advisory services to the Vietnamese Government in three priority areas: (1) Vocational training, (2) Environmental policy and sustainable use of natural resources, and (3) Energy. For further information, please visit www.giz

Currently, around 350 staffs are deployed in Vietnam, including national and international personnel and development workers, as well as integrated experts. Taking care of the health conditions of approximately 275 national personnel, beside the mandatory state social health insurance benefits, GIZ has offered an additional health insurance package with more health benefits to the national personnel since 2010. Besides, according to the Vietnamese labor regulation, GIZ as an employer has provided its national personnel with an annual health check-up as well.

This year, GIZ Vietnam would like to work with an eligible and professional insurance company, which has outstanding reputation in this area and is able to provide GIZ with an additional health insurance package and an annual health check-up for 275 GIZ National personnel in 2023 and 2024, which are similar to or even better than our current insurance package. In this context, GIZ Hanoi Office intends to conduct a public tender and award the contract to the most eligible, competent and best value for money insurance company to provide services.

Willis Towers Watson (WTW) continues being the authorized insurance broker for GIZ Vietnam and will assist GIZ Vietnam in the review of bidding quotations, technical assessment and negotiation on behalf of GIZ Vietnam but GIZ Vietnam will take the final decision for contract awarding.

Interested insurance companies should send an expression of interest containing:

1. Letter of interest (with directors signature and company stamp)

2. Company profile including: copy of business license; tax code registration; company organisational chart; dedicated service team (including claim service) profile (brief); list of services; list of representative offices/branches in Vietnam; year of experience in healthcare insurance service; market share in insurance market and in healthcare insurance lines

3. Credential in related field: list of major clients in healthcare insurance along with at least 3 reference contacts (name, position, telephone, email address) of similarly comparable clients, specially from international companies/organisations; copy of 3 similar contracts in the past and/or is going to be signed)

4. Financial key data; Copy of audited financial report of the last 3 years (incl. balance sheet, income statement, cashflow statement, tax liquidation). Important/key information in audited financial reports or annual tax reports (if documents only in Vietnamese) must be translated into English language.

The eligible service providers interested in the tender can apply for this assignment and inform us

officially best before 07.10.2022 through the Email: Question-from-bidder-PoS-VN@giz.de to receive the EOI Assessment form.

Subject of the email: Tender code 83419810/ GIZ CO- EOI Health Insurance

The EOI documents with company stamp and signature of the director or the authorized person must be submited in writing in English, latest by 17:00 (Vietnamese time) on 16.10.2022, to the email VN_PoS_Quotation@giz.de

Subject of email: Tender code: 83419810/GIZCO  EOI Health Insurance

Please observe strictly the guidance in the local bidding conditions in the tender dossier.

GIZ is obliged to ensure the confidentiality of all bidding documents submitted.

Important note:

1. Please send your questions (if any) to the official mailbox: Question-from-bidder-PoS-VN@giz.de only.

2. Please send your bidding documents to the official mailbox: VN_PoS_Quotation@giz.de only.

3. Sending bidding documents to wrong email address will lead to disqualification of the bidder.

4. After eligibility check, selected bidders will be technically assessed and finally, price evaluated.
HCM CITY  A dance exhibition and workshop will open in HCM City on Saturday (Oct 1).

The event titled Khi Ta Khong Buong Tay (We Never Give Up) will introduce an overview of different types of dance, including neoclassical ballet, contemporary dance and hip hop, which are becoming familiar to Vietnamese audiences.

Visitors can learn more about dance through videos and photos about the career of leading Vietnamese choreographers Nguyen Tan Loc and Alexander Tu, along with young dancers Song Linh and Gia Linh.

The artists will provide audiences knowledge on dance and stories of how they pursue their dream.

Loc is well-known as a director and choreographer of the city-based Arabesque Dance Troupe. He has created several stunning works which combine contemporary dance and traditional Vietnamese culture, such as Story of the Shoes, A O Show, and The Mist.

In 2015, Loc was invited by Cirque Du Soleil as a choreographer for the show TORUK - The First Flight. He also became an adviser for The Ballerina, a performance to celebrate female dancer and choreographer To Nhus 30-year career in ballet at the HCM City Opera House in 2017.

Choreographer and dancer Alexander Tu has had 20 years of experience working with dance troupes in the US and Viet Nam, such as Kaba Modern and KM Legacy in California, and Urban Dance Group of HCM City. He is also a co-founder of Soul Dance, a part of Soul Music and Performing Arts Academy.

Meanwhile, twin dancers Song Linh and Gia Linh became popular among Vietnamese fans after entering the semi-final of TV reality show Asias Got Talent in 2019 with their group Hanoi X-Girls.

The group also appeared in popular music videos by pop star Hoang Thuy Linh, including e Mi Noi Cho Ma Nghe (Let Me Tell You), Ke Cap Gap Ba Gia (The Old Woman and Her Thief), and Duyen Am (Forbidden Love).

In addition, Song Linh and Gia Linh recently became popular again when they competed in the first season of Street Dance Vietnam, a reality dance show which was broadcast on HCM City Television in August.

The exhibition and workshop Khi Ta Khong Buong Tay will take place from 10.30am to 9pm at Capital Studio, 212 Ly Chinh Thang Street in District 3.  VNS
A NANG  Facing a lack of classrooms, primary schools in a Nang now have to alternate schedules for pupils, instead of following the standard timetable of a full day at school for five days a week.

The change is putting pressure on both teachers and students.

To reserve room for students of Grade 1 to 3 studying for a full day following the new curriculum, many Grade 4 and 5 students in a Nang now only have classes for half a day.

Thai Thi Boi Primary School in Cam Le District had to convert four spaces into classrooms to accommodate the timetables for Grade 4 and 5.

Those are the hall, the reading room, part of the lobby, and part of the rooms for teachers and the school chapter of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organisation.

Pham Huyen Boi Giao, the principal, told Giao duc & Thoi ai (Education & Times) newspaper that because this is the only primary school in the ward, the high number of students is putting pressure on its limited facilities.

This year is the first time that students of Grade 1, 2 and 3 at the school have divided their periods into nine sessions per week.

Understanding this may cause fatigue and attention deficit in the pupils, the more intensive subjects such as mathematics, Vietnamese, English and physical education are prioritised to be earlier in the timetable.

Meanwhile, Duy Tan Primary School in Lien Chieu District had to adjust the timetable for the upper grades just a few days into the new school year.

There are 37 classes in Grade 4 and 5, but the school only has 30 classrooms. This year, the school welcomed eight classes of first-graders.

Nguyen Hy, the school principal, said: Only with that many classes can the school arrange enough classrooms for Grade 1, 2 and 3 in the new general education curriculum, with nine lessons per week."

In the same district, Nguyen Van Troi Primary School is also facing challenges in managing and allocating class schedules and rooms, especially for Grade 4 and 5.

Bui Thi Thanh Tuyen, the principal, said: With 51 classes and 48 classrooms, the school arranges seven sessions per week for Grade 4 and 5, because there is still enough space for alternating schedules.

Grade 4 will study the whole day on Tuesday and Thursday, while the rest of the week they will only have classes for half a day.

However, we have to have different schedules for Grade 5, those classes that usually study in the morning now have lessons on Monday and Wednesday afternoon.

It is not possible to have the same schedule for the entire grade.

Chi (not her real name), the parent of a fourth-grade student in the district, said: At the beginning of the school year, teachers told us that there werent enough classrooms so Grade 4 and 5 have to change to one session per day.

My children have afternoon classes which start at 1.20pm. We have to rearrange our family schedule so that they have time to rest at noon.

Friday is the only day they have five classes. The rest of the week they have six classes finishing at 5.35pm, which is very late for them."

She added that for primary schoolchildren's mental and physical capacity, six classes per session is too much.

Principal Nguyen Hy said that if Duy Tan Primary School were to ensure that 100 per cent of its students can study the full day according to the standard schedule, they will need to build 10 more classrooms.

This is becoming an issue as next year, the new general education curriculum will be deployed for Grade 4, while the school already has to add one more class each year due to the increasing population.

The teachers wish is now simply to have enough staff and classrooms so that they can focus on teaching, rather than thinking of every measure to arrange the timetables and sessions.  VNS
KIEN GIANG  Seven bodies found washed ashore on Thursday on a beach in Phu Quoc Island may have possible links to an earlier sinking of a boat carrying 40 people in Cambodian waters last week.

Local police said the bodies' current state of decomposition makes it very difficult to identify them, but Chinese identity cards were found in the wallets of two of the victims.

Le Van Mot, head of the Phu Quoc Citys police, said officers are deployed to Bai Truong Beach on Friday morning to secure the site and watch out for additional possible victims, but so far no more bodies have turned up.

Further investigations are being carried out in an attempt to identify the seven.

Lam Minh Thanh, Chairman of Kien Giang Province People's Committee, said given the potential links to foreigners, the foreign department of Kien Giang will be working with the Chinese Consular in HCM City.

Thanh said local authorities are also calling on households on the island to immediately report anyone missing.

Cambodias authorities on Friday voiced their suspicion that the bodies may have been connected to the sinking incident involving a fishing vessel in waters off the coastal city Sihanoukville on September 22.

Earlier, on September 24, two days after said incident, a Phu Quoc fisherman saved nine Chinese citizens who were drifting at sea.

According to the survivors, they were on a fishing expedition but the boat they were on began to sink on the way to Cambodia, with about 20 people on board. However, a Chinese national saved by Cambodian authorities said the boat were carrying up to 41 people.

Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman at Cambodia's Interior Ministry, said that authorities had launched a human trafficking case after the sinking and that six people had been arrested, quoted Reuters.  VNS
SOC TRANG  Three police officers in the southern province of Soc Trang were dismissed from the force on Friday after they were filmed beating two underage motorists on September 25.

Colonel Lam Thanh Sol, director of the provincial Police Department, said at a press briefing on Friday afternoon that the Party Committee and Directorate of the Provincial Public Security decided to sack three officers of the People's Police.

They are Captain Chau Minh Trung, Lieutenant Nguyen Quang Thai and Lieutenant oan Tan Phong.

Another officer, Captain Hua Truong An, was dismissed from his current position as the vice-head of a police team, while Captain Tran Minh oi received a warning.

The five police officers were involved in an incident in which two police officers beat two boys in front of a warehouse in Vinh Chau Town. A security camera recorded their actions. The short video clip went viral on Thursday.

Sol confirmed the incident happened at 3pm on September 25. When the police officers were patrolling along Nam Song Hau National Highway in Vinh Phuoc Ward, they saw a teenager driving a motorbike with another boy on it.

The police attempted to stop the motorbike, but the underage driver fled for nearly 30km before police stopped them at a warehouse.

Colonel Sol said the police officers' acts seriously violated the police's code of ethics and caused much public concern.

Sol added that the two boys have undergone medical checks and are well.  VNS
Since the launch of its first shopping mall AEON Tan Phu Celadon in 2014, the Japanese retailer has expanded its presence to five localities with seven shopping malls, general merchandise stores and supermarkets, as well as the small supermarket chain AEON MaxValu. The retailer also established two distribution centres in the south and the north, the e-commerce site AEON Eshop, and more than 20 specialty stores.

AEON Tan Phu Celadon  AEONs first shopping mall in Vietnam

Over the past decade, AEON has not only expanded business and enhanced customers lifestyles, but also contributed to the sustainable development of the business community, human resources, and local people in each place where AEON is present.

Accompanying economic development and local human resources

During 10 years of development, AEON Vietnam has always grown in tandem with more than 3,000 domestic suppliers and partners. The retailer has innovated towards the common goal of providing quality products and services at reasonable prices. AEON aims to bring peace of mind and enrich customers' lifestyles with diverse and convenient shopping experiences.

Furusawa Yasuyuki, general director of AEON Vietnam said, We want to join hands with local suppliers to help improve production capacity and offer safe, quality, and environmentally friendly products at supermarkets and general department stores across the country. The company has actively organised supplier training as well as business matching activities. At the same time, we also help Vietnamese companies to standardise their goods to bring to AEON's retail chains in Japan and other countries with an export target of $1 billion by 2025.

Furusawa Yasuyuki shared the standards for the Vietnamese suppliers at the trade connection event in Mekong Delta

Our top priority is to ensure safety as well as bring satisfaction, peace of mind, and trust to our customers. Therefore, AEON Vietnam focuses on finding partners and suppliers who prioritise customer safety in order to achieve the shared goal of customer happiness by offering high-quality goods and services at competitive costs while fulfilling and adhering to AEON technical standards, he said.

Through retail operations, AEON Vietnam not only helps to enhance customers lifestyles and Vietnamese supplier manufacturing capabilities but also helps to build up local people resources. AEON Vietnam also focuses on raising the quality of its human resources throughout its business operation with the commitment to training and development as the top benefit. The retailer has made three commitments to its employees, including career, professional, and leadership and humanity growth through community contributions.

AEON Vietnam was honoured as Asia's Best Place to Work by HR Asia for four consecutive years

For four years in a row, AEON Vietnam has been recognised by HR Asia for its comprehensive human resource development and training strategy, as well as its mental and physical healthcare policy for more than 4,000 employees.

AEON Vietnam was honoured by HR Asia as Asia's Best Place to Work thanks to the feedback from its staff and reputable HR experts. The company was named one of the 50 most attractive employer brands for Vietnamese students.

Joining hands with the community

During the 10-year journey in Vietnam, AEON Vietnam has always made efforts to contribute to Vietnam's sustainable development goals with projects focusing on economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

The company plays an active role in leading customers towards sustainable consumption trends. The company also launched several initiatives to encourage customers to take action. Since the opening of the first general merchandise store and supermarket in 2014, AEON has used biodegradable plastic bags for its retail system with a rate of up to 96 per cent. Single-use plastic items are gradually being replaced in buffet food areas with environmentally friendly materials including paper cups, trays, and bagasse bowls.

96 per cent of the plastic bags used at AEON Vietnam's retail system are biodegradable

Environmental sustainability has been part of the company's strategy since its inception in Vietnam. Besides initiatives to reduce single-use plastic waste, the company regularly organises tree planting activities when opening a new shopping mall. More than 100,000 trees have been planted by AEON in collaboration with the local community across many provinces such as Hue and Ba Vi.

AEON is also involved in sustainable education for nearly 100 preschools and primary schools

With the pillar of social sustainability, AEON Vietnam implements many activities that contribute to nurturing and developing the young generation, creating positive impacts on society.

AEON scholarships have been granted to more than 1,000 students from various universities. The retailer also organizes the Young Asian Leaders programme for high school students as well as the Sustainable Education programme for more than 80,000 preschool and primary school students.

AEON Ekiden 2022 Relay was a community activity on the 10th anniversary of AEON's establishment

AEON has organised many activities to promote a healthy and happy lifestyle for the local community, such as the virtual running event We Run-We Plant. The company also hosts event series such as the AEON Ekiden  a relay race for the whole family  which coincided with the Vietnam-Japan cultural festival to celebrate AEON Vietnam's 10th anniversary. The event has been held in Hanoi, Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City.

Furusawa said that AEON Group considers Vietnam the second key market after Japan to focus on developing its resources. Therefore, the 260-year-old retailer will continue to expand its point of sale and diversify its retail models, while making efforts to contribute to sustainable development in Vietnam.

AEON hopes to become a Vietnamese company, serving the Vietnamese market and consumers, with the same responsibilities and obligations as a domestic corporate citizen. This means a lot to us, and we will continue to work tirelessly in the next steps to fulfil our mission, he said.

AEON expands into fast fashion AEON Retail Group has just launched My Closet, a fast-fashion brand, at AEON Mall Binh Tan in Ho Chi Minh City.
The United Nations is the worlds largest multilateral organisation with the mission of maintaining international peace and security, and promoting friendly cooperation and development of nations around the world. Cooperation with the UN has always held an important position in the foreign policy of our Party and state, reflecting the will and aspirations of our people and the worlds people to strive for peace and national independence, democracy, cooperation, and development.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son

In January 1946, President Ho Chi Minh on behalf of the government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam sent a letter to the president of the United Nations General Assembly expressing Vietnams wish to join the UN. Experiencing historical ups and downs, on September 20, 1977, Vietnam officially became the 149th member of the organisation.

Since then, the country has always been a reliable partner and an active member of the UN, and made many important contributions to the implementation of UN missions.

Cooperation between Vietnam and the UN has developed strongly, extensively, and effectively. UN programmes and projects have made important contributions to Vietnams doi moi and international integration, especially the development of socioeconomic infrastructure, education, healthcare, hunger eradication, poverty alleviation, and environmental protection, and they have also shared development experience in many fields with the country.

Promoting the spirit of self-reliance coupled with effective use of external resources, Vietnam has achieved many important development achievements highly appreciated by the United Nations and the international community.

Vietnam has completed ahead of schedule five out of eight Millennium Development Goals, and well implemented the United Action initiative on reforming the UN development system. Vietnam is now trying to complete the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the determination to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

At the most difficult time of the pandemic, Vietnam received tremendous support in vaccines and medical equipment from the United Nations, directly through the World Health Organisation and the COVAX facility, making an important contribution to effective control, safe adaptation, and progress towards repelling the pandemic.

Via the tripartite cooperation model under the support of the United Nations, Vietnam has actively shared knowledge and experience gained with developing countries, especially in economic reform, international integration, and development of agriculture, healthcare, and education.

Vietnam has sent its people on peackeeping missions in countries like South Sudan

Major contributions

After many years of war, Vietnam deeply treasures the value of peace. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once stated that Vietnam is an important contributor to peace and stability in the region and the wider world. We always uphold international law and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and strive to promote the search for a comprehensive, long-term solution to conflicts.

At the UN, especially during the countrys terms as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Vietnam proposed many initiatives and solutions to global issues such as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27, the establishment of the Group of Friends on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, dealing with the consequences of landmines and mines, protection of critical infrastructure in conflict zones, and promotion of cooperation between the UN and ASEAN in maintaining regional peace and security.

So far, Vietnam has sent over 500 military officers and four police officers to join UN peacekeeping operations in Africa and at UN headquarters. This has not only cemented the countrys responsibility for international security but also contributed to beautifying the noble image of Uncle Hos soldiers in carrying out the task of emissary of peace and friendship.

In the sector of human rights, Vietnam upholds dialogue and cooperation, and promotes the spirit of humanity and benevolence, while putting people at the centre of development, sharing achievements and experiences in protecting the fundamental rights of humanity, and ensuring justice and social progress.

After the 2014-2016 term as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam is running for the 2023-2025 term to continue contributing to the promotion of human rights worldwide.

With the achievements from doi moi and positive contributions to the common efforts of the international community, Vietnam has been elected to many important UN organisations such as the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council, the International Law Commission, and more besides.

With high responsibility and practical contributions to the UNs shared work, Vietnam has clearly demonstrated its status, identity, and stance on Vietnamese diplomacy in the Ho Chi Minh era, strongly spreading the message of an independent, self-reliant, innovative, and peace-loving country, with respect to international law, trust, sincerity, and responsibility to the international community.

A reliable partner

The cooperation between Vietnam and the UN over the past 45 years has made an important contribution to strengthening a peaceful and stable environment, promoting comprehensive and extensive international integration, and taking advantage of external resources for national development and enhancing Vietnams status and prestige in the international arena.

The 13th National Party Congress has continued to highlight the important position of the United Nations in the foreign policy of the Party and state. It is necessary to raise the level of multilateral diplomacy, actively participating in and promoting Vietnams role in multilateral mechanisms, especially in ASEAN, the United Nations, and other important cooperation frameworks and mechanisms of strategic importance, in accordance with the requirements, capabilities, and conditions of the country.

Implementing that right policy, Vietnam continues to attach importance to and strengthen cooperation with the UN, while being steadfastly independent and self-reliant, ensuring the highest interests of the nation on the basis of the UN Charter and basic principles of international law, equality, cooperation, and mutual benefit.

Vietnam makes continued efforts to promote the core role in leading and mediating international issues within its own conditions; and continues to promote multilateral cooperation, and partnerships between the UN and regional organisations, including ASEAN, to jointly find long-term solutions to handle security and development challenges around the world.

We actively perform well our responsibilities at UN organisations and agencies that Vietnam was elected to, and at the same time have a plan and roadmap to prepare for candidacy for important UN positions.

In addition to continuing to improve institutions and strengthen coordination among agencies and organisations in the political system, it is very important to focus on training, fostering, improving capacity, and building up the countrys comprehensive, professional, and modern multilateral foreign affairs staff, while also needing to have appropriate policies to increase Vietnamese personnel working in UN organisations.

The global situation is changing rapidly, but the big trend and the earnest aspiration of nations and peoples have always been to maintain peace and expand development cooperation.

In being proactive, positive, sincere, reliable, and responsible, Vietnam continues to do its best to contribute to strengthening the central role of the United Nations in the global governance system, striving for sustainable peace, national independence, democracy, development cooperation, and social progress.

Vietnam becomes Vice President of UN General Assembly Vietnam has been elected as one of the Vice Presidents of the United Nations (UN) General Assemblys 77th session, representing the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam to help promote consensus as UN General Assembly Vice President: official As one of the Vice Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)s 77th session, Vietnam can bring into play its role in handling differences among countries and promoting consensus on the UNGAs decisions, an official has said.

UNDP regional directors visit to Thanh Hoa province On the last leg of her Vietnams visit, UN assistant secretary-general and United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP ) regional director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja joined leaders and people in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa to plant mangroves as one of the most effective nature-based solutions to enhance coastal community resilience to climate change and their livelihood.

UN leader lauds Vietnams commitments to climate change response Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc had a meeting on August 3 with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who highly valued Vietnam's active and responsible contributions to the common work of the organisation, especially the countrys strong commitments in the fight against climate change, and promised to continue supporting Vietnam in this work.

PM hails contributions of COP26 President Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has hailed President of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) Alok Kumar Sharma, who is also British Minister for the Cabinet Office, for his contributions to stepping up the delivery of COP26 commitments.
CT Group cooperates with prestigious universities and leading employers to create an ideal environment for young talent

In economies accelerating the breakthrough process, governments, organisations, and enterprises are constantly improving their Global Talent Competitiveness Index to meet the requirements of the 4.0 era.

Currently, more than 90 per cent of Vietnamese startups go bankrupt in their first three years. While finding the right people ready to transform the world, CT Group also brings new ideas about safe startup talent to large enterprises.

Closely linked with startup programmes in Israel and Finland, CT Group is preparing to develop the Vietnamese intellectual brand in a scientific and effective way, preventing unnecessary startup failure.

The annual Seeds of Goodness programme is part of the CT Group ESG sustainable development strategy, which balances economic development with long-term responsibilities to society, creating conditions to develop future leaders.

Building a system for the early detection of young talent in schools and supporting poor students to study is one of the TAC's missions, making it an attraction in the field of human development for many.

Human development mission

Tran Kim Chung, chairman of CT Group said, "Human resources are the key to long-term success. When CT Group entered its 30-year plan for the second time, we asked many questions. Could we repeat the 30-year miracle again?"

"The answer was simple. If we had complete cooperation on human affairs, not only with Vietnamese talent but also by gathering talent from other countries to participate in the development of our nation, we would be able to wave the nation's flag in countries around the world."

At CT Group, people are the key factor in the group's development strategy. CT Group focuses on comprehensive human development with a 360-degree policy that specifically cares for the development of material and spiritual life and is always improving according to the opinions of officials and employees.

The market is impressed that CT Group awards cars every year to employees, which are immersed in an open and loving environment.

CT Group opens the TAC, emphasising human development

Aspiring to bring Vietnam into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, CT Group aims to recruit tens of thousands of high-quality personnel working in Vietnam and representative offices abroad. The corporation is preparing for a large-scale HR revolution.

Collecting intellectual labour resources

When CT Group launched the TAC, it was part of an official message emphasising its important role in human development. The centre is looking for exceptional talent gathered by world-class experts both at home and abroad, who will go through a rigorous selection process and be specially trained.

The programme was inspired by the United States' West Point Academy, where many high-ranking leaders are trained in a system of study and career promotion so that skilled people can unleash their energy to create resources for the country.

CT Group is determined to bring Vietnam into the global 4.0 era developing rapidly today.

CT Group shares experiences in fighting COVID-19 Since the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City, CT Group has stepped up its efforts to protect the health and safety of its staff.

CT Group wins double at Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2021 Extending the series of prestigious domestic and international awards, Leman Luxury of CT Group was honoured in the category of the Best Luxury Mixed-Use 2021 at the Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2021 ceremony held November 1. This is the second consecutive year that the project was recognised, affirming its position in the high-end real estate segment in Vietnam.

CT Group celebrates 30 years of success and receives First Class Medal On its 30th anniversary celebration held on June 29, CT Group was honoured with high-ranking labour medals while announcing many significant strategies that the group has planned.
Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) are using both direct and indirect channels to reflect their concerns about these barriers to the prime minister.

While some foreign-invested enterprises are looking for tax changes, quick regulation alterations can also cause issues. Photo: Le Toan

Seck Yee Chung, vice chairman of the Singapore Business Group (SBG), said in a meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and FIEs on September 17 that the business of many SBG members was being impacted by the protracted timeline to get a business licence. The licensing procedure and timing for FIEs to obtain such sub-license is burdensome and time-consuming. Typically, this involves several rounds of submissions and follow-up questions with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and localities department of industry and trade. This can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months, Chung said.

Members of the SBG take one year to get a licence for trading and wholesale distributing lubricating oil from the departments of industry and trade in various localities. Meanwhile, according to the regulations, it should only take 13 days. If the departments want further comments from the MoIT, they need an additional 28 days, he added.

The Singapore business community has requested that the government considers enacting regulations to shorten the regulatory timeline for approvals. In the meantime, they also request agencies to observe the current regulatory timeline for the issuance of the business licence and to be clearer as to what is expected in the application dossier to reduce the number of follow-up rounds.

Along with timeline problems for licences, foreign investors are concerned that the overlap in regulations is forming a roadblock impacting future investment in the country.

Bosch Vietnam is an example. The group lost part of its tax incentive due to a lack of consistency and clarity in implementing regulations. While the Law on Investment considered Boschs manufacturing investment a new investment, the Law on Corporate Income Tax evaluated it as an expansion investment, leaving Bosch with a less attractive tax incentive scheme.

Quick regulation changes can pose difficulties for companies to follow and for the tax authority to implement. Our tax incentive was challenged during a tax inspection in 2019, justified with regulations that were issued after the time of our investment. We believe this is not in line with the investment protection principle stipulated in the Law on Investment, which allows investors to keep the awarded incentives when less favourable schemes are issued, said managing director of Bosch Vietnam Dominik Meichle.

A reliable regulatory environment that ensures necessary protection for investors would help to bolster confidence for future investment, Meichle explained. Bosch would be grateful for the prime ministers support in resolving this incentive issue. As the problem emerged from the inconsistency between different legislations, we strongly recommend that the lawmaking body scrutinises it with input from ministries and authorities.

Along with direct comments, the prime minister often receives documents from associations, international organisations, and businesses about their investment obstacles.

Early this month, the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Management Authoritys (HEPZA) Business Association submitted a document to the prime minister to seek solutions to shortcomings related to environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports.

According to the association, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment must guide the local peoples committees to authorise and assess industrial zones management authorities and give guidance on forms of relevant documents related to assessment or approval for EIAs.

The association reflected that this regulation is to create a one-door mechanism to save time for enterprises. However, the regulation effectively creates a barrier, prolonging the timeline to complete business procedures. To get approval on the EIA from park authorities, enterprises need to get a sub-licence from the departmentof Construction, and Natural Resources and Environment, which is time-consuming.

Many businesses have trouble when carrying out legal procedures related to the EIA. For example, Sunshine Tech Commercial Investment JSC Ho Chi Minh City Branch wanted to be renamed Unicloud Company, but failed because it could not get the EIA licence for two years. Many more of our member businesses also face the same situation, said Nguyen Van Be, chairman of the HEPZAs Business Association.

Responding to consultation with FIEs, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that the ministry would cooperate with other authorities and localities to resolve obstacles for such enterprises so they can feel secure in their long-term investment in Vietnam.

For shortcomings caused by policy implementation, localities need to report problems that exceed their authority to the relevant agencies to thoroughly resolve issues and avoid a persistent backlog of difficulties, Dung said.

The majority of FIEs are pleased with the investment environment in Vietnam. The result of a quick survey implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Vietnam Business Forum in September shows that over 90 per cent of enterprises achieved medium and high business efficiency and financial status. Almost all businesses expressed their optimism and confidence in Vietnam and commitment to continue to expand investment and long-term business. Over 65 per cent of enterprises have plans to expand their investment in 2023. A total of 76 per cent of enterprises appreciate the effectiveness of the governments production and business supporting policies (such as tax exemption and reduction, fees, price stabilisation, work permits, import and export policies, and vaccination against coronavirus). The most effective policies are VAT exemption and reduction, petrol price stabilisation, and improvement on work permit and clearance procedures.

FIEs upholding equality in workplace Approaching and solving gender issues on the basis of respect for diversity and difference is a strategy being pursued by many foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam in order to establish an equal working environment with inclusive benefits for all staff.

MoF clarifies law on prize electronic games for foreigners The Ministry of Finance has issued further guidance on the law regarding foreigners and prize electronic games in Vietnam.

Domestic companies striving to become trusted vendors of FIEs Numerous foreign-invested enterprises are looking for more Vietnamese vendors, but domestic companies are being encouraged to make improvements before they can effectively climb global supply chains.
According to the municipal Department of Planning and Investment, so far this year, the city has attracted about 992.4 million USD in FDI, up 15% year on year, including 141.3 million USD invested in new projects.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)

The result helps the capital city remain among the top localities in FDI attraction.

Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Vice Director of the department, said that the FDI projects are mostly in the fields of import-export, goods distribution, construction, information technology, telecommunications, processing and manufacturing.

The majority of investment in the city is from Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore, while that from Europe and the US accounts for only 10% of total FDI capital, he said.

FDI projects have played an important role in promoting the citys economic development, serving as a driving force for its exports and technology renovation, the official added.

Particularly, the FDI sector has helped expand the export market and supported domestic firms to join the global supply chain through the supply of materials and business cooperation, Tu held, adding that FDI firms have also motivated domestic firms to renovate their technologies through the pressure from competition and requirements in adapting to the globalisation.

However, he also pointed to a number of shortcomings in the citys FDI quality and efficiency. FDI has still concentrated in a number of labour intensive sectors using low technology, while the scale of the majority of FDI projects is small. The efficiency of the projects has yet to match their capacity and advantages while FDI firms connections with other economic sector remains poor.

Tu said that in the future, the city will pay greater attention to holding dialogues with investors to remove difficulties and obstacles facing them, and prioritising projects with large investment.

According to experts, one of the reasons that make Hanoi attractive to investors is the development of its infrastructure system.

In the 2021-2025 period, the city plans to establish 2-5 new industrial parks, aiming to meet the demand of investment attraction and industrial production development.

By 2030, the city expects to have 159 industrial clusters with a total area of over 3,204 hectares. Along with the operating clusters, the city is speeding up the construction of new ones to meet investors demands.

A representative from the city Department of Industry and Trade said that currently, Hanoi has 70 operating industrial clusters covering 1,686 hectares, attracting nearly 3,900 firms and more than 60,000 labourers.

Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the city Peoples Committee, said that in the time to come, Hanoi will continue to apply administrative reform measures to speed up the construction of the technical infrastructure system for industrial parks and clusters, thus meeting the demand for production space for both domestic and foreign investors.

At the same time, the city aims to raise the number and quality of FDI projects by accompanying and supporting businesses and investors, and improving the business and investment environment and competitiveness, he said.

Quyen said that the municipal Peoples Committee has directed departments and sectors to enhance the quality and efficiency of FDI, strengthened investment promotion activities and actively approached big businesses to lure projects that are suitable to the development level of the city.

Hanoi will also coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Prime Ministers Task Force to ensure the coherence and efficiency of support to investors and investment attraction activities, and optimise advantages from free trade agreements, he said.

RoK firms eye investment in Hanoi: Ambassador Many Korean enterprises want to learn about investment in Hanoi and look for support from the authorities, said Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to (RoK) Vietnam Park Noh Wan at his meeting with Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Tran Sy Thanh on September 6.

Hanoi facilitates investment from Republic of Korea Chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee Tran Sy Thanh has pledged to create all possible conditions for foreign firms, including those from the Republic of Korea, to invest in the city.
Nguyen Kim Hang, a worker in an industrial zone (IZ) in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, said she often works overtime, which harms her health. However, it is not convenient for her to go for a medical examination as the provincial hospital is far from her home. She hopes that there will be a medical facility in the zone soon.

An industrial park of Tan Tao Investment and Industry Corp in Binh Chanh district, HCM City. Photo: VNA

Opening these facilities is an urgent requirement to ensure labour safety, hygiene, prevention of occupational disease, working accidents, and environmental sanitation, Hang said.

A representative of an IZ developer in the southern province of Long An told VIR, We built a medical examination facility in our IZ. However, its capacity is only enough for workers who live in the dormitory. Businesses in our zone look forward to having private medical stations to care for their employees and experts.

The demand for medical stations is forecast to increase as the government encourages the building of industrial urban-service complexes.

To uphold workers rights, in August, vice chairman of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Ngo Duy Hieu sent proposals on the draft Law on Medical Examination and Treatment to the National Assembly Standing Committee, the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Health.

In the document, he emphasised the importance of adding regulations on building healthcare stations in IZs in the draft law to create good working conditions and handle disasters and medical incidents.

Specific policies are also needed to create conditions for workers to easily access medical examination and treatment services. Health insurance funds should still pay for workers medical examinations outside office hours, the document noted.

The VGCL also suggested studying and stipulating the price for medical examination and treatment services, even for private medical examination and treatment centres.

According to the confederation, IZs, economic zones, and export processing zones have a large number of workers, but there are few medical examination and treatment facilities. Almost all existing medical stations in IZs only serve workers living in on-site dormitories.

In February, Vietnam opened its first medical centre at an IZ in Viet Yen district of the northern province of Bac Giang. The centre, managed by the Department of Health, has several departments to supply professional and technical medical services, including screening to detect infections, vaccinations, measures to combat and treat illnesses, and control factors pf disease outbreaks.

According to VGCL chairman Nguyen Dinh Khang, there are many barriers to developing public and private medical examination and treatment stations in IZs. Notably, there are no regulations for opening medical facilities in the IZs. It is necessary to clarify whether overtime examinations for workers can be paid for by insurance. The payment for medical staff to work overtime also needs to be made clear.

The representative of the Long An IZ developer said, We are willing to offer incentive policies, such as subsidised land rental fees to encourage private investors to open healthcare stations in our IZ. However, only a small number of investors have visited to survey the park, and no final decision has been made.

One barrier is that the procedure to open a private medical station is complicated, especially for hospitals, and the legal framework is not specific, according to the representative.

The majority of workers want to use insurance cards for payment. These factors make investors concerned about the capacity to recoup their capital, so they are not motivated enough to enter the sector, she said.

Developers struggle with regulations to build worker homes Despite accommodation for workers in industrial zones being an urgent requirement, a series of developers will struggle to build enough, both in and outside such areas, due to tough regulations.

Dynamic regions at heart of planning Along with the increase in total factor productivity, creating economic dynamic regions with true spillover effects will be the poles that hold up investment and generate outstanding growth.
Protecting indigenous fish in Yunnan

Xinhua) 17:08, September 29, 2022

KUNMING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yin Shumao used to be a layman when it came to breeding fish, but now he is almost an expert in this field.

The 56-year-old from Yiliang County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, mainly cultures the Kanglang white minnow, or Anabarilius grahami. Such a common fish species could be made into a delicacy during Yin's childhood. After the 1990s, due to overfishing and species invasion, it was hard to find a Kanglang white minnow.

The fish mainly lives in the Fuxian Lake in Yunnan. One day in 1995, Yin came to a restaurant near the lakeside, trying to order a plate of such fish. The restaurant owner told him few people could afford the dish because the once commonly seen fish became so rare, and its price also surged.

The experience gave him the idea of breeding this fish. Shortly after, Yin bought 1 kg of such fish from several restaurants and fishermen's homes for 4,000 yuan (about 560 U.S. dollars). It was the starting point for his business. However, in the breeding process, because of the thin scales of the fish, it was easy to cause them to die once they were injured.

Yin began to figure out how to improve the breeding conditions and methods such as water temperature, water quality, and bait. Gradually, he mastered the breeding techniques.

Yin believed in improving the emergence rate of fry, which was greatly affected by natural conditions. The Kanglang white minnow spawns against the current, and their eggs are often attached to aquatic plants and reefs.

Yin observed the spawning process in the fish pond, tried different ways to collect fish eggs, and finally simulated the counter-current environment and selected waste fishing nets as the collection tool.

Thanks to his efforts, the fertilization rate of the fish is over 90 percent, and the emergence rate of fry stays at around 80 percent, which is much higher than that of natural spawning.

"The protection of every species is time-consuming and labor-intensive," Yin said, adding that every step should be explored, mulled, and adjusted according to different situations when protecting indigenous fishes.

Yin is now in charge of an aquaculture company in Yiliang. The company breeds more than 150 million high-quality indigenous fish annually, including some 120 million Kanglang white minnow.

The company has also established cooperative relations with higher education institutions and cultivated more than 20 technicians.

With the support of government departments and social organizations, more than 4 million Kanglang white minnow have been released in the Fuxian Lake.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Currently, Real Time Robotics Inc. (RtR) engages in manufacturing several hundred to 1,000 drones a year. The company is rushing to finalise the legal setup for building manufacturing facilities at Saigon High-Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City later this year.

Luong Viet Quoc is also the first one awarded an investment license at the park to open a drone manufacturing plant in Vietnam.

Once completed, RtR would scale up its drone production capacity by 10-20 fold over the current level.

CEO Luong Viet Quoc with his newly-released HERA drone

In 2023, when RtRs drone manufacturing facilities and output markets are gradually put into order, the company is expected to reap at least $10 million in profit with growth touching 50 per cent annually.

After the US market, RtR aims to foray into the EU, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and India.

From a street boy...

Luong Viet Quocs childhood was attached to the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe canal where most inhabitants lived in slum dwellings, with days when he collected waste to make subsistence until 1-2am.

At the age of 13, Quoc came to Cau Muoi wet market selling lemons and hot red peppers to make a living. From the age of 15, his occupation was fishing out filaria for sale.

Quocs fate was similar to most kids living in the area, one single difference was that he continued going to school while his peers in the area all stopped learning.

At that time, the only reason that kept me going to school came from my paternal grandmother who repeatedly told me that only study could change ones life, Quoc recalled.

After finishing grade 12, Quoc failed the exam for university, so he continued to study at the Ho Chi Minh School of Finance. Then he took on in-service training and English courses.

In 1994, Quoc won 610 scores and ranked sixth out of 150 candidates joining the TOEFL exam hosted by Vietnam-US Scientific and Technical Cooperation Committee.

In 2002, Quoc was one of 26 bright individuals winning US Fullbright postgraduate scholarships.

In the US, Quoc joined a master-degree training programme and got offers from eight US leading universities for a doctorate course. After finishing his studies, he stayed in the US for work.

...to making drones

Recognising that drones are increasingly commonplace with very practical applications across the board, in 2014, Quoc founded a star-up with drones in San Francisco.

In 2017, he formed RtR in Vietnam and became the first Vietnamese licensed to manufacture drones.

Quoc recalled that dont try was the common mindset of most investors by that time.

With concerted efforts, RtR now consists of 50 engineers, all Vietnamese who care about design, materials, electronics parts, and programming.

Most people accepted failure right from inception with the mindset that the hardware, even common housewares like TV or fridges, couldnt compete with global tech giants like China or Japan, let alone drones which is quite a novel field in Vietnam. But competition in pricing is just one part. We might noy necessarily join in such a competition. Instead, lets create new preeminent functions, making the consumers willingly pay more for these new functions. This also gives an advantage, said Quoc.

The initial time was tough for RtR as no big investor or venture fund dared to spend on the companys drone manufacturing project.

A few equity investors later accepted to venture with RtRs project. At present, RtRs total investment value comes to around $4 million. With that the firm has harvested, such investment value proves rather low.

With concerted efforts, RtR now consists of 50 engineers, all Vietnamese who care about design, materials, electronics parts, and programming.

HERA drones creating a stir

This May, Quoc and the engineering team at RtR have amazed the tech cycle by creating their HERA drones.

Most HERA drone devices such as the hull, the hand, locking devices, circuit board, and control software are all designed and manufactured by RtR engineers, with self-design and manufacturing rates reaching 90 per cent.

HERA ingeniously integrates both small-size portability and heavy lift capacity, both backpack compactness and ample space for four payloads, plus 360-degree visibility for every payload, and ensures data transparency and security.

This month, RtR exported three HERA units to the US market which has witnessed stiff competition with demanding requirements in information security, sensor number, and more.

A HERA drone now costs from $20,000-30,000 a unit, about 20-30 per cent higher compared to market price, but with creative functions. Therefore, our customers willingly pay more to have such compelling functions, said Quoc.

Besides HERA, RtR has been developing other drone lines to serve Vietnams agriculture, helping to detect worms, support spraying, and complement plant nutrition.

With these drone lines, all the relevant data is kept in Vietnam, instead of sending back to the mainframes overseas as with other imported drones.

The operating cost of these drone lines is remarkably lower than those imported from China, helping the farmers to save an average $3,000-$4,350 per year in the operating cost, said an engineer from the RtR team.
The decision was made shortly after Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on September 28 that Malaysia should lift the mask mandate on commercial flights.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)  the parent company of Malaysia Airlines  has announced that the mandatory face mask wearing on planes will be lifted. (Photo: New Straits Times)

Earlier, MAG Group CEO Izham Ismail informed Minister Khairy about the features available on aircraft, including the system of air circulation in the cabin, where cabin air is refreshed 20 to 30 times per hour and the use of a high-efficiency particulate air filters, which have the capability to filter 99.9% of airborne contaminants, including viruses and bacteria.

However, MAG encourages passengers who are in poor physical condition, high-risk individuals, and those traveling with high-risk individuals to continue wearing masks on board.

Malaysia Airlines cabin crew caught smuggling drugs into Australia A Malaysia Airlines flight attendant has been arrested at Melbourne International Airport for allegedly smuggling A$1.4 million (US$1.03 million) worth of heroin.
At Thai Minh Long Seafood Co., Ltd. in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu, the best shrimp shipments are being prepared for export to the European market, which is the basis for this business to achieve its growth target of 150 per cent in 2022. Thai Minh Long has signed more than 80 per cent of contracts in 2022 and is continuing to restructure the processing line to better meet the EUs requirements on the rule of origin, said Tran Van Dieu, chairman of Thai Minh Long.

Seafood groups have to pass a strict set of standards to be allowed to deal with EU member nations. Photo: Le Toan

Vietnams seafood exports in 2022 could reach $10 billion with the contribution of signed trade deals. The zero-tariff advantage from Vietnams agreement with the EU (EVFTA) is rendering Vietnams seafood prices more competitive in the bloc, but it entails the challenge of implementing regulations on the origin of seafood input materials.

Tran Van Lap, chairman of Loc Kim Chi Seafood JSC in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long, admitted, Domestic raw materials and production capacity cannot fully meet the criteria on the EVFTAs rule of origin in the short term. Raw materials for seafood processing in Vietnam still depend on imports, especially shrimp. He said that the lack of synchronous infrastructure and high production costs and prices are reducing competitiveness compared to shrimp materials of other countries.

Europe is paying more attention to food safety, especially after the pandemic. Claus Nodrup, sales manager of the Frozen Seafood Department at I. Schroeder KG from Hamburg at a webinar in April this year, said, The demand and selling price of seafood originating from Vietnam is increasing. He noted, however, that businesses in the EU require imported products with transparent, honest, and accurate certifications.

Over time, the EU has gradually tightened the rules on socially and environmentally-responsible production practices for imported seafood. For instance, the most important part of the new EU organic farming regulation is that producers from developing countries must comply with the same set of rules as European ones. The EU wants to ensure that all organic products sold in its territory are of the same standard.

The European Commission (EC) in March further presented an action plan for the development of organic production with the aim to promote the production and consumption of organic products, including organic aquaculture. The action plan is also designed to drive demand, maintain consumer confidence, and bring organic food closer to the nearly 600 million people in the market.

However, meeting the rules of origin will be more difficult. The EC started applying a new maximum mercury residue threshold on May 3, stipulating that mercury residues in seafood can range from 0.3-1 microgramme per kg, depending on the product type. Products already on the market will be consumed until their respective expiry date.

Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said, Implementing the rules of origin of goods has many problems. Similar to most rules of origin in other trade deals, the EVFTA requires that seafood materials used for semi-processed or processed seafood must be raised, harvested, or caught in Vietnam, or alternatively originate from the EU. For example, for caught seafood, especially tuna, more than four-fifths of raw materials must be imported from countries and territories that do not have FTAs with Vietnam.

Seafood and tuna exporters have not taken full advantage of the FTA with the EU, commented Hoe. Additionally, the HS code conversion criteria have not been expanded, making it impossible for enterprises to use materials imported from countries outside the bloc for production and export to the FTAs member countries.

According to the VASEP, the EU is a large market with many market segments and products. Over the past 10 years, Vietnams seafood production has increased steadily from 4.9 million tonnes in 2009 to 8.7 million tonnes in 2021. Vasep believes that Europeans are increasingly preferring products with white fish because of health factors, while the awareness of environmental protection and seafood resources also raises, offering opportunities for farmed fish for export.

Vietnams seafood exporters suffering with euro fluctuation Following exchange fluctuations, Vietnamese seafood exporters are now faced with catastrophic changes in their orders, forcing them to lower export prices or find other solutions to stay competitive in the long run.

Strong rebound in seafood exports to Russia Once falling to a standstill due to the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Vietnams seafood exports to Russia are now showing inspiring results after the last few months.
We are committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions from our operations by 2030, and from our financing by 2050. We acknowledge the need to ensure that these objectives are achieved whilst supporting economic growth and prosperity across societies and thus achieving a just transition. We have been making an impact in Vietnam by providing finance to where it matters most and focusing on ESG in our operations. Im so happy that our efforts have been recognised by this prestigious accolade. said Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Vietnam.

Earlier this year, Standard Chartered Vietnam was one of the first in Vietnam to launch a green mortage loan and carbon-neutral debit and credit cards. These are part of a series of green products that have been and will be launched by the bank to encourage clients to adopt a greener lifestyle and protect the environment.

In June, the bank inaugurated its new head office in Hanoi, which is a demonstration of the banks sustainability commitment. The building is recognised with the LEED certification and the WELL building standard, in line with the banks efforts to establish an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and healthier workplace. The bank also applies sustainable features and standards in the new head office, from the light system to the materials used for the facilities.

Sustainability is one of Standard Chartereds key priorities, in which the bank aspires to become a leader and a driver of sustainable development for its clients and the economy.

Standard Chartered Vietnam is also known for its support for clients and the authorities as they seek to accelerate their sustainability agenda.

In September, on the occasion of its Group CEO Bill Winters visit to Vietnam, the bank signed an MoU with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MoNRE) on climate change response cooperation. Under the MoU, the bank will support MoNRE with capacity building and private sector engagement in climate action and the development of green and sustainable finance frameworks as well as carbon market development and knowledge exchange.

The bank also signed minutes of cooperation in gender equity with the State Bank of Vietnam. The cooperation will include annual conferences that offer global perspectives on female leadership and skills upgrades for women; implementation of social responsibility programmes to support disadvantaged women; and sharing of diversity and inclusion best practices and experiences.

In February, Standard Chartered collaborated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam to organise the Economic Outlook and Green Finance Policy Forum in Hanoi, which attracted representatives from state agencies, embassies, the Asian Development Bank, businesses, and economists.

The event benefited participants with interesting views on the global and regional trends on green finance and solutions and policy recommendations for the country on green financing in achieving sustainable development goals.

Currently, the bank is partnering with the British Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam to run a series of sustainability webinars that aim to promote sustainable development in Vietnam and the application of ESG among businesses. The series covering six webinars on topical matters related to ESG and sustainability has been launched last September and will run until the end of 2022 to support participating businesses and organisations devise effective strategies for their sustainable development.

In 2021, Standard Chartered exchanged MoUs worth a total of $8.5 billion with three Vietnamese businesses on projects to support their sustainability goals.

Standard Chartered Vietnam scoops prestigeous awards Standard Chartered Vietnam has been named the Best Service Provider - Cash Management for the second consecutive year and Best Payments and Collections Solution for Dragon Capital Vietfund Management in 2022 in the Asset Triple A Awards.

Standard Chartered expects Vietnams recovery to stay strong in August In its latest Global Research report on Vietnam, Standard Chartered Bank anticipates Vietnams economy to see a continued recovery in August, as the economic revival has shown signs of broadening.
Speaking at the event co-organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the EU Delegation to Vietnam, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that over the past more than two years since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, the two sides have witnessed fluctuations of the global economy as well as the economies of the EU and Vietnam amid the COVID-19 pandemic, regional and global geo-political instability.

Experts discuss EU-Vietnam cooperation at the forum. (Photo: VNA)

Data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that the EU is now a leading trade partner, the third biggest export market and the fifth largest import market of Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnam surpassed Singapore to become the biggest trade partner of the EU in ASEAN and the world's 11th biggest supplier of goods to the bloc.

From August 2021 to July 2022, two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU reached 61.4 billion USD, up 11.9% from the first year of EVFTA enforcement. Of which, Vietnam shipped 45 billion USD worth of products to the EU, up 17%.

In the first eight months of this year, the figure hit 42.4 billion USD, marking a 14.85% rise year-on-year. Vietnam mainly exported machinery, garment and footwear, coffee, aquatic products, fruits and vegetables, pepper and rice to the EU.

Dien added that the Vietnamese Government is keen on expanding the markets and boosting its comprehensive partnership with the EU and its member states, thus making it easier to expand bilateral ties, not only in trade but also other economic areas.

Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) Alain Cany said in order to be able to compete in the EU and fully tap advantages from the signed FTAs, Vietnamese enterprises need to comply with strict environment standards and meet demands for green and sustainable consumption trend, which is inevitable in the world and a mandatory path for them to deeply join the new value chain.

The EU encourages the development of green and renewable energy sources in Vietnam, he said, adding that European firms want to be present in Vietnam to share their experience, technology and investment./
The increase in the brand value of Vietnam correlates with the nation being increasingly perceived as a secure and stable place to invest as many manufacturers look to relocate operations from elsewhere in Asia to Vietnam.

The new research from Brand Finance is not a valuation of aggregated Vietnamese commercial brands but rather a valuation of the brand of the nation of Vietnam itself. As such, Vietnam scores particularly high on agricultural ratings, social media engagement, and the nations response to COVID-19, with each of these factors serving as an important driver of the increased national brand valuation.

In addition to calculating brand value, Brand Finance also determines the relative strength of national brands through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating a brand investment, perceptions, and performance.

Vietnam has seen the third-highest brand value gain over the course of the pandemic in absolute terms  up $184 billion to $431 billion in 2022  but the worlds fastest growth in relative terms, up 74 per cent compared to 2019.

Vietnam has gained momentum as an attractive destination for foreign investment thanks to successful fiscal and monetary policies and investments in human capital, but also amid trade disruptions from Chinas lockdowns and continued tensions between Beijing and Washington.

Across the world, the values of the worlds national brands have substantially returned to their pre-pandemic levels. Nation brand valuations are based on forward-looking macroeconomic forecasts.

The total value of the worlds top 100 nation brands stands at $97.2 trillion, up 7 per cent on-year and only marginally behind the pre-pandemic value of $98.0 trillion in 2019. While the combined value of the worlds top 100 national brands has practically matched pre-pandemic levels, exactly 50 nation brands have increased in value over this period, while the other 50 remain below the valuation from before the COVID-19 crisis.

At the top of the ranking, the United States (brand value up 7 per cent to $26.5 trillion) has retained its position as the worlds most valuable national brand, maintaining the lead ahead of China (up 8 per cent to $21.5 trillion). The US and China are standout leaders in the Brand Finance Nation Brands 2022 ranking, with the combined brand value of the two equal to that of the remaining 98 nation brands in the top 100.

The United Kingdom is among the nation brands recording the best COVID-19 recovery, having seen the highest absolute brand value gain  up $265 billion to $4.1 trillion.

Canada has claimed the title of this years strongest nation brand with an overall brand strength score of 81.8 out of 100, supplanting last years leader Switzerland (80.7). Alongside GDP forecasts, national brand strength is an important driver of national brand value.

Brand Finances brand perceptions research, originally published in the Global Soft Power Index 2022, has evidenced a recovery of the reputations of the worlds largest economies over the past year, compared to the first year of the pandemic.

While in 2020, leading national brands like China, Italy, and the US were seen to have suffered significantly from the first wave of COVID-19 infections, in 2021, they were seen to have successfully rolled out vaccinations and managed the virus.

In this way, the US, France, the UK, and Japan all make a comeback to the top 10 brand strength ranking after the extraordinary decline in their international perceptions caused by the pandemic. Similarly, China enters the top 20 for the first time, claiming rank 15, while Italy and Spain return to the top 25.

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.

Vietnams national brand valued at 247 billion USD Vietnams national brand in 2019 was valued at 247 billion USD by Brand Finance, up 12 billion USD compared to 2018.
The brother of a woman killed Thursday in McGregor, along with two of her children and two of her neighbors, said his sister was dedicated to her family, and he had never seen anything to suggest the man she lived with more than a decade was capable of the attack.

Authorities on Friday released the names of the accused shooter and the five people who died in the Thursday morning rampage in a McGregor neighborhood.

Nicolas Jaimes-Hernandez, 35, is accused of shooting the five, according a Texas Department of Public Safety statement. Jaimes-Hernandez has no prior criminal charges or convictions shown in McLennan County courthouse records.

Jaimes-Hernandez was jailed on an aggravated assault charge Thursday after he was released from a local hospital, where he had been treated for gunshot wounds he received from a McGregor police officer returning fire on him, authorities said. Bail had not been set Friday night. More charges will be added, according to DPS.

He is accused of shooting Monica Delgado, 38, and two of her children, Miguel Avila, 15, and Natallie Avila, 14, at a home at 903 S. Monroe St., which county tax records list as owned by Jaimes-Hernandez. Delgados brother, Joel Delgado-Aviles, said Delgado and Jaimes-Hernandez lived together.

Also killed were their next door neighbors at 901 S. Monroe St.: Lorena Lori Aviles, 47, and her daughter, Natalie Aviles, 20, according to officials.

Lori Aviles death leaves her two sons, Ezra Aviles, 17, and Zion Aviles, 16, orphaned, family members have said. Jaimes-Hernandez and Delgado also had three children of their own, who lost their mother and their half-siblings.

Joel Delgado-Aviles, who is not related to Lori and Natalie Aviles, spoke to the Tribune-Herald in Spanish through a translator Friday at his uncles construction company in McGregor. Jaimes-Hernandez worked there for a while, but he left many years ago.

I have known Nicolas since he was 9, Delgado-Aviles said. I never saw anything to suggest he was capable of what happened to my sister and her children yesterday.

Delgado-Aviles said he knew his sister and Jaimes-Hernandez had normal couple problems. He said they had lived together for 11 years and had three children of their own, who survived, in addition to Miguel Avila and Natallie Avila, Monica Delgados children from before her relationship with Jaimes-Hernandez, who died with their mother.

We knew they would argue, Delgado-Aviles said.

He said the family would not have been surprised to know that there was shoving and throwing things during those arguments.

But we never expected the shootings that happened Thursday, Delgado-Aviles said.

Delgado-Aviles described Jaimes-Hernandez as a private person. He said Jaimes-Hernandez acted one way in public and around the family.

But what happened behind closed doors, only my sister and her children know, Delgado-Aviles said. And given what transpired yesterday, I think it wasnt good. I hold anger toward him, but I also pity him.

Monica Delgado was a woman of strong character, her brother said. She had a strong personality and she was always there for her family.

All of her kids were normal, Delgado-Aviles said about his sisters family. Natallie was shy. Miguel worked with his grandfather in the construction business after school. They spent much time together.

Delgado-Aviles said that his most cherished memory of his sister is also the last time he saw her: when they celebrated his birthday, on Sept. 19. He said everyone was there, all the nieces and nephews.

Monica always made the cakes for all the birthdays and celebrations, Delgado-Aviles said, She made tres leches, and it was so good. She always made the cakes, but she didnt make one for my last birthday.

Monica Delgados extended family held a private rosary service in the Roman Catholic tradition for her as well as her children, Miguel and Natallie, on Friday evening.

Where Monica, Miguel and Natallie are now, they are better, together in heaven, Delgado-Aviles said.

On Thursday evening, Bethlehem Christian Church in McGregor had organized an impromptu service to support Ezra and Zion Aviles, the surviving teen sons of Lori Aviles. They have long attended the church, and their late father had been a youth pastor there.
Investigators in Bellmead and Dallas this week worked to recover much of a familys belongings after thieves reportedly stole the vehicles the family was using to move from California to their new Waco home, Bellmead officials said.

The family reported Monday that a 26-foot rental truck and 20-foot trailer along with some $300,000 in household goods were stolen from the parking lot of a Bellmead hotel in the 1500 block of the North Interstate 35 access road, according to a Bellmead police statement Thursday.

Two suspects in the case were arrested in Dallas on warrants for unrelated charges Tuesday, Bellmead Assistant Chief Stephen Leonard in an interview Thursday.

Our detectives are developing warrants for six suspects on the $300,000 theft here, Leonard added.

The arrests in Dallas were linked with the recovery of some $200,000 of the familys property that was found in the 13000 block of Skyfrost Drive in Southeast Dallas, he said. Working with the Dallas Police Department, Bellmead authorities returned these items to their owners, the statement says.

Bellmead detectives began investigating Monday and within a few hours identified six suspects, Leonard said. Detectives also gathered information and leads that allowed the Tuesday recovery of stolen property, the statement says.
The McLennan County Elections Office stood by its voter rolls after two challenges by a McLennan County resident questioning the validity of more than 4,600 voter registration accounts.

The challenges were filed by Debra Wolgemuth, McLennan County Republican Party Precinct 44 chair, who claimed thousands of registered voters appeared to have moved out of the county.

County Elections Administrator Jared Goldsmith said the first challenge was reviewed and reported to the Texas Secretary of State and no significant action was taken. The second challenge was filed during a 90-day period before the election, in which voter rolls may not be legally changed.

Goldsmith said the challenges were made based on comparison of records from the U.S. Postal Service and county voter registration rolls. According to an email transmittal, the postal information was obtained per Postal Services change of address notifications.

Wolgemuths first challenge was filed on Aug. 2 and lists 4,617 voter registration accounts for review on the basis that the account holder has moved out of McLennan County. The second challenge, filed on Aug. 19, lists 486 accounts for various reasons. However, Goldsmith said the challenge fell within a 90-day moratorium prior to the election date during which his office cannot legally do a voter registration challenge.

Wolgemuth briefly replied Thursday afternoon in an email to a Waco Tribune-Herald query but did not follow up on a request for interview.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that conservative activists have been challenging election rolls around the nation in advance of the November election, especially in battleground states. The newspaper reported that 65,000 voter registrations in eight Georgia counties have been challenged, as well as the applications of 22,000 applicants for absentee ballots in Michigan. In Harris County, which includes Houston, election officials have received 116 affidavits challenging the eligibility of more than 6,000 voters, the Times reported.

McLennan County officials took the first challenge to the Texas Secretary of State John B. Scott, which Goldsmith said he does any time he has questions with legality about a procedure, and the county office conducted the review.

Although the accounts challenged did show some discrepancies between addresses found from postal records and voter registration documents, Goldsmith said more than 4,000 of the accounts under review were already in suspense status, meaning they could not vote until their registration issues are corrected.

A voters account can be flagged for suspense when the address on their voter registration is known to be incorrect, usually because mail sent from the elections office was returned as undeliverable or received no response. Someone might change residences and forget to update their voting registration information, which can put their voter registration on the suspense list.

Goldsmith said around 600 people who were not already suspended were added to the suspense list and were sent an address confirmation letter in an attempt to gain updated information. No action was taken for the 4,000 accounts who were already notified of their suspension.

We examined it and for those we could send out the address confirmation letters, we did  but that was it. Thats all we did, Goldsmith said.

As of Thursday, out of 153,496 registered voters in McLennan County, Goldsmith said 131,539 of them are active voters and 21,957 are in suspense, and those numbers are constantly fluctuating.

Voters on the suspense list arent penalized, and Goldsmith said they can still vote by updating their information before the elections registration deadline or by filling out a Statement of Residence at their polling location.

Goldsmith said the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 midterm election is Oct. 11, and theres still time for voters in suspense to confirm or update their address and vote normally.

When a suspended voter goes to cast a ballot, a poll worker will give them a Statement of Residence, Goldsmith said. He said when the voter fills out the form their address will be updated on their voter registration and as long as their new address is within the county, they can vote as normal.

However, a voter on the suspense list who has moved out of the county listed on their suspended voter registration is only able to cast a limited ballot consisting of elections that are common to both the expired and new addresses. A suspended voter who moved from Bell County to McLennan County, for example, would likely be able to vote in a statewide race, but not in county or municipal elections until they are removed from the suspense list, according to a report from TX Elects.

Goldsmith said a suspended voters registration is canceled if they dont correct their registration after two federal election cycles on the list, which could be anywhere from two to four years. He said the election office does take measures to reach out to suspended voters, and every voter in the county is sent an address confirmation letter every two years.

Goldsmith said he recommends for anyone who wants to know about their voter registration status to visit votetexas.gov where they can find out if their registration is suspended. He said mclennanvotes.com has local election information.
WASHINGTON  Iowa and five other Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration in an effort to halt its plan to forgive student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans, accusing it of overstepping its executive powers.

Its at least the second legal challenge this week to the sweeping proposal laid out by President Joe Biden in late August, when he said his administration would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt for huge numbers of borrowers. In Iowa, as many as 450,000 people could be affected by the news, according to Iowa College Aid, the states student financial aid agency.

The announcement, after months of internal deliberations and pressure from liberal activists, became immediate political fodder ahead of the November midterms while fueling arguments from conservatives about legality. The Biden administration sent an email to borrowers Thursday explaining how to prepare to apply for the program, which could begin as soon as next week.

In the lawsuit, being filed Thursday in a federal court in Missouri, the Republican states argue the plan is not remotely tailored to address the effects of the pandemic on federal student loan borrowers, as required by the 2003 federal law that the administration is using as legal justification. They point out that Biden, in an interview this month with CBS 60 Minutes, declared the COVID-19 pandemic over, yet still is using the ongoing health emergency to justify the wide-scale debt relief.

Its patently unfair to saddle hard-working Americans with the loan debt of those who chose to go to college, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who is leading the group, said in an interview.

In a statement, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds argued the wide-scale debt relief is fundamentally unfair to hard-working Americans to have their tax dollars used to forgive student loan debt of the well-off who can afford to pay their own loans.

A significant majority of Americans have already paid off their student loans or chose not to pursue a higher education degree at all, Reynolds said. By forcing them to pay for other peoples loans  regardless of income  President Bidens mass debt cancellation punishes these Americans and belittles the path they chose. This expensive, unlawful plan is an insult to working people and must be stopped.

Iowa has a Democratic attorney general, but Reynolds, a Republican, signed on to the lawsuit on the states behalf. Both Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Reynolds face re-election this year.

Miller, in a statement, said the governor has a statutory right to join such legal actions, and his office has a responsibility to assist.

Had (Reynolds) not made this request, our office would not have joined this lawsuit in any way, Miller said. As a policy matter, I believe student loan forgiveness will provide much needed relief to thousands of Iowans who have felt the enormous crush of student debt.

Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina also joined Arkansas in the lawsuit.

The suit argues that Missouris loan servicer is facing a number of ongoing financial harms because of Bidens decision to cancel loans. Other states that joined the lawsuit argue that Bidens forgiveness plan will ultimately disrupt revenue to state coffers.

The administration has long said it was confident the forgiveness program would survive court challenges.

Republican officials from these six states are standing with special interests, and fighting to stop relief for borrowers buried under mountains of debt, White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan said Thursday. The president and his administration are lawfully giving working and middle class families breathing room as they recover from the pandemic and prepare to resume loan payments in January. 

Bidens forgiveness program will cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

The average federal and private student loan debt in Iowa was $29,900 in 2021, Iowa College Aid reported, citing FRBNY Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data. That suggests the average Iowan with student loan debt would see some relief if long as their annual income qualifies.

The administration also said it would extend the current pause on federal student loan repayments  put on hold near the start of the pandemic more than two years ago  once more through the end of the year.

The administration faced threats of legal challenges to its plans almost immediately, with conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups asserting that Biden was overstepping his authority without the assent of Congress.

Democratic lawmakers battling in tough re-election contests also distanced themselves from the student loan plan, as Republican officials called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent.

In their lawsuit, the Republican attorneys general also contend that the forgiveness program violates the Administrative Procedures Act, which lays out how federal agencies should make regulations in order to ensure executive branch policies are well-reasoned and explained.

The president does not have the authority to put himself in the place of Congress, Rutledge said. These actions must be taken by Congress and he cant override that.

To justify the plans legality, the Biden administration is relying on a post-Sept. 11, 2001, law meant to help members of the military that the Justice Department says allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. But Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law because, in part, the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.

Another lawsuit against Bidens student loan program was filed this week in an Indiana federal court by the Pacific Legal Foundation, a libertarian legal advocacy group that employs a lawyer who says he would be harmed by the forgiveness plan. The lawyer, Frank Garrison, says erasing his current debt load will trigger a tax liability from the state of Indiana, which is among at least a half-dozen states where the forgiven loan

Republicans have also seized on the Biden plans price tag and its impact on the nations budget deficit. The Congressional Budget Office said this week that the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades. The White House countered that the CBOs estimate of how much the plan will cost just in its first year, $21 billion, is lower than what the administration initially believed.
WATERLOO  Hawkeye Community College is recovering after the pandemic lowered its enrollment numbers.

The number of students and credit hours have decreased since COVID-19 emerged in March 2020. Nina Grant, the colleges vice president of student affairs and institutional diversity, told the board of trustees earlier this week that it is seeing an increase in retention rates, though.

This fall there are 4,787 students. The bulk of those are studying arts and sciences, at 3,098, and the rest are studying career and technical courses, with 1,689 students. In the fall of both 2020 and 2021, there were just over 5,000 students attending Hawkeye.

Grant said the reason for the decrease is the ongoing pandemic and the economic turbulence caused by COVID-19.

The bulk of the students are returning students, at 2,419, increasing retention rates by 3%. There are 1,775 new students and 593 transfer students. Grant said there were more transfer students than last fall.

The average age of the students is 20 to 23 years old, 58% of whom are female. Students are taking nine to 12 credit hours on average. Grant said these are roughly the same numbers as last year.

Full time students make up 38% of enrollment, which is also the same as last year. Altogether, students are taking 42,700.5 total semester hour credits.

Grant said this has an estimated financial impact of $300,000. This is less than last year because she said more students are taking more credits and costs have increased.

With less students comes less diversity, Grant said. About 20% of the total enrollment are non-white students, which is a 3% decrease from last fall. There are about 6% less white students this year.

Almost all of Hawkeyes students are from Iowa, at 98%. Two percent of students are from out of state, or international. Fifty-three students are international students, and 36 of those students are athletes.

The college also saw an 8% decrease this fall in high school students, at 2,115. However, Grant said this is due to 2021 being an all-time high for high school enrollment.

Hawkeye is serving 28 different schools. The top three districts are Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Waverly-Shell Rock community schools.

Waterloo Schools and Hawkeye partner at the Waterloo Career Center, which involves 11 school districts and 379 students.

One thing to celebrate, Grant said, is the amount of students who completed financial aid. She saw 2,132 students complete the free application for federal student aid and there was a 4% increase in those who completed the FAFSA on their day of registration.

Numbers for classes in business and community education are bouncing back from last year, said Aaron Sauerbrei, the vice president of strategic partnerships and workforce education. Classes run all-year, from fiscal year to fiscal year. This fiscal year, there were 7,985 students.

Enrollment numbers peaked in 2019. The college lost about 2,000 students from 2019 to 2021, but gained back about 1,000 since last year. The largest numbers of students were in health and public services and transportation classes.

There were a total of 282,593 contact hours this year. The highest peak was in 2019, but the 2022 numbers are higher than they were in 2018.

Most students were from the ages of 15 to 44. Fifty-five percent of students were male and 45% were female.

There were more non-white students this year, at about 22%. Last year, the number was 19.5%. However, reporting ethnicity is not required when registering.

To increase enrollment, Grant said she is working on increasing the collaboration between academic and workforce education, seeking grant funds focused on supporting student success and retention and examining financial incentives for students who leave so they can return and complete their degree.
Dinosaurs are in the news these days, but its not just for groundbreaking discoveries.

More and more paleontologists are ringing alarm bells about high-profile auctions in which dinosaur fossils sell for outrageous sums. The most recent example involves a 77 million-year-old Gorgosaurus skeleton that Sothebys sold for over US$6 million in August 2022.

But thats not even close to the most anyone ever paid for a dinosaur. In May 2022, Christies sold a Deinonychus skeleton for $12.4 million. And a couple of months before that, Abu Dhabis Department of Culture and Tourism paid an eye-popping $31.8 million for Stan, a remarkably complete T. rex from South Dakotas Hell Creek Formation thats going to be the centerpiece of the Persian Gulf citys new natural history museum.

Some scientists are so dismayed they are speaking out. University of Edinburgh paleontologist Steve Brusatte told the Daily Mail that auction houses turn valuable specimens into little more than toys for the rich. Thomas Carr from Carthage College in Wisconsin was even more forthright, saying, Greed for money is what drives these auctions. He also complained that wealthy elites  including actors Nicholas Cage and Leonardo DiCaprio  are competing to acquire the best specimens in a game of juvenile one-upmanship, describing them as thieves of time.

Most commenters trace the booming market for dinosaurs back to Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex ever found. After the FBI confiscated it from the same group of fossil hunters who found Stan, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago acquired it  with financial backing from Disney and McDonalds  for over $8 million in 1997.

But as I document in my recent book, Assembling the Dinosaur, the commercial specimen trade is as old as the science of paleontology itself. And its history shows the debate over whether dinosaurs ought to be bought and sold involves much deeper questions about the long-standing but hotly contested relationship between science and capitalism.

Sotheby's sold a 77 million-year-old Gorgosaurus skeleton for over $6 million in July 2022. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Two sides of the debate

Paleontologists have good reason to oppose the commercial sale of valuable fossils. Science is fundamentally a community enterprise, and if specimens arent available for public examination, paleontologists have no way to assess whether new findings are true. What if a particularly outlandish theory is based on a fraudulent specimen?

This happens more often than youd think. In the late 1990s a private collector purchased what appeared to be a feathered dinosaur at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. National Geographic subsequently reported on it to great fanfare, claiming it was a missing link between dinosaurs and modern birds. When scientists grew suspicious, they found that the so-called Archaeoraptor fossil combined pieces of several distinct specimens to make a chimerical creature that never existed.

But commercial fossil hunters make a compelling point, too. Most fossils first come to light through the natural process of erosion. Eventually, however, erosion also destroys the specimen itself  and there simply arent enough scientists to find every fossil before it is lost. Hence, the argument goes, commercial collectors should be celebrated for saving specimens by digging them up.

Wealthy philanthropists distance themselves

Both sides of the argument make a compelling point. But as the fiasco around Archaeoraptor reveals, its worth asking whether financial incentives erode trust.

Dinosaurs first came to the attention of geologists during the 19th century. In fact, these gigantic lizards did not acquire their name until the comparative anatomist Richard Owen invented the biological category Dinosauria in 1842.

Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie had a dinosaur species, Diplodocus carnegii, named after him. Library of Congress

At that time, scientists did not treat dinosaurs any differently from other valuables that could be dug out of the ground, such as gold, silver and coal. Museums purchased most of their fossils from commercial collectors, often using funds donated by wealthy industrialists like Andrew Carnegie, who even had a dinosaur named after him: Diplodocus carnegii.

That started to change at the very end of the 19th century, when there was a concerted effort to decommodify dinosaur bones, and museums began to distance themselves from the commercial specimen trade.

One impetus came from museums wealthy benefactors, who sought to demarcate their charitable activities from the unsavory world of commerce. Philanthropists like Carnegie and J.P. Morgan gave money to cultural institutions because they wanted to signal their refined taste, their appreciation for learning and their republican virtues  not to enter into a business transaction.

Moreover, the first Gilded Age resembled the present in that it, too, saw a sharp increase in economic inequality. This led to widespread class conflict, which could be remarkably violent and bloody. Afraid that incendiary labor leaders would bring the industrial economy to its knees, wealthy elites began using public displays of conspicuous generosity to demonstrate that American capitalism could yield public goods in addition to profits.

For all these reasons, it was essential for their philanthropic activities to be seen as selfless acts of genuine altruism, utterly divorced from the cutthroat competition of the marketplace.

Scientists take control

At the same time, paleontologists embraced the language of pure science to claim they produced knowledge for its own sake  not financial gain.

By arguing that their work was free from the corrupting influence of money, scientists made themselves more trustworthy.

Ironically, scientists found they could attract more funds by claiming to be completely uninterested in money, fashioning themselves into ideal recipients for the philanthropic largesse of wealthy elites. But that further necessitated a clear demarcation between the the culture of capitalism and the practice of science, which entailed a reluctance to acquire specimens via purchase.

At the turn of the 20th century, museums started funding excavations to unearth dinosaur bones. Museum Wales

As scientists began shunning the commercial specimen trade, museums set about using the generous donations of wealthy philanthropists to mount increasingly ambitious expeditions that allowed scientists to collect fossils themselves.

Dinosaurs in the New Gilded Age

But their ability to control the private market for dinosaur bones did not last forever. With the United States in the middle of what some call a New Gilded Age, it has come roaring back.

Today, the most spectacular dinosaur fossils often hail from the Jehol formation of northeastern China. And more often than not, they are purchased from local farmers who supplement their incomes by hunting for fossils on the side.

As a result, the question of whether commercial incentives erode trust is back with a vengeance. Li Chun, a professor at Beijings prestigious Institute for Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, estimates that more than 80% of all marine reptiles on display in Chinese museums have been deceptively altered to some degree, often to increase their value.

The age-old worry about whether the profit motive threatens to undermine the values of science is real. But it is hardly unique to paleontology.

The spectacular implosion of Theranos, a tech startup that secured more than $700 million in venture capital based on false promises of having developed a better way to conduct blood tests, is just just a particularly high-profile example of commercial deceit paired with scientific misconduct. So much scientific research is now being paid for by people who have a commercial stake in the knowledge produced  and you can see the ramifications in everything from Exxons decision to hide its early research on climate change to Modernas recent move to begin enforcing its patent on the mRNA technology behind the most effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Is it any wonder that so many people have lost trust in science?

___

Lukas Rieppel has received funding from the National Science Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, among others.

___
No one disputes that the Navy shares blame for the loss of the USS Bonhomme Richard, the $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship that was consumed by flames in San Diego in July 2020 as it was undergoing maintenence
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A few hundred Cubans have taken to the streets in Havana demanding the restoration of electricity, protesting more than two days after a blackout hit the entire island following the passage of Hurricane Ian
After moving to America at age 46, Cuban artist Pedro Roque Urra took a job as a welder and then worked at a restaurant. But he never lost his love for art. Though Urra, now 62, initially struggled to adapt to his new surroundings, his focus on art helped him stay grounded. Now Urras creations are in private collections in Cuba, Japan, Mexico, the U.S. and several European countries. Here is his story.

Pedro Roque Urra: Resources are scarce for artists in Cuba, where Im from. But because its an island and we are socially and culturally isolated, I believe the level of originality in the arts can be striking.

My love for sculpture blossomed in my late 20s. I studied design and sculpture with two well-known artists in my hometown of Pinar del Rio, and Ive won several awards in Cuba for my artwork.

In 1998, my wife and I applied for the green card lottery to go to the United States. We were selected in 2006. I was already 46 years old, but we were ready to begin a new life. We immigrated to Louisville, Kentucky, with our two sons and struggled to adapt. We werent used to the cold, and my first job was tough. I worked as a welder at a factory while trying to learn English. Eventually I asked my boss if he would allow me to sculpt an iron wire bust during my free time. He was kind enough to open the workshop for me on weekends. The completed work was a 36-inch bust titled Eva  Spanish for Eve. I was trying to reflect the beauty of creation.

Roque Urra at his home workshop in Louisville, Kentucky. SAWYER ROQUE

Things got better when I found my current employment, busing tables at a Cuban restaurant named Havana Rumba. I go around with my cart, picking up plates and glasses. Meanwhile, a bust of Don Quixote that I sculpted is on display at the restaurant. When customers find out that I made it, they tell me I should devote myself to art full-time. Thats my lifelong dream.

When I make art, I never stop  I surrender entirely to the process of creation. One day I hope to create works that can be exhibited in public spaces. What I get from my art goes beyond the contemplation of beauty and aesthetic values. My goal is to make people pause for a minute and reflect. Where do we stand? How are we moving forward as a species? God willing, the time will come when I will spend every single day of my life creating new works of art.
Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo

Day 1: Iowa City

Begin exploring in Iowa City, the former state capital, with your attention focused on downtown. Your first stop: the golden-domed Old Capitol, which dates from 1842. When Iowa moved its capital to Des Moines in 1857, the neoclassical building was converted into a university, and its now a museum, with both guided and self-guided tours. The interior has been restored to look as it did when the building still functioned as the capitol; a highlight is its eye-catching reverse-spiral staircase  unusual because it ascends to the left (most ascend to the right).

After touring the Old Capitol, head to the nearby Prairie Lights bookstore, beloved for its three stories of books, its full calendar of readings and a coffee house that has hosted such noted authors as Robert Frost and Langston Hughes. Then head south on South Clinton Street to downtowns pedestrian mall. Break for lunch with a bowl of Singapore noodles or skewers of ginger-spiced beef at JiangHu Asian Street Food before spending the afternoon browsing your way through several blocks of quirky shops and boutiques. Dont miss the Record Collector, overflowing with vintage vinyl and music posters.

As you stroll, youll notice vividly painted public benches and at least a dozen striking murals. Theyre part of Iowa Citys extensive public art project, which also includes sculptures and mosaics. The city publishes an interactive guide to them online.

Come evening, dont miss Sprites, an interactive light installation that spans a pedestrian alley with beams of colored light that pulse in response to movement, sound and even temperature.

Where to stay: Settle into a 1913 mansion at the Brown Street Inn, a budget-friendly property just north of downtown in a leafy historic district. Its four rooms have been elegantly restored, but theyre all on the second floor, and theres no elevator. For the mobility impaired, a better downtown option at a similar price is the 56-room Hotel Vetro, with wheelchair-accessible rooms that have tactile signs and Braille signage.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  With Election Day less than six weeks away, Republican Mark Ronchetti continues to hammer away at Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams record on crime.

In a recently launched TV ad, Ronchetti criticized a Lujan Grisham executive order from April 2020 that, over two-plus years, authorized more than 700 inmates to be released early from prison due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provided they met specific criteria that included being scheduled for release within the next 30 days.

A spokeswoman for the Democratic governor said the executive order was rescinded this week  just days after the attack ad began airing.

Specifically, Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett said the order was one of several pandemic-related executive orders that was rescinded after a review. She said the decision was not related to Ronchettis criticism.

In his ad, Ronchetti said one target in a recent high-profile FBI drug raid in Albuquerque, Omar Manzanilla, had been among those released under the order and cited a confidential informants remarks to agents that those arrested were in New Mexico because of the states weak criminal penalties.

No wonder criminals choose New Mexico, a narrator says during the 30-second TV ad.

But Corrections Department records obtained by the Journal show Manzanilla was released from Roswell Correctional Center just two days before his scheduled release date in June 2020.

An agency spokeswoman said Manzanilla was one of 708 people released under the governors order. Of those 708 individuals, Corrections Department spokeswoman Carmelina Hart said nine of them violated conditions of release between their release and original projected release date. Court records show Manzanilla was not one of them.

However, an arrest warrant was issued for him on July 27, 2020, after he failed to contact his probation officer, according to court records. The officer wrote Manzanillas current whereabouts at this time are unknown.

Due to the sequence of events, Lujan Grisham campaign spokeswoman Delaney Corcoran said Ronchettis criticism was misguided at best, suggesting the governors executive order played no role in Manzanillas actions after being released from prison.

This is yet another blatant lie from Mark Ronchettis desperate campaign, Corcoran told the Journal. The case in question involved a person that the Corrections Department recommended be released 48 hours earlier than scheduled. It has absolutely nothing to do with what happened years later.

However, the Ronchetti campaign has stood by its criticisms and accused the incumbent governor of failing to keep New Mexicans safe.

A Ronchetti campaign spokesman said Thursday that Manzanilla was a notorious gang member who has been arrested more than 20 times and should not have been eligible for parole  or early release.

He doesnt exactly fit the model of a good neighbor that the governor claimed was the basis for these early releases, Ronchetti campaign spokesman Ryan Sabel said.

Ronchetti was also endorsed this week by two law enforcement unions, the New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police and the Albuquerque Police Officers Association.

Its not fun to be a police officer any more, Shaun Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, said during a meeting with Ronchetti that was broadcast online.

He also said the stakes of this years election cycle are big, adding, The fight for the soul of New Mexico is upon us.

Political fallout of early release impacts race for governor

The governors executive order allowing certain inmates to be released early from prison was issued shortly before the New Mexico Law Office of the Public Defender and other groups filed a petition with the state Supreme Court seeking a broad release of prisoners at heightened risk from COVID-19.

While that court case was ultimately unsuccessful, the political fallout from the order has emerged as an issue during this years race for governor.

Ronchetti, who has also accused Lujan Grisham of appointing soft on crime judges and supporting legislation making it more difficult for law enforcement officers to do their jobs, has highlighted the case of Manzanilla in his criticism of the governors order.

After being released early in June 2020 under Lujan Grishams executive order and failing to comply with the terms of his probation, Manzanilla was arrested in Valencia County on Sept. 21, 2020, on several felony charges after allegedly stealing a car, threatening a man with a gun and leading police on a chase, according to court records.

He was released on $10,000 bond in November 2020 but taken into the custody of the Corrections Department.

Manzanilla was eventually released to probation again on July 15, 2021, and a warrant was issued within a week when he once again failed to contact his probation officer, according to court records. A second arrest warrant was issued for Manzanilla on Sept. 24, 2021, after he failed to show up for court in the Valencia County case.

Manzanilla was a wanted man when federal search warrants unsealed in early September named him as one of numerous targets in a gang- and drug-related investigation. The associated search of a home in the South Valley netted $2 million in bulk cash, 1 million fentanyl pills  the biggest seizure in FBI history  along with 142 pounds of meth and dozens of guns.

Five people were arrested, but Manzanilla was not one of them, according to federal court records, and he has not been charged with any crimes federally.

Manzanillas attorney did not immediately respond to Journal questions.

Ronchetti says he would stiffen criminal penalties

Ronchettis ad also points out New Mexicos prison population has declined by 20% since Lujan Grisham took office in 2019, even as violent crime rates have increased during that same time period.

Those statements are true, though the states increase in violent crime actually began in 2014  during the administration of Republican ex-Gov. Susana Martinez.

In addition, property crime rates in Albuquerque and other parts of the state have decreased in recent years, according to Legislative Finance Committee data.

Lujan Grisham, for her part, has claimed she has improved public safety during her first term as governor by signing legislation to increase some criminal penalties and boost funding for police officers, among other actions.

But her Republican opponent in the Nov. 8 general election has questioned the sincerity of Lujan Grishams push to change New Mexicos pretrial detention system that was overhauled after approval of a 2016 bail reform constitutional amendment.

The Democratic-controlled Legislature this year rejected a proposal backed by Lujan Grisham that would have made it easier to keep defendants accused of certain violent crimes in jail pending trial.

If elected, Ronchetti has said he would push for legislation that would stiffen criminal penalties. He also vowed this week to expand New Mexicos rarely used three strikes law for violent criminal offenders.

While some of his proposals could encounter opposition from lawmakers, Ronchetti has said he would launch a statewide publicity campaign to build legislative support for his initiatives.

The reality of the situation is our crime problem is not bad luck, its bad policy, Ronchetti said.
KYIV, Ukraine  Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to illegally annex more occupied Ukrainian territory in a sharp escalation of his war. Ukraines president countered with a surprise application to join the NATO military alliance.

Putins land-grab and President Volodymyr Zelenskyys signing of what he said is an accelerated NATO membership application sent the two leaders speeding faster on a collision course that is cranking up fears of a full-blown conflict between Russia and the West.

Putin vowed to protect newly annexed regions of Ukraine by all available means, a renewed nuclear-backed threat he made at a Kremlin signing ceremony where he also railed furiously against the West, accusing the United States and its allies of seeking Russias destruction.

Zelenskyy then held his own signing ceremony in Kyiv, releasing video of him putting pen to papers he said were a formal NATO membership request.

Putin has repeatedly made clear that any prospect of Ukraine joining the military alliance is one of his red lines and cited it as a justification for his invasion, now in its eighth month, in Europes biggest land war since World War II.

In his speech, Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for peace talks but insisted he wont discuss handing back occupied regions. Zelenskyy said thered be no negotiations with Putin.

We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but  with another president of Russia, the Ukrainian leader said.

At his signing ceremony in the Kremlins ornate St. Georges Hall, Putin accused the West of fueling the hostilities to turn Russia into a colony and a crowd of soulless slaves. The hardening of his position, in the conflict that has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people, further raised tensions already at levels unseen since the Cold War.

Global leaders, including those from the Group of Seven leading economies, responded with an avalanche of condemnation. The U.S. and the U.K. announced more sanctions.

U.S. President Joe Biden said of Putins annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions: Make no mistake: These actions have no legitimacy.

America and its allies are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless words and threats, Biden added, noting that the Russian leader cant seize his neighbors territory and get away with it.

The European Union said its 27 member states will never recognize the illegal referendums that Russia organized as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution Friday that would have condemned the referendums, declared that they have no validity and urged all countries not to recognize the annexation. China, India, Brazil and Gabon abstained on the vote in the 15-member council.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called it the largest attempted annexation of European territory by force since the Second World War.

The war is at a pivotal moment, he said, and Putins decision to annex more territory  Russia now claims sovereignty over 15% of Ukraine  marks the most serious escalation since the start of the war. Stoltenberg was noncommittal on Zelenskyys fast-track NATO application, saying alliance leaders support Ukraines right to choose its own path, to decide what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council, said Zelenskyys move toward the military alliance amounts to begging NATO to accelerate the start of World War III.

Zelenskyy vowed to keep fighting, defying Putins warnings that Kyiv shouldnt try to recapture what it has lost.

The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy, he said. Russia already knows this. It feels our power.

The immediate ramifications of the accelerated NATO application werent clear, since approval requires members unanimous support. The supply of Western weapons to Ukraine has, however, already put it closer to the alliances orbit.

De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards, Zelenskyy said. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other.

The Kremlin ceremony came three days after the completion in the occupied regions of Moscow-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that Kyiv and the West dismissed as a blatant land grab held at gunpoint and based on lies. In his fiery speech, Putin insisted Ukraine treat the votes with respect.

As the ceremony concluded, the Moscow-installed leaders of the occupied regions gathered around Putin, linked hands and chanted Russia! Russia! with the audience.

Putin cut an angry figure as he accused the United States and its allies of seeking to destroy Russia. He said the West acted as a parasite and used its financial and technological strength to rob the entire world.

He portrayed Russia as pursuing a historical mission to reclaim its post-Soviet great power status and counter Western domination he said is collapsing.

History has called us to a battlefield to fight for our people, for the grand historic Russia, for future generations, he said.

Moscow has backed eastern Ukraines separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions since they declared independence in 2014, weeks after Russias annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. Russia captured the southern Kherson region and part of neighboring Zaporizhzhia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubber-stamp the annexation treaties, sending them to Putin for final approval.

The orchestrated process went into a celebratory phase Friday night, with thousands gathered in Red Square for a concert and rally that Putin joined. Many waved Russian flags as entertainers from Russia and occupied parts of Ukraine performed patriotic songs. Russian media reported employees of state-run companies and institutions were told to attend, and students were allowed to skip classes.

Putins land grab and a partial troop mobilization were attempts to avoid more battlefield defeats that could threaten his 22-year rule. By formalizing Russias gains, he seemingly hopes to scare Ukraine and its Western backers by threatening to escalate the conflict unless they back down  which they show no signs of doing.

Russia controls most of the Luhansk and Kherson regions, about 60% of the Donetsk region and a large chunk of the Zaporizhzhia region, where it seized Europes largest nuclear power plant.

But the Kremlin is on the verge of another stinging military loss, with reports of the imminent Ukrainian encirclement of the eastern city of Lyman. Retaking it could open the path for Ukraine to push deep into Luhansk, one of the annexed regions.

It looks quite pathetic. Ukrainians are doing something, taking steps in the real material world, while the Kremlin is building some kind of a virtual reality, incapable of responding in the real world, former Kremlin speechwriter-turned-analyst Abbas Gallyamov said, adding that the Kremlin cannot offer anything omforting to the Russians.

Russia pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets and suicide drones in Moscows heaviest barrage in weeks, with one strike in the Zaporizhzhia regions capital killing 30 and wounding 88.

In the Zaporizhzhia attack, anti-aircraft missiles that Russia has repurposed as ground-attack weapons rained down on people waiting in cars to cross into Russian-occupied territory so they could bring family members back across front lines, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraines presidential office.

Russian-installed officials in Zaporizhzhia blamed Ukrainian forces, but gave no evidence.

The strike left deep craters and sent shrapnel tearing into the humanitarian convoy, killing passengers. Nearby buildings were demolished. Bodies were later covered with trash bags, blankets and, for one victim, a blood-soaked towel.

A Ukrainian counteroffensive has deprived Moscow of battlefield mastery. Its hold on the Luhansk region appears increasingly shaky, as Ukrainian forces make inroads with the pincer assault on Lyman, a key node for Russian military operations in the Donbas and a sought-after prize. The Russian-backed separatist leader of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said Ukrainian forces have half-encircled Lyman. Ukraine maintains a large foothold in the neighboring Donetsk region.

Russian strikes were also reported in the city of Dnipro. Regional Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said at least three people were killed and five were wounded.

Ukraines air force said the southern cities of Mykolaiv and Odesa were targeted with Iranian-supplied suicide drones that Russia has increasingly deployed.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
COPENHAGEN, Denmark  The explosions that rocked natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea ahead of huge methane leaks probably corresponded to an explosive load of several hundred kilos (pounds), Denmark and Sweden wrote Friday in a letter to the United Nations.

Norwegian researchers published a map Friday projecting a huge plume of methane released by the damaged Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines will travel over large swaths of the Nordic region.

Moscow has requested an emergency meeting at the U.N. Security Council to discuss the pipelines and called for a thorough international probe to assess the damage to the pipelines, which carry natural gas from Russia to Europe. Russia says it looks like a terror attack, probably conducted on a state level.

The suspected sabotage this week on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines have produced two methane leaks off Sweden, including a large one above North Stream 1 and a smaller one above North Stream 2, and two leaks off Denmark.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Norwegian researchers published a map Friday projecting a huge plume of methane released by the damaged Nord Stream pipelines will travel over large swaths of the Nordic region.

The map released by the Norwegian Institute of Air Research shows the expected path the planet-heating gas is likely to take following leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines.

We assume the wind on the leak area blew the methane emissions north until the Finnish archipelago, then bends toward Sweden and Norway, Stephen Platt, a professor with the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, said.

The independent institution is part of the Integrated Carbon Observation System, a European research alliance, which said s was confirmed by ICOS ground-based observations from several stations in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. the enormous amount of methane gas emission

These methane levels arent dangerous to public health but the gas is a potential source of global warming.

Following the suspected sabotage this week of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that carry Russian natural gas to Europe, there were two leaks off Sweden, including a large one above North Stream 1, and a smaller one above North Stream 2, and two leaks off Denmark.

The North Stream 2 leak has diminished, but is still on-going, the Swedish coast guard said. However, navigational warnings for ships were slightly increased to 7 nautical miles (13 kilometers or 8 miles) from 5 nautical miles from the incident areas, the coast guard said in a statement.

The Danish and Swedish governments have described the ruptures as the result of deliberate actions.

Russia also has said the leaks resulted from deliberate acts, saying it looks like a terror attack, probably conducted on a state level.

Moscow requested an emergency meeting at the U.N. Security Council to discuss the pipelines and called for a thorough international probe to assess the damage to the pipelines. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a study would only be possible once gas stops leaking from them.

Nordic seismologists recorded explosions preceding the leaks. A first explosion was recorded early Monday southeast of the Danish island of Bornholm. A second, stronger blast northeast of the island that night was equivalent to a magnitude-2.3 earthquake.

NATO warned Thursday it would retaliate for any attacks on the critical infrastructure of its 30 member countries and joined other Western officials in citing sabotage as the likely cause of damage to the natural gas pipelines. Denmark is a NATO member and Sweden is in the process of joining the military alliance.

The first leaks in the pipelines that extend from Russia to Germany were reported on Tuesday, prompting energy companies and European governments to beef up security.

Energy infrastructure security has increased across the Nordic region.

The fear of further damage to Europes energy infrastructure has added pressure on natural gas prices, which had already been soaring. Russia, a major supplier to Europe, cut off deliveries earlier this year in retaliation for sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. That has caused widespread economic pain across the continent.

Authorities in Norway, a major oil and gas producer, have reported at least six incidents of drone sightings near offshore installations in the North Sea. It prompted the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway  the Scandinavian countrys oil safety regulator  on Monday to urge increased vigilance by all operators and vessel owners. On Wednesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said that there was no concrete threat against Norwegian oil and gas off-shore installations.

Danish daily newspaper Ekstra Bladet said a drone was spotted Wednesday near a Danish offshore oil and gas installation in the North Sea.

Sweden stepped up security around its three nuclear power plants.

Swedens public power transmission network operator Svenska kraftnat, said that it doesnt not yet know if an undersea power cable that runs between southern Sweden and Poland was damaged when the Nord Stream gas pipelines some 500 meters (547 yards) away ruptured from what Western and Russian officials both claimed was intentional tampering.

Since the cable is not in service, it cant be determined if the cable is damaged in some way, Per Kvarnefalk, a spokesman for Svenska kraftnat, said late Thursday. We will therefore perform tests on the cable using special measurement equipment early next week with the aim to determine if the cable is fully functional.

Svenska kraftnat partly owns the more than 250-kilometer-long high-voltage cable that transmits electricity through the Baltic Sea.
PHOENIX  Authorities say three men in Phoenix suffered burns, one severely, after they filled plastic bags with gasoline and the bags ignited.

Phoenix police said Thursday a man in his 40s remains hospitalized in extremely critical condition with serious burns. The other two were treated without hospitalization.

Investigators determined the mans car had run out of gas. He asked the other two men to drive to a gas station in another car and bring back gas. The men filled several heavy-duty plastic grocery bags with fuel.

They picked up him up from his home and headed over to his disabled car. But the bags ignited on the way, starting a fire while they were all still in the car.

Police say the man who owns the car that caught on fire initially lied and said an unknown assailant stole his car after burning him. But investigators said there were inconsistencies in his story.

No arrests have been made but the investigation is ongoing. It was not immediately known what caused the bags to ignite.

Phoenix Police is investigating an incident where a man received serious burns and two others were injured while inside a vehicle.
WASHINGTON  The United States and its allies hit back at Russias annexation of four Ukrainian regions on Friday, slapping sanctions on more than 1,000 people and companies including arms supply networks as President Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin he cant get away with seizing Ukrainian land.

The Russian annexation, though expected, escalated an already heated conflict thats become fraught with potential nuclear implications.

Biden said his administration would support any effort by Ukraine to retake the annexed territories by force, setting the stage for further hostilities. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his country would make an accelerated bid to join the NATO military alliance, a plan not endorsed by the U.S. or other allies that could add fuel to the fire.

America and its allies are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless words and threats, Biden told reporters. He added that Putin cant seize his neighbors territory and get away with it.

Russian President Vladimir Putins announcement that Russia is incorporating four Ukrainian cities and areas was not unexpected following referendums this week that the West had denounced as shams. And the U.S. and Western allies had previewed what their reaction would be.

But the developments dramatically increased tensions to a point not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago during the Cold War.

Biden had spoken out against the annexation plans last week at the U.N. General Assembly, where a vast majority of other members also voiced support for respecting the territorial integrity of all nations On Friday, he used the moment to reiterate that the U.S. and NATO allies would not allow Russia to attack any of the nearby NATO members without facing a strong military response.

America is fully prepared, prepared with our NATO allies to defend every single inch of NATO territory. Every single inch, Biden said. And so, Mr. Putin, dont misunderstand what Im saying. Every inch.

While the Biden administration has identified the suppliers of Russias weapons and battlefield high-tech as a priority, many of Fridays other sanctions were in line with penalties already enacted on thousands of Russian individuals and companies, and may have comparatively little impact on the war effort. The administration hopes they will serve to further undermine support for Putins invasion among Russias elite.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and its European allies are rushing to complete agreement on a measure they hope will do more to damage Russias economy: a cap on Russias maritime oil exports that would undermine the prices Putin can demand for his countrys oil globally.

For now, Biden said the new U.S. financial penalties, similar to those coming from like-minded countries, will impose severe costs on people and companies that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory. The sanctions will apply to countries, people or firms that support or do business with Russia-backed authorities in the newly annexed areas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, echoing Biden, said the U.S. unequivocally rejects Russias fraudulent attempt to change Ukraines internationally recognized borders.  This is a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

No one is fooled by what Moscow has done, Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with Canadas visiting foreign minister. The entire process around these sham referenda was a complete farce. This territory is and will remain Ukraine, and Ukraine has every right to defend its land, to defend its people and to take back the territory that Russia has seized from it.

This suggests the U.S. will support the Ukrainians with weapons and ammunition to help them with military action to retake the annexed areas. The U.S. has warned Ukraine in the past not to use American weapons against Russian territory.

Blinken also spoke out against Putins nuclear threats..

This kind of loose talk about nuclear weapons is the height of irresponsibility, and its something that we take very seriously, he said. To date he said, the U.S. has not seen that Russia is actually doing anything that suggests they are contemplating the use of nuclear weapons.

I can just tell you that we plan against every possible scenario, including this one.

Biden also pushed back against Putins comments on Friday in which he accused the West of sabotaging Russia-built natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea to Germany. Nordic nations said the undersea blasts that damaged the pipelines this week and have led to huge methane leaks involved several hundred pounds of explosives.

The president said the U.S. and allies are still working to determine who was responsible for the blasts, but excoriated Putin over his accusation.

Let me say this, it was a deliberate act of sabotage, Biden said. And now the Russians are pumping out disinformation and lies.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that not many countries have the ability to carry out such an attack on the pipelines. He stopped short of charging Russia was responsible but made clear the U.S. is suspicious that they may be complicit.

Russia has done what it frequently does when it is responsible for something, which is make accusations that it was really someone else who did it, Sullivan said. Weve seen this repeatedly over time.

As for a broader guarantee of protection, Ukraine has sought NATO membership for years but has not yet been admitted due to concerns about its domestic governance. As a result of Russias invasion, Finland and Sweden have applied for fast-track admission into the alliance.

The White House said Sullivan had spoken with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to highlight the U.S. and NATOs firm commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

But the Biden administration isnt embracing Zelenskyys push for an accelerated path to NATO membership. Sullivan said the U.S. was focused on supporting Ukraine through practical on the ground support. He added that the process in Brussels should be taken up at a different time.

Earlier, following Putins announcement, the White House along with the State, Treasury and Commerce departments had announced the new sanctions in a series of coordinated statements. The sanctions expand on what have been escalating penalties against Russia and its proxies since the invasion began on Feb. 24.

Treasury designated hundreds of members of Russias parliament, leaders of the countrys financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations that include asset freezes and bans on Americans doing business with them. The Commerce Department added 57 companies to its list of export control violators, and the State Department added more than 900 people to its visa ban list, making them ineligible for travel to the United States.

Since the start of the invasion, the U.S. and European nations have imposed significant financial penalties on Russia, its leadership and wealthy oligarchs tied to Putin. The allies have gone after the central bank reserves that underpin the Russian economy and have severed many Russian banks from a vital global financial network called SWIFT.

The war is having a devastating impact on the global economy and has contributed to massive disruptions to supplies of energy and food throughout the world. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development this week said the global economy is set to lose $2.8 trillion in output in 2023 because of the conflict.

Putin appears undeterred. He warned that Russia would never give up the absorbed regions the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and would protect them as part of its sovereign territory.

Both houses of the Russian parliament will meet next week to approve the treaties for the regions to join Russia.

___

Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer and Zeke Miller contributed reporting.
Homicide detectives are investigating after a person was apparently shot to death along East Central Friday afternoon.

Rebecca Atkins, an Albuquerque Police Department spokeswoman, said around 2 p.m. officers were called to the area of Wyoming and Central for reports of a shooting.

When they arrived, one individual was located deceased, Atkins wrote in an email.

She did not immediately know if the person was male or female or have any other information about the incident.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Prescribed burns are an important tool for preventing wildfires.

But overgrown forests and a changing climate demand new strategies for using the tool, New Mexico fire experts told state lawmakers at Thursdays Water and Natural Resources Committee meeting in Espanola.

State Forester Laura McCarthy said this fire season was an example of the exceptional starting to become normal.

New Mexico had nearly 40 red flag days in April and May. Hot, dry, windy weather fueled explosive fire growth.

When we get into one of those years, we need to be extremely careful with prescribed burning, McCarthy said. As temperatures rise, fire behavior changes.

Planned burns are under intense scrutiny this year after two U.S. Forest Service burns escaped to become the largest wildfire in New Mexico history. The Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burned across more than 340,000 acres, destroying at least 340 homes.

After a 90-day nationwide burn pause, the Forest Service made several changes to the prescribed fire program.

Burn crews must now use updated weather data and have more detailed plans for what could happen if the project goes wrong.

Rep. Kristina Ortez said she heard from northern New Mexico residents who want to eliminate prescribed burns after the devastation.

I understand that, the Taos Democrat said. But I also believe that it is a tool that we must keep sharpened by using data so that we can continue to manage our forests.

Prescribed burns have helped reduce the severity of several wildfires, including the Midnight Fire near El Rito, this year and the 2020 Medio Fire near the Santa Fe Ski Area.

Rep. James Strickler, R-Farmington, recalled a legislative trip to the Little Bear Fire burn scar near Ruidoso.

The 2012 fire slowed when it reached areas that were thinned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

(Fire) is certainly an important tool, but thinning the forest is, as well, Strickler said.  The timber industry has got to be part of this.

The Forest Stewards Guild helps train and assist with thinning and burn projects.

Eytan Krasilovsky, the groups deputy director, spoke of the need to boost a rural forestry workforce to restore ecosystems that are ecologically out of whack.

Our fire-adapted ecosystems need fire at different times and in different ways to be healthy, he said. That expands to our watersheds, as well.
Like many places in New Mexico, the story of Chilili reaches back to a time before Europeans traveled here.

The current community gives its allegiance to the history of Mexican land grantees but acknowledges its earliest known American Indian residents. Its name is not to be confused with another small town in northern New Mexico called Chili, or the delicious condiment we put on all of our food or what the weather becomes once the Balloon Fiesta arrives.

According to the 2020 Census, Chilili has a population of 126 people with 44 households. Of those, 108 identify as Latino or Hispanic. The Bernalillo County settlement is located on New Mexico 337, 20 miles south of Tijeras in the foothills of the Manzano Mountains. Its one of the oldest recorded place names in New Mexico, according to Robert Julyan in his book The Place Names of New Mexico.

According to Julyan, Capt. Francisco Sanchez, known as El Chamuscado, visited the area that would eventually become New Mexico in 1581, and made note of an inhabited Indian pueblo located near Arroyo de Chilili. Spanish conquistador Juan de Onate would follow 17 years later and record the name of Chiu Alle. Most believe it was a pueblo of the Tiwa people. Apache raids led to the abandonment of the settlement between 1669 and 1676.

It would be nearly 200 years before another community took its place.

According to Julyan, the current community began settling the area in 1841. The Chilili Land Grant was created that same year when the governor of the province granted land to 31 families living there.

More than a 100 years later, Chilili would join the Chicano Movement, a political awakening for those of Mexican American descent that was sweeping the United States in the 1970s. Mexican-Americans embraced their heritage while fighting for the rights of farm workers, pursuing higher education and mobilizing voting and political efforts for their communities. They also fought for the restoration of land grants given to their ancestors by the Mexican government before it ceded western and southwestern portions of the country to the U.S. following the end of the Mexican-American War and the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

Meanwhile, the villagers formed El Comite para Reformar y Preservar Las Tierras de la Merced de Chilili in 1973 to win back control of their land grant from the Chilili Cooperative Association Inc. The land fell to control of the state in the 1930s due to unpaid property tax. The cooperative was formed in the early 1940s and recovered the land from the state, over a period of decades, by paying those delinquent taxes.

The co-op planned to sell 5,100 acres of common land within the 41,000-acre grant boundaries to a group of investors from Alaska for $1.2 million. The co-op supported the sale but it enraged many of the grant families.

A May 26, 1976 Albuquerque Tribune story quoted Ray Ortiz, a spokesman for the Chilili heirs, as saying The only way you can sell is by eliminating every man, woman and child in Chilili.

Land grant heirs became vigilante during this time.

A 1976 pamphlet with the title Tierra Y Libertad: The Fight for the Chicano Nation provides a glimpse of the political and cultural battle lines drawn.

According to the pamphlet, on Sept. 1, 1976, more than 30 Chicano villagers showed up armed to block and halt the road an Anglo developer was trying to install on his property, fearing it would destroy their community. According to the pamphlet, it would have opened up the area for more development, more tourists, more rich people moving in and eventually leading to the destruction of the traditional way of life of the Chicano people of Chilili and the destruction of the village itself.

A Dec. 10, 1976 newspaper clipping from the Albuquerque Journal outlines another dispute land heirs had with a local utility company installing a power line.

El Comite, acting in the interests of the majority of the heirs and villagers of Chilili, will not tolerate the construction of your line on our grant, they wrote in a letter to the utility company. If by the morning of Dec. 23, 1976, you have not removed the posts, the villagers, supporters, and sympathizers will tear them down. This is a final notice.

The power company responded and said it was not installing a new line but instead moving one that had already been in place. The spokesman said the company would remove the lines but it would leave 50 people without electricity.

Things eventually settled down and little development has happened in the subsequent years. Chilili even has its own flag now. Signs in the area bearing phrases such as no land sales, La Merced del Pueblo of Chilili is a sovereign self-governing entity, and Respect what we love, leave no doubt about the fierce protectiveness the people of the community still feel about their land and their way of life.

Curious about how a town, street or building got its name? Email columnist Elaine Briseno at ebriseno@abqjournal.com as she continues the monthly journey in Whats in a Name?
We have come to accept drone warfare as almost ordinary.

In George Brants play Grounded, an F-16 fighter pilot is reassigned to the Air Forces drone program, piloting a remote-controlled Reaper in the Middle East from an air-conditioned trailer outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Confronted with the challenge of fighting a war by day and being a wife and mother by night, she struggles to compartmentalize her existence as her two realities become increasingly permeable.

Fusion Theatre Company is staging Grounded beginning on Friday, Oct. 7, at The Cell Theatre. The play runs on weekends through Oct. 16. Grounded stars Jen Grigg.

In 1993, the U.S. Armed Forces lifted the Combat Exclusion Policy, sending the first female fighter pilots into direct combat during the Iraq war. Brants one-woman play profiles one trailblazing aviator and the impacts of war and changing technologies.

There was a lot of trepidation, there was a lot of pushback from the men, director Laurie Thomas said. There was a lot of whether women could balance a home life with the trauma.

New Yorks Public Theatre produced the play with director Julie Taymor, starring Anne Hathaway in 2015. Critics noted how aviation was quickly turning into unmanned technology  how drone wars would supplant the pilot.

The career of Brants ace pilot crumbles early due to an unexpected pregnancy. She hunts terrorists by day and returns to her family each night. As the pressure to track a high-profile target mounts, the boundaries begin to blur between the desert in which she lives and the one she patrols half a world away.

With the situation in Ukraine, the dependence on drones has been paramount, Thomas said. So there is a resonance today.

The play also explores gender identity and gender issues.

Its a very deep and three-dimensional profile, Thomas said. That also includes humor and lightness because thats part of life. You have to find some lightness and humor to navigate this.

Its about beauty and its about freedom and its about a sense of exhilaration. Of course, the military is the way into it. Its a wonderful piece to reflect upon whats going on globally.
The border landscape is a cauldron where political divisiveness and humanitarian turmoil converge.

The U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration Customs Enforcement monitor the area as a militarized zone, imprisoning countless asylum seekers in internment camps.

Open at 516 ARTS, When the Dogs Stop Barking exhibits the work of five artists exploring this humanitarian crisis spanning 1,954 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.

Makaye Lewis (Tohono Oodham) print Roxy Didnt Even Bark inspired the exhibitions title. Lewis lives within 60 miles of the border in Arizona on tribal land. Her dog Roxy never barks as the migrants pass by because she knows they are harmless. She does bark at law enforcement, who regularly interrogate Lewis even though she is a dual citizen of both her tribe and the U.S.

Her people have been her for thousands of years, yet she gets profiled,  said Rachelle Pablo, 516 curator. Her work highlights the humane versus the inhumane.

Lewis 2019 linoprint Another Night at Home reveals the constant whirling of helicopters creating a militarized zone.

Born in Luis Moya, Zacatecas, Mexico, Juana Estrada Hernandez moved to the U.S. when she was 7 years old. A Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, Estrada Hernandez uses her experience to expose the way the border transfigures humans into a negative identity through her printmaking and drawing. Her lithograph from her Nuestra Historia Series 2019 reveals the choices some migrants must make between carrying a bottle of water or a loaf of bread when crossing a unforgiving terrain spiked by blistering heat and barbed wire.

Detail of "Ice Thugs" by Yvette Serrano. (Courtesy of 516 Arts) "Another Night at Home" by Makaye Lewis (Tohono O'odham). (Courtesy of 516 Arts) "Nuestra Historia Series," Juana Estrada Hernandez. (Courtesy of 516 Arts) "NA. MUH Cargo Co." by Joshua W. Wells. (Courtesy of 516 Arts) Prev 1 of 4 Next

Yvette Serrano of Phoenix created Ice Thugs based on the official shooting target for the Department of Homeland Security. Serrano reimagined it in an engraved cast mirror as an object for self-reflection for ICE agents and as a symbol of protest.

The visitors are going to see themselves, Pablo said. Its a response to racial profiling and stigma.

Santa Fe sculptor Joshua Wells created a miniature cargo container in his 2022 NA. MUH Cargo Co. He was inspired by news stories of migrants who die after being stuffed into cargo containers. Spelled backwards, the title reads human.

Haley Greenfeather Englishs (Red Lake/Turtle Mountain-Ojibwe/Irish) painting #NM 2 Tru was inspired by the #FreeThemAll billboard she made for the Fronteristxs collective, who are working to end migrant detention. English uses whimsical graphics and brash, vibrant colors to explore the oddity, humor and contradictory aspects of humanity.
Migration is as natural as hummingbirds flying south for the winter.

Migratory pairs the migration of plants and animals with human movement for survival.

Developed by Mexico City artist Minerva Cuevas, the exhibition spans the networks and creative environments between Ciudad Juarez and El Paso.

Cuevas asked multiple artists to submit their work, creating a mural, prints, video, glass and the book The Migratory Yellow Pages/La Seccion Amarilla de la Migracion in the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts at the University of Texas at El Paso. Filled with contributions from local and international visual artists, writers and organizations, the book provides information for migrants to have a welcoming journey.

The show runs at 516 ARTS through Dec. 31.

She decided to focus on migration in a very broad way, said Kerry Doyle, Rubin Center director and curator, in a telephone interview from El Paso. She did a number of interviews with people and she invited them to create works that talk about the migration process.

The contributors include artists as well as botanists and environmentalists.

Cuevas digital image Migration is Natural, tangled with fronds and foliage, serves as both a logo and poster for the show, Doyle said.

All species migrate for their survival, she said.

The instantly recognizable baby skunk Flower from Bambi symbolizes the text Yes it could even happen to you, Cuevas 2022 mural.

That stimulus could stem from politics or climate change.

The line is from Bambi,  Doyle said. Everybody in Mexico recognizes this simplified Disney style.

Paul Mirocha of Tucson, Arizona drew a migration map showing paths swirling across the globe.

He was one of the scores of artists that contributed to the Migratory Yellow Pages,  Doyle said.

Denvers Mikala Aragon Sterling drew cartoon animals using inkjet print on paper  bighorn sheep, antelope and owls.

Animals have migrated across history as well as borders.

The delicate glass animal menagerie Cuevas collected emerged from the historic Cristales de Chihuahua Glass Factory in Juarez. The collection features elephants, a swan and a bear.

She wanted to hearken back in time to when Juarez was a tourist destination, Doyle explained. She found all these stories about people seeing the glass blowing.

At UTEP, visitors recognized figures from their grandparents home. Cuevas collected many of the items on eBay.

The poster No One Is Illegal since always & forever was submitted by a migrants rights group in London from their Right to Remain campaign.

Unlike many artists, Cuevas believes in making art without full authorship, Doyle said.

She believes art is something that can and should be collaborative.

Cuevas is a conceptual and socially engaged artist who develops projects in response to politically-charged events. She has shown her work in more than a dozen solo exhibitions in New York, Berlin, Mexico City and London. Her work has been part of group exhibitions in major museums worldwide, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Museo Jumex, Mexico City; the Guggenheim Museum, New York; and the Musee dArt Moderne de la Ville de Paris, among others.
Police arrested a Taos man on Thursday for shooting his girlfriend outside their home.

Jeremiah Rael, 31, is charged with tampering with evidence and murder in the death of Brandi Davis. He is being held at the Taos County Detention Center.

It is unclear if he has an attorney.

Police were called to a dead body outside a house along State Road 518 just South of Taos, according to a criminal complaint filed in Magistrate Court. Police found Brandi Davis, 41, lying outside the house unresponsive.

Neighbors told police that a gunshot was heard at around 3 p.m. Later, they identified the body and called 911 at around 5 p.m. They also confirmed Rael was living with Davis at the house.

Rael fled the scene but turned himself in to the New Mexico State Police at around 9:00 p.m.

Rael was previously charged with aggravated battery against a household member and battery on June 10 and his mother told police the couple had a history of domestic violence.
Snap has revealed new insights, looking at the ways young Indians plan and celebrate the highly anticipated festive season, and the unique opportunities in the path to purchase for brands to engage with shoppers.

In a study of over 1,500 Indian social media users aged 13-35, including over 850 Snapchatters, the research reveals three distinct shopping moments during this period of festivities (shopping to prepare, shopping to celebrate, and shopping for gifts). The Celebration Cycle also demonstrates the strength of Snapchat as a research platform for gifting, with 79% of Snapchatters getting gift ideas from Snapchat.

In India, 59% of all shoppers cite gift giving as important, but finding the perfect gift is key, with 61% of shoppers saying that finding the right gift helps demonstrate love for their friends and family. When looking at Snapchatters, 60% of them agree that giving gifts is important to them.

Snapchat is widely used for gifting research by Snapchatters and also serves as a driver of inspiration before purchase, 78% use Snapchat for research before purchasing and 79% use it to find inspiration for gift ideas. Among those who use Snapchat for research while shopping, half (50%) of Snapchatters often discover new and exciting brands and 49% find creative ideas for gifts from Snapchat. Also, over one-third (35%) of Snapchatters start shopping for Deal Shopping Days at least one month in advance.

The research also revealed that festive shopping is being powered by online and mobile shopping as compared to traditional in-store shopping. A massive 73% of consumers prefer online shopping especially on mobile.

Also, 97% of Millennials and 78% of Gen Z consumers prefer online shopping as compared to in-store shopping.

For brands looking to engage with this cohort of planners, the research has revealed the top content Indian Snapchatters are seeking from brands, to inspire their gifting journey. Topping the list is product reviews, followed by product tips and guides and product comparisons.

When preparing for the festive season and researching gifts, shoppers expressed that augmented reality (AR) aids the process of decision making. About 81% of Indian shoppers feel that AR experiences can be a fun way to learn about or explore a product, 78 % of shoppers think that AR experiences can be a great way to get ideas for gifts and 77% of shoppers feel that AR is the future of shopping. Snap presents brands an opportunity to capture audiences during their gifting journey in a fun and engaging way, as 76% of shoppers say that AR experiences are a great way to get gifting ideas and that they are more likely to purchase it, if they can view or interact with the product. Also, more than 9 in 10 Shoppers find AR experiences appealing, especially for shopping clothing and shoes.

The research also highlights that Snapchatters plan on spending about 50% more as compared to non-Snapchat users. Brands are more likely to be considered if they create branded AR experiences, and the research shows that AR users plan to spend nearly 31% more than non-AR users during the 2022 holiday season. This trend can be observed in retail purchases (Rs 21,684 vs Rs 16,754) and beauty purchases (Rs 22,074 vs Rs 17,827).

Overall participation in celebratory gifting is high in India. The research shows that while Diwali and New Years Day top the list for end of year shopping, up and coming holidays are gaining in popularity, and providing more moments for brands to engage.

Top five moments for end-of-year shopping:

77% of Indian shoppers shop for Diwali

53% of Indian shoppers shop for New Years Day

46% of Indian shoppers shop for Christmas

40% of Indian shoppers shop for Black Friday / Cyber Monday

37% of Indian shoppers shop for New Years Eve

Prasanna Raman, Vertical Lead, Snap Inc., commented, As Diwali, New Years Day, and other occasions like Deal Shopping Days continue to gain popularity in India, the festive season can potentially pose a hard time for brands to cut through ever increasing competition. Piquing audience interest and driving engagement through innovation is key to sustaining consumer purchase. Snaps state of the art Augmented Reality (AR) has time and again proven to increase both engagement and business results for brands. Augmented Reality immerses the Snapchatter community by creating unique product or brand experiences, providing shoppers with personalised camera moments every time they interact, building brand affinity through the shopping experience.
LOreal Professionnel Paris will be hosting the grand finale of its pro hair competition, the International Style and Color Trophy in Paris. LOreal Professionnel Paris has always been at the forefront of celebrating hair artistry and the brand is thrilled to announce that Raju Rajak, winner of the latest edition of the Indian Hairdressing Awards, represented India on the international stage and made it to the global semifinals.

Held every year in Paris, the International Style and Color Trophy is the worlds first and largest pro hair competition. In 2021, it became the first online contest celebrating hair pros. In this contest, the hair pros showcased their talent around French Balayage, the hair trend of the year. That year, the contest saw a whopping 22,500 participants who created diverse looks from shy to bold French Balayages on hair of different lengths and styles.

This year, the competition returned with the theme French Edito, where the hair pros had to create a look for a premium magazine cover by giving the models a French Balayage or French Glossing service. French Balayage is a hairdressing trend much spoken about on social media. This freehand hair painting technique allows for natural-looking, blended hair color.

The contest began in the month of April and the national finales were held in the participating countries in August. Raju Rajak, from Geetanjali Salon, was chosen as the finalist who will be participating in the global competition representing India.

Commenting on the occasion, Shweta Sahni, National Education Head, LOreal India said, We are ecstatic to have Raju Rajak represent the country on the global level at the International Style and Color Trophy 2022. With competitions like the Style and Color Trophy, it is our aim at LOreal Professionnel Paris to celebrate the artistic vision of hairstylists and the business of hairdressing. This is a moment of pride for us, and we wish Raju Rajak all the very best.

Earlier this year in March, Raju Rajak had created a seamlessly blended French Balayage at the Indian Hairdressing Awards, which led him to bag the title of the national winner.

Expressing his views on the competition, Raju Rajak said, I am honored to have received this opportunity to represent my nation on an international platform. My association with LOreal Professionnel Paris has helped me evolve as an artist. My journey from the first round of the Indian Hairdressing Awards to the finale of the International Style and Color Trophy has been truly enriching. Kudos to the brand for leading the way to create a space to celebrate hair professionals and their talent.
The 6th edition of Lokmat Most Stylish Awards 2022 with Fashion and Beauty Partner Amazon, held in Mumbai on Wednesday with the top stars from the industry including Salman Khan, Jackie Shroff, Abhishek Bachchan, Shraddha Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Ananya Panday, Rashmika Mandanna, Radhika Apte, Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, and many more were awarded by Lokmat. This year, the red carpet was graced by the biggest names in the industry to celebrate the style icons of the year.

Lokmat got some incredible talents and personalities all under one roof for the night. The most loved anchor and actor Maniesh Paul who hosted the show, won the Most Stylish Breakthrough Performer award for his outstanding work in the industry. Salman Khan presented a few awards for the style icons. It was indeed a fun filled night with Rashmika and Salman dancing on the most popular song of the year Saami to Prateek Kuhads magical voice and Shantanu Maheshwaris mesmerising thumkas on Dholida.

Lokmat awarded Abhishek Bachchan as the Most Stylish OTT Actor and Vidya Balan as the Lokmat Most Stylish Versatile Actor Female. Everyones favourite Jackie Shroff won the Most Stylish Legend Award and the evershining Raveena Tandon was awarded with the Most Stylish Timeless Icon award. Rashmika Mandanna, the most well-known and adored actor from the South film industry, was recognised as the Most Fashionable youth icon.

Ananya Panday, as the Most Stylish Gen Z star and Shraddha Kapoor was awarded the Most Stylish Power Icon. Radhika Apte wins the Most Stylish OTT Star and Genelia & Riteish Deshmukh wins the Most Stylish Power Couple. Tamannaah Bhatia wins the Most Stylish Fashion Icon award.

This year's partners include Amazon for fashion and beauty, Hairstyling partner Godrej Expert Rich Creme, Living Liquidz for beverage, Blushbee, Chaulaz Heritage Jewellery, and Oceana Clutches By Rima & Rashi for gifting, Regency for real estate, Versatile for housing, Bright for outdoor, and PNG for Jewellery.

Rishi Darda, Joint Managing & Editorial Director of Lokmat shared, We are beyond thrilled that the event was a major success. It was an honour to have these incredible talents and personalities from various fields all under one roof. I believe that your style expresses your uniqueness and is ultimately a form of self expression. And it was incredible to see all of these personalities expressing their individual style in their own unique way.
Nexus Malls is the Indian retail portfolio arm of worlds leading investment firm, The Blackstone Group. Nexus Malls marked its foray into Indian Retailing in 2016 with an aim to transform the shopping experience of the Indian consumers. Growing at great pace since inception, Nexus Malls now boasts of a portfolio of 5.3 million square feet of Grade A retail space in the country. Nexus Malls have thereby established themselves as one of the leaders in the retail real estate industry in India.

Nexus Malls today operates across 9 major malls in the country spread across the cities of Mumbai, Pune, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Indore. The company also holds the distinction of owning Indias largest Transit Oriented Development - Seawoods Grand Central in Navi Mumbai.

Set up with transformation being its core agenda, Nexus Malls seeks to implement the best practices and state-of-the-art technology in India by bringing in professional and broader mall management in the country. It also aims to aid its retail partners to compete effectively and cater to the omnipresent needs of the consumers in India.

In conversation with Adgully, Nishank Joshi, CMO, Nexus Malls, speaks at length about their rebranding exercise, their expansion plans, how they are geared up for this festive season to delight the customers across the country, and more.

With the fear of Covid disappearing and traffic across the country increasing, how are you gearing up for this festive season?

The last 18 months, during the course of the pandemic have been the busiest for us. At Nexus Malls, we have utilized this time to ensure that we undertook all the tasks which were permissible and ensured we were ready as soon as the restrictions were off and people were allowed at the malls. As a result, our sales recoveries were amongst the fastest across the country. Not just that, the measures which we took to ensure the safety and hygiene of our premises was also very well covered by media and received by our customers. Currently, we have over 125% of sales as compared to the same period in 2019.

We even acquired the eight Forum Malls from The Prestige Group in Southern India, which helped us expand our footprint nationally. This June, we rebranded all the 17 malls across our portfolio and called them Nexus, which was not the case earlier. As a part of the rebranding exercise, we committed ourselves to delivering Ab Har Din Kuch Naya and we are working towards ensuring that we live up to this promise leading in to the festive season as well. Over the next 100 days, we will ensure the customers experience something new, every time that they visit our malls. From festive decor, to concerts and stand-ups, we will also have a lot of unique activations where customers can engage with us and participate in our campaigns. Most of these activations will be the first of its kind in their respective cities. Additionally, there will be assured gifts for everyone who shops with us during the course of the 100 days.

How do you differentiate your mall vis-a-vis the rest of them? Can you elaborate on the core positioning of the brand Nexus Malls?

At Nexus Malls, we take great pride in the innovations and unique experiences which we curate. Over the last three years, we have ensured that we became the talk of the town whether it is the decor, activations or even the assured prizes which the customers are taking back with them, when they shop with us. We are probably the only mall company in India that gives away assured prizes across the year.

Malls have now grown beyond being places where people come only to shop. People have started coming to malls for new experiences and hence, we are committed to delivering Har Din Kuch Naya experience for our customers across the 13 cities where are present. Across our entire portfolio, we now have the same mall music playing, we use the same fragrance and our team wears the same uniform across all 17 malls and 13 cities. During the course of the pandemic, we were the first mall company in India to join hands with an independent auditor to Bureau Veritas, to ensure that our premises were safe and hygienic for customers.

We are also the first mall company in India, who signed a Bollywood A-lister as a brand ambassador. There are several other firsts, which we have to our credit, which makes us unique and different from other malls in India.

Technology has brought in a shift to engage with your audiences. How are you leveraging AI and AL to engage with your audiences?

Tri-citys most preferred shopping destination recently rebranded itself as Nexus Elante, after the rebranding exercise. Nexus Elante launched Nexus One, a mobile app that has a host of features and gratification for all those who download the app. the app will give all the details and will show you the navigation for the same. Also, one of the most common problems faced by shoppers is locating your parking, the app gives you an option to mark your parking and navigate from wherever you want to. This does not end here; features also include Brand lists, Exclusive offers, Food Ordering, and Pre-booking and parking slots, etc.

Tell us more about your rebranding exercise. What was the objective and how is it going to help the brand?

Nexus Malls, Indias largest mall platform with 130 million footfalls across 13 major cities has unveiled its new corporate identity and has rebranded the malls in its portfolio. This is one of the biggest transformations in the history of organized retail in India & is testimony to the brands commitment to staying customer-centric. With a view to bringing synergies across all functions and developing stronger ties among stakeholders, Nexus Malls rebranded its malls under its portfolio, integrating one common brand identity that will now resonate across the country. The company has revamped its visual identity to create wider awareness across the retail ecosystem. The vivid colors introduced as part of the brand new pneumonic signify emotions of joy, excitement, life, courage, freshness, luxury, magic, and above all, happiness. The new identity brings to life our promise of Har Din Kuch Naya, a promise where we will bring something new, unique, and personal every day to our 130+ million consumers.

How do you plan to promote your mall to attract traffic? Have you designed any loyalty program to intensely engage with your customers?

Nexus Elante launched Nexus One, a mobile app that has a host of features and gratification for all those who download the app. the app will give all the details and will show you the navigation for the same. Also, one of the most common problems faced by shoppers is locating your parking, the app gives you an option to mark your parking and navigate from wherever you want to. This does not end here, features also include Brand lists, Exclusive offers, Food Ordering, and Pre-booking parking slots, etc.

What kind of media strategy have you planned to raise awareness for your brand?

Our brand mix is stronger and more relevant to the cities we are present in. As a result, we have new brands and fresh offerings for all the fashion lovers. For the kids, who had been confined to their homes with no school and colleges operating, we hosted some unique activations across our malls by bringing alive the beasts of the past like the Dragons, Dinosaurs and Polar bears. Workshops to engage with the kids and give them a much-needed break and interaction within the safety of our sanitized premises. We have also started movie promotions, concerts; stand up comedies and a lot more youth focused activities to ensure that our target groups have a one more incentive to come back to the malls. As a result, we are seen better traction and higher conversions than we used to before. We have also been actively investing in print and digital media, to ensure the awareness is high and we are top of mind when it comes to shopping in the cities where we are present.
With the entire world switching to smarter technologies, it is time for the process of washing clothes to become smarter too. Keeping this in mind, Dentsu Creative India, in association with Panasonic Life Solutions India, has released its latest campaign  Indias Truly Smart Washing Machines.

Panasonic Washing Machines, powered by Miraie  Panasonics connected living platform, are packed with a host of interesting features such as a Built-in Heater, Wash Wizard, and Stain Genius, making the chore of washing clothes truly smart and effortless.

Conceptualised & executed by Dentsu Creative India, the campaign is a series of short films that cleverly conveys the message to the world. The three-film campaign showcases Naveen  the protagonist, introducing Gupta Ji to a smarter way of washing clothes. The characters' humorous banter illustrates the features of the washing machine in an entertaining and interesting way.

Links to the films:

Panasonic Smart IoT Enabled Washing Machine with MirAIe

Indias Truly Smart Washing Machine with Stain Genius

Indias Truly Smart Washing Machine with Wash Wizard

Ujjwal Anand, Executive Vice President, Dentsu Creative India, said, Very few people are aware that Panasonic is a noteworthy name in the domain of Home Appliances and washing machines globally. Even fewer people know about the astonishing features of these washing machines. So, as the brand custodians, it was pertinent for us to convey it to the audience; and what better way than utilizing and leveraging the already established chemistry of Gupta Ji and Naveen for Panasonic? We made sure to take that love-envy relationship of these two next-door neighbours to the next level and deliver the core message in a fun & interesting way. The catchphrases and punches in the communication will surely intrigue the TG to know more about Panasonic Washing Machines.

Mayank Khattar, Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Creative India, commented, Smart is what smart does. Easily. And that is what we wanted our TG to understand in a quirky way. We wanted to raise awareness without sounding too techy. Working on a simple insight that washing clothes need not be a mix of age-old hearsays, we decided to introduce the smart angle. Through the banter between Gupta Ji and Naveen, we have tried to make it easy for the TG to understand what is it that the latest technology and features deliver to the consumers. Also, the quirky performances by the protagonists not only deliver the message effectively but are sure to bring a smile on everyones faces.

Talking about the campaign, Shirish Agarwal, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Panasonic Life Solutions India, added, Panasonic as a brand is committed towards helping consumers live their best by aiding them with the right choices customised as per their lifestyle. The digital campaign is an extension of this. It depicts the true, slice-of-life moments of an Indian household, on how we struggle to remove stubborn stains using various home remedies. It goes on to highlight how technology can be the key enabler for clean and fresh laundry. Panasonics latest range of smart washing machines is designed with advanced technologies that offer a value proposition of comfort, convenience, and connectivity.
Marek Szymczak and Aleksandra Matczak-Grabska have joined Redge Technologies, strengthening the international sales team. They will support the companys plans of further international expansion covering in particular the territories of Europe, MENA, India and Central Asia.

Marek Szymczak, appointed Sales Director Telco Media at Redge Technologies, is the industry veteran with over 20 years of professional experience. He has managed pay TV projects and accounts for major European operators. Also Marek acted in product strategy and management for pay TV middleware. Aleksandra Matczak-Grabska  Sales Manager Telco Media at Redge Technologies  gained her experience in sales in the CEE and APAC regions. For over 20 years she supported companies from various industries, among others medicine and e-commerce. In the last 4 years Aleksandra represented Polish diplomacy in India.

In the international sales team Marek and Aleksandra have joined Leszek Bujak. Leszek took the position of Sales Director Telco Media earlier this year. He is the industry professional with over 20 years of experience in video distribution for major broadcasters and operators in CEE and SEE. Expanding the international sales department will foster the companys development in the markets outside of Poland where Redge Technologies is already the leader.

Redge Technologies is a leader in OTT and edge computing technologies in CEE, present on the market since 2007. Part of the Play Group  leading provider of telecommunication services in Europe. The companys flagship solution is Redge Media  the E2E OTT platform available in PaaS and on-premise models, consisting of a comprehensive Service Delivery Platform and Video Delivery Platform, including CDN operating in edge computing architecture. Redge Technologies has developed software defined DDoS mitigation solution, which allows multi-terabit scalability.
A month ago American Thinker published my article on whistleblower William Teele, the ten-year U.S. Navy vet who shared his own perspective on the TWA Flight 800, the 747 that blew up off the coast of Long Island in July 1996. In that Teele was not on the ship that fired the missile, I asked for those with more information to share what they knew by contacting me through my website.

The quantity and quality of the response stunned me. As a spoiler alert, no respondent admitted to being a witness, and some did not believe the Navy fired the missile. That said, all were respectful and informative. Several added corrective or confirming details. Some sample intros:

While working as a commercial airline (NWA) Captain I spent 3-and-a-half years aboard the USS Nimitz I'm a retired USN Commander I was a GMM or gunners mate missiles while in the US Navy I'm retired mil. I have studied weapons for decades I am a retired Navy Surface Warfare Officer Captain I was a first officer flying the Airbus A320 for Northwest Airlines I was in the Navy for 20 years, four ships (3 of them shooters) I was qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer

As much as I would love to hear from a firsthand witness, I believe the courts hold more immediate potential. On June 28, 2022, attorney John Roddy with the Boston firm of Bailey and Glasser filed a lawsuit on behalf of numerous family members of those killed in the 1996 crash. Based on the research of physicist Tom Stalcup, the suit is stunning in its sophistication and detail.

I first met Stalcup when I interviewed him for a documentary on TWA 800 called Silenced that James Sanders and I produced in 2001. I was a latecomer to this extraordinary story, but Stalcup had been deeply involved in the case from very nearly the beginning and remains committed to this day.

As a quick refresher, TWA Flight 800 left JFK airport in New York en route to Paris on July 17, 1996. Twelve minutes after its 8:19 departure the ill-fated 747 blew up off the south coast of Long Island, killing all 230 souls aboard.

The suit wastes no time in establishing its central argument: After the incident, the federal government released a false report contending that the explosion was the result of an electrical fire in the airplanes center. The real cause, the suit argues, was an errant United States missile fired at aerial target drones flying nearby.

Based on the overwhelming evidence uncovered by Stalcup through his Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation in Massachusetts federal court, the suit names as the government defendants in this tragic mishap the Missile Defense Agency, the United States Department of Defense, and the United States Navy.

The contractor defendants cited are Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Working side-by-side, these defendants were reportedly testing the Aegis Weapons System and firing SM-2 missiles with live warheads at aerial missile targets off the coast of New York in close proximity to commercial airline flight paths. The suit leaves open the possibility that more than one warship was involved in the launch.

The suit walks through the well-established facts surrounding the investigation. The FBI froze out the National Transportation Board despite the NTSBs legal responsibility to manage domestic air crashes. According to the suit, The FBI also enlisted the assistance of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Yes, the CIA was involved from day one, but I suspect that enlisting the agency was not the FBIs idea.

The suit adds new information, namely that the FBI removed all copies (original and duplicates) of Navy radar tapes from the Navy, placing them out of the NTSBs reach.

The suit addresses the CIA animation used to discredit the scores of excellent eyewitnesses, but adds this detail, Despite outwardly proclaiming that the cause of the TWA 800 explosion was, in the CIAs words, NOT A MISSILE, several internal government communications (that have only come to light in the recent FOIA litigation) indicated that a missile was involved.

The suit reviews the history of the Navys Aegis Missile system responsible for the misfire. The Department of Defense (DOD) pushed the system quickly through production and deployment thinking of the missile threat from hostile countries in the here and now. Although the suit does not mention this detail, there was a real fear at the time of terrorists using planes as missiles, a fear that proved tragically well-grounded five years later.

The radar needed particular upgrading of its ability to operate close to shore and to properly integrate into existing systems. This helps explain why the Navy was testing in a crowded air space. To address the deficiencies, the DOD directed its contractors to integrate a new radar and computer system into all new ship designs, known as the SPY-ID(V).

In 1996 the only option with the hardware and computing power sufficient to operate the SPY-ID(V), the suit claims, was a New Jersey land-based testing site called the Combat Systems Engineering and Development Site (CSEDS).

Rather than wait five years for ships to be built with the computing power to operate this system, The SPY-ID(V) was tested on an expedited basis in and around the CSEDS in New Jersey, in a highly congested area.

In 1996, the suit continues, the Defendants began testing the SPY-ID(V) using simulated and actual targets in and around New Jersey. Stalcup unearthed evidence that the testing of missiles with live warheads began as early as May 1996.

The suit talks about the videotape, which I have seen, shot by an electrician on the roof of Long Island hospital. The fellow was recording the sunrise and inadvertently captured a missile test off the Long Islands south coast, and this just five days before the TWA 800 disaster. Despite that tragedy, the suit contends, the Navy continued to test its missile system in that same commercial corridor.

The suit cites the testimony of Steve Habeger, the Executive Director of CSEDSs sister site in Virginia. Habeger testified in Stalcups FOIA suit that he was personally aware of at least a dozen Aegis missile tests off the East Coast of the United States around this same overall time period. Habeger also testified that within minutes of the disaster, he was ordered to allow the FBI to remove all Navy radar tapes from his facility that might have recorded the TWA 800 incident. His commanding officer and FBI custody records corroborated his testimony.

Stalcup also discovered that the Joint Terrorism Task Force directed the FBI to obtain original Navy radar tapes showing an object heading straight for TWA 800. The FBI confiscated these tapes immediately after the crash. They show an object impact TWA 800, which directly contradicts the FBIs, CIAs, and NTSBs public conclusions that what caused the incident was NOT A MISSILE.

In sum, The evidence reveals that TWA 800 was brought down by a missile and the government hid this truth from Plaintiffs and the public at large for over twenty-five years. My 2016 book, TWA 800: The Crash, the Cover Up, the Conspiracy, book covers much of this information and the political dynamics surrounding the investigation. Stalcup adds what I could only allude to, namely the technological details of how the systems work and why there was such urgency in deploying them.

In last several years especially, many patriotic Americans have come to the reluctant conclusion that, yes, the government is capable of lying to us. Some of them have first-hand knowledge of TWA 800s demise. In the final analysis it will be they who provide the counterweight to the powerful forces that want this suit to fail.

For more information, see www.cashill.com

Image: NTSB
A debate took place September 28, 2022, in Pueblo, Colorado, between Governor Jared Polis and his challenger in the upcoming election, University of Colorado Regent Heidi Ganahl.

Right away Polis accused Ganahl of selecting a lieutenant governor candidate who is an election denier. He repeated that attack in his closing remarks. One wondered, is that all hes got?

Ganahl defended her running mate, Danny Moore, a Navy veteran and Coloradoan of substance, by saying that Moore has expressed respect for President Biden and then she focused on more serious issues. One of them was how 60 percent of Colorado students statewide cannot read, write, or do math at grade level.

Polis has been pointing out that he managed to get all-day kindergarten in Colorado now that he is running for reelection. Is Ganahl correct on how students above kindergarten doing in Colorado with Polis in office?

Online newsletter Chalkbeat Colorado agreed with Ganahl to some extent in an article analyzing how students are faring now compared with how they fared before the pandemic. According to authors Erica Meltzer and Melanie Asmar, Colorado third graders did almost as well on standardized tests this past spring as third graders did before the pandemic, an encouraging sign after three disrupted school years.

But older students in most grades and subjects did worse, even as test scores rebounded from very low levels in 2021. And the majority of Colorado students didnt meet grade-level expectations on the tests, known as Colorado Measures of Academic Success or CMAS, just as they didnt before COVID.

Breaking down the data (analyzed by Thomas Wilburn) Chalkbeat reported, Nearly 41% of Colorado third graders met or exceeded grade-level expectations in literacy, almost as high as the 41.3% who did so in 2019.

Thats 59% of third graders are not meeting or exceeding literacy expectations for their grade level.

That article stated that older students did worse: Only 25 percent of seventh graders met or exceeded benchmarks in math and only 33 percent of eighth graders could do math at grade level while 60 percent of ninth graders could not do math at grade level, and literacy scores for older students were lower in most grades. Only 40% of ninth graders met or exceeded expectations in math, compared with almost 50% in 2019, a drop of 8.8 percentage points.

As for differences between races: Wide gaps remain between Black and Hispanic students and those from low-income households, on one hand, and their better-off white and Asian peers on the other. Where test score gaps narrowed, it was generally because students who historically performed better instead performed worse.

That is not how we want to see the gap decrease. We want to see both groups increasing in terms of achievement, with our historically lower-achieving group improving at a faster pace, said Joyce Zurkowski, Colorados chief assessment officer.

CBS News Colorado attempted to give the report a positive spin. But school-board member Debora Scheffel (R) Board spoke the truth plainly: It strikes me as we look big picture [sic] at the data, were failing more than 50 percent of the kids pre-pandemic and then pandemic made it worse.

While Polis has done a couple of good things for Colorado education (proclaiming Colorado School Choice Week and urging schools to stay open during the pandemic), talk is not enough. Colorado needs new leadership to elevate education in the state. We can start with Heidi Ganahl as governor and Danny Moore as lieutenant governor.

Voters can also elect Republican Dan Maloit to the state school board. He actually did something to keep schools open. Dan organized several groups in the fall of 2020 around metro-Denver and the Front Range, leading to a reopening of schools for full-time, in-person learning. Dan founded Colorados Moms and Dads in the spring of 2021 to organize support for kid-focused parent candidates for school board across Colorado. Colorados Moms and Dads espoused Dans vision of a high-caliber, academic focused, non-dogmatic education for all children in Colorado.

Theres one more issue to consider when it comes to Polis and education, one thats very important to parents who got to see what their children were learning remotely during the pandemic. Its educational content.

Critical race theory (CRT) was woven through curricula in Colorado, perhaps not by that name but evident nonetheless, along with LGBTQ indoctrination, including the idea that gender is a social construct. (At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year students in Jefferson County were required to state their pronouns first thing.) Books with sexual materials, even pornography, were being given to students, even very young students.

In a 2021 State of the State speech Polis addressed educational goals for the state, but said nothing about content. But heres a tell, our first openly gay governor criticized Governor Ron DeSantis when he signed legislation to protect the youngest students in his state from sexual content.

Governor Polis has not done an excellent job for Colorado students and parents. Lets make a change in November.

C.S. Boddie writes for Meadowlark Press, LLC

Image: Dale Willman
The summer royal tour of the Caribbean and the death of Queen Elizabeth have provoked debates about the participation of Britain in the transatlantic slave trade. Following the queens funeral on September 19, CNN host Don Lemon, in an interview with royal commentator Hilary Fordwich, suggested the United Kingdom should pay reparations for colonialism.

Fordwich soundly smacked him down: "Two thousand naval men died on the high seas trying to stop slavery Britain was the first nation in the world to abolish slavery. She added, "If reparations need to be paid, we need to go right back to the beginning of that supply chain and say, Who was rounding up their own people and having them handcuffed in cages?'"

Speechless, Lemon meekly ended the interview.

In America, Democrats are trying to legislate reparations. Marxist identity politics are being pushed into every part of American economic and civil life. The slave trade is being characterized in racial terms to justify the divisive Critical Race Theory ideology that blacks are victims oppressed by whites.

Despite the inference that America cornered the market on slavery, slavery has been a worldwide institution since the beginning of civilization. According to Thomas Sowell, renowned black economist:

Of all the tragic facts about the history of slavery, the most astonishing to an American today is that, although slavery was a worldwide institution for thousands of years, nowhere in the world was slavery a controversial issue prior to the 18th century. People of every race and color were enslaved -- and enslaved others. White people were still being bought and sold as slaves in the Ottoman Empire, decades after American blacks were freed.

America was never a major world leader in the African slave trade. Of the 12.7 million Africans sold into slavery from 1501-1875, 46 percent went to Portugal, 26 percent to England, 11 percent to France, 8 percent to Spain, 4 percent to the Dutch, and only 2.4 percent to the United States.

There are currently 40 million slaves worldwide  three times the total number victimized during the 400-year history of the transatlantic African slave trade. Of the nearly 200 nations in the world, 94 -- nearly 50% -- still have not criminalized slavery or the slave trade.

Contrary to the Marxist propaganda that we are a racist nation, the United States is ranked as one of the top nations in the world for fighting slavery, the slave trade, and human trafficking.

Who should pay reparations? The descendants of white Southerners? Only the wealthy landed aristocracy owned slaves -- fewer than 10 percent of Southern whites. The vast majority of whites had little money and small farms that did not warrant slave labor. There were some black slaveowners who owned large estates. Should their descendants pay?

Implicit reparations have been and are being made in the form of welfare payments and affirmative action that has allowed blacks to enter universities and obtain employment based on preferential criteria.

One of the arguments for reparations is that slavery has hindered the economic progress of blacks. Lets look at the facts.

Thomas Sowell, in Civil Rights: Rhetoric or Reality, concluded that the vast majority of whites and blacks believe there are more blacks living in poverty than there actually are. According to the U.S. Census, there are not three out of four, but rather one out of four, in poverty.

The narrative that the majority of blacks are very poor is fostered by charlatans such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who stand to gain politically and financially from having constituents who believe they are oppressed by whites.

Rather than being Critical Race Theorys oppressed class, American blacks are richer than 90 percent of the people in the world, live longer than African and Caribbean blacks, and even whites in much of Eastern Europe and Latin America, have higher rates of literacy, and have achieved more postsecondary degrees than African blacks.

It was during European colonization that modern medical technology and other institutions were introduced into Africa. Even so, Africa has always lagged behind the rest of the world. Today, Sub-Saharan Africa has some of the poorest countries in the world with disease, war, famine, and military dictators.

In his book, Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa, Keith Richburg concludes that descendants of slaves brought to America from Africa are far better off than the descendants of those who were left in Africa.

Many black Americans are blaming slavery for their economic plight. Yet over 800,000 -- most of whom were white -- died ending slavery during the Civil War. Jim Crow ended decades ago.

Its time to admit that the problem with black culture is single-parent families and the adoption of Democratic Party government dependency. To compound the problem, students are spending 13 years in government Cultural Marxist education centers where they are being taught they are victims.

Americans need to take a lesson from Hilary Fordwich. Instead of white shame and pontificating over why whites should not pay reparations, America needs to place the blame at the beginning of that supply chain in Africa.

To contact: Carole Hornsby Haynes chaynes@drhaynesreport.com

Image: JMW Turner
California politicians continue to pass policies that, by all accounts, appear to be deliberately aimed at substantially reducing its residents ability to have reliable, on-demand electricity. At this point, it would not surprise me in the slightest if there was actually a Luddite conspiracy behind it all.

Apparently, local outcry over the banning of natural gas appliances (like stoves) in major cities in the Golden State was interpreted by California bureaucrats as clamor for more regulation. So, benevolent and wise as they are, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously to ban all new gas-powered space and water heating appliances by 2030. Although this latest ban doesnt include gas stoves (yet), it will add additional load to the states already beleaguered and overloaded electrical grid.

While it may seem obvious, an explanation may be necessary for those of us who have not yet grasped the full extent of the energy lunacy on the West Coast.

California has, over the years, been a leader in decarbonizing their state. In their enthusiasm, Californians rapidly shut down coal, oil, and gas power plants over the years, at a rate that the installation of renewable replacements simply could not keep up with. Nuclear is on the chopping block as well, though the Diablo Canyon nuclear power station has just had its execution deferred for another few years. Diablo Canyon supplies California with 9 percent of its electricity, and represents 15 percent of its non-fossil fuel energy. Its worth noting that the only reason Diablo Canyon was slated to close in the first place was because Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, embarked on a long quest to force Pacific Gas & Electric to close it prematurely.

Electricity prices in California have risen six times faster than the rest of the country since 2011, and are more than double the cost of neighboring states rates. The poor suffer the most, struggling to keep the lights on and constantly adjust their budgets due to skyrocketing electric bills.

Mandates to install rooftop solar panels on all new homes have also aided in increased energy prices. While people who can afford to have solar panels installed benefit from net metering policies, they are still using energy from the grid at night. Fixed costs associated with grid maintenance and other charges still need to be paid, so non-solar customers end up paying for both their fees and those of their solar-roof neighbors.

Renewables like wind, solar, and even hydroelectric, are weather-dependent and intermittent by their nature. Whats more, they are hastening the impending downfall of an already poorly maintained grid, as it now faces the growing struggle to manage the unstable energy. Renewables cant react quickly to unexpected demand spikes, like what occur during heat waves or cold snaps.

As evidence of this, six days after Californias unelected bureaucrats on CARB voted to ban future sales of traditional gasoline cars, the state sent out Flex Alerts asking Californians to refrain from charging their electric cars during peak energy use hours. This occurred in the middle of a summertime heatwave, in which Californians needed to crank up the AC, but then couldnt, as the grid struggled to manage the extra load. In addition, just to keep the power on, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed executive orders waiving clean air and water regulations so the state utilities could use diesel generators and ships at port idling off their fossil fuel engines.

Rolling blackouts are an acceptable price to pay, California bureaucrats seem to say, on the path to net-zero.

Additionally, last year, California passed a bill that transitions the sale of gasoline-powered lawn tools, like hedge trimmers and lawn mowers, to only electric versions. Of course, all these tools need to be charged on the grid.

The California Air Resources Board also banned the sale of gas-powered portable generators, starting in 2028. This way, Californians soon wont even be able to run to the Home Depot to buy a generator that they can charge their electric equipment with when blackouts begin. How progressive!

There is only one explanation for this madness: Californias representatives are attempting to revert the state to the glory days of the gold rush era, like some version of Westworld. Think about it -- how well are those electric cars going to work if you cant charge them reliably? With combustion engines banned as well, whats left? Perhaps California politicos are secretly trying to push residents back to the horse and buggy. Maybe, due to the continuously growing list of firearm regulations, wheel guns and lever actions will become the only self-defense option.

Im just reaching for an explanation here, but it looks an awful lot like a wild-west conspiracy to me. Ill admit that I cant imagine Gov. Newsom giving up his highfalutin luxuries for the duster and cowboy hat life, but like other California elitists, his life wont likely be affected much. The rich and powerful in California can always afford to buy their way out.

A New-Old-West California does sound pretty cool, though, but just to visit.

Linnea Lueken (llueken@heartland.org) is a research fellow with the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy at The Heartland Institute. Twitter: @LinneaLueken

Image: Public Domain
I have a son in the seventh grade in the William S. Hart Union High School District in Santa Clarita, California. I hope that I dont have to spend my golden years deprogramming my son from false information being conveyed by the schools. I am trying to avoid this by keeping informed about what the schools are teaching.

My son told me that he is being taught about Islam in his history class. He said that he was taught that a verse in the Quran numbered 2:256 states: Let there be no compulsion in religion, for the truth stands out clearly from falsehood. My son told me that he was not taught about any other verses of the Quran which contradict verse 2:256.

I sent an email to my sons history teacher stating that my son is not being taught about the contradictory verses, several of which I quoted. Verse 8:38 states: Tell the disbelievers that if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist, then they have an example in those destroyed before them. Verse 9:29 states: Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, nor comply with what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, nor embrace the religion of truth from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the tax, willingly submitting, fully humbled. Verse 9:33 states: He is the One Who has sent His Messenger with true guidance and the religion of truth, making it prevail over all others, even to the dismay of the polytheists.

I explained in my email that there is debate among scholars about whether the more totalitarian and violent verses of the Quran abrogate the more tolerant verses of the Quran. The Quran itself sets forth the doctrine of abrogation, whereby the chronologically later verses of the Quran abrogate earlier verses which are contradictory. The earlier and more tolerant verses were written when Muhammad was in Mecca and without a powerful army. The later and more totalitarian and violent verses were written when Muhammad was in Medina and had gathered a powerful army.

I further stated that although it appears that the more totalitarian and violent verses take precedence, we do not need to wait until that debate is resolved to properly teach our children about Islam. The very fact that the more totalitarian and violent verses exist is sufficient reason to teach them to our children. It is even more important to teach the more totalitarian and violent verses with the more tolerant verses given that the more totalitarian and violent verses may take precedence over the more tolerant verses,

I assured my sons history teacher that I am not blaming him because I assume that he did not design the curriculum. I also stated:

The children should be taught the truth. The truth is that the verse you are teaching is contradicted by other verses in the Quran. You are not teaching the contradictory verses. To be taught the truth, the children need to be taught about the contradictory verses. They also need to be taught about the rule of abrogation in Quranic interpretation, and at the very least, taught that there is a scholarly debate about how it applies. In the most favorable light Islam is a contradictory mess that has justification for totalitarian violence and for peaceful coexistence. In the most unfavorable light, it is a doctrine of totalitarian violence with Islam reigning supreme. If the children are to be taught about Islam, they need to learn all of the facts. Anything less is indoctrination in a false version of Islam.

In his reply, my sons history teacher stated:

Thank you for the insight on this. Since our current history textbooks are pretty outdated and do not provide many supplemental materials, I got this assignment from the University [sic] California Irvine History Project. The UCI History Project provides lessons aligned with the California state standards for K-12 students in California. Our district is currently in the process of selecting a new 7th grade history textbook and if approved by the school board, we will start using it next school year.

The UCI History Project includes a section entitled 7th Grade Curriculum Resources that has a subsection entitled Spread of Islam, Primary Source Set: How did Islam spread to multiple cultures? that is in a downloadable Microsoft Word document. In this subsection on page 3 it quotes the no compulsion in religion language from Quran 2:256. There is no quotation from the contradictory verses.

There is a citation to The Islam Project and a defective link to the project. The correct link is www.theislamproject.org and in a subsection of that website it states:

The Quran specifies, Let there be no compulsion in religion (2:256). This verse states that no person can ever be forced to accept religion against their will. It tells Muslims never to force people to convert to Islam. Anyone who accepts Islam under pressure might not be sincere, and conversion in name only is useless to them, and harmful to members of the faith community. Prophet Muhammad set a precedent as the leader of Madinah. Under his leadership, the Muslims practiced tolerance towards those of other religions. They were parties to the Constitution of Madinah and to treaties with the Muslims, discussing religious ideas with the Jews, Christians and polytheists (believers in many gods). The Quran records some of the questions that they put to Muhammad about Islam. Later Muslim leaders were required to be tolerant, based on the authority of both the Quran (in this and many other verses), and the Sunnah, or example of Muhammad. With few exceptions, Muslim leaders have adhered to it over time.

The Islam Project does not provide any of the Quran verses which are contradictory to verse 2:256.

I expect that I will be working as many hours during my sons school years preventing him from needing deprogramming,. I cant replace the time I am losing and will continue to lose. But I will lose the time, because I will never lose my son.

Allan J. Favish is an attorney in Los Angeles. His website is allanfavish.com. James Fernald and Mr. Favish have co-authored a book about what might happen if the government ran Disneyland, titled Fireworks! If the Government Ran the Fairest Kingdom of Them All (A Very Unauthorized Fantasy).

Image: Cezary Piwowarski
The murder of DNC employee Seth Rich on July 10, 2016, has long aroused wariness on the part of people who suspected that he was the leaker of emails highly embarrassing to the Democrats, especially since Wikileaks founder Julian Assange suggested that a DNC insider was the source of the emails published by Wikileaks. Richs death was officially labeled by police the result of a failed robbery  nothing was stolen from him  and suspicions that anything more than robbery was involved in his death have been labeled conspiracy theories. Richs family has successfully sued and received apologies and settlements from several parties, including Fox News, for allegations about his death.

But the behavior of the FBI has continued to raise suspicions. ABC News reported in 2017, FBI is not involved in Seth Rich case despite 'conspiracy theories,' officials say, but subsequent FOIA lawsuits by Brian Huddleston, represented by attorney Ty Clevenger, have revealed this to be fake news. Clevenger was even at first told by the FBI that it didnt have any information on Rich, but his FOIA lawsuit proved that incorrect. via Linkedin

Zachary Stieber of the Epoch Times reported last April:

via LInked in and the Epoch Times

The FBI has produced 68 pages relating to a Democratic National Committee (DNC) worker who was shot dead in 2016 in Washington, including an investigative summary that appears to suggest that someone could have paid for his death. Seth Rich, who had been the DNCs voter expansion data director, was shot dead in the early morning hours on July 16, 2016, near his home in the nations capital. The slaying, which remains unsolved, fueled widespread media coverage, especially after WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange suggested that Rich was the WikiLeaks source for the leaked 2016 presidential campaign DNC emails. Richs family has called that notion a conspiracy theory. The newly released files show that top Department of Justice officials met in 2018 and discussed Richs murder. They reviewed Richs financial records and didnt identify any unusual deposits or withdrawals. (snip) During the litigation, the FBI admitted for the first time that it had come into possession of files from Richs laptop. (snip) On another page, it was said that given [redacted] it is conceivable that an individual or group would want to pay for his death. That doesnt sound like a random street robbery, Ty Clevenger, a lawyer, told The Epoch Times.

But the FBI continued to withhold information from Richs laptop, and yesterday, the same reporter wrote:

The FBI must produce information from Seth Richs laptop computer to a Texas man, a federal judge ruled on Sept. 29. The bureau improperly withheld the information from Brian Huddleston, the Texas man, according to a 53-page ruling from U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant. Rich was a Democratic National Committee staffer who was murdered around 4:20 a.m. in July 2016 in Washington. Officials have claimed the killing was done as part of a botched robbery. The FBI has acknowledged it has files from Richs computer but tried withholding them from Huddleston, citing a portion of federal law that enables agencies to withhold information that would be a clear invasion of privacy interests when the interests are not outweighed by the public interest. The bureau said that Richs family members have a privacy interest in preventing the release of the information that outweighs the public interest, but Mazzant, an Obama appointee, rejected the argument. The Court is not persuaded by the FBIs argument that Seth Richs survivors have a privacy interest in withholding the entirety of the information contained on Seth Richs laptop, he said. Pointedly, the FBI cites to no case law for the proposition that survivors of the deceased have a privacy interest in information related to the deceaseds favorite music or relationship history, he added. (snip) The bureau falsely told Clevenger when he asked for information on Rich that it didnt possess any. Emails disclosed in a separate case proved the FBI wrong. The bureau identified some potentially responsive 20,000 files in response to Huddlestons requests, later narrowing it down to 1,563 pages. The FBI has only produced 75 pages to date, while withholding hundreds of others.

I have no idea if Mr. Richs death was a simple robbery or something more. But the FBI, which has lost my trust, is behaving as if it has something to hide.

Hat tip: Ron Wright
Europe is in the midst of a self-created energy crisis, based its superstitions about man-caused global warming.

Is Vladimir Putin working to turn it to 11, to make it even worse?

It certain appears a possibility, given this rather disturbing story from the Daily Mail here:

Norway is beefing up security on its offshore North Sea oil rigs after mysterious drones came within 50m of its platforms. The country's Petroleum Safety Authority said the unmanned aerial vehicles could carry out 'deliberate attacks' on the infrastructure or smash into helicopters transporting offshore workers to and from the rigs. The warnings come amid claims that Russia was behind the enormous gas leak in the Baltic Sea following three huge undersea explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines on Monday. Norway is now Europe's biggest gas supplier after the Kremlin turned off its taps, wreaking energy havoc across the continent.

Would Putin do that?

Plunging Europe into total energy darkness at the height of winter is a way of sorts, of bringing the Moscow winter to Europe, given its cash and arms for Ukraine as Putin makes war on that country to reannex it.

He's showing a hell of a lot of determination on that front, having mobilized the entire country with an unusually far-reaching draft, which has seen thousands of Russians flee the country to avoid it.

He's spent the country's defense resources down to the nub. He's plunged Russia into a sanctioned pariah state, with even tourist travel passes now halted in some European countries. He's taken war losses that could at this early date be as high as those the U.S. took during the Vietnam War and Russia is a smaller country than the U.S. was in that era, population-wise.

And still he persists. He's not suing for peace, and Europe doesn't seem serious about talks, either.

Would Putin under those circumstances put Europe through the mother of all energy crises? In contrast to what he's put Russia through, he's done remarkably little in the way of retaliation for Europe's sanctions on Russia and material and diplomatic support for Ukraine, which has involved wining and dining Ukraine's president and dangling European Union membership out to that country as Putin attempts to claw it back.

It almost seems absurd from his own point of view that he hasn't. Where are the monster cyberattacks on the U.S.? Where is the pan-European plunge into energy darkness?

And if he can do this to Europe, the soft underbelly of the western alliance, you can bet he's plotting comparable things here, too, particularly with the U.S. under enfeebled leadership. Putin knows where the weak spots are in the West.

If this is what Putin is up to, it would amount to a war innovation, war taken to a new level. In the past, much talk has been made about world wars involving the entire populations, through bombings of factories and attacks on civilian establishments rather than just soldiers. Now, the war of all the people concept seems to be extending to civilian access to energy, and perhaps electricity, Internet, and water.

If Putin does take out Europe's top remaining oil supplier, Europe would be forced into a broader war with Russia. Would they be ready for that? Probably not, given Europe's peacenik proclivities and the unwillingness of many Europeans to fight for anything. The matter gets even more complicated if Europe can't prove that Putin did it. Sometimes that doesn't matter, as in the explosions that set off the Spanish-American War of 1898, but in this legalistic age, it probably would matter to Europe's bureaucratic rulers. The matter would be harder still if the deeds were done, if Europe were already freezing with no fuel, reduced to burning trash for warmth. Try mobilizing at that point.

It's possible that the drones are from Putin and he's doing a head fake, a bluff to scare Europe into suing for peace in Ukraine.

It's possible also that Norway, which has a reputedly fierce military, working with the best of NATO, would be able to prevent any Putin attack on the energy installations.

But it doesn't get rid of the problem entirely. How many weak electricity grids are there to take out? Where are the weak spots in water distribution? Where are the open doors to cyberattack on western infrastructure?

It would seem that the militaries and intelligence agencies of the U.S. and all its allies would have to be on high alert. Is that happening? Right now, all we hear about from those organizations are that they've gone wokester and are focused on Getting Trump.

If that's an opportunity to Putin, it's getting obvious with this drone operation that he's taking it. He's calculating that the West isn't serious.

Image: Oseberg058, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
Down Mexico way, a Reforma newspaper story is causing a lot of conversation and major concern. The original story is in Spanish but my friends at Pulse News Mexico published an analysis in English. It's bad news, to say the least. Let's read the English story by Mark Lorenzana:

The U.S. government has evidence that allegedly links members of the drug-running criminal group Guerreros Unidos to the Mexican Army, Navy and municipal police of Iguala and Cocula, in the southwestern Mexican state of Guerrero. In a report by Mexican daily newspaper Reforma on Tuesday, Sept. 27, Mexicos Attorney Generals Office of the Republic (FGR) presented to a judge transcripts of instant-messaging conversations via BlackBerry smartphones intercepted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The conversations allegedly prove that members of Guerreros Unidos held meetings with elements of the Mexican military and municipal police, half a year before the forced disappearance of 43 male students from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers College in Iguala eight years ago.

The scandal in question is the disappearance of 43 students eight years ago under President Pena-Nieto. I don't know how much Pena-Nieto knew about the incident but he looked awfully weak in handling the whole thing.

To be honest, this is not the first time that we've had reports of criminal elements working with military groups. My biggest concern is that the Mexican government seems incapable of dealing with it. It's a bit like our big-city Democrats who look the other way when confronted with the crime statistics tearing down their cities. In other words, Mexico seems incapable of fighting them despite years of having the armed forces chasing the cartels.

Is it time for us to start looking at Mexico just a bit different or in the early stages of a failed state. I understand that Mexicans get angry when we say "failed state" but something is failing big time south of the border. Sorry amigos!

A few days ago, John Daniel Davidson wrote an amazing analysis of how things could really go bad south of the border. He wrote:

Since taking office, Lopez Obrador has pursued a posture of passivity toward the cartels, especially the Sinaloa Cartel, the countrys most powerful. In so doing, Mexicos president has transformed his naive campaign slogan, abrazos no balazos (hugs not bullets), into a policy framework that can only be understood as a rebuke of the United States in favor of the cartels. What is also different now than in the past, the TPPF report explains, is that the cartels increasingly supplant the legitimate sovereignty of the Mexican state with their own -- often in cooperation with major elements of that state. The qualitative difference since 2018 has been the near-open role of the current Mexican president in allowing, and perhaps even participating in, that cooperation. Indeed, by some estimates cartels now control up to 40 percent of Mexican territory.

I agree with Mr. Davidson that the perfect storm of President Biden's border policy plus President Lopez-Obrador leftist instincts are making the cartels stronger and in turn making us weaker.

Yes, with all due respect to the Mexicans who will get angry with me, Mexico is starting to look like a failed state. Worse than that, a failed state on our border is a national security matter.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Public Domain
In "Jenin's young Palestinians arm themselves for resistance" (9/21/22), The Washington Post refers to Palestinian "resistance" when it is more accurately posited as aggression. The Post actually admits to this when stating that "[i]n March, Israel launched the 'Break the Wave' military operation in the West Bank after the deadliest string of Palestinian terrorist attacks in years, a number of them originating in Jenin."

But with that, the Post complains that "[t]housands of young people in Jenin are on Israel's terrorism watch list, making them ineligible for work permits in Israel that would allow them to make a living." The Palestinians can make a living in the West Bank area controlled by the Palestinians. It is pure sophistry for the Post to suggest that Israel can or cannot "allow" Palestinians to make a living. Further, what does the Post expect  that Israel welcome in terrorists to put at risk the lives of additional Israelis, after the recent murder spree by the Palestinians? Since when is it Israel's responsibility (or any country's responsibility) to employ a hostile neighbor's work force?

The Post gets closer to identifying the problem, without identifying the problem: "Fifty-six percent of Palestinians support armed attacks against Israelis ... according to the June poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research." The Palestinians still have as their goal destroying the Jewish state. Why else have they turned down peace deal after peace deal without making a counteroffer?

The Post chose "model Palestinian citizen" Mohammed Sabbagh, who actually is the head of the People's Services Committee of the Jenin refugee camp, for much of its information in the article. Sabbagh served 23 years in an Israeli prison for stabbing to death an Israeli soldier. With role models like this, no one needs to wonder where young Palestinians get their ideas.

It's Palestinian aggression at the heart of this conflict, not a so-called "resistance." When will the Post get this right?

Dr. Michael Berenhaus is a freelance watchdog activist who works tirelessly to combat anti-Israel bias in the media. He has been widely published in news sources such as The Economist, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.

Image: Daniel X. O'Neil via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
Although I still harbor serious concerns about some of President Trumps actions  primarily his promotion of the jab  I cant help but love his uncanny ability to subjugate his political persecutors and opponents, many of whom are half his age. Hes earned a reputation for being a master troll  and his latest offer proves the moniker isnt a fallacy.

But not only that, it also illustrates that his political acumen remains unparalleled in the modern era: President Trump has offered to negotiate a peace deal to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In just one, brief post to Truth Social, President Trump painted the political establishment into a corner when he referenced the hostilities and said, Both sides need and want it [peace deal]. The entire World is at stake. I will head up group???

There are several facets to this, but for the sake of brevity, Ill only expound upon a few.

Since February of this year, when the most recent round of Russia-Ukraine hostilities kicked off, the entire political left has united behind a Ukraine under Russian assault. Mainstream media dutifully focused their spotlights on stories of bombed-out maternity wards and murdered children; Hollywood elites like Sean Penn and Ben Stiller travelled to Kiev and brought Zelensky into the fold of stardom; and Congress hosted the embattled president before a joint session, and as of last month, has gifted him over $54 billion from the American citizenrys treasury.

Undoubtedly, the role of Hollywood and the media was to garner public support for the massive transfer of wealth from hard-working Americans into the hands of Ukraine and beyond. Its no secret that Ukraine is a blackhole of corruption  anyone remember Hunter Biden and Burisma?  even the Inspector General charged with ensuring the money was used for war efforts wasnt sure where it all went.

Regardless, they all made the case: Ukraine is a hellscape, you cant put a price on humanity, we must do whatever it takes to secure peace  and therefore, sending billions of dollars to a foreign country was justified.

On the surface, Trumps proposal is a perfectly executed troll job. Given the circumstances and the narrative created by operatives on the left (peace at any cost), turning down offers of diplomacy (especially from someone who also possess an uncanny ability to negotiate peace) is unlikely to be viewed favorably by a vast majority of Americans, less than a month and a half before the mid-terms  but of course, we already know thats what theyre going to do. He just threw the Democrats more rope to hang themselves, and from that, we all benefit.

Secondly, trolling as masterfully as Trump is in itself, political wizardry. His post ended with question marks, the ball is in their court. The burden is on them  the warmongers in Congress and the White House  to either turn down the help of a man who has real world experience and success securing peace between countries with historic animosity, in the context of a narrative they created, or allow for the brokering of a truce, relieving global stressors. Of course, peace isnt really the goal though, and President Trump just magnificently exposed that.

Us conservatives have been through a lot, but watching Trump take low-rent internet trolling to a level of such artistic form is glorious. Theres something so beautiful about watching our Commander-in-Chief remain steadfast in his posture against the political establishment  have we ever had a president who really stuck up for us?

The national fabric so distinctly unique to the American character is largely due to the giants among men so prevalent during Americas founding era. Although fallible and finite, these men were providentially used to birth a new nation, one conceived in radical liberty and founded upon the sacredness of God-given rights. Despite their shortcomings  of which there were many  they still accomplished great things, and President Trump is a kindred spirit.

Image: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The University of California, Berkeley, has allowed several student groupsan amalgam of Muslim and leftist organizationsto turn themselves into Jew-free zones after they adopted by-laws prohibiting any pro-Israel speakers at events. It doesnt matter whether the event involves Israel; if you support the Jewish state (and, for now, most Jews still do), you are disallowed.

The Jewish News of Northern California reported on this initiative a month ago, but its now made national headlines because the Daily Mail picked it up. Its noteworthy that no mainstream American outlets got there before the Daily Mail did. According to the Jewish News:

The statement, written by Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine, goes beyond the now-familiar calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, pledges that have become commonplace at U.S. universities (The campus advocacy group Amcha Initiative has tallied 28 such resolutions adopted since 2021.) Rather, in addition to supporting BDS, groups that adopt the bylaw also pledge not to invite speakers that have expressed and continued to hold views  in support of Zionism, the apartheid state of Israel, and the occupation of Palestine. The rule is in the interest of protecting the safety and welfare of Palestinian students, the provision says. As to how it will be enforced, the bylaw leaves that up to each group, though suggested strategies can include publicly stipulating [each individual] organizations position of anti-racism and anti-settler colonialism to speakers, ensuring that proposals for speakers emphasize the organizations desire for equality and inclusion, or informing speakers of the events goals and mission values.

Naturally, the rule doesnt explain how stifling the free expression of ideas will advance protecting the safety and welfare of Palestinian students. It doesnt need to. We all know that, for both young Americans and leftists, words are violence.

Image: Two crescents, both allied over antisemitism by Andrea Widburg

Since the initiatives proposal, nine groups have adopted it. According to the Daily Mail, these groups are:

Berkeley Law Muslim Student Association, Middle Eastern and North African Law Students Association, Womxn of Color Collective, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Queer Caucus, Community Defense Project, Women of Berkeley Law and Law Students of African Descent.

It goes without saying that some of these groups are Muslim. However, the presence of the Queer Caucus, the Womxn of Color Collective, and the Women of Berkeley Law is the giveaway that the real commonality is leftism. Whether coming from a Muslim, Black, LGBTQ+++, or feminist perspective, all these groups have Marx in common. If you know anything about Marxism, thats not a surprise.

Karl Marx was genetically Jewish, but his father had converted the whole family to increase economic opportunities. Marx could have been another Benjamin Disraeli, fascinated by and proud of his Jewish heritage despite the family conversion when he was still a child, but he went the other way, to florid antisemitism. His crackpot economic writings became gospel for socialists, and he baked Jew hatred into them:

What is the worldly religion of the Jew? Huckstering. What is his worldly God? Money.. Money is the jealous god of Israel, in face of which no other god may exist. Money degrades all the gods of man  and turns them into commodities. The bill of exchange is the real god of the Jew. His god is only an illusory bill of exchange. The chimerical nationality of the Jew is the nationality of the merchant, of the man of money in general.

Although most of the worlds Jews were mired in abysmal poverty, Marx turned antisemitism into an integral part of socialism by making it synonymous with capitalism. For that reason, a fundamental principle of socialism is to rid the world of Jews. In this way, it is precisely the same as Islam, a fundamental principle of which is to rid the world of Jews.

Both doctrines reflect the totalitarian opposition to an ideology predicated on individual liberty and personal morality. In other words, Islamic and socialist anti-Semitism are bound together by ignorance, narcissism, and sociopathy. No wonder the two ideologies are so comfortable in each others companyand no wonder student groups at Berkeley that are socialist, Islamist, or both, readily embraced an openly antisemitic policy.
Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Fold 2 users, theres good news for you. Samsung has released the Expert RAW camera app for your phone. The company announced the rollout earlier today on its South Korean forums. The app should be soon available to download from the Galaxy Store globally. You can click here to see if its available for you.

Expert RAW is a Samsung-made camera app for flagship Galaxy smartphones. Perhaps only the highest-specced flagships, as the likes of Flip series foldables and vanilla and Plus models of most Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series dont support it. The Galaxy S21 Ultra got it first back in November 2021. Samsung has since released the app for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 4. Three more devices are picking support for it today.

Since these phones have different image sensors and processors, the performance may vary. As noted by the Samsung community moderator in todays announcement, Expert RAW image processing time and quality on the Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Fold 2 may not be at the same level as the newer models. This is due to the hardware limitations of these phones. But youll still get access to a lot of new camera features with this app.

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Samsung releases Expert RAW for Galaxy S20 Ultra and a couple of other models

Expert RAW requires high-end hardware and unlocks new capabilities that arent available through the default camera app that is installed on Galaxy smartphones out of the box. It gives you granular control over shooting parameters such as shutter speed, exposure, ISO, white balance, and more. You can adjust the parameters as per your liking to get the desired results. Expert RAW also lets you save photos in RAW format so you can easily apply effects later. If you want to save storage, you have the option to save JPEG images too.

Since the initial release about a year ago, Samsung has pushed multiple updates to Expert RAW, adding new features and improving overall image quality with software optimizations. The most recent update came last month. It brought custom presets, which let you create and save presets with custom shooting parameters and quickly apply them to your next shot. The update also improved low-light photography on Expert RAW. We expect Samsung to push more updates for the app in the future and will keep you posted accordingly.
(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 30 SET - There are currently tens of thousands of Russian Jews who are waiting to migrate to Israel, according to local reports. An estimated 40,000, the Jerusalem Post says, have already obtained the necessary visa for the so-called 'ayla' and another 15,000 are still undertaking the required process. But their arrival in Israel, the newspaper noted, will be slowed down by the few number of flights connecting Russia to Israel, which are "currently limited to seven a week". An anonymous source at the Jewish Agency for Israel - a semi-public body that organizes the logistical aspects of Jewish immigration - told the newspaper that in order to raise the number of flights significantly, Premier Yair Lapid needs to directly intervene with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile this week the Israeli finance ministry allocated 90 million shekels (over 25 million euros) to be devolved for the immediate needs of Jews who will migrate to Israel from Russia in the coming months. According to media reports, several thousands of people are expected to arrive on average every month. According to official figures, some 19,000 Russian Jews migrated to Israel between the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24 and the end of July. (ANSAmed).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 30 - A part of the 'cloud' of leaked gas from the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines is expected to arrive over Italy on Friday, said Bernardo Gozzini, the director of the National Research Council's (CNR) Consorzio Lamma environmental monitoring body.

Gozzini said the forecast was based on data from a report by the Norwegian Institute for Air Quality (NILU).

A estimated 80,000 tonnes of methane has leaked from the pipelines.

Gozzini said there was no risk to public health as the gas is diluted in the atmosphere to a high degree. (ANSA).


ROME - The Italian embassy in Sarajevo is relaunching the project to create the Museum of contemporary art "Ars Aevi", designed by architect Renzo Piano.



The project, which was stalled for a long time, was conceived to host artwork from the collection "Ars Aevi", donated to Sarajevo during the war by international artists including Michelangelo Pistoletto to support the besieged city and accompany its civil, ethical and cultural rebirth. The Italian embassy has pursued constant actions to stimulate the realization of the work which, during the conference "A vision becomes reality", held in collaboration with the office in Tirana of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation-AICS, had its final relaunch.



The collection "Ars Aevi" - in part anagram of the word "Sarajevo" and in Latin "art of the era" - currently includes some 150 artworks. Along with designing the museum, Renzo Piano also funded the construction of a pedestrian bridge on the river Miljacka in the immediate closeness of the area that was meant to host the museum. "In continuing to cultivate the dream Ars Aevi - said Italy's ambassador to Sarajevo, Marco Di Ruzza - we were visionaries but our idealism is supported by concrete" initiatives and projects. "We strongly believed in revitalizing the initiative, not only for its exceptional artistic and cultural value and for its marked Italian touch since its conception, but also for its strong symbolic value. This new museum space, modern, inclusive, multifunctional can in fact offer a powerful instrument to encourage a path of reconciliation between different ethnic-national members, in the interest of the population, and in particular of new generations, and in helping the path to the country's European integration, of which Italy is a convinced supporter".
MESSINA - Some 700 migrants who were rescued last night off Siracusa while on board a drifting ship have arrived in Sicily. About 240 of the passengers were taken by the De Grazia coast guard vessel to Messina. The majority are Egyptian, including 67 unaccompanied minors, no woman. The other migrants were taken to Catania and Augusta.
TEL AVIV - The secretary general of the PLO Hussein al-Sheikh - a close advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and minister of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) - is allegedly leaving this week for Washington, according to media reports. Al-Sheikh could be undertaking the first visit by a leading Palestinian official to the US during a phase characterized by an improvement in relations between the two sides but also by a strong resurgence in tension between Israel and the West Bank. Al-Sheikh, according to the same sources, should meet US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and other members of the State Department and the CIA.
Glasgow was the starting point for the longest, non-stop, baton relay ever attempted as the city passes hosting duties to Egypt for Cop27, having hosted Cop 26 last year.

The weather affected plans to hold the event at Glasgow Green after heavy rain and wind battered the city on Friday.

Children at Sunnyside Primary School in Craigend, Glasgow, were on hand to ensure the baton left smoothly on Friday as three pupils read out a message that was then placed inside the baton.

Thousands of runners, cyclists and sailors will work together to pass the baton hand-to-hand from Glasgow across more than 4,800 miles (7,800km) to Sharm el-Sheikh as part of Running Out of Time relay.

Children at Sunnyside Primary School join the opening stage of the Cop27 baton relay (Hamish Frost/PA)

It is expected the baton will take 38 days to reach Sharm el-Sheikh and the journey will be completed in 732 stages of about 6.2 miles (10km) each.

The baton, which has been designed by Glasgow-based company 4c Design, will pass through 18 countries via land and sea, including Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Cyprus and Israel, before arriving in Egypt.

During its route through Scotland, the baton will visit special projects such as the Glasgow Food Policy Partnership and the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve in Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway.

Running Out of Time co-founder Jamie Hay said: Its taken a huge collaborative effort to get this ambitious project to the start line.

Volunteer from Running Out of Time holds the baton which has been designed by 4c Design (Hamish Frost/PA)

Our aim is to deliver a powerful message to the decision makers at Cop27 with so much support that it is impossible to ignore if were to have a hope of securing a transition to a safe climate future.

Running Out of Time symbolises the very essence of climate action  its an extraordinary, bold, ambitious plan that will only succeed because everyone has worked together. I know we can do it.

Leader of Glasgow City Council, councillor Susan Aitken, said: Cop26 shone a light on just how dire the situation facing our planet is and that collective and accelerated action is the only option to save humanity from a global catastrophe.

While nation states make pledges, it is cities, like Glasgow, that are delivering on a low carbon and climate resilient future and must remain central to future policy decisions and action.

Runners with Running Out of Time at Sunnyside Primary School in Glasgow for the opening stage of the Cop 27 baton relay (Hamish Frost/PA)

Now we must keep up the pressure on world leaders and governments to make sure that commitments of the Glasgow Climate Pact are delivered.

The message contained within the relay baton will, Im sure, continue to convey that strength of feeling that we saw here in Glasgow last year.

Participating in the Running Out of Time relay to Cop27 is another opportunity for Glaswegians to have their voices heard and to show their continued commitment to fighting climate change.

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council (Jane Barlow/PA)

Mr Hay said: This is our most critical mission yet. Our aim is to deliver a powerful message to the decision makers at Cop27 with so much support that it is impossible to ignore if were to have a hope of securing a transition to a safe climate future.

Running Out of Time symbolises the very essence of climate action  its an extraordinary, bold, ambitious plan that will only succeed because everyone has worked together. I know we can do it.
UK and EU officials will meet soon following a call on Friday between the Foreign Secretary and the ECs Maros Sefcovic to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Foreign Secretary had his first call with the European Commission vice president, amid an ongoing row over post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland.

Talks have stalled in recent months and relations between London and Brussels remain at a low ebb, after the Government angered the EU with plans to rip up swathes of the protocol in a bid to address the concerns of unionists in Northern Ireland.

In a tweet following the call, Mr Sefcovic said that teams will meet soon, raising hopes in some quarters for progress in talks between the two sides.

Good to speak to @MarosSefcovic today on important shared issues including the Northern Ireland Protocol. We agreed we want to look for solutions to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. We will speak again soon.  James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) September 30, 2022

Mr Sefcovic called it a good conversation, adding: Both sides agree to look for solutions around the Protocol, to bring predictability & certainty to people in Northern Ireland.

He said that the EU is committed to joint efforts, adding: Teams will meet soon. James & I will stay in contact.

Mr Cleverly, who has only been in the role a matter of weeks, offered similarly warm words after the call, which is understood to have included discussions about both the protocol and other issues.

Another call between them could be held again in a couple of weeks.

Good to speak to Maros Sefcovic today on important shared issues including the Northern Ireland Protocol, the foreign secretary said.

We agreed we want to look for solutions to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. We will speak again soon.

Good conversation w/ @JamesCleverly on Protocol on IE/NI. Both sides agree to look for solutions around the Protocol, to bring predictability & certainty to people in Northern Ireland. The  is committed to joint efforts. Teams will meet soon. James & I will stay in contact. pic.twitter.com/F4orAvSi8Z  Maros Sefcovic (@MarosSefcovic) September 30, 2022

The protocol, signed by former prime minister Boris Johnsons government, effectively keeps Northern Ireland aligned with many EU single market rules to avoid a hard border with Ireland, therefore requiring some checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea.

Despite elections in May, there is currently no sitting powersharing executive in Northern Ireland, after the DUP withdrew its first minister from the governing executive in protest in February at the economic border created in the Irish Sea by the protocol.

It was Prime Minister Liz Truss as foreign secretary who introduced legislation which effectively tears up parts of the agreement, worsening relations with the EU.

Both sides have said a negotiated outcome is the preferred option amid hopes that some form of compromise can be reached.

In an interview with BBC Northern Ireland on Thursday, Ms Truss said that the Government remains open to a negotiated settlement, but said the situation cannot be allowed to drift.

Irish premier Micheal Martin said that he believes there is a genuine willingness on all sides to resolve the dispute around the Northern Ireland protocol.

I think there is genuine willingness to make every effort to resolve this issue by negotiation, the Taoiseach told reporters at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in Dublin.

That said it will be difficult.

I think what is important is that a process is entered in to that will facilitate in negotiated resolution for the issue.
Police have launched an investigation after a fatal stabbing in north London.

Officers were called at about 5.30pm on Friday to a disturbance in the area of Tottenham High Road, Haringey.

Police and paramedics found a male, believed to be in his late teens, with stab injuries, the Metropolitan Police said.

Police are investigating after a male was fatally stabbed in Haringey (Joe Giddens/PA)

He died a short time later.

The Met said inquiries are ongoing to ensure that the victims family have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

There have been no arrests.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call 101, ref 5327/30sep.

Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous is urged to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
The Government has shown a lack of urgency in its approach to tackling male suicide, according to a cross-party report.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Issues Affecting Men and Boys has concluded the current political and public policy approach to the biggest killer of men under 50 is not working.

The group has called for an overarching Mens Health Strategy to be introduced, which includes a clear male suicide prevention strategy as a central foundation, to tackle the significant rate of suicide among men.

More than 4,700 men in England, Wales and Scotland took their own lives in 2021, and male suicide claims on average 13 lives a day in the UK.

On the findings of its report, published today, the APPG said: Given the scale of male suicide, there is a lack of urgency and depth in terms of strategic political and public policy action because the current approach is not working.

The report, based on the evidence of a range of national and international experts, found that male suicide should be viewed as a result of external factors such as employment, bereavement or relationship breakdown, rather than as a clinical and mental health outcome.

The group has said that only tackling these underlying issues at the source will reduce male suicide rates, and accused the current policy of exacerbating the problem by looking at the issue through the wrong lens.

The report makes a total of 16 key recommendations to the Government, including the creation of a new Government role of Minister for Male Health and Wellbeing to hold the Government accountable for its targets.

More than 4,700 men in the UK took their own lives in 2021 (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Conservative Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher, who chairs the APPGs, called the rates of male suicide a national emergency and said that not enough is clearly being done to tackle the issue.

These terrible figures are too readily accepted even though each and every suicide is devastating including for friends, family and work colleagues.

We clearly need to look at the causes of male suicide and how and why men view suicide as a solution to the problems they face. We also need society, employers and public services to better listen, ask and act.

We cannot place all the burden on the shoulders of men if the support is not there to help. Having a general suicide prevention plan is not enough, that does not deal with the fundamental issues and we also need public bodies to be more accountable.

A mens health strategy would also be a step forward and we urge the new Government to take this forward.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: We know men, particularly middle-aged men, are an at-risk group for suicide, which is why we are providing them with targeted mental health support.

All local areas now have suicide prevention plans addressing the specific needs of their populations, including targeting men on lower incomes and outreach activity in settings such as pubs, gyms and football clubs.

We have invested an additional 57 million in suicide prevention funding and have provided 5.4 million to 113 suicide prevention charities to provide therapy and support to high-risk groups.
Experts have called on Liz Truss to correct her claims on TV and radio that no families will have to pay more than 2,500 in energy bills every year as the new cap comes into force on Saturday.

Meanwhile regulator Ofgem has urged people to take a photograph of their energy meters ahead of the change, but said they do not have to submit the readings straight away.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly and incorrectly said no household will pay more than her energy price guarantee over the next year.

But the guarantee is based on how much energy a family uses  and half of all households are likely to face bills of more than 2,500.

Adam Scorer, chief executive of fuel poverty charity National Energy Action, said: Its simply not true that bills are capped at 2,500 and its vital that people understand that.

The energy price guarantee is not an all-you-can-heat buffet. If you use more, you will pay more.

Millions on tight budgets do not fit the average tag. They can use more energy than the average because theyve got medical conditions, larger families or really difficult-to-heat homes. They may face bills much higher than 2,500.

Pls share to stop confusion. THERE IS NO 2,500 CAP ON ENERGY BILLS. Instead the new 1 Oct guarantee, like the old caps, limits  Daily charge (28p gas, 46p elec) & Unit rates (10p/kWh gas, 34p/kWh elec) So use more, pay more. 2,500 is just what someone with avg use'd pay  Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) September 28, 2022

Money Saving Experts Martin Lewis added there is confusion over how the cap works.

Under the cap, households will pay 34p for every unit of electricity and 10.3p per unit of gas they use.

The typical household, which contains 2.4 people, uses 2,900 units of electricity and 12,000 of gas according to Ofgems calculations.

Only households that use that much energy will see bills of 2,500  those that use more will pay more, and those that use less will pay less.

On Thursday, fact-checking organisation Full Fact said the public deserves better after Ms Truss repeated the false claim on local radio.

It had already called out the Prime Minister after she made the same claim in an interview with US broadcaster CNN.

She said at the time: What weve done is weve made sure that no family, no household is having to pay more than 2,500 on those energy bills.

Full Fact wrote to the Prime Minister to point out her mistake, but she later repeated the falsehood on a local radio round on Thursday morning.

She incorrectly told BBC Radio Leeds: The action weve taken on energy bills will mean that people living in West Yorkshire arent going to be facing energy bills of 6,000, which is what was forecast. Through the energy price guarantee, the maximum will be 2,500.

Full Fact said: We wrote to the Prime Minister about getting this wrong only yesterday.

2500 is *not* the maximum any family will pay on their energy bills this year.We wrote to the PM about getting this wrong yesterday. This morning, shes repeated the false claim again in local BBC interviews. The public deserves better.https://t.co/zphIoe0PwL  Full Fact (@FullFact) September 29, 2022

The Governments energy plans will affect every household in Britain this winter.

And yet Liz Truss has repeatedly misled listeners this morning.

Experts said households have time to submit their meter readings for days after Saturday  if they all do it in one go it could crash energy suppliers websites.

Energy bills were set to rise to 3,549 in October for the typical household before the Governments intervention, which changes that to 2,500 for the next two years.

Energy prices will change tomorrow Keep your supplier up to date by supplying a meter reading, but if you can't get through, you can submit your reading a reasonable time after. It might help to take a photo of the reading pic.twitter.com/AeuZoiiWi7  Ofgem (@ofgem) September 30, 2022

But despite the help it is still around double what energy bills were a year ago.

People can take action by making sure the flow temperature on their condensing combi boiler is set as low as possible. They can also save by turning down their thermostat if safe, taking shorter showers, and investing in extra insulation.

Experts say appliances which produce heat or cooling are the most expensive to run. This includes ovens, central heating and space heaters, air conditioning and boilers.

Ofgem also urged people to be wary of scammers. A 400 rebate on bills will be automatically taken off bills, so texts purporting to be from the Government should be ignored.

One such fraudulent text read: GOVUK: You are eligible for a discounted energy bill under the Energy Bills Support Scheme. You can apply here, providing a link to a website.
More than 50,000 letters and messages expressing the publics condolences following the Queens death and funeral have flooded into Buckingham Palace.

The royal family have received sack loads of mail from well-wishers who felt moved to write and convey their sympathy for the monarchy.

On September 19  the day of the Queens funeral  the King and his family were pictured looking emotional and tens of thousands of people filled the streets of London and Windsor to pay their respects as the coffin procession passed by.

Well-wishers have sent hundreds of cards to the royal family following the Queens death (Victoria Jones/PA)

The day after the funeral, the daily amount of correspondence peaked at 6,500  out of a total of more than 50,000 letters  Buckingham Palace said.

Pictures were taken at Buckingham Palace earlier this week showing some of the thousands of letters being opened by members of the royal households correspondence team.

One card was printed with the words we are thinking of you above a crown, and many letters were addressed personally to the new monarch His Majesty King Charles III.

Before the Queens death, Buckingham Palace would have expected to receive up to 1,000 letters a week from members of the public with various queries or goodwill messages.

Many of the cards were addressed to the King (Victoria Jones/PA)

The palace said all letters are carefully read and responses will be sent, as the small correspondence team processes the thousands of items sent to the King, his Queen Consort and other members of the royal family.

The Queen, the nations longest-reigning monarch, died from old age, her official death certificate shows.

The Princess Royal has already disclosed she was with her mother during her last moments but the document confirmed what was suspected on the day  some of the Queens children and grandchildren tried in vain to be at her bedside.

The certificate released by National Records of Scotland noted the time of the Queens death on Thursday September 8 as 3.10pm at Balmoral.
Following Queen Elizabeth IIs passing at the age of 96, her cause of death has been revealed.

Read article

The National Records of Scotland released the registration of the queens death on Thursday, September 29. The document, shared by royal reporter Omid Scobie, revealed that Elizabeth died at 3:10 p.m. local time. Her cause of death is listed as old age, while her occupation is cited as Her Majesty The Queen.

The National Records of Scotland have released the official registration of The Queen's passing, detailing that she left this world at 3:10pm on September 8. Occupation: Her Majesty The Queen pic.twitter.com/45RhtQpV5z  Omid Scobie (@scobie) September 29, 2022

Buckingham Palace announced the late regents death on September 8, hours after she was under medical supervision from her doctors. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, a statement read. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.

Shortly after the queens death, her successor, Prince Charles, broke his silence on her legacy.

The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family, the Prince of Wales, 73, wrote in a Thursday statement. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

He continued: During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.

Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

Following nearly two weeks of vigils for the queen, she was laid to rest alongside Prince Philip after her state funeral on September 19.

The monarchs death came after she celebrated her 70 years on the throne during the Platinum Jubilee in June. After being joined by her loved ones at the event, the queen visited Buckingham Palace to watch Trooping the Colour festivities after previously moving to Windsor Castle full-time.

The queen felt nostalgic being back at Buckingham Palace yesterday. While Windsor Castle is now her primary residence, returning there with her family brought back so many fond memories, a source exclusively told Us Weekly at the time.

The royal opted out of one Jubilee appearance due to her health: the service of Thanksgiving in St. Pauls Cathedral. The Queen greatly enjoyed todays Birthday Parade and flypast but did experience some discomfort, a statement from Buckingham Palace read that same month. Taking into account the journey and activity required to participate in tomorrows National Service of Thanksgiving at St Pauls Cathedral, Her Majesty with great reluctance has concluded that she will not attend.

Read article

Her Majesty later led the lighting of the Principal Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Windsor Castle and made a surprise appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to conclude the four-day festivities.

Elizabeths passing comes more than a year after her late husband, Prince Philip, died from old age. Philip passed in April 2021 at the age of 99. At the time, Elizabeth honored her partner of over 74 years with a loving tribute.

Read article

While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world, she wrote in a statement via Instagram in April 2021. My family and I would like to thank you for all the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.

A second source exclusively told Us that the queen was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love that she received following her tragic loss.

Elizabeth has found it cathartic to soak up all the well-wishes and tributes to the man she loved unconditionally for countless decades, the insider shared with Us. Seeing how many lives he touched has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The late regent is survived by her four children  Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward  as well as eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
What a difference a hurricane makes.

Just a week ago, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a possible 2024 contender, trolled the country with the idea that he would fly migrants in Texas to Delaware near the home of President Biden. Biden, in a speech rallying congressional Democrats a few days earlier, derided the Republican governors migrant expulsions as playing politics with humans, using them as props.

Now the potential 2024 opponents are talking multiple times a day as they face the stunning devastation from Hurricane Ian, a deadly storm that left 2.5 million Floridians without power and inflicted damage that DeSantis described as historic.

Its my sense that the administration wants to help, DeSantis said Wednesday evening in an interview with Sean Hannity, the Fox News host and erstwhile adviser to former President Donald Trump.

While not exactly shining with praise, the comment does hark back to calmer times more than a decade ago, when governors and presidents worked hand in hand during federal emergencies, regardless of their political affiliations.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at a news briefing on Hurricane Ian on Tuesday. (Robert Kaufmann/Fema/Planet Pix via Zuma Press Wire)

A Google search of DeSantis rips Biden turns up plenty of examples of the would-be White House contender blasting the president repeatedly, even dubbing him an American Nero. Flip the names in that search, and among the first few hits is a story about Bidens plans to bring the attack to DeSantis in a campaign stop in Florida. Even just a few days ago, the White House was mum on whether Biden would meet with DeSantis before the hurricane hit.

Now theyre working hand in hand.

Biden said he and DeSantis had talked four or five times. This is about saving peoples lives, homes and businesses, the president said Thursday. On Wednesday, shortly before Ian made landfall, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that theres no politics in this, answering a question about a call earlier in the day between Biden and DeSantis.

When reached for comment, a DeSantis spokesperson referred to the governor's comments on Fox News host Tucker Carlsons show Wednesday night.

We live in a very politicized time, DeSantis said. When people are fighting for their lives, when their whole livelihood is at stake, when theyve lost everything. ... If you cant put politics aside for that, then youre just not going to be able to. So Ill work with anybody that wants to help the people of southwest Florida and throughout our state.

To the average observer, largely unplugged from six years of nonstop Trump coverage, it may seem obvious that a president and governor would work together to save lives and rebuild after a catastrophic national emergency.

President Biden speaks about Hurricane Ian as FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas look on. (Evan Vucci/AP)

But in the hypercharged Trump era, marked by a rise in political violence and punctuated by the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, even the formerly sacrosanct act of responding to a major national emergency has been politicized.

Trump himself routinely threatened Democratic state and local leaders handling disasters. Shortly before the 2020 election, he initially rejected, then later approved federal disaster relief for California, led by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, after crippling wildfires tore through the state. Trump issued a similar threat to California a year earlier as well.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies famous embrace of Barack Obama just days before the 2012 election for providing federal support to victims of Hurricane Sandy  a disaster that ravaged New York, New Jersey and other states  ended up becoming an Achilles' heel for the Republican governor in the 2016 campaign for the White House. In a preemptive move days before the New Hampshire primary, which Christie had been banking on to salvage his White House run, he said he shook Obamas hand and defended seeking federal support for his constituents.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie greets President Barack Obama in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2013. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

DeSantis himself blasted federal aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy, voting against $9.7 billion in federal relief in 2013, shortly after taking office as a freshman congressman. I sympathize with the victims of Hurricane Sandy and believe that those who purchased flood insurance should have their claims paid, he said at the time. At the same time, allowing the program to increase its debt by another $9.7 billion with no plan to offset the spending with cuts elsewhere is not fiscally responsible.

But the sheer severity of Hurricane Ian and its devastation seems to have driven both sides, Democrats and Republicans, to what used to be a seemingly obvious answer.

DeSantis and Biden should each do whats right for their shared constituents, said Michael DuHaime, Christies 2016 campaign manager. Anyone who puts politics first during a public crisis doesnt deserve the office they hold.
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a proposed law to forgive at least $1,500 in parking fees each year to Californians who are homeless. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have required cities to forgive parking tickets for homeless Californians.

The move was a disappointment for anti-poverty advocates across the state  who have warned that parking-ticket late fees can lead to more debt for already low-income people  and a win for cities that receive revenue from those tickets.

"I am sympathetic to the author's intent to provide financial relief to extremely low-income Californians, but a statewide requirement for parking ticket forgiveness may not be the best approach," Newsom said in his veto message Thursday night.

Assembly Bill 1685 would have required local governments and universities that issue parking tickets to forgive at least $1,500 in fines each year for Californians who prove they are living unhoused.

The bill aimed to block attempts by local agencies to seek collections from the Department of Motor Vehicles, which puts holds on vehicle registrations due to unpaid parking tickets, a policy that can lead people unable to pay to lose their vehicles altogether.

Mike Herald, director of policy advocacy for the Western Center on Law & Poverty, which supported the bill, was surprised by Newsom's decision and called it "a very disappointing veto."

"This is going to mean that people lose their vehicles over minor unpaid parking tickets," he said. "It means they are going to be punished because they're poor."

Newsom pointed to existing local programs that already forgive some parking ticket debt for those who are homeless, and to "safe parking" programs designed to support Californians living out of their cars.

In his veto message Thursday night, he signaled that he is open to working on a different solution, but said that this bill had problems, including the lack of a limit to the number of times a person could seek relief from the program.

For people like Kia Dupclay, who was homeless on and off for a decade starting when she was just 14 years old, parking tickets became an unexpected financial barrier that she said prolonged her instability.

As a victim of sex trafficking in the Oakland area, Dupclay sometimes lived out of her car. At one point, she had accrued more than $3,000 in parking tickets, which led to more fines for late fees, tows and related costs for penalties at the DMV. That led to her license being suspended, which in turn delayed her ability to secure a job, she said.

Those things started to pile up. Everything trickles down and becomes a consequence, said Dupclay, now 29 and an advocate for homeless victims of human trafficking in Los Angeles. Over time, as Im worried about housing, and bouncing around pillow to pillow and sleeping in my car, the last thing I was worried about was paying a traffic ticket.

It was the last thing on my mind when I needed basic necessities like food and clothes, she said.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) wrote the bill, and said that too often, one ticket can trigger a spiral of debt and worsened poverty.

Bryan used Sacramento as an example: five unpaid parking tickets in the city would result in $520 in late fees alone.

Instead of continuing to penalize poverty, lets save some money with good policy and use it to get people more of the housing and services they really need, Bryan said during the legislative process. Lose your financial stability, lose your house. Lose your house, live in your car. Lose your car, set up an encampment.

The bill faced wide opposition, including from the California Mobility and Parking Assn. and the California League of Cities.

The League of Cities urged legislative leadership not to approve the bill unless the state would backfill lost revenue in local budgets brought in from parking tickets.

The group said the program would increase illegal parking and require burdensome work for city officials to validate drivers' homelessness. Under AB 1685, ticketing agencies would have had to verify proof of homelessness through healthcare and legal services providers or other organizations.

"Parking enforcement serves the vital functions of helping cities keep streets and water systems clean (street sweeping), perform essential public works (i.e., tree trimming, sidewalk repair), ensure access to business and government services by promoting turnover and promoting alternative modes of transportation in heavily congested areas," the League of Cities said in a letter to lawmakers in August. "Without appropriate levels of fines, drivers will simply ignore these rules, making it incredibly challenging to meet these multifaceted goals."

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti opposed AB 1685, saying it overrides a program created there that forgives $1,500 in parking tickets to homeless drivers in exchange for community service.

"There's no need to end a program that has allowed us to engage more than 1,900 people experiencing homelessness and helped connect them with the services and support they need," Jose "Che" Ramirez, Garcetti's deputy mayor of homelessness services said in a statement.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
President-elect Donald Trump, Eric Trump, left, Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump Jr., listen during a press conference at Trump Tower in New York, NY on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

New York AG Leticia James wants to go to trial against the Trump family before the end of 2023.

Her office filed an application asking for "an expedited trial schedule."

James' office is probing potential fraudulent practices within the Trump Organization.

New York Attorney General Leticia James' office is pushing to take the Trump family to court before the end of 2023.

According to the letter filed by James' office on Thursday, her team is looking to move fast on its $250 million civil lawsuit against the Trump Organization.

James filed a sprawling case against former President Donald Trump, his three eldest children, and his business on September 21. She has accused the former president of falsely inflating his net worth by billions of dollars and is also looking to bar the Trumps from conducting business in New York.

The letter states that James' office seeks "an expedited preliminary conference to set a trial date before the end of 2023."

"Given the fact that this action involves allegations of an ongoing scheme and conspiracy to obtain millions of dollars through fraudulent activity, and that defendants repeatedly have sought to delay the conclusion of OAG's investigation, it is imperative that this case proceed quickly," wrote Kevin Wallace, senior enforcement counsel and an investigator on the case.

The letter argued for the retention of Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron as the case's presiding judge, citing his familiarity with the probe. It also stated that the case should "remain before Justice Engoron and not be transferred to the Commercial Division in the interest of judicial economy."

Wallace's letter came in response to a request filed by Alina Habba, Trump's lawyer, on Wednesday to move the case to the New York Supreme Court's Commercial Division. She also accused the attorney general's office of trying to prevent the case from being reassigned to another judge.

In his letter, Wallace also suggested that "an expedited trial schedule on an enforcement proceeding after extensive litigation over subpoena enforcement is precisely the circumstance that warrants keeping this case before Justice Engoron in the interests of judicial economy."

In April, Engoron held Trump in contempt of court for dodging a subpoena. The former president was ordered to pay a $10,000-a-day fine for not complying with subpoenas demanding his personal business documents.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The number of suicides increased in the United States in 2021 after two consecutive years of declines, new federal data finds.

In 2021, there were 47,646 suicides, according to provisional data featured in the report, published Friday morning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

MORE: Veteran suicide rate is lowest in years, VA says, but advocates worry that's an undercount

This means there were about 14 suicides per 100,000 people.

The figure is a 4% rise from the 45,979 suicides that were recorded in 2020 and the rate of 13.5 per 100,000.

PHOTO: Number of Annual Suicides in the United States (Source: CDC)

It comes after a 3.2% drop in suicides from 2018 to 2019 and a 1.7% drop from 2019 to 2020, the report found.

"Suicide is a major contributor to premature death in the United States," the authors wrote. "In the United States, suicide increased 35% from 1999 to 2018 before declining by 5% through 2020."

For the report, researchers looked at death certificate data from the NCHS as of May 15, 2022, looking at provisional data for 2021 and comparing it with final data for 2020 and earlier.

Related video: New 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline introduced in July

According to the report, the number of suicides per month in 2021 was only lower in January, February and July compared to 2020. For the other nine months, the number of suicides was higher.

The largest difference in monthly suicides occurred in October with an estimated 4,211 in 2021, which is an 11% increase from the 3,781 recorded in October 2020.

MORE: Many Black children are dying by suicide, doctors say: Understanding the why -- and how to help

When looking at suicides broken down by sex, the number recorded for males in 2021 was 38,025, which is 4% higher than the 36,551 recorded in 2020.

Additionally, the rate of male suicides rose by 3% from 22.0 per 100,000 in 2020 to 22.7 per 100,000 in 2021, the report found.

Although female suicides increased by 2% from 9,428 in 2020 to 9,621 in 2021, researchers found that the rate increase from 5.5 per 100,000 in 2020 to 5.6 per 100,000 was not "statistically significant.

The report also found there were increases in suicide rates in nearly every age group.

Young adults saw the largest increase with 15-to-24-year-olds going from 14.2 suicides per 100,000 in 2020 to 15.3 per 100,000 in 2021.

PHOTO: A woman on a bed in an undated stock photo. (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images)

Americans aged 35 to 44 had the second largest increase of 17.4 per 100,00 in 2020 to 18.2 per 100,000 in 2021.

The report did not go into explanations of why suicides increased, but studies have suggested the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in mental health challenges, particularly among children and teens, that may have led to a spike in suicides.

Researchers are also studying if there is a link between people with long COVID and higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK] for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Number of US suicides rose 4% in 2021, CDC report finds originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLNS)  Logan James Barnhart, 41, of Holt, Michigan, pleaded guilty Thursday to assaulting law enforcement officers during the riot at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Barnhart was part of the mob that clashed with law enforcement at the Archway leading into the Capitol from the Lower West Terrace, according to court records. He was joined by other rioters in dragging an officer down steps into a crowd, where others beat the officer with weapons, including a flagpole and baton.

As a result of this attack, the officer sustained physical injuries, including bruising and abrasions, reads a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office of the District of Columbia.

Barnhart also helped to push other rioters in the direction of a line of police officers, and struck one of the officers with the base of a flagpole, the office said.

Capitol rioters son says Trump should also be in prison

Barnhart, a bodybuilder and former model for the cover of romance novels, was identified and arrested for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot on August 2021. He was taken into custody on Aug. 17 in Lansing, Michigan

Barnhart is scheduled to be sentenced on March 9, 2023. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, as well as financial penalties.

More than 870 people have been arrested for crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, including more than 265 people charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement officials.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
China's private economy expands rapidly over past decade

Xinhua) 08:15, September 30, 2022

Staff members work at a workshop in an industry park in Qingpu District of Shanghai, east China, May 17, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhao Yihe)

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's private economy has posted rapid expansion over the past decade thanks to an improving market environment, the country's top economic planner said on Thursday.

The number of private firms more than quadrupled from 10.85 million to 44.57 million over the last 10 years as a nurturing environment for the private economy is continuously improved, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) told a press conference.

As a result of a string of pro-market measures, China's global ranking for its business environment rose to 31st place in the latest ranking from 96th in 2013.

By the end of 2021, China had attracted more than 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars of foreign direct investment.

A growing community of Chinese firms have ventured overseas. The number of overseas Chinese-funded enterprises has increased from nearly 22,000 at the end of 2012 to more than 45,000 today, according to the NDRC.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
After four consecutive years of drought, parts of Somalia are projected to enter a famine next month, based on new reports about acute food insecurity in the region. Despite warning signs from humanitarian groups for years about the dire situation facing the East African countrys 16 million residents, experts say, world leaders have essentially turned the other way.

There are early warning mechanisms, social protection mechanisms [and] things that could trigger what we call anticipatory action, said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, a global organization that focuses on the alleviation of global poverty. What's most frustrating is we've been sounding the alarm for some time, and yet the system isn't responding timely enough. Those warnings are not being heeded.

About 7 million people across Somalia are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity from October through December, which means they are in dire need of food assistance, according to the latest data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a tool for improving food security analysis and decision making. Two million of those people have been designated in an even higher emergency classification, meaning they go days without food, while another 300,000 rural residents in the Baidoa and Burhakaba districts, both in the southern region of the country, have entered a catastrophe designation, in which malnutrition and mortality rates remain at alarming levels. Without immediate resources at their disposal, many Somalians have rationed what little resources they have, while others are going days and weeks without food and water altogether. If these conditions remain, 1 out of every 5 children in the country faces death from malnutrition.

Ali Arif, 73, migrated from Ethiopia in search of water, and was fortunate to find it. After trekking 25 days with his family, he was able to keep his herd of goats alive. (Omar Farouk/NRC)

A famine is a rare and specific declaration made by the United Nations and national governments, according to the IPC. The designation is made when at least 20% of households are facing an extreme lack of food, about 30% of children are suffering from acute malnutrition, and 2 people of every 10,000 are dying each day due to outright starvation or to the interaction of malnutrition and disease.

Leaders from many of the worlds richest and most polluting countries have made pledges over the last decade to curb global warming by taking "meaningful and effective actions, but activists say the efforts have not gone nearly far enough, and no concrete plans have been agreed upon.

The rich and powerful countries have a moral duty to respond, to save lives and to take responsibility to be held accountable for the causes that are making those at the bottom suffer disproportionately, Maxman told Yahoo News.

United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said earlier this month that the current crisis in Somalia is so bad that he has seen starving babies too weak to cry.

"You feel like you're looking at the face of death," Mercy Corps CEO Tjada McKenna told the Associated Press after visiting the dilapidated city of Baidoa, where young children and pregnant women had no food to eat and no water to drink. "For every one person I saw, imagine all the people who couldn't get that far. And so many people were arriving each day."

Water distribution in a camp in Luglow, Somalia, with a truck bringing a 10,000-liter bladder where people can come to collect water in jerry cans. (Omar Farouk/NRC)

This isnt the first time Somalia has experienced famine. A 2011 famine in the country claimed the lives of 260,000 people, more than half of them children under the age of 6. Even then, critics warned that the famine declaration had come too late, since more than 120,000 people had already died. Many fear a repeat a decade later.

A famine designation will be too late  people are already dying, David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, said in a statement. During the last famine in Somalia in 2011, half of all deaths occurred before famine was declared.  The international community pledged to never again allow famine in Somalia or wait so long to act, but it is repeating the same mistake this year.

A mixture of factors, including climate change, regional conflict, Russias invasion of Ukraine and extreme poverty, have made this crisis especially acute.

Last week, as world leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, members of 238 local and international nongovernmental organizations from 75 countries wrote an open letter to U.N. member states about the global crisis, in which one person is estimated to die from hunger every four seconds.

From Somalia to Haiti, South Sudan to Yemen, Afghanistan to Nigeria, peoples lives in the most fragile contexts are being devastated by a global food crisis, fueled by a deadly mix of conflict, climate change, rising costs and economic crises, exacerbated by COVID-19 and the Ukraine conflict, it reads.

Shukri Ali shelters with her two sons under their cart on the outskirts of Kismayo in Lower Juba, Somalia. She and her family were forced to flee in search of aid. (Abdulkadir Mohamed/NRC)

Four failed rainy seasons have resulted in barren harvests, malnourished livestock and such limited natural resources that at least 1 million Somalians have been forced to leave their homes in hopes of finding safety and sustenance. Many have set out on long journeys through dangerous terrain and conflict-ridden communities to look for support in urban centers.

Their livestock are dying, and they're reducing what they eat, Maxman said. They're changing their lifestyle, and they're moving to these displaced persons' camps to live in community, but without alternative and sustainable livelihoods.

Extreme water and food shortages that prevailed even before Russias war in Ukraine, known as Europes breadbasket, have made an already fragile situation worse. Somalia imports about 90% of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia, and the war there has significantly reduced shipments. That, in turn, has caused a sharp rise in prices.

Ukraine is not the cause of what's happening there, but certainly it is supercharging the issues that we've seen, in terms of the spikes in prices of food, fuel, fertilizer that directly and indirectly affect lives and livelihoods in East Africa, said Maxman.

Whatever happens in terms of that conflict is impacting prices here, Will Seal, advocacy manager in Somalia for the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Yahoo News in April. So what weve seen is increasing wheat prices, increasing cooking oil prices and increasing fuel prices. And unfortunately, while we could talk about these economic trends, it can literally be the difference for a family between being able to feed their children or not.

Hawa Mohamed Isack, 60, at an internally displaced persons' camp in Baidoa, Somalia, on Feb. 13. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

As crops fail, its not lost on advocates that the G-20 group, an intergovernmental forum made up of the worlds biggest economies, accounts for 80% of the world's emissions, and that the most vulnerable countries experience the harshest effects, which trickle down to food, health and education. Thirty-three extremely high-risk countries, including Somalia, collectively emit only 9% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

With the dire situation in Somalia likely to worsen further into 2023, as an unprecedented fifth consecutive failed rainy season is predicted, warnings can no longer be ignored, Parvin Ngala, Oxfams regional director for the Horn, East and Central Africa, said in a statement. World leaders and the international community must act now."

While political leaders have made many promises, in the cities, towns, villages, and refugee and internal displacement camps where millions of lives hang in the balance, far too little has changed. Or as Care.org puts it, "In a world of plenty, leaving people to starve is a policy choice.

The carcass of a cow lies on the outskirts of Dhobley in Lower Juba. The deaths of hundreds of thousands of animals due to lack of water and feed has destroyed incomes and futures for huge numbers of Somalians. (Abdulkadir Mohamed/NRC)

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has so far donated over $2 billion in critical humanitarian assistance across the Horn of Africa to affected regions, but acknowledges that a gap of $1 billion remains, according to the U.N. Just under half of that sum will go directly to Somalia to provide nutrition and drinkable water and help to rehabilitate water systems throughout the country, a USAID spokesperson told Yahoo News.

This is an unprecedented emergency, and around the world donor countries have the responsibility to look at what they can do and how they can support, Tracy OHeir, head of USAIDs Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance East Africa Division, told Yahoo News earlier this year. We are very concerned that the amount of funding that is available right now is not going to meet the need.

For Maxman, its a global responsibility that deserves a global response.

It is shameful that people are on the brink of famine anywhere, she said. And it's preventable with sensible policies, with things like a global wealth tax  and heeding alarms early, so that you're saving lives and investing in building resilience in the future.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court will grapple with race, LGBTQ rights and election rules in a fraught new term that begins Monday, even as the justices and the nation continue to wrestle with the fallout from the decision in June to overturn Roe v. Wade.

With affirmative action on the docket, along with immigration and a case about whether businesses may deny services for same-sex weddings, the high court isn't shying from opportunities to leave a mark once again on America's economy, culture and politics.

But as the nine justices take their seats Monday, the consequences of the previous term remain at the forefront of public awareness. The decision to wipe away the constitutional right to abortion established by Roe in 1973 has upended the midterm elections, sparked a dizzying series of changes to state abortion laws and added to a sense that the court's 6-3 conservative majority is just getting started.

"There's no reason to think this coming term or any term in the foreseeable future will be any different," said Irv Gornstein, a law professor and executive director of Georgetown University's Supreme Court Institute. "On things that matter most, get ready for a lot of 6-3s."

Recap: Supreme Court ends historic term with shift to the right on abortion, guns

Race: Supreme Court's affirmative action cases could affect hiring, employment

Roe: Roberts tried to persuade rest of Supreme Court to keep Roe v. Wade in place

Many of the court's biggest decisions in June  such as to expand access to guns and further blur the line separating church and state  cleaved the six Republican-nominated justices from the three-member liberal bloc, escalating a debate over the court's fidelity to precedent and whether some of the vote splits have as much to do with the ideology of individual justices as with strict adherence to legal principles.

A few of the justices themselves weighed in on that debate over the summer. Chief Justice John Roberts defended the court, arguing that critics shouldn't question its legitimacy just because they disagree with an opinion. Associate Justice Elena Kagan appeared to contradict that assessment, warning that the court risks weakening its stature if the public views its work as political.

The rear of the Supreme Court building in Washington, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) ORG XMIT: DCGA131

Though many of the court's most controversial decisions last term were celebrated on the right, polls show public confidence took a hit. Four in ten Americans said they approved of the Supreme Court in a recent Marquette Law School poll. That was a 26-percentage point slide from two years ago.

Among the major cases this term: A free speech challenge to Colorado's anti-discrimination law from a website developer who wants to deny her services for same-sex marriages because of her religious objections. President Joe Biden's administration, meanwhile, is fending off a lawsuit from Texas and Louisiana over how much discretion the federal government has to prioritize certain immigrants for deportation.

'The court should overrule it'

Just beyond the debate over the court's legitimacy is a question about some of the justices' commitment to precedent. Was the decision to overturn Roe a one-off, the result of the deeply personal and decades-long battle over Roe? Or was it the first step in a long march to overturn numerous cases and systematically reshape constitutional law along more conservative lines?

The Supreme Court rarely overturns its decisions. The principle of stare decisis  the adherence to prior rulings  gives stability to the law. But "rarely" doesn't mean "never."

"Litigants are much more aggressively inviting the court to reconsider and rewrite established precedent," said David Cole, legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union, who regularly argues before the Supreme Court. "They see what the court did last term and they're asking for more."

LGBTQ: Supreme Court to decide if businesses may decline same-sex weddings

Guns: Will the Supreme Court wade into bump stock debate?

Too late: Time is running out to block voting restrictions ahead of midterms

Among the precedents most at risk is a 2003 ruling, Grutter v. Bollinger, that allowed universities to consider the race of applicants as one factor in admissions. Many colleges consider race to achieve diversity. But an anti-affirmative action group sued Harvard College and the University of North Carolina, asserting that that consideration discriminates against Asian American and other students.

Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In its appeal to the Supreme Court, the group is asking for Grutter to be overruled, arguing the 5-4 decision was "wrong the day it was decided" and has "spawned significant negative consequences." Harvard counters that Grutter was "resoundingly correct" and that admitting students "from all over the world who bring different backgrounds" is critical to its mission.

The affirmative action cases could have sweeping implications not only for college admissions but also for the private sector. Several of the nation's best-known companies  including Apple, General Electric, Google and Starbucks  are backing the schools.

Precedent may also be in jeopardy in a major election case, Moore v. Harper. Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are asking the high court to rule that state legislatures have the power to change voting rules without oversight from state courts. The so-called independent state legislature theory is grounded in a clause in the Constitution that delegates responsibility for federal elections to state legislatures with oversight by Congress.

That theory, critics say, is tough to square with a 2015 decision in which a 5-4 majority of the Supreme Court upheld a commission that draws Arizona's congressional districts  in other words, an entity that is not part of the state legislature. The North Carolina lawmakers say that a commission is different from a state court.

But if the Supreme Court ultimately decides the Arizona case is relevant, the lawmakers have a solution, which they raise in a footnote: "The court should overrule it."

Race takes center stage

Abortion was the dominant theme in the term that ended in June. This time, it is race that ties together many of the most significant questions before the high court.

The 14th Amendment's equal protection clause is central to the affirmative action litigation. It's also key to another lawsuit dealing with elections.

In Merrill v. Milligan, scheduled for oral argument Tuesday, Alabama is defending a congressional redistricting map that includes one majority African American district out of seven, even though Black residents make up more than a quarter of the state's population. A federal court in Birmingham in January said that the state appeared to have given Black voters "less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice" and ruled that it likely violated the Voting Rights Act.

Explainer: How the Supreme Court is influencing the midterm elections

Barrett: How Justice Barrett is wielding influence on the Supreme Court

Federalist Society: Overturning Roe a triumph of long push by conservative legal movement

Alabama counters that its map is substantially similar to the one the state has used for years. To draw what plaintiffs want  a map that includes two African American majority districts  would require officials to elevate race above every other factor mapmakers are supposed to consider in the redistricting process, the state says.

The decision could significantly change how much weight states give to race as they decide how neighborhoods are divvied up into congressional districts.

People vote during Primary Election Day on August 23, 2022 in New York.

In another series of cases, the Supreme Court must decide whether a 1978 law intended to stop the forced removal of Native American children from their tribes violates the equal protection of rights. One of the law's provisions requires preference be given to Native American families when a Native American child is placed for adoption.

Non-Native families who sought to adopt Native American children say the law violates the Constitution because it gives a preference to one race over others. The Biden administration counters that the classification isn't racial but rather is based on the fact that tribes are separate and sovereign.

"There are hundreds of adoptions that take place involving this law," Lisa Blatt, a veteran Supreme Court litigator who argued a similar case before the court in 2013, said at a Georgetown Law School event. "It is of an enormous amount of importance to people who adopt children or want to give up their children for adoption."

New justice, different court?

Another dynamic to watch: How the courts new associate justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, changes the nation's highest bench.

Jackson joined the court in June and has already taken part in a handful of emergency cases. But her first oral argument will coincide with the start of the term. And soon she'll be writing opinions along with her colleagues. That will offer insight into a jurist who avoided hemming herself into any particular judicial philosophy during her confirmation hearings.

Because she was nominated by Biden and replaced retired Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, who was also nominated by a Democrat, her arrival isnt expected to change outcomes in major cases.

But Jackson may exert influence in more subtle ways. She is one of only two justices, along with Sonia Sotomayor, with experience presiding over a trial court. As a former federal public defender and member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, she also brings an unusual level of experience in federal criminal cases.

Hazing: Constitutional questions, cafeteria choices await Jackson at Supreme Court

Diversity: With Jackson, Supreme Court is the most diverse in history

Bio: What to know about Justice Jackson, now seated on the Supreme Court

In this image from video provided by the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts administers the Constitutional Oath to Ketanji Brown Jackson as her husband Patrick Jackson holds the Bible at the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, June 30, 2022. (Supreme Court via AP)

Jackson is the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court. When the justices take their seats Monday, it will mark the first time in history that four women serve together  including all three members of the courts liberal wing. For the first time, women and people of color will also outnumber white men on the court.

"Too often with the court and in politics, people look for the immediate change, the immediate gratification. But the United States Supreme Court is a long-term proposition," said Doug Jones, the former Alabama senator and Democrat who helped guide Jackson through her confirmation. "And she hopefully will be there for quite a long time. And her influence with the other justices, I think, will only grow."

A former judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Jackson announced at her confirmation hearings that she would recuse herself from the Harvard affirmative action case because she had served on the university's board of overseers. But she will take part in the similar questions raised in the University of North Carolina suit.

"It's important to hear from the first Black female justice on the Supreme Court of the United States how she feels about race consciousness in American life," Devon Westhill, president of the conservative Center for Equal Opportunity, said at a Federalist Society event last week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court to grapple with race, elections amid Roe ruling fallout
The family of a 19-years old girl who was victim of a suicide bomber mourns, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. A Taliban spokesman says a suicide bomber has killed several people and wounded others at an education center in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital. The bomber hit while hundreds of teenage students inside were taking practice entrance exams for university, a witness says. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  A suicide bomber struck an education center in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital on Friday, killing 19 people and wounding 27, including teenagers who were taking university practice entry exams, a Taliban spokesman said.

The morning explosion at the center took place in Kabul's Dashti Barchi neighborhood, an area populated mostly by ethnic Hazaras, who belong to Afghanistans minority Shiite community. The Islamic State group has carried out repeated, horrific attacks on schools, hospitals and mosques in Dashti Barchi and other Shiite areas in recent years.

Around 300 recent high school graduates, boys and girls, had come to the Kaaj Higher Educational Center at 6:30 a.m. to take practice exams, said one survivor, 19-year-old Shafi Akbary. The facility helps students prepare and study for the entrance exams, among other activities.

About an hour into the session, the blast went off.

First, we heard the sounds of a few gunshots at the main gate. Everyone was worried and tried to run to a different direction," said Akbary, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone. "Soon after that, a huge explosion occurred inside the center.

Akbary, who was unharmed, said he saw dozens of bodies and wounded people scattered around him. I was so afraid and couldnt even move myself to help them. Later, other people ran inside and took us out, he added. Akbary said he has attended classes at the center the past six months

Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman of the Kabul police who gave the casualty toll, said students were among the victims of the blast, but he did not specify how many. He said education centers in the area will need to ask the Taliban for additional security when they host events with big gatherings like Friday's exam prep.

Police have arrested a suspect who may have links to the attack, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said later. He was unable to provide any updates on the casualties.

The Emergency NGO Hospital in Kabul said in a tweet it had received 22 patients so far, adding that most of them were women aged 18-25 who were taking an exam.

Husnia Azimi was one of those killed in the suicide bombing. She left home Friday morning to attend the exam, even though her sister Zainab told her it was late and not to go.

Once she left, it was around 09:00 a.m. that we heard about the explosion," said Zainab. "We didnt hear its sound, but once we got the news, we went to all the hospitals, Ali Jinnah hospital, Watan hospital, and other hospitals.

"But when we went to the Emergency Hospital, we got a call from Ali Jinnah hospital that my sisters dead body was found. Then we went back there and saw her body.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. But the Islamic State group, the chief rival of the Taliban, has been waging a campaign of violence that has intensified since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Afghanistans Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite Muslims, have been a frequent target of the violence. In Dashti Barchi, IS carried out a 2020 attack on a maternity hospital that killed 24 people, including newborn babies and mothers, and an attack on a school in 2021 that killed more than 90, mostly schoolgirls. The neighborhood sees frequent bombings of minibuses and, earlier this year, a school and another education center were hit near simultaneously, killing six.

The local police chief, Abdul Rahman Nafiz, criticized the center for failing to inform security officials about the practice exam.

Neither police officials nor intelligence officials were aware of any activity going on or a big exam happening in this center, so the officials from the center were very reckless, he said. "Now our mujaheddin (Taliban police) are here, and they are investigating the incident.

Amnesty International's South Asia campaigner, Samira Hamidi, said Friday's attack showed the "utter failure of the Taliban, as de-facto authorities, to protect the people of Afghanistan.

She said the Taliban have taken few measures to protect the public, especially Shiites and Hazaras "Instead, their actions of omission and commission have only further aggravated the risk to the lives of the people of Afghanistan especially those belonging to ethnic and minority communities, she said.

The U.S. charge daffaires for Afghanistan, Karen Decker, condemned Friday's attack in a tweet.

Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear," she said. We hope for a swift recovery for the victims & we grieve with the families of the deceased.

The United Nations children's agency UNICEF said it was appalled by Friday's horrific attack. Children and adolescents are not, and must never be, the target of violence, it said in a tweet.

Since seizing power, the Taliban have banned most girls beyond the sixth grade from attending school. But female high school graduates from previous years can go to university.

___

Faiez reported from Islamabad.
As protests continue to sweep across Iran, a whos who of legal experts announced in London on Friday that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Khamenei, and the current President Ebrahim Raisi, carried out a lethal plan to "commit crimes against humanity," resulting in the mass murder of 1,500 protestors.

The Iran Atrocities Tribunal  also known as the Aban Tribunal for the Iranian calendar month in which the elimination of regime opponents took place  has been meeting in London and conducted an exhaustive investigation into the clerical regimes violent crackdown on Iranian protestors during waves of demonstrations against rising fuel prices and the legitimacy of the regime in November 2019. The tribunal is not legally binding, but organizers hope the evidence and findings contained in it will lead to a United Nations inquiry.

The panel implicated Raisi, who was head of Irans opaque judiciary at the time, and the so-called "moderate" former president of the theocratic regime, Hassan Rouhani, for crimes against humanity. The non-binding legal finding raises a new dimension of criticism against the existence of the reportedly totalitarian regime in Tehran.

According to the 24-page "Judgment Summary" authored by the tribunal, the panel of lawyers unanimously determined "the Iranian government and security forces (including Ministry of Interior, Supreme Council of National Security, Provincial Security Councils, police forces (NAJA), the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], the paramilitary Basij, Ministry of Intelligence, other plainclothes forces and the Ministry of Justice) designed and implemented a plan to commit crimes against humanity of murder, imprisonment, enforces disappearances, torture and sexual violence in order to quell the protests and conceal the crimes committed."

IRAN REGIME LEADERS ACCUSED OF MASS MURDER IN 2019 PROTESTS

The tribunals sweeping indictment of the Islamic Republics autocratic government and its pervasive security apparatus provides news evidence for opponents of the Biden administrations nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

Biden and other world powers seek to provide Irans regime with more than $100 billion in sanctions relief in exchange for temporary restrictions on the Islamic Republics alleged plan to build a nuclear weapon.

When asked about the tribunal report before its official release, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital "While we cannot comment on a report that has not been made public, the United States welcomes efforts by civil society organizations to promote justice and accountability for Irans long history of using violence as a means to suppress peaceful dissent, which we are seeing yet again in the Iranian governments violent and repressive response to the ongoing protests today."

A Reuters news agency investigation determined that the Islamic Republic of Iran murdered about 1,500 people during the November 2019 nation-wide protests.

IN DESPERATE EFFORT TO SALVAGE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL, WILL US CAVE TO EU APPEASEMENT?

Alireza Nader, an Iran expert, told Fox News Digital "The U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic regime is inherently contradictory. U.S. officials like Jake Sullivan [National Security Advisor] condemn the regimes brutal treatment of protestors but at the same time are negotiating an agreement with the regime to provide the regime with tens of billions of dollars to crush the same protestors."

Amin Ansarifard, the father of the victim Farzad Ansarifard, said about the tribunal that "This result does not bring peace for those of us who lost family members in 2019 to the governments indiscriminate killing of protestors, but it is the necessary step to getting justice for those we lost."

Wayne Jordan, an international lawyer and the tribunal chair, said "This could not come at a more urgent time. Once again, the people of Iran are taking to the streets to demand accountability and justice for a government that has shown, time and time again, their willingness to violate human rights to quell the voice of the people. The judgment of the Iran Atrocities (Aban) Committee is a vital step to establishing an accurate record to bring the perpetrators to justice through international law, so that we do not see a repeat of 2019."

DOZENS DEAD, OVER 1,200 ARRESTED IN IRAN AS REGIME WARNS OF 'DECISIVE' CRACKDOWN

The tribunal held public session in November 2012 and in February 2022 to collect evidence from 55 witnesses, including protestors and individuals who were allegedly tortured and arrested by the regime. The panel received written statements from 169 witnesses.

Irans regime lashed out at the proceedings and declined to appear at the tribunal to refute the allegations. Fox News Digital reached out to Irans foreign ministry and its U.N. mission for a comment.

Shadi Sadr, a prominent Iranian human rights lawyer and co- organizer of the tribunal, said "We must prevent this happening again. This judgment establishes beyond doubt the culpability of named individuals who are directly accountable for human rights abuses in the 2019 protests. The result of this tribunal ought to trigger a UN-led independent review. There must be a coordinated response by the international community to hold those responsible for crimes against humanity to account under international law."

Fox News Digital reached out to the United Nations for comment.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A federal judge on Thursday ruled that former President Donald Trump does not have to provide the court with a sworn statement attesting to whether he believes the list of items seized by the FBI from his Florida estate is accurate and complete.

The order from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon came after U.S. Senior Judge Raymond Dearie, appointed as special master at Trump's request to oversee a review of the records seized from Mar-a-lago, had ordered Trump's lawyers to let him know if they disputed the accuracy of the government's property inventory list.

Trump has claimed, without evidence, that the FBI may have planted evidence when it searched Mar-a-lago on Aug. 8.

Late on Wednesday, Trump's lawyers lodged a complaint with the court about Dearie's demand, saying it exceeded the scope of Dearie's authority.

"There shall be no separate requirement on [Trump] at this stage, prior to the review of any of the seized materials, to lodge ex ante final objections to the accuracy of [the government's] inventory, its descriptions, or its contents," Cannon wrote in her order.

"The courts appointment order did not contemplate that obligation," she added.

The government has said it carted away more than 11,000 records, about 100 of them marked as classified.

The Justice Department, which was also ordered to provide a sworn statement attesting to the accuracy of the inventory, has made some amendments to its list, such as adding 53 documents.

Dearie was appointed by Cannon over objections from the Justice Department to review the more than 11,000 records seized from Mar-a-lago on Aug. 8. He is required to weed out any records that could be subject to claims of attorney-client privilege or executive privilege, a legal doctrine that can shield some White House communications from disclosure.

Initially Cannon ordered him to include the classified materials in his review, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit reversed that decision after the Justice Department filed an appeal.

On Wednesday, Trump's lawyers told Dearie they objected to his request to address whether they disputed the accuracy of the FBI's property inventory list, claiming such a demand "exceeds the grant of authority" that Cannon gave the special master.

They said it is hard to find a vendor who can process the records in time to meet the deadlines. The roughly 11,000 records, they say, amount to about 200,000 pages.

(Reporting by Sarah N. LynchEditing by David Gregorio)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said Russias planned annexation of four regions of Ukraine wont be what the Kremlin hopes for.

Russia plans to annex Ukraines Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions on Friday, a major escalation in the seven-month war, after residents supposedly signed off on plans in Moscow-orchestrated referendums condemned by the West as a sham.

Everyone in the world understands well what such an attempted annexation would actually mean, Zelensky said in his nightly address. It will not mean what the Kremlin hopes for.

Zelensky said he spoke with leaders in Italy, Poland and France earlier in the day, adding to efforts by the U.S. and its allies to mobilize the international community to reject the Russian annexation attempt.

Russia is planning celebratory events in Moscow and the occupied territories in the coming days that would echo those held after the countrys 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. But Zelensky vowed the Kremlin will not hold further annexed regions.

Now I repeat for everyone in this country: Russia will not get a new territory of Ukraine, Zelensky said. Russia will annex itself to the catastrophe that it has brought to the occupied territory of our country.

The annexation would come days after Russian President Vladimir Putin called up 300,000 reservists and threatened the West with nuclear weapons, claiming the threat is not a bluff.

The Kremlin has faced steep territorial losses in Ukraines northeast from a counteroffensive that pushed Russian forces back to the border in some areas. Those gains led to increasing criticism against Putin from within Russia, and protests broke out following his partial mobilization announcement.

Amid the referendums in the occupied regions earlier this week, Zelensky called for Russia to be removed from the United Nations Security Council. As a permanent member of the powerful group, Russia maintains veto power on any substantive resolution.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the referendums as an attempt to mask a land grab in Ukraine on Thursday.

The United States does not, and will never, recognize the legitimacy or outcome of these sham referenda or Russias purported annexation of Ukrainian territory, Blinken said in a statement. This spectacle conducted by Russias proxies is illegitimate and violates international law. It is an affront to the principles of international peace and security.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Thursday the annexation would mark a dangerous escalation, Reuters reported.

Any decision by Russia to go forwards will further jeopardize the prospects for peace, Guterres said.

Western officials have also raised concerns after the two Nord Stream pipelines, which run from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea, began leaking early this week after European seismic stations recorded explosions.

U.S. and European officials have characterized the leaks as apparent sabotage, but the U.S. has stopped short of directly blaming Russia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
On Friday morning, the Biden administration announced a wave of new sanctions against a number of individuals and entities including the head of Russia's central bank, following Vladimir Putins move to annex four areas of Ukraine.

The White House and Ukraine say the annexations are illegitimate; the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State are responding by adding new individuals and companies to the already sprawling sanctions effort being imposed by the US and the West.

We will not stand by as Putin fraudulently attempts to annex parts of Ukraine," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "The Treasury Department and US government are taking sweeping action today to further weaken Russias already degraded military industrial complex and undermine its ability to wage its illegal war.

In his own statement Friday, President Joe Biden said Russia was "showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere." He added that the US "will always honor Ukraines internationally recognized borders."

President Joe Biden Thursday at the Whiten House during an event with leaders from the U.S.- Pacific Island Country Summit (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, joined Yahoo Finance Live on Friday and noted Putin "is losing on the battlefield." Russia is attempting to annex these regions "while its army is being kicked out of those very regions," he added.

While sanctions have taken some toll on Putin's ability to wage war, he noted, he said it's not realistic to expect sanctions to collapse Russia's economy.

New individuals targeted, including Russia's central bank governor

One arm of the new sanctions will name additional Putin allies individually. The White House has targeted an ever-growing list of Russian officials for economic penalties, recently discussing efforts to punish "facilitators" of Russias attempts to evade sanctions all around the world.

Treasury will sanction Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of Russias Central Bank. The highly regarded banker has worked to limit the damage to Russias economy in recent months even after she reportedly tried to quit soon after the invasion of Russia, only to be told no by Putin.

According to the Treasury Department, Nabiullina is a former adviser to Putin and will now be personally subject to an array of sanctions. Her bank, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, had already been sanctioned.

Elvira Nabiullina at a news conference in Moscow in 2019. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov)

Olga Skorobogatova, the deputy governor of the bank, and Aleksandr Novak, a Russian Deputy Prime Minister, are also being added to the sanctions list.

Fridays move will also bring in more Russian leaders and their family members into the orbit, and include Belarusian military officials. Belarus has been a close Putin ally since the beginning of the invasion and provided a staging ground for Russian troops along its border with Ukraine.

Treasury is announcing sanctions against 14 new individuals "in Russias military-industrial complex" including two international suppliers and other immediate family members of top Russians. Sanctions are also coming for 109 additional members of Russias Duma and 169 members of Russias Federation Council, the upper chamber of its parliament.

Friday's action came after Putin held a "signing ceremony" to formally incorporate Ukraines Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions under Russian control. The annexation has been called a sham by Ukraine and the West.

Britains Foreign Office also announced a new series of sanctions this week, but it remains to be seen whether these new measures will be any more effective at deterring Putin's resolve.

Russian President Vladimir Putin at a ceremony sign treaties formally annexing four regions of Ukraine on September 30, 2022. (GRIGORY SYSOYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

New export controls

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security also announced new export control efforts Friday that will apply to entities and individuals both inside and also around the world if they provide political or economic support to Russia for its purported annexation.

Administration officials have long touted export controls as a means to cut off Russia from resources such as high-tech semiconductors and the larger 21st century economy amid questions about how effective the move could actually be given Russias alliance with nations like China.

Commerce will add 57 new entities located in Russia and the Crimea region of Ukraine to its list of export control targets. Officials also underlined Friday that export control efforts can also apply to companies in outside countries that provide support to Russia and Belarus.

There are now a total of 392 entities subject to export controls. The administration is "clamping down on entities that are seeking to support Russias military effort  inside and outside of Russia  and will continue to coordinate with our allies and partners to continue to cut Russia off further from the technologies and other items it needs to sustain its war effort, Commerce Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez said in a statement.

Finally, the U.S. State Department is also imposing new visa restrictions on 910 individuals, including on a Russian soldier named Ochur-Suge Mongush who's accused of war crimes. The new visa restrictions will apply to both members of Russia's military as well as Russias proxies according to the state department. Belarusian military officials will be included in the new restrictions as well.

This post has been updated.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

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YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. In order to prepare the next meeting between the former Presidents of Armenia and Artsakh, His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, held separate meetings with the former leaders these days, Director of the Information Center at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Yesayi Artenyan said in a statement on social media.

Yesterday, a meeting was held with the First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

The materials being spread over the content of the private conversation and also the meeting with the Prime Minister are false. We think that all of this is aimed at failing the process of initiated discussions, he said.
YEREVAN, 30 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 30 September, USD exchange rate down by 0.28 drams to 405.65 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.84 drams to 396.08 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.45 drams to 7.57 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 9.35 drams to 448.93 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 19.69 drams to 21581.82 drams. Silver price up by 5.24 drams to 243.49 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has announced that he is requesting fast-track NATO membership after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the treaties on the inclusion of the two Donbass republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions into the Russian Federation.

We have already proven our compatibility with Alliance standards. We are taking a decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated accession to Nato, Zelensky said on Telegram.

A video of Zelensky's statement was also posted by the Ukrainian presidency on social media.

The Russian leader claimed that the referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - which have been branded a sham in the West - were the "will of millions of people".

Putin also called on Kyiv to immediately stop military action and return to the negotiation table.

However, President Zelensky had said that any annexation would mean the end of the possibility of dialogue with Russia, and that Ukraine would continue with its offensive to retake all territory that is now in Russian hands.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Despite all trials, Armenia must begin substantial negotiations with Azerbaijan around a peace treaty, PM Nikol Pashinyan said.

Even going through all these trials we still believe that substantial negotiations must begin with Azerbaijan over a peace treaty. We are not abandoning the agreements which were reached. And our foreign minister will travel to Geneva and will meet with the Azerbaijani foreign minister, where, as we said earlier, substantial negotiations must begin around developing the draft peace treaty, Pashinyan said.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Geneva on October 2.
BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday urged the United States to handle affairs related to Taiwan cautiously and stop supporting Taiwan in a bid to contain China.

Zhu Fenglian, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, made the statement in response to the remarks made by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in her recent visits to Japan and the Republic of Korea.

"There is only one China, and Taiwan is part of it. Since the Taiwan question is China's domestic affair, foreign interference will not be tolerated," Zhu said.

She urged the United States to uphold the one-China principle and abide by the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques. She warned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authority that its attempts to look for U.S. support for their "independence" agenda would not succeed. 
The agricultural ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon ink a deal to work together. COVID-19, war, and supply problems threaten global stocks. Up to 30 per cent of grain supply is at risk. Drought and water shortages also loom over the Mideast.

Amman (AsiaNews)  The agriculture ministers of Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria reached an agreement on food security at a time of great uncertainty over supply and global trade in the aftermath of Russias war in Ukraine.

In recent months, the World Bank raised the alarm with respect to the region. Conscious of the 2011 Arab Spring and its impact, it notes the risk of unrest and new conflicts that hunger might trigger because of war on Europes periphery.

In light of the situation, a number Mideast countries are coming together to face the emergency co-operatively. Jordanian Agriculture Minister, Khalid Hneifat met with his Syrian counterpart, Muhammad Qatna, as well as Iraqi Minister Muhammad Khafaji, and Lebanese Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan, the Jordan News Agency (Petra) reports.

The four met in Amman last Sunday to discuss ways to tackle the issues their countries face amid worsening global events.

At the end, Minister Hneifat announced that he and his counterparts approved a project by the World Food Programme (WFP), to set up a regional centre for food security in Jordan.

They also agreed to strengthen partnerships in food production and agricultural marketing, boosting the use of local raw materials.

The agreement also includes the Jordanian-Palestinian Agricultural Marketing Company regarding trade, contracts, and non-traditional farming.

The meeting came at a time of growing demand for food, sharp price increases, and the need to boost strategic reserves ahead of a looming global crisis.

COVID-19, trade restrictions, and now Russias war against Ukraine have further damaged supply chains and international markets. Up to 30 per cent of global grains supplies are at risk.

Making matters worse droughts and water shortages are getting worse, especially in the Middle East, starting in Syria and Iraq, which are heavily dependent on the Tigris and the Euphrates.

Faced with such growing threats, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq are joining forces to work together in infrastructure development, boost investment, and improve efficiency in their food industries.
by Alessandra De Poli

Yesterday, fearing clashes, Tamil Nadu banned a rally by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The Indian government recently banned the Popular Front of India for five years and arrested about a hundred of its members. Constant use of anti-terrorism legislation could fuel extremism.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Yesterday, Tamil Nadu banned a rally by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)[*], a Hindu radical group, even though it was authorised by the Madras High Court a week ago.

The ban comes just days after the Union (federal) government in Delhi banned for five years the Popular Front of India (PFI), a radical Islamist group, under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

At least 20 violent incidents were reported in the last two weeks in Tamil Nadu involving members of the two organisations, an unidentified state official told the Indian Express.

While PFI and RSS are two sides of the same coin except for their religious identities, there is also a huge battalion of parties preparing to protest RSS rallies, so we have denied permission for protests for other parties too on October 2, the official explained.

Without the ban, there will be serious law and order problems if there are rival groups holding rallies and processions clashing with each other.

This follows a large-scale operation by the central government against the PFI, with the arrest of a hundred people linked to the organisation and the Indian Social Democratic Party, the Fronts political arm.

Created in 2007, the PFI in a few years morphed into a radical and violent organisation. In 2010 a group of fanatics used an axe to chop the hand of a Catholic teacher in Kerala, for allegedly making derogatory comments in class against the prophet Mohammed.

In 2015, 13 PFI members were jailed, but until Wednesday, no state government had gone after the group despite allegations of activities related to terrorism. In June of this year, members beheaded a Hindu man in Rajasthan.

The PFI is involved in several criminal and terror cases and has a complete lack of respect for the countrys constitutional authority. With money and ideas from outside the country (i.e. Pakistan), the PFI has become a major threat to the countrys internal security, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

For the authorities, the Front is also linked to foreign terrorist groups like the Islamic State. In addition to the five-year ban, they froze its bank accounts and seized its assets.

The PFI accepted the decision, but accused the government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party, of creating a climate of terror.

Meanwhile, some members of the Congress Party yesterday called for the banning of the RSS, a fascist-inspired Hindu organisation created in 1925. Often described as a paramilitary force, its aim is to spread Hindutva, Hindu ultranationalism, promoting the superiority of Hinduism over other religions.

After Indias independence, the RSS was banned on three occasions: the first time in 1948 after Mahatma Gandhis assassination by a RSS member, again in 1975 and then in 1992 during times of high political tensions.

Modi himself belonged to RSS in his youth and many consider the BJP its political expression since the movement claims that India is threatened by the presence of a Muslim minority (200 million people or 14 per cent of the population). Some Hindus recently accused people protesting the crackdown against the PFI of chanting pro-Pakistan slogans.

Increasing sectarian violence is spilling over into the countrys politics, pitting extremism against extremism, a situation aggravated by anti-terrorism legislation (UAPA) adopted by the central government a few years ago.

Critics have repeatedly blasted the central government for using the law to suppress dissent and muzzle activists and journalists who criticise the BJP's actions.

The law itself was used against Fr Stan Swamy, the 84-year-old Jesuit who fought for tribal rights and died last year in detention.

Since 2014, the year in which Modi became prime minister, the number of terrorism cases shows an overall growth: 976 in 2014, 897 in 2015, 922 in 2016, 901 in 2017, 1,182 in 2018, 1,226 in 2019 and 1,321 in 2020. Last year, however, the number dropped to 814.

Since 2019, the law has given Delhi the power to act against individuals with lack of evidence. But only 2.2 per cent of all cases reported between 2016 and 2019 ended with a conviction.

India is in a flux, but one thing seems certain: failure to distinguish between a real threat to internal security and legitimate dissent is fuelling radicalism  putting protests on hold may prove insufficient in reducing tensions.

[*] National Volunteer Organisation.
After he was sentenced to two years in prison for picking quarrels and provoking trouble, Zhang Qiang filed an appeal. For now, he is in jail in Guangzhou. For taking part in the Tiananmen Square protests, he was expelled from his university and his household certificate was cancelled.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  A member of the Bible Reformed Church was sentenced in June to two years in prison for picking quarrels and provoking trouble. He immediately appealed the ruling.

According to ChinaAid, the man in question, Zhang Qiang, witnessed the events in Beijings iconic Tiananmen Square on 4 June 1989, 33 years ago, when security forces slaughtered students and ordinary citizens demanding freedom and democracy for the country.

Originally from Liaoning, but a resident in Guangzhou (Guangdong), Zhang came under fire from the Communist Party of China for repeatedly demanding justice for people who filed public petitions and then suffered reprisals from the authorities.

In late October 2020, in a post on WeChat (a popular Chinese messaging site), Zhang questioned the Guangzhou police's version of the death of Li Shiquan, head of the Political Department of the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security.

According to the Christian man, Li did not die "in the line of duty, and for this reason, Haizhu District Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation against him and formally indicted in April 2021.

Last June, Zhang was convicted by the local District Peoples Court, but immediately filed an appeal. Currently, he is in prison in Haizhu.

After the Tiananmen Square protests, Zhang was the victim of retaliations. His university expelled him and the police cancelled his household certificate, making him a de facto undocumented person.

When he sued the police, he was unable to attend the two trials his case eventually led to, because he could not produce any identity papers.
Today's headlines: Former deputy governor of Tibet indicted for bribes; 11 Chinese migrants die at sea between Cambodia and Vietnam; At least 19 killed in suicide attack in Kabul; The number of victims of protests in Iran rises to 83 after the death of Mahsa Amini; Orthodox priests also mobilised in Russia. Putin's business with the monasteries of Mount Athos.

INDIA

The Indian Supreme Court has sanctioned the possibility for unmarried women to have an abortion within the first 24 weeks of gestation. Until now, a 1971 law had been in force, according to which only married women, divorcees, widows, minors, the disabled, those with mental illness and rape victims could have an abortion.

CHINA

Another high-ranking executive ends up on trial. The judiciary indicted Zhang Yongze, former deputy governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region, for corruption. On the eve of the 20th Chinese Communist Party Congress, arrests, indictments and convictions of senior regime leaders intensified.

CAMBODIA-VIETNAM

The death toll of Chinese migrants has risen to 11 after the boat they were on sank off the coast of Cambodia. The last bodies were found on a Vietnamese beach.

AFGHANISTAN

An explosion near an educational centre in Kabul killed 19 people, injuring many others, according to a provisional toll drawn up by the Taliban authorities. At the moment, there are no claims of responsibility. It is probable that the suicide attack was the work of the local branch of the Islamic State. The area of this morning's attack is inhabited by the Shia Hazara minority, often the target of terrorist groups.

IRAN

The death toll from Mahsa Amini protests has risen to 83, according to the Norway-based humanitarian group Iran Human Rights. The 22-year-old woman of Kurdish origin died while in the custody of the morality police, who had arrested her for not wearing her headscarf properly.

RUSSIA

A member of Russia's Human Rights Committee, Kirill Kabanov, has proposed introducing a 'military training' speciality for Orthodox priests: a way for them to participate in the country's war activities 'while remaining within the scope of their service' and avoiding mobilisation, which affects many of them as former military personnel.

EUROPEAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

The European Administration for the Control of Financial Violations (Olaf) is carrying out an investigation involving three large monasteries on Mount Athos in Greece: they are allegedly closely linked to the trafficking of Russian oligarchs and Vladimir Putin himself, controlling their bank accounts and various related institutions used for money laundering.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Tajik resistance in Panjshir reveals alleged been meetings with al-Qaeda, Tajik, Uzbek and Uyghur formations. The fears of neighbouring Tajikistan. The Taliban had pledged not to host terrorist centres before the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The National Opposition Front (Fon) of Afghanistan, the Panjshir resistance group founded by Ahmad Massoud, has reported that according to its sources there was a secret meeting in Kabul between the Taliban leadership and 16 leaders of foreign terrorist groups. The Taliban would then accompany their guests to the northern provinces of Baghlan, Kunduz and Badaksan. The Taliban government did not comment on this circumstance.

According to the Fon website, the leaders involved are Hadji Forgan, head of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Mawlavi Ibrohim, leader of the group 'Jamaat Ansarullah' (composed of militants from Tajikistan), Shayk Zakir, head of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Abdullah Uygur, representative of al-Qaeda in northern Afghanistan, and others, who had already arrived in Kabul at the end of August as guests of Hadji Afzal, a leading exponent of the 'Haqqani network' in the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul.

The terrorist leaders reportedly met with the Interior Minister of the Taliban government, Sirajuddin Haqqani, to discuss plans for the formation of a network of fighters in the north of the country. According to the agreement reached, about half of the members of the terrorist organisations could be sent to various countries in Central Asia in the next six months. The Haqqani network would have entrusted the coordination of this new formation to Mawlavi Ibrohim, who was recently seen near Kunduz together with some al Qaeda representatives.

The other leaders would be recognised in Baghlan, where a Taliban headquarters is located in the north, while Zakir would head to Badaksan province with some Taliban leaders. These manoeuvres have already provoked yet another reaction from the government of Tajikistan, which has repeatedly denounced the threat to Central Asia from Afghanistan.

Dushanbe's Foreign Minister, Sirojiddin Mukhriddin, spoke at the UN Assembly on 24 September, expressing his concern about the situation, as 'Afghanistan is trying in every way to become a haven for terrorists and a base for the spread of Islamic extremism throughout the region'.

According to the Tajiks, the movement of terrorist groups to the north of Afghanistan emphasises this plan, involving outsiders from other Central Asian countries to create border tensions, and as Mukhriddin reminded us: 'The consequences for Tajikistan will be enormous, as it has 1,400 kilometres of border with Afghanistan'.

Only on 26 September, a representative of the Taliban, Zabihullah Modjahid, assured Radio Ozodi correspondents that 'the Taliban deny the possibility, Allah forbid, of turning our country into a concentration of terrorists ready to attack neighbouring states, we will give guarantees for everyone's security, and Tajikistan's fears are groundless'.

The Taliban invite the Tajiks to officially discuss these problems, but from Dushanbe they insist on the unrepresentativeness of the government in Kabul, which despite numerous appeals has not wanted to integrate the country's many ethnic, political and geographical expressions, of which the Tajik component is one of the most significant.

The Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faysal bin Farhan Al Saud, also called on the Taliban not to allow Afghanistan to become an international centre of terrorism and 'for this it is necessary to develop close cooperation at the international level'.

Speaking at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, some concern was also expressed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif. Fears had also increased after the elimination of al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri by the US, identifying his secret base in Kabul, where a Biden drone killed him.
by Stefano Vecchia

Postponed by Covid-19, the process envisaged by the agreements to set up the autonomous region of Bangsamoro to put an end to a conflict that has cost 120,000 lives has restarted. For every weapon handedover, USD 2400 will be paid. The unknown factor of the jihadist formations still active in the Philippines.

Manila (AsiaNews) - The ongoing disarmament of Islamic rebels in Mindanao, which began on September 27, represents a decisive step towards a peace that will put an end to the conflict of varying intensity that has lasted for fifty years with 120,000 combatants and civilians killed. The disarmament process that was supposed to be completed in 2019 was blocked by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The agreements in place for the full implementation of autonomy in areas with a majority or substantial Muslim presence in the South of the Philippines (the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region - approved by a plebiscite in February 2019), envisaged a multi-stage disarmament of the Moro Islamic Liberation front Milf), the strongest armed movement remaining as an interlocutor of the Manila government and whose fighters were partly integrated into the local security system and partly granted employment opportunities or economic benefits.

It is estimated that in this last phase of the disarmament of the almost 19,000 fighters still under the Milf banner, 2,400 firearms can be recovered out of an estimated total of 7,000, while another 5,000 have already been handed over in the previous phase.

As part of the disarmament process, each combatant who surrenders his weapons, thus accepting the new situation of autonomy, will receive USD 2,400 for each firearm surrendered. There are, however, many doubts raised by those who fear that the disarmament may only be formal and that, in any case, the ease of finding a cheap lethal weapon may neutralise the objective of the measure. A 2016 report by the International Alert Philippines, an organisation involved in monitoring the peace process, put the number of firearms in the southern Philippines at 50,000, a figure higher than a slightly earlier report by the Philippine Department of Defence.

In fact, it is practically impossible to know how many weapons are available to the various Islamic-inspired movements that over the years have fought and in some cases - such as Abu Sayyaf, the Islamic Freedom Fighters of the Bangsamoro, Jemaah Islamiyah - still operate in connection with international jihadism or engaged in criminal activities on the islands of Mindanao, Basilan, Jolo. Added to this is the availability of locally produced and smuggled goods.
The court rules that the PMs eight-year mandate is not yet completed by deciding that it began in 2017, not 2014. Pro-democracy protesters opposed to the decision take to the streets.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Thailands Constitutional Court today ruled that Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has not exceeded the eight-year limit imposed by the countrys constitution.

The retired general can thus remain in office until 2025 since his mandate began on 6 April 2017, when the current constitutional charter came entered into force.

The period from 2014 to 2017 when he was head of government under the previous temporary constitution does not count.

The Courts decision follows a petition by the opposition in the National Assembly presented by Speaker Chuan Leekpai on 17 August, asking for clarification on the matter.

According to the opposition, the term of office of the 68-year-old Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, should have ended on 24 August of this year.

On that day, the Constitutional Court suspended him, with his duties taken over by the deputy prime minister.

General Prayut came to power in a military coup in May 2014, ending a period of political turmoil that began with the proposal of then Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to grant a general amnesty to several prominent figures.

One of the people who could have benefitted from the measure was her own brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister convicted in absentia for, among other things, corruption and abuse of power.

Today, pro-democracy groups called for protests against the Constitutional Court's ruling.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned over reports that indiscriminate shelling is causing civilian casualties in northern Ethiopia, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for Guterres, said the UN chief underlines that military action cannot bring sustainable peace.

"The secretary-general notes that the continuation of the conflict jeopardizes the safety of civilians, the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and the stability of the broader Horn of Africa region," Dujarric said. "He reiterates his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the disengagement of the regional countries from the conflict, and for the parties to move forward with the African Union-led mediation process as a sign of urgency."

Recent published reports said troops from neighboring Eritrea entered Tigray in support of Ethiopia in its battle with the Tigray rebels.

The spokesman told reporters in a regular briefing that the situation in northern parts of Ethiopia remains unpredictable and fluid, with hostilities continuing to drive more people from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children were displaced in parts of Tigray and neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.

He said that hostilities affect the lives and livelihoods of millions of people living in conflict areas. Large parts of Tigray and several locations in the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions are now inaccessible due to the ongoing fighting. "This is significantly disrupting our humanitarian operations, as well as access to people in need, including displaced people."

Dujarric said humanitarian convoy movements into Tigray from Afar were suspended on Aug. 24, which cut off life-saving supplies to millions of people in need. Then, on the following day, UN Humanitarian Air Service flights into and out of Tigray stopped and "that has halted our ability to rotate humanitarian workers in and out and the transport of key supplies, as well as cash, which is a critical component of our humanitarian operations."

However, the spokesman told reporters that humanitarian partners of the world body continue to respond where they can work in the three regions, despite the many challenges they face and "the stretched resources and capacities we have."

He said that in Tigray, humanitarian partners distribute the remaining stocks. During Sept. 15-21, they reached more than 775,000 people with food, but due to limited supplies, some 230,000 of these people received less than they would have otherwise.

"In Amhara and Afar, our partners are providing newly displaced people with food, water, emergency shelter and other supplies, as well as health services," Dujarric said. "In southern and northeastern parts of Ethiopia, communities are continuing to suffer from a devastating drought following four consecutive failed rainy seasons. Our partners are now targeting about 17 million men, women and children for assistance for the rest of the year in those areas. Seventeen million."

He said that UN humanitarians continue to call on the parties to the conflict to take constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects, including vital infrastructure. "And, of course, yet again, we reiterate our call to immediately facilitate the resumption of rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian workers and supplies, so that we can help those people that need help in conflict areas, wherever they are, in accordance with international humanitarian law."

The spokesman also said the world body appeals for urgent funding to support the response across Ethiopia.

"Our partners are reprogramming their response to address the most urgent needs and to sustain life-saving operations," he said. "At least an additional 1.8 billion U.S. dollars, 60 percent of the total amount needed, is still not with us." 
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Kindly uploaded to MaverickTruckClub.com , TSB 22-2340 states that dealers need to inspect the 12-volt battery before replacing the wiring assembly. Dealers also have to inspect the antifreeze, likely because coolant hoses need to be disconnected before replacing the said wiring assembly.Being a technical service bulletin, the right course of action would be to get in touch with your dealership in regard to the work needed to be done. As opposed to a safety recall filed with the, the automaker isnt required to inform you of this issue.Of course, all the work should be done at no charge to the customer given that affected Mavericks are still covered by the Ford Motor Companys hybrid powertrain warranty. As a brief refresher, hybrid owners are covered up to eight years or 100k miles (160k kilometers), whichever comes first.Despite a few price increases, the Maverick Hybrid still is the most affordable new truck in the United States. The 2023 model is available from $20,995 for the XL, $23,360 for the XLT, and $26,680 for the Lariat sans the $1,495 destination freight charge. Under the hood, youll find a 2.5-liter powerplant with 162 horsepower on deck. Combined with the traction motor that FoMoCo developed and builds in-house, total system output is 191 horsepower. Not bad for a compact pickup, but not exceptional either.Only available with front-wheel drive, the hybrid Maverick was designed from day one to be a frugal truck with just enough payload (1,500 pounds or 680 kilograms) and towing (2,000 pounds or 907 kilograms) capability.If you drive one like the EPA expects you to do, then look forward to 42 miles per gallon (5.6 liters per 100 kilometers) city and 33 mpg (7.1 l/100 km) highway, converting to a combined rating of 37 mpg (6.4 l/100 km).
There is a new Bruce Willis on the market, and at first sight, hes the same guy as the one weve come to love from blockbuster action movies. Yet this isnt really Bruce Willis, even though whoever he is will be billed under his name. Are you confused Bruce Willis has become the first Hollywood star to sell his likeness to a deepfake company, The Telegraph reports. That company is one hes worked with before, back in 2021, for a series of ads for Russian telecoms company MegaFon, called Deepcake. Deepcake now owns Willis likeness for a digital twin created using deepfake technology , which they will be able to offer for roles the real Willis will no longer be available for.Deepcake will now be able to use a stand-in actor (*must be bald) to shoot projects of all kinds, and then, using machine learning and AI, superimpose Willis face and/or voice on the footage. The first indication as to how future Bruce Willis projects might look comes from the MegaFon ads, two of which you can see below.Ethical implications aside, Deepcake says that this is one case in which technology will serve a greater cause, helping nostalgic fans see their late idols back on the screen or, as is the case here, help actors continue working even when they cant be physically present. For Willis, working in front of a camera is no longer possible, due to his aphasia diagnosis, which leads to issues with reading, speaking, writing and listening.I liked the precision with which my character turned out. Its a mini-movie in my usual action-comedy genre. For me, it is a great opportunity to go back in time, Willis said last year, when his digital twin made his first appearance. With the advent of modern technology, even when I was on another continent, I was able to communicate, work and participate in the filming. Its a very new and interesting experience, and I thank our entire team.Deepfake has been used in Hollywood before, to more or less satisfying results, whether to de-age characters or make them older and even to add them in scenes they werent present for. But this is the first time a star of Willis caliber signs off on his likeness to a deepfake company, virtually granting it the power to put him back in ads or movies.Its almost as if Bruce Willis capability to save the world is so great that he doesnt even need to be present for it to happen.
The EU and the U.S. decided they will enforce the Corporate Value Chain Standard (Scope 3) from 2023, claiming it protects investors from incomplete data submitted by companies that are committed to reducing their international or global carbon footprint. Essentially, it refers to the entities that adhered to the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing standards. These are meant to help investors put their money into companies that are conscious of their impact on the environment and take active measures to change whats not right or fit in the long term.Scope 3 will also allow investors and climate-conscious buyers to see which cars contribute more to the worlds pollution thanks to the disclosure of life-cycle emissions. Basically, this standard will force every ESG-rated automaker to reveal how much a car pollutes the environment during its lifetime.The Transport & Environment (T&E) comprehensive report reveals that Hyundai and Kia have 116% higher estimated emissions than whats being currently disclosed. Once Scope 3 is implemented, this data will become publicly and widely available, and the stock price could take a hit. Thats why the NGO is warning investors against buying or holding automakers stocks. T&E estimates BMW is at 81%, Toyota at 69%, Mercedes-Benz at 62%, the Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan Alliance at 61%, and Volkswagen at 58% over their currently disclosed emissions.Tesla is not included because it is not part of the ESG-adhering companies anymore. It was removed from the index back in May for not showing proper business conduct and having a low carbon strategy, even though it manufactures only zero-tailpipe emission vehicles.The NGO argues in its analysis that investing in a carmaker right now is worse than sending money right to the oil industry, which has a carbon-intensive activity. For example, investing 1 million ($976,250) in the Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan Alliance would quintuple the carbon emissions created by an oil company like Exxon that receives similar funding. Honda, Ford, Volkswagen, and Stellantis are the runners-up in this scenario.Carmakers are trying to pull the wool over investors eyes by underreporting the lifetime emissions of their cars. This makes a mockery of carmakers green claims, says T&Es director of sustainable finance.Finally, the T&E study available down below says most carmakers underestimate their cars lifetime emissions and Scope 3 will reveal that next year or in 2024, which is why investors should act now.
The fourth generation Toyota HiAce has matured enough to become attractive as a JDM import, which explains why so many 1995 examples entered the U.S. lately. This Super Custom converted as a camper shows some interesting solutions coming from the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

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That way, drivers can make those all-important last-minute adjustments or find out if there is an issue with the drivetrain and get to the root of the problem before the official runs. As for those little locales, well, grudge races are not only a way to settle a score in a safe track environment but also the occasion to duke it out with other racers for big purses.Here is an example, the videographer behind the Jmalcom2004 account on YouTube is back for the nightly dose of Middle Georgia Motorsports Park (located in Jeffersonville, GA) action and he has got a couple of crazy Fox Body Mustangs in focus. Well, at least one of them, as we are supposed to see the silver lining  a light-gray, all-new build featuring a small block assembly.However, do not mistake this subtle Ford for anything other than the monster that it is, as the Mustang also has a nitrous surprise for the racers that do not pay attention. Anyway, the first moments of the feature embedded below are dedicated to the walkaround (note the American Gangster homage), followed by the traditional call-out moments at the 2:20 mark (caution, there is a little bit of NSFW language everywhere).The sole skirmish of the video then unfolds from around the 4:20 mark, so that is when we get to finally see its foe. As far as we can tell, the orange, blown, and nitrous-fed monster sitting in the left lane is also a Fox Body Ford Mustang, and it is also one that means business. The actual race kicks off at the 5:55 mark and we are not going to spoil the fun factor. So it is up to you to find out which of these fast nitrous machines gained the upper hand and secured the green-light victory (as always, there are no ETs and trap speeds).
The Chinese titan did not disclose much about the deal or its goals with it. It only stated that it now has 7.6% of the ordinary share capital of the ultra-luxury British performance brand. Daniel Donghui Li noted that Geely Holding can contribute to Aston Martins future success. The Geely Holding Group CEO said his company wants to do that by exploring potential opportunities to engage and collaborate. And thats it.Curiously, Mercedes-Benz currently owns about 12% of Aston Martin , and it will reach 20% of shareholding by 2023. In exchange for its shares, the British automaker gets engines, motors, electrical architectures, and other components from the German carmaker. Geely owns 9.7% of Mercedes-Benz shares, which is still below the 10% of shareholding the BAIC Group has as the companys largest individual shareholder. That shows how entangled the automotive industry currently is.Aston Martin is the part that may get more from this proposed partnership. Geely is developing an expertise in electric vehicles from which the British company may take advantage. One example is the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) , which underpins the Lotus Eletre and the ZEEKR 001. Will it be premium enough for an Aston Martin? Well probably discover about that in a few years.On Geelys part, the stock purchase is an endorsement of what Lawrence Stroll is doing with the company after acquiring a 16.7% stake in the company in 2020. Stroll said he wanted Aston Martin to sell electric cars by 2025, which both Mercedes-Benz and Geely can help the company deliver.
RABAT, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The African Development Bank (AfDB) granted Morocco a loan of 199 million euros (195 million U.S. dollars) to finance the country's Competitive and Resilient Cereal Development Support Program (PADCRC), reported the Moroccan news agency MAP on Friday.

Achraf Hassan Tarsim, AfDB's Country Manager for Morocco, was quoted as saying that the loan will help Morocco increase cereal productivity by 50 percent and reduce cereal imports by 20 percent by 2030.

The loan is part of the bank's Emergency Food Production Facility to help boost food security, nutrition, and resilience across Africa, the report said.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Morocco has imported more than 4.8 tons of soft wheat from November 2021 to August 13, 2022.

The cereal output in the North African country has not exceeded 3.4 million tons this year due to severe drought. 
Hard what? Hardline is a gnarly mountain bike race that returned for the eighth time to the Dyfi Valley in Wales this year. The event was won by a Canadian gentleman by the name of Jackson Goldstone, who finished six and a half seconds ahead of British rivals Joe Smith and Taylor Vernon.Basecamp really lived up to its name here, said Arctic Trucks managing director Peter Smith. Our extensive re-engineering of the body, frame, suspension, and drivetrain - combined with the additional equipment - ensured it tackled the mountainous terrain and changeable surface conditions with comfort and ease; providing a perfect base of operations for the entire event, wherever support was needed, up or down the mountain.What makes the Basecamp stand out? For starters, the iKamper SkyCamp Mini 3.0 rooftop tent, which is mounted to a Gearmate hardtop canopy with gullwing side and rear access doors. The bed, meanwhile, hides an ARB Outback Solutions modular roller drawer system. A fridge unit and a slide-out kitchen that includes a gas stove and collapsible sink are also featured.Finished in Obsidian Gray, the Basecamp further sweetens the deal with an ARB Base Rack system that enables the safe storage of a gas bottle, water container, fuel containers, and recovery boards. Front-facing spotlights, black sidebars with integrated steps, bespoke decals, 17-inch alloys, and 35-inch rubber boots of the mud-terrain variety pretty much seal the deal.As the name implies, the Basecamp is based on the Isuzu D-Max with the Arctic Trucks-developed AT35 package. The AT35 retails at 47,999 or $53,215 at current exchange rates. The only powertrain available is a 1.9-liter turbo diesel with 266 pound-foot (360 Nm) on tap from 2,000 to 2,500 rpm, connected to either a six-speed stick shift or a six-speed automatic.
Sure, some of its versions will soon become obsolete everywhere, not just in the United Kingdom, where only electrified vehicles have been allowed to survive. But the Italian automaker also likes to keep things fresh, complete with Garmin special editions that invite people to enjoy more of the great outdoors.And how about the cool(er) studio indoors? Well, that clean setting can also be had, complete with a hypothetical fourth-generation treatment, courtesy of Kleber Silva, the Brazil-based virtual artist known as KDesign AG on social media, who always tries to make sure no one gets bored with his (too) many Stellantis-focused ideas The most recent three are, in order of their arrival, a BMW XM pickup truck which is actually a Ram 2500 HD in Bavarian disguise, followed by a little Opel Corsa-e that saw the new Astras and wants a virtual taste of the new GSe sporty yet practical plug-in hybrid lifestyle, plus this nifty Fiat. The unofficial next iteration  thank God  does not share any styling DNA with the iconic Fiat 500 (legendary hatchback reinvention is great, but its body style derivatives are a nightmare).Instead, the pixel master was somehow inspired by the current Indian version (of all others!) of the Citroen C3 supermini and mashed its Frenchy design with visual elements from other Fiat models to complete the look. Well, if you see it from the front, it is not half bad at all  but then you will also see the rear and potentially change your mind 180 degrees
kW

Presented by Manhart Middle East, previously known as Manhart Dubai, it celebrates the tuners expansion across the Arab world. The build was dubbed the Manhart PT 650, and it features enhancements inside and out, and under the hood.Starting in the latter department, they have given it a new supercharger system for superior performance. This, combined with a new exhaust system that also improves the soundtrack produced by the V8, gives it 650 ps (641 hp / 478) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque to play with. By comparison, the stock Nissan Patrol Nismo , which is the model on which the Manhart PT 650 builds, has 434 ps (428 hp / 319 kW) and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) produced by its naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8.As usual, the tuners Middle Eastern arm has played around with the suspension of this project too, which sits a bit closer to the ground than the standard SUV . Contributing to the revised stance are the new wheels that measure 24 inches in diameter, and have a Y-spoke pattern. On the pictured example, or better said the rendered one, because these are official digital illustrations, they sport a gold finish, just like the decals applied to the black body, a signature touch of Manharts builds.For the cockpit, they chose a similar color scheme, with black being the dominating shade, and gold providing contrast. The tuners name was embossed into the seatbacks at the front and rear, and their logo decorates the headrests. Manhart says that the PT 650 is already available to order, and encourages interested parties to reach out to them for additional details, including how much it costs.
Folks, CARP is an acronym for Camping and Recreational Products , but all that's left in the wake of this company is nothing more than a few photos on a Facebook and Instagram account. The manufacturer's web domains are even available for purchase. So, what the heck happened, and what did we miss out on?Well, as I combed the two available sites for clues, I found very little. Nonetheless, I was able to build up a solid notion of what the heck we missed out on. Well, clues seem to point out that this crew began as Bear Teardrops, yet another manufacturer that is no longer on the market; their works and Facebook posts stopped abruptly in early 2020. Could this crew be one of the camper manufacturers that the worldwide health crisis and supply chain issues have taken by storm? Considering countless manufacturers kicked the proverbial bucket during that year, this isn't excluded. But without any warning whatsoever? Sadly, yes.But we can still look at what CARP had to offer, mainly their last and most awaited project . We can call this camper the Apache as it's stamped right there on the side, and speaking of siding, the shell's construction is one of the reasons I chose to bring this habitat to light. I've seen campers built like this before, and typically, you're looking at a fiberglass or polymer (composite) shell that appears to be one solid piece in the Apache's case. This means that the elements stood no chance of reaching the interior unless seals (not the animal) weren't doing their job. Side doors with windows and a vertical hatch at the back complete the shell.One aspect that we don't seem to have any insight into is this bugger's suspension. Although, looking at the images in the gallery, I understood that it was designed to venture where few other campers dare. With massive ground clearance, AT tires, and what appears to be an axle-less suspension, this trinket gave off that feeling of, "Yes, this camper can."As for the living space, the interior is simple , with nothing more than a modular mattress, a couple of shelves for storage, and wood paneling all around the walls. As for the rear, it's where you would have ultimately set up a galley, and by the looks of it, you were offered a tad of space in which to fit all your essentials. Considering this is the only storage bay I could spot, I hope this bugger handled a roof rack, as outdoor and off-grid living requires more than sugar and spice. Sure, there's a storage bin at the front, but that was probably optional. Speaking of options, there's no indication of off-grid systems, meaning you had to buy solar panels and all that jazz separately.And that appears to be the end of this story. But I couldn't stop there; I had to find out what happened, and sure enough, I found info saying that this crew stopped work because of supply chain issues. This is the case for many small RV, camper, and travel trailer manufacturers . But you know who isn't facing such issues? Big-brand manufacturers, but that's a story for another time.
Thats when the Omega Marstimer kicks into gear. Described as the first watch to display the time on Earth and Mars, this was presented earlier this week at the European Space Agencys (ESA) ESTEC facility in The Netherlands, where it was tested before cleared for production.The watch is part of Omegas Speedmaster range, which from time to time does feature space-related or themed watches. After all, it was Omega Speedmasters that were worn on the wrists of Apollo astronauts, even when they reached the Moon.Officially called X-33 Marstimer, the watch comes with a grade 2 titanium case, and features a 45 mm chronograph that keeps track of time on both planets. To help the user tell the two time zones apart, the watch features the Red Planets symbol when in Mars mode. The Martian time displayed is the one at planet's prime meridian.Aside from keeping track of time, the gizmo also offers access to a solar compass that can help with finding the true North on both Earth and Mars, and alarms and a perpetual calendar are also featured on the watch.As for design, the Marstimer shows a reproduction of a canyon called Hebes Chasma on the inner lining of the watch roll, while the caseback is engraved with letters spelling ESA tested and qualified.The Omega X-33 Marstimer is already listed on the companys website, but is not available in all countries. For the American Mars-nuts customers, the watch sells for $6,400.
SUV

Glen Sealey, general manager of Renault Australia, told Drive.com.au that we see a terrific future for Dacia models. He further noted that everything would be rebadged as Renault due to the French brands recognition in this part of the world. Outside of the Romanian automakers home country, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, most people associate Dacia with James Mays running gag about the Sandero on BBC Top Gear.Speaking of the Sandero, its not coming to Australia. Everything has to be a new-generation product, revealed Mr. Sealey. We would see it starting with the all-new Duster, which is due in 2024. The Bigster three-rowis also considered. After it, who knows what else will follow?The question is, why did Renault wait so long until it decided to bring Dacia to Australia? You could say that Renault wanted to see how it fared in the United Kingdom, and youd be perfectly right. There are two more reasons that Glen shared with the cited motoring publication, starting with safety.First and foremost, the Duster s side-impact safety performance leaves much to be desired, as it did in the case of the Nissan GT-R following the introduction of ADR 85 (Australian Design Rule 85/00). Passenger vehicles are required to comply with this regulation since November 2021.Secondly, do remember that Renault is going upmarket in terms of pricing with the likes of the Megane E-Tech, which is hideously expensive compared to its combustion-engined predecessor that ended production in July 2022, leaving a lot of room for Dacia in the Australian market.
Documents filed with the federal watchdog state that the subject container of clearcoat was introduced to the vehicle paint line on July 15th. Three days later, a post-painting inspection revealed polish marks with a degree of tackiness in the finish. Further investigation determined insufficient hardness, which prompted Subaru to look into this matter more seriously.Come July 26th, the supplier confessed that the clearcoat delivered to the Japanese automakers facility was not formulated to specification. One month later, which is quite a bit of time given the suppliers admission of guilt, Subaru started reviewing information that indicated possible concerns related to glass bonding, paint harness, and other issues (think chipping).Better late than never, on September 15th, the indolent automaker from Shibuya concluded that certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements set forth in federal motor vehicle safety standard 212. The safety boffins refer to the standard for windshield mounting and to the risk posed by the potential detachment of the windshield in case of a crash.A total of 41 vehicles are called back in the United States of America, split between 27 units of the Outback and 14 units of the Impreza. These vehicles were produced between July 18th and July 19th. The remedy, as the headline implies, doesnt exist. Owners will be contacted by first-class mail no later than November 21st with a simple choice. More specifically, Subaru will offer the option of either exchanging the vehicle or repurchase at no cost.The funny thing is, as mentioned earlier, the supplier is solely at fault for this mess rather than Subaru. On the other hand, do remember that Subaru recalled 293 examples of the Ascent in August 2018 over improper or missing welds. Nine suspect Ascents were sold to customers, and all were replaced with brand-new vehicles due to less-than-adequate structural integrity.
The Ford F-150 is the worlds most sold pickup truck for a reason, and we are delighted to expand our groups import business by bringing this American icon to Europe, said founder and big kahuna Anders Hedin. We are looking forward to offering European Ford dealerships the F-150 family along with a full-service program, warranties, spare parts, and accessories, added Anderz Larqvist, chief executive officer of Hedin US Motor AB.Sales are planned to start in November 2022. Pricing information currently isnt available, but we do know that other European markets will follow. German and Swedish customers are presented with three options, starting with the Coyote V8-engined Lariat. The PowerBoost hybrid-equipped Limited and EcoBoost-powered Raptor are en route to Europe as well.It's pretty curious that Hedin couldnt make a case for the Lightning, but on the other hand, its also understandable given that Ford can barely keep up with demand. The importer doesnt mention what kind of cabs are in the offing, although we do know the Raptor comes only as a SuperCrew.The Lariat can be had stateside with the Super Cab or as a SuperCrew, and the Limited can be configured exclusively as a SuperCrew. An educated guess would be that Hedin ordered the SuperCrew across the board.In regard to pricing, the net price of a crew-cabbed Lariat with the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is $54,545 at press time. $81,465 is the estimate for the PowerBoost hybrid-equipped Limited, and the Raptor costs $72,350.Although its a mid-sized affair, its also worth remembering that the redesigned Ranger and Ranger Raptor are currently priced in Germany at 52,467.10 and 79,432.50, which converts to $51,200 and $77,520.
Announcement: to prepare for the inevitability of the Nintendo 64 floatie truck flotilla rendering us obsolete, we're adding little wheels to our ferries. Landboat will be able to serve brief as a bus, so it can cross bridges, parking lots and highways that are not too congested.  San Francisco Bay Ferry (@SFBayFerry) September 29, 2022

The Cybertruck is probably the most anticipated Tesla model of all time and also the one that caused Elon Musk the most headaches. When Musk tweeted on Thursday that the Cybertruck would be able to float , the Internet filled with memes.According to Musk, the Cybertruck would be able to cross rivers, lakes & even seas that arent too choppy. He said it needs to be able to cross the channel from Starbase to South Padre Island. This is a 1,310 feet (400 meters) strait in south Texas. Crossing it could potentially save a lot of commute time compared to using regular roads.As youd imagine, the new claim produced a lot of jaw-bone sprains. People started to recall the many instances when Teslas were so poorly put together that water got inside, even when sprayed at a carwash . This was the equivalent of Musk smashing the window of the Cybertruck on stage, if you will. Dogg you cant even make a car trunk rainproof Im not drowning my family in a coffin from an N64 game, one Twitter user replied to Musks claims.If you think that was harsh, theres more. No one understands what Musk meant by serving briefly as a boat, but stand-up comedian Blain Capatch believes he knows better. If you drive your car off a cliff, it serves briefly as a plane, he tweeted . Even Musks most ardent followers started a tropical storm.After one of them replied to Musk with an enthusiastic You just took the ferry business in SF out of operation with this announcement, San Francisco Bay Ferry account started a barrage of sarcastic tweets. It began with a Michael Jordan laughing meme and references to Musks claims.Announcement: to prepare for the inevitability of the Nintendo 64 floatie truck flotilla rendering us obsolete, were adding little wheels to our ferries, wrote one of the tweets. Landboat will be able to serve brief as a bus, so it can cross bridges, parking lots and highways that are not too congested.The company then invited everyone to take a free ride celebrating California Clean Air Day on October 5. This time it was a tongue-in-cheek line: Hurry, come ride before the Blade Runner Barge Armada puts us out of operation. Free rides next Wednesday!Hopefully, the Cybertruck will start production sometime next year, as it always does, and everyone will just bite their tongue. Or, we will see dozens of Cybersubmarines trying (and failing) to fulfill Elon Musks prophecies.
Approval number VTA-060702, filed with Australias authorities on September 29th, reveals what everyone was expecting from the 70 Series in this part of the world. The old-school pickup has been reclassified as an NB1 light truck in the Land Down Under, a category of vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of 3.5 to 4.5 metric tonnes (make that 7,716 to 9,921 pounds).The approval clearly states medium goods vehicle, which is Toyotas way of circumventing Australian Design Rule 85/00. Better known as ADR 85 , this particular side-impact safety performance regulation wouldve been the end of the 70 Series had it not been reclassified as a medium good vehicle."The upcoming changes are designed to ensure that the legendary LandCruiser 70 Series will continue to be available for the foreseeable future in the Australian market, said vice president of sales, marketing, and franchise operations Sean Hanley. "The increase in GVM is sure to appeal to owners who use the 70 Series as a tool of trade or are seeking an even greater ability as a heavy-duty recreational off-roader. Combined with heavy-duty suspension and 3,500-kg towing capacity, these upgrades will enhance the versatility and rugged reputation for this legendary vehicle."In-depth information in regard to the 2023 model year update isnt available at press time, but with this update, its utmost certain the 70 Series will reach its 40th anniversary in 2024. Department of Infrastructure documents confirm that the 4.5-liter turbo diesel V8 of the 2022 model will soldier on, a stout mill that makes 203 horsepower and 317 pound-foot (430 Nm).By comparison, the 300 -series Land Cruiser is rocking a 3.3-liter turbo diesel V6 that belts out 302 ponies and 516 pound-foot (700 Nm).
Photo taken on Sept. 19, 2022 shows the Shobak wind farm operated by China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI) in Jordan. (Xinhua/Ji Ze)

AMMAN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- On the barren desert of southern Jordan, numerous towering wind turbines are working to generate the renewable energy that the country needs to spur its green transition.

One noticeable wind farm there is the Shobak wind farm, which was put into operation in 2021 by China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI), providing electricity to the country's network with an installed capacity of 45 megawatts.

CTGI, which acquired the wind farm in August 2021, held a strong belief in the importance of Jordan's new energy market, including wind and solar power projects, Jiang Songwei, project engineer of CTGI Jordan, told Xinhua in an interview at the Shobak wind farm.

Mahmoud Alhamaideh, site manager of the Shobak wind power project told Xinhua, that the Shobak project is not only providing green and clean energy to Jordan, but also helping mitigate CO2 emissions, save water consumption, and provide much-needed jobs for the local communities in the area.

"This project is supposed to save around 75,000 tons of CO2 and around one 30,000 cubic meters of water," he said, adding that the project has already created more than 100 jobs for the local community.

He indicated that the project could power around 30,000 Jordanian households in a year.

In addition to the wind farm in Shobak, the Chinese company also operates another wind farm and a solar power plant in Jordan, said Mohammad Abu Atieh, country manager of CTGI Jordan.

The three projects, with a capacity of 156 megawatts, could provide Jordan with 440 million kWh of clean energy in one year, the manager said.

According to Jordan's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, renewable energy sources contributed around 29 percent of Jordan's total energy output as of the end of July 2022, and the country aims to increase the proportion to 50 percent in 2030.

Chinese companies including the CTGI are playing a critical role in Jordan's aspirations of a greener future through environment-friendly power projects, Abu Atieh said.

For Jiang, Chinese investments have also brought various benefits to the local market.

"We brought China's advanced management experience to the project here and also absorbed the ideas of local management," he added.

Zhao Chongchong, the project representative of CTGI Jordan, said that Chinese enterprises not only helped to develop the renewable energy industry in Jordan but also engaged in empowering local youth by teaching them technical skills.

"We have signed internship contracts with local universities in Jordan, offering them technical training every year," Zhao said.

Nezar Alkhoshaman, the site engineer for the operation and maintenance of the Shobak wind power project, agreed with him.

"By solving the project's technical issues with my Chinese colleagues, my technical skills have been greatly improved," he said. 

Jiang Songwei (R), project engineer of China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI) Jordan, communicates with his colleague Nezar Alkhoshaman, the site engineer for the operation and maintenance of the Shobak wind power project, at the Shobak wind farm in Jordan, Sept. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Ze)
Approximately 31 Snakeskin Edition examples were produced for the Vipers final model year. This is one of them  number 18 of the bunch, to be exact, according to a dash-mounted plaque.Finished in Snakeskin Green over Black Nappa leather and Alcantara and complemented by the over-the-top dual-stripe pattern, this 2017 Dodge Viper GTC is already valued at over a quarter million dollars. Along with the dual-stripe pattern, the car also features a minor scratch over the left side of the roof.Under the hood, theres an 8.4-Liter V10 engine modified by Calvo Motorsports during previous ownership. The same Calvo Motorsports are said to have inspected the car sometime this year. As for the numbers, according to the seller, its 1000 WHP on 93 and 1200 WHP on E85. Ive run one tank of E85 through the car and its noticeably quicker.The car is equipped with the Extreme Aero Package consisting of a revised hood , a front splitter, a carbon-fiber rear diffuser, and an adjustable rear wing. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes featuring red calipers on all four wheels will help bring the beast to a stop.Inside, theres automatic climate control, an 8.4 Uconnect touchscreen display with navigation, along with a pair of black leather Sabelt sport seats with Alcantara inserts. The digital odometer shows less than 6k miles (5,558 miles / 8,945 km to be exact), and the fuel gauge is said to have been repaired by the seller.The Bring a Trailer auction has only 8 bids, at the moment, and about 6 days left.
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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
Exhibitors show souvenirs at the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 29, 2022. The 21st edition of the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition kicked off in Algiers on Thursday after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

People visit the Chinese embassy's booth at the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 29, 2022. The 21st edition of the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition kicked off in Algiers on Thursday after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

People visit a booth at the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 29, 2022. The 21st edition of the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition kicked off in Algiers on Thursday after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

An exhibitor talks with visitors at the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 29, 2022. The 21st edition of the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition kicked off in Algiers on Thursday after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)

People attend the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition in Algiers, Algeria, on Sept. 29, 2022. The 21st edition of the International Tourism and Travel Exhibition kicked off in Algiers on Thursday after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)
Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun (left), Bangladeshs new Inspector General of Police, receives the ceremonial baton from predecessor Benazir Ahmed at police headquarters in Dhaka, Sept. 30, 2022.

Bangladeshs new police chief is a U.S.-sanctioned former head of the elite security unit Rapid Action Battalion, which Washington also sanctioned last December saying it was responsible for serious human rights abuses.

Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, took over the position on Friday, and was promoted by the government after serving as director general of the Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB.

He was one of seven then-current or former RAB officials who were placed under American sanctions along with the unit in December 2021 by the U.S. Treasury Department for alleged human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, cases of torture and other abuses.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal defended Abdullah when BenarNews asked him about the wisdom of appointing a U.S.-sanctioned officer as national police chief.

Sanctioning Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is not a fair decision, the minister told BenarNews.

He has been facing sanctions only for holding the office of director general of RAB.

He has been an honest, industrious and a man of principle. He is the senior most police official, and retires in four months, he added.

The U.S. Treasury Department sanctions bar U.S. citizens from conducting business with or making contributions to the sanctioned individuals and block access to any property they hold in the United States.

Abdullahs immediate predecessor as police chief, Benazir Ahmed, was also sanctioned by Washington last year because of his association with RAB. He was a former RAB director general.

The United States accused RAB of more than 600 enforced disappearances in the past 12 years, a similar number of extrajudicial killings, and the use of torture.

Widespread allegations of serious human rights abuse in Bangladesh by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)  threaten U.S. national security interests by undermining the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the economic prosperity of the people of Bangladesh, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement when it announced the sanctions.

RAB was founded in 2004, and charged with internal security, intelligence gathering related to criminal activities, and government-directed investigations, according to the U.S. treasury.
Rohingya refugees shout slogans during a Genocide Remembrance Day rally at a refugee camp in Ukhia, Bangladesh, to mark the 5th anniversary of their flight from Myanmar during a military offensive, Aug. 25, 2022.

Facebook owner Metas use of algorithms to promote user engagement and increase ad revenue contributed to anti-Rohingya sentiment in Myanmar ahead of a brutal military campaign against the ethnic group in 2017, human rights group Amnesty International said Thursday.

In a new report titled, The Social Atrocity: Meta and the right to remedy for the Rohingya, Amnesty lays out how Meta failed to prevent Facebook from amplifying the kind of hateful rhetoric that led to communal violence against the ethnic group and a state-sanctioned clearance operation in 2017 that forced more than 700,000 across the border to Bangladesh, where many continue to languish in refugee camps.

In 2017, the Rohingya were killed, tortured, raped and displaced in the thousands as part of the Myanmar security forces campaign of ethnic cleansing, Amnesty Secretary General Agnes Callamard said in a statement accompanying the release of the report.

In the months and years leading up to the atrocities, Facebooks algorithms were intensifying a storm of hatred against the Rohingya which contributed to real-world violence.

Callamard said that while the military was committing crimes against humanity against the Rohingya, Meta was profiting from the echo chamber of hatred created by its hate-spiraliing algorithms.

Meta must be held to account. The company now has a responsibility to provide reparations to all those who suffered the violent consequences of their reckless actions, she said.

Meta did not immediately respond to requests by RFA Burmese for comment on Amnestys findings. Amnesty said that in June, Meta declined to comment when asked to respond to the allegations contained in its report.

Social media role significant

In its report, Amnesty specifically pointed to actors linked to the Burmese military and radical Buddhist nationalist groups who systematically flooded the Facebook platform with disinformation regarding an impending Muslim takeover of the country and seeking to portray Rohingya as sub-human invaders.

The mass dissemination of messages that advocated hatred, inciting violence and discrimination against the Rohingya, as well as other dehumanizing and discriminatory anti-Rohingya content, poured fuel on the fire of long-standing discrimination and substantially increased the risk of an outbreak of mass violence, Amnesty said in its report.

Rohingya refugees collect drinking water at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia, Bangladesh, Sept. 29, 2022. [Munir uz Zaman/AFP]

Following the 2017 violence, the U.N.s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar called for senior military officials to be investigated and prosecuted for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The body found that [t]he role of social media [was] significant in the atrocities.

Amnesty said its report found that Metas contribution was not merely that of a passive and neutral platform that responded inadequately.

Instead, it said, Metas algorithms proactively amplified and promoted content on the Facebook platform that incited violence, hatred and discrimination against the Rohingya.

Because Metas business model is based on targeted advertising, the more engaged users are, the more ad revenue Meta earns, the report said.

As a result, these systems prioritize the most inflammatory, divisive and harmful content as this content is more likely to maximize engagement, it said.

Examples of anti-Rohingya content cited by Amnesty included a Facebook post referring to a human rights defender who allegedly cooperated with the U.N. fact-finding mission as a national traitor and which consistently added the adjective Muslim. The post was shared more than 1,000 times and sparked calls for their death. The U.N. group called Metas response to its attempts to report the post slow and ineffective.

Unheeded warnings

Amid the swelling rancor and growing likelihood of communal violence, local civil society activists repeatedly called on Meta to act between 2012 and 2017, but Amnesty said the company failed to heed the warnings.

Instead, the report said, internal Meta documents leaked by a whistleblower show that the core content-shaping algorithms that power the Facebook platform all actively amplify and distribute content which incites violence and discrimination, and deliver this content directly to the people most likely to act upon such incitement.

By failing to engage in appropriate human rights due diligence in respect to its operations in Myanmar ahead of the 2017 atrocities, Meta substantially contributed to adverse human rights impacts suffered by the Rohingya and has a responsibility to provide survivors with an effective remedy, Amnesty said.

Amnestys report called on Meta to work with survivors and civil society organizations to support them to provide an effective remedy to affected Rohingya communities and to undertake a comprehensive review and overhaul of its human rights due diligence to address what it called the systemic and widespread human rights impacts of its business model.

The Burmese Service of Radio Free Asia (RFA), an online news service affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report.
Central Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Rudy Sufahriadi shows photos of Jaid, also known as Pak Guru, to journalists in Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sept. 30, 2022.

An Indonesian Islamic State group-linked militant organization has been wiped out with the killing of its last member, after a years-long campaign involving soldiers and police, officials said Friday.

The Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) had been dying a slow death until its leader Ali Kalora was killed last September, whittling the group down to four members.

It finally perished on Thursday, when the last holdout named Jaid (also known as Pak Guru) was killed in a gunfight with anti-terror police in Poso Pesisir Utara, a district of Central Sulawesi province, said provincial police chief Inspector General Rudy Sufahriadi.

With Jaids death, all MIT fugitives are gone, Rudy told reporters in Palu.

Lets hope this is the end of the hunt. And of course this could not have been achieved without the support of all parties, he said.

Evidence collected by police from the slain MIT militant Jaid is displayed on a table, in Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sept. 30, 2022. [Keisyah Aprilia/BenarNews]

After Jaid was killed, police found items in his backpack, including a standard-issue revolver with bullets and three home-made bombs, said Central Sulawesi police spokesman Didik Supranoto.

Jaid was a senior MIT member who had joined the group since its inception, was skilled in bomb-making and was involved in a series of attacks on civilians, according to Didik.

Everywhere he went he carried homemade bombs, Didik said.

Rudy said security forces taking part in Operation Madago Raya had tracked Jaids movements to the mountainous jungles of Poso regency after one of two remaining MIT militants, named Nae, had died from gunshot wounds he sustained in a shootout with police in May.

Moh Adhe Bhakti, a researcher at the Center for the Study of Radicalism and Deradicalization (PAKAR), said Naes death had not been confirmed.

Naes body was not found by the Operation Madago Raya task force in Poso. Hopefully, news about his death is true, so the hunt for MIT fugitives in Central Sulawesi has ended, Adhe told BenarNews.

This screenshot from a video shows Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen leader Santoso (left) with one of his men, as they were filmed while hiding out in the forests of Central Sulawesi province in February 2016. [BenarNews]

MIT formed in 2010 as a reaction to Christian-Muslim sectarian violence in Poso town that left more than 1,000 people dead between 1998 and 2001.

Their mission was to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia. The group is known for its grisly killings of police and civilians it said were informants for security forces.

MIT was largely focused on Poso and its surrounding regencies, and over the years, many MIT leaders hailed from Poso. Most notable among them was a charismatic man called Santoso who had succeeded in broadening the militant base in Poso.

One of the first major successes of the Indonesian security forces against MIT was the killing of Santoso in 2016, Indonesias most wanted militant at the time. He had been the first Indonesian militant to publicly pledge allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group.

In January 2016, the government launched Operation Tinombala, a joint military-police task force, with a mission to capture or kill MIT militants. The name changed to Madago Raya (Kindness), as part of a strategy that focused on humanitarian and social activities, police said.

In 2021, the task force had more than 1,300 members. At the start of this year, authorities reduced that number to 400.

A billboard shows photographs of suspected MIT militants wanted by the authorities, in Poso regency, Indonesia, Nov. 20, 2020. [Keisyah Aprilia/BenarNews]

Still many sympathizers

Although all MIT fugitives had either been arrested or killed, MIT still had some support, particularly in Poso, Bima in West Nusa Tenggara province and Makassar in South Sulawesi, PAKARs Adhe said.

Additionally, the threat of terrorism in Poso is by no means over, said Deka Anwar, a researcher at the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC).

Poso will remain a magnet for militants, especially those with ties to the Muslim-Christian conflict there at the turn of the century, Deka said.

Prevention is important for security forces, including monitoring the MIT network outside Poso, such as in Bima and in other provinces, said Deka, referring to those who supported and sent fund to MIT.

Police should also pay attention to terrorism financing and fundraising efforts by militant groups, he added.

Terrorism financing is not only for the purpose of carrying out acts of terrorism, but also to keep network members loyal, whether they are in prison, or their children, wives, and other relatives, Deka said.

Rudy, the Central Sulawesi police chief, said security operations in Poso may still continue, but that would be up to the national leadership.

If another operation should be carried out, it would be no longer about hunting MIT fugitives, he said.

There are still many [MIT] sympathizers that we need to educate properly.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (right) welcomes Jose C. Faustino Jr., the acting Philippine defense chief, to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, Sept. 29, 2022.

Longtime allies the Philippines and United States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation on Friday, as their top defense officials met in-person for the first time since a new government took office in Manila.

Acting Philippine Defense Secretary Jose Faustino Jr. and his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, both articulated their support for stronger cooperation after meeting in Hawaii on Friday (Manila time) to discuss a range of security concerns.

The administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr., who was elected in a landslide in May, has moved swiftly to firm up ties with the U.S., marking a departure from the previous administration. Under former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines drifted away from its alliance with America and closer to China, despite territorial wrangling in the South China Sea.

The first face-to-face meeting between the defense officials also took place amid mounting tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Security officials and analysts had earlier said that if a conflict broke out there, the Philippines, as a decades-old ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, could offer a staging area for responding U.S. forces.

Austin said that he had a robust dialogue with Faustino on positioning the alliance to address emerging challenges.

Both countries are bound by a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty that calls on each side to come to the others aid in times of external attacks. The Americans had earlier reminded China of this in the midst of its military expansionism in the South China Sea.

Youve heard me say a couple of times that I cannot imagine a day when the United States and the Philippines arent allies. Its who we are, Austin said during a joint press conference at the headquarters of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to transcripts released to the Philippine journalists in Manila.

Again, I consider us to be more family.

Austin noted that both countries reaffirmed the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows for large-scale joint exercises, as well as an agreement granting permission to the American forces to pre-position defense assets on Philippine soil.

Both are critical to our alliance cooperation and strengthening our combined capabilities, he said.

Of particular concern are developments in the South China Sea, where China, the Philippines as well as other Southeast Asian nations have competing claims. In 2016, an international court of arbitration ruled in favor of Manila in a landmark case that the Philippines brought against China.

But instead of seeking to enforce the ruling, the previous president, Duterte, pursued warmer relations with China in exchange for the promised largesse of Chinese investments. Although he took a tougher stance before ending his term this year, analysts have said that Duterte did too little, too late to counter Chinese expansionist moves in the maritime region, while he constantly launched verbal attacks against the U.S.

His successor, Marcos, is seeking to reverse that strategy.

While in New York last week, he and U.S. President Joe Biden held a one-to-one meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss, among other things, boosting the bilateral alliance.

Faustino said the Philippines still believed that diplomacy and dialogue were crucial in resolving the South China Sea question.

This includes continuing  engagement with China in both bilateral and multilateral platforms and multilateral dialogues, without prejudice to the Philippines position in the West Philippine Sea to facilitate mutual trust and understanding, Faustino said, using the Philippine term for the South China Sea.

However, the volatile situation in the disputed sea region remains the Philippines foremost security concern, the acting Filipino defense chief told reporters in Hawaii.

The Philippines defense and security engagement with the U.S. remains the key pillar of the Philippine-U.S. bilateral relations, Faustino said, noting that the defense treaty was the bedrock of his countrys national defense policy.

We look forward after this bilateral meeting [to having] a more robust cooperation particularly in issues pertaining to external threats to our country, and coming up with other avenues of operation where we could discuss things with mutual interest to the U.S. and Philippines, he said.

Taiwan Strait

The top defense officials also discussed tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Aside from Taiwans location near the Philippines northernmost tip, tens of thousands of Filipinos work on the island that Beijing considers a renegade province and they could be in danger if the Taiwanese came under attack, Faustino said.

While the Philippines adheres to the One China Policy, we urge all concerned parties to exercise restraint, and that diplomacy and dialogue must prevail, he said, adding that Manilas most pressing concern at this time was the safety of its estimated 150,000 citizens working in Taiwan.

Washington, meanwhile, does not want to see any type of unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, Austin said. We are focused on making sure that we are working together to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The meeting in Hawaii took place ahead of a 12-day training exercise involving 2,550 U.S. Marines and some 630 Filipino counterparts.

The exercises, dubbed Kamandag, are to be held in various provinces, including in areas facing the West Philippine Sea. Troops from the Japan Self-Defense Force as well as from the Korea Marine Corps are expected to join as observers, the Philippine military said.

The drills, it said, aim to enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability among participating forces in the conduct of combined tactical operations.

Specifically, the training is meant to enhance the capability of the two sides in the field of special operations, coast defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) response and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear operations, the Philippine military said.

Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, the Philippine Marine chief, said his side hoped to learn from the Americans about advanced techniques in amphibious operations and special operations, particularly in territorial defense capabilities.

Through this exercise, we are able to learn from their techniques, tactics, and procedures to develop our interoperability strategy in the Philippine Marine Corps, especially as we operationalize our Marine Corps Operating Concept for Archipelagic Coastal Defense, he said.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha speaks to reporters following a cabinet meeting at the Government House in Bangkok, July 5, 2022.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha can stay in office, Thailands Constitutional Court ruled Friday as it rejected an opposition petition that the ex-junta chief had exceeded his eight-year term limit, even as a recent poll found his popularity had waned.

Six members of the nine-judge panel voted in favor of clearing a path for reinstating Prayuth, 68, whom the court ordered to be suspended from his duties last month, pending the decision on the petition lodged in August by more than 170 opposition MPs.

The court counted Prayuths time in the office from the day that a military-backed constitution took effect on April 6, 2017. It did not count the nearly three previous years when he served as chief of the military government after leading a 2014 coup. The constitution was adopted before Prayuth became a full-fledged PM after the March 2019 general election, the nations first post-coup polls.

To count the incumbent governments tenure, it must coincide with the declaration of the 2017 Constitution  therefore the accused (Prayuth) started his tenure as PM on April 6, 2017, Judge Panya Udchachon said during the televised hearing.

The ruling means Prayuth could serve as prime minister until April 5, 2025, the panel said.

During his suspension, Prayuth carried on in his parallel role as defense minister. The ruling by the court spared Prayuth from the prospect of being removed from office for good. However, he has been on shaky political ground lately, having survived four no-confidence votes against him in parliament since he was formally elected PM in 2019, including one this past July.

A public opinion poll in August found that more than 90 percent of respondents wanted Prayuth to vacate office immediately. More than 370,000 participated in the Peoples Voice digital poll, launched by a network of eight universities and eight digital media outlets on Aug. 20 and 21.

On Thursday, the court barred public gatherings while riot police deployed water cannon trucks around the courthouse in Bangkok as pro-democracy groups threatened to stage a protest.

Prayuth remained at home as the court issued its ruling, according to reports, while protesters gathered in downtown Bangkok. He is expected to resume his duties as prime minister on Monday.

I honor the verdict of the Constitutional Court and thank all the people who supported and wished me well, Prayuth said in his Facebook page after the verdict, adding that the country was heading in the right direction to restore the economy.

While serving as chief of the Royal Thai Army, Prayuth led a military coup to overthrow the democratically elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra in May 2014. Later, then-King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorsed him for prime minister on Aug. 24 of that year, under the 2014 interim constitution.

Her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, suffered a similar military coup in 2006. The siblings both live in exile.

Thaksin, a billionaire who founded the Pheu Thai Party, continues to have power with party members. In August, he called for Prayuth to step down without waiting for the courts decision. His youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra , 35, has led recent polling of potential prime minister candidates.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew filed a petition with the court last month, claiming Prayuths term ended on the eighth anniversary of his taking office after the coup.

Previously, Bangkok KhaoSod, an online news website, reported that constitution drafters Michai Ruchuphan and Suphot Khaimuk had said in a 2018 meeting memo that Prayuth would complete his eight-year term on Aug. 24, 2022.

The petition included the memo as evidence.

On Friday, the opposition parties issued a statement claiming the Court had ignored the intent of the Constitution, as they called on the government to respect protesters.

To interpret the Constitutions intent, besides its literal meaning, [one] must consider the intent of the constitutional drafting committee, the statement said referring to Prayuths handpicked committee. It is not alterable that Prayuths tenure must count from Aug. 24, 2014.

Following the ruling, Cholnan said, People predicted such an outcome. Prayuth must heed their calls of people and keep peace  treat the protesters civilly, dont violate their rights.

Protesters flash three-finger salutes to show discontent over the courts decision regarding Prayuth Chan-o-chas term as prime minister, Sept. 30, 2022. [Surin Pinsuwan/BenarNews]

Street protests

In the wake of the verdict, hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators gathered in Bangkoks business district to denounce the ruling and threaten more street protests.

Today, its clear that we cannot have faith in and count on the Thai judicial system. We will take to the streets and call on all of us to show them that we wont yield, protester Chatchai Kaedam told BenarNews.

On Friday, Ratsadorn, a group of university students, issued a statement challenging the ruling.

It is clear that the apparatus of the tyranny, i.e. the Constitutional Court and the government, gain from the dictatorial regime. The courts ruling is evil and unacceptable, Ratsadorn said in a Facebook posting on Friday.

It called on people to dress in black for a week starting on Saturday to mourn the political system and the Thai societys future of the outlawed prime minister.

The Constitutional Court has played an influential role in Thai politics. In 2006 and 2014, it canceled the results of general elections. More recently, it dissolved two parties before and after the 2019 general election, including the Future Forward Party, which had become the third largest in the parliament.

Since July 2020, pro-democracy demonstrators have demanded that Prayuth resign, the Constitution be amended and the monarchy be reformed.

As of August, more than 1,853 people have faced charges of sedition, computer crimes violations, or royal defamation.

Thannapat Jarernpanit, a political science lecturer at the Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, said Prayuth could decide his future before the next election to be held around May 2023.

Prayuth may have two choices  dissolve the house to prepare for the next election and join his former coalition until he reaches the eight-year limit or, second, stay until the end of this four-year term and let the coalition leader Palang Pracharath Party lead the election and find his civilian successor, said told BenarNews.

The Constitutional Court usually considers any cases with a basic litigation mindset without daring to speak of violation of the Constitution or the coup which contradicts the rule of law.

Surin Pinsuwan in Bangkok and Kunnawut Boonreak in Chiang Mai, Thailand, contributed to this report.
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani rupee continued its recovery drive against the U.S. dollar for the fifth consecutive working session on Friday in the interbank market, appreciating more than 0.50 percent, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The U.S. dollar closed at 228.45 rupees on Friday from 229.63 rupees on Thursday when the local currency appreciated by 1.08 percent as compared to the previous day, the SBP figures showed.

The greenback lost more than 3.5 percent of its value against the rupee over the last five trading sessions. The foreign currency closed at 237.02 rupees on Monday, showed the statistics.

Economic experts attributed the strengthening of the rupee to the contraction in the country's current account deficit, reduction in international oil prices as well as the recent measures taken by the central bank.

Earlier, the newly appointed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the Pakistani government will take actions to consolidate the Pakistani rupee, saying "the local currency right now is not at the place where it should be, it is undervalued." 
JAKARTA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people working on building a road in Indonesia's province of West Papua were attacked by armed separatists, with four of the workers shot dead, a spokesman of the provincial police confirmed on Friday.

Adam Erwindi told local media that the attack took place on Thursday night, and a number of personnel have been deployed immediately at the scene to rescue other victims who were still not found.

The West Papua National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement (OPM), claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was part of their struggle for independence from Indonesia, which they accused of conducting a genocidal campaign against indigenous communities in Papua.

The OPM has been seeking independence through guerrilla wars in the past several decades, targeting soldiers, police personnel as well as civilians. 
Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
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.
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows damaged buildings during fighting in Izium, Ukraine, on March 24. On Friday, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming that Russian forces did not kill a Ukrainian family whose graves were pictured in a wooded area among scores of others.
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 20 others injured when a blast hit a market area in Pakistan's southwest Kohlu district of Balochistan province on Friday, hospital and police officials said.

Asghar Marri, a medical superintendent of a local hospital, told Xinhua that at least 20 patients are being treated in the hospital, and at least 10 are in critical condition.

An investigation into the incident is underway, said the police.

No group or person has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. 
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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.
Japanese students hurl flaming Molotov cocktails at police, from a barricaded area they have built at the site of a proposed new airport, 60 miles from Tokyo, Sept. 30, 1971. Fifty-two hundred leftist students and farmers opposed to the building of the airport fought pitched battles with police last month; three police men were killed, many injured. Numbers of radical students in Japan had been declining, but police said they still believed in the possibility of further dramatic action by remaining militants. (AP Photo/Toichi Sakakibara)
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Eldridge is shown at sea circa 1944. Years after World War II, a seaman reported that the ship disappeared and quickly re-materialized at a naval base 200 miles away, inspiring several books and the 1984 feature film, The Philadelphia Experiment.
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In this 2018 file photo, students in Donna Bells third grade class at Stearns School study reading and writing for the MCAS test.
Hong Kong: Jab exemption handled carefully

Citizens should not defy the law and bribe or deceive doctors in an attempt to obtain COVID-19 vaccination medical exemption certificates, the Government said today.

If clinics of the public healthcare system notice any suspected criminal behaviour, such cases will be handled seriously and referred to enforcement departments for follow-up depending on the circumstances, the Government stressed in a press release.

It also advised that if people hold vaccination exemption certificates issued by private doctors suspected of failing to provide proper medical consultation to patients in accordance with the Department of Healths guidelines and abusing the issuance of exemption certificates, they may consult other doctors to determine whether they are suitable for getting a COVID-19 jab or may continue to be medically exempted.

People may visit the Hospital Authoritys (HA) general out-patient clinics where public sector doctors can ascertain whether patients can get a jab exemption according to their clinical conditions. When conducting an assessment, such doctors can view the exemption records issued earlier by the doctors concerned, the Government noted.

It added that such clinics under the HA have all along been providing advice for visiting patients who intend to get vaccinated but have doubts about their health condition, in order to assist patients on making a decision.

The public may make an appointment over the phone or via the HA Go mobile application.

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China has been strong buttress to UN, says UNGA president

Xinhua) 08:19, September 30, 2022

Csaba Korosi (L), president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, delivers his closing remarks at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 26, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

"As a founding member of the UN and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has been a strong buttress to the blue flag (of the UN)," said Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China has been a strong buttress to the UN, Csaba Korosi, president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, said here on Wednesday.

"As a founding member of the UN and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has been a strong buttress to the blue flag (of the UN)," Korosi said in his remarks during a virtual reception held by China's Permanent Mission to the UN to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Korosi congratulated China on its achievements in promoting development and prosperity.

"China's Global Development Initiative offers a great opportunity to catalyze sustainable development and to implement the 2030 Agenda," he added.

Also speaking at the reception, UN Undersecretary-General Courtenay Rattray, chef de cabinet of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body highly values China's many contributions to its work and China's standing as a major pillar of international cooperation.

"As we mark this important milestone, let us look ahead and work to ensure that China and the world advance in our shared efforts to address regional and global challenges," he said.

Nearly 200 senior UN officials, permanent representatives and senior diplomats from more than 100 countries, journalists from international media outlets as well as friendly people from all walks of life attended the reception via video link.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif (1st R) speaks at a meeting to donate funds for the flood-affected people by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sept. 29, 2022. Sharif has appreciated China and its leadership for providing timely aid and relief goods for the flood-affected people of the country. (Pakistani Prime Minister's Office/Handout via Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has appreciated China and its leadership for providing timely aid and relief goods for the flood-affected people of the country.

Speaking at a meeting to donate funds for the flood-affected people by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) at the Prime Minister's House in the capital Islamabad on Thursday, Shahbaz expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government, leadership and people who stood by Pakistan during the difficult time.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong and a delegation of the CTG led by the deputy head of the China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited Du Bangxiao handed over a cheque of cash 153,092,150 Pakistani rupees (650,000 U.S. dollars) as a relief fund.

The prime minister told Chairman of China Three Gorges International (CTGI) Wu Shengliang, who joined the meeting through a virtual link, that the donation would be a precious help to uplift the affected people.

On the same occasion, Ambassador Nong told the prime minister that China is the leading donor when it comes to flood relief efforts in Pakistan, adding that China has provided relief goods, including blankets, food packages and tents, and would continue to play its role in relief activities.

Talking about the destruction by the floods, Sharif said more than 1,600 people lost their lives during the floods, millions of houses were ravaged, infrastructure was badly affected and over 4 million acres of crops were washed away. 
When October arrives, we know that pumpkins and candy are coming out. Believers often debate and wrestle with the decision of whether or not to celebrate Halloween. Although costumes and carving pumpkins are fun, the origins of Halloween are dark.

Should we celebrate? Should we stay away? Should we rename our events? If is ok for Christians to participate in Halloween?

Britannica tells the history of Halloween and shares, During the Samhain festival the souls of those who had died were believed to return to visit their homes, and those who had died during the year were believed to journey to the otherworld The Reformation essentially put an end to the religious holiday among Protestants, although in Britain especially Halloween continued to be celebrated as a secular holidayWhen large numbers of immigrants, including the Irish, went to the United States beginning in the mid 19th century, they took their Halloween customs with them, and in the 20th century Halloween became one of the principal U.S. holidays, particularly among children.

Knowing this information is both convicting and confusing. Halloween was originally a holiday celebrating the belief that dead souls revisited their homes. This is not a story for children. This is spiritually eerie and concerning.
COEUR D' ALENE - Certain water quality trends are improving in Coeur dAlene Lake, according to the National Academy of Sciences Future of Water Quality report.

The report, which was released Friday, analyzes current and historic water quality data and provides recommendations to preserve the health of the lake.

I am pleased to see positive water quality trends in Coeur dAlene Lake. Thanks to the diligent research of the National Academy of Sciences, we are better informed about the work we are doing in Idaho. This data will allow DEQ to strategically implement the $20 million from the Leading Idaho initiative alongside our partners. I appreciate the engagement of the Coeur dAlene Tribe and Kootenai County. We can continue these positive trends if we all work together, said Governor Brad Little.

I think we have seen renewed vigor in the regions collective desire to protect Coeur dAlene Lake, said Chairman Chief Allan. This is exciting because although we know that the lake has been the heart of the Coeur dAlene people for thousands of years, we also recognize its importance to the entire region. It is critical to the Tribe that we use this NAS report as a starting point that leads to more actions, he added.

In 2020, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Kootenai County, and the US Environmental Protection Agency, with the support of the Coeur dAlene Tribe, asked the National Academy of Sciences to analyze water quality data in Coeur dAlene Lake and provide recommendations to address issues of concern.

The study provided a third-party assessment of water quality data collected over the last three decades. The review focused on historic and recent trends in nutrients and dissolved oxygen in order to fully understand the state of the lake and identify the most appropriate protection measures.

Caj Matheson, director of the Tribes Department of Natural Resources, said, It will be important for us to increase our project work around the lake as well as to follow up on the studies suggested by the report. We are seeing some positive trends but those trends are short and the report also shows that it is the lakes oxygen levels that, if they are too low, will trigger the release of those metals from their rest on the bottom of the Lake into the main water column. These studies will help us better understand all the issues related to this phenomenon.

We appreciate the thoroughness and expertise that NAS brought to this review process. We believe that the conclusions from this study indicate that our management and remediation activities are working as intended, but continued action is needed to safeguard the health of our lake. We look forward to working in partnership with Governor Little, the Coeur dAlene Tribe, and local stakeholders to prioritize this essential work, said Jess Byrne, director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

To help kickstart preservation efforts, Governor Little established the Coeur dAlene Lake Advisory Committee in 2021 and directed $2 million for projects that reduce levels of phosphorus from entering the lake from wastewater, stormwater runoff, erosion, and other sources. The following year, Governor Little made available an additional $20 million for projects that support the states 2009 Lake Management Plan and reduce nutrient loading to Coeur dAlene Lake.
LEWISTON - Amanda Van Lanen, a history professor at Lewis-Clark State College, will be honored for her outstanding teaching at the Idaho Gem Innovative Educator awards ceremony in Boise.

During the summit, which is scheduled for October 5-7, Van Lanen will be recognized as the 2022 winner of the Innovative Educator for Social and Behavorial Ways of Knowing award.

Van Lanen, who has taught at LCSC since 2013, was nominated for the award by the General Education Committee at LCSC. Nominations were then forwarded to the state board's General Education Committee, who selected the winners.

This now marks the third straight year a professor from Lewis-Clark State College has been honored.

The GEM awards recognize outstanding teaching in one of Idahos GEM courses. The other five course categories include Written Communication, Oral Communication, Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing, Mathematics Ways of Knowing, and Scientific Ways of Knowing.
Professor Jamie Triccas from the University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, is a principal investigator on the project.

Professor Triccas said the scope of the research project is highly significant. The successful development of a new vaccine could be an absolute game-changer in terms of reducing the spread of TB and reducing deaths globally.

Our research and development will take place over five years with investigation and analysis of TB models occurring in Sydney and three other leading research centres located in Copenhagen, Oregon and New Orleans.

Professor Warwick Britton AO, Head of the Centenary Institutes Tuberculosis Research Programme and lead investigator on the project, said that a more effective TB vaccine was urgently needed.
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Maverick Insider, Daily Maverick has been recognised for Best Reader Revenue Initiative and First Thing by John Stupart, Daily Maverick for Best Newsletter.

The winners were announced during a ceremony at the annual World News Media Congress in Zaragoza, Spain.

Best Reader Revenue Initiative: Maverick Insider, Daily Maverick, South Africa

Maverick Insider is a fantastic solution to a particular problem in Africa: how to get people to pay for news in a less developed economy, said one judge.

The latest iteration of the project, which comprises this year's entry, highlights the ongoing iterative effort which is at the heart of all digital success stories. Bringing in ecommerce offers and new partnerships was a smart way of showing the value of membership in tough economic times. Creating an expert database manages both to make readers feel like they are gaining something from membership but also helps to improve the title's journalism. The numbers show that this initiative is clearly working.

The longevity of this programme is testament to its success, added another judge. The lesson learnt was honest, and pertinent.

Noted a third: One of the most impressive things about Maverick Insider is the way the team is using data to better understand their audiences  and also incorporating best practice and ideas from across the globe. As a membership play, Maverick Insider is tapping the true definition of reader support: the members care for the product, understand the role they play in its future and are emotionally rather than transactionally involved in its ongoing success. The variety of benefits on offer is really compelling as is the quality.

Best Newsletter: First Thing by John Stupart, Daily Maverick, South Africa

Going from being a spark plug to one of the wheels sums it up well, said a judge. Being a primary driver of much other success says a lot. Continuous evolution of content and function is critical. Selling out two months in advance? Raise the rates or add ad modules. Or both. Thirteen years. Well done!

Best Data Visualisation:Spain lives in flats: why we have built our cities vertically, eldiario.es (Diario de Prensa Digital SL), Spain

Exceptional. This is a visually and aesthetically stunning story that also provides rich historic and geographic insight and context, said one judge.

The overlay of charts and text over the map is beautifully executed, and the way the visual finds examples of the trends highlighted in the text is extremely enlightening.The piece is interesting and the maps function seamlessly, said another.

Works amazingly well on mobile, added a third judge. Great storytelling, and really good use of data visualisation to make a potentially dry narrative pop.

Best in Audience Engagement: Dapat Totoo, GMA News Online, Philippines

In a world dogged by fake news and declining public engagement in public interest journalism, this campaign is right on the money in its approach in trying to engage with a younger, more difficult -to-reach audience with an election process, said one of our judges.

A really imaginative approach, utilising the social media platforms of the generation to engage with the younger audience who often grapple with the complexities of elections.This is a superb entry, said another judge.

I love the range of ways in which you have sought to connect with youth audiences on an important topic.A third judge noted: This project isn't just about engaging with a news brand but encouraging audiences to engage with the fundamental principles of democracy itself. GMA has devised an experimental approach with young people firmly in mind and the playful, multi-platform messaging, design and distribution of this educational campaign should be celebrated.

Best News Website or Mobile Service: CNA website and app, CNA Mediacorp Pte Ltd, Singapore

The new app and website have been created in a way that is entirely compatible with mobile-first thinking for news consumers, using a fantastically forward-thinking approach that should be a standard for the industry in 2022, said one judges.

As well as looking great, the attention to detail in terms of innovation makes the CNA offering stand out. The whole in-app experience with the variety of content available, customisation options and even just the pleasure in navigating around is superb.

Simple design, clean nav menus, and impressive increases in use: A 17% increase in monthly average time spent per visit on the website.... grew 28% in monthly active users on iOS and 18% for Android. Looks good on iPhone too, noted another judge. Said a third: I really like their Context Snippets a great way to help readers through difficult topics!

Best Use of Online Video: Disordered, Stuff Circuit, New Zealand

This is a beautiful and gripping telling of an important national story of pain and abuse all too common in countries with a wounded and often overlooked population damaged before they were even born. It has an almost languid pacing but each segment keeps the viewer engaged enough to want to see What happens next? Bravo to this team, said a judge.
Technically, Robertson Winery is 81 years old this year. But in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, multiple alcohol sales bans and the loss of the winery's CEO Andre Engelbrecht to cancer in March 2021, a milestone birthday celebration felt ill-timed last year.

Source: Robertson Winery

Employees were grieving the loss of their leader and management was trying in earnest to keep the business afloat.

The Western Cape town of Robertson is best known for its wine, horses and roses, and Robertson Winery is the towns biggest employer. The winery provides 300 direct jobs and, by extension, 2,000 livelihoods are dependent on the company. Despite a rocky two years, the winery managed to emerge from the pandemic without a single retrenchment.

Our hearts were broken when we lost our leader Andre to cancer at the age of 51, in the middle of all the bans. But as a team, we sat around the table and decided that we would throw everything at it. We have this massive ship that needs to keep sailing, and we need to keep going in the right direction, Robertson Winerys marketing manager Ankia Niemann said during the brands delayed 80th birthday celebration hosted recently at Mount Nelson Hotel.

Problem-solving became everything, she added.

The winery now has much to celebrate in terms of recovery. Its new CEO Pieter Siebrits was appointed in November, and at the end of 2021, the winery managed to outsell its 2019 volumes, despite still grappling with reduced trading days last year.

We learned last year what's so special about South African consumers - they go back to trusted brands, they will support you and walk with you, Niemann said.



The peoples brand

Robertson Winery was founded in 1941 by 28 families, 25 of which are still involved with the business today. Established initially as a bulk wine supplier, the winery developed into a fully-fledged consumer-facing brand when it bottled its first cabernet sauvignon in 1984.

A distribution partnership struck with Vinimark in 2005 would see the Robertson Winery brand develop into a household name, as the number of cases produced grew from 300,000 to 3 million in just a few years following the agreement, Niemann explained.

Today, Roberton Winery cultivates 2,400 hectares of vine in Robertson and sells 40 million litres of product annually across 18 product ranges and 90 SKUs. We have the most diversified brand in the country. We believe we're the people's brand. We have a product available for every consumer, Niemann said.

With more than 1,000 local wine brands present in South Africa currently, Robertson Winery is the biggest brand in terms of units sold. To us, that translates into Robertson Winery being in more households than any other wine brand, and we are more consumed in SA than any wine brand.

Celebratory packaging refresh

In celebration of its 80th birthday milestone, Robertson Winery has relaunched two of its most popular ranges with colourful packaging updates. The RW Natural Sweet range and RW Cultivar Light range are now both enrobed in roses, reflecting one of the admired attributes of the Robertson wine valley.

Robertson is best known for wine, horses and roses, and its this sentiment that inspired the rose refresh of these two much-loved ranges, Niemann said.

Refreshed packaging design. Source: Supplied

She explained during the event that the winerys marketing department had loved the idea of sleeve packaging for the refresh but wanted the sleeve to be transparent so that the actual wine could be visible. We drink wine with all our senses, Niemann said.

However, the company had trouble sourcing a machine from abroad that would allow the winery to produce this packaging in-house. But a resourceful engineer at Robertson Winery took it upon himself to build such a machine from scratch.

For the creative design, the brand commissioned artist Riaan Marais to recreate specific varieties of roses found in the Robertson valley, including Fairest Cape, Brumilda Roos and Just Joey, to be used on the new packaging.

Robertson Winery was a pioneer in light cultivar wines, launching its first range in 2008. The initial range featured a Sauvignon Blanc Extra Light, Chenin Blanc Light and Pinotage Rose Light. This popular range was extended when an Extra Light Merlot was added to the collection in 2011.

According to Niemann, the brand's birthday celebration is all about paying homage to the valley from which Robertson Winery originates. We wanted to celebrate this proud milestone by breathing life, colour and fun into some of our most loved ranges, she said.
Although there were 18 awards presented at the 2022 Sappi Southern Africa (SSA) Safety Excellence Awards, in reality these award winners represent the thousands of people who return home safely to their loved ones and families every day from a Sappi site. Each safety observation made and each injury-free and incident-free day ensures that we are all winners at Sappi.

Winners all: The Sappi Safety Excellence Awards have become a highlight for employees and competition is fierce among the contesting business units awarded in the various categories.

The two safest business units that were singled out as overall winners, was the Sappi Stanger Mill in the manufacturing category, and Sappi Forests Zululand in the forestry category. Both these business units are extending their reign as top units for a second year running.

The awards are held annually to celebrate the achievements by employees and contractors who are nominated for their consistent and uncompromising commitment and dedication to Sappis zero-injury approach to safety, keeping everyone in their scope of influence safe and protected throughout the year.

Individuals that were singled out were:

Kendy Kambarami, Ngodwana Mill



Rendani Madula, Tech Centre



Roshan Maharajh, Stanger Mill



Ncamisile Mdadane, Saiccor Mill



Elvis Bandhla, Somusa Forestry Mpumalanga



Karen Mattheus, Lomati Mill



Danie Rossouw, Sappi Rosebank



Nyasha Zimbodza, Sappi Forests Zululand



Rama Reddy, Goldfields Sappi Tugela Mill



Nelisiwe Ngwenya, Mhlambanyathi Forestry Mpumalanga



Gideon Mkhabela, Ngodwana Mill



Sbahle Dlamini, Sappi Forests KZN



Contractors that excelled were IPSS Contractors at Ngodwana Mill, Mhlambanyathi Forestry in Mpumalanga, Waybar Construction at Saiccor Mill and Farmusa Agric & Forestry Contractors in KwaZulu-Natal.

Elvis Bandhla from Somusa Forestry; Carina Potgieter, general manager Mhlambanyathi; Patrick Maringa, Sappi Forests senior area manager; Lebo Mokgotla from Mhlambanyathi, and Takalani Mufamadi, Sappi Forestry manager Harvesting and Silviculture. Sappi employees celebrating in style. Mthokozisi Jili, GM of Stanger Mill accepts the award as overall winner in Safest Business unit in the manufacturing category from Alex Thiel, CEO of Sappi Southern Africa. Collecting the award for safest business unit within Sappi Forests were the Zululand team: Musa Sithole, management forester Zululand; Wendy Zondi, forestry manager Zululand Coastal and Ciniso Magagula, forester Mooiplaas. Nyasha Zimbodza was awarded for being the Most Safety Conscious Sappi employee at Sappi Forests. She received her award from Tugela general manager, Philani Gumede.

One of the key fundamentals of the Sappi Southern Africa (SSA) business strategy is to drive operational excellence and one of the ways in which this is championed is through acknowledging and celebrating our safety-first culture. Supporting the health, safety and well-being of our employees and contractor employees is the cornerstone of our business. All our pulp and paper mills are certified to OHSAS 18001 to ensure best practice in health and safety, and we work to entrench the principles of safety first across all our operations every day, to encourage a 24/7 safety mindset.

The importance of these awards has grown, making them highly prized in our company, said SSA CEO Alex Thiel. It is always my greatest pleasure to recognise the individuals and teams  both from within Sappi, but also from our contractor ranks  who show their unflinching commitment to safety by being always vigilant, looking out for the safety of all, and having the courage to challenge any unsafe acts or conditions. They may be the winners of the awards, but in doing what they do, they make winners of us all  ensuring that thousands of people return home safely to their families and loved ones every day.

Sappis annual Safety Excellence Awards have become a celebration of safe behaviour and display a company where safety has become a way of life for its employees and contractors.




The lack of universal access to sanitary products for women in South Africa has made period poverty a major human rights issue in the country.

Source:  Cora Project https://thecoraproject.org/ Core Project]] In August - Womens Month - Ackermans worked with the Cora Project to fight period poverty

In addition, the reluctance to talk about it has contributed to making it an ongoing issue.

In South Africa thousands of girls between the ages of 13-19 years have no regular access to sanitary products and they often miss school 3-5 days each month, says Merlin Norman, marketing director at Ackermans.

Normalise period talk

In August - Womens Month - Ackermans worked with the Cora Project, an NGO that works to tackle period poverty and stigma, raise awareness for menstrual rights and normalise period talk.

The Initiative, to gift a sanitary pad to a girl in need for every sanitary pad pack sold in store, led to the store donating over 30,000 sanitary pads to girls, who otherwise would have gone without.

Without access to sanitary pads, these young women are essentially under lockdown simply for being a woman, and each month they miss out on basic human rights such as attending school or moving around freely.

Beyond the physical, the emotional toll of missing out on life as a teenager is devastating with the effects lasting well into adulthood.

With free and ready access to sanitary pads, the girls can rise above the ignorance and ridicule often associated with menstruation and step out of their homes with confidence and peace of mind.

Raise awareness

We wanted to raise awareness and help fight period poverty in South Africa by launching this Sanitary Pad Drive last year, says Norman.

The secondary aim was to remove the stigma and normalise period talk amongst women, he adds.

We used our own channels and platforms to drive the campaign (in-store and online via website and social media) using the hashtag #YouBuy1WeGift1.

We also drove this internally at our head office by placing a donation bin in a cafe to encourage people to donate with bi-weekly reminders in our Internal Comms, Norman explains.

The initiative is aligned to Ackermans as giving back to our community is part of who we are and is a massive part of our CSI programme, Norman adds.

The Cora Project says that providing menstrual products to those who cannot access or afford them is a necessary step toward addressing the issue. However, to create sustainable interventions, menstrual education is needed throughout the country. This is what it does - it hosts workshops at schools and in communities.
People wearing orange T-shirts attend an event to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on Sept. 30, 2022. Canada marked the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, reflecting about the tragedy of residential schools. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

OTTAWA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Canada marked the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, reflecting about the tragedy of residential schools.

The federal statutory holiday, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was established last year to remember children who died while being forced to attend residential schools and to reflect the ongoing impacts on survivors, their families and communities.

According to a statement issued by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at least 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children were forcibly removed from their families and communities between 1831 and 1998 to attend residential schools, where they had to abandon their languages, cultures, spiritualities, traditions, and identities. Many experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and thousands never came home.

"The experiences and intergenerational trauma of these so-called schools continue to live on for Indigenous Peoples across the country every single day," said Trudeau.

"It is our shared responsibility to confront the legacy of residential schools and the ongoing impacts on Indigenous Peoples, so we can truly move forward together," Trudeau said. "Reconciliation is not the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples. It is the responsibility of all Canadians. It is our responsibility to continue to listen and to learn."

The prime minister said the government will continue to support "the painful but necessary work to locate unmarked graves, and to support survivors as they tell their stories."

In an interview with local media, Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said the day was about residential school survivors as well as the children who never returned from them.

"It's their day, especially those who suffered in those institutions and survived and then I also feel that it's for all the little ones who died in those institutions and didn't make it home," Archibald said.

Governor General Mary Simon, an Indigenous person, said people wear orange shirts to show that every child matters, which is important to do because of how traumatic residential schools were to Indigenous children.

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal and Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez also issued a joint statement saying the government must work faster and harder to address the harms and intergenerational trauma caused by Canada's colonial legacy.

The locating of unmarked graves at former residential schools shocked and saddened Canadians, as it marked the first time many faced this stark truth. For Indigenous Peoples across the country, it brought back painful memories as many have shared their stories for decades only to be ignored, the statement said.

Under the leadership of survivors, their families and communities, the government will continue working in partnership to support their efforts at their pace, the statement said. 

A student takes part in a smudging ceremony of a commemoration during the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto, Canada, on Sept. 30, 2022. Canada marked its second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday to honor lost children and survivors of the notorious indigenous residential school system in the country. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

An indigenous woman performs at a commemoration during the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto, Canada, on Sept. 30, 2022. Canada marked its second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday to honor lost children and survivors of the notorious indigenous residential school system in the country. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)

People wearing orange T-shirts attend an event to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on Sept. 30, 2022. Canada marked the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, reflecting about the tragedy of residential schools. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

People wearing orange T-shirts attend an event to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on Sept. 30, 2022. Canada marked the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, reflecting about the tragedy of residential schools. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Indigenous people dance during an event to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on Sept. 30, 2022. Canada marked the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, reflecting about the tragedy of residential schools. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

People wearing orange T-shirts attend an event to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on Sept. 30, 2022. Canada marked the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, reflecting about the tragedy of residential schools. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)
When Bruce Howard and Brian Benfield established Clientele Financial Services in 1992, they knew South Africa's first direct distributor of life insurance products was destined for big things. But it's unlikely that they had any idea of just how big their business would become, or what a significant positive impact it would have on the lives of millions of South Africans.

Three decades later, Clientele Limited is the fastest growing Life Office in South Africa and the group has evolved into one of the countrys most loved and respected diversified financial services brands. According to Group managing director, Basil Reekie, that stellar growth has been the direct result of Clienteles innovation-led solutions backed by an unwavering commitment to sincere care for its customers wellbeing.

Basil Reekie, Group managing director at Clientele

While Clientele is still a relatively young financial services organisation by comparison to some of our competitors, we are immensely proud of the achievements we have made over the past 30 years, Reekie says, and even more so of the positive impact we have had on the lives of our steadily growing base of loyal and trusting customers.

Reekie says that its this unique combination of innovation and genuine care that has enabled Clientele to grow from a business with a handful of staff selling its Lasting Dignity Plan via a call centre and direct mail, to a diversified financial services provider with more than 580,000 life policies and over 350 000 funeral policies in place.

But Reekie is quick to point out that Clientele doesnt measure its success in terms of the number of policies it has sold, but rather in the positive difference it continues to make in the lives of its customers, employees and shareholders. We are very proud of the fact that our customers know they can rely on us to be there for them in their times of need, he explains, as evidenced by the roughly R5bn in claims and encashments we have paid out over the past 30 years.

The Clientele business model has also proven to be highly resilient over the years, allowing the business to provide its employees with more than R6bn in salaries, benefits and awards, and pay out over R4.45bn in dividends. It has even had a positive impact on the futures of more than 130 young South Africans thanks to the R10m it has provided in funding for tertiary studies through its Clientele bursary scheme.

And Clientele hasnt only made a positive difference to individuals and families across South Africa, the group has also contributed to the success of the thousands of independent financial advisors that it sees as indispensable business partners. Since the business created its IFA Business Opportunity programme, it has paid almost R3bn in earnings, bonuses and awards to its growing network of financial advisory partners.

Reekie is adamant that this is only the beginning for Clientele. Over the years, we have enjoyed steady industry recognition and managed to rack up an impressive number of firsts  from being the first insurer in SA to distribute products via network marketing, to being one of the first insurers in the country to waive waiting periods on funeral claims during the Covid-19 pandemic, he points out.

In 30 short years, Clientele has grown to the point that our group now has an embedded value of around R6bn, which provides us with a strong foundation on which to build our organisation to even greater heights going forward, Reekie says, and with the continued passion and commitment of our dedicated employees and advisers, and the ongoing loyalty and trust of our fast-growing customer base, we are confident that there is no limit to what we will achieve over the next 30 years and beyond.




Welcome to the Exponential Age, where progress and change are inevitable. Since the time of the first industrial revolution when water and steam were used to power mechanised production, we are now in the grips of a digital revolution characterised by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.

Image source: Getty Images

According to a World Economic Forum report entitled Catalysing Education 4.0: Investing in the Future of Learning for a Human-Centric Recovery, the global imperative is for education to be reimagined, focusing on the breadth of skills needed to be successful in the age of the 4IR, and leveraging technological and pedagogical innovation to put learners at the centre of learning. The vision to prepare students for the economies of tomorrow is referred to as education 4.0.

How do we as educators roll with the digital punches?

The full changes to our future are difficult to accurately predict, but one thing is clear: from an education perspective, the response to future needs must be interdisciplinary and comprehensive. Educators need to accept that as technology becomes more pervasive, traditional trades disappear and education must be aligned to the change in times.

Shifting from the sage on the stage to the guide from the side

The traditional model, where the focus of the classroom was around the teacher (the sage on the stage) and children were seen as empty vessels needing to be filled with facts and knowledge, has changed to the teaching and learning modality where the teacher is not the focus of the class  but so much more. The role of the educator must evolve into one of the guide from the side, the facilitator of skills development, with a greater focus on higher-order thinking skills such as analysing, synthesis, application of knowledge and problem-solving. Core to these skills is creativity, which allows for each child to be an active participant in their learning with an expectation to not only be responsible and accountable for their part in the teaching and learning experience but to develop an appetite for being a lifelong learner. Teachers need to shift their focus onto education 4.0 by cultivating peer-to-peer learning atmospheres with students being able to learn collaboratively and from each other. Teachers must actively model change and the skills desired; we must guide, mentor, cheerlead, and nurture, but more importantly, ignite and inspire possibilities.

Igniting curiosity at the early learning phase

Within the early learning school phase, a good place to start is with firm roots in philosophies like the Reggio Emilia Philosophy, which is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education, where each child is seen as strong, capable, and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. This philosophy rides on the coattails of the innate curiosity of children and aims to assist them with understanding their world and who they are in it. The learning experience is full of action learning, sensory experiences, play and discovery learning.

As students move into the preparatory and college stages in South African private schools, the journey of the IEB curriculum begins. However, it is vital to maintain rich, robust teaching and learning by applying global citizenship skills, technology skills, and problem-based and collaborative learning while focusing on the individual needs of each child. The focus is not just on completing an academic year or preparing for a matric and university entrance but extends towards preparing students to become globally marketable, where their inherent mindset of a can do and will do attitude is aligned with their flair towards entrepreneurship with a healthy balanced skill set which will serve them well as they will not only create the future, but creatively reinterpret it.

Responsibility of schools to develop soft skills

It is vital that schools acknowledge that the fourth industrial revolution could not only impact what we do, but also who we are. It will affect our identity and all the issues associated with it: our sense of privacy, our notions of ownership, our consumption patterns, the time we devote to work and leisure, and how we develop our careers, cultivate our skills, meet people, and nurture relationships.

To this end, an educators focus must also be on developing the soft skills of each student where their interpersonal skills, personality attributes, and people skills drive them towards a realisation as to how they will impact how they work with other people. Cognitive flexibility, resilience, originality, initiative, and emotional intelligence together with creative risk-taking, leadership growth, and the art of negotiation are all skills that we actively develop within each student.

Finally, an additional consideration when deciding which skills will be valuable in the future is determining who will be assigning that value. To prepare for this, skills-based teaching and learning should be embedded in various aspects of academic, sports, arts and culture programmes.
Constitutional Hill has been chosen as the host for this year's Locations Africa Conference which will be held on 5 and 6 October.

Source: Supplied. Azania Muendane.

The event is expected to bring together Pan-African delegates to share best practices and showcase access to shooting locations.

As part of Locations Africa Projects, a private sector initiative focusing on filming locations, facilities, and skills, the goal is to increase the number of films and content shot on the continent and improve the skills of both public and private sectors to meet the needs of filmmakers.

Furthermore, its aim is to increase the number of businesses and individuals, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, participating in the industry and creating a film brand identity for Africa.

Effect of Covid-19

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the globe in 2020, the film industry came to a standstill, costing the sector billions. An estimated loss for that year amounted to a staggering R1.2 billion.

As restrictions started to ease, some light shone at the end of the tunnel with the production of six local films in 2021. However, this figure was nowhere near the 23 local films released in 2017.

According to organisers South Africa needs to grow its film industry to contribute to rebuilding its economy. The sector employs over 25, 000 people when it is running at full capacity. The industry can provide job opportunities and reduce poverty if this economic potential can be harnessed.

Azania Muendane, Founder of Locations Africa, says the event will unpack the endless possibilities South Africa and the rest of the continent offers filmmakers while highlighting the numerous benefits of filming on African locations. Locations Africa bridges the gap between production planning and film exhibition. Our discussions cover physical production, film-friendly locations, equipment available, skills and shooting facilities, as well as how incentives can help inbound productions.

The various panels during the conference include speakers from their partners at South African Tourism, the Gauteng Film Commission, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, African Film Commissions Network, and Wesgro, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, the private sector, film practitioners among others from the continent and the rest of the world.

Locations Africas goal is to attract more international shoots to South Africa and the continent at large. The conference creates a platform for guests to meet with agents, producers, and facilitators on the ground.
September is Bourbon Heritage Month in the US - a time to celebrate America's 'Native Spirit'. With its long and colourful history and robust complexity, Bourbon is becoming a firm favourite with South African whiskey drinkers and bartenders alike. In fact, many local bartenders say they favour Bourbon over other whiskeys as the foundation of some of their signature cocktails.

We set out on a quest to find the best Bourbon-based cocktails on offer at some of the Rosebank areas most popular bars. Heres what we found:

Louise & Annas New Orleans inspired Bourbon Bayou Cocktail

Louise & Anna

This Louisiana-themed restaurant in Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park, boasts dishes like traditional grits and syrup on everything, and has a growing collection of Bourbon on offer. Caven Zulu, Head bartender and General Manager, says customers love the slight sweetness and caramel-vanilla notes in neat Bourbon. But for those who prefer a cocktail, he suggests a Bourbon Sour or Louise & Anna Bourbon and salted vanilla Old Fashioned. These drinks introduce the Bourbon flavours, but enhance the spirit with complementary flavours and aromas, he says

The showstopper Bourbon signature cocktail at Louise & Anna has to be the Bourbon Bayou, however. Zulu says he was inspired by the spirit of New Orleans when he married the flavours of star anise and cinnamon with Bourbon. There are notes of those spices in Bourbon. Because many people like to mix their Bourbon with ginger ale, I topped it up with Stoney ginger beer, a dash of bitters and some fresh lemon juice for citrus notes.

This refreshing, yet spicy cocktail pairs well with BBQ shrimp or seafood gumbo, Zulu says.

Mix Bars must-try Bourbon cocktails is the classic Bourbon Sour

Mix Bar

The Mix bar at the MESH Club at Trumpet On Keyes, Rosebank, is a meeting place for creatives and innovators, with legendary cocktails and a hard-to-beat sunset view over the Northern suburbs.

KG Ndaba, Head Bartender, says Bourbon has become a popular choice for customers enjoying sundowners after work. Bourbon is a great spirit that can challenge a lot of spirits. I suggest that people try it neat, with a large block of good quality ice so as not to over-dilute it and sip it slowly to experience the full flavour profile, with all the wonderful hints of caramel and vanilla, he says.

Ndabas recommendation for Mix Bars must-try Bourbon cocktails are the classic Old Fashioned and Bourbon Sour. Mix Bar blends Makers Mark with brown sugar and bitters, and lemon juice and its signature syrup a refreshing Old Fashioned.

These are stylish classics for good reason, and Bourbon gives them extra depth and flavour.

Sin+Taxs Signature Bourbon cocktail: the East Coast Sour

Sin+Tax

World-class cocktail bar Sin+Tax is tucked away on the corner of Bolton and Jan Smuts Roads in Rosebank, offering an authentic speakeasy-style party experience.

With its American theme, Bourbon is a hot favourite at Sin+Tax, where the award-winning bartenders serve it neat, on ice, or at the heart of its hugely popular cocktails.

Kelsey Beukes, the Sassy bartender at Sin+Tax, says: Bourbon is a big seller and customer favourite at Sin+Tax.

To celebrate Bourbon Month, she recommends Sin+Taxs Signature Bourbon cocktail: the East Coast Sour. Its a fresh, fruity blend of Bourbon, strawberry, lemongrass, vermouth and Gamay Noir that should be on any cocktail lovers bucket list.

Marble Bars Vanilla and Sage Bourbon Highball

Marble Bar

The vibey and cosmopolitan Marble bar at Trumpet on Keyes in Rosebank boasts one of the suburbs best views all the way to the Magaliesberg. Offering good music, tapas and fine cocktails, the Marble bar is a great place to unwind at the end of the week.

Head barman Blessing Maphosa says Bourbon is ideal for the South African palate, which leans towards rich, sweet flavours. I recommend people drink it neat or in a cocktail to get the most of its vanilla flavours, he says.

Maphosa recommends trying Marbles Vanilla and Sage Bourbon Highball, created by our bar. He says: The inspiration behind this cocktail was to use sage, since it is a herb often used in our South African culture and cuisine. We incorporated sage syrup with vanilla syrup, Bourbon to highlight the vanilla, along with lemon juice, bitters and topped off with tonic, he explains. This one makes for the perfect end of week moment.

Your place

If you cant get to Rosebank to sample some of the best Bourbon cocktails in town, dont despair: most bars serve classics like the Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour, and they are simple to whip up at home. For the best results, our bartenders recommend always using the freshest ingredients and a good Bourbon such as Bulleit Bourbon, Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey or Jim Beam.
The Irene Link shopping centre has opened its doors in Irene, Pretoria, just off the Botha Avenue offramp on Alexandra Road. The centre is a joint development between Abland Property Developers, Giflo Group and Som Group.

Source: Supplied

Described as "modern but homey", the community convenience centre is housed within the greater 75,000m2 Irene Link precinct that combines offices, retail and lifestyle amenities into one centralised location. The centre forms part of Abland, Giflo Group and Som Groups R2bn precinct, which began construction in 2019.

The Irene Link shopping centre comprises 15,000m2 of bespoke retail which includes both independent and big-name brands. National brands include Woolworths Food, Woolworths Edit, Checkers, Checkers Liquor, Westpack, Pick n Pay Clothing, Baby City, Dischem, KFC, Kauai, Bootlegger Coffee Company, Mr Price Home, Miladys and Plumblink. Featured independent retailers include Mondanette Butchery, Forum Stationers and Execuspecs to name but a few.

Source: Supplied Source: Supplied

Stores opening in the near future include The Baron Irene (December 2022) and Irene Arms (by mid-October). Irene Arms is a firearm and outdoor shop with a coffee shop offering. Irene Arms also has a 10-lane, 25-metre hand weapon indoor shooting range as well as the only 8-lane 200-metre underground rifle shooting range in South Africa.

Custom built for community needs

Designed by Boogertman and Partners Architects Irene Link spans three levels, with free parking and 24-hour security.

Grant Silverman of Abland says, We are grateful for the Irene community in supporting this new convenience centre. Having custom-built the centre to meet the needs of this special community, it warms our hearts that the feedback has been so positive. As co-owners, we are also delighted that our fully-let centre boasts a wide variety of only the best retailers in the country, offering an upmarket experience in a modern setting.

Irene Link opened on Thursday, 29 September and opening activities included live music, gifts and photo opportunities. Customers also had the opportunity to write their name on a link that will form part of the decor for the centre.
Yet another one bites the dust. The Nissan Micra has been discontinued in South Africa, with the well-known nameplate quietly riding off into the sunset after 18 years on the local market.

The Nissan Micra has exited the South African market. Yes, the Japanese firms local division has pulled the B-segment hatchback from sale, bringing an end to the badges 18-year run in the country.

Although Nissan South Africa didnt respond to our queries on the topic, we understand the Micra  which is also known in some markets as the March  was discontinued locally at some point in August 2022. For the record, the nameplate made its debut in South Africa back in 2004 (our market missed out on the first two generations), when the K12 model touched down.

The first Micra to be launched in South Africa was the third-generation (K12) model

The fourth-generation (K13) Micra followed in 2011, before morphing into the prolonged lifecycle Micra Active in 2017. Finally, the fifth-generation (K14) model  which is closely related to the Renault Clio IV  launched locally in mid-2018, with the Active version continuing to be sold alongside its fresher 66kW sibling for a couple more years.

At launch, Nissan SA promised the fifth-gen Micra would revitalise the small car segment in South Africa, pointing out that it played in one of the most popular segments in the country. The range expanded with a new flagship trim level in early 2019, before a more powerful 84kW engine option arrived towards the end of that year.

However, local buyers didnt ever really take to the Micra 5, which found itself struggling for scraps in a segment dominated by the Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo hatchback. Though the little Nissan was likely in a run-out phase over the past two months or so, its telling that just 95 units were registered in South Africa over the first eight months of 2022.

The fourth-gen Micra lived on in South Africa for a couple more years as the Active

As an aside, the next-generation Micra is expected to be a fully electric vehicle, tipped to borrow the upcoming Renault 5s platform and be manufactured by the French company alongside that model. However, its not yet confirmed this successor will indeed use the Micra badge.

The local demise of the Micra follows that of another once-popular B-segment hatchback, the Ford Fiesta. Back in March 2022, the Blue Oval brand confirmed to Cars.co.za the Fiesta had been discontinued locally. Other Nissan models axed this year include the 370Z, NP300, NV350 and GT-R, while the Japanese firms Datsun line-up (comprising the Go and Go+) also exited South Africa in 2022.

This article was originally published on Cars.co.za...
According to Prudence Mathebula, cofounder and MD of Dynamic DNA, a rethink of how companies approach B-BBEE is needed given sluggish targets of late. Failure to meet these targets can be attributed to one thing alone, she says, and that's cost.

Prudence Mathebula, cofounder and MD of Dynamic DNA

All the elements on the B-BBEE scorecard require some financial investment from companies, many of whom are feeling the financial pinch from declining sales and revenue since the pandemic began. Investment in B-BBEE and transformation is unlikely to be top of their lists and understandably so, says Mathebula.

Over the last few months, we have seen several businesses choose not to support learning initiatives which specifically drive investment in learnerships and scarce IT and business skills, she explains. It is not just because they dont want to foot the bill financially, but also because investments in learnerships, accredited training means employees need to spend time away from work being trained.

Mathebula says they are finding that most companies are simply unaware of the support structures available to them when accessing funding opportunities. This can not only help mitigate the costs of learning interventions, but also help reach skills development targets and get enterprise and supplier development points on their scorecard.

It is a win-win for everyone, but choosing to ignore the opportunities B-BBEE brings in harnessing growth will do nothing but stifle business growth and put South Africa on a negative growth path, she says.

6 ways companies can improve their B-BBEE scorecard and benefit:

1. Understand the value of continuously and successfully achieving the B-BBEE skills element of your scorecard requirements. Realising the value of a skilled workforce and adopting it as a concrete change management strategy to craft a future talent pool of skilled labour results in uninterrupted, transparent, and evolving skills transformation for employees and enhancement of innovation, sustainability, and diversity  each one a true component of empowerment.

2. Do a full proof gap analysis and investment evaluation of your current business operations and skills needs. This will ensure that you achieve each of your B-BBEE business goals in an affordable and effective manner. Make sure to connect the indicators to people. An employee that is continuously developing his or her skillset and growing personally and professionally does not only benefit, business owners and the wider economy also do, and this is a full proof model for success if executed effectively.

3. Investigate the support structures that are in place for skills development such as Seta grant funding for learnerships, bursaries, skills development programmes and internships that will bolster your B-BBEE points and address skills deficits within your business. Use online learning platforms to mitigate the risks of employees taking time off work.

4. Select a trusted strategic partner who can manage the skills development process for you end-to-end, from Seta grant applications, recruiting, contracting, training, project management to workplace simulations, assessment moderation, Seta reporting, and learner employment.

5. Besides skills development, enterprise and supplier development targets create further employment opportunities and can also fuel a new breed of much-needed entrepreneurs who possess the essential skills needed to help grow our economy even further. Also, by using a supplier that is B-BBEE accredited, and a QSE training and skills development provider, you bolster your enterprise and supplier development points.

6. As a business leader, you want to ensure that you implement, manage, and oversee the full execution of your B-BBEE strategy at all levels of investment. Make sure you do not allow for overpromises and poor deliverables from service providers and partners assisting with this process as this will negatively impact the successful outcome of your transformation outputs.
The new internet censorship laws approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa and introduced in March 2022, affect regulations that govern content posted online, including social media channels. However, many South African consumers remain unaware of what these new laws actually mean and the implications they could have.

At the dawn of social media, few people could ever have predicted just how immense it would become  or how fraught with controversy and legal risk. The stats show just how significant a role it has in our daily lives, but recent years and events have taught us that we are as responsible for our words and behaviour online as we are in person.

Hootsuite and We Are Social  international leaders in social media software and digital marketing  conducted a recent study of worldwide digital behaviour. The findings, published in July 2022, show that 5.03 billion people (63.1% of the global population) are active internet users, while 4.7 billion (59%) are active on social media.

Other insights from the study include:

57% of internet users claim to use social media as a news source



The average user will spend approximately 2 hours on social media daily



92% of users access the internet via mobile devices, putting opinion and engagement in our pockets wherever we go



95.2% of internet users access social media pages, second only to chat or messaging apps (95.5%)



Can you be held liable for content posted on social media?

Much public debate explores the question of freedom of expression vs. hate speech. In South Africa, section 16 of our Constitution celebrates the right to freedom of expression without the fear of censorship or discrimination. However, section 36 of the same Constitution prohibits hate speech, which is a punishable offence.

Communication that constitutes hate speech can be summarised as:

Harmful communication that infringes on the rights to dignity and equality of a group of people, thus causing psychological, emotional and physical harm.



Hurtful communication that targets groups of people who have been historically subjected to unfair discrimination.



Inflammatory communication intended to incite acts of harm, violence, or war.



In addition to hate speech, the new Film and Publications Amendment (FPA) act, which came into effect on 1 March 2022, outlaws the sharing of private sexual content without consent, which is termed revenge pornography.

Because social media platforms are open to the public, hate speech communicated via these channels falls firmly under the command of this act. This means that social media users are potentially liable for posts, comments, and even shared content via their personal and business profiles.

What users need to know about posting on social media

With the freedom to share content comes the responsibility to share wisely. One only needs to remember Penny Sparrow, who was charged for hate speech that she posted on Facebook, and was sentenced to pay a fine of R150,000.

Internet and social media users should engage on social media with caution and be aware of the potential consequences of posting inappropriate or offensive content online.

Content that targets an individual or an organisation could provide grounds for defamation claims, where the person affected may sue the other for damages.



Employers may take disciplinary action against an employee who has posted or shared inappropriate content or hate speech.



The Human Rights Commission may lay a criminal charge for content that contravenes the Constitution, which could result in hefty fines or time spent in jail.



Social media liability insurance

For many people, social media platforms are simply a digital space to connect with family, friends and community, and to share content and opinions among like-minded people. However, social media puts the world at our fingertips and there could be serious repercussions for a poorly-worded post or comment, or for sharing inappropriate content. It happens so fast. Entire families are impacted by the legal ramifications that follow.

Fortunately, when it comes to social media liability exposure, there are risk and insurance solutions available for both individuals (and their families) and businesses.
Low-cost carrier FlySafair has revealed a refreshed logo and new aircraft paint scheme in its Johannesburg hangars, as the airline welcomes its 25th aircraft into its fleet.

Source: Supplied

The first aircraft to don FlySafairs new look is a Boeing 737-800 New Generation aircraft set to enter service for the airline on 1 October 2022.

This is the 25th aircraft in our fleet and were excited to use this opportunity to add a little freshness to our look, says Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair. FlySafair has been around for eight years now and after everything weve overcome we decided it was time to update our image a bit.

The airlines refreshed logo maintains the familiar pink and blue colouring with a subtle modernisation of the lettering. A new addition is a heart-shaped icon constructed by joining the stems of two location pins.

Our aim has always been to connect people with who and what they love through our love of flying and so when we saw this concept about bringing two places together and forming a heart it just seemed like an obvious symbol for what we aim to do every day, says Gordon.

The airlines paint scheme has also been refreshed with the addition of a new navy-blue stripe to the aft section and tail, which is highlighted by a crisp white fuselage. We wanted to find something elegant and sophisticated, but simple. The more complex a paint scheme the more costly it works out to be, Gordon adds.

Conscious of its low-cost roots, FlySafair assures customers that even the new paint scheme has cost-saving front of mind. It seems pedantic but the pigments in darker colours of paint actually make the paint weigh more, so keeping the aircraft largely white means we save money on fuel which helps to keep ticket prices lower, Gordon states.

Post-pandemic recovery

FlySafair points out that South African domestic aviation is on a strong path to recovery after a turbulent year. Before the pandemic, South Africans used to enjoy their pick of approximately 1.6 million seats a month on domestic routes. This number was vastly impacted by Covid-19 and the subsequent failures of several carriers who once contributed to that seat total.

Today the market has rallied to about 1.2 million seats a month, which marks a full recovery after the exit of Comair. Supply is expected to increase even further as the 2022 summer holiday season approaches.

FlySafair has managed post-pandemic recovery and growth well over the past two years. This month the airline will operate upwards of 122 flights a day, which is a 36% increase on October 2021 and 67% more than what the airline operated in October 2019, before Covid.
Opening a small business in stable economic times is daunting. In uncertain times, even more so. Yet South Africa is home to startups and entrepreneurs alike who are pursuing their dreams, participating in the country's growing small business economy.

Contrary to predictions of a post-Covid economy, many startups have achieved success, with a number of them identifying new and innovative ways to deliver products and services which cater to the needs of a more fluid and dynamic approach to everyday life.

One of these startups is Clean Paws, a mobile pet grooming service based in Johannesburg, which has enjoyed significant success since its inception in August 2021, thanks to a savvy and agile growth approach, which has allowed co-owners Trevlin and Lauren Govindasamy to roll with the punches and overcome the challenges posed by soaring overheads and ever-changing consumer habits.

"Clean Paws started as a passion project in the wake of Covid, as we encountered an increasing demand for home-based services due to more people working from home, coupled with a general reluctance to be in crowded spaces," says Lauren Govindasamy, who has managed to take the business from strength to strength despite myriad problems that might have derailed a less determined entrepreneur.

"It's been one of my life's greatest learning experiences," she explains. "We've had to adapt to survive. For example, we've equipped our mobile grooming units with generators and water tanks so as to avoid service disruptions, and to calibrate our pricing in line with increased overheads linked to fuel and electricity. Were learning and growing as we go."

For Govindasamy, like many fellow entrepreneurs, risk management wasn't necessarily factored into initial equations, and she and her husband had to learn the hard way when it came to finding an insurance solution that met their needs.

"Coming from a corporate background, we were able to make adequate provisions from a financial perspective, but we didn't really understand the potential risk factors until we had to face them head on," she continues. "For instance, we didn't foresee the possibility of suppliers being scratched or bitten by pets, and thus had to pay out of our pockets as we didn't have adequate business insurance in place."

This is one of the aspects that often undermines potentially successful enterprises, says Jason Mellow, MiWay's head of Business Insurance. "While South Africa is full of entrepreneurially-minded individuals with great ideas and insight, these business owners often simply aren't equipped with the skills to assess the risks their operations might face in the short- and long-term," says Mellow. "As such, businesses can run into trouble if they aren't equipped with an insurance policy tailored to their individual needs, which is why it's crucial that they consult with a broker or insurer so as to better understand their needs and reduce the possibility of unexpected financial losses that could prove crippling."

Stories like Lauren and Trevlins serve to highlight the importance of support and mentorship within the small business community. Whilst many entrepreneurs tend to focus primarily on the financial feasibility of their startups, they aren't necessarily able to see the big picture in a way that others with years of experience in the industry might be able to.

"To truly succeed in business, it's absolutely critical to develop a strong support network," explains Mellow. "Entrepreneurs can use various avenues like social media groups and business networking events to foster connections within the industry, which could prove critical to their success. Collaboration is incredibly important for startups and SMEs, and the most successful ones are typically those who aren't afraid to ask for help and advice."

The entrepreneurial journey is by no means an easy one, but business owners like Lauren and Trevlin are living proof that where there's a will there's a way.

"It's encouraging to see a new generation of entrepreneurs emerging, undeterred by the challenges of the current economic environment, and stories like these serve to further highlight the agility and ingenuity of South Africans, who have always managed to find a way to overcome obstacles by working together and supporting one another," concludes Mellow.

MiWay is a licensed non-life insurer and Financial Services Provider (FSP 33970).




Catholic-Funded Network Vows to Fight for 'Right' to Abortion





NEWS PROVIDED BY

Lepanto Institute

Sept. 29, 2022



WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- A new report released today by the Lepanto Institute shows that Faith in Action (formerly known as the PICO network) took an official and organizational stance vowing to fight for the "right" to abortion. Since 2016, Faith in Action National Network and Affiliates have collectively received at least 4.8 million since from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.



The Lepanto Institute previously released a series of reports in 2020 detailing Faith in Action's partisan electioneering, support for abortion and violent revolution. The CCHD dismissed these reports as "incendiary rhetoric" in an internal memo while praising Faith in Action's "proven track record working with Catholic parishes, dioceses, the USCCB and even the Vatican!"



On June 24, shortly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Faith in Action issued an official press release, which was also published on Faith in Action's website, saying:

"Clergy and organizers with Faith in Action, the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States, are speaking out against today's Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade."

FIA's executive director Rev. Alvin Herring called the decision, "a huge blow to women in this season of despair," and declared that "[w]e must speak out against dangerous policies that chip away at having agency over their own bodies."



Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, FIA's Senior Strategist at FIA's Washington, DC office, claimed that the "SCOTUS decision to overturn ROE" was "legalized, judicially enforced oppression" that "shows contempt for the Creator."



Rev. Kamilah Hall Sharp, member of FIA's Organizing Clergy Board, said that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was "deadly," and that she was "enraged at the injustice, the lack of care for women and that most people who voted to take this right away will never have to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term in their bodies." She then had the audacity to claim that "As a follower of Jesus," her rage about the overturning of Roe "aligns with [H]is."



Michael Hichborn, president of the Lepanto institute said:

"It doesn't get any clearer than this. Faith in Action is pro-abortion and is committed to fighting in favor of abortion as a 'right'  and the CCHD is unapologetically promoting and supporting Faith in Action. This is inexcusable! Anyone with two braincells to rub together could see this coming, but CCHD  ever full of excuses  is now in the awkward position of either publicly denouncing its friend and cutting-off Faith in Action completely or defending the indefensible.



"This is a catastrophic failure on the part of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, showing how it is either completely incompetent or complicit with the pro-abortion agenda of Faith in Action. Whatever the case may be, it is time for bishops to shut the CCHD down, completely and for good. And until that happens, individual bishops should immediately cease all participation in CCHD collections and campaigns."

The Lepanto Institute is calling on all faithful Catholics to contact their bishops and the CCHD to ask for answers regarding this betrayal of trust with their hard earned Catholic money.



The full report can be read here: https://lepantoin.org/fia



The Lepanto Institute for the Restoration of All Things in Christ is a research and education organization dedicated to the defense of the Catholic Church against assaults from without as well as from within. Founded in 2014, the Lepanto Institute has exposed several instances of Catholic or Catholic-affiliated organizations being directly involved in events or other matters directly contrary to Church teaching. www.LepantoIn.org



SOURCE Lepanto Institute



CONTACT: Michael Hichborn, 540-847-5501


Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi this week commissioned a new 1.4 million tonne per year coal mine at state-owned Morupule Coal Mine (MCM), aiming to increase exports after demand for the fuel boomed since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Despite the country's estimated 212 billion tonnes of coal resources, MCM was its only operating mine until Minergy commissioned a new one in 2019 with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tonnes.

Many European and Asian countries are scrambling for alternative sources of fuel given the global energy crisis, and Botswana wants to become a key coal producer having already increased sea-borne exports in 2022 through Maputo and Walvis Bay.

The new open cast mine, which will boost MCM's output by 50% to 4.2 million tonnes per annum, is part of its strategy to supply various markets with a cumulative total of 7.6 million tonnes of coal a year by 2027, in turn growing revenue to 3 billion pula ($222.6m) from the 1 billion pula expected in 2023.

Feeding emerging, diverse markets

"Botswana must seize this opportune time which has presented itself to us, to fully exploit this resource to feed the emerging and diverse markets," Masisi said.

MCM currently produces 2.8 million tonnes of coal a year from its underground operations, feeding two nearby state-owned power stations and exporting to South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

The open-cast mine has the potential to supply power station-grade coal for more than 30 years.

Minergy said last week its total sales volume for the financial year ended June 2022 increased by 40%, with record sales achieved in May 2022.
Senior Art Director

Remuneration: market-related Location: Cape Town Job level: Junior/Mid Job policy: Employment Equity position Type: Permanent Reference: #SADChRon22 Company: ninety9cents

Previous team leader/leadership to drive, guide and execute campaigns based on both client and internal briefs

Present work imaginatively and confidently to clients and internally

Be skilled in design and conceptualisation

Maintain exceptionally high standards for execution and attention to detail

Collaborate and communicate well with the team and other departments

Have an eternally positive disposition especially when the going gets rough and pressure is high

Relevant tertiary qualification

At least five years experience as a senior art director/conceptual designer in a large/integrated advertising agency ( large agency experience preferred )

) At least five years previous experience in a high-volume environment

Experience with digital design across all channels; web design; designing of E-commerce websites; animations and social media design

Experience in high-volume environments with fast turn-arounds preferred

Digital experience as well as TV, Print, Outdoor, etc

Great presentation skills

Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)

An Award-Winning powerful creative portfolio that demonstrates originality and innovation

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, utilise resources, identify and address problems, meet deadlines, and stay within scope

Strong interpersonal skills; a team player, persuasive negotiator, positive and innovative thinker

Maintain high standards for execution and attention to detail

Highly motivated and a high level of initiative; ability to work independently, in support of the agencys creative goals and the clients business objectives; creative thinker

Maintain high standards for execution and attention to detail

Highly motivated and a high level of initiative; ability to work independently, in support of the agencys creative goals and the clients business objectives

Experience in presenting campaigns to creative heads and clients

Experience working on lower to middle income positioned brands advantageous

App and Web Design

HTML/CSS

Creative Cloud

Figma (training will be provided)

InVision

Art Direction  Digital, ATL, BTL

Animation/GIF

Digital Design across all channels

Emailers

Social Media Posts

UX and UI Design

Web banners

WordPress

We are looking for a passionatewith retail client experience. Someone who is highly conceptual, with the skill set to capture promotional excitement and breakthrough campaigns for a national retail client. Someone who is multi-skilled in the digital realm as well as TV, Print, Outdoor etc to join our close knit team.Become a part of delivering quality 360 digital campaigns to be proud of; delivering and encouraging award-winning work, from conceptualizing integrated concepts through to execution, exceeding client expectations and creatively solve problems effectively. An eye for detail and the ability to work well under pressure, as well as being up to date with the latest digital marketing trends, techniques and technologies are essential requirements.Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV together with your Portfolio (Behance/Wixsite) as part of your application, including your salary expectation. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within three weeks after submitting your application, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. We remain committed to the principles of employment equity. Posted on 30 Sep 09:13, Closing date 29 Oct
Paid Media Manager - Programmatic Social

Remuneration: market-related Location: Cape Town Job level: Senior Type: Permanent Company: Incubeta

Job description

Closely interacts with other media managers, team leads, Client Services, in-market Consultants and the Media Strategy team.

Employ strategic campaign set-up with sufficient research, working closely with internal and external consultants, account managers and clients

Following direction given by country consultant, when applicable

Ensure RTB campaigns are built and optimised according to best practice, while keeping the clients goals in mind

Ensure Facebook/Instagram campaigns are built and optimised according to best practice, while keeping the clients goals in mind

Working closely with campaign Manager (CM) tech team to ensure seamless integration with full GMP stack clients

Being able to troubleshoot issues within CM and presenting solutions

Analyse campaign performance and make recommendations for optimisation

Regular review of performance of campaigns across revenue, performance and pacing

Ensure campaign delivery against revenue goals and Key Performance Indicators as established with the client and consultants

Daily reporting and monitoring of campaigns to ensure performance goals and revenue objectives are met

Ensure all correct revenues and media costs are reported on a daily/weekly/monthly basis based on the client requirement.

Being able to interpret data outside of programmatic display and paid social and delivering holistic overview to client

Ability to check different channel behaviour and impact of various channels on digital campaign performance eg. how does Paid Search influence performance on Display and vice versa?

Proactively seek new opportunities within the programmatic and paid social spaces, including potential new platforms

Ensure all administration is accurate and up to date

Close daily collaboration with consultants and regional leads to understand clients goals and needs, communicating campaign metrics and performance to sales and client as needed;

Campaign performance analysis and presentation to client manager and/or consultant for all campaigns

First level of troubleshooting and triage on technical and performance-related issues

Must have a passion for digital marketing

Minimum of two years experience in buying media via Google Display and Video 360 (DV360), including YouTube campaigns

Minimum of two years experience running Paid Social campaigns via Facebook Business Manager

Experience working on Google Campaign Manager

Experience with Google Analytics and how to implement and interpret data

Experience with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets

Experience in management of digital accounts with a ROI focus

Experience in managing digital campaigns with branding and performance-driven goals

Experience with managing digital campaigns for video & mobile

Must know how to work with budgets and how to allocate them effectively across different types of online media

Ability to troubleshoot tech issues within buying platforms and present solutions

Must have the ability to understand and interpret the strategy and execute this within the applicable platforms

Ability to analyse campaigns and implement strategy based on findings

Ability to conduct post-campaign analysis and to present that to country teams/client

Ability to build reporting templates

Outstanding ability to think creatively, strategically, and identify and resolve problems

Ability to work closely with other team members and consultants to take direction with campaigns

Very diligent  staying on top of the details

Ability to succeed in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Strong organisational and time management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Bachelor's degree or diploma in marketing

Experience across other real-time buying platforms (e.g. Xander, TheTradeDesk)

Experience across other Paid Social platforms (e.g. TikTok, Twitter, SnapChat, LinkedIn)

Experience with PMPs (Product Marketing Platforms) such as Smartly and ROI Hunter

Experience with other ad servers (e.g. Sizmek, Adform)

Experience working on Paid Search (Google Ads and Microsoft Ads)

Experience with working in a SSP or exchanges

Third-party Ad verification reporting knowledge (IAS, Double Verify, Moat etc.)

Experience within the affiliate/lead generation sector

Experience with Google Slides and Docs

Experience within Google Tag Manager 360 or any other tag management tool

Attention to detail - this is essential!

Good technical communicator - be able to turn complexity into simplicity

Autonomous, proactive and resourceful

Self-motivated and driven individual

Cool under pressure

Being able to take direction and working closely with team members and consultants

Being able to share knowledge with the team

Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal

Display professional and example behaviour at all times

at all times Specialized knowledge - have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible.

- have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible. Competency - Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions.

- Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions. Maintain the highest standards of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times

of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times Displays honesty and integrity at all times

at all times Be accountable for their actions even when making mistakes

for their actions even when making mistakes Show respect for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation.

for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation. They exhibit a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients.

(EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. Project a positive attitude at all times towards clients team members and motivate team members when they are less positive.

at all times towards clients team members and motivate team members when they are less positive. Display strong interpersonal skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit.

skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit. Be approachable and open to constructive criticism

Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize high volume of projects simultaneously in a fast paced unpredictable environment.

skills and ability to prioritize high volume of projects simultaneously in a fast paced unpredictable environment. Display a high level of independence : this includes but is not limited to taking decisions independently while staying within the company guidelines; proactive attitude; staying self-motivated; being self-reliant; continuous self-development without expecting to be taken by the hand.

: this includes but is not limited to taking decisions independently while staying within the company guidelines; proactive attitude; staying self-motivated; being self-reliant; continuous self-development without expecting to be taken by the hand. Display a hunger for knowledge and a willingness to learn in any situation

The media manager will be spending our clients digital budgets wisely within the real-time bidding (RTB) and paid social environments. Media managers are required to know where best to buy inventory/online audiences for clients using DV360 and other demand-side platforms and paid social platforms and ensuring that client goals and ROI are met.Media Managers are responsible for maximising our advertisers digital budgets according to their required goals. Simply, media managers will be responsible for defining/creating digital RTB and Paid Social strategies, implementing this in platforms, and spending a predetermined budget - all to ensure clients digital goals are met & that they see a full return on digital investment. You will need to understand how to buy inventory via various technologies, considering what price, inventory, audiences and programmatic strategies will result in a successful campaign that meets the clients overall business goals.Posted on 30 Sep 10:28, Closing date 29 Nov
Account Manager SSA

Location: Cape Town Job level: Senior Type: Permanent Company: Incubeta

Day to day management of the client relationship - Is the initial client go to to manage most requests or issues.

Managing the day-to-day administration of the client account, including issuing of invoices, project plans, estimates and client contact reports.

Attending client briefings and gathering relevant data to support the development of communication strategies and briefs, and constructively sharing client feedback.

Disseminating information to the internal client team across account management, delivery, media, consultancy, creative teams etc. using project management tools.

Quality assurance of reports, presentations, campaign materials.

Project management - collaborating with Delivery Managers to plan, roadmap, and deliver projects, efficiently and effectively. Monitoring project deadlines and budgets, identifying and communicating potential changes that may be required, particularly from an external perspective.

Maintaining accurate records of meetings, decisions and next actions.

Working with the client on new and existing briefs to ensure delivery of efficient and contractually agreed solutions.

Organising meetings, including room bookings, catering, technology etc.

Management of client expectations in terms of project delivery, particularly in terms of timelines, budgets, requirements and dependencies.

Working with partner agencies to deliver cohesive campaigns/strategies

Ensuring the completion of all weekly and monthly reporting

Present insightful client reports with learnings in Weekly and or Monthly reviews with clients

Proactively research industry trends and brand knowledge to increase strategic understanding of client brands

Follow up on creative with creative agency/client + upload creative to relevant podio tactic, task

Case studies

Three + years digital agency experience, or four years traditional agency experience.

Comprehensive understanding of online, including social media, content marketing, search marketing, digital media, and emerging technologies

Brilliant multitasker.

A proven track record in delivering on successful projects for improved client business performance.

Excellent presentation and communication (listening, written and verbal) skills

Exceptional attention to detail

Ability to review campaign results and identify opportunities for improvement

A self-motivated go-getter who always strives to deliver the best possible results

Flexible approach and independent attitude

Ability to develop relationships  internally, with your team and externally, with your clients

Ability to work under intense pressure

Strategic Mindset  it is critical to ensure understanding of the client strategy to formulate a solution offering across our media, technology and creative offerings to achieve clients business goals.

Knowledge of digital transformation

Knowledge of Google Marketing Platform and associated products

Experience on project management tools

Ability to analyse data and provide real insight/ability to navigate and leverage Google Analytics

Positive Influence  a positive team member who keeps the other team members motivated. Demonstrates understanding of the importance of team morale and a healthy happy culture.

Operational Efficiency  someone who can spread themselves across multiple tasks simultaneously by working smartly, efficiently and effectively.

Meticulous  while we want someone who is efficient, they also need to pay attention to all the details and ensure all they dot the Is and cross the Ts. This requires a strong sense of pride in their work and ensuring that all output goes through rigorous quality control. Organisation is key.

Time Management - identify the urgent & important tasks and priorities to ensure delivery to client and other stakeholders.

Interpersonal Skills  we want someone who can build relationships both internally and externally. As the day to day point of contact between Incubeta, client and partners, this person would need to have strong leadership qualities.

Solutions Driven  we need someone who can think on their feet and come up with quick solutions to everyday problems. They should see all problems as a challenge for them to overcome

Financial Acumen  this includes but is not limited to management of invoices, POs, managing project budgets.

The account manager is responsible for the smooth running and successful management of the clients business across all relevant services, to ensure that all of Incubetas campaigns, digital solutions and projects are delivered timeously, efficiently and successfully.The account manager is the bridge between client and the wider Incubeta team. They support Account Directors from a more day-to-day account management perspective, effectively overseeing all campaigns and solutions from outset to completion ensuring that all requirements are delivered, and where possible, exceeded.The account manager must develop and foster healthy and effective working relationships with all key client contacts, as well as with all internal team members who play a part in delivering successful services and solutions.They own the day-to-day management of client accounts; attending meetings & sharing minutes, taking and circulating briefs, managing projects to ensure that milestones are met, managing internal and external communications, billing and admin.This is a fantastic opportunity to work on SSA clients, growing your skills, knowledge and experience in this market.The Account Manager is responsible for the smooth running and successful management of the clients business across all relevant services, to ensure that all of Incubetas campaigns, digital solutions and projects are delivered timeously, efficiently and successfully.The position is perfect for a former Campaign Manager or Trader wanting to grow their commercial acumen and project management skills, a traditional Account Manager wanting to grow their knowledge and skills in Digital, or a Digital Account Executive wanting to take their career to the next level.The ideal candidate will be able to successfully understand the clients business, as well as Incubetas service and solution offering, in order to interrogate client requests and translate them into workable briefs for our delivery team. They will be able to form deep and collaborative relationships with Client and internally, and they will have a passion for delivering successful solutions that move the needle for our clients business as well as our own.AdvantageIf you feel you fit the above criteria, please send your CV and cover letter to moc.atebucni@astnelat Posted on 30 Sep 11:39, Closing date 29 Nov
Policing has come a long way since the days of good ole boy Barney Fife.

Once upon a time, cops were tasked primarily with things like catching murderers and rapists and protecting property.

They were always used, of course, whenever necessary, to protect state interests  but, then again, the states interests werent always so obviously nefarious and illegitimate as they are today.

Law enforcements purview expansion is explained in large part by securitization theory.

As a result of the this process, peculiar new breeds of law enforcement  Public Health officers and green police  have sprung up throughout the West.

Securitization theory: the advent of new security threats

The basic premise of securitization theory in political science is that, given the opportunity, a state will endlessly concoct new security threats as a justification to exercise greater power outside of the constraints of the normal political process:

Securitisation theory shows us that national security policy is not a natural given, but carefully designated by politicians and decision-makers. According to securitisation theory, political issues are constituted as extreme security issues to be dealt with urgently when they have been labelled as dangerous by a securitising actor who has the social and institutional power to move the issue beyond politics.

The process, in a nutshell, works like this:

The government identifies a new existential threat, either legitimate or overblown, either naturally occurring or cynically engineered by the state itself.

The corporate media and corporate state stoke fear about the threat into the hearts and minds of a gullible public

In the fog of panic, the state slyly provisions itself with new authority and resources to combat the threat, thereby increasing its power

The threats change, but whether domestic terrorism, COVID-19, or climate change, the process largely remains the same.

Once you download the blueprint for the securitization process, analyzing the states actions in real-time becomes as easy as reading lines off a script.

COVID-19 gets reframed as a national security issue

The average pre-9/11 American wouldnt have believed that a trumped-up flu could ever be conceived as a national security threat.

But, 9/11 changed everything. Securitization became routine.

The corporate states apparatuses, like the Rand Corporation, were ready to pounce on the new COVID-19 Public Health emergency and cast it as a national security issue. Here the Rand Corporation likens COVID-19 hysteria to World War II:

COVID-19 is the greatest threat to the United States to materialize in over a century. To put it into perspective, World War II, which many consider to have been an existential threat, claimed an average of 9,000 American lives per month And when the safety of the nation is endangered, the situation becomes a matter of national security and it should be treated as such . 

America used to go to war with Nazis; now it goes to war against microbes and climate.

Security issues require securitizing actors  enforcement mechanisms to counter the threat. Hence the Public Health officer. Hence biomedical martial law.

The rise of the Public Health officer

Meet the biomedical states new frontline enforcer: the Public Health officer.

This miserable creature is here to ensure you take your shots, wear your mask, and, most importantly, shut your mouth.

He is granted full enforcement power and broad jurisdiction to enforce Public Health orders, such as:

Curfew  regulates times during which a person is required to stay indoors.

Social distancing  maintaining distance between people to avoid the spread of disease.

Quarantine  restricts the movement of people who show symptoms or are potentially infected by a disease.

 Self-quarantine  the voluntary act of putting oneself in quarantine .*

.* Isolation  separates sick people from those who are not.

Shelter-in-place (stay at home)  requires individuals stay in a safe, non-public location (home) except for essential activities and work, until told otherwise

(*Somehow, self-quarantine is both voluntary and enforceable by a Public Health officer if you wont do it yourself.)

Heres one in action:

This is frightening and this is what Canada has become. pic.twitter.com/wKOL8YZBlk  Alexandra Lavoie (@ThevoiceAlexa) July 16, 2022

Here, the masked, portly Canadian Public Health officer detains a pair of overpolite Canadian travelers, confiscates their passports and demands proof of vaccination for noncompliance with COVID protocols. He cites the broad power granted in the Canadian Quarantine Act as the source of his authority.

Is the robot police dog here with a mounted RPG for the vaxxed, or unvaxxed?

Science provided possibility of liberation but science itself is not liberator When ideals of humanity are war & conquest, tools become as dangerous as razor in hands of child Fate of humanity is entirely dependent upon its moral development Einstein pic.twitter.com/v7S5jS2NiI  Double Down News (@DoubleDownNews) August 15, 2022

Lets consider the pertinent points:

A.) The corporate state controls the police.

B.) The corporate state  from Australia to Canada to Great Britain  insists on vaccine mandates and have enforced draconian lockdowns for years.

C.) Weve seen the hell theyve unleashed on anti-mandate protesters worldwide using actual flesh-and-bones dogs.

ENGLAND: Police set an attack dog on a protester IN Newcastle at the anti-covid passport protest over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/EdV6OcvZ5l  Apex World News (@apexworldnews) August 30, 2021

Seems like a recipe for more of the same, just with robots instead of Rover.

How long until the RPG dog gets sicced on you?

Welcome to Techno-Hell.

The Public Health Officers Successor: Green Police

France recently created a legion of green police brigades to combat climate change offenders:

Gerald Darmanin, who serves as Frances Minister of the Interior, has announced that he aims to create 3,000 posts for new green police officials, a move that he has deemed necessary in the face to tackle climate change.

European and North American green police will enforce increasingly common North Korea-tier curtailing of basic human dignity, like forcing shop owners to turn off their lights at night and limiting heating and air conditioning.

Just following orders: no dice

Just following orders is the oldest, lamest excuse for government goons to excuse their aberrant behavior  one that didnt save the Nazi camp guards at Nuremberg, and wont this time either if we dont allow it.

Were long overdue for Nuremberg II, which should be a pillar of every opposition candidates platform.

As for individual action, get free with the parallel economy.

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
According to SPIEGEL information, it was calculated that explosive devices with an effect comparable to that of 500 kilograms of TNT must have been used to destroy the tubes. The seismic signals registered by various measuring stations were also included in the estimate. The previously unknown estimates support the assumption that only a state actor can be behind the action. So far, the federal government has held back with speculation about the background to the interruption of the pipelines. There is a lot of speculation that Russia is behind the action. The Russian leadership, however, described the process as international terrorism directed against Russia . The federal government is hoping for more information from a more detailed examination of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which are interrupted to the north-east and south-east of the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm. In security circles it was said that divers or a remote-controlled robot could possibly assess the damage at the weekend. In the best-case scenario, one could then draw initial conclusions about the type of explosion under water and the explosives used, according to security circles. However, it is difficult to predict how many traces can still be found. -- Der Spiegel

The blasts were so large that the Swedish National Seismic Network detected a 1.9 on the Richter scale and another one that registered 2.3...

Two powerful underwater explosions were detected on Monday in the same area of sea as the Nord Stream gas leaks, according to the Swedish National Seismic Network. The monitoring network said the first explosion occurred on Monday at 2:03 a.m. Swedish time with a magnitude of 1.9 on the Richter scale, followed by a second at 7:04 p.m. on the same day with a magnitude of 2.3.

To get an idea of what the bombs had to rip through to damage the tubes, Bloomberg's Javier Blas shows NS1 and NS2 were inches thick of steel coated with tons of concrete on each section. Blas said each tube is 'very strong'.

How strong is a Nord Stream pipe? Quite!



The steel pipe itself has a wall of 4.1 centimeters (1.6 inches), and it's coated with another 6-11 cm of steel-reinforced concrete. Each section of the pipe weighs 11 tonnes, which goes to 24-25 tonnes after the concrete is applied. pic.twitter.com/BFYnv36CaF  Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) September 27, 2022

What sparked our attention is why did the CIA warn Germany of an attack on Nord Stream weeks in advance?

CIA Warned Germany Of Possible Nord Stream Pipeline Attack https://t.co/jwV0uWSmrV  zerohedge (@zerohedge) September 27, 2022

And now NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the Nord Stream attack "sabotage" and said it would be met with a "determined response."

* * *

Update (0735ET):

Reuters quoted NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday, saying attacks against EU critical infrastructure would be met with a "determined response." He called the acts "sabotage. "

"All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. "We, as Allies, have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack against Allies' critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response," a statement from the North Atlantic Council (NATO) read.

Separately Stoltenberg tweeted:

The sabotage of the Nordstream pipelines is of deep concern. #NATO is committed to deter and defend against hybrid attacks. Any deliberate attack against Allies critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response. https://t.co/XSiqWK20xF  Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 29, 2022

Stoltenberg nor NATO named the culprit behind the pipeline attacks, though some EU officials have suggested Russia.

There was no mention of how NATO "arrived at its assessment that the damage, which it said has caused substantial environmental fallout and shipping disruptions, resulted from the intentional attack," WSJ noted.

NATO's statement is a significant increase in tensions between Russia and the West ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's move to annex parts of eastern Ukraine.

More details on the fourth Nord Stream leak are below.

* * *

Sweden's coastguard confirmed a new leak was discovered on the damaged Nord Stream pipeline system in the Baltic Sea on Thursday, according to Reuters. Add this to the three other leaks for a grand total of four that have been spewing natural gas into the water since Monday.

"Two of these four are in Sweden's exclusive economic zone," coast guard spokesperson Jenny Larsson told Svenska Dagbladet newspaper. He said the other two are situated in the Danish exclusive economic zone.

While neither NS1 nor NS2 was operational during the suspected undersea explosions earlier this week, they were filled with NatGas to Germany, with Denmark estimating the leaks would dissipate by Sunday.

There are two massive gas bubbles on the surface of the Baltic above the damaged pipelines in Sweden's economic zone. One gas bubble measures a staggering 2,950 feet in diameter, while the other is about 600 feet.

Several EU heads have called the incident "deliberate" and "sabotage," with Finland stating that only a state actor was capable of the pipeline attack.

The Baltic region is getting more intense by the day as Norway, now Europe's top natural gas supplier (recently displaced Russia), increased security at energy infrastructure sites, land terminals, and platforms on the Norwegian continental shelf. There were reports of mysterious drones buzzing oil rigs.

The UN Security Council will meet Friday at Russia's request to review the damage to NS1 and NS2. Russia's US embassy asked for the meeting as it "insists on the need for a comprehensive and objective examination of the circumstances of the unprecedented attacks on Russian pipelines."

Reuters said the embassy commented on its Telegram channel that the US attempts to "squeeze out" Russian oil firms from the global energy market through "non-market methods and sanctions."

The Russian prosecutor's office told Interfax the Nord Stream incident is being investigated as an "international terrorism" probe.

For now, NS1 appears as if it won't be operational anytime soon (NS2 was never operational though filled with gas). Before this winter and the reduction in NS1 capacity, the EU received about 40% of its NatGas via pipelines from Russia, a figure that Bloomberg now has around 9%
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday asked Joe Biden directly whether he carried out his threat to destroy the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.



From TASS, "Russian diplomat warns Biden over pipeline incidents":

"US President Joe Biden must answer the question of whether the United States carried out its threat on September 25 and 26 when an emergency was reported at three lines of Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, which has been preliminarily recognized as ruptures, whereas he suggested those were blown up," the Russian diplomat said on her Telegram channel. On it, she posted a video in which the US leader delivers the speech in question.



Pres. Biden: "If Russia invades...then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it."



Reporter: "But how will you do that, exactly, since...the project is in Germany's control?"



Biden: "I promise you, we will be able to do that." https://t.co/uruQ4F4zM9 pic.twitter.com/4ksDaaU0YC  ABC News (@ABC) February 7, 2022

"His statement of intent was backed up with a promise. One must be responsible for one's words. Failure to understand what one says does not absolve anyone of responsibility. Europe must know the truth!" Zakharova emphasized.

Zakharova told the EU on Wednesday to treat the US as a culprit in the attacks.



The Swedish coast guard reported Thursday that there are four leaks in total on the Nord Stream pipelines, two in each.



"'Two of these four are in Swedens exclusive economic zone,' Larsson said, adding that the two others were in the Danish exclusive zone," RT reported.



German media outlet Tagesspiegel reported Wednesday that both pipelines may be "unusable forever" as a result of the damages, citing government officials.



"Technical experts say the pipelines will become harder to repair once all of the gas has escaped and they fill with seawater and start to corrode," The Guardian reported. "'Ice plugs' blocking the pipes could further hamper repair works."



Fox News host Tucker Carlson said Tuesday that if the Biden regime carried out the attacks it would be an historic act of "environmental terrorism" and means the US is now "directly at war" with Russia.







The Pentagon told Fox News on Thursday they "were absolutely not involved" in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosion.





Meanwhile in Russia: every state TV program is feasting on Tucker Carlson's accusations that the Biden administration is somehow involved in causing the Nord Stream damage. Military expert loved Tucker's idea about cutting undersea internet cables & said, "Sure, why not?" Watch: pic.twitter.com/bDVwl2Z7yN  Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) September 29, 2022



With tensions between the US and Russia reaching heights not seen since the Cold War, the State Department on Wednesday issued an alert for all Americans to flee Russia "as soon as possible."



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Hurricane Ian is the latest natural disaster to impact food prices. The storm hitting Florida is already forcing orange juice futures to rise, and it may soon squeeze the countrys fertilizer supply  which could have a far-reaching impact.

Prices for frozen concentrate orange juice contracts hit roughly $1.92 per pound earlier on Wednesday, an increase of more than 5% from Tuesday, before moderating slightly.

Florida is a leading citrus producer, including oranges and grapefruit. At least 75% of the Florida citrus belt is under threat of heavy flooding rains over the next 36 hours, according to satellite imagery provider Maxar Technologies.

Maxars WeatherDesk finds that at least a third of the groves are likely to see some wind damage, mostly in the northwestern portion of the citrus belt.

Orange juice futures are up almost 30% so far this year. And the timing of the storm is difficult for farmers in Florida as citrus crops are nearing harvest season.

There will be quite a bit of fruit drop and losses of fruit from the trees, Maxar said.

Citrus production was already under significant pressure even before Hurricane Ian.

In July, the US Department of Agriculture estimated US production of oranges would drop by 13% in 2021/2022 to the lowest level in 55 years because of the drought in California and citrus greening in Florida. Citrus greening is a disease that causes trees to produce less fruit that is smaller in size. As a result juice producers have to use more oranges per bottle, raising their costs and leading to price hikes for consumers.

Orange and tangerine prices spiked 14.4% for the year through August. The price of juice and other non-alcoholic drinks went up 13.1% in that period.
Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic have never fully come to terms with the Slansky trial

30. 9. 2022 / Muriel Blaive

cas cteni 12 minut

Replacing Injustice by Another Injustice Is Not Enforcing the Rule of Law



On 26 September 2022, filmmaker Ruth Zylberman presented at the French Institute in Prague her latest documentary film The Trial: Prague 1952. Several reels of the 1952 Slansky show trial, hours of new filming and audio material, were discovered in 2018. On their basis she revisits this trial in a moving and personal take by focusing on three of the accused: Rudolf Slansky, Rudolf Margolius, and Artur London, as well as on their families. As she explained in the discussion after the screening and in the academic debate that followed the next morning at the French Center for Research in Social Sciences (CeFReS), her aim was to present these radioactive visual archives to the public and, even more importantly, to turn them, by restituting the humanity of its protagonists, into the sort of material that can be appropriated by a wide audience.

Did the Czech public believe in the Slansky trial?

Some six hours of new filming material, even though already edited by the regime itself, indeed make for an incredible viewing. We already knew that the gravity of the accusations was so extreme as to be implausible, that the confession of all the accused was flawless as to appear improbable, that it was nigh impossible that the most fantastic conspiracy in Czechoslovak history could be dealt with in a mere eight days of trial with a verdict decided in a matter of minutes, or that none of the condemned saw fit to appeal their death sentence. We also knew from numerous testimonies that many members of the public did not believe these accusations and confessions, either upon hearing them or after a few days of reflection. But we had only a few minutes of reels to sample. Thanks to the duration of this new material, it now appears outright impossible that the public might have failed to notice that the scripts were learned by heart  and often forgotten  by the accused, or that the prosecutors main role was to be their prompters. As an 85-year-old member of the audience testified at the screening in Stepanska, he and his 16-year-old apprentice mates immediately thought the trial was a fraud. We can use as an analogy the case of the Germans during the war: those who wanted to know knew that the Jews disappeared and were most probably led to a sinister end, while those who preferred not to know, often because they were strong believers in Nazism, didnt notice. In Czechoslovakia, too, people reacted according to their degree of faith. Heda Margolius immediately understood that her husband, Rudolf Margolius, was reciting a fabricated confession; but Lise London believed the confession of her husband, Artur London, and Jiri Frejka believed his father Ludvik Frejka, so much so that the latter two demanded the highest appropriate punishment for their relative. We can imagine that a full spectrum of reactions and beliefs covered the families of the fourteen defendants.

These reels, and Ruth Zylbermans film with them, do more than reinforce a feeling of incredulity. They bring a haunting measure of sadness. Rudulf Margolius confession, in particular, is heart-rending. Artur London appears overly nervous not to forget his lines. Rudolf Slansky appears resigned, although my understanding of his posture is not at all, as one of the participants to the discussion argued, that he was almost relaxed, but rather that he was relieved to get this trial over and done with  indeed all of the accused appeared to have a weight taken off their shoulders at the proclamation of the verdict, not because they were eager to die but because the many months of physical and psychological torture they had endured, trial included, were coming to an end.

Were the confessions sincere?

One of the greatest merits of the film is that it doesnt limit itself to the trial but contextualizes the life of the accused. These men had hopes and dreams; they had a history, one that included almost inhuman personal suffering  Rudolf Slanskys baby girl was kidnapped in Moscow in 1943 and the family never saw her again; Rudolf Margolius was deported to Auschwitz; Artur London was deported to Mauthausen. Their commitment to the communist order after 1945 cannot be understood if we dont account for their desire to build a better society, including for their families. This is where this film is extraordinarily precious: contrary to so many pieces of academic or documentary history produced until now, the storyline continues long after the trial, in fact all the way to the present, insofar as the condemnation of the designated culprits left a trail of disoriented survivors. The result is immediate and incontrovertible: this film restores the humanity of husbands and fathers who had been sentenced by Stalinist judges, then often forgotten by public opinion.

The question of their sincerity was raised several times during the two debates. Did they believe in their own confession? An ambiguity has often been raised in the literature of the survivors, from Alexander Weissberg to Artur London, via Arthur Koestler (who was not a victim himself but spoke for those he knew), George Hodos, Evzen Lobl, and many others. These men often described how the torture they were submitted to, the way they were shouted at and called a traitor eighteen (or more) hours a day for months on end, combined with an organized lack of sleep, physical pain, and dismal surviving conditions, almost always succeeded in convincing them that they must indeed be traitors. Appropriate time and peace of mind to reexamine their own state of guilt was only ever granted to the survivors, who, once left alone, quickly came back to their senses.

The new material thus does not provide all answers. But when Rudolf Slansky was arrested, we learn in the film that his reaction was to say: Jezismarja, jezismarja. (Oh, my God, Oh, my God). There are only few cases in history of famous epizeuxes (repetition of the same word) that are doubles rather than triples. The most famous one we cannot not think of here is Joseph Conrads The horror, the horror at the end of Hearts of Darkness; and just like with Mr Kurtz, we are not sure what horror Slansky would have referred to: the horror of what was done to him, or the horror of what he did  or perhaps both.

Did they deserve their punishment?

The question of guilt immediately brings to the fore the question of whether the accused deserved their fate. I got what I deserved, said Rudolf Slansky while being led to the scaffold. Did he, though? Could anyone deserve to confess to crimes they hadnt committed? My unambiguous answer is no. What some of the accused did deserve was both to be put on trial for the crimes they, as early architects of the terror regime, did commit, and to have the crime committed against them by way of this trial appropriately examined by a court of law. To take a normative shortcut by claiming that they got what they deserved is to hold the wrong trial. All the accused in the Slansky trial were victims in their own right.

In view of this context, I would argue that, to this day, the Czech Republic badly needs a historical reexamination of this trial. As Hannah Arendt analyzed it, the silent are indeed complicit. For, as she wrote, Where all are guilty, no one is. Its not just to say: The communist regime was bad, all communist elites were bad, so the accused at the Slansky trial deserved their fate. Obedience, or passivity, hides in fact consent. Hence the question, says Arendt, that should be asked  but was never asked in post-1989 Czechoslovakia  should never be, Why did you obey but Why did you consent. Why did the whole country consent to this trial, from President Klement Gottwald to the lawyers, judges, clerks, journalists, the public, to the archives which hold until today, as the film shows, private papers of the accused families that were confiscated by the secret police? Why should Francoise Londons childhood vaccination certificate lie in archival boxes rather than be in her possession? Moreover, the two main interrogators (Doubek and Kohoutek) spent inappropriately little time in jail and Chief Prosecutor Josef Urvalek continued in his profession. In the Horakova trial at least, one of the prosecutors, Ludmila Brozova-Polednova, was sentenced, even though it was almost sixty years later. But no such state reckoning occurred in the case of the Slansky trial. The fact that the trial was ordered and directed by Stalin and his Soviet advisors does not absolve their Czech enablers and accomplices of responsibility. And that Slansky and his co-acccused were rehabilitated in 1968 does not exonerate the Czech state today from questioning it.

I believe that over the past decades, those within Czech society who still remember that this trial took place have known that what happened was not completely fair. Yet a collective feeling that a wrong was somehow made right with this trial seems to have taken hold, including perhaps even of Slanskys daughter Marta and her own son David, who spoke in the film and during the screening: Rudolf Slansky might not have been guilty of what he was accused of, but he was guilty of what he inflicted upon others before being arrested, so they leave it to historians to condemn him.

This offer of the Slansky family to endure collective sacrifice at the price of a private reckoning with their own pain (my subjective interpretation) stems from the heart and is generous, admirable, and eminently respectable as such. But it raises two problems: first, it is not up to historians but to a court of law to condemn anyone; and second, the accused at this trial, including Rudolf Slansky, were unequivocally innocent. The new Czech state, which was quick to condemn communism as a system and communist party members as a group, accepted the legal heritage of communist Czechoslovakia. Therefore, the new democracy started out on the foundation of a double historic miscarriage of justice. It does not amount to the same if people are condemned for crimes they did not commit on the assumption that the crimes they probably committed were never punished (notwithstanding that some, particularly Rudolf Margolius, might not have committed even those.) This might work as a parable, but this is not the way formal justice works. Such a form of universal justice is no adequate substitution for the rule of law. The new, democratic Czech state needs to state clearly and publicly that the accused at the Slansky trial were innocent, and that many of the dictatorial measures ordered or implemented by some of the accused  Slansky, Geminder, Sling, or Svab particularly come to mind  were never punished either, so that most of their real actions and victims were little acknowledged. Only by owning up to its heritage can the Czech state build a serene democracy, having emptied its cupboards of their skeletons. As a French citizen, I can testify to the toxic power of painful pasts that my state has long refused  and sometimes still refuses  to face. To ignore or to hide past crimes has never promoted the dignity of any society.

Yet another invisible suitcase

One last element of notice in both events accompanying the presentation of the film The Trial was the skepticism of several members of the audience concerning the competence of a non-Czech, Ruth Zylberman, to speak about the history of this country, a suspicion compounded by the fact that she does not speak the language. In reality she is fluent in interwar and postwar Czech culture, especially of its Jewish component. To reproach to her details (for instance that the film gave the impression that radio listeners could follow the trial live whereas the broadcasts took place only one day later) without suspecting that she might have been aware of such trivial distortions but took license with them for the sake of efficacy and time management, or to politely thank her for her vision from the outside and use as an argument that she thinks like a French as thinly disguised attempts to downplay her legitimacy, is an enterprise which fails to acknowledge that to speak as an outsider is not a disadvantage but an epistemological benefit, what Marci Shore calls ostranenie  which is exactly why we started our series in Britske listy on the invisible suitcase. What Ruth Zylberman did was much more relevant than to provide details about who found the tapes and where. She raised a question that should make any citizen of any democratic state uneasy: is it acceptable to condemn political leaders for the wrong reason, thereby omitting to question their real responsibilities? Scrutinizing their role in the establishment of the communist dictatorship would certainly implicate many more people and institutions. It would also question the responsibility of a state that not only failed to bring justice at the time both for and against the Slansky trial defendants, but to own up to this failure until today.

The great historical novelist Hilary Mantel, who died last week, wrote that Evidence is always partial. Facts are not the truth, though they are part of it  information is not knowledge. And history is not the past  it is the method we have evolved of organizing our ignorance of the past. Its the record of whats left on the record. Its no more the past than a birth certificate is a birth. What Ruth Zylberman has achieved here is to produce not facts, but questions. Such an achievement makes this film a worthy contribution to Czech historiography.









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From Knowledge to Action: About the Psychology of the Climate Crisis

The presentation will be in German with simultaneous interpretation, the Q&A will be in English.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

12 - 1:30pm Eastern Time (US)

Zoom Webinar

REGISTER HERE



Please register to receive the Zoom link for the webinar.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Sustainability.

About the Event

The scientific facts about the climate and ecological crisis have been known for a long time, and yet societies have not been able to take action at the necessary scale. In this lecture Lea Dohm presents the psychological mechanisms beneath the insufficient action, and possible strategies to respond in a healthy way. She also shows how people in Germany are organizing in order to move towards a societal transformation towards a more just and sustainable future, and what everyone, but especially those in the health professions can contribute.

About the Speakers

Lea Dohm holds diplomas in psychology and psychotherapy and is co-initiator of the German climate organization Psychologists for Future, an initiative that contributes its knowledge to the climate movement. She is co-author of the book Klimagefuhle [Climate Feelings] and co-editor of the volume Climate Action. Psychology of the climate crisis. At present she is employed at German Alliance Climate Change and Health (Klimawandel und Gesundheit (KLUG), an initiative by medical professionals advocating for a societal transformation towards Planetary Health.

Jennifer Gutsell will be conducting the Q&A in English.
Understanding Yemen: Before, During, and After Conflict

A Conversation with Yasmeen al-Eryani and Stacey Philbrick Yadav

Organized and edited by David Siddhartha Patel



In April, the two main warring parties in Yementhe Houthi movement and the Government of Yemenagreed to a two-month truce brokered by the United Nations that has since been extended twice. After the initial truce, Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi handed power to an eight-member Presidential Leadership Council, a development that many Yemenis and observers hope will lead to an end of almost eight years of war in the country. In this Crown Conversation, we spoke with Yasmeen al-Eryani and Stacey Philbrick Yadav about efforts to end the war, the importance of inclusion in peacebuilding, and the myriad ways in which conflict and international humanitarian efforts have changed the nature of research in Yemen. Al-Eryani is the director of research at the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, and Philbrick Yadav is an associate professor of international relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and a non-resident fellow at the Crown Center.



President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, in several ways, represented a Yemen that no longer exists, and the eight members of the new Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) each has some amount of influence on the ground in Yemen. Does this place them in a better position to negotiate with the Houthis during the truce? What challenges does the PLC face?



Yasmeen al-Eryani: Ten years under President Hadi was catastrophic for Yemen. He actively blocked any openings for reviving peace processes. For Yemenis, he was an absent leader: He was reclusive and seldom addressed the nation, even in the most critical moments. As president, Hadi remained fixated solely on self-preservation and amassing wealth for himself and his sons. Thus, in contrastand setting aside the questionable formulation on which the PLC was announced and the nature of its composition (mostly military men with clashing political agendas)I can at least say that the PLC potentially provides us with an opportunity that was not possible under Hadis presidency. That being said, even though Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, in his first address as chairperson of the council, stated that this is a council of peace and not war, most of its members head an armed faction or have a military background. We have yet to see if the PLC will set Yemen on a path toward peace or one toward further war.



When it comes to the prospects for the PLC to help end the conflict in Yemen, the internal and external challenges that it faces are enormous. However, it has one very important advantage: a degree of regional backing that coincides with the intention of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE to move on from the Yemen war. If the PLC does not capitalize on this, we risk a situation in which Saudi and the UAEafter figuring out arrangements to secure their bordersorchestrate a rushed exit, absolving themselves from the responsibility for reconstruction and leaving Yemen in a state of a continuous civil war. There is also recent momentum with the UN-led peace process, which culminated in a truce that both preceded the establishment of the PLC by a few days and was extended for the second time in August for an additional two months. Under the truce, the parties agreed to halt all military offensives inside Yemen and across borders; reopen Sanaa International Airport to commercial flights (to and from Amman and Cairo) after six years of closure; allow fuel shipments to enter Hodeidah, the vital port on the Red Sea; and reach an agreement on opening roads to the battleground city of Taiz, which has been under a brutal seven year-long siege by the Houthis. The first three items in the agreement are holding while negotiations on access to Taiz are faltering. Meanwhile, there are reports of large-scale military mobilization by the Houthis around Taiz and Marib, and the Houthis held several military parades during the months of truce. The window to expand the truce into a national ceasefire seems to be closing rapidly with no clear plan for what would happen past October if the truce is not renewed. Similarly, the window of opportunity for the PLC to gain legitimacy by taking practical measures to improve living conditions and service delivery for people in areas under the control of the Government of Yemen, and unify anti-Houthi military groups under its banner, is also rapidly closing.



The PLC faces several challenges. The first is establishing a healthy equilibrium between its members, knowing that some of them have political projects that deeply contradict the mandate of the PLC. Next, the PLC must figure out a security arrangement that would allow it to operate from inside Yemen. Currently, the PLC chairperson and cabinet members who operate in Aden depend on the security protection of the Southern Transitional Council, a South Yemen secessionist movement whose president is the deputy chairperson of the PLC. Another challenge that the PLC must deal with is a potential resurgence in the South of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). AQAP controlled much of the governates of Abyan and Shabwah from 2012 to 2014 and carried out numerous assassinations. It took control of Mukalla in 2015-2016. The PLC also must wisely manage and respond to angry mass protests in Aden that are a result of deteriorating economic conditions, rising fuel prices, and a lack of improvement in public service delivery. Compounding these challenges, the supporting bodies that are meant to provide the infrastructure for the PLCsuch as the legal team set to draft the PLCs regulations and decision-making mechanism, the economic team, and the reconciliation commissionare stumbling, with several members stepping down. Additionally, the US$3 billion economic package that Saudi Arabia and the UAE pledged in Riyadh upon the establishment of the PLC has not been disbursed yet.



Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the Houthis are engaged in discrete negotiations in Muscat without the PLC. This could be seen as sidelining Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi and his council and signaling that the PLC may not be in a better negotiating position with the Houthis than Hadi was. Meanwhile, the Houthis, who have been steadfast in building their own governance and military structures and keeping the population in their areas heavily taxed and heavily policed, have shown no interest in power-sharing.



Stacey Philbrick Yadav: For several years already, Yemenis have been quite clear that President Hadi had limited representational authority and could not be expected to effectively negotiate a sustainable outcome. So, from that perspective, the shift to a presidential council is a late-arriving recognition of that reality. But the current diplomatic framing is still one that emphasizes a fundamentally binary conflict between some kind of Government of Yemen and the Houthi insurgents. I am concerned that this is an unrealistic approach for two reasons. The first is that it underestimates the extent of fragmentation and conflict within the government camp, and the second is that it underestimates the extent to which governance has been institutionalized by the Houthis. The fact that the Presidential Council hasnt met in weeks speaks to this point, as does the fact that the primary violations of the truce have thus far fallen outside of the framework established by the truce and unfolded largely among different Yemeni factions. While the truce has contributed to a significant reduction in cross-border conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition, it has not addressed Houthi violence against domestic adversaries, which is still substantial, or conflict among the weakly-integrated members of the PLC.



The Houthis have controlled at least some of the Yemeni bureaucracy for seven years, and their de facto authority has also enabled the implementation of new institutions and practices in areas under their control. It is not enough to consider the Houthis as a threat to the statethey are, though they are not alone in thisbut they have also effectively assumed the role of the state in some parts of the country. That is a different kind of peacebuilding challenge than, say, defeating an armed insurgency: It means really reckoning with the prospect of some kind of postwar power-sharing. The longer the war goes on, of course, this prospect becomes more unpalatable to many Yemenis, and understandably so. Looking at other analogous conflicts of internationalized civil war, however, underscores why some kind of planning for post-conflict justice is so important. In contexts where there has been little or no accountability for wartime injusticeslike Lebanon, for examplethe postwar political integration of former antagonists continues to be a driver of instability.



The UN and many aid organizations often emphasize the importance of inclusive peacebuilding in conflict-affected states. What does the Yemeni experience tell us about what inclusion does and does not mean?



Yasmeen al-Eryani: I think the word inclusion in the context of peacebuilding always calls for more scrutiny: inclusion of whom, when, and how? Is the inclusion embedded in structures that empower those who are meant to be included: Do they feel empowered to affect change? How do we define the categories of those who should be included, and who is left out from these definitions? I think that once you get into answering these questions in the context of peacebuilding in Yemen, the limitations and shortcomings become evident.



The war in Yemen was preceded by an attempt at a national dialogue (the National Dialogue Conference, or NDC, of 20132014) thateven if not adequately inclusivewas expansive and witnessed a dynamic civil engagement. Some may be critical of the process that was followed, but few would deny that the conversation then was broader than it is now. The stark contrast between the period before the war and the period following the outbreak of war is quite telling of how war, literally overnight, can redefine who gets included and who is excluded from peacebuilding. From that point on, the peace process focused solely on bringing to the table the conflict parties: Those with the guns got to dictate the parameters for peace.



Sidelining civil society that was activated prior to and around the NDC as soon as armed conflict started was a miscalculation. It created a rupture within Yemeni civil society. Shortly after, many civil society actors became internally displaced or fled the country, and it became difficult for them to organize after losing existing networks and an operational framework. It took time for some to reorganize, to adapt to the new reality, to establish networks in Yemen and in the diaspora, and to rethink their advocacy work as the war took on international and regional dimensions. The UN, which is mandated to lead the peace process, watched as civil society was being suffocated in Yemen and did little to counter that or establish new operational frameworks for civil society to mobilize during the war period, particularly in the early years of the war. This demonstrates how, in practice, inclusion in the peace process continues to remain superficial.



Women rights organizations, which form a dynamic and big part of civil society organizations in Yemen, were relegated after the outbreak of war to an advisory role with little power to affect change, shape peacebuilding approaches, or be included in direct negotiations. In the past few months, with the current UN special envoy, Hans Grundberg, there have been attempts for broader consultations. But it remains unclear whether these will result in anything meaningful.



At the same time, you have an array of international NGOs (INGOs) and a few Yemeni NGOs working on middle- and grassroots levels of informal peace initiatives, which are more inclusive and flexible compared to the formal peace process. However, their work is still restricted by the priorities of the UN envoys office and is not without problems. There is always a question of power imbalances and hierarchical relationships in the context of INGOs and Yemeni organizations. Competition over resources and limited incentives for collective action and coordination make the work of INGOs on peace atomized and disconnected from each other. This again may be a result of a lack of an operational framework that could support and empower parallel tracks for peace building, especially local ones. It is important to note that no one organization or single initiative alone can or should be expected to achieve an adequate level of inclusion. This is only possible if the peacebuilding environment in Yemen, especially those efforts financed by international aid, becomes more conducive to collective initiatives and less restricted by a single formal peace track.



Furthermore, we still need to investigate a bit more what we mean by inclusion in terms of who gets included. Do we include victims of violations? How do we go about including people in remote rural areas? How do we reach the 40% or more of Yemenis who are illiterate? What about ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities? I have not seen these questions tackled seriously by those leading the peace process in Yemen.



In my view, without taking inclusion seriously and creating the frameworks and mechanisms that are permissible for it, we risk having a very short-lived peace that doesnt address root causes of the conflict and reduces peace to a settlement deal shaped by the narrow interests of armed groups and a mere interlude before future conflictsif we even reach that point at all.



Stacey Philbrick Yadav: I couldnt agree with Yasmeen more on the need to scrutinize the language (and practice) of inclusion. This is something that fascinates me, from a research standpoint. There really does appear to be a substantial gap between what international organizations and their representatives mean when they talk about inclusion and what it seems to mean to many of my Yemeni interlocutors. This is not a new distinction, either, but one that goes back (at least) as far as the post-2011 transitional framework.



In very broad strokes, I characterize the two approaches as one that emphasizes the importance of voice and one that seeks to shape outcomes. There is a relationship between these two, of coursevoice can be used to shape outcomes. But some people, particularly civil actors, express frustrations at being called to the table to offer input or share perspectives, knowing that actual decisions are being made by others. These others include humanitarian and international organizations, of course, but also conflict actors. I have seen some encouraging examples, usually in hyperlocal contexts, where being invited to offer input has resulted in the development of consensus and has produced identifiable outcomes, such as bringing members of previously-excluded groups into local government at the municipal level where they actually exercise some decision-making power. But I hear a lot from activists, researchers, and other civil actors who feel discouraged by years of giving input, to little effect.



Yemen remains one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises, with over 20 million people in need of assistance. How has the influx of aid operations from international donors and transnational aid organizations affected NGOs and think-tanks on the ground in Yemen?



Yasmeen al-Eryani: Yemeni civil society, including NGOs, were very mobile and active in the decades prior to the war. They developed networks within human rights groups regionally and internationally, and some had experience in advocacy work and legislative reforms. Womens organizations were, and remain, very active and dynamic. When the war broke out there was an obvious rupture in civil society: Many people involved in civil society organizations fled the country, became displaced, or were fearful of speaking up. The space for civil action shrank drastically over a period of a couple of months. Those who remained readjusted their operations from human rights and advocacy to humanitarian aid, which isin principlenon-political. But the power dynamics in aid-funding mechanisms created unhealthy structures, with Yemeni organizations taking the highest risk while acting as subcontractors to international NGOs or UN agencies who have limited presence on the ground.



However, I think politics always finds its way through the cracks. In the Sanaa Center, I work closely and on a long-term basis with NGOs from across Yemen, and I do not sense that they have become less political or have given up their work in advocacy, accountability, human rights, and womens and youth participation. And, just as importantly, some gained commendable experience in peace processes and peacebuilding. This makes me hopeful that they will be the ones to do the heavy lifting once the guns fall silent. It is however important to empower them now and prepare for this transition to avoid yet another rupture.



Stacey Philbrick Yadav: It is clear that donor-directed projects are shaping research, as well as programming. In a project I worked on that involved mapping peacebuilding civil society organizations (CSOs) across the country, people talked a lot about the humanitarianization of peacebuilding, even if they didnt always use this language to describe it. CSO staff talked about pressure that they have faced to abandon programming oriented toward reconciliation or mediation in favor of needs assessment and direct delivery of aid. On the one hand, it makes sense because CSO staff may have the research skills to do the assessments and the networks and capacity to deliver aid in areas that are inaccessible to international organizations. But, on the other hand, it also reflects a different understanding of the relationship between conflict and need, where Yemeni peacebuilders are more likely to view conflict as a driver of humanitarian crisis, not the reverse. And some worry that realigning their work is stripping the peacebuilding sector of important resources and reducing Yemeni agency in important ways. The Sanaa Center, where Yasmeen works, published an excellent series of papers on some of the ways that donor-driven humanitarianization is extending the war: It was a tough subject to take on, and I appreciate that they wrestled openly with internal discussions at the Sanaa Center about whether to even write it. It underscores the essential role that Yemeni-led organizations are playing as knowledge-producers and reflects an important perspective that helps explain, at least in part, why the war in Yemen, eight years in, remains so difficult to resolve.



Before 2014, Yemen was one of the most dynamic sites of research in the Arab world. How has the war affected what is being studied in and about Yemen and how the country and its people are understood? What is not being studied now?



Stacey Philbrick Yadav: There have been qualitative and quantitative changes to what is being written about Yemen, I think, especially if you consider materials produced in English. When I started doing research in Yemen in the early 2000s, there were relatively few foreign researchers there, and we tended to rely on ethnographic field research, whether or not we were in the field of anthropology. This was a function of research infrastructure and the kinds of questions people were asking. But this tended to produce an unavoidably fragmentary portrait of the country, where individual researchers knew a great deal about a specific place/time/question. The establishment of the Yemen Polling Center (YPC) in 2004 began to make systematic national-level surveys possible. And the YPC understood the necessity of training local researchers to do data collection under diverse conditions, among men and women, etc. Organizationally, I think it was a kind of bridge to the current situation, where Yemeni researchers have become vital to knowledge-production at all scales. These Yemeni researchers are not simply deploying the questions that others have designed but are playing a central role in the conceptualization and design of research. But most of this research is funded from abroadwith international organizations and government agencies funding research that Yemeni researchers design and execute. Yasmeen is one of the first people to publicly point out the distorting effect this has on the kinds of questions that are being asked, and its such an important observation. Laurent Bonnefoy recently wrote a good overview of this, as well, from his vantage point as a longstanding researcher writing about Yemen for academic audiences. The warmapping conflict dynamics, assessing needs, identifying peacebuilding resources at the local levelhas thoroughly permeated research on Yemen for the past several years and has crowded out a lot of questions.



I tend to view this shift, though, as substantial in another way. So many foreign researchers, myself included, have not been able to travel to Yemen during the war. This has shifted the balance of who is writing about Yemen and why. The war has created a previously unprecedented opportunity for Yemenis to be the primary narrators of the conflict in Yemen. There have also been some opportunities for collaborative research between foreign scholars and Yemeni partners. I have had the chance to work on several of these; they are not uncomplicated, but they are deeply enriching. A lot of the collaborative work that I am aware of has been initiated through organizations like the one where Yasmeen works: new hybrid research and advocacy organizations established primarily by Yemeni researchers. In my forthcoming book, I talk about the relationship between research, description, and narration: the way the story gets told, who tells it, and the advocacy purposes to which research is put. These are all important sources of political agency. In our conversations about this, Yasmeen has raised some good questions about risks raised by the current research environment, and I dont want to minimize this at all. But I am excited, frankly, to encounter such a new terrain of knowledge-production.



Yasmeen al-Eryani: Stacey raises a very important point when it comes to understanding the research landscape in Yemen: What kind of questions get to be asked and by whom? As someone directing research in a Yemeni organization and working closely with Yemeni researchers on the ground, the question about the ownership of narratives on Yemen is at the forefront of what I do. As I see it, the war affected social science research on Yemen in at least three ways. The first is access and research feasibility. The war made it very difficult to access large and populated areas to openly conduct research; survey and focus groups became even more difficult and too risky in highly policed or militarized areas. In these conditions, research participants would also likely self-censor, and this undermines research results. Existing challenges to research prior to the war had to do mostly with geography and reaching inhabitants of remote mountainous villages. But, today, access is hindered across large swathes of the country, making large-scale research difficult and risky. Under such conditions, the research center in which I lead the research department must now rely on personal networks to conduct key informant interviews and, albeit to a lesser extent, focus groups. Furthermore, and Stacey alludes to this in her research, this work is becoming highly securitized, putting anyone who handles data and information at risk.



Second, the war changed who is carrying out research and who is funding it. International academics have lost almost all access to the field; even those with decades of experience conducting field research in Yemen are unable to do research as they did before. As for Yemeni academics, Yemeni universities had low publication rates even before the war. I have not seen specific figures, but I can imagine that the situation has worsened, given the dire conditions in which universities and faculty are operating. Many Yemeni academics have either left the country or lost their source of income, access to their research sites, and ability to travel abroad and participate in academic conferences. Many Yemeni academics also feel pressure to self-censor to avoid arbitrary detentions or worse.



Nevertheless, I think the war led to the creation of a very important movement of Yemeni-led policy research centers, such as the Sanaa Center, the Yemen Policy Center, and a few others. These centers are led by young Yemenis, both inside and outside of the country, who want to reclaim the narrative when it comes to knowledge production on Yemen. The centers emerged at a time when there was a lot of interest to better understand Yemen and to talk to Yemenis who know the context well, and they managed to fill a gap in innovative and courageous ways, publishing extensively on various policy topics and training local experts in research methods.



In contrast, we have UN agencies and their partner international and local NGOs that conduct research for humanitarian plans and for purposes of aid distribution and a few international policy research centers and think tanks, most of which have no direct access to the field. You also see hybrid publications that mix research and investigative journalism, which is also an interesting shift in that a good amount of research is now happening outside of academic institutions. Nevertheless, prior to the war, I had the sense that much of the research on Yemen lacked conceptual development with a tendency to under-theorize. Now, with fewer opportunities for immersive academic research and more international aid-driven policy research, were looking at knowledge production that can quickly become outdated.



That being said, I am not completely pessimistic about how Yemen is being studied and understood now. I think that once the situation stabilizes and the space for research becomes more permissible, we will see very interesting work come along. Many of those researchers who have been on standby, following Yemen from afar, or those in Yemen keeping notes and waiting for the right and safe time to publish will have their moment. We could see research in Yemen take off in completely new directions than what we have been used to in the past.



This takes me to the third, albeit related, way that the war has affected research in Yemen: What is being researched, and this is perhaps directly linked to what Stacey said, and what questions get to be asked? Prior to 2011, a lot of social science research on Yemen focused on certain geographical areas, particularly around the capital region and its surrounding villages. Research focused on the powerful tribes in these areas and the former regimes modes of governance and patronage networks. Security was also a common theme when it came to Yemen, with a lot of attention on extremist groups post-9/11. From 2011 to 2014, there was a lot of interest in social movements and the uprising of 2011. But, during the war years, we have seen a shift in focus from northern tribes to tribes in the east, such as in Marib, Shabwa, and Mahrah. There has also been significant research on Yemeni minorities, the economy of war, and gaining a deeper understanding of local conflict drivers. We also see an abundance of the type of research that focuses on the geopolitical dimension of the war, one in which Yemen features superficially.



Again, we see this rupture in the research space caused by the war reshaping research on Yemen. Overall, the interest in knowledge production and in research is growing among international donors and regional and international actors to better understand the context and define their interventions. However, these are transient research interests. It is important to build projects around supporting and reviving research in Yemen, supporting communities of knowledge and practice, and supporting Yemeni researchers to continue working and networking with adequate safety nets. And, most importantly, projects should ensure that the research taking place is held to ethical standards. Yemenis are already vulnerable to violations, and research can exacerbate these vulnerabilities. This is a serious matter that I think is not getting adequate attention at the moment.



For more Crown Center publications on Yemen, see: "Fragmentation and Localization in Yemen's War: Challenges and Opportunities for Peace" and "A Passing Generation of Yemeni Politics."



The opinions and findings expressed in this Conversation belong to the authors exclusively and do not reflect those of the Crown Center or Brandeis University.
Two parallel Silicon Valleys have emerged. Theres the ThunderDome of Twitter, where tech thought leaders collect likes by posting edgy memes and spouting flip political takes  then invoke cancel culture when they are criticised. They troll their way into impulsive $US44 billion ($68 billion) acquisitions, then back out. They promote an entirely online existence inside the so-called metaverse. Then theres the day-to-day reality, where women still get just 2 per cent of venture capital funding and Black founders get 1 per cent, where the largest tech companies have made negligible progress on diversifying their staff, and where harassment and discrimination remain common. Last month, Estelle McGechie, the former chief executive of Atomos, sued the electronics company for gender discrimination and retaliation. She said she had been fired after she alerted the companys board to fraud. This month, a Vox report about sexual assault and victim silencing at Launch House, a hacker house backed by Andreessens firm, went largely unremarked-upon by the tech industrys most prominent voices. Then Verkada, a security start-up that has faced accusations of harassment of female employees and lax internal controls over access to its surveillance tools, raised $205 million from top venture firms. And Shervin Pishevar, a venture capitalist who was accused of sexual misconduct by five women in 2017, resurfaced as an executive at Kanye Wests company, Yeezy. It is enough to make some question whether the industry can change.

As far as I can tell, theres never going to be consequences for men, Pitts said. Its disheartening. Launch Houses CEO responded to the Vox article with a blog post this month, apologising for the companys past safety issues. Verkada said it had learned from previous incidents and had clear protocols, trainings and people focused on addressing issues related to sexism and harassment. Atomos said in a statement that McGechies claims were without merit. Pishevar did not respond to a request for comment. Musks blockbuster deal for Twitter underlines how the tech industry still operates like an old boys club. The billionaire is part of the PayPal mafia, a group of founders and early employees at the digital payments company, many of whom have gone on to even bigger successes in tech. Their successes are often interconnected. Those in the group invest in or join each others companies and firms, keeping things, as the mafia says, in the family. An infamous Fortune photo of the men in 2007 dressed as mob gangsters does not position the tech industry as welcoming to outsiders. All of this is about self-selecting for people just like you, Max Levchin, a PayPal mafia member, told Fortune at the time. The 2007 article contained one mention of a woman; Levchin said he had hired her even though she was bad at Ping-Pong, which showed a lack of competitiveness. She quit months later.

A spokesperson for Levchin pointed to instances when he had supported diversity, including leading an industry push for anti-discrimination laws. When Musk recruited investors to help with his Twitter deal, he contacted many of those friends or their firms. Sequoia Capital, where his fellow PayPal mafia member Roelof Botha is a leader, put up $800 million. DFJ Growth, a firm that has invested in Musks companies, like Tesla, SpaceX and SolarCity, added $100 million. Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle who sits on Teslas board and has said he is very close friends with Musk, also contributed $US1 billion. Andreessens firm, Andreessen Horowitz, threw in $US400 million. Women do not have these kinds of deep, decades-durable networks that these men have had, said Taryn Langer, a founder of Moxie Communications Group, which does public relations work with founders and venture firms. Theres definitely the boys club that still exists. Other members of the PayPal mafia, including David Sacks and Joe Lonsdale, got subpoenas for their text messages with Musk about his Twitter deal, which is now tied up in court. They were quick to express their displeasure about it, sharing memes on Twitter and calling the subpoenas harassment on TV. Musk has also fought the exposure of his private communications through his lawyers.

At the same time, women working at SpaceX, Musks space company, have lodged complaints of harassment and retaliation over the last year. In May, Insider reported that Musk paid a settlement to a flight attendant who had accused him of sexual misconduct, an act he denied. After the report said Musk had offered to buy the attendant a horse in exchange for an erotic massage, Chad Hurley, a founder of YouTube and member of the PayPal mafia, wrote on Twitter that Musk should stop horsing around and close this Twitter deal because we all want a happy ending. Musk responded, Fine, if you touch my wiener, you can have a horse. He has also asked his followers if Twitter should delete the w in its name and suggested starting a university called Texas Institute of Technology & Science for its epic merch that would presumably feature the institutions acronym. A lawyer for Musk did not respond to a request for comment. Andreessens firm has $US35 billion under management. He has tweeted about blocking people whose opinions he does not like, directed diss memes at the likes of the Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and railed against those who support the current thing, or popular causes. In addition to a board seat at Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Andreessen will be joining the board of Flow, Neumanns real estate start-up.

When the Flow deal was announced last month, it elicited scepticism from those who doubted Neumanns business acumen after WeWorks disastrous crash. But it also stirred outrage among women and people of colour who saw a man getting a plush second chance when they have had to fight for scraps to get a first chance. A spokesperson for Andreessen Horowitz declined to comment. Meta did not respond to a request for comment. The $US350 million that Andreessen Horowitz invested  the firms largest individual check  valued the yet-to-launch Flow at $US1 billion. Diana Lee, co-founder of the ad-tech firm Constellation, said she had needed to fight for a fair valuation for her company by showing investors annual growth of 80%, hundreds of customers and consistent profits. With Neumanns fundraising, she said, the execution hasnt even happened yet. He comes out and its $1 billion. The tech industrys lack of consequences has even inspired Billy McFarland, the convicted fraudster behind the Fyre Festival, the luxury music festival that famously flopped in 2017. McFarland recently emerged from jail with plans to mount a comeback in tech. He said he was confident he would find support.
Over the two centuries and more that people have made a serious study of how the economy works, economists have fallen in and out of love with land. At first, they thought it was at the centre of everything, then they decided it wasnt terribly important. But the wheel may be turning again. In a major speech last month, the Grattan Institutes Brendan Coates criticised his profession for its longstanding intellectual neglect of the economics of land.

You dont have to think about housing affordability for long to realise it is not actually the high cost of building a house thats the problem, its the high cost of the land its built on.

But why is the cost of land rising much faster than the economy is growing? And why dont economists take more interest in why this is happening and what we could do about it?

Coates began the annual Henry George Lecture by summarising the history of economists waxing and waning interest in land as a resource used to produce goods and services.
Most prominent here is Texas businesswoman Courtney Vucekovich, who says she was left traumatised by her relationship with Hammer, during which she claims he left deep bite marks on her body and told her to wear them as a badge of honour.

Armie Hammer in 2018. Hammer and his family are the subject of the new Discovery Plus docuseries House of Hammer. Credit:Matt McClain/Washington Post

Filmmakers Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs compile the accounts of several women (not all of whom took part in filming) to portray the actor as an alleged manipulator who uses an enthusiasm for kinky sex as cover under which to abuse women.

The detailed allegations of rape and other abuse levelled at American actor Armie Hammer in this three-part documentary are shocking in themselves. But the series quickly expands to paint a portrait of an entire dynasty of baroque awfulness stretching back to Hammers great-grandfather, oil tycoon Armand Hammer.

Most shocking is the footage from a press conference last year in which another former partner accused Hammer of a vicious and protracted sexual and physical assault. Hammer, who denies all allegations against him, was investigated but not charged, though the Los Angeles County district attorneys office said last month that its investigation was continuing.

By the end of the first episode, though, the focus has moved to Hammers aunt, Casey, whose 2015 book Surviving My Birthright describes depravity and dysfunction through several generations of the family. She tried to watch Succession, she says, but had to stop: Magnify Succession a million times and it is literally my family.

The chief villain in her story is her father, Julian, who she says sexually abused her as a child and who also woke her with a gun, threatening to kill her, while in a drug psychosis.

Hakami and Hobbs keep delving further back, painting Armand Hammer as a criminal who built his business empire on bribery and blackmail and who even aided Soviet espionage against the US.

Theres a lot here, so much so that at times the series feels like a slightly ungainly primer that ought to pave the way for at least a couple of separate and more authoritative documentaries or documentary series.
Schebesta says he and the well-placed alumni he has since recruited have received a mix of support and resistance and thats expected because change is difficult and scary. Whats at stake is that, by limiting the school to only boys ... it reduces diversity of ideas and thoughts, and can lead to a narrow set of perspectives. This leaves a weakness, a shortcoming usually seen only in the long term. Some consequences of narrowness have made headlines in the form of stories about abhorrent behaviour and backwards attitudes to women in some school cultures. Some academics suggest the impact of recent reputational damage to high-fee boys schools is becoming a stronger factor in parents minds than the perceived, but fading, professional influence of old-boys networks. In June, nearly two dozen recent head prefects at the high-end Sydney boys school Cranbrook wrote to the school council supporting a co-ed proposal, saying private boys schools foster attitudes and behaviours that are no longer acceptable in broader society.

Single-sex, independent school structures create one-dimensional interactions between the genders  some of the attitudes and norms of behaviour that develop in these communities are, rightly, no longer acceptable in broader Australian society, their letter said. Adam Karras, the 2013 head prefect at Cranbrook, was one of the signatories of the letter outlining why it should go co-ed. Credit:Janie Barrett This contributes to adverse outcomes for the young women directly affected by behaviour and for young men who find themselves inadequately equipped for life. Cranbrooks decision to go co-ed within a decade forms part of what Murray Guest, late principal of the recently co-ed college The Armidale School described as an almost unstoppable wave of independent boys schools responding to shifting values. As demand for co-ed surges and single-sex enrolments drop, just as Schebesta claimed, data continues to show no conclusive advantage for keeping boys apart.

Melbournes high-fee all-boys schools achieve consistently strong academic results. But studies have shown that once influences such as students socioeconomic backgrounds are accounted for, the differences between boys in single-sex schools and boys in coed schools are not nearly as great, says Professor Andrew Martin from UNSWs School of Education. A major US study which analysed results of 1.6 million students in 21 countries and was published in 2014, showed only trivial differences between students in single-sex versus coed, for maths and science subjects, and in some cases favoured coed schools. More notably, Martin says, is the tendency for students in single-sex schools to defy gender stereotypes when it comes to subject selection. Boys will be more involved in the arts and humanities in single-sex schools compared to boys in coed schools ... the same for girls; they are more likely to take on STEM subjects in single-sex schools, he says. Even so, one researcher, from the Australian Council for Educational Research suggested on current trends, the traditional single-sex model will be gone by 2035.

Melbournes four biggest high-fee boys schools  Melbourne Grammar, Xavier College, Scotch College and St Kevins  show no signs of updating enrolment policies to include girls (a push to do so by Melbourne Grammar in the mid-90s was quashed by objectors), but two of the citys oldest single-sex Catholic schools, Presentation College Windsor and Christian Brothers College, merged in 2021. A petition started by former Sydney private schoolgirl Chanel Contos revealed hundreds of allegations of sexual misconduct by private schoolboys. Next year, one of the states oldest girls schools, St Aloysius, will begin to accept boys. Life is co-ed and so are we from 2023, its website states in bold gold type. But while dwindling enrolments have driven some inner-city Catholic school mergers, there is no hint yet that demand for a place at any of the citys leading all-boys schools is on the wane. Education consultant Paul OShannassy says Australia is one of the last bastions of single-sex education, along with the UK, from where we imported the model.

Loading If you go to Singapore or Hong Kong, you can barely find a single-sex school, and theyre the countries that are leading [international assessment ranking] PISA and excelling academically, he says. OShannassy advises families searching for an Australian non-government school for their children, and says that for many of his clients, academic results are important, but not the chief motivation. There is still huge demand for a place at Scotch and Melbourne Grammar and so on, and I find a lot of it has got to do with prestige, to be honest, and a lot has got to do with family tradition. Although in recent years some families have expressed reservations about sending their sons to an all-boys school, and OShannassy believes media reports of poor and sexist behaviour have been influential.

A lot of it is parents worrying about toxic masculinity and the rah-rah jock culture that you get at boys schools; theyre trying to avoid that a lot more than they used to, he says. So many NSW private boys schools have committed to transitioning to co-ed (following the decades-old footsteps of Victorian schools such as Wesley College and Geelong Grammar, Caulfield Grammar and Carey Baptist Grammar) that Deakin University professor Amanda Keddie pondered in August: As another elite boys school goes co-ed, are single-sex schools becoming an endangered species? Does this mean we are seeing the beginning of the end of all-boys schools? she asked in The Conversation, while noting that research shows socio-economic status, location and race are greater determinants of academic outcome than gender. The best schools are the ones which have the greatest diversity and are able to create well-adjusted citizens of the world ... schools that segregate and create exclusions can sometimes be quite harmful, she says. A critic of some ongoing aspects of exclusive boys school culture, Keddie credits some of them with having realised they need to be seen to modernise practises for boys, society and their business models.

Loading Some all-male schools are trying to do things differently, for example doing action research in their context to really understand the boys and do something about hypermasculine behaviours, she says. Some of that can boil down to reputation management, but some really are trying to put active things around teaching and learning. One such school is Brighton Grammar, whose culture came under heavy scrutiny following the reported expulsion of two Year 11 students for putting images of young girls on an Instagram page and inviting people to vote on slut of the year. The school has invested heavily in development of a positive masculinity project with the youth mental health organisation Orygen at the University of Melbourne. Like at least two other boys schools in Melbourne, it has students who identify as non-binary and are free to be themselves at school.

Brighton Grammars deputy headmaster Dr Ray Swann says that in raising healthy kids, we need to be aware of the impact of messaging around gender, the roles that people play and societal expectations. Brighton Grammar has created a Positive Masculinity project based on research and a collaboration with Melbourne University youth mental health experts. Credit:Joe Armao Boys experience higher rates of suicide, lower rates of seeking help and fall behind girls in literacy, Swann says, arguing all-boys schools can address these needs in an age and stage-appropriate way. In an all-boys school, there is the capacity to fully address different forms of masculinities, he says. As society moves towards a more inclusive and diverse culture but retains very powerful negative messages of particular types of male expression, Brighton Grammar believes that our Positive Masculinity program creates both the knowledge and practical programs for young men and boys to experience different ways of being male.

Researchers stress that boys can also be victims of hypermasculine school cultures. After St Kevins boys in uniform were filmed singing a misogynistic chant on a Melbourne tram in 2019, University of Queensland associate professor Martin Crotty said he felt some sympathy that they imbibed the offensive culture that legitimates such songs, rather than creating it. Changing such cultures is difficult, and modernisation in such schools had been slow and uneven, he said. St Kevins installed its first female principal, Deborah Barker, in 2021, but a culture review released that year appeared to back Crottys claim that meaningful reform within such traditional structures is hard, and negative attitudes to women endure. The independent report found nearly two in five female staff disagreed or strongly disagreed the school supports a culture of respect for women and other genders. Students and staff said that misogynistic language and sexist behaviour still occurs at the school. Many acknowledged that such behaviour was limited to groups of individuals and that it most often occurred out of ignorance rather than malice, the report said.

Late last year, former St Kevins student James Robinson burned his blazer on the school grounds in protest at the impact on students of hypermasculine culture. Now a photographer based in New York, he wrote on Instagram that: Current students and victims of St Kevins, and schools like it, who feel their identity is slowly being chipped away by a hypermasculine culture, I see you, I was you. Barker continues to oversee the change process. She is on leave but said in an email that an all-boys school such as St Kevins is intentional about how it educates boys according to their developmental needs and consistent with what our society needs from males. An all-boys environment allows us to tailor learning in a focused way. We develop boys that can live in the 21st century and can navigate a world where respect, diversity and inclusion are fundamental pillars of what it means to be a young man in todays world, she said.

George Variyan, Monash University education academic, is researching attitudes to women and gender equality among private boys school alumni and says the problem for single-sex schools wishing to help instil respect for women is that, I dont think you can learn about others unless you live with others. Loading Students are caught in systems struggling to balance progressive and conservative forces around gender, in which the heavy focus on all-male sporting success means certain male attributes are valorised over others. One former student of Melbourne Grammar attests that while the school offers enormous amounts to students, if you are not a sport kid, youre basically forgotten. Variyans research colleague Dr Claire Charles of Deakin University says while there are obvious efforts to overhaul hyper-male cultures, its difficult to see real change happening yet. That private schools are guarded and make it difficult for researchers to get in doesnt help. As the push to improve gender equality at all levels of Australian society moves apace, tech wiz Fred Schebesta wants his old school to introduce a prize named after a software program designed to create problems to find and fix system weaknesses.
A diabetic truck driver has been cleared of dangerous driving causing the death of an eight-year-old girl and injury to multiple adults when he ploughed his B-double into a Hume Highway rest stop south-west of Sydney.

Brendon Paul Lidgard, 46, had pleaded not guilty in the NSW District Court to dangerous driving occasioning death and three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

The fatal crash scene in Menangle on July 10, 2020. Credit:Nine News

He faced a judge-alone trial this year before Judge Andrew Colefax, who on Friday found Lidgard not guilty of the four charges on the indictment. The judgment has not been published.

Crown prosecutor Monika Knowles had told the court that Lidgard has been a type 1 insulin-dependent diabetic for 29 years, and on July 10, 2020, believed he had a hypo, describing a hypoglycaemic episode when blood sugar levels drop below normal, causing particular side effects.
Working at the Antarctic research stations could be unsafe for women because of a predatory culture that includes unwanted requests for sex, insults and a homophobic culture.

This is according to an external review of the Australian Antarctic Division first revealed by the ABC on Thursday.

An aerial view of Australias Davis Station. Credit:Justin Chambers/AAD

The report also revealed women working at the stations used improvised sanitation products or kept tampons in their bodies for longer than recommended due to a lack of facilities.

Report author Professor Meredith Nash said women sent to Antarctica faced an unsafe environment, but should not be punished for the behaviour of some men.
Children have died and women have suffered lifelong physical and mental harm because of substandard care at a central Queensland hospital, a damning report and parallel review process have found.

Four clinicians identified by the report into the Mackay Hospital and Health Service obstetric and gynaecology services have been sacked and referred to the state health ombudsman, and a fifth has submitted their resignation while on leave.

The entire health service board now has one week to explain why they should not also be swept out, with opposition calls for Health Minister DAth to be stripped of her own role.

DAth has appointed an independent adviser to oversee the response to more than 120 recommendations stemming from the report, and will meet with all health services to reiterate safety expectations later in the day.
The summer of 69. Thats right! The summer of 69. I remember it well.

Whats the secret to having been together for so long? Well, its not a secret, and its not necessarily universal. In the 1980s, I was very much involved in the AIDS pandemic. Johan was at the Ankali Project, a body in Sydneys Surry Hills that helps people living with HIV. All of that made us both realise the enormity of that pandemic. Wed go to one funeral after another. In the chapel or church, the gay family was on one side of the hall and the straight family was on the other side. It was all very hard because it tended to impact gay men, people who use drugs, sex workers, prisoners and others who were already on the receiving end of societys miseries. Eventually, Johan  in our kitchen at Rose Bay  said hed had enough of the impact of the disease. He said, How long do you think were going to be around? Weve got to stop this [disease]. We should stop it for the young people, even if nothing will change for ourselves.

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So you fought alongside each other. Any other advice for couples? Youve got to have one partner in a relationship who will always give in if the bottom line has been reached and ordinary processes of negotiation have failed. One partner has to take the plunge and give in. And thats always been me.

So the secret is to yield? Yield, yes! Or I suppose you can put it positively: keep your eye on the blessing of being in a loving relationship. Whenever weve had disagreements, Ive always kept in mind the great blessings of our relationship.
Companies are set to be forced to cut back the vast amounts of sensitive data they retain about their customers under changes to privacy laws being considered by the Albanese government in response to the Optus cyberattack.

Optus is facing major fines and damages payouts under current rules, even as the government prepares to significantly increase financial penalties for companies that fail to secure customer details from hackers.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has questioned why companies are keeping so much sensitive information on customers. Credit:Eddie Jim

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said he wanted to overhaul privacy laws within months as he questioned why Optus kept customers personal document identification numbers for years, even after they left the telecommunications giant.

Companies appear to be hoarding troves of customer data for commercial benefit rather than simply to comply with government regulations, Dreyfus said.
Influential Aboriginal academic Marcia Langton has criticised the Greens position on the Voice to parliament as political gamesmanship, saying they were demanding impossible trade-offs in exchange for their support, which she believes the party will ultimately withhold.

Langton, a leading member of the Albanese governments Indigenous Voice referendum working group, said two of the Greens key conditions  legislating their United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill and implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody  were not feasible.

Prof Marcia Langton at the Indigenous Garma Festival in East Arnhem land in July. Credit:Tamati Smith/Getty Images

As far as Im concerned, that tells me that they are not going to vote for the Voice. Im very familiar with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and those demands are impossible, Langton said.

She said the outstanding royal commission recommendations, of which there are more than 330, could only be implemented by state and territory jurisdictions.
Queenslands premier has pulled the plug on contentious tax changes aimed at landowners who also owned property interstate.

The land tax change came under heavy recent criticism from the opposition and property groups who claimed the burden would fall on renters, after its announcement in the December budget update.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet during the press conference following national cabinet at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Treasurer Cameron Dick had defended the change, which was to come into effect next July, with Dick describing it as an effort to stop investors avoiding tax by spreading property across jurisdictions and below their thresholds.

While all Australian land not subject to exemptions would be considered towards the $600,000 trigger  a test not used in any other state or territory  only the Queensland portion of land would have tax applied.
Low-income households face the prospect of rising rents without an increase in rent assistance, as the government rebuffed calls to boost the payments on offer.

An emphatic Productivity Commission report on Friday called for an overhaul of taxpayer spending on housing help, saying the government should prioritise a review of rent assistance given the strong case to improve its adequacy and targeting.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said reforming Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) was not on the agenda in the coming budget, blaming this on the $1 trillion debt left behind by the former Morrison government.

We would love to fund every good idea that has merit, but we need a way to pay for it, Rishworth said in a statement to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Treasury estimated in 2020 that a 40 per cent increase to CRA would cost $1.7 billion extra each year in 2019-20 dollars.
Soldiers have kicked local miners out of their homes to make way for the expansion of a Chinese mine at the centre of a $395 million dispute with Australian mining firm Cassius.

In Talensi, northern Ghana, some miners have sold their plots to the Chinese state-linked mining company Shaanxi. Others have refused to give up their land. The stand-off has triggered intervention by the military to seize the land after the Ghanaian government approved the Chinese mines plans to expand to 50 times its original size.

An aerial view of settlements in the Talensi. Credit:Francis Kokoroko

The dispute comes at a delicate time for Shaanxi, now known as Earl International, as it attempts to expand its operations despite allegations of trespass, theft and murder. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age revealed in August that the Chinese state-backed mining firm had been embroiled in a dispute with Cassius after the Australian miner alleged it had dug underneath its concession to steal millions of dollars worth of gold.

Earl International is also facing claims that it has killed dozens of local miners to stop them from entering its mining area since 2013. Earl International has denied the allegations.
Liverpool: The man vying to be Britains next Foreign Secretary says Labour in government would have to repair Britains international standing, especially the deterioration in the so-called special relationship between the US and UK.

The oppositions Foreign Secretary David Lammy said he would aim to strike the free trade deal with the United States that current Prime Minister Liz Truss has admitted she cannot negotiate because of ongoing rows over the Brexit break-up.

Lammy made the audacious and surprising claim about forging the trade deal in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Labours Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Credit:Getty

Truss has been reported as disliking the term special relationship, so much that during her recent meeting with the US President, Joe Biden referred to Britain as Americas closest ally instead.
Moscow: President Vladimir Putin plans to carry out his threat on Friday, Moscow time, to declare that some 64,000 square kilometres of eastern and southern Ukraine will become part of Russia, an illegal annexation denounced by the West, but a signal that the Russian leader is prepared to raise the stakes in the 7-month-old war against Ukraine.

It is not clear whether even Russias staunchest allies will recognise Putins move, and Russian forces only partly control the land he plans to claim.

But by annexing the parts of Ukraine his troops still occupy and then framing his efforts as an existential fight for the survival of the Russian state, Putin can try to shift the focus of the war from his armys front-line losses to a plane where he seems to feel most confident: a battle of wills with the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit:AP

He thinks he can win, Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said in a phone interview from Moscow. He is provoking an escalation of the war, transferring it to some new status.
Ola Electric has regained the top spot among companies producing electric scooters after a gap of four months, according to data from the government website VAHAN.

The EV company stood at the fifth spot, behind Hero Electric, Okinawa, Ampere, and Ather Energy, in terms of e-scooter registrations in August, at 3,440. In September, it clocked 8,780 registrations (until September 30 afternoon).

The uptick was possible, analysts said, because of its strategy to bring in affordable models, below ~1 lakh, to expand the market; it launched its S1 model at ~99,000 on August 15 and the impact was discernible in September. Its earlier mainline model, S1 Pro, is priced around ~1.5 lakh on road, with subsidies.

Ather Energy too introduced two new models in July end  the 450X Gen 3 with a starting price of ~1.39 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the Ather 450 Plus Gen 3 at ~ 1.17 lakh -- to rev up its low numbers earlier. The gambit worked: Its registrations are going strong and are up by around 10 per cent MoM at 5,811, bettering its best-ever performance in August.

We have had a phenomenal H1FY23 with Ola emerging as market leader yet again, in less than a year of starting deliveries. The demand for Ola S1 has been soaring, and our customers are loving its wide range of features at a highly competitive price point. On the other hand, the S1 Pro alone commands the majority of the market share today and is doing its job really well in the premium segment. We are very confident that we will continue to top the charts even in the next quarter, especially with the upcoming festive season, said an Ola Electric spokesperson.

Ather did not comment on VAHAN numbers.





Yet despite the growth witnessed by the two players, registrations of the top eight electric scooter manufacturers collectively, data for which is available on VAHAN, show only a marginal increase of half a per cent MoM in September (in August, registrations grew 10 per cent over July).

The other top electric scooter companies, including Hero Electric, Ampere, Okinawa, Pur, Being, and Revolt, have witnessed a decline in registrations. For Hero Electric, registrations fell sharply by 30 per cent in September, after breaching the 10,000 mark in August. From being Number One in the electric scooter space in August, it is not at the third spot  behind Ola Electric and Okinawa.

EV makers said in view of the festival season, they expect overall numbers to go up substantially. And companies like Greaves Electric Mobility (which owns Ampere) have projected that industry sales this financial year shall hit 700,000, from 250,000 in FY22.

In September, electric scooter registrations, for the first time, accounted for over 4 per cent of total two-wheelers registrations. It is the magic figure that EV players consider as the inflection point for a quicker conversion of the two-wheeler market from ICE to EV. The previous best was in April at 3.5 per cent.

However, the increased penetration has been largely because of a shrinking in the overall two-wheeler (ICE and electric, both scooters and mobikes) registrations in September declined by over 10 per cent to 960,000, even while electric scooter registrations marginally increased.
With a towering personality like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Bapu) as her husband, it is no surprise that the pages of history seem to have reduced Kasturba Gandhi (Ba) to a loyal accomplice than a freedom fighter who took on the might of British colonial rule in India.


For more than 9 months, there have been talks between Limited and its lenders to raise Rs 10,000 crore in debt. According to sources, despite rounds of negotiations, banks are unwilling to approve new lines of credit for the telecom company, reported Businessline.



The company has sought new from its current bankers. These banks include State Bank of India, IndusInd Bank, IDFC First Bank, YES Bank, and IDBI Bank. However, most banks have either rejected the request or placed it on hold.



A top executive of a private bank told Businessline, Without Vodafone Plc and Aditya Birla group infusing the committed capital into the company, we cannot budge.



Also Read: Vi to lose access to towers if it fails to clear dues, says Indus Towers



In March 2022, announced that Vodafone Plc would pump in Rs 3,375 crore of capital in its Indian arm, while the Aditya Birla group committed to bring in Rs 1,125 crore. This was as part of its Rs 14,500-crore mega fund-raise plan. We are yet to see the promoters infuse the money, asserted another senior banker on condition of anonymity.



When Businessline contacted Vodafone Idea, the company's representative said they are still in contact with potential lenders for additional credit lines.



When the government agreed to convert Rs 16,130 crore in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues into equity representing a 33 per cent share in in October of last year, it is gathered that capital infusion by promoters was also one of the unstated requirements set forth by the government. On September 14, the Ministry accepted the proposal.



In fact, sources say in the last 812 months, banks have been paring their exposure to Vodafone Idea. A banker said, The company is in a better position now than it was in December last year. It is a standard account for banks. However, as part of deleveraging the corporate book, some banks have brought down its exposure to the telecom company, and hence will not be able to increase the loan outstanding once again. With smaller private banks particularly faced with this issue, bankers say roping in a new investor may be the best way out for Vodafone Idea.
(Vi) is in discussions with Indus Towers Limited for softer payment terms, the telecom company said in a stock exchange notification late Thursday.

This follows Indus Towerss warning letter to Vi to pay up its accumulated dues or face disconnection from November.

Indus Towers is one of the large vendors who provide passive infrastructure services to the company. The company has been in discussions with Indus for softer payment terms, which are continuing, but have not been concluded yet, Vi said in its notification.

Vis dues to Indus Towers are said to be over Rs 7,000 crore. Similarly, it reportedly owes over Rs 2,000 crore to American Tower Corporation. Both the are piling pressure on Vi to clear its dues. Earlier this week, Indus Towers shot off a letter to Vi asking it to clear all past dues or risk disconnection from November.

The loss-making telecom company has been trying to raise funds from external investors but has not been successful till date. The proposed issuance of around 35 per cent stake to the government following the telecom reforms package too, has not materialised. According to a media report, banks too, are unwilling to lend money until promoters infuse fresh capital. Vi said that return of bank guarantees and recent fund infusion by promoters are positive catalysts and it remains in discussion with lenders.

Vodafone Group Plc, co-promoter of Vi, sold 7.1 per cent stake in Indus Towers in February to Bharti Airtel and an undisclosed investor. Funds from the stake sale were infused to clear Indus Towers' dues. Vi and Indus Towers had renegotiated their agreement in the same month, including those related to share pledges from Vodafone Group. Vi had agreed to pay certain minimum amounts to Indus Towers till July 15 as per the agreement.

In a post Q1 investor conference call in August, Indus Towers said that the customer (Vi) has proposed a payment plan wherein they have conveyed the ability to pay part of the billed amount till December 2022 and 100 per cent thereafter along with clearance in a phased manner between January 2023 and July 2023 of the old dues that would accumulate till December 2022.

We are engaged with the customer to work out a better payment plan, hence we expect to see gradual improvement in our trade receivables position that we will continue to monitor very closely, Indus Towers' Chief Financial Officer Vikas Poddar had told analysts.
E-commerce firm has recorded 70 per cent growth in sales of premium mobile phones during the eight-day long festive season sale, the company said on Friday.

Premium mobile phones costing Rs 20,000 and upwards comprised almost 50 per cent of the total mobile sales and more than 44 per cent of the buyers of premium mobile phones came from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

"India truly upgraded this Big Billion Days (BBD) with categories like mobiles, electronics and large appliances witnessing a growth of over 70 and 30 per cent each, respectively, in the uptake of premium products over the last BBD," said in a statement.

The company did not disclose the base number of sales it registered during The Big Billion Days (TBBD) in 2021.

Walmart group claims to have recorded over 1 billion customer visits during the festive days, with tier-2 and 3 cities contributing 60 per cent of the total traffic, the company said.

Fashion and lifestyle continued to be a big attraction in Tier-2 and 3 cities, with suitcases, running shoes, men's jeans and footwear being some of the top-selling products, drawing in 45 per cent more customers over last year.

"The segment saw 3 sarees and 2 kurtis being sold every second. As many as 250 shoes, 200 kids' clothing and fashion wear and 7 T-shirts and 4 Bottomwear (jeans and trousers) were sold every minute," the statement said.

The grocery segment on recorded 2.3 times rise in new customers using the platform and the number of cities shopping for groceries more than doubled to almost 1,700 during the TBBD.

"Nearly 70 per cent of the grocery demand was recorded from Tier-2 and -3 cities, including Guwahati, Indore, Lucknow, Nagpur, Patna and Vijayawada," the e-commerce firm said.

Televisions, washing machines and refrigerators were the top choice in the large appliances category and customers, choosing the product exchange' option, grew 20 per cent compared to the TBBD in 2021.

Flipkart claims that several D2C brands saw 200-300 per cent growth in customers this TBBD with grooming, food and nutrition, lifestyle and travel driving growth.

The company said that more than 50 per cent of Flipkart's transacting sellers saw a 1.5 times increase in their business.

It added that sellers who crossed sales of over Rs 1 crore more than doubled in TBBD 2022 compared to the sale last year.

In the travel segment, Flipkart saw a 140 per cent increase in advance bookings for travel next year.

"Bhubaneswar, Goa and Jaipur were among the most popular domestic destinations, while Bangkok, Maldives and Singapore topped the international travel of choice. Tourism for destinations such as Shirdi and Varanasi also saw a rising interest.

"Bookings for 4- and 5-star properties were 350 per cent higher, signifying how customers are moving towards luxury travel and hence such demand," the statement said.

Flipkart said that its social commerce offering Shopsy business scaled by 5 times with a strong adoption from Tier-2 and -3 cities. The platform observed heightened participation from Bharat, with nearly 60 per cent of consumers and local sellers coming from Tier-3 cities.

(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.)
State-run Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has posted the highest value of production worth Rs 755 crore in the PSU's history during the financial year 2021-22, a senior company official said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference here, Chairman and Managing Director of HSL Hemant Khatri said that despite various challenges due to the partial lockdown and restrictions dung second and third COVID waves, the state-run entity has posted the highest value of production with all three major business segments contributing to this.

He said the value of production target would be more than Rs 1,000 crore during the current financial year.

Khatri said the value of production from shipbuilding remained at Rs 613 crore marking it as the highest value of production recorded from shipbuilding division in the history of the shipyard.

HSL has earned a net profit of Rs 50.78 crore during 2021-22 with an operating profit of Rs 10.69 crore as against a net loss of Rs 14 crore with an operating loss of Rs 73 crore during the previous year, he said.

The Chairman and Managing Director said the construction of two diving support ships are at advanced stages of construction with both the ships at 70 per cent completion.

He said similar improvement in performance has been achieved in the ship repair business unit. The yard has repaired 17 vessels of various owners in 2021-22 and HSL has been aggressively participating in various ship repair tenders and secured five successive ship repair orders worth Rs 270 crore during the year.

One of the five orders was ship repair order of MODU Sagar Bhushan worth Rs 154 crore.

Khatri said the yard has delivered 200 ships, including 40 ships of various types, to the Indian Navy and repaired 2,000 vessels so far.

The balance order book value for ship construction is about Rs 2,185 crore which comprises two diving support vessels.

The public sector company has signed an MoU with defence shipyards and other for mutual cooperation for tapping domestic and export markets both in defence and non-defence sectors.

Khatri said HSL has uploaded 80 defence products on Srijan portal with Rs 800 crore out of which more than 20 products worth Rs 123 crore have already been indigenised. Besides, various measures have been taken for promoting indigenous defence manufacturing in the MSME sector.

(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.)
L&T Technology Services Limited announced on Friday it is collaborating with Technologies, Inc. to deploy end-to-end solutions for the global private network industry utilising their combined core expertise in the hi-tech & telecommunication domain.

LTTS and will bring together core competencies in telecommunication solutions and services for the benefit of end-customers in the manufacturing and warehousing/ logistics sector, an LTTS statement said.

As part of the proposed collaboration, will engage Private Networks RAN Automation technology for the automation and management of small cells along with pre-integrated PN solutions.

LTTS will facilitate end-to-end system integration, design, and implementation of use cases, provide engineering consulting, and deployment services along with edge-to-cloud orchestration and management.

In line with the terms of the collaboration, LTTS will establish an engineering centre of excellence in Santa Clara with Qualcomm's support to accelerate the adoption of private wireless networks, the statement 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.)
Taiwans Pegatron on Friday became the third Apple vendor to set up a manufacturing unit in India, inaugurating a facility at Mahindra World City in . It will invest around Rs 1,100 crore in the unit, potentially generating around 14,000 jobs.

The other two Apple vendors with units in India are and Wistron, both Taiwanese. Pegatrons facility comes at a time when Apple is expected to move at least a quarter of its manufacturing facilities to India by 2025. It signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu government in February last year.

The fact that Pegatron has started production within 18 months of signing the MoU highlights the investor-friendly climate in Tamil Nadu. China is where new cell phone models are manufactured in bulk. We are working to change that and make Tamil Nadu such a manufacturing hub, said Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin.

The electronics major applied for the central governments production-linked incentive scheme. Tamil Nadu plans to develop Hosur, Coimbatore and Sriperumbudur as electronics manufacturing hubs.

The state contributes to around 20 per cent of the countrys electronics manufacturing. Major players in the state include Samsung, Foxconn, Tata Electronics and Dell among major investors. Stalin said the state is working to improve supply chain.

Beyond conventional industries, we are showing interest in innovative industries. Under industry 4.0, the electronics sector plays a very important role. It has the power to change the manufacturing map of the state. We are focusing on that, he said. Early this year, Tamil Nadu jumped to the third place in terms of ease of doing business, compared to 14 last year.

Stalin reiterated the governments roadmap to achieve the target of a $1 trillion economy. To move towards this, the state is giving special incentives for the manufacturing sector. In every sector, we are taking efforts to create more employment and boost diversification initiatives, he added. Apple had started local assembly of iPhones in 2017 and was majorly making old generation phones in India.

A report by JP Morgan said Apple, in a move to diversify its China-focused manufacturing, is looking at making 25 per cent of its handsets in India by 2025 and shifting 5 per cent of global 14 production to India by the end of 2022.
In a major setback for Xiaomi India, the Central government-appointed authority on Friday approved the seizure order of Rs 5,551.27 crore passed by the (ED) against the Chinese mobile manufacturer in April this year.

To date this is Indias biggest seizure order under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED seized Xiaomis assets over allegations of making illegal payments to parties outside India in the guise of royalties.

The authority, while confirming the seizure of Rs 5,551.27 crore, held that the ED was right in holding that foreign exchange equivalent to the amount had been transferred out of India by in an unauthorised manner and was held outside India on behalf of the group entity in contravention of Section 4 of the FEMA, the ED stated on Friday.

FEMA, which checks foreign exchange violations, requires that the appeals against seizure orders be heard only by an authority appointed by the Centre.

In this case, the chief commissioner of Customs, Chennai, heard the matter. The order has been issued under Section 37A (deals with assets held outside India) of against Xiaomi Technology India, the federal agency said in a statement.

Following the seizure on April 29 by the ED, filed a writ petition before the Karnataka High Court, seeking a stay. The court upheld the ED action and directed the authority to hear the case and decide the matter in 60 days.

However, the court had issued an interim order staying the seizure order, allowing the smartphone market leader to take bank overdrafts to continue its day-to-day operations and pay for imports of items essential to its business, with the exception of royalties.

Under FEMA, the competent authority shall dispose of the petition within 180 days of the seizure by either confirming or by setting aside such an order, after giving an opportunity of being heard to the representatives of the ED and the aggrieved person.


flagship is leading the race to acquire India Cements project in Madhya Pradesh, which is valued at Rs 800 crore, sources said.

Among other contenders for the project, which is on the block, include . E-mails sent to UltraTech and elicited no response until the time of going to press. said it had no comment to offer on the matter.

The deal, however, is expected to close anytime soon, ithe sources said. was contemplating a three-million tonne per annum plant in last year and land for the same had begun. The project also has backward linkages to limestone, which is a key raw material in cement-making.

In May, the company had indicated that it was open to selling some of its land to reduce debt. As of March 31, 2022, had net debt of Rs 3,039 crore. This was an increase of 1.43 per cent over the previous year when net debt stood at Rs 2,996 crore. The companys net debt to equity ratio stood at 0.53 for both FY22 and FY21, according to its annual reports for the respective years.

India Cements had indicated in its FY22 annual report that it had acquired 184.53 hectares of limestone-bearing land at Pawai Tehsil in Panna District of . It had also acquired 68.55 acres of land in the Gaisabad Tehsil in Damoh District in the state to set up a cement plant.

In June, UltraTech had said that it would increase capacity by 22.6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) through brownfield and greenfield projects. This would entail setting up integrated and grinding units as well as bulk terminals across the country, with commercial production from these units going on stream in a phased manner by financial year 2024-25 (FY25).

The company's current capacity stands at 120 mtpa. Inorganic growth is also on the priority list of Ultratech as it eyes a total installed capacity of around 160 mtpa in the next few years.

JSW Cement, on the other hand, intends to raise its capacity to 25 mtpa by FY24, from 17 mtpa at the moment, said experts.

Both UltraTech and will continue to look at inorganic growth opportunities. However, there are not enough large targets to go after, following the Adani-Holcim deal, which has made Adani the second-largest cement player in the country at 70 mtpa, said Manish Valecha, lead cement and construction analyst at Anand Rathi Securities.

Adani has already indicated that it wishes to double capacity to 140 mtpa in the next five years with a combination or organic and inorganic growth.
Zee Media, which runs 14 national and regional channels in 10 languages, has pulled out of the Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC), sources told Business Standard on Friday.

The company, a part of the Essel group, sent a letter to the measurement company on Friday evening informing the decision to exit the service subscription. According to sources, this means that the Zee channels will not be part of the viewership coverage.

A mail sent to elicited no response until publishing.

In March, New Delhi Television (NDTV), which runs Hindi and English channels, pulled out of BARC, saying it had reiterated the need for a larger sample of meters to measure viewership from time to time.

Apart from NDTV, other news broadcasters, including Republic TV, have pointed to the same.

has a sample size of 44,000 people meters.

Between October 2020 and March 2022, the body paused news viewership data to increase its sample size to 50,000 people meters. But, industry experts said the Covid-19 pandemic had hampered efforts to increase the number.

However, did change its viewership reporting method for news channels, in particular, by taking audience estimates on a four-week rolling average basis to arrive at viewership numbers for a specific week. This would improve the stability of numbers, BARC said in March.
The Centres 75-day Amrit Mahotsav Covid-19 free drive helped to improve coverage of precaution doses from 8 per cent in mid-July to 27 per cent now.

More than 7.6 million first doses, 23.5 million second doses, and 159.2 million precaution doses were administered during this period. More than 2.47 million doses were administered daily, including two million precaution doses per day, as part of the campaign.

The 75-day-long campaign, in which special Covid-19 drives were organised across India to increase the uptake of precaution doses, concluded on Friday. Everyone above the age of 18 years and those who have completed six months after the second dose are eligible for the precaution dose.

From a daily average of 470,000 doses per day till July 15, the number of precaution shots went up to 2.04 million per day (from July 15 to July 26).

The number of total vaccine doses has gone up from 1.23 million per day (till July 15) to 2.7 million per day (since July 15). According to the health ministry, the coverage for precaution doses has gone up from 8 per cent (July 14) to 11 per cent (as of July 25) thanks to the campaign.

The Union Health Ministry said on Friday that 11,104 camps were organised at bus stations, 5,664 camps at railway stations, 511 camps at airports, over 150,004 camps at schools and colleges, 4,451 camps at routes of religious yatras, and over 1,130,044 camps at workplaces and industrial establishments.

The campaign also helped to salvage vaccine doses from getting wasted. In mid-July the Serum Institute of India had around 200 mn doses of stock, and it hoped to save at least 100 mn doses with the drive. Bharat Biotech had a stock of 50 million doses at its plants around April and had halted production of Covaxin.
A special court here on Friday sent 11 Popular Front of India (PFI) activists, who were arrested by the Investigation Agency (NIA) recently, to judicial custody till October 20.

The accused were produced before the court as their NIA custody period ended today.

The court has asked the NIA to produce the accused on October 20.

Meanwhile, the NIA has sought seven day custody of the third accused, Abdul Sathar, who was recently arrested. The court will consider the custody application on Monday.

The NIA has raised serious allegations against the banned and its arrested leaders and claimed that the seized documents during the raids contain highly incriminating materials targeting prominent leaders of a particular community.

In a remand report submitted before the NIA special court seeking custody of 10 accused in a case registered here, the agency also alleged that the radical Islamist outfit encouraged youth to join terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Islamic State of iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda.

In near simultaneous raids across the country, a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA on September 22 led to the arrest of 106 activists of the in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country, officials had said.

The maximum number of arrests were made in (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).

(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 smoggy months inch closer in the National Capital Region (NCR), the announced a 15-point  Action Plan to curb in the Capital, which would include the installation of 233 anti-smog guns and deployment of at least 150 mobile anti-smog guns.

Chief Minister said that teams will be formed to check dust pollution, garbage and paddy straw burning, monitor pollution hotspots, and enforce the ban on firecrackers. He added that the use of the Pusa bio-decomposer will be promoted.

Besides, the is carrying out research in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur to know the amount of pollution and its source at any given point of time. The data from this research is expected to come in from October 20.

Kejriwal said his will collaborate with the Centre and neighbouring states to combat . He requested the states to ensure that all vehicles entering are either CNG or electric vehicles, and to ask industrial units to piped natural gas.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said: We have created a green war room comprising nine scientific experts who will monitor the situation and have formed 611 teams to check garbage burning in the open, he said.

He added that 586 teams have been formed to keep an eye on construction sites in the city and effectively implement the Graded Response Action Plan. The government has also formed teams to enforce the cracker ban and run an anti-dust campaign.

Talking about his governments efforts to control air pollution, Kejriwal said, Pollution has been reduced to a great extent with the availability of 24-hour electricity as it does not cause like diesel does.

He said has now become a model region where there are no coal-based thermal power plants.

Apart from this, the government is also building an e-waste park where electronic waste collected from the national capital will be processed, he said. The government will draft thousands of volunteers to ensure the anti-pollution measures are followed, Kejriwal added.

Pollution levels peak during Diwali, which will be celebrated on October 24 this year. This is also the month when there is an increase in instances of stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, which worsens the air quality in the Delhi-NCR.

To combat stubble burning, Kejriwal said: The government will spray the Pusa bio-decomposer on stubble on around 5,000 acres this year in Delhi.

Missing synergy

had announced an action plan last year too. Kejriwal had then said that Delhis biggest problem was pollution from paddy stubble burning in neighbouring states such as Punjab and Haryana.

Though it has announced an action plan in Delhi, in Punjab, where the Aam Aadmi Party won the elections earlier this year, it has not yet come up with any such plan. Punjab alone accounted for 75 per cent of the 113,304 stubble burning cases reported in October and November, last year.

This year similarly, the farm fires have already started in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh with satellite recording more than 300 fire counts in this season so far. According to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)s real-time monitoring of paddy residue burning events, 155 fire counts have been recorded in Punjab from September 15 to September 30, while 10 such incidents were detected in Uttar Pradesh. One incident was also detected in Haryana. Moreover, on Friday, eight such incidents were reported in Punjab.





On Friday, Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav also expressed his concern and dis-satisfaction with the preparedness of Punjab in taking concrete action on the ground towards Air Quality Management while pointing out that the state government had not planned adequately for management of almost 5.75 million tons of stubble which is a huge gap and was likely to have an adverse impact on the air quality in Delhi and NCR region.

The Union ministry also asked the Punjab government to expand the coverage of area under Bio-Decomposer through pro-active action because a very marginal increase had been proposed in the coverage of area under Bio-Decomposer i.e. from 7500 acres in 2021 to merely 8000 acres in 2022.

On September 28, Punjab kick-started an awareness campaign to persuade farmers to shun stubble burning and adopt crop residue management. The AAP plans to spray bio-decomposer on 5,000 acres in Punjab on a pilot basis.
Delhi's "education revolution" has made the physical infrastructure of the schools world-class and empowered students with a strong growth mindset, Deputy Chief Minister said on Friday.

Sisodia, who is also the city's education minister, visited Sarvodaya Co-Ed School, I P Extension, on Friday and interacted with students there.

"This is the achievement of the Delhi education revolution that not only have we made the physical infrastructure of the schools world-class, but have also empowered students with a strong growth mindset. This change has been made possible due to the hardwork of the team education of Delhi," he said.

Sisodia said it is was matter of great pride and happiness that students studying in have started dreaming big. "Our children are not only dreaming of becoming surgeons, space scientists, athletes, politicians, entrepreneurs, teachers, IAS officers but also working hard to fulfill it."



During the discussion on careers, students shared with the Deputy CM that the 'Deshbhakti Curriculum' has brought a lot of change in their thinking about their future, an official statement said.

Sisodia said the curriculum has brought a significant change in the mindset of students within just one year.

"Now our students have understood that, along with standing on the border and serving the country, finding a solution to unemployment, eradicating illiteracy, eradicating poverty is also a kind of patriotism," the minister 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.)
A day after a Jamia Millia Islamia student was shot at by another student at a hospital, the varsity on Friday assured that the campus has a robust security mechanism and that students' safety is the administration's priority.

Registrar Nazim Hussain Jafri explained to PTI that a scuffle broke out on the campus but was immediately resolved by the authorities. However, the students got involved in another round of fight at a hospital during which one of them sustained a bullet injury.

Around 8.50 pm on Thursday, information was received regarding a quarrel at the varsity library.

Noman Chaudhary (26), a resident of Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh, sustained a blunt injury on his head and had gone to the Holy Family Hospital in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar with his friend Nauman Ali for treatment.

Meanwhile, a student from the second group, Zalal, a resident of Mewat in Haryana, came to the hospital with his friends and fired at Ali outside the emergency ward.

Ali had a superficial injury on the scalp. The injured was shifted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre. The crime team is inspecting the scene of crime, police had earlier said.

"A scuffle broke out on the campus between two groups in the morning and we immediately took action and resolved the issue. In the evening, the group got engaged in another fight and a student suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital," Jafri said.

"In the hospital, a few students along with outside people fired bullets. On the campus, we ensure the safety and security of the students. We ensure discipline is maintained and that the students are safe. Their safety is our priority," he added.

Police have registered an FIR in connection with the incident.

In a statement on Friday, the hospital said no bystander, patient or hospital staff was injured. The situation was immediately brought under control, it added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister reviewed the preparations for organizing the proposed Global Investors Summit in February 2023 in a high-level meeting and said GIS will give flight to the aspirations of 'New India, New Uttar Pradesh', informed Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Thursday.

The CM said that while giving necessary guidelines regarding the roadmap for organizing the summit, " has emerged as a 'Dream Destination' for industrial investment in the country by imbibing the PM's mantra of "Reform, Perform and Transform". is moving towards becoming the second economy from the 06th economy of the country."

The CM said that Uttar Pradesh is going to organize the three-day event on February 10, 11 and 12, 2023. "This time we have to work with an investment target of Rs 10 lakh crore. This Global Investors Summit will be unprecedented, historic and will give a new "flight to the aspirations of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

He said that it is overwhelming that Singapore, France, UK and Mauritius have spontaneously sent proposals for their participation as partner countries in the Global Investors Summit. Similarly, communication should be established with the Ambassadors/High Commissioners of the Netherlands, Canada, USA, Japan, Israel, Sweden, Thailand, France and Singapore in this regard.

He further said that this Summit of Uttar Pradesh is a great platform for establishing the state's brand image. The cooperation of industrial organizations like FICCI and CII should also be sought in organizing road shows. The industrial organizations of these countries should also be contacted.

"Through road shows, a conducive environment will be created in the industrial sector of different countries for the Global Investor Summit of Uttar Pradesh. The detailed route should be decided by selecting the countries and cities for the road show. Wider publicity should be given to the Global Investor Summit," he said.

Yogi said that Ministers will be the brand ambassadors of Uttar Pradesh in the International Road Shows. While deciding the route of the road show, experts from the sector in which investment is possible from the country concerned must be included in the team. The group to be headed by ministers should be decided and formed soon. The roadshow needs to be spectacular where we must showcase our culture along with the best industrial environment in the state.

CM said, "Road shows should be organized in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai in addition to overseas. In this regard, the necessary planning must be finalised on time."

Uttar Pradesh has made its industrial investment policies more practical for the 'Ease of Doing Business' under the direction of the respected Prime Minister; however, the process of policy reforms should be continued while interacting with the industrial world, keeping in mind the state's interests. Along with the new industrial investment and employment promotion policy of the state, more than 30 sectoral policies including EV policy, toy, textile, pharma, startup, data center, green hydrogen policy should be prepared and presented prior to the investors' summit. While framing the policies, keep in mind that the policy provisions should be practical, employment generating and ensure a bright future of the youth.

"Separate teams should be formed to ensure the success of GIS-2023. All the concerned departments should start preparations on war footing. Proper direction should be taken by communicating with the government of India. Incentives are being provided by the state government to encourage industrial units investing in the state. All such cases should be thoroughly reviewed and resolved without delay," he 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 city health department needs to expedite the process of issuing 'Divyang' certificates to the differently-abled, Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said on Friday.

Gautam chaired a review meeting of the State Advisory Board for Persons with Disability. The Board briefed him about the work done in the past one year.

"The board has advised to prioritise recruitment of differently-abled persons by identifying four per cent posts in all departments for the disabled," the government said in a statement.

Construction work of barrier-free building for persons with disability is to be finished by December in Delhi, the government said.

Gautam also spoke on implementation of the UDID (Unique Disability Identity) card project.

"The health department needs to expedite the process of issuing UDID and Divyang certificates to the differently-abled. Required disability specialists should be empanelled to the hospitals for the convenience of differently-abled people in getting certificates as this will make generating the UDID easier," he was quoted as saying in the statement.

At the same time, the education department suggested that dedicated camps should be organised by the health department to issue UDID and certificates for differently-able students.

Officers for redressal of grievances of differently-abled people are to be appointed in all departments to raise awareness regarding their rights and facilities provided to them by the government, the statement 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.)
A high-level will be conducted into the recent collapse of the mini-jetty at Gangolli fishing port in Udupi district, Minister for Fisheries and Ports S Angara has said.

The team, which will be directed to conduct the investigation in a transparent manner, will be announced on Monday, he told reporters after a spot inspection at the jetty on Thursday evening.

Angara, who is also the Udupi district-in-charge Minister, said the contractor who was awarded the work will be blacklisted and all those found guilty will be punished.

The minister said the government had spent Rs 10 crore for the construction of the jetty.

Meanwhile, fishermen leader Ramesh Kunder alleged there was widespread corruption in the construction of the mini-jetty. Besides the Rs 10 crore released by the government in 2013, another Rs 3 crore was spent for its repair works after it was damaged in 2016, he said.

The fishermen in Gangolli are facing hardship in a busy season as they are now forced to anchor their boats in harbours at Bhatkal or Malpe, Kunder said.

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The Police on Thursday busted a honey trap extortion racket in in which influential persons were targeted by the gang, official said.

police had received a complaint from a government official that he had been duped of Rs 8 lakh through extortion.

The official said he was being blackmailed by the gang who had threatened to send a video clip to his family in which he had been filmed in a stranger's bedroom.

The government official complained that he had received a call from a woman asking a favour.

She had requested the official to go to her home to settle a family dispute.

When the official went there, he was taken to the bedroom. Two men then entered the bedroom where the woman was already present.

They started recording the man's video in presence of the woman.

One of the two men, who later turned out to be the woman's husband, accused the official of having an affair with wife.

police started an inquiry into the official's complaint and found that the complaint was true.

Three persons, Ajay Ganai, his wife Shaista and their friend Jehangir Dar were running the racket, and had blackmailed many people from whom they had collected Rs 40 lakh as extortion money.

The three accused persons have been arrested.

--IANS

sq/pgh

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India has entered into a collaboration with for research and innovation in the field of zero-emission vehicles to spur the development of its nascent EV industry and address climate risks.

has the world's most advanced zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) policies. It has an ambitious 100 per cent ZEV mandate by 2035. As part of the collaboration, the University of California, research institute Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, established a new India ZEV Research Centre.

The California-India ZEV Policy programme is aimed at supporting ZEV uptake in India, spurring the development of an EV industry in India and contributing to India's industrial growth.

In addition to addressing policy, technology, and investment strategies for a ZEV transition, it would identify opportunities for India to emerge as a strategic leader in the global ZEV transition.

Announced in Pittsburgh last week on the sidelines of the Clean Energy Ministerial attended by Union Science and Technology Minister Jitender Singh, the California-India ZEV Partnership provides a unique opportunity for sub- policy design as a lever for vehicle electrification, and importantly, harness the role of states as key laboratories of innovation, in both the countries and the global south, officials said.

While ZEV policies have been implemented in various parts of the world, the State of is probably the only regional government to have the most comprehensive and oldest ZEV policy ecosystem, said Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, Washington, D.C. Sripriya Ranganathan during a round table in Pittsburgh on 'Accelerating ZEV Transitions: California-India Policy Cooperation' last week.

The learnings from the California experience along with other regions, would offer India an opportunity to consider a mix of policies that would support the uptake of ZEVs while simultaneously spurring the development of a nascent industry that can bring with it important industrial growth, she said.

According to Ranganathan, this California-India ZEV policy collaboration is very timely and will only further enhance the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It will also elevate the amount of information and research brought to the transportation decarbonisation policy process in India, providing an opportunity to engage policymakers globally in well-orchestrated efforts, she said.

The role of California as a state government and collaboration with potential other Indian states in addition to the Government of India, can provide a unique opportunity to leverage sub- policy design as a key lever for vehicle electrification targets, and more importantly, harness the role of states as key laboratories of innovation, she said.

There already exists a strong precedent for a California-India ZEV Policy Collaboration with similar efforts in other sectors having been done in the past, with collaborations on air quality and electricity sector reforms to name a few, she noted.

As India prepares to host both the Clean Energy Ministerial and the G20 next year in 2023, this platform presents us a unique opportunity to jointly accelerate ZEV transitions in developing countries including India, and continue to build on our commitment to addressing climate risks in the coming year, Ranganathan said.

According to the India Center for Energy and Transportation of UC Davis, India has led innovations in public procurement to spur EV adoption in public transportation, and electrification of last mile passenger and freight mobility in cities.

While the two regions have unique differences, such as India's large portfolio of two and three-wheelers, there are also common challenges such as electrification of hard-to-abate segments including medium and heavy-duty trucks, it said.

A California-India ZEV partnership provides a unique opportunity for sub- policy design as a lever for vehicle electrification, and importantly, harnesses the role of states as key laboratories of innovation, in both the countries and the global south, the university said.

The California-India ZEV policy programme among other things will showcase best practices in EV adoption from India on international platforms and unlock strategic dialogues on international climate finance for a ZEV transition.

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Union Minister on Thursday said India will be the pillar of the global economic revival as it exhibited steady growth and emerged as the fastest-growing country among large economies of the world.

Addressing the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual general meeting virtually, he said if all stakeholders of the economy work together with a sense of 'Kartavya bhav' (spirit of duty), the goal of USD 30-trillion economy will be achieved by 2047, the year when the country will celebrate 100th anniversary of its independence.

"India is already the fifth largest economy in the world and is turbocharging its growth to become the third largest in the coming years. The prime minister's vision is to make India a developed nation by 2047 with an economy size of USD 30 trillion as we will celebrate our 100th independence in that year," Goyal, the commerce and industry minister, said.

All sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction are doing quite well, he claimed.

"India is an island of stability and will be the pillar of global revival. Our economy has shown resilience during the pandemic and is on a steady path of growth," the minister said.

Asserting that India is the best destination for investments, Goyal said the government has taken several structural reforms, and more are in the pipeline.

The minister, who also holds food and textile portfolios, urged industrialists for private investments and asked them to believe in India's growth story and help the country in achieving its goals with greater participation.

Goyal cited McKinsey & Co CEO Bob Sternfels comment - 'it's not India's decade, it's India's century'- to showcase the country as an important destination for investment.

India is targeting USD two trillion in exports by 2030, equally divided into merchandise and services, he said.

The minister appealed to industrialists to help India become a global base for manufacturing and invest in tier II and tier III cities, which hold "immense potential".

Goyal stressed on the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises by strengthening the local supply network as the sector is a job creator and a major contributor to the economy.

He also called for more dialogue with the government and active participation in the FTA (free trade agreement) negotiations.

"The government is pursuing FTAs with like-minded countries. Our FTA negotiations are based on in-depth analysis, and stakeholder consultations are truly reflective of the principle of reciprocity for a win-win scenario," Goyal said.

He stated that the 5G rollout in the telecom services across the country will contribute USD 450 billion to the economy in the next 15 years.

The minister also mentioned that India is taking leadership roles on global platforms.

Exide Industries Ltd Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Subir Chakraborty became the new president of the chamber.

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The cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal for setting up an inter-state bus terminal and WRD office-cum-commercial facilities at Jamshedpur.

The facility will come up on 13.7 acre of land near Highway-33, an official said.

The bus terminus will be developed on 7.37 acre of land and the WRD office on 3.81 acre, while the commercial facilities will be built on the remaining land parcel, he said.

The cabinet also approved Rs 70.40 crore for the project, which will be developed in public-private-partnership mode, the urban development department official said.

The cabinet gave its nod to a proposal for the construction of three critical care health block hospitals in Lohardaga, Khunti and Saraikela Kharswan districts.

Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel said each will be a 100-bed facility, and a fund of Rs 52.86 crore has been approved for the construction of the hospital building at Lohardaga, she said.

As many as 30 agendas were cleared by the council of ministers on Thursday.

It also gave a go-ahead to the construction of dwelling units for leprosy patients in Ranchi.

The cabinet approved Rs 33.11 crore for construction of 256 dwelling units at Murma area in Ranchi's Nagri block under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana," Dadel said.

The cabinet also approved a proposal of the state civil aviation department for constituting a committee, which will oversee and monitor proposed commercial pilot training, gliding and aero modelling under the flying institute.

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China remains reasonable in promoting global governance system reform

CGTN) 08:23, September 30, 2022

Xinhua Photo

China's promotion on the reform of the global governance system is trying to make it more reasonable and fairer, not intending to start afresh, and China's determination to practice true multilateralism, efforts to perfect the global governance, and actions to promote multilateral cooperation, will stay unchanged, a senior official from Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu made the remarks at a press conference on "China in the Past Decade" held by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in response to some voices that China intends to start afresh to change the international order.

The international order is solely based on the international law, and a few countries cannot make so-called "rules" to alter and affect the order, let alone impose its domestic rules on it, Ma said.

The Chinese diplomacy has participated in global governance with unprecedented depth, width and power under the guidance of diplomatic thinking by the Chinese president, contributing Chinese wisdom, offering a Chinese approach and showing Chinese responsibility, which received widespread praise from the international community, he said.

China offers its own view of global governance in major occasions, advocates openness and inclusiveness, and doesn't engage in isolation and exclusion, Ma said, adding that China adheres to cooperation and advancement with the times, instead of confrontation, conflict and standing still, leading the reform of the global governance system and international system, and injecting positivity into the world of uncertainty.

Ma said China faithfully fulfills the mission as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, and sends more than 50,000 soldiers in the peacekeeping operation. In the face of the Ukraine crisis, nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula and the Iran and Afghanistan issues, China always calls for peace talks and finding a peaceful solution to conflicts, he added.

Taking the promotion of the world's common security and stakes as its own duty, China offers the Global Security Initiative, which has received support and recognition from over 70 countries, said Ma.

By taking the lead to implement the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, China made more than 70 percent of the contribution to global poverty reduction, Ma pointed out, adding that China injects great power into human development by proposing the Global Development Initiative, establishing the China-UN Peace and Development Trust Fund and deepening South-South Cooperation.

In addition, he said China firmly implements the Paris Agreement and plays an essential role in jointly addressing climate change. Proposing the Global Initiative on Data Security, China promotes the development of the global digital governance system to a more reasonable and fairer direction.

Recently, China put forward cooperation initiatives on global food security and global energy security, aiming to offer China's solution to the world's current challenges.

When it comes to the major issues of principle, Ma reiterated China's firm stance on safeguarding national interests and dignity, saying that China determinedly fights for issues regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet, state waters and human rights, which protect the national sovereignty, development interests and security.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji)
As procurement of various including paddy will begin in from October 1, Chief Minister on Friday evening chaired a high-level meeting.

In the meeting, the Chief Minister was apprised by the officials that for this season government aims to procure around 55 lakh metric tonne of paddy.

The procurement of will be done at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) as announced by the Government of India, said Khattar.

The MSP of Rs 2,040 per quintal has been fixed for Paddy (common), Rs 2,060 per quintal for paddy (Grade-A), and Rs 2,350 per quintal for bajra.

During the Kharif marketing season 2022-23, crops like paddy, bajra, maize, moong, sunflower, groundnut, til, arhar and urad, etc. will be procured.

The Divisional and Deputy Commissioners and the chairmen of government procurement agencies also attended the meeting held through video conferencing.

Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, Chief Secretary, Sanjeev Kaushal, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, D S Dhesi, among others were also present in the meeting.

"As the procurement of will begin from October 1, therefore proper installation of moisture meters, weighing scales along with proper transportation facilities, timely lifting, installation of CCTV camera and further strengthening of Mandi infrastructures should be ensured," directed Khattar.

The Chief Minister said that since recent heavy rains lashed various parts of the state just a week before procurement it has caused problems for the farmers who have already brought their crops to the Mandis, therefore the officers concerned should ensure that the proper drying up of such crops is done before final procurement.

According to an official statement, he further directed that the officers should also ensure that the moisture content in the crop brought for the procurement should be within the prescribed limits.

"Proper installation of moisture meters should be ensured and the old ones should also be replaced after proper calibrations. Digital moisture meters have been installed in most of the Mandis but for the satisfaction of the farmers, even the manual ones should also be kept in the mandis. Farmer satisfaction should be our utmost priority", Khattar told the officials.

The Chief Minister directed that apart from the Administrative Secretaries, the Deputy Commissioners should also regularly visit the mandis to ensure hassle-free procurement.

The timely redressal of the grievances of the farmers should be done. A meeting should be held with millers and the paddy distribution should be done transparently, he told them.

Khattar directed that crop stock clearance should also be done on regular basis. For this, the Deputy Commissioners should do regular inspections of the Mandis.

Additional purchase centres should be set up near every Mandi to avoid overcrowding.

"Separate SOPs should also be prepared and distributed for farmers, the marketing board, millers, arthiyas (commission agents) and Mandis. Pamphlets carrying important information should be distributed in the Mandis," directed Khattar.

He said that the administrative Secretaries should personally visit the Mandis to review the procurement arrangements and to ensure that farmers visiting the Mandis do not face any problems.

Ensuring timely payment to every farmer is of utmost priority to the State Government, hence every officer concerned should ensure that the payment is transferred within 72 hours after crops are procured, he said.

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Defence Minister on Friday urged the to make new investments and lay more emphasis on research and development to scale new heights.

Addressing the 117th annual session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHD-CCI) held here, he said the government has played the role of an incubator, catalyst, consumer and facilitator for the private industry.

"Make new investments, put more emphasis on research and development, and harness its full potential to take the to new heights. This effort of yours will be very important not only for the defence industry, but also for the overall growth of the country," Singh was quoted as saying in a statement.

He said the Indian defence sector offers immense potential and even foreign companies see opportunities.

Singh said the is progressing steadily in partnership with the private sector.

"There was either no way for the private sector in the past to enter the defence sector, and even if there was some scope, the industry was not ready to set foot in the defence sector due to various reasons," he was quoted as saying in the statement.

These reasons were "lack of political will, appropriate policy to incentivise their entry, high investment and long gestation period," he claimed.

The government has removed these bottlenecks and played the role of an incubator, catalyst, consumer and facilitator in the case of private industry.

Several steps have been taken by the Ministry of Defence, under the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives to change the old traditions and to create a manufacturing climate in which the public and private sectors could participate, Singh said.

The Ministry of Defence has issued three positive indigenisation lists of 309 items which will be procured from domestic vendors according to the norms. Three lists have also been issued by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), in which more than 3,700 are line replacement units, sub-systems and other components, he said.

In addition, an iDEX initiative has been launched to encourage innovators and start-ups.

The policy decision has been taken to increase the limit of foreign direct investment to 74 per cent by the automatic route, and to 100 per cent by the government route in special cases, he said.

The government has taken several steps such as introduction of defence industrial corridors -- two industrial corridors have been set up each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board, which creates a win-win situation for armed forces, industry, start-ups and innovators, he added.

"The magnitude of all these efforts is beginning to come before us. Today, we are not only producing to meet our own defence needs but also fulfilling the defence needs of many other countries under 'Make for the World'. It is a matter of great happiness that defence exports have increased manifold from what we used to have, and have reached Rs 13,000 crore last year.

"We used to be counted as one of the biggest arms importers in the world until now. But today, we are one of the top 25 arms exporting countries. We have targeted a turnover of Rs 1.75 lakh crore in defence manufacturing, including Rs 35,000 crore from exports in aerospace, and defence goods and services by 2025." he said.

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The loco pilot who operated the upgraded Vande Bharat 2.0 train to after Prime Minister flagged it off from nearby Gandhinagar in Gujarat on Friday morning said it was the "most memorable event" of his life.

Satish Sarin, a loco pilot (rail lingo for driver of electric traction train) posted in Western Railway's division, said the prime minister interacted with him and his co-pilot KK Thakur for a few minutes and took a lowdown of the various features of the state-of-the-art train and aspects of piloting it.

"It was a brief interaction that lasted for three to four minutes, but it is the most memorable event of my life as the prime minister spoke with me," Sarin, with 35 years of railway service behind him and the senior most loco pilot in WR's division, said.

Sarin, who has helmed prestigious superfast trains in the zone like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express, Tejas Express and Double-Decker express trains, said, "The PM first asked us our names and later interacted with us on the features of the train and aspects of piloting it."



Sarin said he was told a few days ago he would be helming the train that would be flagged off by the PM, adding that he has taken centre-stage among his kin, including musician son Brijesh, due to this proud feat.

The prime minister also interacted with other people on board the train as it travelled from Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad.

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With the addition of 43 positive cases, the overall infection tally in Maharashtra's Thane district has grown to 7,45,004, a health official said on Friday.

These cases were reported on Thursday and there are now 390 active cases in the district, he said.

The death toll remained unchanged at 11,962 as nobody succumbed to the infection on Thursday, while the count of recoveries has reached 7,33,377, the official added.

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A railways official said on Thursday five 'Vande Bharat' trains have been allotted to the North Western Railway and they will arrive by September 2023.

Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer, North Western Railway, said, "North Western Railway has been allotted five Vande Bharat trains which will reach North Western Railway by September 2023."



He said the routes of these trains have not been finalised yet.

Kiran said electrification and double-track works of some routes have been completed and as a result there has been a partial change in timings of trains.

The arrival/departure of trains at different stations as per the new time table will be applicable from October 1, he told reporters at the North Western Railway headquarters here.

Responding to a question on electrification of railway tracks, Kiran said the target of completion of electrification work on North Western Railway is by December 2023. Till now, work has been completed on 2,900-route kilometers, which is more than 50 percent and work on other sections is still in progress, he 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 Vande Bharat Superfast Express train which Prime Minister would be flagging off on Friday morning will run six days a week between Central and stations, Western Railway said.

In a late evening release on Thursday, it said that Vande Bharat Superfast Express will run six days a week except Sundays.

The train will depart from Central at 6.10 am and reach at 12.30 pm.

It will depart from at 2.05 pm and arrive at Central at 8.35 pm, the release said. It will halt at Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad stations in both directions.

The train comprises AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car compartments and will offer facilities such as sliding doors, personalized reading lights, mobile charging points, attendant call buttons, bio-toilets, automatic entry and exit doors, CCTV cameras, reclining facility and comfortable seats, the release said.

The fare for Mumbai-Ahmedabad journey by executive chair car will be Rs 2,505 while that for chair car will be Rs 1,385. Western Railway has revised the schedule and destination of the Shatabdi Express to accommodate the new train. Shatabdi Express will now depart from Mumbai Central at 06.20 am instead of 06.10 am. It will reach Ahmedabad at 12.45 pm instead of 12.25 pm, the release said.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy stopped for a brief time to give way to an ambulance while travelling to from on Friday.

A video shared by the BJP's media cell shows two SUVs, which were part of the prime minister's convoy, slowly moving to the left side on the Ahmedabad- road to give way to the ambulance.

The incident took place when Modi was on his way to the Raj Bhavan in after finishing his public rally near Doordarshan Centre in in the afternoon.

"On the way to Gandhinagar from Ahmedabad, PM Modi's carcade stopped to give way to an ambulance," the BJP said in a statement.

On the second day of his visit, Modi flagged off the Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express train and also launched the first phase of Metro rail project.

In the evening, the prime minister will be in Banaskantha district to address a public gathering and perform aarti at the famous Ambaji temple.

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Society will always have some disputes needing resolution but every problem cannot be resolved by approaching the apex court directly, the said on Friday while expressing disinclination to continue hearing a on population control.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice J B Pardiwala was also reluctant to issue notices to all the states, as sought by petitioner Ashwini Upadhayay, on the plea which sought directions to the Centre and states to take steps, including enforcing a two-child norm, to control the country's rising population.

You have filed the petition. The notice was issued and their (government) attention has been invited. They have applied their mind to the problem and now it is for them to take a policy decision. Our job is over. Therefore, we will close the petition now, the bench said.

The observation came when Upadhyay, a lawyer, said since population comes under the concurrent list of the Constitution state governments can also make laws to control it.

He then sought issuance of notices to all the states on the issue.

We will not issue notices like this unless we are satisfied, the CJI said, adding as to how the court can issue a writ to the states on the issue of population control.

A society will always have some kind of disputes and those disputes need resolution and so it is not as if there will be a zero problem society. There will always be certain problems but every problem cannot be solved through Article 32 (under which pleas including PILs are directly filed in the SC), the bench said.

The bench initially said it will close the petition but later adjourned the hearing to October 11.

Earlier, on January 10, 2020, the top court had sought the Centre's reply to Upadhyay's plea challenging a Delhi High Court order that had dismissed a seeking introduction of certain steps, including the two-child norm, to control the country's rising population.

A bench comprising the then Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant had issued notices to the Centre and others.

The appeal filed by Upadhyay challenged the September 3, 2019 high court order, which said it was for Parliament and the state legislatures to enact laws and not the court.

It said the high court "failed to appreciate that the right to clean air, the right to drinking water, the right to health, the right to peaceful sleep, the right to shelter, the right to livelihood and the right to education guaranteed under Articles 21 and 21A of the Constitution could not be secured to all citizens without controlling the population explosion".

"The high court failed to appreciate that after a detailed discussion, debate and feedback, Entry 20-A was inserted in List III of the 7th Schedule through the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1976, which permits the Centre and the states to enact a law on population control and family planning," the plea filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey said.

It also said the high court did not take note of the fact that after a comprehensive discussion, the Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, one of the most eminent judicial commissions headed by former Chief Justice of India Justice M N Venkatachaliah, on March 31, 2002 recommended to insert Article 47A into the Constitution to control population explosion.

The plea in the high court had claimed the population of India had "marched ahead" of China, as about 20 per cent of Indians did not have Aadhaar cards and therefore were not accounted for, and there were also crores of Rohingya and Bangladeshis living illegally in the country.

It claimed the "population explosion is also the root cause of corruption", apart from being a contributory factor behind heinous crimes like rape and domestic violence.

It also held population explosion responsible for pollution and the dearth of resources and jobs.

The petitioner argued that without population control campaigns such as "Clean India" and "Save the Girl Child" will not succeed.

He said by the time the government provides housing to the over two crore homeless people, the number of such individuals would have risen to 10 crore.

(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 Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to the Centre, States and Union Territories to display the Preamble to the Constitution in local languages at public places and in government offices to enhance the spirit of fraternity, saying it is for the government to do.

The apex court said there is something which has to be left to the government on how to go about it.

"Some people are really enterprising. Get elected and do this. This is not the place for it," a bench of Justices S K Kaul and A S Oka told the advocate representing the Maharashtra-based petitioner.

"If we get into it....where preamble will be displayed, where Constitution will be displayed. It is not our job," the bench observed.

It told the lawyer appearing for petitioner, Z A N Ahmad Peerzade, that either the petition be withdrawn or the court will dismiss it.

The counsel said he would withdraw the petition.

The plea, filed through advocate M R Shamshad,



had sought direction to the authorities to display the contents of the Preamble at public places and government offices in languages understood by the local citizens to enhance the spirit of fraternity and ideas of liberty, equality and secularism.

"Why not display the Constitution all over the country?" the court asked wryly, adding "This is for the government to do."



The plea said in the recent times, there has been a rise in violence that has spread to various parts of the country.

It claimed the level of intolerance amongst the masses has increased manifold and the "youth of the country appear to be unaware of the commitment on which our constitutional foundation has been laid down."



It said the petitioner had approached the authorities in the states and Union Territories with a representation earlier but no steps were taken.

"The petitioner has been a witness to the rise of communal violence cases, hate crimes and hate speeches in various parts of our country. It is increasing within the territorial boundaries of India and the petitioner is deeply concerned with the erosion of the social fabric that has held this diverse nation together," the plea said.

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The SGPC on Friday appealed to the to form a five-member constitutional bench to review the judgment upholding the validity of an Act for the management of gurdwaras in .

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also urged the Centre to file a review petition.

The Supreme Court had recently upheld the validity of the Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act enacted by the state legislature to manage the religious places of Sikhs effectively and permanently under the exclusive control of the Sikhs of .

The appeal to the apex court was made during an SGPC meeting here.

A call was also made to organise a march for awareness in the Sikh community on this issue.

The march will be taken from the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, to the Akal Takht in Amritsar.

"For the safety of the supreme Sikh body SGPC, the entire Khalsa Panth will struggle with unity under the leadership of Akal Takht Sahib," SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said.

The speakers on the occasion said the tactics and conspiracies of the Congress, BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party to weaken Sikh power will not be allowed to succeed.

"If a separate Gurdwara committee for Haryana is formed today, then tomorrow these anti-Sikh forces will go to the extent of taking over management of Takhts and historic gurdwara sahibs in Punjab," Dhami alleged.

Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Chandigarh endorsed the SGPC's call to hold a march on October 7.

Akali leader and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said, "The SAD has decided to support the SGPC's initiative to highlight the discrimination meted out to the community and ensure justice is done to it."



Terming the Haryana Act which was passed by the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government as "illegal and unconstitutional", the SAD leader said it was unfortunate that both present Haryana and Punjab governments as well as the central government supported the move in the court.

"This has hurt sentiments of the Sikh community, which rightly feels that Sikhs have been discriminated against with the validation of the Haryana Committee by the apex court," he said in a statement.

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The government has appointed special teams to monitor the procurement in the state. While the department of Food and Civil Supplies is the umbrella body to monitor the procurement, different areas have been earmarked under the supervision of various officers.

There have been several teething issues related to the procurement of with even inadequate space at the direct procurement centres (DPCs) and assessment of moisture levels of as well as online verification of the documents submitted by the farmers who are supplying paddy to these centres.

During the 2022-23 season there has been a surplus production of paddy and due to many unforeseen circumstances, procurement was delayed but has commenced now. In order to have proper monitoring of the procurement, the senior officials are being given charge by the Civil Supplies department.

Civil Supplies Commissioner V. Rajaraman, Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) Managing Director, S. Prabhakar, and Warehousing Corporation managing director, A. Sivagananam, TNCSC Joint Managing director, K. Karpagam and joint registrar of cooperative societies, A. Shankar are in-charge of the monitoring of the paddy procurement in various districts of the state.

The TNCSC is procuring paddy in delta districts of Tamil Nadu while the Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) will procure paddy from non- delta districts.

--IANS

aal/dpb

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A teacher of a prominent school in Lucknow has been booked under the Act and detained after a Class 6 girl student accused him of touching her inappropriately during an exam.

The school has terminated the services of the teacher.

According to the FIR, the girl complained to her parents about the indecent behaviour of the mathematics teacher during the exam. Her parents then approached the school administration.

The parents were called to the school on September 26 and were told that the teacher will also remain present.

However, the accused teacher took leave on the day the girl's parents reached the school. The parents then lodged a case with the police.

"My daughter complained about the incident to her class teacher and later to co-ordinator of the school, but there was no response," her mother alleged.

She said the school administration initially tried to hush up the case.

She also accused the teacher of indulging in similar acts in the past with other girls.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), East, Prachi Singh, said that the accused was booked under section of sexual harassment and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. He was detained from Aliganj.

"We have taken the statements of the girl before the magistrate and it will be put up with the charge sheet against the accused," she said.

--IANS

amita/dpb

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Nestled in the Mechanical Engineering Department block at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D), the Public Systems Lab (PSL)  recently inaugurated by the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution  is a busy place. More than 20 researchers, predominantly PhD scholars, are hard at work designing digitised solutions for a more efficient Public Distribution System (PDS).
One of the worlds biggest greenhouse gas emitters is trying to clean up. Global looking to put their money to work should keep an eye on it.

Drive through the streets of New Delhi and its surrounds and the Indian capital is abuzz with activity. Rusty metal signs that tout Electric Charging stand out, along with stations that power electric two-and-three wheelers. building technology to drive greening and sustainability are hustling for funding.

Corporate activity is chugging along, while capital expenditure has risen sharply in recent months and rail freight volumes have reached record highs. Indias biggest companies  including the likes of Wipro Ltd., UltraTech Cement Ltd. and Reliance Industries  are increasingly talking to their shareholders about sustainability. Private capital is looking to back climate change-related technology, too: Of the almost $27 billion of such globally in the first half of this year, close to $2 billion went to Indias firms.

Impressive, but a few billion dollars is hardly enough  and weary global looking for green are missing from the picture. Billions more are needed to help steer these firms forward to eventually meet emissions targets. Tightening financial conditions dont help, but the bigger the challenge for India is overcoming usual skepticism over its dysfunctional politics, creaking infrastructure and red tape.

Whats underappreciated, however, is all this climate-friendly activity isnt solely being driven by multibillion dollar subsidies. Those measures, while moving in the right direction, havent been a massive inducement on their own. In several sectors, policies are still in draft stages. Indias conviction to go green stands in stark contrast to how such shifts have transpired elsewhere in the world. In China, carrot-and-stick policies and subsidies were rolled out to push entrepreneurs, industries and firms to get on board. Even in the US, tax credits and incentives have been the drivers of change.

The countrys post-Covid resurgence has been backed by better roads and infrastructure, and a manufacturing turnaround. Big checks have gone toward mainstream areas. KKR & Co. launched an Indian roads infrastructure investment trust and is also putting in $450 million in Hero Future Energies Pvt., an independent power producer with a portfolio of solar and wind projects, alongside motorcycle maker Hero Group. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is investing more than $2 billion into projects, which have tripled capacity to 110 gigawatts from 39 gigawatts in 2015. Once-encumbered banks are back to funding the power sector. Even Amazon.com Inc. announced plans to set up a solar farm in the western state of Rajasthan.

Mobility and transportation have drawn much of the early-stage investment so far, which makes sense: The sector accounts for over 10% of Indias emissions. As thousands of miles of highways are being built, nascent electric-vehicle-charging-station firms are cropping up along with those making batteries and EVs. To fund electrification, the government is working with the World Bank to put in place an instrument to cut risk in financing EVs. Banks are offering green car loans, while non-banking financial institutions are extending credit, too.

The economic case for going electric is real, as the large-scale adoption of two- and three-wheeler EVs and e-buses shows, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told me in an interview. Theyre bringing down the cost of commuting. Indias market for climate-tech solutions isnt just a massive technology shift, but an affordable energy transition.

The other crucial ingredient: The entrepreneurs  many from the nations best universities like the Indian Institute of Technology  are founding firms working on projects from battery swapping and EV chargers to carbon accounting, as well as new ways to boost agricultural efficiency and raising consumers green awareness. As one investor told me, these founders are putting not just their capital, but their time, energy and conviction behind these . They could have probably had their pick of jobs in Silicon Valley. Instead, theyve chosen to tap this opportunity to help solve the energy transition dilemma in India.

Anjali Bansal runs Avaana Capital, Indias first and largest climate-tech venture capital fund, and looks at hundreds of deals every quarter. She says: This is only the beginning. Sustainability, much like the digital revolution was, will be the next big sea change and thus a large and attractive opportunity to invest in technology for global green solutions. As the country grows and energy consumption rises, she says theres a recognition we have so much building to do  we can do it right, right from the start.

While early-stage investing around climate tech is gathering momentum, theres still a paucity of domestic venture capital for the later stages, when working capital needs to rise: the missing middle. This is forcing entrepreneurs to be realistic about their companies value now and proactive about crowding in global capital for future fundraising.

Meanwhile, climate tech is different compared to, say, more traditional tech investing. The former wont just include asset-light software solutions but also investment in manufacturing, hardware, and research and development for product innovation. That means global venture funds will have to adapt if they want in on the energy transition, especially when it comes to gestation periods and exit timing, as climate-tech fund Theia Ventures Priya Shah says.

For now, climate-tech investors can still come in at reasonable valuations, or with relatively small ticket sizes given the early stages. Global VCs sitting on the sidelines should take note: Rather than wait for the herd and pumped-up multiples, this may be the time and place to put their dry powder to work.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on Friday signalled a complete revamp of (NIC) to make it future-ready with new mechanisms for a better operating model, revenue streams, and human capital management at all levels.

The 46-year-old agency is a technology partner of the government and has developed multiple digital governance platforms including MyGov, PM-Kisan, National Power Portal, and e-Shram. It also caters to government agencies by providing infrastructure services, research, and solutions focused on emerging technologies for the effective delivery of Digital Government services.

Major changes may include new Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for outsourcing certain operations and augmenting the hosting infrastructure. The ministry also wants the agency to shift to the operating expenditure (OpEx) model from the current capital expenditure (CapEx) model for major investments in digital infrastructure and services in the country. The revamp plan also eyes at a revised service delivery mechanism with suitable revenue models.

Every organisation has to evolve for growing needs and scope of work. The IT landscape has drastically changed since the was formed. It is good to have a review after a certain time, a government official said.

MeitY, through the Corporation website, has invited applications to offer consultation for the restructuring exercise. The ministry said needs to undergo an organisational restructuring to evolve at the same pace as the growing need for digital technologies in India.

With an imperative to digitalize functions, governance, and services, operational models are going through a disruptive transformation and the Indian digital space is in a liftoff phase, MeitY said in the request for proposal document.

The ministry said would play a critical role to help India take the next leap in the digital sector. To position NIC to fulfil the rising expectations of the citizens from Digital Government services and the requirement for a national-level digital ecosystem for 21st-century Digital India, there is a need to suitably restructure NIC for achieving the desired objectives.

Corporation would commission a consultant to study best global practices and suggest a roadmap for transformation within four months.

NIC presently has around 4,000 team members on its projects and assignments and is associated with Ministries, State & District Centers, and Judiciary. It also maintains National Data Centers in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Assam, Bhopal, and 37 small Data Centers across the country.

The consultant firm, once appointed, would assess the current organization structure, processes, infrastructure, and capabilities of manpower of NIC to introduce new skilling initiatives for employees of NIC.
The (JNU) on Friday announced that the first semester for undergraduate students will begin on November 7, 2022.

On Tuesday, began registering for admission to its undergraduate programmes through the Common University (CUET). According to a university official, the registration process started on September 27 and will conclude on October 12.

The university has also opted for CUET this year for admission to various undergraduate programmes. The university offers around 10 UG courses, including BA (Honours) in Foreign Languages, BSc-MSc Integrated Programme in Ayurveda Biology and Certificate of Proficiency Programmes. It has a total of 342 seats in various schools and disciplines.

According to a PTI report, an official said the first merit list for admission will be released on October 17. Students will then be given three days to lock their seats, following which the second merit list will be released on October 22, and the locking of seats will take place from October 22 to October 24. The third and supernumerary list will be released on October 27.

Candidates who have already locked their seats will have to physically visit the campus in the first week of November to verify their documents.

is among the last central universities to open up its registration process for admission to undergraduate programmes. While Jamia Millia Islamia started the registration process last month, Delhi University (DU) launched its admission portal on September 12. The result for the inaugural edition of the CUET UG exam was declared earlier this month by the National Testing Agency.
The Reserve Bank expects the to be under 3 per cent of in FY23, Deputy Governor Michael Patra said on Friday.

The CAD will "modestly widen" in the first half of the fiscal year and narrow in the second half, Patra told reporters in the customary post-policy press conference.

"Overall, we expect the to be under 3 per cent of (in FY23)," Patra said.

The comments come a day after official data released by the (RBI) showed that the CAD widened in the first quarter of the fiscal to 2.8 per cent of .

In FY22, the CAD had stood at 1.2 per cent of the GDP.

Patra said there are factors beyond the widening trade deficit as the exports are getting hit due to adverse economic developments in the advanced economies, and pointed out certain factors helping the CAD lately.

He said the oil prices have moved south, which will lower the import bill, and there has been a 23 per cent growth in petroleum exports, courtesy the slashing of windfall taxes by the government.

The services exports are doing very well and on the services front, there is a boost coming from the travel segment as tourism has picked up in a big way, he added.

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wants banks to adopt the expected credit loss (ECL) regime for provisioning of loan assets and it will shortly come out with a discussion paper on the transition, said Governor on Friday.

Banks in India are currently required to make loan loss provisions on incurred loss model, wherein provisions are made after occurrence of default.

A more prudent and forward-looking approach is the expected loss-based approach, which requires banks to make provisions based on an assessment of probable losses. As a step towards converging with globally accepted prudential norms, we will issue a discussion paper on the proposed transition for stakeholder comments, Das said.

The said that the current incurred-loss approach for provisioning of loan assets is inadequate and this was amplified during the global financial crisis (GFC).

Incurred loss approach is inefficient since it may prove pro-cyclical during economic downturns which can severely impact the health of banks as well as the financial system, M Rajeshwar Rao, deputy governor at RBI, had said in his address back in June 2022.

Some large non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) follow the forward looking expected credit loss approach for estimating credit losses.

In principle, the expected credit-loss approach requires a credit institution to estimate expected credit losses based on forward-looking estimations rather than wait for credit losses to be incurred before making corresponding loss provisions.

The experience of the global financial crisis had prompted the G-20 and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) to recommend to accounting standard setters to modify the provisioning practices to incorporate a more forward-looking approach rather than to require the losses to happen before they are recognized. This encouraged the move towards adoption of provisioning standards that require the use of expected credit loss (ECL) models rather than incurred loss models.
A 37-year-old American man has been charged in a Singapore court with assaulting cabin crew and making a hoax bomb threat aboard a flight travelling from San Francisco.

Singapore police were alerted on Wednesday to an alleged bomb threat on board flight SQ33 from San Francisco to Singapore.

The man was restrained by the crew, and police subsequently arrested him for making false threats of terrorist acts and for the suspected consumption of controlled drugs.

The plane landed safely at Changi Airport at about 5.50 am, under the escort of Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16C/D fighter jets.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that during the flight, the man had allegedly shouted that there was a bomb on the plane and grabbed another passenger's luggage from the cabin's overhead compartment," the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a statement on Thursday.

A member of the cabin crew who tried to intervene and restrain La Andy Hien Duc was allegedly assaulted, said the police.

Checks by the cabin crew did not reveal any suspicious items in the American's luggage, Channel News Asia reported, citing police.

"Preliminary investigations by the Central Narcotics Bureau revealed that the man's urine tested positive for controlled drugs," police added.

The American was charged with offences read with a section of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971, which allows offenders to be charged under Singapore laws if a crime takes place on a Singapore-controlled aircraft flying outside of the country.

He was also remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation and will return to court on October 13.

If found guilty of using threatening words likely to cause alarm, he could be fined up to Singapore dollars 5,000. The offence of voluntarily causing hurt carries a penalty of up to three years jail term, a fine of up to Singapore dollars 5,000, or both.

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The computer hacker who stole personal data of almost 10 million customers of a telecommunications company in one of Australia's worst privacy breaches used techniques to conceal their identity, actions and whereabouts, police said on Friday.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough, who heads cyber investigations, said the probe, that includes the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, into the Optus cyberattack last week would be long and complex.

"You can be assured that our very clever and dedicated cyber investigators are focused on delivering justice for those whose personal information has been compromised, Gough said.

The government blames lax cybersecurity at Optus, Australia's second-largest wireless carrier, for the theft of current and former customers' personal information.

Cybersecurity Minister Clare O'Neil described the crime as quite a basic hack. She said Optus, a subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, also known as Singtel, had effectively left the window open for data of this nature to be stolen.

Optus maintains it was the target of a sophisticated cyberattack that penetrated several layers of security.

Gough declined to say whether the crime fitted the description of sophisticated or basic.

I'm not going to go into the details as to the attack because...it is subject of our ongoing investigation, Gough said.

But I would say that whoever is behind this attack has used obfuscation techniques to conceal their identity, their location and their activity, she added.

While details of 9.8 million Optus customers were stolen, authorities are most concerned for more than 10,000 customers whose records were dumped on the dark web on Tuesday as part of an extortion attempt.

The hacker later withdrew a $1 million ransom demand in a post that apologized for the crime and claimed that all the stolen data had been destroyed. Experts are sceptical.

Gough declined to say whether any further extortion attempt had been made.

But she announced police forces throughout had combined resources to supercharge the protection of the 10,000 who are most vulnerable to identify theft and fraud. Police are also working with the finance and services sectors to detect fraud.

Customers affected by the breach will receive multijurisdictional and multilayered protection from identity crime and financial fraud, Gough said.

Operation Guardian will eventually extend to the next-most vulnerable tier of customers, the 2.8 million who have had their driver's license and passport numbers stolen.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Optus had agreed to pay to replace the passports of compromised customers.

I think that's entirely appropriate, Albanese said.

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China has so far pledged over USD 90 million in assistance to Pakistan after the devastating floods, the Chinese envoy to the country said on Friday.

Ambassador Nong Rong in a video statement reaffirmed his government's continued support to Pakistan to help flood-affected people.

Since the devastating occurred in Pakistan, among all countries, China has announced over 90 million dollars assistance for Pakistan, he said.

Ambassador Rong also said the announced assistance was the biggest to date, reiterating that his country stands with Pakistan.

The that hit Pakistan after record rains have killed more than 1,500 people while affecting over 33 million. The economic losses were estimated to be more than USD 40 billion.

The UN in its flash appeal has demanded USD 160 million for immediate relief activities. But it termed the amount as insufficient and has announced to launch a fresh appeal next week.

Julien Frederic Morcom-Harneis, the United Nations resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Pakistan said that the UN appeal of USD 160 million appeals was insufficient and the world body will launch a new one on October 4 in Geneva which will be for the next six months.

We will appeal for life-saving drugs along with our partners. The reconstruction and rehabilitation phase will come later, he said in Islamabad and urged the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and organisations to come forward and help in rehabilitation work.

Terming the situation in flood-affected areas as worrying due to fear of waterborne and skin diseases, he said children were facing hunger, while clean drinking water was not available.

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Chinas factory activity continued to struggle in September, while services slowed, as the countrys economic recovery was challenged by lockdowns in major cities and an ongoing property market downturn.

The official manufacturing purchasing managers index rose to 50.1 from 49.4 in August, according to a statement from the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday. That compared with the median estimate of 49.7 in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Any figure higher than 50 indicates expansion.

The non-manufacturing gauge, which measures activity in the construction and services sectors, fell to 50.6 from 52.6 in August. That was lower than the consensus estimate of 52.4.

Separately, the Caixin private gauge of manufacturing activity fell to 48.1 in September from 49.5 in August. That was worse than the consensus expectation of 49.5.







Chinas fragile economic recovery has been challenged this year by the countrys adherence to Covid Zero, a policy intended to stamp out infections that has caused intermittent turmoil to supply chains, taken a toll on spending and damaged business confidence. Data earlier this week showed profits of industrial firms shrank in the first eight months of the year.

The mild recovery of factory activities is more than offset by the weakness in service activities, said Raymond Yeung, chief economist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group. He added the bank does not think gross domestic product can attain 3% growth in the third quarter.

While the official manufacturing activity edged out a gain in September, new orders are still in contraction, an indication of soft demand, NBS analyst Zhao Qinghe said in a statement. The new orders sub-gauge was 49.8, a slight improvement from Augusts 49.2.

What Bloomberg Economics Says ...



Chinas September purchasing managers surveys on balance gave a little reassurance on the recovery. Manufacturing started to stabilize, with production lifting the sector into expansion for the first time since June -- a reflection of more stimulus and reduced power shortages. That said, demand gauges were weak and the non-manufacturing sector slowed -- underlining a drag from the property rout and Covid Zero policy.

-- By Chang Shu and David Qu, economists

A sub-gauge measuring suppliers delivery times, meanwhile, declined to 48.7 from 49.5, the lowest since May.

The services index was affected by Covid outbreaks and other factors, Zhao said, adding that the driver of the fall in sentiment in that gauge was related to a fall in in-person activities such as retail sales, aviation and dining.

A fall in new orders was also a key factor in driving the private PMI gauge lower, according to Caixin and S&P Global.

In general, the pandemic situation is still severe and complex, and the negative impact of Covid controls on the is still pronounced, said Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group, in a statement accompanying that data. Market optimism also dwindled significantly due to concerns about the economic outlook.

Demand from overseas for Chinese goods is also moderating: A gauge of new export orders in the official PMI fell to 47, the lowest in four months. The poor performance in the Caixin PMI also reflected the decline in demand, given the index focuses on private and export-oriented businesses.

Chinese stocks fell in early trading, against a broader decline in Asian equities. The benchmark CSI 300 Index slumped 0.4% as of 10:15 a.m. local time. The yield on Chinas 10-year government bond gained 1 basis point to 2.74%, while the onshore yuan weakened 0.1% to 7.131 per dollar.





The countrys mobility restrictions are estimated to have shaved about 1.1 percentage points from Chinas GDP growth in the third quarter as consumption weakened, according to Natixis SA. The consensus estimate for growth this year is just 3.4%.

This month, Chengdu was locked down for about two weeks, reviving memories of painful curbs in Shanghai this spring and once again threatening economic output. The city of 21 million people, though, managed to contain the outbreak faster than Shanghai did.

On top of Covid restrictions, the country is also contending with a severe property market downturn. Home prices slumped for the 12th straight month in August, and a plethora of measures -- such as loosening purchasing restrictions and down payments, and lowering mortgage rates for some residences -- havent been enough to solve the crisis.

The drag from the sector risks driving deflationary pressure, according to a private survey this week that showed companies reported the weakest growth in sales prices since the end of 2020.

(Updates with statements from NBS, Caixin and S&P, and analysts, along with more detail.)



--With assistance from Shikhar Balwani and Fran Wang.
(EU) countries disagreed on Friday about whether and how to cap runaway gas prices, with among those opposing the measure that 15 other states said was needed to tackle Europes energy crunch.



Meeting in Brussels on Friday, ministers from the 27 EU member states approved levies on energy firms' windfall profits to try contain an energy price surge aggravated by Russias war against Ukraine.



The agreement covers a levy on fossil fuel companies surplus profits made this year or next, another levy on excess revenues low-cost power producers make from soaring electricity costs, and a mandatory 5 per cent cut in electricity use during peak price periods. The Czech Republic said, however, that was not enough and that many EU countries expected a proposal from the bloc's executive European Commission on capping the gas price.



Speaking after the meeting, the EUs energy commissioner Kadri Simson said there was no agreement on what such a cap would look like. We will try to negotiate a price corridor, not a fixed cap, that allows us to bring down the costs for our consumers, she told a news conference.



A wholesale gas price is a legitimate option, but it requires a radical intervention in the market, she said, adding that several non-negotiable conditions would need to be put in place alongside such a cap for it to work.



Italys energy minister said a group of countries will discuss among themselves next week ideas for a cap or smart indexing to help the Commission draft a legal proposal that all countries can support.



The priority right now is to slash the price of gas. But there is a second priority: to avoid that this kind of action leads to a shortage of gas, Roberto Cingolani said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The (EU) is exerting efforts to defuse the escalating tension between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank, an official announced here.

Shadi Othman, spokesman of the EU in the Palestinian territories, told reporters that the bloc is working with Israelis and Palestinians to "calm things down", because "it is not in the interest of any party to keep tension flaring that might lead to a comprehensive escalation", reports Xinhua news agency.

Over the past few months, the West Bank has witnessed growing tension between the Israeli army and the Palestinians.

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed since early January by Israeli soldiers, according to official Palestinian statistics.

Meanwhile, 18 Israelis have been killed since March in a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians in Israeli cities.

In responde, conducted raids in the cities of Nablus and Jenin in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli army said the raids target Palestinians involved in attacks against .

Othman noted that the escalation of tension would increase the risk of reaching a situation spiralling out of everyone's control.

The EU efforts come a day after four Palestinians were killed on Wednesday in an military offensive in a Jenin refugee camp.

--IANS

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As business gathers steam after over two-year COVID-19 lull, an event to be held here next month will shift the focus back on improving the relations between South Africa and India, especially in the small and medium business enterprise sectors.

Organised jointly by the Consulate General of India, Johannesburg in association with leading South African bank Nedbank and networking company Yobuning, the event, to be held on October 14 and titled India-South Africa: Growing Together', will bring together representatives of many companies in South Africa and local entrepreneurs.

Announcing the event here on Thursday, India's Consul General in Johannesburg Anju Ranjan said the focus would be not only on doing more business with India but also on the Indian companies to help their South African counterparts grow, which would then benefit both countries.

The event is aimed at business-to-business networking and to discuss opportunities and challenges in the key sectors of the two countries to enhance the strong bilateral relations, as well as to develop closer strategic, commercial and economic ties to strengthen the entrusted partnership of the business connect," she said.

Although the Consulate does not usually get involved with networking events per se, we felt that this one after the COVID-19 lull would help reaffirm relationships between partners in both countries. It will also help in establishing new relationships as businesses in both countries start moving back towards the pre-Covid situation and better it, Ranjan said.

India and South Africa share an excellent business relationship. The bilateral between the two countries reached USD 17 billion in the last financial year.

The business sectors of India interact regularly with the businesses of South Africa, especially in the sectors of IT, mining, infrastructure, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and heavy machinery, among others, Ranjan said.

The initiative is aimed at creating long-term value for Brand India' and the 'Make in India' initiative of the Government of India, under the aegis of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', she said.

Unlike some similar events where those participating were required to pay a fee, this event will be free of charge.

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Pakistan's ousted prime minister on Friday appeared before a sessions court here to personally apologise to Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, the female judge he had allegedly threatened at a public rally.

During a rally in Islamabad on August 20, Khan had threatened to file cases against top police officials, election commission and political opponents over the treatment meted out to his aide Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested on charges of sedition.

He had also taken exception to Judge Chaudhry, who had approved Gill's two-day physical remand at the request of the Capital Territory Police, and said she should "prepare herself as action would be taken against her''.

Hours after the speech, Khan, 69, was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening police, judiciary and other state institutions at his rally.

Khan and his lawyers appeared in Judge Chaudhry's court.

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The Finnish government has announced its decision to significantly restrict the entry of Russian citizens into the country.

As of Thursday midnight and until further notice, Russian citizens travelling with tourist visas will be banned from entering or transiting the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

A Foreign Ministry statement noted that the move aims to "completely prevent Russian tourism".

"The reception of visa applications is severely restricted," it added.

Russian citizens can still enter for study, work or medical purposes, and logistics and transport workers are also exempted.

Russian citizens who own property in can also enter the country if they can prove that the visit is essential for maintenance purposes.

The development comes after had earlier pushed for an EU-wide decision and called for a total ban on Russian nationals travelling to the bloc in the wake of Moscow's continued war against Ukraine.

While the Czech Republic and Estonia have also imposed visa restrictions, Germany and France have rejected the proposed blanket ban fearing "unintended rallying-around-the-flag effects" in Russia.

--IANS

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Former Inc. Chief Executive Officer tried to get onto the social networks board of directors long before the current drama around whether Musk will buy the company.

Dorsey pushed to add Musk to Twitters board shortly after activist investors started agitating for change at the company in 2020, according to new text messages shared as part of Twitters ongoing lawsuit with Musk. Dorseys plan was rejected by Twitters cautious board, he wrote in a private message to Tesla Inc. CEO Musk in March of this year. In their conversation, Dorsey was specifically lamenting the fact that was a public company instead of an openly available technology protocol anyone could build on, like email.



Also Read | Biggest regret is that Twitter has become a company, says Jack Dorsey

Musk replied that he would like to help if I am able to, after which Dorsey mentioned that he had already been thinking about ways to get Musk more involved in the company.

I wanted to talk with you about it after I was all clear of involvement with the board, Dorsey wrote, because you care so much, get its importance, and could def help in immeasurable ways.

In another message, Dorsey wrote back when we had the activist come in, I tried my hardest to get you on our board, and our board said no. Thats about the time I decided I needed to work to leave, as hard as it was for me. Dorsey said Twitters board is risk averse and saw Elon as adding more risk to the company. Which I thought was completely stupid and backwards, he wrote. Dorsey stepped down from Twitters board in May.

Musk reached out to another member of Twitters board, Silver Lakes Egon Durban, later that same day and was soon in touch with CEO Parag Agrawal and Chairman Bret Taylor about a possible board seat.
An Israeli-Arab party was disqualified from running in the country's November over allegations of promoting an anti- agenda.

With nine members voting in favour and five against, Israel's Central Committee said in a statement that it accepted the request to disqualify Balad on the basis that the party allegedly supports the cancellation of as "a Jewish and democratic state", Xinhua news agency reported.

Balad, acronyms in Hebrew for "National Democratic Alliance", announced in a separate statement that it will appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision.

Sami Abu Shehadeh, the party leader, denounced the decision as "an attempt by (Defence Minister Benny) Gantz and (caretaker Prime Minister Yair) Lapid to engineer an Arab leadership according to their political needs".

In previous elections, Balad ran with the Joint List, an alliance of three to four Arab parties. But two weeks ago, the alliance collapsed, leaving Balad with dim hopes of passing the electoral threshold needed to get it into the parliament, according to polls.

Under Israeli election rules, if a party fails to pass the electoral threshold, its votes are not counted at all. If Balad will not run, people who have considered voting for it could vote instead for one of the other three Arab parties in Israel, which are more agreeable to joining a coalition led by Lapid or Gantz. Balad has repeatedly opposed joining such a coalition.

Also on Thursday, the committee rejected a request to bar the United Arab List, an Arab-Israeli party, from running. The party, led by Mansour Abbas, is part of the ruling coalition, a diverse alliance of eight parties united only by their will to oust former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Arab citizens of compose about 20 percent of the country's population. They are Palestinians who did not leave during the Arab-Israeli War in 1948 that broke out immediately after the Israeli announcement of its independence.

The Central Committee attempted several times in the past to bar Arab parties and lawmakers from running for alleged "disloyalty" to Israel, but its decisions were overruled by the Supreme Court on appeal.

--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.)
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan's Daikin Industries Ltd will begin assembling air conditioners in as it renews a push into that had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a regional head said on Thursday.

"We are very soon going to have a factory in Nigeria," Kanwal Jeet Jawa, the head of Daikin's operations in India and East Africa, told Reuters.

Rather than building a plant, Daikin is using space in a facility provided by a local distributor in the West African nation, he said.

In East African countries, including Tanzania and Kenya, Daikin is aiming to become the leading seller of air conditioners, chillers and other cooling equipment by 2025.

The company is looking to replicate its success in India, where it has beaten the likes of South Korea's LG Electronics Inc to take top market share amid rapid market expansion driven by the country's economic growth, Jawa said.

Daikin's production capacity in India is set to almost double in 2023 with the opening of a new factory, allowing it to ship equipment to that is more affordable and better suited to local conditions than air conditioners the Japanese company makes elsewhere, Jawa said.

"For East Africa, we will continue to supply finished products produced in India," a Daikin spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Tim Kelly and Mayu Sakoda; Editing by Kim Coghill and Christopher Cushing)

(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.)
said Thursday that its working with to study using the companys Dragon to boost the space agencys Hubble Space Telescope into a higher orbit. and signed a Space Act Agreement to look into such a flight.



The deal signed by and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. called for collaborating on a feasibility study of such a mission, though NASA has yet to commit to such a flight. NASA said that is funding its own participation in the study.

We obviously have a lot of experience, from previous SpaceX missions docking with the Space Station, Jessica Jensen, vice president of customer operations and integration at SpaceX, said at a NASA press conference. We want to use that as our foundation.

Launched in 1990 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, NASAs Hubble Space Telescope was designed to be periodically upgraded and boosted in space by astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle. However, Hubble has not been visited by astronauts since the final Shuttle servicing mission in 2009, and the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011.

Without periodic boosts, Hubbles orbit would eventually decay and the telescope would burn up in Earths atmosphere. Eventually NASA will need to come up with a plan for how to safely guide the telescope back to Earth. But pushing the telescope into a higher orbit could potentially extend its observational lifetime, according to Thomas Zurbuchen, NASAs associate administrator for science.

NASA says SpaceX approached the space agency with the idea of using Dragon to boost Hubbles orbit. SpaceX mentioned the prospect of using a crew for the flight, but said its possible that a crew may not be needed in the mission, depending on what the study reveals.

NASA and SpaceX hinted that billionaire Jared Isaacman could possibly be involved in the mission if it gets funded in the future. Isaacman has contracted with SpaceX to perform a series of human spaceflight missions called Polaris Dawn. The first flight of the program is slated for early next year, with one of its crew members performing a planned spacewalk using a newly designed SpaceX spacesuit.

Its possible that a future Polaris Dawn mission could be used for the Hubble mission, though Isaacman did not commit to that.

Isaacman previously flew to space on a SpaceX Crew Dragon, as part of a flight called Inspiration4. Isaacman fully funded that mission and brought three civilians with him to orbit.

Hubbles currently located roughly 535 kilometers (332 miles) above Earth, according to Patrick Crouse, the Hubble Space Telescope project manager at NASA. However, raising the telescopes orbit to 600 kilometers (373 miles) could extend its lifetime by 15 to 20 years, he said.
This year's Nobel Prize season approaches as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shattered decades of almost uninterrupted peace in Europe and raised the risks of a nuclear disaster.



It's anyone's guess who might win the awards being announced starting Monday.



Yet there's no lack of urgent causes deserving the attention that comes with winning the world's most prestigious prize: Wars in Ukraine and Ethiopia, disruptions to supplies of energy and food, rising inequality, the climate crisis, the ongoing fallout from the Covid pandemic.



The science prizes reward complex achievements beyond the understanding of most.



But the recipients of the prizes in peace and literature are often known by a global audience and the choices  or perceived omissions  have sometimes stirred emotional reactions.



Members of the European Parliament have called for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine to be recognised this year by the committee for their resistance to the Russian invasion. While that desire is understandable, that choice is unlikely because the Nobel committee has a history of honouring figures who end conflicts, not wartime leaders, said Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm Peace Research Institute.



Honouring the IAEA again would recognise its efforts to prevent a radioactive catastrophe at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant at the heart of fighting in Ukraine, and its work in fighting nuclear proliferation, Smith said.



This is a really difficult period in world history and there is not a lot of peace being made, he said.



Promoting peace isn't always rewarded with a Nobel.



India's Mohandas Gandhi, a prominent symbol of non-violence in the 20th century, was never so honoured.



But former US President Barack Obama was in 2009, sparking criticism from those who said he had not been president long enough to have an impact worthy of the Nobel. In some cases, the winners have not lived out the values enshrined in the peace prize.



Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won in 2019 for making peace with neighbouring Eritrea. A year later a largely ethnic conflict erupted in the country's Tigray region. Some accuse Abiy of stoking the tensions, which have resulted in widespread atrocities. Critics have called for his Nobel to be revoked.



The Myanmar activist Aung San Suu Kyi won the peace prize in 1991 while being under house arrest for her opposition to military rule.



Decades later, she was seen as failing in a leadership role to stop atrocities committed by the military against the countrys mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.



The Nobel committee has sometimes not awarded a peace prize at all.



It paused them during World War I, except to honour the Committee of the Red Cross in 1917. It didn't hand out any during World War II.



In 1948, the year Gandhi died, the Norwegian Nobel Committee made no award, citing a lack of a suitable living candidate.

The peace prize also does not always confer protection.



Last year journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia were awarded for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the face of authoritarian governments.



Following the invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has cracked down even harder on independent media, including Muratov's Novaya Gazeta, Russia's most renowned independent newspaper. The Philippines government this year ordered the shutdown of Ressa's news organisation, Rappler.



The literature prize, meanwhile, has been notoriously unpredictable.



Few had bet on last year's winner, Zanzibar-born, UK-based writer Abdulrazak Gurnah, whose books explore the personal and societal impacts of colonialism and migration.



Gurnah was only the sixth Nobel literature laureate born in Africa, and the prize has long faced criticism that it is too focused on European and North American writers.



It is also male-dominated, with just 16 women among its 118 laureates.



The list of possible winners includes literary giants from around the world: Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, Japan's Haruki Murakami, Norway's Jon Fosse, Antigua-born Jamaica Kincaid and France's Annie Ernaux.



A clear contender is Salman Rushdie, the India-born writer and free-speech advocate who spent years in hiding after Iran's clerical rulers called for his death over his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses. Rushdie, 75, was stabbed and seriously injured at a festival in New York state on August 12.



The prizes to Gurnah in 2021 and US poet Louise Gluck in 2020 have helped the literature prize move on from years of controversy and scandal.



In 2018, the award was postponed after sex abuse allegations rocked the Swedish Academy, which names the Nobel literature committee, and sparked an exodus of members.



The academy revamped itself but faced more criticism for giving the 2019 literature award to Austria's Peter Handke, who has been called an apologist for Serbian war crimes.



Some scientists hope the award for physiology or medicine honours colleagues instrumental in the development of the mRNA technology that went into Covid 19 vaccines, which saved millions of lives across the world.



When we think of Nobel prizes, we think of things that are paradigm shifting, and in a way I see mRNA vaccines and their success with COVID-19 as a turning point for us, said Deborah Fuller, a microbiology professor at the University of Washington.



The Nobel Prize announcements this year kick off on Monday with the prize in physiology or medicine, followed by physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday and probably, though the date has not been confirmed, literature on Thursday.



The 2022 will be announced on October 7 and the economics award on October 10.



The prizes carry a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (USD 880,000) and will be handed out on December 10.
"This is the will of millions of people," Putin said. The annexation ceremony in the Kremlin's opulent white-and-gold St. Russian President on Friday announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions in a Kremlin ceremony, defying law."This is the will of millions of people," Putin said.The annexation ceremony in the Kremlin's opulent white-and-gold St. George's Hall featured Putin and the heads of the four regions of Ukraine signing treaties for them to join Russia, in a sharp escalation of the seven-month conflict. The ceremony comes three days after the completion of Kremlin-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that were dismissed by Kyiv and the West as a bare-faced land grab, held at gunpoint and based on lies.

The separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine have been backed by Moscow since declaring independence in 2014, weeks after the annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. The southern Kherson region and part of the neighboring Zaporizhzhia were captured by Russia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Both houses of the Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubber-stamp the treaties for the regions to join Russia, sending them to Putin for his approval.

Putin and his lieutenants have bluntly warned Ukraine against pressing an offensive to reclaim the regions, saying Russia would view it as an act of aggression against its sovereign territory and wouldn't hesitate to use all means available in retaliation, a reference to Russia's nuclear arsenal.

The Kremlin-organized votes in Ukraine and the nuclear warning are an attempt by Putin to avoid more defeats in Ukraine that could threaten his 22-year rule.

Russia controls most of the Luhansk and Kherson regions, about 60% of the Donetsk region and a large chunk of the Zaporizhzhia region where it took control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

Asked about Russia's plans, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that at the very least Moscow aims to liberate the entire Donetsk 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.)
Russian President signed treaties Friday to annex parts of in defiance of law, saying Moscow would protect the newly incorporated regions by all available means. He also urged to sit down for peace talks but immediately insisted he won't discuss handing them back, opening a new escalatory phase of his seven-month invasion of the country.



Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday was formally applying for fast-track membership of the Nato military alliance and that Kyiv was ready for talks with Moscow, but not with President . The Ukrainian leader made his comments in a video which appeared intended as a forceful rebuttal to the Kremlin. "We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated accession to NATO," Zelenskiy said in a video on Telegram.



The video showed Zelenskiy announcing the decision and then signing a document flanked by his prime minister and the speaker of parliament.



"Ukraine is ready for negotiations, but with a different Russian president," Zelenskiy said.



Kyiv and the West have rejected his land-grab in Ukraine. The European Unions 27 member states said they will never recognize the illegal referendums that organized as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.



President on Friday said that is annexing four occupied regions in Ukraine forever and repeated warnings that Moscow will use all available means to defend the territories.



European Union members unequivocally rejected the move in a joint statement. President Joe Biden has denounced Russias efforts as a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Would-be NATO member on Friday announced it will allow exports of arms to Turkey, which had threatened to block the Scandinavian nation's application to join the 30-member defence alliance.

The decision means that Sweden, which has sought NATO membership along with neighbouring Finland, will lift an arms embargo it had imposed on Ankara in 2019 after Turkey's military operation against the Kurdish militia known as the YPG in Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to block the Nordic pair's membership, insisting they change their stance on Kurdish rebel groups that considers terrorists and lift the arms embargo on .

NATO operates by consensus so needs to approve.

Sweden's application for membership in NATO greatly strengthens the defence and security policy reasons for granting the export of military equipment to other member states, including Turkey, the Inspectorate for Strategic Products, a Swedish administrative authority, said in a statement.

Once-neutral Finland and are abandoning what in Sweden's case has been 200 years of military nonalignment, driven to join NATO's mutual defence pact in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its continuing war there.

Turkey's parliament has yet to ratify and Finland's membership in NATO, and Friday's step was widely seen as aimed at securing Ankara's approval.

A delegation from Sweden is expected in Ankara next week to discuss Turkish requests for the extradition of figures wanted by Turkey.

(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.)
told CEO Parag Agrawal recently that he does not want to be a boss, to which Agrawal replied that the Tesla CEO should also treat him like an engineer instead of a CEO.

A new treasure trove of texts exchanged between Musk and executives like Agrawal and Jack Dorsey has now been leaked in the public domain.

In an early April conversation with CEO Agrawal, Musk admitted he doesn't want to be a boss, reports TechCrunch.

"Frankly, I hate doing mgmt stuff. I kinda don't think I should be the boss of anyone. But I love helping solve technical/product design problems," Musk told Agrawal.

"Treat me like an engineer instead of a CEO," Agrawal replied.

Musk told him that he has tons of ideas, but "I just want Twitter to be maximum amazing".

"I would like to understand the technical details of the Twitter codebase. This will help me calibrate the dumbness of my suggestions," he wrote to Agrawal.

"I used to be CTO and have been in our codebase for a long time. So I can answer many, many of your questions," Agrawal replied.

Agrawal told Musk that he is free to tweet "is Twitter dying?" or anything else about Twitter "but it's my responsibility to tell you that it's not helping me make Twitter better in the current context".

"Next time we speak, I'd like to provide you with a perspective on the level of internal distraction right now and how it is hurting our ability to do work. I would like the company to get to a place where we are more resilient and don't get distracted, but we aren't there right now," a defiant Agrawal told the Tesla CEO.

On April 26, Dorsey, Musk and Agrawal got on a Google Hangout together to discuss the takeover, and their differences were visible in chats.

"At least it became clear that you can't work together. That was clarifying," Dorsey apparently said.

The leaked chats come at a time when both Twitter and Musk are engaged in a fierce legal battle that is slated to begin in the Delaware Court of Chancery in the US on October 17.

--IANS

na/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.)
Turkish President Recep has asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to engage in negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, according to a statement by the Turkish presidency.

"Steps to reduce tensions are needed to pave the way for more positive developments, and that Russia is expected to take steps to facilitate this process, especially on the issue of the accession of some regions in Ukraine to Russia," Erdogan told Putin on Thursday in a phone call.

Asking Putin to "give the negotiations another chance", Erdogan said was ready to play a facilitating role in this process, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Turkish president also expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange, and the functioning of the agreement signed in Istanbul which resumed the export of Ukrainian grains to world markets.

Erdogan said the extension of the grain export mechanism, which will expire in November, is a common interest.

He also promised Ankara's continued work on the uninterrupted export of Russian fertilizers and grain products.

Turkey, which has good relations with both Ukraine and Russia, has been acting as a mediator between the two countries since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia separately signed a deal with and the United Nations in Istanbul to resume food and fertilizer shipments from Ukrainian ports to markets via the Black Sea.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged nearly 200 prisoners of war as a result of Turkiye's mediation, Erdogan announced last week.

--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.)
The government on Friday imposed new services and goods export bans on in response to what it termed the illegal annexation of four regions of Ukraine after sham referendums.

The services sanctions are designed to target vulnerable sectors of the Russian economy, including IT consultancy, architectural services, engineering services and transactional legal advisory services for certain commercial activity.

Foreign Secretary also instructed the Russian Ambassador, Andrey Kelin, be summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), to protest in the strongest terms against the Russian action in Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

The utterly condemns [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's announcement of the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. We will never recognise the results of these sham referendums or any annexation of Ukrainian territory, said UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

The Russian regime must be held to account for this abhorrent violation of law. That's why we are working with our partners to ramp up the economic pressure through new targeted services bans. What happens in Ukraine matters to us all, and the UK will do everything possible to assist their fight for freedom, he said.

According to the FCDO, the UK is moving in lockstep with partners and as imports 67 per cent of its services from the sanctioning countries, it will impact access to IT services, advertising services, transactional legal advisory services and auditing services.

The UK has also sanctioned Elvira Nabiullina, the Governor of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

The FCDO said that in her role, Nabiullina has been instrumental in steering the Russian economy through the Russian regime's illegal war against Ukraine and extending the ruble into the Ukrainian territories that are temporarily controlled by .

The governor is now personally subject to an asset freeze and travel ban. Russia is highly dependent on Western countries for legal services with 85 per cent of all legal services being imported from G7 countries given London is an international legal centre, the UK accounts for 59 per cent of these imports, the FCDO said.

The new legal advisory measures will cover certain commercial and transactional services and hamper Russia's businesses' ability to operate internationally. IT consultancy services will also be banned, including designing IT systems and software applications. Alongside the UK's previous ban on quantum computing exports and computing services, and with over 1,70,000 IT specialists fleeing Russia since the invasion began, these measures will further erode Russia's ability to maintain technological development with the rest of the world, it said.

The export of almost 700 goods from the UK to Russia are also being banned.

The list includes hundreds of goods that are critical for production in Russia's manufacturing sector, with imports from the UK totalling over GBP 200 million last year.

In total, GBP 19 billion worth of UK-Russia trade has been wholly or partially sanctioned, based on official 2021 trade flows.

(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.)
Netherlands-based group, the European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) has raised in the UNHRC, the issue of Uyghurs, the ethnic Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, and pushed to attribute blame on Chinese government authorities for human rights violations.

Aaron Magunna (Research Analyst EFSAS) during the General Debate on Item 5 (Human rights bodies and mechanisms) at the 51st Session of the in Geneva, said, "the report does not attribute blame to Chinese government authorities. Although the report notes that 'serious human rights violations have been committed in Xinjiang, it repeatedly states that evidence is inconclusive. These statements fail to assign responsibility and stand in disconnect with the research conducted by various organizations. Let us be clear: state-led human rights violations are a political reality in Xinjiang."

has been rebuked globally for cracking down on Uyghur Muslims by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending members of the community to undergo some form of forcible re-education or indoctrination.

The recent UN report on human rights concerns in Xinjiang has added to the regional focus.

Magunna also said that the report does not comment on the political intent to destroy.

"While it lists the abuses committed by authorities, including forced labour, systemic sexual violence, and forced sterilizations, the report does not acknowledge that these policies amount to and are driven by the intent to destroy minority cultures in Xinjiang," he said.

He reiterated that the report's publication is crucial to encourage awareness of the conditions in Xinjiang.

"Future investigations, however, must go further in attributing accountability and holding relevant authorities responsible in various UN bodies, including this council. UN human rights bodies should expand their research activities in Xinjiang and exert pressure on Chinese authorities to deepen their cooperation with these investigations. Without enhanced accountability and information, the violations in Xinjiang will worsen," said the EFSAS analyst.

Since 2017, Chinese authorities have ramped up a clampdown on Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) through arbitrary arrests and lengthy detentions. An estimated 1.8 million members of these groups have been held in internment camps, where some experienced severe human rights abuses, torture, rape and forced labour.

Meanwhile, newly published research has provided compelling evidence that is carrying out a slow genocide of the Uyghur population, due to Beijing's perception of the community as a national security threat.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The has scheduled a vote for Friday afternoon on a resolution that would condemn for its illegal so-called referenda in four Ukrainian regions and declare that they have no validity.

The US- and Albanian-sponsored resolution would call on all countries not to recognise any alterations to the status of Ukraine's Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

It would reaffirm the UN commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence within its internationally recognised borders.

The Kremlin has announced plans to move on annexing Russian-controlled areas of the four regions on Friday, and is certain to veto the resolution.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said earlier this week that if that happens the US and Albania will put the resolution to a vote in the 193-member General Assembly where there are no vetoes.

The draft resolution, obtained late on Thursday by The Associated Press, would order to desist and refrain from actions aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of .

It would also demand the withdrawal of all Russian troops from .

Montenegro ordered six Russian diplomats to leave the country, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

In a short statement published on Twitter, the ministry said the diplomats were asked to leave over breaches of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It did not elaborate.

Montenegro was once considered a strong Russian ally, but in 2017 it joined NATO over strong opposition from Moscow. It has also joined Western sanctions against Russia for its invasion of .

Russia has put Montenegro and most other European nations on its list of enemy states for acting against Kremlin's interests.

(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 US on Thursday imposed sanctions on several companies including those based in China, Hong Kong, India and the UAE for facilitating financial transfers and shipping of Iranian and petrochemical products.

The US is taking further action to disrupt efforts to evade sanctions on the sale of Iranian and petrochemical products, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Specifically, the Department of State is imposing sanctions on two People's Republic of China (PRC)-based entities: Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co Ltd, which operates a commercial crude oil storage facility for Iranian that provides a vital conduit for the Iranian petroleum trade, as well as WS Shipping Co Ltd, the ship manager for a vessel that has transported Iranian petroleum products, he said.

The Department of the Treasury is also designating eight entities for their involvement in Iran's petrochemical trade. These entities are based in Hong Kong, Iran, India, and the United Arab Emirates, Blinken said in a statement.

In a statement, the Department of Treasury said these entities have played a critical role in concealing the origin of the Iranian shipments and enabling two sanctioned Iranian brokers, Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Triliance) and Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co (PGPICC), to transfer funds and ship Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals to buyers in Asia.

According to the list released by the Department of Treasury, India-based petrochemical company Tibalaji Petrochem Private Limited has purchased millions of dollars worth of Triliance-brokered petrochemical products, including methanol and base oil, for onward shipment to China.

As continues to accelerate its nuclear program in violation of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), we will continue to accelerate our enforcement of sanctions on Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sales under authorities that would be removed under the JCPOA, Blinken said.

The JCPOA, commonly known as the nuclear deal, is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme reached in 2015 between and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security CouncilChina, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United Statesplus Germany and the European Union.

Under its terms, Iran agreed to dismantle much of its nuclear program and open its facilities to more extensive inspections in exchange for billions of dollars worth of sanctions relief.

Former president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018. The US and Iran's indirect talks to revive the pact have broken down.

Iran has long denied it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons while saying it has a right to civilian nuclear infrastructure.

These enforcement actions will continue on a regular basis, with an aim to severely restrict Iran's oil and petrochemical exports. Anyone involved in facilitating these illegal sales and transactions should cease and desist immediately if they wish to avoid US sanctions, Blinken said.

The United States is committed to severely restricting Iran's illicit oil and petrochemical sales, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E Nelson.

So long as Iran refuses a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the United States will continue to enforce its sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products, Nelson said.

The Treasury said these economic sanctions, which are reversible in the event of Iran's return to JCPOA compliance, follow the designations imposed last week against the so-called morality police and other law enforcement organisations and individuals responsible for the custody death of Mahsa Amini and the violent repression of the protests that have followed.

We remain concerned about a wide range of Iranian policies, from their nuclear programme to abuses perpetrated against their own people, to supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine with drones and military training, and destabilising activities across the region, and we will continue to respond to these dangerous policies with sanctions and other tools, it 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.)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday accused Russia of a "land grab" after referendums in Ukraine and that the US will never recognise the legitimacy or outcome of the "sham" referenda.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday that four regions of Ukraine - Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - would be folded into Russia during a Kremlin ceremony attended by President Vladimir Putin.v



The Kremlin's sham referenda are a futile effort to mask what amounts to a further attempt at a land grab in Ukraine. To be clear: the results were orchestrated in Moscow and do not reflect the will of the people of Ukraine, Blinken said.

The United States does not, and will never, recognise the legitimacy or outcome of these sham referenda or Russia's purported annexation of Ukrainian territory, he asserted.

"This spectacle conducted by Russia's proxies is illegitimate and violates law. It is an affront to the principles of peace and security," he charged.

In a strongly worded statement, Blinken said that Russia has forced much of the population in areas it seized to flee and compelled Ukraine's citizens that remained to cast ballots at gunpoint, in fear for their safety, and the safety of their loved ones.

Ukraine's people have consistently expressed their desire for a free and democratic future. They want their country to remain independent and sovereign. Their soldiers are fighting bravely, and citizens in Russia-controlled or occupied areas of Ukraine are resisting Moscow's efforts to change Ukraine's internationally recognised borders by brute force, he said.

The United States and our allies and partners will continue to assist Ukraine in its fight to defend its territory against Russian aggression. We wholeheartedly support Ukraine's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, Blinken 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.)
In response to Russia's move to formally annex four more areas in occupied after holding self-styled referendums, US President said that Washington will "never, never, never recognise" Moscow's claims on Kiev's sovereign territory.

The Kremlin announced on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin will on Friday formally declare the annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson at a major event at the Red Square in .

In the so-called referendums held last week, the regions voted to join Russia, the Kremlin added.

Addressing an event on Thursday, Biden called Russia's move "shameless".

"The US, I want to be very clear about this, will never, never, never recognise Russia's claims on sovereign territory," the President was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the White House.

"This so-called referenda was a sham, an absolute sham, and the results were manufactured in ... The true will of the Ukrainian people is evident every day as they sacrifice their lives to save their people and maintain the independence of their country and in defence of freedom as well.

"Russia's assault on in pursuit of Putin's imperial ambitions is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity," he added.

But in its announcement on Thursday, the Kremlin said the independence of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson was being recognised in accordance with law and "enshrined in the Charter of the UN".

Earlier, the Biden administration said that it will impose sanctions on as a result of the referendums.

Meanwhile, European Union member states are also considering an eighth round of measures, including sanctions on anyone involved in the votes.

Also condemning Russia's move, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that any annexation of a country's territory based on the use of force violates the UN Charter and law, the BBC reported.

It is a "dangerous escalation" that "has no place in the modern world", he said.

In a phone call with Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed his opposition to the plan and called on the Russian leader to reduce tension and give peace negotiations with Ukraine another chance.

In his response to the "pseudo referendums", Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said: " will not get a new territory of Ukraine. will annex itself to the catastrophe that it has brought to the occupied territory of our country."

Meanwhile, preparations for Putin's announcement were underway in Moscow, with a stage set up for a concert in Red Square, adorned with billboards proclaiming the four regions as part of Russia.

This is a repeat of Russia's annexation of the southern Crimea Peninsular in 2014, which also followed a discredited referendum, says the BBC.

The Crimean annexation has never been recognised by the the community.

Russia's two houses of parliament will however, formally ratify the move next week.

--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.)
Ukraine's president says his country is submitting an accelerated application to join the military alliance.

The comment Friday by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came just after said it would annex four region of it seized amid its war and held gunpoint referendums viewed as illegitimate by the community.

Zelenskyy said: We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated accession to .

It wasn't immediately clear what an accelerated application would mean, as ascension to requires the unanimous support of the alliance's members.

De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards. They are real for -- real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction, Zelenskyy said. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the alliance.

Zelenskyy also repeated his pledge to reunite all of the Ukrainian territory now held by .

The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy - the enemy not only of Ukraine, but also of life itself, humanity, law and truth, he said. already knows this. It feels our power. It sees that it is here, in Ukraine, that we prove the strength of our values.

Responding to Putin's call for negotiations, Zelenskyy added: We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president of Russia.

The war has rapidly accelerated Ukraine's shift toward the West. During Russia's seven-month war, the country has shifted off Soviet-era weapon systems and used NATO-standard ordinance and weapons, though the process is still ongoing.

In June, the European Union agreed to put on the path toward EU membership. That swiftness of that move -- nearly unthinkable only months earlier -- required unanimous approval among the bloc's often fractious members.

While there is considerable overlap among the members of the EU and NATO, securing agreement to allow Ukraine into the security alliance and its guarantee of mutual defense could be considerably more difficult. One immediate impediment to Ukraine joining is that it is already engaged in an active military conflict on its soil.

(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 an over 14-year high of Rs 468, on jumping 4 per cent on the BSE in Fridays intra-day trade. The stock has surged 14 per cent in past two trading sessions in an otherwise weak market.

Further, the stock of computer software services provider is trading at its highest level since January 2008. It had hit a record high of Rs 547 on January 4, 2008. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.3 per cent at 56,235 at 09:24 am.

In the past three months, the stock price of Aurionpro has zoomed 83 per cent, as compared to a 6 per cent rise in the Sensex. In the last one year, it has been more-than-doubled or up 131 per cent, as against 5 per cent decline in the benchmark index.

Aurionpro is an advanced technology solutions company catering to the needs of banking, mobility, payments and Government sectors. Aurionpro, through constant technological innovations, has also diversified into newer businesses such as Smart City and Smart Mobility, data centre consulting etc.

In the past two weeks, the stock has soared 20 per cent after the company bagged order from one of the largest public sector banks in India. On September 21, Aurionpro announced an order win in its Murex services segment from one of the dominant public sectors banks in India, which will cover upgrading their Murex version from older version to new version. The implementation will be spread over 18 months, the company had said in a statement.

Meanwhile, worldwide, banks and financial institutions continue to spend big on technology and rapid adoption of digital technologies has created opportunities which will fuel growth for the IT Sector over the next decade. Similarly, India is focusing strongly on improving the banking ecosystem in the country which has further accelerated digitization. This bodes well for Aurionpro as it is a leading player in the banking & fintech space especially in the Asia region.

The Smart Transit segment is expected to witness tremendous growth in the coming years. Aurionpro, with its robust IP based solutions in the Automated Fare Collection (AFC) space, coupled with the strategic acquisition of SC Soft and ATASPL has established itself as an only integrated player in the market. With these right partnerships and key wins in some large geographies, Aurionpro is foreseeing healthy gains in this segment.

Data centre is another upcoming business with huge growth potential. Aurionpro has built a strong team of skilled and experienced resources which is expected to drive our future growth in this business, Aurionpro said in its FY22 annual report.


Shares of Gujarat Flurochemicals hit a new high of Rs 3,995, up 2 per cent on the BSE in Fridays intra-day trade on healthy outlook. The stock of the specialty chemicals company traded higher for the fourth straight day, surging 11 per cent during the period.

In past one month, the stock has rallied 20 per cent, as compared to a 5 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex. Further, in past one year, the stock has zoomed 109 per cent, as against 4 per cent fall in the benchmark index.

Gujarat Fluorochemicals is engaged in manufacturing and trading of refrigerant gases, caustic soda, chloromethane, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluoropolymers, fluoromonomers, specialty fluorointermediates, specialty chemicals and allied activities. The company caters to both domestic and international . Further, the company has emerged as one of the top five global players in the fluoropolymers market with exports to Europe, Americas, Japan and Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is officially going to inaugurate the first 5G mobile services commercially on Saturday (October 1), at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022.

Adoption of 5G-enabled smartphones in India is expected to triple and contribute to 40 per cent of sales volume in 2022, against just 12 per cent in 2021. This, in turn, will drive the fluoropolymers market and benefit the Gujarat Fluorochemicals.

In the long term, the strong focus of Governments around the world on green hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells will boost the demand of PTFE and other fluoropolymers. In the Union Budget this year, the government has given special emphasis on the EV sector, that will propel the usage of fluoropolymers, Gujarat Flurochemicals said in FY22 annual report.

Key auto manufacturers are increasingly manufacturing their automotive parts by fluoropolymer enabling automakers to build a more sustainable and dependable business environment. The introduction of stringent government regulations concerning safety and reduction of emissions are some of the factors compelling the utility of fluoropolymer.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. Being a non-wetting, high density and resistant to high temperatures, PTFE is an incredibly versatile material with a wide variety of applications.

Over the short term, the major factors driving the markets growth is the increasing applications in the electrical and electronics sector and the chemical and industrial processing industry segment, and it is expected to continue their dominance during the forecast period. Besides, the growing healthcare applications are expected to provide opportunities to the market, the company said.
The provision of a 30 per cent on the transfer of has facilitated the siphoning of India's to foreign countries, experts told Business Standard. October 1 will mark six months of the rule's implementation, which finance minister introduced in her Budget 2022 announcement.

"Since the imposition of taxes, India has seen a significant decline in trading volume and an exodus of crypto investors to international exchanges based on the belief that these exchanges do not cooperate with Indian authorities, thereby allowing individuals to save 30 per cent in taxes," Gaurav Mehta, founder of auditing and taxation startup Catax said.

Apart from a 30 per cent tax, the government also introduced a 1 per cent deducted at source (TDS) on each trade where a crypto asset is exchanged for the rupee or another crypto asset. It came into effect on July 1.

"The 1 per cent levied on top of the 30 per cent on gains from the transfer of crypto assets, is steeper than the taxation policy of most developed countries like the US and UK," Sumit Gupta, co-founder and CEO at crypto investment platform CoinDCX said.

"While we have been deducting the taxes as per government regulations, the users see this as a loophole in tax enforcement and are taking advantage of this grey area over whether the law applies to international platforms," Gupta added.

The may be a bigger reason for investors to shift to other markets.

"More than the 30 per cent tax, it is the high that has had an impact on crypto. The high TDS has pushed a lot of traders into the grey markets and potentially decentralised exchanges where it is difficult to trace transactions, let alone tax," a spokesperson of platform CoinSwitch said.

Crypto investors try to escape the taxes by trading on international exchanges. However, it may not be true.

"It is essential to recognise that is a public ledger and that it is possible to collect information about individuals' transfers, taxes, and related activity. It is just a matter of time before the government catches up with technology," Mehta said.

The crypto industry is largely unregulated in India. The central government and the (RBI) have repeatedly refused to legalise .

In a financial stability report released in June, Das wrote that are speculation under a sophisticated name.

"While technology has supported the reach of the financial sector and its benefits must be fully harnessed, its potential to disrupt financial stability has to be guarded against," he wrote in the report's foreword.

In 2018, RBI banned the banking system from lending a hand in trading. The order was, however, struck down by the Supreme Court in 2020.

Mehta said that taxation has resulted in no significant gains for the government.

"No significant benefits have accrued to the government other than a decline in trading volume, which is consistent with the RBI's goal of discouraging crypto investments in India via trading volume and making it a less speculative asset class," he added.

The industry is marred by the lack of clarity around laws and regulations. Experts are increasingly seeking reforms, including bringing TDS on crypto at par with other markets.

"If the TDS were to be at par with say the securities industry, it will help innovation in the crypto sector," CoinSwitch said.

"We urge the government to clarify and bring a level playing field in this matter," Gupta said.



"Hopefully, the government will address it soon with more use cases of crypto coming into the market," Edul Patel, CEO & co-founder of crypto investment platform Mudrex, said.



Patel added that more regulatory clarity would drive even more retail investors into the market.
Bharat Forge has approved the transfer of the Company's stake in Analogic Controls India (ACIL) to Kalyani Strategic Systems (KSSL), wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

The purpose of this restructuring is to house all the company's defense business initiatives under KSSL for a better strategic alignment.

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Dilip Buildcon jumped 4.95% to Rs 223.02 after the company said it was declared as the lowest bidder for Phase-2 of Ahmedabad Metro Rail project in the state of Gujrat.

The tender was floated by the Gujrat Metro Rail Corporation (CMRC). The project entails construction of 7.553 kilometers elevated viaduct and 7 stations (incl. E&M, architectural finishing, roofing, plumbing, signage, etc.) from Sector-1 to Mahatma Mandir in connection with Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase-2.

The cost for the project (excluding GST) is expected to be Rs 723.45 crore. The estimated completion period is 24 months.

Dilip Buildcon is a full-service infrastructure company with construction capabilities in roads & bridges, mining, water sanitation, sewage and dams with a presence in over 19 states.

The company's standalone net profit tumbled 26.7% to Rs 19.80 crore in Q1 FY23 from Rs 27.02 crore posted in Q1 FY22. Revenue from operations jumped 22.1% to Rs 2,621.52 crore in the first quarter as against Rs 2,146.26 crore recorded in the same period last year.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Heritage Foods surged 12.52% to Rs 350 after the company's board approved rights issue of equity shares in the ratio of 1:1.

The board of Heritage Foods approved issuing 1 new fully paid equity share for each fully paid equity share held (1:1) by eligible shareholders as on the record date.

The company plans to issue 4,63,98,000 in the proposed rights issue. The board has constituted 'Rights Issue Committee' to decide detailed terms and conditions of the rights issue.

"The promoter and promoter group of the company may subscribe to all the unsubscribed shares in the issue, if any," the company said in a statement.

Heritage Foods is one of the largest private sector dairy enterprises in Southern India. Its milk and milk products have a market presence in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha, NCR Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

On a consolidated basis, net profit of Heritage Foods declined 75.98% to Rs 7.27 crore on 26.68% rise in net sales to Rs 820.92 crore in Q1 June 2022 over Q1 June 2021.

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Punjab & Sind Bank is quoting at Rs 15.9, up 1.27% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The stock is down 9.4% in last one year as compared to a 2.59% gain in NIFTY and a 19.9% gain in the Nifty Pharma index.

Punjab & Sind Bank is up for a third straight session in a row. The stock is quoting at Rs 15.9, up 1.27% on the day as on 12:49 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is up around 1.54% on the day, quoting at 17077.25. The Sensex is at 57372.81, up 1.71%. Punjab & Sind Bank has added around 0.95% in last one month.

Meanwhile, Nifty Pharma index of which Punjab & Sind Bank is a constituent, has added around 0.87% in last one month and is currently quoting at 2907.35, up 3.13% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 1.85 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 3.84 lakh shares in last one month.

The PE of the stock is 9.68 based on TTM earnings ending June 22.

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Last month, a reporter asked Governor L Ganesan when he would clear the Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which proposes to carve out the Bally Municipality from the Howrah Municipal Corporation area. The governor had returned the Bill to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government for reconsideration. The government claims that the Bill was sent back to the governor and is awaiting his assent. So what was the status of the Bill, he was asked.
The on Thursday was on way to recording a good show in the three-tier panchayat elections in Haridwar district winning five of the 44 district board seats and leading comfortably in around 15 others.

Of the eight seats whose results have been declared so far, has won five, BSP 2 and Congress 1. The counting was still in progress but the is likely to emerge as the single largest party in the district panchayat board with a tally of around 20 seats.

The BJP-supported candidates have also won 70 per cent of the seats in block and gram . Out of a total of 316 Gram Pradhan seats, results of 282 have been declared and most of them have been won by BJP-supported candidates.

BJP-supported candidates have won a majority of seats in the six block too. As per the trends, the BSP is likely to finish second behind BJP followed by independents.

It is a record performance by the saffron party in Haridwar district panchayat polls. Out of a total of 47 district panchayat board seats in the previous panchayat polls, the BJP had won only three whereas the BSP and Congress had won 15 seats each.

Expressing happiness at the party's impressive show, Haridwar MP and former Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said the BJP has come out with flying colours for the first time in the district panchayat polls.

The rural population of the district has shown confidence in the party's policies and leadership.

Former state minister Yatishwaranand thanked the people for reposing confidence in the BJP, saying all development works stalled for the last six months will be resumed once a BJP dominated district panchayat board comes into existence.

(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 Indian (INC) is undergoing a leadership change. While was elected as the party president unanimously in 2017, he stepped down after the party lost in the 2019 general . After Rahul Gandhi's resignation, the former president and his mother, Sonia Gandhi, was selected by the party's decision-making body as the interim president of INC.

The Working Committee, on August 28, announced the election schedule, after which leaders including Meira Kumar, Kamal Nath, Ambika Soni, Ashok Gehlot, and Shashi Tharoor, among others, were speculated as potential candidates. As the party prepares to elect a new president, here are ten things to know:

- This is the first Congress president election in more than 20 years with no member of the Gandhi family in the contest. The Gandhis have refused to contest, making way for other senior leaders to head the party.

- The recent exit of key senior leaders has also put the INC in a difficult situation as started his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanyakumari.

- Veteran leaders Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Mallikarjun Kharge, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Karnataka and Former Jharkhand minister K N Tripathi have filed their nomination papers for Congress president's election.

- The filing of nominations for the post started on September 24 (Saturday) and ends on Friday at 3 pm.

- Rajasthan Chief Minister and Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh, also entered the fray but later pulled out of the contest.

- was the Gandhis' first pick for the position. Before the rebellion, his supporters said they would not accept Sachin Pilot, who had rebelled against him in 2020, as his replacement as the Chief Minister.

- Digvijaya Singh, who had collected the nomination form, withdrew his candidature after announced that he would also be filing the nomination. While talking to ANI, Singh said, "Kharge ji is my senior. I went to his residence yesterday and told him that I won't file my nomination if he's filing (for Congress President). He said that he won't be filing. Afterwards, I got to know via the press that he is a candidate."





(LoP Mallikarjun) Kharge Ji is my senior. I went to his residence y'day & told him that I won't file my nomination if he's filing (for #CongressPresident). He said that he won't be filing. Afterwards, I got to know via press that he is a candidate: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh pic.twitter.com/pw7TWeXibP  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

- Mr Kharge is likely to resign as Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha in line with the Congress party's "one person, one post" stance.

- Whoever is chosen to lead the Congress has just two years to lead the party before the general of 2024.

- While voting is expected to take place on October 17, the election result will be declared on October 19.
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha will meet party president on Friday, the last day of filing nomination papers for party president post elections.

Earlier, on late Thursday night, G-23 leaders including Manish Tewari, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Prithviraj Chavan met at Anand Sharma's residence but did not divulge detail of the meeting.

Meanwhile, after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced on Thursday that he will not be contesting the election, political observers in Madhya Pradesh have started assuming that the route for former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh to become chief of the party seems clear to some extent. However, the final outcome will be known only after the contestants would file their nominations and the elections are held.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress seems to have united to support Digvijaya Singh. More importantly, hours after Digvijaya Singh took the nomination form from the party headquarters in New Delhi and announced that he would file his nomination for the AICC president's election, state Congress head and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath called a meeting of party leaders at his residence in Bhopal and asked them to reach Delhi to back Digvijaya Singh.

--IANS

miz/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.)
Rajasthan Minister Pratap Khachariyawas, who is a loyalist of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, on Thursday expressed hope that the decision on the leadership in the state will be taking note of the "feelings of Congress loyalists".

The comments came after Gehlot said he will not fight for the post of Congress chief and will leave the decision of him continuing as CM to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

"Decisions are taken by the party chief and he left the decision to her. I believe a decision will be made taking note of Congress loyalists, who always stand with Sonia Gandhi and fight the BJP. The decision will be taken in the interest," Khachariyawas said.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot met party's interim chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence at 10 Janpath in the capital.

"I met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi and requested him to fight the polls (for Congress President). When he didn't accept, I said I'll contest but now with that incident (political crisis in Rajasthan), I have decided not to contest the elections," CM Gehlot said.

Gehlot also apologised for the ruckus in Rajasthan triggered by his loyalists over a possible leadership change in the state after Gehlot was set to file his nomination papers for the Congress chief polls.

Gehlot said that whatever happened in the state in the past two days had shocked everyone.

"I had a conversation with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi. Whatever happened two days ago shocked us. It gave a message that all of it happened as I wanted to be CM. I apologised to her," said CM Gehlot addressing the media persons after meeting Sonia Gandhi.

Further in his address to the media persons, Gehlot said that he won't contest the elections in this atmosphere. "I won't contest these elections in this atmosphere, with moral responsibility," Gehlot said.

On being asked if he will remain Rajasthan CM, Gehlot said, "I won't decide that, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will decide that.

(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.)
With the process of the Congress president election gathering pace ahead of the last day of filing nominations, some G-23 leaders held a meeting on Thursday evening at the residence of Anand Sharma.

The meeting was attended by former union minister Manish Tewari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

According to sources, the leaders discussed the whole situation emerging in the run-up to the Congress presidential polls. The leaders will meet again.

A leader from the group is likely to file a nomination on Friday for the party's presidential polls.

"Nobody has filed a nomination yet. Once it is done, there wll be contemplation. The democratic process has begun. BS Hooda, Anand Sharma, Prithviraj Chavan and I sat for deliberation and discussed events," Manish Tewari said while leaving Anand Sharma's residence.

Asked whether G-23 will support candidates whose names have come for Congress presidential poll so far, Tewari said, "Days pass between collecting, filing and withdrawing nomination papers. The decision will be taken at that time. In English, it is called in 'it is the preponderance of probabilities'. Let us see what happens tomorrow."

The G-23 leaders had written to Congress interim chief seeking organisational overhaul and internal elections at all levels.

"It is good that polls are being held in the party in a democratic way. We thanked for the free-fair polls. Let us see who will file the nomination. We have heard a few names. We will support the best candidate in the field," Prithviraj Chavan told ANI.

The remarks of the G23 leaders indicate that they do not possibly see Shashi Tharoor representing their voice in the election.

After the meeting, Anand Sharma arrived at Jodhpur House to meet Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was top contender in the Congress president poll but has now said he will not fight for the post of Congress chief due to political crisis in the state triggered by action of his loyalists who were averse to Sachin Pilot becoming chief minister.

Gehlot also met Mukul Wasnik and Pawan Kumar Bansal.

Earlier Gehlot met at her residence at 10 Janpath in the capital.

"I met in Kochi and requested him to fight the polls (for Congress President). When he didn't accept, I said I'll contest but now with that incident (political crisis in Rajasthan), I have decided not to contest the elections," CM Gehlot said.

In significant remarks, party leader KC Venugopal said that the decision on CM's post will be taken in a day or two by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Gehlot also apologised for the ruckus in Rajasthan triggered by his loyalists over a possible leadership change in the state after Gehlot was set to file his nomination papers for the Congress chief polls.

Gehlot said that whatever happened in the state in the past two days had shocked everyone.

He said that he won't contest the elections in this atmosphere. "I won't contest these elections in this atmosphere, with moral responsibility," Gehlot said.

On being asked if he will remain Rajasthan CM, Gehlot said, "I won't decide that, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will decide that."

"One-line resolution is our tradition. Unfortunately, a situation arose that resolution wasn't passed. It was my moral responsibility (to pass the resolution), but despite being a CM I couldn't get it passed," he added.

Talking to reporters, Gehlot said the party works under the Congress president and decisions will be taken in the time to come.

He said Congress workers worry about the direction in which the country is heading and tackling the issue was more important.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Friday collected his nomination papers and announced that he is likely to file his nominations tomorrow between 11 am to 3 pm.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has announced that he will submit his nomination for the post at 12.15 pm on Friday.

The filing of nominations for the top Congress post will take place till September 30 and the election will take place on October 17.

(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.)
Mallikarjun Kharge, and K N Tripathi are the three men in the presidential race for which nominations end on Friday with the veteran Kharge from emerging a clear favourite.

The 80-year-old Kharge, flanked by top leaders, filed several sets of nomination papers with the proposers also including members from the G-23 ginger group comprising Anand Sharma, Prithviraj Chavan, Manish Tewari and Bhupinder Hooda.

Tharoor, who was also part of the G-23 group, filed five sets of nomination papers, while former Jharkhand minister Tripathi filed a single set of poll papers with Madhusudan Mistry, the chairman of the Congress's Central Election Authority.

Kharge appeared to be a clear favourite for the presidential election as a galaxy of leaders were present by his side when he filed his nomination papers at the AICC headquarters here.

"I was encouraged by all leaders, party workers and delegates from key states to contest the elections. I thank those who were present by my side at the time of filing the nomination papers," Kharge told reporters here.

No one from the Gandhi family was present at the AICC headquarters when the leaders filed their nominations for the election.

"I have always been fighting this battle and I am keen to fight more to uphold the ideals of the Congress party with which I have been associated since my childhood," Kharge said.

Tharoor, 66, described his electoral opponent Kharge as the 'Bhishma Pitamah' of the party.

"It is a privilege to serve the only party in India with an open democratic process to choose its leader," Tharoor said after filing his nomination papers.

"It is a friendly contest that is going to happen. We are not enemies or rivals. No disrespect to him but I will represent my ideas," the Lok Sabha member from Thiruvananthapuram told reporters.

Friday was the last day for filing nomination papers. Over 9,100 delegates are eligible to cast their votes in the October 17 election. The result will be announced on October 19.

(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 in on Friday accused the LDF government of adopting a 'delaying tactics' in its follow-up actions against the Popular Front of India (PFI) two days after it was banned by the Centre, alleging that it was part of the political agenda to woo the cadres of the radical Islamic outfit to the ruling CPI(M).

The decision to ban the was not a political decision but a legal action based on the grave findings of the union government and the national investigation agencies in this regard, state chief K Surendran told reporters in Kozhikode.

He also alleged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had given directions in a recent meeting of the district collectors and the police officials not to show any hurry in the follow-up action in connection with the ban.

Charging that the CM had given a wrong message to religious fundamentalists and terror forces through such a directive, he said it was part of a tactical move to woo over 50,000 cadres in the state to the Marxist party fold.

"The state government is adopting delaying tactics against an extremist group like . It is part of the tactical move to woo its activists to the Marxist party fold as the outfit is banned. That is not right...According to police, there are 50,000 PFI cadres in the state," Surendran said.

The leader also criticised the Left government for not taking any action against the INL, a coalition partner in the LDF, and Minister Ahammad Devarkovil, its nominee in the state cabinet even after that party's chief had admitted that he had links with the banned Rehab India Foundation.

Meanwhile, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), one of the first mainstream political parties which had welcomed the Centre's ban on PFI, on Friday softened its stand and said the "unliaterial decision" of the union government to outlaw the organisation alone could not be justified.

The party's general secretary P M A Salam said general public have doubts regarding the decision to ban PFI alone.

"Two murders, allegedly done by its activist, were pointed out against them in the state. But the decision was taken by a government which is supporting and promoting an organisation like the RSS which has committed more number of murders than the PFI. So, we have to say that the decision to ban PFI is unilateral," he said.

He also said it was not right to unilaterally ban an organisation.

The IUML had earlier strongly condemned the activities of the PFI and alleged that the radical outfit had misinterpreted the Quran and persuaded the community members to adopt the path of violence.

The PFI not only tried to mislead the young generation but also tried to create division and hatred in society, senior IUML leader M K Muneer had said soon after the ban.

The Centre's banning of the PFI and allied outfits for its alleged terror activities had triggered sharp political reactions in as opposition parties, Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and BJP strongly welcomed the move even as the ruling CPI(M) took a stand that not a ban but political isolation was the solution to tackle the problem.

Multi-agency teams, spearheaded by NIA, had last week carried out raids at 93 locations in 15 states across the country and arrested over 100 PFI leaders for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country.

Kerala, where the PFI has some strong pockets, had accounted for the maximum number of 22 arrests.

The arrests were made by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and police forces of the states concerned.

(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.)
Opposition leader on Friday said that if the police officers join hands with to trouble the Congress, they will be taught a befitting lesson in future.

Addressing a massive convention at Gundlupet ahead of Bharat Jodo Yatra in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, said that the police officers should know that after six months, the is going to form the government in Karnatakaand the weeded out.

He was referring to the incident of tearing down of flexes of leaders put up to welcome Rahul Gandhi in the state.

The leader warned the state police department against joining hands with anyone to trouble Congress party leaders and workers. "Those police officers who join hands with ruling will be dealt with strictly and taught a lesson," he warned.

Hailing the Bharat jodo yatra, stated that since independence, no leader has taken up such an endeavour of covering the whole country through padayatra.

He further stated that the Congress has the power to ensure that BJP leaders do not step out of Karnataka. "Let them be careful if they think Congress leaders could be troubled," he warned.

The Congress leader also urged the people of the state to join Bharat Jodo Yatra and support Rahul Gandhi's fight against hatred and communal ideology of BJP.

--IANS

mka/shb/

(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.)
Rajasthan Minister Mahesh Joshi lauded Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's move of not contesting the Congress president's poll and said that the latter has never disobeyed orders of the party high command.

"The example (to not contest Cong president poll) set by CM Gehlot today can't be appreciated enough. He has never disobeyed orders of party high command...If the party sends us an official notice, we will present our side," said Joshi.

His remarks came after Rajasthan Chief Minister on Thursday said that he will not fight for the post of Congress chief.

Stressing on the September 25 incident, Joshi said," On September 25 also, there was talk of getting the proposal passed. Gehlot was so saddened by this incident that he could not even sleep properly at night. He was worried that this would have hurt Sonia Gandhi. We never said that we will decide the CM."

Gehlot's remarks came after the veteran leader met with the party's interim chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence at 10 Janpath in the capital today.

"I met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi and requested him to fight the polls (for Congress President). When he didn't accept, I said I'll contest but now with that incident (political crisis in Rajasthan), I have decided not to contest the elections," CM Gehlot said.

He also apologised for the ruckus in Rajasthan triggered by his loyalists over a possible leadership change in the state after Gehlot was set to file his nomination papers for the Congress chief polls.Gehlot said that whatever happened in the state in the past two days had shocked everyone.

"I had a conversation with Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi. Whatever happened two days ago shocked us. It gave a message that all of it happened as I wanted to be CM. I apologised to her," said CM Gehlot addressing the media persons after meeting Sonia Gandhi.

Further in his address to the media persons, Gehlot said that he won't contest the elections in this atmosphere. "I won't contest these elections in this atmosphere, with moral responsibility," Gehlot said.

On being asked if he will remain Rajasthan CM, Gehlot said, "I won't decide that, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will decide that."

"One-line resolution is our tradition. Unfortunately, a situation arose that resolution wasn't passed. It was my moral responsibility (to pass the resolution), but despite being a CM I couldn't get it passed," he added.

Talking to reporters, Gehlot said the party works under the Congress president and decisions will be taken in the time to come.

He said Congress workers worry about the direction in which the country is heading and tackling the issue was more important.

Also, today Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh collected his nomination papers and announced that he is likely to file his nominations tomorrow between 11 am and 3 pm.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has announced that he will submit his nomination for the post at 12.15 pm tomorrow.

The filing of nominations for the top Congress post will take place till September 30 and the election will take place on October 17.

(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.)
Preparations are underway to arrest Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader since he was appointed as the party's co-incharge of political affairs in Gujarat, Delhi Chief Minister claimed on Friday.

Kejriwal, however, did not specify which agency was working on the alleged plan to arrest Chadha and on what charges.

Rajya Sabha MP Chadha, who is credited with playing a significant role in the AAP's victory in the assembly elections in Punjab earlier this year, was recently appointed as co-incharge of the party's political affairs in Gujarat where elections are due this year.

"We are hearing that these people will arrest Ragav Chadha now since he has been appointed as co-incharge of Gujarat and he has started participating in poll campaigns in Gujarat," Kejriwal, the AAP's convenor, said in a Tweet in Hindi.

"In which case they will (arrest) and what will be the allegations, these people are working on these points at present," he added.

Kejriwal's claim comes after the CBI arrested the party's media communications in-charge Vijay Nair in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy "scam" on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Kejriwal slammed the BJP-led Centre over Nair's arrest and asked his party workers and leaders to be ready to go to jail, saying anyone from could now be arrested on false charges as the BJP was scared of losing Gujarat.

He also defended Nair and said he was just a "small worker" of the and that he had nothing to do with the excise policy.

He alleged that the CBI arrested Nair following several rounds of questioning over the past few days after he refused to buckle under their pressure to give a false statement against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to implicate the senior leader in the alleged excise "scam".

Nair was arrested also because he was engaged in preparing the AAP's communications strategy to drive the party's poll campaign in Gujarat after the elections in Punjab earlier this year, Kejriwal alleged.

(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 processing of unsettled claims of compensation for northeast riots victims has picked up pace with more than 550 applications being disposed within a month after the appointment of 40 loss assessors, officials at the lieutenant governor's office said on Thursday.

In view of a large pendency of unsettled compensation claims, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had in August approved the appointment of 40 assessors and directed for disposal of all pending cases within three months.

"Of 40 assessors whose appointment was approved, 36 are working and have disposed over 550 applications for compensation in just over a month. The reports of the accessors will be submitted soon before the High Court for release of the compensation amount," an official said.

Earlier there were 14 assessors to assist the North East Riots Claims Commission (NEDRCC) and they had settled just seven per cent (200) of the total 2,775 claims filed by the riot victims, officials said.

The NEDRCC was set up by a notification in April 2020. It started working in November 2020 to evaluate losses and make recommendations to the High Court which examines them before the final payment of the compensation.

The northeast Delhi riots erupted in February 2020, in the backdrop of anti-CAA protests at various places in the city, claiming more than 50 lives, leaving over 400 injured and causing massive damage of public and private property.

The Delhi government had announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for major damage to residential units, Rs 2.5 lakh for substantial damage, Rs 25,000 for minor damage, Rs 50,000 for e-rickshaws and Rs 5,000 for cattle.

A maximum compensation of Rs 5 lakh was announced for uninsured commercial units.

In case of the death of an adult, the government had fixed compensation of Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh for the death of an infant, and Rs 5 lakh for permanent incapacitation. The government fixed Rs 2 lakh for serious injuries and Rs 20,000 for minor injuries.

(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.)
Fiber, part of the Access division of Alphabet, is reportedly planning to offer 100 gbps broadband speeds for its consumers in the US.

According to ZDNet, one gigabit speeds, which US incumbents like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and AT&T could not match, were Fiber's main selling point to attract users.

This forced incumbents to boost speeds in areas where Fiber was available, but its coverage was limited and remained stagnant for five years until last month, when it revealed plans to expand to five more states.

Now, Google Fiber seems ready to reignite competition. The ISP's CEO Dinni Jain says he wants to offer affordable access to multi-gig speeds and claims that a colleague recently got 20Gbps download speeds in Kansas City when testing the service, the report said.

"We used to get asked, 'who needs a gig?'," Jain was quoted as saying.

"Today it's no longer a question. Every major provider in the US seems to have now gotten the gigabit memo, and it's only going up from there - some providers are already offering 2, 5, 8, even 10 gig products," he added.

Google Fiber currently offers a symmetrical 1gbps service for $70 a month and last year started selling a 2/1Gbps download/upload service for $100 a month, with 1TB of cloud storage.

"In the coming months, we will have announcements to dramatically expand our multi-gigabit tiers. These will be critical milestones on our journey to 100 Gig symmetrical internet," Jain said.

--IANS

vc/vd

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 30 (ANI/NewsVoir): Absolute Matrimony, a brand of Ultra Rich Weddings Private Limited, has launched their mobile application for Indian Professionals across India & Abroad over iOS App Store & Android Play Store. They had launched their matrimonial website earlier in the year, with a keen vision to provide verified services to all their clientele. The app is one of the few of its kind, which only allows completely verified and paid members to access the application.

Their motto of 'Zero Tolerance towards Fake Profiles' aims to bridge the shortcomings of online matrimonial platforms. Their website & application are focused on providing match-making services to Indian professionals across the globe.

Absolute Matrimony app's USP:

- An online presence, which is time saving and much more convenient.

- Stricter Verification Process, to end the hassles of fake and obsolete profiles.

- Filtering out of disinterested profiles, by allowing only paid members to enter the website

- Personality & Horoscope matching features, for shortlisting compatible profiles before

- Minimum Income Criteria for Registration, to ensure financial compatibility and equality.

- Confidentiality, by not keeping any contact details on website.

Their process over the website & application is very lucid and instinctive. The first step is to Check Eligibility of prospective member. The prospect should be of Indian Nationality, with a qualifying salary criterion of Rs 4 LPA for males and Rs 3 LPA for females. Once found eligible, the Prospect can enter their personal details and partner preferences. After payment, the prospect sends relevant documents over e-mail & undergoes a 'Video Verification'. The 'Video Verification' feature not only adds another step of screening, but also ensures that the prospect is being registered willingly, and is on-board with the match-making procedure. This further deters the un-interested or irrelevant profiles on the platform.

The member profile gets activated only upon completion of above steps.

The members can then reach out to other genuine, verified & paid members. The shortlisting of profiles is done based on various parameters like Religion, Community, Location, Age, Height and Financial Preferences. The platform also gives their members an opportunity to find Like-Minded Matches through the unique, psychologist-recommended, 'Personality Questions' section. This section has 8 targeted questions, which will help in gauging & relating to the psychology of the members.

The exclusive 'This is Me' feature in each profile helps our members to show their unique personality. A video relays what a picture can't. This feature is very helpful in the initial Ice-Breaking. The in-app compatibility tools also let them check the Horoscope Match / Kundali Milan and Sun-sign harmony with every shortlisted profile.

Another forte of this platform is that they do not keep any contact details on their website. When both the members have expressed mutual interest, their contact details are shared with the other over personal emails.

Saurabh Goswami, Founder, Absolute Matrimony said, "Our mission is to provide verified & genuine matches amplified by their zeal to actively reach the needful. Hence, their registration fee is Re. 1 only for 6 months, without any compromise over their rigorous registration and screening procedure."

Absolute Matrimony is all set to cater to Indian diaspora across the globe. They also have over 100 Associate Partners present across India, US, Canada & UK to enable ease of operations.

For downloading the application:

Visit the website: (https://www.absolutematrimony.com)

Android Play Store:

(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details)

Apple Store:

(https://apps.apple.com/in/app/the-absolute-matrimony/id1631967371)

For more information, please contact at +91 93289 81998.

This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

DISCLAIMER

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It all started with the petition of a 25-year-old woman from Manipur. She had approached the Delhi High Court seeking permission to terminate her before the completion of 24 weeks on 15 July 2022.

The reason? Her partner had refused to marry her at the last stage. She told court that she did not want to carry the to term since she was wary of the social stigma and harassment pertaining to unmarried single parents, especially women.

What High Court said

The high court refused interim relief to her.

Its division bench observed that since the appellant was an unmarried woman -- whose arose out of a consensual relationship -- her case is clearly not covered by any of the clauses under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, 2003.



MTP Rules allow minors, survivors of rape, women whose marital status changed during pregnancy, mentally-ill women, or women with fetus deformity to terminate pregnancy till 24 weeks.

In case of pregnancy due to consensual relationship, termination of pregnancy is allowed only up to 20 weeks.

Text on screen



What happened in

The woman approached the then, which allowed the termination of pregnancy in July. And as the case involved a substantial question of law, the apex court took it up for further consideration.

During the course of hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the that the Rule 3B(c) extends to unmarried or single women who are in long-term relationships.

The government counsel said that the term change of marital status in Rule 3B(c) of MTP ought to be interpreted as change in the status of a relationship to include unmarried or single women as well as women who are not divorced but are separated or have been deserted.

She also told the court that live-in relationships are equivalent to marital relationships because in both types of relationships, the woman is entitled to maintenance.

The bench comprising justices DY Chandrachud, AS Bopanna, and JB Pardiwala held that Rule 3B(c) of the MTP Rules cannot be interpreted in a restrictive manner to deny right of to unmarried woman beyond 20 weeks. The court also said that doing so would be violative of Article 14 of the Constitution which promises the right to equality.

The apex court said that the benefit granted by Rule 3B of MTP ACT must be understood as extending to all women who undergo a change of material circumstances.
The office of online travel startup Traveloka in Jakarta on Oct. 11. Photo: Bloomberg

(Bloomberg)  Traveloka has secured $300 million in new financing from investors including BlackRock Inc., as Southeast Asias biggest online travel startup counts on a post-Covid rebound to expand in the region.

The Jakarta-based company said in a statement Thursday it struck a deal for financing with investors including Allianz Global Investors and the Indonesia Investment Authority.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO SG AP Photo

Russias recent moves show that President Putins plan is utterly failing, says Jens Stoltenberg

BRUSSELS (AA)  NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ruled out on Friday recognizing Russias annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

NATO allies do not and will not recognize any of these territories as part of Russia because this land grab is illegal and illegitimate, Stoltenberg told a news conference.

He asserted that the sham referendums organized in Ukraines Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions were engineered in Moscow and imposed on Ukraine in total violation of international law.

NATO calls on all states to reject Russias blatant attempts at territorial conquest, he added.

Stoltenberg pointed out that the war in Ukraine has reached a pivotal moment as the partial military mobilization, the illegal annexation, and the nuclear threats show that Russian President Vladimir Putins war is not going according to plan.

Putin has utterly failed in its strategic objectives, he further said.

Stoltenberg also reiterated that NATO must continue supporting Ukraine because it will make the world even more dangerous if the country fails to exist as an independent state.

Otherwise, Putin or other authoritarian powers will see that with impunity one can use military force and invade its neighbor, he said.

Referring to the recent announcement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on applying for NATO membership under accelerated procedure, Stoltenberg said the country, as any sovereign nation, has the right to choose its own path and decide which alliance it adheres to.

At the same time, he underlined, it is up to the NATO allies to decide by unanimity on Ukraines membership.

Asked about the suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, Stoltenberg confirmed that NATO ships and planes are present in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to demonstrate the alliances readiness.

In addition, the ships are also collecting information data which can be helpful both for the ongoing investigation, and also to monitor these critical energy infrastructures, he said.

NATO allies also step up sharing of intelligence and sharing of information to help the investigation and to prevent further incidents, he said.

Agnes Szucs/AA
It is 'blatant violation' of fundamental rules of int'l law, OSCE principles, and UN Charter, says OSCE statement

ANKARA (AA) - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Friday condemned Russias illegal annexation of the Ukrainian territory.

Calling Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision "unacceptable," the OSCE in a statement said: "This action by the Russian Federation, which includes military mobilization and irresponsible nuclear threats, will only lead to greater escalation of conflict, putting further millions of lives at risk and causing more senseless human suffering."

"The step announced today is a blatant violation of the fundamental rules of international law, OSCE principles, and the UN Charter," it added.

Urging Russia to withdraw all its forces from Ukraine, the OSCE reiterated its "unwavering support" to Ukraines population and its commitment to Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The statement said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Secretary-General Roberto Montella "unanimously and categorically condemn the Russian Federations illegal annexation of territory in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts of Ukraine, as well as the continued occupation of Crimea."

Putin announced Friday the "accession" of Ukraines four regions to Russia.

On Sept. 23-27, Ukraines separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and Russian-controlled parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson held referendums on joining Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said over 98% of people living in the Ukrainian regions supported the "accession" to Russia.

The referendums have been condemned by the international community, with European nations and the US calling them "sham" and saying that they will not be recognized.

Beyza Binnur Donmez/AA
Ian damages U.S. Florida, hurricane warning issued for South Carolina

Xinhua) 08:29, September 30, 2022

Photo taken on Sept. 28, 2022 shows flooded streets in Naples, Florida, the United States. (City of Naples government/Handout via Xinhua)

"The amount of water that's been rising and will likely continue to rise today, even as the storm is passing, is basically a 500-year flood event," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ian has caused significant damage to Florida, the southeasternmost U.S. state, and a hurricane warning was issued for the entire coast of South Carolina on Thursday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory issued late Thursday morning that Ian is now a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour, which is moving north-northeast at 15 kilometers per hour.

The storm, which made landfall in southwest Florida as Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon, is forecast to regain hurricane strength on Thursday evening and make landfall in South Carolina on Friday.

Coastal areas from Savannah River to Little River Inlet in South Carolina are under the hurricane warning.

The alert means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

"Major-to-record river flooding" will continue across central Florida through next week, according to the NHC advisory.

Considerable flash, urban, and river flooding is expected across coastal portions of northeast Florida, southeastern Georgia, and eastern South Carolina through Friday.

"The amount of water that's been rising and will likely continue to rise today, even as the storm is passing, is basically a 500-year flood event," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters on Thursday morning.

A portable toilet is roped to a concrete post in Miami, Florida, the United States, Sept. 27, 2022. (Photo by Monica McGivern/Xinhua)

DeSantis added the damage caused by the storm to Florida will likely take years to repair.

"You're looking at a storm that's changed the character of a significant part of our state," he said. "This is going to require not just emergency response now, in the days or weeks ahead. I mean, this is going to require years of effort to be able to rebuild and to come back."

The Sanibel Causeway, which connects Sanibel Island to Florida's mainland, has been damaged with portions washed away by storm surges.

One fatality related to Ian has been reported in Osceola County, Florida.

As of Thursday noon, more than 2.6 million customers are without power in Florida due to the impact of the destructive storm, according to PowerOutage.us.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with DeSantis on Thursday morning about the federal assistance to the state in response to Ian, according to the White House.

Biden declared a major disaster exists in Florida earlier in the day and he and DeSantis committed to continued close coordination.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
News at 4Cs

Cape Cod Community College Officially Opens 37,000 Square Foot Science and Engineering Center

On Thursday, September 29, Cape Cod Community College formally opened the new Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center on their West Barnstable campus. The building, which has been in various stages of development for more than ten years, has been in construction for the past two years in the heart of the Colleges main campus in West Barnstable. The 2-story, 37,000 square foot building joins Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in one highly visible hub, and immediately becomes a flagship hub for STEM education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Surrounded by more than 100 faculty, staff, students, Trustees, donors, business partners, legislators, community members, and representatives from the buildings construction teams, 4Cs President John Cox presided over the ribbon cutting ceremony and reflected on the long journey that led to the buildings completion.

Nearly a decade ago, having understood the background of this Centers need through the work of my predecessor, President Kathy Schatzberg, and our shared introduction meeting with Mrs. Maureen Wilkens, I never truly envisioned the timeline that lied ahead, Cox said. This is truly a labor of love from across our community. We especially recognize the vision and transformational generosity of Mrs. Wilkens and their family commitment to this institution. It has fundamentally changed our ability to better serve our community.

The project got off the ground in July 2018 following the allocation of $25 million to the College via a bond bill from Governor Charlie Baker. With a total price tag of $38 million, the College put $3 million towards the cost. Another $5 million was donated by Mrs. Wilkens, a longtime benefactor of the institution and one of the most significant individual donors in the history of American community colleges with gifts totaling more than $11 million to Cape Cod Community College. The Colleges Educational Foundation has run a Capital Campaign to raise the remaining funds.

Joining President Cox in acknowledging the historic moment in the Colleges history was Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, who spoke to the need for modern technology and learning spaces to align with the future workforce needs of Massachusetts. Carol Gladstone, Commissioner of the Commonwealths Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), also took to the podium praising the new center as one of her personal favorite projects thanks to its seamless integration into the campuses landscape and efficient and creative usage of space. Kathy McNamara, Chief Executive Officer for the Cape Cod Community College Foundation, recognized Mrs. Wilkens and her four sons in attendance with a framed photo of the Center.

The building itself is designed to be LEED certified and was sustainably constructed to preserve energy. Inside students are already making use of new, state-of-the-art labs in Engineering, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, and more. A highlight is the inclusion of the Toilet of the Future, the first of its kind in Massachusetts higher education. The toilet is a product of work conducted by the Gates Foundation, and operates with no sewer lines, conserving water and energy. The project, led by President Cox, partnered with Clement Cid from the California Institute of Technology to implement the system on the ground floor of the building, marking the first commercial use of Cids award-winning design.

With the Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center complete and open for classes, the College has also set its sights on expanding STEM offerings that take advantage of the expanded and upgraded technology. Earlier this month the College received approval for the launch of a new Associates Degree in Applied Economics of Coastal and Ocean Environments  dubbed the Blue Economy Degree  which is now accepting students for a Fall 2023 start. The College has also launched a new Biotechnology Certificate program.
Photo: Castanet Staff

UPDATE: 3:19 p.m.

The City of Kamloops says about 100 homes have been evacuated after a natural gas main was damaged in Valleyview.

The city posted on social media advising residents about the natural gas leak at about 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.

According to FortisBC, the incident happened at the corner of Crescent Drive and Highland Road.

In an update posted to social media on Thursday afternoon, the City of Kamloops said evacuated residents need to follow the direction of emergency personnel in the area.

KFR [Kamloops Fire Rescue] is reminding evacuated residents (approx. 100 homes) to follow the direction of emergency personnel on scene and to not return to their homes until theyve been instructed by FortisBC to do so. Community Services Officers are on site to assist, the city said.

In an email to Castanet Kamloops, a FortisBC spokesperson said crews are on scene working to repair "third-party damage" to a natural gas main.

According to FortisBC, there is currently no estimated time when repairs will be complete.

Once we complete repairs and reactivate the impacted portion of the system, our crews will restore service by visiting each affected home to turn natural gas back on at the meter and relight all affected appliances, the spokesperson said.

FortisBC said the majority of damages to the natural gas system are preventable, and encouraged the public to contact BC 1 Call before digging to get information on the location of buried gas lines and other utilities.

ORIGINAL: 12:18 p.m.

Kamloops Fire Rescue and FortisBC crews are responding to a natural gas event in Valleyview, according to the City of Kamloops.

In a social media post published on Thursday at about 11:30 a.m., the City of Kamloops said crews are monitoring conditions until repairs are completed.

The exact location of the incident is unconfirmed in the post. Castanet Kamloops has reached out to Kamloops Fire Rescue and the City of Kamloops for more information.

The city warned residents in Valleyview may notice the smell of rotten eggs.

If you have concerns, have a strong smell of natural gas in your home, or feel ill, call 911, the post said.

This story will be updated if more information is known.
Russian cement producers ask for import duties

ICR Newsroom By 30 September 2022

The strengthening of the ruble has made imports of cement from Iran, Kazakhstan and Belarus more profitable, according to Esmerk Russian News.

As a result, total imports of cement into Russia could increase to 7Mta, forcing domestic producers to reduce capacity and mothball plants. Therefore, they have asked for protective measures such as import duties to be established.

Published under
Cemex to develop lightweight concrete for windfarm platforms

30 September 2022

CEMEX has announced that it is part of a consortium that has received a grant from the European Commission to build a full-scale prototype of a floating offshore windmill with a concrete foundation. The company will design and produce a high-performance and lightweight concrete for an optimised low-carbon foundation structure for offshore windfarms.

CEMEX has agreed to provide its expertise in concrete technology, chemical admixtures and special aggregates to design a specialty mix that is lightweight, resistant to ocean conditions and lower carbon, facilitating a floating foundation with a reduced CO 2 footprint. CEMEX will also support the consortium with technical assistance in the industrialisation and supply chain of concrete for the project.

With the financing support of the European Commission, the consortium will work to install a 6MW 2-bladed downwind turbine on the WHEEL platform near the Canary Islands in Spain by 2025. The consortium is led by Esteyco and includes leading companies such as 2-Benergy, Boskalis, Rover Maritime, Tenerife shipyard , Bridon-Bekaert, Vicinay, Plocan, Fihac and EnBW.

Published under
Tennessee House Republicans on Wednesday called on Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) "to immediately halt all gender transitioning surgeries performed on minors."

The request, signed by 62 members of the Tennessee House of Representatives, comes after videos surfaced on social media showing a doctor promoting the surgeries as a huge money maker for the hospital.

In the letter, State Rep.

Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, listed serious ethical concerns about procedures performed on minors through Vanderbilts Pediatric Transgender Clinic as well as allegations of discrimination against hospital employees, it was stated.

Rep. Zachary said, It is deeply troubling that Vanderbilt University Medical Center appears to be motivated by profits in its practice of recommending such radical and life-altering surgery for minors. We expect Vanderbilts Board of Directors to simply do what is right by choosing to protect the well-being and health of vulnerable children.

Another video showed a pediatric doctor for VUMC saying there would be consequences for employees who do not wish to participate in gender transitioning surgeries and that they probably shouldnt work at Vanderbilt.

The letter additionally asked VUMC and its affiliates to honor all religious and conscientious objectors who choose to opt-out of participating in certain procedures.

House Republicans have committed to introducing legislation barring gender transitioning procedures on children, it was stated.

Tennesseans across our state have demanded a swift response and a call to action. We agree that these revelations require the legislature to act immediately, the letter stated.
The Chattanooga Police Traffic Division, through investigation, identified the driver of the vehicle that fatally struck a pedestrian last Saturday in the 5900 Block of Shallowford Road.

The driver, Sarah Annette Barrett, 49, of Rock Spring, Ga., turned herself into Silverdale Detention Center on warrants obtained by investigators.

The victim was 55-year-old Paul Thompson.

Ms. Barrett's attorney, McCracken Poston, said she thought she had hit a deer and was "devastated" to find out that a man had been killed.

He said it happened in her lane on a very remote and unlit part of Shallowford Road near Vulcan Materials. He said, "Many questions remain about the man and why he stepped or leapt into her path on the darkened roadway."

Attorney Poston said Ms. Barrett contacted Chattanooga Police the same day of the incident after being told by her husband that a man had been killed on Shallowford Road.

Chattanooga Police had responded to a call of a pedestrian struck.

Police were notified of a man lying unconscious on the side of the road. Upon arrival, EMS pronounced the man deceased.

After further investigation, police found items belonging to the deceased and vehicle parts and concluded that the pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.
A 20-year-old was killed in a collision with a dump truck in Cleveland on Thursday afternoon.

After the preliminary investigation, Cleveland Police said it appears that the Kia Soul was traveling northbound on Georgetown Road when the driver, Evan Stoops, lost control of the car and swerved into oncoming traffic where he collided with the dump truck.

There are no pending criminal charges at this time and the investigation is still ongoing.

At approximately 4:23 p.m., Cleveland Police officers were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash in the 3800 block of Georgetown Road involving a red Kia Soul and a dump truck.

The driver of the Kia Soul was pronounced dead at the scene; the driver of the dump truck did not sustain any injuries.
To the leaders of our religious communities:



First, I want to thank you all for your commitment and dedication to bring faith and spiritual awareness to our communities. As we all know, a world without faith and spiritual beliefs would be a miserable, intolerable place to live. The time you put into sharing your spiritual beliefs with the community does not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated.



I am writing you this letter, in regards to an event that took place on September 24 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. If you are not familiar with this event and what occurred, please look up Pride Event Chattanooga TN September 24 Wanderling Brewing Company. This event was hosted by the local Chattanooga Pride Community.



The actions that took place that day, should not be tolerated nor accepted by any person, group, or organization. It has been brought to my attention by many people around the United States that when they mention the event to their religious leaders they are being told that their church will either not be involved in political matters or will not be involved in touchy subjects.



I would like to be clear about a few key points. They are as as follows:



This is about a little girl who was enticed by a grown woman to rub her groin. This is about a little girl who was enticed by several adults to hand money to a grown up who was dancing around in lingerie. This is about a grown man spreading his legs wearing a pair of womens panties and exposing himself to little children.



None of that has anything to do with politics. It is not a touchy subject. It is a matter of the sexual enticement of children that is being approved of, not just by the child groomers, but by the childrens parent(s). The adults who were dressed up in costume that day should be held responsible for the sexual enticement of these children. The parent(s) of these children should also be held accountable, if for no other reason, then being complicit with the absolutely disgusting, unacceptable, and inappropriate actions of all adults involved.



This is not about who can hold an event. This is not about who wants to wear what. This is simply about providing protection for the children of our communities. Let me reiterate, this is not political in any way.



If the leaders of our churches remain silent on this topic, that has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with the morals and values we hold near and dear to our hearts then they are in fact just as complicit as the organizers and participants in this event as well as similar events happening throughout our nation. This is a topic that church leaders cannot remain silent on, and if they do they will be losing their congregations not only now, but those who follow them possibly for eternity. The Word of God says in Matthew 7:13-14, Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life , and there are few who find it. The body of Christ is led by our church leaders and is depending on you to help them find this narrow gate.



In the Bible, Jesus even warned against scheming against causing little ones to stumble in Matthew 18:6. If anyone causes one of these little ones - those who believe in me - to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Christian believers do not take light-heartedly the actions against these young children and are looking to their leaders to stand up and say something, anything to defend their innocence. The body of Christ is looking to all of you church leaders right now and asking why there is silence from you and waiting to hear the Word of God come from your mouths in response to causing these little ones to stumble.



In closing, I am reaching out to all of you not just as a father, but as a very faithful and spiritual man myself. I am asking in the name of God to please stand up and speak out against this abomination and against the sexual grooming that is happening around our country. Please forward this to your congregations and to your pastors. It is no longer acceptable nor tolerable to remain silent on topics such as this.



Thank you for your time and understanding. May God bless you all.



Thomas L. Weber Senior

Co-Founder CEO United States Liberty Alliance

* * *

I agree with this article and thank him for writing it.

Where are the police and the DA on this? Why are the parents of this child not being held accountable and the business that allowed this to proceed?

Bruce Caldwell
Student performance based on assessments can be measured in two quite different ways, both of which are important. Achievement describes the knowledge or proficiency of an individual in something that has been learned or taught. This is measured by achievement tests where students are compared to other students in their grades. Growth, in comparison, describes the increase made over the academic year. The student is their baseline. As different value-added models have become increasingly widespread and carry higher stakes, questions concerning the validity and reliability of their results have grown more important.

To determine growth in Tennessee, statistician Dr. William Sanders invented a value-added model. Sanders and his team at the agriculture school at the University of Tennessee developed a model based on theories applied in agricultural genetics. This theory was developed during a perfect economic and political storm. By 1992 the Tennessee Supreme Court ordered a more equitable funding system for public schools. This action created renewed interest in education accountability, and Sanders formula was included in Tennessees Educational Improvement Act.

In general, value-added models use sophisticated statistical algorithms and standardized test results, and other information about students to determine a value-added score. The running joke among Tennessee educators is that the algorithm of our model is a more closely guarded secret than the Coca-Cola formula. The Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) is only one of many models used across the country.

No one will deny that educators need to be held accountable just like members of any other profession. The federal government put an increased emphasis on accountability systems in the Every Student Succeeds Act. States like Tennessee further linked teacher evaluation plans to value-added measures. A future debate must examine how states are being coerced with federal money to adopt specific education policies.

There is an expectation that there will be accountability and action to effect positive change in our lowest-performing schools, where groups of students are not making progress, and where graduation rates are low over extended periods. As value-added models have become increasingly widespread and carry higher stakes, questions concerning the validity and reliability of their results have grown more important. Year-to-year growth provides a more accurate picture than multi-year composite data. The teacher has often been deemed as the determining factor in a students growth (or lack thereof). The problem with this from an educators perspective is at least three-fold:

Are the students socio-economic statuses considered when growth is determined? Using a students original scores as a baseline appears to address this issue, but educators know that circumstances can change in an instant. What if a students physiological needs (food/shelter) along with the need to feel safe or loved are no longer being met? How can any teacher expect a student to learn grammar rules or multiplication facts if a parent lost a job or passed away? Valued-added does not address emotional or behavioral issues surrounding a child.

What if a school or district students consistently score in the 80-90 percentile? When student scores are consistently above average, there is little room for growth. This negatively affects teachers scores.

What is really measured? Most achievement tests measure English/Reading and Mathematics. Often tests will only test aspects of Science and Social Studies. What if you teach PE or music? Where will your value-added scores come from?

It has long been rumored that the Tennessee Department of Education would like to see changes in this area of accountability. We welcome that discussion. On the surface, value-added assessment appears to be a reasonable method to measure the growth of a student on more than just how they perform on achievement tests. The problem lies when the teacher is evaluated based on these value-added scores. There is too much room for subjectivity. It simply is not fair for a teachers livelihood or paycheck to be based on extenuating factors that he or she cannot control.

Moreover, a teacher should never be punished for the zip code in which they teach, who their students are, or which subjects they teach. Each school is as unique as the community it serves. There must be a more equitable way to determine teacher quality, success, and effectiveness. The value-added accountability model, which was created in 1992, needs to be re-examined, updated, and replaced by something possibly less contentious and less likely to be misused by administrators and policymakers. That is a debate we should have.

No decision about an educator, school, or districts performance should be based on a single data point or a single test. A teachers career, salary, and livelihood should never be determined by how well their pupils perform on a single exam, one or two days of the year. If proposed changes to the TVAAS formula occur, they must be assessed and demonstrated on the front end with teachers, and used for improvement, not for continued high-stakes consequences. Educator evaluation scores and salaries should not be tied to it.

JC Bowman

Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee

Kaylee Joslyn

Member Services Coordinator for Professional Educators of Tennessee
Recent graduate Brian (center) stands with members of the Mental Health Court team, including (from left) probation officer Hector Vazquez, public defenders William Moses and Latasha Heflin, Judge Scott Minter, Jennifer Farrar with the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office, Court Coordinator Angie Anderson, and Assistant District Attorney Geoff Bard

Mental Health Court Judge Scott Minter hugs the newest graduate of the program, Brian, as his family looks on

Since entering the Conasauga Circuit Mental Health Court program in February 2021, Brian has been an exemplary participant.

Thats the word from court officials after Brian became the sixth graduate of the program.

It has been an honor to watch you grow and flourish, program coordinator Angie Anderson said during a graduation ceremony held Sept. 22 at the Whitfield County Courthouse. You have maintained stable employment at Shaw now for over one year. You went from working part-time to full-time employment. During this time, you also received several promotions. And you managed to save over $17,000!

Brian plans to use that money to further his education at Dalton State College, where he will be pursuing a career in Information Technology and Software Development.

I hope one day he will come back and help us start our own website! Ms. Anderson said. Brian is always quick to help other participants in need and serves as a role model for our newer participants.

In a letter to Mental Health Court Judge Scott Minter, Brian said the program has allowed him to overcome mental health challenges.



As time passed by, it became easier to deal with because I was able to learn more about my mental health disorder and how to do my part of using coping skills such as breathing, grounding techniques, and thought stop thinking techniques, Brian explained. My identity on the first day of Mental Health Court was a lost and hopeful man trying to pursue a better life for myself and for others around me.

He expressed thanks to his treatment provider, Melissa Beavers, that at my worst times, she was able to identify and direct me to stay at ease and to understand that everything is okay, and Ms. Anderson, who was what I needed a lot to be able to be successful in the program because of the disciplinary actions and thoughts to be able to move forward.

He also thanked other participants who made me feel in peace and welcomed to be in the program as well as his family and the City of Refuge that gave me an opportunity to live, gave moral support, and [helped me] to be able to volunteer or do community service.

After completing the program, Brian says he is definitely at a great time in his life. Ive been able to save up lots of money, find a great job that has given me promotions, and make my dream come true to look forward to attend college again, he said.

Until he entered the program, Brian says he had only one person he could talk to about his mental health. The best thing about the MHC program was definitely being able to know and understand that Im not alone in this world about my mental health conditions, he said.

Offering a word of advice to the participants still going through the program, Brian said, A message that Id like to give to others is to listen and to cooperate with the people that actually care and love you for who you truly are.

It may seem unfair or challenging to understand why you should listen and follow directions, he said, but at the end of the day, youll be thankful for everything that all these people are doing for you.

Ms. Anderson says Brian made it through the program as the result of months of hard work, perseverance, and dedication, and she hopes he will be an example to other participants to seize this opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to turn your life around, rebuild relationships with family and friends, and overcome every obstacle that stands in your way.

Ms. Anderson acknowledged that the program is strict and extraordinarily difficult to complete. That is why I am so proud to celebrate the progress that Brian has made, she said, to recognize the achievements of those who are continuing to move along the path to recovery, and to encourage every Mental Health Court participant to keep fighting. Keep working hard. And keep up your efforts to reclaim your lives and to become productive members of your communities.

The Mental Health Court program, which serves residents in Whitfield and Murray counties, began in July 2018, with Ms. Anderson hired as coordinator at that time to start putting together policies and procedures and assembling the team of professionals on the staff.

In Georgia, treatment courts such as drug courts and mental health courts save up to $5,000 for every individual they serve, and each graduate returns as much as $22,125 back in economic benefit. Nationally, treatment courts return as much as $27 for every $1 invested.

The program offers a recovery-focused program for defendants in the criminal justice system who have been diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder, and definitely fills a real need in our community, Judge Minter said.

The judge praised the really dedicated staff members who go the extra mile, noting they really care about the participants, and all of them have had an impact on their lives. They include probation officer Hector Vazquez, public defenders William Moses and Latasha Heflin, Jennifer Farrar with the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office, Court Coordinator Angie Anderson, and Assistant District Attorney Geoff Bard.
The Supreme Court of Tennessee has temporarily suspended John Scott Wesson from the practice of law upon finding that Mr. Wesson was substantially non-compliant with a Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (TLAP) monitoring agreement.

Section 12.3 of Supreme Court Rule 9 provides for the immediate summary suspension of an attorneys license to practice law in cases where an attorney has failed to substantially comply with a Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program monitoring agreement.

Mr. Wesson is immediately precluded from accepting any new cases, and he must cease representing existing clients on Oct. 30, 2022. After October 30, 2022, Mr. Wesson shall not use any indicia of lawyer, legal assistant, or law clerk nor maintain a presence where the practice of law is conducted.

Mr. Wesson must notify all clients being represented in pending matters, as well as co-counsel and opposing counsel, of the Supreme Courts Order suspending his law license.

Mr. Wesson is required to deliver to all clients any papers or property to which they are entitled. Additionally, Mr. Wesson must comply with all requirements of Section 28 of Supreme Court Rule 9.

This suspension remains in effect until dissolution or modification by the Supreme Court. Mr. Wesson may, for good cause, request dissolution or modification of the suspension by petition to the Supreme Court.
Great British Baking Show: Paul Hollywood Is Not the Only Judge Who Has Admitted to Having an Affair

The Great British Baking Show is one of the most wholesome and beloved shows on TV. But, that hasnt kept it from being rocked by controversy. Judge Paul Hollywood admitted to cheating on his wife while filming the series, which ultimately ruined his marriage. But, hes not the only judge on the show whos had an affair. So has 81-year-old Prue Leith  and she cheated with the husband of her moms best friend!

Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Matt Lucas, and Noel Fielding | Mark Bourdillon/Netflix

Paul Hollywood cheated on his wife when he filmed the American version of the Great British Baking Show

Hollywood has been one of the most popular chefs in the United Kingdom for years, and has starred as a judge on the Great British Baking Show since its premiere in 2010.

But in 2013, Hollywood traveled to the United States to be a guest judge on the American version of the show. And that resulted in Hollywood cheating on his wife with American chef Marcela Valladolid.

At the time, Hollywood had been married to his wife Alexandra since 1998 and they shared a son named Joshua. However, Alexandra kicked her husband out of the house after he cheated. And Hollywood admitted it was the biggest mistake of my life.

It was my fault. Im very sad about what has happened. I do feel very sad about it and what it brought on the family, he said at the time, per News.com.au.

The couple briefly reconciled before calling it quits for good in 2017. They finalized their divorce in 2019.

Paul Hollywood is not the only judge who admitted to having an affair

In addition to Hollywood, his fellow judge Prue Leith has also admitted to having an affair. The South African cook was married to author Rayne Kruger from 1972 to 2002. But, before they became husband and wife, the couple carried on a secret 13-year affair.

Kruger was the husband of Nan Munro, her mothers best friend. Per Express, Leith admitted it was absolutely deceitful to cheat with him, but she was happy and in love.

I was really happy, because I was in love with Rayne, nobody knew about our affair and so I was still great friends with all of his family and his wife who I adored, she explained. Although this was absolutely deceitful, I could no more have walked away from him than flown to the moon, I was completely in love with him.

Great British Baking Show judge Prue Leith isnt proud she was an adulteress

Leith admits that shes not proud of the fact she was an adulteress for all that time. However, she says she didnt have an option, adding I could not have let him, ever. After his divorce, Kruger married Leith and they were together until his death in 2002. They also welcomed a son named Daniel.

She says she was very lonely after his death because she didnt know anyone in their neighborhood, so she just worked harder even though she was miserable. Several years later, the TV host met and married clothes designer John Playfair.

New episodes of the Great British Baking Show drop Fridays on Netflix.

RELATED: Paul Hollywood Claims He Became the Most Hated Man in the Country When Mary Berry Abandoned the GBBO
Power Book III: Raising Kanan is centered on the coming-of-age stories of Kanan Stark (Mekai Curtis) and his cousin, Jukebox (Hailey Kilgrove). Kanan was raised by his drug queenpin mother, Raquel Raq Thomas (Patina Miller). Jukeboxs upbringing was a bit more complicated. She was abandoned by her mother Kenya (LeToya Luckett), as a baby. She has also had a lot of turmoil with her father, Marvin (London Brown).

Now, Kenya is back in Jukeboxs life, and Luckett wants fans to empathize with her character.

Hailey Kilgore as Jukebox and LeToya Luckett as Kenya in Power Book III: Raising Kanan | Starz

Kenya has reentered Jukeboxs life on Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Before season 2 of Raising Kanan, not much was known about Jukeboxs mother, only that she abandoned her as a baby to move to Los Angeles and pursue her dream of singing. As a result, Jukebox was raised by her father, Marvin but mostly by her aunt Raq.

Kenya is back, but we dont think shes here to stay. We think she will either leave on her own, or Raq and Marvin will get her to leave.

.@LeToyaLuckett is one of few new faces that we see in the new season of 'Power Book III: @RaisingKanan' https://t.co/hWsoWMRMN7  UPROXX (@UPROXX) September 7, 2022

RELATED: Power Book III: Raising Kanan: These Hip-Hop Artists Are Making Music for the Shows Soundtrack

LeToya Luckett wants people to empathize with Kenya

Its no secret that neither Raq nor Marvin is pleased that Kenya is back in Jukeboxs life. Raq told her niece that she had no respect for a mother who abandoned her child. She also said that family is something that must be earned.

For his part, Marvin almost hit the roof when he heard of Kenyas return. Despite his strained relationship with her daughter, hes not here for Kenya swooping in.

Kenya has made many mistakes, but Luckett says she hopes people open their hearts just a little to her character. I wanted [the viewers] to have some empathy for her, she told Variety. Being a mom and deserting a child, this wasnt something that I could just breeze over. I had to put every emotion, remove every judgment and go in as best I could because I wanted to tell her story well.

Love this quality mother-daughter time, but are we losing the real Juke? #RaisingKanan pic.twitter.com/iKlRmalUbo  Raising Kanan (@RaisingKanan) September 19, 2022

Power Book III: Raising Kanan fans think Kenya will leave Jukebox again

As much as Kenya and Jukebox are beginning to bond, we think it will all collapse in on itself. After all, though Kenya had been back in New York for some time, Jukebox had to seek her out. Moreover, she knows nothing about Jukeboxs sexuality and keeps trying to dress her up in a girly wardrobe.

We think a falling out with her mother will push Jukebox into becoming the cold-blooded killer we met in Power. Now people can better appreciate why Jukebox became so tough as an adult because of the things she had to deal with growing up, London Brown, who portrays Jukeboxs father Marvin, told TVLine. Her girlfriend died, and she had a strained relationship with her father. All of these layers help us understand why these characters turned out the way they did.

RELATED: Power Book III: Raising Kanan: 50 Cent Teases Ghost, Tommy and Breeze Appearances in Season 2
The United States Supreme Court Building is located in Washington, D.C. On Nov. 9, the high court will hear the Brackeen v. Haaland case that focuses on the constitutionality of the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act.
NAIROBI, Kenya, September 29, 2022 (Morning Star News)  A 23-year-old Muslim woman in eastern Uganda who converted to Christianity on Sept. 18 was poisoned to death that night, sources said.

Namata Habiiba attended a church service on Sept. 18 at the invitation of a friend in Wakawaka village, Bugiri District and put her faith in Christ, the friend said.

Habiiba, who lived with her Muslim stepmother after her parents were killed in a vehicle accident in 2019, returned home from the church service with her friend, and her stepmother asked why she had returned so late. Habiiba told her she had attended a church service and converted to Christianity, causing her stepmother, Namu Sauya, to stop talking to her, according to the friend, whose name is withheld for security reasons.

Sauya prepared and served food for them and then left the room, said the friend, who was fasting that day and did not eat. Within minutes, Habiiba started complaining of severe stomach pain and began to vomit, the friend said.

The friend shouted for Sauya, but there was no response, she said. Soon neighbors arrived, but Sauya had disappeared, Habiibas friend said.

They rushed Habiiba to a hospital in Bugiri, where a doctor gave her medication, but she soon died, the friend said. A postmortem, she said, determined she had died from ingesting rat poison.

Habiiba leaves behind a 3-year-old child, an area resident said. The father is a married Muslim who had planned to take her as his second wife, the source said.

Local officials and other villagers condemned the killing and have undertaken a search for Sauya, who remains missing, the resident said.

Habiibas body was laid to rest on Saturday (Sept. 24) in Musubi village, where her father was buried.

Mother Beaten for Her Faith

In central Ugandas Bamusuta village, Kiboga District, a Muslim beat and left his wife after learning she had converted to Christianity.

Falida Nazziwa, 42, on Sept. 10 attended an all-night prayer vigil at an undisclosed church in Kiboga town while her husband was away in his work as a truck driver, she said. A secret Christian, Nazziwa expected her husband, Saidi Mudogo, to return late in the day on Sept. 11, but he had returned home when she arrived that morning, she said.

In the morning as I went back home, I found my husband very furious on the compound, and he asked about where I slept, Nazziwa told Morning Star News. I told him the truth that I had gone for an overnight prayer in the church. After hearing the words overnight prayer, he just jumped on my neck shouting, Prayers, not in my house, and started beating and strangling me while shouting, Allah akbar [God is greater]! Kafir, kafir[infidel]!

Two men heard Nazziwas cries and rushed over to rescue her, but Mudogo chased her and her two younger children away, and they took refuge at an undisclosed location, she said. The couple has three other older children who were away at the time.

The church pastor, unnamed for security reasons, said Nazziwa has received treatment at a medical clinic in Kiboga. She was taking medication for swelling and had internal injuries causing severe pain, he said.

The husband has disappeared since then, but we shall get him, the pastor told Morning Star News. I have reported the incident at the Kiboga police station. We hope the assailant will be arrested and justice given for the ailing mother.

The attacks were the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12 percent of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved.

If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/?

Article originally published by Morning Star News. Used with permission.

Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Giggle
You must change your thinking, Brother Andrew told me when we first met.

He was responding to my rockstar reaction as I finally encountered one of my heroes, at a lunch buffet in South Asia in 2000. Like a super-fan, I had blurted out, I never thought I would meet you. His response was swift, on point, and left me pondering.

That was the man: simple, straight-forward, and leaving a large impression. Dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, Brother Andrew listened intently as I recounted my story of how his life had inspired my own journey into Christian ministry.

It was the first of many meetings I was privileged to have with him over the following 15 years. Each committed to my journal and fresh in my memory, even as I process the news that this mighty man of God has gone to be with his maker whom he loved and served, never wavering from the call to strengthen what remains and is about to die (Rev. 3:2).

Brother Andrew was called by God as a young man to go into closed countries and to minister to the church where it was oppressed and lacked resourcesespecially Bibles. I remember hearing from him that anyone could do what he did, because the power of God was the same. He often said that God has called us to go with his gospel, and that all doors are open to the good news of Jesus Christ. He enshrined this in the name of the organization he founded: Open Doors.

What began as a Scripture distribution agency has now transformed into a massive international organization also involved in training, socioeconomic development, research, and advocacy across 60 nations. But its focus continues to be the persecuted Church.

I remember Brother Andrew asking us if there was any region where the gospel is not allowed. I will tell you how to get there, he said. You may not come back, but you will get in. God asked us to go, and did not say Go and come back.

When we spoke about the risks he had taken, Brother Andrew responded that it would have been a far greater risk not to do what he didbecause that would have meant abandoning the body of Christ behind closed borders. Every place is dangerous, he told us. Every place outside the will of God is dangerous.

Brother Andrew believed in going because he believed in presence. At the beginning of his ministry in Warsaw, he preached at a local Baptist church. He recounted that the pastor later told him that his being there was worth more than the best sermons. If being there is the answer, he said, then anyone can do what I did.

May we never lose focus of this: that more than money and other resources, what the persecuted church needs most is presence and solidarity. It is comparatively easier to give money than presence, and both are important; but presence can make the difference between life and death. Today, when persecution is on the rise globally and in India, this is a lesson the church must remember.

Image: Courtesy of Vijayesh Lal

When Brother Andrew spoke, one was astounded by the radical faith he had. It was infectious. He was not the most talented preacher that I have heard, but he has always been one of the most effective. God used his words to pierce my heart on many occasions. I remember when a member of our group asked him what would he do if he lived his life all over again. He promptly said, I would be more radical.

This is what we need in India: not a faith that we are embarrassed of or hide, but a faith that is lived out fully.

After all, this is what Mahatma Gandhi advised E. Stanley Jones when the American Methodist missionary told the Indian independence leader, I am very anxious to see Christianity naturalized in India, so that it shall be no longer a foreign thing identified with a foreign people and a foreign government, but a part of the national life of India and contributing its power to Indias uplift and redemption. What would you suggest that we do to make that possible?

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Gandhi responded: I would suggest, first, that all of you Christians, missionaries and all, must begin to live more like Jesus Christ. Second, I would suggest that you must practice your religion without adulterating or toning it down. Third, I would suggest that you must put your emphasis upon love, for love is the center and soul of Christianity. Fourth, I would suggest that you study the non-Christian religions and culture more sympathetically in order to find the good that is in them, so that you might have a more sympathetic approach to the people.

This was also Brother Andrews message: a life fully committed to Jesus and lived for him. He also saw no enemies, just people who needed the love and touch of Christ. Beware of the enemy image, he once told us. Because you can never preach the gospel to your enemy. That is mutually exclusive. He is not your enemy; Christ died for him. How can he be your enemy.

Brother Andrew often said that he was not anti-anything but was pro-Jesus. He also had a remarkable acronym for Islam that I greatly appreciated and spoke of his heart: ISLAMI sincerely love all Muslims.

Much to the chagrin of many, Brother Andrew openly said that Osama bin Laden was on his prayer list. It was not a popular opinion, especially in the Western world. But he believed that one man with God is a majority.

If we do not go with the gospel, we will find that they will come to us with guns, Brother Andrew often said. There is no fighting Jesus and there is no fight for Jesus. There is fellowship in Jesus.

How I wish that the global church and the church in India catches this vision: that there are no enemies, but that Christ died for everyonemaking them worthy of love and grace and a place at the table.

People like Brother Andrew and Mother Teresa see the reflection of Christ in everyone. The testimony of Mother Teresa was so impactful because her service was motivated out of love and compassion and out of a reverence for the image of God in every human. No wonder when she delivered a powerful statement valuing the life of the unborn in the presence of US President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gorewho did not share her beliefs on that subjectthat Clinton, who spoke immediately after her, began by saying, Its hard to argue with a life so well lived!

People in the world today are looking for what is real, for what is genuine, and they know an authentic life when they see one. Both Mother Teresa and Brother Andrew were the real deal because their convictions arose from love and were based on the lordship of Jesus Christ. The early church out-loved the people around them and that is what drew many to Christ. May we never lose focus of this.

I first learned about Brother Andrew after discovering his book, Gods Smuggler, in my fathers library. I had just come to faith a few weeks prior when God used another bookPeace with God, by Billy Grahamto answer my questions about life and the Christian faith. Gods Smuggler was the second book I read, and I was fascinated by the adventures of this ordinary Dutchman and his faithfulness and obedience to God.

I was a teenager, and I started making plans to go to the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade in Scotland, as Andrew had done, so that I could join him after in his mission to the persecuted Church. I had no idea how to go about it, and counselors including my pastor soon talked me out of it, charging me to first complete my education.

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Many years laterstill struggling with the question of whether to step into Christian service or notwhen I finally surrendered myself to Gods will, I had no idea he would lead me on a path where in a few months I would be sitting across from Brother Andrew as a fellow coworker in ministry to the persecuted body of Christ.

At one of our first one-on-one sessions, I remember asking Brother Andrew about financial insecurity in ministry and how he had faced challenges on that front. It used to be a major worry for me. Here I was, an inexperienced young man starting in ministry, and there he was, a legend, and I am amazed that he took time to not only speak to me and counsel me but also shared his own experience to address my concerns.

He counseled me to trust God for my provision and that God will take care of the ones he calls. But he also narrated his own life experience, when his wife asked him if the needs of the family were not met, what would he do? He had answered, I would go back to the factory. But he encouraged me by letting me know that he never had to do so; God had always provided.

As someone who delivered the precious Word of God to the church that needed it the most, Brother Andrew understood the importance of reading and studying the Bible as well as other books that can educate and disciple the believer. Go through the Word of God and let the Word of God go through you, he would tell us. He used to say that every Open Doors base should have a modest library where people can read and learn about ministry and topics in general.

Brother Andrew was very well read and informed. That is what perhaps helped him to focus on areas where many were oblivious. From the Iron Curtain to the bamboo curtain of China, from the Communist context to the context of the Muslim world, he always sought to carry Jesus and his gospel to people in need. He believed in the ministry being lean and mean and was not afraid to explore new frontiers or to have views that were less popular.

As I look back today, I am thankful to God for Brother Andrew and his life. For his simplicity and his matter-of-fact attitude, but most of all for his example in his obedience to Christ that allowed him to impact millions.

When he was once asked what he would like his epitaph to be, Brother Andrew answered, He did what he couldnt.

Vijayesh Lal is general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India.
Sami DiPasquale runs Abara, a ministry that works on both sides of the border in El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. The ministry has served the surge of asylum seekers, a fraction of whom are now being bused and flown to New York; Washington, DC; Chicago; and Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts. Some migrants are glad for the free ticket; others allege they were deceived about their destination. About 11,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since May, with the mayor saying that the citys shelter system is reaching a breaking point. But for ministries at the border, this is business as usual.

Thousands of migrants cross the southwestern border each day, and the surge in crossings has led to a record number of arrests this year. About half of migrants arriving are allowed to stay in the United States and pursue asylum claims. The surges in crossings go up and down. Most of those seeking asylum now are Venezuelans, among the millions fleeing a socialist regime. Christian immigration experts and lawmakers from both parties have said that the border shows a need for more judicial resources to process migrants cases.

How should Christians think about the thousands of migrants at the border?

Through media and social media, it gets painted like most people are at one crazy extreme or another on immigration, when I think most people are trying to grapple with what they feel is ethically right and compassionate.

Whats our posture? Its easy for us in the US, at least for those that have been in a stable environment for a few generations, to be thinking about it as How does God tell us what we do for people that are arriving? But in so much of the Bible, especially the Old Testament  The Israelites, they were the people on the move. It wasnt just about receiving people. All of us have our own migration journeysGod with us on the move and then God with us in stability.

What are your staff and ministry partners in Mexico seeing?

Theyve been very busy ever since Remain in Mexico [the Trump administration policy that required asylum seekers to await the outcome of their cases in Mexico] went into effect, and then we layered it with Title 42 [a Trump and Biden administration policy to turn migrants away at the border based on COVID-19 being a public health emergency].

Basically, theres various layers blocking people from accessing the US border. That did not decrease people leaving Central Americait stopped us seeing that crisis on US soil. It piled up on the southern side of the border into Juarez and other Mexican cities to the north.

Its very dangerous for migrants there. For me to go across as a US citizen, theres hardly any danger at all. I am not the target. Those who are most vulnerable are those who have the least resources, who have maybe made a terrible trek and are then getting extorted even more.

Three or four years ago, migrants were almost exclusively those from Central America, and then more came from other parts of Mexico, fleeing similar root causes, a lot of it gang violence. And then we saw more from Haiti, and now more and more from Venezuela.

These shelters in Mexico, almost all of them are evangelical churches that have opened their doors. And it wasnt because they have this in their mission statement or they have all this extra space. Its because they saw the need and they felt like this is what Jesus would want them to do. Its a great sacrifice. People have come in and often stayed in a church sanctuary for months.

What do migrants arriving in the US think about these buses to other cities?

In other parts of Texas, some of the people were put on buses to destinations where they had no interest in going. It seems that theres motivations other than helping people get to a sponsor family.

But the city of El Paso has been chartering some buses, and at least the stated intention is to facilitate distributing people from temporary shelter at the border to places that are closer to where they want to end up with their sponsor family.

Most people have a sponsor family that they can live with, whether theyre in New York, Chicago, Memphisevery state, practically. They have a destination and someone whos agreed to host them while they go through the asylum process. Thats not the case necessarily with Venezuelans now. Thats becoming a challenge.

Why do Venezuelans need support in particular?

Most people dont realize that youre not allowed to legally work in the US while youre pursuing your asylum case, at least for six months. So how are you supposed to support yourself? Thats where the sponsor family comes in. But then, if someone doesnt have a sponsor familywhich a lot of Venezuelans dontthen what are they supposed to do?

Then you might ask, If we have low unemployment and we have all these jobs that need to be filled, why not make it legal to have temporary work visas? And I think thats a very good question.

New York, where I live, is prepared for immigrants coming to the city, but maybe not for thousands showing up at once like happens daily in El Paso. What can churches around the country do if migrants arrive in their communities?

A lot of people that are arriving, probably all they need is one or two days of help. US churches can provide hospitality for up to 48 hours, sometimes even lessa shower or a change of clothes and then food. And then somewhere to sleep overnight. Thats pretty much the time that it takes for someone to get in contact with their sponsor family and get a ticket, whether a bus ticket or a flight for where they need to go. Typically the burden of the transportation is on the sponsor family.

Here, one church within the El Paso Baptist Association had space but not enough volunteers and resources to open their space locally as a hospitality center. Then the whole El Paso Baptist Association for the city [78 churches] took on recruiting volunteers and having a point person and providing donated items, like a travel bag or toiletries. So you have a whole network surrounding this one physical hospitality center.

Whats it been like in El Paso?

The last month was critical because there were too many people within the Border Patrol detention facilities. They were warning, Were going to have to release people onto the streets if theres not enough shelter capacity. A bunch of people opened up shelters, but there were still releases on the street. Now its not happening anymore. Whether it happens again in the future, Im not sure. At Abaras guesthouse, we hosted groups of about 15 at three different points.

You have the contacts to get texts about migrants needing shelter. How do churches in the rest of the country get in that phone tree?

Any of the groups involved in refugee resettlement are also working with asylum seekers who are arriving. So wherever a church is, if theres a World Relief, a Catholic Charities, a Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, or Jewish Family Services, look for them.

If churches were interested in helping relieve, for instance, the pressure in El Paso and offer another site, then they could get in touch with Abara. Theres also more openness to creativity right now than any time that Ive seen. I think ICE [the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] would be willing potentially to say, If theres a church in Indianapolis that would like to receive 30 people, well get them there. Im not promising that that could happen. But I think theyre willing to explore. Its a tangible way for interested churches from around the country to get involved in ways that they havent been able to in the past.

So any church could potentially be a host of asylum seekers.

Its cliche, but every church that hosts feels like they ended up being more blessed by the situation. So many of those who are arriving at our borders have such a deep faith and have had to rely on their faith in ways that the average person in the US hasnt had to. Almost always when were in dialogue, unprompted theyll say, I could never have done this if God wasnt with me on this journey. And even through the atrocities, murder, sexual assault, brutality, the loss of kids, and all of that, they talk about their faith in God and love for God. God being present with them in the midst of hardship is so clear.

Youve mentioned root causes of migration. How does the church think about this globally?

There are groups on the ground, in countries all around Latin America, doing incredible work and needing support. Theres a whole network thats growing of evangelical churches in Colombia who are working with [some of the 2.5 million] Venezuelan refugees there.

A church in New York can support a church in Guatemala thats doing work in their communities. And maybe they can help two or four or ten families stabilize and be in a situation where they dont feel like they have to leave.
Senators demand answers after FBI arrests pro-life activist, say it may violate DOJ use-of-force policy

A dozen Republican U.S. senators have sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI suggesting that federal agents may have violated use-of-force policy when they arrested a Catholic pro-life activist last week.

The twelve Republican senators, most of whom are on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, led by ranking member Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, wrote a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray asking them to justify the show of force that accompanied the arrest of Mark Houck. Houck was indicted by a grand jury last Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced last Friday that it arrested Houck on charges of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The law subjects anyone who "intentionally injures, intimidates or interferes with or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with" any person who seeks to "provide reproductive health services" to federal charges.

Houck is the president of The King's Men, a Catholic ministry created to "unite and build up other men in the mold of leader, protector, and provider through education, formation, healing, and action."

The DOJ contends that "the defendant is alleged to have twice assaulted a man because he was a volunteer reproductive health care clinic escort," adding "the defendant forcefully shoved" the man to the ground on two separate occasions, one of which required him to receive medical attention. The altercation took place outside a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood on Oct. 13, 2021.

However, the Houcks and their supporters contend that the father was protecting his 12-year-old son because the escort was harassing them and even got in his son's face after they tried to walk away from the man.

A fundraiser set up on the Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo to raise money for Houck's family states that the clinic escort began "harassing" Houck's then 12-year-old son, prompting Houck and his son to walk away from the front of the building where they had been praying.

"The escort followed them, and when he continued yelling at Mark's son, Mark pushed him away," the fundraiser states. As of Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised more than $335,000.

The fundraiser reported that FBI agents "had guns drawn and shields up in the faces of Mark, his wife, and their seven young children." However, the FBI has refuted that description of last week's arrest at Houck's home.

Published Wednesday, the senators' letter asks Garland if the FBI's actions went against his May 20 memo advising DOJ employees to use "de-escalation tactics and techniques" to gain "voluntary compliance from a subject before using force."

The memo stressed that "such tactics and techniques should be employed if objectively feasible and they would not increase the danger to the officer or others" and highlighted how "reducing the need for force allows officers to secure their own safety as well as the safety of the public."

The lawmakers questioned why using force was necessary because all indications from Houck's attorney are that Houck was more than willing to cooperate with the investigation, but DOJ officials stopped communicating with them.

The letter discusses the contents of an email sent by Houck's attorney to an assistant U.S. attorney, which insisted that "if the Department intended to indict Mr. Houck, he would receive the summons on Mr. Houck's behalf and that he would appear voluntarily."

The attorney "made clear to the committee that he and Mr. Houck were cooperative with the Justice Department; however, in return the Justice Department failed to communicate with them," the letter declared.

One of Houck's attorneys, John Williamson, contends that the clinic escort filed a criminal complaint against Houck that was dismissed by authorities in Philadelphia after the escort failed to appear at least twice for the scheduled trial. Williamson further stated that the district attorney in the case suggested that the matter be settled as a civil case.

The criminal complaint against Houck was dismissed on April 22. But five days later, Houck received a letter from the Justice Department informing him of an investigation into potential violations of the FACE Act. From that point on, Houck retained former federal prosecutor Matt Heffron as an attorney.

"Mr. Heffron informed the committee that he communicated to Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Eve twice via phone and left voice messages after she didn't pick up," the senators' letter states.

"After not receiving a return call, Mr. Heffron emailed Ms. Eve to note that he left voice messages on May 21, 2022, and June 7, 2022, and said in his email that if the Department intended to indict Mr. Houck, he would receive the summons on Mr. Houck's behalf and that he would appear voluntarily. According to Mr. Heffron, Ms. Eve did not respond. Mr. Heffron made clear to the committee that he and Mr. Houck were cooperative with the Justice

Department; however, in return the Justice Department failed to communicate with them."

A picture attached with the letter documents the aftermath of the scene that unfolded at the Houcks' house on the morning of Sept. 23.

The lawmakers said the photo was taken following Houck's arrest when "a few FBI agents remained to give [Mrs. Houck] a copy of the arrest warrant." The letter points out that "the photograph shows an agent with a ballistic shield and long gun."

The letter concluded with a request for the federal government's top law enforcement agencies to answer a series of questions asking why they waited until 11 months after the altercation at the Philadelphia Planned Parenthood to indict Houck. The senators also seek clarification on how the execution of the warrant for Houck's arrest reconciled with Garland's May memorandum. The lawmakers requested responses to their inquiries by Oct. 12.

"This extraordinary fact pattern requires additional information from the Justice

Department and the FBI relating to why Mr. Houck was not allowed to self-report for his arrest

and arraignment and whether political considerations were made to approve and execute the

search warrant," the senators wrote.

Houck's wife, Ryan-Marie Houck, appeared on Fox News Wednesday with her lawyer, characterizing the early-morning arrest of her husband as "devastating." She suggested that "it's hard to even express the victimization and how traumatized we all are due to this unnecessary thing that happened to us."

She estimated that 20 to 30 FBI agents showed up at her property in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to arrest her husband.

"My entire front yard, you could barely see it, it was covered with at least 15 big trucks and cars," she recalled. She spoke of FBI agents "completely in jackets with shields and helmets and guns."

When asked about the mental condition of her children nearly a week after the raid, Houck responded, "it's hard to tell." She contends, "the older ones, we can talk, we can cry  we've had some counseling, we have more counseling to do." She said that among her youngest children, "there's a lot of crying and a lot of unrestful sleep" and "a lot of kids in our bed at night and in the morning."

Peter Breen, an attorney with the Thomas More Society who is defending Houck, told Fox News that its telling that the district attorney in Philadelphia refused to press charges, noting that "he's not a friend" of the pro-life movement.

"The alleged victim filed a private criminal complaint, which eventually the local courts threw out because the guy couldn't be bothered to show up for the hearings," Breen stated.

The FBI previously issued a statement to Fox News attempting to clarify what the agency characterized as "inaccurate claims being made regarding the arrest of Mark Houck." The statement asserted that "No SWAT Team or SWAT operators were involved" and that "FBI agents knocked on Mr. Houck's front door, identified themselves as FBI agents and asked him to exit the residence."

Court documents indicate that Houck was released on $10,000 bail Friday. Under the terms of his release, the pro-life activist must surrender his passport and firearms and cannot travel outside the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where the case against him is unfolding, unless he is permitted to do so.

In a blow to his ministry efforts, Houck cannot engage in sidewalk counseling and prayer at the Philadelphia Planned Parenthood where his encounters with the escort took place. The Thomas More Society webpage devoted to the efforts to defend Houck proclaims that "He would drive two hours every week to speak outside of abortion clinics for six to eight hours at a time, often bringing his twelve-year-old son."

If convicted, Houck faces up to 11 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and up to $350,000 in fines.
Ugandan woman killed after attending church, accepting Christ

NAIROBI, Kenya  A 23-year-old Muslim woman in eastern Uganda who converted to Christianity on Sept. 18 was poisoned to death that night, sources said.

Namata Habiiba attended a church service on Sept. 18 at the invitation of a friend in Wakawaka village, Bugiri District and put her faith in Christ, the friend said.

Habiiba, who lived with her Muslim stepmother after her parents were killed in a vehicle accident in 2019, returned home from the church service with her friend, and her stepmother asked why she had returned so late. Habiiba told her she had attended a church service and converted to Christianity, causing her stepmother, Namu Sauya, to stop talking to her, according to the friend, whose name is withheld for security reasons.

Sauya prepared and served food for them and then left the room, said the friend, who was fasting that day and did not eat. Within minutes, Habiiba started complaining of severe stomach pain and began to vomit, the friend said.

The friend shouted for Sauya, but there was no response, she said. Soon neighbors arrived, but Sauya had disappeared, Habiibas friend said.

They rushed Habiiba to a hospital in Bugiri, where a doctor gave her medication, but she soon died, the friend said. A postmortem, she said, determined she had died from ingesting rat poison.

Habiiba leaves behind a 3-year-old child, an area resident said. The father is a married Muslim who had planned to take her as his second wife, the source said.

Local officials and other villagers condemned the killing and have undertaken a search for Sauya, who remains missing, the resident said.

Habiibas body was laid to rest on Saturday (Sept. 24) in Musubi village, where her father was buried.

Mother beaten for her faith

In central Ugandas Bamusuta village, Kiboga District, a Muslim beat and left his wife after learning she had converted to Christianity.

Falida Nazziwa, 42, on Sept. 10 attended an all-night prayer vigil at an undisclosed church in Kiboga town while her husband was away in his work as a truck driver, she said. A secret Christian, Nazziwa expected her husband, Saidi Mudogo, to return late in the day on Sept. 11, but he had returned home when she arrived that morning, she said.

In the morning as I went back home, I found my husband very furious on the compound, and he asked about where I slept, Nazziwa told Morning Star News. I told him the truth that I had gone for an overnight prayer in the church. After hearing the words overnight prayer, he just jumped on my neck shouting, Prayers, not in my house, and started beating and strangling me while shouting, Allah akbar [God is greater]! Kafir, kafir [infidel]!

Two men heard Nazziwas cries and rushed over to rescue her, but Mudogo chased her and her two younger children away, and they took refuge at an undisclosed location, she said. The couple has three other older children who were away at the time.

The church pastor, unnamed for security reasons, said Nazziwa has received treatment at a medical clinic in Kiboga. She was taking medication for swelling and had internal injuries causing severe pain, he said.

The husband has disappeared since then, but we shall get him, the pastor told Morning Star News. I have reported the incident at the Kiboga police station. We hope the assailant will be arrested and justice given for the ailing mother.

The attacks were the latest of many instances of persecution of Christians in Uganda that Morning Star News has documented.

Ugandas constitution and other laws provide for religious freedom, including the right to propagate ones faith and convert from one faith to another. Muslims make up no more than 12% of Ugandas population, with high concentrations in eastern areas of the country.

This article was originally published by Morning Star News.
The problem with climate prophecies

It can be quite a daunting task to grasp the wide range of opinions on climate change shared in mainstream and social media. Doing so gets more complicated when the opinions tend to be highly partisan and the policies based on them begin to govern our everyday lives.

Climate policies now dictate how much we pay for our gas and power, what kind of farming materials one can use, how much greenhouse gas businesses are allowed to emit, and how economies must prioritize climate action over other issues.

Unfortunately, most of these proposed actions on climate are based on highly questionable theories published by political entities like the UN, not on actual scientific observations. For faithful individuals in church who seek to see Gods kingdom and love manifest in this world, it is important to separate the wheat from the chaff, i.e., truth from falsehood.

If those who are called to be the salt and light of this earth slumber in this critical hour, there will be a rapid degradation of society, affecting every aspect of peoples lives around us. The real threat to society is extreme climate policies, and not climate change itself.

My aim here is to give you a basic introduction to the erroneous nature of widespread beliefs about climate change.

Climate science and IPCC



When it comes to public policy making, the discussion on climate change is usually centered on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its climate claims.

Most mainstream media and elected leaders consider the IPCC the authoritative body on climate science and regard their recommendations as the best available scientific advice for policymakers.

However, the IPCC was constituted with the specific aim of substantiating the evidence for man-made global warming and warning the world about it. That is not how climate science works. Science works by testing proposed theories against available evidence and then establishing facts. Climate science especially is still in its infancy, with scientists constantly improving their understanding of the complex climate system.

This insufficiency of knowledge (in climate sciences) is reflected well in the world of computer climate models, where scientists try to simulate the global climate system and forecast future temperatures. More than 90% of existing models have failed miserably.

Not only past models but the current crop of climate models also exaggerate warming. Why? Because modelers falsely assume that warming is driven predominantly by man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Nonetheless, these erroneous models (and the IPCC reports based on them) guide international and domestic policymaking on climate and energy. As a result, we have restrictive energy policies that increase energy costs while providing no real climate benefits.

The water gets murkier when it comes to other factors often used as evidence for a climate emergency. While polar bears are claimed to be in danger of extinction, their numbers have increased in recent decades. While the media claims that both the Arctic and the Antarctic are in danger of melting completely, the polar ice levels are at some of their highest levels in the past 10,000 years. While politicians and media say extreme weather events like hurricanes have increased, the actual cyclone frequency and intensity data show no such increase.

The biggest lie, however, is that man-made emissions of greenhouse gases (like CO2, N2O, and methane) are increasing the global average temperature to dangerous levels. In the real world, satellite temperature measurements from the University of Alabama, Huntsville, show only minor warming of 0.25 degree Celsius between 2002 and 2022.

Further, the trend of warming has been at 0.13 degree Celsius per decade since the satellite measurements began in 1979. At that decadal rate, the total warming at the end of the century would be around 1.04 degree Celsius higher than what it is today, and that is not dangerous warming by any means. In fact, warming of this nature will be beneficial as it will aid in plant growth, eventually helping humans and other life forms to thrive.

If we are to consider a longer period  like the past two millennia  we know that the world faced warm periods in the past that were as warm as the 20th-century warming. The Roman Warm Period and the Medieval Warm Period occurred well before man-made CO2 emissions. Even the current warming began before emissions from the industrial era.

One can conveniently ignore these climate falsehoods as esoteric scientific disputes, but their impact on the worlds poor is real, large, and harmful. Imagine being told to reduce the use of electricity in your home because polar bears are dying, when in truth polar bear populations are increasing. Imagine being told to live in abject poverty because a network of scientists and public policymakers chose to blindly trust models that erroneously predicted a climate doomsday.

Its time to wake up to these things. So, when it comes to climate change, choose the right path: If you know a farmer, support his right to use nitrogenous fertilizers (which governments are trying to ban). If you are living in a relatively wealthy economy, convey to your lawmakers your support for reliable energy sources like coal, natural gas, and nuclear, not for wind and solar, which will keep people in poverty. If you are a parent, guard your children against the pseudo-scientific climate doomsday propaganda.
Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors and Gods Smuggler, dies at 94

Anne van der Bijl, the Dutch missionary known for smuggling Bibles into communist nations and founding the Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors, has died at age 94.

Commonly referred to as Brother Andrew, van der Bijl passed away on Tuesday, with Open Doors USA posting a statement about his death on its Facebook page.

For more than 60 years, Open Doors' founderBrother Andrewvisited over 125 countries in service to the global church. It's with mixed feelings that we share his greatest journey yet, stated the organization.

God used Andrew's obedience and prayers to change millions of lives and eternities. We are grieving but we are equally thankful. Celebrate our brother's homecoming with us today.

Born in Alkmaar, Noord-Holland, the Netherlands, in 1928, van der Bijl became known for his efforts to bring Bibles to people in countries where the sacred book was banned.

Over time, he came to include what Open Doors labeled a trademark prayer to go with the Bibles: Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture I want to take to your children. When you were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see.

In 1967, van der Bijl wrote about his many experiences of getting Bibles to those without access to it in a book titled Gods Smuggler. Since then, the book has been reprinted in many languages and boasts over 10 million copies sold.

As a boy he dreamed of being a spy undercover behind enemy lines. As a man he found himself undercover for God. Brother Andrew was his name and for decades his life story, recounted in God's Smuggler, has awed and inspired millions, noted the description of the 35th anniversary edition of the book.

Brother Andrew's story remains as inspiring today as it was thirty-five years ago, and with these new releases it will motivate a whole new generation to risk everything to follow God's call.

In 1955, van der Bijl founded Open Doors, a Christian persecution watchdog organization that is known for its annual World Watch List, which documents the nations that most severely persecute Christians.

I don't pray that God will lift the persecution because if there is persecution there is a plan that God has, otherwise God wouldn't allow it, explained van der Bijl in a 2013 interview with The Christian Post.

How do we pray? Not for God to remove persecution, but use that to purify the Church. And it is my strong belief that the countries where there is persecution are stronger in faith than churches in countries where there is no persecution.
Former RZIM VP regrets not 'pushing harder' amid Ravi Zacharias scandal: 'I failed in many ways'

A former executive for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries recently shared in a live panel discussion that she regrets not "pushing harder" when sexual abuse allegations against the late apologist Ravi Zacharias first emerged.

Amy Orr-Ewing, a senior fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics who formerly served as RZIM senior vice president, took part in a Sept. 23 live discussion hosted by Premier Unbelievable.

She joined others in sharing their thoughts on how the churches and ministries can prevent abuse scandals and embark on healing.

Orr-Ewing shared her perspective on what went wrong at RZIM after allegations emerged that the RZIM founder and notable apologist, who died of cancer in 2020, had abused or harassed multiple women over several years.

She believes she did not advocate enough or question the ministry organization as much as she should have in response to 2017 allegations of sexual misconduct made by Zacharias' former follower Lori Anne Thompson and her husband.

"For me personally, I realized that I was incorrect, that I failed in many ways," Orr-Ewing admitted.

In February 2021, an independent investigation report released by the Atlanta, Georgia-based law firm Miller & Martin detailed credible allegations that Zacharias had engaged in "sexting, unwanted touching, spiritual abuse, and rape" during his lifetime with multiple women.

RZIM, which hired the firm to investigate the claims, issued an apology along with the firm's report, saying it was "shocked and grieved by Ravi's actions" and felt "a deep need for corporate repentance."

Following the independent investigation, a lawsuit was filed against RZIM by a group of donors who accused the apologetics organization of using donated funds to pay off victims.

Orr-Ewing worked as a public speaker and evangelist for RZIM based in Oxford, United Kingdom, in 2017 when Thompson came forward with abuse allegations against Zacharias. She said the "first indication that something was wrong" was when the team was told that a woman had come forward alleging an online sexual relationship.

"It was positioned as 'this is a person who is seeking to extort this very godly evangelist, who's in his 70s and who served the Lord all these years,'" she recalled.

Despite feeling now as though she could have done more, Orr-Ewing remembers that anyone who questioned ministry team members was shut down at that time.

She recalled being told that the ministry's board was doing an investigation into the allegation. She was also told that the matter had been thoroughly investigated by Zacharias' denomination, the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

"When the team heard about it, there was an [non-disclosure agreement] in place that was positioned to protect [the woman's] privacy, and it was deeply, deeply troubling. Lots of people on the team were really disturbed by that," Orr-Ewing said.

"Many of us questioned the rightness of a Christian organization having NDAs. It was actually between Zacharias personally, and not done by the organization. Lots of things were deployed. [I was told] 'this is cultural. You don't understand American culture.' All of that. So, that was disturbing."

Orr-Ewing said that although "there was a lot of disquiet" and "a lot of very, very difficult confrontations," she and the others decided that "we just have to accept this situation."

As more allegations about Zacharias' behavior became public following his death in 2020, Orr-Ewing said it became clear that "something was very devastatingly wrong."

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was "extraordinarily difficult" for her and others "to try and push for [a] genuine independent investigation into not just Zacharias, but into the organization and what had gone so terribly wrong with us, with our structures, with our discernment."

Orr-Ewing said "clusters of things" were used against her to keep her from further questioning what was happening with Zacharias and how RZIM was handling the scandal.

"Your desire to be loyal, to be trustworthy, not to gossip, those themes [were] being weaponized against you so that you don't push and ask questions that you do sort of try to ask," she said.

"I guess the susceptibility of us as believers who want to work in community with other Christians, who want to think the best of others, who want to believe and trust that when you hear accountability is in place and here are these explanations, to think you'd be able to take that at face value."

Though Orr-Ewing wishes she "pushed harder," she also believes that the experience taught her to search for abuse patterns and be a voice for survivors.

"For me personally, I've realized that I was ignorant. I failed in many ways, but I've now seen patterns that are things that we can watch out for as I've supported women and others in other similar situations or abuse survivors in the last two and a half years," she said.

"I have hope that I can be involved in helping serve the Church in raising the alarm to what some of those patterns are so that other churches and organizations don't need to fail like we did."
Dante Bowe exits social media after Maverick City Music halts ties over 'inconsistent' behavior

Worship leader Dante Bowe is no longer a member of the Grammy Award-winning worship group Maverick City Music for the time being due to "behavior inconsistent" with what the band says is their "core values and beliefs."

Via an announcement on Instagram, Maverick City Music stated Tuesday they are putting a "pause" on their relationship with Bowe.

"Decisions like these are not easy because of the level of nuance, both professionally and personally, but we felt it necessary to address," the statement read.

The worship group does not give any details on the behavior that led to the decision. However, the Instagram statement adds, "Dante is a brother in Christ and as such he has our full commitment and unwavering support as he continues to navigate his path forward."

On Instagram, Bowe announced his intention to take a break from social media.

For a short while this week, Bowe's social media accounts were not accessible as his Facebook account was disabled. His Instagram account was set to private temporarily but now appears to be reactivated as a public account.

"In light of recent events and opinions, Ive talked to some of the wisest leaders and brothers around me. Ill be taking time off social media to rest mentally and physically," Bowe wrote on Tuesday.



"Years ago, when I dreamt of all I would accomplish one day, I didnt account for the pressure and opinions that would come with it. Its important for everyone to know when to step back and refocus. Hope yall understand and support. Ill hit you up when Im back."

Bowe has received criticism for some of his actions.

Most recently, he was scrutinized for sharing a video of himself inside of a party bus listening to secular artist Bad Bunny and dancing to a song with overtly sexual lyrics. During the Grammys, he also raised eyebrows for saying he hoped to see openly gay rapper Lil Nas X perform at the award show.

Bowe, who has gone from being homeless to a platinum artist, had a difficult upbringing. His grandparents were ministers, and much of his Christian influence came from them. He has written hits for Ciara, Tasha Cobbs and Maverick City Music, which is where he gained most of his notoriety.

The artist recently announced "Joyful the Tour" featuring Social Club Misfits. But it is unclear if he will move ahead with the tour.

The Christian Post reached out to Bowe for a comment, but a response was not immediately received.
2 arrested for robbery of Brooklyn pastor at gunpoint during service

Police have confirmed the arrest of two individuals suspected of robbing Brooklyn Bishop Lamor Whitehead of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Jewelry and holding his daughter at gunpoint during a livestreamed worship service in July.

Two 24-year-old men, Juwan Anderson and Say-Quan Pollack, were arrested on Wednesday and charged with robbery in the first degree, with a 10-year minimum sentence sought by prosecutors. They are accused of storming a worship service at Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries on July 24 and robbing Whitehead and others at gunpoint.

Police continue to search for a third suspect and believe that the church robbery might have been part of a series of robberies in the city.

"There's a pattern throughout the city  throughout the last few years  [of] high-end jewelry robberies being targeted," said Chief of Detectives James Essig of the New York Police Department, as reported by local media outlet Spectrum News.

Both men are Brooklyn residents and have been previously arrested for incidents involving domestic violence and robbery.

The stolen jewelry has yet to be found.

Inspector Nicholas Fiore of the NYPD's Central Robbery Division said that the robbery must have been "pretty rough" for Whitehead.

"[It was] a very, very violent robbery crew that we saw with no regard to anybody in the middle of mass, holding his child at gunpoint," Fiore said, as quoted by Spectrum News.

Whitehead has received criticism for being overly flashy, as he drives expensive cars and tends to accessorize himself with high-priced jewelry pieces.

In July, following the incident, Whitehead said the robbery caused him to "hurt" because "my church is hurt," adding that the "women and children that were in my church, my daughter, she's traumatized."

"Right now, she's still not even talking because of that experience. They had the gun in my 8-month-old's face. The women of my ministry, my wife, everybody is traumatized," he said.

Whitehead said he "didn't know if they just wanted to shoot the church up or were just coming for a robbery. And they were all black men. They had masks, and they came in, and they took all of my wife's jewelry and all of my jewelry."

"[The gunman] took my watch, took my jewelry, took my bishop's ring, took my wedding band, and then they took my bishop's cross, and then I had my other chains underneath my shirt. And he tapped my back  and ripped my collar off just to get to my jewelry," he detailed.

In mid-September, Whitehead removed a 47-year-old woman named Tarsha Howard, who disrupted his sermon and allegedly issued verbal threats toward him and his family. The incident was captured on video.

Howard was arrested on the scene, and Whitehead was briefly detained at the 69th Precinct to allow police to hear both sides of what ensued within the house of worship.

Howard was charged with trespassing and disrupting a religious service, while Whitehead was released from brief detainment with no charges, as police ruled that he "restrained" Howard with rightful intent.

There was a second woman who disrupted the church sermon. She fled the scene.

In the video, following Howard's interruption, Whitehead prayed for the woman by speaking in tongues, grabbed her by her neck and ushered her out of the worship building.

"I allowed the lady to talk, speak her piece, curse me out and do whatever she wanted to do, but then she started to throw threats at my wife and started to charge at my wife. My wife had my baby in her hand. We're not going to have another rendition of my wife being in harm's way or my daughter being in harm's way," the preacher said.

"I took action and I grabbed the lady and escorted her out."

Whitehead is also being sued over allegations that he scammed a woman out of her life savings.

Pauline Anderson, 56, filed the lawsuit last September in the Brooklyn Supreme Court, seeking $2.45 million in actual and punitive damages.

Anderson, a former member of Whitehead's church, alleges that she gave Whitehead $90,000 to secure a home for her because she has low credit. But instead, he allegedly used the money to make a down payment on a $4.4 million mansion in Saddle River, New Jersey.

"Ms. Anderson was left with nothing but a vague promise by Mr. Whitehead to pay the funds back in the future followed by an assertion that he had no further obligation to do so," the lawsuit reads.

In 2006, Whitehead was arrested in connection to a $2 million identity-theft scam, in which he was sentenced to 11 to 34 years in prison. He only served five years in prison and was released in 2013.

Whitehead has publicly stated that he was "falsely convicted and arrested for a crime I did not commit."
5th Circuit upholds courtroom prayer tradition, overturns lower court ruling

A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of a Texas judge sued for allowing religious leaders to begin court sessions with invocations.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion Thursday overturning a lower court ruling against Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack of Montgomery County, Texas.

The court concluded that Mack could continue allowing his court sessions to begin with invocations because he tells attendees in advance that they are not required to attend the invocations and that their decision not to attend won't impact their cases.

"The plaintiffs cry coercion because Texas Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack opens his court with a ceremony that includes a prayer. But Mack also takes great pains to convince attendees that they need not watch the ceremony  and that doing so will not affect their cases," the opinion authored by Judge Jerry Smith, a Reagan appointee, reads.

"Some attendees say they feel subjective pressure anyway. Yet the plaintiffs have no evidence suggesting that 'coercion is a real and substantial likelihood.'"

Mack's court has a message inscribed on the door and television screen reading: "It is the tradition of this court to have a brief opening ceremony that includes a brief invocation by one of our volunteer chaplains.  You are not required to be present or participate."

The opinion states that Mack's Justice Court Chaplaincy Program enables faith leaders to "be 'on call' to respond to sudden tragedies" involving "only members of his own faith who ask for help."

"Mack permits JCC Program chaplains to pray in his court's opening ceremony," the opinion states.

"But he says his objective is to ensure that when local families request help with sudden tragedies, the JCC Program has a representative from 'every mosque, every temple, every synagogue, every church you can imagine' to respond."

Mack contends that his program includes clergy and lay people representing "Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam."

The court concluded that "to maintain a lawful prayer ceremony, Mack must ensure that (1) he has a policy of denominational nondiscrimination and that (2) anyone may choose not to participate and suffer no consequences."

"Mack has shown that the plaintiffs fail to materially dispute those elements," the opinion adds.

In a statement shared by his legal team at First Liberty Institute, Mack thanked the judges for upholding a "historical practice."

"I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Montgomery County," Mack stated.

Jeremy Dys, a senior counsel for First Liberty Institute, described the multifaith invocations authorized by Mack as part of a "rich tradition of opening public meetings  including judicial proceedings  with an invocation."

"Welcoming a volunteer chaplain to lead an invocation according to the tradition of his or her faith reflects the very best of our nation's values," Dys said.

Thursday's ruling is the latest development in a yearslong legal battle that began in 2015 when the secular legal group Freedom From Religion Foundation complained to the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct that Mack's prayer invocations violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The commission dismissed the complaint while writing a letter to Mack "strongly [cautioning him] against continuing with the Justice Court Chaplaincy Program and [his] current courtroom prayer service."

In 2017, FFRF filed a lawsuit against Mack in federal court. The other plaintiff in the case is a "religiously unaffiliated" lawyer who frequently appeared in Mack's court and "objects to a government official telling him when or how to pray."

FFRF collected testimony from a lawyer and criminal defendant who appeared in Mack's court and alleged that the judge retaliated against them for declining to enthusiastically participate in the courtroom prayers.

The lawyer characterized Mack as "unprofessional and hostile" and suggested that Mack awarded him only "the bare minimum relief to which [he] was entitled."

The affiant who appeared in Mack's court as a criminal defendant testified that she had "very little doubt" that the judge tried to increase a fine levied against her in a plea agreement because of her "apathy" surrounding the prayer.

Mack insists that he "had no prior knowledge of [her] participation or lack thereof in the opening ceremonies."

Four years after FFRF first filed the lawsuit, a federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, concluding that the "defendant's practice of opening regular court proceedings with religious prayers is unconstitutional."

A three-judge panel on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay in July 2021, which allowed the chaplain-led invocations to resume while litigation continued.

"The Fifth Circuit rightly concluded that Judge Mack's brief ceremony respects a rich historical tradition of opening judicial proceedings with an invocation," stated Bradley Hubbard, an attorney who argued the case before the court in April. "As the court explained, the 'history, character, and context' of Judge Mack's ceremony 'show that it is no establishment at all.'"

As highlighted on his campaign website, Mack became justice of the peace for Precinct 1 in Montgomery County, located near Houston, in 2014.

His territory covers the northern portion of the county. He won a full term unopposed in 2014 and was re-elected without major party opposition in 2018. Primary election results from this past spring show that Mack faces no major party opposition as he runs for a third term this fall.
Churches Burning: Ad blasts Biden for silence on church attacks

The conservative advocacy group CatholicVote has launched a digital and TV ad campaign criticizing President Joe Biden for being silent on an ongoing spate of attacks on churches by pro-choice groups in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that struck down Roe v. Wade.

An ad called Churches Burning, part of the $1 million ad campaign which will air online and on television in Wisconsin, Arizona and across the country, including Washington, D.C., compares Biden, our second Catholic president, with President John F. Kennedy who condemned arson attacks on black churches in the 1960s.

Nearly 70 Catholic churches have been attacked since early May when radical abortion groups first threatened a summer of rage in response to reports that the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court  including a number of Catholic justices  planned to rule Roe v. Wade unconstitutional, the group says.

The ad shows a clip showing Biden responding to pro-choice groups attacks against Catholics by saying, Keep protesting, because keep making your point.

Besides churches, pro-choice groups have attacked at least 64 pregnancy centers, CatholicVote adds.

Catholic News Agency said it has confirmed at least 93 acts of violence and vandalism, including the firebombing of pregnancy centers and the burning of churches since the decision was leaked on May 2.

The American people are disgusted by the inaction of our Justice Department, CatholicVote Communications Director Joshua Mercer said while releasing the ad this week. This ad sends an important message, calling on our lawmakers to demand action against this vicious campaign of targeted violence against Catholics.

CatholicVote said its President Brian Burch has also repeatedly appealed to the Biden Justice Department to enforce the law against the ongoing attacks.

Our ad campaign will begin airing in earnest over the weekend and will expand dramatically into next week, CAN quoted Burch as saying. Further, we have new ads in production, including ads targeting Latino voters that we will be adding to the campaign in the coming days.

To draw a contrast between the two Catholic presidents, the ad says in its narration, In the 1960s, when churches were burned, President Kennedy stepped up, condemned it, and carries the voice of Kennedy, saying, To burn churches I consider both cowardly as well as outrageous As soon as we are able to find out who did it, well arrest them.

CatholicVote points out that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has found itself in numerous confrontations with President Biden since he took office, many of them over the Catholic Churchs teaching on the sanctity of life, which the president rejects.

In June, several groups, including CatholicVote, wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, saying: We, the undersigned representing millions of Americans, are writing to voice our concerns over the increased attacks against churches, pregnancy resource centers and pro-life organizations in the aftermath of the leaked draft opinion in the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The advocacy group adds that in December of last year, the Department of Justice was asked how it was investigating the repeated attacks on churches in the country. The Attorney General was also asked to investigate those complaints and take appropriate action as is your duty. Since that request there has been public silence.
At least 23 reported dead in Florida as Hurricane Ian hits Carolinas, weakens into tropical storm

UPDATED: Oct. 1 at 10 A.M. ET

At least 23 people have been reported dead in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian this week as the state begins to assess the damage from the historic storm that hit the Carolinas on Friday.

The director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Kevin Guthrie, said during a press briefing Friday that 21 deaths have been reported since the storm made landfall in the Sunshine State as a Category 4 hurricane Wednesday.

Guthrie said that only one death from the hurricane had been confirmed so far, in central Florida's Polk County, an area that sustained heavy rains and significant flooding. The state is still trying to verify if the 20 other reported deaths are attributable to the storm or another cause.

He said there were 12 unconfirmed fatalities in Charlotte County, where the hurricane made landfall on the southwest coast, and eight unconfirmed fatalities in Collier County. He added that the state is still processing searches in Lee County.

"People die in disasters that have nothing to do with the disaster," Guthrie said. "The medical examiner is the one that makes that determination. They are the lead agency at the local level to determine when they investigate that this is either disaster-related or not disaster-related."

In addition to the 21, Guthrie detailed another situation involving multiple fatalities in one house where the water level elevated above the roof. However, the state does not know how many human remains are in the house. He did not disclose where that house is located.

"We do have an identified situation that was done during the hasty search of some fatalities. We do not know exactly how many were in the house," he said. "Let me paint the picture for you. The water was up over the rooftop. We had a Coast Guard rescue swimmer swim down into it and he identified that there appeared to be human remains. We don't know exactly how many."

Guthrie said the state can't fully assess that situation until the water level recedes and special equipment can be brought in.

Ian made landfall on Florida's west coast Wednesday afternoon, leaving over 2.5 million customers without power, mainly in the state's southwest and central regions, according to PowerOutage.us.

Officials at the local level have also reported death counts.

According to NBC News, local law enforcement reports that one person drowned in Volusia County while trying to drain his pool. A sheriff's spokesperson said that two people died in Sarasota County. A city manager in Sanibel Island reported that two people died.

After a Thursday briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, President Joe Biden indicated that the loss of life from the hurricane could be "substantial," stating that he had spoken with commissioners who are "worried."

The hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm on Thursday before regaining strength as a hurricane as it struck South Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was reportedly moving northeast at 10 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph as it headed for South Carolina.

After making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in South Carolina, Ian again weakened to a post-tropical storm around 5 p.m. on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Storm surge watches and warnings are still in effect for coastal regions of North Carolina.

"Ian's structure is similar to that of a powerful nor'easter, with most of the storm's rain and wind focused to the north and west of the center," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said in a Friday email newsletter.

"But, make no mistake, Ian will hit with the force of a hurricane in the Carolinas, especially along the upper half of the South Carolina coast."

Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse, led by evangelist Franklin Graham, said it is working with local authorities and church partners to assess which areas are in the greatest need of assistance. The organization is closely tracking the storm and mobilizing disaster response specialists and tractor trailers with relief supplies to the affected areas.

"Hurricane Ian is going to impact the lives of millions of people," Graham said in a Thursday statement shared with The Christian Post. "We are praying for everyone in its path and already mobilizing our team to respond in Jesus' Name."
Befuddled, bedazzled and bankrupt?

I have seldom been as upset by reading a study as when I read the Ligonier Ministries/LifeWay Research biannual survey seeking to take the theological temperature of the United States.

The study reveals an American society that is dangerously close to being completely disconnected from a biblical understanding of truth or basic reality. I am grieved, but not surprised, at the level of disbelief or misbelief among the American populace in general (53% agree that "The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.) Shockingly, however, 26% of Evangelicals agree with their fellow Americans on this issue.

The survey had a fairly strict definition in order to qualify as an Evangelical. To be considered an Evangelical, people needed to strongly agree with the following statements:

The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. Jesus Christs death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive Gods free gift of eternal salvation.

This defined standard to qualify as an Evangelical is very similar to the well-known and often-quoted Bebbington Quadrilateral named after the classic study Evangelicalism in Modern Britain (1989) by David Bebbington.

Bebbingtons four main qualities to be used in defining Evangelical convictions and attitudes are: Biblicism; Crucicentrism; Conversionism; and Activism.

Biblicism is defined as a high regard for Holy Scripture and the conviction that all essential spiritual truth is contained in the Bible.

Crucicentrism makes Christs atoning death on the cross central to the Christian faith.

Conversionism believes that it is essential and imperative that all human beings need to be born again or have a conscious conversion experience.

Activism is the conviction that the Gospel needs to be expressed in the lives of believers.

As a person who has been involved in preaching the Gospel and seeking to disciple fellow Christians for nearly 60 years as a Baptist minister, I am appalled at the beliefs or should we say lack of beliefs, among Evangelicals even as categorized by the fairly strict definition employed in this survey.

The good news is that Evangelicals do still have some core convictions. Nine out of 10 believe God is perfect, the bodily resurrection of Jesus is real, and people are made righteous through faith alone in Jesus alone.

The late R.C. Sproul, founder of one of the surveys sponsors, Ligonier Ministries, often observed that everyones a theologian. He was right in that theologian means literally logos (words) about theos (God). Dr. Sproul would quickly add that not everyone is a good theologian.

This current survey certainly underscores the veracity of that statement. The survey discovered that one-fourth (26%) of Evangelicals disavowed a belief in the literal truth of the Bible.

Unfortunately, that theological error is just the beginning.

Once you come to the conclusion that the Bible is only truly the authoritative Word of God in parts, you start falling into the temptation of Dalmatian theology (the Bible is inspired in spots and Im inspired to determine which spots). Of course, what happens is the parts that are inspired are the parts you agree with and the parts that are not inspired are the parts with which you disagree.

Shockingly, 56% of Evangelicals believe there are other ways to Heaven besides belief in Jesus!

Even more shocking, 73% agreed that Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God. This is Arianism, 4th century Christian heresy condemned and rejected by Christians in the 4th Century A.D.

Astoundingly, 43% of people claiming to be Evangelicals agreed that Jesus was a great teacherbut not God.

Then, the icing on the heresy cake is the fact that 57% of Evangelicals no longer believe human beings are sinful by nature, despite Holy Scripture declaring the opposite to be true (Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me, Ps. 51:5).

Remember, these are people who, in order to be considered Evangelical! had to say they believed strongly in the inerrancy of Scripture. How can this be explained? Obviously, growing numbers of Evangelicals have what are called compartmentalized attitude structures, holding contrasting or contradictory attitudes in the same brain.

All we can know with certainty about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is taught to us by Holy Scripture. When we reject the Bibles clear teachings and we do not accept and understand Gods revelation of Himself to us in the Bible, how can we really know the only God who is or ever will be?

It was small comfort to me that the survey did show high degrees of agreement on contentious social issues with 94% agreeing that sex outside of traditional marriage is a sin and 91% believing abortion to be a sin.

Jesus left His Church the Great Commission, Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:18-20, CSB).

Please note that the Great Commission involves discipleship (teaching them) as well as evangelism.

Clearly, American Evangelism has failed to disciple adequately our fellow believers in the faith once delivered to the saints.

Too many American Evangelicals are befuddled, bedazzled and bankrupt theologically. All true Evangelicals must be about our Heavenly Fathers business and be involved in some intense and comprehensive remedial education of our Evangelical brothers and sisters.
Biden's trans military policy reversal will have catastrophic consequences, opponents warn

President Joe Biden has reversed a Trump executive order that banned trans-identified individuals from serving in the U.S. military, drawing criticism from military veterans who warn that the policy change will have catastrophic consequences.

The White House announced the reversal Monday, stating that Biden had signed an executive order "... that sets the policy that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve.

In July 2017, then-President Donald Trump announced in a series of tweets that individuals who identify as transgender would be prohibited from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Among the issues Trump cited at the time included the cost of paying for elective cosmetic surgeries and cross-sex hormones  estimated between $2.4 million and $8.4 million each year. Trans-identified soldiers would also be taking an extensive amount of time off to recover from elective cosmetic procedures.

Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail, Trump wrote in one Twitter post when he reversed the Obama administration's policies on trans-identified people serving in the military.

Biden's reversal came as incoming Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin gave testimony during his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 indicating that the restrictions would be lifted.

I truly believe  that if youre fit and youre qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve, Austin said in response to a question from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

"And you can expect that I will support that throughout.

Opponents of the reversal of the restrictions say that the move will impair military readiness and fuels further division in an already divided society.

Tony Perkins, president of the Washington, D.C.,-based Family Research Council and a U.S. Marine veteran, said in a statement Monday that the move betrays Biden's promise to bring unity to a divided country.

"Providing our service members with the resources to keep our country safe would help move our country in this direction. Instead, President Biden is diverting precious dollars from mission-critical training to something as controversial as gender reassignment surgery. The military cannot focus its efforts on preparing to fight and win wars when it is being used as a vehicle to advance the far-left's social agenda," Perkins said.

Lt. Gen. Tom Spoehr, director of The Heritage Foundation think-tank's Center for National Defense, said in a statement shared with The Christian Post Monday that "political correctness" was being prioritized over military readiness.

"By overturning the current policy regarding individuals suffering from gender dysphoria, the commander in chief is signaling that he is more interested in social engineering than safeguarding the health and well-being of American service members, Spoehr said.

"After considerable study, the previous administration found gender dysphoric people attempt suicide at about nine times the rate of the general population. Service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria are also nine times more likely to have mental health encounters with a professional."

Given that military service is inherently stressful, he continued, the rate of suicide among military personnel is already higher than that of the general population.

"It would be immoral to place individuals at higher risk from mental injury  such as those suffering from gender dysphoria  in a situation where they are likely to experience extraordinary stress, he said.

The Pentagon has said that approximately 9,000 service members identify as transgender, though independent estimates have put the number at around 16,000, according to The Wall Street Journal. Fewer than 1,000 have received a formal diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

In 2016, the RAND Corporation published a study on Pentagon medical expenditures and found that the costs incurred by U.S. taxpayers to pay for trans-identifying service members' medical costs fell somewhere between $2.4 million and $8.4 million each year.
Catholic League calls out Air Force gender ideology fiction for fellowship excluding cisgender men

The nations largest Catholic civil rights organization is criticizing the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) for what it calls a problematic fellowship offered only to students who belong to a gender minority.

In a letter dated Sept. 28 addressed to USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, Catholic League president Bill Donahue expressed concern over the Brooke Owens Fellowship, which Donahue said is targeted at undergraduate women and gender minorities interested in aerospace.

An application on the fellowships website states that only students who identify with a gender minority such as "agender, bigender, two-spirit, demigender, genderfluid" are eligible to apply.

"If you are a cisgender man, this program isnt for you, the fellowship's application reads.

A "cisgender man" is a term used by transgender activists for a biological male who identifies as a man.

In his letter, which is titled Air Force Academy Falls For Hoax, Donahue accused the USAFA of peddling fiction.

Why is the Air Force Academy peddling this fiction? There is no need to call women cisgender women. Nature, and natures God, have made it crystal clear that there are only two sexes: man and woman, wrote Donahue, who himself is an Air Force veteran.

The fellowship came to light after Fox News obtained an email from a concerned cadet at USAFA that encouraged cadets to apply to the Brooke Owens Fellowship along with another program available exclusively to black cadets studying aerospace.

"It's a little worrying that we have more briefs about [diversity and inclusion] than briefs about foreign adversaries, emerging technologies or current events across the world," Fox News quoted the cadet as saying.

According to the Brooke Owens Fellowship website, the majority of fellows in the program have been cisgender women and that we expect that will likely continue to be the case.

The fellowships host institutions include Amazon, Boeing, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, according to the site.

But for Donahue, its the postmodern roots of transgenderism that he says he finds most troubling.

"Transgender women are men who for some psychological reason consider themselves to be a woman. They do not menstruate and they cannot get pregnant. If you have evidence that disputes this, please forward it to me, he wrote.

The fiction doesnt end there. There is no such person  in the history of the world  who is literally non-binary, agender, bigender, two-spirit, demigender, genderfluid, or genderqueer. They are concepts made up by academics. They may exist on the blackboard, but in the real world they do not exist.

USAFA did not respond to a request for comment by The Christian Post as of Thursday afternoon.

Donahue and the Catholic League are not the first to accuse the U.S. military of becoming more concerned with gender ideology than troop readiness.

In March, former U.S. Marine Col. Mitchell Swan released a campaign ad for his bid to represent Georgias 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives that warned that the military has misplaced priorities as the Russia-Ukraine conflict represents the biggest European land war since World War II.

Wheres our military focused? he asked. Gender dysphoria and woke training. This is insane.

[Russian President Vladimir] Putins reviewing nuclear options while we assess transgender therapy options, he lamented. As a retired colonel who led marines overseas, I know this woke indoctrination in our military.

The USAFA  which was established in 1954 and is the youngest of the U.S. service academies  serves as both a military organization as well as a university.
John MacArthur warns Gov. Newsom his soul 'lies in grave, eternal peril' after abortion campaign Scathing open letter slams governor for 'shamelessly' misquoting Scripture

A renowned Southern California pastor is calling upon Gov. Gavin Newsom to repent and respond to the Gospel for his controversial reelection campaign that invoked Scripture in defense of abortion.

The open letter from Grace Community Church Pastor John MacArthur dated Sept. 29 quotes the Bible numerous times in response to the campaign earlier this month, which MacArthur said shamelessly misquoted Mark 12:31 for Newsoms own political purposes.

You revealed to the entire nation how thoroughly rebellious against God you are when you sponsored billboards across America promoting the slaughter of children, whom He creates in the womb (Psalm 139:1316; Isaiah 45:912), wrote MacArthur.

You further compounded the wickedness of that murderous campaign with a reprehensible act of gross blasphemy, quoting the very words of Jesus from Mark 12:31 as if you could somehow twist His meaning and arrogate His name in favor of butchering unborn infants, he added.

According to MacArthur, Newsom used the name and the words of Christ to promote the credo of Molech (Leviticus 20:15). It would be hard to imagine a greater sacrilege.

The letter also called out what MacArthur described as the diabolical effect of Newsoms worldview, pointing to Californias epidemics of crime, homelessness, sexual perversions (like homosexuality and transgenderism), and other malignant expressions of human misery that stem directly from corrupt public policy.

Rather than staging a political defense, however, MacArthur voiced personal concern for Newsoms soul, which, he said, lies in grave, eternal peril.

You will stand in the presence of the Holy God who created you, who is your Judge, and He will demand that you give an account for how you have flouted His authority in your governing, and how you have twisted His own Holy Word to rationalize it. As you look over the precipice of eternity, what will your answer be? wrote MacArthur.

He closed the letter by telling the governor that Grace Community Church located in Sun Valley, California, and "countless Christians nationwide, are praying for your full repentance."

MacArthur called upon Newsom to please respond to the Gospel, forsake the path of wickedness you have pursued all your life, turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness, and use your office to advance the cause of righteousness (as is your duty) instead of undermining it (as has been your pattern).

A request for comment from Newsom made Friday by The Christian Post was not immediately returned.

Newsom launched the billboard campaign Sept. 15 after he posted images on social media showing billboards set to go up in Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and four other "anti-freedom" states where abortion is prohibited or significantly restricted.

Newsom's tweet read in part: "To any woman seeking an abortion in these anti-freedom states: CA will defend your right to make decisions about your health."

Newsom tagged several Republican governors, including Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, with whom he shared a billboard image that reads: "Need an abortion? California is ready to help."

In July 2020, MacArthur famously defied Newsoms mandate banning in-person worship services when he announced that his church would continue to hold in-person services.

About two weeks after California indefinitely closed churches and other businesses in more than 30 of the state's 58 counties as part of its response to the coronavirus, author and theologian MacArthur has given a biblical basis for his decision. Compliance would be disobedience to our Lords clear commands, he wrote in a statement to the congregation on Friday.

Government officials have no right to interfere in ecclesiastical matters in a way that undermines or disregards the God-given authority of pastors and elders, MacArthur wrote.
Hispanic Evangelicals much less likely to vote for candidates who support late-term abortions: poll

Hispanic Evangelicals are much less likely to vote for a candidate who supports late-term abortion, according to a new poll released ahead of the midterm elections.

In conjunction with the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, My Faith Votes released the results of a national survey of 1,002 Evangelical Christians and 503 Hispanic Evangelical registered voters Thursday. The poll, commissioned by Heart & Mind Strategies from Aug. 23 to Sept. 6, asked respondents for their thoughts on abortion policy and other political issues facing the United States.

The survey presented participants with six statements reflecting a position on the legality of abortion and asked them to identify which statement most closely aligned with their beliefs on the hot-button issue. Just 15% of Evangelical voters said they believe abortion should be available to a woman any time she wants during her entire pregnancy. That number slips to 12% among Hispanic Evangelical voters.

Some 5% of Hispanic Evangelicals believe that abortion should only be legal during the first six months of a pregnancy and 18% want to see abortions limited to the first trimester. The remaining 66% expressed support for near-total bans on abortion.

Thirty-eight percent of Hispanic Evangelical voters think abortion should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, while 13% support legal abortion only in cases where the mother is facing a medical emergency. Fifteen percent indicated support for a total ban on abortion.

Among the sample of Evangelical voters, 14% believe that abortion should be illegal in all cases; 16% think abortion should only be legal to save the life of the mother; 37% support abortion bans except in cases of rape and incest or to save the life of the mother; 13% want to limit legal abortion to the first three months of pregnancy; 4% support allowing abortions for the first six months of pregnancy, and 15% told pollsters that abortion should remain legal throughout pregnancy.

The survey also asked respondents whether they would be more likely or less likely to vote for a congressional candidate who supports third-trimester abortions. Only 8% of Hispanic Evangelical voters characterized themselves as much more likely to vote for a candidate who supports third-trimester abortions, while an additional 9% identified themselves as somewhat more likely to do so.

While a substantial portion of that demographic group (28%) maintained that support for third-trimester abortion would make them neither more nor less likely to cast their ballot for a particular candidate, a plurality of Hispanic Evangelical voters (39%) cited support for late-term abortions as a factor that would make them much less likely to vote for a candidate. The remaining 16% were somewhat less likely to support a candidate in favor of third-trimester abortions.

Among Evangelical voters as a whole, a majority (52%) are less likely to vote for candidates who support late-term abortion, followed by 22% who are neither more nor less likely to do so, 12% who are somewhat less likely to support such candidates, 7% who classified themselves as much more likely to embrace such candidates, and 6% who are somewhat more likely to.

The results of the poll are clear: a Democratic Party which supports late-term abortion  at any time under any circumstance  is a Democratic Party choosing white, elite liberals over Latinos, said the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, NHCLC President. It is the equivalent of putting a sign on the partys door that says no Latinos allowed.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Rodriguez predicted that the Democrats position on abortion would cause Latinos to shift away from the party. To some extent, the shift Rodriguez forecasted has already played out in recent elections.

Less than one month after the interview, Republican Mayra Flores won a special election in Texas heavily Hispanic 34th Congressional District. Data compiled by the progressive blog The Daily Kos shows that in the 2016 presidential election, the South Texas-based district supported Democrat Hillary Clinton by nearly 22 points. By the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic margin of victory decreased to just 4 points.

In the 2020 presidential election, exit polling from CNN found that Latinos supported Democrat Joe Biden over Republican Donald Trump by 33 points. The most recent generic ballot poll conducted by the Economist/YouGov, which asks voters which party they would like to have control of Congress, finds Hispanics favoring the Democratic candidate over the Republican candidate by 17 points.

Polls conducted earlier in the year and listed by Rodriguez as evidence that Latinos are abandoning the Democratic Party in droves showed Hispanics favoring Republican candidates by 13 points and 9 points.

While the views of Hispanic Evangelical voters and Evangelical voters as a whole on the issue of abortion are nearly identical, Hispanic Evangelicals are less likely than their non-Hispanic counterparts to disapprove of President Bidens job performance on issues other than abortion.

Specifically, while 75% of Evangelical voters disapprove of Bidens handling of the unauthorized entry of non-U.S. citizens at the Southern border with Mexico," disapproval of the administrations handling of the issue dropped to 62% among Hispanic Evangelicals.

Majorities of Evangelical voters (72%) and Hispanic Evangelical voters (66%) disapproved of Bidens handling of the economy. The survey measured disapproval of the presidents handling of foreign relations with China at 58% among Hispanic Evangelical voters and 70% among Evangelical Voters. A similar gap exists in the approval ratings of Bidens handling of foreign policy, in general, between Hispanic Evangelicals (56%) and Evangelical voters (67%).

Similarly, a higher share of Evangelical voters (71%) disapprove of a catch and release policy for illegal immigrants than Hispanic Evangelical voters (56%). Seventy-one percent of Evangelical voters disapprove of Bidens handling of foreign relations with Iran, with a slightly smaller share of Hispanic Evangelical voters (64%) also expressing disapproval. Overall, majorities of Hispanic Evangelical voters (57%) and Evangelical voters (66%) expressed disapproval of the presidents job performance.

The survey comes after abortion has emerged as a major issue in the upcoming 2022 midterm elections following the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization finding that the U.S. Constitution did not contain a right to abortion. While polling shows the American public as a whole supporting abortion at some point during a pregnancy, most surveys also illustrate opposition to late-term abortion.

Congressional Democrats have repeatedly sought to pass the Womens Health Protection Act, which would codify a right to abortion into federal law and limit the ability of states to enact abortion restrictions. Critics of the legislation have slammed it as a method of enshrining late-term abortion into federal law.
2.5M Florida Residents Without Power, CNN Warns Of Rapture Anxiety, Students Protest Virginia Trans Guidelines

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More than 2.5 million homes were without power in Florida amid catastrophic floods and life-threatening storm surge early Thursday, hours after Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. The international evangelical relief group Samaritana?TMs Purse is preparing to respond.

The New Jersey Department of Education is imposing sex education standards that require school districts to teach middle school students about anal sex and pregnancy options.

Could teaching what's described in the Bible as a "blessed hope" actually be a source of anxiety and trauma?

Students across Virginia walked out of class Tuesday protesting a state government guidance directing schools not to allow trans-identified students to identify as the opposite biological sex without legal documents.

Worship leader Dante Bowe is no longer a member of the Grammy Award-winning worship group Maverick City Music for the time being due to "behavior inconsistent" with what the band says is their "core values and beliefs."
New Jersey requiring schools to teach middle schoolers about anal sex, pregnancy options

The New Jersey Department of Education is imposing sex education standards that require school districts to teach middle school students about anal sex and pregnancy options like abortion or face potential "disciplinary action."

The state board of education approved several changes to the statewide education standards in June 2020, which school districts are required to implement this month under threat of losing state funding.

The new standards expect students by the end of grade eight to be able to "describe pregnancy testing, the signs of pregnancy, and pregnancy options, including parenting, abortion, and adoption" and be able to define "vaginal, oral, and anal sex."

The state's education standards also state that children by eighth grade should be able to "differentiate between gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation," and schools should "develop a plan ... to promote dignity and respect for people of all

genders, gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations in the school

community."

The Christian Post contacted the New Jersey Department of Education for comment on the sex education standards. A response was not received by press time.

Melissa Varley, superintendent of the Berkeley Heights Public Schools, told Fox News that while parents can have their children opt out, the sex education requirements still have to be taught in her school district.

"If we do not, we do not pass New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) monitoring. If the district fails this process, we may become ineligible for state and even federal funding," Varley explained.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Education told Fox News that the learning standards are "mandatory for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to implement and failure to comply can result in disciplinary action."

"Under [New Jersey Statutes Annotated] 18A:35-4.7, for children to be excused from any part of instruction in health, family life, or sex education, their parent or guardian must inform the school principal in writing that the instruction conflicts with their conscience or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs," the spokesperson said.

The NJQSAC system the state uses to monitor school systems evaluates based on five "core components" that research has identified as "key factors in effective district operations," the spokesperson added.

"Specific indicators in each of the five areas are self-evaluated by the district and verified by the Department," the spokesperson said. "If a district scores below 80% in any of the NJQSAC areas, the district is required to create a district improvement plan to address the indicators found to be out of compliance. An assessment is made of the district's capacity and effectiveness based on its compliance with the indicators."

"Following the assessment, the district is placed on a performance continuum that will determine the level of oversight, and technical assistance and support it receives in accordance with NJSA 18A: 7A-10," the spokesperson continued. "Dependent upon the percentage of quality performance indicators a district satisfies upon review of the improvement plan, the Department may determine whether additional monitoring or intervention is warranted, pursuant to NJSA 18A:7A-14."

In 2020, following five months of discernment, public comments and revision, the state board of education voted to revise the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education for classroom instruction, with a key focus on the "Personal and Mental Health" section.

Concerns over how the standards will be implemented prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to ask the state DOE on April 13 "to review the standards and provide further clarification on what age-appropriate guidelines look like for our students."

Acting Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan issued a memo on April 14 to school officials declaring that "the State does not mandate curriculum" and that specific materials for the course remain at "the discretion of local educational agencies."

"To be clear, any report indicating that the NJDOE has approved a specific vendor or instructional material (e.g., lesson plan) related to the implementation of NJSLS-CHPE or any other content area is not accurate," stated the memo.

"These standards are based on research making clear that receiving age-appropriate information about health education is essential for students' physical and emotional well-being."

Regarding the requirement that students know about "vaginal, oral, and anal sex," Allen-McMillan said this is "foundational to keeping [students] safe and protecting themselves from pressure, dating violence, and assault."

"It is important to provide students language for, and understanding of, specific acts, empowering them to stay safe, evaluate risks, make informed decisions, and communicate health issues or injuries if necessary," the memo continued.

"Further, youth who are unable to appropriately name sexual acts may not be able to accurately report instances of sexual harm or abuse if it occurs."

In May, four state board of education members wrote an open letter to Allen-McMillan, expressing an ongoing concern about the sex education standards and their implementation.

"As board members, we continue to hear views of parents and educators with passionate feelings about what is appropriate and inappropriate for their children to learn, especially about sex," they wrote.

"[W]e are hoping the committee and department will recommend removing some of the more controversial and graphic language as well as reexamine the age appropriateness of the grade at which some of these topics are recommended to be taught."
Michigan Health accused of wrongfully firing female PA for refusing to perform trans procedures

The University of Michigan Health has been accused of wrongfully firing a physician assistant who sought a religious exemption from participating in sex-change procedures and using the chosen pronouns of trans-identified patients.

The First Liberty Institute, a law firm based in Plano, Texas, sent a letter of complaint to Michigan Health on Tuesday on behalf of Valerie Kloosterman.

The letter was addressed to Peter VanLaan, associate general counsel with the University of Michigan Health  West, and Timothy G. Lynch, vice president and general counsel of University of Michigan Health.

According to the letter, Kloosterman was fired because in 2021 she was required to complete a training module that contained statements concerning sexual orientation and gender identity that her Christian faith prohibited her from affirming.

She could not complete the training unless she checked boxes that affirmed the statements. There was no option within the training for her to explain her position or request a religious accommodation, reads the letter.

Subsequent meetings with Michigan Health officials last year eventually resulted in her termination, with the letter claiming that the officials expressed hostility toward her beliefs.

Michigan Health listed her unwillingness to refer patients for certain gender dysphoria-related drugs and procedures, her unwillingness to use pronouns that do not correspond to a patients biological sex, and her alleged alteration of medical records to change patients pronouns (a false charge that Ms. Kloosterman continues to deny), the letter continued.

First Liberty demanded that Michigan Health reinstate Kloosterman and provide religious accommodation for her and other employees who might object to the use of gender-identity-based pronouns and participation in  or referrals for  gender-dysphoria-related surgeries and drugs.

First Liberty Senior Counsel Jordan Pratt said in a statement released Tuesday that he believed it was bad medicine to force religious healthcare professionals to choose between their faith and their job.

Valerie provides excellent medical care for every patient, but she cannot in good conscience refer patients for experimental drugs and procedures that violate both her religious convictions and her medical judgment, Pratt stated.

It is intolerant of Michigan Health to demand that medical professionals like Valerie abandon their religious beliefs and their medical ethics in order to remain employed.

In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, a spokesperson for Michigan Health said: "University of Michigan Health-West is committed to providing appropriate medical treatment to all patients and respects the religious beliefs of its employees. Our organization does not discuss personnel issues and as such, has no further comment."

Earlier this year, University of Michigan Health-West announced that it had been deemed a top performer for LGBTQ+ healthcare equity by the Human Rights Campaign, a prominent LGBT activist group.

In the announcement, the university said it earned that designation by having training in LGBT patient-centered care, giving equal benefits to same-sex couples, advancing equal hospital visitation policies, and promoting resources for LGBT patients.

Our mission requires us to relentlessly advance health for West Michigan  and there is no room in that mission to exclude anyone, said UMH-West CEO Dr. Peter Hahn, as quoted in the announcement. Im proud of our teams commitment to inclusion as one of our core values and their enthusiasm to keep building on our progress.
3 reasons why Christians shouldn't avoid engaging in politics

As we approach the 2022 midterms, Ive heard many Christians say, I try to stay out of politics, or Politics can be so dirty, so I avoid it. These remarks are often rooted in the false notion that political engagement is an unfit calling for anyone authentically Christian because politics is inherently corrupt.

For those of us who are discouraged by the overall negative tone and atmosphere of the political arena, avoiding it might be a tempting choice. However, its not a perspective that Christians with a biblical worldview should adopt.

America continues to decline in Christian values and moral integrity. The faith community can no longer afford to sit back and abdicate its role in government and politics. Here are 3 biblically-based reasons Christians should reevaluate their aversion to politics:

Its a matter of obedience

What if were faced with so many problems in our society because the people of faith who have been called to serve in government have been disobedient? What if they have ignored the call on their lives due to fear or other reasons, and what we see around us is the fruit of that decision?

In John 8:31, Jesus made it clear that those who are obedient are His disciples. If you are truly a Christian, you strive to be obedient and to know and follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. What if obedience to God is serving in politics?

With recent worldwide events, it has been said that were living in an age of existential fear. But fear is the absence of faith. Many Christians are afraid of going into politics because they fear becoming corrupt. Although this is a healthy fear, we as Christians are not encouraged to shy away from other professions that have the potential for corruption or danger. So why avoid the political arena? And, as in all things we do, are we not called to walk by faith?

Psalm 91 is a treasured Bible passage to many. But lets look at something you may not have noticed in verses 13: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowlers snare and from the deadly pestilence.

If youre like me, youve probably read this passage a hundred times and never paid much attention to that word, but do you know that the word pestilence has a broader definition than just meaning plagues or disease? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, one definition is, that which is morally pestilent or pernicious; moral plague or mischief, evil conduct, wickedness; that which is fatal to the public peace or well-being.

If we will only trust Him, God is capable of saving us not only from deadly diseases but from those things that are morally corrupting as well.

If our nation prospers, we prosper, too

In Mark 12:31, Jesus as says, Love your neighbor as yourself. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Jeremiah 29:7 is where Jeremiah tells the exiles in Babylon, Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

If we disobey this command, the city suffers. We know we are to pray, but we also should seek the citys welfare. Thats the call to cultural engagement. Whether were trying to feed the poor or serve in government, were commanded to love our neighbor and seek the welfare of the city. How can we seek its welfare if we are not involved with the governmental processes which determine that welfare? If were called to serve in this way and ignore that call, could it be that the fruit of that disobedience is what were seeing run rampant throughout our world?

Were uniquely equipped

Christians are desperately needed in politics because if theyre true, authentic Christians, they are people of integrity. Theyre called to a higher standard than unbelievers, and they answer to someone other than just the voters.

Matthew 5:13-16 reveals that true Christians are salt and light. The light shines best when its dark! Were not perfect, but we know who we are and whose we are, and thats what makes us different. A true Christian is a follower of Christ. Were obedient to Gods Word and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Were led by the Spirit of God. If someone is truly following God and walking in obedience, that person will naturally have a higher level of integrity. If theres any area in which we need more people of integrity to serve, its politics.

We all know that politics can be dangerous for the soul. The temptations, pressures, and scrutiny can be enormous. But if youre called into that arena, God will equip you to withstand all those things. So perhaps our nation, states, cities, counties, and school boards look as they do because we have allowed others to take the role we are supposed to have  a role that God has uniquely equipped us for over anyone else. By abdicating that role, perhaps we have allowed someone else, who is not equipped, to take it instead.

In Exodus 3:11, Moses questioned God's call on his life: Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? But God gives him what he needs to do the job He has asked him to do. How else will we get godly officials and leaders unless godly people run for office? Are we so lacking in faith that we believe God cannot handle the things that come up in politics?

If Daniel can be protected in the lions den, David can defeat Goliath, and God can split the Red Sea for the same Moses who doubted himself, what can He do for you if you will merely step out in faith and trust Him?

There is no time like the present for Christians to get involved in the political process. With God on our side, we can use our gifts and talents to make a difference in our government and create a better place for the next generation.
Victory for Christian student in peril of losing license to work due to backlash over graduation speech

The governing body of a university in Mexico has dismissed proceedings started by the school against a recent psychology graduate to withdraw his license to practice due to his graduation speech defending the family and the sanctity of life, calling the demand for action unfounded.

The Autonomous University of Baja California had started formal proceedings to ban him from practicing psychology after a group of professors filed complaints against the student, Christian Cortez Perez, but the University Council found the claims to be unfounded, said the human rights group ADF International, which supported the Christian graduate.

I am overjoyed that the university has recognized that I committed no wrong in exercising my free speech rights to speak about issues of profound moral concern from the graduation podium, Perez said.

As valedictorian at the universitys School of Medicine and Psychology, Perez delivered the commencement address at his graduation ceremony on June 27, where he voiced his deeply held moral convictions regarding the state of the world today, and the importance of the family and the sanctity of life, among other issues.

Some students and faculty protested vocally and walked out, but he continued and delivered his graduation address in full.

The professors then issued a manifesto, calling his address hate speech. They demanded that his academic degree and professional license be withheld, his merit award withdrawn and psychology associations across Mexico be alerted about his actions.

What happened to me shows how dangerous it is when professors with agendas try to punish students with whom they disagree, Perez said. Academic institutions must respect the free speech rights of all students, and this is a great win for fundamental freedoms.

In response to the proceedings against him, Perez filed a counterclaim to protect his rightful interests.

Carlos Ramirez, lead lawyer for Perezs case in Mexico, said the ruling shows that the vindictive attack on Christian by his professors was groundless.

While it is very unfortunate that Christian had to go through this completely inappropriate ordeal, let this be a clear signal to all that students have the right to voice their views in a public university, Ramirez added. Free speech is fundamental for flourishing intellectual life both in and beyond school.

On account of widespread violations, international bodies repeatedly have called on Mexico to correct its stance on freedom of speech, ADF International noted in its statement.

In his commencement speech, Perez said, Today we are deep into a real anthropological struggle to redefine the human being, the human person, man, through the implementation of ideologies and fashions of thought that always end up undermining dignity and freedom.

He then quoted English writer and lay theologian G.K. Chesterton: People do not know what they are doing; because they do not know what they are undoing. Perez added that to attack life and the family is to self-destruct, it is an attack on civilization itself. He then urged his peers to live in solidarity with one another, saying, You have to love; no one seeks the good of the other if he does not love him.

The groups legal counsel Kristina Hjelkrem called the demand for action against the graduate a silencing and sanctioning campaign, which caused Perez severe reputational harm, in addition to the real threat of losing the ability to practice his profession.

Not only is this representative of cancel culture at its worst, but also efforts to punish him contravened the fundamental human right to free speech enshrined in international law. All concerned with the protection of free speech should take note, she said.
Dozens more Christians killed, many others critically wounded in Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria  Continuing attacks earlier this month in Benue state, Nigeria, suspected Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists killed dozens of Christians last Friday and Wednesday, sources said.

The terrorists attacked six predominantly Christian villages in Benue states Togo County on Friday, destroying lives, houses and farms and looting homes for food, area residents said.

These attacks by the herdsmen have left dozens of Christians dead and several more with gunshot injuries and machete attack wounds, area resident Ukan Kurugh told Morning Star News in a text message.

Survivors of these herdsmen attacks have been taken to some hospitals, and they need urgent medical attention but lack the funds to pay for their medical bills. Some of them need urgent surgeries but they cant afford to pay for the charges.

Attacked were the villages of Tse Ikyem, Tsav, Tse Ijoho, Tse Ikyaan, Anawah, and Mou in Togo County, residents said. Mou was also attacked on Wednesday, as was Mchia, in the same county.

Our people have have suffered immensely in the hands of these marauding herdsmen, Kurugh said.

Local resident Moses Teryima identified 12 of the Christians slain in Fridays attacks as Aandohemba Msugh Aondo, Oliver Toryima Chion, Innocent Shinku Ngimsho, Mchivga Utume, Joseph Msugh Aondo Gwa, Bemdou Hundu, Luther Mchivga, Sunter Achiwan, Aondohemba Msughve, Hemhsnger Teryuega, Japheth Kwaghaondo Pinega, and Vihishima Mbanomso.

An area community leader, Joseph Anawa, confirmed that the six villages had been attacked on Friday. The Rev. Akpen Leva, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State Chapter, said in a press statement that attacks against Christians and by herdsmen and other terrorists in the state have been ceaseless.

Armed herdsmen and terrorists have not stopped their unprovoked attacks on Christians in Benue state, Leva said. These attacks are aimed at killing defenseless Christians and to force them out of their communities.

Pastors and denominational leaders were among the victims of the attacks, he said.

We condemn in strong terms these unprovoked attacks and loss of lives in these affected Christian communities and call on security agencies to rise up to the challenge in order to curtail the activities of these bloodthirsty herdsmen, Leva said.

Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, said police received reports of the attacks from the divisional police officer of Logo.

Our personnel have been deployed to the area to contain the situation, she said.

15 Christians Killed

In the same county last Wednesday, suspected herdsmen and other terrorists killed 15 Christians and wounded 15 others in attacks on two villages, area residents said.

Predominantly Christian Mou and Mchia villages were attacked at about midnight. Fulani herdsmen, who are predominantly Muslim, killed 12 Christians in Mchia village, said area resident Peter Terseer.

Aside from the 12 Christians who lost their lives in Mchia village, eight other Christians were injured during the attack, Terseer told Morning Star News in a text message. Theyre being treated at the Anyiin hospital.

In Mou village, resident James Akiga said three Christians died and seven were wounded in the attack by a band of terrorists and herders.

The victims have gunshot wounds and machete cuts, Akiga said in a text message to Morning Star News.

Paul Hemba, Benue state special adviser on security matters, confirmed in a press statement that 12 Christians were killed at Mchia village and three at Mou village on Sept. 21 at about midnight. He also confirmed that 15 Christians were wounded in the assaults.

Also on the night of Wednesday, Sept. 21, some other Christian communities in Guma Local Government Area were attacked by the terrorists and herdsmen, but they were repelled by security agencies who were drafted there, Hemba said. No life was lost, nor anyone injured, in the Guma attacks.

Military authorities in the area confirmed the attacks on the Logo and Guma areas.

Our troops are managing the situation in Logo  some attacks had been happening around that area before now which made us to conduct a weeklong operation there about two weeks ago, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe said in a press statement. These terrorists have killed between two and four people every three to four days. Most times we received reports that they, bandits, have attacked and retreated.

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.

This article was originally published by Morning Star News.
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.
The BC PNP will temporarily cease draws until the new NOC system is in place in November.

British Columbia to pause PNP draws for a month The BC PNP will temporarily cease draws until the new NOC system is in place in November.

British Columbia to pause PNP draws for a month The BC PNP will temporarily cease draws until the new NOC system is in place in November.

British Columbia to pause PNP draws for a month The BC PNP will temporarily cease draws until the new NOC system is in place in November. Edana Robitaille Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

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British Columbia will be pausing draws in the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) between October 12 and November 16, 2022. While this would not be unusual for some provinces, British Columbia typically holds PNP draws every week.

As Canada updates its National Occupation Classification (NOC) system the first major NOC update since 2016, Provincial Nominee Programs across Canada may need to make some changes to ensure a smooth transition for candidates.

BC PNP candidates who have applications in the pool after October 12 will be removed and will need to resubmit their application when the system re-opens again in November. If a candidate is invited on or before October 12, they still have 30 days to submit their application, which will be evaluated using NOC 2016 (the current) criteria. The BC government says application processing times are anticipated to remain within the service standard of 3 months for 80% of applications.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

There are some exceptions to the pause. The province will continue to issue ITAs under the Entrepreneur Immigration program and candidates applying under Health Authority, International Post-Graduate categories can continue to submit applications until Nov. 13, 2022.

Changes under NOC 2021

Canadas National Occupational Classification (NOC) system acts as a major component of evaluating candidates who wish to come to Canada under an economic class program, such as Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee Program. These programs target skilled immigrants who wish to enter Canadas workforce.

The NOC breaks down employment activities in Canada to help understand the nature of the Canadian labour market, run government programs, promote skills development, conduct research, and help Canada manage its immigration and foreign worker programs.

Approximately every five years, the federal government makes updates to the NOC and overhauls the system every ten years. Changes to the NOC reflect changes to the Canadian economy and labour market.

Under the current approach under NOC 2016, categorizing jobs is based solely on a candidates type of employment and splits occupations into four categories ranging from management positions to low-skilled.

The new system will categorize jobs into six levels based on a new Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system. Statistics Canada explains that this new structure will place more emphasis on a candidates transferable skills and abilities rather than their occupational experience.

TEER 0 Management occupations. TEER 1 Completion of a university degree (bachelors, masters or doctorate); or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 2 (when applicable). TEER 2 Completion of a post-secondary education program of two to three years at community college, institute of technology or CEGEP; or

Completion of an apprenticeship training program of two to five years; or

Occupations with supervisory or significant safety (police officers and firefighters) responsibilities; or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 3 (when applicable). TEER 3 Completion of a post-secondary education program of less than two years at community college, institute of technology or CEGEP; or

Apprenticeship training of less than 2 years; or

More than six months of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience with some secondary school education; or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 4 (when applicable). TEER 4 Completion of secondary school; or

Several weeks of on-the-job training with some secondary school education; or

Several years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 5 (when applicable). TEER 5 Short work demonstration and no formal educational requirements.

BC invites more than 258 candidates in weekly PNP draw

More than 258 candidates were invited to apply for provincial nomination in British Columbia on September 28.

Most candidates, 215, were invited in a targeted draw for tech occupations. The invitations were issued to candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduates categories and included Express Entry candidates.

Candidates who were invited in the target tech draw had minimum SIRS scores of 100. SIRS acts much like the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) but is only used for British Columbias PNP.

The province also held rounds of invitations for candidates working in the following occupations.

28 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) with scores of at least 60 points; and

15 Healthcare workers from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (includes EEBC option) with scores of at least 60 points

Healthcare assistants from the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category with minimum scores of 60 and;

Other priority occupations with minimum scores of 60

About the PNP

The PNP was established in 1998 to encourage newcomers to settle outside of urban centres in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia and distribute the benefits of immigration throughout the entire country.

The program now welcomes over 80,000 new permanent residents a year to Canada. Candidates can apply through Express Entry (enhanced nomination) or directly to provincial governments. If a candidate applies as part of their Express Entry program and is successful in getting provincial nomination, they automatically receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), making it highly likely they will receive an Invitation to Apply from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Finding work in Canada: Should you negotiate your salary as a newcomer? Tips on how to negotiate your salary.

Finding work in Canada: Should you negotiate your salary as a newcomer? Tips on how to negotiate your salary.

Finding work in Canada: Should you negotiate your salary as a newcomer? Tips on how to negotiate your salary. Julia Hornstein Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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As a newcomer, you may feel as though you cannot negotiate your salary because you do not have any prior Canadian work experience. This assumption is incorrect, especially when you have experience in your field.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

It is important to demonstrate to an employer that you know the key differences within the industry (i.e. laws, procedures, etc.) and in the work environment between your country of origin and Canada.

Workers have leverage in Canada

Canadas labour force has over 20 million people, and newcomers account for a growing portion of the labor force. According to a job vacancies report by Statistics Canada in the first quarter of 2022, job vacancies in Canada reached 957,500. The job vacancy rate, which measures the number of vacant job positions as a proportion of the total labor demand, has been on an upward trend since 2016. As a result, there is a multitude of Canadian employment opportunities for newcomers.

Tips for negotiating your salary

Before and during the interview process, there are some things you can do in order to have the most success when it comes to getting the salary you want.

Before the interview

Do research on the industry standards for the job you are looking for, especially on the provincial salary data. You should then decide on the fairest salary offer you would accept considering your work experience and skill set.

Determine what your strongest skill sets are in relation to the job and use them while asking for a higher salary.

Establish how you are going to negotiate for a higher salary and practice it before the interview.

Decide at what point you will stop negotiating before the conversation becomes unpleasant.

During the interview

Make sure the fit between you and the job seems right. If you do not feel like you have all the skills for the job or have not impressed the employer enough, you may want to reconsider your salary negotiation.

You may learn about job tasks that will require you to have experience you dont have or learn more than anticipated. You may need to adapt to situations and take this into account when deciding whether to negotiate or not.

Resources to help your career in Canada

If you are looking for additional career support, you are welcome to visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canadas (IRCC) settlement providers page to find a local organization that can help you. IRCC funds over 1,000 organizations across Canada who provide free settlement supports such as employment training and advice to new permanent residents to Canada. Simply look up organizations that are within close proximity of your residence in Canada

There are also many websites you can use to start looking for a job. These include:

LinkedIn

Canadas Job Bank

Indeed

Glassdoor.ca

Monster.ca

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
You still have more steps to complete after submitting your application for Canadian immigration under the spousal and common-law sponsorship program.

What happens after you apply to sponsor your spouse for Canadian immigration?

What happens after you apply to sponsor your spouse for Canadian immigration? You still have more steps to complete after submitting your application for Canadian immigration under the spousal and common-law sponsorship program.

What happens after you apply to sponsor your spouse for Canadian immigration? You still have more steps to complete after submitting your application for Canadian immigration under the spousal and common-law sponsorship program.

What happens after you apply to sponsor your spouse for Canadian immigration? You still have more steps to complete after submitting your application for Canadian immigration under the spousal and common-law sponsorship program. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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After you apply to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner for Canadian immigration, you may wish to track the progress of your application, update your application, or otherwise communicate with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There are also some important steps you must take before you can finally become a permanent resident of Canada.

After applying you could be waiting a long time for permanent residency. The processing standard for new spousal sponsorship applications is 12 months. However, IRCCs own processing time calculator is estimating inland applications are taking an average of 15 months, and outland applicants are taking about 24 months.

Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

IRCCs webpage states that processing begins on the day your complete application is received. When officials determine that your submitted application is complete, you will get an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) and an application number. IRCC says on its webpage that it has been taking a long time to issue AORs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If IRCC officials will return your application if it is incomplete or fees are missing.

Here is what you can expect between the time you submit your application and the time you officially become a Canadian permanent resident.

Sponsors

IRCC will first examine the Canadian sponsors eligibility. If all the forms and documents are present, IRCC will send an email or letter confirming that the application has been accepted for processing. IRCC will then asses the sponsors eligibility and send an email or letter containing the decision.

If the sponsorship undertaking is approved, IRCC will send the application for permanent residence to the appropriate processing office. IRCC will then decide whether the person being sponsored is eligible for permanent residence.

If the undertaking is refused, IRCC will explain why in an email or letter.

Quebec residents If you live in Quebec and are applying for spousal sponsorship, the foreign spouse must complete and sign the Demande de selection permanente  Categorie du regroupement familial (Application for permanent selection  Family reunification class) form. This document must be enclosed with the sponsors undertaking application to the Quebec government. If the Government of Quebec approves the undertaking application, they will send IRCC the information needed to process your permanent residency application. Applicants

Once the Canadian spouse or common-law partner is found to be eligible, IRCC will send you (or your authorized representative) an AOR with your application number on it.

The application number allows you to link your application to your IRCC secure account. This way, couples can communicate with IRCC and get updates and messages about their application online.

During the processing, IRCC will ask you to submit your:

medical exams;

police certificates; and

biometrics.

Medical exams

All foreign national family members (who are not already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) need to pass a medical exam, even if they are not applying to come to Canada with you. IRCC says failure to declare and have family members examined will affect your application, and your ability to sponsor them in the future.

IRCC will send you and each family member a request to complete a medical exam at an appropriate time in processing. It will contain instructions about what to do. You might not receive it right after applying, as medical results expire and IRCC might ask you to do them at a later time to reduce the chance of having to redo a medical exam.

If you have already completed an immigration medical exam, you must provide details in the medical examination section of your document checklist. Depending on when the exam was done, you may have to do it again.

Police certificates

Immigration applicants age 18 years of age and older must provide a valid police certificate for any country other than Canada in which you spent six or more months in a row since the age of 18.

If the original certificate isnt in English or French, you must get an accredited translator to translate it and include both the police certificate and the original copy of the translation.

IRCC will also do its own background checks to see if there are reasons why you or your family members may not be admissible to Canada.

For more specific and up-to-date information, IRCC offers a guide on where to get a police certificate.

Biometrics

When the biometrics fee is paid, IRCC will send your family members a letter asking them to give their biometrics. Family members must show this letter when they give their biometrics. They have 30 days to give their biometrics in person at their closest collection point. IRCC recommends booking biometrics appointments as soon as possible to avoid delays.

IRCC will send instructions to let your family members know how much time they have to send in their biometrics.

Open work permits for inland sponsorship applicants

If you are applying for immigration from within Canada, you may be eligible for the Spousal Open Work Permit. This work permit allows you to work anywhere in Canada while your permanent residency application is in processing. You can either submit your application for an open work permit together with your application for permanent residence, or after you apply.

IRCC says the application for an open work permit is normally processed in four months.

Interview

If an interview is needed, IRCC will tell you in writing. IRCC will give you the date, time and location of the interview, and provide you a list of documents to bring.

During an interview, an officer may ask you, the principal applicant, about your:

relationship with the sponsor

education level

reasons for immigrating

plans and preparations

family

health

financial situation

past difficulties with the law

IRCC may also ask questions that will be used to evaluate your means to settle in Canada.

Once PR is approved

To allow IRCC to finish processing the application once it is approved, you need to send in the following documents for all who are immigrating to Canada, including any dependent children:

passports or photocopies of passports (IRCC will let you know which)

two photos

proof of payment for the right of permanent residency fee, if it hasnt already been sent.

IRCC will let you know where to send this information.

If the spouse being sponsored or any dependents are outside Canada, IRCC will send them a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if required) once their application is finished processing. Once received, you will be able to travel to Canada and meet an officer at a Canadian port of entry before these documents expire. The officer will make the final decision to allow your family members to enter Canada as permanent residents.

If you are inside Canada, you have to meet an immigration officer to receive your COPR. IRCC will send you a letter to schedule your appointment and tell you what documents to bring. The officer will make the final decision on your permanent residency application.

Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
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Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele
Profile: A Party secretary who changed her village

Xinhua) 08:31, September 30, 2022

Liu Guizhen (C) talks about issues concerning water supply pipes with staff members of the local water conservancy in Daixian County of north China's Shanxi Province, Sept. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Liang Xiaofei)

TAIYUAN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- In summer, the Yuhe River in north China's Shanxi Province sparked a rural tourism boom as many tourists chose to drift down the river and end their trip in Duanjiawan Village of Daixian County, north China's Shanxi Province.

Duanjiawan used to be an impoverished mountain village, but it managed to shake off poverty in 2017 and has taken on a new look. Villagers attributed much of the changes to their village head Liu Guizhen.

Liu, who has served as the village's Party chief since 1996, is working to develop tourism products, including rafting and camping, to bring locals more earnings from the tourism industry.

The 59-year-old also has been a village doctor since 1978 and worked as a village teacher from 1988 to 2017. She has been elected as a delegate to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Back in 1978, the village didn't have a doctor. Liu, then setting her mind on taking the college entrance examination, was persuaded by her father, then the village's Party chief, to follow a program that trained village doctors instead.

"You're the only one who has been to the senior high school in the village. Who else can I turn to if not you?" Liu recalled her father's words.

Since then, Liu has embarked on a career as a village doctor. She bought many books, consulted with professionals, and gradually mastered the relevant skills.

"Liu has treated my illnesses for more than ten years, and sometimes she even paid for my medical bills when seeing me living a hard life," said Li Changlai, who suffers from pain in his lower back and legs because of the recent drop of temperatures. "She treats all of us the same."

In 1988, as its only teacher had left, the Duanjiawan primary school suspended classes. Liu rose to the challenge again to become a substitute teacher until the second half of 2017.

Through years of selfless dedication, Liu gradually gained the villagers' trust. In 1996, she was elected the village's Party chief, and in 2003, she began to hold a concurrent post of head of the villagers' committee.

After the country waged war against poverty, Liu tried many ways to help locals escape poverty.

Troubled by the lack of natural resources, local villagers grew corn, millet, and potatoes to survive. After some surveys, Liu found that growing pine tree seedlings suited the village's conditions and could be financially rewarding.

However, changing villagers' conventional ideas was never easy as many were wary of the risks. Liu decided to risk it and was the first to plant pine tree seedlings on her 200-square-meter plot. After two years, the saplings sold for 75,000 yuan (about 10,500 U.S. dollars).

Seeing profits from growing pine tree seedlings, many villagers followed Liu's steps and planted various seedlings. Liu shared her experience and even lent money to strapped families to encourage them to join the business.

After years of efforts, the village even founded a local cooperative in saplings and registered a brand after Liu's name. The town now plants eight hectares of seedlings and over 260 hectares of sea buckthorn, and the annual per capita net income of households already out of poverty has exceeded 10,000 yuan.

Guo Yonghong, a 79-year-old villager, said his family planted half a hectare of pine tree saplings. "The sapling sales have exceeded 60,000 yuan this year," said Guo.

Nowadays, Liu also leads locals to plant more cash crops, including traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and black truffles.

"As a CPC member, I will work harder to help create a better life for my fellow villagers," said Liu.

Liu Guizhen (L) chats with a villager in north China's Shanxi Province, July 6, 2022. (Xinhua)

Undated file photo shows Liu Guizhen measuring blood pressure for a villager at a clinic in Duanjiawan Village, Daixian County of north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

Undated file photo shows Liu Guizhen giving a math lecture at Wangjiahui Primary School, Daixian County of north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhan Yan)

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  NATO said Thursday it would retaliate for any attacks on the critical infrastructure of its 30 member countries as it suggested that damage to two gas pipelines off Denmark and would-be member Sweden in international waters in the Baltic Sea is the result of sabotage.

Any deliberate attack against Allies critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response, NATO ambassadors said in a statement. They said that the damage to the pipelines between Russia and Germany is of deep concern.

The alliance also said that all currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage.

Danish Defense Minister Morten Bodskov on Twitter called it a joint condemnation and very strong signal from the alliance.

The Swedish coast guard on Thursday confirmed a fourth leak on the Nord Stream pipelines off southern Sweden.

We have leakage at two positions off Sweden, coast guard spokesperson Mattias Lindholm. There are two more off Denmark, he said.

Two of the leaks are on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that recently stopped supplying gas, while the other two are on Nord Stream 2 that never started operating. Although they werent running, both pipelines were filled with gas, which has escaped and bubbled to the surface.

The Nord Stream pipelines run through the Baltic to transport gas from Russia to Germany. The Danish and Swedish governments believe that the leaks off their countries were deliberate actions.

Before the leaks were reported, explosions were recorded. A first explosion was recorded by seismologists early Monday southeast of the Danish island of Bornholm. A second, stronger blast northeast of the island that night was equivalent to a magnitude-2.3 earthquake. Seismic stations in Denmark, Norway and Finland also registered the explosions.

Some European officials and energy experts have said Russia is likely to blame for any sabotage  it directly benefits from higher energy prices and economic anxiety across Europe  although others cautioned against pointing fingers until investigators are able to determine what happened.

Speaking Wednesday before the fourth leak was reported, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said it would have taken a large explosive device to cause the damage.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the Nord Stream pipeline incident would have been impossible without a state actors involvement.

It looks like a terror attack, probably conducted on a state level, Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

Judging by the amount of destruction of the Nord Stream, its hard to imagine that such action could have been taken without a state involvement, Peskov said. Its a very dangerous situation that requires a quick investigation.

He dismissed media reports about Russian warships spotted in the area as stupid and biased, adding that many more aircraft and vessels belonging to NATO countries have been spotted in the area.

Torben rting Jorgensen, a former admiral with the Danish navy, told The Associated Press that it was not so demanding to carry out an operation either by using a remotely operated underwater vehicle or sending divers from a submarine or a surface vessel.

Those who carried out the operation knew they wouldnt get caught, rting Jorgensen said. Who would have thought of an operation against pipelines in the Baltic Sea?

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Hurricane Ian left behind swamped cars, capsized boats and flooded neighborhoods across a wide swath of Florida on Thursday as it crossed the peninsula, entered the Atlantic Ocean and regained hurricane strength before turning west toward South Carolina.

The hurricane destroyed most of Fort Meyers Beach and parts of Fort Myers as it came ashore. Lee County Manager Roger Desjarlais said during an afternoon briefing that the hurricane breached the Sanibel Island causeway in five locations. The destruction leaves more than 6,000 residents of Sanibel and Captiva Islands without road access to the mainland.

Our community looks like its been hit by a very large tornado, Lee said.

South of Fort Myers, the storm surge pushed into the city of Naples in neighboring Collier County, inundating a city fire station along with other buildings. The Naples Daily News reported that the storm heavily damaged the Naples Pier and flooded neighborhoods near the coast. Mayor Teresa Heitmann told the newspaper that the city suffered $20 million in damages just to its own government property.

Photographs posted online by Bay News 9 showed that hurricane damage reached northward into the Tampa Bay Area, which avoided a direct hit despite early forecasting that the hurricane would come ashore there. The photos showed downed trees that fell on top of houses in Valrico and Lakeland and the twisted remains of numerous screened pool enclosures.

Homes were flooded throughout Central Florida. The Universal Studios theme park in Orlando was swamped by several feet of water, according to a local news report. Seminole County reported that at least 1,000 homes there had been impacted by flooding. Video taken by a drone, posted online by the city of Kissimmee, showed widespread flooding that had reached the second floor of a large parking garage.

The destruction reached all the way to the Atlantic coast. A video posted online by WESH 2 television showed wind from the hurricane tearing the roof off a large building. The Associated Press reported that Ian caused significant damage to the Flagler Beach pier, despite being downgraded to tropical storm status before reaching the Atlantic coast.

The Red Cross reported that 33,000 people sought refuse in approximately 260 evacuation shelters in Florida. That number may increase as power outages continue and people leave homes that are so damaged they are no longer inhabitable, the nonprofit organization said. An estimated 2.3 million Florida utility customers were without power on Thursday evening, according to poweroutages.us.

The National Hurricane Center reported Thursday afternoon that Ian had regained hurricane status and was expected to make landfall on the South Carolina coast between Charleston and Myrtle Beach early. Maximum sustained winds were at 75 mph.

As reported by the Claims Journal on Wednesday, industry experts projected that Hurricane Ian would cause $20 billion to $40 billion in property damage, possible making it among the top-five most expensive natural catastrophes in history.

About the photo: This image, taken from video provided by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, shows widespread hurricane damage in the Fort Myers area.
Hundreds of hospital patients were being evacuated from facilities across the Fort Myers region Thursday after damage from Hurricane Ian cut off water supplies. One area hospital began assessing the full damage from ferocious winds that tore away parts of its roof and swamped its emergency room.

Other health care systems in Ians path, from the states Gulf coast to the Atlantic, were also moving patients because of flood waters.

Even as the problem was too much water in much of the state, at least nine hospitals in southwest Florida had the opposite problem.

We have one large health system in southwest Florida that is without water in all of their facilities. And so they are fast approaching a point where they will not be able to safely take care of their patients. So that is an urgent focus to get those patients transferred, said Mary Mayhew, the president of the Florida Hospital Association.

Mayhew said more 1,200 patients were being evacuated.

Meanwhile, other hospitals could find themselves further strained, she said.

There is considerable effort underway to rescue individuals who also will need medical care. And to identify hospital beds available either in the region or elsewhere, she said.

Hurricane Ian swamped HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte from both above and below, as the storm surge flooded its lower level emergency room while fierce winds tore part of its fourth floor roof from its intensive care unit, according to a doctor who works there.

Dr. Birgit Bodine spent the night at the hospital, anticipating the storm would make things busy, but we didnt anticipate that the roof would blow off on the fourth floor, she said.

Water gushed down Wednesday from above onto the ICU, forcing staff to evacuate the hospitals sickest patients  some of them on ventilators  to other floors. Staff members resorted to towels and plastic bins to try to mop up the sodden mess.

The medium-sized hospital spans four floors, but patients were forced into just two because of the damage.

Bodine plans to spend another night at the hospital, when incoming storm injuries could make things worse.

The ambulances may be coming soon and we dont know where to put them in the hospital at this point, she said. Because were doubled and tripled up.

Despite the inundation, Bodine said patients have been mostly understanding and upbeat.

For us, as much as everything is terrible and were exhausted  as long as our patients do OK and nobody ends up dying or having a bad outcome, thats what matters, Bodine said.

In Orlando, residents of the Avante nursing home were evacuated to ambulances and waiting buses through floodwater in a neighborhood that doesnt typically flood. Paramedics rolled out residents one by one on stretchers and wheelchairs. At the neighboring Palm Island at Baldwin apartment complex, cars were submerged in the parking lot.

Calvan reported from New York. Associated Press reporter Mike Schneider contributed from Orlando.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Arizona Court of Appeals recently analyzed a question that often plagues the removal of an insurance bad faith case to federal court: What is the standard to state a claim against an alleged aider and abettor of a bad faith claim? In Iglesia de Jesuscristo Minesterios v. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, the Court of Appeals held that conclusory allegations of bias and knowledge of the alleged tort by the aider and abettor were not insufficient to state a claim. In other words, the bare pleading of the standard was not enough for the plaintiff to survive a motion to dismiss.

Iglesia arises out of a hail loss at a church in Phoenix, Arizona. After the loss, the insurer retained an engineering firm to evaluate the damages. After the insurer denied the claim, Iglesia filed suit against the insurer for breach of contract and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and against the engineering firm for aiding and abetting the breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. The trial court granted the engineering firms Motion to Dismiss, finding that Iglesias failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. The church appealed.

Initially, Iglesia confirmed the standards for bad faith and aiding in abetting in Arizona, which were not at issue. In Arizona, the tort of aiding and abetting requires proof of three elements: (1) the primary tortfeasor committed a tort causing injury to the plaintiff, (2) the defendant knew the primary tortfeasors conduct constituted a breach of its duties to the plaintiff, and (3) the defendant substantially assisted or encouraged the primary tortfeasor in achieving the breach. Wells Fargo Bank v. Ariz. Laborers, Teamsters and Cement Masons Loc. No. 395 Pension Tr. Fund, 201 Ariz. 474, 485,  34 (2002); Restatement (Second) of Torts  876(b). To prove a bad faith claim, a plaintiff must show that 1) the insurer acted unreasonably towards its insured and (2) the insurer did so either knowingly or with reckless disregard to whether it was acting unreasonably. Acosta v. Phoenix Indem. Ins. Co., 214 Ariz. 380, 383,  13 (App. 2007).

Next, the Court of Appeals applied these standards to the allegations in the churchs amended complaint. The Court of Appeals held that complete knowledge of the primary tort was not necessary, but the aider and abettor must know the conduct it aided and abetted was a tort. The Court of Appeals noted that the church failed to alleged that AKE knew its report was to be used for an improper purpose (such as wrongfully denying the claim) and that general awareness of its use of reports in insurance claims is insufficient to establish knowledge. In order to start an aiding and abetting claim, the church must have plead, with specific facts, that AKE knew the insurers denial was made with reckless or knowing wrongfulness.

There are two important takeaways from Iglesia. First, the Court of Appeals has established that general allegations of bias or motive are insufficient to bring an aiding and abetting claim. Rather, the plaintiff must state specific facts to how the aider and abettor knew its conduct was substantially assisting in the commission of a tort. Second, the Court of Appeals suggests the church could have taken discovery under Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 27 before it filed litigation against the engineers firm in order to sustain its claims. For example, the church may have requested to take depositions of key witness and obtain insurance company claim files before the filing of the suit to avoid a potential motion to dismiss.

From a practical perspective, this case should make removal of cases to federal court easier when the plaintiff names a non-diverse defendant. It may also lead to an increase in prelitigation discovery. Typically, there is very little pre-litigation discovery in bad faith cases, but the early dismissal of this suit may lead the insureds counsel to take this route in order to keep their cases in state court.

The link to the case can be found here  https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/OpinionFiles/Div1/2022/1%20CA-CV%2021-0358%20Iglesia.pdf.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  Authorities are searching for whoever left an unextinguished campfire they say led to the largest wildfire in Idaho this year that has drawn hundreds of firefighters, three of whom died.

Wildfire officials said Wednesday that the 200-square-mile (520-square-kilometer) Moose Fire in east-central Idaho near the town of Salmon that started in mid-July is only about half contained.

The US Forest Service said interviews by its special agents and law enforcement officers as well as forensic processing of where the fire originated identified an unattended campfire as the source.

The agency said the fire began in a dispersed camping area between the Salmon River Road and the main Salmon River, across from the Moose Creek drainage. It then spread from grass and shrubs to forests at higher elevations, officials said, eventually forcing the evacuations of residents near the town of Salmon.

The agency is asking the publics help in identifying anyone present at the camping area from the afternoon of July 16 to the morning of July 17.

State and federal authorities in recent years have bolstered efforts to hold responsible careless campers, fireworks users and public lands target-shooters, seeking firefighting costs that can reach millions of dollars.

The program has had to expand, of course, because we have more need because of human-caused negligent fires, said Jessica Gardetto, external affairs chief for the US Bureau of Land Management at the Boise, Idaho-based National Interagency Fire Center.

She cited an increase in public land use during the COVID-19 pandemic, with recreationists possibly new to the outdoor experience and unfamiliar with safely using a fire in wildland areas.

Humans are the most common cause of wildfires in the U.S., according to the Fire Center, starting nearly 53,000 in 2021. Lightning accounted for about 6,300 wildfires that year. Final numbers arent yet available this year.

Idaho officials also track human-caused wildfires and aggressively seek those responsible. As of Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Lands, or IDL, reports that 123 of the 276 wildfires its responsible for fighting on 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) of state, federal and private land were human-caused.

We investigate every fire under IDL protection, spokeswoman Sharla Arledge said. Weve had some good success, and there have been two arrests for arson this year.

Over the past two years, the agency has also bolstered its wildfire investigation capabilities by creating a new program that has a dedicated manager who can tap 20 workers who have completed specialized fire investigation training.

Finding those responsible for a wildfire is important not only for people who own the property, but for taxpayers, Arledge said.

Residents who have lost homes in wildfires have also filed lawsuits against those found responsible to collect damages.

On the Moose Fire, Salmon-Challis National Forest officials said Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jared Bird, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska, died from injuries they sustained when their CH-47D Series Chinook crashed in the Salmon River on July 21.

Fire officials also reported that 48-year-old Gerardo Rincon, a crew boss with a 20-person hand crew from Independence, Oregon, who had 28 years of experience fighting wildland fires, died on Sept. 20 after experiencing a medical emergency early in the morning.

Hundreds of firefighters lined up on Saturday at the Lemhi County Airport south of the city of Salmon as Rincons body was transported past them in a hearse to a waiting aircraft and then flown to Oregon.

About 500 firefighters and support personnel remain at the blaze that has an estimated containment date of Oct. 31, potentially meaning it will take an end-of-season rain or snow event to extinguish the fire.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
U.S. Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter: "The public has a strong interest in understanding what occurred on June 29, (2019) and whether the shooting death of an allegedly friendly dog, who was showing no signs of aggression, was lawful, and whether the LPD issued a citation in retaliation for plaintiffs stated intention to go to the media about the incident."
Those who have been working for decades to restore the site, founded for African-American farmers and business owners, are hoping the General Assembly will consider pitching in with some of the $1 million it will take to restore what's left.
NEW DELHI: Reliance Jio has earmarked Rs 2 lakh crore investment for 5G network and plans to launch the high-speed services in key cities by Diwali, RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani said on Monday.

While speaking at Reliance Industries' 45th annual general meeting, Ambani said Jio will roll out 5G services across India by December 2023.

To build our pan-India true 5G network, we have committed a total investment of Rs 2 lakh crore. Jio has prepared the fastest ever and most ambitious 5G rollout plan for a country of our size. Within the next two months. That is by Diwali, we will launch Jio 5G across multiple key cities including metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, he said.

Ambani said subsequently the company plans to increase Jio 5G footprint month-on-month until December 2023, to deliver Jio 5G to every town, every 'taluka' and every 'tehsil' of the country.

After buying spectrum worth Rs 88,078 crore in the auctions, Reliance Jio said earlier this month it is gearing up to roll out an advanced 5G network to make India a global leader in digital connectivity and solutions.

The company had emphasised that it is fully ready for 5G rollout in the shortest period of time, backed by nationwide fibre presence, an all-IP network with no legacy infrastructure, an indigenous 5G stack and strong global partnerships across the technology ecosystem.

Ambani during the AGM said with 5G in place, Jio will launch billions of smart sensors with connected intelligence that will trigger the Internet of Things and fuel the fourth Industrial Revolution.

It will connect every one, every place and everything with the highest quality and most affordable data, he said.

Ambani said Jio made strong progress in fibre and FTTH deployment with pan-India fibre-optic network of more than 11 lakh route kilometres.

He said two out of every three new fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) customers are choosing JioFiber.

In about two years of commercial rollout of its fixed-line broadband services, Jio toppled 20-year-old state-run telecom company BSNL as top service provider in the segment in January.

India is ranked 138th in the world in fixed broadband adoption. Jio will take India to be among the top 10 globally in fixed broadband adoption, Ambani said.
Teenagers from the Colorado Youth Advisory Council are pursuing three new state policies to address substance abuse, eating disorders and disciplinary actions in schools.

The council on Friday presented the proposed bills to lawmakers, who voted to advance and send them to a legislative council meeting on Oct. 4 to determine if the bills would go to the General Assembly for consideration when it reconvenes in January next year.

The first bill aims to reform the way schools intervene and respond to substance abuse among students. Colorado is the seventh most pervasive state for substance abuse in the country, according to a 2022 study, and youth substance abuse is more common here than the national average.

Weve identified a major need for substance abuse care in Colorado schools, said Bhavya Surapaneni, a member of the Youth Advisory Council. Typically, programs regarding substance abuse have to do with prevention and encouraging students to not use substances in the first place. But obviously, people slip through the cracks and we want to have a program in place for students who require intervention.

To address this, the bill would expand on the states existing Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Program, which is already in place at some of Colorados school-based health centers and is designed to detect early substance use disorders in students and refer them for treatment. If passed, the bill would implement the SBIRT Program in all secondary schools statewide.

The second bill seeks to create a state Office of Disordered Eating Prevention tasked with supporting individuals with eating disorders, increasing awareness of prevention and care, preparing written materials for primary care offices, and creating a public resource bank for research, intervention methods, treatments, crisis services and more.

In 2015, Colorado had the fifth-highest rate of eating disorders in the country among adolescents.

People dont know where to go when theyre trying to refer people to treatment, said Aimee Resnick, an alumnus of the Youth Advisory Council. "(The office) would thoroughly take an upstream prevention approach to eating disorders and make sure that were doing the most we can to not only reduce eating disorders in our state, but to be a trailblazer across the country in spearheading this public health effort.

The bill would also create a $200,000 grant program to fund research into the risk factors, effects and root causes for disordered eating and create the Disordered Eating Prevention Commission to develop policy recommendations.

Finally, the third bill intends to reduce inequalities in school disciplinary action. In the 2017-18 school year, Black students were 4.6% of Colorados school populations but made up 9.5% and 9.8% of students suspended and expelled, according to data from the Civil Rights Data Collection. Hispanic, Latino and mixed-race students were also similarly overrepresented in disciplinary rates.

The bill would require educational boards to create a policy to address disproportionate disciplinary practices, and schools that identify significant disparities between racial, ethnic, ability, socioeconomic or language groups must develop, implement and annually review an improvement plan.

In addition, the bill would require that schools document alternative attempts at discipline and consider a students age, disciplinary history, disability status, seriousness of the violation and safety threat before suspending or expelling them. These requirements are already in place for kindergarten through second grade, but the bill would expand it all the way through 12th grade.

Lawmakers approved the substance abuse bill in a unanimous 4-0 vote, while the other two bills passed, 3-1. Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose, voted against the bills without comment.

If the bills made it to the General Assembly, Sen. Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City, and Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora, would be the prime sponsors. The substance abuse bill would begin in the House, while the other two bills would start in the Senate.

The Colorado Youth Advisory Council also drafted three other bills that were not selected to move onto the legislative council. They would have sought to improve education and awareness of HIV among teenagers, increase the number of licensed psychologists within schools and establish youth participation in committees tasked with updating educational standards.

Legislators could still decide to sponsor them in the upcoming legislative session.
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Colorado and nine other states joined the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit against pesticide makers Syngenta and Corteva on Thursday, accusing them of engaging in anti-competitive practices.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court alleges that the companies use loyalty programs with pesticide distributors to exclude generic competitors from the market. The lawsuit claims the companies influence distributors to sell their products after their patents expire by giving distributors incentive payments for keeping their purchases of generic products below a certain threshold.

The lawsuit argues that these practices are unlawful and have inflated prices for farmers and consumers, potentially costing farmers millions of dollars each year.

Effective enforcement of the antitrust laws to protect farmers and to address concerns of inflated food prices is a priority, said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. Ensuring that dominant firms, including ones who previously benefited from patent protection, cannot maintain their market share through anticompetitive means is critical to protecting fair competition.

Companies such as Syngenta and Corteva can initially develop and patent active ingredients in their pesticides, granting them the exclusive right to sell the products for several years. Typically, after those protections expire, generic manufacturers enter the market with products with the same active ingredients, leading to increased competition and dramatic price reductions for farmers and consumers.

Syngenta and Corteva are among the largest makers of crop-protection products in the United States. According to the lawsuit, the companies have entered into loyalty program agreements with substantially all leading distributors in the country, cutting out rival generic products from distribution.

In a statement, Syngenta described the incentive payments as a "voluntary and industry-standard program" that pesticide companies have utilized for decades.

"Syngenta strongly disagrees with the FTCs complaint, which it believes is contrary to the facts and the law and is without merit," the statement said. "This program is only one of several incentive programs offered by Syngenta in the U.S., and we are disappointed that the FTC has failed to appreciate the beneficial effects that these rebate programs provide to our channel partners and to growers."

The lawsuit argues that Syngenta and Cortevas practices violate state and federal laws, including the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Act. Colorado and the other plaintiffs are asking the court to end Syngenta and Cortevas loyalty programs and grant monetary relief and attorney fees, among other remedies.

In addition to Colorado and the Federal Trade Commission, the lawsuit was filed by the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin.
While the Adani group bought spectrum in the 26 GHz band, which is not for public networks, Jio acquired spectrum across several bands, including the coveted 700 MHz band that can provide 6-10 km of signal range and forms a good base for fifth generation or 5G in all 22 circles in the country.  PTI

New Delhi: After a competitive bidding battle that lasted an entire week, Indias first-ever mega 5G spectrum auction finally ended on Monday, with spectrum worth a total of Rs 1,50,173 crores being sold to telecom companies. The auction saw about 71 per cent of total spectrum bid out in the latest auction. Billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Jio was the top bidder, winning a bid of over Rs 88,000 crores to consolidate its leadership position in the telecom space. Bharti Airtel, cash-strapped Vodafone Idea and Adani Data Networks came second, third and fourth respectively in the bidding for their priority circles.

Briefing the media after the final days auction on Monday, telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Jio emerged as the largest bidder for the 5G spectrum, acquiring close to half of all the airwaves sold in the latest auction for Rs 88,078 crores, while the Adani group bought only 400 MHz, or less than one per cent of all spectrum sold, for Rs 212 crores.

Sunil Mittals Bharti Airtel was the second-highest bidder with 19,867 MHz spectrum in various bands worth Rs 43,084 crores, while Vodafone Idea snapped up 2,668 MHz worth Rs 18,784 crores. The total bids worth Rs 1,50,173 crores for 71 per cent of the total bids of 72,098 MHz of spectrum offered across 10 bands in this latest auction, the minister said, adding the government in the first year will get Rs 13,365 crores in payment for the spectrum, and 5G services could be launched by October this year.

While the Adani group bought spectrum in the 26 GHz band, which is not for public networks, Jio acquired spectrum across several bands, including the coveted 700 MHz band that can provide 6-10 km of signal range and forms a good base for fifth generation or 5G in all 22 circles in the country.

Sources said both Bharti and Jio have built a pan-India spectrum footprint for 5G, with Vodafone Ideas and Adani Data Networks participating selectively in the bidding. While the government had put on offer spectrum in 10 bands, it got no bids for high-priced airwaves in 600 MHz, 800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands.

At the end of the auction, the mop-up from the 5G spectrum is estimated to be almost double of the Rs 77,815 crores worth 4G airwaves sold last year, and triple of the Rs 50,968.37 crores garnered from the 3G auction in 2010. About two-thirds of the bids were offered for the 5G bands (3300 Mhz and 26 GHz), while more than a quarter of the demand came in the 700 Mhz band -- a band that had gone unsold in the previous two auctions (2016 and 2021), the sources added.

The mega 5G spectrum action kicked off last Tuesday with bidding over Rs 1.45 lakh crore on Day 1. The auction was stretched to seven days because of the bidding fight over UP East circle among participants. The UP East circle -- which includes Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Kanpur -- saw bidding activity pick up once again for 1800 MHz, a band primarily used by telcos for 4G services. UP East -- which has over 10 crore mobile subscribers -- accounted for all the incremental spectrum sales on Sunday, amid a pitched battle for radio waves among players such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

As of May this year, Reliance Jio had 3.29 mobile subscribers in UP East, Bharti Airtel (3.7 crore) and Vodafone Idea (2.02 crore). The bidding intensity for 1800 MHz band in Uttar Pradesh East circle had peaked between Wednesday and Friday, then subsided somewhat Saturday. On Sunday, however, renewed interest was seen and demand flared once again outstripping the spectrum supply, the sources said.
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
Only two KV schools selected in Telugu states. NEP-2020 central core committee member of NEP-2020 and national curriculum framework Prof. TV Kattimani, who is also the vice-chancellor of Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh (CTUAP), said this is a great opportunity for schools, which were chosen for Balvatika.  Representational Image/DC

Visakhapatnam: As part of the New Education Policy-2020 (NEP) guidelines, two Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) in Telugu states have been selected to conduct Balvatika classes (pre-school) for children between the ages of three and six years on a pilot basis.

The schools are KV NAD in Visakhapatnam for Andhra Pradesh and KV-2 Golconda in Hyderabad for Telangana.

Even after the bifurcation of the united AP, the KV education system was indivisible. KV NAD School principal Adiseshu Sharma said while there were 72 KVs in the two Telugu states, only two have been considered for running the Balvatika nursery classes.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Sharma said Balvatika is a newly developed system to have a new educational curriculum as per the guidelines and framework under NEP-2020.

We have opened both offline and online applications to conduct Balvatika. Around 308 offline applications have been sold so far. The last date for submission of application is October 10. We are also new to this system and our heads in New Delhi are updating us every step, added Sharma.

Elaborating on Balvatika, Sharma said children who are three to four years old by March 31, 2022 are eligible for Balvatika-I, children between 4 to 5 years are eligible for Balvatika-II and children between five and six years are eligible for Balvatika-III.

NEP-2020 central core committee member of NEP-2020 and national curriculum framework Prof. TV Kattimani, who is also the vice-chancellor of Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh (CTUAP), said this is a great opportunity for schools, which were chosen for Balvatika.

"I appreciate the schools that have got this. Balvatika is a model school for other institutions. It is essential in primary education. It prepares children to do wonders in the future," Prof. Kattimani told DC.

On the other hand, AP state Right to Education Forum member Naravaprakasa Rao said the AP government is successfully following the NEP-2020 guidelines in its education system. I didn't know about the Balvatika till now. Now let's study it," Rao added.
Have you heard the news? Regular smartphones are getting satellite connectivity!

Apple recently announced long-rumored satellite support for the new iPhone 14, enabling users to send emergency messages outside cellular coverage areas.

The service, called Emergency SOS, was made possible through a partnership with Globalstar, the American low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite company. (Apple hinted at other future partnerships as well.) Emergency SOS is set to launch in the US and Canada in November and in other countries later.

Apples news is just one part of a larger story about satellite connectivity coming to everyday smartphones.

Its coming from space!

Before Apples rollout  a preemptive PR strike, no doubt  T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a partnership over satellite connectivity for coverage blanketing the United States. (The satellites wont be launched until next year at the earliest.)

Huawei has announced its Mate 50 series, which will offer the ability to send, but not receive, text messages using Chinas global BeiDou satellite network.

A credible rumor says Samsung will add satellite communication of some kind in upcoming Galaxy phones early next year.

Qualcomm, Ericsson and Thales are testing satellite connectivity as part of their 5G technologies.

And Google recently confirmed that the next version of Android would support satellite communication.

Apples announcement brought attention to a new phase in smartphone capability, one in which future devices will directly connect to satellites. This shift has been a long time in the making.

Companies have been working on satellite-to-smartphone connectivity for years. AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global, for example, have been chipping away at the barriers and both plan to launch multiple satellites by the end of 2023. (The FCC approved Lynk Globals license this month.) Theyll partner with carriers around the world to offer service, which will typically be offered to customers as option for an additional monthly fee.

Why expectations will crash to Earth

Of course, satellite phones have been around for decades. But until now, theyve been special-purpose devices with very expensive call and data plans from companies such as Inmarsat, Thuraya and Iridium. In the past, these phones had comically large antennae. But in recent years, theyve been whittled down to nubs or, in rare cases, built fully into the handset, which have to be bulkier than smartphones to accommodate the satellite components.

Special-purpose products, such as the Garmin InReach line (which uses the Iridium network) for communication offer the ability to send text messages, share your location, and send an SOS message to a dedicated emergency response center. The mini version is pretty small and pocketable.

UK-based Bullitt, which makes rugged phones for professionals under the Cat and Motorola brands, recently teased a new phone thats roughly the size of an iPhone, but much thicker; its expected to launch early next year and enable seamless switching between Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite using a custom chipset and custom app. The service would require a dedicated satellite plan from a still-unnamed provider separate from the usual cellular plan.

Heres what you need to know: It would be a mistake to believe that regular smartphones are on the brink of getting satellite phone connectivity that functions as alternatives to cellular connectivity. Thats not whats happening.

Whats new is a new generation of satellites, with new smartphone electronics that connect to them, that enable extremely limited connections.

While dedicated satellite phones are slow, satellite connectivity for smartphones is slower still. Dedicated satellite phones get data performance below  often well below  10 Kbps (far slower than 2G phones). The new smartphone satellite antennas are far less optimized, so expect data speeds below 2 Kbps  thats Kbps with a K  even with Starlink.

Even sending a single sentence will take some time. In fact, Apples service doesnt even send sentences because whole sentences are too big. Instead theyll use what is basically a multiple choice quiz of canned responses so they can send the minimum amount of data. Even still, this tiny amount of data used only by iPhone 14 users outside of coverage areas in emergency situations prompted Globalstar to allocate 85% of its network capacity to iPhones.

And Apples minimalist service will be super slow. Apples help page for Emergency SOS says: When using a satellite connection, it might take about 15 seconds to send a message when you have a clear view of the sky. Through trees with light or medium foliage, it might take over a minute.

For the foreseeable future, the new smartphone satellite revolution wont substantially help business. The biggest beneficiaries are adventurers, people lost at sea and extreme travelers. It will be useless, however, to such people in forests, canyons, caves or anywhere else without perfect line-of-site to the sky.

No doubt, a few lives will be saved by Apples Emergency SOS feature, which is a good thing for the saved  and for Apples iPhone marketing group.

But for business communication outside normal cellular coverage areas, dedicated satellite phones will remain far superior.

The big picture about satellite communication

The emergence of smartphone satellite is part of a much larger trend where more places will have wireless connectivity of some kind or another.

One extreme example involves Google, which recently spun out from its balloon-internet startup, Loon, a new company called Aalyria. It aims to develop next-generation software created at Alphabet called Spacetime in a secret project code-named Minkowski for fast, secure laser-based communications using hardware technology called Tightbeam. The goal is access from land, sea, air, near space, and deep space, and includes satellite communication. The startup promises super-fast, very high-bandwidth communication in environments without existing infrastructure, including in space.

Its true that revolutions around connectivity where none has previously existed are emerging all around us. But its important to temper expectations about how these revolutions will transform business communications in the near future. Because they wont.

The best solution for businesses needing voice, text, and data communications beyond the range of cellular networks remains good, old-fashioned satellite phones.
But two questions arise:

Should a Parliament that makes laws for a nation over a long period of time be named after one leader, whatever be their stature and acceptability? Does Ambedkar deserve such a pedestal over all other founders and leaders of Indias parliamentary democracy?

Usually, a parliament building should not be confined to the name of one individual, however great that individual was. Since Parliament represents the whole nation, it should be the Indian Parliament.

However, it is a cultural practice in India to name all manner of things after noteworthy individuals. Logically, why not name the new parliament building after any great individual who contributed significantly enough to build parliamentary democracy in India?

The second question requires a comparative evaluation of three personalities who played a key role in institutionalising constitutional parliamentary democracy in India: Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel. MK Gandhi had little to do with the making of the Constitution. Gandhis role ended with India achieving freedom as he chose to remain outside the constituent assembly, which drafted the countrys Constitution.

Of the three founders mentioned, the current ruling dispensation holds a hostile view of Nehru, his ideological, theoretical and administrative roles as freedom fighter and as the first prime minister of India. With Nehru as the father figure of the Gandhi-Nehru family that ruled for several years, Modi has positioned himself in direct confrontation with him.

The others that the Modi government may be positively inclined to view then are Ambedkar and Patel. This is evident from the past eight years of the Bharatiya Janata Partys rule.

Ambedkar and Patel have competing status, no doubt. Evaluating their struggle, theory, practice and the impact of their role on democratic principles and ideals makes them both serious contenders to name the new parliament building after. However, for philosophical and ideological reasons, rather than Patel, it is Ambedkars name that should take precedence.

Patel, who hailed from a Shudra agrarian landed family, rose to become a towering freedom fighter, activist, leader and administrator. He went on to unify the country with determination and strong will, persuading the rulers of the many princely states to merg with the Indian Union. Patel was a lawyer and had a successful practice in courts  but he was not a legal philosopher, historian or economist.



For philosophical and ideological reasons, rather than Patel, it is Ambedkars name that should take precedence

Ambedkar, on the other hand, was from the most oppressed category of untouchables. He was also a fighter, activist, leader and administrator in his own way. Additionally, Ambedkar was a profound legal and moral philosopher. He trained himself in several disciplines such as history, sociology and politics and economics.



While steering the drafting of the Constitution and getting articles passed in the Constituent Assembly, his initiations and interventions surpassed those of the rest. Ambedkars intellectual power convinced friend and foe in the Constituent Assembly that his conviction to establish a democratic system in India was unmatched.

Yet, as long as the Congress was in full control of the power structures in Delhi, Ambedkar was ignored. India began rdiscovering Ambedkar in the post-Mandal era  after the Mandal Commission report recommending affirmative reservation for bckward classes in education and jobs was published in 1980.

From courts to universities and mass movements, Ambedkars writings and speeches in the Constituent Assembly and outside became weapons to defend Indian democracy as it entered crisis after crisis. Indian democracy and Ambedkar almost became synonymous.A design of the new Parliament building. Credit: Central Vista website.

The Mandal era resurrected Ambedkars commitment to India as a nation. Though Ambedkar knew that Western constitutional ideals evolved in many countries particularly, England and the United States, he drew more relevant principles from Indian history. Thus, Ambedkar made Indian nationalism more grounded than anybody elses. Buddhas parables, Mauryan emperor Ashokas administrative principles and symbols were made relevant in modern times because of Ambedkar.

He often repeated the three cardinal principles of democracy  liberty, equality and fraternity  from ancient Indian history, not French thought. Ambedkars nationalism was not rooted in mythology but in the productive life of the Indian masses. He helped bring from the margins the concerns of the historically oppressed into the constitutional framework.

The Dalits, Adivasis and shudras today owe to him their slowly but surely transforming lives. If the new parliament building is named after Ambedkar, it would be clear that a serious civilisational transformation is underway in India. The complete and true de-colonisation of India will set a new benchmark.

---

*Political theorist, social activist, author. His books include 'God As Political Philosopher-Buddhas Challenge to Brahminism', 'Buffalo Nationalism and The Shudras-Vision for a New Path', 'The Weapon of the Other and others'. Source: https://www.kanchailaiah.com He was a powerful speaker with a command over English, Hindi Marathi and also Sanskrit. He was also well-versed in multiple schools of thought  Buddhist, Vaidic, Jain, Islamic, Christian and more. At the same time he had a command over Euro-American history, philosophy and legal systems.While steering the drafting of the Constitution and getting articles passed in the Constituent Assembly, his initiations and interventions surpassed those of the rest. Ambedkars intellectual power convinced friend and foe in the Constituent Assembly that his conviction to establish a democratic system in India was unmatched.Yet, as long as the Congress was in full control of the power structures in Delhi, Ambedkar was ignored. India began rdiscovering Ambedkar in the post-Mandal era  after the Mandal Commission report recommending affirmative reservation for bckward classes in education and jobs was published in 1980.From courts to universities and mass movements, Ambedkars writings and speeches in the Constituent Assembly and outside became weapons to defend Indian democracy as it entered crisis after crisis. Indian democracy and Ambedkar almost became synonymous.A design of the new Parliament building. Credit: Central Vista website.The Mandal era resurrected Ambedkars commitment to India as a nation. Though Ambedkar knew that Western constitutional ideals evolved in many countries particularly, England and the United States, he drew more relevant principles from Indian history. Thus, Ambedkar made Indian nationalism more grounded than anybody elses. Buddhas parables, Mauryan emperor Ashokas administrative principles and symbols were made relevant in modern times because of Ambedkar.He often repeated the three cardinal principles of democracy  liberty, equality and fraternity  from ancient Indian history, not French thought. Ambedkars nationalism was not rooted in mythology but in the productive life of the Indian masses. He helped bring from the margins the concerns of the historically oppressed into the constitutional framework.The Dalits, Adivasis and shudras today owe to him their slowly but surely transforming lives. If the new parliament building is named after Ambedkar, it would be clear that a serious civilisational transformation is underway in India. The complete and true de-colonisation of India will set a new benchmark.---

In recent weeks, there has been a demand for the new Parliament building being constructed on the revamped Central Vista in New Delhi to be named after the architect of the Constitution and anti-caste leader BR Ambedkar.On September 14, the Telangana Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to name the new Parliament building after Ambedkar. The Bharatiya Janata Party was absent during the debate about the resolution.The next day, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi-led government declared that the new secretariat in the centre of Hyderabad would be named after Ambedkar. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao added that he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to name the new Parliament building in Delhi Ambedkar Parliament.The demand is finding resonance among civil society groups too and has led to social media discussions as well as public mobilisation.
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Juvenile Justice Board member Ayesha Fatima came under sharp criticism for her observations in the infamous Jubilee Hills gangrape case that the accused might have been lured by the welcoming approach of the victim. Despite that, Fatima defended her opinion.

Fatima was also of the view that the accused might not have the knowledge of the legal consequences as they do not have legal education. When contacted, she told Deccan Chronicle that she had formed the opinion based on her interaction with the five children in conflict with the law (CCL). Asked if her observations might reflect on the victim and favour the accused, Fatima said, I have given my opinion based on whatever I had observed and noted during my interaction with them.

Significantly, the observation of the principal magistrate of the Juvenile Board that whether the victim lured the CCL or not is an issue of fact and cannot be determined at this stage is said to have highlighted the lack of understanding of the issue by the board member.

Advocate Neeli Arjun Kumar, condemning the members observations, said, It is unfortunate that the board member is expressing an opinion as a layperson. One must definitely know the legal principle that ignorance and lack of awareness of the law cannot be an excuse. Apart from that, how can the board member come to the conclusion that the accused may have been lured by the welcoming approach of the victim. It is similar to comments by hypocritical people that rapes are increasing because of women clothing.

Besides legal professionals, women activists and psychologists questioned Fatimas approach and expressed concern that her opinion would add to the trauma of the victim.

Activist Devi said, In the board members opinion, a girl invites rape on herself, that too a gangrape, one evening while the lights are still on and in a public parking place. It is a very insensitive remark. Why do we select such insensitive persons for such boards, who dont know what they are talking about? Boards and commissions have become political rehabilitation centres. The member must be thrown out of the board immediately and booked under the Pocso Act for victimising the victim and being influenced by power politics.

Yamuna Pathak, a consulting psychologist, opposed the idea that a rape victim victim luring a CCL.

She said, Irrespective of luring or not luring, as per the law the victim is a minor. Anything which happens with or without the will of a minor is unlawful. How do they (board member) define a welcoming approach? It is not about how a girl is dressed. It is about the attitude and mindset of men. Even babies as young as nine months old are being raped. This is a question of the modesty of a girl. Any kind of abuse is abuse. We can only speak in the language of law and the victim is a minor and she has been exploited severely. There is no question of will here.
MLC K Kavitha along with US Consulate General of Hyderabad Jennifer Larson and Governor Tamilasai Soundararajan perform puja at the Sri Ramachandra Swamy temple at Ammapalli, Shamshabad (K. Durga Rao/DC)

HYDERABAD: Governor Tamilasai Soundararajan's impromptu visit to the Sri Ramachandra Swamy temple at Ammapalli, where MLC K. Kavitha and US Consulate General of Hyderabad Jennifer Larson were offering prayers, sent Cyberabad police and endowment officials in a tizzy that lasted for a couple of hours on Friday. Later, police reworked on security arrangements by stopping devotees at the temple.

Kavitha and Larson visited the temple in the evening to participate in the Bhatukamma celebrations, which were organised by the locals. Prior to that Kavitha and Larson visited the temple to offer prayers.

Suddenly, the Governor visited the temple and joined them. She and Kavitha later spoke inside the temple premises. After offering prayers, the Governor left the place.

Police officials said that they had not received any information about the Governors programme.
Researchers have identified a new malware family that was designed to backdoor and create persistence on VMware ESXi servers by leveraging legitimate functionality the hypervisor software supports. According to researchers from Mandiant who found and analyzed the backdoors, they were packaged and deployed on infected servers as vSphere Installation Bundles (VIBs). VIBs are software packages used to distribute components that extend VMware ESXi functionality. The malicious VIBs provided hackers with remote command execution and persistence capabilities on the servers and the ability to execute commands on the guest virtual machines running on the servers.

Hackers used unsigned VIBs that were hard to detect

By default, VMware ESXi is configured to accept only the installation of VIBs that are VMWareCertified, VmwareAccepted, or PartnerSupported. At these levels of acceptance, the bundles need to be digitally signed by either VMware or a partner whose signature VMware trusts.

However, there is a fourth level of acceptance called CommunitySupported and VIBs in this category do not need to be digitally signed. The downside is that these bundles need to be deployed by an administrator by intentionally using the force flag on the installation command through the esxcli command line tool.

The malicious VIBs found by Mandiant had their manifest file modified to list partner as the acceptance level, but in reality had no digital signature and had been deployed using the force command. This means the attackers already had administrative-level access to the servers before deploying them. so they were a late-stage payload.

One effect of listing partner as the source in the manifest of the rogue VIBs was that they appeared listed as PartnerSupported when the esxcli software vib list command was used when in fact they werent. This oversight in the command that simply displays what the manifest says, helped attackers better hide their backdoors from administrators. To discover them, admins would have had to use the command esxcli software vib signature verify that would have verified the digital signature of all the deployed VIBs on their servers.

Attackers deployed both hypervisor and virtual machine backdoors

In addition to a manifest file and a signature file, VIBs include a collection of files and directories that will be copied on the system. One of these files was a passive backdoor that used VMware service names to hide itself and listened to traffic on a hard-coded port number on the ESXi server. The backdoor, which was named VIRTUALPITA can perform arbitrary command execution, upload and download files, and start and stop vmsyslogd, the ESXi service thats responsible for logging messages from the system kernel and other components.

During arbitrary command execution, the malware also sets the environmental variable HISTFILE to 0 to further hide activity that occurred on the machine, the Mandiant researchers said. Variants of this malware were found to listen on a Virtual Machine Communication Interface (VMCI) and log this activity to the file sysclog. The VMware VMCI is the high-speed communication interface through which virtual machines communicate with the host kernel.

Two samples of VIRTUALPITA found on Linux vCenter systems masqueraded as startup services in init.d  a startup mechanism in Linux  and their file name was disguised as ksmd (Kernel Same-Page Merging Daemon), a default kernel service, in the directories /usr/libexec/setconf/ and /usr/bin.

The researchers also found a secondary backdoor in the malicious VIBs that they dubbed VIRTUALPIE. This backdoor program was written in Python and listened for IPv6 traffic on port 546. Attackers could use this backdoor to execute arbitrary commands, transfer files and open a reverse shell. The communications through the port was done through a custom protocol that used RC4 encryption.

Finally, some attacks involved a third backdoor dubbed VIRTUALGATE that was written for Windows and was deployed on the guest virtual machines that ran on the compromised ESXi servers. This backdoor allows attackers to execute commands on the guest VM from the hypervisor or between different guest virtual machines running on the same host through the VMCI.

The researchers observed attackers using VIRTUALPITA to execute a shell script that launched a Python script that then executed commands on guest virtual machines. On the VMs, the commands were executed by the legitimate VMware Tools service (vmtoolsd.exe). In one instance the commands involved listing files from certain directories then packaging them as CAB archives and in another instance the attackers used the MiniDump utility to dump a process memory and search for plaintext credentials in it.

Mandiant hasnt linked these attacks to any known groups, so it tracks them under a new group identifier called UNC3886. Given the highly targeted and evasive nature of this intrusion, we suspect UNC3886 motivation to be cyber espionage related, the researchers said. Additionally, we assess with low confidence that UNC3886 has a China nexus.

Even though there are not yet many incidents where VIB malware was used to compromise ESXi servers, Mandiant expects other threat groups to copy this technique in the future.

VMware recommends enabling UEFI Secure Boot

VMware has published an advisory in response to Mandiants findings as well as a PowerShell script that can be used to hunt for malicious VIBs in an environment. However, the primary recommendation is to enable UEFI Secure Boot on the system, which provides cryptographic attestation of components since early in the boot process.

When Secure Boot is enabled the use of the CommunitySupported acceptance level will be blocked, preventing attackers from installing unsigned and improperly signed VIBs (even with the --force parameter as noted in the report), VMware states in its guidance. vSphere 8 takes another step and prevents the execution of unsigned binaries, or binaries installed through means other than a properly signed VIB. Efforts to disable that feature by attackers generates undismissable ESXi alarms as clues that something is happening in an environment.
STORY LINK Pound Euro Exchange Rate News: GBP/EUR Sluggish in Response to Trusss Meeting with OBR

GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Muted as OBR Meeting Fails to Ease Investor Concerns

Pound (GBP) Mixed in Response to Trusss Meeting with OBR

Euro (EUR) Slips amid Concerns over an Escalation of Ukraine Conflict

GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Forecast: PMIs to Drive Movement on Monday?

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The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate wavered on Friday, as a combination of Pound volatility and Trusss meeting with OBR weighed on the pairing.At time of writing the GBP/EUR exchange rate traded at around 1.1358, which is roughly the same as Fridays opening levels.The Pound (GBP) remained volatile against most of its peers on Friday as Lizz Trusss meeting with the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) did little to alleviate concerns over UK fiscal policy.Prime Minister Lizz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng met with Richard Hughes, the chief economist of OBR to discuss the governments poorly received fiscal plan, which at the time of release didnt have a forecast.A spokesperson for OBR said:We discussed the economic and fiscal outlook and the forecast we are preparing for the chancellors medium-term fiscal plan.In an unexpected move the Treasury released a read out of the meeting, in which the process for the upcoming economic and fiscal forecast were discussed. Economists believe that this was an attempt to calm markets.However, the impact of the read out was offset by Kwartengs refusal to release the OBRs fiscal forecast before November. As such, the Pound dropped again as investors worried about the viability of the mini budget.The Euro (EUR) was subdued on Friday amid fears over a possible escalation of the war in Ukraine.Valdimir Putin held a ceremony to formally annex the Russian-occupied Ukraine territories which held sham referendums over the weekend. Putin claims that Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are all now all parts of Russia.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said:They (the votes) are worthless and do not change reality. The territorial integrity of Ukraine will be restored. And our reaction to recognition of the results by Russia will be very harsh.The president met with military chiefs on Friday to discuss a plan for liberation. They also discussed weapon supply for the military and possible further plans in response to the invasion.EUR investors fear the illegal annexation of these territories could mark a significant escalation of the conflict, which has already placed massive pressure on the Eurozone economy this year.The Euro was also under pressure on Friday after the US released their core PCE price index for August. The figures printed higher than expected s, rising from 4.7% to 4.9% . This bolstered USD and weighed on the Euro due to the exchange pairs negative correlation.Looking ahead to next weeks data calendar, the latest manufacturing PMIs could cause fresh impetus for the Pound Euro Exchange Rate.The UK manufacturing PMI for September is forecast to print at 48.5 up from 47.3 in August potentially offering some limited support to Sterling.The Eurozones manufacturing sector is also expected to contract again, with Septembers index expected to fall from 49.6 to 48.3. Its possible that this print could cause headwinds for Euro, although the contraction is already priced in and might cap gains rather than cause a dip.In the meantime, the Euro and Pound will likely remain volatile as developments within Ukraine and the fiscal budget affect each currency respectively.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

TAGS: Pound Euro Forecasts
On its website, Uber has stated: To maintain the privacy of parties in the vehicle, the recorded content is encrypted, and neither riders nor drivers can listen to it. (AFP Photo)

Hyderabad: As a safety feature, Uber has decided to provide passengers and drivers the feature of audio recording their trips without requiring to seek the consent of the other party. While drivers have welcomed the move, data privacy experts expressed reservations, calling it an invasion of privacy and raising concerns about the possibility of recorded data being hacked.

Srinivas Kodali, a researcher and digital rights activist, compared the feature to spyware.

Its like my phone is recording me, but Im not aware of it; thats what we call spyware, he explained. He believes Uber drivers will feel compelled to accept the feature. From the passengers perspective, if either party is recording it via Uber app there needs to be a notification sent. Without that, I dont believe it is okay, it is pretty much like spying on the other person, and that cant be legal in any sense, he said.

On its website, Uber has stated: To maintain the privacy of parties in the vehicle, the recorded content is encrypted, and neither riders nor drivers can listen to it.

However, Kodali pointed out that Ubers data was recently allegedly hacked by a hacker. The activist said that if the ride is booked for the passenger by someone else, the issue of third-party data sharing arises. What prevents the driver from recording audio on his own using a separate app? It could happen anyway, but now that its on the platform, it could become a de facto practice, he said.

S.Q. Masood, a social activist, who filed a PIL last year challenging the governments use of facial recognition technology, said such a feature that allowed recording without explicit consent was illegal under the Supreme Courts Puttaswamy verdict, which guarantees the right to privacy.

In response to Ubers assurance that the recordings would be encrypted, he stated, But we dont know whether this data will be shared with anyone else. Previously, he said, a well-known hospitality chain of franchised hotels was discovered to have shared customer data with police departments and other agencies.

Shaik Salauddin, national general secretary of the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT), stated, It is a good feature and we welcome it, but customers KYC should be completed first. The aggregator firms only do it for drivers.

This newspaper contacted Uber for a reply, but none was forthcoming.
According to the latest data by Food & Wine (October 2021), a data set collected from 500 randomly selected breweries, 93.5% of breweries across the U.S. are white-owned. While this is a drastic number, more and more individuals are pushing to diversify the brewing industry. In fact, this cultural expansion may be happening closer than you think.

Here in Eugene, on the first level of Amazon Corner apartments located on 32nd Avenue, Xicha Brewing will be opening up their second location very soon. As the only Latinx-owned brewery in the Pacific Northwest, its almost certain that once you walk through their doors, youll find something quite memorable.

Xicha derives from the word Chicha, which is a fermented drink from the Andes and Amazonia regions. Just like their name signifies, the brewery is a melting pot of Latin American culture. A commitment to profound representation was set in stone in the very beginning when a chef, brewer, operations expert and business strategist all walked into a bar just kidding. But, these four passionate individuals really did get together and embark on a two year plan that resulted in their first location set in Salem, Oregon.

With empanadas from Venezuela, gallo pinto from Costa Rica, tacos de barbacoa from a family recipe and aguas frescas, Xicha is a place youll definitely want to grub at after long study sessions in the library. And it doesnt stop there; if youre looking for a party, they regularly host Loteria and dance nights featuring cumbia, bachata and salsa. The best thing about this spot is that it is family-friendly, so everyone can join the fiesta.

Now Ill get to what you really came here for: the beer. Melissa Sanchez, the marketing coordinator, met with me and explained that IPA beer (India Pale Ale) is a popular beer style in Oregon that is sort of hoppy and bitter. You may ask what makes Xicha Brewing so different from all the other bars in town. Well, they love to add their twist and experiment with flavor. For example, their Passiflora beer holds a hazy passion fruit IPA, and their Colibri contains a sweet hibiscus IPA.

This brewerys impact goes beyond the industry as well. Xicha is passionate about connecting with the community and participates in Latinx-based causes such as the one in support of the Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center. Similarly, UOs broad Latinx program has caught their attention, and Xicha hopes to find ways to support them as well as the rest of the Latinx community present in Eugene.

Those at Xicha are immensely stoked to share their traditions with the Eugene community, and I know were ready to take it all in. With over the counter service, lively music and a mural installation, Sanchez said it will house a Buenas vibras type of feel. If youre in college, you will want to come here after midterms to celebrate.
DAX, FTSE, German DAX Index, UK FTSE Index - Technical Outlook:

DAX has just broken out of a bearish pattern.

FTSE is breaking below a multi-week range.

What is the outlook and what are the key levels to watch?

Recommended by DailyFX Team Get Your Free Equities Forecast Get My Guide

DAX TECHNICAL FORECAST - BEARISH

The German DAX Index has broken below key support, pointing to further decline in the coming weeks. The break below key horizontal trendline support at about 12350, has triggered a breakout from a triangle pattern  which are continuation patterns - implying that the previous trend resumes once the price breaks out from the range. In the case of the index, the previous trend was down. Based on the width of the triangle, the price objective works out to about 10400.

The medium-term trend has been down after a head & shoulders pattern was triggered earlier this year. If history is any guide, the 2020-2022 uptrend has reversed to sideways at best following the subsequent break below the early-2020 high. The current pattern is similar to the 2015-2020 price action - a head & shoulders pattern followed by a break below the previous high - resulting in a multi-month sideways range.

In the previous episode, the index fell all the way towards the previous (2016) low. This time around if the triangle objective is indeed met, the probability of a move towards the 2020 low would rise. Interim support is at the October 2020 low of 11450, followed by the April 2020 low of 11235. On the other hand, for the immediate downward pressure to begin fading, the index, at minimum, would need to rise above the horizontal trendline at 12350.

Recommended by DailyFX Team The Fundamentals of Breakout Trading Get My Guide

DAX INDEX Weekly Chart

Chart Created Using TradingView

FTSE TECHNICAL FORECAST  BEARISH

The UK FTSE 100 Index is attempting to break below crucial support, raising the risk of an extended decline in the coming weeks. This follows failed attempts in recent months to break above major resistance on a horizontal trendline from 2018 at about 7800.

The index looks set to close this week below a horizontal trendline, which marks the lower edge of a channel from February, now at about 6950. The upper edge is a horizontal trendline from January, now at about 7665. A clean break  at least one weekly close - below the support could pave the way towards 6300, coinciding with the objective of the pattern based on the width of the channel.

Moreover, breakouts from sideway/consolidation patterns can at times be quite sharp as the market searches for a new equilibrium. Not too far in the distant past, a breakout from a two-year sideways range triggered a violent crash in March 2020 (see chart).

For now, there is initial support at the March low of 6788, followed by the June 2020 high of 6512. On the upside, UKs benchmark index would, at minimum, need to break above immediate resistance at Tuesdays high of 7074 for the downward pressure to ease.

Recommended by DailyFX Team The Fundamentals of Trend Trading Get My Guide

FTSE INDEX Weekly Chart

Chart Created Using TradingView

--- Written by Manish Jaradi, Strategist for DailyFX.com
Australian Dollar, AUD/USD, China PMI, Market Sentiment, Technical Forecast  Talking Points

Risk-off Wall Street move threatens to drag Asia-Pacific markets on Friday

Chinese PMI data may help revive APAC sentiment if the data beats estimates

AUD/USD eyes recently surrendered channel range as oscillators stagnate

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Fridays Asia-Pacific Outlook

Asia-Pacific equity markets are at risk after US stocks fell overnight, led lower by a big 4.91% drop in Apple stock, a heavily-weighted S&P 500 component. Several Federal Reserve members, including Mary Daly and James Bullard, beat the drum on the FOMCs hawkish outlook, which kept Fed funds futures stiffly priced. Rate traders see a 68% chance that the Fed hikes by 75-basis points at the November 02 meeting. The US Dollar DXY Index dropped for a second day, however, likely letting steam out after an outsized move over the past several weeks.

The Australian Dollar is in focus ahead of Chinese economic data on tap. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is set to report the data for the manufacturing and services sectors at 01:30 UTC, with analysts expecting those purchasing managers indexes (PMIs) to cross the wires at 49.7 and 52.4. That would be little changed from 49.4 and 52.6 in August, although a surprise move above 50 in manufacturing may spur some upside in iron ore and other industrial steel prices. That would likely bode well for the beaten-down AUD/USD.

The Caixin PMI manufacturing gauge, a PMI that focuses on smaller-sized firms compared to NBS data, is due out shortly after at 01:45 UTC. The Chinese Yuan gained nearly 1% overnight against the Greenback, but USD/CNH remains above the 7 level, and 1-week risk reversals show traders remain biased towards call options. Iron ore prices in China are down more than 5% from the September high set two weeks ago. The Australian Dollar is on the back foot against its major peers, with EUR/AUD rising to its highest level since July.

Elsewhere, Japan is due to print an August update on its unemployment rate, and industrial production and retail sales data for the same period are due out. Analysts see retail sales rising to 2.8% from a year ago, which would be up from Julys 2.4%. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is poised to hike its benchmark rate to 5.9%. USD/INR is on track to record a monthly gain of around 2.5%.

\

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Australian Dollar - Technical Forecast

The Australian Dollar, after setting a fresh 2022 low this week against the US Dollar, is drifting back towards channel support. Prices broke that channel range to the downside late last week. If prices retake the former support level (which may serve as resistance now), it may put prices on a better footing.

AUD/USD  Daily Chart

Chart created with TradingView

--- Written by Thomas Westwater, Analyst for DailyFX.com

To contact Thomas, use the comments section below or @FxWestwater on Twitter
California officials, organizations extend congratulations on China's National Day

Xinhua) 08:45, September 30, 2022

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- California officials, representatives of local organizations and Chinese communities extended greetings and congratulations on China's National Day, which falls on Oct. 1, during an online celebration held by the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles on Thursday.

U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu said in her video message at the online event that she hopes such events will "promote great cooperation between the United States and China."

"This will ensure a safer and better future for us all," she noted.

Chu said she was proud of her roots. "My mother came here from Xinhui in Guangdong province, so did my father's parents. Imagine from there I could become the first Chinese American woman ever elected to (U.S.) Congress."

"I am proud that many residents of my district who came from China, who established themselves so successfully here, and who contributed enormously to the community in Southern California," she added.

Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2009. She represents California's 27th congressional district, which includes Pasadena and the west San Gabriel Valley of Southern California. San Gabriel Valley, renowned for its large Asian American community, is home to over half of Los Angeles County's Chinese American population.

Anthony Rendon, speaker of the California State Assembly, congratulated China on its National Day on behalf of California.

"I understand the tremendous accomplishments made by the people of your country. I am looking forward to continued cultural, educational and environmental exchanges," he said.

The Golden State, home to around 40 million residents, is the most populous state in the United States. China is one of California's largest trading partners and California attracts the biggest amount of Chinese investment, tourists and students among all U.S. states.

Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, also delivered her warm congratulations to China.

"With sincere congratulations and best wishes, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles does hereby join your celebration," said Barger in a written message.

With a population of more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in California and the country.

Curt Hagman, chairman of Board of Supervisors, County of San Bernardino, also offered his well wishes to China.

"Thank you for your partnership and your friendship. Looking forward to opportunities for cooperation and friendship in the future," he noted.

Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, extended to China cordial greetings and best wishes on behalf of the organization, representing the famed "Flying Tiger" veterans who served in China to help the Chinese combat the Japanese invasion during World War II.

Many of the veterans, who returned to China in trips organized by the organization, witnessed the remarkable growth of China, Greene said.

"They all feel proud of what they see," he said, adding that those veterans felt they were part of it because they helped to defend China 80 years ago.

Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Zhang Ping expressed heartfelt thanks in his video speech to all the friends for their support for China's modernization efforts and the development of China-U.S. relationship.

He stressed that a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship is the shared expectation of the international community and the common aspiration of the two peoples.

"Sub-national exchanges and cooperation is an important part of China-U.S. relations and plays a vital role in promoting bilateral relationship," Zhang said, noting that the consulate general is willing to join efforts with people from all walks of life in its consular district to enhance mutual understanding and expand win-win cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Have you turned on the heating yet? If these were normal times, I would have done so about a fortnight ago, when I felt the first nip of autumn in the air.

But this year, with gas prices heading for the stratosphere, I've been holding out manfully, resisting the temptation to sneak upstairs and slide the switch to the 'on' position when my wife isn't looking.

Mrs U, I should explain, is a hardy Scot who doesn't seem to feel the cold nearly as sensitively as her wimpish English husband. She's also much more careful with the bawbees  except, I should add, when it comes to summoning builders and decorators to knock down walls, lay new carpets, install kitchen units, repave the patio and generally give the whole property a makeover, whether it needs it or not.

She's always careful, for example, to look out for special offers in Sainsbury's, whereas I couldn't begin to tell you the going rate for a pack of butter or a tin of chopped tomatoes. When it's my turn to do the shopping, I just plonk the stuff on her list into the trolley without a glance at the price tag.

(Even I have noticed, however, that the bill at the checkout becomes more frightening every week.)

This year, with gas prices heading for the stratosphere, I've been holding out manfully, resisting the temptation to sneak upstairs and slide the switch to the 'on' position when my wife isn't looking

Endurable

She's also careful to switch off Alexa at the wall, telling me that it costs a fortune to keep our smart speaker on standby  though I bet it sets us back no more than a few pence a month.

Yet this week she thought nothing of recruiting the most expensive seamstress in the area to make new curtains for our bedroom, at a sum I don't dare think about.

This is despite the fact that the last ones we bought, no more than ten years ago, do the job quite adequately, whether or not they happen to go with her new colour scheme for the room.

Where the heating is concerned, however, I accept that she has a very good point. This year, in particular, we really should make a special effort to delay switching it on for as long as the temperature remains endurable.

I tell myself that this is not only a sensible economy measure, but a relatively painless way of demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

After all, if we in the West can suppress our demand for gas  and thereby lower the worldwide wholesale price  we may marginally reduce Putin's power to inflict economic suffering on countries that have recklessly allowed themselves to become over-dependent on Russia.

Yet already I feel myself weakening, as the mercury begins to drop. Indeed, I fear it will not be long before my wife and I renew the battle of wills that has become an annual feature of our lives for at least the past decade, since I began to feel more susceptible to the cold. I will sneak upstairs to slide that switch. Then as soon as she notices that the radiators are warming up, she'll nip up and turn them off again, telling me to stop squandering cash and advising me to put on an extra jumper if I'm feeling chilly.

Meanwhile, as likely as not, she will be scouring the internet for ideas to develop her latest, wildly expensive home-improvement scheme.

Mind you, I wasn't always such a wimp about the cold. Like so many of my generation, born in the early 1950s, I was brought up in draughty homes without central heating, in which we could see our breath when we woke on a winter morning. But I never felt hard done by on that account.

Indeed, one of my fondest memories of childhood is the reek of the paraffin stove we used to rely on for warmth in winter, along with extra blankets, sweaters and hot water bottles.

My mother used to say, by the way, that she would never dream of having central heating, because it would do terrible damage to the furniture. But even as a child, I knew that the real reason my parents didn't have it installed was that they couldn't possibly afford it.

She's also careful to switch off Alexa at the wall, telling me that it costs a fortune to keep our smart speaker on standby  though I bet it sets us back no more than a few pence a month

Luxuries

It was not until my mother eventually moved into an almshouse, long after my father died, that she experienced central heating in her own home for the first time in her life. She admitted it was utter bliss.

But I'm not going to bore you all, and infuriate the young, by whining about how tough life was in the austerity years after World War II, when luxuries that so many have come to take for granted such as washing machines, foreign travel and, yes, central heating  were strictly for the well-off.

Least of all will I protest, as so many have done, that those of us who had to pay 15 per cent on our mortgages had more to complain about than today's homebuyers, who are threatened with only 5 per cent or 6 per cent.

I may be rotten at maths, but even I realise that 15 per cent of 147,000, which was what I paid in 1988 for our four-bedroom house in South London, is a damn sight less than 5 per cent of the 1 million that same house would have cost me, had I bought it last week.

No, I fully accept the truth behind the often-stated claim that we British baby boomers are in many ways the luckiest generation in history. We've never been conscripted to fight a war, we had access to 'free' university education (at least for the fortunate few who got in), same-day appointments with GPs and dentists, and the choice of a wide variety of careers with long-term prospects.

Not only did we enjoy all those advantages, but today we're offered triple-lock pensions, free travel and senior citizen discounts at a host of cinemas, theatres and exhibitions.

Crash

I'm at least moderately confident that the present crisis will pass, just as soon as the financial world recovers from its panic attack and calmly considers what is actually being proposed

Best of all, just at the moment when a fit of panic in the City threatens to turn the economy belly-up, most of the home-owners among us find ourselves with our mortgages paid off, sitting on assets that will still be worth many times what we paid for them, even if the worst predictions of a crash in the housing market come true.

Meanwhile, as prices of everything soar, far too many of the young find themselves faced with the choice between heating and eating or paying the rent. As for any hopes of home-ownership they may once have harboured, these are receding further every day.

Indeed, it doesn't surprise me in the least that after 12 years of neglect by Conservative-led administrations, young people in their droves are looking to other parties for a glimmer of hope.

Don't misunderstand me. I remain a dyed-in-the-wool Tory myself and I'm firmly convinced that Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng have the right approach in going flat-out for economic growth (though, God knows, both could do with a crash course in how to sell their policies to the public and the City).

I'm at least moderately confident that the present crisis will pass, just as soon as the financial world recovers from its panic attack and calmly considers what is actually being proposed.

But in the past, the Tories could always rely on the ageing process to instil a bit of wisdom in the heads of the young and turn Left-wing student agitators into pillars of the local Conservative association.

I'm not at all sure they can depend on that any longer.

So, yes, I readily admit that many baby boomers like me have it pretty good, with nothing much more to worry about than our children's finances and the faint risk of incurring our other halves' displeasure by turning on the central heating too soon.

But the young are the future. Unless the Conservatives turn their minds quickly to offering them hope, I fear their own future may be lost.
What a rotten few weeks it's been for Prince Harry. First, there was his desperate attempt to be at his grandmother's bedside before she died, after wasting precious time trying to get Meghan on the plane to Balmoral.

Then there was the way he learned of her death from his father  who had been trying urgently to contact him  just five minutes before it was announced to the world.

(Whatever his faults, no one can deny that Harry was a loving and much-loved grandchild.)

After that, we saw him frantically trying to delay the publication of his warts-and-all book about the supposedly horrid and racist Royal Family, perhaps fearing it may reflect badly on him and Meghan.

Now comes the bombshell revelation that the Sussexes are trying to postpone the December release of their multi-million-pound Netflix docu-series until next year. The show which allegedly contains jibes against his father  now the King, of course  his step-mother Camilla and his alienated brother and sister-in-law.

PLATELL'S PEOPLE: What a rotten few weeks it's been for Prince Harry. First, there was his desperate attempt to be at his grandmother's bedside before she died, after wasting precious time trying to get Meghan on the plane to Balmoral

The point is that such attacks, as well as any indiscretions about the Royal Family, could well damage the Sussex brand, coming so soon after the death of the Queen  even in far-away America, where their true currency lies.

And yet, sadly for this embittered couple in their $14 million Montecito mansion, their value relies on them continuing to make such attacks.

What are Harry and Meghan worth if they're not being hateful about the Royals?

Would Netflix be paying them $100 million to be nice about Charles, Camilla, William and Kate, and to tell us piously that they care about the world?

The Queen's death means that, for now at least, their golden U.S. goose is well and truly cooked. They can no longer just cash in by telling 'their truth' about the beastly royals.

Meghan is promising instead to inform us all about her and Harry's love story.

Ambitious TV actress in an unknown Canadian TV series ensnares a Prince. Removes him from his family, his home, his lineage and all he loves so he can become a lonesome Netflix star. Many would call that a horror movie.

Controversial rapper Coolio, whos died aged 59, had a career as colourful as his love life. Four children with his ex-wife Josefa and six more with other women. Thats going to be one hell of a funeral if they all turn up.

Guess what can be sexy

Hurrah for the frankness of 52-year-old Bridget Jones actress Sally Phillips, who has said the menopause isn't always a disaster, that for many women it can be 'very sexy, you can get a massive rise in libido', and 'you might feel a bit la la for a couple of years, but you get over it'.

And what a welcome slap in the face of the Menopause Police to say that, while horrible for some, it is not unmitigated misery for every woman.

That's a really bad hobbit, Lenny

Lenny Henry says the abuse hes received for his role in Amazons new The Lord Of The Rings series has come from viewers unhappy about so many actors from ethnic backgrounds.

Perhaps theyre simply attacking his ridiculously over-the-top portrayal of the crazy-eyed Harfoot elder.

Our Lenny may have mastered Shakespeares Othello, but as Sadoc Burrows hes a joke  and not a funny one.

Lenny Henry says the abuse hes received for his role in Amazons new The Lord Of The Rings series has come from viewers unhappy about so many actors from ethnic backgrounds

Now were approaching her final performance as Doctor Who this month, actress Jodie Whittaker  who has lost millions of viewers during her stewardship of the Tardis  says she cant speak about her time as the Time Lord without crying.

I cry tears of tedium as I watch your Doctor, Jodie  thats when Im not shouting: Exterminate!

One million viewers switched off the first Strictly live show last Saturday, which ended up drawing the smallest audience in years. And little wonder.

Im all for inclusivity, but how on earth can petite dancer Karen Hauer lift her same-sex partner, hefty 6 ft 2 in Jayde Adams, without incurring a career-ending injury?

Or waltz when she cant even get her arm around Jaydes body? Its silly.

Why not partner Jayde with a burly bloke instead of same-sexing?

Its a dance show, not a social experiment.

Let's rear it for Lily

Other than that lapse in judgment when she shared a scooter with Dominic West, Lily James has been flawless  enchanting us in Cinderella, wowing us in Rebecca, Downton Abbey and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Now she arrives at the British Film Institute charity gala wearing a backless red dress, patting her behind.

If there were an Oscar for the most perfect bottom, it would surely go to our adorable Lily. Although Mrs Dominic West may not agree.

Now she arrives at the British Film Institute charity gala wearing a backless red dress, patting her behind

A jury has cleared then-24 st student Imogen Brooke of forcing a man she met on a dating website to have sex with her.

Among the nuggets heard in court was the claim that, with her weight, she couldnt possibly have managed to straddle him, and that he fell asleep before they could share a feast of onion rings.

What a travesty when so many rape victims wait more than two years for their cases to come to trial.

Message for the King as Denmarks Queen Margrethe strips four of her grandchildren of their princely titles: time to do the same here.

Remove the Princess from Eugenie and Beatrice and call them what they are: Mrs Eugenie Brooksbank, wife of a tequila ambassador, and Mrs Beatrice Mapelli Mozzi, married to a property developer so successful theyre still living in a grace-and-favour apartment in St Jamess Palace.

Westminster Wars

After failing to regain the Labour whip, Jeremy Corbyn vents his anger playing a Kill Thatcher video game at the party conference. Only a truly warped person would want to kill our first woman PM, even in a game.

Angela Rayner is confident Labour will win the next election and shell be deputy PM, comparing herself to John Prescott but better looking in a dress. Ghastly thought, but also unlikely as the animosity between her and Keir is palpable, and he singularly failed to mention her in his Leaders speech.

Instead of racially slurring Kwasi Kwarteng, youd have thought Labour MP Rupa Huq would celebrate what they have in common: British-born children of migrants, privately educated and Cambridge graduates. The difference is her political career is now dead.

Mike Tindall says the Queen gave her approval for the use of the utilitarian C-17 transport plane to carry her coffin to London, even though it was used to repatriate the bodies of British troops.

Her Majesty said: If its good enough for my boys, its good enough for me.

Wonderful.

Battle of the Becks (cont.)

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz attended Victorias show at Paris Fashion Week, after David read his son the riot act.

Nic had hurt Vics feelings by saying that, contrary to the rumours that she had snubbed Posh, it was VB whod declined to make her a wedding dress.

Well done to Becks for standing up for his wife, but isnt there a strong whiff of Brand Beckhams PR team milking this saga?

If you can get over Kenneth Branaghs absurd prosthetics, there are touching moments in the new Sky series This England.

When Boris tries to call his four children with ex-wife Marina to wish them a happy Christmas, none picks up.

And when Carrie falls pregnant, he fails to tell them before they read it in the Press.

Boris didnt just lose his job as PM, tragically he lost the respect of his own kids.

Virgin Atlantic has launched its new ad campaign, marking that male and female staff (if were still allowed to call them that) can wear skirts or trousers or whatever, and passengers can book with gender-neutral pronouns. Why would the ad make me fly with Virgin when I can do so cheaper elsewhere?
Here's a question for you? Who was the last British monarch to be buried before Elizabeth II? Was it her father George VI, or perhaps her Uncle David, the former Edward VIII?

It was neither in fact. It was King Richard III, who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 and whose body was discovered in 2012 buried under a car park for Social Services staff in Leicester.

It was reinterred in 2015 with all the ceremony befitting a king.

The true story of the search for Richard's body, spearheaded by determined amateur historian Philippa Langley, is told in Stephen Frears's new film The Lost King (pictured)

The true story of the search for Richard's body, spearheaded by determined amateur historian Philippa Langley, is told in Stephen Frears's new film The Lost King.

Philippa was a longstanding member of the Richard III Society, the group who insist Shakespeare's portrayal of the king as an evil hunchback was a blackening of his character to curry favour with Tudor Queen Elizabeth I, whose family had battled Richard's, the Plantagenets, for the throne.

Philippa led a mission to find the king's lost body, which was said to have been thrown into the River Soar after the dissolution of the monastery, Greyfriars Priory, where it had originally lain.

Based on a mixture of research and intuition, she became convinced Richard's body was still waiting to be found and spent years on historical detective work which finally led her to Leicester, where the archaeology department at the University originally pooh-poohed her idea.

Nevertheless she persisted, and finally tracked the king down to his unlikely resting place  only to have the University of Leicester then step in and take the lion's share of the credit.

'I'll just give you one fact,' says Jeff Pope, who co-wrote the script with Steve Coogan. 'At the original press conference that was given to announce that the remains were Richard's, there had been 13 people arranged by Leicester University to speak. Number 13 was Philippa. She was literally the last speaker. That's not us spinning; that's a fact.'

The on-screen result is an irresistible mix of detective story and fantasy with a sprinkling of comedy, with Sally Hawkins playing Philippa and Steve Coogan as her ex-husband John

It's a remarkable tale, and one that caught the eye of Frears's erstwhile collaborator Coogan when he saw Channel 4's documentary Richard III: The King In The Car Park.

So taken was he, in fact, that the next time he was in Edinburgh, where Philippa lives, he asked her out for lunch.

'It was about eight years ago,' Coogan recalled at the Toronto premiere of the film. 'I'd just seen the documentary and I had lunch with her and asked her about the experience. She told me the story from beginning to end  it was a long lunch  and when she told me about being elbowed out at the end, I thought, "This is definitely a good story."

'There was a real balance between Richard having been judged for all those centuries, and her having been judged in a different way. I went to Stephen with the idea because I'd worked with him before on Philomena [the 2013 film], and this does share some DNA with that in that it's the story of one woman's struggle against mighty powers. Jeff Pope and I showed him the script we'd written and he said, "All right, if you make it better, I'll direct it!"'

Coogan and Pope are old writing partners, having worked together on both Philomena and Laurel & Hardy biopic Stan & Ollie. 'Philippa told me she'd imagined having conversations with Richard,' says Coogan.

'So Jeff and I thought, "Well, we'll bring him to life and make him a character." And it developed from there.'

'This is beginning to look like an unhealthy obsession,' fantasy Richard tells Philippa reprovingly at one point, to which she responds indignantly, 'I can't believe you just said that!'

The on-screen result is an irresistible mix of detective story and fantasy with a sprinkling of comedy, with Sally Hawkins playing Philippa, Coogan as her ex-husband John who's still her best friend and Harry Lloyd playing a young Richard who's neither villainous nor a 'poisonous bunch-backed toad', as Shakespeare described him (Richard did have scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, but it was not acute).

'This is beginning to look like an unhealthy obsession,' fantasy Richard tells Philippa reprovingly at one point, to which she responds indignantly, 'I can't believe you just said that!'

Like Philomena before it, the film is already being tipped for Oscar nominations, but one group who might be less than happy with it are the people at Leicester University who, to put it mildly, do not come out of it squeaky clean.

'I have the strongest feeling this is a very important historical site,' Philippa tells the archaeological department in one scene, to which a male member replies, 'A feeling is what you get when you sit on a bus seat that's still warm.'

Nevertheless, when Philippa's 'feeling' proved correct and the body of the king was recovered, she was edged out.

The Lost King, which sees actor Harry Lloyd playing a young Richard, will be in cinemas from Friday

'Big institutions don't act in a self-consciously pernicious way,' says Coogan. 'They just behave like that as a cohesive whole, and if you're not part of them then you're intuitively marginalised and made a footnote. What we wanted to do for Philippa was put her back in the spotlight. When I'd say, "We're doing a film about the woman who found Richard III", people would say, "Oh, was it a woman? I thought it was Leicester University." And I'd say, "Well, good, because we're going to correct that."'

Happily, there was one person around who was well aware of Philippa's contribution to the find, and that was Her Majesty the Queen. A history fan who reportedly took a keen interest in the story from the beginning, she presented Philippa with an MBE in 2015.

'The Queen was fascinated by the whole project,' she said. 'She asked if we always thought he was buried in Leicester and I confirmed we did. I said once we'd gone into the research, the car park looked like a real possibility. It was a hypothesis but a real possibility. She said, "Yes, to find a king in a car park is not an everyday occurrence."'

Quite so.

The Lost King will be in cinemas from Friday.
In a new book, The Repair Shop revisits its most heart-warming restorations

Across ten series and more than five years, the BBC's The Repair Shop has turned a skilled hand to hundreds of much-loved items in need of restoration.

Sometimes the pieces have artistic or historic significance, such as the portrait of Charles I's grieving queen Henrietta Maria, restored by the experts last year and now featured in a remarkable book, The Repair Shop: Life In The Barn.

'Often you have to hear the story to make sense of the item,' says presenter Jay Blades. 'It might be a domino set made by a grandfather during World War I and played in the famous 1914 Christmas Truce, or a handwritten recipe book handed down the generations and literally falling apart at the seams.

'Very few of the items are important enough to go into a museum, but they're strongly linked to that particular family. They're social history. In the barn, we not only repair items  we repair people and their family histories.'

Among the cherished items in the new book are an electric go-kart with a tragic tale, a mini library of the complete works of Shakespeare handed down for more than 100 years, and a replica sailboat that provides a link to a much-missed father.

Here are the moving stories behind them...

'Often you have to hear the story to make sense of the item,' says presenter Jay Blades (pictured)

A VERY SPECIAL SET OF WHEELS

Rachel Smith's parents were dedicated to finding ways to improve her mobility and bought her a bright yellow electric go-kart as a tenth birthday present

Electrical expert Mark Stuckey (pictured) replaced the battery, resprayed the bodywork and switched the converted handbrake back to a footbrake

Born with spina bifida, Rachel Smith was unable to walk or stand and spent much of her time in a wheelchair as she was always looking to get about. Her parents were dedicated to finding ways to improve her mobility and bought her a bright yellow electric go-kart as a tenth birthday present.

Dad Geoffrey had a custom-made metal panel installed to give her legs extra support and replaced the footbrake with a handbrake.

Tragically, at Christmas in 1977, Rachel became ill, and on New Year's Eve  the very day she turned ten  she died, before she had even had a chance to sit in her go-kart. Heartbroken, her parents packed it away in the loft, along with Rachel's other unopened presents.

Her younger sister Emma now has a family of her own, and vaguely recalls her dad bringing the kart out of the loft years later, only to find it didn't work. Geoffrey passed away in January 2021, and when the family were helping her mum Bertie to pack up the house, she said she'd like to see the go-kart restored for Emma's own children, ten-year-old Seren and six-year-old Milo.

Electrical expert Mark Stuckey replaced the battery, resprayed the bodywork and switched the converted handbrake back to a footbrake. As Seren zoomed off around the yard, her grandmother said the last time she saw it was on the landing the day Rachel died.

TO BE OR NOT TO BE PRESERVED

Leather expert Suzie Fletcher restored the case, replacing missing pieces and treating and dyeing the leather to restore its beauty (pictured)

Isla Smith's granny Kathleen was 12 in 1897 when she won a school competition for her needlework, and chose a leather-bound miniature library of the complete works of Shakespeare as her prize. The library passed to Isla after her grandmother's death in 1978, but now its precious case was battered, its gold lettering almost worn away and the overall condition so fragile Isla feared she wouldn't be able to leave it to her own children and grandchildren in turn.

The leather on the top side of the case, ripped and bleached by the sun, needed re-padding. Half of the metal clasp that locks the case was missing, and the leather hinge had come adrift.

Even the books (Isla says that, being Scottish, Macbeth is her favourite) were showing signs of age on their leather covers.

Spending time with her granny, a skilled embroiderer and calligraphist, was an important part of Isla's childhood. She learned to cherish the precious little library and her granny's memory of the grandfather she never met, who died three years after he and Kathleen married.

Leather expert Suzie Fletcher restored the case, replacing missing pieces and treating and dyeing the leather to restore its beauty. Then she buffed the book covers to bring back their lustre before presenting the set to Isla, who said even her old-school gran would have burst into tears at the result.

A GODDESS WITH A SECRET

The early 20th-century Chinese porcelain figure of Guan Yin (pictured), the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion

The early 20th-century Chinese porcelain figure of Guan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion, has a secret: if you put water in the fish on which she stands, turn it upside down and then upright again, the water drips from a flask in her hand into the fish's mouth. Ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsay reattached the goddess's hand and the fish's tail, which had broken off, and made the water flow again, taking retired GP Mickey Adagra, who inherited the little figurine from his uncle and aunt Maki and Adi, back to childhood holidays at their home near Mumbai.

HOW FLIPPING FABULOUS!

'Pancake Dog' was a battery-operated 60s mechanical toy whose eyes and ears pop up and whose stove lights up red as his pan moves to flip burgers

'Pancake Dog'  a battery-operated 60s mechanical toy whose eyes and ears pop up and whose stove lights up red as his pan moves to flip burgers  has never made a pancake in his life. But to Sue Gent from Yorkshire, that's his name, and he brings back bittersweet memories of playing with her younger brother Andrew, who died a year after being involved in a car crash when he was just 25.

Sue's father now suffers from Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, and Sue hoped that, if Pancake Dog was mended, the toy might spark his own recollections of those happy days. Mechanical mastermind Steve Fletcher removed the rust in the battery compartment and made delicate repairs to the mechanism, while cuddly toy restorers Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch made new clothes and fresh fur for the dog's head and ears  ready for Sue to take him home to her dad.

TOY'S TRAIN TICKETY BOO ONCE MORE

The bright red and green pedal train on which Kate Humphries played as a child in the 1980s, bought by her father Barry nearly 30 years earlier, was covered in rust when Kate brought it in

The bright red and green pedal train on which Kate Humphries played as a child in the 1980s, bought by her father Barry nearly 30 years earlier, was dilapidated and covered in rust when Kate brought it in. An avid train fan, Barry loved the plywood and metal engine just as much as his children did.

Barry had a stroke in March 2021, and Kate felt that seeing his grandchildren with his beloved train would give him just the lift he needed. Step forward expert metalworker Dom Chinea.

The paint had worn off and the metalwork was extremely rusty. The pedals didn't turn properly and there was woodworm, but Dom couldn't contain his excitement at the sight of this special ride-on toy.

Dom dismantled the train, sandblasted the metal, replaced crumbling woodwork and clamped the toy together to ensure it was level before gluing it back into place. He repainted it, and finally greased the wheels so they could spin freely.

Kate returned with two-year-old Agnes, bearing the sad news that Barry had now passed away. But as her daughter rode around the workshop, ringing the train's bell, Kate was overjoyed at finding a new way to remember her beloved father.

GRANDAD'S WARTIME TALISMAN

Leather specialist Suzie Fletcher and woodworker Will Kirk built a wooden support, strengthened the shoe and made a new strap and buckle, returning the shoe to a visibly moved Jonathan

After his father passed away, Jonathan Sparkes asked his mother if he could have the leather child's shoe his grandfather had found in France during World War I.

Hubert hoped he might spot a mother with a child missing a shoe, but amid the chaos of war he never did. It became his talisman, but over a hundred years later it had all but disintegrated.

Leather specialist Suzie Fletcher and woodworker Will Kirk built a wooden support, strengthened the shoe and made a new strap and buckle, returning the shoe to a visibly moved Jonathan.

A MODEL KETCH SETS SAIL AGAIN

Wood expert Will Kirk reconstructed the sails, renewed the glue, cleaned the dry and discoloured wood and created a display stand

When Matt Goddard's father Stephen passed away suddenly in 2009, he left behind his devastated 15-year-old son and an unfinished 1/50 scale model of the Clara May, a historic recreation of an 1891 wooden ketch  a type of two-masted sailboat.

Wood expert Will Kirk reconstructed the sails, renewed the glue, cleaned the dry and discoloured wood and created a display stand.

For Matt and his family, who remember his father as a truly wonderful man, the restored Clara May now stands as a tribute to his memory, and one they can appreciate every day.

GOLDIE BEAR GETS HIS GROWL BACK

Musical instrument restorer David Burville was able to give him his growl back and, equipped with a new raincoat and hat, Goldie (pictured) was again the bear Judith remembered

Goldie Bear had been through the wars  his nose had been stitched back on upside down, he was balding in places and he'd even lost his growl  over his 70 years.

Owner Judith Evans, whose daughter and granddaughter have both played with Goldie, suffers from a condition that could lead to her going blind, so it was important for her to see Goldie as she remembers him.

Musical instrument restorer David Burville was able to give him his growl back and, equipped with a new raincoat and hat, Goldie was again the bear Judith remembered.

A MOMENT IN A FAMILY'S HISTORY

In the late 60s when Sophy Bellis was six, her mother Barbara arranged for her to sit for the renowned northern artist Roger Hampson

In the late 60s when Sophy Bellis was six, her mother Barbara arranged for her to sit for the renowned northern artist Roger Hampson.

Even after Barbara developed dementia, the painting provoked a strong reaction in her, but the surface of the portrait, done on a reused canvas, was flaking and needed softening, varnishing and retouching.

Restorer Lucia Scalisi had never before worked on a portrait whose subject was still alive, and her work made Sophy gasp in astonishment.

Extracted from The Repair Shop: Life In The Barn by The Repair Shop, published by Kyle Books on 13 October, 22.  The Repair Shop 2022. To order a copy for 19.80 (offer valid to 15/10/22; UK P&P free on orders over 20), visitmailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
A woman who is married to a 'tech genius' has revealed that her husband implanted a chip in her hand - which serves as a key to their lavish mansion - leaving many people on the web intrigued.

Burgundy Waller, from Las Vegas, got a tiny chip put inside her hand back in June 2020, which made it so that she can unlock the doors and drawers throughout her home by simply touching them.

Burgundy, now known as The Chip Girl online, has created quite a stir on the internet - becoming a viral TikTok sensation and gaining more than three million followers for sharing some of the things that the chip can do.

A woman who married to a 'tech genius' revealed her husband implanted a chip in her hand - which serves as a key to their lavish mansion - leaving many people on the web intrigued

Burgundy Waller, from Las Vegas, got a tiny chip put inside her hand back in June 2020, which made it so that she can unlock the doors and drawers throughout her home by touching them

Burgundy, now known as The Chip Girl online, has created quite a stir on the internet - becoming a viral TikTok sensation for sharing some of the things that the chip can do

The small device, which sits between her thumb and pointer finger, uses radio-frequency identification to respond to different objects.

The small device, which sits between her thumb and pointer finger, uses radio-frequency identification to respond to different objects

Her husband has programed it so that it can control practically everything in their enormous mansion - including the doors, drawers, closets, and pantries.

Burgundy has documented every step of her chip journey online, and she even captured the moment it was first implanted in her hand two years ago.

It was inserted through 'a small incision' by a 'medical professional,' and she admitted that it hurt, but said the pain only lasted for 'like five seconds.'

'My techie husband convinced me to get a chip in my hand...' she began in the clip, while showing her and her husband sitting together before the procedure.

'I'm getting chipped today with a key to our house, I'm so freaking nervous,' she said.

It then showed her trying out the new device on her front door, which opened as soon as she touched her hand to the security system.

'Oh my gosh my hand's a key! Are you kidding me?' she said, excitedly.

Her husband has programed it so that it can control practically everything in their enormous mansion - including the doors, drawers, closets, and pantries

Burgundy has documented every step of her chip journey online, and she even captured the moment it was first implanted in her hand two years ago

It was inserted through 'a small incision' by a 'medical professional,' and she admitted that it hurt, but said the pain only lasted for 'like five seconds'

In another TikTok, Burgundy explained that the main plus side is 'never having to carry or worry about losing her key'

Another version of the chip can even store credit card information. and Burgundy admitted on her TikTok account that she wants it, writing, 'Guess it's time for an upgrade'

In another TikTok, Burgundy explained that the main plus side is 'never having to carry or worry about losing her key.'

To make things even cooler, her husband has a more technologically advanced chip that can store all sorts of information - including social media accounts and websites.

She explained in another video that all he has to do is hold his chip up to someone's iPhone and it can pull up any website or app of his choosing.

Another version of the chip can even store credit card information - which means she would just have to tap her wrist to a payment machine to purchase something - and Burgundy admitted on her TikTok account that she wants it.

'Not fair, I have the old model,' she joked in another video. 'My hand is only a key, guess it's time for an upgrade.'
Many men have also been using something similar called 'red light therapy' on their privates, which they claimed has worked wonders for their sex lives

The hashtag #perineumsunning has amassed over 2.8 millions views on the app, with another user comparing it to 'having a cup of coffee' and 'recharging'

One person said the activity has resulted in them having 'better sleep, more energy, a higher libido, increased creativity, [and] a nice tan [butt]'

Online users have claimed that tanning their perineum - the area between the pubic bone and the anal cavity - has provided extreme benefits

Perineum sunning is TikTok's latest trend, and it has people baring it all as they point their bare butt and genital areas towards the sun

A new TikTok trend that sees users tanning their butts and genital area has gone viral - and while it has left some people scratching their heads, advocates have claimed that the strange act has provided them with extreme benefits.

Perineum sunning is the video streaming app's latest new fad, and it has convinced millions of users to give their private areas some vitamin D.

The trend has people pointing their bare butts to the sky and tanning their perineum, which is the area between the pubic bone and the anal cavity.

Some TikTokers have even hailed sunning their privates for at least three minutes a day as a miracle, claiming it helps give them 'better sleep, more energy, and a higher libido.'

The hashtag #perineumsunning has amassed over 2.8 millions views, with other users comparing the sun session to 'having a cup of coffee' and 'recharging.'

Perineum sunning is TikTok's latest trend and it has people baring all as they tan their butt and genital areas to reap the health benefits

The 'wellness' trend has people pointing their bare butts to the sky and tanning their perineum, which is the area between the pubic bone and the anal cavity

TikTokers have hailed sunning their privates for at least5 three minutes a day as a miracle, claiming it helps give you 'better sleep, more energy, and a higher libido'

The hashtag #perineumsunning has amassed over 2.8 millions views, all with users comparing the sun session to 'having a cup of coffee' and 'recharging'

TikToker Abushady, whose a regular at perineum sunning, told Vice: 'It's a feeling you can't really describe unless you experience it. '

Other users took to the video-sharing platform to defend the practice and dish on all the benefits.

A post by TikToker Sasha Piton read: 'Better sleep, balanced hormones, more energy, higher libido, increased creativity, sweet freedom, [and] a nice tan [butt].'

A different person said 'it's a feeling you can't describe unless you experience it' while another gushed: 'Sunlight fills your being from the bottom up'

And while influencers swear by the below-the-belt bronzing, many medical professionals aren't as convinced.

Doctors have actually been warning against the trend since it first made its way around the web in 2019, explaining that the skin of the perineum is too sensitive for UV exposure.

In reference to removing cancerous layers of skin, New Jersey dermatologist Zain Husain questioned: 'Do you really want me doing Mohs surgery on your genitals?'

Dr. Karan Raj also gave his own warning about the viral trend in a clip, stating: 'Please don't harvest solar energy with your butthole.

'The perineum is an area of thin tissue between your back passage and your genitals.

'The reason it's called the area where your ''sun don't shine'' is because biology and evolution made sure that it was hidden away.

'The rays from the sun can increase the risk of burning, irritation and skin cancers.'

Similarly to perineum sunning, many men have been opting for another unusual trend, known as 'testicle tanning.'

The trend gained popularity when Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested men undergo 'testicle tanning' to feel more manly in his documentary.

Although Tucker coined it as 'testicle tanning', the process he was referring to was known as red light therapy - which is not about making your body tan, but rather, 'improving the skin's appearance' and 'reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne.'

Similarly to perineum sunning, many men have been opting for another unusual trend, 'testicle tanning' which Fox News host Tucker Carlson he suggested men undergo

DailyMail.com spoke to five guys who have tried red light therapy on their private parts, and the testicle tanning devotees dished on how it effected their sex lives

And while the news host left most of the internet bewildered, some men came to Tucker's defense and praised tanning your private parts - claiming it was as a way to help boost 'sexual desire,' 'erection quality,' and improve performance in the bedroom.

Bare all! What is perineum sunning: Perineum sunning is TikTok's latest trend and it has people baring all as they tan their butt and genital areas to reap the health benefits.

The assumingly beneficial wellness trend has people pointing their bare butts to the sky and tanning their perineum, which is the area between the pubic bone and the anal cavity.

TikTokers have hailed sunning their privates for at least three minutes a day as a miracle, claiming it helps give you 'better sleep, more energy, and a higher libido.'

However, medical professionals advise against it as the skin is 'too thin' for exposure to the sun. Advertisement

DailyMail.com spoke to five men who've tried red light therapy on their private parts themselves, with almost all insisting it has worked wonders for their sex lives.

Jay Wiles, 34, a licensed clinical psychologist from Greenville, South Carolina, said he first became interested in red light therapy after hearing about its many benefits.

'Initially, it was of interest to me because I had heard about it from a mental health standpoint,' he explained to DailyMail.com. 'For me, I was most intrigued about how I could utilize it with my patients.

'I'm all about - how can I optimize health and well being? [I'm interested in] anything that can make it the best it possibly can be.

'It was just for mood improvement, my testosterone levels were really great, libido was really great. I never had any problems in that area.'

Although Jay was 'certainly skeptical' at first, he became 'sold on the idea' as soon as he started trying it out.

He first started using red light therapy in 2016, and has been doing it every day since.

'I was feeling more energetic, more vitalized, my mood was better, I felt better mentally [clearer],' he told DailyMail.com

Jay said he now does it for 20 minutes each day - and he doesn't only focus on his private parts; he places a red light on his entire front side for 10 minutes and his entire backside for 10 minutes.

Ben Greenfeld, 40, an author from Spokane, Washington, said he became interested in red light therapy back in 2016, after he heard about it online.

He also said he feels like he has more 'sexual energy' since he started using red light therapy.

Jay Wiles, 34 - a licensed clinical psychologist from Greenville, South Carolina - said he became interested in red light therapy after he heard of its mental health benefits

Ben Greenfeld (pictured), 40, an author from Spokane, Washington, said he became interested in red light therapy back in 2016, after he heard about it online

Joshua Settlage, 25 - a certified strength and conditioning specialist from California - heard about the potential benefits of red light therapy through work

Personal trainer Colton Marshall, 22, first heard about red light therapy while he was listening to a podcast, and became 'interested in the potential health and hormonal benefits'

Josh Lekach, 35, who lives in Costa Rica and runs his own podcast, doesn't participate in red light therapy - instead, he goes out in the sun naked for 10 minutes every day

What is 'testicle tanning'? 'Testicle tanning' refers to red light therapy - which is not about making your body tan, but rather, 'improving the skin's appearance' and 'reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne'

There is a lot of ongoing research, publication of small studies, and much discussion on the internet about the effectiveness of red light therapy for all types of health uses

Red light therapy is said to stimulate the mitochondria in your cells - which creates energy for the body

With more energy, other cells can do their work more efficiently, such as repairing skin, boosting new cell growth and enhancing skin rejuvenation

Red light therapy uses very low levels of heat and doesnt hurt or burn the skin. Its not the same type of light used in tanning booths, and it doesnt expose your skin to damaging UV rays

Although research is still ongoing, some studies have suggested that it could also help with dementia, dental pain, hair loss, and testosterone levels

When energy is being synthesized and distributed more efficiently at the cellular level, it allows the various systems in the body to function more efficiently as well. This includes the hormone-producing endocrine system

Sources: My.ClevelandClinic.org, WebMD, Rouge.care Advertisement

'My sexual desire, my libido, even my erection quality - all of that went up. It's definitely doing something in that department,' he shared.

Joshua Settlage, 25 - a certified strength and conditioning specialist from California, and the CEO of Settlage Strength LLC - learned about the potential benefits of red light therapy through work.

He was specifically interested in it's 'ability to help improve recovery following training' - and 'decided to give it a shot.'

He started doing red light therapy in the fall of 2019. He now uses it three to four times a week for 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night.

He hasn't measured his testosterone levels, but told us that he believes red light therapy has improved his sex life.

He added: '[It also] improved recovery from training sessions, faster healing of injuries, and improved sleep.'

Personal trainer Colton Marshall, 22, from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, first heard about red light therapy while he was listening to a podcast, and became 'interested in the potential health and hormonal benefits.'

He hasn't personally measured his testosterone levels, but said he can tell that it's 'improved greatly.'

'I can tell naturally that it has improved greatly - libido is up, I have more energy during the day, my mood is way better all the time, Im hungrier and my skin is a lot more clear,' he revealed.

Josh Lekach, 35, who lives in Costa Rica and runs his own podcast, doesn't participate in red light therapy - instead, he goes out in the sun naked for about 10 minutes every day.

Josh started sunbathing in the nude after he moved from California to Costa Rica last September, and he said it made him feel 'massively different.'

'I feel like I'm 15, I feel like a young man,' he said, adding that it 'absolutely' boosted his sex life.
NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel has paid tribute to his late son, Henry, with a heartfelt message on what would have been his seventh birthday.

The 49-year-old journalist's oldest child battled Rett Syndrome, a genetic mutation that leads to severe cognitive deficits and physical impairment. The condition is rare, even more so in boys, and there is no cure.

Engel took to Twitter on Thursday to share a photo of Henry and commemorate his bittersweet birthday nearly two months after he passed away on August 9.

Richard Engel, 49, took to Twitter on Thursday to commemorate his late son Henry's bittersweet birthday nearly two months after he passed away on August 9

The grieving father shared that his oldest son 'would have turned 7 today' and used his nickname when he wrote, 'Happy Birthday Binks'

'Henry would have turned 7 today,' the dad wrote. 'A big thank you to everyone who sent kind and thoughtful messages, and donated to support medical research to defeat Rett Syndrome. Happy Birthday Binks (our nickname).'

Engel added a link to Henry's memorial page on the Texas Children's Hospital website. His son had been treated by doctors at the hospital's Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute before his death.

The father of two shared the heartbreaking news of Henry's death in a joint statement with his wife, Mary Forrest, on Twitter on August 18.

'Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard,' he wrote.

Engel announced on August 18 that his son Henry had died after a years-long battle with Rett Syndrome, an incurable neurological disorder

Engel shared the heartbreaking news in a joint statement with his wife, Mary Forrest, on Twitter

The couple encouraged those who want to honor Henry's memory to donate to the hospital's Rett Syndrome research

The couple, who also have a three-year-old son Theo, encouraged those who want to honor Henry's memory to make a contribution to the Texas Children's Hospital in support of its Rett Syndrome research.

'Researchers are making amazing progress using Henrys cells to help cure RETT Syndrome so others dont have to endure this terrible disease,' he added in a follow-up tweet, including a link to the donation page.

Within hours Engel's post received more than 18,000 comments from people offering their condolences, including celebrities, fellow journalists, and his NBC colleagues.

'Oh Richard..... I am so so so sorry. My heart aches for you and your family. We love you,' wrote Today host Hoda Kotb, while weather anchor Al Roker added: 'What a strong little man who touched every one who witnesses his bravery.'

Within hours Engel's post received more than 18,000 comments from people offering their condolences

Rosanna Arquette, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Geraldo Rivera, and Maureen McCormick were among the celebrities and journalists who sent their love during this difficult time

'Im so sorry for your painful loss and he was blessed to have you as parents,' actress Rosanna Arquette shared.

'We are all heartbroken, Richard and also have been and continue to be inspired by your love and devotion,' MSNBC host Chris Hayes responded.

TV personality Piers Morgan commented: 'How incredibly sad. My deepest condolences to you and all your family.'

The post also inspired others to share photos and pay tribute to the children they have lost over the years while sending Engel's family love during this difficult time.

Henry's death came just a few months after Engel shared that his oldest son had spent six weeks in the hospital.

A few months ago, the NBC News chief foreign correspondent shared that his oldest son had developed dystonia, which is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and stiffness

Engel shared a video of his three-year-old son Theo lying in bed with his big brother

Theo sweetly leaned over and gave Henry a kiss on the forehead while he was lying down

'His condition progressed and hes developed dystonia: uncontrolled shaking/ stiffness,' he explained on Twitter. 'He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, but is now home and getting love from brother Theo.'

What is Rett Syndrome? The rare neurological disorder that leaves kids unable to speak, eat, walk, talk, and breathe One child in 12,000 is born with Rett Syndrome, yet few people have heard of it. The genetic disorder affects almost exclusively females, causing them to regress neurologically and physically. The progression of the disease can be roughly divided into four stages. During the first stage, from about the age of six to 18 months, a baby slows in development, loses interest in play, stops making eye contact, starts walking awkwardly, and makes repetitive hand movements. The second stage, known as 'rapid destruction,' begins between the ages of one and four. The child finds it increasingly difficult to communicate and learn, and there is often a deterioration in other brain functions. Symptoms include an inability to control the hands, sudden distress teamed with screaming, unsteadiness, breathing problems, difficulty sleeping, slow head growth, and digestive problems. The third stage, the plateau,' begins between age three and ten. Limbs become floppy, epilepsy may develop and there may be weight loss and teeth-grinding. However, many parents say children are less distressed and show more interest in their surroundings. The final stage can last for decades. Usually severe bending of the spine  scoliosis  develops, as well as losing the ability to walk. Almost all cases are caused by a mutation in the MECP2 gene that prevents nerve cells in the brain from working properly. Currently, there is no cure and only the symptoms are treated. Sufferers can live to their 40s but most die before 25. Advertisement

In the heartwarming clip, Thee gives his older brother Henry a sweet kiss on the forehead while he is lying down.

Shortly after sharing the update, Engel returned to Twitter to post a photo of Henry sitting up in a chair, writing, 'Thank you everyone for all the kind messages, from Henry, our Mr. Handsome.'

Engel and Forrest have been candid about Henry's medical journey following his diagnosis of Rett Syndrome in 2017.

The mutation stops the brain from growing properly, and according to WebMD, symptoms include slowed growth, issues with hand movements, a lack of language skills, problems with muscles and coordination, and trouble breathing.

So far, the treatments for the incurable condition are mostly limited to various forms of therapy, like physical therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral therapy.

'Its not just delay. It means lifelong, permanent, untreatable physical and intellectual impairment,' Engel said on the Today show in 2018. 'Unfortunately, the more we learned about it, the worse the news got.'

They were told Henry would likely never be able to walk, talk, dress himself, or have the mental capacity beyond a toddler. He was three and a half years old when he said 'Dada' for the first time, a milestone that Engel wrote about in an essay for Today.

'To parents with typically developing children, a little Dada may not seem like a big deal,' he explained.

'But for me it was a validation, an acknowledgment that hes in there, knows me, knows that his mother and I are forces for good in his life, and above all, that he loves us.'

Engel and Forrest welcomed their son Theo in 2019, and he admitted that it was difficult to know that their baby boy would soon pass Henry's developmental milestones.

'You hold a baby like Theo and hes wriggling. His muscles are moving. When he is upset, he screams with his whole body and kicks his legs with power. Its something we never saw with Henry,' Engel told People in 2019.

Their oldest son had started having seizures that year, and they were trying to manage his compulsive repetitive motion, which had become more pronounced.

Engel and Forrest had to watch Henry constantly and stop him from putting his hands in his mouth and scratching his eyes because he could have hurt himself.

'Were hoping, in a few years, we can start a treatment that is still being invented,' he told People at the time.

'The problem is, while we wait [for a treatment], things deteriorate,' he added. 'The body starts to go, the hips start to go  the spine hasnt been an issue, but it could be. Were in a race against the clock no matter how much physical therapy we do, and we do a ton.'

Engel and his wife had been candid about Henry's medical journey

Henry, pictured as a baby, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in 2017. The genetic mutation leads to severe cognitive deficits and physical impairment

There is no cure for the mutation, which stops the brain from growing properly. Henry was unable able to walk, talk, dress himself, or have the mental capacity beyond a toddler

In 2020, Engel wrote an essay for Today about how the COVID-19 pandemic had been a 'nightmare' for his son who had been cut off from the therapies that had enriched his life.

Before the pandemic, Henry was enrolled in a number of therapies that stimulated him and brought him joy, including equine therapy.

He rode a horse named Coco with the help of two attendants, and not only did Henry visibly enjoy the rides, but the rocking movement helped strengthen his core.

'He did astronaut therapy in a soft-play room, spinning on a large Lazy Susan to let him feel a mild centrifugal force,' Engel added.

Henry could only interact through 'sight, sound, and touch,' so Engel and Forrest constantly cuddled him, praised him, massaged him, and gave him kisses

Engel and Forrest welcomed their son Theo in 2019, and he told People at the time that it was difficult to know that their baby boy would soon pass Henry's developmental milestones

A large part of Henry's daily routine was physical therapy because movement was essential for him to build strength

'He did music therapy and enjoyed touching the vibrating guitar strings. He did hydrotherapy in a warm pool with hoists attached to the deck. He went to a school, for a few hours a day, with an aide who helped him.'

The dad explained that without therapy, Henry was 'bored' and 'whiny.' He could only interact through 'sight, sound, and touch,' so they constantly cuddled him, praised him, massaged him, and gave him kisses.

But despite their efforts, they still noticed a 'deterioration in Henry's overall condition.' Since the start of the pandemic, his tremors and body shakes had become more pronounced.

His hand-mouthing had also become more frequent, and they had to either put his arms in braces or socks over his hands to keep him from chewing his skin until it bleeds. They weren't sure if these symptoms were due to stress or just the progression of his condition.

Henry was cut off from the therapies that enriched his life early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, and his parents noticed that his overall condition had deteriorated during that difficult time

Engel and Forrest made the decision to hire a private physical therapist for Henry to make sure she didn't lose any more of his strength

Engel and Forrest made the decision to hire a physical therapist to work with Henry during the pandemic because movement is essential for him to build strength.

Despite their struggles amid the pandemic, they considered themselves lucky to be able to afford private physical therapy and equipment to help their son.

Engel estimated that they had about $5,000 to $10,000 worth of equipment for Henry in their London home, noting that some of it was provided by local authorities.

'That's why I say we're lucky. Other families can't afford to turn their homes into therapy gyms, and not all community support is strong,' he said.

'Without physical therapy Henry's body would deteriorate, collapsing under its increasing weight.'
An adventurous traveller has visited 15 countries in the past two years, and saved 20,000, by house swapping her Parisian apartment.

Inspired by the hit rom-com The Holiday, which sees Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz swap houses, Habiba Ben Othman, 34, decided to swap her flat for adventure.

Initially, she swapped just with people from the south of France, but then she swapped globally - travelling to the UK, Hungary, Italy, Sweden and Brazil.

Having stayed in 20 properties in the last two years, Habiba says home-swapping has changed her life and she will continue swapping her flat until she's seen the world.

Habiba in Rio de Janeiro in April 2021. The 34-year-old says house-swapping has changed her life and she will never stop

Habiba visiting the Pantheon in Rome during one of her house-swaps, many of which have been in Europe

Habiba in the Isle of Skye in Scotland in April 2022 - one of her first trips abroad using the home-swap scheme

Habiba's one-bed flat in Paris that she house-swaps with. The fact she is in such a vibrant city that people want to visit helps her being able to home-swap

Habiba, a consultancy manager, said: 'My bucket list is to travel everywhere, which is exactly what I'm now doing.

'Home swapping has changed my life because now travel is now a huge part of it.

'I can work remotely all over the world in beautiful countries and see the world in a different way.'

Habiba's first introduction into house-swapping was as a teenager watching The Holiday one Christmas.

But it was only after re-watching the film during a Covid lockdown in 2020, that Habiba felt inspired to home-swap and solo-travel.

Finding the website, Love Home Swap, Habiba decided to bite the bullet in July 2020, travelling to the south of France in her first swaps.

She said: 'My first few homes were cottages and luxury properties in the south of France, which were absolutely amazing.

'The website was full of like-minded people who were really easy-going and welcoming, so I did the same and started accepting people to mine too.'

Then, in August 2020, Habiba travelled to the UK, to live in homes across England, Scotland and Ireland.

She said: 'I started with London and then Edinburgh and then travelled more around Scotland.

Habiba stayed in a beautiful home in Edinburgh at Christmas in 2021 - saving her thousands on hotel accommodation

Room with a view: Habiba got to enjoy time gazing at this beautiful stag on her trip to a Scottish cottage

The Highlands (pictured) have been one of Habiba's favourite places to visit through her home-swap scheme

Bath was another city Habiba visited in March 2020. She credits the home-swap scheme to helping her feel more part of the city where she visits

The 34-year-old marketing executive from Paris has had many new experiences, including seeing this owl in York

'One of my favourite adventures was last April, when I went on a road trip around the north coast of Scotland in a rented car.

'I also stayed in a wooden cottage in the Highlands, that was like something out of a fairy-tale.

'There were deer passing the window and by night I could hear the owls as I sat by the fireplace. I felt like I was actually in The Holiday.'

She added that she has enjoyed travelling solo, just like the characters in The Holiday.

She said: 'I remember watching it and thinking it was so romantic and adventurous and the two main characters were women who travelled alone, just like me.

'I do like travelling with friends, but I prefer to travel alone because it is easier to plan and budget and I'm really lucky my work is very flexible so I can work wherever I want.'

Travelling solo - and living in someone's home and not a hotel - also opens up different experiences, she says.

The French capital and Habiba's hometown of Paris - not a bad place to visit, especially via a home-swap scheme

The beautiful city of Strasbourg in eastern France has been one of Habiba's favourite places to visit

Habiba has lived in over 20 different homes across 15 different countries over the last two years, saying it has changed her life

Last summer she visited Stockholm in Sweden, known for its iconic city hall, the world's first open-air museum and the Abba museum

Habiba has also used the scheme to enjoy Rome (pictured here in 2021), a city known for it is Colosseum, the Roman Forum and its sprawling metropolis of Classical architecture

A home is Rome: The scheme means locals swap their homes to stay elsewhere - enabling people to stay in homely accommodation like this rather than hotels

Nice view: She has managed to cities and countryside alike, pictured here in the Swiss Alps in 2019

She said: 'When I travel, I like to live like a local and really immerse myself into the local life and get the real experience.

'Plus, house swapping is more comfortable and you get a real home with character and decoration and a kitchen and TV you just wouldn't get with a hotel.'

Another benefit of home-swapping is that it is easier to make friends, Habiba has found.

She said: 'I love getting to meet new people wherever I go.

'One time, I swapped homes with a girl in Rome and she took me out to dinner to meet all her friends and that was amazing - they were so warm and welcoming.

'She is coming to my place for Christmas this year, which is lovely.'

Habiba has now travelled around the world, including Hungary, Italy, Sweden and Brazil.

Travelling further afield: Taking used the scheme to travel to South America, (pictured here enjoying the beautiful Iguazo Falls in Argentina in April 2021)

She also travelled to Mexico, pictured here enjoying the Wings of Mexico in the bright sunshine

Making the most of life: The 34-year-old is encouraging other people to also travel more (pictured in the Amazon jungle in April 2021)

Cameron Diaz and Jude Law starring in the hit Christmas film The Holiday, which sees two women swap homes and lives

And she says one of her favourite stops was Stockholm, Sweden.

'It was magical there - the city was so vibrant and welcoming,' she said.

'Throughout the summer they had different festivals so every night there would be music in the streets and new people to meet and history to learn.'

As well as having adventure, Habiba - who is single and currently house-swapping in Malta - estimates she has saved around saying 20,000 on hotel fees.

She said: 'I used to use hotels or Airbnb or bed and breakfasts, depending on what I could afford.

'If you want to get a nice hotel or Airbnb nearby the town, then you can end up spending a lot.'

Habiba said: 'If you swap your home with the owners of the one you are visiting, it is completely free.

'But even if you go somewhere you are not simultaneously swapping with, you only pay an 80 fixed fee - which would be for a whole 10-day stay, for example.

'I have basically saved between five and 10k each year by house swapping, rather than using hotels or Airbnb.'

Habiba is already planning her next house swap for Christmas.

'I have lots of friends in the UK now, so I will be going to London for Christmas and new year - and then for Hogmanay, I will be in Edinburgh, which will be really exciting,' she said.

And hopes to encourage other women to take the plunge too.

'I really want to advise other women to step out of their comfort zone and give it a go,' she said.

'Start with a short trip and you will quickly discover it is so, so worth it.'
The Princess of Wales revealed her children tell her she looks 'so young' when they look back at photos of her and William from when they first met, as she spoke to well-wishers in Anglesey.

Princess Kate, 40, shared the anecdote as she and William visited Wales earlier this week for the first time since assuming their new roles.

In a video shared on TikTok, the royal mother-of-three is seen stopping to speak to a woman holding a novelty Union Jack printed with a photo from her and William's engagement in 2010.

'Oh my goodness, is that from our engagement?,' she laughed while looking at the photo.

In a video shared on TikTok, the royal mother-of-three is seen stopping to speak to a woman holding a novelty Union Jack printed with a photo from her and William's engagement in 2010 (pictured)

The Princess of Wales was captured on camera laughing and sharing anecdotes about her children with crowds in Anglesey earlier this week

The Princess then said that her and William, 40, 'always laugh about this.'

'You know we've been married for 11 years,' she said. 'And we've been together double that, so it's extraordinary.'

She then shared a sweet anecdote about her three children, Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, Seven, and Prince Louis, four.

Kate said: 'Our children look back at photos and are like "mummy you look so young."'

The Princess went on to say: 'It's nice coming back to Wales because it's where we lived and had our family. It's been a really special day.'

William and Kate's appearance in Anglesey was the couple's first visit to the home nation since they were given the titles Prince and Princess of Wales by King Charles.

William and Kate's appearance in Anglesey was the couple's first visit to the home nation since they were given the titles Prince and Princess of Wales by King Charles

It was symbolic that the royal couple, who will one day be King and Queen Consort, chose to visit Anglesey during their first visit to Wales in their new roles - where William's then-fiancee Kate Middleton had carried out her first royal engagement 11 years earlier

It was symbolic that the royal couple, who will one day be King and Queen Consort, chose to visit Anglesey during their first visit to Wales in their new roles - where William's then-fiancee Kate Middleton had carried out her first royal engagement 11 years earlier.

And according to body language expert Judi James, the royal couple looked more at ease on this visit as they settle into their roles as Prince and Princess of Wales and have 'grown so much in terms of confidence and sociability'.

She said in the couple's 2011 appearance in the north Wales town, they tended to 'pause and pose' more, adding they were 'looking unsure about taking a more energetic and active approach to the public and their appearance'.

The Princess of Wales was seen laughing and smiling with crowds during their visit to Wales

William and Kate's appearance in Anglesey was the couple's first visit to the home nation since they were given the titles Prince and Princess of Wales by King Charles

Judi explained this is known as a 'passive "here we are" approach'.

In contrast, she said their appearance earlier this week was a 'there you are' approach as they made steps to engage the crowd 'with a speedy-paced energy and enthusiasm as though greeting old friends'.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have thrown themselves into royal engagements this week and the Princess yesterday welcomed Royal Navy sailors to Windsor Castle in a surprise engagement.

A 'delighted' Kate was appointed the sponsor of HMS Glasgow in June 2021, and the mother-of-three's recent meeting was to 'learn more about their roles and whats next on the route to getting her in the water,' according to a statement made on Twitter yesterday by the Prince and Princess of Wales' account.

'A pleasure to meet some of the @RoyalNavy Ships Company of HMS Glasgow, learning more about their roles and whats next on the route to getting her in the water,' a selection of images were captioned.

The City Class Type 26 frigate is currently under construction in Govan, Scotland. Kate spoke with dozens of sailors about how the ship's build is going and what life is like in the Royal Navy.

She was seen smiling while chatting with the group, before posing for a picture with them.
A former Met Police officer has found a new passion after 30 years of law enforcement - performing as a stripping policewoman instead.

Michelle Walton, 51, from Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, served on the UK force for three decades, dealing with hard-hitting crime and strict rules.

But she always like the idea of stripping off and even took a year out in the late 90s to work in a topless bar in Australia.

Now, having retired in 2020, she is part of a cabaret group and strips for charity at events.

Pictured left: Michelle when she joined the force back in 1989, where she spent seven years in the Met Police. Pictured right: Michelle now enjoys stripping in the character of a policewoman

Michelle during her long policing career - she took unpaid leave in the 90's to work as a nude waitress in Australia, but was 'careful who she told'

Michelle, makes sure to incorporate her old career into her routine.

She wears a police uniform, uses handcuffs and a truncheon - and arrests audience members for 'being too sexy'.

Michelle said: 'For me, stripping is about female empowerment and loving yourself.

'I'm not a skilled dancer, I just love my body and love getting my kit off after 30 years of restrictions on what I could and couldn't do.'

Michelle says she joined the Metropolitan Police as a cadet in 1989, aged 18.

She then became a PC with the force in August 1990, working in south-east London, before transferring to Hampshire Police seven years later.

Michelle says she loved her job, and was always conscious of what she got up to in her free time because of the nature of her work.

Even so, she took a year's unpaid leave in 1999 when she worked as a topless barmaid.

She wanted to see the world while she was still young, and chose Australia to jet off on her travels.

There she did a year of raunchy bar work, earning just as much money as if she'd been working as a police officer in the UK.

Now and then: Michelle has lost several parts of her uniform over the years, but is still 'arresting people' - pictured right now and pictured left her first days of the force

Michelle claims she 'isn't a good dancer' but loves stripping after decades of restrictions about what she could and couldn't do in her spare time

Michelle would have used real batons and handcuffs during her career but she has now switched them up for plastic ones instead at age 51

Michelle said: 'When I got to Australia, I needed a job so I became a skimpy bar maid, which involved working in pubs in my underwear, then flashing my boobs off for money.

'My work progressed to doing topless and nude waitressing, but there was never any groping or sex involved.

'My clients were anything from businessmen to biker gangs - I met so many different people while I was out there.

'I've had several boob jobs, some of which haven't gone quite to plan, but I love my body and I was having so much fun while earning great money.'

So far this year Michelle has done five charity shows with her group, earning hundreds of pounds for a variety of different causes stripping across the Isle of Wight

She said that during her time as a topless waitress she earned more than she would have as a policewoman back home

Michelle loved the freedom of getting her kit off, but was under no illusion that when she returned to policing, she had to be mindful of who she told about her experience.

She then spent the remainder of her career in Hampshire, before retiring in 2020.

'Coming back to the UK it felt like a bit of a reality check, but I liked my job as a police officer so it wasn't the end of the world,' she continued.

'I returned to work, where I did twenty more years of service, specialising in the fields of domestic abuse and vulnerable adults.

'And I finished my career in public protection, managing registered sex offenders.

'After thirty years of restrictions, it felt surreal being able to act without fear of it impacting my career.

'I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I remembered the fun I had in Australia and was keen to find something similar here in the UK.'

After thirty years of restrictions, Michelle said it 'felt surreal' being able to act without fear of it impacting her career

Michelle settled down with husband John Walton, 56 - who is also a former policeman - after calling time on her career.

In a previous marriage, she'd attempted three rounds of IVF after she couldn't conceive - but sadly was unsuccessful in her attempt to start a family.

So, with buckets of free time and a healthy police pension, Michelle explored different ways of spending her retirement.

She began taking sexy snaps of other women to help them feel body confident and started her own lingerie photography business.

To help her with her new work, she felt it would be useful to learn some seductive moves and poses, so she could guide her clients during their photo shoots.

So she joined a small burlesque dance class, where she learnt group dances, and was encouraged to create her own solo act.

The ex-officer says she will do 'what makes her happy' for as long as she lives and encourages others to do the same

That's where Michelle came up with the idea of becoming a police stripper, and later joined the Charity Cabaret Club on the Isle of Wight.

The club consists of a group of cabaret performers who perform at charity events throughout the year - and Michelle was invited to strip as part of the show.

She said: 'I created a stripping copper routine, as I already have the truncheon and handcuffs!

'My routine involves walking up to the stage waving two blue lights around, then stepping up on a chair pretending to direct traffic, then taking my first layer of clothing off.

'I then step in to the audience and dish out fixed penalty tickets, with the offence of 'being too sexy'.

'I then handcuff someone in the audience, drag them on stage, pretend to search them, wrap police tape around them, then do what looks like a lap dance around them.

'The music changes and I get my truncheon out, wave it around, slap it on my bum, then start removing my belt, dress, then finally remove my bra, wave it around, then walk off stage with the two blue lights on my boobs.

'I mainly do these shows for charity events rather than for payment so it's all for a good cause!

'My boudoir photography business promotes body confidence and to love yourself just as you are.

'We are all different shapes and sizes and we should feel proud of our lumps, bumps, scars and cellulite.

'I'm more than happy flashing my boobs off because I've spent loads of money on them over the years - about 20,000.'

So far this year Michelle has done five charity shows with her group, earning hundreds of pounds for a variety of different causes.

She says she is loving her new police stripper act, and has no plan of hanging up her handcuffs anytime soon.

'I'm telling my story because I'm proud of my achievements and what I've done,' Michelle said.

'I hope it inspires other women to love their own bodies, regardless of their shape or size.

'I'm sure there will be people that will judge me and think I've done wrong - but I don't care.

'I will simply do what makes me happy for as long as I live, and I'd encourage anyone else to do the same!'

Michelle is also a self-published author, and wrote a book to get her head around the fact she couldn't have children - titled All Because the Lady Loves Wedding Cake.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure.

Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick.

It was announced on Wednesday that the four children of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Joachim would be stripped of their royal titles and would no longer be known as His or Her Royal Highness.

As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies.

Frederick and Mary's four children - Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 11 - remain unaffected as they are direct descendants of the future King.

However speaking in Copenhagen today, Princess Mary suggested that might not always be the case.

'We will also look at our children's titles when the time comes,' she said in an interview with Ekstra Bladet in Copenhagen today. 'Today we cannot see what the royal house will look like when it is Christian's time, or when Christian's time begins to approach.'

Speaking in Copenhagen today (pictured) Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure

Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick. Pictured, Mary and Frederick with their children (from left) Isabella, Josephine, Christian and Vincent earlier this month

Front: Queen Margrethe, Middle Row (left to right): Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik. Back row (left to right): Princess Benedikte, Princess Isabella, Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai in a portrait celebrating Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee

Prince Joachim (right back), 53, the youngest of Margrethe's two sons, said he was only given five days' notice that Nikolai (left), 23, Felix (second from left), 20, Henrik (far right), 13, and Athena (second from right), 10, will have prince or princess removed from their titles, and will no longer be able to use His or Her Royal Highness. Pictured with their grandmother Queen Margrethe (centre) and Princess Isabella (behind Princess Athena)

The Danish Royal Family tree. Prince Joachim's children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will all be losing their titles on January 1 2023

She also defended her mother-in-law's decision, saying: 'Change can be extremely difficult and can really hurt. I think most people have tried it. But this does not mean that the decision is not the right one.'

She added: 'Change really hurts, but as I said, it does not mean that the decision is not the right one. And I can understand that it is a very difficult decision to have to make, and also a very difficult decision to receive.'

It has been a whirlwind 48 hours for the Danish Royal Family, following the announcement on Wednesday that Joachim's children would be stripped of their titles.

Queen Margrethe, 82, who attended the Queen's funeral with Crown Prince Frederick, said she hoped the move would allow her grandchildren to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that come with a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family.

The move has created an 'icy' atmosphere within the Royal Family, according to one local media report, and has driven a wedge between a seemingly united family. 'There has never been a public conflict between the Queen and Prince Joachim,' Danish royal reporter Kenth Madsen told FEMAIL.

Indeed, they put on a united front just weeks ago when they celebrated Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee.

Speaking at a function at the National Museum in Copenhagen on Wednesday night, pictured, Margrethe said: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason'

Prince Joachim of Denmark has said his four children have been hurt by their grandmother Queen Margrethe's decision to strip them of their royal titles as he spoke for the first time since the bombshell announcement. He was interviewed on Thursday morning in Paris, above

Prince Nikolai said that he is sad, shocked and confused after his royal title was stripped 'quickly'. Pictured modelling during the Dior Pre-Fall 2019 Men's Collection show on November 30, 2018 in Tokyo

Margrethe defended her decision in an interview that night, saying: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason.'

However Joachim broke his silence on Thursday morning and claimed he had only been told the news five days before it was made public.

Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix's mother says she's 'in shock' by move to strip them of their royal titles Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix - said she is 'in shock' over Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's decision to strip her sons of their royal titles. Nikolai, 23, and Felix, 20, along with their younger siblings Prince Henri, 13, and Princess Athen, 10, from their father's second marriage, will all have their titles of prince and princess removed from January 1 2023, the palace announced yesterday. 'We are all confused by the decision. We are saddened and in shock,' Alexandra said in a statement from her press advisor Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, reported Danish magazine Se og Hr. Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen (pictured) The statement continued: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracised. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.' Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Prince Joachim married his second wife Princess Marie in 2008, and they later welcomed Prince Henrik and Princess Athena Advertisement

'We are all very sad. It's never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand,' he said in an interview with Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen.

'Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified.

Prince Joachim, who is sixth-in-line to the throne behind his brother and his children, was speaking outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his second wife Marie and their children Henrik and Athena.

Nikolai and Felix, who are both models, live in Copenhagen.

His ex-wife, Countess Alexandra, the mother of his two eldest children, added in a statement to Danish magazine Se og Hr: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracized. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.'

Her spokesperson Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen told another news organisation that Joachim learned of his children's fate via an aide.

Queen Margrethe spoke neither to her sons nor her grandchildren, it is claimed.

'The children have received the message that they are losing their titles, delivered by their father, just as Countess Alexandra was told by Prince Joachim,' the spokesperson added.

In response, the Royal Household released another statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'

Prince Nikolai, a model, also spoke out yesterday, telling Ekstra Bladet: 'My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone.

'I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this,' he told reporters from outside the Copenhagen apartment where he lives with his girlfriend.

Countess Alexandra, Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, is also 'very sad' and 'shocked' about the decision.

'She can't believe why and why now, because there's no good reason,' Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra told CNN.

'They would lose their titles anyway when they get married one day. Her sons are young men so maybe they might get married in the near future so why shouldn't it wait until that day so that the titles would disappear on a happy day?'

Under the agreement, Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, and Athena will be known as either His Excellency Count of Monpezat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpezat from January 1, 2023.

However they will maintain their positions in the order of succession.

They are currently seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, but would move down if any of Crown Prince Frederick's children were to have children.

The bombshell announcement was made in a statement released yesterday by the Danish Royal Household.

Countess Alexandra's press secretary questioned why the change could not have waited until their wedding day, when her sons would 'lose their titles anyway'. Pictured, Alexandra Countess Of Frederiksborg

Nikolai modelling a short and gloves and a leather bumbag for Dior during Paris fashion week in 2020

The move is said to have driven a wedge between Margrethe and her four grandchildren. Pictured, the Queen (centre) with sons Joachim (left) and Crown Prince Frederick (right). Also pictured: Crown Prince Frederick's wife, Crown Princess Mary (right) and son Prince Christian (in his lap) and Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix (left) who will be affected by the change

It read: 'In April 2008, Her Majesty the Queen conferred the titles of Count, Countess and Comtesse of Monpezat on her sons, their spouses and their descendants.

'In May 2016, it was also announced that His Royal Highness Prince Christian, as the only one of the Queen's grandchildren, is expected to receive an annuity from the state as an adult.

'As a natural extension of this, Her Majesty has decided that with effect from 1 January 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim can only use their titles as Count and Countess of Monpezat, as their previous titles as Prince and Princess of Denmark will lapse.

'Prince Joachim's descendants will henceforth have to be addressed as Excellencies.

'The Queen's decision is in line with similar adaptations that other royal houses have implemented in different ways in recent years.

'With her decision, Her Majesty the Queen wants to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.

Prince Nikolai, from left, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim and Prince Felix arrive for the command performance at the Danish Royal Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of Danish Queen Margrethe II's accession to the throne in Copenhagen, Saturday, September 10, 2022

Prince Nikolai of Denmark celebrated his 23rd birthday in August at home with his parents and siblings in Copenhagen. Pictured left with Prince Felxi, 20, Prince Henrick, 13 and Princess Athena, ten

Nikolai with his stepmother Princess Marie, siblings, and father Prince Joachim, on the balcony of Amalienborg palace during the Danish Queen's 78th Birthday in April 2018

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who will no longer be TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 23: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Denmark but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. They live with their parents in Paris. Advertisement

'All four grandchildren maintain their places in the order of succession,' concluded the statement.

Margrethe, who is the world's longest serving queen and celebrates her Golden Jubilee this year, is affectionately known as 'aunt Daisy' by European royals due to her close personal ties with many reigning monarchs.

She is a first cousin of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and a second cousin of Norway's King Harald V.

She enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen, a distant cousin, and the Duke of Edinburgh, and shared deeply personal tributes following their deaths.

She was joined by her son Crown Prince Frederick at the Queen's funeral earlier this month.

The Queen seemingly enjoys a close relationship with both sons and all eight of her grandchildren, and makes regular appearances with both families.

However there is now said to be an 'ice-cold air' between the Queen and her grandchildren.

'There is ice-cold air between Queen Margrethe and her grandchildren after she decided that they will lose their titles as prince and princess from the New Year,' leading Danish publication Ekstra Bladet reported.

'The news, which has crushed both the four children and their parents, was not delivered by the queen herself.

'They have not been called to Amalienborg for a cold coke and an explanation as to why they must henceforth be addressed as counts and countesses. Not even that far.'

Both of Margrethe's grandsons turned to modelling in their late teens. Pictured with their grandmother in May 2021

Felix made his modelling debut in February by posing in a series of moody snaps for jeweller Georg Jensen's new Reflect collection

Left Nikolai wearing a pastel suit for Dior in 2018 at Paris Fashion Week. Right: The royal strutting his stuff on the runway in January 2020

Nikolai in a loose, tailored suit on the runway during the Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 in Paris in 2018

Queen Margrethe has a well-cushioned allowance, with the Danish Civil List granting her 800,813 a month, or 9.6 million for the year to run the royal household - including staff, properties and administration, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Net Worth lists her net worth at around 37million.

Around 183,750 per month is reportedly given to the Queen's children. Crown Prince Frederik receives the largest amount of this money, of which 10 per cent is given to his wife, Princess Mary.

Many of the Danish Royal Family's properties are owned by the state, and run by the Agency for Palaces and Cultural Properties.

This includes the main residence of Amalienborg, their spring home of Fredensborg palace, their summer house of Grasten Palace and the hunting lodge Eremitageslottet .

The Danish Queen's personal properties include Marselisborg Castle, Chateau de Caix in France, and the royal hunting lodge in Jutland at Trend.

Princess Marie with Prince Joachim, Prince Felix, Prince Nikolai, Princess Athena and Prince Henrick with Joachim's first wife's Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg in 2020

Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 only 24 hours after Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on Monday September 19

Queen Margrethe was pictured out and about for the first time on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. She attended a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel in Oslo after receiving the Nordic Association's Language Award

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 82, attended the 'reception of the century' at Buckingham Palace, which was hosted by King Charles and Camilla before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral

Prince Joachim lives with his second wife Princess Marie in Paris, where he has been working as a Defense Attache at the Danish Embassy since September 2020 - but when he returns home to Denmark it is sometimes to the Schackenborg Castle in southern Jutland.

The estate was the prince's private residence from 1993 to 2014, before he sold the property.

But since Prince Joachim and Princess Marie are on the board of the Schackenborg Castle Foundation, they occasionally return to live there for short periods of time.

In the summer of 2020, Prince Joachim suffered a stroke while holidaying in France with his family and had to be rushed into hospital for emergency brain surgery.

Prince Joachim's eldest sons, Felix and Nikolai, are Margrethe's eldest grandsons and have embraced a life in the public eye.

The 20-somethings, who both live in Denmark, both enrolled in the National Military Academy but dropped out before completing their studies.

They have enjoyed flourishing careers as models, posing for several advert campaigns and on the cover of magazines.

Nikolai caught international attention in 2018 when he walked in the Burberry show at London Fashion week, before a front row that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts, Zendaya, and Idris Elba.

He is signed to Scoop Models agency in Denmark and has been multiplying his modelling gigs.

He sent royal fans into a frenzy in February when he graced the cover of Vogue Scandinavia.

The 22-year-old oozed sophistication when appearing in the magazine and looked effortlessly stylish in a matching pink Dior jacket and trousers as he posed in front of a number of colourful flowers.

When he is not modelling, Nikolai is studying Business Administration and Service Management at the In 2019, Prince Nikolai began his B education at Copenhagen Business School.

Last year he was living in Paris as part of a school exchange, and could see his younger siblings and his dad more easily.

At the end of last year, he started training at the Royal Danish Military Academy to become an Army Lieutenant, but in October it was announced that he'd quit after just two months because it 'wasn't for him'.

Prince Felix chose to make his modelling debut for jeweller Georg Jensen, appearing in pictures and an advert promoting the new Reflect collection of necklaces, earrings and rings.

The royal is further down the line of succession, pursuing his own career path rather than being a 'working royal' was expected choice for Felix even before his grandmother's announcement, and modelling is certainly a popular choice for minor royals across the globe.

While they are growing to be their own person, Felix and Nikolai do attend royal events on occasion.

They both looked very dapper as they attended the celebrations for their grandmother's golden jubilee with their parents in early September.

Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 last Tuesday, just 24 hours after attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and mourning events in London.

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 royal also paid her respects to the Queen by visiting her coffin in Westminster Hall the night before the Queen's funeral, and attended the Buckingham Palace 'reception of the century' where she was pictured chatting closely with King Charles.

On Monday, the monarch made her first appearance since she tested positive for Covid, joining Queen Sonja of Norway at a literary event in Oslo.

Queen Sonja of Norway presented the Nordic Association's annual language award to Queen Margrethe of Denmark at Nordens Hus before they attended a gala at the Grand Hotel.

Margrethe wore a vibrant long pink skirt for the gala dinner, which she paired with a navy blue lace top.

She pinned her hair tightly back and was pictured with a navy shawl over her shoulders as she arrived at the Grand Hotel.
Prince Joachim of Denmark has once again hit out at his mother Queen Margrethe II's decision to strip his four children of their royal titles.

As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies, rather than His or Her Royal Highness, it was announced on Wednesday.

Commenting on their reaction to the move to B.T., Joachim said his children 'don't know which leg to stand on as their identity is removed' - and questioned 'why must they be punished in that way?'.

The prince, who is Margrethe's youngest son, said: 'I can say that my children are sad. My kids don't know which leg to stand on. What they should believe. Why should their identity be removed? Why must they be punished in that way?'

He also doubled down on his claim that he had only been told the news five days before it was made public - despite the Royal Household insisting the decision 'has been a long time coming'.

'I don't want to engage in speculation and mudslinging,' said Joachim. 'I am telling the truth... I was given five days notice... I was given five days' notice of this. To tell my children that on New Year's their identity will be taken from them.'

He added that in May, he was presented with a plan that his 'children's identity should be taken from them when each of them turned 25', to which he asked 'to be allowed to come back with my proposal'.

But he said he was given just five days notice that the decision was to be accelerated, adding: 'I am so sorry for my children. I just demand the truth.'

Prince Joachim of Denmark (pictured) has once again hit out at his mother Queen Margrethe II's decision to strip his four children of their royal titles

As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies, it was announced on Wednesday. Pictured, the children with Prince Joachim and Princess Marie on September 11, 2022

Front: Queen Margrethe, Middle Row (left to right): Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik. Back row (left to right): Princess Benedikte, Princess Isabella, Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai in a portrait celebrating Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee

The Danish Royal Family tree. Prince Joachim's children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will all be losing their titles on January 1 2023

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark defended her mother-in-law Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure.

Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick.

Frederick and Mary's four children - Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 11 - remain unaffected by the monarch's decision as they are direct descendants of the future King.

However speaking in Copenhagen today, Princess Mary suggested that might not always be the case.

'We will also look at our children's titles when the time comes,' she said in an interview with Ekstra Bladet in Copenhagen today. 'Today we cannot see what the royal house will look like when it is Christian's time, or when Christian's time begins to approach.'

Speaking in Copenhagen today (pictured) Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure

Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick. Pictured, Mary and Frederick with their children (from left) Isabella, Josephine, Christian and Vincent earlier this month

Prince Joachim (right back), 53, the youngest of Margrethe's two sons, said he was only given five days' notice that Nikolai (left), 23, Felix (second from left), 20, Henrik (far right), 13, and Athena (second from right), 10, will have prince or princess removed from their titles, and will no longer be able to use His or Her Royal Highness. Pictured with their grandmother Queen Margrethe (centre) and Princess Isabella (behind Princess Athena)

She also defended her mother-in-law's decision, saying: 'Change can be extremely difficult and can really hurt. I think most people have tried it. But this does not mean that the decision is not the right one.'

She added: 'Change really hurts, but as I said, it does not mean that the decision is not the right one. And I can understand that it is a very difficult decision to have to make, and also a very difficult decision to receive.'

It has been a whirlwind 48 hours for the Danish Royal Family, following the announcement on Wednesday that Joachim's children would be stripped of their titles.

Queen Margrethe, 82, who attended the Queen's funeral with Crown Prince Frederick, said she hoped the move would allow her grandchildren to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that come with a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family.

The move has created an 'icy' atmosphere within the Royal Family, according to one local media report, and has driven a wedge between a seemingly united family. 'There has never been a public conflict between the Queen and Prince Joachim,' Danish royal reporter Kenth Madsen told FEMAIL.

Indeed, they put on a united front just weeks ago when they celebrated Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee.

Speaking at a function at the National Museum in Copenhagen on Wednesday night, pictured, Margrethe said: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason'

Prince Joachim of Denmark has said his four children have been hurt by their grandmother Queen Margrethe's decision to strip them of their royal titles as he spoke for the first time since the bombshell announcement. He was interviewed on Thursday morning in Paris, above

Prince Nikolai said that he is sad, shocked and confused after his royal title was stripped 'quickly'. Pictured modelling during the Dior Pre-Fall 2019 Men's Collection show on November 30, 2018 in Tokyo

Margrethe defended her decision in an interview that night, saying: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason.'

However Joachim broke his silence on Thursday morning and claimed he had only been told the news five days before it was made public.

Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix's mother says she's 'in shock' by move to strip them of their royal titles Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix - said she is 'in shock' over Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's decision to strip her sons of their royal titles. Nikolai, 23, and Felix, 20, along with their younger siblings Prince Henri, 13, and Princess Athen, 10, from their father's second marriage, will all have their titles of prince and princess removed from January 1 2023, the palace announced yesterday. 'We are all confused by the decision. We are saddened and in shock,' Alexandra said in a statement from her press advisor Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, reported Danish magazine Se og Hr. Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen (pictured) The statement continued: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracised. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.' Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Prince Joachim married his second wife Princess Marie in 2008, and they later welcomed Prince Henrik and Princess Athena Advertisement

'We are all very sad. It's never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand,' he said in an interview with Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen.

'Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified.

Prince Joachim, who is sixth-in-line to the throne behind his brother and his children, was speaking outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his second wife Marie and their children Henrik and Athena.

Nikolai and Felix, who are both models, live in Copenhagen.

His ex-wife, Countess Alexandra, the mother of his two eldest children, added in a statement to Danish magazine Se og Hr: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracized. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.'

Her spokesperson Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen told another news organisation that Joachim learned of his children's fate via an aide.

Queen Margrethe spoke neither to her sons nor her grandchildren, it is claimed.

'The children have received the message that they are losing their titles, delivered by their father, just as Countess Alexandra was told by Prince Joachim,' the spokesperson added.

In response, the Royal Household released another statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'

Prince Nikolai, a model, also spoke out yesterday, telling Ekstra Bladet: 'My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone.

'I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this,' he told reporters from outside the Copenhagen apartment where he lives with his girlfriend.

Countess Alexandra, Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, is also 'very sad' and 'shocked' about the decision.

'She can't believe why and why now, because there's no good reason,' Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra told CNN.

'They would lose their titles anyway when they get married one day. Her sons are young men so maybe they might get married in the near future so why shouldn't it wait until that day so that the titles would disappear on a happy day?'

Under the agreement, Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, and Athena will be known as either His Excellency Count of Monpezat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpezat from January 1, 2023.

However they will maintain their positions in the order of succession.

They are currently seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, but would move down if any of Crown Prince Frederick's children were to have children.

The bombshell announcement was made in a statement released yesterday by the Danish Royal Household.

Countess Alexandra's press secretary questioned why the change could not have waited until their wedding day, when her sons would 'lose their titles anyway'. Pictured, Alexandra Countess Of Frederiksborg

Nikolai modelling a short and gloves and a leather bumbag for Dior during Paris fashion week in 2020

The move is said to have driven a wedge between Margrethe and her four grandchildren. Pictured, the Queen (centre) with sons Joachim (left) and Crown Prince Frederick (right). Also pictured: Crown Prince Frederick's wife, Crown Princess Mary (right) and son Prince Christian (in his lap) and Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix (left) who will be affected by the change

It read: 'In April 2008, Her Majesty the Queen conferred the titles of Count, Countess and Comtesse of Monpezat on her sons, their spouses and their descendants.

'In May 2016, it was also announced that His Royal Highness Prince Christian, as the only one of the Queen's grandchildren, is expected to receive an annuity from the state as an adult.

'As a natural extension of this, Her Majesty has decided that with effect from 1 January 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim can only use their titles as Count and Countess of Monpezat, as their previous titles as Prince and Princess of Denmark will lapse.

'Prince Joachim's descendants will henceforth have to be addressed as Excellencies.

'The Queen's decision is in line with similar adaptations that other royal houses have implemented in different ways in recent years.

'With her decision, Her Majesty the Queen wants to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.

Prince Nikolai, from left, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim and Prince Felix arrive for the command performance at the Danish Royal Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of Danish Queen Margrethe II's accession to the throne in Copenhagen, Saturday, September 10, 2022

Prince Nikolai of Denmark celebrated his 23rd birthday in August at home with his parents and siblings in Copenhagen. Pictured left with Prince Felxi, 20, Prince Henrick, 13 and Princess Athena, ten

Nikolai with his stepmother Princess Marie, siblings, and father Prince Joachim, on the balcony of Amalienborg palace during the Danish Queen's 78th Birthday in April 2018

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who will no longer be TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 23: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Denmark but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. They live with their parents in Paris. Advertisement

'All four grandchildren maintain their places in the order of succession,' concluded the statement.

Margrethe, who is the world's longest serving queen and celebrates her Golden Jubilee this year, is affectionately known as 'aunt Daisy' by European royals due to her close personal ties with many reigning monarchs.

She is a first cousin of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and a second cousin of Norway's King Harald V.

She enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen, a distant cousin, and the Duke of Edinburgh, and shared deeply personal tributes following their deaths.

She was joined by her son Crown Prince Frederick at the Queen's funeral earlier this month.

The Queen seemingly enjoys a close relationship with both sons and all eight of her grandchildren, and makes regular appearances with both families.

However there is now said to be an 'ice-cold air' between the Queen and her grandchildren.

'There is ice-cold air between Queen Margrethe and her grandchildren after she decided that they will lose their titles as prince and princess from the New Year,' leading Danish publication Ekstra Bladet reported.

'The news, which has crushed both the four children and their parents, was not delivered by the queen herself.

'They have not been called to Amalienborg for a cold coke and an explanation as to why they must henceforth be addressed as counts and countesses. Not even that far.'

Both of Margrethe's grandsons turned to modelling in their late teens. Pictured with their grandmother in May 2021

Felix made his modelling debut in February by posing in a series of moody snaps for jeweller Georg Jensen's new Reflect collection

Left Nikolai wearing a pastel suit for Dior in 2018 at Paris Fashion Week. Right: The royal strutting his stuff on the runway in January 2020

Nikolai in a loose, tailored suit on the runway during the Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 in Paris in 2018

Queen Margrethe has a well-cushioned allowance, with the Danish Civil List granting her 800,813 a month, or 9.6 million for the year to run the royal household - including staff, properties and administration, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Net Worth lists her net worth at around 37million.

Around 183,750 per month is reportedly given to the Queen's children. Crown Prince Frederik receives the largest amount of this money, of which 10 per cent is given to his wife, Princess Mary.

Many of the Danish Royal Family's properties are owned by the state, and run by the Agency for Palaces and Cultural Properties.

This includes the main residence of Amalienborg, their spring home of Fredensborg palace, their summer house of Grasten Palace and the hunting lodge Eremitageslottet .

The Danish Queen's personal properties include Marselisborg Castle, Chateau de Caix in France, and the royal hunting lodge in Jutland at Trend.

Princess Marie with Prince Joachim, Prince Felix, Prince Nikolai, Princess Athena and Prince Henrick with Joachim's first wife's Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg in 2020

Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 only 24 hours after Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on Monday September 19

Queen Margrethe was pictured out and about for the first time on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. She attended a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel in Oslo after receiving the Nordic Association's Language Award

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 82, attended the 'reception of the century' at Buckingham Palace, which was hosted by King Charles and Camilla before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral

Prince Joachim lives with his second wife Princess Marie in Paris, where he has been working as a Defense Attache at the Danish Embassy since September 2020 - but when he returns home to Denmark it is sometimes to the Schackenborg Castle in southern Jutland.

The estate was the prince's private residence from 1993 to 2014, before he sold the property.

But since Prince Joachim and Princess Marie are on the board of the Schackenborg Castle Foundation, they occasionally return to live there for short periods of time.

In the summer of 2020, Prince Joachim suffered a stroke while holidaying in France with his family and had to be rushed into hospital for emergency brain surgery.

Prince Joachim's eldest sons, Felix and Nikolai, are Margrethe's eldest grandsons and have embraced a life in the public eye.

The 20-somethings, who both live in Denmark, both enrolled in the National Military Academy but dropped out before completing their studies.

They have enjoyed flourishing careers as models, posing for several advert campaigns and on the cover of magazines.

Nikolai caught international attention in 2018 when he walked in the Burberry show at London Fashion week, before a front row that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts, Zendaya, and Idris Elba.

He is signed to Scoop Models agency in Denmark and has been multiplying his modelling gigs.

He sent royal fans into a frenzy in February when he graced the cover of Vogue Scandinavia.

The 22-year-old oozed sophistication when appearing in the magazine and looked effortlessly stylish in a matching pink Dior jacket and trousers as he posed in front of a number of colourful flowers.

When he is not modelling, Nikolai is studying Business Administration and Service Management at the In 2019, Prince Nikolai began his B education at Copenhagen Business School.

Last year he was living in Paris as part of a school exchange, and could see his younger siblings and his dad more easily.

At the end of last year, he started training at the Royal Danish Military Academy to become an Army Lieutenant, but in October it was announced that he'd quit after just two months because it 'wasn't for him'.

Prince Felix chose to make his modelling debut for jeweller Georg Jensen, appearing in pictures and an advert promoting the new Reflect collection of necklaces, earrings and rings.

The royal is further down the line of succession, pursuing his own career path rather than being a 'working royal' was expected choice for Felix even before his grandmother's announcement, and modelling is certainly a popular choice for minor royals across the globe.

While they are growing to be their own person, Felix and Nikolai do attend royal events on occasion.

They both looked very dapper as they attended the celebrations for their grandmother's golden jubilee with their parents in early September.

Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 last Tuesday, just 24 hours after attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and mourning events in London.

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 royal also paid her respects to the Queen by visiting her coffin in Westminster Hall the night before the Queen's funeral, and attended the Buckingham Palace 'reception of the century' where she was pictured chatting closely with King Charles.

On Monday, the monarch made her first appearance since she tested positive for Covid, joining Queen Sonja of Norway at a literary event in Oslo.

Queen Sonja of Norway presented the Nordic Association's annual language award to Queen Margrethe of Denmark at Nordens Hus before they attended a gala at the Grand Hotel.

Margrethe wore a vibrant long pink skirt for the gala dinner, which she paired with a navy blue lace top.

She pinned her hair tightly back and was pictured with a navy shawl over her shoulders as she arrived at the Grand Hotel.
King Charles III is depicted without a crown in his first coin effigy, just like his grandfather King George VI, a royal expert has noted.

The Royal Mint today unveiled the King's first official coin effigy and the 50p will go into circulation before Christmas.

He is shown without a crown, unlike the Queen, who wore a tiara or crown in all but one of her coin effigies.

Speaking on This Morning today, Gyles Brandreth, who was a friend of the Duke of Edinburgh, noted Charles is not wearing a crown - in echoes of his grandfather King George VI.

The official picture of the new 50p released by the Royal Mint, which This Morning hosts noticed he isn't wearing a crown like his late mother Queen Elizabeth II

George V, Charles III's grandfather was facing right and wearing no crown just like his grandson

Queen Elizabeth II had five different effigies on coins throughout her reign and her first coin in 1953 she was wearing a ribbon in her hair

He said: 'It's not uncommon. Monarchs don't always wear crowns on their coin portraits.

'We can see that in examples from previous Kings and Queens and indeed the late Queen's father King George VI, who, like Charles, didn't wear a crown in his.'

Edward VII, Charles's great uncle - is also seen without a crown in his 1937 coins, prior to his abdication and George V's reign.

People will start to see the King's image in their change from around December, as 50p coins depicting Charles gradually enter circulation to meet demand.

In the meantime, the Mint will release a memorial coin range on Monday October 3 at 9am to commemorate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The King's portrait will first appear on a special 5 Crown and 50p commemorating the Queen.

Former MP Gyles Brandeth has collected coins throughout his life and confirmed that 'many monarchs' didn't wear crowns in their portraits

Queen Elizabeth II's image has changed on coins a total of five times over the years, with the initial design unveiled by the royal mint showing her wearing a ribbon in her hair instead of a crown all the way up to 1970.

In 1971 a new version was released with her wearing a small tiara and in 1985 the monarch was depicted on coins with the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, and includes a necklace and earrings.

In 1998 the current coins, which many are familiar with, were released with Ian Rank-Broadley's design showing Queen Elizabeth II looking more mature.

Queen Elizabeth II coin in 1973, where she is seen wearing a small tiara designed by David Wynne to commemorate joining the EU

More recent versions in the last 30 years show the late monarch wearing her crown in coins as she matured and her reign had spanned over decades.

People will start to see the King's image in their change from around December, as 50p coins depicting Charles gradually enter circulation to meet demand.

In the meantime, the Mint will release a memorial coin range on Monday October 3 at 9am to commemorate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.

The King's portrait will first appear on a special 5 Crown and 50p commemorating the Queen.

Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint, said: 'We expect customers will start to be able to receive the commemorative range from October and then we expect the 50p memorial circulating coin to be appearing in people's change probably from December.'

Queen Elizabeth II's coin portraits over the years - the late Queen had five different portrait designs in total

The King's effigy has been created by sculptor Martin Jennings, and has been personally approved by Charles, the Mint said.

In keeping with tradition, the King's portrait faces to the left, the opposite direction to Queen Elizabeth II.

Chris Barker from the Royal Mint Museum told PA: 'Charles has followed that general tradition that we have in British coinage, going all the way back to Charles II actually, that the monarch faces in the opposite direction to their predecessor.'

The exception to this was King Edward VIII, who preferred his portrait to face to the left. The tradition was restored when King George VI - Elizabeth II's father - came to the throne.
Prince Joachim admitted he struggled to find his place in Denmark's royal family, a resurfaced interview has revealed - while his wife Princess Marie said she had 'no choice' but to leave Copenhagen for Paris amid an 'internal power struggle', according to royal commentators.

A bitter royal row within the household has unfolded in recent days after Queen Margrethe II, 82, announced she would be removing princely titles from four of her eight grandchildren, saying it is 'for their own good'.

The official reason was to allow the four children of her younger son, Prince Joachim: Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, to live more normal lives, and follows similar moves by other royal families in Europe to slim down their monarchies, the Danish palace said.

However, her decision has 'upset' her son and his four children, with Joachim insisting his mother only gave him five days' notice - despite the Royal Household claiming the decision 'has been a long time coming'.

But this seemingly isn't the first time Joachim and his second wife Marie have felt alienated from the family; in 2021, the Prince told French magazine Point de Vue that, like his late father, Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark, he hadn't manage to get his 'place in the royal family pinned down.'

He said, via Royal Central: 'The Crown Prince simply has to follow the course of events. However, nothing is defined for the second born son and the persons wife, neither in writing nor in speech.

'My father became acquainted with the same dissatisfaction and never managed to get his place in the royal family pinned down. But it is not always easy. I experience the same dissatisfaction as my father. We have to find out for ourselves, while staying within the role of number two in the row.'

This sense of isolation was echoed in earlier statements made by his wife Marie, when she candidly discussed the family's move from Denmark to Paris - revealing 'it is not always us who decide'.

Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, Princess Marie and Prince Joachim of Denmark pose together at the Paris town hall on October 8, 2019

A bitter royal row within the household has unfolded in recent days after Queen Margrethe II (pictured with her sons in 2015), 82, announced she would be removing princely titles from four of her eight grandchildren, saying it is 'for their own good'

As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies, it was announced on Wednesday. Pictured, the children with Prince Joachim and Princess Marie on September 11, 2022

The Danish Royal Family tree. Prince Joachim's children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will all be losing their titles on January 1 2023

The French princess told Danish magazine See and Hear: 'No. It is not always us who decide. I think that's important to know. I loved living in Denmark. Denmark is just such a wonderful country to be in. Everything works well and there are not many problems.'

Following the interview, Danish celebrity gossip columnist Jacob Heinel told The Daily Beast that some royal commentators in Denmark believe Joachim and Marie were 'effectively exiled after losing an internal power struggle in the royal household' against Frederik and Mary.

'There was never anything in the calendar for them,' Heinel said, before recalling the moment Marie candidly admitted of her family's move to France: 'Im not going to elaborate but it wasnt our choice. I want people to know that it wasnt our choice.'

Prince Joachim's family temporarily moved to Paris at the start of 2019 as the royal took part in a highly intensive six-day-a-week military training program.

He was due to return to Denmark by the end of 2020 but after suffering a stroke in the summer of that year, he decided to stay on and took up the role of defence attache at the Danish embassy in Paris.

The resurfaced interviews come as Joachim once again hit out at his mother Queen Margrethe II's decision to strip his four children of their royal titles.

As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, Prince Felix, Prince Henrik, and Princess Athena will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies, rather than His or Her Royal Highness, it was announced on Wednesday.

Commenting on their reaction to the move to B.T., Joachim said his children 'don't know which leg to stand on as their identity is removed' - and questioned 'why must they be punished in that way?'.

The prince said: 'I can say that my children are sad. My kids don't know which leg to stand on. What they should believe. Why should their identity be removed? Why must they be punished in that way?'

He also doubled down on his claim that he had only been told the news five days before it was made public - despite the Royal Household insisting the decision 'has been a long time coming'.

'I don't want to engage in speculation and mudslinging,' said Joachim. 'I am telling the truth... I was given five days notice... I was given five days' notice of this. To tell my children that on New Year's their identity will be taken from them.'

He added that in May, he was presented with a plan that his 'children's identity should be taken from them when each of them turned 25', to which he asked 'to be allowed to come back with my proposal'.

But he said he was given just five days notice that the decision was to be accelerated, adding: 'I am so sorry for my children. I just demand the truth.'

Prince Joachim of Denmark (pictured) has once again hit out at his mother Queen Margrethe II's decision to strip his four children of their royal titles

Front: Queen Margrethe, Middle Row (left to right): Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik. Back row (left to right): Princess Benedikte, Princess Isabella, Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai in a portrait celebrating Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark defended her mother-in-law Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure.

Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick.

Frederick and Mary's four children - Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 11 - remain unaffected by the monarch's decision as they are direct descendants of the future King.

However speaking in Copenhagen today, Princess Mary suggested that might not always be the case.

'We will also look at our children's titles when the time comes,' she said in an interview with Ekstra Bladet in Copenhagen today. 'Today we cannot see what the royal house will look like when it is Christian's time, or when Christian's time begins to approach.'

Speaking in Copenhagen today (pictured) Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure

Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick. Pictured, Mary and Frederick with their children (from left) Isabella, Josephine, Christian and Vincent earlier this month

Prince Joachim (right back), 53, the youngest of Margrethe's two sons, said he was only given five days' notice that Nikolai (left), 23, Felix (second from left), 20, Henrik (far right), 13, and Athena (second from right), 10, will have prince or princess removed from their titles, and will no longer be able to use His or Her Royal Highness. Pictured with their grandmother Queen Margrethe (centre) and Princess Isabella (behind Princess Athena)

She also defended her mother-in-law's decision, saying: 'Change can be extremely difficult and can really hurt. I think most people have tried it. But this does not mean that the decision is not the right one.'

She added: 'Change really hurts, but as I said, it does not mean that the decision is not the right one. And I can understand that it is a very difficult decision to have to make, and also a very difficult decision to receive.'

It has been a whirlwind 48 hours for the Danish Royal Family, following the announcement on Wednesday that Joachim's children would be stripped of their titles.

Queen Margrethe, 82, who attended the Queen's funeral with Crown Prince Frederick, said she hoped the move would allow her grandchildren to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that come with a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family.

The move has created an 'icy' atmosphere within the Royal Family, according to one local media report, and has driven a wedge between a seemingly united family. 'There has never been a public conflict between the Queen and Prince Joachim,' Danish royal reporter Kenth Madsen told FEMAIL.

Indeed, they put on a united front just weeks ago when they celebrated Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee.

Speaking at a function at the National Museum in Copenhagen on Wednesday night, pictured, Margrethe said: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason'

Prince Nikolai said that he is sad, shocked and confused after his royal title was stripped 'quickly'. Pictured modelling during the Dior Pre-Fall 2019 Men's Collection show on November 30, 2018 in Tokyo

Margrethe defended her decision in an interview that night, saying: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason.'

However Joachim broke his silence on Thursday morning and claimed he had only been told the news five days before it was made public.

Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix's mother says she's 'in shock' by move to strip them of their royal titles Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix - said she is 'in shock' over Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's decision to strip her sons of their royal titles. Nikolai, 23, and Felix, 20, along with their younger siblings Prince Henri, 13, and Princess Athen, 10, from their father's second marriage, will all have their titles of prince and princess removed from January 1 2023, the palace announced yesterday. 'We are all confused by the decision. We are saddened and in shock,' Alexandra said in a statement from her press advisor Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, reported Danish magazine Se og Hr. Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen (pictured) The statement continued: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracised. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.' Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Prince Joachim married his second wife Princess Marie in 2008, and they later welcomed Prince Henrik and Princess Athena Advertisement

'We are all very sad. It's never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand,' he said in an interview with Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen.

'Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified.

Prince Joachim, who is sixth-in-line to the throne behind his brother and his children, was speaking outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his second wife Marie and their children Henrik and Athena.

Nikolai and Felix, who are both models, live in Copenhagen.

His ex-wife, Countess Alexandra, the mother of his two eldest children, added in a statement to Danish magazine Se og Hr: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracized. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.'

Her spokesperson Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen told another news organisation that Joachim learned of his children's fate via an aide.

Queen Margrethe spoke neither to her sons nor her grandchildren, it is claimed.

'The children have received the message that they are losing their titles, delivered by their father, just as Countess Alexandra was told by Prince Joachim,' the spokesperson added.

In response, the Royal Household released another statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'

Prince Nikolai, a model, also spoke out yesterday, telling Ekstra Bladet: 'My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone.

'I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this,' he told reporters from outside the Copenhagen apartment where he lives with his girlfriend.

Countess Alexandra, Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, is also 'very sad' and 'shocked' about the decision.

'She can't believe why and why now, because there's no good reason,' Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra told CNN.

'They would lose their titles anyway when they get married one day. Her sons are young men so maybe they might get married in the near future so why shouldn't it wait until that day so that the titles would disappear on a happy day?'

Under the agreement, Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, and Athena will be known as either His Excellency Count of Monpezat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpezat from January 1, 2023.

However they will maintain their positions in the order of succession.

They are currently seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, but would move down if any of Crown Prince Frederick's children were to have children.

The bombshell announcement was made in a statement released yesterday by the Danish Royal Household.

Countess Alexandra's press secretary questioned why the change could not have waited until their wedding day, when her sons would 'lose their titles anyway'. Pictured, Alexandra Countess Of Frederiksborg

Nikolai modelling a short and gloves and a leather bumbag for Dior during Paris fashion week in 2020

The move is said to have driven a wedge between Margrethe and her four grandchildren. Pictured, the Queen (centre) with sons Joachim (left) and Crown Prince Frederick (right). Also pictured: Crown Prince Frederick's wife, Crown Princess Mary (right) and son Prince Christian (in his lap) and Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix (left) who will be affected by the change

It read: 'In April 2008, Her Majesty the Queen conferred the titles of Count, Countess and Comtesse of Monpezat on her sons, their spouses and their descendants.

'In May 2016, it was also announced that His Royal Highness Prince Christian, as the only one of the Queen's grandchildren, is expected to receive an annuity from the state as an adult.

'As a natural extension of this, Her Majesty has decided that with effect from 1 January 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim can only use their titles as Count and Countess of Monpezat, as their previous titles as Prince and Princess of Denmark will lapse.

'Prince Joachim's descendants will henceforth have to be addressed as Excellencies.

'The Queen's decision is in line with similar adaptations that other royal houses have implemented in different ways in recent years.

'With her decision, Her Majesty the Queen wants to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.

Prince Nikolai, from left, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim and Prince Felix arrive for the command performance at the Danish Royal Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of Danish Queen Margrethe II's accession to the throne in Copenhagen, Saturday, September 10, 2022

Prince Nikolai of Denmark celebrated his 23rd birthday in August at home with his parents and siblings in Copenhagen. Pictured left with Prince Felxi, 20, Prince Henrick, 13 and Princess Athena, ten

Nikolai with his stepmother Princess Marie, siblings, and father Prince Joachim, on the balcony of Amalienborg palace during the Danish Queen's 78th Birthday in April 2018

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who will no longer be TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 23: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Denmark but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. They live with their parents in Paris. Advertisement

'All four grandchildren maintain their places in the order of succession,' concluded the statement.

Margrethe, who is the world's longest serving queen and celebrates her Golden Jubilee this year, is affectionately known as 'aunt Daisy' by European royals due to her close personal ties with many reigning monarchs.

She is a first cousin of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and a second cousin of Norway's King Harald V.

She enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen, a distant cousin, and the Duke of Edinburgh, and shared deeply personal tributes following their deaths.

She was joined by her son Crown Prince Frederick at the Queen's funeral earlier this month.

The Queen seemingly enjoys a close relationship with both sons and all eight of her grandchildren, and makes regular appearances with both families.

However there is now said to be an 'ice-cold air' between the Queen and her grandchildren.

'There is ice-cold air between Queen Margrethe and her grandchildren after she decided that they will lose their titles as prince and princess from the New Year,' leading Danish publication Ekstra Bladet reported.

'The news, which has crushed both the four children and their parents, was not delivered by the queen herself.

'They have not been called to Amalienborg for a cold coke and an explanation as to why they must henceforth be addressed as counts and countesses. Not even that far.'

Both of Margrethe's grandsons turned to modelling in their late teens. Pictured with their grandmother in May 2021

Felix made his modelling debut in February by posing in a series of moody snaps for jeweller Georg Jensen's new Reflect collection

Left Nikolai wearing a pastel suit for Dior in 2018 at Paris Fashion Week. Right: The royal strutting his stuff on the runway in January 2020

Nikolai in a loose, tailored suit on the runway during the Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 in Paris in 2018

Queen Margrethe has a well-cushioned allowance, with the Danish Civil List granting her 800,813 a month, or 9.6 million for the year to run the royal household - including staff, properties and administration, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Net Worth lists her net worth at around 37million.

Around 183,750 per month is reportedly given to the Queen's children. Crown Prince Frederik receives the largest amount of this money, of which 10 per cent is given to his wife, Princess Mary.

Many of the Danish Royal Family's properties are owned by the state, and run by the Agency for Palaces and Cultural Properties.

This includes the main residence of Amalienborg, their spring home of Fredensborg palace, their summer house of Grasten Palace and the hunting lodge Eremitageslottet .

The Danish Queen's personal properties include Marselisborg Castle, Chateau de Caix in France, and the royal hunting lodge in Jutland at Trend.

Princess Marie with Prince Joachim, Prince Felix, Prince Nikolai, Princess Athena and Prince Henrick with Joachim's first wife's Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg in 2020

Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 only 24 hours after Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on Monday September 19

Queen Margrethe was pictured out and about for the first time on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. She attended a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel in Oslo after receiving the Nordic Association's Language Award

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 82, attended the 'reception of the century' at Buckingham Palace, which was hosted by King Charles and Camilla before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral

Prince Joachim lives with his second wife Princess Marie in Paris, where he has been working as a Defense Attache at the Danish Embassy since September 2020 - but when he returns home to Denmark it is sometimes to the Schackenborg Castle in southern Jutland.

The estate was the prince's private residence from 1993 to 2014, before he sold the property.

But since Prince Joachim and Princess Marie are on the board of the Schackenborg Castle Foundation, they occasionally return to live there for short periods of time.

In the summer of 2020, Prince Joachim suffered a stroke while holidaying in France with his family and had to be rushed into hospital for emergency brain surgery.

Prince Joachim's eldest sons, Felix and Nikolai, are Margrethe's eldest grandsons and have embraced a life in the public eye.

The 20-somethings, who both live in Denmark, both enrolled in the National Military Academy but dropped out before completing their studies.

They have enjoyed flourishing careers as models, posing for several advert campaigns and on the cover of magazines.

Nikolai caught international attention in 2018 when he walked in the Burberry show at London Fashion week, before a front row that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts, Zendaya, and Idris Elba.

He is signed to Scoop Models agency in Denmark and has been multiplying his modelling gigs.

He sent royal fans into a frenzy in February when he graced the cover of Vogue Scandinavia.

The 22-year-old oozed sophistication when appearing in the magazine and looked effortlessly stylish in a matching pink Dior jacket and trousers as he posed in front of a number of colourful flowers.

When he is not modelling, Nikolai is studying Business Administration and Service Management at the In 2019, Prince Nikolai began his B education at Copenhagen Business School.

Last year he was living in Paris as part of a school exchange, and could see his younger siblings and his dad more easily.

At the end of last year, he started training at the Royal Danish Military Academy to become an Army Lieutenant, but in October it was announced that he'd quit after just two months because it 'wasn't for him'.

Prince Felix chose to make his modelling debut for jeweller Georg Jensen, appearing in pictures and an advert promoting the new Reflect collection of necklaces, earrings and rings.

The royal is further down the line of succession, pursuing his own career path rather than being a 'working royal' was expected choice for Felix even before his grandmother's announcement, and modelling is certainly a popular choice for minor royals across the globe.

While they are growing to be their own person, Felix and Nikolai do attend royal events on occasion.

They both looked very dapper as they attended the celebrations for their grandmother's golden jubilee with their parents in early September.

Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 last Tuesday, just 24 hours after attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and mourning events in London.

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 royal also paid her respects to the Queen by visiting her coffin in Westminster Hall the night before the Queen's funeral, and attended the Buckingham Palace 'reception of the century' where she was pictured chatting closely with King Charles.

On Monday, the monarch made her first appearance since she tested positive for Covid, joining Queen Sonja of Norway at a literary event in Oslo.

Queen Sonja of Norway presented the Nordic Association's annual language award to Queen Margrethe of Denmark at Nordens Hus before they attended a gala at the Grand Hotel.

Margrethe wore a vibrant long pink skirt for the gala dinner, which she paired with a navy blue lace top.

She pinned her hair tightly back and was pictured with a navy shawl over her shoulders as she arrived at the Grand Hotel.
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Malia Obama showed off her toned legs in a pair of tiny, cut-off jean shorts as she ran some errands in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Harvard graduate, 24, left her long limbs on full display as she stopped by 7-Eleven to buy some snacks. The eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama paired the look with a blue, sleeveless, sweater vest and black combat boots.

She kept some of her long, braided, brown locks pulled back in a bun, while the rest fell loosely around her face; she seemed somber as she made her way out of the convenience store by herself, and got into her parked car.

Legs for days! Malia Obama showed off her toned limbs in a pair of tiny, cut-off jean shorts as she ran some errands in Los Angeles on Thursday

Strutting her stuff: The Harvard graduate, 24, left her long legs on full display as she stopped by 7-Eleven to buy some snacks

Fashion statement: The eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama paired the look with a blue, sleeveless, sweater vest and black combat boots

She kept some of her long, braided, brown locks pulled back in a bun, while the rest fell loosely around her face

She seemed somber as she made her way out of the convenience store by herself, and got into her parked car

Father-daughter bonding: The outing comes days after the 24-year-old was seen grabbing dinner with her dad, 61, and younger sister, Sasha, 21

The outing comes days after the 24-year-old - who is currently working on Donald Glover's upcoming unnamed Amazon show - was seen grabbing dinner with her dad, 61, and younger sister, Sasha, 21.

Barack jetted over to the West Coast to pay his daughters a visit, and the trio ate at the pricey sushi restaurant Hamasaku on Saturday night, where eight-piece sushi rolls cost $50 and specialty rolls go for more than $20 each.

Hamasaku boasts a fusion of traditional Japanese sushi with a taste of California, and features a plethora of dishes containing salmon, lobster, crab, tuna, yellowtail and other tasty seafood.

While Barack dined with his daughters, his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, 58, was across the country in Seneca Falls, New York, being inducted in the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Both Sasha and Malia are currently living in Los Angeles, with Malia moving there last year, after graduating from Harvard, to pursue a career as a screenwriter.

Barack jetted over to the West Coast to pay his daughters a visit, and the trio ate at the pricey sushi restaurant Hamasaku on Saturday night

While Barack dined with his daughters, his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, 58, was across the country in Seneca Falls, New York, being inducted in the National Women's Hall of Fame

Both Sasha and Malia are currently living in Los Angeles, with Malia moving there last year, after graduating from Harvard, to pursue a career as a screenwriter

Hard-worker: She is currently working on Donald Glover's upcoming unnamed Amazon show

In March, Donald revealed that he had given the 24-year-old her first job as a writer on his new series, which is reportedly about 'a Beyonce-type character,' with the actor calling her 'amazingly talented' and 'really focused' at the time

In March, Donald revealed that he had given the 24-year-old her first job as a writer on his new series, which is reportedly about 'a Beyonce-type character,' with the actor calling her 'amazingly talented' and 'really focused' at the time.

'Shes just like, an amazingly talented person,' Donald, 38, who is also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, told Vanity Fair at the time. 'Shes really focused, and shes working really hard.'

He did not share how Malia - who previously interned on Lena Dunham's HBO series Girls in 2015 and at The Weinstein Company in 2017 - landed the job after she graduated from college but he added that he believed she has a promising future in the industry.

As for Sasha, she transferred to the University of Southern California from the University of Michigan earlier this year.

'Shes just like, an amazingly talented person,' Donald, 38, who is also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, told Vanity Fair at the time. 'Shes really focused, and shes working really hard'

He did not share how Malia landed the job after she graduated from college but he added that he believed she has a promising future in the industry

She previously interned on Lena Dunham's HBO series Girls in 2015 and at The Weinstein Company in 2017

Both of Michelle and Barack's daughters appear to be taken at the moment - Malia is currently in a relationship with Ethiopian DJ Dawit Eklund while Sasha is dating actor Clifton Powell's son Clifton Powell Jr.

Happy couple: Malia and Dawit were first linked on July 26, when the two were caught grabbing takeout food together, and since then, they have been pictured side-by-side on numerous occasions

Dawit, 33, co-founded Washington, D.C.-based record label 1432 R, which specializes in Ethiopian music, and graduated from George Washington University, where he studied International Development in Africa

Both of Michelle and Barack's daughters appear to be in relationships at the moment - DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in April that Sasha was dating Clifton Powell Jr., 24, who is the son of Ray actor Clifton Powell.

Clifton Jr. and Sasha are understood to have met after she relocated to California, and it appears that he is already close with the family - as he has been seen hanging out with Malia a few times in recent months.

Malia, on the other hand, is currently in a relationship with Ethiopian DJ Dawit Eklund. They were first linked on July 26, when the two were caught grabbing takeout food together, and since then, they have been pictured side-by-side on numerous occasions.

Dawit, 33, is the son of retired State Department officer Jon Eklund, 72, who worked at several US embassies in Africa and his Ethiopian wife Yeshi, 66.

He co-founded Washington, D.C.-based record label 1432 R, which specializes in Ethiopian music, and graduated from George Washington University, where he studied International Development in Africa.
Fashion weeks bring together the most stylish people and so its no surprise to see royals on the front row of catwalk shows.

In Paris today, Princess Alexandra of Hanover, 23, and Princess of Thailand Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, 35, have both been spotted on the front row of Giambattista Valli's womenswear spring/summer 2023 show.

Grace Kelly's granddaughter Princess Alexandra, who has been attending Paris Fashion Week since she was 18, wore a leopard print structured dress, which buttoned down the front.

Meanwhile, Princess Sirivannavari, the only daughter of Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn, wowed in a baby pink chut Thai (Thai dress) paired with yellow satin sandals.

Princess Alexandra of Hanover, 23, look stylish in a leopard print structured dress as she attended the Giambattista Valli Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week

Princess of Thailand Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, 35, looked glamorous in a pink chut Thai as she sat on the front of the Giambattista Valli runway show at Paris Fashion Week

Following in the fashionable footsteps of her mother Princess Caroline, and her late grandmother Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Alexandra donned this season's must have black knee-high boots, with the fashionable square toe.

She held a cute black and nude bag and kept her brown locks loose with a slight wave in the ends.

Looking equally stylish, Princess Sirivannavari held a hot pink bag and swept her hair up. The Thai princess opted for glowing make up with a silver lid and shocking pink lips.

She is regularly snapped at fashion week looking more like an on-trend blogger than a member of the royal family thanks to her trademark clashing patterns and statement pieces.

Both royals were pictured on the front row of the Giambattista Valli show, which turned out to be star studded event with the likes of Olivia Palermo, Kiernan Shipka and Paris Jackson also in attendance.

Princess Sirivannavari wowed in a baby pink chut Thai (Thai dress) paired with yellow satin sandals decorated with large silver bows

Following in the fashionable footsteps of her mother Princess Caroline, 65, Princess Alexandra donned this season's must have black knee high boots, with the fashionable square toe

In 2018 Princess Sirivannavari was featured in Tatler magazine in a piece that celebrated her work in the fashion industry.

Way back in 2004 the princess entered the international fashion stage, showcasing a collection from her label Sirivannavari as a guest designer in Milan Fashion Week.

The royal first attended Paris Fashion Week in 2007 when she was a 20-year-old undergraduate - and was invited by none other than Pierre Balmain.

Two years later Princess Sirivannavari received a bachelor's degree from Bangkok's esteemed Chulalongkorn University, graduating with a major in fashion design.

Both royals were pictured on the front row of the Giambattista Valli show, which turned out to be star studded event with the likes of Olivia Palermo (right), Kiernan Shipka (left) and Paris Jackson (far left) also in attendance

In 2010 the princess left her beloved home to spend the year studying in Paris.

In an interview with Tatler, the princess named her grandmother HM Queen Skirit as a 'true icon' of fashion.

Meanwhile, Alexandra is the only daughter of Princess Caroline and Prince Ernst August, 65, of Hanover, and is 12th in line to the Monagesque throne.

The royal, who was born in Vocklabruck, Upper Austria, also boasted a distant claim to the British throne until September 2018, when she was removed from the line of succession after she converted to Catholicism.
Meredith is now sharing her story in the hopes of raising awareness, explaining, 'If I could help one person catch it then I would feel like a huge success'

After experiencing the same thing a week later, she finally received an MRI and was told that she was having a brain aneurysm and needed emergency surgery

She lost part her vision and her body went numb, and she was rushed to the hospital. But when the symptoms subsided she thought it was a bad migraine

Meredith explained that she had always suffered from migraines, but back in August, she began suffering from stroke-like symptoms while running errands

An influencer has opened up about her experience suffering from a life-threatening brain aneurysm after she initially thought it was nothing more than a migraine.

Meredith Staggers, 35, from Houston, Texas, has detailed the agonizing pain she endured while experiencing the effects of a bleeding brain aneurysm, which she tried to brush off as a headache.

The founder of popular lifestyle blog Cake & Confetti had fell victim to migraines for years, especially when she pregnant.

However, in August, the influencer experienced what she thought to be another pounding headache like the others.

Meredith Staggers, 35, has detailed the agonizing pain she endured while suffering from a bleeding brain aneurysm, which she thought was a migraine

The mom-of-three, from Texas, and founder of lifestyle blog Cake & Confetti opened up about her experience in an interview with People

Meredith explained that she had always suffered from migraines, but back in August, she began suffering from stroke-like symptoms while running errands

While running errands on August 4, Meredith began to suffer from stroke-like symptoms.

'I started seeing an aura in my left eye and started slowly losing my vision. My face started going numb and then I started losing feeling in my hands and feet,' she told People recently.

'I was trying to call my husband and I couldn't press the buttons on my phone, like it wasn't registering in my brain.

'I was finally able to contact him but 10 or 15 minutes later I lost the ability to speak coherently.'

After finally being able to phone her husband, he immediately came to her rescue and rushed her to the emergency room, where she said medical professionals thought she was 'under the influence of drugs' because of how incoherent she was.

The doctors ran both a CT scan and a chest x-ray, but the two both came back normal.

And after spending nearly nine hours in the ER waiting room to be evaluated by a doctor, the-mom-of-three ultimately decided to leave since most of her symptoms had subsided.

'I started seeing an aura in my left eye and started slowly losing my vision. My face started going numb and then I started losing feeling in my hands and feet,' she told People recently

After finally being able to phone her husband, he immediately came to her rescue and rushed her to the emergency room

And after spending nearly nine hours in the ER waiting room to be evaluated by a doctor, the-mom-of-three ultimately decided to leave since most of her symptoms had subsided

However, one week after the blogger brushed off her symptoms to those of a severe migraine, she experienced yet another major episode.

While at an OB/GYN appointment with her daughter, Meredith suddenly lost her vision, couldn't hold her child, and wasn't able to communicate with the doctors.

But again, she thought it was a migraine brought on by hormones and stress - since she had recently given birth and her newborn daughter was suffering from pneumonia.

The ticking time bomb that Meredith mistook for a migraine: What is a brain aneurysm? An aneurysm is a bulge of a blood vessel in the brain.

When it ruptures it cause the blood to release into the brain, causing a life-threatening stroke.

A ruptured aneurysm can result in internal bleeding, stroke, and can sometimes be fatal.

Aneurysms often have no symptoms until they rupture, however, if you are experiencing intense headaches, have high blood pressure or a family history of aneurysms, you should be evaluated.

Doctors can find an aneurysm through an MRI. Advertisement

'I wasn't only just dealing with the postpartum hormones that an average woman experiences, I also had this unusual case of having to be in the hospital with my tiny little baby,' she explained.

'And so, in that moment I assumed I was having a really bad panic attack and it triggered this migraine again.'

Meredith's nurse then advised the mom-of-three to see a neurologist, just in case she was suffering from something other than a migraine.

The next day, Meredith scheduled an MRI with her primary care physician.

The MRI showed that Meredith actually had a five-to-six-millimeter brain aneurysm.

Her brain aneurysm was about the size of a fingertip, and she was rushed to the hospital.

An aneurysm is a bulge of a blood vessel in the brain.

When it ruptures it cause the blood to release into the brain, causing a life-threatening stroke.

Meredith's neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Cochran at UTHealth Houston and Memorial Hermann, explained that her symptoms were due to leaking or a bleeding brain aneurysm found behind her left eye, pushing on the nerves.

He added that the mom-of-three was 'lucky' to have caught it when she did and not when it ruptured.

'When an aneurysm ruptures, only about half of people make it to the hospital, probably about 40 per cent of people are dead before they get to the hospital,' Dr. Cochran told People.

'So it's a devastating thing but if you catch it before it ruptures, it can be very easily fixed with very little pain and suffering.'

Days later, the lifestyle blogger was scheduled for surgery.

However, one week after the blogger brushed off her symptoms to those of a severe migraine, she experienced yet another major episode

The next day, Meredith scheduled an MRI with her primary care physician. The MRI showed that Meredith actually had a five-to-six-millimeter brain aneurysm

On August 15, her neurosurgeon was able to perform an endovascular flow division, which involves placing a catheter through the groin and up into the artery to divert the blood away

'That was obviously very emotional news as a mom of three young girls and [I was] just feeling immediately really scared of what was to come,' she recalled.

'But at the same time, I did feel a huge sense of relief that I did actually have an answer to what had been going on.

'It was just a very surreal thing because it happened so quickly. One minute it was like, ''Oh you're having a migraine,'' and then the next it's no, it's something that's going to require surgical care.

'I would have never, in my wildest dreams, thought that it was an aneurysm.'

On August 15, Dr. Cochran was able to perform an endovascular flow division, which involves placing a catheter through the groin and up into the artery.

The device is then deployed and diverts blood away from the aneurysm. Meredith's neurosurgeon called this procedure a 'game changer' because it allowed for the blogger to make a speedier recovery.

Dr. Cochran advised that anyone experiencing the 'worst headache of you life' seek an MRI, especially if the pain makes you feel nauseous.

He added: 'If somebody's having headaches, and symptoms are unrelenting, they should get some sort of imaging of the blood vessels in their brain to make sure that there's not an aneurysm.'

The three main causes of aneurysms are high blood pressure, smoking, and family history or genetics.

While recovering from her operation, Meredith learned that she had a family history of aneurysms.

While recovering from her operation, Meredith learned that she had a family history of aneurysms

Meredith's doctor told her that her children, brothers, and sisters should also be evaluated for an aneurysm

Meredith is now sharing her story in the hopes of raising awareness, explaining, 'If I could help one person catch it then I would feel like a huge success'

'Once I was diagnosed with mine, my mom told me my grandfather had two aneurysms, one of her cousins, and then several other people in the family on the same side all have either died or had an aneurysm that was caught,' she explained.

'There were several cases in my family but it was something that before I was diagnosed, no one ever mentioned.

'And then that inspired my mom to go get an MRI and get checked out just in case.'

Dr. Cochran told Meredith that her children, brothers, and sisters should also be evaluated for an aneurysm, and noted that if someone has an aneurysm their 'first degree relatives should get checked.'

Because of her big following on social media - where she has racked up over 77,000 followers - Meredith wanted to share her story in the hopes of raising awareness.

'All of a sudden I was like, "Why is no one talking about this?" I didn't feel like there was much awareness around brain aneurysms,' she told People.

'Whenever you go to the doctor and they ask about your family history, brain aneurysm isn't on there.

'They ask about diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and it just really made me realize that there's a huge void.

'So sharing my story, if I could potentially help one person catch it like I did then I would feel like it would be a huge success.'
A divorcee has revealed why she loves being a 'sugar mama'  and spoiling her boy-toy lover with designer clothes, cars, and expensive holidays.

Kara Miller, 36, from California, loves to lavish her partner Daniel, 27, with treats - and often shares the result of their shopping trips with her 10,000 followers on Instagram.

She first met her partner on Bumble in July 2019, three months after she divorced her husband-of-four-years, who has not named for privacy reasons.

Kara, who 'loves to take care of men,' began by sending Daniel $40 a week, but as the pair grew closer, she has since raised the allowance.

Kara Miller, 36, from California, is a divorcee who loves being a sugar mama to her toyboy Daniel, 27, treating him with lavish gifts

The 36-year-old met her partner on Bumble in July 2019, three months after divorcing her husband-of-four-years, not named for privacy reasons

Kara often shares the result of their shopping trips with her 10,000 followers on Instagram

She now sends him nearly $500-$1,000 weekly even going so far as to draw up a contract which is 'revised yearly' and 'lists his weekly allowance,' including terms and conditions.

'I love taking care of men,' the clinical psychology student said. 'I have always done it, even in my marriage and after.

'After my separation and divorce, I took on a man who became my sugar baby [not Daniel]. I did everything for him.

'I gave him a lot of money and bought him necessities like alcohol and cigarettes and even paid for tickets he got.'

Kara, who also works with people with special needs, said she treats her new sugar baby, Daniel, to 'cars, designers, expensive food, and trips' - but he ultimately chooses cash when offered the choice.

The sugar mama, who earns roughly $6,000 a month, has many income streams, including working 'very hard' on her social media account to fund the couple's lavish lifestyle.

The influencer drives a Lexus 400 and lives in an expensive neighborhood - but prefers not to 'live rich' and often puts Daniel's needs before her own.

She has said she 'loves taking care of men' and spoils Daniel with 'cars, designers, expensive food, and trips' but Daniel always prefers cash

The influencer drives a Lexus 400 and lives in an expensive neighborhood but prefers not to 'live rich' and often puts Daniel's needs before her own

The sugar mama, who earns roughly $6,000 a month, has many income streams, including working 'very hard' on social media to fund the couple's lavish lifestyle

Currently, he is her only sugar baby. She said: 'I don't really buy Daniel any luxurious items [anymore] because he refuses  he would rather have the money. I'm OK with that because I know he's happier that way.'

Despite receiving negative comments online, the sugar mama isn't concerned about the potential backlash the couple's romance could get.

She explained: 'People will judge me for who I am but I honestly don't really care anymore.

'I am trying to show that women are perfectly capable of taking care of men.

'They either accept it or they don't. I honestly only really listen to the people who support me.'

Kara recently shared the result of several expensive shopping trips she took with Daniel with her followers online.

One clip, titled 'Buying my sugar baby shoes,' has racked up over 6,000 views so far.

In the video, she picked up a pair of Balenciaga shoes for Daniel, which retail at $750.

In another clip, Daniel asked for a Lamborghini  though Kara joked that this exuberant request is a 'maybe.'

The arrangement has divided social media users, with some dubbing Daniel as 'lucky,' while others have been left shocked by the amount of money Kara spends on him.

Kara has said: 'People will judge me for who I am but I honestly don't really care anymore. 'I am trying to show that women are perfectly capable of taking care of men'

The arrangement has divided social media users, with some dubbing Daniel 'lucky', while others have been left shocked by the amount of money Kara spends on him

Although Daniel is her only sugar baby at present, it hasn't stopped Kara from making videos with other 'potential sugar babies'

Some have even offered to take his place. 'Lucky guys,' wrote one user.

'Sign me up I'll take steeler tickets' commented another viewer.

'How can I sign up?' asked someone else.

However, not everyone was quite as happy with her arrangement.

'Are you sure you want to live this kind of life?' commented one viewer.

'Little boys entertained by material,' wrote a second person.

Although Daniel is her only sugar baby at present, it hasn't stopped Kara from making videos with other 'potential sugar babies.'

Currently, however, she's happy with her one-man-only set-up.
She says people are obsessed with her - which is why they always comment

The 23-year-old has been compared to Buzz Lightyear and other male cartoons

Brooke Martin is confident with how she looks and calls herself 'square'

A young woman bullied for her strong jawline will never have surgery for it

Brooke Martin has been compared to characters like Lord Farquaad and Buzz Lightyear her whole life thanks to her prominent jawline, but claims the cruel taunts no longer hurt her.

The 23-year-old mother-to-be has chosen to embrace her strong jawline instead and claims trolls who continue to hassle her are simply 'obsessed'.

The New Zealand blogger recently slammed followers who suggested she get surgery to 'correct' the bold feature.

Brooke Martin has been bullied for her square jaw her whole life - but says she would rather die than change her appearance

People compare her to Lord Farquaad - a fictional character from Shrek - and Buzz Lightyear (right)

'I would rather die,' she said.

She tells people who constantly post on her videos to leave her channel if they hate her.

'If you have a problem with me, pop off,' she said in response to hateful comments online.

Her TikTok handle, which is called 'girl with square jaw', reflects her pride over her appearance.

One cruel troll labelled Brooke 'disgusting' and said she shouldn't be on social media.

While other people write things like 'to infinity and beyond' or 'hey, it's Quagmire' on her posts.

But she simply brushes the cruel words aside.

Brooke also receives lovely comments on her appearance on TikTok.

In a video captioned 'they know me as the girl with the square jaw' one follower commented: 'That's jawsome'.

While another described Broke as stunning.

'I think you look beautiful,' one woman said.

'Didn't they get the memo? It is hip to be square,' added another.

While others try to sugarcoat their awkward questions.

The young woman is constantly compared to fictional characters with huge jawlines but says her haters are simply obsessed with her

'I don't mean to be rude because you really are pretty. Like for real. But do you have a condition or is this just a deformity,' one woman asked.

Brooke no longer jumps to her own defence, as others are happy to.

'Just because you say you don't mean to be rude doesn't mean what you say is made un-rude,' one said.

While another told her to mind her own business, as everyone should be allowed to celebrate 'what makes them unique'.

Brooke has shared photos of her as a little girl with her father, who had a similar, very prominent jawline.

She is currently pregnant - and shares her journey daily. Many people are betting on whether or not her baby will inherit the dominant trait.

Brooke has over 40,000 followers on TikTok.
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.
More than a third of children have not had their life-saving MMR vaccine in parts of England, according to official stats which illustrate why health chiefs fear a measles resurgence.

NHS figures show uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella jab has dropped to just 86 per cent  the lowest level in a decade.

Yet analysis shows take-up sits as low as 59 per cent among five-year-olds in certain parts of London. MailOnline has created an interactive tool that enables you to look up MMR uptake rates in your local area.

The two-dose jab, offered to all children, protects against the three highly-infectious diseases, which can trigger meningitis, hearing loss, blindness or even death in rare cases.

Doctors fear 750,000 children under the age of six are currently unprotected against measles. Parents are now being urged to get their youngsters immunised.

Shocking NHS data yesterday revealed that uptake for all 14 routine childhood jabs is now below the crucial 95 per cent threshold needed to keep viruses such as polio at bay.

Health leaders warned even this small decline could lead to a surge in diseases that had been largely confined to history. Helen Bedford, professor of child public health at UCL, said the fall was of 'great concern'.

NHS Digital vaccination data shows that the capital has the lowest uptake of the MMR vaccine in England. Just 58.9 per cent of five-year-olds in Hackney, east London, have had both doses of the vaccine by the age of five. And two-thirds or fewer are vaccinated in four north London boroughs: Camden (62.6 per cent), Haringey (64.7 per cent), Enfield (66.5 per cent) and Islington (66.6 per cent). Meanwhile, three in 10 youngsters are vulnerable to the MMR viruses in Barking and Dagenham, Westminster, Redbridge, Newham and Waltham Forest

NHS Digital data for England shows the uptake of the 14 vaccines offered to children in childhood in the year to March 2022 (pink) compared to the year to March 2021 (blue). Uptake for the jabs fell by up to 1.3 per cent in the last year. Health chiefs warned that even this small decline could lead to a surge in diseases largely confined to history  such as measles and polio  and trigger potentially deadly outbreaks

As few as 84 per cent of under-fives in England were protected against serious illnesses, such as measles, mumps and rubella by March 2022

The NHS Digital graph shows the uptake of the MMR vaccine among two-year-olds (purple line) and five-year-olds (grey line)

WHAT JABS SHOULD I HAVE HAD BY AGE 18? Vaccinations for various unpleasant and deadly diseases are given free on the NHS to children and teenagers. Here is a list of all the jabs someone should have by the age of 18 to make sure they and others across the country are protected: Eight weeks old 6-in-1 vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B.

Pneumococcal (PCV)

Rotavirus

Meningitis B 12 weeks old Second doses of 6-in-1 and Rotavirus 16 weeks old Third dose of 6-in-1

Second doses of PCV and men. B One year old Hib/meningitis C

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

Third dose of PCV and meningitis B Two to eight years old Annual children's flu vaccine Three years, four months old Second dose of MMR

4-in-1 pre-school booster for diphtheria, tetanus, polio and whooping cough 12-13 years old (girls) HPV (two doses within a year) 14 years old 3-in-1 teenage booster for diphtheria, tetanus and polio

MenACWY Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

The vaccination data, published yesterday in an annual NHS Digital report, shows that the capital has the lowest uptake of the MMR vaccine in England.

Just 58.9 per cent of five-year-olds in Hackney, east London, have had both doses of the vaccine by the age of five.

And two-thirds or fewer are vaccinated in four north London boroughs: Camden (62.6 per cent), Haringey (64.7 per cent), Enfield (66.5 per cent) and Islington (66.6 per cent).

Meanwhile, three in 10 youngsters are vulnerable to the MMR viruses in Barking and Dagenham, Westminster, Redbridge, Newham and Waltham Forest.

Just two parts of the country  East Riding of Yorkshire and County Durham  hit the World Health Organization's 95 per cent target.

Scientists say the WHO threshold is needed to prevent the viruses from taking off in the population.

Vaccination rates have been tumbling for the last decade  fueled by the rise of inaccurate anti-vaxx information peddled online.

However, officials said the new and 'extremely worrying' figures were also likely down to disruption caused by the Covid pandemic.

School closures, the focus on the coronavirus vaccine rollout and a lack of PPE have all been blamed for the dwindling uptake.

The first dose of the MMR vaccine is offered to children aged one, with a second dose being administered after turning three years and four months.

But anyone older who has not had both doses can make an appointment with their GP to catch-up.

In response to the latest figures, the NHS urged parents to ensure their children's jabs are up to date. It sent hundreds of thousands of texts, emails and letters to families this week, urging them to book an appointment.

Around 740,000 children aged one to six in England have not yet had either the first or second dose and are vulnerable to measles, mumps and rubella.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) called for rates to be recovered 'as soon as possible' to levels recommended by the WHO.

While rates are low, there is a higher risk that 'avoidable serious  and sometimes deadly  diseases such as measles and polio' will spread, it warned.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: 'Measles is highly contagious and can be dangerous.

'It is extremely worrying that we are seeing levels of uptake of the MMR vaccine falling among young children.'

Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968 it is estimated that 20million cases and 4,500 deaths due to the infection have been prevented in the UK.

There were up to 2,000 cases of measles, 6,000 of mumps and 70 of rubella  which infected thousands annually until the 90s  per year in the decade before the pandemic struck.

But cases fell to virtually zero during the pandemic, as the knock-on effects of Covid restrictions also triggered a reduction in cases of other viruses.

The combination of low uptake and the return to pre-pandemic travel habits means it is more likely that measles will be brought in from countries that have higher levels of the disease and cause outbreaks in the UK, officials warned.

Professor Helen Bedford, a child public health expert at University College London, said measles has become 'vanishingly rare' because of the country's childhood vaccination programme.

The infections the vaccines protect against 'have not gone away' so the declining rate is a 'great concern', she added.

Professor Bedford said: 'Now we are back to normal and this leaves us with the concerning double whammy of many children being unprotected and the inevitability of disease rates increasing.

'In this situation, as night follows day, significant outbreaks of disease are likely.

'Measles is a particular concern as it is so highly infectious that any small decline in vaccine uptake results in outbreaks.

'Fortunately, it is never too late to be vaccinated.

MMR VACCINE: NHS Digital data, which shows vaccination rates up to March 2022, revealed that just 89.2 per cent of children had received the MMR vaccine by the age of two in the year to March 2022 (right)  down from 90.2 per cent one year earlier (left)

SIX -IN-ONE VACCINE: The NHS data also shows uptake of the six-in-one vaccines decreased among all ages. The map shows that all regions apart from London, where uptake was just 86.5 per cent, hit the 90 per cent threshold

NHS England data released earlier this year shows that MMR vaccine uptake plunged to just 88.6 per cent for one dose in two year olds, and to 85.5 per cent for both jabs among five year olds

'I would urge parents to check their children's vaccination status

'Vaccination works, is highly effective and has an excellent safety record. No child needs to face the potentially serious consequences of a vaccine preventable disease.'

As well as leaving youngsters vulnerable to measles, which usually only infects a few thousand every year, health chiefs are also worried about other outbreaks caused by record low vaccination rates.

This includes the six-in-one vaccine, which protects against polio, whooping cough, hepatitis B, Hib, tetanus and diphtheria. It is given to babies when they are eight, 12 and 16 weeks old.

Uptake among one-year-olds fell nationally from 92 to 91.8 per cent in the last year, while the rate fell from 93.8 to 93 per cent among two-year-olds.

Dr Saliba said it is 'vitally important' that children get their polio jabs to prevent the risk of being struck by the paralysis-causing virus.

Officials issued renewed calls for Londoners to come forward for a polio vaccine earlier this year after routinely monitored sewage samples suggested the virus was spreading in the capital.

Unvaccinated children in London were urged to come forward for their first dose, while jabbed one to nine-year-olds were offered a booster.

The last case of polio was detected in the UK in 1984 and the nation was declared free of the virus in 2003. Before the vaccine was introduced, polio infected up to 8,000 people and killed 800 every year.

Dr Saliba said: 'I would urge parents to check that all children are up to date with their vaccines, and if not to get them booked in as soon as possible to make sure they have maximum protection against what can be terrible diseases.

'Childhood vaccines also boost population immunity levels, helping prevent outbreaks, so by taking up all vaccinations for our children, we play our part in keeping these diseases confined to the past.'

NHS data also shows that uptake declined for the PCV vaccine. It protects against pneumococcal virus, which can lead to pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis.

Some 93.8 per cent of one-year-olds had received this vaccine, down from 94.1 per cent in 2014.

Protection against rotavirus, a highly infectious stomach bug, fell from 90.2 to 89.9 per cent in the last year.

Just 91.5 per cent of youngsters had the MenB jab  which protects against meningococcal infections that can lead to brain damage and death  by the time they were one.

WHERE HAVE THE MOST CHILDREN HAD BOTH MMR JABS BY AGE TWO? 1. South Tyneside (97.7%) 2. Sunderland (97.4%) 3. North Tyneside (96.9%) 4. County Durham (96.5%) 5. East Riding of Yorkshire (96.3%) 6. Cumbria (96.1%) 7. Derbyshire (95.7%) 8. Stockton-on-Tees (95.6%) 9. Wiltshire (95.4%) 10. Shropshire (95.3%) Advertisement

WHERE HAVE THE FEWEST CHILDREN HAD BOTH MMR JABS BY AGE TWO? 1. Hackney (65.4%) 2. Camden (71.6%) 3. Enfield (72.9%) 4. Haringey (74.8%) 5. Barking and Dagenham (75.5%) 6. Islington (75.5%) 7. Lambeth (76.2%) 8. Redbridge (76.6%) 9. Newham (76.8%) 10. Kensington and Chelsea (77.8%) Advertisement

Just 91.5 per cent of youngsters had the MenB jab  which protects against meningococcal infections that can lead to brain damage and death  by the time they were one.

Meanwhile, the proportion of two-year-old protected against Haemophilus influenzae type b and meningitis C infections  which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning  fell from 90.2 to 89 per cent in the last year.

Dr Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology, said 'immediate action to reverse this alarming multi-year downward trend' is needed.

'Low levels of vaccination coverage matter.

'It means these diseases have the potential to spread within our communities, infecting unvaccinated people, including vulnerable individuals unable to have vaccinations such as young babies or people with cancer.

'We can and must do better.'

He called for Government action to boost the role of local vaccine coordinators to ensure services are accessible, reach everyone in the community and answer any questions the public may have.

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who resigned from the role last July after being caught breaking social distancing rules by kissing a married aide, previously suggested the jabs may be become mandatory.

If implemented, the move may see unjabbed youngsters banned from schools and nurseries.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'It is vital that routine childhood vaccinations are up to date as this remains one of our best defences for public health, not just for the child being vaccinated but for their family, friends and those around them.

'The UK has a world-leading offer and we urge parents and carers to check that their children are up to date on their vaccines and if not they should book an appointment to catch up.'

An NHS spokesperson said: 'This data covers the pandemic, when people were much less likely to come forward for childhood vaccinations.

'Childhood vaccinations last for life so it is never too late to come forward for one, which is why this year the NHS launched a wider childhood vaccination recovery programme including a mass MMR catch-up campaign.

'Any parent or carer whose child missed out on a vaccination should come forward and book their child in without delay.'
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England's autumn Covid wave has officially kicked off, top experts claimed today as figures revealed both cases and virus admissions to hospital are beginning to spiral.

NHS statistics show a 48 per cent weekly uptick in the number of infected patients in England needing treatment, sparking panic among health chiefs.

And the Office for National Statistics, which tracks the size of the country's outbreak, estimates cases have risen 12 per cent over the space of three days, suggesting pressure on hospitals is nowhere close to peaking. Roughly 860,000 people in England are thought to be carrying Covid.

It marks the first sustained rise since mid-July, when the summer wave peaked and ministers faced calls to bring back pandemic-era restrictions.

Hospitals have been overwhelmed all summer. Care backlogs have amassed to record highs, patients have been killed by ambulance delays and thousands forced to queue 12-plus hours in swamped A&E units.

The never-ending crisis, largely fueled by a lack of staff, has already forced one NHS trust in Nottinghamshire to start cancelling routine operations. Rationing care is the only way to ensure critically-ill patients get urgent care, bosses said.

Leaders fear the situation will only worsen as routine winter pressures begin to bite, with Covid and flu expected to combine to create a 'twindemic'.

Latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows Covid infections in England jumped by more than a tenth to 857,400 in the week to September 20

Covid hospitalisation data shows 7,024 infected patients were taking up hospital beds by 8am on Wednesday  up 37 per cent in a week and the highest figure in more than two months. Patient numbers had been falling since mid-July from a peak of 14,000, which was triggered by the Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5. But this decline came to a halt in mid-September

The graph shows the total number of Covid patients in England's hospitals per day, divided into those who were admitted because they were unwell from Covid (blue line) and those given a bed for another ailment  and just happened to test positive (pink line)

Record 40,000 nurses quit NHS last year: Unions warn overwhelmed staff are leaving for better-paid jobs in pubs, restaurants and coffee shops Record numbers of nurses are quitting the NHS in England, with overwhelmed staff ditching hospital roles for better-paid retail gigs. More than 40,000 have left the health service in the past year  nearly a tenth of the workforce, official data suggests. Many leavers were highly skilled and knowledgeable with years more work left. They were quitting in pursuit of a better work-life balance, analysts said. The Nuffield Trust think-tank, which carried out the analysis, said the findings should act as an 'urgent wake-up call' for the Government, which is yet to commit to sorting the huge staffing crises plaguing the health service. A lack of staff has been central to the record NHS care backlogs, ambulance delays and emergency department queues. Meanwhile, health leaders today warned staff are resigning in order to work in pubs, restaurants and coffee shops amid the cost-of-living crisis. Some NHS trusts have reported paying staff in advance for fuel to get to work, while others have bought school uniforms for workers' children. Nearly half have opened a food bank for staff, or are planning to do so. Miriam Deakin, director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers  the organisation which shared the findings, said: 'The NHS already had a problem with vacancies and our fear is that will just get worse.' Advertisement

NHS data shows 7,024 infected patients were taking up hospital beds by 8am on Wednesday  up 37 per cent in a week and the highest figure in more than two months.

Patient numbers had been falling since mid-July from a peak of 14,000, which was triggered by the emergence of Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5.

But this decline came to a halt in mid-September.

The latest figures show all regions are recording a rise in patients, with south-west England back to levels last seen at the end of July.

However, numbers remain well below the 34,000 in January 2021, before the Covid vaccines rollout had taken effect.

The rate of daily virus hospital admissions is also increasing, with 7.6 admissions per 100,000 people in the week to September 25, up from five the previous week.

Rates are highest among people aged 85 and over, at 82 per 100,000.

This is up sharply from 49.4 and is the highest rate for this age group since mid-August.

However, six in 10 so-called Covid patients were primarily admitted to hospital for another ailment  and just happened to test positive.

Health chiefs say the infected still pile pressure on hospitals, because they have to be isolated from patients who are not infected.

Hospitals have already started cancelling scheduled operations amid 'extreme pressures' due to 'high numbers' of patients showing up at emergency departments and the bed blocking crisis.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Trust said declared a 'critical incident' amid concerns that patients faced long waits to access hospital beds.

In response, they postponed planned operations that involved an overnight stay so emergency patients 'with the most urgent clinical need' could be prioritised.

The move comes despite the UK only being in the early days of autumn, with health chiefs warning the pressures on the NHS are set to worsen.

Officials this week warned of a 'twindemic' ahead, with both Covid and flu expected to be circulating in high levels this autumn and winter.

Flu, which killed 10,000 to 20,000 Britons per year before the pandemic, is expected to further strain the already crippled health service. But the wave  which experts fear with last longer and hit more than ever before  hasn't even started yet.

And ministers have warned of a 'triple-whammy' from both viruses and the cost-of-living crisis, which is expected to cause the public's health to deteriorate.

Latest data from the ONS shows infections in England jumped by more than a tenth to 857,400 in the space of just three days to September 17, with one in 65 thought to be carrying the virus. The figures, based on swabs taken from thousands of Britons, suggest that Covid rates in Wales jumped 58 per cent in a week. Some 62,900 people thought to be infected, equating to one in 50 people. Meanwhile, 98,800 people in Scotland are carrying the virus, the equivalent of one in 55, jumping 19 per cent in a week. Northern Ireland, where ONS figures show 22,900 are positive for Covid, saw cases rise by less than one per cent, with just one in 80 infected. However, the statisticians said the trend in Scotland and Northern Ireland is unclear

The infection data also shows cases increased in all parts of the country, although the ONS noted that the trend in East Midlands and the South West was unclear. The West Midlands, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber logged the highest infection rates

The prevalence of the virus increased among all ages, with rates being highest among the over-50s and 16 to 49-year-olds

The rate of daily virus hospital admissions is also increasing, with 7.6 admissions per 100,000 people in the week to September 25, up from five the previous week. Rates are highest among people aged 85 and over, at 82 per 100,000. This is up sharply from 49.4 and is the highest rate for this age group since mid-August

The number of Covid patients on mechanical ventilation beds is also on the rise. The figure has umped by a tenth in the last fortnight

The number of Covid deaths remains flat. However, it takes two to three weeks for the trend in infections to be reflected in fatality data

Death of the traditional hospital ward? New NHS hospitals might have to be built for single patient rooms ONLY New NHS hospitals could be built without wards, it was claimed today. Patients may instead be housed in their own rooms, under plans being considered by health chiefs. It would mark a major change to traditional NHS designs, which, for decades, have relied on multi-bed wards. Officials believe the move would help prevent the spread of viruses such as Covid, flu and norovirus within hospitals. Patients can already pay between 100 and 350 a night to stay in a private room while receiving NHS care  such as after giving birth. But they make up less than 2 per cent of the total beds available in England. There are currently around 130,000 NHS hospital beds across the country but only 2,200 single patient rooms, Health Service Journal reports. Current Department of Health rules say hospitals need to provide at least half their beds in single rooms when refurbishing or building new sites. But last year, NHS England and Improvement's national medical director Professor Stephen Powis said all patients should be given private rooms as 'default'. Advertisement

With a surge in people seeking hospital care due to Covid, flu and the economic crisis in the coming weeks, the cancellation of more routine operations could be on the horizon.

Millions of procedures were cancelled during the first year of the pandemic, as hospitals prepared to treat an influx of those sickened with the virus.

And thousands more were cancelled last year  despite the successful vaccine rollout and the virus not posing enough of a threat to bring in tough restrictions.

Any extra stress on the health service is expected to exacerbate its already record low performance.

Nearly 7million patients in England were already in the queue for routine hospital treatment by July, the latest date figures are available for.

The figure equates to one in eight people, including nearly 380,000 who have faced year-long delays.

And paramedics took 43 minutes, on average, to reach heart attack patients  double the target.

Meanwhile, three in 10 A&E attendees were forced to wait longer than four hours in August. Nearly one thousand per day endured 12-hour waits.

And tens of thousands of cancer patients are facing 'staggeringly high' waits for their diagnosis and to start treatment.

Medics have urged ministers to be frank about 'just how awful this winter is going to be'  with the public no longer able to bank on getting 'high quality and timely care' from the 150billion-a-year NHS.

Health leaders, who insist they are ploughing through the backlogs, blame issues within social care for the crisis.

It comes as latest data from the ONS shows infections in England jumped by more than a tenth to 857,400 in the space of just three days to September 17, with one in 65 thought to be carrying the virus.

The figures, based on swabs taken from thousands of Britons, suggest that Covid rates in Wales jumped 58 per cent in a week. Some 62,900 people thought to be infected, equating to one in 50 people.

Meanwhile, 98,800 people in Scotland are carrying the virus, the equivalent of one in 55, jumping 19 per cent in a week.

Northern Ireland, where ONS figures show 22,900 are positive for Covid, saw cases rise by less than one per cent, with just one in 80 infected.

However, the statisticians said the trend in Scotland and Northern Ireland is unclear.

Sarah Crofts, deputy director of the survey, said: 'It is too early to identify whether this is the start of a new wave of infections. We will continue to closely monitor the data.'

Experts believe the increase is likely due to a back to school effect, as well as Britons returning from the summer holidays.

The data also shows cases increased in all parts of the country, although the ONS noted that the trend in East Midlands and the South West was unclear.

The West Midlands, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber logged the rates of the virus.

The prevalence of the virus increased among all ages, with rates being highest among the over-50s and 16 to 49-year-olds.

Separate data from the Zoe Health Study, which is based on symptoms reported by volunteers across the country, suggests of one in 32 people in the UK had symptomatic Covid at the start of this week, with rates rising in all age groups.

Professor Tim Spector, co-founder of the Zoe study, said: 'It's clear we're now seeing an autumn wave of Covid, combined with increases in hospital admissions.

'With rates on the rise, especially in the vulnerable elderly age groups, the impact on hospitalisations could be higher.'
Scientists fear they've found the next big pandemic threat  a virus that lives in African monkeys.

Simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV) causes devastating Ebola-like symptoms including internal bleeding and kills virtually every primate it infects.

The virus hijacks the immune system, disabling key defense mechanisms and breaking the body down cell by cell.

No cases have been detected in humans yet but it is 'poised for a spillover', according to US researchers.

By developing tests and monitoring the virus now 'the global health community could potentially avoid another pandemic', they said.

Scientists fear they've found the next big pandemic threat  a virus that lives in monkeys in Africa. It is similar to the Ebola virus (shown in stock image)

Experts at the University of Colorado Boulder are raising the alarm due to SHFV's 'compatibility with humans'. In a lab study, they found virus is able to latch on to a human receptor with ease and make copies of itself

Experts at the University of Colorado Boulder are raising the alarm due to SHFV's 'compatibility with humans'.

In a lab study, they found virus is able to latch on to a human receptor with ease and make copies of itself.

Senior author of the study Dr Sara Sawyer said: 'This animal virus has figured out how to gain access to human cells, multiply itself, and escape some of the important immune mechanisms we would expect to protect us from an animal virus.

'That's pretty rare. We should be paying attention to it.'

In macaque monkeys, SHFV causes fever, fluid retention in the body's tissue, anorexia, and hemorrhaging. The disease is almost always fatal within about two weeks.

It appears to attack immune cells the same way as HIV, the precursor to which originated in a type of chimpanzee in Africa.

The virus was first sequences in macaque monkeys in US and Russian labs in 1964

Reservoirs for the family of viruses that includes SHFV

What is simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV)? SHFV is a highly pathogenic virus commonly found in non-human primates It causes severe fever and internal bleeding and there is no cure The first outbreaks were in the USSR and a US-based NIH lab in the 1960s Since then, the Ebola-like virus has been detected in several types of primates including patas monkeys, vervet monkeys, and baboons Experts fear that the virus could spill over from non-human primates to human cells, potentially causing a major public health issue The symptoms in humans are expected to mirror those of Ebola: fever, vomiting, organ failure, and internal bleeding No cases of the virus have been detected in humans, but a novel virus that spreads easily could cause a new pandemic The Covid-19 pandemic was instigated by a novel virus that the human immune system did not recognize. Advertisement

Author Professor Cody Warren, said: 'The similarities are profound between this virus and the simian viruses that gave rise to the HIV pandemic.'

He added: 'Just because we havent diagnosed a human arterivirus infection yet doesnt mean that no human has been exposed. We havent been looking.'

The researchers focused their work on a family of viruses called arteriviruses that typically circulate among pigs and horses but are not studied enough in non-human primates.

They zeroed in on simian hemorrhagic fever virus (SHFV), a type of arterivirus which causes a lethal disease similar to Ebola virus disease.

It was sequenced in the 1964 after simultaneous outbreaks in US and Soviet Russian labs, likely due to introduction of captive infected African apes.

It has caused deadly outbreaks in captive macaque monkey colonies since the early 1960s.

In the last decade, several scientists have been hunting for simian arteriviruses in nature.

A broad range of African monkeys carry high viral loads of arteriviruses, often without symptoms.

Researchers have yet to determine what the natural host species is for SHFV

No human infections have been detected yet, according to the report published Friday in the science journal Cell.

The pathogen's ability to multiply rapidly in the body has echoes of the coronavirus.

Before winter 2019, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, had never been detected in humans.

It was a novel virus believed to have jumped from bats to an intermediary animal before spilling over to humans.

The never-before-seen virus ravaged people's inexperienced immune systems and spread unabated for months.

The same is possible for another highly contagious novel virus.

'COVID is just the latest in a long string of spillover events from animals to humans, some of which have erupted into global catastrophes,' Dr Sawyer said.

Covid's ability to spread so easily among humans without ever being detected before led many high profile scientists to question whether it was the result of an accidental leak from a virology institute in the city at the epicentre of the Covid pandemic, Wuhan.
The gender of a person's surgeon has no impact on their risk of suffering complications, a study has found.

Japanese researchers found male and female gastrointestinal surgeons had similar levels of deaths and surgery-related complications as one another.

Female surgeons included in the study were also more likely to be assigned high-risk patients and were less experienced than their male peers.

The findings suggest that fears some patients may have over the gender of their surgeon are unfounded despite stereotypes that suggest otherwise.

Researchers found that despite taking on higher risk patients and having less overall experience, female surgeons were just as likely to have a patient they operated on suffer severe complications or death than their male peers

Women make up over one-third of physicians in America, and are largely concentrated in fields related to children's or women's health (file photo)

Women still make up only a fraction of US doctors Women make up 36% of physicians in the United States, up from 28% in 2007, the AAMC reports. While the growth over the years is significant, they still make up a low portion of overall doctors in the country. Women are also concentrated in only a few fields, making up more than half of pediatric, OBGYN, child psychiatry and neo-natal doctors - but having lower prevalence elsewhere. One AAMC expert says that if women are still only entering certain fields than the hoped-for equality in the profession will not be reached. Source: AAMC Advertisement

Researchers from Japan Baptist Hospital, in Kyoto, and the University of Tokyo, who published their findings in BMJ, gathered data from the Japanese National Clinical Database from 2013 to 2017.

The database includes more than 95 per cent of surgeries performed in the East Asian nation.

In total, nearly 150,000 operations were analyzed - with 95 per cent led by a male physician.

Overall, fewer than 1 per cent of patients included in the study died as a result of complications caused by the operation.

The mortality rate did not change based on whether the surgeon operating was male of female.

When including only distal gastrectomy operations - where a part of the stomach is cut out - and total gastrectomy surgeries - where doctors remove the entire stomach - no change in compilations or mortality was found either.

Just over one per cent of patients who received any type of gastrointestinal surgery suffered complications categorized as grade three or higher - with no significant different found across genders either.

The research team points out that despite similarities to male in overall quality of work, women in the field still face barriers.

'The lack of role models is often pointed out as a barrier to female surgeons' careers,' researchers wrote.

'Female surgeons experience interprofessional conflict due to breakdowns in communication.

'Moreover, female surgeons find attaining leadership positions difficult.'

Women are starting to enter the field of surgery more often. A 2020 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) found that women made up 36.3 per cent of physicians in the US workforce in 2019.

This is up from only 28 per cent in 2007. Still, they make up a minority of the workforce.

Women are still largely concentrated in fields related to children, pregnancy and female health, though.

'We have a good deal more work to do in terms of gender equity,' says Michael Dill, the AAMC's director of workforce studies, said in a statement with the report.

'If the majority of female physicians are still concentrated in a handful of specialties, then we haven't gotten where we need to be.'
Brie cheese sold under the brand of popular grocery chains Lidl and Trader Joe's has been linked to an outbreak of listeria, the CDC reveals.

The outbreak has affected six people across California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and Texas. Five people have been hospitalized. No deaths tied to the outbreak have been reported.

Old Europe Cheese, Inc, based in Benton Harbor, Michigan is issuing a recall of its products after contamination from the bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the firm supplies cheese to 25 brands.

The brands are sold in many US grocery stores, including Giant, Whole Foods, Lidl and Trader Joe's.

The affected lots have best-by dates from between September 28 to December 14, 2022. Confirmed infections date back as far as August 2017.

Listeria is a bacterial infection often associated with dairy products - like cheese - and deli meats. It can be highly dangerous to pregnant women, newborns and the elderly.

Lidl (left) and Trader Joe's (right) brands brie cheese is included in the recall

The cases of listeria are spread across six US states California , Georgia, Massachusetts , Michigan, New Jersey and Texas (green)

WHAT IS LISTERIOSIS? Most people that catch listeriosis, caused by bacteria called listeria, will only experience mild symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Other symptoms of the infection can include a high temperature of 38C or above, aches and pains, and chills, according to the NHS. Listeria monocytogenes (stock) as found in the pre-packaged food sold at hospitals However, more serious complications can develop in those with weakened immune systems, babies, the elderly and pregnant women. Many foods can harbour listeria, but it is usually found in unpasteurised milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as prepacked sandwiches. Listeria is widespread in the environment and can be found in raw food and soil, and in the droppings of many mammals, birds, and fish. Around 180 cases of listeriosis are confirmed every year in England, according to figures. It strikes around 850 annually in the US. HOW CAN YOU AVOID LISTERIOSIS? wash your hands regularly with soap and water

wash fruit and vegetables before eating them

store ready-to-eat foods as recommended by the manufacturer

make sure all hot food is steaming hot all the way through Advertisement

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the voluntary recall on Friday. The CDC issued a notice then tying the recall to the current outbreak.

The six cases linked to the cheese supplier by the CDC are spread out over the past five years.

A case in August 2017 was reported first, followed by a second a year-and-a-half later in 2019. In January 2020 a third was tied to the cheese.

Three cases were confirmed over the past six months though, including two in May and one in August.

Five of these patients required hospitalization to deal with their illness. None of the patients died from complications related to the infection.

Old Europe Cheese supplies it cheese to over two-dozen brands, who sell in a total of nearly 100 products that are included in the recall.

Affected brands include: Black Bear, Block & Barrel, Charmant, Cobblestone, Culinary Tour, Fredricks, Fresh Thyme, Glenview Farms, Good & Gather, Heinen's, Joan of Arc, La Bonne Vie, Lidl, Life in Province, Market 32, Matrie'd, Metropolitan, Prestige, Primo Taglio, Red Apple Cheese, Reny Picot, St Randeaux, Taste of Inspiration, Trader Joe.

The FDA warns that some products not even mentioned in their warning could be affected, as these aged cheese products are sometimes repackaged and resold.

The disease is normally picked up from eating food that has been contaminated  such as raw vegetables, meat and unpasteurized milk  with the microbes.

But in rare cases it can also be picked up from close contact with farm animals.

Patients who have Listeria in their intestines can suffer diarrhea and vomiting, with symptoms beginning within 24 hours of catching it.

But in cases where the bacteria spreads to the rest of the body it can trigger fever, muscle aches, fatigue and headaches.

The CDC reports that up to a third of people infected will die of the disease in any given year, with older people and those with a weakened immune system at higher risk.

About 1,600 Americans are diagnosed with the disease every year, and of this number 260 die from the illness.

Officials are advise people at high risk and who have symptoms of a Listeria infection to contact their healthcare provider.
Recounting the triumphs and tragedies of her early years with grace and humour, her enchanting memoir is an unforgettable account of how a child star grew up

FOREVER YOUNG

by Hayley Mills (W&N 9.99, 400 pp)

Aged 76, Hayley Mills has joined the cast of a touring stage production of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, alongside such veteran stars as Rula Lenska and Paul Nicholas. It is the latest role in a 64-year career that began with her debut, aged 12, in the hit film Tiger Bay, in which her father, John Mills, also starred.

Greater successes followed: Walt Disney cast her as the lead in the movie Pollyanna, for which she won an Oscar for Best Juvenile performance.

Not that she was aware of it at the time: as Shirley Temple announced the honour at the 1961 Academy Awards ceremony, Hayley was fast asleep in the dorm of her freezing English boarding school.

Recounting the triumphs and tragedies of her early years with grace and humour, her enchanting memoir is an unforgettable account of how a child star grew up.

The murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess brought the dangers faced by MPs into sharp focus

REPUTATION

by Sarah Vaughan (S&S, 8.99, 496 pp)

The murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess brought the dangers faced by MPs into sharp focus. The hazards of the role, including the extreme online abuse of women MPs, inspired Sarah Vaughan's latest thriller.

Emma Webster is a Labour MP whose marriage has fallen victim to her career, leaving her a single mother to fragile 14-year-old Flora.

A rising star in the party, Emma is trolled for campaigning to ban revenge porn and a high-profile newspaper interview only fuels the hatred.

When she is accused of murdering a tabloid journalist who had threatened to run a sensitive personal story, Emma is set to lose not just her reputation, but all she holds dear.

This stylish novel has all the gripping tension and convincing political detail that made her earlier novel, Anatomy Of A Scandal, a bestseller.

Orphaned half-siblings Ben and Jess Daniels have had very different upbringings

THE PARIS APARTMENT

by Lucy Foley (Harper Collins 8.99, 416 pp)

Orphaned half-siblings Ben and Jess Daniels have had very different upbringings. While Ben was adopted by a wealthy family, Jess survived a series of grim foster homes.

Now she has taken Ben up on his half-hearted invitation to visit him in Paris, where he is staying in an elegant apartment block also occupied by an old friend.

But Jess arrives to find a mystery: Ben isn't there to welcome her, a voicemail he left on her phone is cut short and, when she finally gets into his flat, it is empty, except for a bloodstained cat. Even more disturbing, the block's inhabitants seem eager for her to leave.

It is almost as if they are keeping a secret that they are terrified Jess will discover. Lucy Foley's French-accented murder mystery keeps its dark secrets hidden until the very end.
From its opening page, ex-cop Gary Jubelin's new book Badness, is more about himself than its apparent premise, an examination of the notion of evil.

The book's opening chapter, after an unfortunate error about William Tyrrell's birth date on the dedication page, sets the tone with the celebrity former detective stating: 'I'm convinced I did the right thing'.

Writing about the illegal recordings of a now discounted Tyrrell suspect which cost him his career establishes a theme to which he will return again and again.

Throughout 340 pages of text, the 57-year-old long-time detective revisits some of Australia's worst crimes chronicled in his I Catch Killers podcast, such as the Port Arthur massacre, the Anita Cobby murder, the Granny killer case and Ivan Milat's serial killings.

In the book, Jubelin describes his post-police relationships with notorious criminals like Graham Henry and John Killick and how as a cop-turned-author he bonded with the crim-turned author, Bernie Matthews, who died last year.

He boxes with former inmates at famous trainer Johnny Lewis's gym, and interviews a psychologist, a neuroscientist and others about the subject of his book title, his preferred synonym for evil.

Gary Jubelin at court with supporters including Mark Leveson, father of Matt Leveson, during the ex-detective's failed appeal against his conviction for illegally recording a William Tyrrell witness

Jubelin was taken off the investigation into William Tyrrell's (above) disappearance, then left the police force and was prosecuted, all of which he rails against in his book, Badness

But the recurring theme of Badness is of a sidelined cop heckling from the wings, re-arguing outside the court room the cases brought against him, and taking potshots against the police who took over the Tyrrell investigation.

Jubelin scoffs at the Strike Force Rosann detectives' efforts on the case, protesting that he's already tried it or that, say, unearthing up cloth at the Tyrrell dig at Kendall was futile because it's all been done before.

Media walk-throughs - with Jubelin always clad in trademark black suit, white shirt and black tie - were part of his own detecting career: at the Bowraville murder scene, at Kendall for Tyrrell in 2018 and the extraordinary unearthing of Matthew Leveson's remains in the Royal National Park.

The Bowraville and Leveson cases remain unresolved for legal reasons.

Nonetheless, Jubelin's work has earned him legendary status with victims including the Bowraville families, William Tyrrell's foster parents and Matthew's parents Mark and Faye Leveson in the successful quest to bring their son home.

Police interview William Spedding, the washing machine repairman who proved totally blameless of any crime and who is now suing NSW police for malicious prosecution

Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw (above, black t-shirt, at the William Tyrrell dig last November), who Jubelin accuses of filming a police walk through like ''a B-grade piece of television'

Gary Jubelin interviews Paul Savage, the Kendall neighbour he illegally recorded and who also proved to have nothing to do with the disappearance of William Tyrrell

But he ridicules his Tyrrell successor, Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw's filmed walk-through of Kendall locations as 'a B-grade piece of television'.

Jubelin criticises his successors for giving a story to a newspaper to 'build pressure' on a possible suspect, and characterises the act as possible 'badness', his synonym for evil.

His railings against the Tyrrell investigation after he left might sound like he is wounded, but they sometimes let an accidental - or maybe deliberate - cat out of the bag.

Jubelin reveals he knew back in 2016 about William Tyrrell's foster mother driving from her mother's house down to Batar Creek Road on the day William disappeared.

This information was flagged with some fanfare by the new team of detectives on the case at the latest 'high intensity' dig at Kendall in November 2021.

So why was it kept secret from the public and not examined at the inquest, and not mentioned in the foster grandmother's detailed police crime scene walk-through?

In the foster mother's testimony under questioning by counsel assisting the inquest, Gerard Craddock, she was led through the immediate aftermath of William's disappearance, in Benaroon Drive with two women neighbours, before the foster father's arrival back home.

Jubelin in his trademark black suit and tie with Mark and Faye Leveson at the dig in the Royal National Park for the remains of their son Matt Leveson after the so-called 'deal with the devil' over a person of interest

Jubelin in the Royal National Park as diggers searched for the remains of Matthew Leveson so that the young man's parents could take him home and give him a decent burial

Jubelin investigated the murders at Bowraville on the NSW Mid North Coast of indigenous children (left to right), Colleen Walker, Clinton Speedy-Duroux and Evelyn Greenup

And, in a claim not previously disclosed publicly, on page 259 of Badness, Jubelin says the foster mother 'then got out and ran around, apparently looking around for the three-year-old'.

Was this near the former disabled riding school site at Kendall, where police stated last year she merely stopped the car, possibly 'threw an item out of the window' and then turned back, deciding 'William wouldn't have travelled this far'?

Is Jubelin telling us that when officers and firefighters searched the site last year, they did so not for an item thrown out of a car window, but something more?

And when crediting himself for 'smart policing' by re-interviewing the foster parents in September 2016, two years after William vanished, Jubelin says he separated the pair and didn't give them time to compare stories.

'The foster mother was led out of the room and her husband was brought in, Jubelin states in the book, but does not reveal he handed the foster father transcripts of his previous police statement and a walk-through.

On the next page, Jubelin describes the foster father's reaction to him asking hard questions about whether William's 'disappearance' was really a family cover-up for an accidental death, like a 'classic driveway tragedy'.

Aerial view of the Broad Arrow cafe at Port Arthur after the 1996 massacre where one of Jubelin's forensic examiner colleagues recalled a very graphic scene of the victims

Jubelin ponders on whether Port Arthur shooter Martin Bryant (above during his police interview) was bad and concluded he was 'not simply evil' but that it was more complicated

Jubelin says the foster father's response was to be 'in tears', although in the transcript of the same interview he asks him just ten questions earlier why he is 'laughing and dismissing' the idea of the family covering up an accident.

Eight questions after the 'driveway' accusation, Jubelin asks the foster father again, 'and your reaction to this, outrageous?', to which the man replies, 'laughable'.

Jubelin goes to great length to defend his pursuit of the men he targeted in his investigation of William's disappearance, and mock those targeted by his replacements.

Kendall neighbour Paul Savage, no longer a 'person of interest' but relentlessly questioned by Jubelin, was the subject of now infamous conversations which kiboshed the detective's career.

The SpiderMan suit police planted in bushland waiting for Paul Savage during Gary Jubelin's period as the boss of Strike Force Rosann investigating William Tyrrell's disappearance

The new guard, Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw, and Detective Sean Ogilvy, at one of three locations at Kendall including a former disabled riding school where William's foster mother droive on the morning he vanished

Jubelin was convicted of illegally recording four conversations, and lost an appeal against that conviction, but further challenges the magistrate's guilty finding.

Writing about persons of interest, he says , 'sometimes they become targets of suspicion until you've found the evidence to clear them'.

'But I doubt the magistrate will ever think that,' Jubelin writes, then turns to an old unsolved case he's spoken of in his podcast.

Jubelin writes that the magistrate cannot understand his point of view 'unless he has stood, as I have, on the brown withered grass of... Mt Druitt, looking down at the swelling, blackened body' - of the victim he revisited in the podcast, 13-year-old Michelle Pogmore, murdered in 2004.

Gary Jubelin and his barrister Margaret Cunneen SC leaving the Downing Centre court in 2020 during hearings on four charges of illegally recording conversations with a William Tyrrell witness

Kendall neighbour Paul Savage (right) later said of Jubelin's focus in wrongly singling him out as a potential suspect in the William Tyrrell case that the ex-cop was 'a low man'

Among other old cases revisited in Jubelin's podcast and this book is the Port Arthur massacre and the recollection of a former colleague who acted as forensic examiner in the slaughter's aftermath.

In perhaps the most graphic scene of the book, Jubelin recounts the investigator's memories of what he saw inside the Broad Arrow cafe, including a victim's brain having been blown into a bowl.

Despite detailing these horrific scenes, later in the book Jubelin chastises a TV reporter for describing the Kendall dig as William Tyrrell's 'graveyard'.

He also upbraids police for allowing the media in to film the search, saying 'you dont have to let the cameras record this - you can put up screens.'

'I find all this offensive: the choice of words, likely to upset anyone who cared about William; the way a tragedy is presented as drama,' he writes.

'The dumb parroting of any leak or information handed out by police. Piling on a woman you cannot name but are happy to say is a suspect.'

Jubelin castigates the media for broadcasting information supplied by police over the foster mother of William Tyrrell (above) who has been charged with alleged offences relating to a child who is not William

The ex-detective says in his interview with William'ss foster father, the man 'tears up' at Parramatta police station two years after the toddler vanished from Kendall

This is a reference to William's foster mother, who with the foster father has pleaded not guilty to charges laid by police.

Jubelin admonishes media for covering the foster parents' charges by sending camera operators to the couple's home.

On his own behalf, he defends himself against the malicious prosecution case taken out by the white goods repair man targeted in the Tyrrell investigation.

Jubelin and fellow detectives went hard after this man - who the book doesn't name but is William Spedding - and who has since been proved completely blameless.

Spedding is seeking exemplary damages to punish police for purportedly using the courts for an improper purpose, and compensation for harm to his reputation, and psychological treatment.

Jubelin sums up the lawsuit by saying, 'I get accused of doing more badness'.

Ex-cop Gary Jubelin's book Badness rails against his replacements on the Tyrrell case, against media coverage thereof and the magistrate who convicted him for illegally recording

He accepts messages left on Spedding's answering machine called Spedding a 'weak paedophile dog', a 'paedophile c***' and a 'dirty f***ing paedophile'.

Jubelin says: 'Yes I know he suffered... yes, I did go hard at him. I don't consider what I did to him or to Paul (Savage) to be badness'.

In the postscript to Badness, Jubelin writes 'this book is dedicated to William Tyrrell'.

It is also clearly a lament by Jubelin, grieving for the fact he is not still out there centre stage at a crime scene, being the detective in charge, advocating for the families of victims, being the good cop.

Badness by Gary Jubelin with Dan Box, Harper Collins, $12.99.
A TikTok influencer who sparked national outrage when he shared a video of himself giving flowers to a lady in a shopping centre has revealed how he is grappling with his own demons.

Harrison Pawluk stirred controversy earlier this year when the subject of that video - which has been viewed 70.8million times - said she felt dehumanised by his 'clickbait' gesture.

But behind the random acts of kindness and free hugs on video, the 22-year-old Melbourne social media star - known online as lifeofharrison - has been dealing with the horror of Russia's war with Ukraine.

Pawluk has a cousin who was trapped in her Kyiv apartment when Russian bombs started falling in late February, with the sky 'raining missiles' when she briefly left her bunker to get water and clean clothes.

This woman, who is a first cousin of his mother Diana Pawluk, had sought refuge in a bunker below her apartment when the invasion began.

Harrison said the situation was particularly harrowing for his family, considering that great, great uncles on his mother's side had disappeared and were possibly murdered during the 1930s when Soviet communist dictator Joseph Stalin sent Ukrainians to gulags, or forced labour camps as part of an enforced famine.

'Mum's great uncles who lived in Ukraine during the Stalin era were sent off to Siberia never to be seen or heard from again,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Scroll down for video

A TikTok influencer with 3.2million followers who sparked national outrage when he gave flowers to a lady in a mall has revealed he has relatives caught in Russia's Ukraine war (pictured is Harrison Pawluk)

His video has been viewed 70.8million times since it went live in June and stirred controversy when that woman in the Melbourne shopping centre, Maree (pictured), said she felt dehumanised

But behind the random acts of kindness and free hugs on video, the 22-year-old Melbourne social media star has been dealing with the horror of the war in Ukraine (Harrison Pawluk, right, is pictured with his mother Diana Pawluk, who had a first cousin in Ukraine during the start of the Russian invasion)

Harrison, a university student, is speaking out against Russian atrocities, from past and present generations, after President Vladimir Putin this month vowed to deploy 300,000 military reservists as the Ukrainians regain territory.

'I find it deeply upsetting that an independent nation was attacked without any provocation whatsoever,' he said.

'So many innocent people have been tortured and killed, and those who have been fortunate enough to survive have been left with nothing but ruins or have had to flee to other countries.

'I'm so proud of the Ukrainian people's determination, unwavering spirit and resilience to fight and re-take what is rightfully theirs.

'I hope to visit and help rebuild when the time comes.'

Diana said her cousin, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, had lived through eight years of Russia attempting to destabilise Ukraine, only to be surprised by the invasion seven months ago.

'Although my family in Ukraine were aware of some destabilisation in the country and were directly affected by a massive cyber-attack at the time, the general consensus amongst them and their friends was that a full-scale attack would not eventuate,' she said.

Diana was in contact with her relatives in February, when Russian troops were gathering along the Ukraine border and said she had urged them to flee Ukraine. When the Russians attacked on February 24, they sought refuge in a bunker below their apartment (pictured is destruction in Kyiv)

'Having lived in the country with an ongoing war in the east for the last eight years, they had made some contingency plans in terms of where to seek refuge temporarily but nothing had actually prepared them for what had unfolded.'

Diana was in contact with her relatives in February, when Russian troops were gathering along the Ukraine border and said she had urged them to flee Ukraine.

When the Russians attacked on February 24, they sought refuge in a bunker below their apartment.

On day two of the invasion, they headed upstairs back to their apartment to pack some clean clothes and water to take back to the bunker.

'They assumed it was safe to do so,' Diana said.

'Within moments of arriving inside the apartment, they got caught up in the attack - it began raining missiles.

'Trapped and unable to get out, they messaged me as they were panicked and didn't know what to do.

'At the time I was in the car in Melbourne and I could hear my phone pinging furiously and I got concerned so I pulled over only to realise the gravity of the situation they were in.

Despite the war, Ukraine's postal services are continuing to deliver mail and Diana's cousin was able to send her a postcard in English

'The message asked if I was aware of the bombing situation in Kyiv as it was difficult to decipher the real facts from fiction from what they had read, that they were scared and trapped and missiles were coming down around their apartment block.

'Most harrowing was being asked if they would die.'

After surviving the bombing, Diana's cousin managed to flee to Poland.

'A few days later they re-established contact to let me know were trying to make it across to the Polish border with some assistance from the military and a group of other Ukrainians they had gotten to know,' Diana said.

'They were moving between bunkers, a series of tunnels and metros at night only and in between explosions.'

Despite the war, Ukraine's postal services are continuing to deliver mail and Diana's cousin was able to send her a postcard in English.

'Diana, thank you again for your support. It's very important for our country right now,' it said.

'God bless your soul.'

Harrison said the situation was particularly harrowing for his family, considering that great, great uncles of his on his mother's side had disappeared and were possibly murdered during the 1930s when Soviet communist dictator Joseph Stalin sent Ukrainians to gulags, or forced labour camps as part of an enforced famine

But Diana said her cousin had witnessed Russian war crimes as they escaped from Ukraine.

'A week or so later I received word they had made it safely out of Ukraine but it came at a price,' she said.

'They had witnessed a myriad of atrocities committed by Russian soldiers along the way which had a profound effect on their mental health.'

Diana's cousin has since moved on from Poland to a neighbouring country but wants to one day return to Ukraine.

'At present they are trying to establish a sense of normality until it is safe to head back to Ukraine,' she said.

'Ukrainians in general are very resilient people and their aspiration for democracy will never expire.

'All they want is a sovereign and modern Ukraine without any influence from Russia and we won't stop until we get it.'

Donations to Ukrainians caught in the war can be made through the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisation, Caritas and Ukrainian Guardian Angels
A burger franchise has been ordered to pay a former employee $5,421 in compensation after he was sacked for sending an 'inappropriate' message and missing one shift.

Brisbane franchise Burger Urge fired part-time employee Cullam Silby from its Dubbo outlet, in regional NSW, for 'gross misconduct' - five days after he missed his shift on May 5.

Bosses were alerted to Mr Silby's absence via a Facebook message in which he asked other employees to 'swap shifts' while he filed a police report for his stolen bike.

On September 14, Fair Work Commissioner Chris Simpson found Mr Silby was summarily dismissed and did not engage in gross misconduct - which is limited to offences such as theft, fraud, assault and threatening or abusive conduct.

The Fair Work Commission ruled in favour of Cullam Silby (pictured) for missing one shift

Bosses at Burger Urge were alerted to his absence via a Facebook message in which he asked other employees to 'swap shifts' while he filed a police report for his stolen bike

Burger Urge Pty Ltd was ordered to pay the former worker $5,421 in compensation despite agreeing Mr Silby's steps to notify his bosses 'were inappropriate'.

During a phone hearing, Mr Silby gave oral evidence explaining his scooter, which was his primary mode of transport, had been stolen.

Mr Silby said he called the store in May to tell bosses of his absence - a claim refuted by the commissioner - and sent a Facebook group message at 4.26am, 7.5 hours before his scheduled shift.

'Hey, I know it's early is anyone with eod (end of day) access be able to do my close I need to sort out this stuff with my bike out with the police tomorrow and don't know how it will go.' Mr Silby wrote.

'I'm happy to trade shifts with you and or anything to help you out.'

Mr Silby said that employees regularly used the Facebook message group to, among other things, find cover for shifts that they would not be able to fulfil.

However, Chief People Officer at Burger Urge Matthew Bryant argued the Facebook message group had 'no official status' and was not supported or encouraged by the outlet, with employees trained in authorised processes of communication.

Mr Bryant gave evidence that as a team leader Mr Silby knew the proper process and had used inappropriate language during a conversation about the missed shift.

This is the message that Mr Silby sent to fellow staff offering to trade shifts that led to his sacking

Burger Urge Pty Ltd argued Mr Silby engaged in 'gross misconduct' and subsequently fired him from their regional NSW Dubbo outlet (pictured)

The discussion allegedly became heated as Mr Silby labelled the conversation 'BS [bulls***]' with Mr Bryant deciding to terminate his contract without a Notice to Attend a meeting.

The compensation paid by Burger Urge is equivalent to seven weeks' pay.

The franchise employs about 800 staff across Australia and according to its website has 27 stores nationwide.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Burger Urge and Mr Silby, who is now employed by rival fast food outlet Carl's Jr, for comment.
While Hurricane Ian barreled into Florida, knocking out power to some 2.6 million people and destroying countless homes, former First Lady Melania Trump was touting her Christmas ornaments on Twitter.

The former first lady tweeted a link to a Tech Times story Wednesday shortly after 3pm, promoting her holiday collection of ornaments and NFTs for charity.

At approximately the exact same time, thousands of Floridians were watching in horror as their homes were ripped apart by what is now believed to be one of the biggest storms in US history.

With 150mph winds and 12ft surges, severe flooding continues to threaten the state and the number of fatalities are estimated to be in the 'hundreds.'

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff has slammed former first lady Melania Trump for promoting Christmas ornaments on Twitter while Hurricane Ian battered Florida

As thousands of Floridians braced for impact on Wednesday afternoon, Melania, 52, tweeted a link to Tech Times story about her holiday collection of ornaments and NFTs for charity

Around the same time Melania shared the article on Twitter, thousands of Floridians were watching in horror as their homes were ripped apart by what is now believed to be one of the biggest storms in US history

The timing of Melania's tweet of the article titled, 'Crypto Watch: China is World's Blockchain Leader and NFTs on the Rise with Apple, Melania Trump', couldn't have been worse.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania's former senior advisor and former best friend, said she was not surprised she was tweeting about trivial matters at a such a troubling time.

'Just when I thought the Trumps couldn't go any lower. As we witness the catastrophic devastation in Florida, our former first lady Melania Trump is focusing on selling tchotchkes and rehashing something she herself said about Christmas but claiming otherwise,' she said.

'Did she not listen to herself trash Christmas? It's appalling that Melania is grifting off of Florida's tragedy in order to remake her image.

'Hundreds of people are faced with loss of life and Melania Trump wants to sell you digital Christmas ornaments for a roofless house that lacks electricity.

'This is Melaniashe is out of touch with reality and out of touch with the needs of people. For Melania, it is all about money and attention. Nothing, absolutely nothing has changed about her.

'It took me years to accept that Melania does not care. She doesn't care about Christmas, she doesn't care about reuniting split families, she does not care. Period. And it's sad that a person in her position of power cared so little about so much.'

It wasn't until earlier today that Melania retweeted a message from USA Memorabilia that she made mention of Hurricane Ian and thanked the first responders.

But, as Wolkoff added: 'It wasn't even her own words.'

It wasn't until the following day that the former first lady retweeted a message mentioning of Hurricane Ian and thanked the first responders

Earlier this month, Melania announced she is rolling out her own Christmas ornaments that come with an NFT

For $45, purchasers can get 'The Christmas Star,' a handcrafted ornament and its corresponding animated NFT version

Days after announcing her new Christmas ornament collection last week, Melania blasted her former senior advisor for editing recordings to make it seem as though the former first lady was not a fan of Christmas.

It's almost two years to the date when Melania was heard on tape saying: 'Who gives a f**k about Christmas stuff and decoration? But I have to do it.'

'Melania is absolutely deluded if she thinks she can justify what she said about Christmas,' Wolkoff told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview.

'Tell me, how does one edit that statement? You can't make this stuff up. Nothing in those audio recordings were diced or sliced. Nothing was edited. They speak for themselves.

'As I wrote in my book (Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of My Friendship), I can back everything up.'

'This is what you call a poorly executed publicity stunt in hopes of gaining some sort of traction for her trinkets,' explained Wolkoff.

'All of a sudden Melania is a Christmas enthusiast? Does she not realize how embarrassing this is, not to mention how incredibly desperate she must be to drag me into her marketing scheme?'

'Why would Melania rehash what she absolutely DID say about Christmas?' asked Wolkoff.

'Doesn't she have more pressing issues right now, like her husband and his kids being sued by New York's attorney general for fraud?

Wolkoff had been close friends with Melania for over a decade before Donald Trump became president and she was appointed to be her advisor. Their relationship later soured and Wolkoff wrote the tell-all, Melania and Me, and published it about two months before the 2020 election

Twitter users were also unimpressed with the tweet and were quick to remind Melania of her angry comments about Christmas that were revealed in a leaked audio recording in 2020

Donald Trump and Melania Trump pose for the Official Christmas Portrait at the White House in 2018

Melania's now-infamous rant about decorating the White House for Christmas in 2018 came as part of recordings released by her ex-best friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff on CNN with Anderson Cooper in October 2020

'Perhaps Melania is now realizing that their net worth is nothing but smoke and mirrors, and that she will have to make her own money? Who knows, but selling holiday ornaments isn't going to cut it.'

Wolkoff, the former Vogue executive and head of the famous Met Gala had been close friends with Melania for over a decade before Trump became president.

It was then that Melania asked her former best friend to take on the important role of senior advisor to the first lady.

Wolkoff left her position in 2018 after becoming the scapegoat for the Presidential Inauguration Committee's mishandling of funds, for which she was later exonerated.

The investigation is now focused on Trump himself and his three adult children, Don Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump.

I pressed record after the NYT falsely targeted and accused me of being the recipient of $26 million dollars and then allegedly being fired. Melania told me she was informed by WH counsel because there was an investigation into the PIC [Presidential Inauguration Committee] she wasnt allowed to say anything on my behalf,' says Wolkoff.

She recalls Melania telling her to find another hobby or interest and to not take it so hard. She said her hands were tied there was nothing she do to help her.

'I did what I had to do to protect myself. Once I realized that no one cared about what happened to me, I knew I had to do something. That's when I hit record.'

While in office, Wolkoff revealed how she was involved in creating a scent for the former first lady that filled the halls of the White House.

'Melania is still trying to profit off of being first lady, next thing you know she will be hawking her own fragrance line or fashion accessories. Her intent has always been about making a profit, rather than being a public servant,' the author and mother of three added.

'Unfortunately, I had a front row seat to the creation and transformation of Melania Trump.

'Melania's image of being this highly sophisticated, international model who spoke multiple languages and cared in any meaningful way about humanitarian and societal issues facing the underprivileged, is a facade.'

FORT MYERS: Some houses were completely leveled in the 155mph winds when the storm struck Wednesday afternoon

PORT CHARLOTTE: Much of Port Charlotte remained under several feet of water as storm surges reached up to the second story of some homes

The area around Fort Myers, known as the Lee Island Coast, witnessed the worst devastation as Hurricane Ian made landfall there on Wednesday. Storm surges were widespread and devastating, reaching 12 feet in some areas

'I was absolutely horrified when I saw Melania wearing the 'I Really Don't Care, Do You?' jacket when visiting the children at the detention center.

'I told her flat out that had I been with her, I would have jumped on her so no one could see what she was wearing.

'The day she visited those children that had been separated from their parents, Melania's number one concern was being seen by the media,' Wolkoff claims.

'She was obsessed with the fact that the media adored Michelle Obama. She wanted the media to take her seriously. Can't really blame them.'

Melania had blasted Wolkoff and her book saying the author 'hardly knew me' and was 'trying to distort my character.'

Last week, Melania and Wolkoff had a public spat after Trump accused her of 'spitefully editing' the conversation about Christmas in an interview with Breitbart.

Wolkoff, who is on Twitter @swinstonwolkoff, responded on Twitter calling her comments 'laughable.'

'Melania is lying and using MY name to garner attention to sell HER Christmas tchotchkes.'

In another tweet Wolkoff wrote 'PATHETIC!'

'Melania Trump needs to attack ME to sell Christmas ornament NFS's. What is Melania worried about? She can't sell ornaments on her own?'
Meta said that it shut down attempts by social media accounts with ties to various users from China and Russia to influence elections using political misinformation.

The accounts allegedly posed as Western media outlets in an attempt to manipulate users and spread fraudulent content about high-profile, politically charged issues. These include the invasion of Ukraine, said Meta employees on Monday.

Chinese and Russian Influence Campaigns

Meta, which is the parent company of social media platform Facebook and other services, said that the suspected accounts were manually taken down. Furthermore, an automated feature for takedowns was also used for more in-depth investigations and bigger networks.

As a whole, the accounts did not reach nearly the same scale as previously documented efforts on social media that sought to spread politically-related messages to US users and others. However, Meta said that the operations were some of the latest examples of what both the company's officials and top American lawmakers are concerned about.

This is how countries are taking advantage of social media platforms to secretly sway public opinion. This comes as the United States government has reportedly employed a similar digital strategy abroad previously that sought to influence the opinion of the US, as per ABC News.

Meta and other leading internet companies, in response to the scrutiny of foreign actors on their platforms, have taken various steps in an attempt to curb the spread of dubious and misleading information.

The coordinated Chinese operation that Meta revealed on Monday reportedly targeted users primarily in the United States and the Czech Republic. It was also believed to have run fake accounts and websites across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and two petition platforms in the Czech Republic.

According to CNN, Meta's global threat intelligence lead, Ben Nimmo, said that it was the first time that the company observed Chinese accounts targeting Americans in such a manner. The accounts were allegedly talking about divisive domestic issues, including abortion and gun control.

Read Also: Japan, World Leaders Honor Shinzo Abe In a State Funeral; Protesters Say Assassinated Leader Don't Deserve It

Focusing on Divisive Domestic Issues

A Meta spokesperson added that the company has already cooperated with law enforcement and shared details of the Chinese accounts with the FBI. On the other hand, the Russian campaign was quite expansive.

The operation pushed pro-Kremlin narratives about the invasion of Ukraine, included thousands of accounts and pages across multiple social media platforms, and had spent more than $100,000 on ads on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta did not link either of the campaigns to specific entities within China or Russia, or to the Chinese and Russian governments. Instead, the company said that the accounts were only part of the campaigns that were run out of the respective countries.

The fake posts from the accounts began showing up on various social media platforms in November. They used profile pictures that showed men in formal attire but had the names of women.

In previous influence campaigns, China's propaganda apparatus focused more on criticizing the United States' foreign policy. It also promoted China's view of issues like the crackdown on political rights in Hong Kong and the mass repression in Xinjiang, the New York Times reported.

Related Article: Optus Hackers Seek $1 Million Ransom Amid Threat To Release Millions of Customers' Info After Massive Data Breach

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A man and his 17-year-old son were charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Philadelphia rapper PnB Rock at Los Angeles restaurant Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles.

Freddie Lee Trone, 40, was arrested and taken into custody at about 1pm in Las Vegas on Thursday. He was charged with one count of murder, two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery.

His unnamed teenage son, who was arrested Tuesday, was charged with the same counts.

PnB Rock, the 30-year-old Philadelphia hip-hop artist - whose legal name is Rakim Allen - was gunned down September 13 at Roscoe's House of Chicken 'N Waffles while eating with his girlfriend.

Philadelphia rapper PnB Rock performs at the 2018 Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Del., on June 16, 2018. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Allen, was fatally shot during a robbery in South Los Angeles on September 12, 2022

This image released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows Freddie Lee Trone

Trone's 38-year-old wife, Shauntel Trone, who is the boy's stepmother, was also arrested and was charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to the killing.

She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Thursday.

The teen, who remains jailed, made an initial appearance in juvenile court and was told to return next month.

It is not clear when Freddie Lee Trone will appear in court for an extradition hearing, or whether any of the defendants have retained attorneys.

Before his death, the robber approached PnB Rock's table and demanded items from the rapper, according to investigators.

The robber took items from the victim and fled in a car that was waiting in the parking lot, police said. Rock was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Rock was best known for his 2016 hit 'Selfish' and for making guest appearances on other artists' songs such as YFN Luccis 'Everyday We Lit' and Ed Sheerans 'Cross Me' with Chance the Rapper.

His latest track, 'Luv Me Again,' was released September 2.
As the state of Florida was bracing for Hurricane Ian, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was in the Big Apple attending two swanky big-money fundraisers in his honor.

Suarez's first stop was at Casa Cipriani, a posh private members club located on Manhattan's South Street that features stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty, according to a source who attended the event, The New York Post reported.

The Mayor's next stop was the ritzy Upper East Side French restaurant Le Bilboquet, the source told the news outlet.

While 1,200 miles away eating fine food and mingling with political donors, he was sending out tweets to Floridians to 'stay informed and stay safe,' as storm caused catastrophic flooding, winds of up to 150mph that ravaged people's homes and businesses.

Both of the fundraisers were held for Suarez's Agenda for America PAC, the news outlet said.

As the state of Florida was bracing for Hurricane Ian, one of the worst storms to hit the Sunshine state in more than two decades, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was in the Big Apple attending two swanky big-money fundraisers in his honor

Hurricane Ian caused severe flooding overwhelming storm drain. Pictured is a resident using a paddle board to get around in downtown Orlando's Lake Eola

It was not clear when Suarez actually arrived in Manhattan but he was apparently still in New York City on Thursday morning, missing the worst of the storm that started to move out into the Atlantic.

According to a source, the Mayor was staying at the five-star Lowes Regency hotel near Central Park, but his political rep would not reveal Suarez's agenda, The New York Post reported.

Miami was not in the direct path of Hurricane Ian's wrath, but the Mayor sent out tweets warning resident that 'he and city officials were monitoring the effects of the hurricane.'

On Wednesday he tweeted: 'In the last 24 hours, the @CityofMiami received 2.8 inches of rain & is expected to get up to 6 inches throughout today & tomorrow. We should expect considerable rainfall. Right now we are under a tornado watch & flood warning until tomorrow.

He continued: 'Please stay informed & stay safe.'

His Instagram featured devastating images of fallen trees and areas of Miami that transformed into a river.

Though Mayor Eric Adams was not one of the attendees at the fundraiser, many other high rollers gathered dishing out big money.

Debris litters a mobile home park in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29, 2022, one day after Hurricane Ian made landfall

A man walks near park benches near Lake Eola in a flooded downtown following Hurricane Ian, in Orlando, Florida

At Casa Cipriani suggested donations started at $2,500 up to $10,000, according to a flyer for the event obtained by The New York Post.

Sources said about 40 people attended the event that brought in 'real estate guys, developers  a lot of different people who went to support him,' but there were no elected officials, a source said.

That event hosted by Casa owners Michael and Joe Cayre, and Anthony Carone  the brother of Frank Carone - Mayor Eric Adams' chief of staff - who is reported to be leaving at the end of the year, sources said.

Suarez has been the Mayor of Miami since 2017 and has been one of the top Republicans that may run in the presidential race to look out for in the 2024 and 2028 race, a report said.

In January, Suarez's camp started running digital ads on Facebook with GOP messaging targeting, 'Bidenflation,' crime and immigration, hitting mostly primary election states.

Mayor Francis Suarez was contacted by DailyMail.com for comment.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the coastal Fort Myers area as 'ground zero' on Friday

He said that not evacuating was a 'chance we took. We shouldn't have taken it but it all happened so fast. Me being alive is miracle'

Hunte, 55, and his 77-year-old uncle were clinging to the outside of the trailer and holding on to debris

San Carlos Island resident Shawn Hunte tells DailyMail.com how he and his uncle 'fought for their lives' as they were engulfed in flood waters by Hurricane Ian

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A staircase, likely dislodged from a hurricane-wrecked boat saved the lives of two Florida men who managed to use it to float away as their flood-stricken home vanished beneath Ian's rising waters.

Now Shawn Hunte has told DailyMail.com how he and his uncle Leonard Hunte escaped as Florida residents pick up the pieces from the apocalyptic scenes in and around Fort Myers.

'We fought for our lives,' Hunte, 55, told DailyMail.com as he stood outside his wrecked San Carlos Island mobile home.

The fishing boat worker miraculously survived after waters eight feet deep suddenly engulfed his trailer on the spot where he had lived for 22 years  leaving both men to cling perilously to the outside.

Suddenly a small staircase made of fiberglass and foam bobbed by them. Hunte grabbed it in desperation and used it as a flotation device, taking his 77-year-old uncle with him.

The pair floated down to another trailer and lodged themselves in a safer  but still precarious  position to ride out the horror.

San Carlos Island resident Shawn Hunte with the boat staircase made of foam and fiberglass that saved his life

On nearby San Carlos Boulevard, smashed boats up to 60ft long were littered at all angles. Governor Ron DeSantis said the tsunami-like flooding was a 'once in a 500-year' event and revealed it has left 2.7million without power across his state

Hunte, a fishing boat worker, miraculously survived after 8ft flood waters swamped his trailer. Homes are seen submerged under water from the flood

Many emerged on Thursday morning to witness the devastation to their communities, with some bursting into tears at the sight of their belongings destroyed

'We misunderstood or maybe didn't anticipate the gravity of the hurricane in this area  how fast things would happen,' Hunte said. 'So we stayed and we got caught out. By the time we were ready to make any kind of move we were already four feet under water.

'We rode it out, literally. The water surged up to eight feet and by that time we were both outside the home and clinging to the roof, in the swirling water.'

He continued: 'Suddenly what looked like an old fiberglass and foam filled staircase floated by and I grabbed hold of it to use it as a flotation device. It probably came off a boat  and it saved my life.

'We had just been holding on and we were desperate. We both thought this is it, we're going to die.

'I snatched the staircase and floated down to another trailer where I got stuck in a corner and felt relatively secure. I went for the ride. My uncle as well.

Hunte said he was lucky to have a life jacket on and always keeps one in his trailer.

'We just rode it out for around fours hours, waiting for the water to subside. Who wouldn't think they weren't going to die. Somehow we survived,' he said.

Hunte added that not evacuating was a 'chance we took.'

'We shouldn't have taken it but it all happened so fast.

'The water flashed up suddenly. At 12 noon, no water. By 12.30, bang, the water came up to four feet and then it started to come like crazy, man.

'By 2pm that bad boy was eight feet high. Me being alive is miracle.

'I was here for Hurricane Charlie in 2004 and this was something else, man. This was unbelievable.'

Hunte, who has lived in the same spot on San Carlos Island for 22 years, told DailyMail.com: 'Me and my uncle fought for our lives here'

Boats are seen crashed into homes on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Biden declared a 'major disaster' in Florida early Thursday morning. The clear up cost is set to be billions

The hurricane blasted ashore with catastrophic force on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 storm, packing sustained winds of 150mph and smashing homes with an 18ft wall of water in some areas

Businesses, their buildings all made of timber and metal sheet, lay smashed and sheared apart by the horrific force of Ian

Boats that were tied up at Getaway Marina were strewn like toys. Many remain trapped in their flooded homes across Florida and two million are left without power

On San Carlos Boulevard, smashed boats up to 60ft long were littered at all angles.

Businesses, their buildings all made of timber and metal sheet, lay smashed and sheared apart by the horrific force of Ian.

At Getaway Marina, the top half of the building was missing entirely. Underneath it was a crushed mess of timber beams  destroyed by an incredible 18ft storm surge.

A 50ft boat that was tied up on one side of the marina's building lay strewn like a toy.

Sean Rink, 24, who is associated with the business, told DailyMail.com: 'When we got our last update through video link the water was up to the second story and that boat over the road was still sitting here.

'We had an 18ft storm surge and nobody expected it to be that colossal. And it just stayed on top of us for hours. It just kept hitting us. It didn't stop.'

Rink's girlfriend Camille Lumbert, 20, is the marina manager. She was desperately sifting through the shattered second floor timber. Asked what would happen now, she just shrugged.

Tourists Tim and Taylor Kwalton, both 30, walked over the bridge from Estero Island to San Carlos Island pulling their suitcases  after escaping with their lives

Dave Perry and his dog Roxy lived on a houseboat on San Carlos Island, but left when the hurricane threatened. Now he has returned to find he has no home

Tourists Tim and Taylor Kwalton, both 30, walked over the bridge from Estero Island to San Carlos Island pulling their suitcases after escaping with their lives.

They were heading back to their home in Cincinnati, Ohio, following their horrific experience.

Tim said: 'We had no choice  hide in a closet for six hours in the hope that we could survive. Thank God we did. 150 mph winds  just terrifying.'

Taylor said: 'We were on the second floor of a small condo. Half the building lost its roof. The building was shaking.'

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the coastal Fort Myers area as 'ground zero' on Friday as relief efforts begin. The death toll in Florida had reached 21 on Friday morning but is expected to rise steeply as more bodies are found.

Fort Myers Beach, a town of about 5,500 on one of the barrier islands off Fort Myers, was '90 percent' destroyed in the storm, Town Councilman Dan Allers told CNN.

'Unless you have a high-rise condo or a newer concrete home that is built to the same standards today, your house is pretty much gone,' he added.

Walking amid the wreckage of destroyed marinas on Friday morning, the mayor of Fort Myers, the larger mainland city, marveled at the Category 4 storm's destructive power.

'Just look at the boats. These are some large boats. And they've been thrown around like they were toys,' Mayor Kevin Anderson told CNN. 'They were thrown around like they were nothing.'
Australians will be paying historically high gas bills for years, a Labor minister has warned.

Resources Minister Madeleine King warned on Thursday that Aussies should not expect gas prices to return to pre-Ukraine war levels for some time.

This means that gas is expected to remain above $10 a gigajoule, despite Australia being the world's largest exporter of gas.

It also comes despite the government agreeing a deal with the three major gas exporters on the east coast to avoid a potential fuel shortfall next year.

LNG exporters have agreed to provide an extra 157 petajoules for the domestic market in 2023, after discussions with the government over supply fears.

Resources Minister Madeleine King warned on Thursday that Aussies should not expect gas prices to return to pre-Ukraine war levels

Announcing the deal, Ms King said it would ensure 'Australians continue to have access to secure and reliable gas'.

'The new supply commitments, and [agreement], will deliver gas to the domestic market when needed, and ensures future uncontracted gas will be offered to the domestic market first, on competitive and reasonable terms, before it is offered for export,' she said.

'Given the agreement means the projected shortfall will be avoided, I am satisfied I do not need to take steps to activate the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism.'

The safety mechanism would have been triggered by October 1 to intervene in the market and secure supplies to meet demand.

However, despite the agreement, Ms King admitted there was no doubt that prices were 'very unlikely to return to the low points of like $6 or $8 or even $10'.

Wholesale prices were running at about $20 a gigajoule in east coast markets on Thursday, up from about $10 a gigajoule in February.

The figure is significantly less than $40 per gigajoule recorded in July.

Wholesale prices were running at about $20 a gigajoule in east coast markets on Thursday, up from about $10 a gigajoule in February.

Ms King said the supply was important to bring the price of gas down but said Labor was still committed to achieving a 43 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030.

'The world is changing and this is an economy that is moving to decarbonise,' she said.

'Gas will continue to play a part in the energy mix for some time but we need to be careful about how we plan this transition ... The really important thing is we continue to get investment in renewables because they are a secure form of energy.'

Last month, Aussies were warned to expect power shortages from mid-2023 as coal and gas generation plants are withdrawn from the national electricity grid.
An Australian family escaped from a 4WD when it burst into flames at a popular tourist resort before it rolled down a road in a spectacular fireball - horrifying onlookers.

The family of five were driving to the Remarkables ski fields in Queenstown, New Zealand on Wednesday and were ascending a steep road when the vehicle cut out.

The group quickly got out before the car - with a full tank of diesel - exploded into flames, causing a huge plume of black smoke to billow into the air.

The moment a 4WD coming down from #TheRemarkables caught fire, began to explode - and then rolled downhill. The occupants had managed to grab some of their gear and run beforehand. Firefighters now on scene. #NZ pic.twitter.com/OIvzpzjdGU  Sean Parnell (@seanparnell) September 28, 2022

The family quickly got out before the car - with a full tank of diesel - exploded into flames, with smoke billowing into the air (pictured)

Footage of the blaze emerged on social media showing the burning car rolling down the hill towards other drivers (pictured)

The footage showed the car colliding with the side of a hill and mounting a grassy verge, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake (pictured)

Ross Lawrence, manager at the Remarkables Ski Area, said the motorist had not noticed the vehicle in any trouble before it stopped working on a corner of the mountainous road.

'The car slowed, or stalled and stopped,' Mr Lawrence told stuff.co.nz.

He said the driver allowed the car - which had just been topped up with diesel - to roll back 20 metres down the road to a safe area.

The motorist then saw smoke coming out of the engine.

'He jumped out, looked in the grill and saw flames,' Mr Lawrence said. 'He told everyone to get out, and they got out quickly.'

It is understood the brake cables were destroyed by the flames, as the car morphed into a fireball.

The family were ascending a steep road heading to the Queenstown snowfields (pictured) when the vehicle cut out

Footage of the blaze, filmed by another driver, was posted on social media showing the burning car rolling down the hill toward other motorists.

The car is seen running into the side of a hill and mounting a grassy verge, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake.

The video revealed onlookers panicking as the 4WD careered down the road.

The long grass on the hillside caught fire, before the vehicle crossed the road and stopped at a guard rail - setting alight more grass.

Queenstown and Frankton emergency crews used two helicopters and fire trucks to put the blaze out.

It is believed the family used to live in Queenstown and had borrowed the car from a friend so they could go to the ski fields.

The family of five were driving to the Remarkables ski fields in Queenstown (pictured) on Wednesday when the incident occurred

It is believed the family used to live in Queenstown and had borrowed the car from a friend so they could go to the ski fields (pictured, a firetruck at the scene)
A former Archbishop of Canterbury has called on Westminster Abbey to return a sacred tablet to Ethiopia after branding the issue a 'matter of faith'.

Lord Carey of Clifton, 86, is understood to want the sacred object to be repatriated to the Horn of Africa after it was seized following the Battle of Magdala in 1868.

A Tabot, viewed by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as a sacred likeness to the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed, sits inside the Lady Chapel in Westminster.

The Ethiopian state has called for it to be repatriated, which may need to be approved by King Charles, because the Abbey falls under his direct jurisdiction.

Earlier this year, Lord Carey called for The British Museum to hand back its 11 sacred Tabots, which he said are 'essential to Ethiopian worship'.

Lord Carey of Clifton, 86, has called on Westminster Abbey to return a sacred tablet to Ethiopia

The former archbishop led the Church of England between 1991 and 2002, and called the repatriation a 'matter of faith'.

'In the spirit of goodwill and decency, we ask for a conversation with the British Museum to take this forward. The issue is very much one of faith,' he told The Telegraph at the time.

'It is cruel to deprive believers of access to faith and tabots are essential to Ethiopian worship.'

The Tabot in the Lady Chapel sits in a cavity behind the altar. It cannot be seen by anyone other than a priest, in line with Ethiopian Orthodox beliefs.

This is respected by UK institutions, leading campaigners to argue that the sacred items are of no use for public display.

Ethiopian priests in Addis Ababa carry the Tabots, which cannot be viewed by anyone other than a priest

The Tabot in Westminster is considered to be a 'Royal Peculiar' because the abbey falls under King Charles' jurisdiction not a Church of England authority.

'Westminster Abbey is very aware of the importance and significance of the Ethiopian Tabot which we have in our care,' a spokesperson for the abbey told The Telegraph.

'It is kept in a very sacred place within the church, properly covered and hidden from view. We have no current plans to change these arrangements,' they added.

National museums, including The British Museum, are not allowed to give items in their collection away by law.

The National Heritage Act 1983 blocks museums from selling items held for the public.

They can only be removed from a museum's collection by trustees if they are a duplicate or permanently damaged.

This law does not apply to the Church of England, which can remove items if they are signed off by authorities in the church.

However the jurisdiction of the abbey may complicate any move to repatriate the Tabot.
Another boat trailer parking saga has emerged in one of Australia's richest suburbs just days after the issue divided well-heeled locals.

Debate raged in the exclusive suburb of Mosman on Sydney's lower north shore after a woman launched a scathing attack on a community Facebook page calling for the owner of a six-metre boat parked outside her harbourside mansion to remove it.

Laureen Ong's post set off a chain reaction of fury among locals with hundreds of commenters divided over who was in the right - as others joked about the uproar.

The saga escalated when the boat owner, Palle Lunoe, hit back, noting his boat was legally parked and declaring that concerned locals 'have a little too much spare time'.

The furore has prompted Mosman local Harold Scruby to renew calls for tougher laws as he shared photos of separate boat and trailer he claims has been parked in his street on and off more than 10 years.

The Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman admitted to Daily Mail Australia he has never raised any concerns because it doesn't impact him unless he has visitors and he knows it's not illegal for the owner to leave their boat and trailer there.

Photos have emerged of another parked boat and trailer in Mosman

Harold Scruby (pictured) has never complained about the boat and trailer in his street as the owner is within their rights

But Mr Scruby has renewed calls for the NSW government to toughen laws and issue hefty penalties to owners who leave them permanently parked in the street.

He described the issue as the 'new epidemic'.

He says the boat and trailer takes up three parking spaces in his street.

'It's been there for about 10 years or more and is rarely moved,' Mr Scruby said.

'I've never complained because the owner is well within his rights to leave it there.

'I have off-street parking so it doesn't bother me, unless I have visitors who need to park in the street.'

Mr Scruby said it was an issue not just on the lower north shore but other parts of Sydney, including the northern beaches and in the inner-west.

Three years ago, Northern Beaches Council permanently introduced 'No Parking  Motor Vehicles Excepted' signs at 11 sites prohibiting the parking of boats and trailers following a six-month trial.

Mosman locals erupted last weekend after a commercial pilot parked his 6metre-long boat on the street outside a harbourside home (above). The boat has since been removed

'Trailers being parked on residential streets in NSW cities is out of control. It's the new epidemic,' Mr Scruby said.

'From a pedestrian safety perspective, because they take up an inordinate amount of motor vehicle parking space, it encourages motorists to stop and/or park illegally.'

Seven years ago, then local government minister and now Deputy Premier Paul Toole introduced laws allowing councils to impound boat trailers if parked on NSW streets for longer than 28 days.

But the laws are rarely used by councils as they are too hard to enforce.

Meanwhile, Mr Lunoe has removed his boat which was at the centre of the recent neighbourhood furore.

Originally, he had asked Ms Ong's husband if it was blocking their driveway and, when her spouse said no, he left the boat and drove away.

Commercial pilot Palle Lunoe (above) parked his boat in front of a home that was not his for five days in the affluent neighbourhood

The parking of boats and trailers isn't just an issue in Mosman. Pictured are bpand trailers on Sydney's northern beaches earlier this year

But as the days progressed, Ms Ong's frustration grew over the vessel blocking her view of traffic when she reversed out of her driveway, and then because it apparently hampered building work on her property.

'Please move your boat! If you are the owner or know the owner I am requesting for it to be removed immediately,' she wrote on a community page.

'We are having construction work done on my house. It has made two huge deliveries with a crane hard to unload supplies so far.'

The post sparked outrage - with several residents slamming the owner for ditching the boat in the suburban street.

The situation escalated hours later as the boat's owner hit back, noting his boat was legally parked and declaring that concerned locals 'have a little too much spare time'.

Registered boat trailers can be legally parked in a residential street for up to 28 days, but the issue remains controversial among Mosman locals.

Earlier this month, Mosman Council resolved to impose four-hour limits on nine parking spaces in Mosman Bay to address boat trailer parking in the area.

ATO data recently released by Canstar listed Mosman as the sixth wealthiest suburb in the country.
They appear to belong to a bygone age but have become trendy in recent years.

Now, with the cost of gas and electricity rocketing, sales of woodburning stoves have leapt by 40 per cent.

More than 35,000 stoves were sold from April to June compared to 25,000 for the same quarter of 2021, industry figures show.

The Stove Industry Alliance, which represents manufacturers, said the sharp rise clearly indicates that consumers are taking action to help cushion themselves against spiralling home heating bills. The stoves can cost from around 300 to more than 4,000. SIA chairman Andy Hill said: With the cost for heating our homes accounting for the biggest chunk of home energy bills this winter, it is little wonder consumers are looking for alternatives to supplement their gas or electric heating. The SIA said newer stoves are 90 per cent less polluting than an open fire.

Now, with the cost of gas and electricity rocketing, sales of woodburning stoves have leapt by 40 per cent

But government figures show that stoves emit more particulate pollution  the deadliest form  than road transport.

Around 17 per cent of particulate pollution comes from burning wood compared to 13 per cent from road transport. Professor Gary Fuller, of Imperial College London, told New Scientist: It is important that vulnerable people are helped to keep warm this winter, but extra woodburning is not the answer.

It will worsen the existing air pollution problems in our cities, towns and even across the countryside in the UK and Europe.

Simon Birkett, of campaign group Clean Air In London, called on the Government to help people to insulate their homes so they dont feel the need to burn wood. He stressed that climate experts advice is that wood burning appliances should be phased out.
The hacker who claims to be behind the largest data breach in the country after stealing the personal information of 10 million Optus customers has disappeared.

The mystery person, who goes by the online name 'Optusdata', has vanished from the online forum BreachForums.

The self-declared hacker had regularly posted on the forum claiming they were responsible for the hack and demanding a $1.5million ransom for the information.

They then walked back on their threat by issuing a grovelling apology on Tuesday and have not signed into their account since that day.

The hacker who claims to be behind the largest data breach in the country after stealing the personal information of 10 million Optus customers has disappeared (stock image)

The mystery person, who goes by the online name 'Optusdata' (pictured), has vanished from the online forum BreachForums

Their online profile has also taken a beating with their 'reputation' falling to minus 41.

Forum users can either add or deduct points of other members and influence their overall 'reputation'.

In a bizarre post on Tuesday morning, 'Optusdata' claimed there were 'too many eyes' on them and said they would not sell or leak the hacked data of up to 10 million Australians.

In broken English, 'Optusdata' said: 'Deepest apology to Optus for this. Hope all goes well from this'.

The hacker also backed down after initially threatening to release the data of 10,000 customers each day for four days until Optus paid the $1.5million ransom.

'Too many eyes. We will not sale (sic) data to anyone. We cant if we even want to: personally deleted data from drive (Only copy),' the hacker said in a statement.

Fellow users on the forum where 'Optusdata' posted their demands were quick to criticise the heist.

'Optus probably would have legit paid you a lot to quietly plug the leak. No too smart. If your gonna data steal at least don't be an amateur,' one user wrote.

'It was a pretty stupid move to begin with,' another said.

'Not very professional level work at all,' a third said.

'Script kiddies at their best,' added a fourth.

The hacking community has slammed the perpetrator of the Optus cyber heist as an 'amateur'

The data leak was initially thought to only affect direct Optus customers but recent emails seen by Guardian Australia show the company's subsidiaries Virgin Mobile and Gomo are also at risk.

The network also sells mobile network services to Amaysim, Dodo, Circles.Life and iiNet.

Optus announced it will compensate customers needing a licence replacement but has so far ignored calls from the federal government to replace passports.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Optus for comment.

Optus fully bought the final share of Virgin Mobile Australia, giving it full ownership, in 2006.

Gomo, operated by Optus, was launched in 2020 and has customers in Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.

The Optus scandal has also highlighted the need to 'shift the dial' and make organisations ultimately responsible for protecting their clients.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has demanded Optus pay for the replacement of all licences and passports exposed in the hack

Federal Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones stressed Optus had a responsibility to the almost 40 per cent of Australians affected by the breach.

The government earlier this week expressed its shock that Medicare details were part of the theft, although card holders are being told their health details can't be accessed with their client number.

The data breach has prompted nearly all states and territories to allow affected residents to apply for new driver's licence numbers for free, with any costs expected to be ultimately paid for by the telco.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has demanded Optus pay the cost of replacement passports, saying the hack was the telco's fault.

'Companies need to be held to account here, and that is something my government is determined to do,' he said on Thursday.
A mum experienced her very own 'glitch in the Matrix' after being caught on camera in the exact same spot twice - in snaps taken a decade apart.

Leanne Cartwright was sent a Google Maps picture of herself standing at the crossing clutching a bag by her husband.

The mum-of-one thought it was a teasing email showing how the tech giant had caught her on camera in April 2009.

But the 41-year-old was 'flabbergasted' when he told her she'd appeared in the exact same spot, down to the same paving slab, in a near-identical shot nine years later.

The first image shows trouser-clad Leanne standing at a traffic crossing on the corner of Victoria Place with a carrier bag in her left arm and another bag over her shoulder.

Bizarrely a second image, shot in August 2018, shows her standing in exactly the same position holding two bags in the same style - with the only difference being her outfit.

The civil servant posted the 'bonkers' images to Facebook earlier this month [September 12th] where she says she's been compared to a 'time traveller' due to the 'one-in-a-billion' coincidence.

Leanne Cartwright, 41, was amazingly pictured in the same spot in Carlisle in 2009 (left) and 2018 (right), striking almost an identical pose nine years apart

Leanne, from Carlisle, Cumbria, said: 'It's like I'm frozen in time.

'I'm standing on exactly the same paving slab and I've still got a bag on my shoulder. It's so funny but so bizarre.

'People probably think I'm a time traveller. I could be the only person in the world who they've caught in exactly the same place almost a decade later.

'I did see the car the first time, so when it got published we went on and had a look. Everyone thought it was quite funny and I didn't mind at all.

'Richard found the second one while he was at work because he was looking for the first one. He was going to send it to me and then he realised I was back on it.

'When I saw it, I thought it was really bizarre. I hadn't even seen the car at the time, so I was flabbergasted.

'We told everyone at work and they found it funny. I thought I'd put it on Facebook because I don't know anyone else it's happened to.

Leanne back at the spot in her hometown in Cumbria where the Google car snapped her twice

'I've had loads of likes. Someone mentioned about me being a time traveller.. It's been funny reading the reactions.

'I'll be looking out for the car in future and if I see it, I'll have to jump on the same spot. You never know, I might be there next time. It'll make me smile when I walk past.'

Leanne says the first image was taken during her one-mile walk to work at around 8am whereas the second was on a lunchtime break - and discovered by hubby Richard in January 2019.

Unfortunately, she didn't make an appearance on the most recent Google Street View shot in September 2020 as she was working remotely during the pandemic.

However, Leanne has returned to working two days in the office a week and says the uncanny coincidence will make her smile 'every time she walks over the crossing'.

The self-professed 'creature of habit' said she wouldn't wear any of the clothes she wore in the first image now, and jokes the comparison shows how her personal fashion has changed since 2009.

Leanne, who lives with 41-year-old Richard and son Zach Cartwright, five, has attracted more than 700 likes and 20 baffled replies to her post.

One commented: 'that is actually crazy and cool at the same time.'

Another agreed and said: 'Sorry, that's absolutely bonkers!'

A third questioned: 'Is this not one of those one-in-a-billion chances? Amazing!'

One observant user said: 'Bag in the same hand and also on the shoulder.'

Leanne replied: 'I'm a total creature of habit.'
It is still unknown what enigmatic Stonehenge is all about and who built it in neolithic times as well. One of the most well-known Stone Age monuments has stood for several thousand years, and perhaps it was built by druids. People gather at the henge on the solstices to commemorate one of the henge's calendar functions.

Who Built the Stonehenge?

It was erected, and its purpose is supposed to be a holy site, with a circle tracking the sun's progress in the sky, leading to the question of whether the old druids were really the builder of this ancient monument, per The British Museum.

However, evidence suggests otherwise, and it is dated from 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, with the earliest records of druids dating back about 2,400 years, reported Live Science.

They might have been present later, but not when it was built. These ancient peoples emerged in the last quarter of the first millennium B.C., according to Caroline Malone, emeritus professor of prehistory, in an email to Live Science.

Evidence that druids were active at the enigmatic Stonehenge is scarce. Instead, rituals based on the calendar, like the solstice, death, and rebirth, were communal activities. These druids were not privy to the activities of the Iron Age ritual sites, citing Real Clear History.

Professor Mike Parker, a professor of British later prehistory at University College London, wrote an article asserting several positions about the henge and druids. He added that these ancient peoples weren't related to the stone circle, so there was no proof. How modern druids think they are linked to the Stone Age monuments, especially on the solstice.

Read Also: Donald Trump Children: What You Need to Know About the 5 Trump Kids

But no one knows what druids do since they were gone 1,200 years ago in the Dark Ages, with a revived form 300 years ago.

Purpose in Building the Stonehenge

Druids are thought to use the monument with pagan practices as priesthood based on the record, but later the stone was far older in the 18th century.

So, the monument's age was too old for druidic practices, remarked Ronald Hutton, a professor of history at the University of Bristol. He added they found out it was already there in the 60s when druids appeared in history.

On the rebirth of druid beliefs about 300 years or more, had exposed to the ancient henge and then laid down the foundation to incorporate it into their rituals, especially making it the center for the solstice worship when this particular persuasion became more pronounced.

Like the others, Timothy Darvill, an archeology professor, stated that druids were keen on linking it to them; for example, antiquities like John Aubrey and especially William Stukeley influenced the 17th century. Both considered it the locus and enshrined it as a temple for the new druidic belief.

To get a publisher for any book about the neolithic stone circle, there had to be a link to the druidic religion. Stukeley, a scholar of henges, had problems getting a serious study about it before, added Malone. By attaching Druids to the history of the ancient stone circle, Stukeley thought it was older than Roman relics.

Adding these mysterious priests was enough for publishing houses to have a book with his 1740 study of the monument. Such is the unknown part of the enigmatic Stonehenge, which was like a historical gimmick to get a book published in 1740.

Related Article: Stonehenge Durability Amaze the World; What Is Its Secret That Made It Last for 5,000 Years in Pristine Condition?

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Liz Truss has been criticised by Former Bank of England chiefs for mini-Budget

Former Bank of England chiefs yesterday attacked Liz Trusss unfunded spending and tax cuts following days of market turmoil.

Mark Carney, who was the Banks governor between 2013 and 2020, said the Government had announced 45billion in tax cuts without any credible plan to get borrowing back on a sustainable footing.

Baroness Shafik, who served as his deputy between 2014 to 2017, used even tougher language to criticise the Prime Ministers mini-Budget, writing in the Financial Times that it was bad economics and a lost opportunity.

Mr Carney said the plan was working at cross-purposes with the Bank.

Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor said Liz Truss had spent and made tax cuts without any credible plan to get borrowing back on a sustainable footing

Baroness Shafik, who served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, called the mini-Budget bad economics and a lost opportunity

He told the BBC the objective to improve the rate of growth in the country... is clearly the right one.

But he said that it had left a lag between now and when that growth might come.

Mr Carney added: Markets actually want to know the numbers in a budget. Its important to have it subject to independent and, dare I say, expert scrutiny.

Supporters of the Governments plan hit back. Tory MP Craig Mackinlay accused Mr Carney of making years of worthless forecasts.
Disturbing footage has emerged of a Year 7 student being cornered in a bathroom and bashed by a bully while his friends cheer on and record the sickening attack.

The 12-year-old boy was beaten up by the Year 9 student in the toilet at Golden Grove High School in Adelaide, South Australia, on Monday.

A group of students crowded around the pair and taunted the cornered student while one pulled out their phone to record the altercation.

Disturbing footage has emerged of a Year 7 student being cornered in a bathroom and bashed by a bully while his friends cheer on and record the sickening attack

The 12-year-old boy was beaten up by the Year 9 student in the toilet at Golden Grove High School in Adelaide, South Australia, on Monday

The Year 7 boy is seen crying as he stands trapped between the wall and bathroom sink with his Year 9 attacker blocking him off, Adelaide Now reported.

The bully turns around to smile at his peers cheering at him before demanding an apology from the boy.

'Just say sorry,' he says.

'Say sorry for what?' the frightened boy responds.

The crowd then egg on the bully with several taunts with several yelling at him to punch the boy.

'Hit him! Go again,' one student says.

Another adds: 'Look at him bro, he's dead as.

A third says: 'It's called a f***ing punch, do it  one good hit.'

The Year 7 boy lowers his head to protect his face before collapsing onto the ground in a heap of tears

The Year 9 boy pushes the young boy before landing several punches to his head and body.

The Year 7 boy lowers his head to protect his face before collapsing onto the ground in a heap of tears.

Footage of the beating has prompted South Australia Police to launch an investigation.

'No one has been charged with any offending at this time and police continue to investigate the incidents,' a spokesperson said.

'Police are working with staff and students at the high school.'

Education Minister Blair Boyer told the ABC the students involved in the incident had been suspended.

Footage of the beating at Golden Grove High School has prompted South Australia Police to launch an investigation

It is the latest video to emerge from the school after another three altercations were filmed at the premises between September 10 and 26.

South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said an experienced, former school principal and security guards had been hired to stamp out the violent behaviours.

'Seeing this vision of deplorable violence at one of our schools is particularly confronting,' he said.

'There is no place for violence anywhere, let alone in our schools.

'Clearly, there is a need for action.'

Department for Education Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell told Daily Mail Australia violence and bullying would not be tolerated.

'The Department for Education continues to monitor behaviour at the school, meet with the school leadership team regularly to address these issues, and provide ongoing assistance to the Principal and leadership team,' he said.

'In relation to each of the recorded incidents provided, the matter was investigated and resulted in disciplinary action and appropriate counselling and support.'
It also released its own estimated program cost, which came to $379 billion

The Biden administration quietly backtracked on some of the plan Thursday

There has been a moratorium on federal student loan repayment since March '20

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer railed against Republican opposition to the White House's student debt forgiveness plan during a press conference on Thursday.

He was joined by 'Squad' members Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar and Rep. Mondaire Jones.

'Those damn Republicans,' the New York Democrat exclaimed earlier during the day.

'They are bellyaching, you know, when anyone helps regular people. When they give tax cuts to the rich, they say they're helping the middle class. When we help the middle class, they say we're helping the rich.'

Later on Thursday evening, Republican opposition escalated even further when Arizona became the seventh state to sue the Biden administration over the student loan policy.

Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced the lawsuit on Twitter hours after a joint legal challenge from Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina.

'This mass debt forgiveness program is fundamentally unfair, unconstitutional, and unwise,' Brnovich said in a statement.

'The question Americans need to be asking is why college costs so much in the first place.'

Brnovich is challenging the president's authority to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student debt for Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 for others without legislative action from Congress.

Specifically, he's taking issue with Biden's use of a 9/11-era bill called the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act, which he used as the basis for the action.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer held a press conference early on Thursday where he was joined by Rep. Mondaire Jones and progressive 'Squad' members Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar

Hours later, the Biden administration was slapped with its third lawsuit on the policy

'The president attempts to stretch the HEROES Act to assert authority over all borrowers in the country, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a national emergency and the entire United States as a disaster area,' the Arizona Attorney General's Office said in a press release.

'The HEROES Act additionally requires that any action by the Department of Education to modify or waive loan requirements must ensure that borrowers are not placed in a worse position financially if not for the national emergency. However, several federal loan borrowers have not suffered in relation to their loans.'

The bill's $400 billion price tag estimated by the Congressional Budget Office has also brought it under scrutiny.

Late on Thursday, the White House released its own estimate that shows the CBO wasn't far off - despite administration officials' attempts to downplay the figure.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich sued the White House over the student loan plan after a joint legal action by six other states earlier in the day

Its internal estimates show the plan costing $379 billion over the course of the program, CNN reports, and $30 billion per year over the next 10 years.

It's not clear if that figure factors in Biden's latest backtrack on his progressive-endorsed student loan forgiveness plan.

The calculation comes as the administration quietly announced a change in its program on Thursday that could exclude up to 4 million borrowers with loans owned or backed by private companies.

The Education Department announced that privately-held loans won't qualify for the relief plan.

The move was heckled by former Bernie Sanders adviser and progressive politician Nina Turner, who wrote on Twitter: 'Un-canceling *some* student debt is bad policy.'

The scale back on Perkins and Federal Family Education Loans - which are bank loans backed by federal guarantees - is over concerns the companies could challenge the Biden administration in court, Politico reported.

They used to be a major component of federal student loans, but were stopped in 2010 after a major Obama administration overhaul shifted to direct government loans.

Nevertheless, about four million people still have FFEL loans, according to government data identified in the report. Forty-five million Americans owe student loans.

The Biden administration's latest policy backtrack is likely to affect 770,000 people, an official told CNN.

The administration had initially allowed those with FFEL loans to reorganize so they were eligible to receive the $10,000 to $20,000 of relief per borrower.

The Biden administration has quietly announced a change in their student debt forgiveness program that could exclude four million borrowers after the first lawsuits were filed against the plan and following criticism of the huge costs to taxpayers

But as of Thursday, those who hadn't made the changes were no longer able to benefit.

The initial policy stated that FFEL and Perkins loans qualified.

The Department of Education guidance updated on Thursday stated: 'As of Sept. 29, 2022, borrowers with federal student loans not held by ED cannot obtain one-time debt relief by consolidating those loans into Direct Loans.'

The Department is 'assessing' whether 'there are alternative pathways to provide relief' to these borrowers, and is 'discussing this with private lenders,' it said.

An Education Department spokesperson said: 'Our goal is to provide relief to as many eligible borrowers as quickly and easily as possible, and this will allow us to achieve that goal while we continue to explore additional legally-available options to provide relief to borrowers with privately owned FFEL loans and Perkins loans, including whether FFEL borrowers could receive one-time debt relief without needing to consolidate .'

Experts told NPR that private banks who were subject to losing business could potentially sue to stop the loan forgiveness program by claiming they suffered harm.

The plan allows tens of millions of borrowers to wipe away $10,000 in student loan debt. Pell grant recipients can get $20,000 in relief

The first lawsuit against the program, filed this week, relied on a plaintiff who demonstrated harm by residing in one of six states where loan forgiveness is taxed like income  a move that will leave people on the hook for a tax bill even while saving thousands in debt.

The government has already countered that the program is voluntary, and the plaintiff can forego the $20,000 in relief.

A second suit, filed Thursday by six GOP-led states, challenges the program by citing President Joe Biden's comment to '60 Minutes' that the pandemic is 'over.'

Biden has used the pandemic multiple times to extend the March 2020 student loan moratorium first put in place by Donald Trump. He extended it a final time through the end of December to give people time to transition back to repayment.
Thousands of bunnies will be incinerated after luxury Swiss chocolate maker Lindt won a court case against Lidl.

The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland ruled that Lidl's chocolate bunnies wrapped in aluminium foil, whether 'golden or of another colour', were too similar to Lindt's.

It banned the chain's Swiss branches Lidl Schweiz and Lidl Schweiz DL from selling similar bunnies and ordered the destruction of any still in stock.

Lindt & Sprungli sued in 2018, claiming that Lidl's bunnies had a very similar shape and appearance and could be confused with its flagship Easter product.

But the commercial court of Switzerland's Aargau canton, west of Zurich, dismissed Lindt's action in 2021.

Luxury Swiss chocolate brand Lindt sued Lidl over imitations of its famous chocolate bunny

Lidl's Favourina bunny was found to be too similar to Lindt's design, with all left in stock ordered to be destroyed

Switzerland's highest court found the shape of the bunnies was 'associated by a very large part of the public with Lindt'

However, Switzerland's highest court overturned the decision, finding that Lidl's bunnies posed 'a risk of confusion even if the two products present certain differences'.

'Given the overall impression produced, Lidl's bunnies arouse obvious associations with the shape of Lindt's,' the federal court said.

'In the public mind, they cannot be distinguished.'

Lindt provided consumer surveys showing that its bunny had achieved a level of general public awareness.

The Federal Supreme Court decided that it 'can be considered common knowledge that the shapes that Lindt & Sprungli has had protected by trademark law are associated by a very large part of the public with the Lindt & Sprungli company'.

Contacted by AFP, Lidl said it could not provide 'any information concerning legal proceedings which are still ongoing'.

It comes after the hotly contested court case between Marks and Spencer's and Aldi was finally settled earlier this year in a confidential deal.

The British retailer had accused the German discounter of copying the design of its famous Colin the Caterpillar for their rival Cuthbert.

Lawyers had been brought in on the intellectual property claim, which even made it to the High Court last year.

Both supermarkets confirmed in February that an agreement has been struck to resolve the conflict.

Details of the 'confidential' deal have not been revealed, but it is understood that Cuthbert will not appear again in quite the same form.

It comes after the hotly contested court case between Marks and Spencer's and Aldi over caterpillar cakes was finally settled earlier this year
Women working at Australia's Antarctic bases are propositioned for sex, subjected to sexist jokes and porn, and feel forced to hide their periods to fit in with a 'blokey' culture.

Female expeditioners described predatory and objectifying behaviour at the Antarctic research stations and widespread sexual harassment in a damning review which drew an angry response from the Australian government.

The report, commissioned by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) into station culture, heard from women who said they had to 'practically conceal' periods and improvise menstrual products when none were available.

Women described changing menstrual products without privacy or adequate sanitation, having to carry bloody products in the field and altering their hormonal balance with medications to make menstruation less inconvenient.

Women working at Australia's Antarctic bases are propositioned for sex, subjected to sexist jokes and porn, and feel forced to hide their periods to fit in with a 'blokey' culture

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said she was shocked and disappointed when she read people's experiences, pledging an overhaul of culture

The study, by University of Tasmania professor Meredith Nash, conducted in-depth interviews with 22 AAD employees and held informal conversations with dozens more.

'Whilst women in this study found a range of ways to individually cope, the more concerning issue is that people who menstruate feel compelled to uphold a male-dominated field culture in which menstruation is concealed and controlled to meet masculine cultural norms,' the summary report reads.

'I think on some level, it is unethical for us to continue trying to encourage women to enter a male-dominated field if we are not confident that organisations can keep them safe,' Professor Nash told the ABC.

AAD director Kim Ellis said he was deeply concerned by the findings, saying 'significant progress' had already been made on implementing more than 40 recommendations.

Women overwhelmingly described Antarctic research stations as 'blokey', with a permeating culture of widespread, low-level sexual harassment (Pictured, Casey station's living quarters at night)

The study, by University of Tasmania professor Meredith Nash, conducted in-depth interviews with 22 AAD employees and held informal conversations with dozens more

'It doesn't matter how many people may have experienced this behaviour - we know that under-reporting is almost certainly a factor - the fact anyone at all experiences this treatment is not okay,' he said in a statement.

Women overwhelmingly described Antarctic research stations as 'blokey', with a permeating culture of widespread, low-level sexual harassment.

'Given the under-representation of women ... (especially during winter) some women also described the culture as 'predatory' and 'objectifying',' the study reads.

Participants observed that women experienced a range of harassment including uninvited physical contact or gestures, unwelcome requests for sex, sexual comments, jokes or innuendo, intrusive questions, displays of offensive or pornographic material, sex-based insults or taunts and unwanted invitations.

Participants also described a homophobic culture on research stations.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said she was shocked and disappointed when she read people's experiences, pledging an overhaul of culture.

'As a minister, I take a zero-tolerance response to sexual harassment in any workplace I am responsible for,' she told the ABC.

'I was actually gobsmacked to read some of the reports here talking about pornographic material up on the walls (because) I really did think that we had eradicated this (type of) thing ... decades ago.'

All recommendations have been accepted by the AAD, which maintains three permanently manned stations on the frozen continent.

The AAD regularly advertises for Aussies to head south to work in research stations where most have to live in freezing conditions for six to 12 months

Participants in the review process also described a homophobic culture on AAD research stations

They include the creation of an equity and inclusion task force and the setting of targets to increase diversity among expeditioners.

Employees usually spend six or 12 months at the bases under their contracts - unless they are either sent home or emergencies mean they must leave.

When they accept jobs with the AAD, employees agree to not to engage in sexual harassment or forms of 'extreme behaviour' outlined in a code of personal behaviour.

Examples given on the AAD recruitment page include: 'Disorderly behaviour, including being violent, threatening, insulting or abusive' and 'indecent exposure and other gross, obscene or offensive acts'.

'Sexual harassment is any unwanted, unsolicited and unreciprocated behaviour of a sexual nature that is objectionable to another individual,' the AAD recruitment page says.

Breaches of the code can result in counselling, reprimands, early return to Australia and the referral to the authorities of any matter with legal repercussions.
Wildly popular podcast star Joe Rogan has yet again been slammed by his estranged family, with his second half-sister backing her family and also calling him a liar.

Rogan, 55, who hosts the Joe Rogan Experience, has on multiple occasions over the years publicly accused his father of being abusive and violent including on the show.

The renowned comedian's father Joe Rogan senior, 80, and his half-sister Bridget Rogan Carselda, 43, have rebuffed his claims - with Carselda's twin sister Rosa Rogan Lunelli now backing her family publicly for the first time.

Lunelli told DailyMail.com that everything that her sister and father had said was true and honest adding that her father has silently put up with the 'ridiculous statements from Joe for years.'

'I read that on a podcast Joe states that my father abused women and children. It made me sick. I was extremely hurt by these comments,' she said.

'I also read he was this big tough guy that used to beat the s**t out of people! Come on that's just comical. Everything said so far has been a lie it doesn't make sense.

'All I can say is I love my father more than anything in the world he is the best!'

Popular podcast star Joe Rogan, 55, has slammed again by his estranged family, with his other half-sister, Rosa Rogan Lunelli (pictured), 43, backing her family and calling him a liar

Lunelli called her father Joe Rogan Senior (pictured with wife) a family man who went out of his way for the family growing up

Lunelli said she has a close relationship with her father and has pleaded Rogan to stop lying

The 43-year-old is married with two children a son, 14, and a daughter, eight, and works as a professional hairstylist and makeup artist.

She said it's been difficult protecting her children from the 'hurtful lies.'

'I had to explain to my eldest what was being said about his grandfather because it was brought to his attention by kids and friends of his,' she said.

'He asked me, 'Mom why did he say that about Papa,' I told him, 'I wish I knew.' We all know it's not true so that's out of the question.

'I just think maybe he is hurt or maybe he was told this by his mother. I really don't know.'

Backing her twin sister Carselda, Lunelli, who also didn't grow up with Rogan, said that her upbringing was very fortunate.

'Growing up [my father] gave us the world! Literally! My sister and I are very fortunate in life. He has taught us values and hard work and love,' she said.

'I can't ever remember a time my father even raised his voice to me ever. I tell my father everything. It's crazy to hear what Joe has to say.

Rogan Sr (pictured) is beloved by his family but has been accused by his son and famed comedian Joe Rogan of being abusive and violent before he and his mother left when he was 7

Lunelli spoke out for the first time and said that her father was and remains a kind and loving figure in the family adding that he is a great grandparent too

Rogan Sr worked as a police officer in New Jersey, his daughter's saying he always provided for the family

'It's hurtful very hurtful. Sometimes I get mad when I hear it and sometimes I feel bad for him I really don't know what to think I don't know him, but I do know my father and that's one person who has been hurt enough.

Lunelli has pleaded with her half-brother to 'throw in the towel' questioning what he has to prove.

'Hear the other side of the story. Be honest in life! It's very sad. I hope soon my father and Joe can find peace. That would be a beautiful thing,' she said.

'I'm 43 years old and though I don't listen to his podcast I have googled and heard some.

'No I don't want to get in touch with him not if he speaks about my father the way he does. Then I have no interest at all.'

When Lunelli was 19-years-old her sister Carselda wrote to Rogan trying to reconnect with their half-brother.

Carselda described the interaction as unkind and claims Rogan called her father a 'sperm donor' causing both sister's to back off.

'When I first found out about Joe yes obviously I did want to get in touch I had no reason not to want to know him better. But that was years ago,' she said.

Lunelli's (right) comments come after her twin sister Bridget Rogan Carselda (left), 43, spoke out defending her father

Carselda has mixed feelings about reconnecting with her half-brother after her attempt to do so when she was just 19 were rebuffed by the wildly popular media personality

Carselda (left) works and lives in North Arlington and has vehemently supported and defended her father (right) - getting a Official Public Records Act request as proof he is not violent

'If Joe reached out it would have to be to my father and he would need to come clean and be honest with him.

'My father is 80 years old not one bad bone in his body! He doesn't deserve what is being said about him.'

The professional hairstylist and makeup artist has begged Rogan to provide proof of his claims.

'All his claims are false every single one of them. That's what disgusts me. You broadcast this poor me story,' she said.

'If you don't want anything to do with your father stop taking about him. Stop the lies. Go to bed with a clear conscious stop lying to yourself and everyone else.

'Prove it Joe because you're speaking about someone's husband, father, grandfather and friend and guess what it's all lies.'

The host of the Joe Rogan Experience, has repeatedly described his father as a 'very, very violent guy'

Rogan snr. says he wants to have a relationship with his son (pictured), despite the claims because life is too short

80-year-old Rogan Sr claims losing his son (pictured) when he was only seven was heartbreaking, saying he didn't fight for custody in the hope of reducing his son's trauma growing up

During an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan told listeners about his dark childhood, remembering 'brief, violent flashes of domestic violence.'

'My mom and my step-dad are actually very happy, and they've been happy since I was seven years old' he said.

'It's really weird. All my damage s*** came from my real father, before I was seven. My real father was crazy, he was like a psychotic person. He beat the f*** out of my mother, he beat the f*** out of my cousin. He picked my cousin up by his hair, dude.

'All I remember of my dad are these brief, violent flashes of domestic violence. But I don't want to complain about my childhood. Nothing bad ever really happened to me, I don't hate the guy.'

Since becoming famous Rogan has referred to his father in several interviews and on-air publications that he remembers him as a violent man who 'abandoned him'.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Rogan claimed his father also promoted toxic behavior after a fight with his cousin.

Rogan is an American UFC color commentator, podcaster, comedian, actor, and former television presenter

Rogan was born in Newark, New Jersey, and began his career in comedy in 1988 he later appeared as an actor on several television shows, including NewsRadio (pictured)

DailyMail.com has reached out to Joe Rogan for comment

'When I was five, I had a fight with one of my cousins  punched him in the face over something stupid  and his mother was screaming to my parents, 'Your son's a little monster. He punched my kid in the face!' he said.

'My dad pulled me aside and I told him the truth of what happened. He said, 'Did you cry?' I said, 'No.' He said, 'Good, don't ever cry.'

'I mean, he was happy that I punched my cousin. It was just confusing, you know? He was just a very violent, scary guy.

'After the split, we moved to San Francisco and that was it. Never heard from him again.'

When making these claims, Rolling Stone contacted Rogan Sr. who wouldn't respond directly to the allegations, but has since spoken out, rebuffing the claims.

Rogan is an American UFC color commentator, podcaster, comedian, actor, and former television presenter.

He hosts The Joe Rogan Experience, a podcast in which he discusses current events, comedy, politics, philosophy, science, and hobbies with a variety of guests.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Joe Rogan for comment.
A 'dilapidated and uninhabitable' property in Sydney's inner west is up for grabs

A neglected home hailing from the early 1900s has been put on the market and could sell for well over $1million, according to real estate specialists.

The deceased estate in trendy Marrickville in inner-west Sydney was advertised on Monday, revealing derelict interiors, neglected furniture and abandoned household items still inside.

The four-bedroom house sits on a 366m2-block in the in-demand suburb, recently in the news as the home base of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Photos reveal the home's 'dilapidated and uninhabitable' state - complete with forgotten Champagne glasses on top of a piano in the lounge, framed pictures on the walls, kitchen equipment and even an old rotary-dial telephone.

Images of the home at 13 Wallace Street Marrickville (pictured) are described as being 'full of existing character'

The home in is in a 'dilapidated and uninhabitable' state - complete with abandoned Champagne glasses on top of a piano in the lounge (pictured)

Images show the neglected states of the home (pictured), a throwback to a different era

The images of the home at 13 Wallace Street Marrickville are described as being 'full of existing character'.

The deceased estate could sell for $1.8million according to CoreLogic estimates, but agents expect it to sell for less.

Photos show the neglected states of the kitchen, loungeroom and bathroom in a throwback to a different era.

The kitchen shows the old-school telephone sitting near giant glassware among broken cupboards, with dishwashing liquid still on the sink.

The ceiling of the lounge area is deteriorating over a 1970s-style lounge.

The kitchen (pictured) shows an old-school rotary-dial telephone sitting near giant glassware among broken cupboards, with dishwashing liquid still on the sink

The bathroom boasts a brick-walled interior, a bath with unidentifiable objects and a frying pan hanging on the wall (pictured)

'If there was an architecturally-designed restoration on the property, I think it would attract a lot of interest,' the real estate agent said (pictured, an aerial view)

The bathroom boasts a brick-walled interior, a bath with unidentifiable objects and a frying pan hanging on the wall.

Rooms on the website have rubbish strewn across the floor in various states of neglect, with cooking oil still sitting near the cooktop.

Dean Vasil from Ray White in Earlwood (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia he is keen to see a buyer spruce the place up

Dean Vasil from Ray White in Earlwood told Daily Mail Australia he is keen to see a buyer spruce the place up.

'It's a shame it hasn't been maintained because it does present with existing character and whatnot,' Mr Vasil said.

'We would like to see the property fully restored to its original glory.

'If there was an architecturally-designed restoration on the property, I think it would attract a lot of interest,' the real estate agent added.

The property is on the high side of the street and has two bathrooms, a dining room and large backyard, with a hills hoist.

The property is on the high side of the street and has two bathrooms, a dining room and large backyard with a hills hoist (pictured)

Mr Vasil said it had a 'development upside' subject to council approval and said the local environmental plan allows for various uses for the property.

It can be turned into a bed and breakfast, neighbourhood shops, a boarding house or multi-dwelling housing.

'The character is quite unique, the build is quite consistent with the majority of homes in Marrickville,' he said.

'It is a solid building and leaves you with a great outdoor space, both front and back.'
Australia's top doctor says those struck down with Covid-19 still shouldn't go to work while they have symptoms, despite the axing of mandatory isolation rules nationwide.

The country's National Cabinet met on Friday where premiers, chief ministers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to scrap mandatory Covid-19 isolation rules from October 14.

Isolation rules will remain for aged care and hospital workers struck down with Covid, but the decision of how long to stay away from the workplace will now be one for most Australians to decide for themselves.

During a press conference, Seven News reporter Mark Riley pointed out that scrapping the isolation rules gave Australians no clarity on how long they needed to stay away from work.

'How do they stay away for now - five days, seven days, three days, one day?' he asked.

Paul Kelly, the Chief Medical Officer, said workplaces shouldn't treat Covid-19 any different than they have in the last two-and-half years.

Australia's National Cabinet has reportedly agreed to scrap mandatory Covid isolation rules

Professor Kelly pointed to a letter he wrote to Mr Albanese where he said he strongly encouraged Australians with 'respiratory illness, and particularly people with confirmed Covid, to stay at home and particularly to avoid high risk settings whilst they are symptomatic.'

He told reporters in Canberra: 'We haven't changed the infectiousness of this virus. The infectious period, we know, the average is two to three days is the peak infectiousness.

'Again, it would be, if anyone has symptoms, they're more likely be infectious.'

However, Dr Kelly said the government would not be stopping infectious people from 'going out into (the) community now. And we won't be in the future.'

'In terms of the occupational elements, in those particularly high-risk settings, that will remain a discussion with employers.

'Work health and safety elements apply for all sorts of infectious diseases, Covid should be seen like that.'

Australia is the latest country to join ranks with other nations around the world that have ditched Covid isolation measures, including the UK and Switzerland.

'We want to have measures that are proportionate and targeted,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

Pandemic disaster leave payments will also be scrapped on the same date with the exception of people in 'high risk settings'.

Professor Paul Kelly is seen addressing the changes during a media conference on Friday

The Nine Network reported the mandate will remain in force for aged care and hospital workers - but otherwise will not apply to Covid sufferers (pictured, National Cabinet meeting on Friday)

'We want to continue to promote vaccinations as being absolutely critical, including people getting booster shots,' Mr Albanese said.

'And we want a policy that promotes resilience and capacity-building and reduces a reliance an government intervention.'

Professor Kelly warned scrapping the isolation rules was not an indication the pandemic was 'finished'.

'It recognises that we are in a very low transmission - community transmission phase of the pandemic here in Australia,' he said.

'It does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished. We will almost certainly see future peaks of the virus into the future, as we have seen earlier in this year.

'However, at the moment, we have very low rates of both cases, hospitalisations, intensive care admissions, aged-care outbreaks and various other measures that we have been following very closely in our weekly open report.'

'It is a time, though, now to consider that we have other things that we can do to protect those most vulnerable people, and that is absolutely our key aim.'

Mr Albanese dismissed concerns scrapping the isolation rules and pandemic disaster payments would encourage infected workers to return to the office.

'It is time to move away from Covid exceptionalism, in my view, and thinking about what we should do to protect people from any respiratory disease,' he said.

The change follows a push by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to abolish the long-standing rules.

Currently Australians in all states and territories must isolate for five days if they test positive to Covid-19.

'We want to have measures that are proportionate and targeted,' prime minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday

'We need to get to a point where if you're sick you stay at home and if you're well you go out and about and enjoy life and that's where we have to get to as a country,' Mr Perrottet said.

'We also need to get to this position where people look out for each other, that we care for each other and make sure that if you're sick you stay home without there being a public health order in place.'

The Australian Medical Association President Dr Steve Robson warned against the move on ABC News Breakfast.

Dr Robson said: 'I think people who are pushing for the isolation periods to be cut are not scientifically literate and are putting the public at risk and they need to understand that'.

'We're seeing a huge upswing in the numbers of COVID cases again. It's coming into holiday season when people would be travelling around the world.

The Nine Network reported the mandate will remain in force for aged care and hospital workers - but otherwise will not apply to Covid sufferers

'It's a period of significant risk and we're urging caution because we need to protect the health system.'

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said COVID needed to be normalised as a virus and be treated like any other respiratory condition.

Meanwhile, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said while case numbers were ticking downwards, caution was still needed.

'Right now is a period of low case numbers, low hospitalisation, low levels of community transmission, it's unlikely to be a better time than now going into summer,' he told reporters.

'But you've got to also be mindful of what might come next.'
The former 60 Minutes reporter understood to have had a family dispute

Ms Curro is best known for inspiring Pauline Hanson's 'Please Explain' response

Former television journalist Tracey Curro charged with assault in Queensland

The popular television journalist who stunned Pauline Hanson into uttering her signature catchphrase has been charged with assault.

Tracey Curro, 59, was involved in an incident in North Queensland on August 19 which led to her being charged with common assault.

Curro prompted Hanson to shoot back with her immortal 'Please explain' phrase after asking the then rookie MP if she was 'xenophobic' during a 60 Minutes interview in 1996.

The popular television journalist who stunned Pauline Hanson into uttering her signature catchphrase has been charged with assault

Curro prompted Hanson to shoot back with her immortal 'Please explain' phrase after asking the then rookie MP if she was 'xenophobic' during a 60 Minutes interview

Hanson's response was met by Curro with a raised eyebrow, then mocked by viewers.

But it became such a cult soundbite that the One Nation leader eventually made it her trademark saying.

The former journalist allegedly assaulted another person in Ingham who was believed to be a family member, the Courier Mail reported.

The complainant is believed to be from Townsville.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto confirmed Curro was involved in a 'family dispute'. He added that he was 'trying to assist' in the matter.

Curro began her journalism career as a newsreader and presenter for Channel Ten in 1988, before working for Nine as a reporter, then moving to the ABC in 2005.

Hanson's 'Please Explain' response was met by Curro with a raised eyebrow, then mocked by viewers. But it became a cult soundbite

Curro was a popular presenter and reporter for channels Nine and Ten

She returned to Ten as an occasional presenter on The Project in 2011.

Since then worked for Sustainability Victoria, executive recruiter SHK, then for Ambulance Victoria.

She was also a board member for Ovarian Cancer Australia and remains one for Victoria's wartime Shrine of Remembrance.

Her LinkedIn profile, which lists her as living in Melbourne, says she is currently on a 'career break'.

Curro declined to comment on the alleged assault but is set to face court in Queensland over the matter.
Melissa Caddick's husband has told the inquest into her suspected death that he accepts his wife was a fraudster as he faced another day of brutal questioning that even included one lawyer suggesting Anthony Koletti had 'completely lost the plot'.

Mr Koletti returned to the NSW Coroners Court on Friday for a fourth day of evidence. His return began with a dramatic moment when the senior counsel representing NSW Police was reprimanded by the coroner for a brutal line of questioning.

Sydney Morning Herald reporter Kate McClymont shared the ruthless questions Lachlan Gyles SC - who was representing the NSW Police Force - had asked on Twitter.

As Mr Koletti took the stand, Mr Gyles asked him: 'You're not very numerate, are you? You didn't win any academic prizes at school? You were at the bottom of your class, weren't you?'

Anthony Koletti has faced court this week over the disappearance of his fraudster wife

Mr Gyles was ordered to stop asking Mr Koletti 'leading questions'.

Following the quick-fire start, Mr Koletti was taken to a statement he wrote to the court on July 2021 about the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's search warrant.

'I believe she died as a direct result of ASIC's negligence, cruelty and inhumanity,' Mr Koletti wrote.

'Is that something you still say on your oath today?' Dean Jordan SC on behalf of ASIC asked.

'Yes,' Mr Koletti said.

'I suggest your maintenance of that assertion demonstrates your complete loss of objective perspective in relation to ASIC,' Mr Jordan, said, adding it also showed he had 'completely lost the plot'.

'No,' Mr Koletti said.

Melissa Caddick's husband has returned for his fourth day of evidence at her inquest after a psychiatrist said she had narcissistic personality disorder. Pictured is Melissa Caddick with Anthony Koletti

However, he did accept the search warrant was justified at the time.

For years Mr Koletti believed his wife was a 'straight shooter,' a competent and highly organised financial adviser.

But he now accepted the fact she was pretending to be honest and diligent while stealing millions from her family and friends.

'You now accept you too were deceived by Ms Caddick?' Mr Jordan said.

'Yes,' Mr Koletti said.

'How did you eventually come to understand Ms Caddick was a fraudster?' Mr Jordan asked.

'By paying attention to the court proceedings and listening to Her Honour,' Mr Koletti said.

He also wrote in a statement that he and Ms Caddick were denied food, water and medical attention they all 'desperately needed for 14 hours during the search'.

On Friday he conceded this was not the case.

Ms Caddick's family hold ASIC responsible for her disappearance, with her brother personally accusing Isabella Allen, the project manager of the investigation.

'How do you feel being responsible for Melissa's death,' Adam Grimley told Ms Allen, she said in earlier evidence.

Anthony Koletti (pictured right) has denied playing any role in Melissa Caddick's (pictured left) disappearance

Ms Allen said she didn't feel responsible as she was just doing her job.

Mr Koletti maintains he had no inkling his wife was defrauding family and friends of millions of dollars, nor did he ask her why federal police and ASIC were suddenly searching their Sydney eastern suburbs home on November 11, 2020.

It was the last verified sighting of Ms Caddick before she vanished without a trace.

Ms Caddick's Ponzi scheme victims, mostly family and friends, lost $20-$30 million she used to fund her lavish lifestyle

In February 2021 her decomposing foot encased in a shoe washed ashore at Bournda Beach on the NSW south coast.

On Thursday forensic psychiatrist Dr Kerri Eagle said she had assessed Ms Caddick as having a 'narcissistic personality disorder' but emphasised the caveat of never having interviewed her, and purely basing her diagnosis on statements and other records.

Facing exposure as a fraud and not appearing as brilliant as she projected, the intense humiliation could cause her to feel there was no other outlet than suicide, Dr Eagle said.

The inquest continues.
One of the contenders for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) is the Defiant X, an advanced vertical lift aircraft that offers a lot. This non-traditional rotorcraft could be a game-changer for the US army, which is looking for something more than a mere UH-60 rehash.

Types of Advanced Helicopters

Aside from the Defiant, the Bell V-280 Valor is another contender, but the Defiant's longer range, faster speed, robustness, and agility set it apart for multi-domain operations against constantly advancing enemies, reported Real Clear Defense.

The price of the aircraft allows the capability to accomplish these difficult missions within a constrained budget environment.

The Defiant has common similarities to the Army's prevailing workhorse, the UH-60 Black Hawk, which is an amazingly successful aircraft that has been combat-proven in numerous wars nationally and internationally, per Air Force Technology.

The ramp and hanger room for Black Hawks are the same in military posts worldwide. These facilities could be quickly reconfigured for the near copy of the UH-60, given its similarly sized rotor diameter.

Correspondingly, the Black Hawk's pre-existing servicing and training infrastructure, which is highly transferrable, would spare the Army both money and time.

Soldiers and service members who have trained on Black Hawks will instantly recognize the interior and similar interior of the Defiant X under the future long Range Assault Aircraft.

Pilots training on it, equally importantly, only have to learn the complexities of having to fly an innovative vertical lift aircraft.

Read Also: Justin Trudeau's Wife: 5 Things to Know About Sophie Gregoire Trudeau

However, the V-280 is a larger aircraft requiring a lengthy flight training program to learn to fly a new aircraft, a combination of a new fixed-wing and a new tilt-rotor aircraft, states Vertical Magazine.

V-280 Valor and V-22 Osprey Are Analogs

In the FLRAA, the Defiant is competing against the Bell V-280 Valor, but it mimics the V-22 Osprey, which has suffered countless problems over the years. V-280 will almost certainly be a major headache regarding safety, price, and upkeep, similar to the V-22.

For instance, since V-22's official entry into service in the military in 2007, the Marines have encountered servicing and design issues, especially with V-22's troublesome adjustable rotor structure.

Mishaps that cause major harm occur much too often. In the year 2022, nine soldiers had already died, including four in California and five in Norway.

Aside from fatal crashes, 2022 will see accidents that have resulted in at least $2,000,000 in property damage. Also include any additional injuries the osprey may have caused, including death.

Cost-effective, Less Maintenance Equipments

The Army needs to take note of past errors in aviation purchases. Leaders must be pragmatic about the budgetary restrictions faced today.

Bell Valor tilt-rotor necessitates brand-new, specifically made servicing, instruction, storage area, ramp infrastructural facilities, everything the military cannot invest in worldwide.

With the emphasis on budget and task functionality for the highest probability of victory, it is the right choice for the Army. This same Army requires a game-changer whenever the risks are this high, not a revised Osprey. Defiant X for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft will be better than a tilt-rotor.

Related Article: The Bell-280 Valor Prototype Has Flown For the Last Time Under the FLRAA Program

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
They'd committed the murder in 2007 - using a motion-activated bomb in a coffee cup atop a car parked at the Luxor hotel-casino

He was convicted in 2010 after a jury found him and his co-defendant, Omar Rueda-Denvers, guilty of murdering Willebaldo Dorantes Antonio, 24

He then escaped the prison from the perimeter fence near a prison tower that should have spotted him but had been unmanned for a couple of years

Duarte-Herrera had allegedly used battery acid to breakdown the window frame of his cell and created a dummy 'possibly out of cardboard' to trick prison staff

The 42-year-old was discovered trying to escape to Tijuana on a bus on Thursday after shuttle staff noticed something suspicious about one of their customers

A man responsible for killing a casino hot dog vendor, as part of a revenge plot more than a decade ago escaped from prison by using battery acid and a cardboard dummy to trick prison staff.

Porfirio Duarte-Herrera, 42, was on the run from September 23, but officers at the Southern Nevada Correctional Center only discovered he was missing the following Tuesday.

He was discovered trying to escape to Tijuana on a bus on Thursday after shuttle staff noticed something suspicious about one of their customers.

The 42-year-old was convicted in 2010 after a jury found him and his co-defendant, Omar Rueda-Denvers, guilty of murdering Willebaldo Dorantes Antonio, 24, with a homemade pipe bomb hidden in a coffee cup in 2007.

According to Fox 5, Duarte-Herrera had used battery acid to breakdown the window frame of his cell and created a dummy 'possibly out of cardboard' to trick prison staff into believing he was still there.

He then escaped the prison from the perimeter fence near a prison tower that should have spotted Duarte-Herrera but had been unmanned for a few years.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said Duarte-Herrera was convicted of a 'cold blooded homicide' and he had concerns for the public, his staff and people involved in the crime he committed.

Porfirio Duarte-Herrera, 42, had been on the run from Friday September 23, but officers only discovered he was missing the following Tuesday

The 42-year-old was discovered trying to escape to Tijuana on a bus on Thursday after shuttle staff noticed something suspicious about one of their customers

Duarte-Herrera had allegedly used battery acid to breakdown the window frame of his cell and created a dummy 'possibly out of cardboard' to trick prison staff

'He was serving a life sentence for murder after planting a pipe bomb in a coffee cup in 2007. It was an extremely calculated and cold blooded homicide,' he said.

'Because desperate people do desperate things we were concerned about threats to the public and the people involved in the initial case.

'We were also concerned about our officers stumbling upon him in their day to day activities.'

Federal authorities provided a hefty reward of $30,000 for anyone who was able to provide information leading to the suspect.

Las Vegas Shuttles told Fox 5 that police had come to pass out fliers of the escaped killer and to be on the lookout for him.

Within 24 hours, Duarte-Herrera, was caught attempting to flee to Tijuana, Mexico on a trip booked for 10pm on Thursday.

The dispatcher called authorities after an employee becoming suspicious of one of their customers and told the Shuttle Services General Manager, Gabriel Delgadillo, who quickly checked surveillance cameras to make sure it was him.

'I told her to play along, so everything as usual as possible, that I would take care of whatever comes after,' he told the local broadcaster.

'And that's how I explained the case to 911 and police do what they do but in the most discreet way possible not to alarm our passengers and cause any stress at all.'

In video footage of the arrest Duarte-Herrera can be seen wearing a red long sleeved shirt with blue sleeves and a dark colored hat covering his eyes.

An officer is heard asking the man to come and talk to him.

'Hey what's up man, hey can I talk to you? Do you have ID on you?' asks the officer.

A seemingly bewildered Duarte-Herrera tells the officer he has ID while another officer is seen ushering him away from the line onto the bus.

The second officer then begins to arrest Duarte-Herrera, taking his bag off his back and putting his arms behind his back.

The first officer is then heard saying 'don't be stupid' to Duarte-Herrera who is quickly handcuffed and put into a police car nearby.

The officer then asks accompanying officers to watch him and begins to probe Duarte-Herrera asking him 'who's idea' the escape was.

'Mine,' Duarte-Herrera answers with his arms handcuffed behind his back.

'I was going to go to Tijuana,' he said when asked where he was going.

The officer then proceeds to ask what is in his backpack questioning whether he has any weapons, Duarte-Herrera said he only had clothes.

'He was outside ready to get on a shuttle,' one officer can be heard saying at the end of the body worn footage.

Sheriff Joseph Lombardo (pictured), a Republican who is trying to unseat Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in November's election, is imploring Sisolak to conduct a thorough investigation

Gary Schofield, U.S. Marshal for Nevada, said authorities were continuing to investigate where Duarte-Herrera was and what he did between the escape

Federal authorities provided a hefty reward of $30,000 for anyone who was able to provide information leading to the suspect

Authorities said they are still investigating how the convicted bombmaker was able to easily escape from a Nevada prison without anyone noticing.

'The policies and procedure and all the failures that occurred on Friday and up to Tuesday need to be addressed,' said Lombardo.

Lombardo, a Republican who is trying to unseat Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak in November's election, said he was imploring Sisolak to make good on his pledge to conduct a thorough investigation to make sure it doesn't happen again.

'Infrastructure issues and prison system staffing issues, the ability for this individual to do it - from what I've been told - as simply as he did it is a grave concern to me and the entire law enforcement community and the community as a whole,' he said.

Lombardo, the U.S. Marshall for Nevada, and an FBI special agent said it was the cooperation of numerous law enforcement agencies, extensive media coverage and ultimately a tip from the public that led to his capture.

'Fortunately, and unfortunately, he remained in the area and we were able to apprehend him with the assistance of the public.'

Lombardo told reporters Thursday any information about the escape itself will have to come from the Department of Corrections, 'and hopefully they will provide you information shortly with the circumstances of the escape.'

When asked by a reporter whether DOC was invited to participate in the joint law enforcement news conference, Lombardo said yes.

Sisolak ordered an investigation into the escape after he said late Tuesday his office learned Duarte-Herrera had been missing since early in the weekend.

The governor's office said in a statement that he is working directly with Department of Corrections Director Charles Daniels 'to ensure swift action is taken to address the conduct which led to the escape.'

In video footage of the arrest Duarte-Herrera can be seen wearing a red long sleeved shirt with blue sleeves and a dark colored hat covering his eyes

A seemingly bewildered Duarte-Herrera tells the officer he has ID while another officer is seen ushering him away from the line onto the bus

Duarte-Herrera is quickly handcuffed and taken to a police car nearby

The officer then asks accompanying officers to watch him and begins to probe Duarte-Herrera asking him 'who's idea' the escape was to which he responded 'mine'

'Failure to follow protocol or procedures cannot be tolerated where public safety is at stake. Beyond this incident, addressing larger scale deficiencies in staffing remains a priority to the governor,' said his communication's director Meghin Delaney.

'Correctional institutions across the country are facing staffing shortages and NDOC is looking at innovative ways to increase recruitment at all facilities within this state,' she wrote.

Neither Lombardo nor Sisolak would comment on a KLAS-TV report citing unnamed sources that Duarte-Herrera used acid to help erode the area securing his cell window so he could climb out.

That report also said he had created a cardboard dummy to leave in his cell, and sewed a coat in a prison class, which he took with him after his escape. Officials were investigating whether he had an accomplice.

Lombardo said he spoke with the inspector general's office at the Department of Corrections, 'and I have confidence they are going to get to the bottom of this and employ resources to prevent it from happening in the future.'

Duarte-Herrera, from Nicaragua, was convicted in 2010 of killing a hot dog stand vendor using a motion-activated bomb in a coffee cup atop a car parked at the Luxor hotel-casino.

Records show his co-defendant, Omar Rueda-Denvers, remains in custody. The 47-year-old from Guatemala is serving a life sentence at a different Nevada prison for murder, attempted murder, explosives and other charges.

A Clark County District Court jury spared both men from the death penalty in the slaying of Willebaldo Dorantes Antonio, whom prosecutors identified as the boyfriend of Rueda-Denvers' ex-girlfriend.

Prosecutors said jealousy was the motive for the attack on the top deck of a two-story parking structure. The blast initially raised fears of a terrorist attack on the Strip.

Gary Schofield, U.S. Marshal for Nevada, said authorities were continuing to investigate where Duarte-Herrera was and what he did between the escape and when someone dropped him off near the transit center.

'He was able to get a little bit of money and a little bit of transportation just from specifically that area. Mainly he just kind of laid low and tried to avoid the public, and tried to avoid law enforcement,' he said.

Schofield said state corrections officials initially notified the U.S. Marshal Service regional task force based in Los Angeles, which notified his office of the escape Tuesday afternoon.

'That was the first time any authorities within Nevada were aware of what was occurring out at the prison,' he said.
An uplifting video shows a reporter in hurricane-stricken Orlando engaging in a heartwarming rescue of a woman who attempted to traverse the city's flooded streets in her car Thursday morning.

The heroic act, captured by the journalist's camera crew, came during NBC affiliate WESH 2's live coverage of Hurricane Ian - and has since seen intrepid reporter Tony Atkins hailed as a hero.

Posted to social media just hours after the heart-pounding rescue, the footage shows Atkins carrying the woman, who was reportedly a nurse on her way to work, out of the window of her almost fully submerged vehicle.

Braving floodwaters that reached up to his waist, the selfless journalist carried the stranded citizen on his back, wading through the current to bring her to safety.

If that was not enough, Atkins accomplished the commendable feat all while dutifully clutching the woman's purse, keeping it dry above the floodwater.

Photos show the full extent of such flooding in the city, where first responders braved overflowed streets in seven feet of water to rescue residents left stranded in Ian's wake.

When asked why he bravely rushed to the woman's aide - likely risking his life in the process - Atkins simply said, 'I just had to.'

Scroll down for video:

Braving floodwaters that reached up to his waist, the selfless journalist carries the stranded citizen on his back, wading through the raging current to bring her to safety - all while dutifully keeping her purse dry

Video shows a reporter in hurricane-stricken Orlando engaging in a heartwarming rescue of a woman who attempted to traverse the city's still-flooded streets in her car Thursday morning

The heroic act, captured by the journalist's camera crew, came during NBC affiliate WESH 2's live coverage of Hurricane Ian - and has since seen reporter Tony Atkins hailed as a hero

Officials have said that is extremely dangerous to drive through floodwaters and should not be attempted

When asked why he bravely rushed to the woman's aide - likely risking his life in the process - WESH 2'd Atkins simply said, 'I just had to'

INCREDIBLE: An Orlando reporter rescued a woman who was trying to drive through severe floodwaters this morning.



The woman says she was on her way to work as a nurse when she got stuck, so reporter Tony Atkins carried her on his back and out of the water.  pic.twitter.com/s8YSH5nBNJ  LEX 18 News (@LEX18News) September 29, 2022

According to Atkins, the woman - who was not named - had elected to take her car out in the early hours despite the dangerous conditions due to the fact that she feared she would lose her job if she called in.

'Our woman from early this morning made it to work,' Atkins, a former journalist in Milwaukee, shared in a update on the woman's situation Thursday.

'Her job as a nurse hung in the balance, according to her daughter,' he added. 'I got this message from her daughter today.'

The journalist's post included a heartfelt and grateful message to Atkins sent by the unidentified woman's daughter.

'So glad things worked out,' he wrote.

Posted to social media just hours after the heart-pounding rescue, the footage shows Atkins carrying the woman out of the window of her almost fully submerged vehicle

Atkins accomplished the commendable feat all while dutifully clutching the woman's purse, keeping it dry above the floodwater

The footage shows Atkins braving hurricane force winds as he carried out the thrilling rescue

With the purse still in hand, Atkins waded the two of them through the worst of the flooding

In a post to Twitter after the incident, Atkins revealed that the woman - who was not named - had elected to take her car out in the early hours despite the dangerous conditions due to the fact that she feared she would lose her job if she called in

The journalist's post included a heartfelt and grateful message to Atkins sent by the unidentified woman's daughter

The clip of the daring rescue, shared to social media by Atkins' colleagues, has since gone viral, with his coworkers and fellow Floridians touting the reporter's heroics.

'During our live coverage, our reporter @TonyAtkinsTV stopped to save a woman who got stuck in some heavy flooding,' fellow WESH staffer Caelan Dooley wrote in an impassioned post to Twitter as the video began to circulate online.

'What a hero,' she added.

Fellow reporter Marlei Martinez, meanwhile, echoed those congratulatory sentiments - while also pointing out that her colleague, despite the danger, saw to it that the woman's purse was also kept safe.

'My colleague, Tony Atkins, just did this! Incredible,' Martinez tweeted early Thursday, shortly after the rescue. 'I also love how he carried her purse the whole way too.'

The clip of the daring rescue, shared to social media by Atkins' colleagues, has since gone viral, with his coworkers and fellow Floridians touting the reporter's heroics

According to Atikins, there had been no law enforcement or others in the area who could of potentially helped the stuck woman.

He explained: 'I just used caution, and I just decided to slowly make my way out there and just help her out.'

The thoughtful newsman would then add: 'I'm just glad she got home safe.'

He has since been celebrated for saving the woman's life.

According to Atikins, there had been no law enforcement or others in the area who could of potentially helped the stuck woman

When asked why he bravely rushed to the woman's aide - likely risking his life in the process - Atkins simply said, 'I just had to'

In another post to social media following the incident, Atkins said he had seen other hospital workers, including an ambulance, attempt navigate the flooded roads and make it into work - and had subsequently nearly gone into the floodwater.

The journalist proceeded to warn residents of the current conditions in the city as the storm passed over Central Florida after pummeling cities on its southwest coast earlier in the day.

He shared a map he said he hoped would help others find a clear street.

'Ambulance almost drives into large ponding on South Orange,' the reporter wrote in a post that showed video of the emergency vehicle trudging through several inches of water before reaching a pitfall where levels were at least three feet deep.

'I really try not to offer my own opinion on news matters,' Atkins wrote, appealing to the local community. 'But I suggest there should be something alerting drivers of this ponding beside the tape drivers will only see as they reach the edge of the water.'

In another post to social media following the incident, Atkins said he had seen other hospital workers, including an ambulance, attempt navigate the flooded roads and make it into work - and had subsequently nearly gone into the floodwater

Those warnings from the ever thoughtful journalist came as Ian regained hurricane status Thursday after causing widespread flooding and damage across the state, before veering off land over the Atlantic.

At least 17 across several counties have been confirmed dead, with extensive flooding seen in Fort Meyers, Naples, and several other southwestern and central cities.

More than 2.6 million Florida homes and businesses are still without power as of early Friday.

Despite this, though, Florida residents by and large were spotted tempting fate by braving historic Hurricane Ian Wednesday and Thursday to wakeboard, wave American flags, and even swim in flooded cities - despite raging swells that reached upwards of 18 feet.

ORLANDO: Photos show the extent of such flooding in Orlando, where first responders braved overflowed streets in seven feet of water to rescue residents left stranded

A man carries a can of gasoline to his home in Orlando after the central city was left flooded by heavy rains from Hurricane Ian

Abandoned cars littered the flooded streets of Orlando Wednesday evening, leaving several commuters stranded on roads

Florida residents by and large were spotted tempting fate by braving historic Hurricane Ian Wednesday and Thursday to wakeboard, wave American flags, and even swim in flooded cities - despite raging swells that reached upwards of 18 feet

The offenders came from cities across the southwest coast of the peninsula, where the brunt of the storm, as well as Orlando, where rescue officials were deployed across the city Thursday to engage in various rescues

Photos show officials deployed in Orlando to rescue some of these citizens, many of whom underestimated the extent of the storm

Other people in the area flocked to take shelter or found themselves trapped on rooftops as water levels rapidly rose

The ill-advised antics saw some of the daredevils forced to be saved by rescue officials, after defying warnings from city officials such as Governor Ron DeSantis to stay put and wait out the tempest

The extremely dangerous conditions brought by Ian have left much of the state in shambles

The offenders came from cities across the southwest coast of the peninsula, where the brunt of the storm, as well as Orlando - where some foolish Floridians awoke to wakeboard or boat in the temporary surf, while thousands elsewhere likely remained trapped in their homes.

Photos show officials deployed in Orlando to rescue some of these citizens, many of whom underestimated the extent of the storm.

Other people in the area flocked to take shelter or found themselves trapped on rooftops as water levels rapidly rose.

The ill-advised antics saw some of the daredevils forced to be saved by rescue officials, after defying warnings from city officials such as Governor Ron DeSantis to stay put and wait out the tempest.

Meanwhile, the extremely dangerous conditions brought by Ian have left much of the state in shambles, as Georgia and the Carolinas prepare for the now Category 1 storm's second US landfall Friday morning.

The impacts of Ian, which made landfall in the beachside city as a Category 4 hurricane early Wednesday, has left officials to scrambling to address extensive infrastructure damage and likely deaths,

Some residents in the heavily populated city deployed boats to survey the damage done to their neighborhoods. Pictured are two such intrepid residents, astounded by an almost fully submerged Corvette

A stalled car is shown on a flooded street after Hurricane Ian caused damage and flooding in Orlando. Officials have warned residents in stricken cities against braving still flooded streets as to not slow officials rescue efforts

Citizens are pictured traversing still-overflowed streets in Orlando, where water levels were still up to their knees by morning

So far, the state has carried out more than 700 confirmed rescues, Governor Ron DeSantis revealed during a 7:30 pm press update Thursday.

The chaos has also also sparked looting in some areas, officials in Lee County revealed, resulting in the activation of a county-wide curfew that will effect more than 413,000 citizens.

Both the looting and ill-advised attempts to traverse the dangerous flooding seen across the state brazenly defied warnings from lawmen across the county that 'looting and violence' in the aftermath would 'not be tolerated' Thursday.

Officials also said that is extremely dangerous to drive through floodwaters and should not be attempted.

The storm is expected to make landfall in Georgia in the Carolinas after 8am.

Some Orlando residents elected to make the most of their current situation, taking to the water to wakeboard and engage in other aquatic activities

Roadways in the Central Florida metropolis remained hopelessly damaged and unpassable on Thursday, as it did in other cities along the state's southwest coast, where the brunt of the storm was felt

Boys skim board on a flooded street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando Thursday morning. Officials have warned citizens against such activities

A police car blocks off a flooded street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando on Thursday. the storm has since passed Florida and is poised to make a second US landfall along the Carolinas and Georgia

Parks and other public areas like this one in downtown Florida have remained closed in the wake of the disaster, which has been labeled one of the worst in state history
A horrified OnlyFans model has revealed how she thought she was going to die when she was left with breathing issues and 'knives in her lungs' after buying a vape on a beach in Bali.

Taking to TikTok, Annie Knight, from the Gold Coast, told her 844,000 followers that they should avoid buying a 'dodgy vape from a man on a beach' in Bali.

Ms Knight, who claims to be in the top 0.4 per cent of Only Fans creators, said the experience was the 'worst night of my life'.

OnlyFans model Annie Knight has revealed how she thought she was going to die when she was left with breathing issues and 'knives in her lungs' after buying a vape on a beach in Bali

She was holidaying in Bali with friends when they were approached by a man offering to sell them vapes.

Initially, she turned him down before later waving him down and asking for one.

The TikToker admits she ignored several red flags, describing the man as looking 'so stoned' when he approached to sell her the vape.

'I don't know why sirens didn't go off in my head like 'maybe don't get a vape from this guy',' she laughed.

Ms Knight spent $17 on the vape, before another man approached and gave her change.

Bizarrely, the men then stood watching Ms Knight opening the vape before taking the packaging off her.

She admitted the moment was odd but again said she didn't know why she ignored the 'red flag'.

Ms Knight said she went on to take around 20 puffs of the vape throughout the night before starting to have breathing issues at dinner.

Annie Knight said Aussies they should avoid buying a 'dodgy vape from a man on a beach' in Bali (pictured right with the vape)

She was holidaying in Bali with friends when they were approached by a man offering to sell them vapes

Ms Knight said she struggled to sleep because she was scared she was going to die

She told her friends that she was struggling to breathe and that her lungs were hurting and they told her to stop using the vape.

Later, she explained how she was hit by breathing problems as she lay in bed.

'I'm lying on my back and as soon as my lungs got halfway filled it felt like there were knives in them. It was so painful.'

Ms Knight said she struggled to sleep because she was scared she was going to die.

Luckily, when she woke up the next morning, the pain had regressed to just soreness before disappearing entirely the day after.

'I'm never vaping again, mark my words, never doing it again,' she said. 'It was not good, I thought I was actually going to die but it's okay I'm here and I've been given a second chance, but I am not vaping again.'
An infectious diseases expert has slammed the 'ill-informed' decision to scrap Covid-19 isolation rules - describing the announcement as a disappointing, disturbing and dark day for Australia.

National Cabinet met on Friday where premiers, chief ministers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to ditch mandatory Covid-19 isolation rules from October 14.

Isolation rules will remain for aged care and hospital workers struck down with Covid, but the decision of how long to stay away from the workplace will now be one for most Australians to decide for themselves.

Burnet Institute director Professor Brendan Crabb conceded Australians are now more immune to the disease thanks to vaccines and exposure to the virus.

But he believes it's too soon to ditch isolation rules following a winter wave of Covid, which he says is still 40-50 times worse than the flu.

Australians will no longer be required to isolate if infected with Covid, unless they work in aged care and or in a hospital (pictured, pictured wearing masks in Brisbane)

'It's a disappointing, pretty dark day actually. It's illogical and ill-informed and for me I find it distressing,' Professor Crabb told ABC on Friday.

'It's true we're much more immune but we just had our worst wave in July and August.

'We had far more deaths and much more hospitalisations than earlier in the year.'

'This notion that Covid is like the flu is just wildly wrong. It's 40 or 50 times worse than the flu for severe outcomes.'

'It's a different infection, it's an infection of the organs in your body or your heart and of your brain and of your blood vessels and it's leaving this long Covid burden that is possibly worse than the acute burden.'

Isolation rules were one of the last restrictions Australia had in place and is little cost if there's low Covid, according to Professor Crabb.

Burnet Institute director Brendan Crabb was distressed to hear that isolation rules will be axed

'One of the reasons given for scrapping it is this there's less Covid around at the moment,' he said.

'So why not keep it? Because there's less cost with it and, of course, it helps knock the top off the next wave. So it's a bizarre decision.'

He believes seven days should be 'realistically' the minimum isolation period as he issued a dire warning that another Covid wave will soon hit Australia.

'We're very much are going to have more viruses as a result,' Professor Crabb said.

'The whittling down of not just of the isolation period but of other Covid measures such mandatory masks and flattening of the vaccination curves have contributed to why we had worse Covid in July and August.'

'What's also really happening is very rapid evolution of this virus itself and the next wave has started in Europe and will follow here soon after.'

Up to 25,000 Australians will die this year 'because of Covid' who would have otherwise lived, according to Professor Crabb.

'(That is) a good 15 per cent increase on our normal death rate  I didn't hear that really stressed today and that's one of the really distressing things,' he said.

'It's a terrible epidemic that's going on at the moment. It's nothing like any other respiratory disease and I find that just quite a disingenuous line of discussion.'

Professor Crabb said aged care facilities will have no choice but to step up measures to protect the elderly.

'They'll have to because the community is not going to do it for them,' he said.

'They have to be more careful because the community is not going to do it for them.

'That's the big failing, it's all of our duty to protect the most vulnerable in our community.'

A leading infectious disease expert has warned another Covid wave will soon hit Australia (pictured people in Sydney wearing masks)

Professor Crabb wasn't the only high profile expert slamming the ditched rules.

Victoria's chief health officer Brett Sutton tweeted before the decision: 'Sleepwalking into Covid is not a strategy I would recommend. Still much remains uncertain.'

Australia is the latest country to join ranks with other nations around the world that have ditched Covid isolation including the UK and Switzerland.

Pandemic disaster leave payments will also be scrapped on the same date with the exception of people in 'high risk settings'.

Professor Crabb said aged care facilities will have no choice but to step up measures to protect the elderly. (Pictured, a woman wearing a mask while shopping in Brisbane on Friday)

Australia's response to pandemic The announcement that Covid isolation will be scrapped from October 14 marks the latest move by Australia to leave behind the pandemic. The country has slowly been emerging from a difficult two years that have been marked by lockdowns, hardline restrictions and border closures. January 2020 Australia records its first case of Covid after a man returns from China to Melbourne. March 2020 The first person in the country dies from Covid. Australia closes its international borders to the rest of the world. All returning travellers are required to undertake 14 days in hotel quarantine in a designated facility. Then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison recommends a number of measures be taken by states based on advice from health officials: - A ban on non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 people or more - Residents only travelling when it is essential - Strict visitor rules for aged care facilities - Social distancing of 1.5 metres - Strict visitation rules for aged care facilities including a limit of two visitors a day and preferably no children under 16 years of age - Lifting work restrictions on 20,000 student nurses so they can be engaged to help respond to the pandemic. April 2020 Western Australia closes its state borders with no interstate travellers, except for high priority workers, allowed in for the next 697 days. July 2020 Victoria and NSW temporarily close their state borders to each other. August 2020 Queensland announces it will close its border to NSW and Australian Capital Territory. January 2021 Victoria again closes its state borders to NSW. February 2021 Covid vaccine rollout begins in the country. The elderly, immunocompromised and healthcare workers are among the first residents to receive the dose. November 2021 NSW leads the country and accepts vaccinated international arrivals without requiring them to enter two-week hotel quarantine. Australia opens a travel bubble with New Zealand. February 2022 Australia reopens its borders to vaccinated tourists. Travellers are still required to wear face masks on planes. March 2022 Western Australia reopens its state borders. August 2022 Seven day mandatory isolation is reduced to five days. September 2022 Face masks are no longer mandatory on international flights. October 2022 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced mandatory Covid isolation would be scrapped for everyone, except aged care and hospital workers, from October 14. Advertisement

Mandatory Covid isolation is SCRAPPED for all Australians except hospital and aged care workers - bringing an end to 2.5 years of pandemic rules - but not everyone's happy

Australia's National Cabinet has agreed to scrap mandatory Covid isolation rules.

The mandate will remain in force for aged care and hospital workers - but otherwise will not apply to Covid sufferers from October 14.

'We want to have measures that are proportionate and targeted,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday.

Australia is the latest country to join ranks with other nations around the world that have ditched Covid isolation including the UK and Switzerland.

Pandemic disaster leave payments will also be scrapped on the same date with the exception of people in 'high risk settings'.

Australia's National Cabinet has reportedly agreed to scrap mandatory Covid isolation rules

The Nine Network reported the mandate will remain in force for aged care and hospital workers - but otherwise will not apply to Covid sufferers (pictured, National Cabinet meeting on Friday)

'We want to continue to promote vaccinations as being absolutely critical, including people getting booster shots,' Mr Albanese said.

'And we want a policy that promotes resilience and capacity-building and reduces a reliance an government intervention.'

Chief medical officer professor Paul Kelly warned scrapping the isolation rules was not an indication the pandemic was 'finished'.

'It recognises that we are in a very low transmission - community transmission phase of the pandemic here in Australia,' he said.

'It does not in any way suggest that the pandemic is finished. We will almost certainly see future peaks of the virus into the future, as we have seen earlier in this year.

'However, at the moment, we have very low rates of both cases, hospitalisations, intensive care admissions, aged-care outbreaks and various other measures that we have been following very closely in our weekly open report.'

Professor Kelly dismissed concerns scrapping the isolation rules and pandemic disaster payments would encourage infected workers to return to the office.

'We want to have measures that are proportionate and targeted,' prime minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday

Mr Albanese dismissed concerns scrapping the isolation rules and pandemic disaster payments would encourage infected workers to return to the office

'It is time to move away from Covid exceptionalism, in my view, and thinking about what we should do to protect people from any respiratory disease,' he said.

'This does not mean we have somehow magically changed the infectiousness of this virus.

'It is still infectious. This is an important epidemiological point: We can't look at isolation byitself. We need to look at those measures and the protections we have as well as other protections.'

The change follows a push by NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to abolish the long-standing rules.

Currently Australians in all states and territories must isolate for five days if they test positive to Covid-19.

'We need to get to a point where if you're sick you stay at home and if you're well you go out and about and enjoy life and that's where we have to get to as a country,' Mr Perrottet said.

'We also need to get to this position where people look out for each other, that we care for each other and make sure that if you're sick you stay home without there being a public health order in place.'

Aged care and hospital workers will still have to isolate but the rules will be scrapped for all other workers

The Nine Network reported the mandate will remain in force for aged care and hospital workers - but otherwise will not apply to Covid sufferers

The Australian Medical Association President Dr Steve Robson warned against the move on ABC News Breakfast.

Dr Robson said: 'I think people who are pushing for the isolation periods to be cut are not scientifically literate and are putting the public at risk and they need to understand that'.

'We're seeing a huge upswing in the numbers of COVID cases again. It's coming into holiday season when people would be travelling around the world.

'It's a period of significant risk and we're urging caution because we need to protect the health system.'

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said COVID needed to be normalised as a virus and be treated like any other respiratory condition.

Meanwhile, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said while case numbers were ticking downwards, caution was still needed.

'Right now is a period of low case numbers, low hospitalisation, low levels of community transmission, it's unlikely to be a better time than now going into summer,' he told reporters.

'But you've got to also be mindful of what might come next.'
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made her first appearance on the Supreme Court bench in a brief courtroom ceremony three days ahead of the start of the high court's new term.

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses are expected Friday at the invitation-only ceremonial investiture for Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

It was the official debut for her historic tenure, as she becomes the first black woman to rule on the nation's laws from the high court in its 233-year-history.

Harris, the nation's first black vice president, is just back from her trip to Asia.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who presided over a ceremony at the court that has seen deep divisions, announced the arrival of the justices and said he was 'pleased' to have Biden, Harris, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in attendance.

The liberal Justice Jackson is set to hear arguments Monday from behind the bench, as a member of the court's three-judge minority.

Order in the Court: All nine justices pose withe President Biden and VP Kamala Harris on the day of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's investiture ceremony

He gave a 'welcome back' acknowledgement to retired Justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer, who attended.

Also there was Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas. She testified before the House Jan. 6 Committee on Thursday, and according to the panel chairman maintained her view that the election was stolen.

During the ceremony the 52-year-old Jackson will follow the custom of every other new justice since 1972 and sit in a chair that once belonged to John Marshall, who served as chief justice for 34 years in the early 1800s.

Marshall also was a slaveholder, perhaps adding a special poignancy to Jackson taking her place in his onetime possession.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stands outside the Supreme Court with Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts. They took part in a formal investiture ceremony at the Supreme Court, where Justice Jackson is the first black woman to serve

Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson in April

U.S. Supreme Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson waves with her husband, Dr. Patrick Jackson, during a photo opportunity outside the U.S. Supreme Court

She joins a bitterly divided court

Roberts sometimes finds himself no longer at the center of key decisions now that the majority has shifted to 6-3 from 5-4 before President Trump took office

She is only the third Black justice in the court's history, along with her new colleague Justice Clarence Thomas and the late Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Friday's ceremony includes the reading of the proclamation appointing Jackson to the court. She will also repeat the oath she took when she formally joined the court in June, just after the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer.

There is also a tradition where newly sworn in justices walk down the marbled steps of the court, which sits across from the Capitol.

Jackson was confirmed in April on a 53-47 vote in the Senate, with three Republican senators joining all Democrats to support her.

New justices traditionally sit down in a seat used by Chief Justice John Marshall (1755 - 1835)

Biden had pledged during his presidential campaign that he would nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.

Jackson is the first justice appointed by a Democratic president since Justice Elena Kagan joined the court in 2010. Kagan was appointed by former President Barack Obama, who also appointed Justice Sonia Sotomayor in 2009.

It appeared Obama would get a third high court pick when Justice Antonin Scalia died in February 2016. But Senate Republicans refused to take up Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland, then serving as a federal appeals court judge. Garland, now Attorney General, will also participate in Friday's ceremony.

Former President Donald Trump eventually chose Justice Neil Gorsuch, the first of his three Supreme Court appointees, to fill Scalia's seat.

Biden's visit comes at a time of tension on the court, which this summer struck down Roe v. Wade.

Roberts ordered a leak probe following the leak of a draft of the ruling before it was announced.

Breyer told CNN's Chris Wallace that the identity of the mysterious leaker of Justice Samuel Alito's opinion draft on the overturning of Roe v. Wade, is still unknown.

'Within 24 hours the chief justice ordered an investigation of the leaker. Have they found him or her?' Wallace asked him.

'Not to my knowledge, but . . . I'm not privy to it,' Breyer responded. Wallace pressed: 'So in those months since, the chief justice never said, "Hey, we got our man or woman?" '

'To my knowledge, no,' said Breyer, who, despite being retired, maintains an office at the Supreme Court.

The court this term takes up cases on race-conscious college admissions, voting rights, and federal agency power.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the early morning attack

The area is populated mostly by members of the minority Shiite community

Students were sitting an exam at the Kaaj education centre at the time

Spokesman Khalid Zadran said the explosion took place in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of Kabul on Friday morning

At least 19 people have died in a suicide blast at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital city - with the victims mostly girls sitting an exam.

The blast ripped through Kaaj Higher Educational Centre, which coaches mainly adult men and women ahead of university entrance tests.

Dozens more people were injured in the deadly explosion at 7.30am in the Shiite-populated area of Kabul, according to a Taliban-appointed spokesman for the police.

The attack happened in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of western Kabul, a predominantly Shiite Muslim area home to the minority Hazara community, the target of some of Afghanistan's most deadly attacks.

'Students were preparing for an exam when a suicide bomber struck at this educational centre. Unfortunately, 19 people have been martyred and 27 others wounded,' Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

Men help one of the wounded as at least 19 people have been killed in a suicide blast in at an education centre in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul, with the number feared to rise

Relatives and medical staff shift a wounded girl from an ambulance outside a hospital in Kabul after students were targeted by the suicide blast

Akbar, a student who was wounded in the attack, told AFP that most of the casualties were mostly girls.

'We were around 600 (students) in the classroom, but most of the casualties are among girls,' the male student said at a hospital where he was being treated.

Families rushed to area hospitals, where ambulances were arriving with victims and lists of those confirmed dead and wounded were posted on the walls.

'We didn't find her here,' a distressed woman looking for her sister at one of the hospitals told AFP. 'She was 19 years old.'

'We are calling her but she's not responding.'

At at least one hospital, the Taliban forced families of victims to leave the site, fearing that there could be a follow-up attack on the crowd.

Videos posted online and photos published by local media showed bloodied victims being carried away from the scene.

The victims are lined up in body bags as dozens more have been injured at the Kaaj education centre in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood on Friday morning

A relative accompanies a wounded man in ambulance outside a hospital in Kabul. A suicide bomb attack at a learning centre in the Afghan capital on September 30 killed 19 people as students prepared for university entrance exams, police said

People walk through the streets of Kabul after an attack on an education institute by a suicide bomber

'Security teams have reached the site, the nature of the attack and the details of the casualties will be released later,' Abdul Nafy Takor, the interior ministry's spokesman, earlier tweeted.

'Attacking civilian targets proves the enemy's inhuman cruelty and lack of moral standards.'

Students had been sitting a practice university exam when the suicide blast occurred. Officials confirmed that among those killed were high school graduates.

Many of those living in the western area where the blast occurred are Hazara, an ethnic mostly Shi'ite Muslim minority targeted in past attacks launched by the ultra-radical Islamic State and others.

Abdul Nafi Takor, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Interior Ministry, was unable to provide more details on the apparent terrorist attack.

The number of people injured in the attack currently stands at 27, however there are fears that this figure will rise.

A hospital source said 23 people had been killed. A Taliban source said 33 people had been killed and that female students were among the casualties.

Security forces stand guard after a suicide bomb attack which killed at least 19 people and injured 28 more

People walk around the area where there was a suicide bomb attack in Kabul yesterday. Security forces were deployed to stand guard

Men in Kabul assess the aftermath of a deadly suicide blast that targeted students sitting entrance exams

A citizen transports one of the wounded in a wheelbarrow, with the number injured currently standing at 27

Guards at the scene of the attack in Kabul in which most of the victims were girls

Ghulm Sadiq, a local resident, said he was at home when he heard a loud sound and went outside to see smoke rising from the centre where he and neighbours rushed to help.

'My friends and I were able to move around 15 wounded and 9 dead bodies from the explosion site ... other bodies were lying under chairs and tables inside the classroom,' he said.

Karen Decker, the U.S. charge d'affaires in Afghanistan, condemned the blast.

'Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear,' she said in a message on Twitter.

The age of the students was not immediately clear, but private institutes such as the one targeted prepare teenage students in their final years of high school for university entrance exams.

The Islamic State group - the chief rival of the Taliban since their takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 - has in the past targeted the Hazara community.

The Shiite Hazaras have faced persecution for decades, with the Taliban accused of abuses against the group when they first ruled from 1996 to 2001.

Such accusations picked up again after they swept back to power.

Hazaras are also the frequent target of attacks by the Taliban's enemy, the Islamic State armed group. Both consider them heretics.

Many attacks have devastated the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood, with several targeting women, children and schools.

This is the latest in a steady stream of violence since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan just over a year ago.

The damaged exam hall at the scene of the attack in Kabul (pictured)

A woman arrives on a motorbike to search for a relative at a hospital in Kabul after the suicide blast in Kabul

A Taliban fighter stands guard in the Shiite neighborhood of Dasht-e-Barchi, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, August 7, 2022

Damage after the attack is seen in the educational centre which injured 28 people

People inspect the area after a suicide bomb attack on an education institute in Kabul, Afghanistan on September 30

Last year, before the Taliban returned to power, at least 85 people - mainly female students - were killed and about 300 wounded when three bombs exploded near their school in the area.

No group claimed responsibility, but a year earlier IS claimed a suicide attack on an educational centre in the same neighbourhood that killed 24, including students.

In May 2020, the group was blamed for a bloody gun attack on a maternity ward of a hospital in Dasht-e-Barchi that killed 25 people, including new mothers.

And in April this year, two deadly bomb blasts at separate education centres in the area killed six people and wounded at least 20 others.

Education is a flashpoint issue in Afghanistan, with the Taliban blocking many girls from returning to secondary education, while the Islamic State also stands against the education of women and girls.

Girls' high schools have been closed in Kabul in recent months after the ruling Taliban made a U-turn on promises to open all schools, but Kabul residents and education workers have said that female students have still been attending private tutoring centres.

Since taking over Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have emphasised that they are securing the nation following decades of war, but in recent months there have been a series of blasts at mosques and civilian areas.

Teenage students were among the 24 people killed in a 2020 attack claimed by Islamic State at a similar education centre in west Kabul.
A heavily-tattooed bikie associate known for being used as the 'muscle' at various outlaw motorcycle meetings in Western Australia would want to be remembered as a 'gangster', his heartbroken friends and family have claimed.

Joe Versace, or Joey or Jojo to his friends, was found dead inside a rural workshop in the Perth suburb of Gnangara, just after 4pm on Thursday afternoon.

The 34-year-old was shot in the stomach and the chest in a brazen daylight execution with paramedics unable to save Versace's life.

The killer remains on the run, police confirmed, with homicide detectives and forensic squads descending on the scene on Thursday night and cordoning off parts of Gnangara to investigate.

Speaking to The West Australian, one friend said Versace would have wanted the entire truth about his 'gangster' life to be told.

'He was a hard man but had the biggest heart for those he cared about,' the friend said.

Tributes are already flowing for Versace after he was murdered yesterday

Versace's links to outlaw motorcycle gangs in Western Australia trace back years with the slain 34-year-old previously being involved with the Rebels and the Comancheros.

According to The West, Versace spent the past 16 years in and out of jail, serving his first sentence when he was just 18.

Versace was charged with being a part of a joint criminal enterprise in 2015 to sell illicit drugs however the charges were dropped later that year.

There also appeared to be no love lost between Versace and the police with his Facebook profile picture from July 2021 showing him urinating on a police car.

Other photos from Versace's various social media accounts showed the heavily-tattooed man working out and going for a walk with his dogs.

Versace also appeared to be a fan of his namesake brand, posting a photo of a thick, gold Versace chain with its iconic Medusa head logo and even getting the luxury brand's logo tattooed on his hand.

Versace had the luxury brand's logo tattooed on his hand

Joe Versace, 34, has been confirmed as the man who was shot dead in a daylight execution, seen here urinating on a police car

The 34-year-old leaves behind one young daughter.

Social media was filled with tributes from friends and family.

'I'm lost for words ... I've had goosebumps ever since my last phone call ... I can't believe it,' one friend wrote.

'Joe Versace my heart goes out to you and your beautiful mother and family an amazing daughter. I love you Jojo, I'm so sorry.'

When another friend asked what happened, the woman who posted the original tribute wrote 'Joey got shot and died'.

Paramedics attempted first aid after finding Versace 'lying on the ground' but he was unable to be saved, police said.

Versace was shot twice, once in the chest and once in the stomach, with paramedics unable to save him when they arrived at the scene on Thursday afternoon

Versace walking with his dogs in Perth

Versace used his Facebook to post photos of his daily life, including this picture of a Versace chain

Detective Senior Sergeant Keith Neubronner said police did not believe there was a risk to the public but urged locals to stay 'vigilant'.

'We do not believe that the shooter poses a threat to the community  because at this point we believe the shooting was targeted,' he told reporters at the scene.

'We're still collecting information and intelligence with regards to the identity of the person or persons involved.

'We know who the victim is but we're trying to ascertain his connections to other people.

'We ask for the community to be vigilant and keep an eye out on exactly what's going on, and if they need to report anything to report it on Crime Stoppers.'

Versace is believed to have been killed in a targeted shooting

The man was shot and killed in Gnangara, in Perth's northern suburbs

Security has been tight around the area with residents of nearby Lakelands Lifestyle Village only allowed to go into their homes by providing proof of address.

Senior WA Rebels member Joseph Raimondi was spotted at the scene, hugging fellow mourners outside the police roadblock.

Raimondi (pictured right) was spotted at the scene consoling other people

Homicide detectives arrived at the workshop around 7pm on Thursday with forensic teams surveying the grisly scene.

Police are urging the public to provide any relevant CCTV or dashcam footage of the hours leading up to and after the shooting.

It has been almost two years since top Rebel member Nick Martin and one of Raimondi's closest friends was assassinated by a sniper while out in Perth.

Martin, the long-term president of the Rebels, was shot dead by a hired assassin as he watched drag racing at Perth Motorplex in December 2020 with his family.
Thousands of jobs are up for grabs at Australia Post and Amazon ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Australia Post is looking for 6,000 new permanent and casual team members in every state and territory, for a variety of roles.

Bosses are especially calling on school leavers and seniors to join for the festive period.

Australia Post is looking for 6,000 new permanent and casual team members in every state and territory, for a variety of roles.

'We offer certainty around shifts for the coming peak period and competitive salaries for a wide range of roles, many of which need no previous experience,' executive general manager people and culture Susan Davies said.

Amazon is also looking for 2,000 casual workers and is expecting an online shopping boom over Christmas.

It wants to have its 2,000 casual workers in place for November 25, which is Black Friday.

Roles would be available at Amazon's fulfilment centres and logistics across Australia.

The jobs would include helping to pick, pack and ship customer orders.

Bosses are especially calling on school leavers and seniors to join for the festive period

'Seasonal roles are great for those who want something shorter term like students on their summer break, while flexible opportunities are perfect for those who want to earn around their existing schedule or are looking for an additional income stream,' Amazon Australia Director of Operations, Mindy Espidio-Garcia said.

Amazon also has jobs available as part of its Amazon Flex program which lets people deliver packages using their own cars.
Animal rescuers are calling for the public to dob in whoever tied a badly injured dog to a tree and scrawled graffiti-like pen markings on his body.

The large male Mastiff was found abandoned and restrained by short rope but alive in Tovey Park, in the south Brisbane suburb of Boronia Heights.

The miserable and skinny canine had bloody 'puncture injuries' to his neck and purple marker pen drawings across his back.

It comes just one month after a dead dog was left tied to a tree a few kilometres away with a blunt force trauma wound in a deliberate act of animal cruelty.

The miserable and skinny canine was found alive but with bloody 'puncture injuries' to his neck and purple marker pen drawings across his back in Brisbane

The RSPCA called for the public to dob in whoever tied the injured dog to a tree, just a month after a dead dog was found tied to another tree a few kilometres away

The mastiff survived and was rescued by an RSCPA inspector.

The Queensland RSPCA issued a desperate plea for information about the injured animal.

'Anyone with information about this dog, or who may have seen someone in the area with the dog is urged to contact the RSPCA's 24/7 emergency hotline,' said RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Emma Lagoon.

'Its absolutely not ok to leave an injured dog tied to a tree. As for the markings, its plain disrespectful.

'As you can imagine, this poor dog is quite scared and is getting all the care he needs right now to hopefully overcome his ordeal and make a full recovery.'

The RSPCA also urged pet owners to let someone know if they were overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for animals.

'Please ask for help. We can help rehome pets when people have no other options.'

On the RSCPA's social media pages followers were appalled at the cruelty shown to the dog.

'I hope they find who done this and they get jail time,' a Brisbane woman wrote on Facebook.

The large male Mastiff was found abandoned and restrained by short rope but alive in Tovey Park, in the south Brisbane suburb of Boronia Heights

The body of a male American Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross was found on August 14 with a blunt force head injury

'This is why people don't like people, how can people be so cruel to an animal as loyal as a dog?'

'Not gonna say what but they deserve a lot more than jail time,' a Brisbane man wrote.

'Im praying for life changing karma for the individuals responsible,' another person commented on Facebook.

The body of a male American Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross was discovered tied to a tree in Bald Hills, north Brisbane, just over a week ago on August 14.

A member of the public came across the dog in the bushland across from Tinchi Tamba Boat Ramp.

If you have any information about this injured dog contact the RSPCA's 24/7 hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).
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The Queen of Denmark has revealed the decision to strip relatives of their titles was inspired by other European royals - including her late cousin Queen Elizabeth II - in a cull that will pile increasing pressure on Charles III to take 'decisive action' on the futures of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and his other family, experts predicted today.

Queen Margrethe, 82, has removed princely titles from four of her eight grandchildren, saying it is 'for their own good' - prompting a bitter royal row with her family redolent of Megxit when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit and emigrated to California.

The official reason was to allow the four children of her younger son, Prince Joachim: Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena, to live more normal lives, and follows similar moves by other royal families in Europe, including the Windsors, to slim down their monarchies, the Danish palace said.

Her decision has 'upset' her son and his four children. His eldest sons Nikolai and Felix - from his first marriage - have been branded 'playboy princes' because they are professional models who failed to complete their two-year military education after both concluded it was 'not right for them'. Prince Joachim insists his mother only gave him five days' notice. His first wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, said last night she is 'in shock'.

The streamlining of Europe's royal household began in earnest at the end of 2018 - a year before Megxit - when the King of Sweden used his annual Christmas speech to address why he chose to strip five of his grandchildren of their royal titles. In the Netherlands King Willem Alexander has slashed back the number of working royals to just five as well as the number of his palaces, staff, limousines and working heirs.

The Danish Crown's statement even addressed this comparison and trend, saying that the Queen's decision is in line with similar adjustments that other royal houses have made in various ways in recent years.

King Charles III is known to have spoken for decades about the need for the House of Windsor to be slimmed down. Margrethe, Europe's only reigning Queen, will also have seen her cousin Queen Elizabeth II's hard line on her son Prince Andrew, who was stripped of all his military titles and royal patronages in January over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and his multi-million-dollar settlement with Epstein's sex slave, Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Margrethe's move will pile pressure on Charles to speed up his plans - including making a swift decision on Harry and Meghan's future and whether Archie and Lilibet should be HRH, experts have warned.

Former MP Norman Baker, a leading expert on royal finances, told MailOnline: 'Why is Harry still an HRH? Charles says he wants to slim down the monarchy, but this must be real, not just superficial. He must slim down the costs to the taxpayer. It just needs it be him, Camilla, William and Kate and their children. The rest of them should get their P45s and retire or go out an earn a living'.

He added: 'The need to slim down the bloated British royal family has been clear for decades and only become more clear as other European monarchies like the Danish slim down as befits the 21st century. It is increasingly absurd that minor bit players like the Gloucesters and the Kents still come as part of the package'.

Author and investigative journalist Tom Bower, who wrote a recent biography of Meghan Markle, said: 'To save the monarchy from criticism, Charles does need to reduce the numbers. His big test is to neutralise the Sussexes venom, which does threaten his reign. The Sussexes problem is that their financial survival depends on spewing venom against the Royal family in their book and their Netflix series. Charles best tactic would be to threaten to remove their titles if they are disloyal'.

Some have noted Margrethe's warmth towards Charles when they met at Buckingham Palace on the eve of the Queen's funeral - and pondered whether slimming down their royal households may even have been discussed.

Royal expert Phil Dampier said: 'The King, who was seen talking to Queen Margrethe at his mothers funeral, may be encouraged by her to take decisive action over Harry and Meghan. The Sussexes have already been demoted on the royal website.

But Charles will possibly be wary of making too many decisions until he knows the contents of Harrys book and Netflix programme, both of which seem to be moving back in time. The Danish Queen has been decisive - but divisive. Charles will want to learn lessons and do things his way, but he cant put off decisions forever'.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 82, attended the 'reception of the century' at Buckingham Palace, which was hosted by King Charles and Camilla before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. The royal household in Denmark has drawn comparisons to Megxit and slimming down of royal families across Europe

Margrethe said her decision is so the four children of her younger son, Prince Joachim: Nikolai, Felix, (together left) Henrik and Athena (right), to live more normal lives

Prince Joachim's children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will all be losing their titles on January 1 2023

Charles III has long talked about slimming down the monarchy. Experts predict the decisions in Denmark could hasten the process

Meghan Markle cries at the funeral of the Queen alongside Prince Harry amid tensions between them and Charles and William

Charles is said to think there is no role for his brother in the royal family. His mother stripped him of his titles in January

Prince Joachim of Denmark said yesterday that he and his four children have been hurt by their grandmother Queen Margrethe's decision to strip them of their royal titles as he spoke for the first time since the bombshell announcement

Prince Nikolai said that he is sad, shocked and confused after his royal title was stripped 'quickly'. Pictured modelling during the Dior Pre-Fall 2019 Men's Collection show on November 30, 2018 in Tokyo

Felix made his modelling debut in February by posing in a series of moody snaps for jeweller Georg Jensen's new Reflect collection

Could MORE Danish royals lose their titles? Speaking in Copenhagen today (pictured) Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure. Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick. It was announced on Wednesday that the four children of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Joachim would be stripped of their royal titles and would no longer be known as His or Her Royal Highness. As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies. Frederick and Mary's four children - Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 11 - remain unaffected as they are direct descendants of the future King. However speaking in Copenhagen today, Princess Mary suggested that might not always be the case. 'We will also look at our children's titles when the time comes,' she said in an interview with Ekstra Bladet in Copenhagen today. 'Today we cannot see what the royal house will look like when it is Christian's time, or when Christian's time begins to approach.' Advertisement

And it is not just Britain's royals that will have influenced Margrethe II's decision. Her neighbour King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden announced in 2019 that the children of his daughter Princess Madeleine would lose their HRH status - with only the heir to the throne Crown Princess Victoria and her children keeping their titles.

The Dutch royal family has also been pared back significantly. King Willem-Alexander's brother Prince Constantijn, and his wife, Princess Laurentien, both work full time jobs and do not receive constitutional allowances from the crown as European royal families battle to remain popular and relevant.

But Prince Joachim, 53, now married to second wife Princess Marie, told Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet: We are all very sad. Its never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand. He said he had been given only five days notice of the decision. Prince Joachims four children are: Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena, ranging in age from 23 to 10. They will lose their titles from January 1.

The queens four other grandchildren, born to Crown Prince Frederik, 54, will retain their titles but when they come of age only the future king, Prince Christian, will receive government funding, a decision taken in 2016.

In Britain King Charles and his son Prince William, his heir, remain at loggerheads with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, especially over their security while in the UK and also whether their children will be Prince and Princess.

There has still been no announcement on any future titles for Archie and Lilibet. The Prince and Princess of Wales's new titles have already been updated on the Royal Family's website - but Archie and Lilibet's have not.

Following the death of their great-grandmother three weeks ago, the youngsters, who are sixth and seventh in line to the throne, are now entitled to be called prince and princess. But Buckingham Palace have refused to confirm yet as to whether this will officially happen.

And last week a spokesman for King Charles said it was unlikely that any announcement would be made until at least September 26, when the period of royal mourning ends. There has still been no statement.

Archie, three and Lilibet, one, became eligible for the titles on the death of the Queen under rules set out by King George V in 1917 limiting the number of royal family members able to claim a HRH title.

His Letters Patent -a written order of the monarchs wishes- restricted royals allowed to use an HRH title to the children of the sovereign, the children of the sovereigns sons, and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.

King Charles is widely reported to be planning a 'slimmed-down' monarchy during his reign, which would mean he could be focusing on his heirs - rather than his disgraced brother the Duke of York

Royal experts have said that Charles believes there is no longer a role for Prince Andrew in the monarchy, adding that the Duke of York will not be given any of his military titles again after he was stripped of them following revelations about his ties to Epstein emerged.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark at the main entrance to Frederiksborg Palace where she welcomes her grandchildren, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolaj

In 2019 King Carl Gustaf of Sweden (pictured) used his annual Christmas speech to address why he chose to strip five of his grandchildren of their royal titles

The decision affected the children of Prince Carl Philip and his wife Sofia Hellqvist - Prince Alexander, then three, and Prince Gabriel, then two (pictured)

Princess Laurentien and the King of Holland's brother Prince Constantijn (pictured together right) have full time jobs and do not receive royal allowances, appearing usually once a year in public. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima

Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix's mother says she's 'in shock' by move to strip them of their royal titles Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen (pictured) Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix - said she is 'in shock' over Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's decision to strip her sons of their royal titles. Nikolai, 23, and Felix, 20, along with their younger siblings Prince Henri, 13, and Princess Athen, 10, from their father's second marriage, will all have their titles of prince and princess removed from January 1 2023, the palace announced yesterday. 'We are all confused by the decision. We are saddened and in shock,' Alexandra said in a statement from her press advisor Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, reported Danish magazine Se og Hr. The statement continued: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracised. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.' Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Prince Joachim married his second wife Princess Marie in 2008, and they later welcomed Prince Henrik and Princess Athena. Advertisement

Buckingham Palace announced in January that the Prince would be stripped of all his military titles and patronages by his late mother the Queen. It is understood King Charles and Prince William were instrumental in influencing the decision.

And in Denmark the turmoil over Queen Margrethe's decision continues.

Prince Nikolai said that he is sad, shocked and confused after his grandmother Queen Margrethe stripped him and his siblings of their titles 'for their own good' as his mother 'says there's no good reason' for the move.

The prince, 23, will no longer be able to use the title His Royal Highness, after he and his three siblings were told by their grandmother the Queen that removing their titles will be 'good for them in the future'.

It comes as his mother Countess Alexandra's press secretary questioned why the change could not have waited until their wedding day, when they would 'lose their titles anyway'.

'My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone,' Prince Nikolai, Prince Joachim's eldest son, told Danish newspaper Extrabladet.

'I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this,' he told reporters from outside the Copenhagen apartment where he lives with his girlfriend.

Countess Alexandra, mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, 20, is also 'very sad' and 'shocked' about the decision.

'She can't believe why and why now, because there's no good reason.' Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra told CNN.

'They would lose their titles anyway when they get married one day. Her sons are young men so maybe they might get married in the near future so why shouldn't it wait until that day so that the titles would disappear on a happy day?'

On Thursday morning, the Danish royal household hit back after Prince Joachim claimed his four children were only given five days' notice that they would be stripped of their titles by their grandmother Queen Margrethe.

The palace said in a statement today that there are a 'lot of emotions' but that the decision had been a 'long time coming' and was designed to 'future-proof' the monarchy.

Prince Joachim, 53, the youngest of Margrethe's two sons, said his children Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, had been 'harmed' by the news that they will have prince and princess removed from their titles, and will no longer be able to use His or Her Royal Highness.

'We are all very sad. It's never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand,' he said in an interview with Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet.

Speaking at a function at the National Museum in Copenhagen this week, pictured, Margrethe said: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason'

Front: Queen Margrethe, Middle Row (left to right): Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik. Back row (left to right): Princess Benedikte, Princess Isabella, Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai in a portrait celebrating Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee

Countess Alexandra's press secretary questioned why the change could not have waited until their wedding day, when her sons would 'lose their titles anyway'. Pictured, Alexandra Countess Of Frederiksborg

Prince Joachim, who is sixth-in-line to the throne behind his brother and his children, was speaking outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his second wife Marie and their children Henrik and Athena.

Nikolai and Felix, who are both models, are the product of his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

Alexandra, 58, who was married to Prince Joachim for 10 years until 2005, said the news came like a 'bolt out of the blue' and her sons now feel 'ostracised' from their family. Her spokesperson also claimed Joachim learned the news through a royal aide, rather than from his mother directly.

Margrethe's other four grandchildren - Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and 11-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine - born to her eldest son and heir Crown Prince Frederik will maintain their titles.

The move has created an 'icy' atmosphere within the Royal Family, according to one local media report, and has driven a wedge between a seemingly united family. 'There has never been a public conflict between the Queen and Prince Joachim,' Danish royal reporter Kenth Madsen told FEMAIL.

Indeed, they put on a united front just weeks ago when they celebrated Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee.

Prince Joachim (right back), 53, the youngest of Margrethe's two sons, said he was only given five days' notice that Nikolai (left), 23, Felix (second from left), 20, Henrik (far right), 13, and Athena (second from right), 10, will have prince or princess removed from their titles, and will no longer be able to use His or Her Royal Highness. Pictured with their grandmother Queen Margrethe (centre) and Princess Isabella (behind Princess Athena)

The move is said to have driven a wedge between Margrethe and her four grandchildren. Pictured, the Queen (centre) with sons Joachim (left) and Crown Prince Frederick (right). Also pictured: Crown Prince Frederick's wife, Crown Princess Mary (right) and son Prince Christian (in his lap) and Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix (left) who will be affected by the change

Nikolai modelling a short and gloves and a leather bumbag for Dior during Paris fashion week in 2020

Queen Margrethe, 82, who attended the funeral with her eldest son Crown Prince Frederick, said she hoped the move would allow her grandchildren to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that come with a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family.

The statement also hinted that it is a move designed to streamline the monarchy - in echoes of King Charles' desire for the British Royal Family, and those of other European royal households.

Queen Margrethe last night defended her decision, saying at an event in Copenhagen: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason.'

It had been reported that Prince Joachim was first informed of the decision in May, however he has claimed this morning that he was only informed of the decision five days ago.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen.

'Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified.

His ex-wife, Countess Alexandra, added in a statement to Danish magazine Se og Hr: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracized. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.'

Her spokesperson Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen told another news organisation that Joachim learned of his children's fate via an aide.

Queen Margrethe spoke neither to her sons nor her grandchildren, it is claimed.

'The children have received the message that they are losing their titles, delivered by their father, just as Countess Alexandra was told by Prince Joachim,' the spokesperson added.

This afternoon the Royal Household released another statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'

Under the agreement, Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, and Athena will be known as either His Excellency Count of Monpezat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpezat from January 1, 2023.

However they will maintain their positions in the order of succession.

They are currently seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, but would move down if any of Crown Prince Frederick's children were to have children.

The bombshell announcement was made in a statement released yesterday by the Danish Royal Household.

It read: 'In April 2008, Her Majesty the Queen conferred the titles of Count, Countess and Comtesse of Monpezat on her sons, their spouses and their descendants.

'In May 2016, it was also announced that His Royal Highness Prince Christian, as the only one of the Queen's grandchildren, is expected to receive an annuity from the state as an adult.

'As a natural extension of this, Her Majesty has decided that with effect from 1 January 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim can only use their titles as Count and Countess of Monpezat, as their previous titles as Prince and Princess of Denmark will lapse.

'Prince Joachim's descendants will henceforth have to be addressed as Excellencies.

'The Queen's decision is in line with similar adaptations that other royal houses have implemented in different ways in recent years.

'With her decision, Her Majesty the Queen wants to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.

'All four grandchildren maintain their places in the order of succession,' concluded the statement.

Margrethe, who is the world's longest serving queen and celebrates her Golden Jubilee this year, is affectionately known as 'aunt Daisy' by European royals due to her close personal ties with many reigning monarchs.

Prince Nikolai, from left, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim and Prince Felix arrive for the command performance at the Danish Royal Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of Danish Queen Margrethe II's accession to the throne in Copenhagen, Saturday, September 10, 2022

Prince Nikolai of Denmark celebrated his 23rd birthday in August at home with his parents and siblings in Copenhagen. Pictured left with Prince Felxi, 20, Prince Henrick, 13 and Princess Athena, ten

Nikolai with his stepmother Princess Marie, siblings, and father Prince Joachim, on the balcony of Amalienborg palace during the Danish Queen's 78th Birthday in April 2018

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who will no longer be TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 23: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Denmark but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. They live with their parents in Paris. Advertisement

She is a first cousin of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and a second cousin of Norway's King Harald V.

She enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen, a distant cousin, and the Duke of Edinburgh, and shared deeply personal tributes following their deaths.

She was joined by her son Crown Prince Frederick at the Queen's funeral earlier this month.

The Queen seemingly enjoys a close relationship with both sons and all eight of her grandchildren, and makes regular appearances with both families.

However there is now said to be an 'ice-cold air' between the Queen and her grandchildren.

'There is ice-cold air between Queen Margrethe and her grandchildren after she decided that they will lose their titles as prince and princess from the New Year,' leading Danish publication Ekstra Bladet reported.

'The news, which has crushed both the four children and their parents, was not delivered by the queen herself.

'They have not been called to Amalienborg for a cold coke and an explanation as to why they must henceforth be addressed as counts and countesses. Not even that far.'

Queen Margrethe has a well-cushioned allowance, with the Danish Civil List granting her 800,813 a month, or 9.6 million for the year to run the royal household - including staff, properties and administration, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Net Worth lists her net worth at around 37million.

Around 183,750 per month is reportedly given to the Queen's children. Crown Prince Frederik receives the largest amount of this money, of which 10 per cent is given to his wife, Princess Mary.

Many of the Danish Royal Family's properties are owned by the state, and run by the Agency for Palaces and Cultural Properties.

Nikolai wearing a pastel suit for Dior in 2018 at Paris Fashion Week. Right: The royal strutting his stuff on the runway in January 2020

This includes the main residence of Amalienborg, their spring home of Fredensborg palace, their summer house of Grasten Palace and the hunting lodge Eremitageslottet .

The Danish Queen's personal properties include Marselisborg Castle, Chateau de Caix in France, and the royal hunting lodge in Jutland at Trend.

Prince Joachim lives with his second wife Princess Marie in Paris, where he has been working as a Defense Attache at the Danish Embassy since September 2020 - but when he returns home to Denmark it is sometimes to the Schackenborg Castle in southern Jutland.

The estate was the prince's private residence from 1993 to 2014, before he sold the property.

But since Prince Joachim and Princess Marie are on the board of the Schackenborg Castle Foundation, they occasionally return to live there for short periods of time.

In the summer of 2020, Prince Joachim suffered a stroke while holidaying in France with his family and had to be rushed into hospital for emergency brain surgery.

Prince Joachim's eldest sons, Felix and Nikolai, are Margrethe's eldest grandsons and have embraced a life in the public eye.

The 20-somethings, who both live in Denmark, both enrolled in the National Military Academy but dropped out before completing their studies.

They have enjoyed flourishing careers as models, posing for several advert campaigns and on the cover of magazines.

Nikolai caught international attention in 2018 when he walked in the Burberry show at London Fashion week, before a front row that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts, Zendaya, and Idris Elba.

He is signed to Scoop Models agency in Denmark and has been multiplying his modelling gigs.

Nikolai in a loose, tailored suit on the runway during the Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 in Paris in 2018

Nikolai has become a runway staple at every fashion show after making his debut for Burberry in 2018, left. Right, pictured walking for Dior Homme Menswear that same year

The grandson of Queen Margrethe made royal swoons in his official birthday portraits, pictured, before taking to modelling

He sent royal fans into a frenzy in February when he graced the cover of Vogue Scandinavia.

The 22-year-old oozed sophistication when appearing in the magazine and looked effortlessly stylish in a matching pink Dior jacket and trousers as he posed in front of a number of colourful flowers.

When he is not modelling, Nikolai is studying Business Administration and Service Management at the In 2019, Prince Nikolai began his B education at Copenhagen Business School.

Last year he was living in Paris as part of a school exchange, and could see his younger siblings and his dad more easily.

At the end of last year, he started training at the Royal Danish Military Academy to become an Army Lieutenant, but in October it was announced that he'd quit after just two months because it 'wasn't for him'.

Prince Felix chose to make his modelling debut for jeweller Georg Jensen, appearing in pictures and an advert promoting the new Reflect collection of necklaces, earrings and rings.

The royal is further down the line of succession, pursuing his own career path rather than being a 'working royal' was expected choice for Felix even before his grandmother's announcement, and modelling is certainly a popular choice for minor royals across the globe.

While they are growing to be their own person, Felix and Nikolai do attend royal events on occasion.

They both looked very dapper as they attended the celebrations for their grandmother's golden jubilee with their parents in early September.

Princess Marie with Prince Joachim, Prince Felix, Prince Nikolai, Princess Athena and Prince Henrick with Joachim's first wife's Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg in 2020

Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 only 24 hours after Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on Monday September 19

Queen Margrethe was pictured out and about for the first time on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. She attended a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel in Oslo after receiving the Nordic Association's Language Award

Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 last Tuesday, just 24 hours after attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and mourning events in London.

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 royal also paid her respects to the Queen by visiting her coffin in Westminster Hall the night before the Queen's funeral, and attended the Buckingham Palace 'reception of the century' where she was pictured chatting closely with King Charles.

On Monday, the monarch made her first appearance since she tested positive for Covid, joining Queen Sonja of Norway at a literary event in Oslo.

Queen Sonja of Norway presented the Nordic Association's annual language award to Queen Margrethe of Denmark at Nordens Hus before they attended a gala at the Grand Hotel.

Margrethe wore a vibrant long pink skirt for the gala dinner, which she paired with a navy blue lace top.

She pinned her hair tightly back and was pictured with a navy shawl over her shoulders as she arrived at the Grand Hotel.
Russian energy firm Gazprom clarified to Ukrainian energy provider Naftogaz that it can penalize for an arbitration claim. Recently the cost of gas for the Euro market shot up as fears the supplies that pass-through Ukraine will stop.

Threats of Sanctions Lead to Disagreements

In 2019, Naftogaz entered into a deal with a Russian gas firm to transfer at least 65 billion cubic meters of gas in 2020 and 40 billion cubic meters yearly from 2021 to 2024, reported CE Energy News.

Last May, the Ukraine firm proclaimed force majeure of Russian gas transfer through GMS Sokhranivka and the boundary compressor facility (CS) Novopskov, situated in Russian military-occupied land, quoting that its contexts made it impossible to operate, noted Off-Shore technology.

Instead, Naftogaz suggested transporting these quantities through a distinct point of entry. Based on the Ukrainian side, the Russian side might incur no additional costs as a result of the transit flow transfer.

But in September, the gas provider launched a new arbitration procedure against Russia's gas giant on the grounds of failure to make gas transit payments on time and in full.

In a remark, Gazprom said it completely rejects all of the claims of Naftogaz in the arbitral process launched regarding the transportation of Russian gas to Europe, demonstrating that services not delivered by the Ukrainian group must not and will not be paid for.

Lawsuit Could Result in Sanctions

As stated by the Russian firm, the Ukrainian energy provider had already refused to fulfill its transit commitments through the Sohranovka GMS for appropriate reasons. The Ukrainian company had also conceded to the fact of the non-fulfillment of services.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin Net Worth 2022: Does Anyone Know Russian President's Hidden Wealth?

According to the statement, the Ukraine provider is fully aware of its failure to meet its commitments. It will result in non-payment under the December 30, 2019 contract, even if Naftogaz of Ukraine proclaims a force majeure in Ukraine, citing Interfax.

The Russian gas company also asserted that Naftogaz's filing of a plea was an impolite move and a resumption of the Ukrainian firm's morally bankrupt actions.

Insisting that additional efforts by Naftogaz to have the dispute heard by the International Court of Arbitration can provide Moscow with legitimacy to impose sanctions on it and add it to the list of sanctioned entities.

In practice, this means that Gazprom will be barred from fulfilling obligations to sanctioned entities under completed deals, including financial transactions.

CEO of the Ukraine firm, Yuriy Vitrenko, reacted to Gazprom's allegations on Twitter, asserting that the declaration embodies Gazprom's disregard for the rule of law.

As said by Vitrenko, the firm has proclaimed force majeure in transit via entry point Sokhanovka since it is governed by Russian armed forces and has offered transit through entry point Sudzha at little or no extra cost.

Furthermore, it was stated that the Russian company could not use the force majeure stipulation exercised by Naftogaz to avert fee obligations imposed by the agreement.

The Russian firm acknowledged the option of the other gas provider to settle everything via an arbiter. Naftogaz exercises this contractual right which is not a hostile act.

Gazprom told Ukrainian energy provider Naftogaz their conditions for receiving payment is questionable and wants to digress how it deals with contracts.

Related Article: Gazprom Claims Siemens Energy Must Prove German Turbine Is Not Covered by Sanctions

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Melissa Caddick was last seen leaving her Dover Heights mansion in November in 2020, just hours after ASIC and the AFP raided her home

Melissa Caddick's brother has sensationally stormed out of court after he was scolded for 'pulling faces' during an inquest into her disappearance and suspected death.

Adam Grimley had been sitting in the back of the NSW Coroner's Court on Friday while Ms Caddick's husband Anthony Koletti gave evidence during the coronial inquest.

Deputy State Coroner Elizabeth Ryan interrupted proceedings to warn Mr Grimley over 'dramatic and distracting' facial expressions he was making during questions from counsel for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

'And if you are unable to restrain yourself, I will ask you to view the proceedings in the adjoining court,' she said, before Mr Grimley stormed out of the room.

Later Mr Koletti's lawyer Judy Swan was also asked to 'please control your facial expressions as well'.

Brother of conwoman Melissa Caddick, Adam Grimley (pictured) stormed out of a coronial inquest into the disappearance and presumed death of his sister after the coroner warned him to restrain his 'dramatic and distracting' facial expressions

Ms Caddick was last seen leaving her Dover Heights mansion in November in 2020, just hours after ASIC and the AFP raided her home.

Her husband has told the inquest he now accepts his wife was a fraudster but still holds the corporate watchdog ASIC responsible for her suspected death due to their 'cruelty'.

Mr Koletti was taken to a statement he wrote to the court on July 2021 about the ASIC search warrant conducted at the couple's Sydney mansion on November 11, 2020.

'I believe she died as a direct result of ASIC's negligence, cruelty and inhumanity,' Mr Koletti wrote.

'Is that something you still say on your oath today?' Dean Jordan SC on behalf of ASIC asked.

'Yes,' Mr Koletti said.

'I suggest your maintenance of that assertion demonstrates your complete loss of objective perspective in relation to ASIC,' Mr Jordan, said, adding it also showed he had 'completely lost the plot'.

'No,' Mr Koletti said.

However, he did accept the search warrant was justified at the time.

Melissa Caddick's husband Anthony Koletti (right) told the inquest he accepts his wife was a fraudster but still holds the corporate watchdog responsible for her suspected death due to their 'cruelty'

For years Mr Koletti believed his wife was a 'straight shooter,' a competent and highly organised financial adviser.

But he now accepted the fact she was pretending to be honest and diligent while stealing millions from her family and friends.

'You now accept you too were deceived by Ms Caddick?' Mr Jordan said.

'Yes,' Mr Koletti said.

'How did you eventually come to understand Ms Caddick was a fraudster?' Mr Jordan asked.

For years Mr Koletti believed his wife was a 'straight shooter,' a competent and highly organised financial adviser, the inquest heard

'By paying attention to the court proceedings and listening to Her Honour,' Mr Koletti said.

He also wrote in a statement that he and Ms Caddick were denied food, water and medical attention they 'desperately needed for 14 hours during the search'.

Mr Koletti in the past has targeted ASIC's lead investigator Isabella Allen and on Friday said he found her conduct 'cold-hearted, abrupt and uncaring'.

'Consider this, my client, at all times acted in a professional and perhaps distant manner towards both you and Melissa,' Ms Allen's lawyer John Sutton said.

'OK I accept that,' Mr Koletti said.

Mr Koletti maintains he had no inkling his wife was defrauding family and friends of millions of dollars, nor did he ask her why federal police and ASIC were suddenly searching their Dover Heights home.

It was the last verified sighting of Ms Caddick before she vanished without a trace the following morning on November 12.

Mr Koletti maintains he had no inkling his wife was defrauding family and friends of millions of dollars (pictured, Mr Koletti departing Lidcombe Coroners Court, Sydney on Wednesday)

Ms Caddick's Ponzi scheme victims, mostly family and friends, lost $20-$30 million she used to fund her lavish lifestyle

In February 2021 her decomposing foot encased in a shoe washed ashore at Bournda Beach on the NSW south coast.

Expert evidence has found Ms Caddick suffered from narcissistic personality disorder, and the shame and humiliation suffered from being exposed could have caused such intense psychological distress, and potentially suicide.

The inquest continues.

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The UK economy might not officially be in recession after revised figures showed it stayed in the black in the second quarter.

Initial estimates suggested that GDP fell by 0.1 per cent between April and June - but that has now been tweaked to 0.2 per cent growth.

As a result UK plc might not be in a technical recession - defined as two quarters of decline in a row - as the Bank of England said earlier this month.

However, the improved number for April-June was largely down to a grimmer assessment of the previous performance, with the economy still smaller than before the Covid crisis.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) now believes the pandemic triggered an 11 per cent slump in 2020, rather than the 9.3 per cent pencilled in before.

That once again makes it the biggest since the Great Frost in 1709 - as the post-First World War recession was 9.7 per cent. Previous revisions had downgraded the size of the hit from its initial status as the biggest in 300 years.

Rather than being 0.6 per cent bigger than before Covid, the ONS's latest estimate is that GDP is 0.2 per cent lower.

As a result the body said the UK is the only G7 country not to have clawed back the ground from Covid.

Initial estimates suggested that GDP fell by 0.1 per cent between April and June - but that has now been tweaked to 0.2 per cent growth

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) now believes the pandemic triggered an 11 per cent slump in 2020, rather than the 9.3 per cent pencilled in before

The Bank of England implied the UK was currently in recession last week when it forecast another decline of 0.2 per cent for the three months to September.

However, the new figures from the ONS mean that, even if the economy declines as predicted this quarter, it will not yet be in recession.

The ONS said the upwards revision was driven by improvements for the health and financial sectors.

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: 'These improved figures show the economy grew in the second quarter, revised up from a small fall.

'They also show that, while household savings fell back in the most recent quarter, households saved more than we previously estimated during and after the pandemic.'
A nursery has been forced to close by education authority Oftsed after a woman was arrested for assault and child cruelty.

Police said a seven-month-old girl remains in a 'serious but stable condition' following an incident at Kids Around The Clock in Chadderton, Oldham, Greater Manchester around a week ago.

Paramedics called police at around 3.45pm on Wednesday, September 21 to a seriously ill baby.

Oftsed has now suspended the nursery, with a notice displayed in the doorway announcing it could remain closed until November 7, so it can investigate the 'risk of harm' posed to children.

One woman in her 30s who was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and child cruelty this week has since been bailed with strict conditions placed on her.

could be closed for up to six weeks The Kids Around The Clock (pictured), in Chadderton, after a seven-month-old baby was taken to hospital after becoming 'critically ill'

A notice of suspension letter sent to the nursery reads: 'The purpose of suspension is to allow time to investigate our belief that a child may be exposed to a risk of harm and for any necessary steps to be taken to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm.

'We will regularly review the situation and will stop the suspension within this period if we believe children are no longer at risk.'

It outlines that the suspension runs from September 27 until November 7 - a total of five weeks and six days. The notice goes on to say that the suspension will be 'regularly reviewed' and can be stopped if it is thought children are 'no longer at risk'.

It adds: 'The suspension does not automatically mean that a provider is unsuitable to provide care in the future or that we will cancel registration.

'We only take steps to cancel registration if we consider that the provider is no longer suitable to provide childcare.'

A spokesperson from Ofsted said in a statement to the Manchester Evening News: 'We have suspended the nursery while other agencies conduct their enquiries. We are unable to comment further at this time.'

Police were called to the scene by paramedics with the North West Ambulance Service shortly before 4pm on September 21, to reports a seven-month-old girl was critically ill and being rushed to hospital

The child's parents are being kept updated and are being supported by the investigation team currently, police said.

Extensive enquiries continue to be conducted to establish the circumstances of how the child's condition deteriorated, with Oldham Council and Ofsted also involved in the investigations.
Victim's aunt said word of escape brought back the agony of her son's murder

Nevins has escaped twice from prison since he was sentenced in 2006

The 39-year-old remains on the run with links to Gateshead and Northumberland

The manhunt for a murderer who beat a disabled man to death is still underway four days after he escaped from prison for the second time in 14 years.

Lee Nevins, 39, is serving a life sentence after he was found guilty of brutally killing Lee Jobling, 20, in his own home in an unprovoked attack in 2006 while high on drugs and alcohol.

Nevins was jailed for life but escaped just two years into his sentence as he was taken from Frankland Prison in County Durham to Sunderland Royal Hospital with an injured hand in 2008.

He went on the run for a week before he was caught in Scotland. An investigation conducted at the time was highly critical of bungling prison staff.

The violent criminal is once again at large after absconding from an open prison in Derbyshire on Tuesday, September 27 nearly 16 years after being convicted of the murder.

Convicted murderer Lee Nevins (left) is on the run for a second time, after absconding from an open prison in Derbyshire. Right: Victim Lee Jobling

Nevins - who has a string of convictions for other violent attacks - was on temporary licence but failed to return to the category D prison in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Police say he has known links to Gateshead, Chester-le-Street, and Northumberland.

A spokeswoman on Friday confirmed he is still on the run.

He is described as white, of slim build, about 6ft tall with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He also has a tattoo of a Tasmanian Devil on his arm.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'HMP Sudbury is working with police to recapture Lee Nevins quickly and on capture he faces longer behind bars.'

HMP Sudbury in Ashbourne is a Category D prison, meaning it has a more relaxed regime and houses prisoners defined as 'those who can be reasonably trusted not to try and escape, and are given the privilege of an open prison'.

Mr Jobling's aunt Angela Knotts has blasted officials for allowing Nevins to flee for a second time and said word of his escape has brought back the agony of her nephews' murder.

Nevins killed Mr Jobling after gate-crashing a party he was having for friends at his home in Gateshead.

Nevins (pictured) is once again at large after absconding from an open prison in Derbyshire

Nevins, along with his accomplice Mark Lang, forced their way into Mr Jobling's flat where they mocked him for being disabled.

The pair then launched a frenzied attack on Mr Jobling who collapsed after being repeatedly punched and kicked in the head.

Nevins and Lang fled the scene leaving Mr Jobling lying unconscious and in a pool of blood in his flat.

Paramedics were called and rushed him to hospital but he died of his injuries three weeks later.

The horror killing came after years of Mr Jobling overcoming the odds to survive a childhood blighted by tragedy.

He was just six when his mum Shirley, who was divorced from his dad, died suddenly from a brain hemorrhage.

Mr Jobling and his two brothers went to live with his aunt and uncle, Angela and Garry Knotts, at their home on Gateshead's Leam Lane estate.

Then, at just 15 years old, Lee suffered serious head injuries after falling from a bridge while out playing with friends and spent two weeks in a coma.

The accident left Lee with brain injuries, walking with a limp and suffering from memory problems.

Lee Jobling (pictured above) died after a brutal attack from Nevins and his accomplice Mark Lang

With the support of his family, Lee battled on and, although he was not well enough to work in the months before he died, he had moved into his own flat not far from his aunt's.

On the night of his death, he'd invited some friends over to celebrate his newfound independence.

At his trial, which was held at Newcastle Crown Court in November 2006, Nevins was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars.

Judge John Milford said: 'For your own amusement, you bullied him, setting on him and causing his legs to be tied with wire.

'Later you set about him again, striking no fewer than 12 blows aimed at his head.

'The attack was prolonged and he was left in a dreadful state.

'You attacked him so you could derive pleasure from his suffering and suffer he did, of that I am sure. I have observed you throughout this case. Neither of you has shown an iota of remorse.'

When Nevins was last captured after escaping prison in 2008, he was handed a 12 month prison sentence to run concurrently with his original sentence.
Deputy head Carol Kilroy said the man was wearing all black and a balaclava

The youngster's school, Arena Academy, issued an alert to parents later that day

A 10-year-old girl was allegedly 'grabbed around the waist' on her way to school

A 10-year-old girl was allegedly grabbed around the waist by a masked man who then tried to drag her away while on her way to school.

The child managed to escape as she 'kicked out and screamed' which prompted the attacker to run off.

The alleged attack took place in broad daylight in Great Barr, North-West Birmingham on Tuesday morning and the youngster's school issued an alert to parents.

The school, Arena Academy, said one of its pupils had been grabbed by a 'man wearing a balaclava' who was 'dressed all in black'.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said they were investigating after a girl was 'grabbed by a man as she made her way to school' and that it happened on the 'grassy area in Sandy Lane, near Booths Lane, in Great Barr, at 8.15am.'

A 10-year-old girl was allegedly grabbed around the waist by a masked man who then tried to drag her while on her way to school in Sandy Lane (pictured), in Great Barr, North-West Birmingham

He said: 'The girl was grabbed around the waist from behind by a man who attempted to drag her. She kicked out and screamed and the attacker ran off.

'He's described as around 20 years old, tall and thin. He was wearing all black clothing as well as a black cap, leather gloves, big black boots and a mesh type mask. He was carrying a black rucksack.'

The spokesman said the young girl was 'understandably shaken' but was safe and being supported and that she had 'bravely' given a statement to assist the police investigation.

Deputy head of Arena Academy Claire Kilroy said in the alert to parents on Tuesday that they had been made aware of an incident that morning involving one of their students.

The school, Arena Academy (pictured) issued an alert where deputy head Claire Kilroy said that they had been made aware of an incident that morning involving one of their students

She said police were involved and that the school were in touch with them and asked anyone looking for further information or someone to talk to about it, to email her or call the police on 101.

The spokesman for West Midlands Police said the force are trawling through CCTV and that enquiries are ongoing and asked anyone who was in the area and might have seen the man described to contact them.

He added that fortunately incidents such as this were extremely rare but patrols in the area had been increased and reassurance and advice had been offered to the school.
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

A paedophile babysitter who raped an eight-month-old baby and sexually abused 15 other girls has sickeningly claimed he 'loved' his victims.

Jareth Thomas Harries-Markham, 24, faced the West Australian Supreme court on Tuesday where he was jailed for 18 years after pleading guilty to 141 child sex offences.

Harries-Markham, who was hired to babysit on a live-in basis, told a psychiatrist he had 'no memory' of the shocking abuse and did not know why he committed the crimes.

His lawyer, Amir Murad, said his client 'did love these children'.

Jareth Harries-Markham pictured) was sentenced to 18 years in jail after pleading guilty to 141 child sex offences

'He did become attached to them,' Mr Murad told the court, news.com.au reported.

'It was never his intention to cause them distress in the way he did or in any other way and he simply cannot reconcile what he has done with how he feels about the children.'

The details of Harries-Markham's crimes were so shocking that Prosecutor Brett Tooker became emotional and had to briefly pause while he explained the abuse.

Harries-Markham filmed and photographed the girls - aged between eight months and nine years - with the abuse occurring between July 2020 and August 2021.

Some of the victims were children who had been invited over to the homes for playdates while he was babysitting.

Some of the 12 families of the victims were present in court for Harries-Markham's sentencing.

Justice Stephen Hall, referencing to victim impact statements, said the parents had been betrayed by the 24-year-old, and were left with an 'overwhelming sense of guilt'.

Court heard Harries-Markham, 24, (pictured) told his psychiatrist he had 'no memory' of committing the offences with his lawyer saying his client 'did love these children'

The court heard Harries-Markham was hired as a live-in babysitter and used two websites to spruik his babysitting services.

On one site he claimed he loved 'helping bring up kids to be the best that they can be'.

He claimed he had more than four years experience, a Working With Children card, police checks, and a first aid certificate.

Harries-Markham admitted he had 'exaggerated' his experience.

'I'm a pretty easy going guy who is open to care for any age any hrs. Open to handling things anyway the family wants,' he wrote on one babysitting site.

Harries-Markham committed some crimes while the children slept, the court heard.

His lawyer argued there was no evidence to suggest his client became a babysitter to access children and said Harries-Markham might have been unaware of his paedophilic disorder.

Harries-Markham pleaded guilty to 141 charges, including 10 counts of sexually penetrating a child under 13, 35 counts of indecent dealing with a child and 94 counts of indecently recording a child.

He was served with lifetime restraining orders so that he cannot contact the victims and must serve a minimum of 16 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole.
A long-serving insurance worker has won an age discrimination case after his boss claimed he has been around 'as long as Pontius Pilate'.

Managing Director Shirley Bellamy made the remark to David Finch as they were negotiating a settlement deal for him to leave her firm, an employment tribunal heard.

The 66 year old - who had worked in the industry 'a great many years' - found the comparison to the ancient Roman governor of Israel who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago 'humiliating and offensive'.

Mrs Bellamy also asked him if he was going to have an afternoon nap due to him falling asleep at work because of multiple health conditions and suggested the heart attack survivor move his holiday forward as the Covid pandemic might prove fatal for him.

Mr Finch is now in line for compensation after winning age and disability discrimination claims against firm Clegg Gifford & Co.

The East London hearing was told the insurance veteran had been working since 2017 as a credit controller for the company at its office in Romford, Essex since it had taken over his previous employer.

Veteran insurance worker David Finch has won an age discrimination claim against his employer Clegg gifford & Co after his boss joked that he would not survive the pandemic

The tribunal heard he was 'obviously very good' at his job but suffered from diabetes and anaemia, medication for which made him drowsy.

The hearing was told that because of this Mr Finch sometimes fell asleep in the office leading Mrs Bellamy in early 2020 to repeatedly ask him within earshot of others 'are you planning on a nap this afternoon?'

Mr Finch found the remark 'humiliating and degrading', the tribunal was told.

In March of that year, Mr Finch was meant to be shielding due to Covid. In a conversation about sick leave, Mrs Bellamy suggested Mr Finch bring forward a planned holiday.

The tribunal heard that she told him: 'You should take the vacation now. Otherwise, you may not be around in September or October.'

Mr Finch believed that Mrs Bellamy meant he might be dead by then.

He emailed her: 'To have such a hurtful comment said...has only added to the stress and anxiety and uncertainty about the current situation.'

In April, the government introduced the furlough scheme which the company offered to many of its employees, including Mr Finch, which he accepted, with the alternative being redundancy.

A panel at the East London Tribunal Centre (pictured) found that Ms Bellamy's comments amounted to age discrimination and a compensation amount is yet to be determined

When workers were allowed back into the office, Mr Finch expressed his concerns about using public transport and coming into the office, as government guidelines suggested he stayed home.

In July, he told the company he was allowed back into the office but might face issues using the restricted public transport routes.

But in the same month, he received a letter setting out a settlement agreement with no previous consultation that also set out terms for redundancy.

Mr Finch replied to Mrs Bellamy - who herself has worked at Clegg Gifford for 48 years - and noted the offer had incorrectly stated his start date at the firm and remarking on his long service.

She emailed back, saying: 'You have received the maximum amount of statutory redundancy pay, and we know you have been around since Pontius was a Pilate...We will amend the necessary information and get this over to you.'

The hearing was told Mr Finch refused to accept the proposed settlement and instead replied with a series of allegations against Mrs Bellamy.

In response the Managing Director demanded he return to the office to fulfil his contract, following which Mr Finch resigned.

The tribunal upheld part of Mr Finch's claim of victimisation, constructive dismissal and part of his claim of age related harassment.

In its judgement the panel said: 'It may be due to the longevity of [Mrs Bellamy's] career, but it became apparent...that she has a complete lack of such as equality or diversity training.

'The picture we have got of [Mrs Bellamy] is that she can be somewhat thoughtless in how she expresses herself and in ways which we have now found can be, on occasion, insensitive at least.

'The Employment Tribunal is unanimous that the reference to Pontius Pilate is objectively capable of being offensive. By analogy, it might be deeply offensive to a Christian.'

Asking Mr Finch if he was going to have a nap was 'crass', the panel found, and in regard to the early holiday remark, it added: '[Mr Finch] clearly perceived that to be deeply hurtful and humiliating given how life-threatening his disabilities were.'

The tribunal also found that Mrs Bellamy was 'forcing his hand' and victimised him by demanding he return to work after rejecting the settlement offer.

Overall, 'these acts of discrimination were cumulatively serious enough to justify [Mr Finch] in resigning and treating himself as constructively dismissed because of this discrimination,' it ruled.

A hearing to determine the level of compensation Mr Finch will receive will take place at a later date.
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Two dedicated royal fans who were the first in line to see the Queen lying in state have repeated the feat to view Her Majesty's final resting place in Windsor Castle.

Anne Daley, 65, from Cardiff, and Grace Gotharg, from Ghana but who lives in London, were the first people in the queue, having arrived at Windsor Castle at 7.30am.

They had previously made sure they were the first to see the Queen's coffin lying in state at Westminster Hall.

Ms Daley said she felt emotional about entering the castle. She said: 'It feels like empty, gloomy. Nobodys living in it. You know, youve lost the Queen, youve lost the duke, you lost the corgis.

'Its like when youve sold your house and all the history is gone.'

Both Ms Daley and Ms Gotharg had been supporters of the monarchy for a long time.

Ms Daley said: 'My father was in the Irish Guards and he did the coronation. So I had an interest from when I was a little girl.'

Ms Gotharg added: 'I am from the Commonwealth so I knew the Queen before I came here.

Grace Gogharg and Anne Daley looking solemn while leaving after visiting Windsor Castle and St George's Chapel yesterday

Anne Daley and Vanessa Nanthakumaran were the first to join the queue to see The Queen lying in state in London

In scenes that replicated the lines to see the Queen lying-in-state in London earlier this month, queues stretched across the grounds of Windsor Castle

The enormous line stretched right the way through Windsor as tourists flocked to become among the first people in the world to visit the Queen's resting place after it was opened

Royal fans had been queuing in line since 7.30am as Windsor Castle reopened to the public for the first time since the Queen's death

The ledger stone in the Chapel is made from Belgian black marble and has the Queen's name inscribed in gold lettering, alongside the Queen mother 's, the former King and the Duke of Edinburgh , who died aged 99 in April 2021

Hundreds of people have been patiently waiting their turn to view Her Majesty's final resting place and see the ledger stone in the George VI memorial chapel

Members of the public walked slowly past the Queen's tomb, but they did not stop, as they had been instructed not to do so by members of staff.

'She did a good job as head of the Commonwealth. She was a good woman and a good mother. Everybody loves her.'

The pair, who became friends at the unveiling of the Diana, Princess of Wales statue outside Kensington Palace in July 2021, were among the first people to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall.

Ms Daley said: 'We waited at Lambeth Bridge on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, when we eventually got in at 5pm.'

They were among hundreds of royal fans who queued outside Windsor Castle as it opened to members of the public for the first time since the Queens death.

It was the first opportunity the public have had to view Her Majesty's final resting place and see the ledger stone in the George VI memorial chapel which is inscribed with her name.

Wrapped up in coats and jumpers, crowds waited patiently in the chilly autumnal morning, with bright sunshine beaming down.

Darren Martin, 43, from near Melbourne in Australia, was the next person in the queue.

Crowds were wrapped up in coats and jumpers as they waited in the chilly autumnal air to catch a glimpse of the beloved monarch's tomb this morning

Once inside the Queen's final resting place, the crowd shuffled round the walls of the chapel, passing the tombs of other monarchs and the main seating area.

Darren Martin, 43, from near Melbourne in Australia, is a royal super fan and used to 'fantasize' about his grandmother being the Queen

Royal super fans Sky London and John Loughrey were wearing Union flag-themed hats and 'Queen' T-shirts as they waited to walk into St George's Chapel

Soldiers from the Scots Guards, in their distinctive bearskin hats, treated visitors to a photo opportunity as they marched into Windsor Castle on Thursday morning

Inside the grounds of Windsor Castle, the queue into St George's Chapel was long, running the whole way along the outside of the building. Signs saying 'no photography' were plastered on many posts and pillars.

He travelled to the UK two weeks ago because of the Queens death.

Mr Martin said: 'I arrived in time to do the queue and camped out for the funeral. Ive driven all the way to Balmoral, Holyroodhouse and Sandringham.

'I then had a little bit of a holiday in Sussex and Cornwall. Ive come here today for my final send-off before I go back home.

'She was somebody that I admired very much for her service, everything that she did and everything she stood for.

'My grandparents liked the royal family. My grandmother reminded me of the Queen. As a child I fantasised about my own grandmother being the Queen and that stood with my throughout my life.'

In 2013 Mr Martin brought his two 85-year-old grandparents to the UK and they visited many of the royal sites.

He said: 'Its been quite an emotional experience coming back, but I think it was just something I felt really deeply and strongly about doing.

Members of the public wrapped in blankets wait in the queue to pay their respects

Members of the public file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall

People queue to pay their respects to the Queen lying in state at the Palace of Westminster

A satellite image shows queues of people waiting to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth while she was lying in state

The pallbearing team of eight Grenadier Guards inched their way up the steps of St George's Chapel in Windsor and were followed by members of the Royal family

Her name was inscribed alongside that of her father George VI, Elizabeth the Queen Mother and that of her beloved late husband Philip who died last year

'It wouldnt have been the same just sitting at home watching everything on TV. I felt strongly enough to be here in person.'

Inside the grounds of Windsor Castle, the queue into St George's Chapel was long, running the whole way along the outside of the building.

Signs saying "no photography" were plastered on many posts and pillars.

Once inside, the crowd shuffled round the walls of the chapel, passing the tombs of other monarchs and the main seating area.

After looping round the front of the building, they entered the back part of the chapel.

There, on the left, in a tomb behind a black railing, lies Queen Elizabeth II.

Her gravestone is black with gold writing and several wreaths with flowers of various colours remain on top and around it.

Members of the public walked slowly past the tomb, but they did not stop, as they had been instructed not to do so by members of staff.

The queue then proceeded slowly through the chapel, past the altar and over tombstones of other previous monarchs.

Ms Gotharg and Ms Daley said it was 'sad' and 'emotional' to see the Queens gravestone.

Ms Gotharg said: 'It was sad to see her lying down there, like we saw in Westminster. It was so emotional.

'Im so glad Ive seen her for the last time.'

Ms Daley added: 'Thats finality, seeing the gravestone. It confirms to you that thats it over and done. Elizabeth II... thats her reign finished.'
A pensioner has been urged to finally reveal where he hid the bodies of his lover and their three-year-old son as he was jailed for the rest of his life after being found guilty of murdering them more than 45 years ago.

William MacDowell, 80, was convicted by a jury at the High Court at Inverness of killing both Renee MacRae and their infant son Andrew in November 1976.

Police have never found the bodies of the 36-year-old mother or her son, three, and yesterday - speaking outside court - Mrs MacRae's sister, Morag Govans, appealed directly to MacDowell to break his silence.

'The passage of time has not eased the anguish we feel, we have never been able to lay Renee and Andrew to rest or properly mourn their loss. Not knowing where their remains lie only compounds the pain.

'Thinking of the terror they both must have felt before they died continues to haunt us.

'We will never comprehend why their lives had to be taken in such a calculated and callous manner by William MacDowell. If he has a shred of decency in his body, he will now reveal where they both lie.'

Murderer William MacDowell with wife Rosemary at Inverness court today before the jury delivered its verdict

William MacDowell, 80, has been found guilty murdering 36-year-old Renee MacRae (left) and their son Andrew (right) at a layby south of Inverness on November 12, 1976

The High Court in Inverness has previously been told by Alex Prentice KC, prosecuting, that the now 80-year-old William MacDowell (pictured) was the only man with the motive to kill because of the risk of his more than four-year affair with Mrs MacRae being exposed and him losing everything

Passing sentence after MacDowell was found guilty of murder at the High Court at Inverness, judge Lord Armstrong told him: 'These murders appear to have been premediated, planned and carried out in the most calculated way - not a spontaneous event or spur of the moment.'

He added: 'These appear, in effect, to have been executions. You murdered your victims and then disposed of their bodies and personal effects, including the boy's pushchair. You then took steps to conceal the crimes you had committed.'

As well as being convicted of the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae, MacDowell was also found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice by disposing of their bodies and personal effects.

Mrs MacRae, who was separated from her husband, had been having an affair with married MacDowell at the time she and Andrew disappeared.

However, MacDowell's wife, Rosemary, stood by him and even pushed him into court earlier today in his wheelchair.

The court heard that MacDowell, of Penrith, Cumbria, had killed or abducted Mrs MacRae and her son at a layby on the A9 near Dalmagarry on November 12 1976.

Their BMW car was discovered on fire in a lay-by near Dalmagarry later that evening. Neither Renee nor Andrew have been seen since and their bodies have never been found.

MacDowell was arrested in September 2019 after an extensive review and re-investigation carried out by detectives from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team and local officers, building on decades of work carried out since 1976.

The enquiry also involved a major operation in 2019 to drain and forensically search Leanach Quarry near Inverness for evidence.

This involved removing more than 100,000 tonnes of material, with more than 5,000 tonnes subject to a thorough search by specialist officers over a five month period.

However, no evidence was found at the site.

Poignant: A photo was previously released showing Renee had packed up possessions, ready to start a new life

The hunt to bring Renee MacRae's killer to justice began in November 1976 when her unoccupied BMW was found ablaze in a Highland lay-by

The two women in Bill MacDowell's life - Renee MacRae (left) and Rosemary MacDowell at a New Year party in 1973

William MacDowell was the biological father of Andrew Macrae, who he was found guilty of murdering

William MacDowell alongside his wife Rosemary MacDowell at the High Court at the Inverness Justice Centre. He has been sentenced to life in prison with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 30 years for killing Renee and Andrew MacRae in November 1976

Renee Macrae and her son Andrew who have been missing since 1976. MacDowell was today convicted of their murders

William MacDowell (left) and his wife Rosemary (right). He was today convicted of the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Geddes said: 'Renee and Andrew's family, and friends, have waited decades for justice and I hope that the outcome in court today can provide some form of closure for them.

'They have carried themselves with absolute dignity throughout and they are very much in my thoughts today.

'The murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae have had a significant impact on people in Inverness, and beyond for decades.

'It is fitting to know that despite the passage of time, justice has finally been served.'

He added: 'Although justice has now been done, Renee and Andrew's bodies have not been found and I would urge anyone who may have information about where they are to come forward so they can be provided with the dignity they deserve.

'In particular I would appeal directly to William McDowell to speak to us and allow to bring closure to their family.'

The now 80-year-old killed Mrs MacRae, whom he admitted repeatedly lying to during their four-year affair, and their child Andrew at a layby near Dalmagarry on the A9, about 12 miles south of Inverness.

A huge police investigation was launched after their disappearance, with road blocks set up on the busy road in an attempt to find as many witnesses as possible.

But despite this, and investigations in 1986, 2004 and 2018, the remains of Renee and Andrew have never been found.

Operation Abermule, the latest investigation, was set up to find the murderer and to discover the resting place of the pair's bodies almost 46 years after the crime.

So far, it has only achieved one of its aims - with MacDowell convicted of the two murders.

But Mr Geddes said he would 'remain optimistic' that the bodies could still be found.

He said: 'We set out with that as our objective and we, the organisation, whoever comes after me, will not give up on that until there is no longer any hope.

'And there is hope at the moment, so we'll remain optimistic.'

Debris taken from the emptied Leanach Quarry near Inverness which was searched as part of the investigation into the mother and son's disappearance

On the night of their disappearance, a farmers wife told the police she heard a blood-curdling scream

The next step will be to 'attempt some re-engagement' with MacDowell and 'see if he's willing to speak', the officer added.

MacDowell, who was married while having a relationship with Mrs MacRae, who was separated from her husband, had been trying to keep their affair secret.

Mr Geddes said: 'The motive we have was because the pressure was increasing on his lifestyle, or at least the circumstances that might affect his lifestyle as it was at the time, and that he had to take action to maintain that lifestyle and maintain that standard of living he had which was clearly a good standard of living at the time.'

He added: 'We'd love to know more answers for the sake of the family, whether they want to know the details of what happened down there.

'But, as an investigator, we'd love to know every fact and every part of the circumstances that happened.'

The latest investigation, and subsequent court case, has involved more than 1,500 witnesses, many of them either deceased or no longer able to give evidence in court.

A photo of pushchair identical to that owned by Mrs Macrae was released by police, in a bid to try and find her

A Northern Police appeal poster from late 1976. For decades the case was Scotland's most baffling unsolved murder mystery

'There is no doubt that the team that we had from 2018 onwards uncovered evidence that hadn't been focused on before,' Mr Geddes said.

'We have certainly improved the known circumstances around Friday November 12 and beyond.

The police officer said he could 'sympathise with lots of frustrations why it's taken so long' for a conviction.

But he stressed: 'We have now achieved what we set out to achieve in 2018.

'And that's in no small measure to what was carried out in 1976, 1987, 2004 onwards. That all helped us get to this point.'

Lord Armstrong had earlier told the jury if they find MacDowell not guilty - or that the case is not proven - the 80-year-old will not be able to be tried again unless there are exceptional circumstances.

MacDowell lodged two defences - one of alibi, that he was elsewhere at the time, including in the Mercury Motor Inn with three colleagues before going home.

The other, incrimination, alleges that if the murders did happen, they were committed by Mrs MacRae's estranged husband Gordon MacRae acting with others.
Putin's television stooges have pounced on a new conspiracy theory that it was British divers who were behind the mysterious gas pipeline bombings in the Baltic Sea.

The theory is the latest effort by Kremlin propagandists to shift blame and spread confusion over the attacks on the Nord Stream pipeline, which Russia called the result of state-sponsored 'terrorism'.

A sharp drop in pressure on both pipelines was registered on Sept 26 and seismologists detected explosions, triggering a wave of speculation about who might have sabotaged one of Russia's most important energy corridors.

The European Union said it suspected sabotage caused the damage to the Gazprom-led Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in Swedish and Danish waters. The White House has dismissed Russian allegations it was behind the incidents.

And now presenter Olga Skabeyeva, known as Putin's 'Iron Doll' propagandist, has employed the usual conspiracy theorist's playbook of raising a lot of questions that do not require support or evidence to cast suspicion on Britain.

'If you look at the military activity in the bombing area, there are a lot of coincidences,' she told viewers. 'Watch your hands, as they say.'

TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva claimed that British scuba diving exercises were going on over three days right next to the Nord Stream gas pipeline when the sabotage occurred

She was employing the usual conspiracy theorist's playbook to raise a lot of questions that do not require support or evidence to cast suspicion on Britain

The blasts have resulted in thousands of tons of natural gas leaking into the Baltic Sea, causing a dangerous swell that has disrupted shipping and may cause an environmental catastrophe if the leak cannot be stopped

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the 'sabotage' against Nord Stream is an 'act of international terrorism'

Without citing any evidence, Skabeyeva said: 'On the morning after the explosion, a report came to the White House that British scuba diving exercises were going on for the third day right next to the Nord Stream.

'The same day London rewarded them for some kind of combat merit in carrying outan important exercise in foreign territorial waters, whatever that means.

'A few weeks before the explosion, an American military helicopter circled tightly over the scene.

'Yes and the blast site is just a hushed up place for exercises, it is where Denmark and NATO train regularly.

'In June the US boasted of successes in the field of underwater drones, which were tested.

'Where? Again at the same location.

'Now Pentagon chief [Lloyd] Austin is offering Denmark and Sweden his help in the investigation.

'And all of a sudden the Western media is trying hard to push the idea into the minds of the general public that the gas explosions were caused by the Kremlin, which of course benefits Gazprom.'

There have been accusations that US President Joe Biden is responsible for the Nord Stream attack, citing his statement in early February that he would bring Nord Stream 'to an end' should Russian troops and tanks enter Ukraine

She said there was 'no proof' the British were behind the underwater bombing bit it was 'highly likely'.

The attacks have prompted Italy to strengthen naval surveillance and controls on the pipelines bringing gas to Mediterranean country from the south and east, two senior officials told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Russia's top spy said on Friday that Moscow had intelligence indicating that the West was behind what he said was a 'terrorist act' against the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea.

'We have materials that point to a Western trace in the organisation and implementation of these terrorist acts,' Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), was shown telling reporters on state television.

The spy chief's remarks are the most direct public accusation against the West from a senior Russian official. He did not say what evidence Russia had, but said the West was trying to obscure who carried out the attack.

'The West is doing everything to hide the true perpetrators and organisers of this international terrorist act,' Naryshkin said. The SVR is the direct successor to the once mighty First Chief Directorate of the Soviet-era KGB.

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the 'unprecedented sabotage' against the Nord Stream gas pipelines was 'an act of international terrorism.'

The Kremlin declined to comment on Naryshkin's remarks but said there needed to be a thorough international investigation into the incidents.

Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)

Despite Putin's remarks yesterday in phone call with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, the attack is widely thought to have been orchestrated by Russia.

Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said it was 'very obvious' who was behind it, but did not say who that was.

NATO said the explosions looked like a reckless and irresponsible act of sabotage, and that any deliberate attack against infrastructure of countries in the Western alliance would be met by a 'united and determined response'.

Sweden's energy minister said on Friday it was 'very likely' that the attack on the pipelines was done on purpose by a state actor.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'This looks like an act of terrorism, possibly on a state level.

'It is very difficult to imagine that such an act of a terrorism could have happened without the involvement of a state of some kind'.

Since the ruptures were first detected earlier this week, officials in Moscow have hinted that the West, led by the US could be behind the attack. On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Washington stood to gain from the pipelines being disrupted.

Neither Nord Stream 1 or 2 were in operation when the ruptures were discovered on Monday, but both contained gas. Nord Stream AG, the operator for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, said it expects the gas leak to stop by Monday, but that it has not been able to access the area to assess the damage.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign official papers on Friday to annex four more Ukrainian regions following referendums, which Ukraine and the West denounced as fraudulent.

Officials with Russian sponsorship had earlier stated that the five-day referendum in the Moscow-controlled areas of Luhansk and Donetsk in the east, as well as southern cities of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, had virtually 100 percent public support.

Re-enacting Crimea Annexation

The Russian president will deliver a significant address via a ceremony in the Kremlin, according to BBC. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the "pseudo-referendums" were futile and did not alter the course of events.

He remarked that the "territorial integrity of Ukraine will be restored" and Kyiv will take drastic measures if Russia formally accepts the voting outcome. There was no independent oversight of the Russian voting process, and armed troops were seen accompanying election workers as they went door to door.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the signing ceremony "on incorporating the new territories into Russia" will be held on Friday in the St.George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Separate agreements will be made with the two Russian-backed separatist leaders in the east and south.

The annexation accords will be legally ratified by Russia's two chambers of parliament next week, as they did with Crimea. On October 4, three days before his 70th birthday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to speak in the upper chamber of parliament.

Officials from the Russian government have said that the four regions will be protected by Moscow's nuclear shield when they become officially part of Russia, per Reuters. Vladimir Putin vowed to use all available methods, including nuclear weapons, to defend what he saw to be Russian territory.

Putin claims that Russian territory is being attacked by Western weaponry by annexing the occupied portions of Ukraine, in the hopes that some states will stop providing military help to Kyiv.

Read Also: Ankara Clamors Against Athens in Alleged Militarization of Several Islands in the Aegean Sea

A Crucial Period in Russian-Ukraine War

Andranik Migranyan, a professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and former presidential adviser, said Russia needs to take "serious and decisive" actions to retake the "initiative" after a Ukrainian military campaign in Kharkiv this month.

Russia wants the West to cease supplying weapons to Ukraine and persuade Kyiv to accept Moscow's conditions for resolving the crisis, Migranyan noted in an Al Jazeera report.

"Otherwise, Ukraine will cease to exist," the professor added, which will give the West, especially US President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party "massive defeat" before the midterm elections. Moscow had demanded assurances that Ukraine would never enter NATO. But since the Russia Ukraine war started in February, its terms seem less evident.

President Zelensky spoke to CBS News this week, noting that diplomatic talks with Russia would be "difficult" after annexation. In a series of phone contacts with foreign leaders, including those of Britain, Canada, Germany, and Turkey, Zelensky has attempted to mobilize opposition to annexation on a global scale.

"Thank you all for your clear and unequivocal support. Thank you all for understanding our position," Zelensky said in a late-night video address on Tuesday. The US has given Ukraine a $1.1 billion military package that includes 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, ammunition, anti-drone equipment, and radar systems. The measure raises the total amount of US military aid to Ukraine to $16.2 billion.

Related Article: Russia-Ukraine War: US Commitment to Ukraine Reaches $16.2 Billion After Latest $1.1 Billion Weapons Pledge

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Stag and hen dos could be confined to certain parts of York city centre, if an MP's plan to crackdown on rowdy nights out goes ahead.

Labour MP Rachel Maskell, who has served as York Central's MP since 2015, accused stag and hens of causing 'devastation' to the historic city, claiming revellers leave the centre smelling of urine.

To tackle the issue, she has unleashed a blueprint plan that would see those on stags and hen confined to pre-planned zones, with the aim of keeping them 'hidden from residents'.

This, she said, would help 'return' the city to locals', alleging that families felt that there were 'no safe spaces' left in York.

Women on a Hen Party under the nose of the Frankel statue at York Racecourse

Earlier this year, fuming York residents hit out over the raucous antisocial stag and hen dos they believed were taking over the city.

Neighbours living on Bishopthorpe Road in the city wrote to Ms Maskell after two properties on their road had been converted to 'party houses'.

They wrote: 'York is known for being a favoured location for large party groups - such as hen and stag dos.

'We are extremely concerned that these properties will continue to attract noisy parties, unlikely to show consideration to our neighbours.

'We are now standing together because the conversion of these properties into potential 'party houses' is threatening our community, mental well-being and peace.'

In response to the complaints, Ms Maskell presented an Airbnb and Holidays Lets Bill motion to Parliament.

The bill, which is expected to receive wide cross-party support, would require all holiday homes and Airbnb's in the area to have a licence - councils would also be allowed to deny the licences in some areas reserving the homes for locals.

If passed, it would bring English authority powers in line with those in Scotland Wales and London where action is already being taken to limit the impact of Airbnbs and holiday homes in their communities.

The hen and stag do zones could be placed in one corner of York, possibly near the railway station, away from locals (stock image)

Outlining her plans to ramp down disruption this week she said the hen and stag do zones could be placed in one corner of the city, possibly near the railway station, away from locals.

The former Shadow Employment Minister, however, did acknowledge that without stag and hen dos propping up the city's hospitality industry, it 'would probably struggle'.

Last Night of Freedom estimated the pre-wedding getaways bring up to 10m-a-year to the local economy.

People enjoying a meal and drink out in York City Centre in April 2021

Defending her idea, however, she claimed tourists were contacting her office every to week to say they would 'never again' visit York.

But the plans have come under fire from those within the hospitality industry.

The boss of Britain's biggest stag and hen do organiser, Last Night of Freedom, accused Ms Maskell of 'NIMBYism', claiming she was over-egging the situation to score cheap political points.

The company's managing director, Matt Mavir, said: 'A city centre is about unity, but these plans aim to divide people, effectively putting stags and hens in a pen as if it was a zoo.

'This is simply NIMBYism. No other city in Britain is suggesting anything this radical, even the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle where the stag and hen industry is even bigger.

Labour MP Rachel Maskell (pictured) has served as York Central's MP since 2015. In June she presented an Airbnb and Holidays Lets Bill motion to Parliament. If passed Airbnb and holiday let owners would need to get a licence from local authorities to run

'Perhaps worst of all, these plans show scant regard for the rate-paying bars, restaurants and hotels that are just recovering from years of crippling covid restrictions.

'This would create an economic black hole in much of the city's hospitality sector.'

One partygoer, from Sunderland, said: 'We often come as a group of friends as it is a nice day.

'You either stop everyone coming and all the bars lose their business - all the bars inside and out are very busy.

'If you didn't have this, we wouldn't be drinking in these bars.'

Last Night of Freedom said that despite Ms Maskell's claims of 'destruction' in the city centre, figures obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request recently revealed that there had been just seven police incidents that mentioned stags and hens in York since the start of 2021.

It is not the first time hen dos have caused trouble for locals in York.

In 2019, complaints were made after stag and hen do parties were seen wearing sexually explicit clothing, that locals worried could be offensive and be inappropriate for children to see.

Following complaints, North Yorkshire Police warned party goers that they could be committing an offence under the Public Order Act  which carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail.
It was the latest gaffe from Harris, who previously stating that the US and North Korea had a 'strong' and 'enduring' alliance

The VP then began a bizarre conversation with the US and Korean soldiers about the pictures being taken by NASA's Webb telescope

A US service member then corrected her, saying 'It's 50 meters away, mam'

Vice President Kamala Harris appeared dumbfounded as she stared into North Korea with binoculars, marveling that she was seeing it 'so close'

Vice President Kamala Harris used binoculars to view North Korea from the demilitarized zone, hours after she claimed the US had a 'strong alliance' with the enemy.

Video of Harris' visit to South Korean on Thursday shows the vice president, accompanied by US soldiers, marveling as she looked into North Korea.

'There's something about seeing it... with your own eyes,' Harris comments. 'And it's so close.'

The service member then corrects her, saying: 'It's 50 meters away, mam.'

'Oh, right,' she replied.

The vice president then suddenly begins talking to the US and South Korean soldiers at the DMZ about NASA's Webb telescope, which has been taking pictures of distant galaxies.

'Have you seen the photographs from the Webb telescope,' Harris tells the officers, who appeared confused about the unrelated topic.

'It's the most humbling thing,' Harris adds as the service members politely nod. 'You've got to see it.'

Kamala Harris at the demilitarize zone separating the two Koreas (Leah Millis/AP)

The exchange at the DMZ came right after her speech at the border site where she mistakenly touted the US alliance with 'North Korea.'

'The United States shares a very important relationship, which is an alliance with the Republic of North Korea,' Harris said during a speech at the DMZ Thursday, intending to refer to the Republic of Korea, the official name of South Korea.

'It is an alliance that is strong and enduring,' she continued, not appearing to recognize her mistake.

Her remarks professing U.S. support for South Korea's defense came as North Korea launched yet another missile on Thursday in the face of the vice president's trip to Asia.

A communications advisor for Texas Senator Ted Cruz called Harris a 'flat out moron' for her remarks.

During remarks at the conclusion of her visit to the DMZ, Harris touted the alliance the U.S. has with 'the Republican North Korea'  an embarrassing gaffe on the heels of President Joe Biden asking the crowd to identify a decease congresswoman the day prior

The stenographer's transcript for the vice president showed the word 'North' crossed out for her remarks despite Harris not correcting her mistake in real-time during the speech. This is common practice for the White House stenographers when fact-checking transcripts

South Korean, American and Japanese warships have launched their first trilateral anti-submarine drills in five years, after North Korea renewed missile tests this week in an apparent response to bilateral training by South Korean and US forces.

The North's five missiles launches, the first in a month, came before and after US vice president Harris visited South Korea on Thursday and reaffirmed the 'ironclad' US commitment to the security of its Asian allies.

The one-day training off the Korean peninsula's east coast is intended as a test to show how South Korea would cope with a North Korean push to advance its ability to fire missile from submarines, according to a South Korean navy statement.

The USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier participates in the joint drill (South Korea Defense Ministry/AP)

Pyongyang has been building bigger submarines including a nuclear-powered one and testing sophisticated missiles that can be fired from them in recent years.

That is an alarming development for its rivals because it is harder to detect underwater-launched missiles in advance.

South Korean officials said last weekend that they had detected signs that North Korea was preparing to test-fire a missile from a submarine.

Friday's drills involve the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as well as US, South Korean and Japanese destroyers, the navy statement said.

During the training, the navy ships from the three nations were to search and track a US nuclear-powered submarine posing as a North Korean sub while exchanging related information, according to media reports.

'We will respond and neutralize any forms of North Korean provocations in an overwhelming and decisive manner,' said Captain Cho Chung-ho, commander of the South Korean navy troops who took part in the training.

In addition to its submarine-launched missiles, North Korea also has a variety of nuclear-capable missiles that place the three collaborating countries within striking distance.

This year, Pyongyang has performed a record number of missile tests as it refuses to resume long-stalled nuclear diplomacy with the US.

The USS Ronald Reagan and nuclear-powered submarine the USS Annapolis (South Korea Defense Ministry/AP)

Friday's training comes as South Korea and Japan try to mend ties frayed over history and trade disputes.

The two Asian countries together host a total of 80,000 American troops. Earlier this week, the USS Ronald Reagan took part in joint US-South Korean drills near the peninsula, the first such bilateral involving a US aircraft carrier since 2017.

The North's most recent missile tests happened on Thursday, hours after Harris left South Korea.

During her visit to the demilitarize zone separating the two Koreas, she said: 'In the South, we see a thriving democracy. In the North, we see a brutal dictatorship.'
Flat caps similar to the ones worn by King Charles III sold out at the Royal Sandringham estate shop in Norfolk just two weeks after he took to the throne.

The Classic Sandringham tweed caps, which cost 49.99, have become one of the bestselling items in the estate shop just days after Charles became King.

King Charles, 73, took over the running of the estate four years ago and is regularly pictured wearing a flat cap when he is out and about in the countryside.

Flat caps similar to the ones worn by King Charles III sold out at the Royal Sandringham estate shop in Norfolk just two weeks after he took to the throne. Pictured: caps sold out online

The caps, which are 100 per cent pure wool, are handmade in Scotland by family business Johnstons of Elgin.

A description on the shop's website states: 'Classic Sandringham Tweed Cap, add a distinguished finishing touch to your outfit with a traditional tweed Cap in a distinctive heritage design.'

The small-sized flat caps have now been re-stocked and are available to buy online.
Women claim they decided to come forward after confiding in one another

He denied two counts of sexual assault and is on trial at Bulford Military Court

An Army Corporal squeezed the bottom of a female soldier he was 'assessing' and groped another's breast as she changed a tank transporter's tyres, a court martial has heard.

Corporal Andrew Cline, 34, allegedly grabbed the bottom of the first woman while he was with her below a tank transporter truck assessing her work as part of a test.

The woman told the hearing she felt it was 'important' to report the incident because she was one of very few women 'in a male environment.'

The following day, Cpl Cline - who serves with the Second Signal Regiment - allegedly reached over the second female soldier's shoulder and touched her right breast in a maintenance hanger while they were changing a vehicle's tyres.

The two women, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reported the incidents after having lunch together on the day of the second grope, the court heard.

Corporal Andrew Cline, 34, allegedly grabbed a female soldier's bottom and held it for three seconds and laughed

Corporal Cline allegedly reached over a second female soldier's shoulder and touched her right breast in a maintenance hanger while they were changing a vehicle's tyres

Cpl Cline denies sexually assaulting either woman.

Bulford Military Court, Wilts, heard the first woman had been completing a course at Bulford Camp at the time.

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Carmichael, prosecuting, said: 'Cpl Cline was responsible for approving her work for a course.

'He spent 20 minutes examining her work before they went into the pits below the truck to examine the underside of the 20 metre vehicle.

'Cpl Cline grabbed her bottom and held it for three seconds, he laughed, and then exited the pits.'

Corporal Andrew Cline, 34, allegedly grabbed the bottom of the first woman while he was with her below a tank transporter truck assessing her work as part of a test, a court martial at Bulford Military Court (pictured) heard on Thursday

The woman told the trial: 'I was shocked and turned around. He just smiled and went away.

'You do not come into work expecting something like that to happen.'

The court heard before that day Cpl Cline had been 'pestering' the female soldier for her phone number which made her feel 'uncomfortable'.

The soldier said she met up with her colleague the following day who told her she had also been groped by Cpl Cline.

Cpl Cline was assessing the first woman who was completing a course at Bulford Camp at the time of the alleged incident

When the first female soldier confided that Cpl Cline had touched her bottom a day prior, the second told her that he had touched her breast earlier that day, the court was told.

The second woman then texted her boyfriend, who was also in the Army, about the incident and he contacted her senior officer on her behalf.

She told the court she had been changing the tyres of vehicles in a hanger when Cpl Cline allegedly 'squeezed' her breast.

The woman said: 'Cpl Cline came up behind me and flung his arm over my shoulder and... put his hand on my right breast.

'He was holding it for two to five seconds. I didn't tell anyone [immediately] because I didn't know how.'

Cpl Cline denies two counts of sexual assault.

The trial continues.
Pro-Putin holy man Patriarch Kirill has tested positive for Covid, with the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church suffering from 'severe symptoms.'

Kirill, 75, has cancelled all of his planned trips and events, according to the church, as he was suffering the symptoms, which require bed rest and isolation.

The Church said that his condition was 'satisfactory.'

Under Kirill, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and supporter of the war in Ukraine, the Russian Orthodox Church has become a powerful political player, championing Russia's turn towards conservative social values.

Patriarch Kirill, 75, pictured, has cancelled all of his planned trips and events, according to the church, as he was suffering the symptoms, which require bed rest and isolation. Kirill is a full-blooded supporter of the invasion of Ukraine

Kirill is a close ally of Putin and his leadership of the church has seen it champion Russia's turn towards conservative social values

It comes after the Pope previously cautioned Kirill against serving as Putin's altar boy because of his support of the invasion in Ukraine.

Kirill sees the war as a bulwark against a decadent West - particularly over the acceptance of homosexuality - that threatens his vision of a 'Russky Mir' ('Russian World') that includes Belarus and Ukraine.

'We (the Pope and Kirill) are pastors of the same people of God. That is why we have to seek paths of peace, to cease the fire of weapons. The patriarch cannot become Putin's altar boy,' Francis was quoted as saying.

The 85-year-old pontiff also told Italy's Corriere Della Sera newspaper that he had communicated to Moscow via Vatican diplomats that he sought a meeting with Putin three weeks into the conflict, but did not receive a response.

Pope Francis previously met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and was told by the far-right leader - Putin's principal ally in the EU - that 'the Russians have a plan, that everything will end on May 9', referring to the anniversary of the end of the Soviet Union's involvement in World War II.

It comes after the Pope previously cautioned Kirill, pictured together, against serving as Putin's altar boy because of his support of the invasion in Ukraine

Pope Francis waves during Regina Caeli prayer, in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on Monday. The Pope had asked for a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin to try to make him see sense over his bloody war in Ukraine, but was greeted by silence

Pope Francis previously met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, pictured in 2021, and was told by the far-right leader - Putin's principal ally in the EU - that 'the Russians have a plan, that everything will end on May 9', referring to the anniversary of the end of the Soviet Union's involvement in World War II

Francis had communicated to Putin that he was willing to make the trip to Moscow in May.

'Certainly, it was necessary for the Kremlin leader to allow an opening. We have not yet received a response and we are still insisting,' Francis said.

He added: 'I fear that Putin cannot, and does not, want to have this meeting at this time. But how can you not stop so much brutality?'

The Pope has walked a delicate tightrope over the conflict, condemning 'unjustified aggression' and lamenting atrocities against civilians, but had refrained from officially pointing the finger at Russia and Putin until May.

Francis also appeared to suggest NATO was in part to blame for Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, which began when the Russian tyrant ordered his troops across his neighbour's border on February 24.

Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, left, conducts the Easter service accompanied by President Vladimir Putin, background right, at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow in April

Patriarch Kirill conducts a liturgy at Danilov Monastery in Moscow on September 12

He said that while he would not go as far to say that NATO's presence in nearby countries such as Poland and the Balkans 'provoked' Russia, he said that the military alliance 'perhaps facilitated' the invasion by 'barking' as Putin's door.

NATO and other countries supporting Ukraine have insisted that Moscow has been the aggressor, massing its troops on the border in the months before the invasion before launching its invasion of a sovereign country.

It had been reported on Russian Telegram channels that Putin is very sick with a triple whammy of cancer, Parkinson's and 'schizophrenic symptoms', which might go some way to explaining his implacable bloodlust towards Ukraine.

Instead the head of the Catholic Church had been dealing with Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, who is a full-blooded supporter of the violent conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin - reported to be suffering from cancer, Parkinson's and 'schizophrenic symptoms' had snubbed all entreaties from the Pope to discuss stopping the war

The war in Ukraine strained relations between the two churches and caused a split among Orthodox Christians around the world.

In the interview, Francis said that when he had a 40-minute video conference with Kirill on March 16, the patriarch spent half of it reading from a sheet of paper 'with all the justifications for the war'.

In April, he announced that he had scrapped plans to meet Kirill in June. He told Argentine newspaper La Nacion in an interview that he regretted that the plan had to be 'suspended' because Vatican diplomats advised that such a meeting 'could lend itself to much confusion at this moment'.

The RIA news agency in Moscow quoted Metropolitan Hilarion, a senior Russian Orthodox Church official, as saying the meeting was postponed because 'the events of the last two months' would have created many difficulties in its preparation.

In June, Kirill was sanctioned for his prominent support for the war in Ukraine.

TV host Vladimir Solovyov - known as 'Putin's Voice' and one of Russia's chief propagandists - said the 'place for [Liz Truss] is hell' after the move, and suggested the foreign secretary was 'declaring a religious war against Russia'.

TV anchorman Vladimir Solovyov (centre) - known as 'Putin's Voice' and one of Russia 's chief propagandists - said the 'place for [Liz Truss] is hell' after the UK imposed sanctions against Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church

Vladimir Solovyov suggested that by sanctioning Kirill, Truss is 'organising the persecution of Christians' before attacking Britain for 'betraying faith'

Truss, then foreign secretary, said the 75-year-old cleric has 'repeatedly abused his position to justify the war' on Ukraine.

'Today, what we've long expected has happened,' an outraged Solovyov said during his own show 'An Evening With Vladimir Solovyov' on Russia's Channel 1.

'And now she, imagining herself who knows what, is trying to persecute the holiest patriarch? Is Liz Truss declaring a religious war against Russia? A war against all Orthodoxy?' he asked his pundits, again rhetorically, as they nodded along.

Liz Truss, then foreign secretary (pictured) said the 75-year-old cleric - who is also a longtime ally of Putin's - has 'repeatedly abused his position to justify the war' on Ukraine

His diatribe continued: 'This poorly educated citizen, who graduated from a decent institute of learning, she has such delusions of grandeur? Such phantasmagoric [sic] audacity has been unheard of since the times of Tatars and Mongols.

'Who does she think she is? Who is she? She can make history only by persecuting the holiest Patriarch. The place for such is in hell, obviously,' he declared, while lifting his arm up in front of him - as if to perform some kind of blessing.

Moscow describes its action in Ukraine as a 'special operation' to demilitarise and 'denazify' its neighbour.
Cost-of-living protests are set to sweep across Britain tomorrow as Just Stop Oil, Jeremy Corbyn and Insulate Britain team up to lead a demonstration across London.

Campaign group Enough is Enough is holding a national day of action, with events in more than 50 cities, towns and villages across the country.

Groups including Just Stop Oil, Jeremy Corbyn's Peace and Justice Project, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Insulate Britain are said to be taking part.

Just Stop Oil is hoping for 1,500 of its volunteers to get arrested twice during the protests, which will see demonstrators blocking bridges over the Thames in London.

The demo will begin at 11am when volunteers will assemble at 25 starting points across London including Waterloo, Paddington and Euston stations.

Just Stop Oil is hoping for 1,500 of its volunteers to get arrested twice during the protests, which will see demonstrators blocking bridges over the Thames in London. Pictured: Jeremy Corbyn at a Just Stop Oil march

The groups will then converge at Westminster to 'demand an end to the economic and moral madness of continued oil and gas expansion'.

Just Stop Oil's found Roger Hallam was revealed by The Mail on Sunday to have said that Metropolitan Police would be 'too scared' to arrest activists at first but that it would be forced to do so as the protests escalate.

He said the group was aiming to identify and recruit 1,500 people prepared to get arrested twice in London during the campaign.

Another activist, a former businessman in his late 40s, told a meeting in Norwich earlier this month: 'We've talked to people in the judicial system and they reckon the system couldn't really cope with about 3,000 arrests.'

The group began its project on April 1 and since then has seen 1,296 arrests as the protestors demanded the government end new oil and gas projects in the UK.

Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Coronation Street's Hayley Cropper, will be speaking at the Manchester rally alongside Lamin Touray, who played footballer Ashley Hardcastle on the street.

Newcastle's event has been backed by Si King, one half of the Hairy Bikers, as well as poet Tom Pickard.

Award-winning comedian Rob Delaney will join the Rail Maritime and Transport union's Mick Lynch and Dave Ward of the Communication Workers Union, at the London event.

Rob Delaney said: 'Does a chief executive need an extra zero at the end of their salary, or should nurses, posties and teachers be able to heat their homes this winter? Enough is enough.'

The protests will coincide with picket lines being mounted by railway workers outside major stations across the country as part of the latest strike in the long running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

The chaos will ensue at 11am where volunteers will assemble at 25 starting points across London including Waterloo, Paddington and Euston stations. Pictured: Just Stop Oil protest in July

Former Coronation Street actor Lamin Touray said: 'I saw the Enough is Enough campaign and just thought, that's exactly what everyone is feeling.

'I don't think anyone remembers when times have been this hard. (The) Government needs to sit up and listen to the people - it can't go on like this.'

Hairy Biker, chef and presenter, Si King said: 'Millions of hardworking people and families across our country are being forced into poverty and utter desperation due to the cost-of-living crisis.

'We have a system that favours corporate power and wealth over normal people. Those in power have neither the will nor the empathy to change it.'

A Just Stop Oil spokesman said: 'We are currently witnessing the breakdown of all we hold dear. Our government has not 'got this'  they are increasing the grip of fossil fuels at our throat.

'If the government won't stop approving new oil and gas projects then we will make them stop. Come to Westminster from October 1 to peacefully join thousands of other ordinary people in civil resistance because our lives depend on it.'

Jeremy Corbyn, the founder of the Peace and Justice Project, said: 'Record breaking weather is happening everywhere and everything is too expensive. That's the crisis. You can't separate out the cost of living and climate crises. The whole system, which creates billionaires and starves hundreds of millions, is the crisis. It can't be resolved, it must be overcome and transformed.'

The groups will then converge at Westminster to 'demand an end to the economic and moral madness of continued oil and gas expansion'. Pictured: Just Stop Oil protest in July

Stuart Bretherton, 24, Energy For All Campaign Coordinator, Fuel Poverty Action said: 'The climate crisis and the cost of living crisis are a direct result of how our economy is run for the benefit of an energy industry that will chew us up and spit us out.

'But at the same time we have common solutions to both these crises. Climate justice doesn't mean further hardship, it means warm homes, lower bills, cleaner air and a better economy for every one of us.'

Lee Jasper of Blaksox, said: 'The west relentlessly pumps out its carbon gas to feed its insatiable consumer economies, while the poorest people on the planet, in the global south endure climate catastrophe, famine and drought, whose people are being sacrificed to maintain unsustainable western lifestyles. We need climate change and climate justice.'

Zita Holbourne, chair of Black Activists Rising Against Cuts, (BARAC UK) said: 'The issues of climate displacement, environmental injustice, migration, colonialism, reparations and systemic racism are all interconnected and part of the same struggle for racial justice and human rights globally. There can be nothing about us without us and until all of us are free, none of us are free.'

Kate Hudson, from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament said: 'Fossil fuels have contributed to the two greatest threats facing humanity  climate catastrophe and nuclear war.'

Liam Norton, from Insulate Britain, said: 'The government's plan to open new oil, gas and coal projects is the biggest act of government criminality in our history. They are participating in the destruction of this country and the murder of countless people around the world. What else can you call it? In order to stop new oil and gas we need to Insulate Britain. Now.'
More than 500 foreign criminals and immigration offenders have been removed from the UK this month, the Home Office announced today.

In total, 533 people were returned, including 105 Albanians in three separate flights, 26 Romanians and nine Zimbabweans.

The foreign national offenders removed included violent and sexual offenders, drug dealers and people traffickers and had been jailed for more than 337 years in total.

Out of the 300 people who had no right to remain in the UK, three were Albanians who entered the UK illegally, including one via a small boat.

In total, 553 foreign criminals and immigration offenders were deported this month, new figures revealed. Out of the 300 people who had no right to remain, three were Albanians who entered the UK illegally, including one via a small boat (pic: migrants at Dover yesterday)

Suella Braverman, the new Home Secretary, said: 'We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who comes to the UK and breaks our laws.

'Returning such a high number of dangerous criminals sends a clear message that they are not welcome here.

'We are also clamping down on those who come here illegally, and I am exploring every avenue to accelerate their removal.'

The UK signed a 'fast-track' deportation agreement with Albania in 2021 following a rise in the number of Albanian criminals travelling to the UK.

However, there is now confusion over the nature of the agreement, with UK Government lawyers recently revealing the measures will not apply to those who lodge asylum claims.

The details emerged in response to legal action by migrant charity Care4Calais, which is already involved in a separate challenge against the Government's plan to hand asylum seekers a one-way ticket to Rwanda.

A letter to the charity's solicitors from the Government legal department said of the Albania fast-track plans: 'The arrangements do not apply to asylum seekers.'

The crossings resumed yesterday after weather put a five-day halt to people trafficking operations

It comes as Ms Braverman, who replaced Priti Patel earlier this month, continues to grapple with a surge in migrants crossing the Channel in small boats, with more than 32,000 this year alone.

The crossings resumed yesterday after weather put a five-day halt to people trafficking operations.

A group of people was brought to shore in Dover, Kent this morning following a small boat incident in the Channel, the world's busiest shipping lane.

Migrants, including a small number of children, were wrapped in blue blankets and carrying their belongings in black bin bags as they walked through the Border Force compound in Dover.

This follows five days with no Channel crossings, likely due to poor weather.

Some 650 people crossed the Channel in 14 boats on Friday, September 23, bringing the year's total to 32,308.

August 22 was the date with the highest number of people brought to the UK so far this year, with 1,295 people rescued in the Channel.

A total of 1,160 people were brought to shore on September 4, and 1,142 were rescued on September 22.

Suella Braverman, the new Home Secretary, said: 'We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who comes to the UK and breaks our laws'

There have been 27,040 crossings since the announcement of the Rwanda deal by Ms Patel.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent about the Rwanda deal yesterday, Prime Minister Liz Truss said: 'We are (sticking with the Rwanda policy) and what we will make sure is that UK courts can't be overruled by the European Court of Human Rights so we are able to deal with the small boats crisis, and the Home Secretary is determined to get on with that.'

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke has said: 'With these shocking record numbers of illegal crossings, getting the small boats crisis under control should be a key priority.

'With the approach of Winter, the seas will get rougher and the weather colder- inevitably the risk of further loss of life will increase.

'That's why urgent action is needed to stop these dangerous crossings.'

Border Force vessels are now using a newly constructed docking station in an area of the port which was a former jetfoil terminal away from public areas.

A large fence has also been put up to screen the area off from the public.
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The father of a 14-year-old girl who killed herself has slammed Facebook owner Meta and said his daughter would still be alive had she had not been able to engage with their 'demented trail of life sucking' content.

Coroner's landmark ruling that social media posts glamourising suicide DID contribute to Molly's Russell's death from self-harm 'Molly Rose Russell (died) on 21 November 2017. Molly was 14-years old. Molly appeared a normal healthy girl who was flourishing at school, having settled well into secondary school life and displayed an enthusiastic interest in the performing arts. However, Molly had become depressed, a common condition affecting children of this age. This then worsened into a depressive illness. Molly subscribed to a number of online sites. 'At the time that these sites were viewed by Molly some of these sites were not safe as they allowed access to adult content that should not have been available for a 14-year-old child to see. The way that the platforms operated meant that Molly had access to images, video clips and text concerning or concerned with self-harm, suicide or that were otherwise negative or depressing in nature. 'The platform operated in such a way using algorithms as to result, in some circumstances, of binge periods of images, video-clips and text, some of which were selected and provided without Molly requesting them. These binge periods, if involving this content, are likely to have had a negative effect of Molly. Some of this content romanticised acts of self-harm by young people on themselves. 'Other content sought to isolate and discourage discussion with those who may have been able to help. Molly turned to celebrities for help not realising there was little prospect of a reply. In some cases, the content was particularly graphic, tending to portray self-harm and suicide as an inevitable consequence of a condition that could not be recovered from. The sites normalised her condition, focusing on a limited and irrational view without any counterbalance of normality. 'It is likely that the above material viewed by Molly, already suffering with a depressive illness and vulnerable due to her age, affected her mental health in a negative way and contributed to her death in a more than minimal way. Molly Rose Russell died from an act of self-harm whilst suffering from depression and the negative effects of online content.' Advertisement

In a press conference held after a coroner found the content on Pintrest and Meta-owned Instagram contributed to Molly Russell's death, her brave father Ian called for changes to be made to 'the toxic corporate culture at the heart of the world's biggest social media platform'.

The inquest had heard how Molly was exposed to content that 'glamourised' self-harm and would binge horrific suicide related content online.

The coroner ruled that the 14-year-old died 'from an act of self-harm' while suffering from depression and 'the negative effects of online content' in 2017, in what campaigners have called a 'global first'.

Tearful Mr Russell said: 'Molly was a thoughtful, sweet-natured, caring, inquisitive, selfless, beautiful individual. Although a few words cannot possibly encapsulate our wonderful girl.

'Molly wanted all those she loved to live long and stay strong, we'd like to widen that invitation to include anyone who may be needing help.

'To anyone who has been affected by the issues raised in Molly's inquest, to anyone struggling, please remember that help is available, please find a way to seek it out, please take care when online.

'This past fortnight has been particularly painful for our family, we're missing Molly more agonisingly than usual, but we hope that the scrutiny this case has received will help prevent similar deaths encouraged by the disturbing content that is still to this day available on social media platforms including those run by Meta.

'Through the inquest we have seen just a fraction of the Instagram posts seen by my 14-year-old daughter Molly in 2017. '

Continuing his statement, Mr Russell said: 'We have heard a senior Meta executive describe this deadly stream of content the platform's algorithms pushed to Molly as 'safe' and not contravening the platform's policies.

'If this demented trail of life-sucking content was safe, my daughter Molly would probably still be alive and instead of being a bereaved family of four, there would be five of us looking forward to a life full of purpose and promise that lay ahead for our adorable Molly.

'It's time the toxic corporate culture at the heart of the world's biggest social media platform changed. It's time for the Government's Online Safety Bill to urgently deliver its long-promised legislation.

'It's time to protect our innocent young people, instead of allowing platforms to prioritise their profits by monetising their misery.

'For the first time today, tech platforms have been formally held responsible for the death of a child.

'In the future, we as a family hope that any other social media companies called upon to assist an inquest follow the example of Pinterest, who have taken steps to learn lessons and have engaged sincerely and respectfully with the inquest process.'

In a landmark ruling that could have major implications for Big Tech, Meta and Pinterest were slammed for allowing 'unsafe' content 'romanticising' self-harm that fuelled the 14-year-old's depression.

The inquest painted a grim portrait of the lonely and toxic 'ghetto of the online world', including the heartbreaking revelation that Molly turned to celebrities including JK Rowling, US actress Lili Reinhart and YouTuber Salice Rose for help not realising there was little chance they would ever see her messages.

A coroner has concluded schoolgirl Molly Russell (pictured) died after suffering from 'negative effects of online content'

In a press conference, Molly Russel's brave father Ian called for changes to be made to 'the toxic corporate culture at the heart of the world's biggest social media platform' and slammed Meta for the way their 'the toxic corporate culture'

Molly, from Harrow, northwest London, researched disturbing content online before taking her own life in November 2017

As the teenager became increasingly desperate and depressed, the social media algorithms directed yet more horrific content her way, leading to damaging 'binges' that sent her ever deeper into a spiral of despair.

Molly Russell's father's heart-breaking statement as he says he hopes landmark inquest will lead to 'important change' In a statement released following the conclusion of the inquest, Ian Russell said: 'Molly was a thoughtful, sweet-natured, caring, inquisitive, selfless, beautiful individual. Although a few words cannot possibly encapsulate our wonderful girl. 'Molly wanted all those she loved to live long and stay strong, we'd like to widen that invitation to include anyone who may be needing help. 'To anyone who has been affected by the issues raised in Molly's inquest, to anyone struggling, please remember that help is available, please find a way to seek it out, please take care when online. 'This past fortnight has been particularly painful for our family, we're missing Molly more agonisingly than usual, but we hope that the scrutiny this case has received will help prevent similar deaths encouraged by the disturbing content that is still to this day available on social media platforms including those run by Meta. 'Through the inquest we have seen just a fraction of the Instagram posts seen by my 14-year-old daughter Molly in 2017. 'We have heard a senior Meta executive describe this deadly stream of content the platform's algorithms pushed to Molly as 'safe' and not contravening the platform's policies. 'If this demented trail of life-sucking content was safe, my daughter Molly would probably still be alive and instead of being a bereaved family of four, there would be five of us looking forward to a life full of purpose and promise that lay ahead for our adorable Molly. 'It's time the toxic corporate culture at the heart of the world's biggest social media platform changed. It's time for the Government's Online Safety Bill to urgently deliver its long-promised legislation. 'It's time to protect our innocent young people, instead of allowing platforms to prioritise their profits by monetising their misery. 'For the first time today, tech platforms have been formally held responsible for the death of a child. 'In the future, we as a family hope that any other social media companies called upon to assist an inquest follow the example of Pinterest, who have taken steps to learn lessons and have engaged sincerely and respectfully with the inquest process.' 'This landmark conclusion has only been possible thanks to the extraordinary work of a team of people. 'Firstly, I'd like to thank Senior Coroner Andrew Walker for his determination to learn what we can from Molly's tragedy. 'The Russell family's legal team have spent too many long hours examining thousands of pages of disturbing evidence. Without Merry Varney, our solicitor from Leigh Day, and paralegal Caleb Bawdon, Jessica Elliott, our barrister, and Oliver Sanders, our KC, and a host of others working hard to build this case, we would not know how harmful our unregulated online world is. 'I hope the data gathered may prove useful beyond this courtroom and continue to help create a safer web. 'The support we have received from family, friends and supporters has been vital to us. Thank you to the press who have so sensitively covered this story so that the lessons we've learned have been reported responsibly and hopefully they will travel far. 'For Molly's sake ... let's make the online world a place that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of young people over the money that can be made from them. And for anyone struggling I will say again, please reach out to real people who can help. Please don't forget, there's always hope.' Advertisement

Speaking at the press conference held after the ruling, Molly's brave father, Ian, urged those responsible to make the online world 'a place that prioritises safety and wellbeing of young people over the money that can be made from them'.

He added: 'This landmark conclusion has only been possible thanks to the extraordinary work of a team of people.

'Firstly, I'd like to thank Senior Coroner Andrew Walker for his determination to learn what we can from Molly's tragedy.

'The Russell family's legal team have spent too many long hours examining thousands of pages of disturbing evidence. Without Merry Varney, our solicitor from Leigh Day, and paralegal Caleb Bawdon, Jessica Elliott, our barrister, and Oliver Sanders, our KC, and a host of others working hard to build this case, we would not know how harmful our unregulated online world is.

'I hope the data gathered may prove useful beyond this courtroom and continue to help create a safer web.

'The support we have received from family, friends and supporters has been vital to us. Thank you to the press who have so sensitively covered this story so that the lessons we've learned have been reported responsibly and hopefully they will travel far.

'For Molly's sake ... let's make the online world a place that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of young people over the money that can be made from them. And for anyone struggling I will say again, please reach out to real people who can help. Please don't forget, there's always hope.'

Mollys father added: I've heard stories that some tech company platforms don't even allow their children on their own platforms. I don't know how true they are. But that may be the case. But whether it's their children or anyone else's child, if you allow a young person on the platform, that platform has to be safe for children to use.

With tears welling up and his voice breaking, Molly's father Ian Russell said as he concluded a press conference after the inquest: 'Thank you Molly, for being my daughter. Thank you.'

He previously thanked the coroner, the press, and Molly's friends and family for enabling her story to be told.

'We shouldn't be sitting here this is a story about one person, but that person has affected one family and their friends and maybe the wider world in some way.

'We should not be sitting here. This should not happen because it does not need to happen.

'We told this story in the hope that change would come about.'

Mr Russell said a 'monster' has been created whereby social media products are not safe for users.

He added his message to Mark Zuckerberg would be a 'simple' one, saying: 'A simple message to Mark would be just to listen. Listen to the people that use his platform, listen to the conclusions the coroner gave at this inquest, and then do something about it.'

Following the inquest conclusion, NSPCC chief executive Sir Peter Wanless condemned Meta and Pinterest's 'abject failure' to protect Molly and said the ruling should 'send shockwaves through Silicon Valley'.

Meanwhile, Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza called for social media giants to face tougher regulation, and demanded they 'get a moral compass and step up'.

Molly, from Harrow in north west London, died in 2017 after hiding her 'demons' from her family while viewing thousands of harrowing posts and videos.

She saved and 'liked' 16,300 images on her Instagram account, 2,100 of which related to depression, self-harm and suicide in the last six months of her life.

Concluding it would not be 'safe' to rule Molly's cause of death was suicide, senior coroner Andrew Walker said the teenager 'died from an act of self-harm while suffering depression and the negative effects of online content'.

In a conclusion at North London Coroner's Court today, Mr Walker said: 'At the time that these sites were viewed by Molly, some of these sites were not safe as they allowed access to adult content that should not have been available for a 14-year-old child to see.

'The way that the platforms operated meant that Molly had access to images, video clips and text concerning or concerned with self-harm, suicide or that were otherwise negative or depressing in nature.

Since her death, Molly's family (including her father, Ian - pictured today) have campaigned for better internet safety

'The platform operated in such a way using algorithms as to result, in some circumstances, of binge periods of images, video clips and text - some of which were selected and provided without Molly requesting them.

'The world you created is my escape' Tragic Molly Russell's tweet to JK Rowling as coroner says 14-year-old 'turned to celebrities for help not realising there was little chance of a reply' A tweet sent on Molly's secret account weeks before she died The inquest painted a grim portrait of the lonely and toxic 'ghetto of the online world' that 14-year-old Molly Russell was immersed in. This included the heartbreaking revelation that Molly turned to high profile celebrities including JK Rowling, US actress Lili Reinhart and YouTuber Salice Rose for help not realising there was little chance they would ever see her messages. She also messaged American actress Lili Reinhart and US rapper Phora who has 380,000 followers. In a tweet shared weeks before she took her own life, Molly messaged Harry Potter author JK Rowling to share how the series of books had helped her. From a now-deleted account, Molly wrote in October 2017: '@jk_rowling my mind has been full of suicidal thoughts for a while but reading HP and the world you created is my escape.' The month before, she also tweeted Phora, who has 380,000 followers, in September saying: 'kinda wanna kill myself, please help'. She also messaged Californian influence Salice Rose who had shared details of her mental health struggles online. 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 tweets were sent a few months before the teenager died. Giving evidence during the inquest, her father Ian Russell told the court: 'It was only after her death that we were made aware that she set up an alternative Twitter account that she used to communicate in a way she wouldn't have wanted to share with the family. 'I believe that social media helped kill my daughter and I believe that sort of content is still there.' Though she spent much less time on Twitter than other platforms, the content she shared and tweets she sent are significant nonetheless in giving a tragic insight into her deteriorating mental health. Mr Russell believes the handle 'Idfc_nomore' stands for 'I don't f****** care no more.' Her first activity was in December 2016 - just under a year before her death - when she retweeted an account dedicated to tweeting quotes about depression. It said : 'I'm so tired of feeling unwanted and helpless. Even with friends surrounding me, I feel like an outcast.' The first tweet she wrote her self was in February 2017 when she quoted a poem by model and actress Cara Delevingne about her own struggle with depression. The tweet read: 'I don't need to be saved, I need to be found.' A day after her first tweet, she posted a screenshot from her Pinterest account with a message that said just because she had a happy home life it did not mean she wasn't struggling with mental health problems. It ended: 'Mental disorders don't care about your situation in life' In July 2017, a few months before she began messaging celebrities, it appears her mental health was deteriorating as she posted a string of tweets, telling her followers 'Everyone is better off without me..', that she was 'irrelevant' and her friends and family could live without her, and finally 'I don't fit in this world'. Ian told the court that Molly was calling out into an 'empty void' as the celebrities with millions of followers wouldn't have noticed his daughter's tweets. Advertisement

'These binge periods, if involving this content, are likely to have had a negative effect on Molly.'

The inquest heard Molly accessed material from the 'ghetto of the online world' before her death in November 2017, with her family arguing sites such as Pinterest and Instagram recommended accounts or posts that 'promoted' suicide and self-harm.

Meta executive Elizabeth Lagone said she believed posts which the Russell family argued 'encouraged' suicide were safe when the teenager viewed them.

Pinterest's Judson Hoffman told the inquest the site was 'not safe' when Molly used it.

The inquest was told that out of 16,300 posts Molly saved, shared or liked on Instagram in the six-month period before her death, 2,100 were depression, self-harm or suicide-related.

The court was played 17 clips the teenager viewed on the site - prompting 'the greatest of warning' from the coroner.

The inquest also heard details of emails sent to Molly by Pinterest, with headings such as '10 depression pins you might like' and 'new ideas for you in depression'.

Continuing his conclusions, Mr Walker said: 'Other content sought to isolate and discourage discussion with those who may have been able to help.

'Molly turned to celebrities for help not realising there was little prospect of a reply.

'In some cases, the content was particularly graphic, tending to portray self-harm and suicide as an inevitable consequence of a condition that could not be recovered from.

'The sites normalised her condition, focusing on a limited and irrational view without any counterbalance of normality.

'It is likely that the above material viewed by Molly, already suffering with a depressive illness and vulnerable due to her age, affected her mental health in a negative way and contributed to her death in a more than minimal way.

'Molly Rose Russell died from an act of self-harm whist suffering from depression and the negative effects of online content.'

The coroner said on Thursday he intended to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) notice which will recommend actions on how to prevent a repeat of the Molly Russell case.

The Russell family's lawyer, Oliver Sanders KC, asked the coroner to send the PFD to Instagram, Pinterest, media regulator Ofcom and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Asked whether the family were considering legal action against social media companies following the coroner's conclusion, Molly's father Ian said: 'In terms of what's been occupying our minds for the last five years it's been the inquest.

'It's been at the forefont of our minds, and any other action, legal action or other action, has been very much at the back of our minds.'

A spokeswoman for Meta said in a statement following the conclusion that the company is 'committed to ensuring that Instagram is a positive experience for everyone, particularly teenagers' and would 'carefully consider the coroner's full report when he provides it'.

Reacting to the coroner's conclusions, a spokeswoman for Pinterest said: 'Our thoughts are with the Russell family.

'Molly's story has reinforced our commitment to creating a safe and positive space for our Pinners.'

Campaigners have said the coroner's ruling should 'send shockwaves through Silicon Valley' and said the Government's Online Safety Bill was an opportunity to 'reverse the imbalance between families and big tech'.

Prime Minister Liz Truss has previously confirmed the Online Safety Bill, which has been in the making for more than five years, will return to Parliament soon after a number of delays.

The Bill aims to introduce rules for social media and other user-generated content-based sites that compel them to remove illegal material from their platforms, with a particular emphasis on protecting children from harmful content.

All platforms in scope will have a duty to find and remove illegal content, with the largest also expected to tackle named 'legal but harmful' forms of content too, as well as have clear and robust terms and conditions in place.

In the wake of the inquest into Molly's death, the NSPCC urged the Government to act quickly to get the Bill in place.

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said: 'The ruling should send shockwaves through Silicon Valley - tech companies must expect to be held to account when they put the safety of children second to commercial decisions. The magnitude of this moment for children everywhere cannot be understated.

'Molly's family will forever pay the price of Meta and Pinterest's abject failure to protect her from content no child should see, but the Online Safety Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reverse this imbalance between families and big tech.

Molly's father Ian (centre) slammed Facebook owner Meta for its 'toxic corporate culture at the heart' of the company

'This must be a turning point, and further delay or watering down of the legislation that addresses preventable abuse of our children would be inconceivable to parents across the UK.'

Online safety campaigners have long called for enhanced regulation of social media and wider platforms, arguing the current system of self-regulation led by each site's own terms of service and content moderation processes is inadequate.

Sir Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said the Online Safety Bill offered a chance to achieve the 'stepchange' needed to protect children on the internet.

Social media giants are told to 'get a moral compass and step up' The Children's Commissioner has blasted social media giants following the inquest into the death of Molly Russell - telling them to 'get a moral compass and step up'. Dame Rachel de Souza said that platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest need to 'do more and be better', describing some of the evidence seen at the inquest as 'harrowing'. The commissioner said: 'What the court has been hearing and what has been reported is absolutely harrowing. We're talking about thousands and thousands of posts we know she liked - the most awful pro-suicide and self-harm (content). We have to think about a little girl who is depressed and upset, seeing those images - it's just horrendous.' Ms de Souza continued: 'If it was just Molly and it was just a one-off it would be bad enough, but we know children are seeing these things across the country, many of them underage on those social media sites, and it's just not good enough. 'I've looked at lots of it and it's deeply, deeply concerning. As someone who advocates for children, as a parent myself, as someone who has been a headteacher and teacher of thousands of children for 30 years, it's just horrendous that they are seeing this stuff.' Commenting on Meta's defence of some of the material viewed by Molly, where a senior executive said posts were safe because they were from people issuing a 'cry for help', Ms de Souza said: 'It's just not acceptable. 'It's not acceptable to hear this from social media companies - and I'm not surprised to hear that argument put forward. Frankly, although they are attempting to make improvements they are not doing enough, and arguments like that I think are morally reprehensible and I want to see these companies step up and do more and be better.' The commissioner added: 'Everyone has responsibility here, parents have responsibility, children know when they shouldn't be online, but frankly - tech firms have huge agency here and we need them to do more. They should remove self-harm and suicide content. 'I think they should be eradicating graphic content depicting self-harm and suicide - there's no defence at all for that material being accessible to children. They've had since 2017, it's still as bad and that's why I think we need the Online Safety Bill back to enshrine children's safety in law. Self-regulations have just not been good enough.' Ms de Souza said too many underage children were using social media. She said: 'I'm not convinced they are researching this, nor am I convinced their screening tools are working - so they need to remove that content. Many of them are making moves with thinking about the Online Safety Bill coming - but platforms cannot protect children if they don't know who the children are.' Advertisement

Sir Peter told the press conference held after the ruling: 'We have a legislative opportunity in the coming weeks to achieve that stepchange.

'I don't want to be here talking about another isolated watershed moment in another 12 months' time.

'The legacy from what's going on here can be so much more powerful than that.'

Earlier this month, new Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said the Government is planning 'tweaks' to the Online Safety Bill, but the protections included, particularly for children, will not be watered down.

Cross-bench peer and internet safety campaigner Baroness Beeban Kidron said she would be bring forward 'an amendment to the Online Safety Bill in the House of Lords that seeks to make it easier for bereaved parents to access information from social media companies.'

Following the coroner's ruling, pressure is likely to now increase on the Government to bring the Bill back to Parliament swiftly.

Since her death, Molly's family have campaigned for better internet safety and stronger rules over suicide and self-harm-related content.

Merry Varney, representing Molly's family from law firm Leigh Day, said the world owed the Russells an 'incredible debt of gratitude'.

She told the press conference: 'The last two weeks, and indeed, the very long road since the death of much-loved Molly, underline the importance of inquests and the strength of a coroner's investigation when done properly.

'Molly's family have faced considerable hurdles and are grateful to Senior Coroner Andrew Walker for his persistence in helping them obtain as much information as possible about Molly's online experiences.

'The battles bereaved families face when seeking answers from social media companies are immense and even with the senior coroner taking a robust approach, it was only in August this year that Meta provided over 1,200 Instagram posts Molly engaged with, less than a month before the inquest started. This included some of the most distressing videos and posts that Molly engaged with.

'Seeking to find out how your loved one died should never be a battle, and Molly's family have welcomed the transparency shown by Pinterest, as well as their acceptance and apology for the deeply harmful material Molly was able to access.

'The coroner's finding that Molly's death was contributed to by the negative effects of online content, having heard evidence about what Molly viewed and engaged with on Instagram and Pinterest, reflect the views of Molly's family, those who knew her best and loved her the most.

'We all owe this family an incredible debt of gratitude and together with them I hope the conclusion that children's lives remain at risk is acted upon urgently, so that tech giants can no longer invite them onto wholly unsafe and harmful platforms.'

At the press conference in Barnet, Ms Varney added: 'I mentioned that this was a coroner's investigation done properly. Not all coroner's investigations are done properly and not all bereaved families have the chance to seek answers.

'When you say, 'Is this going to happen again and will this change things?' I hope so.

'I hope other coroners, other lawyers, other families understand what can be achieved and should be achieved when you're looking at how somebody came about their death.'

She said she hopes Instagram owner Meta, one of the interested parties in the case, follows through after offering to meet with the Molly Rose Foundation and that bosses 'listen very carefully and have some humility'.

Andy Burrows, head of child safety online policy at the NSPCC, said tech giants 'allowed' and even 'encouraged' Molly to view the material that contributed to her death.

The way platforms such as Instagram operated - through the use of algorithms - often resulted in the youngster being exposed to content she had not requested to see, the coroner found.

Mr Burrows said: 'This is social media's big tobacco moment. For the first time globally, it has been ruled content a child was allowed and even encouraged to see by tech companies contributed to their death.

'The world will be watching their response.'

The family's lawyer described Molly's social media as a 'ghetto' due to the disturbing nature of many of the posts she had liked

Meta representative Liz Lagone (left) and Pinterest's head of community operations, Judson Hoffman, gave evidence (right)

Ahead of his verdict today, Mr Walker said he would not be allowed to make recommendations  but he did want to 'raise concerns' over the use of social media by children.

How is social media regulated and how could laws now change? Currently, most social media and search engine platforms that operate in the UK are not subject to any large-scale regulations specifically concerning user safety beyond a handful of laws that refer to the sending of threatening or indecent electronic communications. Instead, these platforms are relied upon to self-regulate, using a mixture of human moderators and artificial intelligence to find and take down illegal or harmful material proactively or when users report it to them. Platforms lay out what types of content are and are not allowed on their sites in their terms of service and community guidelines, which are regularly updated to reflect on the evolving themes and trends that appear in the rapidly moving digital world. However, critics say this system is flawed for a number of reasons, including that what is and is not regarded as safe or acceptable online can vary widely from site to site, and many moderation systems struggle to keep up with the vast amounts of content being posted. Concerns have also been raised about the workings of algorithms used to serve users with content a platform thinks might interest them - often this is based on a user's habits on the site and can mean that someone who searches for material linked to depression or self-harm could be shown more of it in the future. In addition, some platforms argue that certain types of content which are not illegal - but could be considered offensive or potentially harmful by some - should be allowed to remain online to protect free speech and expression. As a result, large amounts of harmful content can be found on social media today as platforms struggle with moderating the sheer scale of content being posted and the balancing act of allowing users to express themselves while trying to keep their online spaces safe. During the inquest, evidence given by executives from both Meta and Pinterest highlighted these issues. Pinterest executive Judson Hoffman admitted the platform was 'not safe' when Molly accessed it in 2017 because it did not have in place the technology it has now. And Meta executive Elizabeth Lagone's evidence highlighted the issue of understanding the context of certain posts when she said some of the content seen by Molly was 'safe' or 'nuanced and complicated', arguing that in some instances it was 'important' to give people a voice if they were expressing suicidal thoughts. During the inquest, coroner Andrew Walker said the opportunity to make social media safe must not 'slip away', as he voiced concerns about the platforms. He outlined a range of concerns including a lack of separation of children and adults on social media; age verification and the type of content available and recommended by algorithms to children; and insufficient parental oversight for under-18s. The UK's plan to change this landscape is the Online Safety Bill, which would for the first time compel platforms to protect users from online harm, particularly children, by requiring them to take down illegal and other harmful content, and is due to be reintroduced to Parliament soon. Companies in scope will be required to spell out clearly in their terms of service what content they consider to be acceptable and how they plan to prevent harmful material from being seen by their users. It is also expected to require firms to be more transparent about how their algorithms work and to set out clearly how younger users will be protected from harm. The new regulations will be overseen by Ofcom and those found to breach the rules could face large fines or be blocked in the UK. The conclusion of the inquest into Molly's death is expected to see renewed calls for the new rules to be swiftly introduced. Advertisement

This included algorithms that push harmful content on children and the lack of separation between under-18s and adults on the platforms.

Today, children's commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest need to 'do more and be better', describing some of the evidence seen at the inquest as 'harrowing'.

Ms de Souza said she wanted the Online Safety Bill to be implemented to 'enshrine children's safety in law'.

The commissioner said: 'What the court has been hearing and what has been reported is absolutely harrowing.

'We're talking about thousands and thousands of posts we know she liked - the most awful pro-suicide and self-harm [content].

We have to think about a little girl who is depressed and upset, seeing those images - it's just horrendous.'

Ms de Souza continued: 'If it was just Molly and it was just a one-off it would be bad enough, but we know children are seeing these things across the country, many of them underage on those social media sites, and it's just not good enough. I've looked at lots of it and it's deeply, deeply concerning.

'As someone who advocates for children, as a parent myself, as someone who has been a headteacher and teacher of thousands of children for 30 years, it's just horrendous that they are seeing this stuff.'

Commenting on Meta's defence of some of the material viewed by Molly, where a senior executive said posts were safe because they were from people issuing a 'cry for help', Ms de Souza said: 'It's just not acceptable.

'It's not acceptable to hear this from social media companies - and I'm not surprised to hear that argument put forward.

'Frankly, although they are attempting to make improvements they are not doing enough, and arguments like that I think are morally reprehensible and I want to see these companies step up and do more and be better.'

The commissioner added: 'Everyone has responsibility here, parents have responsibility, children know when they shouldn't be online, but frankly - tech firms have huge agency here and we need them to do more.

'They should remove self-harm and suicide content. I think they should be eradicating graphic content depicting self-harm and suicide - there's no defence at all for that material being accessible to children.

'They've had since 2017, it's still as bad and that's why I think we need the Online Safety Bill back to enshrine children's safety in law. Self-regulations have just not been good enough.'

Labour has said the Government and social media companies must take action to make the internet safer for children following the conclusion of the inquest into the death of Molly Russell.

The party is calling on the Government to 'bring forward' the delayed Online Safety Bill at the 'earliest opportunity'.

Lucy Powell, Labour's shadow digital and culture Secretary, said: 'Molly Russell's death is a tragedy, which should force action from government and social media companies to make the internet safe for children.

'It is a scandal that just as the coroner is announcing that harmful social media content contributed to Molly Russell's death, the Government is looking to water down the Online Safety Bill.

'Without measures on legal but harmful content in the bill, likely none of the suicide and self-harm content that Molly found online would be dealt with.

'We have waited years for this legislation, now Tory in-fighting is delaying it further.

'Enough is enough. Children must be kept safe online. The Government should bring forward the full Online Safety Bill at the earliest opportunity.'

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has said the Government will use the Online Safety Bill and the 'full force of the law' to hold social media companies to account following the inquest into the death of Molly Russell.

'Our Online Safety Bill is the answer and through it we will use the full force of the law to make social media firms protect young people from horrendous pro-suicide material.'

Cross-bench peer and internet safety campaigner Baroness Beeban Kidron said she would be bring forward 'an amendment to the Online Safety Bill in the House of Lords that seeks to make it easier for bereaved parents to access information from social media companies.'

For help or support, visit samaritans.org or call Samaritans for free on 116 123.
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Hard-pressed families struggling with the cost of living crisis are facing an 'apocalyptic' rise in grocery prices which is forcing desperate Britons to turn to food banks to survive.

As millions continue to be stung in the pocket by soaring heating and fuel prices, figures compiled by MailOnline have revealed how the ballooning costs of household favourites are now eating into the weekly budgets of cash-strapped families.

Cupboard staples such as milk, spaghetti and Heinz baked beans, have seen some of the largest increases in the last 12 months.

The average cost of a bottle of Morrisons milk is now 40.6 per cent higher than it was last year, while Tesco's own brand of spaghetti - a favourite for families on a budget - has rocketed by 60.4 per cent, according to data from Trolley.co.uk's Grocery Price Index.

A can of Heinz baked beans is now 45.9 per cent more expensive that is was in September 2021.

Meanwhile, a pack of Andrex toilet roll has seen an enormous 115.7 per cent boom, with a four-pack of 'classic clean' wipes now costing 5.07.

Branded favourites have seen rises across the board, with a four-pack of Andrex toilet rolls recording a 115.7 per cent spike in price over the past 12 months

The price of a 15-item basket at Tesco has increased by 14.1 per cent over the past year, costing 35.02 compared to 30.68 in September last year

The average cost of a small weekly shop of essential items has ballooned over the past 12 months as the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen

Other items, such as Cathedral City cheese, have increased by 22.2 per cent, while a pack of ham from Sainsbury's now costs 2.80 - a rise of 27.3 per cent in the past year.

It comes as analysis by MailOnline shows how the average 15-item shopping basket now costs 5.52 more than it did 12 months ago.

The study focused on a basket packed with chicken breast, milk, spaghetti, baked beans, teabags, apples, ham, cheese, crisps, coffee, washing up liquid, butter, bread, potatoes and eggs.

The average cost of all of those goods was 32.70. The same basket of items last year costs 27.15.

And it was at budget chain Asda where the average cost of 15-item basket soared the most. According to the data, an average basket at the supermarket cost 20.50 last year but now costs 27.60 - a rise of 7.10 in the last 12 months.

Iceland also saw one of the largest spikes in the cost of an average shopping basket, of 5.52, while high-end supermarket Waitrose saw the largest overall increase of 7.15, with a basket costing 44.10.

Aldi was the cheapest supermarkets compared to rivals Tesco, Sainbury's and Morrisons, with a basket costing 24.53.

The combination of surging food, energy and fuel prices, added with the potential threat of huge increases in people's mortgage payments, is pushing more people towards foodbanks for help, charity the Trussell Trust has warned.

Gill Fourie, operational manager at Blackburn Foodbank, said: 'We have to open our food bank earlier in the day at 8am so working people can pick up their parcels on the way to work.

The Government fixed the energy price per unit to 2,500 to stop it rising to 3,549 in October. The cap goes into effect on Saturday

Foodbanks are now extending opening hours to meet the increased demand, with charity leaders warning that more working people can now no longer afford to put food on the table.

Gill Fourie, operational manager at Blackburn Foodbank, said: 'We have to open our food bank earlier in the day at 8am so working people can pick up their parcels on the way to work.

UK economy might NOT be in recession... yet The UK economy might not officially be in recession after revised figures showed it stayed in the black in the second quarter. Initial estimates suggested that GDP fell by 0.1 per cent between April and June - but that has now been tweaked to 0.2 per cent growth. As a result UK plc might not be in a technical recession - defined as two quarters of decline in a row - as the Bank of England said earlier this month. However, the improved number for April-June was largely down to a grimmer assessment of the previous performance, with the economy still smaller than before the Covid crisis. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) now believes the pandemic triggered an 11 per cent slump in 2020, rather than the 9.3 per cent pencilled in before. That once again makes it the biggest since the Great Frost in 1709 - as the post-First World War recession was 9.7 per cent. Previous revisions had downgraded the size of the hit from its initial status as the biggest in 300 years. Rather than being 0.6 per cent bigger than before Covid, the ONS's latest estimate is that GDP is 0.2 per cent lower. As a result the body said the UK is the only G7 country not to have clawed back the ground from Covid. Advertisement

'Although we have a large proportion of people referred to us who are on benefits, we are seeing more and more people who are working, but whose wages have not increased in line with the rise in the cost of food, fuel and other items needed for a basic living standard.'

The news follows a warning earlier this year from Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, who said families faced an 'apocalyptic rise in food costs.

Speaking to the House Treasury Committee just before the summer, he said: 'Im afraid the one Im going to sound, I guess, rather apocalyptic about, is food.'

Meanwhile, mortgage panic is deepening as families fear that they will default on soaring repayments and lose their home amid warnings of 15 per cent fall in house prices.

Lenders pulled 1,000 deals in 24 hours amid predictions interest rates would hit six per cent.

The crisis has fueled fears that Britain is heading for a property price crash within the next two years as more than two million households face soaring mortgage costs that will see many forced to sell, analysts have warned.

Experts at Credit Suisse said a perfect storm of higher interest rates, inflation and the risk of recession could see house prices plunge by between 10 and 15 per cent.

Jittery lenders pulled almost 1,000 deals from the market overnight in the biggest daily fall on record, amid fears interest rates could climb to 6 per cent next year.

Single mother Andrea Lancaster, 48, broke down in tears as she revealed she does not know how she will cope with rising mortgage costs.

She told MailOnline: 'I don't know what am going to do if the rate goes up anymore. Every penny I get goes on my bills, I could end up losing our house.'

And a family of four from Manchester fear that they could lose their 'forever home' when their mortgage repayments change next year.

Some bank experts have warned of a potential rate rise to 5.5 per cent by as early as November - as the International Monetary Fund slammed Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng over his 'untargeted' economic plan last week that awarded 45billion in tax cuts, which spooked the markets and sent the pound plummeting.

Andrew Garthwaite at Credit Suisse said: 'The 8 per cent decline in sterling since August 1 should add a further 1.3 per cent to near-term inflation. On current swap rates, the average mortgage will be 6.3 per cent. House prices could easily fall 10 to 15 per cent.'

Liz Truss is expected to hold emergency talks with Britain's spending watchdog tomorrow as she attempts to dampen market panic after her tax-cutting 'mini-Budget' caused the pound to tumble to its all-time low.

The Prime Minister and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will meet the Office for Budget Responsibility's chairman Richard Hughes, before being presented with a first draft of the watchdog's full fiscal forecasts next week, amid claims the body tried and failed to give advice on the 'Emergency Budget' that rattled global markets and sparked the ongoing financial crisis.

Miss Truss and Mr Kwarteng are under huge pressure to bring forward the Government's planned financial statement setting out how they intend to get the public finances back on track from November 23 to late October, or even earlier.

A growing chorus of Conservative MPs believe that the end of November is too long to wait if they are to restore stability, with Tory chairman of the Commons Treasury Committee Mel Stride saying it should be brought forward at least a month as there was an 'urgent need' to boost market confidence.

Fears among the Tories that the financial fallout could hurt them at the ballot box were dramatically underlined after a YouGov poll showed Labour opening up a massive 33-point lead over the Conservatives - thought to be the biggest lead by any party in any poll since the 1990s.

It comes after Miss Truss denied pretending there is 'no crisis' after she fielded questions from a series of gung-ho BBC regional political editors in a media round this morning, where she defended her Chancellor's tax cuts and blamed the financial turmoil on Vladimir Putin's 'appalling' invasion of Ukraine.
CCTV images have been released by police to aid their hunt for burglars caught scaling an anchor chain on a disused cruise ship.

Items disappeared during raids on the Duke of Lancaster that took place over the course of two nights between September 3 and 4 in Mostyn, Flintshire.

Security cameras captured two men walking close to the scene while another image shows a mystery man clinging to the anchor chain in a bid to get on board.

A dock owner blamed 'anarchy' for allowing the burglars to raid the landmark ship.

A daredevil has been caught on camera climbing the anchor chain of a cruise ship - and is being hunted by police

Police have launched a burglary appeal after a string of times disappeared during raids on the disused cruise ship in Mostyn, Flintshire and also released this image of two people near the ship

The Duke of Lancaster has become a landmark at the dock where it is berthed - but is now being targeted by urban explorers

Dock owner John Rowley said raiders using the name urban explorers - whereby people usually trespass on abandoned ruins or hidden components of the manmade environment - have been climbing over razor wired security fencing and scaling an anchor chain to get on an upper deck.

He said: 'The so-called urban 'explorers' is just a tag they have latched onto as a burglar's cover whilst seeking glorification of their actions.

'At the moment anarchy rules - the ship was raided two nights running.'

The Duke of Lanccaster ship has not been used commercially for more than 40 years and is in a dry dock.

It was a cruise liner between 1956 and 1979 and was sold to a Liverpool-based company to be towed to Llanerch-y-Mor near Greenfield in August 1979.

A NWP spokesman said: 'If you recognise the people in these images, please contact us.'
On the same day that six Republican-led states filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden to prevent the implementation of his student loan forgiveness scheme, the Biden administration reduced the eligibility for its program on student loan forgiveness.

Borrowers with federal student loans held by private lenders but guaranteed by the government will no longer be eligible for debt relief. According to an administration office, the adjustment will have an impact on almost 770,000 people.

Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Has Issues

As long as the borrower consolidated their debt into the federal direct loan program, the Department of Education initially stated that this loans-many of which were made under the former Federal Family Education Loan program and Federal Perkins Loan program would be eligible for the one-time forgiveness action.

The department changed its strategy on Thursday. Its website states that to qualify for the debt relief, privately held federal student loans had to be consolidated by September 29. Although the Department of Education said it is investigating if there are alternate paths to assist, borrowers with privately held federal student loans who have not yet consolidated are currently out of luck.

Of the 43 million people who have borrowed federal student loans, just a small number have privately held them. Federal Family Education Loan borrowers number around 4 million, but not all of them are likely qualified for the student loan forgiveness program, which also has income criteria, as per CNN.

Individual borrowers who made less than $125,000 in 2020 or 2021 and married couples or heads of households who made less than $250,000 will have up to $10,000 of their federal student loan debt canceled under President Biden's proposal.

A borrower is qualified for up to $20,000 in debt forgiveness if they also obtained a federal Pell grant while attending college. Each year, Pell grants are given to millions of low-income students depending on the size, income, and cost of their families and college.

These borrowers are also more prone to experience difficulties making their student loan payments and going into default. In October, the administration is anticipated to start offering student loan forgiveness.

After coming under increasing pressure from Democrats to cancel some student loan debt, President Joe Biden revealed the forgiveness plan in August. Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Chuck Schumer of the Senate made repeated requests to the President to forgive up to $50,000 in student loan debt for each borrower, according to CBS News.

However, the cancellation of federal student loan debt in such a broad sense is unprecedented and has not yet been put to the test in court. Instead of delving into a complicated legal issue, Biden initially encouraged Congress to take action to erase some student debt.

The Biden administration argued in a Department of Education memo published in August that the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003, also known as the Heroes Act, gives the Education Secretary the authority to forgive student loans in order to help address the financial harm brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read Also: Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Plans To Return to Public Life Following Remorseless Sex Scandal

What's Next For Biden's Student Loan Handout?

Republicans in Congress and conservative advocacy organizations have disputed that assertion, arguing that Biden's action amounts to illegal executive overreach because the 2003 law was designed to give the president power in the wake of a catastrophe like the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Instead, Republicans like Sen. Ted Cruz have stated that finding someone who can provide "standing" before the court, or the grounds to sue, is their largest hurdle in successfully reversing the program. Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, refuted that assertion on Tuesday by telling reporters that anyone who does not want to seek debt relief can opt-out.

A different strategy is used in the lawsuit brought by the states, who contend that the cancellation of the debt will harm them in multiple ways. The lawsuit underlines that because borrowers are likely to consolidate their loans under the Federal Family Education Loan program, Missouri's student loan servicer, which is a member of the state government, could experience a decline in revenue.

President Joe Biden's plan to eliminate student loans may face additional legal challenges. Republican Mark Brnovich, Arizona's attorney general, has stated that he is working to create the best legal strategy, Washington Post reported. The Job Creators Network, a conservative advocacy group, is considering its legal options and intends to file a lawsuit as soon as the Department of Education formally announces the student loan forgiveness program later this month.

However, several legal professionals doubt that Biden's student loan forgiveness scheme could withstand a judicial challenge. If the standing obstacle is overcome, the case would then be heard by a district court, which might or might not issue a preliminary injunction to stop the cancellation until a final decision is made on the case's merits.

Recent decisions by the US Supreme Court that dealt with executive power limited the federal government's ability to enact new laws. Lower courts may use the justices' opinions in such cases when determining the Department of Education's authority even though the Supreme Court only hears a small number of cases each year.

Related Article: Joe Biden Speaks to Ron DeSantis After US President Received Backlash for Not Reaching Out to GOP Governor Amid Hurricane Ian Issue

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A five-year-old boy has died after he was hit by a van yesterday while riding his bike, police have said.

Ollie Simmons-Watt later died in hospital after the single-vehicle collision in Limavady in the county of Londonderry, Northern Ireland on Thursday.

Police are looking into the five-year-old's death and have asked for witnesses to come forward to help.

The five-year-old's friends, and community have said they are 'absolutely heartbroken' on the death of Ollie who had an 'infectious smile' and was so 'full of character'.

Police confirmed Ollie Simmons-Watt (pictured) died after the single-vehicle collision in Limavady on Thursday

It was reported shortly after 3.40pm that a van had struck a child in the Irwin Avenue area

Sergeant Amanda McIvor said: 'It was reported shortly after 3.40pm that a van had struck a child in the Irwin Avenue area.

'We believe at this time that Ollie was on his bike in the area at the time of the collision.

'Officers attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Air Ambulance NI, and the boy was taken to hospital for treatment, but unfortunately died from his injuries.

'The road, which was closed for a time following the collision, has since reopened.'

In tribute, local group Roe Valley Residents Association said on Facebook: 'It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of one of our young members Ollie Simmons-Watt yesterday evening.

'Ollie's smile was infectious and he was full of character. He kept eveyone entertained at any activity he participated in, and he will be dearly missed by his friends, management, staff and volunteers at RVRA.

'We pass on our sympathies and condolences on to Ollie's mammy and daddy.'

A woma,n who is close to the family, also said her 'heart is sore' and she 'can't imagine the pain [they] are in'.

She added: 'Life is so cruel. I pray God gives you all the strength to get through this! Rest easy wee man.'

Local politicians have also expressed their 'deepest sympathies' on Ollie's death.

SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said: 'I can't begin to imagine what his family are going through, but they have my deepest sympathies and I hope they will take some comfort from the outpouring of support at this awful time.

'Limavady is a very tight-knit area and people have been left shocked and reeling by this incident.

'I have no doubt that the local community will rally around the Simmons-Watt family in their hour of need and do all they can to help as they come to terms with this devastating loss.

'I'd like to thank the emergency services, including our ambulance and air ambulance staff who responded to this incident, and would urge anyone with any information about what happened to come forward to police as soon as possible to assist with their investigation.'

The five-year-old's friends, and community have said they are 'absolutely heartbroken' on the death of Ollie who had an 'infectious smile' and was so 'full of character'

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone, Daniel McCrossan, said: 'My thoughts are with the family of the elderly man who lost his life following a crash in Beragh this week.

'It's never easy to lose a loved one, particularly in such heartbreaking and tragic circumstances, and they have my sincere condolences at this difficult time.

'Beragh is a small village and I would urge everyone to take care when driving in the area, particularly as we head towards winter with the nights getting darker and driving conditions worsening.'

Meanwhile, police are also appealing for information following a fatal two-vehicle crash in the Curr Road area of Beragh, Co Tyrone, on Wednesday.

A PSNI spokesperson said: 'It was reported shortly after 11.25am that a lorry and a grey Renault Modus had been involved in a collision in the area.

'Officers attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

'One man aged in his 80s, who was driving the Renault, was taken to hospital following the incident. Sadly, he has since passed away.'

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has footage of it, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 582 of September 28.
Police are today digging on the Moors for murder victim Keith Bennett for the first time in 35 years to investigate suspected human remains.

In an extraordinary breakthrough in the notorious case nearly six decades after the schoolboy was snatched by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, a skull believed to be that of a child aged around 12 has been found on Saddleworth Moor.

Today The Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that detectives are preparing to exhume a particular area where suspected skeletal remains have been found including what experts believe to be a child's upper jaw with a full set of teeth.

Last night forensic anthropologists from Greater Manchester Police were examining potential samples of body tissue taken from the area in the hope of extracting DNA which could finally crack the infamous Moors murder case.

Detectives are also looking at a small sample of material thought to be clothing found buried 3ft underground beside the skull.

The astonishing development comes after author Russell Edwards assembled a team of experts in a bid to solve one of the greatest murder mysteries of all time.

Keith Bennett is the only victim of the Moors murders never to be found after his wicked killers refused to say where he was buried in a final act of unspeakable cruelty to his despairing family.

The 12-year-old was last seen on June 16, 1964, when he left his family home to stay with his grandmother.

Hindley lured the teenager into a van by asking him to help with some boxes, while her sadistic lover Brady sat watching his prey from the back seat.

Between July 1963 and October 1965, the infamous serial killers murdered five children before Brady was caught red-handed with the body of their final victim 17-year-old Edward Evans.

Extensive searches of the Moors led to the discovery of the bodies of Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12 and Lesley Ann Downey, 10, but Keith's body was never found.

Following the death of Hindley in 2002 and Brady in 2017, the search stalled and tragically Keith's mother Winnie went to her grave without knowing the truth.

But now an author who famously unmasked Jack the Ripper claims to have solved a puzzle that has perplexed police for 58 years.

Police are today digging on the Moors for murder victim Keith Bennett for the first time in 35 years to investigate suspected human remains

Greater Manchester Police forensic staff are pictured today

Detectives are also looking at a small sample of material thought to be clothing found buried 3ft underground beside the skull. A forensics tent is pictured on Saddleworth Moor today as police search the area for Moor's murder victim Keith Bennett

Greater Manchester Police rushed to send a team of officers and forensic experts to Saddleworth Moor on Thursday night just hours after receiving information from Mr Edwards about his compelling findings

Keith Bennett was snatched by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in 1964. He is their only victim who has never been found

Between July 1963 and October 1965 Myra Hindley, left, and Ian Brady, right murdered five children. Hindley died in 2002 and Brady in 2017 without revealing the location of Bennett's body

Ian Brady with police as he attempts to pinpoint the graves of victims in 1987

After seven years of painstaking work, Mr Edwards believes that he has located Keith's grave, which astonishingly is just a few hundred yards from the site where the couple buried their other victims.

After extensive soil analysis which indicated the presence of human remains, Mr Edwards commenced a dig under the supervision of a geologist and expert archaeologist.

He discovered a skull which experts believe is that of a child aged around 11- 12 based on the teeth present.

Three independent experts have now identified remains at the site as being human.

In a sickening twist, Mr Edwards believes Nazi-obsessed Brady may have been attempting to create the shape of a Swastika with the burial sites of his victims.

Greater Manchester Police rushed to send a team of officers and forensic experts to Saddleworth Moor on Thursday night just hours after receiving information from Mr Edwards about his compelling findings.

Archaeologist Dawn Keen, who specialises in the study of human remains, remotely supervised the 'grave cut'.

She said yesterday: 'I do believe there are human remains there. They [police] have got to look.

'From the photographs, I saw the teeth, I could see the canines, I could see the incisors, I could see the first molar. It is the left side of an upper jaw. There is no way that it is an animal.'

The renowned expert who has managed high profile projects including the exhumation of Cardinal Vaughan for Westminster Cathedral, assessed the age of the skull based on the presence of a first molar which usually appears from the age of 11 and there was no secondary molar which usually appears after 12.

Victims : 17-year-old Edward Evans, left, and 12-year-old John Kilbride, right

Murdered: Leslie Anne Downey, 10, left, and Pauline Reid, 16, right

She also analysed samples from the scene which she said was 'very likely to be adipose tissue' and clothing.

Her conclusions were backed by a second archaeologist the Mail is not naming because of her sensitive work, who said: 'It is a human skull. It cannot be anything else.'

Geologist Lesley Dunlop also carried out soil analysis at the scene which indicated human remains were present.

Chemical analysis revealed high levels of calcium and phosphorus which indicates bones were in the soil.

There was also nickel present which is usually found in zips and fastenings as well as the clothing dye cobalt, which would suggest that it is not animal remains.

The university lecturer said: 'From my analysis and from my visual impression, I would say that this area has had human remains in it.

The new discovery is just a few hundred yards from the site where the couple buried their other victims. Police are pictured giving a press conference in 1987 after the discovery of graves

'I cannot think of another other explanation other than it being human remains.'

Yesterday Mr Edwards described the moment he made the discovery: 'The smell hit me about 2ft down. Like a sewer, like ammonia.

'It was on my clothes I stank of it. The soil reeked. I worked as a gravedigger when I was 19 that hits you, that smell of death. It is distinctive

'I was overjoyed. Then we found blue and white stripped material. Then I stopped. I put everything back as I found it.'

Mr Edwards believes it 'can only be Keith'  although DNA tests will have to be carried out before this can be confirmed.

He added: 'This is about peace for Keith and closure for the family.'

Yesterday Keith's brother Alan, 66, who has devoted his life to trying to find his sibling, was informed about the extraordinary discovery. Sources described him as 'stoic' when he was told.

GMP Force Review Officer Martin Bottomley said: 'At around 11.25am on Thursday 29 September 2022, Greater Manchester Police was contacted by the representative of an author who has been researching the murder of Keith Bennett, a victim of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. Following direct contact with the author, we were informed that he had discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location on the Moors and he agreed to meet with officers yesterday afternoon to elaborate on his find and direct us to a site of interest.

'The site was assessed late last night and, this morning, specialist officers have begun initial exploration activity. We are in the very early stages of assessing the information which has been brought to our attention but have made the decision to act on it in line with a normal response to a report of this kind.

'It is far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time.

'We have always said that GMP would act on any significant information which may lead to the recovery of Keith and reunite him with his family. As such, we have informed his brother of the potential development - he does not wish to be contacted at this time and asks that his privacy is respected.'

How amateur sleuth found bombshell evidence... and spurred police into action

By Rebecca Camber

As police today dig at the site of Britain's most notorious murders for the first time in 35 years, hopes have been raised that it could finally reveal Keith Bennett's grave. Rebecca Camber looks at how an amateur sleuth made the bombshell discovery and the compelling evidence that has spurred police into action

THE AUTHOR

Russell Edwards, pictured, assembled a team of experts in a bid to solve one of the greatest murder mysteries of all time

Russell Edwards was just 21 when he first went up to Saddleworth Moor looking for the Moors murder victims.

It was 1987 and he had been moved by a newspaper article appealing for volunteers to help find Brady and Hindley's first victim, Pauline Reade.

It was to be the start of a life-long fascination with the infamous case and other unsolved crimes.

The amateur sleuth, now 56, has hitherto been best known for his work on another serial killer.

In 2015 he published a book identifying Polish-born Aaron Kosminski as Jack the Ripper based on DNA extracted from a shawl said to be found on one of the victims.

Later that year he set his sights on finding Keith Bennett.

'It has been a lifelong obsession for me with big unsolved cases. I started delving into the story, what Brady's fascinations were,' he said.

'You have got to live the story, sort of walk in their shoes to consider why the fascination with this area? What is so special about this area? It gave me the first clue.'

THE SWASTIKA

Mr Edwards believes that Brady meticulously planned where to bury his victims because he wanted to create the shape of a swastika.

Obsessed with Nazism, Brady collected German WWII memorabilia and read Hitler's book Mein Kampf repeatedly.

The author believes that Brady deliberately arranged the graves so that he could create a swastika shape by positioning his female victims on side of the A635 and the boys on the other.

'The significance of the road is it looks like part of the swastika, when you look at the locations of the graves, it is his version of a swastika although he never got to finish it.

'There is half a zig zag in the road and I thought it is significant to him.

'It pinpointed the area to search for Keith because of that shape.'

COMPULSION

Detectives remove a body of a victim from Saddleworth Moor

Hours before abducting their first victim on July 12, 1963, Brady told Hindley he wanted to 'commit his perfect murder'.

He appears to have been inspired by a book called Compulsion about the murder of a 12-year-old boy which he gave Hindley to read.

One of the bestselling novels of 1957, it was based on Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two young men from wealthy families who resolved to commit a kidnap and 'perfect murder' in 1924, but they were caught after leaving behind a pair of distinctive glasses.

Mr Edwards believes that certain scenes in the 1959 film starring Orson Welles inspired Brady and may explain why he targeted Keith who was the same age and wore identical glasses.

'At the beginning of the film is a significant bend in the road which I identified immediately as exactly the same type of bend in the road where the children were buried.

'This is all part of their plan. He was obsessive.'

Mr Edwards believes that it was this fixation with creating the 'perfect murder' that resulted in Brady later moving Keith Bennett's body so that Hindley would not know its final location.

EAGLE ROCK

After his imprisonment, Brady toyed with officers claiming: 'I am going to give you Keith Bennett'.

He told Chief Superintendent Peter Topping he wanted to see a local landmark known as Eagle Rock, but claimed this was of no significance.

After his imprisonment, Brady toyed with officers claiming: 'I am going to give you Keith Bennett'.

Mr Edwards recalled: 'I looked at the significance of Eagle Rock as that is where Brady wanted to revisit at the time Peter Topping is interviewing him.

'They never looked any further there but my biggest question was why not?'

Mr Edwards believes Brady used the landmark as a marker from which he could see all but one of his victims.

DRONES

In 2016 Mr Edwards paid a drone expert from Liverpool John Moores University to complete a survey of the area he wanted to search.

He also paid for a ground penetrating radar search.

Three potential sites of interest were identified due to changes of vegetation and depressions in the ground, but soil analysis samples revealed no anomalies.

'At that point I was drained, I thought about quitting', he recalled.

'There are times I have come away so dejected, I never wanted to talk about it again, but it kept on pulling me back.

'When we did ground penetrating radar and he wasn't there and I thought if I feel like this, what would Winnie [Keith's mother] have felt every time she was up there?

'She had a whole life of torment. She begged the two of them in letters to give them information.

'I thought I am not going to let her down.

'Her memory has kept me going- let's get justice for Keith, let's put him with Winnie.

'But my other objective was to beat Ian Brady because he wanted to commit the perfect murder and until I came along he had, that was significant for me.

'I wanted to beat him.

'When you talk about the Moors Murders these days, kids look at you blank.

'There was a little boy raped and murdered and his life was taken away from him when he was 12 years of age and he is getting forgotten about.

'His mother is dead and his is becoming a forgotten story and that is not fair.'

THE BREAKTHROUGH

In July Mr Edwards decided to try one last time.

'I walked down from Eagle Rock. If I saw anything as I walked down there I thought I will take a sample.

'At the end of the day I looked at the hill and I thought I'm not going back that way it is very treacherous ground.

'As I walked the long way back, I saw something I thought shouldn't be there in the vegetation.

'I walked down from Eagle Rock. If I saw anything as I walked down there I thought I will take a sample.

'In the middle of long grass was a white patch. It was a completely different colour, it had no growth on it.

'I thought that was odd.

'I thought I might as well take a sample of this.. It was a grave size about 5ft by about 3ft.

'Most of the time when you are taking soil samples, you always hit granite or stone.

'That time the sample went in really easily suggesting it may have been previously dug.'

THE SOIL ANALYSIS

He sent the samples to Lesley Dunlop, a geologist at Northumbria University who specialises in soil analysis.

'Lesley Dunlop came back and said there is a serious anomaly here,' he said.

'She said all of these chemical components strike gold. The calcium reading was a real peak which indicated the presence of bones.

'Lesley told me this is not animals, it is human bones, we are onto something here. I felt elated and quite nervous.

'I checked with the landowner to ask if anything been buried there, he said nothing has ever even buried there. No sheep, no dogs, nothing.

'I thought there was a good chance we have found him.'

X ray fluorescence (XRF) which is used for chemical analysis of soil showed a spike in calcium, potassium and phosphorus which indicated bones are present.

There were also significant readings for Strontium 90, a radioactive isotope found in bones.

Children born in the 1950s were found to have higher levels in their teeth and bones which has been attributed to nuclear weapons testing at the time.

There were also traces of clothing dye cobalt, titanium and nickel which is often found in metallic zips and fastenings in clothing.

Miss Dunlop said: 'I would not expect that from an animal.

'To me it was evidence of a human body. There could be no other explanation.'

She also recalled the soil profile was disturbed: 'There are lots of quartz pebbles in the bedrock but you do not usually found them this high up in the soil profile so it did look like there had been a bit of disturbance there.'

THE DIG

In September, Mr Edwards returned with Miss Dunlop to dig up the area.

He recalls an overpowering stench of death: 'The smell hit me about 2ft down. Like a sewer, like ammonia.

'It was on my clothes I stank of it. The soil reeked.

'I worked as a gravedigger when I was 19 that hits you, that smell of death. It is distinctive

'I worked as a gravedigger when I was 19 that hits you, that smell of death. It is distinctive

'I asked Dawn Keen and she said: 'That is adipose (body fat) tissue, you have found him'.

'I was overjoyed. Then we found blue and white stripped material. Then I stopped. I put everything back as I found it.'

THE SKULL

When archaeologist Dawn Keen later analysed photographs of the dig, she identified a child's skull hidden in the peat which had not been spotted at the time.

She said: 'I do believe there is human remains there. I saw the teeth, I could see the canines, I could see the incisors, I could see the first molar.

'The left side of the face is upside down and I was looking at an upper jaw.

'Two molars that have not erupted, they usually erupt after the age of 12.

'But the first molar was present that tells us that they have reached dental development of 11-12 years.'

Mr Edwards was elated. He said: 'Police have to go and do a full scale dig now.

'No other 12-year-old was reported missing in the 1960s there can only be one, it can only be Keith.

'This is about peace for Keith, closure for his family. Brady has not won.'
A brand expert hopes the end of the supermarket copycat items could be in sight after a bombshell decison by a Swiss court over Lidl's knock-off chocolate bunnies.

The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland ruled that Lidl's chocolate bunnies wrapped in aluminium foil, whether 'golden or of another colour', were too similar to Lindt's.

It banned the chain's Swiss branches Lidl Schweiz and Lidl Schweiz DL from selling similar bunnies and ordered the destruction of any still in stock.

Now some branding experts hope the case will lead to stricter rules in the UK to prevent supermarkets creating its own versions of branded products.

Aldi and Lidl famously sell their own, cheaper knock-offs of branded goods in their stores, and even leading supermarkets have been known to take advantage of others' popular products such as M&S's Colin the Caterpillar cake.

The Swiss ruling comes after a hotly contested court case over the caterpillar cake between Marks and Spencer's and Aldi was finally settled earlier this year in a confidential deal.

Brand expert Jessica Andrews said that the ruling is an opportunity for the UK 'to bring into focus that this is not an acceptable practice' and end supermarket knock-offs, encouraging them to 'develop their own style' instead.

Lidl's bunny (left) was found by the court to be too similar to Lindt's design

Switzerland's highest court found the shape of the bunnies was 'associated by a very large part of the public with Lindt'

Details of the 'confidential' deal have not been revealed, but it is understood that Cuthbert (pictured) will not appear again in quite the same form

She told MailOnline: 'In the UK we have a very different copyright law then they do in the US.

'Absolutely everything image-based in the US has to be legally trademarked.

'In the UK we don't have to do that but we've got a really nasty trend as the internet's grown of companies globally coming in and stealing designed intellectual property.

'Hopefully this case will bring into focus that this is not an acceptable practice.

'Brands spend a lot of time getting their image and look right.'

She added: 'It's a really tough situation to navigate. You have the influencer copycat who wants to emulate the brand people like at a cost they can afford.

'Brands will still find a way of changing something to make it their own, but then at the same time, I think it's really important to develop your own style.

'So maybe it will allow people to have the confidence to vote with their money for what they like.

'There's a reason that artisan products are a bit more expensive and sometimes quality and cost need to be recognised.

'As a society, everything is instant, we want it now, but actually sometimes it's really good to aspire to something.'

Lindt & Sprungli sued in 2018, claiming that Lidl's bunnies had a very similar shape and appearance and could be confused with its flagship Easter product.

But the commercial court of Switzerland's Aargau canton, west of Zurich, dismissed Lindt's action in 2021.

Aldi's knock-off Phish Food ice cream from Ben and Jerry's is considerably cheaper at 1.99

Lidl has a version of red label teabags with striking similar packaging to other leading supermarkets

Aldi's hobnobs are in almost identical packaging, but are called Oaties

These Ocean Sea fish fingers from Lidl appear to be a take on Birdseye

Lidl's tinned tomatoes are cheaper than their branded counterparts, such as Napolina

Aldi's yoghurts also look similar to some famous brands...

Both Lidl and Aldi have their own version of Weetabix cereal - one named Bixies the other cleverly name Wheat Bisks

The Seal Bars at Aldi are made up of a chocolate coating and a chocolate biscuit with a creamy centre...

Aldi make a cheeky dig at Kellogg's with their own version of the marshmallow rice treat calling it Oblongs

Aldi's version of Doritos come in the same colour packaging and flavours

However, Switzerland's highest court overturned the decision, finding that Lidl's bunnies posed 'a risk of confusion even if the two products present certain differences'.

'Given the overall impression produced, Lidl's bunnies arouse obvious associations with the shape of Lindt's,' the federal court said.

'In the public mind, they cannot be distinguished.'

Lindt provided consumer surveys showing that its bunny had achieved a level of general public awareness.

The Federal Supreme Court decided that it 'can be considered common knowledge that the shapes that Lindt & Sprungli has had protected by trademark law are associated by a very large part of the public with the Lindt & Sprungli company'.

Contacted by AFP, Lidl said it could not provide 'any information concerning legal proceedings which are still ongoing'.

It comes after the hotly contested court case between Marks and Spencer's and Aldi was finally settled earlier this year in a confidential deal.

The British retailer had accused the German discounter of copying the design of its famous Colin the Caterpillar for their rival Cuthbert.

Lawyers had been brought in on the intellectual property claim, which even made it to the High Court last year.

Both supermarkets confirmed in February that an agreement has been struck to resolve the conflict.

Details of the 'confidential' deal have not been revealed, but it is understood that Cuthbert will not appear again in quite the same form.
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey had pushed to get Elon Musk on the company's board for at least a year and quit the company when they initially rejected him.

Newly released texts from Twitter's lawsuit against Musk revealed that Dorsey had reached out to the Tesla CEO in March when he bought 9 percent of the company's stock.

In texts dated March 26, Dorsey liked Musk's characterization of Twitter's algorithm as 'hidden corruption,' and agreed that the world's richest man should be the one to take the reigns of the company after his departure in May.

'I wanted to talk with you about it after I was all clear, because you care so much, get it's importance, and could def help in immeasurable ways,' Dorsey told Musk.

'Back when we had the activist come in, I tried my hardest to get you on our board, and our board said no. That's about the time I decided I needed to work to leave, as hard as it was for me.'

Dorsey also condemned the company's decision to reject Musk from the board, writing: 'I think the main reason is the board is just super risk averse and saw adding you as more risk, which I thought was completely stupid and backwards.'

Along with Dorsey's endorsement of Musk, the texts also revealed the breakdown between the SpaceX CEO and Twitter head Parag Agrawal, as well as messages from several celebrities congratulating Musk on his takeover bid.

Elon Musk's text messages regarding his $44 billion Twitter takeover have been released, revealing heated exchanges about the deal

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey (left) had tried to get Musk on the board for at least a year and said he quit after facing opposition from the board. He also offered to smooth things over between Musk and current Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal (right)

The texts reveal Dorsey's frustration and hopes that Musk would take charge of Twitter

As Elon became the largest shareholder of Twitter in early April, he began texting with Agrawal about how he would best be integrated into the Twitter team.

While the two appeared to be on friendly terms, with Agrawal even texting Musk for approval on his tweet announcing his joining of the board on April 5, things broke down quickly as Musk continued to criticize Twitter.

After he tweeted 'Is Twitter dying?' on April 9, Agrawal chastised Musk, who was pointing out that the company's 'top' accounts rarely tweeted.

Agrawal wrote: ' You are free to tweet 'is Twitter dying?' or anything else about Twitter - but it's my responsibility to tell you that it's not helping me make Twitter better in the current context.

'Next time we speak, I'd like to you provide you perspective on the level of internal distraction right now and how it hurting our ability to do work, he continued:

'I hope the AMA will help people get to know you, to understand why you believe in Twitter, and to trust you - and I'd like the company to get to a place where we are more resilient and don't get distracted, but we aren't there right now.'

Elon swung back at Agrawal, writing: ' What did you get done this week? I'm not joining the board. This is a waste of time.

'Will make an offer to take Twitter private.'

Texts from April 9 (above) reveal a fallout between Musk and Agrawal

Agrawal had taken issue with a tweet Musk posted that day asking if the platform was dead

Just days earlier, Agrawal had asked Elon to approve his tweet announcing he was joining the board (above)

Just two days after the texts, Musk was rejected from the board, again, with the billionaire venting his frustrations in texts with Jason Calacanis, a tech investor and podcaster.

As Calacanis criticizes Twitter's product plans as 'dog s**t,' Musk agrees and mocks Agrawal's apparent lack of leadership at such a critical time.

'Btw, Parag is still on a ten day vacation in Hawaii,' Musk wrote.

'No reason to cut it short... in your first tour as CEO (!!!),' Calacanis wrote. 'Shouldn't he be in a war room right now?!?'

'Does doing occasional zoom calls while drinking fruity cocktails at the Four Seasons count,' Musk replied.

In a messages date April 26, just a day after a deal was reached for Musk to purchase the social media giant for $44 billion, Dorsey offered to smooth things over between Agrawal and Musk.

'I want to make sure Parag is doing everything possible to build towards your goals until close' Dorsey wrote Musk. 'He is really great at getting things done when tasked with specific direction.

'Would it make sense for me you and him to get on a call and discuss next steps and get really clear on what's needed?'

After Elon agreed and thanked him for his help, Dorsey wrote: 'I won't let this fail and will do whatever it takes. It's too critical to humanity.'

Musk, however, continued to vent his frustrations over Agrawal's management, saying that the Twitter CEO was 'moving far too slowly and trying please people who will not be happy no matter what he does.'

Dorsey replied: 'At least it became clear that you can't work together. That was clarifying.'

In an April 16 exchange with podcaster Jason Calacanis, Musk continued to criticize Agrawal

Dorsey offered to act as a bridge between Agrawal and Musk after the Tesla CEO announced he was purchasing Twitter for $44 billion

Along with the drama between the billionaires, the texts also showed that several celebrities reached out to Musk regarding his takeover bid.

Podcaster Joe Rogan was among the first to message Musk, asking the world's richest man if he was going to do something about Twitter's banning practices.

'Are you going to liberate Twitter from the censorship happy mob,' Rogan asked on April 4.

'I will provide advice, which they may or may not choose to follow,' Musk replied.

By the time Musk was expected to announce that he would be purchasing the social media giant, Rogan texted him again to show his support.

'I REALLY hope you get Twitter,' Rogan wrote. 'If you do, we should throw a hell of a party.'

Podcaster Joe Rogan was one of the first celebrities to reach out to Musk and show his support of the billionaire's bid to purchase Twitter

Musk had famously appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience smoking a joint. Musk would later use a pic of that show to comment that Twitter's next board meeting would be 'lit'

A few days later, CBS journalist Gayle King reached out to Musk to try and get the Tesla CEO to sit down and talk to her about his plans with Twitter.

King told Musk that she supported his proposal for an edit button on Twitter, writing: 'we all say s**t we regret [and] want to take back in the heat of the moment.'

Musk replied a few days later, quipping: 'maybe Oprah would be interested in joining the Twitter board if my bid succeeds.'

A few days later, CBS journalist Gayle King reached out to Musk to try and get the Tesla CEO to sit down and talk to her about his plans with Twitter
New footage from a 2016 interview with police of Sherri Papini, who mimicked the plot of 'Gone Girl' by attempting to execute her own kidnapping, shows the mother of two speaking to police with a swollen and bandaged nose in the immediate aftermath of the ordeal.

In a clip that aired Friday morning on Good Morning America, Papini, 39, is seen with a bandage across the bridge of her nose as she told law enforcement officers she was hesitant to discuss the kidnapping with them because she doesn't know if they're 'in my corner.'

'I don't know you guys. I don't know if you're in my corner,' she said.

'I know my husband. I know my husband is in my corner, but you know, there was a lot of other things and I know that you guys know everything about everything. It's embarrassing and yucky and that's weird for me.'

Papini, a mother of two, faked her kidnapping in 2016, including a number of self-inflicted injuries that she presented to police and medical examiners

Her plot was ultimately foiled when law enforcement discovered she had been sheltering with her ex-boyfriend, who helped her inflict some of the wounds she re-emerged with

Papini (pictured here with husband Keith) told investigators she trusted her husband but was not inclined to trust the police because she was unsure they were in her corner

Papini's story ultimately fell apart and she was confronted by police with the holes in her story after ex-boyfriend James Reyes came clean about where she had been for 22 days in November

James Reyes told police that Papini caused self-inflicted injuries while staying with him, including hitting herself to create bruises and burning herself on her arms

ABC will air a new episode of 20/20 entitled The Vanishing Act on Friday night that focuses on Papini's hoax that had the country fooled for years.

The special will feature newly released evidence from the investigation and interviews with former Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko, former Redding, Calif., Mayor Missy McArthur and Northern Hispanic Latino Coalition co-founder Alan Ernesto Phillips.

In November 2016, Papini disappeared from her Redding neighborhood while out for a jog. The married mom of two returned weeks later, almost hundreds of miles away, 'dazed, battered and bruised,' and insisted she was held captive for 22 days by two Latina women.

When Papini was found, she had bindings on her body and self-inflicted injuries including a swollen nose and blurred 'brand' on her right shoulder. She had other bruises and rashes on many parts of her body, ligature marks on her wrists and ankles, and burns on her left forearm.

Nearly six years later, Papini's kidnapping plot unraveled and she was charged in March for perpetrating the hoax.

She ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and one of lying to a federal office.

'I am deeply ashamed of myself for my behavior and so very sorry for the pain I've caused my family, my friends, all the good people who needlessly suffered because of my story, and those who worked so hard to try to help me,' she said in court.

'I will work the rest of my life to make amends for what I have done,' Papini said.

She was sentenced earlier this month to 18 months in prison, more than double the amount of time requested by the prosecutors, and will be forced to pay more than $300,000 in restitution for funds the state spent on her investigation.

The mother of two must turn herself in by November 8. In addition to her prison sentence, Papini will undergo 36 months of probation.

Papini's husband, Keith Papini, filed for divorce from his wife of more than a decade in April, after sticking with her for the past six years since the alleged kidnapping.

He has filed for sole custody of their two children, Tyler, 9, and Violet, 7.

He has also filed to be awarded sole use of the couple's rented home in Redding, California, their three cars, a Ford Majestic motorhome and a Correct Craft Wakeboard boat.

The divorce papers show she and Keith split up the same day she was arrested this year and describe how Papini was 'literally tackled' by law enforcement officers during the arrest outside her children's school.

Papini looked concerned during an initial interview with law enforcement authorities after she returned from the staged kidnapping

Papini arrives at the federal courthouse for sentencing accompanied by her attorney, William Portanova, in Sacramento, her sister now says that Papini has no remorse or guilt for her actions

Appearing before a judge in April, Papini, 39, broke down in tears as she admitted faking her own abduction six years ago

Sherri Papini is seen after she was released from Sacramento County Main Jail in March

Keith - with whom she shares children Tyler, 9, and Violet, 7 - filed for divorce on Wednesday - two days after she pleaded guilty

Court papers seen by DailyMail.com reveal Keith (pictured in 2017) claims Sherri is 'not in a position to provide good parenting' to their son and daughter
A Texas mother and daughter who were shot and killed Thursday in a city just outside Waco have now been identified as family members mourn the losses.

The shooting took place in McGregor, Texas Thursday morning when law enforcement officials say an unidentified gunman shot and killed five people for unknown reasons.

Late Thursday evening, Lori and Natalie Aviles were identified as two of the victims.

Lori, 47, and Natalie, 20, were 'innocent victims in an act of gun violence' family said in a description posted to a GoFundMe page. The page has raised just over $14,000.

The mother and daughter were both also active in their community's church

Evidence is collected near a home involved in the shooting that left five dead in Texas

One family member, Olivia Olvera, said in a social media post that Lori and Natalie were gunned down by a 'cowardly man' who lived 'next door.'

'Our dear sweet Lori & Natalie have been called home to rejoice with our Lord & Savior,' organizers of the fundraiser wrote. 'This GoFundMe is for anyone whod like to help with any expenses.'

The GoFundMe also asks for thoughts and prayers for Lori's two sons, Ezra and Zion, who were not injured in the shooting.

Another family member, Ashley Sanchez, took to Facebook following the murder, saying that life 'won't be the same' without her cousin and aunt.

Lori leaves behind two sons who now have lost both their mother and their father, as well as their sister

'I am still in shock and disbelief. They did not deserve to have this happen to them and Ill never understand why. Two people that loved God, their family, and friends. Natalie was a beautiful young girl, full of life, following her dreams of becoming a doctor . . . always had a smile on her face,' the family member said.

According to Ashley, Natalie was hoping to follow in the footsteps of her mom, a nurse who worked at a hospital in the area. She had dreams of becoming a pediatrician.

'Lori was a beautiful and amazing woman that has achieved much in her life and was great at loving and taking care of those around her, especially at the hospital where she worked,' Ashley wrote in a tribute.

Natalie and Lori were 'innocent' victims of gun violence according to family members

The tragedy comes almost exactly two years after Lori's husband and the children's father, Mike Aviles, died from colorectal cancer in October 2020.

According to Natalie's Facebook page, her father's battle with cancer prompted her to get involved in colorectal cancer awareness movement.

Lori and Natalie were both also heavily involved in their local church, the Bethlehem Christian Church.

DailyMail.com spoke with Sgt. Ryan Howard with the Texas Department of Public Safety Friday morning who said they are confirming all of the victims' families have been identified before releasing the identities of the others killed.

Natalie was a nursing student who has aspirations of becoming a pediatrician, family said

Lori (left) and Natalie Aviles, two of the victims in the shooting on Thursday in McGregor, Texas

The gunman is currently in police custody.

Original reports indicated the man killed his wife and her two children, as well as two other women -- now believed to be Lori and Natalie Aviles.

Police were initially called to the scene to respond to reports of shots fired.

Top law enforcement officials spoke with KWTX, telling the local news station that they were called to the scene of the 900 block of Monroe Street around 8 a.m. on Thursday.

A man is in police custody after allegedly killing five people, including his wife and her two children inside a house in McGregor, Texas, just outside of Waco. Law enforcement still surrounded the house Thursday afternoon

'This is saddening information to actually have to put out, and stand up and give you today and thoughts and prayers and hopes for successful healing for the McGregor community,' Sgt. Ryan Howard with DPS said during a Thursday afternoon press conference.

'We have learned an update in the case, and currently working this case we have five people that are confirmed deceased from the incident that transpired this morning.'

The gunman was reportedly shot by police and taken to the hospital. Sgt. Howard told DailyMail.com that he sustained 'critical' but not life-threatening injuries.

#LIVE: Press conference in McGregor in response to shooting #BREAKING: A top law enforcement official confirmed to KWTX that five people are dead following a shooting this morning in McGregor and a suspect is in custody. INFO: kwtx.com/2022/09/29/authorities-investigating-reported-shooting-mcgregor/ Posted by KWTX News 10 on Thursday, September 29, 2022

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to Fox 44 they have been brought in to investigate the officer-involved shooting, as well as multiple deaths.

Texas Rangers are also involved in the investigations at this time.

A 'heavy police presence' remains at the scene in a residential neighborhood, as officers and law enforcement investigate.

The reasoning behind the carnage is unknown.

McGregor Independent School District officials announced to local news outlets that they were canceling all Thursday night activities for students and that events for Friday were subject to cancelation.

Top law enforcement officials told local news that they were called to the scene of the 900 block of Monroe Street around 8 a.m. to respond to a 'domestic disturbance'

The school district was briefly shut down following reports of the disturbance in the city. Schools were placed in 'secure setting' from just after 8 a.m. Thursday until noon.

'There was a domestic disturbance that resulted in a shooting in McGregor this morning. As a result of that shooting, MISD 'locked down' for about 15 minutes. Once we received an all clear from MPD, the lockdown was lifted,' the McGregor ISD superintendent said in a statement.

'This is a very fluid situation. Details are coming in rapidly and the gravity of the situation, and the required response, will change many times before the day is out. We will update you throughout the day as appropriate,' the superintendent said, according to reporting from KWTX.

Sgt. Ryan Howard with Texas DPS said that the matter remains under investigation at this time

'Rest assured, that the mental and physical well-being of every student and staff member is our top priority. We will be here today, and in the days to come, to meet the needs our your children.'

DailyMail.com reached out to officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety for further comment on the investigation but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as we receive them.
Huge methane cloud has drifted over Scandinavia and the British Isles

Vladimir Putin has accused the 'Anglo-Saxon' powers of organising blasts that resulted in multiple gas leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

The devastating leaks were caused by an explosion equal to hundreds of kilograms of TNT and measuring 2.3 on the Richter Scale, a Danish-Swedish report said.

Ukraine has pointed the finger of blame at Russia which while Putin today made a fresh accusations against Britain and the US of orchestrating the blasts.

'Sanctions are not enough for the West, they have switched to sabotage... by organising explosions on the Nord Stream international gas pipelines that run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea,' Putin said during a televised speech at a Kremlin ceremony to annex four Moscow-occupied regions of Ukraine.

A chilling simulation has shown how an enormous methane cloud emanating from the bottom of the Baltic Sea has drifted out over Scandinavia before coming down to blanket Britain since the blasts on Monday.

Norwegian research institute NILU calculated that at least 80,000 tons of methane have escaped into the atmosphere as of September 30 - more than four times the annual methane emission from the Norwegian oil and gas industry, a top ten producer.

The gas leak has seen a cloud of methane drift out from the Baltic Sea and over Scandinavia and Britain

Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the 'Anglo-Saxon' powers - the USA and Britain - of sabotaging the Nord Stream gas pipes under the Baltic Sea

Huge amounts of natural gas are leaking into the Baltic Sea, with estimates putting it at 80,000 tons as of September 30

The leaks are along both pipe lines - Nord Stream 1 and 2 - in waters that Swedish and Danish territories

Following a request from Russia, the Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting on the leaks later on Friday.

'All available information indicates that those explosions are the result of a deliberate act,' Sweden and Denmark said in a joint report to the UN Security Council.

The source of the explosions has remained a mystery, however, with both Washington and Moscow denying responsibility and accusing one another.

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said today it 'seems' Russia is to blame, telling the BBC an investigation was being carried out into the cause of what she called 'an act of sabotage.'

The Scandinavian countries also said that 'the possible impact on maritime life in the Baltic Sea is of concern, and the climate effect would likely be very substantial'.

All the leaks, which were discovered on Monday, are in the Baltic Sea off the Danish island of Bornholm.

Two of the leaks are located in the Swedish exclusive economic zone, and the two others in the Danish one.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which connect Russia to Germany, have been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation against Western sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

While the pipelines are not currently in operation, they both still contained gas.

On Thursday, the pipelines operator said it had so far been unable to assess the damage but said it would do so 'as soon as it receives necessary official permits'.

Tuesday saw extreme quantities of methane measured in the air in several sites across Norway and Sweden, with levels spiking as high as almost 2,500 parts of methane (CH4) per billion before starting to come back down

Denmark and Sweden said of the leak (pictured) that 'the possible impact on maritime life in the Baltic Sea is of concern, and the climate effect would likely be very substantial'

Air crew on board a Danish defence aircraft monitor Nord Stream gas leak at mid-sea over the Baltic Sea off the coast of Denmark

It said access could be allowed 'only after the pressure in the gas pipeline has stabilised and the gas leakage has stopped'.

Danish authorities have said the leaks will continue until the gas in the pipelines is exhausted, which is expected to occur on Sunday.

The leaks were detected when a sharp drop in pressure on both Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines was registered and seismologists detected explosions, triggering a wave of speculation about who might have sabotaged one of Russia's most important energy corridors.

Tuesday saw extreme quantities of methane measured in the air in several sites across Norway and Sweden.

'We have never seen something like this at any of our observatories', said NILU senior scientist Cathrine Lund Myhre.

'Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas from human activity after carbon dioxide (CO2)', says senior scientist Cathrine Lund Myhre. 'Over a 20-year period, methane is an 82 times more powerful greenhouse gas than CO.'

However, despite its contribution towards global warming, methane itself is only slightly toxic.

Even amounts such as are now spreading through the atmosphere over large parts of Scandinavia and the British Isles pose no health risk for humans or animals, according to NILU.

Today Sweden's coastguard has said that one of the four leaks had diminished in size, as environmental experts warned of the climate impact.

The leak, which is located above Nord Stream 2, 'has diminished, but is still ongoing,' the Swedish Coast Guard said in a statement Friday morning.

There have been accusations that US President Joe Biden is responsible for the Nord Stream attack, citing his statement in early February that he would bring Nord Stream 'to an end' should Russian troops and tanks enter Ukraine

Russia is suspected to be behind the Nord Stream gas explosions which caught the West off - guard, as experts rush to try and explain how Putin might have done it. Explanations range from divers to spy subs, and underwater drones

Coast guard now say there are four leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipes - two in each line - which were likely caused by explosions that happened late Monday and were picked up by seismologists

All the leaks were in the Baltic Sea off the Danish island of Bornholm.

Two of the leaks are located in the Swedish exclusive economic zone, and the two others in the Danish one.

The other leak on the Swedish side, which is larger and located above Nord Stream 1, showed no signs of weakening, according to the coast guard.

Asked about the development of the leaks on the Danish side, the Danish police declined to comment.

Copenhagen on Wednesday estimated that more than half of the gas in the two pipelines - which were not in operation but filled with gas - had escaped and the pipes were expected to be empty by Sunday.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which connect Russia to Germany, have been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation against Western sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The attacks have prompted Italy to strengthen naval surveillance and controls on the pipelines bringing gas to Mediterranean country from the south and east, two senior officials told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Russia's top spy said on Friday that Moscow had intelligence indicating that the West was behind what he said was a 'terrorist act' against the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea.

'We have materials that point to a Western trace in the organisation and implementation of these terrorist acts,' Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), was shown telling reporters on state television.

The spy chief's remarks are the most direct public accusation against the West from a senior Russian official. He did not say what evidence Russia had, but said the West was trying to obscure who carried out the attack.

'The West is doing everything to hide the true perpetrators and organisers of this international terrorist act,' Naryshkin said. The SVR is the direct successor to the once mighty First Chief Directorate of the Soviet-era KGB.

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the 'unprecedented sabotage' against the Nord Stream gas pipelines was 'an act of international terrorism.'

The Kremlin declined to comment on Naryshkin's remarks but said there needed to be a thorough international investigation into the incidents.

Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)

Despite Putin's remarks yesterday in phone call with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, the attack is widely thought to have been orchestrated by Russia.

Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said it was 'very obvious' who was behind it, but did not say who that was.

NATO said the explosions looked like a reckless and irresponsible act of sabotage, and that any deliberate attack against infrastructure of countries in the Western alliance would be met by a 'united and determined response'.

Sweden's energy minister said on Friday it was 'very likely' that the attack on the pipelines was done on purpose by a state actor.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: 'This looks like an act of terrorism, possibly on a state level.

'It is very difficult to imagine that such an act of a terrorism could have happened without the involvement of a state of some kind'.

Since the ruptures were first detected earlier this week, officials in Moscow have hinted that the West, led by the US could be behind the attack. On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Washington stood to gain from the pipelines being disrupted.

Nord Stream gas leaks dubbed an 'environmental crime': Pipes could release up to 200,000 TONNES of methane - raising fears the potent greenhouse gas could threaten marine life and cause an 'unprecedented' climate catastrophe

By Fiona Jackson

The Nord Stream gas leaks are raising environmental fears from scientists

Natural gas is largely methane - a greenhouse gas that causes global warming

When bubbles of it reach the surface of the sea they pose a risk of explosion

Fish could also get caught in the plumes of gas, affecting their ability to breathe

Huge leaks in the two largest gas pipelines linking Russia to Europe are spewing out vast quantities of natural gas - at an estimated rate of 500 metric tons per hour when first breached.

As well as the potentially devastating implications for global energy supply, the leaks could also have an 'unprecedented' environmental impact, experts have warned.

Gas has been spewing from both Nord Stream 1 and 2 since Monday, after three leaks mysteriously appeared in the system.

One has left a 3,000ft-wide area churning with bubbles of methane and other gaseous chemicals on the surface of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Sweden.

Methane is a greenhouse gas, meaning it exacerbates global warming and climate change effects if it is released into the atmosphere.

It is also highly flammable, so when in contact with the air it raises the risk of explosion, and directly reduces air quality.

While it is not readily soluble in seawater, there are worries that fish may get caught in the plumes of gas, which would affect their ability to breathe.

'The Nordstream II leak is really disturbing,' said Professor Jeffrey Kargel, a senior scientist at the Planetary Research Institute in Tucson, Arizona. 'It is a real travesty, an environmental crime if it was deliberate.'

Atmospheric chemist David McCabe, who is a senior scientist at the non-profit Clean Air Task Force, added : 'If these pipelines fail, the impact to the climate will be disastrous and could even be unprecedented.'

Natural gas has been spewing from both Nord Stream 1 and 2 since Monday, after three leaks mysteriously appeared in the system. One has left a 3000ft-wide area churning with bubbles of methane and other gaseous chemicals on the surface of the Baltic Sea

POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF NORD STREAM LEAK ON THE ENVIRONMENT Methane released from the pipeline exacerbates global warming as it is a potent greenhouse gas

as it is a potent greenhouse gas It also can be converted into ground-level ozone , which damages human health and vegetation

, which damages human health and vegetation Bubbles of gas on the surface of the sea could explode if a spark ignited

if a spark ignited Fish may get caught in plumes of gas, which could interfere with their breathing

may get caught in plumes of gas, which could interfere with their breathing Methane released into the atmosphere reduces air quality Advertisement

What happened?

A sudden loss of pressure in the pipelines was noted by operators of Nord Stream 2 overnight on Monday.

This was followed by a statement from the Danish Energy Authority outlining that a leak had likely occurred in one of the pipes.

It was later confirmed on Tuesday by Sweden's Maritime Administration that two fissures had been detected on Nord Stream 1 in Swedish and Danish waters.

A third leak was later reported on the Nord Steam 2 pipeline, that has yet to begin commercial operations, in the same area northeast of the Danish island of Bornholm.

While Nord Stream 1 stopped delivering natural gas to Germany last month, and Nord Stream 2 has yet to begin commercial operations, the pipes still contained some pressurised gas that has been hurtling to the surface of the Baltic ever since.

Natural gas is comprised of various gaseous hydrocarbons, but consists primarily of the potent greenhouse gas methane.

A five-mile exclusion zone has been imposed around the affected area, but the leaks are expected to last several days.

While Nord Stream 1 stopped delivering natural gas to Germany last month, and Nord Stream 2 has yet to begin commercial operations, the pipes still contained some pressurised gas that has been hurtling to the surface of the Baltic ever since

One European official said that any sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines by Moscow could be designed as a warning to Europe that its infrastructure is vulnerable. The pipelines are also made with concrete-weight coated steel, suggesting again that an accident was unlikely

What are the environmental impacts?

Methane is the second biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide, meaning the leak will likely have a contribution.

Both gases trap heat in the atmosphere, similar to the glass roof of a greenhouse.

During the day, the sun shines through the atmosphere and Earth's surface warms up in the sunlight.

At night, the Earth's surface cools, releasing heat back into the air, but some of the heat is trapped by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Too much of these gases can cause Earth's atmosphere to trap more and more heat, causing the planet to warm up.

Methane has more than 80 times the heat-trapping potency of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.

However this does decrease over time, as it breaks down over the course of about a decade.

It is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas and oil, as well as from livestock and decaying organic waste at landfill sites.

Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas and oil, as well as from livestock (left) and decaying organic waste at landfill sites (right)

Data from commercial methane-measuring satellite firm GHGSat suggests that the leaks were together releasing more than 500 metric tons of methane per hour when first breached.

Additionally, a spokesman for Nord Stream 2 has said that the system held 300 million cubic metres of natural gas.

Releasing that amount into the atmosphere in its entirety would result in around 200,000 tonnes of methane emissions, according to chemical engineer Paul Balcombe at London's Queen Mary University.

'It is unlikely that they will release all their contents, but if just one did it would be about twice as much as the 2015 Aliso Canyon leak in the US, which was the worst leak found in the US,' he said.

'It would have a very large environmental and climate impact indeed, even if it released a fraction of this.'

That amount of methane would have about the same global warming potential over a 100-year timeframe as about 6 million tons of carbon dioxide, according to Reuters.

It is roughly equivalent to the amount of CO2 emitted in an entire year by mid-sized cities such as Havana, Helsinki or Dayton, Ohio.

A spokesman for Nord Stream 2 has said that the system held 300 million cubic metres of natural gas. Pictured: Pipes at the landfall facilities of Nord Stream 2 in Lubmin, Germany

The amount of gas leaking from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline system is less clear, with a pipeline spokesman declining to say how much was left in the system when it was taken offline for maintenance a few weeks ago.

The gas does not easily dissolve in water, so does not pose a direct threat to marine life.

However Greenpeace raised concerns on Tuesday that fish may get caught in plumes of gas, which could interfere with their breathing.

Moreover, once bubbles of the flammable gas reach the surface and come into contact with oxygen, it raises the risk of explosion.

For this reason, ships and flights have been banned in the area of the leak, as the risk of explosion poses a threat to human life and the environment.

Ground-level ozone is also produced by chemical reactions of methane under sunlight, which damages human health and plants, and is a greenhouse gas in itself.

WHY IS METHANE MORE LETHAL THAN CARBON DIOXIDE? Methane is the second biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide. Both gases trap heat in the atmosphere, similar to the glass roof of a greenhouse. During the day, the sun shines through the atmosphere and Earth's surface warms up in the sunlight. At night, the Earth's surface cools, releasing heat back into the air, but some of the heat is trapped by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Too much of these gases can cause Earth's atmosphere to trap more and more heat and warming up the planet. However, methane has more than 80 times the heat trapping potency of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere, but this does decrease over time as it breaks down. Advertisement

What do experts think?

Professor Dave Reay, of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute at the University of Edinburgh, said: 'The most direct effect of these gas leaks on climate is the extra dollop of the powerful greenhouse gas methane - the main component of natural gas - they are adding to the atmosphere.

'That said, this is a wee bubble in the ocean compared to the huge amounts of so-called 'fugitive methane' that are emitted every day around the world due to things like fracking, coal mining and oil extraction.'

Professor Grant Allen, an atmospheric physicist at the University of Manchester, agrees that: 'The impact will be limited as the pipelines are not pumping, just pressurised, so once the gas has escaped, the event will stop.

'Some of the methane emitted from the pipeline on the seabed will be oxidised by methanotrophic microbes (into CO2) as it rises in the water column.

'But given how violent the venting of natural gas appears to be, most of the gas will reach the sea surface as methane, a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.'

Professor Piers Forster, the Director of the Priestley International Centre for Climate at the University of Leeds, added that methane leaked rather than burnt is around 30 times worse for climate.

He said the leak would have 'a strong immediate warming effect and cause poor air quality as well', but added: 'Compared to the daily leaks in the poorly maintained gas network all around the globe it will be small though.

'Every day, around 10 per cent of our global gas supply is simply leaked to the atmosphere. This is both wasteful and bad for climate.

'Getting on top of leaking gas pipes generally can really reduce warming rates this decade and this was a key pledge made at the Glasgow COP.'

Methane is the second biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide, meaning the Nord Stream leaks will likely have a contribution

Levels of methane in the atmosphere are growing 'dangerously fast', scientists warn Levels of methane found in the atmosphere are 'growing dangerously fast', scientists have warned, and it could be global warming causing the rapid increase. A report, published in Nature, was compiled by an international team that examines data gathered by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration throughout 2021. Researchers found that methane in the atmosphere had raced past 1,900 parts per billion, which is triple levels found before the industrial revolution. This 'grim new milestone' could be linked to global warming causing a rise in wetland areas, which then produce higher levels of methane, the team said. Read more here Advertisement

Professor Forster also said the incident should serve as motivation to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources by moving to renewable energy sources.

'As we urgently build renewable energy infrastructure to reduce our dependence on foreign powers, reduce prices and reach net zero, we need to make sure it is secure from both terrorists and future warming,' he said.

'This is also an important reason why we should build more land-based solar and wind: they are both the cheapest forms of generation and more secure.'

What caused the leaks?

The exact cause of the leaks is not yet known.

Sweden's National Seismology Centre reported that two powerful underwater explosions occurred on Monday prior to the leak.

The second blast was equivalent to a magnitude-2.3 earthquake, however Bjorn Lund, the director of the Swedish National Seismic Network has assured that the leaks are not the result of one.

Seismic data gathered by him and Nordic colleagues showed that the explosions took place in the water and not in the rock under the seabed.

Their near-simultaneous appearance has prompted suspicions from Western leaders that they were caused deliberately by Russia.

They came on the same day that Poland, Norway and Denmark opened a new pipe running under the Baltic that is designed to supply central and eastern Europe without relying on Russia.

One European official said that any sabotage could be designed as a warning to Europe that its infrastructure is vulnerable.

The pipelines are also made with concrete-weight coated steel, suggesting again that an accident scenario was unlikely.

However technical malfunctions and a lack of maintenance have not yet been ruled out.

Professor Joan Cordiner, a professor of Process Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: 'Pipes don't just leak catastrophically suddenly.

'Typically normal leaks due to corrosion start small and build up over time. Therefore such a sudden large leak can only have come from a sudden blow cutting the pipe.

'We can see from the width of the bubbles that the leak was sudden and very large, which is consistent with a large pipe being fully cut and not from normal corrosion we would see in operation.

'This is from a powerful event; either a large explosion or sudden physical trauma that cut the pipe wide open. The investigation will yield the answers.'
A senior Met Police officer who drew up the force's anti-drugs policy is facing the sack following allegations that he used cannabis, LSD and magic mushrooms.

Commander Julian Bennett, 63, has been suspended on full pay since July 2020 after he refused to take a drugs test out of fear it would 'embarrass' his force if he failed it.

At a tribunal hearing today the commander tried to get the case against him dismissed but his plea was refused.

The allegations claim that Commander Bennett had used drugs while off duty between February 2019 and July 21 2020 - when asked to take a drugs test, he refused.

The Commander, who joined the Met in 19767, was known among colleagues as 'The Sacker' for his tough approach when he was in charge of disciplinary hearings.

Commander Julian Bennett, 63, (pictured) was suspended in June 2020 following allegations that he had used cannabis, LSD and magic mushrooms

Now, following the allegations of gross misconduct, he could be kicked out of the force.

At a tribunal hearing today in Earl's Court, west London, he tried to get the case dismissed, claiming that a series of delays meant he was no longer able to receive a fair hearing.

He had been due to appear at the tribunal in February this year but in an eleventh-hour decision, it was postponed until the summer at the request of his lawyers.

During his appeal to have the case dropped, Commander Bennett claimed that delays from the disclosure of Whatsapp messages during 2020 from a key witness, Sheila Gomes, as well as her refusal to attend the tribunal to give evidence in August, caused unnecessary delay.

He also argued that the Met Police tried to influence the selection of the chair of the panel after the previous one resigned earlier this year.

However, the current chair, Akbar Khan, rejected his claims, saying that Ms Gomes had valid medical reasons for not attending in August and she is now willing and able to attend the tribunal, give evidence and face cross-examination.

He added that the comments from the Met Police relating to the selection of the chair were more concerned with when the selection would be made rather than who would be chosen.

Commander Julian Bennet (pictured) at a vigil in Trafalgar Square in March 2017 following the Westminster Bridge terror attack

Concluding, Mr Khan said: 'The panel has carefully considered the defence application for a stay of proceedings against the officer, namely, that it would be impossible to give a fair hearing.

'The burden of proof would be on the officer or defence. They have failed to show on the balance of probabilities that the officer could not receive a fair hearing or that it would be unfair to proceed.

'A stay order is an exception, and it would be very rare for it to be granted. Ms Gomes is also willing and able to attend a future hearing to give evidence and the officer would be able to test her evidence through cross-examination.'

The full hearing is now scheduled to begin on January 30 next year and is expected to last four or five days.

He added: 'The officer is facing serious allegations and there is a strong public interest in those allegations being heard.

'This matter should progress to a full hearing as soon as possible. The defence application for a stay in proceedings should be refused in its entirety.'

In June, the Daily Mail revealed that even if the veteran commander is found guilty of gross misconduct and is sacked, he will not lose any of his pension.

This is because of his age  he is in his 60s  and his 45 years of service. Legal sources said his pension was 'bomb proof'.

He is thought to earn more than 128,000 a year and could be entitled to a pension payout of around 400,000 when he leaves the Met, in addition to an index-linked pension income of half his leaving salary.
His parents want more time for him to 'make progress' or for 'Allah to intervene'

He has spent more than three months on life a ventilator and is deemed 'dead'

The parents of a brain-damaged baby who is considered legally dead, even though he tried to breathe on his own at least once, hope to appeal a judge's decision to end life-support treatment, their lawyer has revealed.

A High Court judge ruled on Wednesday the five-month-old boy, known only as A, has no prospect of recovering and should therefore be removed from his ventilator and placed in palliative care.

Mr Justice Poole described current life-support treatment as 'futile' but the boy's parents, who are Muslims of Bangladeshi origin, had begged the judge to give him more time to 'make progress', or for 'Allah to intervene'.

The matter was first heard in June when another High Court judge, Justice Hayden, reached the same conclusion. The family successfully petitioned for an appeal on that occasion on the basis they did not have legal representation.

Solicitor Amy Rowe, who represents the couple and works for law firm Dawson Cornwell, said the couple are now considering a second appeal.

A High Court (pictured) judge ruled on Wednesday the five-month-old boy, known only as A, has no prospect of recovering and should therefore be removed from his ventilator and placed in palliative care

'My clients and their family members are understandably deeply disappointed and disheartened by the decision and they are hoping to appeal,' she said on Friday.

Lawyers representing bosses at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, who are responsible for the boy's care, had asked for decisions about what moves were in his best interests.

The baby was found unresponsive in June at two months old, the judge heard. He was declared dead shortly thereafter when doctors determined he had no brain-stem activity.

Doctors concluded that his brain had been starved of oxygen for more than 30 minutes and he had suffered 'devastating' brain damage.

Mr Justice Poole was told that the boy's parents had been interviewed by police after evidence suggested he had suffered what appeared to be 'non-accidental injuries'.

No charges had been brought, but the couple remained under investigation.

Specialists treating the boy, who is on a ventilator, say he has suffered a 'catastrophic' brain injury, has no prospect of recovering, and should be removed from the ventilator and given only palliative care

He remained on a ventilator, because his parents were unhappy with the diagnosis and litigation had begun. A nurse subsequently noticed him trying to breathe.

Specialists rescinded 'the clinical ascertainment of death' and conducted a series of further brain-stem tests that had shown 'no activity,' the judge heard.

A senior doctor involved in the baby's treatment said medics were trying to understand why he tried to breathe, after a series of brain-stem tests showed that he was dead.

The doctor told Mr Justice Poole that research revealed a 'few' similar cases internationally. She said evidence showed other patients had not survived.

The doctor said she expected an international panel of experts to examine evidence and give guidance.
Dear citizens of Russia, citizens of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, residents of the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, deputies of the State Duma, and senators of the Russian Federation!

You know, referendums were held in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. Their results have been summed up, the results are known. People made their choice, a clear choice.

Today we are signing agreements on the admission of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Luhansk People's Republic, the Zaporizhia Region and the Kherson Region to Russia. I am sure that the Federal Assembly will support the constitutional laws on the adoption and formation in Russia of four new regions, four new subjects of the Russian Federation, because this is the will of millions of people.

And this, of course, is their right, their inalienable right, which is enshrined in the first article of the UN Charter, which directly speaks of the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.

I repeat: this is an inalienable right of people, it is based on historical unity, in the name of which the generations of our ancestors won, those who from the origins of Ancient Russia for centuries created and defended Russia. Here, in Novorossia, Rumyantsev, Suvorov and Ushakov fought, Catherine II and Potemkin founded new cities. Here our grandfathers and great-grandfathers stood to death during the Great Patriotic War.

We will always remember the heroes of the 'Russian spring', those who did not come to terms with the neo-Nazi coup in Ukraine in 2014, all those who died for the right to speak their native language, preserve their culture, traditions, faith, for the right to live.

These are the warriors of Donbass, the martyrs of the 'Odessa Khatyn', the victims of inhuman terrorist attacks staged by the Kyiv regime. These are volunteers and militias, these are civilians, children, women, old people, Russians, Ukrainians, people of various nationalities.

This is the real people's leader of Donetsk Alexander Zakharchenko, these are military commanders Arsen Pavlov and Vladimir Zhoga, Olga Kochura and Alexei Mozgovoy, this is the prosecutor of the Luhansk Republic Sergey Gorenko. This is paratrooper Nurmagomed Gadzhimagomedov and all our soldiers and officers who died the death of the brave during a special military operation.

They are heroes. Heroes of great Russia. And I ask you to honor their memory with a moment of silence. Thank you.

Behind the choice of millions of residents in the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions is our common destiny and a thousand-year history. People passed on this spiritual connection to their children and grandchildren. Despite all the trials, they carried through the years love for Russia. And no one can destroy this feeling in us. That is why both the older generations and the youth, those who were born after the tragedy of the collapse of the Soviet Union, voted for our unity, for our common future.

In 1991, in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, without asking the will of ordinary citizens, representatives of the then party elites decided to collapse the USSR, and people suddenly found themselves cut off from their homeland. This tore apart, dismembered our people's community, turned into a national catastrophe.

As once after the revolution the borders of the union republics were cut behind the scenes, so the last leaders of the Soviet Union, contrary to the direct expression of the will of the majority of the people in the 1991 referendum, ruined our great country, simply put the people before the fact.

I admit that they did not even fully understand what they were doing and what consequences this would inevitably lead to in the end. But it doesn't matter anymore. There is no Soviet Union, the past cannot be returned. Yes, and Russia today does not need it anymore, we are not striving for this.

But there is nothing stronger than the determination of millions of people who, by their culture, faith, traditions, language, consider themselves part of Russia, whose ancestors lived in a single state for centuries. There is nothing stronger than the determination of these people to return to their true, historical Fatherland.

For a long eight years, people in the Donbass were subjected to genocide, shelling and blockade, and in Kherson and Zaporozhye they tried to criminally cultivate hatred for Russia, for everything Russian. Now, already during the referendums, the Kyiv regime threatened with violence, death to school teachers, women who worked in election commissions, intimidated millions of people who came to express their will with repressions. But the unbroken people of Donbass, Zaporozhye and Kherson had their say.

I want the Kyiv authorities and their real masters in the West to hear me, so that everyone remembers this: people living in Lugansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporozhye become our citizens forever.

We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately cease fire, all hostilities, the war that it unleashed back in 2014, and return to the negotiating table. We are ready for this, it has been said more than once. But we will not discuss the choice of the people in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson, it has been made, Russia will not betray it. And today's Kyiv authorities should treat this free will of the people with respect, and nothing else. This is the only way to peace.

We will protect our land with all the forces and means at our disposal and we will do everything to ensure the safe life of our people. This is the great liberation mission of our people.

We will definitely rebuild destroyed cities and towns, housing, schools, hospitals, theaters and museums, restore and develop industrial enterprises, factories, infrastructure, social security, pensions, healthcare and education systems.

Of course, we will work on improving the level of security. Together we will make sure that citizens in the new regions feel the support of the entire people of Russia, the entire country, all the republics, all the territories and regions of our vast Motherland.

Dear friends, colleagues!

Today I want to address the soldiers and officers who are participating in a special military operation, the soldiers of Donbass and Novorossia, those who, after the decree on partial mobilization, join the ranks of the Armed Forces, fulfilling their patriotic duty, who, at the call of their hearts, come to the military registration and enlistment offices.

I would like to turn to their parents, wives, and children, to tell them what our people are fighting for, what enemy is opposing us, who is throwing the world into new wars and crises, extracting their bloody profit from this tragedy.

Our compatriots, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine - the native part of our united people - saw with their own eyes what the ruling circles of the so-called West are preparing for all mankind. Here they, in fact, just threw off their masks, showed their true insides.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the West decided that the world, all of us, would forever have to put up with its dictates. Then, in 1991, the West expected that Russia would not recover from such shocks and would fall apart on its own. Yes, it almost happened - we remember the 90s, the terrible 90s, hungry, cold and hopeless. But Russia resisted, revived, strengthened, again took its rightful place in the world.

At the same time, the West has been looking all this time and continues to look for a new chance to hit us, weaken and destroy Russia, which they have always dreamed of, split our state, pit peoples against each other, doom them to poverty and extinction. They are simply haunted by the fact that there is such a great, huge country in the world with its territory, natural wealth, resources, with a people who do not know how and will never live according to someone else's orders.

The West is ready to step over everything in order to preserve the neo-colonial system that allows it to parasitize, in fact, to plunder the world at the expense of the power of the dollar and technological dictates, to collect real tribute from humanity, to extract the main source of unearned prosperity, the rent of the hegemon.

The maintenance of this rent is their key, genuine and absolutely self-serving motive. That is why total desovereignization is in their interests. Hence their aggression towards independent states, towards traditional values and original cultures, attempts to undermine international and integration processes beyond their control, new world currencies and centers of technological development. It is critical for them that all countries surrender their sovereignty to the United States.

The ruling elites of some states voluntarily agree to do this, voluntarily agree to become vassals; others are bribed, intimidated. And if it doesn't work out, they destroy entire states, leaving behind humanitarian catastrophes, disasters, ruins, millions of ruined, mangled human destinies, terrorist enclaves, social disaster zones, protectorates, colonies and semi-colonies. They don't care as long as they get their own benefit.

I want to emphasize once again that it is precisely in greed, in the intention to maintain its unlimited power, that there are the real reasons for the hybrid war that the 'collective West' is waging against Russia. They do not wish us freedom, but they want to see us as a colony. They do not want equal cooperation, but robbery. They want to see us not as a free society, but as a crowd of soulless slaves.

For them, a direct threat is our thought and philosophy, and therefore they encroach on our philosophers. Our culture and art are a danger to them, so they are trying to ban them. Our development and prosperity is also a threat to them - competition is growing. They don't need Russia at all, we need it.

I would like to remind you that the claims to world domination in the past have been shattered more than once by the courage and resilience of our people. Russia will always be Russia. We will continue to defend both our values and our Motherland.

The West is counting on impunity, on getting away with everything. In fact, everything has gotten away with it so far. Agreements in the field of strategic security go to the wastebasket; agreements reached at the highest political level are declared false; firm promises not to expand NATO to the East, as soon as our former leaders bought into them, turned into a dirty deceit; treaties on anti-missile defense and intermediate- and shorter-range missiles have been unilaterally broken under far-fetched pretexts.

We only hear from all sides: 'The West defends order, based on rules.' Where did they come from? Who even saw these rules? Who agreed? Listen, this is just some kind of nonsense, sheer deception, double or already triple standards! It's just designed for fools.

Russia is a great millennial power, a country-civilization, and will not live by such rigged, false rules.

It is the so-called West that has trampled on the principle of the inviolability of borders, and now it decides at its own discretion who has the right to self-determination and who does not, who is not worthy of it. Why they decide so, who gave them such a right is not clear. To themselves.

That is why the choice of people in the Crimea, in Sevastopol, in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson causes wild anger in them. This West has no moral right to evaluate it, even to stutter about the freedom of democracy. No, and never has been!

Western elites deny not only national sovereignty and international law. Their hegemony has a pronounced character of totalitarianism, despotism and apartheid. They brazenly divide the world into their vassals, into the so-called civilized countries and into all the rest, who, according to the plan of today's Western racists, should add to the list of barbarians and savages.

False labels - 'rogue country', 'authoritarian regime' - are already ready, they stigmatize entire peoples and states, and there is nothing new in this. There is nothing new in this: the Western elites are what they were, and have remained so - colonialist. They discriminate, divide peoples into 'first' and 'other' grades.

We have never accepted and will never accept such political nationalism and racism. And what, if not racism, is Russophobia, which is now spreading all over the world? What, if not racism, is the peremptory conviction of the West that its civilization, neoliberal culture is an indisputable model for the whole world? 'He who is not with us is against us.' It even sounds strange.

Even the repentance for their own historical crimes is being shifted by the Western elites to everyone else, demanding both the citizens of their countries and other peoples to confess for what they have nothing to do with at all, for example, for the period of colonial conquests.

It is worth reminding the West that it began its colonial policy back in the Middle Ages, and then followed the global slave trade, the genocide of Indian tribes in America, the plunder of India, Africa, the wars of England and France against China, as a result of which it was forced to open its ports for trade opium.

What they did was put entire nations on drugs, purposefully exterminated entire ethnic groups for the sake of land and resources, staged a real hunt for people like animals. This is contrary to the very nature of man, truth, freedom and justice.

And we - we are proud that in the 20th century it was our country that led the anti-colonial movement, which opened up opportunities for many peoples of the world to develop in order to reduce poverty and inequality, to overcome hunger and disease.

I emphasize that one of the reasons for the centuries-old Russophobia, the undisguised malice of these Western elites towards Russia is precisely that we did not allow ourselves to be robbed during the period of colonial conquests, we forced the Europeans to trade for mutual benefit. This was achieved by creating a strong centralized state in Russia, which developed and strengthened itself on the great moral values of Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism, on Russian culture and the Russian word open to all.

It is known that plans for interventions in Russia were repeatedly made, they tried to use both the troubled times of the beginning of the 17th century and the period of upheavals after 1917 - they failed. The West nevertheless managed to seize the wealth of Russia at the end of the 20th century, when the state was destroyed. Then we were called both friends and partners, but in fact they treated us like a colony - trillions of dollars were siphoned out of the country under a variety of schemes. We all remember everything, we have not forgotten anything.

And these days, people in Donetsk and Luhansk, in Kherson and Zaporizhia have spoken out in favor of restoring our historical unity. Thank you!

Western countries have been repeating for centuries that they bring freedom and democracy to other peoples. Everything is exactly the opposite: instead of democracy - suppression and exploitation; instead of freedom - enslavement and violence. The entire unipolar world order is inherently anti-democratic and not free, it is deceitful and hypocritical through and through.

The United States is the only country in the world to use nuclear weapons twice, destroying the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By the way, they set a precedent.

Let me also remind you that the United States, together with the British, turned Dresden, Hamburg, Cologne and many other German cities into ruins without any military necessity during World War II. And this was done defiantly, without any, I repeat, military necessity. There was only one goal: just as in the case of the nuclear bombings in Japan, to intimidate both our country and the whole world.

The United States left a terrible mark on the memory of the peoples of Korea and Vietnam with barbaric 'carpet bombers', the use of napalm and chemical weapons.

Until now, they actually occupy Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and other countries, and at the same time cynically call them equal allies. Listen! I wonder what kind of alliance is this? The whole world knows that the leaders of these countries are being watched, the first persons of these states are being installed listening devices not only in office, but also in residential premises. This is a real shame. A shame both for those who do this and for those who, like slaves, silently and meekly swallow this rudeness.

They call orders and rude, insulting shouts at the address of their vassals Euro-Atlantic solidarity, the development of biological weapons, experiments on living people, including in Ukraine, noble medical research.

It is with their destructive policy, wars, and robbery that they provoked today's colossal surge in migration flows. Millions of people suffer deprivation, abuse, die by the thousands, trying to get to the same Europe.

Now they are exporting bread from Ukraine. Where is he going under the pretext of 'providing food security for the world's poorest countries'? Where is it going? Everything goes to the same European countries. There, five percent only went to the poorest countries in the world. Again, another swindle and outright deception.

The American elite, in fact, uses the tragedy of these people to weaken their competitors, to destroy nation states. This also applies to Europe, this also applies to the identity of France, Italy, Spain and other countries with a long history.

Washington is demanding more and more sanctions against Russia, and most European politicians meekly agree with this.

They clearly understand that the United States, pushing through the EU's complete renunciation of Russian energy carriers and other resources, is practically leading to the de-industrialization of Europe, to completely taking over the European market - they understand everything, these elites are European, they understand everything, but prefer to serve the interests of others.

This is no longer servility, but a direct betrayal of their peoples. But God bless them, that's their business.

But sanctions are not enough for the Anglo-Saxons, they have switched to sabotage - unbelievable, but true - having organized explosions on the international gas pipelines of the Nord Stream, which run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea, they have actually begun to destroy the pan-European energy infrastructure.

It is clear to everyone who benefits from this. Whoever benefits, did it, of course.

The US dictate is based on brute force, on fist law. Sometimes beautifully wrapped, sometimes without any wrapper, but the essence is the same - fist law. Hence the deployment and maintenance of hundreds of military bases in all corners of the world, the expansion of NATO, attempts to put together new military alliances such as AUKUS and the like.

Active work is also underway to create a military-political link between Washington-Seoul-Tokyo. All those states that possess or seek to possess genuine strategic sovereignty and are capable of challenging Western hegemony are automatically included in the category of enemies.

It is on these principles that the US and NATO military doctrines are built, requiring nothing less than total domination. The Western elites present their neo-colonial plans just as hypocritically, even with pretense of peacefulness, they talk about some kind of containment, and such a crafty word wanders from one strategy to another, but, in fact, means only one thing - to undermine any sovereign centers of development.

We have already heard about the containment of Russia, China, Iran. I believe that other countries of Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, as well as current partners and allies of the United States, are next in line.

We know that whatever they don't like, they also impose sanctions against their allies  first against one bank, then against another; now against one company, now against another. This is the same practice, and will expand. They target everyone, including our closest neighbors - the CIS countries.

At the same time, the West has clearly and has long been wishful thinking. So, starting a sanctions blitzkrieg against Russia, they believed that they would once again be able to build the whole world on their command.

But, as it turned out, such a rosy prospect excites far from everyone - perhaps complete political masochists and admirers of other non-traditional forms of international relations. Most of the states refuse to 'swallow' and choose a reasonable way of cooperation with Russia.

The West clearly did not expect such recalcitrance from them. They just got used to acting according to a template, taking everything impudently, blackmail, bribery, intimidation, and convince themselves that these methods will work forever, as if they were ossified and frozen in the past.

Such self-confidence is a direct product not only of the notorious concept of one's own exclusivity - although this, of course, is simply surprising - but also of a real 'information hunger' in the West. They drowned the truth in an ocean of myths, illusions and fakes, using extremely aggressive propaganda, lying recklessly, like Goebbels.

The more incredible the lie, the faster they will believe in it - that's how they act, according to this principle.

But people cannot be fed with printed dollars and euros. It is impossible to feed with these pieces of paper, and it is impossible to heat a home with the virtual, inflated capitalization of Western social networks. All this is important, what I'm talking about. But no less important is what was just said: you can't feed anyone with paper money - you need food, and you won't warm anyone with these inflated capitalizations either - energy carriers are needed.

Therefore, politicians in the same Europe have to convince their fellow citizens to eat less, wash less often, and dress warmer at home. And those who begin to ask fair questions: 'Actually speaking, why is that so?'  are immediately declared enemies, extremists and radicals.

They switch the blame to Russia, they say: Here, they say, who is the source of all your troubles. They lie again.

What I want to emphasize, emphasize: there is every reason to believe that the Western elites are not going to look for constructive ways out of the global food and energy crisis, which arose through their fault, precisely through their fault, as a result of their many years of policy long before our special military operation in Ukraine, in Donbass.

They do not intend to solve the problems of injustice and inequality. There is a fear that they are ready to use other, familiar to them, recipes.

And here it is worth recalling that the West emerged from the contradictions of the early 20th century through the First World War.

The profits from the Second World War allowed the United States to finally overcome the consequences of the Great Depression and become the largest economy in the world, to impose on the planet the power of the dollar as a global reserve currency.

And the overdue crisis of the 80s - and in the 80s of the last century the crisis also aggravated - the West largely overcame by appropriating the legacy and resources of the Soviet Union that was collapsing and collapsed in the end. It is a fact.

Now, in order to extricate themselves from another tangle of contradictions, they need to break Russia and other states that choose the sovereign path of development at all costs in order to plunder other people's wealth even more and at this expense to close, plug their holes.

If this does not happen, I do not rule out that they will try to completely bring the system to a collapse, on which everything can be blamed, or, God forbid, decide to use the well-known formula 'the war will write everything off'.

Russia understands its responsibility to the world community and will do everything to bring such hotheads to their senses.

It is clear that the current neo-colonial model is ultimately doomed. But I repeat that her real owners will cling to her to the end. They simply have nothing to offer the world, except for the preservation of the same system of robberies and racketeering.

In fact, they spit on the natural right of billions of people, most of humanity, to freedom and justice, to determine their own future on their own. Now they have completely moved to a radical denial of moral norms, religion, and family.

Let's answer some very simple questions for ourselves. I now want to return to what I said, I want to address all the citizens of the country - not only to those colleagues who are in the hall - to all the citizens of Russia: do we want to have, here, in our country, in Russia, instead of mom and dad there was 'parent number one', 'number two', 'number three' (they were completely crazy already there!)?

Do we really want perversions that lead to degradation and extinction to be imposed on children in our schools from the primary grades? To be drummed into them that there are supposedly other genders besides women and men, and to be offered a gender reassignment operation? Do we want all this for our country and our children? For us, all this is unacceptable, we have a different, our own future.

I repeat, the dictatorship of the Western elites is directed against all societies, including the peoples of the Western countries themselves. This is a challenge for everyone. Such a complete denial of man, the overthrow of faith and traditional values, the suppression of freedom acquires the features of a 'reverse religion' - outright Satanism.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ, denouncing the false prophets, says: 'By their fruits you will know them.' And these poisonous fruits are already obvious to people - not only in our country, in all countries, including for many people and in the West itself.

The world has entered a period of revolutionary transformations, they are of a fundamental nature. New development centers are being formed, they represent the majority - the majority! - of the world community and are ready not only to declare their interests, but also to protect them, and see multipolarity as an opportunity to strengthen their sovereignty, and therefore to gain true freedom, a historical perspective, their right to independent, creative, original development, to a harmonious process.

All over the world, including in Europe and the United States, as I said, we have many like-minded people, and we feel, we see their support.

A liberation, anti-colonial movement against unipolar hegemony is already developing within the most diverse countries and societies. His subjectivity will only grow. It is this force that will determine the future geopolitical reality.

Dear friends!

Today we are fighting for a just and free path, first of all for ourselves, for Russia, for diktat, despotism to remain forever in the past. I am convinced that countries and peoples understand that a policy based on the exclusivity of anyone, on the suppression of other cultures and peoples, is inherently criminal, that we must turn this shameful page.

The collapse of Western hegemony that has begun is irreversible. And I repeat again: it will not be the same as before.

The battlefield to which fate and history have called us is the battlefield for our people, for great historical Russia. For great historical Russia, for future generations, for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We must protect them from enslavement, from monstrous experiments aimed at crippling their consciousness and soul.

Today we are fighting so that it would never occur to anyone that Russia, our people, our language, our culture can be taken and erased from history. Today, we need the consolidation of the entire society, and such cohesion can only be based on sovereignty, freedom, creation, and justice. Our values are humanity, mercy and compassion.

And I want to end my speech with the words of a true patriot Ivan Alexandrovich Ilyin: 'If I consider Russia to be my homeland, then this means that I love in Russian, contemplate and think, sing and speak Russian; that I believe in the spiritual strength of the Russian people. His spirit is my spirit; his fate is my fate; his suffering is my grief; its flowering is my joy.'

Behind these words is a great spiritual choice, which for more than a thousand years of Russian statehood was followed by many generations of our ancestors. Today we are making this choice, the citizens of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, the residents of Zaporozhye and Kherson regions have made this choice. They made the choice to be with their people, to be with the Motherland, to live its destiny, to win together with it.

Behind us is the truth, behind us is Russia!
United States President Joe Biden admits that hurricane Ian could be the "deadliest" in Florida's history after fears of substantial loss of life due to a combination of powerful winds, rain, and storm surge.

There have already been reports of a dozen deaths related to the storm, flooded homes, cut off roadways, and millions of Florida residents left without power on Thursday. Hurricane Ian once again intensified into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean and headed toward South Carolina.

Hurricane Ian's Devastation

The hurricane made landfall on Wednesday afternoon in southwest Florida and was downgraded to a tropical storm. Throughout Thursday, the storm dropped heavy rain on the central and northeastern parts of the state.

However, it then intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on Thursday afternoon and is now expected to make a second landfall in South Carolina on Friday, said the National Hurricane Center. At least 15 people were reported to have died in the southwest and central Florida with at least 17 deaths being attributed to the storm in total.

There were at least eight or nine dead in Charlotte County, Florida, as per CNN. Charlotte County Commissioner Joseph Tiseo revealed the approximate casualties on Thursday afternoon. The Lee County sheriff said that roughly five people were believed to have lost their lives in the area.

In a statement, Emergency Management Director Bill Litton said that one person who was in hospice care died in Osceola County. Furthermore, a 72-year-old man in Deltona reportedly died overnight after going outside to drain his swimming pool during the powerful storm, said the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

According to Reuters, the situation comes as the president has approved federal disaster funds for nine Florida counties in the wake of Hurricane Ian. The White House added that more areas could be approved later as officials evaluate the damage following the brutal storm.

Read Also: Hurricane Ian Pummels Florida, Turning Roads Into Rivers and Ripping Buildings Apart While Millions of People Trapped Without Power

Rising Death Toll

The White House issued a statement ahead of President Biden's visit to FEMA headquarters on Thursday, saying that damage assessments were continuing in other areas affected by the storm.

The decision allows access to federal grants to help affected residents and business owners secure temporary housing, repair homes, get low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and otherwise recover.

The announcement also allows local authorities and other groups to share the costs of removing debris. The approved funds were designated for the counties of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota.

President Biden is expected to visit Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian to monitor the situation. The Democrat said at the FEMA emergency management headquarters that when the conditions allow it, he would be traveling to the state. He also expressed his desire to visit Puerto Rico after the devastation left by Hurricane Fiona last week.

Biden argued that Hurricane Ian could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history, saying that still unclear, the reports suggest substantial loss of life. Authorities are expecting the death toll to rise as workers continue to conduct operations across the affected areas, DW News reported.

Related Article: Hurricane Ian Florida Update: Videos Show Devastating Damage as Storm Makes Landfall

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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The Danish Royal Family is in the midst of its own Megxit 'crisis' and King Charles III will be 'watching carefully' amid increasing pressure on him to take 'decisive action' on the futures of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and his other relatives, royal experts told MailOnline today.

Queen Margrethe, 82, has removed princely titles from four of her eight grandchildren, saying it is 'for their own good' - prompting a bitter royal row with her family redolent of when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit the UK and emigrated to California in January 2020.

Europe's only reigning Queen was inspired to revoke their titles by other royals - including her late cousin Queen Elizabeth II - and claimed it was to allow the four children of her younger son, Prince Joachim: Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena, to live more normal lives. It follows similar moves by other royal families in Europe, including the Windsors, to slim down their monarchies, the Danish palace said later.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'want to edit their Netflix series due in six weeks to remove barbs at Charles and William and delay its release' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly want to edit their docuseries with Netflix and delay its release 'until next year' after the Queen's death, multiple sources have told Page Six. The Duke, 38, and Duchess, 41, of Sussex, who now live in their $14million Montecito mansion with their two children, Archie, three, and one-year-old Lilibet - are working on a documentary as part of their $100 million deal with the streaming service. It was previously expected that the production would be aired in December, following the fifth season of The Crown on November 9, according to the publication. However, sources claimed the couple now want to make edits to the series, which would possibly delay its release until later in 2023, as they look to 'downplay much of what they have said about King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales'. One Hollywood industry source said: 'A lot of conversations are happening. I hear that Harry and Meghan want the series to be held until next year, they want to stall. 'I wonder if the show could even be dead in the water at this point, do Harry and Meghan just want to shelve this thing?,' they added. Advertisement

But her decision has 'upset' her second son Joachim and his four children. His eldest sons Nikolai and Felix - from his first marriage - have been branded 'playboy princes' because they are professional models who failed to complete their two-year military education after both concluded it was 'not right for them'. Prince Joachim insists his mother only gave him five days' notice. His first wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, said last night she is 'in shock' and revealed: 'The children feel ostracised'.

Jacob Heinel Jensen, royal correspondent for national tabloid BT who has been at the heart of the story in Denmark, told MailOnline that the Danish Royal Family is in crisis  and is now in the midst its own Megxit.

He said: The situation we have in Denmark today is what the UK had two years ago. Yesterday we had a Prince Joachim going rogue on TV saying how upset he was, how his children are suffering. The parallels between him and Harry are there for all to see.

This slimming down is something we have seen all over Europe. The days of gigantic royal families with prince after prince and princess after princess, all paid for by the taxpayer, are over, he added.

Mr Jensen said it is possible that she may have spoken about her plans of slimming down the monarchy with Charles at the Buckingham Palace reception of the century on the eve of the Queens funeral.

Mr Jensen said: Margrethe was very close to the Queen. She was one of the few people who called her Lilibet  and Her Majesty called her "Daisy", her nickname in Denmark. I dont know how close she is to Charles  but her importance as arguably Europes most senior royal was reflected in just how close she was to the Queens coffin in London.

He added: Charles has spoken about the need to slim down his family for many years - he will be watching what is happening in Denmark with great interest.

Today Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, the future queen, has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure. Mr Jensen said this is a clear olive branch to Prince Joachim because they fear what he will do next.

Mr Jensen said that Queen Margrethe is hugely popular in Denmark  and much like her late cousin Queen Elizabeth II, she is admired for her duty to the throne and the people of her country.

But polling suggests that the Danish population is split on her decision  with some branding her The Ice Queen - which could spook Prince Charles if he is considering cutting off Harry, Meghan and their children.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark, 82, attended the 'reception of the century' at Buckingham Palace, which was hosted by King Charles and Camilla before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. The royal household in Denmark has drawn comparisons to Megxit and slimming down of royal families across Europe

Royal watchers have said that Denmark's royal crisis is its Megxit - after the rows sparked by Harry and Meghan's decision to walk away from the UK

Margrethe said her decision is so the four children of her younger son, Prince Joachim: Nikolai, Felix, (together left) Henrik and Athena (right), to live more normal lives

Prince Joachim's children Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, will all be losing their titles on January 1 2023

Charles III has long talked about slimming down the monarchy. Experts predict the decisions in Denmark could hasten the process

'Why must they be punished like that?': Prince Joachim of Denmark says his children 'don't know which leg to stand on' Prince Joachim of Denmark said yesterday that he and his four children have been hurt by their grandmother Queen Margrethe's decision to strip them of their royal titles as he spoke for the first time since the bombshell announcement Prince Joachim of Denmark has once again hit out at his mother Queen Margrethe II's decision to strip his four children of their royal titles. As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies, rather than His or Her Royal Highness, it was announced on Wednesday. Commenting on their reaction to the move to B.T., Joachim said his children 'don't know which leg to stand on as their identity is removed' - and questioned 'why must they be punished in that way?'. The prince, who is Margrethe's youngest son, said: 'I can say that my children are sad. My kids don't know which leg to stand on. What they should believe. Why should their identity be removed? Why must they be punished in that way?' He also doubled down on his claim that he had only been told the news five days before it was made public - despite the Royal Household insisting the decision 'has been a long time coming'. 'I don't want to engage in speculation and mudslinging,' said Joachim. 'I am telling the truth... I was given five days notice... I was given five days' notice of this. To tell my children that on New Year's their identity will be taken from them.' He added that in May, he was presented with a plan that his 'children's identity should be taken from them when each of them turned 25', to which he asked 'to be allowed to come back with my proposal'. But he said he was given just five days notice that the decision was to be accelerated, adding: 'I am so sorry for my children. I just demand the truth.' Advertisement

The streamlining of Europe's royal household began in earnest at the end of 2018 - a year before Megxit - when the King of Sweden used his annual Christmas speech to address why he chose to strip five of his grandchildren of their royal titles.

In the Netherlands King Willem Alexander has slashed back the number of working royals to just five as well as the number of his palaces, staff, limousines and working heirs.

The Danish Crown's statement even addressed this comparison and trend, saying that the Queen's decision is in line with similar adjustments that other royal houses have made in various ways in recent years.

King Charles III is known to have spoken for decades about the need for the House of Windsor to be slimmed down. Margrethe, Europe's only reigning Queen, will also have seen her cousin Queen Elizabeth II's hard line on her son Prince Andrew, who was stripped of all his military titles and royal patronages in January over his links to Jeffrey Epstein and his multi-million-dollar settlement with Epstein's sex slave, Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Margrethe's move will pile pressure on Charles to speed up his plans - including making a swift decision on Harry and Meghan's future and whether Archie and Lilibet should be HRH, experts have warned.

Former MP Norman Baker, a leading expert on royal finances, told MailOnline: 'Why is Harry still an HRH? Charles says he wants to slim down the monarchy, but this must be real, not just superficial. He must slim down the costs to the taxpayer. It just needs it be him, Camilla, William and Kate and their children. The rest of them should get their P45s and retire or go out an earn a living'.

He added: 'The need to slim down the bloated British royal family has been clear for decades and only become more clear as other European monarchies like the Danish slim down as befits the 21st century. It is increasingly absurd that minor bit players like the Gloucesters and the Kents still come as part of the package'.

Author and investigative journalist Tom Bower, who wrote a recent biography of Meghan Markle, said: 'To save the monarchy from criticism, Charles does need to reduce the numbers. His big test is to neutralise the Sussexes venom, which does threaten his reign. The Sussexes problem is that their financial survival depends on spewing venom against the Royal family in their book and their Netflix series. Charles best tactic would be to threaten to remove their titles if they are disloyal'.

Some have noted Margrethe's warmth towards Charles when they met at Buckingham Palace on the eve of the Queen's funeral - and pondered whether slimming down their royal households may even have been discussed.

Royal expert Phil Dampier said: 'The King, who was seen talking to Queen Margrethe at his mothers funeral, may be encouraged by her to take decisive action over Harry and Meghan. The Sussexes have already been demoted on the royal website.

But Charles will possibly be wary of making too many decisions until he knows the contents of Harrys book and Netflix programme, both of which seem to be moving back in time. The Danish Queen has been decisive - but divisive. Charles will want to learn lessons and do things his way, but he cant put off decisions forever'.

And it is not just Britain's royals that will have influenced Margrethe II's decision. Her neighbour King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden announced in 2019 that the children of his daughter Princess Madeleine would lose their HRH status - with only the heir to the throne Crown Princess Victoria and her children keeping their titles.

Meghan Markle cries at the funeral of the Queen alongside Prince Harry amid tensions between them and Charles and William

Charles is said to think there is no role for his brother in the royal family. His mother stripped him of his titles in January

Prince Nikolai said that he is sad, shocked and confused after his royal title was stripped 'quickly'. Pictured modelling during the Dior Pre-Fall 2019 Men's Collection show on November 30, 2018 in Tokyo

Felix made his modelling debut in February by posing in a series of moody snaps for jeweller Georg Jensen's new Reflect collection

Could MORE Danish royals lose their titles? Speaking in Copenhagen today (pictured) Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has defended her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe's decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and suggested her own children's positions might not be secure. Australian-born Princess Mary, 50, is the wife of Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, who is Queen Margrethe II's eldest son and heir. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, 16, is second-in-line to the throne behind his father Frederick. It was announced on Wednesday that the four children of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Joachim would be stripped of their royal titles and would no longer be known as His or Her Royal Highness. As of January 1, Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, will become Counts and Countesses, and will be known as Their Excellencies. Frederick and Mary's four children - Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent, 11 - remain unaffected as they are direct descendants of the future King. However speaking in Copenhagen today, Princess Mary suggested that might not always be the case. 'We will also look at our children's titles when the time comes,' she said in an interview with Ekstra Bladet in Copenhagen today. 'Today we cannot see what the royal house will look like when it is Christian's time, or when Christian's time begins to approach.' Advertisement

The Dutch royal family has also been pared back significantly. King Willem-Alexander's brother Prince Constantijn, and his wife, Princess Laurentien, both work full time jobs and do not receive constitutional allowances from the crown as European royal families battle to remain popular and relevant.

But Prince Joachim, 53, now married to second wife Princess Marie, told Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet: We are all very sad. Its never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand. He said he had been given only five days notice of the decision. Prince Joachims four children are: Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena, ranging in age from 23 to 10. They will lose their titles from January 1.

The queens four other grandchildren, born to Crown Prince Frederik, 54, will retain their titles but when they come of age only the future king, Prince Christian, will receive government funding, a decision taken in 2016.

In Britain King Charles and his son Prince William, his heir, remain at loggerheads with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, especially over their security while in the UK and also whether their children will be Prince and Princess.

There has still been no announcement on any future titles for Archie and Lilibet. The Prince and Princess of Wales's new titles have already been updated on the Royal Family's website - but Archie and Lilibet's have not.

Following the death of their great-grandmother three weeks ago, the youngsters, who are sixth and seventh in line to the throne, are now entitled to be called prince and princess. But Buckingham Palace have refused to confirm yet as to whether this will officially happen.

And last week a spokesman for King Charles said it was unlikely that any announcement would be made until at least September 26, when the period of royal mourning ends. There has still been no statement.

Archie, three and Lilibet, one, became eligible for the titles on the death of the Queen under rules set out by King George V in 1917 limiting the number of royal family members able to claim a HRH title.

His Letters Patent -a written order of the monarchs wishes- restricted royals allowed to use an HRH title to the children of the sovereign, the children of the sovereigns sons, and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.

King Charles is widely reported to be planning a 'slimmed-down' monarchy during his reign, which would mean he could be focusing on his heirs - rather than his disgraced brother the Duke of York

Royal experts have said that Charles believes there is no longer a role for Prince Andrew in the monarchy, adding that the Duke of York will not be given any of his military titles again after he was stripped of them following revelations about his ties to Epstein emerged.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark at the main entrance to Frederiksborg Palace where she welcomes her grandchildren, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolaj

In 2019 King Carl Gustaf of Sweden (pictured) used his annual Christmas speech to address why he chose to strip five of his grandchildren of their royal titles

The decision affected the children of Prince Carl Philip and his wife Sofia Hellqvist - Prince Alexander, then three, and Prince Gabriel, then two (pictured)

Princess Laurentien and the King of Holland's brother Prince Constantijn (pictured together right) have full time jobs and do not receive royal allowances, appearing usually once a year in public. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima

Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix's mother says she's 'in shock' by move to strip them of their royal titles Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen (pictured) Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg - Prince Joachim's ex-wife and mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix - said she is 'in shock' over Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's decision to strip her sons of their royal titles. Nikolai, 23, and Felix, 20, along with their younger siblings Prince Henri, 13, and Princess Athen, 10, from their father's second marriage, will all have their titles of prince and princess removed from January 1 2023, the palace announced yesterday. 'We are all confused by the decision. We are saddened and in shock,' Alexandra said in a statement from her press advisor Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, reported Danish magazine Se og Hr. The statement continued: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracised. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.' Earlier this month, Alexandra attended Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee celebrations at the Danish Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Prince Joachim married his second wife Princess Marie in 2008, and they later welcomed Prince Henrik and Princess Athena. Advertisement

Buckingham Palace announced in January that the Prince would be stripped of all his military titles and patronages by his late mother the Queen. It is understood King Charles and Prince William were instrumental in influencing the decision.

And in Denmark the turmoil over Queen Margrethe's decision continues.

Prince Nikolai said that he is sad, shocked and confused after his grandmother Queen Margrethe stripped him and his siblings of their titles 'for their own good' as his mother 'says there's no good reason' for the move.

The prince, 23, will no longer be able to use the title His Royal Highness, after he and his three siblings were told by their grandmother the Queen that removing their titles will be 'good for them in the future'.

It comes as his mother Countess Alexandra's press secretary questioned why the change could not have waited until their wedding day, when they would 'lose their titles anyway'.

'My whole family and I are of course very sad. We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone,' Prince Nikolai, Prince Joachim's eldest son, told Danish newspaper Extrabladet.

'I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this,' he told reporters from outside the Copenhagen apartment where he lives with his girlfriend.

Countess Alexandra, mother to Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, 20, is also 'very sad' and 'shocked' about the decision.

'She can't believe why and why now, because there's no good reason.' Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen, press secretary to Countess Alexandra told CNN.

'They would lose their titles anyway when they get married one day. Her sons are young men so maybe they might get married in the near future so why shouldn't it wait until that day so that the titles would disappear on a happy day?'

On Thursday morning, the Danish royal household hit back after Prince Joachim claimed his four children were only given five days' notice that they would be stripped of their titles by their grandmother Queen Margrethe.

The palace said in a statement today that there are a 'lot of emotions' but that the decision had been a 'long time coming' and was designed to 'future-proof' the monarchy.

Prince Joachim, 53, the youngest of Margrethe's two sons, said his children Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, had been 'harmed' by the news that they will have prince and princess removed from their titles, and will no longer be able to use His or Her Royal Highness.

'We are all very sad. It's never fun to see your children being harmed. They are been put in a situation they do not understand,' he said in an interview with Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet.

Speaking at a function at the National Museum in Copenhagen this week, pictured, Margrethe said: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason'

Front: Queen Margrethe, Middle Row (left to right): Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik. Back row (left to right): Princess Benedikte, Princess Isabella, Crown Princess Mary, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie, Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai in a portrait celebrating Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee

Countess Alexandra's press secretary questioned why the change could not have waited until their wedding day, when her sons would 'lose their titles anyway'. Pictured, Alexandra Countess Of Frederiksborg

Prince Joachim, who is sixth-in-line to the throne behind his brother and his children, was speaking outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his second wife Marie and their children Henrik and Athena.

Nikolai and Felix, who are both models, are the product of his first marriage to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

Alexandra, 58, who was married to Prince Joachim for 10 years until 2005, said the news came like a 'bolt out of the blue' and her sons now feel 'ostracised' from their family. Her spokesperson also claimed Joachim learned the news through a royal aide, rather than from his mother directly.

Margrethe's other four grandchildren - Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and 11-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine - born to her eldest son and heir Crown Prince Frederik will maintain their titles.

The move has created an 'icy' atmosphere within the Royal Family, according to one local media report, and has driven a wedge between a seemingly united family. 'There has never been a public conflict between the Queen and Prince Joachim,' Danish royal reporter Kenth Madsen told FEMAIL.

Indeed, they put on a united front just weeks ago when they celebrated Queen Margrethe's Golden Jubilee.

Prince Joachim (right back), 53, the youngest of Margrethe's two sons, said he was only given five days' notice that Nikolai (left), 23, Felix (second from left), 20, Henrik (far right), 13, and Athena (second from right), 10, will have prince or princess removed from their titles, and will no longer be able to use His or Her Royal Highness. Pictured with their grandmother Queen Margrethe (centre) and Princess Isabella (behind Princess Athena)

The move is said to have driven a wedge between Margrethe and her four grandchildren. Pictured, the Queen (centre) with sons Joachim (left) and Crown Prince Frederick (right). Also pictured: Crown Prince Frederick's wife, Crown Princess Mary (right) and son Prince Christian (in his lap) and Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix (left) who will be affected by the change

Nikolai modelling a short and gloves and a leather bumbag for Dior during Paris fashion week in 2020

Queen Margrethe, 82, who attended the funeral with her eldest son Crown Prince Frederick, said she hoped the move would allow her grandchildren to 'shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that come with a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family.

The statement also hinted that it is a move designed to streamline the monarchy - in echoes of King Charles' desire for the British Royal Family, and those of other European royal households.

Queen Margrethe last night defended her decision, saying at an event in Copenhagen: 'It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason.'

It had been reported that Prince Joachim was first informed of the decision in May, however he has claimed this morning that he was only informed of the decision five days ago.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen.

'Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified.

His ex-wife, Countess Alexandra, added in a statement to Danish magazine Se og Hr: 'This comes like a bolt from the blue. The children feel ostracized. They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them.'

Her spokesperson Helle von Wildenrath Lvgreen told another news organisation that Joachim learned of his children's fate via an aide.

Queen Margrethe spoke neither to her sons nor her grandchildren, it is claimed.

'The children have received the message that they are losing their titles, delivered by their father, just as Countess Alexandra was told by Prince Joachim,' the spokesperson added.

This afternoon the Royal Household released another statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'

Under the agreement, Nikolai, Felix, Henrik, and Athena will be known as either His Excellency Count of Monpezat or Her Excellency Countess of Monpezat from January 1, 2023.

However they will maintain their positions in the order of succession.

They are currently seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, but would move down if any of Crown Prince Frederick's children were to have children.

The bombshell announcement was made in a statement released yesterday by the Danish Royal Household.

It read: 'In April 2008, Her Majesty the Queen conferred the titles of Count, Countess and Comtesse of Monpezat on her sons, their spouses and their descendants.

'In May 2016, it was also announced that His Royal Highness Prince Christian, as the only one of the Queen's grandchildren, is expected to receive an annuity from the state as an adult.

'As a natural extension of this, Her Majesty has decided that with effect from 1 January 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim can only use their titles as Count and Countess of Monpezat, as their previous titles as Prince and Princess of Denmark will lapse.

'Prince Joachim's descendants will henceforth have to be addressed as Excellencies.

'The Queen's decision is in line with similar adaptations that other royal houses have implemented in different ways in recent years.

'With her decision, Her Majesty the Queen wants to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves.

'All four grandchildren maintain their places in the order of succession,' concluded the statement.

Margrethe, who is the world's longest serving queen and celebrates her Golden Jubilee this year, is affectionately known as 'aunt Daisy' by European royals due to her close personal ties with many reigning monarchs.

Prince Nikolai, from left, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim and Prince Felix arrive for the command performance at the Danish Royal Theatre to mark the 50th anniversary of Danish Queen Margrethe II's accession to the throne in Copenhagen, Saturday, September 10, 2022

Prince Nikolai of Denmark celebrated his 23rd birthday in August at home with his parents and siblings in Copenhagen. Pictured left with Prince Felxi, 20, Prince Henrick, 13 and Princess Athena, ten

Nikolai with his stepmother Princess Marie, siblings, and father Prince Joachim, on the balcony of Amalienborg palace during the Danish Queen's 78th Birthday in April 2018

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who will no longer be TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 23: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Denmark but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. They live with their parents in Paris. Advertisement

She is a first cousin of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and a second cousin of Norway's King Harald V.

She enjoyed a close relationship with the Queen, a distant cousin, and the Duke of Edinburgh, and shared deeply personal tributes following their deaths.

She was joined by her son Crown Prince Frederick at the Queen's funeral earlier this month.

The Queen seemingly enjoys a close relationship with both sons and all eight of her grandchildren, and makes regular appearances with both families.

However there is now said to be an 'ice-cold air' between the Queen and her grandchildren.

'There is ice-cold air between Queen Margrethe and her grandchildren after she decided that they will lose their titles as prince and princess from the New Year,' leading Danish publication Ekstra Bladet reported.

'The news, which has crushed both the four children and their parents, was not delivered by the queen herself.

'They have not been called to Amalienborg for a cold coke and an explanation as to why they must henceforth be addressed as counts and countesses. Not even that far.'

Queen Margrethe has a well-cushioned allowance, with the Danish Civil List granting her 800,813 a month, or 9.6 million for the year to run the royal household - including staff, properties and administration, according to Business Insider.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Net Worth lists her net worth at around 37million.

Around 183,750 per month is reportedly given to the Queen's children. Crown Prince Frederik receives the largest amount of this money, of which 10 per cent is given to his wife, Princess Mary.

Many of the Danish Royal Family's properties are owned by the state, and run by the Agency for Palaces and Cultural Properties.

Nikolai wearing a pastel suit for Dior in 2018 at Paris Fashion Week. Right: The royal strutting his stuff on the runway in January 2020

This includes the main residence of Amalienborg, their spring home of Fredensborg palace, their summer house of Grasten Palace and the hunting lodge Eremitageslottet .

The Danish Queen's personal properties include Marselisborg Castle, Chateau de Caix in France, and the royal hunting lodge in Jutland at Trend.

Prince Joachim lives with his second wife Princess Marie in Paris, where he has been working as a Defense Attache at the Danish Embassy since September 2020 - but when he returns home to Denmark it is sometimes to the Schackenborg Castle in southern Jutland.

The estate was the prince's private residence from 1993 to 2014, before he sold the property.

But since Prince Joachim and Princess Marie are on the board of the Schackenborg Castle Foundation, they occasionally return to live there for short periods of time.

In the summer of 2020, Prince Joachim suffered a stroke while holidaying in France with his family and had to be rushed into hospital for emergency brain surgery.

Prince Joachim's eldest sons, Felix and Nikolai, are Margrethe's eldest grandsons and have embraced a life in the public eye.

The 20-somethings, who both live in Denmark, both enrolled in the National Military Academy but dropped out before completing their studies.

They have enjoyed flourishing careers as models, posing for several advert campaigns and on the cover of magazines.

Nikolai caught international attention in 2018 when he walked in the Burberry show at London Fashion week, before a front row that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts, Zendaya, and Idris Elba.

He is signed to Scoop Models agency in Denmark and has been multiplying his modelling gigs.

Nikolai in a loose, tailored suit on the runway during the Dior Homme Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 in Paris in 2018

Nikolai has become a runway staple at every fashion show after making his debut for Burberry in 2018, left. Right, pictured walking for Dior Homme Menswear that same year

The grandson of Queen Margrethe made royal swoons in his official birthday portraits, pictured, before taking to modelling

He sent royal fans into a frenzy in February when he graced the cover of Vogue Scandinavia.

The 22-year-old oozed sophistication when appearing in the magazine and looked effortlessly stylish in a matching pink Dior jacket and trousers as he posed in front of a number of colourful flowers.

When he is not modelling, Nikolai is studying Business Administration and Service Management at the In 2019, Prince Nikolai began his B education at Copenhagen Business School.

Last year he was living in Paris as part of a school exchange, and could see his younger siblings and his dad more easily.

At the end of last year, he started training at the Royal Danish Military Academy to become an Army Lieutenant, but in October it was announced that he'd quit after just two months because it 'wasn't for him'.

Prince Felix chose to make his modelling debut for jeweller Georg Jensen, appearing in pictures and an advert promoting the new Reflect collection of necklaces, earrings and rings.

The royal is further down the line of succession, pursuing his own career path rather than being a 'working royal' was expected choice for Felix even before his grandmother's announcement, and modelling is certainly a popular choice for minor royals across the globe.

While they are growing to be their own person, Felix and Nikolai do attend royal events on occasion.

They both looked very dapper as they attended the celebrations for their grandmother's golden jubilee with their parents in early September.

Princess Marie with Prince Joachim, Prince Felix, Prince Nikolai, Princess Athena and Prince Henrick with Joachim's first wife's Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg in 2020

Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 only 24 hours after Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on Monday September 19

Queen Margrethe was pictured out and about for the first time on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19 last week. She attended a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel in Oslo after receiving the Nordic Association's Language Award

Margrethe tested positive for Covid-19 last Tuesday, just 24 hours after attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and mourning events in London.

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 royal also paid her respects to the Queen by visiting her coffin in Westminster Hall the night before the Queen's funeral, and attended the Buckingham Palace 'reception of the century' where she was pictured chatting closely with King Charles.

On Monday, the monarch made her first appearance since she tested positive for Covid, joining Queen Sonja of Norway at a literary event in Oslo.

Queen Sonja of Norway presented the Nordic Association's annual language award to Queen Margrethe of Denmark at Nordens Hus before they attended a gala at the Grand Hotel.

Margrethe wore a vibrant long pink skirt for the gala dinner, which she paired with a navy blue lace top.

She pinned her hair tightly back and was pictured with a navy shawl over her shoulders as she arrived at the Grand Hotel.
Several student and national groups have condemned the bylaw as 'anti-Semitic' and 'a very ugly road'

Several student groups at the University of California, Berkeley, law school have adopted a bylaw prohibiting pro-Israel speakers at events.

Written by Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP), the bylaw is meant to ensure 'the safety and welfare of Palestinian students on campus.' It added that the organization will hold 'Palestine 101' training courses.

At least nine groups have adopted the rule so far, including the Berkeley Law Muslim Student Association, Middle Eastern and North African Law Students Association, Womxn of Color Collective, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Queer Caucus, Community Defense Project, Women of Berkeley Law and Law Students of African Descent.

Erwin Chemerinsky, the law school's dean since 2017, identifies as Jewish and recognizes that under this new bylaw he would not be able to speak.

'It is troubling to broadly exclude a particular viewpoint from being expressed,' he told The Jewish News of Northern California. 'Indeed, taken literally, this would mean that I could not be invited to speak because I support the existence of Israel, though I condemn many of its policies.'

Some Jewish organizations have criticized Chemerinsky's response, indicating he has allowed for an anti-Semitic environment at the school.

Berkeley Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP) posted to Instagram images of its new bylaw, which says it will prohibit pro-Israel speakers at events

The bylaw has since been adopted by nine groups at Berkeley Law while being condemned by both school and national Jewish organizations

The bylaw is meant to ensure 'the safety and welfare of Palestinian students on campus'

One response from a Jewish group at Berkeley Law said it is 'saddened' and 'concerned' by the decision for groups to adopt the bylaw

Head of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Berkeley law alumnus Kenneth L. Marcus said that students involved 'are taking a step down a very ugly road.'

'Berkeley Law wouldn't be Berkeley Law if students didn't engage in a certain amount of wrongheaded political nonsense,' he said.

'This is different, because it's not just a political stunt. It is tinged with antisemitism and anti-Israel national origin discrimination.'

The Jewish Students Association at Berkeley Law wrote in response to the byline that they were 'saddened' and 'concerned' that groups will 'silence Jewish voices on campus' while alienating 'many Jewish students from certain groups on campus.'

'Students can advocate for Palestinians and criticize Israeli policies without denying Israel the right to exist or attacking the identity of other students,' the statement, co-written by five members, says.

'We are troubled that this bylaw creates an environment in which only one viewpoint is acceptable.'

The campus's larger group, the Jewish Students Association, complemented this opinion.

'When an affinity group adopts this by-law or conditions speaking privileges on denouncing Israel, many Jewish people are put in a position all too familiar: deny or denigrate a part of their identity or be excluded from community groups,' the group wrote.

The university, in addition to the aforementioned groups, did not immediately respond to inquiries by DailyMail.com.

Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky (pictured) is a progressive Zionist and he says he would technically be banned from speaking at events hosted by the groups supporting the bylaw

Pictured: Tweets discussing the decision by the Berkeley Law group

The bylaw starts by saying the group, which adopts it will 'include a Palestine-centered and de-colonial approach to holding club activities,' according to a LSJP Instagram post.

'The (insert organization name) is committed to providing a supportive community space for all indigenous peoples globally, including movements for Palestinian liberation,' it reads.

A caption on the post says LSJP is openly promoting the bylaw to other student groups: 'LSJP is calling ALL student organizations at Berkeley law to take an anti-racist and anti-settler colonial stand and adopt the bylaw into their constitutions ASAP!'

In response to backlash from the bylaw, LSJP said they believed 'Israel is an apartheid state,' which requires them to 'have an obligation to act.'

'Supporting Palestinian liberation does not mean opposition to Jewish people or the Jewish religion; in fact, Jewish liberation and Palestinian liberation are intertwined, and we are committed to each other's safety,' it said.

Pictured: As a result of public backlash, the LSJP released a public statement in its defense

Pictured: A two-page response written by LSJP supporting its decision to enact the bylaw in addition to advertising it to other student groups

'Supporting Palestinian liberation does not mean opposition to Jewish people or the Jewish religion,' the response reads

Jewish groups and organizations have since publicly commented in opposition to the LSJP bylaw.

Roz Rothstein, co-founder of StandWithUs, told FOX News 'misrepresenting Zionism is anti-Semitic and will never lead to peace.'

Marcus added that the bylaw is not 'just a political student. It is tinged with anti-Semitism and anti-Israel national origin discrimination.'

Another group, the Zionist Organization of America, criticized both the bylaw and Chereminsky's public response.

'When he noted his support for Israel's existence, he felt the need to qualify it, by adding that he condemned many of Israel's policies  as if that is even remotely relevant to whether Jewish and pro-Israel voices and views have the right to be expressed at Berkeley law,' said President Morton A. Klein.

The Jewish Student Association at Berkeley Law closed its statement by saying it hopes more students on campus join the dialogue.

Pictured: The logo for Berkeley Law's Jewish Law Association in 2012

In an email sent by Chemerinsky to the editor of Jewish Journal in response to an article written about the bylaw, the dean notes that 'only a handful of student groups out of over 100 at Berkeley Law' adopted the bylaw.

Through an additional statement written August 29 for The Jewish News of Northern California, Chemerinsky complements that argument by saying he was caught by 'surprise' that the bylaw was covered by news outlets.

'I know of no instance in which (school policy) has been violated or there has been any discrimination against Jews,' Chemerinsky wrote. 'I have been in regular contact with our Jewish students about this.'

He added that he wrote a letter to the leaders of student groups in which he said 'excluding speakers on the basis of their viewpoint is inconsistent with our commitment to free speech and condemning the existence of Israel is a form of anti-Semitism.'

'Finally, it is important to recognize that law student groups have free speech rights, including to express messages that I and others might find offensive,' he concludes.

He condemned media reporting for not being 'sensitive to the context.'

'There is a false narrative that often underlies stories about college campuses, including Berkeleys, that there is significant anti-Semitism and that they are not hospitable for Jews,' he said. 'That is nonsense.'
A retired doctor blames a fellow medic for failing to spot the skin cancer that would kill her beloved husband - also a top doctor.

The extraordinary scenario which pits two doctors against each other over the death of a third emerged in legal papers filed at the High Court.

Retired GP Keren Shaw, 65, has launched a legal battle for compensation of more than 200,000 after her husband, fertility expert Laurence Shaw, died from the originally missed cancer, MailOnline has learned.

She blames consultant pathologist Dr Brigid Maguire, 60, for his death, saying she wrongly diagnosed a cancerous lesion on his back as being just a benign mole.

Mr Shaw consequently was not treated, and it was another two years before Mr Shaw was correctly diagnosed with malignant melanoma, and this spread.

He was then diagnosed with metastatic cancer in June 2013, and died aged 61 from the disease on January 9 2014 at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

Laurence Shaw met Keren when he was a young registrar at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and she was a medical student who would go on to qualify as a doctor herself. They married in 1985

Dr Brigid Maguire, 60, is accused of wrongly diagnosing a cancerous lesion on Laurence's back as being just a benign mole

Mr Shaw met his future wife Keren when he was a young registrar at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, and she was a medical student who would go on to qualify as a doctor herself.

They married in 1985 and soon moved to Kent where they had three children.

He spent twenty years working at the QEQM Hospital in Margate, and in Kent and Canterbury Hospital, as a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, and he worked at the London Bridge Fertility Centre before setting up his own clinic in Canterbury.

In 2007, he noticed lesions on his body, and a consultant dermatologist was worried that a lesion on his lower back could be cancerous, according to a claim issued in Londons High Court.

Samples were sent to consultant pathologist Dr Maguire, who reported that they were benign, and as a result he was discharged without follow-up or treatment, the claim says.

The lesion on his back returned and was removed by Dr Hudson-Peacock on October 30 2009, and sent for examination. It was reported to be a recurring malignant melanoma, and the earlier sample was examined again and found to have the appearance of malignancy which should have been picked up at the time, it is alleged.

Dr Shaw, Woodnesborough, near Sandwich, Kent, says that if her husbands condition had been correctly diagnosed in 2007, his death would probably have been avoided

In mid-2013, Mr Shaw developed a dry cough, and tests showed he had metastatic melanoma, from which he died

The lesion was removed again in November 2009, and Mr Shaw was referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital where he was given regular ultrasound scans.

In mid-2013, he developed a dry cough, and tests showed he had metastatic melanoma, from which he died.

Dr Shaws widow, a GP for more than two decades before retiring nine years ago, accuses Dr Maguire of negligence, and says she failed to properly examine and analyse the sample in 2007, allowed the sample to be incorrectly identified as benign when it was malignant, and failed to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence.

Dr Maguires report on the 2007 samples was a category 1 failure, as set out by the Royal College of Pathologists, which was a diagnostic error likely to have a definite effect on clinical management and possible outcome, as well as a category B1 failure, which is a diagnosis surprising to see from any pathologist, of an obvious cancer being reported as benign, the claim says.

Dr Shaw, Woodnesborough, near Sandwich, Kent, says that if her husbands condition had been correctly diagnosed in 2007, his death would probably have been avoided.

Because of the delay in diagnosis, he suffered pain, discomfort, loss of functionality, and amenity until his death, she says. Dr Shaw is seeking permission for her claim to be brought although it is out of time, saying she instructed solicitors Whitehead Monkton just ten months after his death, but the firm failed to progress the case until the limitation period had expired.

The samples at the heart of the claim are still available, and all the clinicians are able to give evidence, while the only witness unable to give evidence is her husband. Dr Maguire, she says, will not be unduly prejudiced by delay in bringing the claim.

Dr Shaw says she will be prejudiced by having to bring a claim against Whitehead Monkton for professional negligence, when her claim will be based on a loss of chance of winning damages, which might be lower than the damages awarded in this lawsuit.

The claim was issued by David Greenhaugh of Clarkson Wright and Jakes.

Dr Maguire, who lives with her husband in Willesborough, Ashford, didnt respond to an approach for comment.
Dizzee Rascal's appeal for assaulting his ex-fiancee in June 2021 has been delayed by two months after a witness tested positive for Covid-19.

The musician, 37, whose real name is Dylan Mills, was convicted of attacking Cassandra Jones, 33, and his retrial at the Inner London Crown Court has been adjourned to December 9.

The court heard in March he pressed his forehead against Ms Jones and pushed her to the ground during a 'chaotic' row at a residential property in Streatham, south London, on June 8 last year.

He avoided a prison sentence for the offence and was given a 12-month restraining order - banning him from contacting his former partner - along with an electronic tag and a 24 week night time curfew, which is appealing.

Mills also smashed a camera of PA Media photographer James Manning outside the court in March, shortly after his guilty verdict was handed down.

Dizzee Rascal's (pictured in June outside Croydon Magistrates' Court in April) appeal for assaulting his ex-fiancee in June 2021 has been adjourned to December 9 after a witness tested positive for Covid-19

Rascal's ex Cassandra Jones, 33, (pictured) of Streatham, south west London, spoke out after her partner of nine years was convicted of attacking her in front of her two young children

Dizzee Rascal, who real name is Dylan Mills, is pictured as her arrives at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court where he was found guilty of the assault of Cassandra Jones

The former partner of Rascal told in March how 'wealth and status' should not be allowed to silence women who are victims of domestic abuse.

Ms Jones spoke out after her partner of nine years was convicted of attacking her in front of her two young children.

She told how she wanted to move on with her life for the sake of her children but insisted no woman should suffer at the hands of abusive partners.

Ms Jones of Streatham, south west London, said: 'I just want to heal, move on with my life and focus on looking after my bubbas now.

'Dylan and I were together for a long time, and I loved him very much. He is the father of our two children. Last year I finally left him for good, after experiencing what I now recognise to be prolonged domestic abuse.

'I have been receiving support from specialist domestic abuse services since last year, and that has helped me process my experiences and move forward.

'I understand why so many women drop out of the criminal justice system; this has been really traumatic for me. But I am lucky enough to have had support from the police, my family and friends, and specialist organisations.

'One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime. I now ask for privacy to rebuild and reset.

'I hope I can now move on with my life. If the things you have read have resonated with you, I'd urge you to seek support. It's available.'

Mills had denied assaulting his ex-fiancee Cassandra Jones during a 'chaotic' row at a residential property in Streatham, south London, on June 8 last year.

Jones, who shares two children with Mills, alleged the rapper had thrown her to the floor and pressed his head against hers amid the argument.

Mills, who was behind chart-topping singles Bonkers and Dance Wiv Me, split with Jones in February 2021 after nine years together and was said to be 'frustrated' over custody arrangements.

The pair became embroiled in an argument when he dropped off their daughter at the property following a day out in June.

Footage taken showed Rascal rip a camera from PA Media photographer James Manning (right) after he left Wimbledon Magistrates' Court and hurl it into the road, smashing the device to pieces

After Mills was arrested, he told police 'she assaulted me' and that she had left him with a scratch on his left arm.

But Mills, who had denied the charge, was found guilty after a trial.

Mills and Ms Jones were said to have had an 'on and off' relationship after first meeting around 2011, and in 2018 they got engaged.

In her testimony in February, Ms Jones described her ex-fiance as 'a ticking time bomb', explaining that she was calm when he arrived on the doorstep with their daughter as she knew he was in a bad mood and did not want to anger him.

The rapper had a string of hit songs in the late 2000s and amassed a reported net worth of 2.5 million.

He was awarded an MBE for services to music in 2020.

He was sentenced in April where the 37-year-old musician, who arrived at Croydon Magistrates' Court dressed in a green bomber jacket, black jeans, trainers and a red hat, clashed with a TV journalist after being asked if he had any 'regrets' about his actions in June last year.

The rapper snapped back at the journalist, asking: 'What do you mean?' He then told the reporter: 'You don't know what you are talking about,' before walking into the court.'
A Channel Nine weather reporter has clashed with a conspiracy theorist, labelling him a 'd***head' after he was ambushed during a live-cross.

Garry Youngberry was reporting the weather from Queensland's Bribie Island on Friday night when a man ran into the back of the shot.

Footage of the bizarre interaction shows the barefoot man holding a sign with the message: 'Our weather is being modified'.

He also urged viewers to Google 'geo engineering' - a theory which claims there is a deliberate and large scale intervention in the earth's climate system.

The conspiracy theorist ambushed Channel 9 TV weather reporter Gary Youngberry while he was live on air. The man held a sign saying 'our weather is being modified' during the segment (pictured)

Mr Youngberry's cameraman attempted to chase away the conspiracy theorist, who was wearing sunglasses at night, but he managed to dodge him and linger behind the reporter.

Bystanders were heard calling the man a 'w*****' as Mr Youngberry wrapped up his report.

The frustrated presenter was then seen calmly trying to confront the man, asking him to 'come here buddy'.

The conspiracy theorist yelled at the TV presenter to 'tell the truth' while walking away from Youngberry (pictured)

The stranger then walks off laughing and shouts at the reporter to 'tell the truth'.

'Mate you're a d***head!' Mr Youngberry responds.

'It's on the government website Gaz,' the man yells back before Mr Youngberry tells him to 'contribute to society'.

The TV presenter had the support of onlookers who shook their heads at the late night ambush and branded the man an 'idiot'.
Two more senior Russian military and intelligence figures have been killed, bringing yet more woe to Vladimir Putin as Ukraine's armed forces drive deeper into the eastern Donbas region to liberate more occupied territory.

The first, Aleksei Nagin, was a highly respected commander in the infamous PMC Wagner Group - a private army headed by close Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin - which has been instrumental in supporting Russia's invasion.

Nagin, a three-time Order of Courage recipient, was killed on September 20 as Ukrainian troops advanced further into the Donetsk and repelled Russian forces.

Meanwhile in the southern Kherson region, Colonel Aleksei Katerinichev - a career FSB secret service officer and deputy head of Russia's occupying forces in Kherson - was hit in a 'pinpoint' strike by a HIMARS missile today, according to a Russian news agency report.

Katerinichev was a veteran of more than 20 counter-terrorist operations and a key architect of Russian operations in southern Ukraine.

The deaths of such esteemed military personnel just 10 days apart underscores the frailty of Putin's 'military operation', even as the warmongering Russian president today signed agreements formally incorporating the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions into the Russian Federation.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson are only partially controlled by Russia, while Putin's troops in the key city of Lyman in the northern Donetsk have been almost completely surrounded by Ukrainian forces in the latest counter-offensive.

Aleksei Nagin (L) was a highly respected commander in the infamous PMC Wagner Group - a private army headed by close Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin. Aleksei Katerinichev (R) was a career FSB secret service officer and deputy head of Russia's occupying forces in Kherson

Nagin was a distinguished soldier, having seen combat in Chechnya and Georgia with the Russian army before signing a contract with PMC Wagner as a mercenary

A junkyard of destroyed army vehicles near Izyum, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, 29 September 2022

(L-R) The Moscow-appointed heads of Kherson region Vladimir Saldo and Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Donetsk separatist leader Denis Pushilin and Lugansk separatist leader Leonid Pasechnik react after signing treaties formally annexing four regions of Ukraine

The death of Nagin represents a significant blow for PMC Wagner, who posthumously awarded the veteran combatant their Platinum Star award.

Nagin was a distinguished soldier, having seen combat in Chechnya and Georgia with the Russian army before signing a contract with PMC Wagner as a mercenary and deploying to both Syria and Libya.

He was also posthumously granted the title of Hero of Russia, and was designated the hero of both the so-called Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics (LPR and DPR).

Katerinichev meanwhile held the position of first deputy chairman of the Moscow-installed Kherson civil military administration - effectively making him the second in command of the partially occupied region.

Russia today completed its plan to formally annex huge swathes of Ukrainian territory as Putin signed an official decree recognising the incorporation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson into the Russian Federation.

The president was pictured celebrating in Moscow today after signing the papers along with the pro-Russian heads of each partially controlled area, where sham referenda were held in a pathetic attempt to legitimise the annexation.

But the seemingly jubilant scene in the Russian capital belied the despairing situation confronting many of Putin's troops tasked with holding the freshly annexed territories.

Several Russian units currently find themselves trapped in the city of Lyman in northern Donetsk, with Ukrainian forces encircling their positions and only a slim spit of land through which to retreat deeper into Donetsk.

Moscow's soldier spent weeks and suffered considerable losses amid their attempt to take Lyman back in the spring.

DPR leader Denis Pushilin this morning confirmed that several settlements close to Lyman had been attacked by Ukrainian troops, hours before he met with Putin for annexation celebrations.

DPR leader Denis Pushilin (2-R) this morning confirmed that several settlements close to Lyman had been attacked by Ukrainian troops, hours before he met with Putin (C) for annexation celebrations (pictured)

An Ukrainian soldier looks out from a tank, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in the frontline city of Lyman, Donetsk region (file photo)

'Friends, the news about [Lyman] is disturbing. The [Ukrainian military] is trying its best to somehow overshadow a historical event for us, Pushilin said.

'Svatovo is under our control but is under fire periodically. Yampol and Drobyshevo are not fully controlled by us.

'Our guys are fighting, we are pulling up reserves, we must hold out, but the enemy has also committed serious force. Very unpleasant news, but we must look soberly at the situation and draw conclusions from our mistakes. We'll cope with everything!'

The pro-Russian telegram channel Rybar said that 'the boiler' around Lyman has almost completely closed.

'If emergency measures are not taken in the near future to unblock Liman and transfer a significant part of the reserves, then the city, together with its defenders, will fall,' Rybar wrote, while military correspondent of pro-Kremlin newspaper 'Komsomolskaya Pravda' Alexander Kots said the situation was 'critical'.
The warship was due to embark on training exercises to ready it for deployment but those have now been delayed, the Navy has confirmed

Sailors say the entire vessel - which is 47 years old - now reeks of the fuel

Attempts to flush out the system failed, and further traces of jet fuel were detected in same supply just days later

Sailors have suffered acid reflux and other illnesses feared to be linked to the contaminated water

Five sailors on USS Nimitz reported experiencing acid reflux and other illnesses after the aircraft carriers water system became contaminated with jet fuel, Navy officials have confirmed.

Naval staff aboard the carrier are telling crew members to report to medical immediately if they exhibit any illness that might have been caused by the water said Navy spokesperson Commander Sean Robertson.

Disgruntled sailors took to social media to share images of the murky drinking water they were being supplied on the ship.

It was forced to return from from a cruise in the Pacific Ocean and has now been docked at its home port in San Diego pending an investigation.

Dozens of sailors took to social media and blogs to share photos of the contaminated water on the aircraft carrier. On September 22 a sailor attempted to clean their coffee pot several times but foam kept forming on the top. Another shared a photo of the contaminated water, captured on September 19

Most of the water sources on the ship still reek of JP5, let alone have the strong taste. Most of our showers havent gotten rid of the smell, said one.

Sailors also reported feeling sick, nauseous, lightheaded and extremely weak after showering, reported a blog compiling accounts from crew.

While the drinking water system was down vending machines selling bottled water sold out and personnel had to rely on friends to make water deliveries to the ship.

USS Nimitz was launched in 1972 and is one of the largest nuclear powered warships in the world. On September 16 JP-5 jet fuel contaminated the ship's drinking water system

USS Nimitz was forced to return to San Diego during a 'pre-deployment' cruise in the Pacific after jet fuel contaminated the ships drinking water system

The Navy said that the fuel, known as jet propellant-5 (JP5), was first reported on September 16 causing crews drinking water supply to be cut for three days.

USS Nimitz water contamination timeline September 16  USS Nimitz staff discover aviation fuel in water system during a pre-deployment cruise in the Pacific Ocean September 17  The ship returns to San Diego and staff flush the its drinking water system September 19  Drinking water is restored on the ship after a thorough flush and inspection that finds no detectable amounts of fuel September 21  A couple of days later Navy officials reported that the ships potable water system yielded detectable traces of hydrocarbons September 27  The Navy confirms that fuel is still being found in the water system despite the flush but there were no confirmed cases of illness September 29  Five crew members raise health concerns to medical staff, the Navy confirmed Advertisement

Despite indications in the following days that the water system had been flushed, issues persisted, and further traces of jet fuel were found in the same water supply.

Officials are now investigating the cause of the leak.

In an email to Navy Times on Thursday Robertson said: The source of the jet propellant-5 (JP-5) contamination has been identified and isolated to one of the 26 potable water tanks on board.

Little is known about the effects of ingesting jet fuels but harmful effects on the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system are possible according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a federal public health agency

The contaminated tank has been isolated from the potable water system. As an added precaution, three other nearby tanks have also been isolated from the potable water system, said Navy officials in a statement.

Of the five sailors that reported sickness the Navy said that one was experiencing acid reflux caused by drinking contaminated water aboard the ship. The Navy said that the other four crew had been cleared but the details are not known.

Launched in 1972 USS Nimitz is one of the largest warships in the world with a crew of around 5,000. Her most recent deployment lasted 11 months and was completed in February 2021.

The recent contamination of the ships drinking water was first reported during a pre-deployment cruise in the Pacific off the coast of southern California. The carrier was swiftly returned to its homeport NAS North Island in San Diego, where it remains now.

The ship has been hooked up to a San Diego water supply since September 17.

The aircraft carrier was expected to complete training for a global deployment later this year but the water contamination has delayed that, the Navy has confirmed.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein became exasperated with staffers who tried to brief her on the upcoming stopgap funding bill she was to vote for on Thursday, telling them: 'I don't even know what that is.'

Feinstein, 89, has served as a Democratic senator from California for 30 years, and has voted on dozens of continuing resolutions (CR) to fund the government.

According to a private conversation overheard by Insider, Feinstein struggled to get her bearings as she headed into an elevator that brings lawmakers to the Senate floor to vote.

'This is a vote on the continuing resolution. Do you have any questions about it?' a male staffer asked the senator, before she snapped at him.

The vote to keep the government funded through Dec. 16 passed the Senate 72-25.

Democrats on Capitol Hill have in recent years expressed concern over the Senate's oldest member and her mental fitness to serve.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein became exasperated with staffers who tried to brief her on the upcoming stopgap funding bill she was to vote for on Thursday, telling them: 'I don't even know what that is'

Feinstein, 89, has served as a Democratic senator from California for 30 years, and has voted on dozens of continuing resolutions (CR) to fund the government

Feinstein, had long been renowned in Washington for an issue-focused passion and quick wit -- but one Democratic lawmaker told the San Francisco Chronicle there was 'no trace of that' anymore last spring.

Four other senators -- three of them Democrats -- as well as three of her former staffers fear that Feinstein is 'mentally unfit to serve' and that her memory is 'rapidly deteriorating.'

People who have worked with the California lawmaker for years now say she has difficulty recognizing them and repeats the same few talking points. Talk has been floated of persuading her to resign before her current term ends in 2024.

A staffer from another senator's office is quoted as saying they've seen their boss go out of their way to re-introduce themselves to Feinstein before speaking to her.

After the Chronicle report came out Feinstein told members of the editorial board she was 'rather puzzled' that her cognition had been called into question.

Feinstein registers to run for supervisor of District 2 at the age of 44 in 1977

Feinstein is pictured during her first run for mayor in 1971, age 39

Feinstein and her fiance Richard Blum, an investment banker, celebrate their wedding announcement with champagne. The pair married in 1980

'I meet regularly with leaders. I'm not isolated. I see people. My attendance is good. I put in the hours. We represent a huge state. And so I'm rather puzzled by all of this,' she told members of the board by phone.

The senator said in 2020 she had no plans to leaver her term early. In January 2021 she filed the initial paperwork to run again in 2024, when she will be 91. Her office said this the move was just procedural due to election law technicalities.

The recently overheard conversation puts America's gerontocracy on full display, occurring just after President Biden seemingly forgot the recent car crash death of Rep. Jackie Walorski that rocked Washington, D.C.

'Jackie, are you here? Where's Jackie?' the president questioned during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.

The average age in the Senate is 63 - behind Feinstein are Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, also 89, Richard Shelby, R-Ala., 88 and Jim Inhofe, R-Olka, 87.
A man with a history of schizophrenia was charged for the fatal stabbing of hero EMT Alison Russo-Elling after knocking her off her feet and using a steak knife to murder her on Thursday.

Peter Zisopoulos, 34, was charged with the 'barbaric and completely unprovoked,' stabbing death of Russo-Elling, 61, a nearly 25-year veteran of the New York Fire Department.

Zisopoulos was charged with murder and possession of a weapon for the attack that took place Thursday afternoon in broad daylight on a street in Astoria, Queens.

This is reportedly his first arrest. He had an interaction with the police in 2018, when he was accused of issuing threats to Asians.

The incident resulted in his hospitalization, but an arrest was never made.

He was arrested Thursday outside an apartment on 20th Ave. and 41st St. in Queens. The three-story apartment building is known to also house New York's only swingers club.

Zisopoulos initially locked himself in his apartment, but surrendered to law enforcement about an hour later.

Peter Zisopoulus, 34, is perp walked Friday after killing an on-duty EMT on Thursday

Both his hands and feet were handcuffed as he was led by two law enforcement agents after being charged

ZIsopoulos reportedly locked himself in his apartment for an hour Thursday before surrendering to officers in the hours after he mercilessly stabbed Alison Russo-Elling to death

Peter Zisopoulos, 34, was charged with the 'barbaric and completely unprovoked,' stabbing death of Russo-Elling, an EMT

Zisopoulos was charged with murder and weapon possession for the attack that took place Thursday afternoon in broad daylight on a street in Astoria, Queens.

Emergency Medical Service Lieutenant and World Trade Center first responder, Alison Russo-Elling (pictured), 61, died after being stabbed while on duty in Queens

GRAPHIC WARNING: Zisopoulos is seen on surveillance camera stabbing Russo-Elling on Thursday afternoon in Queens

Russo-Elling's body was escorted to the Medical Examiner's office from Mt. Sinai Hospital Queens in presence of other NYC first-responders

Russo-Elling was on her way to get food when Zisopoulous allegedly approached her and stabbed her in what authorities said was a random and completely unprovoked attack

EMT's and NYFD gather at the station house to watch the Purple and Black Bunting for Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, where she worked in Astoria, Queens on Sept. 30th, 2022

Members of NYC's emergency services salute Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, who was senselessly murdered this week

EMT's and NYFD gather at the station house to mourn Alison Russo-Elling, who was killed Thursday

Russo-Elling was on her way to get food when Zisopoulous allegedly approached her and stabbed her in what authorities said was a random and completely unprovoked attack.

'At this point in the investigation there doesnt appear to have been any prior contact between them,' said a member of the FDNY. 'He just walked toward her, sped up and then stabbed her to death.'

Dailymail.com understands that when a witness to the brutal and senseless attack attempted to intervene, the lunatic allegedly yelled back, 'F--k you, f--k you!!' before attempting to charge the witness, who rode his scooter to safety.

According to the witness, the weapon may have been a steak knife.

The victim was left splayed on the corner with a deep, lethal stab wound to her chest, as well as approximately 18 smaller stab wounds to the upper and lower chest.

Emergency doctors at Mount Sinai Astoria unsuccessfully attempted to treat the victim with a breathing tube, bi-lateral chest tubes and medication to restart her heart.

Russo-Elling was a mother, grandmother and also worked with the volunteer ambulance corps in Huntington, Long Island, where she lived.

She joined the FDNY as an EMT in 1998 and became a lieutenant in 2016. She worked out of Station 49 in Astoria, Queens at the time of her passing.

She was a first responder to the September 11, 2001 attacks and was credited multiple times for her 'bravery and her life-saving work,' said Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh.

'She was absolutely beloved on this job,' she added.

A colleague told reporters that she was just months away from retirement, according to the New York Post.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said on Friday that her 'heart aches for the family, friends, and fellow EMS officers who loved Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling.

'This senseless, brutal attack against a dedicated public servant is horrific, infuriating, and devastating. This attack reminds us all of the dangers faced by New York EMS personnel, and why these dedicated heroes who have earned our respect deserve pay equity and fair compensation. EMS officials like Lieutenant Russo-Elling put themselves in harms way to serve their fellow New Yorkers, they should be recognized and paid fairly for their devotion and duty. I join with all New Yorkers as we grieve for Lieutenant Russo-Elling. May her memory be a blessing and an inspiration.'

In an official statement from the New York City Fire Department, Russo-Elling's death has been used as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by emergency services workers.

'The death of Alison Russo is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by each and every member of the FDNY and uniformed services,' the statement read.

'Her senseless killing brings sorrow to every member of the FDNY. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Department with bowed heads, and we will forever be here to support our FDNY family in this unspeakably difficult time.

'We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Alison's family, loved ones, and colleagues.'

New York City Mayor Eric Adams gave his condolences at a press conference at Mount Sinai Hospital to the city of New York, Russo-Elling's family, friends and colleagues.

'We lost one of our heroes she provided a service for this city for over 24 years,' he said.

'Her assailant has been apprehended and will be held accountable for his actions.

'She was on duty at the time she was brought here to Mount Sinai Hospital where she passed away due to her injuries.'

Law enforcement quickly established a perimeter around the scene of the murder

Police remained on the scene of 20th Avenue near 41st Street most of Thursday afternoon

Members of the FDNY mourned the loss of a longtime colleague who was often lauded for her heroic work on the job

Russo-Elling's picture was released by colleagues on Thursday evening by the New York City Fire Department detailing her long career as a front line worker

Tributes from colleagues were seen across Facebook to remember the 'courageous' EMS member

The tragic incident comes as crime in the Big Apple is up over 33 percent from last year.

Driving the increase is a more than 37 percent increase in the number of robberies, and a 32.4 percent increase in burglaries.

Felony assaults are also up 16.6 percent over last year, while grand larcenies are up a whopping 43 percent.

But the mayor had fled the crumbling city over the weekend to visit hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, which he refers to as New York's 'sixth borough.'
Volodymyr Zelensky has declared that Kyiv is requesting fast-track NATO membership after Russia formally annexed four Moscow-held regions of Ukraine earlier today.

'De-facto, we have already proven our compatibility with Alliance standards... Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure,' the Ukrainian president said in a video address posted on social media.

'We are taking a decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated accession to NATO... in an expedited manner.'

He went on to state Ukrainian intentions to repel Russian troops and retake all occupied regions while remaining open to negotiations with Moscow, provided Putin is deposed.

'Firstly, strengthening Ukraine and expelling the occupiers from our entire territory is the only path to restoring peace. We will go this way,' the president said on his official Telegram channel.

'Secondly, Ukraine was and remains a leader in negotiation efforts. It was our state that always offered Russia to agree to a coexistence on equal, honest, dignified and fair terms.

'It is obvious that this is impossible with this Russian President. He does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another President of Russia.

'And thirdly, we must legally record all that we have already in fact achieved. It is in Ukraine that the fate of democracy is decided by confronting tyranny.'

The statement came just hours after Vladimir Putin signed official papers to formally recognise the incorporation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions into the Russian Federation.

Volodymyr Zelensky today declared that Kyiv is requesting fast-track NATO membership after Russia formally annexed four Moscow-held regions of Ukraine

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (C), Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (R) and Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk (L) pose with a request for fast-track membership in the NATO military alliance

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Moscow-appointed heads of four Ukrainian regions, partially occupied by Russia, at the Grand Kremlin Palace on September 30, 2022 to commemorate their annexation of the territories

Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and other participants attend a ceremony at the Kremlin to declare the annexation of the Russian-controlled territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in Ukraine

At a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, the Russian president delivered a defiant speech in front of Moscow's most senior political elite, telling the West the land grab was irreversible and calling on Ukraine's emboldened army to give up and negotiate a surrender.

'I want to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters in the West: People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens forever,' Putin said.

'We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities... and return to the negotiating table,' the Russian leader added.

The packed hall erupted to chants of 'Russia! Russia' after the four leaders of the occupied Ukrainian regions inked the deal sealing the annexation and Putin - rarely seen making physical contact since the pandemic - joined hands with them before shouting along in unison on state TV.

Putin also railed at the West as part of his venomous speech to a standing ovation in the Kremlin's grand Georgian Hall from his cronies, including Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, defence minister Sergei Shoigu and staunch ally Dmitry Medvedev.

He recalled the horrors of both world wars, Korea, and Vietnam; made homophobic jibes, decried sex changes, and accused westerners of being 'Satanists'; vowed 'Western hegemony will be smashed' and spoke of Russia's 'destiny' to liberate the world.

Once the furore had died down, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters today that Putin does not have any plans to visit the newly annexed territories.

Putin officially signs a decree accepting the four occupied regions of Ukraine as new territories of Russia, paving the way for him to escalate his war against his ex-Soviet neighbour

Putin's vitriolic speech was delivered inside the Kremlin's grand Georgian Hall in front of hundreds of Putin's henchmen, including the likes of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, and spy chief Sergey Naryshkin

The four Ukrainian regions Putin has seized are Luhansk and Donetsk, in the east, and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, in the south, but his armed forces are not in full control and fighting is continuing across all of them

World leaders have already spoken out against the land-grab.

US President Joe Biden said: 'These actions have no legitimacy whatsoever. The United States will always respect the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine. We will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to regain control over its territory, strengthening its position militarily and diplomatically.'

Italy's new leader Georgia Meloni said that Putin 'threatens the security of the entire European continent', while the leaders of Poland, the Netherlands and Greece also condemned the move.

Russia is also continuing to attack the regions it now claims as part of its own country, firing a rocket at a humanitarian convoy of cars in Zaporizhzhia earlier in the day - killing at least 25 civilians and wounding 50 in the process.

The cars were heading into Russian-occupied territory to distribute aid, Ukrainian officials said.

President Zelensky branded Russia 'bloodthirsty scum' after the blast, adding: 'Only complete terrorists could do this. You will definitely answer [for it]. For every lost Ukrainian life!'

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, one of Zelensky's senior advisers, said Russia had fired a total of 16 S-300 anti-aircraft missiles at Ukrainian territory, four of which landed - destroying the queue of cars along with a nearby car market.

Harrowing images from Zaporizhzhia showed a road littered with blown-out cars and at least two bodies lying on the ground, as survivors picked their way through the rubble.

One witness reported seeing about 12 bodies, four of them in cars, and said a missile had left a crater in the ground near two lines of vehicles at a car market.
Chinese car brand to enter Israeli market

Xinhua) 08:51, September 30, 2022

JERUSALEM, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese car brand will enter the Israeli market for the first time, an Israeli car import dealership said Thursday.

The Israeli automotive company Blilious Group and the Chinese car manufacturer Hozon Auto have signed an agreement to import and market Hozon's Neta electric models in Israel, the two companies have announced.

Elhanan Yahav, CEO of the private vehicle division at Blilious Group, told Xinhua that the sales will begin in 2023, without giving the exact date.

This marks the first time that Neta models will enter the Middle East market, Hozon Auto said in a statement.

The Neta model will join several other Chinese electric brands that have gained popularity in Israel, manufactured by Hongqi, BYD, and the Great Wall, among others.

The Geometry C electric car manufactured by China's automaker Geely Auto Group was the best-selling vehicle model in Israel in August.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
A Myanmar court ruled by the military junta jailed deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her Australian economic adviser, Sean Turnell, on Thursday with an additional three years of imprisonment for allegedly violating a secrets law.

Authorities also found Turnell guilty of violating an immigration law and was ordered to concurrently serve another three-year sentence. Under the same law, the Myanmar junta also charged a former British envoy, an American journalist, and a Japanese filmmaker.

Suu Kyi, Economic Adviser Convicted

The two defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges that were handed to them, which carry a maximum sentence of 14 years. A source familiar with the proceedings said that Suu Kyi and Turnell were given three years each with no hard labor.

The defendants and several members of the former's economic team are among the thousands who were arrested since the military junta took control of the government after ousting Suu Kyi's elected officials in a coup early last year, as per Reuters.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, was previously sentenced to at least 23 years in prison in separate cases, the majority of which were related to corruption charges. However, the official has denied all of the allegations thrown at her.

Opposition to the military junta argues that the charges against the deposed leader are aimed at blocking her from ever getting involved in politics in the future and thus challenging the military's grip on power within the country.

According to the Associated Press, 58-year-old Turnell, who is also an associate professor in economics at Sydney's Macquarie University, served as an adviser to Suu Kyi. His family and friends expressed their hopes that he would soon be freed and deported, similar to what happened with other foreigners in Myanmar who were convicted of political offenses.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin To Proclaim Annexation of Russian-Controlled Areas in Ukraine; How Will It Impact The War?

Unjust Detention

Turnell's wife, Ha Vu, who is also an economist, said that the incident was heartbreaking to her, her daughter, the defendant's 85-year-old father, and the rest of their family to hear that Turnell was convicted and imprisoned. She noted that her husband has been one of Myanmar's greatest supporters for more than two decades and has worked tirelessly to bolster the nation's economy.

Ha Vu noted that her husband has been in a Myanmar prison for nearly two-thirds of his sentence. She begged authorities to consider his contributions to the country and asked them to deport him immediately.

In a statement, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong's office rejected the Myanmar court's ruling and called for Turnell's immediate release. Her office decried what it said was the unjust detention of Turnell as Australian diplomats were denied access to the court hearing for the verdict.

Wong added that the Australian government had consistently rejected the charges against Turnell during the more than nine months that he was unjustly detained by the Myanmar military junta.

She added that they would continue to take every opportunity to advocate strongly for the defendant to be released and returned to his family in Australia. The Myanmar military had not released the exact details of the defendants' alleged offenses, Aljazeera reported.

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The United States on Friday imposed sweeping Russia-related sanctions on hundreds of people and companies, including members of the legislature, military and central bank, in response to Moscow's declaration that it had annexed a swath of Ukraine.

President Biden also released a statement condemning Vladimir Putin's 'fraudulent' attempt to grab land that represents almost a fifth of Ukraine and said the U.S. will always honor the 'internationally recognized borders'.

The announcement comes after Putin delivered an unhinged speech at the Kremlin accusing the U.S. of setting a nuclear precedent by bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and calling the West 'satanists'.

The Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on 14 people in Russia's military-industrial complex, two leaders of the country's central bank, family members of top officials and 278 members of Russia's legislature 'for enabling Russia's sham referenda and attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory.'

The Treasury also issued guidance warning of heightened sanctions risk to those outside Russia should they provide political or economic support to Moscow.

The United States acted after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday proclaimed the biggest annexation in Europe since World War Two, declaring Russian rule over 15 percent of Ukraine.

The United States on Friday imposed sweeping Russia-related sanctions on hundreds of people and companies, including members of the legislature, military and central bank, in response to Moscow's declaration that it had annexed a swath of Ukraine

President Biden also released a statement condemning Vladimir Putin's 'fraudulent' attempt to grab land that represents almost a fifth of Ukraine and said the U.S. will always honor the 'internationally recognized borders

Russia declared the annexations after holding what it called referendums in occupied areas of Ukraine. Western governments and Kyiv said the votes breached international law and were coercive and non-representative.

'We will not stand by as Putin fraudulently attempts to annex parts of Ukraine,' Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

Among those targeted with sanctions by the United States on Friday was Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and 278 members of Russia's legislature.

The U.S State Department also imposed visa restrictions on more than 900 people, including members of the Russian and Belarusian military and 'Russia's proxies for violating Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence.'

In a related move, the U.S. Commerce Department is adding 57 entities to its U.S. export blacklist.

The agency will also make clear that U.S. restrictions on exports to Russia can apply to entities in other countries that support Russia's and Belarus' military and industrial sectors by shipping prohibited technologies and other items prohibited by the United States and the 37 countries with similar restrictions.

Putin, speaking in front of his cronies in Moscow on Friday, declared 'millions of people' had 'opted' to become vassals of Russia after staging sham referendums in which gun-toting troops went door-to-door with clear glass ballot boxes in order to force people to vote

A building lays in ruins in Krasnohorivka, Ukraine, after another attack by Russian forces

In his speech on Friday, Putin accused the United States of creating a nuclear weapons 'precedent' by bombing Japan at the end of the second World War in an unhinged speech calling the West 'satanists' and accusing 'Anglo Saxons' of blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines.

The Russian despot ranted about sex-change operations, claimed America is occupying Germany and Korea and vowed to 'smash' the West in the disturbing remarks as he announced the annexation of four regions in Ukraine.

His saber-rattling is another terrifying hint that he is prepared to use nuclear weapons as he vowed to use 'all available means' to hold onto Russian-occupied areas of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Again, he blamed the West for his invasion of Ukraine because they believe Russia is a 'colony' and a 'band of slaves, and wants to break it up into smaller states who 'will be fighting against each other'.

In his statement, Biden said the annexations have 'no legitimacy' and will not be recognized by the U.S. He also announced a new set of sanctions in response to the move.

'The United States will always honor Ukraine's internationally recognized borders,' Biden said in the statement, adding: 'We will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically.'

'In response to Russia's phony claims of annexation, the United States, together with our Allies and partners, are announcing new sanctions today,' the president released in his Friday statement. 'These sanctions will impose costs on individuals and entities -- inside and outside of Russia -- that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory.

The Russian president said westerners have made the leap from issuing sanctions to conducting 'terror attacks' in a hostile speech delivered from the Kremlin.

The West sabotaging Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines was an attempt to 'destroy the European energy infrastructure,' he claimed  and added that 'those who profit from it have done it,' without naming a specific country.

Fears of nuclear war have grown since Putin confirmed last week he was 'not bluffing' when he said Russia was prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend its territory.

He claimed that there is 'centuries-old Russophobia' against his country and people because they dared defend themselves from western colonization.

Russian stooges in Donetsk, which the Kremlin has partly occupied since 2014, are pictured waving flags and cheering as Putin announced that the region is now a part of Russia

Putin claimed in his speech that the U.S. is to blame for the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline because he says they want to 'destroy the European energy infrastructure'. Pictured: A large disturbance is seen in the ocean off the coast of Danish island Bornholm on Tuesday, September 27 following unusual leaks from the two Nord Stream pipelines running from Russia under the Baltic Sea
A mother has denied neglecting and killing her three-year-old son who was found dead at their home.

Olabisi Abubakar, 41, denied both neglect and manslaughter as she appeared via video link at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday.

Abubakar, from the Welsh capital, was charged with the manslaughter of her son Taiwo Abubakar who was discovered at their home on Cwmdare Street in Cathays, Cardiff on June 29, 2020.

During the hearing she pleaded not guilty to killing her three-year-old boy between June 1 and June 30.

The mother also pleaded not guilty to two counts of child cruelty and neglect of a person under the age of 16.

Three-year-old Taiwo Abubakar was found dead at his home on Cwmdare Street (pictured) in Cathays, Cardiff on June 29, 2020

The boy's mother Olabisi Abubakar, 41, denied the neglect and manslaughter at Cardiff Crown Court (pictured) on Friday

An inquest opening last year heard that the child had been formally identified by his father before a post-mortem was carried out at the University Hospital of Wales.

The defendant, who has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, was ordered to remain living at a hospital facility in South Wales.

The case was adjourned until December 16 when a directions hearing will be held.

A four-week trial is set to take place from April 18 2023.
A review carried out by the Met and Essex Police into how they searched for missing nurse Owami Davies over six weeks has cleared them of any racial bias.

The investigation into the two forces' handing of the case said they did well in updating the family and showing care when they initially found her.

But it also made a number of recommendations on things that could have been done better, including the process how one constabulary handed a case to another.

It also explained that the wrong photo of Ms Davies had been circulated at one point in error because a member of staff fell ill.

The review was also scrutinised by members of the Central Race Independent Advisory Group.

Commander Paul Brogden said: 'This was the biggest missing person investigation conducted by the Met this year and officers worked tirelessly over several weeks to ensure Owami was found safe and well.

The Metropolitan Police has defended its handling of Owami Davies' disappearance against suggestions of racial bias, revealing the case was its biggest missing person investigation this year

Handout CCTV image issued by Metropolitan Police of Owami Davies walking north on London Road, Croydon

Police originally released this picture of a woman in a shop, which was not the correct one

'As with any large policing operation, we have worked with our advisory groups to review our actions. I'm pleased that their feedback was largely positive, both about the officers involved and our handling of the investigation.

'The review did identify some important learning points, including how a missing person enquiry is transferred from one force to another to ensure work isn't duplicated and any urgent enquiries are carried out as swiftly as possible.

'The Met received 43,040 missing person reports in the year to May 2022. Each investigation has a unique set of circumstances and requires a proportionate policing response. We will use the findings of this report to improve our service to Londoners.'

Ms Davies was reported missing just before 1pm on July 6 but it wasn't until 8.20am the next day that Essex Police officers visited her family home.

The report said it meant that there was a delay in her details to the Police National Computer, which all forces can see.

That meant that when the Met Police were called by a member of the public over concerns over a women on July 6 they did not realise it was her.

The report added: 'Those involved in the review agreed officers had dealt with Owami compassionately and faced a difficult balance in seeking support for her, while respecting her wish for privacy and request to be left alone.

'It also confirmed that she had not been circulated on the PNC at the time Met officers spoke with her, meaning they could not have known she had been reported missing.

'However, as Owami had declined to give her details to those officers, they would in any case not have had sufficient information to properly carry out the PNC enquiry.'

Commander Brogden added: 'The focus of every missing person investigation is to find the person safe and well.

'I understand there will be cases that result in significant interest from the public and the media, however we must balance the need for information with the person's right to privacy. We remain in contact with Owami and her family and we wish them well for the future.'
Trevor Noah is out as host of The Daily Show.

It was a long time coming.

The virtually unknown comedian was handed the anchor's chair in 2015 after Jon Stewart stepped away from the ground-breaking, political comedy show he built over more than 15 years. Since then, The Daily Show has slogged into mediocrity and quite frankly, boredom.

Noah never lived up to his predecessor, attracting a measly 363,000 viewers overall during a week in September (for comparison, over 2.1 million watched Greg Gutfeld's show on Fox News over the same period).

Noah got by on his 'cool kid' clout in the media. He was part of the club that pointed and laughed at the 'stupid' conservatives. But generally, he just vomited up the same old tired, recycled jokes again and again.

In fact, he and his 'correspondents' repeatedly regurgitated the same gag about me multiple times. Then he repeated it again at The White House Correspondents Dinner this year.

'I heard Meghan McCain telling the bouncer, "Do you know who my father was?!,"' he deadpanned as I sat in the audience.

Noah's problem is that he never realized what made The Daily Show great.

It's fine, I get it. I loved and respected my father and talk about him a lot. I can laugh at myself. But at least Trevor can come up with some fresh material for his big night on the town in Washington D.C.

Noah's problem is that he never realized what made The Daily Show great.

Jon Stewart was not the first host, but he certainly was the best.

I grew up, like most older millennials, watching him every single night before bed. I had just started paying attention to politics and the show was not just funny, it was hilarious.

Above all else, no one was safe.

Stewart and his cast members were fearless in their performances, which helped launch the careers of household names like Steven Colbert, Ed Helms, Steve Carell, and Samantha Bee.

They spoke truth to power and took shots at everyone regardless of political party. Jon seemed to hate hypocrisy and corruption wherever he found it and his viewers ate it up.

For the record, The Daily Show took many swipes at my late dad, including one skit that used a cranky puppet to make fun of him. On Stewart's last show, my dad posed with that same puppet and said 'so long, Jackass' to Stewart as a funny sendoff.

Since Stewart left the show he hasn't stopped either. Look at his recent work demanding attention for 9/11 First Responders and our veterans, who are suffering health problems after inhaling the fumes from burn pits at far-flung military bases.

Stewart is surely now an activist, but he still yields a lot of power and respect both in politics and culture.

Isn't that what comedy is supposed to be, punching up and speaking truth to power?

Instead, Noah and his ilk were content to go along with the in-crowd. Too bad for them that audience is pretty small.

Gone are the days of Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, who were apolitical and watched by more than 10 million on any given night. Obviously, America's media landscape and the TV business has changed since then. Even in his heyday, Stewart couldn't reach those ratings-heights.

But funny is still funny. And it's something our late-night comedians have long forgotten.

'Saturday Night Live' alum Rob Schneider famously said that he knew that SNL was 'over' when Kate McKinnon dressed as Hillary Clinton and played the piano for a skit after Clinton lost to Donald Trump in 2016.

The virtually unknown comedian was handed the anchor's chair in 2015 after Jon Stewart stepped away from the ground-breaking, political comedy show he built over more than 15 years.

'She started playing "Hallelujah." I literally prayed, "Please have a joke at the end," said Schneider. 'And there was no joke at the end, and I went, "It's over. It's over. It's not gonna come back."'

He's absolutely right.

Today's bootlicking comedians are so afraid to make a joke at the expense of their political favorites and the result is that they just aren't funny.

How is it that SNL is not mocking Joe Biden and Kamala Harris every single night?

Our aging president looks lost in public and even his allies admit it. Harris can't get through a single public appearance without blurting out an incomprehensible word salad.

Remember this?

'We must together - work together. To see where we are. Where we are headed, where we are going and our vision for where we should be. But also see it as a moment to, yes, together, address the challenges and to work on the opportunities that are presented by this moment.'

How is that not a punchline? It is because she is a Democrat, a woman, a woman of color?

For the record, The Daily Show took many swipes at my late dad, including one skit that used a cranky puppet to make fun of him. On Stewart's last show, my dad posed with that same puppet and said 'so long, Jackass' to Stewart as a funny sendoff.

I would argue this is a problem with polarization in America. We can no longer laugh together.

If the elites that control comedy have decided that Democrats are off-limits because President Trump was so evil, then we are all screwed.

No one should be off limits.

More often than not, late night comedy just feels like another news show on MSNBC.

I don't want any more lectures. I want to laugh.

So how do you save The Daily Show and late-night TV for that matter?

Hire a comedian who wants to be a barn burner, who isn't beholden to an agenda, political party or ideology. Someone who wants to call out hypocrisy, corruption, the absolute absurdity of our current political climate and feckless politicians.

Find someone who doesn't care about making enemies or being hated. Find someone who thinks late night comedy is dead and wants to help revive it.

Maybe most importantly, find someone who doesn't want to be one of the cool kids but wants to speak for Americans of all political stripes.

Someone who wants to hold the feet of our absurd political ruling class to the fire, and out their hypocrisy and idiocy.

I truly hope Comedy Central doesn't cancel The Daily Show. Its legacy is too powerful.

And we are living in a time where we need more people whose only agenda is laughs.
A teenager who had half of his body amputated after being crushed by a forklift truck has marked the three-year anniversary of the accident with an emotional video documenting his 'long journey' to recovery.

Loren Schauers, 19, was driving the industrial truck across a bridge when he veered off, plummeted 50ft and found himself pinned to the ground beneath the massive vehicle in Great Falls, Montana, in September 27, 2019.

Loren, now 22, remained totally conscious the entire time - and looked down to see his right arm had exploded and everything below his hips was completely squashed.

The young laborer made the brave decision to let medics perform hemicorperectomy surgery - where everything below his waist was amputated - to save his life.

Doctors told his devastated then-girlfriend Sabia Reiche, who is now his wife, he wouldn't survive, and she said goodbye to him six times, fearing he wouldn't live another day.

But miraculously he pulled through and the couple have now shared a YouTube video showing a compilation of footage from over the past three years - including their wedding in February 2021.

Sabia also posted a series of pictures of Loren on Instagram to mark the three-year anniversary of the crash, writing: 'Three years, today, since we almost lost you forever. I love you. You're my best friend.'

The couple, who have bought their own home since the accident and document their lives on YouTube, edited almost 13 hours of footage and cut it down into a 57-minute video, starting with video of Loren when he was receiving treatment in a rehab center after undergoing a hemicorporectomy.

They finished the video by saying: 'It has been a long and wild journey and we can't wait to see where else thinks life will take us and we hope we can continue taking you all along with us.'

One person commented: 'I will never get over Lorens positive and easy-going attitude. Hes just so chill about everything.'

Loren Schauers, 19, was driving the industrial truck across a bridge when he veered off, plummeted 50ft and found himself pinned to the ground beneath the massive vehicle in Great Falls, Montana, in September 27, 2019

The teenager in hospital in Montana after having the bottom half of his body amputated following the horror forklift crash

Schauers is pictured with partner Sabia, who was told six times that he would not be able to pull through after the accident

Schauers is pictured working on the bridge construction job before his accident

The YouTube video shows how Sabia dresses Loren and helps him into his wheelchair, while also showing how he went through rehab and physical therapy.

'Everyone wants to see the world from Loren's perspective but nobody wants to be in Loren's position,' Sabia says in one clip.

Sabia also said in one clip, from 2020, that the couple had moved into an apartment which meant they 'get a lot more us time'.

And Loren revealed he got a new bionic arm. He said: 'It's a prosthetic arm, of course, but it gives you whole function in each individual digit. So I will be able to move each finger on its own.'

Loren was working as a laborer on a construction site during a bridge rehabilitation job in September 2019.

He was driving a forklift over a highway bridge outside of Wilsal, Montana, when cars started illegally passing him in through the traffic lights.

The single lane was dramatically narrowed and as one car passed him, Loren veered too close to the bridge edge and the ground crumbled beneath him.

He attempted to jump from the falling forklift but his leg got trapped by the seatbelt, swinging him from the machinery as it plummeted 50ft down a steep hill.

Loren also shared he got a new bionic arm. He said: 'It's a prosthetic arm, of course, but it gives you whole function in each individual digit. So I will be able to move each finger on its own'

Schauer, who worked as a laborer, underwent hemicorperectomy surgery - where everything below his waist was amputated - to save his life

Schauers pictured attending physiotherapy after the operation in Montana

The forklift rolled three times down the hill before Loren hit the ground at the bottom of the hill and the forklift landed on top of him, crushing his body.

Loren said in one video: 'As the edge of the bridge collapsed and the forklift started to tip up, I unbuckled my seatbelt and went to jump out.

'I now know that was the wrong idea but it was just fight or flight.

'The seatbelt ended up wrapping around my leg as I jumped out so I actually swung out instead and broke one of my ribs off the floorboard of the forklift.

'I tried staying on top of the forklift as much as I could as it rolled and then I was thrown from the forklift at the end of the hill once it finally landed.

'I was conscious the whole time. My eyes were wide open and I saw the forklift come down and land on my hips and my right forearm.

'I remember looking to my right with the forklift on top of my body and there was big old piece of muscle from my arm just lying on the ground next to me. It had just blown apart instantly from the impact.'

Schauers is pictured with Sabia after his operation

The pair have since got married and have their own home

An air ambulance landed on the bridge and pulled Loren up the hill on a stretcher before flying to a hospital in Bozeman, Montana, where he met his loved ones.

Loren had completely lost his right forearm and hand in the accident and broken his right collarbone and shoulder.

He suffered a pulmonary embolism - a blockage in his lung artery - and needed a breathing tube.

His lower body had been crushed in the accident and Loren made the brave decision to have hemicorperectomy surgery where everything below his waist was amputated.

One month after his accident, Loren was transferred to a hospital back in Montana so family could visit, because doctors still believed he would die.

But his health started to improve at an incredible speed.

Doctors had believed that he would be in hospital for at least a year and a half but he stayed for three months, before four weeks rehab, and then he was home.

Loren has taught himself how to put on his 'bucket' prosthetic and get into his wheelchair without any help.
Merseyside Police have made their 11th arrest as they investigate the shocking murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in her home in Liverpool last month.

A 40-year-old man from Dovecot, Liverpool, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender on Friday.

The man has been held and remains in custody at a police station as the force continue to try and hunt for the little girl's killer.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: 'He has been taken to a police station for questioning. This is the 11th arrest to date.'

The schoolgirl died in the city's Alder Hey Children's Hospital after being shot in her home in Knotty Ash when a gunman who was chasing convicted burglar and drug dealer Joseph Nee burst into the property about 10pm on August 22, firing indiscriminately.

Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel was hit in the wrist as she desperately tried to shut her front door, but the bullet also struck her daughter who was standing behind her.

The youngster was rushed to hospital but could not be saved. Neither the gunman or his target had any links to Olivia's family. Nee remains in hospital.

Just yesterday detectives made their tenth arrest in connection with the attack yesterday - a 34-year-old man.

But, so far, no one has been charged with Olivia's murder as detectives said anyone withholding information in case is 'protecting the killers' amid a code of silence within Liverpool's gangs.

Police have made their 11th arrest so far as they look to hunt for the person who killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel (pictured)

Olivia, the nine-year-old Liverpool girl who was shot dead in her home in Liverpool last month

Last week Crimestoppers announced the biggest single reward offer as they increased it to 200,000 in a bid to hunt for the killer.

The charity's founder and chairman Lord Ashcroft said: 'This case has been incredibly shocking, not just for those who are directly affected but also for Liverpool and the nation as a whole.

'I am delighted that with the support of a private donor, Crimestoppers can now offer a record 200,000 for information to catch Olivia's killer.

'A precious young life has been lost so we need every effort to find those involved in this appalling killing.'

Police have also revealed the two weapons used were a .38 revolver - the gun responsible for killing Olivia - and a Glock-type self-loading 9mm pistol which was fired in the initial stages of the incident.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel's coffin is carried out of St Margaret Mary's Church on September 15, 2022

This is the killer caught on CCTV. Police are sure he is being protected as they try to find the guns he was carrying

Police and forensic officers at the property in Kingsheath Avenue, Knotty Ash, Liverpool, where nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot

Crimestoppers: Information about Olivia's death - and the 200,000 reward - cannot be traced back to whistleblowers Crimestoppers is independent of the police and takes information about crime completely anonymously. The charity's chief executive, Mark Hallas, said: 'If you're too scared to speak to the police, please remember that our charity, Crimestoppers, is here to help you do the right thing. 'Tell Crimestoppers what you know whilst staying completely anonymous. Please understand: Crimestoppers has kept its promise to protect your identity since we started back in the late 1980s 'You can contact us via our website or call our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Details about how to claim this reward are available online (www.crimestoppers-uk.org). 'When you contact Crimestoppers we never ask for or store personal details. All we ask is that you tell us what you know about who killed Olivia so that there can be some slow healing for her mother, her family, the city of Liverpool and everyone who has been touched by this truly awful murder.' Advertisement

Merseyside Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said: 'This occurred in the middle of summer in an area where innocent local people would have been enjoying the park. Once again, as with the first time this weapon was used in our communities, we find that those in possession of it have no care, thought or loyalty for anyone else or their safety.

'Once again, they do not deserve anyone's loyalty.'

DCS Kameen appealed for patience as the force investigates the murder of nine-year-old Olivia.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this month, he said: 'I recognise that people will wonder and question why no one has been charged despite those arrests. If I could reassure you that this is normal practice in any complex investigation, the threshold for arresting somebody is far lower than that of charging someone. Please be patient with us. The investigation is progressing.

'The detectives involved in bringing justice for Olivia and her family are working tirelessly with real care and passion to achieve the objective of securing those charges against everyone involved in her murder. No matter how small their role.'

Officers in the investigation have worked more than 15,000 hours, trawled through thousands of hours of CCTV and investigated more than 400 piece of intelligence passed on by the public.

Two weeks ago, Mrs Korbel, 46, spoke to a packed congregation of mourners at St Mary Margaret's Church in Knotty Ash.

Hundreds of people, many of them wearing a 'splash of pink' at Olivia's family's request, lined the streets as the youngster's coffin was brought to the church by a white, horse-drawn carriage.

Dressed in a black jacket with a pink ribbon, Mrs Korbel told the congregation Olivia, known to family and friends as Liv, had been born six weeks early and spent nine days in a special baby unit.

'She was so small yet even as a newborn she had her own mind,' Mrs Korbel said.

She described Olivia's 'cheeky smile' and how she loved animals and to sing and dance. The mother-of-three added: 'Olivia was very chatty and bubbly and would talk for England, to the point we thought she had Duracell batteries inside her somewhere.

'She would have made a great lawyer as she had an answer for everything.'

Ending the eulogy, Mrs Korbel said: 'Liv touched so many people's hearts and was loved and adored by everyone. She will never be forgotten. I will never say goodbye but what I will say is goodnight, love you, see you in the morning.'

A eulogy from Olivia's father, John Francis Pratt, was read by parish priest Father Roy Cooper. He described 'our very own little diva' and said Olivia was kind, caring and helpful.

Olivia's sister Chloe also gave a reading during the hour-long service.

In a eulogy, Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel (pictured holding a pink teddy) said: 'Liv touched so many people's hearts and was loved and adored by everyone. She will never be forgotten'

Crimestoppers is offering a record 200,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool

Olivia's white coffin, with butterflies painted on the side, was topped with lilies. Unicorn and teddy bear-shaped floral tributes were placed alongside it in the carriage.

Rebecca Wilkinson, Olivia's headteacher at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School, which is next door to the church, attended the funeral.

Pupils have decorated the school railings with pink ribbons, while Olivia's name has been spelled out in pink hearts in the windows. Her classmates also painted their nails pink in her memory and watched her favourite film, Matilda, instead of having lessons.

In his homily, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon said Olivia was a 'gift to her family and all who knew her'.

He said he had faith that 'Olivia's untimely death will lead to a community here in Liverpool without violence, that it will become a place of peace and justice.' Amazing Grace was sung as Olivia's coffin was carried out of the church.

Her family hugged and wiped away tears while mourners applauded as the cortege left for a private family burial.

People can contact Crimestoppers anonymously us via its website or on 0800 555 111
A transgender prison officer who was caught with 3,500-worth of heroin in the car park of a Midlands jail has escaped a jail sentence.

Prison bosses swooped in on Ollie Griffiths, 29, after a tip-off alleging he was smuggling in contraband for inmates at HMP Featherstone, Staffordshire.

A court heard how multiple wraps of heroin were found in the footwell of his car, stuffed into a tube of Pringles crisps, on July 31.

Griffiths, of Moseley, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine at Featherstone prison.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay 280 in costs.

Transgender prison officer Ollie Griffiths (pictured) was caught with 3,500-worth of heroin in the car park of a Midlands jail has escaped a jail sentence

Griffiths, of Moseley, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine at Featherstone prison

Prison bosses swooped on Ollie Griffiths, 29, after a tip-off alleging he was smuggling in contraband for inmates at HMP Featherstone (pictured), Staffordshire

Sam Fraser, prosecuting, told Cannock magistrates' court: 'The defendant was a prison officer at Featherstone prison. He arrived at work at 7.30am.

'He was searched and appeared to be nervous but nothing was found so he was allowed to continue into the prison.

'Shortly after, around 45 minutes later, he was taken into the office and interviewed by the governor who explained there was intelligence that he was bringing illicit items into the prison.'

Griffiths agreed for prison bosses to search his car and his 'demeanour changed' when asked if any contraband would be found, the court heard.

Wraps of heroin with a potential value of 3,520 were found in a purple Pringles tube in the passenger footwell.

Ms Fraser told the court: 'Asked if he had brought illicit items into prison previously he said 'yes, two or three times'.

She added: 'His telephone was analysed and it did reveal messages indicating that he had met people at the services in order to receive illicit items to take them into prison.'

But Griffiths - formerly known as Holly Griffiths - was spared jail after prosecutors charged him with possession of drugs, and not the more serious charge of intent to supply.

Asked to explain the 'astonishing' decision by district judge Marcus Waite, Ms Fraser said that reviewing lawyers had told her to proceed on the lesser charge.

Judge Waite said: 'Mr Griffiths is not charged with intent to supply so I have to deal with him on the basis that the 3,500 of heroin was for his own use.'

Griffiths, who clutched a Stephen King book in court, had no previous convictions, the court was told.

Richard Davenport, defending, said: 'He is no longer employed in the prison service. He has left his parents' address.

'There have been various problems with the family because of his transitioning. He is living in shared accommodation and has got work as a chef.'

Mr Griffiths, of Moseley, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine at Featherstone prison

Judge Waite told Griffiths: 'Your offending is serious. 'You must appreciate drugs are a blight on our community and class A drugs including heroin cause untold misery, both on our streets and indeed in other places.

'You were caught with a significant quantity of heroin which would have a value of a number of hundred pounds were it supplied.

'However, there is no case put against you that you intended to supply it by possessing it. 'I don't know what you were intending to do with it.'

The judge added: 'In coming to my conclusion I bear in mind you have no previous convictions, your guilty plea and indeed the way in which the prosecution put the case against you.'
An inquest is to be held into the death of an army veteran who was haunted by the horrors of Kosovo and whose body was found in the woodland three months after losing his support for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Alan Forcer was discovered in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham on May 21 2020 after being reported missing by his ex-wife.

The 40-year-old joined the Army aged 16, serving in Northern Ireland with the Scots Guards and in Kosovo with the Irish Guards in 1998.

Five months into his tour, he returned home on R&R (rest and recuperation) and had to be seen by a GP due to the effect his experiences in Kosovo were having on his mental health.

He was deemed not medically fit to return to complete the second part of his tour, and was later attached to the Household Cavalry in Knightsbridge where he remained until his discharge in 2000.

The 40-year-old joined the Army aged 16, serving in Northern Ireland with the Scots Guards and in Kosovo with the Irish Guards in 1998

In 2017 Mr Forcer, from Hartlepool, contacted charity Combat Stress for help with his mental health, and was diagnosed with PTSD.

He was referred to the NHS Veterans Mental Health Service in 2019 through TILS (Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service) after a deterioration in his mental health - but the referral was refused as he was receiving care and treatment from Combat Stress.

In February 2020 Mr Forcer was told by Combat Stress that they could no longer support him due to funding issues and a service redesign.

He was referred again to TILS, but an assessment concluded he did not require support either for his anger management or PTSD.

In March 2020 the country went into the first Covid-19 lockdown, and the gym sessions Mr Forcer used to manage his PTSD were closed.

Due to the withdrawal of services from Combat Stress he was left without a CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) and support with his mental health.

On May 20, Mr Forcer did not return home after going fishing, and was reported missing to Cleveland Police by his ex-wife Claire Lilly. He was found hanging in woodland the next day.

The inquest into Mr Forcer's death will explore his discharge from Combat Stress and the referral made to the NHS Veterans' Service.

Gemma Vine, specialist inquest solicitor at Ison Harrison solicitors, said: 'Alan's family want his inquest to raise awareness of a number of issues including the availability of access to mental health support for armed forces veterans who suffer trauma during service.

He was deemed not medically fit to return to complete the second part of his tour, and was later attached to the Household Cavalry in Knightsbridge where he remained until his discharge in 2000

'Also, to highlight the need for a more robust missing persons protocol put in place by all police forces in the UK.

'We want to ensure the various factors that are at play when a veteran takes their own life are fully considered and that this information is fed into the Government's study The National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health (NCISH) suicide in former service personnel of the UK armed forces.

'Without this information, there will not be sufficient evidence to identify trends and needs to help prevent future deaths.'

The inquest is due to be held at Teesside Magistrates' Court from October 4-5.
Kim Richmond and her daughter, Erika, who were evicted from their shelter two weeks ago, said they had not heard of the program and criticized the city's anti-encampment policy

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Denver's homeless population slammed the city's proposal to give them $12,000 in no-strings-attached cash to help them get off the streets, saying they either don't want it or had no idea they could apply for the handout.

The city has allocated $2million from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund the program, which will be run by the Denver Basic Income Project to mainly get women, transgender and non-binary people housed.

But the scheme, which was announced two weeks ago, appears not to have made much headway in reaching the local homeless community, with Kim Richmond and her daughter, Erika, claiming they've never even heard about it despite being prime candidates.

Erika, 35, who has children staying with her relatives, bemoaned that the city has yet to help her and her mother find housing, saying they were recently evicted after she was moved into a shelter with others from the street for short term-housing.

'Making a dope dealer your neighbor? How does that help somebody,' she said about being moved around constantly with other groups of homeless people. 'By next month youre evicted.'

A homeless man named Mark, 62, who identified himself as a disabled US Navy veteran, also criticized the city and said he could not trust any plan to help curb vagrancy.

'The way the city treats is homeless is a violation of the UNs declaration of human rights, and I dont trust this city as far as I could throw it.'

When asked if he would apply to the income project, Mark simply replied: 'No. Nope. I don't trust my government.'

Mark, 62, who identified himself as a disabled US Navy veteran, was one of many homeless people in Denver to criticize the city's plan to give $12,000 in no-string-attached cash to help them get off the streets

Kim Richmond (left) and her daughter, Erika (right), said they had not even heard of the Denver Basic Income Project despite the two women being ideal candidates for it

A homeless man who identified himself as Raymond said that despite frequenting sites that provide assistance to vulnerable vagrants, he, too, had no idea about the city's project. He said he wants housing options, but the city has not made it easy

The homeless individuals also bashed Denver's policy making encampments illegal. Despite the law, many still set up tents (above) and move on to different locations after being confronted by police

Around 4,700 households are experiencing homelessness in Denver as of January 2022

The city's pledge to $2 million for the Basic Income Project will only provide assistance for about 140 people

Pictured: Three homeless man siting by a sidewalk with their few belongings on Wednesday, September 28

The Denver Basic Income Project, which will cost up to $9million, is seeking to help around 820 people, but the $2million provided by the city will fund around 140 people.

'That's a joke,' Mark commented, saying that the $12,000 wouldn't serve as a proper catalyst for change.

Both Mark and Kim, 57, also criticized the city for its ban against living in outdoor tents, which many a housing advocates have condemned as essentially criminalizing homelessness.

Kim said that while she was excited to try her luck in applying for the income project, which she only heard about from a DailyMail.com reporter, she and her daughter would need to camp out in tents if they're going to make it through the winter.

'Its about to snow and they wont let me put up a tent,' she said. 'The police come and make us take it down.'

Another disabled homeless man who identified himself as Raymond, said that he too has not heard about the city's program despite frequenting assistance sites for vulnerable homeless people.

Although he seemed interested in the program, Raymond said he was sick and tired of going through application after application from the city as she searches for housing options.

'I've been homeless for 27 years of my life. Im sick of it,' he said. 'I want housing, but they wont give it to me.'

Kim and Erika Richmond say they use an umbrella to create shelter for the elements because they are constantly harassed if they set up tents. Kim noted that they will have no choice but to use tents in the winter

Homeless encampments constantly spring up throughout Denver despite the sites being illegal

A homeless man is pictured sleeping on a sidewalk, shirtless. He is among the more than 4,000 homeless in Denver

The Denver Basic Income Project was set up to help among the most vulnerable in the homeless community, mainly women, transgender and gender non-confirming individuals

Rather than case, many of the city's homeless are calling on officials to implement better affordable housing options

Pictured: A homeless man seeks refuge behind a pile of rocks. Many are not aware of the project that could help them

The income project will be divided into three different groups, with 260 receiving $6,500 up front and then getting $500 a month for 12 months; another 260 will receive $1,000 a month for 12 months; and the control group of 300 will get a $50-a-month stipend to complete surveys

Around 4,700 households are experiencing homelessness in Denver as of January 2022.

The participants of the Denver Basic Income Project - which will mainly be women, transgender and gender non-confirming individuals - will be chosen at random after applying and will more than likely begin receiving payments starting in November, according to ABC 7 Denver.

'The pandemic has had a really big impact on the state of homelessness in our community that we've seen increased numbers of families seeking shelter, as well as, an increase number of women using our shelter system,' Angie Nelson, deputy director of Housing Stability and Homelessness Resolution, told ABC 7.

The program is divided into three different groups, with 260 receiving $6,500 up front and then getting $500 a month for 12 months; another 260 will receive $1,000 a month for 12 months; and the control group of 300 will get a $50-a-month stipend to complete surveys.

All participants will also get a free cell phone and a year of service.

Pictured: A homeless man with only swimming trunks on walks a cart of his few belongings along a street in Denver

Because of the anti-tent policy, many can only fall asleep in chairs and on the floor to avoid police attention

Despite the risks, many still opt to set up tents throughout the city, often choosing to live next to each other

The encampments can take up entire sidewalks, with many of them set up by parking lots

The city is keen on helping homeless women, but the message appears to have not reached its mark

Pictured: A homeless man opting to sleep in the middle of the sidewalk in broad day light

The Basic Income Project founder Mark Donovan expects around 100 cities to join in on the program by the end of the year

In addition, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless will track how people use the money, as well as help participants get the things they need - such as furniture and kitchen supplies - and places to stay.

Nelson said some of the participants will come from those already using the city's shelter services, but they cannot have severe mental health or substance issues, according to Axios Denver.

'The Denver Basic Income Project is an opportunity to explore how the philanthropic community and the private sector can augment public support for those living in poverty, particularly our unhoused neighbors, and extend that hand up to stability,' Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said in a statement.

The point of the program is to study whether or not the income will provide people with housing stability and better mental health. The University of Denver's Center for Housing and Homelessness Research will conduct the research.

However, the study's results will not be known until 2024.

Project founder Mark Donovan expects around 100 cities to join in on the program by the end of the year.
A man who handles 'Latino Engagement' for Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake is a convicted criminal who once planned to have an FBI informant killed in the midst of a cocaine distribution trial.

Kenneth Ulibarri, who has been working with the Lake campaign in some capacity since at least last July, has an extensive criminal history that includes an attempt to execute a murder-for-hire plot against an FBI informant in order to stop him from testifying at a cocaine distribution and money-laundering trial.

In a plea agreement pertaining to the 2014 indictment brought by the Justice Department, Ulibarri admitted he told an undercover FBI informant he was aware a previous contact was working for the feds and that he and others were arranging to have him killed for $20,000.

During that meeting, Ulibarri was attempting to sell the second informant heroin.

He claimed in his agreement that he hadn't been serious about the murder plot. Ulibarri's brother ultimately came to his defense, telling prosecutors he didn't believe 'his brother is smart enough to organize a hitman.'

At Lake's inaugural campaign 'Stand for Freedom' rally in Scottsville, Ariz., last July, Ulibarri spoke onstage about the 'liberal policies that are destroying out country.'

He spoke critically about COVID-19 restrictions, critical race theory and sending American kids to colleges from which they 'come back with purple hair and gay.'

'This country is headed down a dark path, and its up to us to stand up and get it on the right path,' he said.

Kenneth Ulibarri, who was hired by the Kari Lake campaign to work on Latino Engagement, has a lengthy criminal history

Ulibarri speaking at Kari Lake's inaugural rally last July. He condemned the liberal policies that are sending the US 'down a dark path'

Telling the audience about his dark history as a drug addict turned small business owner and youth advocate, Ulibarri said Lake embodies 'everything that I hold near and dear to my heart.'

Ulibarri spoke to the crowd about his history as a man 'addicted to drugs,' who has been 'imprisoned' and 'totally hopeless.'

Now, however, he said he is 'on a mission to help others break free from addiction.'

Prior, however, to his commitment to Christianity and America First policy positions, Ulibarri was also involved in number of other violent criminal offenses.

In addition to the mix up with the cocaine trial, hitman, and FBI agent, Ulibarri has previously pleaded guilty to a charge of battery upon an officer of the peace in 2019, according to the Daily Beast.

For much of the last two-and-a-half decades, Ulibarri has been in and out of prison.

Earlier in the 2000s, New Mexico police apprehended Ulibarri for a felony drug warrant. In 2014, he was convicted for driving under the influence. And in 2002, he was sentenced to six years behind bars for charged stemming from vehicle theft and criminal damage.

In 1999, while serving time for some of the previously listed charges, Ulibarri beat up another inmate badly enough to send him to the hospital.

Records from New Mexico, a state that Ulibarri calls a 'liberal cesspool,' indicate that between 2002 and 2013, he was charges with a cacophony of criminal activity, including battery of an officer of the peace, tampering with evidence, and controlled substance violations.

Charges for that slate of criminal behavior were ultimately dropped, though it is unclear why.

For his murder-for-hire of an FBI informant case, Ulibarri pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and a heroin distribution charge. He was sentenced to time served and three years supervised release.

The Lake campaign did not reply to multiple requests for comment from DailyMail.com.

Lake, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump and believer that the 2020 election was stolen, is running against Democrat Katie Hobbs in Arizona

Kenneth Ulibarri and a woman believed to be his wife, whom he refers to as a 'Black Barbie'

Kari Lake, a MAGA-warrior candidate and staunch believer that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, has built the foundation of her campaign around support for law enforcement and the rule of law.

It is unclear if the campaign knew about Ulibarri's extensive criminal past, but his rap sheet fundamentally conflicts with her commitment to a lawful society.

According to publicly available records, the Lake campaign has paid Ulibarri at least $2,000 for his work.

In February, Christina Amestoy, a communications adviser for the Democratic Governors Association, said, 'At a time when violent crime is on the rise in Arizona, Arizonans deserve a governor who will actually take action to protect communities  not someone whose 'tough on crime' agenda actually means having a convicted felon as one of your top campaign surrogates,' in reference to Ulibarri.

'Kari Lake is showing her promise to support law enforcement and reduce violent crime is nothing more than an empty political ploy,' she said.
Her death certificate indicated that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away from old age. The document, which was released by National Records of Scotland on Thursday, states that the late British monarch passed away at Balmoral Castle in Ballater, Scotland, on September 8 at 3:10 PM UK time (10:10 AM ET).

The reason of death is listed as old age. Princess Anne, daughter of the Queen, has signed the paper. At age 96, Britain's monarch with the longest reign passed away peacefully.

Queen Elizabeth II Died of 'Old Age'

A period of national mourning was initiated by her passing. On September 10, King Charles III was solemnly announced as the newmonarch of the United Kingdom after his mother passed away. Global leaders recognized the impact the Queen had made during her 70-year reign, and the world bid the monarch farewell on September 19 in a state funeral rich in pageantry.

King Charles III paid tribute to his mother's historic seven-decade reign, calling it unequaled in its duration, its dedication, and its devotion. Presidents, prime ministers, and members of the royal family attended the solemn service at Westminster Abbey while tens of thousands of spectators lined the 25-mile journey from central London to Windsor in an effort to see the monarch's body.

Later that evening, in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, she and her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, were laid to rest. Last week, Buckingham Palace released a photo of the monarch's last resting place.

It unveiled a brass lettered ledger stone with the names of the sovereign's parents and her husband engraved on it, made of hand-carved Belgian black marble, as per CNN.

Read Also: Are Brad Pitt and Emily Ratajkowski Dating? Here's What Angelina Joie Says About Rumors!

Queen Elizabeth Died While Royal Family Were en Route to Balmoral

Additionally, Queen Elizabeth II passed away while her immediate family was still traveling to Balmoral, according to her death certificate. When they learned she was seriously ill, the Duke of Cambridge, Duke of York, and Earl and Countess of Wessex boarded an RAF jet and flew to Aberdeen to be by her bedside.

The Princess Royal was able to spend her mother's final 24 hours with her mother since the Prince of Wales at the time, Charles, and the Duchess of Cornwall were at Balmoral. Princess Anne said, "I was lucky to spend the last 24 hours of my loving mother's life."

The Princess followed her mother's coffin as it traveled from Balmoral to London through Edinburgh. Dr. Douglas James Allan Glass, a local general practitioner who had the title of Apothecary to the Queen, is listed as the certified registered medical practitioner on the paper.

Dr. Glass, who spent 34 years caring for the late Queen when she was at her Scottish estate, described her passing as upsetting but not unexpected due to her advanced age. The document provides more information about the events of the late Queen's death day, including the confirmation by Buckingham Palace at 12:34 p.m. that her health was a worry and that she was comfortable under their care.

Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie boarded an RAF jet at Northolt at 2:39 and flew to Aberdee. Prince William took the family in his car about 4 pm, and they reached Balmoral at about 5:00 p.m. Prince Harry left Luton at 5:35 p.m. and arrived in Scotland at 6:46 p.m. on his own, traveling to Scotland in the late afternoon.

When the news of his grandmother's passing became public, he reportedly viewed a breaking news alert on his phone as soon as it regained service shortly after 6:30 p.m. after his father's attempts to personally contact him had been unsuccessful. Liz Truss, the prime minister, was told of the Queen's dying around 4:30 p.m. The announcement of the Queen's demise was not made until all family members had been notified, according to a spokeswoman for King Charles III.

When the doctor certifying the death had cared for the patient for a long time, was unaware of any disease or injury that contributed to death, and had noticed a progressive deterioration in the person's overall health and functioning, old age is a regularly cited cause of death for persons over 80.

Old age was also recorded as the reason of death for Prince Philip. During her latter years, the late Queen suffered intermittent mobility issues and frequently used a walking stick in public, The Telegraph via MSN reported.

Meanwhile, the late Queen Elizabeth II can now add peacemaker to her list of accomplishments, according to recent reports that the 96-year-old attempted to persuade Meghan Markle to mend fences with her father, Thomas Markle.

The royal expert Katie Nicholl writes in her book, 'The New Royals Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown,' that the queen was wary of her grandson Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle before he had met the latter's father. The queen supposedly objected to the father-daughter pair's estrangement from one another as well, according to Fox News.

Related Article: King Charles III's 'Love Child' Reveals Last Letter to Queen Elizabeth, Days After Leaking Camilla's Alleged Pregnancy Photo

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A rugby-playing 18-year-old from Cheshire has been killed after his off-road buggy flipped on top of him as he rode through farmland.

William Glendinning, a 'much-loved son and brother' who was 'loved by everyone', was riding the buggy on a farm in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire when it overturned.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene following a 999 call at 5.15pm last Friday, September 23.

But the teenager suffered multiple fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

William Glendinning, a rugby-playing teenager from Cheshire, who was killed after his off-road buggy flipped on top of him as he rode through farmland

An investigation has been launched into the accident.

William's family tonight issued a tribute to the young man who was an avid theatre student as well as a talented pianist.

Paying tribute to him his family said: 'William was a much-loved son and brother who was studying at Uppingham School in Rutland where he was passionate about rugby, theatre and piano.

'He was loved by everyone and will be greatly missed.'

The 'much-loved son and brother' who was 'loved by everyone' was riding the buggy (file image) on a farm in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire when it overturned

A spokesman for Hertfordshire Police said: 'The family of a man who died in a collision in Bishop's Stortford have paid tribute to him.

'Police were called following an incident on farmland off St James Way, by Moor Hall Farm. It was reported that an off-road buggy had overturned.

'William Glendinning, aged 18 years, from Cheshire, sustained serious injuries and sadly died at the scene.'

Police constable Dale Morris, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, said: 'Our thoughts are with William's family at this difficult time and our investigations are ongoing.'
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer jokingly accused Republican Senator Roy Blunt of being a descendent of Aaron Burr after a statue of Harry Truman replaced one of Alexander Hamilton in the Capitol.

Burr shot and fatally wounded Hamilton in the July 1804 duel in Weehawken, New Jersey.

Schumer was giving Blunt grief after a statue of former President Harry Truman, from Blunts home state of Missouri, replaced a statue of Hamilton, from Schumers home state of New York, in the Capitol rotunda on Thursday.

Sen. Schumer found out that they were moving the Hamilton statue out of the Rotunda and at the bipartisan BBQ lunch he jokingly accused Sen. Roy Blunt of being a descendant of Aaron Burr, a source familiar with the conversation told DailyMail.com.

Schumer, a lifelong New Yorker, also gave Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar grief about the move.

Klobuchar and Blunt are the chair and ranking members of the Senate rules committee, which handles items like placement of statues in the Capitol building.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer jokingly accused Republican Senator Roy Blunt of being a descendent of Aaron Burr after a statue of Harry Truman (above) replaced one of Alexander Hamilton in the Capitol

Hamilton statue was moved one floor down into Hall of Columns. He was an exception in the Rotunda as the only member who was not a former president

Schumer, on the Senate floor Thursday, joked to Klobuchar that, as senate majority leader, he couldnt keep a statue in the rotunda and fretted what the press would do when it found out about the move, according to a source familiar with that conversation.

Each state gets to contribute two statues to the National Statuary Hall Collection, a group of 100 statues that stand in various locations around the Capitol.

Missouri legislators picked Truman to represent their state. He replaces an 1899 statue of former Sen. Thomas Hart Benton.

Statues of presidents are traditionally placed in the rotunda, the room that sits under the dome of the Capitol and is a highlight on visitor tours.

Hamilton, a founding father and first U.S. Treasury Secretary, was a rare exception to the presidential rule.

But, despite being subject of a hit musical, he couldnt keep his place in the room where presidents happen to be placed. He was booted from his prime spot to one floor down.

The Truman statue became the 10th presidential one in the rotunda, joining George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S Grant, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower.

Burr shot and fatally wounded Hamilton in the July 1804 duel in Weehawken, New Jersey

Burr (above) became Hamilton's political rival when he ran for governor in New York in 1804. Hamilton died the day after he was shot in the duel

Schumer (left) was giving Blunt (right) grief after a statue of former President Harry Truman, from Blunts home state of Missouri, replaced a statue of Hamilton, from Schumers home state of New York, in the Capitol rotunda on Thursday

The seven-foot tall, 1,000 pound bronze statue of the former president was unveiled on Thursday.

Its great for us today to see him now in the building he loved, in a democracy that he cherished and a world that he did so much to design and create and make what it is today, Blunt said at the event.

The statue shows Truman, who was famous for enjoying long walks, mid stride, wearing his signature double-breasted suit and glasses.

Clifton Truman Daniel, Trumans oldest grandson, was at the Capitol for Thursdays ceremony.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi was also there and noted she had met Truman when he came to Baltimore to campaign for her father, Baltimore Mayor and Congressman Thomas DAlesandro.

Hamiltons statue, which was installed in the Capitol in 1868, was moved one floor down, into the Hall of Columns, which is the room below the ornate Capitol Rotunda.

Schumer had paired up with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2016 to promote a piece of federal legislation to outlaw ticket bots - computer programs that buy up the best seats to Broadway shows, concerts and other events within moments of their going on sale and resell them to the public at a high market.

Mirandas hit broadway musical Hamilton was a frequent target of the bots.
The woman who claims she unknowingly dated a Colorado man who staged his wife's murder to look like an accident is now saying she spoke to the victim on the day of her death.

In a brand new interview with 'Dateline,' Susan McBride says she approached Stacy Feldman, the Denver woman murdered by her husband, Robert Feldman, to let her know he had been cheating on her.

The call, according to McBride, came just hours before Stacy was murdered.

In a clip of the interview released exclusively to DailyMail.com, McBride tells 'Dateline' correspondent Keith Morrison about her conversation with the late Feldman.'

'I said, "My name's Susan McBride. You don't know me, but I met your husband on a dating site called Tinder. He told me you had been separated for quite some time. If you're not separated, you should know that he's cheating on you" ' McBride tells Morrison.

The 'Dateline' correspondent has a visceral reaction to that news, responding, 'oh boy.'

McBride continued, saying Stacy responded and confirmed she and Robert were not separated, causing Susan to offer extra support.

'I wrote back, and I said, "I'm so sorry, Stacy. Here's my number if you'd like to call me,"' she said in the interview.

The two allegedly got on the phone and discussed the situation immediately.

The woman said she met Robert on Tinder and that he claimed to be separated from Stacy. McBride said they connected immediately and there was a general sense of hurt and pain on both sides.

Robert Feldman, pictured alongside his wife, Stacy, and their two children

'She was so sweet and kind. And she wasn't angry. And she said, "I'm so sorry he did that to you." '

Morrison then insinuated this may not have been Stacy's first time dealing with Robert's infidelity.

'That sounds almost more like somebody who knows that's happened before and this isn't the first time she's had to go through this,' he asks.

'Right. And she said, "I'm done with him," ' McBride elaborated.

Investigators said Robert Feldman strangled his wife while and then attempted to stage the scene to make it look as though she had slipped and fallen in the shower

McBride allegedly never spoke to Stacy or Bob ever again.

Months later, the woman stumbled upon Stacy's obituary. Her date of death? March 1, 2015. The same day she had struck up a conversation with the woman.

'I got physically ill, physically ill. It was just, it was like something out of a movie.'

The episode of 'Dateline' covering the story will premiere on Friday at 9 p.m. eastern.

Susan McBride, who says she unknowingly had an affair with married Robert Feldman, claims she spoke to Stacy Feldman on the day that Robert killed his wife

McBride said in an interview with 'Dateline' that she talked on the phone with Stacy after telling her that she met Robert through Tinder

Robert Feldman was convicted of killing Stacy after she confronted him about his affair. He strangled her and then attempted his wife's death look like an accident.

In April, Robert was found guilty of first degree murder and given the mandatory life sentence without parole.

Robert, who shared two children with Stacy, was also found to have used his wife's $750,000 life insurance payout to pay for his legal defense.

It took investigators three years to charge the Denver man with his wife's murder, as FOX 31 reported at the time it took them that long to find a medical expert willing to testify that Stacy died by strangulation, rather than a slip-and-fall accident in the shower.

Stacy Feldman was strangled by her husband Robert while in the shower in their Denver home

In court, Stacy's mother, Dorothy Malman, urged the judge to issue justice for the death of her daughter.

'If you really loved your children, you wouldn't have killed their mother,' Malman said. 'You wouldn't have taken their mother from them. The only person you love is yourself.'

Stacy's older sister, Susan Malman Altman, echoed her mother's sentiments and said that she had fought long and hard for the verdict and the sentencing.

'My sister deserves to leave in peace,' Altman said. 'Instead of letting her go to be happy, he killed her.'

Stacy's family had hired a private investigator after her death in order to identify enough evidence to bring charges against her husband.
Islamic State insurgents in Mozambique were mauled to death and eaten by wild lions during with pro-government forces over multi-billion dollar gas reserves.

The ISIS-linked jihadists - labelled ISIS-Mozambique by the US - were attacked and killed by wild animals including lions and crocodiles as they hid from a military operation after attacking villages in Cabo Delgado province in north Mozambique.

The terrorists killed people and burned down their homes in the attacks.

Mozambican forces said that they had captured four jihadists who were involved in recruiting and radicalising people and said 16 more had died.

Local police commander Bernardino Rafael said that some died after being hit by gunfire, but others were attacked by snakes, buffaloes, lions and crocodiles.

The ISIS-linked jihadists - labelled ISIS-Mozambique by the US - were attacked and killed by wild animals including lions (file photo) and crocodiles as they hid from a military operation after attacking villages in Cabo Delgado province in north Mozambique

At least 24 countries have sent soldiers to assist Mozambique including Rwanda who have an army involved in peacekeeping operations. Pictured: A women walks past Rwanda army patrol cars in MocImboa da Praia, in the Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, on Tuesday

'Some of them died having been hit by bullets from our forces and others due to attacks by animals like snakes, buffaloes, lions and even crocodiles,' he told residents, The Times reports.

On Wednesday he met with residents of the Quissanga district in the northern Cabo Delgado province of the southern African nation.

'They are dying from gunshot wounds... Many of them [were] wounded by our weapons. But even animals also contribute to the death of the Islamist insurgents,' he added according to BBC World Africa.

He said the population was burying some of the dead jihadists - under the supervision of the authorities - who had succumbed from recent and previous injuries, while some had been devoured by the animals.

Violence in Cabo Delgado has escalated since 2017 over their liquified natural gas (LNG) reserves worth billions of dollars, which are the third-biggest on the continent.

Several western firms are have given some of the largest investments in Africa, worth billions, to exploit these reserves. These include a $20billion project from French firm Total Energies. But the project was suspended in March last year after a raid on the coastal town Palma.

A Rwandan soldier patrols in MocImboa da Praia, in the Cabo Delgado province

Rwanda first sent 1,000 troops in July 2021 and cleared insurgents from key areas in just three weeks. Pictured: A Rwandan soldier watches fishermen as they come back to the shore in MocImboa da Praia

The EU has also said they will provide more support to an African military mission to help reduce reliance on Russian gas.

At least 24 countries have sent soldiers to assist Mozambique including Rwanda who have an army involved in peacekeeping operations.

Rwanda first sent 1,000 troops in July 2021 and cleared insurgents from key areas in just three weeks, according to BBC World Africa.

Deaths in Cabo Delgado have already topped 4,000 and around 950,000 people have been displaced from their homes. The province which borders Tanzania is the only area of Mozambique with a Muslim majority and is a heavily neglected area.
A University of Pennsylvania professor has condemned recent movements for racial equity in health care, saying they prevent white and Asian students from being accepted to medical school.

Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, 78, professor emeritus at the university's medical school, told the New York Post that a 'focus on diversity' has become detrimental to medical education.

'I understand we need to give people more opportunities,' Goldfarb said. 'But there are some things you can't sacrifice.

'This focus on diversity means we're going to take someone with a certain skin color because we think they're OK, that they can do the work, but we're not going to look for the best and the brightest.

'We're going to look for people who are just OK to make sure we have the right mixture of ethnic groups in our medical schools.'

A spokesperson for the medical school said Goldfarb's statements do not reflect 'core values' representative of the school.

University of Pennsylvania professor Dr. Stanley Goldfarb says a push toward diversity in medical education has only lowered standards while excluding white and Asian prospective students

The school has since responded to Goldfarb's opinions, stating they do not represent the school's 'core values'

Goldfarb partners his time at the school as the chairman for Do No Harm, an organization that says it wants to remove 'the same radical movement behind critical race theory in the classroom and Defund the Police in health care

To complement his public statements, Goldfarb is also chairman of Do No Harm, an organization that says it wants to remove 'the same radical movement behind critical race theory in the classroom and Defund the Police in health care.

The organization's website says it works toward protecting doctors, patients and health care in its entirety from 'discriminatory, divisive ideologies.'

He most recently wrote a new book, released in March, titled 'Take Two Aspirin and Call Me by My Pronouns: Why Turning Doctors into Social Justice Warriors Is Destroying American Medicine.'

In response to Goldfarb's public comments, the school's chairman, Dr. Michael Parmacek, has called Goldfarb 'racist' in communication with school staff, according to The Post.

Goldfarb said he blames the 2018 arrival of Senior Vice Dean Dr. Suzanne Rose for the school's push toward diversity.

'We'd had a very stable leadership for quite a while and resisted going the way some other medical schools were going but she brought in this new ideology,' Goldfarb said.

'She wanted to link up to what the American Medical Association was doing in education, which was promoting woke ideas, and there was a phrase that she told me that always stuck with me.

'She said we have too much science in the curriculum - which meant physicians should be more akin to social workers in their activities, particularly primary care physicians, rather than learning hard science that relates to patient care.'

Dr. Ashley Denmark (pictured), 38, started a petition in early 2022 for the removal of Goldfarb from the medical school

Denmark started Project Diversify Medicine, an organization intended to help minorities get into medical school

In 2020, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) said systemic racism was to blame for the disparities between white and black patients.

They then announced a three-year plan in 2021 to 'aggressively push forward' policy to encourage people of color to enter the medical profession.

Because of this, other students do not have access to medical school, Goldfarb said.

'It's manyfold harder for a white medical student who has average grades to get accepted into medical school, maybe 30 or 40 times harder than a minority student with the same grades,' he continued.

Dr. Ashley Denmark, founder of Project Diversify Medicine, started a petition in early 2022 demanding Goldfarb's removal from the school.

Denmark, 38, started Project Diversify Medicine to help minorities get into medical school.

'Goldfarb represents the privilege that a lot of white male doctors enjoy, which is the ability to express themselves freely without recourse,' Denmark said.

'Doctors like me don't get the support a white doctor like Goldfarb does. Racism ends in a funeral for a lot of black and brown patients. All we want is more doctors who look like our community.'
Polish officials have started handing out anti-radiation tablets nationwide, as fears grow of nuclear exposure triggered by the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Fire departments have been handed the tablets as a response to the current fighting around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant - Europe's largest - which has raised fears of a nuclear disaster.

Officials described the move as a 'preventative' and 'preemptive' measure.

Polish officials have started handing out anti-radiation tablets nationwide, as fears grow of nuclear exposure triggered by the war in neighbouring Ukraine

'We decided on a preventative, preemptive move to start distributing potassium iodide tablets to district fire departments,' Deputy Interior Minister Blazej Pobozy told reporters.

He said it was a routine initiative 'in case of a potential radiation threat, which... at the moment does not exist.'

The tablets will be transferred to local authorities and eventually end up at distribution points - schools in most cases - where residents will pick them up if need be.

He said there were enough doses for everyone who would require them.

Fire departments have been handed the tablets as a response to the current fighting around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (pictured) - Europe's largest - which has raised fears of a nuclear disaster

The tablets will be transferred to local authorities and eventually end up at distribution points - schools in most cases - where residents will pick them up if need be

Six power units generate 40-42 billion kWh of electricity - making the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant the largest nuclear power plant not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe

The nuclear plant in southeastern Ukraine has six power units which generate 40-42 billion kWh of electricity - making the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant the largest nuclear power plant not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe.

The medical representative at the press conference, Doctor Wojciech Zgliczynski, cautioned against taking anti-radiation tablets except when necessary.

He added that children, youths, pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers were most at risk of getting cancer from exposure to radiation.

Pobozy said the potassium iodide tablets were a preventative measure in case of a nuclear accident but would not help in response to a tactical nuclear weapon attack.

Under that scenario 'entirely different isotypes are released, ones against which there is unfortunately no tablet to protect us,' he told reporters.

He stressed however that compared to a nuclear accident, an attack was 'even less likely'.

Polish medical representative, Pobozy, said the potassium iodide tablets were a preventative measure in case of a nuclear accident but would not help in response to a tactical nuclear weapon attack

This move comes amid Vladimir Putin's latest nuke threat, off the back of his raging speech today.

After announcing he has annexed four Ukrainian regions to Russia in a blistering Kremlin speech, he then vowed to 'smash' the West and liberate the world, raising fears he is gearing up to deploy Moscow's huge nuclear arsenal.

The Russian despot declared that 'millions of people' had 'opted' to become vassals of Russia in sham referendums - saying they 'are our people, forever' to a standing ovation in the Kremlin's grand Georgian Hall from his cronies, including Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, defence minister Sergei Shoigu, and staunch ally Dmitry Medvedev.

He then gave a blistering speech during which he suggested that the US had set a 'precedent' for using nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, hinting that he could be considering his own atomic strike - either against Ukraine or its allies.

Vladimir Putin has announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions to Russia during a speech at the Kremlin, in which he also delivered a blistering tirade against the West

The speech was delivered inside the Kremlin's grand Georgian Hall in front of hundreds of Putin's henchmen, including the likes of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, and spy chief Sergey Naryshkin

The rest of his address was a screed in which he mentioned: The Vietnam war, the Opium Wars, the First and Second World War, Goebbels, Satanism, sex changes and homosexuality. He decried what he called 'neo-colonialism', vowed to 'smash Western hegemony', and spoke of Russia's 'destiny' to liberate the world.

Reaction was swift. President Zelensky, who has vowed never to respect the annexation, declared that Ukraine will officially apply to join NATO and will not negotiate with Russia so long as Putin is in power. Joe Biden called the annexation 'fraudulent'. Prime Minister Liz Truss said Britain 'will ensure [Putin] loses this illegal war.' The EU said it 'unequivocally condemns' Putin's actions.

Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister who became an iconic figure to Ukraine, branded Putin's speech a 'disgrace' and vowed the UK will stand with Ukraine 'without flinching until their country is whole and free.'

Putin's promise to protect his 'new territories' will be put to an almost-immediate test as thousands of Russian troops are currently thought to be encircled in Lyman, in the Donetsk region, with the city on the verge of falling and the troops either being captured or killed in the process - possibly within the next few hours.
Mays' defense introduced information that the Navy had another suspect they gave up on after the sailor was kicked out of the service

A 21-year-old Navy recruit was found not guilty of arson in the fire that destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard in July 2020.

Captain Derek Butler ruled that the prosecution against Seaman Recruit Ryan Mays did not present enough hard evidence connecting Mays to the arson.

Butler added that the evidence presented was primarily circumstantial, according to a CBS8 report.

Mays' defense added new information to the trial which indicated the Navy had another suspect they were previously investigating. The investigation was then dropped after the sailor was kicked out of the service.

The prosecution's initial argument against Mays, who was 19 at the time, is that Mays was acting out of revenge for having failed to become a Navy SEAL.

The fire, which led the Navy to scrap the vessel entirely, burned for four days and caused an estimated $1.2 billion in damages.

'I am so grateful that this is finally over, it has been a long two years,' Mays said. 'I've been waiting a long time. I can say that the past two years have been the hardest two years of my entire life as a young man.'

US Navy sailor Ryan Sawyer Mays (pictured) was found not guilty by a military court in the arson which destroyed USS Bonhomme Richard and caused $1.2 billion in damages

Prosecution against Mays argued the recruit, then 19 years old, acted out of revenge because he failed to become a Navy SEAL

USS Bonhomme Richard burned for four days, forcing the Navy's decision to scrap the ship entirely

Mays was presented as the prime suspect after testimony from one sailor who said they saw Mays walking toward the source of the fire minutes before it began.

In the prosecution's closing arguments, they added the blaze was 'a mischievous act performed by a disgruntled sailor aimed at proving a point.'

Prosecutor Capt. Jason Jones alleges Mays ignited cardboard boxes the morning of the fire in a lower vehicle storage area on the ship. This was done to reinforce a text Mays had sent earlier to his division officer that the area of the ship was so cluttered that it was 'hazardous as (expletive).'

The prosecution continued, despite having primarily circumstantial evidence, by citing Mays had motive, opportunity and ability to commit arson.

For Mays's defense, his team argued the prosecution was biased. Use of the eyewitness was arbitrary as they reportedly changed their story several times and admitted they felt 'pressured' in naming a suspect.

Additionally, Capt. Jones acknowledged the fire was both preventable and unacceptable while saying there were lapses in training and fire preparedness.

Failure to contain the fire led to temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees which melted portions of the ship.

Capt. Jason Jones alleges May started the fire by lighting cardboard boxes in a lower vehicle storage bay, which May previously stated was 'hazardous as (expletive)'

Temperatures inside the vessel reached upward of 1,200 degrees, which proceeded to melt various rooms

The other suspect mentioned by the defense was spotted by another sailor who was reportedly in the same vehicle storage area where the fire started.

Testimony suggested that suspect was disgruntled and their handwriting was matched to graffiti on a port-a-potty wall which read, 'I did it. I set the ship on fire,' alongside a drawing of a ship on fire.

Prosecution then dismissed this claim, citing cell phone evidence which indicated that suspect was off the ship when the fire began.

Testimony from the sailor who first mentioned Mays, Personnel Specialist Kenji Velasco, says he experienced a 'crazy day' and 'was in panic mode.'

Velasco's spotting of Mays was then corroborated by testimony of another sailor who said she overheard Mays say he started the fire - which the defense promptly said Mays was being sarcastic about.

Pictured: The charred insides of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard

Investigators say the flame inside the ship was likely started by an accelerant, as no other possible cause was discovered

One testimony from a sailor alleges they overheard Mays say he started the fire, which the defense claimed was 'sarcastic'

During the defense's questioning of Velasco, the sailor said he was 'pressured' and 'scared' by special agents investigating the fire.

'Didn't you tell investigators that you were not sure that the person you saw was white?' the defense asked.

'Yes, sir,' Velasco responded.

Experts from the defense said they were unable to rule out faulty electrical wiring on a nearby forklift as a possible cause.

It was then that the second suspect, referred to as 'Sailor E.M.,' was discovered during the defense's questioning of Special Agent Maya Kamat.

'Sailor E.M.' was seen 'sprinting' from the location the flame began and was subsequently interviewed by Kamat, she said.

According to Kamat, 'Sailor E.M.' had searched the internet 15 minutes before the fire for 'heat scales, fire white.'

The sailor's response when questioned about this search was that he was doing research for a novel about fire-breathing dragons. Kamat added she read portions of the planned novel, citing it started on a burnt warship named the 'TB3R.'

Further investigation into 'Sailor E.M.' ceased after he was discharged from the Navy, as they no longer had jurisdiction, and that 'Sailor E.M.' was ruled out as a suspect.

The sailor who testified that they saw Mays heading toward the area where the fire started admitted to the defense that he was 'scared' and 'pressured' by special agents to provide information
An alleged right-wing extremist is to stand trial at the Old Bailey next summer after being extradited from Spain.

Kristofer Thomas Kearney, 37, a British national based in Alicante, faces two charges of disseminating a terrorist publication.

The prosecution allege the offences took place on two dates in January and March last year amid a 'significant social media presence and extreme right-wing mindset'.

Kearney was arrested by Spanish police in March under a warrant obtained by British counter-terrorism police

Kristofer Thomas Kearney, 37, a British national based in Alicante, faces two charges of disseminating a terrorist publication

He was brought back to the UK on September 8th and arrested upon his arrival, then charged and remanded into custody.

He appeared at the Old Bailey today via video link from HMP Chelmsford in a beige T-shirt and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

A timetable for the case was fixed with a trial at the Old Bailey before Judge Richard Marks KC from June 5 next year.

A pre-trial hearing has been set for January 27 next year.

Kearney, formerly from Petherick Road in Liverpool, was further remanded into custody.

A timetable for the case was fixed with a trial at the Old Bailey before Judge Richard Marks KC from June 5 next year

Kristofer Kearney, 38, is accused of using a 'significant social media presence' to disseminate terrorist material between January and March last year.

Prosecutor Lee Ingham said: 'It is a case involving two allegations of Section Two dissemination of terrorist publications on two dates in the context of a significant social media presence and an alleged extreme right wing terrorist mindset.'

He was arrested in the Spanish city on 2 March under a Trade and Co-operation Agreement warrant.

Mr Justice Sweeney said:'The soonest, quickest date available for a trial is trial by the Common Sergeant at this court on 5 June next year.'

Kearney, of Petherick Road, Liverpool, will return to the Old Bailey for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 27 January next year.
His criminal past was also put on display, which include domestic abuse, prowling, trespass, two DUIs, felony burglary and two firearm charges

The career criminal admitted to lying to police about carrying a pistol in during his confrontation with Rittenhouse

Grosskreutz garnered much controversy as he served as the star witness against Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of all charges in the 2020 Kenosha shootings

The man who survived being shot by Kyle Rittenhouse filed a secret petition to change his legal name after his past as a violent career criminal was exposed.

Gaige Grosskreutz, 29, has called for an investigation by the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court on how the sealed petition was leaked to a conservative news outlet this week.

Grosskreutz, of West Allis, said he has received death threats in the two years since he was shot in the arm during the protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The August 2020 protests famously left Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum dead at the hands of Rittenhouse. But last year, Rittenhouse was cleared of murdering the men after jurors decided he'd acted in self-defense.

Grosskreutz added he was seeking the name change to protect him and his family, although his proposed new moniker was not revealed.

He is a violent convicted felon who admitted lying during the Rittenhouse trial, and who has now moaned about 'right wing media' outlets who exposed his planned subterfuge.

'But the real story here isn't that I am seeking to change my name, but that a process that is supposed to protect and shield those in danger was undermined and sealed information was released to the right wing media within hours of my filing,' he said in a statement.

Grosskreutz garnered controversy across the nation when his key testimony against Rittenhouse was scrutinized as it was revealed he lied to police about being armed during his standoff in Kenosha.

He claimed to have been a 'paramedic' on the evening of the August 2020 killings, although Grosskreutz has a slew of prior convictions for violent behavior.

His criminal past was also put on display as DailyMail.com revealed he had a history of domestic abuse, prowling, trespassing, burglary and DUI charges, one of which was dropped just six days before the trial.

Gaige Grosskreutz had filed to secretly change his name, claiming he has received death threats in the two years since he was shot in the arm during the protest in Kenosha

Grosskreutz became known across the nation after being the only man who survived being shot by Kyle Rittenhouse in the deadly protest

Rittenhouse (above) was acquitted of any wrongdoing, with his lawyers revealing that Grosskreutz had lied to police about being armed during their encounter in 2020

Grosskreutz's attorney, Kimberley Motley, has requested records of who had access to the petition on Tuesday, the day it was filed with the clerk before being leaked.

Clerk of Courts George Christenson said he has begun looking into the matter, the Journal Sentinel reported.

The confidential name change petition was first reported by the Kenosha County Eye, whose editor, Kevin Mathewson, was himself a figure in the protest.

Mathewson is a former Kenosha alderman who called for armed people to come and defend the city in a post to a Facebook account called The Kenosha Guard.

Grosskreutz was shot by Rittenhouse on August 25, 2020, after the then-teen fatally shot two other men with an AR-15-style rifle during a violent protest that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake Jr.

The jury acquitted Rittenhouse of all charges after he claimed he shot all three men in self-defense.

Grosskreutz served as the key witness against Rittenhouse, but his credibility was harmed in the trial and his career criminal past became known to the nation

The Kenosha County Eye published the court leak on Wednesday, with the articles focus on Grosskreutz criminal past. Officials are investigating the source of the leak

Grosskreutz had told the jury how he pulled his own gun because he thought Rittenhouse was an 'active shooter.'

During a fierce cross examination, however, defense attorney Corey Chirafisi claimed Grosskreutz lied to police officers in his statement by omitting the fact that he had a Glock in his hand when he was shot by Rittenhouse.

Chirafisi revealed to the court that Grosskreutz has filed a civil suit against Kenosha City for $10million as well as a federal lawsuit and that he fails to mention that he himself was carrying a firearm in either document.

'You stand a better chance of getting $10million bucks if Mr. Rittenhouse is convicted don't you?' Chirafisi hectored.

As Grosskreutz credibility took a hit, DailyMail.com reported that the witness had a laundry list of prior offenses and convictions stretching back more than a decade.

These include domestic abuse, prowling, trespass, two DUIs, felony burglary and two charges of carrying a firearm while intoxicated - one of which took place when he was banned as a felon from carrying a firearm.

Grosskreutz is seen in bodycam footage being pulled over on October 6, 2020 - less than two months after being shot by Kyle Rittenhouse

Bodycam footage of the night of Grosskreutz's arrest, obtained by DailyMail.com, shows a very different person from the doe-eye man who sobbed on the witness stand as he told jurors that he feared for his life

On October 6, 2020, Grosskreutz was stopped by police for failure to use a signal, where he was ultimately arrested for being intoxicated over three-times the legal limit.

But the the charge was dismissed because his lawyers argued that under Wisconsin law if there is no other vehicle present a signal is not necessary, making the traffic stop unlawful.

Less than ten days before he was shot by Rittenhouse, on August 16, 2020, Grosskreutz was arrested by West Allis Police and charged with prowling when he was caught videotaping personal police officer vehicles in the police department parking lot at 1am.

The police report, seen by DailyMail.com notes that Grosskreutz could give no reason for his being there and that, 'Gaige made clear his anti-law enforcement views.'

DailyMail.com can reveal that less than ten days before he was shot by Rittenhouse, on August 16, 2020, Grosskreutz was arrested by West Allis Police and charged with prowling when he was caught videotaping personal police officer vehicles in the police department parking lot at 1am

On May 9, 2015, Grosskreutz received his first DUI and second citation for carrying a loaded firearm while intoxicated.

He was stopped in Greenfield, roughly 40 miles from Kenosha, and the police officer again observed that Grosskreutz's eyes were, 'bloodshot and glassy,' and stated that he, 'could detect an odor of intoxicants.'

Alarmingly the report notes, 'Grosskreutz was eventually asked to exit the vehicle and before he did, he informed the officer that he had a firearm on his person and that it was openly carried. Grosskreutz said he was working on getting his CCW [Concealed Carry Weapon] permit.'

Police 'recovered a 9mm Glock 19 semi-automatic handgun that was located near Grosskreutz's right hip in a black leather holster on his beltThere was a 9mm round in the chamber of the weapon.'

Grosskreutz's claim to be getting a CCW was a lie as, the police report continues, 'It should also be noted that while putting this case folder together, I noticed GROSSKREUTZ's criminal history states he is a felony offender and has a disqualification for firearms on it. He should also be charged for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.'

Grosskreutz has since had his felony charge expunged.

On May 9, 2015, Grosskreutz received his first DUI and second citation for carrying a loaded firearm while intoxicated

In 2013 Grosskreutz was charged with smashing the bedroom window of an ex-girlfriend at 4am. According to the police report he had been harassing her by phone earlier in the evening.

After smashing the window, he texted her the threat, 'I'm about to come back and it's not going to be pretty so you better answer.'

Almost exactly one-year earlier Grosskreutz had earned himself a felony burglary charge for burglarizing a property in New Berlin, 40 miles north of Kenosha.

In 2012, Grosskreutz earned himself a felony burglary charge for burglarizing a property in New Berlin, 40 miles north of Kenosha. Officers said in the police report that they suspected Grosskreutz was not being truthful

The earliest report seen by DailyMail.com dates to 2010 and involves an incident in which Grosskreutz struck his own grandmother in the face and smashed a lamp, damaging the dry wall against which he hurled it

He was caught attempting to sell three stolen Play Stations and in the lengthy report police repeatedly note Grosskreutz's lack of transparency and lying.

He was ultimately charged and convicted.

The earliest report seen by DailyMail.com dates to 2010 and involves an incident in which Grosskreutz struck his own grandmother in the face and smashed a lamp, damaging the dry wall against which he hurled it.

He also has a juvenile record which is sealed.
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Tragic Molly Russell turned to JK Rowling and other celebrities including US actress Lili Reinhart and YouTuber Salice Rose for help in a series of haunting tweets just weeks before she killed herself - after a coroner found the content on Pintrest and Meta-owned Instagram contributed to her death.

Molly died in November 2017 after engaging with 2,100 depression, self-harm or suicide-related posts over a period of six months, an inquest at North London Coroner's Court heard. Despite appearing a 'normal, healthy girl' flourishing at school, she was suffering from depression and vulnerable, the court was told.

The hearing painted a grim portrait of the lonely and toxic 'ghetto of the online world' that Molly was immersed in - including the heartbreaking revelation that Molly turned to high profile celebrities including Rowling, Reinhart and Rose for help not realising there was little chance they would ever see her messages.

In a tweet shared weeks before she took her own life, Molly messaged the Harry Potter author to share how the series of books had helped her. From a now-deleted account, Molly wrote in October 2017: '@jk_rowling my mind has been full of suicidal thoughts for a while but reading HP and the world you created is my escape.'

The month before, she also tweeted Phora, who has 380,000 followers, in September saying: 'kinda wanna kill myself, please help'.

She also messaged Californian influence Rose who had shared details of her mental health struggles online. Tweets directed at YouTuber 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 tweets were sent a few months before the teenager died.

Giving evidence, her father Ian Russell told Barnet Coroner's Court: 'It was only after her death that we were made aware that she set up an alternative Twitter account that she used to communicate in a way she wouldn't have wanted to share with the family.

Molly Russell researched disturbing content online before taking her own life in November 2017

A tweet sent on Molly's secret account weeks before she died

Molly Russell (left). Her father Ian Russell (right) arriving at Barnet Coroner's Court

How is social media regulated and how could laws now change? Currently, most social media and search engine platforms that operate in the UK are not subject to any large-scale regulations specifically concerning user safety beyond a handful of laws that refer to the sending of threatening or indecent electronic communications. Instead, these platforms are relied upon to self-regulate, using a mixture of human moderators and artificial intelligence to find and take down illegal or harmful material proactively or when users report it to them. Platforms lay out what types of content are and are not allowed on their sites in their terms of service and community guidelines, which are regularly updated to reflect on the evolving themes and trends that appear in the rapidly moving digital world. However, critics say this system is flawed for a number of reasons, including that what is and is not regarded as safe or acceptable online can vary widely from site to site, and many moderation systems struggle to keep up with the vast amounts of content being posted. Concerns have also been raised about the workings of algorithms used to serve users with content a platform thinks might interest them - often this is based on a user's habits on the site and can mean that someone who searches for material linked to depression or self-harm could be shown more of it in the future. In addition, some platforms argue that certain types of content which are not illegal - but could be considered offensive or potentially harmful by some - should be allowed to remain online to protect free speech and expression. As a result, large amounts of harmful content can be found on social media today as platforms struggle with moderating the sheer scale of content being posted and the balancing act of allowing users to express themselves while trying to keep their online spaces safe. During the inquest, evidence given by executives from both Meta and Pinterest highlighted these issues. Pinterest executive Judson Hoffman admitted the platform was 'not safe' when Molly accessed it in 2017 because it did not have in place the technology it has now. And Meta executive Elizabeth Lagone's evidence highlighted the issue of understanding the context of certain posts when she said some of the content seen by Molly was 'safe' or 'nuanced and complicated', arguing that in some instances it was 'important' to give people a voice if they were expressing suicidal thoughts. During the inquest, coroner Andrew Walker said the opportunity to make social media safe must not 'slip away', as he voiced concerns about the platforms. He outlined a range of concerns including a lack of separation of children and adults on social media; age verification and the type of content available and recommended by algorithms to children; and insufficient parental oversight for under-18s. The UK's plan to change this landscape is the Online Safety Bill, which would for the first time compel platforms to protect users from online harm, particularly children, by requiring them to take down illegal and other harmful content, and is due to be reintroduced to Parliament soon. Companies in scope will be required to spell out clearly in their terms of service what content they consider to be acceptable and how they plan to prevent harmful material from being seen by their users. It is also expected to require firms to be more transparent about how their algorithms work and to set out clearly how younger users will be protected from harm. The new regulations will be overseen by Ofcom and those found to breach the rules could face large fines or be blocked in the UK. The conclusion of the inquest into Molly's death is expected to see renewed calls for the new rules to be swiftly introduced. Advertisement

'I believe that social media helped kill my daughter and I believe that sort of content is still there.'

Though she spent much less time on Twitter than other platforms, the content she shared and tweets she sent are significant nonetheless in giving a tragic insight into her deteriorating mental health.

Mr Russell believes the handle 'Idfc_nomore' stands for 'I don't f****** care no more.'

Her first activity was in December 2016 - just under a year before her death - when she retweeted an account dedicated to tweeting quotes about depression.

It said : 'I'm so tired of feeling unwanted and helpless. Even with friends surrounding me, I feel like an outcast.'

The first tweet she wrote her self was in February 2017 when she quoted a poem by model and actress Cara Delevingne about her own struggle with depression. The tweet read: 'I don't need to be saved, I need to be found.'

A day after her first tweet, she posted a screenshot from her Pinterest account with a message that said just because she had a happy home life it did not mean she wasn't struggling with mental health problems. It ended: 'Mental disorders don't care about your situation in life'

In July 2017, a few months before she began messaging celebrities, it appears her mental health was deteriorating as she posted a string of tweets, telling her followers 'Everyone is better off without me..', that she was 'irrelevant' and her friends and family could live without her, and finally 'I don't fit in this world'.

Mr Russell told the court that Molly was calling out into an 'empty void' as the celebrities with millions of followers wouldn't have noticed his daughter's tweets.

Welling up as he ended proceedings at a press conference in Barnet, north London, on Friday, his voice broke as he said: 'Thank you, Molly, for being my daughter. Thank you.'

Concluding it would not be 'safe' to rule the cause of Molly's death as suicide, Mr Walker said the teenager 'died from an act of self-harm while suffering depression and the negative effects of online content'.

At North London Coroner's Court, he said: 'At the time that these sites were viewed by Molly, some of these sites were not safe as they allowed access to adult content that should not have been available for a 14-year-old child to see.

'The way that the platforms operated meant that Molly had access to images, video clips and text concerning or concerned with self-harm, suicide or that were otherwise negative or depressing in nature.

'The platform operated in such a way using algorithms as to result, in some circumstances, of binge periods of images, video clips and text - some of which were selected and provided without Molly requesting them.

'These binge periods, if involving this content, are likely to have had a negative effect on Molly.'

The inquest was told Molly accessed material from the 'ghetto of the online world' before her death in November 2017, with her family arguing sites such as Pinterest and Instagram recommended accounts or posts that 'promoted' suicide and self-harm.

Meta executive Elizabeth Lagone said she believed posts seen by Molly, which her family say 'encouraged' suicide, were safe.

Pinterest's Judson Hoffman told the inquest the site was 'not safe' when Molly used it.

Speaking after the conclusion of the inquest, Mr Burrows said: 'This is social media's big tobacco moment.

'For the first time globally it has been ruled that content a child was allowed and encouraged to see by tech companies contributed to their death.

'The world will be watching their response.'

The Prince of Wales, who met Mr Russell in November 2019, said on Twitter: 'No parent should ever have to endure what Ian Russell and his family have been through.

'They have been so incredibly brave. Online safety for our children and young people needs to be a prerequisite, not an afterthought.'

Cross-bench peer and internet safety campaigner Baroness Beeban Kidron said she would be bring forward 'an amendment to the Online Safety Bill in the House of Lords that seeks to make it easier for bereaved parents to access information from social media companies.'

Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said the inquest had 'shown the horrific failure of social media platforms to put the welfare of children first.'

Shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary Lucy Powell said it was a 'scandal that just as the coroner is announcing that harmful social media content contributed to Molly Russell's death, the Government is looking to water down the Online Safety Bill'.

Online safety campaigners at the children's charity NSPCC said Molly died after suffering from 'negative effects of online content' and it should 'send shockwaves through Silicon Valley'.

The family's lawyer described Molly's social media as a 'ghetto' due to the disturbing nature of many of the posts she had liked

Meta representative Liz Lagone (left) and Pinterest's head of community operations, Judson Hoffman, gave evidence (right)

Out of 16,300 posts that Molly saved, shared or liked on Instagram in the six months before her death, 2,100 were related to depression, self-harm or suicide, the inquest was told.

The court was played 17 clips the teenager viewed on the site - prompting 'the greatest of warning' from the coroner.

The inquest also heard details of emails sent to Molly by Pinterest, with headings such as '10 depression pins you might like' and 'new ideas for you in depression'.

Continuing his conclusions, Mr Walker said: 'Other content sought to isolate and discourage discussion with those who may have been able to help.

'In some cases, the content was particularly graphic, tending to portray self-harm and suicide as an inevitable consequence of a condition that could not be recovered from.

'The sites normalised her condition, focusing on a limited and irrational view without any counterbalance of normality.

'It is likely that the above material viewed by Molly, already suffering with a depressive illness and vulnerable due to her age, affected her mental health in a negative way and contributed to her death in a more than minimal way.'

The coroner said on Thursday that he intends to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) notice, which will recommend action on how to stop a repeat of the Molly Russell case.

The Russell family's lawyer, Oliver Sanders KC, asked the coroner to send the PFD to Instagram, Pinterest, media regulator Ofcom and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

A spokeswoman for Meta said in a statement following the conclusion that the company is 'committed to ensuring that Instagram is a positive experience for everyone, particularly teenagers' and would 'carefully consider the coroner's full report when he provides it'.

For help or support, visit samaritans.org or call Samaritans for free on 116 123
Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, in an interview with the Jan. 6 panel, reasserted her belief that the 2002 presidential election was stolen.

The House Select Committee panel chairman Bennie G. Thompson was the one who revealed the individual's position regarding the issue. Thomas' false assertion, which comes nearly two years after Joe Biden's victory, was in a five-hour closed-door interview with the panel.

Ginni Thomas Testimony

The conservative activist drew the attention of the panel after investigators were able to obtain emails shared between her and lawyer John Eastman. The latter had advocated a fringe legal theory that Vice President Mike Pence could block the congressional certification of Biden's electoral college win.

Thomas also repeatedly pressed White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to find other ways to overturn the 2020 election, based on messages that were sent to the latter a few weeks after the vote results came out, as per the Washington Post.

The conversations between the two represent an extraordinary pipeline between Thomas and one of former President Donald Trump's top aides as the latter and his allies were trying to take their efforts all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

The House Select Committee's members said that they may use clips from her appearance, if they are warranted, in a future hearing. However, lawmakers have not yet scheduled their next hearing in the case.

According to USA Today, the interview was set because the committee wanted to talk to Ginni about her advocacy for challenging the results of the 2020 elections. Her lawyer, Mark Paoletta, said in a statement that Ginni simply answered the committee's questions, voiced her concerns about the election fraud, and condemned the violence on Jan. 6, 2021.

Read Also: Joe Biden Makes Drastic Change on Student Loan Forgiveness That Could Hurt Over 700,000 Borrowers: What Happened?

Reasserting False Claims of Election Fraud

Paoletta said that as Ginni said before, she had significant concerns about fraud and irregularities in the 2020 election. The lawyer added that Ginni played no role, beyond those concerns, in any events after the results of the vote.

However, there have been numerous public officials at federal and state levels that investigated election results and found no evidence of widespread fraud. These investigating individuals include former Attorney General William Barr and former acting deputy attorney general, Richard Donoghue.

The latter also told the House Select Committee that the whole thing was "very, very murky at best, and the video was absurd," referring to Trump providing an "arsenal of allegations." This includes a baseless claim about Italian satellites altering votes in the 2020 elections.

In a statement, Ginni said that she did not discuss her post-election activities with her husband. She added that the couple had an "ironclad rule" that she and her husband never speak about cases pending before the Supreme Court.

The interview ended months of negotiations between the House Select Committee and Thomas over her testimony. The panel's investigators had grown particularly interested in the individual's communication with Eastman as the latter was in close contact with Trump and allegedly wrote a memo that Democrats and anti-Trump GOP members likened to a blueprint for a coup, the New York Times reported.

Related Article: Haberman's Book Reveals Bombshell Allegations Against Trump, Including Plans To Bomb Drug Labs in Mexico

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
President Joe Biden gave a nod of confidence to Vice President Kamala Harris, saying a woman would one day fill the Oval Office and that first female vice president won't be the last.

His comment drew loud applause inside the White House East Room during a Rosh Hashanah celebration, where the first Jewish Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke and first lady Jill Biden spoke about the closeness of the first and second families.

It also came just a day after Harris committed a blunder on her first trip to the DMZ by accidentally referring to the U.S. 'alliance with the Republic of North Korea' mangling the name one of the nation's top allies by mixing it with the hermetic regime who tested a ballistic missile during her visit.

'And Doug's right: you're the first, but like Kamala often says you won't be the last. Kamala won't be the last woman to be vice president  or president,' Biden said, speaking after Emhoff's remarks.

The crowd including Jewish supporters burst into applause at the remark.

'You won't be the last.' President Joe Biden predicted there would be a female president and said VP Kamala Harris won't be the last female VP

Harris has gotten some mileage out of the line herself. She included it in her outdoor election victory speech in Wilmington in 2020, proclaiming, 'I won't be the last.'

Since that time, she has suffered some mishaps in office, facing criticism of her handling of border issues and running through staff. Harris visited Japan for the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and met with key allies during times of tension with China, in a trip that put her back on the world stage.

Her own gaffe came shortly after Biden committed one of his own, asking 'Where's Jacki' during a White House event, in apparent reference to the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), who died last month.

Biden spoke a day after Harris accidentally referred to the 'Republic of North Korea.' The hermetic regime is ruled by an iron-fisted third generation dictator. She meant to say the Republic of Korea

The unfortunate flub came on Harris' first visit to the DMZ

Trouble ahead. Harris looked through binoculars at the DMZ

Former President Donald Trump met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un in 2019. He reportedly took their 'love letters' with him to Mar-a-Lago

Happy 5783! Second Gentleman Doug Emhof, the first Jewish spouse of a president or VP, spoke at the event celebrating the Jewish new year

The White House PR response to the apparent mistake fell flat with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Walorski was 'top of mind' when Biden made the odd remark.

Biden also spoke about standing up to anti-Semitism, and mentioned a 'former leader' who said there were 'good people on both sides' at Charlottesville, in a swat at Donald Trump.

'I was running literally was to restore the soul of America back some decency and honor in the way we talk about one another where we deal with one another,' Biden said of his campaign.

He also the reception came at a 'very difficult time for so many Jewish families in Florida, possibly for some of you who have loved ones in Florida' following Hurricane Ian.

'Our heart goes out to everyone there in the state experience here. It could be maybe one of the most devastating hurricanes in the history of that state,' he said.

At the event, first lady Jill Biden spoke about bonds between the first and second families.

'Thank you for spending this special time with us,' she told Emhoff. Emhof gave her a kiss on the cheek. 'On a personal note, back at you. You and the president have really made our family feel like your family. Thank you so much.'
A pensioner who caused the death of a motorcyclist while making a U-turn in his car has been spared jail after a request for leniency from the biker's widow.

William Curtis, 89, said 'I don't want to drive', and appeared tearful as he sat in a wheelchair and used a hearing loop to listen to proceedings at Cambridge Crown Court.

The defendant was found guilty at an earlier trial at the same court of causing the death of 66-year-old David Fudge by careless driving on the A4146 near Billington, Bedfordshire, on November 18 2018.

When prosecutor Simon Wilshire said that father-of-two Mr Fudge's widow, Claire Montgomery, 'does not seek Mr Curtis to go to prison', the defendant dabbed his eyes with his hand.

Judge Jonathan Seely said the indication by Mrs Montgomery 'speaks volumes about the decency, compassion and understanding of Mrs Montgomery and is an extraordinary tribute to her'.

Claire Montgomery (left), the widow of motorcyclist David Fudge (right), asked for leniency for the elderly driver who was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving

William Curtis (pictured), 89, killed David Fudge when he made a U-turn and crashed into his motorcycle in November 2018

He told Curtis that Mr Fudge 'has been taken from those who love him because of your driving, and the sense of utter loss and grief on the part of those who love him is almost physically palpable'.

The judge said he had seen a letter from the defendant in which he 'expressed heartfelt sorrow and remorse' for what happened, adding he is satisfied that he is 'genuinely remorseful'.

He sentenced Curtis to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Mrs Montgomery said, in a victim impact statement read to the court by their son, Luke Fudge: 'Dave was the innocent victim of this avoidable tragedy.

'He merely went for a Sunday ride out with his friends but never came home.'

Mrs Montgomery said Mr Fudge was 'loved by all', describing him as a 'devoted husband' who was also a 'typical aerospace engineer' and a governor at Luton Sixth Form College.

She said her husband was considered an 'extremely experienced, confident and safe motorbike rider'.

Mr Fudge (pictured) had enjoyed riding motorbikes for 50 years and had never reported being in an accident before

Mrs Montgomery said Mr Fudge 'would never get to see his baby twin granddaughters, born last year', and that the 'retirement he worked long and hard for was cut brutally short'.

The widow added: 'every morning I wake up with the image of my husband somersaulting over Mr Fudge's car'.

Ian Bridge, mitigating, said the crash 'haunts' the defendant, of Irchester, Northamptonshire, though he 'has no proper memory of it'.

'I should say once again for the record how devastated he is by what's happened,' Mr Bridge said.

Curtis was disqualified from driving for three years and must complete an extended retest if he were to apply for a licence.
During that time, a chilling Venmo payment and message were sent from Collier's account to her daughter

Georgia mom Debbie Collier was murdered in a 'personal and targeted' slaying 'not a random act of violence,' cops revealed Friday.

They also released new video of the 59-year-old showing her sitting for 10 minutes in her rented Chrysler Pacifica outside a Family Dollar store  covering the time her daughter received a payment and chilling message through payment app Venmo.

Collier's cell phone and purse were found where her burned and naked body was discovered on September 11 in a deeply wooded ravine near scenic Tallulah Falls, Georgia, officers confirmed at a press briefing.

But they could not yet confirm that the Venmo message was sent from the device.

'We do not believe that this was a random act of violence, we do not believe that this is the act of a serial killer, said Habersham County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Murray Kogod. 'We believe that this act was deliberate and personal.'

The body of Debbie Collier was discovered on September 11, naked and charred just a day after she was reported missing. Cops revealed Friday that Debbie Collier's murder was a personal attack, and not a random act of violence

Officers released new video of the 59-year-old showing her sitting for 10 minutes in her rented Chrysler Pacifica outside a Family Dollar store

Police released a security shot of the Family Dollar parking lot in Clayton, Georgia. Colliers rented van is on the far right

In the new footage, she waits in the black 2022 Pacifica for 10 minutes until 3.19pm before heading south on GA15

'We do not believe that this was a random act of violence, we do not believe that this is the act of a serial killer, said Habersham County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Murray Kogod. 'We believe that this act was deliberate and personal'

Lead investigator George Cason confirmed the phone was found with the body along with Debbie's purse

Previously released footage shows Collier calmly walking into the Family Dollar in Clayton, Georgia, at 2.55pm on Saturday, September 10 and buying a number of items later found by her body.

She is wearing a replica Herschel Walker shirt from his time at the University of Georgia, a blue skirt, what appears to be black boots with slight heels and a red sun visor.

The real estate office manager is then seen at the cash register buying a rain poncho, refillable torch lighter, a 2-roll pack of paper towels, a 7.5ft. x 9.5ft. tarp, and a reusable tote bag  before leaving at 3.09pm.

In the new footage, she waits in the black 2022 Pacifica for 10 minutes until 3.19pm before heading south on GA15.

The Venmo message was received by daughter Amanda Bearden, 36, at 3.17pm. It transferred $2,385 and contained the message: '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 had submitted by email a series of questions for the briefing, which included the whereabouts of Collier's phone and if it was the device used to send the Venmo message.

Lead investigator George Cason confirmed the phone was found with the body along with Debbie's purse.

'We are still waiting for more information to confirm or deny where the Venmo was sent from,' he said. 'But we can confirm that Amanda did receive the Venmo. She did receive money we do not know where that money is now.

'We are in possession of that cell phone, we do have it in evidence and it was located at the crime scene.'

Collier's cause of death is still not being revealed, the briefing heard  and no clues to any suspects were disclosed. Investigators said they continue to rule out suicide and it remains a murder investigation.

Police found Collier's body naked and charred in the woods on September 11

Forensic gloves lay nearby along with pieces of paper and what appears to be a strip of a book cover

DailyMail.com had asked what Collier's phone records had revealed.

'We have served multiple search warrants on multiple cell phone carriers,' said Cason. 'We are working with them to get all pertinent data from those devices and from those carriers.

'Hopefully we will be able to develop more of a timeline and find out more information about what exactly happened.'

Referring again to the Venmo transfer, he said: 'You can access accounts from many different devices. Which is why we are going through the extent of being able to determine what device that Venmo was sent from.

'We are still obtaining information, when it was sent, where it was sent, what device it was sent from.'

Regarding the analysis of records and data  such as Debbie's phone records, internet usage, financial records plus those of her family  the detective would only say: 'That being sensitive information, we don't want to reveal any information that could potentially jeopardize our investigation.'

He also would not be led on possible suspects, but added: 'Right now we have not ruled anyone out of this. We have developing leads. We are still in the process of trying to find a person or persons of interest.

'We are continuing to investigate Deb's activities from September 10 through to September 11. We've lost a lot of sleep. We don't want to show our hand before we have facts.'

Chief Deputy Kogod added 'we are not ruling anything out' when asked if Debbie might have met someone where her van was found near her body  60 miles from the home she shared with husband Steven, 67, in Athens, Georgia.

Cops also revealed video showed the husband was at work between 9am and 4pm on Saturday, September 10.

The Venmo message was received by daughter Amanda Bearden (right), 36, at 3.17pm and Collier had transferred $2,385

Collier's husband Steven reported her missing at 6pm on September 10 saying he had not seen her since 9pm the previous night

Debbie's minivan  rented from Enterprise because her truck was in for repairs  was discovered at the entrance to a densely wooded area off Route 15 in Clarksville. Clayton is 12 miles north while Athens is south.

Her body was discovered some quarter of a mile away. Police reported she was clinging to a small tree, was naked and her body was charred.

A red tote bag was nearby as was a blue tarp, both items she had bought in Clayton. She was found lying next to an area of burnt leaves  a few feet away from an uprooted tree which has its roots burnt.

No one has been arrested for her brutal killing and there is no indication that either Bearden or her boyfriend, Andrew Giegerich, are considered suspects.

Bearden has a history of lying to police and violent lovers' tiffs with Giegerich, her live-in, MMA fighter boyfriend who says the pair have been 'interrogated' over her mother's killing.

In May last year, police intervened in the couple's relationship after Amanda phoned 911, claiming Andrew had 'broken in' to the house to beat her.

She showed them photos of bruises on her arms and shoulders to prove it.

She was however arrested for a falsely reporting a burglary, after police determined he was living in the home and had full access to it.

Giegerich, 27, was arrested on September 4, 2021, for violating a no-contact order and banging on his on-and-off-again girlfriend 's home.

He claimed Bearden was stealing money for drugs from him and had kicked him out.

The arrest came almost a year before he allegedly wrote a threatening handwritten message, contained in police evidence files, stating: 'If you or your family ever come near me again I will hurt them.

'Have a nice life you lying a** b**ch. Don't ever contact me again!!!'' But they are now back living together in Athens.

Debbie's husband Steve Collier fought back tears as he told DailyMail.com last week that Debbie was the 'love of his life.'

The couple had been married for nine years and both had children from previous marriages.

'It has been a long two weeks and I'm very tired. My wife was a wonderful person,' he said.

A close family friend told DailyMail.com: 'Steve loved Debbie with all his heart. I know that for a fact. I cannot imagine what hes going through right now'

A close friend of the couple, who did not want to be identified, confided to DailyMail.com: 'Steve loved Debbie with all his heart. I know that for a fact.

'I cannot imagine what he's going through right now, with the terrible loss of his wife and having to be part of the murder investigation and all that entails.

'I have known them both for many years and they were a devoted couple.'

In a direct move of support, he added: 'I know suspicion can fall on the family of murder victims, but I would bet my life Steve had nothing whatsoever to do with Debbie's disappearance.'

On September 10, Steve reported Debbie as missing, claiming that he hadn't seen her since 9pm the previous night at their home. He said they slept in separate bedrooms because of his heavy snoring.

When questioned, Bearden told police that she last saw her mother the night before she vanished, and that everything was normal. She received the Venmo message the day her mother was reported missing.

In an interview with CBS after her mother's body was found, Amanda appeared shaken and struggling to speak.

'My mom was my everything. Somebody took my whole world from me. She was a beautiful, kind, giving woman. She didn't deserve this,' she said, her head and hands shaking.
There has been a moratorium on federal student loan repayment since March '20

Progressive Democrats are reeling over President Joe Biden's decision to change the qualifications for student loan forgiveness not to include some non-federal government debts as the administration faces impending lawsuits over the relief plan.

The White House quietly announced a change in its student debt forgiveness program on Thursday that could exclude up to 4 million borrowers with private loans backed by the government.

The change was so quiet, in fact, that lawmakers weren't even informed of the altering qualifications.

Democratic Representative Yvette Clarke said the change need to be 'revisited' to not 'dash' the hopes of people who thought they were receiving relief and now will not.

The u-turn by the federal government comes after the first legal challenges were filed to the policy. It also follows criticism of the huge cost the plan would levy on taxpayers  even those who would not benefit from the forgiveness.

Critics claim the plan is an illegal use of Biden's executive power.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the main champions of wide-spread student loan forgiveness, suggested she wasn't informed of the change, saying: 'I don't know what you're talking about, so I can't comment on it.'

Other progressives have also revealed that they were also not alerted to the change.

Democratic Representative Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania said that despite coming from a White House roundtable regarding her state, which included discussing the student loan debt issue, the changes did not come up.

Progressives are urging Joe Biden to 'revisit' the change to student loan relief that could see 4 million Americans' hopes 'dashed' of receiving forgiveness. Many progressive Democrats claim they weren't even informed or aware of the change

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal released a statement Thursday subtly addressing the change in policy.

'In the face of Republican attacks, we understand the White House is prioritizing processing for loans that are publicly held through the Department of Education, which will cover the majority of borrowers, and we appreciate the administration's transparency in working to ensure that the relief will actually reach the people who need it,' she wrote.

While news broke of the change, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined progressive Democratic Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Mondaire Jones of New York for a press conference touting the rollout of student loan forgiveness.

Rep. Clarke said: 'I think that we need to revisit that because of the expectations of those 4 million people was that they will be eligible, that they will be receiving some relief.'

'And clearly it's a struggle in this economy for students,' she continued. It's been a struggle all along, but to have your hopes dashed in that manner due to a revision, I think it needs to be revisited.'

The Education Department announced Thursday that privately-held loans won't qualify for the relief plan, which the Congressional Budget Office said earlier this week could cost $400 billion over ten years.

The scale back on Perkins and Federal Family Education Loans - which are bank loans backed by federal guarantees - is over concerns the companies could challenge the Biden administration in court, Politico reported.

They used to be a major component of federal student loans, but were stopped in 2010 after a major Obama administration overhaul shifted to direct government loans.

Nevertheless, about four million people still have FFEL loans, according to government data identified in the report. Forty-five million Americans owe student loans.

The Biden administration's latest policy backtrack is likely to affect 770,000 people, an official told CNN.

The administration had initially allowed those with FFEL loans to reorganize so they were eligible to receive the $10,000 to $20,000 of relief per borrower.

The Biden administration quietly announced a change in their student debt forgiveness program that could exclude four million borrowers after the first lawsuits were filed against the plan and following criticism of the huge costs to taxpayers

But as of Thursday, those who hadn't made the changes were no longer able to benefit.

According to the report, the businesses that hold the loans are the greatest legal threat to the program.

They face losses as borrowers consolidate their loans and move them to one owned directly by the government.

The initial policy stated that FFEL and Perkins loans qualified.

The Department of Education guidance updated on Thursday stated: 'As of Sept. 29, 2022, borrowers with federal student loans not held by ED cannot obtain one-time debt relief by consolidating those loans into Direct Loans.'

The Department is 'assessing' whether 'there are alternative pathways to provide relief' to these borrowers, and is 'discussing this with private lenders,' it said.

An Education Department spokesperson said: 'Our goal is to provide relief to as many eligible borrowers as quickly and easily as possible, and this will allow us to achieve that goal while we continue to explore additional legally-available options to provide relief to borrowers with privately owned FFEL loans and Perkins loans, including whether FFEL borrowers could receive one-time debt relief without needing to consolidate .'

Experts told NPR that private banks who were subject to losing business could potentially sue to stop the loan forgiveness program by claiming they suffered harm.

The plan allows tens of millions of borrowers to wipe away $10,000 in student loan debt. Pell grant recipients can get $20,000 in relief

The first lawsuit against the program, filed this week, relied on a plaintiff who demonstrated harm by residing in one of six states where loan forgiveness is taxed like income  a move that will leave people on the hook for a tax bill even while saving thousands in debt.

The government has already countered that the program is voluntary, and the plaintiff can forego the $20,000 in relief.

A second suit, filed Thursday by six GOP-led states, challenges the program by citing President Joe Biden's comment to '60 Minutes' that the pandemic is 'over.'

Biden has used the pandemic multiple times to extend the March 2020 student loan moratorium first put in place by Donald Trump. He extended it a final time through the end of December to give people time to transition back to repayment.

The moves in the courthouse come as the price tag of the plan is still coming into focus, with a new Congressional Budget Office estimate this week saying the plan to cancel student loan debt will cost $400 billion over a decade.

The White House attempted to downplay the hefty price tag with a memo pointing out that the estimate is based on 90 percent of eligible people enrolling in the program - far more than administration officials projected.

'CBO called its own estimate 'highly uncertain.' We agree,' the White House said.

'CBO assumes that 90% of eligible borrowers take the necessary steps to claim relief. We would be thrilled if 90% of eligible middle- and low-income Americans applied for this program. But unfortunately, that's unlikely based on the data from other programs.'

Chief of Staff Ron Klain tweeted this week: 'If you want apples-to-apples, note that this is a THIRTY year score; most often, CBO estimates a program's cost over its first TEN years.'

And Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, hit back at renewed GOP criticism of the bill in comments to Newsweek.

'I didn't hear the Republicans worry about the deficit when they provided a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the 1%, large corporations,' Sanders said on Thursday morning.
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President Biden issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin Friday that the United States is 'prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory' after the Russian leader annexed four regions of Ukraine.

'Mr Putin, dont misunderstand what I am saying, ' Biden said as he slammed Russia's 'sham' referendum and the 'disinformation and lies' on Friday that the West was behind the Nord Stream pipelines explosion.

Biden's explicit warning, which he repeated, came hours after Putin accused United States of creating a nuclear weapons 'precedent' by bombing Japan at the end of the second World War in an unhinged speech calling the West 'satanists' and accusing 'Anglo Saxons' of blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines.

Putin and top officials in his regime have escalated their nuclear threats in recent gains even as Ukraine has taken back more territory that Russian forces seized since its February invasion.

Biden also ridiculed the show of unity Putin organize for his announcement. Putin declared his country was absorbing territory it does not even control militarily. Tens of thousands of Russian men have been fleeing to neighboring countries where they can still travel amid the 'partial mobilization' Putin has announced.

'Putins actions are a sign he's struggling. The sham referendum he carried out and this team he put on  th sham routine that he put on this morning, showing the unity and people holding hands together,' Biden said.

President Joe Biden vowed that the US is 'prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory' following repeated Russian nuclear threats and Vladimir Putin's announcement of the annexation of four Ukrainian provinces

'The United States is never going to recognize this. And quite frankly, the world's not going to recognize it either. He can't seize his neighbors territory and get away with it. Its as as simple as that,' Biden intoned.

He underlined his comments by speaking to Putin directly, amid fears that the Russian leader could seek to further challenge the west by trying to go after a member of the NATO alliance. That could once again put the alliance's unity to the test, after nations have spent months rallying to the Ukrainian cause and shipping increasingly powerful weapons to the the nation on its eastern flank.

'I want to say this again. America's fully prepared with our NATO allies independent every single inch of NATO territory. Every single inch. So Mr. Putin, don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Every inch,' he said.

Biden said allies are 'going to stay the course to provide military equipment so that Ukraine can defend itself.' He pointed to the continuing resolution providing an additional $13 billion 'to help the Ukrainians defend themselves and fight back.'

He circled back to the Nord Stream pipeline, a day after admonishing a reporter who asked about it on a visit to FEMA headquarters as a storm pummeled Florida.

He called it a 'deliberate act of sabotage' and said now 'the Russians are pumping out disinformation and lies.'

Biden slammed the 'sham routine' Putin organized Friday. From left, Moscow-appointed head of Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo, Moscow-appointed head of Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Denis Pushilin, leader of self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Leonid Pasechnik, leader of self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic pose for a photo during a ceremony to sign the treaties for four regions of Ukraine to join Russia

That was a reference to Moscow floating the idea that the U.S. was behind the attack, by citing Biden's pre-invasion comment that the U.S. would ensure Nord Stream II wouldn't be completed if Putin invaded.

He said the U.S. would work with allies and 'send divers down to find out exactly what happened.'

His warning underscored the commitment between NATO allies that Biden in the past has described as a 'sacred' bond. That includes the small Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on Russia's doorstep.

The president's comments came after the Russian despot ranted about sex-change operations, claimed America is occupying Germany and Korea and vowed to 'smash' the West in the disturbing remarks as he announced the annexation of four regions in Ukraine.

His saber-rattling is another terrifying hint that he is prepared to use nuclear weapons as he vowed to use 'all available means' to hold onto Russian-occupied areas of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Again, he blamed the West for his invasion of Ukraine because they believe Russia is a 'colony' and a 'band of slaves, and wants to break it up into smaller states who 'will be fighting against each other'.

President Biden warned Vladimir Putin that the United States is 'prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory' after the Russian leader annexed four regions of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States had created a 'precedent' by using nuclear weapons against Japan at the end of World War Two, in a speech filled with hostility towards the West delivered from the Kremlin on Friday

Biden released a statement earlier Friday claiming that the annexations have 'no legitimacy' and will not be recognized by the U.S. He also announced a new set of sanctions in response to the move.

'The United States will always honor Ukraine's internationally recognized borders,' Biden said in the statement, adding: 'We will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically.'

'In response to Russia's phony claims of annexation, the United States, together with our Allies and partners, are announcing new sanctions today,' the president released in his Friday statement. 'These sanctions will impose costs on individuals and entities -- inside and outside of Russia -- that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory.'

The U.S. Treasury Department updated its list of sanctions for Russia-related individuals and entities to include the Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina and Russia Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

The Russian president said westerners have made the leap from issuing sanctions to conducting 'terror attacks' in a hostile speech delivered from the Kremlin.

The West sabotaging Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines was an attempt to 'destroy the European energy infrastructure,' he claimed  and added that 'those who profit from it have done it,' without naming a specific country.

Fears of nuclear war have grown since Putin confirmed last week he was 'not bluffing' when he said Russia was prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend its territory.

He claimed that there is 'centuries-old Russophobia' against his country and people because they dared defend themselves from western colonization.

The speech was for Putin to announce he is annexing four Ukrainian regions following sham elections concluding that they areas want to be joined with Russia after voters were seen being escorted by gun-point to the ballots

Flash back: Smoke billows over the Japanese city of Nagasaki and Hiroshima after U.S. forces dropped a second atomic bomb on August 9, 1945

He also said any country who wants to 'live by the rules of the United States' are 'political masochists.'

Putin even made the outlandish claim that the U.S. is occupying Germany in downplaying the relationship between the two nations.

'Germany is still their vassal, but the United States is still calling them an 'equal ally'. This is a real shame,' the Russian leader said.

Announcing on Friday that he was annexing four Ukrainian regions, Putin delivered a blistering speech claiming Russia would use 'all the power and all the means' at its disposal to defend its new lands from attacks by the West or Ukraine and to help liberate the world.

The Russian despot, speaking in front of his cronies in Moscow, declared that 'millions of people' had 'opted' to become vassals of Russia after staging sham referendums in which gun-toting troops went door-to-door with clear glass ballot boxes in order to force people to vote.

'They are our people, forever,' he said to a standing ovation inside the Kremlin's grand Georgian Hall before calling on Ukraine and its Western allies to abandon hopes of re-taking them, repeating a threat to use 'all forces' to defend the 'new territories'.

He said: 'The West wants to see Russia as a colony, an unfree society.'

'One of the reasons for the centuries-old Russophobia is that we did not allow ourselves to be robbed during the period of colonization, we forced Europe to trade on an equal footing,' Putin added, claiming he has plans for 'intervention.'

Putin slammed the U.S. for being the only country to have twice used nuclear weapons against another nation and also accused America of leaving a 'terrible mark on the history of Korea and Vietnam' with engagements in conflicts in both conflicts.

Putin chants 'Russia' with the puppet 'leaders' of the four Ukrainian regions he now claims are part of his country, vowing to use 'all forces' to defend them - raising the fear he will resort to nukes

Russian stooges in Donetsk, which the Kremlin has partly occupied since 2014, are pictured waving flags and cheering as Putin announced that the region is now a part of Russia

Putin, speaking in front of his cronies in Moscow on Friday, declared 'millions of people' had 'opted' to become vassals of Russia after staging sham referendums in which gun-toting troops went door-to-door with clear glass ballot boxes in order to force people to vote

European nations, which have been reeling under soaring energy prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have noted that it is Russia, not Europe, that benefits from chaos in the energy markets and spiking prices for energy.

Putin claimed that the U.S. is to blame for the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline.

He also called the West 'satanic' because of the rejection of 'moral norms' in an attack on liberalism. Unlike Russia, he claimed that the U.S. and other western nations have turned away from 'traditional' and 'religious' values.

At one point in the speech, he asked the assembled dignitaries if they wanted 'children to be offered sex-change operations,' a practice he implied was widespread in the West.

'From the elementary grades, perversions were imposed on children, which lead to degradation and extinction,' he said. 'To be drummed into them that there are supposedly other genders besides the woman and the man and offered to have a sex change operation? This is unacceptable for us.'

In his two decades in power, Putin has routinely promoted what he says are 'traditional values' and suppressed LGBTQ rights through a number of laws and by backing ultra-restrictive social movements and initiatives.

Putin's forces invaded Ukraine in February with claims that the nation wants to be united with Russia  and now he has claimed four regions have voted to be annexed to the Kremlin.

Putin claimed in his speech that the U.S. is to blame for the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline because he says they want to 'destroy the European energy infrastructure'. Pictured: A large disturbance is seen in the ocean off the coast of Danish island Bornholm on Tuesday, September 27 following unusual leaks from the two Nord Stream pipelines running from Russia under the Baltic Sea

The leader's promise to protect his 'new territories' will be put to an almost-immediate test, possibly within hours, as thousands of Russian troops are currently thought to be encircled in Lyman, in the Donetsk region.

The city is on the verge of falling with troops either being captured or killed in the process.

Russia is also continuing to attack the regions it now claims as part of its own country, firing a rocket at a humanitarian convoy of cars in Zaporizhzhia earlier in the day - killing at least 25 civilians and wounding 50 in the process. The cars were heading into Russian-occupied territory to distribute aid, Ukrainian officials said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky branded Russia 'bloodthirsty scum' after the blast.

'Only complete terrorists could do this,' he claimed, telling Putin, 'You will definitely answer [for it]. For every lost Ukrainian life!'

Putin promised in his remarks that Moscow would rebuild all the cities and towns in Ukraine that were destroyed by his assault on the eastern European nation.
An appeal has been made to the Army's secretary and PETA has threatened to sue if it's not upheld

PETA made a request for records relating to testing that the Army medical research command carried out since 2020, but it refused to disclose details

The animal rights organization were responsible for a historic campaign in 1984 which saw the Department of Defense ban testing on animals

The US army secretly reversed a policy preventing them from carrying out brutal weapons tests on dogs, cats and other animals, PETA has claimed.

The change that gave the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) explicit permission to carry out formerly banned tests may have been made as early as 2020, but was done in secret.

Now, following a Freedom of Information Request made by PETA in March, the Army have refused to disclose any information regarding those tests.

But PETA believes they're happening, and that Americans would be outraged to know that their taxpayer cash is funding the bloodshed.

Their suspicions mounted after a Freedom of Information request was denied, and the amount of material the Army said it had to release on the subject mysteriously dropped from 2,000 pages to details of a single experiment.

Army officials refused to release the material, for reasons of security - with PETA adamant the excuse is a ruse to cover-up appalling cruelty.

The recent policy change allows the 'purchase or use of dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, or marine mammals to inflict wounds upon' with military weapons. That sort of experimentation had been banned after the introduction of rules in 1983 and 2005.

Brigadier General Anthony McQueen is the head of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) - the division accused of carrying out the experiments

'This new policy wasn't highlighted or publicly announced in great fanfare,' PETA vice president Shalin Gala told the New York Post. 'They most likely would not want the PR nightmare that would ensue should this information be released.'

A spokeswoman for the Army medical research command Lori Salvatore told the New York Post that the change was just to the wording and made to comply with a 2019 Pentagon instruction that animals could not be used for military exercises.

The Army denied PETA's March 2022 request for photos, videos, and other documentation relating to experiments authorized by the USAMRDC. In a letter to the animal rights group the military branch did acknowledge that at least one test exists, but revealed no information.

PETA claim that previously the USAMRDC had stated that 'over 2,000' pages relating to the request existed, but they quickly backtracked.

In 1984 PETA were involved in a successful campaign to end US army 'wound labs' in which animals would be shot with high-powered military guns.

One photo released showed a soldier preparing to shoot a cat.

A member of the US military prepares to shoot a cat during a 1983 experiment. The practice was banned after an outcry - but PETA claims it has now started up again

The military has a history shooting animals as part of a program to investigate how wounds heal and to provide information about how soldiers might heal too.

The campaign resulted in the first ban against animal testing by the military and was issued by then Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger.

Then in 2005, the Army issued a regulation that banned the use of animals for development of biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons. As part of the 2020 decision the Army has now changed its position.

PETA, part of whose motto reads 'animals are not ours to experiment on', have appealed the Army's refusal to overturn the requested information.

In a statement it said: 'Taxpayers deserve to know if their money is going toward torturing dogs, cats, marine animals, and primates in pointless and cruel weapon-wounding experiments.'

If the appeal is unsuccessful, Gala said that PETA would sue.

Last year, liberal hero Dr Anthony Fauci found himself under fire after it was revealed his National Institutes of Health had funded cruel research on beagle dogs.
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The Prince of Wales has tonight warned that children's safety online must not be an 'afterthought' and must improve their safety as he praised Molly Russell's 'incredibly brave family' - after a senior coroner ruled that tech platforms contributed to the 14-year-old's death.

Molly died in November 2017 after engaging with 2,100 depression, self-harm or suicide-related posts over a period of six months, an inquest at North London Coroner's Court heard. Despite appearing a 'normal, healthy girl' flourishing at school, she was suffering from depression and vulnerable, the court was told.

Her family had argued that social media sites such as Pinterest and Instagram had recommended accounts or posts that 'promoted' suicide and self-harm.

Senior coroner Andrew Walker said the schoolgirl died while suffering from the 'negative effects of online content', adding that online material viewed by the teenager on sites such as Instagram and Pinterest 'was not safe' and 'should not have been available for a 14-year-old child to see'.

In an unprecedented intervention tonight, King Charles III's son Prince William, the heir apparent, who met Molly's father Ian Russell in November 2019, said on Twitter: 'No parent should ever have to endure what Ian Russell and his family have been through.

'They have been so incredibly brave. Online safety for our children and young people needs to be a prerequisite, not an afterthought.'

Mr Russell said he hoped the conclusion would be an 'important step in bringing about much-needed change' and asked Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg to 'just listen... and then do something about it'. Welling up as he ended proceedings at a press conference in Barnet, north London today, Mr Russell's voice broke as he said: 'Thank you, Molly, for being my daughter. Thank you.'

Molly Russell accessed material from the 'ghetto of the online world' before her death in November 2017

The Prince of Wales has tonight warned that children's safety online must not be an 'afterthought'

The Prince and Princess of Wales met Molly's father Ian Russell in November 2019

Molly's father Ian (centre) slammed Facebook owner Meta for its 'toxic corporate culture at the heart' of the company

How is social media regulated and how could laws now change? Currently, most social media and search engine platforms that operate in the UK are not subject to any large-scale regulations specifically concerning user safety beyond a handful of laws that refer to the sending of threatening or indecent electronic communications. Instead, these platforms are relied upon to self-regulate, using a mixture of human moderators and artificial intelligence to find and take down illegal or harmful material proactively or when users report it to them. Platforms lay out what types of content are and are not allowed on their sites in their terms of service and community guidelines, which are regularly updated to reflect on the evolving themes and trends that appear in the rapidly moving digital world. However, critics say this system is flawed for a number of reasons, including that what is and is not regarded as safe or acceptable online can vary widely from site to site, and many moderation systems struggle to keep up with the vast amounts of content being posted. Concerns have also been raised about the workings of algorithms used to serve users with content a platform thinks might interest them - often this is based on a user's habits on the site and can mean that someone who searches for material linked to depression or self-harm could be shown more of it in the future. In addition, some platforms argue that certain types of content which are not illegal - but could be considered offensive or potentially harmful by some - should be allowed to remain online to protect free speech and expression. As a result, large amounts of harmful content can be found on social media today as platforms struggle with moderating the sheer scale of content being posted and the balancing act of allowing users to express themselves while trying to keep their online spaces safe. During the inquest, evidence given by executives from both Meta and Pinterest highlighted these issues. Pinterest executive Judson Hoffman admitted the platform was 'not safe' when Molly accessed it in 2017 because it did not have in place the technology it has now. And Meta executive Elizabeth Lagone's evidence highlighted the issue of understanding the context of certain posts when she said some of the content seen by Molly was 'safe' or 'nuanced and complicated', arguing that in some instances it was 'important' to give people a voice if they were expressing suicidal thoughts. During the inquest, coroner Andrew Walker said the opportunity to make social media safe must not 'slip away', as he voiced concerns about the platforms. He outlined a range of concerns including a lack of separation of children and adults on social media; age verification and the type of content available and recommended by algorithms to children; and insufficient parental oversight for under-18s. The UK's plan to change this landscape is the Online Safety Bill, which would for the first time compel platforms to protect users from online harm, particularly children, by requiring them to take down illegal and other harmful content, and is due to be reintroduced to Parliament soon. Companies in scope will be required to spell out clearly in their terms of service what content they consider to be acceptable and how they plan to prevent harmful material from being seen by their users. It is also expected to require firms to be more transparent about how their algorithms work and to set out clearly how younger users will be protected from harm. The new regulations will be overseen by Ofcom and those found to breach the rules could face large fines or be blocked in the UK. The conclusion of the inquest into Molly's death is expected to see renewed calls for the new rules to be swiftly introduced. Advertisement

Concluding it would not be 'safe' to rule the cause of Molly's death as suicide, Mr Walker said the teenager 'died from an act of self-harm while suffering depression and the negative effects of online content'.

At North London Coroner's Court, he said: 'At the time that these sites were viewed by Molly, some of these sites were not safe as they allowed access to adult content that should not have been available for a 14-year-old child to see.

'The way that the platforms operated meant that Molly had access to images, video clips and text concerning or concerned with self-harm, suicide or that were otherwise negative or depressing in nature.

'The platform operated in such a way using algorithms as to result, in some circumstances, of binge periods of images, video clips and text - some of which were selected and provided without Molly requesting them.

'These binge periods, if involving this content, are likely to have had a negative effect on Molly.'

Meta executive Elizabeth Lagone said she believed posts seen by Molly, which her family say 'encouraged' suicide, were safe.

Pinterest's Judson Hoffman told the inquest the site was 'not safe' when Molly used it.

Speaking after the conclusion of the inquest, Mr Burrows said: 'This is social media's big tobacco moment. For the first time globally it has been ruled that content a child was allowed and encouraged to see by tech companies contributed to their death. The world will be watching their response.'

An Online Safety Bill amendment will be brought forward to help bereaved parents access information about social media companies, a peer said.

Baroness Beeban Kidron said she will table a change to the proposed legislation in the House of Lords after a coroner concluded content viewed on the internet contributed to the schoolgirl's death.

Speaking at a press conference in Barnet after the conclusion of the inquest on Friday, crossbench peer Baroness Kidron said: 'I think it was historic - nothing short of historic - the way that the conclusion was held.

'And we do know, and I'm afraid my inbox in Parliament is full of people who have lost children sadly, and many of them struggle to get the information that they want, to get the access, to get that transparency.

'And I will be bringing forward an amendment to the Online Safety Bill in the House of Lords that seeks to make it easier for bereaved parents to access information from social media companies.'

Speaking earlier on Friday, Molly's father said: 'We have heard a senior Meta executive describe this deadly stream of content the platform's algorithms pushed to Molly as 'safe' and not contravening the platform's policies.

'If this demented trail of life-sucking content was safe, my daughter Molly would probably still be alive and instead of being a bereaved family of four, there would be five of us looking forward to a life full of purpose and promise that lay ahead for our adorable Molly.

'It's time the toxic corporate culture at the heart of the world's biggest social media platform changed.

'It's time for the Government's Online Safety Bill to urgently deliver its long-promised legislation.

'It's time to protect our innocent young people instead of allowing platforms to prioritise their profits by monetising their misery.'

A Meta spokeswoman said the company is 'committed to ensuring that Instagram is a positive experience for everyone, particularly teenagers' and will 'carefully consider' the coroner's full report.

The ruling has been described as a global first of its kind after concluding that content Molly was allowed to view by tech companies contributed to her death.

Andy Burrows, head of child safety online policy at the NSPCC, said: 'This is social media's big tobacco moment.

'For the first time globally, it has been ruled content a child was allowed and even encouraged to see by tech companies contributed to their death. The world will be watching their response.'

The family's lawyer described Molly's social media as a 'ghetto' due to the disturbing nature of many of the posts she had liked

Meta representative Liz Lagone (left) and Pinterest's head of community operations, Judson Hoffman, gave evidence (right)

'The world you created is my escape' Tragic Molly Russell's tweet to JK Rowling as coroner says 14-year-old 'turned to celebrities for help not realising there was little chance of a reply' A tweet sent on Molly's secret account weeks before she died The inquest painted a grim portrait of the lonely and toxic 'ghetto of the online world' that 14-year-old Molly Russell was immersed in. This included the heartbreaking revelation that Molly turned to high profile celebrities including JK Rowling, US actress Lili Reinhart and YouTuber Salice Rose for help not realising there was little chance they would ever see her messages. She also messaged American actress Lili Reinhart and US rapper Phora who has 380,000 followers. Advertisement

Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said the inquest had 'shown the horrific failure of social media platforms to put the welfare of children first.'

Shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary Lucy Powell said it was a 'scandal that just as the coroner is announcing that harmful social media content contributed to Molly Russell's death, the Government is looking to water down the Online Safety Bill'.

Online safety campaigners at the children's charity NSPCC said Molly died after suffering from 'negative effects of online content' and it should 'send shockwaves through Silicon Valley'.

Out of 16,300 posts that Molly saved, shared or liked on Instagram in the six months before her death, 2,100 were related to depression, self-harm or suicide, the inquest was told.

The court was played 17 clips the teenager viewed on the site - prompting 'the greatest of warning' from the coroner.

The inquest also heard details of emails sent to Molly by Pinterest, with headings such as '10 depression pins you might like' and 'new ideas for you in depression'.

Continuing his conclusions, Mr Walker said: 'Other content sought to isolate and discourage discussion with those who may have been able to help.

'In some cases, the content was particularly graphic, tending to portray self-harm and suicide as an inevitable consequence of a condition that could not be recovered from.

'The sites normalised her condition, focusing on a limited and irrational view without any counterbalance of normality.

'It is likely that the above material viewed by Molly, already suffering with a depressive illness and vulnerable due to her age, affected her mental health in a negative way and contributed to her death in a more than minimal way.'

The coroner said on Thursday that he intends to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) notice, which will recommend action on how to stop a repeat of the Molly Russell case.

The Russell family's lawyer, Oliver Sanders KC, asked the coroner to send the PFD to Instagram, Pinterest, media regulator Ofcom and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

A spokeswoman for Meta said in a statement following the conclusion that the company is 'committed to ensuring that Instagram is a positive experience for everyone, particularly teenagers' and would 'carefully consider the coroner's full report when he provides it'.

For help or support, visit samaritans.org or call Samaritans for free on 116 123
The US Army's first trans officer has been freed on home detention with no bond after being charged with conspiring with her wife to pass military secrets to Russia.

Major Jamie Lee Henry, 39, and Johns Hopkins doctor Anna Gabrielian, 36, were indicted of using their secret security clearance at North Carolina's Fort Bragg to steal the records from the base's hospital, according to the Department of Justice.

The pair are now both back home, with Gabrielian freed on a $500,000 unsecured bond.

A Maryland court has ordered that they be released while being monitored 24/7.

The court also ruled that Henry may be ordered to undergo psychiatric or medical treatment.

The couple, from Rockville, had met with an undercover FBI agent in August, who they believed was from the Russian embassy, in order to deliver files that the Kremlin 'could exploit.'

Major Jamie Lee Henry (left) and her wife, Anna Gabrielian, were released on home detention after trying to give Russia medical information on military officers

Henry, the Army's first trans officer, and her wife were indicted on Thursday for attempting to pass medical records of senior military officers and their families to the Russian government in an FBI sting operation

Dr. Anna Gabrielian, an anesthesiologist at Johns Hopkins, said her actions were fueled by her patriotism to Russia as she sought to hand over files the Kremlin 'could exploit'

The couple will be monitored 24/7 from their Rockville, Maryland home

As part of their release, Henry and Gabrielian were ordered to surrender their passports and refrain from owning any firearms or weapons.

A 5-mile perimeter has also been set up around the couple's home, where alarms will be triggered if they break the condition of their confinement.

Attorneys for the couple did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

According to the indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday, Gabrielian said she was motivated by her patriotism to Russia, with Henry using her clearance as a staff internist to help secure the files on the officers and their families.

It is unclear why Gabrielian felt patriotic towards Russia, and if she has family ties to the country.

Fort Bragg is among one of the most populated military installations in the world, housing about 52,000 active duty soldiers. The base is home to the US Army's Delta Force and Special Operations Forces.

'My point of view is until the United States actually declares war against Russia, I'm able to help as much as I want,' Henry allegedly told the undercover agent when they met to set up the deal in August. 'At that point, I'll have some ethical issues I'll have to work through.'

'You'll work through those ethical issues,' Gabrielian allegedly replied, adding that Henry was a 'coward' over fears of breaking HIPPA.

Gabrielian an instructor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Hopkins, told the undercover agent on August 17 that 'she was motivated by patriotism toward Russia to provide any assistance she could to Russia, even if it meant being fired or going to jail.'

Gabrielian's Johns Hopkins profile shows that she speaks Russian and earned her medical degree at the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine in 2012.

She married Henry in 2015, the same year the major officially came out as transgender.

Henry allegedly used her clearance as an internist at Fort Bragg (pictured) to steal medical files of patients at the base's hospital

Gabrielian allegedly told the agent that Henry had not only access to medical information at the military base, but also insight on how America was training the military to provide assistance to Ukraine.

During that meeting, Henry allegedly told the agent that she had tried to enlist to fight for Russia against Ukraine.

'Henry explained to the [undercover agent that they were] committed to assisting Russia, and he had looked into volunteering to join the Russian Army after the conflict in Ukraine began, but Russia wanted people with 'combat experience,' and he did not have any,' the indictment said.

'Henry further stated: 'The way I am viewing what is going on in Ukraine now, is that the United States is using Ukrainians as a proxy for their own hatred toward Russia,'' the charging document alleged.

By August 31, Gabrielian met a the agent in a hotel in Gaithersburg, Maryland, offering medial records of a spouse from a service member in the Office of Naval Intelligence and of a relative from an Air Force veteran.

'Gabrielian highlighted to the [undercover agent] a medical issue reflected in the records of [the military member's spouse] that Russia could exploit,' the indictment reads.

During the August 31 meeting, Henry also handed over medical information on five patients at Fort Bragg, including that of a retired Army officer, a Department of Defense employee and spouses of active and deceased veterans, according to the indictment

Henry (left) attending a pride event in 2015 after becoming the Army's first trans officer

Henry has been treating US service members as a doctor and internist for 17 years

The couple also allegedly spoke with the agent about contingency plans for their family should the operation be exposed.

'Gabrielian suggested a cover story for their interactions, and a plan for Gabrielian and Henry's children flee the US quickly if Gabrielian and Henry were told to act in a way that could expose their communications and actions to the US government,' the indictment reads.

The anesthesiologist allegedly told the agent to help their children get 'a nice flight to Turkey to go on vacation because I don't want to end in jail here with my kids being hostages over my head.'

The pair were ultimately charged with conspiracy and wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information.

They face up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted of both charges.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Johns Hopkins said: 'We were shocked to learn about this news this morning and intend to fully cooperate with investigators.'

Representatives for the Army and Department of Justice did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

In 2015, Henry was reported to be the first known active-duty Army officer to come out as transgender.

In May of 2015, the Army granted Henry's request to officially change her name and gender, with the army using female pronouns in its filings.

It was a first for the Army, which had long maintained that being transgender or being diagnosed with gender dysphoria is incompatible with the military and grounds for dismissal.

Henry had joined ROTC at age 17, and has been treating service members as a doctor and internist for 17 years since her first rotation at Walter Reed.

The major had previously touted the Army and its leadership for accepting her identity as a transgender woman.

'My commander said, 'I don't care who you love, I don't care how you identify, I want you to be healthy and I want you to be able to do your job,'' Henry told Buzzfeed.

'I was blown away  because of the stereotypes that I held, growing up in the South, growing up in a fundamentalist Christian family, that he would automatically think I was a freak, he would automatically think, 'You need to be discharged just like the regs recommend.''
Ahead of storm, local officials warned against looting during the 'horrific event'

Fort Myers is one of the Florida cities hardest hit by Hurricane Ian this week

Police told local NBC2 reporter Gage Goulding that the youths were being arrested for looting stores at Fort Myers Beach in Florida

A group of teenagers were handcuffed and detained by police in Fort Myers after allegedly looting from stores in an area devastated by Hurricane Ian.

A video shared on Twitter by a local reporter captured five teenagers being lectured by police as they hung their heads. Three of the youths were handcuffed.

NBC2 reporter Gage Goulding captured the moment on video and said deputies told him the teens were being arrested for looting at store on Fort Myers Beach.

Fort Myers is one of the Florida cities hardest hit by Hurricane Ian this week.

A group of teenagers were handcuffed and detained by police in Fort Myers after allegedly looting from stores in an area of Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian

Sheriffs deputies told me Thursday afternoon these people were arrested for looting on Fort Myers Beach. pic.twitter.com/j8JKRremlP  Gage Goulding - NBC2 (@GageGoulding) September 30, 2022

After making landfall with some of the highest windspeeds for a hurricane over U.S. territory, the storm flooded areas on both of Florida's coasts, tore homes from their slabs, demolished beachfront businesses and left more than 2 million people without power.

More than a dozen people have been confirmed dead with the number of fatalities expected to rise significantly.

Ahead of the storm, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno warned against looting amid the impending chaos. Fort Myers - which was left devastated by the hurricane, is in Lee County.

But the stern warning apparently didn't scare off the group of teens in Fort Myers who were being arrested for their actions just a day after the storm.

'Sheriff's deputies told me Thursday afternoon these people were arrested for looting on Fort Myers Beach,' local reporter Goulding tweeted.

The sheriff had preciously said there is zero tolerance for those who 'go out there and loot or prey on people during this horrific event.'

'For any of those individuals that think they are going to go out there and loot or prey on people during this horrific event  you better think twice,' Marceno said ahead of the storm.

'When I say zero tolerance, zero tolerance means we will hunt you down, track you down, and you're going to jail. If you're lucky.'
The House on Friday passed a stopgap funding measure to keep the government running until Dec. 16, averting a government shutdown ahead of the midnight deadline.

The continuing resolution made its way through the lower chamber 230-201 in a largely party-line vote. The Senate had passed the bill with a large bipartisan majority on Thursday and now it heads to President Biden's desk.

The continuing resolution (CR) mostly funds the government at its current levels and kicks debate on longer-term bill down the road to after midterms, but it does include an additional $1 billion to help lower-income families with heating bills.

The House GOP had whipped against the bill, urging members to vote no due to further Ukraine funding and lack of funding for border security. Believing Democrats will lose one or both chambers, some Republicans, mostly from the Freedom Caucus, also have said they don't want to give them a chance to pass a year-long funding bill during the 'lame duck' session between midterms and Congress' next session.

The House on Friday passed a stopgap funding measure to keep the government running until Dec. 16, averting a government shutdown ahead of the midnight deadline.

Ten Republicans voted for the measure: Adam Kinzinger, Ill., Garrett Graves, La., Steve Womack, Ark., Chris Jacobs, N.Y., Hal Rogers, Ky., Fred Upton, Mich., Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick, N.Y., and Patrick McHenry, N.C.

The $12.4 billion Ukraine funding includes $7.8 billion in combined direct and indirect military assistance, $4.5 billion for economic stabilization and $35 million to secure nuclear materials in Ukraine.

Total U.S. aid for Ukraine since the invasion will now reach about $66 billion.

The bill contains another $18.8 billion for natural disasters through FEMA's disaster relief fund, including wildfires in the West, floods in Kentucky and hurricanes in the southeast.

Left out of the deal was Sen. Joe Manchin's pipeline permitting legislation. The West Virginia Democrat asked Schumer to leave it out of the CR after Republicans knocked it as a 'political payback scheme' and progressives opposed it as a boon to the fossil fuel industry.

As the deadline loomed, Schumer removed the permitting language, which would have needed 60 yes votes to pass.

House members are now following senators home to their districts. Both chambers are out of session until after the midterms, Nov. 15.
North Korea conducted an illegal missile launch hours after US Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), scoring its third violation of UN sanctions this week, the South Korean military reported.

Two short-range ballistic missiles were launched into the ocean off the east coast of the North, according to the report, per BBC News. Vice Pres. Kamala Harris concluded her four-day journey to Asia with a meeting with the president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and a stop at the DMZ.

Harris Blasts North Korea

About two hours after Harris' flight to Washington took off, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the ocean off its east coast, according to the South Korean military. According to Japan's Defense Minister, Yasukazu Hamada, the missiles traveled roughly 300 km (186.4 miles), attaining a full height of 50 km (31 miles).

The data suggests that North Korea likely fired short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM). Harris said the highly guarded DMZ reminded her of the "dramatically" separate courses the two Koreas had taken. According to a report from Reuters, the US Vice President noted: "In the North, we see a brutal dictatorship, rampant human rights violations, and an unlawful weapons program that threatens peace and stability."

She referred to North Korea by the initials of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying that the US and the world desire a "stable and peaceful Korean peninsula" where the DPRK poses no danger. Thursday morning, Harris met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, soon after she arrived in Seoul, the country's capital. Both denounced Pyongyang's conduct.

The White House said in a statement that the two leaders criticized Pyongyang's "provocative" nuclear language and ballistic missile tests in a statement released by the White House, and they "reaffirmed" their aligned pursuits for full denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

The vice president underlined the United States' commitment to safeguarding South Korea, the report continued. In their discussions, Harris and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol also denounced North Korea's escalating nuclear rhetoric and a slew of missile launches, the most recent of which took place on Wednesday.

In addition, Harris restated the United States' commitment to providing its Asian ally with the entire spectrum of US "defense capabilities."

Read Also: Joe Biden Makes Drastic Change on Student Loan Forgiveness That Could Hurt Over 700,000 Borrowers: What Happened?

US Military Personnel Tour VP Harris at The DMZ

For American politicians looking to demonstrate their willingness to stand tough against aggression, visiting the DMZ has almost become a custom, according to AP News.

Harris proceeded to the top of a ridge at the DMZ, close to watchtowers and surveillance equipment. A South Korean officer pointed out military facilities on the southern side as she peered through large binoculars. An American officer showed the US Vice President some of the defenses, such as claymore mines and barbed-wire fences, along the military demarcation line.

Harris next went to one of a group of blue buildings that crosses the line of demarcation, where an American officer described how talks with North Korea are still held there. He claimed that occasionally they use a megaphone and that other times they transmit notes back and forth.

Fears that North Korea is poised to execute a nuclear test prompted Harris' visit to the area. According to South Korean sources, North Korea is now ready to conduct its seventh nuclear test. The last time DPRK hold such a test was in 2017.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin To Proclaim Annexation of Russian-Controlled Areas in Ukraine; How Will It Impact The War?

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Racist killer David Norris will face 'consequences' after he was caught illegally using a smartphone in his prison cell, the Justice Secretary warned yesterday.

Brandon Lewis said he was 'furious' that the thug who murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence had managed to break prison rules and obtain a phone.

The Daily Mail this week published a sickening selfie that Norris, 46, took from his cell on Dartmoor's E wing, which houses supposedly well-behaved inmates.

We also revealed nauseating details of Norris's cushy life behind bars, despite his role in Britain's most notorious race murder.

His phone was recovered from his body after he was X-rayed and a police investigation into how he obtained it is under way.

David Norris, 46, will face 'consequences' after he was caught illegally using a smartphone in his prison cell, the Justice Secretary warned yesterday. He posted an extraordinary picture of himself in his cell at Dartmoor Prison in Devon

Norris (left), 46, was one of two men convicted of 18-year-old Stephen's (right) murder at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993

Mr Lewis told the Mail: 'It shouldn't have happened. If someone's in prison, they're there because they committed an offence, let alone such a heinous offence.

'Obviously we managed to find the phone because of the sort of technological investment and advances we're making.

'Credit to the Daily Mail for getting the story.

'It's a reminder that we've got to keep driving not just the technological improvements in our prisons, but... also making sure that prison is a punishment for people. And the public need to know that they're going to be kept safe.'

Asked whether Norris would face a loss of privileges or even a longer sentence, newly appointed Mr Lewis said: 'Actions absolutely have consequences. That's an important thing across life and certainly in prison.

Police video of their interview with David Norris on September 7, 2010, following the murder of Stephen Lawrence

Norris, centre, runs for cover as he and some of the others are pelted with eggs after leaving a Public Inquiry into police handling of the case in London on June 30, 1998

'Prison is an opportunity for people to (get rehabilitated) but it's also important that prisoners realise that they are there for a reason  they've committed an offence, they're there for public safety. And if they don't act responsibly, properly, there are repercussions.'

Mr Lewis spoke out after Stephen's father said he was 'disgusted' that one of his son's murderers sent selfies to friends from his cell, adding that jail staff should be sacked over the scandal.

Neville Lawrence said his son would be 'turning in his grave' if he knew about the 'luxury life' being enjoyed by Norris behind bars. He told ITV News London: 'He is living a better life than I am and I haven't done anything wrong.'

In 1997, the Mail published its widely acclaimed 'MURDERERS' front page, accusing the shameless five of being Stephen's killers. In 2012, the Mail published a second front page (pictured) focused on David Norris and Gary Dobson

Five men were initially arrested over the racist murder of 18-year-old Stephen, who was stabbed to death in Eltham, south-east London, in April 1993.

Killer: David Norris takes his prison cell selfie. Above: Yesterdays exclusive report

Two of his killers  Norris and Gary Dobson, now 47  were brought to justice after a belated forensic breakthrough. Both were given life sentences in 2012 after being found guilty of murder.

Following a tip-off from the Mail about Norris's unlawful use of a smartphone, the killer is facing an uncertain future and could be transferred to a tougher jail.

His HTC smartphone is being examined by experts to establish who Norris was in contact with from his 'luxury' cell. There are fears a corrupt member of staff at Dartmoor may have smuggled the phone into the jail, in return for a payment of up to 3,000.

Norris has been placed into solitary confinement, pending the police inquiries, and his hopes of winning early parole appear to have ended.
Just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties to illegally annex Ukrainian territory, the Russian Consulate in New York City was vandalized with red spray paint.

Officers with the New York Police Department responded to a call about vandalism around 1:30 a.m. Friday at the building, located on East 91st Street.

The paint covers the the facade of the building, including the bars on the windows, parts of the awning, the entry doors to the Russian Consulate and plants outside of the building.

Additionally, photos taken early Friday show bits of paint on the building next door.

Red spray paint and graffiti don the Russian Consulate in New York City

NYPD officials say the unknown suspect vandalized the building around 1:30 a.m. Friday

Putin attempted to claim lands in Ukraine as his own Friday morning during a ceremony

The vandalism did not contain any words or apparent pictures.

Alleged video of the incident surfaced online Friday, showing an unidentified man spraying the building with the paint.

That video appears to have been taken by a security camera for the building next door to the Russian Consulate.

The unknown suspect looks to be both masked and hooded, using a long-necked device to splatter the paint high up on the building.

DailyMail.com asked police if they had any footage that would be shared with the public, but they said they do not at this time.

A woman was seen taking a photo of the paint splattered on the building located on New York City's Upper East Side

Photos of the building do show at least two cameras pointed at the street.

NYPD officials told the DailyMail.com that no suspects have been identified in this case as of yet.

This may not be the first incident of vandalism at the consulate, however.

When you look up the address of the building on Google Maps, the photos show what appears to be red paint on the right side of the building.

Photos from Google Maps of the Russian Consulate show what appears to be red paint on the right side of the building, covering the window and the facade

The incident came just hours ahead of when Putin proclaimed that four Ukrainian regions will be part of Russia and become Russian citizens forever.

The 'annexation' of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson prompted swift action from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On Friday, Zelensky submitted an application to formally become a member of NATO, utilizing a fast-tracked process

President Joe Biden also responded by announcing that a new round of sanctions would be imposed upon Russia following Putin's actions.

Russian President Vladmir Putin announced his 'annexations' of four Ukrainian provinces Friday morning during a ceremony held in Russia

'The United States condemns Russia's fraudulent attempt today to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory,' Biden said. 'Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere.'

The areas Putin is looking to annex make up some 40,000 square miles of Ukrainian territory.

The Russian president said he plans to protect the regions in question by 'all available means,' creating even more worries among the West who would be forced to act should Ukrainian territory be invaded.

Biden said Friday the US is 'prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory.'

Putin also accused the United States of creating a nuclear weapons 'precedent' at the end of World War II when the country bombed Japan.

President Joe Biden said 'every inch of NATO territory' will be protected while discussing Russia's illegal annexation of four Ukrainian provinces

The Russian president's comments worried many NATO members and US allies who fear that the conflict could be inching towards a massively destructive ending.

Putin blamed the West for his invasion of Ukraine because they believe Russia is a 'colony' and a 'band of slaves, and wants to break it up into smaller states who 'will be fighting against each other.'

President Joe Biden, in addition to a live press conference addressing Americans, released a statement Friday claiming that the annexations have 'no legitimacy' and will not be recognized by the U.S. He also announced a new set of sanctions in response to the move.

'The United States will always honor Ukraine's internationally recognized borders,' Biden said in the statement, adding: 'We will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically.'

The speech was for Putin to announce he is annexing four Ukrainian regions following sham elections concluding that they areas want to be joined with Russia after voters were seen being escorted by gun-point to the ballots

'The United States is never going to recognize this. And quite frankly, the world's not going to recognize it either. He can't seize his neighbors territory and get away with it. Its as as simple as that,' Biden intoned.

He underlined his comments by speaking to Putin directly, amid fears that the Russian leader could seek to further challenge the west by trying to go after a member of the NATO alliance.

That could once again put the alliance's unity to the test, after nations have spent months rallying to the Ukrainian cause and shipping increasingly powerful weapons to the the nation on its eastern flank.

Biden said allies are 'going to stay the course to provide military equipment so that Ukraine can defend itself.' He pointed to the continuing resolution providing an additional $13 billion 'to help the Ukrainians defend themselves and fight back.'

He also said any country who wants to 'live by the rules of the United States' are 'political masochists.'

Putin even made the outlandish claim that the US is occupying Germany in downplaying the relationship between the two nations.

Russian attacks in Ukraine have left thousands dead as the country continues to fight

A school bus in Ukraine sits abandoned and damaged after Russian bombings in the area

'Germany is still their vassal, but the United States is still calling them an 'equal ally.' This is a real shame,' the Russian leader said.

Announcing on Friday that he was annexing four Ukrainian regions, Putin delivered a blistering speech claiming Russia would use 'all the power and all the means' at its disposal to defend its new lands from attacks by the West or Ukraine and to help liberate the world.

The Russian despot, speaking in front of his cronies in Moscow, declared that 'millions of people' had 'opted' to become vassals of Russia after staging sham referendums in which gun-toting troops went door-to-door with clear glass ballot boxes in order to force people to vote.

'They are our people, forever,' he said to a standing ovation inside the Kremlin's grand Georgian Hall before calling on Ukraine and its Western allies to abandon hopes of re-taking them, repeating a threat to use 'all forces' to defend the 'new territories'.

He said: 'The West wants to see Russia as a colony, an unfree society.'

'One of the reasons for the centuries-old Russophobia is that we did not allow ourselves to be robbed during the period of colonization, we forced Europe to trade on an equal footing,' Putin added, claiming he has plans for 'intervention.'

Putin slammed the US for being the only country to have twice used nuclear weapons against another nation and also accused America of leaving a 'terrible mark on the history of Korea and Vietnam' with engagements in conflicts in both conflicts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a signing ceremony held for his NATO application

President Volodymyr Zelensky stands with Ukraine's formal NATO application, signed Friday

European nations, which have been reeling under soaring energy prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have noted that it is Russia, not Europe, that benefits from chaos in the energy markets and spiking prices for energy.

Putin claimed that the US is to blame for the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline.

He also called the West 'satanic' because of the rejection of 'moral norms' in an attack on liberalism. Unlike Russia, he claimed that the US and other western nations have turned away from 'traditional' and 'religious' values.

At one point in the speech, he asked the assembled dignitaries if they wanted 'children to be offered sex-change operations,' a practice he implied was widespread in the West.

'From the elementary grades, perversions were imposed on children, which lead to degradation and extinction,' he said. 'To be drummed into them that there are supposedly other genders besides the woman and the man and offered to have a sex change operation? This is unacceptable for us.'

In his two decades in power, Putin has routinely promoted what he says are 'traditional values' and suppressed LGBTQ rights through a number of laws and by backing ultra-restrictive social movements and initiatives.

Putin's forces invaded Ukraine in February with claims that the nation wants to be united with Russia  and now he has claimed four regions have voted to be annexed to the Kremlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States had created a 'precedent' by using nuclear weapons against Japan at the end of World War Two, in a speech filled with hostility towards the West delivered from the Kremlin on Friday

Putin's promise to protect his 'new territories' will be put to an almost-immediate test, possibly within hours, as thousands of Russian troops are currently thought to be encircled in Lyman, in the Donetsk region.

The city is on the verge of falling with troops either being captured or killed in the process.

Russia is also continuing to attack the regions it now claims as part of its own country, firing a rocket at a humanitarian convoy of cars in Zaporizhzhia earlier in the day - killing at least 25 civilians and wounding 50 in the process. The cars were heading into Russian-occupied territory to distribute aid, Ukrainian officials said.

Zelensky branded Russia 'bloodthirsty scum' after the blast.

'Only complete terrorists could do this,' he claimed, telling Putin, 'You will definitely answer [for it]. For every lost Ukrainian life!'

Putin promised in his remarks that Moscow would rebuild all the cities and towns in Ukraine that were destroyed by his assault on the eastern European nation.
A man has been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow after a student was found dead at an accommodation block in Newcastle.

Northumbria University confirmed that a 24-year-old student, who has not been named yet, died at the Mansion Tyne student accommodation block on Howard Street.

On Tuesday, police were called to reports of concern for the welfare of a man. However, when officers arrived on the scene, the man was confirmed as dead and a murder investigation launched.

Students have reported an 'unnerving' atmosphere after seeing forensics team searching the accommodation - with people living on the same floor being relocated.

Police have since charged Aaron Ray, 21, of Mayfield Road, Sunderland, with murder. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

The student has not been formally identified but his name is due to be confirmed in the court hearing.

Aaron Ray, of Mayfield Road, Sunderland, has been charged with murder after a 24-year-old Northumbria University student was found dead in a student accommodation block (pictured) on Tuesday

On Friday morning, officers remained at the scene with police vehicles parked at the entrance of the accommodation block. A section of the large block was cordoned off on Thursday with police tape as forensics officers worked at the scene.

A spokesperson from Northumbria University, said: 'We are deeply saddened to confirm that a Northumbria University student has died.

'We are in contact with the student's family and friends to offer any support we can at this tragic time.

'As this is an ongoing police investigation we are unable to comment further.'

And one student said how people living on the floor where the incident happened had been found new accommodation and had their fingerprints taken by police.

Sab Ahmed, who is studying accounting at Newcastle University, said: 'I have met some people who live on that floor and they have had to be relocated. They are taking their fingerprints.'

The 21-year-old, from Wrexham in Wales, added: 'It's pretty shocking. I'm not used to seeing this. I only moved here two weeks ago. It's been a weird place to be.'

Mansion Tyne is a block of student accommodation divided into individual flats with with flatmates sharing a communal kitchen as well as some studio apartments. It houses those studying at both Newcastle and Northumbria universities.

Northumbria University confirmed that a 24-year-old student, who has not been named yet, died at the Mansion Tyne student accommodation block on Tuesday

One 19-year-old student said she believed a receptionist found the body after being asked to check on one of the residents.

She said: 'When it first happened eight police officers came and two ambulances. I was sitting in reception and more and more police kept coming every 10 minutes.

'It happened about 4.15pm. The two receptionists found him. Then the police came about 15 minutes after that. I think the receptionist got a phone call for a welfare check on one of the students.

'No-one knows anything. Even the people who live in the flats don't know what's happened.

'We hadn't heard someone had died, I think people were just speculating, but the flatmates over heard the police talking and then messaged the community group. It's been weird, but I don't feel unsafe.'

And a 28-year-old female student, who asked not to named, added: 'I have just seen the police cars.

'I just came home to rest and saw the police cars. They said everything was under control, but it is worrying to see so many police. I just want to know if I'm safe.'
Mr Edwards was just 21 when he first went up to Saddleworth Moor looking for the murder victims

He believes that certain scenes in the novel Compulsion inspired Brady and may explain why he killed Keith

Mr Edwards believes that Brady planned where to bury his victims as he wanted to create swastika shape

Advertisement

As police stage a dig at the site of Britains most notorious murders for the first time in decades, hopes have been raised that it could finally reveal Keith Bennetts grave. Crime and Security Editor Rebecca Camber looks at how an amateur sleuth made the bombshell discovery and the compelling evidence that has spurred police into action.

THE AUTHOR

Russell Edwards was just 21 when he first went up to Saddleworth Moor looking for the murder victims.

It was 1987 and he had been moved by a newspaper article appealing for volunteers to help find Ian Brady and Myra Hindleys first victim, Pauline Reade.

It was to be the start of a life-long fascination with the infamous case and other unsolved crimes.

The amateur sleuth, now 56, has hitherto been best known for his work on another serial killer.

In September 2014 Mr Edwards published a book identifying Polish-born Aaron Kosminski as Jack the Ripper based on DNA extracted from a shawl said to be found at the murder scene of one of the victims.

Later that year he set his sights on finding Keith Bennett. It has been a lifelong obsession for me with big unsolved cases, he said. I started delving into the story, what Bradys fascinations were.

You have got to live the story, sort of walk in their shoes to consider why the fascination with this area? What is so special about this area? It gave me the first clue.

In September 2014 Mr Edwards published a book identifying Polish-born Aaron Kosminski as Jack the Ripper based on DNA extracted from a shawl said to be found at the murder scene of one of the victims

Hours before abducting their first victim on July 12, 1963, Brady told Hindley he wanted to commit his perfect murder

Mr Edwards believes Brady used the landmark as a marker from which he could see all but one of his victims

Later that year he set his sights on finding Keith Bennett. It has been a lifelong obsession for me with big unsolved cases, he said. I started delving into the story, what Bradys fascinations were

THE SWASTIKA

Mr Edwards believes that Brady meticulously planned where to bury his victims because he wanted to create the shape of a swastika.

Obsessed with Nazism, Brady collected German Second World War memorabilia and read Hitlers book Mein Kampf repeatedly.

The author believes that Brady deliberately arranged the graves so that he could create a swastika shape by positioning his female victims  Pauline Reade, 16, and Lesley Ann Downey, ten  on one side of the A635 and the boys  John Kilbride, 12, and Keith Bennett, also 12  on the other.

The significance of the road is it looks like part of the swastika, he said. When you look at the locations of the graves, it is his version of a swastika although he never got to finish it.

There is half a zig-zag in the road and I thought that is significant to him. It pinpointed the area to search for Keith because of that shape.

Obsessed with Nazism, Brady collected German Second World War memorabilia and read Hitlers book Mein Kampf repeatedly

The author believes that Brady deliberately arranged the graves so that he could create a swastika shape by positioning his female victims  Pauline Reade, 16, and Lesley Ann Downey, ten  on one side of the A635 and the boys  John Kilbride, 12, and Keith Bennett, also 12  on the other

COMPULSION

Hours before abducting their first victim on July 12, 1963, Brady told Hindley he wanted to commit his perfect murder.

He appears to have been inspired by a book called Compulsion about the murder of a 12-year-old boy, which he gave Hindley to read.

One of the bestselling novels of 1957, it was based on Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two young men from wealthy families who resolved to commit a kidnap and perfect murder in 1924 but were caught after leaving behind a pair of distinctive glasses.

Mr Edwards believes that certain scenes in the 1959 film of the novel, starring Orson Welles, inspired Brady and may explain why he targeted Keith who was the same age and wore identical glasses.

At the beginning of the film is a significant bend in the road which I identified immediately as exactly the same type of bend in the road where the children were buried, he said. This is all part of their plan. He was obsessive.

Mr Edwards believes that it was this fixation with creating the perfect murder that resulted in Brady later moving Keiths body so that Hindley would not know its final location.

A road sign marks the entrance to Saddleworth Moor where a police search is underway for Moors murder victim Keith Bennett following the discovery of a child's skull Moor in Oldham, Britain

Police vehicles parked on Saddleworth Moor as police search the area for Moors murder victim Keith Bennett following the discovery of a child's skul

One of the bestselling novels of 1957, it was based on Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two young men from wealthy families who resolved to commit a kidnap and perfect murder in 1924 but were caught after leaving behind a pair of distinctive glasses

EAGLE ROCK

After he was jailed, Brady toyed with police, claiming: I am going to give you Keith Bennett.

He told Chief Superintendent Peter Topping he wanted to see a local landmark known as Eagle Rock, but claimed this was of no significance. Mr Edwards recalled: I looked at the significance of Eagle Rock as that is where Brady wanted to revisit at the time Peter Topping is interviewing him.

They never looked any further there but my biggest question was why not?

Mr Edwards believes Brady used the landmark as a marker from which he could see all but one of his victims.

DRONES

In 2016 Mr Edwards paid a drone expert from Liverpool John Moores University to complete a survey of the area he wanted to search. He also paid for a ground penetrating radar search.

Three potential sites of interest were identified due to changes of vegetation and depressions in the ground, but soil analysis samples revealed no anomalies. At that point I was drained, I thought about quitting, he recalled.

There are times I have come away so dejected, I never wanted to talk about it again, but it kept on pulling me back.

When we did ground penetrating radar and he wasnt there and I thought if I feel like this, what would Winnie [Keiths mother] have felt every time she was up there?

She had a whole life of torment. She begged the two of them in letters to give them information. I thought I am not going to let her down. Her memory has kept me going  lets get justice for Keith, lets put him with Winnie.

But my other objective was to beat Ian Brady because he wanted to commit the perfect murder and until I came along he had, that was significant for me.

I wanted to beat him. When you talk about the Moors Murders these days, kids look at you blank.

There was a little boy raped and murdered and his life was taken away from him when he was 12 years of age and he is getting forgotten about.

His mother is dead and his is becoming a forgotten story and that is not fair.

An Xray fluorescence (XRF) test, used for chemical analysis of soil, showed a spike in calcium, potassium and phosphorus, which indicated bones are present

There were also traces of clothing dye cobalt, titanium and nickel, which is often found in metallic zips and fastenings in clothing

BREAKTHROUGH

In July Mr Edwards decided to try one last time.

I walked down from Eagle Rock. If I saw anything as I walked down there, I thought, I will take a sample, he recalled.

At the end of the day I looked at the hill and I thought Im not going back that way it is very treacherous ground.

As I walked the long way back, I saw something I thought shouldnt be there in the vegetation.

In the middle of long grass was a white patch. It was a completely different colour, it had no growth on it.

I thought that was odd. I thought I might as well take a sample of this. It was a grave, size about 5ft by about 3ft.

Most of the time when you are taking soil samples, you always hit granite or stone.

That time the sample went in really easily suggesting it may have been previously dug.

Three potential sites of interest were identified due to changes of vegetation and depressions in the ground, but soil analysis samples revealed no anomalies. At that point I was drained, I thought about quitting, he recalled.

Mr Edwards believes that it was this fixation with creating the perfect murder that resulted in Brady later moving Keiths body so that Hindley would not know its final location

SOIL ANALYSIS

He sent the samples to Lesley Dunlop, a geologist at Northumbria University who specialises in soil analysis.

Lesley Dunlop came back and said there is a serious anomaly here, he said.

She said all of these chemical components strike gold. The calcium reading was a real peak which indicated the presence of bones.

Lesley told me this is not animals, it is human bones, we are on to something here. I felt elated and quite nervous.

I checked with the landowner to ask if anything been buried there. He said nothing has ever been buried there.

No sheep, no dogs, nothing. I thought there was a good chance we have found him.

An Xray fluorescence (XRF) test, used for chemical analysis of soil, showed a spike in calcium, potassium and phosphorus, which indicated bones are present.

There were also significant readings for Strontium 90, a radioactive isotope found in bones.

Children born in the 1950s were found to have higher levels in their teeth and bones, which has been attributed to nuclear weapons testing at the time.

There were also traces of clothing dye cobalt, titanium and nickel, which is often found in metallic zips and fastenings in clothing.

Miss Dunlop said: I would not expect that from an animal. To me it was evidence of a human body. There could be no other explanation.

She also recalled that the soil profile was disturbed: There are lots of quartz pebbles in the bedrock but you do not usually find them this high up in the soil profile, so it did look like there had been a bit of disturbance there.

THE DIG

Then on September 1, Mr Edwards returned with Miss Dunlop to dig up the area.

He recalls an overpowering stench of death: The smell hit me about 2ft down. Like a sewer, like ammonia. It was on my clothes I stank of it. The soil reeked.

I worked as a gravedigger when I was 19. That hits you, that smell of death. It is distinctive...

I asked [forensic archaeologist] Dawn Keen and she said, That is adipose [body fat] tissue, you have found him.

I was overjoyed. Then we found blue and white striped material. Then I stopped. I put everything back as I found it.

Undated file photos of Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindle

Keith Bennet was murdered by "moors murderer" Ian Brady who has died today at Ashworth Hospital

THE SKULL

When Mrs Keen later analysed photographs of the dig, she identified a childs skull hidden in the peat, which had not been spotted at the time.

She said: I do believe there are human remains there. I saw the teeth, I could see the canines, I could see the incisors, I could see the first molar.

The left side of the face is upside down and I was looking at an upper jaw.

Two molars that have not erupted, they usually erupt after the age of 12. But the first molar was present. That tells us that they have reached dental development of 11 to 12 years.

Mr Edwards was elated. Describing his belief that the remains are those of the Moors Murder victim, he said: No other 12-year-old was reported missing in the 1960s  there can only be one, it can only be Keith.

This is about peace for Keith, closure for his family. Brady has not won.

Moors murder victim Keith Bennett's family hope that the 12-year-old's body will finally be found 'after all these years' of trying 'to find closure'

ByRebecca Camber Crime And Security Editor For The Daily Mail

The family of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett last night said they hoped his body would finally be found.

Police yesterday began the first dig in decades following the discovery of suspected human remains.

Fifty-eight years after Britain's most notorious serial killers abducted and murdered 12-year-old Keith, a police forensic tent stood once again on Saddleworth Moor, a haunting reminder of the unspeakable horrors perpetrated there by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

The sensational breakthrough in the case comes after a skull believed to be that of a child aged around 12 was found buried just a few hundred yards from the site where the infamous pair buried their other child victims.

The suspected skeletal remains include what experts believe to be a child's upper jaw with a full set of teeth. Officers are now expected to spend the weekend sifting through the highly acidic soil for any trace of Keith, who vanished in Manchester in 1964.

The family of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett last night said they hoped his body would finally be found. Pictured: Brother Alan Bennett

Last night the painstaking search had to be halted after a gale with winds up to 60mph and driving rain blew in. It is due to resume today.

Forensic anthropologists from Greater Manchester Police are awaiting the results of tests on potential samples of body tissue taken from the area in the hope of extracting DNA that could finally crack the case.

Tests are also being carried out on a small sample of material thought to be clothing found buried beside the skull. It could take as long as two weeks to get the results.

Keith's brother Alan, 66, was said to be 'stoic' yesterday about the unexpected twist in the case. His solicitor John Ainley said: 'I have spoken to my client, Alan Bennett, concerning the reported development in the search for his brother Keith Bennett.

Keith Bennett was snatched by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in 1964. He is their only victim who has never been found

'My client is keeping an open mind on the latest report having regard to earlier such reports that have raised expectations but not resulted in finding Keith's body.

'Naturally, the family are hoping that Keith has been found after all these years and their tireless efforts to find closure. I understand Greater Manchester Police are investigating a site of interest but that it will take some weeks to establish whether there is a connection with Keith.'

The incredible development comes after author Russell Edwards assembled a team of experts in a bid to solve one of the great murder mysteries.

Keith is the only victim of Brady and Hindley never to be found because they took the secret to their graves.

The schoolboy was last seen on June 16, 1964, when he left his family home to stay with his grandmother.

Between July 1963 and October 1965 Myra Hindley, left, and Ian Brady, right murdered five children. Hindley died in 2002 and Brady in 2017 without revealing the location of Bennett's body

Hindley lured him into a van by asking him to help with some boxes. Her sadistic lover Brady was watching his prey from the back seat.

Between July 1963 and October 1965, the pair murdered five children in and around Manchester before Brady was caught red-handed with the body of their final victim, 17-year-old Edward Evans.

Extensive searches of the Moors led to the discovery of the bodies of Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12, and Lesley Ann Downey, ten, but Keith's body was never found.

Following the death of Hindley in 2002, and Brady in 2017, the search stalled, and Keith's mother Winnie died of cancer without knowing the truth.

Mr Edwards, who claims to have identified Jack the Ripper, believes he has located Keith's grave just a few minutes' walk from the site where the couple buried their other young victims.

Dig: The search on Saddleworth Moor for the body of Keith Bennett who was just 12 when he was murdered in 1964

After extensive soil analysis indicated the presence of human remains, Mr Edwards started a dig under the supervision of a geologist and a forensic archaeologist.

He discovered a skull that experts believe is that of a child aged around 11 to 12 based on the teeth.

Adipose tissue, otherwise known as body fat, was also identified by two archaeologists from photographs taken at the scene. Police were spurred into action after three independent experts identified remains as being human.

A team of officers and forensic experts rushed to Saddleworth Moor on Thursday night just hours after receiving information from Mr Edwards about his compelling findings.

The site is on a hillside around 100 yards from the Oldham to Holmfirth A635 main road, overlooking Dovestone Reservoir.

At around 9.30am yesterday the farmer who owns the bleak stretch of moorland used his tractor to remove boulders blocking a grassy plateau beside the road so police vehicles could park.

Martin Bottomley, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'We were contacted by the representative of an author who has been researching the murder of Keith Bennett.

'Following direct contact with the author, we were informed that he had discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location.

'Specialist officers have begun initial exploration activity. It is far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time.'

r.camber@dailymail.co.uk
The girl was just seven years old when she fell into a monsters clutches.

Invited to stay in a caravan on the Sussex coast with a friend, that day had started so enjoyably. She had entered a hula-hoop competition at the campsite and been encouraged to drink some lemonade  although it later turned out this was alcoholic.

During the evening, the true purpose of her seaside break became hideously apparent. Back at the caravan, the bewildered child was made to watch a pornographic video  the prelude to playing a game devised by her host, the details of which are too sordid to recount.

It was the beginning of a four-year ordeal of sexual abuse that physically ended only when she moved away from the area at 11 years old, but continues to torment her today, some three decades later.

She was not her assailants only victim. In what Sussex Police describe as a systematic campaign between 1989 and 1996, this same person abused at least six other children  four girls and two boys  forever blighting their lives.

By now you may be wondering why we havent disclosed whether the serial predator was a man or a woman. The omission is deliberate. For this week the question of their gender identity sparked the latest transgender-related fiasco.

A debacle that has seen Sussex Police  arguably Britains most woke force  compelled to make a humiliating climbdown after issuing a jaw-dropping tweet, warning social media users against questioning the child abusers gender. Pictured: Sally Dixon

A debacle that has seen Sussex Police  arguably Britains most woke force  compelled to make a humiliating climbdown after issuing a jaw-dropping tweet, warning social media users against questioning the child abusers gender.

It brought a sharp rebuke from Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who bluntly told the force that it should stop playing identity politics and denying biology.

The genesis of this lamentable story tells us much about the skewed ideology that now pervades sections of Britains police.

It started after the man  as he then was  who robbed those seven children of their innocence was convicted at Lewes Crown Court of 30 sexual assaults and jailed for 20 years. While he was committing these vile offences, he still used his given name, John Stephen Dixon, and presented as a male.

Yet if we believe him  and we will examine his story in due course  in 2004 he began transitioning. So the monster appeared in court as Sally Ann Dixon, a 58-year-old female.

Throughout the four-week trial, the prosecutor referred to Dixon by the male pronoun when alluding to the sex offences  without any objection from the defence. However, when Dixon was found guilty, she was sentenced as a woman and sent to a female prison.

This was despite the fact that she doesnt possess a Gender Recognition Certificate  a legal document that can be granted after someone has undergone a medical examination and been living as a woman for at least two years.

Sally Ann Dixon, 58, was found guilty on 30 charges relating to historic child sexual abuse

Dixon is now among the 500-plus inmates at HMP Bronzefield, near Ashford, Surrey  the UKs only purpose-built private womens prison. She has been there for less than three months, since being convicted in early July.

However, the Mail can reveal that shortly after arriving at Bronzefield she had to be transferred to a different wing, after starting a relationship with a vulnerable inmate. Still more disturbingly, a prison source told us the woman Dixon targeted had learning difficulties and mental health issues.

The prisoner was vulnerable so we managed to get Dixon moved, said the source.

Given her catalogue of crimes, we might think she would wish to lie low. Not so, says our informant. Dixon was very outspoken about being transgender. There were a few instances when it was reported she had made inappropriate comments to some of the female prisoners, and possibly staff.

The comments were sexual stuff, flirtatious stuff. Once Dixon was allowed to associate with everyone else, it was very hard to keep an eye on her. She was told she wasnt allowed to go into peoples rooms, but once they are unlocked we dont have the staff to follow her around constantly.

Though transgender prisoners made up just 0.2 per cent of the total prison population last year, their rights are sacrosanct.

Prison staff must communicate with them in ways that respect their gender, they are entitled to shower alone, have separate cells, and choose their own clothing. Privileges that would have been denied to John Stephen Dixon, and which Sally Ann Dixon is doubtless eager to exploit.

Sodexo, the company that runs Bronzefield (and four more of our prisons), is a giant French service-provider with interests in everything from catering to hospitals. At Bronzefield, its wardens are struggling with the responsibility of watching over trans prisoners while also ensuring the welfare of other inmates, says our source.

Staff do not like it. The ones that come [trans prisoners] have a history of sexually abusing others, or they come with male genitalia. We just dont have the capacity to ensure the safety of the women.

The statistics seem to support this view. In 2019, a court heard there were 163 transgender prisoners in England and Wales, and 81  half the total  had been convicted of sex offences. Of the 163, 24 were held in womens prisons.

A spokesperson for HMP Bronzefield declined to comment on Dixon, but said there were established policies to keep vulnerable prisoners safe.

A Prison Service spokesperson said, however: The safety of women in custody is our top priority. The Justice Secretary is currently reviewing our transgender policy to ensure it properly reflects this. But back to Sussex Police, and the furore over that tweet. It began on Monday, when they issued a press release publicising their success in investigating the Dixon case and bringing the victims belated justice.

What this self-congratulatory statement omitted to mention was that, according to the prosecution, some of the seven abused children had reported Dixon to their force in the early 1990s, when the assaults were still taking place.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, previously bluntly told Sussex Police that it should stop playing identity politics and denying biology

But no charges were brought and  barring a six-month sentence for a separate sexual assault, on a boy in 1997  she remained at large for 22 more years.

The seven had to wait until 2019 before a retrospective complaint by one of them started a fresh inquiry that exposed the full extent of Dixons abuse.

Yesterday, Sussex Police confirmed that Dixon was arrested and interviewed in 1991 and 1996 in relation to indecent assault but said there was insufficient evidence to secure a successful prosecution at that time.

Yet leaving aside these inconvenient details, it was the headline above the police press release that ignited a firestorm on social media. Woman convicted of historic offences against children in Sussex, it read.

To some observers  and most importantly some of the victims and their families  this was misleading. As was the subsequent report, which described children Dixon preyed on as her victims.

For when committing his crimes Dixon was a man, a fact the police report did point out.

Indeed, as those who had the misfortune to listen to the court evidence will know, it would have been physically impossible for a biological woman to enact many of his despicable violations.

The response on social media was immediate and angry, particularly from women.

Among the first to respond was Clare King, 65, a school governor and Labour councillor in Cambridge. No @sussex_police. This is not a female crime, she tweeted. This is a man committing sexual offences against children #NotAWoman #NotOurCrimes, said another woman with the Twitter handle Sybil.

Had Sussex Police accepted that these women were merely exercising their right to free speech on a matter of great public interest, the row might quickly have petered out.

Instead, the force poured petrol on the flames by responding with a thinly veiled warning: that openly criticising an individual over their stated gender could constitute a hate-crime.

Hi, Sussex Police do not tolerate any hateful comments towards their gender identity [sic] regardless of crimes committed. This is irrelevant to the crime that has been committed and investigated, read their clumsily-worded tweet.

The unwritten subtext of this ultra-woke message seemed clear.

When it comes to transgender rights, the force considered it its duty to protect the sensitivities of everyone  even a creature such as Dixon, who had inflicted such untold misery.

The polices dubious interpretation of the law caused a fresh wave of outrage. TV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer challenged the force to take her to court for stating that Dixon is a man.

Yesterday, Sussex Police confirmed that Dixon was arrested and interviewed in 1991 and 1996 in relation to indecent assault but said there was insufficient evidence to secure a successful prosecution at that time

Others were incredulous that the police chose to fight the corner of someone who preyed upon the most vulnerable, condemning them  according to their haunting victim statements  to lifelong suffering.

This week the Mail spoke to the mother of the girl Dixon lured to that caravan, some 30 years ago.

Her daughter, who is still recovering from the trauma, wouldnt deign to describe the sex criminal as a man or a woman, she told me. She doesnt see him as an anything, she seethed. She just calls him an it.

Her mother also attacked the decision to send Dixon to a womens prison without the official gender certification.

Asked about Sussex Polices tweet, which she had read about with dismay, she said the police had no right to defend any child-abuser, regardless of their gender.

Listening to her, one wondered whether Sussex Police had paused to consider how their message might be received by Dixons victims and their families.

Following the intervention by the Home Secretary  who urged the force to focus on catching criminals not policing pronouns  the offending tweet was withdrawn, and an apology issued.

For the police service whose patch includes Brighton and Hove, Britains unofficial LGBTQ+ capital, and which prides itself on its ground-breaking woke policing policies, performing this volte-face must have been painful.

This is an organisation whose website has a gender identity and expression page which boasts of flying trans flags at police premises across the county on significant days for that community.

It has issued its officers with gender neutral warrant cards (prompting complaints that this prevents females being assigned to specific duties such as searching women suspects); and decorates patrol cars and vans in rainbow colours for Brightons annual Pride parade. At considerable expense, the force also employs a network of Community Engagement Advisers to cement links with local trans groups.

It is even pioneering a new method of recording crimes that would no longer log the biological sex of the offender. Under the current system, the only options are often binary  male or female.

However, the force says it is making changes where we can, to include other gender identities as well as using the gender-neutral honorific: Mx .

There is doubtless much to be admired in aspects of this progressive approach. Yet it comes at a time when crime in the county is rising, budgets are tight, and detection rates low.

Sussex Police recorded 27,266 offences in the year to March, 2022, up from 24,517 the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

They would see this comparison as unfair, claiming crime rates dropped significantly last year because of Covid lockdowns.

Nonetheless, the pandemic cant account for their poor crime-solving figures, which are particularly dismal for sex offences. Of 1,347 rape investigations, just 69  5 per cent  resulted in a charge or summons. (In fairness, this is still about four times better than the national figure, 1.3 per cent).

Small wonder, then, that they were so keen to tell the Sussex public about their impressive policework (praised by Ms Braverman in her otherwise damning rebuke) that trapped Dixon.

So what do we know about her, and  having been married at least twice according to Dixons first wife, whom I traced to her Sussex home this week  why did she choose to transition?

Born into a working-class family in Fulham, in 1963, records show John Stephen Dixon to have married for the first time in 1983, when he was barely out of his teens.

The marriage was short-lived and, by then living in Crawley, Sussex, he married again in 1985.

His bride, who we are not naming, told me she was 17 at the time, and that the union lasted just 18 months, during which she had two children in quick succession.

Asked whether Dixon had shown any cruelty towards her, she shot me a meaningful glance and said she would rather not answer. There was nothing to suggest that he felt uncomfortable as a man, or wanted to be a woman, she said.

According to Detective Constable Amy Pooley of Sussex Polices complex abuse unit, who investigated the historic case, Dixon came to know the victims through family connections and used this trusted access to systematically abuse them . . . in some cases for several months at a time.

By then around 30, Dixon earned a living by doing electrical repairs and DJing in pubs and clubs, and kept a lock-up as well as the caravan on the Sussex coast, to which some of the victims were lured for perverted gratification.

Still there were no outward signs of femininity.

Indeed, while the court heard Dixon started to transition 18 years ago (and one source told me they believed might have undergone surgery), those living near him still assumed their neighbour be a man.

There was nothing to make us think he [as she referred to him] had become a woman, said Angela Spencer, 55, who lived two doors away from Dixon in Havant, Hampshire, where she moved into a council semi six years ago.

He never wore a dress, he always wore joggers or jeans, and he never carried a handbag or anything like that. Yes, he had his hair in a ponytail, but lots of men do that, dont they? And he spoke in a mans deep voice.

Mrs Spencer also told the Mail that Dixon was living with a female partner. They ran a nearby computer shop, though their house was deserted this week.

She said Dixon had been hounded out of a previous

address in Havant by neighbours who learned of those paedophile tendencies, adding that the abuser had trained a CCTV security camera on the nearby common where children gathered.

Dixon had been living behind the perpetually drawn curtains of the pebble-dashed semi. Arriving for trial this summer, she presented as a woman.

She sported a bright pink blouse, appeared to wear make-up, and seemed to have developed a feminine figure.

When she was arrested, the court heard, she showed not the slightest remorse, claiming her accusers had invented their stories to spite her.

She furthered their anguish by pleading not guilty and forcing them to relive their ordeals  but declined to take the witness stand and face cross-examination.

This was the character Sussex Police saw fit to defend. Responding to questions I put to them this week, the force pointed out Dixons offences had been recorded as having been committed by a man.

They also expanded on their earlier apology, saying: We acknowledge this as a matter of significant and polarised public debate. Some of our follow-up responses to criticism on Twitter were inconsistent with our usual style of engagement.

The responses were not pre-approved and were misjudged. We apologised and subsequently deleted those comments. We regret the impact this has had on peoples confidence in our approach and neutrality.

We recognise the rights of the public to express themselves freely within the boundaries of the law.

However, they refused to reveal who put out these misjudged responses, saying only that their social media channels were managed by a mix of staff and officers . . . at a range of ranks and grades.

Their contrition will be welcomed in many quarters, not least the Home Office.

Thanking the force for its swift apology and retraction, however, Ms Braverman hammered home her mantra.

The best police officers focus on solving crimes and supporting victims. Not political correctness, she said.

Remembering that little girls ordeal in the caravan, Sussex, and every other woke-obsessed police force, must surely heed her advice.

Additional reporting by Tim Stewart and Barry Keevins.
Offenders who were in prison for three months or more will have to be tagged

Thousands of burglars face automatic tagging on release from jail in a bid to cut reoffending.

Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis is to expand the electronic tagging scheme to cover thousands of burglars, robbers and thieves serving short sentences.

All those jailed for more than three months will now have to wear a tag for up to a year on their release from prison.

Currently the measure applies only to those jailed for more than a year. In an interview with the Daily Mail, the Justice Secretary said it was a personal priority to make sure victims have confidence in the system.

Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis is to expand the electronic tagging scheme to cover thousands of burglars, robbers and thieves serving short sentences

Mr Lewis said: One of the things we can do on that is to be a bit tougher on criminals.

We know that reoffending rates are high, particularly for people who have not gone into active employment, and having people with tags means weve got more control and understanding and can monitor what theyre doing, where they are.

We can see if somebody was in the vicinity of a crime if that happens again.

This isnt instead of prison, this is on top of it  were being tougher with people who have committed an offence, but you know, people who burgle and steal are the scourge of their communities.

The extension of tagging has been trialled in 19 police force areas and is credited with a 45 per cent drop in reoffending. The Ministry of Justice said the move was initially expected to lead to the tagging of an extra 2,000 criminals a year, but Mr Lewis said that he eventually wanted to see many thousand more offenders to be monitored.

A source said that theft and burglary have some of the highest reoffending rates, with 45 per cent of those convicted going on to commit another crime within a year, compared with an average of 21 per cent for other offences.

Electronic tags, typically worn on the ankle, allow an offenders location to be monitored 24 hours a day by GPS satellite

Electronic tags, typically worn on the ankle, allow an offenders location to be monitored 24 hours a day by GPS satellite.

Mr Lewis said tagging was a very big deterrent to those who might otherwise be inclined to commit more crimes. If anything happens in any area where theyve been then were going to know about it, he said.

He added: Theres no argument and no alibi if the GPS shows you were in that place at that time, youre bang to rights.

Ministers have come under mounting pressure to prioritise burglary, where the proportion of offences ending in a charge has fallen to barely 5 per cent.

Mr Lewis acknowledged the need for further action, and said Home Secretary Suella Braverman was very focused on ensuring the police treat burglary as a greater priority.

And he suggested that forces would get less criticism over woke controversies such as officers dancing at gay pride events, if they ensured that they were dealing with core issues such as burglary and theft.

This is something the Home Secretary is very, very focused on, he said. She wants to ensure that the public have got confidence that police are focused on the crimes that are affecting communities.

Over the last few months, members of the public have been commenting on some of what police get up to in terms of some of the stuff around the parades. People dont mind that... if theyre also dealing with the core issues.

He added: People need to know the first key aim and focus of the police is dealing with crime and playing their part making peoples communities safe. Burglary is a good example of that.
There has been a breakthrough after a skull of a child aged around 12 discovered

Keith, last seen in 1954, is the only victim of Brady and Hindley never to be found

Between 1963 and 1965 Myra Hindley and Ian Brady murdered five children

Keith Bennett's brother Andy is said to be 'stoic' about the unexpected twist

The family of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett last night said they hoped his body would finally be found.

Police yesterday began the first dig in decades following the discovery of suspected human remains.

Fifty-eight years after Britain's most notorious serial killers abducted and murdered 12-year-old Keith, a police forensic tent stood once again on Saddleworth Moor, a haunting reminder of the unspeakable horrors perpetrated there by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

The sensational breakthrough in the case comes after a skull believed to be that of a child aged around 12 was found buried just a few hundred yards from the site where the infamous pair buried their other child victims.

The suspected skeletal remains include what experts believe to be a child's upper jaw with a full set of teeth. Officers are now expected to spend the weekend sifting through the highly acidic soil for any trace of Keith, who vanished in Manchester in 1964.

The family of Moors murder victim Keith Bennett last night said they hoped his body would finally be found. Pictured: Brother Alan Bennett

Last night the painstaking search had to be halted after a gale with winds up to 60mph and driving rain blew in. It is due to resume today.

Forensic anthropologists from Greater Manchester Police are awaiting the results of tests on potential samples of body tissue taken from the area in the hope of extracting DNA that could finally crack the case.

Tests are also being carried out on a small sample of material thought to be clothing found buried beside the skull. It could take as long as two weeks to get the results.

Keith's brother Alan, 66, was said to be 'stoic' yesterday about the unexpected twist in the case. His solicitor John Ainley said: 'I have spoken to my client, Alan Bennett, concerning the reported development in the search for his brother Keith Bennett.

Keith Bennett was snatched by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in 1964. He is their only victim who has never been found

'My client is keeping an open mind on the latest report having regard to earlier such reports that have raised expectations but not resulted in finding Keith's body.

'Naturally, the family are hoping that Keith has been found after all these years and their tireless efforts to find closure. I understand Greater Manchester Police are investigating a site of interest but that it will take some weeks to establish whether there is a connection with Keith.'

The incredible development comes after author Russell Edwards assembled a team of experts in a bid to solve one of the great murder mysteries.

Keith is the only victim of Brady and Hindley never to be found because they took the secret to their graves.

The schoolboy was last seen on June 16, 1964, when he left his family home to stay with his grandmother.

Between July 1963 and October 1965 Myra Hindley, left, and Ian Brady, right murdered five children. Hindley died in 2002 and Brady in 2017 without revealing the location of Bennett's body

Hindley lured him into a van by asking him to help with some boxes. Her sadistic lover Brady was watching his prey from the back seat.

Between July 1963 and October 1965, the pair murdered five children in and around Manchester before Brady was caught red-handed with the body of their final victim, 17-year-old Edward Evans.

Extensive searches of the Moors led to the discovery of the bodies of Pauline Reade, 16, John Kilbride, 12, and Lesley Ann Downey, ten, but Keith's body was never found.

Following the death of Hindley in 2002, and Brady in 2017, the search stalled, and Keith's mother Winnie died of cancer without knowing the truth.

Mr Edwards, who claims to have identified Jack the Ripper, believes he has located Keith's grave just a few minutes' walk from the site where the couple buried their other young victims.

Dig: The search on Saddleworth Moor for the body of Keith Bennett who was just 12 when he was murdered in 1964

After extensive soil analysis indicated the presence of human remains, Mr Edwards started a dig under the supervision of a geologist and a forensic archaeologist.

He discovered a skull that experts believe is that of a child aged around 11 to 12 based on the teeth.

Adipose tissue, otherwise known as body fat, was also identified by two archaeologists from photographs taken at the scene. Police were spurred into action after three independent experts identified remains as being human.

A team of officers and forensic experts rushed to Saddleworth Moor on Thursday night just hours after receiving information from Mr Edwards about his compelling findings.

The site is on a hillside around 100 yards from the Oldham to Holmfirth A635 main road, overlooking Dovestone Reservoir.

At around 9.30am yesterday the farmer who owns the bleak stretch of moorland used his tractor to remove boulders blocking a grassy plateau beside the road so police vehicles could park.

Martin Bottomley, of Greater Manchester Police, said: 'We were contacted by the representative of an author who has been researching the murder of Keith Bennett.

'Following direct contact with the author, we were informed that he had discovered what he believes are potential human remains in a remote location.

'Specialist officers have begun initial exploration activity. It is far too early to be certain whether human remains have been discovered and this is expected to take some time.'

r.camber@dailymail.co.uk
A man has been brutally stabbed to death on a high street in north London, the Metropolitan Police have said.

Officers were called at about 5.30pm today to a disturbance in the area of Tottenham High Road, Haringey.

Police and paramedics found a male, believed to be in his late teens, with stab injuries, the Metropolitan Police said. He died a short time later.

Officers were called at about 5.30pm today to a disturbance in the area of Tottenham High Road, Haringey. Police and paramedics found a male, believed to be in his late teens, with stab injuries, the Metropolitan Police said. He died a short time later

The Met said inquiries are ongoing to ensure that the victim's family have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. There have been no arrests.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call 101, ref 5327/30sep.

Anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous is urged to contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Burkina Faso's government has been overthrown by a military coup, in the second takeover in just eight months.

Sounds of gunfire were reported at presidential palace earlier today and soldiers were seen blocking main roads in the capital Ouagadougou.

Appearing on national TV, Burkina Faso army Captain Ibrahim Traore announced he has deposed military leader Paul-Henri Damiba and dissolved the government.

Damiba himself gained power through a military coup in January, by overthrowing former President Roch Kabore.

Like Damiba, Traore said that a group of officers took power due to worsening security due to armed uprising from insurgents who are affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The borders of the West African nation have been closed indefinitely and Cpt Traore said all political and civil society activities are suspended.

A military coup has overthrown Burkina Faso's junta, in the second takeover in eight months after gunfire broke out at presidential palace

People gathered on the street in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, after gunshots wereheard near the presidential palace

Military leader Paul-Henri Damiba, who took power in January through a coup, has now been deposed

Earlier today the Burkina Faso government admitted an 'internal crisis' within the army was behind troop deployments in key areas of the capital, saying negotiations were now underway after shots rang out before dawn.

Gunfire was heard around the presidential palace and headquarters of the military junta, which itself seized power in a coup last January, witnesses told AFP.

The transitional government said the developing situation was linked to an 'internal crisis in the army', after AFP journalists saw troops block several main roads in the capital Ouagadougou.

'I heard heavy detonations around 4:30 am (0430 GMT) and now the roads around my home have been sealed off by military vehicles,' said a resident who lives close to the presidential palace.

During the morning, more shots had rung out an AFP video journalist said in the Ouaga 2000 neighbourhood that houses both the presidential and military junta headquarters.

Bilgo said the 'crisis' was based on army pay claims, and that junta leader Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was taking part in discussions with the men.

The state television was cut for several hours, broadcasting just a blank screen with the message 'no video signal'.
President Barack Obama reflected just days before leaving office on the many causes of Hillary Clinton's upset 2016 loss  and considered how things might have turned out had key actors including Bill and Hillary Clinton made 'different decisions.'

Obama made the comments off the record during a meeting with progressive columnists just three days before being succeeded by Donald Trump following the bitter election, where Clinton won the popular vote but Trump prevailed in the Electoral College.

A transcript was included in a cache of documents the Justice Department provided to Bloomberg as part of a FOIA request  apparently by accident.

Obama expressed his general optimism about the country and said there were 'multiple contingencies that resulted in Trump being elected and not somehow suggest that the country is invariably racist, misogynist, what have you,' he said  following a campaign where candidate Clinton and many of her surrogates accused Trump of racism.

'And the fact of the matter is, setting aside that Hillary Clinton got the substantially bigger share of the vote, I think it's fair to say that a whole series of different things happening  how the email thing unfolded, and sort of the chain from Bill Clinton getting on that plane, to Comey making an announcement,' Obama said.

Former President Barack Obama broke down Hillary Clinton's 2016 loss in off the record comments to reporters before leaving office

'At a bunch of different junctures, people could have made different decisions that would have resulted in it playing differently.'

He was referencing several pivot points in the election. One was Clinton's email scandal and how it 'unfolded'  a comment that could encompass elements from Clinton's decision to maintain a private email server in her home, to her decision to have her team delete thousands of 'personal' emails, to her own public explanations that the candidate would offer. Clinton ultimately apologized and called it a 'mistake.'

He also referenced Bill Clinton's infamous June 2016 meeting with then-AG Lynch on a Phoenix airport tarmac in 2016. Clinton said the two spoke about grandchildren and other matters, but critics said it was inappropriate at the time the email investigation was underway.

The third event he listed was former FBI Director James Comey's decision to hold a July 2016 press conference where he said Clinton hadn't committed crimes but had been 'extremely careless.' Then he held a second press conference announcing the investigation was being reopened after authorities uncovered additional emails on disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner's laptop.

Like many leading Democrats, Obama pointed at former FBI Director James Comey's handling of the email probe

He also brought up how Hillary Clinton's email scandal played out

Obama said there were 'multiple contingencies that resulted in Trump being elected' and said the results did 'not somehow suggest that the country is invariably racist, misogynist ...'

He also mentioned former President Bill Clinton's tarmac meeting with Loretta Lynch

Clinton's meeting with Lynch came amid the FBI's email probe

Obama, seen this month in San Diego, made the comments to reporters. The DOJ released them in response to a FOIA request

Obama also reflected on the hacks of the Democratic National Committee and former Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, which U.S. intelligence attributes to Russia. The documents started appearing on web sites during the campaign.

He referenced a firehose of media reports based off the hacked information.

'I think the Russian leaks, how that played out, how all this stuff was reported  I mean, I'm just being honest with you, and many of you share this view. You guys weren't necessarily the culprits, but how that played out,' he told the opinion journalists.

He also pointed to widespread polling failures as well as strategic campaign errors by Clinton.

'Some failures of polling and analytics leading a leading Democratic candidate never to appear in Michigan or Wisconsin, or show up in a union hall, right? I mean, there's just a bunch of stuff that could have happened in which we wouldn't be having this particular conversation.'

It is not clear why the government handed over the material.

'It's a doc I didn't specifically ask for,' reporter Jason Leopold tweeted.

In other comments, Obama expressed faith in U.S. institutions, and the difficulty Trump would have trying to undo his legacy such as by trying to repeal Obamacare.

'I think that four years is okay. Take on some water, but we can kind of bail fast enough to be okay. Eight years would be a problem. I would be concerned about a sustained period in which some of these norms have broken down and started to corrode
Scientists are investigating fungi that are thought to assist cancer cells in growing uncontrollably by studying thousands of tumor samples.

For years now, evidence has been growing that links bacteria to cancer, and that they sometimes play a crucial role in the disease's progression. But researchers recently found a similar connection with another type of microorganism; fungi.

Link Between Fungi and Cancer Growth

Tumors caused by various types of cancer can contain different species of microscopic or single-celled fungus. Investigating the species that are present may, in the future, be useful for diagnosing cancer or even predicting its course.

A microbiome specialist at Stanford University in California, Ami Bhatt, said that it was fascinating to look at fungi in the setting of cancer. However, she cautioned that the studies only suggest an association between fungal species and certain cancers. The researcher noted that they do not show whether or not the fungi are directly responsible for accelerating cancer.

Similar to bacteria, fungal microorganisms form a crucial part of the human microbiome, which is a delicate balance of microbes that are living inside the human body. A cancer biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, Lian Narunsky Haziza, and her colleagues, cataloged fungal populations in more than 17,000 tissue and blood samples, as per Nature.

The tens of thousands of samples represent 35 different types of cancer. The researchers found that fungi, including several types of yeast, were indeed present in all the types of cancer included in the study. However, some species were linked to different outcomes, depending on the type of cancer.

An example is the presence of Malassezia globosa, a fungus that has previously been associated with pancreatic cancer, which was now linked to significantly reduced survival rates in breast cancer, said the researchers.

According to the New York Times, Ravid Straussman, a cancer biologist at Weizmann who collaborated with Haziza on one of the new studies, said that the findings prompt experts to re-evaluate almost everything they know about cancer through the lens of the tumor microbiome.

Read Also: Unvaccinated Are 14 Times More Vulnerable to Monkeypox Infection Than Vaccinated Individuals, CDC Figures Reveal

Study of Cancer

Scientists have, for the past two decades, charting the microbes inside the human body by fishing for their DNA in mouth swabs, skin scrapings, and stool. These have helped identify thousands of species that live harmlessly inside a healthy person that total of roughly 38 trillion cells.

The project is called the Cancer Genome Atlas which seeks to help scientists find mutations in tumor genes that make cancer cells grow uncontrollably. However, the team of researchers acknowledged that the raw data may also contain DNA from bacteria in the tumors. This meant that they would have to sift through the six trillion genetic fragments in the atlas for snippets of bacterial DNA.

The situation comes as another study aims to determine how tumor cells dodge a human body's immune system, which was specifically built to identify and fend off an attack from defective cells. What they found was that tumor cells with a particular mutation release a chemical, a metabolite, that weakens nearby immune cells, rendering them less capable of killing cancer cells, Medica & Life Sciences News reported.

Related Article: Research Finds Drinking 2 to 3 Cups of Coffee Daily is Linked to Longevity

@YouTube

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A man charged in an on-stage attack of comedian Dave Chappelle has now been arraigned on charges of attempted murder of a roommate months earlier and is being held in custody.

Isaiah Lee, 23, has pleaded not guilty in the December 2021 stabbing that occurred during a fight at a Los Angeles transitional living facility, the LA County District Attorney's Office said.

On Friday, Lee appeared before Judge James R. Dabney in Los Angeles Superior Court at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center on his attempted murder charge against his former roommate Dijon Washington.

Isaiah Lee, 23, has now been arraigned on charges of attempted murder of a roommate in December 2021 and is being held in custody

Lee pleaded not guilty in the December 2021 stabbing that occurred during a fight at a Los Angeles transitional living facility usually reserved for the homeless

Lee was dressed in prison garb consisting of a yellow t-shirt and blue pants. His hands were cuffed behind his back,

During the court hearing Judge Dabney adjourned the case until November 1.

Washington said earlier this month at a hearing for the stabbing that Lee had grown increasingly erratic in the months before the attack against Chappelle.

Lee would write strange notes in their transitional living facility where he bragged about using marijuana use and insulted Washington's dead brother.

'He was saying, 'I'm smoking on your brother,' bragging about how much money he's making  whatever he was doing  how much weed he was smoking,' Washington testified.

On Friday, Lee appeared before Judge James R. Dabney in Los Angeles Superior Court at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center on his attempted murder charge against his former roommate Dijon Washington

Lee was dressed in prison garb consisting of a yellow t-shirt and blue pants. His hands were cuffed behind his back

'It didn't make sense to me. He knew my brother had passed away few months before that. It was disrespectful,' the roommate added.

Tensions grew until December 2 last year when Washington laughed at Lee's notes.

'What the f**k are you looking at?' Lee asked him before rushing Washington.

'We started tussling, and I got stabbed' Washington testified.

Lee then fled the home.

Lee was originally arrested on May 3 after allegedly rushing the stage and tackling Chappelle during his stand-up set at the Hollywood Bowl.

Lee is accused of storming the Hollywood Bowl stage with a foldout knife and trying to tackle Chappelle in front of the audience on May 3

Lee had previously allegedly jumped on stage and tried to attack Dave Chappelle, who was able to sidestep his attacker and avoid injury. Lee had been carrying a knife and inside a replica gun

The publicity that followed the Chappelle incident helped lead to Lee's identification and arrest in the previous attack against his roommate, prosecutors said.

He was carrying a replica handgun with a large blade that folded out of it similar to a pocket knife, according to police, who released a photo of the weapon.

Chappelle was not hurt, and finished the show that was part of the 'Netflix Is a Joke' comedy festival.

People standing in the wings of the stage, including actor Jamie Foxx and rapper Busta Rhymes, rushed on to the stage to try to help Chappelle.

The comedian managed to sidestep the attack and was not hurt, but was clearly blindsided by the ambush.

Security guards chased and overpowered Lee, who was arrested and taken away in an ambulance with a broken arm after the scuffle.

Lee pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of battery, possessing a deadly weapon with intent to assault, and two counts related to interfering with a public event. He has remained jailed since the attack.

Security guards chased and overpowered Lee, who was arrested and taken away in an ambulance with a broken arm after the scuffle

The alleged attacker is accused of charging towards Chappelle with this replica handgun containing a large blade that folded out of it similar to a pocket knife

He was charged with four misdemeanors, including battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault, unauthorized access to the stage area during a performance and commission of an act that delays the event or interferes with the performer.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In a jailhouse interview about the Hollywood Bowl incident, he said he wasn't amused by Chappelle's brand of humor and that he attacked the comic because he was 'triggered' by his jokes about gay people and homelessness.

'I identify as bisexual and I wanted him to know what he said was triggering,' Lee said from the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles where he's being held.

'I wanted him to know that next time, he should consider first running his material by people it could affect.'

Lee said he was excited to see Chappelle's show, recorded live for Netflix, but grew increasingly angry at the content.

He had been homeless before, and said the jokes made him emotional and upset.

'I'm also a single dad and my son is five,' Lee added.

'It's a struggle and I wanted Dave Chappelle to know it's not a joke.'

He said his breaking point came when another comedian in the show's lineup make a joke about pedophilia, which Lee said brought back memories of being molested when he was 17.

Asked about reports that he suffers from mental health issues, Lee said they were 'wrong' and 'inaccurate.'

His lawyer, however, has said he is receiving mental health services.

Lee, 23, said in July that he attacked Chappelle because he found his comedy 'triggering'
Following the leg-lengthening surgery he now measures just over 5 ft 10 inches

When Daniel Asadi was 14, he was told by his doctor that his growing phase was all but over. He said I was pretty much done, recalls Daniel today.

At nearly 5 ft 7 in, Daniel was already a reasonable height  but the words were still a stab in the heart.

Its really hard for a lot of people to understand, but I couldnt handle it, he says. It was this one thing I didnt have, and it was on my mind day and night.

Not any more. In May last year  11 years on from that distressing doctors appointment  Daniel, then 25, underwent leg-lengthening surgery to gain the height he so desperately craved.

The operation is not for the faint-hearted. It involved breaking both femurs (thigh bones) and spending several months using a walker and crutches during recuperation. Yet today, now measuring just over 5 ft 10 in, Daniel would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Making a decision to have your legs broken seems nonsensical to many people, he says. But for me, my life depended on it. It was all I could think of and I was willing to do anything for it.

Nor is he alone: Daniel is just one of a growing band of men, and a smaller number of women, opting for the sometimes risky surgery in a bid to be taller.

Several clinics offering the surgery in the UK are reporting a surge in enquiries in the past year for the once-niche operation, usually employed to address traumatic injury or birth defects.

There is definitely increased demand, Matija Krkovic, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon in limb reconstruction tells the Mail. I am seeing several patients for a consultation next week and enquiries to my clinic have risen in the past few months  I have no idea why, as I do not actively advertise.

A respected consultant at a UK clinic, who has chosen to remain anonymous, tells a similar story. While most of his work concerns correcting deformity and leg-length discrepancy, he is currently receiving about five enquiries a week from patients looking to lengthen both legs.

We talk about being inclusive and diverse, but height is a real issue, especially for men, he says. I think life has changed: body image is very important.

On paper of course, the idea that you can grow taller while well into adulthood seems like science fiction.

In fact, limb-lengthening was pioneered as far back as the 1950s by Gavriil Ilizarov, a Soviet doctor treating injured soldiers returning from World War II.

Before and after: Now measuring just over 5 ft 10 in, Daniel said that he would do it all again in a heartbeat

Today, many of the principles employed by Ilizarov remain the same, although advances in technology mean the procedure has become far more sophisticated and safer.

Traditionally, patients undergoing leg-lengthening have a hole drilled into their femurs, which are then broken in two.

A metal rod is fitted inside and held in place by screws attached to an external fixator which the patient uses to extend the internal rod by up to 1mm each day until reaching the desired height, after which their bones can heal back together.

Internal rods  powered by either battery packs or magnets  have abolished the need for an external frame, and thus wounds, reducing the risk of infection.

Nonetheless, like any surgery, the process is not without complications  one reason why, despite receiving several enquiries a month, Matija Krkovic is reluctant to perform it for this purpose at his Cambridge practice.

Ive worked extensively with leg fractures and trauma, but a few years ago I started to be approached about leg lengthening for cosmetic reasons, he reveals. I had some reservations  but then I realised that for a small group of people it could bring huge benefits so I decided to start offering the opportunity  but with certain caveats.

Among them are that any patient who wants to go ahead with surgery must undergo psychological evaluation, while Krkovic starts every discussion with what can go wrong.

The advantage of performing the surgery for cosmetic reasons is that you have a healthy individual with healthy bones and no other injuries, he explains. The flip side is if things go wrong you are transforming a perfectly healthy individual into someone with a lot of problems.

In May last year Daniel, then 25, underwent leg-lengthening surgery to gain the height he so desperately craved

Chronic infection in the bone, nerve damage, joint dislocation and the bone not healing are all possible complications. It is not high-risk, but its high enough for me to want to be very careful.

Krkovic has fielded requests from men in their 50s. Perhaps it is a mid-life crisis, he says. But most of his patients are younger men.

Indeed Daniel, now a 26-year-old civil engineer from Toronto, was fixated on his height from a young age.

I came from a shorter family  my dad was 5 ft 4 in, mum was about 5 ft 2 in, so genetics were not in my favour, he says. It didnt help that I was also always referred to as the fat kid. When you get that label its hard to shake it off. It affected me a lot.

As the years passed, Daniel tried counselling to get over his agonising self-consciousness.

It didnt work, he says. I knew I had a lot of things to be grateful for  a loving family, a good job. I didnt have problems meeting girls, either. But it all didnt matter to me. No matter what I did, my height was always there.

Finally, at 23, he started to research surgery.

I knew there was something out there, but I had never wanted to get my hopes up, he says.

Daniel found a clinic in Iran  the country from which his parents had emigrated  offering the surgery for $10,000 (9,000), far less than the $100,000 (90,000) charged by clinics in the U.S. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel, he says.

After an online consultation he booked his flight following fraught discussions with his parents. Talking to them was like World War III, he admits. They didnt understand.

Finally, his father agreed to accompany him to Iran. However, the clinic asked for an extra $20,000 guarantee upfront, to be repaid two years later.

It really put me off and made me think: what do they need that money for? he says. I didnt know what to do.

He decided against that clinic, embarking on further research and discovering another hospital in Turkey which offered the surgery for 20,000 (about 17,000).

I had to borrow money as I already [had student loans], but it was something I had to do, he recalls.

He finally underwent the three-hour procedure last year, awaking to find his legs encased in the fixators with which he would expand the nails in his legs by 1mm a day. I felt no fear, he recalls. This was my dream.

Nonetheless, he admits the first three weeks were challenging. And after about two months, he developed nerve irritation in his right leg.

I didnt catch it quickly enough, he reveals.

The only option was to halt the growth on that leg  then increased by 5cm  shorten it slightly over three days and wait.

Two weeks later an X-ray showed the bone had fused, he says. It was a bad moment. It meant breaking his leg again.

He persevered, and in mid-September  four and a half months after his initial surgery, his external fixator was removed, and he flew home with crutches.

I got back to 90 per cent normal walking four months after the removal. And while Im still a bit limited on jumping and running, those are not my concerns at all, I knew that might happen and I was cool with that. Better than cool: it felt like I was reborn, he says.

Its a sentiment that orthopaedic surgeon Dr Kevin Debiparshad recognises all too well. Considered among the world experts in the procedure, he says business is booming at his Las Vegas LimbplastX Institute, founded in 2016.

When Daniel Asadi was 14, he was told by his doctor that his growing phase was all but over/Stock image

In the past two years, Dr Debiparshad has been seeing twice the usual number of patients, sometimes as many as 50 new people a month (several from the UK) and performed leg-lengthening surgery on hundreds of clients from all over the world.

The majority who get in touch are in their 20s and 30s, while about 20 per cent are women.

Its not a negligible number of women, although the typical profile is a 25 to 35-year-old male, generally reasonably financially successful, he says. Overall the range is pretty vast. Ive had many patients in their 70s who have contacted me  a guy flew in from Japan who was 76, although I draw the line at late 60s because of the higher risks of complications from surgery overall.

His oldest patient to date is a British man who had the operation at 68. He went from 5 ft 6 in to 5 ft 9 in and he was thrilled, although his wife needed a lot of convincing at first, he recalls.

Dr Debiparshad screens all patients for body dysmorphia and depression before proceeding, but believes that while on paper the surgery may seem more gruesome than other cosmetic procedures it is really little different.

A lot of people criticise it, but like so many of these things it starts with an element of ridicule and then it becomes more accepted, he says. I think also there is more of a taboo around male cosmetic surgery, he says.

That doesnt stop the enquiries flooding in. I get a lot of guys in finance  its a boardroom thing, they think height gives them an edge, he says. But often it goes much deeper. People tend to think that short men want the height to attract tall women, but really its about how they see themselves.

Take the 68-year-old British guy  heres a man who has been hugely successful in business and happily married for decades but his height was still intrinsically important.

Height, certainly, appears to be among one of the last remaining social stigmas  and even accepted prejudices. According to a 2009 Australian study, shorter men make less money than their taller peers and are less likely to climb the corporate ladder (the average height of a male Fortune 500 CEO is 6ft).

It was acute self-consciousness that led David, a 28-year-old accountant from Bristol, to undergo surgery at a British clinic three years ago to take him from 5 ft 6 in to 5 ft 9 in.

David took out a loan to cover the 70,000 cost which he is still repaying, but says it has been worth every penny thanks to the boost in confidence that he feels.

I am still not tall, but it has taken me from short to average, he says. It means I stand taller in not just the literal sense but psychologically. When you grow up as the short guy it leaves a legacy. You feel defined by it.

Nonetheless, like Daniel, Davids parents were horrified when he told them about his decision. I had to plead with them to support me as I didnt have a girlfriend at the time and I knew that I needed their help during the recovery period, he says.

They relented, and after he was released from hospital six days after the operation, he recovered at the family home. It wasnt easy, he says. At times the pain was really tough. Its not isolated pain. It feels like every nerve in your leg is being stretched. You just have to grit your teeth and endure it.

David was back to good as normal movement seven months after surgery, and today is able to run and go to the gym as normal. I can honestly say I had zero complications, he says, adding: Its been life-changing.

He also has a new girlfriend. And, though he says she would never admit it, David is certain she would never have gone out with him if he had been those precious few inches shorter.
Nearly 100 students walked out of Farmington High School in Minnesota in protest on Wednesday after an assistant principal told staff to use their 'straight, white privilege' to protect the pupils.

Administrators were discussing backlash to their decision to do away with the traditional homecoming queen and king titles in favor of gender-neutral 'homecoming royalty,' when Assistant Principal Laura Wagner made the controversial comments.

In an email to her colleagues, Wagner wrote that she and a teacher, Tiffany Fearing, were discussing 'what our presence looks like at the parade and coronation as we switch to royalty instead of a king and queen.'

'Per usual, we have some keyboard warriors who are making Tiffany concerned about student well-being,' Wagner continued. 'I think her concerns are valid, and I want to make sure we are showing up for her and our students.

'This would be a great time to use your straight, white privilege to reassure and support students and staff in doing what they believe is right for our school community.'

The email was leaked soon after, much to the dismay of parents and students, who claim Wagner's remarks are just another example of the school district pushing a 'woke agenda.'

Laura Wagner, an assistant principal at Farmington High School in Minnesota, has come under fire for telling staff to use their 'straight, white privilege' to protect students from 'keyboard warriors'

As one parent, who asked not to be identified, explained to FOX News: 'The Farmington, Minnesota school district preaches inclusivity and non-discriminatory actions to the staff and students.

'As a parent, it's offensive and appalling to see that behind closed doors they feel as though they can use certain discriminatory verbiage to push an agenda that parents, students and the community are unaware of.'

'This school has continuously pushed a random agenda of division and exclusivity to the students, which came to light last year, and this is just a new faction of the school's quiet procedural dissidence.'

Wagner is among more than 160 administrators throughout Minnesota who have signed a pledge to 'decenter whiteness' in their curriculum.

But parents and students say the agenda has gone too far, with one pupil who helped organize the walkout on Wednesday lamenting to Alpha News: 'I'm at school to learn, not to get political views.'

Scott Duellman, a parent of students at the school, also said he felt 'Wagner is acting like you should be ashamed if you're straight and white.

'It's like she's saying, "You should be ashamed if you don't stand in our corner.''

He acknowledged that there was some 'terrible history' in America, Alpha News reports, but said we should stop the divisive language and move forward.

'We're past slavery, I was not part of that,' he said. 'My parents were immigrants.

'I had nothing to do with it. My kids had nothing to do with it.

'Yes, this is America, and we're white,' he continued. 'But we shouldn't be ashamed of something I can't control.'

Duellman also said that the change to the homecoming court was mandated by the school administration, saying: 'We live in a republic. The majority is supposed to dictate. We're letting the few dictate.'

Another parent said: 'How are we supposed to move forward in this society where admin think it's OK to use that type of language?

'My concern is they are creating a bigger gap than a bridge, and they are accomplishing the opposite of what they are trying to do.'

Students and parents say it is just the latest another example of the school district pushing a 'woke agenda.' The Farmington High School is pictured here

DailyMail.com has reached out to Wagner and Tiffany Fearing, the teacher to whom Wagner was referring to in her email, for comment.

In a statement, the Farmington School District said it is 'aware of an email that was sent to a small number of staff regarding the Farmington High School homecoming parade and coronation, which is now circulating.

'We cannot comment specifically on this as it is a private personnel matter; however, the district is addressing the situation.

'As a public school district serving our whole community through providing safe learning environments is always our primary focus.'
Vulnerable teenagers are being bombarded with a torrent of self-harm and suicide content on TikTok within minutes of joining the platform, a Daily Mail investigation found.

An account set up by the Daily Mail as 14-year-old Emily was shown posts about suicidal thoughts within five minutes of expressing an interest in depression content.

After 15 minutes of scrolling, its algorithm was offering advice on the disposal of razor blades after self-harming, and demonstrating how to hide content from parents.

Vulnerable teenagers are being bombarded with a torrent of self-harm and suicide content on TikTok within minutes of joining the platform, a Daily Mail investigation found

An account set up by the Daily Mail as 14-year-old Emily was shown posts about suicidal thoughts within five minutes of expressing an interest in depression content

Within 24 hours, the account had been bombarded with more than 1,000 videos about depression, self-harm, suicide and eating disorders. Some videos had millions of views.

Much of the harmful content recommended by TikTok was almost identical to that which Molly Russell viewed on other platforms, such as Instagram and Pinterest.

TikTok does not allow self-harm and suicide content if it promotes, glorifies or normalises.

But it does allow such material if users are sharing their experience or raising awareness, which the platform admits is undoubtedly a difficult balance.

Instagram followed a similar policy until 2019 when it banned all such content in the wake of 14-year-old Mollys tragic death.

Last night, the NSPCC said it was an insult to the families of every child who has suffered the most horrendous harm that such content was available on the day Mollys inquest ended.

After 15 minutes of scrolling, its algorithm was offering advice on the disposal of razor blades after self-harming, and demonstrating how to hide content from parents

Richard Collard, NSPCC policy and regulatory manager for child safety online, added: All platforms need to ensure content being targeted at children is consistent with what parents rightly expect to be safe.

TikTok has become the most popular site for young people. Nearly half of eight to 12-year-olds use the video-sharing platform in the UK  despite them being below the age limit of 13.

The platform says the algorithm  based off user interactions  becomes more accurate the longer you stay on as the more data you give it allows it to hone in on your exact interests.

It took the Mail five minutes to set up a profile as 14-year-old Emily  with no checks to ensure the user had been honest.

A reporter in control of the account then searched for terms such as depression and pain, and followed any related accounts  including those that said 18+ in their description.

Within 24 hours, the account was being recommended shocking self-harm and suicide content.

One video, seen by more than 200,000 people, offered the following advice to viewers contemplating suicide: People wont understand why you did it. So leave them a note and tell them its not their fault.

The comments on another video, titled How To Attempt Sewer Slide [slang for suicide to avoid detection by moderators] With No Pain, saw users share tips on killing themselves.

A coroner has concluded schoolgirl Molly Russell (pictured) died after suffering from 'negative effects of online content'

TikToks internal search function also used Emilys viewing history to predict what she was searching for.

Typing How many para resulted in How many paracetamol to die for teens.

TikTok said an initial investigation found the majority of content this account was served did not violate its guidelines and the videos that did were removed before users had reported them or they received views  all within 24 hours of being posted.

A spokesman added: While this experiment does not reflect the experience most people have on TikTok, and we are still investigating the allegations made to us by the Daily Mail this afternoon, the safety of our community is a priority. We do not allow content that promotes or glorifies suicide or self-harm.

These are incredibly nuanced and complex topics, which is why we work with partners including the International Association for Suicide Prevention and Samaritans (UK).

Additional reporting by Isabelle Stanley and Niamh Lynch
Advertisement

A Russian rapper killed himself to avoid being conscripted to fight in Vladimir Putin's barbaric war in Ukraine amid an exodus sparked by the Kremlin dictator's chaotic partial mobilisation - as thousands of Russian men, women and children flee across the border to neighbouring countries including Georgia.

Ivan Vitalievich Petunin, who went by the stage name Walkie, is believed to have committed suicide in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar today.

His body was found near a high-rise building on Congressnaya Street after the 27-year-old musician recorded a video message published on his Telegram channel in which he said that he did not want to kill for any ideals.

Petunin, who had previously served in the Russian Army and had been treated in a mental hospital, told his fans: 'If you are watching this video, then I am no longer alive. I can't take the sin of murder on my soul and I don't want to. I am not ready to kill for any ideals'.

He also appeared to fear that Putin's partial mobilisation could soon turn into a full military draft, amid claims that Moscow is planning to call up 1million men to salvage the failing invasion.

After his death, Petunin's published his farewell letter to her, before writing: 'Vanya went to the high-rise building where we lived in the summer, everything was confirmed.'

More than 194,000 Russian citizens have fled to neighbouring Georgia - which was invaded by Russia in 2008 - Kazakhstan and Finland since Putin announced a partial mobilisation of reservists to bolster his troops in Ukraine. In more drastic cases, Russian men have resorted to breaking limbs to avoid being called-up.

Ivan Vitalievich Petunin, who went by the stage name Walkie, is believed to have committed suicide in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar today. His body was found near a high-rise building on Congressnaya Street after the 27-year-old musician recorded a video message published on his Telegram channel in which he said that he did not want to kill for any ideals

Cars queuing toward the border crossing at Verkhny Lars between Russia and Georgia on Thursday

Relatives and taxi drivers wait for Russian tourists crossing over to Georgia from Verkhni Lars customs checkpoint

Vladimir Putin speaks during the signing ceremony on the annexation of four Ukrainian regions at the Grand Kremlin Palace

Putin speaks during the concert in support of the annexation of four Ukrainian regions at Red Square

Putin boasts 'victory will be ours' seven months into his failing Ukraine invasion as he leads chants of 'Russia!' at huge Moscow Red Square rally after annexing four territories from Kyiv in biggest military land grab in Europe since WW2 An increasingly unhinged Vladimir Putin tonight ludicrously boasted 'victory will be ours' seven months into his squalid invasion of Ukraine after the Russian tyrant illegally annexed four territories from Kyiv in the biggest military land grab since the Second World War. The warmonger told thousands of flag-waving Russians gathered outside the gates of the Kremlin for a celebratory concert in Moscow's Red Square that people in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions had chosen to rejoin their 'historic motherland' - after his regime staged fake referendums there and rigged the outcomes at gunpoint. Flanked by the leaders of their Russian-backed administrations as the multi-coloured spires of the 16th century St Basil's Cathedral loomed in the background, Putin vowed that Moscow would do everything to support the newly annexed regions, boost their security and rebuild their economies. He then proclaimed: 'Welcome home!', before prompting chants of 'Russia! Russia!' from the enormous crowd gathered in the vast square. Huge video screens showed Putin leading the spectators in three cheers of 'Hurrah' for the annexed territories, followed by a rendition of the national anthem. Many in the crowd of thousands waved Russian flags as entertainers from across Russia and occupied parts of Ukraine performed patriotic songs. Russian media reports said that employees of state-run companies and institutions were told to attend, and that students were allowed to skip classes, It comes after a desperate and erratic Putin snarled that the four occupied Ukrainian regions would remain part of Russia 'forever' for 40 minutes during an official ceremony where he seized the territories - before launching into a rant about Western 'Satanism' and colonialism. Advertisement

In Russia, the vast majority of men under 65 are registered as reservists. Russia's Defense Ministry has claimed it will only draft those who have combat or service experience, but according to multiple media reports and human rights advocates, men who do not fit the criteria are also being rounded up.

The official decree on mobilisation, signed by Putin last week, is concise and vague, fuelling fears of a broader draft.

In an apparent effort to calm the population, Putin told Russia's Security Council on Thursday that mistakes had been made in the mobilisation. He said that Russian men mistakenly called up for service should be sent back home, and that only reservists with proper training and specialties should be summoned to serve.

'It's necessary to deal with each such case independently, but if there is a mistake, I repeat, it must be fixed. It's necessary to bring back those who were drafted without proper reason,' the tyrant stressed.

The mass exodus of Russian men - alone or with their families or friends - began September 21, shortly after Putin's address to the nation, and continued all this week. Airline tickets to destinations abroad have sold out days in advance, even at unprecedentedly high prices.

Long lines of cars formed on roads leading to Russia's borders. Russian authorities tried to stem the outflow by turning back some men at the borders, citing mobilization laws, or setting up draft offices at border checkpoints.

The bus stations in Samara and Tolyatti, two large Russian cities in the Samara region, on Thursday halted service to Uralsk, a border city in Kazakhstan.

Russian authorities are opening more military enlistment offices near Russia's borders in an apparent effort to intercept some of the Russian men of fighting age who are trying to flee the country by land to avoid getting called up to fight in Ukraine.

A new draft office opened at the Ozinki checkpoint in the Saratov region on Russia's border with Kazakhstan, regional officials said Thursday. Another enlistment center was set to open at a crossing in the Astrakhan region, also on the border with Kazakhstan.

Earlier this week, makeshift Russian draft offices were set up near the Verkhny Lars border crossing into Georgia in southern Russia and near the Torfyanka checkpoint on Russia's border with Finland. Russian officials said they would hand call-up notices to all eligible men who were trying to leave the country.

Finland's border with Russia has been closed to Russians with tourist visas, cutting off one of the last easily accessible routes to Europe.

Long queues were reported until midnight at the border crossings. Among the last to enter Finland were two cyclists who arrived a little before 11pm, Finnish broadcaster YLE reported from Vaalimaa, one of the main border crossings between the Nordic country and Russia.

It came as the European Union's top migration official urged the bloc's 27 nations to clamp down on issuing visas to Russian citizens.

Finland has the longest border with Russia of all European Union member countries.

With the exception of the one border crossing between Russia and Norway, Finland had provided the last easily accessible land route to Europe for Russian holders of European Schengen Zone visas.

The Finnish government justified its decision by saying that continued arrivals of Russian tourists in Finland is endangering the country's international relations, and cited security concerns related to Russia's war in Ukraine, the 'illegal' referendums arranged by Russia in parts of Ukraine, and recent sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia under the Baltic Sea.

Russian citizens can still enter Finland for family reasons, study or work. Political dissidents may also seek to enter for humanitarian purposes.

As of September 1, Finland slashed the number of visas - including for tourism purposes - issued to Russian citizens to a 10th of the typical number, in a show of solidarity with Ukraine.

An aerial view of the border crossing at Verkhny Lars between Georgia and Russia

People, most of them Russians, walk after they crossed the border crossing at Verkhny Lars between Georgia and Russia

Russians, mostly men, lineup to get a Kazakh registration after crossing the border into Kazakhstan from the Mariinsky border crossing, about 250 miles south of Chelyabinsk in Russia, to Kazakhstan's town Uralsk

Relatives and taxi drivers wait for Russian tourists crossing over to Georgia from Verkhni Lars customs checkpoint

The borders with Kazakhstan and Mongolia have been overwhelmed an influx of Russian nationals

Huge gas cloud from Nord Stream leak drifts over Britain as experts reveal undersea blasts were equal to 'several hundred kilos of TNT' - and Putin accuses 'Anglo-Saxons' of blowing up pipeline Vladimir Putin has accused the 'Anglo-Saxon' powers of organising blasts that resulted in multiple gas leaks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The devastating leaks were caused by an explosion equal to hundreds of kilograms of TNT and measuring 2.3 on the Richter Scale, a Danish-Swedish report said. Ukraine has pointed the finger of blame at Russia which while Putin today made a fresh accusations against Britain and the US of orchestrating the blasts. 'Sanctions are not enough for the West, they have switched to sabotage... by organising explosions on the Nord Stream international gas pipelines that run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea,' Putin said during a televised speech at a Kremlin ceremony to annex four Moscow-occupied regions of Ukraine. A chilling simulation has shown how an enormous methane cloud emanating from the bottom of the Baltic Sea has drifted out over Scandinavia before coming down to blanket Britain since the blasts on Monday. Norwegian research institute NILU calculated that at least 80,000 tons of methane have escaped into the atmosphere as of September 30 - more than four times the annual methane emission from the Norwegian oil and gas industry, a top ten producer. Following a request from Russia, the Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting on the leaks later on Friday. 'All available information indicates that those explosions are the result of a deliberate act,' Sweden and Denmark said in a joint report to the UN Security Council. The source of the explosions has remained a mystery, however, with both Washington and Moscow denying responsibility and accusing one another. US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said today it 'seems' Russia is to blame, telling the BBC an investigation was being carried out into the cause of what she called 'an act of sabotage.' The Scandinavian countries also said that 'the possible impact on maritime life in the Baltic Sea is of concern, and the climate effect would likely be very substantial'. All the leaks, which were discovered on Monday, are in the Baltic Sea off the Danish island of Bornholm. Two of the leaks are located in the Swedish exclusive economic zone, and the two others in the Danish one. The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which connect Russia to Germany, have been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation against Western sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. While the pipelines are not currently in operation, they both still contained gas. Advertisement

Earlier this week, Finnish border guards said they want a fence along the border, 'due to the changing security environment' in the Nordic country. Such a fence requires the approval of the Finnish parliament.

The fence would not run the entire 830-mile the border, but should be in 'riskier areas, such as border crossings and their nearby areas', the border guards said.

Norway said on Friday it was considering imposing an entry ban for Russians with Schengen visas. The Scandinavian country has a border in the Arctic with Russia which is 123 miles long. The sole crossing point is at Storskog.

'We will close the border quickly if necessary, and changes can come at short notice,' justice minister Emilie Enger Mehl said.

EU migration commissioner Ylva Johansson said Russia's annexing of four Ukrainian regions is 'clearly an escalation and that means also an escalation of the security threat towards the European Union'.

She urged EU countries to enforce more stringent checks on Russian citizens and deny documents to anyone who might pose a threat.

Ms Johansson said EU authorities must stop short-term visa holders from Russia from renewing them in Europe. 'If a Russian person intends to stay longer than 90 days in the EU, he or she should not be issued a visa,' she told reporters.

She also said Russians who have fled the country should not be allowed to apply for visas abroad.

'They have to do that from their home country, Russia,' she said, but underlined that they should be allowed in for humanitarian reasons, or other exceptional circumstances.

Ms Johansson also urged countries to reassess whether already valid visas should have been issued. She said that none of the measures the European Commission is recommending would stop Russian citizens from applying for asylum in Europe.

'The right to have a short-term visa into the EU is not a fundamental right. It's privilege. The right to apply for asylum is a fundamental right,' she said.

It comes as an increasingly unhinged Putin ludicrously boasted 'victory will be ours' seven months into his squalid invasion of Ukraine after the Russian tyrant illegally annexed four territories from Kyiv in the biggest military land grab since the Second World War.

The warmonger told thousands of flag-waving Russians gathered outside the gates of the Kremlin for a celebratory concert in Moscow's Red Square that people in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions had chosen to rejoin their 'historic motherland' - after his regime staged fake referendums there and rigged the outcomes at gunpoint.

Flanked by the leaders of their Russian-backed administrations as the multi-coloured spires of the 16th century St Basil's Cathedral loomed in the background, Putin vowed that Moscow would do everything to support the newly annexed regions, boost their security and rebuild their economies.

He then proclaimed: 'Welcome home!', before prompting chants of 'Russia! Russia!' from the enormous crowd gathered in the vast square.

Huge video screens showed Putin leading the spectators in three cheers of 'Hurrah' for the annexed territories, followed by a rendition of the national anthem. Many in the crowd of thousands waved Russian flags as entertainers from across Russia and occupied parts of Ukraine performed patriotic songs. Russian media reports said that employees of state-run companies and institutions were told to attend, and that students were allowed to skip classes,

It comes after a desperate and erratic Putin snarled that the four occupied Ukrainian regions would remain part of Russia 'forever' for 40 minutes during an official ceremony where he seized the territories - before launching into a rant about Western 'Satanism' and colonialism.

At his signing ceremony in the Kremlin's ornate St George's Hall, Putin accused the West of fueling the hostilities as part of what he called a plan to turn Russia into a 'colony' and a 'crowd of soulless slaves.' The hardening of his position, in the conflict that has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people, further raised tensions already at levels unseen since the Cold War.

In his unhinged address, Putin insisted that Ukraine must treat the Kremlin-managed votes 'with respect' - before accusing the US and its allies of seeking to destroy Russia. His speech was littered with bizarre references ranging from Britain's Opium Wars in China in the 19th century to gender reassignment - before ominously threatening to use nuclear weapons in the event of an attack on Russia, including the four newly annexed Ukrainian territories.

Moscow has backed eastern Ukraine's separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions since declaring independence in 2014, weeks after the annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Russia captured the southern Kherson region and part of neighboring Zaporizhzhia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24 this year.

Both houses of the Duma, Russia's puppet parliament, will meet next week to rubber-stamp the treaties for the regions to join Russia.

Putin's land grab and a partial troop mobilisation were attempts to avoid more battlefield defeats that could threaten his 22-year rule. By formalising Russia's gains, he seemingly hopes to scare Ukraine and its Western backers with an increasingly escalatory conflict unless they back down - which they show no signs of doing.

Russia controls most of the Luhansk and Kherson regions, about 60% of the Donetsk region and a large chunk of the Zaporizhzhia region, where it seized Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

Western countries responded with an avalanche of condemnation, more punishment for Russia and aid for Ukraine. The US announced sanctions for more than 1,000 people and firms connected to Russia's invasion, including its Central Bank governor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Denis Pushilin and Vladimir Saldo in Moscow's Red Square

Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen set at Red Square as he addresses a rally and a concert in Moscow

Vladimir Putin speaks as Leonid Pasechnik, leader of self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, left, Denis Pushilin, leader of self-proclaimed of the Donetsk People's Republic, second left, Moscow-appointed head of Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo, second right, and Moscow-appointed head of Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky, right, stand near him

People holding Russian flags gather at Red Square

Vladimir Putin speaks in Moscow's Red Square while Leonid Pasechnik and Denis Pushilin stand near him

Putin greets Ukrainian separatist and poet Bogdana Neshcheryak during the concert

Russians gather to celebrate after a ceremony to sign treaties on new territories' accession to Russia

The four Ukrainian regions Putin seeks to steal are Luhansk and Donetsk, in the east, and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, in the south, but his armed forces are not in full control and fighting is continuing across all of them

People holding Russian flags gather at Red Square

Vladimir Putin speaks during celebrations marking the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia

In the fist row: Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaks as Leonid Pasechnik, leader of self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, left, Denis Pushilin, leader of self-proclaimed of the Donetsk People's Republic, second left, Moscow-appointed head of Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo, second right, and Moscow-appointed head of Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky, right, stand near him during celebrations marking the annexation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia in Red Square

Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen set at Red Square as he addresses a rally

TV screens show live broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering his speech to people

Russians celebrate after a ceremony to sign treaties on new territories' accession to Russia

Putin is given a standing ovation by his cronies as he delivers a blistering speech in the Kremlin in which he spoke of Russia's 'destiny' to liberate the world from what he called 'neo-colonialism'

Putin officially signs a decree accepting the four occupied regions of Ukraine as new territories of Russia, paving the way for him to escalate his war against his ex-Soviet neighbour

Hiroshima, Goebbels, the Satanic West and sex changes: Putin's unhinged speech Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech at the Kremlin after annexing four Ukrainian regions partly occupied by his forces, in which he accused the West of 'outright Satanism'. MESSAGE TO KYIV 'I want the Kyiv authorities and their real masters in the West to hear me, so that they remember this. People living in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens. Forever. 'We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately end hostilities, end the war that they unleashed back in 2014 and return to the negotiating table.' DEFENDING 'OUR LAND' 'We will defend our land with all the powers and means at our disposal.' NORD STREAM 'SABOTAGE' 'Sanctions were not enough for the Anglo-Saxons: they moved on to sabotage. It is hard to believe but it is a fact that they organised the blasts on the Nord Stream international gas pipelines.' 'NUCLEAR PRECEDENT' 'The United States is the only country in the world that has twice used nuclear weapons, destroying the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and setting a precedent.' EDUCATION AND GENDER 'Do we really want, here, in our country, in Russia, instead of 'mum' and 'dad', to have 'parent No. 1', 'parent No. 2', 'No. 3'? Have they gone completely insane? Do we really want ... it drilled into children in our schools Advertisement

Of Putin's annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, President Joe Biden said: 'Make no mistake: These actions have no legitimacy.'

The European Union said its 27 member states will never recognize the illegal referendums that Russia organized 'as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.'

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called it 'the largest attempted annexation of European territory by force since the Second World War.'

The war is at 'a pivotal moment,' he said, and Putin's decision to annex more territory - Russia claims sovereignty over 15% of Ukraine - marks 'the most serious escalation since the start of the war.' Stoltenberg was noncommittal on Zelensky's fast-track NATO application, saying alliance leaders 'support Ukraine's right to choose its own path, to decide what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of.'

Zelensky vowed to keep fighting, defying Putin's warnings that Kyiv shouldn't try to take back what it has lost.

'The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy,' he said. 'Russia already knows this. It feels our power.'

The immediate ramifications of the 'accelerated' NATO application weren't clear, since approval requires members' unanimous support. The supply of Western weapons to Ukraine has, however, already put it closer to the alliance's orbit.

'De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards,' Zelensky said. 'We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other.'

But the Kremlin is on the verge of another stinging military loss, with reports of the imminent Ukrainian encirclement of the eastern city of Lyman. Retaking it could open the path for Ukraine to push deep into Luhansk, one of the annexed regions.

'It looks quite pathetic. Ukrainians are doing something, taking steps in the real material world, while the Kremlin is building some kind of a virtual reality, incapable of responding in the real world,' former Kremlin speechwriter-turned-analyst Abbas Gallyamov said, adding that 'the Kremlin cannot offer anything ?omforting to the Russians.'

Russia pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets and suicide drones in Moscow's heaviest barrage in weeks, with one strike in the Zaporizhzhia region's capital killing 30 and wounding 88.

In the Zaporizhzhia attack, anti-aircraft missiles that Russia has repurposed as ground-attack weapons rained down on people waiting in cars to cross into Russian-occupied territory so they could bring family members back across front lines, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office.

Russian-installed officials in Zaporizhzhia blamed Ukrainian forces, but gave no evidence.

The strike left deep craters and sent shrapnel tearing through the humanitarian convoy, killing passengers. Nearby buildings were demolished. Trash bags, blankets and, for one victim, a blood-soaked towel, covered the bodies.

A Ukrainian counteroffensive has deprived Moscow of battlefield mastery. Its hold of the Luhansk region appears increasingly shaky, as Ukrainian forces make inroads with the pincer assault on Lyman, a key node for Russian military operations in the Donbas and a sought-after prize in Ukraine's counteroffensive. The Russian-backed separatist leader of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said Ukrainian forces have 'half-encircled' Lyman. Ukraine maintains a large foothold in the neighboring Donetsk region.

Russians cheer as they attend a 'patriotic concert' in Moscow to mark four regions of Ukraine being declared part of their own country, a move that world leaders have vowed not to recognise

Flag-waving crowds attend a concert in Moscow, with billboards in the background reading 'Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!' after Putin annexed the regions

Crowds gather at the entrance to Moscow's Red Square as they attempt to join a concert held after Putin's speech

Biden warns US is prepared to defend 'every inch of NATO territory' after 'phony' annexation of four Ukraine regions and Russia's claim America set nuclear 'precedent' with a-bombs President Biden issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin Friday that the United States is 'prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory' after the Russian leader annexed four regions of Ukraine. 'Mr Putin, don't misunderstand what I am saying, ' Biden said as he slammed Russia's 'sham' referendum and the 'disinformation and lies' on Friday that the West was behind the Nord Stream pipelines explosion. Biden's explicit warning, which he repeated, came hours after Putin accused United States of creating a nuclear weapons 'precedent' by bombing Japan at the end of the second World War in an unhinged speech calling the West 'satanists' and accusing 'Anglo Saxons' of blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines. Putin and top officials in his regime have escalated their nuclear threats in recent gains even as Ukraine has taken back more territory that Russian forces seized since its February invasion. Biden also ridiculed the show of unity Putin organize for his announcement. Putin declared his country was absorbing territory it does not even control militarily. Tens of thousands of Russian men have been fleeing to neighboring countries where they can still travel amid the 'partial mobilization' Putin has announced. Advertisement

Russian strikes were also reported in the city of Dnipro. Regional Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said at least three people were killed and five were wounded.

Ukraine's air force said the southern cities of Mykolaiv and Odesa were targeted with Iranian-supplied suicide drones that Russia has increasingly deployed, seemingly to avoid losing more pilots who don't control Ukraine's skies.

Italy's new far-right leader Georgia Meloni - whose political partners have questioned sanctions against Russia - said that Putin 'threatens the security of the entire European continent'. The leaders of Poland, the Netherlands and Greece also condemned the decision.

Russia is also continuing to attack the regions it now claims as part of its own country, firing a rocket at a humanitarian convoy of cars in Zaporizhzhia earlier in the day - killing at least 25 civilians and wounding 50 in the process. The cars were heading into Russian-occupied territory to distribute aid, Ukrainian officials said.

President Zelensky branded Russia 'bloodthirsty scum' after the blast, adding: 'Only complete terrorists could do this. You will definitely answer [for it]. For every lost Ukrainian life!'

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, one of Zelensky's senior advisers, said Russia had fired a total of 16 S-300 anti-aircraft missiles at Ukrainian territory, four of which landed - destroying the queue of cars along with a nearby car market.

Photos from Zaporizhzhia showed a road littered with blown-out cars and at least two bodies lying on the ground, as survivors picked their way through the rubble.

One witness reported seeing about 12 bodies, four of them in cars, and said a missile had left a crater in the ground near two lines of vehicles at a car market.

The impact had thrown chunks of dirt ino the air and sprayed the vehicles with shrapnel. The windows of the vehicles - mostly cars and three vans, were blown out.

The vehicles were packed with belongings, blankets and suitcases.

In one of them, the body of a man was leaned from the driver's seat into the passenger seat, his left hand still clutching the steering wheel.

Oleksandr Starukh, governor of Zaporizhzhia, wrote on Telegram: ' The enemy launched a rocket attack on a civilian humanitarian convoy on the way out of the regional center.

'People stood in line to leave for the temporarily occupied territory, to pick up their relatives, to take away aid.

'Rescuers, medics, and all relevant services are currently working at the site.'

Plastic sheets were draped over the bodies of a woman and young man in a green car in the next car in front. A dead cat lay next to the young man in the rear seat.

Two bodies lay in a white mini-van in front of that car, its windows blown and the sides pitted with shrapnel.

Russian stooges in Donetsk, which the Kremlin has partly occupied since 2014, are pictured waving flags and cheering as Putin announced that the region is now a part of Russia

Crowds are gathering in Moscow's Red Square for a 'patriotic concert' following Putin's announcement that parts of Ukraine are now considered to be part of Russia

Flag-waving Russians gather in central Moscow to celebrate Putin carving up Ukraine and claiming to annex four regions, with a 'patriotic concert' set to take place in Red Square

Law enforcement officers stand guard as people walk towards Red Square to attend events marking the annexation of four Ukrainian regions occupied by Russian troops

The annexation comes after Russia staged sham referendums in the occupied regions, with gunmen taking see-through ballot boxes door-to-door in order to force people to vote

A woman who gave her name as Nataliya said she and her husband had been visiting their children in Zaporizhzhia.

'We were returning to my mother who is 90 years old. We have been spared. Itas a miracle,' she said, standing with her husband beside their car.

Russia denied being responsible for the strike, instead blaming it on Ukraine.

From today, Putin will be able to spin the lie - to his own people at least - that Ukrainian efforts to liberate these regions are in fact attacks on Russia.

Provided the public buy into the lie, that would allow him to escalate the war in response - potentially up to and including the use of nukes.

Putin himself threatened to use nuclear arms in a speech last week, and his allies - including Dmitry Medvedev, head of the security council - have repeated the threat several times since then.

The Kremlin dictator last night signed decrees recognising Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the country's south and east as states independent of Volodymyr Zelensky's Government - a precursor to Putin's deranged plot to illegally absorb 15% of Ukrainian territory into the Russian Federation.

An aerial view shows how a single missile exploded close to the convoy, shredding the vehicles with shrapnel as people prepared to head into nearby Russian-occupied territory to visit relatives and distribute aid

Russian missiles have struck a civilian convoy heading out of the Ukrainian-occupied city of Zaporizhzhia into nearby Russian-occupied territory, killing at least 25 people

Ukrainian servicemen stand next to the body of a civilian killed by a missile strike near Zaporizhzhia

Emergency workers and investigators inspect the wreckage of vehicles left behind after the early-morning missile strike, which left at least 25 people dead and dozens hurt

The missile strike came just hours before President Putin plans to give a speech announcing that Zaporizhzhia - along with three other regions - will be annexed to Russia to 'protect' them

A Ukrainian solider inspects the wreckage of a van that was shredded by shrapnel from an early-morning missile strike near the city of Zaporizhzhia

The city of Zaporizhzhia is located in southern Ukraine and is under the control of Kyiv's armed forces, but Russians occupy nearby territory which Putin plans to annex in a speech today

Picture shows burning parking lot vehicles after the Russian attacks on the Dnipro region in Ukraine on Friday, September 30

Under an amendment to the Russian constitution made in 2020, Putin and his predecessors are forbidden from ceding any territory once acquired - meaning once the annexation is completed today, it will be irreversible unless Ukraine can successfully recapture the stolen land. Even a partial withdrawal as part of a future peace deal with Kyiv will become impossible.

At an official ceremony in St George's Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace today, where marble plaques engraved in gold commemorate Russian military heroes, Putin will preside over a treaty-signing proclaiming the annexation of four regions of Ukraine - the breakaway People's Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

The Russian annexation will then be followed by planned celebratory concerts and rallies in the occupied territories and Moscow's Red Square, where Putin is expected to outline his view on why Ukraine has no right to an independent existence.

The stage-managed exercise follows a bogus five-day voting process across Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk that was entirely rigged in favour of becoming part of Putin's Russia. Moscow's proxies in the occupied regions claimed majorities of up to 99% in favour of joining. However, Ukraine and Western governments described those votes as bogus, illegitimate and conducted at gunpoint.

MPs in the Duma, Russia's puppet parliament, are expected to rubber stamp the move next week. It is a carbon copy of Moscow's approach in 2014 when it held a fake referendum in Crimea as a pretext for moving in and seizing the Ukrainian peninsula.

The annexation comes at a perilous moment for Putin. After months of grinding, attritional warfare, Ukraine seized the initiative this month by routing Russian forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

And Putin last week declared an unpopular partial mobilisation, prompting thousands of fighting-age men to flee the country. Even staunch Kremlin allies have criticised the chaotic nature of the call-up, while Putin himself said yesterday 'all mistakes must be corrected'.

Kyiv said that the annexation votes will not stop their armed forces from trying to retake its illegally stolen land, vowing a 'harsh' response. For its part, Russia pledges to defend all its territory - including newly annexed regions - by all available means, including nuclear weapons.

Ukraine's Western supporters have described the stage-managed referendums on whether to live under Russian rule as a bald-faced 'land grab' based on lies.

They say some people were forced to vote at gunpoint in an election without independent observers on territory from which thousands of residents have fled or been forcibly deported.
Putin made no mention of Russia's blunders since the invasion of Ukraine began

In a rambling speech, he lashed out at the Wests neo-colonial foreign policy

Vladimir Putin yesterday claimed that four occupied Ukrainian regions would remain part of Russia for ever in a bizarre 40-minute tirade that included rants about Satanism and colonialism.

The rambling speech formed part of a ceremony in Moscow that formally confirmed his land grab following a series of rigged referendums.

Ambling late to the podium in front of hundreds of ashen-faced officials, the despot lashed out at the Wests neo-colonial foreign policy. I want the Kyiv authorities and their real masters in the West to hear me, so that they remember this, Putin said.

People living in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are now becoming our citizens for ever.

He claimed the occupied regions wanted to join Russia because they were upset about the tragedy of the collapse of the Soviet Union. We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately end hostilities, end the war that they unleashed back in 2014 and return to the negotiating table, he added.

But the 69-year-old Russian president ruled out discussing the return of the four eastern regions. There is nothing stronger than their willingness to go back to their true historic homeland, he said in yet another denial of Ukraines right to exist.

Putin chants 'Russia' with the puppet 'leaders' of the four Ukrainian regions he now claims are part of his country

Thousands of Russians crowd into Moscow's Red Square for a concert to celebrate annexing parts of Ukraine

Putin, who appeared to be wearing make-up, said millions of people had expressed their love for Russia. As he said those words, the official television feed panned to a shot of Chechen leader and ally Ramzan Kadyrov rolling his eyes and staring at the ceiling of the ornate St Georges Hall of the Kremlin.

The 45-year-old, who once fought against Moscow for Chechnyas independence, has been critical of Russias setbacks on the battlefield.

While Putin was at the podium, his forces were in trouble once more a mere 460 miles from the Russian capital. Both Ukrainian military officials and pro-Moscow rebels confirmed that Kyiv was about to retake the eastern stronghold city of Lyman, in the Donbas.

Putin made no mention of those blunders in a venue where marble plaques and statues celebrate the military conquests of the Russian empire of centuries gone by.

While noticeably quieter on nuclear threats, he still claimed the US had created a precedent for their use at the end of the Second World War  implying that he could also decide that they were necessary.

Putins unhinged address was instead peppered with bizarre references ranging from gender reassignment to Britains Opium Wars in China in the 19th century.

The four Ukrainian regions Putin seeks to steal are Luhansk and Donetsk, in the east, and Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, in the south, but his armed forces are not in full control and fighting is continuing across all of them

Putin officially signs a decree accepting the four occupied regions of Ukraine as new territories of Russia, paving the way for him to escalate his war against his ex-Soviet neighbour

Do we really want to see perversions that lead to degradation and extinction imposed on children in our schools from the earliest years, for it to be drilled into them that there are supposedly some genders besides women and men and offered the chance to undergo sex change operations? he asked. This is a complete denial of humanity, the overthrow of faith and traditional values, he added. Indeed, the suppression of freedom itself has taken on the features of a religion: outright Satanism.

At the end of his rant, Putin and four pro-Kremlin puppet officials took part in a ceremony to formalise the annexations.

The group held hands and chanted Russia, Russia to rapturous applause. Later Putin told Russians gathered in Red Square that victory will be ours in a conflict that has lasted more than seven months.

Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen set at Red Square as he addresses a rally and a concert in Moscow

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen issued an immediate and direct rebuke to the attempt to claim 15 per cent of Ukraine.

All territories illegally occupied by Russian invaders are Ukrainian land and will always be part of this sovereign nation, she insisted. Her comments came before all 27 EU leaders issued a rare joint statement saying they would never recognise this illegal annexation.

Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk are Ukraine, it added.

Far-Right leader Giorgia Meloni, who won Italys general election last week, also blasted Moscows move. She said Putin had again demonstrated a neo-imperialist, Soviet-style vision, that threatened the security of the entire continent.

This further violation by Russia of the rules of coexistence between nations confirms the need for unity by Western democracies, said the woman tipped to be the next PM.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: The Russian regime must be held to account for this abhorrent violation of international law. Thats why we are working with our international partners to ramp up the economic pressure through new targeted services bans.

What happens in Ukraine matters to us all and the UK will do everything possible to assist their fight for freedom.
North Korea has fired ballistic missiles towards the east coast of South Korea as US Vice President Kamala Harris visited the country this week.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch was Pyongyang's fourth in a week as it ratchets up tension in the Korean peninsula.

It comes after the United States and South Korea held the Ulchi Freedom Shield - the biggest joint military drill in about five years.

Japan's coast guard also reported at least two suspected ballistic missile tests by Pyongyang.

NHK, citing a government source, said that a second missile had landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea near South Korea and Japan this week

The missile launches came before and after a four-day visit by US Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Harris met South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol - the pair issued a joint statement condemning the missile launches

North Korea fired missiles before and after Harris' visit to South Korea, extending a record pace in weapons testing this year as it increases the threat of a credible nuclear power that can strike the United States and its allies.

Pyongyang also conducted the first intercontinental ballistic missile test for the first time since 2017.

Nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches by North Korea have long been banned by the United Nations Security Council.

The South Korean military did not give details of the travel range, height and speed of the missiles.

The isolated country has completed preparations for a nuclear test, a window which could open between China's party congress in October and the U.S. mid-term elections in November, South Korean lawmakers said on Wednesday.

Kamala Harris met South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul during her four-day trip earlier this week to discuss the alliance between their two countries.

They issued a joint statement condemning the 'provocative nuclear rhetoric and ballistic missile launches' by North Korea.

The leaders also 'reaffirmed [their] alignment... and goal of the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula'.

The South Korean Chiefs of Staff said: 'South Korean military detected two short-range ballistic missiles fired from Sunchon, South Pyongan province, toward the east coast between 8:48pm [11:48 GMT] and 8:57pm [11:57 GMT]

'Amid strengthened surveillance and vigilance, our military maintains full preparedness while working closely with the US.'
It has won plaudits from some critics for its sympathetic retelling of her story.

But womens charities and experts have hit out at the disgusting portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Netflixs new film about her life.

Blonde, which was released on the streaming platform on Wednesday, has prompted a backlash from campaigners and viewers over its graphic portrayal of sexual assault, domestic violence and abortion.

This is despite the movie receiving a 14-minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival in September.

The film, which lasts for nearly three hours, is a fictionalised account of the actress life, with Cuban actress Ana de Armas, 34, playing Miss Monroe, who is said to have suffered sexual abuse when she was young.

Womens charities and experts have hit out at the disgusting portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Netflix s new film about her life

The film, which has an age 18 rating in the UK, is written and directed by Andrew Dominik, who has made outspoken comments both about the film and Miss Monroe

Molly Boydon, from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: Film and TV play a big part in shaping understanding of abortion

The movie, which is currently the number one film on Netflixs UK service, has been accused of being sexist and exploitative. There are graphic scenes showing Miss Monroe having an abortion, though there is no evidence she ever had one in real life.

It has led womens charities to warn that over-sensationalising abortion is incredibly unhelpful and can lead women to believe it is not safe.

The film, which lasts for nearly three hours, is a fictionalised account of the actress life, with Cuban actress Ana de Armas, 34, playing Miss Monroe (pictured), who is said to have suffered sexual abuse when she was young

Molly Boydon, from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: Film and TV play a big part in shaping understanding of abortion. Its important that depictions on screen do their best to reflect the reality of abortion: its a safe and routine part of healthcare that one in three women will access in their life time.

The movie, which is currently the number one film on Netflixs UK service, has been accused of being sexist and exploitative

Steph Herold, a researcher studying abortion in TV and film at the University of California, described the movie as anti-abortion, so sexist, so exploitative. It features multiple sexual assault scenes which Miss Herold branded gratuitous and disgusting.

The film, which has an age 18 rating in the UK, is written and directed by Andrew Dominik, who has made outspoken comments both about the film and Miss Monroe. He described Miss Monroes 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes as being about well-dressed whores and has admitted his film would offend everyone.

Responding to the scenes involving abortion and assault, he added: Im not concerned with being tasteful.

Some viewers have said they were unable to make it past the first 20 minutes, describing the film as absolutely unwatchable.
It was the closest any spacecraft has come to Europa since the US space agency's Galileo on January 3, 2000

The image was captured during spacecraft's closest approach within 219 miles (352 km) of surface yesterday

Reveals Europa's surface features in extraordinary detail in a region near moon's equator called Annwn Regio

The first picture taken by the Juno spacecraft as it flew by Jupiter's moon Europa has been released by NASA

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NASA's Juno spacecraft has taken its first picture of Jupiter's moon Europa  capturing the ice-encrusted surface in extraordinary detail.

The image is the closest look at Europa that any spacecraft has provided in more than 20 years, when the US space agency's Galileo came within 218 miles (351 km) of the surface in January 2000.

Revealing surface features in a region near the moon's equator called Annwn Regio, Juno's pictures were captured during the solar-powered probe's closest approach yesterday (Thursday).

Europa is the sixth-largest moon in the solar system, slightly smaller than Earth's moon.

Scientists think a salty ocean lies below a miles-thick ice shell, sparking questions about potential conditions capable of supporting life underneath Europa's surface.

Up close and personal: NASA's Juno spacecraft has taken its first picture of Jupiter's moon Europa  capturing the ice-encrusted surface in extraordinary detail

The images are the closest look at Europa that any spacecraft has provided in more than 20 years, when the US space agency's Galileo came within 218 miles (351 km) of the surface in January 2000

Revealing surface features in a region near the moon's equator called Annwn Regio, Juno's pictures were captured during the solar-powered probe's closest approach yesterday (Thursday)

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT EUROPA? Jupiter's icy moon Europa is slightly smaller than Earth's moon. Europa orbits Jupiter every 3.5 days and is tidally locked - just like Earth's moon - so that the same side of Europa faces Jupiter at all times. It is thought to have an iron core, a rocky mantle and a surface ocean of salty water, like Earth. Unlike on Earth, however, this ocean is deep enough to cover the whole surface of Europa, and being far from the sun, the ocean surface is globally frozen over. Many experts believe the hidden ocean surrounding Europa, warmed by powerful tidal forces caused by Jupiter's gravity, may have conditions favourable for life. NASA scientists are on the verge of exploring Jupiter's ocean moon Europa for signs of alien life. Europa is our best shot of finding biological life in the solar system, researchers say. Advertisement

As exciting as Juno's data will be, the spacecraft had only a two-hour window to collect it, racing past the moon with a relative velocity of about 14.7 miles per second (23.6 kilometers per second).

'It's very early in the process, but by all indications Juno's flyby of Europa was a great success,' said Scott Bolton, Juno principal investigator from Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.

'This first picture is just a glimpse of the remarkable new science to come from Juno's entire suite of instruments and sensors that acquired data as we skimmed over the moon's icy crust.'

This segment of the first image of Europa taken during this flyby by the spacecraft's JunoCam zooms in on a swath of Europa's surface north of the equator.

Due to the enhanced contrast between light and shadow seen along the terminator  the nightside boundary  rugged terrain features are easily seen, including tall shadow-casting blocks, while bright and dark ridges and troughs curve across the surface.

The oblong pit near the terminator might be a degraded impact crater.

Juno came within about 219 miles (352 km) of Europa's surface in what was only the third close pass in history below 310 miles (500 km) altitude.

During the flyby, the mission collected what will be some of the highest-resolution images of the moon and obtained valuable data on Europa's ice shell structure, interior, surface composition, and ionosphere, in addition to the moon's interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere.

'The science team will be comparing the full set of images obtained by Juno with images from previous missions, looking to see if Europa's surface features have changed over the past two decades,' said Candy Hansen, a Juno co-investigator who leads planning for the camera at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona.

'The JunoCam images will fill in the current geologic map, replacing existing low-resolution coverage of the area.'

Juno's close-up views and data from its Microwave Radiometer (MWR) instrument will provide new details on how the structure of Europa's ice varies beneath its crust.

Scientists can use all this information to generate new insights into the moon, including data in the search for regions where liquid water may exist in shallow subsurface pockets.

With this additional data about Europa's geology, Juno's observations will benefit future missions to the Jovian moon, including the agency's Europa Clipper.

Scientists think a salty ocean lies below a miles-thick ice shell, sparking questions about potential conditions capable of supporting life underneath Europa's surface

The Juno probe  depicted here in an artist's impression  reached Jupiter on July 4, 2016, after a five-year, 1.8 billion-mile (2.8 billion kilometre) journey from Earth

Set to launch in 2024, Europa Clipper will study the moon's atmosphere, surface, and interior, with its main science goal being to determine whether there are places below Europa's surface that could support life.

Building on Juno's observations and previous missions such as Voyager 2 and Galileo, the Europa Clipper mission will study the moon's atmosphere, surface, and interior when it arrives in 2030.

Its goal is to investigate habitability of the moon and better understand its global subsurface ocean, the thickness of its ice crust, and search for possible plumes that may be venting subsurface water into space.

The close flyby modified Juno's trajectory, reducing the time it takes to orbit Jupiter from 43 to 38 days.

It marks the second encounter with a Galilean moon during Juno's extended mission, having previously observed Ganymede in June 2021.

The spacecraft is also scheduled to make close flybys of Io, the most volcanic body in the solar system, in 2023 and 2024.
Elon Musk could help to save Hubble, after NASA revealed it will study the possibility of running a private astronaut mission with SpaceX to extend the iconic telescope's lifespan.

The 32-year-old observatory is slowly losing altitude and if nothing is done to re-boost it then Hubble will eventually fall into the Earth's atmosphere and burn up, most likely in the 2030s.

Since it was last serviced by the space shuttle in 2009, the telescope has come down by about 15 miles (25km).

Hubble now circles the Earth at a height of 335 miles (540km) but NASA would like to get it back up to 372 miles (600km), where it was originally positioned when it was launched in 1990.

'You'd add easily 15 to perhaps 20 years of orbit life to the mission if we could achieve that altitude,' said Hubble project manager Patrick Crouse during a press conference.

Elon Musk could help to save Hubble (pictured) after NASA revealed it will study the possibility of running a private astronaut mission with SpaceX to extend the iconic telescope's lifespan

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured this image of the famous Pillars of Creation in 1995, revealing a sharper and wider view of the structures in this visible-light image

This image shows one of the most dynamic and intricately detailed star-forming regions in space, located 210,000 light-years away in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Key facts about Hubble Mission duration: 31 years, 2 months, 8 days Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin and Perkin-Elmere Mass: 24,490lb Launch date: April 24, 1990 Launch site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida Started service: May 20, 1990 First observation: Jupiter (March 1991) Orbit: 333-336 miles Wavelengths: Near-infrared, visible light, ultraviolet Advertisement

The feasibility study won't just be limited to this, however. It will also examine how Musk's SpaceX might send a commercial crew in one of its Dragon capsules to service some of Hubble's hardware.

This could include replacing the gyroscopes used to point the telescope at stars and galaxies, which have previously shown they can fail over time.

Last year, engineers had to fix the worst malfunction in years to hit the famous observatory, which has made more than 1.5 million observations, resulting in the publication of some 19,000 scholarly research papers.

Experts spent more than a month investigating the cause of a problem with the payload computer, which helps to control the onboard science instruments.

This year alone, Hubble has imaged the single most distant star in the universe and the largest comet ever identified.

Its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, was launched on Christmas Day last year and began science operations in July. However, astronomers have always said they anticipate the two observatories working together in tandem for a number of years.

Hubble circles our planet at a speed of about 17,000mph (27,300kph) in low Earth orbit at about 335 miles in altitude, slightly higher than the International Space Station

The feasibility study won't just be limited to this, however. It will also examine how Musk's SpaceX might send a commercial crew in one of its Dragon capsules (pictured) to service some of Hubble's hardware

SPACEX CREW DRAGON CAPSULE MEASURES 20FT AND CAN CARRY 7 ASTRONAUTS AT A TIME The March 2 test, the first launch of U.S. astronauts from U.S. soil in eight years, will inform the system design and operations (Artist's impression) The capsule measures about 20 feet tall by 12 feet in diameter, and will carry up to 7 astronauts at a time. The Crew Dragon features an advanced emergency escape system (which was tested earlier this year) to swiftly carry astronauts to safety if something were to go wrong, experiencing about the same G-forces as a ride at Disneyland. It also has an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that provides a comfortable and safe environment for crew members. Crew Dragon's displays will provide real-time information on the state of the spacecraft's capabilities, showing everything from Dragon's position in space, to possible destinations, to the environment on board. Those CRS-2 Dragon missions will use 'propulsive' landings, where the capsule lands on a landing pad using its SuperDraco thrusters rather than splashing down in the ocean. That will allow NASA faster access to the cargo returned by those spacecraft, and also build up experience for propulsive landings of crewed Dragon spacecraft.

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While the prospect of extending Hubble's life is exciting, it still may not be possible, according to NASA's director of science Thomas Zurbuchen.

'I want to be absolutely clear, we're not making an announcement of a date, or that we'd definitely go forward with a plan like this. But we want to have a study to see really what would be feasible,' he said.

SpaceX's Dragon capsules are currently used to take astronauts to and from the International Space Station, but getting to Hubble would be a different challenge.

'It's in a different orbit, different mass, they're different vehicles. The details of proximity operations  that's going to be a little bit different; it'll all be unique to the telescope,' said SpaceX's Jessica Jensen.

'We're just looking forward to studying what's possible and what's needed and working all this in coordination with NASA.'

After a computer glitch caused Hubble to shut down last year, NASA was forced to dismiss fears it was 'beyond repair'

In the direction of the constellation Canis Major, two spiral galaxies pass by each other like majestic ships in the night. The image by Hubble was released in 1999

There is hope, however, that a 'capture ring' attached to Hubble by the last shuttle mission may allow a Dragon capsule to lock on and push the observatory upwards.

It had been intended to allow a future craft to pull the telescope out of the sky and be disposed of in the South Pacific Ocean, but could yet have the opposite effect to actually extend Hubble's life.

'We certainly wouldn't anticipate (a Dragon mission) being at the level of complexity of servicing missions that were accomplished with the shuttle and NASA astronaut crews from the past, but we are excited to look at what opportunities are available with our commercial partners,' said Crouse.

The study itself will last about six months, after which NASA officials will determine whether it is feasible to start planning such a mission.

'We won't last forever, but we're trying to last as long as we can,' Crouse added.
Three Robb Elementary School survivors and their parents have filed the first federal lawsuit since the May 24 shooting that killed 19 pupils and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas.

The Uvalde school district, police force, and weapons distributors are named in the case, which was filed Thursday in federal court in Del Rio, Texas.

First Major Lawsuit Filed Over Robb Elementary School Mass Shooting

It also mentions Pete Arredondo, the school district's police chief who was sacked in August, and Mandy Gutierrez, the former principal of Robb Elementary who has taken on a new job in the school system administration.

Oasis Outback, the gun shop where the gunman picked up his weapons days before the assault, and Daniel Defense, the gun manufacturer who sold him the pistol online, are both named in the case. The gun manufacturer targets young boys like the suspected shooter, according to ABC News.

Motorola Solutions, door locking manufacturer Schneider Electric USA, sacked school Police Chief Pete Arredondo, and suspended police Lt. Mariano Pargas, who was acting city Police Chief at the time, are also listed.

The school was also accused of leaving external doors open and failing to solve technical concerns with classroom doors, which allowed the gunman easy access to pupils and teachers. They referenced a July investigation by the Texas State House Committee that blamed a culture of complacency for inadequate measures that may have halted the shooter.

The police reaction to the massacre was heavily criticized since over 400 policemen responded but did not approach and kill the gunman for more than an hour. The families also claimed that the city's police department failed to follow state-mandated active shooter training protocols put in place after the Columbine High School massacre, cops fled after coming under fire from the gunman, then waited for help.

The complaint also names school Principal Mandy Gutierrez, who was restored three days after being suspended for rebutting a harshly scathing parliamentary committee report finding a culture of complacency at the school.

According to the complaint, Motorola's devices failed to function inside the school, leaving first responders without information transmitted from dispatch and/or other first responders, and Schneider Electric's doors failed to lock as planned after being shut, as per Independent.

Read Also: Hurricane Ian Pummels Florida, Turning Roads Into Rivers and Ripping Buildings Apart While Millions of People Trapped Without Power

Uvalde School Shooting

The current complaint comes on the heels of another filed in June by four families whose children were injured in the shooting against the estate of Salvador Ramos, the lone suspect in the massacre who was slain by responding border patrol agents. The families are suing Ramos' estate for up to $100 million in compensation for bodily and emotional harm caused by the May tragedy.

Except for the school system and the city of Uvalde, the families who filed the complaint this week demand punitive damages from all of the defendants, according to The Hill.

Students in Uvalde returned to school for the first time since the shooting earlier this month. Robb Elementary School, the site of the incident, has been permanently shuttered. The school's students were divided among three other primary schools in the vicinity, Washington Examiner reported.

Related Article: [WATCH] Woman Brutally Beaten in New York by Homeless Parolee May Lose Right Eyesight, Blames Mayor Eric Adams for "Doing Nothing"

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Twitter has become the latest online platform to imitate China's TikTok by adding an 'immersive' video experience, following in the footsteps of Instagram and YouTube.

The US platform has said it's changing its video player so Twitter users can expand videos to full screen with a single tap.

Currently, videos on Twitter only take up part of the screen, but switching them to full screen will mimic a trend that was pioneered by TikTok and copied by rivals.

The change will appear 'in the coming days' for English-speaking Twitter users who are using the Twitter app on iOS, but not for Android.

Once the video has been launched in full screen mode, users can scroll up to start browsing more 'engaging video content'.

Twitter is changing its video player so users can expand videos to full screen with a single click - just like videos on TikTok

HOW TO GET FULL SCREEN ON TWITTER To activate the new 'immersive' full screen, iOS users just need simply tap on a video in the Twitter app. Once the video has been launched in full screen mode, users can scroll up to start browsing more 'engaging video content'. If users want to exit full screen and go back to the original tweet, they have to click the arrow in the top left corner. Advertisement

It will make watching videos more 'immersive' and make it easier to 'watch whats happening', Twitter said.

Also, Twitter is adding a new video carousel to the Explore tab (indicated by a magnifying glass) for both iOS and Android users on the app.

Twitter detailed the updates in a blog post published on Thursday, although it didn't acknowledge any possible influence of the Chinese app.

'Videos are a huge part of the public conversation, and theyre one of the most engaging ways people can express themselves online,' the blog post reads.

'In fact, videos shared on Twitter receive billions of combined views every year.

'We want to make it easy for everyone to use our service in the way that best fits their needs, and videos (including fun movie teasers) are an important part of that.'

Jake Moore, tech expert and security advisor at ESET, said rival tech firms are scrambling to replicate TikTok's features in an attempt to hold on to users.

'With TikTok taking the prominent lead in the social media race, those behind are seemingly desperate to replicate its success,' he told MailOnline.

Twitter is also adding a new video carousel to the Explore tab (indicated by a magnifying glass)

'Video content is clearly being viewed as the front runner across all of the platforms and other big names are quickly reacting and attempting to adapt now in order to keep up with these successes.'

Instagram and Facebook, which are owned by Mark Zuckerberg's company Meta, have already introduced TikTok-esque features.

TikTok is known for its fast-paced vertically scrolling feed and, in May, Instagram confirmed it would be testing the same format.

At the time, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, said: 'We're trying to figure out how to advance Instagram forward in a world where more and more people are going to be mobile-first.'

Currently, videos on Twitter only take up part of the screen, but switching them to full screen will mimic a trend that was pioneered by TikTok

Instagram has faced criticism for shifting away from its original focus on photos to short-form videos  notably from media personality Kylie Jenner, who urged Meta to 'make Instagram Instagram again' and said it should 'stop trying to be TikTok'.

Facebook, meanwhile, introduced Reels, its blatant attempt to mimic the TikTok experience, last year.

Facebook describes Reels as 'a new way to create short, entertaining videos, get discovered by new audiences and be part of cultural moments on Facebook'.

Just like with TikTok, Reels users just have to swipe the screen to watch an endless library of short-form clips.

In February, Zuckerberg revealed Facebook had seen a decline in daily users for the first time in its history  squaring the blame largely at TikTok.

Even Google-owned YouTube has been in on the act, releasing YouTube Shorts, which present clips in portrait mode and limits them to 60 seconds in length.

With it, YouTube added the ability to sample audio from the more than 800 million videos on the platform.

Like TikTok, YouTube Shorts allows users to post short-form videos of up to 60-seconds from their smartphones
After months of tweets and teases, Elon Musk is attempting to manage expectations ahead of Teslas AI Day tonight.

The tech company's humanoid Optimus robot - teased at last year's artificial intelligence event by a person in a spandex costume - will be the star of the show.

Tesla on Friday morning shared a short clip of a pair of robotic hands making a heart shape. 'The hands of Optimus. That is not CGI,' the mogul tweeted in the afternoon.

Musk said that people can expect lots of technical detail and cool hardware demos at the Palo Alto, California event thats being livestreamed beginning at 6:15 pm Pacific Time.

Whatever the state of the robot prototype - which Musk has said will eventually cost less than a car - it has massive implications for everything from manufacturing to domestic life, the service industry, healthcare and more.

'If you say, what is the economy? At the foundation it is labor. So what happens when there is no shortage of labor?' Musk said onstage at last years AI Day. 'Is there any actual limit to the economy? Maybe not.'

The tech company's humanoid Optimus robot - teased at last year's artificial intelligence event by a person in a spandex costume - is expected to be the star of Tesla AI Day. Tesla on Friday morning shared a short clip of a pair of robotic hands making a heart shape

Musk has been teasing Optimus in a wide range of ways over the last few months, on Twitter, in public statements and in an essay he penned for a publication in China

Musk tweeted this week: Note, this event is meant for recruiting AI & robotics engineers, so will be highly technical. As well as advanced chip & supercomputer engineers for next-gen training & inference.

The world's wealthiest person also replied to a tweet from someone who listed the following predicted reactions to Tesla AI Day:

'Media and analysts: Disappointing, a distraction. The masses: Can I fk it?. TSLAQ: Stock pump, Elons a fraud, also Im a virgin and I hate myself. AI/Robotics experts: (the sweat droplet emoji). $TSLA retail investors: (multiple sweat droplet emojis)'

Musk responded: Pretty much. AI/robotics engineers who understand what problems need to be solved will like what they see.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk (above) tweeted this week: Note, this event is meant for recruiting AI & robotics engineers, so will be highly technical. As well as advanced chip & supercomputer engineers for next-gen training & inference'

Whatever state the robot prototype is in, it has massive implications for everything from manufacturing to domestic life, the service industry, healthcare and more

'If you say, what is the economy? At the foundation it is labor. So what happens when there is no shortage of labor?' Musk said onstage at last years AI Day. 'Is there any actual limit to the economy? Maybe not'

Beyond the key topics below, and the ongoing legal saga over Musks desire to pull out of his planned $44 billion Twitter buyout, Wall Street and tech-watchers will be looking for any clues about Teslas financial health.

We think it will take a lot to divert attention away from the impending trial over Musk's proposed acquisition of Twitter, Garrett Nelson, vice president of equity research at CFRA Research, told IBD.

We expect the updates to be longer-term in focus, but investors will listen for any clues regarding its Q3 results, such as whether it has been adversely affected by operational and cost issues similar to those disclosed by Ford last week.

What do we know about Tesla Optimus? Originally called Tesla Bot, Elon Musk announced the humanoid robot at AI Day in August 2021 The robot would stand 5'8 and weigh 125 pounds It will move at 5 mph, deadlift 125 pounds and carry 45 pounds Tesla Optimus will have human-like hands and feet and sensors for eyes The bot will be 'friendly' to humans Humans will also be able to outrun and overpower the robots if needed The robot will be able to perform tasks that are repetitive or boring, but could also serve as a companion Tesla is set to unveil a prototype of the robot September 30 at AI Day Advertisement

Optimus, also known as Tesla Bot

The humanoid robot, which is intended for industrial and domestic uses, was first announced at AI Day in August 2021. More recently, Musk said people will be 'blown away' by it.

'Tesla Bots are initially positioned to replace people in repetitive, boring, and dangerous tasks. But the vision is for them to serve millions of households, such as cooking, mowing lawns, and caring for the elderly,' Musk wrote in the essay published in China Cyberspace magazine.

'The Tesla Bot is close to the height and weight of an adult, can carry or pick up heavy objects, walk fast in small steps, and the screen on its face is an interactive interface for communication with people.

The CEO confirmed that he's planning to focus on improving the bot's intelligence and solving the problem of large-scale production after revealing a prototype. The company's been on a hiring spree for robotics experts and today's event will serve as a recruitment tool.

'Thereafter, humanoid robots usefulness will increase yearly as production scales up and costs fall. In the future, a home robot may be cheaper than a car. Perhaps in less than a decade, people will be able to buy a robot for their parents as a birthday gift,' he said.

The Tesla bot, which would be 5'8 and weigh 125 pounds, is set to include the Autopilot computer used in the company's electric cars, which will allow the humanoid to recognize real-world objects, although the robot will have its own customized sensors and actuators.

It will also be able to 'deadlift' up to 150 pounds, carry 45 pounds, walk 5 miles per hour and have human-like hands plus visual sensors giving it the ability to 'see.'

However, building a functional humanoid robot that integrates AI capabilities is exceedingly difficult, and it remains to be seen how much Tesla has progressed.

We still have fundamental robotics technology gaps that need to be solved before we will see human level anything,' Will Jackson, CEO of robotics company Engineered Arts, told The Verge. Maybe Tesla [has] solved it  if they have, it will be an absolute game changer  however, it feels unlikely as it would be a great leap forward out of nowhere.

We expect the updates to be longer-term in focus, but investors will listen for any clues regarding its Q3 results, such as whether it has been adversely affected by operational and cost issues similar to those disclosed by Ford last week,' Garrett Nelson, vice president of equity research at CFRA Research, told IBD

Musk shared that Teslas AI team has a deadline of the end of this month for actually smart summon and auto park, which are both part of the tech firms Enhanced Autopilot. ABOVE: An employee drives a Tesla Motors Model S, equipped with Autopilot hardware and software, hands-free on a highway in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Full Self-Driving Beta

Musk recently shared that Teslas AI team has a deadline of the end of this month for actually smart summon and auto park, which are both part of the tech firms Enhanced Autopilot.

Summon is just what you think, the ability to have your Tesla come and find you from wherever its parked in a busy lot. While Autopark helps automatically parallel or perpendicular park your car, with a single touch, per the firms website.

The company will provide an update on the North American rollout of FSD Beta - which is available at an extra cost after owners have achieved a high safety score - the overall development of the autonomous driving technology and what to expect in the next version.

'FSD is a key part of the Tesla growth story over the next decade and this is a pivotal event ... to lay out technology enhancements and improvements over the next year,' Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives said in a note previewing the event.

At last years AI event, Musk unveiled the Dojo supercomputer chip, which delivers what the company has called breakthrough computational performance to power Teslas cars

On Thursday, Musk claimed the companys Cybertruck will have capabilities on water as well as land. Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rives, lakes and even seas that arent too choppy, the billionaire wrote on Twitter. ABOVE: The Tesla Cybertruck is seen at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles

Dojo Supercomputer

At last years AI event, Musk unveiled the Dojo supercomputer chip, which delivers what the company has called breakthrough computational performance to power Teslas cars.

This was entirely designed by Tesla team internally. All the way from the architecture to the package. This chip is like GPU-level compute with a CPU level flexibility and twice the network chip level IO bandwidth. A Tesla engineer said at the time.

Tesla announced at the 2021 AI Day that its Dojo supercomputer will be powered by its in-house D1 chips

Now, Tesla is expected to use the Dojo system to train its own neural networks to perfect self-driving and potentially even make the technology available to other developers in the future.

Cybertruck

On Thursday, Musk claimed the companys much-delayed Cybertruck will have capabilities on water as well as land.

Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat, so it can cross rives, lakes and even seas that arent too choppy, the billionaire wrote on Twitter.

Needs be able to get from Starbase to South Padre Island, which requires crossing the channel, Musk explained.

He made a similar claim about the vehicle in 2020.

Early this year, it was revealed that Tesla had quietly removed the promise of 2022 production from its website, having originally pushed back the vehicle debut from 2021.

Still, Musk seems committed to the futuristic, CGI-in-real-life vehicle.
The wreck of a long-lost World War I German U-boat that sank a century ago was discovered by a sleuthing diver off the coast of Virginia.

The SM U-111, which was a 235-foot ship that sank three Allied merchant ships in the Atlantic Ocean during its time with the German Imperial Navy, sank on August 31, 1922 in waters that U.S. Navy said were 1,600 feet deep.

Over Labor Day, diver Erik Petkovic was on board the R/V Explorer about 40 miles off Virginia's coast peering into a video monitor linked to a remotely operated vehicle searching 400 feet below when he yelled out: 'That's it! There it is!'

ABOVE: An open hatch on the conning tower of U-111 shows an interior ladder

ABOVE: A deck gun mount on U-111 with the utility claw of the remote operated vehicle in the foreground

ABOVE: The first footage of the U-111 from June 2022 shows a portion of it covered in fishing nets. The wreck is accessible by underwater robots and a small number of technical divers.

The shipwreck enthusiast started diving as a teenager and became inspired by Robert Ballard's discovery of Titanic in 1985, according to a report in National Geographic, before becoming an accomplished technical diver and authoring books on shipwreck exploration.

After the war ended, any sea-worthy boats that had been captured were sent to England. Most were used for scrap but a few were saved for Allied forces to pick over so that they could learn about Germany's diesel engine technology.

An American crew brought it across the Atlantic Ocean in a dangerous voyage that required navigating icy waters where the R.M.S. Titanic had sunk seven years before, the publication reports.

'It's one of those remarkable lost takes of survival,' Petkovic told National Geographic.

Maryland-native Petkovic is one of small number of 'technical divers' who explore depths that are far deeper than the standard 120-foot limit that recreational divers observe.

In June 1921, while being towed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to be used as a target for aerial bombing, the U-111 started to take on water.

The ship sank in 35 feet of water about three miles off the coast of Cape Henry, Virginia. However, that was so shallow that the boat's stern was protruding from the water's surface.

The U.S. Navy brought the boat in to pump out the water and refloated it one more time before its final journey out to sea.

On August 31, 1922 the U-111 was sunk when the boat's hatches were opened and the USS Falcon set off a depth charge next to it.

All members of the R/V Explorer crew are volunteers who choose to spend their time and money to explore their passion for shipwreck diving.

ABOVE: The deck of the U-boat with the conning tower rising in the background
Tony Bellew says Tyson Fury has turned the negotiations over a potential bout with Anthony Joshua into the 'Fury show'.

Fury claimed his proposed Battle of Britain clash with Joshua was off on Monday after AJ failed to sign the contract before a deadline of 5pm. However, the Gypsy King made a U-turn on Thursday morning and said the fight was still on the cards.

Bellew said he's not surprised by Fury's actions given the 'amount of attention' the proposed fight has received. However, he has praised Joshua and his camp for 'keeping it professional'.

Tony Bellew (above) says AJ and Tyson Fury's negotiations have turned in to the 'Fury show'

Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail via Bestofbets, Bellew said: 'I'm not surprised about the situation; Fury is a showman and he's turning this into the Fury Show.

'Looking at the publicity around the fight, that's not even an official fight yet, it's madness. It's on, it's offall I can see is that AJ is keeping it professional.

'His camp has already stated that the contract couldn't be signed on Monday or today. Fury knows this so it's all in the name of publicity.

'At the end of the day, Tyson Fury has tried to face everybody and anybody. Anthony Joshua's done the exact same thing, but with slightly less success.

Joshua suffered his second-successive loss against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia last month

However, Fury (C) offered his British rival a lifeline by offering him a bout in December this year

'The thing with AJ is, as Fury knows, when you back Joshua into a corner, he'll face whoever whenever.

'Fury knows that Joshua is game, and he also knows that he wants to go ahead with the fight, but obviously, as we've heard, the paperwork around fights like this are significant, and important, and until all is ironed out an announcement can't be made.

'So in the meantime, Fury has somehow decided to take matter into his own hands and start the build-up himself.'

Bellew says the ongoing negotiations will not impact AJ's preparation for the potential bout. He also said Joshua would be 'ready' to face Fury any time in the future.

Fury said AJ had until Monday to sign the contract and said the fight was off if he didn't

Bellew referred to AJ as a 'machine & a phenomenal athlete' and praised the British heavyweight for always being 'in shape'.

He told Sportsmail: 'Joshua's a machine and a phenomenal athlete. He's always in shape and therefore doesn't have warmup fights. He's always training, and he always wants the next best and biggest possible challenge.

'And when the next biggest and possible challenge is Tyson Fury, he's not going to shy away from it.

'However, it will be interesting to see how these negotiations go, and where they go. It's all been on Tyson Fury before as we remember.

'For example, everything was set in Saudi Arabia before AJ's first Usyk fight. We were all ready to go, and then Fury's team pull the plug last minute because of legal proceedings that they knew that was already in place. So although Fury is saying it's all on AJis it really though?!?'.

Fury said he was frustrated with a lack of movement from Joshua's team and pulled the pug on the fight despite Frank Warren claiming talks were progressing at a good pace

AJ and Fury's negotiations have turned into a circus. Fury took to social media to say the proposed Battle of Britain with Joshua was off on Monday afternoon.

Fury said he was frustrated with a lack of movement from Joshua's team and pulled the pug on the fight despite Frank Warren claiming talks were progressing at a good pace.

However, the Gypsy King has now revealed that his promoter successfully convinced him to extend the deadline for a few more days.

The pair were said to be holding crunch talks on Thursday afternoon and it is expected an announcement will be made on Friday.

Fury took to Twitter to say: 'Anthony Joshua, where do we start. The deadline was Monday. Frank Warren asked me and convinced me to let it carry on for a few more days.

Joshua (above) and AJ were said to be having their final discussion over the bout on Thursday

'Today is Thursday. And even though I knew you wouldn't sign this contract, I allowed Frank to continue doing meetings with your team and your broadcasters and all that, and now we have BT, DAZN and ESPN all on the same page. They are happy with everything. they're all happy, ready to rock 'n roll.

'You guys asked for a lot of stuff. You wanted to be co-promoters when you're a voluntary challenger. Guess what, I said give it to 'em. Let them be co-promoters.

'You wanted full transparency even though you're not an equal shareholder in this party. Do you know what I said? Give him full transparency.

'I've got nothing to hide. I'm not trying to rob anybody. I've never robbed anybody of a penny in my life. So now you've got full transparency, everything is clean and fair.'
Lionel Messi's private jet released as many carbon emissions in three months as the average French citizen would over a 150 years, according to a report.

The jet is claimed to have made 52 flights from June 1 to August 31.

According to L'Equipe via Zach Lowy, 30 of the flights were intercontinental and 14 were trans-Atlantic, causing extreme levels of carbon emission in just three months.

Lionel Messi's private jet recently released 1,502 tons of carbon dioxide in just three months

L'Equipe's research shows 52 trips were made by the forward between June 1 and August 31

The total emission for the jet over the three-month period is 1,502 tons of carbon dioxide.

The evidence shows a series of trips between Argentina and America, mainly to Miami but also one to New York.

He flew between Buenos Aires in Argentina and Miami five times overall.

There were also three trips between Montevideo, in Uruguay, and Miami, on June 10, June 22 and June 23.

The emission is the same amount as an average French person would use across 150 years

There are also trips to and from Brazil, with several flights between Europe and South America.

The PSG forward also flew either to or from Barcelona seven times throughout the Ligue 1 off season.

Journeys also included trips to Tenerife, Bilbao, Nice and Figari.

The news comes in a time of several warning on climate change and urges for the human race to do more to look after the planet.
Roaring around the Arc de Triomphe in a vintage Citroen DS as the sun beats down must surely be the most perfect way to take in Paris.

And its the way historian Bettany Hughes chooses to see the city as she sets off on a cultural adventure through Europe, as part of an inspirational new Channel 5 travel series.

'As Audrey Hepburn once said, "Paris is always a good idea", she explains. 'Ive always just loved this place; its devotion to elegance and glamour is so inspiring.

'You cant help noticing the Parisiennes look so super-stylish and full of joie de vivre.'

Oh, la la! Historian Bettany Hughes travels from Paris to Rome for Channel 5's inspirational new travel show

The French capital provides the main backdrop for the first episode of her new four-part series, Paris to Rome with Bettany Hughes.

In the show, the history professor goes in search of what the French would call la belle vie or the good life.

Stopping off at some of the finest cities in Europe she immerses herself  and the viewers - in the art and the culture, the music, the scenery and the food that feed our minds and fuel our senses.

And its her day job that makes this journey extra special as fascinating facts effortlessly trip off her tongue, putting everything into an historical context and adding a richness not usually seen in travel documentaries.

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH PARIS

Something's in the air... Bettany tells us the city gained its romantic reputation during the Enlightenment period

Bettany first visited the City of Light in her teens, drawn both by a love affair and a love of adventure.

We never find out if the romance worked out, but her relationship with Paris has continued to this day. How could it not when even the cafes are so special?

Bettany visits Les Deux Magots, a coffee hotspot where some of the greatest thinkers put forward new theories and dared to challenge the status quo.

'For decades their ideas were cultivated right here,' she says. 'They dreamt up all kinds of new and exciting ideas and discussed how the world should be.'

These brains included feminist Simone de Beauvoir and her partner, writer Jean-Paul Sartre.

'They were basically the "it" couple of the day who dreamt up these incredible, radical ideas,' says Bettany. 'Thats one of the things about the cafe culture in Paris  its not just about your first coffee of the day, its about having time to discuss new exciting ideas and dream up new ways of being.'

PEACE IN THE VENICE OF THE ALPS

AND breathe... Annecy, known as the Venice of the Alps, is a picture of tranquillity and the ultimate travel destination

But theres more to the good life than vintage cars, stunning architecture and world-class art - natural beauty can take your breath away too.

Bettany motors down (in a gorgeous 2CV, of course) to the charming town of Annecy whose position, surrounded by rivers and nestling in the foothills of the Alps, means its also known as 'the Venice of the Alps.

The 12th century town itself is a delight but its the peace and tranquillity of its huge lake that really draws people to its shoreline. Even Queen Victoria visited on a sketching holiday once a year, taking a steamer boat into the middle of the water to capture the scenery with her watercolours.

'She writes about it, you can tell she was having such a lovely time,' says Bettany. 'She talks about how it was difficult to sketch because the landscape and the weather kept on changing.'

The monarch would also slip off to a neighbouring town under a pseudonym to take the waters, enjoying a rare moment of anonymity.

Queen Victoria, despite all the pressures of state, had found out what truly made life good for her  art, relaxation and being surrounded by beauty.

Its the same for Bettany  and for us  as she continues her travels over the border into Italy.

COFFEE AND LOVERS

Coffee time! Bettany explores the beautiful St Mark's Square in Venice

First stop is Venice and the beautiful St Marks Square  the drawing room of Europe according to Napoleon.

And its time to learn the countrys strict rules for coffee  milky brews are only allowed for breakfast so you never order a latte after 11am.

Its lucky Bettany can even get a cup, as coffee was banned for years in Italy by the Catholic Church until a Pope actually tasted some and changed his mind.

She also explores the other great icons of Venice  the gondolas, the Grand Canal and glass of Murano  and even the legendary Casanova, who lived and loved in the city in the 18th century.

'He took the good life very seriously,' says Bettany. 'And, wandering these streets  his playground - late at night, I cant help but think of him.

'Hes addictively exciting to learn about. He was obsessed with immersing himself in the pleasures of body and soul. He said the whole point of life is to pursue the pleasures of the senses.

Bettany takes us on a tour of Venice with its famous canals, gondolas and Murano glass

'He declared, "Ive loved women to a frenzy" and he brought his driving passion to everything he did from romance to his writing.

'He was also a really smart man. He translated poems, he composed music and poetry so he sums up the kind of dark passions of this city.'

But the rest of Italy is calling so its time to move on with Bettany making stops in the ancient streets of Bologna, the beautiful Amalfi coast and the Bay of Poets.

Travelling, says Bettany, 'can seem very self-indulgent and that youre just having a good time, but also you come to places to live and to love and to learn and end up a better version of yourself.'

Even if youre watching someone elses journey on a television screen

Paris to Rome with Bettany Hughes starts on Channel 5 and My5 on Friday at 9pm
INSIDE MAN, MONDAY-TUESDAY, BBC1

Rating:

'Am I getting morality lessons from a murderer?' asks Beth (Lydia West), a young British journalist tasked with unravelling the potential murder-mystery at the heart of Steven Moffat's knotty, gritty, darkly funny, genre-buster of a four-part drama Inside Man.

'Everyone's a murderer,' responds her interviewee (American prisoner Jefferson Grieff, who is a murderer on Death Row). 'All it takes is a good reason and a bad day.'

This is not just another great line in a comedy-drama-cum-thriller that's packed with them, but arguably defines the plot of this complex, compelling story. When a series of unfortunate events means their teenage son may be wrongly identified as a paedophile, do charming, witty, happily married vicar Harry (David Tennant) and his wife Mary (Lyndsey Marshal) have what it takes to become murderers? Or can they find a less morally bankrupt solution to the, er, problem locked in the cellar?

When a series of unfortunate events means their teenage son may be wrongly identified as a paedophile, do charming, witty, happily married vicar Harry (David Tennant) and his wife Mary (Lyndsey Marshal) have what it takes to become murderers?

This would probably be quite enough tricksy plotting for your average drama. However, this being Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock), there is nothing very average about Inside Man.

Kathryn Flett (pictured) says the plotting is 'diabolically clever' and the acting 'on-point'

So, over in the US we have a parallel, intertwined plot in which wife murderer Grieff (Stanley Tucci, fresh from the delicious documentary series Searching For Italy, but far scarier) is an ex-criminologist now solving crimes as a hobby with the assistance of his prison sidekick, serial killer Dillon (Atkins Estimond, bringing new meaning to the description 'deadpan'), who gets all the zinger one-liners.

In this new 'case', Grieff is attempting to solve a murder even before it's a murder. And if that isn't more than enough plot, Grieff's personal journey adds an intriguing layer of back story: will he find redemption for his own terrible crime in helping to solve another?

We're just two episodes down (with two more this week) and, at the halfway mark, I wouldn't dare predict where things will end up. For a start, Stanley Tucci is such good company that even when playing a Very Bad Guy we can't help loving him (shades of Hannibal Lecter?).

Meanwhile, as he actively contemplates crossing over to the Dark Side, we're still rooting for Tennant's Harry. And surely none of us wants Janice (the problem in the basement) dead? Or do we?

I bet plenty of sofa philosophers will look at Harry (far left, with Janice, Grieff and Beth) and ask each other, 'What would you do?' (And no, I really don't want to know the answers!) During the tricky balancing act of marrying the very darkest strands of black comedy to straight-up drama, there's literally never a dull momentto the point where  exhausted  you might long for one.

Yes, that's a back-handed compliment. The plotting is diabolically clever, the acting on-point (kudos to all, especially Dolly Wells as Janice) and the edgy script never misses an opportunity to surprise (and, occasionally, shock) while exploring how hard it can sometimes be to 'do the right thing'but for some viewers Inside Man may be far easier to appreciate than it is to love.

Politics has never been so much fun

MAKE ME PRIME MINISTER, TUESDAY, CHANNEL 4

Rating:

Forget The Apprentice, shove over Bake OffChannel 4's Make Me Prime Minister, in which 12 random members of the public display uncanny political nous as they compete for the title of Alternative PM, is the most inspired competition on the box.

Actually, make that 11 random members of the public. Among the ambitious hairdressers, paralegals and students lurks a genuine 'celebrity' who knows her way around politics  Handforth Parish Council's internet superstar Jackie Weaver, inevitably claiming 'I do have the authority here'.

Tony Blair's former attack dog Alastair Campbell (pictured) appears as a judge

It's brilliantly cast, too  talent producer Horatia Lawson (sister of Nigella) has a formidable little black book, so we get Tony Blair's former attack dog Alastair Campbell and ex-chair of the Tory party Baroness Sayeeda Warsi as judges, offering insider tips and tricks to the competitors while both looking as though they genuinely care who wins.

In its first week competitors split into two 'parties', elected their potential PMs and delivered a radical new education policy. After launching it to the media, wannabe PMs Natalie and Darius sold their ideas to the public, who then cast their votes.

After a landslide victory  no spoilers here!  the winning PM returned to Number 10 while the loser was invited by Alastair and Sayeeda to 'fall on their sword'. Even if viewers could see it coming, the thick-skinned losing PM who refused to resign (they hoped to share the blame with the rest of their party) clearly didn't expect Alastair and Sayeeda to cheerfully stab them in the back.

That's politics. But unlike most political TV, MMPM is a lot of fun.

This England (Wed, Sky Atlantic) took its title from Shakespeare's soliloquy, allowing Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson (pictured) to play Richard II and the ex-PM in one go

Ambitious but flawed

This England (Wed, Sky Atlantic) took its title from Shakespeare's soliloquy, allowing Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson to play Richard II and the ex-PM in one go. His extraordinary acting (the make-up's less successful) is the highlight of a drama of two halves.

On the one hand, a serious (and seriously left-wing) take on Johnson's premiership, on the other, an analysis of the pandemic. An ambitious but flawed attempt that is too much, too soon.
CORONATION STREET

Since day one, Glenda seemed as if she had been in the show forever, and casting Jodie Prenger was a masterstroke. George's flamboyant sister wasted no time in getting her feet not just under the table at the Rovers, but on top of it, too  in fact, you can barely see the table for her magnificent presence.

Excited about hosting the pub quiz, she's furious when Daisy tells her Jenny will be doing it, as after Leo's left for Canada she's feeling much better. Who can blame her?

She's managed to shelve Canada and the insipid Leo in one fell swoop. That's not just a get-out-of-jail-free card, it's a whole pack.

'Since day one, Glenda seemed as if she had been in the show forever, and casting Jodie Prenger (pictured) was a masterstroke,' Jaci Stephen says

Glenda as she grabs the microphone. George's flamboyant sister wasted no time in getting her feet not just under the table at the Rovers

So, is Glenda behind Jenny's 'accident' on the newly mopped floor, causing her to spend the night in A&E? Naturally, in her absence, Glenda wastes no time grabbing the microphone.

Thank goodness for newcomer, solicitor Dee-Dee; she might be able to take some of the load off Adam who, as a solicitor, has the weight of every case on his shoulders.

IT'S THE LAW'S LOSS Channique Sterling-Brown  Corrie lawyer Dee-Dee  was set for law school when she chose drama school instead. Given how tough the acting world is, she may have chosen the harder route. Advertisement

Murder, property, divorce  you name it, he's the expert. Students should be queueing up to go to whichever law school he attended.

Dee-Dee's first job was to call James's club to try to negotiate him a good exit deal. Now she's taken on Stu's case. Clearly, she went to the same law school as Adam.

Quickly discovering that there was no trace of Stu's DNA on Charlie's bag, she says that re-testing it will be expensive. Alya, however, is determined to find the cash.

From where, pray? Speed Daal has no more than two customers a month. Is Lucy hiding the reason why Stuart no longer wishes to pursue the case?

Blimey! Dee-Dee's not just a solicitor, she's Inspector Morse, too. Give the woman a free poppadom.

In more Bailey news, Tim buys Aggie a necklace to thank her for help choosing Sally's anniversary gift. Please, stop this now; I can see where it's going and I don't like it.

EMMERDALE

Emmerdale made its debut on 16 October 1972, so this month we can expect some big events. Aaron's return is one of the highlights

Nobody likes a lurker, and the village has more than its fair share. Now it's Terry's turn, lurking in wait for Liv, demanding that she retract her statement to the police.

Following a fight, she falls, hits her head and lies unconscious. At least it makes a change from her being out of it as a result of alcohol, though she does seem to spend more time unconscious than conscious.

Making a hasty exit, Terry runs into Aaron (right, yes, he's back), who is arrested for attacking him. Eventually released, Aaron arrives at the hospital, but will it be a case of too little, too late, in hoping to make up?

Remember Liv said she could never forgive him for abandoning her in her hour of need (in all fairness, there were lots of needy hours; thousands, in fact). Vinny still won't allow Aaron to see her.

Nate is clearly taking a leaf out of Liv's book because he's drunk again and joking about Mack's affair. Ryan senses something is amiss and forces Mack to spill the beans.

Insisting that Mack tell Charity, are we in for a shock when he sets off to deal with the situation with his one-night stand and the identity is revealed?

Any guesses? I'm still thinking Gabby. If it is her, rest assured she won't keep it quiet. Gabby by name, gabby by nature.

A fanfare for the big 5-0...

Emmerdale made its debut on 16 October 1972, so this month we can expect some big events. Aaron's return is one of the highlights.

Visiting ostensibly for dying Faith (we've been promised a heartbreaking ending) but finding Liv in hospital, he'll also have to contend with Chas having an affair with Al  if he finds out about it.

Of course he will. Other characters making a return for the anniversary are Diane and Tracy. And there's a deadly storm. Time to start working on those wreaths?

EASTENDERS

Sam spends most of her life playing the Mean Girl, then explaining why. It's an uphill task, and when she tries to tell Kat why she double-crossed Phil (good luck with that), they end up fighting and Phil throws Sam out of the house

You can't help wondering whether all the orange juice Phil drinks has an adverse effect on his behaviour; at least when he was drinking, he was unconscious much of the time.

With Keeble on his back, 'frettnin' to go after the rest of the fairmly' unless Jimmie is dropped from defending Billy, he's on a tight leash. When he sees Jonah grab Sam's arm, he punches him, leaving Jonah also 'frettnin' the fairmly'.

With Shirley frettnin' to tell Phil the 'troof', Sam calls her bluff, but it backfires, and Shirley drops the bombshell that Sam has been scamming him for months. That's a lot of frets. Why don't you just clear off to Spain, Phil, and leave them to it?

Sam spends most of her life playing the Mean Girl, then explaining why. It's an uphill task, and when she tries to tell Kat why she double-crossed Phil (good luck with that), they end up fighting and Phil throws Sam out of the house.

Not for the first time. Why doesn't she just keep an overnight bag on the street? It would save lots of time.

It's all good news for Shirley, who decides to play detective and follow Phil to gather information she hopes to use to her advantage.
Former Married At First Sight star Mishel Karen has become one of Australia's biggest and most unlikely OnlyFans stars over the last year.

But the 51-year-old grandmother has now been defrauded out of her earnings from the site after being targeted in an elaborate financial trading scam that's left her broke and emotionally devastated.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the mum-of-two said that conmen ran off with over $77,267 of her money, on top of leaving her broken-hearted after one wooed her with a fake romance.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Married At First Sight star Mishel Karen (pictured) has been left penniless after an online scam tricked her into forking out over $77,000 of her earnings from OnlyFans

'I feel like a really big dumb dumb, I really do,' she admitted.

'They know the person, they know your weakness and then they start playing on that.'

Mishel was originally tricked into signing up with an online brokerage, which Daily Mail Australia cannot name for legal reasons, after being seduced by misleading reviews and media articles about the company.

One article she was presented with claimed that several prominent Australian celebrities, including a notable TV host, had endorsed the brokerage on television - only for Mishel to later to discover that the entire article had been fabricated to fool her.

She was also given a fake London address for the business and directed to websites that featured phony, glowing reviews of the company along with false claims touting the credibility and security of the service.

'It was a scam story that wasn't real,' she said.

'I read the article... but it was a fake story and I didn't realise.'

The 51-year-old has been working as a porn star on OnlyFans for the last year, but her bank account was bled dry by the scammers, who claimed to run a successful financial brokerage

Mishel was also seduced and wooed by one of the scammers, who claimed to be a suave businessman from London

Mishel says that she started to get suspicious after a few months of not seeing any financial returns, which is when the company sent out a handsome financial broker named 'Charles' to woo her into staying - and paying.

'They must've known who I was, because all of a sudden they gave me a financial broker that became a love interest,' she confessed.

'He started wooing me with chocolates and flowers.'

The love rat even convinced Mishel that they were going to meet and that he'd fly her out to London so they could be together.

'It just turned into a romance and he was getting more and more money out of me,' she lamented.

The fraudster convinced Mishel to hand over her savings with false promises that she was investing in their 'future' together - only to run off with the star's money

To keep the 51-year-old on the line, the brokerage would fabricate online stocks to make it look like Mishel was earning thousands of dollars and doubling her investment, even though in reality they were simply stealing all of her money.

'They have all the shares and you can see them buying and selling, but it's not real,' she explained.

'He'd say, "Look Mishel, invest this much more because this is for us! This is for our future".

Mishel said that Charles would speak to her 'almost every day' via Whatsapp, leading her to believe that they were romantically involved and would one day be together.

Mishel and the fraudster, known as 'Charles', would chat daily on WhatsApp and he even sent her chocolates and flowers to keep her from growing suspicious

In screenshots of their conversations provided to Daily Mail, Charles flirts with the MAFS star by promising to buy her a pony and telling her that she's beautiful.

'I am very attracted to you and I want to get to know you more,' he wrote in one message. 'This year I am flying you over to London.'

Despite the fraudulent lover claiming that he was a suave businessman based in London, Mishel revealed that he had a suspicious South African accent but she was so enamoured with him that she pushed her concerns aside.

'Maybe I should've just known,' she sighed. '

I just really didn't know. He kind of had a bit of an English accent but with a twinge of South African.'

'I am very attracted to you': The fraudster woos Mishel with compliments in screenshots of their private conversations

At one point, 'Charles' promises to buy Mishel a pony - but it was all a lie to fool the lonely grandmother into handing over more cash

The former MAFS star finally realised that something was wrong when she had to make an emergency trip to hospital following a nasty bout of pancreatitis.

'I wanted to pull out $5,000 [for medical bills] and that's when the wheels came off,' she said.

At the time, Mishel had been fooled into believing that she had more than $180,000 in her account.

She was then tricked with another story from Charles, who told her that there was an investigation going on at the company and that he was unable to access her funds.

'Maybe I should've just known,' she sighed. 'I just really didn't know. He kind of had a bit of an English accent, but with a twinge of South African'

Once Mishel finally put her foot down and tried to leave the brokerage, she was told that she'd only get her money back if she coughed up another $12,000.

'The last call I got, they said I could get my money back if I paid an additional $12,000. I just thought, "Oh my god, they don't stop!"'

After Mishel realised something was wrong she wrote some negative reviews online to warn other potential victims, only to have the reviews mysteriously vanish from the site shortly after they were published.

'They kept getting taken down,' she explained.

'I was writing back to them saying, "Why are you taking my reviews down? This is a scam!"'

The fraud didn't stop there, with the scammers infiltrating Mishel's mobile phone and computer after she gave them access via the remote desktop application AnyDesk.

The 51-year-old didn't know that her computer had been infiltrated until one day she logged on and saw a website open with a basket full of purchases that she'd never made.

Mishel has since reported the fraud to 'everyone', including the ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission), the police, the ACSC (Australian Cyber Security Centre), and her bank, but has been told that she 'probably' won't get her money back.

Some of Mishel's porn scenes include extreme acts, including a 12-person bisexual orgy

Despite losing everything and having to build her bank account back up from scratch, the single mum confessed that one of the most heartbreaking parts of the entire experience was being misled by the man who wooed her.

'The stupidest thing is that I kinda missed the guy I was having a fake relationship with,' she said.

'I missed him calling me,' she continued. 'I have to keep telling myself, "This is not real, Mishel. He didn't have those feelings." I don't know...' she trailed off.

'I just don't want somebody else to go through this. It's heartbreaking.'

Mishel has been working full time as an OnlyFans model and porn actress ever since losing her job in policy training last year for refusing to comply with vaccine mandates.

Despite losing everything and having to build her bank account back up from scratch, the single mum admits that she still misses the man who scammed her

She's also been financially supporting her daughter Eva, 21, who she says suffered heart issues and myocarditis after being vaccinated.

Pericarditis and myocarditis have been observed in an extremely small number of people after receiving mRNA vaccines, of which Pfizer is one.

Mishel, a mother of two and grandmother of one, is older than most of her contemporaries at 51, and is also known for performing hardcore acts other OnlyFans models aren't prepared to do.

In order to stay afloat financially, the star has done everything from lesbian threesomes and a 12-person orgy to selling her used underwear to fans.

Mishel says she's now 'worried' about her financial future and how she'll be able to continue helping out her two children, son Samuel and daughter Eva. All pictured

Now that her bank account has been bled dry, Mishel admitted that she's concerned about her financial future and the wellbeing of her family.

'I'm worried about money. I'm worried about my OnlyFans not doing so well eventually,' she said.

Mishel is hoping to turn her fortunes around soon and is set to appear at Sydney Sexpo from October 28-30.
Eddie Redmayne put on a loving display as he posed with his wife Hannah at the BFI Luminous Fundraising Gala at The Londoner Hotel on Thursday evening.

The Academy Award winner, 40, looked dapper in a black blazer and matching trousers which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and bow tie.

The Fantastic Beasts star posed up a storm with his equally well-dressed wife at the charity gala.

Looking good: Eddie Redmayne put on a loving display as he posed with his wife Hannah at the BFI Luminous Fundraising Gala at The Londoner Hotel on Thursday evening

The star was all smiles alongside his wife, 39, as the happy couple gazed into one another's eyes as they cosied up for snaps.

Publicist Hannah, who Eddie married in 2014, looked incredible in a strapless black midi dress which boasted a full skirt.

The beauty elevated her frame in a towering pair of coordinated heels and donned a pair of sheer tights.

Dapper: The Academy Award winner, 40, looked dapper in a black blazer and matching trousers which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and bow tie

Smart: The Fantastic Beasts star teamed the smart suit with a pair of shiny black shoes as he posed on the red carpet

Hannah carried her belongings in a black pearl embellished Chanel handbag and accessorised with two layered dazzling silver necklaces.

She completed her glamorous number opting for a radiant palette of makeup and styling her brunette tresses in a chic up do.

The couple certainly dressed to impress as they posed together on the red carpet at Leicester Square.

Loved-up: The star was all smiles alongside his wife, 39, as the happy couple gazed into one another's eyes as they cosied up for snaps

Dressed to impress: The publicist, who he married in 2014, looked incredible in a strapless black midi dress which boasted a full skirt

The actor was back in London after attending the premiere of his new film The Good Nurse at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Eddie - whose portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything earned him an Oscar - plays notorious serial killer Charles Cullen in the new film, based on the 2013 book of the same name by Charles Graeber.

Cullen is currently serving 17 consecutive life sentences for the deaths of 29 patients during his 16-year nursing career.

Incredible: The beauty elevated her frame in a towering pair of coordinated heels and donned a pair of sheer tights

Stylish: Hannah carried her belongings in a black pearl embellished Chanel handbag and accessorsied with two layered dazzling silver necklaces

Glam: She completed her glamorous number opting for a radiant palette of makeup and styling her brunette tresses in a chic up do

However, the serial killer claimed to have killed as many as 40 people, and some investigators involved in the case believe he may have killed more than 300 people.

This makes him possibly the most deadly American serial killer, according to Charles Graeber's 2007 New York Magazine story, which was the basis for his 2013 book and, in turn, the film.

Reflecting on his role during an interview with The Independent, Redmayne admitted playing Cullen in his hard-hitting new film is the latest step in what he insists has been an uneven career trajectory.

He said: 'The truth is, you do a load of work before anyone sees any of the work you've done. So I did all these films for years.

Incredible: The couple certainly dressed to impress as they posed together on the red carpet at Leicester Square

Picture perfect: Eddie fixed his bow tie as he made his way into the event holding onto his phone

Pals: The couple were seen hugging Laura Carmichael and Lily James at the star-studded event

Group snap: Eddie posed with his hand in his pocket alongside his stunning wife and Laura Carmichael and Lily James who looked incredible in stylish gowns

'I did a film called Savage Grace with Julianne Moore, in which I played a guy called Anthony Bacon who killed his mother.

'I did a film called Hick, that has five per cent on Rotten Tomatoes, in which I played a Texan meth addict paedophile.

'So Ive done all these films, no ones seen them  in some cases, fortunately. But then of course you do a film that you become known for and then thats the world. Without you knowing it, thats the trajectory you get taken on for a while.'

The Good Nurse will be released in US theaters on October 19, followed by a streaming release on Netflix on October 26.
In his ongoing legal struggle with ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian, Kanye West is said to have retained the same attorney who represented Melinda Gates during her $130 billion divorce from ex-husband Bill Gates.

According to TMZ, Robert Stephan Cohen, who has also previously worked with Chris Rock and Rupert Murdoch, has been hired as Kanye's sixth divorce lawyer.

Who is Kanye West's New Divorce Lawyer?

Kanye West has also hired Beverly Hills-based attorney Nicholas A Salick of Salick Family Law Group, APLC as counsel in California, according to the website, since Cohen is in New York while the legal separation battle is being fought in Los Angeles.

Cohen is Kanye West's sixth legal representative in his divorce from Kim Kardashian. Kanye West and his ex-wife are still trying to agree on child custody and property. Samantha Spector, Kanye West's fifth divorce attorney, left the case last month as a result of an unresolvable breakdown with the musician.

Before Spector took over, West allegedly fired Chris Melcher, the case's former attorney. At the time, insiders informed the source that West had been inconsistent in his interactions with Melcher, at times seeking a settlement and other times seeking to challenge her in court.

Kardashian's attorney Laura Wasser claimed that West had been strategically changing attorneys at the time he shifted from Melcher to Spector to delay the divorce proceedings, according to Mirror. After a lengthy marriage of more than six years and the birth of four children together, Kardashian filed for divorce from West in February 2021.

She started dating comedian Pete Davidson in the fall of last year, but they broke up in August after nine months together. Since their divorce, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have had a rocky co-parenting arrangement. Kanye West recently claimed that Kim Kardashian and Hulu, the Kardashian family's streaming service partner, railroaded him when deciding which school his children should attend.

West complained that the children were attending a pricey private school in Los Angeles and compared himself to a sperm donor who had no say in the matter. He recently uploaded videos of his two oldest kids, North, 9, and Saint, 6, attending the Donda Academy, which appears to be a victory sign-or at least peace with Kim Kardashian. Several other kids and teachers, appeared to be having a good time while singing and dancing.

Kanye West, who now goes by just Ye, revealed in a recent interview with Good Morning America that in addition to his conflict with Kim over the children's upbringing, he was also at odds with Adidas and Gap over creative control of his Yeezy line of clothing, as per Daily Mail.

Read Also: Cris Cyborg Wins Boxing Debut Against Simone Silva, Gets Slammed By MMA Rival Cat Zingano For Allegedly Dodging Their Title Bout

Kanye West Changes His IG Pic to Kris Jenner

Kanye, who now goes by just Ye, revealed in a recent interview with Good Morning America that in addition to his conflict with Kim over the children's upbringing, he was also at odds with Adidas and Gap over creative control of his Yeezy line of clothing.

After nearly six years of marriage, Kim Kardashian, one of Jenner's four daughters, filed for divorce from West in February 2021. With thoughts of peace and respect, West said about Kris. When criticizing Jenner's parenting abilities in the past, West hinted at a tense relationship between the two. Just a few days prior, West used the passing of Queen Elizabeth II to express his pain in a social media post.

Fans speculate that West may have been alluding to either Kardashian or his late mother, Donda, even though West did not explicitly clarify the significance of his remark, Independent reported.

Related Article: Are Brad Pitt and Emily Ratajkowski Dating? Here's What Angelina Joie Says About Rumors!

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Kylie Jenner pulled her world-famous mega-pout for her legions of social media fans in a brief promo video this Thursday.

The 25-year-old, who is the figurehead of an international cosmetics empire, was plugging the Gloss Drip on its Instagram page.

Dressed in a bathrobe, she shot the camera a tantalizing come-hither stare as she puckered up and slowly applied the lip gloss.

Glowing: Kylie Jenner pulled her world-famous mega-pout for her legions of social media fans in a brief promo video this Thursday

As the day wore on she flashed the flesh in a jaw-droppingly revealing mesh gown on her own personal Instagram page.

Kylie, who is busily flitting around Paris Fashion Week, was every inch the busty bombshell as she bared her cleavage in front of an elevator.

She vamped: 'of course sometimes s*** go down when it's a billion dollars on an elevator,' referring to disputed claims that she is a billionaire.

Kylie's dress featured completely see-through white mesh draped over some strategically placed snatches of scarlet fabric.

Radiant: Kylie, who is the figurehead of an international cosmetics empire, was plugging the Gloss Drip on its Instagram page

Mwah: Kylie puckered up to emphasize her opulent lips for the benefit of her followers on her Kylie Cosmetics Instagram account

The influencer made headlines all over the world in 2019 when Forbes controversially declared her the world's youngest 'self-made' billionaire at 21.

She has since been yanked from the Forbes billionaire list after the magazine accused the Kardashian-Jenners of exaggerating her makeup empire's value.

Her new social media offerings comes after she revealed on an episode of The Kardashians that she was 'more present' during her second pregnancy.

Use it or lose it: As the day wore on she flashed the flesh in a jaw-droppingly revealing mesh gown on her own personal Instagram page

In transit: She vamped: 'of course sometimes s*** go down when it's a billion dollars on an elevator,' referring to disputed claims that she is a billionaire

The reality star and her rapper boyfriend Travis Scott share a daughter called Stormi, four, and a seven-month-old son whose name has not yet been disclosed.

In a confessional on this week's episode of The Kardashians, Kylie dished: 'I feel like with my second one, you just anticipate everything and you know what's going to happen and you've done it before, so I feel like I was a lot more present this time.'

Then during a conversation with her mother Kris Jenner, who has six children, Kylie reflected on the 'interesting' differences between her first and second pregnancy.

'I feel like, with your first baby, it's like a shock to see your body change so much,' Kylie said. 'This time around, I don't feel that at all.'

When you got it: Kylie's dress featured completely see-through white mesh draped over some strategically placed snatches of scarlet fabric

History: The influencer made headlines all over the world in 2019 when Forbes controversially declared her the world's youngest 'self-made' billionaire at 21

Whoops: She has since been yanked from the Forbes billionaire list after the magazine accused the Kardashian-Jenners of exaggerating her makeup empire's value

Now she 'trusts the process' and is 'way less stressed about my weight and what I look like and more into the whole feminine energy.'

When they welcomed their baby son this February, Kylie and Travis initially announced that they had named him Wolf.

However, shortly thereafter, Kylie shocked her fans by revealing on social media: 'FYI OUR SONS NAME ISN'T WOLF ANYMORE.'

She explained: 'WE JUST REALLY DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS HIM. JUST WANTED TO SHARE BECAUSE I KEEP SEEING WOLF EVERYWHERE.'

Their decision prompted Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli's son Wolfgang, who goes by Wolf, to cheekily tweet: 'THANK F***.'

Making it happen: Kylie also displayed the outfit on her TikTok, flaunting her curves to full advantage for the camera

Swanking about: Kylie danced around to the song Tia Tamera by Doja Cat featuring Rico Nasty

On the latest episode of The Kardashians, Kylie revealed she chose the name Wolf in a flash because she felt pressured to choose a name.

She and Travis apparently had been laboring under the impression that a name 'would just come to us when we saw him and it didn't.'

The couple then 'had to sign the birth certificate or else they just register him without a name and he doesn't get a Social Security Number and the whole thing.'

Candor: Her new social media offerings comes after she revealed that she was 'more present' during her second pregnancy (pictured)

They quickly regretted their snap decision and Kylie put out the announcement that the baby was no longer called Wolf.

Although Kylie spilled that 'I think we know the official name' now, she did not announce it on the episode 'because God forbid we change it again.'

She shared: 'Travis actually still changes his name a few times. He'll come back and he'll be like: "I really like this name." And then for the day he'll call him that and I'm like: "We can't do this again." I'm waiting for him to just name himself.'
Gogglebox Australia star Yvie Jones has revealed she was blocked from opening an account on the adult content website OnlyFans.

The Gogglebox Australia star, 49, was also rejected by the exclusive dating app Raya, which is reserved for celebrities, the super-rich and social elites.

She believes her applications were turned down because the website administrators had trouble identifying her.

Gogglebox Australia star Yvie Jones (pictured) has revealed she was blocked from opening an account on the adult content website OnlyFans

Yvie explained on her podcast Two Girls One Pod she wears glasses in her daily life, but her driver's licence and passport photos show her without glasses.

'You have to prove who you are. You have to put a photo of your ID next to you, and I can't see without my glasses,' she said.

This meant she had no luck taking non-blurry photos to prove her identity.

'I get rejected from all the sexy time,' she added.

It comes after Yvie recently slammed 'fatphobic' language, saying those with larger bodies have 'nothing to be ashamed of'.

The Gogglebox Australia star, 49, was also rejected by the exclusive dating app Raya, which is reserved for celebrities, the super-rich and social elites

She made the comments on her podcast as she answered a message sent from an Aussie fan called Alice, who explained her experience living in India.

Alice said she'd travelled to India before the pandemic and 'has been stuck there since' due to her 'spiritual awakening and journey' in the Asian country.

'In India they use the word healthy to describe people who are larger than other people,' Angie said as she read out Alice's message.

Yvie had to provide proof of identity to join OnlyFans and Raya, but experienced challenges taking a non-blurry photo of herself without glasses

'Incredible to know. I'm now moving to India,' Yvie declared.

'I'm going to be celebrated for once in my life. I'm packing my sari and moving to India,' she joked.

She went on to explain that in other cultures and throughout history, being healthy meant having 'meat on your bones'.

'It's because we live in extreme luck, western culture is so abundant. To be overweight is now looked down upon, to exercise is something you must do,' she said.

Yvie told her podcast co-host Angie Kent she was having no luck signing up for 'sexy' websites
She has been spotted at several Paris Fashion Week shows and events.

And Kat Graham certainly ensured all eyes were on her as she put on a showstopping display at at the Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier on Thursday.

The Vampire Diaries actress, 33, showed off her killer curves in a semi-sheer geometric print dress, which revealed her lingerie underneath.

Captivating: Kat Graham certainly ensured all eyes were on her as she put on a showstopping display at at the Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier on Thursday

Kat's multi-coloured polka dot print dress was styled with a stylish clutch bag and a pair of black heeled boots.

The Love In The Villa star wore her locks in curls and opted for a full face of make-up including an orange smokey-eye look and plum lipstick.

Kat posed up a storm on the steps to the venue, which had been lit with neon lights and decorated with silver disco balls.

Sizzling: The Vampire Diaries actress, 33, showed off her killer curves in a semi-sheer geometric print dress, which revealed her lingerie underneath

Super glam: Kat's multi-coloured polka dot print dress was styled with a stylish clutch bag and a pair of black heeled boots

Decor: at posed up a storm on the steps to the venue, which had been lit with neon lights and decorated with silver disco balls

On the move: Earlier in the day Kat was spotted out in Paris

Kat wore a pleated dress with wide sleeves, multi-coloured boots in green grey blue black rose with a burgundy bag outside Rochas

There were some jaw-dropping on the nights, including Villano Antillano and Jacky Guzman who sported dresses printed with the female form.

Another guest who was sporting an outlandish outfit was Coco Rocha, who was sporting a dress with a Madonna-style cone bra.

She teamed the pink velvet mini dress with a pair of gold platform heels and wore her dark locks sleeked back into a neat bun.

Daring! There were some jaw-dropping on the nights, including Villano Antillano and Jacky Guzman who sported dresses printed with the female form

Wow: The top showed the female body and Jacky teamed it with baggy jeans

Vogue! Another guest who was sporting an outlandish outfit was Coco Rocha, who was sporting a dress with a Madonna-style cone bra

Eye-catching: Coco completed the look with a pair of gold heels and sported a bold purple makeup look

Guest list: Other stars who attended the party, included actress Ashley Park (pictured)

Stylish: The Emily In Paris actress cut a chic figure in a pair of pink satin trousers, teamed with a blue mesh top and a cream coat

Wow! Sophia Hadjipanteli flashed her toned abs in a bold ensemble which made her look topless, teamed with a white maxi skirt

Other stars who attended the party, included actress Ashley Park, heiress Ivy Getty, rapper Tyga and Welsh drag queen Tayce.

Emily In Paris actress Ashley looked stylish in a cream mac which was layered over a grey vest top and a pair of pink cargo trousers.

Tyga stood out from the crowd in a silver top and trousers which he teamed with a bright pink jacket.

Arrivals: Heiress Ivy Getty, rapper Tyga and Welsh drag queen Tayce were also there

Showstopper! Tyga stood out from the crowd in a silver top and trousers which he teamed with a bright pink jacket

Stylish: The rapper accessorised with an oversized pair of sunglasses and chunky silver jewellery
The Block's Sharon Johal has confirmed she and husband Ankur Dogra do finish their renovation, despite rumours they throw in the towel early.

Her revelation on SAFM's Bec, Cosi & Lehmo on Friday is something of a spoiler for viewers, as the show has been teasing a 'walk-off' for the controversial couple.

The former Neighbours star, 35, confirmed they did end up completing the build, after deciding to take on the most ambitious renovation project this season.

The Block's Sharon Johal (pictured) has confirmed she and husband Ankur Dogra do finish their renovation, despite rumours they throw in the towel early

'A bit of a spoiler: We don't walk off. We stay, we finish the whole thing and we have the biggest house of the biggest block for the eighteenth season,' she said.

'So [it was] pretty silly of us to pick that one, but we've finished it and it looks beautiful. I'm really proud of what we've been able to achieve.'

Sharon went on to address her feud with the couple's builders, setting the record straight about what really went down on the Macedon Ranges building site.

'I think the thing with the builders was some ideas that we had for the house... it was kind of just a bit naysayer-y,' she said.

'We just want to honour the home and do the best that we can for it.'

Her revelation on SAFM's Bec, Cosi & Lehmo on Friday is something of a spoiler for viewers, as the show has been teasing a 'walk-off' for the controversial couple

An all-out war erupted on The Block this week after Sharon and Ankur accused one of their tradies of using money from their budget to buy tiles for his own renovation.

Their shock claim, which aired during Monday's episode of the Channel Nine renovation show, has been denied by the tradesman at the centre of the scandal, who unleashed on the Melbourne-based couple in a blistering Instagram post.

Scotty the chippie, whose last name hasn't been revealed, said Sharon and Ankur had done nothing but 'lie' so far this season as he explained his side of the story.

An all-out war erupted on The Block this week after Sharon and Ankur accused one of their tradies, Scotty (pictured), of using money from their budget to buy tiles for his own renovation

He spoke out after Sharon doubled down on her accusations in a radio interview on Tuesday, telling HIT WA's Allan & Carly Scotty had dipped into the couple's budget to buy tiles for his own bathroom renovation, as well as taking sinks for his home.

When asked by one of the hosts if their carpenter had in fact stolen from them, Sharon replied: 'Yes, one hundred per cent true. It was a really awkward situation we had to deal with.

'It had been happening over a period of time and we tried to keep it behind the cameras because we know people have businesses and reputations to look after, but when they went at us for our budget, it just kind of came out.'

Their shock claim has been denied by the chippie at the centre of the scandal, Scotty, who unleashed on the Melbourne-based couple in a blistering Instagram post

'The thing that was gross - when we started talking about it during hallway week he said he was ordering them [the tiles] for our house. We didnt need tiles for hallway week,' she added.

The actress went on to say the couple lacked the support of their builders and tradies 'from the beginning'.

Scotty has categorically rejected this account, taking to Instagram to clear his name.

When asked during a radio interview on Tuesday if their carpenter had stolen from them, Sharon said: 'Yes, 100 per cent true. It was a really awkward situation we had to deal with'

'So we have seen them lie and lie often, and then they throw out crazy accusations at me the other night,' he wrote next to a photo of the couple on Monday's episode.

He said he didn't steal any basins and had in fact agreed to buy them from Sharon and Ankur, and explained that the tiles had been ordered during hallway week as forward planning because they can often take several weeks to arrive.

'Yes, Sharon agreed to me buying the basins off her the week prior to this, as I reduced my hours from kitchen week a total of $400, so it's not like I walked in one day and decided to steal basins. This was talked about for over a week,' Scotty said.

He continued: 'And the tiles were ordered in case laundry [week] was coming up as they take three weeks to make and was more of a contingency plan if needed.'

Scotty the chippie, whose last name hasn't been revealed, said Sharon and Ankur had done nothing but 'lie' so far this season as he explained his side of the story on Instagram (pictured)

Scotty explained it's often 'hard to get the materials you want in time' on The Block, which is why he ordered the tiles early, and that if Sharon and Ankur ended up not needing them they would have been returned for 'credits'.

He said proof of his innocence is the fact he wasn't kicked off the show immediately after Sharon made the allegations.

The Block has a zero-tolerance policy for theft, and if there was any truth to Sharon's claims he would have been frogmarched off the construction site.

'If I really stole, why would they have not fired me? Do you really think The Block wants to have people stealing from their sites? Why would the higher-ups not have kicked me off site?' he said.

'It's all been a beat-up as it seems [Sharon and Ankur] wanted to get rid of us for weeks.

Scotty spoke out after Sharon doubled down on her accusations in a radio interview on Tuesday, telling HIT WA's Allan & Carly that Scotty had dipped into the couple's budget to buy tiles for his own bathroom renovation, as well as taking sinks for his home

He said proof of his innocence is the fact he wasn't kicked off the show immediately after Sharon made the allegations. The Block has a zero-tolerance policy for theft by its builders, and if there was any truth to Sharon's claims he would have been frogmarched off the site

'But they continued to string us "lazy a**holes" along to finish the house so they could get their entitled prize money.'

When contacted for comment on Wednesday, Scotty confirmed to Daily Mail Australia he 'did plan to use the basins on my home renovation' but was willing to pay for them as he had stated before.

He added: 'The tiles were ordered in case they were wanted for laundry week, but it turns out the tilers never even picked them up [after they went unused], which I didn't find out until after that confrontation in the hallway.'

Scotty clarified it was 'the floor tiles that were ordered, not the wall tiles' as was implied on the show, adding that there were some pink wall tiles left over due to a 'last-minute change in the second master bedroom'.

Channel Nine declined to comment.
Nicola Peltz gushed over her mother Claudia Heffner Peltz on Thursday as she shared a sweet Instagram post of the former model.

Penning 'I love my mom', the heiress, 27, shared a snap as her husband Brooklyn Beckham, 23, gave mother-in-law Claudia a cuddle during their trip to Paris.

But it comes as Nicola is embroiled in an ongoing fued with his mother, Victoria Beckham - following the claim that the fashion designer 'blanked' her during the design process of her wedding dress.

'I love my mom': Nicola Peltz, 27, took to Instagram with a gushing post as her husband Brooklyn Beckham cuddled up to his mother-in-law Claudia in Paris on Thursday... amid ongoing family fued with his own mother Victoria

Sharing a video of her mother in the first slide of the carousel, Nicola filmed as Claudia used a handbag as a makeshift umbrella.

She questioned 'how's that working for you, mom?', while the 67-year-old replied 'Not really, but it's fine' - with her daughter giggling behind the camera.

Another shot in the post showed Brooklyn, who donned a bright red Balenciaga co-ord, beaming from ear-to-ear as he wrapped an arm around his mother-in-law.

The couple have been sharing a myriad of posts from Paris as they take in the city's fashion week, which will feature a show from Brooklyn's mother Victoria on Friday.

Close? Brooklyn, who donned a bright red Balenciaga co-ord, beaming from ear-to-ear as he wrapped an arm around his mother-in-law

Family feud: But it comes as Nicola is embroiled in an ongoing fued with Victoria Beckham, following the claim that the fashion designer 'blanked' her during the design process of her wedding dress

And with the former Spice Girl inviting her eldest son and his wife to the show, it seems they could be set to repair some damage during the fashion event - if they attend.

Reports of a feud between Victoria and Nicola have been rife for a number of weeks, with the latter adding fuel to the fire during a recent interview with Grazia.

Claiming that she was 'blanked for days' by her mother-in-law during the design process of her wedding dress in the interview - the actress has reportedly enraged her in-laws by 'washing the family dirty linen in public'.

Mother-daughter moment: Sharing a video of her mother in the first slide of the carousel, Nicola filmed as Claudia used a handbag as a makeshift umbrella

Parisian life: The heiress has been sharing a number of snaps from Paris as she enjoys the city's fashion week, where Victoria has also just touched down ahead of her own show on Friday

Initially, rumous of a rift began as Nicola did not wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress - which she claimed during the interview was her original plan, before being told the designer's atelier could not make her a dress.

In the bombshell Grazia interview, she revealed: 'We connected to start designing the dress, and then a few days went by and I didn't hear anything. Victoria called my mom and said her atelier couldn't make it.'

Doting husband Brooklyn made his position clear amid the family feud, telling the publication that Nicola is his 'number one priority' and that they 'have each other's back 100 per cent'.

But insiders have said Nicola is pushing a 'false narrative', leaving Victoria 'bemused' as to why she keeps 'stoking the rumours of a feud' rather than shutting them down.

Appearances: Brooklyn and Nicola have been spotted at a number of high-profile shows in the city, and have reportedly been invited to Victoria's to make amends

Muse: Brooklyn took a slew of gorgeous snaps of his wife in the city, as she poswed in a white robe on their balcony

And Nicola telling her side of the story has led to even more family drama, with David defending his wife Victoria as he had a rare confrontation with son Brooklyn.

According to MailPlus writer Alison Boshoff, David told Brooklyn 'we don't do this in our family' as he 'lost his temper' with the budding chef.

A source said: 'I don't think David has ever lost his temper with Brooklyn or had cause to talk to him harshly, but that has now finally happened.

'He had it out with him and told him: 'We don't do this in our family  and you know that we don't do this in our family.'

Awkward: Reports of a feud between Victoria and Nicola have been rife for a number of weeks, with the latter adding fuel to the fire during a recent interview with Grazia

Touched down: Victoria has announced her arrival in Paris, with no visible suggestion on social media that the designer has seen her eldest son in the city yet

Victoria's fashion show could be a chance to patch things up for the family, with reports that she and David have reached out to sort things.

A source said: 'Frankly, the most interesting thing about Nicola is that she married into the Beckham clan. David and Victoria have both reached out to her to try and make peace, and find a way to get along.

'David and Victoria would love to spend more time with their son and his wife, and be given the opportunity to welcome her into the fold, especially given that Brooklyn practically lives with his parents-in-law.'

If the couple do attend Victoria's show in Paris, it will be the first time they have all been seen together since being snapped in Italy earlier this summer.
Hayden Panettiere is concerned her daughter is experiencing 'trauma' as a result of their separation.

The former Heroes star, 33, relinquished custody of Kaya, seven, when she was two-years-old, handing her over to her dad, Wladimir Klitschko.

She admitted she was horrified by a conversation with her former partner when he revealed that their child kept asking to call other women 'Mommy'.

Concerned mom: Hayden Panettiere is concerned her daughter is experiencing 'trauma' as a result of their separation

Backstory: The former Heroes star, 33, relinquished custody of Kaya, seven, when she was two-years-old, handing her over to her dad, Wladimir Klitschko

Speaking on Facebook Watch show Red Table Talk, Hayden said: 'I also remember her dad [Klitschko] calling me and telling me Kaya's going around and asking other women if she can call them mommy.'

She described how she felt in the moment after. 'My breath hitched and my heart stopped, and he was laughing. He thought this was funny and it was horrifying to me.'

'He didn't get it, as opposed to me, who saw that's a trauma reaction. That's a cry for help.'

Then she explained, 'I said immediately "Can I talk to my daughter?" and when I asked her about it she went into goo-goo ga-ga speak, like just talking gibberish.'

Hayden Panettiere claimed her ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko is refusing to let their daughter, Kaya, seven, visit her in California - and accused him of forcing her to give up their child

'I never before heard her do that. It was a trauma that she was experiencing, me not being around.'

Hayden suggested that her ex Wladimir 'doesn't understand' the lasting impact Hayden's absence could have on Kaya.

She added: 'As much as I have tried to explain how much she needs her mom and how it's going to rear its ugly head when she's older later and it could turn into anger, depression, sadness, but it's going to be trauma. You can explain it to someone who doesn't understand that concept or believe it until you're blue in the face.'

After spending years struggling with substance abuse, Hayden, 33, signed over full custody of Kaya to Klitschko, 46, in 2018, but now, she has claimed that it was 'not' a mutual agreement

The Nashville actress - who has been candid about her struggles with addiction and depression - praised Kaya as an 'incredibly strong child'.

She said, 'She's a very stoic child. When she really gets hurt, you can see her try to hold it back, really hold it in and be like "I'm fine" and dust it off and not want to be held.'

The blonde beauty found the way the decision about custody of Kaya was made to be 'very upsetting.'

Co-host Adrienne Banfield Norris asked: 'You thought this was an agreement that you came to that it was best that your daughter be with her dad?'

Hayden replied, 'At first it was not because it wasn't a discussion. If [Klitschko] had come to me and said, "I think because of where you're at right now and your struggles that you're having it would be good for her to be over here with me for a while"  which if I had probably had enough of a conversation I would've said, "Okay that makes sense, I get it, I'll come there to visit and stuff like that...'

'I was gonna go work on myself, I was gonna get better, and when I got better then things would change and she could come to me and I could have my time with her, but that didn't happen.'

The Nashville star sat down with Jada Pinkett Smith, her mom Adrienne Banfield-Norris, and guest host Kelly Osbourne on a brand new episode of Pinkett Smith's show Red Talk Table

Hayden claimed that her ex-partner Wladimir is refusing to let their daughter, Kaya, seven, visit her in California - and accused him of forcing her to give up their child after he took the little girl to Ukraine for a trip and never returned.

After spending years struggling with substance abuse issues, Hayden signed over full custody of Kaya to Klitschko, 46, in 2018, but now, she has claimed that it was 'not' a mutual agreement.

The Nashville star sat down with Jada Pinkett Smith, her mom Adrienne Banfield-Norris, and guest host Kelly Osbourne on a brand new episode of Pinkett Smith's show Red Talk Table, where she claimed that she was given no choice but to send her daughter to live with her ex permanently - and insisted that despite being sober now, the professional boxer won't let the little girl come see her in the states.

'I thought she was going over to visit him like she always did - she went back and forth between me in Nashville and Ukraine - but once she was over there, [he] was immediately [like], "I want full custody of her," which was a shock for me,' she explained.

'It wasn't my decision. In fact, I didn't even know it was happening until she was already over there. In a country that's very male-dominated, there wasn't a heck of a lot that I could do.

Panettiere (pictured with Kaya in 2017) said she 'thought Kaya was going over to visit him like she always did,' but once the little girl got to Ukraine, Klitschko told her, 'I want full custody'

'It was the worst signing those papers, the most heartbreaking thing I've ever, ever had to do in my life. Because of the way that it was done, it was very upsetting.'

Panettiere previously revealed that she had started abusing drugs and alcohol when she was just 15 years old - and that her addiction spiraled out of control while she was battling postpartum depression after Kaya's birth in 2014.

But she insisted that she 'never endangered' her child or did anything that she feels justified her losing custody.

'I had never endangered her, or done anything that would... in this country, they would never take a child from me, it never would have happened,' she continued.

'I think that's why she was wanted over there, and once she was there, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I just tried to tell myself, "You get yourself better; in time it will change."'

Panettiere explained that as soon as she was 'better,' she was hoping that Kaya would go back to splitting her time between both of her parents, 'But that didn't happen,' she added.

According to the Heroes alum, since Klitschko gained full custody, Kaya has 'never been back to California,' where Panettiere now lives; instead, she has to travel to Europe to see the seven-year-old, but said she 'wishes he would bring her to visit.'

She said it wasn't a 'discussion,' adding that despite her alcohol use, she never 'endangered' Kaya or did anything that she feels justified her losing custody

She added that she believes Klitschko 'thinks he's doing the right thing,' but that he 'doesn't grasp that Kaya needs her mom.'

'He thinks he's doing the right thing, he's a fantastic father, he really is,' she told the hosts. 'But I don't think he fully grasps that as she gets older, kids need their moms.

'He wasn't around to see the kind of mom I was, had he been maybe it would have been different.

'I really hope one day it does change, it's the most heartbreaking thing I ever experienced.

'I haven't gotten any hints that it will [change]. I've been told that I can go over and see her any time.

'I just keep the hope that one day when she's old enough for her opinion to be respected a little more and her wants heard that there will be more proactivity on that side.'

Panettiere said as soon as she was 'better,' she was hoping Kaya would go back to splitting her time between both of her parents, but said 'that didn't happen.' Kaya is pictured in 2020

She said she wants it to be known that she never chose to 'throw out' or 'give away' her daughter, when the hosts asked her what the most 'misunderstood' thing was about her.

'The comments people made or the things they assumed about my situation with my daughter we just so off and heartbreaking,' she continued.

'There was a cover of a magazine ... and it said something like, "Why Hayden chose to give up her daughter." I was just like, this is so misrepresented.

'People were like, "How dare you?" and, "You're a horrible mother," and, "I could never do that to my child."

'It was tough and it took me a long time to be able to talk about it. It's scary, you don't want to piss anyone off - especially the person who has control of your child.'

During the 37-minute interview, the actress also remembered the 'horrifying' moment that her daughter asked to call other women 'mommy.' Kaya is seen with her dad in 2020

While Kaya still lives somewhere in Europe with her dad, Panettiere said she has left Ukraine amid the country's war with Russia - but didn't specify where exactly she is residing now.

The former child star, who began acting at the age of five, also spoke out about her past battle with addiction, telling the hosts that it started when she was just 16 - while she was promoting the hit TV series Heroes.

She claimed that members of her team began giving her 'happy pills' at the time, in an effort to make her seem more energetic during interviews.

'I was doing press all the time for Heroes and I was a little low energy. [They were like], "Here, take one of these. It's a happy pill, it will give you energy,"' she explained.

Panettiere explained that she thought her daughter trying to call other women 'mommy' was a 'trauma reaction' to being separated from her

The 33-year-old wanted people to know that she never chose to 'throw out' or 'give away' her daughter, when the hosts asked her what the most 'misunderstood' thing was about her

'I didn't think of it at the time as a bad thing or a drug. It must have been something like an Adderall but they had got it from Mexico.

'I should have thought, "That's so sketchy" but I didn't because I trusted the person. And it did give me that little bit of energy - I didn't feel like high and out of control but I did feel happy and I was looking forward to doing the interview.'

She soon grew addicted to drugs and alcohol, and while she insists she did not do them while she was pregnant with Kaya, she said her problems were heightened when she developed postpartum depression after her daughter was born.

Panettiere previously revealed that she had started abusing drugs and alcohol when she was just 15 years old (pictured) - and that her addiction spiraled out of control while she was battling postpartum depression after Kaya's birth in 2014

'I did what I had seen the people around me do when they were depressed or stressed out which was reach for a bottle,' she explained.

'That made it that much worse because alcohol is a depressant. But that's what I learned growing up, that you could change the way you're feeling just by having a glass or something.

'But then it flips on you and does the complete opposite and adds to your depression, and it becomes that endless cycle.

'I wasn't somebody who was a binge drinker and got hammered. It was a slow trickle. It became a compulsive thing to do as soon as I felt like I wasn't happy or had anxiety.

'I of course take responsibility for the role that I played, there were certain things I couldn't control but I wish I had gotten myself more help than I did.

Things got so bad that the star even had to be hospitalized for jaundice, and was told by doctors that she would eventually need a liver transplant if she didn't stop.

She recalled hitting 'rock bottom' and deciding she needed help. She said: 'I was in a fetal position in bed, I couldn't get out, I was in tears all the time.

'I knew I had to stop but I couldn't. I was stuck in this horrifying nightmare that wouldn't end. I was completely by myself, it was terrifying.'

When Panettiere realized her life was at risk, she finally found the strength to seek treatment for her addictions and ultimately entered rehab for eight months.

'I loved it. I loved being around like-minded people who were going through similar things that I was going through,' she shared of her experience at rehab.

Panettiere said she since tried to 'explain that Kaya needs her mom' to Klitschko, but claimed that he hasn't listened to her

'To be able to be in a place where I felt safe and get to be completely open for the first time in my life about all the bitter details...

'I was trained from such a young age to say things a certain way, to dress a certain way, to be perfect. But there, I really got to just open up and tell all my horror stories.'

She is now sober and is ready to share her truth with the world. She admitted: 'I've never been this brutally honest about myself and my personal life, but it made me depressed trying to hide myself. There's something very freeing about being yourself. I feel OK with not being OK.'
Sabrina Dhowre Elba nailed a simple yet glamorous look on Thursday evening as she took to the British Film Institute's Luminous Ball in London.

The 34-year-old wife of actor Idris attended the event with her mother Maryam Egal, as the pair looked gorgoeus while posing at The Londoner Hotel bash.

Exuding chic, she donned a draping black maxi gown with a statement pearl choker for the evening.

Gorgeous girls: Sabrina Dhowre Elba, 37, proved that less is more on Thursday as she donned a draping black gown to the BFI Luminous Gala - attending alongside her mother Maryam Egal

The number featured a long-sleeved, ruched design as it fell to the floor - with a dipped neckline uncovering a velvet bustier underneath.

Sabrina amped up the look with a statement chunky pearl choker which covered her whole neck, adding small dropped earring to complete.

The model and activist kept her ultra-dark locks swept back in a low bun as all the attention remained on her ensemble.

Stunner: Exuding chic, she donned a draping black maxi gown with a statement pearl choker for the evening

Gown: The number featured a long-sleeved, ruched design as it fell to the floor - with a dipped neckline uncovering a velvet bustier underneath

Glitz: Sabrina amped up the look with the statement chunky pearl choker which covered her whole neck, adding small dropped earring to complete

She added a radiant palette of makeup, with a soft cat-eye shadow and a nude lipstick.

Meanwhile, Sabrina's mother, Maryam, looked gorgeous in an all-white look, which featured a pleated dress.

The mum-of-five opted for a full makeup look as she sported a purple lipstick and glamorous eyeshadow to match.

Sleek: The model and activist kept her ultra-dark locks swept back in a low bun as all the attention remained on her ensemble

Sultry: Sabrina posed for a slew of snaps both inside and outside the event

Glowing: She added a radiant palette of makeup, with a soft cat-eye shadow and a nude lipstick

Monochrome duo: Meanwhile, Sabrina's mother, Maryam, looked gorgeous in an all-white look, which featured a pleated dress

Sabrina and Maryam appeared in high spirits as they were spotted leaving the bash, smiling for some snaps.

The bi-annual Luminous Gala celebrates British film and film talent of the past, present and future - raising funds for the British Film Institute's education and events.

A host of other famous faces took to the event, including stars such as Lily James, Eddie Redmayne and Dame Joan Collins.

Glam: Maryam opted for a full makeup look as she sported a purple lipstick and glamorous eyeshadow to match

Event: The bi-annual Luminous Gala celebrates British film and film talent of the past, present and future
The Crucible (Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London)

Verdict: Gruelling Classic

Rating: *****

John Gabriel Borkman (Bridge Theatre, London)

Verdict: Hard to take seriously

Rating: ***

Tempting as it is to see Arthur Miller's witch-hunting drama as a warning against political correctness, it actually makes today's wokefulness look pitifully transient and trivial.

His 1953 play was written as an indictment of the McCarthyite anti-communist hysteria in the U.S. and drew stark parallels with the notorious witch trials in 17th-century Salem  in which 19 men and women were hanged in a religious panic among puritans.

Like today's politically correct thought crimes, witchcraft was an invisible evil. It was fake news that made people see wickedness everywhere and forgiveness nowhere.

As one character cries in despair: 'Is the accuser always holy now?' It's a line that will chime with those of us weary of PC law.

But the really great thing about Lyndsey Turner's gruelling new production of Miller's 20th-century classic is that it digs deep into the play's questions of human longing for justice  and once more shows how helpless we become when that justice is corrupted.

PATRICK MARMION: But the really great thing about Lyndsey Turner's gruelling new production of Miller's 20th-century classic is that it digs deep into the play's questions of human longing for justice

The role of John Proctor, who reluctantly stands up to the moral firestorm in his community, can often become a star vehicle. But Brendan Cowell plays Proctor as more of an everyman  a regular guy struggling to do the decent thing.

He is subjected to a harrowing prosecution by Matthew Marsh as Deputy Governor Danforth, who brings judgment from Boston like Moses descending from Mount Sinai, but is nonetheless genuinely compassionate in his quest for truth.

Pathos is also carried by Eileen Walsh as Elizabeth, the tormented wife on whom Proctor once cheated. Her pain fuels his guilt, but Fisayo Akinade brings huge warmth as pastor John Hale, who tries to intercede between the couple and the authorities, who are desperate for a conviction.

The play is, in many ways, a waking nightmare and Es Devlin's design reflects that, with a stark staging in a pit of darkness lit like a Dutch old master.

The chorus of fearful young women, led by Erin Doherty's Abigail Williams, who trigger hysteria after 'trafficking with spirits in the forest', sit at the back of the stage like a row of dolls, faces tinged with green light.

With slowly gathering sound adding stomach-knotting dread, this is as gut-wrenching a production of Miller's play as I expect to see. It's long (three hours). But it fathoms the ominous depths of this chilling drama.

As well as writing some of the greatest plays of the 19th century, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen knocked out some pretty whacko numbers, too. John Gabriel Borkman is one.

Revived by Sir Nicholas Hytner with Simon Russell Beale in the title role, it's the formidably overblown story of a disgraced banker who refuses to accept his guilt.

Cut loose from its period detail and set in a contemporary 'palace' of embossed concrete, I found Lucinda Coxon's adaptation hard to take seriously.

As well as writing some of the greatest plays of the 19th century, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen knocked out some pretty whacko numbers, too. John Gabriel Borkman is one

Especially implausible is a power struggle in which Borkman, his wife (Clare Higgins) and her sister Ella (Lia Williams) lay claim to Borkman's grown-up son as their private property.

And the dialogue creaks with preposterous exclamations, such as Borkman's exit line: 'I'm off into the storm of life!'

On the upside, Coxon is licensed (as a female) to pass off as comedy the intermittent misogyny of lines such as 'women are fundamentally interchangeable'. Borkman's misogyny, though, is surely at the heart of his hubris.

Higgins is amusingly cynical about his self-assessment, but Williams's Ella  who for some reason is dressed like Worzel Gummidge  has the tougher task of admiring her brother-in-law while damning him for his failings.

Trickiest of all is Russell Beale's role as the former Norse oligarch (pictured left). Too cuddly to be tragic, he looks like a frazzled King Lear who's overdone the marmalade sandwiches.

Perhaps it is best to present Borkman as such a Johnsonian muddle. How else can you make this contemptuous old crook seem loveable?

Today, his dreams of world domination look more like a serious personality disorder.

Three farces for the price of one!

Noises Off (Theatre Royal, Bath; and touring)

Verdict: The good laugh we all need

Rating: ****

Michael Frayn's 1982 Noises Off is actually three farces for the price of one. You certainly get more than your money's worth in Lindsay's Posner's feverishly funny and frenetic 40th anni-versary production which opened last night in Bath, proof that it has lost none of its power to reduce well-behaved adults to hysterical wrecks with mascara streaming down their ankles. That was me, anyway.

It begins relatively quietly, as a pastiche of a sub Ray Cooney trouser-dropping door-slamming sex farce entitled Nothing On, staged by company of second-rate, worn-out actors.

Cut-glass Dotty (Felicity Kendal) is deliciously miscast as Northern char Mrs Clackett, mangling her lines and muddling her props, with Kendal's characteristic mixture of elegance and chip-munk cheerfulness.

A hard of hearing, vacant Selsdon (Matthew Kelly) plays a burglar, when sober enough to remember his cue.

Jonathan Coy's fusspot Freddie is suddenly questioning the psychological motivation of his tis-sue-thin character, Philip, testing the patience of snooty director, Lloyd (Alexander Hanson). Unmistakably attired in Trevor Nunn's trademark denim shirt and jeans, Lloyd clearly thinks his talents are wasted on this tosh.

GEORGINA BROWN: Michael Frayn's 1982 Noises Off is actually three farces for the price of one

The sublime second act, set backstage, teeters on the edge of calamity as the private passions, jealousies and rivalries invade the public performance.

Joseph Millson is outstanding as the increasingly demonic Garry (playing Roger the randy estate agent), whose suspicion that Dotty, his off-stage squeeze, is carrying on with Freddie is fuelled by finding her in what appear to be compromising positions with various actors every time he comes offstage.

The final act, back on the set of Nothing On, descends into total chaos, as sardines, boxes, bags and characters appear  and then disappear  in exactly the opposite order they are sup-posed to.

Tracey-Ann Oberman's buoyant Belinda ad libs with all her might, but the situation gets worse rather than better.

There is much to delight in this superbly drilled, dazzling display of verbal and physical dexterity and split-second timing. But it's more than mere theatrical mechanics.

Frayn, and detailed performances, create flesh and blood human beings beneath the luvvie ste-reotypes and farcical stock characters.

Noises Off may be old-fashioned, but the precision engineering and craftsmanship guarantees a couple of hours of total escapism. As Lloyd says: 'Getting on, getting off. Doors and sardines. That's farce, that's the theatre, that's life.' And so it is.

Pure comic bliss.

GEORGINA BROWN
George and Amal Clooney played host at the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards at the New York Public Library in New York City on Thursday.

The awards, which honor people who have devoted their lives to justice, were named after Justice Albie Sachs, a lawyer and former judge who was imprisoned for his fight to end apartheid in South Africa.

Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber, whose been a longtime friend and business associate of the acclaimed actor and director, were among the celebrities to show off their impeccable fashion sense while lending their support to the cause.

Show of support: Rande Gerber, 60, and wife Cindy Crawford, 56, showed off their chemistry when they attended the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards at New York Public Library in New York City on Thursday

Dressed to the nines, the couple also showed off their undeniable chemistry when they hit the red carpet ahead of the event.

Crawford, 56, showed off her fab figure in a shiny black gown that criss-crossed around the neck while hugging her toned curves.

The legendary catwalk queen, who helped put the 'super' in the 'supermodel' term in the 1980s and 90s, also donned a pair of black open-toe heels, as she held on to a stylish clutch purse.

Rounding out her ensemble, the Illinois native had her brown tresses styled long and flowing well past her shoulder with a slight pair on the left.

Hosts with the most: Crawford and Gerber also hit the red carpet to strike a few poses with the hosts of the evening: George and Amal Clooney

Loved up: The couple, who celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary this past May, showed off the chemistry while on the red carpet

Fashionista: Crawford showed off her fab figure in a shiny black gown that criss-crossed around the neck while hugging her toned curves

Gerber, 60, was her perfect match decked put in a classic black suit that he matched with a white dress shirt, black tie and dress shoes.

The loved up couple, who just celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary this past May, packed on the PDA with a loving touch while on the red carpet together.

For the most part, Crawford had her right hand wrapped around her husband's arm while striking various poses.

Eventually, she went solo for a few photos, which included flashing her infectious smile towards the adoring cameras.

Stylinsh: The legendary supermodel also wore open-toe heels and carried a clutch purse

Handsome: Gerber, 60, was her perfect match decked put in a classic black suit that he matched with a white dress shirt, black tie and dress shoes

Fashion icon: The longtime catwalk queen had her brown tresses styled long and flowing well past her shoulders with a slight part on the left

At one point, Crawford and Gerber were joined on the red carpet by the hosts of the evening: George and Amal Clooney.

Known for having a keen fashion eye, the 61-year-old George didn't disappoint once again dressed in a handsome black tuxedo with a white shirt and shiny dress shoes.

Amal, a 44-year-old lawyer specializing in international law and human rights, was the picture of elegance in a gold and silver fringe gown, and matching heels.

Over the years, the Clooneys have devoted some of their time and resources to the idea of justice being the rule, rather than the exception, to all.

'We believe that justice must be waged  it doesn't just happen,' they wrote on the Clooney Foundation for Justice website, adding, 'So when journalists are locked up just for doing their job, we try to get them out of prison. When young girls are denied the right to study, work, or marry when they want, we help them fight for their rights through the courts. When minorities are targeted for genocide, we help trigger trials against the perpetrators.'

History: Gerber has been a friend and business associate of Clooney's for more than 25 years

The mantra: 'We believe that justice must be waged  it doesn't just happen,' the Clooneys wrote on the Clooney Foundation for Justice website

Supporting justice for all: The awards, which honor people who have devoted their lives to justice, were named after Justice Albie Sachs, a lawyer and former judge who was imprisoned for his fight to end apartheid in South Africa

It took over a year of planning to organize the awards show, and help those that needed to be at the event get the proper assistance, according to Access Hollywood.

Several justice defenders from around the world were honored at the Albie Awards, including Justice Albie Sachs who received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Filipino journalist Maria Ressa was honored with the Justice For Journalists Award; and Dr. Josephine Kulea of the Samburu Girls Foundation, a Kenyan-based organization, received the Justice For Women Award.

The event will also feature such high-profile guests as Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep, Dua Lipa, John Oliver, Julia Roberts, among others.

The Clooneys founded the Clooney Foundation For Justice in order to protect human rights and to make sure no one is above the law, all while providing resources to victims of human rights abuses.

VIP: Gerber and Crawford are pictured walking past the lines of fans on their way to the event
Jodie Whittaker has revealed that she 'breaks down in tears' when talking about her departure from Doctor Who.

The actress, 40, has portrayed the eponymous Time Lord on-screen for four years, and is set to bow out of the sci-fi series in her last episode this October.

But despite being emotional about the chapter ending, she has also detailed her excitement for the grand finale episode to air - dubbing it a 'real treat' for fans.

'I cannot talk about it without crying': Jodie Whittaker, 40, has admitted that she gets emotional talking about her Doctor Who departure - which will air next month

Speaking to Empire Magazine on her looming departure, Jodie admitted: 'I cannot talk about it without crying. When I could see the crew was happy with that last shot, that's when my bottom lip started going.

'I was like "Well, they can't say they need another take now because I've lost it!"' she jested.

But despite the emotional aspect of the scenes, Jodie, who became the first female Doctor in the show's history in 2017, was happy with the outcome of her final episode.

Goodbye: The actress has portrayed the eponymous Time Lord on-screen for four years, and is set to bow out of the sci-fi series in her last episode this October

New chapter: She will be passing the Time Lord baton to Sex Education actor and new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa

Jodie has said previously that she is leaving the coveted role this year because she feels it needs 'new energy'.

And she will be passing the Time Lord baton to Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa, and explained that she was 'delighted' with the 'beautiful dialogue' within her final scenes.

During the finale, the star will allegedly pay tribute to past Time Lords by wearing their iconic outfits throughout the feature-length episode - which will be titled The Power of the Doctor.

Coming soon: During her finale, she will allegedly pay tribute to past Time Lords by wearing their iconic outfits throughout the feature-length episode - which will be titled The Power of the Doctor

With plenty of surprises in store, Jodie dubbed the episode 'a real treat' for fans - as it will lead into the next phase of Doctor Who, with Russell T Davies returning as showrunner and Ncuti starting his run.

Earlier this year, showrunner Davies teased: 'It's a 90-minute epic, it's fantastic. So, that is gorgeous with lots of surprises,' during an appearance on The One Show.

While chatting previously to Empire Magazine, Jodie explained: 'It's got all the iconic things tou associate with Doctor Who, It's massive.'

Ncuti is set to be the first black doctor in the show's history, once again marking a milestone for the long running BBC series.
Attempting to sell secret documents to the Russian foreign service, a former National Security Agency (NSA) employee was detained and prosecuted by the FBI, according to documents made public this week.

Jareh Sebastian Dalke, 30 of Colorado Springs, had been employed by the NSA for less than a month when he contacted someone he thought to be a Russian government representative.

Ex-NSA Worker Tried to Sell US Secrets

A Thursday indictment revealed that the contact was an undercover FBI agent. On July 29, 2022, Dalke started an encrypted email conversation with someone he thought was connected to the Kremlin, but who was an FBI agent.

From June 6 to July 1 of this year, Dalke worked as an information systems security designer for just one month. But in late July, he revealed to the FBI agent that he was still working for the US government. Although he wasn't working for the NSA when he spoke with the undercover FBI agent, he reapplied to the agency in August while aggressively trying to sell US secrets.

He first asked for money in an unidentified cryptocurrency type and amount, and in late August he asked for $85,000 in exchange for more details. According to the discussions, Dalke informed the person that he had taken highly confidential data about US targeting and cyber operations and that he planned to sell it.

He's accused of trying to provide top-secret information to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. Dalke supplied the undercover agent portions of three top-secret and two secret documents to demonstrate that he had access to sensitive information.

In the communications, he also mentioned having money difficulties. On September 28, Dalke was taken into custody in Denver, Colorado, where he had previously promised to meet the FBI agent to turn over secret material.

Read Also: Joe Biden Admits Hurricane Ian 'Could Be the Deadliest Hurricane in Florida's History,' Fears 'Substantial Loss of Life'

Dalke Faces Multiple Charges

The Colorado Rangers are a reserve police unit, and according to the FBI, Dalke volunteered with them. According to CBS, Dalke listed himself as the leader of the Colorado Rangers' digital crimes squad and a lieutenant in his own resume.

Under the Espionage Act, it is illegal to transmit or attempt to disclose National Defense Information to a representative of another nation if there is reason to believe that the information could be used to damage the US. He has been charged with three violations of this law. Dalke could be sentenced to life in jail, any number of years in prison, or even the capital penalty if found guilty, as per Daily Mail.

Dalke allegedly informed the undercover agent that he owed $237,000 in bills. He declared bankruptcy in 2017 as a result of credit card and student loan debt, according to the document. According to the allegations, he told the undercover agent that giving the government access to the sensitive material in exchange for money was a chance to help balances of the world while simultaneously caring for my own demands.

The affidavit claimed that Dalke also expressed his belief that the United States is not as great as many people believe it to be today. A federal employee is being prosecuted in this case for allegedly seeking to give sensitive material to a person they believed to be a representative of a foreign country.

Navy nuclear engineer Jonathan Toebbe and his wife Diana were taken into custody in October 2021 on suspicion of attempting to sell submarine secrets to a foreign country. Both have admitted guilt and are waiting for punishment, Independent reported.

Related Article: Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Plans To Return to Public Life Following Remorseless Sex Scandal

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The Block 'villain' Sharon Johal launched an extraordinary attack on the Channel Nine renovation show on Friday, revealing her family was hurt by her 'unfair' edit.

The former Neighbours actress, 34, revealed she and husband Ankur Dogra were unprepared for their 'soap opera-like' portrayal.

'It's really unfair. My family and friends are really disappointed in the edit. They say, "It's not showing who you guys are,"' she told SAFM's Bec, Cosi and Lehmo.

The Block 'villain' Sharon Johal (pictured) launched an extraordinary attack on the Channel Nine renovation show on Friday, revealing her family was hurt by her 'unfair' edit

The radio hosts questioned the idea her on-screen portrayal wasn't accurate, pointing out the times on the show when she was seen badmouthing her tradies.

Sharon insisted she was merely 'venting' on those occasions and they were not an accurate reflection of her personality.

'I 100 per cent walked from one soap opera to another,' she said, referring to her stint on Neighbours in 2021 prior to joining The Block.

The former Neighbours star revealed she and husband Ankur Dogra (left) were unprepared for their 'soap opera-like' edit

Sharon and Ankur faced backlash last month when they were accused of cheating. She responded by deleting her Instagram account.

At the time, the Melbourne-based couple sparked controversy by using Google to win $50,000 worth of prizes during a wine-making challenge.

The pair were later questioned by hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft, but Ankur refused to admit any wrongdoing despite the overwhelming evidence against them.

The radio hosts questioned the idea her on-screen portrayal wasn't accurate, pointing out the times on the show when she was seen badmouthing her tradies. Sharon insisted she was just 'venting' on those occasions and they were not an accurate reflection of her personality

With casting for The Block 2023 now open, the couple recently said that would-be Blockheads without renovation experience should steer clear.

'I think really hard about obviously going on there. It's great to be a tradie, but if you're not a tradie it's hard work,' Ankur told Daily Mail Australia.

Sharon added: 'Make sure you've got a really good support network behind you and think twice about opening yourself up to all of Australia on national television four times a week for three months.'
Korean record label Big Hit Music, the label for K-Pop supergroup, has filed a new lawsuit aimed at trolls attacking the group.

The label released a statement on the Korean social media platform WeVerse, revealing they are going after trolls who are spreading misinformation about the group.

While the label didn't specify what was information was being spread, they credited the group's massive fanbase - collectively known as the BTS Army - for reporting one particular troll.

Lawsuit: Korean record label Big Hit Music, the label for K-Pop supergroup, has filed a new lawsuit aimed at trolls attacking the group

Statement: The label released a statement on the Korean social media platform WeVerse, revealing they are going after trolls who are spreading misinformation about the group

'Our company regularly initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of malicious activities related to BTS, including defamation, personal attacks, sexual harassment, the spread of groundless information, and ill-intentioned criticism,' the statement began.

'We have recently filed additional criminal complaints against postings with personal attacks and defamation using new information provided by fans as well as collected through our monitoring initiatives,' the label added.

'We have found multiple defamation postings containing false information about the artists on platforms in and outside of Korea,' they added, while revealing there is one specific individual they are going after.

Legal: 'Our company regularly initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of malicious activities related to BTS, including defamation, personal attacks, sexual harassment, the spread of groundless information, and ill-intentioned criticism,' the statement began

Criminal: 'We have recently filed additional criminal complaints against postings with personal attacks and defamation using new information provided by fans as well as collected through our monitoring initiatives,' the label added

'We also have found that a specific poster has been spreading the same ill-intentioned rumor in multiple platforms and filed a criminal complaint against the poster after gathering all of the repetitively uploaded postings,' they added.

The label continued that they are, 'following our legal response process which monitors and collects evidence on malicious posts for 365 days and then includes them on the complaint.'

They even singled out the BTS Army for their help in targeting these trolls, adding, 'Active reporting of our fans has been a big help to our malicious postings monitoring initiatives.'

Specific: 'We also have found that a specific poster has been spreading the same ill-intentioned rumor in multiple platforms and filed a criminal complaint against the poster after gathering all of the repetitively uploaded postings,' they added

Legal process: The label continued that they are, 'following our legal response process which monitors and collects evidence on malicious posts for 365 days and then includes them on the complaint.

Big Hit added, 'We would also like to share with you that after an extended police investigation, we were able to identify the suspect and the case has been sent to the prosecutor's office.'

The identity of the suspect was not revealed and it's unclear if an arrest has been made quite yet.

'Big Hit regularly collects information on malicious postings regarding BTS, reports them to the authorities, and files criminal complaints,' the statement continued.

Identify: Big Hit added, 'We would also like to share with you that after an extended police investigation, we were able to identify the suspect and the case has been sent to the prosecutor's office'

Information: 'Big Hit regularly collects information on malicious postings regarding BTS, reports them to the authorities, and files criminal complaints,' the statement continued

'We would like to stress that we will continue to initiate strict measures to ensure that these malicious acts are not repeated, and our policy of no settlement and no leniency remains in effect,' the statement read.

They also asked fans to, 'make continued use of our hotline (protect@bighitmusic.co.kr) to report any cases of abuse.'

'We will continue to work to ensure that the rights of our artists are fully protected,' Big Hit's statement concluded.

Stress: 'We would like to stress that we will continue to initiate strict measures to ensure that these malicious acts are not repeated, and our policy of no settlement and no leniency remains in effect,' the statement read
Australian TV doyenne Kerri-Anne Kennerley has taken aim at Meghan Markle for repeatedly criticising the Firm in interviews since stepping down as a frontline royal.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have rocked the Royal Family with a series of 'truth bombs' that portray Prince Harry's closest relatives as uncaring and even racist at a time when Meghan was pregnant and struggling to cope with press scrutiny.

They saved their most stinging attacks on the Windsors for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired in March last year - a decision Kennerley found 'very sad'.

Australian TV doyenne Kerri-Anne Kennerley has taken aim at Meghan Markle for repeatedly criticising the Firm in interviews since stepping down as a frontline royal

'I find it very, very sad that [Meghan] has to publicly wash dirty linen in public,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I just... I would never do that to my family.'

Kennerley continued: 'Meghan seems to think that the world should know all the ins and outs and deeply personal things that are said within family walls.

'Whether you're a royal or not, they're deeply personal things in a family.'

Kennerley suggested the interviews were 'clearly' being 'done for money'. (Meghan and Harry have said they were not paid for their interview with Winfrey.)

'You shouldn't go blabbing,' added the Logie Hall of Famer, 'unless it's in your own four walls.

'I don't care how much money she's making. It would be unfortunate in any family.'

'I find it very, very sad that [Meghan] has to publicly wash dirty linen in public,' Kennerley told Daily Mail Australia. 'I just... I would never do that to my family'. Pictured: Kerri-Anne Kennerley spotted carrying a furry handbag on an outing in Sydney's CBD

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured) have rocked the Royal Family with a series of 'truth bombs' that portray Prince Harry's closest relatives as uncaring and even racist at a time when Meghan was pregnant and struggling to cope with press scrutiny

Kennerley also noted that the royals were 'brought up differently' to ordinary people, and so perhaps Meghan should try to be more understanding and pull her punches.

'It's very hard to judge until you've been in their shoes for some time,' she explained.

'They were brought up differently and that's just the way it is. You can't rewrite history.

'I'm very firm on not rewriting history. You can observe and learn, appreciate and decide that can never happen again. Or say, "Yes, we have to repeat that."'

Kennerley also noted that the royals were 'brought up differently' to ordinary people, and so perhaps Meghan should try to be more understanding and pull her punches. Pictured: Kerri-Anne Kennerley in Sydney's CBD on Friday

'It's very hard to judge until you've been in their shoes for some time,' she explained. Pictured: Kerri-Anne Kennerley keeping out of the rain with help from her driver on Friday

'Why people think it's okay to publicly talk about deeply personal family issues, I don't agree with. But that's just me, personally,' she said.

'It's actually really simple. Don't blab and b***h about your family!'

Kennerley then addressed Meghan's claim that an unnamed Royal Family member made a 'racist' remark about her son Archie, now three, when she was pregnant.

'Why people think it's okay to publicly talk about deeply personal family issues, I don't agree with. But that's just me, personally,' Kennerley said

Meghan plunged the monarchy into crisis when she told Oprah Winfrey (pictured) an unnamed Royal Family member had expressed 'concern' about Archie's skin colour before he was born

The former Suits actress plunged the monarchy into crisis when she told Winfrey the royal had expressed 'concern' about Archie's skin colour before he was born.

'The suggestion of racism, to Oprah, about the colour of her baby's skin - you've got to be really careful with comments like that,' Kennerley said.

She added that most ordinary people are curious what a baby is 'going to look like', especially when one of the parents has red hair.

'It's like, "Whose eye colour are they going to get?" or what their skin tone is... It's no more racist than that. And Meghan made such a big deal out of it,' she said.

'Every single family who has a newborn on the way will wonder who the child will take after.'

They saved their most stinging attacks on the Windsors for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired in March last year - a decision Kennerley found 'very sad'

'The suggestion of racism, to Oprah, about the colour of her baby's skin - you've got to be really careful with comments like that,' Kennerley said. She added that most ordinary people are curious what a baby is 'going to look like', especially when one of the parents has red hair

Kennerley is no stranger to the British monarchy, having met King Charles III - then the Prince of Wales - and his then-wife Princess Diana during their tour of Australia in 1988.

At the time, she was hosting Good Morning Australia on Channel 10.

Kennerley also weighed in on the republican debate, which has intensified following the death of Queen Elizabeth II earlier this month.

She praised the Queen's 70 years of service to the Commonwealth, but admitted she was ambivalent about Australia's future as a constitutional monarchy.

Buckingham Palace announced that Harry and Meghan had been stripped of their remaining roles following their move to California. (Pictured: the Queen with the Sussexes in July 2018)

'I am not a republican, but I am not necessarily a monarchist,' she said.

'I have the greatest admiration for that woman, whose dedication to service was truly amazing. I also have great respect for the British Royal Family. Because for Britain, it is not only tourism, but it's stability, it's history.'

She said she would only vote for an Australian republic if she was '100 per cent certain' it would be a positive move for the country, 'not a negative step'.
Gal Gadot played the real-life role of wife and mother of three when she stepped out to take care of a number of family responsibilities.

The Hollywood leading lady, 37, spent a good portion fo her Wednesday driving her kids around, taking care of errands, which included a grocery run at a market in Los Angeles.

Since wrapping two new films over the last six months, the Wonder Woman star has had a bit more free time since, although her new gig, playing the titular role in the remake of Cleopatra is said to currently be in pre-production.

She's wonder: Gal Gadot, 37, stepped out to take care of errands, which included driving her kids around and making a stop for groceries at a market in Los Angeles on Thursday

The actress stepped out for her busy day full of family responsibilities dressed casually in cropped light blue jeans and a gray cardigan sweater over a white t-shirt from the Anine Bing and Helena Christensen collaboration.

She also donned stylish designer sunglasses, which she kept hanging on her neckline at times, and black leather sandals.

In keeping with her casual day she opted to pull her dark brown tresses off of her face and into a ponytail, and keep her makeup to a bare minimum.

Casual: The actress dressed casually in cropped light blue jeans, a gray cardigan sweater over a white t-shirt from the Anine Bing and Helena Christensen collaboration, and black sandals

At one point,the native of Petah Tikva, Israel had her daughters Maya, five, and Alma, 10, who brought along one of her friends, and they all made the stop for groceries at Bristol Farms market.

The following day, on Thursday, Gadot took to her Instagram page and posted a series of snaps, where she showcased herself getting a makeup touch up dressed in light blu jean and a different white t-shirt.

'There is nothing like a little Mac to boost up a shooting day @AllGoodles,' she wrote in the caption, in a reference to preparing macaroni and cheese.

From the sounds of it, her shooting day appears to be for the remake of the epic, Cleopatra.

New gig: Gadot revealed she had a day of shooting ahead of her in an Instagram post on Thursday, which is likely to be on the remake of Cleopatra

Busy: The mother of three wrapped on two new films over the last six months

Comfort food: The leading lady also enjoyed the simple pleasure of eating mac and cheese

The most notable version of Cleopatra was the 1963 Joseph L. Mankiewicz directed version starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, which went on to win four Oscars, including Bst Picture, out of nine nominations.

The in-demand star finished shooting the musical fantasy film Snow White in April, and the sky action-thriller film Heart Of Stone about two months ago.

As a result, she's had more time with her three girls, which also includes one-year-old Daniella, and her husband Jaron 'Yaron' Varsano, 47.

The couple only just celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary earlier this week.

Although the family spend quite a bit of time at their home in the Hollywood Hills, especially when Gadot is shooting a film in and around Los Angeles, they have primarily lived in Tel Aviv, in her native Israel, over the years, according to Vogue.
Chris D'Elia has denied ever meeting a woman who was granted a temporary restraining order against him by a judge in Los Angeles.

The 42-year-old comedian was accused by Caroline Schmitz of sending her threatening messages, according to court documents filed in Los Angeles, TMZ reported on Thursday.

Schmitz claimed she met D'Elia in 2017 when she was a working comedian and they hooked up several times, court documents said.

Restraining order: Chris D'Elia, shown in February 2020 in Pasadena, California, has denied ever meeting a woman who was granted a temporary restraining order against him by a judge

The restraining order filing claimed that D'Elia contacted Schmitz in May through OnlyFans.

Schmitz alleged that D'Elia was behind an OnlyFans profile that threated to post intimate videos of her and advised her to leave Los Angeles, according to court documents.

'These accusations are as fantastical as they are defamatory. Chris has never met this person,' D'Elia's attorney Andrew Brettler told TMZ.

'But over the last year, she has sent him increasingly disturbing text and audio messages, including making threats against him and his family. If anyone is going to get a restraining order here, its going to be Chris,' Brettler added.

Court filing: The 42-year-old comedian, shown in June 2018 in Los Angeles, was accused by Caroline Schmitz of sending her threatening messages, according to court documents filed in Los Angeles, TMZ reported on Thursday

A judge has granted a temporary restraining order and a hearing on the matter has been scheduled for October.

D'Elia and animator Kristin Taylor, 30, got married in June in Santa Monica, California.

Multiple underage girls accused D'Elia in June 2020 of sexual harassment, grooming and solicitation of nude photos.

TV star: D'Elia is shown in a 2011 still with Whitney Cummings on the show Whitney

Creative Artists Agency dropped D'Elia as a client due to the allegations and he was replaced by Tig Notaro, 51, in August 2020 after filming a role for the 2021 zombie heist film Army Of The Dead.

D'Elia shared a nearly 10-minute YouTube video in February 2021 in which he claimed that he has 'a problem' and that sex 'controlled' his life.

The comedian has been on tour since August with his next show scheduled for Saturday in Oxnard, California.
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Reese Witherspoon and her costar Jennifer Aniston were hard at work on Thursday as they filmed scenes for their popular Apple TV+ series The Morning Show.

The 46-year-old Big Little Lies actress and the 53-year-old Friends star were both spotted arriving at the show's set in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood before they got down to business.

Although they seemed to be in high spirits, the two adopted somber expressions as they filmed what appeared to be a tense two-person scene.

Back to work: Jennifer Aniston, 53, and Reese Witherspoon, 46, were seen filming a tense scene on The Morning Show's set in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood on Thursday

The Morning Show stars are currently in the process of filming the acclaimed drama's third season. They appear as the dueling anchors of a fictional nationwide morning news show in the series.

Jennifer plays Alex Levy, who co-hosts The Morning Show with Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell), who is fired in the first season while swept up in sexual misconduct claims.

He is replaced by the impulsive local news correspondent Bradley Jackson (Reese) after a number of her stories garner national attention.

Both actresses were seen arriving on set in what appeared to be their own clothes.

Reese wore an olive-colored waffle-print down coat over a nondescript black top and matching black pants.

She brightened up the look with brilliant white trainers, and she carried a white handbag with blue, green and red stripes running down the center.

Covered up: Reese wore an olive-colored waffle-print down coat over a nondescript black top and matching black pants. The Morning Show stars are currently in the process of filming the acclaimed drama's third season

Relaxed: Jennifer was spotted rolling up to set in an SUV while wearing a black top of her own that she tucked into a relaxed-fit pair of dark blue jeans

Jennifer was spotted rolling up to set in an SUV while wearing a black top of her own that she tucked into a relaxed-fit pair of dark blue jeans.

She wore pointed black suede boots, which complement her long black overcoat with lustrous satin lapels.

The Horrible Bosses actress also had a tasseled gray scarf with her, and she carried a brown leather handbag.

Later, she and Reese were see in their costumes, though the nature of their characters meant that their costumes could have passed for their own clothes.

The Legally Blonde star beamed ear-to-ear as she descended a set of steps on set in a lovely royal blue coat, and she switched out her white handbag for a larger powder blue design.

She wore her long blond locks parted down the middle and cascading down her back, and she elevated her 5ft1in stature with a shining pair of silver heels.

Blue mood: The Legally Blonde star beamed ear-to-ear as she descended a set of steps on set in a lovely royal blue coat, and she switched out her white handbag for a larger powder blue design

In costume: Jennifer appeared to keep her coat on, but she now wore a more revealing black blouse with black slacks

Going dark: It appeared to be a fairly dramatic scene, as both actresses were seen looking downcast at times while the film crew surrounded then

Jennifer appeared to keep her coat on, but she now wore a more revealing black blouse with black slacks.

Her caramel-colored hair was noticeably mussed as she set up for her seen with Reese.

It appeared to be a fairly dramatic scene, as both actresses were seen looking downcast at times while the film crew surrounded then.

Reese and Jennifer were almost in each other's faces at one point, though it wasn't clear if their characters were having an argument or reacting to some bad news.

Confrontational: Reese and Jennifer were almost in each other's faces at one point

Jennifer gesticulated with her hands and even looked furious at various points.

She and Reese have been hard at work since The Morning Show returned to film its third season in August.

The latest season will see Mad Men star Jon Hamm joining the series as a regular cast member.

His character, Paul Marks, is described as a a corporate titan who sets his sights on' the fictional network that airs The Morning Show.

On Wednesday, he and Jennifer were pictured on Brooklyn's Coney Island as they filmed more scenes for the series.

His casting is ironic, as Hamm filmed a comedic advertisement for Apple TV+ earlier in the year in which he angrily scrolled through the streamer's films and television shows while complaining that he wasn't among the bevy of famous faces.

He even stopped to watch a segment of The Morning Show.

'Jen and Reese; no Jon! Feels like a missed opportunity!' he shouted. It's not clear if his casting, which was announced in August, had been discussed prior to shooting the ad, which ultimately earned an Emmy nomination.

Emotions: However, it wasn't clear if their characters were having an argument or reacting to some bad news

New face: The latest season will see Mad Men star Jon Hamm joining the series as a regular cast member. His character, Paul Marks, is described as a a corporate titan who sets his sights on' the fictional network that airs The Morning Show

Reese and her costar Billy Crudup, who plays the CEO of The Morning Show's network, have earned Emmy nominations for the series, as has Marcia Gay Harden, who had a guest role as a journalist in the second season.

Nicole Beharie, who starred in the film Miss Juneteenth and the thriller series Sleepy Hollow, is also joining the show for its third season.

Although The Morning Show is fictional, it is inspired by Brian Stelter's 2013 non-fiction book Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV.

Simple twist of fate: His casting is ironic, as Hamm filmed an ad for Apple TV+ earlier in the year in which he angrily scrolled through the streamer's offerings while complaining that he wasn't among the bevy of famous faces

More to come: Nicole Beharie, who starred in the film Miss Juneteenth and the thriller series Sleepy Hollow, is also joining the show for its third season
Isabel Lucas appears to be off the market.

The former Home and Away star, 37, was spotted at the beach in Byron Bay earlier this week with a man believed to be her boyfriend.

The actress, who dated Chris Hemsworth before his Hollywood big break in Thor, is known to be notoriously private when it comes to her love life.

Isabel Lucas appears to be off the market. The former Home and Away star, 37, was spotted at the beach in Byron Bay earlier this week with a man believed to be her boyfriend

The actress, who dated Chris Hemsworth before his Hollywood big break in Thor, is known to be notoriously private when it comes to her love life

She hasn't announced a new romance, and her mystery man's identity is unknown.

In photos taken several days ago, Isabel showcased her slender figure in a sporty red bikini with black detailing.

She started her day with some beach yoga, folding herself into a downward doggy pose on a towel.

She started her day with some yoga, folding herself into a downward doggy pose on a towel

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen star then stripped off her black T-shirt to reveal her skimpy two-piece and went for a dip in the ocean.

She kept her accessories to a minimum, wearing a blue string bracelet and necklace.

Isabel kept her blonde hair unbound as she soaked in the salty water, before slicking it away from her face as she ran back to the shore.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen star then stripped off her black T-shirt to reveal her skimpy two-piece and went for a dip in the ocean

Her handsome beau was waiting for her there, clad in a wet suit with the upper half pulled down to hang around his hips.

He took Isabel's hand and escorted her back to their belongings by the beach towel.

She couldn't wipe the adoring look off her face as she stared up at her boyfriend, watching the salt water drip from his short blond hair.

After drying off, she threw her T-shirt back on and found herself in a playful mood.

After going for an ocean swim, Isabel walked back up the shore and held hands with her beau

In photos taken several days ago, Isabel showcased her slender figure in a sporty red bikini with black detailing

Isabel dated Chris Hemsworth when they were both rising soap stars in Australia. Chris would go on to achieve global fame playing Thor in the Marvel film series. (Pictured in 2006)

The lovebirds playfully pushed each other around until Isabel's boyfriend picked her up and threw her over his shoulder with ease.

He spun her around before setting her back on her feet, dizzy and laughing, then they finished up their fun with a cuddle.

Isabel has found herself at the centre of controversy in recent years for spreading odd theories about the Covid vaccine and 5G technology.

Isabel and her mystery beau enjoyed some roughhousing on the sand

The lovebirds playfully pushed each other around

She has thrown her support behind Pete Evans, the disgraced chef and conspiracy theorist who used to be a judge on My Kitchen Rules.

The Water Diviner star insists she is not against all vaccines, however, just Covid-19 vaccines.

Writing on Instagram at the height of the pandemic, the former soap actress said she was 'pro-choice', a term commonly used by people who don't want to be vaccinated.

She joined hundreds of anti-vaxxers at a rally to protest Covid-19 vaccine mandates at the New South Wales-Queensland border last year.

Isabel's boyfriend picked her up and threw her over his shoulder with ease

Isabel has found herself at the centre of controversy in recent years for spreading odd theories about the Covid vaccine and 5G technology
Miles Teller said he made a breach of protocol when crossing paths with the Duke and Duchess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The 35-year-old actor, appearing Wednesday on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, opened up about meeting the royal pair in London at a Royal Film Performance screening for his film Top Gun: Maverick this past May.

Teller, who played Lt. Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw in the film, said that he and his costars were given a list of 'rules of dos and donts,' joking, 'Theres a lot of etiquette ... and I kind of had a sheet so I wouldnt mess it up.'

The latest: Miles Teller, 35, said he made a breach of protocol when crossing paths with the Duke and Duchess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton. He appeared Wednesday on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

But Teller made a miscue, as he said, 'Right off the bat I messed up: Youre not supposed to extend your hand right off the bat unless they do.'

'But I felt the vibe, so Im like "Im going in, Im going in."'

The Whiplash star credited the royal couple as being 'very disarming' in his meeting with them.

'I was lost,' he said. 'In Prince Williams eyes ... I mean, blue as the bluest ocean, Jimmy, what do you want? Bora Bora  and Kate is beautiful and very cordial and holds herself so well, yeah, regal ... but with William I dont know, I blacked out.'

Teller and Top Gun costar Jennifer Connelly were seen meeting the pair in London last May

Teller said that he and his costars were given a list of 'rules of dos and donts' before meeting the royal couple

The Whiplash star credited the royal couple as being 'very disarming' in his meeting with them

Teller said he thinks Prince William is 'a lifelong fan now,' adding, 'I was just picking up what he was putting down.'

Teller is set to host this weeks season premiere of Saturday Night Live on October 1, with musical guest Kendrick Lamar.

The Banshees of Inisherin star Brendan Gleeson will host the following week, with Willow as musical guest; and Megan Thee Stallion will host and perform on the October 15 edition.

The surging star chat on a number of topics with host Jimmy Fallon
They are always picture perfect when they pose on the red carpet.

But Brittany Hockley shared a not so flattering angle of her best friend and Life Uncut Podcast co-host host Laura Byrne on Friday during their flight to Melbourne.

In a video shared to both their Instagram accounts, Brittany, 35, filmed the mother-of-two fast asleep on the plane with her mouth wide open.

Brittany Hockley shared a not so flattering angle of her best friend and Life Uncut Podcast co-host host Laura Byrne on Friday during their flight to Melbourne

'Theres two types of travellers,' the post was captioned.

'I'm prepping for meetings. Laura's catching our lunch. It's called teamwork.'

Laura responded in the comments, writing, 'If I am childless I will sleep anywhere anytime.'

In a video shared to both their Instagram accounts, Brittany, 35, filmed the mother-of-two fast asleep on the plane with her mouth wide open

Fans also took to the comments to laugh at the embarrassing moment caught on camera.

'This is like the ultimate game of spot the parent,' one fan wrote.

'Thats what happens when you get to sleep away from your kids- extreme sleep,' another added.

Laura and Brittany are currently promoting their book We Love Love together

Laura and Brittany are currently promoting their book We Love Love together.

They are best known for their time on their respective seasons of The Bachelor as well as their radio show and podcast of the same name, Life Uncut.

Laura and her fiance Matty 'J' Johnson are one of the most successful couples to come out of The Bachelor, falling in love during the 2017 season.

They share two children together - daughters Marlie-Mae, three, and Lola, two, together.

They got engaged while on holiday in Fiji in April 2018 but are yet to marry.

While Laura has become a radio and podcast star, Matty also hosts a financial podcast called The Penny Drops.
It was a night filled with an A-list guest.

But Jodie Turner-Smith managed to stand out the most in a nude-illusion number.

The 36-year-old British actress showcased her incredible figure in a completely see-through gown at the inaugural Albie Awards in New York on Thursday.

Stunning in sheer: Jodie Turner-Smith showcased her incredible figure in a completely see-through gown at the inaugural Albie Awards in New York on Thursday

Co-hosted by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and her movie star husband George Clooney, the event played host to a glittering star-studded guest list.

The see-through long-sleeved dress gave the appearance of sheer material being wrapped all over her stunning frame.

It revealed her nude undergarments including thong as the skirt burst into massive black and beige ruffles.

Daring: Co-hosted by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and her movie star husband George Clooney, the event played host to a glittering star-studded guest list

Gorgeous: The see-through long-sleeved dress gave the appearance of sheer material being wrapped all over her stunning frame

The Queen & Slim actress accessorized with plenty of jewelry including dangling platinum jeweled dangling earrings and several rings.

She showed off a new hair color to her buzzed locks as they were dyed dark purple.

Jodie accentuated her natural looks with complementary make-up contrasted by a dramatic swipe of red lipstick.

Nothing to hide: It revealed her nude undergarments including thong as the skirt burst into massive black and beige ruffles

Bling: The Queen & Slim actress accessorized with plenty of jewelry including dangling platinum jeweled dangling earrings and several rings

New look: She showed off a new hair color to her buzzed locks as they were dyed dark purple

Not seen on the outing was her husband of nearly three years, actor Joshua Jackson, as they have a daughter together who was born in April 2020.

No doubt it is an exciting time as it was announced earlier this month that she would be joining the new Star Wars TV series The Acolyt.

According to Deadline, the actress is currently finalising a deal to join Amandla Stenberg in the series - with no details yet released on either of the characters.

Pals: She hung out on the red carpet with friend and British make-up mogul Charlotte Tilbury

Squad goals: (Pictured from left to right) Jodie, Charlotte, Gemma Chan, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, and Demetra Pinsent

Golden couple: George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney looked ever the golden couple as they arrived to host the Clooney Foundation event

The show was first announced back in April 2020, when director Leslye Headland came on board to spearhead the series.

It was described as, 'a female-centric series that takes place in a different part of the Star Wars timeline than other projects.'

The project is set to film in London later this year. with Amandla the only confirmed star as of yet.
Page Six has been informed by numerous sources that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want to alter their Netflix docuseries and postpone its broadcast till next year following the passing of the Queen.

As part of their $100 million deal with the streaming service, the Duke, 38, and Duchess, 41, of Sussex, who currently reside in their $14 million Montecito estate with their two children, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1-year-old, are working on a documentary.

Sussexes Urge to Edit Netflix Series

After The Crown's fifth season premiered on November 9, it was previously anticipated that the production will air in December. To downplay much of what they have said about King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, insiders allege the couple now wants to make changes to the series, which might push back its publication until later in 2023.

In light of concerns that his final copy may not go down too well in the wake of the Queen's passing, Prince Harry has reportedly undertaken a last-minute effort to soften the blow of his explosive book.

The memoirs had been approved and were scheduled for publishing in the fall, but the Duke, who is authoring the book as part of a contract, has requested some significant changes. His plea might be interpreted as a sign that he is prepared to approach the rest of the Royal Family with greater goodwill, but it could present issues for his publishers.

An advance of seven figures was offered to the Duke, according to publishing sources, so he might have had little wriggle room. The initial manuscript was rejected by publishers Penguin Random House because it was too touchy-feely and focused too much on mental health issues, as per Daily Mail.

Read Also: Prince Andrew To Serve as "Dogwalker" Under King Charles III While Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Fall to Bottom of Royal Family Website

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle "Worried" to be Edged Out

The memoir's primary focus will be on Prince Harry's tumultuous relationship with his brother, Prince William, who is the heir apparent. Even though they put their conflict on hold at the Queen's burial, it is known that the two don't get along and rarely speak.

It is unclear whether there is a connection between this and the fact that Prince Harry learned about his grandmother's passing online after arriving in Scotland for an unrelated event, rather than through Prince William, according to Marca.

A professional asserts that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are worried about losing their place in the Royal Family. This week, the Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of Sussex were demoted to the bottom of the official royal website, appearing only above Prince Andrew.

Relations within the family have deteriorated ever since they left their positions as senior members of the Firm in March 2020. Following the Queen's passing, the website was modified as King Charles assumed control of his adored mother's responsibilities.

The two had previously had a position halfway down the page of royal profiles, above junior royals and below senior royals. However, following the demotivation, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were moved down the page. As King Charles assigns new positions, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are anticipating whether their kids, Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, will receive the titles of Prince and Princess, Express reported.

Related Article: King Charles III's 'Love Child' Reveals Last Letter to Queen Elizabeth, Days After Leaking Camilla's Alleged Pregnancy Photo

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Paige Thorne was spotted getting close to Swansea City footballer Liam Cullen at Thorpe Park Fright Night on Thursday.

It comes as her Love Island beau Adam Collard has reportedly jetted off to Bali without her amid 'cheating' rumours plaguing their relationship.

Paige, 24, and Adam, 26, put on a united front this week in London and walked hand-in-hand, after hitting out at rumours he'd been unfaithful to Paige.

Night out: Paige Thorne (centre) was spotted getting close to Swansea City footballer Liam Cullen (right) at Thorpe Park Fright Night on Thursday

Paramedic Paige stunned in racy thigh-high boots to enjoy a fun night out at the theme park with friends and walked beside Liam, 23, while at the park before posing for snaps together.

The beauty teamed her black boots with a coordinating jumper dress and an edgy leather-look jacket.

She wore her long locks out and over her shoulders and makeup including dewy foundation, lashings of mascara and a glossy nude lip.

Off on his travels: It comes as her Love Island beau Adam Collard has reportedly jetted off to Bali without her amid 'cheating' rumours plaguing their relationship (pictured in July)

Outfit: Paramedic Paige stunned in racy thigh-high boots to enjoy a fun night out at the theme park with friends and walked beside Liam, 23, while at the park and posed with him for snaps

Paige was accompanied by another male friends on the outing, appearing in high spirits as she enjoyed a fun night out.

Meanwhile Liam looked sporty in a green jacket, white hoodie and dark jeans as he got to know Paige.

Adam is said to have left the UK for sunnier climes in Indonesia, Paige remained behind and stepped out at the Thorpe Park event on Thursday.

Walk: Meanwhile Liam looked sporty in a green jacket, white hoodie and dark jeans as he got to know Paige

The Sun reports that Paige and Adam's Love Island co-star Andrew Le Page insisted that the couple had not split and that the personal trainer wasn't present as he was in Bali.

He explained: 'Paige and Adam are still together - theyre really good and Paige is good.

'The reason Adam isnt here is because hes had to fly to Bali. They havent broken up.'

Outfit: The beauty teamed her black boots with a coordinating jumper dress and an edgy leather-look jacket

MailOnline have contacted representatives of Adam and Paige for comment.

On Wednesday, in photos obtained exclusively by MailOnline, Paige and Adam put on a united front as they walked hand-in-hand around London's Canary Wharf on Wednesday afternoon.

Last week Adam hit out at rumours he'd been unfaithful to Paige when video emerged of him wrapping his arms around a girl in McDonalds - insisting he left the fast food outlet with '60 nuggets and nothing else'.

Still going strong: Earlier this week, Paige and Adam brushed off reports they had split by putting on a united front, pictured hand in hand on Wednesday afternoon

Dismissing reports that she had asked Adam to give her space, Paige was seen gazing up at her boyfriend as they stopped by a coffee shop close to their London hotel.

A source claimed to The Sun on Wednesday that Paige 'is really upset by everything that has gone on and feels like she is being humiliated.

'She believes Adam didn't do anything and knows women throw themselves at him. But it doesn't mean she doesn't find it difficult when people start gossiping about their relationship and share it on social media.

Hitting back: Last week Adam, 26 hit out at rumours he'd been unfaithful - insisting he left the fast food outlet with '60 nuggets and nothing else'

'Paige had told Adam she needs a break and to spend some time away from him.'

The couple, who appeared on both season four and eight of Love Island, became official back in August after leaving the famous villa.

In a recent video that emerged on social media, personal trainer Adam was spotted with his arm around another girl after ending up in McDonald's after a boozy night out.

Adam's rep told The Sun: 'Adam headed to McDonald's after a night out with friends.

Claims: A source claimed to The Sun on Wednesday that Paige 'is really upset by everything that has gone on and feels like she is being humiliated'

Out and about: Demi Jones also made an appearance at Fright Night

Date? Liam Reardon was also at the event getting cosy with a mystery woman

Snack: Paige got some food later on in the night

Happy: Luca was all smiles as he attended the event

'His friends were alongside him when a group of girls asked for photos and Adam being his friendly self was open to posing and chatting to the girls, alongside other fans who wanted to chat in the same video.

'Adam understands how this video looks but wants to state that he left the restaurant with his friends and a box of 60 nuggets (with nothing or no one else) with the intention of getting home safely.

'Adam and Paige are currently dating and Adam only has eyes for her.'

Adam was a controversial figure during his first stint in the villa, with some of his scenes even sparking concerns with bosses at domestic abuse charity Women's Aid.

Awkward: In a recent video that emerged on social media, the personal trainer was recently spotted with his arm around another girl after ending up in McDonald's

Adam locked horns with his then partner Rosie Williams in an explosive confrontation, during which he was widely-criticised by viewers for smirking throughout the argument and later leaving her in hysterical tears.

Voicing concern over Adam's actions, which saw him move on to Zara, Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of Women's Aid, said: 'On the latest series of Love Island, there are clear warning signs in Adam's behaviour.'

Adam was a late arrival into the villa and was initially paired with Kendall Rae-Knight before Rosie was his next partnership.

The business owner maintained a 'player' reputation after his stint on the show but Paige recently revealed that the ITV producers pushed her to give him a chance.

Speaking on FUBAR radio with Bobby Norris and Stephen Leng, the former contestant confessed that she 'didn't even know' who the bombshell was - despite being warned he was a 'massive player' by the other girls in the villa.
Abbie Chatfield was enjoying the sunshine on Thursday.

The radio and television personality stepped out for a stroll in Sydney's Bronte with her rescue dog, Wally.

The 27-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a white bikini top, putting her ample bust on display.

Abbie Chatfield (pictured) was enjoying the sunshine on Thursday. The radio and television personality stepped out for a stroll in Sydney's Bronte with her rescue dog, Wally

She paired the swimwear with skintight brown short-shorts, which flaunted her trim pins.

Abbie appeared to go makeup free, pulling her hair off her face and donning a pair of sunglasses.

She seemed relaxed as she strolled alongside the beach with her pup walking ahead on a lead.

The 27-year-old showed off her incredible figure in a white bikini top. She paired the swimwear with skintight brown short-shorts, which flaunted her trim pins

Abbie is single after splitting from ex-boyfriend Konrad Bien-Stephen.

The former Bachelor star is often very candid about her sex life, recently revealing how many people she'd slept with on the latest episode of her podcast It's A Lot.

She revealed her estimated number of sexual partners during a bawdy conversation with comedian Christian Hull.

She seemed relaxed as she strolled alongside the beach with her pup walking ahead on a lead

'Somebody asked me the other day how many people I've f**ked and they asked "over a thousand?" and I was like "I wish!"' she said.

'I think I've f**ked, like, 80 people,' Abbie added.

She recently bragged about posing 'thirst traps' to social media while on her radio show Hot Nights in the hopes of attracting new suitors.

'I am obviously single,' she said. 'I wouldn't say I've got a roster [of suggestive photos], but because of that I've uploaded some pretty racy stuff lately,' she added.
Married At First Sight UK's Jordan was left red faced after his mum told his wife Chanita that he got chewing gum stuck on his manhood when he was a child.

Fans were left cringing for him and in hysterics during Thursday night's episode of MAFS UK, which saw the couples head on their homestay weeks.

Jordan Emmett-Connelly, 29, and Chanita Stephenson, also 29, went to his home in Darlington where she was welcomed into his environment and got to meet his mum once again.

Hilarious: Married At First Sight UK's Jordan was left red faced after his mum told new wife Chanita that he got chewing gum stuck on his manhood when he was a child on Thursday's episode

Embarrassing: Bringing out an envelope of printed photographs, Jordan and Chanita were joined by his mum as she reminisced about her son's younger years

Bringing out an envelope of printed photographs, Jordan and Chanita were joined by his mum as she reminisced about her son's younger years.

'Look at my little kiddiewinkie - that's me and Joe when we were little.' Chanita replies, 'Your hair colour is so different.

Another snap, which showed a young Jordan with a towel wrapped around his head, led Chanita to call him a 'little E.T.'.

But then his mother goes on to give her son a very embarrassing moment in front of his new wife: 'That day, he stole some chewing gum off the side and wrapped it all around his w***y, and I said "What are you doing?"'

Much to Jordan's dismay - as he protested - saying 'No, mam, skip! Next thing!'

Despite this, she carried on: 'And he come back and said he was all stuck, and every time you pulled it, it pinged his w***y!'

In bits: His mother goes on to give her son a very embarrassing moment in front of his new wife: 'That day, he stole some chewing gum off the side and wrapped it all around his w***y!'

So funny: Much to Jordan's dismay - as he protested - saying 'No, mam, skip! Next thing!'

Reminiscing: Jordan's mum had an envelope of baby pictures of her son, showing Chanita his younger years

He asked: 'What are you doing mum?!' and she responded 'Well, that's what you did son!'

Chanita joked: 'Your mum is still traumatised from it!' and the three fall into laughter together.

MAFS fans took to Twitter to share their enjoyment of the moment, with one writing: 'If Chanita doesn't call Jordan 'Wrigleys' from now on, there's something wrong with her.'

Another wrote: 'Jordan's mom just told THE BEST embarrassing childhood story of all time! Chewing gum around his w***y!'

One person added: 'Most Mums have to tell their kids not to SWALLOW their chewing gum, Jordan.'

Hysterics: MAFS fans took to Twitter to share their enjoyment of the moment, with one writing: 'If Chanita doesn't call Jordan 'Wrigleys' from now on, there's something wrong with her'

The dramatic episode also saw Matt Murray and Whitney Hughes allowed to re-enter the dating experiment as a brand new couple during Thursday evening's episode.

The pair, 32 and 31, who both decided to leave with their former spouses during the previous episode, begged the show's panel of dating experts to stay together and see out the process.

An explosive 'couples retreat' week saw the pair spend the night together, despite being under the same roof as Matt's wife Gemma Rose and Whitney's husband Duka Cavolli.

During the previous episode, late arrivals Matt and his wife Gemma decided to leave the process after a rocky journey - which came to blows following the revelation of his romantic feelings for Whitney.

Happy couple: Jordan and Chanita (pictured on their wedding day) have gone from strength to strength during the process and have been enjoying homestay week

While legal PA Whitney similarily voted to leave with her husband Duka, after repeatedly branding him 'fake' throughout the process as they failed to connect.

But the pair weren't done with the experiment as a whole, begging the show's panel of dating experts to continue the process together, which raised the eyebrows of fellow contestants.

Experts Paul C. Brunson, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas appeared sceptical to allow the pair back in - with it being a first in Married At First Sight history - but gave the couple a chance to plead their case.

With Paul admitting he didn't want to let them back in, the dating guru asked Matt and Whitney to 'tell me why you should be allowed to stay'.

Admitting the experts have helped her emotionally thus far in the process, Whitney detailed her desire to continue developing her relationship with Matt with their help.

And it turned out that the experts, like with every couple on the show, had even checked Matt and Whitney's scientific compatibility - revealing that they were a match on paper.

Putting up a fight: Despite leaving just one day prior, the pair weren't done with the experiment, begging the experts to stay together

Unsure: Experts Paul C. Brunson (centre), Mel Schilling (right) and Charlene Douglas (left) appeared sceptical to allow the pair back in - with it being a first in Married At First Sight history - but gave the couple a chance to plead their case

'We can see that there is something real here, the science backs it up, and we are willing to let you back into the experiment as a new couple. Not as a married couple but as a dating couple,' explained Mel.

Clutching onto each other's hands, Matt and Whitney beamed at one another upon learning the good news.

And it comes as the pair have been sharing cryptic hints to their Instagram - with Whitney posting a series of snaps to Instagram from real life that appear to be with Matt.

But their co-stars may not be best pleased to see them at the next dinner party, after the scandal of their relationship left other contestants accusing them of disrespect.

'You've disrespected Duka, you've disrespected Gemma, and you've disrespected the process,' exclaimed Zoe Clifton during Wednesday's episode - as she branded Matt a f*****g d******d under her breath.

Close: Matt and Whitney remained hand-in-hand as the experts decided to give them a chance to prove the romance

Whitney and tattooed Matt spent the night together during a couples' retreat getaway in this week's episodes, despite their respective partners being under the same roof.

The infidelity rocked the cast with Gemma breaking down in tears after the betrayal comes to light in dramatic scenes on the E4 series.

Later in the episode, April met George's mum and stepdad as they opened up about their 'intense' time during the process.

His mum said, while tearing up: 'Because of his past and of women he hasn't been able to trust, he is very reluctant to go into another relationship. He has to have that trust.

'I just want him to be with someone he doesn't have to worry about, what they're doing, who they're with. I've seen him hurt.

Not so happy couple: Whitney was paired with husband Duka in the beginning of the experiment - but the pair failed to make a connection, as she repeatedly branded him 'fake' (pictured together on their wedding day)

'My biggest concern for George is I don't want him to be hurt again. Oh, I would like to see him happy and safe with somebody.

'I really don't want you to break his heart.'

April told her mother-in-law: 'I've always been faithful in every relationship and I believe that I treat people how I'd like to be treated.

'Rest assured I would never ever hurt George, ever.'

Meeting: Later in the episode, April met George's mum and stepdad as they opened up about their 'intense' time during the process

Cheers: His mum said, while tearing up: 'I just want him to be with someone he doesn't have to worry about, what they're doing, who they're with. I've seen him hurt'

It comes after Tuesday's show which saw George hinting at more traumatic scenes with his wife April - which were not shown on camera.

Viewers saw the pair caught up in an explosive argument with Thomas Hartley after he branded them a 'fake couple', prompting George to explain: 'We've been through a hell of a lot between us and there's a lot of stuff that we can't bring to the [commitment ceremony] couch.'

The scenes were filmed earlier this year before it emerged that the couple have since split and April, 33, is now in therapy after the 'traumatic' relationship.

Worry: George looked stern as his mother told April that she didn't want her to break his heart

It has also been revealed that George, 40, was allowed to take part in the E4 show despite three of his exes complaining to the police about his alleged abusive behaviour.

Tension had been brewing between the newlyweds after Monday's episode, when Thomas labelled April a 'b**ch' and a 'liar' before saying she was: 'The fakest person here', leaving the former beauty queen in tears.

Also in the episode on Thursday, Thomas Hartley, 31, met husband Adrian Sanderson's best friend Kate who he clashed with on the wedding day after her continual questions of his future plans.

Honest: In Kasia and Kwame's homestay, he refused to show her his home because he was 'a private person', much to her confusion. Pictured is Kasia meeting his friends

Surprised: Frustrated that Kwame does not share his feelings, Kasia said to him: 'I can date outside of this process, Free Willy as you say. All different kind of f*****g willy, OK?'

The digital designer, 37, said that she is an 'integral' part of his life: 'This has to go well today.'

Kate told the married couple: 'The wedding day was quite a stressful day, I did struggle. Adrian you did seem lost, you didn't seem like the person you normally are to me and I was concerned.

'I felt attacked, and I'll be honest I didn't want to be here. But Adrian I was desperate to see you.'

She continued: 'The wedding for me was quite traumatic, I don't think they are a match and I can't quite understand how they have got to this point.'

Thomas said he thinks he has calmed somewhat - but warned that he was a strong character and had just married a stranger.

In Kasia and Kwame's homestay, he refused to show her his home because he was 'a private person', much to her confusion.

Instead she met his friends at a restaurant in his home town of Leyton, east London, where they asked his new wife her thoughts about their relationship once it meets the real world post-experiment.

But it got a bit intense after Kwame answered the same question by saying he thinks it will be interesting as they have 'gotten close' during the process - with Kasia admitting that he never tells her how he feels about her.

'I don't expect the man to tell me how much he's deeply in love with me but I would have expected Kwame to express himself more towards me or maybe his feelings towards me.

'If he doesn't [start] then I think we both know where this is heading.'

At the table Kwame told Kasia: 'At the end of the day I'm gonna hold back because we're in a process. Because when we're outside, it's Free Willy.

Tense: Also in the episode on Thursday, Thomas Hartley, 31, met husband Adrian Sanderson's best friend Kate who he clashed with on the wedding day after her questions of his future

Kasia quickly quipped: 'Well just so you know, I can date outside of this process, Free Willy as you say. All different kind of f*****g willy, OK?'

She then added: 'I can tell Kwame is very uncomfortable engaging in such of conversations but there are things that are coming up that we need to confront.'

Kwame then told Kasia: 'There are times when I am surprised by the things you say because I feel like I communicate this the same way all the time.'

She said: 'We don't talk about these things behind closed doors, we don't talk about ourselves outside properly, no we don't.'
Donatella Versace cut a glamorous figure as she attended the inaugural Albie Awards in New York on Thursday.

The Italian designer, 67, stood out in an eye-catching purple gown which showed off her incredible figure.

She boosted her height in a pair of chunky heels and accessorised with dazzling silver jewellery.

Stunning! Donatella Versace cut a glamorous figure in an eye-catching purple gown as she attended the inaugural Albie Awards in New York on Thursday

Donatella's platinum blonde locks were parted in the middle and fell down naturally past her shoulders.

The businesswoman opted for a glam makeup look, including a nude-coloured lipstick and bold purple eyeshadow.

Co-hosted by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and her movie star husband George Clooney, the event played host to a glittering star-studded guest list.

Stylish: The Italian designer, 67, boosted her height in a pair of chunky heels and accessorised with dazzling silver jewellery

Gorgeous: The businesswoman opted for a glam makeup look, including a nude-coloured lipstick and bold purple eyeshadow

They were named for Justice Albie Sachs, the famous South African jurist subjected to jail and then exile for his activism against the apartheid regime.

Thursday's guest list included Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber, who posed up a storm with George and Amal for the shutterbugs.

Rande, George and a businessman called Mike Meldman famously co-founded the tequila brand Casamigos, which they have since sold.

A dazzling array of famous faces traipsed across the red carpet, from Dua Lipa and Jodie Turner-Smith to Drew Barrymore and Phoebe Dynevor to Oscar Isaac.

Beauty: Donatella's platinum blonde locks were parted in the middle and fell down naturally past her shoulders (pictured with Zoey Deutch)

Donatella became the creative director of luxury Italian brand Versace following her brother Gianni's tragic death in 1997.

The star has helped make the fashion house one of the biggest in the world as she dresses Jennifer Lopez, the Kardashians and Jenners, and Madonna.

Donatella recently discussed taking on the role of creative director over the years to W Magazine, and how failure was just, 'part of the process.'

'Once I made peace with my past, I was able to find my own voice. Thats when I really started to do what I wanted.'

'I brought back the iconic prints of Gianni in my own way, and created new ones. Today I can say that what you see on the runway is truly an expression of who I am,' the fashion designer added to the publication.
Katie Holmes looked effortlessly stylish and chic as she enjoyed a date night with new boyfriend Bobby Wooten III in Paris on Thursday.

The Dawson's Creek star, 43, wore a pair of flared jeans and a leather jacket as she stepped out with her man.

The pair were spotted leaving the Costes restaurant, after enjoying time in the city for Paris Fashion Week.

Date night: Katie Holmes looked casually chic in a pair of flared jeans and a leather jacket as she enjoyed a romantic date night in Paris on Thursday with boyfriend Bobby Wooten III

Katie's jeans featured a light blue wash and were high-waisted.

She tucked a plain white T-shirt into her jeans and teamed the look with a chunky pair of black boots and a brown handbag.

The brunette beauty pulled her dark locks into a high bun and wore makeup including dewy foundation, a lined eye and a deep pink lip.

Tres chic! Katie's jeans featured a light blue wash and were high-waisted. She tucked a plain white T-shirt into her jeans and teamed the look with a chunky pair of black boots

Katie looked relaxed and smiled as she exited the restaurant with Bobby by her side.

The actress and the autodidactic musician, 33, have been in Paris in recent days and attended the Chloe fashion show at the Pavillon Vendome during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday.

The Batman Begins star, 43, stunned in a corset style maxi dress as she brought her handsome boyfriend Bobby along as her date.

Dinner date: The pair were spotted leaving the Costes restaurant, after enjoying time in the city for Paris Fashion Week

Fashion week: The pair have been in Paris in recent days and attended the Chloe fashion show at the Pavillon Vendome during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday (pictured)

They first made their relationship public in April, as they kissed and strolled hand-in-hand through Central Park in New York City.

The two have much in common, both hailing from the Midwest and having performed on Broadway.

Bobby was in American Utopia, while Katie made her Broadway debut in the 2008 revival of Arthur Millers All My Sons and acted in Dead Accounts in 2012.

Katie was previously linked to NYC chef Emilio Vitolo Jr. following her years-long romance with Academy Award winning actor, Jamie Foxx.

She was famously married to actor Tom Cruise from 2006 until their finalized divorce in 2012. The former couple share 16-year-old daughter Suri.
She already has numerous tattoos from three birds under her chest to the cheeky words 'not yours' written on her bottom.

And Lottie Moss has added another one to the collection as she proudly showed off her new 'tramp stamp' above her peachy posterior on Friday.

The model, 24, took to her Instagram Stories to debut the new piece of body-art for the first time in a close-up snap.

New ink: Lottie Moss has added another one to the collection as she proudly showed off her new 'tramp stamp' on Friday

The design features a heart with lines surrounding it and is placed on her lower back.

Alongside the black and white photo she penned: 'I got the cutest tramp stamp ever'

She has several other tattoos, including a Hello Kitty one, a rose, an underboob inking of three birds flying and one on her tattooed pert posterior that reads: 'Not yours'.

It comes after Lottie revealed that she's moved into her parents' Cotswolds home to concentrate on her mental health.

Tattoo: The model, 24, took to her Instagram Stories to debut the new piece of body-art for the first time in a close-up snap

She moved back in with her parents earlier this month while treating an undisclosed mental health issue - shortly after entering a rehab facility in the United States.

Lottie had been living in Los Angeles, but returned to the United Kingdom in August after her visa expired.

She has since taken residence with parents Inger Solnordal and Peter Moss, Kate's father through his first marriage to Linda Shepherd, at their Cotswolds home while she focuses on her mental wellbeing.

Taking to Twitter earlier this month she wrote: 'I have been staying at my parents house having a time out from life - it turns out I really needed it!

'I started modelling when I was around 16 and it had really negative effects on my mental health and the amount of parties with free drinks I was attending also did not help!'

Cheeky: Lottie has several other tattoos, including a Hello Kitty one, a rose, an underboob inking of three birds flying and on her tattooed pert posterior that reads: 'Not yours' (pictured)

The model, who earns an income through subscription only site OnlyFans, also claimed she's already started to benefit from being closer to her loved ones.

She added: '[But] I really do think I am on the path to a much happier more fulfilled life as I am now doing things for myself and having been told being me was not good enough for years its honestly so refreshing to see how many people really do support me.'

In February, Lottie sought treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues at an undisclosed facility in the United States - but was still able to share content on social media.

Referencing HBO's new series Euphoria - which focuses on a group of drug addicted high school students - Lottie told fans: 'I think I took euphoria too literally u guys.'

The flippant post was one of several shared by the model during her time in rehab, prompting a mixed response from followers.

Concern: Lottie is currently staying with parents Inger Solnordal and Peter Moss, Kate's father through his first marriage to Linda Shepherd

Lottie recently claimed she was given alcohol and drugs to get through modelling shoots.

She said she was led to believe that taking drugs was 'normal' in the industry and claimed to have been given substances to use whenever she was 'exhausted' at events.

Speaking about drug use in the industry, Lottie told the Call Her Daddy podcast: 'I think I just thought it was normal and I was going to these events and parties and I was exhausted, that was the only way I was getting through it.

'A lot of the time I would be showing up to set and I would not be happy and I didn't want to do it, I'd be crying my eyes out and they said, "we'll just get you some drugs, you can have a drink and then you'll be fine"

'It was very much like that, ''oh you'll do this shoot, whether you're sober or not. It's going to happen'.'
Married At First Sight UK's Kasia let rip at her husband Kwame Badu on Thursday night's episode after a tense start to the homestay week - with him refusing to let her in his home because he is 'secretive'.

Fans were just as baffled as Kasia when upon arrival to his hometown of Leyton, east London, he took her around the local park and walked down the high street instead of showing his home environment like the other couples.

And Kasia has since taken to social media to cryptically vent that something else may be behind his refusal - resharing fans' suggestions of him having another wife or that he just went on the show for the fame.

Issues: Kasia (right) was baffled when upon arrival to husband Kwame Badu's (left) hometown of Leyton, east London, he took her around the local park instead of showing his home

When they first arrive, Kwame welcomes her to his area: 'I know she would have loved to have come to my home but I'm a private person. That's not something I'm happy to do.

'My focal points are more, "What are you like? How are you as a person?" Does this process give me enough information to want to get to that place where I'd want to show whoever I'm paired up with my home?'

Sitting on a park bench, Kasia told her husband: 'It would have been better for me personally if I could have been in touch with your environment because we're coming towards the end of this process now aren't we.

'So why can't we go to your house?' Kasia asks, and Kwame says: 'Well, I'm quite private and I'm quite secretive. It's just something I'm not comfortable doing on the process.'

Kasia says: 'I understand that, but we did get married at first sight so we knew what we was coming into. That's a mental challenge for me in this.

'I'm putting myself on the table, you know, like why can't we go there?

Home environment: When they first arrive, Kwame welcomes her to his area: 'I know she would have loved to have come to my home but I'm a private person'

Me time: One wrote 'My beautiful Queen, please put Kwame in the bin #thatisall,', with Kasia responding with a video of her in the bath with a face mask on and sipping an orange drink

I'm saying nothing: Fans wrote to the business owner in a Q&A on her stories, with one writing: 'Why do I feel like Kwame still lives with his baby mum or something?'

'Obviously we had a beautiful wedding - not even your sister was there. You met my granddad, you met my mum, you met my people.

'So if you didn't meet all those people you probably wouldn't feel like you know me as much as you do today.'

Over on her Instagram page last night, Kasia made suggestion that there was more to his reasoning than he let on during the episode.

Fans wrote to the business owner in a Q&A on her stories, with one writing: 'Why do I feel like Kwame still lives with his baby mum or something?' - and Kasia simply replied with a shrugging emoji.

Another person wrote 'My beautiful Queen, please put Kwame in the bin #thatisall,', with Kasia responding with a video of her in the bath with a face mask on and sipping an orange drink.

Funny that! One other fan said: 'Red flags RUN don't walk', and Kasia quipped 'Lol', while one confused the business owner by saying she and Kwame 'were a mood'

Home stay? More like bench stay! To top it off, the fashionista decided to call her home stay week on MAFS a 'bench stay', sharing an online shop's listing of the boots she wore

One other fan said: 'He went in to boost his podcast audience' - and she looked at the camera with wide eyes. Another said 'Red flags RUN don't walk', and Kasia quipped 'Lol'.

When someone wrote 'You and Kwame are a mood!!! Me and my husband LOVE u both xxx', but Kasia was left bemused, adding: 'Are you watching the same show as me?!'

To top it off, the fashionista decided to call her home stay week on MAFS a 'bench stay', sharing an online shop's listing of the boots she wore in case anyone wanted to replicate the look.

In response to Kasia as they discussed the matter on a park bench, Kwame disagreed: 'I don't feel like I have to go through this process and show everything. I can show 70 per cent.

Confusion: Sitting on a park bench, Kasia told her husband: 'It would have been better for me personally if I could have been in touch with your environment'

Secretive: 'So why can't we go to your house?' Kasia asks, and Kwame says: 'Well, I'm quite private and I'm quite secretive. It's just something I'm not comfortable doing on the process'

'This moment here is about me. This is you coming to my side.'

She added: 'I don't feel that by walking around this park I am seeing Kwame's everyday lifestyle. I don't feel like I'm getting to see fully 100 per cent.

'I wouldn't feel like he could make a complete judgement on me and who he's sleeping with at night if he didn't meet my family or know where I was resting my head at night, I mean those are the basics.

Baffling: Kwame said he doesn't feel he has to go through the process and show more than 70 per cent of himself

'We need to think about the real world now, we're getting close to the end of the experiment, we're getting close to the final vows. Can I integrate myself into your life?

'Show me yourself, I'm showing myself to you b***h.'

A string of strained conversations followed later in the episode which saw Kasia and Kwame have it out in front of his friends while they ate dinner.

She met his friends at a restaurant in his home town of Leyton, east London, where they asked his new wife her thoughts about their relationship once it meets the real world post-experiment.

But it got a bit intense after Kwame answered the same question by saying he thinks it will be interesting as they have 'gotten close' during the process - with Kasia admitting that he never tells her how he feels about her.

Tensions rising: Later in the episode, she met his friends at a restaurant in his home town of Leyton, east London, where they asked his new wife her thoughts about their relationship

Confrontation: But it got a bit intense after Kwame answered the same question by saying he thinks it will be interesting as they have 'gotten close' during the process

Friendly dinner: Kasia admitted that he never tells her how he feels about her, leading to a tense conversation

'I don't expect the man to tell me how much he's deeply in love with me but I would have expected Kwame to express himself more towards me or maybe his feelings towards me,' she said.

'If he doesn't [start] then I think we both know where this is heading.'

At the table Kwame told Kasia: 'At the end of the day I'm gonna hold back because we're in a process. Because when we're outside, it's Free Willy.

Kasia quickly quipped: 'Well just so you know, I can date outside of this process, Free Willy as you say. All different kind of f*****g willy, OK?'

Started off well: The couple were having a jovial chat before his friends arrived at the east London restaurant on last night's episode

She then added: 'I can tell Kwame is very uncomfortable engaging in such of conversations but there are things that are coming up that we need to confront.'

Kwame then told Kasia: 'There are times when I am surprised by the things you say because I feel like I communicate this the same way all the time.'

She said: 'We don't talk about these things behind closed doors, we don't talk about ourselves outside properly, no we don't.'

The fiery episode on Thursday led fans to take to Twitter and share both their confusion for Kwame's 'secretiveness' and praise for Kasia's reaction to her husband not being open and honest about his feelings.

One wrote: 'I f***** looooove Kasia!!! She is a force to be reckoned with and I am obsessed!!'

Another similarly said: 'I admire Kasia so much. She isn't ever afraid to challenge but she always does it respectfully.

'She's in control of her emotions but not in a robotic way. She's clearly highly emotionally intelligent.'

In bits: fiery episode on Thursday led fans to take to Twitter and share both their confusion for Kwame's 'secretiveness' and praise for Kasia's reaction to her husband not being open

Many fans have been speculating on different reasons why Kwame is keeping his home so private from his new wife. One said on Twitter: 'Kwame can't bring Kasia home because he told his (first) wife he's away for work.'

One other said much the same, writing: 'KWAME HAS A WIFE! I'm telling you! He does not fancy Kasia! It's been obvious from the beginning and he won't let her come to his house.'

Someone else said: 'This is the same Kwame that said to the experts he's so confident in this relationship he could leave the experiment but can't even take Kasia to his house???'

Another wrote on the social media platform: 'I genuinely wish I was more like Kasia. She's an absolute babe.

'She knows her worth and she talks up for herself but is always so poised and badass at the same time. Proper girl crush.

On a lighter note, Jordan Emmett-Connelly was left red faced after his mum told his wife Chanita Stephenson that he got chewing gum stuck on his manhood when he was a child.

Putting up a fight: Despite leaving just one day prior, the pair weren't done with the experiment, begging the experts to stay together

Unsure: Experts Paul C. Brunson (centre), Mel Schilling (right) and Charlene Douglas (left) appeared sceptical to allow the pair back in - with it being a first in Married At First Sight history - but gave the couple a chance to plead their case

Fans were left cringing for him and in hysterics during Thursday night's episode of MAFS UK, which saw the couples head on their homestay weeks.

Jordan, 29, and Chanita, also 29, went to his home in Darlington where she was welcomed into his environment and got to meet his mum once again.

Bringing out an envelope of printed photographs, Jordan and Chanita were joined by his mum as she reminisced about her son's younger years.

'Look at my little kiddiewinkie - that's me and Joe when we were little.' Chanita replies, 'Your hair colour is so different.

Another snap, which showed a young Jordan with a towel wrapped around his head, led Chanita to call him a 'little E.T.'.

Hilarious: Married At First Sight UK's Jordan was left red faced after his mum told new wife Chanita that he got chewing gum stuck on his manhood when he was a child on Thursday's episode

But then his mother goes on to give her son a very embarrassing moment in front of his new wife: 'That day, he stole some chewing gum off the side and wrapped it all around his w***y, and I said "What are you doing?"'

Much to Jordan's dismay - as he protested - saying 'No, mam, skip! Next thing!'

Despite this, she carried on: 'And he come back and said he was all stuck, and every time you pulled it, it pinged his w***y!'

The dramatic episode also saw Matt Murray and Whitney Hughes allowed to re-enter the dating experiment as a brand new couple during Thursday evening's episode.

The pair, 32 and 31, who both decided to leave with their former spouses during the previous episode, begged the show's panel of dating experts to stay together and see out the process.

An explosive 'couples retreat' week saw the pair spend the night together, despite being under the same roof as Matt's wife Gemma Rose and Whitney's husband Duka Cavolli.

But the pair weren't done with the experiment as a whole, begging the show's panel of dating experts to continue the process together, which raised the eyebrows of fellow contestants.

Experts Paul C. Brunson, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas appeared sceptical to allow the pair back in - with it being a first in Married At First Sight history - but gave the couple a chance to plead their case.

Embarrassing: Bringing out an envelope of printed photographs, Jordan and Chanita were joined by his mum as she reminisced about her son's younger years

With Paul admitting he didn't want to let them back in, the dating guru asked Matt and Whitney to 'tell me why you should be allowed to stay'.

Admitting the experts have helped her emotionally thus far in the process, Whitney detailed her desire to continue developing her relationship with Matt with their help.

And it turned out that the experts, like with every couple on the show, had even checked Matt and Whitney's scientific compatibility - revealing that they were a match on paper.

Later in the episode, April Banbury met husband George Roberts' mum and stepdad as they opened up about their 'intense' time during the process.

Meeting: Later in the episode, April met George's mum and stepdad as they opened up about their 'intense' time during the process

Cheers: His mum said, while tearing up: 'I just want him to be with someone he doesn't have to worry about, what they're doing, who they're with. I've seen him hurt'

His mum said, while tearing up: 'Because of his past and of women he hasn't been able to trust, he is very reluctant to go into another relationship. He has to have that trust.

'I just want him to be with someone he doesn't have to worry about, what they're doing, who they're with. I've seen him hurt.

'My biggest concern for George is I don't want him to be hurt again. Oh, I would like to see him happy and safe with somebody.

'I really don't want you to break his heart.'

April told her mother-in-law: 'I've always been faithful in every relationship and I believe that I treat people how I'd like to be treated.

'Rest assured I would never ever hurt George, ever.'
The musician was diagnosed with tonsil cancer earlier this year

Oasis star 'Bonehead' Paul Arthurs has revealed he's cancer-free following a battle with tonsil cancer.

The former Oasis guitarist, 57, who revealed in April that he'd been diagnosed with the disease, said on Thursday that he's been given the 'all clear' by doctors.

'Update on my cancer, I had a full scan 10 days ago, and it's all clear, it's gone,' Bonehead began in an Instagram post, that was 'liked' by Liam Gallagher.

'I had a scan and it's gone': Oasis star 'Bonehead' Paul Arthurs, 57, revealed on Thursday that he's been given the 'all clear' following his battle with tonsil cancer

'Thank you so much all of you for the messages I've had throughout, you've helped me more than you know.'

He went on to thank his doctors and nurses that helped him throughout his battle, writing: 'Thank you especially to the team @TheChristieNHS, into recovery now and see you all soon x (sic).'

Liam Gallagher's daughter Molly, 24, commented underneath: 'Best news!' adding a love heart emoji.

Rocker: Paul is a founding member of the band Oasis and is seen on stage in rehearsals in 1996

'Update on my cancer, I had a full scan 10 days ago, and it's all clear, it's gone,' Bonehead began in an Instagram post, that was 'liked' by Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher's daughter Molly, 24, commented underneath: 'Best news!' adding a love heart emoji

The musician was diagnosed with tonsil cancer earlier this year, and he subsequently shared the news with his fans via Twitter.

He wrote on the micro-blogging platform at the time: 'Just to let you all know I'm going to be taking a break from playing for a while.

'I've been diagnosed with tonsil cancer, but the good news is it's treatable and I'll be starting a course of treatment soon.'

Liam Gallagher, his former Oasis bandmate, quickly took to social media to express his support.

Announcement: The musician was diagnosed with tonsil cancer earlier this year, and he subsequently shared the news with his fans via Twitter

Liam, 50, wrote on Twitter: 'Sending BIG love to the 1 n only Bonehead and his family wishing you a speedy recovery we're all thinking of you rasta you'll be back on stage bfore you can say r we doing Colombia LG x (sic)'

Andy Bell, another former Oasis star, also sent his best wishes to Bonehead.

He wrote: 'Get well soon Bone. (sic)'

Bonehead quit Oasis in 1999, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

However, he's kept working with Liam over the years, including in his band Beady Eye and on other solo projects.

The former Oasis duo performed together at Liam's sets at Reading and Leeds festivals in 2021, and he was also scheduled to perform at Liam's return to Knebworth in June.

Touching: Liam Gallagher shared his own well-wishes for Paul on Twitter at the time of his diagnosis, wishing him a 'speedy recovery'

Well wishes: Former Oasis band members Andy Bell and Tony McCarroll also passed on their love and support at the time

Support: The Fratellis bassist Barry wrote: 'All the love man, stay strong x'

Paul is best known as the co-founder of Oasis during their 90s heyday, acting as a rhythm guitarist and keyboardist for the band.

He was a key part of the group's early success, appearing on their albums Definitely Maybe, (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, and Be Here Now, before quitting the band in 1999.

Bonehead has been a regular on the rock star's tours and one-off gigs - and was set to join Liam on his highly-anticipated return to Knebworth in June.

Fans also took to social media to offer their well-wishes for Paul at the time of his diagnosis, with one writing: 'We will always support you bonehead you're a legend. I will pray for you always.'

Long lasting friendship: Paul has joined Rock n' Roll star Liam on tours and one-off gigs of late (pictured together in 2016)

Another added: 'Get well soon Bonehead take care of yourself see you back on stage soon.'

A third penned: 'Hi Paul. Am sorry to hear this news but I am sending u love and strength and best wishes.. take care of yourself and get well soon look after yourself.'

In 2016, Paul reflected on the legendary rivalry between the Gallagher brothers, telling the Shropshire St ar: 'Generally you're big boys and it's forgotten the next morning.'

What is tonsil cancer? A painless lump in the neck is a textbook symptom of tonsil cancer. Others include a persistent sore throat, one tonsil becoming bigger than the other and difficulty swallowing. Tonsil cancer is easy to miss, as symptoms can be quite subtle. On the disease, Professor Nutting told MailOnline back in March: 'There is not good awareness of this cancer.' Tonsil cancer typically occurs in those in their 40s and 50s, and cases have doubled over the past ten years, according to Cancer Research UK figures. Every year, 1,600 new cases are identified. Some are linked to smoking and drinking, but tonsil cancer cases are rising sharply because of an increase in the prevalence of HPV, or human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus that's so common, says Professor Nutting, 'virtually all of us will have been infected at some point. HPV is now thought to cause around half of all tonsil cancer cases. The virus is also linked to cervical cancer, which is why teenage girls have been offered a vaccination against HPV since 2008  and the vaccination of boys will start later this year. Advertisement

Making their mark: Oasis are among the most successful acts on the UK Singles Chart and Albums Chart, with eight UK number-one singles and eight UK number-one albums (pictured 1997)

'I had a good relationship with everyone. And I'm closer to Liam now than I've ever been in my life. I always used to say I was the rhythm guitarist and tour psychiatrist.

'If there was a little fallout when we were hurling down the motorway, I'd be the one pulling Noel and Liam apart and telling them to get over it and sit down. I always did jump in.'

A painless lump in the neck is a textbook symptom of tonsil cancer. Others include a persistent sore throat, one tonsil becoming bigger than the other and difficulty swallowing.

The disease is easy to miss, as symptoms can be quite subtle. On the disease, Professor Nutting told MailOnline back in March: 'There is not good awareness of this cancer.'

Tonsil cancer typically occurs in those in their 40s and 50s, and cases have doubled over the past ten years, according to Cancer Research UK figures. Every year, 1,600 new cases are identified.

Some are linked to smoking and drinking, but tonsil cancer cases are rising sharply because of an increase in the prevalence of HPV, or human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus that's so common, says Professor Nutting, 'virtually all of us will have been infected at some point.
She's the Married At First Sight star who was body-shamed by trolls.

And after welcoming her first baby in 2020, Jules Robinson shed 20kg after gaining weight during her pregnancy.

The weight loss gave her a whole new confidence she now says - even if it came with some backlash.

Married At First Sight's Jules Robinson shed 20kg after gaining weight during her pregnancy, but says there's a stigma around losing weight after a pregnancy

'There is definitely a stigma to saying I want to lose weight [after having a baby],' the 40-year-old told WHO in an interview on Friday.

'But I honestly believe that it's ok to make that choice,' she added.

Jules, who appeared in season six of the dating series, legally married her co-star Cam Merchant in 2019.

They welcomed their son Oliver in October 2020.

Jules, who appeared in season six of the dating series, legally married her co-star Cam Merchant in 2019. They welcomed their son Oliver in October 2020. All pictured

Elsewhere in the interview, Jules said that part of the motivation for losing the kilos was that she wanted to feel comfortable carrying another baby.

Meanwhile, she says motherhood has changed her understanding of her body confidence and image.

'We glorify the pregnant body so much so I thought I would glorify my postpartum body too,' she said.

Admitting that she looked 'different' to how fans once knew her, Jules says her fresh appearance was about celebrating her body.

Jules went to London in September to promote her fashion business

'That body confidence to feel comfortable, to recreate, came from the experience of motherhood.'

It comes after Jules revealed she was 'body-shamed' by viewers when she appeared on Married At First Sight Australia in 2019.

She spoke about her experience on earlier this month during an appearance on Britain's This Morning, hosted by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

Jules flaunted her figure in a skin-tight black frock in Sydney back in August

The mother of one, 40, who has become a successful fashion designer since starring on MAFS, explained why she had launched a new inclusive clothing range.

'Being on that platform, I did get a bit trolled and a bit of body-shaming,' Jules said.

She described herself as a 'curvy woman' and said she wants all women to accept themselves for who they are.

'Inclusivity is important for me. All of my fashion goes from size six to 24,' she said.
Poppy Delevingne looked effortlessly stylish as she was seen out-and-about during Paris Fashion Week on Friday, after fans have voiced concerns for her sister Cara.

The model, 36, kept it casual in blue jeans and a black vest top, which she wore underneath an unbuttoned red plait shirt while exploring the French capital.

Her visit to the much-anticipated Paris Fashion Week comes as Cara has sparked concerns for her mental health with erratic public appearances in recent weeks.

Looking good: Poppy Delevingne looked effortlessly stylish as she was seen out-and-about during Paris Fashion Week on Friday, after fans have voiced concerns for her sister Cara

Cara has also been seen in Paris in recent days as she brushed off the recent drama at the red carpet event celebrating her Cara Loves Karl spring/summer 2023 capsule with Karl Lagerfeld.

During Poppy's latest outing, she added a few extra inches to her frame with heeled black boots and accessorised with a dainty silver necklace and large hoop earrings.

She shielded her eyes with a pair of oversized black sunglasses and showed off her natural beauty with a light dusting of nude make-up.

Poppy, who is said to be rallying around her sister Cara, styled her golden tresses loosely in natural waves for the outing.

Glamorous: The model, 36, kept it casual in blue jeans and a black vest top, which she wore underneath an unbuttoned red plait shirt while exploring the French capital

It comes after Cara's friends and family are said to have become 'worried' about her after a string of erratic public appearances in recent weeks.

Cara recently admitted she is surprised that she reached the age of 30, after celebrating her birthday in Ibiza last month.

'Honestly, I didn't think I'd be alive at this age,' the model admitted to Stylist.

'I literally couldn't wait to turn 30, because the 20s are f****** hard.

'You're basically still a teenager  but you're meant to be an adult and everyone's telling you this is the best time of your life.'

Success: But Cara has proved she's riding high on professional success as she fronted a new campaign for clothing brand G-Star RAW

New opportunity: Cara and G-Star RAW both announced the exciting new collaboration on Instagram, and shared the quirky campaign video on Tuesday

Elsewhere this month, Margot Robbie appeared upset just hours after leaving the home of her close friend Cara.

The Oscar-nominated star was seen struggling to contain her emotions after leaving a rented home in West Hollywood to travel to Los Angeles International airport around 5pm.

Earlier, Robbie, 32, had been spotted leaving Delevingne's $7m West Hollywood house on Monday around 1pm - two hours after Delevingne's socialite sister Poppy had also been seen exiting in a black SUV.

It's not clear if Cara was at home when Margot was there.

Star: She is still riding high with professional success as she has followed in the footsteps of Snoop Dogg and Jaden Smith in fronting G-Star RAW's FW22 Hardcore Denim campaign

Venture: The model, 30, has joined forces with the Dutch designer clothing brand as the face of their new Hardcore Denim campaign

Unique: In the edgy campaign video, Cara appeared as a giant walking across a city and standing on buildings, before appearing in a mirrored cityscape with other models

Looking good: She looked effortlessly stylish in a double-denim ensemble, made up of an oversized jacket and a pair of navy wide leg jeans

But Cara has proved she's riding high on professional success as she fronted a new campaign for clothing brand G-Star RAW.

Cara and G-Star RAW both announced the exciting new collaboration on Instagram, and shared the quirky campaign video on Tuesday.

The venture comes weeks after she launched her Cara Loves Karl spring/summer 2023 capsule with luxury fashion house Karl Lagerfeld in another huge career step.

Cara failed to attend the previous launch of her capsule collection during New York Fashion Week earlier this month, but appeared at her fashion launch in Paris on Tuesday.

Nor was she present at the Emmy Awards, alongside her fellow Only Murders in the Building stars.

All smiles: Cara has also been seen in Paris in recent days at the red carpet event celebrating her Cara Loves Karl spring/summer 2023 capsule with Karl Lagerfeld

Supermodel behaviour: The 30-year-old British model arrived for the red carpet event celebrating her Cara Loves Karl spring/summer 2023 capsule with Karl Lagerfeld

The model, who recently lauded Lagerfeld as one of the major influences on her career, was nowhere in sight as the sustainable collection of inclusive clothing and accessories was celebrated by a guest list of stars.

However, she was still present on social media, where she paid tribute to the legendary designer on Monday evening while guests filed into the New York venue.

Reposting the collection's promotional video, she wrote: 'Happy belated birthday @karllagerfeld. What an honor that the #CaraLovesKarl collection is now available! Im so proud of it.'

Lagerfeld, who passed away in 2019 aged 85 from complications related to pancreatic cancer, would have celebrated his birthday on September 10, two days before the official launch.

Unusual behaviour: It comes after Cara's friends and family are said to have become 'worried' about her after a string of erratic public appearances in recent weeks (pictured at Van Nuys airport on September 5)

Cara's fans have voiced their worries after she was recently seen sitting alone in a parked car in Los Angeles, where she took drops of liquid from a pipette and smoked from what appeared to be a pipe. Her legs appeared to be bruised.

She was then seen looking erratic and out of sorts at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles earlier in September.

It has been claimed that her family and friends are searching for ways to help the troubled former 'it girl'.

'We are all incredibly concerned. The situation has been building for a few weeks now, and Cara's family is involved,' a close friend told The Sun.

'There is talk of staging some kind of intervention and making sure Cara gets the help she may well need,' the person added.

Worries: Cara's fans have voiced their worries after she was seen looking erratic in recent weeks, and failed to show for the launch of her fashion collection honouring Karl Lagerfeld

'She has been burning the candle at both ends of late, and it's clearly taking its toll.'

Cara made her latest worrying appearance last Monday in Los Angeles, appearing disheveled and jittery prior to boarding Jay-Z's private jet.

According to DailyMail.com sources, the cover girl appeared unable to control her body movements at certain points as she was seen on the phone, bending over, dropping her phone, and walking around looking very jittery and as if she was unable to stop moving.

Recently, Cara also spent a few days at the Burning Man festival at Black Rock desert in Nevada.

Sources told MailOnline that she didn't eat or shower while at the event, which doesn't feature shower facilities or any food stalls.

Sisterly help: Cara's friends and family are searching for ways to help the troubled former 'it girl' amid claims her family is considering an intervention (Poppy and Cara pictured in 2019)

The source added that her sister Poppy 'has her back' and her friends and family are rallying around Cara after becoming 'worried' about her.

They said: 'She had just spent days in the desert, not eating all that much and she looked disheveled because she hadn't had time to scrub up yet.'

He went on: 'Her friends are worried about her generally after some erratic behaviour, but she has a good group around her.

'Her sister was at the festival with her. She wasn't alone and she has her back.'

The source continued: 'Burning Man isn't lined with burger vans like other festivals. You chuck everything you need in an RV and that's what you have to live on while you're there. Everything works on a swapping system.'
Russian forces attacked a civilian truck leaving Zaporizhzhia, which resulted in 23 persons being killed and 28 hurt, according to Ukrainian officials.

Oleksandr Starukh, chief of Zaporizhzhia's military administration, stated the Russians fired rockets on a relief convoy.

Photos and videos taken at the site depict damaged automobiles and what appear to be bodies lying in the street, according to a report from CNN.

According to Melitopol's mayor, Ivan Fedorov, people leave Zaporizhzhia daily to visit or bring medical supplies to their families and return. He added that it is challenging to estimate the number of casualties from the Russian missile strike.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy director of the president's office, said 16 Russian missiles hit the civilian convoy.

On Telegram, Tymoshenko claimed that the Russians fired "16 S-300 missiles," as per early reports. The attack killed 23 and wounded 28 people.

Tymoshenko further stated that the Russians bombarded four missiles on the region surrounding the auto market and the hub where people and cars gather to enter and exit the temporarily controlled territory of Ukraine.

In another news update, Ukrainian officials reported another Russia missile strike on Dnipro that resulted in one death and the destruction of dozens of buses.

One person was killed, and scores of buses were destroyed when two Russian cruise missiles struck a bus facility in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

The chief of the military administration in Dnipropetrovsk, Valentyn Reznichenko, reported that one person got killed and five were injured when Russian "Iskander" cruise missiles pounded the city, 52 buses were burned, and several buildings sustained damage.

Putin Signs Annexation of Zaporizhia, Kherson

The news of the missile attacks broke after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the Ukrainian districts of Zaporizhia and Kherson to be "independent," marking a new escalation in Moscow's seven-month assault.

On late Thursday, Putin issued an order on the "recognition of the state sovereignty and independence" of Zaporizhia and Kherson in southern Ukraine.

According to an Al Jazeera report, the two territories will be integrated into Russia along with Donetsk and Luhansk during a spectacular event in the Kremlin on Friday. Hastily-organized referendums in the Russian-occupied territories reported majorities of up to 99% in favor of joining Russia.

Read Also: North Korea Fires Two Missiles After Kamala Harris Blasted Kim Jong Un Regime's Threats To Peace and Stability

In February, Putin officially recognized the 'independence' of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The latest Russian annexation of Ukrainian areas came eight years after Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine following an invasion and a similar vote.

UN, US Blasts Russia's 'Dangerous Escalation'

At a media conference in New York City, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres blasted Russia's move and said the annexation would violate the UN Charter and have "no legal value."

Unusually using harsh words, Guterres noted that Russia's actions are "a dangerous escalation" of the crisis that erupted on February 24 and "have no place" in the modern world.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has stated that the United States will not recognize any Russian attempt to grab territories in Ukraine, BBC reported.

According to Biden, the latest annexation will force the US to slap more sanctions on Russia.

The US head of state remarked: "The United States, I want to be very clear about this, will never, never, never recognize Russia's claims on Ukraine's sovereign territory."

Related Article: Vladimir Putin To Proclaim Annexation of Russian-Controlled Areas in Ukraine; How Will It Impact The War?

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Victoria Beckham was pictured heading to her Paris Fashion Week debut show on Friday wearing a chic black dress.

Her outing came received a sweet message of support from husband David on Friday ahead of making her Paris Fashion Week debut.

In a cute Instagram post, the footballer, 47, penned: @VictoriaBeckham Paris baby! 16 years of hard work and we know how much today means to you. We are so proud.'

The designer, 48, certainly looked ready to take on the day as she flashed a thumbs up while leaving her hotel in a chic black midi dress from her collection.

Gorgeous: Victoria Beckham looked effortlessly chic on Friday as she left her hotel in Paris ahead of her Fashion Week debut

She completed the look with a pair of tights and stilettos while carrying her handbag.

Victoria sported an oversized pair of sunglasses on top of her bronzed makeup look which showcased her natural features.

The fashion designer also shared a sneak peek at her Paris Fashion Week show, but fans remain in the dark about whether her son Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz will attend.

'We are so proud': David Beckham shared a heartfelt post for his wife ahead of the show

Glam: The Spice Girl, 48, showed off her incredible figure in a black midi dress from her collection as she prepares to show her latest range on the runway

Happy: She gave onlookers a thumbs-up while carrying a stylish black handbag

She took to Instagram on Friday to post a behind-the-scenes snap just hours before her first ever runway show at Paris Fashion Week.

She revealed that she was putting the 'finishing touches' on her much-anticipated collection after being away from the catwalk for two years.

As she prepares to mark the milestone, her family and friends have been rallying around to support her, with her husband David, sons Romeo and Cruz, and her best pal Eva Longoria all set to attend the show.

But fans still remain in the dark about whether her eldest son Brooklyn, 23, and his wife Nicola, 27, will attend the show, after Victoria extended an invite to the pair amid the ongoing feud. The pair are currently in Paris.

Reports of a feud between Victoria and Nicola have been rife for weeks, with Brooklyn's wife adding fuel to the fire by claiming her mother-in-law 'blanked' her 'for days' during the design process of her wedding dress in a Grazia interview.

Exciting: Victoria shared a sneak peek at her Paris Fashion Week show, but fans remain in the dark about whether her son Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz will attend

Olive branch: It is not yet known if Brooklyn, 23, and his wife Nicola, 27, will attend the fashion show, after Victoria extended an invite to the pair amid the ongoing family feud

Thrilled: Victoria couldn't contain her excitement as she explored Paris before her big show

Taking to Instagram mere hours before her French fashion debut, Victoria took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her brand new collection.

She posted a snap of herself crouching down in front of a blurred out board of models as she put the final touches on her highly-anticipated show at 5.30pm.

Alongside the snap, she penned: 'Putting the finishing touches to my #VBSS23 collection!

'I'm so excited to invite you to watch my #PFW debut show live from 5:30PM CET on my Stories, TikTok, Youtube and on VictoriaBeckham.com. Woohoo!! We are in Paris!!! x VB.'

Supportive: She also took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of a bouquet of white roses that her husband David, 47, gifted to her ahead of the show

Rallying around: Her son Cruz, 17, also took to his Instagram Stories to gush over his mother's achievements, as he posted a picture of the invitation to Victoria's show

She also took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of a bouquet of white roses that her supportive husband David, 47, gifted her ahead of the show.

He wrote a supportive message on a card, which read: 'Dear Victoria, can't wait to see all your hard work pay off, I know the show will be amazing! So proud of you, lots of love, David x.'

Her son Cruz, 17, also took to his Instagram Stories to gush over his mother's achievements, as he posted a picture of the invitation to Victoria's show.

He confirmed his attendance at the show in a caption, writing: 'We readyyyy.'

Holiday: Romeo, 20, has also been seen out-and-about in Paris ahead of the fashion show, taking to Instagram to show off his freshly cut hairstyle

Sightseeing: Romeo was joined by two friends as he explored the French capital ahead of Victoria's fashion show

Romeo, 20, has also been seen out-and-about in Paris ahead of the show, taking to Instagram to show off his freshly cut hairstyle and day out exploring the French capital with his pals.

And it is not just her family who are flocking around to support her and gearing up to attend the show, as Victoria's best friend Eva Longoria will also be in the crowds.

Designer Victoria took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday to re-share a picture of the invitation posted by Eva, and said she 'couldn't wait' to see her pal at the show.

However, fans have been left in the dark about whether Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola will attend the show amid the ongoing feud.

Big moment: Victoria revealed that she was putting the 'finishing touches' on her much-anticipated collection after being away from the catwalk for two years

The couple have been seen exploring Paris in recent days and attended the Balmain show on Wednesday night, but have not confirmed if they will attend Victoria's show after she extended them both invites.

On Thursday, Nicola gushed over her mother Claudia Heffner Peltz as she shared a sweet Instagram post of the former model.

Writing 'I love my mom', the heiress shared a snap as her husband Brooklyn Beckham, 23, gave mother-in-law Claudia a cuddle during their trip to Paris.

Sharing a video of her mother in the first slide of the carousel, Nicola filmed as Claudia used a handbag as a makeshift umbrella.

Feud: However, fans have been left in the dark about whether Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola will attend the show amid the ongoing feud

She questioned 'how's that working for you, mom?', while the 67-year-old replied 'Not really, but it's fine' - with her daughter giggling behind the camera.

Another shot in the post showed Brooklyn, who donned a bright red Balenciaga co-ord, beaming from ear-to-ear as he wrapped an arm around his mother-in-law.

The couple have been sharing a myriad of posts from Paris as they take in the city's fashion week, but are yet to confirm whether they will attend Victoria's show.

The show could be a chance to patch things up for the family, with reports that she and David have reached out to sort things.

Patching things up? The couple have been in Paris in recent days and attended the Balmain show, but have not confirmed if they will attend Victoria's show after she gave them invites

A source said: 'Frankly, the most interesting thing about Nicola is that she married into the Beckham clan. David and Victoria have both reached out to her to try and make peace, and find a way to get along.

'David and Victoria would love to spend more time with their son and his wife, and be given the opportunity to welcome her into the fold, especially given that Brooklyn practically lives with his parents-in-law.'

If the couple do attend Victoria's show in Paris, it will be the first time they have all been seen together since being snapped in Italy earlier this summer.

Reports of a feud between Victoria and Nicola have been rife for weeks, with Brooklyn's wife adding fuel to the fire in a Grazia interview.

Family: On Thursday, Nicola gushed over her mother Claudia Heffner Peltz as she shared a sweet Instagram post of the former model

Claiming that she was 'blanked for days' by her mother-in-law during the design process of her wedding dress in the interview, the actress has reportedly enraged her in-laws by 'washing the family dirty linen in public'.

Initially, rumours of a rift began as Nicola did not wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress - which she claimed during the interview was her original plan, before being told the designer's atelier could not make her a dress.

In the bombshell Grazia interview, she revealed: 'We connected to start designing the dress, and then a few days went by and I didn't hear anything. Victoria called my mom and said her atelier couldn't make it.'

Doting husband Brooklyn made his position clear amid the family feud, telling the publication that Nicola is his 'number one priority' and that they 'have each other's back 100 per cent'.

Mother-daughter moment: Sharing a video of her mother in the first slide of the carousel, Nicola filmed as Claudia used a handbag as a makeshift umbrella

But insiders have said Nicola is pushing a 'false narrative', leaving Victoria 'bemused' as to why she keeps 'stoking the rumours of a feud' rather than shutting them down.

And Nicola telling her side of the story has led to even more family drama, with David defending his wife Victoria as he had a rare confrontation with son Brooklyn.

According to MailPlus writer Alison Boshoff, David told Brooklyn 'we don't do this in our family' as he 'lost his temper' with the budding chef.

A source said: 'I don't think David has ever lost his temper with Brooklyn or had cause to talk to him harshly, but that has now finally happened.

'He had it out with him and told him: 'We don't do this in our family  and you know that we don't do this in our family.'

Muse: Brooklyn took a slew of gorgeous snaps of his wife in the city, as she posed in a white robe on their balcony

Victoria has invited both Brooklyn and Nicola to her Paris Fashion Week debut, which comes after her long stint presenting her clothes in New York and a brief dalliance with London.

Her sophisticated office and evening wear has been a surprise hit with fashionistas ever since her debut show in 2008, confounding those who expected her to be another celebrity dilettante.

But despite having 250 global outlets selling her clothes, 30million followers on Instagram and one of the most famous husbands in the world, Beckham's company has always struggled to turn a profit.

In a bid to turn things around, she has recruited top French talent - her chairman is Ralph Toledano, ex-president of the French Federation for Haute Couture and Fashion, and her CEO is Marie Leblanc de Reynies, former lead buyer at Paris shopping mecca Printemps.

'Victoria is not from the fashion world. She threw herself into the business and at a certain point, she needed to structure, organise and bring some order to the house, which is what we've been doing for the past four years,' Toledano told AFP.

Parisian life: The heiress has been sharing a number of snaps from Paris as she enjoys the city's fashion week, where Victoria has also just touched down ahead of her own show on Friday

Chic evening wear was always going to struggle during the pandemic, and reports this summer showed the label had 54million in debt, and had to cut prices and staff to stay afloat.

But a successful cosmetics line, launched in 2019, has helped trim losses, and the team hopes to break even in the coming months.

Victoria has called her personal fame a 'double-edged sword' for the business.

'Are other brands under the scrutiny that mine is under every time we file (results)? Absolutely not,' she told Vogue.

'But how many other brands have the luxury of getting the attention when they want it?'
Coleen Rooney cut a casual figure in a empowerment logo jumper as she stepped out in Cheshire on Friday.

The WAG, 36, headed to M&S supermarket to pick up a birthday cake and other essentials before returning to her car and driving off.

The words on the Anine Bing jumper read: 'I am strong, powerful, kind, confident, beautiful, strong, capable, grateful, I am me.'

Out and about: Coleen Rooney cut a casual figure in a empowerment logo jumper as she stepped out in Cheshire on Friday

Stepping out Coleen completed her look with black exercise leggings, comfortable trainers and a long black coat.

She wore her honey tresses in a pony tail and opted for a low0key makeup look as she juggled her groceries while exiting the store.

Her outing comes amid claims she is embroiled in another legal battle with Rebekah Vardy, this time over 1.5 million in legal costs.

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.

Stepping out: The WAG, 36, headed to M&S supermarket to pick up a birthday cake and other essentials before returning to her car and driving off

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.'

Meaning: The words on the Anine Bing jumper read: 'I am strong, powerful, kind, confident, beautiful, strong, capable, grateful, I am me'

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.

Money drama! Her outing comes amid claims she is embroiled in another legal battle with Rebekah Vardy , this time over 1.5 million in legal costs (pictured leaving court in Mayduring libel trial)

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.'

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.'

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.
He's known for his love of quirky fashion and love of designer labels.

And Lewis Hamilton once again showcased his unique fashion sense on Friday as he arrived during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit.

The racing driver, 37, turned heads in a striking 880 blue and purple patterned Versace waistcoat and coordinating bold fuchsia trousers costing 968 from the Italian fashion house.

Turning heads: Lewis Hamilton once again showcased his unique fashion sense on Friday as he arrived during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit

The star added 1050 Versace Chelsea boots and snazzy black Police sunglasses to his look as he strolled around ahead of the Grand Prix which starts on Sunday.

Lewis teamed his eye-catching look with plenty of bling, rocking a chunky silver chain, a selection of rings and a stylish IWC Schaffhausen watch.

The sportsman looked in good spirits as he showed off his fashion in the sunshine ahead of the main event at the weekend.

Style: The racing driver, 37, turned heads in a striking 880 blue and purple patterned Versace waistcoat and coordinating bold fuchsia trousers costing 968 from the Italian fashion house

The outing comes as it was revealed that Alex Albon will take part in this weekend's Grand Prix, three weeks after he suffered respiratory failure and was left on a ventilator.

The London-born Williams driver endured complications from surgery when he was sidelined from the last round in Italy with appendicitis.

But the 26-year-old insists he is ready to return to his Williams cockpit, despite Sunday's race in the humidity of Singapore considered among the hardest challenges of the year.

Designer lover: The star added 1050 Versace Chelsea boots and snazzy black Police sunglasses to his look as he strolled around ahead of the Grand Prix which starts on Sunday

Dazzling: Lewis teamed his eye-catching look with plenty of bling, rocking a chunky silver chain, a selection of rings and a stylish IWC Schaffhausen watch

There he goes: The sportsman looked in good spirits as he showed off his fashion in the sunshine ahead of the main event at the weekend

'My preparation for Singapore has been a little different than normal, but I'm feeling good and I've done everything possible to get ready for one of the most physical races on the calendar,' said Albon.

'I am not underestimating how big of a challenge this is going to be, but I am looking forward to hitting the track on Friday and getting back driving.

'It's a great street circuit and the closest race to home for me in Thailand, so I'm really excited to be here and to see the fans that have turned out.

Return: Alex Albon is ready to return for the Singapore Grand Prix after suffering respiratory failure

Albon, who races under the Thai flag because of his mother Kankamol's nationality, fell unwell in Monza and was replaced by the team's reserve driver and Formula E champion Nyck de Vries.

The Dutchman, 27, finished an impressive ninth to score points on his F1 debut.

De Vries is on standby if Albon is unable to race on the sport's first return to Singapore since the pandemic.
The theme for the Met Gala 2023 was announced in Paris on Friday morning.

The focus for the next annual Gala - which sees a parade of stars such as Beyonce, Blake Lively and Billie Eilish in couture fashion - will be on the many designs from the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

The Gala is titled Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, and will feature 150 creations by Lagerfeld when he worked for the houses of Balmain, Patou, Chloe, Fendi and Chanel.

The event is set to take place during the first Monday in May.

The high-profile gala is overseen by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who helped make the announcement in Paris on Friday along with musician Pharrell Williams.

Karl had many famous fans - including Kim Kardashian, Madonna and Gisele Bundchen - and they will likely attend the gala to honor him.

King Karl! The theme for the Met Gala 2023 was announced in Paris on Friday morning. The focus for the next annual Gala - which sees a parade of stars such as Beyonce, Blake Lively and Billie Eilish in couture fashion - will be on the many designs from the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Seen in 2015

One of his favorites: Seen here with actress Blake Lively attend the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011

'Coming May 2023explore the artistic methodology and stylistic vocabulary of Karl Lagerfeld's designs in Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty at The Mets #CostumeInstitute,' said a tweet from The Met.

'Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most captivating, prolific, and recognizable forces in fashion and culture, known as much for his extraordinary designs and tireless creative output as for his legendary persona,' said Max Hollein, the French Director of The Met.

'This immersive exhibition will unpack his singular artistic practice, inviting the public to experience an essential part of Lagerfelds boundless imagination and passion for innovation.'

The big announcement: Anna Wintour, editor-in-Chief of Vogue, spoke during the press conference of The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York (MET) at the Library Studio L7 in Paris on Friday

On stage: Wintour wore a pink Chanel suit when up at the podium in Paris

Karl died in February 2019, aged 85.

Wintour wore a pink Chanel suit as she spoke during the press conference of The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York (MET) at the Library Studio L7 in Paris on Friday.

The press conference presented the next spring exhibitions of the MET titled Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, all consecrate to the fashion of Lagerfeld.

'Every single design in his life was a sketch,' curator Andrew Bolton told CNN after the announcement.

His bestie: German couturier Lagerfeld of Chanel Fashion House (L) and German top model Claudia Schiffer (R) arrive at the Sporting Club of Monaco in 1995

She was a fan: Lagerfeld and Victoria Beckham attend the Bambi Awards 2013 at Stage Theater on in Berlin, Germany

'And when I saw the drawings, I thought, "These are so charming, so whimsical, so impressionistic."

'But what I didn't realize was that they contained really precise information  about a shoulder line or the length of a sleeve.

'And (his staff) knew exactly what this line meant or what that dot meant, and they could decode it.'

The designer was close to many stars, one being Cara Delevingne. He helped her appreciate how 'interesting fashion is'.

She loved his work: The designer was close to many stars, one being Cara Delevingne. He helped her appreciate how 'interesting fashion is'. Delevingne Cara Loves Karl, Karl Lagerfeld party, Spring Summer 2023, Paris Fashion Week, France on Tuesday

He taught her: Cara shared: 'I didn't really know that much about fashion before I started. I never really gave it that much credit. He taught me so much more about fashion in terms of its possibilities.' Seen in 2016

The 30-year-old model admitted this year she 'didn't really know that much about fashion' before she started working with the legendary designer.

Cara shared: 'I didn't really know that much about fashion before I started. I never really gave it that much credit.

'He taught me so much more about fashion in terms of its possibilities.'

With the supers: Claudia Schiffer, Lagerfeld , Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, Chanel Haute Couture fashion show fall winter 1992-1993 collection in Paris

Cara has also praised Lagerfeld for giving her the confidence and space that she needed to grow within the fashion industry.

The London-born star - who won the Model of the Year gong at the British Fashion Awards in 2012 and 2014 - said: 'He really influenced me so much.

'He never told me to do anything specifically, but he allowed me the space to grow, and he would treat me like a friend ... He was so human with me and it made me feel so much more comfortable in myself.'

He had a presence: The designer seen here with his signature fan in Paris in 1983

KIM KARDASHIAN'S MET GALA LOOKS OVER THE YEARS Kim Kardashian has made some fairly dramatic statements at the annual Met Gala in New York City over the years. During her first year at the splashy, star-studded event she had on a tight floral dress that made the most of her very pregnant belly. Later she would be seen in a gold column dress, a silver suit that made her look like a robot, a see-through lace wonder and a dress that came in so tight she had to wear a waist trainer for weeks beforehand. Last year the star, 41, covered her face with black cloth in a shocking move as she shared she had a full face of makeup on underneath for some reason. Here is a look back at the eight looks The Kardashians star has tried out during the most important night in fashion.

2013 - GIVENCHY Her first time at the Met Gala was for PUNK: Chaos to Couture in 2013. She was pregnant with North and wore a floral print dress from Givenchy. The California native said that she was not invited but rather was West's plus one. Sadly, after the gala she 'cried' because she was so insecure about everything, she had said. '2013 Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy. I was Kanye's plus one & so nervous! I didn't know anyone & I'm sure no one wanted me there lol. I did my own lipstick & the color is so off. I went home & cried after of insecurity but this is one of my fave looks now,' said the TV vet. 2013 - GIVENCHY 2014 - LANVIN In 2014, Kim had on a blue strapless Lanvin outfit as Kanye had on black. The theme was Charles James: Beyond Fashion. She said it was the first time she had been invited on her own. 'My dress was originally made of this amazing leather with metallic detailing,' Kim said earlier. 'But we decided at the last minute to redo it in blue satin.' 2014 - LANVIN 2015 - ROBERTO CAVALLI She wore a very sheer and sexy lace and net gown by Roberto Cavalli for the May 2015 event. Her hair was slicked back and she modeled huge earrings. And the star posed with husband Kanye West who went with a black suit and boots. The theme was celebrating China: Through the Looking Glass. 2015 - ROBERTO CAVALLI 2016 - BALMAIN Kardashian tried out silver at the Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology in 2016. She wore Balmain, a shimmery silver dress that looked like a futuristic gown with a slit up the side. Husband Kanye West was in the same designer. She said: '2016 Olivier Rousteing for Balmain. I was back to insecure this year because I hadn't lost all of my baby weight. Big mistake to bleach the brows but Kanye looked so good this year with those blue eyes! It was super controversial that he wore denim.' Earlier she had noted: 'I thought Balmain was the perfect choice for me and Kanye, especially. I think Kanye's look is a little bit more downplayed with the denim mixed with all the Balmain bling.' 2016 - BALMAIN 2017 - VIVIENNE WESTWOOD This one in 2017 was celebrating the opening of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between. The Selfish author had on a white Vivienne Westwood off-the-shoulder dress with no jewelry and strappy heels. In the bus ride to the event she had to stand up so the dress would not wrinkle and she said she was already sweating and had to use the bathroom because she was so nervous. The daughter of Kris Jenner said, '2017 Vivienne Westwood. This was my first year going solo. I was so nervous to go by myself I almost threw up on the way & I had to pee every second.. I was FaceTiming my sisters to meet up at the top of the stairs. Vivienne made me this beautiful dress from her archive.' 2017 - VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 2018 - VERSACE Kim Kardashian attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala in 2018. She said this gold mesh Versace dress fit her like a 'glove.' Kardashian added, 'I knew exactly what I wanted and was most confident this year. 90's, chainmail, sexy and simple.' 2018 - VERSACE 2019 - THIERRY MUGLER Kardashian was in a wet look for Camp: Notes on Fashion in 2019. She had to wear a waist trainer to get her midsection as small as possible to pull off this Thierry Mugler dress. The look was supposed to be 'wet' which is why she had crystals that looked like raindrops coming off of her. Her hair also looked wet as she had oiled skin. 2019 - THIERRY MUGLER 2021 - BALENCIAGA Kim shocked fans when she wore a head to toe black look that covered her famous face. Later the red carpet fixture said that she was fully made up under that face sock which seemed like a lot of effort for no payoff. Turns out, it was not her favorite move. 'I fought against it. I was like, I dont know how I could wear the mask. Why would I want to cover my face?' she told Vogue this year. 'But Demna [Gvasalia, Balenciagas creative director] and the team were like, "This is a costume gala. This is not a Vanity Fair party where everyone looks beautiful. Theres a theme and you have to wear the mask. That is the look."' 2021 - BALENCIAGA 2021 - Sister Kendall Jenner, left, stole the show in GIVENCHY Advertisement Advertisement
Michelle Monaghan looked fit and relaxed as she arrived for a day of pampering Thursday in Los Angeles.

The 46-year-old actor showcased her toned tummy and legs in a black and red bra top and high waist leggings as she headed into the Andy LeCompte salon in West Hollywood. Haircuts start at $200 with a Brazilian blow out at $350.

The Black Site star wore a pair of flat black mules and placed an oatmeal toned sweater over her shoulders.

Fit: Michelle Monaghan, 46, looked fit and relaxed as she arrived for a day of pampering Thursday in Los Angeles, showcasing her toned tummy and legs in a black and red bra top and high waist leggings

The Golden Globes nominee appeared makeup free as she brushed her highlighted brown locks into straight layers.

The star wore a pair of large black sunglasses.

The talented actor has been doing double duty for her latest project, Echoes, playing identical twins. Her characters, Leni and Gina, look so much alike, they are still able to switch places, so they trade lives every year as they celebrate their birthday.

Natural: The Golden Globes nominee appeared makeup free as she brushed her highlighted brown locks into straight layers as she headed into the Andy LeCompte salon in West Hollywood

All is going according to plan, until one of them goes missing.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Michelle explained that she spoke to a lot of twins to prepare for both roles.

'I learned that a lot of switching of identities takes place. People tend to do it as twins when theyre children generally, you know, doing it experimentally, I suppose, to have fun or to avoid getting in trouble.

'And they switch and they do the thing and they think its fun. They prank people,' she said.

Nanny: The busy actor was recently promoting her film, Nanny, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie opens in theaters November 13

'And then there are some other stories where, you know, kind of people do it as as adults and maybe in a more sinister, manipulative way.'

The former model is married to graphic artist Peter White and they are the parents of two; Willow Katherine, 13, and Tommy Francis, eight.

Michelle was recently at the Toronto International Film Festival where she was promoting her film Nanny. The film opens in theaters November 13.
They met 25 years ago, turned pro together, joined Strictly together and  after she left the show  continued to dance together every year on their own national tour.

But Anton du Beke and Erin Boag's professional partnership appears to have come to an end. There will be no Anton & Erin tour this year, for the first time since 2009.

Instead, du Beke, 56, will be spending six weeks on the Strictly Come Dancing arena tour in January and February.

Is this the last waltz for Anton and Erin? Strictly judge du Beke and former pro Boag will not tour together for first time in 13 years

And later in the year, the popular dancer-turned-judge will star in his two-man show  Him And Me  with fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice.

The Strictly tour famously offers rich rewards for the judges and contestants, and it's said that du Beke stands to make double what he would have on his recent tours with Erin, 47.

It runs from January 20 to February 12, and will visit Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle, London, Belfast and Glasgow.

Old friends: They met 25 years ago, turned pro together, joined Strictly together and  after she left the show  continued to dance together every year on their own national tour

Du Beke, from Sevenoaks, Kent, and Erin, from Auckland, New Zealand, met in 1997.

They became dance partners and turned professional in 2002, and were chosen in 2004 to appear in the Beeb's first series of Strictly.

Erin was on the show for ten years, dancing with Colin Jackson, Peter Shilton, Richard Arnold, Julian Clary and Martin Offiah.

Du Beke is godfather to her son, Ewan, who was born in 2014.

Speaking about their long dance history, Du Beke previously said: 'With that comes familiarity that's the great thing, some things you just can't rush, they just take time.'

'There's experience and ease that you get with time and that's why partnerships, comedic, dance, or sporting, the one thing everybody needs is time to gel, mesh and get on the same page.'
Sylvester Stallone and wife Jennifer Flavin have been pictured putting on a united front following their reconciliation last week after calling off their divorce.

The 76-year-old Rocky star and his 54-year-old former model wife were seen looking happy together again, as they went out grocery shopping in Calabasas, California on Thursday.

Showing no signs of animosity, at one point Sylvester put his hand on his wife's thigh and appeared to be showing something to her on his phone as they both smiled and looked relaxed together.

The pair were dressed casually for the outing with the Rambo star in gym wear, while Jennifer appeared chic in sneakers, skinny jeans and a simple cream top.

No Rocky marriage here! Sylvester Stallone and wife Jennifer Flavin put on a show of unity as they're pictured out together amid reconciliation following brief split

The sighting comes after it was reported that the lovebirds have a 'better channel of communication' to work through their differences, according to People.

They still have work to be done, the source noted, but 'in a longterm marriage like theirs, ending it and dividing up their assets would be difficult.'

While it is not all 'bliss' for the couple, they 'are both family-oriented,' the source said, 'that had a lot do do with their efforts to stay together.'

Adding: 'They have their differences.'

Would you look at that: Sylvester and Jennifer appear to be moving on from their marriage drama as they were seen playing happy families while grabbing groceries

Walk and talk: The couple were pictured at a Trader Joe's in Calabasas on Thursday

Sylvester and Jennifer's fortune is estimated to be around $400 million; they live in a $36 million mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.

In the divorce proceedings, Jennifer accused Sylvester of 'intentional dissipation of marital assets.'

Their divorce was put on pause on September 21 via an abatement in court.

Chit chat: The former model and entrepreneur looked casual but chic in skinny jeans and a simple cream top

Taking their time: The Hollywood couple were seen taking a seat after shopping for groceries

Back together again: Their reconciliation came one month after Jennifer, 54, filed for divorce from Sylvester, 76

The movie star and his wife of 25 years 'decided to meet up at home, where they talked and were able to work out their differences. They are both extremely happy,' his rep told Page Six.

Their reconciliation came one month after Jennifer, 54, filed for divorce from Sylvester, 76.

People also confirmed the duo are back together.

Loved ones: The stars are parents to three children together: daughters Sophia, 26, Sistine, 24, and Scarlet, 20

PDA: At one point, the action hero was seen putting his hand on his wife's thigh as they appeared to be putting their marriage troubles behind them

Talking things through: The showbiz couple have decided to work through their differences together

All is forgiven? In the divorce proceedings, Jennifer had accused Sylvester of 'intentional dissipation of marital assets'

More to discuss: A source recently told People that the couple still have some things to work out

Days prior to their reconciliation, a court filing revealed at a Palm Beach Country, Florida court revealed that the duo agreed 'that it is in the best interests of each of them individually, and more importantly collectively as a family, to resolve all issues attendant to the dissolution of their marriage in a dignified, amicable and private manner out-of-court.'

Fans speculated they reconciled last week after he shared two throwback photos on his social media showing he and Jennifer holding hands.

'Wonderful...' Sly wrote as the caption for the post.

The Philadelphia native shared two throwback images. One of he and wife Jennifer smiling with their three daughters who were grade school aged at the time.

'Wonderful..' Fans speculated they reconciled last week after he shared two throwback photos on his social media showing he and Jennifer holding hands

In the other snap, Stallone was seen from behind walking hand-in-hand with Flavin.

The stars are parents to three children together: daughters Sophia, 26, Sistine, 24, and Scarlet, 20; Sylvester also has a son named Seargeoh, 43, with ex Sasha Crack. He also had a son named Sage with Sasha as well, but he died in 2012 at age 36.

Sylvester and Jennifer wed in May 1997.

On August 19, Jennifer filed for divorce from him, alleging that he 'engaged in the intentional dissipation, depletion and/or waste of marital assets, which has had an adverse economic impact on the marital estates.'

Happier times: The Philadelphia native shared an throwback image of he and wife Jennifer smiling with their three daughters who were grade school aged at the time

The actor denied her allegations at the time.

Following the filing, Jennifer told People: 'I'm sad to announce that after 25 years of marriage I have filed for divorce from my husband Sylvester Stallone. While we will no longer be married, I will always cherish the more than 30-year relationship that we shared, and I know we are both committed to our beautiful daughters. I ask for privacy for our family as we amicably move forward.'

Sylvester addressed the split at the time via a statement: 'I love my family. We are amicably and privately addressing these personal issues.'

Days before the divorce filing, DailyMail.com revealed that the actor had a giant tattoo of Flavin on his right bicep covered up with a picture of Butkus, Rocky's bull mastiff from the hit movies.

Family first: The stars are parents to three children together: daughters Sophia, 26, Sistine, 24, and Scarlet, 20

There were claims that their Rottweiler Dwight was the immediate cause of the break-up. Stallone dotes on Dwight  the name of his character in a new TV drama series, Tulsa King  and has posted gushing videos and photos of the pet on social media.

Family insiders told website TMZ that the actor wanted the dog to help protect the family at their homes in Los Angeles and Palm Beach, Florida.

But  while they already own other dogs  Flavin didn't want a huge Rottweiler in the house and strenuously objected. Their disagreement over Dwight allegedly caused a huge row that brought up other issues between the couple, culminating in her decision to press the nuclear button.

Previous: Last month, Stallone was in agreement that their marriage was 'irretrievably broken'
The first trailer a new mini-series, Maxine, documenting the Soham murders through the eyes of killer Ian Huntley's fiancee Maxine Carr has been released.

Jemma Carlton and Line of Duty's Scott Reid star as Maxine Carr and Ian Huntley star in the true crime drama which is set for release on Monday 10 October.

The release date comes after 20 years after the murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both aged 10 at the time, took place.

Chilling: The first trailer a new mini-series, Maxine, documenting the Soham murders through the eyes of killer Ian Huntley's fiancee Maxine Carr has been released (Actress Jemma Carlton, who plays Maxine, pictured)

The three-part Channel 5 series examines the police investigation into school assistant Maxine and her caretaker fiance Ian from Carrs perspective.

The plot will look at her tumultuous relationship with Huntley; why she lied for him and how she became 'public enemy number one'.

Episode one sees Maxine move to Soham for a fresh start with her boyfriend Ian but following a jealous argument with Ian, Maxine visits her mother for the weekend and enjoys a night out in her hometown of Grimsby.

She awakens to the news of the girls disappearance, and returns to Soham to provide Ian with an alibi.

The trailer opens with a scenes of the police searching in long grass as they attempt to find the two missing girls.

Real life: The true crime drama which is set for release on Monday 10 October, 20 years after the murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman (Maxine Carr pictured in 2003)

Played by Scott, a desperate Ian is then seen with his head in his hands, shouting: 'I can't go to prison,' before Jemma, playing Maxine, reassures him that nobody will be going to jail.

She is then seen standing on the doorstep of their home, where a policeman tells Maxine: 'Your story might jog a memory, help find them,' to which Maxine smiles and says: 'We want to help, don't we.'

Recreating real-life scenes which were broadcast to the nation on television news as she described the missing girls, Maxine says of Holly and Jessica: 'They were ever so funny. They were brilliant, they were kind to everybody.'

On-screen: The three-part series examines the police investigation into school assistant Maxine and her caretaker fiance Ian from Carrs perspective

Looking back: The drama tells the story of Maxine's tumultuous relationship with Huntley; why she lied for him and how she became 'public enemy number one'

The police are then heard speculating that Maxine be keeping a secret, with a detective pondering: 'She used past tense because she knows they're dead?'

Maxine is then seen in the interrogation room as she insists Ian did not do anything to the girls.

In further chilling scenes, Maxine is then seen practicing looking serious in the mirror after Ian shouts at her: 'You tell me don't look so guilty. You don't look so cheery!'

Search: The trailer opens with a scenes of the police searching in long grass as they attempt to find the two missing girls

Story: The disappearance of the schoolgirls, which happened after a family barbecue in August 2002, sparked Britain's biggest-ever missing persons' enquiry

The disappearance of the schoolgirls, which happened after a family barbecue in August 2002, sparked Britain's biggest-ever missing persons' enquiry - but came to a tragic end when their bodies were found dumped in a remote ditch.

School caretaker Huntley - then 28 - had lured the girls to his house and murdered them before dumping their bodies and burning their clothes.

His then-fiancee Carr who provided him with a false alibi - but was in Grimsby visiting her mother at the time of the murders - was jailed for perverting the course of justice but released in 2004 with a new identity.

Hunch: The police are then heard speculating that Maxine be keeping a secret, with a detective pondering: 'She used past tense because she knows they're dead?'

She was dubbed 'The Most Hated Woman In Britain' following the trial, which saw Huntley admit to killing the children, but claiming their deaths were accidental.

Channel 5 said in a statement about the drama: 'Maxine will examine the investigation of school assistant Maxine Carr and her caretaker fiance Ian Huntley, who was later imprisoned for the double murder of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, the tragic case that shocked the nation

'The three-part drama will explore their tumultuous relationship through Maxine's perspective; why she lied for him and how she became public enemy No.1, as well as reflect the scale of the police investigation and subsequent media frenzy around the biggest manhunt ever seen in British history.'

Final photo: Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman were murdered by Ian Huntley on August 4 2002 (pictured two hours before their disappearance)

Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer UK, at Paramount, said: 'The series marks a new venture into the true crime genre for Channel 5 drama and will give viewers an in depth examination of Maxine Carr and her role in one of the most notorious crimes in recent British history.'

Mike Benson, Managing Director at Clapperboard added: 'Few crimes have embedded themselves in the national psyche more than the tragic events of Soham in 2002. It was a case which was unique in recent history in terms of the sheer scale of the media coverage and how this affected and nearly derailed the investigation and subsequent trial. We will explore this within the drama alongside the role played by Maxine Carr  dubbed 'The Most Hated Woman in Britain.'

Huntley was found guilty of killing both girls at his 2004 trial and later sentenced to two life terms, with a minimum 40-year tariff at the maximum security Frankland prison in Durham.

Murderer: Huntley had lured the girls to his house and murdered them before dumping their bodies in a remote ditch. He was a caretaker at the local Soham Village College and was arrested after the girls' bodies were discovered 13 days later

He was a caretaker at the local Soham Village College and was arrested after the girls' bodies were discovered 13 days after their disappearance.

During a two-week appeal to find the girls, Huntley gave TV interviews and joined in searches while his then-girlfriend Carr gave him a false alibi.

He was jailed for life in 2005.

During his trial, he said that he had 'killed the girls accidentally' but later admitted the killing in leaked tapes from prison.

In a 2018 tape he said: I know the people of Soham took me into their community, they trusted me, gave me a job and a home, and I betrayed them in the worst possible way.

And I am sorry for what I have done, sorry for the pain I have caused to the families and friends of Holly and Jessica, for the pain I have caused my family and friends, and for the pain I have caused the community of Soham.

I am genuinely, genuinely sorry and it breaks my heart when it is reported I have no remorse, that I relish something. I do not.

Tragedy: Police found the girls' burned Manchester United shirts in a bin at Soham College where Huntley worked

He added: I cant change anything. I cannot remove that day from history, what I have done. I know those girls would be 26 this year with families of their own, jobs and lives. I thought about them when they were turning 21 and when they were turning 18. I know no matter what I say that people are not going to think any better of me  but I would much rather people have the truth about how I feel. I have nothing to gain by saying these things.

I know I am never getting out. I have accepted that from day one.

Huntley said he does not want to be freed from prison and insisted he will not apply for parole out of consideration for his victims families.

Maxine starts on Monday 10 October at 9pm on Channel 5.
Poppy Delevingne looked the picture of elegance as she headed to friend Victoria Beckham's first Paris Fashion Week show in the French capital on Friday.

The actress and model, 36, showed off her style credentials in a cropped blazer, which she teamed with silk blouse and a pair of high-waisted trousers.

The blonde beauty looked ethereal in the all-black ensemble as she posed for photographers before she made her way inside the star-studded event.

Beauty: Poppy Delevingne looked the picture of elegance as she headed to friend Victoria Beckham's first Paris Fashion Week show in the French capital on Friday

Poppy's stunning look also featured a gold rose bud buckle which accentuated her svelte physique.

She finished off the classy look carrying a pair of black shades and toting one of Victoria's chain leather clutch bags.

As always, the socialite styled her hair with a conventional centre parting, while her make-up was selected from a rich colour palette.

All-dolled up: As always, the socialite styled her hair with a conventional centre parting, while her make-up was selected from a rich colour palette

Stunner: The model, 36, showed off her style credentials in a cropped blazer, silk blouse and a pair of high-waisted trousers

All smiles: She finished off the classy look carrying a pair of black shades and a toting one of Victoria's chain leather clutch bags

Earlier, Victoria herself was pictured looking effortlessly chic as she left her hotel.

The Spice Girl, 48, showed off her incredible figure in a black midi dress from her collection as she prepares to show her latest range on the runway.

She completed the look with a pair of tights and stilettos, while giving onlookers a thumbs up while carrying her handbag.

Victoria sported an oversized pair of sunglasses on top of her bronzed makeup look which showcased her natural features.

Gorgeous: Victoria Beckham looked effortlessly chic on Friday as she left her hotel in Paris earlier that day

The fashion designer also shared a sneak peek at her Paris Fashion Week show, but fans remain in the dark about whether her son Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz will attend.

She took to Instagram on Friday to post a behind-the-scenes snap just hours before her first ever runway show at Paris Fashion Week.

She revealed that she was putting the 'finishing touches' on her much-anticipated collection after being away from the catwalk for two years.

Glam: The Spice Girl, 48, showed off her incredible figure in a black midi dress from her collection as she prepares to show her latest range on the runway

Happy: She gave onlookers a thumbs-up while carrying a stylish black handbag

Support: David Beckham and his children stepped out on Friday to support Victoria at her debut PFW show - but there was still no sign of her son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz amid family feud (David, Harper, Cruz, Tana Holding and Romeo Beckham pictured L-R)

As she prepares to mark the milestone, her family and friends have been rallying around to support her, with her husband David, sons Romeo and Cruz, and her best pal Eva Longoria all set to attend the show.

But fans still remain in the dark about whether her eldest son Brooklyn, 23, and his wife Nicola, 27, will attend the show, after Victoria extended an invite to the pair amid the ongoing feud. The pair are currently in Paris.

Reports of a feud between Victoria and Nicola have been rife for weeks, with Brooklyn's wife adding fuel to the fire by claiming her mother-in-law 'blanked' her 'for days' during the design process of her wedding dress in a Grazia interview.

Exciting: Victoria shared a sneak peek at her Paris Fashion Week show, but fans remain in the dark about whether her son Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz will attend

Olive branch: It is not yet known if Brooklyn, 23, and his wife Nicola, 27, will attend the fashion show, after Victoria extended an invite to the pair amid the ongoing family feud

Taking to Instagram mere hours before her French fashion debut, Victoria took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse at her brand new collection.

She posted a snap of herself crouching down in front of a blurred out board of models as she put the final touches on her highly-anticipated show at 5.30pm.

Alongside the snap, she penned: 'Putting the finishing touches to my #VBSS23 collection!

'I'm so excited to invite you to watch my #PFW debut show live from 5:30PM CET on my Stories, TikTok, Youtube and on VictoriaBeckham.com. Woohoo!! We are in Paris!!! x VB.'

Supportive: She also took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of a bouquet of white roses that her husband David, 47, gifted to her ahead of the show

Rallying around: Her son Cruz, 17, also took to his Instagram Stories to gush over his mother's achievements, as he posted a picture of the invitation to Victoria's show

She also took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of a bouquet of white roses that her supportive husband David, 47, gifted her ahead of the show.

He wrote a supportive message on a card, which read: 'Dear Victoria, can't wait to see all your hard work pay off, I know the show will be amazing! So proud of you, lots of love, David x.'

Her son Cruz, 17, also took to his Instagram Stories to gush over his mother's achievements, as he posted a picture of the invitation to Victoria's show.

He confirmed his attendance at the show in a caption, writing: 'We readyyyy.'

Holiday: Romeo, 20, has also been seen out-and-about in Paris ahead of the fashion show, taking to Instagram to show off his freshly cut hairstyle

Sightseeing: Romeo was joined by two friends as he explored the French capital ahead of Victoria's fashion show

Romeo, 20, has also been seen out-and-about in Paris ahead of the show, taking to Instagram to show off his freshly cut hairstyle and day out exploring the French capital with his pals.

And it is not just her family who are flocking around to support her and gearing up to attend the show, as Victoria's best friend Eva Longoria will also be in the crowds.

Designer Victoria took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday to re-share a picture of the invitation posted by Eva, and said she 'couldn't wait' to see her pal at the show.

However, fans have been left in the dark about whether Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola will attend the show amid the ongoing feud.

Big moment: Victoria revealed that she was putting the 'finishing touches' on her much-anticipated collection after being away from the catwalk for two years

The couple have been seen exploring Paris in recent days and attended the Balmain show on Wednesday night, but have not confirmed if they will attend Victoria's show after she extended them both invites.

On Thursday, Nicola gushed over her mother Claudia Heffner Peltz as she shared a sweet Instagram post of the former model.

Writing 'I love my mom', the heiress shared a snap as her husband Brooklyn Beckham, 23, gave mother-in-law Claudia a cuddle during their trip to Paris.

Sharing a video of her mother in the first slide of the carousel, Nicola filmed as Claudia used a handbag as a makeshift umbrella.

Feud: However, fans have been left in the dark about whether Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola will attend the show amid the ongoing feud

She questioned 'how's that working for you, mom?', while the 67-year-old replied 'Not really, but it's fine' - with her daughter giggling behind the camera.

Another shot in the post showed Brooklyn, who donned a bright red Balenciaga co-ord, beaming from ear-to-ear as he wrapped an arm around his mother-in-law.

The couple have been sharing a myriad of posts from Paris as they take in the city's fashion week, but are yet to confirm whether they will attend Victoria's show.

The show could be a chance to patch things up for the family, with reports that she and David have reached out to sort things.

Patching things up? The couple have been in Paris in recent days and attended the Balmain show, but have not confirmed if they will attend Victoria's show after she gave them invites

A source said: 'Frankly, the most interesting thing about Nicola is that she married into the Beckham clan. David and Victoria have both reached out to her to try and make peace, and find a way to get along.

'David and Victoria would love to spend more time with their son and his wife, and be given the opportunity to welcome her into the fold, especially given that Brooklyn practically lives with his parents-in-law.'

If the couple do attend Victoria's show in Paris, it will be the first time they have all been seen together since being snapped in Italy earlier this summer.

Reports of a feud between Victoria and Nicola have been rife for weeks, with Brooklyn's wife adding fuel to the fire in a Grazia interview.

Family: On Thursday, Nicola gushed over her mother Claudia Heffner Peltz as she shared a sweet Instagram post of the former model

Claiming that she was 'blanked for days' by her mother-in-law during the design process of her wedding dress in the interview, the actress has reportedly enraged her in-laws by 'washing the family dirty linen in public'.

Initially, rumours of a rift began as Nicola did not wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress - which she claimed during the interview was her original plan, before being told the designer's atelier could not make her a dress.

In the bombshell Grazia interview, she revealed: 'We connected to start designing the dress, and then a few days went by and I didn't hear anything. Victoria called my mom and said her atelier couldn't make it.'

Doting husband Brooklyn made his position clear amid the family feud, telling the publication that Nicola is his 'number one priority' and that they 'have each other's back 100 per cent'.

Mother-daughter moment: Sharing a video of her mother in the first slide of the carousel, Nicola filmed as Claudia used a handbag as a makeshift umbrella

But insiders have said Nicola is pushing a 'false narrative', leaving Victoria 'bemused' as to why she keeps 'stoking the rumours of a feud' rather than shutting them down.

And Nicola telling her side of the story has led to even more family drama, with David defending his wife Victoria as he had a rare confrontation with son Brooklyn.

According to MailPlus writer Alison Boshoff, David told Brooklyn 'we don't do this in our family' as he 'lost his temper' with the budding chef.

A source said: 'I don't think David has ever lost his temper with Brooklyn or had cause to talk to him harshly, but that has now finally happened.

'He had it out with him and told him: 'We don't do this in our family  and you know that we don't do this in our family.'

Muse: Brooklyn took a slew of gorgeous snaps of his wife in the city, as she posed in a white robe on their balcony

Victoria has invited both Brooklyn and Nicola to her Paris Fashion Week debut, which comes after her long stint presenting her clothes in New York and a brief dalliance with London.

Her sophisticated office and evening wear has been a surprise hit with fashionistas ever since her debut show in 2008, confounding those who expected her to be another celebrity dilettante.

But despite having 250 global outlets selling her clothes, 30million followers on Instagram and one of the most famous husbands in the world, Beckham's company has always struggled to turn a profit.

In a bid to turn things around, she has recruited top French talent - her chairman is Ralph Toledano, ex-president of the French Federation for Haute Couture and Fashion, and her CEO is Marie Leblanc de Reynies, former lead buyer at Paris shopping mecca Printemps.

'Victoria is not from the fashion world. She threw herself into the business and at a certain point, she needed to structure, organise and bring some order to the house, which is what we've been doing for the past four years,' Toledano told AFP.

Parisian life: The heiress has been sharing a number of snaps from Paris as she enjoys the city's fashion week, where Victoria has also just touched down ahead of her own show on Friday

Chic evening wear was always going to struggle during the pandemic, and reports this summer showed the label had 54million in debt, and had to cut prices and staff to stay afloat.

But a successful cosmetics line, launched in 2019, has helped trim losses, and the team hopes to break even in the coming months.

Victoria has called her personal fame a 'double-edged sword' for the business.

'Are other brands under the scrutiny that mine is under every time we file (results)? Absolutely not,' she told Vogue.

'But how many other brands have the luxury of getting the attention when they want it?'
Chip and Joanna Gaines have released the first trailer for their new show called Fixer Upper: Welcome Home  The Castle.

Premiering Friday, October 14 on discovery+, HBO Max and the couple's own Magnolia Network, the limited series will document their renovation of a 100-year-old estate in their native Waco, Texas.

Known as Cottonland Castle, the local landmark is the main event as the Fixer Upper stars aim to return this historic property to its former glory across eight episodes.

New: Chip and Joanna Gaines have released the first trailer for their new show called Fixer Upper: Welcome Home  The Castle

Cottonland Castle: Built in 1913, the landmark property in Waco, Texas provided the Fixer Uppers with their latest challenge

'This castle is one of the most impressive properties in the entire Waco, Central Texas area,' Chip declares in the trailer. 'I've wanted it for two decades.'

Chip and Joanna's passion for the historic castle is soon put to the test as the scale of their project becomes clear. 'This is a way bigger renovation than we anticipated,' confesses Joanna. 'Zero steps forward, twelve steps back,' is how Chip describes the process at one point.

The renovation looks to be a massive undertaking for the powerhouse pair, with Magnolia's Chief Branding Officer, Kate Barton, previously deeming it the 'most challenging restoration project Chip, Joanna and team have ever completed.'

Big: Chip and Joanna's passion for the historic castle is soon put to the test as the scale of their project becomes clear. 'This is a way bigger renovation than we anticipated,' confesses Joanna. 'Zero steps forward, twelve steps back,' is how Chip describes the process at one point

Crumbling ceilings, water leaks, window mishaps and design problems abound in this first glimpse of the highly anticipated show. The most challenging aspect seems to be their goal of recapturing the 1913 property's authenticity.

'One of the biggest things is how do we make this feel as accurate to that time period as possible,' says Joanna, 44. 'Getting the same exact stone from 100 years ago has been a challenge.'

Apparently referring to the accurate restoration of an intricately tiled floor, Chip, 47, describes the challenge as 'such an exotic, elaborate puzzle' before lamenting the different lengths of flooring.

Fun and frustration: Joanna couldn't help but giggle as Chip described the maddening problems of installing her intricate window selections

But the couple's hard work seems to pay off as their vision starting taking shape. 'Wow,' gushes Chip near the end of the trailer. 'When we bought this place it was a figment of our imagination, but now this house is coming together.'

The Magnolia Founders keep their big reveal under wraps, but they do allow for a few glimpses of the final look to be shown in the trailer. Viewers can see a porcelain tub in one of the castle's beautifully appointed bathrooms while antique furnishings tastefully adorn a sampling of the many refurbished rooms.

This renovation is the fulfillment of a 20-year-old dream for the pair, who first met in 2001 before getting married in 2003. Writing in the winter 2019 issue of Magnolia Journal, the mother of five wrote, 'For nearly two decades, Chip watched and waited, persistently putting in offers whenever the castle was relisted.' She went on to commend her husband for seeing the property's 'beauty and potential,' ultimately crediting him with their design adventure that ends in success. 'We did it,' Joanna declares at the end of the trailer. Audiences will soon be able to tune in and see how they did for themselves.

Work it out: He has on a blue shirt and tie as she models a denim shirt

Out with the old, in with the new: Construction chaos ensued as the couple's team went to work ripping out what had to go and making way for Chip and Joanna's vision
Leaders eye closer China-Japan relations

08:52, September 30, 2022 By ZHANG YUNBI ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Leaders of China and Japan highlighted the need to further build on two-way relations on Thursday as the countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic relations.

Honoring a commitment to amity and peace and valuing the spirit of shelving differences are key to maintaining good relations between the world's second- and third-largest economies afloat, officials and leading scholars said.

President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida exchanged congratulatory messages on Thursday on the 50th anniversary.

On that day 50 years ago, the leaders of the two countries evaluated the trend of the times, acted with foresight and insight and made the major political decision to normalize the two countries' diplomatic ties, ushering in a brand-new chapter in bilateral relations, Xi said.

With the joint efforts of the two governments and their people, the two sides agreed upon four landmark political documents and a series of key consensuses, and their exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been deepened, to the great benefit of the two nations and their people and contributing to peace and development in the region and the whole world, Xi added.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Japan relations and said he is ready to work with Kishida to lead the two sides to take the anniversary as an opportunity, follow the trend of the times and jointly work on building China-Japan relations that meet the needs of the new era.

In his message, Kishida noted that the leaders of the two countries initiated a new historical process of Japan-China relations 50 years ago by upholding strategic thinking and political courage.

The two countries have made remarkable progress in a wide range of areas for cooperation, including economy, culture and the exchange of visits, Kishida said.

It is of great significance for the two sides to join hands in creating a new future of Japan-China ties, and Tokyo is ready to work with Beijing to envision the next 50 years, push for building constructive, stable Japan-China ties and jointly promote peace and prosperity of the two countries, the region and the world, he added.

Also on Thursday, Premier Li Ke-qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Kishida.

Li said the two countries are geographically close to each other and culturally connected, and they are both important countries in the region and the international community.

Beijing is willing to work with Tokyo on peace, friendship and coexistence, champion the political basis of the two countries' relations, deepen exchanges and collaboration in various fields, and properly handle and manage divergences and differences, Li said.

China is also willing to take the 50th anniversary as a new starting point to push for further sound and steady progress in China-Japan relations, he added.

By exchanging messages, the leaders from both sides "envision and chart a course for the future growth of the two countries' relations", Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a news conference on Thursday.

Kong Xuanyou, Chinese ambassador to Japan, said that over the past 50 years, annual bilateral trade between China and Japan has increased from $1 billion to more than $370 billion.

The relations' remarkable progress and the great benefits reaped prove that "differences in ideologies and social systems are not necessarily unsurpassable gaps, and long-term peace, friendship and cooperation are the only right choice for both sides", Kong wrote in an article published on Thursday in People's Daily.

Cheng Yonghua, a former Chinese ambassador to Japan and now the executive vice-president of the China-Japan Friendship Association, said the two countries are "neighbors who cannot move away from each other", and "the importance of their relations will not be changed no matter how one views another".

"The two countries' relations over the past 50 years have not always been rosy and smooth, but the outcomes are fruitful and remarkable, and they deserve to be cherished," he said.

"I hope that people in all walks of life in Japan can realize that working together with China toward the same goal and championing the friendly cooperation between them are beneficial to the two countries, to their people and to the prosperity of Asia and the world," he added.

Yang Bojiang, director-general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Japanese Studies, said the common ground between the two nations includes that they both subscribe to peace, international cooperation, openness to the world market and steady development of bilateral ties.

Summarizing the past successful practices in preserving good relations, Yang said "it is key to make sure peace and collaboration dominate the big picture", and the two sides "should further work on seeking common ground while shelving differences".

Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama said that 50 years ago, leaders of the two countries reached an important consensus on properly handling sensitive topics such as the Taiwan question.

The two sides should stay true to these consensuses, properly handle contradictions and differences, and promote the continuous development of friendly and cooperative Japan-China relations, Hatoyama said at an event in Japan on Wednesday marking the anniversary.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Amber Heard was spotted for the first time since her headline-making defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp and she appeared to be taking her mind off of her legal brouhaha by taking a European vacation.

The 36-year-old actress and her baby were seen enjoying the sights in Palma de Mallorca, a stunning resort city on the Mediterranean, on Thursday.

She resurfaced amid her seemingly never ending battle with Depp. Just this week, Amber changed lawyers yet again in her attempt to force two insurance firms to pick up the multimillion dollar bill for her libel payout.

She's back: Amber Heard was spotted for the first time since her headline-making defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp and she appeared to be taking her mind off of her legal brouhaha by taking a European vacation

Despite the massive amount of money she was ordered to pay Depp in damages, Amber seemed to be able to have a relaxing vacation.

The blonde bombshell appeared relaxed in a tight black tank top with thin straps tucked into a pair of loose fit black pants and black flip flops.

Heard's hair was unkempt and thrown back into a haphazard bun and she wore no makeup.

Out and about with her daughter, the single mother, held the toddler's hand and took her for a ride on a swing set at a local park.

Unfazed: The 36-year-old actress and her baby were seen enjoying the sights in Palma de Mallorca, a stunning resort city on the Mediterranean, on Thursday

Having fun? Despite the massive amount of money she was ordered to pay Depp in damages, Amber seemed to be able to have a relaxing vacation

The latest: She resurfaced amid her seemingly never ending battle with Depp. Just this week, Amber changed lawyers yet again in her attempt to force two insurance firms to pick up the multimillion dollar bill for her libel payout

The Rum Diaries star is vacationing with a small group who joined her for an outing in the picturesque town.

Despite her personal and professional life being in upheaval after two highly publicized trials over her alleged abuse at the hands of Johnny Depp, one in the UK and the other in the US, Amber managed to slap on a movie star smile.

Heard was ordered to pay her ex-husband more than $10 million in damages at the end of an explosive defamation trial in June.

She is currently represented by David L. Axelrod and Jay Ward Brown in her appeal of that verdict.

Casual: The blonde bombshell appeared relaxed in a tight black tank top with thin straps tucked into a pair of loose fit black pants and black flip flops

Vacation mode: Heard's hair was unkempt and thrown back into a haphazard bun and she wore no makeup

Squad: The Rum Diaries star is vacationing with a small group who joined her for an outing in the picturesque town

Tough times: Heard was ordered to pay her ex-husband more than $10 million in damages at the end of the explosive trial in June

The actress has also recently hired Kirk Pasich on her legal team in an attempt to get multiple insurance companies to cover her legal bills, which may surpass $15million, according to Puck News.

Puck claims that Heard's expenses soared over $8million before the Virginia trial even began. Heard's team appears to want homeowner's insurance to cover those bills.

The battle concerns Travelers Commercial Insurance Company and New York Marine General Insurance Company. Travelers initially sued New York Marine in July 2021 to gain reimbursement for half of what it spent on defending a client that turned out to be Heard.

Heard's homeowners policy with Travelers covered 'libel' to the point of about $500,000, while New York Marine had issued her a general liability policy for $1million.

Yikes: The actress has also recently hired Kirk Pasich on her legal team in an attempt to get multiple insurance companies to cover her legal bills, which may surpass $15million

Bad news: After the verdict, Amber's lawyers said she could not afford the damages she was ordered to pay her ex

Who will pay? Heard's team appears to want homeowner's insurance to cover those bills

Getting it covered: Heard's homeowners policy with Travelers covered 'libel' to the point of about $500,000, while New York Marine had issued her a general liability policy for $1million

The crux of the suit was Travelers believing Heard had the right to pick her own lawyers, while New York Marine disagreed, believing the case was 'fairly straight forward'. A judge agreed with New York Marine's desire to use local, cheaper attorneys.

Travelers had doubts about New York Marine's appointed lawyers Timothy McEvoy and Sean Patrick Roche, arguing they 'piggy-backed' on the work of Heard attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Elaine Charlson Bredehoft.

New York Marine, for their part, claimed their attorneys were frozen out by Kaplan and Bredehoft. They now want $621,693 paid back in exchange for their contribution to Heard's defense fund because their lawyers were kept out of various legal proceedings.

The insurers are currently suing Heard to avoid contributing to the libel settlement that has the Aquaman star set to pay Depp about $10.35million using a California law preventing insurers from covering 'willful acts'. Pasich is representing Heard to try and deal with this situation on her behalf.

Back and forth: The insurers are currently suing Heard to avoid contributing to the libel settlement that has the Aquaman star set to pay Depp about $10.35million using a California law preventing insurers from covering 'willful acts'

Down low: Heard has spoken out a few times since the trial but only via social media statements or her legal team and has maintained a low profile

Verdict: At the end of the defamation trial, Depp, 59, was awarded $10million to $15million in compensatory damages and $5million in punitive damages

She won too: The actress was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages out of the $100 million she sought

Heard may be responsible for the entire judgement if it survives her appeal, as Travelers will try to avoid paying it if Depp could prove she made false statements.

At the end of the defamation trial, Depp, 59, was awarded $10million to $15million in compensatory damages and $5million in punitive damages.

The judge later capped the damages at the state's maximum of $350,000 leaving Depp with a total of $8.35million.

Meanwhile, Heard won one of her three countersuit claims related to statements made by Depp's lawyer suggesting the actress and her friends had trashed their apartment before calling the police.

The actress was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages out of the $100 million she sought.

Still fighting: Before filing an appeal, Heard's attorney asked the judge to throw out the decision and declare a mistrial

A day after Heard's team filed an appeal, Depp's team did the same to overturn the couple million the actor owes to his ex-wife.

The Pirates of the Caribbean actor's team said they filed an appeal to ensure 'all information is considered by the court' while they return to consider Heard's appeal.

Before filing an appeal, Heard's attorney asked the judge to throw out the decision and declare a mistrial. It was argued that one of the jurors on the case should not have been eligible to serve because his summons was intended for his father, who had the same name and lived at the same address.

Judge Penny Azcarate shot down the request claiming there was no 'evidence of fraud or wrongdoing' by the juror and that the jury's verdict should stand.'

His side: Since the trial, Depp has maintained that his reputation has been recovered and justice has been served; He claims he never abused Heard
Victoria Beckham's mother Jackie Adams showed off her chic sense of style as she attended her daughter's debut Paris Fashion Week show on Friday.

The fashion designer's mother Jackie wore a navy blue playsuit with a low-cut neckline, with her outfit featuring a satin length of material down the leg.

Jackie wore a matching cropped jacket over her shoulders, with the arms handing loose by her side.

In style: Victoria Beckham's mother Jackie Adams showed off her chic sense of style at her daughter's Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday

Jackie carried a large white handbag which featured a gold chain strap.

She wore a pair of matching pair of white heels to add a few inches to her stature.

Former Spice Girl Victoria's mother went for a minimal look with her make-up, opting for natural hues.

Looking good: Former Spice Girl Victoria's mother went for a minimal look with her make-up, opting for natural hues

Victoria couldn't hold back her tears on Friday as she broke down while taking to the runway of her Paris Fashion Week debut show - hugging her husband David.

The fashion designer, 48, was overwhelmed as she reached out to give a hug to her husband David - who sat in the front row to support, alongside their three youngest children - Harper Seven, 11, Romeo, 20, and Cruz, 17.

And also in the front row was Brooklyn and his wife Nicola, who turned up at the show half an hour early to show their support - despite ongoing rumours of a family feud.

Fashion forward: She wore a cropped jacket over her shoulders, with the arms handing loose by her side

The married couple arrived before the show started so they could wish Victoria luck - with lots of hugs going on when they were all reunited for the first time since this summer, said a source in the room.

Afterwards, the family got together to celebrate with cocktails, as a source said: There were a lot of smiles and a lot of love in the room, it was a lovely family atmosphere.

Brooklyn and Nicola were also reunited with Victorias parents, Jackie and her husband Tony, Victoria's father, at the debut show.

Fashion forward: Designer Victoria's parent, Jackie, wore a navy blue playsuit with a low-cut neckline, with her outfit featuring a satin length of material down the leg

In the detail: Jackie carried a large white handbag which featured a gold chain strap and wore a pair of matching heels to add a few inches to her stature

Fans were in the dark about whether Brooklyn and Nicola would be at the show amid claims of a fall-out between Victoria and Nicola.

Reports of the feud have been rife for weeks, with Brooklyn's wife adding fuel to the fire by claiming her mother-in-law 'blanked' her 'for days' during the design process of her wedding dress in a Grazia interview.

It was thought the show was a chance to patch things up for the family, with reports that she and David have reached out to sort things.

There was a lot of love in the room: Victoria was reunited with her eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola at her Paris Fashion Week debut show on Friday as the couple attended and even came EARLY to wish her luck

Emotional: The fashion designer was overcome with emotion as she took to the catwalk, holding her head in her hands

Too much: Victoria took to the runway at the end of the show, and appeared overcome with emotion during the appearance as she stopped at the front row to embrace family and friends

A source said: 'Frankly, the most interesting thing about Nicola is that she married into the Beckham clan. David and Victoria have both reached out to her to try and make peace, and find a way to get along.

'David and Victoria would love to spend more time with their son and his wife, and be given the opportunity to welcome her into the fold, especially given that Brooklyn practically lives with his parents-in-law.'

Initially, rumours of a rift began as Nicola did not wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress - which she claimed during the interview was her original plan, before being told the designer's atelier could not make her a dress.

Support system: Reaching into the audience as she stopped halfway down the catwalk, a teary Victoria clung on to David - as best pal Eva Longoria also reached out for a supportive cuddle

In the bombshell Grazia interview, she revealed: 'We connected to start designing the dress, and then a few days went by and I didn't hear anything. Victoria called my mom and said her atelier couldn't make it.'

Doting husband Brooklyn made his position clear amid the family feud, telling the publication that Nicola is his 'number one priority' and that they 'have each other's back 100 per cent'.

But insiders have said Nicola is pushing a 'false narrative', leaving Victoria 'bemused' as to why she keeps 'stoking the rumours of a feud' rather than shutting them down.
Teen Mom OG star Cheyenne Floyd, 29, and Zach Davis, 31, announced they were married on Thursday, surrounded by family and close friends.

Cheyenne shared a note she received from Zach before the wedding ceremony on her Instagram, Heres to a lifetime together. I love you so much and cant wait to see you later.

Cheyenne and Zach's relationship has partially aired on MTV, with the couple taking some time apart before reconciling and getting engaged during their intimate baby shower in April 2021.

Hitched: Teen Mom OG star Cheyenne Floyd, 29, and Zach Davis, 31, announced they were married on Thursday, surrounded by family and close friends

Ceremony: Cheyenne shared a note she received from Zach before the wedding ceremony on her Instagram, Heres to a lifetime together. I love you so much and cant wait to see you later

The reality star and her new husband welcomed their first child together, Ace, in May last year.

The bride told E! News, We really want the wedding to be reflective of our relationship and who we are in our family. Everything is done in house. Everythings done by our family and our parents. One tease would be Zachs dad is marrying us.

Cheyenne had her first child, four-year-old daughter Ryder, with her ex Cory Wharton.

Family: The bride told E! News, We really want the wedding to be reflective of our relationship and who we are in our family. Everything is done in house. Everythings done by our family and our parents. One tease would be Zachs dad is marrying us

She found fame and met Real World star Cory while filming The Challenge: Rivals III, which aired on MTV in 2016. The pair had a brief fling which resulted in Cheyenne's pregnancy, but she kept the news a secret until Ryder was roughly six months old.

Cory and Chey's strong co-parenting relationship has been a main storyline of Teen Mom OG since Floyd joined the show in 2018.

On January 3, Davis was arrested as the couple went through customs at Los Angeles International Airport after returning from vacation in Mexico.

Growing family: Floyd and Davis share her youngest son, Ace, who was born May 27, 2021

Blended family: She shares her older daughter Ryder (R) with her ex Cory Wharton, who starred with her on Teen Mom OG

Davis allegedly violated his probation on cases involving theft and DUI and was taken into custody, according to TMZ.

His arrest appears to have been brief, as law enforcement said he was booked and released shortly afterward.

Neither Floyd nor Davis have commented on the arrest and continued to post family images featuring themselves and their children without mentioning the legal trouble that followed.
By LILLIAN GISSEN FOR DAILMAIL.COM

TV host Nick Cannon has become a dad for the tenth time - welcoming a baby boy named Rise Messiah Cannon.

The latest arrival comes just 15 days after it was revealed that Cannon had secretly welcomed his ninth child with 40-year-old model LaNisha Cole, who gave birth to a baby girl, named Onyx Ice Cole Cannon on September 14.

This came months after welcoming eighth child, a baby son named Legendary Love, with 31-year-old model Bre Tiesi, who revealed on Instagram that she had given birth to their first child together on June 28 in an 'all natural unmedicated home birth' - weeks after it was confirmed that Nick is expecting a tenth baby with his former partner Abby De La Rosa, 31, and then eleventh with Brittany Bell, 34.

Now as Nick awaits the arrival of his 11th baby, FEMAIL is shining a spotlight on the former America's Got Talent host's other children, who will soon be older brothers and sisters to two more babies.

Daughter Monroe and son Moroccan Scott, 11, with ex wife Mariah Carey

Nick and Mariah Carey tied the knot in 2008, and they welcomed the rapper's first kids on April 30, 2011 - a set of twins named Monroe and Moroccan Scott. The family is pictured in 2018

Nick and Mariah Carey tied the knot on in the Bahamas in 2008, and they welcomed the rapper's first kids on April 30, 2011 - a set of twins named Monroe and Moroccan Scott.

According to People, Monroe was named after late actress Marilyn Monroe, who was said to be an inspiration to Mariah. They decided not to give her a middle name since Mariah doesn't have one.

As for Moroccan, the idea for his name came from the Moroccan decor in Mariah's apartment, which is where Nick proposed to her.

His middle name, Scott, is also Nick's middle name and his grandmothers maiden name.

Back in December, in the wake of Zen's death, Nick spoke out about how hard it was for him to tell the twins, who are now 11 years old, about Zen's passing - but credited their support, especially Monroe, with helping him get through the tragedy.

He said Monroe is so 'so pure and so honest,' and called the 11-year-old his 'best therapist.'

'Having to explain that to [then]-10-year-olds ... is pretty intense,' he admitted to People.

'But their understanding and them being there for me probably helped me keep it together as well as really deal with it. Specifically, Roc and Roe. They were there for the entire journey.

'My daughter, really, she's so in tune and in line and wise beyond her years. I got a lot of therapists, but she's probably my best therapist.

'She keeps me in check. She's so pure and so honest. To be 10, she asks some really strong and powerful questions.

'Really, just it's all out of love. She's my oldest child. Even though they're twins, she came out first and she lets everybody know it. She's helped me keep it strong.'

Back in 2016, after the birth of his second son, Golden, Nick opened up about the twins' relationship with their younger sibling, and he revealed that they really enjoyed having a little brother.

'They love hanging out with him, and it is almost like they are more concerned about him having fun than them having fun,' he gushed to Entertainment Tonight.

'They are always trying to make them laugh, and he is walking now, so they are trying to get him all the toys.

'Watching that whole older sibling thing take place, they understand the responsibility of it. They understand that they can teach him things, so it is really cool.'

He also called them 'geniuses,' and admitted that he was not happy with how fast they were growing up.

'I'm fine with my son growing up. It's my daughter that I have a problem with,' he joked. 'I mean, shotgun's loaded.'

As for how he his ex Mariah were co-parenting the twins, he explained in 2016 that they had come to a place of 'understanding and unconditional love.'

'When you come from a place of understanding and unconditional love for so many things, you can't really go wrong,' he said.

'It would be very easy to throw our egos in - what we believe we want to do with our time and effort - but then you step back.

'When it comes to my kids, it is whatever they want at whatever time, and I build my schedule around it.

'Those children are the most important thing to both of us. It kind of turned her into this wonderful mother, that I feel like the world started to connect with her on that level.

'There will always be unconditional love and a great relationship. That is one of my best friends in life, so it is always going to be that.

'The fact that there is no bad blood and we can still coexist, I think that is the best place for it.'

Son Golden, five, and daughter Powerful Queen, one, with Brittany Bell

Nick and Phoenix Suns dancer Brittany Bell have son Golden, five, and daughter Powerful Queen, one, together. They are pictured here in 2021

After his split from Mariah, Nick dated Phoenix Suns dancer Brittany Bell on-and-off for years.

They welcomed a son together, named Golden Sagon, on February 21, 2017.

At the time, Nick gushed on Instagram, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!

'No matter how hard the world may hit you, God always reminds us of our purpose! Welcome to Earth, son. #TrueHappiness #Awakened.'

Reports came out that the couple had split after that, but in November 2020, they were seen walking hand-in-hand at his 33rd birthday celebration - with Brittany sporting a growing baby bump.

They then welcomed their second child, Powerful Queen, in December 2020.

'The best gift ever,' Brittany, who is also a model, shared on Instagram at the time.

'We have been surprised with A GIRL! Powerful Queen Cannon came this week, perfect timing for Christmas.

'So much more to share. All I can say is that Nick was my rock through the most intense yet empowering natural water birth.

'It was nothing but POWERFUL. Merry Christmas! THANK YOU GOD.'

One month later, Nick was asked by Power 106 radio hosts if her pregnancy had been an 'accident,' and he insisted that it was not.

'Im having these kids on purpose,' he said. 'I didnt have no accident. [There were] a lot of people that I couldve gotten pregnant that I didnt. You only live once.'

In December 2021, just after Powerful Queen's first birthday, the Masked Singer host couldn't stop raving over how smart she was on Instagram.

He shared a clip of her saying words like 'nose, cat, dog, and tree' while he held up flashcards for her.

'Wow! Look at this brilliant baby!' he captioned it. 'They got mad when we named her POWERFUL QUEEN! Yall lucky I didnt go with my other choice GENIUS EMPRESS!

'LOL. I cant take any of the credit here though! Thats all her amazing mommy.'

Sons Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, 11 months, with Abby De La Rosa

Nick and Abby De La Rosa, who is a DJ and broadcast professional, kept their relationship a secret until they announced that they were expecting twin boys together in April 2021

The boys - who they named named Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir - were born on June 14, 2021. They are pictured in December 2021

Nick and Abby, who is a DJ and broadcast professional, kept their relationship a secret until they announced that they were expecting twin boys together in April 2021.

'Our dearest sons - my miracle babies, thank you for choosing me to be your mommy,' Abby wrote on Instagram at the time, in a now-deleted post.

'I know the Lord has destined me and prepared me for the gift of not one but two little angels.

'I pray that God gives you both the strength to walk brave and boldly in your individual truth just like your daddy... That God bless you and your brother and guide you into living out your full purpose.

'Your dad and I will always be here for you both; in complete unison and support.

'No matter what this world may throw your way, know that forgiveness is key and what is for you - is for YOU! You both are already so loved and we can't wait to meet you both.'

The boys - who they named named Zion and Zillion - were born on June 14, 2021.

In an Instagram Q&A, Abby later revealed that she and Nick accidentally got pregnant in April 2020, but sadly, they lost that baby. Then, they became focused on getting pregnant again.

'First pregnancy, April 2020, was definitely not planned, but Nick was such a great friend to me and just so good to me, and then our focus became to have a baby,' she explained. 'Little did we know we would end up having twins.

'Let me just add that this planning wasn't like us sitting down with a calendar and being like, "You gotta be pregnant by this date." It had already been a thought and it happened.

'It had already been out there, it was something we were manifesting and we were just letting it flow.'

Now, they are gearing up to welcome their third child together, whose gender is unknown.

Newborn son Legendary Love with Bre Tiesi

Nick Cannon has become a father for the eighth time after welcoming his first child with model Bre Tiesi, 31, a baby boy named Legendary Love (pictured) - while still awaiting the arrival of his ninth baby with a fifth woman

Nick first revealed that he was expecting an eighth child with model girlfriend Bre, 31, back in January, when the couple were seen attending a gender reveal to celebrate the news that they were having a baby boy together.

He then shared the happy news on an episode of his since-canceled talk show The Nick Cannon Show, saying at the time: 'It's a boy! We found out yesterday. Everyone knows I have a lot of children. It's never a competition. Each one is special.'

Bre took to Instagram to announce the birth of the couple's son, Legendary Love, on Monday, revealing in a candid post that their baby had arrived in an 'all natural unmedicated home birth', while heaping praise on Nick for 'showing the f up' and being 'an amazing and supportive partner'.

'I did it,' she wrote, while sharing several black-and-white photos taken during her labor and birth. 'An all natural unmedicated home birth.

'This was the most humbling / limit pushing yet awakening and completely empowering experience. I cant thank my team enough for delivering my son safely. This experience has changed me forever and I couldnt [have] asked for a more amazing and supportive partner.

'Daddy showed the f up for us... I couldnt [have] done it without you. I cant believe hes here.'

Images taken during the birth show Nick caring for his partner during her labor, even taking a bath with her at one point, possibly to try and ease her contraction pain.

A photo of the proud mom and dad with their newborn baby also shows Nick cutting his son's umbilical chord, while wrapping a protective arm around his son and partner Bre, who also shared video footage from her birth on YouTube.

'The vlog of my birth is now live on my YouTube,' she revealed. 'I have documented my pregnancy, natural induction, labor, delivery as well as more information and resources for doulas midwifes and hypno birthing. Its real raw and I hope It helps anyone considering an unmedicated home birth.'

In her YouTube video, Bre documented her experience of labor, sharing clips of herself trying to work through the pain of her contractions and impending delivery - with Nick by her side the whole time.

The new mom revealed that the couple's son Legendary Love weighed 8lbs 10oz at birth and measured at 21 inches, adding in an intro slide: 'Trigger warning. This video is quite intense. It is my real and raw natural birth experience with a lot of screaming and [it] is a little graphic.

'Viewer discretion advised.'

She also revealed that the couple had something of a scare during the birth, explaining that her son had a 'long crown' because his hand was up by his ear when he was born - a condition known as nucal hand.

'So he needed a little respiratory support from [my midwife],' she wrote. 'I noticed he wasn't crying...'

Newborn daughter Onyx with LaNisha Cole

Adding to the brood: Nick Cannon made the surprise announcement that he had welcomed his ninth child with his tenth and 11th children still on the way as he shared this family snap featuring 40-year-old model and new mom Lanisha Cole

Nick Cannon made the surprise announcement that he had welcomed his ninth child with his tenth and 11th children still on the way

The actor, 41, shocked fans as he took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce that he had welcomed a child with 40-year-old model LaNisha Cole.

He shared a snap of the proud new parents with the bundle of joy - a daughter - with a lengthy caption which revealed the child's name is Onyx Ice Cole Cannon.

The lengthy caption began: 'Introducing ONYX ICE COLE CANNON Once again Today I am in Awe of the Devine Feminine! God has given me and @MissLanishaCole the privilege of hosting an Angel here on earth. I vow to protect, provide, guide and love this child to the best of my abilities.'

As he has impregnated several women over the years, he went on to explain that though he as skin thick enough to deal with the criticism, it doesn't exactly run in his family.

He wrote: 'As we all know I am not easily triggered and have quite tough skin and have always been an open book but not everyone in my family has that same level of strength. So I pray and ask others to please project all criticism and cynicism towards ME and not the loving and precious Mothers of my children.'

Nick was romantically linked to LaNisha in February 2021 as she shared a now deleted video of him in a room filled with balloons, however, they split at the end of the month.

LaNisha is an American fashion model who was best known for her eight seasons as a rotating model on The Price Is Right hosted by Bob Barker then Drew Carey.

She had been documenting her pregnancy journey since may but had not revealed the father of her child until Wednesday.

Son Zen with Alyssa Scott

Nick met Alyssa Scott when they both starred in MTV's Wild 'N Out. Years later - in January 2021 - they announced that they were having a baby together

Nick met Alyssa Scott when they both starred in MTV's Wild 'N Out. Years later - in January 2021 - they announced that they were having a baby together.

Their son, Zen, was born on June 23, 2021, with Alyssa writing at the time, 'I will love you for eternity.'

But when the baby was two months old, they noticed he had come down with a cough that wouldn't go away, and decided to have it checked out by doctors.

'I always noticed he had a cough and so I wanted to check it out,' Nick later said on The Nick Cannon Show.

'He had this interesting breathing and by the time he was two months, I noticed he had this nice sized head too, we called it a Cannon head.

'We didnt think anything of it, but I wanted to take him to the doctor for his sinus and breathing.'

After taking the newborn in for a 'routine' checkup, they were told he had a malignant tumor and needed emergency surgery immediately.

He had also developed hydrocephalus - a condition where fluid builds up in the cavities of the brain causing the head to increase in size and ultimately putting pressure on the brain.

He unfortunately passed away on December 5, 2021 - spending his last moments by the ocean.

He unfortunately passed away on December 5, 2021 - spending his last moments by the ocean

'He was the most loving. We called him Z Chilling. He was always smiling. He had the most beautiful spirit,' Nick said after his death.

On the Today show, Nick praised Alyssa - 'who carried a beautiful child for nine months and nurtured and cared for him every single day through this process' - for her 'strength.'

'[Alyssa] is strong,' he said. 'She is definitely one of the strongest individuals I've known.

'I couldn't imagine - I mean, as a father, it's painful, but for a mother who carried a beautiful child for nine months and nurtured and cared for him every single day through this process.

'There were so many medicines and so many trips to the hospital and the doctor, and also she's a mother-of-two so to watch her go through this...'

At the time, he said he was using his faith and therapy to get through the immense loss.

'I'm taking it - as my therapist says - five minutes at a time, but I'm optimistic in finding the purpose through all of the pain, so I'm attempting to smile, I'm attempting to be the high-frequency individual that I've set out to be, but along the way there's definitely some curves in the journey, so I'm taking it five minutes at a time.

'Honestly [there] was a lot of fear involved [in telling people about Zen's death]. I'm so used to being upbeat and outspoken and even vulnerable at times, where I'll talk about anything.

'But this was probably the most delicate and the most precious thing I've ever had to talk about.

'And I didn't know how to talk about it, I never imagined having to be in this scenario, so as much as it was such an outpouring of love, there was a lot of fear, there was obviously some hurt.

'I wanted to be the protector as well for all of the rest of my family, Alyssa and [everyone], so I wanted... It's a very delicate thing, even when talking about this.

At the time, he said he was using his faith and therapy to get through the immense loss

In January 2022, the star admitted that he was 'still missing his little dude' Zen, while sharing a throwback photo of Moroccan, Zion, Zillion, and Monroe sitting with him, as he held Zen

'And that's coming from a person who is used to talking to people each and every day live here on television. It's scary.'

After the tragic passing, Nick opened up about the 'guilt' he felt about having to divide his time between working and being a dad.

'I'm a father, first and foremost. There's a lot of guilt that I feel and I talk about this in therapy all the time,' he admitted.

'It's rooted in not having enough time to spend with my loved ones, specifically my children, because I have a lot of children.

'I'm also spread so thin in my work because that's how I cope. That's how I deal with things.

'I have several jobs and several shows and movies and music, all that stuff. And I call myself a provider for many, but one thing no matter how much money I generate, one thing I can't generate is time.

'It's not about quantity, it's about quality. And it's really just having quality moments with my children, quality moments with my family.

'Had a lot of quality moments with Zen in his short time here. I always say time is a manmade thing, but love and energy is a godsend.'

In January 2022, just days before his and Bre's gender reveal party, the star admitted that he was 'still missing his little dude' Zen in an emotional Instagram post.

'Still missing my little dude His spirit and brightness were so strong #ZensLight,' he captioned a throwback snap that showed Moroccan, Zion, Zillion, and Monroe sitting with him, as he held Zen.

He added: 'The whole family, we ALL miss you young King! Forever Our Angel!'
Millie Court looked incredible on Thursday evening as she headed out to celebrate pal Chloe Burrows' 27th birthday in London.

The Love Island winner, 25, displayed her physique in a low-waisted, pleated grey micro skirt - which she teamed with a pair of knee-high boots.

Posing up a storm for the night out, the blonde bombshell shared a sultry video to her 1.9M Instagram followers, penning: 'These boots are made for walking.'

'These boots are made for walking': Millie Court, 25, flaunted her incredible physique in a micro skirt and knee-high boots on Thursday night as she headed to Chloe Burrows' 27th birthday celebrations

Opting for a metallic look, Millie paired the ash grey skirt with a backless, chainmail crop top - which featured a halter-neck design.

While her boots matched with the metallic theme as they were adorned with a silver snake print and small heel.

The former fashion buyer finished the look with a matching silver shoulder bag and a dainty collection of bracelets.

Millie's signature shoulder-length blonde locks were styled in a soft wave, as she added a glam palette of makeup with a wispy lash and glossy lip.

Killing it: Opting for a metallic look, Millie paired the ash grey skirt with a backless, chainmail crop top as she posed with pal Lucinda Stratford

Metallic: The former fashion buyer finished the look with a matching silver shoulder bag and a dainty collection of bracelets as her blonde locks fell in a soft curl

Socials: Posing up a storm for the night out, the blonde bombshell shared a sultry video to her 1.9M Instagram followers, penning: 'These boots are made for walking'

Love Island pal Lucinda Stratford also joined in for the celebrations, donning cargo trousers and a bandeau top before changing to a bold zebra print mini dress.

While birthday girl Chloe caught the eye in a black feathered mini dress with a halter-neck and backless cut as she celebrated with the group of pals, which also included Mel B's daughter Phoenix Brown.

The group headed to STK Steakhouse, where they rented out the restaurants private bowling alley - which features it's own bar and requires a minimum spend of 1500.

But as they tried their hand at bowling, Millie had a slight incident - making her way to the floor after taking her shot.

Activity night: The group headed to STK Steakhouse, where they rented out the restaurants private bowling alley

Uh oh: But as they tried their hand at bowling, Millie had a slight incident - making her way to the floor after taking her shot

Heading up to bowl with confidence, the reality star took her shot and was overcome with excitement as it hit a couple of pins, jumping in the air before hugging a pal.

During the display of elation, she took a tumble while jumping and landed flat on the floor facing stomach-down, before her pal leaped to help her up again - as the rest of the group burst into laughter'.

'No because when I say i'm crying,' wrote friend Daisy Rose as she shared a video of the hilarious moment.

Man down: After taking her shot, Millie then took a tumble while jumping and landed flat on the floor facing stomach-down, before her pal leaped to help her up again - as the rest of the group burst into laughter'

Star of the show: Birthday girl Chloe caught the eye in a black feathered mini dress with a halter-neck and backless cut as she celebrated with the group of pals

Millie's night out came on the same evening that her ex-boyfriend, Liam Reardon, took to Thorpe Park's Fright Night event.

The Welsh hunk was spotted at the theme park with a mystery female companian as they enjoyed the park's rides.

Liam and Millie called time on their relationship back in July after winning last year's series of Love Island, with Liam already filming for the upcoming season of Celebs Go Dating.

But despite the quick move to date again and a wave of rumours that he cheated during their relationship, Millie recently confirmed the split was amicable - with no infidelity involved.

Exes: Millie's night out came on the same evening that her ex-boyfriend, Liam Reardon, took to Thorpe Park's Fright Night event with a female +1
Hollyoaks actors Claire Cooper and her husband Emmett Scanlan have been forced to close down their bakery - after running out of dough.

The couple, who played Brendan Brady and Jacqui McQueen in the hit Channel 4 show opened the Doughnut Whisperer in Chester last year, where the soap is set.

However, the pair have been forced to temporarily close down the business due to the current economic crisis.

Economic crisis: Hollyoaks stars Claire Cooper and her husband Emmett Scanlan have been forced to close down their Chester bakery - after running out of dough

A message posted on the firm's website on Friday said: 'It's with a heavy heart that we will be closing our doors, due to the current economic crisis that the UK is facing.

'Unfortunately it has forced our hand to step back. We've met incredible customers along the way.which always makes a decision such as this so much harder.'

The announcement comes months after Claire said opening the shop was a 'dream come true'.

Treats: The announcement comes months after Claire said opening the shop was a 'dream come true'

Speaking to Cheshire Live: 'We always dreamed of opening up a small drop in shop, somewhere cosy and inviting, a place where you can swing by and stock up on your doughnuts for the weekend so it's great to have achieved that dream.

'Like all new businesses we have had to find our groove and there are always complications along the way, but we're proud to have overcome any that have presented themselves.'

In July the couple announced that they were expecting their second child together.

The pair took to their respective Instagram accounts on Tuesday evening to confirm their jovial news.

The couple, who already share a 23-month-old son Ocean-Torin Scanlan, shared a snap of Claire posing in a field as she showed off her blossoming baby bump.

Closure: The couple posted a message to the businesses account on Friday

Congratulations The coupe announced in July that they were expecting their second child together

Baby: Irish actor Emmett, 43, and his wife Claire, 41, both took to their respective Instagram accounts to confirm their jovial news

Alongside the picture, Claire, who is best known for starring as Jacqui McQueen on Hollyoaks, penned: 'Our family is growing.'

While Emmett, who previously played Brendan Brady on the soap opera, captioned the photograph on his Instagram grid: 'Incoming. #ScanClan.'

Their celebrity pals and fans were quick to flock to the comments sections of both of their posts to congratulate the happy couple on their baby news.

Gemma Atkinson, who starred as Lisa Hunter on Hollyoaks, wrote: 'Beautiful  such lovely news! Congratulations x

Pregnant: The couple, who already share a 23-month-old son Ocean-Torin Scanlan, shared a snap of Claire posing in a field as she showed off her blossoming baby bump

Roxanne McKee, who plays Louise Summers on Hollyoaks, said: 'Joy.'

Doctor Who star Mandip Gill gushed: 'Congratulations to you all. That is such beautiful news xxxxxxxxx.'

Nadine Mulkerrin, who plays Cleo McQueen in Hollyoaks, added: 'Awww beautiful.'

While producer Roma Downey penned: 'So happy for you guys.'

And Anna Friel simply commented: 'Congratulations.'

Overjoyed: Their celebrity pals and fans were quick to flock to the comments sections of both of their posts to congratulate the happy couple on their baby news
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and his wife Nicola ensured they were as inconspicuous as possible as they arrived at Victoria Beckham's debut show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

The couple, who married in Florida in April this year, slipped through a back entrance in a bid not to attract attention amid ongoing rumours of a family feud.

Aspiring chef Brooklyn, 23, and actress Nicola, 27, arrived in a black Mercedes people carrier before heading inside to meet Brooklyn's fashion designer mother Victoria, 48.

Low-key: Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and his wife Nicola ensured they were as inconspicuous as possible as they arrived at Victoria Beckham 's debut show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday

The pair turned up at the show half an hour early to show their support for the former Spice Girl.

They wished Victoria luck with 'lots of hugs' when they were reunited with all their family for the first time since this summer, said a source in the room.

Afterwards, the family got together to celebrate with cocktails, as a source said: 'There were a lot of smiles and a lot of love in the room, it was a lovely family atmosphere.'

Arrival: Aspiring chef Brooklyn, 23, and actress Nicola, 27, arrived in a black Mercedes people carrier before heading inside to meet Brooklyn's fashion designer mother Victoria, 48

Family affair: Victoria was reunited with her eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola (left) at her debut PFW show as the couple attended and even came EARLY to wish her luck (L-R: Brooklyn, Nicola, Romeo Beckham, British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enniful, Harper Beckham, David Beckham and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna WIntour)

Victoria couldn't hold back her tears as she broke down while taking to the runway of her Paris Fashion Week debut show - hugging her husband David.

The star was overwhelmed as she reached out to give a hug to David - who sat in the front row to support her, alongside their three youngest children - Harper Seven, 11, Romeo, 20, and Cruz, 17.

Victoria took to Instagram to share a picture of her loved ones, including Brooklyn and Nicola.

Arrival: Aspiring chef Brooklyn and actress Nicola arrived in a black Mercedes people carrier before heading inside

Fans were in the dark about whether Brooklyn and Nicola would be at the show amid claims of a fall-out between Victoria and Nicola.

Reports of the feud have been rife for weeks, with Brooklyn's wife adding fuel to the fire by claiming her mother-in-law 'blanked' her 'for days' during the design process of her wedding dress in a Grazia interview.

It was thought the show was a chance to patch things up for the family, with reports that she and David have reached out to sort things.

Differences aside: The couple, who married in Florida in April this year, slipped through a back entrance in a bid not to attract attention amid ongoing rumours of a family feud

A source said: 'Frankly, the most interesting thing about Nicola is that she married into the Beckham clan. David and Victoria have both reached out to her to try and make peace, and find a way to get along.

'David and Victoria would love to spend more time with their son and his wife, and be given the opportunity to welcome her into the fold, especially given that Brooklyn practically lives with his parents-in-law.'

Initially, rumours of a rift began as Nicola did not wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress - which she claimed during the interview was her original plan, before being told the designer's atelier could not make her a dress.

Emotional: Fashion designer Victoria was overcome with emotion as she took to the catwalk, holding her head in her hands

Too much: Victoria took to the runway at the end of the show, and appeared overcome with emotion during the appearance as she stopped at the front row to embrace family and friends

Support system: Reaching into the audience as she stopped halfway down the catwalk, a teary Victoria clung on to David - as best pal Eva Longoria also reached out for a supportive cuddle

In the bombshell Grazia interview, she revealed: 'We connected to start designing the dress, and then a few days went by and I didn't hear anything. Victoria called my mom and said her atelier couldn't make it.'

Doting husband Brooklyn made his position clear amid the family feud, telling the publication that Nicola is his 'number one priority' and that they 'have each other's back 100 per cent'.

But insiders have said Nicola is pushing a 'false narrative', leaving Victoria 'bemused' as to why she keeps 'stoking the rumours of a feud' rather than shutting them down.
Former Victorias Secret model Joy Corrigan left little to the imagination while shooting a vintage-Chanel-style campaign for What Goes Around Comes Around on Thursday.

The 27-year-old actress, model, and now fashion designer took advantage of the streets of Beverly Hills and used them as her own personal runway in a slew of pictures that highlighted her toned tummy and long legs.

The photoshoot sought to re-create a classic Chanel black-and-white look that encapsulated old Hollywood and California cool all in one.

Class act: Former Victorias Secret model Joy Corrigan left little to the imagination while shooting a vintage-Chanel-style campaign for What Goes Around Comes Around on Thursday

Corrigan wore a short leather jacket un-buttoned and a short-gathered skirt that accentuated her long legs in lace-up heels.

The beautys impeccable abs were on full display as she removed her top, revealing a sheer bra that hugged her tight frame.

Corrigan embellished her outfit by adding oversized black-and-white retro sunglasses as she carried a round, quilted Chanel bag that appears on the stores website under Shop vintage Chanel.

Leggy lady: The 27-year-old model took advantage of the streets of Beverly Hills and used them as her own personal runway in a slew of pictures that highlighted her toned tummy and long legs

Short and sweet: Corrigan wore a short leather jacket un-buttoned and a short-gathered skirt that accentuated her long legs in lace-up heels

Vintage Chanel: Corrigan embellished her outfit by adding oversized black-and-white retro sunglasses as she carried a round, quilted Chanel bag

Joy is a natural in front of the camera, and oozed sex appeal, reminding us of another blonde bombshell who once took Hollywood by storm: Marilyn Monroe.

Adorned from head to toe in thoughtfully curated luxurious accessories, Joy personifies todays Hollywood glam.

Keeping her hair and makeup simple with pink pouty lips, the emphasis was on her body and outfit.

Timeless: Joy is a natural in front of the camera, and oozed sex appeal, reminding us of another blonde bombshell who once took Hollywood by storm: Marilyn Monroe

Playful: Adorned from head to toe in thoughtfully curated luxurious accessories, Joy personifies todays Hollywood glam

The stunning entrepreneur and entertainer who recently launched her clothing line for men and women called NakedSpecies proved that there is indeed something magical about the West Coast.

Two weeks ago the beauty made a statement on the runway at Kourtney Kardashian's Boohoo show during the New York Fashion Week and has been seen walking the streets of Manhattan recently.

She has also recently shared many photos and videos of herself working out in various ensembles from Alo Yoga.

Struttin her stuff: Keeping her hair and makeup simple with pink pouty lips, the emphasis was on her body and outfit
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Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn and his partner Jennifer Holland shared intimate snaps of their star-studded wedding to their respective social media accounts on Friday.

The 56-year-old filmmaker and the 34-year-old actress were joined by crowds of their friends and family - including James' brother Sean Gunn - during the celebratory event.

They shared an array of photographs from the romantic outdoor wedding ceremony and the fun-filled reception, where they were joined by the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy - including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Karen Gillan.

Sharing the moment: James Gunn and Jennifer Holland shared several photos that had been taken during their wedding ceremony to their respective Instagram and Twitter accounts on Friday

The smitten couple also penned lengthy messages in their posts' captions to express their feelings about tying the knot.

Gunn wore a sharp-looking dark green jacket and a matching pair of pants during the wedding ceremony, which was officiated by his actor brother Sean.

The filmmaker completed his look with a stark white button-up shirt and a dark red tie.

He was also pictured while wearing a navy suit and a patterned shirt in one of the snaps.

There they are: They were joined by the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy - including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, and Chukwudi Iwuji

Star-studded event: The 56-year-old director and the 34-year-old actress were joined by several of their friends, family members and collaborators during the celebratory event

All dressed up: Gunn wore a sharp-looking dark green jacket and a matching pair of pants during the wedding ceremony, which was officiated by his actor brother Sean Gunn

Holland looked radiant while wearing a sheer white lace dress at the celebratory event.

She added elements of shine to her look with a sparkling set of earrings.

The Peacemaker actress' beautiful blonde hair paired perfectly with the bright tone of her wedding dress.

Several cast members from the DC Comics-based series Peacemaker and Guardians of the Galaxy were in attendance at the reception, hosted at Flula Borg.

Color coordination: The director's outerwear also featured a navy blue lapel that paired well with the dominant color of his outfit

Good friends: Several cast members from the DC Comics-based series, including John Cena and Steve Agee, were in attendance at the wedding

Having fun: Other guests included Guardians of the Galaxy's David Dastmalchian and Daniela Melchior, Suicide Squad's Flula Borg, Nathan Fillion and Daniela Melchior

Lady in white: Holland looked radiant while wearing a sheer white lace dress at the celebratory event

Accessories: She added elements of shine to her look with a sparkling set of earrings

One picture showed the newlyweds grinning with Marvel stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, and Chukwudi Iwuji.

Another snap saw the couple partying with Peacemaker's John Cena, Steve Agee and Nhut Le, as well as Johanna Braddy and stuntman Wayne Dalglish.

Other guests included Guardians of the Galaxy's David Dastmalchian and Daniela Melchior, Suicide Squad's Flula Borg, Nathan Fillion and Daniela Melchior.

The happy couple's wedding cake was decorated with a custom-made Funko Pop set that represented the pair.

The duo's ceremony was also briefly interrupted by the arrival of a moose, although they did not seem to mind.

Lovely locks: The Peacemaker actress' beautiful blonde hair paired perfectly with the bright tone of her wedding dress

In attendance: The couple was joined by several of their friends and family members

Party favors: The happy couple's wedding cake was decorated with a custom-made Funko Pop set that represented the pair

Wedding crasher: The duo's ceremony was also briefly interrupted by the arrival of a moose, although they did not seem to mind

Gunn began his message by affectionately describing Holland as the 'love of his life.'

The filmmaker then described the event as having taken place during 'an incredible, beautiful, stunning day surrounded by the most wonderful family and friends in the world.'

The director went on to express that his now-wife did not want him to look at their custom Funko Pops prior to the ceremony.

Not mincing words: Gunn began his message by affectionately describing Holland as the 'love of his life'

Happy: The filmmaker then described the event as having taken place during 'an incredible, beautiful, stunning day surrounded by the most wonderful family and friends in the world'

Superstitious: The director went on to express that his now-wife did not want him to look at their custom Funko Pops prior to the ceremony

'Jenn wouldn't let me see them before the wedding because her dress was too perfectly done,' he wrote.

Holland began her message by expressing her gratitude to her husband for his devotion over the years.

'Thank you for sharing your love, life and family with me. Thank you for choosing me, for elevating me, and for always making me belly laugh. Here's to many more years to follow the first extraordinary 7,' she wrote.

She then wrote that 'I got married surrounded by the most beautiful humans, the most magical scenery, and endless love and laughter.'

Speaking her mind: Holland began her message by expressing her gratitude to her husband for his devotion over the years

Enjoying it: She then wrote that 'I got married surrounded by the most beautiful humans, the most magical scenery, and endless love and laughter'

Grateful: The performer went on to remark that she was particularly grateful for the individuals who made the ceremony happen

The performer went on to remark that she was particularly grateful for the individuals who made the ceremony happen.

'My gratitude is bursting at the seams. Thank you to every single staff member who worked so hard to make this event special for us and for our guests,' she wrote.

Holland made a point of stressing the elegance of the star-studded affair.

The actress wrote: 'It was so seamless and stunningly beautiful, I felt like I was in a movie.'
Model sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid were in good spirits as they posed with Harper Beckham at her mother's show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

The siblings could be seen smiling as the leant in towards Harper, 11, as the trio posed for a photo after the event.

Harper looked adorable and wore in a black dress with lace detail from her mother's collection, while she carried a black handbag.

All smiles: Model sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid were in good spirits as they posed with Harper Beckham at her mother's show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday

Harper wore a white pair of shoes and her light brown hair was styled into plaits for the afternoon.

Gigi, 27, look incredible as she wore a black blazer and flashed her toned midriff in the ensemble she wore on the catwalk during the show.

The look was completed with a pair of figure black trousers with thick white waistband

Preparation: Bella was ever the professional as she got ready to walk in the show backstage, where she was dressed and assisted before stepping out

She carried a small black clutch purse which featured a gold chain strap which rester over the back of her hand.

Bella, 25, showcased an incredible green frock from former Spice Girl Victoria's latest collection.

The supermodel's ensemble featured oversized shoulder pads and a ruched bodice which she wore over black PVC opera gloves.

Supermodels: Gigi (left) and Bella (right) turned up the heat as they hit the catwalk at Victoria Beckham's first Paris Fashion week show

Bella added extra height to her frame with matching black boots as she carried an oversized tasseled bag under one arm.

She was ever the professional as she got ready to walk in the show backstage, where she was dressed and assisted before stepping out.

Victoria shed a tear as she took to the catwalk at the end of her debut Paris Fashion Week show, where she was supported by her entire family, including husband David, 47, and her parents Jackie and Anthony Adams.

Family affair: Victoria, 48, was reunited with her eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola (left) at her debut PFW show as the couple attended and even came EARLY to wish her luck (L-R: Brooklyn, Nicola, Romeo Beckham, British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enniful, Harper Beckham, David Beckham and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna WIntour)

The ex pop star was overwhelmed as she reached out to give a hug to David after the show- who sat in the front row to support her, alongside their three youngest children - Harper Seven, 11, Romeo, 20, and Cruz, 17.

Victoria took to Instagram to share a picture of her loved ones, including Brooklyn and Nicola, who were rumoured to have been embroiled in a family feud.

Fans were in the dark about whether Brooklyn and Nicola would be at the show amid claims of a fall-out between Victoria and Nicola.

Emotional: Fashion designer Victoria was overcome with emotion as she took to the catwalk, holding her head in her hands

Reports of the feud have been rife for weeks, with Brooklyn's wife adding fuel to the fire by claiming her mother-in-law 'blanked' her 'for days' during the design process of her wedding dress in a Grazia interview.

It was thought the show was a chance to patch things up for the family, with reports that she and David have reached out to sort things.

A source said: 'Frankly, the most interesting thing about Nicola is that she married into the Beckham clan. David and Victoria have both reached out to her to try and make peace, and find a way to get along.

Too much: Victoria took to the runway at the end of the show, and appeared overcome with emotion during the appearance as she stopped at the front row to embrace family and friends

Support system: Reaching into the audience as she stopped halfway down the catwalk, a teary Victoria clung on to David - as best pal Eva Longoria also reached out for a supportive cuddle

'David and Victoria would love to spend more time with their son and his wife, and be given the opportunity to welcome her into the fold, especially given that Brooklyn practically lives with his parents-in-law.'

Initially, rumours of a rift began as Nicola did not wear a Victoria Beckham wedding dress - which she claimed during the interview was her original plan, before being told the designer's atelier could not make her a dress.

In the bombshell Grazia interview, she revealed: 'We connected to start designing the dress, and then a few days went by and I didn't hear anything. Victoria called my mom and said her atelier couldn't make it.'

Doting husband Brooklyn made his position clear amid the family feud, telling the publication that Nicola is his 'number one priority' and that they 'have each other's back 100 per cent'.

But insiders have said Nicola is pushing a 'false narrative', leaving Victoria 'bemused' as to why she keeps 'stoking the rumours of a feud' rather than shutting them down.
Gas-powered vehicles will soon be a thing of the past in New York.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently declared that the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars would be banned in 2035.

New York is the second US state to enact a ban on ICE vehicles following California's announcement to do the same on Aug. 25, per CNBC.

New York 2035 ICE Vehicle Ban Details

New York Gov. Hochul mentioned in her announcement that banning ICE vehicle sales within the state by 2035 is a "crucial regulatory step" to achieve a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the state's transportation sector.

According to the Governor's ban, all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in New York must produce no greenhouse emissions by 2035.

"New York is a national climate leader and an economic powerhouse, and we're using our strength to help spur innovation and implementation of zero-emission vehicles on a grand scale," Gov. Hochul said. "We're driving New York's transition to clean transportation forward, and today's announcement will benefit our climate and the health of our communities for generations to come."

If the ban goes through, Gov. Hochul's ban on new ICE vehicle sales can bring New York's greenhouse emissions reductions back to their previous level in 1990 by 2050, per Gizmodo.

A separate CNBC report also mentioned that the ban would help facilitate the drop in greenhouse emissions by as much as 85%.

Read More: Amazon Astro Robot Can Now Detect Pets, Recognize and Alert Owners of Issues at Home

Gov. Hochul's ICE vehicle ban is not without a good reason - a 2021 report from New York's Department of Environmental Conservation stated that the state produces around 106.92 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and other gases in a single year.

Although there are many contributing factors to the finding, transportation within New York is responsible for more than a quarter of the state's greenhouse gas emissions, with the sector producing 28% of the state's greenhouse gases.

How The Ban Will Work

Gov. Hochul stated that the ban would go into effect in phases. She mentioned that all new light-duty vehicles sold in the state are required to be electric vehicles (EVs) by 2026. Afterward, the percentage will be increased to 68% by 2030 until 203. By that time, all new vehicles sold within the state must be EVs.

The ban will also be accompanied by new state-created pollution standards for ICE vehicles manufactured from 2026 to 2034.

To ease the burden of making the transition from ICE vehicles to EVs, the state of New York will increase financial support for individuals and municipalities purchasing EVs.

To that effect, the state will add $10 million to its Drive Clean rebate program to incentivize more people to make the switch. As such, people and municipalities willing to undergo the transition from ICE vehicles to EVs can look forward to as much as $9,500 in rebates when purchasing an EV - $2,000 will come from New York's Drive Clean rebate program, and up to $7,500 will come from the federal tax rebate.

Related Article: AAA's Latest Study Finds Automatic Emergency Braking 'Insufficient' at Normal Driving Speeds
WASHINGTON (AP) - Methane escaping from the damaged Nord Stream pipelines that run between Russia and Europe is likely to result in the biggest known gas leak to take place over a short period of time and highlights the problem of large methane escapes elsewhere around the world, scientists say.

"From what I have seen this is an unprecedented loss to the atmosphere of fossil methane in a very short time from a concentrated source, said President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Marcia McNutt. She oversaw American government efforts to assess the breadth of the 2010 BP oil spill the gulf of Mexico.

Methane acts quickly to heat the Earth. The fact that it disappears faster from the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, "is probably small consolation to the citizens of Florida and other places who are already being hit by more frequent and more deadly tropical storms, supercharged by an ocean superheated by greenhouse gas releases to the atmosphere," McNutt said in an email.

There is still uncertainty in estimating total damage, but researchers say vast plumes of this potent greenhouse gas will have significant detrimental impacts on the climate.

Immediate harm to marine life and fisheries in the Baltic Sea and to human health will also result because benzene and other trace chemicals are typically present in natural gas, researchers say.

"This will probably be the biggest gas leak ever, in terms of its rate," said Stanford University climate scientist Rob Jackson.

In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard, a small release from Nord Stream 2 is seen, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. A fourth leak on the Nord Stream pipelines has been reported off southern Sweden. Earlier, three leaks had been reported on the two underwater pipelines running from Russia to Germany. (Swedish Coast Guard via AP)

The velocity of the gas erupting from four documented leaks in the pipelines - which the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has attributed to sabotage - is part of what makes the impacts severe.

When methane leaks naturally leaks from vents on the ocean floor, the quantities are usually small and the gas is mostly absorbed by seawater. "But this is not a normal situation for gas release," said Jackson. "We're not talking about methane bubbling up to the surface like seltzer water, but a plume of rushing gas," he said.

Jackson and other scientists estimate that between 50% and nearly 100% of total methane emitted from the pipeline will reach the atmosphere.

The Danish government issued a worst case scenario that assumed all the gas reached the air, and German officials Thursday issued a somewhat lower one.

In the meantime, it's nearly impossible for anyone to approach the highly flammable plume to attempt to curb the release of gas, which energy experts estimate may continue until Sunday.

"Methane is very flammable - if you go in there, you'd have a good chance of it being a funeral pyre," said Ira Leifer, an atmospheric scientist. If the gas-air mix was within a certain range, an airplane could easily ignite travelling into the plume, for example.

Methane isn't the only risk. "Natural gas isn't refined to be super clean - there are trace elements of other compounds, like benzene," a carcinogen, said Leifer.

"The amount of these trace elements cumulatively entering the environment is significant right now - this will cause issues for fisheries and marine ecosystems and people who potentially eat those fish," he said.

David Archer, a professor in the geophysical sciences department at University of Chicago who focuses on the global carbon cycle, said that escape of methane in the Baltic Sea is part of the much larger worldwide problem of methane emissions.

The gas is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for a significant share of the climate disruption people are already experiencing. That is because it is 82.5 times more potent than carbon dioxide at absorbing the suns heat and warming the Earth, over the short term.

Climate scientist have found that methane emissions from the oil and gas industry are far worse than what companies are reporting, despite claims by major companies that theyve reduced their emissions.

Scientists measuring methane from satellites in space have found that emissions from oil and gas operations are usually at least twice as high as what the companies reported, said Thomas Lauvaux, climate scientist at University of Reims in France.

Many of those so-called leaks are not accidental. Companies release the gas during routine maintenance. Lauvaux and other scientists observed more than 1,500 major methane leaks globally, and potentially tens of thousands of smaller leaks, using satellites, he said.

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AP reporters Patrick Whittle contributed from Portland, Maine, Seth Borenstein from Washington, DC., and Cathy Bussewitz from New York.

__

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.

In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard, the gas leak in the Baltic Sea from Nord Stream photographed from the Coast Guard's aircraft on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2022. A fourth leak on the Nord Stream pipelines has been reported off southern Sweden. Earlier, three leaks had been reported on the two underwater pipelines running from Russia to Germany. (Swedish Coast Guard via AP)

In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard, the gas leak in the Baltic Sea from Nord Stream photographed from the Coast Guard's aircraft on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2022. A fourth leak on the Nord Stream pipelines has been reported off southern Sweden. Earlier, three leaks had been reported on the two underwater pipelines running from Russia to Germany. (Swedish Coast Guard via AP)
Marvel is moving "Armor Wars" to the big screen. It was initially planned to be released as a TV series for Disney+, but according to Variety, Marvel decided to redevelop it into a feature film.

Don Cheadle will be reprising his MCU role as James "Rhodey" Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine in "Armor Wars."

'Armor Wars' To Follow the Events of 'Secret Invasion'

According to Gizmodo, "Armor Wars" was originally being developed as a series that was supposed to be released on Disney+. But Marvel has changed its plans and decided to turn it into a movie instead.

"Armor Wars" follows the story of Rhodes as his character faces the consequences of Tony Stark's tech falling into the wrong hands.

It is based on a seven-issue arc of Marvel Comics. The arc shares that same name, and it is within the story realm of Iron Man.

The Hollywood Reporter, the one who broke the news, said that Marvel Studios is committed to "getting the story told the right way and in that process realized that a feature was better suited for the project."

Yassir Lester, who was working as head writer on the series, remains attached to the project as the film's screenwriter. Lester is associated with Showtime's "Black Monday" and Apple TV+'s "Loot."

"Armor Wars" was previewed at the D23 Expo, which happened earlier this month in Anaheim. According to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, the project would follow the events of "Secret Invasion."

Cheadle detailed how "Armor Wars" and "Secret Invasion" are tied together. He said that War Machine got to confront Nick [Fury], and the two are "going to go at it all throughout this show."

As of writing, Marvel is not naming a director who will lead the project. Moreover, it is unclear when an "Armor Wars" feature would be included in the current MCU timeline.

Read Also: Disney+ Will Be Expanding in More Than 60 Countries, Including West Asia, Africa, and Europe

Marvel Considers to Begin Production in 2023

Initially, Marvel is considering beginning the production of the series in 2023. However, the people who have been preparing for the shoot were only notified of the change on Thursday, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Plot details of the "Armor Wars" project remain a mystery aside from the fact that it is expected to pick up after the events of "Secret Invasion," a Disney+ series where Rhodey will also make an appearance.

The project is expected to take after David Michelinie and Bob Layton's comic run. Its title "Armor Wars" came from Iron Man's storyline, which was published in 1987 and 1988.

According to Cheadle, he is done with his initial contractual obligations with Marvel Studios. However, he said that he is willing to welcome additional MCU projects.

Cheadle last appeared as Rhodes in 2021's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," where he earned a Primetime Emmy nomination.

This is not the first time Marvel has decided to change the direction of the show that it is developing. For instance, the studio initially planned to have Hawkeye as a feature film but the executive team eventually decided to redevelop it into a Disney+ series.

Related Article: Disney+ Day Films To See: 'Thor: Love and Thunder,' 'Frozen,' 'Remembering'
A file photo of DYFI activists getting hauled away by the police for protesting near the DGP office in Hyderabad on Sunday, demanding action against the accused in minor girl rape case. (Deepak Deshpande/DC)

HYDERABAD: Four juveniles whom the police had arraigned as accused in the Jubilee Hills gangrape case will be tried as adults while the fifth, son of a Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLA, will face trial as a juvenile.

A decision to this effect was taken on Friday by G. Radhika, principal magistrate of the Juvenile Board, after conducting a preliminary assessment of the physical and mental ability of the five children in conflict with law (CCL) to commit the offence and their knowledge of consequences of committing the crime.

However, in a startling development, board member Ayesha Fatima, in her report opined the CCL may have been lured by the welcoming approach of the victim and that they do not have legal education and hence unable to understand the legal consequences.

The principal magistrate differed with Fatimas observation and said in her order, Whether the victim lured the CCLs or not is an issue of fact and cannot be determined at this stage. She pointed out, This was only an inquiry to assess the physical and mental ability of the CCL to assess whether they understand the consequences or not.

With regard to the fifth juvenile, the magistrate opined that no preliminary assessment was conducted as the offences alleged against him are not heinous.

Opposition parties have been accusing the state government and the police of protecting the MLAs son by making light of his involvement in the crime and charging him with a less heinous crime. The police from the beginning took a stand that the legislators son had got down from the car before the victim was gangraped.

The board took the assistance of a professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health who remained unidentified. Following the due process, the principal magistrate, board member and the psychiatry professor interacted separately with each CCL and submitted their respective reports.

The principal magistrate found during her interaction that all the four were from rich backgrounds and enjoy cordial relations with their parents and siblings. One even wanted to do a barrister course in London, while another dreamt of studying architecture in Italy. No one consumes alcohol while one said that he was a casual smoker.

The psychiatry professor opined that the CCL have knowledge about consequences of the offence. The principal magistrate in her concluding remarks pointed out that the CCL were not under the influence of alcohol or other substances. There were no compelling circumstances in which they allegedly committed the offence.

Hence I am of the opinion that the CCLs should be tried as adults having regard to the gravity of the offence alleged against them.

She ordered the transfer of the case to the childrens court.
VIJAYAWADA: In a tragic incident, a devotee from Hyderabad visiting the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada on Friday died just before having his darshan.

The 57-year-old devotee G. Sri Rama Chandra Murthy had reached the temple at 11:20 a.m. for darshan. But he collapsed before he could have a glimpse of the Goddess.

NTR district health and medical officer Dr. M. Suhasini said doctors from the health camp set up atop the Indrakeeladri hill immediately examined the devotee and gave him basic life support. He was then shifted to Government General Hospital in an ambulance. Doctors there examined and declared Sri Rama Chandra Murthy as brought dead. The deceased was a diabetic and cardiac patient.

On the day, endowments Minister Kottu Satyanarayana inspected the queue lines of devotees on Friday. He got angry when he found police personnel taking their family members for darshan while a huge crowd of devotees had been waiting in the queue.

Ruling YSRC MLA and former minister Vellampalli Srinivas Rao too expressed anger as police allowed only his vehicle atop the hill while stopping the other three vehicles in his convoy. The MLA ended up creating a big scene, following which police allowed the remaining vehicles too.

Telangana animal husbandry minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav visited the Durga temple on Friday and performed poojas.
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Friday presented a cheque for Rs 52.48 lakh to the Yadadri Temple Development Authority (YTDA) for the purchase of gold required for gold plating of the gopuram. The money will cover the purchase of one kg and 16 tolas of gold, a votive of the Chief Minister.

Chandrashekar Rao and his family members visited the temple on Friday. On the occasion, Chandrashekar Raos grandson Himanshu, the son of minister K.T. Rama Rao, presented silk robes to Lord Narasimha Swamy, the presiding deity at the temple.

Later, while reviewing work at the temple, the CM directed officials to develop a Nrisimha Abhayaranyam (thick forest) on 100 acres. He instructed the authorities to grow plants whose flowers could be offered to the deity.

The CM also directed special chief secretary Ramakrishna Rao to release `43 crore for development of Yadadri immediately.

He directed the revenue department to hand over 2,157 acres of land to the YTDA. The land should be used for temple needs and house the premises of the police, fire station, health, transportation, parking and ancillary services.

A kalyana mandapam in the name of Ammavaru would be constructed on 50 acres. A drainage system to ensure not a single drop of water stagnates in the Ring Road and the temple are also part of the plans.

This apart, 250 cottages would be built on 250 acres; four types of accommodation with different spiritual designs are to be developed. They should be named after figures related to the history of the temple like Prahlada and Yada Maharshi. The construction of cottages and other areas should reflect the glory of the temple, he said.

Chandrashekar Rao directed officials to allocate houses for the temples priests and the staff in the YTDA land.

He advised the officials to immediately take Section 80G permits under the Income-Tax act related to tax exemption for donations offered by donors for the construction of cottages.

Construction of helipads should also be undertaken. Permissions were given for private constructions in the YTDA limits only after careful inspection, he said.
BENGALURU: Terming his Bharat Jodo Yatra as a voice of the nation and that no force can stop his padayatra, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he initiated the padayatra after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party curbed opposition voices in Parliament and media.

Delivering a speech in Gundlupet of Chamarajanagar while resuming his Yatra, Rahul Gandhi said opposition leaders are being harassed by the ruling party.

In a democracy, different institutions function but for opposition leaders all roads leading to these institutions including Parliament have been blocked by the ruling party and without any option I embarked on a padayatra, he alleged, and added, No force can stop us from holding padayatra.

Stating that his Yatra is aimed at Saving Democracy, Rahul Gandhi said people cutting across caste and religious lines met him and narrated their problems such as unemployment, price rise, atrocities on farmers, selling of public sector undertakings in the country. The entire Hindustan is sharing its problems with me, he said.

Leader of Opposition and Congress Siddaramaiah in his speech stated that communal politics and revenge politics have increased through the length and breadth of the country after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.

Nowadays, he said, dalits, backward class, farmers, minorities and women have been living in a state of fear.

Under the BJP, he accused, people of the country have been divided on caste and religious lines and called upon the people of the country to take-up responsibility to end such political atmosphere.

He asked people to be ready for making ''sacrifices'' to save democracy and in this effort to Save Democracy, not only the Congress party but also writers, intellectuals, civil society groups, farmer leaders, Communist of Party of India among others have made efforts in this direction. Siddaramaiah stated that It is a good sign.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president D.K. Shivakumar alleged BJP of indulging ikn tactics to curb the Congress and they do not fear such tactics.
National Tax Service (NTS) Commissioner Kim Chang-ki, left, poses with OECD Forum on Tax Administration Chair Bob Hamilton, center, and Australian Taxation Office Commissioner Chris Jordan, right, at the 15th Plenary meeting of the OECD Forum on Tax Administration held in Sydney, Australia, Thursday. At the meeting, tax commissioners discussed taxation policy for the post-pandemic era as well as international cooperation on digital taxation. Courtesy of NTS
Telangana BJP leader Dr Laxman said that the BJP in AP and the Jana Sena would jointly contest the AP elections (Photo: ANI)

HYDERABAD: Putting at rest all speculation, BJP senior leader Dr K. Laxman said that the BJP would not enter into a political alliance with the Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh. The BJP would continue its tie-up with actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena, said Dr Laxman, BJP MP and OBC Morcha chairman.

Interacting with mediapersons, Dr Laxman said that the BJP in AP and the Jana Sena would jointly contest the AP elections. Replying to a query, Dr Laxman said that the BJP would not ally with the TD in Andhra Pradesh.

Welcoming Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao's efforts to float a national party, Dr Laxman, who is also on the BJP Parliamentary Board, said the BJP would sweep the Telangana elections.

Explaining the BJP activities in Telangana, Dr Laxman stated that a number of MLAs and MPs representing the TRS were willing to join the BJP, sending shockwaves to Chandrasekhar Rao at a time he was launching a national political party.

"There are no groups in the BJP in Telangana. The BJP has taken up several programmes to fight against the TRS for implementing anti-people policies and corrupt activities, he said. He said the party had become close to the people by conducting a padayatra with its BJP Bharosa teams visiting all villages.



Dr Laxman said he had no regret at not getting a Union Cabinet portfolio. The BJP Parliamentary Board member is equal to a Union ministers post. I am the second person from the Telugu states appointed to the Parliamentary Board after M. Venkaiah Naidu, he pointed out.
Postgraduate students of Bangalore University staged a protest on Friday demanding that the Department of Social Welfare release the scholarship amount immediately.

Over 600 students of the final semester said that the department has not released the scholarships yet. "In another few months we are going out of the university completing our course, but there is no sign of the scholarship," said the protesting students.

The students have even submitted a representation to the vice-chancellor in this regard and requested him to co-ordinate with the department.
Twelve Chinese sailors have died and nine others are critically ill after a suspected case of food poisoning on board their vessel near Vietnam's southern Con Dao island, a rescue official and state media said Friday.

The Chinese-registered Wu Zhou 8 cargo vessel was on its way from Thailand to China when the 21 crew members fell ill, state media reported.

"We were told of 10 bodies on the vessel. All died because of food poisoning, we were told," an official involved in the rescue effort told AFP from Vietnam's southern Ba Ria Vung Tau province.

The cause of death was yet to be confirmed, he added.

Also Read  Another top Chinese official indicted on bribery charges ahead of CPC's key meeting

"We have sent our rescue ship, which is scheduled to reach the Chinese vessel late Friday night," said the official, who declined to be named.

Eleven other sailors were brought to hospital in an aircraft hired by the vessel's owner. Two died on the way, while nine are being cared for by Vietnamese medics on land.

State media said the Chinese vessel is now 63 nautical miles from Con Dao island.

On Thursday, seven bodies were found floating off Vietnam's southern Phu Quoc island.

They were believed to be from a boat that sank off Cambodia's coast last week with 41 Chinese people on board.
A suicide bomber on Friday blew himself up in an open field situated close to a mosque, minutes before the jumma prayers in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said.

The attacker detonated a hand grenade before exploding his suicide vest, which killed him on the spot, district police officer Irfanullah said.

Also Read | At least 19 killed in suicide bombing at Kabul education centre

However, no one else was hurt or injured in the blast.

The incident took place in Mardan district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Earlier this week, a suicide bomber attacked a Pakistani military convoy in the province, injuring at least 21 soldiers.

There has been an uptick in such attacks by militants in the tribal districts bordering Afghanistan in recent times, despite the ceasefire committed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday told Congress president Sonia Gandhi that the Rajasthan government will fall if the leadership intends to replace him with his bete noire Sachin Pilot in the run-up to the party presidential election.

Sources said Gehlot said the MLAs were angry and upset with Pilot, a vindictive and arrogant leader who had attempted to overthrow the Congress government despite being the state chief. Gehlot made the remarks during his 100-minute meeting with Sonia before announcing that he was not contesting the organisational polls.

Read | Gehlot magic doesnt work with Sonia, bows out of contest

Gehlot was Sonias choice for the party chiefs post and he had even announced he would file the nominations but incidents in Jaipur on Sunday ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meeting to authorise her to decide on the chief minister led the leadership to seethe in anger, as they construed it as rebellion.

At the meeting, sources said, Gehlot apologised to Sonia for the developments but insisted that he did not engineer it. Though Gehlot made it clear that Pilot does not have room in Rajasthan Congress or government, sources said the central leadership was of the view that his public apology and statement on Sonia deciding the chief minister were adequate.

Read | Congress says decision on Rajasthan CM in a day or two

As Congress general secretary K C Venugopal made it clear that Sonia might decide on the chief minister, sources said the leader who has the support of the majority of MLAs will be at the helm, indicating that Gehlot will continue. Sources said the central leadership will also try to compensate Pilot with some responsibility at the national level.

Gehlot told Sonia that he cannot leave Rajasthan and that if the leadership is given to Pilot, the government will fall. He also claimed that Pilot would leave the party and cited instances of rebellion in the past as well as the support he enjoyed  102 against Pilot and 18 others.

If the observers  Mallikarjun Kharge and Ajay Maken  gave an accurate report on the developments in Jaipur, the party would have benefitted. But Maken had refused to meet Gehlot after MLAs did not turn up for the CLP meeting.

Sources said Gehlot felt that a formula  Pilot being the Chief Minister and current Speaker CP Joshi to become Finance Minister  was being considered. He said whenever there were political developments, people floated names and it happened this time too.

He also tried to impress upon Sonia that the BJP had tried to wean away MLAs offering Rs 10-50 crore, sources added.
The auto driver from Ahmedabad who hosted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his home for dinner during his Gujarat visit turns out to be a BJP supporter.

In videos circulated on social media, the auto driver, Vikram Dantani, was seen at a BJP rally. He can be heard saying, "I am a BJP supporter ever since I learned how to cast vote."

He denied any association with the AAP and backtracked from his statement that he liked Kejriwal.

Dantani said he had invited Kejriwal for dinner as the auto-rickshaw union had asked him to do so and not out of choice.

On September 12, Kejriwal reached Dantani's house in his auto-rickshaw in violation of the chief minister's security protocol and had dinner.

At that time, Dantani had told reporters that he was not "tutored", he had invited Kejriwal because he liked him and he had seen a video of an auto-driver inviting Kejriwal for dinner in Punjab.
Women's hair is intimately connected to sexuality and order, which is why most medieval cultures insist on it being covered. In fact, in India, upper caste Hindu widows used to have their hair tonsured compulsorily to make them less attractive. Today's Iran is seeing the opposite; protesting women are tonsuring and cutting their hair of their own volition. What is going on?

The hijab controversy in Iran and India are mirror images of each other. In one place, the dominant state punishes women for removing hijabs. In another place, the hegemonic society and courts punish women for wearing hijabs.

What does hijab mean? Women are the repository of honour, order, pleasure and reproduction in a patriarchal society. This makes female sexuality a very precious asset. Like any other capital- money, land, gold - it has to be controlled for effective use.

Sexuality is an asset that women possess, but do not always own. Katherine Mckinnon says sexuality is to feminism what labour is to Marxism. That what is most one's own, and yet, is most alienated. Workers' labour is sold to and owned by capitalists. Women's bodies and their sexuality, which is the most intimate part of their being, are owned, bartered and sold by men. The economy is based upon labour, as without labour, there is no production or surplus or profits. Similarly, society as a whole depends upon women's sexuality for its survival and continuation. Without it, there is no reproduction, no family.

To understand Iran's mullahs, it is useful to see the motivations of our own society. Apart from electoral considerations, why is the Hindu right trying to keep the hijab out of schools and colleges? Because the mere presence of hijab-clad girls is evidence that a 'contradictory other' exists in our society and threatens the 'ontological security' of the majority, as we say in International Relations. This means it tells a different story about the universe than my own and thus challenges my faith and very being. Similarly, the removal of the Hijab in Iran threatens the theological state's ontological security.

Women represent the honour of the community. In Iran, since the state is involved, this means not just the honour of the state but its very survival, because a rejection of the hijab is a rejection of the regime itself. In fact, the desire for uncovered hair is an acceptance of the West and modernity. In India, too, since the community's honour lies in its women, the removal of the hijab is a conquest of the minority. Moreover, the hijab makes Muslim women less accessible than Hindu women.

This fear about accessibility lies at the heart of the love jihad controversy, which in this sense is the twin of the hijab controversy but directed at Muslim men, and surreptitiously at Hindu women. It reflects the anxiety about Hindu women becoming independent and going out of the control of clan and community, and at the same time, by choosing their own partners, these educated Hindu women seem to be more accessible to Muslim and Dalit men.

State and religion both want the same thing - order in society. Desirable women create chaos and infighting, i.e. Fitna. That is why Kunti asked Draupadi to be shared, so that her sublime sexuality would not cause infighting and division between the Pandavas. A similar belief drives the Iranian state, wherein keeping women covered is key to the stability of the state. Women's hair and polity are thus intricately braided together.

Women may choose to wear hijab for reasons of faith, security, modesty or habit. In Shah's Iran and in Ataturk's Turkey, just as in India today, many women chose to stay at home rather than discard their veils. Women's choices should be key and not a source of punishment.

Maybe it is time to recognise women as humans. Or else, as the Marathi Vidrohi poet Sharan Kumar Limbale says, "Prisons will expand. As I will not contain in prisons, schools, colleges, homes will become prisons. And thenyou too will become a prison. What do you prefer? To create so many prisons or to accept me as a human?"

(Sameena Dalwai is a Professor at the Jindal Global Law school, and Mohsin Raza Khan is a Professor at the Jindal School of International Affairs)

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
Alleging that the Congress encouraged terrorist and Naxal activities, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Nalin Kumar Kateel exclaimed that Congress itself should be banned.

He was reacting to Congress leaders demand to ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the wake of the Centres ban on Popular Front of India (PFI).

Congress was responsible for the countrys partition, and it encouraged terrorist activities by not taking action against such activities. It did not take strong action against anti-national activities when it was in power. Mahatma Gandhi wanted the Congress to be disbanded after getting Independence, but it did not do it. The RSS is a patriotic organisation, Kateel said.

Congress should make its stand clear on terrorist activities, Kateel said on Thursday, and that if he has the guts, Siddaramaiah should say that he does not need Hindu votes.

Kateel was also dismissive of Rahul Gandhis mass outreach campaign Bharat Jodo Yatra, saying the Congress leader should visit Kodagu, where the people would tell him about the atrocities of Tipu Sultan.

Taking a swipe at Congress governments in Centre, Kateel said that the yatra was entering Karnataka through roads developed under Atal Bihari Vajpayees government and not during the regime of Gandhis family members.

Rahul is walking with Siddaramaiah who divided the society by celebrating Tipu Jayanti, and D K Shivakumar who went to jail, the BJP leader said.
Mayor Iresh Anchatgeri invited the Oppositions ire on Friday when he chaired the Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagara Palike (HDMP) general body meeting without wearing his mayoral gown.

The Hubballi-Dharwad mayor had to adjourn the meeting amidst mounting chaos, as the members of the Opposition remained firm in their demand that the meeting could only properly begin once Anchatgeri donned his gown.

Although Anchatgeri is said to have given up the practice of wearing the gown while receiving constitutional authorities, this was the first general body (council) meeting where he appeared without the garb. This was also the first such act of a mayor defying protocol in the history of the HDMP.

Alleging that Anchatgeri was showing disrespect to the post of mayor by breaking tradition, Congress and AIMIM corporators argued with him, staged protest and raised slogans. Anchatgeri suggested they take up the condolence motion first, and to discuss other issues later.

The Opposition, however, continued the protest. After the mayor adjourned the meeting for while, a few Bharatiya Janata Party corporators also held talks with him.

Even after the meeting resumed after an hours recess, the protest against him not wearing the gown continued, and Anchatgeri had to adjourn the meeting sine die.

Congress corporators continued their agitation in the meeting hall and sat there in protest for a couple of more hours.

Anchatgeri later said that a mayor wearing a gown is British culture, and announced that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has asked him to stop this practice.

The chief minister has assured to issue an order not to wear the gown and the order is expected within a week. There is no rule which says that the mayor should wear the gown. We had to do away with irrelevant British practices one by one, Anchatgeri said.

According to him, mayors of Shivamogga and several places in other states have stopped wearing the gown. I came to know about this recently, and I stopped wearing the gown after the chief minister asked me to do so. A memorandum to put an end to the gown culture is also submitted to the government, he announced.

Anchatgeri also said that he would resume wearing the gown only if the government rejects his request and asks him to wear the gown compulsorily.

Anchatgeri wore the gown when he became the mayor on May 28; he was in the customary gown while chairing council meetings in June, July and August.

However, he didnt wear it while receiving the chief minister at the airport on September 4, or when he welcomed President Droupadi Murmu at the airport on September 26. He was also without the mayoral gown when he accorded a civic honour to President Murmu during an event.
Released: September 29, 2022

Delco Arts Week being held October 1 through October 9

Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer joined members of the Delaware County Arts Consortium on State Street in Media on September 27 to present a resolution declaring October 1-9 to be the 4th annual Delco Arts Week.

During this week, 65 different performances, exhibits, workshops, concerts, tours, and other events will be taking place at over 30 venues throughout Delaware County.

Delaware County is rich in culture, and we have many talented artists and performers who enhance the fabric of our community, said Vice Chair Schaefer. The arts are thriving in Delaware County, and Delco Arts Week brings an exciting assortment of art, music, theater, and dance, to our community.

Some of the events include productions at the Hedgerow Theater, Media Theatre, the Players Club of Swarthmore, and Villanova Theatre, performances by the Delaware County Symphony, cellist Jason Calloway, a Musical Instrument Petting Zoo along the Chester Waterfront, an Art Gallery at the Darlington Arts Center, free admission to the Brandywine River Museum of Art, an Arts on the Avenue Festival in Lansdowne, and more.

A complete list of the events planned during Delco Arts Week can be found at http://delcoarts.org/

The Delaware County Arts Consortium, formed in 2009, has representatives from ten different Delaware County organizations and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. They strive to advance the economic vitality of the nonprofit arts and culture community and promote the value of Delaware Countys cultural resources to the local community and beyond.

The group has worked to create Delco Arts Week to showcase the arts in Delco and engage and introduce residents to the many unique artistic venues and experiences that Delaware County has to offer.
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho speaks during an event held at the annual congress of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, the Philippines, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance





By Anna J. Park







Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho has been elected as the chair for next year's annual Asian Development Bank (ADB) conference, which is slated to be held in May.







According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Friday, Choo was elected to take the chairmanship position for next year's annual ADB meeting during a two-day ADB annual congress held Sept. 28 and 29 in Manila, the Philippines.







Since ADB's establishment in 1966 to promote and support the economic and social development of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Korea has so far hosted two annual congresses: in Seoul in 1970 and on Jeju in 2004. Incheon's hosting of the annual ADB event next year will be the third time for Korea to invite dozens of ADB member countries.







"Korea plans to fully prepare for the ADB annual congress next year, aiming to provide a common place for Asian countries to take another leap forward, while countries overcome the uncertainties of the global economy and reconnect with one another," Choo said in a speech in Manila on Thursday.







The finance minister also shared his thoughts on ADB's role in cooperation for sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.







"The sustainable growth of the member countries should be based on so-called 'soft infrastructure,' meaning problem-solving knowledge accumulated in diverse areas," Choo said. "Private sectors' proactive participation should be encouraged to raise the target capital of $100 billion necessary for climate finance by 2030."







In a congratulatory message, ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said next year's annual congress in Korea will be a significant juncture for member countries' economic recovery.







"Korea's vast facets of development experience, ranging from the K-pop sector to its successful transformation from a previous recipient country until 1988 to a donor country, could be shared among member countries at next year's congress," the ADB president said.


Released: September 29, 2022

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor participated in the "Communities in Action: Building a Better Pennsylvania" event at the White House in Washington, DC on September 29.

Dr. Taylor, who was one of 40 participants, detailed the impact that federal investments are making in Delaware County to White House staff. "Communities in Action: Building a Better Pennsylvania" is part of a new series featuring local elected officials and community leaders discussing their work to create opportunities and improve the lives of the people in the communities they serve.

Dr. Taylor cited the broad impact federal support is having on some of the most important issues facing Delaware County, including key public safety and health programs, creating opportunity for every resident, and long-term investments in the county's infrastructure. Delaware County, with the assistance of the policies and programs of the Biden-Harris Administration, is making rapid progress toward solutions for some of the most important issues facing our county and our residents.

Among the programs Dr. Taylor highlighted:

Expanding Public Health Infrastructure. The 2022 Recovery Plan included $26M to support the establishment and operations of the new Delaware County Health Department (DCHD). Delaware County had been the largest county in Pennsylvania without its own health department to guide decision making and expand access to services.

Increasing the supply of quality, affordable housing. Delaware County is working to increase access to quality, affordable housing by making an initial investment of $750,000 in the Delaware County Redevelopment Authority to institute Blight, Remediation, and Redevelopment programming, creating an ACT 135 Pilot Program to transition commercial and residential properties from being vacant or abandoned hazards into useful, productive community contributors and establishing a land bank to ensure land is being used in the most productive way.

Improving public safety by supporting returning citizens. Delaware County allocated nearly $900,000 in American Rescue Plan funds over two years to fund five non-attorney advocates from Partners for Justice embedded in the Public Defenders Office as part of an overall plan to reduce jail time and recidivism by addressing the underlying social service needs of the justice-impacted community. The Delaware County Workforce Development Board also received $1.5M in funding from the Department of Labors Employment and Training Administration to provide training and employment services to adults reentering the workforce following incarceration at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

Creating new jobs. Delaware County was one of 32 awardees selected from over 500 applications, awarded $23M for the Good Jobs Challenge. The County is targeting three industry areas: Healthcare/Life Sciences; Construction; and Energy Resiliency.

Supporting every community. With $475,000 of funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Economic Development Initiative (awarded through Community Project Funding), the County is on the cusp of launching the Community Partnering Program, a micro-grant program in the County specifically designed to provide outreach to historically underserved communities by funding projects organized and sustained by neighborhood residents and community groups. The first applications for funding will be reviewed for award in the coming months by a committee led by the Countys first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.

Like every community, Delaware County was strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Dr. Taylor. With the support of and working in partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, we are in a position to emerge stronger than ever, address long-overdue and necessary changes, and build a community that works for every Delaware County resident.
Survivors of historical institutions for women in Northern Ireland are to get access to mental health support and family tracing services.

Thousands of women and girls in Northern Ireland spent time in mother and baby homes, Magdalene laundries and industrial schools over the last century.

Last year, a major academic research report outlined the scale of mistreatment in the institutions, the last of which closed in the 1990s.

An investigation into allegations of abuse is under way, while a public inquiry is expected to take place in the future.

The Executive Office has appointed the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) to lead the provision of the new services for survivors, supported by Adopt NI and the Wave Trauma Centre.

Survivors impacted by mother and baby homes, Magdalene laundries and workhouses will have access to health and wellbeing services from Friday.

They include a dedicated health and wellbeing caseworker, complementary and psychological therapies, personal development and a pain management service.

Victims and survivors can also access new information recovery and family tracing services, as well as welfare and social support.

The VSS said the support services were based on input from survivors, and would be accessible and responsive to each survivors needs.

Andrew Walker, interim chief executive of the VSS, said the services are an important step forward in ensuring that survivors have access to the support they need and deserve.

Through an extensive co-design process, involving victims and survivors, we have been able to develop responsive, practical and victim-centred services.

The VSS has a dedicated and specialist team who, with Adopt NI and Wave Trauma Centre, will deliver services to victims and survivors on an individual basis and tailor supports according to their own unique requirements.

Mr Walker said the VSS will work with the Executive Office, community partners and victims representative groups to raise awareness of services.

I would encourage victims and survivors to avail of the full range of supports now available, he said.
It looks like the Indian government has banned an additional 67 porn websites in the country. This follows an earlier ban wherein the government blocked around 800 porn websites. The ban was ordered by a Pune and Uttarakhand court based on a judgement made in 2018. The Department of Telecommunications issued four letters to all internet service providers ordering them to ban the said sites.

The Government of India has blocked 63 porn websites/URLs in India, as per an order of the Ministry of Communications.  ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2022

The DoT order stated, MeitY in compliance of the said (Uttarakhand High Court) order read along with rule 3(2)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and in view of certain obscene material available in the below-mentioned website that tarnishes the image of modesty of women, has directed to immediately take down (block) the  websites/URLs,.

In an earlier report, we stated that according to Top10VPN, the number of VPN (Virtual Private Network) downloads grew a staggering 405% in the 12 months since the adult website ban was enforced. The data was analysed from Apples App Store as well as the Google Play Store. The Indian government has now banned 827 adult websites. At first, there was some outcry, mostly from adult websites that went on to circumvent the ban by changing their URLs. Certain sites changed the name from .com to .org or .net, and so on and so forth. But the Indian government got wise to this and banned these alternate URLs as well.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in
Expanding its smart TV lineup, Samsung launched the new Frame TV, which offers Customizable Bezels. The smart TV features a matte display, art mode and Samsung's proprietary QLED technology. The new edition of The Frame TV is available in 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch screen sizes.

Samsung claims that the Frame TV is designed for art connoisseurs, as it provides users to customize magnetic bezels. The Modern Frame Design of the TV blends seamlessly to elevate customers' home decor.

Samsung new Frame TV: Specs and features

The Matte Display eliminates any reflection thus making it difficult to distinguish art displayed on the Frame TV from real art. Samsung, India's largest consumer electronics brand, says that the Frame lifestyle TV is art when it's off and Tv when it's on.

The in-built Art Store offers over 1,600 pieces of world-famous art including popular Indian folk art such as Madhubani from Bihar, Gond from Madhya Pradesh and Pattachitra from Odisha and Bengal. The Frame Tv also provides features using which you can upload and display your family or travel photographs and even customize your pictures with five different mat layout options and a palette of 16 different colours to make them more realistic.

The new edition of The Frame TV is available in 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch screen sizes. The price of the Frame TV starts at Rs 61,980 and the TV can be purchased online from Flipkart, Amazon and authorized retail stores in the country.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in
DLR Group welcomes new CEO



A/E Editor By EMMA HINCHLIFFE A/E Editor

Photo by James Ewing/JBSA [enlarge] DLR Groups recently completed renovation and restoration of the historic Portland Building is one project that McKay is particularly proud of.





Seattle-based Steven McKay was recently named the new chief executive officer for DLR Group. Mckay, who joined the integrated design firm's Seattle office in 1996, doesn't like to talk about trends in the industry and is instead focused on legacies.

Some of the legacies he aims to build on during his tenure are a commitment to sustainable projects (especially more mass timber construction), a focus on equitable design work and practices, taking a holistic approach to design that centers the creation and protection of community and occupant health and wellness, and being at the vanguard of new and emerging design technologies and tools.

McKay shared his excitement to be taking the helm at a time when many projects which are driven by these values are now getting built.

McKay

I feel that in recent years there has been a real shift in the industry where the burden on architects and designers has shifted from one of trust to one of proof, McKay said. When I started out we would ask clients to trust us with their projects, now, from the outset we need to prove that the project will achieve the clients goals and perhaps more importantly that it will do some good, he continued.

McKay, who hails from Scotland and has practiced in diverse markets that include Europe, Asia and North America, also shared some of his impressions of architecture and design in Washington. In the PNW I think there has always been a core belief that design should be for everyone, and as result we see a lot of projects with a human scale and face, he said. Even big ticket commissions like the Space Needle and the EMP were very much designed for the community.

McKay is looking forward to the future. We have so many game changing projects currently on the boards and under construction, he reflected. These include the first new hotel in several years to rise on the Las Vegas strip and a mixed-use tower and waterfront development project in Shanghai. Closer to home, DLR Group is the architect for the planned renovation and expansion of the Pritchard Building on Capitol campus in Olympia.

(Editor's note: In a previous version of the article, DLR Group was incorrectly identified as the architect for the replacement of the Newhouse building at the state capitol. The correct architect for that project is Miller Hull.)

At present we are completing around 30-40 projects a year that all make a real difference to our built environment and world, McKay said. He will begin his new role as CEO on Oct. 1.

McKay succeeds Griff Davenport who remains a managing principal and chair of the board of directors. McKay is also a managing principal and currently serves as chief design officer for DLR Group. He is the fourth executive leader for DLR Group since its founding in 1966.





Emma Hinchliffe can be reached by email or by phone at (206) 622-8272.




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SEATTLE  A small commercial building at 513 Dexter Ave. N. sold for nearly $4.8 million, according to King County records.

The seller was a local family that had owned the property for decades.





. . .
Poet Kim Hye-soon, center, and Korean American poet and translator Don Mee Choi, right, speak during the writers' talk session, "Languages Walking Side by Side," at the Seoul Community Cultural Center Seogyo in Mapo District, Sept. 24, as part of this year's Seoul International Writers' Festival. Courtesy of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea



Award-winning literary duo  Kim Hye-soon and Don Mee Choi  reunites at Seoul Int'l Writers' Festival



By Park Han-sol



"Languages Walking Side by Side," the title of the Sept. 24 talk session between poets Kim Hye-soon and Don Mee Choi at this year's Seoul International Writers' Festival, couldn't have been more of a fitting descriptor for the literary duo's relationship.



Kim made headlines in 2019 as the first Asian woman to be named the winner of the prestigious International Griffin Poetry Prize for her "Autobiography of Death," the words of which muse on the nature of individual and collective historical traumas, which were masterfully translated into English at the hands of Choi.



The pair's collaboration has continued in Kim's other pieces, including: "Mommy Must Be a Fountain of Feathers," "Sorrowtoothpaste Mirrorcream," "I'm OK, I'm Pig!" and the forthcoming "Phantom Pain Wings."



Choi has focused on the role and power of translation as a device to navigate complex historical layers in her own works, notably "DMZ Colony," that nabbed the 2020 National Book Award for Poetry.



The duo's reunion at the Seoul Community Cultural Center Seogyo in Mapo District last week offered a peek into their years-long journey utilizing their lived experiences and memories as a launchpad to achieve what they call "doing" poetry and translation.





The cover of "Autobiography of Death" (2018), written by Kim Hye-soon and translated by Don Mee Choi / Courtesy of New Directions

"In my high school years, as the words of other great authors (and later, my own experiences, suffering and memories) gradually filled my body and started to overflow, it was only natural that I began putting my versions of expressions on paper," Kim said, as she started the talk with a mix of insight and wit.



It was Kim's writing that helped Choi "rediscover her own voice" that had been lost since she left Korea at the age of 10 with her family in 1972, the year former President Park Chung-hee declared martial law. Since then, her family "scattered all over  like birds" to West Germany, Australia and the United States.



"For a long time, I lived without a language; I could neither speak nor write. It wasn't until I encountered Kim's poems that I found my voice," the poet-cum-translator said.



According to Choi, when she translated Kim's work, she found her thoughts drifting back to her birthplace in Korea, a small house with a "giwa" roof (tiled roof) tucked away in the now redeveloped Seoul neighborhood of Bon-dong, Noryangjin.



"My younger self was waiting for me at the house, shouting 'come back' like migrating snow geese on a journey of return. Then, I saw Kim waiting there as well," she continued. "As I conversed with her and translated the words, I discovered my long-lost language and soon began writing down my words in the tongue of a wanderer in exile."



For her, translation is an act of retrieving such traces of forgotten voices  not only her own but those belonging to individuals written out of the official discourses of Korean history. Such efforts are witnessed in "DMZ Colony" as she "translates"  both linguistically and culturally  the oral history of a long-term political prisoner in Korea, who was locked behind bars from 1953 to 1995, and that of eight orphans, who survived the 1951 Sancheong-Hamyang massacre of unarmed civilians during the 1950-53 Korean War.





The cover of Don Mee Choi's "DMZ Colony" (2020) / Courtesy of Wave Books
There are now 10,805 people homeless across Ireland, with charities warning that they face an ominous winter period.

This represents another record high, with the previous peak of 10,568 recorded in the Governments last official monthly figures.

The Department of Housings August report on homelessness, released on Friday, showed there were 7,585 adults and 3,220 children in emergency accommodation across the country.

This represents an increase from the 7,431 adults and 3,137 children recorded in emergency accommodation in July.

There were 1,483 families recorded as homeless, of which 55% (814) were single-parent families.

Sam McGuinness, chief executive of Dublin Simon Community, voiced concern at the increase.

This news comes at a time when single homelessness is at an all-time high and exits from homelessness are at an all-time low as the availability of rental properties, as a social housing supply, continues to dwindle, he said.

Behind these numbers are people who are losing hope for a life beyond homelessness. As the record-breaking levels of people in emergency accommodation experience endless waiting, their mental health and physical health is declining.

They are developing additional support needs which will make it increasingly difficult for them to live independently again. They are losing motivation, their resilience is fading, they are starting to give up.

Among the people who make up this months increase are older people with complex health needs who never envisioned themselves in this situation and people in employment whose colleagues have no idea they are sleeping in emergency services at night.

The picture is ominous as we face into the cold, dark winter months ahead and no real clarity or hope in Budget 2023 to support exits out of homelessness.

Focus Ireland said that it represented a 32% increase from only a year ago, and that child homelessness is up 47% compared to the same time last year.

Its chief executive Pat Dennigan said that it was unforgivable that the Governments Budget did not include measures to prevent people from becoming homeless.

As the numbers keep going up, there is a risk that Government comes to treat homelessness as inevitable, but it is the result of bad political choices and can be solved by the right policies.

The number of landlords selling up has had a huge negative effect on the monthly homeless figures and the government has failed to respond to a catastrophe which we, and their own data, have been warning them about for months.

Landlords seeking to sell issued eviction notices to over 1,000 households in the first half of this year alone.

Mr Dennigan added: The stark reality remains that homeless services and local authorities nationwide fear that they may not be able to provide emergency accommodation for all the hundreds of households that will become homeless this winter.

It is unforgivable that this weeks budget failed to offer a single measure to help prevent these households from losing their homes.

Many families will have a grim dilemma this winter between paying their rent, energy bills or putting food on the table.

Focus Ireland will continue to help people find homes, but it is difficult to see homeless services being able to cope with the sheer demand of people that need our support.

This unprecedented crisis needs an immediate emergency response.
The joint effort within Europe to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be bigger and better after the majority members of the Council of Europe signed the Dublin declaration.

A total of 38 of the 46 members states signed up to adopt the declaration, which will require states to ensure it has strategies aimed at preventing and combating violence against women.

It was formally adopted at a two-day conference at the RDS in Dublin, hosted by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

Ms McEntee described it as a successful conference, where 46 member states of the Council of Europe attended.

Today, Minister @HMcEntee opened a two-day conference of @coe Justice Ministers examining integrated prevention measures to end domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). There should be #ZeroTolerance and #NoSafeHaven for #DSGBV.#NoSafeHaven pic.twitter.com/L17qtX1x80  Department of Justice (@DeptJusticeIRL) September 29, 2022

I am really pleased to say that we adopted the Dublin declaration, which really means that the Council of Europe can have bigger and better cooperation among Member States to try and tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the Fine Gael minister said on Friday.

Some of the key areas that we focused on in our discussion, but also in the declaration was prevention, looking at our structures and how we can change behaviour by changing our structures, education, looking at perpetrator programmes, which is an area that hasnt really been focused on too much up until now.

But also looking at training professionals, gardai, health professionals, legal professionals and anybody who has come into contact with victims and perpetrators, so really pleased that we can get consensus today and obviously make sure that what weve discussed here continues on after today.

She would not, however, be drawn into stating which countries did not adopt the Dublin declaration, but said they will work with them to overcome its issues.

It is still open and we possibly will have more. Were still engaging with a few others on it, she added.

Really pleased that out of 46, we have 38. We do have three countries that havent ratified the Istanbul Convention that have signed up, so to me thats a real positive because I think it shows their intent.

While its not legally binding document, its documents like this that actually led to the Istanbul Convention. I think it shows a real commitment on their part.

Some of the member states, some of the reasons they have raised are constitutional and I think we need to keep working with them, offering support and help, and thats what I did this afternoon.

We very clearly said that we have officials, we have experts, we have people who are willing to engage with you and work with you to try and overcome any of the challenges that you have.


Leaders should learn new skills, celebrate small wins for digital transformation in legacy newsrooms



By Kim Yoo-chul



Over the last few decades, media organizations have been pursuing a so-called "red ocean strategy," a business plan involving competition in an existing industry. The primary goal of this strategy is to beat the competition and exploit present demand. Food and media industries, for example, are considered to be the active followers of this strategy as there are a lot of smaller companies also competing for market share.



In fact, media organizations are being increasingly threatened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced legacy and old media to thoroughly rethink the way they do business. Legacy newsrooms, for example, are feeling pressured to defend their bottom lines amid the continued fall in newspaper circulation and flattening advertising sales. This situation makes it pretty obvious to them that change is needed if they intend to evolve or simply stay afloat.



But the pandemic itself hasn't led to a sharp fall in readership numbers. In fact, exactly the opposite has happened. Overall, the media industry has displayed solid growth in terms of content consumption over the last few years.



Leading media organizations here saw an increase in the number of digital subscribers, creating momentum to move forward with detailed, digital-oriented strategies at an even faster pace.





Maryam Daryabegi / Courtesy of Innovation Bazar

Now, a New York-based digital strategist and entrepreneur said the successful transition from old and legacy media to digital requires strong management skills and a mindset geared for improvement in every area of the business.



"The media industry has gone through a lot of changes in the past decade and will go through more changes in the coming years. Old (legacy) media companies need to grow with their audience. They need to make efforts to invest in new business models to better connect with their users on multiple touch points and to generate more revenue. Most media companies are shifting towards a more digital model and if they don't make changes now, they will fall behind," Maryam Daryabegi, a design thinking professor at New York University (NYU), said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.



Daryabegi, who is also an educator for the executive certificate course in digital business strategy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Sloan School of Management, added it is imperative for legacy media companies to leverage data-driven capabilities and transform digitally to achieve sustainable growth.



"In the old days, media companies operated in a slower environment, which required much more planning and investment. Whereas transitioning into digital, enables faster experimentation, testing and iterations in short cycles," the expert, also an Inaugural Forbes Women Nominee in 2021, added.



Asset mix, channel strategy: ideas for small market players



The digital transition of legacy media might seem difficult, time consuming and expensive. This process also includes improving the work culture, reassessment of journalism and expanding business models.



In Korea, the news content ecosystem is largely dominated by several major vernacular dailies and dozens of TV channels. Small market players, therefore, are forced to limit their ability to produce quality journalism in already constrained market conditions.



Daryabegi, who helped transform some of the most successful firms including IBM, Pfizer, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, BASF and Neiman Marcus, presented several applicable and actionable strategies that could be executed by traditional media companies with small market shares.



"The best applicable strategies that will help old media organizations with small market share get digital capabilities are _ identify channel strategy, invest in premium content, review the asset mix, redefine data-driven content and change the structure but gradually," she said, adding small market players could leverage a customer-first approach to create sustained growth.





gettyimagesbank
WaterWipes has announced the Ireland winner of its third annual Pure Foundation Fund, which celebrates the achievements of healthcare professionals working in maternity, neonatal and postnatal care. This years Pure Foundation Fund Ireland winner is Senior Midwife, Mairead Martin, from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, who has been awarded a 10,000 bursary to advance the care of expectant and new parents and their babies.

Mairead has cared for thousands of women and families over her lengthy career. Having worked as a midwife for now 32 years, Maireads colleague Rachel Gallagher nominated Mairead for her outstanding care given to women and families across Drogheda. Commenting on her nomination, Rachel said: To me, Mairead is the true meaning of a midwife.

"Mairead has an infectious personality, so you can't help but be drawn to her warm and caring nature. Mairead is heavily involved in providing education to women and families and leads the way in all aspects of antenatal education, birth preparation, breastfeeding, and postnatal care.

When asked how she felt about being nominated this years Pure Foundation Fund, Mairead said I was absolutely thrilled about the award, and humbled by the fact that not only Rachel, but so many other of my Midwifery and Healthcare Assistant colleagues had done so as well.

"The staff of the Midwife Led Unit, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, are an amazing team of Midwives, Healthcare Assistants, and student midwives who go above and beyond every single day to provide the best care to women and their babies during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal period.

Mairead will be donating her prize money to fund a resumption of water births, in appropriate circumstances, in the Labour ward at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. She also plans to help fund essential training for Midwives, to enhance the quality and scope of the care that they already give to women attending for the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal continuum.

WaterWipes encouraged parents and healthcare professionals to nominate individuals who played crucial roles in pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care and made a difference in the lives of parents and babies. WaterWipes received over 360 nominations for this years Pure Foundation Fund across the UK and Ireland. The Irish winner was selected by a panel including representatives from WaterWipes and charity partners Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA).

Ailbhe OBriain, HCP Marketing Manager UK & Ireland at WaterWipes commented Reading this years inspirational nominations reminds us all why we are all so passionate about supporting maternal, neonatal and postnatal healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland with the Pure Foundation Fund. We have been so touched by the incredible stories of these individuals who go above and beyond to provide excellent care for parents and their babies. They truly are our Great Protectors and we are delighted to support the further improvement of care with the award of this years bursary funds.

Commenting on this years Pure Foundation Fund, Steve Pitman, Head of Education and Professional Development INMO and a member of the judging panel, said, the standard of nurses and midwives nominated for the Pure Foundation Fund Bursary Award was extremely high again this year. This exemplifies the commitment of nurses and midwives to providing compassionate and quality care to babies and their families in Ireland.

"The INMO would like to congratulate Mairead on winning the Award and all those that were nominated. Mairead was nominated by her colleagues and is an example of a midwife committed to caring for women and babies and a champion for midwifery.

For more information about this years winner and the WaterWipes Pure Foundation Fund, please visit www.waterwipes.com/uk/en/ community/pure-foundation- fund-2022.
Tomorrow, (Saturday, October 1, 2022) HSE National Breastfeeding Week begins, encouraging parents to take up free expert help and celebrating rising breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

The HSE announced a 5% increase in the number of babies breastfed at the first public health nurse visit between 2019 and 2021, a rise to 59%. The theme of this years HSE National Breastfeeding Week is Expert Help for Every Step of the Way.

The HSE has recruited 20 additional infant feeding/lactation posts within nursing and midwifery services to support breastfeeding parents.

Midwives are the first to assist with breastfeeding and should mothers need more specialist support, all 19 maternity hospitals now have a specialist lactation support service available. More infant feeding/lactation posts are being recruited to ensure nationwide availability within primary care services.

One hundred breastfeeding groups have now resumed meeting in person providing important peer to peer support for parents on their breastfeeding journey.

Laura McHugh, HSE National Breastfeeding Coordinator, celebrates the new posts and the importance of these growing supports:

While breastfeeding rates are increasing around the country, we want to continue to build on this progress by supporting every parent who may need help on their breastfeeding journey.

I welcome our colleagues taking up the new infant feeding/lactation roles around the country, and although not everyone will need their services, their support will make a big difference for parents who do.

As well as the new posts, we have breastfeeding preparation and antenatal classes, our midwives and public health nurses and a growing number of in-person groups resuming post pandemic.

There are also a range of online resources such as virtual breastfeeding groups and mychild.ie, which has practical breastfeeding advice and the Ask Our Expert live chat and e-mail breastfeeding support service, available 7 days a week.

63% of mothers now commence breastfeeding in hospital and we have developed a holistic range of supports to help mothers and babies learning this new skill.

Anne OMalley, HSE Public Health Nurse, Community Healthcare Dublin North City and County added:

Every breastfeed makes a difference because any amount of breast milk is beneficial for mother and baby. If a mother can breastfeed for a short amount of time, it will be helpful and the longer you breastfeed the greater protection for mother and baby.

We want every mother to know about all the free supports available to help her to breastfeed for longer if she wishes.

Dundalk mother Sarah Heaphey (30s) was in shock when she went into pre-term labour with her little girl.

Sarah focused on expressing her breastmilk for baby Annie to help in the best way she could, while Annie was cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU):

I attended an antenatal class in the hospital in January at around 33 weeks during which I learned about breastfeeding and thank God I did as 5 days later Annie arrived, almost 7 weeks pre-term.

This was a major shock as she wasnt due until March. Annie had some complications and in the chaos of it all a nurse said to me that the best thing I could do for her was to concentrate on getting my milk for her. It was overwhelming at the beginning but the midwives were so supportive, they sourced me a pump in no time and I was expressing almost straight away.

Annie is thriving now at 8 months and we recently received amazing news after her tough first few months of life. Im delighted I breastfed for as long as I did, and I am certain it benefited her no end. It gave me something to focus on while Annie was in hospital and it was a major way for me to help her.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, underlines the importance of the breastfeeding supports and urges breastfeeding mothers to seek help if needed:

Expert Help for Every Step of the Way is the theme of this years National Breastfeeding Week.

An assurance to parents that there are professional and peer supports available when needed at any stage of their breastfeeding journey. The continued investment in this area will help give our children the best start in life by breastfeeding and I would encourage more parents to seek out these supports, either online at mychild.ie through their public health nurse in the community, or in hospital.

This week, the HSE is sending out information packs to maternity hospitals and primary care centres across the country promoting mychild.ie and the message that expert help is available for parents every step of the way.

National Breastfeeding Week is a HSE-led event, marked each year from October 1 to 7. For more information and practical breastfeeding advice, visit mychild.ie.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has warned of a "catastrophic winter" for hospitals after it recorded 10,515 patients on trolleys in the month of September.

This is the second worst September for overcrowding in Irish hospitals when 10,641 patients were without a bed in 2019, according to the INMO.

The top 5 most overcrowded hospitals in September 2022 include:

University Hospital Limerick (1382 patients)

Cork University Hospital (1260 patients)

University Hospital Galway (1032 patients)

Sligo University Hospital (790 patients)

Letterkenny University Hospital (666 patients)



INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: It is clear from this months overcrowding figures that we are on a path to a catastrophic winter in our hospitals. It is unsafe for nurses and the patients they care for. Besides a leaked draft winter plan, we have no clear vision from healthcare leaders as to what the solution for this winter is.

The ongoing problems with overcrowding are leaving nurses completely and utterly demoralised. We have a severe recruitment and retention problem within the health service. This week alone in a large teaching hospital in Dublin, over a dozen nurses working in a busy Emergency Department handed in their notice.

Our members are now voting with their feet and saying that they will not stand for another winter where they are demoralised, burnt out and abused in their workplace because of the excessive workloads.

Despite promises from senior hospital management that things have improved, University Hospital Limerick is once again the most overcrowded hospital in the country. The INMO visited the hospital this week and saw first hand the conditions our members are working in. There is no dignity for patients who end up in UHL. Their care is no doubt being compromised because of the conditions.

It is not enough for the Minister for Health and senior HSE leadership to acknowledge that we are in for an undesirable winter. We need to know when the private hospitals will be coming on the pitch, we need to know what exact measures are being implemented to keep our nurses in the system, when extra capacity will be coming through in communities to allow discharging of patients to happen in a timely manner. Patients need assurances that they will be cared for in a safe environment that ensures their care is not compromised, Ms Ni Sheaghdha said.

A statement from the Health Service Executive (HSE) in recent weeks confirmed that 2022 saw an "increase in ED attendances with a significant increase in the number of patients aged 75 and over attending EDs with complex care needs and often requiring admission to hospital for further treatment".

HSE Interim Chief Clinical Officer Damien McCallion said last month that overall hospital attendances have increased by 5pc since 2019.

"We are seeing more people who are accessing care, perhaps who were restricted over recent years. We know general practice (GPs) in particular are very busy in recent times, he said.

"In our hospitals, they still have pathways for Covid and non-Covid patients and that impacts on the flow in hospitals number one, but there are also a number of other ways that, that impacts hospitals as well in terms of our utilisation of single rooms for infection, for people with Covid.

"None of our hospitals want any elderly person, particularly at the most important part, potentially in their life in terms of when theyre ill, to have to wait for those sort of periods. From our perspective, thats one of the key areas that were focusing on now in terms of trying to improve, he said.

"We know that age is one of the factors in terms of impacting on health and thats an area that all of our hospitals and our community systems will be focusing on as we move into what could well be a very difficult period of winter," Mr McCallion said.
In the left photo, Joseon General Eo Jae-yeon's "sujagi" flag is captured by the U.S. Navy during the U.S.' 1871 military engagement in Joseon, called "Sinmiyangyo." In the right photo, the flag is on display at the National Palace Museum of Korea in 2007 after it was repatriated on loan from the U.S. / Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration



By Kwak Yeon-soo



The loan period for a rare Joseon-era flag, which had been captured by U.S. naval forces during the 1871 military action against the Joseon Kingdom and was returned to Korea on a lease, has been extended for another year.



The Ganghwa War Museum confirmed, Wednesday, that it has recently signed an agreement with the U.S. Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland, for a one-year extension on borrowing the military flag named "sujagi" for display. The loan period had been scheduled to expire at the end of September.



"The U.S. Naval Academy Museum agreed recently to extend the loan period until Oct. 1, 2023, after months of negotiations," a museum official told The Korea Times, Wednesday.



U.S. naval forces captured the flag 151 years ago in 1871 in what it called the "Expedition to Korea," which is referred to in Korean as "Sinmiyangyo" (Western disturbance in the Sinmi year). It belonged to a commander of the Korean forces, General Eo Jae-yeon (1823-71), who led a secret army to defend Korea from the U.S. invasion. He died in battle during the military incident at Gwangseongbo Fortress on Ganghwa Island.



The Americans, after killing Eo, captured the military flag as a trophy. The sujagi had remained in the custody of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum until it was returned to Korea in 2007 on a 10-year loan.



Following its special display at the National Palace Museum in Seoul, the item was moved out in 2009 to the Ganghwa History Museum on Ganghwa Island, where Sinmiyangyo took place.



Even throughout the 10-year loan, the Korean and the U.S. side continued negotiations about the loan period every two years. But in 2015, they agreed on a five-year loan and another two-year one in 2020. This time, an additional one-year deal has been made.



Korea has demanded the U.S. return the flag permanently on the grounds that it had been taken illegally. However, the U.S. museum claimed it is unable to return the cultural artifact citing a relevant U.S. law.



"To date, (during the negotiations since 2007) we've had no requests from our U.S. counterpart to return the sujagi. Thus, we will continue to negotiate in good faith," the official said.



Asked if there are plans to pursue a long-term loan again in the future, the official said the terms of the deal may change during the negotiation process. "It depends on the circumstances that will occur in the future," she said.


In this provided photo taken in 2019, actor and UNHCR goodwill ambassador Jung Woo-sung, center in a white T-shirt, poses with Rohingya refugees at Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Bangladesh on World Refugee Day. Courtesy of United Nations Human Rights



By Lee Hae-rin



Actor Jung Woo-sung, who serves as goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), will visit Poland to meet Ukrainian refugees on Oct. 3, UNHCR's Seoul office said, Wednesday. This will be Jung's eighth trip as a Korean representative for the humanitarian aid agenda.



Since his appointment as UNHCR goodwill ambassador in May 2014, Jung has visited refugees and displaced people in Nepal, South Sudan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Djibouti and Malaysia. Due to border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, his missions abroad have been halted for three years.



"Although there have been restrictions to visit the field for the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was concerned about the growing number of refugees," Jung said in a statement released by the UNHCR. "I hope for this mission to Poland to be an opportunity to increase Koreans' awareness of displaced people and to convey the message that anyone can be forced to flee."



During his visit to Poland, Jung will meet Ukrainian refugees and volunteers at Lublin train station where refugees continue to arrive by train. One of the refugee support centers there is operated by the UNHCR, the group said.



Jung has been a vocal advocate of human rights for refugees and displaced people. In 2018, the actor spoke up for the Yemeni refugees who arrived on Jeju Island seeking refugee status.



In February 2019, he spoke for the refugees at a policy forum at the National Assembly. The actor shared his experiences with meeting refugees and displaced people while expressing concerns for baseless stories about Yemeni refugees that were spreading quickly online and inciting hatred and Islamophobia. He also called for a revision of the Refugee Act.



In 2019 he also published a memoir, titled "If you could see what I have seen," which reflects his journey with the UNHCR since 2014 on Refugee Day, which falls every year on June 20. All of the proceeds from the book's sales are donated to the UNHCR.



According to the UNHCR, more than 13 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their home country and crossed borders to seek asylum. Poland has received more than 1.3 million Ukrainian war refugees, many of whom are women and children, elderly and disabled.


Residents and their families gathered on Thursday at the St Raphaels campus in Youghal to celebrate their successful move to community living.

The event celebrated the new lives of 36 former residents of the St Raphaels building who have moved into new homes and integrated into their community.

There are now 12 houses in the East Cork area where residents who previously lived in a campus setting are living new lives.

Residents began moving to new homes in 2016. The last residents moved from the old St Raphaels building in 2019, and the last two of the 12 community houses welcomed residents in December 2021.

Speaking at the event on Thursday, Independent councillor Mary Linehan Foley, who was deputising on behalf of the Mayor of the County of Cork, said St Raphaels has been supporting residents since the 1990s.

Linda Drake, Care assistant and resident Christy OKeeffe at the celebration of St Raphaels campus in Youghal to the successful move to community living. Photo Darragh Kane

It was probably regarded as groundbreaking in its day and many of you here today will have spent many years here. I hope that they were happy times for both you and your families, she said.

She said the service faced many challenges over the decades and that the congregated hospital-like setting of St Raphaels had its limitations that needed to be addressed for the residents.

The development of the national policy Time to Move on from Congregated Settings in 2011 established the need to close the institutional setting and support residents into transition to ordinary community houses with the ethos of Ordinary Lives in Ordinary Places.

She said that the ethos of Ordinary Lives in Ordinary Places sums up all of what we aspire to.

Its simple things in life that are important to us all, like going for a walk, preparing a meal, setting a table, having a space that we can call home. An opportunity to live as independent a life as is humanly possible, she said.

Residents of St Raphaels St Rapheals Youghal Noel Mulcahy, Mary McCoy, John McCarthy, Eoin ODonovan, Tim Cahill and Kevin Power at the celebration of St Raphaels campus in Youghal to the successful move to community living. Photo Darragh Kane

Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Michael Fitzgerald said that the move to a new way of living and delivering services required huge faith and commitment from staff, residents and families and recognised the huge amount of work and effort that has been invested over the last six years.

Director of Services at St Raphaels Susan Wall said that the move into community living was not just physical but also showed how a change in mindset and approach can best support people with disabilities.
By David Young and Rebecca Black, PA

Liz Truss has insisted that people in Northern Ireland will not lose out on energy support being offered to consumers elsewhere in the UK.

Northern Irelands energy market operates differently to the model in Great Britain, with specific rules and regulations.

The region is also without a devolved government due to the political row over the Northern Ireland Protocol post-Brexit trading arrangements.

This weekend the Government will introduce its Energy Price Guarantee in the rest of the UK, under which a typical household will pay on average 2,500 (2,826) a year for their energy for the next two years from October 1st.

Last week it announced a similar price cap scheme for Northern Ireland.

The scheme limits the price suppliers can charge customers for units of gas and electricity.

It will take effect from November, but the Government said it will ensure households receive the same benefit overall as those in Great Britain by backdating support for October bills through bills from November.

It has also said it will provide an additional payment of 100 to households that do not receive support through the price cap, such as those who use home heating oil.

A previously announced 400 discount on energy bills that will begin to be rolled out in Great Britain from October is also being paid to Northern Ireland customers.

However, there has been uncertainty about when that money will be paid in the region.

In an interview with BBC Northern Ireland on Thursday, Ms Truss was asked when consumers might expect their electricity top-up to be paid.

Ms Truss did not make specific reference to the energy price cap or the 400 discount, but said: We will be providing the same support to Northern Ireland as we are providing for people in Great Britain.

It will be backdated to the 1st of October, so people will be getting that same support.

My understanding is that will happen in November, but it will be backdated to October.

I will get further details on that but what I can assure people is a scheme that applies in Great Britain will apply in Northern Ireland, it will be backdated to the first of October, so people have reassurance that theyre not going to be struggling with those very high energy bills.

Earlier on Thursday, DUP Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said he hoped the 400 could be paid in November.

Gordon Lyons (Liam McBurney/PA)

He said good progress had been made in recent days getting the scheme arranged with local suppliers.

The energy suppliers are coming to a legal agreement and a mechanism to allow that money to be paid, he said.

I had previously said that that money would be delivered in November/December time, and that will still be the case. Were still hoping that that will be November time.

We will still get it in one payment, whereas in the rest of the United Kingdom that is going to be over a period of six months. We will get all of our money in Northern Ireland before the rest of the UK.

So were getting that money, using our influence to make sure that comes as quickly as possible to those who need it.

Commenting on households using oil-powered heating being offered 100, Mr Lyons said that was not enough, adding that he had been speaking to officials and ministers about the issue.

Over 65% of people in Northern Ireland have home heating oil, I dont want them to be left out, and thats why I have been engaging with Government to try to tell them why its so important that 100 is increased. It is not going to be enough for those who are struggling this winter, he said.

On the Governments mini-budget last week, Mr Lyons said he was disappointed that it did not include a VAT cut for hospitality.

That would have made a real difference for tourism more generally and that hospitality sector in particular, and it is disappointing that that hasnt happened, he said.
Foreign Minister Park Jin speaks at a meeting with the top envoys to South Korea from Central and South American countries in Seoul. Yonhap



South Korea's foreign minister said Friday the government is considering "various" options to strengthen sanctions against North Korea in response to the latest series of Pyongyang's missile launches.



Foreign Minister Park Jin made the remarks during his meeting with reporters, a day after North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea in its third such provocation in less than a week.



"We will sternly respond to (the North's missile launches) and will consider tightening sanctions against Pyongyang, if needed," Park said. "As there are various areas (that we could look at), such as the maritime, cyberspace and financial sectors, we plan to review options to deal with them at an appropriate level."



The focus is to deter the North's illicit ship-to-ship transfers of goods and block Pyongyang's attempt to secure illegal funds for its nuclear weapons programs through cryptocurrency theft.






EILEEN Desmond was a woman of great resolve. Over the course of more than 20 years in the political arena, she championed the rights of women to equal pay, divorce and contraception.

Following Constance Markievicz, she became the second woman ever to hold a senior cabinet post. One of her greatest achievements was an unprecedented increase of 25% in social welfare payments during an economic depression.

Eileen Harrington was born on December 29, 1932, in Kilcolman, Kinsale. Her mother Ellen Harrington, nee Walsh, was a seamstress and her father Michael was a postman and part-time fisherman.

Eileen grew up in a council cottage with her sister Patricia, who was 13 months her junior. Eileen inherited a respect for education and an interest in world events from her father, while her mother taught her to never follow rules blindly. Although Ellen was a religious woman, she was never one to adhere to strict religious regulations.

At the age of 17, Eileen moved to Dublin by herself where she took up the position of civil servant with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. In Dublin, surrounded by the tenements and slums of the late 1940s, Eileen experienced real poverty for the first time in her life and was deeply affected by it. She became a volunteer with the Legion of Mary and took a night-time course in social studies.

At the age of 19, Eileen met Dan Desmond, a TD from Crosshaven, who offered to drive her home for Christmas. At the time very few people owned cars and so a lift from a TD was considered a big deal. A relationship blossomed between the pair and they were married in 1955.

As a result of the marriage bar that prohibited married women from working as civil servants, Eileen was forced to resign from her job.

Tragedy struck only eight years later when Dan, by then deputy leader of the Labour Party, died while being treated in hospital for tuberculosis. Eileen was left a widow with two young children at the age of 32.

Dans death caused a by-election in the mid-Cork region and Eileen, who was recovering from tuberculosis at the time, was asked to run in it.

Having acquired a working knowledge of the political world, she put her name forward and soon became one of the youngest members of the Dail.

From the outset, Eileen was devoted to improving the lot of women. She was angry at the marriage bar and the huge differences in pay between women and men working in the same jobs. She wanted to put an end to discrimination and financial injustice.

One of her major roles during the early years was in helping illiterate people to fill out social welfare and medical card forms. Her sense of kindness and sensitivity attracted the disenfranchised, who had been cast aside by various TDs in the past.

In the 1970s, Eileen was involved with then Labour senator Mary Robinson in the landmark case of Cork woman Josie Airey, who took the Irish government to the European Court of Human Rights and successfully challenged the lack of free legal aid in civil cases. Prior to this case, Josie had been unable to obtain a legal separation from her husband because she couldnt afford the necessary legal fees. This ground-breaking case led to the establishment of the family law courts.

Eileen was instrumental in introducing divorce bills to Catholic Ireland, providing the framework for the eventual lifting of the ban on divorce in 1995.

She was highly vocal on the issue of legalising contraception in Ireland, a public stance that resulted in her being denounced from the pulpit for promoting immorality.

She was also involved in pressuring the then Minister for Health, Charlie Haughey, to improve the working conditions of nurses and to elevate nursing to the standard of a profession in Ireland.

As Eileens sister, Patricia, was a nurse, Eileen had heard first-hand about the mistreatment nurses were all too often subjected to from the hierarchy of the medical world.

Eileen was elected to the European Parliament in the 1979 European elections for the Munster constituency. She returned to domestic politics again in 1981 when a Fine Gael/ Labour Party coalition came to power and appointed her Minister for Health and Social Welfare. Eileen was now in a position to impact upon national legislation.

However, a few weeks after her appointment her health failed and she suffered a life-threatening haemorrhage. Despite this, when a major political dispute meant that, without her crucial vote the government would fall, Eileen was taken by ambulance from Cork to Dublin and carried into Leinster House on a stretcher. This incident became a source of great conflict within Eileens family, who feared she was sacrificing her health in her dogged pursuit of better rights for her constituents.

While still recovering from her illness, Eileen set about tackling the double portfolio of health and social welfare. She announced a new National Combat Poverty Agency and she fought for and gained an historically high 25% rise in social welfare payments.

During the abortion debate, Eileen made it perfectly clear from the outset that she was pro-choice, despite the fact that TDs suspected of not supporting the pro-life movement received mountains of hate mail and harassing phone calls.

At a debate in the Dail, she declared: We already have a ban on divorce in our Constitution and it has done untold damage over the years. Under no circumstances will I support another constitutional ban on an issue that affects the lives and health of women.

Eileen died on January 6, 2005, aged 72. At her funeral. Michael McCarthy, the Labour Party senator for Cork South West, praised her formidable but understated abilities and declared that her legacy is to Mna na hEireann, who have a shining example of what can be achieved, whatever the barriers or prejudice, to advance the interests of all of us..
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

In a major victory for California farmworkers, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill called AB 2183 Wednesday, making it easier for them to unionize.

The bill would empower farmworkers to vote to join a union via mail-in ballot or card-check instead of in-person and often on their employers property, Cal Matters explained. This would allow workersa majority of whom are undocumented immigrantsto excersie their rights without fearing retaliaiton.

Farm workers across the state organized and sacrificed to make their voices heard and to pass AB 2183, the United Farm Workers (UFW)the bills sponsorsaid in a statement. California and many parts of the country heard their voices, and farm workers felt the deep and historic solidarity from all parts of California and all across the nation.

The exploitation of farmworkers is a major environmental justice issue with the mainstream food system. Farmworkers, a vast majority of whom are Hispanic, are more likely to be exposed to pesticides and yet are exempted from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety standards. Still, the agency estimates that as many as 3,000 agricultural workers suffer from acute pesticide poisoning every year, according to Farmworker Justice.

For this and other risks such as poor living conditions, physical injury and equipment hazards, agricultural work is one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. And it is only becoming more so as the climate crisis makes working conditions more extreme. Farmworkers are already 20 times more likely to die of heat-related illnesses than other workers, and this will only get worse as temperatures warm, according to a study published in Environmental Research Letters. By 2050, the number of unsafe days for agricultural workers is expected to double, and it could triple by 2100 if nothing is done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For farmworkers in the U.S. West, the climate crisis brings another hazard: wildfires. During 2020s extreme wildfire season, agricultural workers continued in the fields despite orange, ashy skies.

It hurt our sinuses, an agricultural foreman in Salinas, California named Jesus Ahumada told NPR at the time, in Spanish. The smoke was so thick.

Despite these risks, there are few protections for farmworkers at the national level and very few states offer any additional protection, according to Farmworker Justice. Joining a union is one way that agricultural workers can negotiate better working conditions, but very few farmworkers are union members. While California is one of the states that offers additional protections, union membership is still so low there that a University of California, Merced, researcher told CallMatters that it wasnt possible to measure it.

We work hard and are just told to be quiet, Amalia Rodriguez, who started picking strawberries as a teenager, told The New York Times.

Rodriguez joined one of the protests in favor of the new bill, which should give farmworkers a larger voice.

In this historic time when workers want a union more than ever before, everything we do  including legislatively  must be focused on organizing, California Labor Federation chief officer Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher told The New York Times. Its natural that in California, our farmworkers will be leading the way.

Newsom had vetoed a similar bill last year, and hesitated to sign this one as well. His stated concern was that allowing farmworkers to mail in union ballots would enable them to request ballots without informing their employers at all, Cal Matters explained. However, a compromise was worked out between Newsom, the UFW and the California Labor Federation to introduce new legislation next year that drops the mail-in ballot but preserves card checks, in which a majority of workers who want to join a union simply sign a card. The protections enshrined in the current bill will last five years.

Californias farmworkers are the lifeblood of our state, and they have the fundamental right to unionize and advocate for themselves in the workplace, Newsom said in a press release announcing the signing. Our state has been defined by the heroic activism of farmworkers, championed by American icons like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. California is proud to stand with the next generation of leaders carrying on this movement.

Beyond the compromise, Newsom also faced pressure from President Joe Bidenwho came out in favor of the bill on Labor Day weekend.

In the state with the largest population of farmworkers, the least we owe them is an easier path to make a free and fair choice to organize a union, Biden said in the statement.

Bidens remarks came after the farmworkers themselves marched 335 miles from Delano to Sacramento to push for the bill, according to Cal Matters.

The vigil and the march were all worth it, because he came out and signed for us, farmworker Teresa Maldonado told AP News through a translator.
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.

Guarani Indigenous people and environmental activists protest the murder of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in the Amazon rainforest, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 18, 2022. NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP via Getty Images

At a rate of every other day for the past 10 years, an environmental defender has lost their life protecting their home.

Thats one sobering statistic from the latest Global Witness report Decade of Defiance: Ten Years of Reporting Land and Environmental Activism Worldwide. For every year since 2012, the environmental and human rights organization has published a record of every death of a land or environmental defender it could verify. Now, in 2022, the organization is taking a moment to reflect on the 1,733 lives lost in what amounts to a war for the future of life on Earth.

We are not just in a climate emergency, Dr. Vandana Shiva wrote in the reports foreword. We are in the foothills of the sixth mass extinction, and these defenders are some of the few people standing in the way. They dont just deserve protection for basic moral reasons. The future of our species, and our planet, depends on it.

A Decade of Defiance

Over 10 years of completing their reports, Global Witness has noticed some patterns. Thirty-nine percent of the defenders killed have been Indigenous and 68 percent of the killings have taken place in Latin America. Almost all of them have occurred in the Global South.

The deadliest countries for defenders for the past decade have been Brazil, with 342 killings; Colombia, with 322; and the Philippines, with 270. In Brazil, more than 85 percent of the killings have taken place in the Amazon rainforest, which is a constant battleground between extractive industries looking to exploit the territory and Indigenous peoples defending their homes and way of life. Around a third of those killed in Brazil were either Indigenous or Afro-Brazilian. In the Philippines, violence has also been linked to extractive industries, in this case mining followed by agribusiness. More than 40 percent of the victims have also been Indigenous.

There are also certain things the most violent countries for defenders have in common. These include highly unequal land ownership, a history of violent conflict  as in Colombia, government corruption, a shrinking civil society and no accountability for large corporations.

Weve seen clear trends and patterns when it comes to threats and attacks against defenders over the last ten years: across the Global South violence occurs where there is a lack of civic protections for activism and where the priority is placed on resource extraction, a Global Witness spokesperson told EcoWatch in an email. Communities, many of them Indigenous, who have protected their land for generations, are left in the firing line of unaccountable companies, state security forces and contract killers. Impunity is rife, with credible investigations into killings rare, and even fewer prosecutions.

One trend thats harder to see is whether the situation is getting better or worse for defenders overall. Thats because Global Witness has gotten better at collecting data over the years, but is also aware it is likely underestimating the number of deaths, since many are never reported and the organization strives for a high standard of accuracy.

Whilst the figures for individual countries may vary from year to year, overall figures remain horribly high and urgent action is needed from governments to protect defenders, the spokesperson said.

2021s Report: Dismissing the Zone of Silence

The new report also gathers figures from 2021. Last year, a total of 200 land and environmental defenders were killed, or about four people for every week. In keeping with decadal patterns, more than 40 percent of the murdered defenders were Indigenous. More than three quarters of the attacks were in Latin America and more than a quarter had known connections to extractive activities like mining, logging, agribusiness and hydroelectric dams.

On a country-by-country basis, Mexico saw the most killings, followed by Colombia and Brazil. In Mexico, killings increased for a third year in a row. A total of 54 people lost their lives in the country in 2021, nearly half of them Indigenous. Two-thirds of the deaths were connected to land conflicts or the mining industry.

One of these was the death of Jose Santos Isaac Chavez, an Indigenous lawyer who dared to run for office in his community of Ayotitlan while vocally opposing the operations of the Pena Colorada iron ore mine. Owned by the Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal and Ternium steel corporations, the mine has operated since the 1970s in the area around the Sierra de Manatlan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The mine has destroyed the Cerro de Los Juanes mountain, turning the surrounding area into a wasteland, the report states. Mining operations have driven deforestation, loss of wildlife, climatic changes and toxic contamination.

Activists and journalists have maintained that people who opposed the mine in the past have disappeared or been murdered, and Chavez was only the most recent. In April of last year, his body was found in the wreck of his car at the bottom of a cliff. There was evidence he had been tortured.

Adriana Sugey Cadenas Salmeron, a lawyer who coordinates the human-rights and environmental organization Tskini, said that violence was indeed increasing in Mexico. While there are several hypotheses as to why, Indigenous communities like one in Ayotitlan that Tskini is defending have lived for centuries in areas rich in natural resources that large companies now want to exploit.

We are going against their interests, which are the interests of millionaires, she told EcoWatch.

Salmeron saw hope in the immediate publication of the Global Witness report because it would bring attention to the struggles of the Ayotitlan community, which has been stuck in what she called a zone of silence. The report noted that the mining company does not allow outside researchers to enter the mine to assess conditions.

This report will help a great deal to dismiss this zone of silence, she said.

The Next Decade?

While stories like Chavezs are tragic, there are signs of hope that a global movement is coalescing around defending land defenders.

Where we are seeing change is in the opportunities to tackle violence against defenders. Businesses are now more aware of the threats that defenders face with a number establishing specific policies on human rights defenders; and some governments, predominantly in Europe, either have or are in the process of introducing mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for companies, a Global Witness spokesperson said.

Further, on April, 22, 2021, the first-ever legal agreement applying to environmental defenders entered into force. This is the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, or the Escazu Agreement, and signatories must both investigate and take steps to combat violence against defenders. So far, it has been ratified but yet not carried out in Mexico. Salmeron said there were many positives to the accord, but the government in Mexico moves slowly. In Colombia and Brazil, it has not yet been ratified.

There is some hope the situation might improve in Colombia following the June election of the countrys first left-wing President Gustavo Petro and its first Black Vice President Francia Marquez, a Goldman Environmental Prize winner. However, a Global Witness spokesperson said it was too soon to assess any impact the new government might have. In Brazil, there is also a chance for change if right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, whose anti-Indigenous rhetoric has emboldened the violence of extractive industries against land defenders in the Amazon, is defeated in Octobers election.

Moving into the next decade, Global Witness wants to see governments step up to defend their own citizens by overturning any legislation that criminalizes defenders and respecting the rights of Indigenous communities to free, prior, and informed consent; maintaining their lifestyles; enjoying a healthy environment; life; freedom; and free speech.

Ultimately, wed like to see governments reporting, investigating, and providing remedy for the killings of defenders themselves, a Global Witness spokesperson said.

They also emphasized the role of governments in the Global North, who need to ensure companies based in their countries are held accountable for the violence in their supply chains.

Defenders and the Climate Crisis

As in last years report, Global Witness emphasized the link between the violence of the climate crisis and the violence against environmental defenders.

Defenders are not only on the frontline protecting their land and resources  and ultimately our earth  from climate-destructive industries such as logging and mining, but they are also the ones most [affected] by extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis, from the wildfires in the Amazon to floods in the Philippines, a Global Vision spokesperson said.

Yet the report also offers a warning of what might happen to these same defenders if wealthy companies in the Global North attempt to mitigate the climate crisis using the same exploitative logic that birthed it. An emerging displacer of Indigenous communities is the voluntary carbon market, in which wealthy companies offset their emissions by funding forestry or renewable energy projects in the Global South. While this might sound positive, it can be harmful in practice. Thousands of people in Uganda were forced from their traditional homes to make way for a Green Resources tree plantation, and three Indigenous defenders were killed in Honduras in 2015 for resisting a dam on their land that had been funded as a carbon offset.

Salmeron also said the demand for minerals for clean energy projects and electric vehicles was fueling the mining industry in Mexico, and, therefore, violence against people who did not want their ancestral lands exploited for the profits of others.

While the capitalist system exists, violence will keep increasing in our country and around the world, she said.
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.

A new study has highlighted the inequality underriding the climate crisis.

The paper, published in Nature Sustainability Thursday, looked at the difference in per-capita emissions across the global economic spectrum between 1990 and 2019. During this time, the top one percent of emitters were responsible for nearly a quarter of all emissions contributing to the climate crisis and the top 10 percent are now responsible for nearly half of the total.

In my benchmark estimates, I find that the bottom 50% of the world population emitted 12% of global emissions in 2019, whereas the top 10% emitted 48% of the total, the studys sole author Lucas Chancel of the Paris School of Economics World Inequality Lab wrote. Since 1990, the bottom 50% of the world population has been responsible for only 16% of all emissions, whereas the top 1% has been responsible for 23% of the total.

There has been a great deal of attention on the emissions gap  both historical and actual  between wealthy and poor nations. A Carbon Brief analysis, for example, found that the U.S. is responsible for around 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions since 1850, the most of any one nation. Observations like this one have led to the call for developed nations to pay to help developing countries both adapt to and prevent the worst of the climate crisis through a mechanism known as loss and damage that the wealthier world is still dragging its feet to fund. However, Chancel said that there was less data that looked at the emissions gap between individuals internationally, a gap he set out to fill.

Chancel looked at data from the World Inequality Database next to carbon footprint data. In calculating carbon footprints, he looked at three components of how an individual might contribute to emissions: through consumption, through government spending in their name and, notably, through investments, as Carbon Brief pointed out.

In the paper, emissions associated with the formation of the capital stock (e.g. construction of buildings or machines) are attributed to those who own or invest in that stock, Chancel explained on Twitter. Relevance: while its possible to think about responsibility in many ways, its very hard to argue that capital-owners are responsible for no pollution and consumers are responsible for all of it. So far, this was the implicit view in many carbon footprint inequality analyses.

When investments were taken into account, it turned out that these were the main contribution to the emissions of the top one percent between 1990 and 2019. Further, the per capita emissions of the top one percent grew by 26 percent during the study period and the per capita emissions of the top 0.01 percent grew by 80 percent.

There are still important emissions gaps between the average person in wealthy and poor countries. In order to meet the goals of the Paris agreement and keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, average per capita emissions need to fall to 1.9 tonnes carbon-dioxide equivalent through 2050 from their current six tonnes, according to the study. Another study reported by Carbon Brief found that the average person living in Sub-Saharan Africa is below this goal at 0.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year while the average U.S. resident emits 14.5 tonnes.

However, the paper recorded a major change between emissions inequality in the 1900s and today. Around 30 years ago, 62 percent of emissions inequality was due to differences between countries. Now, around the same amount of inequality is due to differences within countries.

To be clear: this does not mean that important inequalities in emissions between countries and regions have disappeared, Chancel wrote. On the contrary, it means that on top of the great inter-national inequality in carbon emissions, there are also even greater emission inequalities between individuals within countries.

A few key results : [1] The top 10% of the world population is responsible for close to half of world emissions. [2] The bulk of global inequality in individual carbon emissions is now due to within-country differences. This was not the case in 1990. pic.twitter.com/vCVq8rNG88  Lucas Chancel (@lucas_chancel) September 29, 2022

The paper has important implications for crafting equitable climate policy. For example, it revealed that the bottom 50 percent of the population in the U.S. is actually living at near the 2030 per-capita emissions target set by its government under the Paris agreement, while the top 10 percent would need to cut emissions by 86 percent by that time. In India and China, 90 percent of the population remains below the 2030 target but the top 10 percent is already soaring above it.

[I]t appears that climate policies over the past decades have often targeted low-income and low-emitter groups disproportionately, while leaving high emitters relatively unaffected, Chancel wrote.

Yale School of Environment associate professor of energy systems Dr. Narasimha Rao, who peer reviewed the paper, told Carbon Brief a change of emphasis was in order. [The study] starkly reveals the need to focus on luxury emissions, he said.




South Korea PM urges rapid actions against ASF

South Korea Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on September 29 called for officials to swiftly carry out containment measures against the African swine fever (ASF), with the nation having reported two new outbreaks of the disease.

The disease was confirmed at two separate pig farms in Gimpo and Paju, Gyeonggi Province on September 28, marking the first outbreaks in the province since October 2019.

Han told a virus response meeting that the situation in Gyeonggi Province "is more stringent than ever because many pig farms are concentrated." He instructed the agriculture ministry to swiftly implement containment measures, including culling of pigs and restriction of movement.

Additonally, Han urged tight vigilance in areas where the disease has recently been reported, or adjacent to affected farms.

South Korea reported two cases of ASF at separate farms in Gangwon Province earlier this month, which led to the culling of some 15,000 pigs.

- Yonhap News Agency




Swiss voters express opposition against proposal to ban factory farming

Voters in Switzerland rejected on September 25 a proposal to ban factory farming in a referendum on whether the country's strict animal welfare laws need to be tightened further.

The government's VoteInfo App showed a provisional result of 62.86% of votes against the proposal, put to a referendum under the Swiss system of direct democracy, to make protecting the dignity of farm animals such as cattle, chickens and pigs a constitutional requirement.

VoteInfo takes voting results data collated by the Federal Statistics Office.

The farming proposal would have required the Swiss government to set stricter rules for caring for animals, including giving them access to the outdoors and for slaughtering them. The requirements would also have covered imported animals and animal products.

The government recommended against the proposal, saying such changes would breach trade accords, increase investment and operating costs and boost food prices.

"I think in general, people are regulating themselves on their own," said Geneva resident Florian Barbon who opposed the initiative. "I don't think we need a legal framework for this."

- The Poultry Site
Canadian carrier WestJet orders up to 64 Boeing 737-10s

Xinhua) 08:56, September 30, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Boeing announced on Thursday that Canadian carrier WestJet ordered 42 Boeing 737-10s with options for an additional 22 jets.

Since launching its business with three 737s in 1996, WestJet has grown its Boeing fleet to more than 100 airplanes including the 737-8 and 787 Dreamliner.

With the expansion of its 737 MAX fleet, WestJet's order supports the growth of the aviation industry in Canada, the announcement said.

"The 737-10 will be a game changer, with one of the lowest costs per seat among mid-range aircraft. This will foster our low-cost positioning and affordability for Canadians," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet Group chief executive officer.

Canada is home to one of Boeing's largest international supply bases with more than 550 suppliers and partners. Boeing currently contributes 5.3 billion Canadian dollars in economic benefit to Canada annually, supporting more than 20,000 jobs, according to Boeing.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Elementary students in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, attend class wearing masks, May 27, 2020. Newsis









By Lee Hyo-jin







Calls are growing for the government to ease indoor mask rules in Korea, as it remains the only OECD member country requiring masks to be worn in all indoor settings. Other countries such as Denmark, Israel, Italy and Germany have eased their rules somewhat, obligating people to wear masks in certain spaces and situations, most critically in medical institutions and nursing homes and on public transport.







A growing number of parents and doctors are demanding that the mandate to be lifted specifically for children of elementary school age or below, arguing that prolonged mask wearing has harmed young children's language and social learning.







Shin Min-hyang, head of the solidarity of human rights for parents and students, a civic group against mask mandates, strongly believes that masks do more harm than good to young children.







"For nearly two years, students have been forced to cover their faces all day at school without any exemption. A lot of them have been suffering from allergies, skin inflammation, irritated eyes and even breathing difficulties," Shin told The Korea Times over the phone, Friday.







"Moreover, recent studies show that facemasks are slowing children's language and social development. The developmental delays will have lasting effects on the young generation."







Her group has repeatedly demanded the Ministry of Education make masks optional at school, but the ministry has passed on the responsibility to schools and regional education offices without providing specific guidelines, she said.







"It is unfair to force the mask mandate on kids when adults are now enjoying mask-free lives at restaurants and bars," Shin added, urging the government to lift the mask rule for schools immediately.







Members of civic groups against mask mandates hold a press conference in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, June 21, demanding the government lift the rules. Yonhap




Bruce Willis may have retired from acting following a diagnosis of aphasia, but a version of him will live on in future projects. Last year, the actor's "digital twin" appeared in an ad for a Russian telecom created by a company called Deepcake. According to The Telegraph, his digital likeness may appear in future film, advertising and other projects.

Deepcake told The Hollywood Reporter that, despite reports to the contrary, Willis has not sold his likeness rights to the company. Its involvement with the retired actor "was set up through his representatives at CAA," according to the publication. A representative for the retired actor claimed that Willis "has no partnership or agreement with this Deepcake company.

Engineers created the digital double drawing from content in Die Hard and Fifth Element, when Willis was 32 and 42, respectively. With his likeness now on the company's AI platform, it can graft his likeness onto another actor's face in a relatively short amount of time. However, Willis's estate has final approval on any projects.

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In the ad for Megafon, Willis's face was swapped onto actor Konstantin Solovyov. "I liked the precision of my character. It's a great opportunity for me to go back in time," Willis said in a statement on Deepcake. "With the advent of the modern technology, I could communicate, work and participate in filming, even being on another continent. It's a brand new and interesting experience for me, and I grateful to our team."

In March, Willis's family announced that he was retiring from acting to due a diagnosis of aphasia, which impairs communication and comprehension. In the last few years, the 67-year-old has appeared in a series of projects amid concern about his cognitive state.

Actors have already appeared as digital versions of themselves, notably in The Book of Boba Fett with a young Mark Hamill. Digital versions of Carrie Fisher and Peter Cushing also appeared in Star Wars: Rogue One, despite the fact that both are deceased. James Earl Jones recently sold Disney the right to recreate his voice using AI, so he could retire.

The practice has stoked controversy. Deepfakes vary widely in quality, but many approach the "uncanny valley" where characters don't look quite right because of stiff movements, dead eyes and other issues. There's also the question of rights, as deceased actors can't turn down posthumous film roles, even if the family or estate approves.

Update 10/2 1:35PM ET: The Hollywood Reporter clarified that Willis did not sell his likeness rights to Deepcake. Rather, Deepcake says it "hired" a digital twin of the star. Willis or his estate will need to sign off on future use of his likeness.
NASA and SpaceX have signed an agreement to study the possibility of using a Dragon spacecraft to lift the Hubble telescope to a higher orbit. The Hubble telescope's orbit decays over time due to atmospheric drag, and reboosting it to a more stable one could add more years to its life. SpaceX proposed the idea several months ago in partnership with the Polaris Program, the human spaceflight initiative organized by billionaire businessman, Jared Isaacman. If you'll recall, Isaacman funded Inspiration4, the first mission to launch an all-civilian crew to orbit back in 2021.

The space agency said it's not going to spend any money for the study and there are no plans to fund a mission to reboost the Hubble with a Dragon spacecraft at the moment. According to The New York Times, Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's associate administrator for science, said during a news conference: "I want to be absolutely clear. We're not making an announcement today that we definitely will go forward with a plan like this." NASA and SpaceX didn't even enter an exclusive agreement, which means other companies can propose studies with their spacecraft as the model. At this point, this partnership is all about looking at the possibilities.

The teams will spend six months collecting technical data from both Hubble and the Dragon spacecraft. They'll then use that information to determine whether it's safe for the capsule to rendezvous and dock with the telescope, as well as to figure out how it can physically raise Hubble to a higher altitude. At the same conference, SpaceX VP of customer operations Jessica Jensen explained: "What we want to do is expand the boundaries of current technology. We want to show how we use commercial partnerships as well as the public-private partnerships to creatively solve challenging and complex problem missions such as servicing Hubble." In addition to potentially adding years to the 32-year-old telescope's life, the servicing solutions the study finds could also be applied to other spacecraft in near-Earth orbit.
New Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar speaks during a press briefing introducing this year's Sarang Festival organized by the embassy at the Indian Cultural Center, Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of the Embassy of India in Korea



By Kwon Mee-yoo



A festival full of Indian dance, music and art will be held throughout Korea from Sept. 30 through Oct. 14.



The Embassy of India in Korea announced that "Sarang  the Festival of India in Republic of Korea" returns with a variety of festivities after a two-year hiatus amid the COVID-19 pandemic.



New Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar said how India and Korea share historical and cultural heritage such as the marriage of Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya and King Suro and the humanitarian support exchanged by India during the Korean War.



"In contemporary times, our two countries continue working on expanding relations in the areas of economy, culture, security, supply chains, energy and knowledge based on the shared vision of people, peace and prosperity on the bedrock of our relations," the ambassador said during a press briefing ahead of the festival, Thursday.



The ambassador also noted the celebrations for this year are organized as part of a series of events commemorating India's 75 years of independence.



"The word, 'sarang,' is very meaningful interpretation for both Koreans and Indians. 'Sarang' in Korean means 'love' and for us it refers to 'diversity representing the different colors of India,'" Ambassador Kumar said.



"Starting in 2015, Sarang has emerged as a prominent Indian cultural festival, introducing India's rich and diverse cultural heritage in Korea, and has since then grown in size, scope and popularity, showcasing India's rich civilizational legacy and cultural vibrancy As a part of this festival, it is our endeavor to showcase the rich cultural diversity of India represented through various forms," he said.





The poster for "Sarang  the Festival of India in Republic of Korea" / Courtesy of the Embassy of India in Korea
In 2022, Tony Hawk is a household name, skateboarding is an olympic sport and its possible to master digital laser flips in any number of video games on TV. It wasnt always like this, though. Early skate screen media consisted mostly of skeptical documentaries or whimsical California dreaming-style chronicles. Things changed when, in 1983, Stacy Peralta  who managed the ragtag team of skaters that Tony Hawk was a member of  effectively invented the modern skate video. Thanks to its performative nature, skateboarding would soon form a symbiotic relationship with the technology that showcased it.

The VHS invasion

Peralta claims he hoped a few hundred copies of his first video might find their way into the new VHS players that were taking the US by storm. From the get go, videos were more lucrative than they thought they were going to be: It's this sort of famous thing that Stacy [Peralta] says that the first Bones Brigade video, they thought they were just gonna write the costs off as a marketing cost, but actually they made a load of money on it. Author, professor and skateboarder Iain Borden told Engadget. The success of The Bone Brigade Video Show, and the titles that followed, exposed skateboarding to many more new eyes along with an all new revenue stream for the struggling sport.

Al Seib via Getty Images

In the 80s Peralta and his Bones Brigade team dominated on-screen skateboarding, typically on vert ramps, including several movie cameos. But Peraltas polished style and squeaky-clean team wasnt for everyone. Right at the end of the 80s, H-Street  a more grassroots skateboarding outfit  released Shackle Me Not and Hokus Pokus with a focus on street skating. Not everyone had access to a ramp, but everyone lived on a street, meaning this new style was much more accessible with the videos almost serving as a how-to manual.

According to Borden, H-Street put cameras in skaters hands to film each other and the change of pace and dynamic in videos shifted away from Peraltas more conventional approach. This new format  skaters shooting skaters  complete with slams, skits, music and pissed-off security guards would become the template for the next decade. Not least thanks to another new technology that was about to land.

The VX1000

In 1995, Sony released a camera that would define how the skate video looks (and sounds) right to this day. At around $3,000; the DCR-VX1000, was the first digital camcorder in Sonys consumer lineup. The relatively affordable price, coupled with its small form-factor and new, digital tapes  MiniDV  made it the perfect camera for gonzo filmmakers seeking professional results. The fact that footage could be easily transferred to a PC with a nascent technology called i.Link (which you might know as FireWire) meant anyone with a computer could now make videos entirely at home.

The VX1000 only really solidified its legendary status among skaters once it was coupled with the Century Optics fish-eye lens. The fisheye was amazing. The audio was incredible. The colors look great. It had a handle built into it so you can follow somebody while riding a skateboard, videographer Chris Ray told Engadget. There hasn't been another impactful camera in skateboarding like that. I don't think there ever will be.

Sony

Ray says he still uses audio from the VX1000 on his modern productions. I pull a library of VX audio and I add those to the snaps, the lands, the grinds, things like that into my skate films because nobody has made a camera that has audio that's even close to as good. Ray clearly isnt the only one to think so, as this $300 modern replica VX1000 mic just for skateboarding attests.

To complement the sound, the colors the VX1000 put out would also become something of a hallmark of a good skate video. The bright, punchy hues the camera produced were the perfect match for the blue Californian sky contrasted against the beige and asphalt found in strip mall parking lots and other urban, skate-friendly locations. Before long, footage shot with anything else felt passe. People were still making skateboard videos on other cameras, Ray said, but this was, like, the one you were taking a lot more seriously.

Ask any skater what the golden era of skate videos is and youll get a different answer, but objectively the year 2000 ushered in a period of where some of the most impactful, high budget skateboarding movies ever were made, and most of them were shot with the trusty VX1000.

Chris Ray

Menikmati, from shoe company eS and Modus Operandi by Transworld set the tone. Both came out in 2000 and heavily showcased the VX1000s distinctive look and sound. Both are also very high profile releases in the skate scene, which only serves to fully solidify the cameras status as the de facto tool of choice. Not to mention a badge of cool in its own right. I mean, it's on skateboards. I've got skateboards on my wall with the camera on it. People make keychains, there's tattoos. Ray said. It's still iconic to this day.

Redefining the standard

Of course, theres a problem looming over the horizon. A 16:9, High-Definition problem to be precise.

For all the VXs strengths, the whole TV industry was undergoing its biggest change in standards, perhaps ever. Widescreen TVs had been steadily replacing 4:3 CRTs and the new HD resolutions were making SD content look horribly outdated. Not everyone was a fan of the new aspect ratio, either. I couldn't get myself to fully go HD because it was a lot harder. You're talking about a 16:9 image. You don't want to cut the wheels off and you don't want to cut their head off when you're filming skateboarding. Ray said.

Worse, in 1999 Sony did release a follow-up to the much-loved camera, the VX2000, but it was a flop with skateboarders. Not only was the new aspect ratio harder to work with, the VX2000 had an inferior mic and, crucially, wasnt compatible with the Century Optics fisheye (or specifically the Mk1 of that lens that everyone wanted). Skateboard filmers needed to find a new sweetheart.
Despite denials until mid-2022, Stadia is winding down. The technically impressive game streaming service, which delivered current-gen games through smartphones, PCs, tablets and even Chromecast, is the latest victim of Googles long list of service casualties. Google said the service "hasn't gained the traction with users that we expected." Thats entirely true. Google closed its internal game development studios early last year, and the company sadly failed to turn things around, even as rumors swirled that Stadia wasnt long for this world. Its a shame, as the service worked incredibly well, especially at the nascent beginnings of cloud gaming.

The good news is if you invested in the standalone games, Google "will be refunding all Stadia hardware purchases made through the Google Store, and all game and add-on content purchases made through the Stadia store." This was outlined by Stadia vice president and general manager Phil Harrison in a blog here.

If you subscribed to Stadia Pro and built up a catalog of games, there are no reimbursements. Youll be able to play your games until January, but itll serve as a reminder that streaming services, if they go, can leave you with nothing. Except maybe a Chromecast.

 Mat Smith

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The biggest stories you might have missed

The first time both telescopes observed the same celestial target at the same time.

NASA made history this week when it slammed its DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) spacecraft into an asteroid nearly seven million miles away. Now, we can see the test from afar, thanks to the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes. JWST and Hubble picked up different wavelengths of light (infrared and visible, respectively), and NASA says that observing data from multiple wavelengths will help scientists figure out if big chunks of material left Dimorphos' surface or if it was mostly fine dust. This is an important aspect of the test: The ultimate aim is to develop a system that can divert incoming asteroids away from Earth. Like 1998s Armageddon, just with less Bruce Willis and Aerosmith.

Continue reading.

The practical sub weve been waiting for.

Engadget

Finally, after only 10 years, Sonos has launched the Sub Mini, and at $429, its relatively affordable. Its perfectly sized for apartments and small rooms, and its a simple upgrade to your Sonos Beam or Ray. Finally, you have a viable, moveable way of beefing up your sound, which isnt obscenely expensive. Check out our full review.

Continue reading.

Even more complicated AI-generated art.

Meta unveiled its Make-a-Scene text-to-image generating AI in July, which, like Dall-E and Midjourney, can create fantastical depictions based on written prompts. On Thursday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed Make-a-Scene's more animated contemporary, Make-a-Video. Functionally, Video works the same as Scene  combining natural language processing and generative neural networks to convert non-visual prompts into images  it's just pulling content into a different format.

Continue reading.

Why not both?

Teenage Engineering

The Swedish brand, best known for electronic music toys and tools, has released the decidedly more analogue PO-80 Record Factory. As the name implies, it can cut vinyl records as well as play them back. The orange and white design is cute, as is the simplicity. You just need to plug an audio device into the 3.5mm jack and start recording. You're limited to monophonic sound, and you won't be cutting more than a single with a B-side. The Record Factory is available for $149.

Continue reading.

Dorsey asked Musk to join Twitter's board long before he tried to buy the company.

A tranche of Elon Musks private messages has been made public as part of his ongoing lawsuit with Twitter. The messages, revealed in a court filing Thursday, shed new light on Musks behind-the-scenes negotiations with Twitters leadership, discussions with former CEO Jack Dorsey, and how Musk talks with CEO Parag Agrawal quickly soured. The messages include the moment Musk tells Agrawal he wants to acquire Twitter and take it private, rather than join the board, as well as Agrawal confronting Musk about an April 9th tweet questioning if "Twitter is dying."

Continue reading.
Bill Plante, popularly known for being one of CBS News' longtime correspondents and a veteran journalist who covered several issues throughout his half-century career, has passed away at the age of 84.

According to the Washington Post, his wife Robin Smith confirmed the tragic news, saying he died due to respiratory faliure.

The journalist started out in the industry as a reporter and assignment editor in 1964. Throughout his decades-long career, he covered many significant and historical events, especially what was happening with the President serving during his time as a correspondent.

He witnessed Presidential positions being filled and vacated by Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

Plante also made history by being one of the "longest-tenured White House TV journalists" in history.

READ NOW: Christian Bale Set Boundaries With Chris Rock on 'Amsterdam' Set for This Reason

Bill Plante Remembered by Colleagues, Described as a Good Person Throughout His Time in CBS

For viewers who witnessed him on television, the famed correspondent was popularly known for his distinct tone of voice, but for fellow journalists in the field, he was remembered as someone who is a good and intelligent person.

Tom Brokaw, former anchor of "NBC Nightly News" described him as a "friendly rival" as he was always willing to share insights.

He also noted that he was "a smart, serious journalist with a droll, self deprecating style."

Plante was also known for his intelligence as journalist Lesley Stahl said he could "boom out questions" to a President that goes a long way.

Even though many people would see him on shows like "CBS This Morning" and "CBS Eveneing News," he was more popularly known for being a White House correspondent as he covered some of the controversial issues in the past like the Iran-contra scandal during Raegan's time and many more.

One of his most notable moments was when then-President George W. Bush announced that political strategist Karl Rove resigned at the time, Plante immediately yelled out, "If he's so smart, why did you lose Congress?"

Bush was stunned and didn't answer his question, but he continued speaking, saying reporters who attend White House press conferences shouldn't be treated as "guests" because they're there to ask questions.

His real name was William Madden Plante, born on January 14, 1938, in Chicago, Plante attended Jesuit school and later began his broadcasting career at the age of 17 or 18 starting at the musical radio station called "Evaston."

READ ALSO: Meghan Markle Receives Warning From Royal Experts After Constantly Exaggerating Stories
Foreign Minister Park Jin, center, poses with ambassadors from Central and South American countries during their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, Friday. While discussing ways to strengthening cooperation between Korea and Latin American countries, Park asked them to support Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Many fans are still seeking answers as to why Anthony Bourdain decided to end his life despite his massive success in the world of culinary. Recently a new book is revealing details on what happened to the celebrity chef days before his tragic death.

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive topics like suicide

According to People Magazine, the chef/travel host passed away at the age of 61 due to suicide. At the time, he was in Kaysersberg, France, to film an episode of his travel show titled "Parts Unknown."

Weeks before his death, he was reportedly "giddy" because the release of his CNN show's Hong Kong episode was set to be released, it was directed by his partner Asia Argento.

Despite showing happy emotions, he's struggling behind closed doors as he reportedly had a "troubled relationship" with his girlfriend.

Recently, an unauthorized biography titled "Down and Out in Paradise" by Charles Leerhseen shared an excerpt of its contents to the outlet to shine a light on Bourdain's life.

READ NOW: Caleb McLaughlin Addresses Racism From 'Stranger Things' Fans: 'Why Am I the Least Favorite?'

'Down and Out in Paradise' to Reveal Personal Details About Anthony Bourdain, Asia Argento's Final Moments

The book contains intimate details as they were able to obtain personal texts and e-mails on his phone and laptop.

"You were reckless with my heart," one of his last texts to Argento reads.

In a previous interview, the actress/director confirmed that they both cheated on one another and it wasn't a "problem" for them.

As written by the author, Argento also complained about the chef being "too possessive." She would always tell him that her kids were her number one priority, work came second, and he came third.

However, he fears that he would become fourth or fifth in the future and it wasn't because of simple jealousy.

By June 2018, their relationship became even more complicated even though Argento was not seeing anyone aside from her ex-husband. The author clarified that both of them have an open relationship as they "theoretically" had the right to have other lovers.

However, in Bourdain's case, he was meeting prostitutes, but he didn't count them as "lovers" as there was no emotional attachment.

The day before his death, they reportedly had a big fight because of the chef's possessiveness. His last text message to her was, "I can't believe you have so little affection or respect for me that you would be without empathy for this."

His good pal Ripert invited him to have dinner but Bourdain turned down his suggestion, instead, he went out by himself, "ate a lot and drank a lot" that evening.

READ ALSO: Bill Plante Cause of Death Tragic: Longtime CBS Correspondent Dead at 84
The first news report about Jeffrey Dahmer's murder cases resurfaces as his family expressed their dismay over the release of the Netflix documentary series "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story."

Netflix launched "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" on Sep. 21, sharing 10 episodes that explore the story of the 17 teen boys and young men who were murdered by Dahmer. The disturbing series still piqued the public's interest that it is now being watched by millions of people on the platform.

Amid the airing of the Netflix series, Radar Online revisited the first news report about Dahmer's story, calling the murder scene a "death factory."

On Jul. 23, 1991, FOX6 WakeUp broadcasted a report featuring a vintage video of the crime scene. It was the first time the public knew about the brutal story.

"Milwaukee Police found body parts in a north side apartment and now they wonder if they've uncovered some kind of death factory. Police hired a private contractor to haul a refrigerator and a tank of acid out of the apartment in the 900 block of North 25th Street," an anchor for the network said.



After the mass murderer was arrested, a police lieutenant said that the case might be known nationwide. Indeed, the suspect infamously became known as the Milwaukee Cannibal and the Milwaukee Monster.

Dahmer received 16 life sentences after the brutal killing, but he was later beaten to death by his fellow inmate, Christopher Scarver, at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin.

Families of Jeffrey Dahmer's Expressed Dismay Over Netflix Series Release

Following the premiere of "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," the bereaved loved ones of the victims spoke out and expressed their rage toward Netflix.

On Twitter, Errol Lindsey's cousin, Eric Perry, slammed Netflix for dramatizing the sickening crimes. Errol, who was only 19 at the time of his death, became Dahmer's 11th known victim.

READ ALSO: Katie Couric Reveals Tragic Health Diagnosis Decades After Husband, Sister's Battle Against Dreaded Disease

He was murdered in July 1991 after Dahmer invited him to his Milwaukee apartment to drink beer. He also had a hole in his skull before Dahmer poured acid into it and dismembered him.

"I'm not telling anyone what to watch, I know true crime media is huge rn, but if you're actually curious about the victims, my family (the Isbell's) are pissed about this show," Perry said.

For his family and other victims' loved ones, premiering the Netflix series retraumatized them.

Netflix is yet to respond to the families' comments.

READ MORE: Sarah Jessica Parker's Stepfather Dead at 76: What Was His Cause of Death?s
THESSALONIKI, Greece, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The UAE Minister of Economy, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, held bilateral meetings, at the UAE Pavilion in Thessaloniki International Fair TIF 86, with several high-ranking Greek Ministers & officials to boost cooperation & bilateral relations between the UAE and Greece. The extensive meetings between the two-shed light on the most attractive economic sectors to invest in the UAE  including non-oil industries, whose foreign exports have recently hit an all-time high.

The Greek Prime Minister, H.E Kyriakos Mitsotakis, opened the UAE pavilion at Thessaloniki International Fair 86, on Monday in the presence of the UAE Minister of Economy, and then held a meeting with the UAE Minister of Economy, to discuss ways to boost cooperation between the two countries and enhance bilateral trade & investment relations.

The Minister of Economy, H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, also met H.E Vassilis Kikilias, Greek Minister of Tourism, where they discussed several issues, including mechanisms to boost Tourism in the two countries. The plan is to enhance the sustainable development of the Tourism sector in the UAE & Greece and boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The UAE pavilion also shed light on the UAE's new economic model and strategy of establishing a diverse economy & developing the nation's non-oil economic sectors, in addition to its pioneering position on the global trade map.

UAE's upward trajectory in non-oil exports is astounding. The UAE has recorded its highest-ever non-oil exports in the first half of 2022, with a total value of AED 180 billion. In the Manufacturing sector, the UAE aims to raise the industrial sector's contribution to GDP from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031

Picture is available at AP Images ( http://www.apimages.com)

Press contact: Rana Elshorbagy Senior PR SpecialistE: rana.elshorbagy@strategic.ae M: +201020092841

View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uae-minister-of-economy-discusses-with-greek-prime-minister-boosting-economic-partnership--mutual-investments-301638083.html


Croatia has drafted a new tourism development strategy which aims to significantly reduce the highly seasonal nature of the countrys air connectivity. The plan is to achieve this goal through greater cooperation between tourism bodies, airports and airlines. Some of the proposed measures include incentives for year-round operations, which are already offered by airports, as well as joint promotional activities. According to aviation analytics company Centre for Aviation, Croatia is one of Europe's most seasonally skewed markets and highlights the strong dependence of its aviation market on summer leisure routes, with only low demand during the winter season. This sees activity peak in July and August, with June and September acting as shoulder months. Croatia has drafted a new tourism development strategy which aims to significantly reduce the highly seasonal nature of the countrys air connectivity. The plan is to achieve this goal through greater cooperation between tourism bodies, airports and airlines. Some of the proposed measures include incentives for year-round operations, which are already offered by airports, as well as joint promotional activities. According to aviation analytics company Centre for Aviation, Croatia is one of Europe's most seasonally skewed markets and highlights the strong dependence of its aviation market on summer leisure routes, with only low demand during the winter season. This sees activity peak in July and August, with June and September acting as shoulder months.





Croatias Minister for Tourism and Sports, Nikolina Brnjac, said, Our goal is to increase the number of flights available to Croatia throughout the entire year, which contributes not only to air connectivity, but also to the development of a year-round tourism product. This has been specifically highlighted in the new [tourism] strategy, with the focus of improving both domestic and international air connectivity. She added, By collaborating with airlines, tour operators and travel agencies in the field of marketing, the strategy promotes the introduction of year-round flights from major emitting markets. Were happy because Croatia Airlines connects Croatia with a number of important tourist destinations throughout the entire year. Croatias flag carrier is an important segment of our national brand.





Croatia Airlines itself has also struggled with high levels of seasonality. This winter, the carrier plans to maintain thirteen international routes from its hub in Zagreb, although one of them will only run until late January of next year. It will operate a further four domestic destinations, which are funded through a Public Service Obligation mechanism. As part of its three-year post-Covid strategy, Croatia Airlines has highlighted the reduction of seasonality as one of its highest priorities. In addition to increasing efficiency and competitiveness, the company faces key operational and structural challenges that includes the year-round flight network, the company said.





Dubrovnik Airport has said it will put a greater focus on reducing seasonality and increasing flights during the winter months. The airports General Manager, Viktor Sober, noted, Winter connectivity will be one of our priorities, however, in order to be more efficient, we will definitely need to improve synergies with the Tourist Board of Dubrovnik and the City of Dubrovnik in our negotiations with airlines. During the 2022/23 winter season, Dubrovnik Airport should be linked to four international destinations - Athens with Aegean Airlines, Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, Barcelona with Vueling and London with British Airways. Mr Sober added, Further negotiations are still ongoing with airlines. It is important to highlight that Freebird Airlines Europe will again operate charter flights from Dubrovnik to Central and Western Europe from late September until early December of this year, and again from February 2023.





Split Airport has echoed calls for greater cooperation between all relevant stakeholders to reduce seasonality. Almost half of our annual traffic is achieved during July and August. During the four summer months we have the most passenger traffic in the country. We are extremely seasonal in character. We need attractions which are not only of interest to locals but must be competitive with European metropolises because we need to measure up to them. This is not easy or cheap and it requires time, energy and vision. There are some good developments, but we must work on creating an appealing offer for tourists to come outside of the peak season and then we will have more aircraft arriving in the winter, the airport recently noted. It added, Carriers say they don't want to fly to a destination where they register fantastic results between April and October, which then have to cover losses generated over the winter. They want certainty and that is why there are so many airlines in Split in summer and few in winter.








Korea's Marine Corps will participate in an international exercise in the Philippines next month for the first time to enhance combined operational capabilities with friendly nations, the armed service said Friday.







Exercise KAMANDAG is set to take place on the Philippine island of Luzon from Oct. 3-13, involving some 3,300 personnel from four countries  South Korea, the United States, the Philippines and Japan.







Korea plans to send around 120 troops, who will depart for the Philippines aboard a C-130 transport plane Saturday.







During the exercise, troops plan to engage in various training sessions, including those on combined amphibious landing operations, medical support, maritime search and airborne infiltrations, according to the Marine Corps here. (Yonhap)










EAST HELENA, Mont. - T-6 is a non-profit organization that focuses on mental health and officer resiliency in the first responder and military communities.

It was developed to help law enforcement officers and first responders dealing with mental health or the stressors of the job.

Jon Marshall, an instructor with T-6, tells Montana Right Now that a study done by a doctor in Texas shows because of the stress and trauma that happens to your body and mind, the average first responder that puts in between 20-30 years and retires ends up having a life expectancy rate of only 18 months after retirement.

"That changes by us doing this class, that changes by giving this information. When you start your career, they should give you all the tools you need to do your job. You should also be given tools to combat the stressors and trauma with the job so you can finish out and when you do retire, you get to spend time with your family, go fishing and hunting, and do the thing you did or do love and so you can function in reality after you retire," said Marshall.

The goal is to make sure that whether you're just starting out or you have been ten years in, you know how to deal with the stress and the traumas of the job that sometimes get handed out and how to move beyond that.

"A lot of our trauma gets handed out because you answered the call with your badge number one day. And the reality is, is that, you know, our jobs are tough. We deal with death and destruction. All the time. And sadly, what comes with that? We certainly take on some of these traumas in it changes a person or affects a person in different ways," said Marshall.

He's been a first responder for about 20 years and working with law enforcement for the last 8 years.

A big reason he is here teaching the class is because he was able to make it through his own struggles with mental health.

"So I suffered from a lot of trauma early on in my career. It seems like every year, every ten months I was dealing with the pediatric death, and that's some of the hardest trauma to deal with. And so I actually thought that I didn't need to seek help. I wasn't involved like in a more traumatic or different traumatic event, like an officer involved shooting. And it started affect my job, start affect my personal life to the point where, you know, suicide was being thought of. My wife and I were looking at divorce. I have two kids at home. And the reality is I didn't know what was going on with me. I didn't understand the process or how it was affecting me. And so that built up over the years. Of all these critical incidents. These traumas really started to take its toll. And I was having a harder time functioning. And then once I understood and started to seek counselors and help and peer support systems, it really helped bring me out of that hole that I was in. Now I am here today, presenting this to others so they don't fall before that same fate," said Marshall.

Mental health is a topic that often brings stigmas and is a conversation that many people try to avoid, but it is a subject that can build confidence on the job.

"A lot of guys fear coming forward or asking for help because this is going to affect their promotion, it's going to affect that special assignment, are people going to judge me, what are my peers going to think about. The reality is, is that it shows you're a kind of a person who shows that you're a leader, shows that you are okay with coming forward, that it is okay to seek that help, it shows what kind of character you have. And that's the stigma we're breaking or trying to break on a complete level because you can still be a functioning police officer. You can still be okay with doing your job and carrying a badge and a gun and still serving your community," said Marshall.

T-6 is holding workshops "Getting through the Grind" and it is offered free to all first responders including police, fire, EMT, dispatch, and corrections professionals and their spouses.

Dates:

Helena, September 29-October 1, hosted by the Montana Highway Patrol

Kalispell, October 3 and December 5, hosted by the Kalispell Police Department

Billings, November 3-5, hosted by the Billings Police Department
Maize growers looking to protect their fields after harvest can claim 200 per hectare from South East Water for post-maize grass cover this October.

The water company has doubled post-maize funding for the month of October as part of its commitment to reduce sediment, pesticide and nutrient input into rivers and aquifers across the south east.

Catchment Advisor Tom Abbotts, explains: To help farmers after a difficult year, we've increased our post-maize grass funding from 110 to 200 per hectare for any species of grass sown post-harvest.

With harvest over, now is the perfect time to think about winter field cover to protect against soil erosion and nutrient leaching.

We know this has been an extremely challenging growing season with difficult ground conditions for inter-row sowing, but its not too late to protect your fields  and local water sources."

In addition to this increase in maize funding, farmers in the priority catchment areas can access up to 20,000 per year for farm infrastructure improvements, land management and free water efficiency audits.

Other land management options available to those in our priority catchment areas include 75 per hectare for winter cover crops.

Mr Abbotts said: Planning ahead for next spring, inter-row sowing is an excellent way to protect and improve soil on maize fields.

Allowing grass to establish through summer between the crop reduces soil and nutrient loss whilst reducing the need to travel on wet fields in winter.

For these options, the water provider offers 160 for inter-row sowing maize with grass or 280 per hectare for herbal leys.

The full list of funding is available at on South East Water's website, while those interested in the special post-maize offer must submit an application form by 31 October.
Consumer taste panels conducted have resulted in attendees increasing the amount of lamb they cook and eat and an increased awareness of the PGI Welsh Lamb brand.

Hybu Cig Cymru  Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) Welsh Lamb Meat Quality Project, part Welsh government funded, has been holding consumer taste panels over the last 3 years across the UK.

Consumer feedback has been collected on factors which impact meat quality and taste in order to ensure that Welsh Lamb retains its reputation for world-leading quality.

Data from taste panels held in Ludlow, Chester and Reading, shows that 60% of participants are purchasing more lamb after taking part in the taste panel.

Furthermore, 81% of participants had an increased understanding of Welsh Lambs nutritional benefits and 60% noted that they were now looking out for the Welsh Lamb logos after taking part in the consumer taste panel. 50% of participants had bought Welsh Lamb following the taste panel.

During the panel, participants are given seven servings of lamb and are asked to score it on the four key factors which make up meat quality: aroma, flavour, tenderness and juiciness, as well as overall liking. Panellists are also asked about how much they would be willing to pay for each piece.

Participants are also given a presentation highlighting the nutritional profile of Welsh Lamb and the sustainable way in which it is produced.

HCC is collecting feedback from 2,000 consumers over the lifespan of the project to create a blueprint for the industry on consumer preference.

HCCs Meat Quality Executive, Dr Eleri Thomas said: "These results show that our taste panel research is not only beneficial to the industry but is also a really positive experience for consumers.

"Attending the taste panel has increased participants understanding and awareness of Welsh Lamb and their likelihood of buying it and purchasing it, which is a great result."

The feedback received by HCC is anonymous, but included comments such as "the panel was really interesting and the meat was divine".

One said: "Lamb is now my new chicken and I have it hot in recipes and cold with salad as well as I thought I didnt like lamb and I was educated in how delicious it can be!

The results also showed that after attending a taste panel, 60% of participants were more likely to choose a lamb dish when eating out and over 55% of participants were more likely to cook lamb as a mid-week meal  a key meal occasion which HCC has been targeting to increase lamb consumption.

Dr Thomas continued: "The Welsh Lamb Meat Quality project offers a great opportunity to engage with 2,000 consumers across all parts of the UK and to highlight to them the unique and special qualities of Welsh Lamb.

"It is great that these events have resulted in more people cooking, choosing and purchasing Welsh Lamb."

HCC is now running its fourth and final set of taste panels, taking place in Liverpool, Oxford and Malvern.

Throughout the last 5 years, the project has been investigating what impact factors such as seasonality, feed and ageing process have on meat quality and consumer preference.

A final report will be created at the end of the project so the industry can take on board the results.
People wait to get tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in eastern Seoul on Sept. 15. Yonhap



Korea will remove a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing requirement for inbound travelers on the first day of their arrival amid the waning virus wave, authorities said Friday.



The measure will take effect Saturday.



Currently, a PCR test is a must for inbound travelers within the first 24 hours of their entry into the country.



The decision means the removal of all antivirus restrictions regarding inbound travelers. Earlier this month, Korea removed the mandatory pre-departure testing requirement for outbound travelers.










An employee of major commercial bank Woori Bank was sentenced to 13 years in prison Friday for embezzling 61.4 billion won ($43 million) by conspiring with his brother.







The Seoul Central District Court also ordered the 43-year-old employee, identified only by his surname Jeon, to forfeit 32.3 billion won.







In the same ruling, the court sentenced the employee's younger brother, who is not a bank employee, to 10 years in prison for conspiring in the embezzlement.







"The nature of the defendant's crime is heavy, as he embezzled more than 61.4 billion won while working at Woori Bank," the court said in the ruling, adding his crime caused damage to the company's credibility.







The two were indicted in May on charges of embezzlement, violation of law on flight of domestic property and forgery of documents.







Most of the stolen money was found to be from a 57.8 billion-won contract deposit that Woori Bank has to return to Iran's largest consumer electronics maker, Entekhab Industrial Group, in connection with a failed acquisition deal.







The court, however, did not allow the prosecutions' request to indict on an additional embezzled amount of 9.32 billion won, saying an arraignment does not specify the method of the crime. (Yonhap)










Sri Lankan exports of apparel and textiles increased by 19.3 per cent to $4,082.81 million during January to August 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, as per Sri Lankan Export Development Board. However, a few categories such as clothing accessories, knitted fabrics, textile floor coverings and yarn registered a decline in exports.

According to the board, the exports of made-up clothing accessories declined by 9.8 per cent, knitted fabrics declined by 1.02 per cent, yarn decreased by 15.61 per cent and textile floor coverings reduced by 14.35 per cent. However, the other textile and garment products noticed an impressive growth in exports during the period under review.

Sri Lankan exports of apparel and textiles increased by 19.3 per cent to $4,082.81 million during January to August 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, as per Sri Lankan Export Development Board. However, a few categories such as clothing accessories, knitted fabrics, textile floor coverings and yarn registered a decline in exports.

Sri Lankan merchandise exports increased by 12.04 per cent to $8,853 million compared to the corresponding period of 2021. Apparel and textiles were among the sectors that witnessed an outstanding growth. Earnings from the merchandise exports increased by 10.24 per cent year over year (YoY) to $1,213.7 million in August 2022 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. This was mainly due to the increase in earnings from exports of apparel and textiles.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Bangladesh finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal recently requested Malaysian deputy finance minister YB Dato Indear Moha Shar Abdullah to quickly sign the free trade agreement (FTA) proposed 11 years ago. It is widely expected that such an FTA Malaysia could be the gateway for Bangladeshi exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market.

He also urged Abdullah to take further measures to hire more manpower from Bangladesh. He met the Malaysian leader at a meeting held alongside the annual general meeting of the Asian Development Bank in Manila.

Bangladesh finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal recently requested Malaysian deputy finance minister YB Dato' Indear Moha Shar Abdullah to quickly sign the free trade agreement (FTA) proposed 11 years ago. It is widely expected that such an FTA Malaysia could be the gateway for Bangladeshi exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations market.

In fiscal 2020-21, Bangladeshs export earnings from Malaysia stood at $306 million against imports worth $1.57 billion, Kamal was quoted as saying by Bangladeshi media reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Special economic zones (SEZs) alone are not enough to attract the best investors, according to US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, who recently told a programme hosted by the International Business Forum of Bangladesh that a smart company considering business overseas certainly wants certainty and security as political violence and electoral instability scare them.

Its one thing to build a special economic zone, but that alone is not enough to attract the best investors, he said.

Special economic zones alone are not enough to attract the best investors, US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas recently said. A smart company considering business overseas certainly wants 'certainty and security' as political violence and electoral instability 'scare' them, he told a programme hosted by the International Business Forum of Bangladesh.

Companies want a developed transportation system, consistent access to power and water, and a well-trained workforce and Bangladesh had made great strides in filling these needs, he noted.

There are strong reasons to look at Bangladesh for market opportunities, he said.

Yes, times are tough. And as the World Bank recently pointed out, Bangladesh needs additional reforms in order to maintain its economic expansion going forward. But so far, the macroeconomic situation seems manageable, added the envoy.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Vikram Vedha is inspired by the folktale of Betal Pachisi, in which King Vikramaditya sets out to capture a cunning demon who repeatedly tells different riddle-filled tales to the king and escapes when the king gives the right answer. The film is set in modern day Lucknow. Vikram (Saif Ali Khan) is a senior police officer heading a task force set up to corner dreaded gangsters. Their prime target is Vedha (Hrithik Roshan), a middle-rung gangster who has suddenly risen high in the hierarchy after committing a spate of murders. Like the Betal of the stories, Vedha tells the cop a story every time he gets captured and escapes. The stories are a mirror to the past lives of both the goon and the policeman, and tell us how circumstances shaped them into becoming who they are. Vikram, who is known to be a trigger happy cop and believes in segregating life into black and white, begins to see everything in a new light. He starts to understand that everything can't just be classified so easily, that life is made up of shades of grey instead. He starts unravelling past happenings layer by layer and finds that there's nothing called good or evil in his and Vedha's world. People like them have to choose the lesser evil and stick by it.The film is a retelling of Pushkar-Gayatri's own Tamil thriller of the same name, which was released in 2017 and starred R Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi. The film was hailed as an instant classic and rejuvenated the careers of both Madhavan and Sethupathi. Remaking an already acclaimed film is a challenge, even for the original directors. The Hindi heartland or rather badlands is an unfamiliar milieu to them, and they have taken pains to get the background right. A major portion of the film has been shot on location in Lucknow. Kudos to cinematographer PS Vinod for not sparing the grit and grime of Lucknow in his cinematography. The dialogue varies from being conversational to philosophical, in keeping with the film's structure, which itself is both a neo-noir thriller and a story debating human existence at the same time.People who have not seen the original wouldn't miss the raw, visceral quality of the Tamil version. While it's the same film with minor variations, it doesn't punch you in the gut as the original did. Though we must say that the director duo haven't Bollywoodised it much. The essence of it remains the same. Also, Hrithik and Saif are totally different from Maddy and Sethupathi. They have their own quirks and characteristics and hence the approach towards playing the roles is different. With his Greek god looks, Hrithik is never going to look like someone hailing from lower-middle class. And Saif looks too suave, too polished for a cop.Both actors have given their all to the film. Each has risen to the occasion and tried to make their characters as real as possible. They play off each other's strengths and their confrontation scenes remind us of the Amitabh Bachchan-Shatrughan Sinha scenes of yore. In fact, take away the mobile phones and the film is pure pulp, '70s, Salim-Javed brand of cinema. Hrithik has got the meatier role of the two. He infuses his gangster avatar with tenderness and vulnerability. His scenes with Rohit Saraf, who plays his younger brother, offer an emotional core to the film. Saif is also shown to be a loving husband and shares a few scenes with Radhika Apte, who is flawless, as always. She's one of the surprise twists of the film and her verbal spars with Saif help alleviate the dark and sombre mood of the film.Watch the film for its stylised action scenes. The Parkour sequence involving Hrithik is action choreography at its imaginative best. And also for the rock solid performances by both Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

Rachana Dubey, September 28, 2022, 3:03 PM IST

critic's rating: 3.5/5

Vikram Vedha Story: Vikram, an honest officer with the Lucknow police, is on a mission to find and eliminate gangster Vedha. However, when Vedha surrenders himself to the police, and starts narrating stories to Vikram, it alters understanding of good and evil.



Vikram Vedha Review: Crafted out of the Tamil hit of the same name, 'Vikram Vedha' is a neo-noir action thriller which is rooted in Betaal Pachhisi, a popular Indian folktale. Vikram, a top-billed officer of the Lucknow Police Special Task Force, is assigned to find and kill gangster Vedha Betaal. However, Vedha surrenders himself to the police. During interrogation, he starts narrating stories to Vikram, which slowly start changing the latters own perception of good and evil.

Conceptually, the film has been written and throughout really well. Almost everything, even little props and minor satellite characters that play out in the film have relevance to the central plot. The directors, Pushkar and Gayathri, also the writers of the film, make it a point to leave the storys flow to the two central characters after establishing them sufficiently. Vikram and Vedhas parts have been written with a kind of finer detailing that works at so many levels. Like Vedhas love for Raj Kapoor songs, which has been used in action scenes. Its impressive how nuanced things like these have been woven into the narrative.



Nearly, everything ties up neatly at the end, without much wastage. The exception here is the track of a prominent character like Parshuram bhaiyya who is still out there with his minions. Its left unfinished, though you keep hoping that it would tie up somewhere to the central plot at the end. The writers also could have focussed a little more on Chanda and Shataks (Yogita Bihani and Rohit Saraf) love story which gives rise to a pivotal conflict in the film. You also yearn to experience a little more of Vikram, and dwell some more on how Vedha became as powerful as he is.



In terms of execution, the film offers a degree of freshness, and stays true to its world. Even with a non-linear narrative, its not tough to keep a track of the storys movement and the characters. Yes, the proceedings do feel slow at times, and the climax feels a tad stretched. But the film delivers on a host of accounts. Like the action scenes have been choreographed really well. Like the pre-interval action sequence where the police are combing an area for Vedha, and how he escapes to a container yard is quite slickly done. The use of Lucknow as a setting is quite neat. The film has a smattering of delicious local flavours - from the food to the bylanes to the neighbourhoods. The films music album is above average. The Alcholia track becomes even better with Hrithik dancing in the video, but you wonder if it was really required.



In terms of balance, the film tilts towards Vedhas character, which has been performed excellently by Hrithik. Hes menacing, ruthless and yet, extremely emotional in parts. He imbibes the vibe of the character really well. Hes effortlessly convincing as Vedha. You cant help but notice the dialect which reminds you of the actor from his Super 30 avatar; that needed a little more attention.



Saif as an honest cop, who thinks he knows whats right and wrong, perfectly compliments Hrithik on screen. Hes in control of his body language, he embraces the characters inner strengths, vulnerabilities and depicts the gradual change in his thinking really well. Yes, one would have loved to see a little more of Saif in the story. The actor is in his classic good form here, but he needed a little more to chew on. Ditto for Radhika Apte, who plays Vikrams wife, Priya.



To sum up, Pushkar-Gayathri, the writer-directors of the film, have pretty much stuck to the blue-print they created for the original, including the way they weave in the elements of folklore in it. Its a plus that they havent changed the roadmap too much. But theyve also not tried revisiting the elements that they had at hand to make the redux better than the original. And yet, this ones worth a ride to the big screen.


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 29, 2022) - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTCQB: BVTEF) (FSE: YQGB) (the "Company" or "Iconic") is pleased to provide an update on the 2022 mineral exploration and development plans (the "2022 Exploration Plan") for the Bonnie Claire Lithium Project (the 'Project' or 'Property'), located in Nye County, Nevada. Two core rigs and one mud rotary rig are currently in operation on the Property.

Iconic Minerals Ltd CEO, Richard Kern, comments: "Drilling of the Southern target at Bonnie Claire has found by far the highest-grade Lithium we have ever drilled (up to 5,570 ppm) as well as a shallow zone that could be amenable to open pit mining. We look forward to more good news."

Drilling Update

Core drill holes BC2201C ("BC2201C") and BC2203C have both completed drilling to their respective total depths of 2001 (610 meters) feet and 2000 feet (609.6 meters). There are two remaining core holes from the BC2022 Exploration Plan which are currently being drilled. Core hole BC2202C is at a current drill depth of 1800 feet (548.6 meters) and Core hole BC2204C is at a current drill depth of 800 feet (243.8 meters). The mud rotary hole BC2201 which was permitted as a test well, is also currently being drilled and is at a current drill depth of 600 feet (182.8 meters).

Core hole material from BC2201C (the "Assays") was shipped and received by ALS ("ALS") for extensive material testing. As part of engineering requirements, approximately 15% of the core from the BC2201C was shipped to Barr Engineering Company ("Barr") to aid borehole mining experimentation, which will be also assayed later. The missing intervals shipped to Barr averaged 1.5 feet (0.46 meters) in length and should not have a significant effect on the averages of the assays already received from ALS. Due to the irregular sample lengths that were submitted, weighted averages are reported below.

BC2201C Core Hole Results (weighted averages)

BC2201C contained three zones of lithium mineralization ("Li Mineralization"). The first shallow Li Mineralization zone began around 100 feet (30.48 meters) in depth and averaging 1105 ppm lithium for 270.7 feet (82.5 meters). The middle Li Mineralization zone began from 1044 to 1600 feet (318.2 to 487.7 meters) averaging 1256 ppm lithium, a total of 556 feet (169.4 meters). The deepest Li Mineralization zone began from 1600 to 2001 feet (488 to 610 meters) a total of 122 feet (37.1 meters) averaging 3232 ppm lithium, and included a 3.8 foot (1.2 meter) assay of 5570 ppm lithium. The Assays submitted from BC2201C also included a total of 1,226.8 feet (374 meters) of lithium enriched material grading over 1,000 ppm Li. There were two zones that also encountered elevated boron, limiting out at greater then >10,000 ppm B, which will require additional testing to allow for greater ppm results.





Bonnie Claire Drill Hole Locations



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4609/138738_img1.jpg

Qualified Person

Richard Kern, Certified Professional Geologist, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Kern is not independent of the Company as he is the Chief Executive Officer of Iconic.

Bonnie Claire Property

The Bonnie Claire Property is located within Sarcobatus Valley, which is approximately 30 km (19 miles) long and 20 km (12 miles) wide. Quartz-rich volcanic tuffs containing anomalous amounts of lithium occur within and adjacent to the valley. Drill results from the salt flat have included lithium values as high as 2550 ppm Li and a 1560 foot (roughly 475 meter) vertical intercept that averaged 1153 ppm Li. The current 43-101 resource from the PEA report for borehole mineable portion of the resource is 3,407 million tonnes grading 1,013 ppm Li or 18,372 million kilograms of lithium carbonate equivalent. (though this is a resource, not a reserve, and has not yet proven economic viability). The gravity low within the valley is 20 km (12 miles) long, and the current estimates of depth to basement rocks range from 600 to 1,200 meters (2,000 to 4,000 feet). The current claim block covers an area of 74 km2 (28.6 mi2) with potential for brine systems and further sediment resources.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

SIGNED: "Richard Kern"

Richard Kern, President and CEO

Contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development (604) 336-8614

For further information on Iconic, please visit our website at www.iconicminerals.com. The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.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

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Option, the Joint Venture, the amount of the Offering, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering and the future business plans and exploration activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "will", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals required for the Option Agreement and the future development of the Company's projects in a timely manner.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, including on the Smith Creek Property, requirements for additional capital, future prices of lithium and gold, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the business, financial condition and exploration and development activities of the Company, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including of the TSX Venture Exchange in respect of the Option Agreement and the Offering, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with the Canadian Securities Authorities. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138738
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 29, 2022) - Coho Collective Kitchens Inc. (TSXV: COHO) ("Coho" or the "Company") is pleased to report that all matters were approved at the Company's Annual General and Special shareholder meeting held on September 29, 2022 (the "Meeting"). At the Meeting, Coho's shareholders re-elected all of Coho's current board of directors (Andrew Barnes, Amrit Maharaj, Tara Finnegan, Justin Morel, and Alex Macdonald). Shareholders also re-appointed the Company's current auditor, BDO Canada LLP. Coho's shareholders also approved the renewal of its 10% rolling omnibus equity incentive plan in accordance with the requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Acquisition of Shares by CEO

Coho has been advised that Mr. Andrew Barnes (CEO and Director of Coho) acquired ownership of an additional 14,000 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") on September 27, 2022. The 14,000 Shares were acquired through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange at a price of $0.17 per Share (for an aggregate purchase price of $2,380).

Prior to the acquisition of the Shares on September 27, 2022, Mr. Barnes held a total of 12,000,000 Shares directly or indirectly. Of these Shares, 8,700,000 are held personally by Mr. Barnes and 3,300,000 are held by the Barnes and Chan Family Trust (the "Family Trust"). Mr. Barnes has control and direction over the Family Trust and also holds an ownership interest in the Family Trust. Mr. Barnes also holds 150,000 Share purchase options of the Company ("Options") personally. Mr. Barnes' non-dilutive shareholdings represented approximately 14.24% of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company and 14.39% on a partially diluted basis (i.e., assuming full exercise of the Options and no other issuances of Shares by the Company).

Following the acquisition of Shares on September 27, 2022, Mr. Barnes now holds 12,014,000 Shares and 150,000 Options. Mr. Barnes' non-dilutive shareholdings now represent approximately 14.25% of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company and 14.41% on a partially diluted basis (i.e., assuming full exercise of the Options and no other issuances of Shares by the Company).

The Company has been advised that Mr. Barnes acquired these Shares for investment purposes as disclosed in an Early Warning Report to be filed on SEDAR. These investments will be reviewed on a continuing basis by Mr. Barnes, and such holdings may be increased or decreased in the future. Mr. Barnes may in the future acquire or dispose of securities of the Company through the market, privately or otherwise as circumstances or market conditions warrant and in compliance with applicable securities regulatory requirements.

Acquisition of Shares by COO

Coho was also advised that Mr. Amrit Maharaj (COO and Director of Coho) acquired ownership of an additional 13,000 Shares on September 28, 2022. The 13,000 Shares were acquired through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange at a price of $0.18 per Share (for an aggregate purchase price of $2,340).

Prior to the acquisition of the Shares on September 28, 2022, Mr. Maharaj held a total of 10,500,000 Shares and 150,000 Options directly. Mr. Maharaj does not hold any Shares or Options indirectly. Mr. Maharaj's non-dilutive shareholdings represented approximately 12.46% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company and 12.61% on a partially diluted basis.

Following the acquisition of Shares on September 28, 2022, Mr. Maharaj held a total of 10,513,000 Shares and 150,000 Options. Mr. Maharaj's non-dilutive shareholdings now represent approximately 12.47% of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company and 12.63% on a partially diluted basis.

The Company has been advised that Mr. Maharaj acquired these Shares for investment purposes as disclosed in an Early Warning Report to be filed on SEDAR. These investments will be reviewed on a continuing basis by Mr. Maharaj, and such holdings may be increased or decreased in the future. Mr. Maharaj may in the future acquire or dispose of securities of the Company through the market, privately or otherwise as circumstances or market conditions warrant and in compliance with applicable securities regulatory requirements.

Coho's head office is located at 1370 E. Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V5L 2A8. For inquiries or to obtain a copy of the related early warning report required under applicable Canadian securities legislation, a copy of which will also been filed on Coho's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, please contact: Andrew Barnes, Chief Executive Officer at andrew@cohocommissary.com or (778) 877-6513.

About Coho

Coho is a growth stage, community-driven, commercial real estate and food technology company that provides private and shared kitchen and production space to food companies, from start-ups to restaurant groups, seeking turnkey solutions and business services. Each of the Company's customers, called "Members", are revenue generating companies that have signed a membership agreement with Coho for an agreed upon term. The concept falls in line with a rapidly growing trend in the food-delivery industry creating a market for delivery-only and/or virtual restaurant concepts. For more information about how Coho is growing and innovating in the commissary space, visit www.cohocommissary.com.

Contacts

Andrew Barnes, Chief Executive Officer

andrew@cohocommissary.com

(778) 877-6513

Investor Relations

invest@cohocommissary.com

(604) 243-7355

Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflect management's current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to execute on its strategy and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the final long-form prospectus of the Company dated May 27, 2022. Coho disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) 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/138970
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The activities in the year II of the EcceAsia project, a program of promotion and information on the quality of European olive production, carried out with the contribution of the European Union, Unaprol - Consorzio Olivicolo Italiano and CAP - Confederacao dos Agricultores de Portugal, continue unabated.

After a long-integrated communication activity, designed to increase knowledge about European Extra Virgin Olive Oil and EU quality certifications, it's time to confront Taiwanese consumers again.

In fact, 140 promotional days in restaurants took place during the summer, aimed at increasing awareness among the final consumer of the unique qualities of European Extra Virgin Olive Oil and EU quality certifications. The days involved several restaurants in Taipei from August 10 to September 29, and will see an increase of a further 86 days in October 2022.

Promotion days were held from 1st August to 18th September in the stores in the cities of Taipei, Taoyuan, Tainan and Kaohsiung, for a total of 84 days.

The attention dedicated to sector operators is also very important. In fact, in these days they are enjoying intense training moments with qualified personnel in charge of the purpose.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ecceasia--the-excellence-of-european-olive-growing-in-asia-its-journey-to-taiwan-continues-301635238.html
William Jaksa, of William Jaksa Criminal Litigation has announced an expanded range of criminal litigation and counsel services.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 29, 2022) - William Jaksa Criminal Litigation announced the new services in a bid to help local residents receive proper support when a criminal offense occurs and reduce the potential consequences they may face.

More information can be found at: https://www.toronto-criminal-lawyer.co





Toronto Lawyer William Jaksa Expands Criminal Litigation & Counsel Services

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/138650_c8bc3c48d430cac7_001full.jpg

The newly expanded service encompasses bail hearings and bail reviews, drug-related offenses, assault, fraud, domestic assault, and murder or manslaughter. The Toronto-based legal specialist also provides counsel for clients dealing with impaired driving offenses, robbery, or property-related cases.

William Jaksa explains that, when facing the prospect of losing their freedom, clients need the counsel of a professional criminal lawyer. His expanded service centers on personal care and attention based on the principle that clients are more than the charges they face.

The updated criminal defence service is grounded in experience across a variety of cases. The lawyer can represent both corporate and private clients, understanding the stress that being found guilty of a criminal offense can have and the dramatic impact on a client's life and well-being as well as that of their family.

William Jaksa assists clients in understanding the full weight of the charges and penalties they face.

Additional details can be found at https://www.toronto-criminal-lawyer.co/best-criminal-lawyer-toronto

Through his latest service update, William Jaksa continues his focus on personalized legal assistance. He conducts legal research, deals with the police on behalf of the client, and explains the strategic options in a transparent way.

A spokesperson states: "With over 15 years of experience defending criminal cases and his proven record of creating strategic defences that ensure the best results for his clients, William has earned the reputation of being one of the best criminal lawyers in Toronto. As a criminal defence lawyer, he is always focused on his client's best interests and has an uncompromising dedication when defending their criminal cases."

Interested parties can learn more at: https://www.toronto-criminal-lawyer.co/what-criminal-lawyers-do

Contact Info:

Name: William Jaksa

Email: william@jaksa.ca

Organization: William Jaksa Criminal Litigation

Address: 55 University Avenue Suite 1100, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2H7, Canada

Phone: +1-416-900-0998

Website: https://www.toronto-criminal-lawyer.co/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138650
Regulatory News:

Rallye (Paris:RAL) announces that the Board of Directors held on September 29, 2022, under the chairmanship of Mr Jean-Charles Naouri, has unanimously appointed, on the recommendation of the Appointments and Compensation Committee, Mr Alexis Ravalais as Chief Executive Officer of Rallye in place of Mr Franck Hattab, who is called upon to take on new salaried position within the Euris group. These changes are effective as of today.

Mr Alexis Ravalais keeps his position as Board Member of Rallye.

The Board of Directors would like to thank Mr Franck Hattab for the quality of his work and his commitment to the company.

Alexis Ravalais is a graduate of Audencia Business School and holds a Master's degree in European and International Business Law from Paris-Dauphine University. He started his career in 2011 as an analyst and then manager at Rothschild Cie. He joined the group in 2014 where he was in charge of financing within the Casino Corporate Finance team and in 2017 as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Rallye. Since January 2022, he has been Advisor to the Chairman of Euris in charge of strategic participations. He is also the permanent representative of Matignon Diderot at the Board of Directors of Casino, Guichard-Perrachon.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220929005900/en/

Contacts:

PLEAD

Etienne Dubanchet +33 6 62 70 09 43 etienne.dubanchet@plead.fr
EQS-News: Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. / Key word(s): Capital Increase

Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.: Vivoryon Therapeutics Announces Successful Private Placement of up to EUR 30 Million (news with additional features)



30.09.2022 / 08:45 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN OR SOUTH AFRICA. Vivoryon Therapeutics Announces

Successful Private Placement of up to EUR 30 Million Significant commitment from longstanding investor Claus Christiansen and new investor Dawn Biopharma (an affiliate of KKR) to support Vivoryon through key period in development of varoglutamstat in Alzheimer's disease Halle (Saale) / Munich, Germany, September 30, 2022 - Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: VVY; NL00150002Q7) ("Vivoryon" or the "Company"), a clinical stage company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule medicines to modulate the activity and stability of pathologically altered proteins, today announced that it has entered into a private placement ("Offering") with gross proceeds in the amount of EUR 15.0 million and an option for the investors to invest up to another EUR 15.0 million during a period ending twelve months after the date of the approval of an EU Recovery prospectus or three months after the achievement date of a defined clinical milestone, whichever is later. The private placement was supported by Vivoryon's longstanding investor Claus Christiansen and by KKR Dawn Aggregator L.P. ("Dawn Biopharma"), a platform controlled by affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. ("KKR"), a leading global investment firm, as new investor to the Company. Vivoryon is pioneering a unique therapeutic approach to overcoming the challenges in Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug development. The Company has demonstrated evidence of the disease modifying capabilities of its lead candidate varoglutamstat, currently in Phase 2 clinical studies in Europe and the U.S. Underscoring the unique potential of varoglutamstat in mono- and combination therapy settings in AD, data generated to date show the potential for cognitive improvement and a beneficial safety profile at doses of high target engagement. Pursuant to the Offering, the Company will issue 2,054,796 ordinary shares at an offering price of EUR 7.30 per share, amounting to gross proceeds of EUR 15.0 million. The new shares issued pursuant to the Offering represent 9.3% of Vivoryon's existing issued share capital and will be issued from the Company's authorized capital under exclusion of the existing shareholders' pre-emptive rights. As a consequence, the Company's issued share capital will increase to EUR 24,105,278.00 on completion of the Offering, which is expected to occur on October 6, 2022. In addition, the investors have the option to purchase, in aggregate, up to another 2,054,796 shares during a period ending twelve months after the date of the approval of an EU Recovery prospectus (in accordance with Section 14a Prospectus Regulation) or three months after the achievement date of a defined clinical milestone, whichever is later, at a price of EUR 7.30 per share. "We are extremely pleased to welcome Dawn Biopharma as new investor and at the same time we are thankful to our existing shareholder Claus Christiansen for his renewed commitment," commented Dr. Ulrich Dauer, CEO of Vivoryon. "Claus Christiansen and his team have been with us for many years and we could not be more grateful for their continued support and follow-on investments, underscoring their belief in our unique approach. At the same time we are thrilled that our new investor is confident in our potential to make a true difference to patients, families and caregivers affected by AD. Working with Dawn Biopharma, backed by a global leader like KKR, which is well regarded for supporting the development and growth of innovative healthcare companies, will allow us to benefit more than just financially due to the team's global sector expertise and network. This investment will extend our runway beyond key inflection points in the clinical development of varoglutamstat in AD." "We have high regard for Vivoryon and its long history of innovation. We are delighted to support the Vivoryon team during this pivotal phase of development of its unique therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, one of the greatest areas of unmet patient need," said Kugan Sathiyanandarajah, Managing Director at KKR and Head of Europe for KKR's Health Care Strategic Growth investing efforts, and Anuv Ratan, Director at KKR. Vivoryon intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to support the ongoing clinical development of its lead candidate varoglutamstat, currently in Phase 2 in Europe and the United States for the treatment of patients with AD, as well as for general corporate purposes. Dawn Biopharma is a platform controlled by the KKR Healthcare Strategic Growth Fund II, established to own a diverse portfolio of companies committed to the development of innovative medicines and therapies. Dawn Biopharma aims to provide flexible capital to innovators and thought leaders across the life sciences ecosystem with a shared vision of delivering life-changing medicines to patients in need. Hauck Aufhauser Investment Banking acted as sole placement agent in the private placement. An application shall be made for the new shares to be admitted to trading on Euronext Amsterdam upon the approval by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Stichting Autoriteit Financiele Markten) and publication of an EU Recovery prospectus, which will be prepared in accordance with Article 14a of the Prospectus Regulation (as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2021/337 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2021) in connection with the admission to trading of the new shares. Payment and settlement is expected to take place on October 6, 2022. Including the proceeds from the private placement, according to current planning and estimates, Vivoryon expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its research and development expenses as well the general and administrative expenses and cash flows from investing and financing activities at least through December 2023. This does not include the proceeds following the exercise of the option to acquire up to an additional 2,054,796 shares during a period ending twelve months after the date of the approval of an EU Recovery prospectus (in accordance with Section 14a Prospectus Regulation) or three months after the achievement date of a defined clinical milestone, whichever is later. As previously announced, Vivoryon's management will host a conference call and webcast open to the public discussing its H1 2022 results and provide a corporate update on September 30, 2022. Conference call details

Date: September 30, 2022

Time: 03:00 pm CEST / 09:00 am EDT Access Code: 8323708 From Germany: +49 (0)69 22222 5197 From The Netherlands: +31 (0)20 703 8218 From UK: +44 (0)330 165 4012 From the U.S.: +1 646-828-8143 A live webcast and accompanying slides will be made available at: https://www.vivoryon.com/investors-news/news-and-events/presentations-webcasts/ ### About Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Vivoryon is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative small molecule-based medicines. Driven by our passion for ground-breaking science and innovation, we strive to change the lives of patients in need suffering from severe diseases. We leverage our in-depth expertise in understanding post-translational modifications to develop medicines that modulate the activity and stability of proteins which are altered in disease settings. Beyond our lead program, varoglutamstat, which is in Phase 2 clinical development to treat Alzheimer's disease, we have established a solid pipeline of orally available small molecule inhibitors for various indications including cancer, inflammatory diseases and fibrosis. www.vivoryon.com Vivoryon Forward Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding the business strategy, management plans and objectives for future operations of the Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (the "Company"), estimates and projections with respect to the market for the Company's products and forecasts and statements as to when the Company's products may be available. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance; rather they are based on the Management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. The forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and other factors could materially adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements and from expectations. As a result, no undue reliance should be placed on such forward-looking statements. This press release does not contain risk factors. Certain risk factors that may affect the Company's future financial results are discussed in the published annual financial statements of the Company. This press release, including any forward-looking statements, speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any information or forward-looking statements contained herein, save for any information required to be disclosed by law. Disclaimers This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities law. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States. This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or an offer of ordinary shares in the share capital of Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (the "Issuer", and such shares, the "Securities") in the United States of America (the "United States") or in any other jurisdiction. No offer to sell or subscribe for Securities, or announcement of a forthcoming offer to sell or subscribe for Securities, or solicitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for Securities, or announcement of a forthcoming solicitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for, Securities will be made in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction, and the distribution of this communication in jurisdictions may be similarly restricted. Persons into whose possession this communication comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the security laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement is not a prospectus and has been prepared on the basis that any offers of securities referred to herein in any member state of the European Economic Area will be made pursuant to an exemption under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 on prospectuses (the "Prospectus Regulation"). The information set forth in this announcement is only addressed to persons in member states of the European Economic Area who are qualified investors ("Qualified Investors") within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. This information must not be acted or relied on by, and any investment activity to which this information relates is not available to and may not be engaged with, persons in any member state of the European Economic Area who are not Qualified Investors. In the United Kingdom, this document and any other materials in relation to the Securities is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, and any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to, and will be engaged in only with, persons who are "qualified investors" as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "UK Prospectus Regulation") and in other instances where there is no obligation to publish a prospectus under the UK Prospectus Regulation or the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and who are (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("Financial Promotion") Order 2005 (the "Order"); (ii) high net worth entities falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (iii) other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Persons who are not Relevant Persons should not take any action on the basis of this document and should not act or rely on it. Any investment activity to which this document and any other materials in relation to the Securities relates in the United Kingdom is available only to, and may be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. No action has been taken by the Issuer that would permit an offer of Securities or the possession or distribution of these materials or any other offering or publicity material relating to such Securities in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Market abuse regulation This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. For more information, please contact: Investor Contact Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.

Dr. Manuela Bader, Director IR & Communication

Tel: +49 (0)345 555 99 30

Email: IR@vivoryon.com Media Contact Trophic Communications

Valeria Fisher

Tel: +49 175 8041816

Email: vivoryon@trophic.eu Additional features:



File: Private Placement



30.09.2022 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


Gettyimages





By Lee Hae-rin







The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) expressed regret at the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology's for refusal to revise its ethics guidelines limiting in vitro fertilization treatment for unmarried women, Friday.







The guidelines state that only married couples can receive in vitro fertilization treatment, restricting unmarried women from the procedure.







In May this year, the rights agency recommended that the group revise the guidelines and thereby accept the diversity of personal lives while assuring women's right to self-determination.







The recommendation was in response to a petition lodged by an unmarried woman who was denied in vitro fertilization treatment at a gynecological clinic. The hospital quoted the society's ethics guidelines as the reason for not offering the procedure to unmarried women, which the petitioner found discriminatory.







The petitioner filed a complaint with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the ministry's bioethics committee told her that it has no legally binding regulation banning unmarried women from undergoing in vitro fertilization. She made a second request to the hospital citing the ministry's argument but was rejected again.







The NHRCK's discrimination remedy committee decided on Sept. 13 that the doctors' group failed to understand the essence of the case, which relates to women's right to self-determination about pregnancy.







In response, however, the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology refused to follow the agency's recommendation and maintained its own ethics guidelines.







The group argued that childbirth by in vitro fertilization treatment is a "grave matter that needs to be discussed with respect to the protection of the rights of sperm donors and infants" and voiced the need for a social consensus and revision of relevant laws before amending the group's guidelines.







According to the group, countries that allow in vitro fertilization treatment for unmarried women tend to allow it for same-sex couples as well, and Korea still lacks a social consensus on the issue.







The NHRCK condemned the society's decision and said it is not the group's place to decide whether or not there is a social consensus on such issues.







Pregnancy and childbirth through in vitro fertilization for unmarried women became a social issue here after Sayuri Fujita, a Japanese TV celebrity residing in Seoul, returned to Japan so she could undergo the procedure. Her son was born there in November 2020.


EQS-News: Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. / Key word(s): Half Year Results

Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.: Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Reports H1 2022 Financial Results and Highlights Operational Progress (news with additional features)



30.09.2022 / 08:47 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Reports H1 2022 Financial Results and Highlights Operational Progress HALLE (SAALE) / MUNICH, GERMANY, September 30, 2022 - Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: VVY; NL00150002Q7) (Vivoryon), a clinical stage company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule medicines to modulate the activity and stability of pathologically altered proteins, today reported financial results for the first six months of 2022 and provided an update on clinical and corporate progress. The report is available on the Company's website at https://www.vivoryon.com/investors-news/financial-information/. "The first half of 2022 was marked by decisive progress in the development of our lead candidate varoglutamstat in AD, which cumulated in several data presentations at the prestigious AAIC 2022 in San Diego in July and August," said Dr. Ulrich Dauer, CEO of Vivoryon. "Firstly, we have been able to further de-risk clinical development of varoglutamstat with extremely encouraging safety results from our VIVIAD Phase 2b study. At the same time, adding to the preclinical data package by characterizing the additive effect of varoglutamstat in combination with anti-Abeta antibodies, we continue to explore the full potential for its application in a variety of therapeutic settings. These data, which have sparked excitement within the medical community and beyond, substantiate our commitment to making a difference to all those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Having secured a significant private placement will enable us to continue to follow our carefully crafted development strategy. We warmly welcome our new investor KKR Dawn Aggregator L.P. and are very grateful to them and to our longstanding investor Claus Christiansen for their support through the upcoming clinical milestones." Portfolio Highlights (H1 2022 and post-period) VIVIAD VIVIAD (NCT04498650) is a state-of-the-art Phase 2b study conducted in Europe and designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of varoglutamstat in 250 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD).

On June 23, 2022, Vivoryon announced that it has completed the parallel group, dose-finding part of its VIVIAD study and that the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has selected the highest dose investigated, 600 mg twice daily (BID), as the final dose to be administered in the second part of the study. The DSMB decision is based on safety data from 181 patients, 90 of which had completed the week 24 treatment visit at the May 17 cut-off date. All subjects randomized to the treatment arm will be treated at the selected dose of 600 mg BID moving forward and will continue treatment for up to 48-96 weeks dependent on study entry date.

Vivoryon presented detailed safety data from the VIVIAD study at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in San Diego (July 31 to August 4, 2022). The safety data showed that varoglutamstat was well tolerated with only 14% of overall reported adverse events (AEs) considered to be potentially related to study treatment. All of the AEs were gastrointestinal, general, or related to the nervous system or skin. Only four patients (2.2%) experienced serious AEs (SAEs) and only two patients (1.1%) discontinued the study. Both the total number of SAEs and the discontinuation rate were considerably lower than the respective numbers at the 800 mg BID varoglutamstat dose in Vivoryon's completed Phase 2a SAPHIR study (NCT02389413; 15% SAEs, 33% discontinuation), while retaining a similar level of target inhibition.

VIVIAD is actively enrolling patients at 22 study centers in five European countries and will continue to evaluate its primary and secondary outcome measures, which include multiple cognitive, safety and biomarker endpoints. Vivoryon remains on track for final data readout for the study in the second half of 2023. VIVA-MIND VIVA-MIND (NCT03919162) is a combined Phase 2a/b study for varoglutamstat conducted in the U.S. which seeks to enroll 180 patients with early AD into the Phase 2a adaptive dose finding part. If predefined criteria are fulfilled, the trial will pass a stage-gate into the Phase 2b part, enrolling an additional 234 patients treated at the selected dose for at least 72 weeks. Thus, taken together a total of 414 patients will be treated on stable doses of varoglutamstat for 18 months in the course of the study. The primary endpoint for this study is CDR-SB (clinical dementia rating scale - sum of boxes), an established approvable endpoint measuring a combination of cognitive abilities and activities of daily living. The study is coordinated by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS), and supported by a USD15 million grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA award number R01AG061146).

VIVA-MIND is actively enrolling patients, with currently 14 sites open and on track for an interim futility analysis planned for the first half of 2023. Preclinical Programs Also at AAIC 2022, Vivoryon presented preclinical data on the Company's N3pE amyloid-targeting molecules. The results underscore the unique potential of Vivoryon's N3pE amyloid-targeting therapeutic strategy in both mono- and combination therapy settings in AD. The data show, that a combination treatment of aducanumab and varoglutamstat achieves additive effect on Abeta pathology, indicating feasibility of dose reduction to improve safety of Abeta antibody-based AD treatments. This demonstrates the potential benefit of a combination therapy designed to simultaneously make use of two different and independent molecular N3pE-related mode of actions - small molecule based QPCT/L inhibition and anti-N3pE-immunotherapy. Additional data from murine analog of PBD-C06 highlight the differentiated safety profile vs. other anti-Abeta antibodies at N3pE amyloid-lowering concentrations. Partnered Programs On February 28, 2022, Vivoryon and its partner Simcere announced that China's Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the Clinical Trial Application for varoglutamstat for the development in Greater China by Simcere. Simcere has communicated that the company is currently preparing for initiation of clinical studies in China. Corporate Development Highlights (H1 2022 and post-period) On September 30, 2022, the Company entered into a private placement of 2,054,796 registered shares at an offering price of EUR 7.30 per share. The new shares from the capital increase represent 9.3% of Vivoryon's existing share capital and will be issued from the Company's authorized capital under exclusion of the existing shareholders' pre-emptive rights. Consequently, the Company's issued share capital will increase to EUR 24,105,278.00 on completion of the private placement. In addition, the investors will have the option to purchase, in aggregate, up to another 2,054,796 registered shares at a price of EUR 7.30 during a period ending twelve months after the date of the approval of a EU Recovery prospectus (in accordance with Section 14a Prospectus Regulation) or three months after the achievement date of a defined clinical milestone, whichever is later. The gross proceeds of the private placement amount to EUR 15.0 million, and up to an additional EUR 15.0 million will be raised if the option to purchase the additional shares is exercised in full. Vivoryon intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to support the ongoing clinical development of its lead candidate varoglutamstat, currently in Phase 2 in Europe and the United States for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease, as well as for general corporate purposes. The private placement was supported by Vivoryon's longstanding investor Claus Christiansen and KKR Dawn Aggregator L.P. ("Dawn Biopharma"), a platform controlled by affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. ("KKR"), a leading global investment firm, as new investor to the Company. Completion of the private placement is expected to occur on October 6, 2022.

In an in-person and webcasted breakfast and networking event at AAIC 2022, held on August 2, 2022, Vivoryon met with researchers, clinicians and the investment community to discuss the future of AD treatments and provided updates on its VIVA-MIND and VIVIAD studies for varoglutamstat. The event also featured spotlight presentations by Prof. Howard Feldman, MD, Professor of Neurosciences and Director of the ADCS at UC San Diego and VIVA-MIND study director, Cynthia Lemere, PhD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston and Dr. Frank Weber, CMO of Vivoryon.

On June 22, 2022, Vivoryon held its Annual General Meeting where all voting items were approved with a large majority. Voting items included the re-appointment of Charlotte Lohmann, Dr. Erich Platzer, Dr. Dinnies von der Osten and Dr. Jorg Neermann as members of the Company's Non-Executive Board, as well as the appointment of Dr. Claudia Riedl and Samir Shah, MD, to its Non-Executive Board of Directors.

On April 1, 2022 Vivoryon announced the successful completion of a private placement, raising gross proceeds of EUR 21 million, with net proceeds from the offering intended to be used to support the ongoing clinical development of varoglutamstat, as well as for general corporate purposes. The capital raise was supported by a number of high-quality institutional investors from Europe and the U.S. as well as members of Vivoryon's Executive and Non-Executive Boards. Financial Results for the First Half Year 2022 The Company generated no license revenues or smaller revenue in half year 2022 or 2021. Research and development expenses increased in 2022 by EUR 1.6 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021. This increase is primarily attributable to EUR 1.7 million higher expenses related to our clinical trial VIVIAD, which has advanced significantly compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022 are about the same level as for the six months ended June 30, 2021. Higher expenses for share based payments with EUR 0.3 million were compensated by EUR 0.3 million lower expenses for legal and consulting services. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was EUR 12.6 million, compared to EUR 11.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company held EUR 24.4 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2022, compared to EUR 14.7 million as of December 31, 2021. Cash flows provided from financing activities were EUR 19.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to cash used in financing activities of EUR 0.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021. The change mainly relates to a private placement on April 1, 2022 by way of accelerated book building, placing 2,000,000 registered shares at an offering price of EUR 10.50 per share. The Company's issued share capital has increased to EUR 22,050,482. The gross proceeds of the offering amounted to EUR 21.0 million. Financial Guidance Including the proceeds from the private placement entered into on September 30, 2022, according to current planning and estimates, Vivoryon expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its research and development expenses as well the general and administrative expenses and cash flows from investing and financing activities at least through December 2023. This does not include the exercise of the option to acquire up to an additional 2.054.796 shares for a period ending the later of twelve months after the date of the approval of a EU Recovery prospectus (in accordance with Section 14a Prospectus Regulation) or the achievement date of a defined clinical milestone. Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Financial Statements Condensed Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 For the six months

ended June 30, in kEUR, except for share data 2022 2021 Research and development expenses (11,067) (9,456) General and administrative expenses (2,311) (2,337) Other operating income - 5 Operating loss (13,378) (11,788) Finance income 989 219 Finance expenses (105) (102) Finance result 884 117 Result before income taxes (12,494) (11,671) Income taxes (89) - Net loss for the period (12,583) (11,671) Items not to be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss Remeasurement of the net defined benefit pension liability 261 - Total other comprehensive income / (loss) 261 - Comprehensive loss (12,322) (11,671) Loss per share in EUR (basic and diluted) (0.60) (0.58) The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim financial statements. Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Condensed Statements of Financial Position in kEUR June 30,

2022 December 31,

2021 ASSETS Non-current assets Intangible assets 512 533 Property, plant and equipment 54 66 Right-of-use assets 173 219 Financial assets 14 3,473 Total non-current assets 753 4,291 Current assets Financial assets 3,812 3,074 Other current assets and prepayments 2,795 2,494 Cash and cash equivalents 24,383 14,661 Total current assets 30,990 20,229 TOTAL ASSETS 31,743 24,520 Equity Share capital 22,050 20,050 Share premium 101,181 83,211 Other capital reserves 7,200 6,168 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (311) (572) Accumulated deficit (104,883) (92,300) Total equity 25,237 16,557 Non-current liabilities Pension liability 1,505 1,823 Provisions long-term 12 12 Lease liabilities 86 132 Other liabilities - 513 Deferred tax liabilities 521 432 Total non-current liabilities 2,124 2,912 Current liabilities Provisions 35 35 Trade payables 3,681 4,360 Lease liabilities 93 92 Other liabilities 573 564 Total current liabilities 4,382 5,051 Total Liabilities 6,506 7,963 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 31,743 24,520 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim financial statements. Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.

Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in kEUR) Share

capital Share

premium Other

capital reserves Accumulated other

Comprehensive

loss Accumulated deficit Total

equity January 1, 2022 20,050 83,211 6,168 (572) (92,300) 16,557 Net loss for the period - - - - (12,583) (12,583) Remeasurement of the net defined benefit pension liability - - - 261 - 261 Comprehensive income / (loss) - - - 261 (12,583) (12,322) Proceeds from the issuance of common shares 2,000 19,000 - - - 21,000 Transaction costs of equity transactions - (1,030) - - - (1,030) Share-based payments - - 1,032 - - 1,032 June 30, 2022 22,050 101,181 7,200 (311) (104,883) 25,237 January 1, 2021 19,975 82,143 4,404 (655) (79,646) 26,221 Net loss for the period - - - - (11,671) (11,671) Comprehensive loss - - - - (11,671) (11,671) Share-based payments - - 920 - - 920 June 30, 2021 19,975 82,143 5,325 (655) (91,317) 15,471 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim financial statements. Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows For the six months ended

June 30, (in kEUR) 2022 2021 Operating activities Result before income taxes (12,494) (11,671) Adjustments for: Finance result (884) (117) Depreciation and amortization 81 82 Share based payments 1,032 921 Other non-cash adjustments 764 (10) Changing in: Financial assets 2,721 (660) Other current assets and prepayments 44 1,302 Pension liabilities (318) (40) Provisions - - Trade payables (679) 4,076 Other liabilities (504) 49 Interest received 3 4 Interest paid (3) (9) Cash flows used in operating activities (10,237) (6,072) Investing activities Purchase of plant and equipment (2) (16) Purchase of intangible assets - (8) Cash flows used in investing activities (2) (24) Financing activities Proceeds from the issuance of common shares 21,000 - Capital raising costs (1,374) (468) Payment of lease liabilities (46) (45) Cash flows provided by / (used in) financing activities 19,581 (513) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 9,342 (6,609) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period 14,661 26,306 Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held 380 135 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 24,383 19,832 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim financial statements. Half Year Financial Report 2022 The condensed interim financial statements of Vivoryon have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) of the International Accounting Standards Board, as adopted by the European Union (EU-IFRS). The half-year financial statements were not audited or reviewed. The reports are available on the Company's website www.vivoryon.com . Conference Call and Webcast Vivoryon will host a conference call and webcast today, September 30, 2022, at 3:00 pm CEST (9:00 am EDT). A Q&A session will follow the presentation of the full year results. Please dial one of the following access numbers: From Germany: +49 (0)69 22222 5197 From The Netherlands: +31 (0)20 703 8218 From Switzerland: +41 (0)44 580 7279 From UK: +44 (0)330 165 4012 From the U.S.: +1 646 828 8143 Access Code: 8323708 Please dial in ten minutes prior to commencement. A live webcast and slides will be made available at: www.vivoryon.com/investors-news/news-and-events/presentations-webcasts/ Approximately one day after the call, a slide-synchronized audio replay of the conference will be available on: www.vivoryon.com/investors-news/news-and-events/presentations-webcasts/ ### About Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Vivoryon is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative small molecule-based medicines. Driven by our passion for ground-breaking science and innovation, we strive to change the lives of patients in need suffering from severe diseases. We leverage our in-depth expertise in understanding post-translational modifications to develop medicines that modulate the activity and stability of proteins which are altered in disease settings. Beyond our lead program, varoglutamstat, which is in Phase 2 clinical development to treat Alzheimer's disease, we have established a solid pipeline of orally available small molecule inhibitors for various indications including cancer, inflammatory diseases and fibrosis. www.vivoryon.com Vivoryon Forward Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding the business strategy, management plans and objectives for future operations of the Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (the "Company"), estimates and projections with respect to the market for the Company's products and forecasts and statements as to when the Company's products may be available. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance; rather they are based on the Management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. The forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and other factors could materially adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements and from expectations. As a result, no undue reliance should be placed on such forward-looking statements. This press release does not contain risk factors. Certain risk factors that may affect the Company's future financial results are discussed in the published annual financial statements of the Company. This press release, including any forward-looking statements, speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any information or forward-looking statements contained herein, save for any information required to be disclosed by law. For more information, please contact: Investor Contact Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.

Dr. Manuela Bader, Director IR & Communication

Tel: +49 (0)345 555 99 30

Email: IR@vivoryon.com Media Contact Trophic Communications

Valeria Fisher

Tel: +49 175 8041816

Email: vivoryon@trophic.eu Additional features:



File: VVY H1 2022



30.09.2022 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.

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PUNE, India, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ReportsnReports added Global Wi-Fi 6 Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Offering (Hardware, Solution, and Services), Location Type (Indoor and Outdoor), Organization Size, Vertical (Education, Healthcare, Government, Manufacturing), Region and Forecast to 2027 report to its online research database.

The global Wi-Fi 6 market size is expected to grow USD 11.5 billion in 2022 to USD 26.2 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.9% during the forecast period. The Wi-Fi 6 market is gaining traction due to increasing number of internet users.

Download a Free Sample Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=5609450

"By Offering, the hardware to record a larger market share during the forecast period"

The Wi-Fi 6 Market is segmented into hardware, solution, and services. The hardware segment includes WAP, mesh routers, home gateways, and wireless repeaters. Services include professional services and managed services. The growing demand for Wi-Fi 6 solution and services, and the increasing requirement for improved connectivity among enterprises are leading to the growth of the Wi-Fi 6 market across the globe.

"By Region, Asia Pacific to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period"

The Asia Pacific is home to many developing economies, and many countries in this region are adopting new technologies to comply with procedures for increasing the efficiency of financial systems. The key countries include Australia, Japan, Singapore, India, China, and New Zealand. The region is expected to witness the fast-paced adoption of Wi-Fi 6software. The Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing Wi-Fi 6 Market owing to the rise in the adoption of new technologies, high investments for digital transformation, the rapid expansion of domestic enterprises, extensive development of infrastructures, and increasing GDP of various countries. Rapidly growing economies, such as China, Japan, Singapore, and India, are implementing Wi-Fi 6 solutions across multiple business processes to provide effective solutions.

The breakup of the profiles of the primary participants is given below:

By Company : Tier 1 - 34%, Tier 2 - 43%, and Tier 3 - 23%

: Tier 1 - 34%, Tier 2 - 43%, and Tier 3 - 23% By Designation : C-Level Executives - 50%, Directors- 30%, Others*-20%

: C-Level Executives - 50%, Directors- 30%, Others*-20% By Region: North America - 25%, Europe - 30%, APAC - 30%, Middle East and Africa - 10%, Latin America - 5%

This research study outlines the market potential, market dynamics, and major vendors operating in the Wi-Fi 6 Market. Key and innovative vendors in the Wi-Fi 6 Market include:

Cisco Systems (US), Intel Corporation (US), Huawei Technologies (China), NETGEAR (US), Juniper Networks (US), Broadcom (US), Qualcomm Inc. (US), Extreme Networks (US), Ubiquiti Networks (US), Fortinet Inc. (US), Aruba Networks (US), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), AT&T (US), Cambium Networks (US), D-Link Corporation (China), Alcatel-Lucent (US), TP-Link (China), MediaTek (China), Telstra (Australia), Murata (Japan), Sterlite Technologies Limited (India), Celeno (Israel), H3C (China), Senscomm Semiconductor (China), XUNISON (Ireland), Redway Networks (UK), VSORA (France), NEWRACOM (US), WILUS Group (South Korea), Federated Wireless (US).

Direct Purchase of the Global Wi-Fi 6 Market Research Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/purchase.aspx?name=5609450

Key benefits of buying the report

The report is expected to help the market leaders/new entrants in this market by providing them information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall Wi-Fi 6 Market and its segments. This report is also expected to help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain insights to improve the position of their businesses and to plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also aims at helping stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

Another Related Research Report:

Wireless Connectivity Market by Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth 4X, Bluetooth 5X, ZigBee, Z-Wave, UWB, NFC, Thread, GNSS, Cellular, EnOcean, Sigfox, LoRa, LTE Cat-M1, NB-IoT), End-use and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - The wireless connectivity market is projected to reach USD 199.3 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2022 to 2027. This report covers key applications, namely, wearable devices, healthcare, consumer electronics, building automation, automotive & transportation, and others in wireless connectivity market. The Wi-Fi connectivity type in deploying wireless connectivity accounted for a whopping share of about 21.3% of the market in 2021. Download a Free Sample Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=724575

Wi-Fi 6 Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Offering (Hardware, Solution, and Services), Location Type (Indoor and Outdoor), Organization Size, Vertical (Education, Healthcare, Government, Manufacturing) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - The global Wi-Fi 6 market size is expected to grow USD 11.5 billion in 2022 to USD 26.2 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.9% during the forecast period. The Wi-Fi 6 market is gaining traction due to increasing number of internet users. Download a Free Sample Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=713320

About Us:

ReportsnReports.com is your single source for all market research needs. Our database includes 500,000+ market research reports from over 95 leading global publishers & in-depth market research studies of over 5000 micro markets.

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STOCKHOLM, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhenman & Partners Asset Management AB appoints Teresa Isele as new CEO. Co-founder and current CEO Goran Nordstrom retires at the age of 69.

Most recently Teresa comes from the role as CEO at Swedsec, which provides a licensing system for employees within the Swedish financial services industry. Teresa has previously held roles as acting CEO, general counsel and head of compliance at AP1 (Forsta AP-fonden) and as a lawyer at EQT and at the law firm Vinge. Teresa will assume the role as CEO at Rhenman & Partners in March 2023. She will focus on the company's growth and development both in Sweden and internationally. She will work closely with the board and the employees in Rhenman & Partners' Stockholm office.

"We are very happy to welcome Teresa to Rhenman & Partners in the role of CEO. Her impressive background and expertise in the areas of both law and finance means she is well suited to lead the development work for Rhenman & Partners Asset Management going forward. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank outgoing CEO Goran Nordstrom for his invaluable contribution during Rhenman & Partners' first 14 years;" says Hans Wigzell, chairman of the board of Rhenman & Partners Asset Management.

"I am proud to be joining the team at Rhenman & Partners. Since the start of their journey in 2008, they have managed to create impressive results within the healthcare sector through their unique way of working, which has been recognized by numerous awards within the fund industry. Rhenman & Partners is well equipped for the future despite a challenging macro environment. I look forward to continuing the development of the business together with the highly competent employees," says Teresa Isele, incoming CEO of Rhenman & Partners Asset Management AB.

Teresa Isele

Teresa is currently the CEO at Swedsec and she has previously held roles as acting CEO, general counsel and head of compliance at AP1 (Forsta AP-fonden), and as a lawyer at EQT and at the law firm Vinge. Teresa has law degrees from Humboldt Universitat zu Berlin and Stockholm University, a master's degree in international Commercial Arbitration from Stockholm University, as well as a Diploma in English Legal Studies from Kings College, London.

Rhenman & Partners Asset Management

Rhenman & Partners Asset Management AB ("Rhepa") was founded in 2008 and is a Stockholm-based asset manager with its focus on the healthcare sector. Rhepa is responsible for the portfolio of a sector fund registered in Luxembourg: Rhenman Healthcare Equity L/S. The fund is managed by FundRock Management Company S.A. which has commissioned Rhepa to manage the fund's portfolio. The fund's asset under management amounts to approximately EUR 900m. Rhepa's experienced investment team is supported by a scientific advisory board consisting of medical experts with an extensive global network of researchers and specialists.

For further information, please contact:

Karin Hjerten

Communications Manager

Rhenman & Partners Asset Management AB

Telefon: +46 (0)706 521 908

E-post: karin.hjerten@rhepa.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/rhenman---partners-asset-management-ab/r/teresa-isele-to-be-the-new-ceo-of-rhenman---partners-asset-management-ab,c3640269

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/6515/3640269/1632919.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/rhenman---partners-asset-management-ab/i/teresa-isele,c3095652 Teresa Isele

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LONDON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A pilot who has fought blazes across the globe is aiming to help the bushfire fight in Australia, the most fire-prone country on Earth, with an innovative system that can turn every tractor into a fire engine instantly.

Arcus Fire's FireTrac system is aiming to save countless lives, property and wildlife by equipping Australia's army of farmers and ranchers with the tools and training they need to help in the early stages of a bushfire starting on or near their land.

Australia faces 60,000 bushfires a year and experts predict the problem will only get worse with climate change. The Arcus Fire FireTrac system can turn any tractor in the world into an instant high-capacity pump-and-roll fire engine.

Featuring a 3,000-litre (800 gallon) tank as a tractor attachment with a high-powered pump and firefighting hose, FireTrac means farmers can help in the initial attack, supporting fire services to respond to the start of a bushfire, saving precious time and hopefully preventing a disaster.

As it is equipped to a tractor, the FireTrac system can be on location long before a fire engine, can be used to cross any terrain and is a far-more cost-effective solution than buying new fire engines or fire-fighting planes.

FireTrac has been developed by CEO of Arcus Fire, Nick Davis, a pilot and entrepreneur who has been involved combatting wildfires in Australia, the USA and Africa for more than 20 years.

He says: "I've seen the devastation bushfires can cause first hand. One constant throughout all of the countries I've worked in, is that farmers and ranchers are almost always first on the scene - they know the land and they have the tractors that could be a force multiplier for the fire service that only have a limited amount of equipment and people on the frontline of the bushfire.

"I wanted to develop a cost-effective system that would enable farmers to provide a rapid response to a bushfire in the initial attack and support local emergency services as soon as they arrive."

Nick hopes farmers, ranchers, local authorities and forestry organisations will be able to station the FireTrac at key locations so tractors can be quickly deployed to help fight bushfires. He will also be providing training to ensure any users can stay safe when helping to tackle a blaze.

FireTrac features include:

Heavy duty frame with lockers and pump stowage

Tractor attachment head stock for Cat 2,3,4 three point linkage

Heavy duty 360 swivel balance bogey wheel for stability

540RPM PTO self-priming water pump running at 48 gal / 365 PSI or 180 LPM / 25 BAR

10-metre hose for walk-along or 5-metre for in-cab firefighting

Delta Fire Series 100 Pro Firefighting Branch

For more information, visit https://www.arcusfire.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1911770/Arcus_Fire_CEO.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/arcus-fires-new-firetrac-system-enables-farmers-to-support-fire-service-departments-in-bushfire-fight-301637579.html
LONDON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ATFX announced that Phil Muldoon, an industry leader, had officially joined the company's institutional business as Institutional Sales Director. As the brand continues to expand its global influence, ATFX has partnered with Phil, an experienced leader, to execute its vision and grow its institutional business. In addition, the broker believes Muldoon's extensive experience will benefit its institutional clients.





Before joining ATFX, Phil worked in institutional sales and marketing in London for nearly four years and has 30 years of experience in banking roles within the UK and the Middle East. Phil previously held key positions at the Abu Dhabi National Bank, Credit Suisse, manufacturer Hannover Trust, and Westminster Bank.

ATFX said that expanding its institutional business is critical to its mission and vision. The broker has directed significant resources in recent years towards growing the division. Therefore, the company has been looking to hire top talent in the industry who are a good fit for its brand. "We hope that Phil will tap into the leading brand image created by ATFX in the past years combined with his industry-wide experience to take ATFX's institutional business to the next level."

ATFX

ATFX is an award-winning currency pairs/CFD broker with a global presence offering customer support in over 15 languages. With over 300 tradable financial assets, including currency pairs, precious metals, energy, indices, and shares traded as CFDs, ATFX is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) in Cyprus, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. (ATFX Website: https://www.atfx.com)

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1910861/image.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/atfx-appoints-industry-veteran-phil-muldoon-as-institutional-sales-director-301637590.html
MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXXII, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $6,950.00 to $11,995.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV.

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.


A lecturer on urban planning at the Faculty of Engineering of Brawijaya University, Adipandang Yudono, Ph.D., has developed an Internet of Things (IoT) technology based on the Geographic Information System (GIS) to mitigate disasters in Pronojiwo district, an area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru. (Photo: ANTARA/HO-Humas UB)

Malang, East Java, Indonesia, Sept 30, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Brawijaya University has developed an Internet of Things (IoT) technology based on the Geographic Information System (GIS) to mitigate disasters in Pronojiwo district, an area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru."The data generated by IoT can be crucial information in dealing with disaster-affected areas," a lecturer of urban planning at the university's Faculty of Engineering, Adipandang Yudono, Ph.D., said here on Thursday.After the Semeru eruption some time ago, the IoT technology was used to enter a number of data regarding the number of refugees, logistics, the distribution of survivors, the location of the post, medicines, and food, among others, he informed.According to Yudono, during the recovery period, the GIS-based IoT technology has been used to map the condition of agriculture, livestock, as well as damaged schools in affected areas."This data can be used as a support system for determining areas that can be rehabilitated or determining lines for the protected areas," he said.Meanwhile, a volcanology and geothermal expert at Brawijaya University, Prof. Sukir Maryanto, said that the IoT system can work via two methods: through human media and the use of sensors.When using human media, the IoT works in three stages, namely entering or inputting data, which can then be managed using a database, he informed. The database is then forwarded to the operational dashboard.The operational dashboard contains infographics on the distribution of activities, the number of activities, and their graphs. Meanwhile, electronically, the IoT inputs data based on electronic sensors installed somewhere."In the future, the geospatial-based IoT can be used for planning activities for the recovery of areas affected by the Semeru eruption, such as reforestation," he said.According to the chairperson of the Independent Learning Program for the Independent Campus (MBKM), Semeru, Dr. Sujarwo, the IoT for disaster mitigation is supporting the activities of students involved in the Semeru humanitarian project."This (IoT) makes it easy, especially in identifying damage and providing better information, such as the number of damaged buildings and data on affected areas," Sujarwo said.In addition to the use of IoT for disaster mitigation, the MBKM Semeru has also initiated a "school and town watching" system, which is also being carried out with the help of schools and communities.The disaster mitigation effort in schools or "school watching" involves identifying elements in schools that are at risk, analyzing the impact of risks, and finding solutions to problems when a disaster strikes.Meanwhile, "town watching" is a program wherein people living in an area, namely residents, children, and students, go around the area to see and identify dangerous places when a disaster occurs."Town watching" seeks to increase public awareness on disaster management, identify environmental and surrounding vulnerabilities, and identify community capacities or resources that can be used when a disaster occurs.In addition, it also identifies the main problems in the community and finds solutions to these problems.Written by: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani, Editor: Suharto (c) ANTARA 2022Source: Brawijaya UniversityCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Xerox is pleased to announce that its in-person Premier Partner Forum will return to London this October after a two-year hiatus. The two-day event will provide Xerox's elite print partners, business owners, and leaders in the graphic communications space from around the world with the opportunity to grow their business through industry knowledge and idea sharing, peer-to-peer networking, and collaborating with other print partners, marketing services providers and industry stakeholders.

From October 4th 5th, the event will include a compelling mixture of keynote presentations and customer information sessions, covering some of the industry's hottest topics and a trip to Xerox's Uxbridge Innovation Center.

Presentations include:

'Bridging the Physical Digital' Steve Bandrowczak, CEO at Xerox

'Future of Automation AI' Sophie Hackford, Global Technology Futurist

'The Road to Carbon Neutrality' Lance Hill, Managing Director at Eight Plus and Premier Partner Advisor Council member

'Smart Financial Moves' John Curtis, Senior Vice President, Global Offerings at FITTLE, Xerox Financial Services

"Xerox continues its mission to reinvent the print industry. We are working with our partners to close the gap between present and future and are using digital intelligence like AI, AR and data analytics to advance productivity and capability across our production portfolio," said Xerox's Senior Vice President of Global Offerings, Tracey Koziol. "During our two-day event, we will further collaborate with partners on our shared ambitions, provide updates on our innovative offerings and celebrate our partners' industry-wide achievements and contributions."

Xerox will also announce the winners of its 'Best of Best Awards 2022,' which celebrate Xerox graphic communications customers who best utilize its production technology to champion the fusion and passion of print. Now in their 6th year, Best of Best Award recognition is given to Xerox Premier Partners who continue to deliver exceptional results through innovation, creativity, image quality and business success.

To learn more about what's planned for Premier Partners at the Forum click here.

About Xerox Holdings Corporation

For more than 100 years, Xerox has continually redefined the workplace experience. Harnessing our leadership position in office and production print technology, we've expanded into software and services to sustainably power today's workforce. From the office to industrial environments, our differentiated business solutions and financial services are designed to make every day work better for clients no matter where that work is being done. Today, Xerox scientists and engineers are continuing our legacy of innovation with disruptive technologies in digital transformation, augmented reality, robotic process automation, additive manufacturing, Industrial Internet of Things and cleantech. Learn more at xerox.com.

Note: To receive RSS news feeds, visit https://www.news.xerox.com. For open commentary, industry perspectives and views, visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/xerox, https://twitter.com/xerox, https://www.facebook.com/XeroxCorp, https://www.instagram.com/xerox/, https://www.youtube.com/XeroxCorp.

Xerox is a trademark of Xerox in the United States and/or other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005094/en/

Contacts:

Callie Ferrari, APR, Callie.Ferrari@xerox.com, +1-203-615-3363
Leading energy services provider Expro (NYSE: XPRO) has successfully completed the plug and abandonment (P&A) of Ireland's first indigenous gas wells.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005227/en/

Graham Cheyne, Expro's Vice President of Subsea Well Access (Photo: Business Wire)

Expro provided the delivery of integrated subsea and well test services over an eight-month period to intervene, plug and abandon subsea wells from a mobile offshore drilling unit located in the Celtic Sea.

The subsea intervention scope utilized Expro's 7 3/8" ELSA (Expro landing string assemblies) system, supported by a complete backup system and direct hydraulic topside and subsea controls package.

Achieving over 3,000 successful operations globally, ELSA is Expro's industry-leading subsea well access technology, providing clients with a safe and environmentally secure operating system for the commissioning and decommissioning of subsea wells.

Expro completed the work scope with 100% operational uptime and zero non-productive time (NPT) across the duration of the project.

The performance on this project, allied with the recent highly successful completion of Intervention Riser System deep-water operations in Mauritania, further enhances Expro's position as a leading provider of subsea P&A solutions.

Graham Cheyne, Expro's Vice President of Subsea Well Access, commented:

"With ten wells successfully intervened and abandoned one after another in a short timeframe, the reliability of the system was proven with 100% operational uptime and zero NPT, improving the efficiency of Expro and our client's subsea operations over the extended operational period.

"This project not only enhances our already established subsea well access experience and track record, but it also demonstrates our strong position to deliver value and extraordinary performance in the integrated decommissioning and plug and abandonment market.

"Building on our industry-leading technology, the latest Subsea Test Tree Assemblies addition, our Next Generation Landing String, is designed to fully comply with all aspects of the industry's latest API17G standard. The system includes a range of new and advanced design elements and functionality across its 7-3/8" valve range, incorporating high-debris tolerant ball mechanism and hydraulic latch mechanism, as well as supplying dual seal protection for safe and environmentally secure operations."

Colin Mackenzie, Expro's Vice President of Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, added:

"Throughout this project the team showed a true commitment to both Expro's and our client's high environmental and safety standards. I see this is a true reflection of Expro's dedication and passion to supporting our people, our clients, and the environments in which we operate."

Expro

Working for clients across the well life cycle, Expro is a leading provider of energy services, offering cost-effective, innovative solutions and what the Company considers to be best-in-class safety and service quality. The Company's extensive portfolio of capabilities spans well construction, well flow management, subsea well access, and well intervention and integrity solutions.

With roots dating to 1938, Expro has approximately 7,200 employees and provides services and solutions to leading exploration and production companies in both onshore and offshore environments in approximately 60 countries.

For more information, please visit: expro.com and connect with Expro on Twitter @ExproGroup and LinkedIn @Expro.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company, may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the Company's environmental, social and governance goals, targets and initiatives, and the benefits and success of the ELSA system, and are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "outlook," "estimate," "expect," "project," "believe," "envision," "goal," "target," "can," "will," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company's expectations and judgments and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. The factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to materially differ include, among others the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed 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, historical practice, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005227/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

MediaRelations@expro.com
30 September 2022

Rogue Baron Plc.

("Rogue Baron" or the "Company")

Half Year Report

for the six month period ended 30 June 2022

The six month period to June 30, 2022 was one of both great challenge yet ultimately one of reward. The first quarter was one of very subdued trading due to an inability to get stock from Tokyo to the USA as a result of repeated Chinese lockdowns which threw Asian container shipping into chaos. However, when the company finally was able to get stock into the USA progress was made in key markets. In the second quarter, the group sold 689 cases globally resulting in revenue of $87,492, moving 55% higher compared to the same period in 2021, driven by both the addition of new markets and continuing demand from existing customers.

In the key strategic US market, the team has been bolstered by an experienced salesman from Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), one of the largest distributors in the US. As per the announcements of April 2022, the Company has added distribution in a number of European countries (UK, Spain, Switzerland and Austria). These markets accounted for 14% of total case sales in the quarter as these markets have just begun to order their initial supply. The Company has now hired a UK based brand manager to push UK and EU sales with an initial particular focus on the UK. Progress on expanded USA distribution has been made and the Company remains very confident of being able to deliver on this in the near term.

Global consumer trends in the beverage industry continue to shift towards ultra-premium drinks consumption. The Company has already seen the effect of this with sales in Europe of its 8-year old Shinju expression. Rogue Baron intends to capitalise on this trend with the intended future launch of 12 and 15 year old Shinju expressions. Due to strong demand for aged Japanese Whisky and lack of supply this puts the Company in a strong position not only with respect to Japanese Whisky but with respect to being able to cross sell other spirits such as a super-premium tequila. The Company has already had numerous other approaches from other alcohol brands with respect to being able to access the Company's USA distribution network We believe this further franks the value proposition of the Company as the USA liquor market is littered with failed attempts by overseas brands to enter the country without understanding the market let alone the regulatory system there.

The Company has also amended its year end to September 30. The Company auditor PKF has been instructed to undertake a stock take of both Shinju and the Company's tequila at warehouses in the USA, the Netherlands and Mexico. The latter should resolve the outstanding matter from the audit opinion at the 31 December 2021 year end.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

END

For further information, please contact:

The Company

Ryan Dolder

rdolder@roguebaron.com

AQSE Corporate Adviser:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Guy Miller +44 (0) 20 7469 0936

AQSE Corporate Broker:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Lucy Williams +44 (0) 20 7469 0936

ROGUE BARON PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

Note Unaudited Period ended Unaudited Period ended 30-Jun-22 30/06/2021 (restated) US$'000 US$'000 Revenue 90 165 Cost of sales (70) (136) Gross profit 20 29 IPO costs (4) (185) Payments made in shares - (440) Other administrative expenses (317) (378) Total administrative expenses (321) (1,003) Share of loss in associated company (24) 0 (Loss)/profit from operations (325) (974) Finance costs - (15) Loss before and after taxation from continuing operations (325) (989) (Loss)/profit on discontinued operations (3) 28 Exchange differences (50) (18) Total comprehensive loss for the period/year, attributable to the owners of the company (378) (979) Total comprehensive loss attributable to Non-controlling shareholders (1) 13 Equity holders of the parent (377) (992) (378) (979) Earnings per share Total basic and diluted earnings per share (cents) from continuing operations 3 (0.36) (1.36) Total basic and diluted earnings per share (cents) from discontinued operations 0.00 0.04

ROGUE BARON PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 30 JUNE 2022

Unaudited Audited 30 June 2022 31 December 2021 Assets Note US$'000 US$'000 Non-current Intangible assets 4 3,826 3,826 Investments in associates 5 40 64 3,866 3,890 Current Cash and cash equivalents 56 246 Inventories 769 717 Trade and other receivables 260 325 Total current assets 1,085 1,288 Total assets 4,951 5,178 Liabilities Current Trade and other payables 203 39 Loans payable 6 140 156 Net liabilities of discontinued operations 192 189 Total current liabilities and total liabilities 535 384 Equity Issued share capital 7 119 119 Share premium 6,627 6,627 Exchange reserve (227) (177) Retained earnings (2,061) (1,734) Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company 4,458 4,835 Non-controlling interest (42) (41) Total equity 4,416 4,794 Total equity and liabilities 4,951 5,178

ROGUE BARON PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

Share capital Share premium account Exchange reserve Retained earnings Total equity attributable to the owners of the company Non-controlling interest Total equity US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Balance at 1 January 2021 46 3,529 (140) (361) 3,074 (77) 2,997 Share issue 68 2,870 - - 2,938 - 2,938 Share issue costs - (105) - - (105) - (105) Transactions with owners 68 2,765 - - 2,833 - 2,833 Loss for the period - - - (974) (974) 13 (961) Other comprehensive loss for the period - - (18) - (18) - (18) Balance at 30 June 2021 114 6,294 (158) (1,335) 4,915 (64) 4,851 Share issue 5 360 - - 365 - 365 Share issue costs - (27) - - (27) - (27) Transactions with owners 5 333 - - 338 - 338 Loss for the period - - - (399) (399) 23 (376) Exchange difference on translating foreign operations - - (19) - (19) - (19) Balance at 31 December 2021 119 6,627 (177) (1,734) 4,835 (41) 4,794 Issue of shares - - - - - - - Transactions with owners - - - - - - - Loss for the period - - - (327) (327) (1) (328) Other comprehensive income for the period - - (50) - (50) - (50) Balance at 30 June 2022 119 6,627 (227) (2,061) 4,508 (42) 4,416

ROGUE BARON PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

Unaudited Period ended Unaudited Period ended 30 June 2022 30 June 2021

(restated) US$'000 US$'000 Operating activities Loss/(profit) after tax (325) (989) Finance cost - 15 Loss on conversion of loans - 176 Loss on associate 24 - (Increase)/decrease in inventories (52) (112) (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 65 (198) Expenses settled in shares - 440 (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 141 (164) Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities (147) (832) Investing activities Cash received from discontinued operations - 68 Net cash outflow from investing activities - 68 Financing activities Proceeds from issue of share capital - 1,147 Share issue costs - (105) Loans received - 5 Loans repaid - (68) Net cash inflow from financing activities - 979 Net change in cash and cash equivalents (147) 215 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 246 131 Exchange difference on cash and cash equivalents (43) 32 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 56 378

ROGUE BARON PLC

NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2022

The financial information set out in this interim report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.The Company's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 have been completed and filed at Companies House.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation

The Company's ordinary shares are quoted on the Aquis Stock Exchange and the Company applies the Companies Act 2006 when preparing its annual financial statements.

The annual financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2022 will be prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRS) and the principal accounting policies adopted remain unchanged from those adopted in preparing its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the Group for the purposes of preparation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.

Segmental reporting

An operating segment is a distinguishable component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Group's Chief Executive Officer to make decisions about the allocation of resources and assessment of performance and about which discrete financial information is available.

The Chief Executive Officer reviews financial information for and makes decisions about the Group's performance as a whole, as the Group has recently been acquired. All revenue is generated in USA,

The Group expects to further review its segmental information during the forthcoming financial year.

Fees and Loans Settled in Shares

Where shares have been issued as consideration for services provided or loans outstanding, they are measured at fair value. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability (or part thereof) extinguished, and the fair value of the shares, is recognised in profit or loss.

2. TAXATION

No tax is due for the period as the Company has made a taxable loss. The Directors expect these losses to be available to offset against future taxable trading profits. The Group has not recognised any deferred tax asset at 30 June 2022 (30 June 2021: nil) in respect of these losses on the grounds that it is uncertain when taxable profits will be generated by the Group to utilise any such losses.

3. LOSS per share

The calculation of the basic loss per share is based on the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. The impact of the options and warrants on the loss per share is anti-dilutive.

Unaudited Unaudited six months ended six months ended 30 June 2022 30 June 2021 (restated) US$'000 US$'000 Loss after taxation - continuing operations ($'000) (325) (989) Profit/(loss after taxation) - discontinued operations (3) 28 Loss after taxation - total (328) (961) Number Number Weighted average number of shares for calculating basic earnings per share 90,043,076 70,815,991 Cents Cents Basic and diluted earnings per share - continuing operations (0.36) (1.40) Basic and diluted earnings per share - discontinued operations 0.00 0.04 Basic and diluted earnings per share - total (0.36) (1.36)

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS



Brands & Licences Other Total US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 Cost At 1 January 2021, 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 3,816 10 3,826 Additions - - - At 30 June 2022 3,816 10 3,826 Amortisation and impairment At 1 January 2021, 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 - - - Impairment - - - At 30 June 2022 - - - Net book value at 30 June 2022 3,816 10 3,826 Net book value at 31 December 2021 3,816 10 3,826 Net book value at 30 June 2021 3,816 10 3,826

The Group owns several licences over liquor brands. The carrying value of intangible assets have been reviewed for impairment and no impairment was considered necessary.

5. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES

On 1 July 2021 the Group acquired a 51% interest in For Mir LLC through Legacy Retail Group LLC. For Mir LLC operates De Rhum Spot a bar in Washington DC. Having reviewed the operating agreement, the directors do not consider that the Group has control of For Mir LLC and has accounted for it as an associate undertaking. Under the terms of the agreement the Group is liable for the first $70,000 of losses and thereafter they are apportioned according to shareholding. The movement in the investment in the associated undertaking was:

30 June 2022 31 December 2021 $'000 $'000 At beginning of period 64 - Investment - 136 Share of loss for year (24) (72) At end of period 40 64

6. LOANS

The movement in loans is shown below.

30 June 2022 31 December 2021 Convertible loans $'000 $'000 Balance at beginning of period 151 1,266 Converted into shares - (1,351) Loss on conversion - 176 Interest charged - 15 Foreign exchange (16) 45 Balance at end of period 135 151 Non-convertible loans Balance at beginning of period 5 68 Loans received - 5 Repaid in cash - (68) Balance at end of period 5 5

7. SHARE CAPITAL



The movement in ordinary shares and share premium in the period was as follows:

Number Nominal amount (USD $'000) Share premium (USD $'000) As at 1 January 2021 36,748,500 46 3,529 Shares issued for loan conversions 32,741,450 45 1,306 Shares issued for cash 12,185,714 17 1,130 Shares issued in payment of fees 4,510,270 6 434 Share issue costs - - (105) At 30 June 2021 86,185,934 114 6,294 Shares issued in payment of creditors 1,000,000 1 93 Shares issued for cash 2,857,142 4 267 Share issue costs - - (27) At 31 December 2021 90,043,076 119 6,627 Movement in period - - - At 30 June 2022 90,043,076 119 6,627

8. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The Company has no ultimate controlling party
Foreign Minister Park Jin, center, speaks to reporters at the ministry building in Seoul on Sept. 30, one day after the National Assembly passed a motion calling for his dismissal as the main opposition Democratic Party pushed to hold him responsible for what it claims was a disastrous overseas trip by President Yoon Suk-yeol. Yonhap



Foreign Minister Park Jin on Friday refuted criticism that President Yoon Suk-yeol's overseas trip earlier this month was a "diplomatic fiasco" severely undermining national interest, speaking in person to reporters a day after lawmakers passed a motion calling for his dismissal.



Yoon and his diplomatic team are under fire for what critics label as diplomatic failures during the president's visits to Britain, the United States and Canada, which has caused huge political controversies and fierce partisan strife at home.



"While the opposition is downplaying the recent presidential trip as a diplomatic disaster, I cannot agree with that notion," Park told reporters at the foreign ministry office building in Seoul, adding he couldn't sleep well for several days due to the matter.



The National Assembly, controlled by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), passed the motion, legally nonbinding, in a vote boycotted by members of the ruling People Power Party.



The DP cited Yoon's failure to pay respect to the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, the lack of a "tangible" accomplishment from a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York and his use of foul language, allegedly against U.S. President Joe Biden, caught on a hot mic.






New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Involio.com has concluded a $1.4 million capital raise with strong support from new investors.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8935/138979_53de202f54c47ba7_001full.jpg

Involio's largest round of funding will be deployed into building its social marketplace for investors where users can share their investment portfolios, investment strategies and learn from other investors' posted content through the Involio community.

Involio will allow verified creators to monetize their content. Creators can sell their investment strategy in the form of a course tied to their investment portfolio.

Involio is a unique spin on the creator economy, allowing investors with proven track records to post and update their investment portfolios, price targets and the plan behind their investments on the platform, along with content to monetize, such as strategy videos.

Other Involio users can discover and follow creators through Involio's news feed, search tools and trending content.

The news of the successfully completed capital raise comes as WallStreetBets active users surpassed 12.2M and MEME ETF reported a 21.3% return on total equity volume trading volumes in 2021.

CEO Ryan Pace describes Involio as an "all in one platform where traders of varying experience levels can become content creators to monetize their investment knowledge. Aspiring traders can then use the platform as the ultimate source to kickstart their investments."

About Involio

Involio is a unique platform that allows creators to use their existing marketing platforms, such as Twitter, Discord, or a personal website, more effectively.

Creators will use those platforms for what they're best at - growing and interacting with their follower base while Involio will serve to build and monetize their content through a proprietary content delivery system.

Involio seeks to help users improve their investing knowledge and skills by learning from creators with expertise in various asset classes.

Platform Website: https://involio.com/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/involioapp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/involioapp/

Media Contact:

Ryan Pace,

ryan@involio.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138979
HELSINKI (dpa-AFX) - Finland's trade deficit widened less than initially estimated in August, final figures from the Finnish Customs showed on Friday. Trade deficit rose to EUR 1.247 billion in August from EUR 428 million in the same month last year. In the initial estimate, the trade deficit was EUR 1.255 billion. Exports increased 17.9 percent yearly in July versus a 17.5 percent growth in the initial estimate. Imports gained 30.3 percent annually in July. According to the initial estimate, imports rose 30.1 percent. Shipments to the EU countries increased 20.1 percent in July and imports from them grew 20.2 percent. Exports to countries outside EU rose 15.2 percent in July and imports from those countries surged 43.4 percent. 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.




DUBAI, Sept 30, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - World Blockchain Summit (WBS), the largest global series of blockchain, crypto and web3 events, is coming back to Dubai on October 17-18 at the Atlantis the Palm.Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Juma Ahmed Juma Al Maktoum, member of the ruling family of Dubai, WBS Dubai is hosting the most influential thought leaders on blockchain, Crypto, NFT, Web 3.0, and the metaverse to explore the market's effects on commerce, banking, gaming, culture, and community development.Dubai is known for its welcoming stance on crypto and blockchain technology. This is evident in its ease of regulations for crypto and blockchain technologies making it great for foreign companies looking to set up shop. This is further backed by the recent approval of the Dubai Virtual Asset Regulation Law providing for a more "Crypto-friendly" structure that fosters investment and growth in blockchain adoption. With over 6000 millionaire residents, the country's private wealth has risen to over $40 billion making it a hotspot for investments too."Dubai is the right place for innovation in the blockchain space. We are happy to be working with WBS to achieve the vision set by the government of Dubai on its Blockchain and Metaverse Strategy," Commented Furqan Rassul, CEO of Elite Partner Investment.WBS will bring enlightening sessions discussing the blockchain and crypto space in response to some of today's most pressing questions in the current industry. It will also feature panel discussions, industry highlights, use-case-studies, fireside chats and more.Mohammed Saleem, Founder and CEO of WBS noted, "Dubai has positioned itself perfectly as one of the most crypto and blockchain friendly destinations in the world. With all the recent announcements around new crypto licenses being issued, Dubai Metaverse Strategy and more, we are super excited to be bringing WBS back to Dubai this October as we host some of the world's leading experts to share their insights and showcase the latest innovations in the space."Speakers in focus include:- FURQAN RASSUL, CEO, Elite partner Investment LLC.- DR MARWAN ALZAROUNI, CEO, Dubai, Blockchain Center- RALF GLABISCHNIG, Founder, Crypto Oasis, CV VC- TALAL TABBAA, Chief Executive Officer, CoinMENA- PAUL VERADITTAKIT, Partner, Pantera Capital- DR JEMMA GREEN Co-Founder & Executive Chairman Powerledger- SABINIJE VON GAFFKE Founder, IMPACTFULNESS Ventures Head of Sustainability, Nibiru Software AB- SHERAZ AHMED, Co-Executive Director | Head of Business Development, Crypto Valley Association"The landscape of trust is changing and blockchain is arriving to fill the gaps," added Dr Jemma Green, Cofounder and Chairman of Powerledger.Luna PR is WBS' official PR Partner, whilst some of the global blockchain and web3 experts sponsoring the event are DIG (Decentralised Investment Group) as Headline Sponsor, Coinstore and Aura Dogs as Silver Sponsors and Dreamster as Exhibitor. Crypto Oasis is the Ecosystem Partner, whilst Media Partners at the event include Bitcoin World, BinBits, Coinspeaker, CoinTelegraph MENA, Cointelegram, Coinveestasi, Crypto-Academy, Regtech Times, Security Middle East, The Cryptonomist and The Jordan Times.About Elite Partner InvestmentElite Partner Investment is a UAE-based Investment Management company with interests in technology, mining, energy, and real estate chaired by HH Sheikh Juma Ahmed Juma Al Maktoum. Areas of the group's interest include early-stage technology and creating value through innovation and synergies. His Highness enables the company and its partners to access and work at the highest level with government and leading multinationals around the globe; enabling them to grow, expand and access new markets.About World Blockchain SummitWorld Blockchain Summit (WBS) is a global series of blockchain, crypto, web3 and metaverse focused events that has brought together over 20,000 industry influencers, investors, enterprise decision makers and Government stakeholders through physical events hosted in over 16 countries.WBS is dedicated to fostering the growth of the decentralised economy through community development, boosting technological innovation with access to capital, and enabling enterprise and Government adoption of web3 technologies through deal facilitation. Each summit features enterprise and government use-cases, inspirational keynotes, panel discussions, tech-talks, a blockchain exhibition, startup pitch competitions, and a host of networking opportunities.Other upcoming platforms organised by WBS Events in 2022 include the World Metaverse Show taking place on October 5-6 in Dubai, the World Blockchain Summit Toronto, taking place in November, and the World Blockchain Summit Bangkok in December.For more information and tickets, visit www.worldblockchainsummit.comContact details:Elisha Patel, Luna PRelisha@lunapr.ioSource: World Blockchain SummitCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Gibraltar, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Following the remarkable work in securing digital assets, FortKnoxster is launching DieFi: the unique and innovative platform which secures digital assets.

The latest innovation by FortKnoxster solves a problem that has been burning in the minds of the crypto community since the genesis of digital assets.

What is DieFi?

DieFi is a platform for automated beneficiaries for all owners of digital assets. If a user fails to log in to their FortKnoxster account for a period of a year or for a period that is specified by users themselves, DieFi enables users to create a beneficiary testament that will be automatically activated. This automation is triggered by a "Dead man's switch."

The information that is required is the beneficiary's first and last name, date of birth, nationality, and email address in order to register them on the FortKnoxster DieFi platform. With the help of the ID verification partner, this data will be employed to confirm the beneficiary's identification.

If they so choose, users have the option to automatically email the beneficiary throughout the beneficiary assignment procedure to inform them that they have been named a beneficiary.

Whenever the dead man's switch timer is activated, an automated email message is delivered to the beneficiary, who can then start the process of restoring, which entails careful ID verification measures. Each time a wallet owner logs into their account, the dead man's switch is restarted and prolonged to a year. This timer can be altered by the wallet owner if they have FortKnoxster Platinum.

Only the intended receivers have access to all encrypted document and wallet registrations. After your beneficiaries get into the account, they can view all the documents written up by the original user and even access uploaded videos and other content.

DieFi Main Features

The key features of DieFi are:

Store Wallet Information - all credentials and details from trading to custodial and non-custodial wallets, all encrypted, all in one place!

- all credentials and details from trading to custodial and non-custodial wallets, all encrypted, all in one place! Crypto Beneficiaries - should you not be able to access your holdings, DieFi makes sure whomever you appoint as a beneficiary will!

should you not be able to access your holdings, DieFi makes sure whomever you appoint as a beneficiary will! Dead Man's Switch - the timeline of contacting appointed beneficiaries is in your hands!

- the timeline of contacting appointed beneficiaries is in your hands! ID Verification - Your beneficiaries will go through the rigorous real-time face and ID scans, as well as countless automated background security checks for the purposes of fraud elimination!

- Your beneficiaries will go through the rigorous real-time face and ID scans, as well as countless automated background security checks for the purposes of fraud elimination! NFTs - your NFT portfolio can be displayed, managed, and organized in a multi-chain scope!

FortKnoxster will launch what is considered to be the most sought-after and significant innovations in the history of digital assets and blockchain on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

CoinmarketCap: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/fortknoxster/

Telegram: https://t.me/FortKnoxster

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fortknoxster

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FortKnoxster/

Contact:

Niels Klitsgaard

press@fortknoxster.com

contact@fortknoxster.com

Website: https://fortknoxster.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138984
September 30, 2022

Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) announced that today's Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (EGM) appointed Roy Jakobs as the company's next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 15, 2022, succeeding current President and Chief Executive Officer Frans van Houten.

"I am very pleased that Roy Jakobs has been appointed today as the next CEO of Philips," said Feike Sijbesma, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Royal Philips. "On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Frans for successfully leading Philips' transformation into a focused, global solutions leader in health technology. We are convinced that Roy is the right successor to lead Philips' efforts to help improve the health and well-being of people globally, and further shape the company for increased value creation for shareholders and all other stakeholders."

"I have enjoyed and feel deeply privileged for having been given the opportunity to shape Philips onto a path of future relevance as we embraced health and healthcare innovation as our company focus," said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. "Much has been achieved in the past 12 years and I want to thank the many passionate, talented colleagues who have made this possible. Nevertheless, much remains to be done, and this will now be the task of the Executive Committee under the leadership of my successor. I wish Roy and the team much success."

"I am honored to be appointed as the next CEO of Philips, and together with our Philips colleagues continue to help improve people's health and well-being with meaningful innovations," said Roy Jakobs, incoming CEO of Royal Philips. "Philips is a unique company with a strong brand, more than 130 years of innovation power and a bright future as a leader in health technology solutions. I look forward to leading the company in a transparent way, empowering our people as we address the current challenges, while also shaping the next chapter of Philips."

Additional information on the composition of Philips' Board of Management and the Executive Committee can be found here .



For more information about the EGM, please click on this link .

For further information, please contact:

Elco van Groningen

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +31 6 8103 9584

E-mail: elco.van.groningen@philips.com

Derya Guzel

Philips Investor Relations

Tel.: +31 20 59 77055

E-mail: derya.guzel@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.

Attachments
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / Goldplay Mining Inc. (TSXV:AUC) (US/OTCQB:AUCCF), (Frankfurt:9FY), (the "Company" or "Goldplay"), is pleased to announce that it has signed an Option Agreement with Scottie Resources Corp. ("Scottie"), a company engaged in the exploration and evaluation of gold and silver properties located in the "Golden Triangle" of British Columbia, to purchase an working interest in Scottie's exploration properties (the "Option").

Terms of the Agreement

Goldplay can acquire up to 3.75% interest in the Scottie's properties by incurring up to $1,500,000 in exploration expenses until December 31, 2022. If the exploration expenses incurred amount to less than $1,500,000, Goldplay's earned interest in the Scottie's properties will be reduced proportionally.

Following the exercise of the Option, Goldplay will have the right (the "Put Right") to require Scottie to repurchase the interest earned by Goldplay by paying cash, at a price calculated by dividing the total exploration expenditures incurred by Goldplay by 1.7.

Following the exercise of the Option, Scottie will have the right (the "Call Right") to repurchase the interest earned by Goldplay by paying cash, at a price calculated by dividing the total exploration expenditures incurred by Goldplay by 1.7.

In the event the Put Right or the Call Right is exercised, Scottie may, in its sole discretion, satisfy up to $300,000 of the price for the repurchase of Goldplay's interest by issuing Goldplay common shares in the capital of Scottie.

About Goldplay Mining

Goldplay Mining is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. Goldplay holds large district scale gold, and copper-gold projects located in BC's Golden Triangle and southwestern BC with potential for world class mineral discoveries. The Company also holds several brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal with near term mining potential.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Chris Osterman"

CEO

For further information please contact:

Goldplay Mining Inc.

Mr. Chris Osterman

Suite 650 - 1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6E 0C3

E: chrisosterman@comcast.net

www.goldplaymining.ca

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the completion of the Option and the exploration and development potential of Goldplay's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this 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 release.

SOURCE: Goldplay Mining Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/718215/Goldplay-Signs-Option-Agreement-To-Earn-Interest-in-Properties-in-the-BC-Golden-Triangle
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIIRE / September 30, 2022 / Egress, the leading provider of intelligent email security, announced its annual Human Activated Risk Summit , an event hosted by and for cyber security leaders. The virtual summit, which takes place on October 5th and is free for registrants to attend, analyzes cyber security buyers' and vendors' expectations versus the reality they face day to day. The agenda features top thought leaders, including Jinan Budge VP, Principle Analyst, at Forrester Research, with each session cutting through the hype on key topics, such as the use of AI, security awareness training, the impact of ransomware attacks, cyber insurance, and more.

The Egress Human Activated Risk Summit includes the following sessions:

The Reality of Reducing Human Activated Risk - addressing the reality of reducing human activated risk by putting people front and center of the solution.

Is the Cyber Security Industry Selling Snake Oil? Exploring how cyber technology buyers can navigate the crowded cyber security market to get genuine value from the solution they procure.

Cutting Through the Hype of Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security?- offering insights into the common AI technologies used in cyber and questions to ask vendors touting them.

Cyber Insurance: Lessons Learned from Post-Breach Reality - helping delegates understand the hardening of the cyber insurance market and providing insights into minimizing future risk and improving cyber resilience.

The Personal Impact of a Ransomware Attack - sharing how the real-world reality of a ransomware attack and how the people involved can make this a success or a failure.

Leapfrog from SA&T Compliance-as-a-Strategy to Actual Behavior & Culture Change - offering a view of future security awareness and training, understanding where to invest your SA&T resources, and learning how to disrupt the status quo to reach actual outcomes of behavior & culture change.

The Benefits of Taking a Holistic Approach to Email Security - showing how the value can be realized from having a holistic view of human activated risk introduced by both inbound and outbound email.

In addition to insights from Egress leadership, these sessions will provide detailed expertise from leaders across the cyber security industry such as Carol Meyers , Venture Partner, Glasswing Ventures, Keith Price , Chief Security Officer, Decipher Cyber Jenny, Megan Ryan , Cyber Underwriting Manager, Hiscox UK, Lisa Forte , Partner, Red Goat Cyber Security LLP, Jinan Budge , VP, Principle Analyst, Forrester, and a Senior Security Researcher at the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).

Click here to learn more and register for the Egress Human Activated Risk Summit.

About Egress

Egress makes digital communication safer for everyone. As advanced and persistent cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, we recognize that people get hacked, make mistakes, and break the rules. Egress's Intelligent Cloud Email Security suite uses patented self-learning technology to detect sophisticated inbound and outbound threats, protect against data loss, resulting in the reduction of human activated risk.

Used by the world's biggest brands, Egress is private equity backed and has offices in London, New York, and Boston.

Media Contact:

Escalate PR for Egress

egress@escalatepr.com

SOURCE: Egress

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/718276/Packed-Agenda-of-Cyber-Security-Leaders-Lined-Up-for-Egress-Human-Activated-Risk-Summit
DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / Takeda Shingen will be introducing an entirely new concept in DeFi (Decentralized Finance) crypto yield farming this October called Battle Stakes. Battle Stakes is an open source, decentralized protocol founded in 2022 by a collective of financial and security experts. Privacy and security were key objectives for the project and it is spearheaded by Shingen (a pseudonym). Shingen is a data scientist and network security consultant with experience in the finance and crypto spaces. His vision will allow users to gain consistent returns on their cryptocurrency by utilizing a cutting-edge trading bot system backed by Recursive Neural Network machine learning mechanisms. The public pre-sale and project launch will be done as part of the Battle Stakes Eco-System.

The front-end interface was built to make the experience fun and engaging. The core logic of the smart contract is written in such a way that the long-term holder is rewarded, and the short-term holder is penalized. Different strategies can be applied based on the user's risk level and crypto lock-up period. A summary of the development and testing results can be found below. (Insert table of results here)

The project started out as an experiment back during the start of the pandemic. With the crypto market in its infancy, it was decided to apply different data science techniques and see the results. With most trading bots on the market using logarithmic decision tree logic, a new and experimental technique was attempted, Recursive Neural Network machine learning. After 12 months of results, the prediction line started falling almost in line with the actual, and so additional methods such as xgBoost were introduced to further improve results. The outcome was that the prediction model was able to achieve more accurate trades.

Based on experimental trading bot and does not guarantee any future results.

The front-end interface was developed to make the ecosystem fun and engaging. The back end relies on crypto being staked for several consecutive months at a time. The system leverages liquidity against changing market conditions, which make the prediction algorithm more accurate. Therefore, the reward system is based on users staking crypto against each other rather than against a centralized system. This gives each user control over when he or she wants to unstake and convert back to stable-coin.

A promotion system was also developed for those that want to stay active and earn by educating others about the Battle Stakes Eco-System. Every 48 hours a $1k reward pool is disbursed to the most active promoters.

Battle Stakes was originally conceived for the crypto enthusiast looking to bridge the gap between the current bear market and the next market upturn. The test results have produced expectations such that the team firmly believes this can significantly change the way that retail users navigate the crypto market. The Battle Stakes Ecosystem is built on the Binance Smart Chain and offers the opportunity to earn rewards reliant on the strategies they choose. On the user side, the innovation lies with how these rewards are disbursed among the users and offers them the prospect to make a profit independent of the current market.

About Battle Stakes

Battle Stakes was built in 2022 and is an open-source protocol. The team has been KYC'd and prior to launch the contract will be audited by Pek Shield. More information regarding the protocol can be found on the project's website, https://battlestakes.community/. The white paper can also be accessed here.

The system is built with the thought of customer service and community. Any questions regarding the mechanics or how to participate will be answered by helpful ambassadors via multiple channels. For all info, please go to any of the places listed below. A live person will always be available to explain.

Contact:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/battle_stakes

Discord: https://discord.gg/battlestakes

Telegram:https://t.me/BattleStakes

Web: https://battlestakes.community

SOURCE: Battle Stakes

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/717275/Battle-Stakes-New-Crypto-Ecosystem-Rewards-Users-with-High-Return-by-Utilizing-RNN-Trading-Bot-System
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.
The ruling People Power Party deputy floor leader Song Eon-seog, cetner, holds a resolution calling for the resignation of National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo at the assembly in western Seoul on Sept. 30. Yonhap



The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Friday submitted a resolution urging National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo to step down for putting to a vote the main opposition party's motion calling for the dismissal of the foreign minister the previous day.



In the resolution unanimously signed by PPP's lawmakers, the party accused Kim of "violating his duty to keep political neutrality" as the assembly speaker and "seriously hurting the parliamentary democracy" by working in favor of the opposition Democratic Party (DP).



On Thursday, the assembly passed a motion calling for the dismissal of Foreign Minister Park Jin as the DP, which holds the majority of seats in the parliament, pushed to hold him responsible for what it claims was a disastrous overseas trip by President Yoon Suk-yeol last week.



The motion was approved in a 168-1 vote boycotted by the PPP. The minor progressive Justice Party also boycotted the vote, claiming Yoon's apology should come ahead of sacking the minister.






Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Bloom Burton & Co. ("Bloom Burton") is pleased to announce Pieter Cullis, Co-Founder of Acuitas Therapeutics, as the recipient of the 2022 Bloom Burton Award.

Pieter Cullis led the development of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems for molecular therapeutics at Acuitas Therapeutics. The result of a lifetime of dedicated research driven by scientific curiosity, LNP delivery systems are a critical technology that help to accelerate, among other life-saving therapies, mRNA vaccine development. From the day the global Covid-19 pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization to the creation of a 95% effective Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine less than a year later, LNP delivery systems changed the course of the pandemic for billions of people. Pieter Cullis' discovery played a major role in combatting Covid-19 and continues to protect vaccine recipients around the world.





2022 Bloom Burton Award Winner Pieter Cullis

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6420/138982_ea871d7c34a82ba4_001full.jpg

"We are honoured to recognize Pieter Cullis with the 2022 Bloom Burton Award," said Jolyon Burton, President of Bloom Burton & Co. "Pieter's determination to understand, formulate and commercialize lipid nanoparticles helped everyone beat back a global pandemic in record time, saving millions of lives, and also having a multitude of other, dramatic therapeutic impacts and advancements."

Mr. Burton continued, "It is a privilege to celebrate world-changing Canadian innovation and the Bloom Burton Award does exactly that - recognizing excellence among industry colleagues to continue inspiring future achievements and greatness."

Bestowed annually, the Bloom Burton Award honours an individual scientist, inventor, executive, entrepreneur, industry leader, or policy maker who made the greatest contribution to Canada's innovative healthcare industry in the previous year. Nominees were accepted from any of the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic/imaging, research instrumentation, consumer health, services or healthcare IT sectors, and equal consideration was given to contributions across any stage of development - from discovery to commercial-end markets.

The Bloom Burton Award finalists and winner were chosen by an esteemed panel of judges, all of whom are respected international leaders in healthcare investment, entrepreneurship and journalism:

Michael Altman, Managing Director, Perceptive Advisors

Christopher Arendt, Head of Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda

Karen Bernstein, Co-Founder and Chairman, BioCentury

Carl Gordon, Managing Partner, OrbiMed Advisors

Dennis Purcell, Founder and Senior Advisor, Aisling Capital

Melinda Richter, Global Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS

Camille Samuels, Partner, Venrock

All finalists - Frank Baylis & Kris Shah of Baylis Medical Technologies, Jan Skvarka, formerly of Trillium Therapeutics, and Pieter Cullis - were celebrated at the 2022 Bloom Burton Award Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto on September 29, 2022. Each finalist also received a $25,000 cash prize.

About Bloom Burton & Co.



Bloom Burton & Co. is a firm dedicated to accelerating returns in the healthcare sector for both investors and companies. Bloom Burton has an experienced team of medical, scientific, industry and capital markets professionals who perform a deep level of diligence, which combined with our creative and entrepreneurial approach, assists our clients in achieving the right monetization events. Bloom Burton and its affiliates provide capital raising, M&A advisory, equity research, business strategy and scientific consulting, as well as advisory on direct investing, company creation and incubation services. Bloom Burton Securities Inc. is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and is also a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).

For additional information, please contact:

Brian Bloom

(416) 640-7580

bbloom@bloomburton.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138982
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - White House Monkeypox Response Team says the number of reported daily cases in the United States continue to decline week over week nationally. At a news conference, top administration officials provided latest updates on the current monkeypox outbreak and new preliminary data on how the JYNNEOS vaccine is performing against the disease. Bob Fenton, the White House Monkeypox Response Coordinator, said, 'We continue making strong progress in our fight against the current monkeypox outbreak.' 'This progress is a result of our comprehensive effort to get shots into arms, bring vaccines directly to the impacted, and work closely with community groups and health departments to help reduce risk behaviors.' Cases are down and there is promising, real-world data on the effectiveness of vaccines, according to CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. As of September 27, more than 66,500 cases have been detected in 106 countries. In the United States, there have been more than 25,300 cases of monkeypox identified across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Dr.Walensky said preliminary data from 32 states show that between July and September, those who were eligible and did not receive the monkeypox vaccine were about 14 times more likely to become infected than those who received the vaccine. For those vaccinated, protection was seen as early as two weeks after their first vaccine dose. 'New data provide us with a level of cautious optimism that the JYNNEOS vaccine performs against monkeypox as intended,' she added. The CDC chief strongly recommended that people receive two doses of JYNNEOS vaccine, spaced out 28 days apart, to ensure durable, lasting immune protection against monkeypox. CDC has expanded the eligibility for vaccination by moving to pre-exposure prophylaxis, or 'PrEP.' 'By expanding eligibility and shifting to a PrEP strategy across the country, we are looking to ensure those who are at the highest risk for monkeypox receive the vaccine before exposure,' Dr.Walensky told reporters. 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.
TECC Capital Plc - Subscription - further 100,000 CLNs in EDX

This announcement contains Inside Information as stipulated under the UK version of the Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014 which is part of English law by virtue of the European (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended. On publication of this announcement via a regulatory information service, this information is considered to be in the public domain

30 September 2022

TECC Capital Plc

("TECC" or the "Company")

Subscription for a further 100,000 Convertible Loan Notes in EDX Medical Limited

Further to its announcement on 1 September 2022, TECC Capital plc (AQSE: TEC), the special purpose acquisition company established to identify and acquire a business developing and/or supporting the application of technology in an innovative sector, is pleased to announce that it has agreed to subscribe for a further 100,000 of Convertible Loan Notes ("CLNs") of 1 each in EDX Medical Limited ("EDX").

As announced on 26 July 2022, TECC agreed to subscribe for 300,000 of CLNs ("1st CLNs") in EDX and on 1 September 2022 for a further 200,000 ("2nd CLNs"). This additional subscription for 100,000 of CLNs (3rd CLNs") is made on the same terms and conditions as the 1st CLNs and the 2nd CLNs. A summary of those key terms is set out below:

Should the CLNs convert, they will do so following the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of EDX by TECC by way of a reverse takeover transaction under the AQSE Access Growth Market Rules ("Reverse Takeover") at a subscription price expected to be at a discount to the price per EDX ordinary share expected to be paid on completion of a Reverse Takeover.

The repayment of the CLN's has been guaranteed by the founder and majority shareholder of EDX Professor Sir Christopher Evans in the event that a Reverse Takeover does not succeed. The CLN's funding will assist EDX's digital diagnostics rapid expansion and growth.

in the event that a Reverse Takeover does not succeed. The CLN's funding will assist EDX's digital diagnostics rapid expansion and growth. Sir Chris Evans and Dr Mike Hudson , who together have a controlling interest in EDX, have also signed irrevocable undertakings to negotiate a Sale and Purchase Agreement ("SPA") subject the completion of satisfactory due diligence and certain terms being agreed.

There is no guarantee that the terms of an SPA will be agreed or that a Reverse Takeover transaction will conclude.

Background information on EDX Medical Limited was set out in the Company's announcement on 26 July 2022.

John Taylor, Executive Director of TECC Capital Plc said:

"The proposed Reverse Takeover transaction is proceeding well. We are pleased to note that on 29 September 2022 the Aquis Stock Exchange published an announcement of a pending application for Admission to the AQSE Growth Market by the Company under the name EDX Medical Group Plc on completion of the Reverse Takeover on or before 31 October 2022."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

Enquiries
The world-leading MADtech company continues its growth and gets a boost to its development by hiring a new Chief Growth Officer.

MINT, a major global player in the MADtech space founded in 2014 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, announces the entry of Salvatore Internullo as its new Chief Growth Officer.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005229/en/

(Photo: MINT)

Salvatore Internullo will be accountable for managing the growth and the implementation of MINT's expansion strategy. His main objectives will include developing Sales Marketing policies and strategies, with the primary goal of spreading to the world the technological revolution that the MINT platform is offering, further strengthening the leadership position that the company already achieved in the market.

Former Vice-President of Stellantis and Country Manager of Peugeot Italy, Mr. Internullo has held various roles of increasing responsibility and prominence within the automotive and fashion worlds, both with a national and international scope.

"The evolution of our society is clearly moving towards digitalization and sustainability, with investments going in the same direction, both in the public and in the private sectors. My professional journey could only go in this direction, becoming part of a world-leading Tech company to which I bestow my experience, my knowledge, and all my know-how to continue the development process that already began towards the increasingly digital economy of the near future", says Internullo.

"Salvatore's arrival is a fundamental step for the growth of our company. I'm sure a leader of his calibre and global experience is the right person to bring great results to MINT" says CEO Andrea Pezzi.

ABOUT MINT

MINT, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Milan, is today a leading global MADTech player and one of the most dynamic and innovative operators in the global landscape of advertising automation platforms offered through a SaaS model. The Company provides advertisers with a tool to manage all media investments on the various AdTech and Media platforms from a single interface and in a multi-channel perspective: the platform allows advertisers to orchestrate all display, social, search, video, mobile, radio, CTV and OOH campaigns.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005229/en/

Contacts:

PRESS OFFICE GRIT PR

Simona Consorti simona@gritpr.it +39 393 354 94 23

Massimo Ruocco massimo@gritpr.it +39 393 177 80 4
O3b mPOWER will bring high-speed networks for telecommunications, onshore energy, mining, maritime and enterprises across Kazakhstan

Republican Centre for Space Communications (RCSC), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry and SES, the leading global content connectivity solutions provider via satellite, announced today that they will jointly offer high-speed connectivity services to businesses across Kazakhstan. The services will be delivered via O3b mPOWER, SES's second-generation non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite system, and will be made available to various industries, including telecommunications, onshore energy, mining, maritime and enterprises via RCSC, offering these companies to drive digitalisation in the region with expanded high performance network capabilities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005307/en/

SES and RCSC to Provide O3b mPOWER Services in Kazakhstan (Photo: Business Wire)

As part of the agreement, SES and RCSC will build an in-country gateway in the Almaty region that will allow Kazakhstan-based companies to quickly deploy and leverage O3b mPOWER's high-speed and low-latency network connectivity for customer applications and offices, as well as partake in the governmental digital inclusion programmes. The gateway will also enable delivery of services to other bordering countries in the region, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Launching in Q4 2022, O3b mPOWER is a satellite communication system located in the medium earth orbit (MEO) with a vast service offering. One key service available in Kazakhstan in 2023 is SES's Trunk mPOWERED, which will enable customers to extend their core networks with uncontended, multi-gigabit services quickly.

"As we expand our partnership with SES, we are proud to open Kazakhstan to new high-speed connectivity solutions via satellite. Our joint expertise and understanding of opportunities in the country allows us to offer satellite-enabled services that will bring new technologies and growth for businesses across Kazakhstan," said Malik Zhuiriktayev, Chairman of the Board of JSC RCSC.

"Transforming the digital landscape for business across the globe is one of the key mission pillars of the O3b mPOWER system. We are very excited to further strengthen our partnership with RCSC and jointly introduce high-throughput and low-latency satellite-enabled services to Kazakhstan," said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. "O3b mPOWER is a unique NGSO system local businesses will have guaranteed access to reliable and high-speed networks, whenever and wherever they need it, allowing them to flexibly and swiftly address the changing connectivity demands of their customers."

The latest agreement highlights the deepening of the partnership between SES and RCSC to evaluate and bring NGSO capabilities to the country. In 2021, both companies conducted demos connecting remote villages in Kazakhstan using SES's first-generation O3b satellites, setting record-breaking speeds via satellite recorded in the country (380Mbps downlink and 120Mbps uplink). Additionally, SES also organised a series of 3G and 4G demos with leading mobile network operators, such as Kcell, proving O3b mPOWER's ability to easily expand local networks with satellite-enabled connectivity.

Follow us on:

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Visit the Media Gallery

About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries ~8,000 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 366 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com.

About RCSC

Joint Stock Company "Republican Center for Space Communication" was established by the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan in December 2003 on behalf of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

JSC "RCSC" is a subordinate enterprise of the Aerospace Committee of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Operator of the Space Communication System of Kazakhstan.

The Republican Center for Space Communications provides services for the provision of the transponder capacity of spacecraft (SC) of the KazSat series, monitoring of fixed satellite communication channels in the Ku-band on a geostationary arc from 13 to 130 E, as well as using the capabilities of the Teleport based on the Reserve ground-based spacecraft control complex and communication monitoring systems.

The resources of the KazSat series spacecraft made it possible to implement efficient and reliable satellite communication channels in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Spacecraft of the KazSat series, operated by RCKS JSC, provide great opportunities for telecommunications operators in Kazakhstan, national companies and holdings, government agencies and private companies for organizing digital TV and radio broadcasting (HD, DTH, IPTV), broadband Internet access, data transmission and creation of corporate satellite communication networks of various topologies.

Currently, JSC "RCSC" is one of the leading enterprises in the implementation of activities on communications in the telecommunications market of Kazakhstan.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005307/en/

Contacts:

Suzanne Ong

External Communications

Tel. +352 710 725 500

suzanne.ong@ses.com
Annual Global Conference brings together the world's top non-profit groups and impact investors.

News in Summary:

550 delegates from all over the world meet annually to address pressing health, inequality, and poverty issues

Cloud DX CEO, Robert Kaul, will introduce new technologies, including the patented AcuScreen Cough Analysis app for detecting tuberculosis, the cause of 1.5M deaths per year

ResApp Health (ASX:RAP), a developer of similar cough analysis technology was acquired on September 8, 2022 by Pfizer for $121M USD

Respiratory detection and diagnostic applications now receiving record investment and acquisitions fueled by COVID-19 and the Tuberculosis crises

KITCHENER, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / Cloud DX (TSXV:CDX) (OTC:CDXFF), a leading Canadian digital health platform and provider of virtual and remote care solutions announces the company's attendance by invitation at Opportunity Collaborative (OC) Impact 2022 in Miches, Dominican Republic. The Opportunity Collaboration convenes annually for a three-day collaborative summit to support entrepreneurs with a social mission to forge alliances and advance social impact initiatives. Awarded a prestigious 12-month OC Fellowship, Cloud DX is notably one of nine XPRIZE Alumni in attendance, as part of the XPRIZE mission to advance technologies to benefit humanity.

OC Impact hosts philanthropists, non-profit leaders, impact investors, academics, and other social impact entrepreneurs from around the world. Recognized as an "un-conference," delegates are mainly free to set their own schedules, where some of the most rewarding conversations are as likely to take place in a planned meeting as by chance encounter. The intent is to provide a space where delegates can build collaborative relationships that can continue beyond the event.

Cloud DX brings its mission to make healthcare better for everyone to the OC. CEO, Robert Kaul, will discuss opportunities to test and deploy Cloud DX digital health innovations including the company's award-winning Connected Health platform and the AcuScreen Cough Analysis software application with OC attendees.

Part of the company's XPRIZE-winning Vitaliti Tricorder, the AcuScreen smartphone application detects the presence of respiratory diseases by analyzing audio recordings of coughs. In November 2021 the company presented preliminary clinical trial results of AcuScreen for use in detecting active tuberculosis (TB) at the 52nd Annual Union World Conference on Lung Health.

The study, led by Celso Khosa M.D. at the Instituto Nacional de Saude (INS) in Maputo Mozambique, sought to determine the feasibility of front-line tuberculosis triage using AcuScreen. Dr. Khosa stated "Our data shows that acoustic cough analysis and symptom detection exceeds the World Health Organization requirements for a community-based TB triage system. Such a tool is essential for low resource and high burden areas."

AcuScreen is protected by two granted US patents. Similar cough analysis technology developed in Australia has proven to be attractive to large healthcare players. On September 8, 2022 Pfizer announced their $121M acquisition of ResApp Health (ASX:RAP), a developer of technology that uses a different approach to analyzing cough sounds.

Cloud DX continues to commercialize AcuScreen with support from the XPRIZE and Roddenberry Foundations, in collaboration with the Altman Clinical and Transitional Research Institute (ACTRI) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and our clinical colleagues in Mozambique.

Mr. Kaul further commented: "It's an honour to receive an XPRIZE Fellowship and attend OC Impact this year. As we execute our growth plans, Cloud DX intends to bring our efficient, effective new virtual care technologies to those who need it most, especially in parts of the world hit hardest by recent challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, military strife, climate change, or economic upheaval. OC Impact 2022 is a great opportunity to meet some of the most passionate problem solvers in the world."

About Cloud DX ?

Accelerating digital healthcare, Cloud DX is on a mission to make healthcare better for everyone. Our Connected Health remote patient monitoring platform is used by healthcare enterprises and care teams across North America to virtually manage chronic disease, enable aging in place, and deliver hospital-quality post-surgical care in the home. Our partners achieve better healthcare and patient outcomes, reduce the need for hospitalization or re-admission, and reduce healthcare delivery costs through more efficient use of resources. Cloud DX is the co-winner of the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE, 2022 Top Innovator by Canadian Business, a 2021 Edison Award winner, a Fast Company "World Changing Idea" finalist, and one of "Canada's Ten Most Prominent Telehealth Providers." Cloud DX is an exclusive partner to Medtronic Canada, Teladoc Health Canada, and Equitable Life of Canada.

Cloud DX Investor Site https://ir.clouddx.com/overview/default.aspx

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.

# # #

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LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-dx/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cloud.dx/

For media inquiries please contact:?

Janine Scott?

Marketing Lead?

888-543-0944?

janine.scott@CloudDX.com

For investor inquiries please contact:?

Jay Bedard?

Cloud DX Investor Relations?

647-881-8418?

jay.bedard@CloudDX.com

SOURCE: Cloud DX Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/718297/CLOUD-DX-Invited-to-Pursue-Global-Opportunities-at-OC-IMPACT-2022
COLUMBUS (dpa-AFX) - American Electric Power (AEP) has signed an amended agreement on the sale of its Kentucky operations to Liberty. The company expects to close on the sale in January 2023 following approval of the transaction from the FERC, which is due by Dec. 16. 'The updated timeline for closing the sale will not have an impact on our planned equity needs or the operating earnings guidance we have provided,' said Julie Sloat, AEP president and CFO. AEP also announced that Brett Mattison, president and COO of Kentucky Power, has been named president and COO of Southwestern Electric Power Company, effective Jan. 1. Mattison succeeds Malcolm Smoak. 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Cabral Gold Inc. (TSXV: CBR) (OTC Pink: CBGZF) ("Cabral" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cuiu Cuiu project, Para State, Brazil.

Highlights:

Total Indicated Resources are 21.6 M tonnes grading 0.87 g/t gold (604.0 K ounces), while total Inferred Resources are 19.8 M tonnes grading 0.84 g/t gold (534.5 K ounces). All Indicated Resources and 84% of the Inferred Resource (ounces) are contained within the MG and Central/CN deposits. Indicated Resources increased by 433 K ounces (253%) from the previous estimate

Open-pit Indicated Resources amenable to mill processing are 21.6 M tonnes grading 0.87g/t gold (604.0 K ounces), while open-pit Inferred Resources are 17.2 M tonnes grading 0.68 g/t gold (376.9 K ounces)

Open-pit oxide resources amenable to heap-leach processing are reported for Central/CN, MG, and PDM, comprising Indicated Resources of 9.3 M tonnes grading 0.52 g/t gold (153.7 K ounces), and Inferred Resources of 6.1 M tonnes grading 0.40 g/t gold (79.2 K ounces)

All of the deposits included in the current Mineral Resource Estimate remain open along strike and down dip of the resource estimate wireframes. The deepest drill holes returned positive results and there are no known geological structures that could interrupt, or constrain the mineralization below the current wireframes

New discoveries at Machichie and MG have not yet been sufficiently drilled for inclusion in a resource estimate

Alan Carter, Cabral's President and CEO commented, "The new resource estimate is a testament to the integrity of the Cuiu Cuiu mineralization, with more than 50% of the total gold ounces in the indicated category. Our geological understanding has improved significantly since Cabral commenced drilling and the Company is now able to correlate, interpret and predict gold mineralization down dip and along strike. The definition of the first near-surface heap-leachable oxide Mineral Resource (154 K ounces Indicated and 79 K ounces Inferred) could be a game changer for early low-cost development of a mine at Cuiu Cuiu, supported by our approved Trial Mining Licenses. Future drill programs will focus on step-out drilling aimed at increasing resources at Central and MG and maiden resources for the Machichie and PDM discoveries".

This is the first resource estimate incorporating Cabral's drilling data since the Company commenced drilling at the Cuiu Cuiu project in 2019. The Company had originally planned on issuing an updated Mineral Resource Estimate at the end of 2022 following completion of deeper down-dip and on-strike drilling at known deposits, and completion of drill programs at two exciting new discoveries (PDM and Machichie), all of which was designed to increase the overall resource. The current Mineral Resource Estimate was, however, completed months earlier than planned, due to a request by the British Columbia Securities Commission to update the existing NI 43-101 technical report (effective date of June 19, 2021) that had been referenced in both the Annual Information Form dated May 5, 2022, and the preliminary short-form prospectus filed on May 25, 2022. The Company was placed on the defaulting issuer list on September 15, 2022, pending completion, filing and review of the 2022 NI 43-101 technical report.

Despite the change in timing, the current Mineral Resource Estimate reflects a significant advancement of the project with drilling undertaken through the Effective Date (July 31, 2022) which was designed primarily to infill previous drilling at MG and Central, as well as to identify and expand newly discovered gold-in-oxide mineralized zones at MG, PDM and Central, and primary basement mineralization at Machichie and PDM. This drill program was successful in meeting those objectives. Cabral drilling to the Effective Date also clarified historical work, and significantly improved the degree of confidence and understanding of the mineralized zones at MG and Central as illustrated by the 253% increase in Indicated Resources from previous estimates.

Planned deeper and step-out drilling that had been designed to expand resources at several deposits, was not completed prior to the database cut-off date for the current Mineral Resource Estimate. Similarly, additional drilling will be required at the PDM and Machichie discoveries to enable future inclusion in the current resource.





Figure 1: Location of current gold resources at Central/CN, JB, MG and PDM oxide deposit. The locations of new discoveries in primary basement rocks at Machichie and PDM are also shown



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/138997_1612eddd64127a86_002full.jpg

2022 SLR Resource Estimate

The current Mineral Resource Estimate, effective July 31, 2022 (Table 1) was prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. ("SLR") and disclosed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). The estimate is based on drilling undertaken by Cabral prior to July 31, 2022, as well as historic drilling by Magellan Minerals Ltd. ("Magellan"), the former owner of the Cuiu Cuiu project, from 2006 through 2012.

Wireframes used to constrain block estimates were completed by Cabral and SLR using Surpac, Discover 2021, and Leapfrog Geo. Wireframes for low grade, high grade, saprolite and blanket material were generated. Assays were capped to various levels prior to compositing to a 2.0m length. Wireframes were filled with blocks measuring 5m by 2m by 5m in each direction and sub-celled along wireframe boundaries. The block models were re-blocked to 10m by 4m by 10m for pit optimization purposes, although reporting of open-pit resources was performed on re-blocked 5m by 2m by 5m blocks. Underground resources were reported based on sub-cells within underground reporting shapes generated using the Deswik Stope Optimizer ("DSO"). Densities were assigned based on weathering zones and mineralization shells. Blocks grades were interpolated using Inverse Distance Cubed ("ID3"). Blocks were classified as Indicated and Inferred in accordance with CIM Definition Standards (2014). Indicated Mineral Resources were defined by drilling spaced up to 50m apart while Inferred Mineral Resource were defined by a maximum extrapolation distance of 100m. The block estimates were validated using industry standard techniques such as visual inspection, global mean bias checks and swath plots.

This is the first Cuiu Cuiu resource estimate to incorporate results from Cabral's drill programs which commenced in 2019. In addition to subdividing open pit and underground mineralization, this new Mineral Resource Estimate is also the first to segregate gold-in-oxide blanket and weathered saprolite oxide mineralization, both of which may be amenable to low-cost heap-leach processing, from fresh basement mineralization, which will require conventional milling and processing.

The 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate incorporates gold mineralization from five deposits (Figure 1), namely Central, MG, JB, CN, and PDM. The geology was reinterpreted and new wireframe models were developed for each deposit.

Total Indicated and Inferred Resources

The total Indicated Resource is 21.6 M tonnes grading 0.87 g/t gold (604.0 K ounces), while the total Inferred Resource is 19.8 M tonnes grading 0.84 g/t gold (534.5 K ounces), representing 53% and 47% of the reported ounces, respectively.

Most of the resource is attributable to the MG and Central deposits. All of the project's Indicated Resources occur within open pits designed for the MG and Central deposits, while 83% of the total Inferred Resource is contained within the MG and Central/CN deposits.

Open Pit vs Underground Resources

Open-pit resources are included for Central, MG, CN, JB, and PDM. These comprise an Indicated Resource of 21.6 M tonnes grading 0.87 g/t gold (604.0 K ounces), all of which occur at MG and Central, and an Inferred Resource of 17.2 M tonnes grading 0.68 g/t gold (376.9 K ounces).

All mineralization amenable to underground mining is fresh unweathered basement mineralization and has been allocated to Inferred Resources, comprising 2.6 M tonnes grading 1.92 g/t gold (157.6 K ounces). These underground zones, all of which are open at depth, occur beneath the pit limits at Central, MG, and JB, which respectively represent 47%, 42% and 11% of the underground Inferred Resources.

Oxide and Fresh Basement Resources

Open pit oxide resources amenable to heap-leach processing are reported for Central, MG, CN and PDM, comprising an Indicated Resource of 9.3M tonnes grading 0.52 g/t gold (153.7 K ounces), and an Inferred Resource of 6.1 M tonnes grading 0.40 g/t gold (79.2 ounces). All of the oxide Indicated Resources are from Central and MG, while 72% of the Inferred Resources are from the Central/CN and MG deposits.

Oxide resources can be further subdivided into weathered basement saprolite and unconformably overlying colluvial/fluvial blanket mineralization. The latter are unconsolidated eroded saprolite mineralization, extend from surface, and are expected to be entirely free digging. Blanket mineralization include 4.1 M tonnes grading 0.37 g/t gold (47.6 K ounces) of Indicated Resources at MG and Central, and 3.8 M tonnes grading 0.35 g/t gold (43.3 K ounces) of Inferred Resources at Central, MG and PDM.

Fresh basement open-pit and underground mineralization remain the bulk of the resources, and both will require conventional milling and processing. These are reported for Central, MG, CN and JB, and comprise an Indicated Resource of 12.3 M tonnes grading 1.14 g/t gold (450.3 K ounces) and an Inferred Resource of 13.6 M tonnes grading 1.04 g/t gold (455.2 K ounces).

OP/UG Category Zone Deposit Tonnage (Mt) Au (g/t) Au (koz) Open Pit Indicated Blanket Central/CN 1.07 0.38 13.1 MG 2.99 0.36 34.5 Sub-Total 4.05 0.37 47.6 Saprolite Central/CN 2.42 0.67 52.3 MG 2.79 0.60 53.8 Sub-Total 5.21 0.63 106.1 Oxide Total 9.26 0.52 153.7 Fresh Central/CN 7.50 0.91 219.9 MG 4.79 1.50 230.3 Sub-Total 12.29 1.14 450.3 Total OP Indicated 21.56 0.87 604.0 Inferred Blanket Central/CN 1.33 0.28 12.0 MG 0.91 0.31 9.2 PDM 1.60 0.43 22.1 Sub-Total 3.84 0.35 43.3 Saprolite Central/CN 2.03 0.50 32.8 MG 0.28 0.35 3.1 Sub-Total 2.30 0.49 36.0 Oxide Total 6.15 0.40 79.2 Fresh Central/CN 8.47 0.91 247.5 MG 0.33 0.57 5.9 JB 2.29 0.60 44.2 Sub-Total 11.08 0.84 297.6 Total OP Inferred 17.23 0.68 376.9 Underground Inferred Fresh Central/CN 1.23 1.88 74.3 MG 0.99 2.08 65.8 JB 0.34 1.62 17.4 Sub-Total 2.55 1.92 157.6 Total UG Inferred 2.55 1.92 157.6 Total Indicated 21.56 0.87 604.0 Total Inferred 19.78 0.84 534.5

Table 1: Summary of the SLR 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate segregated by mining method, resource category, weathering type, and mineral deposit.

SLR Notes:

CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. Mineral Resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 0.26 g/t Au for open-pit fresh-rock mineralization, 0.14 g/t Au for blanket mineralization and saprolite, and 1.15 g/t Au for underground fresh-rock mineralization. Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term gold price of US$1,800 per ounce. Open pit and underground Mineral Resources are reported within a conceptual open pit and within underground constraining shapes for material below the pit. All blocks within underground constraining shapes have been included in the Mineral Resource estimate. Minimum widths are 2 m for open pit and 1.5 m for underground. Bulk density is 1.86 t/m3 for Central/CN saprolite and 2.69 t/m3 for Central/CN fresh, 1.60 t/m3 for MG saprolite and 2.76 t/m3 for MG fresh, 2.66 t/m3 for JB fresh, and 1.91 t/m3 for PDM saprolite. Metallurgical recovery used is 82% for saprolite/blanket material, and 90% for fresh rock. Numbers may not add due to rounding. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Comparison with Historic and Previous Resources

The previous estimate for the Cuiu-Cuiu project was effective as of June 7 , 2018, which remained unchanged in the last NI 43-101 Technical Report filed on SEDAR.

The main differences between the previous and current estimates are listed below.

 A 266% increase in Indicated tonnage and a 253% increase in Indicated ounces

 First time estimation of Inferred Mineral Resources for oxide mineralization at PDM totaling 1.6 M tonnes at a grade of 0.43 g/t (22.1 K ounces)

 Reporting of 15.4 M tonnes at a grade of 0.47 g/t Au (233 K ounces) which are amenable to heap leaching. This material includes blanket colluvium material and oxidized basement mineralization which was previously not distinguished within the resource model.

The aforementioned differences can be attributed to the following:

 Additional drilling at Central/Central North andMG resulting in the significant upgrade of Inferred to Indicated and the addition of oxide mineralization at the PDM deposit to the Mineral Resource Estimate.

 Remodeling and changes to estimation parameters, including:

Modelling of oxide blanket and saprolite.

Modelling of distinct high-grade domains.

Higher capping grades used due to the restrictive domaining methodology adopted.

 Changes to the cut-off grades. The previous Mineral Resource estimate used cut-off grades of 0.35g/t Au for open pit and 1.3 g/t Au for underground. The updated cut-off grades were 0.14 g/t Au for open pit saprolite and blanket material, 0.26 g/t Au for open pit fresh rock and 1.15 g/t Au for underground. Reasons for these changes include:

Lower mining, G&A and processing costs used for blanket and saprolite zones.

Change in the recovery due to updated metallurgical test work.

Increased metal prices.

Lower mining, processing and G&A costs for fresh rock.

 Use of a re-blocked block model for open-pit resource reporting.

 Use of underground stope optimization and sub-celled blocks for underground reporting.

Cuiu Cuiu Drilling Program - Changes in Methodology and Resource History

A historic estimate was prepared by Pincock, Allen and Holt ("PAH") on behalf of Magellan in 2011. A previous estimate was prepared for Cabral by Micon International Limited ("Micon") in 2018 as part of the Cabral RTO. The historic estimate was based on diamond drilling conducted by Magellan from 2006 through 2011, whilst the previous estimate was based on diamond drilling conducted by Magellan from 2006 through 2012.

There were numerous technical issues identified in the inherited drill and geological database used in both the historic and previous resource estimates. The following three are most notable.

Magellan's historic drilling was very wide spaced and many of those older holes are now recognized to have been drilled down dip and along strike. Historic horizontal drill-hole collars were located using chain and compass and were not surveyed. Elevations for drill-hole collar locations were determined using topographic maps. Combined, this yielded a poor understanding of the geometry, lack of vertical and horizontal continuity, and an overall misinterpretation of the disposition of gold mineralization, particularly higher-grade intercepts which could not be correlated either from hole to hole, or down dip. Much of the historic drilling was deep, and very few drill holes intersected near-surface oxide gold mineralization that extends to depths greater than 80m. As a result, basement mineralization was extrapolated to surface through undrilled saprolite. Conversely, where there were some drill holes that intersected shallow gold mineralization in the saprolite, this was interpreted as weathered basement mineralization and was extrapolated to depth. Magellan completed too few density measurements to be relevant for either the PAH or Micon QPs to use, thus earlier resource estimates for basement and saprolite were entirely based on published global rock densities, rather than representative drill core sample measurements.

Cabral modified its drill and sampling programs to address these technical issues.

Drill-hole spacing was tightened. Precise GPS was used to survey new drill holes and resurvey the historic drill-hole collars. Historic collar co-ordinates were found to be up to 35m from true locations, both vertically and horizontally. Repositioning collar locations and tightening drill-hole spacing resulted in far better correlation and predictability of mineralization, horizontally and down dip, particularly for higher-grade gold intercepts. Shallow drill holes were designed to test the up-dip extensions of mineralization within weathered and oxidized saprolite. These holes confirmed that fresh basement mineralization does extend into the saprolite weathered profile, but also resulted in the discovery of a shallow sequence of unconformable eroded and transported colluvial/fluvial gold deposits (blanket) overlying saprolitized basement. Basement intercepts cannot be extended up dip through this unconformity, nor can mineralized unconformable colluvial intercepts be interpreted to extend down dip. A number of zones interpreted to extend into basement from such intercepts in historic resource estimates did not exist, and were instead part of a sub-horizontal mineralized colluvial blanket. Offsetting this were a number of new footwall and hanging-wall basement zones discovered during the drilling, in addition to improved lateral and vertical continuity. Cabral implemented systematic density measurements, resulting in more realistic estimates of the tonnage within the resources.

Since acquiring the Cuiu Cuiu project at the end of 2017, the Company has identified numerous new targets. Drill programs from 2019 to July 31, 2022 were designed primarily to qualify, quantify and improve the understanding of gold deposits incorporated in earlier resource estimates, while also advancing and evaluating new gold discoveries.

Drilling in historic resources was relatively shallow and largely confined to existing resource areas. The Company's focus was to better define and understand the larger two deposits, Central and MG. Cabral has not yet drilled any holes at JB or CN, the two smaller deposits included in the previous 2018 resource estimate.

Most of the new discoveries have only been tested with a few shallow scout holes to date, and are not yet adequately drilled on strike or down dip to warrant a resource estimate at this time. Machichie and PDM are the two most advanced examples and are discussed in the following two paragraphs as examples.

The most advanced new discoveries on the project to date occur within the Machichie complex, where many new zones have been identified over a broad region, including the Machichie Main zone, Machichie West, Machichie NE and the Machichie SW vein array. However, drilling remains wide spaced and shallow. Moreover, mineralization at the Machichie Main Zone has been recently extended over 300m by trenches and that area has not yet been drill tested. Additional drilling at Machichie will be required before a resource estimate is warranted. Machichie is also intriguing as it has visible molybdenum and scheelite mineralization at surface and in drill core and is associated with a historic IP anomaly and tungsten-molybdenite-copper-gold auger anomaly that is not yet fully explained.

At PDM, Magellan had encountered significant gold bedrock gold intercepts in a number of drill holes but drilling was insufficient to establish either vertical or horizontal continuity. Cabral recognized a blanket of mineralized transported colluvial cover above these basement intercepts, and drilled the entire area in a grid of shallow RC holes testing the cover. This drilling established an oxide zone that has been incorporated into the current mineral resource estimate. Higher-grade northwest-trending gold zones were recognized in the blanket, and diamond drilling below them identified steeply dipping northwest-trending gold mineralization in the underlying fresh basement. Historic intercepts had been drilled sub-parallel to strike and down dip. Further drilling will be required to determine the size and continuity of the new basement zones before a PDM basement resource estimate is justified.

All of the deposits included in the current Mineral Resource Estimate remain open on strike and down dip of the resource estimate wireframes. The deepest drill holes still returned positive results and there are no geological structures that could interrupt, or constrain the mineralization below the current wireframes.

Future Plans and Programs

The Company now has a firm handle on the geometry and orientation of mineralized zones for future drill hole planning and targeting as a result of the recently completed drill program. Planned deeper and step-out drilling that had been designed to expand resources at several deposits was not completed prior to the database cut-off date for the current Mineral Resource Estimate. Similarly, systematic drilling at several advanced new discoveries had not sufficiently advanced to warrant inclusion in the current Mineral Resource Estimate. This drilling is now expected to be undertaken in the next phase of the drill program.

Future drill programs will focus on increasing resources while improving grade.

About Cabral Gold Inc.

The Company is a junior resource company engaged in the identification, exploration and development of mineral properties, with a primary focus on gold properties located in Brazil. The Company has a 100% interest in the Cuiu Cuiu gold district located in the Tapajos Region, within the state of Para in northern Brazil. Two main gold deposits have so far been defined at the Cuiu Cuiu project which contains 43-101 compliant Indicated resources of 21.6Mt @ 0.87 g/t (604,000 oz) and Inferred resources of 19.8Mt @ 0.84 g/t (534,500oz).

The Tapajos Gold Province is the site of the largest gold rush in Brazil's history producing an estimated 30 to 50 million ounces of placer gold between 1978 and 1995. Cuiu Cuiu was the largest area of placer workings in the Tapajos and produced an estimated 2Moz of placer gold historically.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

"Alan Carter"

President and Chief Executive Officer

Cabral Gold Inc.

Tel: 604.676.5660

Guillermo Hughes, MAusIMM and FAIG., a consultant to the Company as well as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

The Mineral Resource estimate was prepared by Mr. Renan Garcia Lopes, MAusIMM CP(Geo.), Associate Consultant Geologist at SLR Consulting Ltd., based in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Mr. Lopes is an Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Lopes has read and approved the contents of this news release, as it relates to the disclosed Mineral Resource Estimate.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of the words "will", "expected" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. This news release contains forward-looking statements and assumptions pertaining to the following: strategic plans and future operations, and results of exploration. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct.

Notes

Gold analysis has been conducted by SGS method FAA505 (fire assay of 50g charge), with higher grade samples checked by FAA525. Analytical quality is monitored by certified references and blanks. Until dispatch, samples are stored under the supervision the Company's exploration office. The samples are couriered to the assay laboratory using a commercial contractor. Pulps are returned to the Company and archived. Drill holes results are quoted as down-hole length weighted intersections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138997
SHANGHAI, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- If 2020 and 2021 are years that emphasize uncertainty, 2022 will be the year that the catering, foodservice industry focus on new and ingenious solutions to multifaceted challenges. FHC aims to fully covered with the industry in more comprehensive way as the leading trade show. Meanwhile FHC 2022 will be held concurrently with Hotelex Shanghai 2022 in 8-10 November at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). Both trade shows are organized by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co. Ltd.

FHC Shanghai - Global Food Trade Show has always been the preferred platform for international food and beverage brands to enter the China's market, which is the professional platform in the filed of food and catering. It has accumulated more than 50+ countries and regions' exhibitors and professional visitor resources, with an exhibition scale of more than 200,000 square meters, serving nearly 3,000 exhibitors over past 26 years.

At the same time, the last edition of Hotelex Shanghai was a remarkable work which attracted 211,962 professional visitors in 2021, it has increased 33% from 2019. A total of 2,717 foreign visitors from 103 countries and regions attended the fair. A consumption boom is emerging right now to 2022, it is also the big year for 26th FHC and 31st Hotelex.

?New trip will start in November?

From November 8-10, 2022 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), there will be more than 3,000+ exhibitors from 50+ countries and regions in Meat, Seafood, Bakery & Light food, Coffee & Tea, Sweets & Snacks, Chocolate, Condiments & oils, Beverage, Dairy, Kids food, packaging & design, Hot pot ingredients & supplies and 3,000+ quality exhibitors from the industry, including canned foods and raw materials, will bring 100,000+ exhibits, together with more than 30 events and forums in FMCG of Catering, Coffee & Tea, Cooking & Baking and other professional fields, presenting a high-quality ceremony for the industry.

?Brilliant prospects of FHC and Hotelex events?

The FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition has come to its 24th year. The competition is organized by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co., Ltd. which has obtained the official certification of World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS) A-level international event, and it is the only one international level event in China. The event has gotten a lot of support and attention from the industry and the community. There will be a new meat processing skills challenge and new bakery dessert items, such as Helveticrolls, Poundcake, Souffle, Fondant au chocolat and other live production events.

There will continue to hold a variety of summits on industry trends, food and beverage trends, food design and other areas on the site of FHC2022 and Hotelex 2022. Such as 2022 FHC Import and Export Meat Forum, 2022 China Sustainable Seafood Summit, 2022 FHC Global Dairy Forum, 2022 TPCC New Catering Dessert Baking Innovation Forum, 2022 Future Food Shanghai International Food Design Summit, 2022 Prepared Foods Industry Forum, The 3rd World Takeout Industry Conference, 2022 China Canned Food Technology Progress and Innovation Development Forum, 2022 FHC Business Match-making and so on.

(The specific time to be determined. For more details, please click: https://www.fhcchina.com/en/)

?Last chance to get involve in the fair. Join us right now?

International pavilions will gather high-quality enterprises from many countries and regions together to witness magnificent trade show. Participants from Canada, the United States, Japan, South Africa, Belgium, Denmark and South Korea pavilions have exhibited FHC2022, they will bring visitors Food, Beverage, Meat product, Dairy, Beer, Olive oil, Spices and other products with their local characteristics. FHC and Hotelex welcome international pavilions from all over the world who providing rich product procurement from overseas and business cooperation opportunities for domestic catering enterprises, imported food distributors and agents. Let's enjoy the trip and meet in November.

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BANGALORE, India, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Electrodes Market is segmented by Type - ECG Electrodes, EEG Electrodes, Electrosurgery Electrodes, by Application - Hospital & Clinic, ASCs, Others. Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Medical Devices & Equipment Category.







Considering the economic change due to COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence, the global Medical Electrodes market is projected to reach USD 1360.7 million by 2028 from an estimated USD 1024.7 million in 2022, at a CAGR of 4.8% during 2023 and 2028.

Major Factors Driving The Growth Of The Medical Electrodes Market are

Increased investments in medical device development, an increase in the prevalence of neurological and cardiovascular illnesses, and consumer desire for home and ambulatory care services are the main drivers of the Medical Electrodes Market growth.

The rapidly expanding geriatric population and the increased interest in less invasive procedures will further fuel the Medical Electrodes Market growth.

Browse The Table of Contents And List of Figures At https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-9I4660/global-medical-electrodes

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF MEDICAL ELECTRODES MARKET

The increasing incidence of neurological & cardiovascular disorders is expected to drive the medical electrode market growth. Over time, there has been a dramatic rise in the prevalence of sleep disorders and cardiovascular and neurological ailments. The volume of diagnostic and therapeutic operations has consequently increased. Because of this, the market expansion is probably being driven by the rising demand for these operations. One of the easiest and quickest tests to examine the heart is an electrocardiogram (ECG). Certain locations on the chest, arms, and legs are covered with electrodes, which are tiny plastic patches that adhere to the skin. Medical electrodes work by converting the body's natural electrical current, or ionic current, into an amplified form that can be measured for the diagnosis of various cardiac, ophthalmic, neurological, and muscular illnesses.

Due to the benefits, such as quick recovery and reduced discomfort, more people are becoming interested in minimally invasive operations, which is causing the market to rise. In surgery, electrosurgery is a procedure that is frequently used to reduce bleeding and quickly dissect soft tissue. Heat is produced by the soft tissues' electrical resistance to an electromagnetic current. Electrosurgical endpoints vary depending on waveform, power, and surgical approach. Therefore, it is anticipated that the growing demand for minimally invasive surgery will propel the growth of the medical electrodes market.

The medical electrodes market was also impacted by the increase in demand for home and ambulatory care services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitals discovered that hospitals at home worked so effectively for the patient and the financial gains that the model is being followed outside of the epidemic. There are numerous hospital-at-home options available, including home infusion services, skilled nursing, and urgent care.

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MEDICAL ELECTRODES MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Based on region, North America held the largest market share of over 35%, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, both having a share of about 55%.

Based on type, ECG electrodes are the largest segment, with a market share of over 40%.

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Market By Region

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

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Key players

3M

Ambu

Medico Electrodes

Leonhard Lang

Cardinal Health

GE Healthcare

ConMed

Nissha Medical

Asahi Kasei

Screentec Medical

Tianrun Medical

Nihon Kohden

J&J

Medtronic

Symmetry Surgical

CIMPAX

Volkmann Medizintechnik

Utah Medical

ERBE

Olympus

Ellman

Cooper Surgical

KLS Martin

Shanghai YueChen

Guangdong Baisheng

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- The global Electrodes for Medical Devices market size is estimated to be worth USD 1209.1 million in 2021 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 1905.1 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period 2022-2028.

- Global and United States Reusable Medical Electrodes Market Report & Forecast 2022-2028

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- The global Depth Electrodes market was valued at USD 15 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach USD 25 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.0% during 2021-2027.

- The global Carbon Electrodes market size is estimated to be worth USD 3918.7 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 7693.5 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 11.9% during the review period.

- Global and United States EEG Disposable Medical Electrodes Market Report & Forecast 2022-2028

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- The global digital polymerase chain reaction market generated USD 508.8 million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 1,139.9 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2021 to 2028.

- The global antimicrobial susceptibility testing market size was valued at USD 3040.00 million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 4736.03 million by 2030 registering a CAGR of 5.8% from 2021 to 2030.

- The global Neurostimulation Devices market size is estimated to be worth USD 7454.1 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 14170 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 11.3% during the review period.

- The global Hip Replacement market size is projected to reach USD 2688.1 million by 2028, from USD 2257.7 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 2.5% during 2022-2028.

- The global Hip and Knee Replacement market was valued at USD 18790 million in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 24720 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% during 2021-2027.

- The global Hip Replacement Devices market size is estimated to be worth USD 6277.7 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 7335.8 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 2.6% during the review period.

- The global Orthopedic Devices market size is projected to reach USD 43250 million by 2027, from USD 34190 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 3.0% during 2021-2027.

- The global Orthopedic Prosthetics market size is estimated to be worth USD 1528.6 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 2107.7 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 5.5% during the review period.

- The global Optometry Equipment market size is estimated to be worth USD 2224 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 2686.7 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period.

- The global Hemodialysis market size is estimated to be worth USD 2018.1 million in 2022 and is forecasted to reach USD 2206.7 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 1.5% during the review period.

- The global dialysis market size was valued at USD 91,205.0 million in 2020 and is estimated to reach USD 129,756.8 million by 2028, registering a CAGR of 4.7% from 2021 to 2028.

- The global Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis market size is projected to reach USD 118800 million by 2028, from USD 86390 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 4.6% during 2022-2028.

- The global Peritoneal Dialysis market size is estimated to be worth USD 125.2 million in 2021. It is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 190.4 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2022-2028.

- The global Digital PCR (DPCR) and QPCR market size is estimated to be worth USD 1419.2 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 2165.8 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 7.3% during the review period.

- The global Disposable Medical Supplies market size is projected to reach USD 314410 Million by 2028, from USD 224050 Million in 2021, at a CAGR of 4.9% during 2022-2028.

- The global Sterilization Equipment market was valued at USD 1674.3 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 2005.8 million by the end of 2028, growing at a CAGR of 3.06% from 2022 to 2028.

- The global Medical Tubing market size is estimated to be worth USD 8136.6 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 13570 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 8.9% during the review period.

- The global Medical Supplies market size is projected to reach USD 329030 million by 2028, from USD 202430 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 7.1% during 2022-2028.

- The global digital therapeutics market size was valued at USD 2.88 Billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 13.80 Billion by 2027 with a CAGR of 20.5% during the forecast period.

- The global Physiotherapy Equipment market size is estimated to be worth USD 13610 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 16530 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.3% during the review period.

- The global Nutritional Analysis market size is projected to reach USD 4733.1 million by 2027, from USD 3360 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 5.0% during 2021-2027.

- The global Biometrics market size is projected to reach USD 39030 million by 2028, from USD 15900 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 13.2% during 2022-2028.

- The global full body scanner market size is estimated to be worth USD 917.8 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 2541.4 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period.

- The global Fiducial Markers market size is estimated to be worth USD 104.8 million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 131.4 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.9% during the review period.

Click Here To See Related Reports on Medical Electrodes Market

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The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Friday the relocation cost of the presidential office will be far greater than expected, surpassing 1 trillion won ($698 million).







The envisioned cost far exceeds the 49.6 billion won announced by President Yoon Suk-yeol as the expected cost for the relocation project, Rep. Han Byung-do, who leads the DP's fact-finding mission on alleged irregularities involving the presidential office, said.







Han said there could be more unidentified expenses for the relocation other than those identified in the budget plans of the defense, culture, interior, land, foreign and finance ministries for the project.







"The government has been using a massive budget behind people's backs to relocate the presidential compound while asking people to tighten their belts amid the bad economy," Han said, calling on Yoon to move back into the former presidential complex, Cheong Wa Dae.







Yoon relocated the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to the former defense ministry building in Yongsan in May in line with his election pledge.







The move prompted relocations of other government agencies, including the relocation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters and the defense ministry building, as well as the construction of a new presidential residence.







Earlier this month, the presidential office scrapped its contentious plan to build a new state guest house amid public criticism over the high budget for the project.







DPK Rep. Kim Young-bae said the opposition party will closely look into the relocation project at the upcoming annual parliamentary audit next month. The DPK has also submitted a request to launch a parliamentary investigation into alleged irregularities related to the presidential complex relocation. (Yonhap)






EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act]

Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement on the Change in Share Capital of H-Share



30.09.2022 / 17:00 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG Announcement on the Change in Share Capital of H-Share Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 30 September 2022 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) published an announcement on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with regard to the Change in Share Capital of H-Share. The details are set out as follows: Conversion status of H-share related convertible bonds: During the period from 1 September 2022 to 30 September 2022, a cumulative amount of HKD 15,000,000 H-share related convertible bonds were converted into H-shares of the Company, and the cumulative number of H-shares formed as a result of the conversion was 824,175 shares, accounting for 0.009% of the total share capital of the Company before the conversion of H-share related convertible bonds in this month. As of 30 September 2022, a cumulative amount of HKD 7,785,000,000 H-share related convertible bonds were converted into H-shares of the Company, and the cumulative number of H-shares formed as a result of the conversion was 413,507,610 shares, accounting for 4.38% of the total share capital of the Company before the conversion of H-share related convertible bonds in this month. Status of outstanding convertible bonds: As of 30 September 2022, the amount of H-share related convertible bonds not yet converted was HKD 208,000,000, accounting for 2.60% of the total number of H-share related convertible bonds issued. Progress of the repurchase of H-shares: In the month of September 2022, the Company has repurchased a total of 4,420,000 H-shares, representing 0.047% of the total share capital of the Company, with the highest price of HKD 25.85 per share and the lowest price of HKD 23.55 per share, and the amount paid was HKD 109,631,089.99. Since the commencement of repurchase of H-shares in July 2022 and as at the end of September 2022, the Company has repurchased a total of 5,855,600 H-shares, representing 0.062% of the total share capital of the Company, with the highest price of HKD 27.80 per share and the lowest price of HKD 23.55 per share, and the amount paid was HKD 148,466,555.35 (inclusive of expenses). The aforementioned repurchased shares will be cancelled (as of the end of September 2022, 1,435,600 shares have been cancelled). I. Background of the issuance and listing of convertible bonds On 27 October 2020, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued the Approval of Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. to Issue Overseas Listed Foreign Shares and Convertible Corporate Bonds (CSRC License [2020] No. 2768), approving: (1) Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") to issue not more than 2,856,526,138 overseas listed foreign shares (including additional shares issued upon exercise of conversion rights by holders of convertible bonds of not more than HKD 8 billion or equivalent in foreign currencies), with a par value of RMB 1 per share, all of which are ordinary shares. Upon completion of this issuance, the Company may list on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (hereinafter referred to as "HKSE"); (2) The Company's wholly-owned overseas subsidiaries, guaranteed by the Company, will issue overseas corporate bonds not exceeding HKD 8 billion or its equivalent in foreign currency convertible into overseas listed foreign shares of the Company (hereinafter referred to as "H-share convertible bonds"). On 23 December 2020, 2,448,279,814 H-shares of the Company were listed and traded on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the relevant exchangeable bonds to convertible bonds program became effective and operational after the listing, the total amount of effective H-share convertible bonds was HKD 7,993,000,000. II. Background of the repurchase of H-shares On 28 June 2022, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of 2021 and the First Class Meetings of Shareholders in 2022 considered and approved the Proposal to Grant the General Mandate to Repurchase H-Shares. III. Changes in Share Capital As of 30 September 2022, the changes in the Company's share capital were as follows: Class of shares Before the changes

31 August 2022

Number of the current changes (shares)



After the changes

30 September 2022 Number of shares (shares) Proportion Number of convertible bonds to shares Number of repurchased shares cancelled Number of shares (shares) Proportion Listed domestic shares (A-shares) 6,308,552,654 66.77% -

- 6,308,552,654 66.76% Overseas-listed shares (D-shares) 271,013,973 2.87% -

-

271,013,973 2.87% Overseas-listed shares (H-shares) 2,868,588,449 30.36% +824,175

-

2,869,412,624 30.37% Total number of shares 9,448,155,076 100.00% +824,175

-

9,448,979,251 100.00% Note: This Announcement has been prepared in both Chinese and English. Should there be any discrepancies or misunderstandings between the two versions, the Chinese version shall prevail. IR Contact:

Haier Smart Home Hong Kong

T: +852 2169 0000

Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact:

CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH

Sara Pinto

Sven Pauly

pi@crossalliance.de

T: +49 (0) 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience.

30.09.2022 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


The "France Construction Market Size, Trends and Forecasts by Sector Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Market Analysis, 2022-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

France's construction industry to expand by 3.3% in real terms in 2022 and record an annual average growth rate of 2% over the remainder of the forecast period (2023-26), supported by the government's focus on improving regional connectivity through the development of the country's rail and road transport infrastructure, coupled with efforts to boost energy and manufacturing production.

According to Eurostat, the French construction industry's value add rose by 1.6% year on year (YoY) in Q4 2021, preceded by Y-o-Y growth of 2.2% in Q3 2021. Moreover, the total gross fixed capital formation grew by 3.3% YoY in Q4 2021, compared with growth of 5.3% in Q3 2021, according to the Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (INSEE).

The industry's output over the forecast period will be supported by investments as part of the EUR30 billion ($35.8 billion) France 2030 plan, which was unveiled by the president in October 2021. The plan focuses on re-industrializing France and becoming a global leader in green hydrogen by 2030.

Of the total, EUR8 billion ($9.6 billion) will be invested on renewables, nuclear and hydrogen energy, EUR6 billion ($7.2 billion) on robotics, EUR5 billion ($6 billion) on industrial start-ups, EUR4 billion ($4.8 billion) on transport and mobility, EUR1.5 billion ($1.8 billion) on virtual reality projects and another EUR1.5 billion ($1.8 billion) on food and agriculture.

A downside risk for the industry arises from price pressures owing to shortages of raw materials, as global economic demand has picked up significantly following the easing of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. According to the INSEE, the average materials costs in construction of buildings index rose by 9.2% in 2021.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis and its impact on the prices of oil and other commodities also represent major downside risks to the industry's short-term outlook. The crisis has led to a surge in energy costs and impacted supply and demand for many vital construction materials and supplies; this is expected to undermine investor confidence and result in delays for new project starts.

Scope

Historical (2017-2021) and forecast (2022-2026) valuations of the construction industry in France, featuring details of key growth drivers.

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline.

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Reasons to Buy

Identify and evaluate market opportunities using the publisher's standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies.

Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts.

Understand the latest industry and market trends.

Formulate and validate strategy using the publisher's critical and actionable insight.

Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures.

Evaluate competitive risk and success factors.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance

3 Context

3.1 Economic Performance

3.2 Political Environment and Policy

3.3 Demographics

3.4 COVID-19 Status

3.5 Risk Profile

4 Construction Outlook

4.1 All Construction

Outlook

Latest news and developments

Construction Projects Momentum Index

4.2 Commercial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.3 Industrial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.4 Infrastructure Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.6 Institutional Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.7 Residential Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

5 Key Industry Participants

5.1 Contractors

5.2 Consultants

6 Construction Market Data

7 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kxvd0j

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005448/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
The "Finland Construction Market Size, Trends and Forecast by Sector Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Institutional and Residential Construction, 2022-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Finnish construction industry's output has been relatively flat in recent years, with estimated growth of 0.8% in 2021, reversing the decline of 0.6% in 2020.

The industry's output in the short term is expected to be affected by weakness in economic activity, due to the emergence of the Omicron variant and a resurgence in Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, along with the subsequent re-imposition of containment measures.

However, the publisher expects the industry to post growth of 1.8% in 2022. Over the remainder of the forecast period, the construction industry is expected to register an annual average growth of 1.9% between 2023-2026, supported by the government's focus on the development of infrastructure, as well as energy and utilities construction projects. To achieve sustainable green infrastructure, in April 2021, the Ministry of Transport and Communications in Finland announced EUR6.1 billion ($7.5 billion) for the National Transport System Plan for 2021-2032.

In December 2021, the government approved its EUR64.8 billion ($73.4 billion) 2022 Budget, with a focus on economic recovery and post-pandemic reforms, and the continuity of aid to assist businesses in weathering the economic impact of lockdowns. Of the total budget, EUR1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) is proposed for implementing the Recovery and Resilience Plan, and EUR453 million ($19.6 billion) for energy support. Moreover, the government plans to invest EUR23 billion ($26 billion) to build renewable energy-related infrastructure by 2030.

In January 2022, the European Commission disbursed EUR271 million ($306.5 million) to Finland in pre-financing under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which will help to kick-start the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Finland's recovery and resilience plan.

The Commission will authorize further disbursements based on the implementation of the investments and reforms outlined in the plan. The country is set to receive EUR2.1 billion ($2.4 billion) in total, fully consisting of grants, over the lifetime of its plan, in order to secure the green transition, support the digital transition and reinforce economic and social resilience in the country.

Scope

Historical (2017-2021) and forecast (2022-2026) valuations of the construction industry in Finland, featuring details of key growth drivers

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Reasons to Buy

Identify and evaluate market opportunities using the publisher's standardized valuation and forecasting methodologies

Assess market growth potential at a micro-level with over 600 time-series data forecasts

Understand the latest industry and market trends

Formulate and validate strategy using the publisher's critical and actionable insight

Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures

Evaluate competitive risk and success factors

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance

3 Context

3.1 Economic Performance

3.2 Political Environment and Policy

3.3 Demographics

3.4 COVID-19 Status

3.5 Risk Profile

4 Construction Outlook

4.1 All Construction

Outlook

Latest news and developments

Construction Projects Momentum Index

4.2 Commercial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.3 Industrial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.4 Infrastructure Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.6 Institutional Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.7 Residential Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

5 Key Industry Participants

5.1 Contractors

5.2 Consultants

6 Construction Market Data

7 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/o4k4sx

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005455/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
Belgian company I-care Group, a global leader in industrial machine health, announces a record fundraising of 50 million, led by a major Belgian industrial investor and CPH Bank, with participation from IMBC, SRIW and Amerigo fund, and including 10 million injected a few months ago by employees. I-care's ambition is to become the world leader in predictive industrial maintenance, and this fundraising round will allow the company to further accelerate its growth.

"I am delighted to see the confidence that I-care is generating, both with investors and with our teams, customers and partners," explains Fabrice Brion, CEO of I-care. "I am very excited to welcome a leading Belgian, family-owned industrial group (which is also an I-care customer), together with CPH Bank and Walloon Amerigo fund, and I am very grateful to IMBC and SRIW for their continuing support. This new fundraising round further confirms I-care's strong Belgian roots but also our international ambition. We want to be the global number one player in industrial machinery health, and the funding will enable us to continue our global expansion, scale up our workforce, accelerate our transition towards a hardware-enabled SaaS model, and further invest in R&D and technology.

Thanks to its fifty thousand Wi-care sensors used in factories around the world, its I-see platform that houses the largest database in the market and its AI, I-care monitors 24/7 the industrial equipment of more than two thousand blue chip customers, worth 70 billion euros.The company's solutions allow industries across the globe to be more productive (increased productivity, increased quality, reduced costs), safer (reduced risk of accidents), and more sustainable (reduced C02 emissions and increased machine life). With I-care, more than 99% of industrial breakdowns can be avoided, machine downtime is reduced by 10-20%, and maintenance costs are reduced by 35-45%.

I-care, which has nearly 700 employees and branches in 12 countries in Europe, America and Asia, is active across several industries, serving among other the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, energy, and manufacturing sectors. From Mons, Belgium, to Houston, via Sao Paulo and Leuven, I-care helps predict and avoid breakdowns in vaccine and drug manufacturing plants, nuclear power plants and wind turbines, food production plants or microchip manufacturing lines. I-care sensors can also be found on iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

I-care has been growing at more than 35% per year in the past 5 years and has the ambition to multiply its revenues and normalized EBITDA margin by 5 during the next 5 years. The company has a huge development potential in the industrial maintenance market valued at over 2,5 billion by 2026, coupled with a proven M&A strategy with a tangible future pipeline. The ongoing successful transition from a Wi-care field service-oriented model towards a Wi-care hardware-enabled SaaS model is expected to sustain a strong ramp-up in profitability, with around 90% of the assets scheduled to be monitored by I-care's own Wi-care sensors within 5 years. I-care's production of sensors is growing exponentially, as the company currently produces and delivers more sensors within a month than it has done during the last 8 years.

Following this new fundraising round, co-founders Fabrice Brion and Arnaud Stievenart and employees together hold more than 80% (1 in 2 employees is a shareholder of the company), external private and public shareholders holding the remainder.

I-care customer testimonials, independently collected

"The client did an in-depth analysis of over 20 vendors in the predictive maintenance space. I-care was the best."

"I-care has the people who have been involved in the (r)evolution of the technology, with a strong vision and historical expertise found in very few providers."

"I-care's devices are the best on the market" and "the data interpretation capabilities are very good and the teams are quick to respond."

J.P. Morgan SE acted as sole placement agent to I-care Group on the transaction.

About I-care Group

I-care Group is a world leader in machine health. Their AI- and data-driven solutions can predict industrial failures months or even years before they occur. Thanks to I-care, machines around the world are safer, more productive and more sustainable. Founded in Mons in 2004, the company has close to 700 employees and offices in 12 countries (Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific), with customers in more than 55 countries. I-care won the EY Company of the Year Award in 2020 (Belgium).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005447/en/

Contacts:

I-care Group: Jochem Binst, +32 (0)471-20.26.79, jb@gosselindewalque.com
MUMBAI, India, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In his keynote address at the Global Fintech Fest 2022 (GFF 2022) in Mumbai, 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 was 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-301637953.html
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / Quality Industrial Corp. (OTC:QIND), confirms that the independent external evaluation of Quality International Co Ltd has been completed and the report provided to the management of QIND. The conditions of the legally binding Letter of Intent which both parties signed on the 30th of June 2022 included a first tranche payment of $1,000,000 which has already been paid in line with the acquisition completion. Therefore, the acquisition's applicable financial results will be consolidated into QIND's Q2 and Q3 2022 P&L and Balance sheet when the company's Form 10-Q, which will report the financial performance of the nine months ended September 30th, is filed by the 14th of November 2022.

Below are some of the financial projections for the acquisition as confirmed by the external evaluation:

2022 Projected Revenue: $105-125M

2022 Projected EBITDA 2022: $11-13M

2022 Projected Total Assets: $450-500M

"We are pleased that this thorough evaluation for such a large acquisitionhas been completed. It gives us the clarity we need and confirms higher revenue than originally forecasted for 2022 and beyond. Although this has been a lengthy process, we will always be extremely thorough in our diligence and an acquisition of this magnitude deserves every detail to be evaluated. It's an exciting growth period for the company with this first acquisition and further progress made behind the scenes on additional manufacturing acquisitions which have reached their final stages." said QIND Director, John-Paul Backwell.

To obtain a neutral assessment of the acquisition in line with specific criteria, QIND's management ordered the independent external evaluation. The final Share Purchase Agreement has already been in the hands of the legal counsel for both parties awaiting the external evaluation report which arrived yesterday. Following receipt of the report, fine tuning of the agreement is taking place alongside a discussion between the management teams of both companies on a suitable process which will ensure that current bids by the acquisition for large contracts to the value of over $400 million are not negatively affected by a change in control.

QIND Chairman, Nick Link, commented: "It is important to note that a legally binding agreement for this acquisition has already been signed and the first payment in line with the acquisition has already been made. We are now working with the company to ensure that a change of control does not impact on the award of large tender contracts with global multinational companies. These are significant contracts with global companies where the contract process has included the likes of parent company guarantees, financial backing and submission of parent company financials. We are navigating our way through the necessary steps to ensure the smoothest path forward for the acquisition to achieve its agreed growth forecasts. Once confirmed, the final Share Purchase Agreement, which is already in the attorney's hands will be signed by both parties."

This Press Release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature about the Company. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "future" or other similar expressions. The Company has based these forward-looking statements primarily on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect Company's financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. There is no assurance that the Company's current expectations and projections are accurate. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on the Company's information on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities, nor any solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company. The release, publication, or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions.

CONTACT

Quality Industrial Corp.

315 Montgomery Street, San Francisco

CA 94104, USA

Phone: +1-800-706-0806

Email: info@qualityindustrialcorp.com

Investor site: https://qualityindustrialcorp.com

Twitter: @ QualityIndCorp @ILUS_INTL

SOURCE: Quality Industrial Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/718339/Quality-Industrial-Corp-Confirms-Completion-of-External-Evaluation-and-Consolidation-of-Financials-for-First-Acquisition
Paris, Amsterdam, September 30, 2022

Press Release

URW appoints Audrey Arnoux as Group Director of Investor Relations



Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) today announces the appointment of Audrey Arnoux as Group Director of Investor Relations, effective from 28th September 2022.

Arnoux has extensive experience of engaging with the investment community thanks to five years as Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communications at Groupe ADP, the listed international airport operating business, and a decade at Societe Generale's Corporate and Investment Bank. Prior to joining URW, Arnoux was Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communication at Plastic Omnium, a major automotive supplier.

Reporting to Fabrice Mouchel, Chief Financial Officer, and based in Paris, Arnoux will work closely with Group and local teams to develop and expand relationships with investors and financial analysts in line with the Group's objectives.

Arnoux holds a bachelor's degree in business from ESSEC Business School and a postgraduate degree in sociology and political communication from Universite Paris Dauphine-PSL.



Fabrice Mouchel, Chief Financial Officer of URW, said: "I am excited to welcome Audrey to lead our Investor Relations function. Her significant capital markets and investor relations experience will be a tremendous asset for URW and I look forward to working with her to further strengthen our relationships with the financial community."

# # #

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Audrey Arnoux

+33 6 61 27 07 39

audrey.arnoux@urw.com

Media Relations

UK/Global:

Cornelia Schnepf - Finelk

+44 7387 108 998

Cornelia.Schnepf@finelk.eu

France:

Nathalie Feld - Image7

+33 6 30 47 18 37

nfeld@image7.fr

United States:

Molly Morse - Kekst CNC

+ 1 212 521 4826

molly.morse@kekstcnc.com

About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is the premier global developer and operator of Flagship Destinations, with a portfolio valued at 55.0 Bn as at June 30, 2022, of which 87% in retail, 6% in offices, 5% in convention & exhibition venues and 2% in services. Currently, the Group owns and operates 80 shopping centres, including 53 Flagships in the most dynamic cities in Europe and the United States. Present on two continents and in 12 countries, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield provides a unique platform for retailers and brand events and offers an exceptional and constantly renewed experience for customers.

With the support of its 2,700 professionals and an unparalleled track-record and know-how, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is ideally positioned to generate superior value and develop world-class projects.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield stapled shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Paris (Euronext ticker: URW), with a secondary listing in Australia through Chess Depositary Interests. The Group benefits from a BBB+ rating from Standard & Poor's and from a Baa2 rating from Moody's.

For more information, please visit www.urw.com

Visit our Media Library at https://mediacentre.urw.com

Follow the Group updates on Twitter @urw_group, LinkedIn @Unibail-Rodamco-Westfieldand Instagram @urw_group

Attachment
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

30 September 2022

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 250,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 797.66 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 9,253,311; 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 215,737,992.

The figure of 215,737,992 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
QUITO, Ecuador, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the framework of World Tourism Day, the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador, Niels Olsen, officially presented the Digital Nomads campaign, in order to strengthen the Nomad Visa modality that has been in force since April this year.

Through this initiative, the Country of the Four Worlds opens its doors to digital nomads and/or teleworkers for two years to enjoy fascinating landscapes, comfortable and modern infrastructure as well as to be connected with an innovative business community while working remotely for foreign companies or their own.

At the event, Niels Olsen described the management undertaken since May 2021 and highlighted the figures that show the reactivation of the industry in the country. In addition, recognition was given to the creators of high-quality digital content who applied for the Ecuador Film Residency programme, presented in June this year.

Minister Olsen explained that in order to apply for the Nomad Visa, those interested must have a valid passport, a police record, proof of foreign source income of at least three basic unified salaries, medical insurance, and pay the processing fee of 460 dollars.

This is one of the country's international promotion strategies in addition to the Ecuador Film Residency programme. The programme was launched in June 2022 and in 54 days alone received more than 450 applications from content creators interested in participating and promoting the experiences that Ecuador has to offer.

With coordinated and joint work, the National Government continues to promote Ecuador to the world in order to increase the arrival of travellers who contribute more resources to the national economy, on the right path to reactivation.

To learn more about the Nomad Visa, go to:

https://ecuador.travel/es/nomad-visa/

Ecuador Film Residency

Ecuador Film Residency is a program that opens the doors of the amazing country to filmmakers, content creators and influencers so that they can travel around Ecuador, record their best experiences in photographs, videos and journalistic material. During its first edition the country received more than 450 applications to the program, from locals and from the United States, Europe and Latin American countries, such as Chile, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, among others.

Head of the Campaign: Rodolfo Milesi, Founder at Branding Latin America.

Email: rmilesi@brandinglatinamerica.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ecuador-to-attract-thousands-of-digital-nomads-from-around-the-world-301638015.html




LAGOS, NG, Oct 1, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, in partnership with Domineum Blockchain Solutions, a leading Distributed Ledger Technology Company in Africa, is set to host a one-day National digital economy awareness event: BLOCKCHAIN DAY will take place on 26th October, during the annual Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (Digital Nigeria 2022), happening from the 25th to 27th October. An audience of over 2000 Blockchain enthusiasts is expected in Abuja.Digital Nigeria 2022 is taking place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The theme for this year's conference is Digital Transformation: A Path to Sustainable Digital Economy, chosen to stimulate discussion on how the economy could benefit from digital technologies to create value. The objective is to Promote digital transformation, Digital inclusion, Emerging technologies, Data Protection, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria.BLOCKCHAIN DAY will focus on scaling the blockchain ecosystem, with opportunities and best use cases from Africa and around the globe. Special focus will be given to Nigeria, a country blessed with talented people and over 200 million potential smart technology experts. BLOCKCHAIN DAY targets hosting 2,000 participants, global speakers, leaders and great personalities in the Blockchain industry. The conference will provide a platform for networking, co-creation and collaboration, sharing experiences, mentorship and knowledge circulation, stimulating conversation on emerging technology and incentives, with experts for tech startups.Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said "There are a lot of opportunities in Blockchain, and it is critical in every business. Talent is the human component of technology and innovation, with Blockchain and emerging technologies being about the new solutions they are bringing on board. So, you need to task yourself to know which solutions or offerings the industry requires."Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Jega, co-founder Domineum said, "Blockchain is a technology that houses Cryptocurrency and other compelling ideas. It is important to demystify it, enable young people to get a proper grasp and expose themselves to this game-changing technology, and to take advantage of the numerous opportunities it presents."Over the past years, emerging economies have leapt to the forefront of blockchain adoption, with Nigeria being one of the frontrunners. The "Giant of Africa," as proudly called, is making great strides in the adoption of blockchain technological innovation. According to a survey conducted by Statista in 2020, 32% of Nigerians have admitted to using or owning cryptocurrencies, the sheer numbers of which are perfect consideration when exploring Nigeria's affinity for taking advantage of blockchain technology.Digital Nigeria International Conference will provide a power-packed agenda and activities such as Keynote Speaking, Panel discussions, Fireside Chat, Training Sessions, Guest Speaking, Presentations, Pitch sessions, Question and Answer Sessions, an Exhibition and Networking, and One-on-one interactive workshop for attendees with global industry leaders.Top speakers at the conference are Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi (DG NITDA); Prof. Isa Pantami, The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Ray Sharma - General Partner, Pacer Ventures; Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Jega - Co-Founder, Domineum; Ahmed Yousif - Lead, BSV Blockchain; Ray Youssef - Founder and CEO, Paxful; Lorien Gamaroff - CEO, Centbee; James L. Sisneros - Founder & CEO, The Possibility Company; Geoffrey Weli-Wosu - Founder & CEO, Domineum Blockchain Solutions Ltd; Simit Naik - Director, Commercial & Strategy, nChain; Faith C. Titus - Founder & CEO, Sonergy Data Technologies; Dr. Usman Gambo Abdullahi - Director, IT Infrastructure Solutions, NITDA; Dr. Rislan A Kanya - DVC IT Research & Innovation, Baze University; and many others.Online registration for the conference is welcome, visit https://www.digitalnigeria.gov.ng/register/BLOCKCHAIN DAY is powered by DOMINEUM. For more information, call: +23 490 9557 7775For partnerships and sponsorship opportunities please write to: business@domineum.ioSource: DomineumNational Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Federal Government of NigeriaCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
China expands global partnerships under true multilateralism over decade

(Global Times) 08:57, September 30, 2022

Distinctive style of diplomacy developed by drawing on fine traditions while adapting to changing times

China's diplomacy work in the past decade. Editor: Yang Ruoyu/GT Graphic: Xu Zihe/GT

Over the decade, China has blazed a new path of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, expanded global partnerships by pursuing a broad-based diplomatic agenda, upheld national sovereignty, security and development with China's core interests as a red line, developed a distinctive Chinese style of diplomacy by both drawing on fine traditions and adapting to changing times.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu stressed China's position on the diplomatic front at Thursday's press conference themed around what Chinese diplomacy has achieved in the past decade.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu speaks at Thursday's press conference themed around what Chinese diplomacy has achieved in the past decade. Photo: china.org.cn

Ma said we fight against the rhetoric and actions that undermine China's national interests and dignity, we safeguard our own legitimate rights and interests and dignity, oppose hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts, and stand firm for international fairness and justice.

We firmly safeguard national interests and national dignity, have a clear-cut position on critical issues, and won't yield one inch, Ma stressed.

China's diplomacy work in the past decade. Editor: Yang Ruoyu/GT Graphic: Xu Zihe/GT

Ma stressed that China has also advanced its diplomatic agenda in a comprehensive, multilevel and multifaceted way. To date, China has established diplomatic relations with 181 countries and entered into partnerships with more than 110 countries and regional organizations, thus making more and more friends and forming a network of partnerships covering the entire world, said the vice foreign minister.

With unprecedented breadth, depth and intensity, China has taken part in the system of global governance, contributed China's wisdom and offered China's proposals and embraced China's responsibilities, winning acclaim from the international community, Ma noted.

Over the past decade, China has evolved from a participant, beneficiary and contributor to a leader in global governance. China believes the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, a perception that China never had a decade ago, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Given these growing uncertainties, China found challenges and opportunities equally unprecedented in a century. Holding the belief of being an important force in driving global economic growth and maintaining world peace, China has taken the initiative to provide more public products and set up models for multilateralism over recent years with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) being a classic example, The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, setting up Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and calling for BRICS plus and SCO expansion, Wang said.

China's diplomacy work in the past decade. Editor: Yang Ruoyu/GT Graphic: Xu Zihe/GT

China has promoted BRI and signed more than 200 such cooperation documents with 149 countries and 32 international organizations. Cooperation under the BRI has brought expressways to East Africa and a cross-sea bridge to the Maldives, turned Laos from a land-locked to a land-linked country, and made the China-Europe Railway Express an important lifeline in keeping global logistics stable and smooth, the Global Times learnt from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Over the last decade the BRICS grouping of major emerging economies- China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa - has become one of the most fundamental forces in the international geo-economic landscape. Since its first formal summit in 2009, through continued diplomatic activity, economic cooperation and strategic dialogue, the group has consolidated shared views on the role of emerging economies in the global system, especially regarding the reform of global governance and multilateral institutions.

As power politics and unilateral hegemony severely undermine multilateralism, various forms of "pseudo-multilateralism" become increasingly confusing, and China is labeled as a "systemic rival" of the US, China still insists on non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, and adheres to true multilateralism and stresses its role as the biggest developing country, Wang said.

The international order should only be based on the widely recognized international law, not on the so-called rules set by a few countries, let alone impose family rules of themselves on others, Ma noted. "Our efforts to push forward the reform of the global governance system are not to reinvent the wheel, rather, they are to make the system fairer and more reasonable," Ma stressed.

China's diplomacy work in the past decade. Editor: Yang Ruoyu/GT Graphic: Xu Zihe/GT

Ma said that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), with greater resolve, more concrete actions and stronger measures, we have built a firm line of defense for national interests and dignity, and maintained the initiative of safeguarding national development and security firmly in our own hands.

Through actions, we tell the world that the era of the Chinese nation being undermined by others is long gone, and no force can stop China's development and progress, Ma said. We will never sit idly by and watch the national interest suffer, and no one should expect China to swallow the bitter fruit of harming its own interests, the vice foreign minister noted.

He continued that over the years, China has categorically defended the one-China principle, established or restored diplomatic ties with nine countries, and resolutely responded to provocations on the Taiwan question, thus consolidating the consensus of the one-China principle across the international community.

On Hong Kong affairs, China forcefully curbed external interferences and sustained the good momentum of Hong Kong's shift from turbulence to law and order. On issues related to Xinjiang, China has debunked disinformation with facts and defeated the political scheme to use Xinjiang region to contain China, and we have also steadily pushed forward consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and safeguarded the overall stability in the region, Ma noted.

China has stood up against politicalizing and stigmatizing COVID-19, and was joined by over 80 countries who wrote letters or issued statements against the politicization of tracing the origins of the virus. China has thwarted anti-China moves in the name of human rights at the Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly seven times in a row. Nearly 100 countries expressed support for China's just stance and opposed using human rights as a pretext for foreign interference. Through unremitting efforts, Meng Wanzhou returned home safely after over 1,000 days in illegal detention, Ma said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)




By Kang Seung-woo







The naval forces of South Korea, the United States and Japan conducted a three-way anti-submarine warfare exercise, Friday, in international waters of the East Sea amid North Korea's growing threats, including its submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).







The drill carried added significance as it was the first of its kind in five years, as the previous administrations of Seoul and Washington had scaled back exercises in a bid to diplomatically engage North Korea.







According to the Republic of Korea Navy, the drill featured its Munmu the Great destroyer and Japan's Asahi-class destroyer as well as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, including USS Ronald Reagan, Ticonderoga-class USS Chancellorsville guided-missile cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class USS Barry guided-missile destroyer.







The Navy said the training was designed to strengthen the capability to respond effectively to North Korea's evolving SLBM technology at a time when Pyongyang continues to pose nuclear and missile threats.







The training focused on detecting, identifying and tracking North Korean submarines equipped with the capability to launch SLBMs, according to the defense ministry.







Ahead of the exercise, there had been rampant speculation that the Kim Jong-un regime would launch an SLBM in an apparent protest of the joint drill  although the reclusive state instead opted for three launches of short-range ballistic missiles in the space of less than a week.







On Thursday, the U.S. Navy also said the exercise would forge a trilateral relationship to stand against those who challenge regional stability, adding that it will promote interoperability, tactical and technical coordination and efficient communications between the three countries.


Additional capital from Arrangement Agreement expected to fund Skye's Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies of proprietary synthetic cannabinoid-derivative therapeutic targeting glaucoma

San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Skye Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: SKYE) ("Skye" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company developing proprietary, synthetic cannabinoid derivatives to treat glaucoma and other diseases with significant unmet needs, reports that its stockholders voted in favor of all proposals presented at its special meeting held today, including the proposal to approve the proposed acquisition (the "Arrangement") of Emerald Health Therapeutics, Inc. (CSE: EMH) (OTCQB: EMHTF) ("EHT") by Skye. A total of 74% of shares outstanding were represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting.

Excluding the votes of (a) Emerald Health Sciences, Inc. or its affiliates, (b) directors or officers of EHT or Skye and (c) any immediate family members (as defined in Item 404 of Regulation S-K) of any of the officers or directors of EHT or Skye, the proposal to approve the Arrangement with EHT was approved by 97% of votes cast by stockholders for that proposal.

Stockholders also voted in favor of establishing the Company's 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, adopting and approving Skye's Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, and ratifying the appointment of Friedman LLP as SKYE's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.

Shareholders of EHT voted in favor of the Arrangement with Skye on August 19, 2022 and the Supreme Court of British Columbia issued a final order approving the Arrangement on August 25, 2022.

Skye and EHT continue to work diligently towards closing the Arrangement and plan to proceed with the closing as soon as practicable following the satisfaction of all remaining closing conditions, including obtaining conditional listing approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Update provided by Skye CEO Punit Dhillon following Skye's shareholder meeting

Punit Dhillon delivered the following remarks to shareholders immediately following the special meeting:

I want to thank Skye's stockholders for their broad voting participation in this special meeting and for their resounding vote in favor of the resolution regarding the Arrangement Agreement with EHT.

Your support of the merger with EHT will provide us with additional financial resources that we expect to extend our operating runway to fund the Phase 1 that we are starting imminently and the Phase 2 study for which we are preparing our Investigational New Drug application to submit to the FDA by year end and planning to start in 2023.

I will again acknowledge and thank the EHT shareholders for their vote in favor of this transaction via their special meeting held on August 19th and which was approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court on August 25th.

We look forward to welcoming Emerald Health Therapeutics shareholders as new Skye stockholders as we continue on our path to develop our cannabinoid derivative drug candidates for important diseases with unmet needs.

Today is an important day, with both shareholder groups now aligned. So what comes next?

Skye's agreement with Emerald Health Therapeutics called for the deal to be closed prior to October 15th. One key condition of closing is that Skye's shares be listed to trade in Canada. We submitted our listing application to the Canadian Securities Exchange in late August and are in the process of satisfying their information requests. We have not set a closing date since there is uncertainty around the timing of their conditional approval. We will keep you updated.

Most exciting is that we are near to starting the company's first-ever clinical study. We have met all of the regulatory requirements to start our Phase 1 trial for SBI-100 in Australia. Last week we announced that we had completed the production stage of our overall manufacturing process. We have just one final manufacturing step to complete, and that is quality and analytical testing to meet necessary standards. With receipt of that, we expect final drug product to be released and available for clinical use in October.

With our planned site visit to train clinical site staff and investigators in the second week of October, we expect to dose our first clinical trial subjects in November.

We are on the verge of turning the page to a whole new chapter of Skye's advancement and our team is well-prepared and enthusiastic to take these next steps and is committed to make its best effort to implement a plan that can add value to the company.

About Skye Bioscience

Skye Bioscience is a pharmaceutical company unlocking the potential of cannabinoids through the development of its proprietary cannabinoid derivatives to treat diseases with significant unmet needs. The Company's lead program, SBI-100 OE, is focused on developing a treatment for glaucoma, the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness. For more information, please visit: www.skyebioscience.com.

CONTACT

Investor Relations Email: ir@skyebioscience.com Phone: (858) 410-0266

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This letter contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our product development, business strategy, the timing of clinical trials, and commercialization of cannabinoid-derived therapeutics. Such statements and other statements in this press release that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock price could be materially negatively affected. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology including "anticipated," "plans," "goal," "focus," "aims," "intends," "believes," "can," "could," "challenge," "predictable," "will," "would," "may" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. We operate in a rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. As a result, it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements the Company may make. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, our capital resources, uncertainty regarding the results of future testing and development efforts and other risks that are described in the Risk Factors section of Skye's most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as expressly required by law, Skye disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/139109
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Gravitas Financial Inc. (CSE: GFI) (the "Company") announces a name change to New Frontier Ventures Inc. (the "Name Change") and a consolidation of its issued and outstanding voting common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidated common share for every twenty-five (25) pre-consolidated common shares (the "Consolidation"). The Consolidation and Name Change were approved by shareholders of the Company at its special meeting held on April 9, 2021 and are fully described in the Company's management information circular dated March 9, 2021, which can be accessed on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

As a result of the Consolidation, the outstanding shares of the Company will be reduced to approximately 2,904,082 common shares.

The Company's common shares will begin trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the new stock trading symbol "VFI.X" with a new CUSIP 64440W103 and new ISIN CA64440W1032 on a post-Consolidation basis at market open on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. The Company expects to trade as an inactive issuer under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact:

Vikas Ranjan, President, New Frontier Ventures Inc.

Email: vikas@gravitasfinancial.com

647-352-2666

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/139124
Frontline Ltd. (the "Company") advises that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company was held on September 30, 2022 at 08:00 a.m. at Par-la-Ville Place, 4th Floor, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton Bermuda. The audited consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 were presented to the Meeting.

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.
abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund ("ASGI")

abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. ("FAX")

abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ("IAF")

The India Fund, Inc. ("IFN")

abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. ("JEQ")

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / The above-noted abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds paid the distributions noted in the table below on September 30, 2022, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of September 23, 2022 (ex-dividend date September 22, 2022). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) which paid the distribution on September 30, 2022 to all shareholders of record as of August 24, 2022 (ex-dividend date August 23, 2022).FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1200 FAX NYSE American abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 IAF NYSE American abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. $ 0.1300 IFN NYSE The India Fund, Inc. $ 0.4600 JEQ NYSE abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. $ 0.1100

Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

For the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) the stock distributions were automatically paid in newly issued shares of the Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder to be paid in cash. Shares of common stock were issued at the lower of the net asset value ("NAV") per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the market price on September 21, 2022. The reinvestment prices per share for these distributions were as follows: $4.6695 for the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF); $16.18 for the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and $5.63 for the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ). Fractional shares were generally settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who had whole and fractional shares added to their account.

To have received the abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF), the India Fund, Inc. (IFN) and the abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. (JEQ) quarterly distributions payable in September 2022 in cash instead of shares of common stock, for shareholders who hold shares in "street name," the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds the shares must have advised the Depository Trust Company as to the full and fractional shares for which they want the distribution paid in cash by September 16, 2022; and for shares that are held in registered form, written notification for the election of cash by registered shareholders must have been received by Computershare Investor Services prior to September 16, 2022.

Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions paid this month as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.

Each Fund's estimated sources of the current distribution paid this month and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows:

Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund* Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1200 $0.0132 11% - - $0.1068 89% - - FAX $0.0275 $0.0149 54% - - - - $0.0126 46% IAF $0.1300 $0.0494 38% - - $0.0728 56% $0.0078 6% IFN $0.4600 - - - - $0.4600 100% - - JEQ $0.1100 $0.0154 14% $0.0737 67% $0.0209 19%

Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year* to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $1.3698 $0.1507 11% - - $1.2191 89% - - FAX $0.3025 $0.1634 54% - - - - $0.1391 46% IAF $0.5900 $0.2242 38% - - $0.3304 56% $0.0354 6% IFN $1.5700 - - - - $1.5700 100% - - JEQ $1.3605 $0.1905 14% $0.9115 67% $0.2585 19%

* ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end; FAX, IAF and JEQ have a 10/31 fiscal year end; IFN has a 12/31 fiscal year end.

**includes currency gains

Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

As of September 26, 2022, after giving effect to this payment, JEQ estimates it has a net deficit of $15,703,000. A net deficit results when the Fund has net unrealized losses that are in excess of any net realized gains that have not yet been distributed.

As of September 26, 2022, after giving effect to this payment, IAF estimates it has a net deficit of $1,758,000. A net deficit results when the Fund has net unrealized losses that are in excess of any net realized gains that have not yet been distributed.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 08/31/2022 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI 8.68%3 6.55% 0.11% 5.98% FAX -1.80% 10.03% -18.34% 8.36%

1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of August 31, 2022.

3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through August 31, 2022.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 07/31/2022  Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV  Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV  IAF 2 6.46% 11.69% -11.86% 8.81% IFN 2 4.95% 11.26% -12.67% 5.76% JEQ 2 0.70% 7.37%3 -24.44% 18.07%

1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of July 31, 2022.

3 The percentage shown does not include the Fund's annual distribution policy in place in 2021.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy").

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., abrdn Australia Limited, abrdn Asia Limited, Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, abrdn ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount)

the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact Investor.Relations@abrdn.com

https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter

For More Information Contact:

abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

Investor Relations

1-800-522-5465

Investor.Relations@abrdn.com

SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds



View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/718384/abrdn-US-Closed-End-Funds-Announce-Distribution-Payment-Details
NORTH YORK, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / ZTEST Electronics Inc. ("ZTEST" or the "Company") (CSE:ZTE) is pleased to announce that the existing Board of Directors was re-elected and the existing auditors were re-appointed at the annual meeting of shareholders held on Friday, September 30, 2022. The Company also wishes to announce that it has granted 1,275,000 stock options to directors and officers of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Permatech Electronics Corp., exercisable at $0.10 per share for 5 years.

About ZTEST Electronics Inc.

ZTEST Electronics Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Permatech Electronics Corp. ("Permatech"), offers Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) to a wide range of customers. Permatech's offering includes Materials Management, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assembly, Testing and Design services. Permatech operates from a 20,000 square foot, ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in North York, Ontario, Canada. The company serves customers in the Medical, Power, Computer, Telecommunications, Wireless, Industrial and Consumer Electronics markets requiring high quality, quick-turnaround, small and medium size production runs.

About Conversance Inc.

Conversance, a private company based in Waterloo, Ont., founded by Mr. Chen, is focused on developing and marketing proprietary artificial-intelligence supported distributed ledger technologies. Mr. Chen is an electrical engineer with a strong background in radio frequency, digital signal processing, VLSI (very-large-scale integration), complex systems, chemistry and physics. Mr. Chen joined Research in Motion (now BlackBerry) in 1999, becoming a senior member of the office of the chief technology officer, where he was instrumental in many of Blackberry's key telephony innovations and patents. Mr. Chen's interest in blockchains began in 2009.

For more information contact:

Steve Smith, CEO

(604) 837-3751

email: stevesmith15@shaw.ca

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com).

SOURCE: ZTEST Electronics Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/718401/ZTEST-Announces-Results-of-Annual-Meeting-and-Grant-of-Stock-Options
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / LOVE Pharma Inc. ("LOVE" or the "Company") (CSE:LUV) (FSE:G1Q0) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Doc Hygiene Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Doc Hygiene"), has launched operation "Clean Hands" in California, delivering sanitizer products to homeless shelters throughout the community.

"We identified an opportunity to support the community by providing hand sanitizer and wipes to homeless organizations in California," said Zach Stadnyk, CEO of LOVE. "In many cases these are organizations that have budget limitations and the need for sanitizer products, especially personal ones that people can have on them, are not part of the service they can regularly offer. Operation "Clean Hands" is a community program aimed at putting top quality sanitizer products in the hands of people who need them the most, without costing them any money," added Mr. Stadnyk.

To date, the Doc Hygiene team has delivered comprehensive "Clean Hands" care packages to approximately 100 homeless shelters and organizations in California and is continuing the effort.

The company also is pleased to announce it has completed the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement. The Company accepted subscriptions for 15,500,000 units at a price of $0.014 per unit, for gross proceeds of $217,000. Each Unit consists of one common share in the equity of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.05 per share for a period of two (2) years from the closing of the Financing, subject to the option of the Company to accelerate the expiry date in the event that its shares trade at $0.15 or more for 10 consecutive days.

The Company raised a total of $513,450. A total of 36,675,000 Units and 108,000 broker warrants were issued pursuant to the Financing.

Securities issued pursuant to this tranche are subject to trading restrictions until January 31, 2023.

Proceeds will be used for working capital and to review possible acquisitions.

Zachary Stadnyk, CEO and Director

About Love Pharma Inc.

With a focus on the global sexual Health and Wellness markets, Love Pharma Inc. (CSE:LUV) (FSE:G1Q0) was founded in 2020, with a mission to bring to market innovative products that enhance sexual health and wellness while providing an improved quality of life. Love Pharma holds exclusive licenses to produce market, package, sell, and distribute patent-protected therapeutic and pharmaceutical products throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Telephone: 1 (604) 343-2977

E-mail: investors@love-pharma.com

www.love-pharma.com

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.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates", "may" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, lack of investor demand for Bitcoin and/or Bitcoin futures exchange traded funds, and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE: Love Pharma Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/718400/Love-Pharma-Subsidiary-Doc-Hygiene-Delivers-Sanitizer-Products-To-Support-Community-Needs-With-Operation-Clean-Hands-and-Closes-Final-Tranche-of-Financing
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Precipitate Gold Corp. (TSXV: PRG) (OTCQB: PREIF) (the "Company" or "Precipitate") is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Sulis as the Company's Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective September 30, 2022.

Mr. Stephen Sulis currently works as Chief Financial Officer for a number of TSX-V and CSE listed companies, predominately in the resource sector, both in Canada and around the globe. His professional experience includes financial reporting for exploration and mining companies, implementation of accounting software, various equity financings and implementation of internal control policies. In addition to his accounting experience, Mr. Sulis previously worked in the financial sector with TD Canada Trust. Mr. Sulis holds a bachelor's degree in business administration as well as an advanced diploma in international business studies.

Mr. Sulis is replacing Ms. Vivien Chuang who has notified the Company she will be pursuing other opportunities. The Company would like to thank Ms. Chuang for her years of service to the Company. Management and the Board of Directors wish her the best in her future endeavours.

In addition, the Company announces that it has granted stock options to certain officers and consultants to purchase up to 400,000 common shares. Each option is exercisable to acquire one common share of Precipitate at a price of $0.065 until September 30, 2027. The options will vest in accordance with the Company's stock option plan and are subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

About Precipitate Gold

Precipitate Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on exploring and advancing its mineral property interests in Newfoundland Canada and the Dominican Republic. The Company has entered into an Earn-In Agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation, whereby Barrick can earn a 70% interest in the Company's Pueblo Grande Project by incurring US$10M within six years and producing a qualifying Pre-feasibility Study. Precipitate is also actively evaluating additional high-impact property acquisitions with the potential to expand the Company's portfolio and increase shareholder value, in other favourable jurisdictions.

Additional information can be viewed at the Company's website www.precipitategold.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Precipitate Gold Corp.,

"Jeffrey Wilson"

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Tel: 604-558-0335 Toll Free: 855-558-0335 investor@precipitategold.com

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.

This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Precipitate Gold Corp.'s ("Precipitate" or the "Company") current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Company and on assumptions it believes are reasonable. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Precipitate to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the exploration concessions may not be granted on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the concessions acquired by the Company may not have attributes similar to those of surrounding properties; delay or failure to receive governmental or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation affecting mining; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Precipitate has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Precipitate does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138968
Cancels and Grants Incentive Stock Options

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - World Copper Ltd. (TSXV: WCU) (OTCQX: WCUFF) (FSE: 7LY0) - ("World Copper") reports that its shareholders have approved all matters voted on at the annual general and special meeting held on September 27, 2022 (the "AGSM").

Results of Annual General and Special Meeting

A total of 31,525,821 common shares were represented in person or by proxy at the AGSM, representing 29.41% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares. All directors nominated in the management information circular dated August 15, 2022 were re-elected, and the voting results from the AGSM are set out in the table below.

Motion For Against Abstained/

Withheld Number of Directors 31,507,950 (99.96%) 11,204 (0.04%) -- Hendrik van Alphen 31,513,813 (99.98%) -- 5,341 (0.02%) Patrick James Burns 30,718,965 (97.46%) -- 800,189 (2.54%) Timothy McCutcheon 30,719,667 (97.46%) -- 799,487 (2.54%) Roberto Freraut 30,723,698 (97.48%) -- 795,456 (2.52%) Robert Kopple 30,326,479 (96.22%) -- 1,192,675 (3.78%) Appointment of Auditors 31,519,154 (100.00%) -- -- Ratification and Approval of Amended Stock Option Plan 30,282,658 (96.08%) 1,236,496 (3.92%) -- Approval of New Articles of the Corporation 24,296,039 (77.08%) 7,223,115 (22.92%) --

Stock Option Cancellations and Grants

The Company reports that it has cancelled an aggregate of 4,585,000 incentive stock options originally granted under the Company's rolling stock option plan to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company on January 31, 2022, and exercisable until February 1, 2024, at an exercise price of $0.91.

The Company also reports that, subject to applicable shareholder and TSX Venture Exchange approvals, the Company has granted incentive stock options under the amended stock option plan to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company to purchase up to 4,755,000 common shares in the capital stock of the Company. The options are exercisable on or before September 30, 2025 at a price of $0.27 per share. Under the amended stock option plan, the Company may grant up to an aggregate of 11,246,172 stock options, and after the grant of the above-mentioned stock options the Company will have 491,172 stock options available for grant under the plan.

ABOUT WORLD COPPER LTD.

World Copper Ltd., headquartered in Vancouver, BC, is a Canadian resource company focused on the exploration and development of its two primary copper porphyry projects, Escalones and Cristal, both located in Chile. World Copper has laid claim to four copper porphyry targets, one with estimated resources, significant soluble copper mineralization, and exciting potential to expand the resource base.

The World Copper team has a unique skill in navigating the mining sector within Chile, with some members having worked in the country for more than 40 years and with discovery success.

Detailed information is available at the Company's website at www.worldcopperltd.com, and for general Company updates you may follow us on our social media pages via Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn.

For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's website. To view the Company's Canadian regulatory filings, please visit SEDAR.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

WORLD COPPER LTD.

"Nolan Peterson"

Nolan Peterson

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, or to schedule a Zoom meeting with Management, please contact:

Nolan Peterson or Michael Pound

Phone: 604-638-3287

E-mail: info@worldcopperltd.com

For all Investor Relations inquiries, please contact:

John Liviakis

Liviakis Financial Communications Inc.

Phone: 415-389-4670

For all Public Relations inquiries, please contact:

Nancy Thompson

Vorticom, Inc.

Office: 212-532-2208 | Mobile: 917-371-4053

Follow Us:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldCopperLtd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldCopperLtd

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldcopperltd

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without limitation, the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the TSX Venture Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's continuous disclosure documents. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/139162
Airplane, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of an internal tool development platform, raised $32M in Series B funding.

The round was led by Thrive Capital with return participation from Benchmark, as well as Segment co-founder Calvin French-Owen, Confluent co-founder Neha Narkhede, former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch, Airtable co-founders Howie Liu and Andrew Ofstad, Allison Pickens from The New Normal Fund, Behance founder Scott Belsky, Jaren Glover, Gokul Rajaram, Liu Jiang, Comma Capital, and several others.

The company plans to use the funds to continue to update and expand the platform to help run all internal business systems and continue to grow its team.

Led by Ravi Parikh, Founder, Airplane provides a software-as-a-service dev platform. The company has just released Airplane Views  an update which lets users build full-featured UIs for internal tools. Combined with what Airplane can already do, this new feature will let the system serve as a complete, developer-focused platform for building internal tools.

Since its last funding round, the company has doubled the size of its team and has reached more than 200 teams using the product, ranging from small startups to enterprise customers.

FinSMEs

30/09/2022
Fort Point Capital, a Boston, MA-based lower middle market private equity firm, closed its third investment fund, FPC Small Cap Fund III, LP and FPC Small Cap Fund III-A, LP (collectively, FPC III), at $340m.

With the closing of FPC III, Fort Point Capital has raised more than $630 million since the firms founding in 2011.

Co-Founded by Partners Brooke Ablon and Paul Lipson, Fort Point remains dedicated to the lower middle market with a service oriented growth-focused approach targeting companies with less than $100 million of enterprise value. The firm continues investing in partnership with management teams in business services companies with attractive fundamental attributes and strong growth potential.

Since inception, FPC has acquired 13 platforms and closed 21 add-on investments enabling its platform companies to significantly scale. The firm now has 11 team members in Boston to support its continued growth.

The team also includes Partner Christina Pai.

FinSMEs

30/09/2022
President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a meeting on monitoring financial circumstances at the Korea Center for International Finance in downtown Seoul, Friday. Yonhap





By Nam Hyun-woo







President Yoon Suk-yeol has rejected a motion requesting the dismissal of Foreign Minister Park Jin, heralding further confrontation between the ruling and main opposition parties at the upcoming National Assembly audit sessions.







According to senior presidential secretary for public relations Kim Eun-hye, Friday, Yoon said he will not accept the motion, which was passed unilaterally by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) in the National Assembly on Thursday night.







"The National Assembly's motion recommending Minister Park Jin's dismissal was notified to the presidential office," Kim said in a text message to reporters. "President Yoon said he does not accept the recommendation."







With the DPK holding 169 seats in the 300-seat Assembly, the motion was approved by 168 out of 170 lawmakers attending the plenary session.







Though the motion is a non-binding recommendation, the DPK pushed it forward as a political offensive against President Yoon and his foreign affairs team over a series of controversies that took place during Yoon's trip to the U.K., the U.S. and Canada last week.







The DPK has been calling Yoon's trip "a diplomatic disaster," criticizing him for not paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II while she was lying in state in London, as well as for announcing a "summit" with the Japanese prime minister when Japan had requested confidentiality, failing to have an official summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and made inappropriate remarks which included what could be heard as profanity directed at the U.S. Congress during a fundraising event.







It had been widely expected that chances are "very slim" for Yoon to accept the opposition's call, because the president trusts the foreign minister and the office does not recognize any of the wrongdoings from the trip.







President Yoon also showed his stalwart support for Minister Park during his impromptu interview with reporters on Thursday, saying "Minister Park is a man of outstanding ability."







Foreign Minister Park Jin speaks during a meeting with reporters at the ministry's headquarters in the Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap





Park also said he does not have any intention to step down as minister.







"The main opposition party is belittling the trip as a diplomatic disaster but I cannot agree with the claim," he told reporters, Friday.







"The entire world is making its assessments of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's foreign policies and global visions, but domestic political circles are seeing the matter as a subject of partisan confrontation." He added that he plans to continue serving his role.







With Yoon and Park showing no signs of backing down, the DPK is increasing its pressure on the ruling bloc.







"The public has ears to listen and intelligence to know what's right or wrong," DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung said, referring to Yoon's remarks. "Yoon should apologize. However, instead of apologies, he is now lying and intimidating the press for reporting his remarks."







Ruling People Power Party senior deputy floor leader Rep. Song Eon-seog, center, holds a motion calling for National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo's resignation at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps





In response to the opposition bloc's offensives, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Friday tabled a motion urging National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo's resignation. Kim dropped his DPK membership because the Assembly's speaker cannot hold membership in a political party.







"Yesterday, Speaker Kim agreed to a change in the plenary session schedule without proper consultations with the PPP, allowing the DPK to approve the motion on impeaching Park," said Rep. Song Eon-seog, senior deputy floor leader of the PPP. "It was a violation of the National Assembly Act which stipulates the speaker's political neutrality."







Such a confrontation is anticipated to peak at the National Assembly's audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs slated for Tuesday. The DPK plans to use the audit as a stage to scrutinize the appropriateness of Yoon's trip last week, while the PPP is anticipated to make all-out efforts to defend the president.







Against this backdrop, the outlook is grim whether Yoon will have a meeting with party leaders including the DPK's Lee. On Sept. 14, senior presidential secretary for political affairs Lee Jin-bok said there is a necessity for the presidential office to consider a meeting between party leaders after Yoon's trip, but PPP spokesperson Rep. Park Jeong-ha said on Sept. 25 that "it will take time" for the meeting to take place.


Numida, a Kampala, Uganda-based fintech company, raised $12.3m in pre- Series A financing round.

Serena Ventures led the $7.3m equity portion of the round with participation from Breega, 4Di Capital, Launch Africa, Soma Capital, and Y Combinator. The round will be completed with $5 million in debt from Lendable Asset Management.

The company intends to reinforce its Ugandan presence and launch in two new African markets.

Led by CEO Mina Shahid, Numida uses proprietary credit models and tech-enabled underwriting processes to provide unsecured working capital loans to African micro and small businesses. Instead of borrowing from informal lenders or family, business owners download the Numida app, apply in minutes, and receive capital within a day. Since 2021 the company has provided $20m in working capital to 27,000 businesses in East Africa.

The fintech aims to build on its Ugandan success in and grow its active client base to 40,000 businesses while launching in two new target markets. To support its next phase of growth, Numida plans to double its team to 200 people across credit operations, data, product development, and growth functions over the next 18 months.

FinSMEs

30/08/2022
Ox Security, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based software supply chain security platform provider, raised $34M in funding.

The round was led by Evolution Equity Partners, Team8, and M12, with participation from Rain Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth, expand operations and its business reach.

Led by CEO Neatsun Ziv, Ox Security provides a software supply chain security platform for DevSecOps. The solution uses the PBOM standard to offer software supply chain security, allowing it to cover every step of the development pipeline, from the earliest planning stages until deployment to production. The company integrates with existing tools and infrastructure to monitor and record every action affecting software throughout the entire development life-cycle. It gives security and DevOps teams complete visibility and control over the attack surface, including source code, pipeline, artifacts, container images, runtime assets, and applications.

The platform is already used by over 30 leading companies to secure their software supply chains, including Kaltura and Bloomreach.

FinSMEs

30/09/2022
Flagler Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Matthew Jamnik

Dr. Jamnik is a first-generation college student who, after starting at a community college, eventually, completed his Ph.D. in Psychology- Brain & Cognitive Sciences- from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Before joining Flagler, he worked as a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. His research, broadly, studies factors related to physical and mental health in children, adolescents, and adults. He loves to teach, mentor, and conduct research with undergraduate students.

What is your favorite course to teach and why?

Behavior Genetics, BG, a class exploring the nature and origins of individual differences in human behavior. As a discipline, BG focuses on examining the relative contribution of genetic factors- nature, and environmental influences- nurture, that underlie variability in phenotypic development or traits. I love to teach this class because it emphasizes science, research methods, and scientific literacy while highlighting how complex traits are in humans and animals alike. It also provides an and/both, as opposed to an either/or, worldview and perspective. Both nature and nurture make us who we are!

Or what is your area of expertise?

My area of expertise, generally, is Psychological Science and Biomedical/Behavioral research, focused on topics related to health and well-being. More specifically, I am trained as a behavioral geneticist with a background in brain & cognitive sciences and child development.

What made you interested in that area/topic?

The people of the world are hurting. Looking around, I see family, friends, and others challenged by various physical, mental, and emotional difficulties. As am I and, likely, you are too. My belief is that it does not need to be this way. By studying underlying genetic and environmental factors, we can obtain greater insight into the salient influences which contribute to poorer health outcomes- physical, mental, and/or emotional. Information which, in turn, can be used to promote healthy lifestyle changes to help individuals live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives.

If someone was interested in learning more about the topic, what reading suggestions would you make?

Check out Blueprint: How DNA makes us who we are by Dr. Robert Plomin.

What book is on your nightstand right now? And why did you choose it?

Keep going: The art of perseverance by Joseph M. Marshall III. This book remains a frequent go-to for the Spiritual Wisdom it offers from the Lakota Native American tradition.

What has been your favorite piece of research you have conducted? And why?

Over the past decade, I have been involved with ongoing longitudinal research as part of the Southern Illinois Twins/Triplets and Siblings (SITSS) Study, which investigates behavioral, cognitive, and socioemotional development in children, ages zero to five years. Connecting with these families and working with parents year-by-year while seeing children develop from newborn to infant to preschooler and beyond has been so incredibly rewarding.

What are five words you would use to describe your style in the classroom?

Enthusiastic, personable, engaging, facilitative, and curiosity-inducing

Why is it important for the College to have a major in your area?

Psychology, and the study of behavior and the human condition, have important implications for everyone. Regardless of whether a student decides to remain in the field or go into another area of study, a greater understanding of why people do what they do, e.g. Psychology, helps to promote compassion, empathy, and understanding for others and their life experiences.

What is one thing that no one would guess about you?

I am an introvert and enjoy quiet, down time in nature.

How do you embody Flaglers Core Values in your classroom and on campus?

My embodiment of our Core Values can be seen in the way that I carry and conduct myself, the energy that I bring, and the ideals that I espouse, both in my classroom and around campus. As stated in our Mission: Learning in pursuit of a life well-lived  I sincerely wish to help lift those around me, just as others did for me.

Tagged As
U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price / Reuters-Yonhap



North Korea may conduct its seventh nuclear test without warning but the United States remains committed to engaging with Pyongyang in serious diplomacy, a state department spokesperson said Monday.



Ned Price also said the North currently remains in a period of provocations.



"We have spoken of North Korea's pattern of provocations in recent months. We have warned repeatedly that North Korea could well conduct another nuclear test, its seven nuclear tests with no warning," the spokesperson told a daily press briefing.



"The DPRK tends to go through periods of provocation, periods of engagement. It's very clear that we are in a period of provocation now," he added, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



North Korea conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in September 2017.



Seoul and Washington have said Pyongyang appears to have finished all preparations for its seventh nuclear test.



The department spokesperson said the U.S. remains willing to engage in dialogue with North Korea.



"We have made clear together with our allies in the region that we are prepared for meaningful dialogue, meaningful diplomacy to help advance the prospects for complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," said Price.



"This offer of dialogue and diplomacy has at least so far been met only with additional provocations," he added.



North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea on Sunday (Seoul time). The country has fired more than 30 ballistic missiles this year, according to U.S. officials.



Price said the U.S. will be ready when North Korea is ready to engage in diplomacy.



He added North Korean provocations will only strengthen U.S. commitment to the joint defense of South Korea and other U.S. allies in the region.



"None of these provocations have (changed) or will change our essential orientation. That is our stalwart commitment to the defense of the ROK and Japan, our treaty allies," he said, also noting Vice President Kamala Harris was currently on a visit to the region to show the U.S.' "support for our treaty allies."



The U.S. vice president is currently on a visit to Japan to attend the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.



She will be traveling to Seoul on Thursday for a meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol and other South Korean officials there.



ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. (Yonhap)




AFP: According to Pakistani police, a Chinese national was shot dead in Karachi. Could you offer any information of the suspect? Does he have any connection with Baloch separatists?



Wang Wenbin: We express condolences for the victim and sympathies to the injured. To my knowledge, the victim you mentioned was not a Chinese citizen.

CCTV: Today is the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste designated by the UN. Can you talk about Chinas measures, achievements and contribution in reducing food waste?



Wang Wenbin: To quote an ancient Chinese adage, Among governing priorities, food comes first. Ensuring food supply has always been the top governing priority in China. For the Chinese government, reducing food loss and waste is an important pathway towards food security. President Xi Jinping personally advocated the Clean Plate initiative to foster strong social awareness of cherishing food and ending waste. China has enhanced regulatory and institutional functions, including adopting the Law on Food Waste, to provide rules for consumers and the catering industry. China has upgraded the infrastructure and equipment for grain production, built more than 60 million hectares of high-quality, well-equipped farmland with high and stable yield, and reduced the mechanical loss of grain harvest by optimizing agricultural machinery and equipment, which enabled China to reduce the waste of wheat harvested in summer this year by 1.25 billion kilograms. China has promoted advanced and applicable technologies including pest control, green storage and moderate processing of bulk grain and oil. The grain loss rate from diseases and pests is kept under five percent. China has actively engaged in international cooperation in reducing food loss and waste. We held the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste in September last year, which was attended by more than 50 countries and international organizations. The Jinan Initiative of the International Food Loss Conference was issued as part of the effort to build international consensus on this front. China listed food security as one of the eight priority areas of cooperation in the Global Development Initiative it proposed, and is working with all parties to proceed with relevant practical cooperation and measures. China has also put forward an initiative on international food security cooperation at the G20, offering Chinas solution for the global food security challenge.

Food conservation and food loss reduction is a common task of the international community that requires joint efforts of all countries. According to the latest statistics of the World Food Program, 345 million people are facing acute food insecurity in 82 countries. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that 1.6 billion people cannot be sure of getting enough to eat and nearly 250 million are on the brink of famine. Under the impact of COVID-19, climate change and geopolitical conflicts, the world is undergoing mounting pressure of food shortage and low-income countries are struggling with hunger.

The way food waste is dealt with in some developed countries, however, has been regrettable. Their per capita food waste ranks among the top in the world, mainly caused by consumption patterns. The waste of resources and environmental pollution in these countries as a result of overproduction is even more shocking.

China is ready to share experience with all parties, actively advance the Global Development Initiative, engage in international cooperation on reducing food loss and waste and jointly uphold global food security. We once again urge developed countries to fulfill their international obligations. We can all contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the goals of Zero Hunger and No Poverty by minimizing food loss and waste.

Peoples Daily: We have noted that the BRICS cooperation mechanism held a series of meetings in September, including meetings of tourism ministers and energy ministers. Can you share more information?



Wang Wenbin: China is the BRICS chair for 2022. Since the beginning of this year, China has fulfilled its duty as the BRICS chair in real earnest and made every effort to advance BRICS cooperation across the board. We have so far successfully held nearly 130 meetings and events. In September alone, we held a number of ministerial meetings, including the meetings of tourism ministers, energy ministers and disaster management ministers.

In the meantime, China has vigorously promoted the development of BRICS partnership, deepened the BRICS Plus cooperation model, and encouraged more developing countries to participate in BRICS cooperation. So far, China has hosted more than 20 BRICS Plus events, including high-level meetings of foreign ministers, trade ministers and health ministers, as well as events in such sectors as poverty alleviation, industrial Internet and digital manufacturing, and think-tanks and civil society organizations. The BRICS Plus cooperation model provides a new cooperation platform for emerging markets and developing countries and helps promote solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. It has been fully recognized by BRICS member states and other developing countries.

In the rest of the year, China will host more than 30 BRICS meetings and events. We are ready to work with other BRICS members to implement the outcomes and consensus reached at the 14th BRICS Summit in June, make unremitting efforts to deepen solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, and bring more stability and positive energy to world peace and development.

Xinhua News Agency: Recently tensions between Palestine and Israel have risen with recurring clashes in East Jerusalem, especially around the al-Aqsa mosque. Do you have any comment?



Wang Wenbin: China is deeply concerned about the heightened tensions in Jerusalem. We oppose any action to unilaterally alter the historical status quo of Jerusalem and call on relevant parties, notably Israel, to stay calm and exercise restraint in order to prevent the situation from getting out of control.

The root cause of the recurrence of Palestine-Israel conflict lies in the long absence of the implementation of the two-state solution. The international community needs to act with a stronger sense of urgency and facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel on the basis of the two-state solution so that peace could prevail as early as possible between the two sides.

Yonhap News Agency: Today marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of relations between China and Japan. Whats your comment?



Wang Wenbin: Today marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan relations. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have both exchanged congratulatory messages with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Leaders of both countries commented positively on the major historic significance of the normalization of ties and the achievements of bilateral ties over the past 50 years, and envisioned the way forward for China-Japan ties.

The 50th anniversary is an important milestone in the course of China-Japan relations. Half a century ago, with extraordinary strategic vision and political courage, the then Chinese and Japanese leaders made the political decision of normalizing ties and opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. Over the past five decades, the two sides have concluded four political documents and reached a series of important common understandings, laying the political and legal foundation for bilateral relations. Exchange and cooperation in various sectors have come a long way, which not only delivered important benefits to both peoples, but also contributed to regional and global peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Our world is going through major changes unseen in a century. As bilateral relations embark on the next 50-year journey, both sides need to follow the guidance of the important common understandings between our leaders, adhere to the principles established in the four political documents, renew the original aspiration behind the normalization of ties, stay committed to peace and friendship, expand mutually-beneficial cooperation, manage differences well, and work together to build a China-Japan relationship that meets the call of the new era.
CCTV: In the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)s Global Innovation Index 2022 released on September 29, China ranks the 11th, up by one place compared to last year. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: Actually, Chinas ranking in the Global Innovation Index has gone up steadily for 10 consecutive years. It moved up by 23 places within 10 years from the 34th in 2012 to the 11th in 2022. This is the latest example of China speed and a reflection of Chinas achievement in intellectual property (IP) protection.

China attaches great importance to scientific and technological innovation, actively integrates itself into the global innovation network, and strictly protects IP rights. China has blazed a path of IP development with Chinese characteristics. From 2012 to 2021, Chinas research and development (R&D) spending increased from 1.03 trillion yuan to 2.79 trillion yuan, with the ratio of total national R&D expenditures to GDP jumping from 1.91% to 2.44%. The full-time equivalent of R&D personnel in China has exceeded five million person-years, ranking first in the world for years running. Public satisfaction over Chinas IP protection hit a record-high score of 80.61 out of 100, up from 63.69.

Scientific and technological innovation is a powerful driving force for the development and progress of human society. No country can become an innovation hub all by itself or keep all the outcomes of innovation to itself. China is not only an important participant in cutting-edge innovation globally, but also an important contributor to joint efforts to solve global issues. In May this year, agreements including the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs entered into force in China, marking Chinas accession to almost all major international IP conventions. The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Shanghai Service was established to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in cross-border IP dispute settlement.

China will continue to step up cooperation with countries in scientific and technological innovation with more openness, take an active part in global IP governance, and make greater contribution to the balanced, inclusive and sustainable development of global IP protection.

AFP: President Biden announced to provide more than $800 million for the Pacific Islands and said that the security of the US and the world depends on the security of the Pacific Islands. Whats Chinas comment?

Mao Ning: We have noted that President Biden attended the US-Pacific Island Country Summit and that the US expressed its desire to enhance its presence in the region. I would like to emphasize Chinas openness to the increase of normal exchange and cooperation between Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and countries interested in doing so. That being said, PICs must not be viewed as chess pieces in any contest between major powers. We hope the US will genuinely support PICs in responding to climate change and realizing development and revitalization, instead of engaging in geopolitical jostling in the name of cooperation, still less introducing bloc confrontation to the Pacific Islands region.

Bloomberg: Just related to that earlier question. Given that China hasnt managed to arrive at a similar agreement with the Pacific Island Countries, can we expect the doubling of Chinas efforts to engage with the region now that the US has signed this initiative with the countries and made this pledge to the countries in the Pacific?

Mao Ning: China attaches high importance to developing relations with PICs. We always adhere to the principle that all countries, regardless of size, are all equal. We fully respect the sovereignty and will of PICs. Our cooperation is open, transparent and above-board with no political strings attached. We never impose our will on others or target any third party. Our cooperation has been warmly welcomed by PICs and can stand the test of time and history. We will not engage in geopolitical jostling in the name of cooperation.

Shenzhen TV: According to reports, the 20,000th sea-rail intermodal train of the new western land-sea corridor arrived at Tuanjiecun Station in Chongqing not long ago carrying cargo including Vietnamese trunkings and calcium carbonate. Could you offer more information on the cross-border cooperation under this corridor?

Mao Ning: The new western land-sea corridor is an important artery, which covers all the provinces, autonomous regions and municipality in western China and connects ASEAN and the Eurasian continent. It is an important economic corridor for China-ASEAN trade.

Since the running of the first sea-rail intermodal train of the new western land-sea corridor, the number of trips by this train service has risen at an accelerated pace. The service ran its first 10,000 trips over a period of 1,461 days and it took the service only 487 days for its second 10,000 trips. During the first half of this year, 2,705 trips were made, transporting 269,000 TEUs of goods, a year-on-year increase of 112% and 319% respectively. Today, this corridor goes through 111 stations in 59 cities of 16 Chinese provinces. It connects seamlessly with the China-Europe Railway Express and reaches 335 ports in 113 countries and regions around the world. Its cargo variety has increased from several dozens in the beginning to 640 categories today. The corridor has significantly improved the efficiency and reduced the cost of international logistics, which benefits China, ASEAN and other RCEP members.

The new western land-sea corridor provides a new engine for Belt and Road cooperation. It is a vivid illustration of Chinas commitment to higher level of opening-up. We believe this corridor, which signifies openness, cooperation and common development, will continue to bring more development opportunities for China and other regional countries.

Reuters: Just to circle back on this summit the US held with the Pacific Island Countries. After the conclusion of the summit, President Biden said on Thursday that the US will work harder to satisfy the needs of Pacific Island Countries. He did not mention China in his remarks on Thursday, but during the summit, the US did release a paper detailing its vision for US ties with Pacific Island Countries. And it did say in that paper that one of the challenges facing the region was pressure and economic coercion from China. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: China never engages in economic coercion. In developing relations with PICs, China always adheres to the principle that all countries, big or small, are equal. We fully respect the sovereignty and will of PICs. We never attach any political strings or impose our will on anyone. We firmly reject the USs vilification and denigration.

Beijing Youth Daily: According to reports, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari took an interview with Foreign Policy on September 27. In response to a comment that China hasnt quite come to Pakistans aid in a big way this year when the floods hit, he said thats absolutely incorrect. He added that As far as helping Pakistan, China has helped Pakistan whenever we have been in difficult times... Lifesaving decisions for our economy were made first and foremost by China as far as our floods are concernednot only the immediate aid relief but also as far as our loan payments are concerned. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: Weve noted the remarks by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. They reflect the strong friendship and deep mutual trust between China and Pakistan, which define our relations. China and Pakistan are neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. Our futures are linked together. From the devastating floods in 2010 to the locust attack in 2021 in Pakistan, and from the 2008 Wenchuan mega-earthquake to this years Luding earthquake in Sichuan province, China and Pakistan have always stood together and come to each others aid. China has always been among the first to give Pakistan our full support when the country is confronted either by natural disasters or economic and financial challenges.

There are two things worth noting about Chinas assistance to Pakistan in the wake of the recent floods. One is the notable speed, scale and intensity of our assistance. The Chinese government decided to provide 400 million yuan worth of humanitarian assistance to Pakistan. China promptly collected all the supply reserves stored under the social and livelihood cooperation framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and delivered them to Pakistan for disaster relief. We provided emergency cash assistance to Pakistan, shared real-time weather forecast and quickly delivered urgently needed supplies such as tents and vegetables to Pakistan through air, land and sea transportation. The other is that our assistance has been a whole-of-government, whole-of-society and all-dimensional effort. A total of 125 million yuan worth of donations and flood-relief supplies have been raised by friendly sub-national governments, companies and charitable individuals. Chinas civilian rescue teams have volunteered to assist in Pakistan, and even primary school students have donated their pocket money. China and Pakistan are truly brothers who share weal and woe and form a community with a shared future. China-Pakistan friendship is vibrant and deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples.

At present, China and Pakistan are in close communication on the delivery of relief supplies into the hands of the people in need and post-disaster reconstruction. China will continue to stand firmly with Pakistan and cherish our iron-clad friendship as we address risks and challenges together. We also have full confidence that the Pakistani government and people will prevail over the floods and rebuild their homes soon.

Bloomberg: Two US lawmakers are calling on the State Department to save documents that are linked to what they call the confinement of more than a dozen American diplomats in China during COVID-19. These Republican lawmakers are saying that Chinas confinement of American diplomats could potentially constitute a national security concern. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: I assume what you call confinement is in fact the quarantine measures designed to stave off COVID-19. Let me stress that Chinas COVID containment methods are science-based and effective. They are applied to Chinese and foreign nationals coming to China alike. Our COVID policy is based on openness and transparency. All regular US travelers, US officials paying short-term visits, and personnel of the US embassy and consulates in China have come to China after having learned about and accepted Chinas COVID measures including pre-departure protocols and post-entry medical observation and health monitoring. They experienced no such thing as confinement.

The remarks and narrative of the US lawmakers are simply far-fetched and groundless. They reflect the deeply flawed perception that some US lawmakers have of China and a severe degree of China-phobia.

Reuters: The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on companies it accused of involvement in Irans petrochemical and petroleum trade. This includes companies based in China. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: China has always been firmly opposed to illegal and unjustifiable unilateral sanctions and so-called long-arm jurisdiction by the US. The international community, including China, has conducted normal cooperation with Iran within the framework of international law. This is reasonable and lawful without harm done to any third party, and deserves to be respected and protected. The US side needs to abandon the wrong practice of resorting to sanctions at every turn and do more things that are conducive to negotiations on resuming compliance with the JCPOA.

NHK: Russian President Vladimir Putin will unilaterally announce today the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions into Russia. However, UN Secretary-General Guterres has strongly condemned these unilateral actions. China always says that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, and efforts should be made to uphold the UN-centered international system. How does China see the acts of Russia?

Mao Ning: 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 hope the parties concerned will 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.

Yonhap News Agency: According to reports, the DPRK fired two ballistic missiles off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula on September 29, the third such activity after previous ones on September 25 and 28. Whats Chinas comment?

Mao Ning: We have noted relevant foreign media reports. We have also noted that the US and others have conducted multiple joint military exercises in this region recently. The crux of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula is that the legitimate and reasonable security concerns of the DPRK have not been duly responded to. We hope that all parties concerned on the issue of the Korean Peninsula will keep to the direction of seeking political settlement and address each others concerns in a balanced way through dialogue and consultation.

Nikkei: The provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops between China and the Vatican will expire soon. Will it be extended? Are the two sides in communication over this?

Mao Ning: Since China and the Vatican signed the provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops, the agreement has been successfully implemented thanks to the efforts of both sides. The two sides will continue with the relevant work in accordance with the agreed agenda.

***

In observance of the National Day Holiday, the MFA regular press conference will be adjourned from October 3 (Monday) to October 7 (Friday) and resumed on October 8 (Saturday). During the recess, you can reach the Spokespersons Office by fax, email or WeChat.

Happy National Day Holiday!
Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Announces New Director of IT Operations

Brian Elsmore will be responsible for leading and managing the network administration team at Kampgrounds of America, Inc. in this new director role

September 30, 2022 // Franchising.com // BILLINGS, Mont. - Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) has hired Brian Elsmore to serve as the companys new director of information technology (IT) operations. In his new role, Elsmore will set the vision for the network administration team and the systems that support KOAs corporate operations and properties.

Among his many duties, Elsmore will be responsible for the architecture, design and implementation of KOAs corporate networks and servers. This role also includes security and maintenance, enterprise security and risk management.

Brians work will be critical to KOAs daily operations, said Andy Metroka, chief information officer for Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Hell not only oversee the day-to-day work of our network operations team but will be tasked with championing the networks and systems that enhance mission-critical operations of our business.

Prior to joining KOA, Elsmore most recently held a system engineering role that took him around the world. Across his career, he has amassed experience in most aspects of IT, including hardware, networking, programming and project management. Elsmore has worked in many industries such as software engineering, manufacturing, banking and insurance.

Born in the United Kingdom, Elsmore attended the University of Leeds and has called the United States home for 25 years.

SOURCE Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA)

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North Korea has readied an underground nuclear test tunnel at its Punggye-ri site and a test blast could take place sometime between Oct. 16 and Nov. 7 if the regime decides to go ahead with it, South Korea's spy agency was quoted as saying Wednesday.







The National Intelligence Service (NIS) gave the assessment during a closed-door briefing to lawmakers of the parliamentary intelligence committee, citing a window of time between October's National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and November's U.S. midterm elections, according to briefed lawmakers.







"The NIS has reported that Tunnel No. 3 at Punggye-ri has been completed and the possibility of a nuclear test has risen," Rep. Yoo Sang-beom of the ruling People Power Party told reporters.







Punggye-ri is where the North conducted all six of its nuclear tests to date.







On foreign media reports on the public appearance of a 9-year-old girl assumed to be North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter, the NIS said it is "unlikely" the girl is Kim's daughter Ju-ae, according to Yoo.







Rep. Youn Kun-young of the main opposition Democratic Party also said that the NIS has identified an unidentified woman who has been reported to be closely accompanying the North's leader, as a former drummer at Pyongyang's all-women Moranbong Band, named Hong Yun-mi.







The NIS also reported that Hong appears to be an aide to Hyon Song-wol, a vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, according to Youn.







The NIS also reported that leader Kim exchanged eight personal letters with Chinese President Xi Jinping and it is difficult to believe North Korea's announcement it has completely eradicated the COVID-19 pandemic, referring to the North's recent efforts to vaccinate people across its border region.







Kim appears to be showing no signs of health issues and returned to weighing between 130 and 140 kilograms, lawmakers said, citing the NIS. (Yonhap)






North Korea's KN-23 short-range ballistic missile, similar to the Russian Iskander, is being launched in this photo released by Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency in January 2021. Pyongyang launched ballistic missiles repeatedly this week, two on Wednesday and one on Sunday, in what is seen as a show of force against joint naval drills between South Korea and the United States. Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo



North Korea launched what appear to have been two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, Wednesday, apparently in another show of force against the latest joint military drills between South Korea and the United States.



The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches of two North Korean missiles from the Sunan area of Pyongyang between 6:10 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.



The missiles traveled a distance of 360 kilometers after reaching a maximum altitude of 30 kilometers at a top speed of Mach 6, according to the JCS.



"The military has strengthened monitoring activities and vigilance and is maintaining a full readiness posture in close cooperation with the U.S.," it added.






Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 81F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 73F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Corvallis police are looking for a Ford SUV connected to a Monday, Sept. 26 hit and run that left an Oregon State University student in the hospital.

According to an agency news release, detectives are looking for a light green Ford Expedition with a model year ranging from 1997-2001. The vehicle appears to have a yellow/amber colored light on the roof near the front of the car as well as damage to the passenger-side rear quarter panel, police say.

The vehicle was reportedly involved in a hit-and-run at the intersection of Northwest 26th Street and Harrison Boulevard on Monday.

Aliyah Lopez, 21, suffered extensive injuries from the crash. Medics transported her to the Corvallis Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, where she is receiving treatment for traumatic injuries.

Detectives are seeking more information or video related to the Ford Expedition. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Christy Molina at 541-766-6782 or christy.molina@corvallisoregon.gov.
The file image of North Korea's KN-23 short-range ballistic missile released by Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency in 2021. Yonhap



The United States reaffirmed its "ironclad" commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan on Thursday, hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles in its latest provocation.



North Korea launched what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Thursday (Seoul time).



"We are aware of the two ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with our allies and partners," U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a released statement.



"While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs," it added, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



Thursday's missile launch marked the third of its kind in less than a week.



Pyongyang fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, followed by the launch of an additional two ballistic missiles fired on Wednesday.






TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: ELO; OTCQX: ELRRF; FSE: P2QM) (Eloro, or the Company) is pleased to announce that, by mutual agreement with Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. (Minera Villegas), the title holder of the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department, southern Bolivia (Iska Iska), the payment schedule in connection with the US$10 million payment required for Eloro to earn a 99% interest in Iska Iska has been amended.



Pursuant to the private option agreement to acquire Iska Iska (see Eloros press release dated January 9, 2020), Eloros Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L. (Minera Tupiza) has made advance payments of US$3.4 million to date towards the US$10 million option payment. As per mutual agreement the schedule for the remaining option payments has been amended whereby Eloro, through Minera Tupiza, has agreed to pay Minera Villegas US$1 million on or before October 31, 2022, with the remaining US$5.6 million due on or before July 6, 2024.

Tom Larsen, CEO of Eloro, commented: As a result of our continuing exploration success which has extended the potential high-grade zone at Iska Iska to as much as 2km along strike (see Eloros press release dated September 20, 2022) and the deferral of our inaugural Mineral Resource Estimate to Q1 2023, to allow time for further exploration drilling, both parties felt it prudent to extend the contract date an extra six months. This extension also provides additional time to receive drilling assay results which have been delayed over the past two years due to Covid-related circumstances.

About Iska Iska

Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project is a road accessible, royalty-free property, wholly controlled by the Title Holder, Empresa Minera Villegas S.R.L. and is located 48 km north of Tupiza city, in the Sud Chichas Province of the Department of Potosi in southern Bolivia. Eloro has an option to earn a 99% interest in Iska Iska.

Iska Iska is a major silver-tin polymetallic porphyry-epithermal complex associated with a Miocene possibly collapsed/resurgent caldera, emplaced on Ordovician age rocks with major breccia pipes, dacitic domes and hydrothermal breccias. The caldera is 1.6km by 1.8km in dimension with a vertical extent of at least 1km. Mineralization age is similar to Cerro Rico de Potosi and other major deposits such as San Vicente, Chorolque, Tasna and Tatasi located in the same geological trend.

Eloro began underground diamond drilling from the Huayra Kasa underground workings at Iska Iska on September 13, 2020. On November 18, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of a significant breccia pipe with extensive silver polymetallic mineralization just east of the Huayra Kasa underground workings and a high-grade gold-bismuth zone in the underground workings. On November 24, 2020, Eloro announced the discovery of the SBBP approximately 150m southwest of the Huayra Kasa underground workings.

Subsequently, on January 26, 2021, Eloro announced significant results from the first drilling at the SBBP including the discovery hole DHK-15 which returned 129.60 g Ag eq/t over 257.5m (29.53g Ag/t, 0.078g Au/t, 1.45%Zn, 0.59%Pb, 0.080%Cu, 0.056%Sn, 0.0022%In and 0.0064% Bi from 0.0m to 257.5m. Subsequent drilling has confirmed significant values of Ag-Sn polymetallic mineralization in the SBBP and the adjacent CBP. A substantive mineralized envelope which is open along strike and down-dip extends around both major breccia pipes. Continuous channel sampling of the Santa Barbara Adit located to the east of SBBP returned 442 g Ag eq/t (164.96 g Ag/t, 0.46%Sn, 3.46% Pb and 0.14% Cu) over 166m including 1,092 g Ag eq/t (446 g Ag/t, 9.03% Pb and 1.16% Sn) over 56.19m. The west end of the adit intersects the end of the SBBP.

Since the initial discovery hole, Eloro has released a number of significant drill results in the SBBP and the surrounding mineralized envelope which along with geophysical data has defined a target zone 1400m along strike, 500m wide and that extends to a depth of 600m. This zone is open along strike to the northwest and southeast as well as to the southwest. The Companys nearer term objective is to outline a maiden NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource within this large target area. As outlined in this press release as a result of continuing discoveries from recent drilling that have substantially extended the high-grade feeder zone at Santa Barbara, the Company has pushed back the inaugural mineral resource to the end of Q1 2023.

Qualified Person

Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P. Geo., General Manager of Eloros Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L., and a Qualified Person in the context of NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Dr. Bill Pearson, P.Geo., Executive Vice President Exploration Eloro, and who has more than 45 years of worldwide mining exploration experience, including extensive work in South America, manages the overall technical program, working closely with Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo. Dr. Quinton Hennigh, P.Geo., Senior Technical Advisor to Eloro and Independent Technical Advisor, Mr. Charley Murahwi P. Geo., FAusIMM of Micon are regularly consulted on technical aspects of the project.

Eloro is utilizing both ALS and AHK for drill core analysis, both of whom are major international accredited laboratories. Drill samples sent to ALS are prepared in both ALS Bolivia Ltdas preparation facility in Oruro, Bolivia and the preparation facility operated by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the main ALS Global laboratory in Lima for analysis. More recently Eloro has had ALS send pulps to their laboratory at Galway in Ireland. Eloro employs an industry standard QA/QC program with standards, blanks and duplicates inserted into each batch of samples analyzed with selected check samples sent to a separate accredited laboratory.

Drill core samples sent to AHK Laboratories are prepared in a preparation facility installed and managed by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the AHK laboratory in Lima, Peru. Au and Sn analysis on these samples is done by ALS Bolivia Ltda in Lima. Check samples between ALS and AHK are regularly done as a QA/QC check. AHK is following the same analytical protocols used as with ALS and with the same QA/QC protocols. Turnaround time continues to improve, as laboratories return to more normal staffing levels.

About Eloro Resources Ltd.

Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of gold and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro has an option to acquire a 99% interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. A recent NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on Eloros website and under its filings on SEDAR. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of Barricks Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and Pan American Silvers La Arena Gold Mine. La Victoria consists of eight mining concessions and eight mining claims encompassing approximately 89 square kilometres. La Victoria has good infrastructure with access to road, water and electricity and is located at an altitude that ranges from 3,150 m to 4,400 m above sea level.

For further information please contact either Thomas G. Larsen, Chairman and CEO or Jorge Estepa, Vice-President at (416) 868-9168.

Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Companys plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SYDNEY, Sept. 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Australia's Largest Men's Lifestyle publication Man of Many  https://manofmany.com  has become the first dedicated digital publisher in the country to achieve a 100% carbon neutral certification under the Federal Government's Climate Active standard.

Man of Many achieved the certification by establishing a carbon offsetting strategy while further cementing its commitment to reduce emissions in future years with the support of independent consultants Pangolin Associates.

The Climate Active certification is a partnership between the Australian Federal Government and Australian businesses that supports voluntary climate action. According to Climate Active, certification is awarded to businesses that "have credibly reached net zero emissions" by independently calculating their greenhouse gas emissions, reduced these emissions "as much as possible" and have "offset any remaining emissions by purchasing carbon offset units."

Commenting on the announcement, Man of Many's co-founder Scott Purcell said, "As we regularly feature and promote sustainable practices, conscious consumption and ethical businesses as part of our news coverage, we felt it was important for Man of Many to stand by these values ourselves and 'walk the talk.' We're extremely proud to be the first digital publisher in the country to be 100% carbon neutral in contributing to a more sustainable future.

"We also felt it was important that we chose a local carbon project that aligns with our values and supports environmental, economic, cultural and social benefits here in Australia."

As part of the strategy, Man of Many selected a local indigenous carbon project to offset its emissions. The Merepah Fire Project is run through the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation which catalyses life-changing, community prosperity, through carbon farming. The Merepah Fire Project involves strategic fire management, including aerial and ground burning as well as fire suppression to reduce late dry-season wildfires, in turn decreasing carbon emissions. Through the project, Traditional Owners have established sound management and governance and have improved job prospects with career pathways, whether as workers in the cattle industry, as rangers protecting cultural or natural assets, or as fire management operators.

In early 2022, Man of Many conducted a brand rediscovery project to reaffirm its purpose statement, vision, and values. An outcome of this exercise was a renewed emphasis on making positive investments in the community. As a result, Man of Many has made a commitment to significantly raise its environmental, social, and governance standards through active involvement in initiatives that affect real change.

The carbon neutral certification follows the announcement of Man of Many's partnership with Australian mental health surf therapy charity Waves of Wellness Foundation and an impressive period for the media company, which received Highly Commended recognition in the Media Brand of the Year category at the 2022 Mumbrella Awards, alongside receiving eight nominations for the Mumbrella Publish Awards in 2022.

Purcell commented, "By being part of the collective solution to climate change, which is an important issue for our readers, we are staying true to our values  backing up everything we do with substance and consideration."

Contact Information:

Scott Purcell

Co-Founder

scott@manofmany.com

+61403496680



Related Files

PRESS RELEASE - Man of Many the First Australian Publisher to Become 100% Carbon Neutral (3).pdf

Related Images











Image 1: Man of Many  Climate Active Certified





Man of Many  Climate Active Certified and Carbon Neutral Organisation









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
HONOLULU, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomaikai Partners Laukihaa Farms and the nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) today announced a partnership to create the Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Haleiwa on Oahus North Shore.



The initial project will span approximately 400 acres of land and will be home to up to 150,000 newly planted native and endemic Legacy Trees, making it the largest managed endemic Hawaiian forest on Oahu. These trees will be part of a permanently managed native ecosystem that will never be clearcut. This forest will enhance our watershed, prevent runoff that damages our reefs, provide native habitat for some of Hawaiis rarest birds, and become a living resource for the Hawaiian culture and Haleiwa community, said Francis Wong, Board Chair, HLRI.

The Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Haleiwa is an integral component of an agricultural, ecological and cultural collaboration by Laukihaa Farms that will not only restore the land but serve as a world class example of how agroforestry can sustain both the community and the environment, said Denise Albano, Project Director.

HLRI is dedicating a team of trained foresters to clear the land of invasive plant species such as strawberry guava, ginger, and other major ecological threats to Hawaiis native forests. Replanting will include endemic koa, kou, milo, ohia, naio, and iliahi trees, as well as endemic understory species planted over a contiguous mix of forest, streambeds, and cliffsides. Trees will be planted with the help of community volunteers, ecotourism, and Legacy Tree Partners. In partnership with Legacy Carbon LLC, the Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Haleiwa will also hold the distinction of being part of the only certified carbon offset program anywhere in Hawaii, and the first international Gold Standard certified forest carbon project in North America.

Originally royal crown lands owned by Princess Victoria Kamamalu, heir to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom, this reforestation effort underscores our commitment to responsible operations that honor the historical, cultural, and environmental importance of these lands. It is so fitting to honor her legacy by returning this historic area to permanent endemic Hawaiian forest, said Justin Alexander, partner, Pomaikai Partners.

HLRI uses state-of-the-art RFID technology to record each trees growth, health, location and provides drone video imagery which allows tree sponsors to track their tree online throughout the lifetime of the tree. To date, HLRI and sustainable forestry company HLH, LLC have planted more than 590,000 native and endemic Hawaiian trees across the state.

The inaugural planting will be announced soon and the community is invited. Follow LegacyForest.org/Haleiwa for details.

About HLRI: Through state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, the nonprofit organization HLRI works with landowners to establish and preserve economically viable and sustainable endemic Hawaiian forests, protect endangered species, sequester carbon and recharge watersheds. HLRIs Legacy Trees are planted for permanent reforestation and are sponsored by businesses and individuals, with a portion of proceeds donated to charities worldwide. For more, visit LegacyTrees.org . Learn more about Legacy Carbon at LegacyCarbon.com .

MEDIA CONTACT

Teddi Anderson

President, TLC PR

(808) 535-9099

teddi@tlcpr.com




RADNOR, Pa., Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP (www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against MINISO Group Holding Limited (MINISO) (NYSE: MNSO). The action charges MINISO with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the companys business, operations, and prospects. As a result of MINISOs materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, MINISO investors have suffered significant losses.



CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR MINISO LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://ktmc.com/new-cases/miniso-group-holding-limited?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=miniso&mktm=r

CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERE

LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: OCTOBER 17, 2022

CLASS PERIOD: OCTOBER 15, 2020 THROUGH AUGUST 17, 2022

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:

Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ktmc.com

Kessler Topaz is one of the worlds foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.

MINISOS ALLEGED MISCONDUCT

Headquartered in the People's Republic of China, MINISO purports to be a fast-growing global value retailer which serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores. On October 15, 2020, MINISO conducted its IPO, issuing approximately 30.4 million American Depositary Shares (ADSs) to the investing public at $20.00 per ADS.

On July 26, 2022, market researcher Blue Orca Capital published a report on MINISO which alleged several alarming issues with MINISO, including that: 1) many MINISO stores are secretly owned by MINISO executives or insiders closely connected to the chairman; 2) MINISO misleads the market about its core business; and 3) based on Blue Orcas analysis, MINISOs Chinese corporate filings indicate that the chairman siphoned hundreds of millions from the public company through opaque Caribbean jurisdictions as the middleman in a crooked headquarters deal.

As of July 27, 2022, MINISO ADSs closed at $5.66 per ADS, representing more than a 70% decline from the $20.00 IPO price.

WHAT CAN I DO?

MINISO investors may, no later than October 17, 2022, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages MINISO investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASE

WHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?

A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLP

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Jonathan Naji, Esq.

(484) 270-1453

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

info@ktmc.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/139b39f1-5d66-49db-8f08-dfbf56836b59
Opposition hit for seeking motion as political maneuvering



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) railroaded a motion for the dismissal of Foreign Minister Park Jin through the National Assembly, Thursday. The DPK earlier tabled the motion requesting President Yoon Suk-yeol sack Park by holding him responsible for the alleged diplomatic gaffes during Yoon's recent overseas trips.



The motion passed in a vote at an Assembly plenary session with support from 168 DPK lawmakers. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) members boycotted it along with the progressive Justice Party, which alleged the DPK was "exploiting the motion for political purposes." This marked the seventh time that a motion aimed at discharging cabinet members passed the Assembly and the first such in the Yoon administration. Given this, the political conflict between the rival parties will likely escalate. The DPK is poised to continue pressuring Yoon to make an apology and dismiss Park.



Yet the PPP is fiercely refuting the DPK's move, describing it as "anti-state and self-destructive." It submitted another motion asking House Speaker Kim Jin-pyo to step down for approving a change in the plenary session schedule, which enabled the DPK to approve the motion. The PPP earlier filed a legal suit against broadcaster MBC for "misreporting" on the foul language Yoon allegedly used at a fundraiser with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly last week.



Despite the opposition offensive, Yoon indicated he would retain Park. In a brief press meet on Thursday morning, Yoon highly praised Park, dubbing him "an excellent capable man," adding, "The people may know well which is right and which is wrong." Park also said he would do what he can to carry out his responsibilities as foreign minister.



Park met with visiting U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris Thursday despite the Assembly's move to impeach him the same day. PPP floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young criticized the DPK for having "stabbed Park in the back" while he was performing his duty for the sake of the national interest. The PPP also lambasted the DPK for intensifying the controversy at the cost of the alliance between Korea and the United States. The party has been taking flak for pushing with the motion, apparently in a move to protect DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung from growing legal risks.



Currently, the nation is facing multiple challenges arising from the plunging Korean won against the U.S. dollar, soaring consumer prices, escalating rivalry between the U.S. and China, rapid realignment of global supply chains, Russia's prolonging war in Ukraine and North Korea's possible seventh nuclear weapons test. All these challenges require proper reactions based on high degree of domestic caliber on the back of solid cooperation from both ruling and opposition parties.



With regard to the foul language case, Harris said the U.S. "does not care at all about the dispute." She also quoted Biden as having said that he had "deep trust" in Yoon and was satisfied with his meetings with Yoon in London and New York last week, according to presidential deputy spokesman Lee Jae-myoung in a press briefing later Thursday. Now is the time for the ruling and opposition parties to stop their political wrangling and pay more heed to the looming challenges at home and abroad.




Vancouver, B.C., Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tonight at an awards ceremony in Vancouver, Innovate BC awarded $2,325,000 to eight B.C. research and development projects that are creating game-changing innovations that are improving lives for British Columbians. Specifically, this years funding, through Innovate BCs Ignite program, is accelerating the commercialization of biotech, cleantech, mining, agriculture, and forestry projects.

Innovation in is at the core of our StrongerBC Economic Plan as we explore new ways to tackle the challenges of today and plan for the future, said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. The commercialization of these projects through Innovate BCs Ignite program will create jobs and lead to new investment opportunities for British Columbian companies. I want to congratulate todays winners and look forward to seeing their initiatives help make B.C. a more sustainable province.

The successful projects noted below were selected based on their promising commercial and technical viability as well as their ability to be market ready within three years. To be considered, projects must also address an industry problem with the potential for significant benefit to British Columbia and be realized by a group of academic and industry members.

Cleantech /ICT/Wireless/Solar : Daanaa Resolution Inc. and Dr. Shahriar Mirabbasi of the University of British Columbia are collaborating on a project to advance Daanaas chip-based wireless power transfer technology in solar panels. These panels will have increased output power, data monitoring, and decreased cost and complexity. Awarded: $300,000





: Daanaa Resolution Inc. and Dr. Shahriar Mirabbasi of the University of British Columbia are collaborating on a project to advance Daanaas chip-based wireless power transfer technology in solar panels. These panels will have increased output power, data monitoring, and decreased cost and complexity. Fuel/Transportation/Cleantech : Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC) is working with Dr. Gordon McTaggart-Cowan of Simon Fraser University to support hydrogen in becoming a core element of the transportation industry. This project will increase the storage pressure of hydrogen and provide cost savings to further solidify hydrogen as the fuel of the future. Awarded: $300,000





: Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation (HTEC) is working with Dr. Gordon McTaggart-Cowan of Simon Fraser University to support hydrogen in becoming a core element of the transportation industry. This project will increase the storage pressure of hydrogen and provide cost savings to further solidify hydrogen as the fuel of the future. Mining/Civil Engineering/Construction : Minpraxis Solutions Ltd. and Dr. Bern Klein of the University of British Columbia are developing a rock compression tester that can drastically improve the quality and quantity of rock strength data that are generated for mine design, advanced exploration, production planning, and operational control. Awarded: $300,000





: Minpraxis Solutions Ltd. and Dr. Bern Klein of the University of British Columbia are developing a rock compression tester that can drastically improve the quality and quantity of rock strength data that are generated for mine design, advanced exploration, production planning, and operational control. Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals/Medical Products : Nanovation Therapeutics and Dr. Eric Jan of the University of British Columbia are working on a project to further RNA vaccines. This project is enabling development of novel intellectual property related to mRNA stability and production with the goal of bridging the gap between drug and delivery system. Awarded: $300,000





: Nanovation Therapeutics and Dr. Eric Jan of the University of British Columbia are working on a project to further RNA vaccines. This project is enabling development of novel intellectual property related to mRNA stability and production with the goal of bridging the gap between drug and delivery system. Agriculture/Soil Conservation : Terramera Inc. and Dr. Sean Smukler of the University of British Columbia are developing new approaches to measuring soil carbon across agricultural landscapes. Awarded: $300,000





: Terramera Inc. and Dr. Sean Smukler of the University of British Columbia are developing new approaches to measuring soil carbon across agricultural landscapes. Mining/Natural Resources/Road Design : Softree Technical Systems Inc. and Dr. Yves Lucet from the University of British Columbia Okanagan are working on a project to advance Softrees vertical alignment optimization technology. The software will optimize initial construction costs and lifetime vehicle operating costs, as well as enable more efficient use of materials and construction efforts. Awarded: $225,000





: Softree Technical Systems Inc. and Dr. Yves Lucet from the University of British Columbia Okanagan are working on a project to advance Softrees vertical alignment optimization technology. The software will optimize initial construction costs and lifetime vehicle operating costs, as well as enable more efficient use of materials and construction efforts. Forestry/Drone Technology : Flash Forest Inc. and Dr. John Innes of the University of British Columbia are improving reforestation. This project will advance the systems and methods for pod propagation, composition, and methodology for germination amongst pod types, optimum flight path, remote plant seedling detection, and health monitoring using machine learning and artificial intelligence. Awarded: $300,000





: Flash Forest Inc. and Dr. John Innes of the University of British Columbia are improving reforestation. This project will advance the systems and methods for pod propagation, composition, and methodology for germination amongst pod types, optimum flight path, remote plant seedling detection, and health monitoring using machine learning and artificial intelligence. Cleantech/Aquaculture/Advanced Materials: Browns Bay Packing Company Ltd. and Dr. Hossein Kazemian of the University of Northern British Columbia are formulating a renewable and fully biodegradable hybrid packaging solution. This project is one of the most promising candidates for an alternative material to replace traditional plastics. Awarded: $300,000



Its so thrilling to see these incredible innovations in natural resources and applied sciences being developed right here in British Columbia, says Raghwa Gopal, President + CEO of Innovate BC. In the past 8 years Innovate BC has invested over $10M in market driven research that is creating jobs, transforming industries, and pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Each year Innovate BCs Ignite program selects research projects in the natural resources and applied sciences, awarding up to $300,000 per project. To date it has funded 41 projects for a total value of $10.7M.

The Ignite Program is funded by the Natural Resources and Applied Sciences (NRAS) Endowment Fund, which was established by the Province of British Columbia to enhance the quality of life for British Columbians by building strong environments in research and development, advanced training, technology transfer, and commercialization.

To learn more about Ignite, visit Innovate BCs website: www.innovatebc.ca/ignite.

About Innovate BC

Innovate BC helps foster innovation in B.C. so that British Columbians in all regions of the province can benefit from a thriving, sustainable, and inclusive innovation economy. A Crown Agency of British Columbia, Innovate BC funds and delivers programs that support the growth of the B.C. economy by helping companies start and scale, train talent that meets labour market needs, and encourage technology development, commercialization, and adoption.

Attachment
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cross Medical Group is excited to announce the arrival of the newest addition to the team: plastic surgeon Dr. Jacqueline Lyons. Founder Dr. Kevin Cross has been solely providing plastic surgery at the Philadelphia-area practice and is now excited to join forces with Bryn Mawr native Dr. Jackie Lyons and combine their expertise as they work closely together to provide excellent care and results for patients.



Dr. Cross believes Dr. Lyons aesthetic eye, focus, integrity, and passion make her the perfect fit for the role. He has said that the two surgeons share the same approach to aesthetics, and their surgical techniques and understanding of the female body shape complement each other perfectly.

Dr. Lyons attained her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated magna cum laude, then attended medical school at Temple University and completed her residency at University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. Dr. Lyons is knowledgeable in the latest, most advanced trends and techniques in plastic surgery.

Understanding that each patients individual experience with cosmetic surgery will be unique, Dr. Lyons goal is to provide the most attentive, empathetic, and personalized support she can. She seeks to communicate and engage openly with patients throughout each stage of their procedure, working with her surgical team to explore the patients goals and expectations, develop a plan, and help the patient with each aspect of achieving their goals.

As one of the few female plastic surgeons in a field that is still mostly male-dominated, Dr. Lyons not only helps address changes that are linked to intrinsic aging, butas a motheralso provides an empathetic, female perspective on the physical changes that may occur due to pregnancy. She is proud to be an active member of the Women in Plastic Surgery Forum.

Dr. Lyons specializes in body contouring, breast augmentation, breast reduction, liposuction, tummy tucks, mommy makeovers, facelifts, eyelid rejuvenation, brow and forehead aesthetic surgery, and rhinoplasty. Additionally, she is highly knowledgeable in various techniques for BOTOX and dermal fillers. Her research interest is in tissue healing and promoting better healing for patients.

For more information, contact Cross Medical Group. Call (215) 561-9100 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.
Ignitis Group through its subsidiary Ignitis Renewables signed an agreement to acquire 100% of shares of the company developing an onshore wind farm in Poland. The total capacity of the wind farm (Silesia 2) is up to 137 MW. The project is currently at an advanced stage of development with an estimated COD in H2 2024.

The turbines at the new wind farm will be provided by a long-term partner of Ignitis Renewables, an international wind farm manufacturer Nordex. Total preliminary investments, including the acquisition price and the construction cost, amount to around EUR 240 million. The completed wind farm will operate under market conditions.

The closing of the transaction is expected to take place over the next several days, no separate announcement will be made. The acquisition is a significant step forward towards the Ignitis Groups objective to reach 4 GW of installed Green Generation capacity by 2030 as set out in the strategy ( link ).

For additional information, please contact:

Communications

Arturas Ketlerius

+370 620 76076

arturas.ketlerius@ignitis.lt

Investor Relations

Aine Riffel-Grinkeviciene

+370 643 14925

aine.riffel@ignitis.lt
LAS VEGAS and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAAT GLOBAL ALTERNATIVES INC. (CSE: TAAT) (OTCQX: TOBAF) (FRANKFURT: 2TP) (the Company or TAAT) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting an exhibitor booth at the 2022 trade show held by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS, event known as the NACS Show), during which time TAAT will also be holding two private events for top-to-top meetings with executives from the convenience store industry who are attending the NACS Show. The NACS Show 2022 is being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Saturday, October 1 through Tuesday, October 4, 2022, featuring approximately 1,200 exhibitors. Historically, the NACS Show has had attendance of over 23,000 people from over 70 countries at each event. The NACS Show has ensured there is an outdoor smoking area at the Las Vegas Convention Center to allow adult smokers to sample combustible products such as TAAT at the show.



An overview of the Companys presence at the NACS Show 2022 is provided below:

TAAT Exhibitor Booth: North Hall Level 1, booth #1171

Sunday, October 2, 2022: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm (Pacific)

Monday, October 3, 2022: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm (Pacific)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022: 9:00 am to 1:30 pm (Pacific)



October 2 Afterparty: Cocktails and hors doeuvres at Skyfall Lounge (Delano Las Vegas, attached to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino)

Sunday, October 2, 2022: 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm (Pacific)



October 3 Afterparty: Cocktails and cigars at Eight Cigar Lounge (Resorts World Las Vegas)

Monday, October 3, 2022: Starting at 9:00 pm (Pacific)







At the NACS Show 2022, the TAAT booth is located in the North Hall near the booths of well-known global brands in the convenience category to include JUUL Labs and Red Bull North America. In addition to this presence at the NACS Show, TAAT will be hosting two private events in resorts on the Las Vegas Strip for executives from the convenience industry.

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR or the Investor Relations section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

TAAT Chief Executive Officer Michael Saxon commented, I anticipate the value proposition of TAAT will stand out at the NACS Show 2022, as a no-nicotine and no-tobacco alternative to cigarettes at a lower price point that is already winning over adult smokers in our focus markets across the United States. This year we are emphasizing how retailers can enjoy considerably better profit margins from selling TAAT compared to tobacco products. I am particularly excited about this event because we have Brent Taylor and Brad Call from B&B Beyond (announced in our September 13, 2022 press release) working with us at the show, and I believe we can benefit considerably from Brads experience as the former Chairman of the NACS organization. We look forward to kicking off the show this weekend and interfacing with top convenience management executives from the U.S. and worldwide.

More information about the NACS Show can be found on the events website at the following link: https://www.nacsshow.com/

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

TAAT GLOBAL ALTERNATIVES INC.

Michael Saxon

Michael Saxon, CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

TAAT Investor Relations

1-833-TAAT-USA (1-833-822-8872)

investor@taatglobal.com

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSES REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER.

About TAAT Global Alternatives Inc.

TAAT develops, manufactures, and distributes alternative products in categories such as tobacco, hemp, kratom, and other emerging CPG segments. Its flagship product is a nicotine-free/tobacco-free combustible with a patent-pending base material formulation, sold in several thousand U.S. stores. With over CAD $80 million in overall gross revenue annually, TAATs facilities include an operations centre in Nevada, as well as a distribution centre and multiple convenience stores in Ohio.

For more information, please visit http://taatglobal.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, 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 information in this news release includes statements regarding the anticipated performance of TAAT in the tobacco industry, in addition to the following: Potential outcomes from the Companys presence at the NACS Show 2022 in addition to the two events it will be hosting as detailed in the press release. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) changes to the growth and size of the tobacco markets; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape applicable to the Company's business; and (iv) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The statements in this news release have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As each individual is different, the benefits, if any, of taking the Companys products will vary from person to person. No claims or guarantees can be made as to the effects of the Companys products on an individuals health and well-being. The Companys products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This news release may contain trademarked names of third-party entities (or their respective offerings with trademarked names) typically in reference to (i) relationships had by the Company with such third-party entities as referred to in this release and/or (ii) client/vendor/service provider parties whose relationship with the Company is/are referred to in this release. All rights to such trademarks are reserved by their respective owners or licensees.

Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms

Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by TAAT Global Alternatives Inc. can be found under the Company's profile on http://sedar.com .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/435f9827-5664-4af4-a0ee-dd7d1bc88496
Pune, India, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Residential Outdoor Heating Market size was valued at USD 411.1 million in 2021. The market is projected to grow from USD 431.5 million in 2022 to USD 667.1 million by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period.

Fortune Business Insights, provide this information in its report titled, United States Residential Outdoor Heating Market, 2022-2029.

COVID-19 Impacts:

Substantial Rise in Time Utilized Indoor had Affirmative Effect on the Market

The COVID-19 outbreak had a remarkable influence on the economic happenings of the U.S. market. The market even recorded a deteriorated growth in its GDP, dropping nearly by 3.5% during 2020. The U.S. market recorded an inferior performance in the past 74 years; hence, obstructing market growth. Considerable decreases in consumer expenditure and drops in capitalizations made across various businesses due to the adverse revenue crunch have been the story for the preliminary stage of the pandemic.

Get a Sample Copy of the Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/u-s-residential-outdoor-heating-market-106836

U.S. Residential Outdoor Heating Market Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2029 Forecast CAGR 6.4% 2029 Value Projection USD 667.1 million Base Year 2021 U.S. Residential Outdoor Heating Market Size in 2021 USD 411.1 million Historical Data 2018-2020 No. of Pages 120 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Fuel Type U.S. Residential Outdoor Heating Market Growth Drivers Increasing Demand for Electric Outdoor Heaters to Substantiate Development Prospects

Fortune Business Insights lists out all the United States Residential Outdoor Heating Market companies that are presently striving to reduce the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the market:

 Infratech (U.S.)

 Lava Heat Italia (U.S.)

 Bromic (Texas, U.S.)

 AEI Corporation (U.S.)

 Twin Eagles, Inc. (U.S.)

 Fire Sense (U.S.)

 Space-Ray (U.S.)

 SUNHEAT International (U.S.)

 Dayva International Inc. (U.S.)

 Lynx Grills (U.S.)

Report Coverage:

The report presents a systematic study of the segments and thorough analysis of the market overview. A thoughtful evaluation of the current market trends as well as the future opportunities is offered in the report. Moreover, it presents an exhaustive analysis of the regional insights and how they help with the U.S. residential outdoor heating market growth. The COVID-19 impacts have been discussed in the report to assist investors and business owners with a better understanding of the possible threats present in the market. The report further discusses the key players and their prominent strategies to stay in the dominating position.

Drivers and Restraints:

Growing Demand for Electric Outdoor Heaters to Multiply Advancement Opportunities

Implementation of electric outdoor heaters has appeared as a more proficient way to warming up a space in the winter, and has also proven to be secure for the environment, owing to the eradication of toxic releases. According to the study implied by the Department of Energy (DOE), usage of electricity by the consumers in the U.S. crossed over USD 1 million every minute and to have a deduction in electricity utilization, consumers inclined toward greatly proficient electric models, substituting the presently popular traditional products.

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/u-s-residential-outdoor-heating-market-106836

Segments:

Portability Benefit Offered by Freestanding Segment to Offer Increasing Demand for the Product

By product type, the market is classified into freestanding, tabletop, and wall mounted and hanging.

The freestanding segment dominated the with the prime U.S. residential outdoor heating market share in 2021 and is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 7.0% in the forecast period.

Usage of Latest Machinery to Display Higher CAGR for Land Development Segment

By fuel type, the market is categorized into electric, gas/propane, and others (wood).

The electric segment is set to outrun its competitors over a period of time. Rising deployment of eco-friendly electric powered products is stated as a vital aspect that is augmenting the share of this segment.

Country Insights:

U.S. Dominated Backed by Increasing Construction Activities

The North America residential outdoor heating market is dominated by the U.S. As construction activities surge across the U.S. and Canada, the U.S. residential outdoor heating market is predicted to develop. Commercial and residential structures utilize outdoor heaters on a broader scale.

There is a value-grab prospect for U.S. producers of residential outdoor heater owing to the housing sector. Backyards and patios are spaces that are part of the family circle in North America.

Competitive Landscape:

Important Business-related Announcements by Key Players to Influence Market Dynamics

Fundamental companies in the market often make crucial announcements regarding some business moves, which, in turn, affect the market either positively or negatively. Players acquire companies, launch new products, engage in partnership deals, sign contracts with government organizations, and so on.

Table of Content

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 Short-term Impact Long-term Impact

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players United States Residential Outdoor Heating Key Players Market Share Insights and Analysis, 2021

United States Residential Outdoor Heating Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2018-2029 Key Findings By Product Type (USD Mn) Freestanding Tabletop Wall mounted and hanging By Fuel Type (USD Mn) Electric Gas / Propane Others (Wood, etc.)

Company Profiles for Top 10 Players (Based on data availability in public domain and/or on paid databases)

Toc Continued

Key Industry Development:

August 2021  BBQGuys declared the inclusion of Twin Eagles and Delta Heat grills and additional outdoor kitchen equipment in its product portfolio. A few of the products that are involved in the product inventory are pellet grills, gas grills, outdoor kitchen cabinets/storages, charcoal grills, side burners, as well as other accessories and refrigeration.

Ask for Customization:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/u-s-residential-outdoor-heating-market-106836

Read Related Research Insights:

Digital Textile Printing Market to Reach USD 311.7 Million by 2028

Bearings Market to Hit $52.44 Billion by 2026

Air Compressor Market to Reach USD 22.27 Billion by 2028

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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.

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Pune, India, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global precast concrete market size is expected to showcase significant growth by reaching USD 159.85 Billion by 2028. Fortune Business Insights, in its report titled Precast Concrete Market, 2021-2028., mentions that the market stood at USD 114.78 Billion in 2020 and is likely to exhibit a CAGR of 4.4% between 2021 and 2028. The rapid-paced urbanization, coupled with the rising population rate, is anticipated to favor the adoption of the product globally. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), around 901.99 million people reside in mainland areas in China, which accounts for over 63.89% of the total population in the country.

The widespread effect of the global pandemic, COVID-19, has been felt across several economies that are facing unprecedented loss. Owing to the lockdown announced by government agencies, several industries have been on a standstill with limited operational activities. However, a collective effort from the government as well as the industries is likely to bring the economy back on track and aid in the resumption of industrial activities.





Get a Sample Copy of the Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/precast-concrete-market-103301





List of the Companies Operating in the Market:

Boral (Australia)

LafargeHolcim (Switzerland)

Gulf Precast (UAE)

Olson Precast Company (U.S.)

Larsen & Toubro Limited (India)

CEMEX (Mexico)

Forterra (U.S.)

Tindall Corporation (U.S.)

Spancrete (U.S.)

Elementbau Osthessen GmbH & Co., ELO KG (Germany)

Bouygues Construction(France)

Balfour Beatty(U.K.)

Oldcastle Precast (U.S.)

Other Key Players

Market Segmentation

Based on the product type, the precast concrete market is divided into building components, transportation, water & waste handling, and others. On the basis of end-use, the market is bifurcated into residential and non-residential.

Based on end-use, the residential segment held a global precast concrete market share of about 37.7% in 2020. The segment is expected to experience exponential growth backed by the increasing investment in the development of real estate that is likely to propel the demand for the product worldwide.

Finally, on the basis of region, the market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

What does the Report Include?

The precast concrete market report includes qualitative and quantitative 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, which are contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies by them to announce partnerships, introduce new products, and collaboration that will further contribute to the growth of the precast concrete market Statistics between 2021 and 2028. Moreover, the research analyst has adopted several research methodologies such as SWOT and PESTEL analysis to extract information about the current trends and industry developments that will drive the market growth during the forecast period.





Inquire Before Buying This Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/precast-concrete-market-103301





Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2020 USD 114.78 billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 159.85 billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 4.4% 2021-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2017 - 2019 Forecast Years 2021- 2028 Segments Covered By End-Use, By Application Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2021 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered Unites States, Canada, Mexico, Unites Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Number of Companies Covered Boral (Australia) LafargeHolcim (Switzerland) Gulf Precast (UAE) Olson Precast Company (U.S.) Larsen & Toubro Limited (India) CEMEX (Mexico) Forterra (U.S.) Tindall Corporation (U.S.) Spancrete (U.S.) Elementbau Osthessen GmbH & Co., ELO KG (Germany) Bouygues Construction (France) Balfour Beatty (U.K.) Oldcastle Precast (U.S.) Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rapid-Paced Urbanization to Aid Growth

The evolving standard of living globally has led to the growing demand for quality-oriented and people-centered facilities. The rapid-paced urbanization has led to significant development of both residential and non-residential establishments. Besides, a large number of masses are migrating from rural areas to urban places for better job opportunities. The fast-paced growth of smart cities equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructures such as airports, malls, sports complexes, and commercial spaces is anticipated to boost the demand for the product. Besides, the rising population rate across the globe is expected to contribute to the global precast concrete market growth during the forecast period.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia-Pacific  The region stood at USD 46.43 billion in 2020. The precast concrete market forecast is anticipated to experience profound growth due to a large population in countries such as India and China. This is further leading to the massive development of residential sectors that is propelling the adoption of advanced precast concrete products in the region.

Europe  The market in the region is anticipated to showcase considerable growth during the foreseeable future. This is ascribable to factors such as the high demand for innovative precast concrete products for infrastructural and non-residential sector development activities between 2021 and 2028.





Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/precast-concrete-market-103301





COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Partnerships between Key Players to Intensify Industry Competition

The global precast concrete market challenges is consolidated by the presence of major companies that are striving to maintain their position and gain a competitive edge over their rivals. They are doing so by focusing on partnering with other companies to expand their product portfolio. Additionally, other key players are adopting organic and inorganic strategies to intensify market competition and maintain strongholds during the forecast period.

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 Precast Concrete Market Supply Chain Analysis & Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Global Precast Concrete Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Product Type Building Components Transportation Water & Waste Handling Others By End-Use Residential Non-Residential By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa



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Comprehensive analysis of the market growth drivers, obstacles, opportunities, and other related challenges. Tracks the developments, such as new product launches, agreements, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansions, and joint ventures.





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Paints and Coatings Market to Reach USD 235.06 Billion by 2029 | Paints and Coatings Industry CAGR of 5%

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Dublin, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Automotive Coatings: Technologies and Global Markets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



This report provides an updated review of the automotive coatings market, focusing on its types, technologies, layers and regional demand.

The report provides detailed analyses of key trends and opportunities impacting the market's growth. It also analyzes the challenges faced by automotive coating companies and producers of passenger and commercial vehicles.

The report has a separate section highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on the automotive coatings market at the global level.

The market sizes and estimations are provided in terms of volume (million liters) and value ($ millions), considering 2021 as base year, with a market forecast for the period from 2022 to 2027. Regional market sizes, with respect to OEM and refinish types by technology and by layer, are also provided. The impact of COVID-19 was considered while estimating market sizes.

A coating is a layer on a substrate that protects the substrate from the external environment and gives color and glossiness to the substrate. In addition, the coating provides safety from corrosion, ultraviolet (UV) light and temperature fluctuations. Automotive coating features such as scratch resistance, compatibility with any substrate and environmental friendliness fuel demand for automotive coatings.



Automotive OEM coatings are used by automotive manufacturers on new passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles. Automotive refinish coatings are used only for aftermarket purposes, where coating is applied to vehicles after the initial manufacturing process. The demand for refinish coating may rise due to increasing rate of accidents or aging vehicles.

Report Includes

75 data tables and 31 additional tables

An overview of the global market for automotive coatings

Estimation of the market size and analyses of global market trends, both in terms of value and volume, with data from 2021, estimates for 2022, with projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2027

Details on the technical and commercial aspects of various layers of automotive coating, and advantages of automotive coating technologies

Information on the technological innovation, the environmental concerns and the regulatory pressures that are currently faced by coating suppliers

Identification of market drivers, restraints and other forces impacting the global market and evaluation of current market trends, market size, and forecast

Market share analysis of the key companies of the industry and coverage of their proprietary technologies, strategic alliances, and other key market strategies

Comprehensive company profiles of the leading players, including AkzoNobel N.V., BASF SE, PPG Industries Inc., RPM International and The Sherwin-Williams Co.

Reasons for Doing This Study:

The automotive coatings market experienced uncertain conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide lockdowns. There was a dramatic decline of vehicle sales in 2020 and 2021, shortages in raw material availability, and supply chain issues. This, in turn, has significantly affected the growth of the automotive coatings industry, globally.

Moreover, the pressure to use environmentally friendly automotive coatings is increasing across the globe. Increased raw material prices and stricter environmental regulations on VOC levels has forced companies to focus on the development of automotive coatings with advanced technologies that comply with current and future environmental regulations.

This updated study provides a detailed description of COVID-19's impact on the automotive coatings market and discusses new innovations and technologies in the coatings industry that comply with global environmental regulations.

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights

Chapter 3 Market Overview

Value Chain

Description of Automobile Coating Processes

Automotive Coating Layers

E-coating

Primer

Base Coat

Clear Coat

Automotive Coating Technology

Water-borne

Powder Coating

Solvent-Borne

Others

Automotive Coating Resins

Polyurethane

Epoxy

Acrylic

Others

Automotive Coating Types

Automotive OEMs

Automotive Refinish

Automotive Coating Applications

Metals

Plastics

Present Automotive Coating Market

Chapter 4 Impact of the Russian-Ukrainian War on the Market

Chapter 5 Global Market for Automotive Coatings

Chapter 6 Global Market for Automotive OEM Coatings

Overview

Automotive OEM Coating Market by Technology

Global Automotive OEM Coating Market by Coating Layer

Global Market for Automotive OEM Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM E-Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM Primers by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM Base Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM Clear Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM Solvent Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM Water-Borne Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM Powder Coatings by Region

Global Market for Other Automotive OEM Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive OEM E-Coatings by Technology

Global Market for Automotive OEM Primers by Technology

Global Market for Automotive OEM Base Coating Technology

Global Market for Automotive OEM Clear Coating Technology

Chapter 7 Global Market for Automotive Refinish Coatings

Overview

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Coating Technology

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Coatings by Coating Layer

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Coating by Region

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Primers by Region

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Base Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Clear Coating by Region

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Solvent Coating by Region

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Water-Borne Coating by Region

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Powder Coating by Region

Global Market for Other Automotive Refinish Coatings by Region

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Primer by Technology

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Base Coating by Technology

Global Market for Automotive Refinish Clear Coating by Technology

Chapter 8 Market Indicators

Automotive Industry (2020 to 2022)

Growth in Electric Vehicles

Increasing Demand for Metallic Coating

Ultraviolet (UV) Technology

Exploring UV Attributes

Automotive Forward Lighting

Exterior Plastic Parts

SMC Body Panels

OEM Clear Coating

Other Applications

Technological Changes: Integrated Solutions, Anti-collision Systems, Color Innovation and Reliability

PixelPaint Non-Overspray Technology

Robots for Detailed Surface Painting

Robot Control to Process Control

Dense Phase Technology

Shifting Consumer Preferences: Paint Color and Vehicle Weight

North American Color Preference

European Color Preference

Asia-Pacific Color Preference

South American Color Preference

African Color Preference

Decrease in Accident Rates Restrain Refinishing Market in 2020

Road Deaths by Age Group in 2020

Road Deaths by Transport Mode in 2020

Conclusion

Insurance Industry Driving Demand for Auto Refinish Market

Recent Trends in Auto Insurance

Chapter 9 Patent Review

Recent Patents on Automotive Coatings

Chapter 10 Competitive Landscape

Competitive Landscape: Global

Major Developments

Chapter 11 Company Profiles

Akzonobel N.V.

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

Basf Se

Diamond Vogel

Hempel A/S

Liquiguard Technologies Inc.

Ppg Industries Inc.

Rpm International Inc.

The Sherwin-Williams Co.

Chapter 12 Appendix: Acronyms

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e7tv8o

Attachment
New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Radiology As A Service Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323889/?utm_source=GNW

, Vesta Teleradiology, Ambra Health, Teleconsult Holding B.V, and Medica Group PLC.



The global radiology as a service market is expected to grow from $1.06 billion in 2021 to $1.32 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%. The radiology as a service market is expected to grow to $2.83 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 21%.



The radiology as a service market consists of sales of radiology as a service by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that help healthcare providers provide advanced diagnostics at an affordable cost, without any adverse effect on their sustainability, and adopt service models in medical imaging.Radiology as a service refers to rendering professional and technical services for radiation oncology, radioisotope services, medical imaging, and so on to allow providers to provide patients with the best possible diagnoses at much lower costs.



Care providers are not required to purchase imaging equipment outright, but they collaborate with imaging vendors who provide the imaging equipment and related services on a pay-per-use or periodic basis.



The main types of radiology as a service are teleradiology, cloud-based imaging services, consulting services, and technology management services.Teleradiology is used to send radiological pictures to other institutions for reports from licensed radiologists.



Teleradiology refers to a type of telemedicine in which radiological pictures are sent to other facilities via telecommunications for analysis by competent radiologists.This approach is used to send reports from imaging tests such as X-rays.



MRI scan. The different technologies include computed radiology and direct digital radiology, which are used by various end-users such as hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, radiology clinics, physician offices, and nursing homes.



North America was the largest region in the radiology as a service market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the radiology as a service market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The radiology as a service market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides radiology as a service market statistics, including radiology as a service industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with radiology as a service market share, detailed radiology as a service market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the radiology as a service industry. This anomaly detection 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 the number of cancer cases globally is expected to propel the growth of radiology as a service market going forward.Cancer is a condition when the bodys cells grow out of control and spread to other bodily regions.



Medical imaging technology has transformed healthcare by enabling earlier cancer detection and better patient outcomes.Hence, the rise in the number of cancer cases would result in a demand for radiology imaging services, which is expected to propel the growth of radiology as a service.



For instance, according to the National Cancer Institute, a US-based government agency for cancer research and training, the global number of new cancer cases per year is predicted to reach 29.5 million, with 16.4 million cancer-related deaths by 2040. Therefore, the increasing number of cancer cases is driving the market growth of radiology as a service market.



Technological advancements are the key trends gaining popularity in the radiology-as-a-service market.Major companies operating in the radiology-as-a-service sector are focused on introducing new technologies to sustain their position in the market.



For example, in January 2021, Nanox, an Israel-based medical imaging technology company, and USARAD, a US-based teleradiology company, introduced an advanced radiology diagnostics service that combines over 300 expert radiologists with artificial intelligence decision support solutions to support medical diagnostics.



In July 2021, RamSoft, a Canada-based medical imaging services company, acquired Meddiff Technologies for an undisclosed amount.This deal would speed RamSofts product development by integrating the product lines and expertise of Meddiff and RamSoft and also help RamSoft increase its customer base in Asia, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.



Meddiff is an India-based medical imaging solutions company that provides teleradiology services.



The countries covered in the radiology as a service market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323889/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
Dublin, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Solder Materials Market by Type (With Lead, Lead-Free), Product (Bar, Wire, Paste, Flux), Process (Wave/Reflow, Screen Printing, Robotic, Laser), End-Use Industry (Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Industrial) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global solder materials market is projected to grow from USD 4.1 billion in 2022 to USD 4.9 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2022 to 2027. The growth of the solder materials market is attributed to their high demand in consumer electronics, automotive and others industries.

Solder bar segment to be the largest product of solder materials

Solder bar melted into solder pots can be a faster, more automated method of soldering than hand-soldering with solder wire. Solder pots that have a pump creating a wave are called wave solder machines, solder fountains, or selective solder machines. Solder bar is used in various applications, including high-tech electronics and printed circuit boards.

Automotive to be the second-largest segment during the forecast period

Soldering materials are used for armatures, radiators, wire harnesses, car electrical systems and other parts required in the automotive industry. Strong alloys are commonly used in this industry. Soldering materials are not only used in new vehicle assembly but are also used in the repair and rework of damaged electronic components in vehicles.

Europe to be the second-largest market for solder materials

Emerging Europe is the second-largest market for solder materials, accounting for a share of 16.8%, in terms of value, in 2021. Henkel (Germany) is the leader of solder materials in the European region, as well as globally. The European automotive sector is proposing a plan comprising 25 actions to support a strong recovery of the sector and the economy of the region.

As part of the action plan, the sector calls for coordinated vehicle-renewal schemes for all vehicle types and categories across the EU. This action is intended to boost private and business demand, support economic recovery across the board as well as accelerate the rejuvenation of the vehicle fleet on Europe's roads.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

4.1 Asia-Pacific to Witness Relatively Higher Demand for Solder Materials

4.2 Asia-Pacific: Solder Materials Market, by End-Use Industry and Country

4.3 Solder Materials Market, by End-Use Industry

4.4 Solder Materials Market, by Type

4.5 Solder Materials Market, by Product

4.6 Solder Materials Market, by Process

4.7 Solder Materials Market, by Country

5 Market Overview

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Increasing Demand from Electronics Industry

5.2.1.2 Growing Usage in Automotive Industry

5.2.1.3 Growing Demand for Lead-Free Solder Materials

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 High Cost of Lead-Free Solders

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Emergence of Nanoparticle-Based Solder Materials

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Health Risks Associated with Soldering

6 Industry Trends

6.1 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

6.2 Supply Chain Analysis

6.3 Ecosystem Mapping

6.4 Technology Analysis

6.5 Trends/Disruptions Impacting Customers' Business

6.6 Trade Analysis

6.6.1 Import-Export Scenario of Solder Materials Market

6.7 Price Analysis

6.8 Key Conferences & Events in 2022

6.9 Regulatory Analysis

6.9.1 Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances (Rohs) Regulations

6.9.2 Environmental Protection Agency (Epa)

6.9.3 Ipc J-Std-001 Standard Soldering Requirements

6.10 Patent Analysis

6.10.1 Introduction

6.10.2 Methodology

6.10.3 Document Type

6.10.4 Patent Publication Trends

6.10.5 Insights

6.10.6 Legal Status of Patents

6.10.7 Jurisdiction Analysis

6.10.8 Top Patent Applicants

6.10.9 Top 10 Patent Owners (Us) in Last 10 Years

6.11 Composition and Liquidus Temperatures of Key Solder Materials

7 Solder Materials Market, by Type

7.1 Introduction

7.2 with Lead

7.3 Lead-Free

8 Solder Materials Market, by Product

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Wire

8.3 Bar

8.4 Paste

8.5 Flux

8.6 Others

9 Solder Materials Market, by Process

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Wave/Reflow

9.3 Screen Printing

9.4 Robotic

9.5 Laser

10 Solder Materials Market, by End-Use Industry

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Consumer Electronics

10.3 Automotive

10.4 Industrial

10.5 Building

10.6 Others

11 Solder Materials Market, by Region

12 Competitive Landscape

12.1 Overview

12.2 Companies Adopted New Product Launch as Key Growth Strategy Between 2017 and 2022

12.3 Market Share Analysis

12.4 Revenue Analysis of Top Market Players

12.5 Company Evaluation Quadrant

12.5.1 Stars

12.5.2 Emerging Leaders

12.5.3 Pervasive Companies

12.5.4 Participants

12.6 Sme Matrix, 2021

12.6.1 Progressive Companies

12.6.2 Responsive Companies

12.6.3 Dynamic Companies

12.6.4 Starting Blocks

12.7 Competitive Scenario

12.7.1 Partnerships

12.7.2 Product Launches

13 Company Profiles

13.1 Key Players

13.1.1 Element Solutions Inc.

13.1.2 Lucas Milhaupt Inc.

13.1.3 Qualitek International Inc.

13.1.4 Fusion Inc.

13.1.5 Henkel

13.1.6 Senju Metal Industries Co. Ltd.

13.1.7 Koki Company Limited

13.1.8 Indium Corporation

13.1.9 Tamura Corporation

13.1.10 Stannol GmbH & Co. Kg

13.2 Other Players

13.2.1 Belmont Metals

13.2.2 Genma Europe

13.2.3 Accurus Scientific

13.2.4 Aim

13.2.5 Warton Metals Limited

13.2.6 Duksan Himetal Co. Ltd.

13.2.7 Inventec Performance Chemical

13.2.8 Fakri Metals

13.2.9 Digikey

13.2.10 Waytek

13.2.11 R.S. Hughes

13.2.12 Saru Silver Alloy Private Limited

13.2.13 Balaji Insulation Co.

13.2.14 Superior Flux & Mfg. Co.

13.2.15 Agni Solders

14 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5lqmi0

Attachment
New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Reusable Face Mask Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323890/?utm_source=GNW

, and Trent Limited.



The global reusable face mask market is expected to grow from $2.27 billion in 2021 to $2.83 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.1%. The reusable face mask market is expected to reach $6.55 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 23.3%.



The reusable face mask market consists of the sales of reusable face masks by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used to prevent germs from entering the body through the nose and mouth. A reusable face mask refers to a protective device that covers the nose and mouth of the face.



The main types of materials in reusable face masks are cotton, nylon, and others.The cotton reusable face masks are made of cotton fabric.



Cotton is a plant that grows the white and fluffy fibers used to produce the fabric known as cotton, which is used for various purposes.The different distribution channels include offline and online.



It is used in commercial and personal applications.



Asia Pacific was the largest region in the reusable face mask market in 2021.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the reusable face mask market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The reusable face mask market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides reusable face mask market statistics, including reusable face mask industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a reusable face mask market share, detailed reusable face mask market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the reusable face mask industry. This reusable face mask market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.



The coronavirus pandemic is expected to propel the growth of the reusable face mask market going forward.The coronavirus pandemic refers to the ongoing epidemic of infectious diseases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.



Governments in several countries imposed laws requiring the use of face masks to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which encouraged manufacturers of reusable face masks to increase production and provide customers with higher-quality products.For instance, according to the World Health Organization, a specialized government agency of the United Nations, as of July 11, 2021, there were 558 million coronavirus cases globally.



Therefore, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is driving the growth of reusable face masks.



Product innovations are the key trend gaining popularity in the reusable face mask market.Major companies operating in the reusable face mask market are introducing new products to sustain their position in the market.



For instance, in June 2020, Livinguard Technologies, a Swiss hygiene technology company, came up with a novel face mask known as the Livinguard mask, made using Livinguard Technology. This face mask can directly inactivate viruses and bacteria, which also includes 99.9% of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.



In July 2020, Sciessent, a US-based company that provides antimicrobial, anti-odor, or water repellent technologies for the textile sector, partnered with Hugies Group for an undisclosed amount.This partnership aims to develop reusable face masks with Agion antimicrobial protection technology.



These reusable face masks with Agion antimicrobial solutions offer effective protection against the COVID-19 virus. Hugies Group, Inc. is a US-based apparel and accessories company.



The countries covered in the reusable face mask market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323890/?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.



__________________________
By Shelton Bumgarner





I arrived in South Korea for the first time on July 23, 2004, at the tender age of 31. I had no idea of the adventures that awaited me for the next five or so years as I lived in the Land of the Morning Calm as an expat.



Now, as I approach 50, I find myself thinking back about how significant my time in South Korea was in my life overall. I learned a lot about myself, specifically that I'm far more creative than I ever imagined. Had I managed to stay in South Korea longer, I might have become something of an expat rock star.



However, it was not to be. Things did not work out and I came home, thinking I would never return to South Korea. And, yet, I find myself missing Seoul and wondering if anyone remembers me. I was something of a larger-than-life character while I was there. I also wonder if any of the students I taught English to remember me as well.



These days, I find myself drawing upon my time in South Korea as I continue to struggle to write my first novel. It's a lot of fun, but I really need to finish it one way or another. I'm not going to live forever and getting it published in the first place would be a lot like winning the lottery.



The key thing about approaching 50 is you really begin to take stock of your life. You realize how you have a limited amount of time on God's green earth and if you do not squeeze what you can out of your remaining days, you may shuffle off this mortal coil with a lot of regrets.



As such, I hope to return to South Korea one last time. I don't know when I will do it  or if I will ever do it  but it's something I dream about a lot these days. It's been so long since I was in South Korea that I'm sure much has changed. Korea is very dynamic, changing on a day-to-day basis, and the COVID-19 pandemic probably only accelerated such change.



Yet, despite all that, I hope to return to South Korea for a short visit at some point between now and the 20th anniversary of my first arrival. It will be a lot of fun to see my old stomping grounds and maybe run into a Korean or two I knew back in the day. We'll see I guess. While there's life, there's hope.





Shelton Bumgarner (migukin@gmail.com) was the publisher of the expat journal, ROKon Magazine, and a DJ at Nori Bar in Sinchon 2006-2007.




English Lithuanian

ZEMAITIJOS PIENAS AB (hereinafter  the Company) delivers consolidated unaudited operating results of the Group for the 1st half of 2022:

unaudited consolidated sales revenue of the Company group for the 1st half of 2022 amounts to EUR 122,7 million, in comparison with the 1st half of 2021 the sales revenue increased by 31,5 %;

preliminary consolidated unaudited result of the Company group in terms of net profit for the 1st half of 2022 reached EUR 1,2 million.

In accordance with Article 13 of the Law on Securities of the Republic of Lithuania, we also provide half-year information: (i) a set of consolidated financial statements for the first half of the financial year; (ii) a consolidated half-year report; and (iii) approval of the responsible persons.

The person authorized to provide additional information:

Arnas Matuzas

Head of Legal

E-mail: a.matuzas@zpienas.lt

Attachments
NANCHANG, China, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dethroned after 27 days, the shortest reign among Western Han emperors, Liu He (92-59 B.C.), master of the Haihunhou Tomb, was banished as a commoner, and later allowed to reside near a lake and given the title of the Marquis of Haihun. He died in his early 30s, reports People's Daily Online. Its reporting team visited the site and interviewed a leading researcher.

Such vicissitudes might have deprived his life of imperial glory, but the relics unearthed from his tomb tell a different story, revealing a dynasty's grandeur.

The tomb near Nanchang, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, turns out to be the best-preserved Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) cemetery ever found, with the most integrate structure, distinct layout and complete sacrificial system.

One of China's top ten archaeological discoveries in 2015, the tomb has yielded the largest number of relics boasting of the most variety and the finest craftsmanship in Jiangxi.

Among a raft of relics including gold, bronze, and jade artifacts, archaeologists discovered a broken lacquer "screen" in the main chamber of the tomb and restored two portraits, one of which is believed to be the earliest portrait of Confucius ever found in China.

Also unearthed were more than 5,000 pieces of bamboo slips of Confucian classics, indicating the prevalence of Confucius' teachings among the royal more than 2,000 years ago.

The Qi version of The Analects of Confucius, which had been lost for about 1,800 years, was found in the unearthed bamboo slips which have been subject to infrared scanning and are ready for further study.

It is also the only tomb with a chariot burial site in the south of the Yangtze River. Five well-preserved horse-drawn vehicles, each with four sacrificed horses, were found, indicating that the owner was among the highest echelons of the Han Dynasty.

Liu, the marquis, was the grandson of Emperor Wu, whose reign ushered in a prosperous period of the Han Dynasty that is believed on a par with the reign of the first emperor of Qin Dynasty.

"To know Emperor Qin and his dynasty through archaeological artifacts, one can turn to Terra-cotta Warriors. Nevertheless, before the Haihunhou tomb, there were not many artifacts for an in-depth study of Emperor Wu," said Yang Jun, a researcher at the Jiangxi Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the leading archaeologist.

In Yang's view, the Haihunhou tomb shed light on the mightiness of the Han Dynasty as all treasures bearing the mark of the marquis had been buried with him.

The 4 million unearthed Wuzhu bronze coins attested to the dynasty's opulence. This finding is the first hard evidence of the Chinese using a string of 1,000 coins as a monetary unit, pushing the original date back 600 years.

Contact Information:

Ann Smith

PR manager

press@peopledaily.com.cn

6462808967



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Image 1: Tomb of the Marquis of Haihun









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) is seeking volunteer licensed nurses for its community health programs in Peru in 2023. Volunteers must be fluent in both English and Spanish and are required to serve for at least three months in-person or remotely.

Volunteering for CMMB is a way to put your values and skills into action to help create healthier lives, said Marcia Grand Ortega, manager of CMMBs volunteer program. You can make a positive difference and build a longstanding legacy in Peru. Our volunteers repeatedly tell us that it was a life-changing experience for them.

For more than 50 years, the faith-based global health organization has been providing health services to women and children in under-served communities in Peru. A variety of factors contribute to the poor health of mothers and children in these communities, including limited access to health services, lack of basic nutrition knowledge, few financial resources and poor sanitation.

CMMB currently runs community health programs in Huancayo in the central highlands, and in Trujillo, where many people have migrated from the nearby coastal desert communities.

CMMBs volunteer nurses use their training to help transform lives every day. The nurse specialties most needed in Peru include community health, developmental disability, mental health, midwifery, nurse education, nutrition, obstetrics, pediatrics, perinatal, nurse educators and public health. In addition, nurses with extensive clinical experience in staff development and skills training are desired.

A typical day for a volunteer nurse would include a variety of duties. Those duties might range from conducting home visits and community outreach programs; to providing health advice to local staff and community health agents; to consulting with local healthcare team members on patient care plans.

Interested in volunteering? Apply here.

###

Catholic Medical Mission Board: CMMB provides long-term medical and development aid to communities affected by poverty and unequal access to healthcare. Focusing on womens and childrens health, we deliver sustainable health services in Haiti, Kenya, Peru, South Sudan and Zambia. For over a century, we have worked to strengthen and support communities through healthcare programs and initiatives, the placement of volunteers, and the distribution of medicines and medical supplies. Over the last 10 years, CMMBs Medical Donations Program has distributed more than $5 billion worth of medicines and medical supplies to 83 countries across the globe.

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New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Critical Infrastructure Protection Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323873/?utm_source=GNW





The global critical infrastructure protection market is expected to grow from $128.95 billion in 2021 to $139.15 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The critical infrastructure protection market is expected to grow to $175.40 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 6%.



The critical infrastructure protection market consists of the sales of critical infrastructure protection services and solutions by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to the concept of protecting networks, assets, and systems working for the security of various industries across the nation.It makes sure that organizations in sectors including agriculture, energy, food, and transportation have their essential infrastructure protected from cyber threats, natural disasters, and terrorist threats.



Physical safety and cybersecurity are two types of critical infrastructure.



The main types of critical infrastructure protection are solutions and services.The solutions to critical infrastructure protection refer to an answer to a problem.



It helps us change our negative state into the desired state. The different types of security technologies include network security, physical security, and others that are employed in the commercial sector, telecom, chemical and manufacturing, oil and gas, and other verticals.



North America was the largest region in the critical infrastructure protection market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the critical infrastructure protection market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The critical infrastructure protection market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides critical infrastructure protection market statistics, including critical infrastructure protection industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a critical infrastructure protection market share, detailed critical infrastructure protection market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the critical infrastructure protection industry. This critical infrastructure protection 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 rise in the adoption of cloud technology and IoT devices is expected to propel the growth of the critical infrastructure protection market going forward.The Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of physical items that uses software and other technologies to connect to devices and systems over the web for transferring data and using cloud technology for storing and accessing data over the internet instead of a computer hard drive.



In critical infrastructure, cloud computing provides confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and compliance with applicable standards.For instance, according to Rapyder, an India-based cloud services and solutions company, as of November 2020, more than 79% of organizations have adopted multi-cloud technology.



Therefore, the increase in the adoption of cloud technology and IoT is driving the demand for critical infrastructure protection.



Technological advancements are the key trend gaining popularity in the critical infrastructure protection market.Major companies operating in the critical infrastructure protection sector are focused on developing technologically advanced products to strengthen their market position.



For instance, in February 2022, Forcepoint, a US-based software company, launched Forcepoint One, a cloud platform developed with zero trust and SASE (Secure access service edge) technologies.This product enables organizations to protect their infrastructures by managing one set of policies from a single console.



Users can manage a wide variety of security services while reducing costs and managing over 50-point products. This platform is an all-in-one security platform that is simplified for traditional and remote workforces and allows them controlled access to information on the web, cloud, or any private applications.



In May 2022, Parsons Corp, a US-based technology company focused on defense, intelligence, security, and infrastructure engineering, acquired Xator Corporation for $400 million.Through this acquisition, Xator would increase Parsons customer base by bringing distinct technical capabilities in critical infrastructure protection, counter unmanned aircraft systems, intelligence and cyber solutions, biometrics, and global threat assessment and operations.



Also, it is expected to increase Parsons footprint in the Special Operations Command, the intelligence community, federal civilian clients, and international critical infrastructure markets while opening up new customer access at the State Department. Xator Corporation is a US-based provider of mission-focused solutions addressing critical infrastructure protection, enterprise technology and cybersecurity, mission and training, and national security requirements.



The countries covered in the critical infrastructure protection market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323873/?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.



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New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Automotive Fasteners Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323872/?utm_source=GNW

, Birmingham Fastener Inc., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Eaton, MeidohSTANLEY, RUIBIAO, Topura, Acument Global Technologies, Powertrax, Piolax, Samjin, Shamrock International, and Precision Castparts Corp.



The global automotive fasteners market is expected to grow from $24.99 billion in 2021 to $26.93 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The automotive fasteners market is expected to grow to $32.14 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 4.5%.



The automotive fasteners market consists of sales of automotive fasteners by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used to clamp parts of the vehicle, prevent leakages, and improve the performance of vehicles.Automotive fasteners help to hold vehicle parts together mechanically.



Automotive fasteners include nuts, washers, concrete anchors, threaded rods, bolts, rivets, screws, and retaining rings used in automotive manufacturing.



The main products of automotive fasteners are threaded and non-threaded.The threaded automotive fasteners include nuts, bolts, and screws that are used to hold automotive parts together.



The automotive fasteners are made with iron, steel, aluminum, brass, plastic, and other material types.The type of engines by propulsion include IC engine vehicles and electric vehicles.



These are used in numerous applications such as engine, chassis, transmission, steering, front/rear axle, interior trim and others.



Asia Pacific was the largest region in the automotive fasteners market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the automotive fasteners market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The automotive fasteners market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides automotive fasteners market statistics, including automotive fasteners industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an automotive fasteners market share, detailed automotive fasteners market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the automotive fasteners industry. These automotive fasteners 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 electric vehicles is expected to propel the growth of the automotive fasteners market going forward.Electric vehicles refer to vehicles that have been either partially or fully powered by electricity.



EV general infrastructure equipment and battery casings require high-quality fastenings to provide security settings.For instance, according to a study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) report, electric vehicles will account for 10% of global passenger vehicle sales by 2025, rising to 28% in 2030 and 56% in 2040.



Therefore, the rise of electric vehicles will drive the growth of the automotive fasteners market.



New technological advancements have emerged as the key trend gaining popularity in the automotive fasteners market.Major players operating in the automotive fasteners sector are focused on advanced technical improvements and enhancements to lead the market.



For instance, in November 2019, LISI Automotive, a France-based company that manufactures fasteners, developed the LISI insulating screw that uses the unique isolating and fastening technology that is required to assemble the components of different voltages safely.It is designed to fasten circuits and starter-alternator belt systems operating at 12V and 48V, respectively.



This solution combines a thin, high-performance organic bushing with a high-strength steel bolt that isolates the clamped parts.



In July 2019, Auveco, a US-based specialty fastener and body hardware company, acquired W&E Sales Company for an undisclosed amount.The acquisition is expected to enable Auveco with new opportunities to serve its channel partners while allowing W&E to stay true to its world-class product quality and customer service.



W&E Sales Company is a US-based company that manufactures automotive specialized hand tools and fasteners for the automotive industry.



The countries covered in the automotive fasteners market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323872/?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.



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Shanghai, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2022 WLA Prize Laureates are:

Michael I. JORDAN, the 2022 WLA Prize Laureate in Computer Science or Mathematics, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences & Department of Statistics, UC Berkeley.

--"For fundamental contributions to the foundations of machine learning and its application."

About the Laureate

Prof. Michael I. Jordan has been a world-leading researcher in the field of statistical machine learning for nearly four decades. His contributions to the interface between computer science and statistics include the variational approach to statistical inference and learning, inference methods based on graphical models and Bayesian non-parametrics, and characterizations of trade-offs between statistical risk and computational complexity.

He has also worked at the interface between optimization and machine learning, where he is well known for his development of continuous-time models of gradient-based optimization and sampling, and his work on distributed systems for optimization. He has built bridges between machine learning and control theory, contributing to the theory of reinforcement learning, learning-based model predictive control, and optimality principles for human motor control.

He has also led the way in bringing microeconomic concepts into contact with machine learning, developing learning methods that incentivize learners to share data, showing how contract theory can be employed for statistical inference, and contributing to the study of learning-based matching markets. He has also pursued numerous high-impact applications of machine learning in domains such as single-molecule imaging, protein modeling, genetic admixture modeling, and natural language processing.

Prof. Jordan's contributions to computer science are also evident in education. He has mentored over 80 PhD students and over 60 postdoctoral researchers, an influential cohort who are now professors at the world's leading academic institutions and leaders in the industry.

Dirk GORLICH, the 2022 WLA Prize Laureate in Life Science or Medicine, Scientific member and Director, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences.

--"For key discoveries elucidating the mechanism and selectivity of protein transport between the cytoplasm and nucleus."

About the Laureate

Dr. Dirk Gorlich was born in Halle/Saale in Germany and studied biochemistry at Martin Luther University in Halle. For his Ph.D., he joined Tom Rapoport's lab in Berlin, where he identified the heterotrimeric Sec61 complex as a receptor for translating ribosomes and protein-conducting channels of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). He also succeeded in reconstituting a fully functional "translocon" from purified components and demonstrated its capacity to transport secretory proteins across the ER membrane and to integrate type I and type II membrane proteins into the lipid bilayer.

In 1993, Dr. Gorlich joined Ron. Laskey's lab at the University of Cambridge, where he discovered the first importins as mediators of protein import into the cell nucleus.

In 1996, he became an independent group leader and later a professor of molecular biology at the ZMBH (University of Heidelberg). During this time, he developed the RanGTP-gradient model to explain the directionality and energetics of nuclear transport. His group first described chaperone functions of importins and was instrumental in discovering and characterizing exportins that mediate export from the cell nucleus.

Dr. Gorlich is now a director at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Gottingen, focusing on the question of how nuclear pore complexes function as highly efficient transport machines. His team discovered that intrinsically disordered FG domains assemble into a condensed (selective) FG phase that serves as a highly selective permeability barrier of extreme transport capacity. His group also develops nanobodies as cell biological tools and, more recently, also as therapeutics for treating diseases such as Covid-19, malaria, bacterial infections, sepsis, and autoimmune conditions.

Roger KORNBERG, Chairman of the World Laureates Association and 2006 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, said that The WLA Prize advocates for original basic science and encourages scientific researchers to be better committed to the common well-being of human beings. It is believed that the WLA Prize, established in China through multi-lateral efforts, will become one of the world's globally influential awards.

Michael LEVITT, Vice Chairman of the World Laureates Association and 2013 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry announced the 2022 WLA Prize laureates.YANG Wei, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Foreign Member of the National Academy of Engineering (USA), and Fellow and Treasurer of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) also attended the press conference.

Global technological development has brought revolutionary and far-reaching impact since the start of this century, and the pace of development is only accelerating, said Neil SHEN, Steward of Sequoia Capital Founding and Managing Partner of Sequoia China, which is the exclusive sponsor of the WLA Prize. Sequoia China is committed to supporting cutting-edge technology and fundamental research and encouraging those who push forward the frontiers of science.

WU Xiangdong , Executive Director of the World Laureates Association and Chairman of the WLA Prize Management Committee announced that the Award Ceremony of the inaugural WLA Prize will be solemnly held at the Opening Ceremony of the 5th WLA Forum in early November 2022; both of the laureates are on schedule to Shanghai to accept their awards.

About the WLA Prize

The World Laureates Association Prize (WLA Prize) is an international science prize established in Shanghai, in 2021, initiated by World Laureates Association (WLA), managed by the WLA Foundation, and exclusively funded by Sequoia China.

The WLA Prize aims to recognize and support eminent researchers and technologists worldwide for their contributions to science. It is intended to support global science and technology advancement, address the challenges to humanity, and promote society's long-term progress.

Each year, the WLA Prize is awarded in two categories: the "WLA Prize in Computer Science or Mathematics" and the "WLA Prize in Life Science or Medicine."

The total award for each Prize, which may be divided among up to four laureates, is RMB 10 million.

More info about the WLA Prize:

www.wlaprize.org

About Us

World Laureates Association

The World Laureates Association (WLA) is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization. It is one of the world's highest profile organizations of laureates with three missions: advocacy for basic science, promotion of international cooperation, and support for young scientists. Upholding the vision of "Science and Technology for the Common Destiny of Mankind," the WLA is committed to enhancing the academic exchange of ideas and research among scientists and scholars in China and the world.

Follow Us for updates on Facebook and Twitter@wlaforum





WLA Foundation

The WLA Foundation supports all WLA activities and is funded entirely by donations from private sources.

Sequoia China

Sequoia China helps daring founders build legendary companies. In partnering with Sequoia, companies benefit from its unmatched community and the lessons Sequoia has learned over the years. As "The Entrepreneurs Behind The Entrepreneurs", Sequoia China focuses on three sectors: tech, consumer and healthcare. Over the past 17 years, Sequoia China has had the privilege of working with more than 900 companies. It is committed to advancing innovation in science and technology. It actively supports scientists and entrepreneurs, promotes technological innovation, and nurtures leading tech-enabled enterprises, with a concern for corporate social responsibility. As the exclusive sponsor of the World Laureates Association (WLA) Prize, Sequoia China hopes that its support will encourage the pursuit of innovative scientific developments and drive growth across the world.

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New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Airport Security Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323870/?utm_source=GNW

, MilliVision Technologies, Nuctech Company Ltd.



The global airport security market is expected to grow from $11.79 billion in 2021 to $13.11 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. The airport security market is expected to reach $18.69 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 9.3%.



The airport security market consists of sales of airport security by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to the procedures and methods used to protect passengers, personnel, aircraft, and airport property from harm caused by accident or malice, crime, and other dangers.Airport security is a set of measures and people and material resources aimed at protecting civil aviation from acts of unlawful interference such as terrorism, sabotage, threats to life and property, false threat communication, bombing, and so on.



It tries to keep these risks at bay by using various methods of scanning.



The main types of technologies in the airport security market are access control, cybersecurity, perimeter security, screening and scanning, surveillance, real-time locating systems (RTLS), and others.Access control refers to a data security process that enables organizations to manage authorized people to access corporate data and resources.



Secure access control uses policies that verify users and ensure control access levels that are granted to users.Also, helps in easy access to data.



The various application includes a civilian and commercial airport and military airport. These are used to protect civil aviation from acts of unlawful interference such as terrorism, and sabotage.



North America was the largest region in the airport security market in 2021. The regions covered in the airport security market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The airport security market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides airport security market statistics, including airport security industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an airport security market share, detailed airport security market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the airport security industry. This airport security 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 new airport building operations and facilities improvements is contributing to the growth of the airport security market.Airport building operations and facilities improvements refer to the improvements in the infrastructure of the airport as well as the facilities such as arrival, departure, check-in, airport staff, and so on.



With the growth in population, air traffic, and increasing demand for the modernization of the infrastructure there has been an increase in new airport building operations and facilities improvements. For instance, in May 2021, Raytheon Technologies was awarded a USD 318 million contract by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to deploy checked baggage screening machines at all federally managed airports. This five-year contract covers the expansion of equipment at about 430 federal airports across the country. It will also strengthen the terminals security and reduce any potential hazard to the numerous stakeholders on-site. Therefore, the increase in new airport building operations and facilities improvements will drive the growth of the airport security market.



Technological advancements including RFID baggage reconciliation systems, remote check-ins, e-gates, and sensor equipment advancement is a key trend gaining popularity in the airport security market. According to a report by PR Newswire, 2020 OSI Systems, Inc., a US-based developer of security and inspection systems, announced that its security division was awarded multiple contracts for approximately $93 million from an international government customer to provide various Rapiscan X-ray cargo and vehicle inspection systems, luggage and parcel inspection systems, trace detection systems, and maintenance and support services. Their Itemiser 5X has met the requirements to be listed on the TSAs Air Cargo Screening Technology List as Approved technology (ACSTL). The Detectors cargo capabilities can be used for cargo screening operations outside of the United States. This launch represents another step forward in OSIs portfolio.



In April 2021, Allied Universal, a US-based security and facility services company acquired G4S plc for $4 billion (3.8 billion). With this acquisition, Allied Universal aims to deliver the highest value proposition to customers in the security industry. G4S is a UK-based security company, specializing in the provision of security services and solutions to customers.



The countries covered in the airport security market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323870/?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.



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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aiming to raise $75,000 to continue developing its transformative youth programming, Fresh Roots Urban Farm is extending its annual Make It Sow fundraising campaign through October 10, 2022. The campaign was originally scheduled to end on September 6, but it has only reached 35% of its goal. This non-profit community organization is short on critical funds needed to nurture and grow the organizations incredibly impactful youth programs. Donations to Fresh Roots Make it Sow campaign can be made at https://donate-can.keela.co/fresh-roots-before-sunset-fundraiser-2022 .



We continue to experience a high demand for our youth programs that empower young people to connect with both their community and the food on their plate, explains Alexa Pitoulis, Fresh Roots Executive Director. As people prepare to give thanks for the incredible bounty our province has provided them, we hope this will prompt them to reflect on the importance of food education and local production, and make a generous donation to support Fresh Roots.

Fresh Roots grows food on schoolyards in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland in tandem with offering a progressive work and leadership youth-development curriculum centred around helping young people build meaningful connections with the land, food, and each other. These programs engage diverse high-school-aged youth in employment readiness, as well as post-secondary and early career-aged youth in seasonal employment and internships.

Participants gain hands-on experience in all aspects of running a social-enterprise farm including growing, sharing, and selling healthy food as well as conceptualizing and delivering educational programming through Fresh Roots farm-based field-trip and summer-camp programs. The non-profit organization is committed to recruiting youth from diverse academic backgrounds and life experiences. Fresh Roots nurtures these young people as they develop vital self-confidence and leadership skills through the process of growing food for their community. Beginning the program as participants, youth continue on to become mentors before rising to the challenge of seasonal positions that Fresh Roots tailor for them to offer increasing responsibility and learning.

The Make It Sow campaign is live, and donations can be made at Fresh Roots Keela fundraising page .

Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society

GROWING FOOD AND COMMUNITY! Fresh Roots sprouted in 2009, and created the first schoolyard market farm in Canada at David Thompson Secondary in 2010, and now has four farms across metro-Vancouver. This non-profit organization and registered charity cultivates engaging farms and programs that catalyze healthy eating, ecological stewardship, and community celebration. Fresh Roots utilizes school farms as outdoor, hands-on learning classrooms that provide youth with opportunities for inquiry-based and cross-curricular learning, volunteering, leadership development, and job skills training. Fresh Roots envisions a world where everyone has access to healthy food, land, and community. Learn more at freshroots.ca .

Website: freshroots.ca

Facebook: @freshrootsfarms

Instagram: @freshrootsfarms

Twitter: @freshrootsfarms

Download high-resolution images here.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cb9507da-ee2b-4762-8d66-77e2348a18cf
TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) filed its motion and amicus brief Thursday evening with the federal district court in Galveston urging it to allow the lawsuit to proceed against the FDA for its misleading statements against ivermectin. In Apter v. HHS, a group of physicians sued to hold the Food and Drug Administration, a federal agency within the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), accountable for its interference with physicians ability to treat Covid-19.



Defendant FDA has improperly exploited misunderstandings about the legality and prevalence of off-label uses of medication, in order to mislead courts, state medical boards, and the public into thinking there is anything improper about off-label prescribing, AAPS writes in its amicus brief to the court. Not only is off-label prescribing fully proper, legal, and commonplace, but it is also absolutely necessary in order to give effective care to patients.

Yet the FDA published multiple statements and sent letters to influential organizations to falsely disparage ivermectin, implying that it was not approved for treating Covid-19. Many, including courts and state medical boards, were misled by the FDA into thinking that its lack of approval for this treatment meant that ivermectin should not be used to treat Covid-19.

It has never been proper for the FDA to interfere with that essential part of the practice of medicine, and the FDA knows it, AAPS informed the court. The FDA insisted and continues to insist on interfering with the prescription of this safe medication by physicians in treating Covid-19, AAPS added.

AAPS General Counsel Andrew Schlafly pointed out to the court that the FDA has engaged in a campaign of interference with the proper use by physicians of ivermectin, which has long been approved as fully safe for human use. He alerted the court that once the FDA approves a medication as safe, then physicians have full authority to prescribe it to treat any illness, particularly a novel virus like Covid-19.

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943. Its motto is omnia pro aegroto (everything for the patient).
MILAN, Italy, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berlin Packaging, the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier, announced today the acquisition of StyleGlass, a company that specializes in the decoration of glass packaging for the food, beverage, beauty, and pharmaceutical end markets.



Based in Thessaloniki, Greece, StyleGlass has been operating for over 30 years, offering numerous decoration techniques, including glassware painting and printing. With this acquisition, Berlin Packaging will enhance its decoration expertise and expand its integrated services offering.

The acquisition strengthens the design and innovation capabilities we offer to our customers, one of the key pillars of our hybrid packaging supplier approach. Joining our creative and technical forces will bring more value than ever to our customers, said Elias Valavanis, CEO of Berlin Packaging MED.

We share many common values with Berlin Packaging, such as a passion for creativity and a willingness to grow and to give our clients beautiful and high-quality packaging that exceeds their expectations, said Christos Charizonas, CEO of StyleGlass.

StyleGlass is the 5th acquisition Berlin Packaging has completed in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) in 2022, and 8th acquisition completed globally in 2022.

All employees and locations for this acquisition will be retained.

About Berlin Packaging

Berlin Packaging is the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. The company supplies billions of items annually along with package design, financing, consulting, warehousing, and logistics services for customers across all industries. Berlin Packaging brings together the best of manufacturing, distribution, and income-adding service providers. Its mission is to increase the net income of its customers through packaging products and services.

Please visit berlinpackaging.com and corporate.berlinpackaging.eu for more information.



Press contacts:

Press Office  Omnicom PR Group Italy

Barbara Papini, barbara.papini@omnicomprgroup.com , +39 335 6113555

Ilaria Sala, ilaria.sala@omnicomprgroup.com , +39 335 8112968


Historical issues hinder security cooperation



South Korea will hold trilateral anti-submarine drills with the United States and Japan in international waters off the East Sea on Friday to cope with growing military threats from North Korea more effectively, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday. The maritime exercise is the first of its kind since April 2017.



The drills come right after Seoul and Washington conducted a combined naval exercise in the East Sea from Sept. 26 to 29 in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Early this month, the North promulgated a law that enables Pyongyang to make a preemptive nuclear strike in a contingency. Its leader Kim Jong-un has vowed not to give up his nuclear arsenal under any circumstances.



The defense ministry said that the three-nation drill will focus on detecting, identifying and tracking submarines. The exercise is expected to help keep the capabilities of North Korea's submarines and its submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) in check. The North has been making efforts to develop and deploy SLBMs which could be installed with nuclear warheads, while pushing to develop new submarines. Pyongyang is reportedly preparing to test-fire an SLBM soon as well as conduct its seventh nuclear test anytime.



Against this backdrop, it is timely for the three countries to stage the joint drills. South Korea's Munmu the Great destroyer will join the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and members of its strike group, as well as Japan's Asahi-class destroyer. South Korea needs Japan's cooperation as the Asian neighbor has the largest number of P-3C maritime patrol aircraft after the U.S. that can detect and trace submarines.



The drills also carry significance as there is a growing need for trilateral security cooperation among Seoul, Washington and Tokyo amid the emerging new Cold War, which renders North Korea, China and Russia to align themselves. The U.S. has been adamant in letting Japan play a greater role to ensure security in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly when America is engaging in the ever-intensifying great power rivalry with China.



In this situation, more active trilateral security collaboration is inevitable whether we like it or not. President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is seeking to mend frayed Seoul-Tokyo ties, said recently that there is no reason to avoid the three-way framework which is designed to deal with North Korea's nuclear threats and settle peace in Northeast Asia. As such, it is necessary for the three countries to hold regular drills to increase their preparedness.



Yet, Seoul and Tokyo should make efforts to improve their relations in order to boost trilateral security cooperation with Washington. The two countries still have to go a long way to break the diplomatic deadlock over the South Korean top court's rulings, which ordered Japanese firms to pay compensation to surviving Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor.



Yoon is under severe criticism for holding only "informal talks" with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York last week. Regrettably, the Kishida administration has yet to show any signs of compromise. Anti-Japanese sentiment still runs deep among Koreans. There is no national consensus on stepping up military cooperation with Japan. So we should not hurry to let Japan assume a bigger role in the region until both sides restore mutual trust and amity.


TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Toronto & York Region Labour Council and United Steelworkers will be holding a major rally outside Monte McNaughtons office at the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in Toronto on Monday, October 3, 2022 in solidarity with striking safety inspectors.



For over 70 days, OPSEU Local 546 has been on strike, demanding the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) negotiate a fair first collective agreement.

The TSSA will not return to the bargaining table, so pressure is on the Ford government to take action since the TSSA was their creation. While the Ford government drags its feet, workers are making their voices heard: We will not stop until we bargain an agreement that protects and respects workers! On Monday, we will take our message directly to the Minister of Labour.

OPSEU Local 546 members are fighting for improved accountability for public safety standards and practices, wages and benefits that are consistent with industry standards, equal pay for female workers, measures to address understaffing issues and improve retention and recruitment, and a stronger voice in their workplace.

Date: Monday, October 3, 2022

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Location: Outside Monte McNaughtons Office

400 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1T7

Speakers Include:

Andria Babbington, President, Toronto and York Region Labour Council

Carolyn Egan, President, Steelworkers Toronto Area Council

JP Hornick, President, OPSEU

Striking TSSA Workers, OPSEU/SEFPO Local 546

Jamie West, MPP, Opposition Labour Critic

Chris Ramsaroop, Justice for Migrant Workers

For more information, please contact:

Susan McMurray

Executive Assistant

Toronto York Region Labour Council

smcmurray@labourcouncil.ca l 416-882-2247

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Mississauga, ON., Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mississauga, ON.  September 28, 2022. Employees of Continental Tire Canada geared up for a beautiful fall day of planting trees. Gloves and shovel in hand, Continental staff were joined by Tree Canada and City of Mississauga employees at Ashgate Park and dug deep for a sustainable cause. Staff not only enjoyed the camaraderie of working together towards environmental goals but assisted the city of Mississauga in reaching its goal of planting 1 million trees by 2032. The 125 trees planted will benefit the environment, increase wildlife habitat, improve soil and water conservation, remove pollutants from the air, store carbon, regulate temperature extremes and help in the fight against climate change.

In efforts to be the most progressive tire company, Continental prioritizes environmental and social responsibility. Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments, in every province across the country. They plant the right trees in the right places, giving them the best chance to take root and thrive. Tree Canada has planted over 84 million trees in collaboration with their partners and sponsors.

It has truly been a day of privilege and pride for our Canadian Team, digging shoulder to shoulder with Tree Canada, making our personal contribution and showing our collective commitment to the fight against climate change as an organization said Okan Sen, National Marketing Manager for Continental Tire Canada.

This is the first year we've partnered with Continental, and we're absolutely delighted to plant trees with Continental Tire Canada in Mississauga. Together, we planted 125 trees in an urban park, all of which are native to Ontario. These trees will not only have a significant impact on wildlife in the park, but they will also offer great environmental and human benefits. Walking into a park full of trees makes us feel wonderful, and animals and pollinating insects will benefit from the trees we planted. Said Celia Johnstone, Community Advisor for Tree Canada.

The event was a great success; by planting trees, everyone can make a difference in the environment.

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2021, Continental generated sales of 33.8 billion and currently employs more than 190,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary.

The Tires group sector has 24 production and development locations worldwide. Continental is one of the leading tire manufacturers with more than 57,000 employees and posted sales of 11.8 billion in 2021 in this group sector. Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tire production and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in research and development, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The portfolio of the tire business includes services for the tire trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tires.

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WAWA, Pa., Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a longtime member of the Florida community, Wawa believes strongly in the importance of giving back and providing support for our Florida friends and neighbors during times of need. Following the impact of Hurricane Ian, Wawa has reinforced its commitment to the state of Florida with support to aid in storm recovery efforts. These include:



$500,000 Contribution to the Florida Disaster Fund  The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Floridas official private fund established to provide financial assistance to Florida communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. As a proud member of the Florida community, Wawa has made a $500,000 donation to the Florida Disaster Fund to help aid in recovery efforts. Those interested in contributing can visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.





The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Floridas official private fund established to provide financial assistance to Florida communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. As a proud member of the Florida community, Wawa has made a $500,000 donation to the Florida Disaster Fund to help aid in recovery efforts. Those interested in contributing can visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222. Free Coffee and Fountain Beverages for First Responders in Florida  Wawa stores in Florida are providing free coffee and fountain beverages to all first responders in Florida, including police, fire, EMT and the National Guard for all they are doing to support and serve our communities during Hurricane Ian response and recovery efforts.



As a member of the Florida community for more than a decade, we believe Wawa has a responsibility to give back and provide much-needed support for our Florida friends and neighbors during times of need, said Chris Gheysens, Wawa President and CEO. While recovery efforts continue, Wawa will do everything in our power to help our community and remain stocked with essential food and fuel during these challenging times. We thank our heroic first responders and friendly neighbors doing their part to support our communities and get us back and running again.

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Wawa is also providing a detailed and regularly updated list of its Florida store status, including information on the stores opening status and its fuel supply. The list can be found at https://www.wawa.com/alerts/hurricane-alert and will be continuously updated every day until all stores are fully reopened.

About Wawa, Inc.

Wawa, Inc., a privately held company, began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and certified process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, Georges grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa is your all day, every day stop for freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. The stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks. Forbes.com Ranks Wawa as #23 of Americas Largest Private Companies in 2021 and #12 on Forbes 100 Halo List in 2022. For more information, visit us on www.wawa.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @wawa.
New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Industrial Alcohol Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323490/?utm_source=GNW





The global industrial alcohol market is expected to grow from $128.61 billion in 2021 to $141.66 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.15%. The industrial alcohol market is expected to reach $204.47 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 9.61%.



The industrial alcohol market consists of sales of industrial alcohol and related products by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are employed in the production of vaccinations, compound tonics, syrups, tinctures, liniments, and antiseptics, as well as medications such as chloroform, atabrine, and barbiturates.Industrial alcohol refers to distilled ethyl alcohol used in industrial applications.



It is majorly used as a primary raw material in the production of chemical compounds such as acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and others.



The main type of industrial alcohol includes isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol.Isopropyl alcohol is used as an ingredient in various cosmetics and medicinal preparations for external use.



Isopropyl alcohol is an isomer of propyl alcohol and a homologue of ethyl alcohol, with properties similar to it when used externally but more toxic when consumed internally.The method used is in the manufacturing of industrial alcohol includes fermentation and synthetic.



They are sourced from molasses, sugar, grains, and fossil fuels. The application of industrial alcohol includes fuel, chemical intermediates and solvent, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and food ingredients.



North America was the largest region in the industrial alcohol market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the industrial alcohol market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The industrial alcohol market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides industrial alcohol market statistics, including industrial alcohol industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an industrial alcohol market share, detailed industrial alcohol market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the industrial alcohol industry. This industrial alcohol 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 biofuels among end-users is significantly contributing to the growth of the industrial alcohol market going forward.Biofuel is a renewable energy source made from microbial, plant, or animal waste.



Global energy consumption is predicted to rise significantly in the next years, and it is widely acknowledged that alternative, sustainable methods to meet those requirements must be developed.Ethanol is also called distilled alcohol or industrial alcohol which is a renewable fuel that is used significantly for the production of biofuel.



Ethanol is an alcohol that is also used in gasoline as a blending ingredient to boost octane and reduce carbon monoxide and other smog-causing pollutants to minimize air pollution.For instance, currently, 98% of gasoline in the United States contains ethanol, often E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline).



Therefore, increasing demand for biofuels is expected to boost demand for industrial alcohol during the forecast period.



Technological advancements are the key trend gaining popularity in the industrial alcohol market.The manufacturer of industrial alcohol is using advanced technology for fast and sustainable production.



New and advanced ethanol manufacturing technology is being developed with easy compatibility with the existing processes without much capital expenditure.For instance, in 2021, Arkansas Company added green to the ethanol manufacturing process after receiving funding for technology development.



The new novel catalytic membrane technology can be fine-tuned to take corn fiber, a byproduct of the corn-to-ethanol process, and convert it into sugars suitable for ethanol production.



In March 2020, MGP Ingredients, Inc., a US-based provider of premium distilled spirits and specialized wheat proteins and starches acquired New Columbia Distillers LLC for an undisclosed amount. With the acquisition, MGP Ingredients is focused on expanding its operational capabilities and market presence across the globe. New Columbia Distillers LLC is a US-based producer of distilled alcohol.



The countries covered in the industrial alcohol 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/p06323490/?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.



__________________________
French English

PRESS RELEASE



Regulated Information

Paris, 30 September 2022

Availability of the Half Year Financial Report of Societe Generale SCF

Societe Generale SCF (Societe de Credit Foncier, Public Sector Loans) hereby informs the public that the Half Year Financial Report for the period ended 30 June 2022, has been filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on 30 September 2022.

This document, available in French only, is made available to the public, free of charge, in accordance with the conditions provided for by the regulations in force and may be consulted in the Societe Generale Public Sector Loans SCF / Regulated information  section of the Societe Generale groups website ( https://investors.societegenerale.com/en/financial-and-non-financial-information/debt-investors ) and on the AMFs website.



Press contact :

Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ jean-baptiste.froville@socgen.com

Fanny Rouby_+33 1 57 29 11 12_ fanny.rouby@socgen.com





Societe Generale SCF

Societe Generale SCF is a specialised credit institution (etablissement de credit specialise) with the status of societe de credit foncier, incorporated under French law on 8 December 2004 as a societe anonyme a conseil d'administration. On 20 December 2007, it was authorised to act as a SCF (Societe de Credit Foncier) by the Credit Institutions and Investment Services Companies Commission (Comite des etablissements de credit et des entreprises dinvestissement) (now the ACPR Autorite de Controle Prudentiel et de Resolution ).

Societe Generale



Societe Generale is one of the leading European financial services groups. Based on a diversified and integrated banking model, the Group combines financial strength and proven expertise in innovation with a strategy of sustainable growth. Committed to the positive transformations of the worlds societies and economies, Societe Generale and its teams seek to build, day after day, together with its clients, a better and sustainable future through responsible and innovative financial solutions.



Active in the real economy for over 150 years, with a solid position in Europe and connected to the rest of the world, Societe Generale has over 117,000 members of staff in 66 countries and supports on a daily basis 25 million individual clients, businesses and institutional investors around the world by offering a wide range of advisory services and tailored financial solutions. The Group is built on three complementary core businesses:

French Retail Banking which encompasses the Societe Generale, Credit du Nord and Boursorama brands. Each offers a full range of financial services with omnichannel products at the cutting edge of digital innovation;

which encompasses the Societe Generale, Credit du Nord and Boursorama brands. Each offers a full range of financial services with omnichannel products at the cutting edge of digital innovation; International Retail Banking, Insurance and Financial Services, with networks in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and specialised businesses that are leaders in their markets;

with networks in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and specialised businesses that are leaders in their markets; Global Banking and Investor Solutions, which offers recognised expertise, key international locations and integrated solutions.



Societe Generale is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of Societe Generales newsroom page where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the documents legitimacy directly on the web page.



For more information, you can follow us on Twitter @societegenerale or visit our website www.societegenerale.com .



Attachment
New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Laser Technology Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323483/?utm_source=GNW





The global laser technology market is expected to grow from $11.38 billion in 2021 to $12.32 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The laser technology market is expected to grow to $17.09 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%.



The laser technology market consists of sales of laser technology solutions by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used to give high accuracy results in measuring small and large distances.Laser technology refers to a device that will emit light through a method of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation.



It is a narrow beam of concentrated light that has been produced by a special machine. It has been used for cutting very hard materials, and in many technical fields such as surgery and telecommunications.



The main types of laser technology are solid laser, liquid laser, and gas laser.Liquid lasers are optically pumped lasers in which the gain medium is a liquid at room temperature.



The applications of laser technology include laser processing, optical communications, and other applications. The various end-users of laser technology include telecommunications, industrial, semiconductor and electronics, commercial, aerospace and defense, automotive, medical, research, and other end-users.



Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the laser technology market in 2021.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the laser technology market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The laser technology market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides laser technology market statistics, including laser technology industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a laser technology market share, detailed laser technology market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the laser technology industry. This laser technology 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.



Increased usage of consumer electronic gadgets is expected to propel the growth of the laser technology market going forward.Consumer electronics refer to electronic devices such as smartphones, television, and computers.



Laser technology helps provide innovative solutions for the manufacturing of consumer electronics.For instance, in October 2021, according to The Economic Times, an Indian business newspaper, India has the highest mobile data consumption rate at 12 Gigabytes or GB per user a month in the world, and the country is adding 25 million new smartphone users every quarter.



Therefore, increased usage of consumer electronic gadgets is expected to boost demand for laser technology solutions during the forecast period.



Strategic collaborations are a key trend gaining popularity in the laser technology market.Companies operating in laser technology services are undergoing partnerships to enhance their new product development activities through mutual sharing of technologies and strengthen their market position.



For instance, in February 2022, Trumpf, a German-based laser technology company, partnered with Marvel Fusion, a German-based startup developing a revolutionary fusion technique based on Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) lasers.This collaboration hopes to speed the development of their revolutionary fusion technology.



Further, in March 2022, Tematys, a Scottish-based laser technology company collaborated with Chromacity, a UK-based manufacturer of compact femtosecond laser solutions and tunable optical parametric oscillators. This collaboration hopes to increase sales of its "ultrafast" technology to industrial companies in France.



In January 2021, TRUMPF, a German based industrial machine manufacturing company has acquired an 80% stake in Active Fiber Systems GmbH (AFS), for an undisclosed amount.With this acquisition, TRUMPF plans to retain the AFS location in Jena and build on the research-driven companys independent standing after finalizing the takeover as majority stakeholder.



AFS is a Germany based company, develops, and manufactures ultrashort-pulse laser systems and fiber laser systems used primarily in science and research.



The countries covered in the laser technology 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/p06323483/?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. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Offshore Wind Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323481/?utm_source=GNW





The global offshore wind market is expected to grow from $27.72 billion in 2021 to $29.44 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The offshore wind market is expected to grow to $43.91 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%.



The offshore wind market consists of sales of offshore wind solutions by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are used for the generation of electricity from wind farms in water bodies, usually at sea.Offshore wind energy is a clean and renewable energy source generated by utilizing the winds force on the open seas, where it reaches a higher and more consistent speed than on land due to the lack of boundaries.



Mega-structures situated on the seabed and equipped with the newest technological advancements are being installed to make the most of this resource.



The main components of the offshore wind market are turbines, electrical infrastructure, substructure, and other components.A turbine refers to a machine or engine which uses a stream of air, gas, water, or steam to turn a wheel and produce power.



The locations of wind power include shallow water, transitional water, and deep water.The capacity ranges of offshore wind include up to 3MW,3MW, and above 5MW.



The various applications of wind power include electric power, oil and gas, aviation and transport, and other applications.



Western Europe was the largest region in the offshore wind market in 2021.North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the offshore wind market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The offshore wind market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides offshore wind market statistics, including offshore wind industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an offshore wind market share, detailed offshore wind market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the offshore wind industry. This offshore wind 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 global investments in renewable energy are expected to propel the growth of the offshore wind market going forward.Renewable energy is energy generated from naturally replenished sources such as the sun and wind.



The government is investing in renewable energy to strengthen its position in the offshore wind generation sector. For instance, in June 2021, according to International Energy Source, a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization, Renewable energy has been estimated to attract 70% of global energy investment 2021, Global energy investment is expected to rebound this year and increase 10 % year-on-year to around $1.9 trillion/ Therefore, increasing global investments in renewable energy are expected to propel demand for offshore wind solutions during the forecast period.



Product innovation is a key trend gaining popularity in the offshore wind market.Major companies operating in the offshore sector are focused on developing new product innovations to strengthen their position.



For instance, in January 2019, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, a Spain-based company specializing in the renewable energy industry launched the SG 10.0-193 DD, the companys first 10+ MW offshore wind turbine. The 10-MW rating is enabled by a bigger generator diameter, which is built on the proven SGRE direct-drive generator technology. Direct-drive technology is the foundation for direct-drive wind turbines, and the generator is powered directly by the rotor. The SG 10.0-193 DD provides the same dependability while increasing profitability and lowering client risk.



In December 2020, VINCI Energies, a France-based provider of a wide range of services in the energy and information technologies sector acquired EWE Offshore Services & Solutions GmbH for an undisclosed amount.Through this acquisition, VINCI Energies is focused on expanding its business presence in the renewable energy sector, and enhancing its presence across the globe.



EWE Offshore Service & Solutions is a Netherlands-based provider of offshore wind solutions and maintenance services.



The countries covered in the offshore wind 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/p06323481/?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.



__________________________
FLUSHING, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yo-Health Inc. signs LOI (letter of Intent) to acquire a mid-west wholesale food distributor. Yo-Health Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire an operating wholesale food distributor. Yo-Health Inc.s strategy is to offer end to end support for its operations, with centralized distribution centers; the acquisition will be the cornerstone for growth and cost controls. Terms were not disclosed. For additional information please email:



Info@yo-healthinc.com

Yo-Health Inc.

Sushi / Asian Fusion foods offered through a grab and go service. Sun & Moon drinkable yogurt manufacturing and distribution. Joyce's Bakery wholesale and retail operations. Yo-Health Inc., wholesale distribution operations.

The Management team is focused on healthy alternatives in the fast-food industry, Yo-Health Inc., subsidiaries, will operate grab & go restaurants in selected areas. Yoshi Inc., offers sushi / Hibachi with operations located in supermarkets and stand-alone restaurants. The company plans to open manufacturing and distribution facilities to support the expansion effort. The company currently has 19 Yoshi operations in Baton Rouge, LA, Ohio and Indiana. The locations are servicing the Ohio State university market, the Indianapolis business district and a Sun & Moon Cafe servicing the Illinois University. Our New York manufacturing facility of our Branded yogurt line is targeted to open in the third quarter of 2022. Joyce's Bakery is expected to open in the 3rd quarter of 2022 in Indiana as well.

Our Management has a strong connection in the Sushi market and is utilizing a roll up strategy to expand its foot print in the supermarket chains.

Yo-Health Inc.s mission is to manufacture, distribute and supply all operations with products required to operate through its subsidiaries while capturing revenues in both wholesale and retail markets.

The Company forecast revenues in 2022 to be over $10,000,000 with its current operations and the acquisition of our wholesale food distributor. The company raised $ 3,500,000 in its 1st round, and currently has an offering seeking up to $ 10,000,000 (for accredited investors by prospective only). The company has raised all funding with equity in common stock.

Yo-Health Inc. management is focused on providing Liquidity for investors with a planned public listing targeted in 2022.

Notice:

This is not an offer to invest in the company. An offering can only be made by a prospectus

Forward-Looking Statement: Information in this email and or update may or does contain "forward-looking statements

Forward Looking Statement: Information in this email and or update may or does contain "forward-looking statements This is Not an Offer to Purchase or Sell Securities. This overview is for informational purposes and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in YO-Health, Inc., and may not be relied upon in connection with the purchase or sale of any security. Securities of YO-Health Inc., if offered, will be available to parties who are accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501 promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and who are interested in investing in YO-Health Inc. on their own behalf. Any offering or solicitation will be made only to qualified prospective investors pursuant to a confidential offering memorandum, and the subscription documents, all of which should be read in their entirety.

To obtain further information, you must complete our investor questionnaire and meet the suitability standards required by law. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements/Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This investment brief contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding launch of products, sales, markets, marketing strategies, our estimates on future financial performance, revenue growth and earnings, anticipated levels of capital expenditures and our belief that offering proceeds will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our business operations through 2021. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:  We operate in a highly competitive market. If we do not compete effectively, our prospects, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.  We are subject to government regulation, and unfavorable changes could substantially harm our business and results of operations.  If we are unable to anticipate and satisfy consumer preferences in a timely manner, our business may be adversely affected.  If we are unable to successfully develop, timely introduce, and effectively manage the introduction of new products and services or enhance existing products and services, our business may be adversely affected.  We may not be able to achieve revenue growth or profitability in the future.  If we fail to manage our operating expenses effectively, our financial performance may be negatively impacted.  We intend to spend significant amounts on advertising and other marketing campaigns to acquire new customers, which may not be successful or cost effective.  Our success depends on our ability to develop and maintain a brand. If events occur that damage our brand, our business and financial results may be harmed.  We collect, store, process and use personal information and other customer date, which subjects us to government regulation and other legal obligations related to privacy, information security, and data protection, and any security breach to or actual or perceived failure to comply with such legal obligations could harm our business.  Cybersecurity risks could adversely affect our business and disrupt our operations.  Any material disruption of our information technology systems, or those of third-party partners and data center providers could materially damage user and business partner relationships, and subject us to significant reputational, financial, legal and operational consequences.  Our failure to comply with U.S. and foreign laws related to privacy, data security, and data protection could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and our brand.  An economic downturn or economic uncertainty may adversely affect consumer discretionary spending and demand for our products and services.  If we are unable to protect our brand names, our brand, business and operating results could be adversely affected.

Yo-Health Inc.

990 Gerry Ave

Lido Beach, NY 11561

info@yo-healthinc.com
Tokyo, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In 2021, the flexible product segment has captured 56% market share.



In 2021, the energy segment has captured 54% revenue share.

The global perovskite solar cell market size was valued at USD 0.60 billion in 2021. The perovskite-based solar cells (PSC) industry has a strong chance of expanding throughout the forecast period thanks to rising PSC research and development efforts as well as growing public awareness of the benefits these cells have over silicone photovoltaic technology. A PSC is a type of solar cell that combines superconductivity and magnetic properties with a perovskite-structured substance. Due to the growing use of these solar panels in window panes to turn the absorbed sunlight onto power, a sizable demand is anticipated to emerge from smart building applications.

Get the Free Sample Copy of Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/2205

Regional Snapshots

Due to India's and China's growing investments in renewable power sources, Asia-Pacific is predicted to control the perovskite solar panel share of the market. With increased financing for the study and development of alternative sources of energy, the US is a market leader in North America.

North American market participants are searching for ways to streamline the production of these solar panels and lower their costs even further. As nations like Germany and France actively reduce their carbon dioxide emissions through sustainable energy measures, the solar business in Europe is booming. Last but not least, due to the country receiving focused sunshine for most of the year, Africa is showing bright potential.

Report Highlights

Perovskite solar cells are used in a variety of situations and include perovskite-organized compounds as an effective light-absorbing surface. Features of perovskite, including its adaptability, simplicity of customization, translucency, and low weight, among others, are anticipated to lead to a wide range of uses for photovoltaic devices.

The capacity of this cell to absorb photons throughout a broad spectrum of the visible spectrum of light, good energy conversion efficiency exceeding 20% in the laboratory, and comparative ease of manufacture all contribute to their enormous potential in the solar energy industry.

The capacity of the item to produce clean energy by utilizing solar energy, along with the desire to reduce carbon footprint, are factors that are anticipated to propel the growth of the worldwide perovskite solar cell industry.

By providing a different energy source to fossil fuels, it lowers both the global carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Since they surpassed other third-generation photoelectric techniques in terms of energy conversion, perovskite cells are in high demand.

The worldwide economy for perovskite solar cells is anticipated to continue growing as a result of consumers being more aware of the advantages the product offers.

During the projected period, improvements in manufacturing technology for perovskite solar cells are anticipated to drive market expansion.

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Scope of the Report

Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2021 USD 0.6 Billion Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 7.2 Billion Asia Pacific Market Share 43% in 2021 Europe Market Share 20% in 2021 CAGR 31.8% from 2022 to 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 to 2030 Key Players Alfa Aesar (US), FrontMaterials Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), Energy Materials Corp, Fraunhofer ISE (Germany), Frontier Energy Solution, Dyenamo AB (Sweden), FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation (US), G24 Power Ltd. (UK), Greatcell Energy (Australia), Microquanta Semiconductor Co. Ltd. (China), Oxford PV (UK), and Others.

Market dynamics:

Drivers

The increasing demand for solar energy due to its versatility and low weight is one of the main factors driving the amorphous solar cell sector. The market also gains from the increase of applications from various industries. The market is expanding more quickly as a result of stable energy prices and increased economic activity. The sector has expanded as a result of the growing need to employ present energy resources to fight poverty and improve quality of life. The increase in solar systems affects the market as well. Due to the increased need for perovskite cells and the consequent need to reduce the price of solar cell panels, the market is expanding.

Additionally, the perovskite solar cells market is benefited from changes in lifestyle, improved investments, expanding urbanization, and rising consumer spending. Perovskite-based solar panels are easier to obtain, more affordable, and easier to build than conventional energy panels. High performance is achieved by the amazing power conversion that these cells offer. These qualities are projected to greatly enhance the perovskite-based solar electricity market due to their growing adoption.

Restraints:

The use of these cells may be hampered by the potential environmental effects of lead-based perovskite absorbers. As a result, research is being done to evaluate current and potential substances to diminish or perhaps completely remove toxicity. Perovskite cell technology remains in the early stages of commercialization compared to other established solar systems because of several processing issues, even though these cells show potential and may be beneficial in the future.

Perovskite materials that are already on the market are susceptible to moisture and deteriorate rapidly in the presence of moisture. If broken, these items further corrode metal electrodes, restricting outdoor use, which could impede the market growth.

Opportunities:

Perovskite solar cells have a very high growth potential in the coming years because of their substantial temperature dependency and magnetic properties. In comparison to conventional storage photovoltaics, these devices also offer several additional advantages, such as the ability to react to different light wavelengths that are absorbed by the panels. They are also flexible and light, which will probably lead to an increase in demand for them in the upcoming years.

Additionally, throughout the anticipated period of 2021 to 2030, the increase in R&D activities opens up profitable opportunities for market participants. The market will expand even further as more people start using alternative forms of energy.

Challenges

High production costs are expected to restrict the market growth. Changes in raw material prices are also likely to present a challenge to the perovskite solar energy market throughout the estimated period of 20222030 This report on the perovskite solar panel market provides information on recent developments, import restrictions, import-export analysis, business model, value chain enhancement, customer base, the impact of household and local market participants, and analysis of possibilities in terms of changing income compartments, changes in the restrictions. It also includes decisive market expansion analysis, market shares, categorization of market overgrowth, implementation of niche markets, and supremacy, leading.

Related Reports

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Recent developments:

In August 2019, Oxford PV, a perovskite-focused company based in the UK, purchased the first piece of solar cell production machinery from Meyer Burger, a Swiss technology company. By the end of 2020, Oxford PV intends to acquire a 250 MW perovskite special assembly facility.

To conduct a test, Saule Technologies formally presented an industrial assembly line of inkjet-printed solar cells in February 2019. The company aims to have built 180,000 sq m of solar cells by the end of 2020.

Market Segmentation

By Structure

Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

Mesoporous Perovskite Solar Cells

By Product

Rigid Perovskite Solar Cells

Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells

By Method

Solution Method

Vapor-Assisted Solution Method

Vapor-Deposition Method





By Application

Smart Glass

Perovskite in Tandem Solar Cells

Solar Panel

Portable Devices

Utilities

BIPV (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics)

By End-Use

Manufacturing

Energy

Aerospace

Industrial Automation

Consumer Electronics

Others

By Type

Flexible PSCs

Hybrid PSCs

Multi-Junction PSCs





By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)





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WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Department of the Treasurys Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced today that Treasury has agreed to issue three guarantees totaling $355 million under the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Bond Guarantee Program. The guarantees will be issued on behalf of five Eligible CDFIs under the fiscal year (FY) 2022 round of the program. A total of more than $2.167 billion has been guaranteed since the inception of the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, which provides long-term, fixed-rate capital for projects in low-income urban, rural, and Native communities.



Todays announcement marks a banner year for the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program, said CDFI Fund Director Jodie Harris. The $355 million in bonds issuances announced today is the largest in the programs history. Today is also a good point in time to reflect on the significant impact this important long-term capital is making in our nations low-income communities  of the more than $2.167 billion approved, more than $1.4 billion in cumulative investments have already been disbursed through this program since its launch in 2013.

The FY 2022 program participants include:

Community Reinvestment Fund, USA will issue a $100 million bond on behalf of Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF). LIIF plans to use the bond proceeds to fund charter schools, rental housing, daycare centers, and other eligible uses. This is LIIFs third CDFI Bond Guarantee Program bond issuance, having also been a part of bond guarantees in both 2014 and 2016.

InBank, a new Qualified Issuer, will issue a $125 million bond on behalf of Capital Plus Financial, to provide single-family mortgage financing and property rehabilitation to low-income Hispanic communities in the state of Texas via the CDFI to Financing Entity asset class.

Opportunity Finance Network will issue $130 million in bonds on behalf of the following three Eligible CDFIs:

Community Ventures (CVEN) will receive a $10 million bond loan to fund small businesses and single-family mortgages, the latter via the CDFI to Financing Entity asset class. CVEN was a prior recipient of a bond guarantee in 2015.

Charter School Development Corporation will receive a $70 million bond loan to fund charter schools.

Greater Minnesota Housing Fund (GMHF) also will receive a $50 million bond loan to fund rental housing in the state of Minnesota. GMHF has received two prior bond guarantees in 2017 and 2019.



Established by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program responds to a critical market needlow-cost capital to spur economic growth and jump start community revitalization. Under the program, Qualified Issuers (CDFIs or their designees) apply to the CDFI Fund for authorization to issue guaranteed bonds worth a minimum of $100 million in total. The bonds provide CDFIs with access to substantial long-term, fixed-rate capital to reignite the economies of distressed communities.

The program enables CDFIs to execute large-scale projects, including the development of commercial real estate, housing units, charter schools, daycare or healthcare centers, and rural infrastructure projects, among other asset classes. As of August 31, 2022, more than $1.4 billion in bond proceeds has been disbursed in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

About the CDFI Fund

Since its creation in 1994, the CDFI Fund has awarded more than $5.5 billion to CDFIs, community development organizations, and financial institutions through: the Bank Enterprise Award Program; the Capital Magnet Fund; the CDFI Rapid Response Program; the Community Development Financial Institutions Program, including the Healthy Food Financing Initiative; the Economic Mobility Corps; the Financial Education and Counseling Pilot Program; the Native American CDFI Assistance Program; and the Small Dollar Loan Program. In addition, the CDFI Fund has allocated $66 billion in tax credit allocation authority to Community Development Entities through the New Markets Tax Credit Program, and closed guaranteed bonds for more than $2.1 billion through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program.

To learn more about the CDFI Fund and its programs, please visit the CDFI Funds website at www.cdfifund.gov.

Contact:

Bill Luecht

Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, U.S. Department of the Treasury

luechtw@cdfi.treas.gov

202-653-0322
Guarantee issue important for Iran in nuke talks: FM

Xinhua) 08:59, September 30, 2022

TEHRAN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign minister has reaffirmed that the guarantee issue is very important to Iran in the negotiations on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a recent interview with the U.S. National Public Radio (NPR), the text of which was released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on its website on Thursday.

"The current situation was created by former U.S. President Donald Trump, and incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden has, like Trump, imposed on average one or two sanctions against Iran on a monthly basis, during its indirect participation in the nuclear negotiations over the past months," Amir-Abdollahian told NPR.

"We maintain that diplomacy is the solution and are serious and persistent about reaching a robust and lasting agreement," he said.

However, the agreement draft the United States sent to Iran contained a large number of ambiguities, the Iranian foreign minister said, adding Iran is "serious about an agreement, but we don't know if the American side has the necessary realism and courage to make its decision."

Commenting on the exchange of prisoners with the United States, Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran maintains that the issue is separate from the nuclear deal and is a completely humanitarian one.

"We are ready to exchange prisoners any time the American side expresses its preparedness," he noted.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for removing sanctions on the country. However, Washington quit 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.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
By Deauwand Myers





Deauwand (at seven years old): "Grandma, I didn't know that."

Grandma (Alice Missouri Myers): "What you don't know could make a world."
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The modern Korean army in the early 1900s. Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



They say everyone loves a parade  especially a military parade. In late 1888, Frank G. Carpenter, an American travel writer, had the opportunity of reviewing some of Joseon Korea's soldiers  the old and the new. His observations were brutal.



The new soldiers  all the sons of nobles  were "drilled twice a day in the palace grounds  by two American advisors: General William McEntyre Dye, who had served as an officer during the American Civil War and Captain John Henry Nienstead, a former sailor in the American Asiatic Fleet. Carpenter was not overly impressed with their drill or ceremony. He noted the Korean soldiers "marched very well, but their evolutions were not those of war, and were, it seemed to me, of little practical sense."



At the archery range near the ruins of Gyeonghui Palace (also known as the Mulberry Palace) Carpenter found himself, somewhat vexingly, impressed with these modern soldiers' skills with weapons from the past  bows and arrows  and disgusted with their attempts to use modern rifles.



"The distance between the palace where the archers stood and the target was fully 300 yards, and the judges had such confidence in the accuracy of the shots that they had their seats within five feet of the bull's eye," he wrote.





A depiction of a Korean general of the past circa 1904. Robert Neff Collection

However, with their modern Remington rifles, they were dismal at best. Carpenter never witnessed the soldiers actually firing their rifles, but was informed by a foreign resident of the city that the soldiers were not able to "hit a barn door (at 100 yards away) more than two shots out of five."



Carpenter's poisonous pen was even more disparaging towards the old-style Korean military (armed with "old muzzle-loaders of different makes") and especially their officers who were, he declared, "the most pompous" of Korean officials.



"One of these silk-gowned, black horsehair hatted Corean generals was going up one of the hills about the capital the other day. He had two men behind him to push him and two others held his arms, when General Dye, who by the way is twice the man's age, walked by him with a springing step and asked him as he passed if he expected to have that retinue with him in battle. It took some time for the Corean to appreciate the sarcasm in this remark, but it finally crept through his top knot that among the Western people, that laziness and inability were not marks of honor and the next time the two came together the yang ban general walked alone," he wrote.



Judging from Carpenter's holier-than-thou articles, Korea's military was slowly modernizing but apparently not quick enough. In the summer of 1894, Korea was not the Land of the Morning Calm  it was the center of the Sino-Japanese War. Chinese and Japanese soldiers battled about the peninsula and in Seoul each of the foreign legations summoned detachments of marines and sailors to serve as legation guards.



In September 1894, an American military journal published a somewhat amusing but denigrating article about an encounter with a Korean general in the streets of Seoul.





A member of the upper class with his two attendants. Circa 1890s to early 1900s. Robert Neff Collection



According to the writer, it was near the royal palace when he encountered "a procession headed by two soldiers bearing poles with the square boards fastened to their tops, inscribed with the words, 'Silence' and 'Keep out of the way.'" The commands on these boards were readily heeded (with the encouragement of fierce shouting and threats by the accompanying soldiers) by the general public who respectfully veered to the edge of the streets while lesser officials on horseback dismounted and waited until the general and his procession had passed.



"Following the pole-bearers an official marched in the street, carrying a large portfolio with the visiting cards of the general. These cards are usually of bright red color, about a foot long and a half a foot wide. Another soldier carried a small camp stool, a third a pair of high felt belt boots. Then came about a dozen soldiers with rifles and bayonets, and marching in (single) file on either side of the street, keeping it clear for the general, who now followed. He was mounted on a splendidly caparisoned pony, led by two grooms dressed in long yellow robes."





A blending of the past and the future. Circa 1904. Robert Neff Collection
North Korean refugee Han Song-mi, center, poses with Casey Lartigue of Freedom Speakers International, left, and Park Jin, second from left, foreign minister, at the Harvard Club of Korea's annual alumni dinner on Dec. 1, 2019. To Han's left are Park Jae-Joon of Yonsei University College of Medicine, and Park Young-sun of Hackers English Institute. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue.



By Han Song-mi



I attended elementary school for only one year when I was growing up in North Korea. My life was unstable in North Korea as I moved from home to home, my mom and I were homeless for a while, and I was usually starving and in poverty.



My mom escaped to South Korea then later rescued me from North Korea. I struggled with adjusting to life in South Korea. I even contemplated suicide at one point. As I was going through that dark time, I was trying to find something to save myself.



I tried several things, including re-starting learning English. In late 2019, a friend told me about an organization named Freedom Speakers International. I was so amazed as I watched the videos and read articles about the organization. It seemed to be a dream come true for a North Korean refugee like me who can't afford private tutoring.



I learned that the co-founder was an American named Casey Lartigue Jr. I contacted him to ask about applying to the organization as a student. He directed me to the online application process. A few weeks later, I met with him and FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo. Was there really an organization that focused on helping North Korean refugees learn English? I told them a little about my struggles, that I was trying to find something meaningful.



After my second visit, Casey and Lee Eun-koo had talked about me. Casey invited me to the most wonderful event. The Harvard Club of Korea held its annual alumni dinner at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul. I felt like I was dreaming the whole night.



I wanted to understand everything being said, but my English was so poor. Even when I understood, I was too nervous and shy to speak. My eyes shone with happiness as I smiled the whole night, unable to hide my feelings. It was an elegant night. We had a fancy dinner. Educated and professional people were drinking nice wine and talking about many things, much of which I couldn't understand.



I met Park Jin, a member of South Korea's National Assembly who greeted me. He was so nice. Later, I saw in the news that he had become South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs. I can't believe that such a high-ranking person in the South Korean government knows who I am.



The most exciting moment of the night was when they had a quiz about Harvard University's history. When the announcer asked a few of the questions, Casey pointed at me, trying to get the announcer's attention. Then, it happened! The announcer pointed at me. I stood up, excited as a person brought the microphone over to me. Casey whispered to me, "Just say 'eight.'" I had been shy all night, but not at that moment. Very loudly and proudly, I said, "Eight!"



The announcer said I was right, and I won co?ee from a Harvard alumni! I was in a room with Harvard professors and alumni, and I was the person with the right answer! The right answer was "eight." Eight what, I didn't know. Casey later told me that "eight" was the number of Harvard graduates who had become president of the United States. Casey could have won the co?ee, but instead he told me the answer so I could win. It was an amazing night.



Later that night, I sent the photos to my mom. "Mom, I went to this event. It is really special."



She asked, "Why is it special?"



"I met Harvard professors."



She also got excited as she heard more details. Her daughter who didn't study or read a book for years when she was in North Korea was in the same room with Harvard alumni as a special guest. Mom said to me, "I think you are a lucky girl to have met Harvard professors. I am so grateful Casey took you there." Mom is always worried about me. After we reconciled in South Korea, our relationship got even stronger than before. It was a wonderful moment. I was a daughter telling her mom about a special night.



I didn't know anything about Harvard University when I was in North Korea. Before I went to the dinner, I searched online to learn more about it. I was so excited as I told mom about Harvard University as if she also had never heard of it.



Mom asked, "Are you crazy? You didn't know about Harvard?"



"Mom," I said. "I had never heard about Harvard when I was in North Korea. I had to work to survive. I feel so lucky."



I sent the photos to a long-time friend who is like an aunt to me. She also posted the photos on her social media. She was so proud that I had gone to a Harvard University event.



I was still going to have a lot of trouble over the next few months and year, and had struggled so much for several years, but that night was a bright spot. When I was on the subway going home, I couldn't stop smiling.



I later told Casey more about the problems I had been going through. He was disappointed that I had not told him earlier. He said that I should have told him sooner, and that he would help me organize my life.



At the end of 2019, I was looking for something to save myself. I am now in a different place in my life, as an author, speaker, people from around the world have contacted me, and I have numerous organizations inviting me to participate in their activities.



I will never forget going to that Harvard Alumni Dinner as a special guest. I will soon have a Part 2 to my Harvard story.



Next week I will be visiting the U.S to give speeches in Nashville (TN), New York City (NY) and Cambridge (MA) for the U.S. release of my memoir, Greenlight to Freedom. My trip to the U.S. will end with a visit to Harvard University. Casey will be giving a speech at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I will be joining him, and I will have a chance to speak at Harvard University.



Oct. 3 is a special day in my life. On Oct. 3, 2011, I was released from South Korea's re-education center for North Korean refugees and became a citizen of South Korea. I will be celebrating my freedom day this year speaking at a famous university I never heard of when I was in North Korea.





Han Song-mi is co-author with Casey Lartigue of the book Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter's Search for Her Mother and Herself. She is a Keynote Speaker with Freedom Speakers International and was the winner of the organization's 16th English Speech Contest on Aug. 27.








Courtesy of Jul Lee





By David Tizzard







David A. Tizzard

To define whether or not a country is modern is a rather difficult thing. Some of us instinctually reach for economic factors as a mark of a state's development. The simple equation being: the more cash it has, the more modern it is. Yet such figures can be deceiving. Rather than just mere gross domestic product, people expect a reasonable amount of economic distribution in a modern state and so look at GDP per capita. The two ways of presenting such information put South Korea either 12th or 36th. More dramatically, China drops from 2nd to 79th when seen in such a way.







For others, money cannot buy modernity if certain values are lacking. The Gulf States, for example, are drowning in money  providing fabulous backdrops for Instagram influencers wanting to flex. Yet there are those who would suggest that despite being able to buy gold from vending machines, there are cultural obstacles which prevent these countries from being modern. Whether such requirements are fair or rather a neo-colonial form of cultural imperialism remains a matter of perspective. It also raises the question of whether there are any absolute moral or ethical standards vis-a-vis modernization or whether we are all simply left adrift in a horizon-less ocean of liquid modernity and a post-Nietzschean world.







Certainly there are many who believe a modern state is a secular one and not theocratic. Reason rules, not god. Ernest Renan gave this view its clearest pronouncement when he said, "Mankind used to believe, but now it knows." A wonderful irony being that tolerance allows anyone to believe what they want (from Buddhism, to Scientology, and Jedi) providing such beliefs don't influence their decisions should they be in positions of power. Gender, race, and sexual orientation are far more acceptable as choice-drivers than anything spiritual. How we derive ethics from science remains a very fun and interesting discussion though.







Whether or not modernity has values, absolute or otherwise, it has certainly conquered time and space. We are no longer influenced by the natural rhythms of night and day, summer and winter. A modern state is one in which anything is available, all the time. Our desires no more constrained by the hour of the day or geographic location. We have swimming pools in winter, neon lights at night, and strawberries all year round. Fulfillment is instantaneous. It is achieved by large-scale urbanization: another important feature of modernity. With it, the civilizing process takes place as CCTV and social media become the Foucauldian panopticon observing our every move and threatening punishment should we do anything not 'normal'.







As Freud, Stiglitz, and many others have observed, modernity brings with it discontents: anxiety, depression, and suicide. Atomized living and hyper-individualization is far too much for some to bear. What was once solid has melted. The necessity of becoming oneself, a branded commodity, is suffocating. Sadly, as suggested by Mark Fisher, this becomes seen as an individual problem requiring insurance, counselling, and the right amount of meds. All purchased with money of course. And the problems are attributed to chemical imbalances or generational trauma. Few ever dare suggest that the cause is structural or something inherent in the modern system itself.







Despite this brief and clearly inadequate exploration of what modernity might be, I will end with the suggestion that South Korea is now more modern than its erstwhile sponsor, the United States. This is of course not to suggest that South Korea is perfect, far from it; nevertheless, its trajectory and modern environment is one of ascension and progress rather than regression. Its streets are relatively safe to walk  a single tragic and senseless murder sees outrage and demand for immediate action and change rather than empty platitudes of thoughts and prayers; its shopping malls and churches free from mass shootings; drug and opioid crises on a nationwide scale non-existent. The health care is excellent and available. The transport and infrastructure is modern, clean, and cheap. The university classrooms are places of education and learning with professors still commanding respect and students free from ideological culture wars dividing the population. The culture itself promotes hard work, effort, study, and respect.







It's easy to bash South Korea, and my column will attest to the fact that I'm not blind to these problems. But my word, isn't it worth celebrating the fantastic achievements once in a while? This country has achieved so much. Will it avoid the various pitfalls to which the west has succumbed? Perhaps. It will no doubt have its own problems on the journey. But when has this country ever done things the easy way?







Dr. David A. Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) has a Ph.D. in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He is a social/cultural commentator and musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He is also the host of the Korea Deconstructed podcast, which can be found online. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times.


General Motors and OneD Battery Sciences signed a joint research development agreement focused on the potential use of OneDs silicon nanotechnology in GMs Ultium battery cells to drive significant increases in energy density for longer range and reduced cost. GM Ventures and Volta Energy Technologies also participated in OneDs Series C funding round, which the company recently closed at $25 million.

The focus of the collaboration is OneDs SINANODE platform. Silicon can store ten times the energy of graphite alone yet previous attempts to include more silicon in the anode faced challenges of silicon expansion and breakage.

Using silane, OneD infuses silicon nanowires using existing CVD machinery into EV-grade graphite. The silicon nanowires fill the surface and the internal pores of the graphite, making the silicon accessible to the lithium ions.





With the infused silicon evenly distributed and permanently embedded into the graphite, the silicon nanowires have an available reversible capacity of 3,250mAh/g and a lower cost per kWh than graphite alone. SINANODE technology allows wet or dry electrode coating, offering further cost reductions.

ncreasing energy density can open the door to smaller, lighter, more efficient battery packs that could achieve higher driving range at lower cost.

GM designed Ultium to be a supremely flexible platform so we can continuously improve our cells as battery technology advances. Our collaboration with OneD will focus on efforts to continue advancements in EV range, performance and cost. Kent Helfrich, GM chief technology officer, vice president of GM research and development, and president of GM Ventures

The collaboration on silicon anode technology is believed to be the first of its kind between two US companies. GM is rapidly scaling its Ultium EV Platform to reach 1 million units of annual EV manufacturing capacity in North America by 2025. Earlier this year, GMs first Ultium Cells joint venture battery plant began production in Ohio, with two additional US plants under construction and a fourth also planned.

At the same time, GM is building on more than a decade of advanced battery research and development with its new Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center in Warren, Michigan, which was completed earlier this year to help ramp up significantly development and production of next-generation Ultium batteries, along with production methods that can quickly be deployed at battery cell manufacturing plants.

Fifteen years of OneD research and development has led to a portfolio of more than 240 granted patents. This enables OneDs business model to center on licensing the SINANODE technology to industrial partners and scale manufacturing faster and at a lower cost. Given a licensing business model and low operational costs, Series C funds will be used to continue SINANODE research and development, while advancing pilot production and providing OEMs and battery manufacturers a seamless integration into the manufacturing of EV batteries via licensed manufacturing partners.
Transportation is now the largest source of carbon emissions in the US. To address this, the federal and state governments are accelerating incentives for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) and their infrastructures to shift away from fossil fuels, funding a massive shift to EV fast charging and hydrogen refueling.

ZEV Station is helping to help remove the vehicle from the carbon equation with ultra-fast, carbon-free fuel for both electric and hydrogen vehicles. (Earlier post.) ZEV Station has now launched its first public charging stations with a Ribbon Cutting event at the Palm Springs Art Museum.





ZEV Station public charging station in Palm Springs

The charging dispensers have the capability of SAE J1772 CCS1 and Tesla charging allowing both types of vehicles to charge. ZEV Fleet Co., a subsidiary of ZEV Station, was also launched at the ribbon cutting.





ZEV Fleet All Electric Step Vans (Class 2)

ZEV Fleet plans to demonstrate a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model, by leasing an all-electric step vans to last-mile delivery fleets using AC & DC Charging. This will enable last mile delivery fleet owners to evaluate the benefit of a Class 2 EV delivery van and entice them to sign up for ZEV Stations offtake agreements.





ZEV Station Charger (120kW)

ZEV Station has recently been awarded three California ZEV infrastructure Grants totaling $2.7M: CEC Rural Charging, EnergIIZE Jumpstart, and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Incentive (HVIP) for ZEV Fleets electric vans. The grants will help accelerate their next phase in ZEV Infrastructure, a highway environmental oasis off the I-10 in Palm Springs.


By Lee Jong-eun





In international relations, political actors' ambiguous, inconsistent behaviors are frequent subjects of debates and controversies. To some critics, U.S. President Joe Biden's recent Saudi Arabia visit to request the latter's cooperation in the global energy market contradicted his administration's pledge to counter autocracy and advocate human rights as core foreign policy values.







To other critics, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's equivocal response toward U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan was inconsistent with Yoon's campaign pledge to be assertive toward China. To other critics, Western Europe's pledge to defend Ukraine from Russia's invasion is undermined by the former's restraint in providing more sophisticated weapons for Ukraine and completely suspending energy imports from Russia.







Often, newly established governments criticize what they portray as their predecessors' ambiguous, contradictory foreign policies, then proclaim that their new foreign policies will be instead clear and principled. Eventually, however, most governments, regardless of their ideological orientation, make decisions that fall short or deviate from their foreign policy pledges.







In South Korea, the Lee Myung-bak government, which criticized its predecessors' engagement policy toward North Korea as wasteful spending, continued to permit the flow of aid to North Korea through the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex. The Moon Jae-in government, which questioned the legality of the 2015 Korea-Japan Comfort Women Agreement signed by its predecessor, eventually acknowledged the document as an official bilateral agreement.







To be accused of foreign policy inconsistencies and contradictions poses risks for governments. The losses of policy credibility could result in domestic political backlashes and suspensions of international cooperation. However, ambiguities and contradictions are not only common but perhaps necessary attributes of international affairs.







A government which seeks to implement a certain foreign policy will likely face challenges from domestic and external actors opposed to the policy. Against such opposition, the government risks experiencing policy costs that could jeopardize fulfilling other vital foreign policy goals. Should the U.S. pressure countries in the Global South to participate in robust sanctions against Russia, at the risk of alienating these countries to drift away from the West?







Should South Korea pursue a trilateral security alliance with the U.S. and Japan at the risk of its economic partnership with China? While some hardliners advocate that certain foreign policy objectives are more important than all others, the geopolitical reality is that governments are often compelled to balance competing foreign policy interests and objectives.







There is a valid criticism that unrealistic foreign policy objectives are the cause for states' "hypocritical" policy behaviors. For example, the goal of nuclear nonproliferation has been criticized for forcing the international community to deny recognition to de facto nuclear weapons states like India, Pakistan and Israel. Disavowing costly, unattainable foreign policy goals might be the easiest way to reduce the need for policy ambiguities and contradictions.







Unfortunately, domestic and international constraints often prevent countries from disavowing long-held foreign policy goals. For example, the U.S. is unlikely to abandon formally the goal of denuclearizing North Korea or dismiss the importance of international democracy and human rights promotion.







Subsequently, how countries could signal a commitment to foreign policy goals without experiencing undue costs remain an unavoidable policy challenge. Despite risks and criticisms, policy ambiguities and contradictions display governments' endeavors to bridge the gap between stated policy goals and policy constraints.







The governments might hedge support for a policy goal with an undefined level of commitment to test the expected costs. U.S. commitment to defend Taiwan but not formally support Taiwan's independence; South Korea's participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), but reservation toward membership in the Quad are examples of policy deliberations that might appear to some critics as strategic ambiguities.







The governments might also attempt to offset foreign policy costs through countermeasures. The recent killing of Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri by the U.S. military might appear to contradict the U.S. strategic withdrawal from Afghanistan, but it could also be the Biden administration's attempt to balance the excessive decline of the U.S.' security commitment in the Middle East region.







Some analysts warn that ambiguities and contradictions create geopolitical uncertainties threatening international stability. The mixed signaling of the West's security commitment to Ukraine might have motivated Russia's "special military operations." Similar security crises could occur in East Asia if the U.S. and its allies do not convey strategic clarity. However, in geopolitical disputes where actors have incompatible goals and interests, policy ambiguities might also serve as creative solutions that avert crises and maintain international stability.







A carefully crafted ambiguity permits international actors to achieve mutual "face-saving" consensus by blurring the costs of compromise. "Informal reciprocity" and "tacit compliance" might be less costly for international actors to abide by than explicit concessions. Drawing from the Korean proverb, "give a disease then give a medicine," international actors might alternate aggressive and conciliatory policy behaviors to adjust strategic balance in their geopolitical interactions. Fluctuations of foreign policy behavior could then have a positive role in deterring international disputes from severely deteriorating or rigidly remaining in gridlock.







Do foreign policy ambiguities and contradictions undermine the stability of the "rules-based international order?" Or do they provide nuances that preserve international stability threatened by conflict over rules and principles? Both are possible outcomes. The key difference between actors who use ambiguities and contradictions to reinforce international stability and actors who fail might be that the former carry credibility that permits the latitude of "cutting some slack" in making exceptions to their professed policy goals and principles.







The paradox of international stability might be that credibility and contradictions are "two sides of a coin." International actors must acquire credibility to implement persuasively less credible aspects of their foreign policy.









Lee Jong-eun (

), a Ph.D. candidate, is an adjunct faculty member at the American University School of International Service. Prior to this, he has served as a South Korean Air Force intelligence officer. His research specialty includes U.S. foreign policy, South Korean politics and foreign policy, alliance management and East Asian regional security.


After years of consumer requests, Twitter is bringing the option to edit tweets. The company plans to launch this feature later this month and it shared a test tweet that has a Last edited timestamp. Clicking on the timestamp takes you to the tweet version history which shows you the original tweet and all modifications made.

hello



this is a test to make sure the edit button works, well let you know how it goes  Twitter Blue (@TwitterBlue) September 29, 2022

Once the edit tweet feature is ready for consumers it will be exclusive to Twitter Blue  the $4.99 monthly subscription service which is only supported in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for now. Twitter Blue users also get other perks like ad-free articles, UI customization options and an undo tweet option which lets you delete tweets before you actually post them thanks to a countdown timer.
The Cost-U-Less store in Dededo is shown in this photo from the companys website.
A customer concludes a transaction during a visit to the Guam Power Authority/Guam Waterworks Authority customer satellite office in Sept. 2021 at the Julale Shopping Center in Hagatna.
Leo Tudela, now a 79-year-old survivor of Guam clergy sexual assaults, on Friday asked that all parties involved in getting the Archdiocese of Agana out of bankruptcy think about reasonable compensation for victims as confirmation hearings begin Monday.

This has taken so long, he said.

Tudela, who represents abuse survivors in the creditors committee, said no dollar amount will fully make up for the pain that survivors of childhood sexual assaults by priests and others associated with the Catholic Church still carry to this day.

The confirmation hearings will be on the archdioceses joint bankruptcy exit plan.

At the heart of it is the proposed settlement payment of $34 million to $101 million, as of July court filings.

More than 270 Guam clergy abuse claims for assaults dating back to the 1950s will be covered.

Most of the amount that the archdiocese and its creditors expected from insurers and the Boy Scouts of America is still not guaranteed.

Very dire

About the same time Tudela was addressing the bankruptcy court in person at a pretrial hearing Friday, the archdiocese released a statement once again apologizing to those who were deeply harmed by the abuses while also reporting that its financial situation has grown very dire.

We have amassed large sums of expenses in legal fees which we are obliged to pay, Archdiocese of Agana Vicar General Father Romeo Convocar said in the three-page open letter.

The archdiocese has already paid out more than $7.06 million in legal, financial and real estate professional services fees related to its bankruptcy case, court documents show.

Total billings as of Aug. 31 were more than $7.195 million.

Theyre not only for the archdioceses legal representation, but also to cover legal costs of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors as the bankruptcy court requires.

These fees will continue to grow as long as the bankruptcy case is not resolved. Recent court filings showed the archdioceses total assets were at $57.6 million as of Aug. 31.

Abuse survivors, meanwhile, have yet to receive any compensation from the archdiocese.

The archdiocese said the bankruptcy process has gone well beyond the one or two years we had initially anticipated.

It filed for bankruptcy on Jan. 16, 2019, over a deluge of abuse claims reaching more than $1 billion.

5th amended plan

Clergy sex abuse claimants voted on the third amended joint settlement plan that was offered in July. However, the archdiocese and its creditors amended their joint plan twice since then.

So on Monday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood will also hold a hearing on the parties expedited motion for the deemed acceptance of the fifth amended joint plan of reorganization for the archdiocese.

During Fridays pretrial conference, the judge addressed other pending motions.

After hearing from abuse survivor Tudela, the judge said the whole proceedings go back to where they started  the victims.

The confirmation hearings are set for 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily from Oct. 3-7.

Major crossroad

The archdiocese, despite its financial challenges, noted the progress made so far in trying to address the abuse claims and the archdioceses finances.

It said the confirmation hearing will mark a major crossroad in our difficult journey and healing related to clergy sexual abuse and hopes that the court will confirm the joint settlement plan that the archdiocese and its creditors committee have worked on for months.

We ask all Catholics of our archdiocese to earnestly join in this prayer, most of all for the sake of the victims who suffered terribly many years ago as innocent youth. They continue to suffer to this day, the archdiocese said.

It also acknowledged the difficult time for Catholic schools, parishes and organizations whose members have been asked to make excruciating sacrifices related to bankruptcy.

Besides $6.6 million in cash contributions from the archdiocese and $18 million from AIG Insurance, the joint plan also includes signing over dozens of pieces of church and school properties estimated at $18 million to a trust for claimants compensation.

The archdiocese also agreed to provide up to 13 years of free Catholic school education for abuse claimants families and 50 burial plots for the survivors.

The archdiocese also plans to sell the Chancery property in Agana Heights and the property where FHP/TakeCare sits in Tamuning.

We ask for the faithfuls continued support and assistance to move our church forward, toward healing, reorganization and finally, to brighter days. It will take time, the archdiocese said. It will be years, not months. However, with the grace of God we have already covered much ground and have made major progress.
The Simon Sanchez Sharks held their Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month fair on Friday.

We do this just to spread awareness about suicide and just show them that theres other options besides hurting themselves, said Sam Bejerana, Simon Sanchez Health Department faculty member.

Bejerana said the last time the school held the fair was in 2019, before the pandemic.

The fair was student-driven, with students able to learn about suicide awareness and prevention from their peers.

Basically were trying to reach the whole school about suicide awareness and prevention, said Bejerana.

Outside organizations and businesses participated also. WestCare Pacific Islands, the Guam Army National Guard, Guam Community College and the University of Guam had booths and displays.

The WestCare Pacific Islands booth presented information on a program called Malak Na Haani, also known as Bright Futures, which is a free mental health service offered to people aged 11 to 17.

Daime Rivera, research assistant at WestCare, discussed the importance of the program.

To a lot of students it can be very uncomfortable to talk about what youre going through to a complete stranger, said Rivera.

We want to be here to normalize ... talking about our feelings, Rivera said. It makes it feel normal, it makes it feel comfortable to help others that you love and everyone that you want to support.

The WestCare booth featured an activity where students wrote one thing that they like about themselves, and the comments were posted on a board called Hype Yourself Up.

Not a lot of people are very comfortable talking about themselves or saying nice things about themselves  Its good practice to always think positive, said Rivera.

Throughout the event, the suicide and crisis lifeline number was posted and handed out by faculty and staff.

Many of the students are already sharing the 988 number with their friends, said Gina De Guzman, a counselor at the school.
Our View: Find out more about the opportunities available in the local construction and trades industry.
LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, center, walks with top executives of the company's affiliates at a workshop held at Konjiam Resort in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of LG Group



By Kim Jae-heun



LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and top executives of group affiliates discussed strategies for future businesses as companies are grappling with the increasingly unfavorable economic conditions, Korea's fourth-largest conglomerate said, Friday.



Koo and the heads of LG's units attended a CEO workshop at Konjiam Resort in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday, the first of its kind since December 2019.



About 30 top executives attended the workshop and reviewed the direction of the future portfolio for the next five to 10 years. In particular, they discussed how to formulate specific implementation strategies, especially from the perspective of future customers.



"When business is facing a difficult situation, we should not get carried away by it. We have to take initiative and action to make our own decisions on what is approaching," Koo said.



"We have to think from the perspective of future customers thoroughly when preparing for the future. We need to question ourselves about who our future customers are, what they really want and what kind of new value we want to create before answering them," Koo added.



Koo believes that clearly understanding customers' demands is crucial for coping with the current global economic situation, which is affected by the ongoing war in the Ukraine and the rise of the exchange rate, specifically the value of the U.S. dollar against the Korean won.



"Our companies' future competitiveness depends on how we provide differentiated value to customers through our brand, products and services.



Meanwhile, Joo Jae-woo, a professor in the College of Business Administration at Kookmin University, and Thales Teixeira, a former associate professor at the Harvard Business School, delivered opening speeches at the workshop.



Joo gave a lecture on the essential understanding of innovation in customer experience and design plans. Teixeira shared his ideas on how to increase execution power for the strategy of practicing customer value.



Furthermore, the CEOs of LG Group affiliates checked the results of their innovation activities that have been continuously promoted until now and discussed ways to create a customer-centered culture to reflect customer feedback instantly.




Robert Underwood is the former president of the University of Guam and Guams former delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Kim Young-shub, right, CEO of LG CNS, poses with Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, after signing a Digital Transformation Partnership at Google's headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, in this photo provided by LG CNS, Sunday. LG CNS said this is the first time that Google Cloud signed a partnership with a Korean company, adding that the two will cooperate on expanding leadership in Korea's enterprise artificial intelligence software market, cloud computing-based application modernization and other digital transformation-related businesses. Courtesy of LG CNS




Haiti - FLASH : Incident in the free zone of CODEVI, workers evacuated under protection





Thursday, September 29 around 1:00 in the afternoon, a group of Haitians entered the free zone of the Industrial Development Company (Codevi) located in the Ounaminthe / Dajabon border area, to stir up trouble there.



CODEVI explained in a press release "These people suddenly burst in and vandalized some of our food depots, destroying part of our facilities and breaking the windows of several buildings...



To avoid further consequences, the CODEVI security protocol was activated, protecting all personnel and thus avoiding further unprovoked damage" the evacuation was made under the protection of the agents of the National Police, the members of the Dominican army and the Corps specialized in land border security (CESFRONT) in order to avoid further incidents. Throughout this incident, the personal workers were protected and suffered no aggression.



LA CODEVI where more than 14,000 Haitians work (+ 20% of jobs in the manufacturing sector https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26459-haiti-economy-a-dominican-responsible-for-more-than-20-of-textile-jobs-in-the-country.html) is closed and will reopen as soon as possible.



Carlos Luciano Diaz Morfa, the Dominican Minister of Defense, clarified that the incident which occurred in the part of the free zone of Codevi, located in the town of Ounaminthe "was due to an internal affair registered on the Haitian side".



He assured that the border between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti is currently calm.



Santiago Riveron, the mayor of the municipality of Dajabon, announced the closure of the border market until further notice due to the situation of insecurity in the free zone of Codevi located in Ounaminthe.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27409-haiti-economy-fernando-capellan-launches-an-emergency-appeal-to-the-haitian-authorities.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27320-haiti-dr-codevi-will-create-14-000-new-jobs-this-year.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26479-haiti-economy-summary-challenges-and-perspectives-of-the-textile-sector.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26459-haiti-economy-a-dominican-responsible-for-more-than-20-of-textile-jobs-in-the-country.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19056-haiti-economy-installation-of-a-new-factory-in-ouanaminthe.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17260-haiti-economy-the-minister-of-commerce-visited-codevi.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7981-haiti-economy-laurent-lamothe-talks-about-the-creation-of-6-000-jobs-in-ouanaminthe.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-836-haiti-republique-dominicaine-la-codevi-une-solution-a-la-migration-illegale.html (in french)



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Hipolito Mejia, talks about a UN intervention in Haiti

Thursday on the sidelines of his participation in the regional meeting "Technology, politics and economy: the challenges of Latin America and the Caribbean" which was held in Santo Domingo, the former Dominican President, Hipolito Mejia, said he was convinced that the United Nations will intervene in Haiti "because there is no other alternative" and he hopes that will happen soon... See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37767-haiti-flash-we-need-boots-on-the-ground-right-now-dixit-former-us-ambassador-pamela-a-white.html



Gonaives : Looting of a container

On the night of September 28 to 29, 2022, unidentified individuals looted a container used as a depot for the Gonaives Plain Organization where, among other things, solar panels were stored to supply the pumps. Officials call on the authorities to assume their responsibilities and hunt down the culprits. In addition, the organizers of the demonstrations announce a truce this weekend so that the population can refuel.



Situation at the Varreux terminal



Stock status as of September 29, 2022 :



Diesel 4,983,426 gallons

Kerosene 816.228 gallons

Gasoline 5,162,346 gallons



The situation remains unchanged, there have been no truck loading operations since September 12, 2022, specifies the company WINECO in charge of managing the oil terminal in Varreux (Cite Soleil).



Also on Thursday afternoon, heavy gunfire was heard in several neighborhoods bordering Cite-Soleil not far from the terminal. According to available information, it seems that heavily armed men from the G9 coalition were trying to thwart police attempts to regain control of the Varreux terminal.



Digicel : 60% of antennas in operation

"Despite the difficulties, we have 60% of our antennas in operation and we are continuing our efforts to replenish fuel from our strategic stocks," Maarten Boute, CEO of Digicel.



Shy resumption of activities at PAP

Thursday, there was a timid resumption of activities in Port-au-Prince after the 3-day strike launched by the transport unions. Commercial banks, some shops and supermarkets have reopened. However, public transport remained severely reduced due to a lack of fuel.



Accident on the Massacre River Bridge

Thursday at the CODEVI industrial park in Ouanaminthe, Me Luma Demetrius was accused of having forced his car through a crowd of workers on the bridge over the Massacre River. Several workers were reportedly injured. A complaint will be filed against the magistrate by victims.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Published on 2022/09/29 | Source

New photos added for the upcoming Korean drama "Glitch" (2022).

Advertisement

Directed by Roh Deok

Written by Jin Han-sae

Network: Netflix

With Jeon Yeo-been, Nana, Lee Dong-hwi, Ryu Kyung-soo, Jeon Bae-soo, Ko Chang-seok,...

Synopsis

"Glitch" tells a story of Hong Ji-hyo, who tries to track down her missing boyfriend with the help of members of a UFO club. Writer Jin Han-sae, who enthralled audiences and critics with the much lauded Netflix series "Extracurricular", reunites with its production team at Studio 329 for "Glitch". Jin Han-sae's bold writing style and keen insight kept viewers surprised in his debut series. Now in "Glitch", he unravels an intriguing and intense story about members of a UFO club who pursue those who have disappeared in a mysterious beam of light. Their special quest, which seems preposterous to society at large, is told within the framework of a suspenseful comic thriller.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2022/10/07


'Amid chip downturn, SoftBank wants Samsung's financial help for Arm's successful US IPO'



By Kim Yoo-chul



SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son's plan to meet Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong in Seoul comes just months after the global tech investor dropped plans for the London listing of British chip designer Arm due to the departures of investment minister Gerry Grimstone and digital minister Chris Philp following the resignation of of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Grimstone and Philp played leading roles in talks with SoftBank over the U.K. listing.



Son is set to ask the Samsung chief to forge a strategic alliance with Arm, while the Korean chipmaker appears to be somewhat stumped, saying that it has no idea what Son's business proposal could be. Samsung didn't elaborate further.



After President Yoon Suk-yeol granted a pardon for the Samsung leader, the company's top executives are increasingly being asked to implement very detailed and applicable business plans to boost shareholder returns amid a slowdown in demand for memory chips. Samsung's share price fell some 30 percent from January to Sept. 23, while South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index was down 23 percent during the same period, according to data provided by the Korea Exchange (KRX).



Samsung Electronics had some 6 million minority shareholders as of today following its 50-to-1 stock split in 2018. Senior company executives said that Samsung, which is a leader in the global memory chip industry, is on track to explore acquisition opportunities in order to secure future growth engines.



However, despite repeated positive comments by Samsung executives over the progress of its corporate acquisition efforts, several sources familiar with the issues said chances are low that Samsung will pursue a sizable stake in the British chip designer.



"First, the departures of the two British ministers mean a lot because they were strong supporters in backing Son's idea for Arm's London initial public offering (IPO). SoftBank will pursue a direct U.S. listing of Arm. Its founder Son needs Samsung's support for Arm's successful U.S. listing process," a senior industry executive said via telephone, asking not to be named.



In June this year, Son told investors and shareholders that he was in favor of a U.S. listing because most of Arm's clients are based there. Plus, its CEO Rene Haas recently told the Financial Times that Arm wants to use the capital raised from its upcoming IPO to look at pursuing deals. "Arm executives are pretty confident the company can stand on its own two feet. The timing is good for us," Hass was quoted as saying.



The U.S. market is much better than London in terms of liquidity and the number of prospective larger investors. Meanwhile, Arm's battle over control of its China unit, earlier considered the biggest hurdle to pursuing an IPO, has been resolved.



Samsung could play role of financial investor



Simply put, SoftBank is in severe financial trouble because of the global sell-off of technology stocks. Gains made through its investment arm, Vision Funds, in tech startups including Alibaba, Coupang and Doordash were almost wiped out.





Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, left, and SoftBank Founder Masayoshi Son, right, arrive at the Korea Furniture Museum in Seoul, in this July 4, 2019, file photo, to attend a dinner with leaders of South Korean conglomerates. Korea Times file



Son said he was ashamed of himself for being so elated by big profits in the past. Son drastically scaled back investments as Vision Fund spent $600 million in new investments in the first quarter of this year down from $20.6 billion in the same period, a year ago.



"While Samsung's cash reserves were at some 130 trillion won, as of August this year, it is unlikely for Samsung to serve as a kind of white knight to save SoftBank by purchasing major stakes in Arm because there's no need to do so," another executive said on condition of anonymity. The entire value of Arm is estimated at some 95 trillion won, at least.



Samsung has acquired 29 companies including seven in the last five years. A total of four acquisitions happened from private equity firms (PEFs). It also divested a total of seven assets. Samsung's largest-ever acquisition was in 2016 when the company bought Harman for $8 billion. It has acquired in seven different U.S. states and nine countries, while the company's most preferred target sectors include software products and software services, according to company disclosures.



"Recent failed attempts at blockbuster deal proposals were due to regulatory concerns regarding national security and competition. Samsung may take a role as a financial investor through the participation of Arm's U.S. IPO process by purchasing large volumes of new shares, for example," the executive added.



SoftBank owns a 75 percent stake in Arm with Vision Funds owning the remaining 25 percent. Son hopes to remain as the largest shareholder in it by only selling the stakes owned by Vision Funds, said sources close to the matter.



"SoftBank wants to ensure prospective Wall Street investors that its $60 billion valuation target for Arm is supported by major partners including Samsung. In fact, Son hopes to use his meeting with Samsung's Lee as a bar to boost the financial value of Arm in the eyes of other buyers," said an executive by telephone at a local PEF, who has previously handled sizable deals. "Investor sentiment for semiconductor stocks will recover from early next year."



ASML case, no huge synergy even for a part of Arm





Citing a top industry official, The Korea Times was the first to report Samsung's plan to acquire between a 3 percent and a 5 percent stake in Arm as a way to reduce payable royalties.



The reports also went on to say that Arm will be acquired by a consortium led by multiple parties given the complex nature of Arm's shareholding structure. Samsung responded to this by saying the story was "groundless."





An ARM and SoftBank Group branded board is displayed at a news conference in London, UK July 18, 2016. Reuters-Yonhap
Seen is the Nurion, the country's fifth supercomputer located at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) office in Daejeon. KISTI said Tuesday that it will introduce the sixth supercomputer, which will be 32 times faster than the Nurion, in 2023. Courtesy of KISTI



By Baek Byung-yeul



Korea will introduce the country's sixth supercomputing system, which is 32 times faster than the currently most advanced Nurion supercomputer, in 2023 as part of the country's efforts to promote the advancement of science and contribute to the national economy in terms of disease research, materials development necessary for high-tech industries and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, a state-run research institution said Tuesday.



"A supercomputer is a large-sized computing system that performs large-capacity operations. It is becoming important as a key infrastructure for utilizing AI technology and other technologies as well as computational science," Lee Sik, director general of the division of national supercomputing at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), said during a press conference in Seoul.



"The difference in the use of supercomputers compared to the past is that they were mostly used for basic science a lot, but now they are more utilized in studies that are more related to human lives and industries such as dementia and cancer research and development of materials for batteries and semiconductors."



Since the country introduced its first supercomputing system in 1988, Korea has built five supercomputers. But the Nurion, which was introduced in 2018, has been overloaded with an average usage rate of around 75 percent and up to over 90 percent, so the need to introduce a new supercomputer has emerged.



Given advanced countries such as the United States, Japan and European nations usually replace their supercomputers every four to five years, there has been a growing need here to build a next-generation supercomputer, KISTI said.



In May 2021, KISTI unveiled its plan to introduce the sixth supercomputer, and the government conducted a preliminary feasibility study from March to July. On Aug. 11, the plan for a new supercomputing system was approved with a total budget of 292.95 billion won ($205.2 million) and KISTI said it will be able to start operating the new system by the end of 2023.





Lee Sik, director general of the national supercomputing division at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), speaks during a press conference at HJ Business Center in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul
More than 700 million people were lifted out of poverty, meeting the poverty reduction target set in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. As a long-standing promoter of world peace, contributor to global development and upholder of international order, China adheres to independent foreign policy of peace, implements policy of all-round opening-up, supports multilateralism and free trade, and strives to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Finland is among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. It has witnessed and participated in the development process of China over the past over 70 years. China-Finland relationship has stood the test of time and changing international circumstances, and waded hand in hand through the most difficult time of the Cold War. During the past 4 months after I arrived in Finland, with the sense of responsibility to further promoting bilateral relations and all-round cooperation, I have made extensive acquaintance with the heads of various government departments and institutions in Finland and people from all walks of life. I have visited some cities and discussed with all parties on how to push forward the sound and steady development of China-Finland relations and bring the bilateral cooperation to a new height against the current complex and volatile international landscape. During the exchanges, I deeply felt Finnish friends high appreciation on China-Finland relations and their enthusiasm to cooperate with China, which inspired me a lot. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some negative impacts to our work, the exchange mechanisms in various fields between China and Finland have not yet been interrupted. The two sides maintained close contacts and communications via various on/offline channels. Economic and trade cooperation has shown strong recovery impetus, with bilateral trade exceeding 10 billion last year for the first time. Direct flights have doubled from two to four flights per week. The demand for people-to-people exchanges will be further unleashed in the coming future.

The prosperity of mankind and progress of civilization require solidarity and cooperation of all countries. Rather than playing zero-sum game and stoking bloc confrontation, we should make joint efforts to address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. The more complicated international situation we are facing with, the more we need to do to get a good grasp of the overarching trend of the world and bolster confidence through opening-up and cooperation. Next month, the Communist Party of China will convene its 20th National Congress, which will not only draw a new blueprint for Chinas development going forward, but also promote closer ties between China and other countries around the world. Under such new circumstances, China and Finland share more common interests and goals. I am convinced that, on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual learning and win-win cooperation, the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership between China and Finland will certainly tap more potential and energy, and achieve more fruitful results to benefit the two countries and two peoples.

Wang Tongqing

Chinese Ambassador to Finland

HT
The resolution contains a number of exceptions, including for people seeking entry to study, perform essential work duties or meet members of their immediate family. Entering Finland will be possible also for other justified reasons to guarantee access for members of the opposition, for example.

THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT on Thursday issued a resolution to effectively shut down the border to Russian tourists as of Friday, 30 September.

The resolution also cant be used to prevent travel for humanitarian reasons, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto (Greens) stated in a news conference in Helsinki on Thursday.

Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday wrote that preliminary estimates suggest that the resolution could halve the number of Russians entering Finland.

The entry restrictions are introduced under on Article 6(1)(e) of the Schengen Borders Code. The article states that the entry of nationals of non-member states requires that they are not regarded as a threat to public policy, internal security public health or the international relations of any member state.

Underlying the resolution is an assessment by the foreign policy leadership that theres a threat to our countrys international relations, elaborated Haavisto. We made the interpretation that if the Finnish border is open to people whore basically banned from entering the Baltics and Poland, this would result in the deterioration of our relations and in a mismatch with the Baltics and Poland.

He acknowledged that basing the resolution on detriment to international relations is unusual but assured that the justification was reviewed carefully with the Chancellor of Justice. Finland is the first Schengen country to utilise the code in such a way, he added.

People in Brussels are now studying this and looking into the details, he said. Im confident this will withstand the scrutiny also there.

Tuomas Laosmaa, the director of border controls at the Finnish Border Guard, on Thursday revealed that measures taken on the other side of the border have resulted in a decline in the number of border-crossings in recent days.

We have indications that there has been a change in the actions of Russian officials on the other side of the border, he told. Border-crossings by young men have decreased.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The directive is designed to detect and prevent misconduct and breaches of laws and regulations; to establish confidential and secure reporting channels to protect whistleblowers from retaliation; and to protect and enable whistleblowers to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

THE GOVERNMENT of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) last week presented its proposal for implementing the whistleblowing directive of the European Union, reports Helsingin Sanomat.

The protections exist not only for current employees, but also for job applicants, former employees, supporters of whistleblowers and journalists.

The directive was to be implemented across the 27-country bloc at the end of last year, but the national implementation has been delayed in a number of member states, including Finland.

Helsingin Sanomat on Tuesday wrote that the Finnish bill prohibits organisations from retaliating against, for example, an employee who reports wrongdoing. Violating the prohibition or preventing an employee from issuing such report may trigger liability for compensation or an obligation to pay compensation to the employee.

The bill states that private companies with 50249 employees must introduce an internal channel that enables the anonymous reporting of misconduct by 17 December 2023. Companies with 250 or more employees must introduce such a channel within three months of the act passing. The obligation to set up the channel will also apply to certain smaller organisations in the financial sector.

Whistleblowers who do not have access to such a channel or who have good reason to believe the internal report would be ineffective can also submit their reports to the office of the Chancellor or Justice.

The bill also offers protections to the target of the report in order to prevent unnecessary damage to the reputation of the target.

Juha Keranen, a ministerial adviser at the Ministry of Justice, told Helsingin Sanomat that he hopes the bill will be passes as soon as possible despite the backlog of bills in the Parliament. Roughly half of EU countries, he added, are continuing to work on the national implementation of the directive.

He said the objective of the bill is to establish effective protections for people reporting misconduct or wrongdoing related to, among other things, consumer protection, financial services, food safety or public procurement. The scope of the bill also encompasses unlawful activity that poses a threat or causes harm to common good, violate tax rules and relate to the finances and internal market of the EU.

The EU directive refers to altogether 138 legal acts that are affected by the directive.

Keranen told Helsingin Sanomat that in Finland the acts have been implemented through at least 200 laws, depending on the method of calculation. The scope of application of the national bill is broader than the minimum requirement to ensure the person filing the report does not need to be familiar with the constantly evolving scopes of application of EU regulations.

For example, all tax offences fall within the purview of the bill.

It can be hard for the reporter to know whether its about EU regulation. Thats why national regulation has been brought into the bill, he explained, adding that the same approach appears to have been taken in most other member states.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Jewish shop owners were pioneers of downtown retail

Members of the Agudas Israel Congregation toast the temple's 100th anniversary at a dinner in August. [PHOTO BY SIDNEY WILLIAMS]

The Jewish communitys contributions to Hendersonville are closely linked to the early development of retail shops on Main Street.

Like Shermans Sporting Goods, the citys temple, Agudas Israel, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. But Jewish shopkeepers predate the birth of the temple by 22 years.

A permanent Jewish community that has been sustained to this day began when Edward and Ida Lewis settled in Hendersonville, opening an apparel store, according to a history compiled by Agudas Israel families.

Six years later, the Harry Patterson family  new arrivals  opened a general mercantile business.

Emigrating to the U.S. from Russia in the 1890s, Harry Patterson married Minnie Fred in 1904. They eventually made their way from Kentucky to Hendersonville, where Dr. William Kirk treated Minnies tuberculosis. Patterson opened a mercantile business, later ran a cleaning and pressing business then opened a retail shop again. The couples son, Edward, joined the family business in 1926, after graduating from UNC. Ed Patterson expanded, adding a jewelry store and mens store.

Brought from Lithuania to Columbus, Ohio, by his widower father, Kasper Sherman, Louis Sherman was raised by a sister and in an orphan home. He married Rosena Gold in 1915. In 1920, they had a son, Kalman, and four years later, a daughter, Frances. Kalman served as a Marine in World War II, in the Pacific and in California. Both he and his sister are graduates of Hendersonville High School.

Among the other early Jewish settlers in addition to Harry Patterson and Louis Sherman were Louis Williams, George Lazarus, Abe Horowitz, Rose Lipsitz, Max Markowitz, Sam Cooley, Jake Rosenberg, Alex Patterson, Ben Kaminsky, Morris Weisberg, Nathan Patla, Sam Kalin, Harry Mottsman and Dan Michalove.

On Sept. 24, 1922, 27 men and women gathered at the home of Mrs. Abe Kantrowitz to organize a congregation, deciding on the name Agudas Israel. The congregants continued to meet in private homes and later used the local Masonic Temple. In 1925, the temple and its 34 members bought the Home Electric Co. at 328 North King Street and renovated it as a synagogue. The first rabbi was Beryl Cohen, a humble and learned man who graduated from Yeshiva Seminary in Jerusalem. After his arrival in 1920, Cohen immediately set about leading religious services, teaching Hebrew school and ritually slaughtering chickens. He served until his death at age 63 in 1964.

Other milestones in the history of the congregation and the Jewish communitys contributions to the citys business and civic life included:

1926  Hendersonville continues to grow as a summer resort destination. To the Jewish community, it was the Southern version of the Catskills, catering to Jewish tourists from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina with five Jewish boarding houses, according to a timeline the temple created for its 100 th anniversary celebration. High Holiday meals at Abe Horowitzs boarding house were a beloved tradition for local Jews and tourists alike.

 Hendersonville continues to grow as a summer resort destination. To the Jewish community, it was the Southern version of the Catskills, catering to Jewish tourists from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina with five Jewish boarding houses, according to a timeline the temple created for its 100 anniversary celebration. High Holiday meals at Abe Horowitzs boarding house were a beloved tradition for local Jews and tourists alike. 1930s  Agudas Israel purchases land from the city of Hendersonville for Jewish burials in the Oakdale Cemetery.

 Agudas Israel purchases land from the city of Hendersonville for Jewish burials in the Oakdale Cemetery. 1950  Camp Blue Star opens. Catering to Jewish kids, the camp brought tourists to the town and caused Jewish families to discover Hendersonville.

 Camp Blue Star opens. Catering to Jewish kids, the camp brought tourists to the town and caused Jewish families to discover Hendersonville. 1977  Don Michalove, president of Agudas Israel in 2001-2002, became the first Jewish member of the Hendersonville City Council. Elected mayor in 1981, he led the city for 12 years.

 Don Michalove, president of Agudas Israel in 2001-2002, became the first Jewish member of the Hendersonville City Council. Elected mayor in 1981, he led the city for 12 years. 2002 After a building campaign to construct a new synagogue, Agudas Israel opens its new house of worship at 505 Glasgow Lane in Laurel Park. Several of the congregations patriarchs walk the torahs from the King Street synagogue to the new temple.

* * * * *

Contributing to the story are histories by the Patterson, Sherman, Williams, Kalin, Morris, Michaelove, Mottsman and Rosenberg families and a timeline created by the congregation for its centennial celebration. Centennial chair is Zsa Lobel.




South Korea has decided to cancel plans to launch satellites using Russian rockets later this year amid the international community's sanctions on Russia's space program over the Ukrainian war, a government document showed Wednesday.







The government had planned to launch the Korea Multipurpose Satellite 6, known as the Arirang 6, on Russia's Angara 1.2 vehicle later this year from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia and a next-generation midsized observational satellite aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.







In a document submitted to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Science and ICT assessed it has become "difficult" to proceed with the satellite launches using Russian rockets, citing the international community's joint sanctions on Moscow over the Ukrainian invasion.







The ministry also asked for an additional budget, estimating the projects to cost an additional 88.1 billion won (US$61.1 million) in total under new launch deals. It plans to nix the Russian deals and seek new space launch providers if the National Assembly approves the request.







The government is most likely to sign deals with SpaceX and the European Space Agency for the launches. The terms of the current deals with Russia remain confidential due to five-year non-disclosure agreements. (Yonhap)


South Africa: Pension of former Eskom executive frozen

The Special Tribunal has granted an order allowing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to freeze the pension fund of former Eskom middle manager for Program Complex Projects, Duduzile Moyo following allegations of contract fraud.

This after an investigation by the corruption busting unit found that Moyo allegedly indirectly received kickbacks amounting to some R24 million from an Eskom supplier.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the order interdicts the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund from paying out the pension following Moyos resignation from the power utility this month.

The SIU investigation into Moyos conduct found that Ms Moyo in her role as Eskoms Supply Manager/Contracts Manager/Employer's Representative contracted a business named Tamukeloto transport raw and potable water from Kendal Power Station to Kusile Power Station. Moyo signed 23 interim payment certificates in respect of Tamukelo's services for the period December 2011 to July 2014, totalling approximately R138 million.

Furthermore, the SIU probe revealed that Tamukelo and its representatives paid entities linked or associated with Moyo, whilst she negotiated and managed Eskom's contract with Tamukelo. The modus operandi employed by Moyo was to create structures of entities owned by members of her family and friends to receive these funds, he said.

Kganyago added that there was a clear conflict of interest which Moyo did not declare to Eskom.

[She] received these funds in circumstances where part of her duties and functions as middle management. Moyo was also part of a team that presented the negotiation strategy of the Tamukelo tender worth R300 million to the tender and procurement committee.

Moyo also deceived Eskom and repeatedly made fraudulency misrepresentation, declaring that there was no conflict of interest when dealing with Tamukelo and other role players for five years when signing Eskoms annual declaration of Conflict Interest Policy, he said.

The SIU is expected to institute civil proceedings against Moyo following the granting of the order.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
UN steps up efforts to extend Yemen's truce set to expire

Xinhua) 09:06, September 30, 2022

ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations, through its special envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg, stepped up diplomatic efforts to renew the existing truce between Yemen's warring parties to prevent any resumption of the country's years-long military conflict.

The UN-brokered truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels went into force on April 2, and was later renewed twice through Oct. 2.

Currently, the United Nations is racing against time to persuade the Yemeni warring parties and regional powers to extend the truce for an extra six months.

In addition to extending the cease-fire agreement, the United Nations also seeks to expand its provisions.

Under the UN auspices, the Yemeni warring parties previously agreed to halt all offensive military air, ground and maritime operations both within Yemen and across its borders. They have also consented to the entry of fuel ships into Hodeidah ports and the operation of commercial flights into and out of Sanaa airport to pre-determined destinations in the region.

According to the cease-fire agreement, the parties also agreed to meet under the UN auspices to discuss solutions regarding the opening of blocked roads into the besieged city of Taiz and other provinces in Yemen.

As part of the U.S. intensified efforts to renew the truce in Yemen, Grundberg arrived in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday to discuss with leaders of the Houthi rebel militia the extension of the truce set to expire next week.

"The UN envoy left Sanaa's airport during the past hours and headed to Jordan following his meetings with the Houthi leaders, who laid down a number of conditions for agreeing to a truce extension," a local Yemeni official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"The UN envoy left without receiving a clear response from the Houthi leaders regarding the UN proposal for a six-month extension of the truce," the source said.

Before visiting Sanaa, Grundberg also made several trips to countries in the region in an effort to push Arab leaders to support the renewal of the truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels.

Last week, Grundberg visited Saudi Arabia and met with Rashad Al-Alimi, president of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, during which the president and his government welcomed the UN efforts to extend and expand the truce, state news agency Saba reported.

Senior Saudi officials also met the UN envoy in Riyadh and "expressed the kingdom's strong support for the United Nations to extend the truce in Yemen in order to reach a comprehensive cease-fire and a lasting political settlement."

Gundberg's regional visits also included the Omani capital Muscat, where he met with a number of Omani officials and the Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam.

During the meeting, Abdulsalam put forward the Houthi group's demands that the blockade on Sanaa airport and Hodeidah seaport "be completely lifted and all civil servants (in the Houthi-held cities) be paid," according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"Renewing the truce without implementing these demands would have no meaning," he said.

Thousands of civil servants in the Houthi rebel-controlled cities have not been paid for more than seven years.

On Wednesday, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has received a UN proposal that suggest renewing the ongoing truce for an extra six months.

A Yemeni government official confirmed to Xinhua that Grundberg's proposal expanded the truce to include salary payment for all public employees in the war-ravaged Arab country and the opening of flights from Sanaa International Airport to five new destinations.

It also includes a full opening of the Red Sea port of Hodeidah to all oil derivatives shipments, he said.

The Sanaa airport and the port of Hodeidah remain under the control of the Houthi group.

The opening of some roads into the besieged city of Taiz and reopening blocked roads in other provinces are also part of the new proposal, according to the official.

"The government is still studying and discussing the UN proposal for extending the truce and made no official response so far," another official of the Yemeni government said.

"Parts of the new UN proposal for extending the truce contradicts the sovereignty of legitimate Yemeni government," he added.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern cities and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of Sanaa.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
Shin Dong-bin, center, chairman of Lotte Group, poses for a photo during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Thu Thiem Eco Smartcity project in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Sept. 2. Courtesy of Lotte Group



By Baek Byung-yeul



Lotte Group is investing 7 trillion won ($4.87 billion) in Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe, following its announcement to invest 37 trillion won in the Korean market, the group said, Thursday.



Chairman Shin Dong-bin recently visited Indonesia's LINE investment project and the groundbreaking ceremony of Vietnam's Thu Thiem Eco Smartcity project to inspect the conglomerate's investments overseas.



The LINE project is being pursued by Lotte's chemical arm, Lotte Chemical. With a total investment of $3.9 billion, which is the largest among Lotte's overseas investments, Lotte Chemical will build a new ethylene production factory in Banten Province. Once completed in 2025, the facility will have an annual production capability of 1 million tons of ethylene, 0.52 million tons of propylene and 0.25 million tons of polypropylene.



After the completion of the LINE project in Indonesia, Lotte Chemical will be able to produce 5.5 million tons of ethylene at its Korean and overseas facilities per year and solidify its status as the largest ethylene producer here.



The LINE project will also be Indonesia's first naphtha cracking center, contributing to the development of the Southeast Asian country's petrochemical industry. Indonesia currently relies on imports to meet about 50 percent of its total demand for petrochemical products.



The Thu Thiem Eco Smartcity project in Vietnam is also gaining attention, shedding light on Lotte E&C's capability as an urban site developer.



Located in Ho Chi Minh City, the project is worth about $900 million. Lotte will develop a large complex that has offices, hotels, residences and movie theaters. It will have five basement levels and 60 floors above ground on a 50,000-square-meter site.



In 2023, Lotte will also open Lotte Mall Hanoi, in which the group invested 330 billion won to build. The shopping mall will house shopping areas, movie theaters, hotels and residences.



In order to capture a bigger slice of the global market for electric vehicle materials, Lotte Group's subsidiaries are also investing in the U.S. and Hungary. Lotte Chemical and Lotte Aluminum are investing a total of 330 billion won in the U.S. to establish an aluminum foil manufacturing unit called Lotte Aluminum Materials USA. Lotte Aluminum also injected 110 billion won into its Hungarian factory to double aluminum foil production capacity.


People make preparations for a concert at the Red Square, with constructions reading the words ''Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Russia'', and the St. Basil's Cathedral and Lenin Mausoleum on the background, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Sept. 29. AP-Yonhap



Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognized the independence of two more Ukrainian regions, a precursor to their annexation by Russia.



Putin issued decrees early Friday recognizing the independence of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. He took similar steps in February regarding Luhansk and Donetsk and earlier for Crimea.



Russia's plan to annex more of Ukraine on Friday is an escalation of the seven-month war and is expected to isolate the Kremlin further, draw more international punishment and bring Ukraine extra military, political and economic support.



The annexation  and planned celebratory concerts and rallies in Moscow and the occupied territories  would come just days after voters supposedly approved independence in Moscow-managed ''referendums.'' Ukrainian and Western officials have denounced the votes as illegal, forced and rigged.



Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday that four regions of Ukraine  Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia  would be folded into Russia during a Kremlin ceremony attended by President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to give a major speech. Peskov said the regions' pro-Moscow administrators would sign treaties to join Russia in the Kremlin's ornate St. George's Hall.



In an apparent response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called an emergency meeting Friday of his National Security and Defense Council.



Zelenskyy also sought to capitalize on anti-war sentiment in Russia by issuing a special video directed at Russia's ethnic minorities, especially those in Dagestan, one of the country's poorer regions in the North Caucasus.



''You do not have to die in Ukraine,'' he said, wearing a black hoodie that read in English ''I'm Ukrainian,'' and standing in front of a plaque in Kyiv memorializing what he called a Dagestani hero. He called on the ethnic minorities to resist mobilization.



The U.S. and its allies have promised to adopt even more sanctions than they've already levied against Russia and to offer millions of dollars in extra support for Ukraine as the Kremlin duplicates the annexation playbook it followed when it incorporated Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014.



Ukraine has repeated its vows to recapture the four regions, as well as Crimea. For its part, Russia pledges to defend all its territory  including newly annexed regions  by all available means, including nuclear weapons.



Heightening the tensions are Russia's partial military mobilization and allegations of sabotage of two Russian pipelines on the Baltic Sea floor that were designed to feed natural gas to Europe. Adding to the Kremlin's woes are Ukraine's success in recapturing some of the very land Russia is annexing and problems with the mobilization that President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Thursday.



Ukraine's Western supporters have described the stage-managed referendums on whether to live under Russian rule as a bald-faced land grab based on lies. They say some people were forced to vote at gunpoint in an election without independent observers on territory from which thousands of residents have fled or been forcibly deported.





Vehicles are stuck in a traffic jam near banners, set up ahead of an expected ceremony and concert to declare four Ukraine's self-proclaimed regions part of Russia following recent referendums, on a bridge in central Moscow, Russia Sept. 29. Reuters-Yonhap



In unusually strong language, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters Thursday in New York that Russia's annexation would violate the U.N. Charter and has ''no legal value.'' He described the move as ''a dangerous escalation'' and said it ''must not be accepted.''



''Any decision by Russia to go forward will further jeopardize the prospects for peace,'' Guterres said.



As a veto-wielding permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Russia bears ''a particular responsibility'' to respect the U.N. Charter, the secretary-general said.






Police officers and medical workers work near damaged cars after a Russian rocket attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Friday. AP-Yonhap



Russia pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets and suicide drones, with one strike reported to have killed 25 people, as it moved Friday to annex Ukrainian territory into Russia and put it under the protection of Moscow's nuclear umbrella, opening an internationally condemned phase of the seven-month war.



But even as it prepared to celebrate the incorporation of four occupied Ukrainian regions, the Kremlin was on the verge of another stinging battlefield loss. Russian and Western analysts reported the imminent Ukrainian encirclement of the eastern city of Lyman. Retaking the city could open the path for Ukraine to push deep into one of the regions Russia is absorbing in a move widely condemned as illegal.



The salvos of Russian strikes reported in Ukrainian cities together amounted to the heaviest barrage that Russia has unleashed for weeks. They followed analysts' warnings that Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely to dip more heavily into his dwindling stocks of precision weapons and step up attacks as part of a strategy to escalate the war to an extent that would shatter Western support for Ukraine.





A crater left by a Russian missile strike, that hit a convoy of civilian vehicles amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, is seen in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Friday. Reuters-Yonhap



The Kremlin preceded its scheduled annexation ceremonies Friday with another warning to Ukraine that it shouldn't fight to take back the four regions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would view a Ukrainian attack on the taken territory as an act of aggression against Russia itself.



The annexations are Russia's attempt to set its gains in stone, at least on paper, and scare Ukraine and its Western backers with the prospect of an increasingly escalatory conflict unless they back down  which they show no signs of doing. The Kremlin paved the way for the land-grabs with "referendums," sometimes at gunpoint, that Ukraine and its Western backers universally dismissed as rigged shams.



"It looks quite pathetic. Ukrainians are doing something, taking steps in the real material world, while the Kremlin is building some kind of a virtual reality, incapable of responding in the real world," former Kremlin speechwriter turned political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said.



"People understand that the politics is now on the battlefield," he added. "What's important is who advances and who retreats. In that sense, the Kremlin cannot offer anything comforting to the Russians."



A recent Ukrainian counter-offensive backed by Western-supplied weapons has deprived Moscow of mastering its fate on the military fields of battle. Its hold of the Luhansk region appears increasingly shaky, as Ukrainian forces make inroads there, with the pincer assault on Lyman. Ukraine also still has a large foothold in the neighboring Donetsk region.



Luhansk and Donetsk  wracked by fighting since separatists there declared independence in 2014  form the wider Donbas region of eastern Ukraine that Putin has long vowed, but so far failed, to make completely Russian. Peskov said that both Donetsk and Luhansk will be incorporated Friday into Russia in their entirety.



All of Kherson and parts of Zaporizhzhia, two other regions being prepared for annexation, were newly occupied in the invasion's opening phase. It's unclear whether the Kremlin will declare all, or just part, of that occupied territory as Russia's. Peskov wouldn't say in a call Friday with reporters.









In the Zaporizhzhia region's capital, anti-aircraft missiles that Russia has repurposed as ground-attack weapons rained down Friday on people who were waiting in cars to cross into Russian-occupied territory so they could bring family members back across the front lines, the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said.





Destroyed vehicles at the scene in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Friday, where a convoy of civilians was struck by a Russian missile. EPA-Yonhap
(JNS) - My name is Ramzi Batesh and I live in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Safafa. I work at the dispatch center of United Hatzalah and as one of the organization's volunteer EMTs and ambucycle drivers.

This past Friday, I saved three people who were suffering medical emergencies. This isn't necessarily unusual, but there was something unique about it because of who I treated and where.

The day began with morning prayers. Then I received and responded to a medical emergency involving a Jewish man who had suffered a seizure. I treated him by protecting his head, in order to make sure he didn't sustain any serious injury, and providing oxygen.

When I returned home, I prepared for the main Friday prayers I planned to attend at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. I drove to the Old City and, as I arrived at the parking lot in the Jewish Quarter, I received an alert of a medical emergency involving an unconscious person in the nearby Muslim Quarter. I sped over to the address given and was joined by two Jewish EMTs, Shlomo Eisenman and Yagel Mizrachi, who I know well.

We found a man in his 60s unconscious on the floor of his apartment. He was not breathing and had no pulse. Together with Shlomo and Yagel, I attached a defibrillator and we performed a full CPR protocol including chest compressions and assisted ventilation, as well as two shocks from the defibrillator.

We continued our efforts for over 30 minutes, together with a mobile intensive care ambulance crew that arrived sometime later. In the end, we succeeded in regaining a pulse and the man began to breathe again. He was transported to the hospital in serious but stable condition. I had missed prayers, but I was saving a life, which is always more important.

As I was gathering up my equipment to head home, I received another alert. This time it was a medical emergency at the Jaffa Gate. I raced over on my ambucycle and was directed by a worried family member into the Christian Quarter, where I found a Christian man suffering from severe shortness of breath. I provided him with high-flow oxygen and his oxygen saturation levels slowly increased. I stayed with the man until an ambulance arrived and the crew transported him to the hospital.

Every day, I sit in the dispatch center and direct our volunteers to treat people of all ages, faiths and nationalities; people who are just like me and in need of medical care. When I finish my shift, I become the volunteer and, assisted by other dispatchers, respond to emergencies in order to help people regardless of racial or religious boundaries.

For me, it is a source of pride that I work and volunteer with like-minded people, who all believe that no matter who requires help, we will be there to help them. We believe this because we are all, before everything else, human, and the value of human life supersedes all other boundaries. In this, we are united.

Ramzi Batesh is as a dispatcher at United Hatzalah's headquarters in Jerusalem and volunteers as an EMT and head of the eastern Jerusalem chapter of the organization. He lives in Beit Safafa in Jerusalem with his family.
Support for Jewish seniors and other vulnerable populations is a key pillar of the work of the Jewish Federations of North America.

When Jewish summer camps unexpectedly had to cancel their summer programs two years ago after the COVID-19 pandemic hit and before vaccines became available, they faced sudden financial ruin.

Jewish camps are widely recognized as uniquely effective tools for cultivating Jewish identity and leadership, and the prospect of dozens of them across the continent permanently shutting down was seen as a problem not just for camps and their campers, but disastrous for the American Jewish community.

Deeply alarmed, the Jewish Federations of North America swiftly stepped up to lead an emergency funding campaign, allocating $15 million to camps that summer. The group also helped create the Jewish Communal Response and Impact Fund, or JCRIF, a pandemic emergency fund that distributed another $22 million in grants and loans to Jewish camps. In total in 2020, JCRIF gave out more than $91 million in grants and interest-free loans to help maintain "the infrastructure" of Jewish life across the United States.

"This was a great example of how the Jewish Federation system rallied its communities to raise the funds necessary to help camps weather the storm," Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of the Foundation for Jewish Camp, said of the emergency funding. "This is one area virtually every single Jewish Federation supports at the local level, because they know the importance of sending more kids to camp each year."

It's among the many ways Jewish federations help fund, support and facilitate Jewish communal life across North America.

Whether or not they realize it, most people who have participated in communal Jewish life in North America have benefited from federation support at some point or another. Federation funding goes to everything from Jewish institutions such as schools, JCCs, and shuls to senior-care facilities, Israel-engagement programming and social welfare services. Hundreds of millions of dollars also go to Jewish needs overseas, from Ethiopia and Ukraine to Israel.

Overall, federations distribute more than $2 billion per year through a network that includes 146 local federations and 300 affiliated communities in the United States and Canada.

"In pretty much every community, the cornerstones of Jewish life are supported by the federation," said Sarah Eisenman, chief community and Jewish life officer at the Jewish Federations of North America, the federation umbrella organization.

While federations often serve as the leading Jewish organization within a given community, their role as funders and conveners frequently put their crucial support for communities behind the scenes, while their beneficiaries take center stage.

Shortly after Birthright Israel launched in the late 1990s as an experimental way of instilling love for Israel and a connection to Jewish identity among American Jews, Jewish Federations became a major funding partner. That money - allocated directly and via the Jewish Agency - has helped fuel a program that to date has brought over 800,000 young Jews, mostly Americans, on free trips to Israel.

"JFNA plays an important role in empowering communal Jewish life," said Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark.

A Passover seder in Kyiv, Ukraine, at a Moishe House. The Moishe House organization is one of countless Jewish programs supported by the Jewish Federations of North America. (Moishe House Kyiv)

David Cygielman, CEO of Moishe House, the organization that seeds and supports Jewish co-living spaces around the country that serve as local hubs of Jewish 20-somethings, says he relies on federations not just for financial backing but for knowledge base.

"Jewish federations have a lot of local expertise, so they can work with us on population trends to know what neighborhoods we should be serving," Cygielman said.

Federations provide about $1.5 million of Moishe House's $17 million annual budget and have facilitated sister-city relationships including the pairings of federations in Chicago with Kyiv, Boston with Haifa, New York with France, and Baltimore with Odessa. Moishe House now has over 150 locations in 27 countries, reaching more than 70,000 young adults worldwide annually.

As the central charities of American Jewish life, Jewish federations not only collect and distribute billions of dollars - making them, collectively, among the 10 largest philanthropic bodies in the United States - but act in concert on a national level to identify and address communal needs, frequently with domestic agency partners such as Jewish child and family services groups and Jewish community relations councils.

And because they are reserves of communal funds, Jewish federations can take collective action in a way that's not restricted by the predilections or an individual foundation or donor or charity.

"Federations act as a convener of Jewish life as well as a thought leader, looking forward to see where there are gaps, and fill them," Eisenman said. "It obviously starts from having a deep local expertise and understanding of specific Jewish communities - their issues, challenges, opportunities and needs."

When teen mental health needs soared during the pandemic, Jewish Federations teamed up with their partners at the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies to launch a $2.75 million project called BeWell to equip the Jewish community with tools, resources and training to support the mental health and overall well-being of teens and young adults.

When it comes to support for Jews overseas, federations send tens of millions per year through their main agency partners: The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, or JDC, which runs Jewish aid and welfare programs around the world and has been central in the response to the Ukraine emergency; the Jewish Agency for Israel, which is responsible for immigration to Israel and operates Jewish educational and engagement programming in Israel and globally; and World ORT, which supports Jewish education around the world.

In Jewish communities spanning a 3,000-mile-wide continent, every kind of Jewish religious denomination and none at all, and priorities that differ from place to place, federations seek to be places where Jews of every stripe can come together to work on challenges and build thriving communities.

"Jewish Federations are the engines that build and sustain flourishing Jewish communities," Eric Fingerhut, the CEO of Jewish Federations, told Congress in testimony in February, "by helping them remain healthy, safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive, educated and engaged, involved in their broader communities, and connected to Israel and the global Jewish people."

Fingerhut, a former congressman from Ohio, was speaking to the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery in favor of a Nonprofit Security Grant Program that helps protect houses of worship. As domestic antisemitic incidents have risen, Jewish Federations stepped up its lobbying efforts for government funding and created its own funds, including a new $130 million security initiative called Live Secure, that synagogues and Jewish institutions can tap to upgrade their security infrastructure and training.

Jeffrey Lamon Brown In some American Jewish communities, federation-funded day school tuition assistance programs cap the amount of tuition families pay to send their children to Jewish schools.

After Russia invaded Ukraine seven months ago, Jewish Federations went into high gear and raised over $73 million to distribute to humanitarian organizations helping feed and clothe displaced people in Ukraine, find refugees jobs in places like Poland, and resettle eligible Ukrainians in Israel.

"The federations' work is critical at this moment," Eisenman said. "It takes a backbone organization to spearhead that work and make it happen."

Despite the deep divides in America and a possible recession looming, Eisenman says federations have not seen any drop-off in donors' commitments. Federations' place in Jewish communal life is more vital than ever, she added.

"Jewish life is not immune from these polarizing tensions," she said, "but we must not allow it to erode the fabric of our communal life."

This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America, which represents over 300 Jewish communities and distributes over $2 billion annually to build flourishing Jewish communities around the globe. This story was produced by JTA's native content team.
(JTA) - In 1944, Faye Schulman, a young Jewish partisan, emerged from the forest into her hometown of Lenin, Poland, on a mission to burn houses the Nazis were using as their wartime offices. One of those houses, she soon discovered, was her own.

As she wandered through her childhood home, she spied an old potato peeler still on the floor. Schulman thought of the rest of her family - already murdered by the Nazis by that point - and realized, even if she survived the war herself, that she would never be able to live in that house again.

"Burn it," she told her fellow partisans. She lit the match herself. Then she posed for a photograph among the ashes.

The new documentary "Four Winters" is full of riveting accounts like Schulman's. Written and directed by Julia Mintz, the film recounts the story of several Jewish partisans: women and men from the ghettos who escaped Nazi roundups to the concentration camps, fled to the woods of Eastern Europe and carried out guerilla attacks on Nazis and their collaborators for the remainder of the war.

It's told in an oral history style, with eight former partisans sharing their accounts of wartime survival, accompanied by some remarkable archival images of the partisans in action (Schulman was a photographer). The sight of these Jews huddling together in the woods in winter, men and women alike armed with repatriated Nazi weapons and fed with stolen food, makes for a potent rejoinder against partisan Michael Stoll's comment, early in the film, that "Jews have a reputation" for not being "fighters."

The film explains that there were more than 25,000 partisans who fought the Nazis from the forest during the war. On camera they're a hardened sort, as you might imagine, having survived brutal conditions without adequate supplies while carrying out several successful operations. (The documentary takes its title from how the partisans measured time, the winters being the most difficult stretches.) Interviewees recount stealing food and supplies from farmers and rural villagers on the outskirts of the Nazi strongholds, taking rations meant as offerings to the occupiers even knowing that, by doing so, they were likely dooming the residents to harm at the Nazis' hands.

They also tell Mintz they don't like to think of themselves as brave - more that, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt's famous quote, they had bravery thrust upon them, because they couldn't allow themselves to be carted away to die without a fight. It can be painful to hear their accounts of, for example, leaping from a moving train bound for the Treblinka concentration camp after failing to convince the other passengers, who knew they were being carried to their deaths, to jump with them.

Mintz largely trusts her subjects to carry the film themselves, though she occasionally dresses things up with stylish techniques: modern drone footage of the forests, or cross-cutting between a particularly gripping account and stock footage to heighten the tension. But her focus on the storytelling reveals something else. Holocaust stories, rightly or wrongly, routinely portray Jews as defenseless victims - not as gutsy combatants capable of stabbing Nazis to death with makeshift knives so as not to waste precious bullets.

With its attention to these and other grisly details of combat and survival, "Four Winters" ultimately feels like a kind of Holocaust counter-narrative, a rebuke to the hundreds of stories of Jews who, the stories often imply, simply allowed themselves to die.

"Four Winters" opens today at the Film Forum in New York, with some screenings accompanied by Q&As with Mintz. It expands to Laemmle Theatres in Los Angeles Oct. 7, with other cities to follow.
(JTA)  Shonna Levin is an Orthodox Jew, but she didnt spend last Yom Kippur in a synagogue.

The Brooklyn activist had planned to set up camp in Prospect Park, where she was going to host an all-day gathering for Jews with eating disorders for whom the holiday centered around fasting can be especially difficult.

Levin, who herself has struggled with disordered eating in the past, was forced to cancel, however, due to an injury.

Her event was to follow rules typical of recovery-focused spaces: no weight, calories or numbers talk. She also intended to bring along something thats not typically part of Yom Kippur observances: the materials required for a seudah, or festive meal.

Id love to do it in future years, she told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Too many people feel so isolated in this experience.

Levins idea reflected an increasing number of efforts to craft new rituals and offer new modes of observance for Jews with eating disorders. Recognizing that the holidays traditional demand of a 25-hour fast could cause people with eating disorders to undertake dangerous behaviors, advocates across the Jewish world are developing alternatives and working to normalize Yom Kippur observances that do not preclude eating.

The Blue Dove Foundation, an organization that seeks to change how Jewish communities handle mental health issues, has created a framework for reflecting on repentance that does not depend on fasting. Rather than asking for confessions of wrongdoing, which can be part of the pathology of eating disorders, the framework asks users to consider what they are already doing and want to do more of.

Many college Hillels are making food available in private spaces, so that students with eating disorders or other needs can eat while remaining set apart during the holiday from the rest of the student body.

Meanwhile, the National Council on Jewish Women is encouraging Jews to turn a ritual around smelling fragrant scents on Yom Kippur into an opportunity to set new intentions for the coming year  a move that the groups promotional materials emphasize is ideal for people who are and are not fasting.

And in terms of eating disorders, since that comes up every year, again: Health comes first, always, the groups rabbi in residence, Danya Ruttenberg, wrote last year on Twitter before promoting the scent ritual. Take care of yourself, and if that means not fasting, do not fast.

Efforts to support Jews with eating disorders have only grown more resonant since the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened the isolation and loneliness that those who struggle with the disorders are already prone to experiencing. A study from the first 12 months of lockdowns and social distancing showed that a childrens hospital in Michigan admitted more than twice as many adolescents with eating disorders as it does in an average year.

The findings are no surprise to Temimah Zucker, an Orthodox therapist and social worker in New York who treats many Jews and has seen a rise in both new and relapsed patients.

People did not know what to do with their time, and there was so much emphasis around this is the time to change your body and not at all focused on whether youre taking care of yourself and your mental health, Zucker said.

Yom Kippur serves up its own array of unhealthy messages, she said.

Theres the theme of repenting where individuals who already experience high cognitive distortions around themselves and wrongness, Zucker said. Plus the pressure to connect to the day and whether that means fasting or not fasting.

Jewish tradition is clear that people whose health would be jeopardized by fasting need not abstain from eating. That includes those who are ill, are pregnant or nursing and, many religious leaders have said, people with eating disorders.

Still, many of those in recovery struggle when they attend services, where they are surrounded by hungry people and triggering associations between fasting and discipline or morality. Others, driven by their disorder, ignore spiritual and medical advice.

Expect the patient to come up with all sorts of ways to try to get out of eating, said Levin.

I knew a young man who told his psychiatrist that his rabbi is insisting he not eat for religious reasons, then told the rabbi the psychiatrist OKd him fasting, she added  but neither case was true.

Hannah Davidson, a 23-year-old Brooklyn college student, said her familys rabbi had advised them that she should not fast because of her eating disorder. Davidson said that she, like many others with eating disorders, had embraced fasting because it dovetailed with her disorder.

Thats why we dont fast  because we shouldnt look forward to it, Davidson said. That defeats the purpose.

Esti Jacobs is the coordinator and co-founder of Ayelet Hashacher, a nonprofit organization in the Orthodox community to help people access informed eating disorder treatment. She said that even with a rabbis instructions to eat on Yom Kippur, those with eating disorders can still struggle to prioritize recovery.

Its like how in COVID people found it very hard to not go to synagogue. Youre raised to do anything to be in synagogue, to miss a flight or leave the house with a high fever, she said. So even though God wants us to stay home because of COVIDs risk to life, it just doesnt feel right.

Jacobs added, Its hard to realize that what God wants from you is different from what God wants from others, that youre keeping Yom Kippur by doing what appears to be wrong.

Many Jews with eating disorders do structure their lives to insulate themselves from the challenges presented by Yom Kippur. Davidson, for example, said she rarely travels home from college for the holiday.

But avoiding the holidays shouldnt be the only option.

Yocheved Gourarie was a 24-year-old Orthodox woman who documented her struggles with anorexia and depression on Instagram until her death by suicide. Now her father has his own account honoring her memory and documenting her experiences, especially around special events such as holidays.

She didnt fast for nine years, and she didnt attend services completely, Avremi Gourarie told JTA. We made very certain that any time religion could have been a factor [in harming her recovery], it was taken out of the equation.

Levins group had aimed to offer a middle ground: a space for those who do attend services and need a place to eat throughout the day. Her goal was to allow people with eating disorders to have a meaningful Yom Kippur, without having to choose between isolation and risk of relapse, in an unstructured, supportive space.

That kind of setting  and other initiatives like Levins  is exactly what observant Jews with eating disorders need more of, Zucker said.

Its so beautiful that there are so many opportunities for more support like that, she said. I think that part of it, too, is greater community awareness so that theres less judgment, so that its normalized to what is best for you in the effort of upholding Jewish law.
A number of people call the Orlando Senior Help Desk at the Jewish Pavilion and ask me whether Medicare will cover their independent, assisted or killed, living and the answer is no. They are shocked and often angry.

Most people pay into Medicare through their payroll for all their employment years, thinking that once they turn 65, the coverage will be free. In reality, Medicare has several expenses.

High-income earners pay more in terms of copays, deductibles, and premiums, and expect no out-of-pocket maximum.

Original Medicare covers ophthalmologic costs like cataract surgery. It doesnt cover contact lenses and glasses or routine eye checkups. Some people may opt to purchase a vision insurance policy, which costs several hundred dollars annually.

Medicare covers any ear-related condition. It does not cover hearing aids or routine check ups, a Medicare Advantage policy may cover hearing aids.

Both the Original Medicare and Medigap plans dont cover dental procedures like root canals, dentures, or routine checkups. Medicare Advantage may offer dental coverage.

A majority of Medicare Advantage plans in the United States and the Original Medicare dont cover any medical costs incurred outside the country. Several Medigap plans offer coverage for healthcare costs outside the U.S. Travel insurance policies may provide this coverage, and you may also consider medevac (medical evacuation) insurance.

Medicare doesnt cover routine foot care like the removal of callus. Medicare Part B covers foot examinations and treatment provided it relates to nerve damage resulting from diabetes. It also covers care for foot ailments and injuries like heel spurs and hammertoe.

Medicare doesnt cover elective cosmetic surgery. Procedures like tummy tucks and face-lifts arent covered, but the plan covers plastic surgery to correct accidental injuries.

Medicare covers limited rehab facility treatments. For instance, if youve undergone a hip replacement and thus require inpatient physiotherapy, your coverage will take care of the expenses. But if the condition worsens and needs to be transferred to a nursing home or an assisted living facility, the policy will not cover the custodial costs.

HMOs and Preventive Medicine-Health Maintenance Organization plans serve patients through a team of healthcare providers that agree to provide members with the services they need. The program covers many preventive health services.

Members must select a PCP (primary care physician) to handle almost all their healthcare needs. Before visiting a specialist, you first have to be referred from your PCP. HMO plans are diverse, but their out-of-pocket healthcare costs are usually lower. You may need to pay a deductible before the beginning of the coverage, and the copayments are also low. Its may be ideal if you are looking for lower premiums or if you need preventative care coverage.

If your coverage is Medicare Part B, you are free to visit your preferred physician if they accept a Medicare assignment. Medicare Part C, allows you to keep your physician. However, this depends on your particular Medicare Advantage plan and whether your specialist is in the network of providers.

Choosing a Medicare Supplement That Works for You-While Medicare health insurance may offer great coverage, it still doesnt cover all healthcare costs. If yours is the Original Medicare Plan and not the Medicare Advantage alternative, you can fill the gaps by acquiring a private supplemental insurance plan. Here are some crucial tips to finding a supplement plan for your healthcare needs:

Analyze the available options  Medicare supplements are standardized and are used in any facility that accepts Medicare payments. You can choose from 10 currently available plans labeled alphabetically from letter A to N.

After identifying the right plan, youll proceed to shop, and the price is crucial for this. Talk to an insurance broker. Never fear to seek help from an insurance broker whenever youre stuck.

Immediately when you turn 65, youll be given seven months as the initial enrollment period. The duration comprises three months before you celebrate your birthday, the entire birthday month, and an additional three months afterward. During this period, youre assured of coverage with no underwritings. Once the time depletes, you can still acquire an appropriate Medicare supplement plan.

Medicare insurance plans are not entirely free, and you may have to pay some extra charges. Furthermore, the policy doesnt cover every healthcare service. But you can use different approaches to fix the coverage loopholes.

While most seniors face major adjustments when transitioning to an elder-care community, Jewish seniors face additional challenges. Not only do they lose their homes, and many of their friends, but they also lose ties to their cultural heritage. This is where the Jewish Pavilion, a 501c3 non-profit, steps in. The Pavilion serves as a resource that provides room visits, festive holiday celebrations, and more to 450 Jewish residents in fifty facilities for seniors. The Jewish Pavilion promotes inclusion, and thousands of seniors of all faiths are welcomed into our programs. http://www.JewishPavilion.org

The Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) helps thousands of callers navigate their way through the daunting senior maze, alleviating caregiver stress while giving advice on all types of elder issues. http://www.OrlandoSeniorHelpDesk.org.
WASHINGTON (JTA)  The lawmakers thanked the representatives from the social networks giants for attending the Capitol Hill hearing on antisemitism  after all, it was not an official congressional hearing and no one was obliged to turn up.

But then, after some tense exchanges last Friday, things got acrimonious quickly: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Jewish Florida Democrat who convened the hearing, said that the tech reps stonewalling on whether and how antisemitism would be treated will lead to congressional action.

Were all starting to see  anyone watching this  why were eventually going to have to regulate the way that this content is handled, as opposed to just leaving it to you, the companies, to comply, to make sure youre complying with standards that really arent very transparent, she said.

The panel, the Interparliamentary Anti-Semitism Task Force, is comprised of lawmakers from diverse countries, including the United States, Canada, South Africa, Israel, Sweden and New Zealand, and it has no real powers. But some of the individual lawmakers are members of governing parties and are able to take legislative action at home.

Wasserman Schultz, for instance, is a past chairwoman of the Democratic Party and is currently on two of the House of Representatives most powerful committees, Appropriations and Oversight. Likewise, Anthony Housefather, a Jewish member of parliament from Montreal, who is a member of Canadas governing Liberal Party, has senior oversight roles.

Wasserman Schultzs frustration came after Housefather was unable to elicit a commitment that the social media companies would label antisemitism as hate speech and take action to remove the phrase Jews are all white nationalists who support Apartheid from posts on their platforms.

Kevin Kane, the director of government affairs for YouTube said thats definitely something wed want to look at, but its difficult to say in the abstract. Representatives from TikTok, Twitter and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, gave similarly noncommittal answers.

Housefather said the answers were pretty disturbing. Much of the first part of the panel had focused on the degree to which anti-Israel or Israel-critical comment is antisemitic, and the lawmakers and a group of experts enthusiastically promoted the definition of antisemitism advanced by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which some liberal groups see as too broad. Housefather said he was substituting Jews for Zionists in his hypothetical as a means of addressing concerns about whether attacking Zionism is antisemitic.

Housefathers hypothetical was also an allusion to the difficulties Canadian Jewish advocates had in getting Twitter to ban Laith Marouf, a Canadian pro-Palestinian advocate whose tweets included You know all those loud mouthed bags of human feces, a.k.a. the Jewish White Supremacists; when we liberate Palestine and they have to go back to where they come from, they will return to being low voiced bitches of Christian/Secular White Supremacist Masters and I have a motto: Lifes too short for shoes with laces or entertaining Jewish white supremacists with anything but a bullet to the head.

Michele Austin, Twitters director of public policy for the United States and Canada, was unable to explain why Marouf was allowed to return to Twitter with a different handle after having been banned from the platform in August. (Marouf was at the center of a controversy when it was revealed last month that an ostensibly antiracism organization he works for was receiving Canadian government money; the government eventually withdrew the funds.)

Another tense exchange between Austin and Michal Cotler-Wunsh, a former Israeli parliament member, had to do with the tweets of Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who routinely tweets antisemitic content and calls for Israels destruction. Cotler-Wunsh asked why Khameneis tweets remain up.

What you are referring to is the world leaders policy, and I was very happy to hear a number of the comments from the envoys and the ambassadors with regard to this issue, Austin said, without elaborating what Twitters world leaders policy was.

Wasserman Schultz was similarly frustrated when the social media representatives would not answer with specifics about what causes delays in the removal of hateful content.

The degree of frustration among the lawmakers was most evident at the end of the panel, when Wasserman Schultz scolded the companies for offering panaceas about promoting Holocaust remembrance. Eric Ebenstein, the director of public policy at TikTok, had listed a number of Holocaust commemorations the platform had promoted.

Each of you in some way mentioned your pride in acknowledging Yom Hashoah and other specific Jewish holidays, Wasserman Schultz said, referencing Israels Holocaust remembrance day. Antisemitism is a viral toxic infection that drives real-world violence. And for you to only scratch the surface or to pander and use examples of, you know, like some of your best friends are Jews is insulting and frustrating. So I would just suggest in the future when youre testifying on this topic that perhaps you might not want to use those kinds of examples.
WASHINGTON (JTA)  President Joe Biden is bringing a Jewish High Holiday celebration to the White House for the first time.

His White House is hosting a Rosh Hashanah reception tonight, Sept. 30, Jewish Insider reported on Monday.

As vice president during the 2009-2017 Obama administration, Biden hosted Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot receptions at the Naval Observatory, the official vice presidential residence, the first vice president to do so.

President Bill Clinton was the first president to host a Chanukah party for staff, and President George W. Bush made it a public event for Jewish community leaders, a practice continued by President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Obama instituted White House Passover seders, a practice Trump did not continue, although on at least one occasion, Jewish staffers gathered in the adjacent Eisenhower Executive Office Building for a seder.

The Biden White House last year hosted a last-minute Chanukah menorah lighting in person but has otherwise limited its Jewish events to virtual offerings because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last year, Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff  the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president  lit a menorah at a window at the Naval Observatory, another first, and this year Harris and Emhoff held a seder at their residence for family and Jewish staffers. Harris and Emhoff are also the first executive family to affix a mezuzah to their official residence.

The White House did not respond to a question about whether it would hold a Chanukah event this year.

Presidents have for years routinely briefed Jewish leaders in conference calls before the High Holidays.
(JTA)  Germanys public broadcaster, Deutsche Welle, has revised its code of conduct to require support for Israels right to exist, and employees who fail to do so may now be fired.

The move announced Sept. 1 preceded a court order last week that DW reinstate a former employee fired who was fired after the company determined she had made comments about Israel that could be construed as antisemitic. In all, seven employees from the broadcasters Arabic service were let go last year on similar grounds, and so far two have successfully sued DW for reinstatement.

The revised conduct code appears to be timed to strengthen the companys hand in such cases in the future. DW spokesperson Vera Tellmann told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an email that the company is awaiting the reasons for the verdict in one case and reserves the right to take further legal action.

DW is not the only German media company to expressly endorse Israels right to exist. In 1967, the Axel Springer company, one of Germanys biggest media conglomerates that now owns Politico and Insider, established corporate principles that include support [for] the Jewish people and the right of existence of the State of Israel.

The DW code made public on Sept. 1 declares that Germanys historical responsibility for the Holocaust is also a reason for which we support the right of Israel to exist.

It also adds that discrimination of any kind, such as sexism, racism and antisemitism can have consequences in terms of labor law, including dismissal.

Tellmann told JTA that labor law consequences would be applied depending on the severity of the violations. Denial of Israels right to exist would be such a violation, she added.

Five years ago, Germany formally accepted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism, in a move designed to provide clarity for the prosecution of related crimes. The definition includes denial of Israels right to exist as a form of antisemitic speech. Critics of the IHRA definition, including some Jewish progressives, say it has a chilling effect on free speech, although it does not categorize all criticism of Israel as antisemitic.

It is already illegal in Germany to disseminate Nazi propaganda and to deny the Holocaust. Violations are punishable by fines or prison terms.

In addition, Germany has barred calls for Israels destruction in anti-Israel demonstrations, confiscating posters and prosecuting protesters based on the chanting of some slogans, noted Berlin-based attorney Nathan Gelbart, former chair of the United Jewish Appeal in Germany.

There is only one people whose right of self-determination is being denied and questioned consistently, Gelbart, who represents various Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, wrote in an email to JTA. Therefore it is adequate and justified to name support of the right of the State of Israel to exist in the code of conduct at DW.

He added that the IHRA definition addresses modern antisemitism, which is not only right-wing based hatred against Jews but is also dressed in political slogans disguised as Israel criticism.

The European Legal Support Center, which advocates for Palestinians across Europe and the United Kingdom, expressed a different view of the IHRA definition in responding to the situation surrounding Farah Maraqa, the Palestinian Deutsche Welle journalist who recently won her reinstatement case.

This case is illustrative of a worrying trend in Germany of institutionalised silencing of Palestinian voices and narratives by employing malicious practices, the ELSC told Al Jazeera. It depicts how the anti-Palestinian sentiment and the institutional use of the IHRA definition can lead to severe infringements upon the freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Tellmann told JTA that the wording in the code of conduct is based on the IHRA working definition. The IHRA is also explicitly cited (and linked) in the Chief Editors Journalistic Guidelines, as are several examples that are part of the IHRA definition, she added, noting that DW also had consulted with the commissioner for Jewish life in Germany and various civil rights groups: the Fight Against Anti-Semitism, the Competence Center for Prevention and Empowerment, the Berlin-based anti-racism advocacy group Amadeu Antonio Foundation and the Anne Frank Educational Center.

On Sept. 7, DW also added a terse definition of antisemitism to its website: Antisemitism is a hostility toward Jews based on nationalism, Social Darwinism and racism. It was a central idea of National Socialism and ultimately led to the Holocaust.

While the definition of antisemitism is narrow, the companys revised code of conduct introduced Sept. 1 does include Israel. DW, it reads, rejects all forms of discrimination including sexism, racism and antisemitism. Germanys historical responsibility for the Holocaust is also a reason for which we support the right of Israel to exist.

Tellmann, in her email to JTA, said the code had also added a reference to DWs underlying rules and regulations to ensure that they also apply if they are not explicitly mentioned in the code of conduct.

Maraqa was one of seven employees fired from the broadcasters Arabic service in February 2021 after an external investigation commissioned by DW found they had crossed the line with statements made both on and off the job. According to the Bild newspaper, one of the terminated journalists had called Israel a cancer that should be cut out. Another wrote in a 2018 guest essay that a Jewish lobby controls many German institutions in order to prevent criticism of Israel. In 2019, a freelancer and trainer at the DW Academy compared Jews to ants that had invaded through our weak points. The specific journalists who made these statements were not named.

In response to the revelations, DW also announced in December 2021 the termination of its cooperation with the Jordanian broadcaster TV Roya. According to Tellmann, the relationship with Roya was audited according to a newly introduced system. Based on the results, the management will soon decide on a possible continuation of the cooperation  provided that it does not violate DW values.

A new internal team on Anti-Semitism, Jewish Life and Israel and the Palestinian Territories was established, with seven editors, Tellmann said, adding that the broadcasters office in Israel was also beefed up with additional staff.

Maraqa is the second fired employee  after Maram Salem  whom courts have ordered DW to rehire.

Giovanni Fassina, director of the ELSC, told Al Jazeera that he hoped Maraqas win sends a clear message that [Deutsche Welle] should stop their censorship practices.
(JNS)  Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Sunday described as successful his governments diplomatic offensive against a revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. However, he conceded that there was a long way to go to ensure that Tehran does not benefit to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars should an accord be reached.

Together with Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Israel is conducting a successful diplomatic campaign to stop the nuclear agreement and prevent the lifting of sanctions on Iran. It is not over yet. There is still a long way to go, but there are encouraging signs, Lapid said at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.

The Israeli premier was set to depart for Germany on Sunday afternoon to meet with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with the goal of coordinating positions on the nuclear issue, and finalizing the details of the strategic, economic and security cooperation document we are going to sign, Lapid said.

He also praised Britain, France and Germany for their joint statement, released on Saturday, denouncing Tehran for failing to negotiate in good faith a new deal to curb its nuclear program, which the countries said had continued to expand far beyond any plausible civilian justification.

Following the Americans, yesterday the E3 countries announced that a nuclear agreement with Iran will not be signed in the near future, that the [International Atomic Energy Agency]s open files regarding Iran are not about to be closed, Lapid said on Sunday.

I thank France, the United Kingdom, and Germany for their strong position on this matter. In recent months, we held a discreet and intensive dialogue with them, and presented them with up-to-date intelligence information about Iranian activity at nuclear sites, he added.

Lapid also emphasized that Jerusalem was working working to prevent the Islamic Republic from creating terrorist bases throughout the Middle East and especially in Syria.

Israel will not allow Syria to be used as an axis for the transfer of weapons to terrorist organizations, and will not accept the establishment of Iranian bases or militia bases on our northern border, he said.

The Syrian opposition website Ayn Al-Furat (Eye of Euphrates) asserted in an exclusive article on Thursday that Iran is constructing a large base to hold advanced weapons close to Ayn Ali, in the Deir Al-Zour region of eastern Syria.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Sunday headed to the United States for a series of meetings with United Nations officials that were expected to focus on Irans nuclear program, according to a statement from his office.
(JTA) - Israel's tourism minister has threatened a "diplomatic war" with travel site Booking.com over the company's decision this week to display a safety warning on any listings in Israeli-controlled territories in the West Bank.

A Booking.com spokesperson told the Associated Press on Monday the company would implement the warning as a reaction to recent unrest in the region, which has included Palestinian attacks on Israeli citizens, attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank and Israeli military raids in the territory that have resulted in deaths.

The company said it planned to display "banners and notifications to customers related to relevant local safety considerations" to let customers know they may be entering "disputed, conflict-affected or high-risk" areas. The warning banner is like the one the company currently shows for listings in Ukraine, a country at war, Booking.com said.

Yoel Razvozov told a local Israeli outlet that the Booking.com decision was "political," and that the Israeli government was prepared to fight it, according to a Reuters report. He disputed the company's stated reasoning that areas of the West Bank had become unsafe for travel.

"Millions of tourists visit Israel, including this area," he said, adding that at "the end of the day, there is no problem."

The Palestinian Liberation Organization told Reuters it supported the Booking.com move but said the company "must focus on the colonial settlements of the Israeli occupation." A Booking.com spokesperson did not respond to a Jewish Telegraphic Agency request for comment.

Based in Amsterdam, Booking.com is one of the world's largest travel booking sites and boasts more than 28 million listings. The site currently has warning-free listings for lodging in Israeli West Bank cities including Ma'ale Adumim and Kfar Adumim (both of which are referred to as "Palestinian Territory, Israeli Settlement"), as well as for lodging in the Golan Heights, which is considered part of Israel only by Israel and the United States because it is outside Israel's pre-1967 borders.

Booking's row with Israel is reminiscent of a 2018 controversy involving Airbnb, when the travel startup announced it would delist properties from West Bank settlements before reversing its decision in the face of criticism and a lawsuit. The reaction by Razvozov, a former Israeli judo champion from a centrist political party, is also redolent of the Israeli government's forceful response to Ben & Jerry's effort to stop selling its ice cream products in the West Bank.
(JNS) - Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid supported the creation of a Palestinian state in a speech addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, sparking a swift denunciation from Israel's right.

"Despite all the obstacles, still today a large majority of Israelis support the vision of this two-state solution. I am one of them," Lapid said.

"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. Peace is not a compromise. It is the most courageous decision we can make," he said.

Lapid added that Israel has "only one condition: That a future Palestinian state will be a peaceful one. That it will not become another terror base from which to threaten the well-being, and the very existence of Israel. That we will have the ability to protect the security of all the citizens of Israel, at all times."

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party criticized the prime minister in a video post on social media, describing Lapid's speech as "full of weakness, defeat."

"After the right-wing government led by me dropped the Palestinian state from the world agenda, after we brought four historic peace agreements with Arab countries that bypassed the Palestinian veto, Lapid is bringing the Palestinians back to the forefront of the world stage and putting Israel right into the Palestinian hole," Netanyahu said.

"Now he intends to give them a state of terror in the heart of the country, a state that will threaten us all," he added.

Yariv Levin, No.2 on the Likud Party Knesset list after Netanyahu as well as chairman of Likud and the opposition faction, said Lapid "surrendered shamefully" to the Palestinian Authority and "dealt a fatal blow to Israel's political standing."

"Instead of standing up to the world and saying out loud that the Land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel, Lapid bowed down to the haters of Israel," he said, adding that Lapid had undone years of political achievements pushed through by Netanyahu.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon accused Lapid of focusing on the Nov. 1 elections in Israel. "The spotlight that Lapid turned on the Palestinian issue instead of the Iranian threat proves that Lapid is only concerned with his election campaign and not with promoting the interests of the State of Israel," he said.

According to a July survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute, only a minority of Israeli Jews (32 percent) said they would support a peace agreement between Israel and the P.A. if it meant dividing the land of Israel into two states.

Support for a two-state solution is also declining among Palestinian Arabs. A December 2021 survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that about 39 percent of Palestinians favored a two-state solution, down from 46 percent in 2018.
Auschwitz survivors Arie Pinsker (left center), and Bogdan Barnikowski, (right center) hold the shoes of child victims of the Nazis in the Conservation Lab in Auschwitz, joined by representatives of March of the Living, the Neishlos Foundation, and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.

(JNS) - The International March of the Living announced on Thursday a global campaign with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial to preserve thousands of shoes belonging to children, most of them Jews, who were murdered in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Around 8,000 children's shoes found at Auschwitz are rapidly disintegrating and require immediate conservation so they can be retained as historic documentation, the Foundation said. The conservation project, called "From Soul to Sole," will continue for two years. A global fundraising campaign has been launched to support the effort.

"We see the conservation of the shoes of these innocent children as an eternal testimony to the brutality of the Nazi regime as well as a significant educational initiative," said International March of the Living Chairman Shmuel Rosenman and President Phyllis Greenberg Heideman. "We believe that everyone who has ever participated in the March of the Living and others around the world will want to take part in preserving the memory of the children and protecting these deteriorating artifacts from this dark chapter in history."

The initial contribution to kick-start the project came from Eitan Neishlos, founder and ambassador of the March of the Living chapter in the Gulf States. He is also the founder and president of the Neishlos Foundation.

"In so many cases, the tiny shoes left at Auschwitz are all that is left of young Jewish children murdered by the Nazis," Neishlos, who is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, stressed. "By preserving these iconic shoes, we are preserving the memory of Jewish children who were the victims of perhaps the Nazis' most harrowing cruelty.

"It is our responsibility as the next generation to keep their memories alive and give them a voice from the darkness. Now is the time for our generation to do whatever we can to preserve the memory of the victims and honor the precious living survivors," he said.

Among the 1.3 million people deported to the Auschwitz camp were some 232,000 children up to the age of 18, the majority of whom were Jews. Only about 500 children under the age of 15 remained alive in Auschwitz when it was liberated on Jan. 27, 1945.
WASHINGTON (JTA)  Its an argument that has percolated for years in salons and on social media and now members of Congress are duking it out: What fits better into the progressive portmanteau, supporting or opposing Israeli policies?

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat who is Palestinian American and who is the only member of Congress who opposes Israels self-definition as a Jewish state, said Tuesday that there was no room in the progressive movement for supporters of what she called Israels apartheid government.

I want you all to know that among progressives, its become clear that you cannot claim to hold progressive values, yet back Israels apartheid government, and we will continue to push back and not accept that you are progressive except for Palestine, Tlaib said in an online forum organized by American Muslims for Palestine.

Progressive except for Palestine, known as PEP in political shorthand, has for years been a critique that pro-Palestinian progressives have aimed at pro-Israel progressives, and support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel has increased among progressives in recent years, although a substantial number in Congress remain aligned with the mainstream pro-Israel community.

Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League CEO, posted the video of Tlaib speaking and tweeted, In one sentence, @RepRashida simultaneously tells American Jews that they need to pass an anti-Zionist litmus test to participate in progressive spaces even as she doubles down on her #antisemitism by slandering Israel as an apartheid state.

Tlaib is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and at least two of her fellow members said they found her challenge offensive. I fundamentally reject the notion that one cannot support Israels right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state and be a progressive, tweeted New York Democrat Jerry Nadler, who is Jewish.

Ritchie Torres, also of New York, who is gay and who has extolled the protection of LGBTQ rights in Israel, took aim at some of Tlaibs other stances. Theres nothing progressive about advocating for the end of Israel as a Jewish State, he said on Twitter. Nothing progressive about opposing the Abraham Accords, which promotes peace. Nothing progressive about opposing Iron Dome, which protects civilians from indiscriminate rocket fire.

There were a number of other members of the caucus on the online forum, including Marie Newman of Illinois, Andre Carson of Indiana and Judy Chu of California.

Also commenting was Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, who is not in the progressive caucus but is one of the leading Jewish Democratic members of Congress.

The outrageous progressive litmus test on Israel by @RashidaTlaib is nothing short of antisemitic, Wasserman Schultz tweeted. Proud progressives do support Israels right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. Suggesting otherwise is shameful and dangerous. Divisive rhetoric does not lead to peace.

Rep. Ted Deutch, another Jewish Florida Democrat who is retiring to head the American Jewish Committee, said support for Israel was itself a progressive value.

There are progressive activists, progressive students, and progressive Members of Congress whose support of democratic Israel is fundamentally a part of their progressive values, he said on Twitter. They all belong at the table. We will not be silenced.

Jared Moskowitz, the Jewish Democratic nominee to replace Deutch, inverted Tlaibs words to criticize her.

I want you all to know that among #progressives, it becomes clear that you cannot claim to hold progressive values if you are an antisemite, he said on Twitter.
US Rep. Torres calls to probe NYCs failure to prosecute hate crimes

(JNS)  New York Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) sent a letter on Friday to the U.S. Department of Justice asking it to investigate what he called New York Citys failure to prosecute anti-Semitic hate crimes.

I am respectfully asking the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department to consider investigating New Yorks systematic failure to police and prosecute hate crimes and to issue recommendations for reform, Torres wrote to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The federal government can no longer stand by passively as anti-Semitic violence goes unchecked and unpunished in Americas largest city, the congressman continued.

In his letter, the Bronx native addressed the rising number of anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York City, saying, Just as alarming as the violence itself has been the governments deafening inaction.

The letter referenced a report highlighting that 118 adults have been arrested for anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York City since 2018, but only one perpetrator has been convicted and imprisoned.

Israels GDP up at 6.8% rate in Q2

(JNS)  The Israeli economy, as measured by GDP, grew at a healthy rate of 6.8 percent on an annualized basis in the second quarter of 2022, the Central Bureau of Statistics) said on Sunday.

That followed a 2.7 percent drop in GDP year on year in the first quarter

The Israeli economy has grown faster since the second quarter of 2021 than any other OECD member county that has reported results to date.

During that 12-month span, Israels GDP increased by 7.4 percent, compared to 7.1 percent in Portugal, 6.3 percent in Spain, 6.2 percent in Austria, 5.4 percent in the Netherlands, 4.1 percent in Sweden, 3 percent in South Korea, and barely 1.7 percent in Germany and the United States.

The return to routine in the second quarter led to the rise in GDP, said the CBS, adding that hospitality and air-travel services, as well as tourism from other countries, contributed to the rise in GDP in the April-June period.

Japan to deploy Israeli, US drones

(JNS)  The Japanese Defense Ministry plans to deploy Israeli- and U.S.-made attack drones in 2023 to defend isolated islands.

The American-made Switchblade and the Israel Aerospace Industries Harop drone are expected to be deployed.

Both are loitering munition weapons (also known as suicide drones or kamikaze drones) that wait passively around the target area and attack once a target is located.

The ministry intends to have in place several hundred attack drones beginning in 2025, including drones manufactured in Japan, to bolster its deterrence capabilities, reported The Japan News, citing government sources.

The report noted that the Ukrainian military has used attack drones against Russian forces, achieving substantial results while limiting deaths.

The government intends to use drones mostly on the Ryukyu Islands (aka the Nansei Islands). It anticipates them being employed in an emergency to strike hostile naval vessels approaching the islands and enemy forces attempting to land. Drones will also be employed for surveillance.

The Harop is around 2.5 meters (8.2 -feet) long and can fly for nine hours, whereas the Switchblade is about 36 centimeters (14 inches) long and is easy to carry, but can only fly for 15 minutes.

Iranian president casts doubt on the reality of the Holocaust

(JNS)  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in an interview aired on Sunday, called Israel a false regime and suggested that there were only some signs the Holocaust had occurred and that research into the validity of them should go forward.

Asked during the interview with CBSs 60 Minutes program whether he believed that six million Jews were murdered in the Shoah, Raisi said, Historical events should be investigated by researchers and historians.

In response to the comments, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid posted graphic images from the Holocaust to his official Twitter account.

Asked about Israels right to exist, the Iranian president said, You see, the people of Palestine are the reality. This is the right of the people of Palestine who were forced to leave their houses and motherland. The Americans are supporting this false regime there to take root and to be established there.

Raisi added that Iran would make no concessions on the deadlocked nuclear negotiations with world powers, aimed at reviving the 2015 deal.

Yes, they can create restrictions and problems for us and difficulties. But theres a number of countries that are being sanctioned. By doing this, they are bringing them closer together, making them more united. And this will render American sanctions ineffective, he said.

Israel warns travelers that Iran continues to target Israelis overseas

(JNS)  The National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau of the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced on Monday its assessment and travel warnings ahead of the upcoming Jewish high holidays.

Among its conclusions was that Iran and its proxies have intensified their attempts to attack Israelis overseas during the last two years. Several of these attempts were foiled in 2021-2022, including a terrorist plot in Turkey in June 2022.

We believe that Iran will continue its efforts to attack Israeli targets around the world, in countries that are close to Iran and in Western Europe, stated the NSC.

Global jihad and radical Islamic organizations, especially Islamic State, and their supporters, continue to be highly motivated in their efforts to carry out attacks, including against Jewish and Israeli targets, in various countries, it said.

The NSC added, This is backed up by open declarations by the organizations leaders calling for attacks on Israelis and Jews. These organizations have infrastructure and are active in the Middle East (especially northern Sinai), Africa and Asia. This is in addition to their irregular activity in other countries.

First digital translation of Mishneh Torah interconnected with other Jewish texts goes online

(JNS)  A complete English translation of the Mishneh Torah interconnected with other Jewish texts is being digitally offered for the first time ever by the nonprofit organization Sefaria, which digitizes and shares Jewish texts for free in Hebrew along with translations and commentaries.

We are so excited for learners to dive into this rich text and share their reflections with each other and the world, said Sara Wolkenfeld, Sefarias chief learning officer. For the Jewish people, our texts are our collective inheritance. They belong to everyone and we want them to be available to everyone, in the public domain or with creative commons licenses.

The Mishneh Torah, authored by the medieval Torah scholar Maimonides, commonly known as the Rambam, between 1170 and 1180, while he lived in Egypt, consists of 14 books and is a major code of Jewish religious law. Users can access it on Sefarias website and through the Sefaria app.

The translation provided by Sefaria was completed between 1986 and 2007 by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger. The text on the Sefaria website comes with Hebrew commentaries; interlinking to other religious texts, to help readers understand the work; and topic tagging so they can research related ideas that interest them.

The Sefaria website also allows users to create shareable source sheets that incorporate religious texts from Sefarias catalogue with their own commentary.

Sefaria is used by more than 500,000 people each month, including students, educators and scholars.

Hamas leaders in Moscow: We are entitled to resist by every means

(JNS)  Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamass political bureau, his deputy Saleh al-Arouri and bureau members Moussa Abu Marzouq and Maher Salah paid an official visit to Moscow last week at the invitation of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The Hamas men met with several Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his deputy Mikhail Bogdanov. The delegation members emphasized their support for Moscows positions on several issues, while Russian officials expressed their support for Hamas, according to a report by MEMRI.

Russia has not classified Hamas as a terrorist group, and officials in the foreign ministry, such as Bogdanov, continue to maintain contact with the movement. In fact, this is not the first time a high-level Hamas delegation has visited Russia; Lavrov also met with Haniyeh in Moscow in 2020.

Bogdanov, a former ambassador to Israel and to Egypt, is also the special representative of the president of Russia for the Middle East and deputy chairman of the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society

Since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, Hamas officials have repeatedly asserted that the war and global events signal that the United States is losing its hegemonial status and that the multipolar world order that is taking shape will aid the Palestinian cause, noted the report.

Hamas issued a statement saying that its delegation stressed to Russian officials the Palestinians right to resist the occupation by every possible means, until liberation and return [are achieved].

They also emphasized the Palestinian peoples right to all its natural resources, especially the natural gas, an allusion to the gas field off the Gaza shore. The Hamas delegation decried the robbing of the Palestinian and Lebanese resources by the [Israeli] enemy.

101-year-old is oldest to make aliyah from U.S. in five years

(JNS)  A 101-year-old woman who made aliyah from New Jersey last week is the oldest immigrant to move to the Jewish state from the U.S. in the last five years.

Stella Rockoff was born in Jerusalem in 1921, during the British Mandate of Palestine. Her family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, when she was five and she moved to Pennsylvania after she married Rabbi Herman Rockoff in 1940. She later lived again in New York with her husband and four children, where she worked as executive secretary of the Rabbinical Council of America.

She lived in Clifton, New Jersey, before moving back to Israel last week with a daughter and son-in-law as part of a group of nearly 60 olim from North America. The group arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport on an El Al flight organized by Nefesh BNefesh in coordination with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and JNF-USA.

All my life I dreamed of returning to my native country, said Rockoff. This is a day of celebration for me. My family left at a time when the Jewish State was just an idea, an idea that has since become the State of Israel, now a strong nation and a leader in innovation, and I am proud to finally call it home. I cant wait to be reunited with my many grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and two more great-great-grandchildren in my old-new home.

Elaine and Michael Reinheimer, Rockoffs daughter and son-in-law who made aliyah with her, said, The idea that she will be reunited with the family in Israel makes mom very happy. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren cant wait for her to arrive. America has been very good to us, but now its time to go home.

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh BNefesh, said Rockoffs move to Israel proves that it is never too late to return home.

American Jew detained in Lebanon on suspicion of espionage after having visited Israel

(JNS)  An American Jew was released from custody in Lebanon after being detained for several days on suspicion of espionage for having booked his hotel reservation in Beirut from Israel, Kan News reported on Monday.

According to the report, the man in his 20s had recently studied at a yeshiva in Jerusalem and then traveled to Lebanon after visiting Cyprus. He intended to go from Beirut to the Kurdish region in Iraq, said the report.

Officials told Kan News that upon arrival at the hotel in the Lebanese capital, he was arrested by authorities because they had discovered he made the reservation while in the Jewish state.

His passport also reportedly indicated that he had been to Israel.

The man was released on Thursday or Friday amid behind-the-scenes diplomatic pressure from U.S. officials and members of Congress, according to the report.

The incident comes as U.S.-brokered talks to resolve a longstanding maritime border dispute between Israel and Lebanon are reportedly making progress.

Israel appoints new ambassador to Turkey

(JNS)  The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday announced the appointment of Irit Lillian as ambassador to Turkey, in the latest evidence of rapprochement between the nations following a decade-long-plus rift.

Lillian, who for the last two years has been in charge of the embassy in Ankara, is the first person to hold the post since 2018, when Turkey expelled Israels envoy and withdrew its own ambassador from Jerusalem amid fighting between the IDF and Palestinians along the Gaza border.

Once warm relations between Jerusalem and Ankara deteriorated rapidly following the rise to power of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a supporter of Hamas who has been a fierce critic of Israels policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians.

Ties reached a nadir in the wake of the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, in which nine Turkish nationals were killed after they attacked Israel Navy commandos boarding the ship, which was sent by an Islamist organization deemed close to Erdogan and was attempting to break the blockade of Gaza.

In a sign of thawing relations, Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Turkey in March to meet with Erdogan.

In August, the two countries announced the restoration of full diplomatic relations, with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid saying, Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability.

Lapid is scheduled to meet with Erdogan this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

IDF chief at Auschwitz: You need only to be human to understand the Nazi genocide

(JNS)  Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi on Monday visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Poland, where he warned that Iranian Holocaust denial is an additional reminder that such people must not be allowed to possess any sort of capability to develop lethal weapons.

Accompanied by a delegation of commanders and officers from all Israeli military branches, Kochavi located the names of his relatives who were murdered during the Nazi era genocide, before taking part in a ceremony dedicated to Jewish heroism.

Referring to comments this week by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi that cast doubt on the veracity of the systematic murder of six million Jews, Kochavi said: You do not need to be a historian or a researcher in order to understand the atrocities of the Holocaust. You need to be a human being. The pits full of skeletons and corpses and the crematoria cry out from the forests and the extermination camps.

Any person who lies and denies the truth of this devastating and agonizing history is a person who easily lies today and will continue to do so in the future with no hesitation, he added.

Iranian Holocaust denial is an additional reminder that Tehran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, said Kochavi.

Israels population nears 10 million

(JNS)  The population of Israel is just over 9.5 million people ahead of the Jewish New Year, according to data issued by Israels Central Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday.

The country has a population of 9.593 million people, according to the CBS. 7.069 million (74 percent) identify as Jewish, 2.026 million (21 percent) as Arab and 498,000 (5 percent) as neither.

The bureau states that the Israeli population will reach 10 million by 2024, 15 million by 2048 and 20 million by the end of 2065.

Jews in Israel who are at least 20-years-old are identified as 45.3 percent secular, 19.2 percent traditional, 13.9 percent traditional-religious, 10.7 percent religious and 10.5 percent Haredi.

Average life expectancy for Israeli men is 80.5 years compared to 84.6 years for women.

According to the data, 177,000 babies were born in Israel this year; 49,000 people made aliyah; and 2,000 Israelis returned to Israel after living abroad.
(JTA)  Yair Lapid called the people around the table family and brothers and sisters.

The vibe was unusual for the 50 or so Jewish leaders who convened Wednesday to meet the Israeli prime minister, and who were used to being lectured at by the man Lapid hopes to keep from returning to office, Benjamin Netanyahu.

That was the point: Ahead of what is likely a close election on Nov. 1, Lapid, who is in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, wants to draw distinctions between himself and the leader of Israels Likud Party, among them an affection for U.S. Jews.

We are one family, Lapid told the group convened by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and taking place at the office of the UJA-Federation in New York City. You are my brothers and sisters. The government of Israel accepts all streams of Judaism. The special bond between Israel and Jews around the world is one of our top priorities, and we will show this. Israel must be, and will be, an open home for all Jews.

Lapid alluded to Netanyahu only once, people inside the room said, but he didnt need to because the contrast was sharp. Netanyahu, acceding to pressure from haredi Orthodox parties, had reneged on agreements to expand the the right to non-Orthodox practice and worship in Israel, priorities for many American Jewish leaders.

Lapid did not make specific commitments except to investigate complaints from those present, but he distinguished himself from Netanyahu by listening and not lecturing, according to one participant.

Netanyahu, who was raised in the United States, also grated on his American Jewish interlocutors by coming across as believing he was more knowledgable than they were on the ins and outs of Washington, the participant said.

Hes not this imperial prime minister who knows more about America than American Jews, a participant said of Lapid. It very much was a conversation and was much more engaging in any give and take than anyone got from Netanyahu.

Sheila Katz, the National Council for Jewish Women CEO, would not comment on specifics, nor would she address differences between Lapid and Netanyahu, because the meeting was off the record. But speaking generally, she said she was impressed by Lapids commitment to diversity and to reaching out to all Americans.

He shared a lot about his hope to do even more to bring people together, Katz said. And I felt like that was a theme that I heard loud and clear.

Lapids sole reference to Netanyahu was a joke and didnt use his name. I dont want to speak negatively of a former prime minister, Lapid said, then paused to correct himself: I actually do want to. A participant told him the session was off the record and encouraged him to speak frankly. Lapid said, Off the record, with 50 Jews?

Netanyahu, whose 12 years in power ended last year, scored significant diplomatic achievements in his time, including helping to persuade former President Donald Trump to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, reaching normalization agreements with four Arab countries and expanding Israeli ties in Africa. He is highlighting his foreign policy experience in his bid to return to power and accusing Lapid of fecklessness on the Israeli-Palestinian front and of failing to keep the Biden administration from reentering the Iran-nuclear deal, which is widely opposed in Israel. Talks among the U.S., Iran and other parties are currently at a standstill.

Lapid wants to accentuate the negatives in Netanyahus record, including alienating much of American Jewry, alienating Democrats and having tense relations with some of Israels neighbors. When he speaks Thursday to the General Assembly, Lapid is reportedly set to recommit Israel to a two-state outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a key Biden administration demand, and one which President Joe Biden mentioned in his own U.N. speech.

Lapids social media team also played up Lapids friendly meetings with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who sparred for years with Netanyahu, and with Jordans King Abdullah, who had tense exchanges with Netanyahu over the status of the Temple Mount, the Jerusalem site holy to Jews and Muslims that Jordan helps administer.

The Jewish leaders reciprocated the love, effusively in the room, and in a more restrained manner in a joint statement of the Conference of Presidents and the Jewish Federations of North America after the meeting.

We were honored to meet with Prime Minister Yair Lapid, and grateful that he prioritized meeting with leaders of the North American Jewish Community on the day before his address to the United Nations General Assembly, the statement said. In our meeting, we discussed important issues such as rising antisemitism around the world and the threat of Iran, about which we are mutually very concerned. We are heartened by his shared commitment to strengthen Israel-Diaspora relations, and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Israeli government on issues of common importance with the North American Jewish community.
Through the course of American history and two centuries of developing constitutional law, two great principles have emerged, both of which have become increasingly ignored by many good and patriotic Americans.

The first of these principles was hammered out after much heated debate at the constitutional convention in the formative years of our nationhood by our founders, most if not all of whom were members of various Christian denominations. That principle is the doctrine of separation of church and state.

This principle separating religious activity, including prayer, from public activity means in laymans terms that no person in our country should ever be placed in a position of choosing between his religious convictions and participation in a public event or activity; nor to be compelled to participate in another persons religious practice against his or her will.

The first settlers to our shores came here to escape religious oppression and were motivated to ensure that the mistakes of the previous centuries in Europe would not be carried over in the public policies of the New World.

The second great principle which emerged from colonial America and which was brought into political and legal reality, as a result of the American Civil War, was the concept that in America there can be only one class of citizenship. The U.S. constitution, eloquent in its simplicity, states, all persons born or naturalized in the United States  are citizens of the United States 

These two concepts of separation of Church and State and single class citizenship are so firmly established and ordained by the American people in our country that few of us pay any attention to them.

When the absence of these two principles combine with general insensitivity, participants in public events, who share diverse minority religious beliefs or no religious beliefs, feel disenfranchised from their fellow Americans. Furthermore, ignoring these two principles has led to oppressive laws, such as the historical Sunday blue laws, and Prohibition (alcohol) which has not only restricted American freedom, but was a catalyst for increased criminal activity as well as a loss of respect for law generally.

American society has grown and prospered because Americans have embraced pluralism and respect for each others culture, religion and ethnic differences. Unfortunately, we have regressed into intolerance and disrespect for one anothers opinion that may differ from our own opinion and view on public and private issues.

The problem is notable when public events include sectarian religious prayers to which many in the audience who differ in their respective manner of prayer feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Some may even be resentful and feel compelled to join in sectarian prayer so as not to stand out in the crowd. This defeats the pluralism on which our country was founded, leads to division instead of unity and endangers all our freedoms.

The decision by SCOTUS to reverse the Roe v. Wade decision is another example of where religious influence prevailed over both sound public policy and more importantly, the freedom of American woman to be secure in their person, as contained in the 4th Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

When religion is used to impose religious beliefs on the public, it can also be used to prohibit religious freedom as well, such as attempts to restrict the Jewish ceremonial ritual of circumcision and to ban the Jewish and Muslim laws of animal slaughter.

When religious beliefs invade discussion at public events, and notably, at political events, and public policy is infiltrated by religious beliefs, democratic values and freedom are compromised.

In the next few weeks as we enter the final period of heightened political activity, there will be sharp differences expressed among the American electorate. We should be reminded that if respect for pluralism is disregarded and hatred replaces respect, the perfection of our union will be heading in the wrong direction.

Choose wisely and remember, in America a pulpit is not and should never become a podium!

If you wish to comment or respond you can reach me at melpearlman322@gmail.com. Please do so in a rational, thoughtful, respectful and civil manner.

Mel Pearlman holds B.S. & M.S. degrees in physics as well as a J.D. degree and initially came to Florida in 1966 to work on the Gemini and Apollo space programs. He has practiced law in Central Florida since 1972. He has served as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando; was a charter board member, first vice president and pro-bono legal counsel of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida, as well as holding many other community leadership positions.
(JNS)  The ongoing discrimination against Jews on the Temple Mount needs to change. Currently, Jews are not allowed to bring prayer books or a Torah to the site, and cannot wear tefillin. Only recently have small groups of Jews been able to pray quietly during the five hours a day that the Mount is open to them.

Despite the restrictions, 50,000 Jews visited the Temple Mount over the past year, approximately double that of the previous year. This is believed to be the highest number of Jews to visit the Mount since the Bar Kochba revolt almost 2,000 years ago. The increase has occurred partly because more and more rabbis are permitting visits to the Mount, so long as the visitor goes to a mikvah ahead of time, wears non-leather shoes and tours areas of the Mount that the late Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren considered permissible.

The situation on the Temple Mount today is eerily similar to that of ancient times. In the Talmud, the destruction of the Second Temple is blamed on the actions of Rabbi Zechariah Ben Avkulas. Avkulas was criticized for not speaking up when he witnessed a man named Bar Kamtza being thrown out of a party. In revenge for his humiliation, Bar Kamtza went to the Roman emperor and told him the Jews would not accept the emperors sheep as a sacrifice. Then, Bar Kamtza put a blemish on the sacrifice to make it unacceptable according to the Torah.

The rabbis wanted to allow the sacrifice to proceed in order to avoid angering the emperor, which they believed was acceptable because a Torah prohibition can be violated to save a life. They rightly feared that the emperor would murder Jews if they did not permit the sacrifice. However, this time Avkulas spoke up. He opposed the sacrifice and prevailed. As a result, the emperor was incensed, which led him to destroy the Second Temple, murdering many Jews and ending all sacrifices.

Many rabbis hold that since all Jews today are considered ritually impure, they are not allowed to go up to the Temple Mount because it may violate the holiness of the site. But they fail to take into consideration that this decision has led to a far greater desecration of the Mount: The destruction of Jewish artifacts by the Muslim Waqf, which Israel unfortunately permitted to control the Mount after the 1967 Six Day War.

Rabbi Berel Wein famously said that G-d showed which rabbis were correct about whether Zionism would be successful by the many miracles that led to Israels establishment and survival. G-ds hand is also apparent in regard to the Mount. The most famous ascension to the Mount since 1967 was that of then-Likud leader Ariel Sharon. He visited the site on Sept. 28, 2000 to show his opposition to then-Prime Minister Ehud Baraks offer to give up sovereignty over the Mount to the Palestinian Authority. Within six months of the visit, in March 2001, Sharon became prime minister. His friend, journalist Uri Dan, wrote that it was Sharons visit to the Mount that catapulted him to head of government.

Today, we see that, in current election polls, there has been an incredible rise in support for the Religious Zionism Party, which has gone from six to 12 seats. This is mainly due to the popularity of Itamar Ben Gvir, who is best known for his frequent public visits to the Temple Mount.

A former legal advisor and deputy director-general of Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alan Baker, recently called on Israel to end its discriminatory practices on the Temple Mount. The religious freedom of Jews should be protected on Judaisms holiest site. Along with this, there must be an end to the Muslim Waqfs desecration of the Mount and its destruction of Jewish artifacts.

At the end of Yom Kippur, we say next year in Jerusalem. May we also see a year of religious freedom on the Temple Mount.

Farley Weiss is chairman of the Israel Heritage Foundation and former president of the National Council of Young Israel, as well as an intellectual property attorney for the law firm of Weiss & Moy. The views expressed are the authors and not necessarily representative of NCYI.
(JNS)  On Sept. 13, a beautiful 22-year-old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, was arrested in Tehran and brutally beaten by morality police for wearing her hijab too loosely, perhaps allowing a few strands of hair to show through. She was overwhelmed by both male and female brutes and thugs, beaten mercilessly, thrown into a van and driven to some unknown placemost probably the notorious Evin prison, where she was undoubtedly raped and tortured.

Next thing we knew, she was in a coma. As I write this three days later, we know she is dead. Her family was told by the Iranian regi...
(JTA)  Seventy-eight years ago this week, David Ben-Gurion rose before the Asefat Hanivcharim, Palestine Jewrys elected assembly, and delivered an explosive jaccuse against the Allies for abandoning Europes Jews during the Holocaust.

The words of the man who would soon be Israels first prime minister take on added significance in view of the upcoming release of Ken Burns three-part, six-hour PBS documentary The U.S. and the Holocaust. Its official website says the film dispels the myth that America looked on with callous indifference during th...
I have written before about my dad. A two-fisted fighter who fought and fought hard for what he believed in. One thing he fell short on in his younger years was his Judaism.

As I have said, his paternal grandfather was a nasty, bitter old man. He hated the Russians for throwing him out of Russia to live in a bitterly empty wasteland that today is Ukraine.

He came to America to find that the streets were not lined with gold and life in America was not a paradise after all. His religion was his only escape  and he dove in head first.

His son, my grandfather, Abraham Shiplacoff, was an ac...
Renowned conservationist and philanthropist Ted Turner enhances his collection of conservation forward properties in Southern New Mexico. His personal home, Hacienda at Armendaris (formerly known as Armendaris House) is the latest dwelling to join the Ted Turner Reserves' brand for guest stays. Located on the 360,000-acre Armendaris property, the recently renovated Hacienda exudes an unparalleled combination of luxurious accommodations and rustic charm. Nestled in the crimson Chihuahuan desert, Armendaris embodies the essence of southern New Mexico. Only a short drive from sister properties Ladder and Sierra Grande, guests staying at Hacienda at Armendaris will have the opportunity to trek through semi-desert and mountainous landscapes, encounter bison, pronghorn, and desert bighorn sheep, and experience the wonders of the Jornada lava flow caves, home to one of the largest populations of Mexican free-tailed bats in the country. Also recently renovated, Ted's main Ladder house, (now known as the Country House at Ladder), also available for guest stays includes four new bright and spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers and slipper tubs, truly transforming his home into a spectacular and relaxing refuge for parties of up to 8 guests.

A natural oasis situated by four Rio Grande tributaries; the 156,000-acre Ladder property is home to rich biodiversity. Surrounded by sweeping landscapes, Ladder effortlessly pulls you into the present moment. Meanwhile, petroglyphs, pottery shards, and adobe ruins invite exploration into the mysteries of the past.

In addition to Armendaris, Ladder and Sierra Grande, Ted Turner Reserves owns and operates Vermejo, located in northern New Mexico.

To learn more about Ted Turner Reserves and the recent renovations, openings and offerings, please visit www.tedturnerreserves.com.
Woodside Hotel Group today announces the appointment of Qadiri Zebrowski as the director of wellness at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, a luxury oceanfront hotel perched directly above the waves of Monterey Bay. In this role, Zebrowski oversees the hotel's award-winning Vista Blue Spa, managing wellness initiatives and programming for guests.

With over fifteen years of spa operations experience, Zebrowski is a licensed massage therapist who has wellness expertise in yoga, acupuncture, astrology, and sound healing. Prior to relocating to the Monterey Peninsula, Zebrowski was the spa manager for Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa in Sausalito, California, co-director of The Shifayat & Sufi Healing Order, in Richmond, Virginia, and a healing arts assistant manager for the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

As a graduate of both Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and Prescott University, Zebrowski earned several certifications and degrees throughout her career, including a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a Sustainable Business Management degree with an emphasis in Holistic Health. She has experience in esthetics and earned her massage certification in 2004 through the Desert Institute for Healing Arts in Tucson, Arizona, and is a qualified Cranial Sacral Technician, as well as a California Certified Massage Therapist (CAMT).
Travelers may complain about resort fees when they see the final bill, but they're still paying them. To retain guest loyalty, hoteliers know they must provide demonstrated value for fees now more than ever.

Not only have resort fees remained in place, but some have even gone up  some by more than 10% at certain properties, David Sangree, president of Hotel & Leisure Advisors, said.

While hotel owners may worry about the potential negative impact of charging resort fees, that has not deterred the practice or slowed the rate of increase, he said.

In the broader travel industry, "hidden fees" have drawn some governmental scrutiny as the White House looks to crack down on a lack of transparency about added on fees for air fares through airlines and travel booking sites. CNN reported the Department of Transportation is proposing a rule requiring them to "disclose up front  the first time an airfare is displayed  any fees charged to sit with your child, for changing or canceling your flight, and for checked or carry-on baggage."

There have been no signs as of yet that hotels will face the same scrutiny in relation to resort fees.

Rentyl Resorts Managing Principal Nick Falcone said added fees also have not diminished the hospitality industry in any noticeable way.

Read the full article at HotelNewsNow (part of CoStar)
Fairmas, the renowned hospitality financial BI solution provider, announced the opening of its North American office today. As proven leaders in the European market, Fairmas is tapping into the North American sector by opening an on-site office in Montreal, Canada.

With globalization as one of the main focuses of Fairmas, the North American office will play a pivotal role in the overall growth of the company and clientele. Direct access to customers in the region will be essential. Fairmas currently has offices in Germany, Spain and now Canada. The opening of Fairmas North America is a strategic decision highlighting the new opportunities, economic developments and the growth of hospitality in the region.

Fairmas entry into the North American market will be in partnership with John C. Dunn, Founder of the well-known Canadian tourism sector consulting firm, FLOOR13 and past hotelier himself. Together, Fairmas will have a firm understanding of the Canadian hotel sector landscape.

Alexander Engels, formerly the Business Development Manager for the international market, will be leading a team of experts as the Head of Business Development, North America. He will use his expertise to establish Fairmas North American and grow the customer-base in the region.

The Canadian office can be reached at:

Fairmas Canada Inc.

10330 Ch. Cote de Liesse, suite #240

Lachine, QC H8T 1A3, Canada

"We are delighted to expand into a completely new market across the globe from our offices in Germany, Spain and now Canada. The North American market looks promising and therefore, it is the next step for Fairmas. We look forward to the new opportunities that the future holds for us and for the global hospitality industry." - Niels Schroder, Managing Director, Fairmas.

Fairmas entry into North America, will offer the hotel industry here a state-of-the-art budgeting and forecast online tool aimed at helping streamline these processes and work on increasing revenues. I am confident that this solution, built by hoteliers for hoteliers, will have a positive impact on the North American hotel community. - John C. Dunn, Principal, Fairmas Canada.

Opening an office in a different continent than Europe is a new chapter in the growth of Fairmas and its pursuit to enable the hospitality industry with relevant solutions. The North American market will open new doors for Fairmas. This will also allow Fairmas to participate in hospitality events on-site. Fairmas will be present at the Western Canadian Lodging Conference from 24th - 25th October, 2022.

The new office in North America will mark the beginning of many such events, collaborations and new opportunities for Fairmas altogether.

Fairmas GmbH, based in Berlin, develops software solutions with a focus on financial planning and management reporting especially for the hotel industry. Currently, more than 11,000 users in more than 4,000 hotels worldwide work with the company's software solutions. The company, founded more than 15 years ago, has thus established itself as a strong partner for the hotel industry. A team of 43 experienced hotel and IT specialists is responsible for the constant permanent new and further development and enhancement of software products specially tailored to the hotel industry.

Kinza Raheel

International Marketing & Communications Manager
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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:
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Maurice sera au second semestre de 2023 le theatre de la 66e reunion de la United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa.

Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius submitting its candidature to host the 66th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa during the course of the second semester of 2023. Mauritius is currently the second Vice-Chair of the UNWTO Executive Council.

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How up-and-coming rapper Yeat blew up on TikTok

Yeats rise shows that going viral on TikTok can be a great way to break through to a new audience, but cultivating a persona can sustain that hype.

by Michelle Hyun Kim of Chartmetric

Who couldve predicted that one of this years biggest music success stories would belong to a rapper from Portland, Oregon, whose first Billboard-charting hit is a surrealist hip-hop song called Rich Minion, from the Minions: The Rise of Gru soundtrack? That honor belongs to the 22-year-old Yeat, a once-underground internet artist who has ascended to superstar status in less than a year, largely due to his remarkably consistent popularity on TikTok.

His rise started with his July 2021 song Sorry Bout That, whose eccentric vocals struck a chord with TikTok users. On the Young Thug and Playboi Carti-indebted track, Yeat raps with garbled charisma over video game-like synths and trap beatsShe eat me up like its Beni-bachi, goes part of the hook, a funny mangling of the Los Angeles restaurant Benihibachi. The strange phrase and the songs catchy refrain eventually soundtracked over 201,000 TikToks. The early buzz led the rapper to sign to Interscope, on which he released his debut studio album Up to Meonly two months later, sparking a Drake co-sign and a long string of more than a dozen TikTok hits.

Since then, the prolific artist has shared two more projects, with songs from his back catalog sparking numerous challenges and countless user-generated remixes. While his 9 million Spotify Monthly Listeners continue to grow after another hit, Talk, taken from his Lyfe EP, debuted at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, his most viral success to date is still Rich Minion, now attached to over 1.8 million videos on TikTok.

In the past two and a half years, Yeat has climbed from a rank of around 324K to a rank of just 827, making him one of the Top 1K artists in the world across social and streaming platforms.

Though there are other TikTok-made rap stars, most of them have blown up for songs with melodic hooks that easily lend themselves to dance challenges and mainstream appeal. While that was partly true for Yeats first TikTok success, Sorry Bout That, hes seen more growth by pushing further into the unconventional: making up nonsensical lingo like twizzy and tonkas, putting together galaxy-brain bars with words like simulacrum, and incorporating production soaked in internet-era adventurousness. Using TikTok and other social media, hes cultivated a distinct persona marked by bell sounds and seemingly random umlauts, drawing in a fervent fan base who flocks to his shows decked out in turban merch and yells about how hes the GOAT over any other rapper right now.

So how did Yeats relatively niche music lead to his rapid growth as an artist? And what does it say about how rap spreads on TikTok?

Funny Lines, Weird Choices, and Memeability

While Sorry Bout That marked his early foray onto TikTok, Yeats general presence skyrocketed with his August 2021 single Get Busy, due to a short section that users thought was funny enough to meme: Halfway through the song, he raps, This song already was turnt, but heres a bell, right before the percussion instrument starts gonging on top of video game-like synths and trap drums. It also got a ridiculous music video with huge animated bells. Tickled by the unconventional line and production choice, TikTokers started posting what became over 35,000 bell-related TikToks, making light of Yeats sound while also praising him.

Even though Sorry Bout That had been in around 20,000 TikToks by the time that Get Busy came out, it was the latter track that pushed Yeat from a mild viral sensation into an artist with a cult following. When Get Busy leaked a couple weeks prior to its official release, his fans who [had] been following his gradual rise in the depths of SoundCloud [had] been practically on their knees begging for a full version, Pitchfork critic Alphonse Pierre wrote, suggesting that something about the flippant track had inspired a pressure cooker of commotion around the rapper.

It was only after Yeat had established a reputation for something as random as a fondness for the sound of bells that the TikTok hits actually converted into consistent followers. The summer that Sorry Bout That was gaining steam on TikTok, the rappers Spotify Monthly Listeners climbed from 6,500 to around 200,000 over the course of three months, boosted by his Trendi EP that August. But after Get Busy and its accompanying Up to Me album, the count grew exponentially, leaping to over one million listeners after just a month.

It was Get Busy that got Yeat the coveted Drake co-sign, too, with the Canadian superstar sharing the song to Instagram eager to show his 120 million Instagram followers that he was up to date on the latest rap trends. Up to Me also saw Yeat pushing harder into his idiosyncrasies: there were more bell sound effects and more unorthodox Yeat-isms. Money So Big became another hit because of its hook about how the rappers money be twerkin, resulting in over 70,000 TikToks made with the sound by the end of the year. A song about his signature accessories, the balaclava and keffiyeh headgear that he refers to as his turban, also started circulating on the platform.

Yeat now had multiple TikTok hits lined up one after the other, but more importantly, he had created a whole language, look, and worldview that inspired listeners unceasing devotion. One viral tweet this summer asserted that Yeat, along with rappers Playboi Carti and Bladee, were just kpop idols but for boys.

As demonstrated by Young Thug and Gunnas features on Yeats 2 Alive album from this February, as well as his multiple collaborations with Lil Uzi Vert since, the rising rappers cult of personality also made more established artists want to be part of the hype.

Minions: the Perfect Cross-Branding Opportunity

Riding the momentum from his co-signs and 2 Alive, which had sparked about six more minor hits on TikTok, Yeat was primed for a more mainstream breakout moment. That came this summer with the Minions. The film franchise centers on a bunch of unintelligible, pill-shaped dwarfs, which proved to be great muses for someone like Yeat. He may not be as upbeat as the little yellow protagonists, but he could definitely be as absurd as them.

The match-up came from a suggestion from Cole Bennett, the psychedelic rap music video director and co-founder of Lyrical Lemonade, who had been tapped by production company Illumination to create the trailer and merchandize for their fifth Minions installment. In a meeting, Bennett mentioned that Yeat could be a perfect fit for the movie soundtrack, he told Rolling Stone, and he immediately asked his close collaborator, Chicago producer Lotto, to draft up the beat for what would become Rich Minion. Its sample of the movie minions saying their silly phrases like la papaya, du la potato, was something that could already belong in a Yeat song. After it was previewed in the films official trailer on the Lyrical Lemonade channel at the end of June, the track caught on swiftly on TikTok.

Boosted by a ridiculous viral #Gentleminions trend where young men stormed movie theaters wearing suits to watch the film, Rich Minion was used by some of TikToks biggest influencers, like Mr. Beast and Jojo Siwa, leading to its cultural explosion. It became his biggest TikTok hit yet, leading to Yeat to see a brief peak in Spotify Monthly Listeners of 8.8 million that eventually died down by the end of the summer. While it also led him to swiftly gain 5,000 followers on TikTok throughout July, it didnt cause a pronounced jump on his Spotify Followers or YouTube Subscribers as compared to his other releases. Instead, those counts continued to rise at the same rate that they had been since his 2 Alive album from February.

The steady growth suggests that, even while Yeat had created another TikTok sensation, bolstered by a brand as mainstream as Minions, it hadnt converted a new, unexpected follower demographic into loyal listeners. Instead, his consistent output and brand seems to have only strengthened the fandom of people who were most likely to already like him: Gen Z men who spend time online.

TikTok Virality and Fan Conversion

The notion that a TikTok-viral song will automatically convert to consistent listeners outside the platform is called into question when looking at Yeats peers. SoFaygo, a 20-year-old rapper associated with Lil Tecca, scored a TikTok hit with his 2019 single Knock Knock, which started circulating on the app in spring 2021 and resulted in over 130,000 videos. But Charmetric shows that his Spotify Monthly Listeners didnt take a commensurate jump during that time period. Instead, he saw more growth during his tour opening for Trippie Redd that fall, peaking at almost 6 million listeners, and now that number is on the decline even as he releases new projects.

Similarly, the Atlanta rapper Young Nudy has landed several TikTok hits in the past few years, the biggest of which is his 2017 song Hell Shell, which resulted in over a million TikToks last summer. The artists Spotify Monthly Listener count has steadily risen to over 5.6 million, but his growth can be similarly correlated to his project output and tours. All of which suggests that TikTok virality can sometimes be its own discrete ecosystem, and doesnt necessarily translate to increased awareness away from the platform.

What Does the Future Hold for Emerging Rap Artists on TikTok?

Yeats story shows that while going viral on TikTok can be a great way to break through to a new audience, a certain type of persona and skill at worldbuilding is needed in order to sustain the hype. In his case, the sense of surrealism present in his songs and videos seemed to be absurd enough to catch the attention of millions and spark in-jokes on the app, while not feeling too gimmicky to lose favor with the crowd. Theres also his never-ceasing output, which has helped feed new material out to his listeners on TikTok and beyond, but it was Yeats willingness to push deeper into his weirdness and illegibility with each new project that truly seemed to convert listeners into fans.

While its unclear whether the rapper can sustain the idol-level of visibility he sits at now  his Chartmetric score of 48,187 has seen a significant cool-down since his peak of 110,159 earlier this summer  its likely that Yeats swift rise and singular style is already inspiring others to try to follow his template.

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FCI Expanding Afterschool Programming

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  Flying Cloud Institute (FCI) has announced funding from the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) and Mass Cultural Councils YouthReach, which will enable the organization to expand afterschool programs in Berkshire County.

Afterschool Girls Science Clubs will double from four to eight schools in the Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) and will continue in the Lee, Berkshire Hills, and Southern Berkshire School Districts. These Young Women in Science programs focus on serving youth in Pittsfield and rural areas where access to hands-on science and engineering learning is limited. Schools partner with FCI to identify youth that will most benefit from this program.

Girls Science Clubs offer STEM engagement for female and non-binary identified youth and create a pipeline of mentorship from ages 9 to 19. This includes cultural competency training and mindfulness skill-building to increase resiliency and find joy in STEM exploration. Local women STEM professionals volunteer in the programs to meet and work alongside the youth.

Funding Girls Science Clubs is a good fit for MAP, which aims to improve the lives of all children and youth by supporting and expanding high quality and enriching afterschool learning. They strive for equity and inclusion so that every child has the opportunity for a full and fair education, in and out of school.

Like MAP, Mass Cultural Councils YouthReach supports the creativity and leadership potential of young people with innovative creative youth development programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences. YouthReach programs are youth driven, focused on social justice, and designed to foster collaboration.

Flying Cloud Institute is grateful for the support of MAP and YouthReach. We are confident our partnership with Berkshire County schools will help to reach needed communities while closing the gender gap in STEM fields, said FCI Executive Director Maria Rundle.
Voters will decide in December whether to authorize a borrowing to build a new fire station. The current estimate is just under $18 million.

Williamstown Fire District Sets Dec. 7 Vote on New Station

Updated Friday morning to correct a reference to the vote threshold at the district meeting needed to approve the station.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Five years after the fire district's voters approved purchasing a Main Street parcel for a new station, the Prudential Committee is ready to ask those voters to take the next step.

On Wednesday, the committee voted 5-0 to set a special district meeting for Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. when voters will be asked to approve borrowing to pay for construction of a new station.

The Prudential Committee accepted the recommendation of its Building Committee that now is the time to finalize the project so that shovels can go in the ground as early as next summer.

"I think it's worth repeating every time that it's a complicated project, and there are a lot of difficult decisions to make," the Building Committee's Jim Kolesar told the elected Prudential Committee members. "The later the vote is, the more information you have, the more refined your design and financial projections can be.

"The longer you wait, the more expensive the project becomes."

Kolesar and Building Committee Chair Elaine Neely told the Prudential Committee that the building panel believes two months is enough time for a vigorous voter information effort in advance of the Dec. 7 meeting, where the question will be decided by a floor vote, where it would require a two-thirds vote for passage.

It remains uncertain how much borrowing authority the Prudential Committee will seek from voters.

The initial estimate for building a 27,500 square foot station at the former Lehovec property on Main Street (Route 2) came in at just less than $18 million.

But the Building Committee hopes to refine that cost in the next few weeks. A big unknown for the architects who did the initial cost projection was the amount of site work that would be needed, and the missing piece of information was a geotechnical survey of the 3.7-acre site.

On Wednesday, Ken Romeo of owners' project manager Colliers Engineering and Design told the Prudential Committee that the geotech field work was done, and the consultant should have a report in "two and a half to three weeks" that will help the architects refine their cost estimate.

Another unknown is how much money aside from taxation the district can expect.

The Prudential Committee is aggressively seeking state and federal grant money to support construction, going so far as to hire a grant writer who, last year, helped the district successfully acquire a $400,000 state grant to pay for design work for the station.

And it is widely hoped that Williams College will contribute to the project. The college long has had a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the district to provide annual support for the Fire Department, and, more recently, provided financial support when the town built a new police station on Simonds Road and gave a $5 million capital gift to Mount Greylock Regional School at the outset of the middle-high school addition/renovation project.

Kolesar, an emeritus vice president for public affairs at the college, told the Prudential Committee that Williams' board of trustees are scheduled to meet in October. The next scheduled meeting after that is in January, according to the school's website.

As for the voters, who will be asked to bear the bulk of the cost, district officials believe they have a compelling case that the aging, cramped and deficient station on Water Street needs to be replaced.

Neely said members of the Building Committee will be going to local civic groups to make the case for a new building, and the district is scheduling open houses at the current facility on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 to show residents once again how inadequate it is for the district's needs.

"I think if you emphasize the health risks involved here, people will understand," Neely said. "As a health professional, I'm horrified by what we're subjecting volunteers to."

Officials say a new station would better and more safely serve the district's current staff of call-volunteer firefighters. The chief is the only full-time employee; the rest are compensated by stipend, mostly for hours at an incident.

A new station also, it is hoped, will attract new volunteers and, potentially, delay the time when the district might seriously need to look at additional full-time staffing in the face of national declines in volunteerism.

"If we're going to have this nice new modern facility, hopefully, it will help us attract volunteers, too," Prudential Committee Chair Dave Moresi said.
City of Pittsfield Sets Public Forum on Homelessness

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Following weeks of conversation about homelessness, the city will be holding a virtual forum with its community partners on the issue.

The panel will be broadcast on Pittsfield Community Television on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. Residents with questions can submit them to mayorsoffice@cityofpittsfield.org by Oct. 6.



Digital fliers for the event read: "Whats the plan to help our unhoused neighbors?" and "Panhandling is a concern. Here is what we can and can't do."



The announcement of the forum follows the City Council's referral of a petition from Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey asking for an update on the initiatives the city is undertaking to address homelessness to Mayor Linda Tyer.

Petitions relating to homelessness from Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick have been rejected over the last couple of council meetings.



Kronick has asserted that homeless encampments are causing a decline in neighborhoods and that the campers have no right to public places like Springside Park because it is owned by taxpayers.



He has had two unsuccessful petitions on the topic: one requesting a public hearing on the encampments, and another to postpone all of the Parks Departments' future funding requests and grant approvals until the prohibiting of camps in Springside Park is enforced.



Councilors were concerned that a public hearing would provide a forum for hearsay and disrespectful rhetoric and saw Kronick's petition to withhold Parks Department funds until the population is evacuated from Springside as an attack.

The first failed with no conversation and the second sparked responses from other councilors.




iciHaiti - Crisis : Dominicans called to leave Haiti as soon as possible





Thursday, September 29, 2022, Jatzel Roman, Deputy Minister of the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), appealed to Dominicans who are in Haiti to leave this territory as soon as possible, recalling that the physical integrity of any Dominican citizen in Haiti cannot be guaranteed



The Minister clarified that the Government provides all the facilities for all nationals who want to return to the Dominican Republic.



"Those who need any type of information to leave Haiti, who need any type of support to leave this country, can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the directorate for the protection of nationals," said Roman recalling that "The Dominican Republic has long warned Dominican citizens to refrain from traveling to Haiti, except for vital and fundamental reasons."



IH/ iciHaiti






















iciHaiti - AVIS France : Message from the Ambassador to French people living in Haiti





Given the growing deterioration of the situation in Haiti and the increase in insecurity, the Ambassador of France in Port-au-Prince Fabrice Mauries sends a message to all French women and men living in Haiti.



Message from French Ambassador Mauries:



"Dear compatriots,



The situation remains uncertain on the territory.



Mandatory recommendations:



- restriction of travel to what is strictly necessary;

- extreme caution during these;

- distance from all gatherings;

- at home, stock of essential products.



Please ensure that your travel documents are valid for you and your family.



The French Embassy is open to the public if conditions permit;



The Embassy can be reached by courier and on the emergency number reserved for French men and women: +509 3190-411"



IH/ iciHaiti


















Turkish president asks Putin to resolve Ukraine crisis via talks

Xinhua) 09:08, September 30, 2022

ANKARA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to engage in negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, according to a statement by the Turkish presidency.

"Steps to reduce tensions are needed to pave the way for more positive developments, and that Russia is expected to take steps to facilitate this process, especially on the issue of the accession of some regions in Ukraine to Russia," Erdogan told Putin in a phone call.

Asking Putin to "give the negotiations another chance," Erdogan said Turkiye was ready to play a facilitating role in this process.

The Turkish president also expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange, and the functioning of the agreement signed in Istanbul which resumed the export of Ukrainian grains to world markets.

Erdogan said the extension of the grain export mechanism, which will expire in November, is a common interest.

He also promised Ankara's continued work on the uninterrupted export of Russian fertilizers and grain products.

Turkiye, which has good relations with both Ukraine and Russia, has been acting as a mediator between the two countries since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia separately signed a deal with Turkiye and the United Nations in Istanbul to resume food and fertilizer shipments from Ukrainian ports to international markets via the Black Sea.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged nearly 200 prisoners of war as a result of Turkiye's mediation, Erdogan announced last week.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Les membres du Cabinet ont pris note des retombees de la visite du Premier Ministre au Royaume-Uni et a New York, quun nouveau Water Resources Bill sera ecrit et presente au Parlement, que le Skills Development Authority Act 2019 sera promulge et viendra effectif le 1er novembre 2022, que le 9th Political Dialogue avec lUnion Europeenne aura lieu le 14 novembre 2022 entre autres.

1. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Prime Minister:

(a) at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II who passed away on 08 September 2022 and the ceremonies associated thereto in the UK; and

(b) as Head of the Mauritius delegation, in the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from 20 to 23 September 2022, in New York.

The State Funeral of Her Majesty the Queen took place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September at 11 00 hours and was attended by some 2,000 guests including Heads of State and Government. The Prime Minister attended the offer of respects at the Lying-in-State at Westminster House and made a special tribute in honour of the Late Queen at the Lancaster House. He also attended a reception hosted by the new King, Charles III, at Buckingham Palace in the evening of 18 September 2022 and conveyed the condolences of the Government and people of Mauritius.

In New York, the Prime Minister attended the 77th Session of the UNGA and other side events. In the margins of the UNGA, the Prime Minister participated and made a national statement of commitment virtually on 19 September 2022 at the Transforming Education Summit convened by the UN Secretary General. He also addressed the African Union High Level side event Global Summit on Transforming Education virtually.

The Prime Minister participated in the First Gathering of the Global Group of Heads of State and Government for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which was co-hosted by the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Prime Minister of Norway, the Director General of WHO and the WHO Global Ambassador for NCDs and Injuries. He also attended the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders Breakfast Meeting. During his mission to New York, further discussions were held with the UK authorities on the signature of a parameter agreement to implement the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, the UNGA Resolution 73/295 and the Judgment of the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea on the Maritime Delimitation between Mauritius and Maldives in the Chagos Archipelago Region. During his address at the UNGA, he called, inter alia, for the vicious cycles of violence, divides and distrust to end and spoke on the issue of climate change, UN Reform, cybercrime, misuse and abuse of ICT and the need for a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.

The Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with the President of Latvia, Slovenia and Comoros, respectively as well as with the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

2. Cabinet has agreed to drafting instructions being conveyed to the Attorney Generals Office in respect of a new Water Resources Bill. The main object of the proposed Water Resources Bill would be to provide a legal framework for the sustainable management, protection, development and efficient use and conservation of water resources in Mauritius, the establishment of a National Directorate of Water Resources and to make provision for the regulation and licensing of water services. The new Water Resources Bill would, among others, address the following aspects: (a) management of surface and underground water resources and management of dams; (b) governance of water resources; (c) protection of water resources; (d) conservation of water resources; and (e) licensing of water services and tariffs.

3. Cabinet has agreed to the Skills Development Authority Act 2019 being proclaimed and for its coming into operation as from 01 November 2022. The objects of the Skill Development Authority would be to:

(a) regulate the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector;

(b) ensure quality assurance in TVET sector;

(c) confer awarding powers to training institutions;

(d) develop a skills framework; and

(e) maintain the Skills Development Fund.

4. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development and the Institute of Vocational Training and Labour Studies Alberto Cassimo of the Republic of Mozambique. The main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding is to promote cooperation between both countries in the following areas:

(a) training of trainers and managers to promote the development of technical competencies, psycho-pedagogical and management capacities for trainers and managers of vocational training centres;

(b) exchange of experiences through, among others, exchange of trainers and trainees, study visits, and seminars;

(c) curriculum based on standards of competences aiming at promoting exchanges in the development of curricula of training based on standards of professional skills; and

(d) internship and recruitment of students and trainees.

5. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a new Protocol in respect of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Mauritius and the European Union for the period 20222026 based on a new fee structure.

6. Cabinet has agreed to the hosting of 9th Political Dialogue between the Government of Mauritius and the European Union (EU) on 14 November 2022. The Mauritius-EU Political Dialogue, which has been held since 2011, is in accordance with Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, and the discussions are non-binding in nature.

The aim of the Dialogue is to exchange information, foster mutual understanding and facilitate establishment of agreed priorities and shared agendas between Mauritius and the EU. It also facilitates consultations and strengthens cooperation on a number of issues of mutual interest to both parties.

7. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of the Project Agreement and Letter of Commitment by the Government of Mauritius with regard to the Hydromet Project. The Indian Ocean Commission is the Executing Entity for the Building Regional Resilience through strengthened Meteorological, Hydrological and Climate Services in the Indian Ocean Commission Member Countries (Hydromet) Project.

The Hydromet Project aims at strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of regional and national communities to the impacts of climate change in the island states of the South West Indian Ocean. The main benefits of the project are improved hydro-meteorological equipment, knowledge and decision-making and better adaptation planning infrastructure. The project would be implemented over a period of five years until 2027.

8. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping authorising the importation of 400 tonnes of Capitaine fish during the end-of-year festive season 2022. With a view to avoiding any shortage of fish on the local market, registered importers of fish and fish products would be allowed to import some 400 tonnes of Capitaine fish from 01 to 20 December 2022.

9. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Health and Wellness would conduct the 6th Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Survey in Rodrigues in October/November 2022. The overall goal of the Rodrigues NCD Survey 2022 is to determine the prevalence of NCDs and to study the trends in hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and their associated risk factors in the Rodriguan population. The specific objectives of the survey are to, inter alia:

(a) measure the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes;

(b) examine complications of diabetes, including retinopathy and nephropathy;

(c) measure the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors;

(d) assess public awareness of diabetes mellitus and the importance of its metabolic control; and

(e) evaluate public awareness of hypertension and its control.

The NCD Survey 2022 would target Rodriguan adults aged 20 to 74 years.

10. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius has been ranked 45th globally in the Global Innovation Index (GII) Report for year 2022. It is ranked 1st in the Sub-Saharan Region, 1st among the African countries and 6th among the 36 upper middle-income countries. Mauritius was ranked 82nd in 2019, 52nd in both 2020 and 2021.

The GII Report is co-published annually by Cornell University of New York, INSEAD (Institut Europeen dAdministration des Affaires) and the World Intellectual Property Organization, a specialised agency of the United Nations and provides detailed metrics about the innovation performance of 132 countries and economies around the world, including Mauritius.

11. Cabinet has taken note that the Fraser Institute has, in its Economic Freedom of the World 2022 Annual Report released on 08 September 2022, ranked Mauritius at the 9th position out of 165 countries for the year 2020. This places Mauritius among the top 10 countries whose policies and institutions are most favourable to economic freedom. Mauritius was ranked 11th in 2019.

The Fraser Institute is an independent, non-partisan research and educational organisation based in Canada. It provides an in-depth analysis of each countrys degree of economic freedom across five key areas, namely Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally and Regulation of Credit, Labour and Business.

12. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius submitting its candidature to host the 66th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa during the course of the second semester of 2023. Mauritius is currently the second Vice-Chair of the UNWTO Executive Council.

13. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development signing an Agreement with the Standard Chartered Bank (incorporated in England) to, inter alia, develop an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Framework for Mauritius. The development of an ESG Framework would ease the process for Government to raise financing on the international market as a large and growing proportion of global investors are using ESG factors to direct their investments.

14. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius would host two events, organised in collaboration with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), namely a three-day Seminar on the Chemical Weapons Convention and Chemical Safety and Security Management for Member States of the OPCW in the Africa Region, and a four-day Executive Programme on Integrated Chemicals Management, from 11 to 14 October 2022.

The aim of the Seminar is to provide a platform for the exchange of experiences on national framework for chemical safety and security management. The Executive Programme would cover a variety of topics relevant to those leading the implementation of integrated chemicals management from both policy and industrial perspectives.

15. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius would host the 2nd Mauritius Maritime Week, Conference and Exhibition from 13 to 15 December 2022. The objective of holding this event in Mauritius is to continue the promotion of trade and economic development throughout the Indian Ocean through transportation and logistics as well as promoting foreign direct investment and international business tourism in the Republic of Mauritius.

The event would provide an opportunity to showcase Port Louis Harbour as an important maritime logistics and transport hub in this region of the world. World-class international business leaders would analyse latest global transportation and logistics issues and the event would be attended by leading shipping lines, shippers, railways, cargo owners, freight forwarders, logistics companies, road transport companies, investors, economists, consultants, ports, port equipment and IT services suppliers.

16. Cabinet has taken note that the University of Mauritius would organise the 3rd International Conference of NextComp 2020 from 06 to 08 October 2022. The theme of the Conference is Next Generation Computing Applications.

The objectives of the Conference are to address new developments, both in theory and in practice, mainly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Communication and Computer Networks, Security and Forensics and Data Analytics. The event would also include an industry session covering innovative technologies implementation. Some 75 researchers from various countries would participate to the event.

17. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), would hold a Regional Project Mid-Term Coordination Meeting from 14 to 18 November 2022 in Mauritius under the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA).

The meeting would be held within the framework of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Project RAF 6055 Improving the Quality of Radiotherapy in the treatment of Frequently Occurring Cancers. The objective of the event is to enhance the quality of the delivery of radiotherapy services in AFRA Member States through harmonised clinical training schemes and sensitisation of policy makers. It is expected that some 56 participants from 29 IAEA Member States, among others, would attend the meeting

18. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing in Mauritius. As at 28 September 2022, there were 14 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 10 were admitted at the New ENT Hospital.

Cabinet has also taken note that the quarantine period in Mauritius would be extended up to 30 November 2022. The existing sanitary measures applicable in Mauritius and Rodrigues are also being extended up to 30 November 2022. Henceforth, there would be no mandatory in-centre quarantine prior to travel to St Brandon.

Cabinet has further taken note that the British High Commission in Mauritius has made a donation of Personal Protective Equipment, masks, gowns and medical equipment to the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

19. Cabinet has taken note that the NOTAMs which lay down conditions for passengers and crew members travelling to Mauritius and Rodrigues respectively would be extended up to 30 November 2022.

20. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism to France in the context of the International French Travel Market Top Resa, which is a leading annual event for the international travel and tourism industry to discuss tourism and travel-related topics, analyse trends, accelerate business networking and formulate strategies for the next season. The Mauritian Pavilion accommodated all the local tourism stakeholders. During and in the margins of the Top Resa event, various meetings were held with key stakeholders to obtain direct feedback from the travel trade and to explore strategies for sustainable tourism growth in the post-pandemic context.

The Deputy Prime Minister participated in a working session of the Vanilla Islands Organisation and discussions centered on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector. He also participated in a networking event organised by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority which was attended by major French tour operators and travel agents as well as local tourism stakeholders.

21. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent official visit of the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity to Rodrigues in the context of the International Day for Older Persons and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which would be held on 01 and 17 October 2022, respectively. The activities organised included, among others:

(a) handing over of certificates to unemployed beneficiaries of the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) as well as staff of the NEF and the Commission for Social Security, Health and Others;

(b) launching of training courses in Masonry and Ladies Wear to be dispensed by the MITD to 27 unemployed beneficiaries of the NEF; and

(c) a visit to the Respite Care Centre at Piton where senior citizens can stay for a maximum period of two months per year.

The Minister also had a working session with the Chief Commissioner of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly to discuss issues pertaining to poverty alleviation, capacity building of staff, Medical Boards and domiciliary visits for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

22. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in the context of World Heart Day 2022. The theme chosen for this year is Use Heart for Every Heart. The Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with various organisations and stakeholders, would organise some 12 sessions of health promotion campaigns at strategic localities throughout the island on Saturdays, every fortnight.

The Ministry would commemorate World Heart Day during the official launching of the Health Promotion Campaign at Phoenix Mall on 01 October 2022. The health promotion campaigns would include, among others:

(a) NCD and HIV Screening Programme and display on healthy food models; and

(b) talks on NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, cancer and their risk factors and the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle.

23. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of:

(a) the Parole Board with Mrs Nudhar Bundhoo as part-time Chairperson;

(b) the Correctional Youth Centre Board of Visitors with Mr Vijay Ramanjooloo as part-time Chairperson;

(c) the Rehabilitation Youth Centre Board of Visitors with Mrs Leelawtee Ramsaha as part-time Chairperson; and

(d) the Discharged Persons Aid Committee with Dr Michael Pompeia as part-time Chairperson.

24. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Professional Quantity Surveyors Council for the period 2022  2024.

25. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Executive Council of the Sanskrit Speaking Union with Mr Kessen Budhoo as part-time Chairperson.

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Pravind Jugnauth a resume et presente les retombes de sa visite a Londres pour les funerailles de la Reine Elizabeth II et a la 77 e/sup> session de lAssemblee Generale des Nations Unies.



1. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Prime Minister:

(a) at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II who passed away on 08 September 2022 and the ceremonies associated thereto in the UK; and

(b) as Head of the Mauritius delegation, in the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from 20 to 23 September 2022, in New York.

The State Funeral of Her Majesty the Queen took place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September at 11 00 hours and was attended by some 2,000 guests including Heads of State and Government. The Prime Minister attended the offer of respects at the Lying-in-State at Westminster House and made a special tribute in honour of the Late Queen at the Lancaster House. He also attended a reception hosted by the new King, Charles III, at Buckingham Palace in the evening of 18 September 2022 and conveyed the condolences of the Government and people of Mauritius.

In New York, the Prime Minister attended the 77th Session of the UNGA and other side events. In the margins of the UNGA, the Prime Minister participated and made a national statement of commitment virtually on 19 September 2022 at the Transforming Education Summit convened by the UN Secretary General. He also addressed the African Union High Level side event Global Summit on Transforming Education virtually.

The Prime Minister participated in the First Gathering of the Global Group of Heads of State and Government for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which was co-hosted by the President of the Republic of Ghana, the Prime Minister of Norway, the Director General of WHO and the WHO Global Ambassador for NCDs and Injuries. He also attended the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Leaders Breakfast Meeting.

During his mission to New York, further discussions were held with the UK authorities on the signature of a parameter agreement to implement the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, the UNGA Resolution 73/295 and the Judgment of the Special Chamber of the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea on the Maritime Delimitation between Mauritius and Maldives in the Chagos Archipelago Region. During his address at the UNGA, he called, inter alia, for the vicious cycles of violence, divides and distrust to end and spoke on the issue of climate change, UN Reform, cybercrime, misuse and abuse of ICT and the need for a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.

The Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with the President of Latvia, Slovenia and Comoros, respectively as well as with the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
IFJ in the news

Every week the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is compiling a list of the top news articles from across the world in which it is mentioned. Check all the international media coverage of IFJ, divided by language, in the period from September 24th to September, 30th 2022.

ENGLISH:

Papua New Guineas new media rules could undermine the work of journalists, Global Voices

The principles of successful Journalism - Malaysian Digest

Manipur journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhems arrest draws massive criticism - National Herald

Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian Journalist, two killed this year, 20 in prison - Palestine News & Information Agency-WAFA

VOA denounces the arrests of multiple journalists in Iran - InsideVOA.com

Journalists arrest continues in Iran amid deadly unrest - Rudaw

Muhammad Garba emerges spokesman Gawuna /Garo Campaign Council - The Authority

IFJ calls for the release of journalists detained in Iran - ANF News

IRGC launch night raids on homes of Iran activists, journalists, and lawyers as anti-government protests continues - The New Arab

Instagram ban soon to be made permanent: Iranian Daily - Iranianwire
In the latest of a series of media shutdowns in Afghanistan, Khost-based radio station Rana Ghag has ended its broadcast on September 22 due to economic crisis under the Taliban regime. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Union (AIJU), are deeply concerned at the continued shuttering of Afghan media houses and urge the international community to offer increased support to sustain Afghanistans vital media industry.

According to Rana Ghag owner Ullah Mahjor, although the radio station attempted to continue operating despite serious economic concerns, there was now no option but to cease broadcasting. The stations closure renders its 20 employees jobless.

Rana Ghag radio began broadcasting in 2017 across the Afghan provinces of Khost and Paktia and parts of North Waziristan in Pakistan until its closure on September 22, 2022. Programming predominately concerned Islam ideology, reform, and training, including poetry in praise of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

According to the AIJU, Rana Ghag radio was reliant on advertising as a major source of income, which dramatically plummeted following the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. Mahjor had reportedly requested financial support for the station but was unsuccessful.

Rana Ghags closure is the latest in a series of media shutdowns in Afghanistan. According to Deutsche Welle Akademie, state repression and financial challenges are two major factors devastating media outlets in Afghanistan, with local media reporting that journalists have been forced to find alternate employment, working in agriculture, trading food on the street and performing daily wage labour.

According to a survey conducted by the AIJU in February 2022, 318 media outlets across 33 provinces have closed since August 2021, with this number continuously increasing every month.

AIJU said: As the lives of the journalists and media workers are affected heavily by the shutdown, we urge the international community to support Afghanistans media in this difficult situation.

The IFJ said: The increasing shuttering of Afghan media outlets due to economic crisis and the Talibans continued censorship, harassment and intimidation of media workers is a serious threat to freedom of expression and freedom of the press. The IFJ urges the international community to support Afghanistans independent journalists and media organisations to continue their vital work under the Taliban regime.
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The US Treasury Department has placed sanctions on Mumbai-based Tibalaji Petrochem Private Limited, presumably the first step against an Indian company for allegedly dealing in Iranian petroleum goods.

The corporation "bought millions of dollars' worth" of petrochemical chemicals, according to the Department's statement on Thursday, for "onward export to China."

In the most recent wave of penalties, the firm was one of eight targets.

The other ones are in China, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The sanctions were announced shortly after India's Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, returned from his trip to Washington, where he had meetings with a number of influential people, including Secretaries of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Commerce Secretary Gail Raimondo.

India has complied with the sanctions put in place against Tehran by the US, and its businesses have refrained from purchasing gasoline from Iran.

The claimed transactions by Tibalaji, which calls itself as a "expanding petrochemical trading company" on its website, appear to be for the import of Chinese materials rather than Iranian materials to India.

After Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as Germany struck a deal in 2015 to limit Iran's nuclear program's ability to be weaponized, the majority of US sanctions were withdrawn.

However, they were reinstated after former US President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement and Tehran resumed work on its nuclear weapons development.

According to the Treasury Department, all of the eight businesses' properties and interests in US companies, or those in which they hold at least a 50% stake, "shall be prohibited" and reported to its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

For feedback and suggestions, write to us at editorial@iifl.com
The Mumbai police detained a Tamil Nadu software engineer for reportedly constructing a fake Instagram account representing director Sriram Raghavan and luring aspiring actresses into engaging in nudity-themed photo shoots for a web series.

Instagram

According to the Versova police, the incident was uncovered when the actresses informed the real Raghavan, a National Award-winning director known for writing and directing films like "Andhadhun" and "Agent Vinod," about the fraudster who was masquerading as him and enticing girls.



The director then reported to the Versova police department. While filing the case, the director also provided the police with links to the fake profiles.

"The director told us that he has a Facebook account, but he is not on other social media platforms. However, he began receiving alerts from aspiring models and actresses about a person who set up fake Instagram and Facebook accounts in his name and has been sending emails to the actresses about nude photo shoots for a year," said Assistant Police Inspector Javed Shaikh, Versova police.

"We sent a team to Tamil Nadu and have arrested the accused; we will conduct further probes regarding the women he approached and might have been duped by him," added the officer.

According to the police, the suspect, Shanmuga Thangavel, 31, talked to the victims and offered them parts in a web series.

He also informed them that there would be nude scenes in the show, for which they would need to take photographs that would be sent to his email address.

The suspect was located in Tiruchengode, Tamil Nadu, and has been arrested for identity theft and cheating by impersonation in violation of section 419 of the Indian Penal Code.

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Even as the anger over the murder of Ankita Bhandari continues to grow, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader has caused massive outrage by blaming her family for the tragedy.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, RSS leader Vipin Karnwal called the 19-year-old girl "raw milk" before "hungry male cats" and blamed her father for her death.

ANI

"I did not go for any candle march or market closure. The father and brother who eat the earnings of a 19-year-old girl, whose daughter and sister works at a resort where there is open debauchery and the girl whose Jammu-based friend comes to inform the family about the scandal is the biggest culprit who let raw milk before the hungry cats," Karnwal's Facebook post read.

Post deleted, case filed

After outrage, Karnwal deleted his Facebook post, but he has been booked by the police for spreading enmity and tension in the society and insulting the woman.

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Ankita killed before getting her fist salary

Ankita, a resident of Pauri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand had joined as a receptionist at the Vanatara resort in Rishikesh owned by Pulkit Arya recently.

She was murdered by Arya and two others earlier this month, even before she could get her first salary, for refusing prostitution demand by her employer.

According to her family, Ankita was being pressurised by the accused, the son of now-expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya to provide special services to a VIP who was visiting the resort.

BCCL

The body of Ankita who went missing on September 18 was recovered the Chilla canal, seven days after she went missing.



Pulkit, his friend Ankit Gupta and resort manager Saurabh Bhaskar who have been arrested by the police have admitted to pushing her into the water.

Lawyers boycott the accused

On Wednesday the accused failed to move a bail application in a court after the Bar Association of Kotdwar decided to boycott them and refused to represent the "perpetrators of such a heinous crime".

CM announces compensation to family

As the STI probe ordered by the government continues, the Uttarakhand State Commission for Women has constituted a committee to monitor the ongoing investigation.

On Wednesday Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the family of Ankita.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In a speech in Moscow on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made the erroneous claim that the Russian Federation is annexing four Ukrainian regions.



This action comes as Moscow experiences increasing battlefield setbacks in its conflict with Ukraine and has decided to mobilize tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.

Agenices

Despite widespread accusations of voter intimidation and people being coerced at gunpoint, Putin asserted that the unlawful annexations were "the will of millions of people" during a signing ceremony in the Kremlin's St. George's Hall to thunderous acclaim.



All eyes, however, were on the Western response to the provocation after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four territories into the Russian Federation.

Following Putin's move, President Joe Biden retaliated shortly after.

afp

"The United States condemns Russia's fraudulent attempt today to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory. Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere," he said in a statement.



"Make no mistake: these actions have no legitimacy. The United States will always honor Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. We will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically, including through the $1.1 billion in additional security assistance the United States announced this week," he added.

He announced new sanctions in conjunction with Western allies and partners.

AFP

"These sanctions will impose costs on individuals and entities -- inside and outside of Russia -- that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory. We will rally the international community to denounce these moves and hold Russia accountable. We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russia's bold effort to redraw its neighbor's borders. And I look forward to signing legislation from Congress that will provide an additional $12 billion to support Ukraine," Biden said.



aFP

Ukrainian leaders have called for a change in approach because financial limitations and public shame have failed to stop Putin's imperialist ambitions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, has pushed the United States to classify Russia as a state supporter of terrorism, imposing secondary sanctions that punish any company or organization that transacts business with the nation.

The Biden administration has so far been fiercely opposed to it, claiming that doing so could obstruct efforts to send help to Ukraine and other underdeveloped nations and future peace negotiations.

(With agency inputs)

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


A family was misled into thinking their dead son was still alive by a faulty oximeter. The family of an income tax employee who died and was left unburied for nearly 18 months says they could not cremate the body due to their mother's extreme superstition.

The investigation's report by additional deputy commissioner of police Lakhan Singh Yadav and his team has been received by B.P. Jogdand, the commissioner of police in Kanpur.

The report further said that the oximeter that was the source of Vimlesh's mother Ram Dulari's belief that her son was alive was faulty.

"They had placed it on the first finger permanently, but it was faulty and gave readings, and the family believed in these readings," the report said. The team inspected Vimlesh's house, particularly the room where his body was kept, and talked to the family members individually.

Mitali Dixit, Vimlesh's wife, told the team that although she was aware of his death, she had come to believe everyone when they started to claim he was still alive.

Representative Image

She informed the police team that she had informed his office of his passing, but the family later submitted a letter indicating he was still alive.

The team, however, did not file any evidence that the family availed of the deceased's salary during the last 18 months.

"Still, we are looking into this and gathering details of the doctors the family consulted in these months. They will also be questioned," said the additional DCP."

Meanwhile, Vimlesh's brother Dinesh said he would complain to the chief minister's portal against the police and health departments for "harassment" of the family.

"First, they forcibly cremated the body without any inquiry or investigation, and now we are being harassed in the name of this inquiry. I will formally file a complaint on CM's portal," he said.

(With IANS inputs)

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


Thomson has been in the industry for more than 25 years, with experience in underwriting, portfolio management, client sales and leadership roles. He joined Swiss Re in 2004 as a senior casualty treaty underwriter. In 2013, he moved to the US to take up various leadership roles within Swiss Res casualty treaty and costing teams before returning to Sydney as head of P&C for ANZ in 2019. Prior to Swiss Re, he worked with Royal & Sun Alliance, American Insurance Group and Munich Re.

Australia and New Zealand has always been an integral part of Swiss Re's business in APAC, said Paul Murray, Swiss Res chief executive officer for reinsurance in Asia. We are pleased to see Trent step into the role, reflecting the strength of our talent pool and capabilities of our management team. With deep understanding of the market, coupled with his proven experience, Trent is well-positioned to lead the team in delivering high-quality services to support our clients' success in this important market.
Sovereign Insurances surety business is a great fit for Trisura as it allows us to further our position as a leader in the Canadian surety marketplace, while supporting our growing North American surety platform, said Chris Sekine, president and CEO of Trisura Canada.

Richard A. Grant, senior vice president, surety for Trisura Canada, added: The acquisition will significantly enhance Trisuras position in the developer and mid-market contract surety segments in Canada. Together, Trisura and Sovereign Insurance will be focused on ensuring a smooth transition for our brokers, their clients and Sovereign Insurances people.

Following its strategic exit from the surety business in Canada, Sovereign Insurance will focus more closely on its core commercial and specialty lines business.

Sovereign Insurances decision to divest of our Surety business is part of a longer-term strategy to focus on our core business, said Colette Taylor, COO of Sovereign Insurance. Were confident that weve found a good fit in Trisura, a well-known, established leader in the surety market and a company that shares similar values in its commitment to its brokers, clients and employees.
Empowering insurance The numbers dont lie. Insurtechs are driving digital innovation and disruption in the industry, with investments in insurtechs worldwide growing from $1 billion in 2004 to $7.2 billion in 2019 to $14.6 billion in 2021, according to McKinsey. More than 40% of insurtechs are focused on the marketing and distribution segments of the insurance value chain, enabling them to solve customer pain points through a digitally enhanced client experience that could pose a competitive threat to incumbents. The Insurtech Global Market Report 2022 is equally optimistic. It expects a compound annual growth rate of 29.2% as the markets value rises from $8.07 billion in 2021 to $10.42 billion this year.

Were a non-profit organization dedicated to upholding the voices in our industry that are typically excluded or minimized. We bring more voices to the space, especially those that are typically underrepresented

Elisa Stampf, Insure Equality

Ty R. Sagalow, CEO and founder of Innovation Insurance Group predicts that in 10 years, insurtech will simply be called insurance. Eventually, itll take over the insurance industry.

America is a particular hotspot due to a combination of the countrys tech industry and legal framework. As InsurTech Consultings president Alan Demers explains, Im in Columbus for example  theres a strong Insurtech movement here. Places like Miami, Denver, Boston and Austin and [others] have also planted seeds, and were starting to see the benefits from that.

The 2022 Insurance Technology Providers are thriving in this booming industry, and Insurance Business celebrates their leading-edge technologies that help transform partner and client experiences. From digital platforms underpinning traditional industry services to mavericks delivering new solutions to the marketplace, they stand out from the competition and are backed by brokers using them on a day-to-day basis.

Amplifying excluded voices

One winner is Insure Equality, a platform resembling Glassdoor but for the insurance industry and specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), which often is underfunded and overlooked. In a 2022 survey of HR and DE&I practitioners conducted by Culture Amp, 81% of respondents had faith in their DE&I initiatives. However, only 34% said they had enough resources to support those initiatives. A global study conducted by United Minds last year reported that 78% of senior DE&I leaders agreed that their work wasnt prioritized unless there was a visible or public problem.

Insure Equality's technology enables employees to share their stories and employers to track progress toward improving their cultures, while taking strides to achieve DE&I objectives.

Were a non-profit organization dedicated to upholding the voices in our industry that are typically excluded or minimized, says Elisa Stampf, CEO and cofounder of Insure Equality. We bring more voices to the space, especially those that are typically underrepresented.

For example, one of the most misrepresented groups is women of color, who face a broken rung challenge, according to McKinseys Women in the Workplace study.

For every 100 men promoted to manager, only 86 women are promoted, the report says. As a result, men outnumber women significantly at the manager level, which means that there are far fewer women to promote to higher levels.

In June, Insure Equality launched an employee survey platform called Phoenix, which has seen a 40% month-to-month growth rate with limited marketing. Seventy-five percent of the companys clients are Gen Z and millennials. On the flip side, employers can track their progress and see where they need to double down or increase their efforts.

Employees rate their companies, but theres more to Phoenix than that. Were not focused on a star rating, percentage rating, says Stampf. This has far more to do with how the culture feels and whether or not you liked where you worked.

To help counter the fear of retribution for bad reviews, Insure Equality provides safe haven functionality, where a user can choose not to let their employer see the information provided. In addition to enhanced profiles, the company is working on delivering a paired certification program that helps businesses take a deep dive into their existing policies and sets them on the right path.

What else makes Insure Equality unique? Its workers are mostly a volunteer team. Almost all of our funding that comes through donations [goes] straight to our programmatic activity, so people [are assured] that the donation goes to where it matters, she adds.

We built our own platform that connects to all the different flood carriers and provides viable indications and quotes in real time to agents depending on what the carriers are willing to do

Martin Burlingame, One80 Intermediaries

An ark for flood victims

Another winner is Noah Flood, a flood insurance platform from One80 Intermediaries, a wholesale brokerage and program manager.

Floods are some of the most frequent natural disasters in the US. Since 2000, they have cost American taxpayers $850 billion, two-thirds of the total cost of all natural disasters, yet only 1 out of 10 homes are insured for flood and that number could be reduced soon. According to a FEMA report obtained by the Associated Press, one million fewer Americans will buy flood insurance by the end of the decade due to cost increases.

Noah Flood offers a variety of different carrier quotes and comparative rates to renew against a current policy. According to Martine Burlingame, the national director of contract binding at One80 Intermediaries, there were many comparable platforms on the market but none that had access or the ability to put policies in place.

So, we built our own platform that connects to all the different flood carriers and provides viable indications and quotes in real time to agents depending on what the carriers are willing to do, he says. Weve got five carriers now  well be at nine, hopefully, by the end of the year. Theyre also trying to integrate the platform with the National Flood Insurance Program systems.

For Burlingame, a major problem with the insurtech market has been entrepreneurs who build disruptive products but leave out the intermediaries, thus hindering profitability. One example is a simple business-to-consumer model that cuts out agency distribution.

We focus directly on access for the agent to the carriers, and its a bindable quote that pops up on their screen in real time, he says. It provides a line of business that doesnt really have multi-carrier bindable options out there. Theres some software that can allow you to put in and get quotes, but you may not have those carriers. Its a profitable product for us within the system.

Regarding burdensome government regulations, Burlingame says One80 deals with a lot of tax-related issues. We have 51 domiciled locations, if you add DC, all with different forms, different bureaus, different taxes, he explains. Some states dont require a surplus lines due diligence for flood while other states do. They keep constantly updating their forms. Some have to be signed by the individual. Some have to be notarized.

Its chaos. It just needs to be cleaned up by the states, and theyre never going to get there. So, not only is it a headwind, its like a gale force.

We probably accomplished 10 years worth of transformation work in the last couple of years

Rich Belanger, Applied Systems

Epic underlying technology

Another 5-Star winner is Applied Systems, which won for its Applied Epic product. It is a cloud-based system that enables agencies to manage everything from roles and locations to lines of business, including P&C and benefits. Applied Epic automates back-office operations, keeps agents front office sales teams connected, and integrates with customer service and insurer connectivity technologies.

Rich Belanger, the CTO of Applied Systems, explains, We have a whole suite of products ranging from support automation and marketing automation to mobile access, and our products are designed to allow an agency to run all aspects of their business from prospecting  working with producers  and getting new customers all the way back through financial management and accounting, claims and policy management  really everything you need to run an agency.

Regarding recent market conditions, Belanger says Applied Systems sees a lot of activity in the inter-tech space, as well as opportunities to bundle recent acquisitions together to create larger ecosystems. The pandemic, he says, has had a positive impact on the insurtech space.

We probably accomplished 10 years worth of transformation work in the last couple of years, he adds. And, by necessity, we see a greater willingness to fix some of the older, more broken manual processes, which enables a lot of innovation both for startups, and theres a lot of capital sloshing around.

Belanger says Applied Systems distinguishes itself from the competition by offering 24 x 7 live person support, and by offering what he says is simple, delightful and elegant customer experience.

Thats just not something thats been a big priority for a lot of ERP systems, he says. But why shouldnt it? You pay a lot of money for people like us, why shouldnt it be an amazing and delightful experience?

Meanwhile, Belanger agrees with Burlingame that taxes have been a major headwind, especially with property insurance, which has significant differences from state to state.

As a fairly large market participant, it probably gives us an unfair advantage, right? he says. Because we have the capacity to keep track of all this stuff that a startup just doesnt. So, if I put my capitalist hat on, I think all the regulation winds up tilting the marketplace in favor of the larger providers.
The companys new agency partners are Paragon Partners and Arizona Benefit Administrators, which together encompass more than 300 brokers throughout Arizona and the United States. As part of their agreement with HSARx, the agencies and their brokers will receive a commission payment on each prescription filled through the program.

With HSARx, customers can use pre-tax HSA dollars or a personal debit or credit card to pay for medicine while receiving a 40%-80% discount.

Read next: Is now a good time for employers to offer self-funded health benefit programs?

On the heels of our recent launch, the buzz surrounding our broker commission model and consumer savings has been very strong, said Dennis Sponer, CEO of HSDARx. Were grateful to have these two general agencies on board and look forward to growing together in the times ahead.

About $75 billion in healthcare dollars fall under the management of HSAs. Growth in the sector is increasing at a rate of 19% a year, HSARx said.
PCF Insurance Services has announced the acquisition of Utah-based 1 Source Business Solutions, a professional employer organization (PEO) specializing in employee benefits, payroll administration, HR compliance and consulting, and workers compensation administration.

1 Source is an award-winning, high-growth professional employer organization that helps businesses manage complex employee-related matters, said Peter C. Foy, founder, chairman and CEO of PFC Insurance. Their portfolio of services further enhances those available to clients through the PCF Insurance agency network, along with creating collaborative opportunities for our partners.
At the time, I was semi-retired and knew the investors and they asked me to come in and take a look and provide some advice on the business, which I did, Oslan recalled. They subsequently asked me to stay on and run it.

Arturo formally announced Oslans appointment as CEO on Sept. 1, noting hell be responsible, in part, for leading Arturo through a new period of growth, expanding across industries and building further on Arturos technical capabilities.

Oslan brings a track record of building and leading organizations and companies to market and exit in areas including AI, cybersecurity, IT, capital management and government initiatives. He was chairman and/or CEO of companies including RiskSense (sold to Avanti) and Narus (sold to Boeing). In addition, he led commercial efforts in standing up both the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in Silicon Valley and the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC) at the Pentagon.

At Arturo, Oslan succeed John-Isaac (jC) Clark, an entrepreneur who had led Arturo since its spinout in 2018. Arturo made no mention of Clark in its announcement about Oslan. The companys new CEO, in turn, declined to discuss if Clark was asked to step down.

Were not going to comment on any of the past or any personnel transitions as there have been and will be more, Oslan said. The business is transitioning itself  employees, writ large, are transitioning as we look to needing different skills to get us to that scalable point.

Asked to explain further, Oslan said there was no push to change but that the board decided the company had reached a transition point.

Arturo has raised $33 million from its combined Series A and B rounds to support its use of machine learning and artificial intelligence models to analyze property images, largely for the property/casualty insurance industry. The Chicago-based company currently employs roughly 75 people.

Arturo has made progress since its launch, but its leaders are turning their focus toward scaling the companys operations, Oslan explained.

Everything that everybody did up to now they did right, because were here talking to you and were very fortunate to have the success that we have, Oslan said. In order to scale and grow a business to where it needs to get to, a normal transition point occurred. Were transitioning as a business from one that has great technology and great anchor customers to one that is moving toward a product business. Were looking for repeatability and scale.

Opportunity in diving deeper

Arturo focuses on residential insurance claims underwriting and risks in the United States and Australia, and Oslan wants the company to mine those markets more aggressively.

Our goals remain [to] go deeper in those two markets in terms of acquiring more customers and scaling with our existing customers, Oslan said. Were fortunate that we have a 100% renewal rate with all customers  we want to be successful defining whatever market share we choose in those two markets and once we do there will be expansion beyond

Clark, earlier this year, had said he was pursuing an expansion into the mortgage industry, for which property imaging is also a useful tool. Oslan called that an opportunity and a white space that we could choose to go after but referred to the mortgage sector as a future exploration category.

Oslan would not discuss how many customers Arturo has, other than noting the number is between 10 and 20. Customers include USAA, Openly and LexisNexis, he said. American Family is also a customer, and it remains an investor.

Integration options, long-term plans

Arturo is in the process of building its future plans, with a focus so far on maintaining its 100% renewal rate and scaling. The company has also worked to address spending.

Oslan said its cash burn rate has been appropriate in some of the business but too much in other sections. That has been addressed, he said, during his first five months on the job.

Oslan and Arturo are pushing to offer customers the choice of buying all of its technology or just the pieces that it needs. The idea is to be much less rigid compared to how the company marketed and sold its technology in the past.

We believe our success isnt just imagery, he said, noting the company also generates information and data from satellites and other sources  all of which can be used in different ways.

The newly launched Arturo Connect enables increased customer choices. It uses an API that lets customers easily plug Arturos property characteristics data into their workflows.

You buy what you want, when you need it  [and you] dont get everything if you dont want the complete system, Oslan said.

The product is designed to be cost-effective and configurable, with four attribute tiers from which individual carriers can select, based on their use case and budget, the company said. Each user can also request only the attributes they need for their given use case.

It is also very easy to integrate with customers, Oslan said.

Step one, you go talk to the customer and you listen to that customer and what they need. Step two, once you see what they need, then you work with them to understand how they need to receive the information. Step three is you get it to them and you test, and once that works  step four is they use it and everybodys happy, Oslan said.

That process can take a few weeks or months, depending on how complex and sophisticated the material is in the integration process.

With Arturo Connect and other initiatives, Oslan said the company by year-end should become twice as large as it is today in terms of accounts, ongoing and new revenue.
How does workers compensation insurance work?

Workers compensation insurance, sometimes referred to as workers comp coverage, is a form of business insurance that pays out the cost of medical care and part of the lost income of employees who get sick or injured while performing their jobs. It also protects the business owner from the financial liability of having to pay for expenses arising from work-related illnesses and injuries out of pocket.

Almost all states require businesses to take out workers' compensation coverage, with the rates and level of cover varying, depending on where and in which industry the business operates.

Each state sets workers comp premiums based on a range of factors. These include the employees job classifications  which reflect the riskiness of the work they do  and the companys payroll and past workers comp claims  also called experience modification  according to Trusted Choice, a Virginia-based network of insurance agents and brokers.

The state also decides who handles and sells workers' compensation insurance policies. These may be state-run agencies, private insurance companies, or the state itself.

Read more: Fixing the most common pain point in workers comp claims

What does workers compensation insurance cover?

Workers' compensation insurance policies provide several types of coverages, including:

Medical expenses: This covers the cost of medical treatment for the sick or injured worker, such as doctors and hospital visits, surgery, and medication. Depending on the state and industry, medical expenses related to COVID-19 may also be covered.

Lost income: Workers' compensation coverage pays out part of the employees wage in the event they need to take time off from work because of the illness or injury they sustained. This serves to ensure that workers have a source of income while they recover.

Ongoing care: Workers comp policies also help pay for the expenses incurred if the employee requires extended medical care due to a work-related injury or illness. This includes occupational and physical therapy, and other rehabilitation costs.

Disability benefits: Employees who become disabled because of a workplace accident are eligible for full or partial disability benefits, which help cover medical bills and some lost wages.

Death benefits: If the job-related injury or illness results in the death of an employee, workers' compensation insurance pays out for their funeral and burial expenses and provides financial benefits for their beneficiaries.

Read more: Do workers' compensation benefits cover mental health-related claims?

What is excluded from workers compensation coverage?

However, not all illnesses and injuries that occur in the workplace are covered by workers compensation policies. Among the incidents that are excluded from coverage are:

Accidents that happen while the employee is on the way to or going home from work

Injuries sustained while the worker is intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs

Injuries from recreational activities as these are not considered job-related even if they occur in the workplace

Food poisoning while on lunch break from food bought or brought from home as breaks are also not viewed as work-related

Other self-inflicted or intentional injuries

Employees of the federal government are also not covered by workers' compensation insurance as they already have coverage under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). This group of workers include:

Civilians working in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government

State and local law enforcement officers acting in a federal capacity

Peace Corps volunteers

Students in Reserve Officer Training Corps programs

Federal jurors

Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol

Read more: Whats not covered under workers compensation policies?

How much does workers compensation insurance cost?

Just like in other types of insurance policies, premiums for workers' compensation coverage are determined using a range of risk factors. These include the type of industry, job classification codes, experience modification rating, and safety measures implemented.

Small businesses pay about $47 monthly, or about $560 annually for coverage, according to an estimate by Trusted Choice. The group noted, however, that this rate is middle of the pack for small businesses. For larger companies involved in riskier occupations such as construction firms, the cost can be much higher.

The table below shows a sample calculation of workers comp premiums for different industries done by the organization.

Industry Median annual premiums Construction and contracting $3,264 Landscaping $2,769 Cleaning services $1,813 Food and beverage $1,356 Nonprofits $1,191 Retail $1,069 Healthcare professionals $755 Photo and video $662 Real estate $610 Building design $567

Source: Trusted Choice

Read more: Workplace violence an ever-growing concern for employers

What are the largest workers compensation insurance providers in the US?

Direct written premiums (DWP) for workers compensation coverage across the country reached $52.25 billion in 2021  a 2.1% uptick from the previous year, according to recent analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Of this figure, the 10 biggest workers compensation insurance providers in the US accounted for $22.4 billion, or 43% of the overall market, the latest market share report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has revealed.

Although there were no changes in the insurance companies included in the top 10 from the previous year, there was a huge shake-up in the rankings, particularly from the third to the ninth spot.

Workers comp insurance industry leaders Travelers and The Hartford continue to dominate the market, retaining the top two spots in 2021. These firms control more than 13% of the market.

AmTrust Financial, meanwhile, made the biggest jump, leapfrogging four industry giants, including Berkshire Hathaway, to claim third place. Rounding up the top five are Zurich and Chubb, which both dropped a notch in the list.

Here are the 10 largest workers compensation insurance companies in the US by direct premiums based on NAICs data.

1. Travelers

Direct written premiums: $3.5 billion

Market share: 6.8%

2020 ranking: 1st

Travelers is a global insurance carrier offering a range of coverages for individuals and businesses. It owns several insurance brands, including St. Paul Fire & Marine and USF&G, and provides workers' compensation insurance in almost every state, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Travelers is the sixth largest property and casualty (P&C) insurer in the country, according to NAICs latest figures.

2. The Hartford

Direct written premiums: $3.3 billion

Market share: 6.3%

2020 ranking: 2nd

The Hartford is another global P&C insurer that provides coverage to more than one million small businesses. Its workers compensation insurance comes with a preferred medical provider network, prescription drug features, a needle stick reimbursement program, a nursed back to health program, and pay-as-you-go billing solutions. Clients also have access to programs that support employee health and well-being through special arrangements with Shoes for Crews, The Naturally Slim Program, Herman Miller, and Aurico.

3. AmTrust Financial

Direct written premiums: $2.4 billion

Market share: 4.7%

2020 ranking: 7th

AmTrust Financial is a niche specialty P&C insurance provider for small businesses, with an emphasis on workers compensation coverage. The insurers workers comp coverage is well-suited for artisan contractors, beauty shops, buildings-operations by owners or contractors, doctors and dentists, hotels, machine shops-light metalworking, private schools, professional offices, restaurants, retail stores, and wholesale stores.

4. Zurich Insurance

Direct written premiums: $2.3 billion

Market share: 4.5%

2020 ranking: 3rd

Zurich Insurance Group is a multi-line insurer that offers P&C and life insurance products and services in more than 210 countries and territories. The insurance giants workers' compensation policies offer workers access to a range of in-house managed care and return-to-work programs, as well as litigation management and recovery services.

5. Chubb

Direct written premiums: $2.2 billion

Market share: 4.2%

2020 ranking: 4th

Chubb is the seventh largest P&C insurance provider in the US in 2021 and has operations in more than 50 countries and territories. Chubb Ltd., its parent company, is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and S&P 500 index. The insurer offers workers compensation coverage for businesses of all sizes, plus excess coverage for companies that self-insure predictable losses but need coverage for catastrophic exposures.

6. Liberty Mutual

Direct written premiums: $2.1 billion

Market share: 4.0%

2020 ranking: 5th

Liberty Mutual is a global insurer with more than 800 offices in 30 countries and territories around the world. It is also the fifth biggest P&C insurance provider in the US last year. The mutual insurers workers comp coverage helps injured employees obtain medications for work-related injuries without out-of-pocket expenses and access quality, affordable treatment from its network of local medical providers. Liberty Mutual also owns several insurance brands, including Safeco, Ironshore, and Golden Eagle.

7. Berkshire Hathaway

Direct written premiums: $1.9 billion

Market share: 3.7%

2020 ranking: 6th

Warren Buffetts conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, owns several insurance companies, including Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies and Applied Underwriters, with both subsidiaries offering workers compensation insurance. Applied Underwriters focuses on providing workers comp insurance solutions for SMBs in the US, while Berkshire Hathaway GUARD offers other insurance products  including business owners policy, commercial auto, commercial umbrella, disability, homeowners, personal umbrella, and professional liability.

8. New York State Insurance Fund

Direct written premiums: $1.7 billion

Market share: 3.3%

2020 ranking: 9th

New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) is New Yorks largest workers compensation carrier. As a self-supporting insurance provider, NYSIFs role is to compete with other carriers to ensure a fair marketplace and be a guaranteed insurer for employers who cannot get coverage elsewhere. It also serves as a state fund for disability benefits, which insures employers against off-the-job employee injury or sickness that results in disability.

9. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Direct written premiums: $1.6 billion

Market share: 3.2%

2020 ranking: 8th

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) is a non-profit mutual insurance company and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It is Michigans largest health insurer, serving 4.5 million people in the state plus 1.6 million in other states. The company owns AF Group, which in turn owns several subsidiaries that write workers comp, including Accident Fund, United Heartland, CompWest, and Third Coast Underwriters

10. Old Republic

Direct written premiums: $1.3 billion

Market share: 2.5%

2020 ranking: 10th

Old Republic is a specialty insurer that writes a range of insurance solutions, including workers compensation for various industries, through its insurance brands. Among these subsidiaries are Old Republic Risk Management and Old Republic Aerospace.
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (AP)  A transgender teacher who said she was harassed by students, parents and colleagues has settled a lawsuit with a Maryland school district with an agreement that includes policy changes and training.

Attorneys for Jennifer Eller said the settlement reached Monday with the Prince Georges County Board of Education also included monetary compensation. The lawsuit was filed in 2018 in U.S. District Court.

Im relieved to see this case finally come to a resolution and satisfied to see that our case led to the adoption of these policy changes and training protocols to improve the school environment for everyone, including LGBTQ+ students and teachers, Eller said in a statement. This settlement vindicates my pleas for help and sensitivity training on LGBTQ+ issues for students and staff. Every student and every teacher should feel safe, welcomed, and respected in a school environment.

Eller said she was told to present as male, be referred to by male pronouns and threatened, according to a news release. After Eller filed formal complaints, she said administrators took away her Advanced Placement English class and she was brought to a disciplinary hearing that resulted in no discipline.

The school district reaffirms its commitment to promoting and maintaining learning and working environments that are safe, positive and affirming for all students and staff regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, Prince Georges County Public Schools spokesperson Meghan N. Gebreselassie said in a statement. The suit was resolved to the mutual satisfaction of both parties, she said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits K-12 Education Maryland
TotalEnergies SE said it spotted an aerial drone close to an oil field in the Danish North Sea, intensifying concerns of an energy conflict erupting in Europe.

Unusual drone activity was seen near its Halfdan B oil and gas field on Sept. 28, the French company said by email on Thursday. The incident was first reported by Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

TotalEnergies increased vigilance around security for all of our offshore assets and onshore locations, the company said.

Unidentified Drones Pose Risk of Accidents, Attacks at Oil & Gas Platforms: Norway Watchdog

Leaks discovered earlier this week on natural gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Baltic Sea are widely suspected of being the result of sabotage, touching off heightened security on energy infrastructure across Europe. Several governments said the damage was deliberate, with Finland noting that only a state actor could pull off acts on such a scale.

I just hope that there is no idea behind it to extend the war beyond the border of Ukraine to the North Sea, Total Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne told Bloomberg in an interview this week.

Halfdan B field is located about 210 kilometers (130 miles) west of the Danish coast. Denmark has stepped up safety measures around energy installations since the Nord Stream gas pipelines leaks, which occurred close to the countrys Baltic Sea island of Bornholm.

With assistance from Stephen Treloar and Simon Casey.

Photograph: Signage for TotalEnergies SE at the companys electric vehicle charging station in the La Defense business district in Paris, France, on Thursday, July 28, 2021. Photo credit: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Energy Oil Gas
Australian authorities said on Friday they have commenced an operation to protect the personal information of 10,000 people whose data may have been shared online after a cyber attack on Optus, the countrys second-largest telco.

The efforts come three days after an unidentified person posted online that they had released personal details of 10,000 Optus customers and would keep doing so daily until they received $1 million.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) assistant commissioner for cyber command Justine Gough said the agency was working to identify and protect the same number of people whose details have been unlawfully released.

Hospitals, Utilities Face Highest Exposure to Risk of Cyber Attacks: Moodys

The targeted operation, which is in addition to a global operation to track down the hacker, is the most public acknowledgment to date by police about the threat to customers, although Gough declined to comment specifically on the ransom post.

Since the Singapore Telecommunications-owned telco first reported the theft of the data of up to 10 million accounts on Sept. 22, equivalent to 40% of Australias population, authorities have declined to comment on their investigation.

We are concerned that those 10,000 people may have had their 100-point identification compromised, Gough told reporters.

Optus Must Pay Cost of Replacing Hacked Customer Documents: Australia Government

Under Australian law, official documents are assigned point scores that can be used for identity verification purposes to clear sensitive transactions, which typically demand at least 100 identification points.

The stolen data included passport numbers, which are worth 70 points, and drivers license numbers, which are worth 40 points, Optus has said.

Gough said police were running data analysis to identify the 10,000 customers, monitoring the internet for signs of criminals trying to sell the data and putting banks on high alert for suspicious transactions.

While she also did not comment on the ransom post  which was retracted within hours  Gough said authorities around the world including the U.S. FBI were pursuing multiple leads.

Whoever is behind this attack has used obfuscation techniques, she added.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday Optus had agreed to his public demand the previous day to pay the cost of replacing passports of compromised customers.

Optus have responded to my request, Albanese told reporters. They will cover the cost of replacing affected customers passports. I think that is entirely appropriate.

Some Australian state governments have said they will replace drivers licenses of compromised Optus customers.

Optus did not immediately respond to emailed request for comment.

(Reporting by Byron Kaye, Lewis Jackson and Praveen Menon; editing by Sam Holmes)

Related:

Topics Cyber Law Enforcement Australia
Australias AUB Group Ltd. (AUB) announced it has completed its acquisition of leading Lloyds wholesale broker Tysers from Odyssey Investment Partners.

The acquisition, which was first announced in May 2022, has a purchase price of A$880 million (US$570.3 million) with a potential additional deferred consideration of up to A$170 million (US$110.2 million), dependent on Tysers achievement of agreed revenue growth targets.

Launched in 1985 and headquartered in Sydney, AUB Group comprises insurance brokers and underwriting agencies operating in approximately 520 locations across Australia and New Zealand.

In accordance with the terms of the acquisition and as previously announced, AUB confirmed that it has now issued 9,018,974 new shares to Odyssey. The new shares will be escrowed for a 24-month period.

AUB has drawn down A$598 million (US$387.5 million) of its new A$675 million (US$437.4 million) multi-currency debt facility. AUB said it expects leverage to reduce over the next 12 months.

We are very pleased to welcome the Tysers team. Given Tysers position as a leading specialist wholesale insurance broker in the largest insurance market in the world, we are excited in the step change Tysers will bring to AUB in terms of capturing further economics in the insurance broking value chain, accelerating scale in AUB Agencies and supporting our clients with international placement needs, according to AUBs CEO and Managing Director Mike Emmett.

I have known Tysers and its executive team for an extensive period of time and AUB has been working with Tysers for many years providing our clients access to Lloyds market for specialist insurance, he added.

I have always been very impressed with the quality of the franchise, the knowledge and expertise of the team, and its deep client relationships. The acquisition is not only strategically aligned and financially compelling, but strengthens our operational platform and delivers material scale, Emmett said. We look forward to optimising Tysers contribution as part of the AUB Group, a successful integration and delivering on the expected synergies.

The acquisition of Tysers (Bermuda) Ltd. requires the approval of the Bermuda Monetary Authority but AUB this approval was not obtained sufficiently in advance of the planned date for completion of the acquisition. As a result, the parties have agreed to defer the acquisition of Tysers (Bermuda) until regulatory approval is received.

AUB is the perfect partner to allow Tysers to continue our proud history and support our growth ambitions. The strategic and cultural alignment is clear, and we are excited about executing on future opportunities together, commented Clive Buesnel, Tysers CEO, in a statement in May when the deal was first announced.

Source: AUB Group

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Excess Surplus Lloyd's Australia
Survivors of the mass shooting at a suburban Chicago Independence Day parade and family members of those killed filed 11 lawsuits Wednesday against the manufacturer of the rifle used in the attack, accusing gun-maker Smith & Wesson of illegally targeting its ads at young men at risk of committing mass violence.

The sweeping effort by dozens of victims of the Highland Park shooting, anti-gun violence advocates and private attorneys announced Wednesday is the latest bid to hold gun manufacturers accountable for a mass killing despite broad protections for the industry in federal law.

The groups strategy mirrors the approach used by relatives of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school killings, who in February reached a $73 million settlement with the firearm company that produced the rifle used in that attack. That was believed to be the largest payment by a gun-maker related to a mass killing and hinged on the families accusation that Remington violated Connecticut consumer protection law by marketing its AR-15-style weapons to young men already at risk of committing violence.

The shooter did not act on his own, said Alla Lefkowitz, senior director of affirmative litigation for the gun safety organization Everytown. What happened in Highland Park on July 4 was the result of deliberate choices made by certain members of the industry.

Liz Turnipseed is among the Highland Park survivors alleging that the gun manufacturer, the accused shooter, his father and two gun sellers bear some responsibility for the attack.

In an interview with The Associated Press this week, Turnipseed said before the shots rang out she was enjoying the parade with her husband and 3-year-old daughter, pointing out instruments in the high school band. Turnipseed fell to the ground after being shot in the pelvis and remembers seeing her daughters stroller on its side and asking her husband to get their daughter to safety.

Turnipseed said she required weeks of intense wound care, expects to need a cane for some time and is in therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. She also was forced to delay an embryo transfer scheduled for July 12; her doctors now fear its dangerous for her to become pregnant.

Despite her physical and emotional burdens, the Highland Park resident became determined to speak for those who did not survive mass shootings in the U.S., particularly the 19 children and two teachers killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, in late May.

I had a unique opportunity to help put a real face on what these guns do to people and  give it a first-person perspective, Turnipseed said. Because there arent that many of us that survive. Because theyre that deadly.

Representatives for Smith & Wesson, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Wednesday.

Survivors of the attack and family members of those killed spoke to reporters Wednesday, highlighting the dramatic changes in their lives since the shooting and repeatedly blamed the firearms producer for enabling the shooter.

Family members of three of the seven people killed in Highland Park _ Stephen Straus, Jackie Sundheim and Nicolas Toledo _ are among those suing. The family of a fourth victim, Eduardo Uvaldo, has retained the attorneys who handled the Sandy Hook case.

The pain, loss and grief that we must endure is never ending, Jon Straus, one of Straus two sons, said at an event announcing the suits. This time it was our family. Next time, it could be yours.

Prosecutors have said Robert E. Crimo III admitted to the parade killings once police arrested him hours after the attack. Authorities have identified Smith & Wessons M&P 15 semiautomatic rifle as the weapon he used to fire on the parade.

Turnipseed argues that Smith & Wesson ads mimic the shooters-eye view popularized by video games, use misleading imagery of apparent military or law enforcement personnel and emphasize the M&P 15s combat features _ all with a dangerous appeal to impulsive young men with hero complexes and/or militaristic delusions.

Advertising text also billed the rifle as capable of handling as many rounds as you are and providing pure adrenaline. One ad shows the M&P 15 on a dark background above the phrase kick brass in a bold red font and capital letters.

The advertisements and marketing tactics described above demonstrate that Smith & Wesson knowingly marketed, advertised, and promoted the Rifle to civilians for illegal purposes, including to carry out offensive, military style combat missions against their perceived enemies, her attorneys argue.

Ari Scharg, an attorney with the Chicago-based firm Edelson PC representing Turnipseed, said lawyers for the Highland Park victims are determined to go further by getting their cases before a jury.

Theres certainly a long path, and its an uphill battle, Scharg said. But I think this is the most important case in the country being litigated right now  and were going to see it through to the end.

The victims also are suing the accused gunman for assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress and his father, Robert Crimo Jr., for negligence, particularly for sponsoring his sons application for a state firearms license in 2019 within months of the 19-year-old attempting to kill himself and threatening family members. Two gun sellers are accused of violating bans on assault weapons in Highland Park and the accused gunmans home town of Highwood.

Crimo III faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery, representing those killed and wounded during the parade in Highland Park.

Lake County prosecutors have not filed any criminal charges against his father and have repeatedly declined to discuss the possibility that Crimo Jr. could be charged in the future.

An attorney for Crimo Jr. did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Crimo III is represented by the Lake County public defenders office, which does not comment on ongoing cases.

Topics Lawsuits Illinois Gun Liability Manufacturing
A train derailment sent a dozen rail cars off the tracks Thursday morning near Detroit, snarling traffic while emergency responders assessed the damage, officials said.

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said 12 of the trains 151 cars derailed about 7:30 a.m. EDT in the city just north of Detroit.

No injuries have been reported and its unclear what caused the derailment on Warrens southeast side.

Fouts said three of the 12 derailed cars were tanker cars hauling liquid chlorine and unrefined alcohol, but no leaks had been detected and the derailed tanker cars were upright.

Warren Fire Commissioner Wilburt McAdams said one of the tanker cars was leaking a little, but it did not pose a danger to the public, WJBK-TV reported.

The citys police commissioner, Bill Dwyer, urged motorists and the public to avoid the derailment area so that crews can work to clear the derailment as fast as possible.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Michigan
A Chinese billionaire, one of the richest people in the world, is heading to trial in Minneapolis to defend himself against allegations that he raped a former University of Minnesota student after a night of dinner and drinks in 2018.

Richard Liu, the founder and former CEO of e-commerce giant JD.com, has denied raping the woman, and prosecutors did not file criminal charges. The woman, Jingyao Liu, sued in civil court, alleging she was coerced to drink before Richard Liu groped her in a limousine and raped her in her apartment.

Both are expected to testify, and it will be up to a jury to decide who is telling the truth. Jury selection starts Thursday, with opening statements Monday.

I think our clients credibility is one of the strongest parts of what the jury is going to hear, said Wil Florin, an attorney for Jingyao Liu. The incredible courage and fortitude that this young lady has shown is truly admirable.

Diane Doolittle, an attorney for Richard Liu, said that the woman has changed her story and that the evidence will clear her clients name.

We are looking forward to presenting the evidence, presenting the truth, so that the world will know that Mr. Liu is fully and completely innocent of these allegations against him, she said.

The woman alleges the attack happened in 2018 while Richard Liu was in Minneapolis for a weeklong residency in the University of Minnesotas doctor of business administration China program, geared toward high-level executives in China.

Jingyao Liu, a Chinese citizen, was at the university on a student visa and was a volunteer in the program at the time. The Associated Press does not generally name people alleging sexual assault, but Jingyao Liu has agreed to be identified publicly.

Richard Liu and Jingyao Liu are not related. Jingyao Liu was 21 at the time; Richard Liu was 46.

Richard Liu is a celebrity in China, part of a generation of entrepreneurs who created the countrys internet, e-commerce, mobile phone and other technology industries since the late 1990s. Forbes estimated his wealth at $11.5 billion.

Richard Liu, who stepped down as CEO of JD.com this year amid increased government scrutiny of Chinas technology industry, was arrested on suspicion of felony rape, but prosecutors never filed criminal charges, saying the case had profound evidentiary problems.

Jingyao Liu sued Richard Liu and JD.com in 2019, alleging sexual assault and battery, along with false imprisonment.

The case drew widespread attention at a time when the (hash)MeToo movement was gaining traction in China. Richard Lius supporters and opponents waged aggressive public relations campaigns on Chinese social media; censors shut down some accounts that supported Jingyao Liu for violating regulations.

Jingyao Liu says in her lawsuit that she had to withdraw from classes in fall 2018 and seek counseling and treatment. Her attorney says she has since graduated but has post-traumatic stress disorder. She seeks compensatory damages to cover medical bills, emotional distress and pain and suffering, and Judge Edward Wahl ruled she could also seek punitive damages from Richard Liu.

She is seeking more than $50,000, a standard figure that must be listed in Minnesota if a plaintiff intends to seek anything above that amount. She is expected to ask a jury to award much more.

According to the lawsuit, on the night of the alleged attack, Richard Liu and other executives went to a Japanese restaurant in Minneapolis, and one of the men invited Jingyao Liu at Richard Lius request. Jingyao Liu felt coerced to drink as the powerful men toasted her, and Richard Liu said she would dishonor him if she did not join in, she said in her lawsuit.

According to text messages reviewed by The Associated Press and Jingyao Lius interviews with police, she said that after the dinner, Richard Liu pulled her into a limousine and groped her despite her protests. She said he raped her at her apartment. She texted a friend: I begged him dont. But he didnt listen.

After police went to her apartment, Jingyao Liu told one officer, I was raped but not that kind of rape, according to police. When asked to explain, she changed the subject and said Richard Liu was famous and she was afraid. She told the officer that the sex was spontaneous and that she did not want police to get involved.

Officers released Richard Liu because it was unclear if a crime had actually taken place, according to police. In an interview later with an investigator, Richard Liu said that the sex was consensual and that the woman enjoyed the whole process very much.

According to police, Jingyao Liu told a sergeant she wanted to talk with Richard Lius attorney and threatened to go to the media if she did not. Richard Lius former attorney recorded the phone call, in which Jingyao Liu said that she didnt want the case to be in the newspaper and that I just need payment money and apologize and thats all.

That phone call will be allowed as evidence in the trial. The jurors will also be told that they may presume any electronic messages deleted by Jingyao Liu contained information unfavorable to her. Both pretrial rulings were considered wins for the defense.

Surveillance videos from the restaurant, its exterior and the halls of the womans apartment complex will be shown at trial. Richard Lius attorneys have said the video shows that Jingyao Liu does not appear to be intoxicated or in distress, as she initially claimed, and that she changed her story after the video surfaced.

She says in her lawsuit that she went to her apartment building with Richard Liu to be polite, and that she believed he was simply walking her to the door. Florin, Jingyao Lius attorney, intends to play body camera video from police that he says shows his client feared Richard Liu because he is powerful.

Insanely wealthy men, they always have the card that they play: `Well, Im being accused of this because Im wealthy, Florin said.

What happened that night was an evening of consensual sex, Doolittle, one of Richard Lius attorneys, said. Mr. Liu regrets that, and he regrets being unfaithful to his wife.

The burden of proof is lower than in a criminal trial, and jurors need only find a preponderance of evidence in either sides favor, said Chris Madel, a Minneapolis attorney who isnt involved in the case.

If jurors proceed to considering punitive damages, that portion of the case requires a different standard of proof. To award punitive damages, jurors must find clear and convincing evidence that Richard Liu deliberately disregarded the rights or safety of others, Madel said.

After cases like this, Madel said, no matter how much evidence is presented, jurors will typically say: We just listened to him, we listened to her, and we made our minds up.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics China Minnesota
An insurers war and financial services exclusions relieve it of having to provide coverage for an insured being sued for allegedly aiding international terrorists responsible for the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in eastern Ukraine in 2014.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted Hartford Fire Insurance Co. a declaratory judgment that it has no duty to defend or indemnify Western Union, which is being sued by the family of one of the victims alleging that Western Union provided financial support to the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) by facilitating money transfers.

The plane was shot down by the Donetsk Peoples Republic, a Russian-backed separatist group in eastern Ukraine. The attack killed 298 passengers and crew members.

In the underlying lawsuit against Western Union, the family of victim Quinn Schansman, an American college student, asserts claims under the federal Antiterrorism Act. According to the familys lawsuit, Western Union intentionally and with knowledge of its terrorist activities provided material support and financing to the DPR in the form of money transfer services to the DPR, which the DPR relied upon to buy the weapons and equipment needed for its terrorist activities, including the July 2014 attack on MH17.

The family alleges that Western Union knew, or exhibited deliberate indifference to the fact, that they provided material support to the DPR. The suit seeks unspecified damages.

Hartford issued a commercial general liability policy to Western Union for the October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014 policy period, which had limits of $1 million each occurrence and $3 million aggregate.

Although Hartford Fire initially invoked only the war exclusion in denying Western Unions request for coverage; in later pleadings it added the financial service exclusion as a reason.

Hartford Fire argued that the lawsuit fell within the scope of a war exclusion in the commercial general liability that says the policy does not apply for bodily injury or property damages caused, arising, directly or indirectly, out of . . . war, . . . warlike action by a military force, . . . or insurrection, rebellion, revolution, [or] usurped power.

Citing facts in the familys complaint based on extensive news coverage and government information, the federal court found there was no need to decide whether the Schansman case falls within the scope of the exclusion for war and warlike action because it falls squarely within the exclusion for insurrection.

In short, as alleged, the DPR was in the midst of a violent uprising to overthrow the constituted government  in other words, an insurrection  in eastern Ukraine when it shot down MH17, U.S. District Judge Jesse M Furman wrote in the opinion.

In any event, Judge Furman added, even if the war exclusion did not defeat Western Unions coverage claim, the policys financial services exclusion would. This exclusion provides that the policy does not apply to bodily injury . . . resulting from the rendering of or the failure to render financial services by any insured to others.

The court dismissed the notion that its interpretation of the financial services exclusion would impermissibly swallow up all coverage afforded to Western Union by noting that it would not, for example, exclude coverage for a patent infringement claim or a slip-and-fall lawsuit.

Photo: In this Friday, July 18, 2014, file photo, a piece of a plane with the sign Malaysia Airlines lies in the grass as a group of Ukrainian coal miners search the site of a crashed Malaysian passenger plane near the village of Rozsypne, Ukraine. AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky, File)

Topics Lawsuits Carriers Catastrophe Natural Disasters
The difficult job of rebuilding communities pummeled by Hurricane Ian is expected to be made even worse by a problem thats lingered since the early days of the pandemic: snarled supply chains.

Ian tore a path of destruction across Florida, leaving more than 2 million homes and businesses without power, after landing as one of the strongest storms to hit the US. Residences, bridges and other infrastructure are in ruin, with damage estimates ranging from $65 billion to $100 billion, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said it will take years to recover. Construction groups warn that labor shortages and supply-chain difficulties are likely to hamper rebuilding efforts.

Across the board, we are seeing challenges in obtaining all types of building materials in a reliable time frame, said Steve Cona III, president of Associated Builders and Contractors Florida Gulf Coast chapter.

Damage in Floridas Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties is devastating, and it will take substantial time and resources to rebuild, Cona said. Compounding those challenges are ongoing labor shortfalls, supply-chain issues and the fact that material costs remain unpredictable, he said.

Lumber prices have been volatile since the pandemic began, and this years surge in borrowing costs sent prices falling from records set in 2021. While there is an oversupply of material in North America, disruptions from Ian may cause logistical issues transporting lumber, according to Kevin Mason of ERA Forest Product Research.

If youve just had a hurricane go through, your logistics are going to be a challenge, said Russ Taylor, president of consulting firm Russ Taylor Global in Vancouver. The whole building sector is going to shut down for a while until things dry out and waters recede.

While supplies from lumber mills have been improving in 2022, there are still issues getting wood to market due to a shortage of rail cars and trucks, Taylor said. The storm will slow deliveries to affected areas, creating a glut of lumber and sending prices lower, he said. Florida and South Carolina have seen strong building demand, and that will dip in Ians immediate aftermath, Taylor said.

On Thursday, lumber futures in Chicago fell as much as 6.9% to touch the lowest price in more than two years.

Some Constraints

Home Depot Inc. teams on the ground in Florida are assessing damage to homes, which will help the company better understand what they might need to supply to Florida sites, said Pete Capel, head of emergency operations for the retailer. Home Depot positions goods ahead of hurricane season in areas along the Gulf Coast and Southeast, and theyre either there already or on the way to stores, he said.

Improvements have been made since earlier in the pandemic, Capel said, but there are still some constraints in the supply chain in total.

Several insurance adjusters said theyre expecting shortages in labor and construction materials. Scott Harris of North American Public Adjusters Insurance Claims Consultants in Cape Coral, Florida, said hes concerned about the possibility of severe delays in getting such rebuilding materials as lumber, drywall, tile and shingles.

Homes that managed to withstand the storm are at risk of additional damage in its aftermath. Properties flooded with several feet of water  homes that are boarded up, devoid of light or airflow  are quickly at risk of mold damage, said Harris, whos worked in insurance adjustment for more than 20 years.

Toxic Mold

In Florida, microbial growth has a life of its own, and you have to quickly get in and you have to cut out all the drywall to let the wall cavities dry out, said Jason Holzem, a public adjuster at Day Adjusting & Consulting. Otherwise your entire property will be covered in mold  itll be on your ceilings, on your walls, all your personal property, and you cant live in that environment. And then we end up getting black mold, which is toxic.

Adding to labor constraints, logistical problems transporting supplies and volatile materials costs is the wide path of Ians devastation. That means everyone rebuilding has to cope with the demand surge resulting from other residents and business owners also trying to recover from the hurricane, said Michael Millette, founder of Hudson Structured Capital Management, which focuses on the reinsurance and transportation sectors.

You need to keep in mind that it costs a lot more to rebuild your house when everyone in the region is rebuilding theirs, Millette said. There are only so many contractors and so much building machinery and material.

Darryl Davis, an adjuster for more than 30 years, said his company  DDavis & Associates Inc., in Coral Springs, Florida  has fielded a couple dozen calls for adjustments so far, and expects that figure to grow exponentially as residents regain mobile-phone service. He plans to start inspections Saturday, covering the areas of Marco Island, Cape Coral, North Port and Venice.

Its gonna take months and years to get the area back to where it was before the storm hit, Davis said. Im sure therell be shortages of materials. There were a shortage of materials before this happened, so its only gonna exacerbate the problem.

Photo: People walk on a flooded street at a trailer park following Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Ian, now a hurricane again, is threatening to carve a new path of destruction through South Carolina Friday when it roars ashore north of Charleston (Bloomberg).

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Two people were killed and 10 others injured when a pickup truck crashed into two other vehicles in the Texas city of Uvalde, authorities said.

Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez said U.S. Border Patrol agents saw the truck speeding Wednesday night on a highway outside of Uvalde and began pursuing it, San Antonio TV station KSAT reported.

The police chief said the truck eventually crashed into a large tractor-trailer and another vehicle near downtown Uvalde. He said all of the dead and injured were in the pickup truck.

The Texas Department of Public Safety was investigating the wreck.

Uvalde was the site of a school shooting on May 24 at Robb Elementary School where a gunman killed two teachers and 19 students with an AR-15-style rifle inside a fourth grade classroom.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto Texas
The families of three children who survived the Uvalde mass shooting in May have filed the first lawsuit in a federal court against the Uvalde school district, law enforcement officials, gun makers and others, alleging that their negligence and failures contributed to the massacre.

The suit was filed Wednesday in Texas Western District Court and is seeking unspecified damages. One of the children in the lawsuit was wounded in the shooting and was best friends with one of the students killed, according to the lawyers.

We are after accountability and damages, and because my plaintiffs are young, they will have to deal with the trauma of what they went through, said Stephanie Sherman, the families lawyer. Its just a perfect soup of lack of care, and I cant help but think this poor community was not protected in any way.

In all, the suit names 10 defendants: the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District; since-fired school district police chief Pete Arredondo; the City of Uvalde; Mariano Pargas, a lieutenant who was the acting Uvalde police chief during the shooting; Mandy Gutierrez, the schools principal who the suit alleges failed to notify teachers of the gunmans presence through the schools intercom; Daniel Defense LLC, a gun manufacturer; Firequest International Inc., which designed an accessory trigger system the gunman used; Oasis Outback LLC, the gun store in Uvalde where the shooter bought and picked up his firearms; Motorola Solutions Inc., which designed or sold radio communication devices used by first responders that allegedly failed; and Schneider Electric USA Inc., which is alleged to have made or installed the doors at the school.

The defendants could not be immediately reached for comment.

About a month ago, another law firm served the Uvalde school district with a $27 billion claim over the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary School that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

The lawsuit says each defendant played a part in the shootings tragic outcome, from producing faulty technology that hindered first responders to pushing dark marketing that pitches lethal weapons to young minds.

The suit alleges Daniel Defense, the company that manufactured a weapon used by the gunman, targets young people not of age to buy a gun with heavy social media marketing. Further, the suit accuses the Georgia gunmaker of trying to sell military-grade weapons  depicting men clad in combat gear on battlefields in ads to civilians with no military training.

Pointing to four other mass shootings that have occurred in the last decade, the suit alleges the company knows its weapons are being used in massacres but remains ignorant of the human harms and losses resulting from its reckless marketing practices.

Daniel Defense intentionally misleads consumers in a fantasy scheme engineered for maximum profit at the expense of American lives, the suit says.

The shooter had bought a variety of guns in the days after he turned 18 years old, including a Daniel Defense AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle he picked up at the gun shop Oasis Outback in Uvalde.

The suit alleges the gun store knew, or should have known, the gunman was suspicious and dangerous. According to the suit, the owner of Oasis had allegedly spoken with the gunman and asked how he could afford $3,000 worth of guns and ammunition.

Witnesses who were in the store later told the FBI the gunman was very nervous looking, according to the suit. With a clean background check, however, the store sold the teen the weapons.

The store owner and his staff did not act on their suspicions and block the purchases or notify law enforcement, the suit states. The shooter was able to assemble a lethal military-grade assault weapon with a 30-round capacity magazine capable of pulverizing many people within minutes with no oversight, licensure, experience, or training.

As early as February, according to the suit, the shooter began buying firearm accessories including a Hell-Fire trigger system, a device similar to a bump stock that can enable a rifle to fire like a fully automatic gun. He was still underage then.

Regarding the school system, its leaders and law enforcement, the suit describes a culture of noncompliance with safety protocols, state-mandated school shooter training, disregard for school alerts, and deliberate indifference to the threat of criminal trespassers and school shooters leaving the children and teachers vulnerable to attack.

The suit describes lapses of judgment similar to the ones documented in a Texas House committees investigative report about the shooting. The 77-page report illustrated a school system that had strayed from adherence to its safety plan and a tremendous police response that disregarded active shooter training.

Leaning on testimony and reports issued by the investigating agencies, the suit documents a timeline of the response to the shooting and the failures that day, some of which preceded the shooting such as previously documented problems with a classroom door that would not lock but was never fixed. The gunman entered the classroom through that door.

It was the perfect storm, Sherman, the lawyer, said. You have several gatekeeping entities that failed.

The Department of Public Safety, whose 91 troopers outnumbered local law enforcement the day of the massacre, is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, but as attention has turned to the failures and shortcomings surrounding the tragedy, questions have also emerged about the state polices role in the shooting response. While the agencys leaders have deflected blame and scrutiny, Director Steve McCraw has said hell resign if troopers of the states top law enforcement agency had any culpability in the delayed response.

Correction, Sept. 29, 2022: A previous cutline on this story misidentified the school pictured. The school is Flores Elementary School, not Flores Middle School.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/29/uvalde-school-shooting-lawsuit/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Topics Lawsuits K-12
Investors who backstop Floridas insurance industry by buying catastrophe bonds are girding for substantial losses from Hurricane Ian, threatening to crimp a key source of capital for the sector and push up insurance costs for residents.

Ians landfall hammered Florida with heavy winds and historic floods. On top of the humanitarian toll, that could mean big losses to investors in cat bonds, which can be wiped out by an extreme-weather event. In turn, this could exacerbate an already tortured insurance market where homeowners are being crushed by higher costs and the states providers are having second thoughts.

The scale of insured losses that appear to be emerging from Hurricane Ian on the back of five prior years of heavy losses will instigate the sharpest crisis in catastrophe insurance markets since the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Michael Millette, managing partner at Hudson Structured Capital Management, said. He added that investors will be forced to reevaluate the entirety of the landscape, including cat bonds, to rebuild the market.

The insurance industry surpassed $100 billion in losses for the fourth time in five years in 2021, according to insurance broker Aon Plc. Company executives have pointed to rising global temperatures and ensuing extreme weather as key culprits. If losses of that magnitude continue, investors who park money in the insurance industry to diversify their exposure might pull back.

Read more: AIG, Underwriters Lean on Reinsurance With Prices Poised to Jump

Catastrophe bonds, also known as cat bonds, are issued by insurers to backstop risk. The instruments have short maturity dates  as short as three years  and promise above-market yields to investors who take on the risk that their principal could be wiped out by a severe enough natural disaster.

Investors in cat bonds collect premiums when there is no disaster and they pay out when a disaster occurs, said Tom Johansmeyer, who heads Verisk Analytics Inc.s property-claim services division. The job of these instruments is to inject capital into the industry at a time when the industry needs it.

While its too early to determine exactly what bonds might trigger due to the hurricane, securities valued at as much as $19 billion may be at risk from Ian, according to an analysis by data provider Artemis. Of those, $5 billion in bonds cover risk specifically tied to named storms in Florida, while the others apply to general events such as wind damage or flooding.

The securities have surged in popularity, with a record $12.8 billion in new issuance in 2021. The first half of this year saw more than $8 billion in cat-bond issuance even amid weaker returns, data from Swiss Re AG show. The Swiss Re Cat Bond Price Return Index, which prices weekly on Fridays, gained 7 basis points for the week ended Sept. 23 and is down about 3% for the year.

Insured damages from Ian will likely be above $20 billion in the residential market, Wells Fargo & Co. analysts led by Elyse Greenspan said in a note published after the hurricane hit land on Wednesday.

Private insurers focus on damages brought on by wind, with flood insurance primarily handled by a federally managed program. That could change the calculus in determining losses suffered through cat bonds. And, given the cyclical nature of insurance and cat bonds in particular, the market could ultimately benefit.

The market was already constrained, said Philipp Kusche, a partner and global head of insurance-linked securities and capital solutions at TigerRisk Partners, a broker dealer and reinsurance broker. This will add more pressure and you could see prices go up which in turn could attract more capital, including opportunistic capital.

Photograph: A man takes photos of boats damaged by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29. Photo credit: Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Profit Loss Hurricane
A physician pleaded guilty to defrauding Californias Medi-Cal system by prescribing unnecessary drugs to more than 1,000 patients, prosecutors said.

Dr. Mohammed El-Nachef entered pleas in Orange County to one count of insurance fraud and one count of aiding and abetting the unauthorized practice of medicine, according to a statement from the state attorney generals office.

He was ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution and surrender his medical license.

Prosecutors said that for two years beginning in 2014, El-Nachef prescribed unnecessary HIV medications, anti-psychotics and opioids to patients at clinics in Anaheim and Los Angeles.

The patients were Medi-Cal recipients who were recruited with the promise of cash payments, and the recruiters then illegally sold the drugs, prosecutors said.

El-Nachef was recruited to write the unnecessary prescriptions and was paid in cash, prosecutors said.

El-Nachef used his position as a physician to steal taxpayer money from our state programs and fuel illicit pharmaceutical sales on the streets of Southern California  all for personal gain, Attorney General Rob Bonta said in the statement. Abuses of power  whether big or small  will never be tolerated by the California Department of Justice.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Fraud Drugs
Chicago Apprentice Network founders honored at celebration of insurance industry philanthropy

CHICAGO, IL (September 30, 2022)  The Midwest Division of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and enriching lives, raised more than $510,000 at its eleventh annual Blazing the Trail Benefit on September 22. IICF hosted more than 350 attendees in celebration of the Midwest insurance industrys commitment to philanthropy and to honor the founders of the Chicago Apprentice Network. Proceeds of the IICF Blazing the Trail Benefit fund the IICF Midwest Community Grants Program.

The founders of the Chicago Apprentice Network  Accenture, Aon and Zurich  were honored by IICF for their trailblazing work in raising awareness of apprenticeship opportunities and successes, and helping more businesses establish apprentice programs to expand this concept. IICF is working to develop the insurance industry talent pipeline as well by connecting nontraditional talent with apprenticeship and other career opportunities through the IICF Talent HubTM as another way to help build a more fully inclusive and equitable workplace of the future.

In the same collaborative spirit as IICF, the Chicago Apprentice Network works together to create career opportunities within the region and insurance industry, said Al Crook, Head of HR Business Partners and Apprenticeship at Zurich North America. Zurich has benefited from this innovative and diverse talent pool and looks forward to expanding apprenticeship further in the years to come.

Since 2017, the Chicago Apprentice Network has grown from these three founding companies to more than 75 companies across multiple industries.

Were honored to be recognized by IICF alongside our Chicago Apprentice Network co-founders for our collective efforts to grow apprenticeship programs, said Kevin Johnson, North America Chief Operating Officer at Aon. The Aon Apprenticeship program has brought many talented colleagues to our firm, helping us further build a resilient and diverse workforce. We look forward to continuing to work with employers, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations to encourage the development of apprenticeship programs that strengthen our workplaces and communities.

Also featured at last weeks Blazing the Trail event were IICF Community Grant recipients By the Hand, a Chicago-based nonprofit serving children living in under-resourced neighborhoods with after-school programming, and Intentional Sports, a community partner of By the Hand who is building a professional-level facility for sports, education and wellness to close the opportunity gap for westside youth in Chicago.

IICF proudly supports nonprofit partners such as By the Hand by uniting the insurance industry in giving back to make a profound impact in the communities where we live and work, said Jeff Kroeger, President, Insureon, a Division of Specialty Program Group and Hub International, and Chair of the IICF Midwest Division Board of Directors. Vital funds are raised through IICF Blazing the Trail, Oktoberfest and Rock for Charity and more, annual events that have become insurance industry traditions in the Midwest, allowing us to award meaningful grants to nonprofits serving the needs of our neighbors struggling with food and housing insecurity, and so many other challenges.

The Blazing the Trail Benefit proceeds support IICFs Midwest Community Grants Program, through which grants are awarded to local nonprofit and charitable organizations focused on education, health and safety. Since its founding in 2011, IICF Midwest has granted more than $4 million to over 200 nonprofits working to better the lives and futures of those in need.

Communities throughout the Midwest are served by the IICF Midwest Division and Associate Boards based in the Chicago area as well the Ohio and Heartland (Kansas and Missouri) Chapters. The IICF Midwest is one of five divisions, four based in the US and one in the UK, of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation, which has granted a total of $42 million globally since its inception in 1994.

This years Blazing the Trail Benefit was made possible through generous insurance industry support including Presenting Sponsor: Aon; Platinum Sponsors: CNA, CRC Group, Great American Insurance Group, RT Specialty and Zurich; Gold Sponsors: AIG, Amwins, Applied, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Burns & Wilcox and many other event sponsors.

For more information regarding IICFs Midwest Division, how to contribute or become a board company, please visit IICF Midwest Division at IICF.org or contact IICF Midwest Executive Director Kelly Hartweg at (773) 991-2149 or khartweg@iicf.com.

About the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF)

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is a unique nonprofit that unites the collective strengths of the insurance industry to help communities and enrich lives through grants, volunteer service and leadership. Established in 1994, IICF has served as the philanthropic foundation of the insurance industry for more than twenty-five years, contributing $42 million in community grants along with 300,000 volunteer hours by more than 110,000 industry professionals. IICF reinvests locally where funds are raised, serving hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations, for maximum community impact. IICF is a registered nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Learn more at www.iicf.org or follow us on social media: @doubleicf.

Topics Funding
The breath of giveaways in the Budget makes it almost impossible to cover without being blinded with information.

The double act of Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath threw out more goodies than Santa Claus, but there are some stings in the tail which will affect farmers.

Much of the giveaways were leaked at a rate that would put Irish Water to shame, but as the saying goes, its hard to hide good news.

To be fair, this gives plenty of material for column inches, but at the end of the day, most of us will want to distil down what impact the Budget will have for us personally rather than for the wider population.

With that in mind, and given the nature of this column, I think it best to start with the budget changes that affect farmers, farm families and the wider rural community.

From an income tax perspective, the increase in the lower rate income tax band to 40,000 per individual will translate to a tax saving of up to 640 per annum or, in the case of a married couple with both earning more than 1,280 per annum, effective from January 2023 onwards.

The increase in the personal tax credit and earned income credit that self-employed farmers can claim is worth up to a further 150 per annum per person.

A minor increase in the USC tax band is worth up to a further 40 per person. Five main tax reliefs applicable to farmers are being extended subject to EU State Aid approval; these being Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief, Farm Consolidation Relief and Farm Restructuring Relief extended to December 31, 2025, and Young Trained Farmer Stock Relief, Registered Farm Partnership stock relief extended to December 31, 2024.

An accelerated capital allowance scheme for the construction of slurry storage facilities is welcome but is simply affording farmers a quicker tax deduction i.e. over a shorter period, rather than enhancing the tax relief such as granting a double deduction.

Usually, slurry storage construction costs are deducted from farming profits over seven years through capital allowances of 15% in years one to six and 10% in year seven. The accelerated capital allowance scheme will allow a deduction of up to 50% per year over the first two years.

The advantage of accelerating the capital allowances is that farmers achieve a higher saving at the beginning of the project, meaning its easier to fund the construction costs if a taxpayer has fewer outgoings in income tax, especially where the project is either funded from cash flow or over short-term finance.

The sting in the tail for farmers is that concrete prices are set to jump as a Defective Concrete products Levy of 10% on certain concrete products, including ready-mix concrete, is set to be introduced. This comes on the back of substantially increased concrete prices already this year.

The help-to-buy/help-to-build scheme is extended until the end of 2024, which is welcome news for those who may intend on purchasing or building their first home.

Farmers, like all other households, will benefit from the energy grant expected to be paid out in three instalments of 200, the first to start prior to Christmas.

Farmers will also face an increase in both road diesel, green diesel and kerosene, with road diesel increasing from October 12 and green diesel and kerosene increasing from May 1, 2023.

This carbon tax increase will add about two cents to the price of a litre of fuel. The impact of the carbon tax increase on auto-fuels will be offset with a reduction in the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) levy from two cents per litre to zero cent per litre.

The extension of the 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas into 2023 will benefit the majority of farmers who are unregistered for VAT. However, the reduction in the flat rate VAT addition for unregistered farmers is significant.

For an unregistered dairy farmer milking 100 cows, the change in the unregistered VAT rebate could see 1,500 shaved off of their milk sales and cattle sales proceeds, with a corresponding direct reduction in farm profits.

A new Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) will be introduced in 2023 on a self-assessed basis and administered by the Revenue Commissioners.

The tax will apply to residential properties unoccupied for 12 months or more, albeit there are some exemptions from the new tax.

A property will be considered vacant if it is occupied for less than 30 days in a 12-month period. The tax will be charged at a rate equal to three times the propertys existing base Local Property Tax liability.

A saving grace for many farmers is that the new levy will not apply to houses which are derelict, i.e. not currently subject to the local property tax (LPT).

Farmers will also be relieved that self-employed PRSI contributions are not being increased as had been touted and that there were no dramatic changes to Agricultural Relief or gift and inheritance tax thresholds, which are so important in the context of transferring family farms.

The 2023 Budget is once again a wasted opportunity for not distinguishing the stamp duty rates between investors and active farmers or for introducing measures to address income volatility for farmers.
Mark Hamill has been recruited by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to help fundraise for his countrys military efforts in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The Star Wars actor said he was honoured to take on the role of ambassador for the United24 platform.

His role will include raising funds to support Ukrainian defenders, the Drone Army, a project set up by the Ukrainian government to procure unmanned drones to assist the war effort.

The Army of Drones will be used to monitor the 2,470km front line and provide an effective response to enemy attacks, the projects website said.

Sharing a picture of himself in a virtual meeting with Mr Zelensky, Hamill wrote: Honoured to be an ambassador for the Army of Drones and to help President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine in any way possible.

The presidents official Instagram page also shared the news, writing: American actor who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Mark Hamill became the ambassador of the UNITED24 fundraising platform.

He is the first ambassador to help raise funds to support our defenders, the Drone Army.

This is a difficult yet very important mission. Mark, we are sure you will definitely handle it. Thank you for supporting the Ukrainian people in our struggle for freedom.

It comes following news that Russia will formally annex occupied parts of Ukraine, where it claims that residents had voted to live under Moscows rule, on Friday.

The Ukrainian government and the West have denounced the Kremlin-organised ballots as illegal, forced and rigged.
October isn't just spooky season - it's ADHD Awareness Month worldwide, where advocacy groups and society at large mark the importance of creating opportunities and spaces for the neurological difference.

ADHD Ireland, a non-profit group designed to provide supports and spaces for ADHDers and their families, is stepping up its activities for the occasion, with a virtual ADHD European Conference, and the debut of the Let's Chat - ADHD podcast.

Nicola Coss, National Service Development Manager, says: "While we are keen on supporting people affected by ADHD throughout the year with support groups, webinars and courses, October is the month to mark ADHD - the events aim to bring everyone together to learn about ADHD."

The ADHD and Enabling Opportunities Conference runs virtually between October 19 and 21, and alongside the ADHD Foundation, there'll be three days of informational talks for adults, parents, educators and medical professionals, delivered by world-renowned ADHD specialists and individuals passionate about the condition.

More information and registration here: https://adhdireland.ie/adhd-events/adhd-virtual-conference-2021-2/

Its usual supports for young people continue throughout the month, with online mindfulness sessions and info events for teenagers, family meetups in Dublin and Cork, as well as its ongoing schools accreditation programmes, teacher/SNA courses, and support groups and Friday mindfulness sessions for parents.

The group will also be launching its Let's Chat - ADHD podcast on Friday October 28, presented by podcaster and Instagrammer Lauren, featuring a host of guests from across Ireland's ADHD cohort, and run by some of the group's volunteers.

Beata Migas, Communication Manager says: "The plan was to create something for everyone, our members, their families and friends to recognize, and accept ADHD. With a great force of dedicated volunteers, we have been working hard.

"The topics are amazing, and the atmosphere is organic and so natural, but mainly the wonderful participants are open to share their ADHD perspectives and stories with everyone."

For more information on ADHD Ireland's events and initiatives, go here: https://adhdireland.ie/adhd-events/
A man from North Cork is due in court today in connection with the ramming of six Garda cars by a van that was carrying six young children.

The man, aged in his 30s, is to appear before Cork District Court at 10.30am on foot of garda investigations into "endangerment of members of the public, garda members and related incidents".

The incident began on the M8 near Fermoy on Wednesday night when a van was spotted driving erratically, heading southbound towards Cork city. A woman was in the van with the male driver, along with six young children, aged from an infant up to a 10-year-old.

Gardai believe the rammings followed a domestic incident earlier on Wednesday.

According to gardai, officers attempted to stop the van in the Mahon area but their vehicle was rammed. It was hit again a short time later when gardai tried to engage with the driver.

The Regional Support Unit was called amid fears for the children's safety, and "a managed containment operation ensued" after other Garda vehicles were struck.

"A stinger device was successfully deployed at Carrs Hill and the vehicle was brought to a halt," said a Garda spokesman.

The driver was arrested and taken to Bridewell Garda Station. He was being questioned last night under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and is expected to be charged today.

Gardai have interviewed the woman but the children are too young to be interviewed and were visibly distressed by the incident.

Garda Representative Association executive member for Cork city, Garda Padraig Harrington said the incident could have resulted in 'far graver consequences'. Picture: Garda Info

Two gardai received hospital treatment on Wednesday night, before being discharged. They and another colleague received whiplash-type injuries.

Garda Representative Association executive member for Cork city, Garda Padraig Harrington said the incident could have resulted in far graver consequences.

Once again this incident again highlights the dangers faced by our frontline members on a daily basis and the urgent need for adequate resources and personnel to police the region and give our members the support and equipment so badly needed," he said.

"Tuesdays announcement of 1,000 new gardai for 2023 will barely cover this, and that is even if these numbers are achieved, which is entirely doubtful.

A Garda spokesman said the incident, along with a ramming of a Garda car in Ballintemple in Cork city on Monday night and an incident in Cherry Orchard in Dublin recently, further highlight the dangers faced by members of An Garda Siochana. The spokesperson said an extensive network of employee support is available to officers.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident or video footage is asked to contact Anglesea St Garda Station on 021 4522000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed treaties for an illegal annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory in a sharp escalation of his seven-month invasion of Ukraine.

He vowed to protect the newly annexed regions by all available means, a nuclear-backed threat at a Kremlin signing ceremony where he also railed at the West.

Ukraines leader immediately countered with a signing ceremony of his own, releasing video of him putting pen to papers that he said were a formal Nato membership request.

Mr Putins land-grab and President Volodymyr Zelenskyys signing of what he said is an accelerated Nato membership application sent the two leaders speeding even faster on a collision course that is cranking up fears of a full-blown conflict between Russia and the West.

The Russian leader has repeatedly made clear that any prospect of Ukraine joining the worlds largest military alliance is one of his red lines and it was among the justifications he has cited for his invasion.

In his speech, Mr Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for peace talks but immediately insisted he would not discuss handing back occupied regions  keeping him at odds with the Ukrainian government and its western backers which have rejected his land-grab.

Mr Zelenskyy said there would be no negotiations with Mr Putin, adding: We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president of Russia. In a Kremlin ceremony at the ornate St Georges Hall to herald the annexation of the occupied parts of Ukraine, Mr Putin accused the West of fuelling the hostilities as part of what he said is a plan to turn Russia into a colony and a crowd of slaves.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to poetess from Donetsk region Bogdana Neshcheret before celebrations marking the incorporation of regions of Ukraine to join Russia. Picture: Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

The hardening of his position, in a conflict that that has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people, further cranked up tensions, already at levels unseen since the Cold War.

The European Union responded to Mr Putins latest step with a joint statement rejecting and condemning the illegal annexation of the four regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

The EUs 27 member states said they will never recognise the illegal referendums that Russia organised as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ukraine vowed to continue fighting, and Mr Zelenskyy announced the accelerated Nato application, although it was not immediately clear what that would mean, since it requires the unanimous support of the alliances members.

De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards. They are real for Ukraine  real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction, Mr Zelenskyy said.

We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the alliance. The Kremlin ceremony came three days after the completion in occupied regions of Moscow-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that were dismissed by Kyiv and the West as a bare-faced land grab held at gunpoint and based on lies.

But Mr Putin, in a fiery speech at the ceremony, insisted that Ukraine must treat the Kremlin-managed votes with respect.

After the signing ceremony of treaties to join Russia, Moscow-installed leaders of the occupied regions gathered around Mr Putin and linked hands, before joining chants of Russia! Russia! with the audience.

A Russian recruit and his wife kiss outside a military recruitment center in Volzhskiy, Volgograd region, Russia, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Picture: AP Photo

Mr Putin also railed at the West, cutting an angry figure as he accused the US and its allies of seeking to destroy Russia. He said the West acted as a parasite and used its financial and technological strength to rob the entire world.

He portrayed Russia as being on a historical mission to reclaim its post-Soviet great power status and counter western domination which he said is collapsing.

History has called us to a battlefield to fight for our people, for the grand historic Russia, for future generations, he said.

The separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine have been backed by Moscow since declaring independence in 2014, weeks after the annexation of Ukraines Crimean peninsula.

The southern Kherson region and part of neighbouring Zaporizhzhia were captured by Russia soon after Mr Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24.

Both houses of the Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubberstamp the treaties for the regions to join Russia, sending them to Mr Putin for his approval.

He has bluntly warned Ukraine against pressing an offensive to reclaim the regions, saying Russia would view it as an act of aggression  threats that Moscow can back up with the worlds largest arsenal of nuclear warheads.

Russia controls most of the Luhansk and Kherson regions, about 60% of Donetsk and a large chunk of Zaporizhzhia, where it took control of Europes largest nuclear power plant.

Mr Zelenskyy vowed to keep fighting, saying: The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy. Russia already knows this. It feels our power.
Irans intelligence ministry says it has arrested nine foreigners over recent anti-hijab protests sweeping the country.

In a statement carried by the state-run news agency IRNA, the ministry said those arrested included citizens of Germany, Poland, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was detained for allegedly wearing the mandatory Islamic headscarf too loosely, has triggered an outpouring of anger at Irans ruling clerics.

Her family say they were told she was beaten to death in custody. Police say the 22-year-old died of a heart attack and deny mistreating her, and Iranian officials say her death is under investigation.

Protests in Tehran (AP)

Iran has claimed that the daily protests that have swept the country for the past two weeks were instigated by foreigners.

Protesters have denied such claims, portraying their actions as a spontaneous uprising against the countrys strict dress code, including the compulsory hijab for women in public.

The intelligence ministry statement came after Amnesty International said leaked government documents showed that Iran ordered its security forces to severely confront anti-government demonstrations.

The rights group said security forces have killed at least 52 people since protests over the death of a woman detained by the morality police began nearly two weeks ago, including by firing live ammunition into crowds and beating protesters with batons.

It said security forces have also beaten and groped female protesters who remove their headscarves to protest over the treatment of women by Irans theocracy.

The IRNA news agency reported renewed violence in the city of Zahedan, near the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan. It said gunmen opened fire and threw firebombs at a police station, setting off a battle with officers.

It said police and passers-by were wounded, but did not say whether the violence was related to the anti-government protests. The region has seen previous attacks on security forces claimed by militant and separatist groups.

Videos circulating on social media showed gunfire and a police vehicle on fire. Others showed crowds chanting against the government. Video from elsewhere in Iran showed protests in Ahvaz, in the south west, and Ardabil, in the north west.

Amnesty said it obtained a leaked copy of an official document saying that the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces ordered commanders on September 21 to severely confront troublemakers and anti-revolutionaries.

Amid an epidemic of systemic impunity that has long prevailed in Iran, dozens of men, women and children have been unlawfully killed in the latest round of bloodshed

The rights group said the use of lethal force escalated later that evening, with at least 34 people killed that night.

It said another leaked document shows that, two days later, the commander in Mazandran province ordered security forces to confront mercilessly, going as far as causing deaths, any unrest by rioters and anti-Revolutionaries, referring to those opposed to Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, which brought the clerics to power.

The Iranian authorities knowingly decided to harm or kill people who took to the streets to express their anger at decades of repression and injustice, said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty Internationals secretary general.

Amid an epidemic of systemic impunity that has long prevailed in Iran, dozens of men, women and children have been unlawfully killed in the latest round of bloodshed.

Amnesty did not say how it acquired the documents.

Iranian state TV has reported that at least 41 protesters and police have been killed since the demonstrations began on September 17. An Associated Press count of official statements by authorities tallied at least 14 dead, with more than 1,500 demonstrators arrested.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said on Thursday that at least 28 reporters had been arrested.

Iranian authorities have severely restricted internet access and blocked access to Instagram and WhatsApp, which are used by protesters to organise and share information.

That makes it difficult to gauge the extent of the protests, particularly outside the capital Tehran. Iranian media have only sporadically covered the demonstrations.

Iranians have long used virtual private networks and proxies to get around the governments internet restrictions. Shervin Hajipour, an amateur singer in Iran, recently posted a song on Instagram based on tweets about Ms Amini that received more than 40 million views in less than 48 hours before it was taken down.

The non-governmental Iran Human rights Organisation said Hajipour had reportedly been arrested.
Burma Elon Musk Asked to Provide Satellite Internet for Myanmar Fight Against Junta

Elon Musk in February. / AFP

Activists in Myanmar have asked SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk to provide uncensored internet across the country amid the juntas shutdowns in anti-regime strongholds.

Musks satellite internet firm, Starlink, began operating in Iran this week, amid protests that have caused more than 40 deaths, and it provides services in Ukraine after communications were disrupted by Russias invasion.

According to Access Now, at least 54 of Myanmars 330 townships have internet blackouts, while the junta blocks access to websites and social media platforms, including Facebook, a primary channel for communication. In resistance strongholds, the junta has also cut mobile phone communications.

The civilian National Unity Governments communications minister U Htin Lin Aung asked Musk to offer Starlink to Myanmar after the service was provided in Ukraine and Iran.

Justice for Myanmar stated this week that the junta is taking control of all mobile networks, directly and through proxies, to build a digital dictatorship. Censorship, internet shutdowns and surveillance are routine, the activist group said.

Stand with the people of Myanmar. Activate #Starlink, it said.

Access has been cut in Sagaing and Magwe regions and Chin State, where resistance forces are strong. The blackout impedes the release of information about the conflict.

Messages on Thursday on Facebook and Twitter said Myanmar urgently needed Musks help.

One user said the internet shutdown was intended to stop the international community from seeing evidence of junta atrocities.

Myanmar needs Starlink to record crimes and to hold the junta to account, he wrote. Help us and save lives, he added.

Myanmar is unified in opposing the junta which seized power in February last year.

At least 2,324 people, including nearly 300 children, have been killed by regime troops and more than 15,600 people have been detained.
Burma EU Failing to Sanction Myanmar Junta Arms Suppliers: Activist Group

The regime shows off its military hardware during the Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw in March. / Cincds

The European Union has not imposed sanctions on 30 companies arming Myanmars junta, according to rights group Justice for Myanmar (JFM).

JFM identified 31 companies, including firms with links to Europe, that have procured weapons for the regime since the 2021 coup and only the Htoo Group of Companies is facing EU sanctions.

The EUs last round of sanctions on Myanmar was imposed seven months ago with growing numbers of indiscriminate airstrikes, shelling of civilian targets, the execution of political prisoners and child killing, JFM said.

The juntas air and ground attack on a Depayin school on September 16, in which around 11 people were killed, was a reminder that similar acts would continue while the regime has access to arms, the group said.

As long as the junta has access to arms, equipment and funds, it will be able to continue its terror campaign against the people of Myanmar, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity with total impunity, JFM spokeswoman Yadanar Maung said.

We call on the EU to stand with the people of Myanmar and sanction arms brokers now.

Dynasty Group and its subsidiaries founded by Aung Moe Myint, KT Group, Ky-Tha Group and its subsidiaries owned by Jonathan Kyaw Thaung, Mega Hill General Trading, Miya Win International Myanmar Chemical and Machinery (MCM) run by Aung Hlaing Oo, International Gateways Group, Star Sapphire Group of Dr. Tun Min Latt, Sky Aviator and Synpex Shwe. Many of the businesses have links to the EU and all have been sanctioned by the US and UK and some face sanctions from Canada, the group said.

In mid-September, Tun Min Latt of Star Sapphire, which brokered imports of Israeli reconnaissance drones and aircraft parts, was arrested in Thailand on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

Despite his well-documented arms dealing, Tun Min Latt has so far escaped international sanctions, JFM added.

Last year, EU member states voted in the UN General Assembly to stop the flow of arms to Myanmars military, Yadanar Maung said.

The EU must take concrete steps to cut the juntas access to arms, intensifying sanctions against arms brokers and all other business interests, she added.

At least 2,324 civilians, including nearly 300 children, have died at the hands of the junta since last years coup, while over 15,600 people have been detained.

The 30 companies identified by JFM:

Asia Golden Phoenix Consultancy Services Company Limited

Com and Com Company Limited

Creative Exploration Ltd (formerly MySpace International Company Limited)

Dynasty International Company Limited (also known as Dynasty Group of Companies)

Galaxy Shine Company Limited (formerly Aung Sein Hein Company Limited)

Ky-Tha Industrial Development Company Limited

Kyaw Htet Kyaw Company Limited

L T Resources Company Limited

Mega Hill General Trading Company Limited

Miya Win International Limited

Myanmar Chemical and Machinery Company Limited (MCM)

Myanmar Consultancy Company Limited (MCC)

Myanmar New Era Trading Company Limited

Sky Aviator Company Limited

Star Sapphire Trading Company Limited

Synpex Shwe Company Limited

Terabit Wave Company Limited

Trident Marine Company Limited

Yadanarbon Fibre Services Company Limited

Yangon Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (YAECO)

Gateways Hongkong Company Limited

Myanmar Avia Export Company Limited

Yatanarpon Aviation Support Company Limited

Atland Services Pte Ltd

Bright Sky Group Private Limited

Dynasty Excellency Private Limited

Ky-Tha Trading Private Limited

MCM Pacific Private Limited

MWG Limited

Venture Sky International Limited
Burma Man Injured as Myanmar Junta-Run Airlines Plane Comes Under Fire in Kayah

The injured man is treated at Loikaw Hospital.

A passenger on a flight operated by a junta-controlled state-run airline was wounded when the aircraft came under fire while landing in Kayah State, a stronghold of the anti-regime resistance, on Friday morning

The Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) plane was hit by a number of bullets during landing at Loikaw Airport.

The junta said the attack was carried out by the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), a local political organization fighting for independence in Kayah State, and People Defense Force (PDF) groups, who have been fighting against the regime.

However, Khu Daniel, the KNPPs secretary, denied the group was involved in the attack, saying the party has strictly ordered its armed wing, the Karenni Army (KA), not to target civilians. The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), which groups a number of local PDFs, was not available for comment.

A middle-aged man on board the plane suffered wounds to his cheek and was being treated at a hospital.

Pictures of the aircraft showed bullet holes in the fuselage.

Kayah State is one of the centers of anti-regime resistance in the country, with many PDFs forming there since last years military coup.

Fighting between junta troops and resistance forces has been reported nearly every day, and the regime still does not have the area under its control despite using air strikes and artillery shelling.

In December last year, local resistance group the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) warned residents of Kayah State not to travel by air to and from Loikaw, the Kayah capital, saying the Myanmar military was using the airport to deploy troops and weapons, making it a potential target for civilian resistance fighters.

The PDF also urged people not to travel on junta-controlled MNA because it generates revenue that the regime uses to oppress the people and fund attacks on PDF groups rebelling against military rule.

On Monday, 15 Myanmar military soldiers including a senior officer were reportedly killed in Kayah States Demoso Township when a combined force of Karenni resistance groups attacked regime troops occupying a village.

Junta troops have been intermittently shelling Demoso and Moebye, a township that borders Kayah and southern Shan State, local people said.
Burma Over 20 Myanmar Junta Personnel Reportedly Killed in Resistance Attacks

Resistance fighters from Cobra Column in Karen State in August. / Photo- Cobra Column

Over 20 regime personnel, including four army captains and junta informants, were reportedly killed on Thursday along with a number of resistance fighters when Peoples Defenses Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) attacked military regime forces in Rakhine, Mon, Shan and Karen states and Mandalay, Sagaing and Yangon regions.

Two political prisoners were also rescued on Thursday in Mandalay, when resistance fighters from Truth Keeping Force  Amarapura ambushed a vehicle transporting eight prisoners in Amarapura Township. The prisoners were being transferred from the police station in Kyaukse to Mandalays Obo Prison. Two regime police died in the ambush, which occurred as junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was visiting Mandalay.

Yangon attacks

A junta policeman and two regime administration staff were killed in two attacks in Yangon on Thursday. The police officer was shot dead on Thursday afternoon while guarding a religious building in downtown Yangon. After the attack, regime forces reportedly shot dead a passing trishaw driver and male civilian.

South Dagon Guerrilla Force claimed to have killed Daw New Ni Hlaing, part of the juntas administration in South Dagon Township and a member of the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The resistance group claimed that the victim was a junta informant and an organizer of pro-regime rallies in Yangon. Another South Dagon official also died in the attack when they attempted to defend Daw New Ni Hlaing.

Arakan Army kills 12 soldiers in Rakhine

Attacks on Thursday by the Arakan Army (AA) reportedly killed 12 regime soldiers in Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Mrauk-U townships in Rakhine State, according to local media.

10 regime soldiers were killed on Thursday afternoon near Maung Sawe Village in Mrauk-U Township when AA fighters ambushed a junta detachment with mines. Regime forces from the Mrauk-U-based Battalion 378 responded with artillery strikes targeting Maung Sawe Village, which injured a three-year-old girl, Ma Myint Myat Khine, and 14-year-old Ma Khin Moe Aye. 10 villagers were reportedly detained by junta troops after the clash.

Two junta troops were also killed and five others wounded at the border of Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun Townships when AA fighters ambushed them as they were on their way to collect food supplies, said the Western News quoting an AA official. A vehicle and its driver were also captured in the attack.

On Thursday afternoon, the AA also ambushed regime forces collecting food supplies in Rathedaung Township.

Four junta officers killed in Shan State

Four army captions, two of whom were doctors, were killed in Namkham in northern Shan State on Thursday evening, when a resistance group threw a bomb into their vehicle, local media reported. A video of the attack showed the vehicle on fire.

Regime militia leader killed in Mon State

Pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia leader Soe Win was killed by Thaton-PDF on Thursday while he was at a teashop in Mon States Thaton Township, said Thaton-PDF. Documents seized by the resistance group identified Soe Win as a member of the Myanmar military-backed USDP. A gun was captured from the victim.

KNLA attack in Myawaddy

A junta soldier was killed on Thursday by Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) snipers in an ambush in Myawaddy Township, Karen State.

Currently, there are daily clashes in Myawaddy as KNLA fighters and allied PDFs attack a regime force attempting to occupy an area around Taungni Village.

Sagaing Clashes

Two resistance fighters were killed in a firefight on Thursday morning in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, according to Indaw Revolution (IR), the media wing of Indaw-PDF. The clash broke out between two villages when Indaw-PDF ambushed a junta detachment with mines.

Over 200 regime troops in two detachments also raided Hmanlal Village and arrested a villager with mental health problems and two healthcare workers. Villagers have reportedly been asked to pay a ransom for their release.

On Wednesday, one of the two junta detachments killed a 20-year-old man and torched four houses during a raid on Aung Kone Village in Indaw Township. Later on Wednesday evening, the other detachment killed a resident of Hinnu Village who had been detained as a human shield following a PDF ambush on the detachment, said IR.

Currently, military regime forces are facing near-daily attacks from PDFs and EAOs across Myanmar.
Burma Over 20,000 Magwe Villagers Flee Myanmar Junta Raids

Displaced people in Seikphyu Township / CJ

More than 20,000 villagers have fled their homes amid Myanmar junta raids on 16 villages near regime-owned factories in Seikphyu Township, Magwe Region, since September 15. Around 59 houses have reportedly been torched in raids.

Three groups of troops, including around 120 from Seikphyu, approximately 160 from Pakokku and about 150 from Htammakauk village, have been raiding the villages, according to residents.

The troops come from two ordnance factories and air-defense forces in Seikphyu, said the Northern Seikphyu Peoples Defense Force (NSP).

An NSP information officer said: As Seikphyu is dotted with oil wells, they make pre-emptive attacks on resistance forces. They fear Wazi [Security Print Works] and ordnance factories in the township will be harmed. They aim to destroy the resistance.

A volunteer helping displaced people said: Villagers could only flee to western Seikphyu. Around 20,000 villagers have fled. We accommodated them in schools and monasteries.

Villagers fear junta troops will torture and kill them after claiming they support the resistance, he said.

Junta troops reportedly shot dead a 30-year-old man in Anauk Kanphyu village during a raid. In Pakokku Township, Magwe Region, 16 houses were burned down in Lay Taing village and 43 more were burned in Myit Pyar village by junta troops. A young man was detained over alleged ties to the resistance.

The NSP said it controls more than 15 villages along the Yaw River near the border with Pauk Township in northern Seikphyu. The group said it conducts guerilla warfare against junta troops and avoids frontal assaults.

Junta troops withdrew from Seikphyu on Thursday morning but villagers have not returned to their homes as troops are still reportedly deployed in Htammakauk village.
When we think of data, or digital technology generally, we typically think of relatively new companies. AWS came to life back in 2006. In tech thats mature.

So, it is a bit of a surprise to see a company that is more than 100 years old playing in the data business. But that is how these conglomerates work, and Hitachi is a classic.

Hitachi was founded back in 1910, making electric motors for mining operations. The company has over 900 business units and there is hardly an industry sector the company does not operate in and has been particularly strong in the automotive, construction and defence sectors. Moreover, Hitachi does have strong technology credentials.

Hitachis data business is formally known as Hitachi Vantara, and was formed in 2017 through a combination of Hitachi Data Systems, Hitachi Insight Group and Pentaho, a specialist data integration software company, which Hitachi acquired in 2015.

Im impressed by how successful these conglomerates are at picking up new companies, and I recently said much the same thing about Honeywell. Acquiring and integrating new corporate capabilities is in their DNA. And, from what I can tell from talking with George Dragatsis, Hitachi Vantaras CTO, at the 2022 Gartner IT Symposium ITXpo on the Gold Coast, the business is well on its way to being a reliable and competitive player in data.

See for yourself in this interview where we talked about all things apps and data.
Microsoft says it is investigating two zero-day vulnerabilities reported to be affecting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019.

A blog post issued by the Microsoft Security Response Centre on Thursday said the first, identified as CVE-2022-41040, was a Server-Side Request Forgery vulnerability

The second, identified as CVE-2022-41082, allowed remote code execution when PowerShell was accessible to the attacker.

Microsoft have a blog out.



Its two new zero days indeed - however they need authentication.



Theres no technical info, but it looks like the Proxyshell issues werent fully fixed. https://t.co/USUC17pMTa  Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) September 30, 2022

British security expert Kevin Beaumont was the first to mention the issue in a series of tweets this morning that iTWire reported, wherein he said that it appeared that a new zero-day had been unearthed.

In the evening, Beaumont alerted his followers to the MSRC post, saying: "Its two new zero-days indeed  however, they need authentication.

"Theres no technical info, but it looks like the ProxyShell issues werent fully fixed."

Microsoft issued updates in May and July last year to fix the ProxyShell vulnerability. Comprising three separate bugs used as an integrated attack chain, the vulnerability allowed attackers to bypass authentication and execute code as a privileged user.

Beaumont wrote a blog post of his own on Friday, in which he listed what he knew of the new flaw at that point in time.

Starting a new thread for two Exchange zero days being exploited in the wild.



Calling it ProxyNotShell for details explained within, aka CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082. #ProxyNotShell pic.twitter.com/Mzjm1qXtEA  Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) September 30, 2022

The MSRC post said it was aware of "limited targeted attacks using the two vulnerabilities to get into users systems".

"In these attacks, CVE-2022-41040 can enable an authenticated attacker to remotely trigger CVE-2022-41082.

"It should be noted that authenticated access to the vulnerable Exchange Server is necessary to successfully exploit either of the two vulnerabilities."

The post added that the company was working to release a fix speedily.

Until a fix was released, the post said a number of mitigations and detection guidance provided as part of the post could be used to avoid any issues.

"Microsoft Exchange Online has detections and mitigation in place to protect customers. Microsoft is also monitoring these already deployed detections for malicious activity and will take necessary response actions to protect customers," the company said.
Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says the laws governing security have not kept pace with technology, adding that the government would work to update legislation to make it fit for purpose.

He told Channel 7's Sunrise program on Thursday: "We need everybody who has Australians' data to take care of it.

"We need to make sure that when there is a hack or data breach, that they immediately notify people that have been affected and notify financial institutions and banks and government so that we can take action and that banks and financial institutions can take action to keep people safe from the effects of the hack.

"So the laws haven't kept pace. The prime minister talked about this yesterday in the Parliament. We're going to make sure that our laws are brought up to date and work to protect Australians."

Optuson 22 September it had suffered a massive data breach. The data that has been stolen includes Medicare details, drivers' licence data and also passport data. The government isthat the telco pay for replacement of these forms of ID where it is needed.

Regarding the Medicare data, the company said in a statement on Wednesday: "Of the 9.8 million customer records exposed, we have identified 14,900 valid Medicare ID numbers that have not expired.

"All of the customers who have a Medicare card that is not expired will be contacted within 24 hours. There are a further 22,000 expired Medicare card numbers exposed. Out of an abundance of caution they will also be contacted directly over the next couple of days."

Dreyfus said the government understood why companies needed to be able to identify people who were opening new accounts or someone who was getting a new phone number and it needed to know who they were.

"That's why we have this identification process, but we then need to think about do these companies need to keep this data? And if they need to keep it they've got to keep it safe. And that's what's happened here - it wasn't kept safe."

Commenting on the breach, Daniel Lai, the chief executive of security firm archTIS, said it raised a number of critical questions.

"Do we have an effective national cyber security strategy?" he asked. "Is corporate Australia pro-active and prepared for the increasing cyber threats? What are the correct legislative incentives to get executives to prioritise cyber security investments?

"However, the biggest question of all is whose data is it anyway? Who owns the data that Optus had a duty of care to protect? Is it the individual, the business or the Commonwealth?

"Without understanding who owns the data, we can never answer these questions. Knowing who is the owner of the information is fundamental when it comes to deciding what the obligations of data custodians like Optus should be when it comes to their obligation to protect, and in case of a breach, compensate the owners (whoever that might be) for damages."

The Australian Computer Society's chief executive Chris Vein welcomed the governments call for reform of the nations cyber security and privacy regulation in wake of the breach.

"Over the past decade we have seen a range of security, data retention, money laundering and privacy legislation to address various problems with little co-ordination between those laws," he said.

As a consequence, it has been difficult for organisation and technology professionals to follow best practice data management while complying with a myriad of conflicting legislation.

ACS sees a review in light of the Optus breach as an opportunity to modernise Australias technology legislation framework with an aim of protecting all Australians while enabling the nations digital champions to compete globally.

ACS cyber security committee chair Louay Ghashash said any review must look at enforcing security best practices with substantial penalties for organisations that failed to do so.

What is the minimum standard for any Australian company to keep their customer data secure? he asked. Unfortunately, there isnt a comprehensive and unified standard across the businesses that we can rely on to ensure companies have a good security control.

There should be a push from the government to establish minimum standard best practice and require companies handling and dealing with sensitive data to implement; but this is a complex task. It will cause a huge burden on smaller companies to implement and comply and therefore must be done using a consultative approach."
Reports are emerging that a new zero-day exists in Microsoft Exchange and that it is being exploited in the wild, a well-known security researcher has warned.

Kevin Beaumont said in a series of tweets that he could confirm significant numbers of Exchange servers had been backdoored, including a honeypot. UPDATE

He added that while Microsoft appeared to be aware of the new vulnerability, the company had not yet informed its customers.

Beaumont pointed to a post by a Vietnamese source named GTSC Cyber Security Company that said details of the vulnerability, noticed in August, had been sent to the Zero-Day Initiative which had verified and acknowledged two bugs.

"However up to now, GTSC has seen other customers also experiencing the similar problem," the report said. "After careful testing, we confirmed that those systems were being attacked using this 0-day vulnerability.

"To help the community temporarily stop the attack before an official patch from Microsoft is available, we publish this article aiming to those organisations who are using Microsoft Exchange email system."

iTWire has contacted Microsoft for its take on the issue.

I just did a sampling from Shodan, and lots of orgs haven't patched for ProxyShell. The exploits for that were pretty much terrible, so if somebody made a good one, they will have a nice time. pic.twitter.com/dFm0qM7QXy  Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) September 29, 2022

The new vulnerability appears to resemble the ProxyShell flaw for which Microsoft issued updates in May and July last year.

Beaumont pointed to one part of the GTSC report which said: "While providing SOC service to a customer, GTSC Blueteam detected exploit requests in IIS logs with the same format as ProxyShell vulnerability: autodiscover/autodiscover.json? @ evil.com/<Exchange-backend-endpoint>&Email=autodiscover/autodiscover.json%3f @ evil.com.

"Also checking other logs, we saw that the attacker can execute commands on the attacked system. The version number of these Exchange servers showed that the latest update had already installed, so an exploitation using Proxyshell vulnerability was impossible -> Blueteam analysts can confirm that it was a new 0-day RCE vulnerability.

"This information was sent to Redteam, and GTSC's Redteam members conducted research to answer these questions: Why were the exploit requests similar to those of ProxyShell bug? How is the RCE implemented?

"GTSC Redteam successfully figured out how to use the above path to access a component in the Exchange backend and perform RCE. However at this time, we would like NOT to release technical details of the vulnerability yet."

One extra - Trend Micro, who own ZDI, have a knowledge base article up, with detection signatures (for their products) for both ProxyShell and specifically this ZDI vuln reference number.

https://t.co/U42n4VeI7p pic.twitter.com/6uLS5RCSXw  Kevin Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) September 29, 2022

Beaumont added that it was not unusual for a significant number of Exchange servers to be backdoored, since the patching process was such a mess, with people ending up on old Content Updates and not patching ProxyShell properly.

"I guess there may be an additional vuln in there, but from the blog it looks like they're reaching it via ProxyShell, an old vuln (that MS didn't push IIS rewrite module for)," he wrote.

"I guess it may be a new _exploit_ rather than vulnerabilities, time will tell.

"The public ProxyShell exploits are terrible  e.g. they hardcode knowing server names, email mailboxes etc - you can in fact exploit without those details."

Contacted for comment, Satnam Narang, senior staff research engineer with security firm Tenable, told iTWire that at this point, Microsoft had not yet confirmed the vulnerability.

There is an unconfirmed report that a zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server has been exploited in the wild since early August," Narang said. The report comes from researchers at GTSC Cybersecurity Technology Company Limited, who say they have reported their findings to Microsoft via the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI).

At this point, Microsoft has not yet confirmed the report. What we do know is that the researchers say this bears similarities to the ProxyShell vulnerabilities that were disclosed last year, which continue to be exploited in the wild by attackers along with ProxyLogon, a set of vulnerabilities that were initially disclosed in early 2021.

It is clear that determined attackers are continuing to find success targeting vulnerable Exchange Server instances using ProxyLogon and ProxyShell despite the availability of patches for well over a year now.

"In fact, in its recent joint advisory with various security agencies around the world regarding Iranian IRGC-affiliated attacks, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) noted that attackers have leveraged ProxyShell to gain access to Australian organisations.

Organisations should prioritise patching their on-premise Exchange Server instances if they have not done so yet and should, out of an abundance of caution, look for signs of compromise in the form of Web shells being placed on their Exchange Server instances, as the web shells are a way for attackers to maintain persistence.

"If it is confirmed to be a valid zero-day and Microsoft does issue patches, we strongly encourage all Australian organisations to ensure they apply the latest set of patches to prevent future exploitation of new flaws within Exchange Server.
Barracuda has grown its Data Protection customer base to more than 40,000 organisations and protects their data in the cloud.

Barracuda Data Protection solutions achieved impressive growth in international markets with sales growth of 75% year-over-year at the end of Q2FY23.

Barracuda grew its Data Protection new business sales by 30% year-over-year at the end of Q2FY23, significantly boosted by the growth in its

Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup provides protection against evolving cyberthreats like ransomware, and is now transactable in Azure Marketplace

COMPANY NEWS: Barracuda, a trusted partner and leading provider of cloud-first security solutions, has recently announced product milestones and strong business growth for its data protection business, which accelerated due to the increasing need for secure backup driven by ransomware and other cyberthreats.

Through cloud-first innovations Barracuda grew its Data Protection new business sales by 30% year-over-year at the end of Q2FY23. Barracuda Data Protection solutions achieved impressive sales growth in international markets with new business sales up 75% year-over-year at the end of Q2FY23. Barracuda has grown its Data Protection customer base to more than 40,000 organisations and protects their data in the cloud.

Business momentum was boosted by the growth in Barracudas Cloud-to-Cloud Backup SaaS product line that protects data stored in Microsoft 365. Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup new business sales are growing at 34% year-over-year at the end of Q2FY23, including 87% growth in international sales.

Now transactable in Azure Marketplace for customers and channel partners that want to take advantage of simplified and streamlined procurement and deployment processes, Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup delivers a fast search and restore experience for Microsoft 365 data, including Teams, Exchange Online, SharePoint, and OneDrive. Compared to traditional backup and recovery solutions, Barracudas cloud-native solution provides greater scale and resiliency, fast performance, and wide global coverage to protect Microsoft 365 data created in the cloud.

We saw strong momentum across our data protection business last fiscal year and continuing into this fiscal year, said Tim Jefferson, SVP, Engineering and Product Management for Data, Networks and Application Security at Barracuda.With the explosive increase in the usage of Microsoft 365 apps, a modern cloud-native approach is required for protection. Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup is built and runs natively in the cloud, which enables fast set up, simple management, and no maintenance for Microsoft 365 apps.

Recent Barracuda Data Protection Highlights:

Customers: Barracuda currently serves more than 40,000 data protection customers worldwide. New customers include: Mendocino Family of Companies (MFC), Belfast Metropolitan College, Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Explore Learning, and more.

Industry Recognition:

Barracuda wins overall in Data Protection category for CRNs 2022 Annual Report Card (ARC)

Barracuda named a finalist for Best Customer Service in 2022 SC Awards U.S.

Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup wins 2021 CRN Products of the Year

Barracuda Cloud-to-Cloud Backup named a finalist in 2021 CRN Tech Innovator Awards

Barracuda wins Data Protection Company of the Year at 2021 Storage Awards

Barracuda Web Application Firewall Named a Strong Performer by Independent Research Firm

Report looks at "12 providers that matter most," evaluating current offering, strategy, and market presence



Barracuda, a trusted partner and leading provider of cloud-first security solutions, today announced that the Barracuda Web Application Firewall (WAF) has been named a Strong Performer in "The Forrester Wave: Web Application Firewalls, Q3 2022." The Barracuda WAF was specifically cited as, a good choice for customers prioritizing user experience.

According to the Forrester report, Barracuda has the most granular and intuitive anti-data-leakage features that we saw, with a range of out-of-the-box data types, the ability to define custom data types, and settings for the number of initial or trailing characters to display. Reporting and rule creation features are strong, if not quite differentiating.

"Barracuda offers customers strong protection against todays challenging threat environment, including the increasing volume and sophistication of application layer attacks, said Tim Jefferson, Barracuda SVP, Engineering and Product Management, Data, Network and Application Security. "We provide our customers with comprehensive, enterprise-grade application security that goes beyond traditional WAF protection. We believe the results of this report reinforce the trust our customers have in our WAF technology to meet their evolving application security needs."

Download a complimentary copy of The Forrester Wave: Web Application Firewalls, Q3 2022: https://www.barracuda.com/forrester-wave-web-application-firewalls-report-Q3-2022

Resources

Read the blog: https://cuda.co/51625

Get more information about Barracuda Web Application Firewalls:https://www.barracuda.com/products/webapplicationfirewall

Get information about Barracuda Vulnerability and Remediation Service: https://www.barracuda.com/products/vulnerabilitymanager

About Barracuda

At Barracuda we strive to make the world a safer place. We believe every business deserves access to cloud-first, enterprise-grade security solutions that are easy to buy, deploy, and use. We protect email, networks, data, and applications with innovative solutions that grow and adapt with our customers journey. More than 200,000 organisations worldwide trust Barracuda to protect them  in ways they may not even know they are at risk  so they can focus on taking their business to the next level. For more information, visit barracuda.com.
Australian betting company Tabcorp (TAB), has released the first version of a new app which the company says was made possible by its digital transformation program.

TAB has adopted the Google's Flutter platform for its digital transformation program.

Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit used to develop cross platform applications for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, Google Fuchsia, and the web from a single codebase.

Tabcorp Chief Information Officer Alan Sharvin said the Flutter platform had transformed how TAB could get new products to market.

Weve revolutionised the way TAB develops digital products," he said.

Using the flutter platform has allowed to increase our speed to market by 160%. We used to have multiple code bases running at once  weve now streamlined that into one which ensures we can get products out faster than ever before.

Weve now got the capability to upgrade products fortnightly if we want. Flutter is used by some of the worlds biggest brands and were excited to be the first wagering company in Australia to use it. This accelerates our Product Development opportunities.

According to TAB, the new app release is the first of multiple upgrades of TABs digital experience which includes among others:

Making it faster to make transactions





Enabling customers to see their closest venue.





A personalised home page.

TAB says it is also working on a social function and new features that will be released before Christmas this year.



Tabcorp Chief Executive Officer Adam Rytenskild said the app had been released in readiness for the major events including Melbourne Cup week and AFL and NRL Grand Finals.

We want to be customer obsessed in everything we do and this is the first of what will be regular upgrades of our app to transform the digital experience, he said.



Tabcorp Chief Customer Officer Jenni Barnett said TABs product team was already working on the next phase of TABs digital upgrade.

"The new app is now live and were already working on upgrading it  theres no set and forget for us, she said.
Google consumer gaming service Stadia is to shut down due to poor take-up, the company has announced.

In a blog post, Phil Harrison, vice-president and general manager of Stadia, said though Stadia had been built on a strong technology foundation, "it hasn't gained the traction with users that we expected so weve made the difficult decision to begin winding down our Stadia streaming service".

Phil Harrison



1992-2008: Quit after disaster PS3 launch

2008-2010: Infogrames/Atari, filed for bankruptcy in 2013

2010-2012: Gaikai, bought by Sony

2012-2015: Quit after disaster Xbox One launch

2018-2023: Google Stadia closes in less than 5 years



Bad juju pic.twitter.com/7adpKjHLey  MauroNL (@MauroNL3) September 29, 2022

Users will receive refunds for the hardware they have purchased and also be paid back money they have spent on purchases made through the Stadia store.

Stadia was launched in March 2019 and joins a host of other Google projects that have fallen by the wayside. A total of 274 services, apps and hardware have been thrown overboard.

the google stadia news reminded me of my favorite Goomic pic.twitter.com/EXvbMgDHu6  Tegiminis (@tegiminis) September 29, 2022

There are so many projects the search behemoth has abandoned that a developer namedhas set upcalled the Google Graveyard listing all of them.

Among the corpses are Google Hangouts, Google Chrome Apps, Android Auto for phone screens, Google Assistant Snapshot and a host of others.

Harrison added: "Players will continue to have access to their games library and play through 18 January 18 so they can complete final play sessions. We expect to have the majority of refunds completed by mid-January, 2023."
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.
Sales volume of China's convenience stores maintains high growth rate of over 10 percent for three consecutive years

People's Daily Online) 09:28, September 30, 2022

The sales volume of convenience stores in China has maintained a high growth rate of more than 10 percent for three consecutive years, according to a report released recently by the China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) and KPMG.

Photo shows visitors in front of a smart convenience store at the second China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province. (Photo/Yuan Chen)

In 2021, the sales volume of convenience stores in the country reached 349.2 billion yuan (about $48.8 billion), up 17.7 percent year on year. The sales volume of chain convenience stores hit 305 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 12.3 percent.

According to data from the CCFA, the sales growth rate of China's convenience store industry increased from 13 percent in 2019 to 16 percent in 2020 and reached 17.7 percent last year, outperforming other physical retail store categories, which bucked the trend after brick-and-mortar stores, especially supermarkets, had been hit hard by the COVID-19 epidemic since the beginning of 2020. Last year, sales of the top 100 supermarkets in the country saw a declining trend.

In addition, the number of convenience stores in the Chinese mainland reached 253,000 in 2021, up from 132,000 in 2019.

Convenience stores have proliferated in big cities thanks to their advantages such as a diverse range of goods and long business hours, and the number of stores serving local communities has also expanded.

The proportion of stores serving local communities out of China's total convenience stores rose to 58.7 percent in 2021 from 30.4 percent in 2019, and over half of convenience stores offered community-based group buying services, the report said.

China's support for the development of convenience stores is an important reason for the sector's rapid growth. In May last year, the Ministry of Commerce and other departments issued guidelines on building 15-minute community life circles in cities and encouraging the development of convenience stores in communities.

Photo shows a 7-11 convenience store in Chaoyang district, Beijing. (Peoples Daily Overseas Edition/Wang Wenzheng)

The sector's growth can also be attributed to convenience stores' unique advantages in their ability to meet the needs of consumers, who prefer nearby brick-and-mortar retail stores to avoid crowds and new business models such as community-based group buying and instant retail, due to the impact of the epidemic.

Meanwhile, thriving instant retail has given a leg up to the development of China's convenience store industry. Nowadays, brick-and-mortar convenience stores are capable of delivering foodstuffs, beverages, vegetables, fruits, and medicines, among other goods, to customers within an hour through efficient third-party or self-owned logistics systems after orders are placed online.

"In the past, I bought food from supermarkets' online platforms. Due to long distances and limited delivery capability, my orders were always delayed. Sometimes, I had to place an order one day in advance," said He Miao, a resident of Haidian district, Beijing.

"Nowadays, I buy vegetables from a nearby convenience store that has third-party logistics services, which ensures that the vegetables can be delivered to me within 45 minutes after I place an order online," He added.

Data from Chinese food delivery giant Meituan showed that orders related to instant retail of branded convenience stores on the platform soared 39 percent year on year between January and July this year.

According to the report, 88 percent of Chinese convenience store enterprises launched online businesses in 2021, up from 29 percent in 2016, and over 70 percent of these enterprises did online business by working with third parties.

Pei Liang, head of the CCFA, said instant retail benefits both online platforms and brick-and-mortar retailers by integrating online and offline resources.

Experts believe that convenience stores will provide more services for daily life, such as catering, fuel charging, laundry, and delivery services.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Finland said Thursday it will bar Russians with Schengen tourist visas from entering the country at midnight (2100 GMT) following a surge in arrivals after Moscow's mobilisation order.

"The decision aims to completely prevent the current situation of Russian tourism to Finland and the related transit through Finland," Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told a press conference.

Haavisto cited damage to "Finland's international relations" as a justification for the decision and said Russia's mobilisation had a "significant impact" on the Finnish assessment.

The "illegal referendums in Ukraine" and the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea "have added to concerns", Haavisto said.

Restrictions include exceptions on human rights grounds, and Russians can still enter Finland to meet family, work, or study.

"The decision must also not prevent travel for humanitarian reasons," Haavisto added.

Interior Minister Krista Mikkonen said it was possible the restrictions would trigger an increase in asylum applications and illegal border crossings.

Mikkonen said that someone being called up for mobilisation itself was not grounds for asylum -- unless it can be shown, for example, that the individual might be forced to commit war crimes or is subject to disproportionate punishment.

"But those decisions are always taken individually by the authorities," she said.

Even before Russia's mobilisation order Finland had restricted the number of visas issued to Russians, as tourism from its eastern neighbour had caused discontent due to the war in Ukraine.

But Haavisto noted that the restrictions in place were not "sufficient" in the current situation.

- 'Horribly unpleasant' -

Fearing that Russia could close its border "forever" following the mobilisation order, a growing number of Russians, many of fighting age, have been rushing to cross into neighbouring Finland in recent days.

Most of them have rushed to the Vaalimaa border crossing in the south.

The number of daily crossings hovered around 7,000 or 8,000 last weekend and earlier this week, but numbers began to decline on Wednesday.

"I just made it through, I don't know how the others will get through. It's sad, sad", Andrei Stepanov, a 49-year-old Russian told AFP of the new restrictions.

"I feel sorry for the others, they're already like in prison there. Now it's even worse", said Stepanov, originally from Samara, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the Kazakh border.

"We already were behind the iron curtain, now the curtain will be even thicker. It's horribly unpleasant", lamented Aleksander Veselov, a 64-year-old from Saint Petersburg.
When Gambias Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) wrapped up in November last year, its end was greeted with excitement and hope for a much-awaited second part of the post-dictatorship justice response, mostly criminal justice and reparations. Which meant implementing the TRRC key recommendations.

We executed our mandate almost flawlessly and submitted our final report and recommendations to the government, and we closed shop, said Commissions former executive secretary Dr. Baba Galleh Jallow, looking back on their work.

The TRRC inquiry has found former dictator Yahya Jammeh directly and indirectly responsible for arbitrarily killing of at least 232 people. One of those victims was Jammehs own cousin Haruna Jammeh, the father of Isatou Jammeh. Haruna Jammeh was killed by the former leaders hit-squad called Junglers, according to one of its members Omar Jallow, who confessed before the Truth Commission in June 2019 to have participated in the execution. But like many other victims, Isatou Jammeh said the excitement that greeted the TRRCs work has faded.

No government implementation plan

It has been 10 monthsfrom November 25 to nowsince Gambian president Adama Barrow received the TRRC final report on human rights violations under the Jammeh, and nine since he officially accepted it. In May the government issued a white paper accepting all but two of the Commissions 265 recommendations. The Justice minister Dawda Jallow promised action would be taken on Jammeh-era crimes, announcing that letters had already been drafted to officials recommended to be sacked or banned by the Commission for involvement in human rights abuses.

But four months after the promise, none of the officials have been fired. Those who should have been banned from holding public office continue to work or are sent on administrative leave.

Every time you have them at workshops, they say the same things. We are tired of hearing what the Ministry (of Justice) intends to do. Let us see these things so that we can believe something is going on, said Isatou Jammeh.

The implementation of the recommendations of the TRRC  as envisaged by the former Justice minister Abubakarr Tambadou  is to be monitored by the National Human Rights Commission. The problem though, according to the rights commissions chair Emmanuel Joof, is that the government is yet to come up with an implementation plan, that they could use as a checklist.

Lack of political will?

The relationship between President Barrow and the Jammehs victims has been a tough one. Quite often Barrow chose political expediency over justice. One such case was his attempt to forge an alliance with Jammeh ahead of the 2021 presidential electionsan attempt refused by the exiled autocratic ruler but accepted by the leadership of his party.

On September 22, Barrow faced Gambian lawmakers for his state of the nation address. The televised address is expected to reveal his legislative and policy plans for the coming year. He had one sentence to say about the TRRC. Following the submission of the TRRC report last year, Cabinet approved the relevant Government White Paper in May 2022 for implementation, said Barrow. No word on justice for Jammeh-era crimes. No word on reparations. No word of any efforts being made to actually implement the recommendations.

And the person who welcomed him into the parliament  the House leader and the third most powerful political official in the country  was Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Jammehs longest serving majority leader in the parliament who, until recently, had campaigned for the TRRC report to be binned. Unsurprisingly his appointment by Barrow was criticized by the victims.

Theres absolutely no political will otherwise it would not have taken nine months since submission of final report and 4 months since the white paper was issued  and still theres no action or direction, said Gambias leading rights activist Madi Jobarteh. All we hear is the Minister of Justice lamenting the lack of capacity and resources and that the reparations bill will come in 2023.

No money

At this point, the Ministry of Justice has also failed to produce a prosecution strategy or even decide on a model of a court to handle serious crimes cases. Everything, except the selective implementation of the Commissions recommendations on the sacking and banning of public officials, is stalled.

Following a Never Again march by victims in October 2021, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement promising to budget D150 million (about 3 million dollars), for the implementation of the TRRC recommendations for 2022. It didnt come through. Instead, Jallow confirmed to the human rights committee of the National Assembly in June that they have no money to implement the recommendations for this fiscal year.

Many of these recommendations require only simple reforms that do not require much money, if at all, said former lead counsel of the TRRC Essa Faal. These low-hanging fruits could be harvested. Such steps will show commitment and will reinforce the hopes and aspirations of many Gambians for justice in this matter. That could be a good start.

Delayed reparations bill

After the sale of the assets of Jammeh, who lives in Equatorial Guinea, the Gambia government promised to pay D100 million (1,8 million dollars) to the TRRC reparations fund. Only D50 million were paid. In addition to this, Tambadou announced in August 2019 that Senegal had contributed D50 million to the TRRC Trust Fund. According to a source who got direct knowledge of the donation this money was from proceeds of the sale of over 2000 tons of Senegalese timber confiscated in the Gambia. When sold by the Gambian authorities, they sent D50 million to Senegal in December 2019, which were returned as Senegals contribution to the TRRC.

But it isnt clear where the donation money went. The timber sale was not yet completed at the time and the government decided to give out the D50 million from the Jammeh assets. Meaning that Senegals donation is still outstanding, claimed a senior official of the Justice Ministry who does not want to be named.

By July 2021, the Truth commission has already paid a significant amount of reparations from the D50 million it had received. The TRRC full reparations assessment would require a pay-out of little over US$4 million, TRRC chairman Lamin Sise and his deputy Adelaide Sosseh said in a press conference on July 16, 2021. This leaves a revenue shortfall of US$3.3 million, including US$625,610 to be paid to families of West African migrants killed in Gambia in 2005. However, the government said it is working on a reparation bill to be tabled next year that will take care of the remaining reparations.

The Ministry of Justice should have done a capacity assessment to determine what technical capacities are required for investigations, prosecutions, reparations, and other aspects of the implementation process, said Jobarteh. They should cost the entire TRRC recommendations so that theres an indicative figure. This will help to determine what the government can provide and where the rest of the money should come from.
Before dawn on Friday, shots rang out around Burkina Fasos presidential palace and the headquarters of the military junta, which itself came to power in a coup last January, witnesses told AFP.

Troops blocked several main roads in the capital Ouagadougou, AFP journalists said, and state television was cut short, broadcasting a blank screen reading: No video signal for several hours.

I heard heavy detonations around 4:30 a.m. (04:30 GMT) and now the streets around my house have been cordoned off by military vehicles, said a resident who lives near the presidential palace.

The reason for the shots was not immediately clear.

During the morning, an AFP cameraman heard more gunfire in the Ouaga 2000 neighborhood, which is home to both the presidential and military juntas headquarters.

Soldiers patrolled the citys main intersections, particularly Ouaga 2000, but also outside the state television center, an AFP journalist said. The video signal was restored around 0915 GMT.

In Brussels, the EU expressed concern about events in the Burkinabe capital.

Military movement was observed from 04:30 this morning. The situation remains particularly confused, said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali.

 Curb jihadists 

Violence has long rocked the landlocked West Africa country, where Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba seized power in a January coup, ousted elected leader Roch Marc Christian Kabore and vowed to contain jihadists.

As in neighboring countries, insurgents linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have fueled the unrest.

Damiba fired his defense minister earlier this month and took on the role himself.

The mini-shuffle, the first since a caretaker government was appointed in March, saw the induction of just one new minister  Maj. Col. Silas Keita was appointed ministerial delegate for national defense and promoted to brigadier general.

Since 2015, when the insurgency spread to Burkina Faso, which has since become the epicenter of violence across the Sahel, fighting has killed thousands and displaced some two million.

Attacks have increased since the beginning of the year, despite the juntas vow to make security its top priority.

 Bloody September 

September was particularly bloody.

On Monday, suspected jihadists attacked a convoy carrying aid to the northern city of Djibo. The government said 11 soldiers were killed and around 50 civilians were missing.

Junta chief Damiba, who has promised to restore civilian rule within two years and defeat the armed factions.

On September 5, an improvised explosive device hit a supply convoy in the north, killing 35 civilians and injuring 37.

Last June, 86 civilians died in a massacre in Seytenga near the Niger border.

More than 40 percent of Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is outside government control.

Much of the impoverished Sahel is fighting the insurgency.

Beginning in northern Mali in 2012, insurgents attacked neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger in 2015. Violence has begun to spread to the coastal states of Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin in recent years.

The deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali has made the north of the coastal states the new front line against armed groups operating in the Sahel, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think tank, said in an April report.

French forces supported Mali against insurgency for nearly a decade, but President Emmanuel Macron decided to withdraw after falling out with the Malian junta after two military coups since 2020.
The residents of recently liberated Izyum, starved of news and contact with the outside world during the six-month occupation by Russian troops, are thankful for a makeshift Wi-Fi spot in the devastated Ukrainian city.

Outside a block of flats, dozens of people stand in front of a sign that reads 15 minutes of WiFi, where an employee picks up each phone and punches in the password.

Izyum, a predominantly Russian-speaking town of about 50,000 before the war, had been completely occupied since April until it was recaptured earlier this month during Kyivs lightning-fast counteroffensive.

Shortly after the liberation, investigative teams found what they said were 447 bodies buried during the occupation.

Local residents told AFP on Thursday that power and cellphone infrastructure networks were badly damaged during the fighting and still havent been restored because a lack of information has kept them in the dark about what happened.

But thanks to an army-provided power generator, they can now reconnect to the internet  at least for a brief window each day.

From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., about three to four thousand a day can connect, Seraphim, a soldier, told AFP.

If too many people are connected at the same time, the internet breaks down, hence the 15-minute limit, explains resident Olga German.

After zero minutes a day, 15 is quite a lot. Now we can catch the news online, compare sources and keep in touch with our families, said the 34-year-old English teacher.

The eight-story block is one of the few buildings in the devastated city that escaped relatively unscathed, though many windows are broken and the sound of sawing and hammering echoes from many floors.

A television screen on a stand next to the queue showed a Ukrainian channel broadcasting news about the war, while people huddled on the floor charged their phones using extension cords connected to the generator.

Residents ate borscht and beetroot soup cooked over a nearby campfire while children chop firewood.

Around the corner on a billboard was a half-torn poster: Russia Forever, it said.

 information vacuum 

German said the six-month occupation felt like purgatory.

We lived in an information vacuum, we couldnt contact our relatives, and we felt that the information we received from the Russians was not objective.

So we lived on gossip and the stories got twisted.

Nadezda Oleksandrivna, a 64-year-old dog trainer who waits for her turn in the queue, said that it feels like being out of news and out of touch with friends, like having a bag on the Head.

It could have serious mental health implications, she added.

Oleksandrivna said she stayed in Izyum during the occupation because she didnt want to leave her two dogs behind.

Before the war, she was an avid internet user, keeping in touch with relatives, bloggers, politics and international news.

Now, she said, she bypasses the 15-minute WiFi limit by returning to the end of the line when her time is up.

For a group of teenagers scrolling around the corner with their phones, the Wi-Fi spot is an opportunity to meet up with friends on Viber and Telegram.

Everyone started texting me, including my friends in Germany and the Czech Republic, they were really worried about me, said 16-year-old resident Anton.

When I first reconnected, I didnt know what to do, I noticed that my TikTok had really changed.
Local law firm seeks compensation for plaintiffs home allegedly destroyed by fire

Yreka, CA September 30, 2022 (PR.com) Reiner, Slaughter, Mainzer & Frankel filed a lawsuit against Roseburg Forest Products Co. in Siskiyou County Superior Court. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Weed resident Tim Smith, alleges his home was destroyed in the mill fire caused by the negligent maintenance and operation of Roseburg Forest Products, Co.s Weed, California property became.

The lawsuit is believed to be the first in the state alleging that Roseburg Forest Products, Co. was the entity responsible for the mill fire, said attorney Russell Reiner. The lawsuit seeks damages allegedly resulting from the destruction of Mr. Smiths home and personal property, all of which were destroyed. The lawsuit is also seeking damages for alleged personal injury resulting from Mr Smith being forced to flee the fire.

The mill fire that broke out on the property of Roseberg Forest Products, Co. on September 2, 2022 is said to have destroyed over 100 homes in Siskiyou County and killed at least two people. The mill fire also reportedly directly affected the firms members, attorneys and employees who are based in Shastina.

Reiner, Slaughter, Mainzer & Frankel has received more than $600 million for its clients  including clients who have suffered losses from wildfires. The firm has represented individuals and businesses in the Northern State for over 40 years and has a reputation for handling the most complex cases.

About Reiner, Slaughter, Mainzer & Frankel, LLP

Reiner, Slaughter, Mainzer & Frankel has represented thousands of individuals and families who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, lumber, ranch lands and rents to preventable fires. The firm has also represented fire victims for claims based on the emotional trauma of fleeing a fire, eviction and forced evacuation. The company holds town hall meetings for other victims
Russia on Friday vetoed a Western motion at the UN Security Council to condemn its annexations of Ukrainian territory, but found no other support as China and India abstained.

Russias veto was a certainty, but Western powers hoped to show Moscows isolation in its war and will take the condemnation effort to the General Assembly, where every nation has a voice.

The United States pushed through a resolution hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow had taken over four areas of Ukraine hosting Kremlin-organized referendums after the land was seized by the Russian military.

This is exactly what the Security Council was created for. Defending sovereignty, protecting territorial integrity, promoting peace and security, said US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield at the start of the meeting.

The United Nations was built on the idea that one country would never again be allowed to take anothers territory by force, she said.

Russias Ambassador Wassily Nebenzia complained that it was unprecedented to seek the condemnation of one of the five permanent members of the Security Council who are vetoing.

Do you seriously expect Russia to consider and support such a draft? And if not, then it turns out that you are deliberately pushing us to use the right of veto, only to rave about Russia abusing that right, Nebenzia said.

The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and Albania, would have condemned the illegal referendums in Russian-held parts of Ukraine and urged all states not to recognize changes to Ukraines borders.

She also called on Russia to immediately withdraw troops from Ukraine, ending an invasion that began on February 24.

 China urges restraint 

Putin visited Beijing shortly before the invasion and agreed to a closer relationship. But China has stopped vigorously supporting Russia, and US officials said Beijing has turned down requests to supply arms.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be protected, said Chinas Ambassador Zhang Jun.

China urges all parties concerned to exercise restraint, refrain from actions that actually increase tensions, and allow room for a solution through diplomatic negotiations.

India, Brazil and Gabon also abstained. Notable yes votes included Mexico, which has tabled a peace proposal, and the United Arab Emirates, which had hesitated over US-led sanctions on Russia.

British envoy Barbara Woodward said the Security Council vote showed that Putins annexation was a fantasy that had no legal effect.

Council members voted in different ways, but one thing is clear  not a single other member of this council recognizes Russias attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. Russias veto doesnt change that fact, she said.

This is the largest violent conquest of territory since World War II. There is no middle ground.
After almost 8 years, Kim Soo Hyun returns to Thailand for a fan meeting.

The Hallyu star is well-loved not only by South Korean but also Thailanders for his amazing performance in "Moon Embracing the Sun," "Dream High 2," "My Love from the Star" and the smash hit K-drama "It's Okay to Not Be Okay."

As the health restriction and borders ease, the 34-year-old top star is set to meet his Thai fans on October 2 at Thunder Dome, Muang Thong Thani.

However, amid the excitement, Kim Soo Hyun's fan meeting made headlines after a fan spent whooping cash to see the actor.

Thai Fan Spends THIS Much to See Kim Soo Hyun

According to various reports, Thai distribution company Lotus will oversee the circulation of tickets where instead of being sold, fans have to accumulate purchases from food courts and shops.

The catch here is that only the first 3,800 buyers who spend over 5,000 baht (around 133 USD) at Lotus stores will be able to attend Kim Soo Hyun's fan meeting.

Interestingly, the first 100 buyers will get to be in the front seat and see the Hallyu star up close. It also includes getting his signature and special merchandise from the event.

However, after the results came in, one fan ended up spending 180 million KRW or 125,905 USD for Kim Soo Hyun's fan meeting VIP tickets while the second top buyer had 151 million KRW or 105,624 USD.

With this, a report cited that a Thai media outlet dubbed Kim Soo Hyun's meet and greet as "the most expensive fan meeting among all Hallyu stars' fan meetings".

As for the netizens, the event gained mixed reaction with some saying that the fans need to buy gold and also meet the actor while the others say that as a fan the amount is pretty worth it.

It can be recalled that the top star and not to mention Hallyu's highest-paid actor visited Thailand in 2014.

According to an outlet, around 2,500 fans welcomed Kim Soo Hyun at Bangkok airport occupying three floors.

Dubbed as "2014 Kim Soo Hyun Asia Tour 1st Memories in Bangkok," a representative of the actor at the time said that they have "never had this much fans at the airport," showing an overwhelming reaction to the South Korean star's massive popularity in Thailand.

Kim So Hyun to Star in Drama Penned by 'Crash Landing on You' Writer

After his comeback to K-drama with Cha Seung Won for the series "One Ordinary Day," Kim Soo Hyun will return to the small screen for "Queen of Tears."

He is in talks to headline the K-drama penned by Park Ji Eun of hit series such as "Crash Landing on You," "The Legend of the Blue Sea" and Kim Soo Hyun's previous drama "The Producers" and "My Love from the Star."

KDramastars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills


OPPOSITION leader Nelson Chamisa says the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has launched a diplomatic offensive in the region and abroad to secure the release from remand prison of legislators Job Sikhala and Godfrey Sithole.

Chamisa said Sikhala and Sithole, who face a charge of public incitement to violence, alongside 14 other Nyatsime residents following violent skirmishes at the funeral of murdered activist Moreblessing Ali, did not commit any offence.

They have been in detention since June 14 and have been denied bail countless times.

We have done everything to make sure that within the confines of legality, constitutionality and peace, we are able to secure their release.

I will not go into detail on what we are doing within the country and across the region and continent and United Nations to make sure that the issue of this pre-trial incarceration is dealt with, Chamisa said at the launch of the partys electoral reform blueprint in Harare on Thursday.

Its a sad day and it continues to be a sad moment. What is clear is that they did not commit any offence.

Their offence is to stand against depression, oppression, corruption, dictatorship and bad governance. That surely cannot be an offence as they were voted on the basis of that platform by the people of Zimbabwe.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has already been petitioned by more than 50 000 people over the continued detention of Sikhala, Sithole and the 14 Nyatsime residents.

Mnangagwa has not commented on the petition, but presidential spokesperson George Chaaramba has declared that the President would not intervene in the case to respect separation of powers between the Judiciary and the Executive.

Chamisa said the continued detention of the CCC members was an assault on democracy.

Its a clear assault on democracy and the will of the people. Its also an undermining of sovereign declaration of the people who elected them. They are not Hounourables by mistake or omission. You do not treat Hounourable members like common criminals, especially on the basis of an allegation which is politically contrived and motivated, Chamisa said.

Analysts have also castigated the 16s continued detention and raised concerns of bias after high-profile criminal suspects such as Zanu PF legislator Mayor Justice Wadyajena and party activist Mike Chimombe were granted bail on their fraud charges.

The treatment of the Nyatsime 16 versus high-profile multi-million dollar fraud suspects is the reason why Zimbabwe needs judicial reforms. The case of the Nyatsime 16 is plain persecution, instead of prosecution, while real criminals enjoy impunity, human rights activist Farai Maguwu said.

This is the summary measure of the degree to which we have failed to attain the aspirations of the liberation struggle and the reason why other countries do not want strong diplomatic ties with us. Rule of Law is the fundamental bedrock upon which modern societies are built.

Political analyst Methuseli Moyo added: On one hand, one would argue that the law has been weaponised. On the other, one would argue that the law has been politicised. Politics has clouded everything. It becomes difficult now to say which is which.

Another analyst Effie Ncube said: All this contravenes the Constitution, which guarantees equal protection of the law and presumption of innocence. Newsday
The enormous mass public demonstrations in Iran could bring a change in regime. The fundamentalist Islamic rulers of the nation must be worried. A large number of cities across the country are experiencing the ongoing protests, though estimates of just how many vary.

The immediate spark for this important development is the troubling death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman of 22, while in police custody. Authorities allegedly arrested her for improper wearing of the headscarf required by the government.

Iran continues to be a focus of frustration for United States foreign policy. The fundamentalist Islamic regime in Tehran has long voiced hostility to Israel as well as the U.S., punctuated from time to time with public threats of apocalyptic destruction.

Consequently, the steady expansion of Irans uranium enrichment program causes understandable concern.

The P5+1 formation is the principal international group dealing with Iran. Nations involved are Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S.  the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Councilplus Germany.

In November 2013, the group, after considerable challenging diplomatic effort, reached an agreement with Tehran. The accord increased international monitoring of Irans nuclear enrichment program in exchange for lifting some economic sanctions. The Trump administration abruptly ended this nuclear agreement.

Immediately after World War II, Soviet troops occupied northern Iran. The Truman administration successfully pressured Moscow to withdraw. Later, British and CIA operatives overthrew the elected government of Mohammad Mosaddegh.

In 1979, revolutionaries overthrew the pro-U.S. Iran regime and Islamic fundamentalism ascended. This abruptly ended Irans previous posture as a close and notably influential American ally. Over the intervening decades, the breach has continued.

After ousting the autocratic Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Islamic militants seized the American embassy, took hostages and held them for months. The lengthy crisis poisoned Tehran-Washington relations and helped Ronald Reagan defeat incumbent President Jimmy Carter in 1980. During the Reagan administration, the U.S. supported Saddam Husseins Iraq in a lengthy eight-year war with Iran.

The 2009 presidential election sparked mass demonstrations against alleged election fraud. Use of cell phones to report the demonstrations revealed broad public discontent. Dictators can no longer completely suppress information, though Tehran is trying.

The Shahs modernization policies over the long term had fostered a relatively well-educated population. There is a sizable middle class. The urban population has been expanding steadily.

Women play influential roles in a wide range of professions. The relatively modern economy  and society  contrast with other nations where fundamentalist Islam plays a major or dominant role.

Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Jimmy Carters national security adviser, remained an interested  and often acutely perceptiveanalyst of Iran developments. Until his death in 2017, he regularly noted publicly that the fundamentalist mullahs running the country face very fundamental problems.

Without a new nuclear agreement, sanctions on Iran could eventually destroy the economy. Brzezinski believed Iran could move in the same direction as Turkey. That nation constitutionally is a secular state, and remains a faithful member of NATO, even though a fundamentalist political party controls the presidency.

Nearly a decade before the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, former President Richard Nixon in his book Beyond Peace argued that invading provocative Saddam Husseins Iraq would be a mammoth blunder, leading to expansion of the influence of Iran, our actual regional diplomatic and strategic rival

History and current unfolding events confirm President Nixons insight, and should guide policy.
THE major power blackout that hit Zimbabwe on Tuesday and Wednesday was reportedly a result of a massive explosion at Hwange Power Stations power generation Unit 4 on Tuesday, NewsDay Weekender has been informed.

Hwange, with an installed capacity of 920 megawatts (MW), produced zero power following the Tuesday explosion, but peaked to 238MW on Thursday, according the Zesa Holdings subsidiary Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)s website.

The situation at Hwange has worsened the countrys already desperate power situation that has seen consumers enduring long power outages lasting more than 12 hours per day.

There was a loud sound and a huge fireball, luckily no one was hurt. However, it is the reason why the power system was disrupted, a source at Hwange told NewsDay Weekender.

The cause of the explosion is, however, still unknown.

Speaking during Thursdays Cabinet briefing, Energy and Power Development secretary Gloria Magombo described the Hwange fault as a system loss.

On Tuesday we had power generation loss from Hwange. We were producing power before 10.25am when we had a system loss, Magombo said.

When contacted for comment on Thursday, Zesa spokesperson George Manyaya said: We will be releasing an update soon.

Earlier on Tuesday, the power utility released a statement blaming the nationwide outage to an abrupt system disturbance linking Harare and Kariba.

However, information obtained from Zesas website showed that Hwange Power Station did not produce any electricity on Tuesday.

Yesterday, according to the ZPC website, Hwange power station was generating just 245MW, while other power stations Harare, Bulawayo, Munyati and Kariba were generating 11MW, 0MW, 14MW and 854MW, respectively, to bring a total of 1 124MW, against a peak demand of 2 200 MW.

Economists said the power outages are seriously affecting industry, which is being forced to cut short their operating hours, while the intermittent power cuts have also affected plant and machinery, some of which need constant power supply.

Government blames the power outages on an increase in economic activities, especially in agriculture, the mining sector as well as the manufacturing sector.

In a statement earlier this week, another Zesa subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), said power outages were due to technical challenges being faced in Hwange and Kariba and import constraints.

ZETDC would like to advise its valued customers that there is increased load curtailment from September 24, 2022. This is due to technical challenges being experienced at our Kariba and Hwange Power Stations as well as import constraints.

The utility is, therefore, conducting a maintenance exercise to ensure full restoration of service, read the statement.

Speaking at a Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) stakeholder consultative workshop in Harare earlier this month, ZETDC acting managing director engineer Howard Choga said the entity was facing import challenges because regional partners now required payments upfront.

Zera has over the past five years licensed over 100 small independent power producers projects with a capacity to generate around 1 300MW, but most of them are yet to come on stream.

One such project is the US$183 million Gwanda solar project awarded to controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Newsday
As a physicians attorney who focuses his practice on physician contract review, I have seen some truly horrendous results after physicians have signed agreements they did not understand. Here are just a few of the war stories I have experienced.

24/7 call for a few years

One physician employment agreement I reviewed had several points that I felt should be clarified. The employers attorney accommodated most of my requests for clarification in the second draft. However, the provision that the physician would be assigned call at the discretion of the practice remained unchanged in the second draft.

I had asked for a specific limitation on call, but in speaking to the attorney, I stated that my client was willing to compromise and agree to an equitable distribution of call coverage. The attorney refused to make this change. He explained to me that his client, as a solo practitioner, had been performing call 24/7 for the past several years. The intention was that my client, therefore, would also perform 24/7 call for a few years. The attorney was concerned that this allocation of call was (as he put it) arguably not equitable.

Needless to say, negotiations continued. Eventually, the owner agreed to share call with the new physician. We were able to convince him that he would never get a physician to work for him with those call requirements. I wonder how long my client would have lasted at that position if she were required to do 24/7 call for months on end?

Any attorney will tell you that an ambiguity is rarely a good thing.

The restrictive covenant goes for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles.

I once represented a physician negotiating an employment agreement with a hospital. This physician was a senior specialist who was very active in the state medical society. As such, he would probably obtain referrals much more quickly than another physician starting in that position.

The hospital we were negotiating with was 63 miles away from his current employer. He had a 65-mile restrictive covenant in his existing agreement. I disclosed this fact early on to the potential employers general counsel. We spent a good deal of time on the phone discussing that restrictive covenant. We both agreed that it would not be wise for the prior employer to go to court to enforce the covenant under these conditions. Both the hospitals counsel and I agreed that a court would almost certainly not uphold that restrictive covenant. Moreover, if the physicians present employer took it to court and lost, all of its restrictive covenants with all of its physicians would be in question.

However, a few days after my discussion with the hospitals counsel, I received a call from that attorney. It was a courtesy call to inform me that the hospital would not be hiring my client. When I asked why, the hospitals counsel was very blunt. The hospital was not interested in going to court, even if it had a superb chance of winning. They were going to offer the position to another physician who did not have a lawsuit attached.

My client had executed the agreement with his prior employer under the assumption that the restrictive covenant was unenforceable. Although he was probably correct, he failed to consider that the market often enforces restrictive covenants that a court never would.

Who pays for tail coverage?

I represented another physician who was still smarting from the effect of a clause that had appeared innocuous to her in the employment agreement with the practice she had just left. She explained to me that her prior employment agreement provided that the practice would pay for malpractice insurance during the term of this agreement. On her last day of work, the practice manager approached her and informed her that it was her responsibility to purchase tail coverage. Luckily, she and her husband had been saving up money as a down payment for a new house. Unluckily, most of that money was spent purchasing tail coverage.

Sometimes an experienced attorney can spot issues that a legally inexperienced physician would not.

The moral of all these stories? What you dont know can hurt you. I am obviously biased as somebody whose career is dedicated to reviewing physician employment agreements. Still, I think a physician should have an attorney well-versed in physician employment agreements review any employment agreement before signing on the dotted line.

Dennis Hursh is a physician contract lawyer. He blogs at Physicians Contracts Blog.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Many people assume that there is a tradeoff between making money and making an impactthat you cant do both at the same time, or at least not to a high level. This has been the prevailing thinking, especially in the business sector.

But over the past few decades, a new field of social entrepreneurship has proven this assumption wrong. A spectrum of possibilities now exists for people aspiring to reap profits and impact at the same time.

What is social entrepreneurship?

Social entrepreneurship is a blanket term encompassing a diversity of organizations, activities, approaches, and intentions. As such, the term often eludes a precise definition.

Generally speaking, social entrepreneurship can be defined as the use of business approaches to solve social problems. Rather than separate commercial processes and social missions, social entrepreneurs combine these two aims into one entity.

Social innovation can manifest in myriad ways along a spectrum, as depicted below:

On one end, a traditional business aims solely to achieve maximum profits or financial value. On the other end, a traditional charity seeks to maximize impact or social value. Social innovation can exist to an extent, even within these two extremes. However, the key differentiator between a traditional business and a social enterprise is that the latter have an impact as an explicit and central reason for their existence. While many social enterprises generate profits, wealth creation is a means to the ultimate end of creating social value.

More distinctive social enterprises exist in the middle of the spectrum. For example, nonprofits have engaged in income generation while for-profits have created a double or triple bottom line, accounting for social and/or environmental impact along with profits. Many social enterprises are unique hybrid entities that combine profit and impact in innovative ways.

Examples

Given its varied scope, social entrepreneurship is best understood through real-life examples.

One early example of a social enterprise is Newmans Own. Founded by actor Paul Newman in 1982, Newmans Own generates income by selling food products like salad dressing, cookies, and frozen pizza. Instead of pocketing this wealth, 100 percent of profits are donated to charities benefiting children. As Paul Newman himself put it, Newmans Own engages in shameless exploitation in pursuit of the common good. Since their founding, they have donated $570 million using this approach.

A more recently established enterprise is Toms shoes. Toms was a famous proponent of the one-for-one model: for every pair of shoes they sold, another would be donated. Toms saw significant early success, largely off their socially-oriented mission, but ultimately faced criticism for not achieving the positive impact they promised. Toms has since switched to donating a third of their profits, though other companies like Warby Parker and Bombas continue using the one-for-one approach.

The above examples are U.S.-based enterprises. But social entrepreneurs operate around the world, solving every problem imaginable.

Proximity Designs in Myanmar designs affordable irrigation systems that increase crop yields and expand opportunities for farmers. Ola Filter sells innovative and affordable filters to increase clean water access for Guatemalans. Uganics is a Ugandan enterprise making affordable soap that acts as mosquito repellant to prevent malaria.

In light of the growing climate crisis, there has been an increasing number of social enterprises targeting environmental impact. Twelve recycles atmospheric carbon to make products ranging from sunglasses, car parts, and laundry detergent. Bowery is innovating new vertical indoor farms that enable sustainable food production in urban areas. Fairphone makes smartphones using responsibly-mined materials.

Social entrepreneurship versus charity

Philanthropy is a powerful tool necessary to create global change.

But charity is not the long-term solution to global development, nor can it be the only means to create global change. As Muhammad Yunus once wrote: Charity is no solution to poverty. Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor. 

While perhaps too harsh overall, Yunus correctly asserts that sustainable global development requires more than just handing things out to people. Social entrepreneurship is, in many cases, a mechanism of empowerment, giving people the skills or tools they need to uplift themselves.

Everyone can and should continue to donate to effective charities as much as possible. But in the quest to promote global development, lift people out of poverty, and solve social problems, more sustainable approaches are needed for the long term. Social entrepreneurship can be one effective approach in this regard.

What you can do

The especially excited and entrepreneurially-inclined reader can start a social enterprise themselves. Online resources are abundant, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce offering a quick start guide here. More comprehensive books are also available, with Ann Mei Changs Lean Impact as a notable example that uses the Silicon Valley-approved Lean Startup method applied to social impact.

However, you dont have to create a new enterprise to support social entrepreneurs. Anyone can support social entrepreneurship by changing everyday purchasing habits. Pay attention when you are shopping.

One easy way to find socially impactful businesses is by checking for B Corp certification. Companies can get certified as a B Corp by demonstrating high social and environmental performance, making a legal commitment  to be accountable to all stakeholders, and exhibiting transparency by having their performance publicly tracked. Some notable B Corps include Ben & Jerrys, Patagonia, and Athleta, but a full database of certified B Corps can be found here.

Finally, impact investing has emerged as a way for individuals to financially support socially-oriented companies while also growing their portfolios. One option is to buy stock from publicly traded B Corps, such as AllBirds or Warby Parker. Another method is to invest in a pre-selected basket of socially-conscious companies via an ESG fund or ETF. More information about impact investing can be found in another article, Purpose & Profit: Impact Investing for Doctors.

Recha Bergstrom is a womens imaging radiologist. She is founder and CEO, The Physician Philanthropist, helping doctors learn how to donate effectively and invest responsibly so they can maximize their positive impact on the world, and can be reached on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Join the private Facebook group, The Physician Philanthropist Group.

Spencer Kelly is an intern.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
A group of Indian people living in Kilkenny have launched a shop local campaign to encourage everyone to keep small, local shops alive.



Last week, some locally based members of the organisation gathered at Joe Lyons fruit and veg shop in Callan, to inaugurate their campaign and urge all of us to use our spending power in our communities.



Shinith Ak, who lives in Kilkenny and is national secretary of Kranthi Ireland, was joined by the secretary of the Kilkenny branch, Anil Ramapuram, and friends to put their money to work by making purchases in the shop.



Shinith explained to the Kilkenny People that the Kranthi campaign is, on one hand, aimed at Indian people who have moved to Ireland, to get to know the businesses, facilities and people in their communities. However, Shinith said: I would also like to ask all people, including Irish communities, please buy Irish items in your local shop at least once a week.



Kranthi has several branches around Ireland and are promoting the shop local campaign nationally.



Since he moved to live in Callan, in 2007, Shinith said he has seen small shops close. If we dont promote them, there will be zero, he said. Statistics show small and medium sized shops are struggling at the moment, he added, and losing them would not be good for communities.

The campaign is calling on people to make a purchase in their small, local shop at least once a week. This is not a one day campaign, Shinith stressed, this will be ongoing.

ABOVE: Representatives of the Indian Kranthi group launched their Local Shopping Campaign at Joe Lyon's Grocery Shop in Callan: Jerin Joseph, Harin Jerin, Tojan Johny, Edwin Thomas, Sherluck Lal, Anil Ramapuram, Shinith Ak, Saijan John, Benny Antony, Pradesh Sebastian and Radhin Ms.

PICTURE: HARRY REID

Reaction to the campaign from businesses has been positive. Those Shinith has spoken to are delighted with the initiative.

Joe Lyons welcomed the group saying: Its very important to support local, in these times. Every town, every village, is facing tough times. Supporting each other is what its all about.

Kranthi is a Cultural Social Organisation of the people of Indian origin in Ireland whose aim is to provide a cultural forum where the Indian Diaspora is encouraged to engage in a continuous discourse between the values of the unique tradition and culture of homeland and the progressive values of Ireland.
Piltown and Fiddowns national award winning Broadband For Our Community (B4OC) fibre network has now been nominated as the only Irish candidate for a prestigious European Award to be decided early next month.

The European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) Rural Inspiration Awards has selected the community run project to give the twin villages of south Kilkenny, which are not included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP), their own future proofed fibre to the premises (FTTP) network.

Piltown and Fiddowns B4OC are the sole representative of Ireland among 111 other nominees for the awards with the winner to be announced in Brussels on October 6.

Representatives of the community and of the projects key supporter, Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP) will attend the ceremony. Declan Rice of KLP urged other communities of Kilkenny to participate in the public vote on the ENRD website.

Its a great honour for Piltown, and for Kilkenny, to see such an innovative and ambitious project go from winning the national award to being nominated for the EU accolade. It obviously doesnt happen very often, and we hope people across the county will take the opportunity to vote online for Piltown, said Mr Rice.

Earlier this year the community company won the overall prize in the IE Digital Town Awards. B4OC have completed the first stage of their vision to install a FTTP network to service over 700 homes and businesses in the villages that are excluded from the NBP.

FTTP is accepted universally as the ultimate broadband solution offering the capacity for as much broadband bandwidth as needed.

We installed fibre in our first node  or section of 70 premises  earlier this year and plugged it in to the internet to give those homes speeds of over a gigabyte, said project manager Jim OBrien.

We now plan to complete the installation in rest of the villages stages before the end of next year.

Brian Doyle, the Chairperson of B4OC explains: One of the governments National Digital Strategy core objectives is to have 100% of households connected to a gigabit network by 2028. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) covers 22% of this and the remaining 78% is meant to be covered by commercial operators. When the NBP finishes in 2026 there will be many houses in small towns and villages not fully connected to a gigabit network (50% in our case).

We believe that we are not the only town or village that sees this as a problem. It is our view that the community-based model that we have implemented could help some way towards meeting the ambitious goals set out in the National Digital Strategy.

A key benefit of owning and operating their own broadband network is that the community of Piltown and Fiddown can set the price of the service at a reasonable level and retain and invest any profits into other community projects.

B4OC is partnering with KLP to explain what they have done to other communities in Kilkenny who are also excluded from the NBP investment.

Callan-based community consultancy: Workhouse Union is retained to work with the partners to organise a series of local workshops in October to explain the development process, which will be followed by a day-long seminar in Piltown in November.

This, the partners hope, will allow those other excluded communities to learn about the pragmatics of the network planning, financing and installation.

We want to use the wonderful work of Piltown to inform and inspire other villages outside the NBP, says Declan Rice.

 If some of those villages want to attempt to emulate B4OC, we will try to assist them in their ambition.

In June, the chairperson of the IE Digital Town Awards judging panel Joan Mulvihill, praised Piltowns win.

The community of Piltown showed extraordinary resolve and determination in putting their town on the digital map, she said.

The support from businesses and landowners in granting access to land, those who prepared the ground and laid the cables, every aspect of this entry is commendable. In recognising Piltown with this award we are confident that this is just the start for them with great things to come. This is truly a lighthouse digital town.

As Piltown and Fiddowns continues the journey in both its own community, and elsewhere in Kilkenny as local champion and mentor, it is good to know that the lighthouse digital town is being recognised at the highest level. To vote, the ENRD website is enrd.ec.europa.eu and search for the Rural Inspiration awards.
Mayor of Kilkenny Cllr David FitzGerald has launched the National Breastfeeding Awareness in Kilkenny.

Cllr David FitzGerald has welcomed the local Kilkenny La Leche League into the Mayor's Parlour in support of the local initiative.

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week is where local groups and national health agencies and come together to share their efforts in the promoting of breastfeeding.

Mayor of Kilkenny Cllr David FitzGerald said:

"This week is of great importance to our next generation as Ireland has the lowest percentage of mothers breastfeeding in Europe. If Ireland is to increase the percentage increase this percentage to be on par with our European counterparts we need to promote, educate and hear the stories of pregnant and new mothers in our community. We need to ensure there is care and support for breastfeeding through support of midwives or community groups right through the mothers journey, for as long as is necessary for breastfeeding to be successfully established and supported.

Cllr FitzGerald also paid tribute to the local La Leche leagues on their work.

National Breastfeeding Awareness Week takes place from October 1 to 7.

"Locally we are lucky to have an established La Leche league who not only promote breastfeeding but also are there in support for members. The La Leche League group epitomises the community spirit, where members join together in sharing knowledge and supporting one another through their journey of motherhood.
Breathtaking autumn scenery of Greater Hinggan Mountains in Inner Mongolia

People's Daily Online) 09:35, September 30, 2022

(Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily's APP)

The blue sky, colorful leaves, and flowing streams at the Ali River National Forest Park in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, present a stunning view as the forest park welcomes the most beautiful season of the year.

A variety of species of trees at the forest park take on various shades including red, yellow and green, making a colorful brocade or an excellent oil painting out of the natural scenery.

With a total area of 2,486 hectares and a forest coverage rate of 94 percent, the forest park has been called "China's forest oxygen bar," according to Gao Yubo, deputy general manager of Alihe Forest Industry Co., Ltd.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
The CDC has issued a new warning to health care providers on September 29 about severe illnesses in people with monkeypox.
The family of Hae Min Lee is appealing a Maryland judge's decision to vacate the murder conviction of Adnan Syed, who was accused of killing the teen and served more than 20 years in prison before his release last week.
Foreign Minister Park Jin speaks to reporters after holding talks with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, in New York on Sept. 19. Yonhap



The National Assembly on Thursday passed a motion calling for the dismissal of Foreign Minister Park Jin as the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) pushed to hold him responsible for what it claims was a disastrous overseas trip by President Yoon Suk-yeol.



The motion was approved in a 168-1 vote boycotted by the ruling People Power Party. The minor progressive Justice Party also boycotted the vote, claiming that Yoon's apology should come ahead of sacking the minister.



The DP, which holds a majority with 169 out of 299 parliamentary seats, has portrayed Yoon's trip to Britain, New York and Canada as a diplomatic fiasco fraught with gaffes and blunders, including his failure to pay respect to the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, the lack of a tangible outcome from a summit with Japan and his use of foul language caught on a hot mic in New York.



Though the recording was not clear due to noise, many thought Yoon was talking about U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden. Yoon's office rejected the claim, saying he was referring to South Korea's opposition-controlled National Assembly and did not mention U.S. Congress or Biden.



"Even after an unprecedented diplomatic disaster in South Korea's history, there has been no heartfelt apology or responsible measure to date," Park Hong-keun, DP floor leader, told a meeting of senior party members.






Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with members of the Security Council via a video link in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 29. Reuters-Yonhap



The United Nations Security Council will vote Friday on a resolution condemning the referendums on annexing several Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine, the council's current president, France, said Thursday.



The resolution  drafted by the United States and Albania and whose exact contents are not yet public  has no chance of passing thanks to Moscow's veto power, though it can then be presented to the General Assembly.



The meeting is set for 3:00 pm (1900 GMT) Friday, ahead of another discussion on the leaks discovered in the Nord Stream gas pipeline.



The text will condemn what the West has labeled "sham" referendums and ask member states "not to recognize any altered status of Ukraine and obligating Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine," U.S. envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Tuesday.



Despite the certainty of Russia's veto on the resolution, all eyes will be on the responses from India and China.






(The Center Square)  The State of Iowa is suing pesticide manufacturers Syngenta and Corteva.

Ten states and the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint Thursday in the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of North Carolina.

They said Syngenta and Corteva have used loyalty programs with pesticide distributors to exclude generic competitors from the market and that those practices are anti-competitive and hurt farmers.

The programs pay distributors of Syngenta and Corteva programs only if they limit business with competing manufacturers, the FTC said. The FTC said the loyalty programs inflate prices for the pesticides even after patents expire and share some proceeds with distributors, inflating prices for farmers and consumers, and they deter distributors from dealing with generic manufacturers or even keep generics out of the market.

"Farmers are paying unnecessarily high prices for pesticides, on top of soaring costs for other inputs, Miller said. The defendants practices are unfair to smaller competitors and ultimately harm consumers.

The lawsuit accuses the companies of violating the FTC Act and the Clayton Act and said the defendants conduct constitutes deceptive and unfair practices that violate the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, as well as other states laws.

The FTC and the states in the lawsuit want the court to end the loyalty programs and grant equitable monetary relief, which would include restitution for farmers in Iowa, Millers office said.

To encourage innovation, companies such as Syngenta and Corteva can initially develop, patent, and register active ingredients in their products and exploit their commercial potential for several years, Millers office said. After those protections expire, generic manufacturers may enter the market with products with the same active ingredients and relying on the same toxicology and environmental impact studies. This competition ordinarily leads to dramatic price reductions, benefiting farmers and consumers.

According to the complaint, Syngenta and Corteva are undermining this system by paying incentive payments, or rebates, to distributors on one condition if they limit their purchases of comparable generic products. Distributors sell the products with branded ingredients to retail outlets, Millers office said.

The complaint said its primary focuses are Syngenta active ingredients azoxystrobin, mesotrione and metolachlor and Corteva active ingredients rimsulfuron, oxamyl, and acetochlor.

Azoxystrobin is a fungicide. Mesotrione, metolachlor, rimsulfuron and acetochlor are used as herbicides. Oxamyl is an insecticide and nematicide.

California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin are the other states that are suing the companies.

Syngenta is based in Switzerland and is a subsidiary of Sinochem Holdings Corp. of China. Corteva is based in Indianapolis.

Iowa gave $1.2 million to Syngenta Corporation and $5.9 million to Corteva, Inc. and Subsidiaries in Research Activities Tax Credits in 2021, the Iowa Department of Revenue declared in February. Iowa legislators and Gov. Kim Reynolds passed a bill, H.F. 2317, this spring to reduce the amount of credit that can be refunded and remove computer use expenses from the kinds of expenses that qualify for the tax credit.
Recently, IVE member Jang Wonyoung's schedule has been packed. Concerns have been sparked over her well-being after she appeared tired during a performance. Keep on reading for all the details.

IVE Jang Wonyoung Draws Concern After Appearing Tired During Performance

On September 25, IVE member Jang Wonyoung left South Korea to attend an event in Paris, France, for the fashion brand Fred. On September 28, she returned to South Korea after a three-day stay.

After her trip abroad, Jang Wonyoung had no time to rest. On September 29, Jang Wonyoung joined IVE for their appearance at a university music festival at Chungbuk University.

While she still put 100% into the performance, the idol appeared noticeably tired during the stage. During Ahn Yujin's ment before "LOVE DIVE," Jang Wonyoung was seen breathing heavily, placing a hand on her chest. Meanwhile, the other members of IVE appeared to be fine.

CHECK THIS OUT: IVE Jang Wonyoung Draws Criticisms Following Resurfaced Video With Leeseo

Many were concerned that the idol was not given ample time to rest before the performance. Others also speculated that she could have lacked sleep due to the timezone difference between Seoul and South Korea.

Many noted that Jang Wonyoung's upcoming schedules are even more jam-packed. On Friday, September 30, the IVE member has to film for "Music Bank" as their MC. That same day IVE will perform at two music festivals, one in Seoul and one outside the capital.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Did IVE Change Makeup Artists After Backlash? Here's What Happened

On Monday, IVE will have a fan sign. It is rumored that after, Jang Wonyoung will be flying out to Paris again for a Miu Miu event.

On October 6, 7, and 8, IVE will perform at university music festivals.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: IVE Jang Wonyoung Draws Mixed Reactions for Saying Slur - Here's What Happened

Due to her packed schedule, many are concerned about Jang Wonyoung's well-being. While people acknowledge that she is IVE's most famous member, they still think she should not be overworked and deserves rest.

DIVEs have trended "STARSHIP LET WONYOUNG REST" on Twitter, expressing their frustration with the company over their treatment of the former IZ*ONE member.

MORE JANG WONYOUNG: IVE Jang Wonyoung's Figure Continue to Alarm Many in Latest Photos

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below.

IVE Recent Activities

On August 10, IVE announced on their Japanese website that they will debut in Japan sometime in fall 2022.

On September 8, a special site was linked to IVE's official Japanese website. The link announced that on September 19, the group would drop a single. That day, they released "ELEVEN (Japanese Ver.)."

The physical version of the said single is set to be released on October 19.

For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Alexa Lewis
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 30 (ANI/PRNewswire): Leading Professional hair care and color brand, Matrix India, dedicated to upskilling small salons and upgrading the hairdressing industry hosted a 2-day mega event in Mumbai - The Matrix Hair Transformers, a hair color and artistry competition, where budding hairdressers across the country competed by showcasing their exceptional talents with a new technique -'COLOR MELTING'. The contest commenced on 15th May and received over a whopping 62,000 entries from hairdressers across 400 cities. With a panel of notable jury members like Tarik Jasarevic - Australian Matrix Artist and owner of T Salon, Binaifer Pardiwalla - Director of Education SAPMENA for Professional Products Division and Melroy Dickson - National Education Head of Matrix India, the participants were judged on several parameters to select the finest hair artists of the year.

Through Matrix Hair Transformers 2022, Matrix India has not only created a platform to celebrate talent but also gave aspiring hairdressers a platform to upskill, elevate and exhibit their artistry skills while also digitally upskilling them to become future-ready. The entries were evaluated based on technique, styling, and presentation, post which 160 semi-finalists were shortlisted across regions. The semi-finalists were then invited to Mumbai to participate in the technical round held on day 1 where they were judged on their coloration skills by the jury. The semi-finalists from across the country competed to create the best Matrix Color Melt looks which was brought to life by a professional photoshoot. This was followed by the jury evaluation and the announcement of the final 20 winners, where the night concluded with a grand celebration.

Also Read | Porn Website Ban: 63 Pornographic Websites Blocked in India; Check Full List Here.

On Day 2, the 20 transformers were invited for an interactive tete-a-tete session with celebrated Matrix Hair artist Tarik Jasarevic which was followed by an informative hair styling workshop by him, Binaifer Pardiwalla and Melroy Dickson. This was followed by a live working session where the transformers got exposure to collaborate and co-create the styling looks on celebrity influencers. The event concluded with a content creation activity with hair artists and experts in the industry. The event was graced by the creme de la creme of the industry that included many renowned influencers like Chetna Pande, Sandeepa Dhar, Daizy Batra, Sakshi Sidhwani amongst others.

Commenting on the event, Suhas Lakhamade, General Manager, L'Oreal India said, "We at Matrix India believe in promoting and nurturing the talent of budding hairdressers as an ongoing mission and strive to provide a unified platform for them to showcase their skills. We do this at grassroot level and fuel their ambition to make them reach their highest potential as hair artists. We are ecstatic to receive an overwhelming response from hairdressers across the nation, who have truly brought this event alive with huge success. It was amazing to see hairdressers from across the country create such exceptional looks with the Matrix Color Melt. Matrix Hair Transformers is not just a competition, it is an ode to talent and artistry in the hairdressing space. We hope to push the boundaries and keep creating an enriching experience for hairdressers with more such platforms."

Also Read | Navratri 2022 Day 6 Colour Grey: Mouni Roy, Priyanka Chopra Jonas Dish Out Outfit Goals in Grey!.

Matrix as a brand was born in the year 1980, by Arnie Miller, who was inspired by the idea of togetherness and synergy. He felt the need to weave together a community of support for every stylist, every hair type and every business model. Thus, Matrix was born, a brand where everyone belonged and felt welcome. Flashback to 2005, Matrix entered the Indian subcontinent and made its presence felt in a rather strewn professional salon ecosystem. Through its journey of over 15 years, Matrix has truly been the guiding force for countless salon professionals inspiring them to 'Think-Believe-Dream-Dare.' Committed to upskilling and upgrading hairdressers from all levels, Matrix has played a pivotal role in supporting the professional industry, even during these trying times.

This story has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The Karnataka state delegation visited Dynamatics Technologies facility center and met Udayant Malhoutra, CEO and MD and James Tucker, COO during the GlM 2022 roadshow in London

London [UK], September 30 (ANI/NewsVoir): The government of the southern Indian state of Karnataka, home to Bengaluru - India's Silicon Valley - is offering European investors a host of incentives in roadshows meant to attract large companies to come "Build in India".

A delegation led by Karnataka Industries Minister will meet a host of potential investors in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to invite them to the Global Investors Meet (GIM) to be held in Bengaluru - home to branches of more than 400 of the Fortune 500 companies - on November 2-4.

Also Read | Satya Pal Malik Says He Will Stay Away From Active Politics Post Retirement As Meghalaya Governor.

GIM 2022 is a flagship investor event for the state of Karnataka. The purpose of the event is to showcase the robust industrial-friendly ecosystem of Karnataka, attract investments from global players, and spread industrialization across the state.

Kicking off the Europe roadshows for GIM 2022 in London yesterday, Dr Murugesh R Nirani, Minister of Large & Medium Industries, Government of Karnataka, who is leading the delegation, said, "The State of Karnataka offers an excellent industrial ecosystem, world-class infrastructure, and industrial-friendly policies. The delegation is here to invite potential investors to the forthcoming Global Investors Meet scheduled in November (2nd to 4th) in Bengaluru."

Also Read | Gubbare Partners with CRY to Fight Evils Impacting Children.

"We aim to showcase Karnataka as the go-to destination for investment. With the key themes of resilience, innovation, sustainability, and equity, we are committed to setting Karnataka's development agenda in line with global best practices and showcasing our strong ability to 'Build for the World'," he added.

Dr E.V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Karnataka, Commerce and Industries, who is part of the State delegation said, "Karnataka State is the preferred destination for investments in the manufacturing and sustainability sectors. Through meetings with top companies in the UK and other European markets, we are looking for collaboration opportunities and to engage with global businesses and thought leaders across sectors. We expect investments in aerospace, defence, pharma, life sciences, auto, EV, and related sectors."

Along with Dr Murugesh R Nirani and Dr E. V. Ramana Reddy, the delegation also includes Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka besides other senior government officials from the state of Karnataka.

During the week-long roadshow, the delegation will be meeting the representatives of UKIBC, Field International. Rolls Royce, Incora, Eaton, Hinduja, Schneider Electric, Dassault Systems, Saint Gobain, Infra Week India, Thales, Thyssenkrupp, Henkel, Bayer, and Mittlestand, wherein the minister will be showcasing the industry-friendly policies of the state and present Karnataka as an ideal investment destination for the European companies.

The delegation will also meet Mona Neubaur, Deputy Prime Minister of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia at Dusseldorf, Germany.

Karnataka - A land of opportunities for European companies to invest

Key Offerings that make Karnataka the most attractive investment destination in India

Investor-friendly policies with multiple financial incentives to create favorable cost economics

Readily available industrial eco-system including a land bank of 50,000 acres that has been earmarked for industrial development.

Highly skilled & trained labor workforce, along with a robust skill infrastructure and subsidies

Well connected to demand centers and gateways with an efficient logistics network

Revamped processes to facilitate Ease of Doing Business

Industrial ecosystem well supported by World Class Social Infrastructure

Invest Karnataka 2022 - Global Investors Meet

The Global Investors Meet 2022 is a platform to join industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from all over the globe to explore new growth possibilities.

Around 5000+ global delegates are expected to attend the Meet. The GIM with contemporary themes will be an opportunity to connect, collaborate and network with global leaders, experience the best of innovation and technology and immerse in the rich culture and heritage of Karnataka.

The Meet will host plenary sessions, tech-driven special sessions, B2G meetings, local food experiences, cultural shows, networking, and much more.

For more information, please visit - www.investkarnataka.co.in.

This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, September 30: Ushering in a new era in technology Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to launch the 5G telecom services on Saturday that seeks to provide seamless coverage, high data rate, low latency, and highly reliable communications system.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to launch the 5G services at 10 am on Saturday at an event organised at Pragati Maidan in the national capital.

On the occasion, the three major telecom operators of the country will demonstrate one use case each in front of the Prime Minister to show the potential of 5G technology in India. Reliance Jio will connect a teacher from a school in Mumbai with students in three different locations in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha. PM Narendra Modi To Launch 5G Services in India on October 1.

This will demonstrate how 5G will facilitate education by bringing teachers closer to students, obliviating the physical distance between them. It will demonstrate the power of Augmented Reality (AR) on screen and how that is being used to teach children across the country, remotely, without the need of an AR device.

In the Airtel demo, a girl from Uttar Pradesh will witness a lively and immersive education experience to learn about the solar system with the help of Virtual reality and Augmented reality. The girl will share her experience of learning with the PM by appearing on the dias through a hologram.

The Vodafone Idea test case will demonstrate the safety of workers in an under-construction tunnel of Delhi Metro through the creation of a Digital Twin of the tunnel on the dias. Digital twin will help give safety alerts to workers in real-time from a remote location. PM will take a live demo from the dias to monitor the work in real-time through utilising VR and Artificial Intelligence.

At the event, PM Modi is scheduled to visit an exhibition where he will witness the demonstration of the use of 5G technology in multiple areas. Make 6 Airbags Mandatory Only When 85% People Start Wearing Rear Seat Belts, Says International Road Federation.

The various use cases that will be demonstrated in front of PM in the exhibition include precision drone-based farming; High-Security Routers & AI based Cyber Threat Detection Platform; Automated Guided Vehicles; Ambupod - Smart Ambulance; Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality /Mix Reality in Education and Skill Development; Sewage Monitoring System; Smart-Agri Programme; Health diagnostics, among others.

5G technology will offer a wide range of benefits to the common people. It will help in providing seamless coverage, high data rate, low latency, and highly reliable communications. Also, it will increase energy efficiency, spectrum efficiency and network efficiency. 5G technology will help in connecting billions of Internet of Things devices, will allow higher quality video services with mobility at high speed, delivery of critical services such as tele-surgery and autonomous cars among others.

5G will help in real-time monitoring of disasters, precision agriculture, and minimising the role of humans in dangerous industrial operations such as in deep mines, offshore activities etc. Unlike existing mobile communication networks, 5G networks will allow tailoring of requirements for each of these different use cases within the same network.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) A 17-year-old boy was shot dead outside his house by unidentified people in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar on Friday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Abdullah. According to police, the incident took place around 4.10 pm in Azeem Dairy area.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu: Madras High Court Directs Police To Grant Permission to RSS Rally on November 6.

Abdullah's elder brother Asif told police that he was inside the house when the firing took place. He said he came out of the house only to see his brother lying in a pool of blood.

Abdullah was declared dead at the Holy Family Hospital, police said quoting Asif.

Also Read | 5G in India: Case Studies by Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea To Be Unveiled by PM Narendra Modi.

The victim was a student of Class XII. Locals are being questioned and CCTV footage is being checked, police said.

On Thursday evening, a Jamia Millia Islamia student was shot at allegedly by another student inside the Holy Family Hospital.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Baramulla, September 30: Two terrorists linked with the proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed after an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Baramulla in the early hours of Friday, Kashmir Additional Director General of Police said. The encounter broke out at Yedipora, Pattan area of Baramulla.

"Baramulla Encounter Update: One terrorist killed. Operation in progress. Further details shall follow," Jammu and Kashmir police tweeted. "Baramulla EncounterUpdate: One more terrorist killed. Both the local terrorists linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM. Search operation in progress. Further details shall follow, said ADGP Kashmir," Jammu and Kashmir further tweeted.

Earlier today another encounter between terrorists and security forces started in the Chitragam area in the Shopian district. Further details are awaited.

On Tuesday, two terrorists were killed in Avhotu village of Kulgam district in operation by the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), said the police. Jammu and Kashmir: Two Encounters Break Out Between Terrorists and Security Forces at Shopian, Baramulla.

On search of the encounter site, two AK series rifles, grenades and other warlike stores were recovered, added the police. The police have identified the neutralised terrorists as Mohammad Shafi Ganie and Mohammad Asif Wani of Takiya, Kulgam. Both the terrorists were members of the Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The army established a quick initial cordon around the suspected cluster of houses in the village which was subsequently strengthened by additional troops. On confirmation of the presence of terrorists in the suspected place, priority was given to evacuating civilians from the cordon to a safe location.

After that, the Army unit attempted to induce the surrender of the hiding terrorists by making repeated surrender calls, however to no avail. While searching the target house, terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing to break the cordon. Troops retaliated with effective fire, foiling their escape attempt and neutralising one of the terrorists. In the ensuing firefight, one soldier sustained a splinter/ricochet injury in the foot.

The soldier was evacuated to 439 Field Hospital, Awantipura. Meanwhile, due to the indiscriminate fire by the terrorist, the Gas Godown in the vicinity of the target house caught fire, leading to multiple explosions. Two Encounters Break out in Shopian, Baramulla in J-K.

Considering the safety of civilian life, efforts by Army and police were pressed in towards dousing the fire by use of water bowsers and foam sprinklers, simultaneously maintaining an impregnable cordon. Later contact was re-established and the second terrorist was also neutralised owing to the accurate fire of the troops.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) Air pollution "shouldn't be viewed as seasonal crisis" and "more solutions to tackle stubble burning" are required in the national capital, environmentalists said after the Delhi government announced the winter action plan to curb air pollution in the city.

Environmentalist Bhavreen Kandhari said there are enough plans to tackle pollution but the "action on the ground is missing".

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"Most of the points mentioned in the action plan of Delhi government have been repeated from last year. The government and authorities should rather introspect as to what worked and what didn't," Kandhari told PTI.

She further stated that the government has "not come up with solutions" to tackle stubble burning.

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"How will the air pollution levels reduce when there is no efficient public transport system, three trees are cut in an hour with due permissions and there is a failed tree transplantation process?" Kandhari asked.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced a 15-point Winter Action Plan, including setting up teams to check garbage burning, dust and vehicular emission, to curb air pollution in the national capital, while calling for a coordinated effort between neighbouring states, the Centre and the city government.

Greenpeace India's Avinash Chanchal said that air pollution is "all year round problem" in Delhi.

"Every year the Delhi government announces such action plans, but it becomes more of a rhetoric than an actual action plan at the ground level. Although every winter Delhi witnesses a huge spike in air pollution levels due to meteorological changes and episodic events like stubble burning with other permanent contributors like transport, waste, industry, we need to stop viewing air pollution crisis as a 'seasonal' or just a winter crisis," Chanchal told PTI.

He further stated the pollution levels in Delhi are "consistently above the national ambient air quality standards" throughout the year.

"It is imperative to adopt a holistic and long-term solution to improve the air quality in the city. The plan needs to address the consistent major contributors like emissions from vehicular, power, industry, waste and other sectors which exist throughout the year," he said.

Announcing the Winter Action Plan, Kejriwal said the government will spray bio decomposer for free to tackle stubble with the coverage area to be increased from 4,000 acres to 5,000 acres this year.

The government's anti-dust campaign will begin from October 6 with 586 teams being formed for regular inspection of construction sites to ensure compliance. The government has already announced a ban on production, storage, distribution and purchase of firecrackers and 210 teams have been formed for surveillance.

"It is good to see government's communication on actions to be taken under various air quality categories during the winter but these are actions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and GRAP is enforced in the region year around. So, the stipulated actions should anyways have been taken irrespective of winter or summer," an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Sunil Dahiya, said.

He further stated that the governments and authorities "should also act on" polluting coal-based power plants as they contribute a significant amount of pollution in Delhi and wider National Capital Region.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi, Sep 30 (PTI) A special court here on Friday sent 11 Popular Front of India (PFI) activists, who were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently, to judicial custody till October 20.

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The accused were produced before the court as their NIA custody period ended today.

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The court has asked the NIA to produce the accused on October 20.

Meanwhile, the NIA has sought seven day custody of the third accused, Abdul Sathar, who was recently arrested. The court will consider the custody application on Monday.

The NIA has raised serious allegations against the banned PFI and its arrested leaders and claimed that the seized documents during the raids contain highly incriminating materials targeting prominent leaders of a particular community.

In a remand report submitted before the NIA special court seeking custody of 10 accused in a case registered here, the agency also alleged that the radical Islamist outfit encouraged youth to join terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Islamic State of iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda.

In near simultaneous raids across the country, a multi-agency operation spearheaded by the NIA on September 22 led to the arrest of 106 activists of the PFI in 11 states for allegedly supporting terror activities in the country, officials had said.

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).

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Patna, Sep 30 (PTI) The Bihar government on Friday issued a statement condemning the indiscretion of senior IAS officer Harjot Kaur Bamhrah during an interaction with girl students here earlier this week which has led to an outcry.

The Information and Public Relations Department said in the statement that "cognizance has been taken and high-level review done" of the utterances of Bamhrah who has also been slapped with a notice by the National Commission for Women.

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The statement asserted that the conduct of Bamhrah, who heads the state's Women and Child Development Corporation, was "not appropriate in the view of the state government".

At a workshop held jointly with UNICEF, Bamhrah, an officer of Additional Chief Secretary rank, had taunted a participant for suggesting that the government consider providing free sanitary pads to girl students.

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The officer has, meanwhile, issued a signed statement expressing regret over the controversy that arose after a purported video footage of the September 27 function went viral on social media.

PTI has not independently verified the authenticity of the video.

Meanwhile, the participant Riya Kumari who resides in Kamla Nehru Nagar slum area here, has caught the attention of a leading manufacturer of women's hygiene products.

Feminine hygiene brand Everteen said in a statement it will provide Riya Kumari, who is aged 20 years and a student of BA Part I, with "a year-long supply of sanitary pads" as a "token of appreciation for her courage".

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Sep 30 (PTI) The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday filed its first charge sheet in Kolkata's Alipore court in connection with the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam.

The charge sheet named 16 accused including arrested ex-education minister Partha Chatterjee and former SSC advisor Shanti Prasad Sinha, a CBI official said.

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The investigating agency, on the direction of the Calcutta High Court, is probing alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in upper primary and secondary schools in the state.

The alleged irregularities took place when Chatterjee was the education minister.

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Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the last week of July when he was the state's industry and commerce minister. Following the arrest, he was stripped of his portfolios. The ruling Trinamool Congress also suspended him.

The CBI arrested Sinha in August.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Haflong (Assam), Sep 30 (PTI) Dimasa organisations here have requested President Droupadi Murmu to intervene and halt the screening of National Award film 'Semkhor' for misrepresenting the community and took out a protest march here, the headquarters of Dima Hasao district in Assam.

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The 2021 film is the first Dimasa language film and was awarded the Rajat Kamal at the 68th National Film Awards. Baruah, who is also the co producer and lead actor of 'Semkhor' won the Special Jury Mention award. She is the wife of Assam Information and Public Relations Minister Pijush Hazarika.

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The film has depicted a false story on customs, traditions and livehoods of the Dimasa people, they said in a memorandum to the president on Thursday.

The Dimasa organisations also sought the president's intervention for withdrawal of all press coverage of the film's director Aimee Baruah.

They took out a protest march here and submitted the memorandum to the Dima Hasao district administration.

The protestors demanded a public apology from Baruah for misrepresenting Dimasa custom, tradition and livelihood in her film 'Semkhor'. "We demand compensation to the Dimasa society for defaming the customary morality of the community," their memorandum said.

The memorandum also claimed that a baby girl had died of cold during shooting of the film as Baruah did not follow the legal formalities.

The Dimasas are an ethnolinguistic community living in Assam and Nagaland. The film chronicles the life andt times of a woman of the tribe.

"The film portrays the Dimasa people as being against any kind of modern developments like road infrastructure, schools and medical facilities," the memorandum by five Dimasa groups said.

"The film has misrepresented the tradition of our community at such a level that it portrays the practice of female infanticide in Dimasa society which is completely wrong and false. Such practices have never existed in the Dimasa society since time immemorial," it said.

The protestors claimed that no extensive research was done on Dimasa customs and traditions by Baruah. "Rather she went on with a half baked story and is simply carried away with her passion to meet up her profession/hobbies by which she can earn name and fame and her act has led to a permanent dent on the morality of customs, traditions and livelihoods of the Dimasa tribe".

Blaming Baruah for not following legal formalities, the protestors claimed that she did not take permission from the district magistrate before casting the baby girl in the film as required under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

"This is a clear case of violation of laws," the memorandum said and demanded justice for the bereaved family.

"The baby girl was just 84 days old when she was cast in this particular film and became sick due to exposure to cold and rough weather condition at the time following which she died four days later", it said.

There were reports that a three-month-old girl 'Claring', who was cast in the movie, died of cold three days after the shooting on the bank of a river during the COVID-19 lockdown in the country in 2020.

All Dimasa Students' Union leader Mahendra Kemprai had lodged a police complaint against Baruah earlier this week and alleged that the community was wrongly depicted in the films.

Baruah said that the story of the film is "completely fictional" although the plotline was created on the basis of information collected from newspapers, books, magazines and a few individuals.

"It has never been our intention to hurt anyone's feelings or self-respect through this film. I simply attempted to draw the attention of our society to the beauty of the location, the local language, the attire and so on. Nonetheless, we sincerely apologise if we have hurt anyone in any way," she wrote on Facebook.

Mala Baruah co-produced the film and the story was written by Sasanka Samir. Screenplay was by Jintumoni Kalita, Sasanka Samir, Uday Bhaskar Patar and Aimee Baruah. 'Semkhor' was screened at different national as well as international film festivals and won accolades. It was commercially released last week.

The Dimasa Mothers' Association too condemned the wrong projection of female infanticide in the movie. The association claimed that it is "totally untrue and factually incorrect" to show the community practicing such an "evil". ReplyForward

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, September 30: In yet another twist in the tale of the Congress president polls, Digvijaya Singh on Friday said he was dropping out of the race for the top post and announced his support for Mallikarjun Kharge, who is likely to be in the fray. Today is the last day to file nominations for the polls.

Singh had said on Thursday that he would file his nominations today. However, after reports of Kharge also mulling contesting the party's internal polls, he decided to drop out of the contest. Singh made the announcement after he met Kharge this morning at the latter's residence. Speaking to reporters here, Singh said he "cannot think of contesting an election" against a senior leader like Kharge.

"Kharge is my leader and my senior. I went to his residence yesterday and asked if he is contesting. If he does, I will not fill up the form. He said he did not intend to contest. I came to know through the media that he is a candidate. I went to meet him this morning. I said if he is filing the nomination, I am with him. He is a senior and respected leader of the party and I cannot think of contesting an election against him," he said. Congress President Election: Senior Leader Mallikarjun Kharge To File Nomination for Party Presidential Post.

"If Kharge had told me earlier, he would not have gone to collect the form. Now he intends to file his nomination, I will become his proposer," Singh added. He said he will not compromise on his "commitment to the Nehru-Gandhi family".

"I have always worked for Congress all my life and will continue to do so. I do not compromise on three things. First, Dalit, tribal and poor. Second, I do not compromise with those involved in disrupting communal peace. I will not compromise on my commitment to the Nehru-Gandhi family, neither have I ever done it," he said.

The quick turn of events is taking place on the last day of the filing of the nominations which closes at 3 pm today. Singh is the second Congress leader to pull out of the race after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced he would not contest the elections following the political turmoil in his state.

Sources on Friday said that no leader from Congress's "G-23" will file a nomination for the post of Congress president. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said he will be the proposer for Kharge. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi said he will file his nomination at 1 pm today. Congress Lodges Complaint Against Ashok Pandit For Sharing 'Fake News, Misleading Video' on Rahul Gandhi.

"I'll file my nomination at 1 pm today (for the Congress president post). Rahul Gandhi and party chief Sonia Gandhi have said they're neither requesting anyone to contest nor declining anyone...we want to see what the rank and file of the party wants," he said.

With the Gandhis not running for the top post, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years. The results of the party polls will be declared on October 19.

(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 30 (ANI): With the process of the Congress president election gathering pace ahead of the last day of filing nominations, some G-23 leaders held a meeting on Thursday evening at the residence of Anand Sharma.

The meeting was attended by former union minister Manish Tewari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

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According to sources, the leaders discussed the whole situation emerging in the run-up to the Congress presidential polls. The leaders will meet again.

A leader from the group is likely to file a nomination on Friday for the party's presidential polls.

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"Nobody has filed a nomination yet. Once it is done, there wll be contemplation. The democratic process has begun. BS Hooda, Anand Sharma, Prithviraj Chavan and I sat for deliberation and discussed events," Manish Tewari said while leaving Anand Sharma's residence.

Asked whether G-23 will support candidates whose names have come for Congress presidential poll so far, Tewari said, "Days pass between collecting, filing and withdrawing nomination papers. The decision will be taken at that time. In English, it is called in politics 'it is the preponderance of probabilities'. Let us see what happens tomorrow."

The G-23 leaders had written to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi seeking organisational overhaul and internal elections at all levels.

"It is good that polls are being held in the party in a democratic way. We thanked Sonia Gandhi for the free-fair polls. Let us see who will file the nomination. We have heard a few names. We will support the best candidate in the field," Prithviraj Chavan told ANI.

The remarks of the G23 leaders indicate that they do not possibly see Shashi Tharoor representing their voice in the election.

After the meeting, Anand Sharma arrived at Jodhpur House to meet Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was top contender in the Congress president poll but has now said he will not fight for the post of Congress chief due to political crisis in the state triggered by action of his loyalists who were averse to Sachin Pilot becoming chief minister.

Gehlot also met Mukul Wasnik and Pawan Kumar Bansal.

Earlier Gehlot met Sonia Gandhi at her residence at 10 Janpath in the national capital.

"I met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi and requested him to fight the polls (for Congress President). When he didn't accept, I said I'll contest but now with that incident (political crisis in Rajasthan), I have decided not to contest the elections," CM Gehlot said.

In significant remarks, party leader KC Venugopal said that the decision on CM's post will be taken in a day or two by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Gehlot also apologised for the ruckus in Rajasthan triggered by his loyalists over a possible leadership change in the state after Gehlot was set to file his nomination papers for the Congress chief polls.

Gehlot said that whatever happened in the state in the past two days had shocked everyone.

He said that he won't contest the elections in this atmosphere. "I won't contest these elections in this atmosphere, with moral responsibility," Gehlot said.

On being asked if he will remain Rajasthan CM, Gehlot said, "I won't decide that, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will decide that."

"One-line resolution is our tradition. Unfortunately, a situation arose that resolution wasn't passed. It was my moral responsibility (to pass the resolution), but despite being a CM I couldn't get it passed," he added.

Talking to reporters, Gehlot said the party works under the Congress president and decisions will be taken in the time to come.

He said Congress workers worry about the direction in which the country is heading and tackling the issue was more important.

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh on Friday collected his nomination papers and announced that he is likely to file his nominations tomorrow between 11 am to 3 pm.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has announced that he will submit his nomination for the post at 12.15 pm on Friday.

The filing of nominations for the top Congress post will take place till September 30 and the election will take place on October 17. (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 30 (ANI): Infamous gangster Neeraj Bawana's father has been arrested Thursday night by Outer-North district police. Father of 'jailed' gangster Neeraj Bawana was arrested by Outer-north District Police on the charges of possessing illegal weapons, confirmed Delhi police.

Outer-North district police conducted a raid on the accused house and arrested him from there. The Outer-North district police, however, had arrested Sonu- a member of the Neeraj Bawana gang- on September 16 and recovered a bulletproof Scorpio and SUV along with the huge quantity of arms and cartridges.

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The police found that the car was registered in the name of Neeraj Bawana's relative and started their investigations further. Following this, the police arrested Neeraj's father and indicted him for possessing illegal weapons.

Earlier this month, the arrested member of Neeraj Bawana's gang Sonu was trying to execute a crime, police officials said. "Acting on information, we recovered 79 live cartridges, 4 country-made weapons and two vehicles including one bulletproof vehicle. Both the cars are registered in the name of a relative of gangster Neeraj Bawana": DCP Outer-North Devesh Kumar underlined.

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Gangster Neeraj Bawana- lodged in Tihar jail- and two others were sent to five-day remand by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court on September 23 in connection with an alleged nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug traffickers. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
General Anil Chauhan took over as the new Chief of Defence Staff. (Photo/ANI)

New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI): General Anil Chauhan, on Friday took over as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

He is also the Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister on all tri-Service matters as well as head of the Department of Military Affairs as Secretary.

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He is also the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).

In a brief interaction with the media before taking charge, General Chauhan said that it was a matter of pride for him to be nominated as CDS.

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"There are hopes and expectations among the three Services, government and citizens from the new CDS which, he said while assuring that he would fulfil his duties to the best of his abilities.

"The security challenges facing the nation will be dealt with jointly by the Services," said General Chauhan.

Earlier, General Chauhan paid homage to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.

He also inspected the Tri-Service Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns, in the presence of Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade and other senior officers of the Armed Forces.

Newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Friday also called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at South Block in the national capital.

This has been the first time that a retired officer has been appointed at this position for which a gazette notification was issued to announce the change in rules for the appointment.

In a career spanning over 40 years, Lt Gen Chauhan has held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast India.

Born on 18th May 1961, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981.

He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

In the rank of Maj General, the officer had commanded an Infantry Division in the critical Baramula sector in the Northern Command.

Later, as Lt General, he commanded a corps in the North East and subsequently went to become the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command from September 2019 and held the charge until his retirement from the service in May 2021.

In addition to these command appointments, the officer also tenanted important staff appointments, including the charge of the Director General of Military Operations.

Earlier, the officer had also served as a United Nations mission to Angola. He superannuated from the Indian Army on 31 May 2021.

Even after his retirement from the Army, he continued to contribute to national security and strategic matters.

The CDS is the most senior uniformed officer in rank, the first among equals -- the only four-star officers in the country are the CDS, the chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Sep 30 (PTI) Security forces on Friday recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition including seven AK-47 assault rifles in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The cache was recovered in Nowshehra Nard area of the frontier Gurez sector in the north Kashmir district.

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"Bandipora Police and Army recovered huge #arms & ammunition including 7 AK-47 rifles, 2 Pistols, 21 AK Magazines, 1190 rounds, 132 pistol rounds, 13 grenades & other #incriminating materials in Nowshehra Nard, Gurez area of #Bandipora," Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.

The police said a case has been registered.

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Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 30 (PTI) In its battle on drug menace, the Kerala government on Friday said it plans to start an anti-narcotic campaign as a part of the curriculum to create awareness on addiction among students.

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Ahead of the launch of the awareness campaign on October 2, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met representatives of religious and community organisations here seeking their support to efforts to prevent the young from drug abuse.

During the meet, the Chief Minister said making the campaign a part of the curriculum was under consideration of the government, a CMO release said.

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All religious and communal organisations have expressed support to the campaign, the release said.

In the light of new methods being discovered for addiction, the Chief Minister said in addition to the anti-narcotic drive being carried out by the enforcement agencies of the government, public participation was essential to tackle the menace. He appealed to the religious organisations to mobilise people in great numbers for the campaign. The Chief Minister urged such organisations to spread anti-drug messages on special occasions and to students attending Sunday schools, madrassas and other moral educational institutions. "Everyone should come together without any prejudice to secure the future of the country and its children," he said. Vijayan said counsellors would be appointed in the schools and efforts would be made to find teachers capable of addressing the drug menace. "If you see that any child under the influence of drugs, you should inform the concerned people without concealing about the addiction. Victimised children should be encouraged to live with self-respect. Active participation of students and youth organisations will also be ensured in the fight against drugs," the Chief Minister said. More de-addiction centres would be opened in the State, he said. Details of people providing information about drug addicts would be kept confidential. He directed the artiste community, too, not to give a heroic colour to drug-users in any form of art.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 30 (ANI): The Kodanad heist-cum-murder case has been transferred to the Crime Branch-CID in order to expedite the case.

"Tamil Nadu DGP C Sylendra Babu issued orders transferring the case to the CB-CID on Friday," the official said.

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The case pertains to the Kodanad Estate owned jointly by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and her close aide V.K. Sasikala. In April 2017, when Edappadi K. Palaniswami was the Chief Minister, a burglary was reported in the estate. In the course of the burglary, the accused had hacked watchman Om Bahadur to death.

Another watchman had sustained grievous injuries. Days later, the former driver of Jayalalitha, C. Kanagaraj who was the prime accused died in a road accident. Another accused, K.V. Sayan, escaped narrowly from a similar road accident. A CCTV operator at the Estate too died by suicide.

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The police completed the investigation and filed a final report before a Judicial Magistrate at Kotagiri On November 29, 2017, the police filed a final report before a Judicial Magistrate at Kotagiri after the investigation into the case. Thereafter, the case was committed to the Sessions Court at Udhagamandalam and the latter took it on file on January 4, 2018. Charges were framed against the accused on October 31, 2019.

The police suddenly decided to conduct further investigation into the case after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) assumed power in the State.

Since August 2021, the trial court had been regularly adjourning the case at the request of the police though no progress whatsoever had been reported regarding the further investigation.

Supreme Court in January 2019 while hearing the petition filed by social activist KR Ramaswamy had dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into the Kodanad estate case. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) A Malaysia-bound flight on Friday was delayed over a false bomb alarm after a fight between two passengers on board the plane at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, officials said.

Seucrity agencies were alerted about the bomb call from the Malaysia Airlines's MH173 around 1 pm after which they thoroughly checked the flight, the officials said.

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The aircraft finally departed for Kuala Lumpur after a delay of two hours and 40 minutes and four passengers allegedly involved in the incident were handed over to the local police, they said.

"A fight broke out between two passengers for keeping their bags in the overhead cabin of the aircraft. When one passenger asked the other what was in his bag, the other replied 'bomb'. The flight was then grounded as the pilot was informed about it and the pilot intimated the ATC (air traffic controller)," official sources told PTI.

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"A bomb threat assessment committee immediately probed the matter and the flight was put through checks after which the bomb call was declared a hoax," the sources said.

A total of four passengers -- all Indians -- were handed over to the police, they added.

The passenger who made the bomb claim wad identified as Varindar Sidhu, according to sources.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) A brawl between two passengers over keeping their luggage in the overhead cabin delayed a Malaysia-bound plane by more than two hours as one of them shouted "bomb" during the fight, setting off a thorough security check, officials said on Friday.

Enforcement agencies were alerted about the "bomb" threat from the Malaysia Airlines's MH173 around 1 pm after which the Central Industrial Security Force inspected the flight, the officials said.

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The aircraft finally departed for Kuala Lumpur after a delay of two hours and 40 minutes and four passengers allegedly involved in the incident were handed over to the local police, they said.

"A fight broke out between two passengers over keeping their bags in the overhead cabin of the aircraft. When one passenger asked the other what was in his bag, the other replied 'bomb'. The flight was then grounded as the pilot was informed about it and the pilot intimated the ATC (air traffic controller)," an official source told PTI.

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"A bomb threat assessment committee immediately probed the matter and the flight was put through checks after which the bomb call was declared a hoax," the source said.

A total of four passengers -- all Indians -- were handed over to the police, they added.

The passenger who made the bomb claim wad identified as Varindar Sidhu, according to sources.

(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 30 (ANI): Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge will join the contest for Congress president, according to sources who have said that the Leader of Opposition in the Raja Sabha is likely to file his nomination for the party's top post today.

The contest for the post will then be likely to be between Kharge, Digvijaya Singh and Shashi Tharoor, they said.

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Nominations for the post of Congress president closes at 3 pm today and results will be declared on October 19.

"Kharge is likely to file his nomination with one section of the Gandhi loyalists approaching him to contest the polls. However, the final decision will be taken shortly," said the sources.

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With the Gandhis not running for the top post this time around, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was being seen as a frontrunner in the race before he opted to pull out after meeting with Sonia Gandhi on Thursday. Addressing media persons in the national capital after the meeting Gehlot said that he had apologised to her for the scenario emerging in the state triggered by his loyalists.

After announcing his decision to contest in the upcoming Congress presidential polls, veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that the Nehru-Gandhi family will remain their leader whosoever becomes the president of the party.

According to the sources, Manish Tewari, a face of the G-23 group of leaders (those seeking reforms in the party) is also mulling over filing the nomination for the top post.

G-23 leaders Thursday evening met at the residence of Anand Sharma. Former union minister Manish Tewari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were present at the meeting.

According to sources, the leaders discussed the whole situation emerging in the run-up to the Congress presidential polls. The leaders will meet again.

"Nobody has filed a nomination yet. Once it is done, there will be contemplation. The democratic process has begun. BS Hooda, Anand Sharma, Prithviraj Chavan and I sat for deliberation and discussed events," Manish Tewari said while leaving Anand Sharma's residence.

Asked whether G-23 will support candidates whose names have come for Congress presidential poll so far, Tewari said, "Days pass between collecting, filing and withdrawing nomination papers. The decision will be taken at that time. In English, it is called in politics 'it is the preponderance of probabilities'. Let us see what happens tomorrow."

The G-23 leaders had written to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi seeking organisational overhaul and internal elections at all levels.

"It is good that polls are being held in the party in a democratic way. We thanked Sonia Gandhi for the free-fair polls. Let us see who will file the nomination. We have heard a few names. We will support the best candidate in the field," Prithviraj Chavan told ANI.

The remarks of the G23 leaders indicate that they do not possibly see Shashi Tharoor representing their voice in the election. (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, September 30: Today marks the fifth day of Navratri and devotees across the country will worship Goddess Skandamata, the fifth incarnation of Maa Durga. According to mythology, Skandamata is four-armed and is riding on a lion. On one hand, Skandamata is holding her son Skanda or Kartikeya. As per legends, Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is also known as Skanda. Lord Skanda was trained by Goddess Parvati, hence the fifth form of Goddess Durga is called Skandamata.

It is believed that worshipping Goddess Skandamata fulfils all the wishes of devotees and brings happiness in life. Further, it is also believed that by worshipping Goddess Skandmata, the wishes of having children get fulfilled.

Meanwhile, morning arti was performed at the famous Jhandewalan temple in Delhi on Friday morning on the occasion of the fifth day of Navratri. Mantras are being chanted by priests and holy songs are being played at the temple premises. Navratri 2022 Greetings for Skandmata Puja: WhatsApp Messages, SMS, Skandamata Devi Images and HD Wallpapers To Send on Day 5 of Sharad Navratri.

During the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga's nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings. There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navratri. During these nine days, people maintain ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes.

Devotees Worship Goddess Skandamata:

In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives. Over the next nine days, devotees offer their prayers to Goddess Durga and observe fasts. The festival of Navratri honours the defeat of the demonic Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.This year, Navratri started on September 26 and will conclude on October 5.

Ramlila is organised extensively during Navratri in North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. During the Ramlila, the tale of Lord Ram's triumph over Ravana is acted out. Navratri Colours 2022 Images for 9 Days: Date-Wise Colours List PDF and Significance of Each Color To Wear During Nine-Day Festival.

Numerous dances, including Garba and Dandiya Raas, are performed during the nine-day festival. While Dandiya Raas involves dancing with dandiya sticks to the beat of the music, Garba is a traditional dance in which participants clap their hands and move in a circle while making rhythmic gestures. The effigies of King Ravana are burned on Dussehra to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami Friday assured the Supreme Court there will not be an election to the coveted post of general secretary until the court has heard the leadership row in the party.

Palaniswami currently helms the party founded by the charismatic M G Ramachandran and nurtured by the redoubtable J Jayalalithaa.

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A bench of Justices M R Shah and Krishna Murari has agreed to hear a plea against the September 2 verdict of the Madras High Court which allowed Palaniswami's appeal, setting aside an order in favour of O Panneerselvam, a former chief minister and his friend-turned-foe.

C S Sundaram, senior advocate appearing on behalf of the respondent number one (Palaniswami), has stated at the bar that till the present matters are heard, there shall not be any election of the general secretary, the bench noted in its order.

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The apex court has posted the matter for resumed hearing on November 21.

On September 2, a division bench of the Madras High Court had allowed Palaniswami's appeal, setting aside an order of the single judge who had nullified the July 11 General Council (GC) meeting of the AIADMK where the leader of opposition Palaniswami was elected the interim general secretary of the party.

Panneerselvam (OPS), a Jayalalithaa loyalist who filled in for her as the chief minister when she was in jail over corruption charges, was expelled from the party.

The division bench had quashed the August 17 order of the single judge who had directed maintenance of status quo ante as on June 23.

After Jayalalithaa's demise, EPS became the Chief Minister and OPS his deputy. Under a reciprocatory arrangement, Panneerselvam was appointed the party Coordinator and Palaniswami the Joint Coordinator, till they eventually had a falling out.

The HC's directive was for maintenance of the then existing dual power structure in the party.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
By Sushil Batra

New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI): After seven days of custodial interrogation of the office bearer of the Popular Front of India (PFI), the Enforcement Directorate on Friday informed the court that the "investigation qua the accused persons has revealed that they have played an active role in bogus cash donations on behalf of PFI and in claiming and projecting PFI's unaccounted cash raised through unknown and suspicious sources as untainted and legitimate."

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ED also stated that the PMLA investigation has revealed that as a part of a criminal conspiracy hatched by PFI office bearers over the past many years, suspicious funds from within the country and abroad have been raised by PFI and related entities and have been clandestinely remitted to India in a concealed manner and deposited in their bank accounts over the years.

These funds have been raised as a part of the scheduled offence of criminal conspiracy. The funds so raised/collected by PFI are thus nothing but proceeds of crime which they have layered, placed and integrated through their numerous bank accounts as well as those of their members/sympathizers. Thus PFI and its related entities have been involved in the continuous offence of money laundering over the years, the ED said.

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The Enforcement Directorate through Advocate Naveen Kumar Matta, while seeking judicial custody of the accused stated that the investigation in the case is still continuing and requires the gathering of additional evidence and examination and confrontation of voluminous data extracted from digital devices which is still under progress.

Hence, the judicial custody of the accused i.e. Perwez Ahmed, Md. Iliyas and Abdul Muqeet during the period of investigation are warranted to ensure that they do not influence the witnesses and do not tamper with or destroy the material evidence related to the case.

After taking note of the submissions of ED, the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Shailender Malik on Friday decided to send all three accused to Judicial Custody for 14 days after ED didn't seek further custodial remand of them. All three accused were produced before the court on Friday after the end of the seven-day remand, which was granted last week by the same court.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier had alleged that Perwez Ahmad was part of a criminal conspiracy since 2018.

"He admitted to having looked after the collection of funds in Delhi. Investigation revealed that such fund collection exercise was a sham and was falsely projected to be received from PFI sympathizers whereas statements of individuals, projected as contributors, revealed that these transactions were bogus. Hence, cash from suspicious sources was nothing but proceeds of crime generated out of criminal conspiracy," ED stated.

"The non-cooperative and evasive attitude of Perwez Ahmad along with his deliberate attempts to avoid joining the ongoing investigation in light of the fresh evidence viz. the statement of so-called donors and the evidence seized from various locations during searches, in this case, create further suspicion about his activities and involvement in money laundering activities," ED further stated.

"It is evident that Perwez Ahmad deliberately withheld disclosure of true facts and deliberately lied and tried to mislead the investigating officer during the recording of his statements under Section 50 of PMLA, 2002," said the ED in court.

ED earlier stated that the PMLA investigation against PFI in a matter registered in 2018 revealed that more than Rs 120 crores has been deposited in the accounts of PFI and related entities over the years and that a very large part of the same has been deposited in cash.

According to the ED, it has recently found inputs against the PFI for "organizing a training camp with an intent to cause disturbance during Prime Minster Narendra Modi's visit in Bihar's capital Patna on July 12 this year".

Besides, during the course of the investigation, the agencies have found details of numerous bank accounts of PFI.

The revelation came in two separate remand copies of the Enforcement Directorate, one submitted before a special judge in Lucknow against Muhammed Shafeeque Payeth, a resident of Kozhikode in Kerala, and the other against Perwez Ahmed before a Special Court in Delhi.

Both Payeth and Ahmed were arrested from Kerala and Delhi respectively on September 22 during the largest search operation conducted by a joint team of ED and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state police forces, arresting 106 PFI members from 15 states. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Banaskantha, September 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha district of Gujarat and performed the 'aarti' of the Goddess.

He was seen offering prayers and performing the arti of the deity. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the free ration scheme to the general masses and said that the move will help over 80 crore people. His remarks came after he laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Ambaji, Gujarat, today. PM Narendra Modi Offers Prayers at Ambaji Mandir in Gujarat, Watch Video.

"To help my sisters during this festive season, the government has extended its free ration scheme. The centre is spending about Rs 4 lakh crore to provide relief to more than 80 crore people of the country in difficult times," said PM Modi. He also stressed the building of houses for the poor and said, "So far, we have built more than 3 crore houses in the country and given them to the poor. Most of these houses are owned by mothers and sisters."

Calling it an auspicious time to visit his home state, he noted, "Fortunate to be in Ambaji during Navratri. Projects being launched here will have a transformational impact on the region." He also highlighted that the picture of the northwestern region has changed. "The picture of Banaskantha has changed due to the continuous efforts of the last two decades. Neer, Sujalam-Sufalam and Drip Irrigation of Narmada have played a big role in changing the situation. In this, the role of sisters has been leading," he added. Video: PM Narendra Modi Ditches Mic while Addressing Crowd at Abu Road to Avoid Using Loudspeaker post 10 pm.

He also cited that the concept of respecting women was embedded in the Indian culture. "When we talk about respect for women, it seems very easy for us. But when we think about it seriously, we find how much respect for women is embedded in our culture. We also see our country India as a mother, and consider ourselves the children of Mother Bharati," said PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone and dedicated various projects worth over Rs 7,200 crore in Ambaji.Thousands of people thronged the event and cheered as PM Modi digitally pressed the launch.

The programmes in Ambaji included laying the foundation stone of over 45,000 houses built under the PM Awas Yojana. Prime Minister Modi will also lay the foundation stone of Taranga Hill - Ambaji - Abu Road New Broad Gauge Line and development of pilgrimage facilities at Ambaji temple under the PRASAD scheme.

The new rail line is expected to benefit lakhs of devotees visiting Ambaji, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and will enrich the worship experience of the devotees at all these pilgrimage places. Other projects whose foundation stone will be laid include the construction of the runway and associated infrastructure at Air Force Station, Deesa; Ambaji Bypass Road among others.

Earlier, zeal and fervour echoed in the streets of Ambaji in Gujarat when Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow on Friday.

Thousands of people thronged the area as they raised slogans. PM Modi's convoy was welcomed with flower petals being showered on his car while the security detail was seen clearing out the pieces and way. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy made way for an ambulance. The car trails stopped in alignment on one side of the road for an easy passage of the ambulance as the convoy was on its way to Gandhinagar from Ahmedabad.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) All eyes are on Rajasthan after the Congress said a decision on the chief minister would be taken by Sonia Gandhi in a day or two, even as Ashok Gehlot said no post was important for him but he wanted to strengthen the party.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot extended his support to senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge for the Congress president post, soon after he withdrew his own candidature.

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"For me, no post is important. The Congress in the country needs to be strengthened and every Indian is saying so," Gehlot told reporters after he became a proposer for Kharge's candidature.

Asked whether he had offered to resign as the Rajasthan chief minister when he met Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot evaded a direct response.

Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Girl on Way to Garba Venue Molested by Youth in Gandhinagar.

"I have held several positions for the past 50 years with the blessings of the Gandhi family. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have showered their blessings on me. For me, it is not the position that matters, but what matters is how to strengthen the party. I will make every effort towards it," he said.

The senior leader, however, said, "If I leave any position now, there will be talks that Ashok Gehlot is running away when the Congress is in trouble."

"I would do whatever the high command tells me," he added.

The Rajasthan chief minister had opted out of the race for Congress president after a rebellion in the party's state unit, with a majority of MLAs holding a parallel meeting and not allowing a legislature party meeting last Sunday to pass a one-line resolution authorising the party chief to nominate a successor to Gehlot.

Gehlot has said he felt sorry and apologised to Sonia Gandhi, which he repeated publicly outside her residence on Thursday, taking moral responsibility of having failed to get a one-line resolution passed at the CLP meeting.

K C Venugopal, however, later said a decision on the Rajasthan chief minister would be taken by Sonia Gandhi in a day or two.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jodhpur, Sep 30 (PTI) The High Court has issued notices to the Rajasthan chief secretary and the home secretary asking why a police complaints authority has not been established in the state despite the directions of the Supreme Court in 2006.

Hearing a petition by Sirohi MLA Sanyam Lodha, a Division Bench of Justices Sandeep Mehta and Kuldeep Mathur issued the notices.

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Lodha had demand the setting up the authority to make the functioning of the force accountable and transparent.

Citing the order of the Supreme Court in 2006, he said the directions were given to the Centre and state governments.

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The body at the district level was to be headed by a retired district judge to deal with complaints against police officers up to the DSP rank, whereas the authority for the complaints against higher officers was to be formed under the chairmanship of a retired judge of the High Court or the Supreme Court.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday reviewed the working of the seven state-run defence companies which were carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

For 2022-23 fiscal, the seven new defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) have projected cumulative sales target of around Rs 17,000 crore, which is significantly higher compared to previous achievements of erstwhile OFB, according to the defence ministry.

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The companies commenced operations from October 1 last year before they were dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of 'Vijayadashami' on October 15.

Addressing the officers and employees of the seven companies virtually, Singh stated the corporatisation of OFB was a major reform in the direction of making the country self-reliant in the defence sector.

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"The erstwhile OFB, with its infrastructure and skilled manpower, was a strategic asset of the country, which made valuable contributions to national security," he said.

However, Singh said there were concerns in the armed forces regarding high costs, inconsistent quality and delay in supply of products by the OFB in the last few decades.

"Being a government department, the OFB had little accountability to show profits. There were age-old procedures, practices, paper works and rules & regulations, which had lost relevance," he said.

"Getting rid of these practices was the need of the hour and corporatisation was the best way forward. The government has been hand-holding these companies since the beginning," Singh said.

The defence ministry said an amount of Rs 2,953 crore has been released to these companies in the form of equity during 2021-22 and 2022-23 for modernisation and a further amount of Rs 6,270 crore is planned to be released up to 2026-27 for capital expenditure.

In addition, an amount of Rs 3,750 crore has been released to these companies in the form of Emergency Authorisation Fund.

The functional and financial autonomy provided to these new corporate entities, coupled with hand-holding by the government, has started reflecting in their performance, the defence ministry said.

Within a short span of six months, from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, these new companies have achieved the turnover of more than Rs 8,400 crore, it said.

The ministry said the new DPSUs have reported production achievement of more than Rs 6,500 crore in first six months of financial year 2022-23.

The ministry said the new entities have shown marked improvement in productivity and quality in the changed corporate set up. In 2021-22, out of seven companies, six have indicated profits based on the provisional financial statements.

To further improve the functioning of these DPSUs, Singh listed out some of the key areas which need to be focussed on.

Terming the present era as technology-driven, he exhorted the companies to develop or get acquainted with latest technologies, which are vital for the defence industry to make its mark at national and international levels.

He urged them to lay special emphasis on modernisation through domestic research and development as it is the "strongest and the safest way forward".

The defence minister stressed on the need to increase India's market share across the globe, describing it as the responsibility of the companies to contribute in the efforts towards achieving the objective.

He called upon the companies to devise and implement strategies with an aggressive and progressive attitude to make their presence felt in the current time of competitive bidding.

The defence minister said it should be the aim of the DPSUs to contribute towards increasing exports.

"Defence manufacturing is an important sector to achieve the goal of self-reliance. The Ministry of Defence has set a target of achieving a turnover of Rs 1.75 lakh crore in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025, which includes exports of Rs 35,000 crore," he said.

"The DPSUs must strive to achieve the goal and take the country to newer heights," he added.

He said India is emerging as a global defence manufacturing hub.

"Today, as our country is moving fast towards becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy. Our defence exports have increased 5-6 times to Rs 13,000 crore as compared to the last 7-8 years," he said.

"The new management must explore new opportunities abroad along with meeting the domestic needs," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Sep 30 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said rising pollution level has become a major concern for the entire humanity.

He also said some wild animal species are on the verge of extinction, and emphasised on efforts to save them. He said conserving water is the need of the hour.

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"Increasing pollution levels have become an issue of major concern for the entire humanity....Considering the environment as a circular economy, plans should be made to save the environment," Khattar said in his speech as the chief guest at the annual conference on the implementation of the 'District Environment Plan' at Panchkula.

"The Environment and Climate Change Department along with other departments will also have to put collaborative efforts into making such plans," he said.

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National Green Tribunal (NGT) chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also attended the function as a special guest, according to an official statement.

Khattar said a call for green revolution was given when the country was facing the crisis of food grains and today "we have not only become self-sufficient in food grains production but have also started exporting food grains".

The CM said the 'Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana' has been implemented in Haryana so that the coming generations get cultivable land.

He said there are about 18,000 ponds in Haryana, out of which 8,000 overflowing ponds are in rural areas. After treating water of such ponds, it can be used for irrigation, and enabling schemes for micro-irrigation are being prepared, he said.

The use of treated wastewater from the pond will be made mandatory for micro-irrigation in the area near the pond, he said, adding a blueprint is being prepared.

Addressing the function, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said the Manohar Lal-led government has taken many significant initiatives to protect the environment.

Today, the chief minister's image has become of someone who believes in finding permanent solutions to any problem, said the NGT chairperson, according to the government statement.

"This is the reason that since he has assumed charge, the kind of work done in the environmental protection in the State has never been done before. Never before in the state, the schemes have been formulated at such a faster pace nor it has been implemented at the grassroots level like it is being done in Manohar Lal's tenure," said Justice Goel.

He said the chief minister's vision for formulating plans for waste management and environmental protection is a historic initiative.

Hardly any chief minister had ever thought of taking the initiative for water conservation. The thinking of the Chief Minister for laying separate pipelines for drinking water and treated water for other uses is an example for other states, added Justice Goel. "Solid waste management is also another problem. We have to make a habit of segregating dry and wet waste in our homes. More and more plants will have to be set up to make compost manure from wet waste.

"Both the State and the society will have to work together for environmental protection and this campaign should be given the form of a mass movement," said Justice Goel.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, Sep 30 (PTI) Tamil Nadu would soon come out with a new electronic hardware policy aimed at boosting domestic hardware production and exports, Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Friday.

The State has been attracting investments not only in manufacturing of smartphones but also in computers, electronic parts, telecommunication equipment, home appliances, he said after inaugurating a manufacturing unit of Pegatron Technology India Pvt Ltd in neighbouring Chengalpet district.

Also Read | Karnataka Government Asks Education Department To Submit Report on Madrasas' Activities, Say Sources.

"The government considers the electronics department as an emerging sector and soon a Tamil Nadu electronic hardware policy will be rolled out to boost domestic production and exports," Stalin said.

He unveiled a plaque at Mahindra World City, about 45 km from here, to mark the inauguration of the manufacturing facility set up at an investment of Rs 1,100 crore that would generate 14,000 jobs.

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Stalin said with the production linked-incentive scheme, several software companies have submitted applications to commence operations in the State.

"Our vision is not only to make Tamil Nadu emerge as top-ranked in electronics sector but also in other sectors." he said.

The government is working towards the plan of making Tamil Nadu a hub to produce more smartphones as against those manufactured in China, he said. "We have also planned to attract companies engaged in supply chain solution that are required in production of smartphones," he said.

Expressing happiness for the inauguration of the new facility, he requested officials of Pegatron Technology India to consider taking up expansion in Tamil Nadu itself. "On behalf of the government we are ready to extend all our support in your expansion plans," he said.

He said the manufacturing facilities of Korean auto-maker Hyundai, US car-maker Ford in Tamil Nadu came up during the DMK rule and expressed happiness that Pegatron was setting up plant at an investment of Rs 1,100 crore under his leadership.

"Through this investment, 14,000 new jobs will be created of which majority of it will comprise women," he said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Pathankot, September 30: A woman was allegedly forced to deliver her child on the floor of the civil hospital in Punjab's Pathankot after she was denied admission to the labour room, prompting the opposition BJP to demand strong action from the AAP government against the erring officials.

A purported video of the incident, which happened on Thursday, has gone viral on the Internet. Sharing it on Twitter, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the "the world-class health model" of the Bhagwant Mann government, alleging it was spending money on advertisements as the poor people of the state suffered.

In another tweet, he said the situation is no better either in Delhi, which the AAP also rules. "In Delhi, it is no better! Ho-halla on Mohalla Clinics but where are the world-class hospitals?" he said. After a public outcry, Pathankot Deputy Commissioner Harbir Singh said he had sought details about the incident from the civil surgeon but he is "not satisfied" with the answers. Punjab: Woman Gives Birth to a Baby on Government Bus Near Phagwara, Fellow Passenger Helps With Delivery.

"I've contacted the civil surgeon and asked for details about the incident. But I'm not satisfied with the answers. If a woman entered the hospital, it becomes the hospital's responsibility to take care of her. I've ordered an inquiry and action will be taken against the guilty," Singh said.

He, however, said the woman's version of the events was different from that of the doctors at the hospital. Meanwhile, Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging him to book the persons responsible "for playing with the lives of the patients". Andhra Pradesh: Woman Delivers Baby Under Cellphone Light at Govt Hospital in Narsipatnam.

"In the light of this shameful act, exposing the prevailing state of affairs in the state government hospitals in my constituency, I shall be grateful if you could have this serious matter looked into ensuring that those responsible for it are booked for playing with the lives of the patients," Deol wrote.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mangaluru, Sep 30 (PTI) A high-level probe will be conducted into the recent collapse of the mini-jetty at Gangolli fishing port in Udupi district, Karnataka Minister for Fisheries and Ports S Angara has said.

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The probe team, which will be directed to conduct the investigation in a transparent manner, will be announced on Monday, he told reporters after a spot inspection at the jetty on Thursday evening.

Also Read | Apple Reportedly Plans To Build Team for Its Electric Car Project Before the End of 2022.

Angara, who is also the Udupi district-in-charge Minister, said the contractor who was awarded the work will be blacklisted and all those found guilty will be punished.

The minister said the government had spent Rs 10 crore for the construction of the jetty.

Meanwhile, fishermen leader Ramesh Kunder alleged there was widespread corruption in the construction of the mini-jetty. Besides the Rs 10 crore released by the government in 2013, another Rs 3 crore was spent for its repair works after it was damaged in 2016, he said.

The fishermen in Gangolli are facing hardship in a busy season as they are now forced to anchor their boats in harbours at Bhatkal or Malpe, Kunder said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Visakhapatnam (AP), Sep 30 (PTI) State-run Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has posted the highest value of production worth Rs 755 crore in the PSU's history during the financial year 2021-22, a senior company official said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference here, Chairman and Managing Director of HSL Hemant Khatri said that despite various challenges due to the partial lockdown and restrictions dung second and third COVID waves, the state-run entity has posted the highest value of production with all three major business segments contributing to this.

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He said the value of production target would be more than Rs 1,000 crore during the current financial year.

Khatri said the value of production from shipbuilding remained at Rs 613 crore marking it as the highest value of production recorded from shipbuilding division in the history of the shipyard.

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HSL has earned a net profit of Rs 50.78 crore during 2021-22 with an operating profit of Rs 10.69 crore as against a net loss of Rs 14 crore with an operating loss of Rs 73 crore during the previous year, he said.

The Chairman and Managing Director said the construction of two diving support ships are at advanced stages of construction with both the ships at 70 per cent completion.

He said similar improvement in performance has been achieved in the ship repair business unit. The yard has repaired 17 vessels of various owners in 2021-22 and HSL has been aggressively participating in various ship repair tenders and secured five successive ship repair orders worth Rs 270 crore during the year.

One of the five orders was ship repair order of MODU Sagar Bhushan worth Rs 154 crore.

Khatri said the yard has delivered 200 ships, including 40 ships of various types, to the Indian Navy and repaired 2,000 vessels so far.

The balance order book value for ship construction is about Rs 2,185 crore which comprises two diving support vessels.

The public sector company has signed an MoU with defence shipyards and other companies for mutual cooperation for tapping domestic and export markets both in defence and non-defence sectors.

Khatri said HSL has uploaded 80 defence products on Srijan portal with Rs 800 crore out of which more than 20 products worth Rs 123 crore have already been indigenised. Besides, various measures have been taken for promoting indigenous defence manufacturing in the MSME sector.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi on Friday said it has lined up as many as 69 properties of Saradha Group of Companies for an auction on November 1 at a reserve price of Rs 30 crore.

The move is part of Sebi's efforts to recover money raised by the company from public through illicit schemes.

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In a notice, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said the auction will be conducted between 11 am to 1 pm on November 1, 2022.

The properties to go under the hammer include land parcels located in West Bengal.

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The total reserve price of these properties is pegged at about Rs 30 crore and the regulator has appointed C1 India as the e-auction provider. Online registration and e-auction will be conducted through Quikr Realty.

The development came after the Calcutta High Court passed an order in June, whereby it directed Sebi to proceed with the auction of properties of Saradha Group of Companies. The entire exercise was directed to be completed within 3 months.

Saradha Group, a consortium of over 239 private companies, allegedly ran chit fund operations in West Bengal, Assam and Odisha and mopped up Rs 4,000 crore from 1.7 million depositors before it collapsed in April 2013.

As per the notice, the market watchdog said bidders should make their own independent enquiries regarding the encumbrances, litigations, attachments, acquisition liabilities of the property put on auction, prior to submitting their bid.

"The properties are being sold with all the existing and future encumbrances, whether known or unknown to Sebi/ the agency. Sebi/ the agency shall not be responsible in any way for any third party claims/rights/dues, etc," the notice said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, Sep 30 (PTI) Full-service carrier Vistara on Friday inaugurated its flight services to Jaipur from here, which will be operated twice a day.

The airline said it has deployed an Airbus A320 Neo plane with a three-class configuration -- business, premium economy and economy -- to service the new route.

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"Jaipur has not only played a significant role in putting Indian tourism on the global map, but it is also a major hub for trade, requiring greater connectivity to metro cities. We have added the city to our growing network, with connectivity to and from Mumbai, and convenient international connections beyond Mumbai," said Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer at Vistara.

The Tata-Singapore Airlines-run joint venture airline currently operates 250 daily flights across 31 domestic and 10 international destinations with a fleet of 53 aircraft, comprising 41 Airbus A320, five Airbus A321neo, five Boeing 737-800NG and two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner planes.

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Of this, the domestic flights account for 75-80 per cent and the rest 20-25 per cent capacity is deployed on international routes, according to the airline.

Vistara's overseas destinations are Bangkok, Dubai, Dhaka, Frankfurt, Jeddah, Kathmandu, London Heathrow, Male, Paris and Singapore.

The airline also said it is set to commence its flight services between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi from 1 October 2022.

Vistara had also launched its flight services to Tokyo (Haneda) Airport, Japan, in July 2021 with much fanfare but later discontinued them quietly.

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London [UK], September 30 (ANI): The Global Alliance for Tibet and Persecuted Minorities, a UK-based rights group condemned Pakistan and China-puppet countries for supporting China over human rights violations in Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Pakistan delivered the Joint Statement on behalf of a Group of 68 countries at the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, on September 26, 2022. China's puppet countries, led by Pakistan, deliberately portray Tibet and East Turkestan as "China's internal affairs" but this is historically inaccurate, said a statement by the Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities concerning Tibet, East Turkestan and Hong Kong.

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Notably, Pakistan put forth the principles of the UN Charter including "respect for political independence, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of states," when the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report on human rights in Xinjiang.

Pakistan and other China-puppet countries must also not ignore the ongoing gross violations of human rights in Hong Kong. Like any other people in the world, the people of Hong Kong should be allowed to continue to enjoy their fundamental rights as enshrined in the UN Declaration on Human Rights and which the CCP agreed to recognise at the time of the handover from the UK in 1997, added the statement.

Also Read | US Sanctions Global Network of Companies, Including India-Based Firm, for Role in Irans Petrochemical Trade.

The CCP's expansionist aims to deny freedom of expression and belief to both Buddhist Tibet and Muslim East Turkestan while utilising its soft power to fuel infrastructure development projects in China-puppet countries including Pakistan, and at the same time seeks to annex Taiwan and gain absolute control of the South China Seas in defiance of international law.

Such double standards cannot be ignored. All member states on the UN Human Rights Council must carry out their duty and moral responsibility to defend and protect human rights violations, wherever this occurs, including in China, Tibet, East Turkestan, and Hong Kong, said the statement.

The Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities condemn Pakistan and other China-puppet countries as members of the UN Human Rights Council for failing to uphold the very principles of the UN Charter on Human Rights.

China must be held accountable for its gross violations of human rights in the territories it controls, and Pakistan and other China-puppet countries must stop pandering to the dictators and blindly supporting the brutal regime in China, read the statement.

Tibet, a landlocked Buddhist nation with a population of six million, and East Turkestan (Xinjiang), a peaceful Uyghur Muslim nation, were independent countries before Communist China's illegal occupation and annexation. After coming to power in 1949 Mao Tse-tung ordered the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to invade Tibet and East Turkestan on October 1st, 1949.

Tibet and East Turkestan resisted their occupation and were held only by military force. The CCP does not speak for the Tibetan or Uyghur peoples, added the statement.

Over a million Tibetans died as a direct result of Communist China's illegal occupation. In its 2022 Annual Report, the independent watchdog organisation, Freedom House reported Tibet as the least free country in the world alongside South Sudan and Syria.

Right now, nearly a million Tibetans, many as young as six, are forcefully being entered into China's colonial boarding schools with the long-term object of annihilating Tibetan identity, language, culture, history, and religion.

The Chinese authorities are collecting DNA samples of Tibetan children, some as young as three, without their parent's consent. This is a matter of great concern, and it must be stopped, added the statement.

The Uyghur Tribunal, an independent tribunal in London, made a ruling in 2021 that the Chinese State has committed genocide against the Uyghur Muslims and other minorities.

Whilst welcoming this independent ruling, governments and parliaments worldwide have condemned the Chinese State for genocide against the Uyghurs and other minorities. (ANI)

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Brussels, Sep 30 (AP) Emergency workers in hazmat suits responded to the headquarters of the European Union's executive commission Friday after an envelope containing a suspicious white powder was found on the premises, a spokesperson for Brussels firefighters said.

Walter Derieuw told The Associated Press that only one person came into contact with the substance, which has been sent to a military laboratory for analysis.

Also Read | US Envoy Donald Blome Refutes 'Cypher Conspiracy' Triggering Regime-Change in Pakistan.

The person, who was not identified, did not show any negative symptoms and was authorised to return home after taking a shower at European Commission headquarters.

Brussels police confirmed an intervention at the Berlaymont office building after a suspicious package was found but declined to give details when contacted by the AP.

Also Read | Russian President Vladimir Putin Declares Annexation of Ukrainian Territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia, Says There Are Four New Regions of Russia.

The envelope was found on the 13th floor of the building, where the office of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is located.

The European Commission's chief spokesman, Eric Mamer, said the discovery required the evacuation of the whole floor.

Everybody is fine as far as I know, Mamer said. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, September 30: The United States on Friday announced that it will impose "swift and severe cost" on Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four regions of Ukraine, which America quoted as a 'sham referendum.'

Putin signed the documents to formally announced the annexation of four regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. US Embassy in Moscow Urges Americans Residing in Russia To Leave Country 'Immediately'.

The Biden administration official said they are "targeting additional Russian government officials and leaders, their family members, Russian and Belarusian military officials, and defence procurement networks, including international suppliers supporting Russia's military-industrial complex" through announcements from the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and State, according to CNN.

That includes sanctions from the Treasury Department on a key player in keeping the Russian economy afloat: Elvira Nabiullina, an economist who has been leading Russia's central bank since 2013. US Envoy Donald Blome Refutes 'Cypher Conspiracy' Triggering Regime-Change in Pakistan.

According to the statement, "The Treasury Department, US government and our allies will not hesitate to take swift and severe actions against individuals and companies inside and outside of Russia who are complicit in this war and these sham referendums."

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden condemned Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territory on Friday. "The United States condemns Russia's fraudulent attempt today to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory. Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere," according to the statement released by the White House.

Calling the annexation, "illegal" Biden said that the US will always honour Ukraine's internationally recognized borders and will continue to support the country's effort to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically. He further said that the USD 1.1 billion in additional security assistance that the United States announced this week also helped Ukraine.

"We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russia's brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbour," the statement reads. US President also said he will sign legislation from Congress that will provide an additional USD 12 billion to support Ukraine.

"I urge all members of the international community to reject Russia's illegal attempts at annexation and to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes," Biden said as quoted in the statement.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the "United States unequivocally rejects Russia's fraudulent attempt to change Ukraine's internationally recognized borders."

"We will continue the United States' powerful, coordinated efforts to hold Russia to account, cut Russia's military off from global commerce and severely limit its ability to sustain its aggression and project power," he added.

After Russia formally announced the annexation of Ukraine territories, the European Union leaders also condemned the action and accused the Kremlin of putting global security at risk.

"We firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. By wilfully undermining the rules-based international order and blatantly violating the fundamental rights of Ukraine to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, core principles as enshrined in the UN Charter and international law, Russia is putting global security at risk," the statement reads.

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Vikram Vedha Movie Review: How does the demon Vetaal manage to keep the otherwise astute king Vikram engaged in what can easily look like a simplistically silly cat-and-mouse chase? How does Vetaal escape the mighty clutches of the valiant King in spite of getting nabbed every single time? Why does the art of storytelling, or a thought-provoking dialogue, work far better than the concrete commandments or strict strictures? Taking a leaf out of the popular Indian folklore Vikram and Vetaal, writer-director Pushkar and Gayatri stick to the blueprint of the Tamil original of the same name in order to serve a rather lavish cinematic treat in the form of Vikram Vedha. The makers employ the explosive combo of Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan to dish out a total paisa vasool massy entertainer. Hrithik Roshan: Saif Ali Khan Was Never Desperate To Become A Hero; Has Always Been Secure In His Head!

This version uses Kanpur and Lucknow as its backdrop to unfold the 'bloody' narrative. These cities, their ghettos, the choc-a-bloc bylanes, the food, the colors and the chaos become the character in themselves. And then there's a larger-than-life drama unfolding where a dutiful officer (Saif Ali Khan) who takes immense pride in gunning down 15 gangsters is in a desperate search of the most notorious don Vedha (Hrithik Roshan). Much to the surprise of the police department, the dreaded soul shows up and surrenders himself, only to tell stories, one after another, like an intriguing series to deconstruct the conundrum of dharma sankat ( how does one annihilate the lesser evil when the two evils are pitted against each other).

Vikram Vedha is a remake. The story has been told before in the OG. We know the drama, the twists and the unexpected turns where characters are unmasked and the truth wears multiple shades. And yet it all works even with its retelling. While the first half looks neatly linear but too simple to grasp, it's the second half of the film that keeps you engaged and invested. The fantastic background score, the towering presence of Hrithik and the sturdy act by Saif, the duo's proverbial jugalbandi, and the high-pitched drama unspooling in a pacy manner make Vikram Vedha a gripping watch.

Watch Vikram Vedha Trailer:

As the narrative shifts your understanding and the ever-changing perception of good and evil, one grasps the concept of the film in its entirety. Every character finds their place in this complex web for a reason and with nuance. The slow and simplistic pace of the first half places the central characters concretely only to unleash the fury of the second half by piling on more players that revolve around the central plot. The huge plus of the film is that it concludes well only after tying up the loose ends coherently without hurrying into reaching the finishing line. Vikram Vedha Song Bande: Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan Are Tough Lads in This Kickass Track (Watch Video)

On the lop side though you are not much invested in the characters of Shatak and Chanda who have played out key subplots. There's no doubt that Hrithik is the centerpiece of the film, but his accent and his tan looks borrowed straight out of his previous outing Super 30. Alcoholia is the only track that stays with you thanks to the absolute abandon with which Hrithik has delivered it with a wild display of his flawless dance moves coupled with those unmatched facial expressions. Manoj Muntashir's dialogues are crisp, colorful and even dramatic to spice up the drama and Richard Kevin's editing is sharp.

As far as performances are concerned, Hrithik Roshan's intensity as the menacing Vedha is arresting. Saif Ali Khan is sincere and he impresses as the righteous tough cop. Radhika Apte who plays the common thread between the two has played her part effectively.

Final Thoughts

Yes, the original remains my favorite, but this one doesn't fail to impress either. Vikram Vedha reiterates the power of impressive visuals, fine storytelling and intelligent execution strengthened by terrific performances as well as unmissable technical brilliance. This one is a wholesome movie meal that will go well with a bucketful of popcorn. Go indulge!

Rating: 3.5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2022 08:38 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Lucknow, September 30: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday hailed the excise department's efforts to curb the supply and black-marketing of spurious liquor and increasing revenue, a government spokesperson said. Adityanath was speaking at an event where he congratulated 332 new constables on their recruitment to the excise department.

He said, "Tireless efforts were made after 2017 to curb the supply of spurious liquor. Resultantly, the state managed to gather a revenue of about Rs 42,000 crore by the end of this year, in contrast to just Rs 12,000 crore in 2017. I urge all the newly-recruited constables to work as transparently and dedicatedly as the government did during their recruitment."

The chief minister also expressed happiness on the recruitment of 109 women constables and said, "It is extremely heartening to see about 30% recruitment of women during the holy 'Sharadiya Navratri'. The government is committed to providing employment opportunities to the youth with utmost transparency, according to their eligibility." Yogi Adityanath Govt in Uttar Pradesh Transferred 14 IAS Officers, 10 Districts Get New Chiefs

During the event, Adityanath reiterated his government's "zero-tolerance policy" on crime, adding that those who endangered people's lives by distributing spurious liquor were now behind bars.

Lauding the excise department's work, he said, "The department, once infamous, set up about 33 new distilleries in 5.5 years that are more than half of what were present in the state since 70 years for ensuring poison-free liquor as well as generating employment opportunities and more revenue. This reflects the positive-intent of the government and the hard work of the department."

"Today, UP tops in ethanol and alcohol production and has also made record payment of more than Rs 1.80 lakh crore to sugarcane farmers that is even more than the annual budget of many states," he pointed out.

Speaking on the job situation in Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister said over 5 lakh youths were given government jobs in the last five-and-a-half years despite the COVID-19 pandemic. About 1.61 crore were given job opportunities through various MSME units and the industrial sector at large while about 60 lakh craftsmen and artisans were connected with banks to ensure self-employment, he added. Yogi Adityanath Government to Help Dalit Groups in Uttar Pradesh to Become Entrepreneurs

Adityanath reiterated that his government would provide employment to at least one person in every family and ensure self-reliance of youths. The government also aims to ensure that the youth become technologically advanced through the provision of two crore tablets/smartphones, he added.

Uttar Pradesh also managed to bring down its unemployment rate significantly from 18-19 per cent in 2016 to about 2.6 per cent at present, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the chief minister said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Google-owned wearable brand Fitbit has announced that its next-generation wearables are now available for Indian consumers. The new Inspire 3, Versa 4, and Sense 2 are available across online and offline partners at Rs 8,999, Rs 20,499 and Rs 24,999, respectively.
A teacher of a prominent school in #Lucknow has been booked under the #POCSO Act and detained after a Class 6 girl student accused him of touching her inappropriately during an exam.



The school has terminated the services of the teacher.@Uppolice pic.twitter.com/FvNrZGBAtT IANS (@ians_india) September 30, 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.)
Oil prices fall as traders await OPEC+ meeting

Xinhua) 09:36, September 30, 2022

NEW YORK, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices declined on Thursday as market participants awaited a key meeting by major oil producers.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for November delivery decreased 92 cents, or 1.1 percent, to settle at 81.23 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for November delivery lost 83 cents, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 88.49 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, is set to meet next week and discuss future output strategy.

On Wednesday, the WTI and Brent rallied 4.65 percent and 3.54 percent, respectively, supported by easing U.S. dollar and a drop in U.S. fuel inventories.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
Another student, Nauman Ali visited Hospital to see his friend when one student of second group fired at him, resulting in an injury to his scalp. Crime Team is investigating. Legal action initiated accordingly at PS- Jamia Nagar & PS- New Friends Colony: Delhi Police (2/2) ANI (@ANI) September 29, 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.)
A minor student was stabbed to death by his schoolmate in northwest Delhi's Adarsh Nagar area police said on Friday. The juvenile had purchased a button-actuated knife online for the crime. On Thursday, police got a PCR call regarding the incident in Adarsh Nagar, police said. The teenager, a resident of Burari, had received multiple stab injuries, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest) Usha Rangnani said. He was shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries during treatment, she said. Kochi Shocker: Man Stabbed to Death for Questioning Misbehaviour With Woman During DJ Party

Check Tweet:

Delhi | A student was stabbed to death by another student in the PS Adarsh Nagar area. Case was filed, CCTV checked, 5 juveniles involved were apprehended from Lal Bagh. Weapon of offence, a button knife which was purchased online, also recovered. Further investigation underway  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 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.)
Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has ordered internet service licensees to block 63 websites in India that contain pornographic content under the new IT Rules in 2021. The ministry has asked the internet service providers to block all 63 porn websites with immediate effect. Ban Porn Websites or Lose Licence: Uttarakhand High Court Tells Internet Service Providers.

The provision under the new IT Rules 2021 passed by MeitY instructs Internet service providers to disable access or remove any material posted or stored by them which shows individuals in full or partial nudity or shows an individual in any sexual act.

Kindly nd the attached Judicial Magistrate First Class, Court No.6, Pune, Maharashtra order dated 23-09-2022, in the case OW No. 303 of 2022 forwarded by MeitY vide email dated 24.09.2022 for necessary action with respect following sixty-three (63) websites/URLs mentioned in the court order, added the order.

List of Porn Websites Banned In India:

This is the second time, the government has banned porn sites in India. In 2018, GOI blocked 827 porn sites on the orders of the Uttarakhand High Court. It is worth noting that while the High Court had ordered to ban 857 websites, the government only banned 827 sites and spared 30 others as no porno material was found published on those websites.

The Department of Telecommunications issued a letter instructing internet service providers to disable access to porn sites as the content was against morality and decency as provided in Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India. Despite the ban on porn sites, users were posting various methods to access blocked URLs via VPN. However, we do not encourage the users to do the same.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2022 11:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Yangon, Sep 30: A passenger plane of the state-owned Myanmar National Airlines was attacked during landing near Loikaw airport on Friday, leaving one injured, according to local authorities.

"A Yangon-Loikaw plane was shot near the Loikaw airport from nearby Wah La Poe Village. A passenger was injured in his ear because of the bullet pierced through into the cabin of the plane," Zaw Min Tun, head of the State Administration Council's Information Team, told Xinhua news agency. Russian Strike Kills 23 in Zaporizhzhia As Kremlin Prepares To Annex Four Ukraine Regions.

The plane carrying 63 passengers safely landed and the injured was sent to Loikaw general hospital for medical treatment, he said. Pakistan Neither Requested nor Held Any Talks With China on Debt Swap, Says Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto.

Security forces were tightening security near the spot where the attack took place, he added.
Two suspects opened fire on a school campus in Oakland, California. Police stated in a press conference that they believe the attack was gang-related.

Six people were shot and taken to the hospital. Fortunately, nobody was killed.

Of the six people shot and injured, all were over the age of 18. They were immediately sent to a local hospital. Those injured include two students, two staff members, one counselor, and one security guard, according to Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong. He added that two of the victims were in critical condition but are now stable. Three of those shot have now been released from the hospital, according to USA Today.

Oakland Police Now Looking for At Least Two Shooters and One Accomplice, Maybe More

Oakland Police Department Assistant Chief Darren Allison said the shooting happened at around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Rudsdale Newcomer High School portion of the King Estates campus. The campus houses four schools, including the Sojourner Truth Independent Study and BayTech Charter School.

Around 30 rounds were fired, which the police chief said is unacceptable.

Authorities stated that they are now looking for at least two shooters and one accomplice. They admitted that there might have been more people involved, according to ABC-7. As of writing, nobody is in custody yet. Police are warning that the suspects are still at large, and are armed and dangerous.

Armstrong also added that the shooters were specifically targeting one person and began to fire outside the school. They then breached the front entryway before getting away. Police are now working to find out whom they were specifically targeting.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf released a statement, saying that the gun violence at the school "shocks the soul," and added that "the unbridled access to firearms in our country is inexcusable."

A nearby church outside the campus was converted into a makeshift student-parent reunification site. City councilors Loren Taylor and Treva Reid also met up with parents, teachers, and community leaders following the incident.

READ NEXT: Texas School Shooting: Police Chief Could Be Fired After Massive Failure During Uvalde Attack

School Administrators Told Victims Not to Cooperate With the Police

ABC-7 reporter Dan Noyes reported that school administration officials sent texts to the victims of last Wednesday's Oakland school shooting, urging then not to cooperate. Law enforcement sources and a former Oakland City council member all confirmed this, according to Noyes.

All schools from the King Estates Campus, including Rudsdale High where the shooting happened, remained closed. Oakland Unified School District John Sasaki stated that they will remain closed for the time being as they have to repair a lot of damage done to the entire campus.

The school district's president, Gary Yee, said in a statement that board members have attended different meetings to address the violence that has been happening all over the area. They are now in the process of reviewing safety measures in all of the schools in the district, not just Rudsdale High.

READ MORE: Texas Shooting: Uvalde Police Chief Placed On Leave After Bungled Response To Mass Shooter

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: At least 6 injured in school shooting in Oakland - Fox 11 Los Angeles
The National Records of Scotland has released the document that tells Queen Elizabeth II's cause of death Thursday. According to the paper, the queen died of old age.

Princess Anne, the queen's daughter, is listed as the informant about her mother's death. Anne said in a statement that she was fortunate to be with her mother for the last 24 hours of her life.

Queen Elizabeth II's age was 96, according to a statement issued by Buckingham Palace. The statement read, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," People noted.

READ NEXT: Here's the Truth About Queen Elizabeth II 'Gold Coffin' and Embalmed Body

Queen Elizabeth II Death Certificate Details

Aside from Queen Elizabeth II's cause of death, her death certificate reveals some information unknown to some people who live in other countries.

According to Today, the late Queen's name is listed as "Elizabeth Alexandra Mary" with the surname "Windsor." Her occupation reads, "Her Majesty The Queen." The Queen's parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, are also listed on her death certificate.

The document says that the Queen died on September 8, 2022, at 3:10 p.m. at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she stayed for the late summer. Windsor Castle is listed as her "usual residence," where she spent the rest of her last years, beginning in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth II's Final Years

According to Buckingham Palace, the queen spent one night in a hospital in late October 2021 for "preliminary investigations," after which she returned to Windsor Castle and resumed her duties.

A few weeks later, on November 14, Buckingham Palace issued a statement explaining that the Queen had to skip the annual Remembrance Sunday service due to a back injury.

Then, the queen tested positive for COVID-19 in February 2022, but the palace claims that she only experienced "mild cold-like symptoms" because of the virus.

She celebrated her 96th birthday in April at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Two months later, she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. However, the Queen just attended three events of the four-day celebration due to "some discomfort", Buckingham Palace said.

Just two days before she passed away, on September 6, the Queen met Liz Truss, the country's new prime minister, in person at Balmoral Castle. It was her last public appearance with an in-person audience.

King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II's eldest child who succeeded to the throne after her death, and Anne were present with the Queen during her final hours.

Later, more members of the queen's family, including her grandsons, Princes William and Harry and her sons Princes Andrew and Edward, went to Balmoral.

ABC News reported that Anne escorted her mother's coffin from Balmoral Castle to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the Queen is buried.

During the ten days of mourning, hundreds of thousands of people said goodbye to her in Scotland and London. On September 19, her funeral and burial occurred at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest of any monarch in British history, reigning for 70 years.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Mistakenly Calls Out Dead Indiana Lawmaker at White House Conference as if She Were There in Latest Gaffe

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Death certificate says Queen Elizabeth II died of old age - From CBS New York
Hurricane Ian devastated Florida, causing massive floods and property damage. At least 17 people have died already, with homes flooded and roads cut off due to the flooding. Millions of Floridians were also left without power in Hurricane Ian's wake.

President Joe Biden said, "This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history." He admitted that the numbers are still unclear, but early reports have stated that there may be a substantial loss of life.

Florida State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis agreed with Biden when he said Ian could be the deadliest in the state's history. He stated that the hurricane is "shaping up to be the largest natural disaster in state history."

The 'Substantial Loss of Life' From Hurricane Ian

According to CNN, at least 17 deaths have been reported in connection with Hurricane Ian. At least 14 of whom came from southwest and central Florida. Charlotte County, Florida has reported at least eight or nine deaths in their area, while one person died in hospice care in died in Osceola County.

A 72-year-old man in Deltona died overnight after he went outside during the storm. He reportedly was trying to drain his swimming pool. Meanwhile, over in Sarasota Country, there were two hurricane-related deaths reported.

Biden was at FEMA's National Response Coordination Center, helping coordinate the government's response.

"We know many families are hurting, our entire country hurts with them," he stated.

Biden also urged everyone to take warnings from local officials seriously and stay safe and remain indoors.

"The danger is real, to state the obvious. Please obey all warnings and direction from emergency officials," Biden said.

READ MORE: Hurricane Ian Update: Blackouts in Cuba While People Trapped Inside Their Homes in Florida

Pres. Joe Biden to Visit Florida and Puerto Rico as Hurricane Ian Heads to Different States

According to the Associated Press, Biden stated he will be visiting Florida and meet with Governor Ron DeSantis about the current situation there when conditions allow it. Currently, Ian is still ravaging parts of the state and making travel to affected areas difficult.

Biden also promised to visit Puerto Rico. The U.S. territory was recently devastated by Hurricane Fiona, leaving millions in the island without power. Residents are also suffering from a lack of potable water.

Despite their political differences, Biden and DeSantis spoke before Hurricane Ian hit. They reportedly spoke again on Thursday morning as Ian began its way through the Sunshine State. Both state and federal governments are coordinating rescue efforts across Florida.

Ian has been dubbed one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history. It weakened to a Category 2 storm from a Category 4, but has since regained strength and is expected to slam into the Carolinas and Georgia. It has already devastated much of Florida, as well as Cuba.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the winds have increased to 75 mph. They are warning that "life-threatening flooding, storm surge and strong winds'' will be coming to Georgia, as well as North and South Carolina.

READ NEXT: Hurricane Fiona Update: Joe Biden Promises 100% Help for Puerto Rico After Major Disaster

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Florida resident returns home for first time after Hurricane Ian - CNN
Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega has issued another statement against the Catholic Church, describing the religious institution as a "perfect dictatorship" for not allowing members of the church to elect the pope.

Al Jazeera News reported that everything in the Catholic Church is "imposed," adding that it is a "perfect tyranny."

The Nicaraguan president talked about the Catholic Church during a televised speech on Wednesday, marking the 43rd anniversary of the Nicaraguan police's establishment.

Ortega said that if the Church were to start going democratic, it should start with "Catholics voting for the cardinals, for bishops."

The Nicaraguan president has since accused the Catholic Church in Nicaragua of backing protests against his leadership in 2018, leading to a crackdown against protesters that killed hundreds.

Ortega has also claimed that the protests against him were supported by the United States opposition, plotting to remove him from the position and alleged the bishops of complicity.

READ NEXT: Nicaragua Asks EU Ambassador to Leave the Country After Government Identified Bettina Muscheidt as 'Persona Non Grata'

Daniel Ortega Against the Catholic Church

Daniel Ortega also described church figures such as bishops and priests as "killers" and "coup plotters" during his televised speech, accusing them of working with "American imperialism."

He said that he is a Catholic and he does not feel represented.

It is not the first time that Ortega has publicly attacked the Catholic Church as he has called bishops "terrorists" and "demons in cassocks" in September 2021, according to a Catholic News Agency report.

In 2018, he also accused bishops of being behind the 2018 protests and promoting a coup d'etat against him.

Pope Francis said that there is a dialogue with the Nicaraguan government. However, the church leader said that there "are problems" as of now.

Nicaraguan Immigration and Foreigners Office prevented Father Juan de Dios Garcia, who is the vicar of the Santo Cristo de las Colinas parish, from returning to the country after he traveled to the United States.

De Dios Garcia's situation was reported by the newspaper La Prensa on September 11.

In August, Nicaraguan police also abducted Rolando Alvarez, bishop of Matagalpa, from the chancery where he was forcibly confined by riot police. He remains under house arrest in Managua.

Tension in Nicaragua

The pope said that the Catholic Church is talking with the government, but that does not mean that they approve of "everything the government does, or that we disapprove, "as reported by France 24 News.

Aside from the Church, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols was also criticized during Ortega's speech. Nichols is serving under Chile's president Gabriel Boric, who recently criticized Ortega for human rights violations.

The European Union and the United States have implemented sanctions against Nicaragua and its officials over the last four years due to human rights violations.

At least two priests and two seminarians were arrested in Nicaragua. However, the police did not specify the charges against them.

Ortega ruled Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990 after the former guerilla ousted U.S.-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza.

He then returned to power in 2007 and has increasingly become authoritarian and has silenced opposition.

READ MORE: Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega's Critic Edgard Paralles Picked Up by Two People Not in Police Uniform and Was Detained

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Vatican Weighs in on Nicaragua's Aggression Against the Catholic Church | EWTN News Nightly - from EWTN


A Manhattan judge threw out a motion by lawyers representing Fox News and host Lou Dobbs to throw out a defamation lawsuit by Venezuelan businessman Majed Khalil. The lawsuit was filed last year, with the plaintiff claiming that Dobbs defamed him with frequent on-air attacks via his Fox Business show, Lou Dobbs Tonight, as well as several tweets.

Fox Corp., Fox News Network, and Lou Dobbs were all named in the lawsuit. The lawyers for the defendants tried to throw the case out. However, U.S. District Judge Louis L. Stanton decided that the Venezuelan had "sufficiently claimed that his reputation was harmed by false accusations." according to ABC News.

Lou Dobbs Repeated Trump Lawyer's False Claims That 2020 Elections Were Stolen

According to The Hill, the lawsuit alleged that Dobbs and then-Trump attorney Sidney Powell defamed Khalil in Dobbs's show by accusing him of helping change ballot counts in voting machines, dubbing his supposed actions as "electoral 9/11." Dobbs also repeated these claims on Twitter.

The judge also added that Khalil may argue before a jury that the defendants had "actual malice" because they repeatedly maintained their claims about the businessman even after Sidney Powell's election fraud theories were challenged.

Judge Stanton also stated that Khalil is not a public figure, and his complaint has shown that there is "enough evidence of false and defamatory statements to move forward to discovery in the case."

The judge stated that Powell is not an accurate source of information given that her numerous claims against Dominion and Smartmatic have been proven false, but still, the defendants have repeated her claims on air.

As for the Tweet that Dobbs used to defame Khalil, it was in reference to a post he tweeted last December 10, 2020. He listed Khalil along with four others as being in liaison with Lebanon's Hezbollah. Dobbs also claimed that Khalil was the "effective COO" of an election rigging scheme using Smartmatic and Dominion voting machines.

READ NEXT: Trump White House Switchboard Connected to January 6 Rioter's Phone While Riot Happening, Ex-GOP Representative Says

Venezuelan Businessman Must Now Show Evidence of Malice From Fox News as Case Moves Forward

In that same lawsuit, Khalil claimed that nobody from Fox News ever approached him to seek confirmation or deny the election fraud claims.

With the case now moving forward to discovery, Judge Stanton rejected claims made by Fox News that Dobbs' claims were protected by reporting privilege on a matter of public interest and that it was protected by New York's fair report doctrine. However, Judge Stanton ruled that Dobbs and Powell never attributed the statements about Khalil to any kind of official probe or any judicial proceeding, He also reiterated that Powell was not a responsible source.

However, the judge also ruled that New York's anti-SLAPP law applies to the case, as it has to do with a matter of public interest. Because of this, Khalil must now show actual malice on the part of Dobbs and Fox News, according to Deadline.

Dobbs's show was cancelled after another lawsuit was filed by Smartmatic, which Dobbs repeatedly accused of aiding in already-debunked "election fraud."

READ MORE: January 6 Hearings: Former Aide Says Donald Trump Tried to Join the Crowd, Grab the Steering Wheel From Secret Service Agent

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Lou Dobbs' Show Canceled As Fox News Faces Lawsuit Over Voting Machine Claims | TODAY
An Oklahoma prosecutor is now recovering at his home in Tulsa after his own daughter stabbed him multiple times. Police said Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler was stabbed by his 30-year-old daughter, Jennifer Kunzweiler, inside his home on Tuesday.

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said Kunzweiler's daughter was arrested following the incident. Kunzweiler released a statement to reporters on Wednesday and called for more state funding for mental illness programs.

In a press conference, the 60-year-old district attorney said the day he was stabbed was one of his family's toughest days. According to the Associated Press, his statement lasted approximately nine minutes before leaving without taking any questions.

Oklahoma District Attorney Calls for More Help on Mental Health

Steve Kunzweiler, a Republican who reelection in 2018, is running unopposed for reelection in November. He was emotional during the press conference. He said he had seen mental health care in Oklahoma steadily get worse, and he is now using his experience as a call to action, according to KOTV.

He appeared alongside his wife and one of his three daughters and said: "Mental illness is a terrible thing. And many families... like ours have endured years of anxious-ridden concern for our affected loved ones."

He went on to say that the "Tulsa County Sheriff houses the largest population of mentally ill-affected people in the state." He felt this was simply wrong and that families dealing with this problem faced barriers to getting the care they needed "too many times."

He admitted that one of the biggest barriers was stigma and stressed the importance of normalizing the conversations around mental health to "ensure that we are able to link people to those resources."

He noted that these resources should also take funding and support from state leaders. Kunzweiler also implored the leaders to help and called them to action, saying "stop putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. Figure out how to resource this problem."

READ NEXT: 'Riverdale' Actor Ryan Grantham Afraid He Will Be Brutalized in Prison After Killing His Mother

Oklahoma District Attorney's Daughter Inflicted Harm Upon Herself

Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Meulenberg spoke to the press following Steve Kunzweiler's arrest. He noted that Kunzweiler got into an altercation with his daughter, leading to Jennifer Kunzweiler stabbing her father in the arm and midsection.

The police chief also revealed that Kunzweiler's daughter also stabbed herself, and she is currently receiving treatment inside a local hospital. He added that firefighters who responded to the incident had to wrestle with Jennifer in order to get her under control.

The police's family violence unit and the crime unit are now investigating the case, with the Tulsa police having complete jurisdiction. According to NBC News, Jennifer cut herself first as an act of self-harm, with her father trying to stop her.

And that led to the wounded district attorney decrying the state of Oklahoma's mental health care. He said: "Many families like ours have endured years of anxious-ridden concern for our affected loved ones. No one, no one wants to be mentally ill."

Jennifer Kunzweiler is still hospitalized but will likely face a charge of domestic violence with a dangerous weapon upon release.

READ MORE: January 6 Hearings: Former Aide Says Donald Trump Tried to Join the Crowd, Grab the Steering Wheel From Secret Service Agent

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: DA Steve Kunzweiler Calls For Better Mental Health Care After Stabbing Incident - From News on 6/ KOTV
Some new details about the failed military operation to arrest Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, emerged after a group of hackers, calling themselves "Guacamaya," managed to gain access to Mexico's Ministry of Defense (SEDENA) confidential records.

According to journalist Carlos Loret de Mola, the hackers managed to get confidential emails, documents, and videos from SEDENA's servers, including President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's health records.

The data was reportedly sent Thursday night to Loret, who disclosed some details in the digital news media platform Latinus. Some of the confidential documents revealed that Lopez Obrador was diagnosed with angina, a worrying heart condition that can lead to heart attacks.

It was discovered after an Army air ambulance went to his ranch in Palenque, Chiapas, last January 2 to transfer him to a Mexico City hospital, where he was monitored and received medical tests. Loret said no one from Lopez Obrador's administration mentioned the emergency transfer or the serious diagnosis.

Confidential documents also revealed a national security fact that there was a lack of army presence at border crossings, not just on the U.S.-Mexico border but also on the Mexico-Guatemala border down in the south.

Based on the acquired reports, the Ministry of Defense admitted that the case on the southern border, particularly in Cancun, was "serious." It said the Cancun airport terminal should have 56 soldiers, but there are only 14. The ministry added that only three soldiers were sometimes placed in critical areas, allowing an open door to illegal trafficking activities.

Hackers Reveal Details on Operation to Arrest El Chapo's Son Ovidio Guzman Lopez

The Guacamaya hackers also revealed details of the operation known as "Culiacanazo," which was an operation to capture El Chapo's son and the youngest member of Los Chapitos, Ovidio Guzman Lopez.

The operation was reportedly carried out to fulfill an arrest warrant issued by the Federal Court of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2018, "for crimes of organized crime for the purpose of stockpiling and trafficking weapons, kidnapping, collection of flat and crimes against health."

According to the hacked documents that summarized what happened, the operation reportedly started at 3:15 p.m. in Culiacan city in Sinaloa state on October 17, 2019, Zetai Tijuana reported.

The Army managed to capture El Chapo's son, but members of the Sinaloa Cartel loyal to Los Chapitos launched attacks all over the city. Two minutes later, or at 3:17 p.m., the security forces asked Ovidio "to persuade his brothers" to stop the attack to prevent more bloodshed.

The information showed that Ovidio was able to talk to his brother Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, another Los Chapitos member, and asked him to order the cessation of the attacks.

However, his brother responded with a refusal and made threats against the military personnel and their families. Because of this, Loret said the president "folded his hands before the Sinaloa Cartel" after a few hours.

The military report noted that "at 7:30 p.m.," the Army received the order from Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to stop the operation to arrest Ovidio. The hacked report also revealed that nine people died that day, contradicting the official version, which said there were only eight deaths.

According to Reuters, Lopez Obrador admitted that he was the one who personally ordered Ovidio's release that led to the embarrassment of his administration as Sinaloa Cartel forces overwhelmed Mexican authorities.

The president previously said that he ordered the release of El Chapo's son in order to protect the citizens caught in the crossfire between government forces and the Sinaloa Cartel.

READ NEXT: El Chapo Sons: Notorious Los Chapitos Are on the Rise in Mexico's Powerful Sinaloa Cartel

Rewards Offered for El Chapo's Sons, Known as the Los Chapitos

The four sons of El Chapo, known as Los Chapitos, had reportedly assumed leadership roles in the Sinaloa Cartel after their father was arrested and extradited to the U.S.

Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, and Jesus Alfredo Guzman had allegedly shared control of the Sinaloa Cartel along with their uncle Aureliano "El Guano" Guzman and co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

Last December, the U.S. State Department offered $5 million rewards for any information that could help federal agents arrest El Chapo's four sons. U.S. investigators said that the Los Chapitos manage around 11 laboratories in their home state of Sinaloa that produce up to 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine monthly.

The State Department said the Los Chapitos are high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel and are subject to a federal indictment for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The Sinaloa Cartel is one of Mexico's largest and most powerful drug trafficking organizations. The group was founded in the late 1980s and headed by El Chapo.

Under El Chapo's leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel earned its reputation through violence and outfought several rival groups. El Chapo was sentenced to spend the rest of his days in the ADX Florence "supermax" prison in Colorado after being sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019.

READ MORE: Sinaloa Cartel Boss El Chapo's Godson Freed From U.S. Prison, but Mexico Wants Him Extradited to Face Charges for Murder of Journalist

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: El Chapo's Son Captured, Then Released During Shootout in Mexico - From CBS News
A Minnesota couple were found dead inside their home Tuesday after they both agreed to proceed with their murder-suicide plot to end their suffering from cancer.

Becker County Sheriff Todd Glander said Steven Stearns, 45, took his own life after killing his wife, Stacy Stearns, 49, and their two dogs.

Crime Online reported that police found the lifeless Minnesota couple with the dogs inside their Lakeview Township home on Tuesday morning after receiving a phone call requesting the need for law enforcement.

Steven reportedly had terminal lung cancer, while Stacy had stomach cancer. One of their two dogs was also in ailing health. A family friend revealed to InForum that Steven told her about the murder-suicide pact he had with his wife.

However, Steven did not provide a timeline. Steven also reportedly asked his friend, Tammy Lawrence, to promise not to reveal their plan.

"They've always had a pact that, 'We will go together.' They said, 'What kind of life would it be in and out of the hospital with chemo? It's not a life'," Lawrence told the outlet.

READ NEXT: Oklahoma Woman Admits Killing Roommate During Fight About Food Stamps, Tries to Burn the Body Twice But Failed

Minnesota Couple Posts Goodbye Message on Facebook Before Committing Suicide

Tammy Lawrence said Steven Stearns' health rapidly declined days before their deaths. According to People, the Minnesota couple posted a goodbye message on Facebook a minute before they called 911.

The message addressed to their loved ones said: "We chose to leave this world as we lived in it. In love and together. Our only regret is the sorrow to our loved ones. Remember the laughter and happiness. We love you. Goodbye."

The Minnesota couple reportedly had no children and had considered their dogs to be their kids. According to DL-Online, the couple's bodies were sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsies and identification after police found them.

The medical examiner's office said Stacy's cause of death was ruled a homicide, while Steven's cause of death was ruled a suicide.

Minnesota Couple Diagnosed With Cancer Celebrates Their 21st Wedding Anniversary Before Ending Their Lives

Steven Stearns and Stacy Stearns just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary last week. Tammy Lawrence said the two were "lovable people," and "when they hug you, you felt warm and secure."

Lawrence said the couple always showed love and affection to each other, constantly giving "a kiss or a pat on the rear." The pair reportedly named their two dogs Baby and Goliath, who weighed 150 pounds.

Lawrence said they had a birthday party for Goliath and had his own porterhouse steak. Goliath reportedly had his own health issues and could no longer walk. The couple's family and friends asked the public to live and love life the way the Stearns did and not to remember how they died.

"He's not a murderer. This was done out love. It's what they both wanted. They wanted to go together with their dogs," Lawrence said. The InForum reported that the Minnesota couple's clothes and dishes are being donated to a local crisis center.

READ MORE: John Lennon Killer: The Disturbing Story of Mark David Chapman Who Was Denied Parole for 12th Time

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Psychology of Murder-Suicide - From ABC Action News
A new Pew Research Center survey showed that most Latino adults think the Democratic Party cares more about them and works hard to get their support. Results released Thursday also showed that fewer Latinos say the same about the Republican Party.

The study revealed that 36% of 3,029 Latinos surveyed from August 1 to August 14 said there is a "fair" amount of difference between what the Democratic and Republican parties stand for, while 16% said there is "hardly" any difference at all between the parties.

The survey found that most Latino Americans had good things to say about the Democratic Party. A total of 71% of Latinos say the Democratic Party works very hard to get their support, 63% say the Democratic Party "really cares about Latinos," and 60% say the Democratic Party represents their best interests.

By contrast, shares of Latinos say the same of the Republican Party on each statement, but a slightly higher percentage (45%) says the GOP "works hard to earn the votes of Latinos."

While most Latinos have positive views of the Democratic Party, not all do. For instance, 34% of respondents agree that the statements "the Democratic Party really cares about Latinos" and "the Democratic Party represents the interests of people like you" do not accurately describe their views.

READ NEXT: Twitter Moves to Fight Misleading Information Ahead of Midterm Elections; Experts Say Strategies Fall Short

Survey on Latinos Comes Out Six Weeks Before Midterm Election

The survey comes just six weeks before the November 8 midterm elections and nearly two years after former President Donald Trump won more Latino votes than he did in 2016.

Republicans wanted to get more Hispanic votes than in 2020, while Democrats wanted to keep their congressional majorities by stopping the GOP from getting even less of the Latino vote, NBC News reported.

According to Pew's research, approximately two out of every three Latino registered voters identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party. But it was clear that Latinos' future party affiliation was still in the air. About 1 in 10 of these voters said they were members of one party, but their political beliefs were more like those of the other party.

Many Latino voters said the Republican Party's economic and law enforcement policies and stances on Cuba, Venezuela, and immigration made them want to vote for Donald Trump.

Latinos Are the Second-Largest Group of Adult Voters in the Country

The survey seems to conflict with Republicans' claims that Hispanic voters are abandoning the Democratic Party and going red. Latinos are the country's second-largest group of eligible voters. This year, almost 35 million Latinos will be eligible to vote, accounting for 14% of the eligible voters in the U.S.

Among Latino registered voters this year, 77% say they are dissatisfied with how things are going in the country, and 54% disapprove of how Joe Biden handles his job as president.

Meanwhile, only 30% have given "a lot of thought" to this year's congressional elections. Overall, 80% of Latino registered voters said the economy is essential to their voting decisions in the congressional race.

Washington Examiner reported that three Latina candidates for South Texas congressional seats that have all been held by Democrats for more than a century expressed confidence in their ability to persuade moderate, socially conservative Democrats to support them in the upcoming election.

The Republican Party is sure that Rep. Mayra Flores, Monica De La Cruz, and Cassy Garcia will be their winning ticket on election night. The three were reportedly not afraid to be open about their views on abortion, border security, and nationalism.

They call themselves the "Triple Threat." They are reportedly the Republican Party's answer to the "Squad" of 2018 Democrats in the House of Representatives.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Mistakenly Calls Out Dead Indiana Lawmaker at White House Conference as if She Were There in Latest Gaffe

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: How Democrats and Republicans Are Courting Hispanic and Latino Voters Ahead of Midterms - From PBS NewsHour
The National Transport Authority has pulled the plug on two long awaited bus shelters in Laois because it wants new designs to make them wheelchair accesible.

The update was given to Laois County Councillors in relation to bus shelters confirmed for Mountrath and Castletown. Both had been approved for construction in 2022 but work has not been done.

Councillors sought an update from Diarmuid Donohue, Senior Executive Engineer, Active Travel, at County Hall.

"Our proposal was to put in bus shelters and nothing else but the NTA have come back to say they want to do a bigger job by upgrading it to a fully accessible wheelchair bus stop," he said.

Mr Donohue said this would involve high kerbing so that buses equipped with ramps could pick people up at the stops. He said this would require more designs.

He said a contractor is not lined up as the designs are not ready but he hoped they would be completed by the end of 2022.

Mr Donohue gave the update at a meeting where several public representatives complained about their absence in Laois.

Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, raised the issue at the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.

He tabled a motion calling on the Council to give an update on the progress, if any on the provision of bus shelters in Cullohill, Ballacolla & Shanahoe.

In his written reply Mr Donohue said the active Travel Engineer has met with Cllr. Clooney to discuss the proposed provision of bus shelters. He added that an application will be made to the NTA for funding to be provided for their installation.

All councillors at the meeting were insistent that more bus shelters are needed.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fail, said the council's Strategic Policy Committee on transport has set out an aim to have shelters in every village and town.
The Kirby Group has been granted permission for a major industrial development at Junction 17 in Portlaoise.

A leading electrical and mechanical contractor, the Kirby Group is one of a number of companies who bought sites at the Junction 17 National Enterprise Park at Togher, Portlaoise from Laois County Council.

Founded in Limerick in 1964, the Kirby Group now employs over 1,300 people and operates throughout Ireland in the UK and throughout Europe.

The company has now been granted conditional approval for the construction of a 4,549 square metre industrial unit and adjoining three storey 2,231 square metre administration block.

The Kirby Group applied for planning permission at Site one and two at J17 Industrial Park in August. The plans were approved by Laois County Council subject to 18 conditions on Thursday, September 29. The extensive plans represent a major investment for the company in Laois.

The application seeks to construct a light industrial unit with a footprint of 3000 m2 and overall floor area of 4549m2, plus associated roads, carpark, and service yard. The ground floor of the unit shall consist of 2319m2 of industrial space containing warehousing and clean room and an adjoining manufacturing area complete with an overhead gantry crane.

A three-storey administration block with in-house training facilities, measuring a total floor area of 2231m2 over three floors, shall be located on the Eastern elevation of the development with a Glazed Entrance tower located on the Southeast Corner incorporating Corporate Signage. General External treatment shall be a mix of Microrib and trapezoidal insulated cladding and shall incorporate extensive fenestration on the eastern and southern Elevation.

The roof shall support solar panels over its full area. The security of the site shall be provided by the building itself and a 2.5m high palladium fence, the application states.

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/business/755124/laois-council-has-spent-millions-of-euro-on-portlaoise-enterprise-park.html

Landscaping shall be developed along the southern and eastern boundaries along a 1.5m high berm adjacent to the local authority footpath, with an extensive landscaped mindfulness and wellbeing area created at the south-eastern corner around the proposed surface, the application concluded.
Go-Ahead Ireland has been served with a fine of just under half a million euro by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as a result of failings in bus services they offer in Kildare.

However, with the continuing cancellations on both the 120 and 126 bus routes, Social Democrats Cllr Aidan Farrelly says the fines are proving unsuccessful in improving the experience for frustrated passengers.

Following the release of the figures in a Parliamentary Question to Cllr Farrellys party colleague, Catherine Murphy the councillor criticised both the operator and the NTA for failing to understand the impact a misfiring bus service is having on a commuter-belt area.

Go-Ahead Ireland has failed the people of Kildare, and I have no reason to think they wont continue to do so.

On first look the public could be forgiven for thinking that these fines are significant but the NTA also offered Go-Ahead Ireland financial incentives of 61,000 in the same period  essentially applauding the operator for a job well done," he said.

In 2021, Go-Ahead was deducted 121,000 for poor performance on their Kildare routes  and yet in the first six months in 2022, that figure has nearly trebled to 330,000  so I would expect a similar if not higher deduction facing the operator between now and the end of the year.

The service on both the 120 and 126 is not improving, but worsening and its nothing short of disgraceful. I speak to commuters on a daily basis who are being stranded at bus stops trying to travel to work, school, college and medical appointments.

Ive met people who had to stand for 90 minutes at a bus stop in lashing rain with three children because the live tracker didnt display a cancellation, and the bus just disappeared from the app. People are being criticised in work for being late and some have left their jobs because of this, while others are trying to make medical appointments that theyve been waiting on for 2+ years, but miss them because of back-to-back cancellations.



Ive spoken to some college students who have missed classes and exams. This is affecting people in so many ways. Something has to give now  these financial penalties are not enough. I will be hosting a public meeting on Monday, November 7 at 7.30pm in the Westgrove Hotel in Clane to invite people to come together, share their stories about the service, and hopefully facilitate an action group to form.

I will invite Go-Ahead Ireland, the NTA and the Minister for Transport to attend. Catherine Murphy TD will be there and I am encouraging everyone who can to be there on the night. People need to come together now to say enough is enough.
Ireland could be referred to the European Court of Justice unless action is taken to stop the cutting of peat within Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), the European Commission has warned.

SACs are designated to conserve raised bogs and blanket bogs under the EU's Habitats Directive.

In a statement, the European Commission said Ireland has taken action to stop turf cutting in SACs, but said that "cutting activities are still ongoing and enforcement action appears to have stalled".

While restoration activities have begun on some raised bogs, the European Commission said it "is too slow given the importance of this priority habitat and its precarious state".

"With regard to blanket bogs SACs, there appears to be no regime controlling ongoing cutting with the cutting for domestic use exempt from control," the commission said.

It is 11 years since the commission first raised the issue with Irish authorities, which breaches European law under the Habitats Directive and national regulations.

The commission said it was issuing a notice now after a long dialogue.

Friends of the Irish Environment, who had presented a Petition to the European Parliaments Petitions Committee on turf cutting in Irelands Special Areas of Conservation in June 2010, welcomed the resumption of the case against Ireland.

It said an initial Reasoned Opinion, the last step before referring a country to the European Court of Justice, was issued by the Commission in June 2011 but according to FIE, the Commission pressed the snooze button.

It added that a statement from the Commission said After a long dialogue with the Irish authorities, for the reasons mentioned above, the Commission has decided to issue an additional reasoned opinion to Ireland.

FIE said Irelands Article 17 Reports to the European Commission every 7 years have themselves recorded the damage to the protected sites. Information released to the Irish Wildlife Trust earlier this year showed that of the 57 SACs, turf-cutting was monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at around one third of the sites (18 SACs) in 2021.

FIE also said that it filed a Request For Action under the Environmental Liability Directive which was accepted by the EPA on 24 February 2022, assuring FIE We will be in contact in due course when we have progressed and investigation and have further information.

FIE Director Tony Lowes said that ending all peat extraction was the low hanging fruit of emission reductions.

"The comparisons with the continuing destruction of the Amazon rainforests are increasingly accurate," he said.
The Taoiseach has defended the housing minister and housing policy after Irelands homeless figures hit a new record high.

Micheal Martin said that more emergency accommodation would be provided to deal with the increasing numbers.

According to the Department of Housings monthly tally, there are now 10,805 people homeless across Ireland, with charities warning that they face an ominous winter.

This is the second record high figure in a row, with a previous peak of 10,568 recorded in July.

Speaking to reporters from the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in Dublin, Mr Martin said that of course he has confidence in his housing minister and party colleague Darragh OBrien, and that he would remain in post  despite a Cabinet reshuffle due in December.

There is a record high number of 10,805 people living in emergency homeless accommodation This includes a record high number of:Adults (7585)Young People (1274)25-45 year olds (4078)45-64 year olds (2069)Single adults (5148)Adult men (4854) @DeptHousingIRL pic.twitter.com/ndZwqKsCZq  Simon Communities (@SimonCommunity) September 30, 2022

Hes been working flat out, the Fianna Fail leader said.

Asked about the rising homeless figures, he said: On an emergency basis, we will be providing more accommodation now fairly quickly to deal with the increase in homelessness figures.

Were not happy about it, were going to continue to do everything we possibly can in terms of dealing with increasing numbers.

He acknowledged that some factors had slowed down implementation of the Governments plan, mentioning the pandemic, the warn in Ukraine, and people objecting to local developments.

Mr Martin said the Housing for All plan is the only substantive policy document on how to tackle Irelands housing crisis.

It is the only detailed, comprehensive strategy for housing in this country. Its detailed, its resourced.

#Budget2023 sees record investment of over 4 billion in housing. Minister @DarraghOBrienTD says housing is the number 1 priority for this Government and the funding will help strengthen the progress already being made under #HousingForAll pic.twitter.com/6TtjfzuMvB  Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (@DeptHousingIRL) September 27, 2022

He added: I would challenge anybody, any other political party for that matter  whats the alternative that theyre producing?

Ive seen nothing of any substance from any political party outside of government in this country in relation to housing.

Ive seen slogans, I have seen soundbites, but I havent seen substance. I havent seen real breadth of initiatives, that Darragh OBrien has taken to be fair to him, in respect of affordable housing, in respect of social housing.

We will build a record number of social houses this year, were beginning a new era of social housing at scale.

When asked whether more could have been done in the Budget to prevent landlords from leaving the market, Mr Martin said that there had been unintended consequences in terms of some of the policies that we werent considering in relation to that.

When asked whether another ban on evictions should be considered, Mr Martin said it is not as clear cut in a non-Covid situation to ban evictions, as there is not a restriction on peoples movements.

Focus Ireland belives that without immediate government action, the crisis will continue to deepen this winter as supply is at all-time low and the government failed to take any action in Budget 2023 to stop landlords leaving the rental market.  FocusIreland (@FocusIreland) September 30, 2022

The Department of Housings August report on homelessness, released on Friday, showed there were 7,585 adults and 3,220 children in emergency accommodation across the country.

This is up from the 7,431 adults and 3,137 children recorded in emergency accommodation in July.

It represents a 32% increase overall compared with a year ago, and child homelessness is up 47% compared with the same time last year.

There were 1,483 families recorded as homeless, of which 55% (814) were single-parent families.

Sam McGuinness, chief executive of Dublin Simon Community, said the picture is ominous going into the winter period.

This news comes at a time when single homelessness is at an all-time high and exits from homelessness are at an all-time low as the availability of rental properties, as a social housing supply, continues to dwindle, he said.

It is unacceptable to have 166,000 vacant homes while over 10,500 people experience homelessness. Simon Week 2022 is dedicated to providing solutions, but we need your help. Pledge your support today to ensure our message is heard: https://t.co/lrckbOfoah#EndingHomelessness pic.twitter.com/2ywMtemT5e  Dublin Simon (@Dublin_Simon) September 29, 2022

Behind these numbers are people who are losing hope for a life beyond homelessness. As the record-breaking levels of people in emergency accommodation experience endless waiting, their mental health and physical health is declining.

The picture is ominous as we face into the cold, dark winter months ahead and no real clarity or hope in Budget 2023 to support exits out of homelessness.

Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said that it was unforgivable that the Governments Budget did not include measures to prevent people from becoming homeless.

As the numbers keep going up, there is a risk that Government comes to treat homelessness as inevitable, but it is the result of bad political choices and can be solved by the right policies.

It is unforgivable that this weeks budget failed to offer a single measure to help prevent these households from losing their homes.

Focus Ireland will continue to help people find homes, but it is difficult to see homeless services being able to cope with the sheer demand of people that need our support.
Mohill native and Munster Technological University lecturer, Dr. Padraig McGarty will tell the story of incidents that happened on the Manorhamilton to Glenfarne railway-line during the Irish Civil War a century ago during a lecture, starting at 8.30pm in the Rainbow Ballroom, Glenfarne on Friday night, October 7.



Regarding the Manorhamilton to Glenfarne railway-line story, the Glenfarne lecture organisers say renowned Lecturer Dr. Padraig McGarty will deliver a lecture titled 'In time of Civil War the conflict on the railways of North Leitrim in 1922-23.'

This event should be of great interest as there were several incidents on the Sligo to Enniskillen railway line that occurred on the Manorhamilton to Glenfarne section of the railway line in 1923.



This lecture is free of charge and takes place in the Rainbow, Glenfarne on Friday, October 7 at 8pm. Booking is recommended. Email: info@glenfarnecommunity.com-phone 071-9856832.



Meanwhile Dr. Padraig McGarty has written a new book that details the events of the Irish Civil War in Leitrim, which will be available shortly for all who wish to purchase it. One of his previously published books covers events in Leitrim from 1912 to 1923, including the Irish War of Independence in Leitrim, entitled The Irish Revolution: Leitrim 1912-1923.



It was published by Four Courts Press and interestingly on its cover is a photo of a local unit of the Irish Volunteers in uniform, pictured outside St. Clare's Hall in Manorhamilton, prior to their departure in 1914 to fight in World War I in France.
A Dromod resident, who pleaded guilty to a charge of driving with no insurance, has been fined 250 at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court.



Sebastian Cobala (22) of Ardancuain, Dromod was detected driving with no insurance at River Meadow, Dromod, Co Leitrim on March 12. The vehicle had no tax and was also seized, the court heard.



The defendant had a driving licence.

He had no previous convictions.



Defence solicitor Colm Conway said the defendant had not been long in the country and had moved here from Poland.

He was working as an apprentice cabinet maker and wrongly assumed that he was insured on his friend's car.

The defendant hoped to buy his own car.



The solicitor said he had explained the law to the defendant and was asking the court to be as lenient as possible.



The defendant was trying to make his way in this country, and he was sorry for the offence and he knows how the law operates in this country.



Judge Sandra Murphy fined the defendant 250 and did not impose a driving ban in the special circumstances.

A charge of failing to produce insurance was taken into consideration.
Two pubs in Carrick-on-Shannon, winners in the Connacht region, will be showcased as best in class and appear in a special supplement on the day of the national awards on November 16th next.

The following winners of the Connaught Region shortlisted for Co. Leitrim

Outstanding Customer Service sponsored by Edward Dillon: Buffalo Boy, Carrick-on-Shannon

Best Late Night Bar sponsored by Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard: Dunnes Bar, Carrick-on-Shannon

Now in its fourth year, the Irish Pub Awards, jointly presented by Licenced Vintners Association (LVA) and Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), are acknowledged as the definitive industry standard and have gained recognition throughout the trade as the most credible and comprehensive assessment of the best in Irish Pubs.

Judging for the Regional Winners of the 2022 Awards is now complete throughout seven regions around Ireland namely East, North East, South East, South West; Cork, Connaught and Dublin.

All 61 regional winners will be showcased as best in class in their region and will receive a prize package of management training to help them progress their business further.

All regional winners will also avail of comprehensive media coverage, including a profile piece in our special Awards Supplement in the Irish Independent on the day of the National Awards presentation on 16th November next.

The Irish Pub Awards has enjoyed substantial growth since its inception in 2017. President of the VFI, Paul Moynihan, says: The Irish Pub Awards is firmly established as the pre-eminent awards in our sector. The awards have helped raise the national profile of our fantastic pubs across the entire country.

The awards showcase the best of the best and Im delighted that so many great venues are getting the recognition they deserve. We all know our pubs are a unique part of Irish culture and remain the best place for locals and tourists alike to come together.

Chair of the LVA, Alison Kealy added: "The collaboration between VFI and LVA is core to the success of the Irish Pub Awards. They play a big part in acknowledging the part publicans play in employing people across Ireland, investing in their premises and in acknowledging the wonderful contribution pubs make to Irish social culture.

The Final Awards will be announced at a special ceremony to take place in Dublin on Wednesday, 16th November next.
Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has warned that the energy crisis will last two years.

It comes as EU countries agreed to implement a windfall tax on energy companies in a bid to tackle soaring energy prices across the continent.

Energy ministers held a meeting in Brussels on Friday morning to approve the emergency measure.

The Green Party leader said the emergency tax could raise up to two billion euro for Ireland to help consumers and businesses with rising energy bills.

But he warned it will not cushion the entire blow for households.

Mr Ryan made the comments as he arrived for the EU meeting in Brussels.

He said: As we turn to other supplies (of gas) rather than Russian supplies, there will be a moderating impact on the price.

But, in the last number of months, weve realised this is going to be a two-year challenge, not a one-year one.

Its not one winter we have to fight for  we have to think about how we provide and protect next winter as well.

That should influence the approach we take so that we have reserves, and thats why unity is important.

Weve to stay united for two years to get through, in all likelihood. Please God it will be sooner, please God that war will come to an end sooner, but we cant be certain of that and, therefore, we have to prepare for a more medium-term approach.

Mr Ryan said the European Commissions plan would address some of the excess profits going to the energy industries and bring it back to help people.

Each country has slightly different circumstances but that broad principle that the unfair profits caused by a war, not by any action of any companies, do have to be brought back in to help people with bills, he said.

I believe the Commission text does that.

Good news. An extraordinary meeting of the EU energy council has agreed measures which will allow us redirect some of the windfall gains in the gas & electricity markets to Irish households and businesses. We are also being asked to agree ways to cut peak hour demand. #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/VJXbCrAScr  Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) September 30, 2022

However, the Dublin Bay South TD said the EU cannot cushion the entire blow of rising energy prices.

There will still be a higher cost; even if a large amount of these windfall gains are recycled, that still leaves a pretty high price.

So we have to be energy-efficient  but we have to help our people too, and businesses.

Mr Ryan also said Europe would have to co-ordinate more closely with both gas-exporting countries and gas-consuming countries.

We also have to work internationally, he said.

We have to work with some of the supply countries  Norway, UK, America.

We have to work with other major consuming countries like Japan, Korea, because we are in the LNG market.

Earlier, Mr Ryan told RTE that an EU windfall tax on energy companies could generate up to two billion euro for Ireland.

He said the measures will be useful for Ireland.

Im in Brussels today at emergency EU Energy Council. We will agree two things. 1. A windfall levy on fossil fuel producers. 2. Structural reform of electricity market to limit profit on generators whos costs have not gone up. pic.twitter.com/qGlo3ITs3S  Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) September 30, 2022

Asked how much it would raise for Ireland, the Green Party leader replied: One to two billion (euro), sort of, is the expectation of what we should expect.

But that depends on so many different factors  you cant exactly be clear, but its that sort of amount of money.

On Tuesday, the Government announced 600 euro worth of energy credits for households as part of its 11 billion euro Budget measures.

The 200 euro credits will be paid in three instalments over the coming months.

But the Government stopped short of introducing a cap on energy prices to bring certainty to customers over their bills, despite mounting pressure from the Opposition.

France, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are among a number of EU countries who have introduced an energy price cap.

EU countries are prepared for the winter season ahead. Gas storage facilities across the EU are already filled at almost 90% of their capacity.  This will help gas supply for the cold months. #EnergySecurity #EnergyPrices #TTE  EU Council (@EUCouncil) September 30, 2022

Mr Ryan said his German counterpart had told him they have not yet made a decision on a price cap.

They havent actually decided on a price cap, he said. They may do some mechanism, but theyre working on that and they havent concluded.

Like ourselves, they are also adapting and evolving their position and we will continue to do that.

Mr Ryan described the scale of the intervention in the Budget earlier this week as significant.

But he said they will have to continue to review the measures.

What weve agreed and said is we will look and see how they work to get through this winter period.

Particularly those on very difficult situations within the social welfare system, there is mechanisms where they can go to the Social Welfare Service to look for additional supports.

We dont want anyone going cold or through real acute fuel poverty this winter.
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, at his inauguration ceremony as President of Transition, in Ouagadougou, on March 2, 2022. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP

More than a dozen members of Burkina Faso's army seized control of state television late in the evening of Friday, September 30th, to declare that the country's coup leader-turned-president, Lieutenant-Colonel Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, had been overthrown. The spokesman introduced Capt. Ibrahim Traore as the new head of the volatile West African country that is battling a mounting Islamic insurgency.

Lt. Col. Damiba and his allies overthrew the democratically elected president only nine months ago, coming to power with promises of make the country more secure. However, violence has continued unabated and frustration with his leadership has grown in recent months.

United Nations 'concerned'

As gunfire rang out in Burkina Fasos capital, the state broadcaster went off the air on Friday evening, sparking fears that another coup attempt could be underway nine months after the democratically elected president was ousted from power. The whereabouts of coup leader-turned president Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba were not immediately known, but a statement from his government on Facebook urged people to remain calm.

"Negotiations are underway to bring back calm and serenity," said the statement attributed to the presidency spokesman. "The enemy attacking our country only wants division between Burkinabes." The uncertainty carried on into the late afternoon as the West African nations residents awaited word on who was in control of the country, which is destabilized by a growing Islamic insurgency.

In a statement, the United Nations voiced concern and appealed for calm. "Burkina Faso needs peace, it needs stability, and it needs unity in order to fight terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in parts of the country," declared U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Friday's developments felt all too familiar in West Africa, where a coup in Mali in August 2020 set off a series of military power grabs in the region. "This smacks of a coup attempt," said Eric Humphery-Smith, senior Africa analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. "While gunfire around military barracks could be due to some form of mutiny, the closure of the national television station bodes ill."

On the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, some already were showing support for what they believed was Lt. Col. Damiba's ouster. "We are demonstrating to support this coup, confirmed or not," said Francois Beogo, a political activist from the Movement for the Refounding of Burkina Faso. "For us, it is already a coup." Mr. Beogo added Lt. Col. Damiba "has shown his limits" during his nine months in power. "People were expecting a real change," he added.

Some demonstrators voiced support for Russian involvement in order to stem the violence, and shouted slogans against France, Burkina Fasos former colonizer. In neighboring Mali, the junta invited Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group to help secure the country, though their deployment has drawn international criticism.

Rollback of democracy

Last week, Lt. Col. Damiba had traveled to New York where he addressed the U.N. General Assembly. In his speech, he defended his January coup as "an issue of survival for our nation," even if it was "perhaps reprehensible" to the international community. On Thursday, he had given a speech in Djibo, in the country's volatile north.

Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, on September 23, 2022. BRYAN R. SMITH / AFP

Burkina Fasos January coup came in the wake of similar takeovers in Mali and in Guinea, heightening fears of a rollback of democracy in West Africa. None of the juntas has committed to a date for new elections, though Lt. Col. Damiba said last week that the transition in Burkina Faso would last for almost two more years. Many in Burkina Faso initially supported the military takeover, frustrated with the previous governments inability to stem Islamic extremist violence that has killed thousands and displaced at least 2 million. Yet the violence has failed to wane in the months since Lt. Col. Damiba took over. Earlier this month, he also took over the position of defense minister after dismissing a brigadier general from the post.

Read more Subscribers only Burkina Faso attempts difficult talks with jihadist groups

"Its hard for the Burkinabe junta to claim that it has delivered on its promise of improving the security situation, which was its pretext for the January coup," Mr. Humphery-Smith said.

Earlier this week at least 11 soldiers were killed and 50 civilians went missing after a supply convoy was attacked by gunmen in Gaskinde commune in Soum province in the Sahel. That attack was "a low point" for Lt. Col. Damiba's government and "likely played a role in inspiring what weve seen so far today," added Mr. Humphery-Smith.

A country facing 'multi-dimensional crises' and growing insecurities

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U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that on the humanitarian front Burkina Faso "continues to confront multi-dimensional crises as insecurity is growing." "Nearly one-fifth of the national population urgently needs humanitarian aid," he added. "The number of security incidents increased by 220% in 2022, compared to last year." Mr. Dujarric declared the country faces "the fastest growing displacement crisis in the world in 2022," along with Mozambique and Ukraine.

Chrysogone Zougmore, president of the Burkina Faso Movement for Human Rights, called Fridays developments "very regrettable," saying the instability would not help in the fight against the Islamic extremist violence. "How can we hope to unite people and the army if the latter is characterized by such serious divisions?" Mr. Zougmore said. "It is time for these reactionary and political-military factions to stop leading Burkina Faso adrift."

Le Monde with AP
A COUNTY Limerick man has been accused of the theft of over 70,000 from a woman now aged in her 80s.

An accountant by profession - Sean Higgins, aged 70, of Ballinvana, Kilmallock - was charged with a total of 13 offences under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001, before the local court.

Twelve of the alleged offences relate to false accounting with one count of theft of 73,722.66 from a client. It is alleged the offences took place between 2007 and 2016.

Garda David Higgins, of Bruff garda station, gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning the defendant on the morning of the court.

He presented himself to Bruff garda station where he was charged. His reply to each charge was the word no, said Garda Higgins.

Inspector Gearoid Thompson, who represented the State, said the DPP had directed trial on indictment which means the matter is to be dealt with in the circuit court as opposed to the district court. Insp Thompson made an application to Judge Patricia Harney for a two-month adjournment to allow time for the book of evidence to be prepared.

Insp Thompson said there was no objection to bail for Mr Higgins subject to a number of conditions.

Garda Higgins outlined the conditions - sign on every Saturday between 9am and 9pm at Bruff garda station; surrender his passport, which he did, and not apply for new travel documents; and have no contact with the alleged injured party, now in her 80s.

Judge Harney granted bail on Mr Higgins own bond of 100. He was represented by Ted McCarthy, solicitor, during the brief procedural matter.

Mr Higgins, dressed in a navy pinstripe suit and white shirt, only spoke to confirm his signature on a court document. The case was adjourned.
AN Post is being urged to take immediate steps to identify and reach agreement with a new postmaster in Shanagolden following the closure of the local post office last week.

A campaign to retain the post office in the village was launched earlier this month after the closure was announced and there were hopes that agreement would be reached to keep the premises open.

An Post says Shanagolden post office was owned and operated by a self-employed contractor and that its closure forms part of an agreement that was reached between An Post and the Irish Postmaster Union in 2018.

There was some confusion ahead of the closure of the post office last Wednesday evening with An Post indicating, at one point during the day, that the now former postmaster had changed his mind and was willing to continue in business.

However, this proved not to be the case and the post office closed as planned with customers being advised to attend the post office in Foynes instead.

Cllr Adam Teskey says the handling of the closure has been appalling and he is calling for action to be taken to ensure the service can be restored in Shanagolden as soon as possible.

This is a complete let down for the local community and the people who used the post office and the level of local annoyance and anger is very strong, he told the Limerick Leader.

Cllr Teskey says local people feel aggrieved over the way the closure has been handled  particularly at national government level.

I would encourage An Post to seek interest from the local community and to re-appoint a local postmaster in the near future  there has to be a U-turn done on this, he said.
AND THE Oscar goes to two Limerick boys at one of the biggest nights in LauraLynns calendar.

Six families stepped onto the red carpet at the Odeon cinema in Charlestown, Dublin. Flying the flag for Limerick were the Murphys from Rhebogue and the Lanes from Ballyneety.

The Oscars is a digital storytelling childrens hospice initiative that provides children and their families a platform to create their own unique story. It culminates in a glamorous red-carpet event, offering a once-in-lifetime, genuine, cinematic experience for the entire family.

Cian Murphy, aged 10, starred alongside his family in a thrilling movie titled Zombie Influencers. Cian took home the Oscar for Best Thriller. This action-packed display is best summed up as Shaun of the Dead meets the End of the World in County Limerick. With the quick thinking of Willie ODea, pressing pause on the All-Ireland final and the recruitment of two very clever young men the world may be safe....for now!

Matthew Lane, aged 7, and his family (pictured below) gave a performance of a lifetime in their movie for which Matthew scooped the Oscar for Best Adventure Movie. The film follows Captain Orange Beard as he finally manages to get his hands on the Toni Box. A family must overcome some of the toughest challenges yet to track him down! But no task too big, or challenge too large will stop them bringing home Matthews treasure!

The idea for the Oscars Project started as a film workshop for siblings, which LauraLynn play therapist Michelle Hartnett organised but it quickly evolved into a much bigger, family-focused film project and is a collaboration with volunteer co-ordinator, Lorna Collins.

At the outset, the whole family, including the child who attends LauraLynn services, sit down with a professional scriptwriter to discuss their ideas for a film.

They then enter a journey of script rehearsals, filming and finally their big moment on the red carpet.
GARDAI have confirmed they attended the scene of a crowded house party in the College Court area of Castletroy earlier this week.

Hundreds of students were said to have attended the house party which involved an outdoor DJ and students dancing on rooftops in the estate close to the University of Limerick.

In reply to a query from Limerick Live, a statement from An Garda Siochana read: Gardai attended the scene of an apparent house party that was occurring in College Court, Limerick at approximately 1.30am on Tuesday, September 27 2022.

The statement added: This party was dispersed and the occupants of the house were spoken to.

In a video posted to social media, people can be seen with lit flares and crowds can be seen dancing outside.

Another clip shows gardai moving through the crowd in an attempt to shut down the party.

College Court has been known as a hotspot for house parties for many years with party goers lining the streets of the estate during busy weeks such as Freshers Week and Charity (RAG) Week.

This year marked the first time since the Covid pandemic that students have been on campus full time.

Labour Councillor for Limerick City East Elena Secas believes that more needs to be done to avoid house parties such as the one in College Court as they disturb residents in the local area.

UL have been doing a lot of work on engagement with students and local residents recently to try and avoid these house parties from taking place. I have been out with members of UL in the last couple of weeks to raise awareness on the issue.

Students need to take more responsibility as these are residential areas and they need to keep that in mind, Cllr Secas said.

UL representatives have been working closely with stakeholders in the community, including students living off-campus, residents associations, Limerick City and County Council and An Garda Siochana, to promote good relations between town and gown.

UL has appointed a Student Community Engagement Liaison Officer (SCELO) who is in daily contact with the Gardai and residents associations and visits student houses to investigate complaints and where appropriate, to instigate disciplinary action, a statement from UL read.
A WOMAN pleaded guilty at Kilmallock Court to grabbing a female by the hair and swinging her in a circle.

Mary Murphy, aged 37, of Hyde Road, Limerick city was charged with assault arising from an incident in a house in Kilmallock on July 24, 2021.

Inspector Gearoid Thompson said the defendant was drinking before getting into an argument with two people.

She climbed in the back window of a house, said Insp Thompson, who outlined to the court that Ms Murphy grabbed a female in the house by the hair and swung her around in a circle.

There was tissue damage, said Insp Thompson. No victim impact statement was made to gardai.

Kilmallock Court heard that Ms Murphy has six previous convictions dating back to the noughties.

Robin Lee, solicitor for Ms Murphy, pointed to the historic nature of the previous convictions.

She suffered severely from alcohol abuse. She got on top of her difficulties but has had one or two dips including that July. She is ashamed of what happened, said Mr Lee.

Judge Patricia Harney convicted and fined Ms Murphy 200.

She must be aware she is on a slippery slope. Given that nothing has happened in the last year I will give her the benefit of the doubt, said the judge.
As HSE National Breastfeeding Week begins, parents are being encouraged to take up free expert help and celebrating rising breastfeeding rates in Ireland.

The HSE announced a 5% increase in the number of babies breastfed at the first public health nurse visit between 2019 and 2021, a rise to 59%. The theme of this years HSE National Breastfeeding Week is Expert Help for Every Step of the Way.

The HSE has recruited 20 additional infant feeding/lactation posts within nursing and midwifery services to support breastfeeding parents.

Midwives are the first to assist with breastfeeding and should mothers need more specialist support, all 19 maternity hospitals now have a specialist lactation support service available. More infant feeding/lactation posts are being recruited to ensure nationwide availability within primary care services.

One hundred breastfeeding groups have now resumed meeting in person providing important peer to peer support for parents on their breastfeeding journey.

Laura McHugh, HSE National Breastfeeding Coordinator, celebrates the new posts and the importance of these growing supports:

While breastfeeding rates are increasing around the country, we want to continue to build on this progress by supporting every parent who may need help on their breastfeeding journey.

I welcome our colleagues taking up the new infant feeding/lactation roles around the country, and although not everyone will need their services, their support will make a big difference for parents who do.

As well as the new posts, we have breastfeeding preparation and antenatal classes, our midwives and public health nurses and a growing number of in-person groups resuming post pandemic.

There are also a range of online resources such as virtual breastfeeding groups and mychild.ie, which has practical breastfeeding advice and the Ask Our Expert live chat and e-mail breastfeeding support service, available 7 days a week.

63% of mothers now commence breastfeeding in hospital and we have developed a holistic range of supports to help mothers and babies learning this new skill.

Anne OMalley, HSE Public Health Nurse, Community Healthcare Dublin North City and County added:

Every breastfeed makes a difference because any amount of breast milk is beneficial for mother and baby. If a mother can breastfeed for a short amount of time, it will be helpful and the longer you breastfeed the greater protection for mother and baby.

We want every mother to know about all the free supports available to help her to breastfeed for longer if she wishes.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, underlines the importance of the breastfeeding supports and urges breastfeeding mothers to seek help if needed:

Expert Help for Every Step of the Way is the theme of this years National Breastfeeding Week.

An assurance to parents that there are professional and peer supports available when needed at any stage of their breastfeeding journey. The continued investment in this area will help give our children the best start in life by breastfeeding and I would encourage more parents to seek out these supports, either online at mychild.ie through their public health nurse in the community, or in hospital.

This week, the HSE is sending out information packs to maternity hospitals and primary care centres across the country promoting mychild.ie and the message that expert help is available for parents every step of the way.

National Breastfeeding Week is a HSE-led event, marked each year from October 1 to 7. For more information and practical breastfeeding advice, visit www.mychild.ie
Lincoln University of Missouri, a historically black, 1890 land-grant, public, comprehensive institution, provides a diverse population access to excellent educational opportunities through teaching, research, and extension services within a nurturing, student-centered environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University celebrates and takes pride in our diversity, and we believe this is critical to our success as a leader in higher education. Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy can be viewed here.
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Lincoln University School of Business students got a firsthand look at what its like to be an Internal Revenue Service criminal investigator on Wednesday, Sept. 14 when IRS Criminal Investigation brought the Adrian Project to the Lincoln University campus.

During the daylong simulation, students were provided a glimpse into the career of an IRS special agent and what a criminal investigation can entail.

Participating students included: Marquise Gainey, Karon Mines, Mya Davis, Gegimara Davis, Anajah Johnson, Mya Howard, Daniel Carvalho-Revollo, Erin Lammers, Ethan Foster, JeVon Mahaney, Kiearra Lindsey, Theleia Renfro-McCoy, Sir Ozzie McLemore V, Izaiah Weaver, Jackson Black, Gabriel Salinas, Samantha Tambke, Andrionna Fountain, Emily Veasman and Madeline Wilson.

The students were sworn in as special agents in the morning and spent the remainder of the day conducting a mock criminal investigation.

During the investigation, students wore standard gear worn by IRS:CI special agents and used some of the tools of the trade while testing their forensic accounting skills. They were also introduced to the process of interviewing suspects, conducting surveillance and document analysis.

The day ended when the students solved the crime and arrested the mock offender.

For years, IRS:CI field offices have brought the Adrian Project to college and university campuses nationwide. The goal is to provide students with a firsthand look at what its like for IRS special agents to carry out an investigation, tracking illicit money from the crime to the criminal.

Lincoln Universitys Office of Academic Affairs worked with IRS:CI to bring the Adrian Project to campus to introduce accounting students to the field of forensic accounting as a career option. Lincoln is the only university in Missouri hosting the Adrian Project this year.

Click here for more information about Lincoln Universitys Bachelor of Science in Accounting program.
Air India will operate direct flights to San Francisco from Mumbai and Bengaluru with effect from December as it expands its international network.

The airline will connect Mumbai with San Francisco with a thrice weekly service from 2 December, and reinstate a three-times-weekly flight from Bengaluru for San Francisco with effect from 15 December.

The additional flights are part of Air Indias plan to increase connectivity to the US and the UK by operating 20 more flights to the two countries. These flights will be introduced in a phased manner from October to December this year.

These will include five additional flights a week to Birmingham, nine additional flights to London and six additional flights to San Francisco.

Under this, the airline will increase connectivity to Birmingham from Amritsar with two additional flights and the Delhi-Birmingham route will also be connected by three additional flights per week.

London will receive nine additional weekly flights, of which, five are from Mumbai, three from Delhi and one from Ahmedabad.

This will take Air Indias current schedule of 34 flights every week to the UK to 48 flights. Flights from India to the US will increase from 34 flights to 40 flights per week.

It is a clear signal of our intent, and an early step towards a much bigger aspiration," Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India said.
New Delhi: Taiwan-headquartered Pegatron, one of Apples contracted manufacturers of the iPhone, has invested 1,100 crore to set up a new mobile phone manufacturing facility in the Mahindra World City business area of Chengalpattu district near Chennai.

Through this investment, Pegatron will generate 14,000 jobs in the factory  in line with the memorandum of understanding that the company signed with the Tamil Nadu state government in February last year.

The factory adds to other manufacturing facilities that fellow Taiwanese contract manufacturers, including Foxconn and Wistron Corp, have already set-up in India. MK Stalin, chief minister of Tamil Nadu, added at the inauguration of the Pegatron plant that the state accounts for 20% of all electronics manufacturing and assembly in the country.

These facilities have added to the volume of devices that are assembled locally, which includes the likes of Apples iPhones. On Monday, Apple confirmed that it has started assembling its latest generation iPhones in India as well, the first time that the company has started making its phones domestically right after the global unveiling.

On September 21, analysts at financial and investment services firm JP Morgan said that Apples move to diversify its iPhone manufacturing ecosystem, in light of the prevalent geopolitical relations between the US and China, could see the company move up to 5% of its manufacturing to India by end-2022. By the end of 2025, one out of every five iPhones may be made in India.

Speaking at the inauguration, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for information technology, said that facilities such as Pegatrons latest factory can help India increase its domestic electronics manufacturing revenues to $300 billion by FY26  up from $75 billion at present. He further added that incentivizing local manufacturing has drawn global investments of 6,500 crore, adding 40,000 jobs and creating 50,000 crore worth of mobile phone exports since 2015-16.

On August 29, a report by industry body India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and policy think tank Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) said that Indias overall electronics export reached $16 billion in FY22, with mobile phones accounting for about one-third of the total electronics export.

By March 2023, the report projected smartphones to account for at least 50% of the overall electronics export  which could reach $21-25 billion. By FY26, the union government estimates Indias electronics exports to reach $120 billion.
New Delhi: Rating agency Fitch Ratings on Friday said it expects Tata Steel Limiteds plan to merge with seven units to result in higher Ebitda or earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation from procurement, and marketing synergies, and lower royalty payments.

However, the financial gains are likely to be small and could take several quarters to be realised, depending on the pace of regulatory approvals, Fitch said in a statement.

India-based TSL announced on 22 September 2022 that its board has approved its merger with six subsidiaries and one associate, using share swaps instead of cash. The proposed merger is aimed at enhancing management efficiency and deriving synergies from centralised procurement, inventory optimisation and unified marketing. TSL estimates annual cost savings to be well over 8 billion, with a large contribution from lower royalty payments, according to news reports, citing its CFO, the rating agency stated.

Based on this, we estimate TSLs EBITDA could improve by 3-5% once the synergies are realised. TSL has been consolidating the financials of the six subsidiaries, and the associates debt and EBITDA are negligible compared with the TSL group," Fitch said.

The proposed transactions, however, could take several quarters to be completed. The mergers will be subject to a regulatory approval process, which includes approval by stock exchanges and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). TSLs previous merger with its subsidiary, Tata Steel BSL Limited, was completed in 4Q21 after NCLT approval, following the approval of the plan by the board in April 2019, it said.

Indian steel prices have fallen sharply since May 2022, with prices of hot-rolled coils down more than 20% in August from the average in April. The drop in domestic prices has been driven by global trends, as well as Indias imposition of a 15% export duty for several steel products since 22 May.

We assume sharply lower standalone EBITDA margins for TSL from the financial year ending March 2023 (FY23), with an EBITDA per tonne (t) of around INR18,000 in FY23 and INR14,000 each in FY24 and FY25, compared with around INR29,000/t in FY22," the the rating agency noted.

It also said that the TSLs total debt/EBITDA could remain lower than our positive rating sensitivity of 2.5x, despite weaker margins and a lower EBITDA, if it maintains a prudent capex policy, although the leverage would increase from the 1.2x level in FY22. This likelihood is reflected in the Positive Outlook, it added.
Now applying for H-1B visa stamping could be soon be inside the US. The presidential commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders unanimously approved a recommendation for the provision of stamping of H-1B visas inside the US.

This move if accepted by President Joe Biden will come as a big relief to thousands of foreign professionals, particularly for Indians. The move came from the Presidents Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders during its meeting at the White House on Wednesday.

Also Read: US explains why visa waiting time for New Delhi is 2 years, 2 days for Beijing

What is H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

Currently, one needs to apply for a visa stamp at a US Consulate or Embassy abroad before one's H-1B status can be activated.

Notably, a large number of them either new or waiting for the renewal of H-1B visas are facing uncertainty due to long visa application appointments in countries like India where the current wait period is more than a year. A recommendation was moved by Indian American Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a member of the commission.

As part of our immigration process, H-1B visa holders are given the opportunity to work in the United States live here and contribute to the growth of our economy, innovation and economic development," Bhutoria told members of the commission during the meeting, which was telecast live by the White House.

H-1B visa holders, he told members of the commission, face problems and many a time even forced family separation during the renewal or when they travel overseas.

There are situations where a lot of people, whose parents have been in ICU or in critical condition or their death of a parent, but they could not travel back to the home country with the fear that if there is often delay in the visa appointments in the home countries," he said.

In India right now the waiting period is 844 days to get a visa appointment which is like two years or more. There's a similar situation in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other countries. China is much better right now. So, they cannot get an appointment and they cannot get stamping done and they get stuck," said Bhaturia.

Based out of Silicon Valley, Bhaturia is a successful entrepreneur and has been a supporter of President Biden from day one of his campaign.

What happens then, they potentially lose the job. Wife and kids are here separated and with no means to support themselves or many times spouses don't drive. A lot of these kinds of situations create a disruption in their life while they were given the full opportunity to work here legally," he argued.

This recommendation basically is saying that USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Commission) should update its policy, as it was done previously many years back to provide guidelines to permit the extension of and stamping of visas in the US by USCIS, he said.

It was done previously. It was stopped," he added.

This recommendation is to request USCIS to allow the stamping in the US. Alternatively, USCIS should also consider providing advanced travel documents to these visa holders when they will travel out of the country with expired visa stamping so that they can re-enter the US without having to get re-stamping in their home countries," Bhutoria said.

Several members of the commission described this as an issue of family separation and mental health.

Chief Commissioner Sonal Shah, an Indian American, said this is an issue of family separation and dignity of H-1B visa holders.

That's an easy way to put fear into families," she said.

One of the comments I would make here is that I think this is overall in the commissions thinking about dignity for people, and how do we make it easier and a dignified process and a dignified approach. It's one thing to have rules, it's another to not hold the dignity of families and individuals," Shah said.

(With inputs from PTI)
In a significant move to boost India's defence export , the country has signed an export order for missiles, rockets, and ammunition to Armenia because the Asian nation is engaged in a border conflict with Azerbaijan.

The value of the contracts has not been revealed yet, however, it is estimated that military equipment worth over 2,000 crore will be exported to the country in the coming months, according to the Economics Times.

Earlier this month, the government-to-government route was used to ink a number of contracts for the supply of arms and ammunition to Armenia.

"This order includes six additional first-ever export of the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers. This weapon, which is already in service with the Indian Army, has been designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by private sector companies in the country," sources told ET.

In addition to this, the anti-tank rockets, and ammunitions will also be supplied from India to Amenia under the bundled deal, ET added.

Over the past few years, India has been making significant efforts to increase military weapons exports, with policy reforms, and active support of the central government to secure overseas orders.

Meanwhile, the government has recently said that India's exports have grown by 334 per cent within five years, and the country is now exporting to over 75 countries its defence products. The country has also witnessed the commissioning of its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi.

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, during an interaction with PTI on Thursday, talked about the central government's efforts to "unleash the energy" of the Make-in-India initiative as a whole in the defence sector. Sharing his vision for the country's Amrit Kaal, he mentioned efforts that are being done to bring India among the top five countries globally in defence production.

He highlighted the trend that had prevailed for the last 75 years. Since the beginning, India has continued to be one of the largest importers of defence products in the world. He expressed the need to reverse this trend and make India a top exporter of defence products across the world.
During his two-day visit to Gujarat, PM Narendra Modi will launch the new and upgraded version of Vande Bharat Express from Gandhinagar on Friday.

Notably, this will be the first commercial run of the newly made semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express. It will run between Gandhinagar and Mumbai, connecting the state capitals of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

"The Vande Bharat Express offers a myriad of superior amenities which will provide passengers with aircraft like travelling experience and advanced state-of-the-art safety features including Kavach technology - an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System." Sumit Thakur, CPRO of Western Railway zone told ANI.

Also Read: Watch: Glass filled with water stays stable at 180 kmph on Vande Bharat train

The train bogies have fully suspended traction motors for 160 kmph operational speed. The advanced state-of-the-art suspension system will provide a smooth and safe journey for the passengers. The train also consists of reclining seats in all classes. Moreover, the Executive Coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats.

"Every coach is equipped with 32-inch screens providing Passenger Information and Infotainment. Divyang-friendly washrooms and seat handle with seat numbers in Braille letters have also been provided," he said.

This will be India's third Vande Bharat train

Connecting the two state capitals of Maharashtra and Gujarat, this will be the third Vande Bharat train in India. The other two are currently operable on New Delhi - Varanasi route and New Delhi - Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra route. It is highly indigenous and is a major step in the government's Make in India initiative. However, there are a few parts that have been imported for the train from other countries. The government aims to replace them with indigenous materials in the upcoming Vande Bharat trains. Indian Coach Factory has aimed to manufacture around 75 Vande Bharat trains by August 2023.

Safer and more comfortable Vande Bharat

The loco pilot of the Vande Bharat Express, KK Thakur shed light upon the train's safety system and its carbon footprint with ANI. The advanced version of the train also consists of high-end safety systems like automatic fire sensors, CCTV cameras, on-demand content with wifi Facility, etc.

Every coach has four platform side cameras on its outside area. The train will also help the Indian Railways in increasing its Green footprint by dispensing with the power cars. It will help Indian Railways in saving around 30 per cent of electricity. The train has also an advanced air purifying system.

The new lightweight Vande Bharat will be able to function on flooded tracks as well

With a transition to new and advanced technologies, the weight of the train has been reduced by 38 tonnes to 392 tonnes. Made of stainless steel, the train is able even with two feet of flood waters on the tracks. Due to less weight, the passengers would feel extra comfortable even at high speed.

Passengers can enjoy the outer scenery with wider windows and easily adjust their luggage with wider space for them. The bogies consist of highly advanced toilets.

(With inputs from ANI)
In a fight that ensued between two groups of students on Thursday, a Jamia Milia Islamia student was shot and injured inside the Holy Family Hospital in southeast Delhi's Jamia Nagar neighbourhood.

According to reports, police received information regarding fighting at Jamia Milia Islamia university Library at around 8:50pm and during the inquiry, it was discovered that two student groups had got into a fight.

Police say, after the incident, Noman Chaudhary (26), a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district, had gone to the Holy Family Hospital after sustaining a blunt injury to the head. Nauman Ali, an associate of Chaudhary had also visited the hospital to see him.

While the duo was there, another student from the second group Zalal- a resident of Haryana's Mewat district- visited the hospital along with his friends and fired at Nauman Ali outside the emergency ward.

During the scuffle, Nauman Ali sustained a superficial injury on the scalp and was shifted to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Police say legal action has been initiated at Jamia Nagar and New Friends Colony police stations,

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express at Gandhinagar station on Friday.

He inspected the train coaches of the Vande Bharat Express 2.0 and took stock of the onboard facilities. He also inspected the control centre of the locomotive engine of the train," said a statement from the Prime Ministers Office.

Prime Minister Modi travelled on the train from Gandhinagar station to Kalupur railway station. He interacted with co-passengers, including those from the family members of the railway staff, women entrepreneurs and youngsters. He also interacted with workers, engineers, and other staff who toiled to make Vande Bharat trains a success," the statement added.

Vande Bharat 2.0 will boost connectivity between the two business hubs of India. One-way travel time from Gandhinagar to Mumbai is estimated to be around 6-7 hours.

The Vande Bharat 2.0 is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features including an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System  KAVACH. The train will reach the speed of 0 to 100 km per hour in 52 seconds and have a maximum speed of 180 km per hour. It will weigh 392 tons and will also have Wi-Fi content on-demand facility," the statement said.
NEW DELHI: Two naval ships from South Korea, the ROKS Hansando and ROKS Daecheong, arrived in Chennai for a three-day visit starting 28 September.

The Republic of Korea mission is headed by Rear Admiral Kang Dong-goo, Commander of Cruise Training Task Group along with Capt Ko Dae-jong, Commanding Officer of the ROKS Daecheong and Cdr Park Jin-sung, Commanding Officer of the ROKS Hansando. These officers and other officials of the consulate of Korea had discussions with the Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area on matters of common interest on 28 September 22," according to a press release by the Ministry of Defence.

According to the same press release, During the visit, professional interactions and friendly sports activities are scheduled between the personnel of the Indian Navy and ROK Navy. The goodwill visit strengthens the ties between the navies of the two nations. The task group led by Rear Admiral Kang Dong-goo is docked at Chennai port for a goodwill visit."

India has a long standing defence relationship with South Korea. During Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to Korea in 2015, the relationship was upgraded to a Special Strategic Partnership. Senior leaders and officials have interacted regularly in the years since with high level visits occurring from both sides. A Defence Policy Dialogue has also been established between the defence ministries of both countries.

Both countries also host regular naval and maritime cooperation exercises. Naval as well as Coast Guard vessels have been exchanged regularly. For example, the ROKS Hwacheon visited India in 2019 while Indian Naval ship Kiltan" visited South Korea in 2021.
A new set of penalties have been issued by the United States against a global network of firms, including one situated in India, over trading in Iranian oil and petrochemicals. According to the US Treasury Department, these punitive actions are directed at Iranian brokers and a number of front companies in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and India that have facilitated money transfers and shipping of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.

Also Read: Energy crisis in Europe: Russia accused of using energy as a weapon

The US government claims that Tibalaji Petrochem Private Limited, an Indian petrochemical company, bought petrochemical materials, such as base oil and methanol, which were arranged through Triliance for shipping to China.

The United States is dedicated to severely limiting Iran's illegal oil and petrochemical sales, according to Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. The United States will keep enforcing its sanctions against the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products as long as Iran rejects a mutual return to the full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Nelson added.

Also Read: US announces new sanctions on Iran: What you need to know

The US government also alleges that Triliance, a vital part of Iran's petroleum and petrochemical industries that facilitates the sale of Iranian goods to foreign customers, has bought Iranian petrochemical products worth millions of dollars from petrochemical brokers based in Iran, which were then shipped to India.

"These entities have played a critical role in concealing the origin of the Iranian shipments and enabling two sanctioned Iranian brokers," the US treasury department said in a statement.

The US administration announced it would continue to speed up the implementation of sanctions on Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sales under powers that would be lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as Iran continues to advance its nuclear programme in violation of the JCPOA.

Also Read: This country has overtaken Russia to be India's No. 2 oil supplier in August

The US government also stated that they would continue to be concerned about a variety of Iranian policies, including their nuclear programme, mistreatment of their own citizens, use of drones and military training in support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and destabilising activities in the wider region.

(With ANI inputs)
The U.S. death toll from Hurricane Ians passage has risen to four overall after an official said late Thursday that two residents of a hard-hit barrier island on Floridas western coast were confirmed dead
Here is a look at the life of US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
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Local News, Crime

By Long Island Published: September 29 2022

The two trapped cats in East Islip under the pretense of neutering and returning the cats but instead abandoned three cats in Tanner Park.

After an investigation, detectives from the Suffolk County SPCA have charged a Massapequa woman and an Amityville woman with three counts of animal abandonment and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime each. The two trapped cats in East Islip under the pretense of neutering and returning the cats but instead abandoned three cats in Tanner Park.

Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA said that its detectives charged Catherine Gropper, 32, of Massapequa, NY and Crystal Cahill, 39, of Amityville, NY each with three counts of Agriculture and Markets Law Animal Abandonment and one count of Penal Law Conspiracy 6th degree, misdemeanors. The two worked in concert under the auspices of preforming rescue work known as TNR, Trap, Neuter, and Return when three adult cats in their care were instead abandoned at Tanner Park in Copaigue.

Gropper and Cahill are scheduled to appear in First District Court, Central Islip, on October 13, 2022.

Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County. If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: September 30 2022

In previous years, this highly anticipated benefit has been known as a Polar Bear Plunge, taking place in the winter months, but has been redesigned into a fun fall activity for all.

In support of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County (CP Nassau), Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino invites residents to the 1st annual Great Pumpkin Dunkin on Sunday, October 2nd. In previous years, this highly anticipated benefit has been known as a Polar Bear Plunge, taking place in the winter months, but has been redesigned into a fun fall activity for all. The event will be held at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay, with festivities to kick off at 12:00 pm, and the plunge, or dunkin, into the waters of Oyster Bay Harbor to follow at 1:00 pm.

This fun, new twist on CP Nassaus classic plunge provides an opportunity to support a worthwhile charity as we usher in the beautiful fall season. Im pleased to lend the Towns assistance, both in terms of logistics and providing our beautiful venue, to help ensure its success, said Supervisor Saladino, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the event. The Great Pumpkin Dunkin is a terrific way to spend an afternoon and help those in need. While the water may be cold, the cause will warm your heart!

Residents in attendance can look forward to soup, coffee, tea, hot dogs, music and raffles as well as mums and pumpkins for purchase. An indoor assembly area will also be available for the event, which will be held rain or shine. The days proceedings will benefit the more than 1,500 children and adults with disabilities who participate in programs and receive services through the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, which has been assisting individuals with disabilities since 1948.

Participants can organize their fundraising efforts by visiting www.cpnassau.org/events. For information about participation as a swimmer or a sponsor, please contact Pat Quinn of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County at (516) 378-2000 x 355 or visit www.cpnassau.org




Business & Finance

By Chris Boyle Published: September 30 2022

County Fiscal Score Improves by Nearly 45 Points.

County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the results of the New York State Comptrollers fiscal stress report confirming the Countys fiscal stability. The report states that the County is no longer under fiscal stress. The County received a stress designation of no designation, the highest category you can achieve.

This latest development follows last months double bond rating upgrade from credit rating agency, S&P Global Ratings. The rating agency upgraded the Countys bond rating two notches to an A+ with a stable outlook. The last time Suffolk County was A+ Stable with S&P was June of 2012, just before Superstorm Sandy devastated municipalities across the region.

The State Comptrollers report is a clear indication that the County has been making the right fiscal decisions, including our long-term plan to shore up Suffolk Countys finances for years to come, said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. This is no coincidence  working together with the County Legislature and County Comptroller to implement sensible fiscal reforms and make tough decisions to protect taxpayers continues to move County finances in a positive and sustainable direction.

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey said: "The County's improved fiscal stability rating is the result of responsible bi-partisan decision making. The emergency assistance to the County provided by House Majority Leader [Sen.] Schumer in response to the pandemic showed a commitment from all levels of government. It has allowed us to reduce our costly debt service, minimize short term borrowing, and we've closed budget gaps without diminishing services to the residents of Suffolk County.

Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg said: "Over the past 2 years the legislature has made a concerted effort to help strengthen the county's financial stability, and today's announcement is a big step in the right direction. I look forward to continuing our bipartisan push to keep on the fiscally sustainable path we've laid. Thank you to County Executive Bellone for all of his work and support."

The Countys fiscal score improved by nearly 45 points compared to the previous year, and 54 points from the year prior. The score reflects the significant steps the County has taken to improve Suffolks finances including continued government efficiency, fiscal discipline, operational reforms and building reserves that protect taxpayers and provide a cushion against future economic downturns and unanticipated events.

Over the course of the last two years, Suffolk County has taken several steps to mitigate the financial emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and protect taxpayers. In last years operating budget, adopted unanimously by the Legislature, Suffolk froze the County Tax for the tenth year in a row and included several important financial measures including increasing reserves to the highest level in County history.

These fiscally responsible actions are helping lower debt service costs and eliminated the need for short-term borrowings, both of which will ultimately save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. All of these efforts have been recognized by the New York State Comptroller's office by his upgraded designation into the no fiscal stress category.

Working together with the Legislature and the County Comptroller, County Executive Bellone was able to take the steps necessary to improve the Countys financial standing and eliminate both the deficit and the structural budget gap. The County consolidated

departments, worked with labor unions to obtain significant healthcare expense savings and implemented best practice financial reforms and performance management measures to make government more efficient.
NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund will focus on supporting cultural institutions seeking State funding for investments in capital improvements that allow organizations to sustain and expand cultural programming for diverse audiences, promote accessibility and environmental sustainability, preserve and create jobs, and ultimately contribute to the growth of New York's arts and tourism sectors.

"New York's arts and cultural organizations strengthen our economic well-being, nourish our diversity and identity, and support our communities," Governor Hochul said. "This record State funding to NYSCA will allow a wide range of organizations to undertake much needed improvement projects, so they can continue to provide New Yorkers with enriching cultural experiences and further their role as economic and community anchors."

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a record $150 million in capital funding will be available for arts and culture organizations through the New York State Council on the Arts' Capital Projects Fund. The Fund has two grant categories: Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants and Large Capital Improvement Grants. This unprecedented investment includes $100 million in new, multi-year funding to facilitate large-scale capital projects that prioritize community development and placemaking. It is the State's largest ever commitment to NYSCA for capital projects for the arts, following on already record-level funding for the arts in the FY 2023 Budget. Governor Hochul will further discuss her commitment to supporting the arts at the Carnegie Hall 2022-2023 Season Opening later this evening.

The application portal for these opportunities will open on Friday, Sept 30, 2022 and can be accessed on NYSCA's website, arts.ny.gov. All eligible New York State nonprofit arts and culture organizations are encouraged to apply for NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund. NYSCA will also conduct webinars about the application process and host multiple virtual office sessions for applicants to receive one-on-one assistance before the January 12, 2023 deadline.

Since 2018, NYSCA has awarded 204 capital grants, totaling $50 million, across all 10 state regions through the support of the Governor and Legislature. These projects increase employment capacity and advance cultural venues as tourism destinations, strengthening New York's hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors.

In addition to the Capital Projects Fund, NYSCA will award $90 million in non-capital grants to arts organizations and artists. These grant recipients will be announced by the end of the calendar year.

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Mara Manus said, "New York's powerful creative economy is a crucial driver in our state's recovery as a global cultural leader. We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature's unprecedented $150 million in FY2023 capital funding for NYSCA, recognizing the critical role these projects play in our economy, our local ecologies, and the health of all New Yorkers."

New York State Council on the Arts Chair Katherine Nicholls said, "We are honored at NYSCA to make these opportunities available for arts and cultural organizations across New York. Capital funding is transformative for organizations and their communities - these projects bolster employment, advance cultural venues as tourism destinations, and strengthen our hospitality, food, and retail sectors. On behalf of NYSCA staff, Council and our arts and culture community, I wish to acknowledge Governor Hochul and our State Legislators for their unyielding commitment to New York's arts and cultural organizations with this historic $150 million total of FY2023 capital grant funding. This investment will secure our sector's future and ensure that our state cultural treasures will continue to grow and thrive."

State Senator Jose Serrano said, "I am so pleased that $150 million will be made available to improve and grow the cultural centers across neighborhoods that educate, connect, and inspire our communities. Keeping the arts accessible and available to all New Yorkers is crucial to the continued growth and health of our state."

State Senator Brad Hoylman said, "Millions come from all over the world to experience the arts in New York. Our world-renowned cultural organizations are a major economic driver for our city and state, and we need to invest in those organizations to continue to grow this industry. I'm proud to support the historic funding Governor Hochul is announcing today to increase the accessibility and sustainability of the arts, support their growth and impact, and inspire generations of New Yorkers to come."

Assemblymember Daniel O'Donnell said, "Arts are essential to New York. Not only are arts the heart and soul of every community in our state, they are economic engines, creating jobs, driving activity, and improving lives. For the past several years, arts and cultural organizations have navigated challenge after challenge, and many are still struggling. It's time for an arts renaissance in New York State. I am thrilled that New York State is stepping up and providing support for the arts through increased capital funding, ensuring that our arts and cultural organizations will be equipped for success for years to come."

Assemblymember Richard Gottfried said, "This record funding is an investment in the culture, the economy, and the vitality of New York State. Our cultural organizations are a key part of our character and spirit. Through this unprecedented support from Governor Hochul and the Legislature, we will increase the measurable benefits they deliver throughout our communities, our cities, and our state."

About the New York State Council on the Arts

The Council on the Arts preserves and advances the arts and culture that make New York State an exceptional place to live, work and visit. The Council upholds the right of all New Yorkers to experience the vital contributions the arts make to our communities, education, economic development, and quality of life. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts will award record funding in FY 2023, providing support across the full breadth of the arts, including dedicated support for arts education and underrepresented communities.

The Council on the Arts further advances New York's creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources. Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, the Council is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit http://www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA's Facebook page, Twitter @NYSCArts and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
Nature & Weather, Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: September 30 2022

Previous volunteer assignments from this group focused on cutting standing trees that have been marked on this property as part of DECs southern pine beetle control effort.

Team Rubicon, a nationwide volunteer organization comprised primarily of retired military, police department and fire department personnel, recently returned to Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest for their fourth cutting assignment.

Previous volunteer assignments from this group focused on cutting standing trees that have been marked on this property as part of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservations southern pine beetle control effort. Last weekends effort focused on clearing downed trees adjacent to a bulldozed DEC wildfire control line. The line was put in along the Whiskey Road area of this property to allow for fire department brush trucks to be able to pass side by side and to build a defensible area in case a wildfire impacted this area. Control line is along Whiskey Road and is near homes that could be impacted by a fire that was being pushed by northwest winds.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: September 30 2022

Nia Cooper, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene. The bus driver and one student suffered minor injuries.

Suffolk County Police First Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a woman in North Amityville this morning.

Nia Cooper was driving a 2006 Honda Civic northbound on Albany Avenue, south of Russell Court, when her vehicle crossed into the southbound lane and struck a 2008 Chevrolet minibus, owned by Educational Bus, at approximately 8 a.m.

Cooper, 21, of Amityville, was pronounced dead at the scene. The bus driver, 29, of North Amityville, an adult male matron and a 13-year-old female student on the bus were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip for treatment of minor injuries. The second student on the bus, a 14-year-old male, was not injured.
(Alliance News) - Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC on Friday said it has raised GBP654 million and Chinese vehicle manufacturing giant Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co has picked up a 7.6% stake in the company.

The Gaydon, England-based luxury carmaker proposed an equity raise of GBP653 million back in July.

At the time, Aston Martin said it would raise the funds through a placing of 23.3 million shares at a price of GBP3.35 each for GBP78.0 million to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, followed by an underwritten rights issue to raise GBP575 million.

Formed in 1971 to support the Saudi economy, Saudi Arabia's PIF - one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds - has around USD620 billion in assets under management.

On Friday, the company said the GBP654 capital injection will both "meaningfully deleverage" its balance sheet, and "strengthen and accelerate" its long-term growth.

As part of the capital raise, Geely Holding Group picked up a 7.6% stake in Aston Martin.

Further, Chair Lawrence Stroll's Yew Tree Consortium upped its stake to 19%, whilst PIF upped its stake to 18.7%.

Stroll said: "I am delighted that we have successfully completed this transformational capital raise which significantly strengthens our financial position and enhances our pathway to becoming sustainably free cash flow positive."

Shares in Aston Martin were up 1.4% to 127.15 pence each in London on Friday morning.

By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Barclays PLC will pay a total of USD361 million to settle matters related to an overselling of financial instruments, a US watchdog said on Thursday.

The Securities & Exchange Commission said Barclays has agreed to pay a USD200 million civil penalty, as well as prejudgement interest of more than USD161 million. The second sum was deemed as satisfied by an offer of rescission made by Barclays to investors involved.

Barclays in March admitted it sold more products to investors than it was allowed to.

The London-based bank explained that securities offered and sold under its US shelf registration statement for an approximate one-year period had exceeded a registered amount. This, the bank explained at the time, gave the purchasers of the affected securities a right of rescission.

The US SEC on Thursday said: "According to the SEC's order, as a result of this failure, [Barclays] offered and sold approximately USD17.7 billion of securities in unregistered transactions. As the SEC's order states, [Barclays] self-reported its over-issuances to regulators, provided meaningful cooperation during the SEC staff's investigation, and subsequently commenced a rescission offer."

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Although for many the summer is over, there are some who are reluctant to end their vacations. One of them is Emily Ratajkowski, who is posing on the beaches of Mallorca.

The famous model, who is currently linked to Brad Pitt, surprised her 30 million followers with several photos on Instagram posing on the Cala Pi beach in Palma de Mallorca.

Ratajkowski is Spain country promoting her book 'My Body'. In one of her posts, she explains her connection with the Balearic island, uploading photos of her as a child on the island, showing that she spends some summers there.

"Mallorca is magic," she wrote in Catalan.

"Every time I come back I have the feeling that I am coming home. I am lucky to have this island as part of my life and now also of my son's."

Ratajkowski's curious bikini pose in Mallorca

Ratajkowski posted on Instagram a picture of her on the Cala Pi beach wearing a blue bikini, sunglasses and a cap.

She also posed drinking a can of local San Miguel beer, with her snack including sardines and a pomegranate.

After these days in Mallorca, Ratajkowski will go to Paris where she will attend a Versace event.

Wherever she goes, the famous model is followed by rumours that she is secretly dating Brad Pitt. Both are single after breaking up with their respective partners.
Coolio performed at halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans on April 5, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Coolio performed at halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans on April 5, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Rapper Coolio was discovered unresponsive on the floor of a friend's LA home on Wednesday, and EMTs spent over an hour trying to revive him.

Paramedics arrived at the house in the late afternoon when the friend found the 59-year-old celebrity's dead inside a bathroom, according to TMZ.

Before the rapper was declared dead, paramedics gave him CPR for 45 minutes. It's believed that Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., passed away from a heart attack.

According to his longtime manager Jarez Posey, the rapper, who was based in Las Vegas, had gone to Los Angeles to renew his passport.

Posey informed TMZ that for the past few days, the celebrity has been residing at his home in the downtown area with the unnamed pal.

On Wednesday afternoon, according to the acquaintance, Coolio left to use the restroom but did not come back. He apparently called out to the rapper but got no answer. The star was then found on the bathroom floor, and he broke into the room and called 911.

Coolio is survived by his ten children as well as his ex-wife Josefa Salina, whom he wed in 1996 before divorcing her four years later.

Coolio's musical legacy

The rapper began his career in the 1980s and achieved worldwide success with his 1995 Grammy Award-winning single "Gangsta's Paradise," which was included on the soundtrack of the smash hit movie "Dangerous Minds" starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

The legendary song spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard charts, and "Weird Al" Yankovic later mocked it in "Amish Paradise."

Other timeless songs by Coolio include "Fantastic Voyage" from 1994, "1,2,3,4 (Sumpin' New)," and "It's All the Way Live (Now)."

Hollywood A-listers expressed their sorrow at the star's untimely passing on social media on Wednesday night.

Michelle Pfeiffer wrote on Instagram: "Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short. As some of you may know I was lucky enough to work with him on 'Dangerous Minds' in 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack - which I think was the reason our film saw so much success."

Coolio's death comes just four days after he took to Instagram to post about his latest performance in Texas.
GCC condemns Iran's deadly bombardments in Iraq's Kurdistan region

Xinhua) 09:49, September 30, 2022

RIYADH, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) condemned on Thursday Iranian deadly cross-border bombardments in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, according to a press release on the GCC's website.

Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf also "affirmed the GCC's rejection of anything that would prejudice Iraq's sovereignty, security and stability" during his meeting with Iraqi Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Abdul-Sattar Hadi Al-Janabi in Riyadh, said the GCC press release.

Al-Hajraf also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between the GCC and Iraq.

During the meeting, they discussed topics of common interest such as the GCC-Iraqi relations, the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides in 2019, and the electrical interconnection program.

On Wednesday, Iranian forces carried out bombardments in Kurdistan in northern Iraq, leaving 13 people dead and 58 others injured, most of them civilians, the regional Kurdish Counter-Terrorism Service said in a statement.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the attack "targeted four areas in Iraq's Kurdistan region and resulted in many deaths and injuries."

However, Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Ground Force, said the bombardment carried out by his forces is an "anti-terrorist operation," official IRNA news agency reported Thursday.

Iranian and Turkish forces frequently attack the military bases of their Kurdish opposition parties in Kurdistan in northern and northeastern Iraq, accusing them of carrying out attacks against their home countries from the Iraqi Kurdish region.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
World Health Organisation's Estimation of C-section Rates:

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State Wise Trend in Caesarean Section Delivery Rates

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About National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5):

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). The National Family Health Survey-5 Key findings were just made public. The study gathers thorough data on demographics, health, nutrition, and other topics with a focus on mothers and children. The survey's results give estimates for 131 indicators.

These findings include a separate section on delivery care that includes data for each of the 22 states and UTs that made up the first phase of the survey on the type of birth, such as a caesarean section, reliance on public and private health facilities, and presence of skilled medical personnel for delivery. Births that occurred five years before to the survey are included.

National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) - (http://rchiips.org/nfhs/NFHS-5Reports/NFHS-5_INDIA_REPORT.pdf) C-section - (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/7246-cesarean-birth-c-section) WHO Statement on Caesarean Section Rates - (https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/who-statement-on-caesarean-section-rates-frequently-asked-questions) Soaring Number of C-Section Deliveries a Concern for Maternal, Children Health - (https://science.thewire.in/health/nfhs-5-caesarean-deliveries-increasing-concern-maternal-neonatal-health/) NFHS-5: Share of Institutional Births & C-Sections increase in most States - (https://factly.in/nfhs-5-share-of-institutional-births-c-sections-increase-in-most-states/) 47.4% babies born in private sector via C-section, far above 14.3% in govt facilities, NFHS shows - (https://theprint.in/india/21-5-of-all-births-in-india-are-through-c-section-far-above-who-ideal-of-10-15-shows-nfhs/771710/) Cesarean births on the rise in India but Mizoram, Nagaland defy trend: NFHS-5 - (https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/cesarean-births-on-the-rise-in-india-but-mizoram-nagaland-defy-trend-nfhs-5-80374)
Five sailors have health issues that the Navy says might be related to a fuel leak that contaminated water aboard the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.

The Navy acknowledged the health concerns in a statement released late Thursday, about two weeks after jet fuel was first detected in the ships water supply. The update from Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a spokesman for the Navys Third Fleet, comes just days after the sea service also acknowledged water tests were still showing contamination aboard the ship but said that the water the crew was using was safe. Robertson said that the Navy had found the source of the leak.

The tainted water was first detected, according to the Navy, on the evening of Sept. 16 while the ship was at sea. However, the service said the ship has been getting fresh water from its pier-side connections since it pulled into Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on Sept. 17. By Sept. 21, the Navy declared the issue resolved.

Read Next: The Army's New Fitness Test Is Here. For Real This Time. No, Seriously. But Its Future is Uncertain.

The five sailors who have already developed issues are being closely monitored by health officials, Robertson said Thursday. If we receive any additional reports of potentially contaminated water, we will immediately investigate and take appropriate action to safeguard the crew.

The Navy didnt specify whether the sailors began showing symptoms before or after the switch to the off-ship water supply.

Robertson said that Nimitz leadership encourages the crew daily to report to medical immediately if they exhibit any illness or injury that could potentially be caused by exposure to contaminated water.

The cause of the contamination has finally been identified, according to the Navy. The fuel had tainted one of the 26 potable water tanks on board, according to Robertson.

The contaminated tank has been isolated [and] as an added precaution, three other nearby tanks have also been isolated, he said. Since the carrier pulled into port the Navy has used more than 800,000 gallons of city water in its efforts to purge the fuel from the ships water system.

In addition to the sickened crew, the Navy confirmed that the original mission of the ship  conducting a Composite Unit Training Exercise with the rest of the strike group  was altered because the water issue has kept the carrier in port.

The exercise, usually called COMPTUEX, is necessary to certify the carrier and its air wing for deployment by putting the strike group through a battle scenario that requires all its ships and planes to work together.

According to Robertson, Carrier Strike Group 11 began the exercise on Saturday as scheduled with the Nimitz crew participating pierside while the rest of the ships were at sea.

Future scheduling impacts are still being assessed, Robertson said. The ship was scheduled to begin a deployment shortly.

Military.com was told of deeper issues aboard the ship from anonymous sources but was unable to verify the accounts. Some alleged crew members suffered from skin and stomach issues but were not able to seek care on the ship.

The Navy assured the media that the ships water was safe to drink despite reports circulating on social media of ongoing problems. Last week, Military.com asked the service about images of the carrier moored to a pier studded with portable tanks of fresh water that seemed to call the assurances into question.

At the time, Navy spokesman Cmdr. Zach Harrell said more information on tankers was forthcoming but did not provide details.

Then, late on Wednesday, the Navy revealed that the Nimitzs internal potable water system was still offline due to contamination.

Ens. Bryan Blair, a spokesman for the commander of Naval Air Forces, said that wastewater samples taken after an initial fix to the system on Sept. 19 did not detect measurable amounts of fuel hydrocarbons. However, additional testing was conducted Sept. 21 on water samples from the ships potable water tanks which yielded detectable traces of hydrocarbons, he added.

Blairs statement again reiterated that the Nimitz continues to provide fresh water to the crew that has been tested safe for use.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Nimitz Stuck In Port As Navy Not Sure if Fuel Is Still Leaking into Ships Water
A hundred lawmakers in both chambers of Congress and both political parties are pushing the Defense Health Agency for answers on changes to Tricare's pharmacy coverage, including nearly 15,000 independent and community pharmacies leaving the network in October.

In a letter sent Thursday to Seileen Mullen, the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, the lawmakers expressed concern about "patient access and safety" issues resulting from the reductions.

"This will only further reduce the pharmacy network for Tricare patients and their families, and may force beneficiaries to change pharmacies at a time when many receive annual vaccinations," they wrote in the letter. "As you know, in addition to dispensing medications and vaccines, community pharmacies provide services that lead to better health outcomes, lower overall administrative fees, and valuable in-person consultations with a healthcare provider."

Read Next: Sailor Accused of Torching Bonhomme Richard Acquitted by Judge

The letter was organized by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga. It was co-signed by 18 Senate Republicans and 80 House members, mostly Republicans with a handful of Democrats.

Asked by Military.com for comment on the letter, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the department received the letter and said it would "respond appropriately directly and not through the media."

The letter comes after the Defense Health Agency, or DHA, confirmed that 14,963 retail pharmacies will no longer participate in Tricare's pharmacy network, which is administered by Express Scripts, starting Oct. 24.

Some independent pharmacies knew they would be dropped from Tricare next year because they wouldn't accept the terms of Express Scripts' contract, which included lowered reimbursement rates. But many have been blindsided by the Oct. 24 date, an advocacy group for independent pharmacies told Military.com last week.

In a statement last week, DHA maintained that despite thousands of pharmacies leaving the network, Tricare would "continue to meet or exceed Tricare's standard for pharmacy access."

"Beneficiaries will continue to have many convenient, local in-network options for filling their medications, including those beneficiaries in rural locations," agency spokesperson Peter Graves said.

But in their letter, the lawmakers expressed concern that "terminating the 2022 pharmacy contracts two months ahead of schedule will likely lead to a disruption of care for Tricare beneficiaries."

"What reasons has Express Scripts given DHA for terminating the 2022 contracts early?" the lawmakers asked, adding that they also want answers on "what oversight DHA has over Express Scripts, as well as what authority DHA has given Express Scripts to make these contract changes."

The lawmakers further pressed for answers on what steps the agency will take to ensure access to in-person pharmacy services for Tricare beneficiaries and how the agency monitors retail pharmacy participation in the network.

Separately, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., sent his own letter Wednesday to Gil Cisneros, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, calling the reduction in pharmacies "unacceptable."

"Moving forward, I need to know the immediate steps the department will take to address these urgent concerns," Tester wrote. "Our Tricare beneficiaries deserve convenient access to the quality and timely benefits and care they have earned, and I will continue to strongly oppose any efforts to restrict that access."

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: Nearly 15,000 Pharmacies Leaving Tricare in October
Fighting in the bitter cold and in environments dominated by ice is tough and dangerous but DARPA is not about to just let this problem go.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Pentagons arm for cutting-edge and transformational warfighting technology development, is now seeking proposals for technologies that alter and control ice at the molecular level, thus mitigating the risk for troops fighting and operating in extremely cold environments.

The power DARPA seeks is reminiscent of that wielded by Princess Elsa in the beloved Disney movie Frozen, and seems nearly as fanciful  but DARPA has an impressive track record of being able to achieve the near-impossible. After all, the agency played an outsized role in developing what we now call the internet.

Soldiers exit aircraft during Exercise Cold Response 16. Cold Response is a regularly scheduled Norwegian-led joint multinational exercise with a focus on high-intensity operations in winter conditions. (Crista Mary Mack/U.S. Army)

The stated goal of DARPAs Ice Control for Cold Environments (ICE) program is to deliver novel biologically sourced or inspired molecules that can control or exploit ice crystallization, according to a recently posted invitation for proposals. The presolicitation notice addresses the first two phases of what the agency expects to be a three-phase project. In these phases, the document states, the program will attempt to control ice by inhibiting the freezing/refreezing process and limiting how molecules stick to ice.

The warming of the Arctic has opened access to new trade routes and necessitated an expanded operational area where the U.S. military must counter peer adversaries seeking to exploit emerging theaters in [extreme cold weather] areas, it explains.

Significant physiological and material barriers exist to establishing and maintaining a force capable of sustained operations in ice-prone environments. Many of these challenges are a consequence of the physical properties of ice as well as the impact these phenomena have on the surrounding operational environment and force readiness, it adds.

Why DARPA wants to control ice

A pod of Orca whales swims past the bow of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star while the ship's crew grooms a channel in the fast ice near the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Feb. 1, 2015. (George Degener/U.S. Coast Guard)

Ice is an enemy that is getting a vote in Arctic and cold-weather military operations.

New trade routes and expanded operational area aside, the cold has certainly dealt a significant share of historical military defeats.

The U.S. Eighth Army and the 5th and 7th Marine Divisions found themselves taking more casualties from the cold than from the enemy during the 17-day Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950 during the Korean War, where temperatures plunged to 35 degrees below zero. Ultimately, surrounded by the Chinese and frostbitten, U.S. troops were forced to retreat, marking a major turning point in the war.

In 2017, then-Marine Corps Commandant. Gen. Robert Neller warned Marines to be careful what they wished for when considering the prospect of a military confrontation with the North Korean nuclear dictatorship headed by Kim Jong-un.

War on the Korean peninsula would be Game of Thrones-like General Neller said.

In a release, DARPA stated that the cold would likely be a major barrier to taking on a future adversary: peer and near-peer competitors identified by the Pentagon include Russia and China, which both have bitterly cold regions in winter.

Targeted stakeholder outreach and engagement has reinforced that frostbite is a substantial mission risk due to insufficient medical countermeasures, and that ice accumulation on critical Department of Defense maritime equipment can lead to decreased seaworthiness, increased risk on ship surfaces, and degraded electronics and machinery performance, officials stated.

Controlling Mother Nature with her help

The Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) moors to Arctic sea ice during Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2022. (Alfred Coffield/U.S. Navy)

The ice-control capabilities that DARPA envisions to prevent a future battlefield weather disaster may include the prevention of frostbite injuries, reduction of ice accretion on vehicles, vessels, and aircraft, decreased damage to infrastructure, maintaining aqueous solutions (potable water, medicines), solving transportation and logistics challenges (ice bridges, roads, runways), and enabling field operations, the solicitation document states.

But, it continues, there are plants and organisms in nature who possess various mechanisms to do, on a smaller scale, what DARPA is attempting, from ice-binding proteins found in bugs, plants and fish to pigments in algae and bacteria that can absorb specific light wavelengths in order to melt snow.

The ICE program seeks to utilize diverse and ingenious biological solutions to operating in extreme environmental conditions, DARPA states. The agency adds that theres little standardized testing and study to demonstrate and measure the properties of how ice crystals form and develop, and how these various agents found in nature interact with ice to control it or mitigate its effects.

In the first 18-month phase of this development effort, participants selected by DARPA will use the agents and compounds found in nature as a starting point to create test beds and drill down to the substances precise ice control properties. At the end of the phase, the agency says, the teams that do well should identify at least 25 molecules in each of three ice crystallization classes: inhibition, induction, and adhesion. From these, at least 10 molecules in each class should be selected for optimization as tools for ice control.

The second phase, set to last 12 months, will then assess these molecular candidates based on how well they perform and line up with Defense Department objectives, and start compiling safety data with their use. DARPA wants to see at least a 75 percent improvement in ice control using the selected molecules, and develop an idea about how they can be incorporated into actual warfighter tools.

The third phase, to be further described and developed later, is where these biological capabilities would be harnessed for the benefit of the warfighter through application-specific testing to enable transition to DoD stakeholders.

According to information posted by DARPA, the whole program would last about four years.

Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, traverse frigid terrain at Exercise Cold Response 16. (Crista Mary Mack/U.S. Army)

Throughout all phases, performers will be expected to engage with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Centers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory for testing and evaluation, DARPA officials said in a release.

In addition, teams will collaborate with ethical, legal, and societal implications experts and ensure the research addresses any related concerns. By the end of the program, performers will be asked to demonstrate properties of ice crystallization control (adhesion, inhibition, or induction) and provide preliminary safety data for DoD-relevant applications, they added.

The current deadline for responses to the solicitation is November 8.

It seems almost ludicrous that DARPA would decide it needs to control the elements and then go about doing just that. But stealth aircraft, GPS, and even digital virtual assistants all owe their existence in large part to the agencys labs.

Anne Cheever, the ICE program manager, said in a released statement that, essentially, this is what DARPA exists to do.

The prevention of injury to operators, the preservation and extension of the operational lifetime of equipment, and asymmetric tactical advantage afforded by novel disruptive technologies are tenets of DoD policy, Cheever said.

Hope Hodge Seck is an award-winning investigative and enterprise reporter who has been covering military issues since 2009. She is the former managing editor for Military.com.

Read the original article on Sandboxx.
WASHINGTON  The United States and its allies hit back at Russias annexation of four Ukrainian regions on Friday, slapping sanctions on more than 1,000 people and companies including arms supply networks as President Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin he can't "get away with" seizing Ukrainian land.

The Russian annexation, though expected, escalated an already heated conflict that's become fraught with potential nuclear implications.

Biden said his administration would support any effort by Ukraine to retake the annexed territories by force, setting the stage for further hostilities. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his country would make an accelerated bid to join the NATO military alliance, a plan not endorsed by the U.S. or other allies that could add fuel to the fire.

America and its allies are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless words and threats," Biden told reporters. He added that Putin "cant seize his neighbors territory and get away with it.

Russian President Vladimir Putins announcement that Russia is incorporating four Ukrainian cities and areas was not unexpected following referendums this week that the West had denounced as shams. And the U.S. and Western allies had previewed what their reaction would be.

But the developments dramatically increased tensions to a point not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago during the Cold War.

Biden had spoken out against the annexation plans last week at the U.N. General Assembly, where a vast majority of other members also voiced support for respecting the territorial integrity of all nations On Friday, he also used the moment to reiterate that the U.S. and NATO allies would not allow Russia to attack any of the nearby NATO members without facing a strong military response.

America is fully prepared, prepared with our NATO allies to defend every single inch of NATO territory. Every single inch, Biden said. And so, Mr. Putin, dont misunderstand what Im saying. Every inch.

While the Biden administration has identified the suppliers of Russia's weapons and battlefield high-tech as a priority, many of Friday's other sanctions were in line with penalties already enacted on thousands of Russian individuals and companies, and may have comparatively little impact on the war effort. The administration hopes they will serve to further undermine support for Putins invasion among Russias elite.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and its European allies are rushing to complete agreement on a measure they hope will do more to damage Russias economy: a cap on Russias maritime oil exports that would undermine the prices Putin can demand for his countrys oil globally.

For now, Biden said the new U.S. financial penalties, similar to those coming from like-minded countries, will impose severe costs on people and companies that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory. The sanctions will apply to countries, people or firms that support or do business with Russia-backed authorities in the newly annexed areas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, echoing Biden, said the U.S. unequivocally rejects Russias fraudulent attempt to change Ukraines internationally recognized borders. ... This is a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter."

No one is fooled by what Moscow has done, Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with Canadas visiting foreign minister. The entire process around these sham referenda was a complete farce. This territory is and will remain Ukraine, and Ukraine has every right to defend its land, to defend its people and to take back the territory that Russia has seized from it.

This suggests the U.S. will support the Ukrainians with weapons and ammunition to help them with military action to retake the annexed areas. The U.S. has warned Ukraine in the past not to use American weapons against Russian territory.

Blinken also spoke out against Putin's nuclear threats..

This kind of loose talk about nuclear weapons is the height of irresponsibility, and its something that we take very seriously," he said. To date he said, the U.S. has not seen that Russia is actually doing anything that suggests they are contemplating the use of nuclear weapons.

"I can just tell you that we plan against every possible scenario, including this one.

Biden also pushed back against Putin's comments on Friday in which he accused the West of sabotaging Russia-built natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea to Germany. Nordic nations said the undersea blasts that damaged the pipelines this week and have led to huge methane leaks involved several hundred pounds of explosives.

The president said the U.S. and allies are still working to determine who was responsible for the blasts, but excoriated Putin over his accusation.

Let me say this, it was a deliberate act of sabotage, Biden said. And now the Russians are pumping out disinformation and lies.

As for a broader guarantee of protection, Ukraine has sought NATO membership for years but has not yet been admitted due to concerns about its domestic governance. As a result of Russias invasion, Finland and Sweden have applied for fast-track admission into the alliance.

The White House said national security adviser Jake Sullivan had spoken with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to highlight the U.S. and NATOs firm commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Earlier, following Putins announcement, the White House along with the State, Treasury and Commerce departments had announced the new sanctions in a series of coordinated statements. The sanctions expand on what have been escalating penalties against Russia and its proxies since the invasion began on Feb. 24.

Treasury designated hundreds of members of Russias parliament, leaders of the countrys financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations that include asset freezes and bans on Americans doing business with them. The Commerce Department added 57 companies to its list of export control violators, and the State Department added more than 900 people to its visa ban list, making them ineligible for travel to the United States.

Since the start of the invasion, the U.S. and European nations have imposed significant financial penalties on Russia, its leadership and wealthy oligarchs tied to Putin. The allies have gone after the central bank reserves that underpin the Russian economy and have severed many Russian banks from a vital global financial network called SWIFT.

The war is having a devastating impact on the global economy and has contributed to massive disruptions to supplies of energy and food throughout the world. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development this week said the global economy is set to lose $2.8 trillion in output in 2023 because of the conflict.

Putin appears undeterred. He warned that Russia would never give up the absorbed regions the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and would protect them as part of its sovereign territory.

Both houses of the Russian parliament will meet next week to approve the treaties for the regions to join Russia.

Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer, Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller contributed reporting.
After months of anecdotes and reports of sailors suffering through delayed separation paperwork, the admiral who oversees the entire operation is shedding light on what went wrong, where he hopes to go and sharing a message with those affected by the problem.

Rear Adm. Stuart Satterwhite is the commander of MyNavy Career Center. It's a job he took on last year, and the title belies some of the responsibility placed on the one-star flag officer. The command, known more commonly as MNCC, oversees many of the transactions that are crucial to sailors lives -- fixing pay issues, tracking leave balances, issuing orders and also the issue at the heart of this story -- separations and retirements.

After Military.com wrote several stories that focused on the plight of sailors awaiting their discharge paperwork and some of the terrible consequences that resulted from those delays, Satterwhite agreed to an interview to provide more information and perspective on how he and his team are working to fix the problem.

The problems predate Satterwhite assuming command, stemming from years before when the Navy first embarked on a project to modernize and consolidate its old personnel support and customer support detachments into a single command -- MNCC.

Satterwhite explained that the goal behind that effort was twofold -- modernize 40- to 50-year-old IT systems and sweep away a system of commands that all had their own way of doing things.

Each [personnel support detachment] started developing their own standard way of doing business, and key supporting documents were different, Satterwhite said.

As that process moved forward, issues grew and snowballed. Satterwhite explained that some of the delays have been long lingering, but they were scattered about too many locations.

So, in each location, it didn't seem like it was that much  if I'm behind by two over here or 10 over here  it's not too bad, but when I consolidate that down, its like, Wow! Now Im up to 100; that's a lot more.

Now, confronted by the issues, Satterwhite is ready to offer context and a way forward, but he's also clear about the mistakes and where the blame lies.

If somebody didn't get their DD-214 on time, I apologize, Satterwhite said. I will endeavor to do better.

This is not trying to blame sailors for anything, the admiral said in a change from earlier statements by his office that attributed delays to a failure by sailors to file their paperwork in a timely fashion. It's my job to go out here and make this better, and so that's what we're after.

For sailors who have or are about to start their separation, the Navys pay boss offered hope. Satterwhite promised that in the next few weeks, the backlog of DD-214s -- the crucial record the civilian world uses to verify service -- will get to the point where they are being issued before sailors get out of the Navy.

I will tell you that we will get to the point where we will deliver these ahead of [separation], Satterwhite promised.

But the issue with this one form is somewhat emblematic of the larger struggle that the Navy has put itself in by revamping the sprawling and outdated system.

As we look at our DD-214s right now, I'm tracking this on a spreadsheet because our IT system doesn't tell me the information I need, Satterwhite explained.

Those IT issues resulted in troubling consequences for sailors. More than a dozen sailors and relatives reached out to Military.com, on and off the record, to explain their own struggles as these documents have lagged behind. Those stories included overpaying thousands for unnecessary rent, looking at paying tens of thousands to self-fund moves that should be paid for, delays in getting jobs and considering tragic possibilities out of a fear of losing medical care.

For the first time, the admiral revealed some sense of scope to the problem. In August, Satterwhite said his backlog for DD-214s was 789 sailors.

Am I seeing changes? Yes. Am I saying everything's all roses? You shouldn't think so because we still have work to do, Satterwhite said.

Another area where there are struggles is in reimbursing sailors after they move for new orders. Satterwhite said that he is currently averaging a 30-day turnaround for paying sailors back.

I want to take that down to 14 days because from a sailor perspective, that's putting money back in your pocket, he explained. I still have work to do to get there.

Other areas are doing better. Processing reenlistments and extensions is happening within a week, sometimes the next day and orders for sailors going to new commands are also moving along. Overseas orders are taking less than a week, and stateside ones are under 20 days.

Satterwhite also proudly noted that after the Red Hill disaster, his command went to Pearl Harbor and got affected families processed in 24 hours and paid in 96. We've done over 25,000 transactions; 97% of them made timeline, he said.

To him, the point is less about the boast and more that the anecdote shows what the command can do, and in turn, it validates the Navys vision for the future of these types of transactions for sailors.

Satterwhite described a MyNavy portal that would be a single spot that would allow sailors to deal with anything from their pay or housing allowance to leave statements to requesting reimbursement for a move.

Some of that vision already exists. The Navy has a portal, and it rolled out a call center to help sailors deal with some types of requests. However, there have been reports that the call center is mired with its own delays, and Satterwhite admits that the portal still needs work to function as intended.

But Satterwhite is also clear that he thinks there will always be a human that a sailor can call, because there are some complex travel and pay issues out there we have to deal with.



In the meantime, Satterwhite says the plan is to hire more help. The admiral explained that his command is not only increasing the number of sailors who specialize in providing this support to the fleet, but also bringing in more civilian employees as well.

I see the process improving  not perfect  but improving, Satterwhite said.

And the admiral admits that the delays and issues have cost him valuable trust with the fleet hes in place to service. How do I build trust with sailors? It's demonstrated performance, he said.

It's my challenge to live with now; it's mine to say: Let's make it right and let's provide a service to sailors that they deserve and how we should be delivering to them, Satterwhite said.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Sailors Face Down Abortion and Job Loss as Discharge Paperwork Delays Force Impossible Life Decisions
The bulk of soldiers in Fort Bragg, North Carolina's troubled Smoke Bomb Hill barracks have been relocated after Army leaders deemed those buildings to be unlivable, culminating years of rampant mold issues. The unprecedented evacuation of 1,171 troops on post has strained garrison logistics and might be the largest movement of soldiers outside of a deployment for a mission in recent Army history.

So far, 892 soldiers have been moved out of Smoke Bomb Hill. Of that total, about 265 are being allowed to live off base, an option typically reserved for married soldiers.

The logistics were more difficult than Army planners anticipated. There is no existing playbook for such a move, forcing planners at Fort Bragg to write one in real time.

Read Next: The Army's New Fitness Test Is Here. For Real This Time. No, Seriously. But Its Future is Uncertain.

"We wanted to make sure we were doing it right, we wanted to be very deliberate about it," Col. John Wilcox, the garrison commander of Fort Bragg, said in an emailed statement to Military.com. "This isn't like a deployment where we have dedicated available space, we had to pull from across Fort Bragg and get folks to work together to put soldiers in good quality barracks."

Twelve barracks are set to be demolished next year at Fort Bragg while another five will be refurbished. It'll take years for all the fresh living quarters to open, meaning the unsettled living situations for soldiers are going to last for close to a decade. The timeline for rebuilding and refurbishing the barracks was accelerated about five years from original Army plans amid the growing scrutiny.

Garrison leaders knew dozens of rooms were infested with mold, but action was taken only after complaints to Congress, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and an inspection from Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston. Both of those senior service leaders have made quality-of-life issues a top priority of their tenure.

Mold infestations are prevalent in Army housing at numerous bases, including locations where the issues may be worse than what Fort Bragg faced. But leadership for the base opted for a mass relocation of the condemned barracks. In some cases, mold can be cleaned and otherwise mitigated, but often that work only glosses over larger mold issues.

While Fort Bragg leaders knew it would be difficult to find housing for all the affected soldiers, the full scope of the problem is just coming into focus. Ahead of the relocation, an internal count of beds available on base was around 3,000. The total ended up only being about 700 after a closer look.

"That is when we realized how complex this problem was going to be," Brian Adkins, who is overseeing the relocation effort, told Military.com.

Army planners wanted to keep units together, at least at the squad level. But open beds at Fort Bragg, and generally at any base, are scattered. That meant moving 224 soldiers who otherwise wouldn't have needed to relocate so that squads wouldn't be broken up.

A move of this scale on a military installation hasn't been done before, but with the mold issue prevalent at other bases, Army officials from across the country have since reached out to Fort Bragg asking for the details of the massive logistical undertaking. So far, the Army hasn't announced plans for similar moves elsewhere.

"It was like doing a jigsaw puzzle without knowing what the picture was supposed to look like," Adkins added.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Mold Is Consuming Fort Stewart's Barracks as a Pattern Emerges Across the Army
A new military assessment has identified 153 repairs that need to be made to the pipelines at the Navy's Red Hill fuel facility in order to safely defuel it.

That's on top of 43 critical repairs identified five months ago by Simpson, Gumpertz &Heger, a third-party contractor, only five of which have since been completed.

The newly identified repairs are estimated to take nearly a year to complete, but the Department of Defense says they shouldn't extend its proposed timeline for draining the underground tanks, which is slated for completion in July 2024.

The repairs were discussed in a supplementary report that the DOD submitted Wednesday to the state Department of Health as part of the Navy's Red Hill defueling plan.

The DOD contractor completing the pipeline assessment found that the Red Hill piping system was in "fair to satisfactory condition " and "serviceable to support defueling operations, " according to the report. DOD found that 125 of the 153 repairs had not yet been identified, while others were already under contract. It described most of the repairs as "relatively minor, " such as tightening fasteners on valves and installing new wheel nuts. Another 26 of the repairs require design work, according to DOD, and will be put under an existing design-build pipeline repair contract.

Defense officials say they plan to submit a comprehensive list of repairs to state health officials by the end of October.

The new pipeline assessment relied on advanced technology, such as ultrasonic testing, while the previous report was based on visual inspections, according to the DOD.

Many of the 43 repairs identified by Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger in its April report remain in the early stages of completion. Five are completed and four are nearing completion, according to DOD documents. For 18 of the repairs, 15 %

or less of the work has been completed. The Navy is seeking alternative solutions for some of the repairs, while evaluating whether they can safely disregard others.

For example, Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger's report identified the repair of a portion of Red Hill's fire suppression system as critical for defueling. On May 6, 2021, fuel leaked from a Red Hill pipe during a fuel transfer. About 19, 000 gallons of the fuel was sucked up into a pipeline that's supposed to reclaim aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF ) after it's deployed during a fire. AFFF, which includes toxic chemicals, is used to extinguish fuel fires. That fuel, unbeknownst to workers, according to a Navy investigation, then sat in the pipeline for months until it was hit by a trolley car in November and burst, spewing fuel into a tunnel for hours.

The AFFF retention line was damaged beyond use after holding the fuel for months.

The Navy seeks to avoid replacing the mile-long pipeline, saying that it could delay defueling the facility. The DOD estimates that the work couldn't be completed until the end of December 2023.

The DOD says that it has a backup pumping system that it can rely on in the event of a fire in which AFFF is deployed.

Under a worst-case scenario, in which 24, 000 gallons of AFFF and water is released, the solution could be recovered from the lower tank gallery and sumps within about four hours under the facility's backup system, according to DOD reports.

If the AFFF retention line was replaced and the system restored to its original design, the AFFF and water solution would be recovered in under an hour, according to a Navy spokesperson.

State health officials still need to approve the Navy's defueling plans.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the DOD needs to do more to expedite repairs. The prospect of approximately 100 million gallons of fuel remaining in the underground tanks for another two years has alarmed local officials worried that additional leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility could further pollute the aquifer.

"The DOD needs to be on an emergency footing and treat this like an ongoing emergency, " said Schatz. "They must do better and move faster."

In March, the Pentagon ordered the Navy's Red Hill fuel facility to be drained and permanently shut down after jet fuel from the 2021 leaks polluted the Navy's drinking water system, sickening military families living around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Also, the Navy is under pressure this week from state regulators for discharging untreated or partially treated sewage into the ocean, as well as related maintenance failures at its Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam wastewater treatment plant. Earlier this week DOH announced that it was fining the military $8.7 million for the environmental breaches.

On Thursday the Navy announced that there has been another failure at its wastewater treatment plant, with more than 1, 000 gallons of wastewater spilling into Pearl Harbor near Pier B-23 after a 12-inch wastewater line break.

It took about five hours to contain the leak, and the state Health Department was notified, the Navy said in a news release. The pipeline had been scheduled to be replaced in the beginning of October under a Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command contract.

(c) 2022 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
How to use the mindat.org media viewer

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Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

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Lefty reliever Sean Doolittle plans to continue his playing career in 2023, he old Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post earlier this week. Doolittle, a veteran of eleven big league seasons and a free agent at the conclusion of the 2022 season, expressed his hope he can return to the Nationals.

I really would like a do-over, said Doolitte, who only appeared in six games in 2022 before being shut down with an elbow sprain that would lead him to undergo an internal brace procedure in July. I realize that theres a lot that I have to do on my end to even have that be a possibility. But hopefully January or ahead of camp in February, I can show them that Im healthy and come in and compete for a spot.

Doolittle first became a member of the Nationals in 2017 when he was dealt from Oakland to Washington at the deadline. He departed via free agency in 2021 but returned last offseason on a new free agent deal. In parts of five years as a National, Doolittle has appeared in 153 games, compiled a 2.92 ERA, has struck out 28.5% of batters faced, and appeared as an All-Star in 2018.

Though he only threw 5 1/3 innings in 2022, he allowed merely one of the seventeen batters he faced to reach base. He told Dougherty that if his recovery goes according to plan, he will throw bullpen sessions in January in order to amass data that he intends to use to solicit interest from teams, including the Nationals.

It is unclear whether the Nationals, who are currently in no position to compete but should have ample opportunity in their bullpen, would be interested in a reunion. Doolittle, on the other hand, was very clear with Dougherty about where he would like to play. That would be amazing, Doolittle said of a potential sixth season in Washington. That would be best-case scenario, for sure, for so many different reasons.
Many towns in Ghana dont have a community centre, leaving residents without a good space for exercise and community involvement. While the process of building a community centre can often be difficult and expensive, they provide incalculable benefits for the communities where they are built.

The people of Effutu Constituency no longer worry about where to hold events and meetings all thanks to Member of Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

In his dream to make Effutu Constituency the gateway to the Central Region, the MP since has embarked on many projects. From health, education, security, road infrastructure and many others, the MP has been building Community Centers across the constituency.

Already, 11 community centres have been completed and are being used. Four other community centres are at various stages of completion. The community centres are solely the initiative of Afenyo-Markin who funded the construction and handed them over to the city authorities for management.

The facilities which come with an office and store room are open to the public for business seminars, training sessions, corporate retreats, receptions and dinners, banquets, family events, and a host of other activities. The function areas accommodate up to 500 people.

ModernGhana News team toured the Effutu Constituency to have a bird's eye view of the community-centred projects Afenyo-Markin has been putting up for his people.

On arrival at New Winneba, the team cited the construction of a community centre at a place called Sign Board. Although work has stalled, checks revealed that the contractor was working to complete a library facility. Once that was completed, the contractor was expected to continue work which is 50pecent completed. When fully completed, the centre will serve the people of New Winneba.

After the stop at New Winneba, the team proceeded to New Ateitu. Similarly, the community centre was under construction. Unlike the one at New Winneba, this centre is at the final stage of completion.

At Ansaful is a community centre. It has been commissioned already and handed over to the local assembly. From Ansaful, the team made a stop at Ekroful in the Essueayir Electoral Area. A community centre has also been completed. It has already been commissioned.

From Ekroful, the team proceeded to Gyahadze Electoral Area. A community centre has been completed in a community called Atekyedo. The centre is in use and hosts various events.

Below is a list of the community centres and their locations in the Effutu Constituency ModernGhana Team toured.

1. Zongo 100% completed and commissioned

2. Sekedjano 100% completed and commissioned

3. Ansaful completed and commissioned

4. Sankor completed and commissioned

5. Ekroful completed and commissioned

6. Essuekyir completed and commissioned

7. Atekyedo completed and commissioned

8. Kojobedu south completed and commissioned

9. Akosua Village completed and commissioned

10. Wonsom completed and commissioned

11. New Ateitu completed and commissioned

12. Signboard 60% complete

13. New Winneba completed and commissioned

14. Dayasew ongoing

15. Alata Kokwado ongoing
Wearing a large hat protecting her face from the sun's rays in Cameroon, 63-year-old Jeanne now bitterly regrets using skin whitening products after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

She is one of many women in Cameroon who use the controversial products that have been banned after social media outrage.

"I am embarrassed when people look at me," the trader in the capital of Yaounde said, wishing to only use her first name.

After a lesion grew on her face over five months, she went to a doctor who diagnosed her with one of the most common skin cancers.

Doctors told her the cancer is linked to her use of skin lightening products for 40 years.

Jeanne, like millions worldwide, used the products for more "desirable" lighter skin, an ideal pushed by the beauty industry.

According to the Cameroon Dermatology Society (Socaderm), nearly 30 percent of residents in the economic capital Douala and a quarter of schoolgirls used the products in 2019.

For some like 20-year-old student Annette, the effects can be harsh. She said she suffers from red patches on her face, peeling skin and also burns.

"Under a strong sun, my face became hot and I had to stop," she said.

The products with names like "White now" and "Super white", are instantly recognisable on shop shelves by the fair-skinned women on the packaging.

Dangerous chemicals

The furore began in the summer after social media users criticised opposition MP Nourane Fotsing over her company that sells the products, angry that an elected official would profit from them.

Many of the products have never been scientifically tested and contain dangerous levels of chemicals that inhibit the production of melanin, a substance produced in the body by exposure to the sun.

One of the chemicals is hydroquinone, banned in the European Union since 2001 because of the risk of cancer and genetic mutations.

Cameroon's health ministry on August 19 banned the import, production and distribution of cosmetic and personal hygiene products containing dangerous substances such as hydroquinone and mercury.

Hydroquinone is in fact one of the most used in whitening products in Cameroon, according to a 2019 study by Yaounde I University.

'Public health problem'

"We encounter patients complaining of symptoms linked to skin depigmentation every day," Alain Patrice Meledie Ndjong, a dermatologist at a hospital in Douala, said.

It is a "public health problem".

According to the World Health Organization, the products are commonly used in many African, Asian and Caribbean countries by both women and men, and also among dark-skinned populations in Europe and North America.

Other skin whitening products include potions, tablets and even injections.

Some of the substances, when ingested, can cause diabetes, obesity, hypertension or kidney or liver failure, warned Ndjong, adding there was also a psychological impact on individuals like "anxiety and depression".

Despite the horror stories, men and women believe they will become more beautiful after using the products.

"Beauty standards promoted by media, advertising and marketing reinforce the bias that lighter skin tone is more desirable than darker skin tone."

Sociologist Achille Pinghane Yonta of Yaounde University offers blunter analysis of why the creams remain popular.

"There is a desire" rooted "in our consciences to want to look like" Western populations, he said.

"It's a very old practice. It's even said, in some parts of the country, that a light-skinned woman's dowry is higher than that of a darker woman."

But for Pascaline Mbida, she felt the difference.

"I noticed that men were more attracted to women with lighter skin and I had confirmation of this when I whitened my skin, I had never got so much attention," Mbida said.

Black market

But the cost put off Mbida, who is currently unemployed. She spent 30,000 Central African Francs (45 euros) per month on the products.

The mandatory monthly minimum wage in Cameroon is 36,270 (55 euros).

Since the ban, police have launched raids, much to the chagrin of the sector's players who claim some seizures don't distinguish between the products that are banned by the government and those that are not.

The WHO in 2019 said "the skin lightening industry is one of the fastest growing" worldwide and was estimated to be worth $31.2 billion by 2024.

The cosmetic and personal hygiene market grew in Cameroon by seven percent in 2020 and was worth 380 billion CFA (around 580 million euros).

Despite the ban, there is a already a black market for the products.
Striking workers across France are gathering for marches to demand salary increases and to re-affirm opposition to the government's planned pension reform. The strike has been strongly supported by teachers and energy workers.

Several thousand people marched Thursday morning in the southern port city of Marseille, which hard-left France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc Melenchon represents in the National Assembly.

Dockworkers mixed with people wearing yellow vests, holding signs about retirement and against the high cost of living.

As many as 6,000 people are expected at a march Thursday afternoon through Paris.

At least 200 gatherings were officially planned on Thursday throughout the country, following a call by the CGT union for a general strike.

Though the education sector has been the most affected, as teachers are particularly dissatisfied with salary increases presented in the 2023 proposed budget.

At midday the Education Ministry published figures showing 11 percent of teachers participating in the strike.

The SNUipp-FSU teacher's union said it was expecting 20 percent of primary school teachers to be on strike, with up to 10 percent of Parisian primary schools closed entirely.

The SNES secondary school union expects 30 percent of middle and high-school teachers to be on strike.

The strike has also disrupted the energy sector as nuclear power industry workers joined the walkout.

The strike called by the FNME electricity union reduced nuclear power generation by 3.3 gigawatts by early Thursday morning and hydropower output by 610 megawatts, which represents 8.5 percent of total energy production.

The strike is being taken as a test of the unions' ability to mobilise support and a barometer of potential social unrest as President Emmanuel Macron pushes ahead with plans to reform the country's pension system, with his government promising to draft legislation by the end of the year.

(With newswires)
GHANA HAS since time immemorial been saddled with various pertinent health challenges. One of such is having a doctor-to-patient and population deficit gap. A report by the World Bank indicates that the doctor-patient ratio of the country is 1:1000; a situation the Ghana Medical and Dental Association has described as dire. This alarming doctor-patient ratio has several ramifications for the country's already ailing health care. Successive governments have enacted several policies to improve the doctor-patient ratio by building more health facilities and also to enroll more health workers. Data available shows that the doctor-nurse ratio was trending downwards till the surge of COVID-19 and its associated migration of health professions to countries such as UK, Canada and the USA.

Before we move to COVID-19 and the exodus of nurses to Europe and America, it is essential to evaluate the strategies of successive governments in further reducing the doctor-patient ratio. These strides that have been chalked so far through various governmental interventions typically involve the training of health professionals and also encouraging some of them to accept postings to rural areas.

The training of more doctors has historically been of grave concern due to the inadequacies of teaching hospitals across the country. Successive governments have tried to build faculties in new universities such as University of Development Studies, Tamale and University of Health and Allied Sciences at Ho to augment existing medical schools at University of Ghana, KNUST and UCC. These measures have increased the number of doctors in the country but as the population of the country is increasing, these measures have not been so effective in bringing down the doctor- patient ratio substantially. Doctors who are trained in Ghana know their worth and some have bluntly refused postings to rural areas. A study of the doctor-patient ratio shows that some regions like Upper West Region have a very appalling doctor-patient health ratio. A large proportion of doctors are in Accra and Kumasi. This means that the life expectancy of those in the rural areas lag behind their counterparts in urban areas such as Accra and Kumasi by a wide margin.

The figure is not rosy either among nurses. The nurse-patient ratio currently in Ghana is 1:18, which means that at any point in time, one nurse is attending to approximately 18 patients. Clearly, this picture implies that there are more nurses attending to patients than doctors, a situation which poses an essential question of the extent nurses should be empowered to serve in the country's rural, urban and peri-urban communities, in the light of major deficits evident in the small population of doctors in Ghana. Due to how doctors are scarce commodities in Ghana, some health facilities have only one to three doctors manning them.

Imagine a hypothetical situation where a patient has been rushed to a medical facility in a critical condition, and is told to wait for a doctor to arrive. If you live in a community where there are only two doctors, it means that the probabilities of your ailment worsening is higher. Death at that point becomes nearly inevitable. Currently, Ghana's life expectancy is 64 years and these are the little things that make us have such a lower life expectancy. As we see, many nurses looking on helplessly beyond the initial care they give, are unable to do much in instances beyond their given mandates. Some of the deaths which occur in our various health facilities are preventable. A solution to this can be an examination of what is a common practice in the United States of America.

Let's examine the case for the United States of America (USA), which is currently one of the highly ranked countries in health care delivery. As part of a nationally accepted healthcare policy in the USA, there has been an emergence of a considerable number of nurse practitioners across the country, who have formally received Nurse Practitioner Training (NPT) to diagnose, write prescriptions and perform certain medical procedures in addition to their core function. The training usually spans an average of two and half years  approximately one third of the total training period of a medical doctor! This can be implemented in Ghana together with the training of more Physician Assistants.

Thankfully, there have been recent partnerships between some universities in Ghana and the USA to facilitate this training programme in Ghana, eliminating the high cost associated with having nurses travel abroad to pursue this training. For instance, Aspire Business Network led negotiations between Valley View University and Andrews University to introduce a Doctorate in Nursing Practice programme, which can be particularly targeted at highly motivated and committed nurses who are already in rural and deprived communities across Ghana. These nurses who may have had a considerable number of years' experience at their current facilities, most likely have already built deeper relationships with the communities in which they live.

Due to this enhanced community trust and high community involvement, these nurses can for instance, be government-sponsored to undertake the Nurse Practitioner Training (NPT) programme. Subsequently, their allowances can be slightly adjusted upon programme completion and assumption of this new role.

I believe that this initiative is one of the most effective ways which present an impetus for directly addressing and bridging the healthcare quality gap between rural and urban communities and also reducing death rates that may be arising due to doctor unavailability in some situations.

More so, COVID-19 taught us many lessons. And one of those lessons was how vulnerable our healthcare system has been over the years. Nature spared us this time. Africa/Ghana didn't suffer a lot of the craziness the virus delivered to the Western world. But just imagine if what they had predicted about Africa had happened. We can't continue to leave life to chance.

Introducing this programme will also help to correct the nurse distribution anomaly in Ghana by influencing more nurses who are mostly in the urban communities to migrate to some of these rural communities. This could be a follow-up solution to earlier concerns raised by the Health Minister in June 2019 during a three-day tour in the Volta Region, that although it appears we (Ghana) have enough nurses, they are all centered in the urban areas.

Beyond the borders of Ghana, implementing innovative solutions such as these, will aid in putting Ghana on a higher pedestal when it comes to the mention of significant strides that have been chalked in line with helping the United Nation attain Sustainable Development Goal No 3 of Good Health and Well Being.

The potential and opportunity in using nurses as active drivers in the improvement of Ghana's healthcare delivery system is simply limitless, and I remain optimistic about the positive benefits this proposed initiative will bring to bear on the quality of healthcare every Ghanaian can receive no matter where they find themselves across the country.

BY Kwame Antwi-Frempong

The writer is the CEO of Aspire Business Network and its subsidiaries
An "extraordinary and resilient" African elephant who defied all odds to give birth despite being shot five times by poachers has died in Kenya's drought-ravaged north, conservationists said on Thursday.

"Monsoon" was euthanised by veterinarians after collapsing several times in poor health in Samburu, an arid expanse that like most of northern Kenya is suffering the driest conditions in 40 years.

The great matriarch was believed to be in her mid-60s, at the upper reaches of life expectancy for an elephant in the wild.

"It's estimated her ill health was brought on by old age and exacerbated by the drought," read a statement from Save the Elephants, a Kenya-based wildlife conservation group.

A mother of seven calves, Monsoon survived being shot five times during a rampant poaching crisis about a decade ago that sent Africa's wild elephant populations into freefall.

During the wholesale massacre of elephants for ivory, Monsoon lost two of her own calves to poachers, and scientists believed she would never give birth again after the trauma of being shot.

But in 2018 she delivered a calf in Samburu, nine years after her ordeal.

It was not the first time she had defied the experts.

In 2006 she led her family to safety up one of the biggest hills in Samburu, shortly after Save the Elephants published a study asserting that elephants tended to avoid steep terrain.

Four consecutive rainy seasons have failed in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, an unprecedented climatic event that has pushed millions across the Horn of Africa into extreme hunger.

Older elephants and young calves are the first to succumb to prolonged drought, experts say.

"Sadly the outlook for rain later this year is grim and there are fears the drought may stretch well into 2023, which is a major worry," said Save the Elephants founder Iain Douglas-Hamilton.

"We are working with our partners, local communities and government in Kenya to address the long-term problems the drought will bring to wildlife and communities alike and doing our best to prevent more elephants like Monsoon from dying."
Nigeria has always managed to attract foreign direct investment despite its poor economic outlook. This is thanks to its oil reserves and the consumption potential of its large population .

But these inflows of foreign investment have been in decline and now seem to have hit a halt. Over the past five years, foreign direct investment in Nigeria has dropped by almost 80% . This partly reflects a broader trend for the region: according to the African Development Bank , inward investment fell by almost 24% between 2019 and 2020. Investors around the world were also cautious about risky markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But foreign investment inflows to Nigeria had been falling even before the pandemic. The country's net inflows based on balance of payments fell from about US$9 billion in 2012 to below US$1 billion in 2018.

So Nigeria's 80% drop is steeper than the region's, which suggests that there is another dynamic at play.

Economists have looked at a range of factors that contribute to a drop in foreign direct investment. These include institutional underdevelopment , property rights and country regulations .

In a paper published in 2020 , I explored the role institutions play in determining foreign direct investment flows. I looked specifically at developing country contexts. I looked at three separate categories of institutions: civil and political liberties, freehold property rights and non-freehold (customary) property rights, with particular attention given to the two property rights.

My findings suggest that, in the case of Nigeria, in the short run, institutions have played a role in determining foreign direct investment. I found that the curtailing of land rights, in the form of the right to manage and the right to use, may have contributed to the fall in foreign direct investment inflows.

An example is the herder-farmer conflict which has spread from the northern part of Nigeria to the middle belt. This has impaired the right of farmers to manage their property. A knock-on effect is that potential investors in commercial farming ventures  or otherwise  may become cautious.

A slow unravelling

There have been drastic changes in the quality of Nigeria's institutions over time. This goes as far back as pre-independence.

The Land Use Act of 1978 resulted in a rise in land disputes and litigation. During the 1990s military rule period, it became compulsory to renew certificates of occupancy  the legal documents that prove that a person owns land. The certificates are usually required to occupy the property on a daily basis, to sign a contract to sell it and to close a mortgage on it.

Then in 2018, the government announced plans to implement the Rural Grazing Area settlement programme to deal with conflicts between crop farmers and herders. This led to accusations that the government was grabbing land through the back door. The policy was suspended in 2019 .

All these changes had implications for both freehold and customary land rights. But did that in turn affect investment?

The study found no evidence of a long-run relationship between any of the institutional variables and foreign direct investment. Surprisingly, freehold property rights did not play a significant role. Evidence generally points in the direction of secure property rights attracting investment, because multinational companies feel better protected and commercial farmers can make long-term plans. Examples include China and Zimbabwe .

The short-run  an empirical analysis that takes first difference of the data, to extract short-run attributes  evidence was that the relationship between civil and political liberties and foreign direct investment inflows was significant. So was the relationship between non-freehold property rights and foreign direct investment.

While the political institutions effect is expected, the customary (non-freehold) land rights, which is often neglected by policymakers, is surprising. In fact, this had the larger and only significant and positive relation to foreign direct investment.

What this suggests is that foreign direct investment inflows into Nigeria may react to changes in the quality of civil and political liberties, as well as customary property rights.

An even more interesting result was the significant role that the right to manage property played in attracting investment to Nigeria. This shows that while freehold property rights as a whole may not have a significant impact on investment in the immediate term, certain aspects of freehold property rights, such as the right to manage, are still important.

The right to manage property can involve managing tenants or appointing agents to do so. This is an example of how it affects foreign investment perceptions. The herder-farmer conflict may infringe on farmers' right to manage their land and plan for long-term farming objectives, and potentially in other indirect ways as well.

Sustaining Nigeria's economy

Nigeria has relied on the strength of its natural resources, population size and power as a consumer. Natural resources often water the punishment effect of other confounding factors for foreign direct investment drops. These are no longer able to sustain the country.

The curtailing of land rights, in the form of the right to manage and the right to use, may have contributed to the fall in foreign direct investment inflows.

It will not be easy to solve the herder-farmer conflict. But recognising the way it's linked to investment, and dedicating resources to addressing it, may be the necessary first step. Acknowledging the role of flailing property rights due to herder-farmer conflict, and then signalling political will to take this on, would assuage fears by potential investors.

Economic theory suggests foreign investment inflows should bring about increased productivity, technological innovation and better allocation of resources. All of these should lead to positive structural change in the recipient country.

Diversifying the economy away from oil would protect inflows from global oil price shocks. Nigeria should create an environment attractive to not just oil-targeted investment, but also industries that leverage the size of Nigeria's population and their consumption potential.

David Fadiran 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 David Fadiran, Research Fellow, Policy Research in Service and Manufacturing (PRISM), University of Cape Town
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida greets US Vice President Kamala in Tokyo. Washington is focused on moving close to partners it can trust. - Source: Photo by David Mareuil/Pool/Getty Images

30.09.2022 LISTEN

Over the past few years, the world's supply chains have been strained and disrupted by the COVID pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and rising geopolitical tensions . These started with the US-China trade war and then intensified following the war in Ukraine.

In response to the cumulative economic and security fallout that has ensued, some advanced countries are now ramping up efforts to divert their supply chains away from countries that are not like-minded and that don't have shared common values.

This new supply chain strategy is called  friend-shoring . Advanced countries are creating friend-shoring alliances which are, in turn, reshaping our global economy.

These shifts have adverse implications for Africa. The approaches to reconfiguring supply chains currently unfolding threaten to heap more stress on a continent already weighed down by multiple crises.

Africa stands to lose out because the current reshaping of supply chains is not intended to shift trade, investments and jobs towards African trade partners. Rather it's got to do with efforts by the EU and US to insulate their supply chains from being disrupted for geopolitical reasons by less trusted partners with significant global market share in key raw materials, commodities and other essential products.

Steps can be taken to mitigate the negative economic effects that will be imposed on Africa by this supply chain reorientation. These include forging strong and effective friend -shoring alliances with the advanced economies and defending the rules-based multilateral trading system.

The push for a friend-shoring strategy

In the US, friend-shoring as a policy goal was first proposed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in April this year. In her remarks on the way forward for the global economy, she identified friend-shoring of supply chains as a strategy that could achieve two outcomes. Firstly it could securely extend market access. Secondly it could simultaneously lower the risks to the US economy and its trusted trade partners.

Then during a tour of East Asia in July, Yellen sought to promote the US administration's proposed friend-shoring policy first in Tokyo and later on in a speech delivered in Seoul. She said:

In so doing, we can help to insulate both American and Korean households from the price increases and disruptions caused by geopolitical and economic risks.

And during a recent visit to Japan and South Korea, Vice President Kamala Harris emphasised the importance of friend-shoring. Speaking in Tokyo she said :

it is important that we and our allies partner in a way that allows us to grow, and in a way that allows us to function at a very practical level.

US President Joe Biden has been pushing the same supply-chain strategy in Asia. A centerpiece of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework he unveiled in Asia is bolstering regional supply chains as part of Washington's efforts to strengthen ties with trusted Asian partners. And to counter China.

The framework is also a big deal for the US because it brings together economies that contribute nearly 40% of global GDP . Along with the US, its other key members include Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and several Southeast Asian countries.

The Biden administration also unveiled a new US strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa in August. But, in sharp contrast to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, it does not include any specific and concrete friend-shoring commitments for African countries. And appears mainly to be another counter play against China and Russiathe US's two top adversaries.

The push to diversify supply chains is also underway in Europe. According to European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, nearly half of companies had diversified their supplier base by the end of 2021. As the world's largest single market, the EU is able to use its strong regional base to diversify supply chains within the bloc.

While the COVID pandemic certainly played an important role in spurring the shift from dependence to diversification, the war in Ukraine was a tipping point for Europe from an economic and security standpoint. It further intensified the drive to diversify supply lines away from Russian suppliers of critical commodities, especially energy, food, and fertiliser. The strategy is to friend-shore them to countries deemed reliable and with shared strategic interests.

Africa stands to lose out

Africa has nothing to gain from the current reshaping of supply chains. This is because US and EU friend-shoring initiatives heavily favour Asian and Indo-pacific partners. Winners from these initiatives include Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and other Indo-Pacific countries deemed to be trustworthy. Their economies will benefit from the boost given to trade, production plants, jobs and investments.

In addition, friend-shoring also threatens to undermine the World Trade Organisation's Aid for Trade initiative . This was launched in 2005 to assist developing countries reduce trade costs and thereby enhance export competitiveness. Its significance has steadily increased in the years after it was launched. At this year's WTO meeting in July, Aid for Trade discussions focused on helping Africa and other developing countries recover and build long-term sustainable development by supporting priority needs they had identified.

These needs include trade facilitation, digital connectivity, export diversification, connecting to value chains, and women's economic empowerment. They also focused on how environmentally sustainable development can contribute to achieving these priority needs.

Reconfiguring supply chains in ways that exclusively lend a helping hand to current US and EU manoeuvring will only make it more difficult for Africa to benefit from WTO support in these important areas.

What's to be done?

Looking forward, there are at least three essential things that can be done to mitigate negative impacts on Africa.

First, effective friend-shoring alliances should be included as a centerpiece of the new US strategy towards sub-Saharan Africa. African policy makers should strongly urge the Biden administration to do this and demonstrate commitment on their part to be trusted partners.

Second, the EU should also develop an effective friend-shoring strategy with African partners, even as it pushes for an expansion of intra-bloc supply chains. Again, it is paramount that African policy makers take the lead and justify the importance of entering into a strong friend -shoring relationship with the EU.

Finally, defending the rules-based multilateral trading system is important to ensure that it continues to deliver benefits for developing and least developed countries, including those in Africa.

Jonathan Munemo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Jonathan Munemo, Professor of Economics, Salisbury University
Iran on Thursday criticised France for "interference" in its internal affairs after the Paris authorities voiced support for those protesting over the death in custody of young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, arrested by Iranian morality police.

Tehran summoned the France embassy's charge d'affaires and said it "rejects and strongly condemns the interference of the French foreign ministry and some French officials in Iran's internal affairs."

According to the state-affiliated Mehr News Agency, the Iranian foreign ministry told the diplomat that a recent statement by France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "is trying to absolve rioters who had no other purpose than to destroy public property and people's lives."

Remarks on the website of Iran's Foreign Ministry say that the French official was summoned because of "the interventionist statement of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the participation of three French government advisors in protests in Paris, and the ridiculous action of Charlie Hebdo magazine."

'Brutal suppression'

On 27 September, the French ministry issued a statement protesting against the "brutal suppression" of peaceful demonstrations, and condemning "all violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions against demonstrators, as well as flagrant violations of women's rights and freedom of expression through the blocking of news sites and social networks."

Adding to the Iran's ire was this week's publication by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo of an article headlined "Women tell Mullahs to sod off" ("Les femmes disent merde aux mullahs") with a cartoon depicting women kissing, smoking, drinking, cutting their hair and embracing each other while lying on a row of old men with white beards and turbans.

Iran's foreign ministry added that the French authorities "follow a double game, because on the one hand they host groups that have been directly involved in disturbances in Iran over the years, and on the other hand they condemn the Iranian police forces for confronting the rioters," an indirect jab at the fact that France allowed the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran, which Tehran regards as a terrorist organisation, to establish its headquarers in Auvers-sur-Oise, just outside Paris.
Authorities in the French capital have given operators of electric scooter fleets one month to come up with measures to limit reckless riding, careless parking and other misuses or risk the loss of their operating licences.

Paris is struggling to enforce safe practices for the urban transport devices, promoted as a non-polluting alternative to cars or crowded public transport.

Critics say the scooters are often used for joy rides that menace pedestrians, pointing to regular accidents and casting doubt on the environmental benefits of batteries with short lifespans.

"All options are on the table, including an end of contracts," due to expire next February, deputy mayor David Belliard said after a meeting with the three firms authorised to operate in the French capital.

Given the exasperation over "misuses," city officials are questioning the "cost-benefit analysis" as well as the environmental cost of the roughly 15,000 e-scooters currently on the streets, he said.

Dozens of operators flooded the streets with free-floating rental fleets in 2018, leading to chaotic scenes of overturned or misparked scooters littering footpaths.

Thou shalt not speed . . .

That led to the city allowing only three operators . . . Tier, Lime and Dott . . . and insisting that the devices be fitted with speed limiters . . . 20 km/h or 10 km/h in dense zones. Dedicated parking places were established.

But some users find it hard to resist doubling up on the devices -- a practice which is strictly forbidden -- and scooters are often left in public spaces or dumped in the Seine River.

E-scooters and other "personal electric transportation vehicles" caused 236 accidents in Paris during the first half of this year, a jump of 52 percent from the same period last year, according to police data.

In France overall, 24 people died while using scooters last year.

"We're very confident in our ability to respond" to the city's demands, a spokeswoman for fleet managers Tier told journalists.
A Zimbabwe court Thursday found award-winning novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga guilty of "inciting violence" after she held up a sign calling for reform at a small protest during the coronavirus pandemic, an AFP reporter said.

It handed her a fine of 70,000 Zimbabwean dollars (around $200) and a suspended six-month sentence on condition she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

"I'm not surprised," the author told the media outside the court in the capital Harare.

"Our role as citizens is being changed into a role that is not an active citizen, but a subject, and we are not a monarchy," she said.

"As citizens we have rights, and that is what is being contested right now in Zimbabwe."

The 63-year-old feminist figure, known for her novel "Nervous Conditions", was arrested at the end of July 2020, with a journalist friend, Julie Barnes, and a handful of other demonstrators.

She had marched in the empty streets of Harare, holding a banner that read "We want better -- reform our institutions", before being hauled into a police van. She was freed on bail a day later.

She "demonstrated without having asked permission" and had "the intention of inciting violence", an AFP journalist present in court heard.

The author had also held up another sign that day calling for the release of a fellow journalist, , who was also imprisoned on similar charges of incitement to violence.

She denied resisting arrest but admitted asking the police what specific law she had violated.

Her 1988 novel "Nervous Conditions" was the first book to be published in English by a black woman from Zimbabwe, and earned her the prestigious Commonwealth Writers' Prize.

Arbitrary arrests and repression against civil rights organisations have hardened under the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded Robert Mugabe in 2017.

Dangarembga said she would appeal her conviction.
Sierra Leonean police Thursday summoned the mayor of the capital Freetown for questioning over allegedly obstructing police work and "disorderly behaviour", according to a letter seen by AFP and confirmed by the mayor.

"I can confirm the police invitation letter and I plan to attend" the questioning on Friday, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr told AFP by telephone.

The letter, from the criminal investigations department, accused Aki-Sawyerr of "obstruction to police duties" and "disorderly behaviour", without providing further details.

The summons is likely tied to an incident at the airport earlier this month.

On September 17, the mayor streamed a live video on social media from Freetown International Airport, on her way to New York for an event coinciding with the annual UN General Assembly.

She claimed in the video that a city councillor travelling with her had been escorted away by airport immigration officers and handed over to the police, who said they had an arrest warrant for him accusing him of incitement over deadly protests that rocked the country in August.

Aki-Sawyerr said in the video that they had been about to board their flight when they were told that Sheku Turay, the city councillor who also goes by Ice T, was needed at the immigration office.

"Half an hour later, I received a call that he had been arrested," the mayor said in the video.

According to eyewitness accounts in local media and on social media, the mayor went to the police station where Turay had been taken and an altercation took place there, before she returned to the airport and posted the video.

Local media reported that the minister of local government on September 22 issued a separate summons to ask the mayor why she had travelled to New York without informing her "superiors" in advance.

On Thursday, Aki-Sawyerr told AFP she was "on her way" to meet him.

The event she attended in New York was hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on September 20 and 21.

A former finance professional with a master's degree from the London School of Economics, Aki-Sawyerr was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 2016 for her efforts battling Ebola in Sierra Leone.

Elected mayor in 2018, she has had a number of run-ins with authorities in recent months.

Earlier this year, she was fined by the anti-graft agency and ordered to refund travel expenses for an allegedly unauthorised staff member, but denied any wrongdoing.

Last month, she claimed the information minister and the presidential press secretary had falsely accused her of inciting the deadly August 10 protests.

"This deliberate and continued action of making false accusations publicly has already led to constant attacks of me on social media and attempts of physical attacks on (Freetown City Council) property", she wrote on social media.

Sierra Leone's presidential election is scheduled for June 2023.
30.09.2022 LISTEN

Discussions on who becomes the next president for Ghana began taking over the media space soon after election 2020. Many believe the former president did not go to the Supreme Court to overturn the election 2020 results but to strategically use the election petition to whip up support for his re-election in 2024. In the ruling party, it is believed actions deliberately taken by some potential presidential candidates are maneuvering strategies to court delegates for votes. The latest to join the ruling partys potential presidential candidates is Honorable Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the member of parliament for Assin-North Constituency. Honorable Kennedys desire to lead the country out of the current crisis has added another angle to the election 2024 discussions.

He is a firebrand. He is fearless. He is a no-nonsense man. He is impartial. His sword is a two-edged one; it cuts across the political divide. He is the mouthpiece of the ordinary citizens against the elites. People love him for who he is, but for one thing. People are concerned about his temperament, which causes him to lose it when he gets emotional about things that affect his nation and his people. His love for his people could make him sin easily: the very characteristic of the Biblical Moses.

The Biblical Moses had all the riches in Pharoahs palace to enjoy, but he always spoke and fought for the ordinary Israelites. He defended a Jew and got his abuser killed. Moses sinned against God and country. He had to flee because those he defended exposed him. Similarly, Honorable Kennedy has all the riches in the world to enjoy. He can stay silent, play as a political prostitute and enjoy business deals from both NDC and NPP governments. Even in his party, he could always sing praises and win favor from the leadership to enrich himself and his many children. He has sacrificed this comfort and privilege, as Moses did and he consistently speaks for the voiceless. For the love of the ordinary Ghanaian, he criticizes his own party openly, both in opposition and in government. He exposes rot in the system when he has the chance to do so.

God knew the diplomatic, gentle, soft-spoken, orator and older Aaron was still with the rest of the Israelites in Egypt, but he still brought the quick-tempered and younger brother of Aaron from exile to lead his people to the promised land. God knew what time it was, and the kind of leader Pharoah was. God needed a tougher personality to face Pharoah and deliver his people out of slavery. God knew how stubborn the Israelites could be in their exodus to the promised land. God wanted a man with passion to help others to lead His people. Like Moses, is God bringing Honorable Kennedy at this time of our countrys history to lead His people? God might be saying to Ghanaians, I use imperfect people to accomplish my mission.

The rot in the system is never going anywhere until Ghana gets a president who has no respect for those who have captured the state. God might be bringing this man who never dreamed of becoming a president to contest election 2024. Like Moses, he is an outsider regarding Ghanas potential presidential materials. He is never a presidential material, and he is politically incorrect. For this reason, the usual power brokers will write him off, but he could be Ghanas Moses in times like this. He shall face the pharoahs in the system and deliver his people to the promised land.

Like Moses, Honorable Kennedy does not know how to speak. Contrary to Ghanaian cultural values, he is too straight with the truth. He does not hesitate to insult if he thinks you deserve it. He does not mind his speech whenever he has a message for nation wreckers. These attributes are alien to the Ghanaian culture. In Ghanas social construction, he is a deviant as much as public speeches are concerned. God may appoint his own Aaron to speak for him as He did for Moses. If Ghanaians would permit their own Moses to take them to the promised land, Honorable Kennedy, Ghanas Moses, would do just that.

Eben Johnson  Finland.

(Letters Without Signatures)
29.09.2022 LISTEN

A Greater Accra Regional Chairman hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Obeng Berkoh has commended the partys Functional Executive Council (FEC) for reviewing the endorsements guidelines for its constituency elections.

This week, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) has taken the decision to reduce the number of endorsements from 2/3 to 1/3.

In a press release from Kojo Obeng Berkoh, he says the review has come a little too late when aspirants have already gone through the tireless process in search of endorsements.

The party's national leadership also deserves commendation for the new technological innovations to facilitate the process. However, I believe the eleventh-hour decision by the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) to reduce the number of endorsements from 2/3 to 1/3 comes a little too late. Most constituency aspirants have undertaken the arduous process of the initial directive, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman hopeful has noted in a release.

He further urges all aspiring Constituency Executives to remain steadfast while focusing on the ultimate goal to drive the New Patriotic Party (NPP) out of power in 2024.

Below is a copy of the press release:

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release

28th September, 2022

FECs REVIEW OF THE ENDORSEMENTS GUIDELINES COMMENDABLE BUT LATE

The Increasing number of party faithfuls who have shown the desire to serve in the National Democratic Congress, to drive the dysfunctional elephant back to the bush demonstrates how the NDC remains the only most credible solution the nation awaits.

I congratulate all aspirants who secured nomination forms last week to file for various positions in their Constituencies. Your tireless efforts of securing endorsements from at least 2/3 of the branches as required by Section 3 (Sub Section 3.2) of the ELECTION GUIDELINES is pure testament the NDC abounds in talents ready to sacrifice.

The party's national leadership also deserves commendation for the new technological innovations to facilitate the process. However, I believe the eleventh hour decision by the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) to reduce the number of endorsements from 2/3 to 1/3 comes a little too late. Most constituency aspirants have undertaken the arduous process of the initial directive.

As a Greater Accra Regional Chairmanship hopeful, I believe this late review only benefit those of us contesting at Regional levels rather than the base where the task is most difficult.

To our constituency aspirants disgruntled by this late review, I stand with you and share in your thoughts and sentiments on this matter. However, I will advice that everyone respects the directive. Let's all support our leaders to ensure successful reorganization. Change is coming, and I am the change.

We need proactive leadership, and I am that leader.

Long live the NDC, long live Ghana

Kojo Obeng Berkoh

Greater Accra Regional Chairman Hopeful
30.09.2022 LISTEN

Pressure Group Occupy Ghana believes the main problem with illegal mining in Ghana is governments sheer inability, total unpreparedness, and, or blatant unwillingness to enforce the law.

Occupy Ghana in an open letter to President Nana Akufo-Addo said it is dumbstruck at the governments absolute impotence, in the face of the brazen destruction of our lands and wanton poisoning of our water bodies.

As far as it is concerned, the government has no excuse to fail in the fight against the menace.

Every law required to regulate the mining industry exists. Every government agency required in the police, the courts, and even the military) exists. Every district, municipality, and metropolis to enforce the law (namely the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Minerals Commission, in which Galamsey takes place has a fully-paid Chief Executive supported by an Authority and Assembly.

What is going on defies reason and only gives support and credence to the popular rumour or belief that the very persons who should be fighting this crime, are rather those involved in and benefit from it.

It said the President, Nana Akufo-Addo is failing and, betraying the trust reposed in him.

Sir, can you simply ensure that the law, namely the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, is enforced without fear and favour and irrespective of whose ox is gored?

The pressure group vowed to pressure the Presidents neck till he fulfils his promise to stop galamsey.

We will send a reminder to you every Monday until we see firm action to stamp this crime out. If that fails, we will shame your government by going to court to compel the government to sit up and do its job. That is not a threat, sir; it is a promise, it added.

citinewsroom
Civil and Local Government Staff Association Ghana (CLOGSAG) is accusing political actors of being behind the increasing number of ghost names on the government payroll.

The Association explains that the interference from political cohorts within government in the running of the Civil Service is one of the major contributory factors to the worrying situation.

Speaking at the 5th Nathan Annang Quao Lectures on the theme Abuse of political power in the Ghanaian Civil Service: the bane of National Development, the Executive Secretary of the Association, Dr. Isaac Bampoe Addo called on the government to wean itself from the activities of the service.

Our evidence reveals that the so-called ghost names that cannot be identified in the civil service payroll have turned out to be personal assistants of politicians, Dr. Bampoe said.

He complained further that permanent consultancies for key functions of the services have been outsourced to party apparatchiks and consultants.

This has compromised the quality of services provided by most civil servant organisations, Dr. Bampoe said.

He also noted that capacity building opportunities have also been hijacked by politicians.

The ones they are not able to hijack are sabotaged to the disadvantage of the nation.

By Citi Newsroom
The Kibi Divisional Police Command together with the Okyeman Environmental Task Force in a joint operation have picked up 24 illegal miners at Asamang Tamfoe in the Atewa East District of the Eastern Region.

The 24 were in a group of about 36 illegal miners who were busily destroying some farmlands in the Asamang Tamfoe community when the team pounced on them.

The team led by the Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Magnus Reindorf Sam retrieved a pump action gun, 2 excavators, 2 motorcycles, 1 tricycle and 2 pumping machines.

The commander who declined to speak to cameras indicated that the police will pursue those who managed to escape and speed up processes to prosecute those who will be found culpable after the police conclude their investigations.

There was some gunfire when police tried moving, and an excavator was impounded during the swoop.

Some youth of the area blocked the road to prevent the team from moving out of the community with the excavator, which was being towed.

The team had to fire several warning shots to disperse the crowd immediately after they started pelting the team with stones from all angles.

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The National Democratic Congress Upper West Regional Caucus in Parliament is accusing the Ghana Health Service of sidelining indigenes of the area in its recruitment of District Health Directors.

The group says out of the 71 vacant positions with 116 applicants, no one from the Upper West Region was selected, although the applicant with the highest score in the exams conducted emerged from the region.

The caucus says eight of the shortlisted applicants from the region were disqualified because they lacked the needed knowledge on the management of district health directorates and epidemic outbreaks.

Describing the situation as unfair, the Secretary of the Upper West NDC Caucus in Parliament, Dr. Sebastian N. Sandaare called on the Ghana Health Service to audit the recruitment process to ensure regional balance.

The Ghana Health Service is reminded of the duty to act fairly and reasonably in the exercise of its administrative authority, as contained in Article 23 of the 1992 constitution.

The Ghana Health Service is enjoined to prohibit discrimination and prejudice on grounds of places of origin, the MP said.

By Citi Newsroom
30.09.2022 LISTEN

Dr. Adu Sarkodie, an economist, hopes government will target bilateral partners first when working to restructure the countrys debts.

Left to me alone, I think the first people we should deal with are the bilateral loans because it is quite easy, Dr. Sarkodie said on The Point of View on Citi TV.

They understand issues. That is why it was easy for us to get the HIPC [Highly Indebted Poor Country] relief because once you talk to them, these countries are likely to forgive our debt or give us a haircut or understand our situation.

He estimates that favourable negotiations with bilateral partners could see Ghana deal with 30 percent of its debt.

Though Dr. Sarkodie said there could be mixed results, he believes the backing of the IMF gives Ghana an advantage.

As a whole, I think the government will be able [to restructure our debts], especially with the backing of the IMF.

Dr. Sarkodie stressed further that Ghana needed the buy-in of bilateral partners other than that we are doomed.

An IMF team is in Ghana until October 7 to continue discussions with the government on policies and reforms that could be supported by a lending arrangement.

The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana have commenced a comprehensive debt sustainability analysis with the IMF for a $3 billion support programme.

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Director of Operations at Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, has expressed concerned that debt restructuring will ultimately affect local banks.

This is further speculated to affect purchasers of government bonds, depending upon the outcome of yet-to-be held negotiations.

As the government engages the IMF for support, the question of Ghana's debt sustainability and consequent debt restructuring are concerning to industry watchers.

Most have agreed that restructuring is the only way out of the country's unsustainable debt situation.

Joe Jackson tells Citi News that though speculative at the moment, debt restructuring may come with it, some pain for the local banks and purchasers of treasury bills.

Commercial banks own about 34 percent of the debt owed, which is in the region of about GH190 billion. The pension companies own a sizeable chunk, the rural banks about five percent with individual funds owning about 12 percent. So first of all, I will say yes that [anyone who has bought Government of Ghana Treasury Bills will be affected].

Mr. Joe Jackson is however urging calm, saying that any panic will affect the domestic market.

One of the things I will urge is calm because the negotiations havent taken place. Any rush decision may destroy every little credibility that we have. I urge caution because we do not know the parameters, but what I will say is that there is going to be some pain ahead, so people should brace themselves.

An IMF team is in Ghana until October 7 to continue discussions with the government on policies and reforms that could be supported by a lending arrangement.

The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana have commenced a comprehensive debt sustainability analysis with the IMF for a $3 billion support programme.

There are also reports Ghana is poised to start talks with domestic bondholders on a restructuring of its local-currency debt.

There are indications that major local investors, including local banks and pension funds, are preparing to engage in discussion on debt reorganisation that could entail extension of maturities and haircuts on principal and interest payments.

Ghana's debt-service costs in the first half amounted to GH20.5 billion, equivalent to 68% of tax revenue, according to budget data.

citinewsroom
Economist and Banking Consultant, Richmond Atuahene is optimistic, government will achieve its aim of including key aspects of its program with International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the Budget Statement for 2023.

He says, if government puts in enough effort and is timely in its public negotiations, it will be possible to conclude negotiations before the budget is presented in November 2022 as said by the Finance Minister.

The formal negotiations for a Fund-supported programme have begun, with the IMF team currently meeting government officials for a period of ten days.

Talks have begun on a comprehensive debt sustainability analysis with the IMF for a US$3 billion support programme.

If we can get the whole program together, it will be possible. Normally, it takes an average of about six months to get these things sorted out. So if government gets serious and is able to get the public consultations, it will be able to get it done before the November budget he [Finance Minister] is talking about, he told Citi News.

Minority spokesperson on Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, has however cast doubts on the government's intent to secure a deal with the IMF before the 2023 budget is prepared .

I doubt in the next six weeks we are going to have a programme. That will be a magic of a lifetime, he said on Eyewitness News.

In his view, any deal before the 2023 budget will not be in Ghana's interests.

It will mean we are just going to be yes men and accept everything they say, said Mr. Forson.

Government says it is committed to ensuring that a comprehensive package is negotiated with the International Monetary Fund with the aim of restoring and sustaining macroeconomic stability, ensuring durable and inclusive growth, and promoting social protection.

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The Minority spokesperson on Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, has cast doubts on governments intent to secure a deal with the IMF before the 2023 budget is prepared .

I doubt in the next six weeks we are going to have a programme. That will be a magic of a lifetime, he said on Eyewitness News.

In his view, any deal before the 2023 budget will not be in Ghanas interest.

It will mean we are just going to be yes men and accept everything they say, said Mr. Forson.

The Director of Strategy and Business Operations at Dalex Finance, Joe Jackson, however, said he was willing to give the Finance Minister some benefit of the doubt.

Also on Eyewitness News, he said the targets are aggressive, but both parties are operating with an awareness of the urgency of the situation.

Unless somebody shows me any reason that the team is not going to work day and night to achieve that target, I will be cautiously optimistic, Mr. Jackson said.

An IMF team is in Ghana until October 7 to continue discussions with the government on policies and reforms that could be supported by a lending arrangement.

The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana have commenced a comprehensive debt sustainability analysis with the IMF for a $3 billion support programme.

The meeting with the IMF comes amid concerns that Ghana is about to start talks with domestic bondholders on a restructuring of its local-currency debt.

citinewsroom
Police have arrested a Chinese national for allegedly using an offensive weapon to cause harm to his Ghanaian co-worker at a construction site at Kweikuma suburb of Takoradi, in the Western Region.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect, Xue Hue, on September 28, 2022, allegedly attacked the victim, who is a mason with a construction company at Kweikuma, with a knife inflicting a cut on his neck, the Police said in a statement on Thursday September 29.

The victim has since been treated and discharged.

Meanwhile, the suspect is in custody assisting investigation and will be put before court on September 30, 2022, to face justice, the statement stressed.

Source: 3news.com
As the energy crisis deepens in Europe, France is reportedly willing to reconsider its opposition to the proposed MidCat natural gas pipeline across the southern Pyrenees mountain range.

According to Tiago Antunes, Portugal's secretary of state for EU Affairs, the MidCat pipeline was discussed with France's junior Europe minister, Laurence Boone, at a meeting in Paris on Tuesday, in which the essential topic was gas and electricity interconnections between Spain and France.

"The reaction I had from France was that they were willing to revisit the MidCat with fresh eyes, with an open mind," Antunes told Reuters in Lisbon, "taking into account the arguments of Portugal, Spain and also Germany."

Only three weeks ago, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his opposition to the MidCat project, arguing that two existing pipelines across the Pyrenees  which separate the Iberian Peninsula from France  are under-utilised with flows going mainly towards Spain.

Antunes said that the proposal from the two Iberian countries and Germany for building MidCat were now reinforced due to the energy crisis in Europe and the "geo-strategic risks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine".

"We expect that, with a new assessment of the project by France, and taking into account the new circumstances, it will be concluded that it is worthwhile and must move forward," he said this week, adding that the project was "in the interest of the whole of Europe".

Mooted in 2013 for the transfer of natural gas, the MidCat project would double the volume of gas piped between Spain and France. The original proposal was suspended in 2019 for environmental and economic viability reasons.

Antunes said that MidCat could now be used to transport renewable gases, such as green hydrogen.

France sceptical

French scepticism about the new pipeline has highlighted the competing visions for Europe's future energy mix as the continent confronts a power crisis and aims to reduce its reliance on Russian gas.

Although President Macron bluntly said he saw no case for the multi-billion euro project  saying it would take too long to build to ease the looming energy crunch  he maintained it would also be costly for France and go against ambitions to shift towards a green economy.

Officials in Spain and Germany have reportedly said they believe France has been acting to protect its own ailing nuclear industry and fend off competition from Spain as a staging post for imported gas.

Russia supplied 40 percent of Europe's gas before the invasion of Ukraine.

Now, Europe is scrambling to diversify its energy sources and MidCat was among the projects EU ministers discussed at an emergency meeting in Brussels earlier this month.

LNG versus green hydrogen

In August, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the pipeline as "dramatically missing" from Europe's network and raised the issue with Macron during a videocall.

Immediately afterwards, Macron retorted there was spare capacity in the pipes already linking Spain and France and MidCat could not be constructed swiftly enough to ease this winter's crisis.

Both Spain and Portugal have a large gas import capacity, with seven LNG terminals which convert shiploads of liquefied natural gas back into vapour form for use by industry and households. If the infrastructure was in place, that gas could be piped to other countries such as Germany via France.

Berlin's primary interest in MidCat lies in the potential of green hydrogen rather than short-term LNG supplies.

Officials in Madrid and Berlin argue the pipeline could be repurposed to carry zero-emission hydrogen fuel made in the Sahara desert or elsewhere to Europe's industrial heartland.

But France would rather produce hydrogen locally than rely on imports and has questioned Germany's vision for hydrogen  which is notoriously more difficult to transport than natural gas.

In the face of French resistance, Madrid and Berlin are said to be exploring alternatives that could bypass France altogether and build a pipeline under the Mediterranean to Italy.
The Minority in Parliament has noted with serious concern the inability or refusal of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-led government to account for over $100 million of oil funds that accrued to the state coffers from petroleum liftings in the first quarter of 2022.

In a statement dated Thursday, 29 September 2022 signed by Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, the ranking member of the mines and energy committee of parliament, the caucus said: The decision by the current NPP government to transfer revenues accruing from about 944,164 bbls of crude lifting in the Jubilee and TEN fields to a company established in a safe haven (outside Ghana) without parliamentary approval, amounts to a gross violation of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, 2011 (Act 815) and Public Financial Management Act (Act 921).

We have become aware that following the acquisition of a 7-per cent interest in the Occidental (Oxy) transaction in respect of the Jubilee and TEN fields by the government, ostensibly for GNPC in 2021, the Minister of Finance has clandestinely ceded the shares to an offshore company known as JOHL (a company set-up in the Cayman Islands) in a very surreptitious and opaque manner, the statement said.

The minority said it is very much alarmed that contrary to requirements of the PRMA, revenues accruing from the nation's oil fields are not being paid into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF), which has been confirmed in the 2022 semi-annual report on petroleum receipts by the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC).

As if this is not enough, the report further reveals that Capital Gains Tax was not assessed and collected by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the sale of the 7% interest by Anadarko in the Jubilee and TEN fields in 2021.

This NPP government is proving by the day, that the nation's oil resources cannot be entrusted in their care because not long ago, the PIAC, under the chairmanship of Dr Steve Manteaw, accused them over their inability to account for about GH2 billion of Ghanas oil cash for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 fiscal years, the minority added.

It said this is surely another Agyapa deal in the making and we, as a minority, will not sit aloof for this government to raid the national purse, especially at a time when the nation is struggling to raise much-needed revenues for critical expenditure, noted the caucus.

The minority demanded that the Minister of Finance and the government, with immediate effect, repatriate all such illegal transfer payments back into the Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF).

Failure to comply with our ultimatum will compel the Minority to use the necessary parliamentary processes to haul the Minister of Finance to parliament for possible censure.


Millions of Ghanaians risk disconnection of their SIM cards by Mobile Network Operators beginning Saturday, October 1, 2022, barring any last minute intervention by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

This is because today, Friday, September 30, 2022, marks the end of the extension of the deadline for the SIM card re-registration exercise.

This means all unregistered SIM cards cannot be used to make calls and access internet data services after today.

The exercise, which began in October 2021, has faced a number of challenges, including low turn out, malfunctioning of registration machines and the inability of applicants to acquire the Ghana card.

Initially scheduled to end on March 31, 2022, the re-registration exercise was extended by four months, then later to September ending.

There have been calls by individuals and groups for the deadline to further be extended or the exercise be made ongoing to allow all Ghanaians to register.

To ensure compliance, the NCA, on September 5, 2022, introduced a raft of punitive measures against subscribers who have failed to register their SIM cards.

Outgoing calls and data services for a sequential batch of numbers were blocked for two days weekly on a rotational basis.

The directive, however, received backlash from individuals and groups, including political parties, with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the directive as unlawful.

With many facing challenges in acquiring the Ghana Card, which is the sole identification document for the re-registration of the SIM cards, many subscribers are likely to be disconnected.

Early this month (September), the National Identification Authority said, about two million eligible Ghanaians were yet to register for their Ghana cards.

The NIA added that it would not be able to register all eligible persons in time for the deadline for the SIM card re-registration.

There is no way that NIA can register those people. It is technically physically impossible.

We had said way back in March that it was impossible. I have said it is like expecting a maiden to make a baby every three months.

That is not how the physical and logistical system has been designed to respond. We cannot do that, Professor Kenneth Attafuah, Executive Secretary of the NIA said at a news conference.

With the NCA insisting that it would not extend the deadline, the fate of those yet to re-register their SIM cards seems to hang in the balance.

Meanwhile, nine persons have dragged the NCA to court over its directives on the SIM card re-registration.

-GNA
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey, has called on the thirteen Traditional Councils in the Greater Accra to assist the Regional Coordinating Council to acquire for the Agenda 111 projects.

Mr Quartey made the call at the Annual General Meeting of the Greater Accra Coordinating Council on Tuesday.

The Council deliberated on issues relating to health, education, sanitation, chieftaincy, land and agriculture.

He noted that though infant mortality has reduced with an increase in health care access and delivery, a lot more needed to be done in the health sector.

He said the unavailability of land in the national capital coupled with the high level of litigation impeded the construction of more health facilities in the region.

Mr Quartey, therefore, asked traditional councils to assist the Council to acquire land for Agenda 111, a government priority infrastructure project, envisage to construct 88 hospitals in districts without hospitals. The Greater Accra Region is expected to get seven hospitals.

On sanitation, the Regional Minister stressed that landfill sites were at various levels of completion to ensure that waste was properly disposed of as part of the "Operation Clean your Frontage, campaign.

Mr Quartey noted that the Council was working with the security agencies to clamp down on land guards and put an end to all forms of lawlessness in Accra.

The Regional Coordinating Council which is the highest decision-making body of the region is mandated to meet every year to take stock of its activities and strengthen decentralisation to achieve the overall development of the region.
The Deputy Minister for Health (MoH), Mrs Tina Gifty Naa Ayeley Mensah has urged nurses, midwives and health practitioners to improve client and customer care practices.

She stated that MoH has had several medico-legal issues from some health facilities due to in actions and actions of some staff.

She made this call at the 3rd Annual National Nursing and Midwifery Leaders and Managers Conference in Kumasi on Thursday.

Mrs Mensah noted that nurses and midwives should be empowered to play a more direct role in health interventions at the individual and community level linking through the daily use of smart technologies in patient care.

For Ghana to have a sustainable health system, she said health practitioners and stakeholders must begin to address challenges that led to the heavy impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on all sectors of the economy.

Mrs Mensah added that the health sector must be positioned to continue to advocate for the implementation of One Health Policy and Health-In-All Policies (HIAP) to prevent and manage future pandemics.

Without a deliberate strategy to prevent or manage future incidents, our gains in the health system and UHC will come to nothing and that will certainly be a wasteful investment. We will need all nurses and midwives on board, she stated.
Ghanaians in the diaspora have been urged to invest in the Ghanaian economy to support the country's industrialization drive.

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, made the call at an awards ceremony organised by the Ghana Diaspora Public Affairs Collective (GHPAC) in Washington DC, USA.

He stated that diaspora investment was essential for industrialization and consequently the development of the nation.

We are fully convinced that Ghana cannot succeed in her quest to become an industrialized country without the full support and participation of her Diaspora citizens,

Beyond the remittances, you send back home to support your families, Diasporans have increasingly become a great source of capital, creativity, entrepreneurship, technology and knowledge transfer. Diasporans have made us proud in many ways and we intend to leverage your capabilities and networks, he added.

He lauded the formation of GHPAC as an opportunity to entice diaspora investments into Ghana to propel growth and development.

He disclosed that the strategic approach of the government was based on several factors, such as an improvement in the business environment, enhancing the productive capacity of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to produce for both export and local consumption, providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for manufacturing and improving access to international markets.

The Minister acknowledged the diaspora community and the United States for funding socio-economic projects in Ghana.

He cited the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as the US assistance to Ghana.

According to Mr Kyerematen, "the United States is now assisting Ghana to implement many projects aimed at strengthening the productive capacities of the private sector to take advantage of multiple market opportunities domestically and overseas."

The GHPAC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit social welfare advocacy group, whose goal is to give Ghanaians living abroad more authority. It promotes civic and political action, which is essential for Ghana to achieve its objective of industrial transformation.
The Deputy Minister and Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu has called on traditional authorities and faith-based leaders to support the ministry to address gender inequalities and harmful cultural practices.

She said the support would contribute to effective advocacy and engagement on issues of harmful cultural practices, sexual and gender-based violence and gender inequalities in the communities.

She made the call at the validation meeting for the national framework for engaging traditional authorities and faith-based leaders to address gender inequalities and harmful cultural practices on Thursday in Accra.

Traditional authorities, faith-based leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other state and non-state actors are indulged to be development agents and advocates of behavioural change, acceptable values and positive socio-cultural heritage to ensure the continued well-being of the people, she said.

She noted that the laws of Ghana prohibit all customary practices which dehumanize and are injurious to the physical and mental well-being of a person.

Negative cultural practices such as widowhood rite, trokosi, Female Genital Mutilation, child marriage, witchcraft accusations and trial by ordeal among others, remain major hindrances to the attainment of gender equality in Ghana, she stated.

According to her, Gender Equality and Women Empowerment remain powerful strategies for reducing poverty levels, and social injustices among women and men.

Achieving gender equality, Hajia Abudu said, was a prerequisite for sustainable development in Ghana.

On her part, the Chief Director of (MoGCSP), Dr Afisah Zakariah, urged stakeholders to own and use documents to contribute to a successful implementation of the framework.

She added that the ministry was mandated to work towards ending gender inequalities, all negative cultural practices and stigmatization, whilst enhancing the quality of citizens and protecting the vulnerable in society against human rights abuses.
A family is living in fear at Choggu, a suburb of the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region after an attack by a gang.

According to information gathered, the family has been attacked after pursuing a case to seek justice for their 12-year-old daughter who has been defiled.

The teenager according to reports gathered was defiled by a middle-aged man identified as Abass Mustapha at Choggu.

Some relatives of the teenage girl who have been opening up on the matter in anonymity allege that the suspect drugged the teenage girl and sexually abused her on his veranda.

Following a report to the Police, the suspect is said to have organised some boys in the area to attack the victim's family.

The gang allegedly beat up the family and destroyed some property as well.

Although suspect Abass Mustapha would later be arrested, he was granted bail as the police investigate the defilement case.

The family is unhappy and says they fear the case will be allowed to die without justice for the 12-year-old girl.

Some allege that the suspect is an influential person and is likely to use that to escape justice.

A gender-based Non-Governmental Organization, Northern Sector Action on Awareness Centre (NORSAAC) has taken an interest in the matter and has called on the Police in Tamale to fast-track investigations into the defilement.

The organisation insists that the traumatised teenager deserves justice and the police must ensure she gets it.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has held talks with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to strengthen collaboration in the fight against corruption.

On Friday, September 30, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng received the Inspector General of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Mustapha and his team at his office to discuss matters of mutual consent.

During the working visit by Brigadier General Mustapha and his team, they discussed several matters relating to information sharing.

The team also engaged the Office of the Special Prosecutor on prosecutions in matters involving corruption and corruption-related offences.

Ghanaian lawyer Kissi Agyebeng was officially sworn into office as the Special Prosecutor in 2021.

Since then, he has been pursuing several corruption cases. So far the big case his office has pursued is the Labianca and Customs case.

Through his investigations, his office managed to recover over GHS1 million for the state.
I must clarify unequivocally that the NPP's assertion that the government is having trouble locating lands to carry out the project known as "Agenda 111" is incorrect. That is a big falsehood and deception; in reality, the government lacks the resources to carry out such a project. You may recall that this writer published "Akufo Addo's Agenda 111 Was A Deception" on March 25, 2022.

Dr. Thomas Anaba, the former medical director of Ridge Hospital, said to Ghanaians, during an interview with the journalist Okatakyia Afrifa, spoke on health issues and said that the goal of the "Agenda 111" initiative was to deceive Ghanaians. Akufo Addo and the NPP administration would stop lying to the populace if they truly respected Ghanaians and did not regard them as stupid.

Who in their right mind would think that the NPP government, which abandoned all unfinished projects by the former NDC government, including hospitals, schools, and affordable housing units, will return later to inform Ghanaians that they wanted to construct 111 hospitals across the nation, is having trouble finding land to carry out its "Agenda 111" project? This is not logical.



The "Agenda 111" is nothing more than a deceitful effort designed to win the hearts of Ghanaians who are gullible and value tribalism above all else. It is now a failure and an illusionary fantasy. The NPP government is using deceptive practices to maintain power even though they know they have failed miserably and that the majority of Ghanaians do not want them.

More importantly, the NPP government has been busy cutting sod since Akufo Addo became president without really starting any of those projects. When politicians keep lying and there is no longer any place to accommodate the lies or the falsehoods are no longer able to penetrate through the wall, that is when they try additional convincing techniques to make the public believe them. Not anymore in Ghana.

Only in Africa or African nations do governments use deception to maintain power. Why wouldn't any sane government that decides to start a project first research to ensure that the necessary cash and lands are accessible before ever announcing it to the public? Only the idiotic NPP government would act in such a way.

The NPP government has forgotten that since March 2020, the hospital serving the communities of La-Teshie-Nungua, which was demolished by Akufo Addo to build an ultra-modern hospital, hasn't been replaced. Instead, the NPP government thinks Ghanaians are children who can easily be deceived or convinced.

Why hasn't a hospital that was demolished after almost four years been replaced? Who will believe the NPP government when it says they are having trouble acquiring lands to carry out Project "Agenda 111?" It's because of their financial difficulties, everyone knows that. The question is why is the NPP government unable to convey the truth to the public without continuously lying and misleading them?

I'll keep demonstrating to Ghanaians that the NPP government is not the best option for improving the country's economy or the level of living for its citizens. Although it's very sad, the truth is that I don't have any faith or confidence in Akufo Addo. He is a politician who lies, cheats, is dangerous, and selfish, and who wouldn't care about shedding the blood of the innocent to get what he wants.

I've learned from experience that many people who frequently lie are also chronic thieves because they are cut off from reality. Psychologists can attest to the fact that many people go on to become thieves, rapists, and murderers started their early lives by telling lies. When you are cut off from reality, you are prone to do anything to gain power, and most politicians who are set to carry out those evil schemes to gain power can be quite dangerous.

On August 12, 2021, Bawumia stated that the NPP government has addressed the broken system, it inherited from Mahama's government during a discussion of the "Agenda 111" project under the heading: "Towering proof that Ghana is professionally being fixed." What are the current outcomes? For this reason, I maintain stating that any intelligent Ghanaian who believes the NPP government would rescue them from the difficulties and wreckage they have caused, should seek psychological assistance.

The Ministry claimed in a statement released by the Public Relations Unit that the GH600 million, equivalent to $100 million, was released to the Bank of Ghana's Health Infrastructure account in 2020 to support the implementation of the District and Regional Hospital Projects. The government had previously announced.

The Ministry of Finance refuted claims that the government had already spent GH600 million on Agenda 111 before the project's ground was broken, claiming that just GH36 million had been released as part of pre-construction mobilization. So how can GHC 36 million be engaged if the government is having trouble procuring lands for the project?

Recently, President Nana Akufo Addo proudly vowed to Ghanaians once more that he will complete the "Agenda 111" project before leaving office. Now that he has his senses back, he understands that, even if the government manipulates the elections once more to cling to power, this is something that will never be accomplished. Ghanaians will watch them play and dance to their shameful music while they are seated calmly.
The Upper West Region National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament is threatening to petition the Health Committee of the house to probe the 2021 recruitment of District Health Directors by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The group alleges that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) sidelined indigenes of the area in its recruitment of District Health Directors.

The group said out of the 71 vacant positions with 116 applicants, no one from the Upper West Region was selected, although the applicant with the highest score in the exams conducted emerged from the region.

Speaking to journalists on the matter, the Secretary of the Upper West Region NDC Caucus in Parliament, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare said the failure of the Ghana Health Service to review the process would lead to dire consequences.

Considering the risk involved, at least one if not all must be given the chance to represent the people. We are MPs, and we represent the people with a voice in Parliament. If this is not addressed immediately, we will draw the attention of the Health Committee of Parliament to investigate why the Upper West Region was not represented in this appointment process.

The caucus also said eight of the shortlisted applicants from the region were disqualified because they were accused of lacking the needed knowledge on the management of district health directorates and epidemic outbreaks.

Describing the situation as unfair, Dr. Sebastian N. Sandaare called on the Ghana Health Service to audit the recruitment process to ensure regional balance.

The Ghana Health Service is reminded of the duty to act fairly and reasonably in the exercise of its administrative authority, as contained in Article 23 of the 1992 constitution.

The Ghana Health Service is enjoined to prohibit discrimination and prejudice on grounds of places of origin, the MP said.

---citinewsroom
The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) has said it is working closely with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to ensure that challenges facing vending are addressed.

Persons in parts of the country have bemoaned their inability to load credit onto the prepaid meters for the past few days.

Business owners have also decried the impact of the challenge on operations.

ECG on the other hand has attributed the difficulty to a technical hitch, assuring that efforts are underway to fix the problem.

In an interview with Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of PURC, Simon Ali said the Commission is liaising with ECG to avert a recurrence in the future.

We have tasked all staff of the commission in all ECG operational areas to monitor the situation and report to the commission for further action to be taken on the unfortunate development. The Commission is also in talks with the service providers to put together a number of measures to prevent future occurrences of the current situation we find ourselves in now, he said.

Last Tuesday, the ECG said a technical challenge has affected its prepaid metering systems, a development which has interrupted the purchase of electricity credit.

Both domestic and commercial who run out of power supply were not been able to make purchases due to the technical challenge.

But now, the utility service provider is now able to sell credit at its district offices after some disruption to its prepaid metering systems that left customers stranded.

Currently, customers in the Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Western and Volta Regions can visit ECG district offices to purchase electricity.

ECG in a statement assured customers on its prepaid metering systems that its team is working progressively to rectify the technical anomaly which affected the purchase of electricity.

Some Electricity consumers have been counting their losses, with some saying their businesses have been affected negatively following their inability to purchase electricity.

---citinewsroom
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdullai Jinapor, has said persons in charge of institutions regulating mining activities in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region should be held responsible for the destruction caused by illegal miners popularly known as galamsey.

The illegal miners are back in that area and destroying virgin forest reserves in the area.

After more than five years of intense war against illegal mining, it appears the efforts are not paying off as illegal miners continue to pollute water bodies and destroy natural resources.

Tracts of farmlands and forest reserves have been destroyed by activities of illegal miners with pits left abandoned.

The Minister, who visited the mining sites, was amazed at the level of destruction caused to the environment by illegal miners.

Military deployment to some mining districts in the Ashanti Region this week led to the seizure of some mining equipment used for illegal mining activities.

The Minister joined the military in areas where the recent clampdown was carried out and expressed his disappointment at the level of destruction.

He was shocked as hectares of land were degraded with impunity.

The pervasiveness of mining activity and wanton destruction of the landscape of the area is serious. The number of hectares mined out is a threat to our environment, he said.

He realized that the operation did not start a day or a week and I am shocked about this development.

Given the extent of the operation, I just cant be convinced the Chief of the area, Minerals Commission officials in the area and the District Chief Executive are not aware.

READ ALSO: Stay away from the judiciary - Sosu cautions AG

He called for collective action to address the galamsey menace.

The General Officer Commanding Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Joseph Aphour, assured that the fight against galamsey will be won.

We in the military are committed to this fight and with the support of all the fight will be won, he said.

The Minster later met some Regional Ministers and MMDCEs and appealed to them to support the fight.

---3news.com
30.09.2022 LISTEN

A Labour Expert, Mr Austin Gamey has urged government and the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) to engage in the demands of the union.

He explained that the law states clearly that both parties, the employer (government) and the employee (UTAG) should meet to discuss issues concerning the conditions of service and reach an agreement.

If they are unable to reach an agreement then they have to seek assistance from a third party, the National Labour Commission (NLC), he added.

Speaking on the mid-day news on TV3 Thursday September 29, Mr Gamey said These are Professors, it is better government invite them. The law is very clear that they should engage.

Once there is an agreement there is agreement. If there is no agreement then they have to look for a third party for assistance.

Some four major teacher unions in public universities in Ghana have given government up till Wednesday, October 5 to restore their conditions of service as agreed earlier this year or they withdraw their services.

 We know the language that easily sinks in their psyche, and we will speak it in one week if they fail to heed to their own agreement with us, the National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Professor Solomon Nunoo, stated at a press conference on Wednesday, September 28.

UTAG together with the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU  GH ), and the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA  UoG) met to express their displeasure at the apparent unilateral decisions taken by government in varying their conditions of service.

They claim letters written to draw attention to the anomalies have not been responded to.

 We wish to state that the Ministry of Finance, through GTEC, should ensure that the conditions subsequent to the support of staff welfare in extricating them from economic hostilities will not disadvantage them relative to the Conditions of Service of members of Labour Unions in Public Universities.

We are by this Press Conference registering our displeasure on the directive and requesting that under no circumstance should Vice  Chancellors, through their Finance Directors, implement such by applying the Gh10.99 ex  pump approved rate ONLY to Fuel Allowance without considering Vehicle Maintenance and Off  Campus Allowances.

Failure to address these essential concerns will result in the possible total withdrawal of our services across all Public Universities in Ghana.

--3news.com
The Police investigation into the Mankessim murder case has established that the two suspects, Michael Darko alias Nana 1 and Christopher Ekow Clarke, have murdered one other person bringing to two the number of people confirmed to have been gruesomely murdered by the suspects.

The second murdered victim, Gloria Yeboah, a petty trader, from Obokrom in Kumasi was reported missing sometime in June 2022 when she left home in her quest to travel abroad.

The suspects lured the deceased to Accra on June 17, 2022, and took her to Mankessim under the pretext of preparing her to travel to Holland.

However, she was later killed by them, the Police said.

The body of the deceased has been found and police have been able to locate her family who have identified her as Gloria Yeboah.

Police said it is providing the necessary support to the family in these difficult times.

The Police are also following a lead on a possible third victim who might have been murdered by the suspects.

Investigations so far point to the fact that the suspects are involved in ritual murders. They lure their victims, sometimes under the pretext of helping them to travel abroad and then kill them.

The Police has, therefore, urged any member of the public who has dealt with the suspects or knows someone who has ever dealt with them to contact the police on 0243809991 to assist the investigation.

The phone number is a temporal number dedicated only to this investigation.

Source: Classfmonline.com
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information and Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayireb is worried over a bleak future for Ghana's cocoa industry.

He revealed that several European countries have new laws in place that may seek to reject Ghanaian cocoa and coffee.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah thanked H.E. Sena Boateng, Ghana's Ambassador to Belgium, in a tweet on Friday, September 30, spotted by Modernghana News, for informing the country about the new development.

In Europe, there is new legislation that could soon make Ghanaian cocoa & coffee unexportable to many international markets. Earlier this week in Brussels, I chaired a 2-day forum on the future of Ghanaian cocoa and coffee value chains in the face of this new EU legislation.

The Ghana Embassy in Belgium under the leadership of Ambassador Sena Boateng has moved swiftly to bring this to the attention of the Government of Ghana. It has also commenced work on realigning Ghanaian and European interests in cocoa and coffee, parts of his tweets read.

The Minister advised Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire to make new arrangements as soon as possible to secure a bright future for their cocoa and coffee production to the international market.

Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire need to act quickly to secure the industry while meeting the interests of European markets else millions of households and our entire economies could be significantly affected soon, he suggested.

The tweets conclude that thankfully, this work has started. Our task is to see it through.
The Ghana Police Service has disclosed that the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of the trainee nurse at Mankessim have confessed to killing one other person.

Police ongoing investigation into the Mankesim murder case has established that the two suspects, Michael Darko alias Nana 1 and Christopher Ekow Clarke, have murdered one other person bringing to two the number of people confirmed to have been gruesomely murdered by the suspects.

The body of the deceased has been found and Police have been able to locate her family who have identified her as Gloria Yeboah, parts of a police statement said on Friday, September 30.

The second victim, identified as Gloria Yeboah is a petty trader from Obokrom in Kumasi who was reported missing in June 2022 when she left home in her quest to travel abroad.

The suspects according to the police lured the deceased to Accra on June 17, 2022, and took her to Mankessim under the pretext of preparing her to travel to Holland.

However, she was later killed by them.

The police added in their statement that they are following a lead on a possible third victim who might have been murdered by the suspects.
In the capital city of Belgium, Brussels, earlier this week, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, held a two-day forum discussing the future of Ghanaian cocoa and coffee.

The initiative, according to the government spokesperson, has become necessary since the attention of government has been drawn to a new development in the international market that may soon reject cocoa and coffee from Ghana.

The forum, themed "the Future of Ghanaian Cocoa and Coffee Value Chains in the Face of this New EU legislation," specifically focused on how to make Ghanaian coffee and cocoa still relevant in the face of the new European Union legislation.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah commended H.E. Sena Boateng, Ghana's Ambassador to Belgium, in a tweet on Friday, September 30, spotted by Modernghana News, for informing the country about the new development.

In Europe, there is new legislation that could soon make Ghanaian cocoa & coffee unexportable to many International markets. Earlier this week in Brussels, I chaired a 2-day forum on the future of Ghanaian cocoa and coffee value chains in the face of this new EU legislation.

The Ghana Embassy in Belgium under the leadership of Ambassador Sena Boateng has moved swiftly to bring this to the attention of the Government of Ghana. It has also commenced work on realigning Ghanaian and European interests in cocoa and coffee, parts of his tweets read.

The Minister at the forum advised that Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire make new arrangements as soon as possible to secure a bright future for their cocoa and coffee production for the international market.

Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire need to act quickly to secure the industry while meeting the interests of European markets else millions of households and our entire economies could be significantly affected soon, he suggested.

The tweets conclude, thankfully, this work has started. Our task is to see it through.
30.09.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that the suspects arrested in connection with the murder of a trainee nurse at Mankessim are responsible for more killings.

According to the Police, investigations have uncovered that the suspects Michael Darko alias Nana 1, Christopher Ekow Clarke, as well as the third suspect are into ritual murders.

Investigations so far point to the fact that the suspects are involved in ritual murders. They lure their victims, sometimes under the pretext of helping them to travel abroad and then kill them, part of a police statement issued on Friday, September 30, has said.

Meanwhile, the police have disclosed that the body of one other victim killed by the suspects has been retrieved.

The second victim, Gloria Yeboah is a petty trader from Obokrom in Kumasi who was reported missing in June 2022 when she left home in her quest to travel abroad.

The suspects according to the police lured the deceased to Accra on June 17, 2022, and took her to Mankessim under the pretext of preparing her to travel to Holland.

However, she was later killed.

The police add that they are also following a lead on a possible third victim who might have been murdered by the suspects.
The National Identification Authority (NIA), has come under the fury of many Ghanaians, particularly Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).

This fury stems from the insecurity of many Ghana card-holders that their data on the system is highly exposed to the public.

Mr. Braimah, in a tweet on Friday, September 30, described it as troubling for the NIA to keep exposing peoples data to everyone who makes requests to them with no consultation with their owners.

Waow! Is this how NIA is handling our personal Data? Just by a letter from a lawyer of a gov't entity (not a court order), personal records (full names, dates of birth, personal ID numbers) of people are released to the state entity? This is troubling indeed, his tweet reads.

The NIA and the SIM card re-registration

Even though the deadline for SIM re-registration is only a few hours away, the National Identification Authority has stated initially that over two million Ghanaians will not be able to receive their Ghana cards until the end of the year.

According to reports, approximately a million and a half citizens have yet to receive their cards after registering, implying that approximately 3.5 million people will be unable to make or receive phone calls if the minister refuses to extend the September 30 deadline again.

We have the mandate to register all Ghanaians in Ghana and all Ghanaians abroad. There is no way NIA can register all Ghanaians in Ghana. If you look at our performance record, as stern as we believe our performance is, the reality is that there are approximately two million people aged 15 and above who have not registered for the Ghana Card.

Today is the 16th of September; there is no way that NIA can register those people. It is physically, technically and fiscally impossible. What advice flows from that? Mr. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, the NIA boss said at a presser.

He argued that we had said way back in March that it was impossible and its like expecting a maiden to make a baby every three months  so, thats not how the law designed NIA.

On July 31, after many people cried and agitated for an extension of the earlier deadline for SIM Card re-registration, the Minister, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful reluctantly extended it to Friday, September 30.

According to the Ministry, any SIM card that has not been re-registered by the deadline will be denied access to telecommunications services.

The deadline ends today and people are still struggling to register their SIM cards.
The Board of Directors of 3Media Networks has announced the resignation of Baba Sadiq as Chief Executive Officer.

Baba Sadiq was at the helm for four years as the companys first CEO, where he led the execution of cutting-edge events in Ghanas show business industry.

Under his tenure, 3Media Networks became a household name with its flagship event, the 3Media Music Awards becoming one of the most anticipated music awards in the country.

In his resignation letter, Baba Sadiq thanked the Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve the company as CEO.

The Board, in turn, wished him well in his future endeavors as he begins a new chapter in his life.

The Board also said a new CEO will be announced in due course to take over the reins at 3Media Networks.
The Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has confirmed that several students have been attacked by armed robbers on campus.

This has been confirmed by Samuel Kwabena Adotei who is the president of the Cape Coast-based University.

This follows reports in the last 24 hours that a lady student has been attacked and stabbed to death.

However, speaking to Asaase Radio in an interview, the SRC President disclosed that no one has been killed although several attacks have been recorded.

Yesterday, when the video circulated about someone who was stabbed to death, I must say that particular video of someone being stabbed to death is false, UCC SRC President Samuel Kwabena Adotei shared.

He continued, I must say that in a couple of weeks, we have had attacks on students and there have been incidents where there have been assaults and some of the students have been attacked with knives and others also badly wounded.

These are facts that I dont want us to lose sight of, but in the pool of these, there has also been measures in place to deal with security.

Reports from sources on campus indicate that many of the student residents especially the females are living in fear.

Meanwhile, school authorities through the office of the dean of students have constituted a 55-member community watchdog.

The watchdog which started work on Monday has beefed up security on campus as investigations continue to bring perpetrators of the crime to book.
30.09.2022 LISTEN

Following the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisations caution to people who haven't re-registered their SIM cards, many users were barred some weeks ago from using telecommunications services for some days.

Even though the deadline for SIM re-registration is only a few hours away, Mr. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, the NIA boss, said at a press conference on September 16 that over two million Ghanaians will not be able to receive their Ghana cards until the end of the year.

Also, approximately a million and a half citizens have yet to receive their cards after registering, implying that approximately 3.5 million people will be unable to make or receive phone calls if the minister refuses to extend the September 30 deadline again.

We have the mandate to register all Ghanaians in Ghana and all Ghanaians abroad. There is no way NIA can register all Ghanaians in Ghana. If you look at our performance record, as stern as we believe our performance is, the reality is that there are approximately two million people aged 15 and above who have not registered for the Ghana Card.

Today is the 16th of September; there is no way that NIA can register those people. It is physically, technically and fiscally impossible. What advice flows from that? he revealed.

He argued that we had said way back in March that it was impossible and its like expecting a maiden to make a baby every three months  so, thats not how the law designed NIA.

The Minister, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, at a press conference on July 31, reluctantly extended the earlier deadline for SIM Card re-registration to September 30, after many people cried and agitated about it.

According to the Ministry, any SIM card that has not been re-registered by the deadline will be denied access to telecommunications services.

Some Ghanaians who are still yet to register their SIM cards or receive their NIA cards are again calling on Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, the sector Minister, to again extend the deadline.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has been tight-lipped despite today's deadline.
A former National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Solomon Nkansah, says karma is dealing with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for using crooked means to denigrate the then-NDC government for the sake of politics.

Mr Nkansah said this while speaking as a panellist on Accra100.5FM's morning show Ghana Yensom on Thursday, 29 September 2022.

"Today, they are paying for their inequities concerning the management of the economy. The NPP has come face-to-face with some of the lies they told about the NDC just for the sake of power," he said.

"The party, for the sake of power, deployed fifth columnist strategies against the reign of former president John Dramani Mahama and accused him of corruption when there was none," he bemoaned.

"What are we seeing in their reign, corruption without people being prosecuted?" he asked.

He said the NPP, in opposition, accused the former president of mismanaging the economy by seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund and today they have gone back to the IMF.

"Today they are at the IMF. Will it be for the same reason?" he asked.

He said they accused the late president John Evans Atta-Mills of being sick and created all manner of jokes about his illness and today, they are managing a sick economy with a sick Finance Minister.

Source: Classfmonline.com
A former constituency chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in New Juaben North in the Eastern Region has questioned why the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is gloating over the booing of President Nana Akufo-Addo by some fans at the Global Citizens Festival held in Accra on Saturday, 24 September.

According to him, the "shameful" incident carried out by some NDC-motivated participants at the concert is not out of the law.

Mr Kwadwo Boateng Agyemang spoke on Accra100.5FM's morning show, Ghana Yensom on Thursday, September 29, 2022, saying booing has not affected the performance of the president in government.

He noted that the president is more focused on delivering his mandate to Ghanaians.

He disclosed that the likes of former president J.J. Rawlings and former president John Dramani Mahama, among others, have all suffered boos.

"Did it affect their performance in government?" he questioned.

"All these individuals continued with their presidency after being booed so it is not out of place for president Nana Akufo-Addo to also be booed like his predecessors," he argued.

"It is not out of the law for a president to be booed because former President George Walker Bush of the United States of America and Mr Emmanuel Macron of France suffered it and it did not affect their presidency so what is the NDCs noise all about? he queried.

"Nana Addo has been booed and so what?" he stressed.

Source: Classfmonline.com
Shots rang out before dawn on Friday around Burkina Faso's presidential palace and headquarters of the military junta, which itself seized power in a coup last January, witnesses told AFP.

Troops blocked several main roads in the capital Ouagadougou, AFP journalists said, and state television was cut, broadcasting a blank screen for several hours saying: "no video signal".

"I heard heavy detonations around 4:30 am (0430 GMT) and now the roads around my home have been sealed off by military vehicles," said a resident who lives close to the presidential palace.

The reason for the gunfire was not immediately clear.

Troops blocked several main roads in the capital Ouagadougou. By Olympia DE MAISMONT (AFP)

During the morning more shots were heard by an AFP cameraman in the Ouaga 2000 neighbourhood that houses both the presidential and military junta headquarters.

Soldiers patrolled the city's main crossroads, especially in Ouaga 2000 but also outside the state television centre, an AFP journalist said. The video signal was restored about 0915 GMT.

In Brussels, the EU voiced "concern" at events in the Burkina capital.

"A military movement was observed from 04:30 this morning. The situation still remains particularly confused," said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali.

Rein in jihadists

Violence has long wracked the landlocked west African country where Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba took power in a January coup, ousting elected leader Roch Marc Christian Kabore and promising to rein in jihadists.

Map of Burkina Faso locating the town of Djibo.. By (AFP)

As in bordering countries, insurgents affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have stoked the unrest.

Damiba earlier this month sacked his defence minister and assumed the role himself.

The mini-shuffle, the first since the appointment of a transitional government in March, saw only one new minister introduced -- Colonel-Major Silas Keita was named minister delegate in charge of national defence and promoted to brigadier general.

Thousands have died and about two million have been displaced by the fighting since 2015 when the insurgency spread into Burkina Faso, which has since become the epicentre of the violence across the Sahel.

Attacks have increased since the start of the year, despite the junta's vow to make security its top priority.

Bloody September

September has been particularly bloody.

Junta chief Damiba (L) has pledged to restore civilian rule within two years and to put down the armed insurgency. By Sia KAMBOU (AFP/File)

On Monday, suspected jihadists attacked a convoy carrying supplies to the town of Djibo in the north of the country. The government said 11 soldiers were killed and around 50 civilians were missing.

Junta chief Damiba, who has pledged to restore civilian rule within two years and to defeat the armed factions.

On September 5 an improvised explosive device struck a supply convoy in the north killing 35 civilians dead and wounding 37.

Last June, 86 civilians died in a massacre at Seytenga, near the border with Niger.

Soldiers were stationed on the some of the city's main roads. By Olympia DE MAISMONT (AFP)

More than 40 percent of Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is outside government control.

Much of the impoverished Sahel region is battling the insurgency.

Starting in northern Mali in 2012, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger in 2015. The violence has in recent years begun to spill over into coastal states Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin.

"The deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali has made the north of the coastal countries the new front line against armed groups operating in the Sahel," the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think tank, said in a report in April.

French forces supported Mali against insurgents for nearly a decade, but President Emmanuel Macron decided to pull out after falling out with the Malian junta in the wake of two military coups since 2020.

The last French troops from operation Barkhane left last month. Despite the exit from Mali, Macron insists Paris remains committed to the "fight against terrorism" in West Africa.
U.S. Senate approves stopgap funding bill ahead of gov't shutdown deadline

Xinhua) 09:52, September 30, 2022

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a stopgap funding bill to fund the government through mid-December, ahead of a government shutdown deadline.

The upper chamber voted 72-25 to clear the bill, which now goes to the House for its consideration. The so-called continuing resolution would prevent a partial government shutdown after the current fiscal year expires Friday night.

Congress frequently passes continuing resolutions when lawmakers are unable to agree on appropriations for a new fiscal year before a deadline, and occasionally multiple continuing resolutions are necessary to fund the government for an entire fiscal year, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a budget watchdog group.

A continuing resolution temporarily funds the government in the absence of full appropriations bills, often by continuing funding levels from the prior year. But the newly approved stopgap measure included several provisions beyond funding the federal government's current operations, including 12 billion U.S. dollars in aid to Ukraine.

The legislation also provides billions of dollars in disaster aid to support communities that are recovering from extreme weather. Some 20 million dollars will be used to fix the water infrastructure in Jackson, Mississipi, where heavy rainstorms led pumps at the main water treatment plant to fail last month, leaving 150,000 people without safe drinking water.

The stopgap bill had previously been held up by disagreements over a proposal from centrist Democrat Joe Manchin, a senator from West Virginia, regarding federal permitting process for major energy projects. In the face of bipartisan opposition, Manchin had to drop the measure.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
30.09.2022 LISTEN

The Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) has organized and conducted a virtual meeting to observe the International Day for Universal Access to Information -IDUAI- 28 September 2022.

The FESOJ Space online meeting has been attended by participants invited from the civil society organizations (SCO), the media outlets, senior journalists who previously worked for the International Media, prominent local journalists, the spokesperson for the Somali Federal Police Force, university students studying journalism and other influential figures from the public interested in discussing the key issue relating with access to information.

Mohamed Mohamud Adde, a former Senior BBC journalist moderating the one-hour-long online meeting, has pointed out that UNESCO has conducted a commemoration in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for the event focusing on the significance of access to information.

He briefly explained the UNESCO event and discussed the main themes of access to information and artificial intelligence, covering both benefits and risks, against the background of good governance principles.

The online session was aimed to be an opportunity for focusing on the global event indicating the basic rights to access information and discussing the main challenges limiting access to information in the background of Somalia and how to address those challenges.

The virtual meeting specifically discussed the main constraints the Somali media and journalists face, including restrictions on access to information, threats and insecurity, prevention from major events and the scenes of cases and denial of accessing the information on public interests.

The police spokesman praised the media and journalists' role and pledged support for bringing the police and the journalists closer for joint cooperation.

Hassan Barise, a senior journalist, suggested there is a need for providing joint training for the police and the journalists to facilitate dialogue between the security forces and the media, support the rights to information and the safety of the journalists.

The online meeting has illustrated accessing information is important for peoples lives and development, and discussed the prevailing constraints and how to overcome them.
On September 27, 2022, The Liberia Youth Task Team, a subsidiary of the Africa Youth Partnership to advocate an equitable recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic, launched an online petition calling on the 54th National Legislature to pass the amended law of the Liberian Controlled Drug and Substances Act of 2014.

Drug abuse is an immense problem that affects the communities or environment in which we live. In Liberia, the COIVD-19 pandemic impacted Drug & Substance Users, Drug Treatment Services, Drug Law Enforcement and Drug Prevention. A reliable and sustainable drug rehabilitation program that provides support for substance users in Liberia seems far from been realized, owing to the fact that there is little to no advocacy around policy formulation.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the undue and harsh living conditions of Disadvantaged/ At-Risk Youth in Liberia. During the pandemic, the Government of Liberia Stimulus Package distribution, that provided food for poor families and other vulnerable groups, didnt take into account Substance User, Disadvantaged/ At-Risk Youth who usually reside on the streets were neglected. Amara B. Kanneh, a member of the Liberia Youth Task Team said, Substance Users who are usually neglected during regular or normal situations were also neglected during the national emergency and health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic impeded Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) capacity for full enforcement of the drug law. LDEA with its limited manpower seconded over 100 of its agents to beef up the man power of the Joint Security Team that was responsible to enforce the State of Emergency, instituted during the pandemic. LDEA was also unable to celebrate the 2020 International Drug Day due to COVID-19 for the first time in recent years, said Celestine G. Bargor, Co. Team Lead of the Liberia Youth Task Team.

On the part of Team Lead, Jacob B. Swee, Jr., said, before the pandemic, in Liberia, there was already limited access to quality, affordable drug treatment services. This limited access has now been further diminished due to COVID-19, as the pandemic has disrupted services in Liberia and around the world. He further lamented that, during the pandemic Liberias only psychiatric hospital, the Esther Grant Hospital, was unable to take in new patients due the limited material support and feeding for the patients that were undergoing treatment. He also assures the public of the Liberia Youth Task Teams plan to host a live Facebook conversation that will bring together stakeholders, policymakers, opinion leaders, etc., for a discussion on how drug and substance abuse are impeding individual health and destabilizing our societal fabric.

As we embark on this petition [ https://bit.ly/PassTheAmendedDrugLaw ], we are pleading with well-meaning Liberians, both home and aboard to rally around us and sign the petition as we call on the 54th National Legislature to pass the amended law of the Liberian Controlled Drug and Substances Act of 2014.

Source: Africa Youth Partnership  Liberia Youth Task Team
30.09.2022 LISTEN

340 million people worldwide will be affected by global warming according to a story written by Erica Ayisi with support from the Pulitzer Center. This she said will cause the sea to rise significantly by the middle of this century, and that some 37% of Ghanas coastal land has already been lost to erosion and flooding.

President Mahama's Government, therefore, undertook a number of sea defence and coastal protection projects to safeguard coastal communities in the country against the vagaries of the sea. These projects include:

Sakumono Sea Defence Project: The first phase of this project was completed, and the second phase was started at a cost of US$39.9 million. The total stretch under protection with this phase is 3.5 kilometres which saw the completion of 860 metres of reconstructed revetment structure, 554 metres of concrete gravity walls, 1.4 kilometres of new armour rock revetment.

Atorkor - Dzita - Anyanui Sea Defence Project:

Following the completion of the first and second phases of the project, the third phase, meant to protect a coastal stretch of about 1.5 kilometres was also completed at a cost of US$ 11.4 million. This involved the construction of seven armour rock groynes. All the seven groynes under the third phase were constructed. The length of the seven groynes is 600 metres.

Ada Sea Defence Project

The second phase of the Ada Sea Defence Project which will protect about 10 km of coastal stretch was commenced following the completion of the first phase in August 2013. At a cost of 165 million Euros. The project was designed to protect Ada and its environs against wave impact and reclaim land to facilitate tourism and development in other sectors.

Ngyiresia Coastal Protection Project

This project was designed to protect the main Sekondi - Essipong road from erosion and its attendant transportation disconnect between Essipong and Secondi. This project was completed and handed over in April, 2014.

Aboadze Coastal Works

This US$ 28.5 million project was undertaken to protect the Aboadze Thermal Plant, as well as life and development in the Aboadze community against wave impact. It is also to facilitate fishing activities. The total coastal stretch protected is about 2 km and entailed the construction of an armour rock revetment.

Nkontompo Coastal Works

The cost of this project is US$ 23 million, and it is aimed at protecting life and development in the fishing communities of Nkontompo, Poasi and New Takoradi against wave impact as well as facilitating fishing activities. The works under this project protected about 2.5 km of coastal stretch. The works completed so far have enhanced the fish landing sites at Nkontompo, giving the fisher-folks larger and safer harbours.

Besides, work started on the following coastal protection projects following the completion of procurement processes and stakeholder engagements:

Dansoman Coastal Protection Project

The objective of undertaking the project is to protect life and developments at Dansoman and its environs. Works under the project entail the construction of an armour rock revetment which will protect about 2 km of coastal stretch. The cost of the project is US$ 31.2 million.

Mensah Guinea Sea Defence Project

Efforts were also underway to undertake coastal protection projects from La to Chorkor in the Greater Accra Region, Amanful - Kuma, New Takoradi and Axim in the Western Region and Anomabu in the Central Region in the near future. The procurement processes commenced before President Mahama left office.

Anthony Obeng Afrane
Shots rang out before dawn on Friday around Burkina Faso's presidential palace and headquarters of the military junta, which itself seized power in a coup last January, witnesses told AFP.

The government said the developing situation was linked to an "internal crisis in the army", after AFP journalists saw troops block several main roads in the capital Ouagadougou.

Government spokesman Lionel Bilgo told AFP that "talks are continuing to try to reach a settlement without trouble."

During the morning more shots were heard by an AFP video journalist in the Ouaga 2000 neighbourhood that houses both the presidential and military junta headquarters.

"I heard heavy detonations around 4:30 am (0430 GMT) and now the roads around my home have been sealed off by military vehicles," said a resident who lives close to the presidential palace.

Bilgo said the "crisis" was based on claims related to salaries, and that junta leader Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was taking part in discussions with the men.

A government source had earlier confirmed that Damiba was "in a safe place".

The state television was cut for several hours, broadcasting a blank screen for several hours saying: "no video signal".

Troops blocked several main roads in the capital Ouagadougou. By Olympia DE MAISMONT (AFP)

A second government source said, "The negotiations are continuing... the soldiers are maintaining pressure through their presence at strategic points they occupied this morning" in the capital.

Soldiers were seen at the city's main crossroads, especially in Ouaga 2000 but also outside the state television centre, an AFP journalist said.

In Brussels, the EU voiced "concern" at events in the Burkina capital.

"A military movement was observed from 04:30 this morning. The situation still remains particularly confused," said spokeswoman Nabila Massrali.

Rein in jihadists

Violence has long wracked the landlocked west African country where Damiba took power in a January coup, ousting elected leader Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

Damiba has pledged to restore civilian rule within two years and to defeat the armed factions.

Map of Burkina Faso locating the town of Djibo.. By (AFP)

As in bordering countries, insurgents affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have stoked the unrest.

Damiba earlier this month sacked his defence minister and assumed the role himself.

The mini-shuffle, the first since the appointment of a transitional government in March, saw only one new minister introduced -- Colonel-Major Silas Keita was named minister delegate in charge of national defence and promoted to brigadier general.

Thousands have died and about two million have been displaced by the fighting since 2015 when the insurgency spread into Burkina Faso, which has since become the epicentre of the violence across the Sahel.

Attacks have increased since the start of the year, despite the junta's vow to make security its top priority.

Bloody September

September has been particularly bloody.

Junta chief Damiba (L) has pledged to restore civilian rule within two years and to put down the armed insurgency. By Sia KAMBOU (AFP/File)

On Monday, suspected jihadists attacked a convoy carrying supplies to the town of Djibo in the north of the country. The government said 11 soldiers were killed and around 50 civilians were missing.

On September 5 an improvised explosive device struck a supply convoy in the north killing 35 civilians dead and wounding 37.

In June, 86 civilians died in a massacre at Seytenga, near the border with Niger.

Soldiers were stationed on the some of the city's main roads. By Olympia DE MAISMONT (AFP)

More than 40 percent of Burkina Faso, a former French colony, is outside government control.

Much of the impoverished Sahel region is battling the insurgency.

Starting in northern Mali in 2012, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger in 2015. The violence has in recent years begun to spill over into coastal states Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin.

"The deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali has made the north of the coastal countries the new front line against armed groups operating in the Sahel," the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think tank, said in a report in April.

French forces supported Mali against insurgents for nearly a decade, but President Emmanuel Macron decided to pull out after falling out with the Malian junta in the wake of two military coups since 2020.

The last French troops from operation Barkhane left last month. Despite the exit from Mali, Macron insists Paris remains committed to the "fight against terrorism" in West Africa.
30.09.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has refuted reports that some soldiers are providing security for mining firms in forest reserves.

GAF wishes to state categorically that there are no military personnel deployed for such activities and no Soldier is providing security for any mining company in any forest reserve in any part of the country, it said in a statement.

The army claims there was a misleading report in a documentary aired on Joy News making the claims.

In a video with some recycled content of past unsubstantiated allegations which have since gone viral, Mentiahene of Bekwai, Nana Kusi Frempong Kotobre, alleges that military personnel are providing security for an illegal mining firm operating in the Kobro Forest in Amansie Central.

The army also noted that some people had been picked up some persons US military-pattern camouflage uniforms working for a private security firm.

According to it, the people had been contracted by a registered small-scale mining company named 'Elvis and Co Mining Ltd'.

These private security guards should not be misconstrued as GAF personnel because their camouflage pattern uniforms are even totally distinct from GAF.

The army also said it has picked up several impersonators in recent times and handed them over to the Police for prosecution.

Amid the renewed attention on illegal mining, the army said it would remain resloute in the fight against illegal mining.

Accordingly, GAF has revamped Operation Halt II in order to intensify its surgical operations to curb the destruction of the forest reserves and pollution of the river bodies.

By Citi Newsroom
Former Kumasi Mayor, Hon. Kojo Bonsu says he believes old age has been the bane of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

In his view, the current President could have easily been one of Ghanas best Presidents if not for the fact that he is old.

Speaking to Oyerepa TV in an interview on Thursday, September 29, Mr. Bonsu explained that with his experience and many good ideas, he could have easily been one of Ghanas best Presidents.

Akufo-Addo could have been one of the best presidents we have had because he has had too much experience. His father has been an ex-president, hes been in a presidential home, hes had experience, he has been our foreign minister, look let me tell you, the man has ideas to help but the problem is that he is unable to supervise all of them because of his age. Thats how I see it. He is too old, the former Kumasi Mayor shared.

According to Mr. Kojo Bonsu, it is time Ghana amends the 1992 Constituency to give younger people the chance to run for President and other top government positions.

He is of the firm belief that when people younger than Akufo-Addo lead the country, they will have the energy to monitor and follow through with the ideas they bring on board to change the fortunes of the country.

If you look at a lot of countries young people [are in leadership positions]. So I believe that we should look at our constitution and let younger people to come in so that they will have fresh minds, they can monitor what they bring, and the vision they come with so that they can protect it and people wont take advantage of it, former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu explained.
30.09.2022 LISTEN

Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Kapito, is calling for compensation for customers of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) who have been affected by the technical challenge experienced by the power distributing company.

Many ECG customers have for the past three days struggled to purchase credit on their prepaid meters either by using the ECG App or from vending outlets.

This situation has left some affected customers stranded while some businesses have also taken a hit.

Reacting to the situation, the CEO of the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Kapito, said compensation packages for affected customers will be a sign of goodwill.

Go back to some electricity credits or units given to them, because these are prepaid meters, not postpaid so prepaid, you know exactly what to do if the person is buying 50 cedis, you can give them 5 cedis more as compensation.

This will show the customers know how important they are to you.

By Citi Newsroom
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will host a two-day International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC 2022) from October 11 to 12, 2022 in Burma Camp, Accra.

The event is on the theme: Strengthening international collaboration to combat terrorism and transnational organized crimes, and is expected to attract delegates from the top hierarchy of the Ghana Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies, military solution providers and other experts as speakers and panellists.

A statement signed by Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi on Monday, September 26 said the conference would deliberate on growing threats of terrorism and transnational crimes of significant security concern in the West African Sub region and strategies to address them comprehensively.

The GAF is organising the conference in partnership with Great Minds Events LLC (GM) and Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute (GOGMI), the statement said.

GNA
Nigeria got independence from Britain on 1 October 1960 . As the country celebrates its political journey in the last 62 years, political scientist Ayo Olukotun takes a look at the nation's political development, gains and challenges. He also offers the way forward.

How would you describe Nigeria's political development?

Well, in terms of evolution, the nation appears to be shedding the toga of unitarism and jackboot politics  at least for now. However, there are residues of the long years of military rule in today's civilian democracy. Nigeria is still quite authoritarian.

One example would be a report recently released by the National Human Rights Commission. Discipline was recommended against some police officers because they allegedly brutalised civilians . And, despite the EndSARS protests against police brutality in 2020, not much has changed in terms of their behaviour.

There is also presidential omnipotence. The Nigerian president is about the most powerful president in Africa . This power is made possible by the 1999 constitution , a unitary document masquerading as a federalist one. State governors, too, are protected by the constitution. Nobody dares challenge them: in one instance a journalist was arrested for statements a governor considered uncomplimentary.

What about political gains?

One of the gains is the fact that we have not had a coup since 1999, although there have been coup rumours . We appear, for now, to have overcome democratic regression  unlike other countries in West Africa and other parts of Africa where you have one-man rule, coup d'etats and so on.

Another gain is freedom of speech. Nigerians can now express themselves, unlike during the military era. However, as evidenced by the journalist's experience I described, this gain is being eroded by authoritarian governors and leaders.

What is working against Nigeria's development?

Despite the launching of some anti-corruption agencies, there is still large scale corruption. Take the former accountant general of the federation, who has been charged with stealing N109 billion . And there are other cases of corruption involving former office holders.

Then look at how the last primaries by the major political parties were monetised . One contender withdrew because, he said , the process was obscenely monetised.

Read more: Money is breaking democracy in Nigeria

Poverty is another challenge. The political leaders have turned poverty into a weapon against the people. Ethnicity and religious bigotry are also holding back Nigeria's political and economic development.

What should Nigeria be doing to uplift itself?

We must go back to federalism or what some people call true federalism: power should be devolved to the federating units. These are the federal, state and local governments.

Many have called for this over time because Britain, which is a unitary nation, embraced power devolution . If unitary states are reaping the benefits of devolution, why not Nigeria? The council flats that you hear about in the UK are built by local governments and that system works far better than our own councils. Also, their police are decentralised and they are effective. The same is true in several parts of Europe.

Before now political leaders in northern Nigeria opposed state police, but now northern governors, leaders and monarchs have been calling for state police because of the high level of insecurity in those areas.

There must also be more focus on corruption. What we have under President Muhammadu Buhari is like a contest between anti-corruption and politics. In my opinion, politics has overtaken anti-corruption  that is why ministers who have fraud cases at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are still in office. The government finds it difficult to nail them because of political issues and deals.

There are other things that a nation that wants to move forward should do; quality education is one of them. We should invest in education. But Nigeria is not funding education at all levels. And the universe has disappeared from our nation's university system: what makes it global has disappeared over time.

Do you think Nigeria has a future?

It depends on how the public office holders behave. All of them come with rosy promises. They promise heaven and earth. At the end of the day maybe they achieve only 10% of those promises. But if they can up their game there's no reason why Nigeria can't progress.

Twenty years ago, Nigeria was predicted to be similar to one of the Asian Tigers (South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan). It was going to grow at a comparable rate to these nations. Instead it has been regressive.

At independence in 1960, Nigeria was richer than China . China is a world power today. Nigeria could be a continental power, or bigger, if the leaders and the followers can reverse the current tide of regression and corrupt politics.

Ayo Olukotun does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Ayo Olukotun, Professor and Chair of the department for Governance and Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University
Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Deputy Minority Chief Whip

30.09.2022 LISTEN

Ahmed Ibrahim, the Deputy Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Banda, has lamented the security implications should the unregistered SIM cards be blocked after today's deadline, September 30.

According to him, the previous action taken by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation to block some unregistered SIMS from calls, data and other services for some days caused chaos in the country.

Speaking on the Accra-based Joy News on Thursday, September 29, the lawmaker suggested that the National Security Minister advice President Akufo-Addo about the national security implications should SIM cards be blocked as planned.

The two-day blockage of peoples SIM cards, the National Security Ministry had to go to the Presidency to talk to them that the country was about to be destabilized before the SIM cards were released.

They will not go ahead to tell you this but that was the practical situation that happened. Ghanaians were furious and they nearly exploded," he lamented.

The Minister, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, at a press conference on July 31, reluctantly extended the earlier deadline for SIM Card re-registration to today, September 30, after many people cried and agitated about it.

According to the Ministry, any SIM card that has not been re-registered by the deadline will be denied access to telecommunications services.

Ghanaians who are yet to register their SIM cards or receive their NIA cards are again calling on Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, the sector Minister, to again extend the deadline.

The deadline is today and the Ministry is yet to make any comment.
30.09.2022 LISTEN

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on the security agencies in the country to deal with persons involved in illegal mining (galamsey) activities as criminals.

Appalled by the increasing activities of illegal mining in the country, the GMA is calling on the Judiciary to ensure trials of offenders are expedited without delay.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) also wants the courts to ensure that illegal miners are prosecuted without mercy to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Security Agencies should treat these individuals as criminals by arresting and prosecuting them swiftly. We urge the Courts to expedite the trials and punish these saboteurs without mercy when they are brought before them, a press release from GMA signed by President Dr. Frank Serebour has said.

The Ghana Medical Association in its release also urges Ghanaians to join the fight against galamsey by mounting pressure on those in authority to take action.

The GMA calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians, Civil Society groups including the Media to help mount sustained pressure on our Leaders, both Political and Traditional, to help save our country for posterity.

We urge the President of the Republic of Ghana to take the necessary and urgent action to reverse this menace which threatens the future and the very survival of this country, the release from the association concludes.

Below is a copy of the Ghana Medical Association press release:

PRESS STATEMENT ON GALAMSEY

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have on numerous occasions issued Press Statements on the dire consequences of Galamsey on the health of Ghanaians.

It was the hope of the GMA that, these health warnings would have helped deter these unscrupulous individuals and organizations involved in illegal mining to curtail their activities.

Despite these reminders, the destruction of our lands and water bodies continue unabated and the situation is getting worse by the day which portends a bleak future for our country. Heavy machinery such as excavators continue to be used to destroy the rest of our already depleted forests and our water bodies are being heavily polluted with chemicals whose effects would last many generations to come even in communities far removed from these sites.

It is also apparent that some Political and Traditional Leaders directly or indirectly support these acts of sabotage against the nation. Our future as a country is at stake and it is time to name and shame. The GMA urges all Ghanaians to expose these individuals and organizations involved in the destruction of our lands and water bodies without fear or favour.

The Security Agencies should treat these individuals as criminals by arresting and prosecuting them swiftly. We urge the Courts to expedite the trials and punish these saboteurs without mercy when they are brought before them.

The GMA calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians, Civil Society groups including the Media to help mount sustained pressure on our Leaders, both Political and Traditional, to help save our country for posterity. We urge the President of the Republic of Ghana to take the necessary and urgent action to reverse this menace which threaten the future and the very survival of this country.

Thank you.

Dr. Frank Serebour President
Political parties rely heavily on financial assistance to sustain their activities. This has led to a situation where financiers of a party can unduly influence the outcome of elections and the policies of political parties.

The question we ponder over is whether the state should sponsor political parties or whether the state should not sponsor political parties. There are arguments for and against this practice.

Those who argue in favour of state sponsorship of political parties say that this is necessary to ensure that all parties have access to the resources they need to participate in the political process.

They also argue that state sponsorship helps to ensure that parties are accountable to the electorate and are not unduly influenced by private interests.

Those who argue against state sponsorship of political parties say that this practice leads to undue influence by the state over the political process.

They also argue that state sponsorship of political parties is unnecessary and that private donations should be used to finance party activities. (Adra, 2022)

The question of whether the state should sponsor political parties is a complex one. There are valid arguments for and against this practice. Ultimately, the decision must be made case-by-case, considering each country's specific circumstances.

What are the benefits of state sponsorship of political parties?

State sponsorship of political parties has several potential benefits:

It can help ensure that parties are representative of the electorate. It can help ensure that parties are accountable to the electorate. It can help ensure that parties are responsive to the electorate's needs. It can help ensure that parties can govern effectively. It can help ensure that parties are committed to democracy and the rule of law. It can help ensure parties can participate in elections fairly and transparently. State sponsorship of political parties can help promote stability and order within society by helping to prevent extremist or violent groups from gaining power.

Thus, state sponsorship of political parties can play an essential role in ensuring that parties can function effectively and democratically.

While some risks are associated with state sponsorship, such as the possibility that parties may become excessively dependent on state support, these risks can be minimized through careful regulation and oversight. (Onyinkwa, 2017)

Overall, state sponsorship of political parties can positively influence democracy and good governance.

How can state sponsorship curb the monetary syndrome in our politics

There are several ways in which state sponsorship can help to curb the monetary syndrome in our politics. One way is by providing financial support to political parties and candidates who espouse sound economic policies.

Countries need to fairly back candidates who espouse sound policies now more than ever.

This will help to ensure that these parties and candidates can compete effectively against those who advocate for unsound economic policies.

Another way state sponsorship can help curb the monetary syndrome in our politics is by providing educational resources to the public on sound economic policies.

This will help to ensure that voters are informed about the implications of different economic policies and can make more informed choices when voting for political candidates.

Still another way state sponsorship can help curb the monetary syndrome in our politics is by working with the private sector to promote and explain sound economic policies.

This can involve, for example, providing tax incentives or other forms of financial support to businesses that adopt sound economic policies.

So state sponsorship can play a vital role in curbing the monetary syndrome in our politics. By promoting sound economic policies, state sponsors can help ensure our politics is more stable and prosperous.

The pros and cons of state sponsorship of political parties

There is no one answer to whether or not states should sponsor political parties. The pros and cons of state sponsorship of political parties depend on the specific context in which the question is asked.

Some arguments in favour of state sponsorship of political parties are that it can help to ensure more stable governments, promote democracy, and provide a check on the power of special interests.

Some arguments against state sponsorship of political parties are that it can lead to corruption and cronyism, entrench incumbents, and undermine competition. Ultimately, whether or not states should sponsor political parties is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Arguments in favour of state sponsorship of political parties typically centre around the idea that it can help to ensure more stable governments. In countries with weak or fragmented political parties, state sponsorship can help to provide the resources and organization necessary for these parties to be viable contenders in elections.

This, in turn, can lead to more democratic and representative governments. Moreover, state sponsorship of political parties can help to check the power of special interests. In many countries, it is common for special interest groups (such as businesses or religious organizations) to sponsor particular political parties.

This can give these groups undue influence over government policy. State sponsorship of political parties can help to level the playing field and ensure that all voices are heard.

Another argument against state sponsorship of political parties is that when the state sponsors a particular political party, it can create a situation in which that party might get excessively dependent on government resources.

This, in turn, can lead to corruption and favouritism as politicians seek to repay the debt they owe to their sponsors. Moreover, state sponsorship of political parties can entrench incumbents and make it difficult for new parties to emerge.

In many countries, state-sponsored parties are extensions of the existing government bureaucracy. This makes it difficult for opposition parties to compete and ultimately undermines democracy.

The decision of whether or not states should sponsor political parties is a complex one. There are arguments to be made both in favour and against state sponsorship. Again, ultimately, the decision must be made case-by-case, considering the specific context in which the question is being asked.

Conclusion

I know Ive made some impractical points that besides in theory wouldnt be as smooth to implement. But Ive made some goods points that can be incorporated now.

For instance, the state educating the general public on what a sound economic atmosphere looks like is a great idea. Singapore is a relatively small country but has done well in ensuring its electorate are relatively much more in on the whats and the whys of their elected officials decision making.

Still, there is no one answer to whether or not states should sponsor political parties. The pros and cons of state sponsorship of political parties depend on the specific context in which the question is asked.

Some arguments in favour of state sponsorship of political parties are that it can help to ensure more stable governments, promote democracy, and provide a check on the power of special interests.

Some arguments against state sponsorship of political parties are that it can lead to corruption and cronyism, entrench incumbents, and undermine competition. Ultimately, whether or not states should sponsor political parties is a decision that must be made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope you enjoyed the read. Hit me up and lets keep the conversation going! I read all the feedback you send. Also, feel free to throw at me topics youd like to read or hear my thoughts on. You can always head to my Calendly at calendly.com/maxwellampong or connect with me your own way through my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/themax.

Have a blessed week!

...............

References

Adra, S. (2022). Monetary policy and anxious presidents: The effects of monetary shocks on presidential job approval. Politics &Amp; Policy, 50(2), 244-273. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12456

Onyinkwa, B. (2017). The Nature of Political Parties in Africa: What Is the Role of Political Parties in a Democratic Process?. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3086575

How can we understand photo-sharing decisions on social media, and how can we curb its dangers?. (2022), (128). https://doi.org/10.32907/ro-128-2230601317

...............
Professor Fred Newton Binka, Foundation Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has called for the renaming of the University after late President John Evans Atta Mills.

He said the unfading legacy of the late President, who died in office in July 2012, should be cemented to guide the nation's dreams of development transformation, and that the University he passionately established would be best to honour him in name.

Prof. Binka made the call when he delivered the Keynote at a memorial lecture to mark the 10th anniversary of the demise of the astute head of state, organised by the JEA Mills Memorial Heritage at the Cedi Auditorium of the University.

The legacy of Professor Mills is so critical and important in today's Ghana, he said while eulogising the memory of the late President in layers of praise.

Prof. Binka said Prof Mills father for all mantra was critical for the outlook of the nation's leadership, and that his will and courage to pursue upright governance should inspire.

Leaders must be ready to show leadership when it matters most. Leaders must have the moral courage to address serious challenges that undermines the efficiency of their organizations, he said.

Prof. Binka noted that the peaceful progression of the University through the years replicated the way the old man used to behave, and promised to help leadership of the institution preserve the legacy of Prof. Mills.

He commended the University for setting the pace in immortalising the late leader and called to ensure the legacy survived to inspire coming generations.

Dr Mrs Grace Amey-Obeng, CEO of FC Beauty Group of Companies, and who was also a speaker, said the nation's ability or inability to celebrate its heroes affected its advancement, and urged all to emulate the all-loving nature of the late President.

Dr Amey-Obeng, who had worked with the late President on several women support initiative, said he deserved to be held up for his efforts to elevate gender, and counted several top women appointments he made while in office.

Professor Mills was passionate about women and women development, and during his time a lot of women had opportunities, she said.

Rev. Gabriel Akwasi Mante, Catholic Bishop of the Jasikan Diocese, said the life of the late President should apprise us to change and adopt the process of attitudinal change we all need.

He urged us to consider the principles and values of integrity, which Prof. Mills upheld, and said it would help strengthen the foundations of the nation.

The lecture was titled the Man John Evans Atta Mills, 10 Years On, and was attended by management and faculty of the University, past and present political leaders, students, and the public.

Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of the University, which was few months into its establishment, when the President passed on, said all must support the full realisation of the vision.

She therefore commended successive governments for helping make the University an object of repute and jealousy and appealed to provide the needed infrastructure including internal roads and accommodation.

The University's values of service and care is most congruent with the values of President Mills, and we will make sure we stick to them, she assured.

Alex Segbefia, Chairman of the memorial heritage, said it was established as a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent organisation aimed at preserving and promoting the ideologies of Prof. Mills.

We work and incorporate the values and principles that President ills lived for, he said.

The event had poetry recitals, and cultural displays to spice.

A video documentary showcasing his legacy was screened, and a book named Atta Mills Speaks, which contained his speeches including State of the Nation Addresses he delivered, was launched, and auctioned at the event.

-GNA
30.09.2022 LISTEN

On a Wednesday mid-morning, I made my way to the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, located in Airport Residential Area, within the heart of the national capital, Accra, for an arranged meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Ghana, Her Excellency Anette Chao Garcia.

Cuba, a country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos established diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1959, two years after Ghana attained her independence from Great Britain. The two countries have enjoyed great friendship over the last six decades with several high level engagements.

I arrived at the embassy a few minutes to the agreed meeting time to enable me to go through security processes smoothly. The security personnel on duty ushered me into the reception of the Embassy where I met a cheerful young lady waiting to receive me. She walked me into the meeting room and offered me water before alerting Her Excellency of my arrival.

In a few minutes, Ambassador Chao Garcia joined me in the meeting room where we exchanged pleasantries and took our seats. We began our conversation, which sought to place a spotlight on the current state of the bilateral relations between the two countries and the direction of the Embassy under her leadership.

Ambassador Chao Garcia described herself as a proud mixed Cuban woman educated by the Cuban Revolution, worked her way to become a lawyer, and proceeded to study a Masters Degree in International Relations at the Foreign Affairs Academy. Recounting her early years in life, she expressed her gratitude to the Cuban Revolution for bringing the country together and providing several opportunities for Cubans, particularly in education, culture and health, as well as heralding an era of Cuban internationalism.

Commenting on the state of Ghana  Cuba relations, Ambassador Chao Garcia described the two countries as very close friends. She buttressed her point with Cubas former President, Fidel Castro Ruzs prediction of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo becoming the President of Ghana in 2006 when he visited Cuba then as Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs.

As Ghanas Minister for Foreign Affairs, the President had the honour of meeting Fidel Castro in April 2006, in Havana and in the meeting Fidel predicted that he would one day become the president of his country. These are things only close friends can do, trust and believe in you and say such great things about you and want to see you doing great things, she added.

She also expressed that the Cuban Solidarity Campaign is a great example of a good family because they work against the Blockade imposed by the US on Cuba and help the Cuban people in different ways. She explain they collect medicines to send to Cuba during the explosion at Hotel Saratoga a few months ago. She disclosed that Ghana was the first African country that help Cuba in that difficult situation.

Ambassador Chao Garcia reiterated the call by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in April 2019 during his official visit to Cuba for a new and strong partnership for co-operation between Ghana and Cuba for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.

In the area of health, Ambassador Chao Garcia highlighted the dedication of the Cuban Medical Brigade to Ghana over the years with the medical services provided by Cuban doctors to Ghanaians in various parts of the country. Every month, the current Brigade in addition to their work, run a free screenings under the Project #CubaEnGhana for health. She indicated that Cuban and Ghanaian governments are working on bringing more doctors to join the Cuban Medical Brigade.

In the health sector, we are expanding our cooperation to the eradication of malaria. In addition, we are working on bringing Cuban medicines to Ghana, they are best for treating Hepatitis B, Diabetes, Cancer and several others, she further stated.

In the area of education, Ghanaian students have benefited from scholarships to study in Cuba over the years. She indicated that, Right now in Cuba we have around three hundred Ghanaian students at the School Medicine and, as you know, for many years Cuba gave to Ghana the opportunity of scholarships, thats why we have close to three thousand Ghanaians benefitting from this arrangement in previous years. I am glad to state that, we are working on new arrangements to structure this for more Ghanaian.

Tourism in Cuba is an industry that generated over 4.7 million arrivals in 2018 and currently is one of the main sources of revenue for the island. With its favourable climate, beaches, colonial architecture and distinct cultural history, Cuba has long been an attractive destination for tourists. The ambassador mentioned Tourism as another area for potential collaboration between Ghana and Cuba.

We can do a lot more in tourism going forward knowing how the sector has developed in Cuba. In addition, when we look at culture, there are many possibilities for the two countries to work together. The heritage sites in Cuba, we have done a lot in that space and it can be replicated in Ghana with the amazing castles and other important monuments in Ghana. In Cuba, we have periodic book fairs in castles, which also serve as museums. People visit these sites to learn the history and culture and buy the books, she elaborated.

The Cuban Ambassador further explained that the greatest obstacle to the development of Cuba is the imposition of the economic, commercial and financial blockade that for more than sixty years, successive US governments have imposed on the Cuban government and people that also affects third countries. She is convinced that if the US Blockade ends, Cuba can provide more solidarity to friend countries.

In wrapping up our conversation, Ambassador Chao Garcia expressed her conviction that the future of Ghana  Cuba relations looks brighter with many potentials.
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the scary shooting incident at Asaman Tamfoe in the Eastern Region.

On Thursday, September 29, there was a shooting incident between some persons believed to be illegal miners and a community anti-galamsey taskforce.

A video of the incident that went viral on social media captured some men shooting at others.

After preliminary investigations, the police have confirmed that 16 people suspects have been arrested.

The Police have arrested sixteen persons in connection with a shooting incident at Asaman Tamfoe in the Eastern Region, a police statement has said today.

Through investigations, the Police have retrieved one pump action gun, two excavators, two water pumps, and a battery.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects and retrieve any other weapons in their possession.

Below is a copy of the police statement on the shooting incident:
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced that its workers are working around the clock to resolve the vending challenges with the prepayment system.

Since the start of the week, many people have complained of vending challenges with some customers forced to sleep in darkness.

In a press release from the ECG today, Friday, September 30, it says it has decided to extend the working hours for all district offices this weekend as part of efforts to solve the challenges.

The Electricity Company of Ghana wishes to inform all stakeholders, especially our cherished customers on our prepayment metering system that due to the technical challenge affecting smooth service provision to prepaid customers, the company will extend its working hours at all district offices this weekend as follows: Saturday, 1st October, 2022 - 9.00am - 4.00pm. Sunday, 2nd October, 2022 - 9.00am - 4.00pm, part of the ECG release has said.

The company further assures the general public that its team of technicians is working hard to rectify the vending challenges.

The Electricity Company of Ghana once again wishes to assure our cherished customers that our team is working assiduously to rectify the anomaly and ensure a smooth service provision, the release concludes.

Below is a copy of the ECG release:
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi may lose appetite for food today concerning a recent development about his mining equipment.

A mining truck belonging to the Akonta Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Wontumi Group of Companies has been reportedly burnt by Samreboi-based Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited.

With a sorrowful heart, the business magnate speaking on Kumasi-based Wontumi TVs Morning Show today, September 30, said the incident has saddened him.

He described the incident as a plot by Samartex to sabotage his mining company. He intimated that he is only being quiet because emotions are not used in solving problems.

I have kept quiet because you cant use emotions to solve problems. You have to be rational, he complained

Chairman Wontumi added, its a plot by the Samartex Timber and Wood Company to destroy my company.

His contract which was signed before moving to his area of operation, according to him, is valid till 2035 and, as such, the timber company, also, a private company like his, has no right to burn his property.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Malcolm Johnson, has applauded Ghana for the formation of the Commonwealth ITU Group (CIG) and its support to the Group over the years.

Mr. Johnson made the commendation during the Networking Breakfast Meeting at the ongoing ITU Plenipotentiary Conference on Thursday, 29th September, 2022 Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania. The events main purpose was for members to interact with each other in a bid to build relationships, strengthen existing ones and discuss issues of mutual concern.

Mr. Johnson threw more light on how the creation of the CIG has proved to be very effective, both in helping Commonwealth countries achieve their objectives as well as in assisting ITU conferences reach consensus more quickly. He said Commonwealth countries usually influence their respective regions to submit proposals to the conference in line with the Commonwealth Common Objectives agreed upon by the group.

This, he explained, was possible largely because of the role Ghana played in the establishment of the Group. He also recounted that Ghana quickly run with the idea and got member countries on board to have the group formed.

The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, acting as the Chair of the Commonwealth ITU Group (CIG), assured the Group that the leadership of the CIG will not relent on the development of democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all the people of the Commonwealth.

She encouraged member countries to help promote the Commonwealth Agenda by supporting candidatures from Commonwealth countries that is if members were not competing amongst themselves to emerge winners.
A controversial marriage counsellor, Rev. Charlotte Oduro, has advised married women never to fight their husbands side chicks.

She said fighting a lady because she is flirting with your husband or partner is wrong.

The counsellor explained on Kumasi-based Oyerepa's 'Breakfast Time' that marriage is something that is enjoyed while alive, not after death.

She believes that cheating and unfaithful husbands or partners should be ignored for the sake of their life.

What worries me is that some women have lost their lives to marriages. We dont die to marry, but we live to marry. A man who cheats on his wife is not a mature person. If a man decides to cheat, he will cheat regardless of what his wife does, she said.

The marriage expert stressed ignore your cheating husband. What most cheating men cant stand is when you ignore them when they are expecting their wives to react. When a woman knows her pace and she is busy working, a man cannot stand it.

According to the counsellor, it is also unwise for a wife to trace to the home of a sidechick to warn or fight.

Its unwise for a wife to attack a side-chick, especially in their house. When you go to her house and she damages you, theres no sense in it. So wives should know how to manage their emotions to avoid trouble, she added.
September 30, 2022 Ukraine - Four Oblasts Join Russia In 1922 Vladimir Il'ich Lenin, head of the revolutionary Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, decided that several regions which for centuries had been Russian and under Russian rule were to be put, for reasons unknown, under the administration of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Ukraine. In 1954 a similar decision was taken with regards to autonomous republic of Crimea.

bigger The sudden disintegration of the Union in 1991 led to unruly phases in the newly created republics. Ethnic Russian people suddenly found themselves in territory that was no longer ruled by Moscow. In several of the new countries ethnic non-Russian majorities started to suppress the Russian minorities. Today's Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, are to various degrees prime examples for this. Before 1991 the Ukraine had never existed as a state or independent entity. The early Cossack tribes in the yellow part and green parts of the map had asked for Russian protection against attacks from Poland, Lithuania and other neighbors. In the new Ukraine ethnic Russians were nearly half of the population and the parties they supported managed to win several countrywide elections. Big voting differences were visible along regional/ethnic lines. The country had strong economic relations with Russia. Its industry depended on Russian gas while nearly all its machine and steel exports went to Russia. The U.S. did not like that. It wanted to control rule the Ukraine to be able to put pressure on Russia. It twice, in 2004 and in 2014, organized 'color revolutions' to overthrow elected Ukrainian governments which, for mostly economic reasons, tended to favor relations with Russia. The 2014 color revolution was exceptionally brutal. The U.S. had organized extreme right wing groups to take the lead in violent protests. (The same groups were in the early 1940s allied with German Nazis and, between 1948 and 1952, were waging a CIA led guerrilla war against the Soviet Union.) The street fighting ended with an unconstitutional change of the government of Ukraine. The first law that the new coup government implemented was a rejection of Russian as one of Ukraine's state languages. For some 50% of Ukrainians Russian is their daily language. Ukrainian itself is a Russian dialect. Nearly 100% of Ukrainians understand Russian. The ethnic Russian people in Ukraine feared being canceled. Crimea, which in 1991 had voted for and declared its independence before the Ukraine did so, voted, under Russian protection, to join Russia. Moscow accepted the move. People in other former Russian parts of Ukraine protested and a some in the east took up arms. They twice defeated the Ukrainian army and volunteer formations sent against them. The Minsk I and II agreements that followed required Ukraine to give those Donbas oblasts significant autonomy. The United Nations Security Council acknowledged and supported the agreements. But any attempts to implement them were sabotaged by the U.S. via the armed right wing movements that had control over the government in Kiev. For eight long years the people in the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics defended their borders against constant Ukrainian attempts to solve the conflict by violence. While the people in those republics had voted for the independence of their republics, and to become a part of Russia, the Kremlin did not want to accept that. It wanted that those republics stay within Ukraine and insisted on the implementation of the Minsk agreements. In 2015 the U.S. and NATO started to build a new Ukrainian army. They succeeded. By 2021 it was larger than most armies of NATO countries. Plans were made to invade the Donbas republics. In 2021 Russia became aware that a first attempt was soon to be made. It launched large maneuvers of its own military near its western border to deter such attempts. The situation settled down. Any attempt of the Ukraine to overwhelm the Donbas, and the likely progroms that were to follow, would have created a situation in which the Russian government would be pressed very hard by its own people to intervene. Russians see the inhabitants of those areas as part of their own people. When the Kremlin learned of new plans to attack the Donbas republics in 2022 it took a stand. It send quasi ultimatums to the U.S. and NATO and requested security agreements that would deny NATO membership to Ukraine. The ultimatums were rejected. The U.S. wanted war in Ukraine to a. 'weaken' Russia and to b. get stronger control over its European 'allies' and economic competitors. On February 17 the Ukrainian army launched artillery preparations for an all out attack on the Donbas republics. Over the next days the shelling increased from some 40 artillery explosions per day to over 2,000 per day. Russia had to act. On February 22 it recognized the independence of the Donbas republics and signed defense agreements with them. On February 24 it send its troops to defeat the Ukrainian army and to make any future attacks on the Donbas impossible. Since then Russia and its allied local forces have gained control of all of Luhank, 60% of Donetsk and most of the southern oblasts Kherson and Zaparozhia. But Russia also learned that the very limited forces it had sent were unable to fulfill its aim of disarming Ukraine. To call up and use reservist required a legal change. Local officials in the Russian controlled oblasts organized referenda for the people to decide if they want their become independent of Ukraine to then join Russia. Large majorities voted for the proposals. Michael Tracey @mtracey - 11:13 UTC  Sep 30, 2022 Ukraine resident originally from Luhansk tells the BBC, "to be honest, for me, it seems that more than half of the population" in his hometown support annexation by Russia

Embedded video Today the President of the Russian Federation signed agreements with the republics for them to become part of Russia. Any attempt to attack them is now an attack on Russia. They are under full protection of the Russian Federation, its military and those of its allies. For Ukraine to continue the war will mean the assured defeat of its army and further dismemberment as more regions will join Russia and Poland, Hungary and Romania will try to take the regions of Ukraine they previously controlled. 'Western' propaganda calls the votes for to join Russia a 'sham' and the process an 'annexation'. But the votes were very real. The very high results for joining Russia are understandable Ukraine rejected these people and as those who oppose Russia have long left those regions. The UN Charter acknowledges a right to self determination. The U.S. is itself (ab)using that right whenever it is in favor of its political aims: In his address to the UN, Biden insisted that, even had the vote not been fixed and a sham, it would never be recognized because it is an extremely significant violation of the UN charter. The fluidity of that claim, depending on US foreign policy interests, is exposed by Bidens near simultaneous insistence three days earlier that Taiwan makes their own judgments about their independence. ... thats their decision. It doesnt violate the UN charter if it works against China; it violates the UN charter if it works for Russia. Furthermore, the US officially recognizes other annexations, most recently the Moroccan annexation of Western Sahara. But the hypocrisy that most makes Russia boil is Kosovo. In 2008, when Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia without even the pretense of holding a referendum, the US recognized the declaration against repeated UN resolutions upholding the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia. Sakwa also points out that the US endorsed the infamous advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice ... that Kosovos declaration of independence did not violate general international law. AP reports on today's ceremony: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to annex parts of Ukraine in defiance of international law, vowing to protect the newly incorporated regions by all available means in another escalation of his seven-month invasion of the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by saying his country is submitting an accelerated application to join the NATO military alliance. Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for peace talks but immediately insisted he wont discuss handing back occupied regions  keeping him on a collision course with the Ukrainian government and its Western backers that have rejected his land-grab. In a Kremlin ceremony at the ornate St. Georges Hall to herald the annexation of the occupied parts of Ukraine, Putin accused the West of fueling the hostilities as part of what he said is a plan to turn Russia into a colony and a crowds of slaves. The hardening of his position, in the conflict that that has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people, further cranked up tensions, already at levels unseen since the Cold War.

...

The Kremlin ceremony came three days after the completion in occupied regions of Moscow-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that were dismissed by Kyiv and the West as a bare-faced land grab held at gunpoint and based on lies. But Putin, in a fiery speech at the ceremony, insisted that Ukraine must treat the Kremlin-managed votes with respect. After the signing ceremony of treaties to join Russia, Moscow-installed leaders of the occupied regions gathered around Putin and they all linked hands, before then joining chants of Russia! Russia! with the audience. Putin also railed at the West, cutting an angry figure as he accused the United States and its allies of seeking to destroy Russia. He said the West acted as a parasite and used its financial and technological strength to rob the entire world. He portrayed Russia as being on a historical mission to reclaim its post-Soviet great power status and counter Western domination that he said is collapsing. History has called us to a battlefield to fight for our people, for the grand historic Russia, for future generations, he said. I have not yet heard of new Russian plans for the war. But I expect that Russia's reaction to Ukrainian attacks, as well as to NATO support for them, will soon become way more severe. Previously Putin had said about the war "we haven't even started yet." I advice everyone to take that seriously. Posted by b on September 30, 2022 at 15:36 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
The iconic Hollywood sign is shown on a hillside above a neighborhood in Los Angeles California, Feb. 1, 2019.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The military junta leader has called on the population to "observe the greatest caution and remain calm" as confusion reigns in the West African country where heavy gunfire started in the main military barracks on Friday morning
NATO believes Baltic Sea gas pipeline leaks were sabotage View Photo

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  The NATO military alliance warned Thursday it would retaliate for any attacks on the critical infrastructure of its 30 member countries and joined other Western officials in citing sabotage as the likely cause of damage to two natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

The warning came as the Swedish coast guard confirmed a fourth leak on the pipelines off southern Sweden, which is in the process of joining NATO. The first leaks in the pipelines that extend from Russia to Germany were reported on Tuesday, prompting energy companies and European governments to beef up security.

The fear of further damage to Europes energy infrastructure has added pressure on natural gas prices, which had already been soaring. Russia, a major supplier to Europe, cut off deliveries earlier this year in retaliation for sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. That has caused widespread economic pain across the continent.

NATO ambassadors said in a statement that any deliberate attack against allies critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response. They refrained from saying who they thought was responsible, even though some allies like Poland, and many experts, have said they believe that Russia is responsible.

All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage, the envoys said.

The rising tensions around energy security in Europe come as Russia prepares to annex four regions of occupied Ukraine, a move widely condemned by the West. Russian energy giant Gazprom heightened uncertainty around energy supplies Wednesday by threatening on Twitter to cease dealing with a Ukrainian company that controls one of the two remaining pipelines that ship Russian gas to Europe.

Rather than assigning blame to anyone specific, EU officials on Thursday said they would await the outcome of an investigation, which probably will not start in earnest until next week once the undersea pipelines are empty.

The two lines between Russia and Germany were not in operation. But they were filled with tons of methane, a major cause of global warming that is being emitted into the atmosphere and will continue to bubble to the Baltic Seas surface, probably until Sunday, according to energy experts.

Danish Defense Minister Morten Bdskov turned to Twitter to call the NATO statement a joint condemnation and very strong signal from the alliance. But NATO has made many statements of resolve to defend its members and their territory since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Two of the leaks are on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that Russia recently turned off as it ramped up energy pressure on Europe. The other two are on Nord Stream 2, which has never been used. The Danish and Swedish governments have said that they believe the leaks were deliberate actions.

According to seismologists, the leaks were preceded by explosions. A first explosion was recorded early Monday southeast of the Danish island of Bornholm. A second, stronger blast northeast of the island that night was equivalent to a magnitude-2.3 earthquake. Seismic stations in Denmark, Norway and Finland also registered the explosions.

Speaking Wednesday before the fourth leak was reported, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said it would have taken a large explosive device to cause the damage.

Norway was among the first countries on Wednesday to beef up the protection of its energy installations. Finnish Finance Minister Annika Saarikko said Thursday that security measures have been tightened around the Balticconnector line running in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia.

Very exceptional and serious actions that point to sabotage give reason to intensify our preparations, Saarikko told reporters.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the Nord Stream pipeline incident would have been impossible without a state actors involvement.

It looks like a terror attack, probably conducted on a state level, Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

He dismissed media reports about Russian warships spotted in the area as stupid and biased, adding that many more aircraft and vessels belonging to NATO countries have been spotted in the area.

The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at Russias request to discuss the suspected pipeline sabotage.

Torben rting Jrgensen, a former admiral with the Danish navy, told The Associated Press that it was not so demanding to carry out an operation either by using a remotely operated underwater vehicle or sending divers from a submarine or a surface vessel.

Those who carried out the operation knew they wouldnt get caught, rting Jrgensen said. Who would have thought of an operation against pipelines in the Baltic Sea?

___

Lorne Cook in Brussels and Jari Tanner in Helsinki contributed to this report.

By JAN M. OLSEN

Associated Press.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraines national police says the death toll from a Russian missile strike on a convoy of cars on the outskirts of Zaporizhzha has risen to 30 people, including children.

Police said 88 people were wounded in Fridays S-300 missile attack on a column of vehicles that Ukrainian officials said were to ferry relatives back to safety from Russian-occupied territory.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Zelenskyys office said four of 16 S-300 missiles that were launched had struck the convoy area, causing impact craters several meters (feet) deep near cars whose windows had all been blown out. Some of the dead lay on the ground covered by trash bags, blankets and towels, while others remains in their vehicles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his Telegram channel Friday that only terrorists would target civilians and accused Russia of trying to seek revenge against Ukraine for its steadfastness and to make up for its own battlefield failures.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS:

 Ukraine accelerates NATO bid as Russia annexes seized areas

 US hits Russia with sanctions for annexing Ukrainian regions

 Russian strike kills 25 as Kremlin to annex Ukraine regions

 EXPLAINER: A deep dive into risks for undersea cables, pipes

 Finnish border closed to Russians with tourist visas

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

KYIV  A Ukrainian army officer says Ukrainian forces have recaptured the village Drobysheve, situated in the Donetsk region some four kilometers (2.5miles ) from the Russian-occupied city of Lyman.

Anatolii Shtefan posted a video on his Facebook account Friday showing soldiers from the 81st Airmobile Brigade holding the Ukrainian flag amid destroyed buildings in the village that he said had been liberated.

Russian and Western analysts said Friday Ukrainian forces have likely encircled the Russian-occupied city of Lyman as Kyiv pushes on in an eastern offensive.

Lyman, a city some 160 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, had been a key node for ground communications and Russian military operations in the region.

If Ukraine takes Lyman, that allows Kyiv to push into Russian-occupied Luhansk, which just took part in Moscows internationally criticized, gunpoint referendums.

____

BRUSSELS  NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says the 30-member military alliance has conveyed to Russia that there would be severe consequences if it uses nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

But Stoltenberg was non-committal on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys decision to make a fast-track application for Ukraine for NATO membership.

He told reporters Friday NATO leaders support Ukraines right to choose its own path, to decide what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of but that a decision on membership has to be taken by all 30 members.

Stoltenberg said NATOs focus now is providing immediate support to Ukraine.

He also rejected Russias illegal and illegitimate annexation of four regions of Ukraine, calling it the largest attempted annexation of European territory by force since the Second World War.

Asked whether Ukrainian troops should refrain from attacking the annexed regions  Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia  Stoltenberg said: they can defend themselves, they can also continue to liberate territory.

Stepping back, he said, would be to accept nuclear blackmailing.

____

BERLIN  The Group of Seven leading economies has condemned Moscows annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory as a new low point in Russias blatant flouting of international law.

The G-7 called the move another example of Russias unacceptable violations of Ukraines sovereignty, the UN Charter, and the commonly agreed principles and commitments of the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter.

The group, which includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, said they will never recognize these purported annexations, nor the sham referenda conducted at gunpoint.

The G-7 said it would impose further economic costs on Russia, and on individuals and entities  inside and outside of Russia  that provide political or economic support to these violations of international law.

____

LONDON  Britain has imposed a raft of new sanctions on Russia, including a freeze on the assets of the countrys central bank governor, following the illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin to protest the violation of Ukraines sovereignty.

The sanctions include freezing the personal assets of central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina, who has been instrumental in steering the Russian economy since the invasion of Ukraine and extending the ruble into Ukrainian territory under Russian control. She will also be barred from traveling to the U.K.

The U.K. is also working with the U.S. and other allies to prevent Russian entities from accessing a range of professional services around the world. British companies will be barred from providing services such as auditing, advertising, engineering, some types of legal advice and information technology consulting services to Russian firms.

Britain also imposed bans on the export of an additional 700 products to Russia.

____

WASHINGTON  The Biden administration has dismissed Putins claim blaming the West for damage to the Nord Stream pipelines conveying Russian gas to Germany as outlandish.

White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said Russias disinformation wont distract the U.S. or the rest of the world from its transparently fraudulent attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory.

Earlier Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of sabotaging the Russia-built gas pipelines.

____

KYIV  Thousands of people gathered in Moscow for a concert at Red Square, celebrating the illegal annexation of Ukrainian lands.

Many waved large Russian flags as performers from Russia and occupied regions of Ukraine took to the stage to sing patriotic songs hailing Russias greatness.

Multiple Russian media reports said that people working for state-run companies and institutions were told to attend the concert, and students were reportedly allowed to skip classes so they can attend.

____

Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is urging Western countries to stop Russias aggressive imperial authoritarianism, endlessly inflicted by Russia upon itself.

In an opinion article the Washington Post published Friday, Navalny wrote that if Ukraine wins the war with Western support, Putin will vow to create an army so strong and weapons of such unprecedented power that the West will rue the day it defied us, and the honor of our great ancestors will be avenged.

Navalny said Russian citizens should establish a parliamentary republic leading to a radical reduction of power in the hands of one person, the formation of a government by a parliamentary majority, an independent judiciary system, a significant increase in the powers of local authorities.

____

WASHINGTON  The U.S. is sanctioning more than 1,000 people and firms connected to Russias invasion of Ukraine, including its Central Bank governor and families of Security Council members.

Fridays decision comes a few hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties absorbing occupied regions of Ukraine into Russia, in defiance of international law.

The Treasury Department named hundreds of members of Russias legislature, leaders of the countrys financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations. The Commerce Department added 57 companies to its list of export control violators, and the State Department added more than 900 people to its visa restriction list.

President Joe Biden said Putins actions have no legitimacy and that the new financial penalties will impose costs on people and companies inside and outside of Russia that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory.

____

KYIV  Ukraines president says his country is submitting an accelerated application to join the NATO military alliance.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyys statement Friday came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties to annex occupied areas of Ukraine the he warned would protect using all available means.

Zelenskyy said we are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraines application for accelerated accession to NATO.

The Ukrainian leaders NATO application adds another layer of complexity to the seven-month old conflict that rapidly escalated following Putins announcement of annexing parts of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also repeated his pledge to retake all Ukrainian territory now held by Russia which he said feels our power. He also said Ukraine is ready for dialogue with Moscow but with another president of Russia.

____

BRUSSELS  The European Unions 27 member states say they firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation of Ukraines territory.

In a joint statement issued Friday shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin started the process of annexing four occupied Ukrainian regions, EU leaders said Moscow is undermining the rules-based international order and has violated Ukraines fundamental right to independence.

They added that they will never recognize the illegal referendums that Russia organized as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

____

BRUSSELS  The European Unions top migration official is urging the 27 member countries to clamp down on issuing visas to Russian citizens amid heightened security concerns over President Vladimir Putins nuclear threats and move to annex parts of Ukraine.

Migration Commissioner Ylva Johansson called Putins actions clearly an escalation and that means also an escalation of the security threat towards the European Union. She urged EU countries to enforce more stringent checks on Russian nationals and deny documents to anyone who might pose a threat.

Johansson said that EU authorities must stop short-term visa holders from Russia from renewing them in Europe and that Russians who have fled the country should not be allowed to apply for visas abroad. She said that none of the measures the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, is recommending would stop Russian citizens from applying for asylum in Europe.

____

KYIV  Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed treaties to annex occupied areas of Ukraine in a sharp escalation of the seven-month conflict.

Putin said during Fridays ceremony in the Kremlin that he would protect them using all available means. At the beginning of the event, Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for talks but warned that Moscow would not give up the newly incorporated regions.

The ceremony comes three days after the completion of Kremlin-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that were dismissed by Kyiv and the West as a bare-faced land grab, held at gunpoint and based on lies.

The separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine have been backed by Moscow since declaring independence in 2014, weeks after the annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. The southern Kherson region and part of the neighboring Zaporizhzhia were captured by Russia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Both houses of the Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubber-stamp the treaties for the regions to join Russia, sending them to Putin for his approval.

____

KYIV  Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of sabotaging the Russia-built gas pipelines to Germany.

Speaking Friday at a ceremony to incorporate the four occupied regions of Ukraine into Russia, Putin said that the Anglo-Saxons have turned from sanctions to terror attacks, sabotaging the Nord Stream pipelines in what he described as an attempt to destroy the European energy infrastructure.

He said those who profit from it have done it, without naming a specific country.

Swedish coast guard on Thursday confirmed a fourth leak on the pipelines off southern Sweden, two days ater the first leaks to the Nord Stream pipelines that extend from Russia to Germany were reported.

___

TALLINN, Estonia  Belarus authoritarian president is rejecting the possibility that his countrys armed forces would become embroiled in the war in Ukraine.

Alexander Lukashenko said Friday Belarusians have never attacked nor posed a threat to anyone in their history and that it will continue to remain this way.

He said Belarus is always committed to the peaceful resolution of any international problems and that its doing everything to stop the bloodshed.

Belarus offered its territory to its ally Russia to invade Ukraine from the north, but Belarusian military have not been involved in the conflict. Military analysts worry that the Kremlin might force Belarus to join the war and deploy its troops to Ukraine  a prospect Lukahsenko has repeatedly and strongly denied.

Lukashenko met last week with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the seventh time in a year.

____

KYIV  Ukraines president says his country wont give up on retaking all the regions which are now under Russian control.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his Telegram channel Friday that Ukraine is in control of the situation and that Everything will be Ukraine.

Zelenskky discussed with Ukraines supreme military commander-in-chief plans for the liberation of Russian occupied territories.

He said Ukraine is supplying its troops with weapons and ammunition in the most combat zones.

____

KYIV  Donetsks Ukrainian governor Pavlo Kyrylenko says Russian shelling of cities shows that Moscow is lashing out because its losing ground on the battle field.

Kyrylenko told Ukrainian television that the shelling shows the weakness of the Kremlin, which is angry and is taking revenge for the loss of military initiative.

Russian forces have intensified shelling of front-line cities in the Donetsk region, killing eight and wounding 17 civilians over the past 24 hours.

____

KYIV  An analyst says the Kremlins hasty push to formally annex occupied Ukrainian lands aims to compensate for the fact that Moscow cant do much to counter Kyivs gains on the battlefield.

Former Kremlin speechwriter Abbas Gallyamov told the Associated Press in an interview Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putins recognition of the the independence of Ukraines Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions coincided with reports of Ukrainian troops encircling Russian forces in Lyman.

Gallyamov said Russias answer to Ukrainian gains looks quite pathetic as the Kremlin is building some kind of a virtual reality, incapable of responding in the real world.

He said although the Kremlin will try to put on a show of the illegitimate annexations, the Russian public understands that the battlefield dynamics are much different in Ukraine than they were in Crimea in 2014 and as a result, Russians will be less enthusiastic.

____

KYIV  The Russian-backed separatist leader of the Donetsk region says Russian forces were no longer controlling the villages of Yampil and Drobysheve, southeast and to the north of the city of Lyman.

Denis Pushilin referred Friday to worrying news about Lyman itself, saying that it was half-encircled by the Ukrainian forces.

Pushilin was quoted to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti as saying that Ukraines armed formations were trying very hard to spoil our celebration.

___

KYIV Ukraines military says Russia is upgrading military airfields, barracks and warehouses in Belarus, suggesting the country may intend to use them for renewed strikes on Ukraine.

Oleksii Hromov, deputy dhief of the Main Operational Department of the Ukrainian armys General Staff said Friday work was ongoing at the Lunynets and Zyabrivka bases which are near the Ukrainian border. Iskander tactical missile units were also active in Osypovichi, about 180 kilometers from Ukraine, while Belarussian railways are preparing to transport troops.

____

KYIV  Ukrainian officials in the Zaporizhzhia region have declared Oct 1 as a day of mourning for the 25 civilians who were killed following the Russia missile strike on a car convoy on the outskirts Zaporizhzhia. lUkraines Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets also said in an online statement Friday there were no military facilities or equipment situated in the Zaporizhzhia area, just cars and peaceful civilians.

____

KYIV  Russian state media are accusing Ukraine of carrying out the Zaporizhzhia attack on its own citizens, without providing any evidence to support the claim.

Russian forces have repeatedly targeted Ukrainian civilians in the fighting since the war began in February.

____

KYIV  Russian-installed officials in the southern Kherson region said Thursday that a Ukrainian missile strike on the city of Kherson killed a deputy head of the regions pro-Kremlin administration. A report in Russian state news agency RIA Novosti offered no details as to when the alleged strike took place, saying only that it hit the center of Kherson. Officials in Kyiv have not commented on the alleged attack.

____

KYIV  The British military says newly mobilized Russian troops coming into Ukraine are poorly equipped with medical supplies.

The British Defense Ministry said Friday medical knowledge and supplies remain low, with some soldiers having to buy their own modern tourniquets. That mirrors videos and photos online suggesting some soldiers are being supplied with Soviet-era first aid kits.

The ministry added that the Russian troops lack of confidence in sufficient medical provision is almost certainly contributing to a declining state of morale and lack of willingness to undertake offensive operations in many units in Ukraine.

____

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Council has scheduled a vote for Friday afternoon on a resolution that would condemn Russia for its illegal so-called referenda in four Ukrainian regions and declare that they have no validity.

The U.S.- and Albanian-sponsored resolution would call on all countries not to recognize any alterations to the status of Ukraines Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. It would reaffirm the U.N. commitment to Ukraines sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence within its internationally recognized borders.

Russia is certain to veto the resolution. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said earlier this week that if that happens the U.S. and Albania will put the resolution to a vote in the 193-member General Assembly where there are no vetoes.

The draft resolution, obtained late Thursday by The Associated Press, would order Russia to desist and refrain from actions aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

It would also demand the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine.

 Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
MEXICO CITY (AP)  A Mexican navy helicopter crashed in July killing 14 marines because it ran out of fuel following an operation to capture drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, the Attorney Generals Office said Thursday.

The Black Hawk crashed July 15 in Los Mochis, a city in Sinaloa state near Mexicos Pacific coast, hours after marines captured Caro Quintero in the mountains.

Caro Quintero was wanted for extradition to the United States for the 1985 killing of Drug Enforcement Administration agent Kiki Camarena. That extradition process continues.

The Attorney Generals Office said in a statement that the investigation had ruled out the possibility the helicopter was downed in an attack and that the manufacturers analysis of the aircrafts flight recorder concluded it ran out of fuel.

In August, a navy official had said that the preliminary hypothesis was a problem with the fuel system, but that it was unknown if it was a mechanical or human error. Thursdays brief statement did not clarify that question.

The Black Hawk and marines aboard had not been directly involved in Caro Quinteros capture, but had provided security for those who were.
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Alex Padillas (D-Calif.) bill to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) wildfire preparedness and response efforts passed unanimously out of the Senate.

Padilla was Fridays KVML Newsmaker of the Day.

The FIRE Act will improve FEMAs response to wildfires including by accounting for melted infrastructure and burned trees as well as begin allowing FEMA to pre-deploy assets during times of highest wildfire risk and red flag warnings. The legislation now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Here are the words, as spoken on the Senate Floor, of Senator Padilla:

Thank you, Madame President, so I rise to discuss and explain the matter on which we just took action on. It is relative to wildfires. All across the western United States, historic wildfires continue to grow both more frequent and more severe.

Every year in recent years, entire communities have been destroyed by wildfires in a matter of hours. Weve seen this in California, New Mexico, and Colorado. Families are forced to flee with only the belongings they can quickly pack into their vehicles.

Last year, I visited the incident command center in Quincy, California, to see firsthand the real time response to the devastating Dixie Fire. Separately, I met with local leaders in Santa Rosa, California to hear about problems with recovery from previous catastrophic wildfires.

So my bill, the bill we just took action on, the FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act  or the FIRE Act  will help ensure FEMA better addresses the unique and increasing danger of wildfires.

Now, FEMAs current procedures and requirements dont always work for post-wildfire recovery needs, and this bill will close those gaps. I give a lot of credit to FEMA theyve gotten pretty good at anticipating and responding to other types of disasters, were seeing it as we speak with the hurricane impacting Florida, they do the same with tornadoes, floods, other disasters. In all these scenarios, we know that it begins with preparation.

The FIRE Act will begin the process of allowing FEMA to pre-deploy resources during times of extremely high risk, in the west we know it as red flag warnings. When its hot, conditions are dry, and the winds kick up, its a recipe for disaster. And so to have FEMA be able to deploy in advance, just as they do already during hurricane warnings, as were seeing in Florida at this very moment, is a smart thing to do.

Then, as communities rebuild after a devastating wildfire, this bill will work to ensure that FEMA takes wildfire-specific issues into account, like melted infrastructure and burned trees. It will also help local governments work with FEMA to more effectively relocate critical infrastructure away from fire-prone areas. In the aftermath of a fire, the bill will help provide better housing assistance, case management, and crisis counseling for survivors, with a focus on equity for underserved communities and tribal governments. Often times these underserved communities and tribal governments suffer the disproportionate impact of these wildfires.

So with the FIRE Act, we will be able to better prepare for and respond to the unique challenges of wildfires in California and throughout the western United States.

The FIRE Act passed out of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee by voice vote on February 2nd of this year. I want to thank Chair Peters and Ranking member Portman and their staffs who contributed to this bill, as well as our partners at FEMA.

This is an overdue, common-sense bill to help communities on the front lines of our wildfire crisis, and I thank my colleagues for joining me in supporting it. And with that Madame President, I yield the floor.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
CDC COVID Community Levels Map View Photo

Sonora, CA  For the first time since the CDC began using its current COVID tracking methodology, and color system, Tuolumne County has dropped to the lowest notch of the scale for COVID community levels.

It is now in the green zone. It is one of 2,376 counties, nationwide, in the lowest tier, joining neighboring counties like Calaveras and Mariposa, who also recently joined the list.

The figures are based on the number of COVID-19 admissions to hospitals and the percentage of staffed inpatient beds in use by COVID patients. Less than 10 admissions per week, per a 100,000 population figure, qualifies for green, 10-19.9 admissions is medium (yellow) and over 20 is high (orange).

Tuolumne Countys recent seven-day total was 7.4 per 100,000 (Calaveras County was 4.7, and Mariposa was also right at 7.4).

There are 737 counties, nationwide, still in the medium, yellow tier. Those in California include Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Del Norte and Siskiyou.

There are 107 counties in the upper orange tier, with widespread cases (none in California). Hot spots include the plains states, upper northeast, and parts of the Midwest.

Tuolumne County Public Health Director, Michelle Jachetta, says, It is good news that we are seeing a slow decline in COVID cases. We continue to encourage people who are eligible to get fully vaccinated and stay up to date on boosters. The bivalent booster is available at the Public Health Department and at pharmacies.
NEW YORK (AP)  Prosecutors cracked open a trove of emails and other communications at a federal trial on Thursday that they say shows how the former chair of Donald Trumps inaugural committee worked behind the scenes in 2016 to get the future president to embrace the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Some of the email traffic was between Tom Barrack  accused of working at the direction of the UAE as a secret foreign agent  and Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign manager at the time. The exchanges focused in part over an energy policy speech by Trump in 2016.

In one email read to the jury by an FBI agent, Barrack complained to Manafort that an original draft of the speech didnt mention either the UAE or Saudi Arabia, or the importance of their role in the Middle East.

Wow. Im just stunned by how bad this is, the billionaire private equity manager wrote about the draft.

Manafort responded: Send me an insert that works for our friends.

The speech Trump gave ended up referring to the need to team with our supportive Gulf allies as part of a broader strategy to fight terrorism in the region. Afterward, Barrack received an email from a UAE official congratulating him for doing a great job.

In other emails, Manafort assured those in the back-channel network that he would get Trump to tone down his anti-Muslim rhetoric and that he would set up face-to-face meetings between Trump and UAE and Saudi leaders.

Another Barrack email indicated he had lobbied Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner on Manaforts behalf to get Manafort the campaign manager post. Manafort was eventually convicted in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation and later pardoned by Donald Trump.

Prosecutors say the communications demonstrate Barracks efforts to manipulate the Trump campaign and later his administration to advance the interests of the UAE. They say at the same time, the energy-rich Gulf state poured millions of dollars into business ventures operated by Barrack.

Barrack, 75, has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, obstruction of justice and making false statements.

In his opening statements this week, defense attorney Steven Schachter insisted there was no evidence that Barrack ever took orders from the UAE or betrayed his country by becoming a covert agent.

Tom Barrack is his own man, the lawyer said.

By TOM HAYS

Associated Press
Bipartisan group of senators condemns Iran over Amini death View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  A bipartisan group of senators on Thursday introduced a resolution condemning the detention and death of Mahsa Amini, who was held by Irans morality police this month for allegedly wearing the mandatory Islamic headscarf too loosely.

The 22-year-olds death sparked large-scale protests across Iran that have captured the worlds attention, with women protesters making a show of taking off their headscarves and cutting their hair in solidarity with Amini.

As co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, I commend the thousands of brave protesters who are risking their lives to advocate for human rights in Iran, including the human rights of Iranian women, Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said in a statement. The public response to Mahsa Aminis death at the hands Irans morality police makes clear that the Iranian governments oppression is no match for the demands for dignity and respect by the Iranian people.

At least a dozen people have been killed since the protests erupted around the country following Aminis death in mid-September, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Iranian state media has said the toll could be much higher. The Iranian government has pushed back, clashing with demonstrators and clamping down on internet access.

Amini had been detained Sept. 13 for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely in violation of strictures demanding women in public wear the Islamic headscarves. She died three days later in police custody; authorities said she had a heart attack but hadnt been harmed. Her family has disputed that, leading to the public outcry.

Dozens of Republican and Democratic senators showed their support for the resolution Thursday, which also comes as the U.S. is negotiating the revival of a deal with Iran meant to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear bomb in exchange for the loosening of economic sanctions.

The ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran  after former President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew U.S. from the deal in 2018  are a point of contention for Republicans in Congress.

The Biden Administrations blind pursuit of a new nuclear deal only serves to empower the Iranian regime, Sen. Jim Risch, an Idaho Republican and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. The administration should reverse course and hold Iran accountable for its human rights abuses.

The resolution, lawmakers say, seeks to send a loud and clear message to the Islamic Republic that the U.S. stands behind womens rights and the right to peaceful protest. It remains unclear when the resolution would come to the Senate floor for passage as the chamber is expected to be gone for the majority of October during campaigning for the midterm elections.

By FARNOUSH AMIRI

Associated Press
Lebanons dwindling rain leaves farmers struggling for water View Photo

HARF BEIT HASNA, Lebanon (AP)  Farmers in a small town perched on a northern Lebanese mountain have long refused to accept defeat even as the government abandoned them to a life off the grid.

Harf Beit Hasna receives almost no basic services. No water or sewage system, no streetlight or garbage collection. The only public school is closed. The nearest pharmacy is a long drive down a winding mountain road.

We live on another planet, said Nazih Sabra, a local farmer. The state has completely forgotten us, and so have the politicians and municipalities.

Its around 2,500 residents have gotten by because of an ingenious solution: They dug trenches, lined them with plastic and use them to collect rainwater. For decades, the rainwater enabled them to grow enough crops for themselves, with a surplus to sell.

But where government neglect didnt kill Harf Beit Hasna, the combination of climate change and economic disaster now threatens to.

In recent years, rainfall in Lebanon has decreased, straining even the most water-rich country in the Middle East. At the same time, the countrys economy has fallen apart the past two and a half years; families whose livelihoods have been wrecked struggle to afford basics as prices spiral.

Harf Beit Hasna, on a remote mountain plateau above steep valleys, has taken pride in making it on its own with its rain-water pools. The town is dotted with them, most of them the size of a backyard swimming pool.

Sabra said he remembers in his childhood how his grandfather and other farmers could raise livestock and sustain a decent living.

But recent years have gotten harder. As rain declined and temperatures warmed, farmers adapted. They grew less of water-demanding produce like tomatoes and cucumbers and planted tobacco, a more drought-resistant plant.

Now they can barely grow enough to get by.

If there isnt rain, you use whatever you have left stored and work with a deficit, Sabra said. You cant even afford to farm anymore.

Sabras field is barren and dry, save some tobacco plants and potatoes. He tried to plant a small patch of tomatoes for his familys use. But to save water, he had to let them die. The rotting tomatoes swarm with pests.

Theres nothing we can do with them, Sabra said, before taking a long drag off his cigarette.

He has a small patch of eggplants surrounded by barren, cracking soil. He hopes he can sell them in the nearby city of Tripoli to buy more potable water for his family this month.

Those eggplants wouldnt have been there without the ponds, he says with a smile. His pool, which can hold around 200 cubic meters of water, was only about a quarter full. The water was green, because hes been drawing on it slowly, trying to ration out whats left.

From his field, Sabra can see the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon and, below him, a valley where there are freshwater springs. But gasoline is too expensive for him to drive daily to get water from there. He struggles to afford school for his children. His home hasnt had electricity for weeks because no power comes from the state network, and he cant afford fuel for his personal generator.

Government services and infrastructure across Lebanon are decrepit and faltering. But Harf Bait Hasnas situation is particularly bad.

Its remote and hard to reach. Administratively, its caught between two different municipalities, neither of which wants to deal with it. And, residents say, it has no political patron  a crucial need for any community to get anything in Lebanons factionalized politics. Sabra and other farmers say politicians for years have ignored their requests for a well or a connection to the states water network.

At Harf Beit Hasna, government neglect and climate change have combined to leave an area very challenged with water security, said Sammy Kayed, at the American University of Beiruts Nature Conservation Center.

The disaster in the town is much more profound (because) you have an entire community that is reliant on rain-fed agriculture but can no longer rely on rain, he said.

Kayed, the co-founder and managing director of the Conservation Centers Environment Academy, is trying to find donors to fund a solar-powered well for the town and to draw officials attention to get it connected to the state water network.

Across Lebanon, periods of rainfall have shrunk and the number of consecutive days of high temperatures have increased, said Vahakn Kabakian, the U.N. Development Programs Lebanon climate change adviser.

A recent report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said water scarcity, pollution, and inequitable water usage add to the difficulties of Lebanons agricultural communities. The agriculture sector amounts only to a tiny fraction of the countrys economy and so is often overlooked, and it like the rest of Lebanons producers and consumers are struggling with skyrocketing costs.

In Lebanons breadbasket in the eastern Bekaa Valley, farmers say their work is disrupted by strange weather patterns because of climate change.

Rain has declined in its usual period, and were seeing our soil dry up and crack. But then we somehow got more rain than usual in June, Ibrahim Tarchichi, head of the Bekaa Farmers Association told the AP. We havent seen anything like this before in the Bekaa.

He doesnt expect anything from Lebanons politicians. Here, you can only expect help from God.

The government for years has pledged to diversify its economy and invest more in the ailing agriculture sector. But since the economy fell out, the divided ruling clique has hardly been able to formulate any policies, failing to pass a 2022 budget so far and resisting reforms demanded for an International Monetary Fund bailout.

In the meantime, Sabra takes some water from one of his ponds and sighs. He has almost run out of water from the last rainy season in the winter. This is his only lifeline to last until the rains come again.

There is nothing left for us but the ponds, he said.

By KAREEM CHEHAYEB

Associated Press
WHITEVILLE, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina sheriff was recorded calling Black employees by derogatory names and saying they should be fired, a television station reported. Several Black officers in leadership positions were later demoted or fired.

Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene issued a statement arguing that the recording of the February 2019 phone call obtained by WECT-TV had been edited or altered. But he didnt deny in the statement that he was on the call or that he made the statements.

The recorded comments were condemned by the North Carolina NAACP, which demanded Greenes resignation.

His language is divisive, nasty, and offensive  his words are disparaging and hurtful to people of color. His actions have cast a cloud over his ability to execute the office with impartiality, the NAACP said in a statement.

The local district attorney said Thursday that he asked the State Bureau of Investigation to probe allegations of obstruction of justice within the sheriffs office but declined to elaborate.

The recording was given to the station by a former sheriffs captain whos now running against Greene to be sheriff. Located about 120 miles (193 km) southeast of Raleigh, Columbus County has about 50,000 people and is approximately 63% white and 30% Black.

The call in 2019 to then-Capt. Jason Soles came shortly after Greene narrowly defeated former Sheriff Lewis Hatcher, who is Black. Soles was temporarily acting as sheriff at the time due to a court-mediated agreement that kept Greene from assuming the duties of the office while elections officials examined the contest, which was ultimately decided by fewer than 40 votes.

In the call, Greene, who is white, said he believed someone in the sheriffs office was leaking information to Hatcher, the station reported.

Im sick of it. Im sick of these black (expletives), Greene is recorded saying. Im going to clean house and be done with it. And well start from there.

Greene was also recorded as saying: Every Black that I know, you need to fire him to start with, hes a snake.

The North Carolina Sheriffs Association also condemned the statements and said that Greene resigned from the group after being notified that it was scheduling a meeting to consider expelling him from the association.

The comments made on the recording are inflammatory, racially derogatory, insulting and offensive, the group said in a release.

WECT reported that two Black officers were on the previous sheriffs group of high-ranking officers known as command staff, but that a captain was fired and a lieutenant was demoted after Greene was sworn in. Another Black sergeant said he was fired shortly after Greene was elected. The station reported that several Black deputies appear to remain in the sheriffs office in positions below the level of command staff.

Greene told WECT on Monday that he didnt recall making the statements. On Wednesday, he released a statement saying Soles had a political motive to release the recording and arguing it had been edited or altered. In the statement, he did not deny making the comments.

If Soles has had these alleged recordings since 2019, why would he intentionally hold the recordings?  The only thing Soles has on his agenda is to be Sheriff at all costs necessary, the sheriff said.

Greene and an attorney who advises the county didnt immediately respond to an email Thursday seeking further comment.

Soles told WECT that he had previously shared the recording with the SBI and a county commissioner. The agency told him that it couldnt investigate without a formal request from the local prosecutor, he said.

District Attorney Jon David told the station that he was informed of the recording Monday. In an email Thursday, David said he asked the SBI on Tuesday to investigate Sheriff Jody Greene and deputies under his command for obstruction of justice, but declined to elaborate.

The SBI issued a statement confirming the request and declined further comment on what it called an ongoing investigation.
Experts: Mexico jeopardizes justice in missing students case View Photo

MEXICO CITY (AP)  A group of international experts investigating the 2014 disappearance of 43 students in southern Mexico denounced the attorney general Thursday, saying he engaged in improper interference and created obstacles to justice, apparently in a rush to show results.

The Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to investigate the Sept. 26, 2014, abduction and forced disappearance of students from the Ayotzinapa teachers college in the state of Guerrero.

Group members at a news conference also raised doubts about some evidence included in a report last month from the government Truth Commission investigating the case.

They also said there is additional evidence of the close relationship between the military and a local drug gang that have both been implicated in the students disappearance in the city of Iguala.

They spoke just two days after the special prosecutor who had led the governments investigation since 2019 resigned.

The experts said Omar Gomez Trejo quit after his independent work was blocked by Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero. Angela Buitrago, one of the experts, said Gomez Trejo was not willing to follow orders that have no justification.

Among examples of the purported improper interference, the group mentioned the cancelation without explanation of 21 arrest orders announced previously by the Attorney Generals Office, including for 16 members of the military. Claudia Paz, another of the experts, said the withdrawal of those arrest orders did not conform with the rule of law.

The experts also said the rush to charge former Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, who was in office when the students disappeared, with manufacturing the previous administrations account of what happened could ultimately jeopardize the case against him.

Such practices lead one to think there was an attempt to synchronize judicial times with political times  that came from the attorney general of the republic, said Francisco Cox, another member of the group. He added that the current administration appeared to put more value on arrests than in arriving at convictions.

The evidence of close contact between the military and the local drug gang in Iguala continues to grow. However, group members said they continued to be denied military intelligence, even though President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ordered the armed forces to give them full access to the archives.

Paz said come of the evidence implicating the military came from the United States in the form of intercepted communications obtained for a case in Illinois dealing with drug trafficking from Iguala to Chicago.

Among them were 12 conversations about jobs done together by criminals and military personnel or meals organized by criminals for members of the military. Some of the military members mentioned in those conversations are in custody  there are four  but others are not.

The Truth Commissions report in August included new information about the militarys involvement in the disappearances, including screen captures of messages indicating that military personnel allegedly gave the order to kill some of the students and hid their remains.

The experts on Thursday raised doubts about those messages, which they said were written very differently from those intercepted by U.S. authorities. They said they had asked an independent expert to analyze all of the information, which was only shared with them recently.

Alejandro Encinas, head of the governments Truth Commission, said later Thursday that analysis of evidence is always part of the process. He also said that no one has pressured me and that there are not political times in the case, adding that the issues raised by the independent experts can be addressed.

He did not address the criticism of Gertz Manero, saying questions about the Attorney Generals Office would have to be addressed to him.

Lopez Obrador has minimized the participation of the military in the disappearance and says that only a handful of military personnel were responsible, not the institution.

He supported the cancellation of the 21 arrest orders and said Thursday that those criticizing the government must think it is going to generate a rebellion in the army.

The expert groups mandate is scheduled to expire Friday. They asked that it be extended  something they said the government supports. They also called for the independence of the special prosecutors office to be respected.

They said they would present more information in a month when they have the results of the experts evaluation of the new evidence.

When you touch the justice (system) you cause great harm to the country, said Buitrago.

By MARIA VERZA

Associated Press
Bodies and floatplane parts recovered from Puget Sound View Photo

SEATTLE (AP)  The bodies of some of the 10 victims and most of a floatplane that crashed in Washington states Puget Sound earlier this month have been recovered.

Island County Emergency Management confirmed Thursday that multiple bodies were recovered, but Deputy Director Eric Brooks said he wasnt yet able to confirm the number, The Seattle Times reported.

About 80% of the plane, including the engine, was recovered and brought to the surface using remotely operated vessels, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said Thursday.

The recovery operation for wreckage is going really well, Homendy said, adding that crews of nearly two dozen NTSB, Navy, Island County sheriff and subcontractors have been working around the clock since Tuesday.

The Sept. 4 flight was traveling from San Juan Island to suburban Seattle when it crashed into the water.

Witnesses and first responders found only small pieces of possible debris, personal items and the body of Gabby Hanna, 29, of Seattle. It took officials more than a week and multiple types of sonar to find the plane because of the depth and current of the channel in Mutiny Bay.

Once the recovery is complete, the NTSB will lay the wreckage in a secure location and experts will comb through debris to find potential causes of the crash.

Determining the probable cause of the crash could take 12 to 24 months, officials have said.

NTSB officials released a preliminary report that noted the plane had undergone a routine examination done every 100 flight hours just three days before the incident, and had completed a flight earlier the same day.
Yahoo News, September 29, 2022

Taliban forces on Thursday used gunfire to disperse a women's rally in the Afghan capital supporting protests in Iran over the death of a woman in morality police custody.

Both Afghanistan and Iran are run by hardline Islamist governments that enforce strict dress codes on women.

Chanting the same "Women, life, freedom" mantra used in Iran, about 25 women protested in front of Kabul's Iranian embassy before Taliban forces fired into the air, an AFP correspondent reported.

In neighbouring Iran, dozens of people have been killed since demonstrations erupted over 22-year-old Mahsa Amini's death after she was arrested for allegedly breaching rules on hijabs and modest clothing.

On Thursday in Kabul, women in headscarves carried banners that read: "Iran has risen, now it's our turn!" and "From Kabul to Iran, say no to dictatorship!"

"We need to end these horrific governments," said a protester who did not reveal her name for security reasons.

"People here are also tired of the Taliban's crimes. We are sure that one day our people will rise in the same way as the Iranian people," she said.

Taliban forces swiftly snatched the banners and tore them in front of the protesters.

They also ordered some journalists to delete videos of the rally.

An organiser, speaking anonymously, told AFP the rally was staged "to show our support and solidarity with the people of Iran and the women victims of the Taliban in Afghanistan".

- 'Severe restrictions' -

Protests staged by women in Afghanistan have become increasingly rare after the detention of core activists at the start of the year.

Like in Iran, women risk arrest, violence and stigma for taking part in demonstrations calling for their rights.

Since returning to power last year, the Taliban have issued a slew of restrictions controlling women's lives based on their interpretation of Islamic sharia law.

Many of the rules -- including dress code, segregation from men and travelling with a male guardian -- are monitored by the Taliban's vice and virtue police who roam the streets dressed in white.

Women must fully cover themselves in public, preferably with the all-encompassing burqa, according to the rules, which are enforced with varying rigour across the country.

The Taliban have also blocked girls from returning to secondary schools and barred women from many government jobs, although some senior Taliban are divided on the issue of education.

Category: Taliban/ISIS/Terrorism, Women, Protest - Views: 489
Woman charged with setting fire at apartment that killed 4 View Photo

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP)  A former tenant charged with setting a fire at a Massachusetts apartment building that claimed the lives of four people pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Friday and was held without bail.

Yvonne Ngoiri, 36, faces four counts of second-degree murder as well as arson and assault charges in connection with the May 14 blaze in Worcester. Among the victims was a man who in 2018 had sued right-wing radio host Alex Jones  Infowars website.

Ngoiri, who once lived in the building, was taken into custody on Thursday, the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said in a statement.

A telephone message seeking comment was left with the suspects attorney.

The cause of the fire at the three-story, six-unit building in the early morning hours of May 14 was determined to be incendiary, according to the district attorneys office, but no motive was disclosed in court. She is scheduled back in court Nov. 29.

The victims have previously been identified as Joseph Garchali, 47; Christopher Lozeau, 53; Vincent Page, 41; and Marcel Fontaine, 29.

The cause of their deaths involved smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, the district attorneys statement said.

In addition, several residents were injured, including one who jumped from a third-story window and two who suffered from smoke inhalation. The building had about 20 tenants. Two nearby buildings were also damaged.

Fontaine sued Infowars in Texas in 2018. The complaint, seeking unspecified damages, said Infowars posted his photograph on its website the day of the shooting in Parkland, Florida, depicting him as the gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people died.

Lawyers for Infowars countered that Fontaine failed to show any evidence of malice or any injury because of his photos publication.

Fontaines lawyer has said that the case will continue on behalf of his estate. That case is pending, according to Texas court records.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico is poised to have its first unionized Starbucks store, organizers say.

A majority of rank-and-file workers at an Albuquerque location of the Seattle coffee giant voted in favor of unionizing Thursday, said Starbucks Workers United, the group seeking to organize U.S. Starbucks stores. The vote was 10-7 for a union.

The National Labor Relations Board conducted the election at the store on I-40 and Rio Grande Boulevard.

This makes New Mexico the 34th state to have a unionized Starbucks, according to organizers. Starbucks opposes the unionization effort.

Workers at the Albuquerque location formally filed a petition to hold a union vote in July. A second store in Santa Fe is also looking to unionize.

A representative for Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request Thursday seeking comment.

In a news release, the union called it a victory for better wages and working conditions. They also accuse Starbucks management of interfering with workers right to organize, using union-busting tactics like firing staff and closing stores. The union claims Starbucks has fired more than 100 union leaders from its stores this year.

More than 230 Starbucks branches nationwide have elected to unionize since late last year. Unionization efforts are also gaining steam at Amazon, Trader Joes and elsewhere.

The Starbucks unionization effort began late last year at a Starbucks store in Buffalo, New York. As of this week, that store and two others __ one in New York and one in Arizona __ are the only ones currently negotiating contracts.

Starbucks reported record demand in the April-June period as strong U.S. sales made up for continuing closures in China, the companys second-largest market.
Conor: This is a good reminder that a) this war could be brought to an end if that wasnt the last thing the US and the UK wanted, and b) when western media refer to the international community theyre typically referring only to US allies and omitting voices like the following.

By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies. Medea Benjamin is the cofounder of CODEPINK for Peace, and the author of several books, including Inside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nicolas J. S. Davies is an independent journalist, a researcher with CODEPINK and the author of Blood on Our Hands: The American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq. Their book War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict, available from OR Books in October/November 2022. Originally published at Common Dreams.

We have spent much of the past week reading and listening to speeches by world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York. Most of them condemned Russias invasion of Ukraine as a violation of the UN Charter and a serious setback for the peaceful world order that is the UNs founding and defining principle.

But what has not been reported in the United States is that leaders from 66 countries, mostly from the Global South, also used their General Assembly speeches to call urgently for diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine through peaceful negotiations, as the UN Charter requires. We have compiled excerpts from the speeches of all 66 countries to show the breadth and depth of their appeals, and we highlight a few of them here.

African leaders echoed one of the first speakers, Macky Sall, the president of Senegal, who also spoke in his capacity as the current chairman of the African Union when he said, We call for de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, as well as for a negotiated solution, to avoid the catastrophic risk of a potentially global conflict.

The 66 nations that called for peace in Ukraine make up more than a third of the countries in the world, and they represent most of the Earths population, including India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brazil and Mexico.

While NATO and EU countries have rejected peace negotiations, and U.S. and U.K. leaders have actively undermined them, the leaders of five European countries  Hungary, Malta, Portugal, San Marino and the Vatican  joined the calls for peace at the General Assembly.

The peace caucus also includes many of the small countries that have the most to lose from the breakdown of the UN system that recent wars in Ukraine and the Greater Middle East represent, and who have the most to gain by strengthening the UN and enforcing the UN Charter to protect the weak and restrain the powerful.

Philip Pierre, the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, a small island state in the Caribbean, told the General Assembly,

Articles 2 and 33 of the UN Charter are unambiguous in binding Member States to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state and to negotiate and settle all international disputes by peaceful means.We therefore call upon all parties involved to immediately end the conflict in Ukraine, by undertaking immediate negotiations to permanently settle all disputes in accordance with the principles of the United Nations.

Global South leaders lamented the failure of the UN system, not just in the war in Ukraine but throughout decades of war and economic coercion by the United States and its allies. President Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste directly challenged the Wests double standards, telling Western countries,

They should pause for a moment to reflect on the glaring contrast in their response to the wars elsewhere where women and children have died by the thousands from wars and starvation. The response to our beloved Secretary-Generals cries for help in these situations have not met with equal compassion. As countries in the Global South, we see double standards. Our public opinion does not see the Ukraine war the same way it is seen in the North.

Many leaders called urgently for an end to the war in Ukraine before it escalates into a nuclear war that would kill billions of people and end human civilization as we know it. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, warned,

the war in Ukraine not only undermines the nuclear non-proliferation regime, but also presents us with the danger of nuclear devastation, either through escalation or accident.  To avoid a nuclear disaster, it is vital that there be serious engagement to find a peaceful outcome to the conflict.

Others described the economic impacts already depriving their people of food and basic necessities, and called on all sides, including Ukraines Western backers, to return to the negotiating table before the wars impacts escalate into multiple humanitarian disasters across the Global South. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh told the Assembly,

We want the end of the Russia-Ukraine war. Due to sanctions and counter-sanctions, the entire mankind, including women and children, is punished. Its impact does not remain confined to one country, rather it puts the lives and livelihoods of the people of all nations in greater risk, and infringes their human rights. People are deprived of food, shelter, healthcare and education. Children suffer the most in particular. Their future sinks into darkness. My urge to the conscience of the world  stop the arms race, stop the war and sanctions. Ensure food, education, healthcare and security of the children. Establish peace.

Turkey, Mexico and Thailand each offered their own approaches to restarting peace negotiations, while Sheikh Al-Thani, the Amir of Qatar, succinctly explained how delaying negotiations will only bring more death and suffering:

We are fully aware of the complexities of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the international and global dimension to this crisis. However, we still call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful settlement, because this is ultimately what will happen regardless of how long this conflict will go on for. Perpetuating the crisis will not change this result. It will only increase the number of casualties, and it will increase the disastrous repercussions on Europe, Russia and the global economy.

Responding to Western pressure on the Global South to actively support Ukraines war effort, Indias Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, claimed the moral high ground and championed peaceful diplomacy,

As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage, we are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest. India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there. We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles. We are on the side that calls for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out. We are on the side of those struggling to make ends meet, even as they stare at escalating costs of food, fuel and fertilizers. It is therefore in our collective interest to work constructively, both within the United Nations and outside, in finding an early resolution to this conflict.

One of the most passionate and eloquent speeches was delivered by Congolese Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso, who summarized the thoughts of many, and appealed directly to Russia and Ukraine  in Russian!

Because of the considerable risk of a nuclear disaster for the entire planet, not only those involved in this conflict but also those foreign powers who could influence events by calming them down, should all temper their zeal. They must stop fanning the flames and they must turn their backs on this type of vanity of the powerful which has so far closed the door to dialogue. Under the auspices of the United Nations, we must all commit without delay to peace negotiations  just, sincere and equitable negotiations. After Waterloo, we know that since the Vienna Congress, all wars finish around the table of negotiation. The world urgently needs these negotiations to prevent the current confrontations  which are already so devastating  to prevent them from going even further and pushing humanity into what could be an irredeemable cataclysm, a widespread nuclear war beyond the control of the great powers themselves  the war, about which Einstein, the great atomic theorist, said that it would be the last battle that humans would fight on Earth. Nelson Mandela, a man of eternal forgiveness, said that peace is a long road, but it has no alternative, it has no price. In reality, the Russians and Ukrainians have no other choice but to take this path, the path of peace. Moreover, we too should go with them, because we must throughout the world be legions working together in solidarity, and we must be able to impose the unconditional option of peace on the war lobbies. (Next three paragraphs in Russian) Now I wish to be direct, and directly address my dear Russian and Ukrainian friends. Too much blood has been spilled  the sacred blood of your sweet children. Its time to stop this mass destruction. Its time to stop this war. The entire world is watching you. Its time to fight for life, the same way that you courageously and selflessly fought together against the Nazis during World War Two, in particular in Leningrad, Stalingrad, Kursk and Berlin. Think about the youth of your two countries. Think about the fate of your future generations. The time has come to fight for peace, to fight for them. Please give peace a real chance, today, before it is too late for us all. I humbly ask this of you.

At the end of the debate on September 26, Csaba Korosi, the president of the General Assembly, acknowledged in his closing statement that ending the war in Ukraine was one of the main messages reverberating through the Hall at this years General Assembly.

You can read here Korosis closing statement and all the calls for peace he was referring to.

And if you want to learn more about the legions working together in solidarity to impose the unconditional option of peace on the war lobbies, as Jean-Claude Gakosso said, you can find out more at https://www.peaceinukraine.org/.
My Nashville Post role has evolved since 2000 when I joined the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister publication in 2008 (when I began doing some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have been managing editor of the Post since late 2011.

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(Natural News) President Joe Bidens administration has been hit with a lawsuit seeking to block his executive order canceling thousands of dollars in student debt. The lawsuit claims the student loan relief plan will increase taxes for everybody.

Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona revealed the White Houses plan to provide up to $20,000 in relief for people with student loans who meet certain conditions. The administration bragged that over 40 million people are eligible for the relief. But this executive order could be illegal according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. (Related: HIGHER EDUCATION ROBBERY: American taxpayers will be forced to pay an average of $5,200 each if student loans are cancelled.)

According to the government, it has the authority to forgive student loan debt under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003, which says that the Department of Education can waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs when necessary in connection with a war or other military operation or national emergency.

According to the original interpretation of the HEROES Act, only people with student loans who are serving on active duty during a war or national emergency, reside in an area declared a disaster area or who have suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of a national emergency or a war are eligible for student loan relief.

Lisa Brown, a lawyer for the Education Department, claims the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic qualifies as a national emergency under the HEROES Act.

The Secretary could waive or modify statutory and regulatory provisions to effectuate a certain amount of cancellation for borrowers who have been financially harmed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, wrote Brown in a legal memorandum for the Education Department.

Student loan relief would be considered taxable income in certain states

The lawsuit challenging the White House and the Education Departments authority to forgive the student loans of tens of millions of Americans was filed in a federal court in Indiana on behalf of Frank Garrison, a public interest attorney working for the Pacific Legal Foundation, a pro-free market public interest law firm.

Garrison noted that he is in line to receive $20,000 in student loan relief under Bidens plan. But he argues he will be left worse off by the debt relief because it will trigger state income taxes in his home state. Indiana is one of several states that has indicated it will impose a state tax on the amount of loan relief each person receives.

According to Garrison, Bidens plan would force him to pay more in state income taxes that he would otherwise avoid.

Garrison noted that he has made regular payments to his student debt and is working to get his federal student loans forgiven under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in the next several years. Any debt that Garrison has forgiven under this program would not be treated as taxable income by Indiana.

Mr. Garrison and millions of others similarly situated in the six relevant states will receive no additional benefit from the cancellation  just a one-time additional penalty, reads the lawsuit.

The lawsuit further argues that Bidens administration doesnt actually have the power to enact such a sweeping debt relief program without congressional approval. Furthermore, the lawsuit is claiming that the HEROES Act giving the Education Department the power to modify the terms of federal student loans during so-called national emergencies is unconstitutional.

Nothing about (the) loan cancellation is lawful or appropriate, reads the lawsuit. In an end-run around Congress, the administration threatens to enact a profound and transformational policy that will have untold economic impacts. The administrations lawless action should be stopped immediately.

The Pacific Legal Foundation is also asking a federal judge to grant their preliminary injunction and to pass a temporary restraining order halting the student loan relief program. The group is asking the judge to rule on the request before Oct. 1.

The bottom line is this  the HEROES Act just doesnt give the authority for the administration to forgive, on blanket basis, all of these loans, said Steve Simpson, a senior attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation.

Read more news related to Bidens student debt forgiveness plan at DebtCollapse.com.

Watch this clip from InfoWars as host Harrison Smith discusses how Bidens student loan relief plan is nothing but an open bribe for votes.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Bidens debt forgiveness plan is an open invitation for educational institutions to commit FRAUD.

Bidens plan to write off student loans using post-9/11 national emergency law is a form of political posturing.

Former Trump adviser: Student loan forgiveness plan likely to backfire on Dems.

Of course: Bidens plan to help relieve some student loan debt will actually enrich the wealthiest earners.

Navy offering up to $65,000 to pay off student loans of recruits as enlistment figures continue to decline.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Politico.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A Greta Thunberg-style climate activist asserted that people shouldnt be allowed to fly to places like Fiji due to the harm it does to the planet, before admitting that she had just flown to Fiji.

(Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Infowars.com)

Yes, really.

16-year-old School Strike 4 Climate activist Izzy Cook made the remarks during an interview with NewstalkZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan.

So we would have to apply to have like, approved events to be able to fly for? du Plessis-Allan asked.

Well thats one thing that you could look at doing, Cook said.

Am I allowed to go to Fiji? Is that necessary? du Plessis-Allan asked.

Cook replied, In the current climate crisis I dont think that thats necessary.

The host then quizzed Cook on the details of her previous plane trip.

Climate change activist Izzy Cook tells everyone not to travel to places like Fiji by plane to save the planet and then is asked where she flew last she flew to Fiji. Interviewer cant stop laughing at her ?? pic.twitter.com/cTZqvVgkFI  ???? KC 3.0 ???? (@KCPayTreeIt) September 27, 2022

Mm, Im not sure  maybe a few months ago to be honest, she said.

Whered you go? the host asked.

Fiji, Cook conceded.

The host couldnt help but burst out laughing.

Of course, now that the activist and her hypocrisy have been exposed, the media is rushing to amplifying claims that she is being bullied.

By using children as human shields for their agenda (they did it with Greta for years), climate change groups can protect themselves against criticism by claiming anyone who questions their propaganda is attacking minors.

This do as I say, not as I do attitude is also common to virtually all climate activists, the vast majority of whom come from privileged backgrounds and enjoy lives of luxury while telling everyone else to make sacrifices.

Prince Charles, now King Charles, constantly wags his finger at people over their carbon footprint.

Last year, it was revealed he had flown 120,213 miles miles on private jets & helicopters over the last 5 years alone.

Read more at: Infowars.com
(Natural News) The Dark Ages are returning to Europe sooner than expected as cold and desperate Europeans increasingly resort to burning trees and other forms of natural biomass just to stay warm.

Due to lack of Russian gas, Europeans are having to come up with energy alternatives like the local park or forest preserve, for instance. More and more of them can now be seen chopping down tree limbs and hauling them off for an at-home bonfire.

This is only autumn, by the way, which means the worst is yet to come for gas-less Europe, which no longer has access to any Russian energy. (Related: It looks like Nord Stream 1 (NS1) might never come back online; Nord Stream 2 (NS2) has never been online because green regulators refused to approve it following completion in September 2021.)

Keep in mind that businesses are chopping down trees and burning them just the same as households are. This is quite literally green (trees) energy in action, folks.

It doesnt get any greener than burning trees for energy

According to the Belgium-based industry group Bioenergy Europe, Russias invasion of Ukraine and everything that has followed is taking the blame for Europes increasing reliance on biomass energy, as they are calling it.

Just like their ancestors did, todays Europeans are having to resort to nature in search of more primitive ways to keep the lights on. At least they can now say that they are energy independent since the trees come from domestic land.

During this period of increasing uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine and the ongoing crisis which highlights the EUs reliance on foreign fossil fuels, bioenergy stands as a clear counterpoint, said Maija Lepisto, a spokesperson for Bioenergy Europe, to FOX Business.

Over 96% of the biomass used for bioenergy is being produced domestically within the EU and the rest coming from trusted streams.

Up until the invasion, about 12 percent of Europes total energy consumption came from biomass, including forestry products like logging residues, wood-processing residues, fuel wood, and wood pellets.

Overall, biomass energy accounted for 57.4 percent of Europes total renewable energy production up until now. With NS1 and NS2 now offline indefinitely, if not permanently, these figures are likely to increase drastically.

Skyrocketing energy costs are also driving more people to biomass alternatives, says Lepisto, who referred to trees as local and affordable for the average consumer.

The current energy crisis in Europe has not placed the supply of biomass raw material at risk, she added in a statement.

Unlike fossil fuels with their high import rates and other renewables supplying their technology from outside the EU, biomass has the benefit of being locally sourced, produced and dispatched as well as supply of the necessary equipment.

As most politicians are now doing, Lepisto blamed the war for the energy crisis, which upon closer investigation was already occurring before Russia invaded Ukraine. If anything, the war has given cover for the true cause(s) behind the current market mayhem.

Just as with other markets, the ongoing war is affecting the bioenergy sector, she added.

However, the EUs internal market can continue supplying bioenergy to the end users, and more businesses and citizens are turning to this renewable, local and affordable solution, which has more potential to grow and (reinforce) the EUs green goals.

In 2021, the European Union consumed 23.1 million metric tons (MMT) of wood pellets, a year-over-year increase that FOX Business says can be attributed to increased use of such products specifically in German residential households, as well as in The Netherlands.

The latest news about the European energy crisis can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

FOXBusiness.com

NaturalNews.com
Al Jazeera, September 30, 2022

A suicide bomber has attacked an educational institute in the Afghan capital, killing at least 19 people.

As many as 27 others were wounded in the blast early on Friday, which occurred in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood of western Kabul, a predominantly Shia Muslim area home to the minority Hazara community, according to police spokesman Khalid Zadran.

Students were preparing for an exam when a suicide bomber struck at this educational centre. Unfortunately, 19 people have been martyred and 27 others wounded, he said.

Videos posted online and photos published by local media showed bloodied victims being carried away from the scene.

The victims included high school graduates, both girls and boys, who were taking a practice university entrance exam at the Kaj education centre when the blast went off, Zadran said. Schools are typically closed in Afghanistan on Fridays.

Attacking civilian targets proves the enemys inhuman cruelty and lack of moral standards, he said, without specifying who was believed to be behind the attack.

One wounded student said the victims were mostly girls.

We were around 600 (students) in the classroom, but most of the casualties are among girls, the male student told the AFP news agency from the hospital where he was being treated.

No group immediately claimed responsibility.

Families rushed to area hospitals where ambulances were arriving with victims and lists of those confirmed dead and wounded were posted to the walls.We didnt find her here, said a distressed woman looking for her sister at one of the hospitals. She was 19 years old.

Resident Ghulm Sadiq said he was at home when he heard a loud sound. He went outside to see smoke rising from the education centre where he and neighbours rushed to help.

My friends and I were able to move around 15 wounded and nine dead bodies from the explosion site  Other bodies were lying under chairs and tables inside the classroom, he said.

Further details of the attack were not immediately available, although the official death toll was expected to rise.

Ethnic Hazara have alleged years of persecution by the ruling Taliban, which returned to power in the country following the withdrawal of United States-led forces in August 2021, and have been the victims of several attacks claimed by the rival ISIL (ISIS) group.

The Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood has witnessed some of the worst attacks in Afghanistan in recent years.

In 2021, before the Taliban takeover, at least 85 people  mostly female students  were killed and about 300 others wounded when three bombs exploded near their school in Dasht-e-Barchi.

No group claimed responsibility for that attack, but a year earlier, ISIL claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on an educational centre in the same area that killed 24, including students.

In April of this year, two deadly bomb blasts at separate education centres in the area killed six people and wounded 20 others.

Since taking control, the Taliban government has emphasised that it is securing the nation following decades of war, but a series of attacks on mosques and civilian areas in recent months has challenged that narrative.

In the wake of the attacks, Samira Hamidi, Amnesty Internationals South Asia campaigner, decried the killings as a shamefaced reminder of the inaptitude and utter failure of the Taliban, as de-facto authorities, to protect the people of Afghanistan.

Since their takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban have done little to put in place any measures for the protection of the public, especially of Shia-Hazaras who have been systematically targeted largely by the Islamic State (IS) in schools, mosques, training centers and public places, she said in a statement.

Instead, their actions of omission and commission have only further aggravated the risk to the lives of the people of Afghanistan especially those belonging to ethnic and minority communities.

Education also remains a flashpoint issue in Afghanistan with the Taliban blocking many girls from returning to secondary education.

On Friday, Neil Turner, the Norwegian Refugee Councils Country Director in Afghanistan, called on authorities to take steps to ensure that educational facilities are protected against threats and attacks so that girls and boys can fully enjoy their education rights.
(Natural News) The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is reportedly funding a project from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) that seeks to make developing countries reliant on China for healthcare and medical products.

A report by Natalie Winters of the National Pulse elaborated on this connection. According to her, the Gates Foundation authorized a $560,021 grant to CHAI in September to run the 18-month project. The aforementioned grant sought to leverage manufacturing capabilities in China to increase supply security and enhance the supply of key health commodities in low- and middle-income countries.

CHAI was originally a part of the Clinton Foundation established by former President Bill Clinton. It was later spun off into a separate organization in 2010. Chelsea Clinton, the former presidents daughter, joined the CHAIs board a year later in 2011.

While the Gates Foundation did not disclose any details on how to achieve this objective, the grant will definitely boost the communist nations manufacturing capabilities and make developing countries reliant on Beijing for key healthcare items.

China has been accused of engaging in healthcare diplomacy to broaden its influence over developing nations during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, Chinese products often have poor efficacy and are laced with toxic chemicals.

In one such instance back in 2020, the late former Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli ordered a probe into imported COVID-19 test kits after samples from a goat and a pawpaw returned a positive result. Magufuli suspected that a dirty game may have happened at the laboratories where the COVID-19 tests were processed.

Dr. John Nkengasong, the director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed in response to the investigation that the aforementioned tests were from China. Beijing coursed the donated test kits to Tanzania through the Jack Ma Foundation, named after the founder of Chinese tech giant Alibaba. (Related: China made defective coronavirus test kits for Tanzania, reveals Africa CDC.)

Gates Foundation forging close ties with Beijing

Based on the grant unearthed by the National Pulse, it appears that the foundation set up by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates seeks to aid the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in creating a global healthcare surveillance state.

It even came to a point where the technocrat shouldered the bill for efforts to trick scientists into working for the communist country through a grant. A July report also penned by Winters expounded on this.

A June 2022 grant from the foundation was sent to the Foreign Talent Research Center, under the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. The $100,000 grant sought to organize [a] forum on pandemic preparedness and response, as a platform for leveraging resources to improve global health and support disadvantaged populations who are disproportionately impacted by pandemics.

The aforementioned forum is affiliated with the Zhonggancun Forum, a technology conference based in the Chinese capital sponsored by the CCP. High-level officials, including Chinese paramount leader Xi Jinping, often serve as speakers at the forum.

Prior to the grant, the CCP had been previously criticized for utilizing its science and technology programs to lure Western scientists away from their home countries. This endeavor, known as the Thousand Talents Plan, tricked scientists into conducting research for Beijings advancement in the fields of science and military.

Several American researchers who participated in the endeavor were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to disclose financial ties to the CCP, even though they were receiving U.S. taxpayer funds.

Charles Lieber, former head of Harvard Universitys chemistry department, was one such professor. He was accused of lying to U.S. authorities about his ties with the Wuhan Institute of Technology while still working at Harvard. A grand jury indicted Lieber in June 2020, and he was found guilty of six felonies in December 2021.

CommunistChina.news has more stories about the Gates Foundations ties to Beijing.

Watch this video that talks about how former President Bill Clinton allowed China to infiltrate the U.S. during his term.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Democrats including Adam Schiff, chief Russiagate hoaxer, have met with Chinese group that seeks to influence policies favorable to Beijing.

BOMBSHELL: Hillary Clintons illegal email server was hacked by Chinese spies, exposing Americas secrets to communist enemies.

Grand jury indicts Harvard professor for lying about receiving funding from communist China.

Bill Gates deeply troubling ties to China: excerpt from Red-Handed by Peter Schweizer.

Bill Gates directly funded covid plandemic by funneling grant money to China.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com 1

Breitbart.com

TheNationalPulse.com 2

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) As Hurricane Ian descends back over the Atlantic Ocean to regain strength for a third landfall somewhere along the Carolina coast, Florida is reeling from all the damage, which has left at least 2.7 million customers without power.

Customers, by the way, means entire households or structures, each of which only counts as one even if there are, say, five people living in a home. This means that the number of people without electricity in Florida is double, triple, or even quadruple that 2.7 million figure.

This is a lot of people without power, the one silver lining is that Florida does not experience a cold, heavy winter like Minnesota or Wisconsin does. The bad news is that it could take years to restore and rebuild the hardest-hit areas, which are expected to see mass casualty events as the water subsides and debris is cleared.

At its peak, Hurricane Ian reached wind speeds of 155mph, which is just 2mph shy of the 157mph threshold to qualify as a Category 5 storm. This was a huge storm, in other words, and certainly one for the history books. (Related: Floridas fertilizer hub took a direct hit from Hurricane Ian.)

Flooding from Ian a once in a 500-year event, declares DeSantis

Tsunami-style flooding, we are told, battered areas like Fort Myers and the barrier islands that surround it. Hundreds are feared to be dead, though the true number could be more into the thousands once the wreckage is all cleared.

Gov. Ron DeSantis described the mass flooding that took place as a once in a 500-year event. Many families were trapped inside their homes as flood waters rose. Some had to axe through their attic ceilings to avoid drowning.

Compared to Hurricane Michael, which made landfall at Mexico Beach back in 2018, Ian is already much more destructive in that the Fort Myers area is much more populated than Mexico Beach.

Several bridges connecting Fort Myers to barrier islands, including Sanibel Island, are now completely cut off from the mainland due to extensive damage to their structures.

Joe Biden declared the hurricane to be a major disaster, agreeing to free up funds to help the millions of people who will now suffer with no electricity, as well as the hundreds of thousands of people whose homes have been destroyed.

As of this writing, Ian has weakened to the point of becoming a tropical storm as opposed to a hurricane. But meteorologists are expecting it to restrengthen back to a hurricane once hitting the Atlantic and before striking what appears to be the Charleston, S.C., area of the Carolina coastline.

Damages from Ian are expected to top $260 billion. Much of the affected area is still underwater, which means clean-up efforts will have to wait until the water subsides.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told the media that he expects fatalities in the hundreds  and that is just for that one county. Other nearby counties are still assessing the situation.

While I dont have confirmed numbers, I definitely know the fatalities are in the hundreds, he said.

Thousands of people are waiting to be rescued, I cannot give a true assessment until we are on scene assessing each scene and we cant access people  that is the problem.

Marceno went on to state that this is clearly a life-changing event, not only for area residents but also for the men and women who are responding.

This is a life-changing event for all of us, he added.

As the damage from Hurricane Ian continues to be assessed, we will keep you up to date about the latest at Disaster.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) New York University research scientists have found the mRNA from Covid-19 mRNA vaccines in breast milk, providing more evidence that mRNA spreads throughout the body, despite official denials.

(Article by Baxter Dmitry republished from NewsPunch.com)

The breast milk of five of the 11 women examined was found to contain mRNA. The research was published on September 26 in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA Pediatrics .

The scientists point out that several vulnerable groups, including young children and nursing mothers, were inexplicably excluded from mRNA Covid-19 vaccine trials.

The CDC advises nursing women to take the Covid-19 vaccine, although it has not been studied whether mRNA can be passed on to babies under six months through breastfeeding.

JUST IN  Trace amounts of COVID vaccine mRNAs were detected in the breast milk of some lactating women.https://t.co/FpLFMwHe7u  Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 26, 2022

Not only is this a disaster for babies, but it provides more evidence that the mRNA and lipid nanoparticles in the jabs are coming into contact with virtually every cell in the body, according to former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson.

Not only worrisome for babies, but even more evidence that the mRNA spreads throughout the body, which is often denied, says FVD leader Thierry Baudet.

Last year, the media claimed that no trace of the mRNA vaccine had been found in breast milk.

How it started. How its going. pic.twitter.com/JTfkOcIvEI  Dr. Michael Verbora (@mverbora) September 27, 2022

Read more at: NewsPunch.com
(Natural News) Florida grocery shelves have been stripped bare as panicked residents got ready for the first major hurricane to make landfall in the state in four years.

Over the weekend, massive crowds showed up in supermarkets and photos on social media showed lines of Floridians stretching back from the cash registers through aisles that no longer have displays of bottled water and other basic commodities. (Related: Florida in PANIC ahead of Hurricane Ian making landfall: Grocery shelves STRIPPED BARE.)

Shots from one Costco store showed an individual with two industrial-sized pallets piled high with cases of water. At Home Depot and hardware stores, people go to the construction materials section to get planks of plywood to support their windows.

On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Hurricane Ian was predicted get stronger and reach category 4, bringing top winds of 140 mph (225 km/h) over warm Gulf of Mexico waters before striking the sunshine state. Forecasts expect it to make landfall on the west coast of Florida or the Florida Panhandle by Thursday, September 29.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis already declared a state of emergency with storm conditions projected to constitute a major disaster. He has activated 5,000 National Guard troops to assist with relief efforts.

Thats going to cause a huge amount of storm surge, DeSantis said. Youre going to have flood events. Youre going to have a lot of different impacts.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has advised residents of Cuba, the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula to have a hurricane plan in place and to closely follow forecast updates.

This is something that we havent seen in our lifetime  So we definitely need to take it seriously, said Rick Davis, a meteorologist at the National Weather Services Tampa office.

President Joe Biden also started a federal disaster relief aid for the state, one hour before he canceled his visit to Florida for the Democratic National Committee rally on September 27.

Tens of thousands of people evacuated in Cuban western province

Hurricane Ian grew stronger as it approached the western tip of Cuba. Cuban authorities ordered the evacuation of 50,000 people in Pinar del Rio, the westernmost province on the island. Six thousand of them will be given shelter in schools and other state buildings, though the majority are expected to stay with friends and family.

Residents were already seeing the impact of the rains and wind on the Isle of Youth, on Cubas southwestern coast.

The ferry between Gerona and Batabano, a town in the Mayabeque province, was suspended as the hurricane could cause waves as high as 23 feet. Authorities rushed to protect the tobacco harvest, one of the most lucrative economic activities in the province. Public transportation was suspended at noon and all transit was banned.

Supplies that include shutters, water bottles, sandbags, rechargeable lamps, batteries and candles are usually not available to Cubans. Food shortages make it even harder to prepare for this big of a weather disturbance on the island.

In Havana, Cubas largest and capital city, authorities were focused on collecting debris, as per the local defense council. People living in the impoverished neighborhood of El Fanguito were ordered to evacuate because of the risk of flooding. Residents of low coastal areas in the province of Artemisa have also been evacuated.

Cuba is already suffering a battered economy and also faces an energy crisis causing lengthy and constant blackouts.

The last major hurricane to affect Cuba was Irma, which hit the island in 2017 as a Category 5 and left 10 dead.

Visit Climate.news for more news related to Hurricane Ian.

Watch the video below that talks about Hurricane Ian and nuclear fallout warnings in NYC subway.

This video is from the Laser-Rus channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Future hurricane seasons might start earlier, but not because of climate change.

Hurricane prep checklist: 12 Things to do before hurricane season.

Hurricane Ida ravages New Orleans, exposing power grid weakness.

Remember these 5 lessons from Hurricane Katrina to prepare for survival during any disaster.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

APNews.com

ABCNews.go.com

BBC.com

MiamiHerald.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Kayla Lemieux, a transgender high school teacher in Ontario, Canada, garnered global attention when photos and videos of her appeared on social media where she was showing her eye-popping fake breasts.

Under pressure from parents, the Halton District School Board (HDSB) board issued a statement to explain that its hands are tied due to the Human Rights Code of the province.

Unfortunately for Lemieux, the students of Oakville Trafalgar High School themselves are not a fan of her theatrics, with several joining a small protest outside school grounds. One declared, This is a school, not a circus. We just want to learn.

A motion was put forward at a school board meeting to consider altering their dress code  and could later mean that Lemieux may have to ditch her prosthetic breasts, which could sell for as much as $1,000 online.

The HDSB said it recognizes the rights of students, staff, parents and guardians and community members to equitable treatment without discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. Gender identity and gender expression are protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code, HDSB said in a statement.

However, a group of protesters showed up at the end of the schools driveway on Sept. 23 shouting for school officials to protect the children.

Several other people also held signs that said: Inclusivity is no excuse for depravity and Teachers personal propaganda has no place in the classroom.

A Campaign Life Coalition petition demanding Lemieuxs firing has already garnered over 3,500 signatures of a target of 4,000. The petition stated: Individuals self-identifying as transgender do not get a free pass when it comes to grooming children and exposing them to sexualization and sexual imagery, which applies in the case, as this is a form of sexual exploitation of children on the part of a seemingly highly unbalanced teacher.

Students who joined the protests said they were bound by a dress code that prohibits visible nipples or showing genitalia, so they wondered why the same rules did not apply to Lemieux. (Related: Sexual predators use same grooming tactics on victims as those now being taught to children at public schools.)

Protesters from a faith-based group called Action 4 Canada also called for the principal and school board trustees to resign for failing to protect the students.

While all these were ongoing, the school protected Lemieux by taking her out of the school in the driveway of an adjacent YCMA childcare facility, where she was driven away from the scene.

This did not deter protesters, who vowed to keep fighting and are already planning more demonstrations.

School board says it is obligated to protect Lemieux

At a recent HDSB meeting, trustee Tracey Ehl Harrison put forward a motion, which was then approved unanimously, that the director is requested to return to the board in November a report addressing the dress code.

Without dropping names, Harrison spoke about the messages she received about the teachers appearance, saying that some of them were nasty messages that reached groups far beyond the borders of Canada.

If a dress code is enforced, Lemieux may have to get rid of the breasts.

However, HDSB director of education Curtis Ennis reiterated that the board is obligated to protect the teacher.

Guided by our commitment in the multi-year strategic plan and our commitment to the human rights equity action accountability plan, The Way Forward, the Halton District School Board has aimed to handle this attention in a way that stays true to our values, respects the privacy and dignity of our students and staff, and with the safety and well being of students and staff as our highest priority, he read from a prepared statement.

While I understand the desire for information by the public, we will not and cannot publicly discuss any matter that identifies our staff directly or indirectly. I trust the public will understand the parameters that guide us, he went on.

Lemieux is being protected by both a private security firm and officers from the Halton Regional Police Service. Lemieux, like the school board, refused to respond to interview requests, opting instead to keep quiet about the issue.

Watch the video below for a quick look at the transgender Canadian teacher that went viral online.

This video is from THE FRONTLINE TV NEWSFLASH channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

TRANS TYRANNY: Teacher arrested and IMPRISONED for using wrong student pronouns.

High school teacher FIRED for refusing to play along with the transgender delusion now afflicting modern society.

Virginia reverses transgender school policy, returns right to affirm childrens gender to parents.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

CampaignLifeCoalition.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A police department in the UK has come under fire after it appeared to defend a convicted pedophile, asserting that anyone misgendering the individual would not be tolerated.

(Article by Steve Watson republished from Infowars.com)

Sussex Police responded to posts from womens rights campaigners who expressed concerns that the 58-year-old transgender pedophile, going by the name of Sally Ann Dixon, could be incarcerated in a womens prison.

The individual, a biological male previously known as John Stephen Dixon until 2004, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of 30 indecent assaults against children dating from 1989 to 1996.

Rebel News reporter Ian Miles Cheong noted that police issued a thinly veiled threat to investigate anyone misgendering the child rapist for potential hate crimes.

Sussex Police are standing in defense of a male child rapist (whom they incorrectly identify as a female child rapist because the rapist identifies as a female) and now theyre lashing out at the public and threatening to arrest anyone who misgenders the child rapist. pic.twitter.com/oLjnSupkMT  Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) September 27, 2022

The department tweeted Hi, Sussex Police do not tolerate any hateful comments towards their gender identity regardless of crimes committed. This is irrelevant to the crime that has been committed and investigated.

The response was swift and devastating, prompting the police department to delete their posts:

@SussexPCC can you or the police force please clarify if this has been recorded as a female crime on your stats?  Clare King (@ClareFKing) September 27, 2022

I think they are now legally required to record the crime as committed by a male. What did you do Sussex Police? Receipts please.  Aisling Roberts ? (@AislingRoberts) September 27, 2022

Sussex Police, I am exercising my gender critical views, which are protected in law. Can you advise whether making such statements is a crime?  Sybil ??? ? ?? ? Untoward about paedophiles (@Weatherwax6655) September 27, 2022

Hi @sussex_police can you tell us if this crime was counted as being committed by a man or a woman? He was male when he committed the offences. Men commit an overwhelming majority of sex/violent crimes and just a few male crimes allocated to women would skew the figures (1/2)  Frances Crook (@francescrook) September 27, 2022

The sex of the perpetrator certainly is not irrelevant in crimes of sexual violence against children, for example rates of perpetration differ hugely by sex.

Moreover, if crimes committed by males are recorded as crimes by females then policy based on crime data will be hopeless.  Karen Ingala Smith (@K_IngalaSmith) September 27, 2022

Seems that @sussex_police have familiarized themselves with the delete button. pic.twitter.com/aLSsP4wfpo  Leavethis Here ???????????? (@leavethis_here) September 27, 2022

.@Sussex_police have done well to put a dangerous criminal behind bars. But theyve got it wrong by playing identity politics and denying biology. Focus on catching criminals not policing pronouns. #commonsensepolicing https://t.co/19U1Qf77F7  Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) September 27, 2022

The department then issued a follow up APOLOGISING and stating we recognise the rights of the public to express themselves freely:

Please see our statement below in relation to the recent sentencing of a historic sex offender. pic.twitter.com/7ZcwkT7yEt  Sussex Police (@sussex_police) September 27, 2022

Too late:

Has the officer behind the tweet been disciplined for breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour?  Russian warship, go f*** yourself (@JonezinWidJonez) September 27, 2022

Talk about grudging.

You should at the very least have initiated disciplinary proceedings against the author of your tweets.  Tony K (@TeeKAye10) September 27, 2022

Its a pity the police representative went for Stonewall points and threats rather than engaging with the public.  Sulli_A (@sullivam1968) September 27, 2022

Im offended too. I think that makes it a hate crime right?  Christopher Nihilism McNuggets (@ChristopherNih1) September 27, 2022

Also you say you recognise our rights to speak freely, yet you tried to bully woman into silence. Why?  Howard Stevenson (@How_Stevenson) September 27, 2022

You offended many people  you have no choice but to arrest yourselves.  Eva Kurilova (@eva_kurilova) September 27, 2022

I think this needs more than an apology. Its very very concerning that there are potentially police officers who could be behind those tweets on the street putting their feelings before the law.  BYJ  ????? ???????! ?????? ?????! (@chris_grey___) September 27, 2022

Womens rights campaigner Maya Forstater has called for a review up and down the justice system from the police to CPS to courts and prison system to record and speak truthfully about sex.

Read more at: Infowars.com
(Natural News) The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Rochelle Walensky is back in the news, this time as a black woman.

Walensky appeared on MSNBC this week in blackface (and black chest) to push Americans to drag their children in for the all-new two-in-one vaccine for the Fauci Flu (covid) and seasonal influenza.

Theres no way to know how bad a flu season is going to be, um, but we are, um, hearing potential for it to be a severe season, a really dark Walensky stated to the host. And we would encourage vaccines.

The Rachel Dolezal wannabe went on to urge people over the age of 65 to get the high-dose vaccine. She then urged parents to vaccinate children as young as six.

You can get your flu vaccine and, uh, your covid vaccine at the same time, she added. We have nearly half a million people from studies last year that have demonstrated that if you get them at the same time, then you sacrifice nothing in terms of either safety or effectiveness.

The demons are being unleashed

The entire time the segment rolled, both Walensky and the host acted as though nothing was remiss. It is apparently perfectly normal for the head of the nations top public health agency to suddenly appear as a different race.

Some suspect that Walensky went and over-tanned herself on purpose to appeal to black Americans, who are among the least likely to have gotten injected for the Chinese Virus.

Both blacks and Hispanics have turned down the injection in greater numbers than white people, so this could be Walenskys attempt at pretending to be black to pander to African Americans.

It is also possible that MSNBC deliberately oversaturated Walenskys camera to make her appear more black than she really is (Walensky is Jewish, not black).

CNN did this in the past with Hispanic criminals, for instance, which were filmed with a washed-out lens to make them appear white. All throughout the Donald Trump years, media networks of all political flavors did the same thing to him, except using an orange tint.

It should also be noted that Walensky appeared this year on the National Newspaper Publishers Associations (NNPA) Let It Be Known program, the NNPA being a trade association that represents some 230 different African American newspapers and media companies, which comprise the Black Press of America.

Black people remain the toughest sell when it comes to covid injections, so it makes sense that Walensky and others of her persuasion would try to employ gimmicks such as skin oversaturation on television  or maybe she really did hit the tanning booth before her most recent appearance.

Considering she had a glaring white patch on her forehead and around her eyebrows during the segment, this writer is convinced that she either got a spray tan or sat in a tanning bed before appearing on MSNBC.

It also looks like shes had a few drinks, one commenter wrote about Walenskys more-bizarre-than-usual cadence and body language during the interview.

There are no words for this other than dystopian reality, wrote another about the whole situation.

She looks terrible in that video, added someone else. I wonder if her recent boost caused her to look like a burn victim.

Why does she have that look, chimed in someone else. It looks like she has reptile eyes and is barely holding on for life.

Shes a new devil, added another. She sold her soul and it will become increasingly more apparent as time goes on until she looks like Nancy Pelosi.

More of the latest news about media deception can be found at Propaganda.news.

Sources for this article include:

CitizenFreePress.com

NaturalNews.com

LASentinel.net
(Natural News) Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her son Charles III ascended to the throne as the monarch of the United Kingdom. He will be officially crowned the following year after his mothers death  on June 2, 2023.

Following tradition, the British monarch should remain apolitical.

But there is something sinister that people should be concerned about. Apparently, Charles III is a key figure behind the World Economic Forum (WEF) that is pushing the so-called Great Reset. (Related: EXPOSED: Meet Klaus Schwabs 2021 Class of Great Reset Soldiers.)

Charles III is a staunch environmentalist in the same vein as climate activist Greta Thunberg, quoting Christian Patriot News. The royal figure has previously announced the need for a military-style campaign to bring the world to zero emissions. Moreover, he has also called for the same campaign to marshal the strength of the global private sector using his globalist powers and the royal coffers.

During his time as the Prince of Wales, Charles III ignored the convention of royals staying away from politics. He did, however, promise to put aside his advocacy during a speech following Elizabeth IIs death.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have differing views on the new British kings remarks.

[As] the king, he will have a responsibility to dispense his duties fairly as the [late] queen did, said Dutton, who heads the Liberal Party of Australia. I think as the queen conducted her business, he is there now as an impartial person.

Albanese, meanwhile, defended Charles IIIs outspokenness on the climate issue as appropriate.

Dealing with the challenge of climate change shouldnt be seen as a political issue, it should be seen as an issue that is about humanity and about our very quality of life and survival as a world, he said.

The prime minister, who also leads the Australian Labor Party (ALP), inadvertently revealed how his government will treat opponents of climate change. By insisting that climate change is apolitical, the Labor Party is casting anyone who disagrees with their approach as a partisan who does not care about the very quality of life and survival.

It oddly mirrors the same approach as attacking those who opposed lockdowns against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) as killers, despite a plethora of obvious reasons why locking down millions for a virus with an overwhelmingly high chance of survival was a bad idea.

Charles III as a political monarch

According to Sky News Australia, dealing with climate change is intensely political  as the policies imposed in relation to it stems from a left-wing political ideology, namely massive government meddling in the economy.

Virtual addresses delivered by Charles III to the WEF back in June 2020 emphasized how the Great Reset sought to use the shift toward Big Government oversight seen during the COVID-19 pandemic to reset the global economy.

Moreover, the WEF would move to a form of neo-feudalism, where governments would collude with private sectors to facilitate a reset of capitalism to fight climate change.

Try as it might, Sky News noted that there is no hiding the fact that climate change remains to be one of the most political issues of recent times. And to try to mask this, the ALP is going to use guilt-laden rhetoric used by state politicians at the height of their COVID-19 future to ensure compliance.

Watch the video below to know more about Charles III and his role in the Great Reset.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Dutch government conspiring with WEF to usher in Great Reset.

King Charles III vows to usher in Great Reset following Queen Elizabeths death.

ReFounding America with Dr. Peter Breggin: WEFs Great Reset includes plans to marginalize national governments  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Marca.com

Brighteon.com

SkyNews.com.au
(Natural News) British cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra is back in the news after he published a peer-reviewed paper calling for a pause and reappraisal of global vaccination policies for COVID-19.

In case you missed our earlier coverage, Malhotra was initially a supporter of covid vaccines  that is, until he discovered that the shots trigger serious cardiovascular events such as myocarditis.

A fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, president of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Public Health Collaboration, and an honorary council member within the Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic at Stanford Universitys School of Medicine, Malhotra is now a vocal opponent of the jabs, warning that there is a greater risk of serious adverse events from the vaccines than being hospitalized from COVID-19.

Entitled Curing the pandemic of misinformation on COVID-19 mRNA vaccines through real evidence-based medicine  Part 1, Malhotras paper, published in the Journal of Insulin Resistance, collaborated with the World Council for Health and The New American to broadcast his findings to the world.

In the non-elderly population, the number needed to treat to prevent a single death runs into the thousands, the study reads.

Re-analysis of randomised controlled trials using the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology suggests a greater risk of serious adverse events from the vaccines than being hospitalised from COVID-19. Pharmacovigilance systems and real-world safety data, coupled with plausible mechanisms of harm, are deeply concerning, especially in relation to cardiovascular safety. Mirroring a potential signal from the Pfizer Phase 3 trial, a significant rise in cardiac arrest calls to ambulances in England was seen in 2021, with similar data emerging from Israel in the 1639-year-old age group.

Covid vaccines were unleashed on people without informed consent

A live stream event that was held on September 27 featured Malhotra discussing his paper. It originally aired at 5:30am EST, and is now available for on-demand viewing at The New American.

There has been a rise in out of hospital cardiac arrests and heart attacks linked to Pfizers Covid-19 mRNA vaccine with plausible biological mechanisms of harm, Malhotra stated.

It cannot be said that the consent to receive these agents was fully informed, as is required ethically and legally.

In other words, the world was told to get shot and not ask any questions, which defies the principle of informed consent that from the beginning has guided sound medicine.

Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Stanford, highlighted Malhotras work by explaining that his detailed narrative review of the shots shows the uses and abuses of the mRNA covid vaccines.

These papers should be considered carefully by all public health authorities who seek to adopt principles of evidence-based medicine in their recommendations to the public regarding the Covid mRNA vaccines, Bhattacharya added in a statement.

Sherif Sultan, professor of vascular surgery and president of the International Vascular Society, also commented the following:

These findings raise concerns regarding vaccine-induced undetected severe cardiovascular side effects and underscore the established causal relationship between vaccines and myocarditis, a frequent cause of unexpected cardiac arrest in young individuals. Dr. Aseem Malhotras literature review and analysis is a cause for global concern.

Operation Warp Speed, just to reiterate, unleashed a torrent of poison on the world in the form of these so-called vaccines. And nobody who was injected received the full story about what can happen once these shots are dispensed inside the body.

Now, millions of people have tainted blood, tainted hearts and tainted immune systems because of the shots. And millions more have already died from complications associated with all that tainting.

The latest news about Fauci Flu shots can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheNewAmerican.com

NaturalNews.com

TheNewAmerican.com
(Natural News) History made!

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

From The Daily Mail, REVEALED: Johns Hopkin doctor told her trans Army officer wife to stop being a coward and to work through her ethical issues to hand over medical information on senior military officers to Russians, indictment shows:

The wife of the US Armys first trans officer told her to stop being a coward and to overlook ethical issues when the couple tried to hand over medical records of senior military officers and their families to the Russian government. Major Jamie Lee Henry, 39, and Johns Hopkins Dr. Anna Gabrielian, 36, were accused of using their secret security clearance at North Carolinas Fort Bragg to steal the records from the bases hospital, according to the Department of Justice. Fort Bragg is among one of the most populated military installations in the world, housing about 52,000 active duty soldiers. The base is home to the US Armys Delta Force and Special Operations Forces. The couple, from Rockville, Maryland, had communicated and met with an undercover FBI agent who they believed was from the Russian embassy in order to deliver files that the Kremlin could exploit. According to the indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday, Gabrielian said she was motivated by her patriotism to Russia, with Henry using her clearance as a staff internist to help secure the files. My point of view is until the United States actually declares war against Russia, Im able to help as much as I want, Henry allegedly told the undercover agent when they met to set up the deal in August. At that point, Ill have some ethical issues Ill have to work through. Youll work through those ethical issues, Gabrielian allegedly replied, adding that Henry was a coward over fears of breaking HIPPA.

This sounds like a very convoluted FBI entrapment plot. One would think the FBI would have more pressing priorities but as we all know, they do not.

From the Department of Justice:

[] According to the eight-count indictment, Gabrielian and Henry conspired to cause harm to the United States by providing confidential health information of Americans associated with the United States government and military to Russia. Specifically, the indictment alleges that beginning on August 17, 2022, Gabrielian and Henry conspired to provide IIHI related to patients at Medical Institution 1 and at Fort Bragg to an individual they believed to be working for the Russian government in order to demonstrate the level of Gabrielians and Henrys access to IIHI of Americans; their willingness to provide IIHI to the Russian government; and the potential for the Russian government to gain insights into the medical conditions of individuals associated with the United States government and military in order to exploit this information. Gabrielian and Henry met with an individual they believed to be associated with the Russian government, but who was, in fact, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Undercover Agent (UC), in order to convey to the UC their commitment to aid Russia, and to discuss ways in which they could help the Russian government. Gabrielian told the UC that she had previously reached out to the Russian embassy by email and phone, offering Russia her and her husbands assistance. Gabrielian told the UC that, although Henry knew of Gabrielians interaction with the Russian Embassy, she never mentioned Henrys name to the Russian Embassy. Gabrielian wanted to make sure Henry could deny any knowledge of her actions. On August 17, 2022, Gabrielian met with the UC at a hotel in Baltimore. During that meeting, Gabrielian told the UC she was motivated by patriotism toward Russia to provide any assistance she could to Russia, even if it meant being fired or going to jail. Gabrielian proposed potential cover stories for meeting the UC and stressed the need for plausible deniability in the event she was confronted by American authorities about meeting with the UC. Gabrielian also told the UC that, as a military officer, Henry was currently a more important source for Russia than she was, because he had more helpful information, including how the United States military establishes an army hospital in war conditions and information about previous training provided by the United States military to Ukrainian military personnel. Gabrielian arranged to meet with the UC and Henry later that evening. At about 8:10 p.m. that evening, the indictment alleges that Gabrielian and Henry met with the UC in the UCs hotel room. During the meeting, Henry explained to the UC he was committed to assisting Russia and had looked into volunteering to join the Russian Army after the conflict in Ukraine began, but Russia wanted people with combat experience and he did not have any. Henry further stated, the way I am viewing what is going on in Ukraine now, is that the United States is using Ukrainians as a proxy for their own hatred toward Russia.

Sounds about right.

Henry and Gabrielian allegedly offered to provide the UC with private medical records from the United States Army and Medical Institution 1 in order to help the Russian government. During the same meeting, Gabrielian demanded that if she were put at significant risk of arrest, she wanted her and Henrys children to, have a nice flight to Turkey to go on vacation because I dont want to end in jail here with my kids being hostages over my head. Henry also indicated that he was concerned about passing a background check for his security clearance, telling the UC, I dont want to know your name . . . because I want plausible deniability too. In a security clearance situation they want to know names and people and all this stuff.

Whats with all the misgendering? I thought trans rights are human rights and all that?

As detailed in the indictment, a few days later Gabrielian and the UC again met at the hotel in Baltimore to discuss providing Army medical records to the UC. Gabrielian told the UC that Henry was concerned about violating HIPAA, but Gabrielian had no such concerns. Gabrielian stated that she would check with Henry about providing medical records from Fort Bragg patients and get back in touch. The next day, Gabrielian sent a text to the UC, using coded language, to advise that Henry would provide Army medical records to the UC. On August 31, 2022, Gabrielian and Henry allegedly met the UC at a hotel room in Gaithersburg, Maryland. According to the indictment, Gabrielian provided the UC with IIHI related to two individuals, including the spouse of an employee of the Office of Naval Intelligence, whom Gabrielian pointed out had a medical condition Russia could exploit. Henry also allegedly provided IIHI related to five individuals who were military veterans or related to military veterans. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for the conspiracy, and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for each count of disclosing IIHI. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the U.S. Army Counterintelligence for its collaboration Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, who is prosecuting the federal case.

What an incredibly stupid plot. This strikes me as yet another case of the FBI entrapping the mentally ill.

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com
Is the US sincere in taking Pacific Island countries as partners?

By Global Times editorial (Global Times) 09:58, September 30, 2022

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

The first US-Pacific Island Country Summit was held in Washington on September 28 and 29 with leaders and representatives from 14 Pacific Island countries taking part in it. This is the first time that Pacific Island countries have received an invitation from Washington collectively. The US has carried out high-profile propaganda, repeatedly hyping the summit as a "milestone." However, public opinion generally believes that this is an "unprecedented diplomatic effort" made by the US to counter China, while at the same time, some island countries are already worried about being forced to take sides.

Washington exaggerated the significance of this summit. This is a new move of a series of actions taken by the US to win over the region since last year after Washington began to take the friendly exchanges between China and the Pacific Island countries as a thorn. According to Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs of the National Security Council, "the purpose [of the summit] is not just to listen to Pacific leaders, but to put tremendous resources on the table." At the summit, US President Joe Biden announced $810 million in new funding for Pacific Island countries to "meet priorities."

It's a good thing if Washington can really deliver on its promises. But based on past experiences, the US has too low international reputation for honoring commitments. What's more worthy of vigilance is that various political conditions have always been attached to the US aid commitments. It's known to all that the US' sudden attention paid to the Pacific Island countries is not out of conscience. The US has its own strategic purpose. In recent years, the rapid development of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Pacific Island countries has become a thorn in the side of the US and it's eager to remove it.

In other words, getting assistance from the US is always at the expense of a country's dignity and part of its sovereignty. On the eve of the summit, a think tank funded by the US Congress released a report. It said the Pacific Islands "are an important strategic buffer between US defense assets in Guam and Hawaii and East Asian littoral waters." According to the report, if Beijing were to "succeed in bringing one of these states into its sphere, it would imperil US military capabilities in a strategically vital geographic command area." The US wants to make Pacific Island countries be deeply grateful for its "kindness," bow to it and serve as pawns in its Indo-Pacific Strategy by offering them petty favors, which is the greatest disrespect for the Pacific Island countries.

Perhaps, in Washington's view, the "privilege" of "getting invited to the White House for the first time," the reception involving the red carpet and limelight, and "big dollar" aid are enough to make the Pacific Island countries feel extremely flattered and be obedient to the US. But Pacific Island nations enjoy independence and sovereignty, so they want genuine respect from the US, not letting it use a symbolic one with high-profile ceremonies that practice interventionism or use flamboyant new concepts to revive the model of hegemony based on the subordination of small states.

Similar examples can be found everywhere during the summit. For example, some media revealed that the Pacific Island states deleted a reference to the need for them to "consult with one another closely on security decisions with regional impacts" from a draft of the joint declaration, which was seen as a response to the security agreement signed by China and the Solomon Islands. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday that the US will provide $4.8 million in funding to support activities like sustainable fisheries. He also said Pacific Island leaders were invited to US Coast Guard headquarters to discuss how to improve maritime domain awareness and combat illegal fishing activities. All of these are said to be for the livelihood of the Pacific Island people, but these moves label China as "a threat to fishery" at the same time. In reality, they are used as a grip to monitor and "smear" China, attempting to undermine normal and legitimate fishery cooperation of Pacific Island countries with other countries. This, in turn, harms the interests of people from Pacific Island countries.

For the Pacific Island countries, their core demand is regional prosperity and stability, as they hope that the US will accept their 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to address climate change and promote sustainable development in the region. At the summit, although Washington claimed to take "urgent action" on issues, including the climate crisis, Pacific Island people have serious concerns, since the US is well-known as a straight F student in terms of addressing climate change. What's more, Washington's motives are not pure. The Western media does not hide the fact that the US has made an "unprecedented" effort to rope in Pacific Island countries to "counterbalance China's influence."

The US' attitude toward Pacific Island countries has changed from the long-time neglect for nearly 80 years after World War II to the sudden attention aimed at containing China's influence. What hasn't changed is the mindset of treating the region as its "backyard," and what has continued is its hegemonic logic. Such "pride and prejudice" cannot be covered up by a few new missions, visits by senior officials, and declarations of big dollar aid. It is hoped that the US can truly change the way it views the world and other countries and treat Pacific Island countries with sincere respect and equality. This is not only the proper demeanor that a major power should have, but also the minimum responsibility it should assume for regional peace and stability.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
(Natural News) For the most part, Fox News has served as the antidote to far-left deep state propaganda that inundates Americans on a daily basis, but there are instances where the network simply goes along with covering for the uniparty regime.

That happened again on Wednesday when national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin blindly accepted a Pentagon explanation regarding the sabotage of two Russian natural gas pipelines, Nordstream 1 and 2, earlier this week.

Despite accusations flying that the United States could have been involved in the blasts that have reportedly could scupper the pipelines permanently, and without any investigation having taken place, Griffins crack journalism has solved the case, Paul Joseph Watson reported at his Summit.news website.

Griffin tweeted: There is no evidence or indication the US was involved in any way with the Nordstream 2 pipeline explosions. My question at the Pentagon briefing today: Can you rule out that the U.S. was involved? Senior Military Official: Yeah, we were absolutely not involved.

There is no evidence or indication the US was involved in any way with the Nordstream 2 pipeline explosions. My question at the Pentagon briefing today: Can you rule out that the U.S. was involved?

Senior Military Official: Yeah, we were absolutely not involved.  Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) September 28, 2022

Her bogus attempt to cover for the administration was ripped to shreds online.

Oh, well, mystery solved, then. Thanks for that crack journalism. Gosh, I dont [know] why someone didnt just ask the regime sooner, noted conservative writer and editor Jon Dougherty.

Oh, well, mystery solved, then. Thanks for that crack journalism. Gosh, I dont why someone didnt just ask the regime sooner.  Dr. Jonny Republic If You Can Keep It ?? (@JonDougherty10) September 29, 2022

So you didnt bring up Bidens proclamation, did you? asked independent journalist Jordan Schachtel.

So you didnt bring up Bidens proclamation, did you?  Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) September 28, 2022

No evidence or indication? You mean other than @UnderSecStateP and @POTUS specifically saying in advance that they would not allow the Nord Stream pipeline to go through if Russia invaded Ukraine? another user tweeted along with a video clip of State Dept. official Victoria Neuland appearing to threaten destruction of the pipelines if Russia attacked Ukraine.

No evidence or indication? You mean other than @UnderSecStateP and @POTUS specifically saying in advance that they would not allow the Nord Stream pipeline to go through if Russia invaded Ukraine? https://t.co/pcstc00AmC pic.twitter.com/7fRBCnDEG0  Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) September 28, 2022

As Chris Menahan of Information Liberation noted, Griffin has been guilty of brazenly regurgitating regime misinformation before.

Earlier this year, Griffin put out the debunked hoax story that Russia bombed the Babi Yair holocaust memorial in Ukraine, Menahan wrote, adding that the report was found to be false after an Israeli journalist went to the site and found that it was unscathed.

Griffin also recycled the fake news that Russia was employing mobile crematoriums to evaporate war dead when the supposed footage proving the claim came from a 2013 YouTube video.

When news came out about US biolabs in Ukraine, Griffin also simply repeated Pentagon talking points to dismiss the story as a nothingburger, writes Menahan.

Griffin was recently rewarded with a new multiyear contract, saying at the time that it has been an honor to provide viewers with trusted reporting from the Pentagon and across the world on issues that are paramount to all of us  the security and safety of our fellow citizens and allies.

Trusted reporting, she says.

In his opening monologue during a show earlier this week, Fox News host Tucker Carlson said it was highly unlikely that Russian President Vladimir Putin would have sabotaged his own pipelines.

Natural gas pipelines are the main source of your power and your wealth and, most critically, your leverage over other countries. Europe needs your energy now more than ever with winter approaching. If you cant deliver that energy, then countries like Germany have no need to pay attention to what you want, he said. Youre in the middle of a war, an all-hands-on-deck war, so you need all the leverage you can get. Under these circumstances, there is no chance you would blow up Nord Stream 1 or 2.

Sources include:

BizPacReview.com

Summit.news
(Natural News) In Gera, Germany, this week, thousands of protesters descended in protest against Germanys sanction against Russia.

Recognizing that it will soon be lights out for the European economic powerhouse this winter apart from drastic changes, protesters demanded action, including the reopening of the Nord Stream pipelines, which are now damaged beyond immediate repair.

Numerous other German cities saw similar protests, but were ignored by the corporate-controlled media, we are told. The following video shows the Gera protest in action:

Thousands of people in Gera in Germany against Olaf Scholzs policy and the explosion of energy and gas prices. They demand an end to sanctions on Russia and the reopening of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Demonstrations also in other German cities but EU media censors them. pic.twitter.com/dmTMLY11jn  RadioGenova (@RadioGenova) September 26, 2022

The protesters are blaming socialist Olaf Scholzs policies for the explosion in energy and gas prices that Germany has seen, even though he is likely just another pawn. Politicians higher than him, including in the United States and elsewhere, also deserve blame for Europes energy crisis.

Will Europe survive the coming winter?

Over the past year in Germany, electricity prices are up nearly 175 percent (see the below chart). And this is occurring as Germany, Belgium, and other countries shut down their nuclear reactors.

Its no coincidence that closing down Germanys #nuclear reactors has catapulted their PPI and CPI to record levels. Electricity producer prices up 174.9% on the year ? pic.twitter.com/oXVTkIGIjf  Stokdog (@stokdog) September 20, 2022

Banners could be seen at the protest demanding an end to the price explosion, as well as an end to the war aggression against Russian President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine.

Open Nord Stream now! another one read, though this was before the recent sabotage incident.

Across the German state, some 24,000 people are said to have taken part in demonstrations. All of them were peaceful in nature, police reported.

Altenburg is another city where protests are said to have erupted, as well as Saxony-Anhalt, where 13,000 people took to the streets to make their voices heard.

In addition to protesting soaring energy prices, protesters also blasted German leaders for coronavirus restrictions, both past and present.

Were all in the same boat, read another poster seen at one of the events. Without Russian gas, our economy will be dead!

It is difficult to say how much longer Germany and the rest of Europe has before running out of energy and suffering a total economic collapse. That outcome seems inevitable at this point, but it is just a matter of when the hammer drops.

In all truth, it is probably far too late to stop the collapse as it is already in motion. And with the Nord Stream pipelines offline indefinitely, along with numerous other pieces of the global economic puzzle now irreversibly out of place, the protests are more than likely too little, too late.

Germany had better make more wood stoves if they want to survive this winter, a commenter wrote about the situation. The Green Party fooled them.

The people controlling the marionette in the POTUS costume pressured Europe into sanctions against Russia, at the risk of being without heat this winter, wrote another.

This is akin to some random person shutting down our domestic production.

Another person added that the time is now to arrest everyone connected to the World Economic Forum (WEF) and globalism, as these are the culprits behind this controlled demolition of the global economic order.

Have the people had enough of this yet? this same person asked. Crimes against humanity abound. Pharmaceutical genocide, planned famine, insane wars of attrition, overall destruction of the cornerstones of civilization, unelected psychopaths determining the fate of mankind.

The latest news about the energy crisis in Europe can be found at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The law firm of Watkins & Letofsky, LLP and Cornerstone Attorney Michael Hamilton recently announced the filing of a lawsuit against several Fresno, Calif.-based medical facilities and practitioners that allegedly forced covid patients to take the pharmaceutical drug remdesivir against their will.

Clovis Community Medical Center, Saint Agnes Medical Center, and multiple doctors, the suit states, killed patients with the remdesivir protocol. Charges include wrongful death, constructive fraud, violation of the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, medical negligence, and battery.

The landmark case says that plaintiffs were forcefully subjected to this medical deception and given a protocol that is both poisonous and deadly. None of the plaintiffs were informed about the dangers and risks of the protocol, nor were they told that the protocol is medically unnecessary, which it is.

Most of the plaintiffs, the suit says, suffered horrific death due to the protocol, which the World Health Organization (WHO) advised against back on Nov. 20, 2020. Instead of following these guidelines, defendants in the case administered remdesivir to patients anyway, causing them to die.

According to the WHO, remdesivir should not be given to patients regardless of disease severity, as there is currently no evidence that remdesivir improves survival and other outcomes in these patients.

Even so, defendants in the case were forced to take the drug against their will  a form of medical murder deserving of justice (watch the video below).

Covid treatments at hospitals were just murder for the money

Lawyers in a press release explained that doctors have a duty to review the scientific and medical literature, especially for an emerging crisis such as a plandemic. In this case, the suit alleges, doctors and hospitals failed to keep up with the science.

Covid-19 has a 99.97% survival rate, they further said. Remdesivir decreases this survival rate exponentially. This protocol is cruel, deadly, unnecessary and also, as it turns out, highly financially incentivized.

While being a landmark case, lawyers say they expect more such cases to be filed in the coming days. This one is laying the groundwork for that to happen, as many other hospitals and doctors across the country committed the same crimes.

In California where the suit originated, hospitals were awarded a huge sum of money for each covid patient admitted  just so long as these patients were given the remdesivir protocol.

Each outpatient covid treatment was charged $3,200 while each covid patient who stayed at a hospital for non-complex covid issues was charged $111,000.

In the state of California if you bring a COVID patient into the hospital and treat them as a complex COVID patient, which means they are either intubated, or put into the ICU, the average charge rate is $450,000, reports Childrens Health Defense.

On top of that, the hospital receives a code from the government that allows them to charge an extra $90,000.

By all appearances, the whole thing looks like murder for the money, to quote attorney Hamilton. And it happened, and is still happening, all over the country.

Keep in mind that it was none other than Tony Fauci who declared remdesivir to be the only antiviral experimental drug that can be used for hospitalized covid patients.

My first thought was, if this is experimental, it is not FDA approved, which means it has not been reviewed and it has not been found effective, said retired chiropractor Dr. Bryan Ardis, an outspoken expert on remdesivir.

After going back to look through the data that Fauci was apparently relying on, Ardis discovered that remdesivir has a fatality rate of over 50 percent.

More related news can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org
(Natural News) It is safe to say that any new technology being pushed by the global elite is not being pushed because its better, but only because it destroys individualism and freedom.

That is especially true for the new digital currencies being pushed by western adherents of the New World Order, and some of them have even admitted as much.

As reported by Reclaim The Net, despite privacy being one of the main concerns citizens have about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the heads of the United States (US) Federal Reserve and European Central Bank (ECB) have confirmed that their respective CBDCs will not be anonymous.

In an appearance at a Banque de France (Bank of France) event, U.S. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said if the United States were to ever pursue a central bank digital currency, or CBDC, that currency would be identity verified and not anonymous.

We would be looking to balance privacy protection with identity verification, whichhas to be done, of course, in todays traditional banking system as well, Powell added, without noting that, at present, financial transactions under certain amounts are not traced or tracked.

Reclaim the Net adds:

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, acknowledged that privacy was one of the main concerns Europeans had about the European Unions (EUs) proposed CBDC, the digital euro. Despite these concerns, she confirmed that there would not be complete anonymity as there is withbank notes when using the digital euro.

There would be a limited level of disclosure and certainly not at the central bank level, Lagarde said.

She also said that the ECB will soon be deciding whether to move to a prototype phase for a digital euro by next year while also describing some key characteristics of a potential digital currency, one of which would give the central bank the authority to limit individual user balances.

We also believe that there should be well-designed safeguards that either would include limitations to the holdings or would include a sophisticated tiering system in terms of remuneration, in order to prevent that the digital euro become a very attractive investment more than a mean of payment, Lagarde said.

The comments about tracking digital currency  which means tracking users of digital currency  obviously reflect concerns hundreds of millions of people have about using it. Mostly, people are shocked at the loss of privacy, which  in the digital age  has been a shrinking right to begin with. But not only that, there are legitimate concerns that central banks are introducing digital currencies so they can exert more control over how people spend and save their money.

EPIC urged the Fed to take a careful approach to designing and implementing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that prioritizes privacy and does not repeat or exacerbate the privacy invasions in the current digital payments system, said a statement from the Electronic Privacy Information Center. EPIC recommended that the Fed base a CBDC on the work of Advisory Board member David Chaum, who is widely recognized as the inventor of digital cash.

EPIC argued that a CBDC could improve financial privacy for individuals, but only if the system were designed to facilitate anonymous transactions equivalent to cash, the organizations statement continued. Such a privacy-protective CBDC would require close regulation and testing of the underlying protocols, systems, and devices and should be designed as a cash-like digital currency using a token-based system without a persistent digital ledger.'

The group added that it regularly advocates on behalf of more digital privacy in an age where privacy is regularly invaded by big tech and government alike.

EPIC regularly advocates for privacy and consumer protection in digital transactions, the statement added.

Sources include:

EPIC.org

ReclaimTheNet.org
(Natural News) Rados?aw Sikorski, MEP, former Polish defence minister and husband of well-connected neoconservative intellectual Anne Appelbaum, has publicly thanked the United States for attacking the Nord Stream pipelines.

(Article republished from Eugyppius.com)

Jim Geraghty, senior political correspondent for the American political journal National Review, has also praised the attacks in a brief column under the headline Who Will Rid Me of This Meddlesome Pipeline? Hes been arguing about the importance of taking Nord Stream 2 offline since February, and suggests that the present attacks reflect his influence.

The biggest detail to break since I went to sleep yesterday, is this claim made by an anonymous intelligence source to Der Spiegel, that the CIA had warned Germany of Baltic pipeline attacks over the summer:

The United States warned the German government weeks ago of possible attacks on gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. According to information from SPIEGEL, a corresponding tip from the US intelligence service CIA was received in Berlin in the summer. Several persons familiar with the matter confirmed this.  Even before the invasion of Ukraine, Nato partners had repeatedly pointed to suspicious activities of Russian ships over nodes of the underwater networks. However, an initial analysis of satellite images from the area of the incidents showed only inconspicuous ship traffic at first glance, security circles said.

The Tagesspiegel has a longer piece today trying to come up with a plausible motive for Russia. They imagine that a Russian attack might have had the purpose of allowing Gazprom to escape contractual requirements to deliver gas through Nord Stream 1, thus driving European energy prices higher. Alternatively, they propose it mightve been a ruse to circumvent sanctions for the repair of the pipeline. To even retype these theses is to reveal their infirmity.

The damage is expected to be extensive, and the gas will probably continue to vent for up to two weeks. The company that operates Nord Stream 1 has not ruled out a repair attempt. Nord Stream 2 AG spokesman Ulrich Lissek told NDR that images of the venting gas suggest that the structural integrity of the pipeline must be massively damaged.

Meanwhile, the German and EU officials have promised to get to the bottom of this and threatened the saboteur with sanctions.

For more, see the updates to yesterdays post.

UPDATE: One speculative point Im been thinking about, is it looks like the attacks were partially botched. According to all reports, one of the Nord Stream 2 pipes has not been ruptured, and about 17 hours passed between the first and second explosions. Ideally they wouldve cut all four pipes simultaneously, no?

Read more at: Eugyppius.com
(Natural News) The entire American government has become nothing more than a massive spy operation engaged in snooping on every individual on the planet, including American citizens, the latter in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution.

In addition, according to a Washington Post report this week, the Defense Departments now-exposed psychological operations are also aimed at influencing political, social and cultural decisions and trends, as if defending our country from attacks and winning wars has become a secondary function.

The exposure has led the Defense Department to order a sweeping audit of the PSYOPs, which included using bot accounts on Twitter and Facebook, as well as other social media platforms.

Colin Kahl, the undersecretary of defense for policy, last week instructed the military commands that engage in psychological operations online to provide a full accounting of their activities by next month after the White House and some federal agencies expressed mounting concerns over the Defense Departments attempted manipulation of audiences overseas, according to several defense and administration officials familiar with the matter, the Post reported.

The takedowns in recent years by Twitter and Facebook of more than 150 bogus personas and media sites created in the United States was disclosed last month by internet researchers Graphika and the Stanford Internet Observatory, the report continued. While the researchers did not attribute the sham accounts to the U.S. military, two officials familiar with the matter said that U.S. Central Command is among those whose activities are facing scrutiny. Like others interviewed for this report, they spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.

Keep in mind that in recent years, officials in Barack Obamas administration used secret email accounts to avoid detection and being subjected to laws ordering the cataloging and preservation of all communications. Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton famously went so far as to put a secret email server in her Chappaqua, New York home, though Obama himself knew she had it because he emailed her at the servers address using a pseudonym.

The Post added:

The researchers did not specify when the takedowns occurred, but those familiar with the matter said they were within the past two or three years. Some were recent, they said, and involved posts from the summer that advanced anti-Russia narratives citing the Kremlins imperialist war in Ukraine and warning of the conflicts direct impact on Central Asian countries.

Significantly, they found that the pretend personas  employing tactics used by countries such as Russia and China  did not gain much traction, and that overt accounts actually attracted more followers.

In a statement, Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the current Pentagon press secretary, defended the psyops, essentially, noting in a statement that the information operations support our national security priorities and are being conducted within the parameters of current relevant policies and laws. We are committed to enforcing those safeguards, he lied.

The Post went on to cite the researchers report, which said that several accounts that have been removed included a fabricated Persian media site that shared content that was reposted from Voice of America Farsi and Radio Free Europe, the first of which is funded by U.S. taxpayers.

The report also said that another account taken down was tied to a Twitter handle that, in the past, pretended to operate on behalf of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), whose area of operations includes the Middle East and Afghanistan.

One phone account posted an incendiary tweet that claimed relatives of Afghan refugees who had died reported that bodies returned from Iran were missing organs, the researchers said. A video that was posted with an article published on a U.S. military-affiliated site was linked to that tweet.

The bottom line is this: The same left-wing government that claims only conservatives and Trump supporters post fake information and lies is posting fake information and lies in an effort to change public perception and drive false narratives.

Nothing is real anymore.

Sources include:

WashingtonPost.com

RT.com
(Natural News) Stacy Whited, host of The Prophetic Report, claimed that the prophetic words from God about America and the world are coming together.

Its so exciting how these things come together, she said during the Brighteon.TV programs Sept. 18 episode. I thought all these things dont really come together, but God just showed me these videos. These things really go together.

She delivered three statements to her viewers, telling them that this is the best time for them to be alive and that they were born for such a moment.

First, every person is here in the world for a reason and people are like pieces of a puzzle. God is putting together this puzzle, so everyone needs to show up and not go missing. Whited also remarked that people need to bring their respective pieces of the puzzle in order for this bigger challenge to get solved.

Second, there is going to be a transference of wealth from the wicked to the righteous. Whited said she had asked the Lord to help her become a vessel that this money can flow through to bring the Kingdom of God here to Earth.

Imagine when the money goes from the wicked to the righteous, she remarked. What we are going to be able to do with this money and its for the world. We are going to be able to do so many incredible things.

Third, there is a coming revival upon billions of human souls when the glory of the Lord comes. Whited explained that believers are going to be able to experience this revival and be a part of it. Moreover, they will also be able to lead people to Jesus, knowing Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

Whited also mentioned a prophecy about former President Donald Trumps return, quoting the remarks of Canadian prophet Barry Wunsch. Trump will win a sweeping victory in this nation and will be declared president. The rightful ruler, Trump will be inaugurated and placed back where he belongs for his second term, according to a summarized version of the prophecy.

The Prophetic Report host recalled hearing the Feb. 4 prophecy, adding that she had to wait on the Lords word before sharing it on her program.

Predictions from prophetesses

Whited also shared other predictions from prophetesses on her program.

Co-founder of Ark of Grace Ministries Amanda Grace received word from God on Sept. 13 about strategic and pivotal falls and removals taking place during the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A leader connected within most of Europe shall fall into scandal and disgrace around Yom Kippur, she prophesied. (Related: Amanda Grace prophesies: The WHOs diabolical plans will be exposed  Brighteon.TV.)

Whited also mentioned remarks by prophetess Julie Green about the significance of Jewish holidays. Greens Sept. 5 prophecy centered on the coming destruction of the United Nations and the European Union.

A Sept. 14 prophecy by Diana Larkin of A Watchmans Journal touched on the Trumpet, who will be a father to the nations. Aside from serving the people, the Trumpet will teach leaders to be strong in God and build their nations on godly principles.

Larkin also said the world will be angry at how they were duped by the arrogant global elites and the people will demand judgment and justice be released against them.

Follow Prophecy.news for more news related to biblical prophecies.

Watch the full Sept. 18 episode of The Prophetic Report with Stacy Whited below. The Prophetic Report airs every Sunday at 8-9 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

HIS Glory: Prophetic voice Joseph Z encourages America to stand up against rampant anti-life culture  Brighteon.TV.

B-Alert News: Jonathan Feldstein discusses prophecies in Israel with Bishop Leon Benjamin  Brighteon.TV.

Jonathan Cahn prophesies Americas future on the Thrive Time Show  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

ProphecyIndex.org
(Natural News) A new study has found mRNA material from Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines in breast milk, providing more evidence that deadly mRNA material spreads throughout the body despite official denials.

The study was conducted by researchers from New York University and published in the peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA Pediatrics on Sept. 26. It examined the breast milk of 11 women after they received either Pfizers or Modernas mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. (Related: Excess deaths among children in Europe soar following vaccine rollout for younger age groups.)

Five of the participants had detectable vaccine mRNA in their breast milk. Three of these five took the Pfizer vaccines and the other two took Modernas. The mothers, aged between 22 and 37, got vaccinated between four to 25 weeks after they gave birth.

Little has been reported on lipid nanoparticle biodistribution and localization in human tissues after COVID-19 mRNA, reads the study. In rats, up to three days following intramuscular administration, low vaccine mRNA levels were detected in the heart, lung, testis and brain tissues, indicating tissue biodistribution.

We speculate that, following the vaccine administration, lipid nanoparticles containing the vaccine mRNA are carried to mammary glands via hematogenous and/or lymphatic routes, continued the study.

Dr. Nazeeh Hanna, the lead author of the study, gave a very mild recommendation for mothers to be cautious and not breastfeed their children for at least two days after they get vaccinated.

But Hanna added that the real impact of the study is how it proved that vaccine mRNA spreads throughout the body and how this can potentially be very harmful, especially for infants with developing immune systems.

Study proves vaccinated mothers can expose their babies to danger

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially advises women breastfeeding infants to take the COVID-19 vaccines, although the agency has not conducted any kind of study on whether the mRNA in the vaccines can be passed on to babies through breastfeeding.

This also represents a full reversal from last year, when mainstream science publications claimed there was virtually no trace of the mRNA vaccine in breast milk.

Not only is this a disaster for babies, but it provides more evidence that the mRNA and lipid nanoparticles in the jabs are coming into contact with virtually every cell in the body, wrote Baxter Dmitry for NewsPunch.

Dr. James Thorp, a maternal-fetal medicine expert, commented that this study shows how dangerous it is for infants to be born to vaccinated mothers.

Even small quantities of messenger RNA could potentially have significant ramifications on the newborn and could potentially be amplified by the immune system, he said when asked by the Epoch Times for comments.

Viki Male, an immunologist, claimed that the very minimal concentrations of mRNA material found in breast milk are nothing to be worried about. I wouldnt be worried by this myself, but the authors note that anyone who is might prefer to be cautious  for 48 hours after vaccination, she wrote.

Thorp finds this to be an extremely poor excuse, especially since the health of infants is concerned.

They are attempting to minimize the implications of this concerning finding, said Thorp. Coming out with such a study 20 months after theyve been pushing the vaccine on pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers is unacceptable and is a major breach of science.

Watch this clip from InfoWars as host Harrison Smith talks about the study that detected mRNA material in breast milk and how it may damage the immune systems of nursing infants.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Doctor reveals COVID-19 vaccines lead to more deaths in both children and adults.

Breast milk of fully vaccinated women contains mRNA poisons, JAMA study reveals.

Ben Armstrong: Pfizer knows the COVID vaccine is dangerous for pregnant women.

Del Bigtree: COVID-19 vaccines affect womens menstrual cycles.

Doctor verifies VAERS data showing COVID-19 vaccines increase dangers to womens reproductive health.

Sources include:

NewsPunch.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The U.S. Embassy in Moscow called on citizens with dual American and Russian citizenship to leave Russia at the soonest, lest they face military conscription.

The embassy issued the warning through a Sept. 27 notice posted on its website. Consular officials warned that Moscow may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals U.S. citizenship, U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia and conscript dual nationals for military service.

Any U.S. citizen who wishes to depart Russia should make independent arrangements as soon as possible, given that commercial flight options are extremely limited at present and are often unavailable on short notice. The embassy also suggested overland routes by car and bus as alternative escape routes to leave the country.

The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions  including transportation options  may suddenly become even more limited. U.S. citizens should not travel to Russia and those residing or traveling in Russia should depart Russia immediately, while limited commercial travel options remain.

Moreover, the embassys notice exhorted citizens to avoid attending all political or social protests and taking pictures of security personnel during such events.

We remind U.S. citizens that the right to peacefully assemble and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia, it stated, adding that Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations.

The embassys warning came amid threats of nuclear war issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moreover, the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipelines also intensified the ongoing conflict. Reports have emerged that Western powers themselves were behind the sabotage in a bid to turn up the conflict with Moscow.

Traveling out of Russia is becoming more difficult as the war advances, and its unlikely to get easier in light of the damage done to Russias pipelines, said SHTF Plans Mac Slavo. (Related: Nord Stream pipeline SABOTAGE clearly orchestrated by ruthless Biden regime: Nuland, Biden and Sen. Johnson all demanded ending it permanently by any means necessary.)

The former Soviet Union is not likely to take that sabotage lying down, and it has already said it is not bluffing when it comes to protecting its interests.

Putin plans to punish draft dodgers

The conscription notice issued by Putin for around 300,000 soldiers sent a mad scramble of Russian men fleeing the country. In fact, the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow became overwhelmed with individuals trying to flee being drafted into the Russian Armed Forces.

The men escaping the draft have strong reasons as Putin put certain measures in place that sought to punish draft dodgers. On Sept. 24, the Russian leader signed into law stiff penalties for desertion. The punishments weaved into the Russian Criminal Code under mobilization, martial law and wartime measures also covered long prison terms for voluntary surrender.

Russias main enemy Ukraine said it is willing to accept the men seeking to evade the draft. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged safe passage and protection for Russian soldiers who surrender.

Other countries, however, have not been so kind.

The three Baltic states  Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  have taken measures to essentially close off their borders to young Russian men trying to flee the conscription notice. This followed the three nations de facto blanket travel ban on Russian nationals. Finland, meanwhile, has taken only temporary measures to restrict the flow of travelers coming from Russia.

It looks like humanity is slowly waking up to whats going on, Slavo remarked about the Russian draft notice.

If you havent realized yet that all government is slavery and we are all slaves to the same system, it may be too late for you. Forcing people to kill for you and do what you say or [punishing] them means they own you, and you have an obligation to obey or face their punishment.

Visit WWIII.news for more stories related to the war in Ukraine.

Watch this WION report that explores the possibility of Russia having a role in the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines.

This video is from The Sword & Shield Channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia drafts 130,000+ young men to join military as Putin plans for a longer duration war in Eastern Europe.

Pro-Putin ideologue predicts World War III as Russian leader calls up 300,000 reservists for war in Ukraine.

CIA recently warned Germany about possible Nord Stream pipeline attack, says German magazine.

CONFIRMED: Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines SABOTAGED as third world war looms.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com 1

RU.USEmbassy.gov

SHTFPlan.com 2

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Todays Situation Update podcast covers the weaponization of weather systems to target human infrastructure. It is over two hours in length and features interviews with Dane Wigington (see below) as well as a first responder on the ground in Central Florida.

As these interviews reveal, exotic weapon systems are being used to achieve global biosphere destruction which encompasses agricultural collapse, fertilizer disruptions and supply chain breakdowns that are designed to achieve mass global famine.

If these attacks on our world are not stopped, they could end in an Extinction Level Event (ELE), warns Wigington (see below).

Each interview is posted here separately, followed by the full Situation Update podcast which includes other analysis.

First interview: Weather weaponization

 Dane Wigington from GeoengineeringWatch.org describes the weaponization of Hurricane Ian

 Modern tech can control the direction and intensity of storms and droughts

 Floridas phosphate fertilizer industry was in direct path of the hurricane

 Global attacks against the biosphere target crops, fertilizer and food production

 The destruction of the biosphere is aiming to be an Extinction Level Event (ELE)

 Globalists are unleashing ecological destruction that will take CENTURIES to heal

Brighteon.com/4caaaab6-2b28-4cbc-ac64-929ee4b94d9e

Second interview: Hurricane responders and satellite comms

 Total devastation of some areas will take YEARS to recover

 Fragile supply chain means parts and supplies wont be easily sourced for rebuilding

 First responder describes INJURIES and BODY BAGS being stockpiled

 Cell towers are down, power grid is down, but SATELLITE comms are functioning

 Tina from the Satellite Phone Store is handing out Bivy sticks and sat phones to responders

 Satellite phone owners in Florida are able to allow neighbors to call their families

 Police, firefighters, paramedics are using sat phones and Bivy sticks to coordinate rescue

 Floridas people are resilient, and Gov. DeSantis is offering outstanding leadership

Brighteon.com/784071dd-9905-4d4d-bb5b-ee64a003d1c3

Get the full analysis (2+ hours)

Full Situation Update podcast (which also includes the above two interviews):

 Featuring Dane Wigington of Geoengineering Watch who says Hurricane Ian was weaponized

 The storm took offline 50% of North Americas phosphate fertilizer production

 Supply chain disruptions mean REBUILDING Florida will take years

 Black mold is about to start growing in all the water-saturated buildings and homes

 Second interview with hurricane first responder who says US Coast Guard has massive stockpile of BODY BAGS

 Actress takes vaccine, sees half her face PARALYZED, and says she would take it again

 San Francisco hands out free monkeypox vaccines to black people (no whites), trans and prostitutes

 US Congress military aid to Ukraine hits $65 billion, but no money for US border wall

Brighteon: Brighteon.com/a3254ef8-9b9e-4aa1-a760-d911f232918f

Bitchute: bitchute.com/video/LMmPmQLGG2BN/

Rumble: rumble.com/v1m5l5a-situation-update-93022-weather-weapons-targeting-human-infrastructure.html

See more news coverage of global famine at Famine.news

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)

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Gettr: GETTR.com/user/healthranger

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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:

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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) The solution to climate change is to adopt vaccine thinking for flood management, says Jeff Opperman, the global lead freshwater scientist at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

In an op-ed he wrote for The Hill, Opperman argues that deploying beneficial forms of flooding to stop floods where we do not want them to occur is the same thing vaccines do by tak[ing] something harmful (a virus) and use science to deploy a beneficial version of it to reduce risk and harm.

All throughout the piece, Opperman compares the covid scamdemic and climate change to vaccine theory. At the start of his article, he even references a cartoon photo that was circulated back in early 2020 depicting the Fauci Flu as a tsunami about to crash upon some country.

The past two years have seen a string of record-breaking floods, including the recent inundation of one-third of Pakistan and other disasters bearing climates fingerprints, Opperman writes.

Climates fingerprints, eh? But it gets worse. Opperman also claims that concerning covid, there remains one solid reason for hope and that is the vaccines, which he says have thus far shown durable performance in saving lives, even with variants.

Climate insanity has reached pandemic status

With an actual hurricane right now devastating Florida, Oppermans piece about covid vaccines and climate change is a bit tone deaf, to say the least.

It is a diatribe of pseudoscientific nonsense and misused analogies that makes both Opperman and The Hill look crazy for even writing and publishing it in the first place.

Opperman laments the fact that there is no vaccine for climate change, but success that there is a powerful lesson to be learned from vaccinology as we try to minimize impacts triggered by an already changing climate.

He believes that by vaccinating the climate through flood mitigation measures, we can stymie global warming in the same way that covid injections have put an end, in his view, to the plandemic.

In a way, Opperman is right. Trying to control the climate by vaccinating it using the methods he and others are proposing really is the same thing as trying to keep people healthy and alive with chemical injections  but not in the way he thinks.

One glaring omission in Oppermans piece is his failure to address the prolific vaccine damage that is occurring all around the world. Millions upon millions of people are now permanently injured or dead because of the jabs, which do not work as claimed.

Similarly, trying to block out the sun or eliminate all carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the world threatens to destroy the planet, not save it.

Just like vaccines, climate mitigation measures often cause more harm than good, even as their proponents control the narrative with an iron fist to try to keep the truth from escaping their grip.

Leaving the planet alone instead of trying to reengineer it is the best course of action, just like leaving the immune system alone is better than continually trying to vaccinate it.

Ideologies like those now being pushed by Opperman used to exist primarily within the realm of satire. Unfortunately in todays world, they are becoming embedded in official government policy, to the detriment of our freedoms and liberties.

These things theyve declared war on like carbon dioxide and sunlight are needed to sustain plant life, which in turn sustains us, wrote a Natural News commenter about the climate insanity.

Any 5th grader knows that, responded another. Or used to.

The latest news about rampant climate lunacy in the corporate-controlled media can be found at Climate.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheHill.com

NaturalNews.com
Artificial islands surrounding the British Isles in Europe could once be a site of ancient parties held by our ancient ancestors, according to archaeologists.

A new study indicates that ancient elites partied on these man-made islands around what is now Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and other islets. Also called a crannog, the anthropogenic islands consist of a lake, wetland, and estuary built thousands of years ago.

Artificial Islands and Ancient Parties

In the new paper published in the journal Antiquity on Wednesday, September 28, Antony Brown of UiT Arctic University of Norway and his colleagues confirmed that ancient social gatherings which is equivalent to the modern term "partying" were apparently held in some of the hundreds of artificial islands created in Ireland, Scotland, Wales between the year 4,000 B.C. and the 16th century A.D.

The research team believes that elite people in the social hierarchy living in the British Isles gathered in the crannogs to display their power and wealth through the parties.

If proven, the findings will pave the way for evidence showing one of the earliest form social gatherings never seen before from previous anthropological and archaeological studies, as well as from other fields.

Also Read: Save the Maldives: New Regime Turns to Tourism, Artificial Islands to Combat Rising Waters

Methods and Results

The new study serves to shed light on crannogs and their purpose. Due to the limited knowledge we have about crannogs and its associated human activities, the methods and results found in the research are very interesting, according to Simon Hammann, a food chemist at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany who was not involved in the study, as cited by Live Science.

The team used paleolimnological and biomolecular analyses of crannogs southwest of Scotland and Ireland. They claimed that both methods are effective when it comes to revealing occupation chronologies and identifying artificial island activities and practices.

The results yield various indicators that suggests high-level social gatherings or celebratory activities on the ancient islands which were one thought to be remote.

Some of these probably indicators of ancient parties include the following:

On-site animal slaughter

Food storage

Possible feasting

These signs reportedly show evidence of long-term elite site associations, as well as storage and protection of valuable resources.

Islands Older Than Stonehenge

In 2019, the National Geographic cited a study of crannogs of Scotland's Outer Hebrides, which are artificial islands and some were built over 3,000 years earlier the we have previously thought.

The discovery reportedly baffled scientists as the ancient crannogs are older than Stonehenge, which is a prehistoric monument whose creator emanates from myths and legends such as Merlin, a wizard in Arthurian legend.

Previous notions on crannogs tells us that they were built during the Iron Age (800 - 43 B.C.) by people who used stone causeways and dwellings at the center of bodies of water, the National Geographic states.

In contemporary times, these artificial islands are situated in hundreds of Scottish and Irish lakes and waterways.

Related Article: Belgium Plans to Build Artificial Island to Store Wind Energy
In anticipation of Hurricane Ian's remnants passing through North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a State of Emergency proclamation today. This will enable the state's Emergency Operations Plan to be activated, waive traffic laws to facilitate the transportation of fuel and essential supplies, assist first responders and the agricultural sector, and shield consumers from price gouging.

The Governor said that to better prepare for the expected heavy rain that will fall across much of North Carolina, a State of Emergency is required. He emphasized that residents should remain vigilant, closely monitor the weather forecast, and gather their emergency supplies.

The remnants of Hurricane Ian will bring heavy rain, a chance of flooding, and tornadoes to North Carolinians on Friday and Saturday. At the State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, the State Emergency Response Team will start mobilization on Thursday, and it intends to switch to 24-hour operations on Friday morning.

Executive Order 270

For vehicles used in relief operations before, during, and after severe weather, including debris removal and power restoration, and also the transportation of goods such as fuel, food, and medical supplies, Executive Order 270 waives the weight and size requirements. By temporarily suspending the weighing of trucks used to transport poultry, livestock, or harvested crops, the order also benefits North Carolina's agricultural industry. The order today's waiver of the transportation laws received the support of the Council of State.

Additionally, the state-wide implementation of North Carolina's anti-price gouging law against overcharging during a state of emergency.

Additionally, Governor Cooper gave the go-ahead for the activation of about 80 North Carolina National Guard personnel to provide support as required.

Residents of North Carolina are urged to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the forecast over the coming days. Late this week and over the weekend, 2 to 5 inches of rain are predicted for much of North Carolina, but 5-7 inches or more are possible along the Blue Ridge Escarpment and near the coastline. These rainfall totals have the potential to cause localized flash flooding, soil erosion, or landslides in the mountains, and the river rises. Depending on Hurricane Ian's final route, rainfall totals as well as the timeframe of the heaviest rain could still change.

As Hurricane Ian passes through the area late this week and over the weekend, there will also be a chance for blustery winds, minor coastal flooding, isolated tornadoes, and dangerous marine conditions. Saturated soils and gusty winds could result in power outages and isolated downed trees.

Read also: Hurricane Ian Unleashes Heavy Rains, Power Interruptions in Florida Despite Losing Intensity

Important Tips and Reminders From Authorities

State officials, including the governor, made recommendations for ensuring that each individual is ready. North Carolina residents are urged to:

Have several ways to get emergency updates, such as watches and warnings. Download a weather app and make certain that emergency alerts are enabled at all times on their mobile devices.

Make a plan for emergencies. Learn where to go if an evacuation is required. Plan to stay with family, at a hotel, or with friends. The last resort should be a public shelter.

Amend an emergency kit or gather some extra supplies.

Check if residences are located in a coastal evacuation zone, as well as the safety measures to be done. Check for power outages, road closures, and other announcements, the NC Governor Roy Cooper website reports.

Related article: Florida Deploys National Guard; Millions Ordered to Evacuate as Hurricane Ian Draws Near
In Hawaii, sea cucumbers, also known as "dark maggots," have given fish farms new life. Three species of sea cucumbers are being bred by Kaua'i Sea Farms, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Pacific American Foundation, in the hopes that they will develop into high-value export commodities while enhancing the local ecosystem.

The project is being carried out in the Nomilo fishpond on the island of Kaua'i in Hawaii's southwest. Other than being one of the earliest known and most productive ponds in the entire state, it is also well-known for being located in an extinct volcanic crater.

Loko I'a and Native Species

There are 488 of these 'loko i'a,' or ancient aquaculture systems, in Hawaii, which were created hundreds, if not thousands of years ago to encourage sustainable fish farming. However, many loko i'a deteriorated after Hawaii was westernized in the early 20th century.

After Hurricane Iniki obstructed its seawater channels and halted the flow of nutrients from the pond to the sea, Nomilo loko i'a had been neglected since 1992.

However, Nomilo now supports a thriving community of native species as a result of recent restoration efforts.

Tori Spence, an aquaculture specialist from NOAA, said that they hoped for this project to assist in resolving some issues that the loko i'a face, such as poor water quality, accessible food sources, and a lack of funding for management and restoration.

Sea Cucumbers, Dark Maggots

A group of marine creatures known as sea cucumbers can be found all over the world. They can get up to six feet long, with bodies that resemble squishy cucumbers and tiny, tubular feet. In many cultures, especially in East and Southeast Asia, they are regarded as a delicacy.

According to Kaua'i Sea Farm, due to high-value export markets, sea cucumbers, a keystone species for coastal waters ecosystems, are overfished globally.

But there are additional, non-monetary advantages to breeding them. Sea cucumbers act as underwater janitors, collecting organic waste and other debris that has accumulated on the bottom of the fishpond.

Sea cucumbers, such as the filter-feeding clams and oysters used in certain ponds, can enhance the water quality of the pond.

Read also: Nautilus Discovers Unknown Sea Cucumber Species with Gut Made of Glowing 'Cheetos' in the Pacific Ocean

David Anderson, a production manager from Kaua'i Sea Farm, explained that as a result, more fish can live happily in the pond at once.

Three native Hawaiian sea cucumber species are the main focus of the project. These include namako, a species that is well-known in Japanese cuisine, as well as white teat fish and surf redfish, both of which are extensively used in Chinese food and medicine.

In the project's initial phase, juveniles are raised in solar-powered hatchery tanks. The team will then run tests in various pond environments to see how the animals perform in various scenarios.

To conduct workshops and create production guides on how to grow and sustain various species of Hawaiian sea cucumber, Anderson and his team will collaborate with Hawaii Sea Grant, a national network that promotes the protection of coastal resources.

Anderson said that with this project, an opportunity to utilize restorative aquaculture to create a potentially high-value export commodity is being invested in. In parallel, it will increase community fish production and restore the fishponds, Newsweek reports.

Related article: Overharvesting Threatens Tropical Sea Cucumbers in the Great Barrier Reef
A monster storm warning was issued by meteorologists for Australia as heavy rainfall is expected next week.

A colossal storm hovering over the country is responsible for the potential extreme weather event, marked by severe thunderstorms, gusty winds, and flooding due to heavy rain.

Monster Storm Warning

Meteorologists from Australia's Nationwide News on Thursday, September 29, said that Aussies are warned to brace for heavy rain next week despite forecasts that the storm is easing.

This comes as wild weather rocked impacted southeastern Queensland and most parts of New South Wales earlier this week.

Life-threatening storms, hail, and rainfall are possible, causing property damage and disruption.

On Wednesday evening, September 28, dangerous storms lashed out in the Wollongong region as torrential rain brought totals of between 70 and 80 millimeters.

However, the risk will ease for most parts of the Eastern Australia coast at least this weekend.

The Australian media company provided the weather conditions in the following states, citing as well different outlook from other news outlets.

Also Read: Tropical Cyclone Warning: Meteorologists Predict a Storm Could Develop Off the Coast of Queensland Next Week

Australia Weather Forecast

Approximately 90% of Australia will experience localized or widespread rainfall in the next 10 days.

This forecast is due to a low pressure that brings severe thunderstorms, heavy downpour, and hail, according to Sky News Australia.

Sky News Meteorologist Allison Osborne explained that the same weather system has been causing southwesterly air stream over the New South Wales coast and into eastern Victoria state, as cited by Nationwide News.

Storms are likely to navigate toward the northern New South Wales coast and linger on Sunday, October 2.

This means that inclement weather will persist for the eastern states into the weekend in spite of reports that the severe storms will ease.

However, this is expected to change by next Wednesday, October 5, when a massive low pressure system moves to the east carrying a gargantuan amount of precipitation.

The system will then drag showers over the eastern region from Queensland down to the state of South Australia and will intensify on Thursday, October 6.

Unprecedented Wet Weather

Osborne predicted a colossal amount of rainfall will transpire over a two-day period over "catchments" that were already subjected to recent flooding.

Widespread rain totals across the eastern states could reportedly exceed 100 to 150 mm.

Similar weather conditions have been forecasted not only in Queensland and New South Wales, but also to the states of Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Northern Territory.

Severe weather could impact the mentioned areas and cause flash flooding risk in low-lying areas and communities near mountain slopes due to runoff caused by torrential rain.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology on Tuesday, September 27, reported the continuance of major flooding for most parts of inland New South Wales, as well as flood watches placed for Victoria.

Over the course until next week, the persistent rain could lead to riverine flooding as well since inland bodies of water like lakes, streams, and rivers could also overflow.

Related Article: Australia: Bureau of Meteorology Issues Storm Warnings and Flood Warnings for Lismore This Week
A massive reticulated python swallowed a goat whole in Kulai, Malaysia.

Local officials were able to capture the massive snake and apparently retrieved the goat's lifeless body earlier this week. The goat was believed to be confined in an outdoor cage, which the reptile was able to penetrate through.

Reticulated Python Swallows Goat

Local authorities captured a reticulated python measuring 19.5 feet and weighing 170 pounds after swallowing a goat whole in Kulai, located in Malaysia's southern state of Johor.

Details of the incident were shared by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, State of Johoe.

It took at least seven men to carry the giant snake, which was released to an area far from human settlement, according to Newsweek.

The Johor Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) were notified of the event on Wednesday, September 28 at around 7:28 a.m. local time, prompting the deployment a team of eight personnel into the scene, according to a spokesman from the fire office, as cited by Malay Mail.

The alert received by Bomba started when the owner failed to locate one of his goats, which the python is believed to have swallowed.

Upon arrival, the reptile was found inside a goat pen or goat farm with its belly full, indicating it is indeed the culprit behind the missing goat.

The said goat breeder confirmed one of his female goats was nowhere to be found by Wednesday morning.

Still, it remains unclear how long the giant python was ingesting the domesticated ruminant animal or if it also consumed other animals in the area.

The Bomba operation ended at 8:21 a.m., with the fire department's spokesperson saying that this was the first time they received such complaint from the area but with no reported fatal accidents.

Video of the capture circulated online and one footage shows that the snake was throwing up the goat it had swallowed after one of the department's attempted to pull it from the python's mouth.

Also Read: Snake-cation! 5-Foot Reticulated Python Found in Hotel Room Cabinet

Commercial Hunting for Snakeskin

The reticulated python population has reportedly maintained a stable population despite widespread widespread commercial hunting for snakeskin.

Even the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorized the reptiles as "least concern" in its list of threatened species.

In 2016, the IUCN issued a report stating that there are approximately 300,000 reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) harvested from the wild not only in Malaysia but also in Indonesia to supply snake skins for the international trade of exotic leathers.

With this, concerns have been raised with regards to illegal trade and human treatment of snakes.

The issue prompted the IUCN, along with scientists and conservationists, from Indonesia and Malaysia about how to harvest and trade reticulated pythons.

The reticulated python is a species native to Southeast Asia and South Asia.

While these types of snakes commonly consume livestock and other animals, experts say they have the ability to coil around a person and suffocate them, leading to death.

Related Article: 5-Foot Python Escapes, Bites 75-Year Old Man in the Toilet
An ancient lava in a desert in New Mexico, United States, resembled an elongated black scar as seen from space.

This is based from an astronaut from the International Space Station (ISS) who captured an image of the Carrizozo Malapais lava flow in the state.

The black scar is a solidified lava flow from an ancient volcanic eruption dating back thousands of years ago, covering the once clear landscape.

Carrizozo Malpais is located in the west side of the city of Carrizozo, within the Chihuahua Desert in New Mexico.

The lava flow covers a total land area of 130 square miles (337 square kilometers) and has a length of 50 miles (80 kilometers).

Experts estimated that Carrizozo last erupted 3250 BCE or about 5,000 years ago.

The ancient eruption has long been thought to have given birth to the gigantic lava flow.

Carrizozo Malpais Lava Flow

The Carrizozo Malpais is a basaltic lava flow is characterized as a frozen river of volcanic rock, imprinted in its surrounding desert. It is one of the biggest lava flows that formed on Earth in the last 10,000 years, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Carrizozo's eruption is not a one-time event, instead it reportedly spans for decades ranging between 20 and 30 years.

During the ancient eruption, magma slowly poured into the ground from a subsurface shield volcano that has become dormant since then.

"Insulated lava tubes" underground has spread the molten rock out over an abnormally large area, the USGS noted.

In particular, all of the lava seen in the black scar came from a vent called "Little Black Peak" on the northern end.

The vent lies inside a zone of crustal weakness named the Capitan lineament, where magmas can rise through the Earth's crust and erupt on the surface, the US agency explained.

The image above does not represent the latest photo of the Carrizozo Malapais lava flow.

Details about the new images taken by the unidentified astronaut from the Expedition 67 of the ISS on June 30 are available on the website of NASA Earth Observatory, released on Monday, September 26.

Also Read: Venus Might Still Be 'Volcanically Active' With Erupting Volcano, Lava Flow

Little Black Peak

Majority of the lava in Carrizozo emerged from the said vent.

However, there is an uneven, textured appearance of the frozen lava as a result of light scattering off fissures, depressions, and collapses, according to the Earth Observatory, as cited by Live Science.

Despite the seemingly treacherous terrain and environment of the lava flow, a main road and railway bisect the ancient lava field's northern end.

Furthermore, the lava field reportedly seems lifeless but NASA said that a number of desert plant species, such as prickly pear cactuses, perennial flowers, and juniper trees, can grow in the frozen magma.

While the initial volcanic eruption of the Carrizozo Malpais lava flow likely emitted hazardous volcanic materials, it does not follow that the black scar is causing any evident environmental repercussions.

Related Article: Lava Flows from Spanish Volcano After Crater Collapse
SHREWSBURY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: A street sign is part submerged by floodwater after the River Severn burst its banks on February 26, 2020 in Shrewsbury, England. Shrewsbury, Worcester and Ironbridge are among the main areas at risk of flooding and two severe flood warnings are still in place in Shropshire with the River Severn at risk of breaching defences in Ironbridge. Water is expected to keep rising throughout the day and may top Bewdley's highest ever recorded levels from back in 2000. (Photo : Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

UK wildlife groups are "absolutely furious" to hear about the government's new plan for investment zones across the country.

Although Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke has insisted the zones are not a developers' charter, millions of charity members said that the development is an "unprecedented attack on nature", according to the BBC News.

Wildlife groups that remained unconvinced include the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) charity and National Trust and Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

The government's investment zones allow "consent-driven" business development that conservation groups think would bring repercussions if environmental protections are relaxed.

RSPB operations director Jeff Knott said that the government is trashing environmental protections as habitats are removed its basic protection rights, and farming subsidies have changed.

"We're absolutely furious about this," he said. "We've seen the announcement of so-called investment zones where there are vague plans to remove environmental protections and allow pretty much anything to be built anywhere - they sound much more like destruction zones than investment zones to us."

Voice for Nature

RSPB England is among other wildlife groups saying that the government is tearing up the remaining legal protections the wildlife has.

The National Trust supported the organization on Twitter and said they are working with other nature charities and supporters to defend important protections for nature long into the future.

Nature is basically being attacked in the most unprecedented way and they are there to be its voice.

The "ridiculous proposals" received more backlash from supporters and even sparked fears that flooding in Shropshire will worsen.

Also read: Naracoorte Caves: World's Best Fossil Sites Located in Australia Dating Back to 500,000 Years Ago

Flooding and Farming Fears

As previously reported, Shropshire had some of the worst flooding in the country earlier this year, and campaigners said they could be particularly badly hit by any planning relaxations.

Five West Midlands councils are already being shortlisted, with further applications still being invited by the government.

Shropshire environmental campaigner Christian Dunn, who works for the University of Bangor's School of Natural Sciences, said that removing planning rules for protection in the area from flooding and water pollution will result in serious consequences.

"That means we could potentially see buildings being built where they would not have been allowed before because of concerns for the natural world," he said, adding that more concrete and less land for rainwater to be absorbed will increase the chances of flooding.

Moreover, building more houses with inadequate drainage systems will pollute rivers and seas, making all matters worse.

In reference to what the former prime minister Boris Johnson said last year, UK's economy is completely embedded in each other, and a strong economy requires looking after nature, which is why the government plans were "bad news" for rural and predominantly agricultural areas, such as Shropshire, as per Shropshire Wildlife Trust CEO, Richard Grindle.

Farming is believed to be greatly affected when these plans do happen, and will harm food security.

More importantly, farmers who manage and look after the future generations of the land are prevented from doing the right thing because of the farming system of subsidies, protections and rules.

Related article: More Than Half of a Thousand Palm Tree Species at Risk of Extinction
A lion walks inside its enclosure at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa in Pretoria on January 19, 2022. - Big cats caged in zoos are at risk from catching Covid-19 from their keepers, a study said January 8, 2022. Research led by scientists at the University of Pretoria found three lions and two pumas fell ill with Covid-19 coronavirus, and the clues point to infection by their handlers, some of whom were asymptomatic. (Photo : Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)

In the most recent news, in the state of California, a 7-year-old boy was assaulted by an angry wild animal that sprung from the woods.

Mountain Lion Incident in California

According to Captain Patrick Foy of the California Division of Fish and Conservation in his interview with NBC12, the victim, who happen to be a youngster, as well as his father were heading up steps at Pico Canyon Park in Stevenson Ranch just over 7:00 P.M. on Monday when the mountain lion struck, when all of a sudden, the youngster started yelling in agony.

At this moment, his father realized that his son was in danger and when he looks at him, the father saw that the mountain lion bit his child.

The wild animal was scared off by the boy's father sprinting towards it so that it withdrew home immediately into the woods.

The 7-year-old was taken to the medical facility and examined for non-life critical hamstring issues.

Mountain lions, frequently referred as cougars or pumas, are thought to number between 4,000 and 6,000 in California. They may be found in arid regions, woodlands, as well as mountainous areas.

Their usual food source is different species like deer, which are likewise frequent these areas, the KLTV recently reported.

Wildlife assaults are pretty uncommon, yet they do occur.

Mountain lions do not hunt people for food, but lions who harm people are frequently thin and malnourished, indicating that they have found it difficult to obtain fresh produce in their normal nesting sites.

In the statement given by the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, they noted that the nature reserve is presently restricted till associated documents are given due to an aggressive Mountain Lion seen in the neighborhood.

Presently, the event is being investigated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to know more about the incident and to create a security boundary for everyone.

Law enforcement agencies collected a sampling frame from the boy's puncture injury to establish which living creature was responsible for the incident.

Also read: Algal Bloom: Domoic Acid Poisoning Hits Santa Barbara Sea Lions, Hundreds Treated

7-Year-Old California Boy Bitten by Mountain Lion

Mountain lions in southern California are frequently equipped with GPS transmitters so that the National Wildlife Management can track the number of mountain lions in the area.

While, as per the update from WLOX, the kid's father told the media that the mountain lion they saw does hardly seem to be dressed in one of the GPS transmitters.

In an effort to capture the lion, a box cage has been erected in the vicinity.

Mountain lion hunting is forbidden in California, although government agencies may trap living creatures that pose a specific potential danger to living beings.

Annually, the agency receives large numbers of reports of mountain lion spotting. A small percentage of them are regarded a clear and present danger to humanity.

Those deemed a direct potential risk to community members are taken into care.

Human-mountain lion power struggles have grown in previous times. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife attributed this to towns expanding into remote parts of the country.

Mountain lions will, rvery once in a while, venture into inhabited, smaller cities, where they may cause confrontation. They are frequently drawn to these regions by cattle or domestic animals.

Disputes involving both the humans and mountain lions are handled quickly by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Newsweek has reached out to the bureau for response.

Related article: Feral Pigs Are Wreaking Havoc in New Zealand's Capital, Killing Over 60 Goats in the Last Few Months Alone
Hurricane Ian is expected to hit South Carolina and Georgia, which may cause life-threatening flooding, storm surge, and strong winds, the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center announced in the latest advisory.

According to NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian will approach South Carolina Friday night and Saturday.

Areas in Georgia and Florida will also be affected, and residents are urged to follow the announcement from local officials.

Moreover, Hurricane Ian is forecasted to strengthen slightly and rapidly weaken on Friday into Saturday.

Here are the 11 PM EDT Sep 29 Key Messages for Hurricane #Ian, which is expected to cause life-threatening flooding, storm surge, and strong winds in portions of the Carolinas tomorrow. For more: https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB pic.twitter.com/rXQdc8Mb3A  National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 30, 2022

The advisory said that the center of Hurricane Ian was seen at about 240 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina.

NOAA Hurricane Center noted that the Hurricane had 75 mph (120 km/h) maximum sustained winds with higher gusts.

The Hurricane track moves north-northeast at ten mph (17 km/h).

Hurricane Ian Advisories

The NHC further advised in the key messages announcements to remind residents of the potential threat of intensified Hurricane Ian. According to the information:

Starting early Friday, Southeastern North Carolina and the coasts of South Carolina will experience hurricane-force winds. NHC said that Hurricane Warning and Watch are in effect.

South Carolina, North Carolina, and Southern Virginia could experience flooding through Friday.

Hurricane Ian will cause river flooding in portions of Central Florida that may persist through next week.

In the current advisory, NHC recorded an estimated minimum central pressure of 986 mb (29.12 inches).

Also Read: Tropical Storm Orlene to Bring Heavy Rains and Gusty Winds to Mexico

For updated weather advisories, visit the National Hurricane Center (NHC) website.

On the other hand, AccuWeather said that Hurricane Ian's impact through Sunday included:

Rainfall flooding

Dangerous seas

Coastal inundation

Power outages

Destructive winds

Isolated Tornadoes

According to the weather website, AccuWeather noted the following areas that Hurricane Ian could affect: South Carolina, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, South Carolina Coasts, Georgia, Augusta, Columbia, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Virginia.

Furthermore, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to be careful with downed power lines and trees.

Safety during Hurricane Ian threat

Hurricane Ian can threaten lives and property.

Despite it weakening, it managed to restrengthen to a Hurricane again.

Forecasts of affected communities are advised to watch for flooding risks, flash flooding, landslides, and coastal inundation. Here are some preparation reminders for Hurricane Ian.

Reports revealed that Hurricane Ian would continue to unleash heavy rains this week with rising sea water levels. The strong winds coming from the Hurricane could turn down trees and power lines. Refrain from traveling to areas with Hurricane Warnings and Watch.

Always check your equipment and property for potential damage, especially electrical power outages and leaks.

Stay updated with the current news and weather updates from local and national announcements-full-charge mobile phones or any gadgets in case of power interruptions.

Keep a supply of food during the impact of Hurricane Ian. It is best to keep an emergency bag with you in cases of evacuation.

After the Hurricane threat, repair damages sustained from the Hurricane.

If you plan to return to your house, keep watch for falling debris and flooded areas with downed power lines.

Related Article: Hurricane Ian to Unleash Heavy Rains in Florida As It Quickly Intensifies

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
"Yuri Milner is something of a visionary. He sees that while there are many good causes and pressing problems, ultimately our chances of thriving as a species depend on tending and feeding the precious flame of knowledge." - Stephen Hawking, TIME Magazine 2016

One of the 236 signatories of Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates' Giving Pledge, Yuri Milner has committed an unprecedented amount to science over the last decade. The billionaire entrepreneur and founder of DST Global, one of the world's leading internet investment firms, began his career as a theoretical physicist, and, since then, his passion for science has fueled philanthropic projects like the Breakthrough Prize, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, and the Breakthrough Initiatives.

Respectively, these multi-million-dollar programs reward the work of top scientists, inspire students to think creatively about science and advance the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Yuri Milner's enthusiasm for progressing our global scientific community goes hand in hand with his desire to promote scientific and cultural progress, which he believes will ultimately expand our knowledge of the universe.

Here's how Yuri Milner supports groundbreaking scientific discoveries, funds progressions relating to SETI, and inspires young minds around the world.

Yuri Milner and the Giving Pledge

In 2012, Yuri Milner and his wife Julia joined the Giving Pledge, a movement that invites billionaires to commit half their wealth to philanthropic enterprises. Individuals like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Michael Bloomberg have joined this movement. In adding their names, the Milners committed more than half of their lifetime wealth to primarily scientific causes.

In his pledge letter, Yuri Milner describes his primary motivation for joining the Giving Pledge: to invest in leading minds and humanity's shared future. He draws parallels between the financial support that Albert Einstein received from relatives to complete his last few years of schooling and the immense value that comes from funding great minds and providing capital for scientific brilliance.

Yuri Milner acknowledges that, while we don't know where new ideas will take us, to find out we must invest in them today. Gaining a better understanding of the universe also leads to technological developments, so the pursuit of knowledge can benefit everyone. Yuri Milner writes, "simply by fulfilling our human urge to know, these discoveries enrich us all."

The Breakthrough Prize

Discovery is the motivation behind the Breakthrough Prize, the world's largest scientific award, which the Milners established with Sergei Brin, Anne Wojcicki, Priscilla Chan, and Mark Zuckerberg in 2012. The awards honor recent achievements in fundamental physics, a field that helps humanity understand the deep structure of the universe, as well as mathematics and the life sciences.

Every year, five scientists each receive $3 million prizes at a live, televised gala award ceremony in Silicon Valley. There are additional prizes worth $100,000 and $50,000 for early-career physicists and mathematicians and female mathematicians who have recently completed their PhDs. In total, the Breakthrough Prize has awarded $292.25 million to deserving winners since its inception.

Yuri Milner believes that cultural capital comes with financial capital. After all, why shouldn't we celebrate scientific influencers as we do other cultural influencers, such as artists, entertainers, and entrepreneurs? His vision is of a world where the best minds in science and mathematics receive a raised profile, financial compensation, and prestige, in turn influencing their peers and inspiring the next generation of top thinkers to stand on their shoulders.

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge

Yuri Milner's philanthropic support extends directly to the younger generation through a video competition called the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. This contest is open to high school students worldwide and invites young people to take a big idea in physics, life science, or mathematics and explain it in a 90-second video. Entrants must be aged 13-18, and judging criteria include the entrant's creativity, level of engagement, the difficulty of the topic tackled, and the video's illumination of that subject. Previous entries have covered topics from the covid-19 virus. to quantum tunneling and time dilation.

The foundation that funds the Breakthrough Prizes also supports the Breakthrough Junior Challenge and makes life-changing contributions to the student who creates the winning video. The annual winner receives a $250,000 scholarship toward post-secondary education, a new $100,000 Breakthrough Science Lab for their school, and $50,000 for a teacher who has inspired them.

The Breakthrough Initiatives

While the Breakthrough Prizes and Breakthrough Junior Challenge both brilliant scientists and promising students, the Breakthrough Initiatives are space science research programs dedicated to the search for life beyond Earth. Are we alone in the universe? This is the fundamental question that the Breakthrough Initiatives are trying to answer.

Breakthrough Listen

Yuri Milner launched the first of these initiatives, Breakthrough Listen, with Stephen Hawking in 2015. Listen is a $100 million project that has breathed life into the field of SETI. So far, among its many achievements, Listen has published a pioneering search for alien signals (or technosignatures), released a data survey of our galaxy's center and Earth Transit Zone, and produced an innovative list of almost every kind of object phenomenon that we can observe in the known universe. It has also made astronomical discoveries, such as new Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), and performed radio observations of 'Oumuamua, the first interstellar object seen passing through the solar system.

Breakthrough Starshot

In 2016 Yuri Milner, in collaboration with Mark Zuckerberg, Yuri Milner, and Stephen Hawking, launched Breakthrough Starshot, a $100 million research and engineering project that seeks to develop ultra-fast, light-driven miniature space probes, or "nanocrafts," for interstellar travel. Starshot has its sights set on our closest star system, Alpha Centauri, as its first destination. The open access initiative invites ideas on its engineering challenges from members of the public and experts alike.

Breakthrough Watch, Message, and Discuss

Other Breakthrough Initiatives include Watch, a multi-million dollar search for evidence of primitive cellular life on nearby exoplanets, which in 2021 observed a candidate planet in the Alpha Centauri system; as well as Message, an international competition to create messages from humanity to advanced alien civilizations, and Discuss, an annual academic conference that sparks conversations about life in the universe and space exploration.

Supporting Israeli Students

As Israeli citizens, Julia and Yuri Milner have also funded several programs through their foundation. These programs champion science, medicine, and technological innovation in Israel, especially among Israeli students.

Friends of Israel MBA Fellowship

In September 2020, the Foundation announced the Friends of Israel MBA Fellowship at Yuri Milner's alma mater, the Wharton School of Business, Pennsylvania. The $10 million fund offers full tuition for a two-year MBA program at Wharton to more than 60 students over 10 years. The fellowship enables outstanding Israeli students to experience one of the world's most prestigious business courses and, in turn, ensure their home country of Israel benefits from their newfound entrepreneurial skills and networks.

70 at 70 Fellowship

In 2018, the Milners' foundation funded the 70 at 70 list, recognizing 70 leading Israeli scientists and scholars in a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the State of Israel.

Later that year, the foundation established the 70 at 70 Fellowship, a $7 million program supporting postgraduate students at 3 Israeli universities: the Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and the Technion. The program has awarded $25,000 a year for 4 years to 70 outstanding science Ph.D. candidates.

Advancing Humanity's Shared Mission

In his short book, Eureka Manifesto, Yuri Milner outlines what he sees as humanity's mission to explore and understand our universe. To advance this mission, he suggests investing resources into fundamental science and space exploration and celebrating scientists as heroes, thus sparking a "new enlightenment" in which everyone can contribute to a shared culture of knowledge. Judging by Yuri Milner's extensive philanthropic work, it's clear the man Stephen Hawking once called "something of a visionary" is leading by example.

About Yuri Milner

Yuri Milner is an Israeli entrepreneur who invests in the fields of technology and science. After discovering a lifelong love for science and space exploration as a child, he followed his passion for theoretical physics and went on to work as a doctoral student investigating fundamental particle interactions.

Deciding to break into the world of entrepreneurship, Yuri Milner moved to the U.S. to study business at Wharton School. Since the late nineties, he has been investing in technology companies around the world and is the founder of DST Global, a leading investment firm with a portfolio that includes internet giants such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Airbnb, Spotify, Alibaba, and more.

Yuri Milner's passion for science has led him to pursue major philanthropic enterprises that advance discoveries in the scientific field, such as the Breakthrough Prize, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, and the Breakthrough Initiatives.

In 2012, Yuri Milner published some of his philosophical ideas about cosmology in Eureka Manifesto: The Mission for Our Civilization. This short book contains his perspective on humanity's place in the universe, the mission our existence inspires, and the future that awaits us should we embrace this mission.
According to information published by the Danish MoD on September 30, 2022, a helicopter and ships from the Danish Armed Forces secure shipping traffic in the area around the gas leaks in the Baltic Sea.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Danish Navy's Absalon class frigate Absalon (Picture source: Danish government)

The frigate Absalon and the environmental ship Gunnar Thorson are present in the waters around the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas leaks in the Baltic Sea, helping to ensure that civilian ships do not enter the no-go zones. In addition, the Defence contributes a helicopter capable of conducting aerial surveillance of the waters.

A written warning, known as a navigational warning, has been issued to civilian shipping in the area to avoid sailing within a five-mile radius of the leaks. There is a general focus on the particular situation in the area, but there may be ships that are not aware of the warning and therefore head for the no-go zones anyway.

In these cases, Defence units can call the ship on the radio and guide them away from the area. If a ship is heading directly through the exclusion zone and contact cannot be made by radio, physical contact can be made with the ship, for example by launching a small boat.

About the frigate Absalon

HDMS Absalon (F341) and her sister ship Esbern Snare are the two members of the Absalon class. The lead ship of the class is named after Danish archbishop and statesman Absalon and received full operational status in 2007.

The ships are the first in a series of RDN vessels tasked with carrying out new types of missions, and are to form the backbone of the international operations that the RDN is increasingly focusing on.

The Absalon-class ships are primarily designed for command and support roles, with a large ro-ro deck, but with their many offensive weapons and new anti-submarine weapons and tasks, the class was changed to frigates in 2020.

The three frigates of the succeeding Iver Huitfeldt class are similar to the Absalon-class vessels but without the large ro-ro deck.

The class is based on a frigate-like design, but built with an internal multipurpose deck (flex deck) and a stern vehicle ramp. The ships can serve as command platforms for a staff of 75 persons (naval or joint staff) with a containerized command and control centre, transport and base of operations for a company-sized landing force of some 200 soldiers with vehicles.

Alternatively, the flex deck can be used for mine-laying operations with a capacity of some 300 mines, or be fitted out for mine-clearing operations and launch and recover mine detecting and clearing equipment via a retractable gantry crane, adjacent to the stern vehicle ramp, which also is used for launching and recovering the fast landing craft.

Furthermore, the flex deck can support a containerized hospital or simply transport a number of ISO standard containers or some 55 vehicles, including up to seven MBTs. The ships can carry two landing craft, personnel (LCPs) (Storebro SB90E), two rigid hull inflatable boats and two EH101 helicopters.
Further to its announcement on 29 August 2022, The a2 Milk Company (Company or a2MC) advises that it

intends to commence its on-market share buyback programme on 5 October 2022.

The buyback programme may run for up to 12 months from the date of this notice. The Company may acquire up

to 37,180,621 ordinary shares through the NZX and ASX at the prevailing market price from time to time in that

period.

Throughout the buyback period, the Company will continue to assess market conditions, its prevailing share price,

available investment opportunities and all other relevant considerations and, with regard to these factors, will

determine the timing, volume and pricing of any share acquisitions. The Company reserves the right to suspend

without notice or vary or terminate the buyback programme at any time.

By way of a trading update prior to commencing the buyback, the Company has made a positive start to the year,

with 1Q23 sales expected to be marginally ahead of plan primarily reflecting the benefit of favourable foreign

exchange driven by depreciation of the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Due to the currency impact on cost of sales

and cost of doing business, notwithstanding the benefit to sales, 1Q23 EBITDA is expected to be in line with plan.

Consistent with the Companys outlook statement on 29 August 2022, in addition to trading upside and downside,

other business and industry risks include, but are not limited to, COVID-19 impacts on supply chain, SAMR

registration process timing, volume impact of price increases, foreign exchange movements, cross border trade,

changes in the regulatory environment, and commodity prices. These risks could materially impact expected

revenue and earnings outcomes.

Share buyback to commence 5 October - 1Q23 Trading update

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One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021
Scientists have identified lucidenic acid A, one of the bioactive compounds of Ganoderma lucidum, as a potential inhibitor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) host cell entry. The study has recently been published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology.

Study: Lucidenic acid A inhibits the binding of hACE2 receptor with spike protein to prevent SARS-CoV-2 invasion. Image Credit: sritakoset / Shutterstock

Background

Chinese traditional medicinal plants are rich sources of many bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidative, and anticancer activities. Regarding antiviral potency, bioactive compounds isolated from about 30 medicinal plants have been found to inhibit coronavirus infection through various mechanisms.

Fungal bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, terpenes, and cordycepin, have shown antiviral efficacy against coronavirus by modulating immune response and protease activity.

Ganoderma lucidum is a widely-used Chinese medicinal fungus belonging to the Polyporaceae family. Bioactive compounds isolated from this fungus have shown potent immune-enhancing and antiviral activities.

In the current study, scientists have investigated whether Ganoderma lucidum can prevent SARS-CoV-2 host cell entry by inhibiting the interaction between viral spike protein and host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

Screening of Ganoderma lucidum-derived bioactive compounds

The initial screening of Ganoderma lucidum led to the identification of 54 bioactive compounds and 574 antiviral target proteins. Comparing these targets with SARS-CoV-2-specific targets, 80 anti-SARS-CoV-2 targets were identified from Ganoderma lucidum.

A network model of potential antiviral target genes of Ganoderma lucidum was created, which included the targets related to inflammation, infection, cancer, and other pathways. Based on the activities of identified targets, scientists hypothesized that the bioactive compounds could be used to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The analysis of the target-compound network revealed that each antiviral compound of Ganoderma lucidum can act on multiple targets. Specifically, 54 identified compounds were found to interact with 80 SARS-CoV-2-related targets. Furthermore, these targets were found to associate with 20 different signaling pathways. Among these pathways, the majority were antiviral and anti-inflammatory pathways.

Dynamics of interactions of bioactive compounds

The interaction pattern of identified compounds was determined by docking them separately with human ACE2, wildtype spike-human ACE2 complex, and omicron spike-human ACE2 complex. This led to the identification of lucidenic acid A, which showed a strong binding affinity for all target receptors.

Lucidenic acid A was found to interact with human ACE2 by forming a hydrogen bond, which subsequently prevented the interaction between viral spike protein and ACE2. Overall, these observations indicate that lucidenic acid A can strongly inhibit the host cell entry of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

Antiviral activity of lucidenic acid A

The findings of molecular dynamics simulation revealed that lucidenic acid A makes the spike-ACE2 complex unstable. This further highlights the ability of lucidenic acid A to prevent spike-ACE2 interaction.

Further analysis showed that lucidenic acid A inhibits the binding activity of ACE2 even at low micromolar concentrations. This might be the primary mode of action of lucidenic acid A for preventing SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells.

Study significance

The study performs a large-scale screening of Ganoderma lucidum-derived bioactive compounds to identify potential antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. The majority of identified compounds are triterpenes and sterols, which exhibit antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities.

Molecular docking experiments identify lucidenic acid A as a potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 compound, which exhibits a high binding affinity for human ACE2. Mechanistically, lucidenic acid A inhibits the binding activity of ACE2 at low micromolar concentrations. This subsequently blocks the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike and human ACE2.

Notably, lucidenic acid A prevents the host cell entry of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, especially omicron.
Bats have evolved with unique features such as laryngeal echolocation and flight, with some capable of tolerating viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoVs), Middle East respiratory syndrome CoVs (MERS-CoVs), as well as Marburg and Nipah viruses. Developing robust cell-based bat models could provide a greater understanding of bat viral handling and biology.

In a recent study published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum bats using the modified Yamanaka protocol to establish bats as a novel in vivo model study species.

Study: Bat pluripotent stem cells reveal unique entanglement between host and viruses. Image Credit: Jezper / Shutterstock.com

About the study

In the present study, researchers investigate whether bats could be suitable for viral production.

The Yamanaka reprogramming approach was used based on reprogramming factors such as the sex-determining region Y-box 2 gene, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), cMyc, and Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4).

Bat embryonic fibroblast (BEF) cells were isolated from R. ferrumequinum, with the amounts of reprogramming factors altered to activate and block several signaling pathways. In addition, immunostaining and ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses were also performed.

Derivation of pluripotent bat stem cells. (A) Illustration of the bat pluripotent stem cell derivation strategy. BEF, embryonic fibroblasts; OSMK, Oct4, Sox2, cMyc, Klf4; FB, fibroblast medium; PSC, pluripotent stem cell medium; PSC+, PSC with additives. (B) Morphology of established BiPS cell colonies grown on mouse embryonic fibroblasts. (C) Immunofluorescent detection of Oct4 in BiPS cells. (D) MA plot of RNA-seq data illustrating the transcriptional differences between bat embryonic fibroblast (BEF) and pluripotent stem cells (BiPS). Selected genes with known functions in the establishment or maintenance of pluripotency are highlighted. (E) Kmean cluster analysis of ATAC-seq signals obtained from BEF or BiPS cells. C, cluster. (F), Density plot of RRBS results obtained from BEF and BiPS cells. PCC, Pearson correlation coefficient. (G) Scatter plots of histone 3 methylation status at K4 (activating chromatin modification) or K27 (repressing chromatin modification) after ChIP-seq from BEF or BiPS cells as indicated. (H)Scatter plot of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in BiPS cells illustrating the occurrence of bivalent chromatin sites in BiPS cells. (I) RNA-seq, ATAC-seq and H3K4me3 or H3K27me3 ChIP-seq signals of selected genes with known roles in reprogramming that are activated (Nanog, Kit) or repressed (Thy1) in BiPS when compared to BEF cells.

The impact of the modified reprogramming method on bat epigenetic molecules and chromatin was assessed using the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq). Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylome mapping analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses were also performed. Protocols were optimized to enable bat SC differentiation into the three germ layers, whereas the embryoid body (EB) differentiation assay was performed to assess for pluripotency.

Bat iPSCs (BiPSCs) were subsequently injected into immunosuppressed mice, and embryo-like structures were created from the BiPS. The study protocol was validated by developing BiPS cells of the evolutionally distant Myotis myotis bats.

Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today

Comparative transcriptional gene profiling and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed on the Rhinolophus bat species and phylogenetically different mammalian species of mice, humans, dogs, pigs, and marmoset.

Gene ontology analysis was performed to assess the leading-edge gene enrichment for specific biological pathways. Novel pipelines were developed based on the metagenomic classification of stem cell ribonucleic acid (RNA)-sequenced (RNA-seq) data, de novo putative retroviral contig assembly, and genomic mapping for identifying true retroviral reads. In addition, antigen markers related to RNA viruses were explored.

Study findings

A particular reprogramming factor ratio, as well as added fibroblast growth factor-2 (Fgf-2), stem cell factor (Scf), leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif), and forskolin to the culture medium enabled uninhibited BiPSC growth, with homogeneous and tight bat colonies appearing within 14 to 16 days.

BiPSCs expressed the Oct4 pluripotency factor, with a proliferation rate identical to the human PSC proliferation rate. Most cells contained 56 chromosomes and replicated without exogenous reprogramming factors and morphological alterations.

BiPSCs differentiated into the three germ layers, subsequently forming EBs and organoids. RNA-seq analysis showed induced endogenous expression of canonical pluripotency-related genes like SRY-2, Nanog, and Oct4.

However, the genetic profile did not entirely match one pluripotency state. Instead, naive pluripotent state factors such as Klf4 and 17, estrogen-related receptor beta protein (Essrb), transcription factor E3 (Tfe3), and transcription Factor CP2 Like 1 (Tfcp2l1)] were expressed. Co-expressed Tfcp2l1/zinc finger protein (Zic2) and orthodenticle homeobox 2 (Otx2)/Tfe3 and primed/naive factors were observed.

Chromatin configurational and CpG 191 methylation alterations were observed across the bat genome. ChiP-seq findings showed overlapping between human and bat bivalency genes, although some genes were species-specific.

BiPSCs were reprogrammed transcriptionally and epigenetically. BIPSCs were positive for Paired box protein (Pax6), 213T, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) markers for ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, respectively.

The ERAS gene was downregulated, whereas hyaluronidases and ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs) genes were indistinguishable between the groups. The Rhinolophus blastoids showed embryonic structures attached to a flattened trophoblastic epithelial outgrowth and inner cell mass expansion. Myotis bat findings indicated that the study protocol could be applied across different bat species.

PCA analysis showed a distinct group of bat stem cells.However, only eight leading-edge genes showed significant positive selection in R. ferrumequinum, with most genes belonging to unexpected categories. Moreover, CoV disease was the most significantly enriched category in Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways.

Collagen type III alpha 1 (Col3a1) and mucin 1 (Muc1) genes were detected in BiPSCs, thus indicating bat-specific genetic adaptations. Reprogramming revealed endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences.

BiPSCs contained several virus-associated endogenized sequences, with regions homologous to the human herpesvirus 4, human respiratory syncytial virus, and a SARS-CoV-2 isolate. R. ferrumequinum genomic sequences resembled those of human CoV 229E and human CoV OC43.

Several retroviral integration sites that were homologous to viruses such as the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, Koala virus, and Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus were identified. The genome was homologous to volepox, variola, squirrel pox, monkeypox, and White spot syndrome viruses.

Conclusions

BiPSC sequences were similar to viral genome sequences. Thus, the transcriptionally permissive pluripotency state of bats could be exploited for discovering novel bat virus sequences involved in bat physiology and their virus hosting abilities.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
In a recent study published in Environmental Research, researchers explored the correlation between female fertility and chemical mixtures.

Background

Up to one in six females of reproductive age experience difficulties getting pregnant or bringing a pregnancy to term, and reproductive health issues are becoming more commonplace worldwide. Live birth success rates have remained consistent despite an increase in the usage of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) among individuals with reduced fecundity. It is plausible to suppose that human-made chemicals that disturb the endocrine system contribute to rates of infertility, given the significance of hormones in ovarian function through development and adult life.

About the study

In the present study, researchers explored the existence of any connections between suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and female fertility In two cohorts of women visiting fertility clinics.

This study included 333 women receiving ART and was embedded in two European cohorts in Estonia and Sweden. From April to June 2016, Uppsala hosted the recruitment of participants from the Swedish cohort. The 148 women who constituted the Estonian cohort were recruited from Tallinn between February and November 2019. Almost 182 of the 195 eligible women were recruited, and 148 women were chosen for the final cohort based on the anticipated volume of follicular fluid needed for chemical measurements. The Swedish cohort's female participants answered a brief questionnaire about their lifestyle.

Follicular fluid from the follicles of the Swedish cohort was obtained, and it included all cellular components and had no obvious signs of blood contamination. Additionally, samples from the follicles were collected from the Estonian cohort. For the quantification of all compounds, two approaches were used in the lab for the analysis of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the metabolites of bisphenols, parabens, and phthalates. Isotope dilution liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was applied. Before solid-phase extraction (SPE), a deconjugation process was performed to quantify phthalates and parabens.

Ovarian sensitivity index (OSI) was utilized as a continuous indicator of ovarian response to stimulation and fertility treatment endpoints such as clinical pregnancy (CP) and live birth (LB) derived from fresh and cumulative embryo transfers, assessed as binary outcomes. Follicular fluid was collected at ovum pick-up in both cohorts, and blood was drawn during the infertility inquiry to measure anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) before any fertility treatments. The Swedish and Estonian cohorts, which were utilized to assess the CP and LB rates, had follow-up periods of five years and 2.5 years, respectively.

Results

The distribution of different factors varied slightly between cohorts. Compared to the Swedish cohort, Estonian women experienced infertility due to female causes more frequently. Although AMH data were only available for 35 women in the Estonian cohort, reduced endometrial thickness and AMH were also noted, providing further evidence of the cohort's low ovarian reserve. The team recorded a total of 106 fresh-product, 155 fresh-product/frozen, 93 fresh-product, and 135 fresh-product/frozen transfers. The OSI and probabilities of CP and LB in the Swedish and 248 Estonian cohorts were comparable.

The range of reported values was substantially broader, and PFAS contents were generally greater in the Swedish group than in the Estonian samples. The distribution of phthalates and parabens in the Estonian and Swedish cohorts showed no appreciably distinct patterns. While phthalates and parabens were mainly uncorrelated, the six PFAS compounds showed a high association structure. Analysis of the blank samples showed that there was a low amount of contamination from the environment of the embryo laboratory.

With relatively wide confidence intervals, the team noted reduced OSI in the combined population at increased chemical concentrations. Significant variations were found for methylparaben in the Estonian cohort and cumulative di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in the Swedish cohort within the two distinct cohorts. The outcomes were unaffected when phthalates and parabens were mutually adjusted for in the same model when evaluating chemicals as a mixture.

With statistically significant relationships for perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) in both the combined population, the Estonian population, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the Estonian population, higher PFAS concentrations were typically associated with lower OSI. Lower probabilities of LB from fresh transfers and lower chances of LB from fresh/frozen transfers were linked to perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS). Additionally, a decreased likelihood of CP from the fresh/frozen transfers was associated with a higher quantity of PFOA. A positive correlation between LB from the fresh transfer and PFUnDA concentration was also observed.

Conclusion

Overall, the study findings identified chemicals such as methylparaben and perhaps PFUnDA and PFOA, that may be involved in the biological processes causing female infertility by disrupting ovarian function, providing further evidence in favor of the existence of an inverse association between female fertility and DEHP metabolites.
A Brazilian study published in the journal PNAS describes some of the effects infection by SARS-CoV-2 can have on the central nervous system. A preliminary version (not yet peer-reviewed) posted in 2020 was one of the first to show that the virus that causes COVID-19 can infect brain cells, especially astrocytes. It also broke new ground by describing alterations in the structure of the cortex, the most neuron-rich brain region, even in cases of mild COVID-19.

The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of gray matter over the hemispheres. It is the largest site of neural integration in the central nervous system and plays a key role in complex functions such as memory, attention, consciousness, and language.

The investigation was conducted by several groups at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the University of Sao Paulo (USP), all funded by FAPESP. Researchers at the Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), D'Or Institute (IDOR) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) also contributed to the study.

"Two previous studies detected the presence of the novel coronavirus in the brain, but no one knew for sure if it was in the bloodstream, endothelial cells [lining the blood vessels] or nerve cells. We showed for the first time that it does indeed infect and replicate in astrocytes, and that this can reduce neuron viability," Daniel Martins-de-Souza, one of the leaders of the study, told Agencia FAPESP. Martins-de-Souza is a professor at UNICAMP's Biology Institute and a researcher affiliated with IDOR.

Astrocytes are the most abundant central nervous system cells. Their functions include providing biochemical support and nutrients for neurons; regulating levels of neurotransmitters and other substances that may interfere with neuronal functioning, such as potassium; maintaining the blood-brain barrier that protects the brain from pathogens and toxins; and helping to maintain brain homeostasis.

Infection of astrocytes was confirmed by experiments using brain tissue from 26 patients who died of COVID-19. The tissue samples were collected during autopsies conducted using minimally invasive procedures by Alexandre Fabro, a pathologist and professor at the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP). The analysis was coordinated by Thiago Cunha, also a professor in FMRP-USP and a member of the Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID).

The researchers used a technique known as immunohistochemistry, a staining process in which antibodies act as markers of viral antigens or other components of the tissue analyzed. "For example, we can insert one antibody into the sample to turn the astrocytes red on binding to them, another to mark the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by making it green, and a third to highlight the virus's double-stranded RNA, which only appears during replication, by turning it magenta," Martins-de-Souza explained. "When the images produced during the experiment were overlaid, all three colors appeared simultaneously only in astrocytes."

According to Cunha, the presence of the virus was confirmed in five of the 26 samples analyzed. Alterations suggesting possible damage to the central nervous system were also found in these five samples.

"We observed signs of necrosis and inflammation, such as edema [swelling caused by a buildup of fluid], neuronal lesions and inflammatory cell infiltrates," he said.

The capacity of SARS-CoV-2 to infect brain tissue and its preference for astrocytes were confirmed by Adriano Sebolella and his group at FMRP-USP using the method of brain-derived slice cultures, an experimental model in which human brain tissue obtained during surgery to treat neurological diseases such as drug-refractory epilepsy, for example, is cultured in vitro and infected with the virus.

Persistent symptoms

In another part of the research, conducted in UNICAMP's School of Medical Sciences (FCM), 81 volunteers who had recovered from mild COVID-19 were submitted to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of their brains. These scans were performed 60 days after diagnostic testing on average. A third of the participants still had neurological or neuropsychiatric symptoms at the time. They complained mostly of headache (40%), fatigue (40%), memory alterations (30%), anxiety (28%), loss of smell (28%), depression (20%), daytime drowsiness (25%), loss of taste (16%) and low libido (14%).

"We posted a link for people interested in participating in the trial to register, and were surprised to get more than 200 volunteers in only a few days. Many were polysymptomatic, with widely varying complaints. In addition to the neuroimaging exam, they're being evaluated neurologically and taking standardized tests to measure performance in cognitive functions such as memory, attention and mental flexibility. In the article we present the initial results," said Clarissa Yasuda, a professor and member of the Brazilian Research Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN).

Only volunteers diagnosed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR and not hospitalized were included in the study. The assessments were carried out after the end of the acute phase, and the results were compared with data for 145 healthy uninfected subjects.

The MRI scans showed that some volunteers had decreased cortical thickness in some brain regions compared with the average for controls.

"We observed atrophy in areas associated, for example with anxiety, one of the most frequent symptoms in the study group," Yasuda said. "Considering that the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the Brazilian population is 9%, the 28% we found is an alarmingly high number. We didn't expect these results in patients who had had the mild form of the disease."

In neuropsychological tests designed to evaluate cognitive functioning, the volunteers also underperformed in some tasks compared with the national average. The results were adjusted for age, sex and educational attainment, as well as the degree of fatigue reported by each participant.

"The question we're left with is this: Are these symptoms temporary or permanent? So far, we've found that some subjects improve, but unfortunately many continue to experience alterations," Yasuda said. "What's surprising is that many people have been reinfected by novel variants, and some report worse symptoms than they had since the first infection. In view of the novel virus, we see longitudinal follow-up as crucial to understand the evolution of the neuropsychiatric alterations over time and for this understanding to serve as a basis for the development of targeted therapies."

Energy metabolism affected

In IB-UNICAMP's Neuroproteomics Laboratory, which is headed by Martins-de-Souza, experiments were performed on brain tissue cells from people who died of COVID-19 and astrocytes cultured in vitro to find out how infection by SARS-CoV-2 affects nervous system cells from the biochemical standpoint.

The autopsy samples were obtained via collaboration with the group led by Paulo Saldiva, a professor at the University of Sao Paulo's Medical School (FM-USP). The proteome (all proteins present in the tissue) was mapped using mass spectrometry, a technique employed to identify different substances in biological samples according to their molecular mass.

"When the results were compared with those of uninfected subjects, several proteins with altered expression were found to be abundant in astrocytes, which validated the findings obtained by immunohistochemistry," Martins-de-Souza said. "We observed alterations in various biochemical pathways in the astrocytes, especially pathways associated with energy metabolism."

The next step was to repeat the proteomic analysis in cultured astrocytes infected in the laboratory. The astrocytes were obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The method consists of reprogramming adult cells (derived from skin or other easily accessible tissues) to assume a stage of pluripotency similar to that of embryo stem cells. This first part was conducted in the IDOR laboratory of Stevens Rehen, a professor at UFRJ. Martins-de-Souza's team then used chemical stimuli to make the iPSCs differentiate into neural stem cells and eventually into astrocytes.

"The results were similar to those of the analysis of tissue samples obtained by autopsy in that they showed energy metabolism dysfunction," Martins-de-Souza said. "We then performed a metabolomic analysis [focusing on the metabolites produced by the cultured astrocytes], which evidenced glucose metabolism alterations. For some reason, infected astrocytes consume more glucose than usual, and yet cellular levels of pyruvate and lactate, the main energy substrates, decreased significantly."

Lactate is one of the products of glucose metabolism, and astrocytes export this metabolite to neurons, which use it as an energy source. The researchers' in vitro analysis showed that lactate levels in the cell culture medium were normal but decreased inside the cells. "Astrocytes appear to strive to maintain the energy supply to neurons even if this effort weakens their own functioning," Martins-de-Souza said.

As an outcome of this process, the functioning of the astrocytes' mitochondria (energy-producing organelles) was indeed altered, potentially influencing cerebral levels of such neurotransmitters as glutamate, which excites neurons and is associated with memory and learning, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits excessive firing of neurons and can promote feelings of calm and relaxation.

"In another experiment, we attempted to culture neurons in the medium where the infected astrocytes had grown previously and measured a higher-than-expected cell death rate. In other words, this culture medium 'conditioned by infected astrocytes' weakened neuron viability," Martins-de-Souza said.

The findings described in the article confirm those of several previously published studies pointing to possible neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19.

Results of experiments on hamsters conducted at the Institute of Biosciences (IB-USP), for example, reinforce the hypothesis that infection by SARS-CoV-2 accelerates astrocyte metabolism and increases the consumption of molecules used to generate energy, such as glucose and the amino acid glutamine. The results obtained by the group led by Jean Pierre Peron indicate that this metabolic alteration impairs the synthesis of a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in communication among neurons (more at: agencia.fapesp.br/37383/).

Unanswered questions

According to Martins-de-Souza, there is no consensus in the scientific literature on how SARS-CoV-2 reaches the brain. "Some animal experiments suggest the virus can cross the blood-brain barrier. There's also a suspicion that it infects the olfactory nerve and from there invades the central nervous system. But these are hypotheses for now," he said.

One of the discoveries revealed by the PNAS article is that the virus does not use the protein ACE-2 to invade central nervous system cells, as it does in the lungs. "Astrocytes don't have the protein in their membranes. Research by Flavio Veras [FMRP-USP] and his group shows that SARS-CoV-2 binds to the protein neuropilin in this case, illustrating its versatility in infecting different tissues," Martins-de-Souza said.

At UNICAMP's Neuroproteomics Laboratory, Martins-de-Souza analyzed nerve cells and others affected by COVID-19, such as adipocytes, immune system cells and gastrointestinal cells, to see how the infection altered the proteome.

"We're now compiling the data to look for peculiarities and differences in the alterations caused by the virus in these different tissues. Thousands of proteins and hundreds of biochemical pathways can be altered, with variations in each case. This knowledge will help guide the search for specific therapies for each system impaired by COVID-19," he said.

"We're also comparing the proteomic differences observed in brain tissue from patients who died of COVID-19 with proteomic differences we've found over the years in patients with schizophrenia. The symptoms of both conditions are quite similar. Psychosis, the most classic sign of schizophrenia, also occurs in people with COVID-19."

The aim of the study is to find out whether infection by SARS-CoV-2 can lead to degeneration of the white matter in the brain, made up mainly of glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) and axons (extensions of neurons). "We've observed a significant correspondence [in the pattern of proteomic alterations] associated with the energy metabolism and glial proteins that appear important in both COVID-19 and schizophrenia. These findings may perhaps provide a shortcut to treatments for the psychiatric symptoms of COVID-19," Martins-de-Souza pondered.

Marcelo Mori, a professor at IB-UNICAMP and a member of the Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), the study was only possible thanks to the collaboration of researchers with varied and complementary backgrounds and expertise. "It demonstrates that first-class competitive science is always interdisciplinary," he said. "It's hard to compete internationally if you stay inside your own lab, confining yourself to the techniques with which you're familiar and the equipment to which you have access."
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* server, researchers analyzed genomic sequences of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) obtained from 18 patients who contracted MPXV infection between June and July 2022.

Background

MPXV has a double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) genome and belongs to the Poxviridae virus family and genus orthopoxvirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized three viral clades named one to three encompassing viruses originating in the 2017-2018 outbreak (Nigeria) and those involved in the current 2022 multicountry outbreak.

Until 2022, all human MPXV infections imported from sub-Saharan Africa have occurred in non-endemic countries sporadically. Previous phylogenetic studies based on MPXV genomes released in Portugal and France in 2022 revealed that these viruses belong to clade III and likely have a single origin. Also, the epidemiological and clinical features of the current epidemic indicate it is sexually transmitted.

Further, these viruses comprise a lineage named B.1, which emerged in Europe between November 2021 and May 2022. The B.1 lineage had diverged from its ancestral A.1 lineage by approximately 50 nucleotide substitutions, nearly 10 times more than expected.

About the study

In the present study, researchers used next-generation Illumina and Nanopore genome sequencing (NGS) technologies to perform DNA metagenomic analyses of clinical samples from MPXV-infected individuals. They obtained MPXV genomes from genital skin lesions and rectal swabbing of 18 MPXV-infected patients.

The researchers deliberated NGS for clinical samples with a cycle threshold value (C T ) of the quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) 25. Next, they proceeded to metagenomic analyses of all NGS runs. Further, they mapped raw NGS reads against the MPXV genome GenBank Accession no. ON563414.3, a 197,205 base pair-long genome of MPXV retrieved from a patient sample in Massachusetts, United States, in May 2022. The Nextclade tool v1.6.0 uses these genome samples as a B.1 reference genome.

For phylogenetic analyses, the team retreived MPXV genomes deposited in the global initiative on sharing all Influenza Data (GISAID) database until 22 August 2022. They identified mutations common with those obtained in the present study. The genomes GenBank accession numbers 412 NC_063383 and ON563414 were added to root the phylogenetic tree. The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) authorized NGS of MPXV genomes.

Study findings

The researchers tested 307 patients for the presence of MPXV by real-time qPCR between May and July 2022 using skin lesions and fecal and nasopharyngeal samples. More specifically, they obtained 11 samples from skin lesions, including five localized on the penis, six from the rectum, and one from a nasopharynx.

The mean number of raw NSG reads mapped on the genome GenBank Accession no. ON563414.3 was 44,615 per sample, with mean sequencing depth and mean genome coverage of 4841 reads and 98.02.8%, respectively. The team observed that all 18 MPXV genomes obtained in the present study belonged to the B.1 lineage of clade III per WHO classification, with two belonging to the B.1.1 sublineage. Relative to the reference MPXV genome ON563414.3, six of the 18 genomes were genetically identical, while 12 harbored a minimum of one mutation, and the mean nucleotide identity between these genomes was 99.80.2%, per pairwise comparison computations. These 18 genomes had a mean of 3.32.2 mutations relative to ON563414.3.

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Of the total 36 different mutations present in at least one of the 18 genomes, 22 were non-synonymous while 14 were synonymous. The 22 non-synonymous mutations were nested inside 20 genes scattered along the MPXV genome. These 20 genes encoded -

i) two ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase subunits;

ii) two early transcription factor subunits and one intermediate and one late transcription factor;

iii) a phospholipase D-like protein; and

iv) four ankyrin-repeat-containing proteins.

In other words, these non-synonymous mutations led to amino acid changes in viral proteins crucial for virion replication and morphogenesis, and virus-host interactions. Future studies should further investigate the impact of these mutations on the function of these proteins and the MPXV replication cycle.

Another key observation was a greater mutation rate than expected based on a previous assessment for orthopoxviruses, which suggested that MPXV might be accelerating its evolution. According to the authors, a higher number of mutations between 66 and 73 amino acids in the MPXV genomes compared to the NC_063383.1 genome obtained from 304 human specimens collected in Nigeria in August 2018 could be due to the action of apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC3) family.

Intriguingly, the researchers also detected NGS reads identifying sequences from S. aureus and S. pyogenes in most MPX virus-positive clinical samples from skin lesions. These two bacteria cause superinfections in MPXV cases; however, more data is needed to establish the prevalence of these two bacteria in association with MPX virus lesions.

The WHO only recommends monitoring skin lesions for superinfection associated with cellulitis or abscess strictly. Also, they recommend superinfection treatment with antibiotics active against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus and S. pyogenes. Similarly, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends antibiotic treatment for people who have secondary bacterial skin infections. Nevertheless, in the 2022 MPXV outbreak, bacterial superinfections in skin lesions have caused substantial morbidity. Thus, it warrants close monitoring for prompt administration of antibiotics in such cases.

Conclusions

The study highlights the need for close monitoring of several aspects of genetic evolution and mutational patterns of MPXV clades that have emerged in non-endemic countries with the 2022 outbreak and spread globally. For instance, studies should investigate the role of gene losses in MPXV transmissibility and replication and that of APOBEC3 enzymes in the increased mutation rate observed in MPXV genomes.

Notably, the expression and deaminase activity of the APOBEC3 enzymes alters during various infections and cancers. Most importantly, there is a need to detect bacterial agents of skin superinfections alongside sequencing and characterization of MPXV genomes.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Allergies are one of the most common conditions in children, with eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, affecting up to 30 percent of children worldwide. New research from Taiwan suggests that there may be an easy way to bring that number down, encourage physical fitness. Just don't send the kids outside on days when air quality is poor. The research also showed that children exposed to large amounts of air pollution were at greater risk of allergic conjunctivitis. The researchers hope their study will promote physical activity in children and inspire policymakers to prioritize environmental protection. The data will be presented at AAO 2022, the 126th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The rising prevalence of allergic diseases, particularly in the pediatric population, is a serious global public health concern. Although symptoms in allergic conjunctivitis are often considered minor, it tends to have a chronic course with multiple recurrent episodes and can negatively affect school performance and quality of life in children." Tsai-Chu Yeh, MD, Lead Researcher

Allergic conjunctivitis is when an allergen causes inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering the white of the eye. Symptoms include eye redness, itching, and watery eyes.

To conduct the study, the researchers tracked the health data of 1,271,730 children who were examined at age 10. Data were collected from 2010 to 2018. They used Taiwan's nationwide Physical Fitness Test to measure the children's physical fitness, a test that measures muscular endurance, muscular power, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility.

Researchers found that children who were more physically fit were less likely to develop allergic conjunctivitis. Those who were at increased risk tended to be overweight, experienced greater exposure to air pollution, lived in densely populated urban areas, and had a history of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis.

This research supports several previous studies that suggest a relationship between allergic conjunctivitis and air pollution levels.
BGI Genomics, in collaboration with Southwest University, the State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, and other partners, has constructed a high-resolution pangenome dataset representing almost the entire genomic content in a silkworm.

This research paper, providing genetic insights into artificial selection (domestication and breeding) and ecological adaptation, was published on 24 September in Nature Communications.

Previously, due to the scarcity of wild silkworms and technical limitations of former studies, many trait-associated sites were missing. This is the first research ever to digitize silkworm gene pool and create a "digital silkworm", greatly facilitating functional genomic research, promoting precise breeding, and thus enabling additional silk use cases.

The team deeply re-sequence 1,078 silkworms (B. mori, including 205 local strains, 194 improved varieties, and 632 genetic stocks and 47 wild silkworms, B. mandarina) and assemble long-read genomes on 545 of these samples, generating 55.57 T of genomic data.

This pangenome dataset contains the most comprehensive information on the genomes of domestic and wild silkworm, and is the largest long-read pangenome in the world for plants and animals to date. At the same time, in-depth studies on various genetic variation, population structure, artificial selection and ecological adaptations and economic traits of silkworm have been carried out, yielding fruitful results.

The origins of the domestic silkworm

The domestic silkworm, B. mori, domesticated from the wild mulberry silkworm, B. mandarina. It has an history of over 5,000 years, but its domestication origin location has long been an open question, due to a lack of strong biological evidence.

The material in this study represents the richest genetic diversity from all major sericulture regions of the world. The study found out that endemic species from China's lower and middle Yellow River region are distributed at the base of the domestic silkworm branch on the evolutionary tree, thus suggesting that the domestic silkworm originated in this region. The available archaeological evidence, including a half cocoon excavated in 1926 at Xiyin Village, Xia County, Shanxi Province, and a stone-carved silkworm pupa excavated in 2019 at Shicun in the same county, provide important support to this conclusion.

Breaking the bottleneck in silkworm breeding

The traditional breeding of silkworms has a long and unique history, but since the 1990s remained stuck in a bottleneck. Systematic analysis of the genetic basis of domestication and improvement selection is essential to solve the unresolved issues in silkworm breeding. The team has identified 468 domestication-associated genes and 198 improvement-associated genes, of which respectively 264 and 185 are newly identified. These genes will be important candidate targets for molecular improvement of silkworm.

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At the same time, it was found out that the Chinese and Japanese utility species share less than 3% of the improvement loci. This not only reveals the relatively independent breeding histories of Chinese and Japanese silkworm, but also explains why this shared genetic basis provides such hybrid advantages for both species. This result sheds new insights for future breeding of the silkworm.

Economic traits of silkworm breeding

Yield and quality of silk have long been targeted as the main economic criteria for artificial selection of silkworm. However, up to this date, little is known about how genes and loci control these quantitative traits. The pangenome is arguably the 'nearest bridge' between phenotypes, especially complex traits.

A case in point is the regulation of silk production by the cell cycle-related transcription factor BmE2F1, which was revealed through selection signalling and structural variation. CRISPR-cas9 mediated knockout of BmE2F1 reduces the number of silk gland cells by 7.68% and silk yield by 22%. Conversely, the transgenic overexpression of BmE2F1 increases the number of silk gland cells by 23% and silk yield by 16%.

Fine silk has unique applications and higher economic value, but the genetic basis of fiber fineness remained previously unknown. Analysis of rare variants in the genomes of slender varieties led to the identification of BmChit -GlcNAcase, a gene controlling silk fineness that can significantly be detected in fine varieties, and CRISPR-cas9 mediated knockout, resulting in coarser silk fineness produced by domestic silkworms. This suggests this gene plays a key role in determining silk fineness.

Adaptive traits of silkworm breeding

Diapause is a common ecological adaptive trait in insects that ensures that insects can survive despite unfavorable environmental conditions. Although the diapause hormone was first identified in the silkworm in 1957, little information is available on the embryonic dipause gene. In this study, based on the analysis of the pnd strain and genomic structural variation in the silkworm, and functional validation by gene editing, the BmTret1-like gene revealed itself to be an important determinant of post-embryonic stalling. This is the first time that a post-embryonic determinant gene has been identified in an insect.

This study reveals the complete pan-genome of the silkworm to unlock artificial selection and ecological adaptation insights. Shuaishuai Tai, co-author and BGI Genomics senior researcher commented, "With comprehensive sampling and dataset combined with a variety of experiments to identify genes for future potential study, we hope to accelerate the process of silkworm molecular design breeding."
More than 60% of family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimers disease (AD) experienced at least mild depressive symptoms already at the time the individual with AD was diagnosed. In one third of them, depressive symptoms worsened during a five-year follow-up.

The study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland included 226 family caregivers of individuals with AD. Depressive symptoms experienced by family caregivers were monitored for five years, starting from the diagnosis of the individual with AD. 61.5% of family caregivers experienced depressive symptoms at the time the individual with AD was diagnosed. In more than half of them, depressive symptoms remained mild during the follow-up and even diminished in some few cases, but one third experienced an increase in depressive symptoms. In family caregivers whose depressive symptoms worsened during the follow-up, symptoms increased especially in the third and fifth year after the diagnosis of the individual with AD.

Family caregivers whose symptoms worsened were typically women caring for their spouse, and the spouse had more neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, the functional ability of the individual with AD, or the severity of their disease, were not associated with family caregivers depressive symptoms.

Depressive symptoms weaken, for their part, family caregivers health. So far, data on how these symptoms change over the years of giving family care, and how family caregivers differ from one another, have been scarce.

Family caregivers health and well-being should be monitored, too

According to this study, about one third of family caregivers experience persistent depression when giving family care. It seems that the severity or progression of the memory disorder does not explain family caregivers symptoms, but they are rather related to individual backgrounds. Family caregivers enter the caregiving situation, which often lasts many years, from different backgrounds, and these differences persist. Tarja Valimaki, Adjunct Professor, Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland.

The results support earlier findings of the ALSOVA study suggesting that it would be possible to identify those family caregivers who accumulate several strain factors during the years of giving care. Family care also involves maintaining the health and good life of family caregivers.

It is important to consider the health of the family caregiver already when looking into the situation of the individual with AD. Assessment and continuous monitoring of family caregivers' health and well-being should be included in the treatment of memory disorders, Valimaki says.

The study was carried out as part of the ALSOVA study at the University of Eastern Finland, which has conducted a five-year follow-up of individuals with a recently diagnosed AD and their family caregivers. The multidisciplinary study combines medical, therapeutic, economic, pharmacological and psychological expertise. All study participants diagnosed with AD were examined and treated in accordance with the current care guidelines for Alzheimers disease.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 49F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 31F. Winds light and variable.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain yesterday called on Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency to make the Middle Eastern region free of nuclear weapons. The Kingdom also urged Iran to refrain from harming the region and neighbouring countries, which are committed to establishing a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.

The comments came as Dr Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri addressed the 66th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

Nuclear weapons and their proliferation are a threat to regional and international peace and stability, the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the UN said. He also reminded world nations that abandoning nuclear weapons is the only way to ensure peace and stability.

In this regard, Dr Bucheeri also voiced the keenness of Bahrain to strengthen its relationship with IAEA to develop capabilities in the peaceful use of atomic and nuclear energy. His comments also spotlight the warning of Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia amid the war in Ukraine.

Efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal had also hit a wall over insistence by Iran on the closure of the UN investigations. Callling nuclear weapons and their proliferation threat to regional and international peace and stability, Bahraini envoy reminded the conference that it requires collective action from all.

Bahrain to sign ARASIA

Dr Yusuf Abdulkarim Bucheeri also revealed that Bahrain seeks to sign the co-operative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA).

Bahrain will also approve the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, he added. Dr Bucheeri further called on all states to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and subject their nuclear programmes and facilities to the comprehensive safeguards system of IAEA.

He appreciated the efforts of Kuwait during its presidency of the 65th session, thanking Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the Agency, for promoting international cooperation in the nuclear field for peace and development.

Hailing the technical cooperation programme as one of the main pillars of the agencys work, he said, Since its accession to IAEA, Bahrain has been focused on strengthening its infrastructure for radiological and nuclear safety and security, developing techniques for scintillation analysis, paired plasma mass spectrometry and TMR analysis.

Bahrain has also developed regulatory infrastructure for radiological and nuclear safety and a laboratory for nuclear analysis techniques, he added.
Bahrain police arrest four in scam claiming they could turn paper into cash

Bahrain police arrest four in scam claiming they could turn paper into cash

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Police have busted a racket that swindled people out of big money by tricking them into believing they could turn ordinary paper into genuine legal tender by applying chemicals.

Police arrested four persons and are further investigating the case.

The head of the Capital Governorate Prosecution said they trapped the suspects based on a tip-off received by the Economic Crimes Control Department.

Investigations revealed that the quartet hoodwinked unsuspecting victims bitten by the get-rich-quick bug into thinking that they could use chemicals to turn papers into original currency notes.

The suspects confessed to their crimes when prosecutors confronted them with evidence proving their fraud.

This, however, is not the first time scammers have deluded people with such crazy ideas.

In a similar case reported earlier in Bahrain, the Interior Ministry has arrested a man - an African national- for cheating people by claiming that he could turn paper into cash.

Not the first time In a similar case reported by Indian police, suspects had used black iodide solution to coat genuine cash and then washed them with greenish-blue sodium thiosulphate or hypo that was once popular for developing photographs from negatives in the darkroom.

The gang would then convince customers to buy wads of currency note-shaped paper coated in black iodide and the chemical solution in a bottle.

A gang member would later bump into the buyer to damage the bottle as insurance against discovering the con and informing the police.

In another instance, a middle-aged Hongkonger lost HK$10 million (US$1.27 m) in a scam in which she transferred more than HK$8 m to buy a special liquid chemical to recover blackened banknotes.

In black money scams, con artists typically tell their victims they have piles of black paper, claiming they are genuine banknotes dyed to avoid the detection of authorities in wartorn countries.

The victims are then coerced to buy expensive chemicals to remove the dye and usually promised a share of the recovered money
Bahrain imposes anti-dumping duty on batteries from Turkey and India

Bahrain imposes anti-dumping duty on batteries from Turkey and India

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain imposed anti-dumping duty on motor batteries from Turkey and India to guard local and domestic manufacturers and industries against cheap imports.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the duties on motor batteries between 32 to 225 amps capacity are effective Saturday.

The ministry, however, said it exempts AGM and EFB battery types from the duties. Duties imposed will be based on the dumping rate of the products.

These duties follow a complaint lodged by the regional industry to the Technical Secretariat Office on the effects of dumping of imported products, said Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Development at the Ministry, Dr Khaled Fahad Alalawi.

Dr Alalawi said that probes found an increase in import volume from Turkey and India.

The decision also follows approval by the Cabinet of a decision by the GCC Ministerial Committee for Industry to impose anti-dumping measures to mitigate the harmful effects brought about by international trade on local and GCC-made products.

India, according to Volzas India export data, is the largest exporter of lead-acid storage batteries to Bahrain and accounts for 5,441 shipments from 279 suppliers until the 13th of October 2021.

The report also states India, the United States and South Korea as the top three exporters of Batteries to Bahrain.

The United States accounts for 476, and South Korea at the 3rd spot with 266 shipments.

Battery export shipments from all over the world to Bahrain are 6.4K, exported by 199 Suppliers, Volza report said.

Lead-acid batteries used for starting piston engines top the exported products.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the worlds largest aluminium smelters, held its third quarterly Board of Directors meeting at the Al Dana Hall yesterday in the presence of Chairman, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa. Shaikh Daij started the Board meeting with: A thank you note on behalf of the Directors to Alba Executives, Management, employees, and contractors personnel for the exceptional Safety record with Alba setting a precedent in its Safety performance with more than 31 million safe working hours without LTI. Adding further: To further grow, we must do something beyond of what we have already mastered. With the first concrete pour at Power Station 5 Block 4, we advance closer to meet our ESG objectives.

The Chairman shared the latest developments on the proposed Line 7 Project. In addition, insights were given on the Companys productivity and financial performance to-date as well as Sales with the global logistics challenges The board also reviewed the Companys ESG developments to include the debut of Power Station 5 (PS5) Block 4s construction Project, which will bring Alba one step closer in its race towards decarbonization in terms of higher efficiency and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The Board was apprised of the successful closure of the financing with Sinosure Export Credit Agency in relation to this Project. Alba Board of Directors comprises six directors appointed by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company B.S.C.   Yousif A. Taqi, Suha Karzoon, Shaikh Isa Bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Tim Murray and Rasha Sabkar. The three directors appointed by Sabic Industrial Investments Co. (SIIC) are Ahmed Alduriaan, Iyad Al-Garawi and Omar A. Al-Amoudi and one elected director, Mutlaq Hamad Al-Morished.
Japan Today - Sep 29

Japanese and Chinese leaders exchanged messages to mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties on Thursday, with little mood for a grand celebration as tensions remain over a territorial row and a deepening rift between Beijing and Western nations over Taiwan.
TOKYO, Sep 30 ( Kyodo ) - A Japanese court on Friday upheld the denial of a long-term residence visa to an American man who married his same-sex Japanese partner in the United States.

The Tokyo District Court also rejected damages of 1.1 million yen ($76,000) sought by the U.S. national, Andrew High, and his Japanese partner, Kohei, who claimed the denial of the visa impinged on their freedom to live as a family. The Japanese man has requested his family name be withheld.

The two married in 2015, and High has applied unsuccessfully for a Japanese long-term visa five times since 2018. He currently resides in Japan on a temporary visa. ...continue reading
S.Korea says DPRK fires ballistic missile toward eastern waters

Xinhua) 13:09, September 30, 2022

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired an unidentified ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Thursday without mentioning further details.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 28, 2022 /CNW/ - Capella Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CMIL) (OTCQB: CMILF) (FRA: N7D2) ("Capella" or the "Company") advises that it has informed EMX Royalty Corp (TSXV: EMX) (NYSE: EMX) ("EMX") of its intention to return 7 gold exploration claims that constitute approximately 90% (466 sq. km) of the original Southern Gold Line property package in northern Sweden. However, Capella will retain a 100% interest in an eighth licence (Faboliden Sodra 103) covering an area of 44 sq. km and which is currently being explored for high-grade copper targets.

Eric Roth, Capella's President and CEO, commented: "Capella's decision to cease gold exploration activities in the Southern Gold Line area is directly attributable to two factors. Firstly, the Company will focus its Scandinavian exploration efforts on its portfolio of high-grade copper and battery metal projects in Norway and Finland (including the Lkken and Kjli projects, which were also acquired from EMX). Secondly, Dragon Mining Ltd (HK: 1712) recently announced that its environmental permit application for the commencement of full-scale gold mining at the adjacent Faboliden project has been rejected by the Swedish Court. Considering the Faboliden decision, a prudent course of action for Capella would be to not continue investing in a project that does not currently have a clear path for obtaining permits for potential future development.

Capella will, however, continue to retain exposure to gold exploration success through its two Canadian Joint Ventures  Savant and Domain, which are operated by Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) and Yamana Gold Inc (TSX: YRI), respectively  as well as the Katajavaara-Aakenus project in Finland. I look forward to keeping the market informed on progress at all projects."

Qualified Persons and Disclosure Statement

The technical information in this news release relating to the Southern Gold Line project has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101, and approved by Eric Roth, the Company's President & CEO, a Director, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Roth holds a Ph.D. in Economic Geology from the University of Western Australia, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr. Roth has 30 years of experience in international minerals exploration and mining project evaluation.

On Behalf of the Board of Capella Minerals Ltd.

"Eric Roth"

___________________________

Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM

President & CEO

About Capella Minerals Ltd

Capella is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of quality mineral resource properties in favourable jurisdictions with a focus on high-grade copper and battery metals projects. With respect to base and battery metals, the Company's current focus is on i) advancing its recently acquired Hessjgruva project and the adjacent Kongensgruve and Kjli projects in the northern Rros copper mining district of central Norway, as well as ii) the discovery of further high-grade VMS-type deposits in a district-scale land position around the past-producing Lkken (Lkken Verk District) copper mine. The recent Perho reservation application in Finland covers part of the Erajarvi pegmatite field and is also expected to provide the Company with exposure to new lithium, cesium, and tantalum ("LCT pegmatite") discoveries.

The Company's precious metals focus is on the discovery of high-grade gold deposits on the Katajavaara-Aakenus JV in Finland and its active Canadian Joint Ventures with Prospector Metals Corp at Savant (Ontario) and Yamana Gold Inc. at Domain (Manitoba). The Company also retains a residual interest (subject to an option to purchase agreement with Austral Gold Ltd) in the Sierra Blanca gold-silver divestiture in Santa Cruz, Argentina.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of Capella, including the timing, completion of and results from the exploration and drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Capella in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Capella's most recently filed MD&A. Capella does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Capella Minerals Limited

For further information: Capella Contacts: Eric Roth, Email: [email protected]; Karen Davies, +1.604.314.2662
Investment to support initiatives that provide on-the-job learning opportunities to Canadian students

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2022 /CNW/ - Canadian workers are among the most educated in the world; however, employers look for post-secondary graduates who have work-ready skills and are able to transition into the Canadian labour market immediately. Work-integrated learning (WIL) programs help bridge the gap between post-secondary students and employers by enabling crucial skills development and facilitating entry into the labour market.

The Government of Canada continues to look for more opportunities to jump-start Canada's labour market and support innovation and growth. That is why the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, today announced renewed funding for the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) program.

The $17.1 million investment over the next 3 years will enable the creation and scaling of over 22,300 WIL opportunities for students across Canada. BHER will leverage its renewed program funding and existing partnerships in focus areas aimed at under-represented groups, giving them the resources and tools needed to obtain crucial work-ready skills. BHER will also focus on developing partnerships to support skills and talent development needed for a transition to a net-zero economy.

The WIL programs provided through BHER will build on existing skills with on-the-job placements. These placements help students get a sense of workplace culture, experience the true industry environment, enhance their soft skills and technical skills, and build professional networks.

As part of the renewed mandate, BHER will continue to develop innovative tools and resources that will be added to its free-to-use WIL Hub to help employers explore, invest in and create quality work-integrated learning opportunities.

Quote s

Our government knows how important it is to continue supporting organizations that are leaders in the growth and development of Canada's next generation of working professionals. The Business + Higher Education Roundtable and its partners are paving the way in providing post-secondary students with the diverse, quality work opportunities needed to meet the skills needs of Canada's world-class workforce. Our government is proud to be a part of this continued success, and I cannot wait to see the positive impacts this will make on Canadian organizations and students.

 The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

We are incredibly grateful to the Government of Canada for renewing its investment in BHER and for doubling down on our shared commitment to preparing post-secondary students for the world of work. Reinvesting in BHER means working together to build capacity for WIL in Canada and strengthening collaboration in the WIL ecosystem, while making WIL more inclusive and diverse so more students gain the skills employers are looking for and more employers find the talent they need."

 Dr. Valerie Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Business + Higher Education Roundtable

To reach our country's net-zero goals, we'll need an historic shift across our economy and society, and unprecedented levels of collaboration between the public and private sectors. A talent and skills strategy will be at the heart of our transition, which is why creating work-integrated learning opportunities for every student in Canada is critically important. This commitment is another step to help us get there.

 Dave McKay, President and CEO, RBC & Chair of BHER's Board of Directors

Quick facts

The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) is a not-for-profit organization bringing together some of Canada's largest companies and leading post-secondary institutions.

largest companies and leading post-secondary institutions. BHER has worked to harness the strengths of Canada's business and post-secondary education sectors to build opportunities for young Canadians all across Canada .

business and post-secondary education sectors to build opportunities for young Canadians all across . BHER was first launched in 2015, and has supported nearly 40,000 WIL opportunities for students across Canada in the past.

in the past. Students who participate in WIL opportunities are more likely to benefit from higher earnings and more employment opportunities, be employed in fields more closely related to their studies and develop technical and work-ready skills sought after by employers.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that every young Canadian who wants a Work-integrated Learning opportunity gets one.

Associated links

Stay connected

Find more services and information at Canada.ca/ISED.

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.

Twitter: @ISED_CA, Facebook: Canadian Innovation, Instagram: @cdninnovation and LinkedIn

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: Laurie Bouchard, Senior Manager, Communications, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 29, 2022 /CNW/ - Equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to Canada's economy, both now and in the future. When senior executives are reflective of Canada's diversity, businesses and organizations of all sizes benefit. The Government of Canada believes that corporate Canada should look like Canada and that bringing broader perspectives and talents to decision-making bodies is essential to building a stronger and more resilient economy.

Today, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, launched the What Works Toolkit, an extensive online resource designed for Canadian organizations looking to adopt better equity and diversity practices. The toolkit was created in partnership with KPMG in Canada and is hosted online by the Diversity Institute, one of the five Ecosystem Partners that support the 50  30 Challenge.

The What Works Toolkit provides tangible actions, best practices and strategic workplace approaches based on existing evidence for the recruitment, mentoring, promotion and retention of diverse staff. It also includes activities and initiatives on anti-racism and anti-harassment and provides examples of successful diversity plans that can be replicated to help organizations reach their diversity goals.

In addition to supporting this new resource, the five Challenge Ecosystem Partners are actively developing various supports to help participants meet the Challenge objectives, such as outreach and events, diversity programs, trainings, action plans and overall guidance. These additional resources will become available over the next several months.

Quotes

"Diversified teams benefit our economy and make good business sense. With this toolkit, businesses and organizations will be better equipped to turn their goals into reality and get a few steps closer to that 50  30 objective. Canada is a diverse country, and everyone should have the chance to have their voice heard at the decision-making table."

 The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"If organizations follow the best practices that we've helped our clients embrace over the years, they can truly achieve real change in their workplace culture. In this toolkit, we focus on how the many facets of an organization must work in concert to achieve a workplace culture of belonging and respect that attracts diverse talent and removes systemic bias. It's not enough to hire someone from an under-represented group to meet targets. That won't automatically improve an organization's performance. Moving the needle hinges on how well an organization builds trust; dismantles systems of discrimination; educates, trains, mentors and sponsors employees; creates a psychologically safe working environment; and embraces different styles and opinions."

 Silvia Gonzalez-Zamora, Partner, People and Change, Management Consulting Services, KPMG in Canada

"There is evidence to suggest that diverse leadership helps organizations tap into new markets, attract the best and the brightest, drive innovation and performance, and reduce risk. Many Canadian businesses have expressed commitments to increase diverse leadership but need support in implementing a strategy and finding diverse talent. The 50  30 Challenge is a first-in-the-world voluntary pledge that the What Works Toolkit will help support by offering effective strategies for organizations across sectors. This resource, along with the tools provided by the Diversity Institute, including our Diversity Assessment Toolkit, best practices for boards, the Micropedia of Microaggressions and the support of other 50  30 Challenge Ecosystem Partners (Colleges and Institutes Canada, Global Compact Network Canada, Women's Economic Council and Egale) will help advance gender parity and increase diversity in leadership."

 Wendy Cukier, Academic Director of the Ted Rogers School of Management's Diversity Institute

Quick facts

Launched in December 2020 , the 50  30 Challenge is a voluntary pledge that Canadian companies, not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions can make to achieve gender parity (50%) and significant representation (30%) of equity-deserving groupsincluding racialized persons, Indigenous people, people living with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2+ communityon corporate boards and in senior management positions.

, the 50  30 Challenge is a voluntary pledge that Canadian companies, not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions can make to achieve gender parity (50%) and significant representation (30%) of equity-deserving groupsincluding racialized persons, Indigenous people, people living with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2+ communityon corporate boards and in senior management positions. A contract to develop the What Works Toolkit was awarded to KPMG in December 2021 after an open request for proposals (RFP). The RFP required applicants to possess extensive experience supporting diversity and inclusion change management initiatives, among other requirements, and applicants were evaluated by representatives of ISED, Women and Gender Equality Canada, and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

after an open request for proposals (RFP). The RFP required applicants to possess extensive experience supporting diversity and inclusion change management initiatives, among other requirements, and applicants were evaluated by representatives of ISED, Women and Gender Equality Canada, and the Department of Canadian Heritage. Studies have proven that more diverse teams are more likely to outperform non-diverse teams on profitability, revenues and workplace productivity. Diversified boards and senior management teams make good business sense by generating and fostering fresh insights, new ideas and creative solutions.

Related products

Associated links

Stay connected

Find more services and information at Canada.ca/ISED.

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.

Twitter: @ISED_CA, Facebook: Canadian Innovation, Instagram: @cdninnovation and LinkedIn

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

For further information: Laurie Bouchard, Senior Manager, Communications, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, [email protected]; Media Relations: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 30, 2022 /CNW/ -

Hello,

I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.

Thank you for joining us on this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Thank you for walking the path of reconciliation, of healing, of remembrance.

Today is about Indigenous peoples. It's about our true history. It's about the survivors. It's about the children who never came home.

We cannot deny the truth of Canada's history. We cannot accept the way our country has treated Indigenous peoples. We cannot forget the children, victims of residential schools.

Everyone here, everyone watching across Canada, take a look at the shoes on this stage.

Look at the Bentwood Box, a sacred item holding symbols of deep personal resonance for survivors.

Look at the names on the Memorial Cloth, children across Canada who never got to see their homes again.

This is what happens when policies mix with prejudice.

Growing up in Nunavik, I witnessed most of my friends leaving for residential school. Because my mother was Inuk and my father was a white man, I was left at home. And so I saw the impact on my community. I felt the void left by the children.

It was devastating.

It still is. Too many Indigenous communities suffer inter-generational trauma.

To them, I say:

I see your pain.

I believe in your stories.

And I believe in reconciliation as part of the healing journey.

When unmarked graves of children were found at residential schools, Canadians opened their minds and hearts to the lived realities of Indigenous peoples. For many Canadians, it was the first time they were confronted by our true history.

And since then, I've seen reconciliation in action, across the country.

I see it in all of you here with us today.

I see hope in all of you.

Ajuinnatanever give up, commit yourself to action.

Indigenous peoples still face many barriers. Yet, they constantly work to improve their communities, to create opportunities, to strengthen body, mind and spirit. There is great joy in Indigenous languages, culture and traditions.

Canadians can learn so much by leading with understanding and respect, by reaching out and learning from each otherIndigenous and non-Indigenous alike.

We are all responsible  each and every one of us.

I encourage all of us to talk about reconciliation from coast to coast to coast. Raise it with family and friends.

Have the hard discussions. This is difficult work, but necessary and rewarding.

Together, let's build a country where we can be who we are, without judgment, without discrimination.

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, let's raise our voice and take action, today and every day. That is my hope for tomorrow.

Thank you.

SOURCE Governor General of Canada

For further information: Media information: Rideau Hall Press Office, 343-573-7563, [email protected]
OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 29, 2022 /CNW/ - The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Marco Mendicino, and the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, issued this update today on the continued action and progress being made by the Government of Canada and industry partners to reduce traveller wait times and delays across Canadian airports.

Latest data

Flight completions

For the week of September 19-25, 2022 , 97 percent of flights planned for Canada's top four airports were completed (i.e., not cancelled), an improvement from 95 percent for the first week of July.

, 97 percent of flights planned for Canada's top four airports were completed (i.e., not cancelled), an improvement from 95 percent for the first week of July. This percentage is very close to the week of September 23-29, 2019 , when 98 percent of flights for the top four airports were completed.

On-time performance

From September 19-25, 2022 , over 90 percent of flights from the top four airports left on time, or within one hour of their scheduled departure.

, over 90 percent of flights from the top four airports left on time, or within one hour of their scheduled departure. This is a significant improvement from under 75 percent for the first week of July and is approaching the pre-pandemic levels in September 2019 where 95 percent of flights were on time, or within an hour of scheduled departure.

Holding of aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport

The number of arriving international flights being held on the tarmac at Toronto-Pearson International Airport has decreased dramatically since May.

For the week of September 19-25, 2022 , 1.2 percent, or 25 international flight arrivals, were held on the tarmac, as compared to the peak of 373 during the first week of May.

Passenger security screening wait times

From September 19-25, 2022 , 91 percent of passengers at the four largest airports were screened within 15 minutes by CATSA, an improvement from 79 percent during the first week of July 2022 .

, 91 percent of passengers at the four largest airports were screened within 15 minutes by CATSA, an improvement from 79 percent during the first week of . Toronto-Pearson International Airport: 94 percent (99 percent in 2019)



Vancouver International Airport: 91 percent (90 percent in 2019)

International Airport: 91 percent (90 percent in 2019)

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport: 94 percent (98 percent in 2019)



Calgary International Airport: 81 percent (86 percent in 2019)

Pandemic measures in the transportation industry

On September 26, Ministers announced the removal of all remaining COVID-19 entry restrictions for air, rail, and marine operators and travellers. As of October 1, 2022:

Travellers will no longer be required to undergo health checks for travel by air and rail

Travellers will no longer be required to wear a mask for travel on planes and trains, though it is strongly recommended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19

Passengers and crew onboard cruise ships will no longer be subject to vaccine requirements or testing before they board a vessel

Airlines will no longer need to review the vaccination status of foreign nationals or confirm travellers have submitted the required information in ArriveCAN

Airlines will no longer need to ensure compliance with pre-entry testing requirements

Testing, quarantine, and isolation requirements for anyone entering Canada is no longer required, including mandatory random testing.

CBSA advance declaration

Travellers are still encouraged to submit their CBSA customs and immigration declaration information through ArriveCAN to save time at the border or at airport customs halls. This optional feature is currently available to travellers arriving at Toronto -Pearson, Vancouver , or Montreal-Trudeau international airports.

-Pearson, , or Montreal-Trudeau international airports. In the coming months, this feature will also become available to travellers arriving at the Calgary , Edmonton , Winnipeg , Billy Bishop Toronto City, Ottawa , Quebec City and Halifax international airports.

Increasing staffing for security screening and collaborating with industry partners

Since April, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has hired 2,004 screening officers across Canada. Efforts to increase screening officer staff levels at all airports continue.

The Minister of Transport and Transport Canada continue to meet regularly with airports and airlines alongside CATSA, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and NAV CANADA to find solutions and address congestion.

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) mobile app expands to include Canadian preclearance locations

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced last month that the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) mobile app was expanded to include Montreal-Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport Preclearance locations.

The MPC mobile app, available to U.S citizens and Canadians visiting the U.S that possess a business or tourism visa, allows travellers to submit and store their passport and travel information on their mobile device so it will be readily available for future international travel  resulting in less congestion and more efficient processing.

Continued action to advance the rights of travellers

In Canada, airlines must follow the requirements of the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, which outline, among other obligations, compensation requirements for passengers for flight disruptions due to incidents within an airline's control.

On September 8, 2022, new regulations came into effect to ensure passengers are offered the option of a refund for flights that are cancelled, or where there is a lengthy delay, due to reasons outside of an air carrier's control (such as major weather events, or a pandemic) where it is not possible for the airline to complete the passenger's itinerary within a reasonable time frame.

These new rules are enforced by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), which is Canada's independent, quasi-judicial tribunal and regulator of the national transportation system, with the powers of a superior court. Additional resources of $11 million were provided through Budget 2022 to assist the CTA in fulfilling their mandate as passenger travel volumes continue to rise.

Associated Link

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news or stay connected through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This statement may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

SOURCE Transport Canada

For further information: Nadine Ramadan, Press Secretary and Communications Advisor, Office of the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, [email protected], 613-993-0055
Last year, more than one million Orange Sprinkle Donuts were sold across Canada , raising over $1.6 million for the Orange Shirt Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society





, raising over for the Orange Shirt Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society The concept for the Orange Sprinkle Donut fundraising campaign was developed by a group of Indigenous Tim Hortons restaurant owners and after consulting with a number of Indigenous leaders

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, Tim Hortons and its 1,500 restaurant owners across Canada are coming together to launch the second-annual Orange Sprinkle Donut fundraising campaign in support of Indigenous charities.

More than one million Orange Sprinkle Donuts were sold and more than $1.6 million was raised in last year's fundraising campaign in support of residential school survivors.

Tim Hortons Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign returns TODAY with 100% of all fundraising donut sales being donated to Indigenous charities (CNW Group/Tim Hortons) Tim Hortons Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign returns TODAY with 100% of all fundraising donut sales being donated to Indigenous charities (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)

This year, proceeds raised in Quebec will be donated to the New Pathways Foundation, while proceeds raised in the rest of Canada will go to the Orange Shirt Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. In Saskatchewan, 50 per cent of the proceeds raised will also support the James Smith Cree Nation Community Fund.

The idea for the Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign originated last year after the discovery of unmarked graves on the grounds of the former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. A Tim Hortons restaurant co-owned by Shane Gottfriedson and Joe Quewezance is located a short distance from the site of the former residential school and became an impromptu gathering place for people who visited the site to pay their respects.

Gottfriedson, Quewezance and a number of other Indigenous Tim Hortons restaurant owners were part of a working group that guided the launch of the Orange Sprinkle Donut fundraising campaign.

"We're both intergenerational survivors of Indian residential schools, so it really hit home for us," said Gottfriedson, former Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation chief and former B.C. regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations.

"When we heard the amount of money that was eventually raised, it gave us a huge sense of accomplishment. The Orange Sprinkle Donut I believe will create a better quality of life for a lot of our families and a lot of our communities."

"I also want to thank Tim Hortons and my fellow Tims restaurant owners across Canada who stood beside us in launching this campaign and are supporting the cause again this year," added Quewezance.

"Last year, it was really important to hear from them right away, they asked what the brand could do at that time and that's where the Orange Sprinkle Donut came into play. We've opened the door here for an opportunity for everyone to find a way to help."

Orange Shirt Day has been observed on Sept. 30 since 2013, when Phyllis Webstad told her story of her first day of residential school. She was six years old in 1973, excited to be wearing her new clothes and going to school for the first time, only to have her shiny new orange shirt ripped away and learn that she didn't matter. Her organization, the Orange Shirt Society, and the Every Child Matters movement she created continue to raise awareness about Canada's history of residential schools, along with honouring the survivors and their families and the children who never returned home. Last year, the federal government also designated Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

"Tim Hortons is helping to start important conversations with the Orange Sprinkle Donut," said Webstad. "We cannot heal what we don't talk about and I hope the Orange Sprinkle Donut will help bring about lots of conversation across Canada today."

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society has a more than 20-year history of providing services to residential school survivors, their families, and those dealing with intergenerational traumas. One of the Society's goals is to continually expand support to partner organizations and maximize access to culturally sensitive, emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care.

"The Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign helps us provide better services to communities where it's very much needed. The support from Canadians last year was incredible, we had never received such a big donation from any organization," said Rick Aleck, Co-Chair of the Indian Residential School Survivor Society.

Founded in 2010 and the result of a regional strategy driven by First Nations chiefs to combat poverty and social exclusion, the New Pathways Foundation works for the future and well-being of First Nations youth in Quebec.

"We thank Tim Hortons for partnering with us for their impactful Orange Sprinkle Donut campaign and helping spark conversations about Indigenous history and why we commemorate Sept. 30," said Marie-Claude Cleary, executive director of the New Pathways Foundation.

About Tim Hortons

In 1964, the first Tim Hortons restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario opened its doors and Canadians have been ordering Tim Hortons iconic Original Blend coffee, Double-Double coffees, Donuts and Timbits in the years since. Over the last 55 years, Tim Hortons has captured the hearts and taste buds of Canadians and has become synonymous with serving Canada's favourite coffee. Tim Hortons is Canada's largest restaurant chain operating in the quick service industry with nearly 4,000 restaurants across the country. More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the Canadian fabric and guests can enjoy hot and cold specialty beverages  including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, teas and our famous Iced Capp  alongside delicious breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more. Tim Hortons has more than 5,100 restaurants in Canada, the United States and around the world. For more information on Tim Hortons visit TimHortons.ca

SOURCE Tim Hortons

For further information: [email protected]
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Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, urged all candidates in the 2023 general elections, including the likes of Peter Obi, Ati...

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, urged all candidates in the 2023 general elections, including the likes of Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Bola Tinunub, among others, to strive to make their campaigns issue-based, clean and violence-free.

Jonathan made the call in his virtual goodwill message read in Abuja at the signing of the first National Peace Accord on the 2023 general elections, which was attended by presidential candidates and their parties.

He also called on candidates, their promoters and supporters to exercise restraint and to run their campaigns based on issues that affected Nigerians.

Jonathan said, We are at a critical stage in our national life where we have no choice but to promote national cohesion, love and hope in order to make the desired progress.

We cannot afford to continue to play politics of bitterness and division along ethnic and religious lines. This is because such kind of politics portends great danger to our unity, growth and the sustenance of our democracy.

We have to be mindful of the destructive impact of hate speech, fake news and mindless propaganda, especially in a clime where the fabric of unity and stability still needs to be strengthened.

I charge the candidates, their promoters and supporters to exercise restraint and seek to run their campaigns based on issues that affect our people.

They should, by all means, avoid needless attacks on personalities, and use of abusive language for those are the elements that cause chaos and crisis during elections.
Presidential candidates of all political parties have signed a peace accord committing themselves to a peaceful campaign for the 2023 elec...

Presidential candidates of all political parties have signed a peace accord committing themselves to a peaceful campaign for the 2023 election.

All the candidates and the national chairman chairmen of their parties signed the accord organised by the National Peace Committee in Abuja on Thursday.

The 18 recognised political parties are fielding candidates in the 25 February election.

Some of the candidates that signed the accord were Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Others were Omoyele Sowore of African Action Congress, Hamzat Al-Mustapha of Action Alliance, Sunday Adenuga of Boot Party and the only female candidate in the race, Chichi Ojei of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Christoper Imumolen of the Accord Party; Yabagi Sani of Action Democratic Party, Dumebi Kachikwu of African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Dan Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party also signed the pact.

The candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, was represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

NigerianEye gathered that Mr Bola Tinubu is currently in the United Kingdom for an unknown reason.

Several Nigerians blasted Bola Tinubu for his absence at the peace accord.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the elite to make sacrifices towards bridging the gap between the rich and poor. Osinbajo spo...

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the elite to make sacrifices towards bridging the gap between the rich and poor.

Osinbajo spoke on Thursday at a public lecture to mark Nigerias 62nd independence anniversary in Abuja.

The lecture was titled: Elites and National Unity, and the guest lecturer at the event was Oladapo Afolabi, the former head of the civil service of the federation.

Osinbajo said there is a need to address the inequality in the society before it triggers crisis, adding that to ensure equity and fairness, the elite must be ready to make sacrifices.

The story of successful societies is quite simple. It is usually the story of how the societys elite  its best educated, its political, religious class  influence, direct and lead their societies to progress, Osinbajo was quoted as saying in a statement by Laolu Akande, his spokesman.

Put differently, every successful society is the product of a conscious, elite consensus: the implicit and explicit agreements of the elite to change their societies for good. But the elite must be prepared to make the sacrifices for the benefit of everyone.

We who are the elite are a privileged class. But privilege comes with responsibility. It is the French who describe it as Noblesse Oblige, the responsibility of privilege.

There is a responsibility that comes with who we are as the elite. The first responsibility of the elite is sacrifice, the ability to make sacrifices on behalf of the communities that you represent.

As Prof. (Afolabi) describes it from the original etymology of leadership, it means, go forth to die. People who are prepared to make sacrifices, even if it is the ultimate sacrifice, people who are prepared to sacrifice on behalf of their communities. That readiness to sacrifice is so important.

Every step of the way, in human civilisation, the bringing together of societies have been by the sacrifices that the elites have made. Theyve sacrificed their privileges and because they have sacrificed their privileges, their societies have moved forward. Where the elite fails in its responsibilities, the society itself eventually fails.
Arsenal management is worried about Thomas Parteys future at the club, according to the UK Sun. Parteys frequent fitness issues are becomi...





Arsenal management is worried about Thomas Parteys future at the club, according to the UK Sun.





Parteys frequent fitness issues are becoming a growing concern for the Premier League club.





The Ghana midfielder was unavailable for the final nine games of last season, as Arsenal fell apart and lost out on a top-four finish to Tottenham Hotspur.





He has already missed half of their eight matches this campaign with a thigh problem and returned early from international duty with the Black Stars after complaining of discomfort in his knee.





Arsenal are hopeful that his latest injury is not serious, but are not taking any risks ahead of Saturdays crucial North London derby.
RB Leipzig forward, Christopher Nkunku, has undergone a medical with Chelsea officials ahead of a possible move. However, the transfer has n...





RB Leipzig forward, Christopher Nkunku, has undergone a medical with Chelsea officials ahead of a possible move.





However, the transfer has not yet been wrapped up, according to the UK Telegraph.





Nkunku is one of several forwards on Chelseas radar, with new co-owner Todd Boehly eager to continue splashing the cash.





Boehly wants to equip Graham Potter with a squad capable of competing for Premier League and Champions League glory.





Although Nkunku has already undergone a medical with the Blues, it is understood no deal has been reached for the 24-year-old.





There is no assurance at this time that a move will ever actually happen.





Chelsea conducted medical tests to determine whether to pursue a transfer in 2023, when a 58million release clause in his contract comes into play.
There was massive jubilation amongst supporters of Bashir Sheriff Machina who has been affirmed by the Federal High Court sitting in Damatur...

There was massive jubilation amongst supporters of Bashir Sheriff Machina who has been affirmed by the Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu on Wednesday as the duly elected Candidate of the Yobe North Senatorial Candidate to contest on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

The affirmation was made by the presiding judge, Justice Fadima Aminu, who directed Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to accept and publish Machinas name accordingly.

Recall that the senate president, Ahmed Lawal who aspired for the APC presidential primary and lost, has been parading himself as the senatorial candidate of the Zone which led to the Court case.

But in her verdict on Wednesday, the Judge affirmed Machina as the duly and validly elected Yobe North senatorial candidate for APC thereby upholding the May 28 primary election of the Party that produced him.

Reacting to the judgement, the Liason Officer of Senator Rochas Okorocha, and former Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Committee, IPAC in Yobe state, Alhaji Buba Amshi described the verdict as Justice Delivered Appropriately.

Another supporter based in Jakusko, Abba Mohammed appreciated the judiciary for standing by the truth and for not yielding to any influence.

Likewise, Mallam Usman Nguru, a strong APC member basking in the euphoria of victory in a telephone interview said, the verdict has laid to rest distractions by the senate President, Ahmed Lawal to sending him packing from office, appreciating the Judiciary for standing by the truth.

Unfortunately, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan was not accessible at press time to comment, but his close associate who is not authorized to talk to the press said, We are set to study the judgement before any action is taken.

Counsel to Ahmed Lawan who is the second defendant, Kolawale Balogun told Journalists that, his team would be meeting with their client to come up with their position on the judgement.
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has commended the Enugu Catholic Diocese for lifting the ban on Rev Fr Ejike Mbakas ...





Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has commended the Enugu Catholic Diocese for lifting the ban on Rev Fr Ejike Mbakas adoration ministry.





It could be recalled that the ministry was banned over three months ago following Mbakas outburst against Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate.





However, it was reported on Thursday that the ban has now been lifted with mass expected to commence at the Adoration ground this Sunday, October 2.





This was disclosed in a terse statement by Rev Fr, Ejike Mbaka via a Facebook post on Thursday.





The statement read, Dear Adorers, to the glory of God, Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen, starts on Sunday 2nd October 2022 with 10 am Mass at the Adoration ground Umuchigbo Iji Nike Emene Enugu State.





God bless you miraculously as you come to worship God with us, Rev Fr, Ejike Mbaka.





Reacting, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which was in the forefront demanding the re-opening of the ministry, commended Bishop Calistus Onaga for heeding to the pleas of concerned Nigerians.





In a statement by Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, he said the decision was long overdue.





We want to express our profound gratitude to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu for doing the needful. When the Ministry was closed, we said that the decision was a harsh one considering the impact Fr. Mbaka is making in the lives of millions of people, including those he is feeding and paying their bills.





The closure of that Ministry no doubt took a toll on the lives of those his dependants; all the same, it is better late than never. We commend His Lordship, Bishop Calistus Onaga for heeding to our plea and that of many other Nigerians, Okwu said.





The Igbo youth leader, however, said it was necessary for the Catholic Church leadership to avoid a repeat of such development, which according to him  is being fueled by envy against Fr. Mbakas rare spiritual gifts.





Some of his colleagues in the priesthood are envious of his gifts, but one thing they should understand is that God gives grace. So, they should stop running to the Bishop to blackmail Fr. Mbaka, Okwu added.
Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the insecurity in Nigeria is not as bad as it was in 2015 when President Muhammadu...

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the insecurity in Nigeria is not as bad as it was in 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari came into power.

According to NAN, Mohammed said this on Thursday, at a public lecture, which was part of activities to mark Nigerias 62nd Independence Day anniversary.

The ministers comments come amid attacks by gunmen in parts of the country, leading to abductions, killings and destruction of property.

Mohammed said the Buhari administration has been able to change the insecurity narrative, adding that previously inaccessible states are now accessible.

When the administration came into office, most parts of the north-east were inaccessible due to the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists, who occupied the territory, he said.

Schools, finance houses, businesses were shut. The roads were inaccessible. Today, the situation has changed for the better.

He added that as one nation, the capacity of the Nigerian armed forces is increasing and would continue to get better.

He encouraged Nigerians, especially the elite, to join in safeguarding the country, saying everyone has a role to play to restore peace to the country.

Mr President believes that the elite will build up their exposure and their placement in the society in forging national unity and contributing to national issues, the minister added.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has said none of those contesting to be the president of Nigeria in 2023 can solve the nations...





A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has said none of those contesting to be the president of Nigeria in 2023 can solve the nations many problems.





According to Ozhekome, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party,z Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and all other presidential candidates would only try, but they would not be able to save Nigeria from the enormous challenges facing it.





The legal practitioner insisted that the presidential candidates cannot solve the problem of insecurity, poor economy, poverty, hunger and hopelessness that has enveloped the country.





He spoke while delivering his speech at the 2022 Independence Day Anniversary Lecture organised by the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abeokuta, the state capital.





Speaking on the theme: Nigeria In Search For An Enduring Political Structure; Imperative Of Structural Reforms, Ozekhome said only restructuring and change of the system of government can save Nigeria from doom.





He maintained that virtually everything is wrong with our country: insecurity, collapsed infrastructure, failure of the public school system, an economy in shambles. The list is endless.





Ozekhome advocated embracing our discarded Prime Minister system of government or dismantling and recoupling several of the institutions that help or hinder us.





He called for a serious re-examination of the 36 state structure as federating units vis-a-vis their fiscal/economic viability or their consolidation into six or more regions with economies of scale and higher investment rates.





The senior lawyer also advocated multiple vice-presidency, representing respective regions other than the region of the president, each of who would have supervising powers over some ministries to ensure equitable representation in the federal cabinet.





He held that the nation had derailed from the vision of its founding fathers, adding that if those in power do not want a change, the nation is likely to crumble.





Ozekhome also clamoured for the amendment of the 1999 constitution.
A 45-year-old widow, Olabisi Ayinla, has accused men of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos State, of extorting N610,...

A 45-year-old widow, Olabisi Ayinla, has accused men of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos State, of extorting N610,000 from her.

It was gathered that on August 27, Ayinla hired a truck to convey 15,000 litres of diesel, worth over N10m, to one of her customers at Idera Bus Stop, Owode Onirin in the Ikorodu area of the state.

However, the truck was allegedly hijacked by some armed men in military uniform at Anthony Bus Stop, along the Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway.

The widow, who supplies diesel and petrol products, told our correspondent on Thursday that the case was immediately reported at the Anthony Police Station, but was transferred to the SCID.

The officers were said to have demanded N610,000 from her for investigation and tracking, adding that she paid the money.

However, Ayinla said the cops had refused to do anything about the case, adding that they were making more demands from her.

She said, The truck was hijacked by some unknown military officers who ordered the driver to get down on the allegation that he was transporting diesel mixed with kerosene.

The driver showed them the waybill of the product, but the officers ordered him to get down and not switch off the engine of the truck. They also seized the waybill.

The driver and the motor boy were put into a blue Sienna vehicle and driven to Seven-Up Bus Stop, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where the officers dropped them, handing them their waybill. The driver and the motor boy rushed to the scene of the hijack, but on getting there, the fully-loaded truck was nowhere to be found.

The vehicle was later found on that same day around 7am at the LASTMA office, Iponri, through independent tracking of the motor boys phone, which was in the truck.

I found out that the product had already been discharged from the vehicle when I got to the LASTMA office.

She noted that the truck driver and motor boy, however, recognised one of the LASTMA officials, identified simply as Kabiru, as the driver of the Sienna vehicle that conveyed them to Seven-Up Bus Stop.

Ayinla stated that the duo were, however, detained at the SCID.

A female police officer, Blessing, and one Supol Malik asked them to shut up when they identified Kabiru. Till now, they have done nothing regarding the matter except demanding more money, she added.

Our correspondent sighted a petition written by a rights organisation, the iRelief Committee for Human Rights and Civic Engagements, regarding Ayinlas complaints.

The petition, which was signed by the Committee National Chairman, Momoh Raimi, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, dated September 28, 2022, demanded an investigation into the professional misconducts of the policemen.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said he was not aware of the incident.

The LASTMA spokesperson, Taofik Adebayo, stated that neither the agency nor its officials were involved in the matter.

He said, On that Saturday morning, a mini tanker was discovered to have been abandoned along Bode Thomas Road, off Funsho Williams, with plate number GGE558SJ. Upon discovery around 7am, we noticed that all the doors were left open, so we quickly drew the attention of the Iponri Police Station.

At the station, two of their officers were sent down and they inspected the mini truck. After that, they said the vehicle needed to be towed from that place to their office at Iponri. However, due to lack of space at the station, the vehicle was towed to the LASTMA office at Iponri, at the instruction of the Iponri policemen. In the evening of the same day, the owner of the vehicle came and found it in our compound.

The content of the truck had been emptied when we found it. The confessional statement of the driver was that the vehicle was hijacked. No LASTMA official was involved; the only persons involved were the towing vehicle personnel and the driver.
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MBABANE  A full bench of the High Court has dismissed the application by British American Tobacco Swaziland (PTY), where it was among other prayers, seeking an order for the declaration of the Alcohol and Tobacco Levy Act of 2019 to be inconsistent with the Constitution.

In its judgment, the court said the applicant (British American Tobacco Swaziland (PTY) failed to satisfy it that the Act was irrational. The matter was heard by a full bench of the High Court, which comprised of Judges Mbutfo Mamba, Mzwandile Fakudze and Titus Mlangeni. The Bill was passed into law on August 23, 2019 and it provides for the imposition and collection of levy on alcoholic drinks and tobacco products. When the Bill was debated in June 2016, British American Tobacco Swaziland (BATS) submitted that the introduction of the levy would increase trade in illicit cigarettes, which was then estimated to account for 24-30 per cent of the local market. BATS estimated the governments annual losses in revenue to illicit cigarette at E17 million.

BATS is a company incorporated and registered in Eswatini which markets and distributes British American tobacco products in the country through its partner, Ocean. These tobacco products comprise well-known global cigarette brands such as Dunhill, Pall Mall, Rothmans and Peter Stuyvesant. The company has operated in the country for more than 100 years. The tobacco products are manufactured in South Africa by British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) and imported to Eswatini by BATS. Respondents in the matter were the minister of Finance and the Commissioner General of then Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA), now Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS).

Repay

The applicant, BATS, further wanted the court to direct ERS to repay it a sum of E6.3 million it purportedly paid as levies to the latter from August 23, 2019. The attorney general, who was the second respondent in the matter, however, argued that the company had no claim over the E6.3 million as it was money paid as levy by the consumers.Mduduzi Lokotfwako who is Director of BATS, submitted that the levy was defined as tax and was levied and charged on both tobacco products manufactured and imported into Eswatini. The levy, according to Lokotfwako, is two per cent taxable value for manufactured tobacco products, calculated as the total consideration paid in money and seven per cent of the taxable value for imported tobacco products, calculated as the sum of; the value of the goods ascertained for the purposes of customs duty plus the amount of customs duty, excise tax and other fiscal charges, other than Value Added Tax (VAT), payable on those goods.

Advocate Barry Roux who had been instructed by Senior Lawyer Sidumo Mdladla on behalf of the Commissioner General of ERS, submitted that the levy was not a customs duty or an excise duty. It was his contention that, therefore, the international agreements relied upon by the applicant did not have any relevance and the application must fail in this basis alone. He further highlighted that applicants application was premised on the contention that the international agreement (GATT agreement, SACU and the Protocol), were entrenched by the Constitution and were enacted into domestic law by Parliament, accordingly bind the government with the consequence that the Act, which purportedly violated the terms of the international agreement, was constitutionally invalid.

Roux contended that Section 238 (4) of the Constitution provides that an international agreement becomes law in Eswatini only when enacted into municipal (domestic) law by Parliament. It was further his averment that the international agreement had not been enacted into domestic law in Eswatini. The advocate told the court that, further, the applicants reliance on GATT must fail as according to the applicants own case, the GATT dealt with customs duty and the levy was alleged to be an excise duty.

The SACU has not been enacted into domestic law, as an incorporation by reference to certain provision of the SACU in the Customs and Excise Act does not have the legal consequence that SACU was enacted into law by Parliament in Eswatini as contemplated by Section 238 (4) of the Constitution, averred Advocate Roux. He argued that, even if SACU was enacted into law and the levy was found to be an excise duty, then the levy fell within the ambit of exceptions dealing with life and health in Eswatini.

Agreements

Even if the intentional agreements apply, Section 61(1) of the Constitution, which include respect for international treaty obligations, makes its mandatory for government to promote and protect the interest of Eswatini, he argued. In its judgment, the full bench said BATS did not show that the levy was in any way irregular or unlawful. As already stated, this levy is a form of tax. That such tax or levy is perhaps too cumbersome on business, cannot be a reason to ground the averred contention that it amounts to denial of BATS right to carry out a trade or business freely in Eswatini. This point is also dismissed, reads part of the judgment.

During the argument of the matter, BATS argued that the levy imposed on imports was an expropriation without compensation. The court said all sovereign states had a right to impose taxes on all entities doing business within their area of jurisdiction. The court said this was too plain to argue. It was the courts observation that in the present case, the levy imposed in the Act was a form of tax. This tax, according to the court, was imposed on goods imported into the country by BATS. The court went on to point out that BATS was doing business in Eswatini and Parliament saw it fit to impose such levy on the imported goods.

The importer could be any one beside BATS. Therefore, BATS has not been solely targeted for this taxation. The levy has, in this case, not been shown to be unlawful or in any way irregular. It is, therefore, illogical and untenable to argue that this was a form of expropriation of property without compensation and in contravention of Section 19(2) of the Constitution, said the court. The court then dismissed the application in its entirety and BATS was ordered to pay costs of the application. The costs are to include the costs of counsel. The minister of Finance was represented by Assistant Attorney General Mbuso Simelane, while appearing for the applicant was Kenneth Motsa of Robinson Bertram.
MANZINI  A police officer was reportedly disarmed of his service rifle during a skirmish in Manzini, as protesters bayed for his blood.

The police officer was part of officers who were dispersing a group of protesters at the intersection of Meintjies and Mahleka streets (Next to Mozambique Hotel). This incident happened at around 11am. The protesters had converged at the intersection where they sang political songs leading to their destination at the Bosco Skills Centre, where they were to partake in a dialogue called by the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF) and the Swaziland Unemployed Peoples Movement (SUPMO).

As the numbers grew, they danced to and sang political songs along the aforementioned streets, which in turn disturbed traffic flow. While this was happening, a group of police officers approached the protesters and ordered that they should disperse. Conversely, this did not happen, which was followed by the police firing tear gas canisters.

Teargas

As the tear gas canisters were fired into the air, protesters ran in different directions to evade inhaling and or their eyes being exposed to the fumes which permeated the air. Some protesters, however, returned to sing and dance in the road, which resulted in two officers approaching them in a quest to ensure they dispersed. Seeing this, some protesters reportedly armed themselves with stones and approached one of the police officers while others manhandled him.

As they did this, according to SUDF Chairperson Lucky Dlamini, the leadership of his organisation intervened and ordered the protesters to stop the assault, while returning the gun to the law enforcer. We told the protesters they could not continue with their act, Dlamini said. He said they ensured that the police officer was safe and had his gun when leaving where he had been cornered by the protesters. Dlamini explained that the protesters were angry, as they did not understand why they were being dispersed. The chairperson also explained that one of the tear gas canisters had hit a bag which was carried by his organisations Communications Officer, Abigail Jele. Dlamini said Jele was not injured but was startled and scared by the incident.

Subsequent to the skirmish, some protesters marched through the Manzini Bus Rank and through the Bhunu Mall. Cutting across the Bhunu Mall from Ngwane Street, the protesters were singing political songs and briefly sang within the mall before exiting to Nkoseluhlaza Street. They marched as they made their way to the Bosco Skills Centre, where they were to converge for the dialogue. Meanwhile, Dlamini explained that the SUDF and SUPMO were mass based working class organisations that represent the wishes and aspirations of all the poor, unemployed and marginalised working class. He said when they were dispersed, they were on their way to deliver a petition to the Regional Administrator, Chief Gija. In the petition, the two entities narrated that it was now over a year since the arrest of the two Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.

Petition

The petition punched holes in the Judicial System, while also questioning how the people could collectively work together when some members of society were being persecuted for expressing their aspirations. It also bemoaned that there was yet to be an individual or institution taken to task for the killing of people during the June/July 2021 political unrest in the kingdom. The huge unemployment and poverty is caused by the incapability of the Tinkhundla Government. The ICC, which was to cost E1.2 billion is now over E6 billion and it is not yet handed over, reads the petition in part. The petition also claimed that unemployment and poverty were man-made in the country.
PIGGS PEAK  It was a bloody clash yesterday between police officers and ratepayers in Piggs Peak, while marchers in Manzini also had an encounter with the law enforcers.

In Piggs Peak, it all started with a prayer but instead of getting showers of blessings, ratepayers and residents were sprayed with tear gas and one got shot, after they clashed with the police. Vusi Beyonce Dlamini, who was among the residents, was shot in the face above the right eye. It could not be established whether he was hit by a tear gas canister or a rubber bullet. Vusi was among the residents who had fled when police officers fired tear gas inside the hall.

The residents, led by members of the Piggs Peak Ratepayers Association, headed to the town council after a brief meeting at the local park. They had gone to the civic centre to request an audience with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mzwandile Ndzinisa, or any of the officials or the mayor, regarding their petition seeking to stop the auctioning of properties of those who owed rates.

Praying

They left the park after praying and headed to the civic centre and found the doors locked. Only police officer Sergeant Busta Vilakati, who is also the Secretary of the Piggs Peak Ratepayers Association managed to enter the building. Despite requests to meet officials, none of them made themselves available to address the residents. After about 30 minutes, as more residents began to gather at the civic centre, police officers were called, some of whom arrived with firearms. Some of the residents retreated from the entrance but others remained and continued demanding an audience with the town council officials. Despite arriving at about 11am at the town council building, the residents lingered around for nearly two hours but no official came to address them. Meanwhile, more police officers, including the station commander, began to arrive.

Addressed

At this time, some of the residents and ratepayers managed to forcefully open the door and enter the civic centre. They then headed for the hall so that they could be addressed by the CEO or the mayor. However, the police officers entered the hall and ordered them to leave within five minutes. At this time, the residents responded and said they would stay put, until they were addressed by the CEO or the mayor. While the residents were waiting, tear gas was fired and they dispersed quickly. The residents fled towards one of the exits, including Vusi. As he was running, he was shot in the face while looking back as he tried to flee with the others. He fell to the ground and laid there for about two minutes and then stood up. He was knocked out by the impact of the canister that struck him.

It was only when he stood up that he realised that he had been shot, there was blood all over his face. A police officer who was accused of the shooting was almost assaulted by the visibly angry residents but he was shielded by his colleagues. The angry residents, upon realising that Vusi had been shot, approached a group of police officers and one of the residents shouted, nangu!, meaning here he is, while pointing at the police officer. The officer moved back but he was also shielded. Some of the residents also shielded the police officer and advised against attacking him.

More tear gas was fired to disperse the residents and ratepayers who were ordered to leave the area near the civic centre.

Meanwhile, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, said the police had no record of the shooting. She said this had not been reported. Meanwhile, the Piggs Peak Mayor, Victor Rodrigues, said he was shocked to learn that there with people waiting to speak to officials outside. He said they only realised that there were people when they heard the breaking of one of the doors. We were in a meeting since 10am, said the mayor. Further, he also said he did not understand what the bone of contention was. He said the issue of rates had been explained and exhausted. He also revealed that most of the people whose properties were supposed to be sold had shown up and paid, adding that only two property owners had still not paid. The mayor said the purpose of their meeting was also to determine where they went wrong by proposing to auction the properties. However, he said the conclusion was that the normal procedure was followed.
Cambodians hunting looted treasures in UK

London, Sep 30 (UNI) Two major British museums are opening up their collections to archaeologists and officials from Cambodia, in response to allegations that valuable items are sitting illegally in the UK.

The first visit is to the Victoria & Albert Museum on Friday, followed by one to the British Museum next week, BBC reported.

Cambodia wants the UK to help recover antiquities it says were stolen from its temples during years of conflict.
Michigan City-based Horizon Bank has donated $30,000 to the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County to encourage more people to give during its 30th anniversary.

Unity, which is LaPorte County's community foundation, is hosting LaPorte County Gives, a 30-hour fundraising event between Friday and Saturday at laportecountygives.net.

For over 30 years, Unity Foundation has served as a powerful conduit for donors, nonprofits and community stakeholders, said Craig Dwight, chairman and CEO of Horizon Bank and Horizon Bancorp. As a result, LaPorte County is poised for stronger partnerships and bigger impact for many years to come.

Unity Foundation of LaPorte County has distributed more than $22 million in grants for scholarships and to nonprofits across the community. Founded in 1992, it manages $45 million in assets and works to strengthen LaPorte County.

It aims to raise more than $300,000 in matching funds to "support worthy charitable and local causes, now and forever."

We are very grateful for Horizon Banks gift that will reward those who donate during LaPorte County Gives with a match to their favorite participating fund in Unity. Horizons gift takes the match pool over the $200,000 mark, said Maggi Spartz, president of Unity Foundation of LaPorte County.

For more information, visit laportecountygives.net or call 219-879-0327.
Valparaiso Professional Pharmacy recently moved to a new location along a highly trafficked stretch of Calumet Avenue.

The independent pharmacy relocated to 3540 Calumet Ave. in a strip mall with Mr. Eye Dr. and Coffee Cabin, where it has doubled its space.

The business was founded in Valparaiso in 1960. It was purchased by Lauri VanderTuin and Elton VanderTuin, then the director of pharmacy at Porter Hospital, in 2017.

"We are a family-owned, local pharmacy," she said. "We pride ourselves on customer care, competitive pricing, and quick turnaround on your prescriptions."

The pharmacy offers a full range of prescription drugs, as well as durable medical equipment and diabetes education.

"One of the most asked questions we get is 'Are you open to the public?'" she said. "Yes, we are a full-service retail pharmacy, happy to accept all patients, most insurances, and we have a great relationship with all the local doctors."

The business seeks to distinguish itself from the big corporate chains.

"Unlike the big chain pharmacies, we have the time to consult with our patients. A pharmacist is always available to discuss any concerns with a patient or their doctor," she said. "We take most insurance plans, and also offer cash prices if you dont have insurance. Generally speaking, if you have a new prescription you might wait 5-10 minutes, we value our customers' time and money."

It's planning a grand opening from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 13. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. that day.

"Our new store has twice the space we had before," she said. "We have a large selection of over-the-counter items such as vitamins, first aid, pain relievers, CBD, Braces, crutches, walkers, canes, essential oils and more."

For more information, visit www.valporx.com, call 219-462-1484 or email vpp@valporx.com.
VALPARAISO  A mental health evaluation has been scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Porter County Jail for a 62-year-old Portage man accused of murdering his elderly mother by beating her with a sledgehammer.

Defense attorney Mark Chargualaf told Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer about the evaluation Friday and was given a status hearing date of Oct. 28.

Chargualaf told the judge a few weeks ago that he was working on mental health evaluations for Charles Trumble, on which a potential plea agreement hinges.

Trumble has notified the court of his intention to pursue an insanity defense at trial.

When asked during a past court hearing whether he was suffering from any mental issues, Trumble had responded, "Well, I think we all do at some level."

Trumble also refused to be sworn in for the hearing, saying his religion does not allow that. He did not elaborate.

Trumble, who remains locked up at Porter County Jail, is accused of murdering 91-year-old Dixie Trumble on Feb. 23, 2020, at the Portage home the pair shared.

He reportedly told police he killed his elderly mother because "he is about to be exposed for committing awful crimes" and wanted to shield her from the information, according to charging documents.

Officials said they are unaware of what crimes Trumble was referencing.

Police said Trumble voluntarily waived his constitutional rights and admitted to killing his mother.
STOCK Police - Munster (copy) Munster police arrested James Alphonso Brown, 22, after a pursuit Wednesday night.

MUNSTER  A Wednesday night pursuit ended in the retrieval of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of an Illinois man, police say.

Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, an officer from the Munster Police Department was on his way to assist the Gary Police Department with another pursuit when he saw a black Kia vehicle crash into two other cars on Ridge Road and Indianapolis Boulevard, according to Munster police Chief Steve Scheckel.

The officer pursued the car to a Meijer store on Indianapolis Boulevard in Highland, Scheckel said. Three individuals tried to flee on foot before they were caught.

The two juveniles in the vehicle were released to their parents. James Alphonso Brown, 22, of Riverdale, Illinois, was arrested for auto theft, resisting law enforcement and leaving the scene of a crash, according to arrest reports.
Majority of Chinese students return to homeland after finishing education abroad

People's Daily Online) 13:13, September 30, 2022

An overwhelming majority of Chinese students who have studied abroad return to China after graduation, and the major factors behind the phenomenon include strong attachment to family, attractive career opportunities and prospects at home, People's Daily Overseas Edition reported on Sept. 29.

A training activity was jointly held in Beijing by LinkedIn China and the British Chamber of Commerce in China for job seekers who have studied in the U.K. (File photo)

Since 2012, more than 80 percent of the Chinese students have returned to China after finishing education abroad, according to data recently released by China's Ministry of Education (MOE).

In 2020, the number of students who returned to China after completing their studies overseas rose by 33.9 percent year-on-year, said a recent report released by global employment-oriented social networking platform LinkedIn.

The figure continued to rise last year, as Chinese students studying abroad have shown an increasing intention of returning home after graduation, the report suggested on the trend of students studying abroad returning to China for employment.

"I want to be close to my family."

Family is the primary factor behind students' decision to return to their motherland, according to the report of LinkedIn.

"I want to be close to my family, which is the main reason why I want to find a job in China. I'm the only child of my parents, and they want me to work somewhere not far from home, so that we can often meet and take care of each other," said Zhang Qingqing, an education major at the University of Southampton in England, who has decided to return to China to find a job.

In the eyes of Zhao Xu, a Beijing girl who has graduated from the Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands with a degree in Urban Environmental Management, happy family life helps people achieve success at work.

Zhao Xu, a Beijing girl, poses for a photo while studying in the Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. (Photo/Courtesy of the interviewee)

"My family are in Beijing, and I hope to spend more time with them. I'm more familiar and comfortable with the environment of my hometown, so I prefer job opportunities here," she said.

Wang Yue, a girl who graduated from the School of Public Administration of Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia not long ago, has joined a public institution in her hometown Luohe city, central China's Henan Province.

"I was born in Luohe of Henan Province. Everything here is so familiar to me. My parents are both in the city, so I won't get homesick if I work here," Wang said.

"I keep a cat at home and take care of it with my parents. Now I see my family every day. Their company makes me feel so happy," Wang said, who believes that she has made the right decision.

More career opportunities

According to Zhao, there are quite a lot of job opportunities in China for graduates in environmental management like her.

"I intend to get a job in the field of environmental management, or more specifically, a job related to sustainable development, resource development, and project support. In recent years, China has attached great importance to ecological protection. When I studied abroad, in class my teachers would often talk about the pollution control practices in China, which made me firmer about the decision to return home after graduation," Zhao said.

The field of environmental protection enjoys great prospects and offers many job positions to graduates, Zhao pointed out, adding that graduates who have studied abroad have knowledge about relevant technologies and concepts of foreign countries, which can be a source of inspiration for work at home.

"Henan has a large population and a huge demand for talents. Luohe city has provided job opportunities under talent introduction policy for college graduates, and has spread information about job opportunities in Luohe in many ways, including sending people to prestigious universities in China, such as Peking University and Tsinghua University, to promote jobs," said Wang, who learned recruitment information about her job through a WeChat chat group.

Believing that students studying abroad have a better chance of being equipped with knowledge about the latest industry information and frontier technologies, as well as experience of taking part in projects, many companies in China offer attractive platforms and job positions for graduates with an overseas education background, according to Wang.

"When I was hunting for a job, I found that some job positions were specially for graduates who had studied abroad. Some companies also held special online recruitment talks and arranged written tests and interviews for such graduates," she added.

Experience of studying abroad is a bonus for job application

The students mentioned above all agree that good foreign language and communication skills, and the broad horizons students acquire while studying abroad, make overseas study experience a major bonus on their resumes.

"When we studied abroad, we improved our foreign language skills through daily practice, which makes us stand out among our peers when applying for jobs that require good language skills," said Zhao.

"With the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, students who study in some non-English speaking countries have become popular with enterprises. Chinese students studying in Russia, for instance, not only major in specific fields, but learn Russian. Such talents are scarce in the job market," Wang said.

Zhang, who decided to become an English teacher, believes an overseas study experience is a competitive advantage. "Parents attach great importance to teachers' educational background, and those with an overseas study experience can better earn the trust of students and their parents. More importantly, I studied in Britain and have developed a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the language, history, and culture of the country. I can share what I have seen and learned in the country with my students to help them better learn English," she said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Taiwan's first amphibious assault ship deployed in navy

Taipei, Sep 30 (UNI) Taiwan's first amphibious assault ship, the Yu Shan, has entered service in the island's navy, the head of the Taiwanese administration, Tsai Ing-wen, said on Friday.

"Today is an important day for Taiwan and the island's armed forces, after many years of hard work, the first independently developed and built by Taiwan landing dock ship Yu Shan with a displacement of 10,000 tons was officially inducted," Tsai Ing-wen said, as quoted by the defense ministry.

According to Taiwan's government head, the ship will be able to carry out the tasks of supplying and transporting personnel to remote islands, and it can also be used to provide assistance, including medical, in cases of natural disasters. In wartime, the Yu Shan can be used as a combat-ready transport ship, Tsai Ing-wen added.
VALPARAISO  The second of two men nabbed with 85 pounds of marijuana while driving through Porter County earlier this year pleaded guilty Friday and was ordered released from jail.

Halderi Garcia-Herrera, 21, who told the court he is a resident of Honduras, has been at the Porter County Jail since May 2, records show.

Garcia-Herrera pleaded guilty to a reduced count of dealing in marijuana in return for the sentence of time served.

His defense attorney, Mark Chargualaf, said the 152 days his client has served is no small amount of time for the offense.

Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Hammer said the agreement is appropriate considering Garcia-Herrera is not a citizen of the United States and thus probation would be difficult, he has no criminal history and he has taken responsibility for his actions.

While Clymer said the conviction could result in Garcia-Herrrera being deported from the United States, Hammer said he has heard no interest by the federal government in the case.

Garcia-Herrera and Federico Ricci, 31, of Arcata, California, were nabbed May 2 along a local stretch of the Indiana Toll Road allegedly with 85 pounds of marijuana.

Ricci reportedly told police he was a "transporter" who was getting paid $5,000 to deliver the illegal drug to a yet-unknown location.

"He stated that he receives updates along the way via cellphone," according to a charging document.

Ricci pleaded guilty Aug. 1 before Porter Superior Court Judge Mike Fish to a lesser count of dealing in marijuana and was sentenced to a year in jail, with all but time served suspended and to be served on formal probation, records show.
HAMMOND  A federal judge is dismissing a dog owners civil rights lawsuit over his arrest on animal cruelty charges.

State prosecutors accused Larry Brodanex, 41, of Chicago Heights, of cruelty to dogs he was training in St. John five years ago but later dropped the charges over a state judges ruling that the investigation of Brodanex violated his right to a fair criminal court trial.

Brodanex then sued the Town of St. John, claiming its overzealous investigation caused him mental anguish.

U.S. District Court Judge Theresa L. Springmann ruled Thursday that police saw enough indications of animal mistreatment to justify their investigation and confiscation of dogs from Brodanexs training facility.

Brodanex first rented a business property in the 9600 block of Industrial Drive in St. John in August 2017 to train dogs for security and personal protection.

Shortly afterward, another dog training business in the same industrial park complained to the St. John animal control officer that Brodanex was training dogs without a leash and firing blank pistol shots near dogs.

Brodanexs defense attorney, Matthew Fech, stated in court papers the blank shots were used to train dogs to perform despite loud noise, much the way hunting dogs are trained.

The suit alleged the animal control officer visited Brodanexs business Sept. 11, 2017, and became concerned about a strong smell of dog waste.

The animal control officer and St. John police entered Brodanexs training business that night without a search warrant and removed some dogs.

They raided the facility again Sept. 13, 2017, and Sept. 19, 2017, removing a total of 34 dogs that authorities complained were malnourished or had injuries from neglect.

The Lake County prosecutor then charged Brodanex with nine felony and 34 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

Fech successfully argued in Lake Criminal Court in Crown Point that St. John police should not have entered Broadanexs training facility the first time  Sept. 11, 2017  without first obtaining permission from Brodanex, who had an expectation of privacy.

A state judge ruled the Sept. 11, 2017, raid was a warrantless, improper search and also suppressed all evidence police collected in two later raids. That forced prosecutors to drop the charges against Brodanex.

Fech recently argued in federal court there was a rush to judgment because people wrongly believed that he was involved in dog fighting and the Town of St. John should be held accountable.

Springmann ruled Thursday the warrantless Sept. 11, 2017, search may have sunk the criminal cases but a different legal standard applies in Brodanexs civil suit against town authorities.

Springmann stated the later police raids Sept. 13, 2017, and Sept. 19, 2017, were facially valid and reasonable searches based on the evidence they had seen.

So, Springmann entered summary judgment against Brodanex and in favor of St. John.

Fech said Thursday he is reviewing the new decision for the possibility of an appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health clinic in St. Joseph County now carries the name of a late congresswoman who consistently advocated for Hoosier veterans at the Capitol.

On Friday, Democratic President Joe Biden signed into law House Bill 8656 naming the VA clinic in Mishawaka, Indiana, for deceased U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart.

The Jackie Walorski VA Clinic is an outpatient facility offering primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services, treatment for hearing loss, vision care, urology, prosthetics, laboratory services, prescriptions and more.

The president expressed gratitude to Indiana's congressional delegation, and many others, for their leadership in advancing the legislation to his desk.

It passed both the House and Senate unanimously in the weeks following Walorski's Aug. 3 death in a two-vehicle collision near Nappanee, Indiana, that killed a total of four people.

The VA naming measure was cosponsored by the 10 other lawmakers representing the Hoosier State in Congress, including Northwest Indiana U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland.

Walorski, 58, represented Indiana's 2nd Congressional District, which includes portions of LaPorte County, from 2013 until her death.

She also served in the Indiana House from 2005 to 2010.
GARY  A dollar and a slice of pizza  that was Mike Andrade's daily earnings passing out flyers for a local pizza parlor as an 11-year-old.

Growing up a first-generation Mexican American in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, state Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, was taught the value of hard work at a young age. His father always held two to three jobs, largely so he could pay the many legal fees that piled up as he obtained citizenship.

"There was a push to work hard, to live the American dream, to stay out of poverty," Andrade recalled. "There wasnt a push for us to go to school."

Back in Mexico, many of his relatives left school early to farm. Even when Hispanic and Latino families immigrate to the U.S., higher education can seem out of reach because of language barriers and financial hurdles, Andrade explained.

During a Wednesday night National Hispanic Heritage Month town hall held at Indiana University Northwest, Andrade and IUN Chancellor Ken Iwama discussed how institutions can support Hispanic and Latino students. In September 2020, IUN received a "Hispanic-Serving Institution" designation from the U.S. Department of Education, becoming the first public, comprehensive institution of higher learning in the state with the certification.

Schools can apply for HSI designation if they have an enrollment of undergraduate, full-time equivalent students that is at least 25% Hispanic. IUN's student population is 27% Hispanic/Latino, 46.6% white, 18.3% African American, 3.6% two or more races and 3% Asian American.

La diversidad vali mucho. Diversity is very valuable," community activist and radio personality Eve Gomez told the crowd as she moderated the town hall.

Hispanic/Latino students are the fastest growing population in U.S. higher education.

Data from Excelencia in Education show there are 559 schools with HSI designations in the country, making up just 18% of all institutions of higher education. Despite the low percentage, HSIs enroll 66% of all Hispanic/Latino undergraduate students.

The HSI designation has made IUN eligible for more funding opportunities. In October 2021, the school received a $5 million grant from DOE to enhance opportunities for Hispanic and Latino students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, also known as STEM. The money is being used to establish STEM-specific advising and student employment opportunities, new curriculum focused on scientific research, stronger partnerships with local high schools and the creation of a new STEM Resource Center that will serve both IUN and the Lake County campus of Ivy Tech.

Iwama said the partnership will help Hispanic and Latino students completing two-year degrees at Ivy Tech continue their education at IUN. A report from the Aspen Institute of College Excellence Program found community college students who transfer to HSIs have a 6% higher graduation rate than the national average.

Increasing enrollment and graduation rates means working with students and families to navigate potential issues, Iwama explained. Gomez, who was born in Mexico and moved to Gary at a young age, said her parents could not help her navigate the college application process because of the language barrier. She said not speaking English can make families feel like "they don't have a voice."

In 2019 IUN launched iun.edu/espanol, a Spanish webpage explaining the universities' programs. More and more of IUN's marketing materials are being translated. There is a full-time Spanish-speaking admissions counselor, and during the fall open house, there will be a session conducted in Spanish as well as one conducted in English.

Documentation status can also be a huge barrier for Hispanic and Latino students. According to the American Immigration Council, an estimated 100,000 Indiana residents were undocumented in 2016.

Students who are undocumented have issues accessing financial aid and often live in constant fear of deportation, Andrade said.

He and state Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago have been working on a bill that would create a driving record card for undocumented Indiana residents. The card would let undocumented residents drive legally and insured, though it would not work as a voter ID.

Andrade said he is also working on legislation that would give in-state tuition reimbursements to undocumented students. The bill got a hearing last session but did not pass. Andrade said he plans on pushing the bill again this session.

"Spending three months in a train, half of the people on the train die because they have no water, ... and when they finally get to their destination, they're abused," Andrade said about how the undocumented community faces extreme hardships just to make it to the U.S.

"They go through all of those struggles, and they are still strong enough to say, I want a better life for me and my family,'" Andrade said. "The least we can do is embrace them and say, Welcome.
WINFIELD  Skyler Hofer has been sworn in as Winfield's first female police officer.

She was sworn into office on Tuesday at the Town Council meeting by Clerk-Treasurer Rick Anderson and was presented her badge by Town Marshal Dan Ball.

"I'm excited," Hofer said, while surrounded by family and friends who came to see the ceremony.

Hofer becomes the seventh officer for the department, Ball said.

Another female officer, Jessica Alvarez-Statham, had been set to be sworn as the eighth police officer for the town of Winfield, Ball said.

Alvarez-Statham chose to take a job with the Indiana Department of Correction instead of joining the Winfield department, Ball said.

Hofer, 30, is a resident of Winfield and the mother of two boys, Tyson, 10, and Maddex, 6.

She has been working as a part-time officer since January and was hired full-time July 3.

Hofer is a graduate of Calumet High School and Indiana University Northwest, where she received a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Her former jobs include working as a mental health counselor at the Lake County Jail and as a reserve officer with the Lake Station Police Department.

She will attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield beginning in January, Ball said.

Hofer, new to the department, has already received an exemplary service award along with fellow officers Brandon McMahon and Jordan Billups.

Ball said their performance was noted in a letter sent to him by the Lake County Sheriff's Department regarding a July 22 incident in Lakes of the Four Seasons.

Ball said Lake County officers were on call about a fight in St. John and unable to respond to reports of a gunshot victim in Lakes of the Four Seasons.

Winfield police handled that call.

Ball said he also received a letter from the Merrillville Police Department praising the work of Billups and McMahon for their handling of a vehicle fully engulfed in flames in Merrillville's jurisdiction.

McMahon saw the fire while on routine patrol, called in a report and stayed on the scene until Merrillville police were able to arrive.

Billups, who was on patrol that same night, accompanied Merrillville Detective Cpl. Sean Buck to the home to which the vehicle was found to be registered.

They notified the wife of the victim and summoned Winfield police Chaplain Danny Cox to assist with the family
LaPorte County's local income tax supporting public safety will rise one-half of one percentage point Saturday in a tax hike approved last spring expected to raise $13 million annually to support county and municipal police and fire departments.

The Indiana Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers in five Indiana counties of local income tax increases approved this year by their county governments. LaPorte County's public safety tax will rise from 0.95% of taxable income to 1.45%.

The tax increase was approved by a 6-1 vote of the county council in April. It was justified by local officials on the grounds that the county is losing veteran first responders to agencies that can pay more.

About half of the revenue will go to county government while much of the remaining money will go to the county's major municipalities, LaPorte and Michigan City, officials said at the time.

The other counties increasing taxes include Boone, Johnson, Knox and Monroe County, according to the Department of Revenue.

Current rates for all Indiana counties are available on DOR's website at dor.in.gov in Departmental Notice #1. To view the complete list, click on "Legal Resources," then "Tax Library," followed by "Departmental Notices."
The girl's father had told police he he left his daughter on a couch during the morning of Aug. 28 and walked back into the living room just a few minutes later to discover Sanders molesting the child.
FRIDAY PUZZLE  This is David Karps debut puzzle for The New York Times, and its a challenging one. At least it was for me. Your mileage, as always, may vary.

I can complete some Friday puzzles smoothly and quickly, and others slow me down a bit. My solving has gotten much better over the years  this is why I always push the idea of practice  but I can still be bamboozled by a crafty bit of wordplay. And even after all these years, I love being fooled.

Theres a lot of craftiness in Mr. Karps puzzle. I solved it with a sort of I cant believe you thought of that grin on my face, but I was never frustrated. I was too busy having a good time with the lively answers and the devious clues, as well as the woven pattern in the grid design.

Nicely done, Mr. Karp. Im looking forward to solving your next puzzle.

Tricky Clues

16A. This clue is in Spanish, so the answer must be in that language, too. The Simbolo del infinito is the infinity symbol, which looks like this: . When you rotate it by 90 degrees, it looks like the number eight (8), and the Spanish word for eight is OCHO.
ORLANDO, Fla.  The emergency call came from the nursing home shortly after 5 a.m.: Water was seeping into the low-slung, low-lying complex called Avante at Orlando and threatening its 106 residents, some of them too frail to walk.

By daybreak, dozens of rescue workers had descended on Avante, which bills itself as a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. The water in the building was about a foot deep, but it was perhaps as high as three feet in the parking lot outside. Many of the patients, in their 80s or 90s, were wheeled out on cots, their white sheets billowing in the whipping winds trailing Hurricane Ian, their faces filled with fear and confusion.

Soon, however, they were safe  if shaken and wet  in vans and buses bound for shelters and hospitals.

As epic rain and high wind pounded much of central Florida on Thursday, a picture emerged of what the storm had wrought, from wrenching catastrophe to mere gale-force inconvenience. The battered landscape ranged from utter devastation on the southwestern coast to wearily familiar flooding in St. Augustine near the states northeastern edge.
Cities farther inland and along the Atlantic Coast appeared to have endured the storms lacerating winds with less damage than the southwestern coast where Ian first made landfall. But at points during the day, heavy rains fueled warnings from the National Weather Service of widespread, life-threatening catastrophic flooding in Central Florida.

At the Avante, an assisted-living facility in Orlando, rescuers sloshed through floods to evacuate the facilitys 100 residents, carrying some out on stretchers as rain and wind whirled around them. Some hospitals and nursing homes were managing to run on generator power while patients from at least 16 hospitals and an additional 3,500 nursing-home residents were evacuated from other facilities in southwestern Florida, industry officials said.

There were surreal moments of destruction mixed with normalcy. The streets of downtown Fort Myers were littered with plant matter and other debris from the surging Caloosahatchee River. But the waters had receded by Thursday afternoon and several restaurants were open and packed with people in undershirts, shorts and flip flops looking for something warm to eat.

Diane Dorsey, 57, and her family moved to Fort Myers in 2019 from Maryland, considering it a pre-retirement adventure, never imagining what devastation a hurricane could bring. When the storm sent one river rushing past the front of her house and another through the backyard, Ms. Dorsey ordered her daughter to grab the family photo albums and head upstairs.

Though their house did not sustain major damage, they were among the Floridians wondering on Thursday whether they should pack up and never return rather than risking a repeat disaster some day.
From 7 to 31 March 2022, the World Customs Organization (WCO) organized Operation Balkan Gate 2 on combatting counterfeiting and pirated goods in the Balkans. It involved participation by 10 Customs administrations from the region, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Kosovo, Malta, North Macedonia and Romania, and enjoyed valuable support from the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices for Western Europe (RILO WE), East and Central Europe (RILO ECE) and Europol.

An in-person workshop was held prior to the operation on how to differentiate between genuine and fake goods, together with training on risk assessment techniques with participation by 16 right holders. The workshop was made possible thanks to financial support from the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF/Japan). During the operation, technical assistance from Europol facilitated post-seizure investigations. The Guardia di Finanza (Italy) also contributed to the smooth running of the operation.

The operation was aimed at mobilizing resources in participating Customs administrations with a view to conducting simultaneous inspections of consignments that could potentially contain certain types of counterfeit and/or pirated goods, and to offer a deeper insight into the flow of goods entering Europe via the Balkan region.

Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General, stated that the rollout of intellectual property right (IPR) operations such as Balkan Gate 2 remains a valuable source of data collection for the WCO Secretariat, providing Members with a clearer picture of IPR infringements at both the regional and global levels. He went on to say I am very grateful to the 10 WCO Member administrations, the RILOs and our other partners for contributing to the success of Operation Balkan Gate 2 and for their tireless dedication, resulting in significant seizures.

The operation culminated in the seizure of 2.3 million counterfeit pieces, broken down into 11 categories of counterfeit and pirated goods including:

mobile phones and accessories, accounting for 41% of seizures;

batteries, stickers and labels, accounting for 29% of seizures;

clothing, accounting for 14% of seizures; and

footwear, accounting for 12% of seizures.

others, accounting for 4% of seizures.

In 98% of seizure cases the infringed right was a trademark. No less than 142 trademarks were concerned.

Thanks to the WCOs IPR CENcomm secure communication platform, participating Members were able to exchange information on counterfeit and pirated goods detected and send alert messages about suspicious consignments in a timely manner during the operation. Through the platform, Members could also easily access and consult materials provided by right holders along with best practices shared by Member administrations, which are stored in an online library.

This operation has contributed to the efficient implementation of the WCOs Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Strategy 2020, which was approved by the 41st Meeting of the Enforcement Committee in March 2021 and is aimed at providing an appropriate response to ongoing counterfeiting and piracy threats.

For more information about Operation Balkan Gate 2, please contact: iprteam@wcoomd.org
Much of that money came from wealthy individuals. The top 10 donors and their spouses spent $1.2 billion on federal elections during the same period. In 2018 alone, that same group was responsible for 7 percent of all election-related giving, up from 1 percent in 2008.

Democrats, even as they embraced campaign-finance reform, often said they would not unilaterally disarm in the face of Republican big-money groups. In Senate races like Representative Martha McSallys 2020 special election in Arizona  which she lost to the former astronaut Mark Kelly  they buried their opponents with television advertising bankrolled by dark money. And even where Democrats came up short, as they did in a national effort by liberal donors to oust Senator Susan Collins of Maine, super PACs aligned with the party swooped into hotly contested races.

Karl Evers-Hillstrom, a researcher with OpenSecrets, noted in a 2020 report that 2018 was the first election cycle since Citizens United that liberal nonparty outside groups outspent their conservative counterparts.

So, as Democrats have embraced the world of dark money, some Republicans have begun to take a second look at Citizens United.

Dont get me wrong: Campaign-finance reform is still very much a Democratic project.

A bill in the House calling for a constitutional amendment to abrogate the Citizens United ruling and allow states to regulate money in elections as they see fit has just one G.O.P. co-sponsor: Representative John Katko of New York, who is retiring at the end of his term this year. Katko supported the impeachment of President Donald Trump after the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, so hes not exactly a bellwether of Republican sentiment in Congress.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  Communities along the northeastern coast of Florida avoided a direct assault from Tropical Storm Ian, which forecasts had indicated as a possibility. Even so, the region was not spared, as a powerful storm surge swamped streets and residents were trapped by floodwaters.

In Jacksonville  Floridas most populous city, with more than 900,000 people  officials called for continued vigilance as powerful winds whipped through the city and the heavy rain threatened floods. The risk still exists, Lenny Curry, the mayor, said during a briefing on Thursday.

In St. Augustine, one of the oldest cities in the United States, some stretches looked as though they had been annexed by the bay. The churning waters slammed boats into docks, swamped vehicles and pushed into neighborhoods of narrow roads and centuries-old homes and businesses.

Theres a lot of flooding in downtown St. Augustine, said Jeffrey A. Prevatt, the chief of St. Johns County Fire Rescue. If youve lived here, if you were born and raised here, you know St. Augustine is prone to that.
President Vladimir V. Putin acknowledged mistakes on Thursday in how the Russian government has been carrying out his draft, a sign of the Kremlins scramble to keep public discontent in check over Mr. Putins effort to escalate the war in Ukraine.

In televised remarks to top security officials, Mr. Putin said that the draft had raised many questions, and that all mistakes must be corrected and prevented from happening in the future. He described cases of people entitled to deferments being wrongly drafted, such as fathers of three or more children, men with chronic diseases or those above military age.

If a mistake is made, I repeat, it must be corrected, he said in a videoconference with his Security Council. Those who were called up without proper reason should be returned home.

Mr. Putins remarks, which were shown on state television Thursday evening, came after anger with the draft spilled over into street protests across Russia, including in an impoverished region of Siberia on Thursday.
President Vladimir V. Putin plans to carry out his threat on Friday to declare that some 40,000 square miles of eastern and southern Ukraine will become part of Russia, an illegal annexation denounced by the West, but a signal that the Russian leader is prepared to raise the stakes in the seven-month-old war against Ukraine.

It is not clear whether even Russias staunchest allies will recognize Mr. Putins move, and Russian forces only partly control the land he plans to claim. But by annexing the parts of Ukraine his troops still occupy and then framing his efforts as an existential fight for the survival of the Russian state, Mr. Putin can try to shift the focus of the war from his armys frontline losses to a plane where he seems to feel most confident: a battle of wills with the West.

He thinks he can win, Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said in a phone interview from Moscow. He is provoking an escalation of the war, transferring it to some new status.

Responding to rising popular discontent over the draft he ordered last week, Mr. Putin personally and publicly directed senior security officials to send home people who had been wrongly drafted  a rare implicit admission that his government had stumbled badly.
The fourth program of Fall for Dance, New York City Centers affordable festival of mixed bills, had more going for it than others: a duet for Robbie Fairchild and Sara Mearns, who danced together so magnificently with Twyla Tharp last year; a New York premiere by the rising choreographer Abby Zbikowski for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company; and a highly anticipated taste of Ukrainian dance in the form of Kyiv City Ballet.

The Kyiv company, which was in Paris when Russia invaded Ukraine, made headlines after it took up residency at the Theatre du Chatelet. Still based in Paris, the company is now on a U.S. tour. At Fall for Dance, it offered two works: an excerpt (it felt long anyway) from Vladyslav Dobshynskyis Thoughts and the more buoyant Men of Kyiv by Pavlo Virsky.

In Thoughts  the complete work was first performed in September  the theme was vague, yet hovered around the idea of a racing mind. A lead couple, the spidery, shirtless Dobshynskyi and the more erect and cool Maryna Apanasenko, wove in and out of an ensemble performing an array of gestural material in unison or converging into formations that splintered out in spirals and circular runs. At the start, Dobshynskyis hands fluttered around his head like butterflies as he, perhaps, tried to quiet his thoughts. The sound of whispers filled the stage.
Carnegie Halls season-opening concert  featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra, a frequent visitor in the coming months  on Thursday night had light fare written all over it.

Ravels La Valse and Liszts First Piano Concerto are dazzlers, and Dvoraks Eighth Symphony is a font of graceful melodies. With a gala dinner afterward, the program promised to go down easy. But Yannick Nezet-Seguin, the orchestras music director, had other ideas.

From the start, La Valse was heavy with portent. The snatches of waltz melodies at the beginning did not flit, flicker and come together as they have in other interpretations. The bassoons roused themselves slowly, heavily, refusing to leave their slumber. The strings swooned steadily, and the double basses laid down a menacing pulse.

For his choreographic poem, Ravel imagined an immense hall peopled with a whirling crowd, and in the sheer refulgence of the waltzes, one can see dignified couples sweeping in circles across a floor. Nezet-Seguin brought to mind a gruesome dance, woozy and foreboding. (Some have agreed with that macabre transfiguration, seeing in it a metaphor for the decay of European glory after World War I, but Ravel resisted such interpretations.) The finale was controlled pandemonium. The Liszt and Dvorak likewise careened toward their conclusions.
CHALMETTE, La.  The actors Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid had just finished filming a scene last March inside a cavernous studio here in the seat of St. Bernard Parish, about a 20-minute drive from the French Quarter of New Orleans. The evening air was steamy, and they looked exhausted from a shooting schedule that required them to keep vampire hours under hot lights.

As they spoke, they gave off a sparkle, and it wasnt just because of the hand-painted contact lenses that made them look like tigers  or ravers.

It was also because they were in their sweet spot, having grown up as self-described outsiders with an affinity for the darker side of art  Poes literary demons for Reid, Portisheads spectral soundtracks for Anderson. And here they were, years later, costumed in ragtime-era suiting to play two of popular cultures most beloved misfits: Lestat and Louis from the Anne Rice novel Interview With the Vampire, a new series-length adaptation of which debuts Sunday on AMC.

Im a very proud nerd, said Anderson, 32, who plays the reluctant bloodsucker Louis. I love fantasy. Im an emo. Im a bit of a goth, I guess. This is a dream. ( Game of Thrones fans know the actor, who is British, as Grey Worm, leader of the Unsullied.)
Season 1, Episode 6: Udun

Peter Jacksons The Lord of the Rings movies won raves for their lengthy combat sequences, filled with fantasy beasts and spectacular backdrops, unlike anything ever seen before in a multiplex. Those scenes in turn inspired some of the most talked-about episodes of Game of Thrones, which devoted entire hours to armies at war. Now The Rings of Power has its first battle episode with Udun, in which roughly two-thirds of the running time is spent on the orcs two swarming nighttime invasions of the human strongholds, followed by the tide-turning daytime arrival of the Numenorean forces.

The 45 minutes or so of nearly nonstop fighting stands up well to both Game of Thrones and the Rings films  though as was the case with those, it was also a little fatiguing. So far, each episode of this show has featured impressive action choreography, in scenes that stand out because they last for just a few minutes. The daredevil stunts and dynamic camera moves in this weeks episode are just as excellent; but when there are so many of them, they become less special.

That said, it is always exciting to see the likes of Halbrand, Galadriel and Arondir fight with skill and valor. The time the writers have taken to establish each of these characters makes it easier to pick out whos who in the middle of any melee. Plus, the stakes of their skirmishes are always perfectly clear  which makes the ultimate outcome of the fighting this week all the more devastating.

Here are five takeaways from an episode that accelerated the plot in this series, before delivering a cruel twist.
Cormac McCarthy doesnt do interviews.

During his long career, McCarthy, 89, has sat for vanishingly few of them. In those conversations  including with The New York Times in 1992 and Oprah in 2007  he often answered questions by telling stories about other people. Scholars of his work say he has long been resistant to publicly analyzing his writing process.

But in his early career, before the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, before his books were adapted into films and his name became known even by those who never read his books, he revealed something of himself and his craft.

Between 1968 and 1980, he gave at least 10 interviews to small local papers in Lexington, Kentucky, and east Tennessee, a region where he lived and had friends. He described his literary influences, his approach to writing, his reading habits and even the house he and his then-wife rebuilt by hand out of an old dairy barn.

Writing, he said, was a compulsion and not a conscious process. Asked to give practical advice to starting writers, he said, Read.
Over here, Living Ones.

Happy Twilight.

I am the KrumblyGhast, risen from your ornament box with ash and apple breezes, October cheer and a rib cage full of  ew, what is that? Before you start screaming, dont. Remember, you were perfectly comfortable around the smirking green hairball with an extra-small heart and the crooning skeleton in a bat bow tie. (Dont even get me started on the orphan-murderer in his humbug-infested nightie.) Those beloved characters clawed their way into that sparkle-frosted holiday and the hearts of millions simply by behaving themselves for one night. One. Silent. Night.

But have you heard of the creature who headed in the other direction and never returned? Have you heard of the elf who went to Halloween?

No? Oh.

Well, I suppose he doesnt get out much these days. Not now that they home-deliver comics, face cream and meat to keep the worms distracted.

Where was I? Ah. The only things to scream at in this neck of the woods are bland scary stories  those hollow works of splatter, puns and plastic that miss the real message pumping through the Dripping Heart of Halloween. I wont be tricking you with those here  Im offering a trio of genuinely ghoulish treats instead.
The WCO successfully conducted the first regional workshop on the deployment of Virtual Reality Training (VRT) sets. Forty-two participants from the WCO Regional Training Centers (RTCs) and the WCO Regional Offices for Capacity Building (ROCBs) of the Europe and North of Africa, Near and Middle East (MENA) regions attended the workshop.

Mr. Ebenezer Gebding Tafili, Deputy Director, Capacity Building Directorate (CBD), welcomed the representatives of the WCO Regional Entities. He underscored the significance of continuously improving and modernizing the way Customs training is delivered. Furthermore, the Deputy Director of the CBD expressed his appreciation for the participants contribution to realizing this project and prompted everyone to continue actively collaborating with the WCO Secretariat to receive the VRT set in a smooth and timely manner.

Three presentations were made by the WCO Secretariat and HO ENT, the provider of the VRT set. The first presentation provided an overview of the VR Project implemented by the WCO. Following this, the providers representative presented the components of the VRT set and introduced the installation procedure. The last presentation summarized the projects three milestones. The WCO Secretariat shared, among others, its plan to transport the VRT sets starting in early October 2022.

Thirty-two Regional Entities will benefit from the VR Project implemented by the WCO Secretariat with the financial support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Korea with a total investment of 980,000. The WCO will organize further Regional workshops to inform representatives from its Regional Entities from all six Regions and enlist their engagement in receiving the VRT equipment.

For more information and support, please contact the Capacity Building Directorate at capacity.building@wcoomd.org
Sperm whales are social beings; individuals associate in families, who then collect in clans. The males, who can reach 100,000 pounds to females 30,000, stay with their mothers for a decade until they go off to roam the ocean. But the females, Rosenwaks marvels, remain bonded for life: grandmothers, mothers, daughters and aunts cohabitating, co-parenting and communing with one another over an average life span of 70 years. Passing knowledge and practices through generations, sperm whales around the world vary in behavior and can be distinguished by their language, traditions and codas.
A Chinese Covid-19 vaccine based on mRNA technology has received government approval for the first time  but not in China.

The shot, developed by Walvax Biotechnology, Suzhou Abogen Biosciences and the Chinese military, was cleared this week by Indonesia for emergency use, handing China a long-sought victory in the development of a homegrown vaccine using mRNA at a politically sensitive moment for the ruling Communist Party.

First developed and approved in the West, mRNA vaccines have been embraced by countries all over the world, including Indonesia, and are considered among the most effective vaccines that the world has to offer. But more than two years into the pandemic, they are not yet available in China, which has relied on an increasingly draconian zero Covid approach to keep cases and deaths from the virus low.

A two-dose regimen of the Chinese mRNA vaccine had an efficacy rate of 71.17 percent against infection from the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, according to Indonesias food and drug agency. Walvax has not published any details of the efficacy of its mRNA shot from its latest late-stage trial.
Climate change is costly.

Hurricanes supercharged by a warmer atmosphere are sometimes the costliest of all.

As I write this Friday, there are no detailed estimates of damage from Hurricane Ian, which came like a wrecking ball across southwestern Florida, except that they are likely to be, as my colleagues wrote Thursday evening, staggering.

By damage, Im talking here about the brick-and-mortar costs, to say nothing of the immeasurable cost of human suffering. Thats almost incomprehensible. For now, its also impossible to know. Much of the area is impassable.

Roads and bridges have been laid to waste. On barrier islands, homes and businesses are heaps of wood pulp and broken concrete, according to our article.
This article is part of a series examining Responsible Fashion, and innovative efforts to address issues facing the fashion industry.



From recycled materials and organic yarns to fair wages for workers, fashion is full of claims about ways in which it can mitigate its impact on the planet. Historically, however, most brands promises have been voluntary and their progress self-reported. In other words, largely unchecked and unlikely to face punishment if or when they fall short of targets.

But change is in the air. Governments and legislators appear to be waking up to the fact that companies are not reforming themselves at a pace and scale that will meaningfully combat climate change. As a result, in both the United States and the European Union, a raft of new regulatory proposals has emerged this year that are intended to drive greater sustainability in the textile and fashion industries.

If passed, many of the bills could change what you  the consumer  see on your clothing labels, or even the design of what you find on store shelves. The movement also reflects a shift away from the idea that the burden should rest primarily on shoppers to buy better and buy less.

Consumers are not, can not and should not be the driving force for completely changing an industry  not least because as long as its easy, fast and cheap to buy fashion, then the sustainability aspect of the offer will always be a secondary choice, said Michael Schragger, founder of the Sustainable Fashion Academy in Stockholm. Despite a growing group of more ecologically minded fashion shoppers, clothing purchases have still increased fivefold since 1980 and the average garment will be worn only seven times before its disposed of. In part, Mr. Schragger said, thats because companies are not obligated by law to meet corporate and social responsibility targets.
He recalled cutting short telephone conversations with his mother, the person best able to pull him off the precipice, and then switching his phone off. And it was like, OK, that door has been closed, he said. He described these evasions as an act of defiance. Why, he asked, would a person in that frame of mind agree to wear a sensor?

In the end, he said, what helped him turn the corner was people  a support group, which met weekly in a circle of chairs for sessions of dialectical behavioral therapy, and a network of friends, family and clinicians who know him well enough to recognize his behavior. When that happens, he said, we can generally ride that wave together.

Ms. Cruz does not have a network like that. Last month, as temperatures in Massachusetts were dipping into the 40s, she was living in a tent with her boyfriend, huddling together under a blanket for warmth. In the morning, they waited until McDonalds opened so they could dry out their sweatshirts and shoes and charge their devices.

She was faithful about taking her medications  five of them  but was scrambling to find a new therapist: The only one in her area who accepts Medicaid has an eight-month waiting list.

Last week, as the six-month clinical trial came to an end, she filled out her final questionnaire with a twinge of sorrow. She would miss the $1 she received for each response. And she would miss the sense that someone was watching her, even if it was someone faceless, at a distance, through a device.

Honestly, it makes me feel a little bit safer to know that somebody cares enough to read that data every day, you know? she said. Ill be kind of sad when its over.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources.
In her nearly quarter-century with New York Citys Emergency Medical Service, Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, 61, was on intimate terms with risk.

Responding by ambulance to a constant cascade of 911 calls, her public service ranged from racing to Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, to working exhausting tours during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020 when she and her colleagues braved exposure while taking thousands of New Yorkers a day to hospitals.

After nearly 25 harrowing years as a first-responder, Lieutenant Russo-Elling was serving the tail end of her career in a quiet section of Astoria, Queens, months away from the retirement she would be entitled to at 62.
I came from the same generation that is fighting in the streets now, said Sheykhi, 33. Im one of those women who was suffering from the Islamic regime laws. Amini became a symbol of long-simmering anger over religious laws after the morality police arrested her, saying she had failed to cover her hair sufficiently, a violation of dress codes dictating modesty for women.

The protests continued this week, with women burning their head coverings and security forces firing on demonstrators with gunshots and water cannons as the government cracked down. As Sheykhi discovered as she tried to reach friends in Iran, cellphone and internet usage were drastically restricted.

In 43 years since coming to power, Sheykhi said, the Islamic regime government has been trying to control women and put them as a second-class people, as if they have no rights for their own lives. She said the pressure from the government was like the pressure for making a diamond, but Aminis death in custody had been a tipping point for Iranians afraid to join past protests.

Sheykhi had chafed at the Iranian governments increasingly tight grip on both women and freedom of expression long before she left. As a college student, a gallery manager told her it was illegal to show paintings of women that she had done.

I met Sheykhi in 2018, after the Trump administration had issued a ban on travel from several predominantly Muslim countries. She had received what is known as an Einstein visa  officially an EB-1A visa, the type that often goes to well-known people with what immigration officials consider extraordinary ability in fields like science, education or the arts. Sheykhi had taken some of the governments terminology and used it in the title of an exhibition at a gallery in SoHo in 2018: Alien of Extraordinary Ability: the EB-1A Tour.
On Tuesday morning, I sat down with Michael Ottley and Jay Alfaro of Holy Apostles, a 178-year-old church that operates the biggest soup kitchen in the city and the second largest in the country, to take measure of the immense need social service providers were now facing. Located on Ninth Avenue in Chelsea, 11 blocks from the Port Authority, Holy Apostles was serving people who were often coming to the church straight from the buses that brought them here and who needed to be fed and clothed. As a soup kitchen they could complete the first mission, but the staff had always struggled to find clothes for its clients, Ms. Alfaro told me, and now the situation was dire.

People are coming from tropical places, she said. Fifty degrees for us is nice but everything is such a culture shock, even the weather. Beyond that summer is traditionally a terrible time for donations  people are away and no one is thinking about what might be useful to a person of few means in January. But now, in addition to looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers and pro bono lawyers, both of which the church was desperate to find, Mr. Ottley and Ms. Alfaro were trying to figure out how to come up with the coats everyone who came to the kitchen was asking for.

Before the influx of asylum seekers, Ms. Alfaro said, she might, on a typical day, find herself working with five or six clients on the process of getting government identification. But now, that number had increased sevenfold, and it was virtually impossible to keep up. Without that paperwork, nearly everything else was inaccessible to the new arrivals. People come and they are very misinformed; they dont know their rights, Ms. Alfaro, herself a child of Guatemalan immigrants, told me. They are under the impression that they can come to a church and get a social security card.

Homeless people typically enter the shelter system with some number of belongings, perhaps even a cellphone. But the latest wave of asylum seekers, many having escaped the violence and deprivations of Venezuela, arrive with almost nothing and are often dealing with the emotional fallout of all the distress they left behind. The nonprofit network Win, the biggest operator of family shelters and supportive housing in the city, is currently serving 245 migrant families, with nearly 700 children among them. We really need to be responding to this level of trauma, Christine Quinn, the former City Council speaker, who runs the agency, told me. One of the providers that the agency relies on now has a three and a half month wait for taking on new clients, the result, presumably, of the exploding burdens psychologists and social workers have absorbed as a consequence of the pandemic.

When I spoke with her, Ms. Quinn was in an ongoing conversation with a meat distributor to get discounts. Asylum seekers do not have easy access to food stamps and so meals have been another source of concern. Like Holy Apostles, Win also needed volunteer translators and cold-weather clothing.
The Russian Consulate in New York was vandalized with spray paint early Friday morning, according to the police.

Officers responded to a 911 call about vandalism on the facade of the building, located on East 91st Street, just off Fifth Avenue, at about 1:30 a.m. on Friday, the police said.

No words were visible, just wide streaks of red paint sprawled across the ground floor facade of the building, covering windows and a set of double doors. But some on social media and a few people passing by interpreted the vandalism to be a protest of Russias ongoing war against Ukraine.

The vandalism appeared just hours before President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia gave a belligerent speech in Moscow about the annexation of four regions in Ukraine.
On the surface, things seem calm. An outsider walking through the streets would not get the impression that a presidential election is about to be held. Looking out the window, I notice that the Brazilian flags  which have come to represent support for Mr. Bolsonaro  have been removed from the neighboring facades. An ambiguous sign: It could be a pre-emptive response to defeat, or the calm before the storm. Theres not even much talk among friends and family concerning the election; the lines were drawn in 2018 and have not moved much since then.

Yet for all the social polarization, there is still enormous support for democracy here: 75 percent of citizens think it is better than any other form of government. Right from the beginning, Mr. da Silva has been trying to exploit that common feeling and open up a broad front against Mr. Bolsonaro. He picked a former adversary from the center-right, Geraldo Alckmin, as his running mate; assiduously courted business leaders; and secured endorsements from prominent centrists. In this comradely atmosphere, supporters of the center-left candidate, Ciro Gomes, currently about 6 percent in polls, may even throw their votes behind the former president. If that happens, Mr. Bolsonaro will surely be beaten.

That glorious prospect does little to dispel the anxiety enveloping the country. Its physically impossible not to dwell on what might happen. The possibilities are terrifying: The polls might be wrong, and Mr. Bolsonaro could win. The polls might be right, and Mr. Bolsonaro could refuse to concede defeat, and even initiate a coup. Each day now seems to be the length of a day on Venus  around 5,832 hours  to go by the agitation of my Twitter feed.

Theres simply too much at stake. For one, theres the democratic process itself, which has been put through the wringer by Mr. Bolsonaro. For another, theres the future of our judiciary. Just next year, there will be two vacant seats on the Supreme Court, out of a total of 11 seats. If in power, Mr. Bolsonaro would surely seize the chance to pick hard-right justices as he did with his last two appointees. A Trump-style remaking of the judiciary could be coming down the line.

Then theres the environment. So far this year, more forest fires have been recorded in the Brazilian Amazon than in all of 2021, which was already catastrophic enough. Since the start of September, dense plumes of smoke have covered several Brazilian states. Under Mr. Bolsonaros administration, deforestation has increased, environmental agencies have been dismantled and Indigenous deaths have risen. Reversing these disastrous environmental policies could not be more urgent.
One of World Trade Organization (WTO)s largest annual outreach events, the Public Forum is taking place this year from 27 to 30 September 2022 at the WTO Headquarters in Geneva. The event has brought together some 3200 representatives from civil society, academia, business, the media, government, parliamentarians and inter-governmental organizations and about 670 speakers in over 140 sessions.

The WCO has been playing an active role in the WTO Public Forum for the past several years by organizing working sessions, providing speakers and sharing information, with the aim of raising the profile of Customs and its relevance in cross-border trade.

This years Public Forum titled, "Towards a sustainable and inclusive recovery: ambition to action" is looking at how trade can contribute to the post-pandemic economic recovery. The Forum examines in particular how trade rules can be strengthened, and government policies improved, to create a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive trading system. In that context, on the first day of the Public Forum, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the WCO Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) jointly organized a working session dedicated to the prominent role of disruptive technologies and e-commerce for an inclusive post-pandemic recovery; the Customs perspective.

The panel was comprised of speakers from Customs, the WTO and the private sector, and focused on e-commerce, public-private sector partnerships, disruptive technologies and data from the Customs perspective.

WCO Deputy Secretary General Ricardo Trevino Chapa shared his insight on WCO instruments and tools in the area of e-commerce, the importance of trust between the public and private sector, the new WCO Data Strategy, the role of innovative technologies and data analytics in the WCO Strategic Plan. Suja Rishikesh Mavroidis, Director of the Market Access Division at the WTO, talked about the WTOs work in the area of e-commerce, the importance of simplification, modernization and harmonization of Customs procedures, specifically for the SMEs, the importance of the Single Window, the role of NCTFs for public-private sector cooperation, and the importance of the interoperability and data sharing. Patricia Lungu, Deputy Commissioner, Operations, Customs Services Division of the Zambia Revenue Authority, discussed ongoing projects regarding data exchange with neighboring Customs administrations, the positive outcomes of the public-private sector cooperation in Zambia, the challenges in with data analytics and data mining, including the lack of a data analytics framework, the lack of IT infrastructure, data quality and data governance issues. And finally, Brenda Smith, Global Director, Government Outreach at Expeditors International, spoke about the cooperation between the WCO and the PSCG, the key lessons learned from the pandemic, the importance of WCO tools such as the SAFE FoS, Single Window to facilitate complaint trade, the importance of data for risk management, strategic decisions and compliance regimes. The session was moderated by Norbert Kouwenhoven, Special Advisor Strategy and Innovation, Customs Administration of the Netherlands.

Around 100 participants attended this in-person joint session.

It is noteworthy to highlight the enormous interest received from the audience that asked about a range of issues, including the quality of data and how the WCO is dealing with the concerns related to this issue, as well as how data exchange between Customs administrations could decrease the duplication of required documents from the private sector perspective.

The Deputy Secretary General also invited the audience to join the Online Joint WCO-WTO Launch of the Study Report on Disruptive Technologies which will take place on Monday, 3 October 2022 at 2:00-3:30 pm (Brussels/Geneva time).

The recording of the session is available here.
The stakes extend far beyond Xinjiangs borders.

Strong action is essential to draw a line in the sand against an orchestrated campaign waged for years by China to gut the U.N.s ability to protect human rights. This goes well beyond Chinas frequent use of its Security Council veto to shield abusers like Myanmar and Syria. Chinese efforts include a behind-the-scenes war of attrition to undermine mechanisms like the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the 47-nation Human Rights Council, which is tasked with addressing violations.

Chinas offensive takes many forms, ranging from its attempt to defund the human rights component of U.N. peacekeeping operations in 2018 to intimidating civil society groups, blocking their U.N. accreditations and manipulating the Human Rights Council.

The Chinese Communist Partys ultimate goal is to cripple the international communitys ability to censure countries for human rights violations. The partys constitution candidly defines its rule as a dictatorship, and it sees human rights  and global scrutiny  as threatening its ability to crush challenges to its monopoly on domestic power and potentially impeding Beijings programs to build overseas influence like its Belt and Road Initiative.

Chinas leverage is growing. The rise of authoritarianism around the world provides a widening base of support from like-minded regimes. Global dependence on Chinese trade, investment and financial assistance allows China to strong-arm other countries into silence. Chinese nationals lead or occupy high positions in several U.N. agencies, and Beijing exercises growing control over other appointments and financial affairs. Its readiness to interfere with vital U.N. work was made clear in its obstruction of World Health Organization efforts to determine the source of the coronavirus.

Xinjiang shows how effective this strategy can be.

Reports emerged in 2017 that China was incarcerating up to a million Uyghurs and other minorities in re-education camps. (Uyghurs, who are predominantly Muslim, have made up the bulk of Xinjiangs population for centuries and have long chafed under Beijings control.) China eventually acknowledged that the camps existed, saying they were part of Islamic deradicalization efforts.
To the Editor:

Re Needing Storm Aid, DeSantis Shifts Tune (news article, Sept. 30):

So Gov. Ron DeSantis, the swaggering nemesis of all things liberal, now finds himself with his hat in his hand asking for the very same help he rejected years ago, for supposedly principled conservative reasons, when he voted against federal relief in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Though unwilling to extend aid to the evidently unworthy people of New York and New Jersey, Mr. DeSantis now has to ask for it from the same man he so enjoys insulting. I guess that means he will have to bite his tongue for the time being about sending migrants to President Bidens weekend home in Delaware.

There is nobody America needs less than the vindictive, hypocritical Ron DeSantis to be in the White House  that is, other than the one he seeks to outdo in Machiavellian demagogy: Donald Trump.

Bryan L. Tucker

Boston

To the Editor:

I would just like to remind everyone that in 2013 it took the Republican-controlled House over two months to commit to aid New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy. For me this is a wound that will never heal.

President Biden has already committed to aid Florida, and I know the Democratic-controlled Congress wont delay that aid.
Mahsa Amini died, but the hashtag #MahsaAmini lives on.

Ms. Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman known as Jina in Kurdish, was stopped on Sept. 13 by the Islamic Republic of Irans morality police as she came out of Tehrans Haghani metro station. Ms. Aminis alleged crime was improperly wearing hijab, violating Irans law requiring mandatory veiling. Her death in police custody has become the rallying cry of a new movement in Iran.

Despite the significant censorship and efforts by the Iranian government to limit its citizens access to the internet, Twitter and other social networks have played an outsized role in informing the world  and those inside the country  of the protests against the violent treatment of women and crackdowns on the opposition. From the moment that a photo of Ms. Aminis unconscious face with tubes running from her mouth was shared over Twitter, the hashtag #_ (#MahsaAmini in Persian script) has been used in some 160 million tweets, despite limited internet access in Iran.

The movement may have started with protests of the Islamic Republics violence against women, but it is now a nationwide uprising across 85 cities demanding the dismantling of the entire system of leadership and governance. In contrast to previous protest movements in Iran, this women-led protest movement has people of all backgrounds taking the streets against a regime that does not hesitate to use brutality to repress dissent.

Iranians in the diaspora have been amplifying citizen media and protesters, even as they dont always know whether their family members in Iran are safe. The protesters have risked it all, and the violence against them doesnt appear to be letting up. There have been at least 83 deaths directly attributable to the protests since they began on Sept. 16, and reports suggest that more than 1,200 people have been arrested.
LEDs radiate less heat than incandescent bulbs, consume less energy and last longer. They are also environmentally safer than fluorescent lamps, which contain mercury. The Department of Energy has estimated that by the end of the decade, LEDs will account for more than 80 percent of all lighting purchases and will pare Americans electric bills by some $30 billion annually.

Not only did Nick Holonyak invent the first visible LED; he predicted right from the start that the LED would eventually replace all other forms of electric lighting, which it is well on the way to doing, said Bob Johnstone, a technology journalist and the author of L.E.D.: A History of the Future of Lighting (2017).

But in 2014, two other scientists, Hiroshi Amano of Japan and Shuji Nakamura of the University of California, Santa Barbara, won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their successful development in 1993 of a high-brightness blue-light-emitting diode, which was needed to blend with red and green to create white illumination and produce a spectrum of other colors. (Professor Holonyaks early invention of a diode that emitted red light explains why displays on alarm clocks and calculators were red  and only red  for a long time.)

Beyond question Holonyak was a pioneer, visionary and a great scientist-educator, Mr. Johnstone said in an email. It was a travesty of justice that he did not share in the Nobel, which has everything to do with the narrow criteria by which the prize is awarded (the committee likes to restrict winners to a single discovery) and nothing to do with the indisputable magnitude of his achievement.

Russell D. Dupuis, director of the Center for Compound Semiconductors at the Georgia Institute of Technology, said that Professor Holonyak was passed over for the physics Nobel Prize twice  not just in 2014 but also in 2000  although in both cases the fundamental material contributions were made by Holonyak.
Tisza Ann Szeremy Bell and Brian Michael Guyer will never know with certainty what quirk of fate caused the dating app Tinder to match them in the spring of 2014.

She lived at the time in Bozeman, Mont., while he was 440 miles away, in Park City, Utah. When they connected virtually, she was somewhat closer  in Logan, Utah, wearing hip-waders as she collected wastewater samples for her doctoral research. She graduated from Colgate University, received a masters degree in environmental studies from the University of Colorado, and, eventually, a doctoral degree in microbiology from Montana State University.

But even in Logan, she was still more than 100 miles from Park City.

How exactly we got one another, were still not sure, she said.

She was struck by the authenticity his profile projected, so she swiped right anyway. So did he.

I was immediately intrigued by her, said Mr. Guyer, who graduated from what is now Baldwin Wallace University, in Berea, Ohio.
PARIS  Gabriela Hearst of Chloe is really, really excited about nuclear fusion. You know: the reaction that occurs when two atomic nuclei combine to form a bigger one, like in the sun and other stars, and that offers the promise of almost limitless clean energy for the planet, if only we can figure out how to recreate it in a controlled way.

She is so excited about it, in fact, and its implications for solving the climate crisis, that she has spent the past two years learning about it. So excited, in fact, that she took field trips to three fusion research centers: ITER (a.k.a., the worlds largest fusion experiment, located in the South of France), Commonwealth Fusion Systems (a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinoff in Cambridge, Mass.) and Helion Energy (in Washington state).

So excited that she designed an entire collection around it.

She created a set in the circular shape of a tokamak, the name for the reactor that scientists hope to use to produce thermonuclear fusion. Commissioned an installation from the artist Paolo Montiel-Coppa involving zipping beams of light and giant glowing rings. Invited scientists from the various fusion energy companies to sit front row (you could tell them by their ties). And featured the hydrogen isotope as her aesthetic throughline.
Despite living in an evacuation zone, Alecsander Haake did not leave his home in the St. Petersburg area in advance of Hurricane Ian. My mom had work the day before they announced the evacuation  it was a bit too late, Mr. Haake, 16, said by phone. Theres a lot of traffic on I-4, so we just hunkered down.

On Tuesday, Mr. Haake, who is a high school student, posted a TikTok video of a computer screen showing Ians predicted path across Florida. Yo, yo, I live right there, on my mouse, Mr. Haake says in the video, moving his cursor over the western coast of the state. Give me a thousand followers, Ill go live during the hurricane, bro. If this goal was met, Mr. Haake claimed, he would run outside in the nude during the hurricane.

He got what he asked for  and then some. When he posted that video on Tuesday, Mr. Haake estimated he had about 150 followers. (On the app, a user must have at least 1,000 to use the livestreaming feature.) By Thursday, he had amassed a little over 25,000. Obviously I wasnt going to do that, Mr. Haake said, referring to going outside naked. I was not going to do that. That was a joke.

He did ultimately go live on TikTok, fully clothed, just as Ian touched down around him. It was just breaking in, he said. There was a bunch of wind coming through, and rain. I was just standing outside by my garage. He streamed on TikTok Live for nearly four hours. He said that at one point, as many as 20,000 people had been watching him. Viewers could see the trees in Mr. Haakes neighborhood blowing dramatically sideways. Everyone like this, so it gets tons of viewers, Mr. Haake said during the broadcast. Can you guys hear when the wind swirls like that? The whistling? Thats kind of scary.
When Marley Jane Brown moved to the small city of Healdsburg, Calif., for a job as a chef de partie at SingleThread restaurant, in April 2017, she had two priorities.

I wanted to cook and learn from really great chefs, Ms. Brown, 29, said.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., Ms. Brown thought that having a relationship would only distract her from those goals, so she arrived at her new home in Californias Sonoma County with no interest in dating.

The month before she relocated, she did a trial week in Healdsburg. Ms. Brown, who grew up on a farm in Belleville, Ill., that has been in her family for 150 years, had never been to California. But she quickly became seduced by the area, part of the states wine country, as well as the opportunity to cook at SingleThread, which combines Japanese culinary influences with a farm-to-table approach to sourcing ingredients.

Most produce used at the restaurant is grown on a nearby 24-acre farm owned and operated by its proprietors. Some of the farms crops were planted by Akeel Keane Shah, 33, who had been hired at SingleThread before it opened in December 2016. A graduate of the Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Mr. Shah was working as a service captain at the restaurant when Ms. Brown began her trial week in March 2017.
There is no shortage of reasons Republicans are expected to retake the House this year, including President Bidens low approval ratings and the long history of struggles for the presidents party in midterm elections.

But theres another issue that looms over the race for the House, one that doesnt have anything to do with the candidates or the voters at all: the fairness of the newly redrawn congressional maps.

You might assume that the House map is heavily gerrymandered toward Republicans, especially after Republicans enacted aggressive gerrymanders in critical states like Texas and Florida. Many of you might even presume that this gerrymandering means that the House isnt merely likely to go to the Republicans, but that its also out of reach for Democrats under any realistic circumstances.
With the hurricane barreling toward their stretch of the Florida coast on Tuesday afternoon, Amanda Mahr and her husband, Matthew Mahr, got an urgent call from their doctor: They had to schedule an emergency C-section.

The baby was four days past due, and the ultrasound that morning had showed fluid levels that were too low for them to wait until after the storm for delivery. Hurricane or not, the baby was going to have to come.

They rushed to the hospital through a drizzle and under slate-gray skies, nervously eyeing neighbors in Cape Coral who were putting up shutters in last-minute preparations. The storm was coming ashore farther south than previously projected. By the next morning, with Hurricane Ian lapping at the coast, power started cutting out across the region and wind gusts of more than 60 miles per hour were whipping their city.

Were getting a direct hit. We want to schedule you right now, hospital staff told the Mahrs, Ms. Mahr recalled.
On 26 September 2022, the Deputy Secretary General of the WCO, Ricardo Trevino Chapa, welcomed a delegation from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to World Customs Organization (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, with a view to enhancing collaboration between the WCO and the GCC.

The Deputy Secretary General presented an overview of the WCO together with its mission and vision, before turning to the important topic of the WCO Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and its key features, emphasizing that Data and Green Customs were current priority issues for the Organization. After listening to the presentation by the Deputy Secretary General together with presentations by staff from the WCOs different Directorates, delegates had an opportunity to exchange views on various topics supporting the ongoing development of the GCC Customs Law.

WCO Secretariat staff from the Compliance & Facilitation and Trade & Tariff Affairs Directorates shared their views on issues relating to the development of the GCC Customs Law, such as Customs policies, enforcement, and tariff classification under the Harmonized System (HS). Some challenges and success factors for enhancing cooperation between countries with respect to harmonizing transit procedures and ensuring mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes were highlighted. Delegates were also introduced to the core issues under discussion as part of the comprehensive review of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC).

WCO recommendations on risk management within the context of Customs enforcement activities, based around common datasets such as the WCO Data Model, were addressed. In addition, some best practices adopted by WCO Members for conducting risk analysis under the SAFE Framework of Standards were touched upon.

The experts from the HS team presented the WCO's HS review cycle and shared their views on related issues such as harmonized tariff rules, integrated tariffs, and taking on board the requirements of other government agencies.

The visit ended with a productive discussion on potential technical collaboration between the GCC and WCO.
Tristan Stout, 22, surveying the damage to his fathers boat after it was moved across the street on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach.

FORT MYERS, Fla.  As Hurricane Ian charged toward the western coast of Florida this week, the warnings from forecasters were growing more urgent. Life-threatening storm surge threatened to deluge the region from Tampa all the way to Fort Myers.

But while officials along much of that coastline responded with orders to evacuate on Monday, emergency managers in Lee County held off, pondering during the day whether to tell people to flee, but then deciding to see how the forecast evolved overnight.

Lee County Announced Evacuation Orders After Other Coastal Counties In the days before Hurricane Ian made landfall, forecasters predicted significant storm surge along Floridas coast. Despite the warnings, officials in Lee County waited a day later than other coastal counties to announce evacuation orders. Monday, 8 a.m. forecast Tuesday, 8 a.m. forecast 2-4 ft. FLA. FLA. 2-4 ft. 1-3 ft. Other coastal counties 5-8 ft. Peak storm surge forecast Actual path Actual path 5-10 ft. 5-8 ft. Possible track area LEE CO. LEE CO. 4-7 ft. Forecast path Forecast path 4-7 ft. 3-5 ft. 3-5 ft. 2-4 ft. 2-4 ft. Monday, 8 a.m. forecast Tuesday, 8 a.m. forecast 2-4 ft. FLORIDA 2-4 ft. 1-3 ft. FLORIDA 5-8 ft. Other coastal counties Peak storm surge forecast Actual path Actual path 5-8 ft. Possible track area 5-10 ft. LEE CO. LEE CO. 4-7 ft. Forecast path Forecast path 4-7 ft. 3-5 ft. 3-5 ft. 2-4 ft. 2-4 ft. Monday, 8 a.m. forecast FLA. Other coastal counties Actual path Peak storm surge forecast 5-8 ft. LEE CO. 4-7 ft. Forecast path 3-5 ft. Possible track area 2-4 ft. Tuesday, 8 a.m. forecast 2-4 ft. FLA. 2-4 ft. 1-3 ft. 5-8 ft. Actual path 5-10 ft. LEE CO. Forecast path 4-7 ft. 3-5 ft. 2-4 ft.

The delay, an apparent violation of the meticulous evacuation strategy the county had crafted for just such an emergency, may have contributed to catastrophic consequences that are still coming into focus as the death toll continues to climb.

Dozens have died overall in the state, officials said, as Ian, downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, moved through North Carolina and Virginia on Saturday, at one point leaving nearly 400,000 electricity customers in those states without power.

About 35 of Floridas storm-related deaths have been identified in Lee County, the highest toll anywhere in the state, as survivors describe the sudden surge of water  predicted as a possibility by the National Hurricane Service in the days before the storm hit  that sent some of them scrambling for safety in attics and on rooftops.

Image Destruction on San Carlos Island after Hurricane Ian tore through the area. Credit... Johnny Milano for The New York Times

Lee County, which includes the hard-hit seaside community of Fort Myers Beach, as well as the towns of Fort Myers, Sanibel and Cape Coral, did not issue a mandatory evacuation order for the areas likely to be hardest hit until Tuesday morning, a day after several neighboring counties had ordered their most vulnerable residents to flee.

By then, some residents recalled that they had little time to evacuate. Dana Ferguson, 33, a medical assistant in Fort Myers, said she had been at work when the first text message appeared on her phone Tuesday morning. By the time she arrived home, it was too late to find anywhere to go, so she hunkered down with her husband and three children to wait as a wall of water began surging through areas of Fort Myers, including some that were well away from the coastline.

I felt there wasnt enough time, she said.

Ms. Ferguson said she and her family fled to the second floor, lugging a generator and dry food, as the water rose through their living room. The 6-year-old was in tears.

Kevin Ruane, a Lee County commissioner and a former mayor of Sanibel, said the county had postponed ordering an extensive evacuation because the earlier hurricane modeling had shown the storm heading farther north.

I think we responded as quickly as we humanly could have, he said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and his state emergency management director also said the earlier forecasts had predicted the brunt of the storms fury would strike farther north.

There is a difference between a storm thats going to hit north Florida that will have peripheral effects on your region, versus one thats making a direct impact, Mr. DeSantis said at a news conference on Friday in Lee County. And so what I saw in southwest Florida is, as the data changed, they sprung into action.

But while the track of Hurricane Ian did shift closer to Lee County in the days before it made landfall, the surge risks the county faced  even with the more northerly track  were becoming apparent as early as Sunday night.

Image Diana Kauth, 65, was helped off a rescue rig by the Florida Forest Service after she rode out Hurricane Ian in her neighbors two-story home on San Carlos Island. Credit... Jason Andrew for The New York Times

At that point, the National Hurricane Center produced modeling showing a chance of a storm surge covering much of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Parts of Fort Myers Beach, even in that case, had a 40 percent chance of a six-foot-high storm surge, according to the surge forecasts.

Lee Countys emergency planning documents had set out a time-is-of-the-essence strategy, noting that the regions large population and limited road system make it difficult to evacuate the county swiftly. Over years of work, the county has created a phased approach that expands the scope of evacuations in proportion to the certainty of risk. Severe events may require decisions with little solid information, the documents say.

The countys plan proposes an initial evacuation if there is even a 10 percent chance that a storm surge will go six feet above ground level; based on a sliding scale, the plan also calls for an evacuation if there is a 60 percent chance of a three-foot storm surge.

Along with the forecasts on Sunday night, updated forecasts on Monday warned that many areas of Cape Coral and Fort Myers had between a 10 and a 40 percent chance of a storm surge above six feet, with some areas possibly seeing a surge of more than nine feet.

Over those Monday hours, neighboring Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties issued evacuation orders, while Sarasota County announced that it expected evacuation orders to be in effect for the following morning. In Lee County, however, officials said they were waiting to make a more up-to-date assessment the following morning.

Image A woman riding her bike past a Chevron One Stop station that was destroyed during Hurricane Ian. Credit... Jason Andrew for The New York Times

Once we have a better grasp on all of that dynamic, we will have a better understanding about what areas we may call for evacuation, and, at the same time, a determination of what shelters will be open, the Lee County Manager, Roger Desjarlais, said on Monday afternoon.

But forecasters with the National Hurricane Center were growing more explicit in their warnings for the region. In a 5 p.m. update on Monday, they wrote that the highest risk for life-threatening storm surge was in the area from Fort Myers to Tampa Bay.

Residents in these areas should listen to advice given by local officials, the hurricane center wrote. New modeling showed that some areas along Fort Myers Beach were more likely than not to see a six-foot surge.

Mr. Ruane, the county commissioner, said that one challenge the county faced was that the local schools had been designed to be shelters and that the school board had made the decision to keep them open on Monday.

By the following morning, at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Mr. Desjarlais announced a partial evacuation order but emphasized that the areas being evacuated are small compared with a previous hurricane evacuation.

The county held off on further evacuations, despite a forecast that showed potential surge into areas not covered by the order. Officials expanded their evacuation order later in the morning.

By the middle of the afternoon, Lee County officials were more urgent in their recommendation: The time to evacuate is now, and the window is closing, they wrote in a message on Facebook.

Image Pete Neelon, a resident of Lee County for more than a decade, pointing to where the water level rose past his headboard on San Carlos Island. Credit... Johnny Milano for The New York Times

Katherine Morong, 32, said she had been prepared earlier in the week to hunker down and ride out the storm based on the guidance from local officials. The sudden evacuation order on Tuesday morning left her scrambling, she said, as she set out in her car in the rain.

The county could have been more proactive and could have given us more time to evacuate, she said. On the road toward the east side of the state, she said, she was driving through torrents of rain, with tornadoes nearby.

Joe Brosseau, 65, said he did not receive any evacuation notice. As the storm surge began pouring in on Wednesday morning, he said, he considered evacuating but realized it was too late.

He climbed up a ladder with his 70-year-old wife and dog to reach a crawl space in his garage. He brought tools in case he needed to break through the roof to escape.

It was terrifying, Mr. Brosseau said. It was the absolute scariest thing. Trying to get that dog and my wife up a ladder to the crawl space. And then to spend six hours there.

Some residents said they had seen the forecasts but decided to remain at home anyway  veterans of many past storms with dire predictions that had not come to pass.

People were made aware, they were told about the dangers and some people just made the decision that they did not want to leave, Mr. DeSantis said on Friday.

Joe Santini, a retired physicians assistant, said he would not have fled his home even if there had been an evacuation order issued well before the storm. He said that he had lived in the Fort Myers area most of his life, and that he would not know where else to go.

Ive stuck around for every other one, he said.

The water rushed into his home around dusk on Wednesday night, and on Friday, there was still a high-water mark about a foot above the floor  leaving Mr. Santini a little stunned. I dont think its ever surged as high as it did, he said.

Lee County is now an epicenter of devastation, with mass destruction at Fort Myers Beach, the partial collapse of the Sanibel Causeway and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. With water mains broken, the county utilities agency has advised residents to boil their water.

President Biden said on Friday that the destruction from the storm was likely to be among the worst in U.S. history.

Its going to take months, years to rebuild, he said.

Lauren Sweeney , Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Mitch Smith contributed reporting. Kirsten Noyes contributed research.
Florida officials said uncertainty about where Hurricane Ian would hit the state led to evacuation orders with short time frames for residents of barrier islands near Fort Myers that were walloped by the storm.

Gov. Ron DeSantis noted that forecasters initially thought the storm was likely to make landfall well to the north of the southwest Florida islands that ultimately took a direct hit.

There is a difference between a storm thats going to hit north Florida that will have peripheral effects on your region, versus one thats making a direct impact, Mr. DeSantis said, speaking at an afternoon news conference in Lee County. And so what I saw in southwest Florida is, as the data changed, they sprung into action.

Kevin Guthrie, the states emergency management director, said that hard-hit Lee County, where rescues were continuing on Friday, would have needed 48 hours to successfully evacuate. But two days before landfall, he said, forecasters were not expecting a direct hit there. When that changed, he said, county officials ordered evacuations.

They made the best decision they could based on the information they had at the time, Mr. Guthrie said.

Once the call was made to evacuate, Florida officials said there was extensive outreach to residents in the most vulnerable areas. But they said there was only so much they could do.

People were made aware, they were told about the dangers and some people just made the decision that they did not want to leave, Mr. DeSantis said.
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO  A sailor charged with intentionally setting one of the worst noncombat fires in U.S. Navy history, which destroyed the $1.2 billion U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard in San Diego Bay, was found not guilty on all counts Friday by a Navy judge.

Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays, 21, who had been facing life in prison if convicted on charges of aggravated arson and willful hazarding of a vessel, wept with his head on the defense teams table after hearing the verdict. Then, dressed in a crisp white uniform, he pushed through the crowded courtroom to embrace his wife and his parents.

His father held him tight and said, I never had a doubt.

The nine-day trial took place just a short walk from the pier where the immense amphibious assault ship burned for more than four days in 2020. Navy prosecutors portrayed Seaman Mays as a disgruntled young failure who had hoped to become a Navy SEAL, but dropped out of the notoriously punishing selection course and was reassigned to mop floors and scrape paint below decks on the Bonhomme Richard. He was so embittered, they argued, that he set his ship on fire.
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.  Mitch Pacyna and his wife had weathered other hurricanes in their 27 years on this sandy stripe of barrier island and decided to ride out Hurricane Ian at home.

But as the monster storm began to mow down houses around them, Mr. Pacyna posted videos of the churning floodwaters sweeping away an open-air bar he had built. WERE TERRIFIED!! he wrote in a final Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr. Pacyna, 74  a gregarious fixture of beach life known to friends as the mayor  was killed as he and his wife, Mary Wojciechowski, who survived, tried to flee to safety during the storm, Michelle Schuline, his daughter, said. His death was part of a grim toll that began to emerge on Friday, as officials in Florida said that at least three dozen deaths had likely been caused by the storm  a toll they expected to rise.

The building they were in was being torn apart, Ms. Schuline said, recalling her father as a devoted Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks fan who had recently traveled to see his granddaughters graduate from high school and college. They were trying to get to higher ground.
Oof! said the veteran Weather Channel television network reporter Jim Cantore as a tree branch knocked him over during a live broadcast from Punta Gorda, Fla., on Wednesday. Mr. Cantore jumped up and continued, without missing a beat. You know what, I think Im just going to come in here for a second, he said before making his way, through the 110-mile-per-hour winds of Hurricane Ian, to grab onto a signpost.

Jim, come on in for some cover, my man, come on in, said Mike Bettes, the anchor, as the cameras cut away to the studio. We can have a conversation when youre under some cover. Thats too much.

Live, on-the-scene storm shots have been a longtime staple of weather reporting. Yet, as videos of Mr. Cantore and of other reporters spread on social media, some asked: Is it necessary to send television crews to the middle of a dangerous storm? And how ethical is it for reporters to be put in such risk, when everyone else has been ordered to evacuate?

Nora Zimmett, the president of news at the Weather Channel television network, said that having meteorologists broadcasting live from the field was critical to the channels mission of giving people the information they needed to stay safe.
WASHINGTON  Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, was welcomed by her colleagues on Friday at an investiture ceremony at the court that was attended by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The proceedings were purely ceremonial, the courts public information office noted, as Justice Jackson has been a member of the court since she was sworn in on June 30. But the event was nonetheless stately and steeped in history.

The courtroom was filled with supporters and dignitaries, among them Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and two retired members of the court, Justices Anthony M. Kennedy and Stephen G. Breyer. Justice Jackson was once a law clerk to Justice Breyer and succeeded him after he stepped down on the last day of the term that ended in June.

Justice Jackson was seated in front of the bench in a chair that had been used by Chief Justice John Marshall. After the other justices entered and took what were for most of them new spots (they sit in order of seniority), Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, whose 2016 nomination to the court was blocked by Senate Republicans, made a motion to have the clerk read Justice Jacksons presidential commission. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. granted the motion.
An indebted former National Security Agency employee was charged with espionage on Wednesday after the authorities said that, in exchange for money, he tried to send classified national defense information to an undercover F.B.I. agent acting as a representative of a foreign government.

Jareh Sebastian Dalke, 30, of Colorado Springs, was charged with three counts of violating the Espionage Act. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison or the death penalty.

A lawyer representing Mr. Dalke did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

The U.S. attorney in Colorado said Mr. Dalke held a top-secret clearance and worked as an information systems security designer at the N.S.A. from June to July this year. According to court records, he abruptly left the agency because of a family illness that required him to be away for nine months and because the N.S.A. was unable to support his time off.

But at the end of July, he began communicating through an encrypted email with an individual he believed to be associated with a foreign government. Prosecutors said he was actually communicating with an undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation agent.
WASHINGTON  President Bidens program to erase large amounts of student loan debt attracted some criticism immediately after it was announced in August and, more recently, several lawsuits. Scammers have targeted borrowers. The administration has reduced the number of people eligible for forgiveness.

All before an application form for debt forgiveness even exists.

Many of the details were not yet complete when the plan, which was hailed by progressive Democrats and would forgive up to $20,000 in debt for individuals making under $125,000, was unveiled. The goal of the program was to instantly improve the finances of millions of Americans. For those outside the White House, the reality has been much more chaotic.

Department of Education officials are racing to create the application and get a public information campaign up and running without substantial additional resources, according to several people familiar with the process. White House officials stress they are meeting often and across departments to get the form completed in October.

Still, activists, borrowers and loan servicers worry that the program  the most costly executive action in history  might undergo more changes if problems continue to mount.
Loeffler lost her seat to a Democrat, Raphael Warnock, in 2020. And Burr, a moderate, is retiring. His old seat is one of Democrats few pickup opportunities this year.

The New York Timess investigative reporter Kate Kelly, along with our colleagues Adam Playford and Alicia Parlapiano, recently examined thousands of publicly reported trades by 97 members of Congress or their immediate family members.

Drawing on data from a three-year period, they discovered more than 3,700 trades that posed what they described as potential conflicts between their public responsibilities and private finances. Read their investigation here.

To get her insights, I asked Kelly four questions about the flap over stock trading. Here is our conversation, edited lightly for length and clarity:

Theres already a law on the books, the 2012 STOCK Act, that bars insider trading by members of Congress. So why do some lawmakers think it needs an update?

The STOCK Act reaffirmed that lawmakers arent allowed to insider-trade  nobody in the U.S. is  and it mandated that they disclose periodic transactions they and their immediate family made in stocks, bonds and other financial assets that were valued at $1,000 or more within 45 days. But the law did nothing to dissuade those lawmakers and family members from trading assets that could be influenced by their work in Congress.



Lets say youre investigating a catastrophic manufacturing glitch in an American-made car and you sell shares of the auto company involved a couple of days before your committee issues a negative report that makes the stock plunge. Thats inappropriate and should be against the law, according to many lawmakers. There are other, grayer areas, and insider-trading cases against members are pretty rare. But the mere fact that Americans see conflicts of interest in congressional trading is problem enough, is the feeling.

From talking to lawmakers about this topic, I get the sense that many resent the implication that theyre using their positions to make money on the side. How much of what you uncovered is merely the appearance of corruption, as opposed to the real thing?

Its entirely the former, though we cant rule out the latter  we just didnt uncover enough evidence to show that any particular case was insider trading. The rarity of civil or criminal investigations into these cases makes it hard to know whats really going on, whether its essentially routine transactions based on market research and common knowledge or a trade that was inspired by information learned in Congress.
In the Jan. 6 investigation, the Justice Department has obtained grand jury subpoenas for several former aides to Mr. Trump seeking testimony about his conversations. Mr. Trumps lawyers have instructed them not to answer questions, based on a broad conception of his residual powers of executive privilege, even though Mr. Biden has rejected the idea as not in the best interests of the United States.

A dispute over whether those witnesses may lawfully decline to answer certain questions is now playing out before Beryl Howell, the chief judge of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, behind closed doors, according to people familiar with the matter.

In the documents investigation, Mr. Trumps lawyers have convinced a judge he appointed in November 2020, Aileen M. Cannon of the Southern District of Florida, to name a special master to oversee the vetting of some 11,000 documents and records the F.B.I. seized from his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, in August.

Over the Justice Departments objections, Judge Cannon ruled that Mr. Trump can make the case to the special master  and, ultimately, to her  that some of the documents should be withheld from investigators under executive privilege. She rejected the departments argument that Mr. Trump was entirely foreclosed from raising the privilege in these circumstances.

But Judge Cannon has also hedged, writing that Mr. Trump should have the ability to invoke the privilege as an initial matter but also suggesting that any assertion in this context might ultimately fail. For its part, the Trump legal team has shied away from explaining why material covered by executive privilege would be off limits to investigators with the Justice Department, a component of the executive branch.

Trumps team has not been entirely clear in asserting their executive privilege claims in their early briefs, said Michael Stern, a former counsel with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence who writes on issues involving investigations, national security and the law. They have laid out a broad argument, but it remains to be seen how, exactly, they are going to make their case as these issues move up to appellate courts.

The special master Judge Cannon appointed, Judge Raymond J. Dearie, had instructed Mr. Trumps lawyers to go through the seized records and distinguish between those they think are merely shielded from disclosure to people outside the executive branch, which is not unusual, and those they think the executive branch itself supposedly cannot review, a much more radical proposition. He also wanted them to explain why for each document.
The South African branch of McKinsey & Company, the global consulting firm, was charged in a corruption scandal involving work the company completed advising the countrys state-owned freight rail and port operator. It may be the first time in McKinseys 96-year history that the firm has faced criminal charges.

South Africas National Prosecuting Authority added McKinsey and one of its former top consultants in the country to a long list of defendants in a case involving a locomotive purchase contract for the state-owned operator, Transnet, the authority said in a statement on Friday. McKinsey oversaw work on the bid, which, at the time it was announced in 2012, was the countrys largest-ever public procurement.

The other defendants, including the former chief executive of Transnet, are facing charges including fraud, corruption and money laundering. It was not clear from the statement what specific charges McKinsey and its former senior partner, Vikas Sagar, would face. A spokesperson for the authority was not available to comment.

We believe the charges filed against our South Africa office are meritless and we will defend against them, a spokesman for McKinsey said in a statement.
HAVANA, CUBA  Small protests broke out Thursday and Friday across several communities in Cuba, as desperate citizens took to the streets to demand the government restore electricity and provide aid to areas ravaged by Hurricane Ian, which swept through the island nation this week, worsening already bleak living conditions.

The demonstrations on Thursday erupted in the capital, Havana, in the town of Surgidero de Batabano, and in the city of Cardenas, and state security forces were deployed to quell the unrest. The government appeared to cut off the internet and telecommunication networks across the country, possibly to prevent news of the demonstrations from spreading and inspiring others to join.

While it was unclear how many Cubans took to the streets  some footage showed about 100 protesters at one demonstration  the fact that the protests occurred at all was notable. The Cuban government detained more than 1,000 protesters last year after demonstrations broke out across the country over a lack of food, electricity and declining medical services.

The government held mass trials that went on for months, prosecuting minors as young as 16 for taking part in the protests.

Whether protests would persist over the weekend remained to be seen, but analysts noted that Cubans seemed to be shedding their fear to confront the government, which has shown no tolerance for dissent. While the protests on Thursday happened in several communities across the country, on Friday evening small protests broke out in a few neighborhoods in Havana, and appeared to be contained to the capital.

On Thursday, a few dozen demonstrators in several Havana neighborhoods blocked street traffic and banged pots and pans  a common form of protest  chanting we want the light. Many expressed anger that the lack of electricity this week had spoiled what little food they had in their refrigerators.

We closed off the street with the garbage bins, and we stayed like that for three hours, said Dairon, a resident of Havana who protested Thursday and asked that his last name be withheld out of concern for his safety. We cant take it anymore, our food is rotting.

Other residents brought putrid bags of their molding groceries to the streets to exhibit their plight. The small crowds were dispersed after a few hours when security forces showed up, a protester said, prompting residents to run away for fear of being detained.

After the July protests last year, the questions was: was this an anomaly or a new phase, and now it seems to be a new phase and it will be hard to put the genie back in the bottle, said Ted Henken, a professor at Baruch College, City University of New York, and the author of several books on Cuba.

Either through repression or through some small fig leaf, it had seemed the government had contained the protests, he added. But now, a year later, people are out again because the government has been unable to address the root causes of the protests. The frustration has bled into the general population because its a scarcity of food, electricity, the basics. That has only been exacerbated by this horrible hurricane.

The demonstrations that unfolded in July 2021 saw thousands of protesters take to cities and towns across Cuba, the biggest anti-government rallies the country had seen since 1994.

Cubans have long complained of a lack of food and being forced to stand in hourslong lines to obtain government rations of milk, grain, or  even more rare  meat, conditions worsened by the pandemic. What little nourishment they receive is often not enough for their households, and many complain of going hungry.
KABUL, Afghanistan  A suicide attack on Friday at an educational center in Afghanistans capital killed at least 19 people, mostly young female students, adding to fears among many Afghans, particularly in the ethnic Hazara minority, about whether the new Taliban government can protect them from rising violence by extremist groups.

The blast wounded at least 27 people, Taliban officials said, and was the latest in a string of attacks in recent months on schools and education centers. Reports from medical staff treating the victims in nearby hospitals suggest that final casualty figures could be much higher.

The education center targeted on Friday was in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood of the capital, Kabul, an area dominated by Hazaras, a group that under the previous Western-backed government suffered frequent attacks from both the Taliban insurgency and the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan, known as Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K.

Since the Taliban seized power a year ago, ISIS-K has continued to carry out ruthless attacks on Hazaras, a predominantly Shiite Muslim minority, and has even expanded its violence to parts of the country where it had not previously been active.
KABUL, Afghanistan  She was a girl of just 5 when the Taliban took over Afghanistan the first time, and her parents did not hesitate: With the militants bent on imposing a puritanical form of Islam, the family packed their bags and fled.

But when the Taliban returned to power in the late summer of 2021, Nilaab, now a 30-year-old mother of two, did hesitate.

The new government was quick with assurances that this time would be different, that the Taliban of the 2020s was not the Taliban of the 1990s, and that there would be no brutal campaign of repression against the women of Afghanistan.

Maybe they were telling the truth, Nilaab thought. She hoped so. She had returned to her homeland as a teenager after a decade in exile, and she was not eager to repeat the experience.
SYDNEY, Australia  The United States and 14 Pacific Island nations signed a broad partnership agreement on Thursday at a summit in Washington, putting climate change, economic growth and stronger security ties at the center of an American push to counter Chinese influence in the region.

A great deal of history of our world is going to be written in the Indo-Pacific over the coming years and decades, President Biden said at a meeting with island leaders. And the Pacific Islands are a critical voice in shaping the future.

The security of America, quite frankly, and the world, he added, depends on your security and the security of the Pacific Islands.

His comments  and his promise of greater funding and cooperation from the United States  reflected a realization that has only recently become more urgent in Washington: that China has made significant inroads in the island chains of the North and South Pacific, where thousands of Americans fought and died in World War II, and that America needs to catch up.
BANGKOK  Thailands Constitutional Court ruled on Friday that the countrys prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, can stay in power, a decision expected to revive the pro-democracy protests that rocked Bangkok in 2020.

Mr. Prayuth, who seized power in a 2014 coup, was temporarily suspended from his duties as prime minister last month while the court considered a petition to remove him from office.

The Constitution stipulates an eight-year term for prime ministers in Thailand. The opposition argued that Mr. Prayuths term began in 2014, when he became the premier after he and other generals ousted the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. Mr. Prayuths legal team has said that the clock started when a new Constitution was adopted in 2017. Others have said that it began after the 2019 elections.

On Friday, the nine-member court ruled, 6-3, in favor of the 2017 start date. It said that the eight-year term has to be counted when this Constitution was put into effect. Mr. Prayuth can stay on as prime minister until 2025, if he is not voted out in next years general election.
The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email.

Shes spotting it everywhere, she reckons, Zeke Macville said, lounging in a fold-up chair on a riverbank just yards away from where more than three million tons of blue asbestos tailings had been dumped.

He was talking about how his wife, Ellie, thought there were asbestos tailings in the gravel around where they had decided to set up camp for the night. Mr. Macville, 33, wasnt certain  he didnt know what blue asbestos looked like in its natural form.

His wife was right. The riverbank was littered with chunks of blue asbestos tailings and fibers.

Last month, I traveled to the ghost town of Wittenoom with a photographer, Matthew Abbott, to document its last days and ongoing tragic legacy, as the Western Australia government closed in on its decade-long attempt to shut down the town. A detail that didnt make it into the resulting article was the tourists we met around the town.

The Macvilles had been lured to Wittenoom by the promise of a free camping site. They were only planning to stay for one night, and to some extent, they were aware of the dangers. Mr. Macville had worked with other kinds of asbestos as a roofer and had family members die from asbestos-related cancers. But they didnt think the risk was serious enough to stay away.
WASHINGTON  President Biden warned Russia on Friday that the United States and its allies would not be intimidated by its latest actions in Ukraine and said that the world would not recognize the sham referendum that President Vladimir V. Putin staged to justify seizing Ukrainian land.

Speaking at a news conference at the White House, Mr. Biden said the United States and its allies would continue to support Ukraine with military equipment and aid. He warned that anyone who supported Russias fraudulent claims to Ukrainian territory would also be subject to economic sanctions.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Putin announced in a bellicose speech that Russia would annex four Ukrainian provinces it had invaded. The Russian leader cast the war in Ukraine as an existential battle against the United States and its allies. He accused America of Satanism and of trying to impose its culture on the rest of the world.

Hes not going to scare us or intimidate us, Mr. Biden said. He cant seize his neighbors land and get away with it.
I was brought into the world with an unspoken knowledge of tragedy, she said. I was clearly aware even as a child that ghosts haunted my life. Often, I walk in cemeteries and wonder what Im looking for. I think I am trying to attend funerals that never took place. It is definitely haunting that the Shoah left us with millions of unburied souls, and it should continue to haunt all of us.

Today, she gives weekly talks on Talmud and Jewish mysticism in a theater filled to its 400-seat capacity, with the audience including, she says, psychoanalysts and film directors. They understand the power of storytelling to change lives.

She edits a quarterly magazine, Tenoua, or movement, on religion and art. A fictional TV series based on her life is in production.

Her book, Living With Our Dead, has sold more than 250,000 copies, a rarity for a nonfiction hardcover in France. It was released in paperback in September, with an English edition coming next year.

A reflection on ones relationship to death, it tells the stories of 11 public and private figures who inspired her, among them Elsa Cayat, a Jewish psychoanalyst killed in the 2015 terrorist attack at the office of the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. She also writes of a dear friend she refers to only as Ariane, who died of a brain tumor.

At the end of her life, Ariane was no longer conscious, Rabbi Horvilleur wrote. But we were there to witness the moment the doors opened. It felt like thousands of people had gathered around us: ancestors, guides, weeping Jewish mothers and children who will one day need to be told this story.
Mr. Putin was appealing to three key audiences. To Russians, he sought to justify the expanding hardship his war has been causing by insisting they were fighting for their survival. To the West, he worked to telegraph his determination that he was unbowed by sanctions or arms deliveries to Ukraine, and would keep fighting  with the veiled threat of Russias enormous nuclear arsenal in the background.

And to the rest of the world, Mr. Putin sought to cast himself as the leader of a global movement against the Western racists he claimed were imposing American hegemony. The West, he claimed, had not changed from the centuries past in which it brutally colonized other countries and fought wars to gain economic advantage.

Western countries, he insisted, had no moral right to condemn the annexation of parts of Ukraine.

The Western elites remain colonizers as they always were, Mr. Putin said. They have divided the world into their vassals  the so-called civilized countries  and everyone else.

As Mr. Putin spoke, a crowd gathered on Red Square for the concert and rally. Russian media reported that Moscow universities had directed students to attend. Pro-Kremlin pop music performers belted out nationalist songs from a stage that said Russia! and was flanked with banners reading Choice of the people! and Together forever!

At one point, a young woman in an orange sweatshirt took the stage, describing herself as a volunteer helping people in Russian-occupied Ukraine. Her husband had been drafted a week ago, she said.
KYIV, Ukraine  President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine responded to Russias claims to have annexed four Ukrainian provinces by announcing that Ukraine is applying for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraines application for accelerated accession to NATO, Mr. Zelensky said in a statement posted on the presidential website. He said Ukraine was cooperating closely with NATO and argued that Ukraines army has already helped secure alliance members in Europe against Russian aggression by inflicting battlefield defeats on the Russian army in Ukraine.

It is in Ukraine that the fate of democracy in the confrontation with tyranny is being decided, he said.

Mr. Zelensky said Ukraines application could be fast-tracked similarly to the applications of Sweden and Finland.
As the Kremlin prepares to annex four Ukrainian territories, the United States has reiterated that it sees the move as an illegitimate takeover, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Thursday.

In a statement, Mr. Blinken said that the Kremlins move was a further attempt at a land grab that violates international law, and that the United States would only ever recognize the areas as part of Ukraine. He also condemned the sham referendums that concluded earlier this week, which have been widely dismissed by leaders around the world as rigged votes in which some Ukrainians were forced to cast ballots at gunpoint. It is an affront to the principles of international peace and security, he said.

Mr. Blinken said that the United States would continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. (On Wednesday, the Pentagon pledged an additional $1.1 billion in long-term military aid to Ukraine.)

Mr. Blinken made similar remarks at a news conference in Washington on Tuesday, when he denounced the referendums as a diabolical scheme.
As President Vladimir V. Putin plans to carry out his threat on Friday to declare that some 40,000 square miles of eastern and southern Ukraine will become part of Russia, it is not clear whether even Russias staunchest allies will recognize his claim to the territory.

Russian forces only partly control the land Mr. Putin is seeking to add to the Russian Federation, and the announcement is expected as Ukrainian forces press ahead with attacks in the very regions that Mr. Putin will claim are part of Russia.

But by annexing the parts of Ukraine that his troops occupy and then framing the war as an existential fight for the survival of the Russian state, Mr. Putin can try to shift the political focus from his armys frontline losses to a plane where he seems to feel most confident: a battle of wills with the West.

He thinks he can win, Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said in a telephone interview from Moscow. He is provoking an escalation of the war, transferring it to some new status.
KYIV, Ukraine  Russia launched a flurry of rocket, drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian towns and cities overnight Thursday to Friday, creating scenes of destruction inside Ukraine as the Kremlin planned an elaborate, and widely rejected, annexation ceremony in Moscow.

The most lethal strike hit in Zaporizhzhia, one of the four Ukrainian provinces that Moscow plans to declare part of Russia on Friday as part of an annexation process that has been condemned by the West as a sham and came after a humiliating battlefield defeat. The attack killed at least 30 civilians who were waiting at a checkpoint and bus stop, and injured about 88, according to Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky. That would make it one of the deadliest single attacks against civilians in recent weeks.

Mr. Zelensky, in his nightly address, called the attack deliberate and premeditated murder of Ukrainians, adding that, the Russian military knew where their missiles would hit.

The wave of overnight strikes came as President Vladimir V. Putin declared regions where battles are raging  in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk  to be Russian territory. Moscow says it would then be defending rather than attacking the territory, its stated justification to use any means necessary, in a thinly veiled nuclear threat.
Irans widening protests, though challenging that countrys government forcefully and in rising numbers, may also embody a global trend that does not augur well for the Iranian movement.

Mass protests like the ones in Iran, whose participants have cited economic hardships, political repression and corruption, were once considered such a powerful force that even the strongest autocrat might not survive their rise. But their odds of success have plummeted worldwide, research finds.

Such movements are today more likely to fail than they were at any other point since at least the 1930s, according to a data set managed by Harvard University researchers.

The trajectory of Irans demonstrations remains far from certain. Citizen uprisings still sometimes force significant change, for example in Sri Lanka, where protests played a role in removing a strongman president this year.
Mr. al-Qaradawi became known as a leading voice of a moderate school of Islamism, and was one of the first prominent Muslim scholars to condemn the 9/11 attacks on the United States, as well as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.

But the development that launched him on the path to international celebrity was the founding of the Qatari satellite news channel Al Jazeera in 1996. Mr. al-Qaradawi hosted a call-in show called Shariah and Life, where he answered viewers questions about religious law in daily life and issued religious edicts, or fatwas.

He dispensed guidance on a wide range of subjects: Islams stance on evolution, whether it is permissible to eat foods cooked with alcohol, the morality of lottery cards, even when it is acceptable to own a dog.

His views were generally conservative, and secular Arabs bitterly opposed his views on Islamic rule as just another form of authoritarianism. But some of his fatwas on womens rights  in one he held that women are permitted to hold top government positions  were considered progressive enough to offend hard-liners.

His denunciation of jihadist groups did not mean that Mr. al-Qaradawi was a pacifist.

During the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in 2001, he declared that suicide bombings by Palestinians against Israelis were permissible. And when the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, he sanctioned violent resistance against U.S. soldiers there.

Those fatwas led to his being banned from entering the United States and Britain.

In his 80s, he backed the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, which in many ways seemed like the culmination of his lifes work, a dream come true. He called for the death of the Libyan dictator Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, who was overthrown and killed later that year, and turned against Iran for its support of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war.

Days after the Egyptian autocrat Hosni Mubarak was ousted by popular protests, Mr. al-Qaradawi returned to Egypt, leading Friday Prayer for hundreds of thousands of people in Cairos Tahrir Square.
The change is not meant to apply to people who are receiving payments as gifts or as reimbursements from friends after splitting the cost of a restaurant meal, said Erin Collins, the national taxpayer advocate, who heads an agency within the I.R.S. that assists taxpayers. But some people could mistakenly receive forms anyway  say, if they get payments mislabeled as business transactions rather than friends and family payments, she said.

The change is going to cause confusion, Ms. Collins said.

Mr. Walters of Blucora said he might be among taxpayers receiving a 1099-K. He likes to attend concerts, he said, but sometimes his plans change. If I cant make it to the concert, he said, he sells the tickets on StubHub, which is among the online marketplaces that have alerted users to the new rules.

Here are some questions and answers about the new 1099-K rules:

What can I do to prepare for next years tax season?

If you use payment apps, Ms. Collins said, remind those sending you personal payments to designate transactions as such, and make a note of what the payment was for. Venmo and its parent, PayPal, allow users to designate transactions as personal or for purchases. Payments are tagged friends and family by default when money is sent between two consumer accounts, the company says, but users can choose the goods and services button when making a purchase. Only payments sent with the toggle on are tagged as goods and services for the recipient.

Cash App says on its website that users with standard, personal accounts wont receive the forms and that only users with business accounts will have transactions reported to the I.R.S.

Sellers should gather receipts or other documents that show the original cost of items they have sold, Mr. Walters said. TaxAct has teamed up with eBay to help users understand the new requirements.

If you do get a 1099-K in January, dont ignore it, said Tom OSaben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals. If you think its in error, you can request a correction, though that takes time and may delay you in filing a return.

If the amount isnt taxable, you generally dont have to report it on your return, accountants say. But make sure you have records to prove that, Mr. OSaben said, because you may get a letter from the I.R.S. asking for documentation.
Sea Surface Temperature, Sept. 27, 2022 28F 60F 87F+ Atlantic Ocean United States Extent of 82F+ water temperatures, which can sustain and intensify hurricanes. Waters over 87F Gulf of Mexico Cuba Hurricane Ians path Caribbean Sea Sea Surface Temperature, Sept. 27, 2022 28F 60F 87F+ Extent of waters over 82F+, which can sustain and intensify hurricanes. United States Gulf of Mexico Atlantic Ocean 87F+ Cuba Hurricane Ians path Caribbean Sea Source: NASA MEaSUREs-MUR; NOAA

New data from NASA reveals how warm ocean waters in the Gulf of Mexico fueled Hurricane Ian to become one of the most powerful storms to strike the United States in the past decade.

Sea surface temperatures were especially warm off Floridas southwest coast, allowing the storm to pick up energy just before crashing into the state north of Fort Myers.

The storm brought fierce winds, unrelenting rains and catastrophic flooding to southwest Florida. As it moved inland, it lost power and was downgraded to a tropical storm, but grew into a hurricane again as it traveled across the warm Atlantic toward South Carolina.

Storms usually weaken as they move over land and lose access to their main source of moisture and energy.

Hurricane Ian was able to, over the course of its path, pull a lot of energy out of the ocean, which could have sustained it for longer than normal, said Christopher Slocum, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

September is the peak of hurricane season, spurred by temperatures in the Gulf that are warmer than at other times of the year, experts say. The climate phenomenon known as La Nina has also contributed to more favorable conditions for hurricanes in the North Atlantic over the past three years.

However, waters off the coast were also two to three degrees Fahrenheit warmer than usual for this time of year, according to preliminary data from NASA.

And a few degrees can make a huge difference, said Karthik Balaguru, a climate scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, because it provides extra energy for a storm.

Unlike with land or the atmosphere, its very difficult to warm the ocean, Dr. Balaguru said. A large amount of heat had to have been absorbed by the ocean just to raise temperatures by a small fraction of a degree, he said.

More than 90 percent of the excess heat from human-caused global warming over the past 50 years has been absorbed by the oceans, and a majority of it is stored in the top few hundred meters.

Scientists say that while climate change has not necessarily increased the number of hurricanes, it has made them more powerful, as warmer ocean waters strengthen and sustain those storms. The proportion of the most severe storms  Categories 4 and 5  has increased since 1980, when satellite imagery began reliably tracking hurricanes.

Warmer Waters, Fiercer Storms Atlantic waters are getting warmer, leading to greater accumulated storm energy, a measure of sustained wind speeds over the course of each hurricane season. 1980s 90s 00s 10s 20s 2005 1995 2004 2017 1998 2020 1999 1996 2010 2003 2021 2008 2016 1989 2012 2018 2019 2000 2011 1988 More accumulated storm energy 2001 1990 1985 1984 2006 2007 2002 2014 1992 2015 1997 2009 1993 1986 1991 2013 1987 1994 1982 1983 80.0F 80.5F 81.0F 81.5F 82.0F Average sea surface temperature June  Nov. across the Atlantic hurricane development region 1980s 90s 00s 10s 20s 2005 1995 2004 2017 1998 2020 1999 1996 2010 2003 2021 2008 2016 1989 2019 2012 2000 2018 2011 1988 More accumulated storm energy 1990 2001 1984 2006 1985 2007 2014 1992 2002 2015 1997 1993 2009 1986 1991 2013 1994 1987 1982 1983 80.0F 81.0F 82.0F Average sea surface temperature June  Nov. across the Atlantic hurricane development region Source: Analysis of NOAA data by Phil Klotzbach, Colorado State University

As the climate warms, more storms are also undergoing rapid intensification, which describes an increase of at least 35 miles per hour in the maximum sustained winds over a 24-hour period. Ian rapidly intensified multiple times, as did a number of the past decades most powerful Atlantic storms. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 surged from a Category 1 hurricane to a Category 4 overnight. In 2021, Ida strengthened from a Category 1 to a near-Category 5 in less than 24 hours.

A warmer climate also allows hurricanes to unleash more rain, a consequence of an atmosphere that, with each degree Celsius of warming, can hold about 7 percent more water vapor that then gets released as precipitation. In addition, storm surges are riding on top of elevated sea levels, which can worsen coastal flooding.

Climate change likely made Hurricane Ian wetter, according to a preliminary analysis by two scientists who study extreme weather. They said rainfall totals were at least 10 percent higher than would be expected in a world without warming.

Wetter, more intense hurricanes can have devastating consequences for the communities they strike, said Kristie L. Ebi, a professor in the University of Washingtons Center for Health and the Global Environment. For the most part, the most damage to life and property both during a hurricane and its aftermath comes from the flooding, not the winds, she said.
Describe how it feels to be in college right now. Describe how it feels to be in college right now.

For those Americans who assume that college students today are left-wing activists who arent in touch with the real world, our latest focus group will be especially eye-opening. Rarely have we been as surprised by a focus group as when we asked this racially and socioeconomically diverse group of 12 students whether they supported affirmative action in college admissions. Just one person said yes. Minority students in the focus groups said they dont want others to assume they are on campus only because of affirmative action. It creates your identity for you, one Black participant said.

Racial and ideological diversity was on the minds of the students in interesting ways. Many of them mentioned, unprompted, their awareness of racial tensions and privilege. One white male student said many white students were privileged to receive ACT tutoring to help gain an edge in admissions and enjoyed other advantages that many minority students did not. One white woman talked about being ostracized at her school because she stood up for people of color. A few had experiences of professors injecting their political views into a class where they seemingly didnt belong, making the students uncomfortable.

Most of the students said they approached college as pragmatists; they saw it as a path to a specific field, and some expressed frustration with classes that they didnt see as having a clear point or utility. With costs looming larger and roughly half of them on student loans, some participants worried they were behind or wasting time paying for classes they dont need for their career paths.

In other words, the opinions of this group of college students suggested a generally progressive outlook on society but not a doctrinaire one, with real skepticism about institutional systems and practices (even traditionally progressive ones like affirmative action and liberal politics in the classroom) that they dont see as vital or helpful in preparing them for the challenges and realities of the world.
Scientists have discovered new evidence suggesting there could be liquid water on Mars.

The study, led by the University of Cambridge, provides the first independent line of evidence using data other than radar, that there is liquid water beneath Mars south polar ice cap.

The research team, which included scientists from the University of Sheffield and the Open University, said this does not necessarily mean that life exists on Mars.

Like Earth, Mars has thick water ice caps at both poles, roughly equivalent in combined volume to the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Earths ice sheets are underlain by water-filled channels and even large subglacial lakes, however, those on Mars were until recently thought to be frozen solid all the way to their beds due to the cold Martian climate.

Dr Frances Butcher, second author of the study from the University of Sheffield, said: This study gives the best indication yet that there is liquid water on Mars today because it means that two of the key pieces of evidence we would look for when searching for subglacial lakes on Earth have now been found on Mars.

Liquid water is an essential ingredient for life, although it does not necessarily mean that life exists on Mars.

In order to be liquid at such cold temperatures, the water beneath the south pole might need to be really salty, which would make it difficult for any microbial life to inhabit it.

However, it does give hope that there were more habitable environments in the past when the climate was less unforgiving.

The international research team, which also included scientists from the University of Nantes and University College Dublin, used spacecraft laser-altimeter measurements of the shape of the upper surface of the ice cap to identify subtle patterns in its height.

They then showed that these patterns match computer model predictions for how a body of water beneath the ice cap would affect the surface.

Their results, reported in the journal Nature Astronomy, agree with earlier ice-penetrating radar measurements that were originally interpreted to show a potential area of liquid water beneath the ice.

Professor Neil Arnold, from Cambridges Scott Polar Research Institute, who led the research, said: The combination of the new topographic evidence, our computer model results and the radar data make it much more likely that at least one area of subglacial liquid water exists on Mars today, and that Mars must still be geothermally active in order to keep the water beneath the ice cap liquid.
MIDLANDS-based software company, Mersus Technologies which was co-founded by Offaly man Dermot Condron, has scooped the Best Training & Development Program category at the IMR (Irish Manufacturing Research) annual Manufacturing and Supply Chain Awards.

This is the second major award for the company. In April this year Mersus won the Irish Times Innovation Award.

IMR is the government body for research in Irelands vibrant advanced manufacturing industries.

The award, sponsored by IBEC, recognises the excellence of Mersus enterprise software platform ''Avatar Academy'' which utilises virtual reality to train people in simulated work environments. Mersus, together with global Life Science leader Boston Scientific, won in the face of stiff competition from fellow finalists.

The Avatar Academy platform digitised a highly sophisticated process, capturing and transferring tacit knowledge from the UK back to the Boston Scientific (BSCI) site in Cork, during the COVID pandemic and lockdown.

Brenda Mannion Chief Operations Officer at Mersus which is based in Athlone stated, ''The award recognises the effort of years of development that has gone into building this revolutionary platform. In a tough market, Mersus has an enviable pipeline of talent, all of whom want to work on this exciting new frontier that is Virtual Reality. The true success behind Mersus isn't just the technology. Its the pride that lies in training, developing and nurturing the talent that creates it. This award is a testament to the ingenuity, skill and professionalism of the staff of Mersus Technologies.''

The Avatar Academy platform uses computer gaming technology to recreate virtual laboratories and cleanrooms, allowing employees to familiarise themselves with a work environment and processes. By wearing a Virtual Reality headset, a trainee can experience and practice fully immersive training material, working at their own pace from any location, learning how to carry out any task.

Co-founder, Dermot Condron from Tubber explains that A lot of trainees are apprehensive about working on live production lines. They are afraid of making mistakes. By realistically simulating training experiences in Virtual Reality, our Platform allows them to make those mistakes and learn from them inside the headset first.

Immersive training allows for autonomy in the learning journey. Gamification keeps people motivated while providing a continual learning experience. Key Performance Indicators measure success across the training experience. Immersive learning technologies can collect usage statistics ie. frequency of training, duration, completion, tasks performed, questions answered and monitor engagement levels (by measuring factors like eye tracking, head movement, clicks, and other learner interactions). The analytics produced confirm that trainees achieve a deep level of understanding of the material.

Joe Devlin, Director of Process Development at Boston Scientific Cork states that The training experience within Avatar Academy allows us to train people on complex chemical processes in a safe environment, allowing them to get used to the process and make mistakes safely before they are introduced to the actual environment where they will be carrying out the process.

Mersus has developed this software platform which holds immense value for Life Science operations so prominent across Ireland. Skills training is in high demand, with many companies struggling to fill positions in ever-expanding operations. The strong demand for talent is driving competition, and transitioning new operators onto production lines faster is an attractive proposition for these companies.
A graduate from Offaly recently commenced ESBs prestigious Graduate Development programme.

Glen O'Neill from Edenderry will be joined by forty-four other graduates who will excel their careers in a range of disciplines including engineering, IT, HR, marketing, commercial and finance across the organisation.

ESBs Graduate Development Programme forms part of an ambitious drive by the company to recruit talent from third-level institutions across the island of Ireland, and internationally, to support the delivery of its Net Zero by 2040 strategy.

This years graduates will be placed across five business units  ESB Networks, Generation and Trading, Engineering and Major Projects, Customer Solutions and Enterprise Services. The tailored programme offers each graduate the opportunity to gain experience by working on challenging assignments and major projects that offer exposure to the varied businesses of the organisation.

This years intake of graduates participated in the first in-person induction programme since the Covid-19 pandemic at ESBs new head office, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. Graduates will receive a range of supports including being partnered with individual mentors from within their business units, IT equipment and access to allow hybrid working as part of ESBs smart working offering.

Sinead Kilkelly, ESBs Executive Director, People & Organisation Development, said: We are delighted to welcome forty-five new colleagues to our organisation as part of our Graduate Development Programme. Our programme is tailored to nurture professional and personal development, offering hands-on experience and mentorship to ensure a rewarding and dynamic working experience. As they embark on their career with ESB, we wish each graduate every success and are confident that they will make a difference to the achievement of our Net Zero by 2040 strategy.

ESB is also pleased to announce that recruitment for our 2023 Graduate Development Programme is now open, and we are inviting applications from all final-year students.

To apply click here. Applications are open until Monday, 24th October 2022.
Digital artwork of campaigner Vicky Phelan has been projected on to the front of one of Dublins most famous buildings ahead of the launch of a feature documentary about her life.

The image of the Limerick mother-of-two appeared on the front of the GPO ahead of the release of Vicky in cinemas next week.

Ms Phelan grabbed the attention of the Irish public after bringing a High Court case over how her cervical smears were handled, which ultimately prompted a series of reviews of Irelands cervical cancer screening programme CervicalCheck.

Her case prompted other women to come forward, and raised questions about the quality of the programme, about how women should be involved and informed about their own healthcare, and the issue of open disclosure.

Despite receiving a terminal cervical cancer diagnosis, Ms Phelan has been actively campaigning for better healthcare and better accountability when mistakes are made in Irelands healthcare system.

She has also supported the passage of the Dying with Dignity Bill, which aims to legislate for assisted dying in Ireland, through the Irish parliament.

I never want to see this happen to another woman in Ireland Watch the trailer for the powerful documentary VICKY, which tells the story of the incomparable latter-day warrior queen Vicky Phelan.#VickyTheFilm in Irish cinemas October 7 @ScreenIreland pic.twitter.com/o37ObQeHR4  Volta Pictures (@VoltaPictures) September 7, 2022

Ms Phelan was awarded the freedom of Limerick earlier this year, and was named as one of the BBCs 100 most inspiring and influential women around the world in 2018.

Directed by Sasha King, Vicky was voted Best Irish Documentary by the Dublin Film Critics Circle at this years Dublin International Film Festival, and was nominated for an Irish Council of Civil Liberties Human Rights Award.

The documentary appears in Irish cinemas on Friday October 7.
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Turkeys parliament has yet to ratify Sweden and Finlands membership in NATO, and Friday's step was widely seen as aimed at securing Ankaras approval.
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South Africa: Public Service Month closes with one-stop exhibition of services in Diepsloot

Government will today close the Integrated Public Service Month by hosting a one-stop exhibition of services, rendered by various government departments and entities, at Chuma Mall in Diepsloot.

In addition to the exhibitions, departments and agencies such as Health, the Road Accident Fund, South African Social Security Agency and Home Affairs will render public services onsite.

This year, Public Service Month is celebrated under the theme, 'Batho Pele Revitalisation  Walking The Talk'.

Public Service Month serves as a reminder of what it means to serve communities and to also look at the impact government has, especially around issues of service delivery.

This year, government celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Batho Pele White Paper as a framework for the transformation of public service delivery in South Africa.

Government is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Constitution that was signed into law by former President Nelson Mandela.

Speaking at the launch of Public Service Month at Freedom Park earlier this month, Minister Thulas Nxesi said the public service has skilled, competent and resourceful officials on the job, working daily at the coalface of service delivery amid serious constraints.

He said as far back as 2013, the Diagnostic Review of the National Planning Commission identified uneven capacity within and between government departments as a challenge and potential threat to the ability of the public service to deliver quality services throughout the country.

As a responsive government, we have been addressing this specific challenge through a variety of targeted capacity-building interventions by the DPSA, in partnership with the National School of Government, including initiatives such as the District Development Model.

Notwithstanding these interventions, I believe that our public service has the inherent capacity to walk the talk and deliver on its constitutional obligations to citizens, Nxesi said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China rolls out measures to tackle housing challenge

Xinhua) 13:15, September 30, 2022

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Some halted housing projects in China have resumed construction as local governments and financial firms are helping out real estate developers with liquidity-activating solutions.

The solutions come in different forms ranging from relief funds, policy banks' special loans, takeover by creditors, bond auctions, and credit assignment to trusteeship of partners.

In Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, a relief fund with its capital size temporarily set at 10 billion yuan (about 1.41 billion U.S. dollars) has been launched, targeting only existing real estate projects whose investment can be covered by future sales revenue.

Moreover, the capital support will go to only four types of operation, namely local shantytown renovation with the loans and repayments subject to a government-designated financing firm, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy reorganization and rental housing for low-income households.

China Construction Bank launched a fund of 30 billion yuan as a pilot project to back up the purchases of problematic real estate projects for conversion to public rental housing in central China's Hubei Province.

Nanning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region installed a stabilizing fund, with an initial capital scale of 3 billion yuan.

Along with local government support come the remedies from asset-management companies who have either clinched or are negotiating bailout deals with real estate developers.

China Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd., for instance, reached a bailout and restructuring deal with Sunglow Group, while Jiangsu Asset Management Co., Ltd. partnered with Zhongnan Holding Group to set up a fund of 2 billion yuan for restructuring of existing loans and renewal of existing projects.

China Great Wall Asset Management Co., Ltd., one of the country's biggest distressed debt managers, has gone through rounds of discussions and in-depth analysis of prospective projects with 12 property developers. Some of the construction projects have been granted capital support and have resumed construction.

Cinda Capital Management Co., Ltd. also saw its first rescued housing project taking off. The activation was completed through multi-party cooperation, with Cinda purchasing the creditors' rights at a discount, injection of incremental loans from Well Kent International Enterprises (Shenzhen), Cinda's fully owned subsidiary, and Cinda Real Estate Co., Ltd. responsible for the operation.

Property developer China Evergrande Group has signed contracts with several trust companies successively, agreeing to divest some of its property projects in exchange for capital injection, according to a report released by property research institution CRIC.

Apart from providing bailout solutions, local governments also came up with supporting measures based on local conditions. In southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, for instance, working groups have been set up to dissolve risks of halted property projects, and specialists are entrusted to follow up on the construction progress and conduct full-course fund management.

Thanks to concerted efforts by real estate firms, local governments and other relevant parties, positive progress has been made in different localities, but financial pressure remains, industry analysts said.

Cao Zhounan, CEO of Smart City Smile City, an asset management company, said most of the problematic projects were thirsty for start-up capital.

The company, together with other financial institutions, has established a 1.8-billion-yuan relief fund to facilitate the restarting of housing construction projects, he said.

"Situations vary with properties, and that's why it's really complicated on the ground and why we suggest a differentiated approach to tackling the woes of each project," said Ding Zuyu, CEO of real estate service company E-House.

Ding said that immediate liquidity injection into difficult projects was the top priority, as project recovery relied on start-up capital.

"Although some developers are facing cash strains, their assets are still in place and they are not insolvent," Cao said.

To ensure the healthy development of the real estate sector, the central government has been emphasizing a rule-based and market-oriented approach and the principle of "houses are for living in, not for speculation."

It has required property developers to shoulder their main responsibility and local governments to fulfil their duties so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of home buyers.

At a high-level meeting held in late July, Chinese leadership urged local governments to take due responsibility to ensure timely delivery of pre-sale housing and maintain the stability of people's living standards.

In August, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, together with the country's finance ministry and central bank, announced efforts to support stalled construction projects by offering special loans through policy banks.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
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GAMOMATs Muller Wins Major Prize at Women in Gaming, Diversity Awards

Published September 29, 2022 by Lee R

The personal and organisational diversity of GAMOMAT has been recognised at Women in Gaming, Diversity

Content provider GAMOMAT landed a major award at last Thursdays Women in Gaming, Diversity.

The Winner

The recipient was GAMOMAT Chief Design Officer Sabine Muller, who landed the Industry Pride of the Year award at the 2022 Awards Ceremony.

The Awards Ceremony

The 12th edition of the Women in Gaming Diversity awards were held at Londons acclaimed London Savoy Hotel on 15th September. A prestigious panel of judges canonised Mullers status as a role model, born of her vision, innovative approach, and success.

About Sabine

Sabine was recognised after 15+ years of iGaming service overseeing product innovation, branding, and marketing at GAMOMAT since 2019.

Sabine Speaks

Of the victory, Sabine said:

Im incredibly proud to have won the Industry Pride of the Year Award at this years Women in Gaming, Diversity event. Our industry offers a vast array of opportunities for women wanting to work within a hugely rewarding environment and being able to inspire more people to carve a path within it brings great joy.

Implications

The award paves the way for more women to realise increasingly diverse careers in the land-based Gaming or iGaming industry.

About the Awards Ceremony

Women in Gaming, Diversity Awards celebrates organisational accomplishments as well as individual accomplishments for outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion.

History of Awards

The awards were born as the Women in Gaming Awards. As the awards gained prestige the Diversity element to emphasise the nature of the positive changes in the gaming industry being recognised.

Sabines Rise

Sabines victory is the culmination of a move to the forefront of iGaming that was bolstered by her 2019 appointment to the GAMOMAT organisation.

About GAMOMAT

Germany-based online content developer GAMOMAT has moved to a leading position in gaming development and provision by optimising slot gaming experiences. GAMOMAT established itself as a land-based gaming business before expanding to the development of cutting-edge iGaming products.

GAMOMATs Reach

At this point, GAMOMATs content portfolio includes over 150 online games available for real money and social casino vertical play, and is being enjoyed in 35+ countries and 27+ languages. A passionate and enthusiastic team of over 70 developers is behind the help of each GAMOMAT release, and Sabine has played a major part in overseeing these dynamic teams at GAMOMAT.

Outlook

The Women in Gaming, Diversity recognition firmly positions Sabine as a diversity pioneer and a champion of achievement. The award further provides a boost in industry credibility at the personal and organisational level and can only spur further success and growth for the cooperative synergy of Sabine and GAMOMAT.
Opalesque Industry Update - Pension funds are currently relying on investment consultants and specialist companies for most of their stress testing and scenario modeling. This is according to new research from Ortec Finance, the leading global provider of risk and return management solutions for pension funds and other institutions that own or manage investment assets. Its clients have over 3 trillion in assets under management. Its international study with pension fund managers responsible for a collective $1.946 trillion assets under management found 57% source more than half of their stress testing and scenario modeling from pension fund investment consultants and 53% use specialist companies for more than half the time for their stress testing and scenario modeling. By contrast only 40% of pension fund managers say they carry out more than half of their stress testing and scenario modeling inhouse. However, the study with pension fund managers in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden found that may change. Within three years, 52% of pension fund managers surveyed estimate they will carry out more than half of their stress testing inhouse, an increase of 30%. The shift is unlikely to be dissatisfaction with their current stress testing and scenario modeling service as 43% rate the accessibility, user friendliness and general usefulness as excellent and 44% say it is good. Just 12% say the service they receive is average. Marnix Engels, Managing Director Pension Strategy Ortec Finance said: "Stress testing and scenario modeling are clearly very important to pension funds and they are willing to spend on consultants and specialist firms for support. "That will not change markedly over the next three years according to our study but there are signs that funds plan to take a more active role in stress testing and scenario modeling." Ortec Finance models and maps the relevant uncertainties in order to help pension funds monitor their goals and decisions. It designs, builds, and delivers high-quality software models for asset- liability management, risk management, impact investment, portfolio construction, performance measurement and attribution, and financial planning.
New Managers

Editorial

Dear Opalesque Reader,

Welcome to the September issue of New Managers!

In Bulletin, we get an update from law firm Seward & Kissel on the increasing demand from investors for separately managed accounts.

In Profiles, we have a bit of a social impact theme this month. We cover the launch of Copia Group, a new firm from ex-Northern Trust CEO Shundrawn Thomas. The firm will focus on investments in teams led by diverse owners. We also have an update from Cambridge, UK-based Iguana Investments, a long/short fund that gives a share of its profits to wildlife conservation. The fund is up 25% Y......................

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A dedicated Sovereign who exercised wise leadership, a great woman, a kind and courageous one, a patron of countless causes, a counsellor to her ministers: with these words, Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, remembered the late sovereign of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in Balmoral on 8 September 2022. The British Cardinal celebrated a memorial Mass for the late monarch in Romes Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, on Wednesday morning, 28 September. Among the concelebrants were Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica; Cardinal George Pell; and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

Despite all her many achievements throughout her seventy years as Sovereign, said Cardinal Roche in his homily, it was the public discourse on faith which emerged at her death that repeatedly captured the kernel of what it was that inspired and directed her life. Elizabeth II built her life upon the truths and values that are found in the life of Christ: the mystery of God-made-man, of the power of the love of God to overcome even death, of the great dignity of every person, of hope beyond despair. Its a matter of truths and values, stressed the Cardinal, which are like a code, like clues as to how we should aspire to deal with reality  keys to something very powerful that leads to true greatness of spirit and generosity of heart in the service of others. The late sovereign herself, in her Christmas address of 2014, said, Christs example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.

The Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments also turned his thoughts to the vast numbers of people who lined the streets in silence and endured the queues to pay homage to the Queen, each with their own memories, their own stories to tell, their fond recollections and their gratitude for a life well lived and lived to the full in their service.

The Cardinal also noted the significance of the date of the Queens death: 8 September, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A coincidence that was not without profound significance, he explained. In Catholic tradition, we speak of the day of our death as the dies natalis  of being born into eternal life. In Gods providence it is surely a sign of special favour for someone who had given herself over to the service of others to die on a feast of the one who herself gave over her life to bring Christ, the King of kings into the world. Then the Cardinal affirmed that for the Queen there was no dichotomy between the faith she professed and what she was as Queen and head of so many nations, because the greatness of her statesmanship was precisely that of expanding to the size of Christ instead of shrinking to the size of self  looking at reality through the perspective given to us by God  and facing it with faith. We loved her much and we shall miss her dearly, concluded Cardinal Roche. May she now, after a life of faith well lived and work so well done, rest in peace.

The memorial Mass was organized by the British, Canadian and Australian Embassies to the Holy See. Among the many diplomatic representatives in attendance was British Ambassador Christopher John Trott, who at the end of the celebration read a prayer by Saint John Henry Newman, while the sound of bagpipes accompanied the final procession.
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Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
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Ghana earned $731.94 million in petroleum receipts in the first half of this year, representing 108.9 per cent increase over the 2021 half-year receipt of $350. 31 million.



The figure is also $51.39 million shy of the $783.33 million bagged in the entire 2021, and brings to $8.09 billion the revenue the country had received since 2011 when it started producing oil in commercial quantities.



The increase in the receipts, according to the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), was largely attributable to revenues in respect of corporate taxes, surface rentals and crude oil lifting.



This was contained in the semi-annual report on the management and use of petroleum revenues for January June 2022 released by the Committee at a press briefing in Accra yesterday.



Of the total receipts, Carried and Participating Interest (CAPI) yielded the highest of $354.17 million (48.39 per cent); Royalties, $190.43 million (26.02 percent); Corporate Income Tax, $186.33 million (25.46 per cent); Surface Rentals, $687,759 and Overnight Interest on Petroleum Holding Fund (PHF), $304,613.



On the distribution, the report said the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) received $173.84 million and the Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA) $183.02 million.



The Ghana Petroleum Funds (GPFs) consisting of the Ghana Stabilisation Fund (GSF) and the Ghana Heritage Fund (GHF), $390.02 million with GSF$273.02 million and GHF $117 million.



According to the report, Ghana produced a total of 25,861,810.42 barrels (bbls) of crude oil in the first half of 2022 from its three offshore producing fields.



The Jubilee field produced 14,906,957 bbls, representing 57.6 per cent; Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN), 4,394,067 bbls, representing 17 per cent and SankofaGye-Nyame (SGN), 6,560,786 bbls representing 25.4 per cent.



This represents a 6.9 percent reduction from the first half of 2021 production volume of 27,767,859.00 barrels (bbls) and the third consecutive reduction in year-on-year crude oil production volumes since 2011.



The decrease was as a result of reduced production in the TEN and SGN fields, recording a decline of 34.3 and 21 percent respectively. Crude oil production increased in the Jubilee Field by 16.6 percent.



The cumulative raw gas production (Associated Gas-AG and Non-Associated Gas-NAG) for the period was 124,948.79 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) representing a two per cent reduction over the volume of 127,496.04 MMSCF produced for the same period in 2021.



The report said production from Jubilee and TEN Fields decreased by 7.2 and 10.2 per cent respectively, whilst SGNs raw gas production increased by 5.1 per cent.



The Chairman of PIAC, Professor Kwame Adom-Frimpong who gave highlight of the report said the retention of the current cap of $100 million on the GSF for the year 2022 was not in accordance with the formula stipulated in Legislative Instrument (LI) 2381.



A proper application of the formula would have returned a cap of US$460.63 million. The Minister for Finance, in determining the cap on the GSF, should comply with the relevant provisions of L.I 2381, he said.

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.

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The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has assured financial institutions and local investors that allegations that the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are working at restructuring the countrys domestic debts are not true.



Mr Ofori-Atta said at a press conference in Accra Wednesday that no decision has been taken on the national debt although negotiations were continuing in earnest.



The minister was responding to allegations of ongoing discussions between the government and local financial institutions on how to restructure their holdings.



Mr Ofori-Atta stated that the government was committed to protecting the financial sector and would, therefore, not take unilateral decisions that risked undermining the smooth operation of the industry.



He thus assured the financial sector and the general public that transparent engagements would be undertaken on issues of mutual interest.



The minister used the press conference to comment on topical issues, including ongoing discussions of a potential restructuring of the domestic debt.



News of debt restructuring surfaced last week when some media houses reported that the government was set to start discussions with local bondholders on how to restructure their holdings.



He said at the event that such reports were false, preemptive and disruptive to the financial sector and ongoing negotiations with the IMF for a fund-assisted programme.



Sustainable debt



Mr Ofori-Atta said having a sustainable debt path was a pre-requisite for the IMF programme and efforts to authenticate that were underway.



In that regard, he said a DSA by the IMF/World Bank and the Ghana team aimed at ascertaining the level and impact of the debt on the economy was ongoing, thereby making talk of a debt restructuring far-fetched.



Ladies and gentlemen, we simply have not reached any agreement with the fund on the parameters of any debt operations as we are in the process of completing the debt sustainability analysis (DSA).



The government shall continue to actively engage all stakeholders in a clear and transparent manner as we seek to fast-track the IMF negotiation process, the minister said.



He said the country needed a viable domestic financial system to support its development programme, especially at a time when access to the international capital market was limited.



Therefore, everything must, and will be done, to protect our financial sector; and there must be room for a win-win conversation through extensive stakeholder engagement with both our domestic and external investors.



Ghana has always had a collaborative approach with its partners and we shall, I am confident, come out with an historic arrangement, the minister said.



This is a government that protected the savings of4.6 million Ghanaian depositors with the reform of the banking and financial sector even in our early days.



We owe it to the economy and Ghanaians to keep protecting it, he added.



Five-member committee



Mr Ofori-Atta said the sanctity and the well-functioning of the financial system was sacrosanct and the government needed the support and trust of all Ghanaians to deliver this.



Let us join hands to get this done.



The great Celtic Miracle in Ireland in the 1980s was the result of such collaborations, especially with labour, and we shall also be blessed with the Ghana miracle.



He said a five-member committee, consisting of prominent financial services professionals, would be put together to lead extensive stakeholder engagements across all the key segments of the financial sector.



He said the committee would interface with the banking, asset management, pensions, and insurance sectors to help ensure smooth transmission of information.



The announcement of the committee members will be made in the coming days and they will immediately get to work to engage key stakeholders in the financial services sector, addition to ongoing engagements with civil society organisations (CSOs), social partners (labour unions, employers, and faith-based organisations (FBOs), academia, industry professionals, and the leadership of Parliament.



We welcome all contributions to this great public debate, but we must be careful to build and not to tear down our nation, he 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 fourth biennial scientific conference of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana opened in Accra yesterday[September 28, 2022], with a call on Ghanaian public to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols in order not to be overtaken by events.

The Chief Executive Officer of Promasidor Ghana, Festus Tettey, who made the call, said the public appeared to have become complacent with the pandemic, and were no longer vigilant.



A few places of business still provide hand sanitisers, while most dont provide hand-washing logistics. Let us not become complacent in adhering to all the necessary precautions that we have learnt to follow, he advised.



The three-day conference  attended by professionals and experts in the health sciences  was dubbed: COVID-19 pandemic to date: the uncertain path ahead.



Mr Tettey said it was possible to slow down and prevent the spread of the pandemic and any new diseases that the country might encounter, stressing, however, that the onus was on everyone to take personal responsibility by adhering to the protocols.



Health system



He pointed out that COVID-19 had become a feature of the health system, and that it was important that people learnt to live with it.



Despite the strides made globally and in the country in combating the pandemic, the path ahead is still unclear. Indeed, as recently as last month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of more dangerous COVID-19 variants.



This come on top of other viral disease outbreaks such as Monkeypox. All these facts support the assertion that the path ahead is uncertain.



Let us not be complacent in adhereing to all the necessary precautions in our everyday lives, he added.



Mr Tettey said the outbreak of COVID-19 affected the economy, including supply chain disruptions that had led to massive costs to businesses.



Poor vaccination



The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development of the University of Ghana, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, said it was serious that about 68 per cent of the countrys population were reported not to have been vaccinated against the health crisis.



He urged the conference to deliberate on why Ghanaians were behaving that way towards the vaccination, pointing out that if the country was able to achieve 100 per cent coverage immunisation of children under five in certain areas, it should be possible to achieve same for the whole population.



Prof. Asante gave the assurance that the university would continue to provide the enabling environment to conduct high quality research to address the needs of the country.



He disclosed that the university, through its office of research, innovation and development, hoped to review its current research areas towards ones that promoted innovation; re-orient its research towards addressing global challenges, and for its faculty to train the next generation of scientists and researchers.



Prof. Asante explained that malaria research would, for example, be broadened to include COVID-19 and non-communicable diseases, while considering the use of artificial intelligence in the research strategy.



The Provost of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana, Prof. Julius Fobil, said conferences of the college were one of the several ways it sought to promote its research, provide services and address the health challenges of the nation and the global community.







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
The Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, has urged judges not to be swayed by unjustified criticisms in the discharge of their duties.



Rather, he stressed the need for judges to be firm, resolute and uphold the rule of law at all times.



Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) in Accra yesterday, Justice Anin Yeboah said the judiciary was not above criticism, and in fact needed criticism to develop but what was required was fair and constructive criticisms.



We cannot forbid people from expressing their sentiments in the public space but unsubstantiated allegations against judges, physical and verbal threats and attacks on judges are tantamount to perverting the course of justice, he said.



Be bold



Some decisions of the courts, the Chief Justice said, had led to certain criticisms based on misinterpretation and misunderstanding of those decisions in an effort to put pressure on the judiciary.



Nevertheless, he urged judges not to be perturbed and rather continue to stick to the tenets of the law.



The misinterpretation and misunderstanding of court decisions, regardless of the motives with which they are done and the pressures they exert on you should not cause you to waiver in your fidelity to the law.



Yours is to dispense justice and uphold the rule of law irrespective of public drama. As judges and magistrates, you must always withstand such pressures, as anything contrary to that will be a departure from the rule of law, he said.



Context



Justice Anin Yeboah's comments come on the back of recent public debate on judicial independence and accusations from former President John Dramani Mahama to the effect that the independence of the judiciary had been compromised.



The assertions by Mr Mahama were condemned by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who described them as baseless and unacceptable from a person who once occupied the highest office of the land.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also waded into the conversation and urged the general public to resist persons who disparaged the judiciary for their parochial and political interests.



AGM



The 41st AGM of the AMJG which was on the theme, Maintaining the Integrity of the judiciary amidst challenges of democratic rights and freedoms, attracted active and retired judges and magistrates from all over the country.



The annual event is used to discuss matters pertaining to the welfare of judges and magistrates and the judiciary at large, award some distinguished judges, and also elect new executive for the association.

In attendance was a Deputy AttorneyGeneral, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah; the Director of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Oppong; the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Yaw Boafo, and the President of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG), Samuel Afotey Otu.



Development



On development of the judiciary, the Chief Justice assured the judges that many infrastructural projects to improve justice delivery were at various stages of completion.



For instance, he said a housing complex for Justices of the Court of Appeal in Kumasi and 60 other houses for judges throughout the country had been completed and would be inaugurated next month, while 100 new court buildings all over the country were also on course.



Preparations are also underway for the commencement of the Cape Coast High Court complex, while that of the Wa Court complex is also in the pipeline, he added.



Attacks



The President of the AMJG, Justice Henry Kwofie, said it was unfortunate that people nowadays took judges of the highest court of the land to the cleaners without any basis or justification.



Justice Kwofie who is a Justice of the Court of Appeal, said criticisms of judges should be focused on the application of the law in judgments and not on the personality of the judges.



We have been attacked, maligned and all sorts of things have been said about judges based on erroneous impressions and deliberate falsehoods. By the nature of our work, we cannot go to the media to defend ourselves, he said.



In an address, Mr Boafo said although the judiciary was fallible and therefore have to be criticised, unwarranted and unjustifiable attacks on judges endangered their safety and brought the administration of justice into disrepute.



For his part, Mr Oppong said judges must not allow social media and media coverage of their cases to influence them into making populist decisions.











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.

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The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) says it was closely monitoring the challenges experienced in vending for prepaid consumers on E-cash and PNS metering system of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).



A statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the PURC, Dr Ishmael Ackah assured "all affected customers of its commitment to ensuring the delivery of a safe and reliable utility service provision and to have the issue resolved quickly."



The ECG is currently experiencing some technical challenges in relation to the metering system nationwide, which has resulted in some customers unable to top-up electric power credit on prepaid metres for the past three days.



The technical challenge has affected customers in 10 operational regional areas of the ECG in Volta, Kumasi, Accra, Takoradi, Tema, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Swedru, Koforidua, Nkawkaw, and Tafo.



The problem started on Monday and as of Thursday afternoon, it was yet to be completely fixed.



Read also: Why ECG prepaid customers are unable to top-up



"Some of the systems have been fixed but not all," Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, General Manager in charge of external communications at ECG said.



"We are working very hard to make sure that we get all the systems in place," he added.



Mr Ayiku said the issue is for some customers and not all customers and that the challenge was detected and fixed, "but some of the systems were not able to respond. So, it is not all our customers that are experiencing this challenge," he said.



Below is copy of the statement



Dr Ishmael Ackah - Executive Secretary of the PURC



The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has noticed with concern challenges experienced in vending for consumers on E-cash and PNS metering system of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).



The commission is closely monitoring the situation and in full discussions with the service provider to address the issue.



The commission wishes to assure all affected customers of its commitment to ensuring the delivery of a safe and reliable utility service provision and to have the issue resolved quickly.









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.

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The National Peace Council (NPC) has called on state, religious, traditional and educational institutions to manage ethnic diversity at their various establishments for sustainable development.



A member of the Governing Board of the NPC, Joana Opare, who made the call, said it would lead to greater integration, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among Ghanaians.



She was speaking on the theme; "Managing ethnic diversity in Ghana for sustainable development," at a stakeholder engagement with drivers and market queens in Accra last Friday.



The engagement formed part of efforts by the council to promote peace to commemorate the International Peace Day, which is observed worldwide on September 21, each year.



The Peace Day established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.



Collective responsibility



Mrs Opare, however, said that managing ethnic diversities for sustainable peace required hard work from both the government and the citizenry.



She therefore encouraged the people to see each other as one adding that irrespective of tribal, ethnic or political affiliations we are Ghanaians first.



The National Peace Council calls on Ghanaians, institutions of state and civil society to join forces to remove barriers to the realisation of a just, fair, open and inclusive society for all the peoples of Ghana, Mrs Opare further explained.



For his part, the Head of Governance and Inclusive Development, United Nations Development Programme Edward Ampratwum, also stressed the importance for political entities and ordinary citizens to be mindful of their language.



Hate speech, negative labeling, stereotyping among others can lead to violence, it is thus important to watch our language, he explained.



Integral to the economy



In a similar vein, both the President of the Greater Accra Market Association, and the Welfare Chairman for the Ghana Private Road Transport Union at the Tema Station, Mercy Naa Afrowa Nee Djan and Kofi Afful respectively encouraged their members to live in harmony and perceive their neighbours as family and not members of various tribes.



Both leaders observed that the activities of their members played an integral part of the countrys economy for which reason they needed to be at peace with each other to ensure that the country thrived.



Dialogue session



The Executive Secretary of the NPC, George Amoh facilitated a dialogue session with the participants to enable them to come out with issues that could pose a threat to peace in their respective work places.







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.

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Information gathered by DGN Online indicates that a Chinese national has reportedly slashed the throat of his employee, a Ghanaian at Kweikuma in the Sekondi-Takoradi municipality of the Western Region.



Isaac Boatengs throat was slashed following agitation by workers of the Chinese who were demanding for their salaries.



Per report, a construction firm of the Chinese was contracted to erect structures around the flats of the Ghana Navy at Kweikuma.



The company was said to be owing salaries of his workers for couple of days hence the protest by the workers to demand their salaries when tempers flared.



Some military officers intervened to calm tempers before the injured Ghanaian worker was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.



The situation has heightened security in the premises of the company.



Interestingly, the company started paying the workers after the incident.



One of the workers narrating how the incident occurred to the media said, We have worked for the whole month and our salaries had not been paid so we had a meeting and asked our Chinese employer why we have not been paid.



He continued that One of our colleagues went to the Chinese boss to find out what was wrong with the salaries because we have families and we also owe some people.



In the heat of the argument, the Chinese boss pulled a flick knife and slashed the throat of our colleague. He suffered deep wounds, blood traces could be seen everywhere. He has been rushed to the Effiankwanta Hospital and we pray he will survive, he alleged.



Some military [officers] intervened and calm was restored later but the foreigner who committed the crime is still walking around. We are in pain and demand justice for our brother. We are about 80 workers here and they pay each of us GH18 a day for the tedious construction we work are doing here, he added.



Meanwhile, management of the company is tight-lipped of the whole incident.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@utvghana)









Source: UTV/Daily Guide









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Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has touted achievements chalked under his leadership.



He said under his tenure, the party has managed to reduce the one million vote deficit it suffered in the 2016 election as well as reclaiming lost parliamentary seats which has resulted in a hung parliament.



The Chairman, who is seeking reelection, said in a September 28 interview with Radio Gold that the current executives have collectively delivered on the mandate given to them in 2018 including ensuring that Parliament has a Speaker who for the first time in history, was not a member of the ruling party



I can say as the leader of the party that it was through my effort and direction that we were able to achieve all this. Where we have positioned the party now, we believe when we make arrangements like we are doing, for the first time we have had branch elections and they were incident free.



I doff my hearts for regional executives, and constituency executives. For the past three months, some have not slept at home. They have been crisscrossing between Kumasi and Koforidua.



The emphasis and the work to strengthen the structures of the party that we have been able to get branch executives and it is now left with constituency executives, we are building the party as a war machinery that we can be able to use to win the 2024 elections, he said.



Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo added that the NDC has become the most attractive political party in the country. He pointed to the peaceful conduct of the partys internal election processes so far as the basis for his assertion.



On his reelection bid, the Chairman said he has been able to unify the party which he described as a weapon every political party needs.



He said they were able to unite all party members such as Joshua Alabi amongst others who contested former President John Dramani Mahama for the NDC flagbearership ahead of the 2020 polls.



Such intervention he said played a key role in the partys success at the 2020 polls, having earlier suffered a record one million vote difference in the 2016 elections.



We gave everyone who contested John Mahama for the flagbearership a job to do. Through that unity of purpose, we were able to perform well at the 2020 polls. We never lost that election. The Supreme Court was the one that did not uphold our case. That is why we have said we wont go to the Supreme Court in 2024 but we are strengthening the party base at the polling station level, Ofosu Ampofo said.



The Chairman of the NDC per reports is likely to come up against General Secretary Asiedu Nketiah in the race for Chairmanship in the partys internal election slated for December 17.



The NDC is also hoping to recapture power from the governing New Patriotic Party who are also bent on breaking the eight-year rotational power cycle between itself and the opposition party.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Paul Adom-Otchere has delivered a touchscreen analysis of the viral incident involving the purported booing of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a musical concert on September 24.



The Good Evening Ghana host showed two edited videos of what he said was the official footage from the organizers or the production company and that of an individual filming with their phone.



He told his audience on the September 27 edition of Good Evening Ghana that presenting both videos was to allow them, make a determination if this was booing or not, of course, there were people who were clapping and saying away, we saw that as well.



After showing the footage with the booing portions, he concluded: This is somebodys mobile phone that is filming some people who are clapping the president off the stage and you have to contrast that with the very unanimous heralding of the president unto the stage by the audience at the event.



How this becomes booing and it becomes a story and media are using it and the president was booed, I am not too sure how. But this is the real stuff of what happened, he added.



The booing incident: Exactly what happened?



Thousands of patrons were at the Black Star Square to witness the concert that had a number of local and international artistes performing.



As host of the event, the president was called upon to give his remarks, which happened to be a prepared speech that lasted over six minutes.



The booing happened when he started his speech saying: "The whole world is in Ghana today."



What started initially as people showing their disapproval of his presence on the stage, turned into loud clapping and chanting of the words: "away, away...," the president, however, stayed the course and delivered his full speech.



As if that was not enough, people on social media latched on to the development to mock the president.





Source: youtube/ghanaweb









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US rapper Coolio, known for the iconic hit Gangsta's Paradise, has died at the age of 59.



His longtime manager Jarez Posey told US media the artist was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend's house in Los Angeles.



Coolio started making music in the 1980s, but he cemented his place in hip hop history when he recorded Gangsta's Paradise in 1995.



The exact cause of his death on Wednesday has not yet been revealed.



However Mr Posey told TMZ, which first reported the news, that paramedics believed he may have had a cardiac arrest.



Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, won a Grammy for Gangsta's Paradise, which was part of the soundtrack for the movie Dangerous Minds starring Michelle Pfeiffer.





The haunting track continues to be widely listened to and has just passed a billion streams on Spotify, according to his official website.Over a career spanning four decades he recorded eight studio albums and won an American Music Award and three MTV Video Music Awards.His other hits included Fantastic Voyage, Rollin' With My Homies, 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New), and Too Hot.He was active right up until his death - Coolio was in the middle of a tour with other 90s stars including Vanilla Ice and Young MC, and they performed in Texas just a few days ago."I'm freaking out I just heard my good friend Coolio passed away," Vanilla Ice wrote on Twitter.Snoop Dogg referenced Coolio's world-famous track in his own tribute, writing: "Gangstas paradise. R I P."He also shared a picture of the two posing on the set of the music video for Gangsta Walk, a track they collaborated on in 2006."This is sad news. I witness first hand this man's grind to the top of the industry," fellow rapper and actor Ice Cube said.MC Hammer described Coolio as "one of the nicest dudes I've known"."Good people. RIP Coolio," he wrote, sharing a black and white picture of the rapper, and later posting a second picture of the pair together, along with Tupac and Snoop Dogg.

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.

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Judge Aileen Cannon was back to trying to run cover for Donald Trump by ruling that the former president doesnt have to comply with the special masters order to provide proof of planted evidence.

Cannon ruled:

Cannon extends final SM deadline to Dec 16:

 Oct. 5: Trump and DOJ to finalize a vendor

 Oct. 13: DOJ to give copies of seized materials

 Oct. 14: Notice of completion due

 21 Days after: Trump to submit privilege claims

 10 Days after: Trump and DOJ submit any disagreements  Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) September 29, 2022

The ruling is another Cannon special that the DOJ should appeal because it appears that Cannon has exceeded her authority and usurped the powers that she gave to the special master for the sole purpose of extending the special master process through the midterm election and allowing Trump to not have to provide proof that the DOJ planted evidence at Mar-a-Lago as he claimed.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has already rebuked Cannon once and found that she exceeded her authority in the initial ruling in the case, and she is at it again.

Judge Cannon appears to act as Trumps surrogate, not as an independent member of the Judicial Branch of the United States government.

Cannons rulings are bordering on the absurd and appear to be strictly partisan.

As Andrew Weissmann put it:

Oy- Judge Cannon tinkers badly with (and with typos) Judge Dearie's scheduling order, relieving Trump of obligation to say whether docs were planted, even though she had wanted a clear inventory of what was found. She is such a disgrace. https://t.co/CSxi4C50I3  Andrew Weissmann  (@AWeissmann_) September 29, 2022

How can the judge have a clear inventory of what was taken if Trump never has to prove that evidence was planted?

She cant, but justice isnt the objective. Cannon is doing everything in her power to stonewall the DOJ in the hope of saving Trump from criminal charges.

Cannons actions are corruption at its worst.
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Republicans claim to be a law and order party, but Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) demanded that House Republicans vote against DOJ funding.

Video of Jordan:

Why would anyone support a bill that gives $140 MILLION to the same Department of Justice that raided President Trump's home? pic.twitter.com/BaRdy2Feir  House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) September 29, 2022

Jordan said, This bill would give $140 million to the DOJ so that they can continue to do what they are already doing, work with big tech to censor certain information from getting to we the people. Why do I say that? Because we know it happenedNow, were going to give that agency a 140 million more dollars to go collude with big tech to keep we the people from getting valuable information before the most important election that we have. The election of the Commander in Chief of our country.

The official House Republican Judiciary Committee account wrote above Jordans video asking why Republicans would give $140 million to the agency that raided Trump.

The answer to that question is that the FBIs job is to investigate crimes and catch criminals, and Donald Trump illegally mishandled government documents.

Jordan accidentally exposed the hypocrisy of a political party that claims to be all about law and order while attempting to take funding away from federal law enforcement.

Republicans are hypocrites and Jordans attempted back door defense of Trump through an attack on the FBI showcases the complete lawlessness that the Republican Party has descended into under the leadership of Donald Trump.
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From Reuters, it is impossible to discern the election workers reason or political ideology, though he must strongly favor one side over the other, or there would be no real motivation to do what he did:

An election worker in a western Michigan town has been charged with two felonies after allegedly inserting a flash drive into a computer containing confidential voter registration data during an election in August, local officials said on Wednesday.

At the Aug. 2 primary, an election worker was seen inserting a USB drive into the computer used to administer the election at a precinct in Gaines Township in Kent County, according to a statement by county clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons.

Chris Becker, the countys prosecuting attorney, said he had charged the election worker, James Donald Holkeboer, with falsifying election records and using a computer to commit a crime. If convicted, he could face up to nine years in prison.

The County election supervisor made clear her feelings on the matter:

My statement regarding illegal election activity in August Primary Election. "Let me be very clear: voter fraud & illegal election activity in Kent County will not be toleratedwe will take aggressive action to protect our elections and hold those responsible accountable." pic.twitter.com/jGAuILz2tE  Lisa Posthumus Lyons, Kent County Clerk/Register (@KentCountyClerk) September 28, 2022

There is a strong suspicion, or at least a strong inclination to leap to the belief that this had to be a MAGA man doing the same work weve heard was done in Arizona. But one should resist placing too much trust in such suspicions. Elections have become such a battlefield that it could be anyone supporting anyone justifying it as fighting back against the other side.

The investigation will likely out the mans previous political history. At that point, we can assess what it all means. For now, the fact that the man was easily caught should bolster our faith that the real workers still believe in free and fair elections.

Michigan election worker charged with tampering with voting equipment https://t.co/xbU6hyRj3B pic.twitter.com/Knb55syOV6  Reuters (@Reuters) September 29, 2022
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After the House passed a government funding continuing resolution earlier on Friday, President Biden signed the bill into law.

According to a statement from the White House as provided to PoliticusUSA:

H.R. 6833, the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provides fiscal year 2023 appropriations to Federal agencies through December 16, 2022, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government and includes supplemental appropriations to respond to the situation in Ukraine;



Thank you to Senators Schumer, McConnell, Leahy, and Shelby, Speaker Pelosi and Representative DeLauro, and many others for their leadership.

If Republicans win back control of any part of Congress, the country will probably be thrust back into the days of GOP-created government shutdown drama, but the American people need to take a moment and enjoy the peaceful silence of a drama-free government that keeps humming along quietly in the background as citizens go about their daily lives.

There are no worries about whether or not members of the military will be paid or Social Security checks will arrive on time. If there is a problem and a government agency needs to be spoken to, someone will be on the other end of the line when you call.

One of the lessons from the failed Trump presidency is that competence matters.

Voters are motivated by issues like the economy and choice in the 2022 midterm, but competence is also on the ballot and should not be overlooked as votes are cast.
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President Biden stood up to Putin in a way that Trump never could after Russias sham referendum.

Video of Biden:

President Biden said at the White House:

America and its allies are not going going to be intimidated, they are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless worrisome threats. Hes not gonna scare us or intimidate us. Putins actions are a sign that he is struggling, the sham referendum he carried out and this routine put on, dont worry, its not on there if you are looking.

The sham routine that he put on this morning showing the unity and people holding hands together, the United States is never going to recognize this. Like frankly, the world is not going to recognize it either. He cant seize his neighbors territory and get away with it, its as simple as that. Youre gonna stay the course and continue to provide military equipment so Ukraine can defend itself and this territory, including additional resources that the congress is going to approve today of 13 billion more dollars to help Ukrainians defend themselves and fight back.

We are fully prepared to defend, Im gonna say this again, America is fully prepared with our NATO allies to defend every single inch of NATO territory.

Every single inch. Mr. Putin, dont misunderstand what Im saying, every inch. Ive been in close touch with our allies. We are announcing new sanctions today as well that include new authorities to sanction anyone who provides political or economic support to Russias fraudulent territorial claims.

America has come a long way from Trump meeting alone in secret with Putin and refusing to release readouts or transcripts of his calls with the Russian authoritarian.

Biden is showing the nation and the world what an embarrassment Trump was by confronting and standing up to Putin.

If Putin has learned from Americas strong and ongoing support for Ukraine, the anti-democratic Trump has been replaced by a president who appears to have a spine of steel when it comes to defending democracy.
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The DOJ is the only law firm that represents a client (the United States) in cases that overlap the change in the attorney general. The incoming attorney general may have different views on important national cases when he or she comes in, but the Justice Department cannot function without continuity, and thus if a change occurs in the middle of a case, DOJ attorneys dont suddenly reverse their earlier position. A.G. Merrick Garland followed this rule to a fault when he continued the DOJs representation of Donald Trump in the E. Jean Carrol defamation case, a case that Bill Barr decided to take the unheard-of step of representing a president in a purely personal matter. No one thought the Biden administrations DOJ would continue its representation of Trump, and yet it did.

So, yes, left unchecked is the fact that DOJ is defending Trump in one case (that involves underlying criminal behavior) and is investigating him and possibly prosecuting him in another. That is a problem, and The Daily Beasts Shan Wu has an essay out discussing the ramifications:

Garlands decision to side with Bill Barrpresumably made while Garland was wearing his institutionalist capemight have been merely distasteful if not for the Mar-a-Lago search warrant and ongoing criminal investigation. But critical to DOJs rationale that it can represent Trumpand what the Second Circuit agreed aboutis that Trump was a federal employee when he made the allegedly defaming statements.

But that is not what Trumps other lawyers think, as evidenced by a May 25 letter from Trump lawyer Evan Corcoran to DOJ denying that the President of the United States is a federal employee. Corcoran argued to DOJ that Trump could not possibly be criminally liable for mishandling classified information, because DOJ would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump was an officer, employee, contractor, or consultant of the United States and The President is none of these.

As massive as DOJ may be, and it is, it still must pick a course of action, a single position in every case, or it leaves itself wide open to a conflict, and thats horrific, especially when the civil case came first, establishing precedent, followed by the criminal case, where the rules governing criminal procedure and case law exists specifically to protect the rights of citizens from inconsistent prosecution:

Though it is certainly not ideal, the DOJ does have some options going forward:

Of course, DOJ has likely been thinking this through as well. AG Garland is, after all, a former federal court of appeals judge, and likely has good arguments about why this awkward but rare situation is not a true conflict of interest.

One solution might be for DOJ to appoint a special counsel to handle the Carroll defense, since that is an easier case to segregate than the investigation involving Mar-a-Lago. Another solution would be for DOJ to disavow former AG Barrs decision, and withdraw from defending Trump in Carrolls defamation suit.

They should withdraw from the Carroll case immediately, citing concerns about a possible conflict if it files charges against Trump. So long as charges have yet to be filed, there is a chance they can avoid the conflict. As Wu suggests, DOJ can appoint a special counsel and pay the legal bills, thus preserving Barrs position on the matter (to cover Trump) and the freedom to continue the theory in Trumps defense.

Clearly, the investigation and possible prosecution of criminal cases against Trump take precedence over the idiotic defense of Trump in a defamation case. But DOJ must move with speed to dump the potential conflict, or it will face serious consequences in any potential criminal indictment.
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The governor race has been essential to democracy because the secretary of state is appointed in Pennsylvania. The good news is that the race has been shifted to likely Democratic.

Via: The Cook Political Report:

Additionally, Mastriano has done little to reach out beyond his core group of supporters to try and make headway with independent voters. Its clear at this point that Shaprio is likely to pick up a good chunk of traditionally Republican voters too who simply see Mastriano, who helped bus people to Washington on January 6, 2021, as too extreme on both abortion (he supports no exceptions) and on elections (where he would appoint a secretary of state who could upend the 2024 results).



Shapiros lead over Mastriano has held steady. And notably, most surveys have Shaprio above 50 percent. Again, this may not be a double-digit victory in the end. However, it is hard to see a scenario where Mastriano wins, and we dont think a race where one nominee has yet to even go on television six weeks out is one we can consider competitive any longer. The race moves from Lean to Likely Democratic.

Pennsylvania has a sizable contingent of Republican voters who arent far-right supporters of Donald Trump. Attorney General Josh Shapiro has spent months appealing to these voters and campaigning against Doug Mastrianos extremism.

Mastriano has no money. He is drawing no crowds, and his campaign is virtually invisible outside of lawn signs in the reddest counties of the state.

Republicans have dumped tens of millions of dollars of anti-Fetterman ads on the state for the Senate race, but no one is helping Mastriano, who appears to have been placed on the political raft and shoved out to sea by his party.

It will be a significant victory for democracy and a blow to Trumps 2024 coup fantasies if Josh Shapiro is elected to be the next governor of Pennsylvania, and another sign that the worst-case scenario for the state and the nation will have been avoided.
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A new Monmouth University poll finds that nearly 60% of Americans think the Supreme Court is out of touch, and 66% want term limits on justices.

According to the Monmouth University Poll:

About 6 in 10 Americans (59%) say the current Supreme Court is out of touch with the values and beliefs of most Americans. Just one-third (34%) say the court is in touch with the public. Most Democrats (83%) and independents (62%) feel the court is out of touch, while just 32% of Republicans agree. More women (64%) than men (55%) and more people of color (65%) than white non-Hispanic Americans (56%) say the court is out of touch. Also, Americans under 35 years old (70%) are more likely than those aged 35 and older (55%) to feel this way.



The Monmouth University Poll also finds two-thirds (66%) of the public would support creating term limits for Supreme Court justices. This includes clear majorities of Democrats (86%) and independents (63%) and just over half of Republicans (51%).

Just 36% of respondents supported expanding the Supreme Court, so the clearly popular position among the American people would be to impose term limits on Supreme Court justices.

House Democrats have a bill that would impose an 18-year active term limit on Supreme Court justices and require the appointment of new justices in the first and third year of every presidents term. Justices would keep their lifetime appointment status, but after 18 years, they would assume senior status and only hear cases of the number of Supreme Court justices falls below nine.

The bill if it became law would immediately send Clarence Thomas into retirement.

The Supreme Court is cratering in the eyes of the American people. Term limits on justices would be very popular and help restore credibility to the court.

Mitch McConnell broke the Supreme Court, and Congress has a duty to fix it and restore public trust in the institution.
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In a sign of how it is going for Trump, the company that organizes Trumps paid rallies and speeches is struggling to pay bills.

The Washington Post reported:

The American Freedom Tour, which struck a multimillion-dollar deal with Trump after he left office, has lost two top executives and canceled events in a number of locations as it has failed to pay its bills, according to people familiar with the activities and documents obtained by The Washington Post. Its founder and owner, who has a history of bankruptcy filings, recently sought bankruptcy protection again.

The group has promised events in a number of locales but canceled them before they began and appears to be banking on a large event at Mar-a-Lago in December to turn its financial position around.

The only people who have gotten paid are people close to Trump. The same company ran the big paid event arena tour that was a total disaster. It turns out that even Trumps supporters were not willing to pay premium ticket prices to see Trump, his family, and various cronies.

Trump had to cancel a for-profit rally in North Carolina when he had to testify in the New York fraud investigation.

Trump tried a tour with Bill OReilly in 2021, resulting in thousands of empty seats.

As his legal woes mount, investors are bailing on Truth Social.

The post-presidency of Donald Trump appears to be one endless series of failed grifts. Donald Trump has overinflated the value of his brand to his fans, and anyone who did work for the former president without getting payment upfront is being left holding the bag.
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Tucker Carlson mounted a pressure campaign, including meeting with Jared Kushner to get clemency for Roger Stone.

Via: Rolling Stone from Maggie Habermans new book:

During Trumps fourth year in office, Carlson also held a secret meeting at the White House with Jared Kushner as part of a pressure campaign aimed at forcing Trump to pardon Roger Stone, according to the upcoming book Confidence Man.

Carlson came to [Trumps son-in-law and senior White House adviser] Kushner to demand clemency for Stone  to prevent him from going to prison, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman writes in book passages reviewed by Rolling Stone. If Trump failed to deliver, Carlson made clear, he would press the issue publicly. Kushner was noncommittal, and a few days later Carlson launched what became a monthslong campaign on his friends behalf.

Roger Stone was in the thick of Russias 2016 interference campaign for Trump. Tucker Carlson has been a Putin propagandist on Fox News for years, so it is not surprising that Carlson would lobby to try to keep his Putin pal Roger Stone out of prison.

As he was plotting a coup against the United States government, Trump did pardon Roger Stone.

Stone ended up being a go-between for the White House and the militias that attacked the Capitol on 1/6.

The relationship between the Putin puppets in Trumps orbit that influence the former president has come into focus.

Tucker Carlson likes to play the detached outsider on TV, but the reality is that the wealthy heir is a central resident of the MAGA swamp.
Project Pascalis has been stopped but downtown redevelopment isnt over.

On Thursday, the Aiken Municipal Development Commission voted unanimously, 5-0, in favor of a motion that stops Project Pascalis by declaring a conditional purchase and sale agreement with RPM Development Partners null and void and cancels the 2020 redevelopment plan that led to the project.

The Aiken Municipal Development Commission is terminating all planning work with the current developer and hopefully plans to start the procurement process, Commission Chairman Keith Wood said in a statement made after the meeting.

The project  named after one of the engineers who designed the city's unique street grid  was a $75 million redevelopment effort involving the block surrounded by Laurens Street, Richland Avenue, Newberry Street and Park Avenue.

The Project Pascalis plan called for the demolition of the vacant Hotel Aiken and a building next to it on Laurens Street and the construction of a 100-room hotel in their place. The Holley House and several buildings located between it and Newberry Street, including most of the former C.C. Johnson Drug Store, would be demolished to make way for an apartment complex and parking garage. The city's former municipal building would be expanded into a conference center.

Downtown revitalization efforts have been going on for the better part of a decade, and Aiken City Council created the Aiken Municipal Development Commission in 2019 to take bold action. When former City Manager John Klimm was in office the efforts to redevelop the downtown area was known as the Renaissance, which ultimately failed.

Developer not properly selected

Chris Verenes, vice president of the Municipal Development Commission, and Wood said after the meeting in personal statements that they voted to stop the project because the commission had not followed the process outlined in state law for selecting a developer.

The public deserves no less than the truth, Verenes said. If we sit here and just say, Whoops, were starting over, without calling out actions that we know were wrong then our silence implies approval of what happened.

Verenes said a deliberate decision was made by an unnamed city staff member  without the knowledge or approval of the commission  to delay running a request for proposal required by the South Carolina Community Development Law.

South Carolina Community Development Law requires commissions doing redevelopment projects to pay to place a classified ad in a local newspaper of general circulation twice to solicit proposals for the redevelopment project.

A request for proposal is a document issued by governmental entities seeking bids to perform a specific task or project.

The commission's request for proposal ran after Wood had already signed a contract with RPM Development Partners to sell the commission-owned property to the group if the commission and RPM reached an agreement to develop the properties.

Wood said in his statement that he signed the agreement on Dec. 3, 2021, 10 and 17 days before the request for proposal ran in the Aiken Standard.

Let me be clear, if I had known this, I would have never signed the purchase and sale agreement, Wood said in his statement.

Aiken Economic Development Director and Commission Executive Director Tim OBriant said he has held Wood and Verenes in high esteem for years but that he respectfully disagreed with the content of their statements.

Aiken City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh declined to comment on the allegations made by Wood and Verenes in their statements.

The commission had contracted to run request for proposal in the Aiken Standard in November but its publication was stopped at the behest of OBriant, who called the Aiken Standard to get the request for proposal canceled.

OBriant confirmed he had met with Ray Massey, the registered agent for RPM, prior to requesting the request for proposal be canceled. He said as economic development director for the city he has met with several developers on Project Pascalis and on other potential projects in the city.

Wood and Verenes said the commission was never informed that the required request for proposal was stopped.

Wood said the commission did not find out about the issue with the request for proposals until June 23 when an unnamed staff member and an attorney recommended starting the whole process over to correct the problem.

Six days later, on June 29, OBriant said the pending request from RPM to demolish five buildings to clear the land for the apartment complex and parking garage had been postponed to a later, unspecified, date.

Twelve days after the commission learned of the problems with the requests for proposal, on July 5, David Blake, Luis Rinaldini, the Historic Aiken Foundation and others filed a lawsuit challenging the actions of the commission, Aiken Design Review Board and the Aiken City Council on the project. Among the allegations made in the suit was that the South Carolina Community Development Law had not been followed.

Rinaldini said after the vote Thursday that he was thankful and pleased.

Aside from answering the allegations in the lawsuit and asking that it be dismissed, no further action was taken on the project until Sept. 9 when the commission voted to continue a motion made by Verenes and seconded by Wood to hold a vote on starting over this week.

Moving forward

Wood and Verenes both said they had expressed concerns about the city staffs decisions regarding the requests for proposal to other senior city staff.

Wood said he called the city council member who appointed him on June 23 to relay what he had been told about the requests for proposal. He added he also sent written correspondence on June 29 to the senior city staff to raise his concerns about a lack of transparency from the city staff that worked with the commission.

Additionally, I and another member of the AMDC executive committee met with a senior city staff member on July 6, 2022, to express concerns related to city staffs failure to follow state statute regarding the Pascalis RFP process, Wood continued.

Verenes said he had clearly relayed his grave concerns to the senior city staff and several members of the city council.

We need to make sure the process is fair, equitable, transparent and follows the law, Verenes said. And that is what we are going to do.

Wood said he was hopeful the commission would quickly meet with the city staff and council to identify a process in the best interest of the city and its residents.

Bedenbaugh and OBriant both said they hoped the city and the commission could create a project that would follow legal requirements and receive widespread community support.

Bedenbaugh added he felt a historic preservation presentation Wednesday hosted by the Historic Aiken Foundation offered some good ideas.
Students walk to and from classes on the Indiana University campus in 2021 in Bloomington, Ind. Far too little attention has been paid to the Biden administrations change to a lending program known as income-driven repayment
The Holy City and the counties that congregate around it were spared the worst of Hurricane Ian, which came ashore just to its north in Georgetown midday Sept. 30.

Despite the hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall that battered coastal South Carolina throughout the day, the grave storm surge predicted the previous day did not overwhelm the peninsula or its neighbors. Nonetheless, knee-deep waters inundated what were once roads.

But it could have been worse.

We are very blessed, I believe, for the damage weve received versus what was projected, said County Emergency Management Department Director Joe Coates.

On Oct. 1, the county will compile a report of the damage done by the storm, Coates said. That report will be sent to the state level, Coates said. If enough homes have been damaged, a request could be made for a FEMA declaration to help those whove been impacted by the storm, Coates said.

As for tonight, the countys message to its residents is crystal clear: stay home.

Aftermath

As the rain eased over the tri-county area around 3 p.m., Ians mess started to emerge.

Construction fencing lay in the Park Circle roundabout, ripped from its posts, a block from a stop sign lying face down. Trees came to rest on utility lines, and at nearby Quarterman Park, the swollen duck pond consumed everything around it  street signs, duck food dispensers and part of Spruill Avenue.

Across North Charleston, damage from the storm appeared limited, but widespread. Cars plastered with leaves crunched over twigs on roads littered with debris. One such street was Riverbluff Parkway, which was cordoned off with crime scene tape to prevent motorists from driving across a downed power line.

The city of North Charleston is soliciting the publics help in reporting damage. With more than 42,000 housing units, its difficult for inspectors to be aware of all damage caused in North Charleston by Ian, the city said in a release.

Residents are to report water intrusion damage and any other damage online at www.northcharleston.org/damage.

As of 5 p.m., the hurricane watches and warning that had been in effect for all of South Carolina's coast for much of the last few days had subsided. A tropical storm warning remained only until 8 p.m. as Ian weakened to a post-tropical cyclone.

Ian still packed winds spends near 60 mph, which could still be felt up to 205 miles from its center, located 45 miles northeast of Florence, according to the National Hurricane Center's latest update.

The cyclone was forecast to move farther inland overnight, and dissipate as it moved across central North Carolina or Virginia by Oct. 1.

Local effects

By midday, rainfall had reached about 8 inches near the coast, according to Ron Morales, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Charleston. But rainfall continue pelting the Lowcountry for several more hours.

Over 5 inches fell near downtown Charleston's medical district, turning streets into knee-deep rivers. Nearly 65 roads were closed on the peninsula, according to the city's GPS maps.

At the corner of Ashley Avenue and Bennett Street, four College of Charleston students decided to break out their rubber raft. They paddled into the intersection, where they briefly ran aground, then continued on down Bennett.

"We all know hurricanes can be bad, so we hoped for the best, and this one doesn't seem that bad," said one of the paddlers, Matt Amowitz. Added another, Matthew Wallace, "We have something like this happen every few years, so why not go out in a boat?"

Wind gusts reaching 85 mph were observed around 1:30 p.m. at Fort Sumter and 73 mph at Folly Beach around 10 a.m., per the local weather service.

Around noon, most area first responders including Charleston County Emergency Medical Services and Charleston police stopped responding to emergency calls, citing conditions unsafe for personnel. They resumed around 3 p.m. after the worst of the storm had passed

All right yall, lets saddle up, said Charleston Police Lt. James Byrne.

Back in his patrol car, Charleston Police Sgt. Sean Flaherty scrolled through his computer, looking at what came in while officers were grounded. Most of them were alarm calls  common during a storm when high winds can knock open doors and windows, he said.

Flaherty cruised down King Street and around the Battery. Dozens of people were outside, taking advantage of a break from the rain.

Flooding in the city seemed worse than it did with Hurricane Irma, Flaherty thought, though noted that fewer trees had fallen in this storm. The officer said he hadnt heard of any calls for reported injuries.

More than 200,000 residents throughout the state were without power as of 3 p.m., according to a database that tracks power outages nationally. The number of outages was fluctuating throughout the day.

Near Colonial Lake in downtown Charleston, Ian downed power lines, shredded a fence at Moultrie Playgrounds tennis complex and toppled two trees on Broad Street.

As Ians rain bands spun away, Kieran Holloway stopped on Broad Street, pulled out a saw and began cutting branches of one of the downed trees. He lives in Columbia, but his girlfriend came to the city for a work conference. He wanted to make sure she was OK during the storm, so he drove to Charleston with tools and supplies. Earlier, he said he helped motorists in three cars stranded by Ians floodwaters.

People dont know how deep the water is. A lot of them are college kids who dont understand that you cant get the engine wet and think, 'Oh I can make it,'" Holloway said. I know its safe now and I know what Im doing, and besides, shouldnt everyone be doing this?

Much of the Wagener Terrace area of downtown Charleston was without power starting at 2:30 p.m.

A big culprit is a large oak tree that split in half and took out a power pole and several lines on St. Margaret Street near Wagener Avenue. Surrounding streets were flooded, enticing 4-year-old Addison Bishop. With her hip waders, the girl tugged her father, Billy, through the floodwaters covering 10th Avenue.

"She wants to find the big puddles so..." Billy Bishop said as he was pulled along.

The wind and rain was also attractive to Biscuit, a Giant Schnoodle, as he walked with owners David and Nikki Schnell along 10th. They have a backyard their dogs can access and "he was out like seven or eight times" in the storm, David Schnell said.

A pair of SUVs blasted through a flooded section of East Bay Street along the Battery just after the storm passed, the riders laughing as they threw up a vicious spray of water. They wheeled onto South Battery, gunning their engines toward a soggy swath of deeper water only to find a police officer blocking their path. Fun over.

Nearby, people emerged cautiously from their homes to survey the damage around White Point Garden. It mainly consisted of downed limbs, scattered branches and a carpet of sodden leaves.

Several stately homes had been barricaded with giant sandbags, wooden coffers and heavy duty flood barriers, their occupants no doubt mindful of the muddy river that raced into the properties in 2017 after Hurricane Irmas surge jumped the nearby seawall and came pouring in. This time, the water got about ankle deep and stopped after crawling up the driveway aprons.

Amanda Bailey took it all in with her two daughters in tow. They came from northern Nevada for a mother-daughter weekend and found themselves facing something they never before encountered: a hurricane. They hunkered down in their rental Airbnb and watched in awe as Ian unleashed more rain than they had ever seen at one time.

It was crazy, Bailey said. We live in the desert. We dont get that much rain in a year.

Dorchester and Berkeley

Residents of the 200 block of Lakeview Drive in Summerville had to evacuate after falling trees damaged several roofs on the block. No injuries have been reported, according to Thomas McNeal, director of emergency management.

Were kind of in the height of the consequences of the storm right now, McNeal said. Every few minutes, theres a new tree down over a roadway or a different intersection thats flooding.

In Ladson, a dip of Oxford Road in the College Park Estates neighborhood saw floodwaters that filled a handful of driveways and made it hazardous for some residents to get in and out of their homes.

When Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989, George Thompson, who has lived on the road since the 1970s, had a pontoon boat to ferry his neighbors across the floodwaters submerging Oxford Road in the College Park Estates neighborhood in Ladson.

After seeing the same place flood again during Ian, Thompson stood on his driveway watching disapprovingly as drivers eased their vehicles through the water, which was around 2 feet deep in some places.

His home was on a slightly higher part of the street out of the water's way, but every time a vehicle passes through the flood, he said, it creates wakes that push more water into his neighbors' houses. In the past, some of the homes have had 3 to 4 feet of water in them.

"I've seen cars flood out and float down there," he said.

A crew from South Carolina Department of Transportation battled the wind and flood to put up road closure signs, even as cars kept heading their way.

"I've got to get home," Kenyetta Lee said to a crew member, leaning out the window of her vehicle. She'd waited the storm out from her home farther down Oxford and then ran out to get dinner as the wind and rain died down earlier in the afternoon.

There's another route she can take to her house near College Park Middle School, she said, but the flooding is even worse there.

The crewman urged her "turn around, don't drown" and then left. As Lee sat pondering her next move, a sudden gust of wind blew the road closure signs out of place, one of them falling into Thompson's yard and another sliding into Lee's car and making her yell in surprise.

Exasperated and with no serious damage to the vehicle, she drove around the sign and through the floodwaters.

Beach communities braced before, celebrate after

As high tide arrived just before noon, unusually stout waves spraying plumes of white mist trashed the Isle of Palms beach, shoving mounds of dead seagrass up to the dunes. At Station 21, a childs hot pink plastic boat sat marooned in the brown sea debris.

The islands long stretch of beach, normally smothered in beach-goers and their colorful towels, bore the assault mostly alone. Few people ventured out as Hurricane Ians bands pounded the upscale sea island.

But unlike the wrath of more powerful hurricanes, Ians storm surge failed to breech the grassy barrier of sand dunes. Streets around the Isle of Palms remained passable and largely free of significant flood water.

Down a few blocks on Front Beach, the frothing high tide scooped up a half-dozen yellow barrels and dumped them like toys around the beach volleyball net outside the Windjammer.

Nearby, at Breach Inlet, as 2 p.m. approached, bringing Ians landfall in South Carolina, stronger wind gusts lashed with ever-harsher cords of pelting rain until it became hard to even stand up. With temperatures in the low 60s, the rain felt like shards of ice on any exposed skin.

All around Mount Pleasant and the sea islands, police were out in force, their bands of blue lights omnipresent as limbs and sometimes small trees fell into the piles of leaf litter strewn along many roads.

When a man stopped in the wind and rain to drag a thin white oak that had toppled across Rifle Range Road, a police officer quickly arrived to help haul it aside, letting what few drivers were out pass safely by.

Cars formed a single file line heading back toward Folly Beach just after 4 p.m., avoiding a flooded Bohemian Bill parking lot with their hazard lights on.

Roads heading in and out of the beach town were open by late afternoon.

On the beach, cars and pedestrians slowly started venturing out of their homes and hotels, though pools of water still blocked portions of East Cooper and East Ashley avenues.

By 4:45 p.m., people slowly began trickling into open Folly Beach bars like Planet Follywood, where patrons stood drinking outside.

Across the street at The Washout, bartender Ernesto Jones turned away two customers who had wandered inside the indoor-outdoor bar after seeing the open sign turned on. The restaurant wouldnt reopen until Oct. 1, Jones said, but the reason for the delay wasnt due to damage from the hurricane. The bars owners had expected worse and it was too late to call in enough employees to work the night shift.

We actually stayed out here, Jones said. Compared to the other hurricanes it wasnt that bad.

Dispatches from Georgetown

Conditions on U.S. Highway 17 steadily degraded throughout the morning as high winds threw buckets of rain and the occasional tree branch across the blacktop. Ian would make landfall in Georgetown at 2:05 p.m.

At 10 a.m., cars sought refuge in SM Mart  one of the last gas stations still open on the highway between McClellanville and Georgetown. Vinyl signs advertising Black Cat fireworks twisted in the winds as customers darted inside the business for coffee and snacks.

David Goude smoked a cigarette under an outdoor awning. Baby Ray Wilson, his father-in-law, watched a weather forecast on a television in the store's back room. Water dripped from the ceiling and pooled near the shelves.

Goude, 35, said he lived next door. He and Wilson helped the manager prepare for the hurricane the prior night, securing garbage cans and storing supplies. He'd hunker down at home when it got too bad, keeping an eye on his dogs and chickens.

Uday Patel, the manager, said he'd stay open until the business lost power or he was ordered to evacuate. The former seemed more likely  Wilson reported minutes later a power outage struck nearby North Santee.

Meanwhile, the party was just starting down the road at Buzz's Roost in Georgetown. The sport bar off Front Street opened its doors at 11 a.m., even as rising waters were causing police to tape off the surrounding roads. Owner Trevor Day sipped a stiff drink and cracked jokes with staff. Every few minutes, a flash flood warning blared from one of the televisions above the bar.

The pub was open for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Day said. If staff were willing to work, why not offer refuge for the houseboat owners who docked on nearby Great Pee Dee River, he reasoned.

Day admitted the flooding worried him, though. Front Street always flooded during storms, but rarely did it start so early in the day.

Rigorous waves sent part of the Pawley's Island pier floating away at sea, the local police department posted on social media around 1:30 p.m.

At 2 p.m., a torrent of floodwater from Pawleys Island Creek overran North Causeway Road, cutting off access to the pier.

A failed pump station was causing an alarm to ring throughout the neighborhood as residents stepped out of their houses to watch the scene unfold.

Andy Patrick, a nearby neighbor, said he had never seen the creek so badly flooded.

Spared the worst

Forecasts continued moving the storm's path east  at first, putting the Holy City directly in Ian's path, but later, sparing the it some of the worst effects of the storm.

Which side youre on directly impacts your experience of a hurricane, said Meteorologist Brian Haines from the local NWS office. Because Ian is moving east of the Charleston Harbor, the Lowcountry is experiencing rain and wind  ergo the flash flood warning and hurricane warning  but not storm surge.

Haines said the NWS office has received reports of power outages, flooded streets and downed trees.

Charleston appeared to dodge a more serious outcome as the National Weather Service downgraded the midday high tide from 9 feet to 7 feet. That difference meant concerns over storm surge, especially along the low battery, were much lower than they were even 24 hours ago. Still, nearly 65 streets were closed in the peninsula due to flooding.

Mayor John Tecklenburg invoked the memories of Matthew and Irma, hurricanes which hit the area in 2016 and 2017  his first two years in office. Irma brought the worst flooding to the Holy City since Hurricane Hugos record 12.5-foot tide in 1989. Irma's tide peaked at 9.9 feet; and Matthew's was just below that at 9.2 feet.

A nine-foot tide would come over (The Low Battery) like it did for Irma and Matthew.

The extreme weather and flooding underscores to Tecklenburg the urgency of finishing the Low Battery sea wall, which is still under construction, and going ahead with the proposed $1.1 billion seawall around the peninsula.

Long term for our city, this problem is not going away," he said.

Charleston City Council unanimously passed three emergency ordinances authorizing the city's mayor to order mass road closures and a curfew, which seems unlikely as the worst has passed.

Ahead of the storm

Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency on Sept. 28. The next day, Charleston County and city officials followed suit, allowing the governments to move more swiftly and access aid, if needed.

No evacuation was ordered, but officials in the tri-county area encouraged those living in low-lying areas to relocate during the storm.

Shelters at Matilda Dunston Elementary School, 1825 Remount Road in North Charleston, and the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, 3841 Leeds Ave., remain open Sept. 30, though no public bus routes will be running to them.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Oct. 1, buses will take people from shelters back to their original pickup locations. Charleston County offices will resume normal operations on Oct. 3.

President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration covering all of South Carolina's 46 counties on Sept. 29 in anticipation of Ian's arrival.

The move allows the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in the recovery effort. Federal aid could potentially cover up to 75 percent in some of the costs.

"My message to the people of South Carolina is simple: Please listen to all the warnings and directions from local officials and follow their instructions," the president said at a press conference from the White House around 1:45 p.m. Sept. 30.

During his remarks, Biden said he had spoken with McMaster. The president also spoke of how natural disasters show the best of America, chiefly the nation's tendency to unite in difficult times.

"I spent a lot of time with people in the aftermath of disasters. I have immense gratitude for the first responders and emergency crews who always show up no matter what," Biden said. "In times like these, Americans come together. They put aside politics. They put aside division. We come together to help each other because we know if it were us who just lost our home or a loved one, we hope people would show up to help us."

Early forecasts

Meteorologists have repeatedly characterized Hurricane Ian as stubbornly unpredictable. By the morning of Sept. 30, however, forecasters issued warnings for South Carolina with more authority.

Four to 8 inches of rainfall were expected in northeastern South Carolina and possibly 12 inches in certain places on Sept. 30, according to the National Hurricane Center's 2 p.m. update.

A storm surge of up to 4 to 7 feet was forecast from Edisto Beach to Little River Inlet at the North Carolina border. Deeper inundation was expected along the immediate coast near where the storm makes landfall.

Ian is expected to weaken as it moves farther inland. Winds are expected to quickly diminish after sunset Sept. 30, according to the local NWS, and Ian should dissipate over western North Carolina late Oct 1.

Road closures and power outages

Residents awoke the morning of Sept. 30 to a flash flood warning as heavy rain and gusty winds battered the Lowcountry.

Leaves and the occasional tree branch littered roadways, several of which flooded, forcing drivers to zigzag around the peninsula.

Charleston Police Sgt. Sean Flaherty arrived 8 a.m. Sept. 30 to his teams office in downtown Charleston, ready to begin his 12-hour shift patrolling the central business district around King and Market streets.

Flaherty balanced listening to his radio with monitoring the computerized call log and tuning into the Weather Channel while also keeping his eyes on the road. It was a relatively calm morning. Few residents had ventured out on the streets. The majority of shops and restaurants in the area had closed for the storm, which helped tamper foot traffic, Flaherty said.

Im not going to risk it, Flaherty said after pulling onto North Market Street and noticing it was covered in water.

He responded to two calls for reported structure fires, though one was a false alarm. One woman called 911 after a water leak caused an outlet in her home to begin smoking. Charleston firefighters responded and worked to identify the leak.

Authorities decided just after noon to ground police officers. Charleston County EMS, and most other area first responders, also suspended its services citing unsafe conditions. A call came over Flahertys radio directing him to report back to the team office.

I feel like weve been out there for worse than this, but I dont know, he said.

The streets around the City Market were deserted shortly after noon as big gusts rolled through the area, violently shaking trees, rattling shutters and whirling wet leaves into the air. The normally flood-prone Market was largely free of the usual standing water that had been plenty deep enough for kayak rides during past storms.

Up the road, some low-lying areas like the entrance to Union Pier behind the Harris Teeter on East Bay Street were flooded and impassible. Several others remained open, though littered with fallen branches, toppled planters and piles of leaves shaken prematurely from their branches.

Folly Beach saw high waves breaking up on the beach as the storm closed down most of the businesses. One site that perennially stays open during storms is Bert's Market, which goes by the mantra "we never close but we may doze."

Hazelle Froehlich, who calls herself "the hot bar queen" had 12 hamburgers grilling away and said business from locals has been steady, as about 10 people stood in check lines with beer, chips and other stapes.

The downside of it all, she said, is that the market has no tv, which means those inside are oblivious to how bad the storm is.

Even those who heeded officials' advice to stay home were experiencing Hurricane Ian's effects.

Judith Keane stood outside her McClellanville home at 7:30 a.m. watching a splintered oak tree branch dangle from a power line on Pinckney Road.

Keane said she was inside her home, a converted schoolhouse built in 1875, when she heard the loud crack.

The home, miraculously, survived Hurricane Hugo, Keane said, which brought ferocious winds and heavy rains to the small fishing village.

It gives me a bit of false security  maybe too much security, she joked.

Firefighters and officers from S.C. Department of Natural Resources huddled nearby. Officer Patrick Clarey from DNR said they mulled pulling the branch loose, but, erring on the side of caution, decided to call Dominion Energy.

Dominion Energy sent 200 additional crew to the Palmetto State Sept. 29 to support customers impacted by the extreme weather, the company stated on social media.

Berkeley Electric Cooperative would also receive support from 200 technicians headed to the state from nearby states, according to spokeswoman Libby Roerig.

The extra crew were sorely needed.

The number of affected customers had been steadily climbing all morning, but dips occurred as crews restored power before the hurricane was expected to hit.

A database that tracks power outages nationally recorded more than 200,000 power outages in South Carolina as of 3 p.m. Sept. 30.

More than 98,000 Dominion Energy customers had lost power as wind speeds increased along the coast.

Spokesman Paul Fischer said crews were continuing to respond to outages, but once wind speeds surpassed 35 mph, however, he said their work would be restricted due to safety concerns.

People should avoid fallen power lines and debris. Dominion Energy stated on its website that crews would work to restore power as long as conditions were safe.

The public information officer for Beaufort County, Chris Ophardt, wrote in a midday update that the Beaufort County Public Works Command Center had received 15 calls reporting power lines or trees down. Like other first responders, the county's sheriff's deputies suspended services during the worst of the wind, resuming normal operations around 2 p.m. Officials responded to nearly 40 calls, mostly about downed trees and power lines.

In downtown Summerville, the usual bumper-to-bumper traffic was absent as residents stayed inside and businesses closed up shop until the storm past. The town closed its municipal offices and Dorchester County officials reported trees partially blocking Highway 17-A South near Summers Drive and on Comingtee Range off Trolley Road. More trees were reported down in Ridgeville, Reevesville and St. George.

A pine tree battered by gusts from outer bands of Hurricane Ian fell onto a moving car on Piney Grove Road in Irmo on Sept. 29, just west of Columbia. The driver crashed into a another tree and became trapped, before being rescued by the Irmo Fire District and emergency crews and taken to the hospital.

As of 3 p.m., road closures in the City of Charleston included:

the intersection of Fishburne Street and Hagood Ave.

King Street at Huger Street

Barre Street between Montague and Beaufain

Bogard Street between Norman and the Crosstown (US-17)

Cumberland Street between E Bay and Concord

Washington Street between Society and Laurens

South Market Street between Church and State

southbound lanes at the intersection of Savannah Highway and Wantoot Blvd.

the intersection of Ashley Ave. and Sabin Street

the intersection of Hagood and Line streets

The city of North Charleston closed Industrial Avenue, Northwoods Boulevard, Peppercorn Lane and Midland Park Road due to flooding.

Photos: Tides, wind and rain from Hurricane Ian lash Charleston and South Carolina coast Photos from Charleston and the Carolina coast as Hurricane Ian crawls closer. Captain Stephen Webb from the Charleston Fire Department ties off a downed tree along President Street so residents wont walk underneath in C Neighborhood kids carry tree branches and debris away from a downed tree that fell on a power line in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022 Malik Bryant, left, and Steven Janke, right, brave the weather walking along the seawall at The Battery in Charleston on Friday, September 30, Corey Fields, a City of Charleston employee, uses a shovel to clear the drains at the seawall on The Battery in Charleston on Friday, Septembe Tim Weber trek down South Street with his daughter Talia Weber, 5, on his shoulders as the storm bares down in Charleston on Friday, September Chris Pallotta, left, and Janie Warren, right, walk with their dog Cooper away from the gusts at the seawall on The Battery in Charleston on F Vince Waelti, a storm chaser from Wisconsin, records the choppy surf on the Isle of Palms as Hurricane Ian approached the South Carolina coast A resident walks along the seawall looking at the ocean ahead of Hurricane Ians impact in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henry Tay People take cover under the awning of the Hilton at the corner of Calhoun and East Bay as storms whip up in Charleston on Friday, September 30 City of Charleston employees Corey Fields, left, and Tyquan Richburg, right, chat with a local resident thanking them for clearing the drains  Residents clear debris from South Battery Street in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff Charleston City workers survey neighborhoods for downed trees, power lines, and other damage in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henr A Charleston police vehicle blocks King Street at the intersection with Huger Street. Flooding prompted the city to close several streets Frid Paul Kunitsa walks out to the Public Pier on the Cooper River to take photos and video of the storm in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 202 A tree fell in McClellanville near the house of Judith Keane as Hurricane Ian approached the South Carolina coast on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. An Waves from Hurricane Ian pound Folly Pier September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff A man watches from Folly Beach as waves from Hurricane Ian come ashore September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff White caps form on waves crashing with the winds on the Cooper River in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff Waves from Hurricane Ian come ashore on Folly Beach September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Wind from Hurricane Ian blows Palm trees on Folly Pier September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff I had to see it said Mike Randolph about his first hurricane as he is blown by the wind at Breach inlet on Sullivians Island, Friday, Sept. Visitors stop by to watch the storm at Breach inlet on Sullivians Island, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Grace Beahm Alford/Staff Gabby Velesaris, who recently moved to the Charleston area, records the weather and waves at Breach Inlet on Sullivians Island, Friday, Sept. Bartender Gwynne Gilmer (left) serves customers seeking to get warm inside Buzzs Roost in Georgetown on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Andrew J. Whit Flooding closed Front street in Georgetown on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff Timothy Flowers fills up a gas can at gas station in Georgetown on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff A pedestrian walks along Highway 17 over the Waccamaw River in Georgetown County on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff Waves violently crash against the Cherry Grove Pier near North Myrtle Beach Friday. Richard Carnes/Staff Ray Wilson watches the news at a gas station in Georgetown as weather conditions from Hurricane Ian worsen on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Andrew J. Corey Fields, a City of Charleston employee, uses a shovel to clear the drains at the seawall on The Battery in Charleston on Friday, Septembe A man tries to clear a drain at the flooded City Market in downtown Charleston during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Charleston firefighters and other residents assist sedans stuck in flood waters on Septima Clark Pkwy in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2 An awning came down on Anson Street from high winds during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff A sailboat gets buffeted on the Ashley River during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff A man walks through the flooded City Market in downtown Charleston during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Wind gusts, blowing down King Street. twist umbrellas during Hurricane Ian in Charleston, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Grace Beahm Alford/Staff Water bubbles out of a man hole cover during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Charleston Fire Department stringiest up caution tape after large tree limbs fell blocking off Meeting Street during Hurricane Ian in Charlest A man rides his bike through a flooded South Battery during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff A group of people walk down Smith Street during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff A man walks through the flooded City Market in downtown Charleston during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff South Market Street in downtown Charleston flooded during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff People walk down King Street during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Tree debris covers Meeting Street near South Battery during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Water covers Rutledge Ave from heavy rain during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Water from heavy rain flooded Cooper Street during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Water closed Morrison Drive from heavy rain during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Water covers Nassau Street from heavy rain during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Charleston Fire Department stringiest up caution tape after large tree limbs fell blocking off Meeting Street during Hurricane Ian in Charlest Water covers Ashley Ave from heavy rain during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Nettles/Staff Kieran Holloway saws branches from one of the downed trees on Broad Street at Colonial lake in Charleston on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Tony Barte Wind gusts, blowing down King Street. twist umbrellas during Hurricane Ian in Charleston, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Grace Beahm Alford/Staff Kieran Holloway, 25, of Columbia drove around Charleston during and after the storm helping people and trying to add value to the community. As the rain eased around 3 p.m., Ians mess started to emerge. At Quarterman Park, the rain flooded the duck pond and everything around it  s Robert Kirk checks on a neighbors propane tank on Cypress Avenue in Garden City on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff Hurricane Ian left Garden City flooded on Friday, Sep. 30, 2022. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff Cars drive through flood waters at the intersection of Morris Street and Coming Street during Hurricane Ian in Charleston, Friday, Sept. 30, 2 Charleston Police monitor the water on Calhoun Street during Hurricane Ian in Charleston, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Grace Beahm Alford/Staff A fallen tree blocks the path in Hampton Park as residents walk their pets during Hurricane Ian Friday Sept. 30, 2022, in Charleston. Gavin Mc Trey Simon (left) and Alexa Pavlovski put a coat on their dog, Wallace, as their other dog, Kota, stands beside them outside King Street Dispe A pedestrian attempts to avoid the rain underneath the Morris Sokol furniture building during Hurricane Ian Friday Sept. 30, 2022, in Charlest Flood waters at the intersection of Huger and King Street reach Sacred Heart Catholic Church during Hurricane Ian Friday Sept. 30, 2022, in Ch Zachary Estes (left) and James Skvarla rush across the intersection of King and Cannon Street during Hurricane Ian Friday Sept. 30, 2022, in C Two pedestrians walk along King Street during Hurricane Ian Friday Sept. 30, 2022, in Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff The streets remain empty during Hurricane Ian Friday Sept. 30, 2022, in Charleston. Gavin McIntyre/Staff Flooded streets in Surfside Beach on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff A palmetto tree is snapped in Surfside Beach on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff A rainbow is seen over Pawleys Island on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff Robert Kirk checks in on his neighbors propane tank through flooded waters at Garden City on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made  Cypress Avenue in Garden City was covered by floodwater on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina. Andrew  Workers remove a tree from a two story house on Dogwood Road, in West Ashley, that came down during Hurricane Ian September 30, 2022. Brad Net on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff Cypress Avenue in Garden City on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made landfall in South Carolina. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff Jim Kuerth (left) and Brandon Breedlove clean out their rentals pool in Surfside Beach on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 after Hurricane Ian made lan Wind gusts, blowing down King Street. twist umbrellas during Hurricane Ian in Charleston, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Grace Beahm Alford/Staff Front street in downtown Georgetown is closed due to flooding on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 as Hurricane Ian approaches South Carolina. Andrew J.  A lone walker makes their way over the L. H. Siau Bridge in Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 as Hurricane Ian approaches South Carolina. A (From left) Sophia Mileski, 4, Lola Mae Mileski, 6, and Amber Mileski, 8, with their dad John Matias (not pictured) have a meal at Waffle Hous Clouds roll in over the Jeremy Creek in McClellanville on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 as Hurricane Ian approaches South Carolina. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff A customer reads the newspaper at Buzzs Roost in Georgetown while they are open while Hurricane Ian approaches South Carolina. Andrew J. Whit Timothy Flowers fills up a gas can at the Shell gas station along Highway 17 in Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 as Hurricane Ian approach Ray Wilson watches the weather on a tv sun the backroom of the Shell gas station along Highway 17 in Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 as H An officer with the Charleston COunty Sheriffs office talks with Judith Keane after a tree had fallen outside her house in McClellanville on  A tree blocks the road as DNR and Charleston County Sheriffs Office help clear up Pinckney Street in McClellanville on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 A Jeep fjords the flood waters on Nunan Street headed towards President in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff A car sits submerged in flood waters at the corner of President and Line Streets in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff A car, far right, crashes into flood water sitting on Septima Clark Pkwy and joins multiple stalled other cars in Charleston on Friday, Septem A truck driven by Russel Taylor tows a sedan that stalled on Septima Clark Pkwy through flood waters in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 20 Families venture out to explore the streets after Hurricane Ians wind and rain cease in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff A painting on the side of a home reflects in flood waters on Simons Street in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022. Henry Taylor/Staff Jeff Montgomery and his son James, 13, check out a tree that fell across the road at Hampton Park in Charleston on Friday, September 30, 2022.

Tony Bartelme, Parker Milner, Tom Gorwin, Jocelyn Grzeszczak, Jennifer Hawes, Maddy Quon, Thad Moore, Caitlin Byrd, Glenn Smith, Isabelle Altman, Rickey Dennis, Kelly Jean Kelly, Schuyler Kropf and Steve Garrison contributed to this report from Charleston.
Charleston's Board of Architectural Review is poised to consider initial design approval for a $50 million research and classroom complex the Medical University of South Carolina wants to build on its main campus on the peninsula.

Site plans show a six-story, 89,189-square-foot structure at 74 President St. next to the MUSC's bioengineering building. The proposed building will be used for the College of Health Professions.

The bottom four floors are planned to be finished for current occupancy while the top two floors will be shell space for future expansion.

The building will include 5,000 square feet of research space, a 6,000-square-foot auditorium as well as faculty and staff office and support space. An elevated pedestrian bridge will connect to the second floor of the existing bioengineering building.

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MUSC spokesman Montez Seabrook said the new building will be in addition to current facilities that house the College of Health Sciences, which includes the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. The college also includes departments for clinical sciences, health sciences and research, and health care leadership and management.

The College of Health Professions, following an MUSC board directive in 2018, aims to increase overall student numbers by 20 percent by fiscal year 2024 in response to a projected health care workforce shortage in South Carolina.

The college had 763 students enrolled in 2018. The number grew gradually to 1,049 students in 2021, a 37.5 percent increase.

The college expects the number of enrollees to jump over the next few years after adding several new programs, including master's tracks for speech-language pathology, genetic counseling, clinical neurophysiology and bachelor's and master's degree programs for respiratory therapy.

The Board of Architectural Review will consider conceptual approval of the design Sept. 28.
COLUMBIA  Richland County School District One board officials have raised concerns over the position of director of accounts payable and payroll, mirroring concerns about financial services and the district's hiring process that have fallen on deaf ears for too long, a board member said.

Naomi Mitchell, the person the state's ninth-largest school district appointed to the payroll supervisor job, has already been performing those duties for at least the past three years while the position remained open.

"It is inconceivable to me that this job should be open for this long," board member Robert Lominack said, adding that it pays between $60,000 and $83,000 depending on experience.

Lominack said his concerns were not with Mitchell's character. Rather, his issue was with the administration's lack of transparency and communication about the open position, and why others were passed over for the job.

"We learned at the (Sept. 13) board meeting that this job had been filled by someone in an 'acting' capacity while they also have another role in the administration," Lominack said. "This is not OK, especially given our significant problems with payroll."

Richland County School District One officials' explanation for payroll issues, including teachers not getting paid for summer school or extra work hours on time, or in the correct amount, does not add up for some district employees.

Teachers who reached out to Richland One's financial services department about problems with their paychecks this year were referred to their in-school supervisors, known as paymasters. They went back and forth between authorities until ultimately receiving no reply at all from the department, Lominack said.

The district did take steps to correct the errors over the past two months, including an agreement to pay teachers who participated in this year's summer program a $1,000 bonus after attempting to avoid fulfilling the original agreement to do so.

District Superintendent Craig Witherspoon penned a letter to teachers in early August, apologizing for the delay in payment and saying "supervisors" may have entered employee information incorrectly into the payroll system. Witherspoon did not respond to requests for comment on whether the supervisors in question were school paymasters or district administrators.

Richland One financial services department employees asked repeatedly about the Mitchell's qualifications as far back as 2013, resulting in an internal audit of the district position she held at the time: quality assurance manager.

The quality assurance manager job requires a bachelor's degree in business or accounting, according to the July 2014 review of the position by Richland One Internal Auditor Kelvin Washington.

Mitchell has a high school diploma but no degree, Washington wrote. She was promoted to quality assurance manager in April 2011, when her predecessor resigned two weeks into the job. She'd emailed Chief Financial Officer Sheri Mathews-Hazel asking to be considered for the position, and was told by human resources staff to apply through the district's internal application system.

"No application was ever submitted," Washington said.

He also said multiple applications were submitted from qualified people. Still, Mathews-Hazel sent an email to the director of classified employees recommending Mitchell for promotion.

Richland One also requires the hiring department to submit a worksheet report to human resources to determine whether an applicant has equivalent education or experience to what the job description calls for.

"No such evaluation/report was presented to Human Resources to qualify the employee for the position," Washington said. "Also, it would not have negated the first/primary requirement of a bachelor's degree."

Washington wrote in 2014 that the district put itself in a "lost opportunity situation" by paying someone the full salary in a position for which they did not meet the requirements, when district procedures are to pay a trainee salary of much less until the employee does meet the requirements.

However, in two unrelated cases, Richland One came under fire this year for similar personnel decisions  once for the failure to properly vet an employee who was under fraud investigation and again for "top-heavy" spending on district leadership positions.

Mitchell, Mathews-Hazel and Richland One officials in the financial services department did not respond to requests for comment for this article.

Current and former teachers for the 22,000-student school district said payroll problems have persisted for years.

Two lawsuits were filed against Richland One in 2017, both by former teachers alleging the same lapse in payment for summer program work that teachers would experience five years later.

Washington's report on the quality assurance manager position could also partly explain why Richland One teachers, and Lominack, have been unsure where to direct their questions and unsure who is in charge of what within the financial services department.

"Many of the essential job function listed in the position description are not performed by the employee in question," the internal auditor wrote. "Much of the work requirements are re-distributed to other positions in Financial Services. It appears that the knowledge, skills and abilities of the employee do not match the requirements of the position."

These issues my be affecting teacher retention and recruitment. Richland One had more than 200 teacher vacancies as of early September.

Some schools in the district had between 20 and 30 vacancies at the start of the school year, and some of those spots opened suddenly, with no time to secure a substitute. Board member Beatrice King said many kids started school without the teachers they thought would be there.

The concerns laid out eight years ago were never addressed by the school board, said Lominack, who sees the district's human resources department and hiring practices as partly responsible for the problems teachers face today. Current Richland One board members who were serving at the time of Washington's report and would have seen it include King, Aaron Bishop, Jamie Devine and Chairwoman Cheryl Harris.

"The employees we need to return next year are watching, and they expect us to fix this," Lominack said.
LEXINGTON  The Lexington County Election Commission will expand options for early voting in the November election after seeing that a smaller early voting effort during the June primary election was successful.

From Oct. 24 through Nov. 6, Lexington County residents will be able to cast their ballots at five locations including the Elections office, Midlands Technical College Batesburg-Leesville campus, Midlands Technical College Harbison campus, the Pelion Library and West Columbia community center.

The early voting polls will be open as a way to reduce challenges that residents may face while trying to vote, like getting off work and waiting in lines, said Lexington Registration and Elections Director Lenice Shoemaker.

"Like, if you lived in Pelion and you happened to be out shopping at the mall, you could go ahead and early vote," Shoemaker said.

The early-voting opportunities come months after Gov. Henry McMaster signed a law in May that required counties to have at least one polling place open two weeks before an election. Lexington County opened one polling center for early voting in the June primary election, and was pleased with how it worked, Shoemaker said.

"We just had one early voting site because it was new law," Shoemaker said. "So we thought, 'OK, let's see how it (goes).' And it went really well."

The high turnout in early voting prompted the election commission to add four more options in the November election, Shoemaker said.

While beneficial for increasing awareness and getting voters to the polls, early voting can add some logistical challenges, said Craig Caldwell, chair of the Lexington County Republican Republican Party.

"The biggest thing is now you're asking for additional manpower for weeks leading up to it, which can put on some added extra pressure," Caldwell said. "But, I am confident that (the election commission) has that handled."

Looking toward the election, Caldwell said many people are invested in education votes, including the statewide superintendent of education race.

"With everything that's going on, COVID handling (in schools) and stuff like that, a lot of people are paying closer attention to those school board races," Caldwell said.

Additionally, the Lexington Republican Party is working to inform members about the penny-tax referendum, letting voters know that it will be on the ballot and what the county's list of priority projects includes, Caldwell said.

The Lexington County Democratic Party did respond to a request for comment.

Early voting in Lexington County will be open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Oct. 24 to Nov. 6, but will be closed on Sundays.
When Charleston County School Districts cultural competency team was created in 2019 to improve equity at the districts schools, they had some big dreams.

They wanted to establish a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion at the district, Superintendent Donald Kennedy said.

Kennedy, who at the time was the districts chief financial officer and leader of the cultural competency efforts, said they also aimed to diversify the districts teaching staff, train all staff on cultural competency and diversify student learning opportunities.

But less than a year after the team was formed the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing students across the country into remote learning and exacerbating pre-existing achievement gaps between White students and students of color.

When CCSD returned to in-person learning, the team realized that the barriers to closing achievement in the district were higher than previously anticipated. Three years later, officials say the promises they made were too ambitious.

Training 100 percent of district staff was an impossible goal, especially because the team doesn't have a say in who gets hired or fired at CCSD, according to Brandi Blake, the team's executive director. Theyve adjusted their focus to be more realistic  and a little more nebulous.

Instead of aiming for numerical goals, Blake wants to change the culture at CCSD by focusing on small pockets of success, such as individual teachers who feel more equipped to teach their diverse classrooms.

It's really easy to say you want to make these really sweeping broad changes, but when you don't have all of those things in place, it's just not possible, Blake said.

As superintendent, Kennedy has laid out ambitious reading and academic goals for the entire district that include closing achievement gaps between students of color and their White peers. To do that, its imperative to have teachers who understand the backgrounds of the students theyre teaching.

Blake understands the weight of the job, as the teams only full-time, paid member, and knows it will take time.

But some community members like Anjene Davis, co-founder of the Lowcountry Black Parents Association, say time is of the essence and the stakes are higher than ever.

A history of disparity

Test scores in 2019 were not promising. Data from the 2018-19 school year showed that the majority of Black and Hispanic students from grades 3-8 were not close to meeting expectations on the SC Ready English and math assessments, while their White peers largely exceeded expectations in both subjects  not unlike past years.

Its a well-documented problem in CCSD. The district, with its legacy of White flight and de facto segregation, has long failed to narrow gaps between White students and students of color. Black and Hispanic CCSD students, often attend different schools or are placed on lower academic tracks than their peers, and dont see their identities reflected in their teachers nor the curriculum theyre learning. The consequences of all these issues are reflected in the districts test scores.

Only 18 percent of teachers are non-White within the Charleston County School District, according to CCSD chief human resources officer Bill Briggman. Those numbers dont come close to reflecting the student body of CCSD, where about half of the student body is non-White  many students dont have teachers who look like them.

Also, as Charleston continues to grow, Black families are being priced out of the area, and schools are becoming more segregated.

Thats why the cultural competency team  composed of central office staff, principals, teachers and community members  was created. Culturally competent teachers can help bridge those gaps.

Cultural competency, or culturally responsive teaching, trains school staff in how to teach students of all backgrounds and identities. Its not related to controversial critical race theory, which is a common misconception, said Blake.

Educators who are culturally competent can help students see themselves in their coursework, which research shows improves their academic performance, build connections with their peers and explore their sense of belonging.

It helps students feel as though they are not less than, which is something that has been problematic in CCSD, said Davis, co-founder of the Lowcountry Black Parents Association.

Blake became the team's leader in July 2021. A graduate of Dorchester Two school district, she previously worked in DEI at George Mason University. Thats where she met a George Mason student from the Charleston area, who had lost out on career and scholarship opportunities because her experiences were extremely limited. The student had no idea she needed to be exposed to more people from different backgrounds and have a better understanding of the world around her.

That was one of the first times I saw how limiting your scope can really impact your career, Blake said. I didn't want students graduating from Charleston County schools or any Lowcountry school missing out on opportunities because of what we didn't provide for them.

Blake knew shed be facing a monumental task at CCSD in fostering cultural understanding in a district thats long lacked it.

When I got here, it felt like the shell of a team already existed, she said. The engagement wasn't necessarily there because these are full time staff members who aren't paid for their work on the cultural competency team. What they needed was a little more structure.

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Part of Blakes job has been to reimagine what successes look like in Charleston, where diversity work is really just beginning.

A lot of the wins in Charleston County are really just bare minimum awareness and learning more so we can make better decisions in the future, she said. It's not necessarily a laundry list. I really had to work with the team for them to understand that our organization is well on its way to getting some of those big wins, but we're not quite there yet.

Previous goals

Blakes team has not had involvement with a multi-million dollar grant that the district was awarded to help fund staff cultural competency trainings, and her team doesnt manage whos hired or promoted at CCSD  so two of the original goals werent even under her teams control.

More than 1,500 teachers and administrators have participated in bias, equity and other trainings aimed at increasing cultural competence since 2019. The district was one of only five school districts across the country to be awarded a $12 million Education Innovation and Research grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help fund the initiative, supplementing trainings that previously existed at CCSD.

Through the grant, district staff at several schools have been allowed to choose which professional development theyd like to participate in. The training is available to all CCSD teachers, but its not mandatory.

James Dallas, principal of E.B. Ellington Elementary, underwent a training before the pandemic, along with his staff; his school is covered under the grant. He says one of the main things that has resonated is that a racial gap still exists within CCSD. All Ellington teachers are now more equipped to serve their entire classroom, especially White teachers who previously didnt have experience with students of color, he said.

We have moved away from that old cliche of I treat all my kids the same," he said. "You won't hear that in our building. You will hear, I make sure that I take the time to get to know the strengths of my students.

Along with training staff, the cultural competency team was tasked with increasing teacher diversity.

The district has implemented some strategies to diversify its teaching force  like alternative pathways that grow internal staff and students to become teachers  but Briggman said the lack of teachers coming through colleges has impacted their diversity efforts.

Davis expected the district to be further along in this work. He said the perceived lack of urgency to address cultural competency in one of the states largest districts is concerning.

I find it problematic and unacceptable that we continue to play from behind in addressing something that is sitting right in front of our faces, he said. Unfortunately, in typical fashion, we got a lot of flowery sounding language, but no actual substance.

Blake said theres a lot further to go in Charleston, and she agrees that it goes far beyond training and increasing teacher diversity. Thats where her team comes in.

New markers of success

As superintendent, Kennedy has some big aspirations for Charleston students and educators  he is reprioritizing closing achievement gaps in a big way. Blake said her team is essential to making that dream a reality.

Currently, Blake said her team is working on creating a roadmap of various professional development opportunities for staff to become more culturally aware.

Under the tiered system, a teacher who wants to learn more about students of the Gullah Geechee diaspora, for example, might be asked to undergo some training to recognize their biases and attend different classes and events to learn more about the history and legacy of that community.

The district also has an affinity group for Black educators and a group that reviews district curriculum and textbooks, to see if they align with their cultural competency standards. The cultural competency team is also offering an equity and education course at the College of Charleston this semester for teachers to participate in.

Her team is also working to teach staff about identity, beyond race.

Weve got high poverty numbers here, we've got gender and sexuality and religious differences that are happening in our schools, too, she said. And so the trainings and offerings around bias, acceptance and belonging include all of those things under that umbrella.

Since her position is still relatively new, Blake said shes still shaping how the team can be most helpful to educators in Charleston, and a lot of their impact isnt readily available in data because their work has gone deeper than that.

With the resources they currently have, Blake said her team is doing all it can to make systemic, lasting change at CCSD  in a state where teaching students about Black history remains highly controversial and the Governor just reprimanded CCSD for teaching students about gender identity and sexuality without their parents knowledge.

It's a big undertaking, and it's really important because the students in Charleston County Schools deserve culturally competent leaders and teachers, Blake said. It directly impacts student outcomes. When a student feels understood and like they belong, it really can improve their quality of learning, the environment in which they learn."

Thats why she wants to get it right.
Pop-Up Picks is a recurring series in The Post and Couriers Food Section that previews an upcoming pop-up breakfast, lunch or dinner and the chefs behind it.

The list of Charleston chefs who in the last two years launched solo ventures continues to grow.

Johnny Focaccia food truck Owner John Olbrych's pandemic pivot has an unexpected twist: his new business is housed in a 22-year-old converted church bus outfitted with a wood-fired oven imported from Italy.

Olbrych, a Charleston native who previously worked at Obstinate Daughter and EVO Pizzeria, had just started a new job as the executive sous chef at Meeting Street restaurant Gale when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered dining rooms.

"It pushed me to do what I wanted to be able to do," Olbrych said.

At the time, that meant cooking focaccia bread in his house.

Perfecting this process he learned at EVO led him to chase a passion for wood-fired pizza he developed at Obstinate Daughter.

Serving wood-fired pizzas and focaccia sandwiches, Johnny Focaccia was born as a pop-up in 2020.

Olbrych knew he needed a food truck to take his operation to the next level, but most were selling for $80,000 or more. His dad found a circa-1999 church bus in Myrtle Beach, and the two began renovations, reinforcing the floors and installing the pizza oven Olbrych had delivered from Italy.

To this day, the words "Worship Center" written on the front of the truck continue to clue customers into the vehicle's previous life.

"It definitely was my first rodeo on a food truck," Olbrych said. "It came with a lot of learning curves."

Months later, the chef has dialed in his process for making wood-fired pies on the truck. Olbrych tops the pizzas with classic Neapolitan toppings and more creative riffs, such as prosciutto and local peach honey.

Olbrych's operation is already expanding.

In addition to traveling around Charleston with the truck, Johnny Focaccia is taking over the kitchen at West Ashley brewery Charles Towne Fermentory. Moving forward, the plan is for Olbrych to be the main food provider for the brewery, open seven days a week.
The runways at Charleston International Airport are closed until Oct. 1 as Hurricane Ian bears down on South Carolina.

The airport is expected to resume flights at 6 a.m. Oct. 1, according to spokesman Spencer Pryor.

Most flights in and out of Charleston were canceled Sept. 29 ahead of the storm's expected second U.S. landfall on the South Carolina coast on Sept. 30.

The airport runways, which are owned and shared by Charleston Air Force Base, are closed when sustained winds reach 40 mph.

The storm's winds are expected to pick up as Ian approaches the coast.

At 8 a.m. Sept. 30 Ian remained a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph off the Palmetto State's coast, according to the National Hurricane Center. Strong winds, heavy rain and flooding are anticipated.

Travelers should check with individual airlines for the latest information on flight resumption.

Airlines that canceled dozens of flights at South Carolina airports this week are taking steps to accommodate travelers displaced by Hurricane Ian.

The runways at Charleston International, which were closed Sept, 29 are expected to reopen at 6 a.m. on Oct. 1.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND  The delicate sea barrier island remains under a hurricane warning, as do nearby Bluffton and Beaufort.

Ian is expected to strike the South Carolina coast in the early afternoon of Sept. 30 with the National Weather Service issuing a high surf advisory and flood watch for the Hilton Head area until Oct. 1.

Residents and visitors can expect 35-45 mph winds, with gusts up to 70 mph, until late evening on Sept. 30.

The storm surge could be as high as 3-5 feet. High tide will peak at about 1 p.m.

But on the morning of Sept. 30, conditions had not deteriorated.

The Beaufort County Sheriff's office said sustained winds were at 28 mph, with gusts up to 47 mph.

Hilton Head's director of public safety, Bob Bromage, reported only five calls for service for downed trees so far, compared with the thousands that came down during Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

Rain, which had been falling steadily overnight, pattered lightly on windows and roofs, with 1-3 more inches expected.

In the cool drizzle, the island retained the feel of a holiday, with government offices and Beaufort County school buildings closed. The Hilton Head Airport and Beaufort Executive Airport are also closed until Oct. 1 at 10 a.m., as are the Walmarts on Sea Island Parkway and Robert Smalls Parkway until further notice.

Even though no significant standing water had collected, the pathways and roads along South Forest Beach were quiet at 8:30 a.m.

People seemed mostly to be heeding the words of Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner at a Sept. 29 press conference: "We prefer if you stayed home."

Good deeds

Instead of damage control, much of the visible activity on the island falls under the category of good deeds.

Jim Thomas in the private resort community of Sea Pines posted on the social media site NextDoor, "I have a chainsaw and time. So if anyone has a small to medium tree come down in this wind I can help."

Another resident posted that she'd seen someone carrying Holly the Wishing Tree to safety.

"For those that don't know she is a woman carved out of a tree that people hang shells on as they make a wish," wrote Megan McNamee on Hilton Head Plantation.

And around mile marker 49 this morning, Pam Cooper, in a purple rain jacket pulled tight around her face, and her beagle Cassie walked briskly on the wet sand, picking up trash. The garbage cans had been removed in advance of the storm, so Cooper poked water bottle caps, a Styrofoam take-out box, and plastic shovels and castle molds into a bright green bag.

Above her head, clouds raced southwest across the gray sky, although Ian is headed northeast, its center due to hit between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. They were evidence that Hilton Head was already at the edge of the swirling storm.

The ocean's reach also showed that it was not just a regular damp fall day. Even at low tide, the surf rolled onto the middle of the beach, and the bottom of the dunes remained dark where high tide had touched the slopes in the night.

Amber Kuehn, a marine biologist who leads the Sea Turtle Patrol on Hilton Head, told The Post and Courier that she is not hopeful that the last six sea turtle nests on the island's beaches will survive the storm. But with 423 nests counted on Hilton Head this season, she said the emergence rates for 2022 should be OK.
As Hurricane Ian swirls back toward land, its wind is whipping up the ocean, shoving water toward South Carolinas coastline.

The result is storm surge, and the southern end of South Carolina is particularly vulnerable to it, thanks to a craggy geography that turns rivers and tidal creeks into funnels for the extra water.

The National Weather Service expects Ian could produce a storm surge as high as 4 to 7 feet around Charleston, peaking when the storm arrives on Sept. 30. The Grand Strand could see 3 to 5 feet.

But the storm surge number alone doesnt tell the whole story. What matters is when the peak arrives.

Consider a normal day in Charleston Harbor: The water fluctuates up and down about 5 feet as the tide ebbs and flows, influenced only by the position of the moon. Usually, that change happens without most people taking notice, unless they happen to look out at a marsh.

Similarly, if the storm surge peaks at low tide, an extra 5 feet of water might not be a major concern. But at high tide, it could be.

This is part of the trouble of predicting the impact of storm surge. High tide and low tide are only about six hours apart, so if the storm arrives a few hours earlier or later than expected, those changes could produce significant differences.

The high tide in Charleston closest to Ians expected arrival is at 11:41 a.m. The regular tide would bring water in the harbor to 6.3 feet on its own, and add to whatever surge is present at the time. With the storm centered a few hundred miles offshore, forecasters expected it to make landfall in the early afternoon. But when, exactly, will the storm arrive relative to the tides?

"That's the million-dollar question," said Ron Morales, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Charleston. With so many factors at play, predicting the storm surge precisely is "almost impossible."

A few feet on top of the regular high tide would bring Ian in line with other recent storms: Hurricane Matthew produced a peak tidal reading of 9.3 feet in 2016, and Tropical Storm Irma reached 9.9 feet in 2017. (The record, 12.5 feet, was set by Hurricane Hugo in 1989.) The afternoon before Ian made landfall, the National Weather Service predicted a peak tide of 8.7 feet.

Low tides, meanwhile, are at 5:20 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. on Sept. 30.

Theres also the question of where Ians center meets the coast. Hurricanes spin counterclockwise, so as Ian approaches, its winds will blow toward the coast on the right side of the eye and away from the coast on the left. The worst storm surge scenario for Charleston is a landfall farther south on the coast, according to University of South Carolina geography professor Cary Mock. The best case is a track to the north.

The National Hurricane Center's forecast put the storm on track to come ashore just above Charleston, but the storm could shift either way. Look to the example of Ian's landfall in Florida: The hurricane swamped Fort Myers with a massive surge, while it drained much of Tampa Bay not 100 miles away.

Given uncertainty about exactly when and where Ian will make landfall, forecasters are in a difficult position, according to Georgia Southern University professor Chester Jackson, who studies coastal hazards, including storm surge. Thats why they often publish what they expect to be the most likely bad scenario  that is, the worst situation residents ought to be prepared for.

The National Weather Service forecast the morning before landfall points to the potential for storm surge flooding along tidal creeks, near marshes and in other low-lying areas, like the Medical District in downtown Charleston. Throughout the area, flooding will be exacerbated by heavy rainfall: 4 to 8 inches in all.

Residents on the southern part of the coast, including Charleston, have to be especially mindful of storm surge because of the regions geography, Jackson said.

Storms have an easier time building up storm surge near South Carolina, because the water is relatively shallow as the continental shelf here slopes gently out to sea, Jackson said. With less water to push against, the wind has less resistance as it piles up the ocean.

And in the maze of tidal creeks and rivers from Charleston to the south, all that water gets compressed into smaller chutes. That makes low-lying areas near marshes and tidal creeks particularly vulnerable. Barrier islands will also find themselves in the surges path.

That matches what forecasters and public officials have warned in recent days: People who live in places normally vulnerable to flooding should have a plan to get to higher ground.
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.
SPARTANBURG  The building once founded as one of the first separate-but-equal schools in South Carolina has been redeveloped as an apartment community called Schoolhouse Lofts.

It's a new beginning for the former Mary H. Wright Elementary School on the Southside of Spartanburg.

On Sept. 29, there was a grand opening for the building at 201 Caulder Ave.

Schoolhouse Lofts has 53 one- and two-bedroom apartment units. Twenty percent of the units are reserved for affordable housing.

I think once the community saw that I was doing what I said I was going to do, they got behind me and have been very supportive, said John Montgomery, CEO of Montgomery Development Group.

Each unit has stainless steel appliances and an in-unit washer and dryer. Those renting can use amenities such as a pool, fitness center and dog park.

Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice said the apartments allow people to reimagine what the school means to those on the Southside and the city as a whole.

Mary H. Wright Elementary School was built in 1951 and is named after Mary Honor Farrow Wright, who founded one of the first separate-but-equal schools constructed in South Carolina. After the school was closed, its name was moved to an elementary school on 457 S. Church St.

Vernon Beatty lived near the Tobias Booker Hartwell Apartments on the Southside of Spartanburg. He remembers walking to school and attended Mary H. Wright Elementary School from first through sixth grade. He is currently a member of Spartanburg School District 7's Board of Trustees. Beatty also worked for the Spartanburg Housing Authority within the former school when the authority had offices in the building.

I didn't want to see another historic building just sit and decay, Beatty said. I hope people will move in and take advantage of what they've done because theyve done a marvelous job.

Mary Anne Kelly is moving into a unit at Schoolhouse Lofts after living in Brooklyn, N.Y., for over 60 years. Kelly is from Inman and decided to move back to Spartanburg for her retirement.

The grand opening event was Kellys first time touring the apartment community, and she plans to move in on Sept. 30.

Im enjoying everything that I see, and I know that Im going to like it, Kelly said.
NROs Nate Hochman obtained a copy of Fifth Circuit Judge James Hos keynote address to the Kentucky Chapters Conference of the Federalist Society and reports on it in Federal Judge Vows to Stop Hiring Law Clerks from Yale Law School. Judge Hos address  Agreeing to Disagree  Restoring America by Resisting Cancel Culture  cited a number of high-profile examples of speakers being shouted down or otherwise censored at law schools across the country but singled out Yale Law as one particular law school where cancellations and disruptions seem to occur with special frequency.

We covered the events at Yale Law School in some detail on Power Line. Yales Professor Kate Stith  a college classmate whom I greatly admire  has fought the culture, but the culture won. Judge Ho now vows to impose consequences.

Reuters also reports on Judge Hos speech here. Reuters reporter Nate Raymond recalls that Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, an appointee of former Republican President Ronald Reagan, had in March called on judges to think twice about bringing on Yale students who disrupted Waggoners event. We noted Judge Silbermans message To all Article III Judges at the time. To adapt Lincolns eulogy of Henry Clay, Laurence Silberman represents my beau ideal of a judge.

Hochmans story is behind NROs paywall. His tweeted summary is below.

NEW: The Fifth Circuits James Ho says hes no longer hiring clerks from Yale Lawand urges other judges to join him. If they want the closed and intolerant environment that Yale embraces today, thats their call, Ho said. I want nothing to do with it.https://t.co/q4OLS4TzJc  Nate Hochman (@njhochman) September 29, 2022

Ho, who sits on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, has made waves in the past for his vocal criticisms of campus culture. When Georgetown Law suspended @ishapiro, the judge delivered a surprise defense of Shapiro during an event on Georgetowns campus:https://t.co/6OklqgSgVZ  Nate Hochman (@njhochman) September 29, 2022

But he also emphasized the need for substantive measuresabove and beyond simply speaking outto fight back. Were not just citizens, he said. Were also customersI wonder how a law school would feel, if my fellow federal judges and I stopped being its customers.  Nate Hochman (@njhochman) September 29, 2022

Another example Ho pointed to: In 2021, Yale administrators threatened to destroy the career of a law student who described his apartment as a trap house, saying his membership in the Federalist Society was very triggering for students.https://t.co/kDoMMyW1VV  Nate Hochman (@njhochman) September 29, 2022

Starting today, I will no longer hire law clerks from Yale Law School, Ho said. And I hope that other judges will join me as well. I certainly reserve the right to add other schools in the future, he added. But my sincere hope is that I wont have to.  Nate Hochman (@njhochman) September 29, 2022
President Bidens student loan giveaway is blatantly illegal, but standing presents an obstacle to lawsuits challenging it. I noted the lawsuit filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation on behalf of Frank Garrison earlier this week. The Indiana federal district court has already denied Garrisons motion for preliminary relief in an order that casts doubt on Garrisons theory of standing.

Now six states with Republican governors and attorneys general have commenced a lawsuit challenging the giveaway. The lawsuit is filed in the Eastern District of Missouri. A PDF of the complaint is posted here. Arizona is a seventh. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has separately filed his lawsuit in Arizona federal district court (complaint here, press release here).

The Missouri complaint addresses standing at paragraphs 86 et seq. The Arizona complaint addresses standing at paragraphs 69 et seq. I am no expert on standing doctrine. I will only say that I think standing remains the key issue in these cases and that the harms alleged to make out standing in these two complaints strike me as tenuous.

Seung Min Kim covers the Missouri lawsuit in the (good) AP GOP states sue Biden administration over student loan plan. I found the Garrison court order and two new complaints via Chris Quintana/USA Today.

UPDATE: Ed Morrissey covers the Bidens administration maneuvering to defeat standing in this Hot Air post.
A week ago Ramsey County District Judge John Guthmann called out the Star Tribune by name in a a press release he authorized regarding the Feeding Our Future case. This is the key passage bearing on the Star Tribune:

On February 26, 2022, the Star Tribune reported on a federal investigation of FOF. The article included the following false statement: In April 2021, Ramsey County District Judge John Guthmann told the department it didnt have the authority to stop payments and ordered the department to resume payments. Since February, that Star Tribune quote has been repeated or paraphrased on many occasions by many other media outlets. The same media sources reported that, in her April 4, 2022, testimony to the Minnesota Senate, the Commissioner of the Education stated that the MN Department of Education tried to stop payments to FOF, only to be ordered by Judge Guthmann to resume payments. That is false. Then, when federal indictments were announced this week, many new reports were published. On September 22, 2022, Governor Tim Walz told the media that the Minnesota Department of Education attempted to end payments to FOF because of possible fraud, but that Judge Guthmann ordered payments to continue in April 2021. That is also false. As the public court record and Judge Guthmanns orders make plain, Judge Guthmann never issued an order requiring the MN Department of Education to resume food reimbursement payments to FOF. The Department of Education voluntarily resumed payments and informed the court that FOF resolved the serious deficiencies that prompted it to suspend payments temporarily. All of the MN Department of Education food reimbursement payments to FOF were made voluntarily, without any court order.

In stories published over the past week  here (by Kelly Smith and Jeffrey Meitrodt, September 23), here (by Jeffrey Meitrodt, September 26), and here (by Kelly Smith and Stephen Montemayor, September 27)  Star Tribune reporters have taken up the issue as though they werent a party to it, dealt with it inadequately, and muddied the waters.

No one has responded on behalf of the Star Tribune as an institution. All in all, a pathetic display.

Today the Star Tribune takes up the issue in the editorial Hungering for clarity after food fraud. Citing Governor Tim Walzs outburst calling for an investigation of the judge that was the proximate cause of Judge Guthmanns statement, the editors write:

That outburst inspired a belated pushback from the judge, who promptly issued a formal statement calling the governors remarks, MDE statements and media reports about his order false.

One would never know that the judge press release called out the Star Tribune for being the progenitor of the false statement. Again, one would not know that the Star Tribune is a party to the issue. The editorial nevertheless proceeds to adjudicate the issue and find that Judge Guthmann was correct before muddying the waters:

The judge is correct; he did not formally issue an order for MDE to resume payment. MDEs suspension of reimbursements to FOF was not the question before the judge on April 21, 2021. That hearing concerned only a separate FOF complaint about delays in MDEs approval or rejection of its applications for new distribution sites. David Schultz, a Hamline and University of Minnesota professor and political observer who reviewed but is not involved in the case, told an editorial writer that it looked like a classic administrative law case in which lawsuits are filed to force government agencies to issue permits or licenses or, in this case, approve partner sites promptly. I dont see anything that says the court compelled MDE to resume payments, he said. In recent days, Walz and MDE retreated from their claim that Guthmann formally ordered payments. Still, as recently as Tuesday, Ellison asserted in a WCCO Radio interview that the court ordered payment. On Wednesday, a spokesman from his office told an editorial writer that if Ellison called the judges action an order, he misspoke. Longtime observers of state government struggle to recall a precedent for this kind of blunt contradiction on an important factual point among senior public officials. Its the type of blunder that threatens to further undermine public confidence in the ability of government to oversee and distribute taxpayer dollars properly. The allegation that criminals can defraud a well-intended public relief program for the poor is damaging enough. Its true that during the oral argument at the much-discussed hearing, FOF pressed the reimbursement issue. Its also correct that transcripts show the judges skepticism about MDEs legal justification for stopping payment. But he made it clear that FOF would have to file a separate complaint that would have to be separately litigated for him to rule on the payments issue. He later ruled against MDE only on the application decision delays.

Judge Guthmann is correct. The Star Tribune got it wrong. The error was large and consequential, though the Star Tribune has yet to acknowledge the error directly or to answer for it. On this point they are in the company of Walz and Ellison, who are at least frankly political players.

The editorial doesnt stop there. It continues:

Former [Ed.: DFL] Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner, who also isnt involved in the case, told a Star Tribune reporter this week that although there was no formal order from the judge, she could see why MDE could take Guthmanns comments during the hearing to mean that the agency would be hard-pressed to stop payments. The bottom line is that Judge Guthmann did not order them to continue payments. At the same time, it is understandable why the Department of Education felt like they had to continue paying, Gaertner said. A fair reading of the federal regulations seemed to require it, and more importantly though, they had to feel constrained to not in any way interfere with the FBI investigation. By the time the question of the payments again came before Guthmann, MDE had voluntarily resumed dispensing large sums to FOF rather than continuing to fight the legal battle. Ellison and MDE have said they feared tipping off FOF to the existence of the FBI probe that MDEs concerns had by then inspired. The attorney general continues to point out, correctly, that it was MDE and the state that initially blew the whistle on FOF and worked with the feds to secure the indictments. Still, MDE leaders acknowledged to the Star Tribune in May that, had they required extensive receipts and other paperwork, they may have been able to end the departments relationship with FOF. Why the decision was made to continue the payments and why stronger state oversight wasnt in place are among the critical unanswered questions in this tangled affair. Minnesotans deserve answers to those questions  and accurate, clear communication from their elected officials.

There is much more that could be said, but I will leave it at this. In its call for answers to critical questions and for accurate, clear communications, the Star Tribune should be invited to look in the damned mirror.
The Nigerian government has offered to accommodate identified peculiarities of university workers on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), the payment platform for entitlements of the government employees.

This commitment was made by the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Okolieaboh Sylva, at a meeting of relevant parties involved in the lingering crisis between the government and the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The meeting, which held on Thursday, was facilitated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Also at the meeting were other heads of ministries, departments and agencies of government including the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa; Director General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan.

The new development may have foreclosed the possibility of the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solutions (UTAS) developed and proposed to the government by ASUU.

ASUUs non-academic counterparts- Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and other Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have also presented another alternative, which it tagged University Peculiar Personnel Payroll System (U3PS).

Adoption of UTAS is one of the conditions ASUU said must be met by the federal government before the ongoing more than seven-month-old strike by the union could be suspended.

But the acting AGF said adoption of UTAS as insisted by ASUU would only open floodgate of similar requests by other agencies and departments of government.

Govts position

Mr Sylva said rather than having multiple payment platforms the government is willing to identify the peculiarities of universities including the allowances due the academic staff and accommodate them in the IPPIS.

He said the adoption of more than one payment platform by the government will lead to additional costs.

Mr Sylva added that by accepting UTAS, the government risks getting demands from other MDAs to opt out of the platform.

READ ALSO:

Let us sit down and know what these issues are and address them inside IPPIS. We can correct whatever mistake we make now,  he said.

If we accept what ASUU is saying, it will create room for everyone to be asking for their own payment platform, the military is on IPPIS and health workers, ASUU should sit down with us and see the progress we have made.

He said his office is willing to adopt the peculiarities to resolve the lingering dispute with ASUU. Let ASUU come to us, we are willing to accept. If we are going to adopt UTAS, that shows we are going to build the salaries of other civil servants to UTAS.

ASUU rejects offer

However, ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, said this was not the first time the government was making a promise of looking into the issues and yet failed.

Quoting the University Miscellaneous Act, ASUU insisted on the autonomy of the university and rejected payment of salaries through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

Mr Osodeke also queried NITDAs refusal to make available the report of the last test conducted on UTAS. He insisted that the report must be made available for the union to study.

He said: We have two options. Use the one we have developed. Is there any other country in the world where the salaries of universities are paid by the office of accountant general? No country in the world will harvest the data of their university lecturers and give it to a foreign company.

The Nigerian people have a law that says that the universities are autonomous. What we want is real accountability. Allow the universities to operate on the basis of the laws of the country.

Circulars should not dictate what goes on in the university system. Its this perception that the universities are corrupt and cannot manage themselves that has put us into this problem.

Until we see the report and our committee goes through it, we cannot talk. Why did you send the first two to us and refused to send the last one?, Mr Osedeke queried NITDA.

Govts earlier offers

The government had, in the past, agreed to increase the salaries of all university workers by 23.5 per cent and 35 per cent for professors. But ASUU rejected the increase, saying it is way below the recommendations in the renegotiation committee headed by an emeritus professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nimi Briggs.

The committee was constituted by the government to renegotiate the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement after the report of a similar committee set up by the government was not adopted.

Meanwhile, the government has also promised to capture N170 billion for revitalisation and N50 billion for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) in the 2023 budget and release the funds in 2023.

But ASUU has also rejected the offer.

Gbajabiamila appeals to ASUU

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has appealed to the lecturers union to suspend the strike for the sake of the students.

He also promised to see to the implementation of the outcome of meetings between the lecturers union and government MDAs, assuring that the parliament would be a witness to the agreements.

Mr Gbajabiamilla noted that all the agreements he had with the union in his last meeting are still intact.

He, therefore, appealed to ASUU to cooperate with the MDAs in deciding on the preferred payment platforms.

He also appointed the Chairman, House Community on Education to be a part of the tripartite meeting.

I am happy for the solution on the issue of UTAS. It is no victor, no vanquish: everybody is carried along. And if it is possible to accommodate everything that ASUU wants in UTAS, for me, that is the best way to go, he said.

He added that the report of the meeting will be ready in days for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: Let me just say I believe this would be, hopefully, the last meeting we are going to have on this matter, because from here the leadership of the House will put together our reports, our recommendations and our thoughts, and take it to Mr President. I am hoping that with whatever we have done, ASUU will at least  this is an independent arm of the government  accept in good faith and, hopefully, the government too will accept in good faith so that our children can go back to school and that is what this is all about.

Background

Three Weeks ago, after the labour and employment minister referred the dispute between the government and ASUU to the industrial court.

ASUU is demanding the implementation of the several agreements it has had with the government. The agreements contained better conditions of service for Nigerian academics, better funding for the university system and the exemption of universities from the IPPIS payment platform.

Last week, the National Industrial Court (NIC) ordered ASUU to suspend the strike when it granted an interlocutory injunction filed by the government.

While ASUU has appealed the court order and applied for a stay of execution, talks have continued with the leadership of the House of Representatives and other key parties.
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) officials have retrieved a day-old baby from a dumpster while evacuating waste in a street in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos State, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this on his verified Twitter handle monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Mr Hundeyin said that at about 10 a.m. on Thursday, LAWMA officials went to the Ikoyi Police Division to file a report on the discovery of the baby.

The officials reported that they were on their routine duty of moving wastes around the Ikoyi area when they discovered the newly born baby wrapped in a polythene bag.

A police team led by the Divisional Crime Officer rushed to the scene.

The baby was rushed to Military Hospital, 81 Division, Dodan Barracks Ikoyi for medical treatment before taking the child to Motherless Baby Home, he said.

The spokesperson said but for the quick detection by the LAWMA officials, the baby would have died.

Mr Hundeyin further said the baby was doing fine, stressing that an investigation into the case has begun.

Infanticide is a crime and punishable, he warned.

NAN reports that Section 327A of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria where a woman by any wilful act or omission causes the death of her child being a child under the age of 12 months, amounts to murder. She is guilty of a felony, to wit of infanticide, and may for such offence be dealt with and punished as if she had been guilty of the offence of manslaughter of the child.

(NAN)
The Police in Lagos have confirmed the arrest of four middle-aged persons, including three women, over an alleged attempt to abduct a 10-year-old girl.

The commands spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on his verified twitter handle monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Mr Hundeyin said the Divisional Police officer in charge of Ketu in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, got a report about the attempted abduction on Wednesday at about 3.00 p.m.

He said the report revealed that three women who were between the ages of 45 and 64, and a 61-year-old man, who claimed to be an estate agent, were suspected to be child abductors.

The reporter (complainant) said that the four suspects accosted her 10 years old daughter along Ikosi Road Ketu.

READ ALSO:

She said the suspects allegedly dispossessed her daughter of her valuables and attempted to abduct and take her to an unknown destination.

In the process, an angry mob who sensed their criminal act challenged and beat them thoroughly, he said.

The police spokesperson said based on the report, a team of policemen was mobilised to the scene and rescued the victim.

Mr Hundeyin said the suspects were taken into protective custody.

He said investigation into the matter had been initiated and was progressing.

(NAN)
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) and promotion of 427 senior police officers.

The Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the commission had also approved the promotion examinations for police officers in line with the Public Service Rules with effect from 2023.

Mr Ani said the decisions were highpoints of the 15th Plenary Meeting of the Commission presided over by its acting Chairman, Clara Ogunbiyi, a retired judge.

He said the newly appointed DIGs were Bello Sadiq, currently, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 1, Kano and Dandaura Mustapha, AIG Zone 4, Makurdi.

Mr Ani said Mr Sadiq was appointed to fill the vacant position of DIG, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).

According to him, Mr Dandaura, whose appointment takes effect from 20 October will be replacing Mr Sadiq who is expected to retire from the service on the said date.

He said the promotion of 12 commissioners of police (CPs) to the next rank of AIG were also approved by the commission.

Mr Ani said the newly promoted CPs were Egbetokun Adeolu, Emienbo.

READ ALSO:

Assayomo, Christiana Cookey, Evelyn Peterside, Eboka Friday, Adesina Soyemi, Asafa Adekunle and Edward Egbuka.

Others are Janet Agbede, Oruebo Daso, Olokode Olawale and Abutu Yaro.

Mr Ani said 57 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) were also promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) while 60 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) were promoted to the rank of ACPs.

He said 286 superintendents of police (Sps) were promoted to CSPs.

The PSC spokesperson said the commission also approved the setting up of an 11-member Police Promotion Examination Board.

He said the board would have a representative of the Nigeria Police Force who must not be below the rank of DIG.

(NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari will address Nigerians on Saturday as the country celebrates 62 years of independence.

Nigeria gained independence from the British in 1960.

President Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said the president will address the country at 7 a.m.

As part of activities commemorating the 62nd Independence Anniversary of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will address the nation on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 7 a.m.

Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast, Mr Adesina wrote in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES.
Mark Gbillah, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Gwer East/Gwer West federal constituency of Benue State, says he has instituted a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for listing him as the candidate of two political parties.

In the list released by INEC on 20 September, Mr Gbillah was listed as a senatorial candidate of the Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party for Benue Northwest (Zone B) senatorial district.

Mr Gbillah, while briefing journalists on Friday at the National Assembly, said INEC erroneously listed him as the candidate of the two parties, despite withdrawing as the candidate of the NNPP as provided by the Electoral Act adding that he subsequently joined the Labour Party, where he participated in a primary election for his senatorial district.

He explained that he has instituted a case against the electoral umpire to address the duplication of his name on the lists of the two parties.

At the briefing, Mr Gbillah provided his resignation letter from the NNPP and his withdrawal as senatorial candidate from the party. Both letters are dated 5 July.

The lawmaker also presented an affidavit he deposed to at the Federal High Court, Abuja, stating his withdrawal as the candidate of the NNPP.

Furthermore, Mr Gbillah provided the report of INEC that monitored the primaries that produced Ako Francis as the candidate of NNPP for the Senatorial District.

Position of the law on withdrawal

The Electoral Act 2022 makes provisions for the withdrawal of a candidate and the conditions for such withdrawal.

Section 31 of the Act provides that a candidate may withdraw his/her candidature by a notice in writing signed by him and delivered personally by the candidate to the political party that nominated him for such election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the commission not later than 90 days to the election.

However, Section 115(1) (d) of the Act provides that any person who signs a nomination paper or result form as a candidate in more than one constituency at the same election commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment.

I remain candidate of LP

Commenting on being a double candidate, Mr Gbillah said he cannot be responsible for the inability of NNPP to replace him as a candidate.

While it is true that INECs publication on 20th September 2022 of the list of National Elections (Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives) candidates for the 2023 general elections indicated my name as the candidate for both Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the Benue North-West Senatorial District Elections, this publication was erroneous and without my knowledge and I have since initiated necessary legal action against INEC and NNPP in order to correct this grievous error which is alleged to have occurred because of NNPPS inability to upload the name of their replacement candidate to the INEC portal within the timeline provided by INEC, he said.

Mr Gbillah disclosed that Labour Party rescheduled senatorial primaries for Benue North-West Senatorial District held on 11th July 2022 where I was returned elected unopposed as the Labour Party candidate for the election.

When contacted via text message, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the spokesperson of INECs Chairman, promised to get the position of INEC across to PREMIUM TIMES but had not done so at the time of filing this report.
Feature: Japan issues commemorative stamps marking 50th anniversary of normalization of Japan-China ties

Xinhua) 13:28, September 30, 2022

Photo taken on Sept. 29, 2022 shows the commemorative stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in Tokyo, Japan. Japan released a set of commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, with pictures of giant pandas eating bamboo surrounded by crimson peonies and pale pink cherry blossoms. Issued by Japan Post, the two stamps share a similar design featuring the ink wash painting style. One stamp shows a picture of a pair of adult giant pandas and the other depicts an adult giant panda with a pair of adorable giant panda cubs. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

TOKYO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Japan released a set of commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, with pictures of giant pandas eating bamboo surrounded by crimson peonies and pale pink cherry blossoms.

Issued by Japan Post, the two stamps share a similar design featuring the ink wash painting style. One stamp shows a picture of a pair of adult giant pandas and the other depicts an adult giant panda with a pair of adorable giant panda cubs.

Akira Tamaki, designer of this set of stamps and chief stamp designer at Japan Post Co. Ltd., introduced his design concept to Xinhua recently.

In September 1972, Japan and China normalized their diplomatic relations, and about a month later, two giant pandas Kang Kang and Lan Lan arrived at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, setting off an unprecedented "panda craze" in Japan, Tamaki said.

Since then, Japan and giant pandas have formed an indissoluble bond, Tamaki said. "It is considered a symbol of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations."

The cultural exchange between Japan and China has a long history, said Tamaki, noting that the ink wash painting applied in the design of this stamp set was originally a representative painting technique in China, and it was later passed on to Japan, where it also gained considerable development.

Nowadays, the ink wash painting has become a common culture between Japan and China, and is very suitable to represent the significant 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic ties, Tamaki said.

Surprisingly, Tamaki, who had never done ink wash paintings before, taught himself from scratch in order to make the stamps. At first, he thought the ink wash painting was not difficult to learn, but soon after, he found it far more complex than he expected, and in fact unendingly miraculous and mysterious.

"There are many kinds of paper both in Japan and China," Tamaki said. "You need to try a lot before identifying the most suitable one. So I bought many different kinds of paper and ink, and observed the ink color and the effusion effect on different papers."

After nearly a thousand tests, Tamaki finally chose Red Star brand paper made in China and ink from Japan's Nara Prefecture.

It took Tamaki four months to finalize the design, and he said all efforts were well worth it. "This set of stamps is a joint work of Chinese paper and Japanese ink, also an epitome of the cultural exchanges between Japan and China."

The commemorative stamps are Tamaki's first Chinese-related work in nearly 30 years of stamp design. Through the design process, he experienced the breadth and depth of the culture nurtured by China and Japan, and no matter how the times change, this common culture between Japan and China will never change, Tamaki said.

"I hope this set of stamps will promote friendship between Japan and China," he added.

Photo taken on Sept. 29, 2022 shows the commemorative stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in Tokyo, Japan. Japan released a set of commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, with pictures of giant pandas eating bamboo surrounded by crimson peonies and pale pink cherry blossoms. Issued by Japan Post, the two stamps share a similar design featuring the ink wash painting style. One stamp shows a picture of a pair of adult giant pandas and the other depicts an adult giant panda with a pair of adorable giant panda cubs. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has lauded the elevation of two of the commissions prosecutors to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) released a list of new 62 SAN-designates to be sworn in in November.

Among them are three lawyers prosecuting for the EFCC.

While two of them  Sylvanus Tahir and Rotimi Oyedepo  are employees of the EFCC, the other, Wahab Shittu, is engaged by the anti-graft agency as a private prosecutor for specific cases.

We are committed to the development of legal practice in Nigeria through our painstaking equipping of our law library and adequate training of our lawyers. The LPPC has taken very informed decisions by the elevation of the two prosecutors. Im positive that many more will still be elevated, Mr Bawa said in a statement by the commissions spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Friday.

Read EFCCs full statement

EFCC PRESS RELEASE.

Bawa Hails Elevation of EFCC Prosecutors for SAN Rank.

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has commended the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPc, for elevating two staff and prosecutors in the EFCC : Sylvanus Tahir and Rotimi Oyedepo to the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

He gave the commendation on Friday, September 30, 2022 while commenting on the decision of the LPPC that approved the elevation of 62 lawyers, including two EFCCs prosecutors, to the rank of SAN. He said that the LPPC acted rightly for recognising the sterling qualities of the two prosecutors, stressing that their elevation was well-deserved.

He particularly expressed delight with the standard of law library in the EFCC, which he described as well-equipped, competitive and second to none.

We are committed to the development of legal practice in Nigeria through our painstaking equipping of our law library and adequate training of our lawyers. The LPPC has taken very informed decisions by the elevation of the two prosecutors. Im positive that many more will still be elevated, he said.

Tahir and Oyedepo, were, on Thursday, September 29, 2022 approved to be elevated to the rank of SAN.

Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajo Bello, in a statement on Thursday, said their elevation was based on a decision reached at the LPPCs 154th plenary session.

According to him, the rank of a senior advocate of Nigeria(SAN) is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics.

The two EFCC prosecutors, alongside 60 others, will be sworn in on Monday, November 21, 2022.

Tahir heads the legal and prosecution unit at the EFCCs corporate headquarters. He is renowned for securing convictions of politically-exposed persons for the EFCC. Resourceful, unassuming and versed in the pyrotechnics of law, he is a well-regarded prosecutor difficult to beat in any trial.

Oyedepo also heads the Chairmans Monitoring Unit in the Lagos Command of the EFCC. A crack prosecutor with shining credentials, his brilliant appearance at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, upheld the constitutionality of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, which now empowers the Commission to confiscate properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Also on the list of the 62 new SANs is a private prosecutor with the EFCC, Mr. Wahab Shittu.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

September 30, 2022
The leadership of the National Assembly on Thursday met with the two ministers in the Finance Ministry, Zainab Ahmed and Clement Agba, and other top officials of the ministry.

The two groups met in preparation for the presentation of the 2023 budget proposals.

Leaders of the National Assembly present at Thursdays meeting were Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

A statement by the Senate Presidents media aide, Ola Awoniyi, said the meeting was a follow-up to previous ones held to fine-tune the preparation of the budget ahead of the presentation to a special joint session of the National Assembly by the President next month.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to present the 2023 budget proposals to a joint session of the National Assembly in October.

Although details of the meeting, which was held behind closed doors, were not disclosed, Ms Ahmed earlier said the federal government will borrow over N11 trillion and sell national assets to finance the budget deficit in 2023.

She also said the governments budget deficit is expected to exceed N12.42 trillion should it keep the petroleum subsidy for the entire 2023 fiscal cycle.

She gave these details at the times she appeared before the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Finance to defend the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

She proposed two options for the lawmakers to consider for the 2023 budget. First, the deficit is projected to be N12.41 trillion in 2023, up from N7.35 trillion budgeted in 2022, representing 196 per cent of total revenue or 5.50 per cent of the estimated GDP. In this option, she said, the government would spend N6.72 trillion on subsidy.

The second option, she explained, involves keeping subsidy till June 2023 and this scenario will take the deficit to N11.30 trillion, which is 5.01 per cent of the estimated GDP. In this option, the PMS subsidy is projected to gulp N3.3 trillion.

Already, the federal government plans to spend N18.6 billion daily on PMS.

The two proposals have budget deficits far above the stipulated threshold in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Russias President Vladimir Putin will today announce the formal annexation of four partially occupied territories of Ukraine in a signing ceremony.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a ceremony to mark the incorporation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia into Russia would take place at 3 p.m. Moscow time (12:00 GMT), Al Jazeera reported.

The annexed territories make up about 15 per cent of Ukraine territory. Russia claimed residents of these areas voted overwhelmingly to join Moscow in a controversial referendum that has been widely condemned.

The referendum creates a legal pretext for Russia to annex parts of Ukraine after seven months of war. Russia deployed the same technique in 2014 when it annexed Crimea.

After the annexation is formally announced, any attempts by Ukraine to reclaim these regions will be interpreted as an attack on Russia.

UN Chief Antonio Gutterres speaking on the annexation said any decision to proceed with the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned.

It cannot be reconciled with the international legal framework, it stands against everything the international community is meant to stand for. It flouts the purposes and principles of the United Nations, he said, describing it as a dangerous escalation which has no place in the modern world and must not be accepted.

Similarly, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted, The United States rejects the illegitimate, fabricated outcomes of Russias sham referenda in Ukraine. This is a violation of international law. We stand in support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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.
A Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, has fixed 4 January for resumption of hearing on the N25 billion fundamental rights suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is challenging his arrest in Kenya by Nigerian security agents and expulsion to Nigeria.

Aloy Ejimakor, Mr Kanus special counsel, who filed the suit in March, on behalf of the IPOB leader, disclosed this in a statement, Thursday.

Mr Kanu is being held by Nigerias secret police, State Security Services (SSS) in Abuja where he is standing trial for terrorism.

Mr Ejimakor said Mr Kanu approached the federal court after a state high court on 19 January declined jurisdiction on grounds that his alleged rendition, being related to extradition, lies within the exclusive jurisdiction of federal court.

This is what informed my decision to initiate the suit before the federal high court, the lawyer said.

The IPOB leader is asking the Federal High Court to declare his arrest, detention and prosecution illegal.

He wants the court to compel the Nigerian government to release and repatriate him to Britain, his country of domicile and citizenship.

READD ALSO:

Mr Kanu told the court that his arrest in Kenya and subsequent trial in Nigeria was an infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The IPOB leader is asking the court to compel the Nigerian government to pay him N25 billion for the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, property and other damages.

He is also asking the court to declare, as unlawful, the military invasion of his home in Abia State in September 2017, and to compel the Nigerian government to tender a public apology to him for the infringement of his fundamental rights.

The respondents in the suit include, the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Army Staff, Brigade Commander,14 Brigade Ohafia, and the Inspector General of Police.

Others are the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, the Director General of the SSS, and the Abia State Director of the SSS.

IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent republic, Biafra, which its wants carved out from Nigerias South-east and parts of South-south.

The group has been accused of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the two regions.

Mr Kanu was previously arrested and released on bail. He jumped bail in 2017.

He was intercepted in Kenya in June, last year, by Nigerian security agents and brought back to Abuja.
The police in Lagos have said that they would not allow any rally to take place at the Lekki Tollgate, along the Lekki-Epe expressway, on 1st October.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement that the information became necessary to enlighten Nigerians who might be planning to converge on the tollgate.

A court of competent jurisdiction has ruled that no person is allowed to converge on the Lekki Tollgate for whatever reason, the statement read.

In conformity with its mandate to protect life and property, the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc will leave no stone unturned in ensuring total compliance with the court order and an emplacement of adequate security in the state.

The warning therefore goes that anyone found flouting the court order or infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The police statement came following an order from a federal high court in Lagos after a group of people filed a suit seeking to stop the supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from holding any rally at the tollgate or elsewhere in Lagos.

Justice Daniel Osiagor ruled that Mr Obis supporters can go ahead with their rally but not at the tollgate.

Premium Times reported how soldiers of the Nigerian Army deployed by the military hierarchy to the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020 opened fire on defenceless protesters, without provocation.

Read the police statement below:

RALLY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT LEKKI TOLL GATE

It has become imperative to reemphasize that no form of rally whatsoever will be allowed at the Lekki Toll gate tomorrow, October 1, 2022.

This emphasis has become necessary to enlighten Nigerians that might be misled into converging on the toll gate.

A court of competent jurisdiction has ruled that no person is allowed to converge on the Lekki Toll gate for whatever reason.

In conformity with its mandate to protect life and property, the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc will leave no stone unturned in ensuring total compliance with the court order and an emplacement of adequate security in the state.

While the Command is not averse to the peoples right to freedom of assembly and association; and expression, the Command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons, especially under the guise of rally or procession.

The warning therefore goes that anyone found flouting the court order or infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, CP Alabi enjoins all peace loving persons to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been strategically deployed to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians at designated rally venues and across the state at large.

SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN

Police Public Relations Officer

Lagos State Command

Ikeja

September 30, 2022.
Several hours after another coup scare in Burkina Faso, the government has yet to provide details.

On Friday morning, heavy gunfire was heard near the main military camp and residential areas of the Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou. A large blast also rang out near the presidential palace.

Several roads in the capital have been cordoned off by officials in uniform and the national television cut off.

Although the whereabouts of former coup leader turned president, Paul Damiba, was not immediately known, a statement from his government on Facebook urged people to remain calm, Al Jazeera reported.

Negotiations are underway to bring back calm and serenity, Al Jazeera quoted a statement attributed to the presidencys spokesperson. The enemy attacking our country only wants division between Burkinabes.

Burkina Faso, in January, experienced a coup that brought Mr Damiba to power.

ALSO READ: Coup fear in Burkina Faso as gunfire rocks capital Ouagadougou

There are suspicions that Fridays incident could be a counter-coup as the shootings occurred on the eve of a demonstration in Bobo-Dioulasso  the countrys second-largest city. The protesters are calling for the departure of Mr Damiba.

Two days ago, Burkina Fasos government announced that at least 11 soldiers were killed and 50 civilians were missing after fighters attacked a 150-vehicle military-escorted convoy taking supplies to a northern town.

In a statement on Tuesday, the government said the assault took place on Monday in the commune of Gaskinde in Soum province, where armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) have escalated attacks and seized territory since 2015.
The Nigerian army says the gunmen terrorising residents of the South-east hide under the cloak of Biafra agitation to commit crimes in the region.

The new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Umar Musa, stated this on Friday when he visited Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State at the Government House, Awka.

This was contained in a statement by the governors spokesperson, Christian Aburime.

Mr Musa, a major-general, took over from Taoreed Lagbaja, also a major-general, who is now the GOC, 1 Mechanised Division, Kaduna.

The new 82 Division GOC whose division superintends over Mr Soludos Anambra, visited to inform the governor of his assumption of duty.

Mr Musa, recently, has also visited Governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Hope Uzodinma of Abia and Imo States respectively.

The GOC will work with the state governors in the South-east which is under the division on security. This explains his recent visits to the governors in the region.

He commended Mr Soludo for his assistance to the security agencies in their battle against gunmen operating in the state.

The GOC said the army was aware of the security situation in the South-east and promised to partner with the governor and other governors in the region to fight the situation.

We discovered that Anambra and Imo (States) are volatile and that gives us serious concern. The issue of (Biafra) agitation is there, but people capitalise on it to commit crime, Mr Musa said.

Mr Musa said he has devoted two months of his stay in the division studying the insecurity in the South-east to fashion out ways of tackling it.

Cases of attacks pose new challenges. I assure you of the total commitment of the Nigerian army, he added.

The GOC said drug abuse was a major contributor to the incidence of crime in the country.

Pay special attention on Anambra-Imo Boundary

Mr Soludo, while welcoming the new GOC, expressed happiness over his visit to the state.

He also congratulated him on his new assignment in the region.

The governor told the new GOC to pay special attention to the Anambra-Imo Boundary, pointing out that the gunmen mostly attack from communities where the state shares boundaries with the other South-east states.

If you cordon off the boundaries between Anambra and Imo in a joint operation, you squeeze and take them (gunmen) out, Mr Soludo said.

The governor reiterated that those behind the insecurity in the South-east are criminals, insisting that the attackers have no nothing to do with Biafra agitation.

Anybody in any camp in Anambra State is a criminal. We consider the person as a kidnapper and we treat the person as such. There is no way light and darkness can co-exist. Without law and order, nothing else will work, he said.

Mr Soludo used the opportunity to commiserate with the new GOC over the killing of soldiers on Wednesday by gunmen in the state and expressed his readiness to partner with the army in tackling insecurity in the state and region.

The Chief of Staff to the governor, Ernest Ezeajughi and Special Adviser to Mr Soludo on security, Ben Chiobi, were among those present at the event.

Background

Like other states in the South-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons across the state.

The attack on the soldiers occurred less than three weeks after gunmen ambushed a Nigerian senators convoy, killing about five persons including two police officers.

The senators convoy was attacked in Enugwu-Ukwu, a community in the Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

A serving lawmaker was also murdered by gunmen in the state.

The attacks, mostly targeted at security officials and government facilities, have been attributed to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra which is agitating for a sovereign state for the Igbo-speaking people in the South-east.
While at first glance, there is an alluring temptation to get carried away and simply applaud the meteoric leaps in learning outcomes, it is equally almost impossible to ignore the unmistakable political correctness framing and delusions about the return of quality education because of the FQSE that characterise this years announcement and indeed many similar education data releases by the minister. It is not unreasonable at all, from looking at the WASSCE highlights, to suspect that considerable efforts go into ensuring that Sengehs data on education portray a carefully scripted narrative.

When Sierra Leone started rolling out a Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme in 2018, I had very little doubts about the formidable social and economic implications of such a major national undertaking. It was not very clear to me how the country could be able to mobilise the massive resources required to pay tuition and composite fees for pupils at all levels of basic and senior secondary schooling without significantly leaving a dent in the delivery of other needed social services.

But whatever doubts I had about the feasibility of successfully delivering a free education programme were matched in almost equal measure by a sense of satisfaction that, at the very least, we were turning the spotlight again on education. I told a colleague then that even though I was not entirely confident that we had the capacity and resources to provide universal quality education, much less for free, it was quite reassuring that education was once again receiving the mainstream attention that it had thoroughly been starved of.

This note of optimism was perhaps driven by instinctive necessity, considering that my concerns and pessimism with the FQSE would be impossible to prove and might forever be  at least for the five- or ten-year tenure of the Bio administration. It seemed highly improbable to me that a government that had relentlessly campaigned on the promise of a free education programme would ever come out to admit that the programme was not proving to be either succeeding or sustainable, even if that was the case. Such a declaration, many would say, might well amount to an act of political suicide. And who would blame them? That is one of the more obvious consequences of blatantly politicising development in a politically toxic environment.

But this incessant and non-negotiable proclivity to prove that things work can certainly get too far. Last week, Sierra Leones minister in charge of the free education programme announced the release of the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results. A four-page analysis of the results, which interestingly included two pages of praise for President Bio and the successes of the FQSE, accompanied that announcement. The document has more resemblance to a political party manifesto than the statistical report that it was supposed to be, a colleague mentioned to me privately. The MIT-trained engineer and Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Moinina David Sengeh, has truly mastered the art of politicking, the Sierra Leonean way, where loyalty to, and public praise for the president, was as important, if not even more, as delivering on performance objectives. He doesnt seem to be bothered, it appears to me, that he, David Sengeh, was losing his professional appeal in the process, he concluded.

But lets not digress. Lets look at the Ministrys analyses of the 2021 WASSCE results. Shall we? Not before we offer our thanks to the minister, however, for his commendable strides in making his work and the Ministry more accessible to the people. Data on education are now generally more widely available and accessible. The minister spends a lot of time engaging the public on his policies and is not too busy to directly have fiery social media exchanges on some of his policies. While I think a lot more could be done, especially in terms of improving data governance and sharing practices or in encouraging more independent, third-party analysis of Sierra Leones education data, I am convinced that some gratitude and appreciation for his hard work, openness, and dedication are in order.

The major highlights of this years results were that two candidates, Skaikay Nasma and Kallon Khadijah, from relatively unknown schools in Kenema, respectively, took the first and second positions. While at first glance, there is an alluring temptation to get carried away and simply applaud the meteoric leaps in learning outcomes, it is equally almost impossible to ignore the unmistakable political correctness framing and delusions about the return of quality education because of the FQSE that characterise this years announcement and indeed many similar education data releases by the minister. It is not unreasonable at all, from looking at the WASSCE highlights, to suspect that considerable efforts go into ensuring that Sengehs data on education portray a carefully scripted narrative. For instance, there appears to be some deliberate and repeated efforts to genderise education data or irrefutably prove the immediate impact of the FQSE. Nothing against girls excelling, but the information that more girls than boys took the WASSSCE exam, that the top candidates are girls, that girls outperformed boys in Mathematics, or that more females obtained university requirements, offer limited data value or utility other than, perhaps, meeting some donor funding benchmarks. Why should it be newsworthy or okay that girls now outperform boys?

Instead of questioning the patriotism of the critic, I think a more useful approach would be to inquire: Why are some people so vehemently critical of the latest WASSCE results? Well, first and foremost, I think the biggest reason is that these numbers and the improvements in learning outcomes that they purport to reflect within three years of the FQSE programme are staggering, surprising, magical, and unbelievable! Worse, these results are incongruous with contextual realities and the lived experiences of many Sierra Leoneans

Another noteworthy metric in this years announcement is the number of students who obtained university admission requirements. The release mentioned that the number of candidates achieving direct university degree programme entry requirements by obtaining five credits including in English Language and/or Mathematics in a single sitting has increased by an amazing 1,781% since 2018. As if thats not intriguing enough, the report further noted that in 2022, more than 108,000 students, or 58% of candidates, obtained university requirements. It added that this figure was higher than the combined number of candidates who had obtained requirements in the previous five years. To add the icing to this years examination miracle cake, 63% of candidates passed English Language, while 90% passed Mathematics, according to the release.

Truly remarkable highlights, right? Everyone should celebrate the accomplishments of these kids and commend the impact of the Free Quality Education Programme. It appears that was precisely what Minister Sengeh expected and has been left sorely despondent that some citizens have expressed concerns that these results seem too good to be true! He has taken to social media to question the love and patriotism of Sierra Leoneans who raise objections about the credibility of these results and says he does not understand that people can be mad that kids are performing better now.

This reaction by the minister is quite characteristic of many of our leaders and it reveals a noteworthy leadership flaw among Sierra Leones political elite  an inability or unwillingness to tolerate critical comments and mould consensus. I like the Canadian psychologist and former University of Toronto professor, Jordan Peterson, a lot. One of my favourites of his twelve rules for life is Rule 9: Assume that the Person You Are Listening to Might Know Something You Dont. It is also this law that many of our leaders appear to have the least difficulty violating or only adhering to when the person they are listening to is saying what they wish to hear.

Instead of questioning the patriotism of the critic, I think a more useful approach would be to inquire: Why are some people so vehemently critical of the latest WASSCE results? Well, first and foremost, I think the biggest reason is that these numbers and the improvements in learning outcomes that they purport to reflect within three years of the FQSE programme are staggering, surprising, magical, and unbelievable! Worse, these results are incongruous with contextual realities and the lived experiences of many Sierra Leoneans.

It is also very difficult to attribute these changes to specific policy redesign, performance trends, or direct technical and/or financial inputs into the education sector. Granted, the free education programme has ramped up investments in education overall, but there is no evidence to suggest that average education spending per child has increased substantially, given the accompanying massive rise in enrolments; or indeed that the increase in government spending has led to an increase in the quality of teaching and learning in senior secondary schools. It also does not seem probable that these dramatic changes could happen in under three years. On the contrary, there is, in fact, sufficient evidence for doubting the credibility and validity of these results, as articulated below.

While it is tempting and perhaps even justifiable to believe that the criticisms are a function of politically motivated malice or envy Now, more than ever, politicians like David Sengeh, who enjoy enormous presidential backing, and considerable public support, and who, all things being equal, project an attitude of genuine concern about effective service delivery, must seek to transcend political inclinations and considerations in their engagements with the public.

At the outset, it is worth mentioning that when this cohort of WASSCE candidates attempted the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2019, only about 46% obtained the requirements for admission into Senior Secondary School. Overall, this cohorts BECE performance was worse than the 2018 cohort before it and, indeed, the 2020 batch that will be taking the WASSCE next year. While the argument can be made that this cohorts WASSCE performance is the fruit of three years of FQSE investments, that argument still fails to justify the massive spike in overall performances or the nearly dramatic improvement in pass rates in subjects like English and Mathematics. How does one explain that a cohort that averaged a 31.3 % pass rate in Mathematics in the 2019 BECE obtained a 90% pass rate in this years WASSCE? How do 9 out of 10 pupils get a pass in a standardised public examination like WASSCE? How did more pupils pass English (63%) and Mathematics (90%) than, say Commerce (11%), for example? Surely, IQ levels do not change substantially in under three years.

How also do these high pass rates  possibly the highest in the countrys WASSCE history  not conflict with the fact that the absence of qualified teachers is highest at the Senior Secondary School level in Sierra Leone? The 2021 National School Census, which the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education recently launched, revealed that nearly 60% of teachers in Senior Secondary Schools are not qualified to teach at that level. This is the highest prevalence of unqualified teachers across all levels. By comparison, only about 34% of the teaching workforce at the Junior Secondary School level are said to be without the right qualifications.

In consideration of these anomalies and the fact that corruption and widespread examination malpractices have become a recurring feature of Sierra Leones education system in the last two decades or so, the conclusion or, more precisely, the suspicion by some Serra Leoneans that these WASSCE numbers defy logic, make meaningful statistical interpretation challenging and are inconsistent with our national realities, seems perfectly reasonable. I am certain that getting disappointed at those who express doubts about the veracity of these results does not constitute the best approach to better understanding these issues. While it is tempting and perhaps even justifiable to believe that the criticisms are a function of politically motivated malice or envy; and while it may be indeed likely that many of the fiercest critics may not be very politically sympathetic to the current government, I think it will be a miscalculation to dismiss the critical concerns raised solely on those grounds. Now, more than ever, politicians like David Sengeh, who enjoy enormous presidential backing, and considerable public support, and who, all things being equal, project an attitude of genuine concern about effective service delivery, must seek to transcend political inclinations and considerations in their engagements with the public.

They must genuinely make attempts to listen to their most avowed critics and assume that there is an off chance that those who firmly articulate critical views might just know something that those in governance do not. In no other endeavour is this necessity for accommodating alternative opinions more imperative than in efforts to address the chronic and systemic integrity issues plaguing Sierra Leones education sector. Combatting academic fraud lies at the very core of the fight for the future and soul of this nation. It is one of our most guaranteed options for changing the fortunes of Sierra Leone. Demanding the highest levels of integrity by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), examiners, pupils, and parents is central to ensuring that the teachers, nurses, doctors, technicians, software engineers, judges, journalists, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and politicians of the new Sierra Leone are competent, trustworthy, productive, and globally competitive.

The window of opportunity to make this change is narrowing. We cannot afford to sacrifice this charge on the altar of political expediency. The time is nigh!

Joel Abdulai Kallon is an engineer, data management consultant, activist, and entrepreneur. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Meraki Analytics, a research and analytics consulting firm based in Sierra Leone.
while Brother Ruto is working for the enslavement and colonisation of the African peoples in Western Sahara, Brother Falana is fighting for their liberation and the complete de-colonisation of the African continent. Time will tell.

His Excellency William Ruto, Kenyas newly minted president, prides himself as the Hustler-in-Chief of the country. He says he is from the Hustler Nation  the informal economy where he used to sell chickens for survival.

However, having a dog-eat-dog street ideology, as he claims, does not preclude a sense of basic human decency. It is indecent and completely un-African for a man to invite a brother to a ceremony, with the latter traveling 6,090 kilometres to rejoice with him, only for the celebrant to announce to the world that the brother he invited, in his view, no longer exists!

That was what Ruto did when President Brahim Ghali of of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), better known as Western Sahara, honoured the Tuesday, 13 September invitation to attend Rutos inauguration.

The next day, when the Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita visited him, Ruto tweeted: At State House in Nairobi, received a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Kenya rescinds its recognition of the SADR and initiates steps to wind down the entitys presence in the country.

The world was stunned because even a man high on substance would not behave that way. Shocked Kenyans were up in arms and Ruto quickly deleted the tweet. An embarrassed Kenyan Foreign Ministry, two days later, issued a statement signed by its Principal Secretary, Ambassador Macharia Kamau, distancing Kenya from its new president and reiterating the countrys commitment to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 690 of 1991 for a fair referendum in Western Sahara. It dismissed Rutos tweet as: Kenya does not conduct its foreign policy on Twitter or any other social media platforms, rather through official government documents and frameworks.

What did the Moroccan monarchy offer or promise Ruto? Was it part of the Western Sahara phosphate and riches it has been using to entice poor African countries and bribe the European Union (EU), until the European Court stepped in?

It is expected that the president of an African country like Kenya, which so courageously fought for liberation and lost over 20,000 liberation fighters, including its symbol, Dedan Kimathi, would value freedom. That Ruto would forget the contributions of Kenya to the decolonisation of the continent and back an African country colonising a sister African country, is a betrayal.

A contrast to President Ruto is the international lawyer, Mr Femi Falana of Nigeria, who is leading various human rights campaigns on the continent, including the right of the African peoples to freedom. A torn in the Moroccan monarchys flesh, he uses advocacy and the courts to advance the rights of the Saharawi people to live in a country free of foreign occupation, rights abuses and discrimination.

He claims to be Kenyas first evangelical Christian president; how come he does not seem to have heard the Biblical injunction: Thou shall not covet your neighbours housenor anything that is your neighbours , as Morocco is doing in Western Sahara?

So, in the first two days of his presidency, Ruto had to swallow his words, but he is likely to try again to subvert the wishes of the Kenyan and African peoples.

Western Sahara was occupied by Spain in 1884 and converted into Spanish Sahara in 1934. The 21st Session of United Nations General Assembly on 20 December, 1966 declared the inalienable right of the peoples of Ifni and Spanish Sahara to self-determination. It therefore asked Spain to conduct a referendum that would allow the Saharawi exercise their right to self-determination.

On 20 August, 1974, Spain announced that it was going to abide by the UNs decision by holding the referendum. On 16 October, 1975, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based on the request by the UN, ruled that there is no legal link or territorial supremacy binding Western Sahara with either Morocco or Mauritania. Spain, on 14 November, 1975, decided to abandon Western Sahara, including exhuming Spanish corpses from its cemeteries.

With Spain fleeing, Western Sahara got its independence. However, on 14 April, 1976, its neighbours, Morocco and Mauritania, invaded the new country and shared it. The Saharawi fought back through the POLISARIO Liberation Front. But while Mauritania later abandoned its own share of the loot, Morocco continues to hold on to its own. In 1984, the Organisation African Unity (OAU), based on the recognition of most African countries, admitted Western Sahara as a full member. In reaction, Morocco left the OAU.

A contrast to President Ruto is the international lawyer, Mr Femi Falana of Nigeria, who is leading various human rights campaigns on the continent, including the right of the African peoples to freedom. A torn in the Moroccan monarchys flesh, he uses advocacy and the courts to advance the rights of the Saharawi people to live in a country free of foreign occupation, rights abuses and discrimination.

One of the most famous cases he was involved in was that of Western Sahara icon, Madame Aminatou Haidar, who had visited Nigeria and the United States in 2009 but was prevented from re-entering Morocco on her way home in occupied Western Sahara. Morocco, which claims the Saharawi are Moroccan nationals, seized her passport and exiled her to the Canary Islands, Spain, effectively making her a stateless person.

At that press conference, Falana vowed to take all necessary steps at the level of the statutory bodies of Africa and the UN, to win respect for the rights of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and also to guarantee for its activists and lawyers the freedom of movement and the peaceful expression of opinions and political beliefs.

She refused to leave the Lanzarote Airport, insisting she must be returned to Morocco and allowed to travel to her beloved Western Sahara. Falana mounted a legal defence for her and as the then President of the West African Bar Association (WABA), flew out to the Canary Islands to offer Haidar, who was on hunger strike, solidarity and legal services.

In a joint press conference he held with her, Falana warned that: African lawyers cannot ignore the enormity of the crimes committed by the Moroccan authorities against Sahrawi civilians. The international campaigns became an embarrassment and the Moroccan monarchy buckled and allowed Haidar return home.

At that press conference, Falana vowed to take all necessary steps at the level of the statutory bodies of Africa and the UN, to win respect for the rights of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and also to guarantee for its activists and lawyers the freedom of movement and the peaceful expression of opinions and political beliefs.

In September, thirteen years later, Falana fulfilled part of that vow when he successfully sued six African countries: Burkina Faso, Cote DIvoire, Ghana, Mali, Malawi and Tanzania at the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights in Arusha, Tanzania. The court, ruling in Falanas favour, held that the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara is a serious violation of the right to self-determination (and) all states have legal obligations to assist the Sahrawi people in the full realisation of their right to self-determination and independence. As such, African countries should not have admitted Morocco into the African Union.

The African court also declared that the presence of Moroccan forces in Western Sahara is a military occupation, which violates international law.

So, while Brother Ruto is working for the enslavement and colonisation of the African peoples in Western Sahara, Brother Falana is fighting for their liberation and the complete de-colonisation of the African continent. Time will tell.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.
QUITO, Ecuador, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the framework of World Tourism Day, the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador, Niels Olsen, officially presented the Digital Nomads campaign, in order to strengthen the Nomad Visa modality that has been in force since April this year.

Through this initiative, the Country of the Four Worlds opens its doors to digital nomads and/or teleworkers for two years to enjoy fascinating landscapes, comfortable and modern infrastructure as well as to be connected with an innovative business community while working remotely for foreign companies or their own.

At the event, Niels Olsen described the management undertaken since May 2021 and highlighted the figures that show the reactivation of the industry in the country. In addition, recognition was given to the creators of high-quality digital content who applied for the Ecuador Film Residency programme, presented in June this year.

Minister Olsen explained that in order to apply for the Nomad Visa, those interested must have a valid passport, a police record, proof of foreign source income of at least three basic unified salaries, medical insurance, and pay the processing fee of 460 dollars.

This is one of the country's international promotion strategies in addition to the Ecuador Film Residency programme. The programme was launched in June 2022 and in 54 days alone received more than 450 applications from content creators interested in participating and promoting the experiences that Ecuador has to offer.

With coordinated and joint work, the National Government continues to promote Ecuador to the world in order to increase the arrival of travellers who contribute more resources to the national economy, on the right path to reactivation.

To learn more about the Nomad Visa, go to:

https://ecuador.travel/es/nomad-visa/

Ecuador Film Residency

Ecuador Film Residency is a program that opens the doors of the amazing country to filmmakers, content creators and influencers so that they can travel around Ecuador, record their best experiences in photographs, videos and journalistic material. During its first edition the country received more than 450 applications to the program, from locals and from the United States, Europe and Latin American countries, such as Chile, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, among others.

Head of the Campaign: Rodolfo Milesi, Founder at Branding Latin America.

Email: rmilesi@brandinglatinamerica.com

SOURCE Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador
ZUG, SWITZERLAND, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The BSV Blockchain Association is excited to announce that it will be hosting a VIP Reception event in Ras Al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.

The event will take place on 8 October 2022 at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa and will feature an exclusive invite-only guest list. This includes members of the Royal Family, C-level executives and select members of the media.

The event will feature an evening of talks and panels from global industry experts. Attendees can also expect one-on-one sessions to learn more about BSV and find out more about its use cases of Blockchain in their domains.

Some of the notable guests who are scheduled to speak at the event include:

Muhammad Salman Anjum, BSV MENA Hub Lead and Chief Mate of InvoiceMate said:

'The BSV Hub for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia is working on several blockchain education and implementation projects to drive innovation in the UAE.

This event will include the rolling out of training programme in the Ras Al Khaimah to orient government decision makers and educate local developers and entrepreneurs on the capabilities of the BSV blockchain  an initiative that has already received great interest in the country.'

About the BSV Blockchain Association

The BSV Blockchain Association is a non-profit association (Verein) in Switzerland, and the global industry organization which advances Bitcoin SV (BSV). It brings together enterprises, start-up ventures, developers, merchants, exchanges, service providers, blockchain transaction processors (miners), and others in the BSV ecosystem. The Association supports the BSV blockchain as the original Bitcoin, with a stable protocol and massive scaling roadmap to become the world's new money and global blockchain for enterprise. The organization seeks to build a regulation-friendly ecosystem that fosters lawful conduct while encouraging digital currency and blockchain innovation.

Lightning Sharks on behalf of the BSV Blockchain Association

Key contact: Haris Khan, PR, and Media Manager

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +44 (0) 7503 581 563

SOURCE BSV Blockchain Association
Building Materials Supplier Spreads Early Holiday Spirit by Gifting 40,000 Meals to Local Asheville Charity

EIGHTY FOUR, Pa., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 84 Lumber, the nation's largest privately held building materials supplier, has donated $10,000 to the Asheville based MANNA FoodBank to shine a spotlight on Hunger Awareness Month. As the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which is being harvested from nearby Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina, 84 Lumber has delivered an early Christmas gift to MANNA FoodBank, located in Asheville, North Carolina.

From left to right: Lorie Lewis Stroup, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service; Ryan Adair, Store Manager, 84 Lumber; Olivia Onderlinde, Corporate Engagement Manager, MANNA FoodBank; Cathy Dowd, Public Affairs Officer, Forest Service, National Forests in North Carolina; Judy Dinelle, Building Ambassador, 84 Lumber

Every year since 1964, a different national forest has been selected to provide a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The name 'People's Tree' reflects the nickname for the U.S. House of Representatives, the People's House. The 2022 tree will come from the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville, and 84 Lumber will be among those tracking the tree's journey from North Carolina to Washington, D.C.

On September 29th, 84 Lumber Asheville Store Manager, Ryan Adair presented the MANNA FoodBank with a $10,000 check just in time for the holiday season. "As a presenting sponsor of the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, 84 Lumber is honored to bring an early Christmas gift to the Asheville community," said Ryan Adair. "We are excited that this donation will serve many people right here in our neighborhood, especially around the holiday season."

MANNA FoodBank is a private, not-for-profit service organization working to end food insecurity in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. MANNA links the food industry to over 200 partner pantries and other human service organizations to get food to thousands of families' tables. MANNA is an acronym and stands for Mountain Area Nutritional Needs Alliance and is a member of Feeding America [feedingamerica.org], the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization.

Officials with MANNA say this time of year is a particularly tough time for families struggling to get by. "This is the time of year where most nonprofits see an increase in needs for local families and we are grateful for partners like 84 Lumber," said Olivia Onderlinde, Corporate Engagement Manager at MANNA FoodBank. "This generous gift will provide 40,000 meals ahead of holiday need."

For related news, events, and tour information, and to track the tree on the journey to D.C., visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com. To learn more about 84 Lumber, visit www.84lumber.com.

About MANNA FoodBank: MANNA FoodBank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Western North Carolina since 1983. As an accredited member of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization, the mission of MANNA FoodBank is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. MANNA serves over 250 community-based non-profit food assistance partner agencies in 16 Western North Carolina counties, including the Qualla Boundary, and distributed 18.6 million pounds of food in 2021/2022. MANNA is a nonpartisan organization committed to sharing facts and information about issues related to hunger in Western North Carolina and how they affect those we serve. For more information, visit MANNAFoodbank.org, or call 828-299-FOOD.

About the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 50-year tradition in which one of our 155 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners including non-profit Choose Outdoors along with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America. For a list of 2022 sponsors and to join in the Christmas spirit, visit uscapitolchristmastree.com and @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT 84 LUMBER

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, 84 Lumber Company is the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single- and multi-family residences and commercial buildings. The company operates more than 250 stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, custom millwork shops and engineered wood product centers in over 30 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking and drywall. A certified national women's business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy Knox, 84 Lumber has held a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing companies for several years in a row. For more information, visit 84lumber.com or join the company on your favorite social media platform.

SOURCE 84 Lumber
Astyra Corporation received a Richmond BizSense award for being one of Richmond's fastest growing companies.

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Astyra Corporation was honored at a reception held by Richmond BizSense for Richmond's fastest growing companies. The award known as The RVA 25 celebrates the top 25 fastest growing companies in the city. Astyra's 72.6% growth rate earned the recognition for the annual award. Last month, Astyra was also named one of Inc. 5000's top private companies for the 6th time.

"We have received several pieces of national recognition this year. It's nice to get a hometown honor as well!" says CEO Ken Ampy.

Astyra Corporation is headquartered downtown Richmond and has served the city since 1997. Astyra specializes in Information Technology, Healthcare, Professional Services, and Call Center staffing. Astyra Corporation provides top talent to help companies transform their technological and professional needs into driven business results. So far this year, Astyra has staffed more than 300 people nationally.

"Many Richmond companies were honored this evening for incredible achievements surrounding their growth during a worldwide pandemic, and I was thrilled to be able to accept the award for Astyra!" states Senior Account Manager Brenna Biggs. Brenna had the honor to attend the RVA 25 award reception on behalf of Astyra.

Earlier this month, Astyra celebrated their 25th year anniversary with a reception at The Overlook at ChildSavers. The outdoor venue captured the night with views of the beautiful Richmond city skyline. "When I see the word 'Astyra', I think of the word 'access'. Access to jobs," Senator Tim Kaine said during his celebratory speech about the company. Other guest speakers at the event included Mayor Levar Stoney, CEO of the Metro Business League Floyd Miller, and close friend Bill Cooper.

Results of The RVA 25 can be found at https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/09/20/rva-25-unveiled-see-which-company-posted-15000-percent-growth/.

About Astyra

Established in 1997, Astyra Corporation is an award-winning staffing and consulting firm located in Richmond, Virginia. They are experts in matching high skilled consultants to innovative business solutions. Their high-profile clients range from government agencies and financial institutions to major systems integrators. For more information, visit https://astyra.com/about-us/.

SOURCE Astyra Corporation
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS WHY THE ELDERY ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BECOMING VICTIMS OF FRAUD

SYDNEY, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Having been in the industry for over 20 years, Interstate removalists Sydney A2Z have continually lead the way in making the moving experience for 100's of senior citizens as seamless as possible. Through this experience Interstate removalists Sydney are also aware of the problems faced by the senior population, especially in relation to scam tactics being used to try defraud them.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the vulnerable elderly population being the targets of scammers looking to prey upon those weak, impressionable, and defenceless. The elderly may have greater wealth due to years of hard work and savings, which is a lucrative attraction for fraudsters. As the senior population continues to grow, it's crucial to bring to light the warning signs, the impact of fraud, and more importantly how to prevent being taken advantage of.

Dr. Lichtenberg, the Wayne State psychologist who studies capacity for financial decision-making, says he has data showing 20% of older people admit when they do talk about money with others, it's out of loneliness and because they want to talk to someone, even though it could be a potential scammer.

Scammers are proficient when it comes to stealing money and personal information. Interstate Removalists Sydney insist that it's essential to discontinue all contact with any individual believed to be a scammer and report the scam immediately.

Interstate Removalists Sydney A2Z suggests having a relative or close friend source several reputable moving companies to help filter out the good from the not so good. This person can opt to give their email address to receive quotes and other information on the elder's behalf, and this will also allow them to thoroughly check over the details before committing to a booking.

If an elder does provide their email address to a company, Interstate Removalist Sydney A2Z suggest they forward any emails received to a relative or friend to evaluate, and to always be aware of any suspicious email attachments or links.

If the senior citizen does not have any relatives or close friends to assist, Interstate Removalists Sydney A2Z suggest a real estate agency be involved in the process, with the senior citizen advising the agency to make inquiries and book a removalist on their behalf.

Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can go wrong and there are times that even the most diligent can become a victim of a scam.

When reporting any type of senior scam, as much information as possible should be provided to the police and financial institutions. Interstate Removalists Sydney advises including as many of the following details as possible:

The scammer's company's name

How the scammer communicated with you

Dates and times the scammer was in contact with you

Email addresses, phone numbers, websites, and mailing addresses of the scammer

Methods of payment

Abuse of the elderly is, at its foundation, lack of social support. The remedy is social support. It's possible that the best way to help vulnerable senior citizens is just to be there, to be present in their lives not constantly, but for them to know someone is there.

About City Removalist

It's hard to believe they started out over 20 years ago when one man purchased his first removalist truck. Fast forward to today and their fleet of over 45 trucks move entire households and offices across eastern Australia within 48 hours. They know the city of Sydney and its surrounding suburbs better than most as they have served not only Sydney, but Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, and Melbourne for over 20 years with quality service, professionalism, fairness, and integrity.

For more information, find us on google maps https://g.co/kgs/Cz6ajY or via our website https://www.interstateremovalistssydneya2z.com.au/ call on 1300 441 331 and our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist you.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1877040/Logo.jpg

SOURCE Interstate removalists sydney A2Z
OSLO, Norway, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited (the "Company") advises that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Company was held on September 30, 2022 at 09:00 ADT at 2nd Floor, The S.E. Pearman Building, 9 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. The audited consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021 were presented to the Meeting.

The following resolutions were passed:

To set the maximum number of Directors of the Company to be not more than seven. That the vacancies in the number of Directors be designated as casual vacancies and that the Board of Directors be authorized to fill such vacancies as and when it deems fit. To re-elect Tor Olav Trim as a Director of the Company. To re-elect Alexandra Kate Blankenship as a Director of the Company. To re-elect Neil J. Glass as a Director of the Company. To re-elect Mi Hong Yoon as a Director of the Company. To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors and to authorize the Directors to determine their remuneration. To approve remuneration of the Company's Board of Directors of a total amount of fees not to exceed US$1,200,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022 .

Hamilton, Bermuda

September 30, 2022

Contact:

Magnus Vaaler, Chief Financial Officer

+44 1224 289200

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/borr-drilling-limited/r/borr-drilling-limited--2022-agm-results-notification,c3640708

SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited
Wayne Mitchell, owner of two Caring Senior Service locations in Northern Virginia, helps pen answers to some common individualized senior care preparation questions

GAINESVILLE, Va., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Caring Senior Service, a non-medical home care company with more than 50 locations throughout the United States, today announced that one of its business owners has authored a chapter in an upcoming National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC) book offering answers to common questions older Americans face when making aging-related plans.

Wayne Mitchell, owner of two Caring Senior Service locations in Northern Virginia, is the author of a chapter in a new National Aging in Place Council book that answers common questions about how to plan care as people age.

"It's an honor to be chosen to participate in this endeavor," said Wayne Mitchell, who owns Caring Senior Service locations in Gainesville and Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was asked to write a chapter in the upcoming book as a member of NAIPC's board of directors. "This is an important conversation we should all be having with our loved ones, whether we are the person who plans to age-in-place or are the adult child of older parents. More and more people are planning to stay in their own homes longer and need to make decisions about their long-term plans."

The book, entitled, "Aging in Place Conversations: What Industry Experts Have to Say," was released Sept. 29.

"We are thrilled Wayne was invited to share his experiences working in the aging industry on a national level," said Caring Senior Service founder and CEO Jeff Salter. "Americans often want to delay aging, so we put off discussions of future plans. This can lead to problems in the long run when the children of aging parents have to make sudden decisions that might not be what their parents want. The questions Wayne answers in his chapter are something we have needed to address for a long time in this industry. We're glad to see this book come to fruition."

Mitchell started his healthcare career as a paramedic before transitioning to corporate America for 30 years. He became interested in the senior care industry after experiencing difficulties finding care for his own parents. This helped him understand the life-changing stages seniors go through and gave him the desire to expand care to seniors in his community.

"As our population continues to age, we have a set of questions ahead of us that need to be addressed in order to provide the right answers," Mitchell said. "This book does some of the homework for us. I'm proud I could share the answers to questions I had when I first started this journey so that others can learn from my experiences."

About Caring Senior Service

Caring Senior Service is a non-medical home care services company based in San Antonio, Texas. Founded by CEO Jeff Salter in 1991, the company provides assistance to seniors, the disabled population and any adult who may need help with the tasks of everyday living such as bathing, running errands and preparing food. After adding locations throughout Texas in the 1990s, the company extended its reach through franchising in 2002. It now boasts more than 50 locations throughout the U.S. Its non-profit "Close the Gap in Senior Care" began in 2021 to raise awareness of the overlooked and underserved aspects of senior care. This program was launched when Salter rode an electric bike more than 9,000 miles to each Caring Senior Service location nationwide to raise awareness of home modifications needed to avoid fall risks among the senior population. For more information on Caring Senior Service, please visit their website at https://www.caringseniorservice.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Caring Senior Service
Australian writer of Turkish Cypriot descent continues her rise to the top

MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Filiz Behaettin is fast emerging as one of Australia's most well-known writers of Turkish Cypriot descent to reach the international stage, with the success of her new book "Elevate: The practical guide to living your best life and succeeding," a book designed to assist readers in uncovering their full potential and reaching the goals they never thought possible.

New book release 'Elevate: The practical guide to living your best life & succeeding'

With her debut self-help book and previous books available in nearly every continent in the world, it is not only her books that are getting recognition but also her cultural heritage. Filiz is the daughter of Turkish Cypriot immigrants, a community well-known for their kind hospitality and delicious foods but not often seen in the literary world.

The rise of her profile in the literary world has made Filiz one of the first Australian writers of Turkish Cypriot descent to reach all corners of the globe and establish herself as an advocate and emerging leader not only for her own community but also for cultural diversity in general.

"It brings us great joy to see the success of Filiz, not only for our own family but for our entire community," her family states. "We came to Australia with not much and didn't know what to expect when we arrived."

As the success of her books and work continues, it is no doubt that Filiz may be on her way to becoming one of Australia's notable literary exports. Her new book, "Elevate: The practical guide to living your best life and succeeding," is available at most bookstores, including Barnes and Noble and Book Depository.

Media Contact:

Filiz Behaettin

0433 542 319

[email protected]

SOURCE Filiz Behaettin
More than 10,000 crew members in position to respond to power outages.

Extensive damage from high winds, heavy rain and flooding could result in multiday outages.

Customers urged to focus on safety as the storm approaches.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With Hurricane Ian's imminent landfall expected along South Carolina's coast, Duke Energy is prepared and urges customers to ready themselves, as well.

"We care about the safety of our customers, crews and employees during and after every storm event," said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy's Carolinas storm director. "We're trained and prepared, and we want to ensure our customers are safe and ready for any impacts from the storm. Right now, our main concerns are high winds and heavy rain."

Because Duke Energy provides energy service beyond the Carolinas, and is part of the Southeastern Electric Exchange, the company has the ability to request resources from other areas not affected by the storm's path.

Duke Energy has nearly 10,000 crew members ready to respond; more than 6,100 of those are line technicians. Crew members, contractors, tree specialists and other personnel are being staged across North Carolina and South Carolina. Placing crews near areas that will likely be affected by this system allows for the quickest and safest response after the storm passes and conditions are safe.

The company is closely monitoring the weather system, which strengthened into a hurricane overnight and is likely to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds and localized flooding across Duke Energy's service area in the Carolinas.

Customers should prepare for the potential of multiday power outages. When outages occur, Duke Energy is committed to restoring power as safely and quickly as possible, while keeping customers informed throughout the process. Line technicians do not perform elevated work in bucket trucks when winds (sustained or gusts) are above 30 miles per hour.

Power restoration process

Once the storm passes and conditions are safe, Duke Energy will begin assessing damage and restoring outages. The company restores power in a sequence starting with public health and safety facilities and equipment that restores the greatest number of customers. Click here for information on how Duke Energy restores power.

Customers who experience a power outage can report it the following ways:

Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).

to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply). Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.

Use the Duke Energy mobile app (download the Duke Energy app on your smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play).

Call Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting system: 800.228.8485.

Duke Energy recommends customers double-check their readiness for possible power outages and offers the following tips to help you and your family stay safe if the power goes out:

Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.

If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm strikes.



Keep a portable radio or TV or a NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and local officials.



Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of the storm to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged as well.



Maintain a plan to move family members  especially those with special needs  to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs, or evacuation is required.



Customers should stay tuned to local news for the latest advisories from the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center (NHC), as well as state and local emergency management officials.

For a hurricane kit checklist and important safety information, visit www.ready.gov. In addition, tips on what to do before, during and after a storm can be found in the Storm Center at duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety. A checklist serves as a helpful guide, but it's critical before, during and after a storm to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency management officials in your area.

High water on Duke Energy lakes

Duke Energy continues to move water through its river systems to prepare for rainfall and runoff.

Individuals who live along lakes and rivers and in flood-prone areas should pay close attention to local media and weather forecasts for changes in weather conditions and rising water levels. Duke Energy also encourages those residents to follow instructions from local emergency officials.

Real-time lake level information is available at www.duke-energy.com/community/lakes, by calling 800.829.5253 or on the Duke Energy Lake View mobile app.

High-water safety reminders

High-water conditions can create navigational hazards, and the public should use caution and adhere to the advice of local emergency management officials before going on area lakes or rivers.

If rising water threatens your home  or if you evacuate your home  turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.

Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over  and don't stand near  downed power lines.

Downed lines will be hard to see in the rain and can potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.

If your home or business is flooded, Duke Energy cannot reconnect power until the electrical system has been inspected by a licensed electrician. If there is damage, an electrician will need to make repairs and obtain verification from your local building inspection authority before power can be restored.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Jeff Brooks (Carolinas Media inquiries)

Media line: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DE_JeffB

SOURCE Duke Energy
SHANGHAI, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerging as a discipline in the early twentieth century, comparative education serves to scrutinize various education systems, such as those of different nations, through a comparative lens. However, scholars note that an "exclusively national" view of comparative education studies has become outdated. Instead of borrowing or linear comparison, there has never been a better time than the present to re-examine our educational systems, policies, and practices, looking into the complexity and tensions associated with our social and educational reality caused by the global-national-local impacts.

The new special issue of the ECNU Review of Education titled "Comparative Research on Teacher education in China, Canada, and Beyond" consists of research articles by scholars from Canada and China that yield a comparative perspective on teacher education in the two nations and beyond | By Carol (vanhookc) of License type: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

China has witnessed a remarkable development in its national education system. This has been made possible, in part, thanks to the nation's formal educational collaboration with Canada. This partnership started shortly after the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1970. The Government of Canada offered several monetary grants towards education and programs which helped Chinese students and scholars rebuild China's teaching and research infrastructure in higher education.

In recognition of the changing landscape of comparative education studies and the bilateral communication and collaboration on education between China and Canada, the new special issue of the ECNU Review of Education titled "Comparative Research on Teacher education in China, Canada, and Beyond" publishes 11 thought-provoking and well-researched articles by scholars from Canada and China.

In the first article, Dr. Zhou and his team examine how an exchange program between Chinese and Canadian universities impacted Chinese science teacher candidates' understanding of science education. The exchange led to a modified relationship in the classroom environment between teachers and students. These cross-cultural learnings from exchange students would then enable policymakers to add on to the development of an enhanced learning process.

In another article, Dr. Guo and her co-author explore different forms of racism and exclusion in international teacher programs. Through a collection of data from public documents, surveys and interviews, researchers have broken the myth of social inclusion in international societies. Shedding light on this discrimination, the authors suggest the decolonization of curriculum and internationalization of teacher educators for a more inclusive education system.

The link between neoliberalism and economic sanctions towards education has not quite been explored before. This article by Dr. Hwami explores how these sanctions adversely impact education. International economic sanctions are deemed as "neoliberalism's instrument of coercion" and a weapon to impose Western values on other countries which hold different views on the free market system. It aims to create a homogenous educational policy framework that gives no space to diversity, which has created a crisis in pedagogy. The article calls upon academics to fulfil their duties, defending critical scholarship.

Self-assessment by teachers is an effective way of improving the quality of teaching. Dr. Pang examines how teachers self-assessed their work with a given set of strategies in this article. Another article by Dr. Shen and colleagues explore the roles of teacher-research officers in mainland China to understand how they contribute to the education system.

"We hope that we have presented a thoughtful and stimulating collection and look forward to more solid theoretical and/or empirical research on comparative and international education" says Dr. Zheng, the author of this issue's editorial.

Due to be released in September 2022, this special issue promises to yield a fresh perspective on comparative education in a transnational context.

For more information on this special issue, watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAEtXsHm8is)

Reference

Title of original paper: Teacher Education in China, Canada, and Beyond: From Comparativeness to Modernity

Journal: ECNU Review of Education

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20965311221115747

Media contact:

Li You

[email protected]

+86 (21) 62224545

SOURCE ECNU Review of Education
August's buyer foot traffic is down slightly from July across the U.S., according to the latest data from ShowingTime

Home showing activity across the U.S. continues to normalize, with a 12.2% year-over-year decline in buyer traffic in August.

The Western region broke its six-month streak of monthly drops in showing traffic, with August seeing a 4.3% increase over July.

Even amid buyer pullback, showings remain above pre-pandemic levels, and the number of markets with monthly increases rebounded in August.

CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's decline in home showing traffic began leveling off in August, according to the latest data from the ShowingTime Showing Index.1

Home showing traffic is returning to earth in line with the market's rebalancing from the record-breaking highs brought on by the pandemic. Obstacles to affordability have meant less competition and more homes for sale, giving home shoppers more time and options.

The West and Northeast regions experienced slight pickups in showing activity with the first month-over-month increases since January and April, respectively. The South and Midwest regions each saw small monthly decreases in August.

A majority of listings averaged between four and nine showings. Burlington, Vermont, again led all markets in showings per listing with an average of 12.2 and was the only market to crack double digits. More than 70 markets analyzed saw year-over-year increases in the ratio of showings per listing, compared to only four markets in July.

"The more moderate pace at which home showings are slowing down and the increase in markets that saw more showings per listing this month are signs that the market may be starting to find a new balance," said Mike Lane, vice president of sales and industry for ShowingTime+ . "Buyers will continue to see less competition for homes and have more time to tour homes they like and consider their options."

Metropolitan Area Ratio of Showings to Listings[2] Year-Over-Year Change[3] Month-Over-Month Change[4] Atlanta, GA 6.24 -33 % -4 % Austin, TX 4.19 -45 % -3 % Boston, MA 7.53 -11 % 1 % Burlington, VT 12.16 5 % 0 % Chicago, IL 7.04 -6 % -2 % Cincinnati, OH 7.73 0 % 1 % Columbus, OH 7.85 -9 % 0 % Denver, CO 7.59 -40 % 3 % Houston, TX 6.66 -22 % -4 % Kansas City, MO/KS 8.09 -13 % -6 % Las Vegas, NV 2.98 -36 % -2 % Los Angeles, CA 4.40 -33 % 3 % Memphis, TN 6.96 -36 % -6 % MiamiFort Lauderdale, FL 7.77 -32 % -1 % MinneapolisSt. Paul, MN 6.75 -14 % -2 % Nashville, TN 6.48 -33 % -3 % Philadelphia, PA 7.91 -12 % -3 % Phoenix, AZ 5.35 -43 % 3 % Portland, OR 6.55 % -29 % 2 % Raleigh, NC 6.80 -33 % -1 % St. Louis, MO 7.64 1 % -1 % San Francisco, CA 3.28 -27 % 12 % Seattle, WA 8.15 -40 % 7 % Virginia Beach, VA 8.06 -15 % -7 % Washington, DC 8.18 -15 % -2 %

About ShowingTime

ShowingTime is an industry leader in home touring technology and part of the ShowingTime+ technology suite. ShowingTime+ is a Zillow Group, Inc. brand. ShowingTime's technology and services simplify the tour scheduling process for buyers, sellers and agents across the industry. ShowingTime products are used in hundreds of MLSs representing more than 1 million real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada.

CONTACT:

Barbara Wagner

Barbara Wagner Communications

(917) 751-4387

[email protected]

Elana Bodow

Barbara Wagner Communications

(315) 440-7554

[email protected]

1 The ShowingTime Showing Index is compiled using data from more than 6 million property showings scheduled across the country each month on listings using ShowingTime products and services. It tracks the average number of appointments received on active listings during the month, then reports the numbers by region and nationally.

2 Calculated using the average number of buyer showings per active listing on a monthly basis. July 2022.

3 August 2021  August 2022

4 July 2022  August 2022

SOURCE ShowingTime
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, will be traveling to Silicon Valley and visiting Plug and Play, a global innovation platform with offices throughout Europe, on Oct. 5. Also known as Europe's "Secretary of Innovation," Commissioner Gabriel will present the New European Innovation Agenda and meet with the world's top tech leaders and startup venture capitalists.

"We're excited to have Commissioner Gabriel visit our headquarters and be immersed in the innovation hub that is Silicon Valley to discuss the New European Innovation Agenda. Our offices in Europe will benefit from this new strategy as we continue to seek new ways to innovate European communities and economies with our global programs," said Seena Amidi, Director at Plug and Play Europe.

Mariya Gabriel is driving the design and implementation of the new European strategy for international cooperation, a Global Approach to R&I cooperation, and the New European Innovation Agenda focused on building a pan-European Innovation Ecosystem which was announced this past July.

The goal of the New European Innovation Agenda is to position the EU as a global powerhouse for deep tech innovation and startups. Commissioner Gabriel's visit will be focused on gathering better insights into how startups are disrupting sectors such as energy, agriculture, food, manufacturing, automotive, and real estate sectors.

Plug and Play has a long history of working with disruptive technologies, globally-leading corporations, universities, and governments, to name a few. The venture capital firm accelerates startups and consults corporations on innovation in 18+ industries from fintech and insurtech to sustainability and agtech. The European Commissioner will be meeting with Plug and Play executives to go over the new agenda, discuss startup entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley, and introduce this new strategy to innovation practitioners in Silicon Valley.

Commissioner Gabriel's efforts to create a technology ecosystem in Europe that fosters tech innovation and strengthens Europe's future competitiveness will likely open the door to new partnerships with Plug and Play Europe.

For more information visit:

European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel Biography

New European Innovation Agenda

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 50+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi.

For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/

Plug and Play Contacts

Alfredo Soria

Government Partnerships, Europe

E-mail: [email protected]

Natalia Olson-Urtecho

Director Government Partnerships

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Plug and Play
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the report "Food Starch Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026", the market will witness a YOY growth of 4.78% in 2022 and a CAGR of 5.35% during the forecast period. The report is segmented by type (maize, wheat, and others) and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa).

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

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Food Starch Market 2022-2026

Key Segment Analysis

The maize segment will be the largest contributor to market growth during the forecast period. Maize starches are common emulsifiers and stabilizers that are used by the beverage industry. They are important additives in beverages and are used for stabilizing and protecting flavors in beverage emulsions. Thus, beverage manufacturers should select maize starches based on the formulation, design, and production of beverage emulsions. Thus, the increasing use of maize starch in the food and beverage industry will drive the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

To know about additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in the coming years, View our FREE PDF Sample Report

Geographical Market Analysis

APAC will provide maximum growth opportunities in the food starch market during the forecast period. According to our research, the region will contribute 35% of the global market growth during the forecast period. China and Japan are the two major markets for food starch in the region. The growth of this region is attributed to factors such as the growing food and beverage industry.

Vendor Insights

The food starch market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as price, quality, innovation, packaging, brand image, distribution, and promotion to compete in the market. The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

Archer Daniels Midland Co.

AGRANA Beteiligungs AG

Beneo GmbH

Cargill Inc.

Cooperatie Koninklijke Avebe U.A.

Emsland Starke GmbH

Global Bio chem Technology Group Co. Ltd.

Grain Processing Corp.

Ingredion Inc.

KMC amba

Qingdao CBH Co. Ltd.

Qingdao Nuoxing Biotechnology Co. Ltd.

Roquette Freres SA

Royal Ingredients Group BV

SMS Corp. Co. Ltd.

Sonish Starch Technology Co. Ltd.

SPAC Starch Products India Pvt. Ltd.

Sudzucker AG

Tate and Lyle Plc

Tereos Group

View our FREE Sample Report to find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings

Key Market Drivers and Challenges

The preference for animal-derived thickening, gelling, and emulsifying agents is driving the food starch market growth. The changing food preferences are fueling the demand for plant-based food products. For example, the popularity of veganism is increasing among consumers across the world.

Stringent government regulations are challenging the food starch market growth. Thickening and gelling agents such as food starch are food additives that can be added to food products. However, regulatory bodies conduct studies and clinical trials to evaluate the impact of all food additives, such as food starch.

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

Emergency Food Market by Product Type, Distribution Channel, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The emergency food market share is expected to increase by USD 2.88 billion from 2021 to 2026.

Frozen Food Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The frozen food market share is expected to increase by USD 105.72 billion from 2021 to 2026.

Food Starch Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.35% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 5.88 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.78 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 35% Key consumer countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Archer Daniels Midland Co., AGRANA Beteiligungs AG, Beneo GmbH, Cargill Inc., Cooperatie Koninklijke Avebe U.A., Emsland Starke GmbH, Global Bio chem Technology Group Co. Ltd., Grain Processing Corp., Ingredion Inc., KMC amba, Qingdao CBH Co. Ltd., Qingdao Nuoxing Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Roquette Freres SA, Royal Ingredients Group BV, SMS Corp. Co. Ltd., Sonish Starch Technology Co. Ltd., SPAC Starch Products India Pvt. Ltd., Sudzucker AG, Tate and Lyle Plc, and Tereos Group 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

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 09: Parent market



Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 12: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Type

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Type

5.3 Maize - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Maize - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Maize - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Maize - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Maize - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Wheat - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Wheat - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Wheat - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Wheat - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Wheat - 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 Type

Exhibit 40: Market opportunity by Type ($ 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 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 (%)

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 56: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: 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 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 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 (%)

7.10 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 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 (%)

7.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 84: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 85: Data Table on Japan - 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 Archer Daniels Midland Co.

Exhibit 93: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Overview



Exhibit 94: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 95: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 96: Archer Daniels Midland Co. - Segment focus

10.4 AGRANA Beteiligungs AG

Exhibit 97: AGRANA Beteiligungs AG - Overview



Exhibit 98: AGRANA Beteiligungs AG - Business segments



Exhibit 99: AGRANA Beteiligungs AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 100: AGRANA Beteiligungs AG - Segment focus

10.5 Beneo GmbH

Exhibit 101: Beneo GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 102: Beneo GmbH - Product / Service



Exhibit 103: Beneo GmbH - Key offerings

10.6 Cargill Inc.

Exhibit 104: Cargill Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 105: Cargill Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 106: Cargill Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 107: Cargill Inc. - Key offerings

10.7 Ingredion Inc.

Exhibit 108: Ingredion Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 109: Ingredion Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 110: Ingredion Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 111: Ingredion Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 112: Ingredion Inc. - Segment focus

10.8 Qingdao Nuoxing Biotechnology Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 113: Qingdao Nuoxing Biotechnology Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 114: Qingdao Nuoxing Biotechnology Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 115: Qingdao Nuoxing Biotechnology Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.9 Roquette Freres SA

Exhibit 116: Roquette Freres SA - Overview



Exhibit 117: Roquette Freres SA - Product / Service



Exhibit 118: Roquette Freres SA - Key offerings

10.10 Sonish Starch Technology Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 119: Sonish Starch Technology Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 120: Sonish Starch Technology Co. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 121: Sonish Starch Technology Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.11 SPAC Starch Products India Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 122: SPAC Starch Products India Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 123: SPAC Starch Products India Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 124: SPAC Starch Products India Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

10.12 Tate and Lyle Plc

Exhibit 125: Tate and Lyle Plc - Overview



Exhibit 126: Tate and Lyle Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 127: Tate and Lyle Plc - Key news



Exhibit 128: Tate and Lyle Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 129: Tate and Lyle Plc - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 130: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 131: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 132: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 133: Research methodology



Exhibit 134: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 135: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 136: List of abbreviations

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CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FPGA Market is projected to grow from USD 8.0 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 15.5 billion by 2027; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2022 to 2027, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of this market is driven by factors such as increasing deployment of data centers and high-performance computing (HPC), rising demand for FPGA hardware verification in avionics, and rising adoption of FPGAs in ADAS.

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High-end FPGA segment is expected to grow at the high CAGR from 2022 to 2027.

High-end FPGA segment is expected to grow at high rates over the forecast period. High-end FPGAs have high-level integration architecture. These devices offer superior performance and high bandwidth. High-end FPGAs are equipped with the next-generation hard processor systems for improved performance and high-speed interface. They are mainly used in wired and wireless infrastructure equipment, test and measurement equipment, defense systems, and computers. Growing demand for high-end FPGAs from medical, military, networking (service provider), and telecommunications will further contribute the market growth over the forecast period.

The  16 nm segment in FPGA market is expected to be the fastest growing node size segment during the forecast period.

The  16 nm segment is projected to be the fastest growing node size segment during the forecast period. The high growth rate is attributed to the miniaturized footprint and high-speed processing capabilities of the  16 nm process technology. FPGAs with  16 nm technology offers higher logic density than traditional FPGA devices. They are optimized to high bandwidth workloads such as highperformance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. These FPGAs can eliminate the performance bottlenecks associated with the traditional FPGA devices in the market.

Data centers & computing vertical of FPGA Market to record highest CAGR FROM 2022 TO 2027.

The data centers & computing segment is expected to account for the highest CAGR of the FPGA market from 2022 to 2027. The high growth rate is credited to the increasing data center facilities worldwide. In May 2022, NTT Communications (Japan) launched a new hyperscale datacenter in Mumbai, India. The company also aims to open 8 new data centers by the end of 2024. In February 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China, which is the countrys top economic planner, announced to build 10 new data center clusters in the country. These data centers need to be workload-optimized to adapt to dynamic shifts in latency, power requirements, and data throughputs. FPGAs are well suited for compute-intensive workloads in data center applications. The proposed data centers will foster new market opportunities for FPGA providers over the forecast period.

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Asia Pacific will hold the largest FPGA market share from 2022 to 2027.

Asia Pacific will hold the largest FPGA market share from 2022 to 2027. Increased production of automobiles in China will support the FPGA market growth across Asia Pacific. China ranks first in the production of motor vehicles in Asia Pacific. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, China produced 26.08 million units of vehicles in 2021. Vehicle production increased by 3% y-o-y compared to 25.22 million units in 2020. Vehicle networking and connectivity systems, automotive infotainment systems, and electric vehicles (EVs) are some application areas of FPGAs in the automotive sector. The rising adoption of electric vehicles and deployment of EV charging stations across the country will further add growth opportunities for FPGA vendors in the region.

Key players in the FPGA market include Xilinx, Inc. (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.) (US), Intel Corporation (US), Microchip Technology Inc. (US), Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (US), Achronix Semiconductor Corporation (US), QuickLogic Corporation (US), Efinix, Inc. (US), Flex Logix Technologies, Inc. (US), GOWIN Semiconductor Corporation (China), and S2C (China).

Apart from these, Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan), AGM Microelectronics (China), Shanghai Anlu Information Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Shenzhen Ziguang Tongchuang Electronics Co., Ltd. (China), Xian Zhiduoji Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (China), LeafLabs, LLC (US), Aldec, Inc. (US), and Mistral Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (India), are among a few emerging companies in the FPGA market.

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Related Reports:

Edge AI Hardware Market by device, Processor (CPU, GPU, and ASICs), End User, Function (Training and Inference), Power (Less Than 1W, 1-3 W, 3-5 W, 5-10W and more than 10W) and Region (2021-2026)

Data Center Accelerator Market by Processor Type (CPU, GPU, FPGA, ASIC), Type (HPC Accelerator, Cloud Accelerator), Application (Deep Learning Training, Public Cloud Interface, Enterprise Interface), and Geography (2021-2026)

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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.

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Development and Prospects of the Global and China Cultivated Meat Industry

BEIJING, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst a global food crisis, Josh Tetrick, David Welch, Caio Malufe, and other agri-food industry thought leaders joined policymakers from China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs online to discuss food security and the prospects of cultivated meat in China and around the world.

Development and Prospects of the Global and China Cultivated Meat Industry Highlight Video

Protein innovation is taking the world by storm as the newest form of food production  one that is secure and sustainable. Yet in China, cultivated meat is still nascent and the commercial ecosystem gradually emerging. Providing the industry with better infrastructure and expertise at this critical stage will accelerate its development and bring China and global food supply chains closer to net zero.

To this end, Agfood Future Center of Excellence, along with policymakers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), hosted this discussion on protein innovation: the commercialization, development, opportunities, and challenges of cultivated meat from an international perspective. The event boasted an impressive lineup including Deputy Director of China's Institute of Food and Nutrition Development under MARA, Wang Xiaohong, Chairman of Agfood Future Center of Excellence, Ryan Xue, Vice Chair Jennifer Lee, Bill Westman, former Senior VP of the North American Meat Association, Alternative Protein Strategy and Business Development Global Lead for Cargill, Jane Lee, Josh Tetrick, Co-Founder and CEO of Eat Just, Steve Lin, Managing Partner of C2 Capital Partners, Caio Malufe, Head of Strategy at Orbillion Bio, Co-Founder of Dao Foods, Tao Zhang and David Welch, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder at Synthesis Capital. Also joining were representatives from several prestigious research institutions and nearly 100 attendees who tuned in.

As co-founder and CEO of Eat Just, the world's first cultivated meat company approved for sale, Josh Tetrick said, "People used to talk about cultivated meat as something out of science fiction, but now it's commercialized and sold in Singapore. Cultivated meat uses 80% less land and water than traditional meat farming, reducing emissions. [In regard to price], the three drivers of cost reduction are large-scale vessels, media cost, and cell density. China has an important role in leading the industry in building infrastructure and regulation, and I hope to be a part of this process."

Deputy Director Wang Xiaohong agreed that "The localization of cultivated meat is itself a way of carbon reduction," pointing out that China is ideal for innovation since "Chinese people are highly receptive to new things." Steve Lin of C2 Capital Partners, a key investment partner of Eat Just, echoed this sentiment. He added, "China is the world's second largest protein consumer with strong demand. By the first half of 2020, the year-on-year increase [of online purchases of plant-based meat] was more than 150%. In the future, the younger generation in China will have increasingly open attitudes towards alternative proteins." From his overview of protein innovation trends, David Welch also stated China's opportunity to be a major player moving forward especially in terms of product categories and flavors for cultivated meat.

In their closing remarks, both Agfood Future Center of Excellence Chairman Ryan Xue and Vice Chair Jennifer Lee spoke on the industry's role in food security. "Agriculture has so many more implications than just climate; it affects feeding the world and a circular economy," Lee said. "As far as China is concerned," Xue explained, "the agricultural food sector has an extremely significant impact on the national economy and social stability. Providing a safe, secure, nutritious food supply, especially of high-quality protein, is a task facing all companies, governments, and institutions focused on sustainable development. At Agfood Future, are working for solutions through the integration of projects, technologies, markets, and policies surrounding protein innovation. Our goal? The sustainable transformation of the food system, a fast-track to net zero."

A platform for international collaboration, Agfood Future is a nonprofit that connects 400+ of the world's leading organizations around the common goal of agri-food sustainability for food system transformation in China and throughout global supply chains.

Follow Us!

Website: AgFood Future

LinkedIn: AgFood Future

SOURCE Agfood Future Center of Excellence
In partnership with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, HN Capital Partners will continue to build upon the legacy of the inaugural property of the Rosewood collection.

DALLAS, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HN Capital Partners, a Dallas-based private investor, has announced the acquisition of the historic Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creekan iconic century-old former private estate that was transformed in the early 1980s by Caroline Rose Hunt into Dallas's premier hospitality destination, becoming the first property of the revered global Rosewood Hotels & Resorts collection. Already firmly embedded within the Dallas landscape through a strategic portfolio of mixed-use, commercial, and hospitality developments, HN Capital Partners continues to expand its presence within the area through the purchase of this renowned property.

"We're thrilled to be working alongside the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts team to build upon the success of such a beloved historic property in the Dallas area," said Vipin Nambiar, Founder of HN Capital Partners. "This magnificent estate offered HN Capital a unique opportunity to further invest in the Dallas community, and we're excited to continue to forge even stronger bonds with local partners as we begin work on enhancing what this iconic hospitality destination has to offer. Our goal is to respect the hotel's history and work closely with the Rosewood team to further expand the luxury offerings and imagine new services that ensure that the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek remains the most beloved hotel for the Dallas community and travelers alike. Our aspiration always remains the same: to use our training as architects, planners, finance, and legal professionals with the guiding principle of leaving something better than we found it. Our effort here will be no different. I also want to thank all who have trusted us with capital for this transaction, including KSL Capital Partners and Interbank."

An architectural gem that has made a monumental impact on local society and culture since its completion in 1925, the original mansion estate quickly became the epicenter of the glitzy Dallas social scene, hosting events with a list of famous guests from across the nation including the likes of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Tennessee Williams, before it was transformed into a world-class hotel and restaurant in 1981. Known for its 16th-century Italian Renaissance-inspired design, today, the estate fuses this elegant Mediterranean architecture with residential-style interiors that incorporate all elements of genuine Southern hospitality.

Located in the heart of Uptown Dallas, the hotel was most recently updated in 2020in time for its 40th anniversary, unveiling 142 modernized yet historically-inspired guest rooms and a refreshed lobby area. The renovation was led by an impressive team of designers and architects including world-renowned interior designer Thomas Pheasant and Dallas architecture firm, three, whose president, Gary Koerner, was the designer and project architect that introduced the Mansion in 1980. Guests can dine on New American cuisine at The Mansion Restaurant and enjoy creative cocktails at the intimate Mansion Bar. The hotel is also home to a resort-style outdoor pool and the city's most prestigious meeting and event spaces.

"Deeply rooted in Dallas' landscape and history, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek prides itself on being a pillar of its community, providing the best experience possible for visitors, guests, and associates," said Radha Arora, President, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. "The Rosewood brand is thrilled to work with HN Capital Partners to continue this legacy, and uphold the property's positioning as a true representation of our guiding A Sense of Place philosophy."

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek will continue to operate as a Rosewood Hotels & Resorts-managed hotel under the ownership of HN Capital Partners. Hospitality, commercial, and mixed-use real estate investments have been at the forefront of HN Capital Partners' portfolio, often with a view to engage with the community and improve the surrounding neighborhood. Most recently, HN Capital completed the successful repositioning and reopening of Hotel Per La in Los Angeles, formerly known as NoMad LA, the first residential high-rise built within the city's Historic Core district in over a century. Currently, the firm has a number of high quality urban scale placemaking projects in the pipeline across major cities that are set to be announced in the coming months. The firm will work closely with the Rosewood team, utilizing the full strategic resources made available by the ultra-luxury hospitality brand. Together the partners will work toward a common goal of growing the landmark hotel's offerings through unique programming and original hospitality experiences.

About HN Capital

HN Capital Partners is an opportunistic investment manager founded by former Hunt executive, Vipin Nambiar, that specializes in real estate development, hospitality assets and structured investments. The firm takes a long-term approach to compounding capital, identifying unique risk reward situations, and using volatility as indicators for entry points. Additionally, HN Capital seeks to employ a design-oriented approach to creative place making and value creation for real estate it owns. Hospitality real estate is a key area of the firm's expertise, and it is an active investor, owner and operator of upscale, lifestyle and luxury hotels: www.hncapitalpartners.com

About Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

A legendary icon in Texas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek offers impeccable service and a world-class luxury experience. Originally built in 1925 as a palatial private residence, the property retains an intimate ambiance with 16th-century Italian Renaissance style and rich European architecture. As the original birthplace of the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts global luxury collection, the hotel blends an incredible heritage with modern amenities. Located in the heart of the city in the vibrant Uptown Dallas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is tucked away in a serene oasis. For more information: www.rosewoodhotels.com/mansion

About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages a global collection of 30 one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences in 18 countries. Each Rosewood property embraces the brand's A Sense of Place philosophy to reflect the individual location's history, culture and sensibilities. The Rosewood collection includes some of the world's most legendary hotels and resorts, including The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and Hotel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris, as well as new classics such as Rosewood Hong Kong and Rosewood Sao Paulo. For those who wish to stay a little longer, Rosewood Residences offer a distinct opportunity for the ownership or rental of properties co-located with a Rosewood hotel or resort and of standalone for-sale residences. Rosewood Residences are defined by the brand's commitment to Enriched Living through thoughtful details and experiences that enhance the quality of life while evoking a sense of discovery and inspiration. For more information, please visit www.rosewoodhotels.com

SOURCE HN Capital Partners
Donations to Provide Critical Services to Under-resourced Florida Residents

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Collective, a giving community dedicated to funding nonprofits addressing systemic issues with sustainable, innovative solutions, announces the Florida Relief Fund. Donations collected from this fund will be used to provide emergency services to Florida residents including shelter, food resources, and home repair services. At the time of this announcement, Feeding Tampa Bay, Hope Partnership, Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, and World Central Kitchen have been vetted and chosen to receive the donations from the relief fund.

To donate, visit https://legacycollective.org/relief.

"As our neighbors in Florida are facing a long recovery, Legacy Collective has prepared a comprehensive response supporting those we feel to be some of the most vulnerable. We are addressing the unhoused, families, and individuals in under-resourced communities through food insecurity and home repair. In times like these, our Legacy community across the country comes together to support our neighbors from other communities in meaningful ways," says Erin Arnheim, Legacy Collective CEO.

About our Relief Fund Partners:

Feeding Tampa Bay: Feeding Tampa Bay and our Disaster Readiness team are FEMA trained and prepared to handle disaster situations. In partnership with the Tampa Bay area Emergency Operations Centers, they work directly with local emergency management operations to provide food, water, and hygiene items during crisis situations. Feeding Tampa Bay provides food assistance for 10 counties.

Feeding and our Disaster Readiness team are FEMA trained and prepared to handle disaster situations. In partnership with the area Emergency Operations Centers, they work directly with local emergency management operations to provide food, water, and hygiene items during crisis situations. Feeding Tampa Bay provides food assistance for 10 counties. Hope Partnership: Hope Partnership aims to provide a holistic continuum of care in order to end homelessness and poverty in Central Florida . Hope Partnership is working with the unhoused and those in temporary housing in their community during this storm to ensure they are safely housed in shelters and will be caring for them following the storm during rebuilding efforts.

Hope Partnership aims to provide a holistic continuum of care in order to end homelessness and poverty in . Hope Partnership is working with the unhoused and those in temporary housing in their community during this storm to ensure they are safely housed in shelters and will be caring for them following the storm during rebuilding efforts. Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay: Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay provides free critical home repair to neighbors in need in Hillsborough and Pinellas County , Florida. RTTB provides free critical home repair and affordable housing opportunities to Tampa Bay neighbors who otherwise could not afford it. The funds raised will go to help with home repairs for those in under-resourced communities following the storm.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay provides free critical home repair to neighbors in need in and , Florida. RTTB provides free critical home repair and affordable housing opportunities to neighbors who otherwise could not afford it. The funds raised will go to help with home repairs for those in under-resourced communities following the storm. World Central Kitchen: World Central Kitchen has deployed a team to Florida . WCK's Relief Team has spread out across the coast to be ready to respond as soon as it is safe to do so. They have secured a kitchen and have made hundreds of sandwiches to have ready to serve as soon as the storm passes. Additionally, they have built partnerships with restaurants ready to activate to help scale immediately.

About Legacy Collective

Legacy Collective works to engage systemic problems related to social issues by resourcing what we believe to be the most innovative efforts and funding the most critical projects. Follow Legacy Collective online:

Contact: Juliana Jordan, 512-920-3755, [email protected]

SOURCE Legacy Collective
HOUSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To further deliver on its brand promise to advance health and personalize care, Memorial Hermann Health System has chosen Epic as its electronic health record (EHR) partner. As Memorial Hermann's new EHR platform, Epic will better enable the delivery of patient-centered and coordinated care across the organization.

Once the implementation of Epic is complete, all Memorial Hermann acute care hospitals, outpatient care facilities and physician practices will utilize the integrated system, allowing enhanced continuity of care for every patient while improving the patient experience through simpler coordination of treatment, more easily accessible medical records and a streamlined patient billing process.

"Over the past year, we have worked diligently to understand how to modernize our EHR to better support our journey towards value-based care, ultimately improving the experience, and quality of care and outcomes for patients," said Dr. David L. Callender, President and CEO for Memorial Hermann. "Through these efforts, we determined that partnering with Epic is our best path forward  a path that focuses on the patient's journey across the care continuum, and strengthens the relationship between the patient and their health care provider."

Epic is the most widely used EHR system among large hospital systems in the country, currently serving more than 250 million patients. Its interoperability system exchanges over 1.3 million records daily with tens of thousands of organizations across its network of hospitals, clinics and providers.

"Partnering with Epic and transitioning to a single, unified EHR platform will have profound benefits for our patients, as well as our physicians and health care providers," said Dr. Jamie McCarthy, Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive for Memorial Hermann. "A unified system will alleviate common pain points experienced by our physicians and clinicians when working within the EHR, enabling them to focus more deeply on patients' long-term health care journeys and overall well-being."

Memorial Hermann anticipates Epic implementation to be multi-year journey, officially kicking off in early 2023.

Media Contact:

713-984-6804

[email protected]

SOURCE Memorial Hermann Health System
Polygon's investment into BFF's Fund II will hasten blockchain development and foster mainstream adoption

SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain Founders Fund (BFF), a Singapore-based Venture Capital Fund that focuses on early-stage Web3 and blockchain startups globally, today announces that Polygon, an Ethereum scaling platform onboarding millions to Web3, has made a strategic investment into their Fund II to diversify the company's holdings and advance the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology.

Polygon Partners With Blockchain Founders Fund to Empower Web3 Entrepreneurs

Blockchain Founders Fund boasts an impressive portfolio of over 100 companies in the Web3 space with an equally impressive track record of effectively scaling them to targeted audiences. These companies include blockchain-powered no-code gaming studios (GRID), social intelligence for cryptocurrencies (LunarCrush), and various other applications built on top of blockchain infrastructure.

The fund II, which focuses on promising Web3, and metaverse startups, launched in January after raising $75 million from a host of leading crypto investors. Included among participating investors were NEO Global Capital (NGC), Appworks, Sebastien Borget, COO of The Sandbox, and Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal.

This latest partnership marks another successful collaboration between BFF and Polygon. Previously, BFF has co-invested alongside Polygon in top blockchain companies such as Splinterlands and Altered State Machine to accelerate and empower decentralized applications. This collaboration will enable both companies to offer exceptional value propositions to web3 founders and entrepreneurs with high potential to disrupt industries.

Sandeep Nailwal, Co-Founder of Polygon said, "To bring the vision of Web3 to realization and help garner mainstream adoption, it's vital that we support entrepreneurs in building innovative products and infrastructure. We look forward to working alongside Blockchain Founders Fund, who share our vision and believe in the transformative potential of Web3."

Boasting just over 37,000 decentralized applications (dapps), Polygon is fast becoming the de facto platform for Web3. The network offers an array of blue-chip services ranging from decentralized finance (DeFi) dapps such as Aave, Curve, Balancer, and Uniswap, to the best gaming and metaverse platforms, including Decentraland, Somnium Space, and The Sandbox. Polygon also powers the mass market, helping major global brands, including Starbucks, Adobe, Clinique, and others, integrate Web3 functionality.

"The addition of one of the biggest crypto firms such as Polygon as a partner will expand our investment profile and ability to invest in a wider range of early-stage companies," commented Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner of Blockchain Founders Fund. "Their expertise in the industry will greatly assist us in connecting with the best breed of high-potential companies that are building real solutions to real problems."

About Polygon

Polygon is the leading blockchain development platform, offering scalable, affordable, secure and sustainable blockchains for Web3. Its growing suite of products offers developers easy access to major scaling solutions including L2 (ZK Rollups and Optimistic Rollups), sidechains, hybrid, stand-alone and enterprise chains, and data availability. Polygon's scaling solutions have seen widespread adoption with 37,000+ decentralized applications hosted, 1.94B+ total transactions processed, 164M+ unique user addresses and $5B+ in assets secured. The network is home for some of the biggest Web3 projects such as Aave, Uniswap, OpenSea and well-known enterprises including Meta, Stripe and Adobe. Polygon is carbon neutral with the goal of leading the Web3 ecosystem in becoming carbon negative.

About Blockchain Founders Fund

Blockchain Founders Fund (BFF) is a Singapore based early-stage Venture Capital Fund which invests in top-tier Blockchain startups globally. Their industry leading go-to-market focused Venture Program aids seasoned and first-time entrepreneurs across key business functions to fast-track growth. BFF has scaled many of the leading Blockchain startups and is always looking to connect with exceptional founders across the Web3 and Blockchain ecosystems.

Media Contact:

Michiko Yuda

+1 778.241.7860

[email protected]

SOURCE Blockchain Founders Fund
BEIJING, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties:

Recapping 50 years of China-Japan relations: What the future holds

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties, which serves as a significant opportunity for the two countries to review the past and take a look into the future. In September 1972, China and Japan first signed a joint communique; several years later, the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed after approval by legislative authorities. Different from how China established diplomatic relationships with other countries like the U.S., the Soviet Union and South Korea, this "two-step mode", a pivotal political decision, embodied the strategic insights and political courage of the statesmen of the elder generation of the two countries. It also reflects the oriental wisdom with which the two countries seek common ground while reserving differences in pursuit of harmony and peace. The normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties ushered in half a century of peace, friendship and cooperation for the two countries, bringing huge benefits to both countries and their peoples, while contributing enormously to the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world.

Since negotiations commenced between China and Japan, the latter has made solemn pledges to China that "there is only one China in the world" and "Taiwan is an inseparable part of China." This position is captured in the four political documents and a series of important consensus between China and Japan. The Taiwan question is essential to the political foundation and fundamental trust between China and Japan. Proper handling of this question was the precondition and foundation for the normalization of the two countries' diplomatic ties, and for a positive outlook on China-Japan relations.

China and Japan are neighbors in east Asia, and it's not rare for neighbors to have frictions. But the key lies in how they cope with it. Countries should honor their commitments in foreign policy; the political consensus of "being cooperative partners and not threats to each other" should also be upheld.

In Confucius' Analects, there reads a line, "At fifty, I knew the decrees of heaven." Now that China-Japan diplomatic ties have reached their 50th anniversary, the two countries should be the masters of their own future: Draw lessons from historical experience where "cooperation benefits both and collision harms both", stick to the original aspiration of diplomatic normalization, level up dialogue and other channels of communications, deepen cooperation in various fields, and jointly create another fifty years of peaceful coexistence and mutual benefit for the two countries.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

Recapping 50 years of China-Japan relations: What the future holds

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2022-09/29/content_78444050.htm

SOURCE China.org.cn
Leading tattoo removal studios unite amidst rapidly growing demand

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Removery, the world leader in laser tattoo removal services, is expanding with 150 studios slated to open by January 2023.

The expansion is a result of acquiring DISAPPEARING inc. and Dr. Ink Eraser  both leading tattoo removal studios in their region. Removery will operate more than 30 additional studios by the end of 2022 and 50 additional studios by the end of 2023. These acquisitions occur as worldwide demand grows rapidly for tattoo removal.

"We are thrilled that DISAPPEARING inc. and Dr. Ink Eraser have chosen to join Removery," said Mark Evans, Chairman of Removery. "These businesses were the leading providers in their markets and now we can bring expert training guided by our Clinical Advisory Board and the excellence of PicoWay laser technology to these communities."

DISAPPEARING inc. was founded in 2012 and has seven locations across Massachusetts and New York while Dr. Ink Eraser was founded in 2012 with 4 locations in Georgia and Alabama. Both businesses built a foundation of success that Removery will build upon with its Clinical Advisory Board and expert training for laser technicians.

"By introducing our advanced technology and clinical support network to some of the most experienced laser specialists in the country, together, we will continue to deliver great client experiences and positive outcomes for anyone looking for tattoo removal," said Tom Weber, CEO of Removery.

Removery's Clinical Advisory Board is the industry's only medical board on tattoo removal. The board oversees specialists at Removery to ensure they are highly trained in the most advanced laser equipment and procedures. Removery uses PicoWay laser technology that makes their work as fast, effective and comfortable as possible while minimizing the number of treatment sessions and potential side effects. The laser also enables Removery specialists to target any tattoo, no matter the ink colors used or skin type.

Removery also recently received a follow-on $30 million investment by Elliott Investment Management and HEAL Partners. The acquisition and additional investment allows Removery's INK-nitiative program to connect with new community nonprofits to provide tattoo removal for those in need.

The INK-nitiative program is a global community outreach initiative designed to provide safe, effective and free tattoo removal on the hands, neck and face to those who were formerly incarcerated, gang members, survivors of human trafficking and those who wish to remove hate symbols or racist tattoos. For every individual that completes their tattoo removal journey, Removery gives a removal service to someone in need.

"We encourage community members to apply for our INK-nitiative program," said Weber. "Old tattoos can be a painful reminder of a life left behind. We want to empower people who've had the courage to change and help them feel confident in their new path."

About Removery

Removery is the largest specialized provider of tattoo removal services in the world with more than 100 locations across the U.S., Australia and Canada. Its laser specialists are highly trained in Candela's state-of-the-art PicoWay lasers. Removery is clinically driven and the only tattoo removal brand with a Clinical Advisory Board that consists of leaders in the medical, dermatology, aesthetic, plastic surgery and laser industries. To learn more about Removery and tattoo removal, see before and after photos or schedule an in-person or virtual consultation, visit Removery.com.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Burkhardt, [email protected]

SOURCE Removery
STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ReneSola Ltd ("ReneSola Power" or the "Company") (www.renesolapower.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading fully integrated solar project developer, today announced that it acquired a 50 MWp operational solar farm ("Project Branston") located in Branston, Lincoln, United Kingdom from P&T Global Renewable Energy LTD. The transaction was completed on September 30, 2022. Project Branston's 50 MWp solar farm has been operational since October 12, 2020 and is currently generating a highly attractive annualized yield of 1,011 MWh/MWp.

Mr. Yumin Liu, ReneSola Power Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are extremely excited to commence our asset-light, IPP business in Europe with the acquisition of Project Branston. This fully operational solar farm will be profitable on day one and provides stable cash flows and helps diversify risks from project sales. We anticipate the acquisition to further strengthen our market position in the Europe and will be accretive to our shareholders. This will be a new chapter of our company to enter into IPP business in Europe and contribute to energy alleviation of Europe energy crisis."

About ReneSola Power

ReneSola Power (NYSE: SOL) is a leading global solar project developer and operator. The Company focuses on solar power project development, construction management and project financing services. With local professional teams in more than 10 countries around the world, the business is spread across number of regions where the solar power project markets are growing rapidly and can sustain that growth due to improved clarity around government policies. The Company's strategy is to pursue high-margin project development opportunities in these profitable and growing markets; specifically, in the U.S. and Europe, where the Company has a market-leading position in several geographies, including Poland, Hungary, Minnesota and New York. For more information, please visit www.renesolapower.com.

SOURCE ReneSola Ltd.
SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SHIELD , the global risk intelligence company, today announced the winners of the SHIELD Trust Awards 2022. Winners have successfully completed the SHIELD Trust Check and attained the SHIELD Trust Certification. The certification is an industry first, representing an independent and non-sponsored evaluation of an organization's trust profile. The awards were presented to outstanding organizations at the inaugural SHIELD Trust Summit Asia 2022 in Singapore.

SHIELD Trust Awards 2022 Group Photo

Honorees of the SHIELD Trust Awards hail from many of the industries that are changing the way people work, shop, and play. These include:

Astro, Indonesia's first quick commerce company

first quick commerce company Baazi Games, India's biggest online poker platform

biggest online poker platform inDriver, the world's fastest-growing ride-hailing app

Legion Network, the first super-app for blockchain services

Maya, the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines

Mobile Premier League, one of the world's largest mobile and skill gaming platforms

Ralali.com, a leading online B2B marketplace in Indonesia

TrueMoney, Southeast Asia's leading fintech brand

The prevalence of bots and fake accounts have created a trust deficit between businesses and stakeholders. The SHIELD Trust Certificate was created to enable businesses to better understand how they can improve their security posture and deal with threats. It also provides assurance to investors, partners, and users about the strength of a platform's trust-building measures. As part of the certification process, organizations undergo the SHIELD Trust Check, which assesses metrics such as the proportion of genuine users, the user to device ratio, and the prevalence of malicious tools being used on the platform. Companies meeting industry benchmarks receive the SHIELD Trust Certificate. Top performers are honored with the SHIELD Trust Awards.

To find out more about the SHIELD Trust Awards, visit trust.shield.com .

Justin Lie, Founder and CEO, SHIELD

"We launched the SHIELD Trust Awards as a way to recognize the trailblazers setting the bar for trust. I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to this year's award winners, which have made trust a competitive differentiator driving present and future growth."

Vincent Tjendra, Co-Founder & CEO, Astro

"On behalf of all Astronauts, we are thankful for receiving this award. It is a testament on our team's hard work and continuous focus to deliver the best customer experience and many more exciting innovations in Indonesia!"

Avneet Rana, Co-Founder & Director of Technology, Baazi Games

"Thank you for honoring us with the SHIELD Trust Award. PokerBaazi has been a vanguard in delivering the utmost level of security to our valued users. With SHIELD as our risk intelligence partner, we will continue to enhance and tighten our security features to make PokerBaazi the most secured online poker app in India."

Marut Petrosyan, Head of Fraud Prevention, inDriver

"The SHIELD Trust Award is a testament of how inDriver seeks the highest level of trust amongst our users. Our commitment to fighting injustice drives us to assure a fair and safe experience for drivers and passengers alike."

Athar Jameel Ahmed, CEO, Legion Network

"Legion Network believes that the world of blockchain should be accessible for everybody. We're proud to receive the SHIELD Trust Awards, which are a testament to our success in creating the safest and fairest ecosystem possible for genuine users, regardless of how experienced they are with blockchain services."

Mitch Padua, Group Chief Product Officer, Maya

"User trust and safety remain top priorities for Maya as we continue to address the ever-evolving financial needs of millions of Filipinos. We are proud that our mission to help consumers and enterprises thrive in the new digital economy has been recognized with the SHIELD Trust Award."

Joseph Aditya, CEO, Ralali.com

"Ralali.com is here to provide solutions for business in Indonesia through digital features that specially crafted to support business growth. In doing so, Ralali is on track to build a healthy digital business ecosystem which connects businesses according to brand credibility and trust."

Monsinee Nakapanant, Co-President, TrueMoney

"As Southeast Asia's leading fintech brand, TrueMoney's mission is to enable access to innovative financial services for everyone, while ensuring that no shortcuts are taken for trust and safety. We are honored to receive the SHIELD Trust Award, which reflects our commitment to building trust with our users while driving financial inclusion."

About SHIELD

SHIELD is the world's leading risk intelligence company, empowering online businesses to stop fraud, build trust, and drive growth. Powered by the latest AI technology, SHIELD combines cutting-edge device fingerprinting with its proprietary Global Intelligence Network to detect new and unknown fraud threats in real time. With offices across the globe and customers on every continent, SHIELD offers a range of solutions that span device fingerprinting, enterprise-grade protection, ad fraud prevention, and alternative credit risk intelligence. To find out more, visit https://shield.com/.

Contact

Desmond Wong

+65 9066 2888

[email protected]

SOURCE SHIELD
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. , Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Site Impact, a company providing multi-channel direct marketing solutions, announced today the appointment of Jordan Siegel, CPA, MBA as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Siegel will be responsible for the overall financial management, planning, reporting, and human resource functions for Site Impact.

Chief Financial Officer Jordan Siegel

Mr. Siegel joins Site Impact from Wetherill Associates, Inc. where, since 2017, he has served as Chief Financial Officer transforming the family-run company to a professionally managed organization. Jordan has spent over 25 years in financial leadership roles in both the pharmaceuticals and automotive aftermarket industries, working for companies such as IVAX Corporation, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals and Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Jordan has a Master of Business Administration in Finance and a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Site Impact CEO, Jennifer Gressman said, "Jordan Siegel comes with a superior track record of delivering results and creating value. After a rigorous search process, I'm excited to welcome Jordan to Site Impact. He is a high-impact executive who brings a compelling blend of strategic and capital allocation discipline, well-honed operating skills, and transformational leadership abilities. He will be the perfect addition to our expanding team."

About Site Impact:

Site Impact specializes in multi-channel direct marketing services. Their goal is to achieve measurable results for their clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations, locally owned and operated small businesses, as well as advertising agencies who use their private label services.

Site Impact's team is comprised of industry and digital marketing leaders who play a key role in the company's culture and our continued growth and success. Two years in a row, we have been named one of the "Best Companies to Work For" by Florida Trend Magazine and a consecutive three years awarded as a "Top Workplace" by the Sun-Sentinel.

Site Impact recently expanded with the acquisition of California-based digital media marketing agency, Mendez Media Marketing, Inc. and sister software company, Databyrd.

For more information about Site Impact, visit https://siteimpact.com/.

Media Contact:

Sara Mendez

Chief Marketing Officer for Site Impact

[email protected]

SOURCE Site Impact
IOWA CITY, Iowa, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- An exonerated Iowa man who spent more than six years in prison for a sex crime he did not commit was awarded $12 million by a state district court jury today, The Spence Law Firm, LLC and co-counsel said.

Jurors in the Iowa District Court in Johnson County returned the verdict for Donald L. Clark, of Iowa City, Iowa, after six days of testimony and just over two hours of deliberation, finding that the state public defender's failure to investigate the state's case against Mr. Clark and a substandard trial performance in 2009 led to his conviction and wrongful imprisonment. The public defender, John Robertson, died in 2013.

In May 2016, an Iowa District Court entered an order vacating Mr. Clark's conviction after finding Mr. Robertson was ineffective as defense counsel. The court ruled that Mr. Clark was not only not guilty, but also "actually innocent," a legally important finding. Mr. Clark had served six years of a 25-year prison sentence.

After the verdict today, Mr. Clark said, "No matter what happens from here on out, I'm not only free from prison, but I'm also free from the state's prison of lies. With this verdict, the rebuilding of my life can continue."

Mr. Clark is represented by attorneys Mel C. Orchard, III, of The Spence Law Firm, LLC, of Jackson, Wyo.; Thomas P. Frerichs, of Frerichs, Law Office, PC, of Waterloo, Iowa; and Frank J. Nidey, of Nidey Erdahl Meier & Araguas, PLC of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The jury awarded Mr. Clark $8 million in past emotional distress damages and $4 million for future damages.

Mr. Orchard said, "We're grateful that this jury was moved to do justice for and honor a member of their community. This verdict for a good man reinforced my belief that the jury system is the most important part of our democracy."

Mr. Frerichs said, "Fighting for people like Don Clark who are wrongly accused or convicted is my life's work. He deserved justice, and this verdict was another step forward for him in setting the record straight."

The case is Donald Lyle Clark vs. State of Iowa, in Iowa District Court in Johnson County.

Media Contact: Erin Powers, Powers MediaWorks LLC, for The Spence Law Firm, 281.703.6000, [email protected].

SOURCE The Spence Law Firm, LLC
CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United will hold a conference call to discuss third-quarter 2022 financial results on Wednesday, October 19 at 9:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. ET.

A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call will be available at ir.united.com. The company will issue its third-quarter 2022 financial results and outlook after market close on Tuesday, October 18.

About United

United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." From our U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers. United is bringing back our customers' favorite destinations and adding new ones on its way to becoming the world's best airline. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

SOURCE United Airlines
Will be featured during 10th Annual Mechanisms of Aging Meeting

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Turn Biotechnologies Co-founder and Head of Research Vittorio Sebastiano today will present at the Mechanisms of Aging Meeting taking place at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories in New York.

The prestigious meeting attracts longevity researchers who gather to explore the regulation and function of genes and processes that control aging. Sebastiano will be featured during one of the meeting's eight oral sessions.

Vittorio Sebastiano, Turn Biotechnologies co-founder and head of research, will present today at the prestigious 10th Annual Mechanisms of Aging Meeting at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories.

His presentation, "PRC2 clock: A universal epigenetic biomarker of aging and rejuvenation," will take place at 2 p.m. Eastern.

Author of more than 50 scientific articles and frequent speaker at research conferences around the world, Sebastiano is prominent in the emerging field of cellular reprogramming. He also led the team that first confirmed human cells can be reprogrammed using Turn Bio's ERA (Epigenetic Reprogramming of Aging) platform. The platform can produce tailored protein cocktails to rejuvenate targeted cells.

ABOUT TURN BIOTECHNOLOGIES

Turn Bio is a pre-clinical-stage company focused on repairing tissue at the cellular level and developing transformative drug delivery systems. The company's proprietary mRNA platform technology, ERA, restores optimal gene expression by combatting the effects of aging in the epigenome. This restores cells' ability to prevent or treat disease and heal or regenerate tissue. It will help to fight incurable chronic diseases. Its eTurna Delivery Platform uses unique formulations to precisely deliver cargo to specific organs, tissues and cell types.

The company is completing pre-clinical research on tailored therapies targeting indications in dermatology and immunology, and developing therapies for ophthalmology, osteo-arthritis and the muscular system. For more information, see www.turn.bio.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jim Martinez, rightstorygroup

[email protected] or (312) 543-9026

SOURCE Turn Biotechnologies
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Final days to register for the "Regulatory Reporting for EMIR, MIFIR and SFTR" training course that has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This practical 1 day course conducted by a senior City expert covers regulatory reporting requirements for the three main regulations: EMIR, MiFIR and SFTR.

This training session covers the key challenges encountered by banks, broker dealers, asset managers and hedge funds, key lessons learnt in implementing trade and transaction reporting, and successful remediation of any issues.

This workshop covers all aspects of regulatory reporting, from organisational scope, to data validation, data sourcing, counterparty and entity identification, and asset class/instrument identification - and resulting impact to Front, Middle and Back Office processes.

Conducted by an expert who is currently working within the sector and advising different organisations from some key players to smaller companies, the trainer has a very good understanding of challenges that companies are facing and how to effectively overcome them and ensure compliance and operational effectiveness.

What will you learn

By attending this course you will learn about:

All the key aspects of regulatory reporting, from organisational scope, to data validation, data sourcing, counterparty and entity identification, and asset class/instrument identification - and resulting impact to Front, Middle and Back Office processes.

Key learnings from implementation of EMIR over the last 6 years, upcoming reporting and margin implications of EMIR REFIT and Unclear Margin Rules, MIFIR over the last 4 years, and implementation of SFTR; benchmarking against peers from the sell-side and buy-side, and resolution of any open questions.

Real life industry examples of best practices, post-implementation issues, and successful remediation

Regulatory guidance from the FCA, CSSF, ESMA and other local regulators - post Brexit UK vs EU regulations

Understand the key impacts to US, EMEA and APAC institutions in scope, and the new regulatory reporting landscape

Main topics covered during this training

Regulatory Background to all three regulations

Scope of entities, counterparties and asset classes for MiFIR, EMIR and SFTR

Key Reporting Requirements

Definitions and Data Validations

Fields Analysis - Instrument, Product, Entity and Personal Data

Systems and Controls

Implications for UK, EU and Global Investment Banks and Asset Managers

Global Regulatory Reporting

Implementation challenges and lessons learnt

Who Should Attend:

From banks, broker dealers, asset managers and hedge funds:

Heads of Trading, Investment, Portfolio Management, Operations, and Business Risk

Heads of Regulatory Reporting, Compliance and HR

Key Control Functions/Senior Managers in Audit, Compliance, Risk and Operations

Key Topics Covered:

PART 1: REGULATORY BACKGROUND AND SCOPE

MIFIR Transaction Reporting

MIFID II/MIFIR and MAR - Market Transparency, Market Abuse and transaction reports

Entities and transactions in scope, ARMs

EMIR Trade Reporting

EMIR Introduction - OTC Derivatives, Central Clearing, CCPs, TRs

Regulatory drivers, Entities in scope, Financial and Non-financial counterparties

EMIR REFIT, EMIR 2.2

SFTR Transaction Reporting

SFTR Introduction - Stock and Commodity/Security Borrow Loans, Repos and Collateralised Loan Financing, Margin Lending, Tri-Party

Regulatory drivers, Entities in scope, Financial and Non-financial counterparties, Collateral arrangements with non-EU counterparties

PART 2: KEY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

MIFIR Transaction Reporting

Trading Capacity

Definition of trade execution

Trade Lifecycle scenarios, transmission of order

Reporting exemptions and Reportable instruments

EMIR Trade Reporting

Trade and Position Reporting, Trade Lifecycle Action types

OTC, Cleared, and Listed Derivative scenarios - Updates for EMIR REFIT

Reconciliation with counterparty reporting

Asset class specific rules

SFTR Transaction Reporting

UK vs EU SFTR

Counterparty classification, scope, and data

Mandatory delegated reporting for NFC-

Loan and collateral data, margin data and margin reuse/Rehypothecation

PART 3: REPORTING FIELDS AND VALIDATIONS

MIFIR Transaction Reporting

Instrument and underlying identifiers (ISINs, CUSIPS), using the ANNA DSB

Unique Product Identifiers (UPIs)

Trade Economics, LEIs and identifying counterparties

Personal Data Requirements

EMIR Trade Reporting

Unique Trade Identifiers (UTI) Generation and Matching

Unique Product Identifiers (UPIs), ISIN, AIIs

Trade Economics, Collateral and Valuation Data, Confirmation details

SFTR Transaction Reporting

Repo and overnight collateral information

Fields Analysis and Reference Data, Asset class specific rules

LEI, UTIs, and product identifiers

PART 4: KEY CONSIDERATIONS

MIFIR Transaction Reporting

Systems and Controls - Regulatory Obligations, Reconciliations with ARM

Global Regulatory Reporting

EMIR Trade Reporting

Systems and Controls - Regulatory Obligations, Inter TR Reconciliation

EMIR 2.2 and EMIR REFIT - Changes in scope and upcoming implementations

Global Regulatory Reporting

SFTR Transaction Reporting

Systems and Controls - Regulatory Obligations, FC vs NFCs, Tri-Party and Custody arrangements

Segregation of collateral, Rehypothecation

Global securities financing regulations

For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d52962

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
Sutter Home Fans Encouraged to Collect Corks and Screwcaps to Support Fight Against Breast Cancer

ST. HELENA, Calif., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sutter Home Family Vineyards, a longtime champion in the fight against breast cancer, today announced the winery's renewed commitment to fighting breast cancer with the 22nd annual Sutter Home for Hope campaign. As one of America's first wine companies to make a commitment to breast cancer research, treatment and education, Sutter Home has contributed more than $1.62 million to the cause over the past 22 years. The wine brand returns in its eighth year of partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. with limited-edition pink-ribbon White Zinfandel and Pink Moscato bottles in 187mL, 750mL and 1.5L formats.

Sutter Home for Hope limited-edition 750mL bottles Sutter Home for Hope limited-edition 187mL bottles

The Sutter Home for Hope initiative began in 2001, when one of Sutter Home's founding family members, Vera Trinchero Torres, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sutter Home fans can help continue the fight against breast cancer by sending in their Sutter Home corks and screwcaps via mail. For every cork and screwcap received, the winery will donate $1 to National Breast Cancer Foundation, up to $60,000. The program began Sept. 1 and will run through the end of 2022.

Sutter Home fans are once again encouraged to further our fight against breast cancer by visiting https://fundraise.nbcf.org/sutter. Through the site  back for its second year  fans can fund a HOPE Kit for a woman undergoing breast cancer treatment. Each package is filled with thoughtful items that patients find soothing and encouraging, including fuzzy socks, tea, lip balm, an inspirational bracelet, lotion, a HOPE journal, educational resources and a hand-written note  many of which were written by guests visiting Sutter Home's Napa Valley tasting room. $50 funds one HOPE Kit, though the one-time fee or a monthly donation can be made for any amount.

"Our mission for making a difference remains twofold: providing support to charities and nonprofits like National Breast Cancer Foundation that are working to make a difference in communities nationwide, and promoting positive messages of hope and support to let those affected by cancer know they are not alone," said Jennifer Hohman, director of marketing for Sutter Home. "We are truly grateful to our fans who have joined us as we take on this cause together, as an extended family  one that's there to help celebrate the good times and give support during the challenging times."

"As a family-owned winery for nearly 75 years, we understand the powerful role that families play in supporting one another in times of need," said Hohman. "We at Sutter Home are proud to stand by our fans and support those they love like family. Through our Sutter Home for Hope campaign created in honor of one of our founding family members  Vera Trinchero Torres  we are committed to furthering this cause that's near and dear to our hearts."

Banded together to make a positive difference in the lives of families around the world, Sutter Home and National Breast Cancer Foundation are committed to Helping Women Now. The National Cancer Institute predicts that an estimated 287,850* women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 43,250* will die in the United States in 2022. With the help of Sutter Home's fans, National Breast Cancer Foundation can inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.

"We are thankful for Sutter Home Family Vineyards' continued commitment to our mission of Helping Women Now," said Janelle Hail, founder and chief executive officer of National Breast Cancer Foundation. "Sutter Home's generosity will help us make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it."

Sutter Home invites those looking to make a difference to "Clink for Pink" now through Dec. 31. Learn all the ways Sutter Home is inspiring hope from our home to yours at www.sutterhome.com/sutter-home-for-hope/.

About Sutter Home

When the Trinchero family bought the Sutter Home Winery in 1948, they had vision, passion and a keen insight into consumer tastes. In the early 1970s, Sutter Home revolutionized the way Americans enjoyed wine when it created the first-ever White Zinfandel, introducing a new, sweeter style of winealong with several other crowd-pleasing varietalsat an affordable price. By the 1980s and 1990s, Sutter Home became a household name as the second largest independent, family-owned winery in the United States. In 2005, the winery was the first to produce the groundbreaking single-serve, 187mL package in lightweight plastic bottles. Today, Sutter Home continues to reflect the evolution of its consumers, offering 24 different varietals in 750mL, 187mL and 1.5L bottles, plus 500mL Tetra Pak packages. For more information visit www.SutterHome.com.

About National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Helping Women Now by providing early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer. A recipient of Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating for 16 years, NBCF provides support through their National Mammography Program, Patient Navigation, breast health education, and patient support programs. For more information, please visit https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/.

Source: *National Cancer Institute U.S. Female Breast Cancer Statistics: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/breast.html

Support the Cause: Send Sutter Home corks and screwcaps in an envelope labeled SHFH22 to:

Inmar Rebate Center | PO Box 426008 | Laredo, TX 78842-6008

Social Media

Facebook: @SutterHome | Instagram: @SutterHomeWines | Pinterest: @SutterHome | Twitter: @SutterHome

SOURCE Sutter Home Family Vineyards
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A Judge in Argentina has indicted 19 individuals for criminal conspiracy, human trafficking with the purpose of sexual exploitation, money laundering and smuggling in relation to their involvement in a yoga school in Buenos Aires. The Yoga school, which had offices in New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago, was a religious sect that coerced female members to have sex with wealthy men for money and benefits.

According to prosecutors, The Buenos Aires Yoga School, which operated under the leadership of Juan Percowicz for more than 30 years, lured individuals with promises of eternal happiness but in actuality exploited them sexually and financially. The school is accused of preying on people who were underage or had serious health problems, including addictions.

Members included lawyers and accountants who advised leaders on a complex money laundering network that included starting businesses and buying real estate in Argentina and the United States

Transatlantic law firm McAllister Olivarius has launched an investigation of the Yoga School and its ties to the United States for the purposes of potential legal action against the school to help victims achieve justice. McAllister Olivarius has recently hired attorney Carol Merchasin to oversee a new practice focusing on sexual misconduct in spiritual communities, including yoga communities.

"As we saw with the scandals of Ashtanga yoga, sexual abuse is a problem that persists in yoga communities precisely because so many practitioners feel a spiritual connection to their mentors," says Merchasin. "It is important to look beyond established religions and understand that the same patterns of coercion, sexual violence and sexual exploitation exist in non-traditional communities"

If you have been abused by members of The Buenos Aires Yoga School, please contact McAllister Olivarius ( www.mcolaw.com ). The firm represents clients nationwide.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is McAllister Olivarius ( www.mcolaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict similar outcomes with respect to future matters. Opportunities to discuss your particular case are welcomed. All communications are treated confidentially.

About McAllister Olivarius

McAllister Olivarius (McO) is an international law firm, based in the US and UK, with practice areas including trafficking, sexual violence, employment, higher education and online reputation and privacy.

SOURCE McAllister Olivarius
SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global provider of online interactive classes, Allschool, has successfully completed its first hybrid learning camp in collaboration with the YMCA Student Care Centre @ Canberra. Running from 6  9 September 2022, the Allschool Camp took the centre's 90 students through a combined online and offline learning experience, in coordination with online Allschool teachers and YMCA in-class mentors. This innovative hybrid approach to learning falls under a new sub-brand called 'Allschool Camp' and has yielded overwhelmingly positive responses from the students involved.

Welcome to Allschool Camp

Allschool's corporate social responsibility aims to focus on children, education, empowerment of teachers and technology-driven study. It is dedicated to bringing learning enjoyment to children through an interactive and inspiring learning experience.

Allschool Supported in the Following Areas:

Each student receives high-quality online class and offline activities

4 Top Allschool teachers from the U.K, and U.S. public schools and private schools with an average of 15 years of teaching experience

8 Unique Interest Courses in 4 subjects: Nature & Science, Life Skills, Arts, English Language

Each student receives a study report and award certificate

The experimental programme leverages the outstanding technical capabilities of Allschool and the expertise of online teachers and in-classroom teachers to give students an effective hybrid learning experience. At the culmination of the camp, an award ceremony was held to recognise the students' achievements. Students also publicly expressed their positive feelings about the camp, a testament to its success.

Primary 4 (P4) and P6 YMCA mentor Miss Sharuna from the YMCA Student Care Centre @ Canberra commented about Allschool Camp, "Kids love it. Allschool Camp is beneficial to the kids as they get to learn a lot of new things that they never learned before in a fun and interesting way. I think they really enjoyed it and looked forward to the next session."

Miss Shaera, YMCA P1 and P2 mentor shared her thoughts, "Kids love the classes so much because I can hear by their tone of voice that they are very enthusiastic. When students learn through creativity, they learn through fun and games."

At the end of the programme, XiaoNan Wang, Head of Allschool Southeast Asia Region reflected, "Young people are our future. As an online learning platform, Allschool aims to empower youth through education. We are delighted to collaborate with the YMCA of Singapore to achieve this goal through the Allschool camp. YMCA is a worldwide youth organisation focused on helping young people grow into healthy, thriving adults. By working with the YMCA, Allschool hopes to give back to the local community and make a difference in all these young learners' lives."

Teacher Vanessa, one of the Allschool teacher who taught "Paint Your Own Picasso" and "Super Cute Animal Drawings" said, "I am delighted to join such an innovative teaching programme. As an education professional, the programme was a great opportunity for me to enrich my teaching experiences. It was the first time I had taught a large group of students online and in a different country. The innovative tool from Allschool and YMCA mentors in Singapore made this a huge success. It was ultimately a very rewarding experience and a pleasure to work with the students and other mentors involved.

As innovators in the field of education, Allschool realises the increasing importance and power that technology will play in the future of education. Hybrid learning combines the best of both the online and offline systems to create engaging and relevant learning material with a supportive and enjoyable classroom environment. In addition, offline teachers can spend more time focusing more on supporting the needs of specific individuals and less time on the rote teaching syllabus. This separation of responsibilities ensures that each learner is given a more comprehensive learning experience to better reach their potential. In March 2022, Singapore Education minister Chan Chun Sing indicated that in the aftermath of Covid-19, hybrid learning would be a national approach going forward. "We will move more and more of our lessons online, allowing our students to do more self-paced learning", Chan said.

The Allschool Hybrid learning Camp is a reflection of the company's commitment to quality education and one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which it views as an integral pillar of its corporate responsibility. Earlier this year, Allschool also launched the Enrichment Charity Drive in support of Singapore Children's Society. Moving forward, the company intends to continue partnering with like-minded organisations to strive toward the United Nation's vision for Quality Education, using innovative means to empower a generation of young learners to live better and more fulfilling lives.

Allschool Hybrid Learning Camp Achievements:

Cross-border teaching and collaboration between Allschool teachers and YMCA mentors to reinforce concepts learned during class.

Hybrid Learning contributed to the Camp by making the most effective and efficient use of Allschool classes.

Students benefit from the new interest-based courses in an interactive way is different from traditional classes.

About Allschool

Allschool is an innovative online platform that delivers highly interactive small-group live classes to children worldwide. Through Allschool, learners can enjoy a variety of premium live classes  including mathematics, languages, visual arts, game design, and more  delivered by thousands of devoted and talented teachers from all around the world.

An expert in online education, Allschool has developed a set of innovative purpose-built teaching and learning tools that bring meaningful changes to learning outcomes, allowing students to immerse themselves in a rewarding, gamified, and interactive environment that empowers them to explore and pursue their interests while making schooling fun and enjoyable.

Media Contact:

Sara Chen

[email protected]

SOURCE ALLSCHOOLS PTE.LTD
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspirant is excited to announce the addition of Rachel Brecht, who is joining as a Principal within the company's Organizational Effectiveness practice. In this role, she will leverage decades of experience as a talent, transformation and organizational development executive, both in corporate and consulting, to help our clients solve their most complex organizational challenges.

She will work closely with the practice's Managing Director, Judy Johnson, Ph.D., to lead the launch and execution of Org Accelerator , a new offering that challenges the less nimble and more expensive approaches typically employed by larger consulting firms. The offering recalibrates ways of working with collective goals to boost collaboration and performance in just 12 weeks.

Said Johnson, "We are thrilled to bring Rachel aboard. Her wealth of industry and functional expertise will be invaluable to the continued growth of our delivery team. I can't wait to begin introducing her to clients."

Additionally, Michael Conway, Managing Director of Digital Transformation, is excited at the prospect of Rachel's contributions throughout Aspirant.

"An intimate understanding of the human dynamic needs to be baked into the programs we develop for clients in order for them to be successful over the long term," said Conway. "The ability of our teams to tap into her perspective will pay dividends across the company. It's a great example of the power of our Integrated Expertise."

Brecht will remain committed to supporting the community through her board leadership roles with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, St. Clair Health's Hospital Foundation, and Pittsburgh Women's Alliance. She also serves on the Executive Committee for the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Three Rivers Chapter's Future of Board Leadership Symposium. She is an active member of Chief and United Way Women's Leadership Council (United Way of Pennsylvania).

This hiring is expected to help drive the continued growth of the firm, which has been named by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a Best Place to Work and a Fast50 company the last two years. Aspirant is also the Official Consultant of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

ABOUT ASPIRANT

Aspirant partners with business leaders to implement practical solutions to their most critical strategic, technological, and talent-related challenges. Our collaborative teams apply industry and functional expertise to help clients achieve sustainable results.

We also strive to make a meaningful impact in the community by raising awareness of domestic violence and supporting victims through our Connection of Hope program.

SOURCE Aspirant
$1.3M funding round led by Moneta Ventures poised to accelerate the development of IoT devices.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bekonix, Inc., a no-code SaaS company developing a platform to design and build smart-connected hardware-software products, and IoT devices, announced a $1.3 million seed funding round led by Moneta Ventures. This announcement comes after the general availability of the Bekonix platform. Early customers include independent innovators, commercial SME's and enterprise companies.

"With our 100% no-code platform, Bekonix is seeing success with innovators not only by making it faster and easier to make smart, connected IoT devices, but in broadening the types and number of companies that can create deep-technology products," said Daniel Kaye, Co-Founder & CEO of Bekonix. "Moneta is the ideal partner for Bekonix. In addition to their reputation as a top-tier, founder-friendly VC, their engagement as an operational partner and experience scaling companies positions us well for our growth phase. We are poised to enable innovators and companies to introduce commercial-grade hardware-software innovation and IoT devices at a fraction of the cost, complexity, and time compared with the traditional method. We're grateful to our early customers for their tremendous insights and input and the role they have played in proving the platform's power. We're also grateful for our existing investors who helped us get here, including our pre-seed funding from Growth Factory and Evolution Ventures."

Bekonix is poised to address some of the tough barriers to the development and adoption of smart-connected technology and IoT by greatly reducing complexity, cost, and time-to-value. The 100% no-code Bekonix Platform uses a drag-and-drop approach to the development of hardware, software, and applications, enabling innovators and companies to quickly prototype real use cases using off-the-shelf components, iterate rapidly to market/customer feedback and then finalize their designs for production. This reduction in time to establish ROI reduces the cost and time-to-value for market-ready products and avoids expensive failures. With easy integration and the established IoT cloud backend platforms, the speed to value is drastically reduced.

"The Bekonix platform enables an entirely new audience to become creators - to design and build IoT based products that deliver amazing customer experiences. Bekonix provides enterprises an approachable platform for building new products and adding smart tech to existing ones", said David Allen, Partner, Moneta Ventures. "IoT is a cornerstone of digital transformation. We see Bekonix as key to reducing complexity, enabling rapid prototyping, and reducing time to market, ultimately enabling a much broader profile of companies, and people, to participate in the next wave of smart product development. We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the Bekonix team in pursuit of this mission." David will be joining Bekonix's board.

"With this round of funding, our team is well positioned to drive adoption of our platform and help businesses benefit in our proven segmentswearables, modern furniture, lighting, signage, toys & games, and education", said Jyoti Das, Co-Founder & President at Bekonix. "This sets Bekonix up to scale rapidly and drive innovation for our enterprise partnerships in AgTech, logistics, med-tech and Industry 4.0 use cases".

About Bekonix

Bekonix is democratizing IoT by enabling the design and production of smart, connected, IoT products through its no-code platform. Bekonix was founded in 2020 by Daniel Kaye, Ken Turcotte, Jyoti Das, Chris Davey, and Debbie English-Deasona team of deep-tech serial entrepreneurs who have worked together for more than two decades developing disruptive, award-winning technology products. Daniel Kaye, CEO and Ken Turcotte, CTO, were awarded Prime-Time Emmys for their engineering accomplishments in film and television. Bekonix is the natural evolution of the team's experiences and challengesenabling individuals to become entrepreneurs, companies to be more competitive, and enterprises to innovate more efficiently.

Learn more at www.bekonix.com and connect with the team and the lively community at www.community.bekonix.com .

Contact

Debbie English-Deason

[email protected]

www.bekonix.com

SOURCE Bekonix
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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.

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.

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.

vehicle to grid market. To identify drivers and challenges for the Belgium vehicle to grid market.

vehicle to grid market. To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in the Belgium vehicle to grid market.

vehicle to grid market. To identify and analyze the profiles of leading players operating in the Belgium vehicle to grid market.

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/gmmj7l

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
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bizverse joined TTC Labs by Meta fourth accelerator program. The program is a collaboration between Meta and the Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority and Personal Data Protection Commission.

The program will focus on supporting startups including Bizverse further our understanding of data transparency and consent in metaverse technologies.

Bizverse is a technology company that offers answers to business problems by utilizing the social networking model (Social Networking) and the contactless economy platform's technologies (The Contactless Economy). Blockchain, Digital Twin, 3D Map, VR360, and VRFairs are just a few of the technologies that Bizverse World has successfully integrated into the digital transformation process for businesses in the global market.

"As part of this program Bizverse will join six other startups from the region and go through a cycle of discovery and product policy development on data use and metaverse-related apps and services. The accelerator program includes Design Jam workshops in Singapore, specialized mentoring in privacy and UX design from Meta and partners, direct feedback and interaction with the IMDA and leading AR/VR industry players from around the globe, and use of the PIXEL incubator space and labs. The Bizverse team will be excited to share our work and findings at the final event in March 2023" said Mr. Trinh Cong Duy - Founder of Bizverse.

Metaverse, together with Blockchain, is designed to influence the direction of future technologies. Many businesses are applying this innovative tech to effectively accelerate their business.

No doubt about the popularity of Metaverse, that is the future of the Internet and it is just getting started. Many of the new standards and methodologies differ from the Internet as it currently exists, it is required collaboration among many large enterprises in the world to derive and popularize the perfect standards of the Metaverse world.

About Bizverse

BIZVERSE is a Metaverse and Digital Twin world, aiming toward a contactless economy, a project defined by the concept of Meta Economy  a combination between the Metaverse and Business worlds, to build a virtual reality environment, a real metaverse for business activities.

Website: https://bizverse.io/

Telegram: https://t.me/bizverse

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BizverseWorld

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bizverseworld

SOURCE Bizverse
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Black-led immigrant justice organizations Haitian Bridge Alliance, UndocuBlack Network, and African Communities Together filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) complaint in the Southern District of New York seeking records from the U.S. government on the abuse of Haitian asylum seekers in Del Rio, TX last year. Nearly a year after the original request was submitted on October 1, 2021, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has produced a single document, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have produced nothing. Justice Action Center, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Innovation Law Lab are co-counsel.

The lawsuit alleges that in September 2021, around 15,000 Haitian asylum seekers fleeing persecution arrived in Del Rio, Texas. Though the Biden administration knew of their pending arrival, it failed to prepare adequate resources to humanely receive these individuals and families exercising their legal right to seek safety. Instead, for two weeks, the administration subjected them to horrific conditions and racist abuse by CBP that included lack of food, water, urgent medical care, and verbal and physical assault. The Biden administration then proceeded to expel Haitians en masse back to dangerincluding pregnant mothers and infants as young as nine-days-oldtotaling more than 25,000 Haitians since September 19, 2021.

"As we just marked the one-year anniversary of the U.S. government's abuse of Haitian asylum seekers in Del Rio, we are disappointed but not surprised that we have to litigate this FOIA request," said Guerline Jozef, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance. "Since last September, the Biden administration has skirted accountability at every turn: DHS conducted a sham investigation that focused on the mere 30-minute period captured on camera rather than the full two weeks that Haitians were subjected to abuse. They also failed to interview a single Haitian victim or witness yet concluded that there was no use of excess force. We vehemently oppose these efforts at impunity and hope this FOIA litigation is a step towards the transparency and accountability that impacted Haitians deserve."

"Anti-Blackness is a core tenet of U.S. immigration policy," said Haddy Gassama, National Director of Policy and Advocacy at the UndocuBlack Network. "Not only is this evidenced by the government's abuse of Haitian asylum seekers in Del Rio, but also by its attempts to avoid accountability. For years, Black immigrant advocates have challenged the violent treatment of Black migrants; while the structures and systems that have enabled this cruelty to endure are not new, it is the responsibility of this current administration to rectify those harms. That begins with transparency, ending deterrence policies like Title 42 and ensuring protections are put in place for people seeking safety."

"Since Del Rio, the Biden administration has expelled more than 25,000 Haitians and many more still face uncertainty and discrimination along the border," said Diana Konate, Policy Director at African Communities Together. "We file this lawsuit in solidarity with the thousands who were abused in Del Rio and who are still fighting for their fundamental, human right to seek safety. DHS's blatantly one-sided investigation into Del Rio with its deliberate failure to interview a single Haitian migrant illustrates the urgency and necessity of this litigation to produce the documents we are entitled to under law."

Contacts:

Plaintiffs:

Haitian Bridge Alliance: Guerline Jozef, [email protected]

UndocuBlack Network: Haddy Gassama: [email protected]

African Communities Together: Diana Konate: [email protected]

Co-Counsel media contacts:

Justice Action Center: Tasha Moro, [email protected]

RFK Human Rights: Amy Reid, [email protected]

Innovation Law Lab: Alex Mensing, [email protected]

SOURCE Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Saramonic releases its Blink500 ProX wireless microphone system which is the upgraded version of classic Blink500 Pro system. As a reliable wireless microphone system, the Blink500 ProX is not only equipped with extraordinary 2.4GHz transmission technology, a bigger OLED screen for vital information, and extra operation time but can also be used out of the box, ensuring content creators have better recording experiences and make their audio pieces into the next level. Here is some information users should know about the Blink500 ProX.

Saramonic Blink500 ProX: Ultracompact 2.4GHz Dual-Channel Wireless Microphone System

Advanced 2.4GHz Transmission and Frequency-Hopping Technology Audio

The Blink500 ProX's advanced 2.4GHz transmission and frequency-hopping technology enable users to record crisp audio at distances of up to 100 meters for extremely stable operation even in areas with high RF activity.

Upgraded Function Improvements

Boasting up to 84dB signal-to-noise ratio, 48KHz sampling rate, and 20-20KHz frequency response, each Blink500 ProX transmitter captures pure and clear sound with virtually no background noise. Thanks to 8s ultra-low latency, users can realize online communication is easier and more reliable than before. Additionally, it can handle two transmitters at once, with selectable mono or stereo modes for easy audio editing in post-production.

Wide Compatibility & Long Battery Life

The microphone system can run for 10 hours and the charging case can support another 20-30 hours, the Blink500 ProX is ready to handle a whole day of recording. Using the TRS/TRRS cables and smartphone adapter cables, the Blink500 ProX can connect to DSLRs, mixers, modern computers, smartphones, tablets, and so much more. The powerful and practical features of Blink500 ProX make it an ideal tool for content creators.

About Saramonic

Headquartered in China, Saramonic is a professional audio equipment solution company, focusing on producing microphones, mixers, headphones, etc. Saramonic has been through over a decade of R&D design and operation, selling products all over the world and enjoying great popularity worldwide for quality products and services. Saramonic is a game changer in audio for the consumer and professional markets and devotes itself to creating high-quality audio products that inspire content creators. Visit https://www.saramonic.com/ for more information.

Contact Information

Diana Wu

Sales Director

[email protected]

SOURCE Saramonic
Leading manufacturer will showcase new Infiniti tankless and AeroTherm heat pump water heater

products at October conference as CEO Bruce Carnevale shares industry insights

AMBLER, Pa., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, will serve as strategic partner for PHCCCONNECT2022, the premier annual conference for plumbing, heating and cooling professionals, in Charlotte, N.C., in October.

Bradford White Corporation will serve as strategic partner for PHCCCONNECT2022, the premier annual conference for plumbing, heating and cooling professionals, in Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 5-7.

PHCCCONNECT2022, scheduled for Oct. 5-7 at the Charlotte Convention Center, is hosted by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling ContractorsNational Association (PHCC), a leading organization representing professionals in residential, commercial, new construction, industrial and service and repair segments of the plumbing and HVAC industry.

During the event, Bradford White Water Heaters will introduce innovative new high-efficiency technology at its exhibition booth. In addition, Bradford White representatives, including Bradford White Corp. President and CEO Bruce Carnevale, will share industry and company insights at multiple scheduled presentations throughout the conference.

"Bradford White and PHCC share a commitment to the professionals who make up the foundation of our industry, and we're honored to support this important event," said Carl Pinto, Jr., senior director of marketing communications for Bradford White. "PHCCCONNECT2022 gives us a chance to connect with colleagues and partners as we all share solutions and strategies for moving our industry into the future."

Representatives from Bradford White will be available during the event's Product and Technology Showcase in Booth 700 to provide information about Bradford White's full line of products, including the new Infiniti  Tankless GR and the AeroTherm  Series Heat Pump Water Heater featuring Bradford White Connect.

will be available during the event's Product and Technology Showcase in Booth 700 to provide information about full line of products, including the new Infiniti Tankless GR and the AeroTherm Series Heat Pump Water Heater featuring Bradford White Connect. Carnevale will deliver a State of the Industry report at the opening breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 6 , at 8 a.m.

, at Carnevale will participate in a keynote panel discussion about challenges facing the industry in 2022, followed by an audience Q&A, on Friday, Oct. 7 , from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

, from Tom Kelly , Bradford White's technical sales manager for specialty products, will lead a seminar on tankless water heater installation tips and practical troubleshooting on Wednesday, Oct. 5 , at 9 a.m. in room E217.

PHCC provides legislative advocacy, education and training to approximately 3,300 plumbing and HVACR open shop and union businesses and 65,000 technicians. Approximately 125 state and local association affiliates are part of PHCC's chapter network.

For more information about Bradford White Water Heaters, visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com.

About Bradford White Water Heaters

Bradford White Water Heaters is a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company maintains headquarters in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and has manufacturing facilities in Middleville, Michigan; Niles, Michigan; and Rochester, New Hampshire; and distribution and training centers in Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhite.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Bradford White Corporation
BEIJING, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Korea, and this year has been designated the year of the China-South Korea Year of Cultural Exchanges.

poster of the episode Chinese and South Korean Gen Zers in Youth Power

The fourth episode of season two of the China Daily Series Youth Power, organized by China Daily Gen Z studio, was broadcast on September 30. For this episode of Youth Power Gen Zers of both China and South Korea were invited to discuss topics related to culture, society, economics and politics. They engaged in candid dialogue related to China-ROK relations in the past, present and future.

Youth Power also conducted an online survey and several street interviews regarding the views of Gen Zers on relations between the two countries via a questionnaire of more than 100 Gen Z youth in both China and South Korea. More than half of the Gen Zers in both countries said they believed that there were more similarities between Chinese and South Korean youngsters than there were differences. Two-thirds of Chinese youth had favorable impressions of South Korea, and 70 percent of South Koreans had more favorable feelings toward China. More than three-fourths of young Chinese and South Koreans said they believed China-South Korea relations would improve in the future.

Asian countries are physically and culturally close, with similar historical experiences and the same dream and pursuits. Gen Zers in China and South Korea knew that China and the Republic of Korea had been neighbors and shared a long history and cultural traditions, including similarities with language and festivals. Clea Jin, a Gen Zer from South Korea who has just graduated from Peking University, said "the two countries have so many traditions and cultures in common because we've been through a lot together. "

Zhao Jingyi, a Chinese student at Shanghai International Studies University, talked of her understanding of the historical relationship between the two countries. "The cultural similarity between China and South Korea is inseparable from their long history of communication as evidenced by Jizi, a nobleman of the Yin Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC) who traveled to Korea and taught the technology of silkworm breeding and cloth weaving, and Choe Chi-won, the 'Confucian of the East' who went to China in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to study Sinology and became an official."

"Traditional Chinese culture did not only develop itself but also been developing or cultivating into other forms of culture," said Yang Jinhe, a Chinese student at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Kim Junbum, a South Korean who started his own company in China, talked of his favorite Chinese idiom, "Hai na bai chuan" (all rivers run into the sea). The phrase embodies the spirit of tolerance of the Chinese people and shows the generosity of Chinese culture, he said.

The host, Wang Zongnan, of Tsinghua University, said that seeking common ground while reserving differences is the best interpretation for future relations between China and South Korea. "That's why we inherit and should carry forward the spirit of cooperation just like our ancestors and lead it to the future."

However, often in close relationships, differences of opinion can arise, and in recent years China-ROK relations have gone through some rough patches. The program's guests said some media reports and film and television works were full of stereotypes that could mislead people of the two countries about each other. So Gen Zers should bravely take the initiative to contribute to the long-term development of the two countries and the world, they said.

One of the program guests suggested using the media to influence the press, thus eliminating prejudices and reaching a consensus, was one solution. Kim Junbum showed his experience promoting cultural exchanges, talked of his business ventures in China, posting vlogs on overseas social media. He believed this was a tangible way of helping more people understand the real China.

At the end of the episode, Gen Zers of China and South Korea also expressed best wishes for the future of the two countries.

Lim Sojung, a South Korean student who studied in China for 15 years, said that although China-South Korea relations had been affected by many factors in recent years, "the two countries can overcome those influences and work together to move forward in a new digital era. Therefore, I think that Korea-China relations will develop significantly in the future and I hope Korea and China can become eternal neighbors and partners".

Liu Zipei, a Chinese student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said: "If I had a friend who had a 30-year bond with me, I would definitely, with no hesitation, give him or her my sincerity. Long live our friendship."

Youth Power, organized by China Daily and first broadcast in June last year, aims to build a global platform for communication and exchange focusing on the interests and ideas of Generation Z.The program comes in the form of interviews, forums and speeches, with topics related to anything of current interest in the world.

SOURCE China Daily
ATLANTA, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Properties (NYSE:CUZ) announced today that it will release its third quarter 2022 earnings after the market closes on Thursday, October 27, 2022. Cousins will hold its third quarter 2022 earnings conference call on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The number for this call is (877) 247-1056. The live webcast of this call can be accessed on the Company's website, www.cousins.com, through the "Cousins Properties Third Quarter Conference Call" link on the Investor Relations page.

A playback will be available shortly after the call on Friday, October 28, 2022 and run through Friday, November 4, 2022. The number for the playback is (877) 344-7529, passcode 5916672. The playback can also be accessed on the Company's website through the "Cousins Properties Third Quarter Conference Call" link on the Investor Relations page.

Financial information will be placed on the Company's website promptly after the earnings release announcement. This information will be available in the "Featured Reports" section on the Investor Relations page. This information will also be available through the "SEC Filings" and "Supplemental Information" links on the Investor Relations page.

About Cousins Properties

Cousins Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high-growth Sun Belt markets. Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing and management of high-quality real estate assets. The Company has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets and opportunistic investments. For more information, please visit www.cousins.com.

CONTACT:

Roni Imbeaux

Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations

404-407-1104

[email protected]

SOURCE Cousins Properties
The Portland-born quick-service salad restaurant looks toward continued growth on the heels of exciting local and international industry recognition

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Crisp Salads, known for healthy meals centered on fresh, whole foods, is celebrating seven years of business. Since opening in 2015, the local, woman owned eatery has expanded to three locations across the Portland metro area with an evolving menu of classic and seasonal made-to-order offerings, including design-your-own salads, bowls, wraps and soups.

Emma Dye, Founder and Chief Salad Officer at Crisp, started the quick-service restaurant to make real, non-processed foods more accessible to the Portland community. "As someone who tries to eat a lot of veggies and lean proteins while always on the go, it can be challenging to find healthy food that's quick and is reasonably priced. My passion is to provide better food options for as many people as possible while keeping our carbon footprint and environmental impact minimal." Dye also shared, "We would not have made it these past seven years without our extremely supportive customers and local purveyors. I am so thankful to the Portland community for helping make Crisp a dream come true!"

Crisp's seventh year of business was underscored by awards and recognition at the local and international level:

In honor of their innovation, creativity, and all-around excellence in the use of fresh produce, Crisp Salads was awarded the 2022 Fast Casual Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA).

by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). Dye was recently named Oregon Restaurateur of the Year by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association (ORLA).

"We're celebrating this milestone with a tremendous amount of gratitude for our patrons, partners and team members. We look forward to continuing to serve the Portland area in new and exciting ways in the years ahead," says Dye.

To explore Crisp Salads' menu, find a location near you, or place an online order, visit www.CrispSaladsNW.com . For more news follow Crisp on Instagram and Facebook .

About Crisp Salads

With locations across the Portland metro area, Crisp Salads serves deliciously fresh meals in a welcoming, friendly environment while minimizing its carbon footprint. Crisp combines the freshest, highest quality ingredients to make eating healthy, whole foods easy and convenient. A curated menu of highly-customizable salads, soups, bowls and wraps combines distinctive flavors inspired by global cuisine to meet every taste and dietary need. From salad dressings to soups and everything in between, all of Crisp's offerings are made in-house - no fillers, no preservatives, just fresh, real ingredients.

SOURCE Crisp Salads
"We will solve bee farm pests and wasp damage with SMARTHIVE products."

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Products have been released to minimize damage to domestic and foreign beekeepers, such as Varroa mite, small hive beetles, and wasps (long-lived wasps, black wasps), which caused great damage to the beekeeping industry.

Daesung SMARTHIVE, a beekeeping automation device company, announced on the 29th that it is resonating with the beekeeping industry by releasing new products such as plasma ozone storage and Hornet Trap.

Plasma Ozone Beekeeping Storerage , Hornet Trap , Hive Controller

The Plasma Ozone Beekeeping storeroom and Hornet trap products were installed first at beekeeping farms in Korea completing empirical tests and verifying productivity and technology.

Plasma ozone beekeeping storeroom is an eco-friendly technology that dramatically improves the effect of sterilization, disinfection, and odor removal, and can effectively remove bacteria, viruses, and harmful substances by storing contaminated objects inside the storage.

Existing beekeeping farms incinerated beehives when pests and diseases such as Varroa mite occurred in beehives, but using plasma ozone beekeeping storage, beehives can be recycled without incineration. In addition, the product is an eco-friendly product such as reducing carbon dioxide generation.

Plasma ozone technology applied to storage can continue to produce uniform effects such as odor removal and air purification as the product operates, so it can be widely used not only bee farms but also for sterilization and odor removal in livestock farms.

The hornet trap is an eco-friendly product that does not use separate incentives such as fermented liquids.

The existing wasp capture does not selectively attract wasps, and the function of attracting and killing all insects around the catcher is causing great damage to the insect ecosystem.

When installed at the entrance of the hive, the hornet trap used the habit of wasp following honeybees. Wasps that enter the trap are trapped in the capture frame due to their habits, and honeybees can enter the hive safely and freely through the honeybee passage.

It is possible to reduce the cost of labor and other pest control products because they do not have to live directly in bee farms and remove wasps one by one.

Smarthive's long-selling product, the Hive controller, is popular with Korean beekeepers. Hive Controller is a portable smart beekeeping system that safely takes out honeycombs from beehives, brushes bees and stacks honeycombs outside beehives in approximately a minute.

Meanwhile, Daesung Smarthive, signed MOUs with Spain, the UK, Uzbekistan.

SOURCE DAESUNG
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Deep-South Resources Inc. ("Deep-South" or the Company) (TSXV: DSM) announces that it has closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for an amount of $392,000.

The Offering comprised 7,840,000 Units (the "Units") at a subscription price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one (1) common share and one half (1/2) of one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) common share at an exercise price of $0.10 for thirty-six (36) months from the date of closing of the private placement. Each security issued has a mandatory four (4) month hold period from the date of closing of the placement.

The Company did not pay any finders.

The funds will be used to further exploration of the projects in Zambia and for general working capital.

About Deep-South Resources Inc.

Deep-South Resources is a mineral exploration and development company. Deep-South's growth strategy is to focus on the exploration and development of quality assets in significant mineralized trends and in proximity to infrastructure in stable countries. In using and assessing environmentally friendly technologies in the development of its copper projects, Deep-South embraces the green revolution.

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

Information contained in this news release which are not statements of historical facts may be "forward-looking information" for the purposes of Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "contemplate", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "schedule", "understand" and similar expressions identify forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the Minister's refusal to renew the Company's Licence, the Company's intention to contest the Minister's decision before the Courts of Namibia and the outcome of such proceedings.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Deep-South, are inherently subject to significant technical, political, business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Factors and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: political risks associated with the Company's operations in Namibia; the failure of the Namibian Government to comply with its continuing obligations under the Act to allow for the renewal of the Licence; the impact of changes in, or to the more aggressive enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices; the inability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enforce their legal rights in certain circumstances. For additional risk factors, please see the Company's most recently filed Management Discussions & Analysis available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

There can be no assurances that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as many factors and future events, both known and unknown could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary or differ materially from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained herein or incorporated by reference. Accordingly, all such factors should be considered carefully when making decisions with respect to Deep-South, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release is made as at the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable legislation.

SOURCE Deep-South Resources Inc.
Company to be featured Oct. 3 in the New York's Most Respected Employers Issue

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepIntent , the leading healthcare advertising technology company built to improve better patient health and business outcomes, is pleased to be ranked no. 28 by Crain's New York Business amongst the 100 Best Places to Work in New York City in the Large Employer Category.

In partnership with Best Companies Group, Crain's surveyed more than 20,000 employees across all five boroughs on the types of work atmospheres, leadership styles, opportunities for mentorship and professional growth, traditional benefits, and atypical "work perks" that make a company a great place to work.

"DeepIntent was founded with a mission to improve patient outcomes through the artful use of advertising, data science, and real-world clinical data. As CEO, my proudest accomplishment is the team we've built. Together, this incredible group of engineers, marketers, strategists, analysts, product developers, and operations professionals continues to push the healthcare industry forward by unlocking the value of data to deliver better patient outcomes," said CEO Chris Paquette. "We are thrilled to be recognized by Crain's as one of the leading employers in New York City and look forward to continuing building on the success of this outstanding team."

DeepIntent prides itself on offering an inclusive, welcoming work environment that enables its employees to be their whole selves and to do their best work. DeepIntent also offers very competitive compensation and benefits, including unlimited PTO, 401(k) matching, access to the company's equity program after a year of service, up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, health insurance with free dental and vision plans, pet insurance, and more.

"This year's honorees represent world-class organizations that are at the forefront of their respective fields, ranging from companies and firms in consulting, data and digital media, consumer tech, healthcare, public relations, recruiting, real estate, law and financial services," said Crain's.

The ranking of the 100 top employers is available at crainsnewyork.com and in the October 3rd print issue of Crain's. For more information about DeepIntent's culture and available positions, visit www.deepintent.com/careers/ .

About DeepIntent

DeepIntent is leading the healthcare advertising industry with data-driven solutions built for the future. Built purposefully for healthcare marketers, DeepIntent's platform is proven to drive higher audience quality and script lift, and enables marketers to plan, activate, measure, and optimize their campaigns all within a single platform. Conceived by former Memorial Sloan Kettering data scientists, DeepIntent empowers nine of the top ten pharmaceutical companies and the leading healthcare advertising agencies to improve patient outcomes through the artful use of advertising, data science, and real-world health data. For more information, visit DeepIntent.com or find us on Twitter , Facebook , or LinkedIn .

About Crain's New York Business

Crain's New York Business provides news, information, analysis and connections on all facets of New York through the prism of business. Through its daily news coverage on crainsnewyork.com , its weekly coverage in print, its newsmaker forums and topical events that bring together the city's diverse business communities, Crain's New York Business is the leading source of information on the New York economy, the companies, industries and institutions that operate here and the entrepreneurs and innovators who drive the city's growth.

Press Contact

Finn Partners for DeepIntent

Chris Shattuck

[email protected]

678 504 6785

SOURCE DeepIntent
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) participated in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, to foster collaboration among nations around the digital economy and enable digital prosperity for all. DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya held bilateral meetings and participated in events during the UNGA.

Digital Cooperation Organization advances global discussion on digital prosperity for all at United Nations General Assembly 2022 (PRNewsfoto/The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO))

The DCO hosted a high-level round table in New York, which included DCO Member State representatives; H.E. Ahmad Hanandeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Jordan; Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA); Jonathan H. Adashek, Chief Communications Officer and Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, IBM; and high-ranking officials from several UN agencies.

Commenting on the DCO's participation, Deemah AlYahya, DCO Secretary-General, said "Driving economic growth, eliminating gender inequality, and promoting sustainability are global economic challenges outlined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These global challenges can only be addressed by multilateral cooperation, in areas such as innovation and emerging technologies and more importantly in developing innovation friendly regulatory frameworks." DCO presents a platform for multilateral, multi-stakeholder collaboration that allows for accelerating a vibrant, sustainable and, more importantly, inclusive digital economy."

Deema AlYahya met with Dr. Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology., and Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, to discuss aligning the DCO with the UN SG's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.

The Secretary-General held a number of bilateral meetings with ministers, NGOs, and private sector leaders including H.E. Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; H.E Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information Communications Technology and Innovation, Rwanda; H.E. Dr. Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of Bangladesh; Hon. Kyriacos Kokkinos, Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Republic of Cyprus; H.E. Mohammed Thamer Al-Kaabi, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Kingdom of Bahrain; H.E. Ivan John Uy, Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Republic of the Philippines; H.E. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and H.E. Amb. Hissein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Secretary-General AlYahya held several meetings with executives from the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) at the United Nations Foundation, NVIDIA Corporation, and the Global Partnerships Forum.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1911949/DCO_at_UN.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867632/DCO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
Company donates $100,000 to the Fund, managed by Volunteer Florida Foundation, which assists Florida communities during times of emergency or disaster.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Now that Hurricane Ian has pulled away from Florida and Duke Energy crews are in the field assessing damage and restoring power, the company has pledged $100,000 to the Florida Disaster Fund to aid communities impacted by the storm.

The funds will support disaster recovery and response, including meals, shelter, emergency services and supplies. Volunteer Florida activated the Florida Disaster Fund this week to help communities affected by the storm.

"Our priority in uncertain disasters like this is taking care of our customers and communities," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy's Florida president. "We are grateful to be able to support the wonderful organizations that are first on the ground helping with recovery."

Hurricane Ian made landfall on the western side of Florida earlier this week, causing widespread power outages and damage before continuing on a northward trek. Duke Energy has nearly 10,000 lineworkers, tree professionals, damage assessment and support personnel on the ground in its Florida service areas responding to outages in places where it is safe to do so.

"On behalf of all Floridians, we appreciate all the generous donations," said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo, "Your support contributes to Volunteer Florida's mission of leveraging our resources toward rebuilding our affected communities."

To contribute to the Florida Disaster Fund, please visit floridadisasterfund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Shawna Berger

Media line: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy
WILMINGTON, Del. and CHANDLER, Ariz., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) ("DuPont") and Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG) ("Rogers") today provided the following update on regulatory approval of the pending merger of Rogers and Cardinalis Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont, which was previously expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

The parties have received all regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger except for approval, which remains pending, of the State Administration for Market Regulation of China ("SAMR"). At the request of SAMR, DuPont recently withdrew and refiled with SAMR the notice of the parties' planned merger. The parties continue to hold cooperative discussions with SAMR with the aim of securing regulatory approval of the planned merger. The parties continue to seek to close the merger as soon as possible, subject to regulatory approval by SAMR and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement.

As previously announced on November 2, 2021, Rogers entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by DuPont for $277.00 per share in cash. Rogers' shareholders approved the merger agreement at a special shareholder meeting held on January 25, 2022.

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 www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.

About Rogers Corporation

Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG) is a global leader in engineered materials to power, protect and connect our world. Rogers delivers innovative solutions to help our customers solve their toughest material challenges. Rogers' advanced electronic and elastomeric materials are used in applications for EV/HEV, automotive safety and radar systems, mobile devices, renewable energy, wireless infrastructure, energy-efficient motor drives, industrial equipment and more. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Rogers operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Asia and Europe, with sales offices worldwide.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements included in this release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words or phrases such as "believe," "may," "could," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "seek," "plan," "expect," "should," "would" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and are based on Rogers' current beliefs and expectations. This release contains forward-looking statements, which concern the planned acquisition of Rogers by DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (the "DuPont Merger"), Rogers' plans, objectives, outlook, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, future restructuring, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to Rogers on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Rogers' control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Rogers' actual future results may differ materially from Rogers' current expectations due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in its business and risks relating to the DuPont Merger. These risks include, but are not limited to: uncertainties as to the timing and structure of the DuPont Merger; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the DuPont Merger; the risk that management's time and attention is diverted on transaction related issues; the risk that Rogers is unable to retain key personnel; the effects of disruptions caused by the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, vendors and other business partners; and the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the DuPont Merger may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability. Other risks and uncertainties that could cause such results to differ include: the duration and impacts of the novel coronavirus global pandemic and efforts to contain its transmission and distribute vaccines, including the effect of these factors on Rogers' business, suppliers, customers, end users and economic conditions generally; continuing disruptions to global supply chains and Rogers' ability, or the ability of Rogers' suppliers, to obtain necessary product components; failure to capitalize on, volatility within, or other adverse changes with respect to Rogers' growth drivers, including advanced mobility and advanced connectivity, such as delays in adoption or implementation of new technologies; uncertain business, economic and political conditions in the United States (U.S.) and abroad, particularly in China, South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Belgium, where Rogers maintains significant manufacturing, sales or administrative operations; the trade policy dynamics between the U.S. and China reflected in trade agreement negotiations and the imposition of tariffs and other trade restrictions, including trade restrictions on Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei); fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Rogers' ability to develop innovative products and the extent to which Rogers' products are incorporated into end-user products and systems and the extent to which end-user products and systems incorporating Rogers' products achieve commercial success; the ability and willingness of Rogers' sole or limited source suppliers to deliver certain key raw materials, including commodities, to Rogers in a timely and cost-effective manner; intense global competition affecting both Rogers' existing products and products currently under development; business interruptions due to catastrophes or other similar events, such as natural disasters, war, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, terrorism or public health crises; the impact of sanctions, export controls and other foreign asset or investment restrictions; failure to realize, or delays in the realization of anticipated benefits of acquisitions and divestitures due to, among other things, the existence of unknown liabilities or difficulty integrating acquired businesses; Rogers' ability to attract and retain management and skilled technical personnel; Rogers' ability to protect Rogers' proprietary technology from infringement by third parties and/or allegations that Rogers' technology infringes third party rights; changes in effective tax rates or tax laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which Rogers operates; failure to comply with financial and restrictive covenants in Rogers' credit agreement or restrictions on Rogers' operational and financial flexibility due to such covenants; the outcome of ongoing and future litigation, including Rogers' asbestos-related product liability litigation; changes in environmental laws and regulations applicable to Rogers' business; and disruptions in, or breaches of, Rogers' information technology systems. Should any risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have a material adverse effect on Rogers or the DuPont Merger. For additional information about the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect Rogers' business, please see Rogers' most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Rogers Corporation assumes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements contained herein except as required by law.

SOURCE DuPont
Priority Manual Verifications Help Expedite the Research Process for Financial Services and Government Customers

ATLANTA, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Equifax  (NYSE: EFX) announced enhancements to its manual verification of income (VOI) service from Equifax Workforce Solutions with Priority Next Day and Priority Two Day options, designed to help expedite the research process when information is not instantly available via The Work Number database. As a result of these Priority enhancements, Equifax is further positioning itself as a resource of choice for customers to complete the verifications they need in support of quicker, more confident decisioning.

"Our customers rely on rapid verifications of income to help them meet the needs of consumers in today's fast-paced world," said Scott Maxfield, Vice President for Verifications at Equifax Workforce Solutions. "When instant verifications are not available, our manual Priority offerings provide a fast and convenient option, with built-in automation, to help move processes forward for social service determinations and redeterminations as well as for auto, credit, mortgage and personal loan decisions."

Priority Next Day and Priority Two Day offerings deliver low-risk, high-value solutions by only charging customers for a completed Priority order. Customers may also use the hassle-free opt-in feature at order origination to automatically convert a Priority order to the Standard offering at Standard pricing if the order is not fulfilled within the designated Priority time frame. This comprehensive coverage ensures customers can obtain their verification answers in one convenient place.

Priority verifications complement the instant service provided by The Work Number , the industry-leading, centralized commercial source of income and employment information in the U.S. When information is not digitally available through The Work Number, Priority Next Day and Priority Two Day orders aim to fulfill the request by 11:59 p.m. Central time the next business day and the second business day, respectively.

Standard manual verifications are also still available for individual purchase. For more information on Priority verifications of income and other verification services available from Equifax Workforce Solutions, click here .

ABOUT EQUIFAX

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 13,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 25 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com .

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Daniel Jenkins for Equifax Workforce Solutions

[email protected]

SOURCE Equifax Inc.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As we enter a new era of diversity, equity, and inclusion in today's evolving business ecosystem, Eric Jia-Sobota has been appointed to the Victory Fund Board of Directors. This appointment furthers both Eric and EverGlade Consulting's commitment to diversity as a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors at Victory Fund is committed to electing LGBTQ leaders who can move equality forward.

Eric Jia-Sobota receives appointment to Victory Fund Board of Directors.

"I am truly humbled and honored to be on the Board of Victory Fund, and look forward to contributing to this important cause," explained Eric Jia-Sobota. "When I started my career in government contracting over two decades ago, being out was much more difficult. It is essential to be visible as business leader and contribute to the success of others," he concluded.

About Eric Jia-Sobota

Eric Jia-Sobota is the National Leader of EverGlade's Consulting Practice and a Founder of the Company. Eric's consulting experience spans almost two decades across a breadth of industries, including, Federal Contracting, Life Sciences, Nonprofit, Technology, Construction, Healthcare, and others. He is a renowned expert in government contracting and has regularly served as an expert on matters involving the Cost Accounting Standards. His experience includes cost allowability and allocability, indirect rate restructuring, contract termination claims, and commercial contracting issues.

Eric also has extensive experience helping life sciences and nonprofit organizations obtain R&D funding. He has worked closely with HHS, and specifically BARDA to help facilitate a multitude of pandemic responses. Prior to founding EverGlade, Eric led a National Consulting practice at an International Accounting and Consulting firm, growing that group to over 130 individuals in only a few years.

For additional information about Eric, visit:

https://ericjiasobota.com/

About the Victory Fund

The Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.

For additional information about the Victory Fund, visit:

www.victoryfund.org

SOURCE Eric Jia-Sobota
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "Today's U.S. Electric Power Industry, ISO Markets, Power Transactions, and Renewable Energy Resources" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

If you want to truly understand the U.S. electric power industry, this course is for you.



This in-depth program provides a comprehensive and clear explanation of the structure, function, and current status of today's U. S. electric power industry; the many industry topics listed below; and how PPAs and other power transactions are done.



Each part of this complex industry will be explained piece-by-piece, and then the pieces will be integrated so that you will leave the seminar with an understanding of "how it all fits together."



What You Will Learn

The structure and function of the electric service system, its terminology and units, and the properties of electricity.

How the North American power grid is structured, how it operates and what the different types of electric generation are.

How control areas, balancing authorities, spinning reserves, AGC and security constrained environmental economic dispatch work.

Who the key players in the industry are, and why the industry is so difficult to restructure.

How cost-of-service utility ratemaking and open access deregulated markets work, and why open access retail electricity markets are finally developing in states that permit them.

What ISOs, RTOs, ITCs and merchant transmission companies are, and how they operate.

What the smart grid, demand side management ("DSM"), distributed energy resources ("DER") and demand response ("DR") are, and how these forms of "virtual generation" and renewable energy resources are disrupting the U.S. power industry.

The opportunities and challenges associated with wind, solar and other renewables.

How ISO Day-Ahead energy auction markets operate in PJM, New York , Texas , California , MISO and other ISO areas;

, , , MISO and other ISO areas; What locational marginal pricing (LMP) is and why it is important; how Day-Ahead and Real Time LMP is applied in the ISO markets, and why FTRs, TCCs, CRRs, TCRs, virtual bids ("Incs & Decs") and convergence bidding are important to understand.

What capacity markets and resource adequacy are, and how this important issue relates to demand response, DER ,and demand side management and affects the integration of wind, solar and other renewables into the existing power grid.

An overview of Utility scale solar, rooftop solar, and net metering, and wind and other renewable energy resources.

What the Western Grid "Energy Imbalance Market" is, and why it is important to understand Community Choice Aggregators, the California "Duck Curve" and "FRAC-MOO."

Who Should Attend:



Among those who will benefit from this seminar include energy and electric power executives; attorneys; government regulators; traders & trading support staff; marketing, sales, purchasing & risk management personnel; accountants & auditors; plant operators; engineers; and corporate planners.



Types of companies that typically attend this program include energy producers and marketers; utilities; banks & financial houses; industrial companies; accounting, consulting & law firms; municipal utilities; government regulators and electric generators.



Key Topics Covered:



DAY 1

The properties and terminology of electricity - current, power, var, voltage, etc.

An overview of the electric service system, and how it works.

The structure and function of the North American power grid.

How control areas & balancing authorities operate, what spinning reserves are, and how the lights are kept on.

The pros and cons of different sources of electric generation ( coal, natural gas, nuclear, renewables ), and how they work.

How cost-of-service ratemaking and retail open access markets work

Why open access retail electricity markets are finally developing in states that permit them.

Who the various industry participants are and their roles.

Why restructuring today's power markets is such a complicated task.

The difference between ISOs, RTOs, ITCs and merchant transmission companies.

Why it is so difficult to build new high voltage power lines.

How ISO Day-Ahead energy energy auction markets operate in PJM, New York , Texas , California , MISO and other ISO areas.

, , , MISO and other ISO areas. What locational marginal pricing (LMP) is, and why it is important.

How Day-Ahead and Real Time LMP applied and managed in the ISO markets.

Virtual bids ("Incs & Decs") and convergence bidding and what their purpose is.

Financial transmission rights ("FTRs"), congestion revenue rights ("CRRs"), TCCs, TCRs and TRs.

Forward capacity markets, resource adequacy and generation reserve margins.

DAY 2

Wind, utility scale solar, rooftop solar, community solar, and the net metering debate.

The opportunities, challenges and risks associated with wind, solar and other renewables.

The smart grid, demand side management ("DSM"), distributed energy resources ("DER") and demand response ("DR"), and why these assets are forms of "virtual" electric generation..

How wind, solar, DER, DSM, demand response and conservation are disrupting the U.S. power industry

The Western Grid "Energy Imbalance Market," The California "Duck Curve" and California's "FRAC-MOO."

"FRAC-MOO." The fundamentals of bilateral power transaction-units, concepts and terminology.

Common contract language used for bilateral power transactions.

Point-to-Point Firm, Network Firm, and Non-Firm transmission service, and how to buy transmission contracts on OASIS.

How to transport physical power using purchased transmission service and the purpose of NERC tags.

What "seller's choice" and "buyer's choice" are, and how forward "daisy chains" form at virtual trading hubs.

The difference between physical, scheduled and contract path power flows, and why power transactions have nothing to do with the flow of electrons.

How trading floors and futures exchanges help commercial players manage risk.

How and why physical power transactions are often "booked-out" and settled in cash.

How any why companies often move physical power financially causing it to 'jump' between regions.

An introduction to electricity cash settled futures, swaps, and CFDs, and how these products relate to ISO administered financial transmission rights (FTRs), congestion revenue rights (CRRs) and TCCs.

Detailed examples of how to execute wholesale and retail power marketing transactions both within and outside of an ISO area-- including commonly used contract language & NERC tags; how to manage price, LMP, basis, delivery, volumetric, intermittency and operational risks; and the importance of including NITS, TAC, UCAP, resource adequacy and ancillary service charges.

The difference between operating, economic, market and negotiated heat rates, and what the terms spark spread, dark spread and bark spread mean.

What "tolling deals" are, and how the powerful technique of heat-rate-linked power transactions can be used.

How a natural gas-fired generating plant is a call option on the spark spread, what "optionality" means, and a simple rule to use to optimize the economics of a natural gas or coal -fired merchant generating

Speakers:



John Adamiak

President

PGS Energy Training



John Adamiak is President and Founder of PGS Energy Training and an expert in energy derivatives and electric power markets. Mr. Adamiak is a well-known and highly effective seminar presenter who has over 20 years experience in the natural gas and electric power industries. His background includes 15 years as a seminar instructor, 9 years of energy transaction experience, and 6 years of strategic planning and venture capital activities. John's academic background includes an M.B.A. degree from Carnegie Mellon University.



For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nijscv

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the research report " Frozen Food Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 ", the market will witness a YOY growth of 6.85% in 2022 at a CAGR of 6.95% during the forecast period. The report is segmented by product (frozen ready-to-eat meals, frozen meat and poultry, frozen fish and seafood, frozen fruits and vegetables, and others) and geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). Read Sample PDF Report

Vendor Insights

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Frozen Food Market 2022-2026

The global frozen food market is highly fragmented due to the presence of many vendors. Vendors are competing in the market by introducing new products, expanding their presence through mergers and acquisitions, and launching marketing campaigns. The vendors offering frozen food products are expected to witness certain challenges during the forecast period. One such challenge is the frequent recall of frozen foods, which may affect the brand value of the vendor and the consumer acceptance of its products and, thus, the overall profitability.

The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including:

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

Aryzta AG

Associated British Foods Plc

Conagra Brands Inc.

General Mills Inc .

. Hanover Foods

J.R. Simplot Co.

JBS SA

Kellogg Co.

Lantmannen Unibake International

McCain Foods Ltd.

Nestle SA

Nomad Foods Ltd

PNW Veg Co. LLC dba NORPAC

Smith Frozen Foods Inc

The Kraft Heinz Co.

Tyson Foods Inc.

Unilever PLC

Vandemoortele NV

Wawona Frozen Foods Inc.

Find highlights on the growth strategies adopted by vendors and their product offerings. Request Sample Report

Geographical Market Analysis

Europe will provide maximum growth opportunities for vendors operating in the frozen food market during the forecast period. According to our research report, the region will contribute 39% of the global market growth and is expected to dominate the market through 2026.

The UK is the major market for frozen food in Europe. The increased demand for processed food products is driving the regional market's growth. In addition, the increasing number of consolidations through M&As, innovative marketing campaigns by vendors, and the premiumization of frozen foods products are driving the growth of the regional market.

Europe will also emerge as the fastest-growing market for the frozen food market. Factors such as increasing product innovation and the rising number of new product launches are expected to fuel the growth of the frozen food market in Europe during the forecast period. Furthermore, countries such as the US, Mexico, China, and Germany are expected to emerge as prominent markets for frozen food during the forecast period.

Key Segment Analysis

By product, the frozen food market share growth in the frozen ready-to-eat meals segment will be significant during the forecast period. The segment comprises frozen pizza, frozen pasta, frozen croissants, frozen Asian meals, frozen rice bowls, frozen noodle bowls, frozen crispy pancakes, and frozen pies among other products. The increasing availability of nutrient-rich varieties of frozen food is driving the growth of the segment. View Report Sample to identify other potential segments and regions in the market.

Key Market Drivers & Challenges:

The frozen food market is primarily driven by the expansion of retail stores offering frozen food. The expanding presence of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialty stores has significantly contributed to the growth of the organized retail sector worldwide. This is enabling vendors and retailers to sell frozen food products such as frozen food, frozen fish and seafood, frozen meat and poultry, and frozen fruits and vegetables. All these factors are expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

However, health risks associated with the consumption of frozen ready meals will reduce the growth potential in the market. Frozen foods are stored at a low temperature to prevent spoilage and increase their shelf life. Frozen food manufacturers often substitute healthier ingredients with cheap alternatives. For instance, nutrition-dense olive oil is often replaced with less effective rapeseed oil, which results in the loss of antioxidants present in frozen foods. Hence, the frequent consumption of frozen food also puts consumers at risk of developing high blood pressure and other health-related problems. This growing awareness among consumers is expected to reduce the growth potential in the market.

Download Sample Report Now to identify other drivers and challenges influencing the market growth.

Customize Your Report

Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and know more insights about this market report. Our analysts 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. Speak to our Analyst now!

Related Reports:

Frozen Food Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.95% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 105.72 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.85 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution Europe at 39% Key consumer countries US, Mexico, China, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Aryzta AG, Associated British Foods Plc, Conagra Brands Inc., General Mills Inc., Hanover Foods, J.R. Simplot Co., JBS SA, Kellogg Co., Lantmannen Unibake International, McCain Foods Ltd., Nestle SA, Nomad Foods Ltd, PNW Veg Co. LLC dba NORPAC, Smith Frozen Foods Inc, The Kraft Heinz Co., Tyson Foods Inc., Unilever PLC, Vandemoortele NV, and Wawona Frozen Foods 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 Product



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 ($ billion)



Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



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 Product

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 24: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 25: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Product

5.3 Frozen ready to eat meals - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 28: Chart on Frozen ready to eat meals - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Frozen ready to eat meals - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 30: Chart on Frozen ready to eat meals - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Frozen ready to eat meals - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Frozen meat and poultry - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Chart on Frozen meat and poultry - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Frozen meat and poultry - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 34: Chart on Frozen meat and poultry - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Frozen meat and poultry - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Frozen fish and seafood - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 36: Chart on Frozen fish and seafood - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Frozen fish and seafood - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 38: Chart on Frozen fish and seafood - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Frozen fish and seafood - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Frozen fruits and vegetables - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 40: Chart on Frozen fruits and vegetables - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Frozen fruits and vegetables - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 42: Chart on Frozen fruits and vegetables - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Frozen fruits and vegetables - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 44: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 46: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.8 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 48: Market opportunity by Product ($ billion)

6 Customer Landscape

6.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 49: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 50: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 52: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 53: Data Table on Geographic comparison

7.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 55: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 56: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 57: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 59: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 60: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 61: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 62: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 63: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 64: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: 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 66: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 67: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 68: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 69: 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 70: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 71: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 72: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 73: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 74: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 76: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.9 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 79: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 80: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 81: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 82: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 83: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)



Exhibit 84: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 85: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.11 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 86: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 87: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 88: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 89: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.12 Mexico - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 90: Chart on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on Mexico - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ billion)

Exhibit 92: Chart on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on Mexico - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 94: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 95: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

8.4 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 96: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

9.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 97: Overview on factors of disruption

9.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 98: Impact of key risks on business

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 99: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 100: Matrix on vendor position and classification

10.3 Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

Exhibit 101: Ajinomoto Co. Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 102: Ajinomoto Co. Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 103: Ajinomoto Co. Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 104: Ajinomoto Co. Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 105: Ajinomoto Co. Inc. - Segment focus

10.4 Associated British Foods Plc

Exhibit 106: Associated British Foods Plc - Overview



Exhibit 107: Associated British Foods Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 108: Associated British Foods Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 109: Associated British Foods Plc - Segment focus

10.5 Conagra Brands Inc.

Exhibit 110: Conagra Brands Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 111: Conagra Brands Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 112: Conagra Brands Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 113: Conagra Brands Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 114: Conagra Brands Inc. - Segment focus

10.6 General Mills Inc .

. Exhibit 115: General Mills Inc . - Overview

. - Overview

Exhibit 116: General Mills Inc . - Business segments

. - Business segments

Exhibit 117: General Mills Inc . - Key news

. - Key news

Exhibit 118: General Mills Inc . - Key offerings

. - Key offerings

Exhibit 119: General Mills Inc . - Segment focus

10.7 Kellogg Co.

Exhibit 120: Kellogg Co. - Overview



Exhibit 121: Kellogg Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 122: Kellogg Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 123: Kellogg Co. - Segment focus

10.8 McCain Foods Ltd.

Exhibit 124: McCain Foods Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 125: McCain Foods Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: McCain Foods Ltd. - Key offerings

10.9 Nestle SA

Exhibit 127: Nestle SA - Overview



Exhibit 128: Nestle SA - Business segments



Exhibit 129: Nestle SA - Key news



Exhibit 130: Nestle SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: Nestle SA - Segment focus

10.10 The Kraft Heinz Co.

Exhibit 132: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Overview



Exhibit 133: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 134: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Segment focus

10.11 Tyson Foods Inc.

Exhibit 136: Tyson Foods Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 137: Tyson Foods Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: Tyson Foods Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 139: Tyson Foods Inc. - Segment focus

10.12 Unilever PLC

Exhibit 140: Unilever PLC - Overview



Exhibit 141: Unilever PLC - Business segments



Exhibit 142: Unilever PLC - Key news



Exhibit 143: Unilever PLC - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: Unilever PLC - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 145: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 146: Exclusions checklist

11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 147: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 148: Research methodology



Exhibit 149: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 150: Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 151: List of abbreviations

food allergy among consumers: There is an increase in the number of people suffering from food allergies globally. Food allergy is caused when the immune system reacts to the ingestion of certain foods. Ingredients of packaged foods and meats that can create allergic reactions in some people include (but are not limited to) milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, and shrimp), tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, and pecan), peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Even consumption of small amounts of food allergens can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives, and swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms, or even a life-threatening reaction is, known as anaphylaxis. For example, in the US, nearly 3% of the adult population suffers from shellfish allergy.

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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

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Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- XT.COM, the world's first socially infused trading platform has announced the Company's 4th Anniversary Celebration recently. As a part of the grand celebrations, XT.COM hosted a VIP AMA session on social media platforms including YouTube and LinkedIn to reach out to the social communities connected with XT.COM at 11:00 (UTC) on 26th September, 2022.

XT.COM 4th Anniversary VIP AMA

The topic of VIP AMA session was 'Future of Web3', and the show was hosted by Warin Albin Charles, the Global Ecosystem Director of XT.COM. The AMA was shared by Jesus Rodriguez (CEO, IntoTheBlock), Bobby Lee (Founder and CEO, Ballet wallet), Sebastian Bode (Director of Engineering, Cardano Foundation), and Erich Wong (Head of Growth, Sandbox).

Deep Dive into the Development of Web3

As almost every sector is expected to adopt Web3 blockchain technology in their operations in the next decade, Web3 will completely transform the existing conventional processes of the different sectors.

Sharing the same perspective of seeing Web3 as an enhancer focusing on greater engagement and connectivity, XT.COM founded in 2018 is built from a desire to give users access to digital assets regardless where you are.

Currently, XT.COM ranks TOP 30 on CoinMarketCap and has introduced more than 500 digital assets and 800 trading pairs for large market cap coins, DeFi tokens, NFTs, Metaverse-related projects, and many new assets via XT.COM Main Zone and Innovation Zone.

"Inspired by the masterpiece science-fiction series, Foundation, written by Isaac Asimov that is a peep into the future of technological development, XT.COM intends to move to the next level by offering the users a futuristic trading experience with its handy features and services. " Warin Albin Charles, Global Ecosystem Director of XT.COM said.

Following the trends that Web3 is becoming attractive to many entrepreneurs and investors, many solutions have been related to the blockchain.

"The sole mission of IntoTheBlock is to create financial services that combine the programmability of the crypto assets with everything that's happening in the machine learning space. " Jesus Rodriguez, CEO of IntoTheBlock stated.

As one of the largest institutions in crypto, IntoTheBlock is developing institutional investors in the DeFi space with the help of artificial intelligence and analytical features that can guide the user with informational data, tracking and analysis. This will also offer proper risk management guidance to the potential investors.

There are a few people who do not support the transition to Web3, believing that technologies do not provide complete security and safety of personal data, like Web2. However, the truth is that concept of Web3 implies data ownership and decentralized control.

Bobby Lee, Founder and CEO of Ballet said: "With our extensive experience in crypto and in running an exchange, Ballet is trying to solve the security issue that people are concerned about. "

As the world's easiest-to-use hardware wallet for cold storage for users, Ballet targets and aims to capture new users who generally prefer centralized systems that are secure, where users have control over the private keys. Another key feature of the product is that it facilitates diversified storage, so that a single hack will not affect all the assets of a user.

Stepping Into the Future of Web3

Moving forward, the different rules and guidelines with Web3 for implementing decentralization would develop the trust of users regarding decentralized control over user experiences and data identity.

"Cardano looks forward to the next era called Voltaire which is focused on real decentralization of governance processes to offer the best experience to the communities associated with it." Sebastian Bode, Director of Engineering at Cardano Foundation said.

Besides, the features of Vasil hard fork project are expected to improve the performance, scalability and reliability of Plutus, the native smart contracting programming language of Cardano blockchain.

Web3 sees the upgrade as something more than cryptocurrencies, which will be possible to create a world where the focus will be on people and their relationships with each other, and this will positively affect business, technological development, and private ideas.

As Erich Wong, Head of Growth at Sandbox shared in the AMA, the new metaverse project of Sandbox called the Alpha Season 3 featured 90+ unique playable experiences in 10 weeks with 13 avatar collections to attract the metaverse enthusiasts.

"Sandbox enhances the ecosystem by providing the most innovative gaming experience to the mass by allowing the users to register and play for free. The users can create their own digital assets and develop their own games using this cool feature. The project is also a collaborative effort to expand user-generated content in the global ecosystem. " Erich said.

With each of the products being ready to address the future with better performance and usability, the digital future seems promising to the masses and those who are new to the world of crypto. The best part of the session was that each project had a lot to offer to the layman, making the future of Web3 a better place to be in terms of technology and creativity.

The Future Landscape of XT.COM

XT.COM provides users the opportunity to connect with each other with minimal UX difficulties, ensuring an elite trading experience on a secure platform accessible anywhere.

Since last year, the product line of XT.COM has expanded to include 6 more unique services beyond the initial XT Labs and XT Smartchain (XSC): XT Incubator, XT Starter, XT Futures, XT NFT, XT Academy, and XT News. Each product addresses different needs of different users.

New products are already in the works. XT.COM will keep rolling forward and strive for more secure, professional, efficient and transparent financial digital assets services and products for users all around the globe.

On this 4th anniversary occasion, XT.COM will be having multiple special events including AMAs, lucky draws, staking activities and airdrops for celebratory purposes.

A series of exclusive AMAs within-depth thoughts will be held and shared soon.

XT.COM 4th Anniversary AMA Schedule Time (UTC) Panel Theme Host Guest 2022-09-27 14:00 Social-Fi the next big revolution for Web 3.0 Marco, NFT Project [email protected] Susan Yuqing Feng, Editor in chief, Bitpush Yao, Founder, Metaforo Levi, CMO, Btok 2022-09-29 14:00 How can PlatOn ecosystem lead the blockchain scaling race Markose Chenthitta, Podcast & Communications [email protected] OteMzl, Community Ambassador, PlatON Emily, Marketing Manager, StoneAeon Maria, Ambassador, Horseman 19, Co-Founder, Myth Links 2022-10-01 14:00 NFT Gaming those projects are building the next huge move Robert Co-Founder of SMASHCHAIN KOSMO Harrison Seletsky, Head of Growth and Strategy, NFTrade Erkan,CEO, Angelic Jeremy Mathew, TheCryptoSapien, NFT11 Ian, Asia [email protected] Time Alex, CEO, REDLC Gantik, Feetback 2022-10-03 14:00 Blockchain revolution in Higher Education Albin, Global Ecosystem [email protected] Mariam Alarvedian, President of Club, Yale Chante Eliaszadeh, President of Club, Berkeley Jules Foa, President of Club, Kryptosphere Erick Pinos, Americas Ecosystem Lead, Ontology Alan Xia, CEO of Secure3, Yale alumni 2022-10-05 14:00 5 must watch innovation blockchain projects William Kuang, Director of XT Academy Simon, Managing Director Metatlantis Southeast Asia Community Glory Lucas, Co Founder of GamerHub Navin Kejriwal, Co Founder and CSO, MaziMatic Brandon Lee, CEO, SleepFuture Michael Healy, CSO, Unizen 2022-10-07 14:00 Investment Toolkit in Cryptocurrency: Be a Smart Decision-Maker Miguel C, Investments Lead Sally, Investor, 7 oclock Shenyana Lim, Head of Tax Koinly Benjamin Lavergne, Business Partner, Consensys Alex Lin, Head of Research, Shima Capital 2022-10-09 14:00 Defi 2023: Top Trends to Come William Kuang, Director of XT.Academy Veron, Co-Founder, Desyn Protocol Gillian Wu, Co Founder, Neptune Mutual Adam Efrati, Project Partner, SSV Sabrina Tachdijian, APAC VP, HBAR Foundation Kaiyang, CEO,Xbank

For more information on the XT.COM's exclusive activities, please visit the 4th anniversary home page or follow the hashtag #XT4thAnniv on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media networks.

About XT.COM

By consistently expanding its ecosystem, XT.COM is dedicated to providing users with the most secure, trusted, and hassle-free digital asset trading services. Our exchange is built from a desire to give everyone access to digital assets regardless where you are.

Founded in 2018, XT.COM now serves more than 6 million registered users, over 500,000+ monthly active users and 40+ million users in the ecosystem. Covering a rich variety of trading categories together with an NFT aggregated marketplace, our platform strives to cater to its large user base by providing a secure, trusted and intuitive trading experience.

As the world's first social-infused digital assets trading platform, XT.COM also supports social networking platform based transactions to make our crypto services more accessible to users all over the world. Furthermore, to ensure optimal data integrity and security, we see user security as our top priority at XT.COM.

Website: https://www.xt.com/

Telegram: https://t.me/XTsupport_EN

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XTexchange

SOURCE XT.com
DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai will transform into the ultimate digital epicentre of the world next month, as the UAE hosts GITEX GLOBAL, the world's largest tech show, converging the most advanced companies and best minds to deep dive into the making of the Web 3.0 economy.

From 10-14 October 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), GITEX GLOBAL presents the most empowering curation ever, with seven multi-tech themes experimenting in the metaverse, a decentralised future of the internet, and a sustainable global digital economy.

H.E. Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy & Remote Work Applications, addressing the crowd

The event's record size and continued expansion mirrors the ambitions of the UAE and region's digital transformation, as government initiatives such as the National Program for Coders, the Dubai Metaverse Strategy, and Next GenFDI propels the UAE to the forefront of the global digital economy.

This is amplified by new GITEX GLOBAL 2022 launches of X-VERSE, sponsored by TMRW Foundation in collaboration with Decentraland, one of the world's most immersive metaverse journeys featuring 28 experiential brands; and Global DevSlam, the Middle East's largest ever coder and developer meetup.

H.E. Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy & Remote Work Applications, said: "GITEX this year is bigger than ever. It spans two million sq. ft. with over 5,000 exhibitors from more than 90 countries, which makes this truly the biggest tech show in the world. This year, my office has partnered with GITEX to ensure that we're not just showcasing technology, but actually inventing and developing technology."

Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Events Management at DWTC, GITEX GLOBAL's organiser, added: "GITEX serves a profound purpose of enabling and accelerating the digital economies of UAE and many of its alliance partners through connecting earnest stakeholders with outstanding minds from the world, and materialising these connections into actionable partnerships."

GITEX GLOBAL 2022 welcomes an unprecedented 52% new exhibitors choosing the show and the UAE as the first choice in their market access strategies. North Star will host the biggest Unicorn meetup of the year in Dubai, with 35 Unicorns from 15 countries looking to expand in one of the world's fastest-growing markets.

Furthermore, XPENG, a leading tech company and EV manufacturer, has chosen GITEX GLOBAL to host the world's first public flight of its pioneering eVTOL flying car X2 with the support of official partner, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1912014/GITEX_global.jpg

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1912027/GITEX_2022.mp4

SOURCE GITEX GLOBAL
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Refrigerated Display Cases Market By Product Type, By Product Design: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global refrigerated display cases market was valued at $12,985.70 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $37,140.00 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2022 to 2031.

Refrigerated display cases are cabinets with straightforward glass surfaces for products that require cooling or preservation. These cases are ideal for products that need regulated temperature to maintain their freshness. They are mostly used by organizations in the food and refreshment industry.

For instance, general stores/hypermarkets, supermarkets, eateries and hotels, non-routine outlets, and kiosks. It is a collaboration of technology and innovation, which help in attracting customers through visual display of food products. Increasing demand for commercial food services and rising demand for energy-efficient refrigerated cases have boosted the market for chilled and frozen foods. This has spiraled the demand for RDCs in the retail sector.

In addition, expanding retail network and growing business sector for ready-to-eat and simple-to-prepare food items have fueled the demand for RDCs in the global market. Refrigerated display cases can be categorized into two types, "plug-in" and "remote" refrigerated display.

Plug-in display cases are based on the concept of integral refrigeration system, where the condenser and compressor are incorporated within the system. In remote display cases, each part of the refrigeration framework is situated at an alternate location away from the display unit.

Refrigerated display cases can be segmented in two types depending on their product design namely, vertical open fronted and horizontal open top. Vertical open fronted-products are displayed on racks and display case structures. In vertical RDCs, the products are vertically displayed, which involves less space and accommodates more products. In horizontal open top, food is stored in insulated containers and accessed by customers from the top.

Retailers have focused on installing RDCs in shops due to stringent laws and increasing competition in the market for improving customer experience. RDCs have gained popularity in the recent years due to their eco-friendly approach by using alternatives to synthetic refrigerants. The refrigerated display cases market is expected to grow at a healthy rate due to the dynamic market conditions and lifestyle changes.

Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Hussmann International, Ali Group, and Carrier Refrigeration are some of the leading manufacturers of refrigerated display cases in the global market. These companies have global presence and offer a wide range of products.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the refrigerated display cases market analysis from 2020 to 2031 to identify the prevailing refrigerated display cases market opportunities.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the refrigerated display cases market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global refrigerated display cases industry.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global refrigerated display cases market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Key Market Players

Metalfrio Solutions S.A

Lennox International

Dover Corporation

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Hussmann Corporation

aht cooling systems gmbh

Epta S.p.a Refrigeration

Frigoglass S.A.I.C

Hoshizaki International

Verco Limited

Key Market Segments

By Product Type

Plug In Refrigerated Display

Remote Refrigerated Display

By Product Design

Vertical

Horizontal

Hybrid And Semi-Vertical

By Region

North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Russia

Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

Australia

South Korea

Rest of Asia-Pacific

LAMEA

Latin America

Middle East

Africa

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9whfpx

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
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Jay Rosen, founder, president, and co-chairman of Health Management Associates (HMA), and David Kulick, founder and managing director of The Focus Group, announced the merger of the two firms. The Focus Group will continue to operate as The Focus Group, an HMA Company.

Founded in 2014, The Focus Group, based in New Orleans, helps healthcare clients navigate the intersection of healthcare policy, payment, and delivery by devising and implementing strategies that create change and fuel growth. Led by public market and business transformation experts, Kulick and Alex Rich have partnered with hundreds of company executives to solve complex challenges and deliver high-value projects. The Focus Group services include market intelligence, strategy development, business transformation, and go-to market execution for providers, payers, life sciences, health foundations, and private equity investors.

"The Focus Group brings extensive expertise across the healthcare spectrum, driving growth for a wide array of clients," Rosen said. "We're excited to add their unique approach to managing change and commitment to innovation to our impressive lineup of experts as we continue to expand the ways we can serve our clients and partners."

"We are thrilled to merge with HMA and drive greater value to our clients. This is a strategic opportunity to link HMA's vast depth in healthcare policy and payment with our focus on commercial growth to lead the charge together for positive evolution in healthcare delivery," Kulick said.

Kulick and Rich will continue to lead The Focus Group, an HMA Company, as managing directors. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1985, HMA is an independent, national research and consulting firm specializing in publicly funded healthcare and human services policy, programs, financing, and evaluation. Clients include government, public and private providers, health systems, health plans, community-based organizations, institutional investors, foundations, and associations. With offices in more than 20 locations across the country and over 500 multidisciplinary consultants coast to coast, HMA's expertise, services, and team are always within client reach.

HMA: https://www.healthmanagement.com/

The Focus Group: https://www.thefocusgroup.solutions/

SOURCE Health Management Associates
-For Inventing Optical Lattice Clock That Only Loses One Second in 30 Billion Years-

TOKYO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Honda Foundation, the public-interest incorporated foundation established by Soichiro Honda and his younger brother Benjiro and currently led by President Hiroto Ishida, is pleased to announce that the Honda Prize 2022 willbe awarded to Dr. Hidetoshi Katori, Professor, the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo (Chief Scientist and Team Leader, RIKEN), for inventing an optical lattice clock that is 1,000 times more precise than conventional atomic clocks.

The Honda Prize, established in 1980 and awarded annually, is an international award recognizing the work of individuals or groups generating new knowledge that will drive the next generation from the standpoint of ecotechnology (*1). Dr. Katori invented in 2001 a novel optical atomic clock that uses a large number of atoms trapped in an optical lattice to provide an ultra-high-precision time and frequency standard. In contrast to the cesium atomic clock (*2) that keeps the International Atomic Time with an accuracy of about 15 digits (*3), the optical atomic clock is expected to allow 18-digit precision by employing optical transitions that have tens of thousands of times higher frequency than microwave frequency. At this precision, it takes 30 billion years to lose one second.

This precision enables relativistic geodesy to measure a height difference of one centimeter on Earth based on the relativistic effect that causes time to flow slowly for a strong gravitational field.

The origin of ecotechnology is in Soichiro Honda's words: "Make people happy with technology." The improvement in accuracy of one second is expected to have an immeasurable impact on mankind. The Prize will be awarded to Dr. Katori for this groundbreaking invention, which is worthy of the highest recognition.

Research on the optical lattice clock by Dr. Katori:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202209267170-O3-LaTJcIDW.pdf

Dr. Hidetoshi Katori:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202209267170-O2-AkeCb8r1.pdf

Notes:

(*1)Ecotechnology: A neologism combining imaging of the natural world (ecology), including civilization as a whole, and technology. Advocated by the Honda Foundation in 1979, it seeks new technological concepts required by human society to further the coexistence of people and technology.

(*2)Cesium atomic clock: An atomic clock that uses the cesium 133 atom. Atomic clocks rely on the property of atoms to emit and absorb electromagnetic waves with a certain frequency. The duration of electromagnetic waves oscillating 9,192,631,770 times, which is generated by cesium transition, defines one second and has been used to keep the International Atomic Time since the 13th General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1967. The accuracy of the cesium clock corresponds to a loss of one second in 60 million years.

(*3)International Atomic Time accuracy of about 15 digits: Accurate enough to measure with a fractional accuracy with one part in 10 to the 15th power.

Official website: https://www.hondafoundation.jp/en

SOURCE Honda Foundation
TRIESTE, Italy, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On the occasion of International Coffee Day, celebrated every year on October 1st, illycaffe, the global leader in high-quality coffee, will focus on the Circular Economy, highlighting the environmentally sustainable practices behind high-quality coffee production.

Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, with a major impact on the economy and the environment. For this reason, drinking a cup of coffee is not merely a matter of taste, it must become a responsible gesture towards the environment. On October 1st, illy will launch #cupsidedown, the campaign to raise awareness on the importance of the circular economy as an alternative to the traditional linear economy model.

With #cupsidedown, illycaffe is stressing the need for this change in perspective through an illy Art Collection designed in collaboration with the artist Matteo Attruia and featuring an upside-down cup. Turning the iconic illy cup upside down is a symbolic gesture that shifts the consumer's traditional perspective, with the goal of promoting a virtuous attitude and highlighting the sustainability behind each cup of illy coffee.

Through the #cupsidedown campaign, which will run for the entire month of October in all illy Caffe sales points, consumers will be able to experience the upside-down cup and, through dedicated content, learn about the impact that small, everyday gestures can have on the planet, especially with regards to coffee and its value chain, and the importance of responsible farming practices.

The creation of economic, social, and environmental value for all stakeholders has been illycaffe's driving principle since its inception and has led it to develop a business model based on sustainable quality. As a Benefit Corporation and certified B-Corp, illy firmly believes in the need to build a system that can regenerate itself on its own, ensuring the well-being of people and the planet. The company works hand in hand with coffee farmers, training them to achieve sustainable quality and supporting projects that create value for local communities and the environment. illycaffe aims to become carbon-free by 2033 by applying a circular, regenerative model that can sequester carbon along its own supply chain through the use of renewable energy and by reducing the impact of every element along the production cycle, from products to packaging.

"With #cupsidedown we continue the training journey started last year during the month of coffee. The upside-down cup, symbol of this campaign, has been designed to propose a change of perspective, a different way of living and observing our daily lives, starting from a natural gesture such as drinking an illy coffee, which must not be appreciated only for its taste but also for the value it generates for people and for the Planet,"- explains Cristina Scocchia, CEO of illycaffe - "To amplify the positive impact it is necessary to stimulate a change of perspective, a new way of thinking about the use of resources that favor the transition from a linear economic model to a circular one. By working together, with a sense of responsibility, we can drive the transaction towards a sustainable future."

The #cupsidedown will be available starting on October 1st at: www.illy.com/cupsidedown, on all of illy's social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter), illy Caffe outlets and supermarkets.

illycaffe is an Italian family-owned company, founded in Trieste in 1933. Its mission has always been to offer the best coffee to the world. Illycaffe produces a unique 100% Arabica blend, combining 9 of the best varieties in the world, selected by illycaffe: every day 8 million cups of illy coffee are served in over 140 countries around the globe, in the cafes, restaurants and hotels, in single-brand cafes and shops, at home and in the office. As a result of its innovations, illycaffe contributes to the coffee technology progress at global level. In 1991, the "Premio Ernesto Illy de qualidade sustentavel do cafe para espresso" was launched in Brazil for quality espresso coffee. Illycaffe has contributed to the sharing of the know-how, paying growers a premium price for the best quality selected by illycaffe. Since 2016, with the "Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award", the company has celebrated coffee growers all over the world that, according to illy, have produced the best sustainable coffee. Since 2013, the company has been in the list of the World Most Ethical Companies. In 2019, it enhanced its commitment to pursue a sustainable business model integrating the interest of people with the environment, adopting the status of Societa Benefit (Benefit Company) and adding this commitment into its own bylaws. In 2021, illycaffe was the first Italian company in the coffee sector to obtain the international certification as B Corp as a result of its commitment to comply with the highest standards of social and environmental performance. The company also founded the University of Coffee, which has the objective of sharing culture at all levels, offering a comprehensive and practical training to growers, baristas and coffee lovers. Everything that is "made in illy" is about beauty and art, the founding principles of the brand, starting from its logo, designed by artist James Rosenquist, up to illy Art Collection cups, decorated by over 120 international artists. In 2021, the company had 1305 employees and a turnover of about 500 million. There are 205 illy single-brand shops in over 40 countries all over the world. In 2021, Rhone Capital became a minority shareholder of illycaffe with the aim of contributing to the company's international growth plans.

SOURCE illycaffe
GMIS America Forum in Pittsburgh convenes more than 70 expert speakers from governments and the private sector to drive discussions on how digital technologies can accelerate the global energy transition





Panel discussions covered the role of manufacturers to drive the global energy transition, the circular economy and how finite resources demand changes to global supply chains





Industry must play a pivotal role in helping energy system transition from hydrocarbons to clean energy sources in pursuit of net-zero future





Industrialists urged to decouple economic growth from finite resources amid the fundamental shift in supply chains

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The first day of the inaugural US edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS America) opened with a firm call for energy leaders to increase collaboration efforts with industrial players to develop a practical roadmap for rapid decarbonization in wake of the current final decade of action to achieve the sustainable development goals.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and the UAE Co-chair of GMIS. H.E. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology at GMIS America. Bill Peduto, Former Mayor of Pittsburgh speaks at GMIS America H.E. Mohamed Al Shorafa, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development delivers a virtual keynote. 4IR Panel with ICT Fund, MoIAT, and Oakridge

Held under the theme of ''Advancing global industrialization and net-zero," day one of GMIS America held discussions on how digital technologies can accelerate the global energy transition and support the growth of sustainable manufacturing.

Hosted by the Honorable Thomas Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, GMIS America will convene more than 70 experts from governments and the private sector in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and provide a platform to mobilize the global manufacturing industry and enhance cooperation between American and Emirati industrial companies.

The day's first panel discussion covered the role of industry and manufacturing in helping to drive the global energy transition. With 81% of the global energy system still based on hydrocarbons  the same percentage as 30 years ago  panelists discussed how Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies can solve the trifecta of challenges facing the energy sector  security, access and climate progress.

The panel featured global energy and industry leaders including Hilary Mercer, Senior Vice President of Shell Polymers at Shell; Allyson Book, Vice President of Energy Transition of Baker Hughes; Mark Johnson, Special Advisor at the Advanced Manufacturing Office of the US Department of Energy; Marcelo Carugo, VP of Global Industry Programs and Alliances of Emerson, and Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh.

During the opening panel, Book noted that the burden to reduce carbon emissions is not just on energy companies like Shell and many of their customers, but it is on the global economy, highlighting how industrialists are the fastest-growing carbon producers in the world, followed closely by power utilities, and home-heating providers, and transportation, according to DC-based non-profit organization, World Resources Institute. Mercer emphasized the importance of data trial in reducing the carbon footprint and being able to demonstrate to people that we are really doing what we are saying.

In the panel discussion that followed, the focus shifted to a future enabled by 4IR technologies. Panelists explored how industrial players can unlock value from decentralized supply chains as they push towards net zero goals. Eng. Omar Al Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer of the ICT Fund was joined on the panel by Dr Lonnie Love, Corporate Fellow of the Energy & Transportation Division of Oakridge National Laboratory, and Tariq Al Hashimi, Director of Technology Adoption and Development at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, to discuss financial policy mechanisms and increasing local production amid a decline in globalized supply chains.

Eng. Omar Al Mahmoud commented that at the core of the fourth industrial revolution is innovation and how we approach innovation should be like how we manage a supply chain where you plan and track it like a separate supply chain and if you keep at it then you'll find solutions. Al Hashimi emphasised the importance of having financing toolkits that enable the private sector to drive the fourth industrial revolution. Al Hashimi said: "The 4IR technologies have a lot of potential but these are very risky investments and thus the private sector will be slow to invest."

A discussion on the circular economy was next on the running order, focusing on the role of innovation and technology in developing industrial processes. Participants included Dr. Hakkan Jonsson, Chairman and President of Covestro USA, Dr. Melissa Bilec, William Kepler, Whiteford Professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, John Thayer, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing of Nova Chemicals, and Steve Sikra, Vice President and Head of Americas at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste.

The panel discussed how decoupling economic growth from finite resources will require fundamental changes to supply chains, export markets and production and manufacturing processes. Thayer noted that polyethene is the world's most widely used plastic and the demand for polyethene is going to continue to grow but what is changing and what will continue to change is the way source feedstock.

Thayer said: "What's changing is where the feedstock comes from. More and more we will be looking for different feedstocks of recycled material. Those that are traditionally recycled like PET and high-density polyethene, but it will also be more hard-to-recycle items like low-density polyethene, and integrate those products into the feedstock."

Thayer added that between now and 2030 to 2050, there will be great demand for plastics as these do more for less. It is also an important aspect of decarbonisation and energy efficiency to feed the world.

The final session of the day focused on Innovative Manufacturing in Life Sciences, featuring Jeanne Cunicelli, President of UPMC Enterprises, Michael Paglia, Chief Operating Officer of ElevateBio Basecamp and Dr. Anatha Shekar, Senior Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.

The first day witnessed a gala dinner, and a special keynote delivered by Diane Holder, CEO of UPMC Health Plan. The day concluded with an impassioned keynote by CNN Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta which followed by a fire-side chate moderated by Dr. Robert Friedlander, Chair of the department of neurological surgery at UPMC.

Tomorrow, the second day of GMIS America will see participants discussing supply chain resilience, the future of industrial services and how to scale sustainably and efficiently. Several sessions will also be held on opportunities for manufacturing in the United Arab Emirates, as well as fireside chats with global leaders and experts from across the industry.

GMIS America is hosting multiple activities over three days from September 28  30, 2022. The event comprises of high-profile sessions across several formats, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats, as well as a gala dinner, interactive workshops and working groups on September 28 and 29. On September 30, GMIS America will host an exclusive site visit to Mill 19, a discovery workspace where Carnegie Mellon innovators partner with industry pioneers to apply digital innovation, advanced manufacturing technology, and human intelligence to the production of the future. The workplace features an additive manufacturing laboratory, a modern workshop, and advanced industrial facilities, and is home to some of the world's latest and most innovative advanced technology solutions.

About GMIS:

The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) was established in 2015 to build bridges between manufacturers, governments and NGOs, technologists, and investors in harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution's (4IR) transformation of manufacturing to enable the regeneration of the global economy. A joint initiative by the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), GMIS is a global platform that presents stakeholders with an opportunity to shape the future of the manufacturing sector and contribute towards global good by advancing some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Previous international editions of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit were held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in March 2017, Yekaterinburg, Russia, in July 2019, Hannover, Germany (Virtual), in 2020, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in November 2021, with each edition welcoming over 3,000 high-level delegates from over 40 countries.

GMIS will hold its inaugural edition of GMIS America in Pittsburgh from September 28-30, 2022, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DCC).

To learn more about GMIS, please visit https://gmisummit.com/ and follow GMIS on Twitter: @GMISummit, Instagram: @gmisummit, LinkedIn: GMIS - Global Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit, and Facebook: @GMISummit.

Press Contact:

Reethu Thachil

Head of PR and Communications

EYESOME X, Press Office for:

Global Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit

Mohammed Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity

+971 58 847 6870/ [email protected]

SOURCE Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market by Type, by Technology, by Lubrication, by Power Rating, and by End-User - Malaysia and Vietnam Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market was valued at USD 227.2 million in 2021 and is predicted to reach USD 378.6 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.9% from 2022-2030.

Air compressors are used to compress the air by forcing more and more air into a storage tank, increasing its pressure. It uses either an electric motor, diesel or gasoline engine for the compression of air until tank's pressure reaches its engineered upper limit. The potential energy stored in pressurized air is than used in various applications such as production of petrochemical products, transportation of fluids & gases, operations of pneumatically based machineries and in cooling applications.

Also, air compressors are widely used in medical equipment, vacuum packaging, spray painting, dehydrating, tool powering, and air blowing.

Market Dynamics and Trends

Expansion of the automotive industry across Malaysia and Vietnam coupled with growing construction activities, rapid industrialization and availability of raw materials are the key factors driving the growth of air compressor market in this region. Moreover, there has been a surge in the demand for oil free compressors among industries to reduce contamination and condensation issues, which is also expected to contribute towards the growth of the market.



Also, owing to the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, many manufacturing companies had pulled out their facilities from China and have been shifting to South Asian countries including Malaysia and Vietnam. As air compressors are widely used in manufacturing industry, it is expected that these countries would witness significant growth in the air compressor market size due to the migration of these multinational companies. However, high cost, emission of greenhouse gases and resulting noise pollution during the use of air compressors are factors restraining the market growth in these countries.

Market Segmentations and Scope of the Study:

The Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market is segmented on the basis of type, technology, lubrication method, power rating, end-user. On the basis of type, the market is analyzed into portable and stationary. On the basis of technology, the market is segmented into reciprocating, rotary, and centrifugal. On the basis of lubrication method, the market is divided into oiled and oil-free. On the basis of power rating, the market is classified into 0-100 kW, 101-300 kW, 301-500 kW, and 501 kW & above. On the basis of end-user, the market is categorized into food & beverage, oil & gas, manufacturing, medical, power generation, and others.

Competitive Landscape

The Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market is highly competitive and consists of many players including Atlas Copco AB, Kobelco Kobe Steel, Fu sheng Co. Ltd, Kaeser Kompressoren SE, Sullair, ElgiEquipments Ltd, Ebara Corporation, Desran Compressor, Ingersoll-Rand Plc and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The major market players are launching various advanced air compressors in the market to maintain their dominance in the market.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market - Executive Summary



3. Porter's Five Force Model Analysis

3.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers

3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

3.3. Degree of Competition

3.4. Threat of Substitute

3.5. Threat of New Entrants



4. Market Overview

4.1. Market Definition and Scope

4.2. Market Trends

4.2.1 Turbocor

4.2.2 Thermoacoustic

4.1. Market Dynamics

4.1.1 Growth Drivers

4.1.1.1 Growing Construction Industry in the Asean Region

4.1.1.2 Focus Towards Energy Efficient Air Compressors

4.1.1.3 Multiple Fuel Options

4.1.1.4 Trade War Driving Companies from China to Vietnam

4.1.2 Challenges

4.1.2.1 Contamination and Condensation Issues Related to Oiled Air Compressors in Process Industries

4.1.3 Opportunities

4.1.3.1 Launch of Air Compressors With IoT Technology

4.1.3.2 Other Upcoming Technologies

4.1.4 Restraint

4.1.4.1 Air Pollution

4.1.4.1 Noise Pollution



5. Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Type

5.1. Overview

5.1.1 Market Size and Forecast, by Type

5.2. Portable

5.2.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

5.2.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Portable Market, by Country

5.3. Stationary

5.3.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

5.3.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Stationary Air Compressor Market, by Country



6. Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Technology

6.1. Overview

6.1.1 Market Size and Forecast, by Technology

6.2. Reciprocating

6.2.1 Key Growth Factors and Oppotunities

6.2.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Reciprocating Air Compressor Market, by Country

6.3. Rotary

6.3.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

6.3.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Rotary Air Compressor Market, by Country

6.4. Centrifugal

6.4.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

6.4.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Centrifugal Air Compressor Market, by Country



7. Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Lubrication Method

7.1. Overview

7.1.1 Market Size and Forecast, by Lubrication Method

7.2. Oil Free

7.2.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

7.2.1 Malaysia and Vietnam Oil Free Air Compressor Market, by Country

7.3. Oiled

7.3.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

7.3.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Oiled Air Compressor Market, by Country



8. Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Power Ratings

8.1. Overview

8.1.1 Malaysia and Vietnam Oiled Air Compressor Market, by Country

8.2.-100 Kw

8.2.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

8.2.2 Malaysia and Vietnam 1-100 Kw Market, by Country

8.3.-300 Kw

8.3.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

8.3.2 Malaysia and Vietnam 101-300 Kw Air Compressor Market, by Country

8.4.-500 Kw

8.4.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

8.4.2 Malaysia and Vietnam 301-500 Kw Air Compressor Market, by Country

8.5. And Above

8.5.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

8.5.2 Malaysia and Vietnam 501 and Above Air Compressor Market, by Country



9. Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by End-User

9.1. Overview

9.1.1 Market Size and Forecast, by End-user Industry

9.2. Food & Beverages

9.2.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

9.2.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Food & Beverages Market, by Country

9.3. Oil & Gas

9.3.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

9.3.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Oil & Gas Market, by Country

9.4. Manufacturing

9.4.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

9.4.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Manufacturing Market, by Country

9.5. Power Generations

9.5.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

9.5.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Power Generations Market, by Country

9.6. Medical

9.6.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

9.6.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Medical Market, by Country

9.7. Others

9.7.1 Key Growth Factors and Opportunities

9.7.2 Malaysia and Vietnam Others Market, by Country



10. Malaysia and Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Country

10.1. Overview

10.1.1 Malaysia

10.1.1.1 Malaysia Air Compressor Market, by Type

10.1.1.2 Malaysia Air Compressor Market, by Technology

10.1.1.3 Malaysia Air Compressor Market, by Lubrication Method

10.1.1.4 Malaysia Air Compressor Market, by Power Ratings

10.1.1.5 Malaysia Air Compressor Market, by End-User

10.1.2 Vietnam

10.1.2.1 Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Type

10.1.2.2 Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Technology

10.1.2.3 Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Lubrication Method

10.1.2.4 Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by Power Ratings

10.1.2.5 Vietnam Air Compressor Market, by End-User



11. Company Profile

11.1. Atlas Copco Ab

11.1.1 Company Overview

11.1.2 Company Snapshot

11.1.3 Operating Business Segments

11.1.4 Business Performance

11.1.5 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.2. Kobelco Kobe Steel

11.2.1 Company Overview

11.2.2 Company Snapshot

11.2.3 Operating Business Segments

11.2.4 Business Performance

11.2.5 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.3. Fu Sheng Co. Ltd.

11.3.1 Company Overview

11.3.2 Company Snapshot

11.3.3 Operating Business Segments

11.3.4 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.4. Kaeser Kompressoren Se.

11.4.1 Company Overview

11.4.2 Company Snapshot

11.4.3 Operating Business Segments

11.4.4 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.5. Sullair

11.5.1 Company Overview

11.5.2 Company Snapshot

11.5.3 Operating Business Segments

11.5.4 Business Performance

11.5.5 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.6. Elgi Equipments Limited

11.6.1 Company Overview

11.6.2 Company Snapshot

11.6.3 Operating Business Segments

11.6.4 Business Performance

11.6.5 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.7. Ebara Corporation

11.7.1 Company Overview

11.7.2 Company Snapshot

11.7.3 Operating Business Segments

11.7.4 Business Performance

11.7.5 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.8. Desran Compressor (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

11.8.1 Company Overview

11.8.2 Company Snapshot

11.8.3 Operating Business Segments

11.9. Ingersoll-Rand plc

11.9.1 Company Overview

11.9.2 Company Snapshot

11.9.3 Operating Business Segments

11.9.4 Business Performance

11.9.5 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

11.10. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

11.10.1 Company Overview

11.10.2 Company Snapshot

11.10.3 Operating Business Segments

11.10.4 Business Performance

11.10.5 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/eh3q0x

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
CHONGQING, China, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from iChongqing:

Chongqing- Wuhan Kotei Informatics Co., Ltd. is ready to explore the new economy model in Chongqing. It has recently set its national headquarters in Chongqing Xiantao International Big Data Valley.

After Shanghai Zhuishi Technology Autonomous Driving Research Institute, a key enterprise in China's autonomous driving field, was based in the Valley in January this year, Katie's choice is another big move to the valley, as it is the leading intelligent connected vehicles software company in China.

The two-square-kilometer valley is home to more than 30 enterprises, such as Changan Software, Guangdong Beidou Zhilian Technology Co., Ltd., Thundersoft, Black Seasame Technologies. But why do they choose the valley?

Intelligent Transformation

In recent years, the trend of software-defined cars has penetrated the automotive value chain. Intelligent transformation in the automotive industry has accelerated around the world. China's smart cars enterprises have risen rapidly to get ahead.

Chongqing is a major automobile manufacturing city in China. Now it has 41 automobile manufacturers. And it has formed an industrial cluster led by Changan Automobile and supported by thousands of enterprises.

To this end, Changan Automobile took the lead in setting up its global software center in the valley, aiming to build the largest software technology and intelligent mobile platform in China.

Changan Automobile's global software center has become the first independent software enterprise set by a large state-owned car enterprise in China. This remarks as a significant move in the intelligent transformation of Chongqing's automobile industry.

R&D base of 10,000 people

In September 2021, the valley launched China's first 10,000 research and development (R&D) personnel automotive software industry base. In six months, it has attracted over 800 automotive software engineers to join Changan Software. And more than 90% of them are R&D personnel.

The smooth growth of Changan Software has accelerated the gathering of smart car segment companies such as BDStar Navigation to move to the valley.

BDStar Navigation is the first listed company in China's satellite navigation industry. It established Omo Software in the valley last year as the headquarters of its automotive intelligent network software, focusing on automotive software, intelligent driving, and vehicle OTA upgrades. At present, it is committed to improving the level of intelligence for Changan Automobile.

Good business environment

For target enterprises, the valley will develop a recruitment plan for each enterprise, and create a good business environment with responsible services, so that enterprises are willing to come and develop well in the valley.

"To develop the business as soon as possible and provide better services to local customers, we are expected to recruit 100-120 people this year," said Yu Mengmeng, deputy general manager of Zhuishi Technology.

In response to the needs like Zhuishi, the valley has connected with local universities and institutions such as Chongqing University, Xiantao Big Data Academy, etc., to deliver and foster artificial intelligence algorithm engineers for enterprises.

Unique advantages

As Chongqing's first comprehensive software park, the valley has welcomed 12 of China's top 100 software companies to settle in, including Tencent, ByteDance, and Huawei, as well as over 1,300 innovative companies.

In 2021, the valley became the only industrial park as a national demonstration base for new industrialized industries in software and information services.

On top of that, the valley has the first 5G autonomous driving road operation base in China, the intelligent hardware testing base of The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), and the intelligent vehicle collaborative innovation platform. Those facilities have resulted in a better public platform.

"At present, the Valley has gathered more than 3,000 high-end R&D personnel of automotive software, and the production of the intelligent automobile vehicle has exceeded 5 million," said Wang Tanglu, deputy general manager of the valley.

"The Valley has gradually formed a software industry involving leading enterprises, public platforms, industrial applications, talent cultivation, and innovation incubation," Wang added.

SOURCE iChongqing
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "I'm a doctor and I thought there could be a better way to communicate clearly with patients in negative pressure hospital rooms, through numerous face masks, and from a safe distance during the current pandemic," said an inventor, from Mesa, Ariz., "so I invented the AUDIO MASK PROTECTION. My design helps to improve critical communication between concerned Healthcare professionals and their sick patients."

The patent-pending invention provides a clear and effective way to communicate while wearing a protective face mask. In doing so, it helps to prevent muffled voices. As a result, it enhances communication and convenience and it eliminates the need to lower or remove the mask. The invention features a practical design that is easy to apply and use so it is ideal for health care workers and the general population.

The original design was submitted to the Phoenix sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 21-PBT-200, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Mr. Majid Al-Hogail, organized the third edition of the exhibition "Projects of Distinguished Cities,". Jazeera Paints' participation in this exhibit comes as a result of the company's keen awareness of the importance of these local events in promoting the real estate and development sector as a pioneering company in paints, colors, and construction solutions on a national, regional, and global scale. The exhibition runs for five days in Riyadh between September 24 and 28, 2022, and is accompanied by the "Effects of the National Transformation Program on Saudi Cities" forum.

Jazeera Paints Sponsors the Exhibition of Projects of Distinguished Cities 2022

The exhibit features more than 70 institutions, including the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Saudi Aramco, and other public and private sector organizations. In addition to prominent Saudi projects involved in the 2030 Vision, most notably "The Line" project located in Neom.

The exhibit featured a panel discussion titled "Effects of 2030 Vision Initiatives on Saudi Cities," with panelists including the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Engr. Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Mr. Majid Al-Hogail, and the Minister of Transportation, Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser.

The exhibit will include 10 panel discussions, 12 workshops, and 46 speakers, all of whom will discuss Saudi Cities and the positive effects of the Vision on Saudi Cities, the future of economic and investment opportunities in various regions and cities, the sustainability of housing, and the challenges that city development faces. The exhibit will also reflect on urban and city development practices and means, particularly in relation to the sustainability of infrastructure and municipal services, as well as the impact of the Vision initiatives on smart city service strategies.

"Jazeera Paints" aims through its participation to introduce its customers, engineers, and real estate developers, to the company's latest products not only in the field of colors, but also in the field of construction solutions, where the company has many cohesive products that solve all of the architectural problems that engineers face in their projects.

The Minister Mr. Majid Al-Hogail honored "Jazeera Paints" for its diamond sponsorship of the exhibit, which was accepted by Engr. Wael bin Mohammed Al Romaih, Business Development Director of "Jazeera Paints".

     "  " https://www.jazeerapaints.com/ YouTube

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1911818/Jazeera_Paints.jpg

SOURCE Jazeera Paints
BOSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.6500 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of September 12, 2022, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 1, 2022, and payable on September 30, 2022. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: September 2022 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.6500

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 30, 2022, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 07/1/2022-09/30/2022

For the fiscal year-to-date period

1/1/2022-09/30/2022 1 Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions ($)

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1127

17 %

0.4606

25 % Net Realized Short-

Term Capital Gains

0.0048

1 %

0.0000

0 % Net Realized Long-

Term Capital Gains

0.0839

13 %

0.6832

37 % Return of Capital or

Other Capital Source

0.4486

69 %

0.7000

38 % Total per common share

0.6500

100 %

1.8438

100 %

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on August 31, 2022

6.97 %





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022

7.67 %





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through August 31, 2022

-12.08 %





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022

5.44 %







1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2022 and will end on December 31, 2022.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the September 2022 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.6500 per share.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above.

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 manulife.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
BOSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the "Adviser") and subadvised by Wellington Management Company LLP (the "Subadviser"), announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.2900 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of September 12, 2022, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 1, 2022, and payable on September 30, 2022. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: September 2022 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.2900

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 30, 2022, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 07/1/2022-09/30/2022

For the fiscal year-to-date period

1/1/2022-09/30/2022 1 Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions ($)

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1461

50 %

0.4978

57 % Net Realized Short-

Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0 %

0.0000

0 % Net Realized Long-

Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0 %

0.3722

43 % Return of Capital or

Other Capital Source

0.1439

50 %

0.0000

0 % Total per common share

0.2900

100 %

0.8700

100 %

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on August 31, 2022

1.94 %





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022

9.78 %





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through August 31, 2022

-4.82 %





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022

7.34 %







1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2022 and will end on December 31, 2022.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the September 2022 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.2900 per share, which will continue to be paid quarterly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above.

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.

Wellington Management Company LLP is an independent and unaffiliated investment subadviser to John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund.

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 manulife.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
Third-generation Nelson family member poised to lead the pet food and rendering technologies business

DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has named Kimberly Nelson, a third-generation member of Kemin's founding family, as president of Kemin Nutrisurance, the company's pet food and rendering technologies business unit.

Kimberly Nelson, a third-generation member of Kemin Industries' founding family, has been named president of the company's pet food and rendering technologies business unit.

Kemin, a family-owned-and-operated company, was founded by Nelson's grandparents, R.W. and Mary Nelson, 61 years ago. Nelson has been with Kemin for seven years, most recently serving as General Manager  North America for Kemin Nutrisurance. During her tenure, the global business unit saw double-digit sales growth despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its stress on the supply chain.

"I'm thrilled to lead Kemin Nutrisurance and immensely proud to continue the important work my family has built over the last six decades," said Nelson. "As a pet owner myself, I'm especially excited to be part of this business unit, and I am eager to continue our success and expand upon it to further cement our position as an industry leader."

Prior to joining Kemin Nutrisurance, Nelson served as President of Kemin Textile Auxiliaries, operating under the brand Garmon Chemicals, which provides total chemical solutions for the denim and apparel industry. Nelson helped lead the acquisition of Garmon Chemicals in early 2018 and served as Business Development Manager, then General Manager  India, for Kemin Textile Auxiliaries.

"I am very pleased to promote Kimberly Nelson to President of Kemin Nutrisurance, as she has demonstrated the people-focused leadership and business savvy needed to guide our pet food and rendering business," said David Raveyre, Worldwide Group President, Kemin Industries. "Kimberly has an excellent track record of driving innovation and has demonstrated her ability to effectively direct a global business unit. With the results she's already delivered, I'm confident she will continue the impressive legacy of the Nelson family and Kemin."

Nelson spent five years in marketing in Hong Kong before joining Kemin in 2017. She received her bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and her master's degree from Savannah College of Art and Design.

Nelson will begin her new role in October 2022, and Alberto Munoz, currently Marketing Director for Kemin Nutrisurance, will fill her previous position as General Manager  North America for the business unit.

About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

 Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2022. All rights reserved.  TM Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A.

Certain statements, product labeling and claims may differ by geography or as required by government requirements.

Media Contact:

Diogo Craveiro, Global Marketing Communications Manager | [email protected], +1 515 559 5361

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1907956/Kimberly_Nelson.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/901853/New_Kemin_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kemin Industries
Grocer on track to donate 3 billion meals by 2025

CINCINNATI, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Throughout the month of September, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) celebrated the five-year anniversary of its ambitious Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan. Launched in 2017, Zero Hunger | Zero Waste remains the centerpiece of the company's environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. It is widely recognized as an industry-leading platform for collective action and systems change.

"As America's largest grocer, Kroger is committed to building a more resilient, equitable and sustainable food system for generations to come," said Keith Dailey, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer. "We are so proud of everything our more than 420,000 associates accomplished in the last five years. The unique ways our teams embraced the challenge to help end hunger and waste in our communities are inspirational. We cannot wait to see how they continue to bring the strategy to life."

Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste commitments aim to drive positive impacts for people and our planet by increasing access to fresh, affordable food; advancing sustainability by reducing emissions and food waste; changing systems through strategic philanthropy; and catalyzing innovation.

"We've learned a lot since introducing our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan five years ago," said Denise Osterhues, Kroger's senior director of ESG and president of The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation. "It's clear that as a grocery retailer, Kroger has a unique role to play in the future of food, from the way it is produced and transported to the way it is purchased and consumed. We are incredibly grateful to the nonprofit and for-profit organizations who amplify our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission at the national and local levels. Collective action is truly the key to our shared success."

The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste action plan expresses the grocer's mission to:

Feed : Expand surplus food recovery and redistribute to provide a total of more than three billion meals to its communities by 2025

: Expand surplus food recovery and redistribute to provide a total of more than three billion meals to its communities by 2025 Nourish : Improve health and well-being by promoting fresh foods and affordable, better-for-you options

: Improve health and well-being by promoting fresh foods and affordable, better-for-you options End waste : Embed retail best practices to optimize ordering, extend freshness and reduce waste in its operations

: Embed retail best practices to optimize ordering, extend freshness and reduce waste in its operations Inspire change : Direct funding to social entrepreneurs who are transforming the food system through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation's Innovation Fund

: Direct funding to social entrepreneurs who are transforming the food system through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation's Innovation Fund Advocate : Support public policy and legislative solutions that improve food access and create infrastructure for a zero-waste future

: Support public policy and legislative solutions that improve food access and create infrastructure for a zero-waste future Transform : Advance planet-forward agricultural production methods around the world to conserve natural resources and protect habitats

: Advance planet-forward agricultural production methods around the world to conserve natural resources and protect habitats Collaborate : Cultivate long-standing and new partnerships for meaningful collective action to achieve our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste goals

: Cultivate long-standing and new partnerships for meaningful collective action to achieve our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste goals Build stronger communities: Align charitable giving, community engagement and volunteerism to create a better future

In the first five years of its impact plan, Kroger and its associates have achieved:

$1 billion in giving to hunger relief, which includes 500 million pounds of surplus food donated, for a total of 2.3 billion meals directed to communities

in giving to hunger relief, which includes 500 million pounds of surplus food donated, for a total of 2.3 billion meals directed to communities $44.6 million in grants from The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, which was established in late 2018 to support food systems change

in grants from The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, which was established in late 2018 to support food systems change $5.2 million in Innovation Fund grants for social entrepreneurs through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation's signature program

To learn more about Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste progress and download its 2022 ESG report, visit here.

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies nearly half a million associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.
Preeminent first chair trial lawyer Christopher L. Garcia and skilled litigator Raquel Kellert bring a wealth of experience that spans a wide range of white collar matters.

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that Christopher L. Garcia and Raquel Kellert have joined the firm's New York office as partners in the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice and members of the Litigation & Trial Department. Garcia and Kellert represent companies and individuals in connection with a wide range of white collar matters, including state and federal court litigation, internal investigations, and government defense.

Christopher L. Garcia Raquel Kellert

"We are committed to building the preeminent white collar defense practice," said Marc Jaffe, Managing Partner of the firm's New York office. "And Chris brings unique skills and knowledge that enhance our unparalleled team, and our ability to handle the most complex, highest-stakes investigations, trials, and enforcement matters. Chris is a leader, an outstanding trial lawyer, and a tireless advocate for his clients. With an illustrious career spanning more than two decades handling an impressive range of matters, Chris has earned a reputation in the New York white collar community that speaks to his prodigious work ethic, judgment, and talents. He brings a unique combination of private practice and government insight, and he will play a major role in helping to further build our practice."

Garcia focuses on defending clients in regulatory and criminal investigations, conducting internal investigations, and litigating securities class actions in state and federal courts across the United States. He also counsels boards of directors, executives, broker-dealers, and investment advisers on a variety of issues, including securities matters, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.

Garcia's prior experience includes serving as Chief of the Southern District of New York's Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. In this role, he led a unit of more than 35 prosecutors, law enforcement agents, and staff in all aspects of securities fraud investigations, trials, appeals, and other litigations, including several significant and highly publicized insider trading matters. Over the course of his government tenure, Garcia supervised the investigation and prosecution of more than 300 cases, including those arising out of the 2008 financial crisis and in the areas of corporate fraud, consumer fraud, insider trading, fraudulent investment schemes, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He personally conducted 10 federal jury trials and litigated numerous successful appeals.

Michele Johnson, Global Chair of Latham's Litigation & Trial Department added, "Chris and Raquel join our growing constellation of star trial lawyers with a reputation for providing clients with pragmatic and sophisticated counsel. They anticipate and address future business trends, and bring the right mix of experience that is highly synergistic with our platform."

Kellert defends corporations and individuals, and represents companies, boards, and executives, in criminal, civil, and regulatory enforcement matters involving the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures and Trading Commission, and other government agencies. In particular, Kellert conducts internal investigations on behalf of boards and companies concerning alleged accounting irregularities, commercial bribery, cybersecurity incidents, honest services fraud, employee misconduct, securities fraud, and FCPA and False Claims Act violations.

"Chris and Raquel are both exemplary trial lawyers and adept strategists, who will make great additions to our white collar team," said Doug Greenburg, Global Chair of Latham's White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. "They will leverage their substantive skills across white collar matters and help lead a variety of large teams in connection with high-stakes trials, investigations, and enforcement matters."

"In addition, Chris and Raquel offer clients a proven ability to navigate a wide range of legal and regulatory crises. Their creative counsel and tenacious advocacy make them the people you want in your corner," said Christopher Clark, Deputy Managing Partner of the firm's New York office.

Garcia said, "I am delighted to be joining the Latham's top-tier litigation practice. In New York, across the US, and around the world, Latham's standing as an elite go-to litigation practice reflects the firm's immensely talented team, depth of experience in investigations and disputes, and extensive track record at trial. In particular, I am drawn to the firm for its global, integrated transactional and dispute platforms. Latham will provide me with unique and exciting opportunities to contribute to the firm's incredible success and growth while serving a varied client base."

"I am eager to join such an outstanding group of lawyers at Latham. I have long admired their work, and along with Chris, I am delighted to be joining the team," said Kellert. "Latham not only is a leader in New York corporate circles, but the firm is also recognized as one of the best law firms in the world for its platform, depth of expertise, and culture of teamwork and excellence. I look forward to working with Latham's renowned roster of clients, and further developing my practice at the firm."

Garcia and Kellert join Latham from Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York. Garcia received his JD from Harvard Law School; and an undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard University. Kellert received her JD from Georgetown University Law Center; and an undergraduate degree cum laude, from Yale University.





About Latham & Watkins (lw.com)



Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world's largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability.

Notes to Editors

1 Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Firm of Salman M. Al-Sudairi, a limited liability company, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Contacts

Marc Jaffe, New York Office Managing Partner, +1.212.906.1281

Michele Johnson, Global Litigation & Trial Department Chair, +1.714.755.8113

Doug Greenburg, White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice Global Chair, +1.202.637.1093

Christopher Clark, New York Office Deputy Managing Partner, +1.212.906.1350

SOURCE Latham & Watkins
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- L'ATTITUDE Ventures (LAT VC), an institutional venture capital firm that invests exclusively in US Latina/o led startups, hosted its Match-Up event at the fifth annual L'ATTITUDE conference. The Match-Up program comprises founder showcases, investor thought leadership, capital match-making, and a pitch competition for L'ATTITUDE Latino Startup of the Year.

Diego Gordillo, Managing Director J.P. Morgan Chase; Selma Bueno, Managing Director Morgan Stanley; Oscar Munoz, LAttitude Chairman, Former President, & CEO United Airlines; Sandra Velasquez, Founder & CEO of Nopalera; Raul Anaya, President, Business Banking Bank of America and Marcos A. Torres, Managing Director RBC Capital Markets.

Ahead of the event, L'ATTITUDE Ventures reviewed hundreds of showcase submissions and ultimately invited 23 companies to attend the event. This year's showcases spanned three days and were grouped into three categories: CPG, Fintech, and B2B SaaS. Of these showcases, L'ATTITUDE Ventures selected Mooch, Cleverman, Mavity, and Nopalera to compete on the main stage for L'ATTITUDE Startup of the Year Award, won by Nopalera.

Nopalera is a line of luxury Mexican botanicals for bath and body. Founded by San Diego native Sandra Velasquez who in less than two years has led the brand into a massive success amassing retail partnerships with Nordstroms, Credo Beauty and Whole Foods.

"Our investment in Nopalera is grounded in Sandra's bottom-up product knowledge, data-driven discipline, and unwavering vision and drive to lead with cultural and personal authenticity. We are excited to bring the entire ecosystem of LAT VC to expand her growth, distribution, and success," Kennie Blanco, L'ATTITUDE Ventures General Partner, and Chief Investment Officer.

Since last year's Match-Up, L'ATTITUDE Ventures has deployed another $16M in Latina/o change-makers. In 2021, U.S. startups and companies with Latino founders received only around 2% of all VC funding. L'ATTITUDE Ventures aims to use its first $100M institutional fund to trigger a long needed change in the narrative around and flow of capital into U.S. Latina/os.

About L'ATTITUDE Ventures:

L'ATTITUDE Ventures invests in early-stage (Pre-seed to Series A) U.S. Latina(o) entrepreneurs who leverage technology to scale. The General Partners are Sol Trujillo, Oscar Munoz, Gary Acosta, Kennie Blanco, and Laura Moreno Lucas. Learn more at https://lat.vc/.

Link to Hi-res Images HERE

SOURCE L'ATTITUDE Ventures
HUDSON, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LeafFilter Gutter Protection, the world's largest gutter protection solutions company, announced today that it has been named a winner in Good Housekeeping's 2022 Home Reno Awards in the Greatest Gutter Guards category. Since 2005, LeafFilter Gutter Protection has empowered homeowners to eliminate gutter cleaning hassles.

LeafFilter Gutter Protection has improved the strength and longevity of gutter systems for over 1 million customers across North America. From its innovative design and award-winning technology to its seamless installation, LeafFilter offers homeowners the best gutter protection on the market. It features various colors and is backed by a lifetime warranty; its patented, three-piece system with a micromesh interior and uPVC framing optimizes debris repellence and weather resistance.

"We're honored that Good Housekeeping has selected LeafFilter as a winner in the Home Reno awards," said Chris Counahan, President of LeafFilter. "We're on a mission to improve the lives of our customers by ensuring their homes are safely protected from the damage of clogged gutters, so they can spend more time doing the things they love. We're grateful that Good Housekeeping recognizes all the hard work we've put into our product."

LeafFilter Gutter Protection is intentionally designed to improve the quality of life for homeowners everywhere, particularly those looking to safely protect and maintain their homes for years to come. Custom installations and financing options allow representatives to work with each homeowner's existing gutters and budget, allowing projects to be completed in a matter of hours instead of weeks or months.

The full list of 2022 categories and winners of the Good Housekeeping Home Reno Awards can be found here: www.goodhousekeeping.com/homereno2022.

About Leaf Home

Leaf Home is a leading technology-enabled direct-to-consumer provider of branded, innovative home solutions in North America. The company is on a mission to enhance the safety, enjoyment, and comfort of homeowners and their families by delivering seamless, transformative home solutions including gutter protection, home safety, water purification, and other home enhancement products. With its corporate headquarters in Hudson, Ohio, and locations across the U.S. and Canada, Leaf Home has become a trusted partner to over 1.1 million homeowners. Live Comfortable. Live Safe. Live Happy. For more information, visit www.leafhome.com.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Leaf Home
Correa will support relationship building with key global stakeholders as a member of the leadership team.

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Libra Group, a privately-owned international business group whose subsidiaries own and operate assets in nearly 60 countries, today announced the appointment of Maria Paula Correa as the group's first-ever Chief Relationship Officer.

Maria Paula Correa

Correa will leverage her experience working in high levels of government and the non-profit sector to identify and build relationships that support Libra Group's business, including its 20 subsidiaries and 10 non-profit social impact programs. This includes representing Libra with international government officials and supporting relationship building with key stakeholders.

"This is an important moment for Libra Group. As our group continues to grow, it is critical that we bring in leaders with the breadth of experience to advance our ecosystem, which has operations and partnerships around the world," said George Logothetis, Chairman and CEO of Libra Group. "Maria Paula has experience working at the very highest levels of government, engaging global stakeholders, and demonstrating impact. We are very proud to welcome her to our leadership team."

Correa comes to Libra Group from the Government of Colombia, where she served as Chief of Staff of the Presidency in the government of President Ivan Duque Marquez. Prior to this role, Correa worked at Concordia a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that is a prominent convener of people across the world and of which Libra is the founding sponsor  as the Senior Director of Strategic Engagement, where she was the lead advisor to the CEO, driving the organization's overall strategy. She also managed Concordia's stakeholder engagement, including the membership-based community and the Leadership Council, and oversaw all sponsorship opportunities. She was previously a Consul at the Colombian consulate in New York and Advisor to the Chief of Staff during Alvaro Uribe's presidential administration.

"I am deeply honored to join the Libra Group's leadership team and step into this role focused on building, strengthening, and maintaining the connections that drive our businesses forward," said Correa. "Libra's entire ecosystem of businesses and non-profits share a unique culture built on family values. We have an opportunity to lean into our collective vision to address some of society's most pressing challenges and be a force for positive transformation."

About Libra Group

The Libra Group (www.libra.com) is a privately-owned, global ecosystem of businesses united through shared values and a common commitment to purpose. We apply the strength of our network and capabilities to a range of industries and activities operating across nearly 60 countries, delivering growth and mitigating risk. We work to achieve a positive impact in the world through our engagement with Libra's Social Responsibility Program, which includes ten social initiatives created to address unmet needs, and grantmaking that helps people around the world. These aspirations  to deliver growth and achieve good  are twin engines that power everything we do.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1912058/Maria_Correa.jpg

SOURCE Libra Group
For the first-time ever, WBC's flagship STEM talent attraction and retention program, ThinkChicago, will host Launchpad, an exclusive event for City Colleges of Chicago students and alumni

CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joins World Business Chicago, City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and Discovery Partners Institute to announce the launch of ThinkChicago Launchpad, a brand-new event exclusive to City Colleges of Chicago students and alumni. Interested students can register for the opportunity to enjoy a multi-day immersion experience to explore Chicago's thriving tech, innovation, and startup ecosystem at www.thinkchicago.net/launchpad .

ThinkChicago Launchpad participants will enjoy the opportunity to hear from startup CEOs and technologists and attend networking sessions to explore the city's tech and innovation sector. Students will also have access to a number of career development opportunities, including resume workshops and free professional headshots See the full agenda at http://www.thinkchicago.net/launchpad .

"When it comes to diverse, local talent, City Colleges of Chicago is truly one of the city's powerhouses," said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "I am beyond proud to see World Business Chicago's ThinkChicago program tap into this talent pool and rapidly grow with City Colleges students. Their team is setting an example by showing our local tech companies that they can attract and hire top-tier STEM talent right here in our great city."

ThinkChicago is organized by World Business Chicago, with anchor partners, the University of Illinois System and the City of Chicago. In 2021, World Business Chicago named City Colleges of Chicago as a ThinkChicago anchor partner, ensuring stronger connectivity between CCC talent and the tech companies in Chicago.

"City Colleges of Chicago is both a strong pipeline of diverse talent and an economic driver for the city," said Michael Fassnacht, President and CEO of World Business Chicago, and Chief Marketing Officer for the City of Chicago. "For those reasons and more, we look forward to partnering with Chancellor Salgado and his team on the upcoming ThinkChicago Launchpad, providing access to career opportunities in Chicago's technology and innovation ecosystem to City Colleges students and alumni."

"Chicago tech companies and startups have an amazing partner through City Colleges," said Mark Tebbe, Chair of World Business Chicago's Innovation and Venture Council. "Chancellor Salgado and the entire organization is actively engaging with our local startup ecosystem, and we're proud to build an even stronger bridge between talented City College students and fast-growing local companies."

City Colleges of Chicago aims to put every student on the path to upward mobility. CCC is the largest community college system in Illinois and one of the largest in the nation. With locations across the city, the seven colleges include: Richard J. Daley, Kennedy-King, Malcolm X, Olive-Harvey, Harry S Truman, Harold Washington, and Wilbur Wright colleges. City Colleges also oversees: the award-winning Washburne Culinary Institute, the Sikia Banquet Facility, five Child Development Centers, and radio station WKKC FM 89.3. For more than 100 years, City Colleges has transformed the lives of more than one million students through education.

"City Colleges of Chicago is a critical vehicle of empowerment for young people and the thousands of residents we serve," said Juan Salgado, Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago. "Our students truly represent the future of our city: talented, diverse, and ready to get to work. With Chicago now home to one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the country, ThinkChicago is a vital effort to ensure City Colleges continues to be part of this growth."

ThinkChicago Launchpad is supported by global crypto company CoinFlip as presenting sponsor, other sponsors include Milwaukee Tool, Nature's Fynd, and tastytrade.

"As a leading Chicago fintech company, we're excited to build upon our hiring locally," said Daniel Polotsky, Founder and Chairman of CoinFlip. "We're proud to be a presenting sponsor for an important program like ThinkChicago, which shows students they can launch, build, and thrive with a STEM career in our hometown Chicago."

ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO (WBC):

World Business Chicago serves a critical role in driving inclusive and equitable recovery throughout the city's 77 neighborhoods, focused on high growth sectors: transportation, distribution, & logistics; manufacturing; healthcare & life sciences, and our local innovation, startup, & venture ecosystem. As the City of Chicago's economic development agency, World Business Chicago leads corporate attraction & retention, workforce & talent, community impact, and promotion of Chicago as a leading global city. Supported by a council of 300+ local leaders, World Business Chicago's portfolio of innovation & venture programs include: the Chicago Venture Summit series, Startup Chicago, ThinkChicago, and Venture Engine with the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC). Follow World Business Chicago on LinkedIn & Twitter for daily news and announcements on company relocation and expansion; industry and ecosystem growth, U.S. and world rankings, and more about Chicago's economic progress. www.worldbusinesschicago.com

ABOUT COINFLIP:

CoinFlip is a leading fintech company powered by cryptocurrency. The company operates the world's largest network of cryptocurrency ATMs by transaction volume with over 4,000 machines across 49 states supporting the buying and selling of major cryptocurrencies with cash. In 2020, CoinFlip launched Trade Desk, an over-the-counter trading service that provides investors a personal account manager and competitive coin pricing. CoinFlip became an international company in 2022 via expansion into Canada. The company has amongst the lowest fees in the industry and provides 24/7 award-winning customer support. CoinFlip was founded in 2015 by Daniel Polotsky, Kristoffer Dayrit, Alan Gurevich, and Benjamin Weiss. Headquartered in Chicago, CoinFlip placed in the top 100 on the 2021 and 2022 Inc. 5000 list, was named the 2021 and 2022 #1 fastest-growing company in Chicago by Crain's, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Stevie Awards for Customer Service. For more information about CoinFlip, please visit www.CoinFlip.tech.

SOURCE World Business Chicago
LANSING, Mich. , Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan 2-1-1 network is answering calls for human services assistance for Central Florida residents in response to Hurricane Ian, including shelter, food, utilities, and other basic needs. Michigan 2-1-1 has stepped in to help serve 14 counties along the Gulf Coast and Greater Orlando.

As the hurricane was unfolding, the Michigan 2-1-1 network was called upon to assist Heart of Florida United Way. 2-1-1 centers across Michigan began answering calls and managing critical referrals for Hurricane Ian recovery; providing up-to-date information on shelters, housing assistance and safety tips, thus bringing inquiring residents reliable information to help meet their basic needs. All seven Michigan 2-1-1 centers are providing this support, including Spanish-speaking services.

2-1-1 is staffed 365 days a year and is accessible by text, phone, and web. Michigan 2-1-1 and Heart of Florida United Way have a standing mutual aid relationship to assist one another in times of crisis, providing Florida residents with real-time information and connection to services.

During times of disaster, 211 supports communities before, during and after disasters. This includes directing people to evacuation routes and shelters beforehand or helping people get food, water, and emergency supplies afterward. The 2-1-1 system has been vital in the midst of several Michigan disasters, including the Flint water crisis, severe flooding in the Midland/Bay area, Southeast Michigan flooding, after a tornado struck Wyoming, Michigan, as well as national disasters such as this.

For more information on Michigan 2-1-1, visit mi211.org.

CONTACT:

Joe DiBenedetto

[email protected]

516-637-0597

SOURCE Michigan Association of United Ways
MONTREAL, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Montrium, a leader in cloud-based software solutions for the life sciences, today announces the launch of both its expert-led Trial Master File Services and its new TMF maturity educational training. These innovative offerings are designed to support clinical operations and TMF teams at every stage of the clinical development journey.

Montrium Launches Game-Changing Trial Master File Services to Empower Scaling Life Science Organizations

Life science organizations can now take advantage of end-to-end TMF management and expert consulting services run by a team of industry veterans. The comprehensive service offerings are backed by years of deep experience in TMF processes and cutting-edge technology, levelling the playing field for scaling organizations by giving them an opportunity to achieve the highest standard of TMF excellence.

"We are seeing a major shift in trial master file operations as sponsors look to take more control of TMF management, oversight, and inspection readiness," said Paul Fenton, President, and CEO at Montrium. "With regulatory scrutiny of TMFs increasing and the industry's major adoption of eTMF systems, sponsors need deeper support to put in place a scalable TMF program. These new TMF services offerings are in direct response to this".

Montrium's eTMF Services have been thoughtfully crafted to create value, drive quality, improve inspection readiness, and scale TMF operations across the board. Some of the areas Montrium now supports include:

TMF process implementation and startup

Expert-crafted process optimization and customization

Ongoing TMF oversight support

TMF inspection readiness and mock inspections

Ongoing eTMF system administration

TMF migration and reconciliation

TMF maturity training and workshops

AI-powered automated indexing, quality control, and query management (coming soon)

In addition to a new core set of trial master file management and consulting services, Montrium is also launching a trailblazing TMF training and education program called TMF Maturity. This new program is designed to provide an end-to-end trial master file training offering paired with skill-building and deliverable-driven workshops for the entire clinical team.

"The gateway to better TMF compliance starts with education," said Donatella Ballerini, Head of eTMF Services at Montrium. "Our TMF Maturity Training program delivers team-focused training, practical workshops, and comprehensive templates to increase your TMF maturity in a never-before-seen combination."

In support of the launch, Montrium will be hosting TMF Maturity Day on October 25th, 2022. The one-day free educational summit will give attendees access to four expert-led sessions covering some of the foundational components of Montrium's TMF maturity framework.

About Montrium

Founded in 2005, Montrium is one of the leading providers of cloud-based collaborative content management software and expert consulting services for the life sciences industry. With experience in serving over 200 life science customers in 30+ countries, Montrium is committed to delivering an unparalleled customer experience to emerging growth organizations as a true solutions partner. Montrium has offices in Montreal, Canada, and Brussels, Belgium.

Media Contacts:

Oliver Pearce

Director of Commercialization, Montrium

[email protected]

T: +1 514 223 9153 ext 211

SOURCE Montrium
Community Foundation of Broward grants expand access to potentially life-saving cancer clinical trials and treatment programs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More Broward residents diagnosed with cancer have access to potentially life-saving cancer clinical trials and treatment programs, thanks to recent grants by Community Foundation of Broward. More than 900 local cancer patients have participated in clinical trials as a result of $2 million invested by the Foundation since 2016.

Community Foundation grants totaling $350,000 have recently been awarded to Broward Health in collaboration with the University of Miami for early detection of gynecological cancers through expanded research partnerships, to Florida International University Foundation in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Florida for individualized treatments in adults with relapsed/refractory cancers and to Memorial Foundation for its Cancer Biospecimen Resources Project in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University.

The grants are specifically focused on expanding the availability of cancer clinical trials to Broward residents. They grew out of the Community Foundation's commitment to "Cancel Cancer," which has strong support from many fundholders at the Foundation.

Comprehensive information about cancer clinical trials is also available at a user-friendly website of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The website includes pages on clinical trials information for patients and caregivers, on steps to find a clinical trial, on related publications, and on the availability of NCI's Cancer Information Service, including telephone lines to call and online chat services to consult. NCI provides accurate, up-to-date and reliable information.

Of course, cancer patients should consult with their oncologists and other physicians about all aspects of their treatment programs, including the possibility of participating in cancer clinical trials.

In addition to grants for expanded clinical trials, Community Foundation of Broward grants have made it possible for another 2,800 cancer patients and their families to receive cancer-related support services. New Foundation grants for Broward cancer support services were recently awarded to Gilda's Club South Florida to provide vital support groups and activities to more than 200 cancer patients and their families and caregivers, and to Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation to provide emergency financial assistance for 20 low-income families who have a child undergoing cancer treatments and are unable to pay for basic needs.

"Expanded access for Broward residents to cancer clinical trials is a major goal of the Foundation," said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson. "In addition, we want Broward residents to have easy access to cancer support services."

For more information about Community Foundation of Broward, please email Kirk Englehardt, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Community Foundation ([email protected]) or call 954-761-9503.

About Community Foundation of Broward

Founded in 1984, Community Foundation of Broward (CFB) helps families, individuals, and corporations create personalized charitable Funds that deliver game-changing philanthropic impact. 473 charitable Funds represent more than $212 million in assets, distributing $119 million in grants over the past 35 years. CFB provides bold leadership on community solutions and fosters philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter  which empowers visionaries, innovators and doers to create the change they want to see in the community  and BE BOLD. www.cfbroward.org.

Media Contact:

Kirk Englehardt

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Community Foundation of Broward

[email protected]

(M) 786-562-4282 (O) 954-761-9503 x105

SOURCE Community Foundation of Broward
A workforce of 10,000 from Duke Energy and other companies are responding to customer outages

Most restoration in Pasco and Pinellas counties to be completed by Saturday night

and counties to be completed by Saturday night Lake , Orange , Osceola and Seminole counties to be 90% restored Sunday night

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A Duke Energy Florida workforce of 10,000 from around the nation continues to make steady progress  restoring power caused by Hurricane Ian. More than 650,000 customers have had power restored thus far.

As of noon today, about 430,000 customers are still without power. Outages are spread throughout Duke Energy's territory. Duke Energy Florida serves 1.9 million customers in the state.

"Our Florida and out-of-state crews are making steady progress restoring power to Duke Energy customers able to receive electric service," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "We continue to assess hard-hit areas and communicate restoration times to help our customers better plan their schedules. We thank all our customers for their patience."

Seixas added that localized flooding in some areas has hampered the company's ability to restore power.

The company's estimated time for restoration (ETR) differs depending on the damage in various counties. It is when most customers can expect to have power restored, with some exceptions for those who have meter damage, flooding or experience extensive destruction. Current estimates:

The current ETR for 90% of DEF customers in Pasco and Pinellas counties is no later than 11:59 p.m. , Saturday, Oct. 1 .

and counties is no later than , . ETR for 90% of DEF customers in Lake , Orange , Osceola and Seminole counties is no later than 11:59 p.m. Sunday , Oct. 2.

, , and counties is no later than , Oct. 2. Assessment continues in the hard-hit areas of Highlands , Polk and Volusia counties. An ETR is forthcoming this evening, approximately 6 p.m.

If your home or business is flooded, Duke Energy cannot reconnect power until the electrical system has been inspected by a licensed electrician. If there is damage, an electrician will need to make repairs and obtain verification from your local building inspection authority before power can be restored.

10,000 resources in Florida

Duke Energy has 10,000 workers  power line technicians, damage assessors and vegetation workers  across Florida restoring power. Many crews were brought in from other states before the storm.

These crews are responding where conditions allow and are also assessing damage in hard-hit areas.

As restoration begins, workers may not be visible in each impacted neighborhood, as the first priority is to repair large power lines and other infrastructure that will return power to the greatest number of customers as quickly and safely as possible. Click here for information on how Duke Energy restores power.

Keeping customers informed

Customers who experience a power outage can report it the following ways:

Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.

Use the Duke Energy mobile app  download the Duke Energy App from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play.

Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).

Call the automated outage reporting system at 800.228.8485.

There is also an interactive outage map where customers can find up-to-date information on power outages, including the total number of outages systemwide and estimated times of restoration.

The company also will provide regular updates to customers and communities through emails, text messages, outbound phone calls, social media and its website, which includes power outage maps.

Safety recommendations

Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized, as well as trees, limbs, fences or anything in contact with lines.

If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST exit the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

A generator can be very useful during a power outage, but remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure safe and proper operation.

Please watch for utility crews and turn the generator off when crews are in your area. The electrical load on the power lines can be hazardous for crews making repairs.

Operate your generator outside. Never operate it inside a building or garage.

If rising water threatens your home  or if you evacuate your home  turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.

Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over  and don't stand near  downed power lines.

Downed lines will be hard to see in the rain and can potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.

For more tips during and after the storm, visit duke-energy.com/StormTips.

For company updates, visit duke-energy.com/updates.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Audrey Stasko

Cell: 315.877.3031

Media line: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

SOURCE Duke Energy
NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) celebrates the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol (Relyvrio) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), on September 29. Relyvrio will be made available in the United States (US) and marketed by Amylyx Pharmaceuticals. Relyvrio will be the third drug approved for the treatment of ALS in this country.

MDA was proud to support the original testing in ALS of sodium phenylbutyrate, one of the two elements in Relyvrio.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association celebrates the approval of Relyvrio from Amylyx for the treatment of ALS.

There is currently no cure for ALS and approved therapies have only modest effects on the course of disease progression for ALS patients. At present there are two drugs that come in different formulations that are approved by the FDA for the treatment of ALS. In 1995, the glutamate blocker riluzole (Rilutek) was approved by the FDA for treatment of ALS and was shown to moderately increase life expectancy by three to six months. Two additional formulations of riluzole have also been approved to address problems associated with swallowing. Thickened riluzole (Tiglutik) was approved in 2018 and a riluzole oral film (Exservan) was approved in 2019. Finally, 22 years after the introduction of riluzole, the antioxidant drug edaravone (RADICAVA), requiring intravenous (IV) administration, was approved in 2017. In May 2022 the oral version of edaravone was approved.

"Receiving a diagnosis of ALS can be overwhelming, and any therapy with the potential to alter the course of disease progression offers hope for this devastating disease," said Dr. Sharon Hesterlee, Chief Research Officer for MDA. "The approval of Relyvrio is an important step forward in treating ALS and is another important milestone for the field of ALS research and drug development."

ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease in which muscle-controlling nerve cells called motor neurons are destroyed, causing muscles to become nonfunctional. This results in muscle weakness, disability, and eventually death. The exact cause for ALS is still unknown. About 10% of cases have known genetic causes, but the remaining cases have no clear cause. Oxidative stress (toxicity due to harmful free radicals) has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. Relyvrio is designed to slow the loss of motor neurons by blocking cell death pathways.

Clinical trials support approval of Relyvrio

The FDA based its decision to grant approval to Relyvrio on the positive results of a 24-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In the trial, 137 adults with ALS were randomly assigned to receive either Relyvrio or an inactive placebo control. The affected people treated with Relyvrio experienced a slower rate of decline on an assessment of daily functioning compared to those receiving placebo. Longer overall survival was also observed in a long-term analysis of trial participants who received Relyvrio versus those who received placebo.

Relyvrio was generally well-tolerated in trial participants, with the most common adverse reactions being diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and upper respiratory tract infection. Relyvrio may cause worsening diarrhea in people with disorders that interfere with bile acid circulation.

About Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , TikTok , and LinkedIn .

SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has added two astronauts to the agency's Boeing Starliner-1 launch to the International Space Station, the spacecraft's first mission following completion of its flight tests and certification.

Astronauts Scott Tingle and Mike Fincke of NASA will serve as the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively, for the mission. Both astronauts have previously flown as crew members aboard the space station.

NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps remains assigned as a mission specialist on Starliner-1. Epps also continues cross-training on the Dragon spacecraft to protect for other flight opportunities.

The agency's Starliner crew rotation missions to the space station will carry four crew members at a time. Future crew assignments for Starliner-1 will be made following review and approval by the agency and its international partners.

Starliner-1 will launch following the successful completion of NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT), which aims to demonstrate Starliner's ability to achieve NASA certification and safely fly regular crewed missions to space station.

Boeing is targeting launch of its first test flight with astronauts in early February 2023, pending space station program approval, rocket manifest, and confirmation by the Eastern Range. Starliner will launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

After a successful CFT mission, NASA will begin the final process of certifying the Starliner spacecraft and systems for future crewed missions to the space station as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

For more than 21 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Regular commercial crew rotation missions enable NASA to continue the important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the station and prepare for future commercial destinations in low-Earth orbit. As part of Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers  the Artemis Generation  ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery.

Learn more about NASA's Commercial Crew Program at:

http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

SOURCE NASA
BEIJING, Sept, 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc. (the "Company" or "New Oriental") (NYSE: EDU/ 9901.SEHK), a provider of private educational services in China, today announced that it will report its financial results for the first quarter ended August 31, 2022, before the U.S. market opens on October 26, 2022. New Oriental's management will host an earnings conference call at 8 AM on October 26, 2022, U.S. Eastern Time (8 PM on October 26, 2022, Beijing/Hong Kong Time). Participants can join the conference using the below options:

Dialling-in to the conference call:

Please register in advance of the conference, using the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers, and unique personal PIN.

Conference call registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIae6908a14257488ebad58ce6d4f7234e. It will automatically direct you to the registration page of "New Oriental FY 2023 Q1 Earnings Conference Call" where you may fill in your details for RSVP.

In the 10 minutes prior to the call start time, you may use the conference access information (including dial in number(s) and personal PIN) provided in the confirmation email received at the point of registering.

Joining the conference call via a live webcast:

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investor.neworiental.org .

Listening to the conference call replay:

A replay of the conference call may be accessed via the webcast on-demand by registering at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/hgfrhiuk first. The replay will be available until October 26, 2023:

About New Oriental

New Oriental is a provider of private educational services in China offering a wide range of educational programs, services and products to a varied student population throughout China. New Oriental's program, service and product offerings mainly consist of educational services and test preparation courses, online education and other services, overseas study consulting services, and educational materials and distribution. New Oriental is listed on NYSE (NYSE: EDU) and SEHK (9901.SEHK), respectively. New Oriental's ADSs, each of which represents ten common share. The Hong Kong-listed shares are fully fungible with the ADSs listed on NYSE.

For more information about New Oriental, please visit http://www.neworiental.org/english/.

Contacts

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:



In China:





Ms. SisiZhao Ms. Rita Fong New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc. FTI Consulting Tel: +86-10-6260-5568 Tel: +852 3768 4548 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

SOURCE New Oriental Education and Technology Group Inc.
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today releases provisional data on suicide deaths for the year 2021. According to the new data, suicide deaths in the United States increased from 45,979 to 47,646 (4%) between the years 2020 and 2021.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the nation's largest suicide prevention organization, released the following statement regarding the CDC's provisional data which do not include final national suicide rates for the year 2021.

"At AFSP we understand how devastating and painful it is to lose a loved one to suicide. This CDC provisional suicide data invigorates our resolve to continue fighting so that we can see a day when suicide does not exist. Despite the data indicating an increase in suicide deaths in 2021, we remain hopeful that our public education and advocacy efforts are making a difference. While this new provisional data is concerning, the data shows that fewer people died by suicide in 2021 than in 2018.

As people interpret the newly released CDC report, it's important to remember that suicide is complex, and we are still understanding through research how societal factors and historical context impact suicide at an individual level.

The data does not explain what contributed to the overall reported increases in suicide deaths. Suicide is complex, risk is dynamic, and an individual's personal risk factors combined with precipitants such as experiences with isolation, depression, anxiety, economic stress, suicidal ideation, and access to lethal means may lead to periods of increased risk.

Suicide is complex, risk is dynamic, and an individual's personal risk factors combined with precipitants such as experiences with isolation, depression, anxiety, economic stress, suicidal ideation, and access to lethal means may lead to periods of increased risk. Suicide did not increase at the same rate for every age group. Rates remained relatively stable for females of all age groups and males ages 55 to 64 but increased for males in other age groups. The largest increase in the suicide rate occurred among males ages 15-24  an 8% increase. Because the teen years are a time when we see the onset of mental health concerns as well as more suicide attempts, this makes early detection and prevention efforts for youth critical. Note: This being provisional data, more information is needed to understand within-group differences. 2020 data indicates higher rates among males ages 20-24 than males ages 15-19.

The largest increase in the suicide rate occurred among males ages 15-24  an 8% increase. Because the teen years are a time when we see the onset of mental health concerns as well as more suicide attempts, this makes early detection and prevention efforts for youth critical. Note: This being provisional data, more information is needed to understand within-group differences. 2020 data indicates higher rates among males ages 20-24 than males ages 15-19. Further analysis of this provisional data is needed to understand impact in terms of race, ethnicity and other factors beyond age and sex. This provisional data does not include race, ethnicity, or geographical data. We also need much more research to consider suicide risk through the lens of social determinants such as income, access to health care, and other disparities in health and psychosocial stressors.

This provisional data does not include race, ethnicity, or geographical data. We also need much more research to consider suicide risk through the lens of social determinants such as income, access to health care, and other disparities in health and psychosocial stressors. The COVID-19 pandemic and its lasting effect on our nation's mental health are far from over. We cannot yet fully understand the entire impact of the pandemic on suicide deaths for the longer-term as it takes years to collect comprehensive data and analyze it in a meaningful way. Research has shown that people tend to come together during traumatic events initially and this can serve as a protective factor against suicide, though this societal cohesion may not persist as time passes. This is why sustained prevention education efforts and advocacy are needed. Protective factors that were activated during the pandemic  like community cohesion, normalizing the national dialog around mental health, and the increase in seeking help  can continue to help mitigate suicide risk and can likely save many more lives. It is certainly a time to make the implementation of suicide prevention efforts that are evidence-informed a top priority with an eye toward taking them to the broadest scale possible.

At AFSP, we remain dedicated to our mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide through efforts like:

Raising awareness and engaging state and federal policymakers to realize the full vision of 988, ensuring that all individuals have access to the new 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and a full continuum of community crisis services . 988 will continue to help increase public access to mental health and suicide prevention resources, encourage help-seeking for those who may be struggling with their mental health or have a loved one who is, and establish a comprehensive continuum of crisis care in our country.

. 988 will continue to help increase public access to mental health and suicide prevention resources, encourage help-seeking for those who may be struggling with their mental health or have a loved one who is, and establish a comprehensive continuum of crisis care in our country. Continuing to achieve the goal of reducing the annual suicide rate by 20% by 2025 through Project 2025 by partnering with organizations to embrace stronger evidence-based suicide prevention practices in critical settings like healthcare systems, emergency departments, corrections systems, and the firearms community where coordinated suicide prevention strategies can have a dramatic impact on saving lives. Suicide risk screening coupled with risk-reducing steps in healthcare settings, collaborating with large health systems and key accrediting professional organizations, can improve the acceptance and adoption of screening and preventive interventions as the standard of care.

by partnering with organizations to embrace stronger evidence-based suicide prevention practices in critical settings like healthcare systems, emergency departments, corrections systems, and the firearms community where coordinated suicide prevention strategies can have a dramatic impact on saving lives. Suicide risk screening coupled with risk-reducing steps in healthcare settings, collaborating with large health systems and key accrediting professional organizations, can improve the acceptance and adoption of screening and preventive interventions as the standard of care. Demanding more accessible and affordable mental health care: We all should have easy access to mental health care on a regular, ongoing basis. Assessment and treatment for mental health conditions must be accessible, culturally appropriate and effective. This kind of care can save lives, but only if individuals at risk can afford to obtain care. AFSP supports efforts to ensure that individuals receive the same insurance coverage for their mental health as their physical health, also known as "mental health parity."

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, developing suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and providing support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with an Advocacy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report , and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube .

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
MIAMI, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- State Senator Ileana Garcia and Senator-Elect Bryan Avila this month presented a $500,000 check, funded by the state of Florida, to representatives of Nicklaus Children's. The funds will support the work of the hospital's Epilepsy Program, a world-leader in treating children with medically resistant epilepsy.

Nicklaus Children's is routinely ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery Tweet this Leaders from Nicklaus Childrens Hospital with State Senator Ileana Garcia (front left) and Senator-Elect Bryan Avila (front right), who presented the hospital with a $500,000 check, funded by the state of Florida, to support the hospitals renowned Epilepsy Program.

Senator Garcia and Senator Elect Avila championed the funding which will enable the hospital to acquire a next-generation, high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) system to support precise and accurate localization of seizure activity in a child's brain.

"We are enormously grateful to Senator Garcia and Senator-Elect Avila for their commitment to the care of children with epilepsy," said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, parent organization of the hospital. "These two leaders understand the value of our state's four specialty licensed children's hospitals, including Nicklaus Children's. The four hospitals provide the most acute care services solely to children here in Florida, demonstrating their importance in ensuring the state's children have access to expert pediatric care without the need to leave their communities."

"This has been a great opportunity for me to give back to a wonderful place that helped me when my mother and I were at our most vulnerable  when I was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child," said Senator Garcia. "For me this moment is very nostalgic, because I remember always telling my mother that I would give back some day."

Senator-Elect Avila, said, "It has been an honor to help support an organization that is so essential to the children and families of our community. We are fortunate that children with epilepsy in Florida have access to one of the top programs in the nation when they seek care."

In addition, Senator Garcia was also the sponsor of Senate Bill 340, passed earlier this year, which requires that Florida public schools create individualized seizure action plans for children with epileptic seizures. The companion bill, House Bill 173, was sponsored by Representatives Nicholas Duran and Michael Gottlieb. Both bills passed unanimously and were signed into law by the governor. Thanks to these efforts, children with seizures are in a safer environment while in the classroom.

The Epilepsy Program is a premier program of the Nicklaus Children's Brain Institute, the nation's first comprehensive medical program dedicated solely to the care of the developing brain. It brings together world-renowned specialists in numerous pediatric neuroscience subspecialties with cumulative clinical experience unparalleled in the United States. The team fosters integrated research and offers the latest in assessment and treatment for children with disorders of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Nicklaus Children's is routinely ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery.

About Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately 800 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. In the 2022-2023 ranking, the hospital tied with two other hospitals as the number one children's hospital in Florida. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org

Media Contact:

Rachel Bixby

305-898-9165

SOURCE Nicklaus Childrens Health System
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mentice AB (publ) a leading supplier of high-technology solutions for simulation in the medical sector with focus on endovascular procedures, announces that the nomination committee for the company's Annual General Meeting 2023 has been appointed.

At the Annual General Meeting held on 27th of April 2022, it was resolved to adopt instructions and rules of procedure for the nomination committee to which the nomination committee shall consist of the chairman of the board of directors and three ordinary members representing the three largest shareholders by 30th of September.

The following members have been appointed to Mentice nomination committee for the 2023 Annual General Meeting:

Lawrence D Howell, appointed by Karin Howell,

Sophie Hagstromer, appointed by Bure Equity

Anna Sundberg, appointed by Handelsbanken Fonder

Magnus Nilsson, Chairman of the Board from December 30th 2022

Sophie Hagstromer is convening the first meeting.

The nomination committee represents approximately 56% of the total number of shares and votes.

The Nomination Committee shall prepare and present proposals for resolution by the Annual General Meeting regarding:

Election of a Chairman of the meeting

Decision on the number of Board members

Decision on remuneration to the Board members and to the Auditor

Election of Board members and Chairman of the Board

Decision on principles for appointing Nomination Committee.

The Annual General Meeting will take place in Gothenburg on May 11th, 2023. Shareholders who have proposals for the Annual General Meeting are asked to submit these to the nomination committee by email to [email protected], or by letter to: Mentice AB (publ), The Nomination Committee, Odinsgatan 10, 411 03 Gothenburg. In order for the nomination committee to process the received proposals with sufficient care, proposals must be submitted no later than March 24, 2023.

CONTACT:

For further information, please contact:

Goran Malmberg, CEO, Mentice

Email: [email protected]

Tel US: +1 (312) 860 5610

Tel Sweden: +46 (0) 703 09 22 22

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/mentice-ab/r/nomination-committee-has-been-appointed-for-mentice-ab--publ--annual-general-meeting-2023,c3640732

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Mentice AB
Financing round to expand nationwide foster caregiver network

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PetPair, the foster-powered pet adoption marketplace, is excited to announce it has closed a $1.1M pre-seed round for a total of $1.2M raised to date. The financing round was led by Bling Capital with participation from Expansion Ventures, Divide by Zero, Newlin Ventures, Great Oaks VC, Hornet Ventures, and strategic angels.

PetPair Secures $1.2M Pre-Seed Round to Scale Pet Adoption Marketplace Nationwide Tweet this PetPair Secures $1.2M Pre-Seed Round to Scale Pet Adoption Marketplace

PetPair helps shelters improve save rates and reduce costs by providing access to a ready-made, nationwide network of fosters. PetPair moves adoptable animals from shelters to local foster homes as quickly as possible. In the foster home, the animal benefits from a calm, stable environment with ample human attention and more directed training.

PetPair's Foster-Centric operational model unifies animal welfare organizations (AWOs), volunteers, and pet-centric businesses around the all-important adoption outcome. The Foster-Centric Model was pioneered by Maddie's Fund and American Pets Alive.

Fosters are the key to creating a nationwide sea-change in animal welfare," said Daniel Miyares, CEO and co-founder of PetPair. "In a few years, we see PetPair maintaining a community of fosters numbering in the tens and hundreds of thousands, providing homes for millions of pets each year, and powering recommendations for the $100B of pet products and services."

Currently, PetPair works with AWOs in the Southwestern United States, where high animal counts and shelter capacity issues are the norm. By providing shelters with access to the nationwide network, PetPair is able to assist in placing all pets, even in initially unadoptable cases. As animal control officer Jason Poulter describes: "No other rescues or shelters would touch this dog, and PetPair found an adopter. We're so lucky to be working together!"

About PetPair: PetPair is building a world where pets come first. PetPair utilizes a Foster-Centric model to rapidly move pets out of shelters into the homes of volunteer fosters or adopters, with the ultimate goal of maximizing nationwide Capacity for Care.

About Bling Capital: Bling Capital is an early stage venture capital firm, focused on helping entrepreneurs find product market fit. Bling Capital offers a unique Product Council of 100+ top executives as resources to its portfolio companies. Bling Capital was founded by Benjamin Ling, a former executive at Google, Facebook, and YouTube. Bling has made over 100 early stage investments, including Square, AirTable, Udemy, PagerDuty, Lyft, and Quora among others. www.blingcap.com

Contact:

Daniel Miyares

+1-301-529-0848

[email protected]

SOURCE PetPair, Inc.
HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An" or the "Group", HKEx:2318; SSE:601318) announced that Ping An ranked #23 in the FutureBrand Index 2022. Ping An also topped the Financial Sector list for the second consecutive year.

The FutureBrand Index is derived from a unique global brand perception study of the PwC Global Top 100 Companies by market capitalization. The study is based on interviews with business leaders, decision makers and market watchers. The companies are ranked in terms of brand perception strength arising from 18 indicators, including innovation, people, respect, trust, thought leadership and inspiration. The result is a rigorous assessment of how future-proof the world's 100 most prominent companies are.

FutureBrand Australia CEO Rich Curtis said this year's FutureBrand Index highlights how the strongest brands are perceived to be "moving ahead" by focusing on people's wellbeing and inspiring positive change. According to the report, it is no longer enough for companies to talk about what they plan to do, they must tangibly address the biggest challenges facing society today, such as climate change.

For Ping An, this is a critical year for its cultural reshaping, strategy upgrade and transformation. Ping An is continuing to build out its "managed care model" and lay a solid foundation for long-term sustainable, healthy growth by providing customers with a "worry-free, time-saving, and money-saving" experience. Capitalizing on its "integrated finance + healthcare" strategy and digital transformation, Ping An maintained steady growth in the first half of 2022, despite the challenging international environment and the impact of COVID-19 in China. The Group achieved an annualized operating return on equity (ROE) of 20.4% in the first half of 2022, with operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company rising 4.3% year-on-year to RMB85,340 million. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company increased 3.9% year-on-year to RMB60,273 million.

Ping An also integrates sustainability into its corporate strategy. To support China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, the Group upgraded its green finance initiative, including green insurance, green investment and green credit. As of June 30, 2022, Ping An's green investment and financing totaled RMB249,355 million and green banking business totaled RMB161,735 million. Premium income of environmentally sustainable insurance products totaled RMB76,971 million in the first half of 2022. Ping An also continued to deliver its Ping An Rural Communities Support program and implemented the innovative project of bringing insurance, finance, and healthcare to rural areas. Ping An cumulatively provided RMB49,720 million for poverty alleviation and industrial revitalization as of June 30, 2022.

In addition to Ping An, Chinese financial brands in general have a significant presence in the FutureBrand Index 2022, including China Merchants Bank (49), China Construction Bank (53), Agricultural Bank of China (56), Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (86) and Bank of China (98).

About Ping An Group

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An") strives to become a world-leading retail financial services group. With over 225 million retail customers and nearly 668 million internet users, Ping An is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation, and employs technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of its financial businesses and enhance risk management. The Company believes "Expertise Creates Value" and "Expertise makes life simple". Ping An develops the "integrated finance + healthcare" service system and builds the "finance + elderly care" and "finance + healthcare" industry ecosystems to provide professional "financial advisory, family doctor, and elderlycare concierge" services. As China's first joint stock insurance company, Ping An is committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate reporting and corporate governance. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Ping An ranked 17th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2022 and ranked 25th in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2022.

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn - PING AN .

SOURCE Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.
SHANGHAI, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- If 2020 and 2021 are years that emphasize uncertainty, 2022 will be the year that the catering, foodservice industry focus on new and ingenious solutions to multifaceted challenges. FHC aims to fully covered with the industry in more comprehensive way as the leading trade show. Meanwhile FHC 2022 will be held concurrently with Hotelex Shanghai 2022 in 8-10 November at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). Both trade shows are organized by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co. Ltd.

FHC Shanghai - Global Food Trade Show has always been the preferred platform for international food and beverage brands to enter the China's market, which is the professional platform in the filed of food and catering. It has accumulated more than 50+ countries and regions' exhibitors and professional visitor resources, with an exhibition scale of more than 200,000 square meters, serving nearly 3,000 exhibitors over past 26 years.

At the same time, the last edition of Hotelex Shanghai was a remarkable work which attracted 211,962 professional visitors in 2021, it has increased 33% from 2019. A total of 2,717 foreign visitors from 103 countries and regions attended the fair. A consumption boom is emerging right now to 2022, it is also the big year for 26th FHC and 31st Hotelex.

New trip will start in November

From November 8-10, 2022 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), there will be more than 3,000+ exhibitors from 50+ countries and regions in Meat, Seafood, Bakery & Light food, Coffee & Tea, Sweets & Snacks, Chocolate, Condiments & oils, Beverage, Dairy, Kids food, packaging & design, Hot pot ingredients & supplies and 3,000+ quality exhibitors from the industry, including canned foods and raw materials, will bring 100,000+ exhibits, together with more than 30 events and forums in FMCG of Catering, Coffee & Tea, Cooking & Baking and other professional fields, presenting a high-quality ceremony for the industry.

Brilliant prospects of FHC and Hotelex events

The FHC China International Culinary Arts Competition has come to its 24th year. The competition is organized by Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co., Ltd. which has obtained the official certification of World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS) A-level international event, and it is the only one international level event in China. The event has gotten a lot of support and attention from the industry and the community. There will be a new meat processing skills challenge and new bakery dessert items, such as Helveticrolls, Poundcake, Souffle, Fondant au chocolat and other live production events.

There will continue to hold a variety of summits on industry trends, food and beverage trends, food design and other areas on the site of FHC2022 and Hotelex 2022. Such as 2022 FHC Import and Export Meat Forum, 2022 China Sustainable Seafood Summit, 2022 FHC Global Dairy Forum, 2022 TPCC New Catering Dessert Baking Innovation Forum, 2022 Future Food Shanghai International Food Design Summit, 2022 Prepared Foods Industry Forum, The 3rd World Takeout Industry Conference, 2022 China Canned Food Technology Progress and Innovation Development Forum, 2022 FHC Business Match-making and so on.

(The specific time to be determined. For more details, please click: https://www.fhcchina.com/en/)

Last chance to get involve in the fair. Join us right now

International pavilions will gather high-quality enterprises from many countries and regions together to witness magnificent trade show. Participants from Canada, the United States, Japan, South Africa, Belgium, Denmark and South Korea pavilions have exhibited FHC2022, they will bring visitors Food, Beverage, Meat product, Dairy, Beer, Olive oil, Spices and other products with their local characteristics. FHC and Hotelex welcome international pavilions from all over the world who providing rich product procurement from overseas and business cooperation opportunities for domestic catering enterprises, imported food distributors and agents. Let's enjoy the trip and meet in November.

Ordering Booth:

Alex Ni

Tel: +86 21 3339 2242

[email protected]

Media & Visitor Consulting:

Lizzy Chen

Tel: +86 21 3339 2566

[email protected]

SOURCE Shanghai Sinoexpo Informa Markets International Exhibition Co., Ltd.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RHINOSHIELD - global tech accessories brand best known for their ultra-impact protective cases and customizations - is proud to announce the release of a new range of cases and accessories in conjunction with the launch of the Apple iPhone 14.

RHINOSHIELD's new iPhone 14 cases and accessories offer MagSafe with superior magnetic pull force, so you can stay worry-free from fumbling your phone and focus on your task at hand. With their hundreds of customizations, there is a case for everyone.

RHINOSHIELD iPhone 14 (2) RHINOSHIELD iPhone 14 (3) RHINOSHIELD iPhone 14 (1)

The latest launch includes re-releases of best-sellers upgraded for the iPhone 14 including the below models. All RHINOSHIELD iPhone cases are highly customizable with colored camera rings and buttons to mix and match however you'd like. Cases are also available in thousands of prints - choose from one of their stylish collaboration designs or create your own case with custom text, a meaningful photo, or premium stamping.

SolidSuit - best-selling phone case with reliable grip and changeable camera ring.

Clear - a clear, anti-yellowing phone case with hundreds of prints, different colored buttons, camera rings and customizations available. Complete the look with six different lanyards.

Mod NX - a super tough, fully customizable case with the flexibility of switching backplates to suit the occasion. This case also allows you to pop out the backplate and replace it with a rim to transform it into a minimalist bumper case.

Customizations - RHINOSHIELD's vast arsenal of original designs, collaborations, and personal customizations gives you endless options to make your case truly your own.

CrashGuard NX - a super tough fully customizable bumper case.

The iPhone case range offers protective implements and benefits such as:

MagSafe capabilities - RHINOSHIELD cases offer one of the most powerful magnetic pull forces on the MagSafe-compatible accessories market, 2x stronger than Apple's official MagSafe products.

Exceeds military grade protection - the cases are constructed with their proprietary material crafted to be super tough, yet surprisingly flexible, making it incredibly difficult to break.

Barely there feel - RHINOSHIELD cases are among the thinnest and lightest protective cases you can find. The cases weigh an average of 30g  equivalent to a AA battery  or half that if using a bumper.

Better for you and the planet: RHINOSHIELD has formulated their new cases with your health and safety and the environment in mind. They have been independently tested, meeting the US FDA food-grade standard and contain no BPA, BPS or BPF. Their cases are also made with a mono-material, making them easier to be recycled.

RHINOSHIELD's iPhone 14 product offerings include useful add-ons to increase usability and give your device 360 degrees of protection. These include the newly launched phone GRIP, 3D Impact Screen Protectors, and multi-colored lens protectors.

To learn more about RHINOSHIELD's iPhone products, visit https://shop.rhinoshield.io/shop/apple .

About RHINOSHIELD:

RHINOSHIELD challenges the ordinary by creating products providing extreme impact protection without compromising on style. Established in 2012, RHINOSHIELD has evolved from a start-up on Kickstarter to a global ultra-impact protective accessories brand. Since the beginning, RHINOSHIELD's design concepts have been based on creative ingenuity, and they continue to develop innovative products, while keeping sustainability at the basis of their mission. With stores in Asia, North America, and Europe, RHINOSHIELD brings technological protection to people all over the world. Find out more at www.rhinoshield.io .

SOURCE RHINOSHIELD
Feature: Japanese people fascinated with China's giant pandas for half a century

Xinhua) 13:49, September 30, 2022

TOKYO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, Japan recently released a set of two commemorative stamps bearing pictures of giant pandas.

The giant panda is revered as a national treasure of China and the "ambassador" for friendship between the two Asian neighbors, witnessing the friendly exchanges between China and Japan for half a century.

On Oct. 28, 1972, Tokyo's Ueno Zoo celebrated the arrival of a pair of giant pandas, Kang Kang and his partner, Lan Lan, as a gift from China to commemorate the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, sparking an unprecedented panda craze in the country.

So many Japanese panda fans went to the Haneda airport to receive the panda couple arriving by a charter flight or to the Ueno Zoo to see the pandas in person that police cars had to clear the way out from the airport to the zoo that day.

The Japanese public welcomed the pair enthusiastically, with over 60,000 visitors crowding the zoo when Kang Kang and Lan Lan made their debut on Nov. 5 of that year.

The annual number of visitors to the zoo, which stood at around 4 million before their arrival, soared to a record high of 9.2 million in 1973.

Fifty years later, the Japanese public's fascination with giant pandas never ends. Every time the giant panda family at the Ueno Zoo welcomes a new cub, it not only makes news headlines and causes a sensation in Japan, but also brings considerable economic benefits to the surrounding restaurants and shops.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, the twin panda cubs born at the Zoo in June 2021, made their public debut on Jan. 12 this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 1,080 lucky winners were selected in a raffle to meet the pandas at the zoo exhibit, with the chances of winning being one in 348.

Ms. Arai visiting from the city of Yokohama expressed her wishes that the friendship between Japan and China will last forever with giant pandas as a bond.

Currently, there are 13 giant pandas living in Japan. Among them, five are living in the Adventure World theme park in the town of Shirahama in western Japan's Wakayama Prefecture, the largest giant panda family in the country.

On Nov. 22, 2020, the Adventure World welcomed the 17th giant panda cub Fuhin to the big family. Its mother Rauhin, who has given birth seven times to 10 cubs, is the first giant panda born in the park. Fuhin's father Eimei, who just turned 30 years old in September this year, has been setting the world record for the oldest male giant panda to have naturally fathered cubs while in captivity.

All the 17 panda cubs born at different times at the Adventure World park have a "hin" in their names. They represent the largest captive giant panda population overseas. Eleven pandas born there have been sent back to China as agreed on in contracts.

The park said the achievement was made possible by years of international research cooperation with China's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding dating back to 1994.

When Fuhin was born in 2020, researchers at the Chengdu research base were unable to travel to Japan to help due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The staff workers from both sides made meticulous preparations to receive the baby panda, exchanging information online, and the Chengdu experts offered real-time advice. The cooperation made Fuhin the first panda cub delivered independently by the Japanese staff of the park.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Koji Imazu, the park's director, said that he hopes the cooperation on giant panda breeding will be further deepened between Japan and China in the future.

In Japan's western city of Kobe, meanwhile, a female giant panda named Tan Tan living in Oji Zoo celebrated her 27th birthday On Sept. 16, which is the equivalent age of about 80 in human years.

In 1995, Kobe city suffered heavy losses in the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Tan Tan was sent by the Chinese side to Kobe in July 2000 as a way to support the city's recovery after the earthquake and gave cheer to quake-affected children and many other citizens.

Yujiro Kako, director of the zoo, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that Tan Tan is like a "champion" in the zoo who is always the center of attention.

Kako said her arrival set off a panda craze in Kobe at the time, attracting huge numbers of visitors to the zoo, noting that many fans believed that seeing Tan Tan instills courage into their hearts after over two decades.

"The giant panda is a symbol of Japan-China friendship. For 22 years, Tan Tan has been loved by people in Japan and around the world," Kako said, adding that Kobe Oji Zoo has always had a good relationship with the Chinese side and hopes that this relationship will continue in the future.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Liang Jun)
Angela Kinsey and Brian Baumgartner join Rocketbook to help show today's office workers how to work smarter with reusable notebooks

BOSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Reusable notebook brand, Rocketbook, has brought on Angela Kinsey and Brian Baumgartner to inspire a new generation of office workers to rethink traditional paper and pen note-taking. By partnering with two of the most recognizable characters in the paper industry, Rocketbook hopes to expand its presence in the workplace and encourage workers to evolve their productivity tools, so they can work smarter, not harder.

Angela Kinsey and Brian Baumgartner join Rocketbook to help show today's office workers how to work smarter with reusable notebooks

Rocketbook is best known for its suite of reusable notebooks and planners that elevate the handwritten note-taking experience by allowing people to write, scan, and save their notes and reuse everyday office tools. Their products are designed to bring note-taking into the future by integrating digital and cloud-connected technologies  all while maintaining an authentic pen and paper feel.

Angela and Brian, well-known for their roles in "The Office," have partnered with Rocketbook to share how they have found ways to work smarter. By transitioning from using traditional paper to reusable paper, the pair have become more organized and less wasteful thanks to Rocketbook features like automatic cloud sharing and patented reusable technology. These productivity tools help improve handwriting clarity, simplify document search and organization, and empower professionals to collaborate with automatic note-sharing to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, email, and more.

"We're on a mission to transition the world to reusable paper and eliminate the waste of single-use paper," said Rocketbook CEO, Joe Lemay. Keith Last, VP of Rocketbook Marketing added, "Angela and Brian are the perfect pair to connect with our target consumers. Their authentic connection to the product combined with their sense of humor makes them a perfect pair to introduce Rocketbook to millions of new consumers."

Since being on the show, Angela and Brian have become accomplished content creators over the past few years, developing projects like Angela's new book, "The Office BFFs," her chart-topping "Office Ladies" podcast, and "Baking with Josh and Ange" series; and Brian's new "Seriously Good Chili" cookbook and "Off the Beat" podcast. As such, they have transitioned from a life on set to their respective home offices and have experienced the benefits of using Rocketbook's digital notebooks first hand.

"I've always been a fan of pen and paperespecially when coming up with new content ideas," said Angela. "I like being able to write down my creative ideas rather than typing them as it feels more organic and in the moment. Rocketbook provides a unique opportunity to maintain that authenticity while staying connected to the digital world."

Brian shared a similar sentiment, saying, "I'm constantly writing things down for my various projectswhether it be to-do lists, recipes, script annotationsyou name it. Writing my notes by hand makes them feel more real, and the automatic cloud sharing features offered by Rocketbook makes it easy to share my thoughts with my team quickly and efficiently."

As Rocketbook brand ambassadors, Angela and Brian will appear in a number of short videos that highlight the benefits of using Rocketbook productslike reusability, eliminating single-use paper, increased organization, and cloud-connectivitythrough a series of humorous interactions. For example, in "Paper" Brian is surprised to see that Angela no longer uses traditional paper and has transitioned to using reusable paper with Rocketbooksignaling the start of a new era.

The ambassadorship comes just two years after BIC's acquisition of Rocketbook. In that time, Rocketbook has earned a spot as one of Amazon's top sellers thanks to high-performing products like its Core and Fusion notebooks.

About Rocketbook

Rocketbook started with a simple idea: to allow people who love low-tech pen and paper to keep up with the high-tech organizational technology of today. Rocketbook's mission is to help take handwritten note-taking into the future and transition the world to reusable paper by offering productslike their Core, Fusion, Everyday Planner, Cloud Cards, and morewhich were all created to transport traditional ways of writing and sharing information into the digital world. For more information, visit www.GetRocketbook.com.

Rocketbook is committed to providing affordable and accessible resources for students, teachers, and administrators. All Rocketbook products can be used with Google Classroom. To learn more about Rocketbook for Education, visit www.GetRocketbook.com/page/for-schools.

SOURCE Rocketbook
STOCKHOLM, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with RWJBarnabas Health to build an ambulatory care cancer center in Livingston, New Jersey, USA. The contract is worth USD 58M, about SEK 570M, which will be included in the US order bookings for the third quarter 2022.

The five-story building on the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center campus, totaling 13,000 gross square meters, is designed to support patients' care and wellbeing. The new facility will provide outpatient cancer treatment, including four new linear accelerators and a high-dose MRI unit. A parking garage will also be constructed.

Construction started September 2022, and completion is scheduled for July 2025.

For further information please contact:

Mia Walton, VP Communications, Skanska USA Building, tel + 1 (240) 672 17 89

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-ambulatory-care-cancer-center-in-livingston--new-jersey--usa--for-usd-58m--about-sek-,c3639349

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3639349/1632588.pdf 20220930 US Cancer Center

SOURCE Skanska
TOYOTA, Japan, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyDrive Inc. has unveiled the design of its commercial model flying car -- the SkyDrive SD-05. SkyDrive is planning to use the SD-05, currently in development, to launch air taxi service in the Osaka Bay area during the world exposition scheduled for 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

"This is another big step towards the realization of flying cars and sky roads," said Takumi Yamamoto, SkyDrive design director. "Two years have passed since the announcement of the SD-03, which successfully completed its public manned flight test in August 2020, and we are very happy to be able to announce its successor, the SD-05."

Headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, SkyDrive is a leading developer and manufacturer of flying cars (*1) and cargo drones in Japan.

Image1: Exterior of the SD-05, currently in development

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105850/202209267185/_prw_PI5fl_to2kn1db.jpg

Video of the SD-05 Commercial Model

Title: SkyDrive SD-05: Zero Emission Flying Vehicle

URL: https://youtu.be/36tDLW-mFiU

SD-05 Overview

The SD-05 is a two-seat, electric-powered compact aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Operated by a driver-pilot, its flight stability is secured with the assistance of a computer-controlled flight system. SkyDrive is developing flying cars with an eye toward realizing a world where they are used in daily life for air mobility much as automobiles are used for daily ground transportation.

"This vehicle is not just a simple means of traveling from point A to B," Yamamoto said. "Based on the design concept of 'giving wings to daily travel,' it's also a safer and more enjoyable travel partner."

SkyDrive is in the process of acquiring a type certificate (*2) for the SD-05 from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), as the first of its kind in Japan. The company continues to work toward initiating practical use of flying cars during the World Exposition Osaka, Kansai, scheduled for 2025 in Japan. The SD-05 is designed to travel up to approx. 10 km and the maximum cruise speed is 100 km/h. However, design and specifications are subject to change and the progress of design development.

Potential applications for SD-05 are currently under consideration, including short-cut transportation through the sky, a unique access to resort facilities, and emergency medical services.

"SkyDrive will continue to design the dreams of the future with the aim of realizing sky roads," said Yamamoto. SkyDrive is also moving to promote its business operations not only in Japan but also outside the country. In the U.S., for example, the company set up an office in September 2022, for the purpose of providing a means of "last mile" air transportation. The company has been developing the market jointly with local authorities and partner companies.

Exterior Design of SD-05

As with SkyDrive's single-seat SD-03 manned prototype aircraft, "progressive" (pioneering and advanced) is the term used to describe the design of the SD-05, which SkyDrive believes is an appropriate descriptor for a new genre of transportation. Viewing the fuselage, or body, of the aircraft from the side, an S-shaped contour suggests a pair of propellers lifting off into the sky. Looking down on the craft from above, viewers see the shape of a pearl-white swallow, a small but agile bird able to soar to great heights.

Image2:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105850/202209267185/_prw_PI6fl_6XF2f9o3.jpg

The aerodynamically advanced airframe design is informed by studies of the streamlined shapes of birds and animals and features both horizontal and vertical tails for added stability in flight. At the top corners of the airframe, 12 motor-propeller units are positioned for flight stability. These reflect flight control technology acquired through more than 1,000 flight tests conducted during development of the airframe.

For the SD-05, specialists from SkyDrive and its partners have worked together in collaboration with JAMCO Corporation (*3), an aircraft interior maker; Toray Carbon Magic Co., Ltd. (*4), a provider of advanced Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Plastics (CFRP); and Electric Power Systems, Inc. (*5), a leading developer of battery systems that include high-power powertrains for electrified aircraft that are eligible for type certification.

With its mission to lead a once-in-a-century mobility revolution, SkyDrive is developing safer, more secure flying cars through development and repeated demonstration tests of the SD-05 commercial model, leading to a future where air transportation is part of daily life.

"We look forward to seeing everyone at the Osaka Expo in 2025," design director Yamamoto said.

Image3:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105850/202209267185/_prw_PI3fl_7710DNlZ.jpg

Image4:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105850/202209267185/_prw_PI4fl_98ccIudu.jpg

Notes:

(*1) Flying cars, called generally eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft outside Japan, are characterized by electrification, a fully autonomous autopilot, and vertical takeoff and landing. A new advancement in the field of mobility, the development of flying cars is being promoted globally. In Japan, the Public-Private Council for Air Mobility Revolution was established in 2018 for that purpose. The project is expected to lead to taxi services in urban areas, new means of transportation for remote islands and mountainous areas, and emergency transport in times of disaster. A roadmap formulated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the MLIT anticipates the start of business in the mid-2020s.

(*2) SkyDrive Press Release on agreement on basis for flying car type certification with MLIT

https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/6379

(*3) SkyDrive Press Release on collaboration with JAMCO Corporation (Only available in Japanese)

https://skydrive2020.com/archives/9549

(*4) SkyDrive Press Release on collaboration with Toray Carbon Magic Co., Ltd.

https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/6424

(*5) SkyDrive Press Release on collaboration with Electric Power Systems, Inc.

https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/6429

About SkyDrive Inc.:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202209267185-O1-P01369p5.pdf

To learn about fundraising for the project, visit:

https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/7416

For more information, visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/

SOURCE SkyDrive Inc.
SUMMIT, N.J., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Specialty Underwriting Insurance Solutions (SUIS), a division of Specialty Program Group LLC (SPG), announced the launch of a new product for renter-occupied housing units. The new solution, branded HABX, is targeted to real estate owners and real estate investment trusts who own large portfolios of apartment units.

"The number of renter-occupied housing units has grown steadily over the past five years and the pace is increasing rapidly," said SUIS President Derek Schiavone. "Owners interested in a higher level of coverage are finding that many excess carriers are requiring higher attachments on habitational business. HABX solves this important piece of the insurance puzzle for the largest, most respected habitational owners in the US."

HABX is written on A-rated paper for owners and managers of multifamily properties and real estate portfolios as well as real estate investors. Coverage includes market rate apartments, for-rent single family housing, contingent liability and lessors risk for retail, commercial, office, hotels/motels, warehouses, shopping centers and more.

SUIS, an excess casualty managing general agent, was formed by SPG in January 2022. HABX is the first in a series of niche products SUIS is building to meet the coverage needs of the real estate and construction industries.

To learn more, contact Derek Schiavone, President, Specialty Underwriting Insurance Solutions (SUIS), at 310-405-5939.

About Specialty Program Group

Headquartered in Summit, NJ, Specialty Program Group is a fully licensed holding company established to acquire and scale best-in-class insurance underwriting facilities and specialty businesses throughout North America. SPG has a vast portfolio of specialty companies and is over two billion in premium. For more information, please visit www.specialtyprogramgroup.com.

About Specialty Underwriting Insurance Solutions

Specialty Underwriting Insurance solutions is an excess casualty managing general agency formed by Specialty Program Group to support the real estate and construction industries with niche products. SUIS was formed in January 2022 as a division of SPG and is headquartered in New York, NY.

SOURCE Specialty Program Group
Laying a solid foundation for Business Growth

HONG KONG, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group Limited (HKATG; 01725. HK) has recently been making waves with its corporate plans, its global profile has been growing since its inclusion as an eligible stock of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, the issuance of ADRs, and the appointment of several world-class experts as the Company's independent non-executive directors and executive directors.

The Group has recently announced that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with Haixing Guanglian Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd, a company principally engaged in the Starlink benchmark and satellite laser communication technology. The two parties will cooperate in the development of commercial satellites, including carrying out in-depth cooperation in areas such as satellite payload carriage and application, recoverable satellite technologies, satellite development, and manufacturing to capture the 6G global communication interconnection market in the future. On 28 September, HKATG made another announcement, disclosing that a memorandum of understanding ("MOU") had been entered into with Italian space logistics leader, D-Orbit S.p.A. (''D-Orbit'') for cooperation in manufacturing and satellite technology, gaining business territory from the East to the West to capture the market share of low-orbit satellites industry which may reach US$308.3 billion.

Under the MOU, HKATG will provide satellite and payload launching services to D-Orbit, tentatively manufacturing 20 satellites per year and assisting D-Orbit in developing the Asia market, while D-Orbit will provide the Group with the D-Orbit cloud platform to assist in satellite launching and deployment services through its orbital transfer vehicle. The MOU is valid for one year and the strategic partnership will remain in place until either party gives written notice. In other words, for at least the next year, HKATG will achieve a stable positive cash flow, which is expected to drive revenue in the 2022/23 FY, creating a tailwind for investors.

Talent's contribution becoming visible

Since July this year, HKATG has invited several world-renowned professionals to serve as independent non-executive directors and non-executive directors, including Dr. Mazlan Biniti Othman from Malaysia, Mr. Niu Aimin, Mr. Juan de Dalmau of German and Spanish descent, as well as establishing an international cooperation committee and an advisory committee to promote cooperation between the Group and international organizations in the commercial aerospace sector.

With the gathering of the world's best and brightest in the sector, HKATG has made comprehensive progress in strategic consulting, technological innovation, and talent development. The company's management believes that by leveraging D-Orbit's experience and related space logistics technology and transportation solutions, the Group will be able to expand its international footprint, which will have a positive impact on its future development and the overall interests of its shareholders.

Business revenue vows to grow

Driven by the COVID-19, the global shipping and maritime industry has grown significantly over the past two years, but international logistics companies are aware that the robust growth won't last forever, thereby, they are actively integrating networks in the air cargo, ground and sea transport to create a one-stop logistics package. AIRBUS, the European multinational aerospace corporation, and DHL, a global leader in logistics, are even dreaming of taking the logistics business to the skies, which drives the demand for low-orbit satellites. The Italian company D-Orbit, founded in 2011, is the first company in the world to address the logistics needs of the space market, developing, manufacturing, and operating the space vehicle ION satellite carrier, for which it owns the intellectual property rights. D-Orbit's partners are among the leading companies mentioned above, and the said MOU will undoubtedly enhance the international image of the Hong Kong Space Technology Group.

With the emergence of satellite constellations, space logistics is an emerging niche market, and the transition of logistics giants into 'space', which involves identifying, designing, and developing solutions for space logistics activities, typically takes 10 to 15 years, meaning that D-Orbit and HKST Group are likely to become a cross-generational partnership that will boost the company's revenues and prospects.

According to the report of Euroconsult that the space logistics market is expected to reach a market value of US$4.4 billion by 2031, driven by low-cost launches and growing demand for satellites. It is worth noting that space logistics is only one of the applications for LEO satellites, not to mention they are used to bridge connectivity gaps in smart city deployments and promote the mobile satellite communications markets; this strategic cooperation will undoubtedly have a positive effect on HKATG.

SOURCE Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group
Academic leaders will review their experience with the technology during a symposium at AAO 2022, the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting

CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- From the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 126th annual meeting (AAO 2022), Eyenuk, Inc. a global artificial intelligence (AI) digital health company and the leader in real-world applications for AI Eye Screening, announced the publication of strong EyeArt validation results in Ophthalmology Science, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The study, titled "Artificial Intelligence Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy: Subgroup Comparison of the EyeArt System with Ophthalmologists' Dilated Exams," evaluated general ophthalmologists, retina specialists, and Eyenuk's EyeArt AI system for detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.

The EyeArt AI system did not miss any vision-threatening DR, although general ophthalmologists missed a few instances. Tweet this

Professor Jennifer I. Lim MD, Vice Chair of Ophthalmology, UIC Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Retina Service at The University of Illinois at Chicago and the first author on the publication commented on the results, "As compared to the Reading Center grading, which was the reference standard, the sensitivity for detection of more than mild DR was significantly greater with the EyeArt AI system than with either a general ophthalmologist or a retina specialist clinical examination. Unlike a few instances in which general ophthalmologists missed some cases of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, the EyeArt AI system did not miss any cases of vision-threatening DR. The AI system is a significant tool to help us tackle the burden of DR screening and detection of DR in a timely manner."

The study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the EyeArt system and dilated eye exams performed by general ophthalmologists and retina specialists against the rigorous Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) clinical reference standard on the same cohort of 521 study participants. The ETDRS reference standard was established by experts at the University of Wisconsin Reading Center using 10 fundus images per eye captured after dilation by certified photographers, whereas the EyeArt system only analyzed 2 images per eye, typically without dilation.

Sensitivity, a measure of safety (percentage of patients with disease identified correctly), was 96.4% for the EyeArt system in identifying more than mild DR (mtmDR), while that of ophthalmologists' dilated exams was 27.7% on the identical cohort of study participants. Specificity, a measure of effectiveness (percentage of patients without disease identified correctly), was 99.6% by ophthalmologists' dilated exams compared to 88.4% with the EyeArt system. This result demonstrates that dilated exams by ophthalmologists are better at ruling out disease as evidenced by their high specificity. However, the EyeArt system, with its excellent sensitivity, is much better at identifying patients with disease (at the frontlines of care), a critical factor for a screening scenario in which patients are being identified for referral and further evaluation.

The study also reported that the EyeArt system generated actionable results for more than 97% of eyes with most (85.3%) not requiring dilation. In contrast, dilated exams provided actionable results for 99.9% of eyes but required all patients to be dilated.

Lim and co-authors concluded the paper by stating that, "Given the current low rate of compliance with the recommendation for an annual diabetic retina examination, this system can be a useful adjunct in the detection of mtmDR and appears to be more accurate than clinical ophthalmoscopy for routine retinal screening."

Since FDA clearance in 2020, the EyeArt system is now being used in over 200 locations in 18 countries, including 14 U.S. states, to screen over 60,000 patients and counting. It is the first and only technology to be cleared by the FDA for autonomous detection of both referable and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

AAO 2022 Symposium to Review Real-World Results of EyeArt Use

Eyenuk will showcase its industry-leading AI technologies for diabetic eye screening at AAO 2022. On October 2nd, Eyenuk AI technologies will be featured in a live AAO Industry Showcase symposium titled "Health System Adoption of FDA-Cleared AI Technology for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in Primary Care."

Ophthalmology leaders from several academic medical centers will discuss their vision and progress in adopting Eyenuk's AI technologies to improve diabetes eye care and population health.

Symposium speakers are:

R.V. Paul Chan MD, MSc, MBA, FACS, Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago

MD, MSc, MBA, FACS, Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eric D. Hansen MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah

MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Jeffrey D. Henderer MD, Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

MD, Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, of Medicine at Steven Yeh MD, Chair and Director, Retina and Uveitis, University of Nebraska Medical Center

The AAO Industry Showcase symposium will be held on Sunday, October 2nd at 2:10pm CT, at McCormick Place (booth #1026). From October 1-3, AAO 2022 attendees can see a demonstration of the EyeArt AI System and other Eyenuk technologies by visiting booth #2033.

About the EyeArt AI System

The EyeArt AI System provides fully automated diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening, including retinal imaging, DR detection based on international clinical standards and immediate reporting, in a single office visit during a diabetic patient's regular exam. Once the patient's fundus images have been captured and submitted to the EyeArt AI System, the DR detection results are available in a PDF report in less than 30 seconds.

The EyeArt AI System was developed with funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is validated by the U.K. National Health Service (NHS). In addition to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance, the EyeArt AI System has CE marking as a class 2a medical device in the European Union and a Health Canada license. It is designed to be General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliant.

The EyeArt System is reimbursed by government and private payors in the U.S. under the newly created Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 92229. Medicare started its national coverage for CPT 92229 on January 1, 2021.

VIDEO: Learn more about the EyeArt AI System for Autonomous Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy

About Eyenuk, Inc.

Eyenuk, Inc. is a global artificial intelligence (AI) digital health company and the leader in real-world AI Eye Screening for autonomous disease detection and AI Predictive Biomarkers for risk assessment and disease surveillance. Eyenuk is on a mission to screen every eye in the world to ensure timely diagnosis of life- and vision-threatening diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, stroke risk, cardiovascular risk, and Alzheimer's disease. Find Eyenuk online on its website, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Eyenuk, Inc. Contact

Frank Cheng, President & CCO

[email protected]

+1 818 835 3585

Media Contact

Todd Stein

[email protected]

+1 510 417 0612

SOURCE Eyenuk
TeamViewer to provide Hyundai Motor with industry-leading enterprise Augmented Reality (AR) platform and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities

Partnership will help Hyundai Motor develop an intelligent manufacturing platform and enhance productivity, accuracy, and worker safety in a smart factory

TAMPA BAY, Fla., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TeamViewer, a leading global provider of remote connectivity and workplace digitalization solutions, today announced a partnership with global mobility solutions provider Hyundai Motor Company to digitalize business operations and manufacturing processes for Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore (HMGICS).

Source: TeamViewer

TeamViewer and Hyundai Motor Company will cooperate to maximize digitalization benefits in HMGICS' smart factory using TeamViewer's Augmented Reality (AR) platform, which includes Mixed Reality (MR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. The platform will support assembly, maintenance, quality management, logistics, client experience projects and workforce training. The two companies will conduct joint research and development (R&D) activities in AR-powered smart factory operations, immersive digital experience for frontline workers and AI support for a future automotive factory. Overall, the partnership will drive increased productivity, accuracy, speed, and safety of frontline production workers. To leverage these benefits for the industry, the two parties will also pursue global joint marketing of smart factory and enterprise AR technology.

"We are pleased to have TeamViewer as a key technology partner for digital transformation in building a smart factory," said Hong Bum Jung, Chief Executive Officer of HMGICS. "Developing an intelligent manufacturing platform is an important part of Hyundai's strategy to lead the future mobility industry. We are continuously innovating the overall mobility value chain, which includes presenting a vision for a future mobility smart factory. We expect the partnership will further accelerate our transition to smart factory and enhance its efficiency."

Sojung Lee, President of TeamViewer Asia Pacific, said: "We are excited to collaborate with Hyundai Motor Company in digitalizing manufacturing processes and building an automotive factory of the future. As digital transformation has accelerated on the shopfloor, there is a growing need for AR solutions like TeamViewer Frontline that helps optimizing manual work processes in industrial environments. Our collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company will further solidify our position as an enterprise software provider with specialized solutions for the manufacturing industry and it will strengthen our role as a leading player in the Industrial Metaverse space."

HMGICS, the Group's test bed and a global open innovation hub, aims to develop new EV business models, forge innovative partnerships, produce mobility products, and develop the Group's intelligent manufacturing platform to revolutionize the overall mobility value chain.

About TeamViewer

TeamViewer is a leading global technology company that provides a connectivity platform to remotely access, control, manage, monitor, and repair devices of any kind  from laptops and mobile phones to industrial machines and robots. Although TeamViewer is free of charge for private use, it has more than 620,000 subscribers and enables companies of all sizes and from all industries to digitalize their business-critical processes through seamless connectivity. Against the backdrop of global megatrends like device proliferation, automation and new work, TeamViewer proactively shapes digital transformation and continuously innovates in the fields of Augmented Reality, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. Since the company's foundation in 2005, TeamViewer's software has been installed on more than 2.5 billion devices around the world. The company is headquartered in Goppingen, Germany, and employs around 1,400 people globally. In 2021, TeamViewer achieved billings of EUR 548 million. TeamViewer AG (TMV) is listed at Frankfurt Stock Exchange and belongs to the MDAX. Further information can be found at www.teamviewer.com.

About Hyundai Motor Company

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision 'Progress for Humanity,' Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions, while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero emission vehicles equipped with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies. More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: http://worldwide.hyundai.com or http://globalpr.hyundai.com

Press Contact

TeamViewer

Martina Dier

Director, Communications Phone: +49 7161 97200 10 E-mail: [email protected] Hyundai Motor Company

David Park

Global PR Team

+82 2 3464 2139

[email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Certain statements in this communication may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable at the time they are made, and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties described in TeamViewer's disclosures. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from any forward-looking statements discussed in these statements due to several factors, including without limitation, risks from macroeconomic developments, external fraud, lack of innovation capabilities, inadequate data security and changes in competition levels.

SOURCE TeamViewer
HOUSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Bio Farma, the holding company for state-owned pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia, is ready to produce 20 million doses of the IndoVac COVID-19 vaccine this year and 100 million doses by 2024.

Drs. Maria Elena Bottazzi and Peter Hotez at The Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development; 2021 Texas Childrens Hospital. All rights reserved.

IndoVac, a recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, was created and engineered in Houston, Texas by the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and Baylor College of Medicine, led by Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi. It received emergency use authorization in Indonesia, as a primary vaccine in adults. IndoVac', produced by manufacturing company PT Bio Farma, and licensed from BCM Ventures, Baylor College of Medicine's integrated commercialization team, was approved following a comprehensive product and clinical development strategy.

"Access to vaccines in the developing world is critical to the eradication of this virus," said Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

IndoVac's primary series vaccines include nearly 80% of locally sourced content. Indonesia is seeking Halal Certification for the vaccine since no animal cells or products were used in the production of the vaccine. IndoVac successfully completed an audit from the Indonesian Ulema Council Food and Drug Analysis Agency, and the Halal Certification Agency of the Religious Affairs Ministry is expected to grant their approval soon.

"We are proud of this collaboration. We hope this positive collaboration can continue to create more innovations in the future. We also expect that IndoVac can also be distributed overseas, apart from being used in Indonesia, so we can help other countries in need and contribute to global vaccine equality," Honesti Basyir, the President Director of Bio Farma said.

He was referring to the Bio Farma's intention to capture international markets with its IndoVac Covid-19 recombinant protein vaccines. The pharmaceutical company is currently manufacturing Covid-19 primary series vaccine, while booster vaccine is in the clinical trial stage and soon followed by vaccine for children.

"The need for a safe, effective, low-cost vaccine for middle- to low-income countries is central to the world's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and associate dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor. "Without widespread inoculation of populations in the developing world, which must include safe, effective booster doses, additional variants will develop, hindering the progress achieved by currently available vaccines in the United States and other Western countries."

ABOUT BIO FARMA

PT Bio Farma (Persero) is the largest pharmaceutical holding company in Indonesia, which offer end-to-end services in the health industry, starting from the pharmaceutical-related research and development, manufacturing, distribution to the operation of pharmacy, health clinics to clinical laboratories. Bio Farma's headquarter is sitting on a 91,058 square meter of land in Bandung, West Jawa, which comprises office buildings and factory facilities. The company also operates a representative office in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital city. Bio Farma is capable of producing more than 3.2 billion doses of vaccines per year. The company has exported its vaccine products to more than 150 countries in the world. Bio Farma became a holding company after a merger of three listed state-owned pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia. Three companies PT Bio Farma (Persero), PT Kimia Farma Tbk (KAEF), PT Indofarma Tbk (INAF), merged into Bio Farma today. For further information, please visit www.biofarma.co.id

ABOUT TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Texas Children's Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children's has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women's health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children's care for communities north of Houston. The organization also created Texas Children's HealthPlan, the nation's first HMO for children; has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country, Texas Children's Pediatrics; Texas Children's Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that's channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children's Global Health program leads efforts that advance health care equity through innovative collaboration in care, education and research for underserved populations globally. Texas Children's Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.

SOURCE Texas Children's Hospital
BARTLESVILLE, Okla., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Voice of the Martyrs is releasing a new short feature film telling an inspiring story of courageous faith in the face of persecution.

Rebecca: Nigeria tells the true story of a Nigerian Christian woman who watched helplessly with her daughter as Boko Haram militants killed her husband and son and burned their home. After the attack, when she searched the charred remains of her home, Rebecca found the Bible she and her husband had received on their wedding day.

The Voice of the Martyrs is releasing Rebecca: Nigeria for the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. Tweet this The Voice of the Martyrs 2022 IDOP video, Rebecca: Nigeria, tells the story of a Nigerian woman who watched helplessly with her daughter as Boko Haram militants killed her husband and son, and burned her home. When she searched the charred remains of her home, she found the Bible that she and her husband had received on their wedding day. I still use this Bible, Rebecca said. It reminds me of Gods faithfulness.

This short feature, along with a number of free prayer resources, is being released in advance of the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians (IDOP)a global prayer movement on Sunday, Nov. 6.

"It is difficult to imagine the hardships persecuted Christians in northern Nigeria face," said Todd Nettleton, host of VOM Radio. "This year's IDOP short feature allows us to meet one of our sisters there, and to, in a small way, understand her suffering. May her story inspire us to pray for Nigeria, as well as for our spiritual family members in other restricted and hostile nations."

The 2022 VOM Global Prayer Guide designated Nigeria as a "hostile" nation.

"Attacks on Christians in Northern Nigeria have become so common they are rarely mentioned by global news outlets," said Nettleton. "Yet every attack means Christians are being beaten, maimed or killed; losing all their possessions, and being forced to flee for their lives. The media may ignore their suffering, but as fellow members of the Body of Christ we cannot."

Request a free DVD and download free IDOP resources at persecution.com/idop .

VOM's free IDOP resources this year include a:

Download or DVD copy of Rebecca: Nigeria ,

, Facilitator's Guide,

Promotional videos to play during church service,

Church bulletin inserts,

Guided prayer slides,

Questions for reflection and discussion,

And, a sermon-builder resource for pastors and teachers.

Nettleton hopes "this year's IDOP resources from VOM will drive hundreds of thousands of Christians around the world to pray for our family in Nigeria."

About The Voice of the Martyrs

Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, The Voice of the Martyrs is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization serving persecuted Christians in the world's most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. For more information, visit VOM.org .

SOURCE The Voice of the Martyrs
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Artificial Intelligence Chip Market by Chip Type, by Application, by Architecture, by Processing Type, by End User - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chip Market size was valued to USD 20.77 billion in 2021, and it will elevate to USD 304.09 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 29.9% from 2022-2030.

Artificial Intelligence Chips are special silicon chips, programmed for machine learning. AI Chips can process vast amount of data, identify the underlying patterns, interpret the trends and utilize the feed to achieve specific goals. AI Chips are multi-functioning and can proficiently manage multiple operations at a time.

The demand for AI Chip is consistently raising due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in almost every industry, in areas such as voice recognition, object detection, medical or military simulation, intelligent routing, and autonomous driving among others. Adoption of artificial intelligence not only reduces the cost of operations, but increases the efficiency or the response time and minimizes the risk to human life at various levels in specific industry verticals.

Market Dynamics and Trends

With the technological advancements the market is switching towards smart devices, smart homes, and smart cities, resulting to a tremendous elevation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chip market. Furthermore, increased investments in AI start-ups along with emergence of quantum computers, are expected to elevate the market growth in future.

Other factors like wide application of AI technology and increase in robotics, catalyze to promote the market growth. However, high development cost and lack of skilled work-force tend to impede the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) chip market over the forecast period.

Moreover, the massive upsurge in research and development, increased use of autonomous robotic at various industry verticals, and high-tech product launches shall create new market-opportunities, fueling-up the growth-rate of artificial intelligence (AI) chip market, over the forecast period.

Market Segmentations and Scope of the Study:

The global artificial intelligence (AI) chip market share analysis is based on chip type, application, architecture, processing type, end user and geography. Based on type of chip, the market is fragmented into GPU, FPGA, ASIC, CPU, and Others. Based on application, the market is segmented into Natural Language Processing (NLP), Robotic Process Automation, Computer Vision, Network Security, and Others.

Based on architecture, the market is segmented into system-on-chip (soc), system-in-package (sip), multi-chip module, and others. Based on processing type, the market is divided into edge and cloud. Based on end-user, the market is segmented into media & advertising, BFSI, IT & telecom, retail, healthcare, automotive, and others. Geographic breakdown and analysis of each of the previously mentioned segments include regions comprising North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW.

Geographical Analysis

North America represents the higher adoption of the artificial intelligence chip technology, henceforth it is expected to hold the highest market share in the global Artificial intelligence (AI) chip market during the forecast period. This is attributable to the factors like; massive use of AI technology, increased use of smart devices, and wide application of AI chip in various industries.

The emerging economies, specifically the Asia-Pacific region shall witness an increasing market size in the global Artificial intelligence (AI) chip market, owing to the amplified adoption of AI technology and increased investment in the AI start-ups.

Competitive Landscape

The artificial intelligence (AI) chip market is highly competitive and consists numerous market players. Some of the major market players are, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., IBM Corporation, Micron technology, Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, Xilinx, Inc., Alphabet Inc. (Google), Intel Corporation, NVIDIA Corporation, Samsung electronics Co., Ltd., and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. among others.

There have been various developments taking place in the market that further enhance the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) chip market on a large scale. For instance, in September 2019, ZTE, a provider of integrated military communication solutions from Cambrian, jointly demonstrated the integration of edge computing and artificial intelligence in the 5G era. The business display adopts ZTE's edge computing server ES600S, video acceleration card, and contains the Cambrian Siyuan 100 intelligent processing card which not only helps in realizing the edge video data collection, but also provides the artificial intelligence analysis.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Executive Summary

3. Market Overview

3.1. Market Definition and Scope

3.2. Market Dynamics

3.2.1 Drivers

3.2.1.1. Growing Adoption of Deep Learning and Neural Networks

3.2.1.2. Increase in Demand for Smart Homes & Smart Cities

3.2.1.3. Emergence of Quantum Computing

3.2.1.4. Rising Use of Adas Features in Cars

3.2.2 Restraints

3.2.2.1. Lack of Skilled AI Workforce

3.2.2.2. Limited Structured Data

3.2.3 Opportunities

3.2.3.1. Increasing Focus on Human-Aware AI Systems and Development of Smarter Robots

4. Global AI Chip Market, by Chip Type

4.1. Overview

4.2. GPU

4.3. GPU Market, by Region

4.4. ASIC

4.4.1 ASIC Market, by Region

4.5. FPGA

4.5.1 FPGA Market, by Region

4.6. CPU

4.6.1 CPU Market, by Region

4.7. Others

4.7.1 Others Market, by Region

5. Global AI Chip Market, by Application

5.1. Overview

5.2. Natural Language Processing (Nlp)

5.2.1 Natural Language Processing (Nlp) Market, by Region

5.3. Robotic Process Automation

5.3.1 Robotic Process Automation Market, by Region

5.4. Computer Vision

5.4.1 Computer Vision Market, by Region

5.5. Network Security

5.5.1 Network Security Market, by Region

5.6. Others

5.6.1 Others Market, by Region

6. Global AI Chip Market, by Architecture

6.1. Overview

6.2. System on Chip (Soc)

6.2.1 System on Chip (Soc) Market, by Region

6.3. System in Package (Sip)

6.3.1 System in Package (Sip) Market, by Region

6.4. Multi Chip Module

6.4.1 Multi Chip Module Market, by Region

6.5. Others

6.5.1 Others Market, by Region

7. Global AI Chip Market, by Processing Type

7.1. Overview

7.2. Edge

7.2.1 Edge Market, by Region

7.3. Cloud

7.3.1 Cloud Market, by Region

8. Global AI Chip Market, by End-User Industry

8.1. Overview

8.2. Media and Advertising

8.2.1 Media and Advertising Market, by Region

8.3. Bfsi

8.3.1 Bfsi Market, by Region

8.4. It and Telecommunication

8.4.1 It and Telecommunication Market, by Region

8.5. Retail

8.5.1 Retail Market, by Region

8.6. Healthcare

8.6.1 Healthcare Market, by Region

8.7. Automotive

8.7.1 Automotive Market, by Region

8.8. Others

8.8.1 Others Market, by Region

9. Global AI Chip by Region

10. Company Profiles

10.1. Alphabet Inc.

10.1.1 Company Overview

10.1.2 Company Snapshot

10.1.3 Operating Business Segments

10.1.4 Product Portfolio

10.1.5 Business Performance

10.1.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.1.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.1.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.1.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.2. Apple Inc.

10.2.1 Company Overview

10.2.2 Company Snapshot

10.2.3 Operating Business Segments

10.2.4 Product Portfolio

10.2.5 Business Performance

10.2.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.2.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.2.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.2.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.3. Arm Holdings

10.3.1 Company Overview

10.3.2 Company Snapshot

10.3.3 Product Portfolio

10.3.4 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.3.5 Primary Market Competitors

10.4. Huawei Technologies

10.4.1 Company Overview

10.4.2 Company Snapshot

10.4.3 Operating Business Segments

10.4.4 Product Portfolio

10.4.5 Business Performance

10.4.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.4.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.4.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.4.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.5. IBM Corporation

10.5.1 Company Overview

10.5.2 Company Snapshot

10.5.3 Operating Business Segments

10.5.4 Product Portfolio

10.5.5 Business Performance

10.5.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.5.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.5.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.5.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.6. Samsung Electronics

10.6.1 Company Overview

10.6.2 Company Snapshot

10.6.3 Operating Business Segments

10.6.4 Product Portfolio

10.6.5 Business Performance

10.6.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.6.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.6.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.6.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.7. Qualcomm Inc

10.7.1 Company Overview

10.7.2 Company Snapshot

10.7.3 Operating Business Segments

10.7.4 Product Portfolio

10.7.5 Business Performance

10.7.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.7.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.7.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.7.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.8. Nxp Semiconductors

10.8.1 Company Overview

10.8.2 Company Snapshot

10.8.3 Operating Business Segments

10.8.4 Product Portfolio

10.8.5 Business Performance

10.8.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.8.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.8.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.8.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.9. Nvidia Corporation

10.9.1 Company Overview

10.9.2 Company Snapshot

10.9.3 Operating Business Segments

10.9.4 Product Portfolio

10.9.5 Business Performance

10.9.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.9.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.9.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.9.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.10. Microsoft Corporation

10.10.1 Company Overview

10.10.2 Company Snapshot

10.10.3 Operating Business Segments

10.10.4 Product Portfolio

10.10.5 Business Performance

10.10.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.10.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.10.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.10.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.11. Microsemi Corporation

10.11.1 Company Overview

10.11.2 Company Snapshot

10.11.3 Operating Business Segments

10.11.4 Product Portfolio

10.11.5 Business Performance

10.11.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.11.7 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.11.8 Primary Market Competitors

10.12. Micron Technology

10.12.1 Company Overview

10.12.2 Company Snapshot

10.12.3 Operating Business Segments

10.12.4 Product Portfolio

10.12.5 Business Performance

10.12.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.12.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.12.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.12.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.13. Mediatek Inc

10.13.1 Company Overview

10.13.2 Company Snapshot

10.13.3 Product Portfolio

10.13.4 Business Performance

10.13.5 Sales by Business Segment

10.13.6 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.13.7 Primary Market Competitors

10.14. Intel Corporation

10.14.1 Company Overview

10.14.2 Company Snapshot

10.14.3 Operating Business Segments

10.14.4 Product Portfolio

10.14.5 Business Performance

10.14.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.14.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.14.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.14.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.15. Texas Instruments Incorporated

10.15.1 Company Overview

10.15.2 Company Snapshot

10.15.3 Operating Business Segments

10.15.4 Product Portfolio

10.15.5 Business Performance

10.15.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.15.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.15.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.15.9 Primary Market Competitors

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1qcmvd

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
A roundup of the week's most newsworthy energy industry press releases from PR Newswire

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the energy and natural resources industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

Read more of the latest energy-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNenergy on Twitter.

Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News

These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists.

Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features:

Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more.

Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story.

Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles.

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PLANO, Texas, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Financial Services (TFS) announced it is offering payment relief options to its customers affected by Hurricane Ian. This broad outreach includes any Toyota Financial Services (TFS) or Lexus Financial Services (LFS) customers in the designated disaster areas.

Toyota Financial Services cares about the safety and well-being of its customers and wants to help those suffering from this natural disaster. Impacted lease and finance customers residing in the affected areas may be eligible to take advantage of several payment relief options, some of which include:

extensions and lease deferred payments;

redirecting billing statements; and

arranging phone or online payments.

Customers who would like to discuss their account options are encouraged to contact TFS or LFS:

Toyota Financial Services customers may call 800-874-8822 or contact TFS via email using the Mail Center function after logging into ToyotaFinancial.com.

Lexus Financial Services customers may call 800-874-7050 or contact LFS via email using the Mail Center function after logging into LexusFinancial.com.

We extend our heartfelt thoughts to those affected by this devastating storm.

About Toyota Financial Services

Toyota Financial Services (TFS) is the brand for finance and related products for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers vehicle and payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). The company services Lexus dealers and customers using the Lexus Financial Services brand.

As of March 31, 2022, TFS employed approximately 3,700 team members nationwide, and had assets totaling over $135 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

We announce material financial information using the investor relations section of our website (www.toyotafinancial.com) and SEC filings. We use these channels, press releases, and social media to communicate about our company, our services and other issues. While not all information we post on social media is of a material nature, some information could be material. Therefore, we encourage those interested in our company to review our messages on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotafinancial and posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toyotafinancial/.

Media Contact: Derrick Brown (469) 486-9065

SOURCE Toyota Financial Services
CHICAGO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Track and Trace Solutions Market is projected to grow from USD 4.8 billion in 2022 to USD 8.6 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2022 to 2027, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The global market is segmented based on product, technology, application, end user, and region. The stringent regulations and standards for the implementation of serialization and the increasing focus of manufacturers on brand protection are the major drivers of growth for this market. On the other hand, the high costs and long implementation timeframe associated with serialization and aggregation, as well as the huge setup costs, are expected to limit market growth to a certain extent.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=158898570

Browse in-depth TOC on "Track and Trace Solutions Market"

304  Tables

57  Figures

340  Pages

List of Key Players in Track and Trace Solutions Industry:

OPTEL GROUP ( Canada ), METTLER- TOLEDO International Inc. (US), Systech International Inc. (US), TraceLink Inc. (US), Antares Vision S.p.a. ( Italy ), SAP SE (US), Xyntek Inc. (US), SEA Vision Srl ( Italy ), Syntegon ( Germany ), Siemens ( Germany ), Uhlmann Group ( Germany ), JEKSON VISION ( India ), Videojet Technologies, Inc. (US), Zebra Technologies Corporation (US), Axway (US), ACG Worldwide ( India ), Laetus GmbH ( Germany ), and WIPOTEC-OCS ( Germany ).

Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Challenges in Track and Trace Solutions Market Report:

Drivers: Increasing focus of manufacturers on brand protection. Restraints: Huge setup costs for technologies. Opportunity: Remote authentication of products. Challenges: Existence of technologies to deter counterfeiters.

Key Findings of the Study:

The software solutions segment accounted for the largest share in the track and trace solutions market. Serialization solutions segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the forecast period. 2D barcode technology account for the largest share in the track and trace solutions market. Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are expected to witness highest growth rate in track and trace solutions market in 2021. North America accounted for the largest share of the track and trace solutions market in 2021

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"The software solutions segment accounted for the largest share in the track and trace solutions market."

The software solutions segment accounted for the largest share60.6 %of the track and trace solution market in 2021. The increasing awareness about secure packaging, the rising number of counterfeit drugs and related products, as well as the growing awareness of brand protection are the major market drivers for this market. The standalone platforms segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period. The growth in this market is mainly attributed to the stringent government regulations for implementing serialization and increasing demand for standalone platforms to reduce the timeframe for the implementation of serialization.

"Serialization solutions segment is expected to witness the fastest growth in the forecast period."

The serialization solutions segment accounted for the largest share62.3%of the applications market. This segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.08% during the forecast period to reach USD 5,273.7 million by 2027, thereby making it the fastest growing segment. Stringent regulations for the implementation of serialization solutions in packaging and supply chain applications drive this segments growth.

"2D barcode technology account for the largest share in the track and trace solutions market."

The 2D barcodes segment accounted for the largest share of 75.8 % of the technology market in 2021. The large share of the 2D barcode technology segment can be attributed to the growing adoption of 2D barcodes in the packaging industry owing to their large data storage capacity when compared to linear barcodes. The RFID segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 13.2% during the forecast period due to the rising demand for these systems in automated pharmaceutical distribution and medical devices owing to low labor costs with improved visibility.

"Pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies are expected to witness highest growth rate in track and trace solutions market in 2021."

The pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies segment accounted for the largest share of 52.9% of the market in 2021. This segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 12.6% to reach USD 4,612.2 million by 2027. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the high drug counterfeiting activity globally and the increasing focus on restricting the entry of counterfeit products into the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical supply chain.

"North America accounted for the largest share of the track and trace solutions market in 2021"

In 2021, North America accounted for the largest share of 38.7% of the global track and trace solution market. The market growth was driven by the presence of developed healthcare systems in the US and Canada; the presence of many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as medical device manufacturers; stringent regulations regarding serialization; and the growing medical devices market.

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Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market by Product (Aseptic Packaging, Blister, Strip, Bottle, Tube, Carton, Case Packer, Wrapping Machine, Palletizing, Labeling & Serialization), Type (Tablet, Powder, Cream, Syrup, Aerosol) - Global Forecast to 2027

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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.

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Governor Newsom correctly cites dangerous lack of medical training and knowledge among optometrists

SEATTLE, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (WAEPS) announced today that it endorses California Governor Gavin Newsom's decision to veto Assembly Bill 2236, which would dangerously expand the optometric scope of practice in California, to include laser and scalpel surgeries.

In his letter sending the bill back to the California State Assembly, Governor Newsom correctly notes that:

"This bill would allow optometrists to perform advanced surgical procedures with less than one year of training. In comparison, physicians who perform these procedures must complete at least a three-year medical residency program."

Optometrists are not medical doctors. They do not attend medical school. They have a Doctorate of Optometry, which is not a medical degree and requires no medical or surgical residency.

"Classroom learning cannot replace the years of supervised surgical instruction that ophthalmologists receive in residency," said Dr. Courtney Francis, MD, President of WAEPS and a practicing ophthalmologist in Seattle. "Often patients do not realize that theirs may be the first surgical procedure ever performed by their optometrist. This is extremely dangerous. It jeopardizes each patient's eye health."

Additionally, optometric practices typically do not track surgical errors or complications in routine record-keeping. "Data on poor outcomes are not routinely measured or reported," said Dr. Francis. "This makes tracking such mistakes practically impossible for patients and regulatory groups. That is not the case in ophthalmologists' practices."

"The tissues of the eye are among the most delicate in the human body. Patients should be provided the highest level of care suited to their conditions," concluded Dr. Francis in commending the California governor's veto.

WAEPS anticipates that optometrists will request legislation similar to the vetoed California legislation when the Washington Legislature convenes in January 2023. WAEPS, together with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Washington State Medical Association, will actively oppose any such legislation.

About Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons

The Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons is an organization comprised of medical doctors uniquely trained in the medical and surgical care of the eye. WAEPS serves the educational and professional needs of its member ophthalmologists and is devoted to promoting the health and well-being of the citizens of Washington.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Alex Thompson, Fearey for WAEPS

(202) 793-0019, [email protected]

SOURCE Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (WAEPS)
PUNE, India, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ReportsnReports added Global Wi-Fi 6 Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Offering (Hardware, Solution, and Services), Location Type (Indoor and Outdoor), Organization Size, Vertical (Education, Healthcare, Government, Manufacturing), Region and Forecast to 2027 report to its online research database.

The global Wi-Fi 6 market size is expected to grow USD 11.5 billion in 2022 to USD 26.2 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.9% during the forecast period. The Wi-Fi 6 market is gaining traction due to increasing number of internet users.

Download a Free Sample Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=5609450

"By Offering, the hardware to record a larger market share during the forecast period"

The Wi-Fi 6 Market is segmented into hardware, solution, and services. The hardware segment includes WAP, mesh routers, home gateways, and wireless repeaters. Services include professional services and managed services. The growing demand for Wi-Fi 6 solution and services, and the increasing requirement for improved connectivity among enterprises are leading to the growth of the WiFi 6 market across the globe.

"By Region, Asia Pacific to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period"

The Asia Pacific is home to many developing economies, and many countries in this region are adopting new technologies to comply with procedures for increasing the efficiency of financial systems. The key countries include Australia, Japan, Singapore, India, China, and New Zealand. The region is expected to witness the fast-paced adoption of Wi-Fi 6software. The Asia Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing Wi-Fi 6 Market owing to the rise in the adoption of new technologies, high investments for digital transformation, the rapid expansion of domestic enterprises, extensive development of infrastructures, and increasing GDP of various countries. Rapidly growing economies, such as China, Japan, Singapore, and India, are implementing Wi-Fi 6 solutions across multiple business processes to provide effective solutions.

The breakup of the profiles of the primary participants is given below:

By Company : Tier 1  34%, Tier 2  43%, and Tier 3  23%

: Tier 1  34%, Tier 2  43%, and Tier 3  23% By Designation : C-Level Executives  50%, Directors 30%, Others*20%

: C-Level Executives  50%, Directors 30%, Others*20% By Region: North America  25%, Europe  30%, APAC  30%, Middle East and Africa  10%, Latin America - 5%

This research study outlines the market potential, market dynamics, and major vendors operating in the Wi-Fi 6 Market. Key and innovative vendors in the Wi-Fi 6 Market include:

Cisco Systems (US), Intel Corporation (US), Huawei Technologies (China), NETGEAR (US), Juniper Networks (US), Broadcom (US), Qualcomm Inc. (US), Extreme Networks (US), Ubiquiti Networks (US), Fortinet Inc. (US), Aruba Networks (US), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), AT&T (US), Cambium Networks (US), D-Link Corporation (China), Alcatel-Lucent (US), TP-Link (China), MediaTek (China), Telstra (Australia), Murata (Japan), Sterlite Technologies Limited (India), Celeno (Israel), H3C (China), Senscomm Semiconductor (China), XUNISON (Ireland), Redway Networks (UK), VSORA (France), NEWRACOM (US), WILUS Group (South Korea), Federated Wireless (US).

Direct Purchase of the Global Wi-Fi 6 Market Research Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/purchase.aspx?name=5609450

Key benefits of buying the report

The report is expected to help the market leaders/new entrants in this market by providing them information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall Wi-Fi 6 Market and its segments. This report is also expected to help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain insights to improve the position of their businesses and to plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also aims at helping stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

Another Related Research Report:

Wireless Connectivity Market by Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth 4X, Bluetooth 5X, ZigBee, Z-Wave, UWB, NFC, Thread, GNSS, Cellular, EnOcean, Sigfox, LoRa, LTE Cat-M1, NB-IoT), End-use and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - The wireless connectivity market is projected to reach USD 199.3 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2022 to 2027. This report covers key applications, namely, wearable devices, healthcare, consumer electronics, building automation, automotive & transportation, and others in wireless connectivity market. The Wi-Fi connectivity type in deploying wireless connectivity accounted for a whopping share of about 21.3% of the market in 2021. Download a Free Sample Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=724575

Wi-Fi 6 Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Offering (Hardware, Solution, and Services), Location Type (Indoor and Outdoor), Organization Size, Vertical (Education, Healthcare, Government, Manufacturing) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - The global Wi-Fi 6 market size is expected to grow USD 11.5 billion in 2022 to USD 26.2 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.9% during the forecast period. The Wi-Fi 6 market is gaining traction due to increasing number of internet users. Download a Free Sample Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=713320

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ReportsnReports.com is your single source for all market research needs. Our database includes 500,000+ market research reports from over 95 leading global publishers & in-depth market research studies of over 5000 micro markets.

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DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Vehicles Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2022 to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The market for emergency ambulance vehicles is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period of 2022 to 2030

The high need for emergency care, rising rates of trauma injuries, and rising government spending on the construction of healthcare infrastructure are the main drivers of market expansion. The rise in traumatic accidents, the number of persons with various chronic diseases, and the ageing population have all contributed to an increase in the demand for ambulance services.

Over the course of the projected period, it is also anticipated that the rise in medical tourism and the availability of reimbursement schemes will increase demand for ambulance services. It is anticipated that the steady rise in traumatic accidents will drive market expansion. For instance, the National Health Portal estimates that death of 5 million individuals occurs each year due to injuries.

Increasing Prevalence and Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases

Congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrest, and stroke, among other cardiovascular illnesses (CVDs), are on the rise and are accelerating the demand for emergency medical services. According to the British Heart Foundation, one person has a heart attack every three minutes, or about 200,000 hospital visits per year.

Additionally, it stated that 40,000 deaths from stroke are anticipated to occur annually in the United Kingdom. Because CVD is one of the top causes of death worldwide and frequently necessitates urgent medical attention, the demand for ambulance services rises. Therefore, it is anticipated that the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disorders will support market expansion.

A significant portion of the population over the age of 60, who often have a reduced immunity level and are more susceptible to neurological disorders, cardiac issues, cancer, and spinal injuries, is also anticipated to have a strong impact on the market's growth over the projected period.

Increasing Geriatric Population

The elderly are more vulnerable to cancer, neurological illnesses, spine injuries, and cardiac issues. For instance, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations projects that by 2050, about 1 in 6 of the world's population would be over 65. Additionally, according to a comparable source, there were 703 million persons over 65 in the world.

Therefore, the market is projected to expand as a result of the growing elderly population. Due to improvements in healthcare infrastructure and sophisticated reimbursement practises, medical tourism is also on the rise.

Increasing Investments in Global Emergency Medical Services

In order to offer patients with quick medical assistance, healthcare and medical regulatory agencies around the world are increasing investments in structured emergency medical services. Healthcare companies are deploying the required services and equipment to better meet the needs of patients since patient convenience and quick, prompt services are the primary goals of emergency medical services.

EMS vehicles, which are becoming more and more common in hospitals and other medical institutions around the world, are one of the essential parts of emergency medical services.

Emergency medical services are receiving the essential financial help from organisations like the World Bank in some areas. The global EMS vehicles market is experiencing revenue growth as a result of the increasing reliance on emergency medical services to assist critical treatment.

Medical Tourism

Because of improvements in healthcare infrastructure and sophisticated reimbursement practises, medical tourism is expanding. Additionally, the market for emergency ambulance vehicles is positively impacted by improvements in healthcare infrastructure, a strong demand for extended care delivery, and a rise in healthcare spending.

In addition, according to the Indian Consulate General, India has recently risen to become one of the world's top 6 destinations for medical tourism. Ambulance services may be needed in the trip destination to transfer patients to their location of treatment as a result of the increase of medical tourism. This should accelerate market expansion.

Increasing Vehicle Pricing to Moderately Restrain the Market Growth

The pricing structure of EMS vehicles is influenced by a variety of important elements, despite the fact that EMS vehicles are produced in enormous quantities to meet the expanding demands from the worldwide healthcare business. In the past ten years, producer price indices for essential raw materials such as plastic, aluminium, rolled steel, and resins have risen, and it is projected that this would have a cascading effect on the cost of EMS vehicles.

However, the adoption of cutting-edge technology in the automotive industry may have an impact on how much cars and other vehicles, such EMS vehicles, cost. Modern medical technology installed in EMS cars raises expenses, and since healthcare organisations are focusing on customising their EMS vehicles, the cost per EMS vehicle is anticipated to continue climbing in the years to come.

Another factor in pricing is regulatory compliance. The international legislation governing motor vehicle safety, as well as the national traffic authorities' regulations, must be complied with the manufacturers of EMS vehicles. These strict requirements compel manufacturers to maintain the EMS vehicle pricing structure at a high market level. Therefore, it is anticipated that the high cost of the vehicles will restrain market expansion during the forecast period of 2022-2030.

Opportunities to Widen with Increasing Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure

Additionally, the market players will benefit from growing customization demands for emergency ambulance vehicles that incorporate cutting-edge functionalities during the projected period of 2022 to 2030. The growth rate of the market for emergency ambulance vehicles will also be increased in the future by an increase in investments.

By allowing paramedical staff to concentrate on providing essential treatment without losing time, the new trend of driverless emergency medical services vehicles can improve the chances of life for victims and patients. Another change that is thought to present a sizable opportunity for the global market for emergency medical services vehicles is the use of drones to transport medical supplies.

Market to Remain Fragmented with Extreme Level of Competition During the Forecast Period

The market for emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles is extremely fragmented, with leading manufacturers present everywhere.

Historical & Forecast Period

This study report represents analysis of each segment from 2020 to 2030 considering 2021 as the base year. Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for each of the respective segments estimated for the forecast period of 2022 to 2030.

Scope of the Report

Companies Mentioned

REV Group

Toyota

Horton

Nissan

Leader Ambulance

Demers

Fuso

Life Line Emergency Vehicles

American Expedition Vehicles (AEV)

BAUS AT

Macneillie

Braun Industries

Rodriguez Lopez Auto

BHPL

JSV

Huachen

Auto Group

BYRON (ETT)

GRUAU

Osage Industries

First Priority Emergency Vehicles

LencoArmored Vehicle

Excellance

GE Healthcare (US)

Smith & Nephew (UK)

3M (US)

(US) Smiths Medical (UK)

Becton

Dickinson (US)

Johnson & Johnson (US)

B. Braun (Germany)

Stryker (US)

Medtronic ( Ireland )

) Asahi Kasei ( Japan )

) Cardinal Health (US)

Philips Netherlands )

) Smith & Nephew (UK)

3M (US)

(US) Smiths Medical (UK)

By EMS Vehicle Type (2020-2030; US$ Mn)

Ground based

Vans

Cars

Motorcycles

Others

Air Based

Water Based

By Application (2020-2030; US$ Mn)

Cardiovascular Disorders

Injury from trauma/Wound care

Respiratory Assistance

Oncology

Others

By Medical Equipment/Devices (2020-2030; US$ Mn)

Emergency resuscitation and life support systems

Patient Monitoring Systems

Cardiac Monitors

Hemodynamic Monitors

Neurological Monitors

Respiratory Monitoring Devices

Temperature Monitoring Devices

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)

Prenatal and Neonatal Monitors

Disposables

Wound Care Products

Patient handling tools

Supplies for infection control

By End User(2020-2030; US$ Mn)

Hospitals and Trauma Centres

Ambulatory Surgical Centres

Other End Users

Region Segment (2020-2030; US$ Mn)

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe and UK

and UK UK

Germany

Spain

Italy

France

RoE

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Australia

South Korea

RoAPAC

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

RoLATAM

Africa

GCC

Africa

RoME

Global Impact of Covid-19 Segment (2020-2021; US$ Mn )

Pre Covid-19 situation

Post Covid-19 situation

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/urb4vr

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global IoT Healthcare Market Research and Forecast 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global IoT healthcare market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 16.8% during the forecast period. IoT enables the healthcare professional to connect with the patients more proactively.

The data collected through IoT devices support the physicians to devices on the best treatment option for the patient. Certain benefits of IoT healthcare include cost reduction, productivity and more efficiency, enhanced customer experience and mobility and agility.

The increased adoption of health and fitness due to COVID-19 will be increasing the use of real-time health monitoring increasing the IoT healthcare market. Rise of usage of connected technology devices to manage operational as well as clinical tasks further drives the growth of the market. Large adoption of electronic health records (EHR) has been the major factor driving the market growth.

Additionally, rising investments from major healthcare IT companies and increasing healthcare spending acts as some major motivators for the market. Moreover, the rising geriatric population creates demand for remote monitoring and EHR applications.

High costs of IoT healthcare along with lack of skilled professionals towards this technology act as major restraints for the market growth. The reason behind the high cost is the requirement of the installation of software, hardware, training fees, networking infrastructure, &IT support. However, ongoing improvements in healthcare expenditure and rising demand for IoT healthcare in developing countries are expected to drive the market growth in developing countries in the upcoming years.

Segmental Outlook

The global IoT healthcare market is classified on the basis of components, application and end-user. based on the component market is segmented into hardware and software & services. Based on applications, the market is classified into patient monitoring, telemedicine, connected imaging, and others. On the basis of end-user, the market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, clinical research organization, research laboratories, and others.

Among application, the patient monitoring segment is projected to dominate the market growth due to the rise in adoption of home and remote patient monitoring devices coupled with the increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and others. According to the World Health organization in 2020, chronic diseases are estimated to rise by 73% of deaths and 60% of the prevalence of diseases. Government regulations regarding patient monitoring technologies also boost the growth of the segment. For instance, in March 2020, FDA issued a policy to facilitate a great use of patient monitoring systems so that patient need not to visit hospitals that will be reducing the risk of spread of COVID-19 across the globe.

Regional Outlook

Geographically, the global IoT healthcare market is classified into four major regions including North America (the US and Canada), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of the World (Latin America and the Middle East and Africa (MEA)). Asia Pacific is estimated to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the IoT healthcare market. China, Japan and India are significantly contributing to the growth owing to the factors such as continuous improvement in healthcare sectors and increasing patient pool. The rising importance and growing demand for such healthcare systems supported by high-end medical infrastructure are propelling the growth of the market.

Global IoT Healthcare Market Share by region

North America is Projected to Hold a Significant Share in the IoT Healthcare Market

Geographically, North America is projected to hold a significant market share in the global IoT healthcare market. Major economies that are anticipated to contribute to the North American IoT healthcare market include the US and Canada. The major factors contributing to the market growth include the presence of major IT companies such as Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp., Oracle Corp., among others coupled with the presence of a developed healthcare IT infrastructure in the region. The growing adoption of the cloud platform is attributed to the faster deployment of new capabilities in the healthcare industry

Market Players Outlook

The key players of the IoT healthcare market include Koninklijke Philips N.V., Allscripts Healthcare, LLC, General Electric Co., Siemens AG, Cerner Corp., IBM Corp., and others. The market players are considerably contributing to the market growth by the adoption of various strategies including mergers, and acquisitions, collaborations, and new product launch, to stay competitive in the market. For instance, in august 2019, Philips announced that it has completed its acquisition with Carestream Health Inc. With the acquisition the company is aiming to provide better IT healthcare solutions and industry-leading medical imaging. Both the companies together will be delivering improved informatics and flexible solutions to hospitals.

The Report Covers

Market value data analysis of 2020 and forecast to 2027.

Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.

Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.

Key companies operating in the global Hospital Information Systems Market.

Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report.

Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.

Analysis of market entry and market expansion strategies.

Competitive strategies by identifying 'who-stands-where' in the market.

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

2.3. Regulations



3. Competitive Landscape

3.1. Key Company Analysis

3.1.1. Overview

3.1.2. Financial Analysis

3.1.3. SWOT Analysis

3.2. Key Strategy Analysis

3.3. Impact of COVID-19 on key players



4. Market Determinants

4.1. Motivators

4.2. Restraints

4.3. Opportunities



5. Market Segmentation

5.1. Global Microarray Market by Type

5.1.1. DNA Microarrays

5.1.2. Protein Microarray

5.1.3. Peptide Microarray

5.1.4. Tissue Microarray

5.1.5. Others (Cellular Microarray)

5.2. Global Microarray Market by Application

5.2.1. Diagnosis and Prognosis

5.2.2. Pharmacogenomics and Theragnostic

5.2.3. Drug Discovery

5.2.4. Others



6. Regional Analysis

6.1. North America

6.1.1. United States

6.1.2. Canada

6.2. Europe

6.2.1. UK

6.2.2. Germany

6.2.3. Italy

6.2.4. Spain

6.2.5. France

6.2.6. Rest of Europe

6.3. Asia-Pacific

6.3.1. China

6.3.2. India

6.3.3. Japan

6.3.4. South Korea

6.3.5. Rest of Asia-Pacific

6.4. Rest of the World



7. Company Profiles

7.1. Abcam PLC

7.2. Agilent Technologies, Inc.

7.3. Applied Microarrays, Inc.

7.4. Arrayit Corp.

7.5. Aurora Biomed Inc.

7.6. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

7.7. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

7.8. Merck KGaA

7.9. Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC.

7.10. Origene Technologies, Inc.

7.11. Pantomics, Inc.

7.12. Partek, Inc.

7.13. PerkinElmer, Inc.

7.14. Takara Bio, Inc.

7.15. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

7.16. US Biomax, Inc.

7.17. Illumina, Inc.

7.18. Indevr, Inc.

7.19. Luminex Corp.

7.20. RayBiotech, Inc.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pg4nbu

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SOURCE Research and Markets
SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- X Financial (NYSE: XYF) (the "Company" or "we"), a leading online personal finance company in China, today announced the Company's board of directors (the "Board") has authorized to upsize its share repurchase program to US$20 million from US$15 million (the "Share Repurchase Program"). The Share Repurchase Program will be effective through September 2023.

About X Financial

X Financial (NYSE: XYF) (the "Company") is a leading online personal finance company in China. The Company is committed to connecting borrowers on its platform with its institutional funding partners. With its proprietary big data-driven technology, the Company has established strategic partnerships with financial institutions across multiple areas of its business operations, enabling it to facilitate and provide loans to prime borrowers under a risk assessment and control system.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.xiaoyinggroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," "targets," "guidance" and similar statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the credit industry, and marketplace lending in particular, in China; the demand for and market acceptance of its marketplace's products and services; its ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors on its marketplace; its relationships with its strategic cooperation partners; competition in its industry; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to the corporate structure, business and industry. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this announcement is current as of the date of this announcement, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please contact:

X Financial

Mr. Frank Fuya Zheng

E-mail: [email protected]

Christensen

In China

Mr. Eric Yuan

Phone: +86-10-5900-1548

E-mail: [email protected]

In US

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE X Financial
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Z Natural Foods announced today the release of their new Organic Maitake Mushroom Extract powder.

With its adaptogen-like qualities, Maitake Mushroom Extract features essential phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins, and amino acids.

Z Natural Foods Announces New Organic Maitake Mushroom Extract Powder to Promote Immune Health. Organic Maitake Mushroom Extract Powder is available in a 1 lb quantity for $37.99 and is is packaged in an airtight, stand-up, resealable foil pouch.

The primary compound (polysaccharide) found in Maitake is beta-D-glucan, which is known to support the immune system and ward off microbes.

"Research shows that the beta-D-glucans give Maitake its unique ability to support a healthy immune response and potentially fight off harmful invaders, reports Jonathan Parker, Director of Nutrition and Research at Z Natural Foods. And since this new Maitake is an extract powder, our customers like that they can get it in a concentrated form."

Maitake is a remarkable mushroom traditionally used in Chinese medicine to support longevity. Furthermore, it is widely believed that Maitake helps gut health by fueling the growth of "good bacteria," which may be one of the primary reasons Maitake is so effective at supporting good health. Rich in antioxidants, it is also believed that Maitake Mushroom helps reduce oxidative stress, possibly supporting brain health and memory function.

Known for its taste, culinary flexibility, and excellent nutritional properties, Maitake Mushroom may also support a healthy insulin response and cholesterol levels.

"Maitake is unique and supports health and wellness in so many ways, Parker says. Whether it's a boost in brain power, support for the immune system, or promoting longevity, Maitake is a versatile product that customers have counted on literally for millennia," he says.

Organic Maitake Mushroom Extract Powder is available in a 1 lb. quantity for $37.99, a 5 lb. quantity for $164.99, and a 55 lb size. Organic Maitake Mushroom Extract Powder is packaged in airtight, stand-up, resealable foil pouches for optimum freshness.

For more information about Maitake Mushroom Extract Powder, visit www.ZNaturalFoods.com .

About Z Natural Foods

Z Natural Foods is a leading provider of high-quality, organic superfoods and concentrated fruit powders. With over 400 specialty products, Z Natural Foods provides natural foods to the biggest wholesalers and retailers in the industry.

Offering a wide range of services such as bulk purchasing , blending, packaging, and retail , Z Natural Foods provides a unique niche to the food industry. For more information, visit www.ZNaturalFoods.com or call 888-963-6637. For members of the press and social media, visit: Z Natural Foods Press Kit .

Media Contact:

Sam Hirschberg

888-963-6637

[email protected]

SOURCE Z Natural Foods
Kanpur, Sep 30 : In a frightening replay of the Chandigarh incident, a sanitary worker has been caught red handed making video of girls in a private girls' hostel in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur.

The incident took place in a hostel located here in Tulsi Nagar area where medical aspirants are staying.

The accused allegedly made videos of girls in the bathroom.

The girl students filed a police complaint following which the man was arrested.

As per the complaint, the hostel staffer made several obscene videos of the girls in the hostel.

On Thursday, one of the girls saw the staff secretly filming and snatched his phone. The girl reportedly saw there were several such videos and approached the nearest police station to register a complaint.

The hostel is owned by a police officer who is posted as Additional SP in one of the districts in Uttar Pradesh and students from different districts are living in the hostel and preparing for medical exams.

ACP Kalyanpur Dinesh Shukla said that a complaint has been received from the girls and a case has been registered. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
Agra, Sep 30 : With the second spell of monsoon rains last week, the dry and polluted Yamuna river is again in full flow, adding visual delight to tourists' experience at the rain-washed Taj Mahal and the Etmauddaula.

"Yamuna's lost glory has been restored. The river has sprung back to life drawing thousands of cheering people to its banks," said Devashish Bhattacharya of the River Connect Campaign.

Will there be a flood? How long this beautiful scene with the river flowing full to the brim will continue to inspire and fascinate us? These are the questions everyone is asking.

The rain washed Taj Mahal against a clear, blue skyline dazzles, as tourists, express awe and wonder. The Yamuna at the rear of the Taj Mahal has transformed the ambience as the lush green vegetation around the Mehtaab Bagh all the way to the Agra Fort and beyond is a delight to watch.

The controversial Taj Corridor is now a sprawling green buffer between the Taj and the Fort, both world heritage monuments. The picturesque skyline against a full flowing Yamuna is an experience that tourists shall never forget.

Pandit Jugal Kishor Kishore of the Sri Mathuradheesh temple along the river bank said, "From a sickly sewage canal, the Yamuna river stands as a vibrant and attractive water body which is the lifeline of the city. Heaps of garbage that had accumulated along the banks have disappeared. The banks are now cleaner and greener, thanks to the monsoon rains. The chirping birds are back and people stop by for a while to enjoy the spectacle of the Yamuna in its pristine glory." It is worth recalling that the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal because of the Yamuna river, but in the past few decades, due to lack of fresh water and pollution by industries, the river has lost its charm and ancient glory. For most part of the year the Yamuna remains dry and polluted as upstream barrages from Hathini Kund to Wazirabad, Okhla and Gokul hold back all the water. The downstream cities suffer as a result.

Environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya says there is an urgent need to ensure a minimum flow of water round the year so that the river remains alive and sustains the precious aqua life.

Over 500 years ago, it was the grandeur of the Yamuna that had attracted the founder of the Mughal dynasty to open shops in Agra. In later years, his descendants built some of the magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Etmaduddaula along its banks.

While the younger folk have generally stayed away from the stinking river which holds no charm for them, people of the older generations do occasionally venture out to conduct ritualistic pujas and baths. Unfortunately the dozen-odd ghats along the riverfront, which once was the centre of a thriving commercial activity and river culture, have disappeared without a trace, reducing the 20 km-long riverfront to a vast wasteland, Bhattacharya adds.

"We all know that all great civilizations in the world developed along river banks. The rivers have been sustaining life in its various manifestations and glory. The importance of rivers in India can be understood by one simple fact that almost all rivers are worshipped as goddesses," green activist Padmini Iyer said.

Yamuna, the consort of Sri Krishna has played a significant role in shaping the history of India right from the days of the Mahabharat till today. An interesting fact about Yamuna is that it has a richer history and a valuable contribution to enriching culture, art, architecture and commerce, compared to river Ganga.

Starting in Uttarkashi district in the Himalayas from Yamunotri glacier, it enters Dehradun, flows close to Jagdhari and Yamuna Nagar in Himachal, separates Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, enters Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, touches Kurukshetra, Karnal,Sonipat, and the famous battleground of Panipat.

The epic Mahabharata was written on its bank, Saint Parasher and Satyawati gave birth to Ved Vyas, Raja Bharat and the father of Bhisma Shantanu organised great Yagnas, and for thousands of years great saints and thinkers lived in ashrams along the Yamuna banks.

Leaving Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the river enters Delhi which for 2,000 years has been the seat of power and politics. The Mughals and later the British built dozens of monuments and forts. The river once again enters Haryana and three of its big industrial clusters, Ballabhgarh, Faridabad and Palwal depend on its water.

Once it enters Uttar Pradesh, the river's profile changes as a whole mythology is woven around the Yamuna. Sri Krishna lore would be incomplete without the river. From Vrindavan to Bateshwar in Agra district, it is Sri Krishna and Radha and their leelas that sustain literature, culture, faith and philosophy.

Vallabhacharya, the blind bard of Braj Bhasha Soor Das, the mediaval Bhakti movement and the Meera tradition blossomed along the Yamuna banks. As the river leaves Mathura it enters the famous Renuka Dham. Renuka was the mother of lord Parshu Ram. A little distance away the river suddenly takes an eastern turn as it enters Agra, the capital of the Mughals. The river is now joined by half a dozen other smaller rivers like Parvati, Khari, Utangan, Gambhir. Beyond Agra rivers Betwa and Chambal merge into Yamuna which eventually joins Ganga in Prayagraj.

No other river in the world has a richer history, culture or religious significance and as the sister of Yamraj, the god of death, its star status in Indian mythological tradition is permanently etched.

Yamuna finds mention in Rig Veda, the founder of the Mughal dynasty Babar was lyrical about the quality of Yamuna water confirmed by medieval historians and foreign travellers. Both Abul Fazal and Lahauri have written extensively about the Yamuna water.

It was the Yamuna water that compelled Shah Jahan to build his dream monument the Taj Mahal along its bank. Pandit Jagannath, wrote the famous Ganga Lahri. But in praise of Yamuna he wrote the Amrit Lahri, such was the quality of its water.

But what of today? How do we describe Yamuna today? A sewage canal, a drain, a big gutter, a civilisational sink? From the life giving Amrit to death dispensing poison, has been the cruel tale of this river which even in its dying stages is sustaining the life of millions of people.
Washington, Sep 30 : The US Senate approved a stopgap funding bill to fund the government through mid-December, ahead of a government shutdown deadline.

The upper chamber on Thursday voted 72-25 to clear the bill, which now goes to the House for its consideration. The so-called continuing resolution would prevent a partial government shutdown after the current fiscal year expires Friday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

Congress frequently passes continuing resolutions when lawmakers are unable to agree on appropriations for a new fiscal year before a deadline, and occasionally multiple continuing resolutions are necessary to fund the government for an entire fiscal year, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a budget watchdog group.

A continuing resolution temporarily funds the government in the absence of full appropriations bills, often by continuing funding levels from the prior year. But the newly approved stopgap measure included several provisions beyond funding the federal government's current operations, including $12 billion in aid to Ukraine.

The legislation also provides billions of dollars in disaster aid to support communities that are recovering from extreme weather. Some $20 million will be used to fix the water infrastructure in Jackson, Mississipi, where heavy rainstorms led pumps at the main water treatment plant to fail last month, leaving 150,000 people without safe drinking water.

The stopgap bill had previously been held up by disagreements over a proposal from centrist Democrat Joe Manchin, a senator from West Virginia, regarding federal permitting process for major energy projects. In the face of bipartisan opposition, Manchin had to drop the measure.
Ankara, Sep 30 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to engage in negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, according to a statement by the Turkish presidency.

"Steps to reduce tensions are needed to pave the way for more positive developments, and that Russia is expected to take steps to facilitate this process, especially on the issue of the accession of some regions in Ukraine to Russia," Erdogan told Putin on Thursday in a phone call.

Asking Putin to "give the negotiations another chance", Erdogan said Turkey was ready to play a facilitating role in this process, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Turkish president also expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine prisoner exchange, and the functioning of the agreement signed in Istanbul which resumed the export of Ukrainian grains to world markets.

Erdogan said the extension of the grain export mechanism, which will expire in November, is a common interest.

He also promised Ankara's continued work on the uninterrupted export of Russian fertilizers and grain products.

Turkey, which has good relations with both Ukraine and Russia, has been acting as a mediator between the two countries since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February.

On July 22, Ukraine and Russia separately signed a deal with Turkey and the United Nations in Istanbul to resume food and fertilizer shipments from Ukrainian ports to international markets via the Black Sea.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged nearly 200 prisoners of war as a result of TArkiye's mediation, Erdogan announced last week.
Jerusalem, Sep 30 : An Israeli-Arab party was disqualified from running in the country's November elections over allegations of promoting an anti-Israel agenda.

With nine members voting in favour and five against, Israel's Central Elections Committee said in a statement that it accepted the request to disqualify Balad on the basis that the party allegedly supports the cancellation of Israel as "a Jewish and democratic state", Xinhua news agency reported.

Balad, acronyms in Hebrew for "National Democratic Alliance", announced in a separate statement that it will appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision.

Sami Abu Shehadeh, the party leader, denounced the decision as "an attempt by (Defence Minister Benny) Gantz and (caretaker Prime Minister Yair) Lapid to engineer an Arab leadership according to their political needs".

In previous elections, Balad ran with the Joint List, an alliance of three to four Arab parties. But two weeks ago, the alliance collapsed, leaving Balad with dim hopes of passing the electoral threshold needed to get it into the parliament, according to polls.

Under Israeli election rules, if a party fails to pass the electoral threshold, its votes are not counted at all. If Balad will not run, people who have considered voting for it could vote instead for one of the other three Arab parties in Israel, which are more agreeable to joining a coalition led by Lapid or Gantz. Balad has repeatedly opposed joining such a coalition.

Also on Thursday, the committee rejected a request to bar the United Arab List, an Arab-Israeli party, from running. The party, led by Mansour Abbas, is part of the ruling coalition, a diverse alliance of eight parties united only by their will to oust former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Arab citizens of Israel compose about 20 percent of the country's population. They are Palestinians who did not leave during the Arab-Israeli War in 1948 that broke out immediately after the Israeli announcement of its independence.

The Central Elections Committee attempted several times in the past to bar Arab parties and lawmakers from running for alleged "disloyalty" to Israel, but its decisions were overruled by the Supreme Court on appeal.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge will meet party president Sonia Gandhi on Friday, the last day of filing nomination papers for party president post elections.

Earlier, on late Thursday night, G-23 leaders including Manish Tewari, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Prithviraj Chavan met at Anand Sharma's residence but did not divulge detail of the meeting.

Meanwhile, after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced on Thursday that he will not be contesting the election, political observers in Madhya Pradesh have started assuming that the route for former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh to become chief of the party seems clear to some extent. However, the final outcome will be known only after the contestants would file their nominations and the elections are held.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress seems to have united to support Digvijaya Singh. More importantly, hours after Digvijaya Singh took the nomination form from the party headquarters in New Delhi and announced that he would file his nomination for the AICC president's election, state Congress head and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath called a meeting of party leaders at his residence in Bhopal and asked them to reach Delhi to back Digvijaya Singh.
Helsinki, Sep 30 : The Finnish government has announced its decision to significantly restrict the entry of Russian citizens into the country.

As of Thursday midnight and until further notice, Russian citizens travelling with tourist visas will be banned from entering or transiting the country, reports Xinhua news agency.

A Foreign Ministry statement noted that the move aims to "completely prevent Russian tourism".

"The reception of visa applications is severely restricted," it added.

Russian citizens can still enter Finland for study, work or medical purposes, and logistics and transport workers are also exempted.

Russian citizens who own property in Finland can also enter the country if they can prove that the visit is essential for maintenance purposes.

The development comes after Finland had earlier pushed for an EU-wide decision and called for a total ban on Russian nationals travelling to the bloc in the wake of Moscow's continued war against Ukraine.

While the Czech Republic and Estonia have also imposed visa restrictions, Germany and France have rejected the proposed blanket ban fearing "unintended rallying-around-the-flag effects" in Russia.
Bengaluru, Sep 30 : In an incident of moral policing in Karnataka's Doddaballapur town, an inter-faith duo riding a bike was forcibly stopped and the woman slapped.

The Karnataka Police have arrested a person and launched a hunt for another in Doddaballapur, which is the neighbouring town of Bengaluru city, police said on Friday.

The arrested person has been identified as Akbar, an electrician and a resident of Islampur in Doddaballapur. The police have launched a hunt for Hujur, who has disappeared after the police action.

According to police, the incident took place on September 25 in broad daylight and it came to light only after Bajrang Dal activists noticed the video and approached the police.

The accused, who were on bike, noticed a young woman travelling on a bike with her male friend. Hujur stopped the bike and asked the couple to get down from their vehicle. Later, the woman was asked to give her name. After initially refusing, she gave out her name after being abused publicly.

After coming to know that the young woman belongs to the minority community, the miscreants asked the girl to give her parents' mobile number.

The victim and her friend protested this and the accused slapped the woman. The accused Akbar videographed the entire incident. After the incident, the couple did not approach the police.

After the complaint was filed, the police issued notices to the woman and her friend. They are yet to record their statements. Police sources said that the young couple were colleagues at a private company and had plans of getting married.

The police have registered cases under IPC Sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 341 (wrongful restraint), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace) and 354 (criminal force to woman and intent to outrage modesty). Further investigation is on.
San Francisco, Sep 30 : Six people were injured in a mass shooting at a public school in California's Oakland city, police said.

The shooting occurred at 12.45 p.m. on Wednesday at the Rudsdale Newcomer High School, Xinhua news agency quoted the police as saying on Thursday.

The victims were two students, a counsellor, a security guard and two people working at the school.

The gunmen entered the school building to target specific people, and fired more than 30 rounds before fleeing in a vehicle.

Police linked the shooting to conflicts between groups and gangs within the city.

One or more of the shooters likely used handguns with large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 bullets apiece, which are now banned in California, according to the police.

Surveillance video captured "two specific shooters and one driver", but "we had calls that there could have been up to four", police chief LeRonne Armstrong said during a news conference on Thursday.

As of Thursday afternoon, three of the injured remained hospitalized, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Campus facilities will be closed indefinitely while the school district repairs damage, both from the burst of gunfire and from police breaking into rooms, district spokesperson John Sasaki said.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge will file his nomination for the party presidential polls after meeting interim president Sonia Gandhi on Friday, the last day of filing nomination papers for the post.

Earlier in the day, Congress' Digvijaya Singh met Kharge at the latter's residence after Kharge emerged as the top choice of Gandhis for the party presidential polls. It is being said that after Kharge's name cropped up, Singh may now withdraw from the race.

Late Thursday night, the G-23 leaders, including Manish Tewari, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Prithviraj Chavan met at Anand Sharma's residence but did not divulge details of the meeting.

After Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced on Thursday that he will not be contesting the election, political observers in Madhya Pradesh had started assuming that the route for former Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh to become chief of the party seems clear to some extent. However, the final outcome will be known only after the contestants file their nominations and the elections are held.

The Madhya Pradesh Congress seems to have united to support Digvijaya Singh. More importantly, hours after Digvijaya Singh took the nomination form from the party headquarters in New Delhi and announced that he would file his nomination for the AICC president's election, state Congress head and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath called a meeting of party leaders at his residence in Bhopal and asked them to reach Delhi to back Digvijaya Singh.
Chennai, Sep 30 : The Tamil Nadu police will soon set up anti-drug clubs in colleges falling under the Directorate of Collegiate Education.

A permission in this regard has already been granted by the state school education department.

The move comes in the wake of an increase in drug abuse among students in the city and rural areas of the district. Coimbatore police told IANS that last year, as many as 15 drug abuse cases among students were registered.

A senior officer with the Coimbatore city police told IANS, "A few days ago, the Coimbatore district administration announced that anti-drug clubs would be opened in educational institutions of the city. When we approached these institutions, they asked us to contact the Directorate of Collegiate Education." V. Balakrishnan, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore, who is spearheading the mission, said, "We have already written to the Directorate of Collegiate Education and Directorate of Technical education seeking permission to open anti-drug clubs in these institutions." The police are planning to rope in volunteers from the NSS, NCC, Scouts, and Guides. The police from the local station will also join the clubs and actively campaign among the students against the pitfalls of drug abuse and the subsequent issues. They will also work closely with anti-drug club students to get an overview of the networks, if any, that are active on the campuses and outside and who were supplying drugs to the students.

Police officials told IANS that if the students are properly made aware of the issue, then the possibility of them falling into the trap of drug menace reduces.

Coimbatore police have also written to the Director of Drug Control to cancel the license of those pharmaceutical shops that were providing pain relievers to students without proper prescription. The police have directed the Drug control department to conduct periodical inspections of pharma shops to ensure that they are not selling pain relievers or sedatives to the students.
Ankara, Sep 30 : Turkish forces have destroyed 16 targets of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said.

The operation destroyed caves, bunkers, shelters and command posts of the PKK, a Kurdish militant political organisation which is outlawed by Ankara, in the Asos Mountain region of Iraq on Tuesday, the Minister told reporters on Thursday.

The targets were hit by airstrikes of the Turkish Air Force, Xinhua news agency quoted local media reports as saying.

Turkey respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty rights of all its neighbours, especially Iraq and Syria, Akar noted.

"Syrians are our brothers, Iraqis are our brothers. There is no problem with that. Our problem is terrorists. We are after terrorists. This struggle will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated," he said.

Turkey regularly conducts cross-border operations on the PKK bases in northern Iraq.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been rebelling against the Ankara government for over 30 years.

Iraq has protested against the Turkish operation as a violation of its sovereignty.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Delhi Congress has filed a complaint against film director Ashok Pandit for allegedly spreading fake and distorted news about Rahul Gandhi.

In the complaint filed on Thursday, the party said Pandit incited, provoked the public, thereby creating enmity between groups, and such offences are punishable under the IPC 1860 and other legal provisions.

Pandit had tweeted which he deleted later: "Janaudhari Rahul Gandhi refusing to perform Aarti! The reason is clear!" Delhi Congress alleged that the tweet was accompanied with maliciously distorted and clipped video of Rahul Gandhi, "wherein it was sought to portray Shri. Rahul Gandhi as refusing to partake in religious rituals being performed in Rajkot (Gujarat) while worshipping goddess Durga. It must be pointed out that the video was created by morphing (through deliberately editing) an older video in which Shri Rahul Gandhi was indeed offering prayers in direct contradiction to what was being portrayed by Ashok Pandit. 29/09/22." The party said the impression that was sought to be conveyed from the mischievously captioned post and accompanying distorted video clip, was that Rahul Gandhi had refused to perform a sacred ritual during a religious ceremony and in doing so had offended the sentiments of other members of the Hindu community.

"This was nothing short of a deliberate and motivated attempt to outrage religious sentiments of members of the Hindu community using deliberately falsified videos," the Congress said.

In a tweet on Friday, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said, "Last night, a police complaint was filed in Delhi against a totally fake video on Rahul Gandhi. The offender deleted his social media post after it was exposed, but he will face the law for his atrocious deed. We will not allow such people to get away lightly."
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Global consumer spending on in-app purchases, premium apps, and subscriptions on Apple App Store and Google Play declined by 4.8 per cent (year-over-year) to $31.6 billion in the third quarter (Q3), a new report showed on Friday.

App adoption also fell year-over-year, though not as sharply, declining by 1 per cent to 35.3 billion, according to Sensor Tower data.

Chinese short-form video app TikTok continued its reign as the top grossing non-game app worldwide across the App Store and Google Play combined.

TikTok saw approximately $914.4 million in consumer spending this quarter, bringing its lifetime total to roughly $6.3 billion, according to the report.

"TikTok was the No. 1 revenue-generating non-game app on the App Store, while on Google Play it came second to Google One, which maintained its No. 1 spot with a little more than $330 million," it added.

The revenue generated on Apple's marketplace was more than double that of Google Play's, though it still fell 2.3 per cent YoY to $21.2 billion from $21.7 billion in the year-ago period.

Google Play saw a steeper decline as the store generated approximately $10.4 billion in consumer spending, down 9.6 per cent YoY from $11.5 billion in the third quarter last year.

TikTok was once again the most downloaded non-game app across both marketplaces, reaching approximately 196.5 million installs in Q3.

In the first half of 2022, Instagram was No. 1 by downloads on Google Play, but it traded that spot to fellow Meta app Facebook in Q3, which saw approximately 150.3 million first-time installs on the Android marketplace.

Consumer spending in mobile games declined even more steeply than non-game apps, with revenue for the category falling 12.7 per cent to $19.3 billion in the third quarter, the report mentioned.

Worldwide downloads of mobile games remained flat at 13.7 billion.
Miami, Sep 30 : Hurricane Ian has caused significant damage to Florida while also claiming the lives of 10 people, with a warning now issued for the entire coast of South Carolina ahead of making landfall on Friday.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory issued late Thursday that Ian is now a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 110 km per hour, which is moving north-northeast at 15 km per hour, reports Xinhua news agency.

The storm, which made landfall in southwest Florida as Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon, regained hurricane strength on Thursday evening.

Coastal areas from Savannah River to Little River Inlet in South Carolina are under the hurricane warning.

The alert means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

"Major-to-record river flooding" will continue across central Florida through next week, according to the NHC advisory.

Considerable flash, urban, and river flooding is expected across coastal portions of northeast Florida, southeastern Georgia, and eastern South Carolina through Friday.

"The amount of water that's been rising and will likely continue to rise today, even as the storm is passing, is basically a 500-year flood event," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters on Thursday.

DeSantis added the damage caused by the storm to Florida will likely take years to repair.

"You're looking at a storm that's changed the character of a significant part of our state," he said.

"This is going to require not just emergency response now, in the days or weeks ahead. I mean, this is going to require years of effort to be able to rebuild and to come back." The Sanibel Causeway, which connects Sanibel Island to Florida's mainland, has been damaged with portions washed away by storm surges.

As of Thursday, more than 2.6 million customers are without power in Florida due to the impact of the destructive storm, according to PowerOutage.us.

President Joe Biden spoke with DeSantis on Thursday morning about the federal assistance to the state in response to Ian, according to the White House.

Biden declared a major disaster exists in Florida earlier in the day and he and DeSantis committed to continued close coordination.

The President saysthat Ian could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history.
Mumbai, Sep 30 : Bollywood livewire star Ranveer Singh has paid a tribute to Grammy-winning rapper and actor Coolio.

Ranveer took to his Instagram Story, where he shared a picture of Coolio along with his hit song 'Gangsta's Paradise' playing in the background.

He shared a red heart and a folded hand emoji.

Grammy-winning rapper, producer and actor Coolio, best known for his 1995 hit 'Gangsta's Paradise', has died aged 59. The rapper's longtime manager Jarel Posey confirmed the news to 'Variety', saying that Coolio died on Wednesday afternoon.

According to TMZ, Coolio passed away at his friend's house, reports 'Variety'.

There are reports claiming that Ranveer and Deepika have hit a rough patch. However, during a recent event, Ranveer appeared to debunk rumours surrounding his relationship with the actress.

The star couple fell in love on the sets of 'Goliyon Ki Raas Leela.. Ram-Leela' and tied the knot in December 2018.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Kabul, Sep 30 : At least 19 people were killed and 27 others wounded on Friday in a suicide blast at an education centre in Kabul, a police spokesman in the Afghan capital confirmed.

"Students were preparing for an exam when a suicide bomber struck at this educational centre. Unfortunately, 19 people have died and 27 others wounded," Xinhua news agency quoted Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran as saying.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack at the centre located in Police District 13.

A week ago, a similar blast in Kabul claimed seven lives and injured 41 others.
Kabul, Sep 30 : At least 19 people were killed and 27 others injured on Friday in a suicide blast at an education centre in Kabul, a police spokesman in the Afghan capital confirmed.

"Students were preparing for an exam when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the centre. Unfortunately, 19 people have died and 27 others wounded," Xinhua news agency quoted Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran as saying.

No group or individual have claimed responsibility for the attack at the private Kaaj education centre located in Police District 13, which teaches both male and female students.

In response to the attack, the Taliban-run Afghan government said security teams were at the blast site and condemned the attack.

Interior Minister spokesman Abdul Nafy Takor said attacking civilian targets "proves the enemy's inhuman cruelty and lack of moral standards", the BBC reported.

Footage on local TV and shared on social media appeared to show scenes from a nearby hospital, where rows of covered bodies were laid out on the floor.

Other media reportedly from the site of the private college showed rubble and upturned tables in the damaged classrooms.

A week ago, a similar blast in Kabul claimed seven lives and injured 41 others.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Aiming to bolster its international footprint, Air India on Friday announced 20 additional flights every week to Birmingham and London in the UK and San Francisco in the US.

This is part of the flag carrier's ongoing endeavour to reclaim its position as a leader on the international aviation map.

The additional flights will be introduced in a phased manner from October to December.

With five additional flights a week to Birmingham, nine to London and six to San Francisco, Air India will be able to offer over 5,000 additional seats every week to customers and ensure ample choice in terms of connectivity, convenience, and cabin space.

Air India's current schedule of 34 flights every week to the UK will now go up to 48 flights.

Birmingham will receive an extra five flights per week, three from Delhi and two additional from Amritsar.

London will receive nine additional weekly flights, of which, five are from Mumbai, three from Delhi and one from Ahmedabad.

Altogether, seven Indian cities will now have non-stop Air India flights to the UK's capital.

Flights from India to the US will increase from 34 to 40 per week.

Air India will now connect Mumbai with San Francisco with a thrice weekly service, and reinstate a three-times-weekly Bengaluru operation. This takes Air India's San Francisco offering from 10 to 16 weekly, with non-stop service from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Commenting on the development, Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said: "As Air India reinvents itself under the Vihaan.AI transformation programme, adding frequency and improving connectivity from major Indian cities to more international destinations is a significant focus.

"This sizeable frequency increase to the US and the UK, as well as the addition of new city pairs and improved aircraft cabin interiors, comes just 10 months after Air India's acquisition by the Tata Group. It is a clear signal of our intent, and an early step towards a much bigger aspiration." In addition to leasing new aircraft, Air India has been working to restore existing narrow-body and wide-body aircraft to the operating fleet.

Prior to the expansion described above, the airline has already enabled frequency increases between Delhi and Vancouver, as well as the addition of numerous domestic services.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Former JNU student and activist Sharjeel Imam was on Friday granted bail by a Delhi Court in connection with a 2019 sedition case. However, he will remain in custody as he did not get bail in other pending cases.

The bail on which he got bail was a case registered against him in New Friends Colony Police Station in 2019. A detailed order will be made available later in the day.

On July 23, Additional sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma court dismissed the interim bail plea of Imam, who is in judicial custody under sedition charges, among others.

The former JNU student was approaching the lower court after withdrawing the interim bail application from the Delhi High Court as the prosecution had raised the issue of maintainability.

Imam had approached the high court first for relief following the historic Supreme Court verdict that put on hold the colonial-era penal provision of sedition (Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code).

In his bail application, Imam said that since the top court has put sedition in abeyance, his case has improved for the grant of bail.

"The appellant has been incarcerated for nearly 28 months since January 28, 2020 whereas the maximum punishment for the offences -- not including 124-A IPC -- are punishable for up to a maximum of seven years imprisonment," the plea read.

JNU scholars and activists Imam and Umar Khalid are among the nearly dozen people reportedly involved in the alleged larger conspiracy linked to the Delhi riots of 2020, as per the Delhi Police.

Imam and Khalid are facing charges in connection with making inflammatory speeches which allegedly fuelled the violence, as per the police.

The riots broke out in the national capital in February 2020 as clashes between the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-CAA protesters took a violent turn. The mayhem saw more than 50 people lose their lives besides leaving over 700 persons injured.
Kanpur : , Sep 30 (IANS) A faulty oximeter made a family believe that their deceased son was still alive.

The family that lived with the dead body of an income tax official for almost 18 months, has said that it was also their mother's strong superstition that prevented them from cremating the mortal remains of the deceased.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Lakhan Singh Yadav and his team that probed the incident, has submitted the report to Kanpur commissioner of police B.P. Jogdand.

The report said, "The entire family believed in the mother and began taking care of the body." The report further said that the oximeter that was the source of Vimlesh's mother Ram Dulari's belief that her son was alive was faulty.

"They had placed it on the first finger permanently but it was faulty and gave readings and the family believed in these readings," the report said.

The team inspected Vimlesh's house, particularly the room where his body was kept, and talked to the family members one by one.

Vimlesh's wife Mitali Dixit told the team she knew he had passed away but everyone began saying he was alive and so she also believed them.

She told the police team that she had informed his office about his death but the family members sent another letter in which he was shown as ill.

The team, however, did not file any evidence that the family availed the salary of the deceased during the last 18 months.

"Still, we are looking into this and gathering details of the doctors the family consulted in these months. They will also be questioned," said the additional DCP.

Meanwhile, Vimlesh's brother Dinesh said he would lodge a complaint on the chief minister's portal against the police and health departments for "harassment" of the family.

"First, they forcibly cremated the body without any inquiry or investigation and now we are being harassed in name of this inquiry. I will formally file a complaint on CM's portal," he said.
Lucknow, Sep 30 : The Global Investors Summit-2023 (GIS-23) will be organised in Lucknow from February 10 to 12 next year.

According to an official spokesperson, a target has already been set to attract investment of Rs 10 lakh crore at the GIS-2023.

The state government had earlier proposed the summit in January 2023. It had decided to hold international roadshows ahead of the GIS-2023 in nearly 18 countries.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, according to the spokesman, said preparations for the GIS-2023 would be carried out on a war footing. He said the GIS-2023 would be a historic event and give flight to aspirations of New India and New Uttar Pradesh.

The state government has received proposals from Singapore, France, the UK and Mauritius for becoming partner countries for the summit.

The state government will also be getting in touch with ambassadors of the Netherlands, Canada, the US, Japan, Israel, Sweden, Thailand, France and Singapore soon.

The state government proposes to send its ministers as brand ambassadors for the GIS-2023.

Chief Minister Adityanath and deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak are likely to lead the roadshows.

Adityanath said teams of experts should be included with the group of ministers going to countries with possibilities of investment of the same sector. This should be taken care of while deciding the route for the roadshows, he said.

Asking for the group of ministers to be constituted at the earliest, he said the state government should also hold roadshows in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai and necessary arrangements in this regard should be made.

Observing that the GIS-2023 would be a platform for branding of Uttar Pradesh, he said the state government should seek cooperation of industry lobby groups like FICCI and CII.

He said policies of 30 sectors should be prepared ahead of GIS-2023 and land banks should be expanded further to ensure that the investors do not face any problem.

Uttar Pradesh had emerged as a dream destination for investors following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mantra of reform, perform and transform, he said, adding that the state was on way to becoming the second largest economy in India.
Mumbai, Sep 30 : Marking her debut as an author, actress Rani Mukerji tells it all in her candid autobiography, which is set to release next year on her birthday, March 21.

Rani said: "In the 25 years that I have so lovingly spent in the Indian film industry, I have never spoken my heart out about my life and my journey in cinema. As women in cinema, we are constantly judged and the book delves into my personal trials and tribulations and the impact it had on me, as I navigated the industry and my career."

"I haven't had the time to pause, look back on my life, retrospectively and introspectively. This memoir was my way of reminiscing what I have been through right from my childhood."

She added: "This one's for my fans and for every single person who has given me boundless love and kept me grounded. I look forward to their reactions when this book releases on my birthday next year, making the day even more special!"

The memoir is a personal, disarmingly honest account of Rani's journey. It will give readers a look into the Bollywood star's life like never before.

HarperCollins India is delighted to announce the acquisition of actor Rani Mukerji's autobiography to be published on March 21, 2023.

Bushra Ahmed, Senior Commissioning Editor, HarperCollins India, said: "For many of us who grew up in the 2000s, Rani Mukerji was everything an actor should be: beautiful, refreshingly different and a compelling performer."

"She belongs to that time in cinema when stars sparkled on the silver screen without the razzle-dazzle of social media fame; an actor who stands on the might of her powerful portrayals of women in her films."

-- Syndicated from IANS
Chennai, Sep 30 : The Tamil Nadu government has appointed special teams to monitor the paddy procurement in the state. While the department of Food and Civil Supplies is the umbrella body to monitor the procurement, different areas have been earmarked under the supervision of various officers.

There have been several teething issues related to the procurement of paddy with even inadequate space at the direct procurement centres (DPCs) and assessment of moisture levels of paddy as well as online verification of the documents submitted by the farmers who are supplying paddy to these centres.

During the 2022-23 season there has been a surplus production of paddy and due to many unforeseen circumstances, procurement was delayed but has commenced now. In order to have proper monitoring of the procurement, the senior officials are being given charge by the Civil Supplies department.

Civil Supplies Commissioner V. Rajaraman, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) Managing Director, S. Prabhakar, and Tamil Nadu Warehousing Corporation managing director, A. Sivagananam, TNCSC Joint Managing director, K. Karpagam and joint registrar of cooperative societies, A. Shankar are in-charge of the monitoring of the paddy procurement in various districts of the state.

The TNCSC is procuring paddy in delta districts of Tamil Nadu while the National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) will procure paddy from non- delta districts.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : A Jamia Millia Islamia student was shot by another student inside a hospital in the national capital, an official said on Friday.

According to the official, the incident took place late Thursday at the Holy Family Hospital, located in southeast Delhi.

"A PCR call was received at Jamia Nagar police station regarding a quarrel at Jamia University Library inside Jamia Millia Islamia University. On inquiry, it was found that the fight had ensued between two groups of students," Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) Esha Pandey said.

In the incident, one student Noman Chaudhary (26), student of LLM 2nd Year sustained blunt injury on head and was shifted to Holy Family Hospital for treatment. Another student Nauman Ali, friend of Noman Chaudhary also visited the hospital to see him.

"In the meantime, one student of a rival group namely Zalal, a resident of Mewat, Haryana accompanied by his friends came to the Hospital and fired at Nauman Ali outside the Emergency ward inside Hospital Campus," the DCP said.

In the firing, Nauman Ali received superficial injury on the scalp and was rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre.

"He was fit for the statement," the official said.

"Meanwhile, a crime team of Delhi Police examined the area where the firing took place. A Legal action has been initiated accordingly at both Jamia Nagar and New Friends Colony police stations," the official added.
Hong Kong, Sep 30 : Asian markets are careening toward their worst month since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, hit by a mighty US dollar and rising global recession fears.

The MSCI Asia ex-Japan Index, which captures 10 major markets across Asia, excluding Japan, has fallen 12.8 per cent so far this month, on track to post the biggest drop since March 2020, when the pandemic had wreaked havoc on global markets, CNN reported.

The index is also set to end the third quarter down nearly 14 per cent.

Among major stock markets, Hong Kong and South Korea have had the worst month so far, down 14 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.

For the quarter, the Hang Seng Index has tumbled 21 per cent so far, headed toward its worst quarter in two decades, according to Refinitiv.

Concerns about a global recession and hawkish policies by central banks around the world have weighed on investor sentiment, CNN reported.

The US dollar surged to a fresh two-decade high on Wednesday against a basket of major counterparts, boosted by the Federal Reserve's policy tightening.

The soaring greenback has sparked further fears of capital outflows from Asia's emerging markets.

"The US dollar's one way upward journey continues to drive safe-haven flows and keep concerns on Asian equities elevated," Manishi Raychaudhuri, head of Asia-Pacific Equity Research at BNP Paribas Securities, said in a research note this week.

"Foreigners continued to sell Asia equities," said Citi analysts in a separate report on Friday.

They noted that Taiwan, Japan, India, and South Korea have seen nearly $5 billion in total foreign outflows this week, CNN reported.

Nevertheless, Raychaudhuri expects some silver linings for Asia.

"Some tailwind for Asian equities is coming in the form of post Covid reopening -- in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and potentially in China," he said.
Kolkata, Sep 30 : The West Bengal government received yet another jolt on Friday as a division bench of the Calcutta High Court decided to uphold an earlier order by a single-judge bench of the same court on the CBI probe in the murder of Tapan Dutta, the Trinamool Congress leader from Howrah district.

Tapan Dutta, was killed near his residence on May 6, 2011 just days after the Trinamool Congress came to power in West Bengal ousting the 34-year-long Left Front rule. It was alleged that Dutta was murdered for voicing protest against the illegal filling up of water bodies near his residence at Bally in Howrah district.

Initially, the local police began probing the matter and later, the investigation was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police. However, Tapan Dutta's wife, Pratima Dutta and his daughter, Puja Dutta approached the Calcutta High Court demanding a CBI enquiry and alleged that the Trinamool Congress leader was killed by his own party men.

On June 9 this year, Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ordered a CBI probe in the case. However, the West Bengal government challenged that single-judge bench order at the division bench of Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice Prakash Srivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj.

The counsel for the state government argued that the single-judge bench passed the order in a haste, since only in rare cases re-investigations are ordered and that too after submission of two separate charge sheets.

However, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, the counsel for Pratima Dutta, argued that in the second charge sheet the names of certain Trinamool Congress leaders, who were named in the first charge sheet, were dropped. He also argued that evidence was tampered with to shield the genuine culprits in the case and, hence, a probe by a central agency was necessary.

Finally on Friday, after hearing both the parties, the division bench upheld the earlier order by the single-judge bench for a CBI enquiry in the case.
Chennai, Sep 30 : The Samba farmers of Tiruchi and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu are worried as they are unable to get loans sanctioned by the cooperative societies even after raising nurseries.

Most of the farmers, whom IANS approached, said the lack of support from Village Administrative Officers(VAOs) is the main reason for not getting loans.

Swaminathan Raman, a Samba paddy farmer told IANS, "Even after we have spent an amount of around Rs 7,500 for sowing the seeds per acre of paddy field, as the VAO had insisted, we are yet to get loans for further taking forward the farming." However, Joint Registrar of cooperative societies, Jeyaram T told IANS, "The earlier incidents of non-repayment of loans is the major reason why farmers are not being sanctioned loans. Another reason is abandoning the farming post getting loans even after raising nurseries." The district collectors of Tiruchi and Nagapattinam have intervened in the matter and directed the VAOs to speed up the sanctioning of the loans.

Farmer leaders insisted that loans cannot be repaid until and unless this season crop also commences and Kuvai farmers earn properly.
Chennai, Sep 30 : The tokenisation of debit/credit card details will happen from October 1 onwards even though there may be laggards unwilling to comply with the regulations, said a senior official of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

According to RBI Deputy Governor T. Rabi Shankar, a total of 35 crore tokens have been created and the system is ready to be rolled out.

He also said in September, 40 per cent of the online card transactions valued at about Rs 63 crore has been tokenised.

Shankar said few participants may not be ready due to their unwillingness to comply with the regulations and they might take some more time.

Tokenisation means the details of debit/credit cards such as 16-digit number, names, expiry dates and codes which one used to save earlier for future payments will now be replaced by a token.

The token is used by the merchant's website for the transaction.
Bareilly, Sep 30 : Maulana Shahbuddin Razvi, national president of All India Muslim Jamaat, Dargah Aala Hazrat in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly city, has received a threat call from an alleged PFI activist who gave his name as Abdussamad from Shaheen Bagh in Delhi.

The caller threatened the cleric and said he would face dire consequences if he continued to speak against the Popular Front of India (PFI), which has been banned for five years.

In a letter sent to SSP Bareilly, the cleric said that he had been not only supporting the ban on PFI but also opposing their anti-national activities in the country.

Giving the number from which he received the threatening call, the cleric said that he had earlier applied for security but his concerns were ignored.

He urged the Bareilly police to provide security to him and his family.
Ahmedabad, Sep 30 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that soon Gujarat will turn into a model of twin cities and multi-model connectivity hub.

On Friday morning, he flagged off the Vande-Bharat train from Gandhinagar and travelled to Ahmedabad by it.

After getting down at Kalupur railway station in Ahmedabad, he flagged off the Ahmedabad Metro train phase one and got down at Doordarshan square in Western Ahmedabad to reach the public rally venue.

"Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar has become good example of twin city, now this will be replicated in other parts of the state like Nadiad-Anand, Vadodara-Halol-Kalol, Bharuch-Ankleshwar, Surat-Navsari, Valsad-Vapi, Morbi-Vankaner and Mehsana-Kadi. These cities will have multi-model connectivity and urban basic facilities," he said while addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad.

These twin cities and urban cities development and growth are going to be the parameters of a developed India in the next 25 years.

He also appealed to the citizens to visit metro stations and other infrastructure to understand how infrastructure is developed, and how much public money is invested in it. Once they see it for themselves, they will never think of damaging public property, as they will get the feeling of owning it.

Talking about metro trains and future plans, the Prime Minister said that at least in one dozen cities metro train projects are either completed or slated to get over soon. Vande Bharat's 75 trains are planned to run by next year.

The Prime Minister lambasted the previous governments and said that whenever they thought about infrastructure they used to calculate costs, whereas his government thinks of improving the lives of people and boost trade and industries with promotion of infrastructure. Be it metro train or Vande Bharat or the Bullet train, this is all planned considering the global business demand.
Yangon, Sep 30 : A passenger plane of the state-owned Myanmar National Airlines was attacked during landing near Loikaw airport on Friday, leaving one injured, according to local authorities.

"A Yangon-Loikaw plane was shot near the Loikaw airport from nearby Wah La Poe Village. A passenger was injured in his ear because of the bullet pierced through into the cabin of the plane," Zaw Min Tun, head of the State Administration Council's Information Team, told Xinhua news agency.

The plane carrying 63 passengers safely landed and the injured was sent to Loikaw general hospital for medical treatment, he said.

Security forces were tightening security near the spot where the attack took place, he added.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 30 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with Kerala police, on Friday reached the Kozhikode office of PFI for the sealing process.

The move comes days after the Minister of Home Affairs banned the Popular Front of India(PFI) and its affiliates for next five years.

Apart from the state party office, similar operations took place in other districts as well.

State revenue officials, who are a part of the team, carried out the sealing, while the NIA and police oversaw it.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a series of meetings with high ranking police officials following which the sealing operations got underway this morning.

Nearly all the top PFI leaders in Kerala are now behind bars here, while some others were detained in the wee hours of Thursday last week and taken to the national capital.

On Thursday, the Kerala High Court also came down heavily on the protesting PFI workers who called for a state wide shutdown last Friday, and asked them to deposit a sum of Rs 5.20 crore for the damage caused.

The government informed the court that 487 cases were registered in the state with 1992 people arrested and 687 taken into preventive custody.
Mumbai, Sep 30 : Australian pop band '5 Seconds Of Summer' recently released their new song 'Bad Omens' for which they are elated to have collaborated with Ukrainian directors Danny Mitri and Alyona Shchasnaia over the song's video.

The song was shot in the war torn Ukraine which is currently at loggerheads with the advancing Russian army.

Talking about the same, the band said in a collective statement: "We are really proud to have worked with Ukrainian directors Danny Mitri and Alyona Shchasnaia to shoot the video for 'Bad Omens'. Ashton had a vision that Alyona and Mitri took and developed into the beautiful metaphorical video you see today." This was the very first international commercial/video shoot in Ukraine since the war began.

Expressing their gratitude, the band further said: "We want to thank Alyona, Mitri and all the people involved in Ukraine who made this video possible. They were so passionate about shooting it and we are so grateful to have worked with them on it."

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Tokyo, Sep 30 : Japan's jobless rate dropped to 2.5 per cent in August, the government said in a report on Friday.

The unemployment rate edged down from 2.6 per cent in July, Xinhua news agency quoted the report by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as saying.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in a separate report said Friday that the job availability ratio was up 0.03 point from the previous month to stand at 1.32 in August.

This equates to there being 132 job openings for every 100 people seeking employment.

According to the statistics bureau's seasonally-adjusted data, in August the total number of people out of work stood at 1.75 million, which was 10,000 less from the previous month.

Those leaving their jobs of their own volition totaled 690,000, down 8.0 per cent from the previous month, the report showed.
Bengaluru, Sep 30 : Karnataka High Court on Friday allowed the rape-accused Lingayat seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, currently under judicial custody, to sign cheques.

A bench headed by Justice Nagaprasanna passed the order as thousands of mutt employees are facing difficulties in getting salaries ever since the accused seer is arrested.

It had earlier rejected the request to allow the accused seer to give his signatures to cheques. The petition was filed before the bench to plead permission to sign cheques.

The bench has allowed the accused seer to sign his cheques on October 3, 6 and 10. The individual who takes signatures must obtain permission from the district commissioner.

During the process of giving signatures, the investigating officer and jail superintendent must be present and submit the photo copies of the cheques to the investigating court, it said.

Underlining that the court order is applicable only for October, the bench directed the counsel to make arrangements for transfer of the power of attorney of signing to another person and submit a petition to the local court in this regard.

The court can consider the petition and order as per the provisions of law, the bench said.

As per the petition, Sharanaru is the only trustee of the mutt. He has to sign 200 cheques to release the salary of employees.
Chennai, Sep 30 : The Tamil Nadu Police have commenced sealing the offices of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) in the state after Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu issued a notification terming the Popular Front and its associates as "Unlawful Associations".

The Tamil Nadu state government has also delegated the powers under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 to the commissioners of police in the cities and district collectors in other areas.

In an order, the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu said, " The governor of Tamil Nadu hereby directs that all the powers of which are exercisable by the government of Tamil Nadu under sections 7 and 8 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 in relation to the aforesaid unlawful association, namely Popular Front of India and its associates or affiliates or fronts including the organisations banned shall also be exercised by the commissioners of police in the cities and by the district collectors elsewhere." Notably, the frontal organisations of the Popular Front of India that have been banned from functioning for five years are Rehab India Foundation, National Women's Front, All India Imams Council, Campus Front of India, Rehab Foundation, Kerala, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Confederation of Human Rights Organisations.

Tamil Nadu police, along with district collectors, have commenced sealing the offices of the banned organisation after the order of the Chief Secretary was served to them.

The Popular Front of India cadres are quiet and there has not been any protests while the offices in a few districts were sealed as those who shout slogans for the PFI would be charged immediately under the UAPA.

In Kerala, some PFI workers were arrested and charged under UAPA after they shouted slogans, and hence the PFI and SDPI cadres in Tamil Nadu are silent as if they are arrested by the police, they would be charged with sedition under the UAPA.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said that they have filed a charge sheet against Soumyendra Nath Banerjee, the then Deputy Director General, New Technology, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Kolkata and others before the Special Court at Calcutta in a disproportionate assets case.

The Special Court has taken cognizance of the offence of money laundering in the charge sheet filed by the ED and also issued process thereupon.

The ED initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI and ACB, Kolkata for offences punishable under Section 109 of IPC and Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

As per the charge sheet, Soumyendra Nath Banerjee had allegedly amassed huge assets beyond his known source of income and was in a possession of disproportionate assets worth Rs 7.58 crore in excess to his known sources of income.

The ED learnt during the investigation that Banerjee during the period from 2005 to 2013, while being posted and functioning in different capacities and different posts under the Ministry of Telecommunication, Government of India, acquired huge amounts in cash through corrupt practices and by abusing his official capacity and afterwards the said cash amounts were brought in the accounts of the companies floated by him by showing them as share of allotment money.

Further the said ill-gotten money had been used in purchasing shares and properties in his own name or in the name of his family members.

"The part amount of the said ill-gotten money has also been used for investment in another company (effectively controlled by him or his family members). The properties worth Rs 6.32 crore were provisionally attached by the ED during the course of its investigation (which were subsequently confirmed by the Ld. Adjudication Authority, PMLA)," said the official.

Further investigation in the matter was on.
San Francisco, Sep 30 : Google Fiber, part of the Access division of Alphabet, is reportedly planning to offer 100 gbps broadband speeds for its consumers in the US.

According to ZDNet, one gigabit speeds, which US incumbents like Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and AT&T could not match, were Google Fiber's main selling point to attract users.

This forced incumbents to boost speeds in areas where Google Fiber was available, but its coverage was limited and remained stagnant for five years until last month, when it revealed plans to expand to five more states.

Now, Google Fiber seems ready to reignite competition. The ISP's CEO Dinni Jain says he wants to offer affordable access to multi-gig speeds and claims that a colleague recently got 20Gbps download speeds in Kansas City when testing the service, the report said.

"We used to get asked, 'who needs a gig?'," Jain was quoted as saying.

"Today it's no longer a question. Every major provider in the US seems to have now gotten the gigabit memo, and it's only going up from there - some providers are already offering 2, 5, 8, even 10 gig products," he added.

Google Fiber currently offers a symmetrical 1gbps service for $70 a month and last year started selling a 2/1Gbps download/upload service for $100 a month, with 1TB of cloud storage.

"In the coming months, we will have announcements to dramatically expand our multi-gigabit tiers. These will be critical milestones on our journey to 100 Gig symmetrical internet," Jain said.
Patna, Sep 30 : Three people, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the gang-rape and selling of a minor girl in Madhubani district of Bihar.

According to police, the girl was sexually assaulted by several people, including police personnel, before being sold off for Rs 50,000 to a woman pimp.

The incident came to light on Thursday night when a team of Mau district of Uttar Pradesh rescued the girl from the captivity of a woman pimp named Soni Devi and busted the case.

Those arrested have been identified as Soni Devi, Arjun Yadav, a night guard of Ashok Market located in Jainagar, and an electrician Sajan Kumar.

One Acharya -- a police driver -- and a Chokidar named Ramjiwan Paswan of Jainagar police station are absconding.

The victim strayed from her home town Mau a month ago and reached Jainagar town of Madhubani district. While roaming in Ashok market, she sought the help of Arjun Yadav who took her to a secluded place. He also called his other three friends over and they took turns to rape her and held captive in a room.

They violated her repeatedly and also invited others for it.

As the victim was missing from the house, a missing complaint was registered in a police station in Mau. On the basis of information, a team of Mau police reached the Jainagar town of Madhubani and raided the house of Soni Devi where the survivor was found.

The police team immediately rescued her and arrested the woman.

Confirming the incident, Sanjay Kumar, SHO of Jainagar police station said that the district police arrested the accused. Further investigation is underway to arrest other accused.

Jainagar SDPO said, "Mau police raided the house of a woman pimp. Three persons have been arrested so far and investigation is currently underway. We have a few names of accused that came during the investigation. Raids are currently underway. They will be put behind the bars soon.
Kathmandu, Sep 30 : India's Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has requested Nepal to stop the entry of Pakistani and Chinese nationals into India through the Nepal-India border points.

SSB Director General Dr. Sujoy Lal Thaosen, who is on a five-day visit to Nepal, made this request during his formal meeting with Raju Aryal, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal, according to the Nepali media reports.

The concerns were raised during the sixth Nepal-India meeting on border security, management, and coordination, which started on Tuesday, and concluded on Thursday evening in Kathmandu.

The citizens of Pakistan and China have been entering India after engaging in illegal activities in the Nepal-India border areas, said one report citing highly-placed officials of the APF, who attended the meeting. SSB Director General Thaosen was quoted as saying in the meeting that the Armed Police Force should play a role to prevent them from entering India.

However, the APF said in a statement that both sides have agreed to strengthen border security cooperation, curb cross-border criminal activities and also agreed to share the relevant information and communications between the two entities.

In the Nepal-India border security, management and coordination meeting, Director General Thaosen proposed that Nepal should stop the entry of third-country citizens into India and their illegal activities. In response, APF Inspector General Aryal said that there was no anti-India activity on the Nepali soil and that people from third countries have not entered India through the Nepal-India border.

"But the Indian side did not seem to agree with Nepal's assurance and said that as the citizens of third countries were seen entering India from Nepal, they insisted that it should be stopped anyway," said the highly-placed APF official.

According to the report, the Indian side complained that citizens of China and Pakistan enter India through the porous Nepal-India border to carry out illegal activities.

Inspector General Aryal said that there were many complaints that so far citizens of third countries involved in suspicious activities have not entered India from Nepal, but they have come to Nepal after committing crimes in India.

"Indian security personnel have arrested a Pakistani, who entered from the Bhittamod area a few months ago. In the meeting, the Indian side presented this as an example", said a source present in the meeting.

In the meeting, Nepal's security officials made a proposal to control the illegal arms and drugs trade in Nepal from the Indian side. Similarly, Inspector General Aryal also discussed the issue of narcotics entering Nepal from India, details of small arms brought from India seized by the APF in the past, criminals hiding in Nepal after committing crimes in India, and looting Nepali people in the border areas.

According to the predetermined agenda, an agreement has been reached to set up help desks on both sides of the international border and make arrangements for safe movement.

Likewise, immediately after the meeting, the APF headquarters issued a circular to the Border Outposts (BOPs) set up along the border with India and instructed them to operate the help desks. There are 220 BOPs of the APF along the Nepal-India border. Similarly, India has stationed SSB units at more than 530 places along the Nepal-India border.
Kathmandu, Sep 30 : India's Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has requested Nepal to stop the entry of Pakistani and Chinese nationals into India through the Nepal-India border points.

SSB Director General Sujoy Lal Thaosen, who is on a five-day visit to Nepal, made this request during his meeting with Raju Aryal, Inspector General of the Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal, according to Nepali media reports.

The concerns were raised during the sixth Nepal-India meeting on border security, management, and coordination, which started on Tuesday, and concluded on Thursday evening in Kathmandu.

The citizens of Pakistan and China have been entering India after engaging in illegal activities in the Nepal-India border areas, said one report citing highly-placed officials of APF who attended the meeting quoted SSB Director General Thaosen as saying in the meeting that the Armed Police Force should play a role to prevent them from entering India.

However, the APF said in a statement that both sides have agreed to strengthen border security cooperation, and cross-border criminal activities and agreed to share the relevant information and communications between the two entities.

In the meeting, Thaosen proposed that Nepal should stop the entry of third-country citizens into India and their illegal activities.

In response, APF Inspector General Aryal said that there is no anti-India activity on Nepali soil and that people from third countries have not entered India through the Nepal-India border.

"But the Indian side did not seem to agree with Nepal's assurance and said that as the citizens of third countries were seen entering India from Nepal, they insisted that it should be stopped anyway," said a highly-placed APF official.

According to the report, the Indian side complained that citizens of China and Pakistan enter India through the porous Nepal-India border to carry out illegal activities.

"Indian security personnel have arrested a Pakistani who entered from the Bhittamod area a few months ago. In the meeting, the Indian side presented this as an example", said a source who was present in the meeting.

In the meeting, Nepal's security officials made a proposal to control the illegal arms and drugs trade in Nepal from the Indian side.

Similarly, Inspector General Aryal also discussed the issue of narcotics entering Nepal from India, details of small arms brought from India seized by APF in the past, criminals hiding in Nepal after committing crimes in India, and looting Nepali people in the border areas.

According to the pre-determined agenda, an agreement has been reached to set up help desks on both sides of the international border and make arrangements for safe movement.

Likewise, immediately after the meeting, the APF headquarters issued a circular to the Border Outposts (BOPs) set up along the border with India and instructed them to operate the help desks.

There are 220 BOPs of the APF along the Nepal-India border. Similarly, India has stationed SSB units at more than 530 places along the Nepal-India border.
Bengaluru, Sep 30 : Global smartphone brand OnePlus on Friday said it is successfully geared up to bring in the evolutionary 5G technology ecosystem to OnePlus users in India. The brand confirmed that its recently-launched devices will also be 5G-ready with eligible networks, including Vi.

The company said it has been demonstrating leadership in 5G R&D and has been the fastest in the industry to bring 5G devices to consumers across the globe.

"OnePlus recognised the enormous potential of 5G much early on. We initiated 5G research efforts back in 2016. And we became one of the first tech companies globally to bring 5G connectivity to users. With India inching towards the launch of 5G, OnePlus users will enjoy a truly seamless, speedy internet experience with their future-ready devices, while achieving a lot more from their daily use of smartphones than they ever imagined", Navnit Nakra, India CEO and Head of India Region, OnePlus India, told IANS.

OnePlus launched the first line-up of 5G smartphones in 2020 in India, with the OnePlus 8 series in April 2020.

Since then, all OnePlus smartphones have been 5G-ready, including the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, the brand's most affordable device in India, from the sub-Rs 20,000 price segment, priced at Rs 19,999, according to the company.

OnePlus emerged as the leading 5G smartphone brand in online channels in Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 segment in the first half of 2022, as per the recent Counterpoint India channel share tracker for Q2 2022.

The company also shared that they have emerged as the best-selling 5G smartphone on Amazon.in during the Great Indian Festival in the period of September 22 to 29 (by volume).

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Srinagar, Sep 30 : Two terrorists, who had come to disrupt the army's 'Agniveer' recruitment, were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Friday, police said.

Baramulla's Senior Superintendent of Police, Rayees Muhammad Bhat said that following specific intelligence inputs, security forces, including the army, the SSB and the local police launched a cordon and search operation in Yedipora village in Baramulla district.

"The hiding terrorists opened fire at the security forces from a residential house triggering an encounter. Both the terrorists were killed today morning. Their exact identity is being ascertained," he said, adding that an AKS74U rifle with 3 magazines and a pistol with one magazine were recovered from them.

"We had received intelligence inputs that these two terrorists were given the task to attack the ongoing Agniveer recruitment rally in Baramulla," the SSP said.
Bengaluru, Sep 30 : The Karnataka government on Friday directed the education department to submit a report on the activities of madrasas in the state, stirring a controversy.

The education department has taken up the exercise amid the demands to ban madrasas in the state by Hindu organisations, according to the sources.

It has been alleged that suspicious activities are going on in madrasas.

The government has asked the department to submit report about 960 madrasas in the state.

A committee has been formed under the leadership of the Commissioner of the education department, which will give comprehensive report on the activities of the madrasas.

BJP insiders said that after the submission of the report, a decision would be made on whether the madrasas should be banned or these should be brought under the jurisdiction of the education department.

The BJP insiders said that the ruling BJP in Karnataka is contemplating the action on madrasas on the lines of the Uttar Pradesh government in connection with madrasas.
Chennai, Sep 30 : VCK founder-leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Friday lashed out against the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government's decision to ban his party rally on October 2.

The Dalit leader and MP said that the VCK and the left parties, CPI and CPI-M, which were together to hold the rally against the RSS, were political parties and not following the sectarian politics of RSS.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Thirumavalavan, however, welcomed the ban on the RSS march of October 2. He said that he would accept the fear expressed by the state government that allowing the RSS to carry out 'route marches' in 50 places immediately after the ban inflicted on the Popular Front of India (PFI) could lead to law and order issues.

He said that while the VCK and the left parties participate in democratic elections, the RSS was not like them and was spreading hate and fascism in the society.

Thirumavalavan said: "The state government considers both PFI and the RSS as religious organizations. However, the decision to disallow the rally planned by the VCK and the left parties for social harmony is really shocking." He said that several other political parties and democratic organisations had expressed their support for the rally and said that these organizasions were not religious and were not spreading hate among the people of the state.
Chennai, Sep 30 : The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Tamil Nadu Police to allow the RSS to conduct its march on November 6.

A bench of Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan gave the decision on a petition filed by the RSS' Thiruvallur district Joint Secretary, R. Karthikeyan against the district administration banning the route march on Gandhi Jayanthi Day (October 2).

The state police had later banned the route march on October 2, announced by the RSS at 50 places in the state, citing the law and order situation. The state government informed the court that it fears adverse effect on the law and order situation in allowing the RSS to take out a procession immediately after the Union government banned Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI).

The VCK and the left parties, CPI and CPI-M had also planned to conduct a rally on October 2 to counter the RSS march. However, the state government banned the rally, leading to VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan lashing out against its ally, the DMK.
Chandigarh, Sep 30 : A peculiar silence has always enveloped it. The image of Prabhakaran splashed across newspapers has continued to haunt not just Tamils across the world, but all those who followed the organisation and their cause closely. Surprisingly, not only the Sri Lankan government, but even filmmakers and artists have maintained a deathly silence over the three-decades-long civil war and human rights abuses in the island nation that claimed, according to the UN around 100,000 lives.

Sri Lankan filmmaker Visakesa Chandrasekaram feels that "silence is to do with the fact that it is much uncomfortable for people to talk about it. Adding that there was an involvement of many, including people like him who did not do anything about it, he asserts that there is an underlying feeling of guilt that seldom leaves people of his generation." "Thus, denial comes to the forefront, that these atrocities didn't happen...In fact, my third film is about that silence. And it is about ex-militants and how they were taken into custody. Some were not even extremists, they were just people at the wrong place at the wrong time. A lot of things happened to them in detention, but we do not talk about it. Only those who escaped to other countries talk about it because they are survivors in that country and the success of their political asylum application will be based on breaking the silence," Chandrasekaram, who has made films like 'Earth', 'Frangipani' and 'Finding Kamal' told IANS.

'Frangipani' is a queer love story, set in a Sri Lankan village while 'Earth' is about a mother looking for her son who disappeared during the civil war. "The third film revolves around an ex-militant who is returning home from the war. It will take time." In Chandigarh for the ongoing 'Indus Valley International Film Festival', this lawyer from Colombo may not have gone to film school, but has been learning on the job even before he finished high school. "I started off as an assistant director when I was 17 years old, much before film schools opened in my country. However, I soon realised there was not much money in this profession and went back to school to study law. After several years, with the money I had saved, I started off with 'Frangipani' as no one had done justice to the theme of gay love in films in my country." As his country goes through an economic meltdown, its already shaky film industry is not spared from its impact. Screens are down to 30 in the entire country and piracy continues as a major problem. "The day a movie is released, people share it on the Telegram app. The saddest part is that most do not even realise that it is illegal." Stressing that inaccessibility to OTT platforms is not doing any good to their cinema, the director feels that considering most films made in Sri Lanka are in Sinhalese language, their numbers are not high enough to warrant a new language option in OTT's language drop down menu.

While several independent Indian filmmakers go in for international collaborations to tap into the European funding pool, Chandrasekaram feels that is not an option for Sinhalese films. "India has a big market overseas. But our market is small and frankly, we are not really known for making good films, so nobody is really investing in our films," he concluded.
Kolkata, Sep 30 : Trinamool Congress legislator and West Bengal Board of Primary Education's (WBBPE) former President Manik Bhattacharya will be able to able to enjoy the forthcoming Durga Puja festival as the Supreme Court on Friday extended, till October 10, the stay on coercive action, including arrest, against him by the CBI.

The hearing at the apex court on the appeal by Bhattacharya for quashing of the Calcutta High Court's order on Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in primary teachers' recruitment irregularities scam as well as his removal from chair of WBBPE President concluded on Friday.

While the division bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Vikram Nath reserved its judgement, it made it clear that protection from arrest will stay till October 10, but Bhattacharya will have to cooperate with the central agency in the investigation process.

At the same time, the apex court has also refused to put any stay on the CBI enquiry in the matter of the primary teachers' recruitment irregularities.

The CBI counsel M.V. Raju informed the apex court that the central agency will complete the investigation process in the matter within the next three months. He also said that the CBI probe is being done following a direction of the Calcutta High Court as per procedures.
Srinagar, Sep 30 : Cautioning the administration over "fiddling with the sentiments of the people of Kashmir and properties of the Muslim community", Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday repeated her call for the government to revisit its policies.

Referring to the latest statements from the government and some Waqf authorities on converting the Eidgah for different kinds of facilities, she stressed the specific use for which land had been donated by Mir Syed Ali Hamdani to Muslims of Kashmir some 600 years back.

"The statements issued about Eidgah have hurt the sentiments of local Muslim populace and they are watching the situation with lots of apprehensions and anything done against the wishes of the people and denying the space to the locals for prayers and for whatever use they have traditionally been putting it to will be fraught with dangers," she said.
Film: Ponniyin Selvan 1 (Playing in theatres)

Duration: 167 minutes. Releasing in theatres

Director: Mani Ratnam

Cast: Vikram, Karthi, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Trisha, Jayam Ravi, Prabhu, Vikram Prabhu, Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Sarathkumar and Parthiban.

IANS Rating: **** (4 stars)

Make no mistake about it, Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan - Part I' is a masterpiece that deserves all your adulation and love.

The auteur does a phenomenal job of bringing to life the exceptional characters of eminent writer Kalki's finest creation, 'Ponniyin Selvan'.

The beauty of Part one of the two-part film lies in the fact that Mani Ratnam has not only made the story concise but has managed to do so carefully, taking adequate care not to dilute the essence of the novel or its charm.

He narrates with flair the intense and gripping story that has all elements ranging from bravery to conspiracy to romance to revenge to loyalty and manages to showcase the multiple layers of most of his characters.

The story begins with a comet appearing over the Chola skies almost a 1000 years ago. The Oracles predict that the comet will claim the life of someone from the royal family of the Cholas. That means the lives of Emperor Sundara Chozhar (Prakash Raj) and his sons - Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) and young Arun Mozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) are in danger.

While Aditha Karikalan, who has already beaten the Pandyas and the Rashtrakutas, is now heading to Kalinga for his next conquest, his younger brother, Arun Mozhi Varman is leading a naval campaign to Sri Lanka.

While the brothers are busy expanding the Chola empire, there is danger lurking close to the Chola kingdom.

Aditha Karikalan, who is aware of backstabbers and betrayers, learns from his spies that a conspiracy is being hatched against the Royal family at the Kadambur fort back home.

He chooses his trusted aide and close friend, Vallavarayan Vanthiyathevan, a gifted warrior with a glib tongue and a sharp presence of mind, to head back to the Kadambur fort and find out what is being plotted.

Vanthiyathevan soon arrives and learns that a conspiracy is being hatched to pronounce Madhurantakan (Rahman) as the next crown prince by the finance minister Periya Pazhuvettarayar (Sarath Kumar), who is controlled by his wily wife, Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), who has her own loyalties.

The danger doesn't stop there. While a conspiracy is being hatched inside the kingdom for the throne, the defeated Pandyas, who are craving revenge, have unleashed a group of assassins who make it their life's mission to kill the Chola emperor and his princes.

Director Mani Ratnam scores in almost every department, right from the casting. There is not a single actor who looks out of place.

Jayam Ravi as Arun Mozhi Varman is just perfect. Strong, dignified, loyal and brave, he does a fantastic job and steals the show despite appearing only in the second half of the film.

Vikram as Aditha Karikalan is magnificent. Courageous like a lion, he roars his way into our hearts as he conquers kingdom after kingdom. Vikram plays his part with so much conviction, it is easy to see that the warrior prince is choosing to go to battle repeatedly to ease the excruciating pain and disappointment he is suffering from not being able to live with the love of his life.

Karthi as Vanthiyathevan and Jayaram as Azhawarkadiyan Nambi complement each other beautifully and their portions together are a treat to watch. Karthi does justice to the role of Vanthiyathevan, scoring on all three counts - a die-hard romantic, a smooth talker and a fearless warrior.

Aishwarya as Nandini and Trisha as Kundavai steal the show. Both ladies along with Aishwarya Lekshmi as Kuzhali, are just outstanding in their respective roles.

Sarathkumar as Periya Pazhuvettarayar and Parthiban as Chinna Pazhuvettarayar are equally impressive and majestic.

A. R. Rahman's magical background score is what binds the entire movie as one and lifts its already high standard by another notch.

Ravi Varman's visuals are nothing less than stunning and spectacular. In fact, they are so good that this film can just be watched just for its visuals.

On the whole, 'Ponniyin Selvan 1' is a job well begun. Now, let's hope master film maker Mani Ratnam makes us conclude that its a job well done by making an equally spectacular 'Ponniyin Selvan 2'.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Chennai, Sep 30 : A court in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul convicted a man for sexually assaulting a minor girl in 2016 and sentenced him to 40 years rigorous imprisonment.

It also handed down a 10 year jail sentence to his woman accomplice.

The woman police station in Dindigul had registered a case against Vinoth, 32, and Savitha, 37, on November 28, 2016, for sexually assaulting a minor girl in his neighbourhood.

The Dindigul woman court also fined Vinoth Rs 40,000 and Savitha Rs 10,000.

The duo was charged under Sections 366 (kidnapping, abducting, or inducing woman to compel her marriage) and 368 (wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 (Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the POCSO Act.
Mumbai, Sep 30 : Shiv Sena President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday welcomed several prominent Banjara community leaders who joined the party, along with a large number of their supporters.

They include Ravikant Rathod, a senior leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), and Mahant Sunil Maharaj of the Poharadevi Temple in Yavatmal, and a dozen other leaders, who tied the 'Shiv bandhan' in the presence of Thackeray and other leaders.

The new entrants enjoy a considerable clout in the Banjara community - a denotified nomadic tribe spread in different parts of Maharashtra, say Sena officials.

Rathod, hailing from Beed district was the second-in-command to the VBA founder Dr. Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution.

Mahant Sunil Maharaj is a known figure in Yavatmal who could pose a tough challenge to the rebel Sena leader and now a Cabinet Minister, Sanjay Rathod, elected from Digras seat.

Sanjay Rathod was the Banjara face of the Shiv Sena who had to quit the Thackeray ministry two years ago, and later joined hands with Eknath Shinde who became Chief Minister in June after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was toppled.

Upon joining the Sena, the Banjara leaders said that the problems of their community were not resolved by the VBA and hence they decided to join the Thackeray-led mainstream party which could address their issues effectively.

Both Dr. Ambedkar and Sanjay Rathod downplayed the developments saying in a democracy, everybody had a right to join any party and a few persons leaving them would not affect their organisations much.
Lhasa, Sep 30 : At least five Tibetans in the regional capital Lhasa have taken their lives as a rigid Chinese government's zero-Covid lockdown nears its second month, but Beijing is covering up the severity of the situation in Tibet, media reports said.

The Chinese government imposed a lockdown 52 days ago in Lhasa as Covid numbers there and throughout China continued to climb, RFA reported.

Netizens say the lockdown order came without enough time to prepare, leaving people in some cases short of food, while finding treatments for Covid positive patients has also proven difficult.

Reports of Tibetans jumping from buildings in Lhasa, which have surfaced on social media in recent weeks, are true, RFA reported.

"People have been forced into this lockdown, and all the sources of information in Lhasa are blocked. It is even impossible to find information on what is happening to one's neighbor," a source said.

"There are not just one or two people jumping from buildings... Actually there are many more." The Covid lockdown policies placed specifically on Tibetans are inhumane, a Tibetan living in the capital, who requested anonymity, told RFA.

"The Chinese government is trying really hard to cover up any information related to people dying during this lockdown, and family members are warned not to share any information," the second source said.

"The family members are harassed and threatened over the phone that they will be punished if they ever share anything." The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy told RFA that it confirmed the veracity of reports about jumps from buildings.

"We have spoken to three sources inside Tibet who actually saw five Tibetans taking their lives by jumping off buildings," Tenzin Nyiwoe, a researcher at the India-based rights organisation, told RFA.

Chinese state media have reported 111 more cases of Covid-19 as of September 25, with 60,597 people still held in quarantine in conditions described as harsh by sources inside the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

Meanwhile, 786 people have been prosecuted by the authorities for violating Covid lockdown directives in the TAR since the current outbreak was first reported on August 8, official sources said, RFA reported.
Mumbai, Sep 30 : Music composer John Powell, who is known for scores of 'How to Train Your Dragon', some 'Ice Age' films and 'The Road to El Dorado', has scored the background for the recently released Harry Styles film 'Don't Worry Darling'. The composer shared that the film's director came with a clean slate to him and the two eventually brainstormed and came up with the soundscape of the movie.

Talking to IANS, John said: "Olivia was actually looking for a brief. When I met her she was kind of looking out for the sonic textures that would make up the soundscape of her film. That was very natural because a lot of directors including Olivia haven't worked with a music composer as such." Opening up on his process of approaching the music, John added: "I had watched the film without music which is my general practice for every project so when I met her, I told there are a lot of ways to do it (the music)." He further said: "I then started working on sounds rather than themes. I tried a few things from reel 4 to reel 6, which she liked. Once she liked the middle chunk, we were quite clear about how to go about with the ending." When asked what he likes about designing a film's score, he said: "Whenever I do a film, I look for some kind of partnership which doesn't allow me to repeat what I have already done in my earlier projects. Understanding the film is the craft of it and it is very hard. The child in me always enjoys being creative but the adult in me knows the film and the needs of a filmmaker. To bring these two personalities or aspects together is something I really enjoy while working on a project." 'Don't Worry Darling' is currently playing in theatres.
Moscow, Sep 30 : The director of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, has said that there is evidence, which indicates that "the West" may have been behind the disabling of the Nord Stream undersea pipelines, media reports said.

"We already have certain materials, which point to a Western trace in organizing and executing this terrorist attack," Naryshkin told journalists on Friday, RT reported.

He made the remark after explaining that Western nations were trying to cover up the incident to protect the perpetrators and masterminds, the report said.

"A number of Western nations launched a search for the 'authors' of this terrorist act pretty much the day after it happened. I believe the West is doing everything to hide the true executors and organisers of the incident," he said.

Leaks in the underwater gas route between Russia and Germany were detected this week after a rapid drop of pressure on Monday. Seismologists in Sweden detected explosions in the area, where natural gas flowing out of the pipes was later discovered by air patrols. Western and Russian officials believe the ruptures to have been caused by sabotage.

Nikolay Patrushev, the secretary of the Russia's National Security Council, stated on Friday that the US was the primary beneficiary of the disruption. He pointed to a CIA-backed attack on Nicaragua's oil infrastructure in the 1980s as a historic example of American sabotage operations, RT reported.

There has been speculation in the Western media that Moscow may have attacked the pipelines to put pressure on the EU, as it faces high energy prices before winter.

Polish MEP and former Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski implied that the US was behind the incident by thanking it on Twitter. He celebrated the incident, saying that Russia would have to use an overland pipeline going through Poland, if it wants to deliver on its gas contracts with customers in Western Europe. The official, who has connections with Washington's elite, later deleted the post, saying that he was sharing a personal theory about the Nord Stream breaches.
Islamabad, Sep 30 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that the "false narrative" of PTI Chairman Imran Khan -- declaring the incumbent government a "product of conspiracy" -- had been totally shattered after the recent audio leak, media reports said.

"Imran Khan wasted five months of the nation by concocting lies and propaganda about his successor government, however, his own audio leak exposed his fraudulence," Sharif said in his address at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Bhara Kahu Bypass project, Geo News reported.

The Prime Minister said Khan blamed politicians as traitors, but in reality it was he who "betrayed the nation", Geo News reported.

"Imran's lies about an 'imported government' are, in fact, a conspiracy against the entire nation," he said, stressing the need for people to understand the reality of a liar.

An alleged sound bite of the former Prime Minister allegedly telling his then principal secretary Azam Khan to "play" with the US cypher came to the fore earlier this week.

In the audio allegedly featuring Khan, Azam Khan can be allegedly heard talking about the cypher, which Khan - time and again - has claimed mentions the "threat" to remove his government.

Following the leaked audio, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah - during a press conference in Islamabad - said that if Khan's audio is real, then he should be exposed before the nation, Geo News reported.

Last week, two audios allegedly featuring Sharif were leaked. The first audio contained a discussion regarding PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz asking for a power plant from India to be imported for her son-in-law.

Sharif -- who recently represented the country at the fora of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the United Nations General Assembly -- said the leaders of some friendly countries during the sideline meetings conveyed to him their "annoyance" over the irresponsible foreign policy of Khan, Geo News reported.
Chandigarh, Sep 30 : The Shiromani Akali Dal on Friday endorsed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's call to hold a Khalsa March from Takth Sri Keshgarh Sahib and Takth Sri Damdama Sahib to Sri Akal Takth Sahib on October 7 even as it requested the Centre to file a review petition or pass a new law to do away with the validation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Committee Act, 2014, by the Supreme Court.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the party's legislators, former legislators and constituency in-charges here, which was presided over by SAD President Sukhbir Badal.

Giving details, former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said the Khalsa March is being held "to protest against the interference in Sikh affairs as well as the deep-rooted conspiracy to break the Shiromani Committee".

"SAD has decided to support the SGPC's initiative to highlight the discrimination meted out to the community and ensure justice is done to it." Terming the 2014 Act which was passed by the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government as illegal and unconstitutional, the SAD leader said it was unfortunate that both the present Haryana and Punjab governments as well as the Central government had supported the move in court.

"This has hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community which rightly feels that Sikhs have been discriminated against with the validation of the Haryana committee by the apex court." He said the move should be reversed to ensure there was no unrest in the community.

Cheema said the meeting also took note of the inordinate delay on the part of the Central government in deciding the mercy petition of Sikh detenue Balwant Singh Rajoana.

He said the meeting called upon the Centre to release Bhai Rajoana immediately keeping in view the fact that the Central government had given a commitment on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev that Bhai Rajoana's death sentence would be commuted to life as well as the fact the detenue had already completed a life term.
London, Sep 30 : It's been a week since India's new High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, has been in office. Perhaps not since P.C. Alexander took up this position in 1985, has a head of India's diplomatic mission in Britain faced as challenging a circumstance vis-a-vis the Indian origin community in this country.

An Indian High Commissioner's task in the UK is broadly divided into three responsibilities -- improving relations with the host government; ensuring efficient consular services, including the issuance of passports and visas since this is significantly revenue generating; and managing the two million-odd Indian origin community.

Doraiswami, 53, is one of the youngest Indian High Commissioners ever to be sent to Britain. In the past 25 years, career diplomats selected for this post have come either just after retirement or for a final term before doing so.

Salman Haidar, Ronen Sen, Kamlesh Sharma and Ranjan Mathai fell into the former category. Nareshwar Dayal, Shiv Mukerjee, Nalin Surie, Jaimini Bhagwati, Yash Sinha, Ruchi Ghanashyam and Gaitri Kumar belonged to the latter.

Doraiswami to his credit almost unprecedentedly hit the ground running. After landing in London, he went directly to statues of Indian icons in the British capital. He tweeted, "started this new journey of service to #India with a personal moment before #Mahatma Gandhi and #BabaSahebAmbedkar." He followed this with a visit to a gurdwara, not to mention an outsourced centre in Hounslow in west London dealing with consular services.

He also promptly attended to the host government, meeting senior officials in the defence ministry, the home office and the foreign office. A limited free trade agreement (FTA) is on the cards between the two nations, with a mutually declared target of concluding negotiations on this by Diwali.

After his discussions with the permanent secretary in the UK's Ministry of Defence, David Williams, Doraiswami tweeted that he had a "rich exchange" on "imp issues of Defence & Security", which he added "is an important pillar of India UK Roadmap 2030". Whitehall is hopeful of enhancing its armaments exports to India.

Following his talks with the permanent secretary in the Home Office, Matthew Rycroft, the High Commissioner said "here's to progress together on migration, mobility, homeland security".

This was interpreted in diplomatic parlance as "work in progress". Emigration to Britain has been a ticklish issue between the two sides since the 1960s.

Finally, Doraiswami exchanged views with the permanent secretary in the Foreign Office, Philip Barton, formerly British High Commissioner to India.

There is a considerable gulf in political perceptions on international matters between New Delhi and London, including a very different analysis of the Ukraine situation by the two. There was a subtle admission of this in Doraiswami's tweet: "Excited to start a new innings with team @FCDOGovUK and @HCI_London to realise the full potential of a (sic) India-UK ties." More to the point, the UK's even-handedness towards India and Pakistan has historically not been appreciated by South Block, with the present BJP government being particularly sensitive to the British policy.

But where the fresh incumbent confronts a challenge is in uniting a divided Indian origin community in Britain. The primarily three stands of overseas Indians in the UK are Sikhs from Punjab, Gujarati Hindus from East Africa and Muslims from various parts of India and East Africa.

In the more than half-a-century the Hindus and Muslims - both principally Gujaratis and migrants who fled persecution in East Africa - have lived in Leicester, they have generally demonstrated a fair amount of amity and friendship with each other, given their shared experiences. They are also about 50:50 in terms of their respective populations.

Before Doraiswami set foot in Britain for his tour of duty, a statement issued by the Indian High Commission on the recent Hindu-Muslim violence in Leicester was seen as being biased in favour of Hindus.

It said: "We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of Hindu religion." This completely ignored what Hindu extremists had done towards Indian Muslims in terms of provocation and strong arm tactics.

One prominent Indian Muslim organisation in England on condition of anonymity expressed concern about what they called "unbecoming favouritism".

The Sikh dominated Indian Overseas Congress, which is the oldest of the UK oufits connected with any political party in India, abstained from making a comment.

However, Sikhs in Birmigham joined hands with Muslims to turn hostile against Hindus after the Leicester incidents. As it is, at least 20 per cent of Sikhs, according to a census, are estimated to be inclined towards an independent Khalistan carved out of India.

In effect, Doraiswami has his task cut out to bring Indian origin Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims in the UK on to the same page. He has, though, started on a correct note with an early visit to a gurdwara.
Moscow, Sep 30 : Moscow is ready for talks with Kiev, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday at a ceremony for the signing of treaties on the inclusion of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics (LPR and DPR), as well as the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye, which declared independence from Ukraine, into Russia, the media reported.

"We call on the Kiev regime to cease all hostilities, stop the war it started back in 2014 and return to the negotiating table," he said, adding, however, that Moscow will not "betray" the territories that want to become a part of Russia, RT reported.

"People have made their choice. A clear one," Putin said, RT reported.

Putin has called on Kiev to treat the "free choice" made by the people of the four territories "with respect".

"That is the only way for peace," he added.

The president also warned that Russia would defend its territory using all means available and would do "everything to ensure the security of its people".

He also vowed to help the four territories joining Russia to rebuild, adding that their people would feel the support of all Russian regions, RT reported.

Friday's ceremony marks the start of the formal process of the four territories' accession to Russia. After Putin signs the accession treaties, they will be examined by the Constitutional Court and, if cleared, will be sent for ratification to the two chambers of the Russian parliament -- the State Duma and Federation Council. Russian lawmakers are expected to convene to discuss the issue next week.

In February 2022, Russia recognized the Donbass republics as independent states, accusing Kiev of failing to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. The protocols, brokered by Germany and France, were first signed in 2014.
Chandigarh, Sep 30 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said increasing pollution levels have become an issue of major concern.

Considering environment as a circular economy, plans should be made to save the environment. The Environment and Climate Change Department along with other departments will also have to put collaborative efforts into making such plans, he said.

Presiding over the annual conference on the implementation of the District Environment Plan in Panchkula near here with National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairman Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel attending the function as a special guest, the Chief Minister said that today, many wild species have become extinct.

"Saving these extinct species and conserving water is the need of the hour." He said a call for Green Revolution was made when the country was facing the crisis of food grains.

"Today, we have not only become self-sufficient in food grains production but have also started exporting them," said Khattar.

"However at that time, more emphasis was given to producing more and more quantity, which resulted in the irrational use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, affecting soil fertility. Today, the concept of natural farming and organic farming is being adopted to deal with this problem." The Chief Minister said 'Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana' has been implemented in the state so that the coming generations do not get barren land.

In order to promote crop diversification in place of paddy, an incentive of Rs 7,000 per acre is being given to the farmers.

He said today, saving drinking water is also becoming a challenge. "Now plans are being made to reuse the treated water by setting up sewage treatment plants." He said there are about 18,000 ponds in Haryana, out of which 8,000 overflowing ponds are in rural areas.

"After treating the water of the ponds it can be used for irrigation and schemes for micro-irrigation are being prepared. The use of treated wastewater from the pond will be made mandatory for micro-irrigation in the area near the pond. For this, the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Development and Panchayat Department and MICADA are working together to prepare the blueprint," he added.

NGT Chairman Justice Goel said the state government has taken many significant initiatives to protect the environment.

"These initiatives will give a new direction to the country. The District Environment Plan is in the provisions of the Constitution and every public representative should have to ensure their contribution to ensure the meticulous implementation of these initiatives," he said.

He said the Chief Minister's vision for formulating plans for waste management and environmental protection is a historic initiative.

"Hardly any Chief Minister has ever thought of taking the initiative for water conservation. The thinking of the Chief Minister for laying separate pipelines for drinking water and treated water for other uses is an example for other states," added Justice Goel.

"Solid waste management is also another problem. We have to make a habit of segregating dry and wet waste in our homes. More and more plants will have to be set up to make compost manure from the wet waste," he added.
Hindi movies are known for their heroes/heroines, but the villains, or rather, actors in villainous roles, are the heavy lifters. As against Dilip Kumar's around 70, Rajesh Khanna's over 170 and Amitabh Bachchan's 250-odd films, Prem Chopra appeared in 370-odd over 60 years, Pran - the template for the Hindi film villain - in over 380 films in 67 years, and Madan Puri went on to clock well over 400 in more than four decades.

With his pervasive presence in movies, of all types from the 1940s to the 1980s, a popular saying in the times was -- "if you wanted to make a movie then all you needed was an Arriflex camera, some raw film, and Madan Puri".

Whether the film was mythological or historic, a social or family drama, a romantic or crime thriller, featuring secret agents, hippies or NRIs, a gem of a parallel cinema, or the angry young man era, Madan Puri - who has the unique distinction of acting both with K.L. Saigal and Amitabh Bachchan - could be somewhere in it, and not necessarily in a negative role.

Born on this day (September 30) in 1915 in Punjab's Nawanshahr, Madan Puri, who is now chiefly known as the elder brother of Amrish 'Mogambo' Puri, was a versatile and multi-facetted actor, whose "everyman" face could turn saturnine, sinister, devious, haggard, or kindly, when needed.

That enabled him to portray corrupt businessmen, edgy doctors, knife-happy gangsters, stern fathers, amiable uncles, conscientious or corrupt police officers, heartless money-lenders, eccentric scientists, seedy night-club owners, sneering pimps, brutal jailors, duplicitous politicians, devious foreign agents, bloodthirsty dacoits and many more.

Madan Puri also had to his credit a double hat-trick of playing a Chinese villain, playing the role in at least six notable Hindi films - John Chang in Ashok Kumar-Madhubala crime noir "Howrah Bridge" (1958), Chang in international caper "Singapore" (1960) and Joseph Wong in the noirish "China Town" (1962), both starring Shammi Kapoor, Comrade Chang in spy thriller "Shatranj" (1969), yet another Chang in Dev Anand's "Prem Pujari" (1970), and then Wong again in "Saazish" (1975), an international crime caper starring Dharmendra and Sairu Banu.

He was also the "Captain", of an unnamed enemy power, in the spy flick "Aankhen" (1968), starring Dharmendra and Mala Sinha.

Coming from a family, broadminded (for those days) enough not to scorn the acting profession - since his cousin was the legendary K.L. Saigal, Madan Puri was fond of acting since his early days with his first starring performance being a 1936 play at Simla's Gaiety Theatre - Pran was the female lead! Though he was not the first of his siblings to join and shine in films - eldest brother Chaman Puri was a character actor in several films - Madan Puri moved to Bombay in the early 1940s, when he was helped into films by Saigal.

After some uncredited bit roles from "Khazanchi" (1941), he, like many others, wanted and began as a hero, but these films never clicked and he found his niche as a villain - on the suggestion of Dev Anand.

Thus began an eventful career that spanned four decades, mostly as an egregious, and chronic villain, though he later switched to roles of a kindly elder, and only came to an end when he succumbed to a sudden heart attack in 1985.

His notable villainous roles, apart from the Chinese appearances, were as the jealous rich man Manilal in "Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje" (1955), blackmailing employee Rajan in Kishore Kumar-starrer science fiction comedy "Mr. X in Bombay" (1964), Dr. Acharya in the Agatha Christie-influenced remote isle murder thriller "Gumnaam" (1965), the volatile henchman Balbir in "Waqt" (1965), the lecherous Madan Chicagowala in "Shagird" (1967), and rival gang-leader Samant in "Deewaar" (1975), among others.

On the other hand, Madan Puri also made his mark as the faithful employee - for a change - in Shammi Kapoor's "Kashmir Ki Kali" (1964), public prosecutor Khanna in terse murder mystery/courtroom drama "Ittefaq" (1969), the nostalgic London-based expatriate Sharma in "Purab Aur Paschim" (1970) - who listens to Saigal records!, the second of three Mahesh Jetleys, who are "conspiring to murder their wives" in "Hulchul" (1971), Dilip Kumar's henchman Khushiram Khusal Singh in "Vidhaata" (1982), and many more.

His other prominent films include "Majboor" (1974), "Manoranjan" (1974), "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan" (1974), "The Godfather"-inspired "Dharmatma" (1975), "Mehbooba" (1976), "Kalicharan" (1976), "Shirdi Ke Sai Baba" (1977), "The Great Gambler" (1979), "Jaani Dushman" (1979), "Noorie" (1979), "Alibaba Aur 40 Chor" (1980), "The Burning Train" (1980), "Kranti" (1981), "Andha Kanoon" (1983), "Hero" (1983), and "Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar" (1984).

As Madan Puri once said, he was "the aloo-pyaz that can be put in any Bollywood dish".

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
Kolkata, Sep 30 : A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday upheld the rights of agitators for peaceful protests during the forthcoming Durga Puja against the multi-crore teacher's recruitment scam.

A group of agitators sought the permission of the Calcutta High Court to conduct peaceful protest demonstrations on the streets of Kolkata.

However, the state government objected to that petition claiming that the police administration will be busy in traffic management during the festival days, and any permission to continue with the protests will cause inconvenience both for the police administration as well as for the common people who will be out in the streets to enjoy the festival days.

However, on Friday afternoon, Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha ruled out the state government's argument on this count and chose to uphold the right of the agitators for peaceful protest.

"The eligible candidates are protesting on the streets in demand of their legitimate jobs and the police are unwilling to honour their rights for peaceful protests citing puja as the excuse. This argument is not at all acceptable," Justice Mantha observed while passing the judgement.

However, he said that the place of peaceful protest will have to be decided on the basis of discussions between the police administration and the protesters.

"It can be either under the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Mayo Road or at Rani Rashmoni Road. The place will have to be mutually decided through discussion," Justice Mantha observed further.

Recently, a number of judges of Calcutta High Court have made a number of important observations on the teachers' recruitment irregularities scam.

First, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay observed that those getting jobs illegally against any consideration should either resign or be ready to face severe punishment as prescribed by the court.

On Thursday, Justice Biswajit Basu expressed solidarity to Justice Gangopadhyay and said he is also ready to be a part of the battle against corruption. Justice Mantha's observation on Friday afternoon is the latest on this count.
Chennai, Sep 30 : Tamil Nadu will try to attract industries that have qualified under the Central government's productivity linked incentive (PLI) scheme, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Friday.

Inaugurating the Rs 1,100 crore smart phone factory of Taiwan's Pegatron near here he said the electronics industry has the capability to change the industrial map of the state.

Citing companies like Salcomp, Dell, Bosch, Samsung, Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and others having their plants in the state, he noted that Tamil Nadu contributes to 20 per cent of India's electronics production.

Stalin also expressed his happiness at Pegatron's decision for its second phase expansion in the state.

At the function, Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the Pegatron investment is a symbol of partnership between the Centre and the states.

He said the partnership is to help India achieve the target of $300 billion in electronics manufacturing, from the current $75 billion.

The plant has been set up by the Taiwanese electronics major Pegatron under centre's PLI scheme.

Chandrasekhar also said the PLI scheme has played a big role in ushering in investments of about Rs 6,500 crore and employment of over 40,000 in electronics manufacturing, in Tamil Nadu alone.

Pointing to the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's well calibrated schemes like the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) and the PLI, he said: "Mobile phone exports in India in 2015-16 were near zero. They have reached around Rs 50,000 crore. India used to be heavily dependent on imports of mobile phones. In contrast, today, 97 per cent of mobile phones used in India are products of domestic manufacturing."
Two killed and eight injured in LPG blast in residence in Vasna area of the Vadodara city. Image Source: IANS News

Two killed and eight injured in LPG blast in residence in Vasna area of the Vadodara city. Image Source: IANS News

Vadodara, Sep 30 : Two persons were killed and five others injured in a blast in a tenement in Vadodara city on Friday, officials said.

The injured persons were rushed to government hospital for treatment.

Vadodara Fire Officer Amit Chaudhary told IANS that they received a call about a blast in tenement number 106 of Dev Nagar society. When the team reached the spot, the house had almost collapsed, and adjacent tenement 105's wall too had collapsed because of blast impact.

Seven persons were trapped under the debris, and were rescued and taken to a government hospital for treatment where two were declared dead.

Chaudhary said the cause of the blast was not ascertained as the fire team could not enter the house, since its roof was likely to collapse any time. Once it is completely demolished, the fire team can investigate.

Injured neighbours were claiming that it was a LPG cylinder blast and impact was so heavy that adjacent houses, up to 20 to 30 feet away, suffered damages.

The house is owned by Jayesh Jain and his mother Shankuntlaben and neighbour's wife Lilaben Chauhan died in the incident. Jain, his son Dhruvesh, neighbours Dipak Chauhan, and Bhavnaben Gohil were among the injured.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Delhi Police have arrested the father of gangster Neeraj Bawana after arms and ammunition were recovered from his residence in the national capital during raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), official sources said on Friday.

According to sources, during the raids, four country-made pistols along with 79 live cartridges, two spare magazines of sophisticated firearms and five barrel cleaning rods were seized. The agency also found a bullet-proof car at Bawana's residence.

Neeraj Bawana, one of Delhi's most dreaded gangsters, was arrested in April 2015. He has been lodged in Tihar Jail since then.

The NIA conducted raids at 50 locations across India on September 12, including premises belonging to gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi, Kala Jathedi, Neeraj Bawana, Bambaiya and Kaushal Chaudhary, in connection with the latest cases lodged against them.

The specified locations were raided to dismantle and disrupt the emerging nexus between terrorists, gangsters, drug smugglers and traffickers based in both India and abroad.

The NIA crackdown followed the launch of investigation against this nexus by the NIA after the re-registration of two cases, earlier registered by the Delhi Police, on August 26. A few of the most dreaded gang leaders and their associates based in India and abroad, who are spearheading and carrying out such terror and criminal activities, were identified and booked.

The cases relate to involvement of criminal gangs in different kinds of unlawful activities, including murder, terrorising people to extort money etc.

These gangs were also raising funds to carry out such criminal activities through smuggling of drugs and weapons.
Reception held in Tokyo to mark 50th anniversary of normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 14:11, September 30, 2022

TOKYO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations has been held in Tokyo.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi delivered speeches at the reception hosted by the Japan Business Federation, also known as Keidanren, on Thursday.

Masakazu Tokura, head of Keidanren, said at the reception that stable and constructive diplomatic relations between Japan and China are the guarantee for the development of Japan-China economic relations.

Ambassador Kong said that the past 50 years since the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations have witnessed the fastest development of China-Japan relations, brought the most benefits to the two peoples and had the greatest impact on the region and the wider world.

The China-Japan relations now stand at a new historic starting point, Kong said, noting that with a strong sense of mission and responsibility, the two sides should honor the principles set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, adhere to the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and build a China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era by taking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties as an opportunity.

Hayashi said during the past 50 years, Japan and China have conducted extensive exchanges and made remarkable progress in a wide range of fields such as economy, culture and personnel exchanges.

Looking ahead to the next 50 years, the two countries should engage in candid dialogues and build a stable and constructive Japan-China relationship, he added.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said in his speech that since the normalization of diplomatic ties half a century ago, great changes have taken place in both Japan and China. Now, 50 years later, the two countries should continue to cooperate with each other to promote peace and stability.

Former secretary general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai said that Japan and China are neighbors which can not be resettled, and exchanges and dialogues should not stop at any time. Facing the issues between the two countries, both sides need to think about the future of Japan-China relations from a broader perspective.

More than 850 people from the Japanese business community and Japanese and Chinese friendly personnel attended the reception, where photos and documentaries reviewing the 50 years of the normalization of China-Japan ties were exhibited.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
Chandigarh, Sep 30 : Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday expressed concern over rising unemployment and vacant posts in the state.

"While on one hand, Haryana is facing unemployment rate of 37.3 per cent, highest in the country, on the other 1.82 lakh posts are lying vacant in government departments," he said in a statement here.

The Leader of Opposition said the government abolished 13,000 posts without any recruitment.

"Whereas about 25 lakh unemployed youth are in search of jobs in the state. The BJP-JJP government is pushing the youth into unemployment. During the last eight years, instead of giving jobs the government has only been firing employees. Today every youth of Haryana is suffering because of the policies of the government," the Congress leader said.

"Today 38,612 posts are lying vacant in primary education alone, 25,534 in secondary education and 6,618 in higher education. There is a shortage of about 30,000 personnel in the police department and about 10,000 employees in the health department. Similarly, every department including irrigation, transport, skill development, animal husbandry, PWD, fire service and panchayat are running without adequate staff," he said.

"During the Congress tenure, more than one lakh jobs were given in the education department alone. In comparison, the present government is not able to recruit even as many employees as they retire every year," he added.
Gadchiroli, Sep 30 : A woman Maoist was killed in an encounter between security forces and the red rebels in Kapewancha forests in Aheri subdivision, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Ankit Goyal said on Friday.

Following a tip-off that 30-40 Maoists of the banned CPI (Maoist) from the Aheri and Permili groups were planning to carry out attacks in the area, security forces launched anti-Maoist operations late on Wednesday evening.

"The crack commandos of the C-60 squad were carrying out searches in the forest when the hidden extremists suddenly opened fire at them," said Goyal.

"The C-60 commandos appealed to the Maoists to stop the firing and surrender, but they did not and continued shooting. The C-60 commandos retaliated with vigour in self-defence," Goyal added.

The Maoists took advantage of the thick forest cover and fled the scene.

After the encounter ended, security forces carried out a combing operation in the region and found the body of a woman Maoist, clad in a dark green uniform, whose identity is being ascertained.

"They also recovered an 8 mm rifle, ammunition and daily essential items from the spot. Further investigation is on," said Goyal.

This takes the number of Maoists killed to 55, besides 46 arrests, and 19 who surrendered from October 2020 till date.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : The competent authority appointed under Section 37A of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) on Friday confirmed the seizure order of Rs 5,551.27 crore passed against Chinese phone maker Xiaomi India Private Limited by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), an ED official said.

According to the ED, this is the highest amount of seizure order in India which has been confirmed by the authority till date.

The authority, while confirming the seizure order, held that foreign exchange equivalent to Rs 5,551.27 crore has been transferred out of India by Xiaomi India in an unauthorised manner, which is held outside India on behalf of the group entity in contravention of Section 4 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, and the same is liable to be seized in terms of the provisions of Section 37A of FEMA.

The competent authority also observed that payment of royalty is nothing but a tool to transfer foreign exchange out of India and the same is in blatant violation of the provisions of FEMA.

Earlier, the ED had seized Rs 5,551.27 crore of Xiaomi India lying in its bank accounts under the provisions of FEMA.

The company unauthorisedly remitted this amount abroad under the guise of royalty, which is in violation of Section 4 of FEMA. Xiaomi India also filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court against the said order, which was dismissed by the court.

"Xiaomi India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China-based Xiaomi group. This amount of Rs 5,551.27 crore lying in the bank accounts of the company has been seized by the us," the ED official said.

The ED had initiated investigation in connection with illegal remittances made by Xiaomi India in February this year. The company started its operations in India in 2014 and started remitting money from 2015 onwards.

The company has remitted foreign currency equivalent to Rs 5,551.27 crore to three foreign based entities, which include one Xiaomi group entity, in the guise of royalty.

Such huge amounts were remitted on the instructions of its Chinese parent group entities. The amounts remitted to two other US-based unrelated entities were also for the ultimate benefit of the Xiaomi group entities.

The ED said that Xiaomi India did not avail any service from the three foreign-based entities to whom such amounts were transferred.

The ED said that the company also provided misleading information to the banks while remitting the money abroad.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea moved by AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi challenging the bail granted to two persons who allegedly attacked his convoy in February this year.

A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and Krishna Murari sought the response of the UP government and the two accused - Sachin Sharma, and Shubham Gurjar - and listed the case for further hearing on November 11.

The court exempted third accused Aalim in connection with the incident observing the allegations against him were six months prior to the attack on Owaisi's convoy.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President's vehicle was hit by bullets near a toll plaza on February 3 while he was returning from the election campaign in Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh.

"I was leaving for Delhi after a poll event in Kithaur, Meerut. Three to four rounds were fired on my vehicle by two people near Chhajarsi toll plaza; there were three or four of them," Owaisi told media after the incident.

While no one was injured, his car tyres were punctured. The MP left the area in another car.
Mumbai, Sep 30 : Bollywood star Ajay Devgn, who was feted with the award for Best Actor for his work in the 2020 film 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior' on Monday, expressed his gratitude to the audience.

The actor took to his Twitter handle and posted a video of his various avatars from his films that have won National Awards from 'Zakhm', 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' to the more recent 'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior'.

The actor wrote in his tweet, "Not counting the wins or the blessings, just feeling grateful for all of it. Most importantly, your love. I share this win with all of you." "Honoured to receive my awards from the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu," the tweet further read.

'Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior' is a historical-action film, which traces the life of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare.

It stars Ajay Devgn in the titular role along with his wife, Kajol, and his 'Omkara' co-star, Saif Ali Khan.

Ajay shared the honour for the Best Actor with Tamil star Suriya, who was feted with the honour for his Sudha Kongra directorial 'Soorarai Pottru'.

The National Film Awards ceremony took place at Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan and the honours were conferred by the President Droupadi Murmu.
Nagpur, Sep 30 : Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, said on Friday that even in times of crisis, super powers like the US and China help other nations in a selfish manner, whereas it is the nature of India to help others selflessly.

Speaking at a programme organised by the Bharat Vikas Parishad here, Bhagwat pointed out that few countries, particularly China, used Sri Lanka and Pakistan for its selfish goals, but when they faced crisis recently, these countries did not come forward to bail them out.

During the recent economic crisis in Sri Lanka, India was the only country which went out of its way to stand like a rock in its darkest hour, he said.

"India not only rescued its medical students from Ukraine, but also safely brought back students from other countries. This is the character of India," Bhagwat said, adding that charity is in the heart of Indian society.

The RSS supremo also said that countries that have been superpowers only dominated the world and fulfilled their vested interests, but India always lent a helping hand to the countries in distress.

India wants development and progress, but not at the cost of a world in strife, he said.

"India always takes the lead when it comes to helping those in desperate need of aid. India's role in helping crisis-hit countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives and Ukraine is a shining example of that," Bhagwat said, adding that other countries did not show such sense of belonging.
Houston : , Sep 30 (IANS) Dr. Bhavi Kumar, a prominent family physician here, has warned a US house panel of the repercussions of the Texas abortion laws as being the most restrictive in the country and denounced a recent push to scale back access to the procedure nationwide.

In a congressional testimony, the Houston doctor bashed the Texas abortion ban as 'white supremacist agenda'.

"Abortion bans are inherently racist, inherently classist, and fundamentally part of the white supremacist agenda," said Dr. Bhavik Kumar, medical director for primary and transgender care at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast in Houston. "We don't have to imagine a world where people face the deadly consequences of being denied essential medical care. It's here." Texas' abortion laws led to 3-day delay for Houston woman's pregnancy loss treatment, he said.

The three-hour hearing, held by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, followed recent efforts from several prominent Republicans to implement nationwide bans, expanding on the Supreme Court's decision in June to give states the power to restrict the procedure, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle here on Friday.

Earlier this month, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said he introduced legislation that would ban abortion after 15 weeks gestation, "when unborn children can feel pain" -- a claim disputed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

If passed, those laws could prevent Texas patients from accessing abortions in states like New Mexico or Colorado, both of which have become go-to destinations for Texans looking to terminate a pregnancy. Texas is one of 14 states to have banned the procedure, according to the New York Times.

Another four states have restricted abortion at varying stages of pregnancy. Experts say a nationwide ban could worsen the poor maternal health outcomes in the US, which already has the worst rate of maternal deaths in the developed world.

House Republicans described the hearing as an effort by Democrats to gin up votes ahead of the November election and argued against the assertions of Kumar and other experts that abortion is a fundamental part of reproductive health care.

The questioning at times became tense, as GOP lawmakers sought to portray abortion as a dangerous and radical procedure.

They were supported by testimony from Dr. Monique Chireau Wubbenhorst, an anti-abortion OB-GYN who served as a health official during the Trump administration.

Wubbenhorst has filed legal briefs in favour of overturning Roe v. Wade.

At one heated moment during the hearing, Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Georgia, questioned Kumar's credibility by denying that transgender men can become pregnant. Kumar repeatedly pushed back.

"This is not complicated," Clyde said. "This is medicine," Kumar replied.

Kumar, who has worked at Planned Parenthood in Houston for four years, spoke to the impact of three overlapping abortion bans in Texas, which threaten health care providers with civil lawsuits and criminal penalties for performing the procedure.

Planned Parenthood has since stopped providing abortions but continues to offer other reproductive health care services.

Texas abortion law uncertainty is making doctors lose confidence and needs clarity He said the laws have affected many people seeking abortions in Texas: Survivors of rape and incest, young girls still learning about their bodies, mothers struggling with multiple jobs and children, and people with wanted pregnancies who experience grave complications.

Echoing sentiments from a number of reproductive health care experts in recent months, he told the committee people who lack the resources to seek care elsewhere -- typically low-income patients and people of color -- will bear the brunt of abortion bans.

"Over and over again, we are forced to violate our conscience and our training to turn away patients who need us," said Kumar, who estimates he has over the years performed thousands of abortions.

Kumar recalled one woman who sought a termination at Planned Parenthood after the implementation last year of Senate Bill 8, which allows private citizens to sue providers who terminate pregnancies after about six weeks, before most people know they are pregnant.

The woman worried her abusive partner would find out about the pregnancy, Kumar said. When she was told that doctors could no longer offer the procedure, "she sobbed so loudly people could hear her in the waiting room," Kumar told committee members. She barely made it to the clinic without her partner finding out, Kumar said.

"Going out of state was unthinkable," he said.

A national abortion ban would put patients at an increased risk of death and other poor health outcomes, he said. It also would not stop pregnancy terminations.

"Patients don't care whether they're 6 weeks or 15 weeks," he said. "They know they can't be pregnant. They need care, and they'll go to whatever lengths they can to get that care."
Agartala, Sep 30 : The BJP government in Tripura would recruit 6,067 Special Executives to assist the police in dealing with various crimes, a minister said here on Friday.

Tripura Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that these 6,067 Special Executives would be recruited through the Superintendent of Police of eight districts from among the 21 years to 45 years old men and women who have passed Class 8.

"These contractual Special Executives would assist the police to deal with the drug menace, various small crimes and crimes against women and children. They would be attached with the police stations across the state," the minister told the media.

Currently, several thousand Special Police Officers (SPOs) are helping the police and other security forces to deal with the insurgency related matters and other unlawful activities.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : The Supreme Court on Friday, while hearing a PIL on population control, said the matter has invited the government's attention and it is for the government to take a policy decision, not the court.

A bench of Chief Justice U.U. Lalit and Justice J.B. Pardiwala observed that disputes are integral to societies, but every problem cannot be resolved by moving the top court directly.

Reluctant to entertain the petition, the bench told the petitioner, advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, that government's attention has been invited on the matter and it has also applied its mind to the issue. "Now, it is for them to take a policy decision. Our job is over... we will close the petition," it said.

The bench also expressed its disinclination to issue notice to all the states, as sought by the petitioner. Upadhyay argued that since population comes under the concurrent list of the Constitution, states can also make laws to control it and urged the bench to issue notice to all state governments.

Wondering how it could issue notice to states on population control issue, it told Upadhyay that he needs to satisfy the court first on the matter.

Emphasising that no society is free of problems, the bench said every problem cannot be solved through Article 32, under which pleas including PILs are directly filed before the apex court.

After hearing arguments, the top court scheduled the matter for hearing on October 11. Upadhyay's plea sought direction to the Centre and states to take steps, including enforcing a two-child norm, to control population.

The top court, in January 2020, had sought Centre's response on Upadhyay's plea, who moved against the Delhi High Court order, which dismissed a PIL seeking introduction of certain steps, including the two-child norm, to control population.
Islamabad, Sep 30 : The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) issued a clarification on Friday after being called out for announcing dress code for the cabin crew and air hostesses, media reports said.

"Despite the fact that the spirit behind the advisory was to ensure proper dress code, the standard bulletin, inadvertently, came out with an inappropriate selection of words," the chief human resource officer of PIA said in a written clarification, Geo News reported.

The national carrier had told its aircrew that wearing undergarments underneath the uniform was a must. PIA had claimed lack of proper attire by the air attendants was leaving a "poor impression" and "portrayed a negative image" of PIA.

However, the announcement received massive backlash from the masses as they felt the words used were "inappropriate".

On Friday, the national carrier withdrew the letter keeping in view the revulsion caused by the bulletin.

"I personally feel regretful and I am fully convinced that the words could have been more civilised and appropriate in this context instead of the words published, which, unfortunately, are being trolled and twisted towards the defamation of the company," the PIA official wrote, Geo News reported.

In the previous notification, PIA General Manager (Flight Services), Aamir Bashir, had said: "It has been observed with great concern that a few cabin crew tend to dress casually while travelling intercity, staying in hotels, and visiting various suffices.

"Such dressing leaves a poor impression on the viewer and portrays a negative image of not only the individual, but also of the organisation." Bashir had asked the cabin crew to "dress properly" in formal plain clothes over "proper undergarments".
Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 : BJP national president J.P. Nadda on Friday called upon his party workers to work for a BJD-mukt Odisha for the overall development of the state.

Speaking at Samyukta Morcha Sammelan here, Nadda said: "To see a developed India, we need to develop all states including Odisha. And for the development of Odisha, it should get rid of BJD." Taking a dig at Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD), he said: "I came to know that BJD says that our boss is not staying in Delhi... Our Pradhan Sevak is staying there, who is serving the people." He said the real boss of all Indians, including those who are staying in foreign countries is Lord Jagannath, Nadda said, adding: "No one is above Lord Jagannath." Nadda again raised the issue of the missing key to the 'Ratna Bhandar' and lambasted the Patnaik government for it saying: "Even the treasure of Lord Jagannath is not safe in the state. Like duplicate leaders, the key has become duplicate." He urged the party workers of all frontal organisations of BJP to work to bring a double-engine government in Odisha.

"BJP government should be there at Centre and state for development of the nation and Odisha," he said.

Nadda was in Odisha on a two-day visit. He visited Jagannath temple this morning. While offering prayers at the main Jagannath temple, he enquired about the location of Lord Jagannath's Ratna Bhandar. He also visited Maa Bimala temple and Laxmi temple inside the temple complex.

He later went to Tihidi in Bhadrak district where he attended the memorial meeting of late BJP MLA Bishnu Sethi, who died earlier this month.

The BJP president also inaugurated the rehabilitation annex building at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research in Cuttack.
Chennai, Sep 30 : Tamil Nadu Director General of Police C. Sylendrababu has transferred the Kodanad murder-cum-heist case to the Crime Branch-CID, the elite investigation department of the state police.

Kodanad estate, the property jointly owned by late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa, and her aide, V.K. Sasikala was in news after an armed gang barged into it and killed security guard, Om Bahadhur, and grievously injured another guard, Krishna Thapa. The incident occurred between the night of April 23, 2017, and the early morning of April 24. The robbers decamped with a few watches from the estate bungalow.

Four days after the murder and heist, the main accused in the case, Kanagarajan who was the driver of Jayalalithaa, was killed on the Salem-Chennai highway. On the same day, another accused Sayan met with an accident at Palakkad when a truck rammed into his car when he was travelling with his family including his wife and daughter. While his wife and daughter were instantly killed, Sayan escaped with minor injuries.

A few months after these incidents, Dileep Kumar, the computer operator of the estate bungalow, committed suicide at his residence.

The DMK had during its election campaign announced that it would bring to light the real facts behind the Kodanad estate murder and subsequent deaths. After assuming office in May 2021, Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin announced the reopening of the case, and an investigation was being carried out with a special team of the state police interrogating new suspects.

The sudden transfer of the case to the CB-CID is considered a major move by the DMK government to conduct a proper investigation in the infamous case.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 30 : The Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved state's Food and Procurement Policy for Kharif marketing season 2022-23, setting a target of procuring 71 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy.

The procurement season would commence from November 1 and continue till June next year. The government will procure paddy during Kharif and Rabi seasons separately during the period. In terms of rice, this comes to around 48 LMT, said Chief Secretary S.C. Mahapatra.

For Kharif, the tentative target for procurement of paddy would be 57 LMT and for Rabi, it will be 14 LMT. "There is no bar for procurement of any higher quantum if more paddy comes to 'mandis' from registered farmers," he said.

Under the policy, the state's Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister has been authorised to revise this target if the need arises, he informed.

In KMS 2022-23, 71.03 LMT paddy was procured (both kharif and rabi included). In terms of rice, it was 48.08 LMT, he said. The Kharif paddy will be procured in the state from November 2022 to March 2023 and Rabi paddy from May to June, next year.

Paddy will be procured as per MSP declared by government of India at a rate of Rs 2,040 per quintal for common variety and Rs 2,060 per quintal for Grade-A variety.

Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) will procure paddy in all districts. Payment of farmers' dues on account of paddy sold to the government shall be transferred directly to their bank accounts through online mode within 24 to 48 hours of the sale of paddy, said the chief secretary.

Odisha requires 22 LMT of rice annually for its PDS. Surplus rice will be delivered to Central Pool through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The cabinet has also decided to change the pattern of Odisha civil services examination at par with the civil services examination conducted by the UPSC.

The amendment was made so that candidates can prepare themselves for the civil services examination conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) simultaneously, he said.

As per the decision, out of total of 2,000 marks, 1,750 for written tests and 250 is for personality test. The written test includes Odia, English, Essay, General Studies-I, II, III, IV and Optional Subject Paper-I & Paper-II. All written test papers consist of 250 marks.

The candidate will require more time to adapt to the revised pattern of the examination. As such it has been proposed to revise the attempt to appear for the examination also, said Mahapatra.

Now, the unreserved category (UC) students can appear for the test for six attempts while SEBC candidates can appear for nine times. There is no limit for the SC & ST category students, he said.

Moreover, the cabinet has approved the proposal to merge the directorates of mining & geology administration under the Steel & Mines department.
Patna, Sep 30 : A doctor in Bihar's Vaishali district, held for allegedly making liquor through medicines, escaped from the custody of the Excise Department late on Thursday night, officials said on Friday.

The Excise Department conducted a raid at Subhai village under Sadar police station in the district and arrested Suresh Kumar, who had a stock of medicines which he was using for the manufacturing of liquor.

Two dozen Excise officials and local police conducted the raid, bound him and took to Sadar police station. There, he also gave an interview to local media, describing how he is using chemical methods to make liquor.

"The accused was sitting in the police station with tied hands. He somehow managed to escape from the police station and disappeared in the darkness. Police and the Excise Department searched for him in the agricultural field and his home in Subhai village for the entire night but were unable to trace him," Vaishali's Superintendent of Excise, Vijay Shekher Dubey, said.

"We have registered the FIR against the doctor and also imposed additional charges of escaping from the police custody. Manhunt has been launched to nab him," he said.
Bhopal, Sep 30 : An advocate practicing in Madhya Pradesh High Court bench of Jabalpur allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from ceiling fan at his residence on Friday.

Sources said that the deceased has been identified as Anurag Sahu.

He took the extreme step at his home. Earlier in the day, he appeared for a bail application of a murder accused.

Sources said while hearing a bail plea, Sahu had a heated argument with Justice Sanjay Dwivedi.

"During the hearing of a bail application, heated argument broke out between Justice Dwivedi and Sahu. This made the advocate so sad and upset that he later committed suicide at his home," said an advocate in Jabalpur High Court.

Following the incident, several lawyers practicing in Jabalpur High Court staged a protest along with the body of deceased advocate Sahu. The agitation eventually turned violent.

When Justice Sanjay Dwivedi was not found at his bench, protesting lawyers entered Chief Justice Ravi Malimath's court.

The lawyers vandalised the court room of Justice Dwivedi and shouted slogans against him while demanding a probe into the matter.

The police later went to the spot and resorted to mild cane-charge to control the situation.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : The Supreme Court collegium on Friday could not hold its meeting to discuss judges' names to recommend for appointment to the apex court, as a bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud heard cases till 9 p.m., court sources said.

According to people familiar with the development, the collegium, headed by Chief Justice U.U. Lalit had scheduled a meeting, after court hours, on Friday to discuss names of the judges who could be recommended for the appointment to the apex court. However, due to unavailability of Justice Chandrachud, the collegium meeting could not take place, added the source.

The collegium of the Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of India and four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court to make recommendations for appointments to the apex court. Chief Justice Lalit will demit office on November 8, and Justice Chandrachud will take over as next Chief Justice.

According to the source, the collegium meeting could not be held as a bench headed by Justice Chandrachud conducted hearing till 9 p.m. The normal working hours of the apex court is from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The apex court will be closed for Dussehra vacation next week and it will reopen on October 10.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court collegium recommended elevation of Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta as judge of the apex court. A statement, uploaded on the apex court website, said: "The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 26th September, 2022 has recommended elevation of Justice Dipankar Datta, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court (PHC: Calcutta), as Judge of the Supreme Court". The 57-year-old Justice Dutta's parent high court is the Calcutta High Court.

At present, the apex court is functioning with 29 judges as against the sanctioned strength of 34 judges. Justice Datta was appointed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in April 2020.

--IANS ss/vd

A
Washington, Sep 30 : Was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand a well thought out expression of frustration with the latter's continuing war against Ukraine and the awkward position it had put India in with regard to the US-led west? Or, was it a 'natural' outcome of the two leaders meeting for the first time in more than nine months in person, with a bulging binder of global and bilateral issues to talk and discuss?

"I know that today's era is not of war and we have spoken to you many times on the phone that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue are such things that touch the world," Modi told Putin in Samarkand on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on September 16.

Modi's remarks to Putin had an electrifying impact on the US and western leaders. Some took it as a signal that Putin had just lost one of his two biggest allies. And the other, China's Xi Jinping, was also uneasy as he reportedly conveyed a similar message to the Russian leader, but privately.

A few days later, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Modi's remarks were "very much welcomed by the United States". Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a presser with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, "We could not agree more." Even the American lawmakers took note.

Modi made it "clear to Putin's face that the invasion is wrong", said Ro Khanna, an Indian Democratic member of the House of Representatives.

Khanna was extremely critical of India's refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its continuing import of Russian oil.

Modi's remarks changed the narrative that had taken root in the US that India and China were Russia's biggest enablers and that as long as Putin has Modi and Xi by his side, he would be able to withstand the US-led western sanctions and would be reluctant to end his invasion of Ukraine.

But to say Modi kind of stumbled upon a significant development such as this -- because the two leaders had not met in a while and they really had a lot to talk about, and Ukraine naturally must have been at the top of the agenda -- is difficult to digest.

The Prime Minister was clear: This is not the time -- the era -- of war and that it must be settled through dialogue and diplomacy, and, he made it clear, this was a conversation the two of them have had several times on phone.

And now, for reasons that remain unclear, the Prime Minister decided to convey the same message publicly and to Putin's face, with TV cameras trained on them, recording their every expression and gesture.

Modi's remarks were consistent with the stated Indian position that hostilities must cease immediately and that territorial integrity and sovereignty of all must be respected as per the UN charter.

And they did not mark departure from or a reversal of India's position, but, once again, to deliver the same message directly to the Russian leader publicly was a significant move, one which probably paved the way for an extremely productive US visit for Jaishankar.
Panaji, Sep 30 : Goa Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Friday said his first task (as LoP) will be to initiate a people's movement against the "anti-people policies" of the government.

The Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday recognised Congress MLA Yuri Alemao as the Leader of Opposition, with effect from September 30.

On September 20, Cuncolim constituency MLA Yuri Alemao was appointed as leader of Congress Legislature Party in Goa.

"Goa and Goans are facing tough challenges on various fronts. Our environment, heritage and identity is at stake. Unemployment rate is at an all-time high with the government clueless on creating employment opportunities. My first task will be to initiate a people's movement against the anti-people policies of the government," Yuri Alemao said.

"I believe, every responsibility comes with accountability. I will work with dedication and honesty to protect the democracy and identity of Goa. I will adopt a consultative process with all opposition MLAs and lead to espouse the voice of Goans and be the guard against abuse of power," Yuri Alemao said.

Alemao said that he will have a dialogue with all NGOs, industry stakeholders, trade associations, social and cultural groups to understand their issues.

"I will reach out to all Opposition MLAs to bring them on a common platform to fight for the rights of Goans. We need to keep our political differences aside when it comes to issues pertaining to our motherland," he stated.

BJP had 20 MLAs in the 40-member Goa assembly, which has now increased to 28 after the recent merger of eight Congress MLAs.

BJP also has support of two Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party(MGP) MLAs and three independent MLAs.

Hence, the strength of the saffron party has gone up to 33 and the Congress' has reduced to 3.

In such a situation, 33 seats in the assembly house will be occupied by the ruling party, while 7 seats will be left for the opposition including 3 Congress, 2 AAP, 1 Goa Forward Party (GFP) and 1 Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP).
New Delhi, Sep 30 : The Central government on Friday extended for another six months the application of the "disturbed area" under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act -- known as AFSPA -- in 12 districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, and certain parts of five other districts of the two northeastern states to facilitate the armed forces to continue the anti-insurgency operations.

The notification issued by Home Ministry said that the AFSPA would be extended for six months beginning Saturday (October 1) in nine districts -- Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, Peren and Zunheboto -- and 16 police stations areas in four other districts -- Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng and Wokha -- of Nagaland.

In a separate notification, the Home Ministry said the application of the "disturbed area" under the AFSPA will continue for six more months from Saturday in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of Namsai and Mahadevpur police stations in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, adjoining Assam.

Nagaland has 16 districts while Arunachal Pradesh has 26 districts.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 31 announced to reduce the operation of AFSPA from April 1 in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur while most of the political parties and NGOs have been demanding to repeal the AFSPA.

The demand intensified after the security forces killed 14 people and injured 30 others in Mon district of Nagaland in December last year in a case of "mistaken identity".

Almost all Chief Ministers of the northeastern states and most political parties welcomed the Central government's announcement to reduce the disturbed areas under the AFSPA.

The AFSPA, which allows the Army and other central para-military forces to conduct raids, operations, arrest anyone anywhere without prior notice or arrest warrant, was in force in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur barring the Imphal municipal council area and certain districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

The reduction of jurisdiction of AFSPA in certain northeastern states came in April 1 following the recommendation of a high-level committee constituted to examine the possibility of lifting of the AFSPA after the killing of 14 civilians in Nagaland.

The AFSPA was entirely lifted in Tripura in 2015, in Meghalaya in 2018, and in Mizoram in 1980s.
New Delhi, Sep 30 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday exhorted the Indian defence industry to make new investments and lay more emphasis on research and development to scale new heights.

"Make new investments, put more emphasis on research & development, and harness its full potential to take the Indian defence industry to new heights. This effort of yours will be very important not only for the defence industry, but also for the overall growth of the entire country," said Singh while addressing the 117th Annual session of PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHD-CCI) here.

The minister said that PHD-CCI being one of the oldest industry associations having many national and international members could act as ambassador of the Indian defence industry.

"Your roots are spread far and wide in the country and abroad. You can fulfil your role by communicating with all the domestic and foreign companies, connecting them with the Indian defence industry and acting as a bridge between these two," he said.

Striking an optimistic note, Singh said the Indian defence industry is progressing steadily in partnership with private sector.

"There was either no way for the private sector in the past to enter the defence sector, and even if there was some scope, the industry was not ready to set foot in the defence sector due to various reasons." The Defence Minister said that the government has removed these bottlenecks and played the role of an incubator, catalyst, consumer and facilitator in the case of private industry.

Several steps have been taken by the Ministry of Defence, under the 'Make in India' and 'Self-reliant India' initiatives of the Government, to change the old traditions, and to create a manufacturing climate, in which the public and private sectors could participate.

Elaborating upon the far-reaching reforms undertaken by the MoD to bolster the private sector participation in defence sector, he said that Government labs opened to the private industry, transferred technology at zero fee, provided access to test facilities, and upfront funding through DRDO was provisioned.

The Ministry of Defence has issued 3 positive indigenization lists of 309 items which will be procured from domestic vendors as per norms. Three lists have also been issued by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU), in which more than 3,700 are Line Replacement Units, Sub-systems and other Components. In addition, an iDEX initiative has been launched to encourage innovators and start-ups.

The government has taken several steps like introduction of defence industrial corridors-- two industrial corridors have been set up each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, corporatization of OFB which creates win-win situation for armed forces, industry, start-ups and innovators, the minister said.

"The magnitude of all these efforts is beginning to come before us. Today we are not only producing to meet our own defence needs, but also fulfilling the defence needs of many other countries under 'Make for the World", underlined defence minister in his speech.
Bengaluru, Oct 1 : Congress leader and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday said that his party is the only one in the country which has a system for electing its President.

Talking to media persons on the sidelines of Bharat Jodo Yatra, he said that the Congress' greatest contribution to Indian politics has been consensus, and "when that is not made possible, we have an election".

"Only our party has the tradition of electing party President. The other parties do not have elections to this effect. Our party has a system. It does not matter whether Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge or former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor win the elections," he said.

On the candidates, he said: "I don't want to speak personally.. I know Shashi Tharoor and Mallikarjun Kharge as well. We don't have Dalit and other things. One should not see things with the dimension of being a Dalit. All dimensions should be looked at.

"Kharge has five decades of experience in politics. He should be considered and looked at from all dimensions. Kharge has all eligibility. Similarly, Shashi Tharoor has also all required eligibility," he said.

"Everything happening in the Congress is a sideshow. The main show is only Bharat Jodo Yatra. This is bringing the transformation in Indian politics," he said, going to term the Congress programme as "Sanjeevni".

Referring to the victory of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's victory in Chikkamagalur in crucial parliamentary elections, Ramesh said that as the Congress then got "Sanjeevni" in Chikkamagalur elections, the party is going to get it with Bharat Jodo Yatra this time.

Meanwhile, party leader Rahul Gandhi interacted with the tribals and families of those who lost their lives due to lack of oxygen in the Chamarajanagar District Hospital during the peak of the Covid-19.

The tribals demanded that they should be allowed to collect permissible forest products in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve forest. They also demanded that MM Hills forest region should not be declared as a tiger reserve, and Gandhi responded to them positively.

The families of the oxygen tragedy victims narrated their ordeal and stated that the ruling BJP is claiming that the deaths have not taken place due to lack of oxygen. They also demanded that their family members should be given government jobs.

Gandhi assured them that as soon as the Congress comes to power, his first priority would be to provide them government jobs.
New Delhi, Oct 1 : The Mumbai zone of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted an international drugs syndicate and arrested its two members including a Bolivian woman and a Nigerian national who were smuggling 'Black Cocaine' valued at Rs 13 crore, an official said on Friday.

The Black Cocaine is a rare drug which is a mixture of regular cocaine with other chemicals to dodge the sniffer dogs, and also manipulate dosage as per target consumer.

A senior NCB official said that they got a tip-off that a South American national would be arriving at Mumbai through flight with a consignment of drugs which would be further passed around Mumbai and in nearby states.

"The input was closely monitored and carefully analysed after which a Bolivian lady who was to be travelling from Brazil to Goa with layovers at Addis Ababa and Mumbai was identified. The official laid a trap and the woman was caught," said the NCB official.

The woman was held on September 26 shortly after her flight landed. She was moving around to board the connecting flight to Goa but was nabbed.

The official said that she was questioned in routine manner about her purpose of visit and contents in her luggage to which she could not give any satisfactory reply.

"Consequently, a thorough search of her luggage led to discovery of false cavities wherein 12 packets were stored. Upon checking the packets, black coloured substance was found. She eventually confessed that the material is (3.2 kg) Black Cocaine. She confessed that she was supposed to deliver the said consignment to an foreign receiver in Goa," the official said.

The NCB officials later also identified the receiver of Black Cocaine in Goa.

A trap was laid out at a hotel in Goa and an Nigerian national was apprehended.

The Nigerian national also confessed about being part of the international drug syndicate.

The seizure comes at the onset of the festive and party season in the region and since the type of drug is new, it would have been sold off easily into the market.

The trend is being initiated by various drug syndicates to attract newer consumers.
New Delhi, Oct 1 : Amid concerns raised by the Finance Ministry over continuation of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) till December 2022 owing to inadequate food grains and extra burden on the exchequer, Government on Friday claimed that it has sufficient stock to meet additional requirements.

"Food Corporation of India (FCI) has sufficient stock of foodgrains to meet the requirement of National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other schemes and additional requirement of PMGKAY," Food and Public Distribution Ministry said in a statement.

It added that as on date, FCI has approximately 232 LMT of wheat and 209 LMT rice in the Central pool.

"Even after meeting requirement of stock under NFSA, other welfare schemes and PMGKAY phase VII, as on April 1, 2023, FCI will be having stock comfortably more than the buffer norms," it further said.

It is estimated that as on April 2, 2023, approximately 113 LMT wheat and 236 LMT rice will be available in the central pool after meeting all the requirements, against the buffer norms of 75 LMT of wheat and 136 LMT of rice, official sources said.

Earlier this week, Government had announced that it will extend PMGKAY by three more months from October 1 till December 31, 2022, keeping in mind the forthcoming Gujarat assembly elections, which are due on December 2022.

Finance Ministry had cautioned the Food Department that extending the scheme would entail an additional burden of Rs 44,762 crore on the exchequer.

Also due to rising subsidy burden and high fuel prices as well as supply disruptions due to Ukraine conflict, the scheme should not be extended at all, Finance Ministry had advised.

It had further said that even if the scheme is extended, the quantity offered under it should be curtailed.

Government however will continue to offer 5 kg of food grains per person under PMGKAY, which is in addition to ration supplied to the poor under NFSA provisions.
Patna, Oct 1 : A six-year old student was allegedly beaten to death for picking up and eating an apple that was kept for offering to Goddess Durga during puja at his school in Bihar's Gaya district, an official said.

The incident happended on Tuesday while it was reported to the police on Friday. The Gaya police arrested a couple in this matter, who were running a residential school named Little Leaders Public School in Baki Bigha village under Wazirganj block in Gaya.

Ram Balak Prasad, the grandfather of victim child Vivek, in a statement to the police said: "The school has organised Durga Puja inside the premises. There were some fruits (prasad) on a table and Vivek picked an apple from it and consumed it. Following the incident, the owners of the school kept Vivek in a room and brutally assaulted him. After the physical assault, they threw him outside the premises." "My grandson went unconscious outside the gate of the school. An auto driver, from my village, spotted Vivek in an unconscious state, brought him home in Ukhra village under Wazirganj block and handed him over to us. As his condition was serious, we immediately took him to a local hospital. Looking to his condition, the doctors of the hospital referred him to Magadh Medical College. Vivek succumbed on the way to the medical college," Prasad added.

"Vivek had narrated his ordeal and told us that Vikas Singh and his wife had thrashed him on the chest," Prasad said.

Ram Ekbal Yadav, the SHO of Wazirganj said: "We have registered an FIR and arrested the accused. The family members of the deceased claimed that the student Vivek was studying in Little Leaders Public School and staying there in the hostel. He was brutally assaulted by the accused named Vikas Singh and his wife who are the owners of the school. The victim died under mysterious circumstances. We are investigating the incident." "The actual cause of death will be ascertained only after the postmortem and viscera tests," Yadav said.
Banaskantha : Oct 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated various projects worth over Rs 7,200 crores in Ambaji Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Friday.

The Prime Minister also handed over keys to seven beneficiaries of various housing schemes and congratulated all the 61,000 beneficiaries of housing schemes. On the occasion, he dedicated and laid the foundation stone of over 45,000 houses to be built under PM Awas Yojana.

Prime Minister Modi said that in 2021, the Gujarat government completed 1.50 lakh houses for Economically Weaker Sections and other groups. Across the country, 3 crore poors have got benefit of PM Awas Yojana in 2021, he added.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of Taranga Hill - Ambaji - Abu Road New Broad Gauge Line. He revealed that the project was conceived in 1930 during British rule. The need for this was recognised 100 years ago but unfortunately, this was not done in such a long period. "Perhaps, Maa Amba wished it to be done by me. It is our good fortune that in the year of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are getting this opportunity to dedicate this at the feet of Amba Mata," he said.

The Prime Minister said that his aim is to create so many attractions in the vicinity of Ambaji temple that people have to make a 2-3 days program to cover them. Prime Minister Modi asserted, "On one hand, Ambaji is the home of faith and worship while on the other hand, we have India's borders where our jawans are deployed." He cited the development of the Seema Darshan project in Suigam on the international border. "People should visit and see the life of army jawans and learn from it, he has also hinted at developing Deesa Air Force station." Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister of Railways, Ashvini Vaishnav, Union Minister of State for Railways Darshana Vikram Jardosh, MPs C.R. Patil, Prabatbhai Patel, Bharasinh Dhabi and Dineshbhai Anavaidya were among those present on the occasion.
Bob Mills Furniture gives back during their Friends and Family event with a $10,000 mattress donation to Cal Farleys Boys Ranch, a residential community open to at-risk children in Amarillo, TX.

Bob Mills, President of Bob Mills Furniture, says, For the past 20 years that weve been in Amarillo, weve seen how much Cal Farleys has positively impacted our youth and our community. One of our core values at Bob Mills is to treat everyone like family, and I believe the Boys Ranch exemplifies this same value. So, its my pleasure to help them during our Friends and Family event and recognize their outstanding service in Amarillo.

The Bob Mills Friends and Family Event runs through Sunday, October 2, 2022. It includes many festivities within the store, such as a Spin and Win game where customers can win dining tables, sofas, mattresses and more. Customers can also enter to win their entire purchase free this weekend. As part of the Friends and Family event, Bob Mills will be in the store located at, 6050 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX, for a special meet and greet on Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 10am to Noon.

Bob Mills Sleep Spa, located inside Bob Mills Furniture, offers the exclusive bedMATCH system, which takes 18 statistical body measurements along with thousands of calculations to find the proper support level you need while you sleep. Why guess when you can know the right mattress for you. Simply go to http://www.BobMillsFurniture.com for more information about bedMATCH.

Bob Mills Furniture Co., L.L.C is a 51 year old company and has remained under the same single ownership since Bob Mills started his store at just 23 years old in Oklahoma City, OK. Currently, Bob Mills Furniture has 10 locations: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, Temple, Waco, San Antonio and Wichita. The corporate headquarters are located in Oklahoma City with a large distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Award-winning Brokerage, Florida Healthcare Insurance, takes the stress out of your hands by analyzing top carriers to provide the most comprehensive insurance advice. Florida Healthcare Insurance has a team of expert agents who consistently keep a finger on the pulse of all things health insurance. Their main focus for the South Florida community is to examine the top carriers, assess the market, and ensure the best plan for each client at the most affordable cost.

Selecting the best Florida health insurance can be complicated as there are a multitude of options. Through their established relationships, the experienced team at Florida Health Insurance gathers intel from the best carriers on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) market and elsewhere to ensure their clients receive the best coverage.

Florida Healthcare Insurance CEO, Evan Tunis, stated, Our aim is always to provide our clients with the best health coverage that fully meets their needs. We have a team with vast experience who spend a lot of time evaluating the different plans available from major carriers so we can recommend the very best health insurance coverage.

Tunis added, With more than two decades of experience, our seasoned agents know what they are doing. They know exactly what to look for so our brokerage can provide our clients with exactly what they need at the most reasonable cost. For more than 20 years we have been serving clients in Florida who keep coming back for more. We value their loyalty  just check out our hundreds of five-star reviews!

Analyzing the ACA Marketplace for the Best Hospitals

Hospital coverage is the most essential part of finding the best health insurance and the knowledgeable agents at Florida Healthcare Insurance view this as key. They understand the importance of proper hospital coverage in their plan, rolling up their sleeves to dive into the ACA marketplace. Guided by their research on official US health reports, the agents at Florida Healthcare Insurance have determined the top South Florida Hospitals which the most comprehensive coverage are:



Baptist Hospital

Cleveland Clinic in Weston

Mount Sinai Hospital

Our team is ready to educate each client on why those three are the top hospitals in South Florida, which one is covered by which top carrier, and the selections they deem appropriate based on each clients necessities.

Honest Analysis of Top Carriers

Florida Healthcare Insurance towers above all other brokerages because of their knowledgeable and friendly approach. Being a local, family-run business ensures the clients will receive phone calls from real people, who are understanding and well-versed in what options are available.

CEO Tunis said, We always go the extra mile for our clients. Our agents work hard analyzing the plans on offer from the top carriers in the industry so that we can recommend the best coverage. He added, Few health insurance brokers know the market as well as we do  we put our clients first and our team put in the time and effort to find the best plans.

Here are some of the major carriers Florida Healthcare Insurance has established that provides most comprehensive plans for their clients. Please note they recommend specific carriers based on everyones needs:



Aetna CVS Health  a high-quality carrier new to the marketplace that includes the 3 hospitals above in their plans.

Ambetter from Sunshine Health  this top carrier employs a different approach to health insurance by offering both an EPO (exclusive provider organization) and HMO (health maintenance organization) option. The EPO is far broader and unfortunately, they do not include the Cleveland Clinic. But their plans are ideal for residents of Miami-Dade County.

AvMed  another top carrier providing HMO coverage. They include Baptist Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic but not Mount Sinai Hospital.

Bright Health  our agents are a little wary of Bright Health after some issues with coverage. They include Mount Sinai Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic but not Baptist Hospital.

Cigna  all 3 of the best hospitals are included in Cignas robust EPO plans. Although their plans are a little more expensive than other carriers, Florida Healthcare Insurance recommends them as their cover is of the highest quality.

Florida Blue  they have an excellent reputation in South Florida and can offer EPO, HPO, and PPO (preferred provider organization) plans to match all price points which is unique. The 3 best hospitals are in-network with all of their plans.

Molina Health  Molina has a good reputation in a lot of states but unfortunately not Florida. They lead the Medicaid field in a lot of states and only offer an HMO plan. None of the best hospitals in South Florida are in the network.

Oscar  this is another top carrier that is trying to establish itself in the ACA marketplace. None of the 3 top hospitals are in-network though.

United Healthcare  for clients looking for group, Medicare, or short term plans they are up there with the best. But they do not have the 3 best hospitals in-network and their HMO options are not always ideal for South Florida residents. They are regarded as the number one option for short term medical insurance.

Evan Tunis added, As you can see, we do not always recommend a top carrier because of their name and reputation. We do the groundwork to ensure that our clients in South Florida are getting the cover that they need. Contact us for your next health insurance plan and we will be delighted to help you.

About Florida Healthcare Insurance

Located in Coral Springs, Florida Healthcare Insurance is one of the best health insurance brokers in the state. They have been in business for more than 20 years and have a team of expert agents that advise clients on the best health insurance plans for their needs. Medicare is a specialty, and their aim is to always provide their clients with the best plans at the lowest cost.
General admission tickets for this years Uncork for a Cure celebration are officially on sale starting this Thursday, September 15th at 9am. Uncork for a Cure, hosted by The Dynami Foundation raises funds for scientific research, education and patient support surrounding breast cancer. Now in its 7th year, Metro Detroits premier breast cancer fundraiser and soiree will take place at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac on Saturday, October 22nd featuring award-winning chefs, world-class wines, music, art installations, track rides hosted by Cauley Ferrari, live and silent auction and more.

This years event features a new line-up of restaurant talent including four new restaurant additions: Bar Pigalle, Basan, Barda and Oak & Reel. The evening will also feature culinary talent from Mabel Gray, SheWolf, Grey Ghost, Chartreuse, Marrow, Karls, Rebecca Lamalfa, Motor City Seafood, Cantoro and more.

Wines will be hand-paired and curated by first woman of wine Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon of Plum Market and her esteemed colleagues. Moet Hennessy USA, Michigan Team is curating a stunning Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne Lounge and a Bubbly Bar, featuring Veuve Clicquot, Moet & Chandon, and Ruinart Champagnes.

Additionally, Metro Detroit artist Mike Han will be live on-site painting a canvas for auction while Nicole Jarecz Illustration live sketches attendees. Other auction items include vacation experiences, luxury wine packages and more. A selection of classic and special interest cars will be on site for viewing, featuring a fleet of Ferraris from Cauley Ferrari in West Bloomfield.

To date, the event has raised over $1,000,000. The Dynami Foundation continues to advance the fight against breast cancer, specifically Lobular breast cancer research, which accounts for 15% of all breast cancers yet only 1% of research funding is directed to this common subtype. This past summer, the Dynami Foundation presented $400,000 to members of their Medical Advisory Board at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. Under their direction, these funds were raised for Lobular Breast Cancer research and were directed to University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in partnership with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), University of Colorado Cancer Center and Karmanos Cancer Institute.

This year marks my 10th year being breast cancer free and Im even more energized to help local women in need through Uncork for a Cure. Im so thankful for our partners, chefs and supporters who have helped us along our journey. We cannot wait to feel the energy next month at the M1 Concourse! says founder Flora Migyanka.

General admission tickets for this years Uncork for a Cure are $375 and will be available starting September 15th at https://www.dynamifoundation.org/uncork-for-a-cure. In the meantime, VIP and sponsorship packages are available now for purchase by visiting their website.

Media Contact:

Jill Giacomino

(773) 791-3922

jill@socialgatheringco.com

Keep up with Uncork for a Cure:

https://www.dynamifoundation.org/uncork-for-a-cure

Facebook: UncorkforaCure

Instagram: @UncorkforaCure_Detroit

Dynami is the Greek word for Strength.

Dynami Foundation is committed to further the science, research,treatment and prevention of breast cancer and to strengthen patients as they navigate the complexities of the breast cancer journey. For more information: http://www.uncorkforacure.org
Remedy Institute Were excited to continue this critical research, and are glad to have been able to work collaboratively with Health Canada to ensure we are meeting the absolute highest procedural standards.

Remedy Institute, a newly launched charity with a focus on innovation in mental health, is resuming its clinical trial of MDMA and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to treat PTSD following Health Canadas review of the study.

Were excited to continue this critical research, and are glad to have been able to work collaboratively with Health Canada to ensure we are meeting the absolute highest procedural standards. We are proud to be demonstrating that we can do this research in a small charitable organization, creating an innovative and sustainable model for psychedelic research, said founder Dr. Anne Wagner.

Few clinical research trials undergo the Health Canada inspection and review process. With Health Canadas approval to resume the study, Remedy Institute is able to return to providing excellent participant care.

MDMA has demonstrated tremendous therapeutic potential for the treatment of PTSD and is an area of increasing interest in clinical research around the world, with potential to dramatically improve treatment outcomes for the millions of people suffering from the disorder.

As a leader in the field of psychedelic-assisted treatment for PTSD, clinical psychologist and founder Dr. Anne Wagner created Remedy as a home for research and practice in 2018. The clinic began operations with a team of five, and has now grown to over 30 clinicians and staff, including psychologists, social workers, and researchers.

Remedy Institute was launched in March 2022 with a mandate to raise funds for and conduct cutting-edge research, while simultaneously reducing barriers to mental health services. The launch of Remedy Institute marks the next step in the Remedy ecosystems drive to innovate mental health services and research.

Alongside the innovative research taking place at Remedy Institute, the charity offers a bursary program for those facing barriers in accessing mental health services. The Bursary Program provides funding for focused, short-term treatment courses, with an emphasis on BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, and artist communities.

About Remedy Institute

Remedy Institute is a registered charity that conducts innovative research into new treatment modalities and provides access to mental health care services for people facing financial barriers to accessing treatment. For more information please visit https://remedyinstitute.ca.

Media Contact

Eric Sorenson, Communications Manager

press@remedycentre.ca
Zuddl's G2 Awards It is a reflection of the trust, confidence, and satisfaction that our customers place in Zuddls ability to help them deliver successful events, regardless of the format.

Zuddl, the unified platform for events and webinars, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the Virtual Event Platforms category by G2, the worlds largest and most trusted software marketplace. Alongside this accolade, Zuddl won more than 30 awards across multiple markets and categories in the G2 Fall 2022 Grid Report.

Awards that Zuddl received include:



Overall Leader in the Virtual Event Platforms category

High Performer in small business, mid-market, and enterprise for the Virtual Event Platform, and Webinar category, and overall Leader

High Performer in the Asia Pacific region for the Event management category

Best Support in Event Management, Event Registration, Event Networking and Matchmaking, and Webinar categories

Easiest Setup for Event Management, and Webinar categories

Read more about all the awards Zuddl won, and the reviews that got them here in this blog post.

Were thrilled to win more than 30 awards from G2 and with our ratings as a Leader and High Performer in so many categories and markets across the world, said Bharath Varma, CEO and Co-founder of Zuddl. It is a reflection of the trust, confidence, and satisfaction that our customers place in Zuddls ability to help them deliver successful events, regardless of the format.

About Zuddl:

Zuddl is a unified platform for events and webinars that helps event marketers plan and execute events that drive growth. Large organizations and associations across the globe such as Google, Dicks Sporting Goods, Microsoft, Kellogg's, Grant Thornton and NASSCOM trust Zuddl to host their events. In January 2022, Zuddl announced that it closed $13.35 mn in Series A funding. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.zuddl.com

About G2:

G2 is the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace. More than 60 million people annually use G2 to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews.
The Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions is a part of American Bankers continued coverage of the progress in diversity, equity and inclusion throughout financial services, and expands on the mission of supporting, empowering, celebrating and advancing women in the banking industry.

American Banker, Arizents essential resource for senior executives in financial services, has opened nominations for The Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions program. Nominations are now open and will close October 13. The honoree list will be published in mid-November.

We created this initiative to recognize the senior executives who are driving major innovations at their credit unions and the industry at large, says Daniel Wolfe, Content Director at American Banker. Their work is paving the way for more inclusive spaces at financial institutions everywhere.

This program is open to any women leaders who are primarily employed at a credit union. Eligibility is not restricted by geography. Applications will be read by a selection committee of American Banker staff members and judged on qualities such as leadership, teamwork and personal initiative.

The Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions is a part of American Bankers continued coverage of the progress in diversity, equity and inclusion throughout financial services, and expands on the mission of supporting, empowering, celebrating and advancing women in the banking industry, including The Most Powerful Women in BankingTM, now in its twentieth year.

Nominations can be submitted at https://www.americanbanker.com/creditunions/news/how-to-apply-for-the-most-powerful-women-in-credit-unions.

About American Banker

American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique analysis and insight into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation, and reform. With a banking community 850K strong, American Bankers transformative content connects leaders online, in person and in print every day.

About Arizent

Arizent is a business information company that advances professional communities by providing insights and analysis and convening industry leaders. The company uses deep industry expertise and a data-driven platform to deliver its services, which include subscriptions, marketing services, live events and access to Leaders, an executive forum. Arizent also connects business communities through leading financial services brands like American Banker, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning and National Mortgage News, as well as professional services brands like Accounting Today, Employee Benefit News and Digital Insurance.
Antigal Winery & Estates UNO Malbec made with estate-grown Organic Grapes "These goals and initiatives support the Cartoni familys long-term vision for a sustainable future and its growing reputation as a progressive Argentinean leader in economic, environmental and socially responsible business practices," says Cartoni.

Antigal Winery & Estates has earned https://www.linkedin.com/company/letis-s.a./about/ LETIS* certification from Bodegas de Argentina for its sustainable vineyards and winemaking practices and today announces its participation in the Sustainability Protocol, a 3-year sustainability and climate action plan designed to position the company for resilience in the face of changing social and environmental landscapes. The family-owned winery is known for its fine wine portfolio with several tiers that express the essence of Mendoza terroir and has released its first Malbec made with Organic Grapes across US markets.

The goals and initiatives support the Cartoni familys long-term vision for a sustainable future and its growing reputation as a progressive Argentinean leader in economic, environmental and socially responsible business practices.

The Sustainability Protocol consist of 14 areas that address a range of topics from vineyard management, wine quality, human resource issues, waste management, hazardous materials and efficient use of energy and water. Antigal Winery & Estates has retained an accredited certifier to perform an annual audit to establish baseline data.

We aim to widely exceed the sustainability requirements in each area of the Protocol and have adopted a 3-year plan with specific goals and ongoing internal audits performed by an independent certifier each year, says Alessandra Cartoni, CEO. Our goal is to show sustainable progress and improvements as we further develop a culture of sustainability inside the winery and with our employees. Todays consumers increasingly demand sustainable products, and our job is to think about the future and the management of resources, especially non-renewable ones, she continued.

Since 2015 we have earned food quality, vegan, and organic certifications. We recognize that sustainability is the foundation of our growth, and we are making further investments to align our decisions about water management, energy resources (generating clean energy, self-supply, solar energy) and land conservation through regenerative farming practices and social responsibility to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and wine community. Sustainability has always been important in our decision-making processes, and we strive to do more to lower our carbon footprint, reduce waste, recycle, and reuse as much as we can, Cartoni continued.

We also look to collaborate with our suppliers, generating sustainable purchases so that we can create a sustainable culture at a global level. Our philosophy has always been to produce premium wines and be a good steward of the environment, says Cartoni.

ABOUT ANTIGAL WINERY & ESTATES

Antigal Winery & Estates is a family-owned vineyard-based company and one of the oldest wineries in Argentina. Founded in 1897, in the first wine-growing area of Mendoza at the Andes foothills, its estate mountain vineyards drive balanced flavor development and livelier, more intense wines. With high altitude vineyards and poor, rocky soils, the grape vines work harder and produce more complex flavors that enhance the best expression of the fruit. Antigals fine wine portfolio has earned a reputation worldwide for the quality of its wines that express the essence of Mendozas terroir. Its unique packaging includes a distinctive number 1 hand-carved from a barrel stave. Antigals signature UNO wines celebrate inspiration and connecting with others. Vineyard ownership and sustainable practices remain key to consistent quality and artisan winemaking underscores a faithful commitment to making wines of character and integrity.

Antigal wines are imported by Cork Alliance, Miami Florida.

For more information or a media sample of the new UNO Malbec made with Organic Grapes for review, please contact Patricia Schneider, pschneider@antigal.com.
The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully A beautiful book that shows that every moment of existence is precious and adversity is part of our lifes journey. Those lucky enough to read this book will be inspired to higher consciousness in the midst of aging, infirmity, and the final chapters of life.DEEPAK CHOPRA

A beautiful book that shows that every moment of existence is precious and adversity is part of our lifes journey. Those lucky enough to read this book will be inspired to higher consciousness in the midst of aging, infirmity, and the final chapters of life.DEEPAK CHOPRA

A powerful posthumous masterpiece by Morrie Schwartz, the beloved subject of the classic, multimillion-copy number one bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie, has been acquired by Blackstone Publishing. Morrie Schwartzs son, Rob Schwartz, rediscovered his fathers unpublished manuscript written to help us experience aging as a positive, creative, and connected experience. Rob Schwartz is the editor of the book, which will be titled The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively and Joyfully and will release as a major lead title from Blackstone in April 2023. The deal was negotiated by Rick Bleiweiss, Head of New Business Development at Blackstone Publishing, with Mel Berger of William Morris Endeavor representing Rob Schwartz.

With the 25th anniversary celebration of Tuesdays with Morrie and a new edition of the classic work releasing this year, Morrie Schwartz is back in the spotlight and readers will be eager to hear more of his powerful advice and insights. Who am I really? What have I done? What is important and meaningful to me? What difference does it make that I have lived? What does it mean to be truly human, and where am I on that scale? In The Wisdom of Morrie, Morrie Schwartz explores these questions and many more in this profound, poetic, and poignant masterpiece of living and aging joyfully and creatively. Later life can be filled with many challenges, but it can also be one of the most beautiful and rewarding passages in anyones lifetime. Morrie draws on his experiences as a social psychologist, teacher, father, friend, and sage to offer us a road map to navigate our futures.

The Wisdom of Morrie is filled with empathic insights, stories, anecdotes, and advice, told in Morries reassuring, calm, and timeless voice. The Wisdom of Morrie is a guide to exploring deep questions of how to live and how to love.

Rick Bleiweiss states, Blackstone is thrilled to be the publisher of THE WISDOM OF MORRIE, an important book that will inspire readers of all ages. Morrie shows us how to view the aging process in a meaningful and fresh way that will resonate with anyone who wants to lead a more joyful and fulfilling life.

Rob Schwartz comments, My father would be overjoyed that the manuscript he worked so hard to craft is finally being published. I spoke with him at length about the project while he was writing it and he considered this work the culmination of his insights into the human condition. Dad told me he drew from the most valuable aspects of his academic, therapeutic, and personal knowledge when creating this book.

About the Author

MORRIE SCHWARTZ became an internationally renowned figure posthumously after Mitch Alboms Tuesdays with Morrie stayed number one on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list for five years. Before that he was a beloved professor of sociology at Brandeis University and cherished therapist at Greenhouse in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Morrie wrote on a wide variety of topics. He dedicated his life to helping people understand their relationships to society, other people, and themselves. His groundbreaking 1954 book (with Alfred Stanton) The Mental Hospital made him a superstar in the field of sociology, earning Morrie a full professorship as his first university position. Morrie was dedicated to social justice and valuing every human being.

About the Editor

ROB SCHWARTZ is a journalist, editor, producer, and entrepreneur. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, and Melody Maker, among others. He was a script editor at NHK World TV for fourteen years and has been an Asia Correspondent for Billboard magazine since 2008. In 2002 he was appointed executive director at Play Label, a Tokyo-based dance imprint. In 2005 he founded Dynastic Records in Japan. Rob produces feature films, including Putty Hill (2010) and Bernard and Huey (2017). Rob actively invests in tech-based starts-ups and is currently a partner in the virtual concert-creation platform Moshpit (http://www.moshpit.live).

About Blackstone Publishing

Founded in 1987, Blackstone Publishing is an independent, privately owned company headquartered in Ashland, Oregon. Offering a growing catalog of over 17,000 titles in print, e-book, and audiobook formats, the authors we publish are as varied as the books themselves, including works by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Ayn Rand, Ian Fleming, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Karen Slaughter, and many more. Blackstone is home to a vibrant and eclectic community of storytellers and story lovers, providing superior content and offering hundreds of new titles each month.

For Press Inquiries contact:

Lauren Maturo

Blackstone Publishing

lauren.maturo@blackstoneaudio.com
BODYCENTRALS DEJA CRIPPEN PT, DPT SELECTED AS NATIONAL APTAS 2022 MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT "DeJ'a exemplifies the qualities we look for in our Clinical Team members. She is curious, growth-minded, and driven by a passion to serve our communities and grow the profession", shared Chief Clinical Officer of Therapy Partners Group & Co-Founder of Bodycentral Jen Allen, PT, DPT.

We are proud to announce that Bodycentral Physical Therapy's very own DeJ'a Crippen PT, DPT has been selected as the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) 2022 Minority Scholarship Award Recipient. This prestigious award is given annually to a minority physical therapist student who demonstrates a commitment to advancing and positively impacting minority affairs within the profession and shows great potential for leadership. DeJ'a recently visited Leadership Congress in Washington D.C. to receive the prestigious award presented by APTAs President Roger Herr.

"DeJ'a exemplifies the qualities we look for in our Clinical Team members. She is curious, growth-minded, and driven by a passion to serve our communities and grow the profession. We are proud of her accomplishment and are lucky to have her on our team", shared Chief Clinical Officer of Therapy Partners Group & Co-Founder of Bodycentral Jen Allen, PT, DPT.

DeJ'a obtained her Doctorate from the University of Sciences in Philadelphia earlier this year. While at the University of Sciences (now St. Joseph's University) Dej'a left a lasting impact on the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program by creating an inclusive Physical Therapy Club named BIPOC PT Club (Black Indigenous and People of Color) for Minorities. BIPOC PT club hosted educational classes and created a space for minority students to enhance their professional development and increase their comfort level within the profession. In addition, DeJ'a developed a communication system within the University that allows minorities to connect with professors and directors in a positive manner where everyone's voices are heard and validated.

When asked what this award means, DeJ'a said, "My voice is being heard. My efforts are being acknowledged. I have been recognized as someone who will be able to educate within, and advocate for, my community".

Therapy Partners Group CEO Brent Mack adds The entire team at Bodycentral and throughout the Therapy Partners Group family of brands are very proud of DeJ'a and everything she has accomplished. She is truly making a difference in the world of physical therapy and we can't wait to see all the great things she will do in her career.

About Therapy Partners Group

Formed in 2019, Therapy Partners Group, formerly Golden Bear Therapy Partners, is a Physical Therapist led portfolio company of Shore Capital Partners. Therapy Partners Group has offices in Chicago, Illinois & Modesto, California, and operates over 140 clinics across 7 states. The company has an extensive network of partners that have been established leaders within their respective communities. The company strives to be the partner of choice for clinic owners looking for best-in-class support for growth, operational and back-office functions. To learn more, please visit http://www.therapypartnersgroup.com.


The Reformation: Well Hidden in the 21st Century: an articulate and encouraging approach to returning to Gods Word. The Reformation: Well Hidden in the 21st Century is the creation of published author Dr. Ken Matto, a New Jersey native who holds a doctorate degree in ministry from Bethany Theological Seminary in Dothan, Alabama.

Dr. Matto shares, Jesus stated in John 8:32, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. The truth of Scripture is to set the Christian free; yet as soon as one becomes saved, they place themselves back into slavery under a theological system.

This book is written with the desire to see the Christian emancipated from theological slavery and become a Biblicist, thus setting them free from the boundaries found in every theological system. The local church becomes a local prison in that unless one adheres to the wardens (the pastors) teachings, then one will be shown the door. Brethren, these things should not be. The King James Bible opens the cell doors and frees the Christian from their theological imprisonment.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dr. Ken Mattos new book will challenge and engage the spirit as readers consider the carefully studied and detailed points within.

Dr. Matto shares in hopes of aiding others to break free of what he terms theological slavery so they can achieve a renewed connection with the Word of God.

Consumers can purchase The Reformation: Well Hidden in the 21st Century at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Reformation: Well Hidden in the 21st Century, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Erin Bergin, Founder of The Collective Living Co. Since the beginning, my team and I have been dedicated to impacting our community through our collection of homes, agents, and resources

Erin Bergin today announced The Collective Living Co. and its partnership with Side, the only real estate technology company that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to transform them into market-leading boutique brands and businesses. The alliance will ensure that The Collective Living Co., a community-focused team with three times the Texas-required real estate education, is powered by the industry's most advanced platform.

The Collective Living Co. was founded by Erin Bergin, who began her career nearly 20 years ago at a Fortune 500 brokerage and has since amassed more than $11 million in sales. Her numerous accolades include being named the top agent in Fort Worth and among the top 1% of agents in Dallas-Fort Worth. The Collective Living Co. will focus on residential real estate throughout Texas, with a specialization in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The team will continue to emphasize personal service and demonstrate its commitment to the community through client education and its tactical, high-tech, personalized approach to real estate.

"Since the beginning, my team and I have been dedicated to impacting our community through our collection of homes, agents, and resources," Bergin said. "This new company will allow us to introduce even more people to the life-changing power of homeownership."

Partnering with Side will ensure The Collective Living Co. remains on the cutting edge of the evolving real estate market while continuing to deliver premium services to its clients. Side works behind the scenes, supporting The Collective Living Co. with a one-of-a-kind brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management, infrastructure solutions, and more. Additionally, The Collective Living Co. will join an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from coast to coast.

"The team at Collective Living Co. has always been tactical, high-tech, and highly educated, Bergin said. Side provides us with an ever-evolving platform and tech stack designed to empower our agents and streamline our processes. I can't think of a better partner for this next phase of our business."

About The Collective Living Co.

At The Collective Living Co., real estate is about community as much as it's about home. Tactical, high-tech, and highly educated, this network of top agents, marketing experts, transactional geniuses, and savvy professionals offers Dallas-Fort Worth buyers and sellers an elite experience grounded in down-home values. Passionate about serving others, they work hard to make sure that buyers and sellers can sit back, relax, and enjoy the process. The Collective Living Co. is headquartered in Pantego, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.collectivelivingco.com.

About Side

Side is a behind-the-scenes brokerage platform that exclusively partners with top-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to create and grow their own boutique brands without the cost, time, or risk of operating a brokerage. Side's proprietary technology platform and premier support solutions empower its agent partners to be more productive, grow their business, and focus on serving their clients. Side is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.sideinc.com.
Advanced Technology International (ATI) and TechConnect today announced the five winners of the 2022 Readiness Innovation Challenge. Selected from a field of 18 finalists, winners were awarded a total $50,000 in cash prizes at the Defense TechConnect (DTC) Innovation Summit & Expo, the nation's largest annual gathering of non-traditional, dual-use emerging technologies aligned with government priority requirements.

Each winner presented its innovation during the conferences Shark Tank-style pitching; finalists were given eight minutes to present to industry and government leadership aligned with participating contracting vehicles.

The five winners and their innovations are:



Circle Optics, Rochester, N.Y.: A novel technology that produces 360-degree video for VR training and synthetic environments by stitching multiple camera feeds into a single, cohesive, panoramic video.

Grayscale AI LTD, London, England: A virtual simulation platform for artificial intelligence (AI) spatial awareness training for low-SWaP (size, weight, power) platforms, such as drones, with tracking and mapping in real-time at the computer edge.

Johns Hopkins University/Surgeon MR, Baltimore, Md.: An interactive software platform that uses real-time augmented reality guidance to help surgeons safely perform their procedures.

Neuro Rehab VR, Ft. Worth, Texas: An immersive virtual reality system for rehabilitation designed to expedite patients physical therapy recovery by increasing engagement and making therapy fun and functional.

SimWerx, Denver, Colo.: A multi-modal medical simulation training that rapidly scales and improves multi-casualty prolonged care training for geographically dispersed teams in austere environments to maximize instructor capabilities, training effectiveness and real-world situational awareness for complex casualty care.

This challenge offers a $50,000 prize for innovations in modeling, simulation and training for both civilian and national security applications, including gaming technologies, synthetic environments, human immersion, AR/VR, medical MS&T, data analytics, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, complex-domain systems, and experimentation and validation.

This years challenge featured several areas of interest for innovations in modeling, simulation and training, including gaming technologies, synthetic environments, human immersion, AR/VR, medical MS&T, data analytics, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, complex-domain systems, and experimentation and validation. Administrators of the challenge encouraged applications from transformative innovators representing dual-use solutions for both civilian and national security applications.

DTC features six Innovation Challenges in energy and infrastructure, medical and biodefense, autonomy and air mobility, data and digital transformation, security and intelligence, and training and readiness. This years six challenges attracted nearly 800 submissions competing for a total $500,000 in cash prizes and access to more than $50 billion in prototype-level contracting authority for government customers.

Held Sept. 27-29, 2022, at Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., DTC is the nations largest annual gathering of non-traditional, dual-use emerging technologies aligned with government priority requirements. The winner of each Innovation Challenge, in addition to a cash prize, is invited to join a consortium led by DTCs parent company, ATI, the countrys leading technology consortium management firm and one of the single largest funders of prototype-level innovations for its government customers and the nation.

About Defense TechConnect

The Defense TechConnect (DTC) Innovation Summit & Expo is the nations largest annual gathering of non-traditional, dual-use emerging technologies aligned with government priority requirements. A unique bridge between private sector innovation, commercialization and government acquisition, DTC accelerates the identification and deployment of novel technologies through rapid access of vetted startups and emerging academic and federal lab innovations. In its 10th year accelerating innovation for the nation and Americas Warfighter, DTC features 500 innovations and exhibitors and is one of the most well-attended defense innovation conferences of the year. DTCs attendees include military leadership, more than 250 DoD/SES/PEO scouts, representatives from over 50 contracting offices and hundreds of active duty service members. DTC is proud to be one of the original innovation hubs to support the Department of Defense and its missions. For more information, visit https://events.techconnect.org/DTCFall.

About TechConnect

With 25+ years of experience connecting emerging technologies with unique funding and partnership opportunities, TechConnect boasts the most robust research and innovation network in the world. It employs a broad scope of tools to deliver top technologies, including open innovation programs, conferences, and open-access publications. Each year, TechConnect prospects, vets, and connects thousands of emerging technologies with corporate, investment, municipal, and national defense clients. TechConnect is a division of Advanced Technology International. techconnect.org

About Advanced Technology International

ATI, a public-service nonprofit based in Summerville, S.C., builds and manages collaborations that conduct research and development of new technologies to solve our nations most pressing challenges. Fueled by a community of experts from industry, academia, and government, ATI accelerates impact by using the power of collaboration to help the federal government quickly acquire novel technologies. ATI is a subsidiary of Analytic Services, Inc. (ANSER), a public-service research institute organized as a nonprofit corporation, which is dedicated to informing decisions that shape the nations future. ATI.org
Advanced Technology International (ATI), TechConnect and the Homeland Security Technology Consortium (HSTC) today announced the five winners of the 2022 Security Innovation Challenge. Selected from a field of 18 finalists, winners were presented a total $25,000 in cash prizes at the Defense TechConnect (DTC) Innovation Summit & Expo, the nation's largest annual gathering of non-traditional, dual-use emerging technologies aligned with government priority requirements.

Each winner presented its innovation during the conferences Shark Tank-style pitching; finalists were given eight minutes to present to industry and government leadership aligned with participating contracting vehicles.

The five winners and their innovations are:



Allvision IO, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.: An artificial intelligence (AI) for Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping innovation that uses roboting sensing, machine learning and AI to augment human inspection and auditing of physical infrastructure, enabling cost-effective preventative maintenance at an unprecedented scale.

Cybermonic LLC, McLean, Va.: A novel graph intelligence system with graph-based machine learning and AI technology that models, analyzes and presents cyber relevant data to assist security analysts and democratize cybersecurity.

Edge Technologies, Arlington, Va.: A unique solution, called edgeCore, that rapidly creates secure applications and deploys actionable situational awareness dashboards without the need for any new data warehouses or data lakes.

Grabba Technologies, Tingalpa, Queensland, Australia: Grabba ID secures identity by integrating advanced technology for data capture and mobile biometrics, which allows users to verify their identity on a mobile device.

IotAI, Inc., Fremont, Calif.: A modular software, AI and sensing set of capabilities, called Pico Threat Kits, that are wearable and mountable for threat detection and response by small UAS in austere and constrained environments.

DTCs Security Innovation Challenge is sponsored by HSTC, which supports the collaborative R&D and rapid prototyping/piloting needs for the Department of Homeland Security and its components. This years challenge featured several areas of interest for innovations in identity management, including pattern recognition software, real-time analytics platforms, sensors, scanners, imaging, cybersecurity, data harmonization and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning. Administrators of the challenge encouraged applications from transformative innovators representing dual-use solutions for both civilian and national security applications.

DTC features six Innovation Challenges in energy and infrastructure, medical and biodefense, autonomy and air mobility, data and digital transformation, security and intelligence, and training and readiness. This years six challenges attracted nearly 800 submissions competing for a total $500,000 in cash prizes and access to more than $50 billion in prototype-level contracting authority for government customers.

Held Sept. 27-29, 2022, at Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., DTC is the nations largest annual gathering of non-traditional, dual-use emerging technologies aligned with government priority requirements. The winner of each Innovation Challenge, in addition to a cash prize, is invited to join a consortium led by DTCs parent company, ATI, the countrys leading technology consortium management firm and one of the single largest funders of prototype-level innovations for its government customers and the nation.

About Defense TechConnect

The Defense TechConnect (DTC) Innovation Summit & Expo is the nations largest annual gathering of non-traditional, dual-use emerging technologies aligned with government priority requirements. A unique bridge between private sector innovation, commercialization and government acquisition, DTC accelerates the identification and deployment of novel technologies through rapid access of vetted startups and emerging academic and federal lab innovations. In its 10th year accelerating innovation for the nation and Americas Warfighter, DTC features 500 innovations and exhibitors and is one of the most well-attended defense innovation conferences of the year. DTCs attendees include military leadership, more than 250 DoD/SES/PEO scouts, representatives from over 50 contracting offices and hundreds of active duty service members. DTC is proud to be one of the original innovation hubs to support the Department of Defense and its missions. For more information, visit https://events.techconnect.org/DTCFall.

About TechConnect

With 25+ years of experience connecting emerging technologies with unique funding and partnership opportunities, TechConnect boasts the most robust research and innovation network in the world. It employs a broad scope of tools to deliver top technologies, including open innovation programs, conferences, and open-access publications. Each year, TechConnect prospects, vets, and connects thousands of emerging technologies with corporate, investment, municipal, and national defense clients. TechConnect is a division of Advanced Technology International. techconnect.org

About Advanced Technology International

ATI, a public-service nonprofit based in Summerville, S.C., builds and manages collaborations that conduct research and development of new technologies to solve our nations most pressing challenges. Fueled by a community of experts from industry, academia, and government, ATI accelerates impact by using the power of collaboration to help the federal government quickly acquire novel technologies. ATI is a subsidiary of Analytic Services, Inc. (ANSER), a public-service research institute organized as a nonprofit corporation, which is dedicated to informing decisions that shape the nations future. ATI.org
Mercy College, a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), today earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education, honoring it as a national exemplar in advancing prospects for success in college for its Hispanic students. Mercy is the first private college in the country, as well as the first HSI in New York State, to receive this certification.

Todays announcement was made during a hybrid virtual/in-person gathering broadcast nationally from The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Allan Golston, president of U.S. programs for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, delivered remarks. Excelencia in Education, the nations premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, has certified just 30 institutions across the country.

The honor comes as Mercy prepares to celebrate - 25 years as an HSI. The College is the largest, private non-profit HSI in New York. Forty-four percent of its undergraduate student population is Hispanic, a number that has grown 10% in the past seven years. Sixty percent of Mercy students are the first in their families to attend college. Mercy recently issued more than 500 bachelors degrees to graduating Hispanic students, the fourth most in the continental U.S. among private HSIs and more than several of Mercys neighboring institutions combined.

Mercy College President Tim Hall said, Mercy College is proud to be recognized as the first private institution of higher learning in the U.S. to receive the Seal of Excelencia. We are proud our students are helping to show whats possible when we re-examine our mindsets and our pedagogies and our everyday ways of doing business. Nearly 175 institutions in the U.S. are private, four-year HSIs and together they serve nearly 135,000 Latino students. These students are an important part of our nations hope and future and deserve that we ready ourselves intentionally to support them.

Excelencia in Education requires that a recipient of the Seal prove, through evidence and data, that its institutional practices serving Latino students are measurable, intentional, and effective; that it has created an environment where Latino students thrive; and that its leadership is demonstrably committed to creating a culture of Latino student success.

Excelencia Co-founder and President Sarita Brown said, the Seal of Excelencia is evidence of leadership within higher education and its capacity to meet this moment in our country. Excelencia continues making common cause with leaders from all sectors who recognize that supporting the success of todays Latino college students grows our countrys talent and ensures Americas bright future.

In joining this select cohort of seal-certified institutions, Mercy Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Eva Fernandez said, This is a validation of the hard work Mercy College has been engaged in for years to ensure equitable opportunities for success for all our students. The future of higher education in New York increasingly requires us to serve, and serve well, the many Hispanic students seeking a degree to advance their way in the region and the world.

In 2015, Mercy was designated a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education by the White House. In 2020, more than 4,000 Latinos applied as freshmen to the College, making up about half of the applicant pool. The College has invested in several transformational strategies to serve Hispanic students and position them to succeed, including its PACT personal mentoring program, which was designated a 2020 Example of Excelencia finalist. Since the advent of the PACT program, retention and graduation rates of Latino students at Mercy have seen remarkable improvement.

About Mercy College

Founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy College is an independent, coeducational college that offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs within five schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The vibrancy of the College culture is sustained by a diverse student body from around the region. The College offers campuses in Dobbs Ferry, the Bronx and Manhattan as well as online offerings.


National University, one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the United States serving more than 45,000 youth, today announced the launch of a new educational partnership that will bring its award-winning Harmony Social Emotional Learning (Harmony SEL) program to youth participating in in 4-H programs across the country.

Study after study continues to show that youth who develop strong social emotional learning skills are more likely to thrive academically and also more likely to thrive in their personal and professional lives in the long term, said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, chancellor of the National University System. The combination of the Harmony programs proven social emotional learning activities with the reach and community impact of National 4-H will greatly expand access to positive learning environments and for our youth.

Nationally, the iconic 4H program reaches almost six million young people each year in rural, urban, and suburban communities in every state across the nation. Young people participate in 4H through school and community clubs, in-school and after-school programs, and 4H camps, delivered by more than 3,500 4-H professionals and 500,000 volunteers.

The collaboration between National University and National Council will make it possible for 4-H educators to use the proven social emotional learning activities as part of their ongoing club programming and activities. Through the program, youth learn to develop and improve interpersonal skills in areas such as communication and cooperation.

We are pleased to be partnering with 4-H to expand access to Harmonys innovative social emotional learning approaches that have been demonstrated to support student achievement and that are creating a strong foundation for a healthier, more collaborative society, said Scott Page, senior vice president of Harmony SEL at National University.

Developed and perfected by classroom teachers, the Harmony SEL program helps youth improve skills in areas such as conflict resolution. Harmony SEL is already in various stages of adoption nationwide reaching more than 13 million young people.

The partnership officially launched recently at the National 4-H Council Legacy Awards held in Washington, D.C., an annual event highlighting the impact 4-H has made in the lives of youth and alumni.

###

About National University: National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable, achievable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego's largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 75 online and on-campus programs and flexible four-week classes designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to over 25,000 students and 180,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. Learn more at NU.edu.

About Harmony SEL: Harmony SEL is an affiliate program of the National University System. These no-cost programs strive to ensure that every student feels part of a safe, supportive learning community and that every teacher and provider is equipped to create inclusive and engaging learning opportunities.. By offering SEL skill development experiences across contexts through relationship-driven activities, Harmony helps young people build and sustain relationships, giving them tools to grow into compassionate and caring adults. Harmony has been recognized as a CASELect program by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Learn more about Harmony at harmonysel.org and learn about Inspire at inspireteaching.org.


Steven Bochcos home is for sale, was previously owned by Sylvester Stallone. Where Real Estate Is Never Boring!

Septembers Top 10 Celebrity Real Estate News

Mark Wahlberg Bets Big On Las Vegas

Mark Wahlberg is on his way to Sin City. After putting his LA Beverly Park home on the market for $87.5 million, Mark has purchased a 7,327-square-foot home in the ritzy Las Vegas Summerlin neighborhood for $14.5 million. Mark then spent another $15.6 million for a 2.5 acre lot in the Summit Club, the most exclusive part of Summerlin, where he will likely build a very expensive mega mansion.

Jennifer Aniston Joins Celebrity Swarm To Montecito

Jennifer Aniston has joined a surge of other celebrities heading to or already living in Montecito, California. Jennifer just bought one of Oprahs Montecito collection: a four-bedroom home for almost $14.8 million. Jennifer will be rubbing elbows in Montecito with some of the worlds biggest stars and their homes, including Adam Levine, Ellen DeGeneres and Gwyneth Paltrow. Oprah still owns several homes in the area including her main mansion, the 66-acre Promised Land estate, and a home she recently bought from Jeff Bridges.

Adele Lists Her Nicole Richie Home

A Beverly Hills home that Adele bought in 2021 from her good friend Nicole Richie is for sale at $12 million. Adele has been on a Beverly Hills buying spree in the last few years, including the Sylvester Stallone home she recently purchased for $58 million, where she is currently living. Adele paid Nicole $10 million for the three-bedroom home.

Steven Bochco Estate - Sylvester Stallone Former Owner

One of LAs prettiest homes, the Pacific Palisades home of Steven Bochco, previously owned by Sylvester Stallone, is for sale at $35 million. Bochco was one of TVs most prolific talents as both a writer and producer with shows such as "Hill Street Blues," "LA Law," "Doogie Howser M.D.," and "NYPD Blue."

Miley Makes Big Bucks In Nashville

Miley Cyrus has sold her 33-acre Tennessee home for $14.5 million. Miley did quite well on the sale of the suburban Nashville home that she bought in 2017 for $5.8 million. The buyer is the worlds largest Dairy Queen franchisee with 200 stores.

Ben Affleck Gets Lucky Again

Just a few weeks after his wedding to Jennifer Lopez and three weeks after listing his $30 million, seven-bedroom mansion, Ben Affleck has already sold his Pacific Palisades home. Ben bought the 13,453-square-foot home in 2018 for $19 million, following his split from Jennifer Garner.

Henry Mancinis Malibu Beach Retreat

One of the greatest composers in the history of film, Italian-born Henry Mancini won four Academy Awards and twenty Grammy Awards. In 1972, Mancini purchased a mid-century beach house on Malibus La Costa Beach. Held by the family for 50 years, the property has been listed for sale at $11.6 million.

Ellen Sells Montecito Home Flip To Scooter

Home-flipping-queen Ellen DeGeneres sold a Montecito home she and partner, Portia de Rossi, bought just a few months ago. Ellen and Portia paid $21 million for the 11,947-square-foot home on 2.5 acres, and just sold it to music executive Scooter Braun for $36 million. The home is modeled after the Alhambra palace in Spain.

Melissa McCarthy Buys In Little Italy

Although it is not yet a hot spot for celebrity homes, Melissa McCarthy may have started a trend with her purchase of a three-bedroom penthouse in a new building in New York Citys Little Italy. The asking price for McCarthys purchase was $7.3 million.

Leah Remini Lists Studio City Mansion

"King of Queens" co-star Leah Remini has listed her longtime LA home for $12.995 million. Leah bought the gated 10,326-square-foot home in 2003 for $3.75 million.

For more celebrity home news and celebrity home video tours, visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
SUNY New Paltz is known for its competitiveness, innovative academics and offering a high ROI for students.

Sextant Marketing, a higher education marketing agency, is excited to announce a new partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. The partnership is focused on optimization of the universitys website using Sextants industry-leading SEO strategy services that raise visibility and increase organic web traffic.

Jessica Binns-Dickinson, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at SUNY New Paltz, said the partnership will help elevate and promote our undergraduate and graduate degree offerings.

Sextant has a strong track record for supporting universities in expanding their reach online and meeting strategic enrollment goals. We have the academic offerings, impassioned faculty, and a diverse and creative campus community that provides students with life-changing experiences and learning opportunities," said Binns-Dickinson.

Located on a 257-acre campus, 90 minutes north of NYC in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, SUNY New Paltz is the only residential public university in the mid-Hudson region. The four-year university traces its origins to the establishment of an academy in New Paltz in 1828. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, fine and performing arts, liberal arts and sciences, and science and engineering.

SUNY New Paltz is part of the largest, most comprehensive university system in the United States. The SUNY system includes 64 academic institutions, including research universities, academic medical centers, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and colleges of technology.

Adrian Marrullier, CEO and founder of Sextant Marketing said the new partnership furthers Sextants ongoing mission to provide strategic services and higher education consultancy to high-quality academic institutions.

Its a pleasure to announce this partnership. SUNY New Paltz is known for its competitiveness, innovative academics and offering a high ROI for students, said Marrullier. Their approach to higher education and engaging students aligns with what we offer: insightful, data-driven recommendations and results. We look forward to supporting the great people at SUNY New Paltz in achieving their goals.

SUNY New Paltz consistently ranks in top public colleges lists from sources such as U.S. News & World Report and the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. College Consensus, which ranks schools based on rankings list from reputable sources in addition to verified online reviews from students, recently ranked SUNY New Paltz at No. 30 on its list of Best Value Colleges & Universities in the United States.

About SUNY New Paltz

SUNY New Paltz provides one of the nation's most open, diverse, and artistic environments in order to prepare students to excel in rapidly changing times that demand creativity and worldliness. Our tradition of intellectual discovery is enhanced by a location of stunning natural beauty, in a dynamic college town, with easy access to New York City. Our unusually wide array of professional and liberal arts majors fosters a rich academic milieu in which students, selected through a competitive admissions process, can develop to their highest potential.

About Sextant Marketing

Sextant Marketing is a Tampa-based, independently owned, fee-for-service marketing and consulting company delivering omnichannel marketing and end-to-end enrollment cycle solutions exclusively to higher education clients. Recognized by HolonIQ as a leading Global OPX company, Sextant is uniquely positioned to understand and articulate higher education brand and program value propositions while seamlessly delivering efficient, effective, and turn-key full-funnel recruitment, enrollment, and retention services. Learn more about our innovative approach and how weve helped build hundreds of programs through our decades of enrollment and marketing experience at Sextantmktg.com.
Shannon Family of Wines Mercantile When we were evaluating the prices to set at our tasting locations, I knew that I wanted Shannon Family of Wines to be welcoming, and the best way to do that is to make it affordable and sustainable, shares owner Clay Shannon.

Established Lake County Winery, Shannon Family of Wines, is celebrating that this year's estate vineyard harvest will produce the first wines from the brand officially labeled CCOF Made with Organic Grapes." While these wines won't be available to the public just yet, the winery is proud to offer tastings at The Mercantile and their Vigilance Tasting Room for just $20 to allow everyone to experience the sustainable wines and property. The winery is dedicated to establishing themselves as a value tasting experience for visitors seeking affordable Wine Country experiences.

We know that for most, California Wine Country can feel inaccessible because of the high costs associated with it, shares owner Clay Shannon. When we were evaluating the prices to set at our tasting locations, I knew that I wanted Shannon Family of Wines to be welcoming, and the best way to do that is to make it affordable and sustainable.

Shannon Family of Wines also offers desirable price points throughout their portfolio, with bottles costing between $20 and $70. Among these attractively priced wines are their OVIS wines, which are dedicated to the winery's regenerative farming practices. For visitors who want to take three or more bottles of wine home, the already stellar tasting fee gets waived, making the tasting fully complimentary. Wine Club members also have their tasting fees waived for them and a guest.

The Shannon Family of Wines portfolio includes Buck Shack, Clay Shannon, Giannecchini, High Valley, OVIS, Shannon Ridge, Steele Wines, and Urgency.

For more information on Shannon Family of Wines, visit http://www.shannonfamilyofwines.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

About Shannon Family of Wines

The Shannon Family of Wines is committed to preserving their land, not only for the great vineyard sites but also for the bear, elk, mountain lions, eagles, and other living creatures. Of their approximately 2,500 acres, only about 45% have been converted to vineyards. The balance of the land has been preserved for the wildlife which wanders through the property from the expansive wilderness areas adjoining the ranches. The vineyards were carefully planned out, leaving corridors open to migrating animals and protecting sensitive nesting areas, and will be 100% Certified and Organically farmed this year.
We are excited to join forces with our business-driven daughter and son as we expand our footprint in the south-central region of the country, said Tom Fawbush, senior.

Window World, Americas largest replacement window and remodeling company, announced new leadership for its Elizabethtown and Louisville locations. Window World of Elizabethtown and Window World of Kentuckiana will be owned by husband-and-wife team Tom and Lillian Fawbush and their children Tom Fawbush, Jr. and Sarah Waskey.

Louisville natives, Tom and Lillian Fawbush joined the Window World team 17 years ago as the owner-operators of a franchise in South Central Indiana. Prior to joining the company, Tom worked as a sales and design consultant, while Lillian held the position of vice president of human resources for Citi.

Their son, Tom Jr., brings 33 years of media experience to the business as the vice president of Word Media Group, director of a media brokering agency Spectrum Solutions, and broadcast consultant. At Word Media Group, he manages four television stations nationally, two locally and and five radio stations in Louisville. His sister, Sarah, will use her 22 years of accounting expertise to oversee both stores finances. She is the COO and CFO for Strothman and Company, one of Louisvilles premier accounting firms. In addition to their other roles, Sarah and Tom Jr. are real estate investors in the Louisville area. All four co-owners are thrilled to combine their accounting, franchising, sales, and media skills to serve the Elizabethtown and Louisville communities.

We are a business-oriented family with strong ties and decades of entrepreneurial experience in the Kentuckiana Area, said Tom Fawbush, Jr. Each of us brings a unique skill set to the table, which will translate into serving our region better. Which translates into success.

One of the first changes to the Louisville location is a name change. Window World of Louisville will now be Window World of Kentuckiana. We serve such a wide region and why not start the new era with the new name, said Tom Fawbush, Jr.

Window World, a franchise based out of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, was founded in 1995 and provides homeowners with replacement windows that carry a lifetime limited warranty, are energy efficient, and made in the United States. The company also offers other installation and exterior remodeling services. Window World has more than 220 locations across the country and is rapidly growing to new markets.

The Fawbush family enjoys the independence of small business ownership while being backed by the benefits of a big business network. Window World has one of the most comprehensive training platforms in the franchise industry, creating a fast track to getting the doors open and earning revenue. The companys ongoing support, as well as its dedication to helping entrepreneurs thrive in business, is what made the Fawbush family confident in bringing two more window replacement and remodeling stores into the community they call home.

We are excited to join forces with our business-driven daughter and son as we expand our footprint in the south-central region of the country, said Tom Fawbush, senior. About 17 years ago, I made a wonderful move to join the Window World Family and we never looked back. When we learned about the opportunity to own and operate a franchises in our hometown, it made perfect sense. We look forward serving our dear friends and neighbors in the place we call home.

From the very beginning, the Fawbush family impressed us with their drive and dedication to delivering high-quality services to our customers, said Window World CEO Tammy Whitworth. When the business opportunities in Louisville opened, we immediately thought of Tom senior and his family. This group of talented professionals truly set the bar high when it comes to their eagerness for business growth and ability to surpass yearly revenue goals.

There are currently 10 Window World locations in Kentucky, with more ownership opportunities in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Texas, and more.

For franchising information, visit https://windowworldfranchise.com/.

About Window World

Window World, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, is Americas largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 220 locally owned franchises nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors, and other exterior products, with over 18 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR partner, and its windows, vinyl siding, and Therma-Tru doors have all earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares, Window World and its franchisees provide funding for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, which honored the company with its Organizational Support Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over $11 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports the Veterans Airlift Command, a nonprofit organization that facilitates free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families. As a member of that network, Window Worlds corporate jet has provided transportation for over 115 missions, transporting 360 people around the country, including veterans and their families. In total, Window World has contributed over $2.5 million in flights and donations since 2008. For more information, visit WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, decor ideas, and more, follow Window World on Facebook and Twitter.
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Founded in England in 1992 by two women who were determined to publish the kinds of colorful, diverse books that they wanted their own young children to read, Barefoot Books remains committed to its mission three decades later. Now the press is rethinking how to get its books into the hands of children and their caregivers by placing a new emphasis on traditional markets: independent bookstores, schools, and libraries. It comes at a time when Barefoot, which has prioritized a variety of channels over the past 30 years, has seen sales rise 16% from 2019 to 2021, earning it a spot on PWs most recent list of Fast Growing Independent Presses.

In terms of re-embracing the traditional [over selling direct to consumers], I think that we feel like its our time, said CEO and cofounder Nancy Traversy earlier this month at the presss 4,500 sq. ft. global offices in Concord, Mass., where it moved last year. Maybe we had to wait 30 years. But we couldnt just survive with that because the types of books we were doing were just too fringy early on. I feel like now, theyre certainly not.

Traversy said that she noticed a shift in Barefoots sales in 2016. Suddenly everybody wanted the kinds of books that we were publishing on global awareness, social-emotional learning, diversity and inclusion, representation, STEM, and sustainability. We were able to just lean into that. And I think before we were always having to do a little bit of a dance, she said.

She regards a generally more uncertain and unstable world as the reason Barefoot has come into its own and cites events ranging from Donald Trumps election to the killing of George Floyd, Brexit, increased immigration, Covid, and the war in Ukraine. By 2017, the growing importance of Barefoot in the publishing ecosystem had become so noticeable that the press was named to Forbess annual list of Small Giants, 25 small companies that do things any business can learn from.

Over the past few years, Barefoot has continued to rethink its sales strategy. It has moved away from its long-time focus on selling direct to readers, which dates back to 2003 when it signed a cadre of Stallholders, since renamed Community Booksellers, to sell books to friends and family, as well as schools. Until 2015, Barefoot also had its own stores, or studios, one in Concord and one in Oxford, England, as well as a short-lived store inside FAO Schwarz in New York City. Now the Concord offices serve as an events space for kids activities and community events. The staff is trained on using Square so that they can sell books at events and to occasional customers who stop by. Currently direct sales to schools and consumers, as well as through Community Booksellers, account for roughly 6% of sales.

Barefoot has also begun to actively woo independent bookstores after terminating its relationship with rep groups that sold its books to indies in 2013, the same year it stopped selling direct to Amazon. In June, Barefoot hired Jonathan Ackerman, previously with Highlights, as trade sales director. And earlier this month it added two rep groups, Fujii Associates and Imprint Group West. With Barefoots books already in rep bags for Chesapeake & Hudson and Southern Territory Associates, as of September 1, the press now has representation throughout the U.S. and in the U.K. and western Europe with Compass Distribution.

Continuing to Pursue Multi-Channels

Barefoot has no intention of giving up other sales opportunities. In 2018, Barefoot began partnering with Little Passports and Kiwi, making it the first childrens book publisher to participate in subscription boxes, according to Traversy. As a result, subscription box sales for the press grew 350% from 20182019, before dropping back to 33% growth in 2020. Though parents have begun looking for real experiences in their community, Traversy said that subscription boxes remain very important.

In addition, Barefoot was the first childrens book publisher on Faire, the B2B online marketplace that launched in 2017. Since then the press has added similar platforms that introduce buyers to sellers, mostly for the gift market. These marketplaces, which aggregate items from various sellers for buyers, also take away the sellers credit risk for small businesses. As a result of Barefoots success on one B2B platform, which Traversy declined to name, Barefoot is now in discussions with Staples about rolling out its books in their stores.

In terms of the strongest channel, Traversy said that its education, education, education. Together with literacy, education accounts for 47% of Barefoots sales. Part of what makes Barefoots books attractive to educators is its focus on authentic stories. Were publishing the books weve always published, Traversy said, but were celebrating them. She points to diverse books on family and community like To Carnival by Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Jana Glatt, and Family Reunion by Chad and Dad Richardson, illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin. To reach teachers, Barefoot has a blog and offers webinars on themes like diversity in picture books and social-emotional learning. It also works with curriculum providers like Great Minds and education distributors.

Barefoot also nurtures literacy partnerships. We put a lot of focus on getting books into the hands of children who need them most, Traversy said. This year Barefoot will ship one million books in 20 languages through Books4Schools. Following a 2019 partnership with Books for Africa, in which it shipped 300,000 books to HIV/AIDS orphans and their caregivers in Mozambique, Barefoot will send 100,000 books to Madagascar in its national language, Malagasy.

Going Forward

Over the past three decades, Barefoot has published close to 1,000 titles and shipped more than 30 million copies. Traversy anticipates more than doubling last years sales growth. We think well be up 35% this year over last year, if we get a few deals in the door, she said. One thing that will help those numbers is lowered shipping costs. Last year the press paid five times what it had in previous years, due to increased shipping costs. One container of books and decks from Hong Kong to the U.S. cost $50,000.

This fall Barefoot is launching Our World, a 28-book series for babies and toddlers about day-to-day life in different countries. Created by authors and artists from around the world, the first three titles are: Egypt by Aya Khalil, illustrated by Magda Azab; Japan by Emily Satoko Seo, illustrated by Aunyarat Watanabe; and France by Evelyne Holingue, illustrated by Margaux Carentier. The press plans to publish 12 titles in the series by the end of next year.

Barefoot is also expanding its list overall and will publish more than 30 books in 2023, up from 20 in 2021. In part thats because, what were realizing, Traversy said, is that different channels want different books. Plans call for 10 or 11 books to be published in the spring and another 19 or 20 books next fall.

But one thing wont change. What weve consistently done, Traversy said, is produce very high quality, beautiful books for children.
Mad Libs and Weird Al: A Match Made in Parody Heaven

Penguin Young Readers Mad Libs brand is pairing with The Roku Channel and its upcoming Roku Original film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, for a collection of three downloadable Weird Al stories and a sweepstakes. Both launch September 30, in advance of the November 4 premiere of the parody biopic starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Both brands focus on over-the-top fun and silly spoofs based on existing materials. In our initial call with them, it just seemed to all of us that Mad Libs and Weird Al had a lot in common, said Brian Clark, senior editor of Mad Libs, who wrote all the Weird-based stories. It was like two meteors that were meant to crash and they finally did.

The films trailer generated more than a million views in its first three weeks and is up to almost 1.4 million now. Very early reviews seem to be positive, with a 92% rating on the review site Rotten Tomatoes. While the movie itself might skew too old for some families, Clark said, Weird Als entire body of work in general holds strong appeal for kids. Theres the playing around and the silliness that kids really like, he said. They enjoy the comedy and the quirky and offbeat humor.

The three Mad Libs stories are Where the Weird Started, My Weird Al Playlist, and Primetime Weird. Each is connected to a major story beat from the film that fans would expect, while avoiding spoilers. We have a lot of leeway, being Mad Libs, Clark said. If were worried that something might be a spoiler, we can just put a blank there and let the user decide.

Mad Libs continually pairs brand with movies, museums, indie bookstores, Arbys menus, calendars, and the like, sometimes for printed books for sale and sometimes for free downloads like this. We want to be everywhere, said Clark. If there are any fans that dont know Weird Al or Mad Libs, well find them with this cross-pollination.

The sweepstakes gives fans who fill out and share their stories online and tag The Roku Channel (@TheRokuChannel) on both Twitter and Instagram between September 30 and October 5 have a chance to enter a digital sweepstakes on the Mad Libs Facebook Page (@TheOriginalMadLibs). Grand prize winners will receive a Hawaiian shirt worn in the film, as well as a prize pack of 10 Mad Libs titles. Official rules to the sweepstakes can be found here.

Empowering Rebel Girls Through Consumer Products

The consumer products program for the Rebel Girls brand has grown significantly in the past year. New licensees include PlayStories for personalized storybooks; Fashion Angels for craft and stationery products sold through Amazon; Mad Engine for graphic t-shirts available at Target, as well as one Hispanic Heritage month t-shirt featuring Sonia Sotomayor at Walmart; Centric for a line of pajama sets at Target.com; and Jay Franco for bedding. The company has also done a number of collaborations with fashion and lifestyle brands.

The consumer products are a way to deepen our connection with our audience, said Michon Vanderpoel, head of book sales, who oversees licensing. For me, the consumer products program is all about Rebel Girlhood, she added, explaining that the propertys mission is to empower girls, and part of that is self-identifying as a Rebel Girl. Licensed consumer products help you do that. They also expand awareness and get us in stores or in parts of the store we may not be in.

Each year 12 to 15 women are highlighted as part of a company-wide campaign or theme, and most of the products feature portraits of those figures. But there is flexibility. Some products, such as board games or puzzles, need to depict many women beyond the core group, while others might be centered around a theme or a new collection of stories. Fashion Angels collection, for example, supports the book Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Black Girl Magic. Meanwhile, a number of products feature the Rebel Girls logo along with an empowering phrase, rather than the art. Its not just about the art, its about our ethos and our mission, Vanderpoel said.

Each product also includes an element of storytelling, whether a phrase on a t-shirt, text on package, or a QR code taking the reader to an original story on the Rebel Girls app. Storytelling is our number one superpower, Vanderpoel said.

PlayStories personalized books feature original stories that repackage content themed to artists, athletes, and scientists. In each story, the readers avatar interacts with a historical character who introduces her to other figures from history. In general, Rebel Girls keeps all publishing activity in-house, but it will consider licensing publishing-adjacent categories, Vanderpoel said, in cases where it does not have expertise and can reach new audiences through a licensee like PlayStories.

Rebel Girls currently has a reach of 22 million girls and it hope to expand that number to 50 million by 2025. The new licensed products, and more categories to come, represent one way to help achieve that goal. The fifth volume in the Rebel Girls Good Night Stories series, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Inspiring Young Changemakers, will be released on October 4.

Random House Launches New Programs with Key Partners

Random House is launching brand-new publishing programs with three of its long-time licensor partners, Netflix, Disney, and DC Comics.

For Netflix, Random House is publishing books tied to Spirit Rangers, a preschool fantasy adventure created by Karissa Valencia, who is half Mexican and half Chumash. In the show, Native siblings and junior park rangers transform into spirit rangers, protecting the environment and saving their home. The show, which is produced by Chris Nee, creator of Doc McStuffins, launches on October 10, and the first book, a hardcover storybook written by Valencia, releases the next day.

The show has core themes of family, problem-solving, ecology, and team work, which always sell well, said Chris Angelilli, Random Houses v-p and editor-in-chief of licensed publishing. Its a major initiative at Random House to acquire the rights to new, diverse properties, and we liked that the creator, cast, and characters are all Native. It has an extremely colorful CG animation style. And its a series Netflix is very excited about.

For Disney, meanwhile, Random House is releasing seven tie-in titles for Strange World, an original animated film that releases in theaters on November 23. It is about a family in a steampunkesque universe, Angelilli said, which journeys to unknown lands, meeting really weird creatures along the way, on a mission to save the world.

Imagine that Jules Verne made a Disney movie, said Angelilli. The animation is really stunning, and at heart its a movie about family. Titles will be in the typical licensing formats: junior novelization, Little Golden Book, two Step into Reading titles, and an 8x8 among them. Next year will come a graphic novel retelling of the story, likely timed to the release of the movie on the Disney+ streaming platform.

For DC, Random House has a new publishing program for the preschool series Batwheels, which airs on HBO Max and Cartoon Network. The first title is a hardcover storybook, Lucky Wheels, which came out in September. This is a format Random House has been including on its lists for a growing number of licensed properties recently. It feels a little more bookish and gifty, especially at the launch, said Angelilli. About five titles per season will follow starting in 2023, in formats including Little Golden Books, Step into Reading, 8x8s, board books, and activity books.

Were really excited about this, Angelilli said. There hasnt been an animated DC series for preschoolers in a very long time. Its about crime-solving anthropomorphic vehicles, but they havent been self-aware for long, so theyre like children. It also has the core play patterns of vehicles and superheroes. The Batmobile, the Batgirl Cycle, the Robinmobile, and the Batwing are the main characters, with DC superheroes also making an appearance.

In Brief

Dynamite is publishing a line of comic books, Garbage Pail Kids: Origins. This takes the property up a bit in age from the middle-grade readers, by R.L. Stine, published by Abrams. Random Houses new licensees for Richard Scarry include Bioworld for apparel and accessories, Clarkson Potter for stationery and baby books, and Small Planet (Japan) for apparel, accessories, and onesies. Dr. Seuss Enterprises has licensed its classic properties to AT Games for virtual pinball tables on ATs Legends Arcade platform. In the U.K., Caroline Mickler Ltd. added Winning Moves and Bookeez as new licensees for Novel Entertainments book-based Horrid Henry; Igloo Books has acquired the rights to CoComelon from Moonbug Entertainment and agent The Point.1888 for a storybook advent calendar; and Studio 100 Media named Macmillan Childrens Books as the master publisher for Vegesaurs. Dark Horse has secured the license for Rocky Horror Picture Show, which is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary, as well as the license Usagi Yojimbo, which will be published under the companys new Dogu imprint. For older teens and adults, HarperCollins is publishing a companion guide to Cobra Kai, which is in its fifth season. Sony Pictures Consumer Products is the licensor. Candlewick has licensed David Ezra Steins Interrupting Chicken to Apple TV+ for an animated preschool series launching in November.
Marybeth Peters, who served as the U.S. Register of Copyrights from 1994 to 2010, died on September 29. She was 83.

Peters spent her career working in the copyright field, and was considered a leading expert on both international and domestic copyright issues. Prior to her appointment as Register of Copyrights, Peters held a variety of positions in the copyright office. During her time there, Peters played a key role in adapting copyright to the digital age, including helping to implement both the 1976 Copyright Act and the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The controversial Google Book Search lawsuit also took place during her tenure, and Peters was critical of the proposed settlement, arguing that it was at odds with the law. The settlement was eventually rejected by Judge Denny Chin.

Following her retirement in 2010, Peters joined the board of the Copyright Clearance Center from 2011 to 2017 and practiced with the law firm of Oblon, Spivak from 2011 to 2015 and then Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe from 2016 to 2017. She was succeeded as Register of Copyrights by Maria Pallante, currently president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers.

Marybeth was a giant in the field of copyright law and both inspiring and imposing at the helm of the Copyright Office, Pallante said in a statement. She was endlessly interested in meeting new people, especially musical people, and had a way of drawing practitioners, including me, into periods of government service. Her achievementsas a distinguished legal expert, public official, and chief executive officerare unique and significant, and they will serve authors and the global public for generations to come. We send our sincere condolences to Marybeths extended family, friends, and everyone who admired her.

Donations may be made in Ms. Peters memory to the Intellectual Property Program at George Washington University Law School via https://go.gwu.edu/memoryofmarybethpeters.
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George Clooney and Amal Clooney hosted the first-ever Albie Awards on Thursday.

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The 61-year-old actor and 44-year-old human rights lawyer held the event for their Clooney Foundation for Justice at the New York Public Library.

The Albie Awards are named after South African activist and former judge Albert "Albie" Sachs and honor "courageous defenders of justice who are at great risk for what they do."

"We believe that justice must be waged -- it doesn't just happen. So when journalists are locked up for doing their job, we try to get them out of prison. When young girls are denied the right to study, work, or marry when they want, we help them fight for their rights through the courts. When minorities are targeted for genocide, we help trigger trials against the perpetrators," George and Amal Clooney previously said.

"The Albie Awards add a new dimension to our work at CFJ: they are a way to shine a protective light on the many courageous individuals who, at great personal risk, have devoted their lives to justice," the couple added.

George and Amal Clooney celebrated their eight-year wedding anniversary this week. At the Albie Awards, George Clooney told People that he loved working with Amal Clooney on the event.

"Well we collaborate on everything. We collaborated on twins!" the actor said, referencing their 5-year-old twins, son Alexander and daughter Ella.

Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Tracee Ellis Ross, Drew Barrymore, Juliana Margulies, Ethan Hawke and Cindy Crawford were among the celebrities in attendance.
Former RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Ginger Minj and Manila Luzon said their new special, Dragstravaganza, premiering Saturday on Hulu, allows them to expand on their Drag Race performances.

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Minj hosts the special with Monet X Change, and Luzon is one of the performers in several variety acts.

"We get to go onto a show like [Drag Race] and just be ourselves, represent who we are and not play a scripted role," Luzon told UPI in a recent Zoom interview. "One of the greatest things about it is the representation of who we are."

Both Minj and Luzon appeared in various seasons of Drag Race, Drag Race: Untucked, Drag Race All Stars and Drag Race All Stars: Untucked. Minj said she is ready for the performance of Dragstravaganza without worrying about reality.

"Now that we've done that, it's fun to play the scripted version," Minj said. "You know who we are. Now, let us put some fake blood on and sing songs."

Minj and X Change participate in musical numbers with the entire cast. Luzon is one of many drag performers in the sketches the hosts introduce.

Minj said she had four days to prepare and perform her Dragstravaganza segments.

"The first day, we recorded the tracks," Minj said. "Then we learned the choreography. Two days were filming."

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Luzon said she had one week of rehearsals and another week of filming.

"It was a lot of fun to get to spend those two weeks celebrating Halloween in the middle of summer," Luzon said. "It's like we get the VIP tickets. We get to celebrate early."

One of Luzon's songs is "The Next American Slasher," which she performs with Jujubee and Mo Heart.

"It was a lot of fun to go into that psycho killer part of my personality and bring that out in my drag," Luzon said.

Kesha performs one song in the special, too. Both Minj and Luzon said they fangirled over Kesha.

"She just stopped to be like, 'Oh, I just want to say you look so beautiful today,'" Minj said. "Then I turned around and went, 'You're Kesha. You think I'm beautiful? Thank you very much, but thank you even more.' She's so sweet."

Since Drag Race, Minj also filmed a role in Hocus Pocus 2. Luzon also appeared in the film God Save the Queens, and both continue to appear in music videos.

Both said they would return to Drag Race if asked, but Luzon praised the additional opportunities they have until then.

"We're really excited that there's a lot more opportunities for us drag queens on TV and in movies," Luzon said.

Minj added that filming scripted shows relieves the pressure of the reality TV eliminations.

"It's nice to be a part of something where we can't get sent home," Minj said.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/30/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

The Bachelorette star Gabby Windey has gushed about being on Cloud 9 now that she and fiance Erich Schwer are dating in public and he's supporting her on .On Monday night's episode of on Disney+, Erich was shown rehearsing with Gabby behind the scenes and then cheering her on in the ballroom audience when the ICU nurse and her pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy took the stage on "Elvis Night.""Oh, my gosh, having him here was amazing," the former Denver Broncos cheerleader gushed to Us Weekly after the live two-hour show."[I'm] excited to perform for him and [for] him to see a different side of me that... we don't get to share with each other, you know, every day."Gabby added, "This last week has been, honestly, like a dream come true. I feel like I'm on Cloud 9. [It's] so cheesy."Gabby and Val performed a graceful Viennese waltz to "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley , and the pair tied for first place on the judges' leaderboard with two other couples.All three couples, including Wayne Brady and pro partner Witney Carson as well as Charli D'Amelio and pro partner Mark Ballas , received 32 out of 40 points for their routines."I'm so proud of you," Erich told Gabby after her dance routine, before the couple shared a sweet kiss onstage.Gabby recalled the intimate moment with her fiance being "the perfect close to a beautiful dance."Gabby survived the vote and will continue competing on ' 31st season, but she doesn't expect the journey to be an easy one."We're only in Week 2, but I think we both worked our asses off, mostly me this last week and just, like, getting the basics of ballroom [dance]," The Bachelor alum explained."That validation feels great and I feel like it's giving me more encouragement for the future."Next week, is "James Bond Week," and Gabby teased how she and Val will be dancing the cha cha."I'm excited for [it]," Gabby said."I'm excited to show [a different side] of Gabby as well. The cha cha is a little bit sexier, a little bit more fierce. You know, we showed the beautiful side, the romantic side. Now we can get into the competition."Gabby has said in the press how she and Erich are "a team now" and "united."While Rachel Recchia 's time on The Bachelorette ended with a broken engagement to Tino Franco after a cheating scandal, Gabby got her happily-ever-after ending.Erich, a 29-year-old real estate analyst from Bedminster, NJ, who currently lives in California, proposed marriage to Gabby at her Final Rose Ceremony of The Bachelorette's nineteenth season, and Gabby said "yes."On The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose, Gabby revealed she and Erich had overcome some obstacles in their relationship, such as a resurfaced blackface photo and alarming allegations about a pre-show relationship Erich had with an ex.Gabby shared on Live with Kelly and Ryan last week how she and Erich are both currently living in Los Angeles, CA."He has a lease that I think he's going to finish out, and then we'll probably, you know, get in there and move in together !" Gabby shared.Gabby boasted of her relationship, "He's really goofy, and I feel like we just had this friendship first. It always felt like we knew each other for way longer than we did."Gabby said she feels "safe" with Erich and well supported."I feel like that's an intangible feeling that relationships give you that are hopefully going to last a while," Gabby noted.
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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.
With Brattleboro voting overwhelmingly to become part of the international Charter for Compassion, the Reformer and The Commons have agreed to publish a Compassion Story of the Month. This is the 63rd. Submissions, from Brattleboro area residents, for future publication, not to exceed 650 words, should be emailed to: compassionstory@gmail.com or mailed to: Compassion Story of the Month, PO Box 50, Marlboro, VT 05344. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address. Earlier submitted stories will automatically be considered in subsequent months.
Beijing calls for 'managing differences' in advancing ties with Tokyo

(People's Daily App) 14:52, September 30, 2022

A Chinese official called for "staying true to China and Japan's original aspiration" and "managing differences" in building a China-Japan relationship that fits into the new era as both countries on Thursday marked the 50th anniversary since the two normalized diplomatic relations.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, spoke highly of the decision for the two countries to normalize ties. The senior leadership from both countries made the decision based on their "excellent strategic vision and political foresight," he said.

The two sides have signed four political documents and a series of consensus over the last half-century, which has created the foundation for the lawful and political base of the China-Japan relationship while doubling down on the vast development of bilateral exchanges, Wang said.

He added that the positive results from bilateral cooperation have not just brought benefits to the two peoples but also peace, stability and prosperity to the world.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
Kerry Raheb, 54, of Bennington, a candidate for U.S. Senate, has been criminally charged with violating an abuse prevention order and, in turn, has sued the police officer who arrested him, the Bennington states attorney prosecuting him and the judge who arraigned him.
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Curtiss Reed Jr. will receive the Terry Ehrich Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.
Arthur G. Woolf is the board chair of New England Federal Credit Union. John J. Dwyer, Jr. is president and chief executive officer of New England Federal Credit Union. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
The discovery of their bodies brings to 11 the total number of those who died in the incident.

Cambodian authorities said the bodies of the final eight missing Chinese migrants from a small fishing vessel that sank last week off the Cambodian coast washed up on a Vietnamese island, bringing the total number of dead from the accident to 11.

Officials in Preah Sihanouk province initially posted photos of the eight on Facebook after they were found on Phu Quoc, which is off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The photos were later removed from the social media platform.

The wooden boat, which was carrying 33 Chinese migrants, encountered problems on Sept. 22 near the Cambodian coastal city Sihanoukville, a popular resort town known for its casinos, and capsized. The Chinese aboard had been promised jobs as fishermen.

Twenty-two passengers were rescued by Cambodian authorities and by a fishing boat in Vietnamese waters. Three of the migrants were found dead in the initial aftermath of the accident, while eight remained missing until Thursday.

Sihanoukville is a hotbed for human trafficking, with victims from across the region being tricked into working in the casinos or as online scammers, and sometimes being held against their will by employers. According to an earlier report by AFP, the surviving passengers said they had been promised 10,000 to 20,000 yuan (U.S. $1,405-$2,809) to work in Cambodia for 10-20 days.

Speaking at the 6th National Inter-Faith Forum Against Human Trafficking on Thursday, Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday blamed illegal gambling operations in Cambodia as contributing to rampant human trafficking and pledged tough action in response.

It is a complicated issue and it doesnt only happen in Cambodia, he told attendees at the conference, organized under the theme Do Not Use Cambodia as a Destination of Trafficking in Persons.

If we are not prudent, Cambodia will become a safe haven for criminals to commit crime in our country, Hun Sen said. They are using Cambodia as a place to produce drugs and then distribute them to Vietnam, Thailand and other countries.

Ny Sokha, president of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association, an NGO known as ADHOC, said he welcomed the prime ministers commitment to fighting human trafficking, but questioned the governments ability to follow through.

He noted that Hun Sen has made other pledges, such as ending illegal logging in the country, that have not come to fruition.

Human trafficking is not committed by ordinary poor people, and the justice system in Cambodia must prevent impunity because with impunity and corruption, human trafficking cant be prevented, Ny Sokha said.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng told attendees at the conference that the country was working to prevent trafficking, rescue victims and apprehend ringleaders.

Criminals are committing crimes silently online via cyber-technology and are using other tricks to exploit victims to work overtime [or] to detain, torture and kidnap them, he said. Some criminals are armed, and if they are not deterred, they will become a threat to national security in the future.

As of late August, Cambodian authorities received almost 400 complaints about human trafficking, and authorities had rescued about 400 victims, about 55 of whom had been trafficked, according to Cambodias Interior Ministry. The victims were from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, the Philippines, the United States, Turkey and South Korea.

At least 43 suspects have been brought to justice, and their operations have been shut down, according to the ministry.

Translated by Samean Yun for RFA Khmer. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping [second from right], lay wreaths on Tiananmen Square to mark Martyrs' Day on the eve of the National Day in Beijing, China, Sept. 30, 2022.

Ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders visited a shrine to revolutionary martyrs on Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Friday, kicking off official celebrations ahead of the Oct. 1 National Day.

Police set up roadblocks on major thoroughfares around the area, and shut down two nearby stations on Beijing's subway, amid an ongoing operation that will force critics of the regime and migrant workers from out of town to return home ahead of the CCP's 20th National Congress, which opens on Oct. 16.

CCP leader Xi Jinping, who will seek an unprecedented third term in office at the party congress, led the members of the all-powerful Politburo standing committee, which bowed in respect at the Monument to the People's Heroes and laid floral tributes at the shrine in a 20-minute ceremony marking Martyrs' Memorial Day on Friday, before attending a banquet at the Great Hall of the People.

Beijing rights activist Ye Jinghuan said major boulevards on both sides of Tiananmen Square were closed to traffic ahead of the ceremony, while trains weren't stopping at Tiananmen and Qianmen subway stations.

"It's not just the subway -- the two streets on the east and west sides of Tiananmen Square [Nanchizi and Nanchang Street] are also blocked off," Ye told RFA.

"They have also changed the bus and trolleybus routes, so that the No. 1, No. 52 bus and any others routed down Chang'an Boulevard aren't stopping either," she said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and other Chinese leaders bow during a ceremony to mark Martyr's Day at the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, Sept. 30, 2022. Credit: Associated Press Ordinary people put out

Ye said the closure of the stations would greatly inconvenience families hoping to spend the National Day sight-seeing around Tiananmen and the Forbidden City, or shopping at the nearby Wangfujing shopping district.

"Elderly people and kids won't be able to go, because they would need to get off at Dongdan or Xidan on the subway, then walk to Tiananmen Square [about 2-3 kilometers away]," she said.

Jiangsu-based current affairs commentator Zhang Jianping said the government expects ordinary people to pay the price for their security and convenience.

"They've been talking about governing the country according to the constitution and the laws for so many years now," Zhang told RFA. "But the general public still wind up paying the price for their convenience and ease of travel."

"I'm not sure if that constitutes the rule of law."

The ceremony comes amid an ongoing mass operation in which police officers are being put under pressure to make as many arrests as possible, sources have told RFA.

Officials from the ministry of public security said on Tuesday they had arrested more than 1.43 million "suspects" nationwide in a mass "stability maintenance" operation.

"There is no doubt that this is all part of the stability maintenance controls linked to the 20th National Congress," Zhang said. "There's no controversy about that."

A hard time

Ye said any attempt to visit Tiananmen Square for sight-seeing now has to run the gauntlet of multiple security scans and ID checks, with anyone flagged as a potential threat to "stability" sent straight to the nearest police station.

"[Anyone flagged] as a person of interest with a red or yellow label is immediately sent to the police station," Ye said. "You even have to do ID checks if you go there by bicycle."

"We haven't been there for years," she said.

The "stability maintenance" period will intensify between Oct. 8 and 26, Beijing police have told rights activists in the city, often ordering them to leave town, or escorting them under surveillance to tourist resorts elsewhere, sources have told RFA.

"We must leave Beijing on the 8th," one activist, who declined to be named, said on Friday.

Beijing resident Wang Xia said security is tight everywhere in the city.

"Security is very tight in Beijing right now," Wang said. "As soon as you arrive in Beijing by bus or train, you have to [line up] for ID card checks, one by one," Wang said. "The focus is on rights activists and petitioners, whom they regard as a threat."

"They are detaining all of them ... they give people a hard time. The whole of society is just a big prison right now," Wang said.

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (right) welcomes Jose C. Faustino Jr., the acting Philippine defense chief, to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, Sept. 29, 2022.

Longtime allies the Philippines and United States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation on Friday, as their top defense officials met in-person for the first time since a new government took office in Manila.

Acting Philippine Defense Secretary Jose Faustino Jr. and his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, both articulated their support for stronger cooperation after meeting in Hawaii on Friday (Manila time) to discuss a range of security concerns.

The administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr., who was elected in a landslide in May, has moved swiftly to firm up ties with the U.S., marking a departure from the previous administration. Under former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines drifted away from its alliance with America and closer to China, despite territorial wrangling in the South China Sea.

The first face-to-face meeting between the defense officials also took place amid mounting tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Security officials and analysts had earlier said that if a conflict broke out there, the Philippines, as a decades-old ally of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, could offer a staging area for responding U.S. forces.

Austin said that he had a robust dialogue with Faustino on positioning the alliance to address emerging challenges.

Both countries are bound by a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty that calls on each side to come to the others aid in times of external attacks. The Americans had earlier reminded China of this in the midst of its military expansionism in the South China Sea.

Youve heard me say a couple of times that I cannot imagine a day when the United States and the Philippines arent allies. Its who we are, Austin said during a joint press conference at the headquarters of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, according to transcripts released to the Philippine journalists in Manila.

Again, I consider us to be more family.

Austin noted that both countries reaffirmed the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows for large-scale joint exercises, as well as an agreement granting permission to the American forces to pre-position defense assets on Philippine soil.

Both are critical to our alliance cooperation and strengthening our combined capabilities, he said.

Of particular concern are developments in the South China Sea, where China, the Philippines as well as other Southeast Asian nations have competing claims. In 2016, an international court of arbitration ruled in favor of Manila in a landmark case that the Philippines brought against China.

But instead of seeking to enforce the ruling, the previous president, Duterte, pursued warmer relations with China in exchange for the promised largesse of Chinese investments. Although he took a tougher stance before ending his term this year, analysts have said that Duterte did too little, too late to counter Chinese expansionist moves in the maritime region, while he constantly launched verbal attacks against the U.S.

His successor, Marcos, is seeking to reverse that strategy.

While in New York last week, he and U.S. President Joe Biden held a one-to-one meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss, among other things, boosting the bilateral alliance.

Faustino said the Philippines still believed that diplomacy and dialogue were crucial in resolving the South China Sea question.

This includes continuing  engagement with China in both bilateral and multilateral platforms and multilateral dialogues, without prejudice to the Philippines position in the West Philippine Sea to facilitate mutual trust and understanding, Faustino said, using the Philippine term for the South China Sea.

However, the volatile situation in the disputed sea region remains the Philippines foremost security concern, the acting Filipino defense chief told reporters in Hawaii.

The Philippines defense and security engagement with the U.S. remains the key pillar of the Philippine-U.S. bilateral relations, Faustino said, noting that the defense treaty was the bedrock of his countrys national defense policy.

We look forward after this bilateral meeting [to having] a more robust cooperation particularly in issues pertaining to external threats to our country, and coming up with other avenues of operation where we could discuss things with mutual interest to the U.S. and Philippines, he said.

Taiwan Strait

The top defense officials also discussed tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Aside from Taiwans location near the Philippines northernmost tip, tens of thousands of Filipinos work on the island that Beijing considers a renegade province and they could be in danger if the Taiwanese came under attack, Faustino said.

While the Philippines adheres to the One China Policy, we urge all concerned parties to exercise restraint, and that diplomacy and dialogue must prevail, he said, adding that Manilas most pressing concern at this time was the safety of its estimated 150,000 citizens working in Taiwan.

Washington, meanwhile, does not want to see any type of unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, Austin said. We are focused on making sure that we are working together to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The meeting in Hawaii took place ahead of a 12-day training exercise involving 2,550 U.S. Marines and some 630 Filipino counterparts.

The exercises, dubbed Kamandag, are to be held in various provinces, including in areas facing the West Philippine Sea. Troops from the Japan Self-Defense Force as well as from the Korea Marine Corps are expected to join as observers, the Philippine military said.

The drills, it said, aim to enhance bilateral cooperation and interoperability among participating forces in the conduct of combined tactical operations.

Specifically, the training is meant to enhance the capability of the two sides in the field of special operations, coast defense, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) response and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear operations, the Philippine military said.

Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, the Philippine Marine chief, said his side hoped to learn from the Americans about advanced techniques in amphibious operations and special operations, particularly in territorial defense capabilities.

Through this exercise, we are able to learn from their techniques, tactics, and procedures to develop our interoperability strategy in the Philippine Marine Corps, especially as we operationalize our Marine Corps Operating Concept for Archipelagic Coastal Defense, he said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.
There are concerns that the Taiwan Policy Act will not clear Congress during the current term.

A week after the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bill on U.S. policy toward Taiwan, the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee introduced its own version.

Analysts say it will take time to consolidate the two versions of the Taiwan Policy Act 2022 amid concerns that it would not clear the U.S. Congress before the end of the current term in Jan. 2023.

The Houses version of the Taiwan Policy Act was introduced on Wednesday by the Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican and Chairman of its China Task Force, Michael McCaul, in order to strengthen Taiwans defense and deter the aggression of the Chinese Communist Party [CCP].

Taiwan is a critical national security partner for the United States whose democracy is under an unprecedented level of threat from the CCP, said McCaul.

Now is the time to arm our ally, before an invasion occurs not after Deterrence is key to stopping the CCP from provoking a conflict that would seriously harm U.S. national security, the Texan congressman said.

The draft bill proposed a comprehensive set of tools to increase Taiwans military capabilities to deter and defeat a CCP attack including authorizing up to U.S. $6.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing over 5 fiscal years, contingent on Taiwan increasing non-personnel defense spending, according to the Committees summary.

It would also establish joint training, planning, and exercises as well as authorize a munitions stockpile, FMF (foreign military financing) loans, and drawdown authority for Taiwan. Similar to the Senates version, the House Committees version asks for expediting military sales to Taiwan.

Taiwanese soldier undergoing live shooting training. CREDIT: Taiwan Ministry of Defense





More radical?

Yet amongst measures to modernize the U.S. Taiwan policy, the House proposed version requires administration to refer to Taiwan as a government; reauthorizes Taiwan Assurance Act to reduce unnecessary restrictions; ensures Taiwan is able to display its national flag for government business; renames TECRO (the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States) the Taiwan Representative Office; and elevates top U.S. diplomat in Taiwan with Senate confirmation.

Similar provisions in the Senates Taiwan Policy Act 2022 were removed after the White House expressed concerns about some of the elements that may be deemed as radical.

It is natural that the House's version of Taiwan Policy Act is a more uncompromising reflection of U.S. support for and sentiment towards Taiwan, said Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist from the Taiwan Studies Program at the Australian National University.

The U.S. House of Representatives historically represents popular values while the U.S. Senate represents pragmatism and moderation, Sung said.

This makes the U.S. Senate version look moderate in comparison, thereby making it easier for Beijing to accept the Senate version, if that's the version that eventually passes through both chambers, the analyst told RFA.

China has repeatedly protested against all Taiwan-related U.S. legislations, including the Taiwan Policy Act, which it calls U.S. interference in Chinas internal affairs, and requires that the U.S. stop advancing them.

The challenge now would be how to consolidate the two versions.

The significant gap between Senate and House versions may necessitate a lengthy reconciliation process to harmonize their proposals, and all these have to be done by no later than January 2023 when the next Congress swears in, or it will all go to waste, Sung said.

Taiwan Air Forces fighter jets flying in formation during a rehearsal for the National Days celebration, Sept. 29, 2022. CREDIT: Taiwan Ministry of Defense





Accelerating arms transfer to Taiwan

Last week Taiwanese official media quoted an unnamed senior official with knowledge of the matter who said that the government thinks it is unlikely that the Taiwan Policy Act will clear the U.S. Congress before the end of the current term.

The official quoted by the Central News Agency (CNA) revealed that Taipei "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.

It was eventually passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Sept. 14.

However, despite uncertainties around the passing of the Taiwan Policy Act, a newly introduced bill at the U.S. Congress could still help speed up arms transfer to Taipei.

Congressmen Steve Chabot and Brad Sherman on Sept. 15 introduced the Accelerating Arms Transfers to Taiwan Act (H.R. 8842) which, if passed, would make Taiwan eligible for priority delivery of excess defense articles.

It would, if approved, also require the Secretary of Defense to use the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to accelerate weapons procurement for Taiwan and authorize the creation of a war reserve stockpile on Taiwan.

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.
Taiwanese groups say the island's rights and freedoms are its best defense against the threat from China.

People gather to protest against China on human rights on the eve of China's National Day in front of the Bank of China in Taipei, Taiwan, Sept. 30, 2022.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of democratic Taiwan on Friday in a warning over Beijing's authoritarian ambitions and territorial claims on Taiwan, ahead of China's Oct. 1 National Day holiday.

Activists from more than 20 Taiwanese rights groups stood outside the Bank of China branch in Taipei with banners that read: "Don't give up on human rights!" and "Resist China! Resist authoritarianism!"

In a reference to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping's call for a "self-confident" China, rights activist Lee Ming-Cheh, who was released from a five-year jail term in China after being found guilty of "subversion of state power," said the CCP is likely one of the least confident governments in the world.

"In my opinion, the Chinese communist government is the least confident government in the world, and can't even tolerate true-to-life movies," Lee told the rally, in a reference to recent movie bans ahead of the CCP's 20th National Congress on Oct. 16.

Taiwan has never been ruled by the CCP, nor formed part of the People's Republic of China, yet Beijing insists that the island is part of its territory and has threatened to annex it by force, if necessary.

Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen has said the island's 23 million people have no wish to give up their sovereignty or democratic way of life, a view that has been strongly supported by repeated public opinion polls and her landslide election victory in recent years.

"Taiwan didn't choose the road of confrontation with China," Lee told the rally. "We didn't want to provoke China, but all of the threats to peace in the Taiwan Strait are coming from the Chinese government."

"All we want is to hold onto our values and our way of life," he said. "We are a great country that listens to its people, and doesn't want to be a slave to China."

The protesters called on Taiwanese to keep on defending human rights, to stand up for the island's freedoms, and to actively unite against China's authoritarian ambitions.

Lee Ming-Cheh, a Taiwanese pro-democracy activist, detained by Chinese authorities in late March 2017, delivers a speech during a protest against China on human rights on the eve of China's National Day in front of the Bank of China in Taipei, Taiwan, Sept. 30, 2022. Credit: AP 'Unite and resist'

Shih Yi-hsiang, head of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, said respect for human rights is one of the most striking differences between the island and China.

"The need to protect our human rights is our most powerful argument for protecting Taiwan from the threat posed by China," Shih told protesters.

"I don't fear that we won't have enough weapons: what I fear the most is that Taiwan, if we're not careful, could fall back into more conservative values and authoritarianism," he said.

"In the face of the Chinese regime, which is an anti-human rights behemoth, Taiwan needs to make more strategic connections and cooperate with human rights defenders from all over the world to unite and resist," Shih said.

"We must oppose all kinds of authoritarian expansionist moves, whether they are instigated or influenced by China. The defense of human rights is our most powerful weapon in the fight against China," he said.

Sky Fung, secretary-general of the exile group Hong Kong Outlanders, said Hong Kong and Taiwan are now on the front line of resistance against the CCP's brand of authoritarian rule.

"This isn't just a problem for the people of Hong Kong, but something that Taiwanese need to face up to as well," Fung told the rally.

"Since we can't avoid this, we had better endure it together," he said.

Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
North Koreas recent spate of missile launches has failed to impress its hard-pressed citizens, many of whom are privately grumbling about the misallocation of money theyd rather see spent relieving their poverty, sources in the country told RFA.

North Korea fired a missile on Sunday, two on Wednesday and two more on Thursday, marking five launches in five days and 36 for the year, according to the Korea Herald, a South Korean newspaper. The Wednesday and Thursday launches bookended a visit by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to South Korea, during which she visited the demilitarized zone that separates North from South.

Regarding the missile launch on the 25th, most residents are critical of the authorities, saying they dont understand why they keep launching missiles as they do nothing to help the peoples livelihood, and only make it more difficult for our economy, a resident of the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFAs Korean Service Wednesday on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

News of the missile launch has not yet been delivered through the media, but they are happening so frequently that people gave up their interest in the topic long ago. Most of us are desperately struggling to make ends meet right now, he said.

The North Korean economy is in shambles due to restrictions put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic and international sanctions meant to deprive Pyongyang of cash and resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs.

The sanctions are intended to dissuade Pyongyang from pursuing its nuclear agenda, but North Korean leaders claim they make the missile launches necessary, the source said.

The authorities say that the current economic situation  is difficult because of sanctions and pressure from the United States and the international community, and strengthening national defense capabilities by making nuclear weapons and missiles can put a stop to the sanctions and pressure from the United States, he said. And some people believe such propaganda,  although its only a small number who are showing a positive attitude towards the missile launches.

Each missile launch is costly. According to a June report by the Seoul-based Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, North Korea at that time had spent between U.S. $400 million and $650 million on 33 missile launches, or about 2 percent of its gross domestic product. The average cost per launch is therefore between $12 million and $20 million, or about 3-5 million times the average North Korean monthly salary.

When I told some people who were complaining about the missile launch about the approximate cost of making one missile, they were surprised, the source said, without clarifying how much he estimated the cost to be.

They expressed their anger, saying if they dont spend so much money to make missiles, but rather use the money to help the lives of the people, we wouldnt have to go through this difficulty, the source said.

Most people oppose the missile launches and think the governments first priority is to help them, although a fear of being punished keeps them from saying so publicly, a resident of the northwestern province of North Pyongan told RFA on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

The Central Committee [of the Korean Workers Party] has been making it difficult for the people these days, saying that nationalism, obedience and loyalty to the supreme leader are the true path of patriotism, the second source said, referring to Kim Jong Un.

Now more than ever, residents are reluctant to discuss politically sensitive issues, including missile launches, for fear of being caught wrongly speaking or acting at a time like this, he said. It is not like they agree with the Central Committees propaganda, that the economy will get better if we make more nuclear weapons and missiles.  It seems to be their survival strategy to avoid causing trouble.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
One of the passengers was wounded, local resident says.

A passenger holds his cheek after an MNA plane was shot at on Friday morning

UPDATED at 8:35 a.m. on 9-30-2022

A Myanmar National Airlines passenger plane came under gunfire as it was landing at Kayah State's Loikaw Airport on Friday morning. One passenger was hurt in the shooting and his condition is currently unknown according to a man named Thai, a local resident who spoke to RFA.

Images went viral on Facebook showing a bloody seat with some pieces of tissue paper and bandage. There was also what looked like a bullet hole in the plane's floor.

According to a report issued by the ruling Myanmar military council shortly after the incident, the Karenni National Progressive Party and the Karenni regional Peoples Defense Force shot at the plane. The report said the plane was carrying 63 passengers and was hit as it flew at an altitude of about 3,500 feet (1,050 meters) at 8:45 a.m. as it was descending to touch down at Loikaw Airport. The report said the middle of the plane was hit and a passenger's right cheek was struck by bullets.

Khu Reedu, a spokesperson for the Karenni National Defense Force, declined to comment on the shooting of the plane or the military council's statement.

Myanmar National Airlines said that all flights to Loikaw have been indefinitely postponed after the shooting.

This story has been updated to correct the name of the airline.
The police have not clarified what offenses he allegedly committed

Nguyen Minh Son, 60, a Facebook user who often speaks out about Vietnam's political and social issues, has been detained by the Security Investigation Agency of the Hanoi Police Department, which also searched his house.

Tran Bao Han, Son's nephew, confirmed the news with RFA, adding that after Thursdays search, police only gave the family a single document titled "Notice about the application of detention measures.

According to the notice, Son was questioned and will be detained from Sept. 28, 2022 to Jan. 25, 2023. The family is still unclear under what offenses Son is being held.

In the morning, the police agency invited my uncle to a local police station for interrogation and arrested him there, then brought him back to search his house. Now he is held in Hoa Lo, a temporary detention center managed by the city Police Department, Han said.

Some of his documents, books and computers were taken away. The problem is that we still don't know what [allegations have been made] against him. They have just detained him for investigation.

On the morning of September 28, Mr. Son went to the headquarters of the Security Investigation Agency of the Hanoi Police Department for interrogation after a summons from the agency.

"My uncle was summoned once before, but this time, I suspected that they would arrest him," Han said.

The summons letters require him to work with an investigator named Nguyen Huu Dung, about a video clip that Son posted on his Facebook page, named "Son Nguyen," on December 31, 2021. This video had been removed from his page.

RFA contacted investigative officer Nguyen Huu Dung. When asked about what the accusation was, Dung said he couldn't hear clearly and hung up. The RFA reporter called back, but he didn't answer the phone.

Nguyen Vu Binh, a friend of Son, said Son often participated in peaceful protests and also expressed his views on the social situation in Vietnam on his personal Facebook page

As far as I know, he participated in many peaceful demonstrations in 2017 and 2018, Binh said. He met other activists who criticize the government as well as sharing his views on Facebook but there haven't been any protests in a while, so I was a bit surprised when he was arrested."
YEREVAN -- Independence Day in Armenia is usually a festive affair. Street parties are thrown across towns and villages, while the capital, Yerevan, plays host to a military parade, fireworks, and laser displays in the night sky. Last week, however, Armenia's 31st independence day was a more muted event.



Following cross-border clashes this month, and with Azerbaijani shells hitting cities in southern Armenia, the Armenian government canceled public celebrations as a mark of respect for the lives lost.



The clashes on September 13-14 and then on September 28 reportedly claimed the lives of over 200 Armenian soldiers and 80 Azerbaijani troops, making it the most deadly outbreak of violence between the countries since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. With previous fighting almost exclusively focused on the area in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan's bombardment of Armenia proper -- hitting cities along the southern border, including Goris, Kapan, Sotk, Artanish, Vardenis, and Ishkhanasar and causing hundreds of civilians to flee -- has shocked many in Armenia.



"Before this, I didn't think it was that dangerous, but it turns out [Azerbaijan] isn't stopping with Nagorno-Karabakh," says Sara Khojoyan, a communications manager living in southern Yerevan with her family. "It brings a lot of uncertainty, and there's a feeling of hopelessness. I don't know whether I need to pack three bags for my three young kids with all necessary things in case they attack again and we need to find a basement to shelter in."



The targeting of Armenian cities has the country's political elite deeply worried. With Russia bogged down in Ukraine, there are concerns in Yerevan that Armenia can no longer rely on its traditional ally Russia for military and diplomatic help.



Baku and Yerevan have been locked in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh for years. Armenian-backed separatists seized the mainly Armenian-populated region from Azerbaijan during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people. Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict brought little progress over the years, and the two sides fought another war in 2020 that lasted six weeks before a Russian-brokered cease-fire was agreed.



Under the 2020 cease-fire, parts of the breakaway region and seven adjacent districts were returned to Azerbaijani control. An estimated 2,000 Russian troops have been deployed to keep the peace. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

As a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) -- a Russia-led Eurasian military alliance loosely similar to NATO with its principle that an attack on one is an attack on all -- Armenia appealed after the September 13-14 clashes for military backup from the CSTO. None came.



Russia has historically been a key mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, with its considerable military and logistical support of Armenia in the first Nagorno-Karabakh war in the 1990s, Moscow was seen less as an impartial observer and more as Armenia's primary backer. Although Russia has sold arms to both Armenia and Azerbaijan over the years, it has offered them to Armenia for a discounted price.



The recalibration of geopolitical power in the Caucasus in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is only just beginning to be felt, with some Armenian analysts viewing Azerbaijan's recent attacks as a test to see whether Russia would come to Armenia's aid. But with Russia militarily overextended in Ukraine, Azerbaijan's ability to launch attacks on Armenian territory with no international military pushback has showed both Caucasus nations just how vulnerable Armenia now is.



"The attacks weren't just a move against Armenia," says Richard Giragosian, director of the Regional Studies Center think tank. "They're challenging and defying Russian interests."

Last week, following a previously planned visit of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Armenia, both Azerbaijan and Armenia's foreign ministers flew to New York to discuss peace negotiations, meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.



Although Moscow again negotiated the most recent cease-fire, it is the United States and the European Union, in particular European Council President Charles Michel, who are now leading the way in shaping the dialogue between both countries and working toward a peace treaty. The Russian absence in Armenia's security has suddenly become a lot more palpable.



"With the war, no one came to help us," says Alexander Iskandarian, an analyst at the Yerevan-based Caucasus Institute think tank.

"People say now, 'Why do we need Russia?' We increasingly have more communications with the United States. We have Western bodies here, and they are using political instruments," he says. "But it's not enough. We are stuck between [Azerbaijani President Ilham] Aliyev and [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan."



With Aliyev continuing to take a hard line, saying on September 21 that "the use of force to liberate lands should be a source of pride and that no one or nothing can stop us," and with a number of Western embassies advising against all but necessary travel to southern Armenia, many Armenians are concerned that Azerbaijan's recent targeting of its territory could be a precursor to a more widespread military escalation.



"It's a good moment for Azerbaijan. The U.S., U.K., and Iran are all busy now," says Iskandarian.

Against the backdrop of peace negotiations, Iskandarian says Azerbaijan's "coercive diplomacy" puts Armenia in a difficult position: Agree to our demands or face further attacks. Azerbaijan, for its part, has said that its attacks on Armenian territory were in response to "provocations" and that the Azerbaijani Army took retaliatory measures "only against firing points, which are legitimate military targets."



Both Russia and the EU are reportedly drafting peace agreements aimed at resolving the conflict, with the Russian agreement including the future status of Karabakh. With few bargaining chips and a depleted military and weapons supplies, it is hard to see how much leverage Armenia would have in negotiations. To accept Azerbaijani goals -- a peace treaty rather than the current cease-fire and the development of what Baku calls the "Zangezur corridor" that would connect Azerbaijan proper to its exclave of Naxcivan -- would likely be unwelcome at home.



"Right now, we feel small and alone and sandwiched between enemies," says Armenian journalist Tatev Hovhannisian. "We have closed borders with Turkey, and we are at war with Azerbaijan."



Within Armenia, there are widespread fears that Azerbaijan is gearing up to take the "Zangezur corridor" by force. In May 2021 and again in November 2021, Armenian officials say Azerbaijani forces captured around 40 square kilometers of territory in the south of Armenia, a claim Azerbaijan denies. Then, as now, Russia did not respond. Armenian officials say that the latest incursion has seen a further 10 square kilometers taken, although this has also been denied by Azerbaijan.

"The best-case corridor situation is that Armenia allows Azerbaijan to put checkpoints along the Lachin corridor [which connects Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh], or [has] Russia controlling it," says analyst Benyamin Poghosian, the founding director of the Yerevan-based Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies. "The worst-case corridor situation is that Azerbaijani forces open the corridor by force, cutting Armenia into two parts next week."

Despite widespread disappointment with the CSTO's inaction following Armenia's request for military aid, it is unlikely that Armenia will formally withdraw from the military alliance. To leave the CSTO "would be considered a hostile act by Russia," says Poghosian. "Also, Iran would see it as a pro-Western gesture, which would then isolate Armenia's only friendly neighbor."



The CSTO's refusal to supply Armenia with military backup was only more galling for Armenians following the alliance's decision to send in soldiers to aid Kazakhstan's government in January, when mass protests swept the country. All CSTO members, which include Armenia but not Azerbaijan, sent troops to Kazakhstan to prevent the possibility of what Putin described as another "color revolution" in he region. But with the CSTO only obliged to provide military support in the event of a foreign attack on sovereign territory, the decision was seen by many as a thinly veiled move to stamp out Kazakhstan's internal dissent.



Another possible reason why Russia has been so unresponsive to Armenia's calls for military support is perhaps due to its increased reliance on Azerbaijan and Turkey in the face of Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. Even before the invasion, the Russian and Azerbaijani presidents signed a wide-ranging agreement that deepened diplomatic and military cooperation.



"The West gets it wrong," says Armenian political analyst Tigran Grigorian. "Azerbaijan has much closer connections to Russia. Azerbaijan understands Russia's dependency on it. Russia doesn't want a confrontation with Azerbaijan or Turkey. Both are instrumental. Russia is neither capable nor willing to deter Azerbaijan."



In the future, that nonconfrontational approach could also apply to the EU. With an energy crisis in Europe due to interrupted Russian gas supplies, the EU is frantically looking for new suppliers of natural gas. Azerbaijan has already promised to increase its gas exports to Europe by 30 percent this year and to double them by 2027.
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
During a September counteroffensive by Ukraine's armed forces, about 400 towns in the Kharkiv region were liberated from Russian occupiers. Ukrainian tank crews spoke to RFE/RL about how they launched a surprise attack, coordinated by a commander observing with a drone, that pushed out Russian troops from their fortified positions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed documents to formally seize four Ukrainian territories partially occupied by Moscow, escalating his failing seven-month-old invasion of the country.

Several European countries, including Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Britain, joined the United States in immediately condemning the move as illegal on September 30, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on the West to accept his country into NATO.

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.

The lavish signing ceremony to incorporate the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya regions into the Russian Federation took place in the Kremlin's opulent white-and-gold St. Georges Hall before hundreds of members of the country's political elite.

In a speech preceding the signing ceremony, Putin claimed the people of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya had "made their choice" to join Russia earlier this month during so-called referendums widely seen as having been conducted at the barrel of a gun.

He claimed they were now "citizens of Russia...forever."

However, the signing ceremony does not change anything. Russia has no way of enforcing the annexations unless it can win on the battlefield.

Putin hinted at the use of nuclear weapons to hold on to the four regions -- which appear to be slowly slipping out of his hands amid a successful counteroffensive by Ukraine -- claiming Russia would defend them "by all the means we possess."

U.S. President Joe Biden called the signing ceremony a "fraudulent attempt" to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory, which he said was a flagrant violation of international law.

He said in a statement that the United States will impose sanctions on those individuals and entities who provided political or economic support to the annexation drive.

"Make no mistake: These actions have no legitimacy. The United States will always honor Ukraines internationally recognized borders," Biden said.

Washington immediately imposed sanctions on hundreds of members of Russia's legislature, leaders of the country's financial and military infrastructure, and suppliers supporting Russia's military-industrial complex.

Putin claimed he was "ready" for peace talks with Ukraine but said the annexation of the four regions would not be on the table, a proposition unacceptable to Kyiv.

The four regions together with Crimea make up around 20 percent of Ukraine, including some of its most industrialized territory.

Following the signing ceremony, Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine had applied for accession to NATO under an accelerated procedure.

Zelenskiy said Putin's statements about occupied or partially occupied regions of Ukraine "joining Russia" were an attempt to steal what does not belong to Russia.

Ukraine's Counteroffensive

Putin rushed to hold the "sham" referendums and annexation ceremony to raise the stakes for the West amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has driven Moscow's forces back and raised the specter of a Russian defeat.

The West has been arming Ukraine with powerful weapons that have decimated Russian forces, forcing Putin to take the unpopular step of a partial mobilization.

By claiming to have annexed Ukrainian territory, Putin can try to justify his nuclear saber-rattling on the grounds that he is now defending "Russian land," experts have said.

Putin's threats may be "designed to make sure that the United States does not supply the more advanced weapons that Ukraine has persistently requested to conduct a strong, successful counteroffensive this fall," John Herbst, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2003-2006 and an analyst at the Atlantic Council, said in a statement.

Putin's September 21 decision to call up 300,000 reservists has sparked protests across the country and driven hundreds of thousands of citizens to flee to neighboring countries.

WATCH: The seizure of the Ukrainian territories has been condemned around the world. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the treaties had "no legal value."

Putin tried to vindicate the mobilization and his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by claiming that Russia was effectively at war with a West that is seeking to "destroy" the country and its culture.

Addressing mobilized citizens and their families, Putin claimed the West had and continued to look for "new opportunities to pounce" on Russia and had "always dreamed" of breaking the country up driving its citizens into "poverty and extinction."

He claimed the West was now waging a "hybrid war" against Russia to maintain its global dominance and rob it of its wealth, equating it to an attempted colonization.

Analysts called Putin's speech "absurd," noting with irony that he was condemning colonization while committing an act of imperial aggression on a scale not seen in Europe since World War II.



They also pointed out that Putin's policies, rather than protecting citizens from poverty, have put Russia on a path of economic stagnation for years to come.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service
An investigation by RFE/RL journalists shows connections between the metallurgical empire of Vladimir Lisin, one of Russia's richest oligarchs, and Russia's military industries. According to an NGO that monitors Russian state contracts, one of his companies did business with a state-run institute involved in the development of nuclear weapons. Lisin's company issued a statement to RFE/RL denying its products could be used for military purposes. Unlike many of Russia's rich and politically connected industrialists, Lisin and his companies have not been sanctioned by the European Union, the United States, Britain, or even Ukraine.
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time on September 30 that the explosions that rocked the Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic Sea were the result of sabotage.

Biden also said the Russians have been "pumping out disinformation and lies" and the United States will work with its allies to investigate the explosions. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he added that "when things calm down, we're going to be sending divers down to find out exactly what happened."

The United States is already working with allies to "enhance the protection of this critical infrastructure," he added.

The German Interior Ministry said police were patrolling the North and Baltic Seas with "all available forces."

The explosions that occurred ahead of huge gas leaks from the pipelines "probably corresponded to an explosive load of several hundred kilos," Denmark and Sweden wrote earlier on September 30 in a letter to the United Nations.

The blasts resulted in four leaks and the venting of methane gas into the sea. Two of the leaks are in Danish territory; the other two are in Swedish territory.

In the letter to the UN Security Council, the two countries noted that the gas plumes are disrupting air and sea vessels and could be dangerous to marine life. Additionally, a greenhouse gas is being released into the environment. The leaks could continue through at least October 2.

Norwegian researchers on September 30 published a map projecting a huge plume of methane released by the damaged Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that will travel over large swaths of the Nordic region.

Moscow has requested an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council to discuss the pipelines and called for a thorough international probe to assess the damage to the pipelines.

Russia cut natural gas supplies to Europe after Western sanctions were imposed over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February. The pipelines were not operating at the time of the blasts, but they contained methane gas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 30 accused the West of orchestrating the blasts.

"By organizing explosions on the Nord Stream international gas pipelines that run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea they actually started destroying European energy infrastructure," Putin said during a televised speech at a Kremlin ceremony at which he signed decrees that the Kremlin calls "accession treaties" to formally seize four Ukrainian territories.

Putin claimed that the "Anglo-Saxons" in the West have turned from sanctions on Russia to "terror attacks," sabotaging the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in what he described as an attempt to "destroy the European energy infrastructure."

He added that "those who profit from it have done it" without naming a specific country.

European nations, which are already reeling from soaring energy prices caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have noted that it is Russia that benefits from chaos on energy markets and spiking prices.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price strongly rejected any claims that the United States might have sabotaged the Nord Stream pipelines.

"The idea that the United States was in any way involved in the apparent sabotage of these pipelines is preposterous. It is nothing more than a function of Russian disinformation and should be treated as such," Price said on September 28.

The European Union and NATO have said the leaks are the result of sabotage but have stopped short of pointing fingers.

However, Ukraine and Poland have accused Russia of being behind the ruptures.

With reporting by AP and dpa
The speech was expected to be about Ukraine, where Russia's military is struggling seven months into its invasion and where Moscow is claiming four partially occupied regions as its own in a land grab condemned by Kyiv and the West.

However, the bulk of Russian President Vladimir Putin's nationally televised address from the Kremlin's opulent St. George's Hall on September 30 was devoted to a vitriolic attack on the United States and its allies.

Before an audience of ruling elites -- both chambers of parliament, regional governors, security and military officials, and others -- Putin portrayed the country as defiant in the throes of an existential conflict with a "satanic" enemy bent on destroying Russia, its culture, and what he called its "traditional values."

He all but ignored the actual conflict that he dramatically escalated in February by launching a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as the battlefield setbacks that pose a serious challenge to his ambitions.

WATCH: The seizure of the Ukrainian territories has been condemned around the world. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the treaties have "no legal value."

"Western elites deny not only national sovereignty and international law; their hegemony has the pronounced character of totalitarianism, despotism, and apartheid," Putin asserted. "They brazenly divide the world into their vassals, into so-called civilized countries and everyone else who, according to today's Western racists, must join the ranks of barbarians and savages."



It was "the most anti-American speech that Vladimir Putin has ever made," Yelena Chernenko, a well-known journalist for the Moscow newspaper Kommersant, said in a post on Twitter.

Putin's aggrieved but triumphant tone contrasted with the stark reality of how the war in Ukraine is going for the Russian armed forces.

Russia may have suffered as many as 80,000 casualties since February 24, Western intelligence officials estimate, a substantial loss that was what spurred Putin to order a military mobilization last week.

That order, which officially envisions as many as 300,000 new troops being sent to Ukraine, set off protests in many regions that rarely see public demonstrations.

It also sparked an exodus of working-age and military-age men, as well as women, who are fleeing Russia for neighboring countries. By one estimate, as many as 260,000 people have fled since Putin ordered the mobilization on September 21.

On the battlefield, meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have waged a stunning counteroffensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region, liberating swaths of territory earlier this month and overcoming sizable Russian troop numbers.

That momentum has continued. Hours before Putin's speech, Ukrainian forces were reported to have nearly encircled the strategic town of Lyman in the northern part of the Donetsk region, potentially trapping a sizable number of Russian troops.

If Lyman is recaptured, that will allow Ukrainian forces to control a key set of crossroads and threaten more Russian supply lines, including potentially the town of Lysychansk, which Ukraine withdrew from in late June amid a Russian onslaught.

Putin's speech came before he signed agreements that, in Moscow's eyes, make Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya regions part of Russia. The move followed Kremlin-orchestrated referendums denounced by Kyiv and the West as a sham.

Russia does not control the regions in their entirety, and fierce fighting is ongoing in many areas.

"Russia's annexation announcement stands in sharp contrast to the military reality on the ground, as Russian forces face envelopment at Lyman," U.S.-based military analyst Michael Kofman wrote on Twitter. "There's a good chance it will be followed by another defeat and the collapse of that pocket."

Ukraine's advances -- in Kharkiv and to a lesser degree in the southern Kherson region -- have been due to improved Ukrainian tactics and deliveries of powerful Western weaponry that have disrupted Russian supply lines and command tactics in the field.

Amid the setbacks, Putin has frequently cast what the Kremlin officially calls a "special military operation" as a war against the West.

Belligerent Rhetoric

Putin, of course, is known for diatribes against Washington and the West over his 23 years as president and prime minister.

In February 2007, at the annual Munich Security Conference, he lambasted Western nations for expanding NATO into formerly Soviet bloc countries and accused the United States of trying to build a "unipolar world."

Later that same year, at ceremonies marking the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, he likened U.S. foreign policy to that of Hitler's Third Reich.

The Munich speech, however, was "just baby talk compared to what has been said in the Kremlin today," Chernenko wrote.

Putin's September 30 speech "mainly focused on the West, and he really poured on all the 'isms' that he could in the great tradition of Soviet rhetoric," Ukrainian analyst Oleh Saakyan told Current Time, citing Putin's accusations of "imperialism, colonialism, racism, Russophobia," and more.

Putin used the "demonization of the West as a justification for his actions," Saakyan said.

Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for Putin and a political consultant who now lives outside of Russia, wrote that "the only substantive thing in today's address" was Putin's call on Ukraine to stop fighting and hold talks," a proposal that is all the more unlikely following Russia's attempted annexation of the four regions.

"Putin is not fighting against Ukraine or even against NATO. He's fighting against reality," Gallyamov wrote on Facebook.

Putin is not fighting against Ukraine or even against NATO. He's fighting against reality.

Putin, who also spoke briefly at a celebratory concert on Red Square after the Kremlin ceremony, devoted almost no time in his speech to the situation on the ground.

Ignoring the fact that Russia controls only parts of the four regions and that its moves to annex them have been widely denounced as an illegitimate act of aggression, he presented their status as a fait accompli, as he did when Moscow occupied and seized Crimea in 2014.

"What has happened with [the four Ukrainian regions] is now done, finished. Russia will not give them up.... We will protect our lands with every means at our disposal," he said, echoing a series of thinly veiled threats that Russia could use nuclear weapons in certain circumstances.

Despite what he called "loose talk" by Putin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after the speech that the United States has not seen Russia take any action that suggests it is "contemplating the use of nuclear weapons."

Putin spent most of his time slamming the United States and its allies, which he alleged are bent on destroying Russia and its culture.



"I want to tell you what our people are fighting for," he said, before launching into a historical litany of indictments against the West that referenced crimes of the colonial era, the global slave trade, the Opium Wars, the U.S. use of nuclear weapons against Japan, the "militarily unjustified" U.S. and British bombing of German cities during World War II, and the war in Vietnam.



"They want to turn us into a colony, a collection of soulless robots," he said without evidence. "Our thought and philosophy are a threat to them, and therefore they attack our philosophers."



The reference to attacking "our philosophers" may have been a reference to an August 21 car bombing outside of Moscow that killed the daughter of far-right Russian publicist and self-proclaimed philosopher Aleksandr Dugin. Without evidence, some Kremlin allies have blamed the bombing on Kyiv and the West.

Praise from the rabidly anti-Western Dugin was a telling measure of the tenor of Putin's speech: In a Telegram post, Dugin called it "a fundamental declaration of war against the modern West and the modern world as a whole," and "a manifesto of tradition."



Tatyana Stanovaya, a Russian political scientist who runs a consulting firm called R.Politik, said Russia's elite -- politicians, business leaders, intellectuals -- have largely been supportive, albeit with "informal grumbling and gloomy expectations."

That's changed as the war has worsened for Russia -- and as Putin's rhetoric has darkened.

"Putin is ready to go to the end, threatening to send everyone to paradise if Russia is not allowed to win as he deems sufficient," Stanovaya, who is now based in France, wrote in a commentary published prior to Putin's speech, referring to his nuclear rumblings.

"The elites are still demonstrating their willingness to go with Putin against Ukraine, but their belief in the inevitability of victory is melting," she wrote. "And without victory, there is a fork in the road: either a defeat that means the collapse of Putin's regime with all the ensuing risks to the ruling elite, or a nuclear argument that carries a universal threat to physical survival."
KYIV -- A judge on Ukraines Supreme Court, Bohdan Lvov, has become the subject of a criminal probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and an inquiry by the Security Service of Ukraine following a September 15 report by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, which found that he has Russian citizenship.

Amid heightened wartime worries about public officials ties to Russia, the investigations mark the highest-level government scrutiny of a judge in the Ukrainian judicial system since Moscows 2022 invasion of Ukraine began.



For nearly five years, Lvov, 55, has been chairman of the Supreme Courts Commercial Court of Cassation, Ukraines top court for economic and property disputes, which hears cases involving major Ukrainian businesses. In that capacity, he has had access to state secrets.



According to documents obtained by Schemes from the Russian passport registry, Russias Federal Tax Service, and the Russian real-estate registry, Lvov apparently also has had a Russian passport and a Russian taxpayer identification number during that chairmanship and previously was part owner of an apartment in Moscow.



Based on a servicemans certificate received after graduating from a Soviet military institute, he applied for Russian citizenship in 1999, when he was a judge on the Central region military court in Ukraine. He last renewed his citizenship in 2012, the documents indicate, and Schemes established that he filed the renewal application himself in Moscow. He received his new Russian passport when he was a judge on the Higher Economic Court of Ukraine.

Under Article 126 of the Ukrainian Constitution, judges who acquire foreign citizenship can be deprived of their powers.



Ukraines citizenship law also authorizes the president to revoke the citizenship of Ukrainians who willingly obtain another citizenship. Three prominent civil-society organizations -- the Anti-Corruption Action Center, the DEJURE Foundation, and Automaidan -- urged President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on September 16 to do so in Lvovs case.



Ukrainian law also requires judges to provide a full annual accounting of property both they and their spouses own. Schemes acquired information from Russias real estate registry, Rosreyestr, that indicates Lvov was the co-owner of a Moscow apartment with his wife, Inna Lvova, until 2012, when he gave her his share. Lvova, who also has a Russian passport, still co-owns the residence with her mother. None of this information appeared in Lvovs annual financial declarations, which are required to include information about a spouses possessions.

Lvov said that the signature on the 1999 passport application is similar to my handwriting in general. Asked about the photograph of him that was attached to the application, he said he would not guess about its origins.

For this reason, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has begun a criminal investigation into whether Lvov included knowingly inaccurate information in his annual financial declarations by failing to disclose the property registered under his and his wifes alleged Russian passport numbers.



NABU has summoned Schemes journalists for questioning as witnesses in this investigation.



If Lvov is prosecuted and convicted, under Ukraines Criminal Code he would face potential penalties of a two-year sentence of restricted freedom, a sizable fine, and a ban of up to three years on holding certain positions and engaging in certain activities.



Despite the evidence, Lvov denies that he has Russian citizenship, a Russian passport, or a Russian taxpayer identification number.



On September 15, the day the Schemes report was published and posted on YouTube, he filed a complaint against the journalists of RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service with the State Bureau of Investigation (DBR).



In a copy of his complaint that he posted on Facebook, the judge alleged that the distribution of false information, through his discrediting as a public official of the judicial system is aimed at destroying the system and directly affecting the results of court cases involving the Russian Federation.



Under his chairmanship of the Commercial Court of Cassation, he asserted in a separate September 16 statement on Facebook, more than 170 billion hryvnya ($4.6 billion) have been collected from Russian gas exporter Gazprom; the government reclaimed real estate, land, and military facilities from commercial owners; and government cases against oligarchic groupswere satisfied.



There was not a single case of favoring Russia or related companies, Lvov said.



The State Bureau of Investigation declined a request from RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service for comment, saying that information on the matter was restricted.



Schemes based its investigation and findings in part on documents obtained digitally and via other means from Russias passport agency, Federal Tax Service, Border Guard Service, and Rosreyestr.



'I Need To Figure It Out'



In a filmed interview on September 13, a Schemes reporter asked Lvov whether he has Russian citizenship, and he denied it twice, saying, No.



The reporter then showed Lvov copies of official documents from Russias passport agency and real-estate registry that indicate he applied for and received Russian citizenship and has a valid Russian passport that he used for real-estate transactions in Moscow.

Lvov pledged to appeal this matter on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and bring it to the attention of representatives of Western democratic institutions and U.S. congressmen. Zelenskiys office has not commented publicly.

Lvov said that the signature on the 1999 passport application is similar to my handwriting in general. Asked about the photograph of him that was attached to the application, he said he would not guess about its origins.



Later in the interview, Lvov suggested that the documents were an attempt to discredit him.

Unfortunately, there are institutions for which nothing is impossible, he said, without elaborating.



The evidence presented by Schemes came from a wide array of sources.



Schemes checked whether Lvov had actually used the passport that the Russian government has registered in his name. As of September 27, the Russian Interior Ministry did not list Lvovs passport as invalid.



Documents from Rosreyestr indicate that his passport number was used to register a two-room apartment at 88 Leningradskoye Shosse in Moscow that Lvov co-owned with his wife, a native Russian citizen, and his mother-in-law.



Based on recent ads for the sale of other apartments in the building, the residence has an approximate market value of roughly 18 million rubles ($310,000).



According to a gift agreement contained in the Russian real-estate registry, Lvov transferred his 25 percent share in the apartment to his wife on June 7, 2012. Records obtained from the Russian Border Guard Service database demonstrate that Lvov traveled to Moscow from Ukraine by train on that date.

In the filmed interview with Schemes, Lvov stated that he did not recall all this, referring to the Russian registrys details about the Moscow apartment. He identified the residence as his mother-in-laws address.



He said the information Schemes laid out about the apartment needs to be checked a little more, adding: I remember what I didnt do 100 percent, but when it doesnt match the documents you have, then I need to figure it out.



At the interview, Schemes left copies of the documents with Lvov at his request. He did not respond to a request to substantiate his denials of Russian citizenship before the Schemes report was published on September 15.



Aside from the DBR, Lvov also has petitioned the SBU to open a criminal investigation under Article 109 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, which addresses attempts to seize power, including by violence. He did not specify potential targets for this proposed investigation.



In later statements, also posted on his Facebook page, he has contended that the 2012 Russian passport application form that Schemes reported he had submitted to renew his Russian passport did not enter into use until 2013.



He further alleged that Schemes cut off a part of the image for this application that suggested it was for the renewal of a passport issued in 1998, rather than the renewal of the passport Schemes reported he received in 1999.



[S]uch attacks on judges, using media and fake facts, are not just unacceptable, but threaten the independence of the entire judicial branch as a whole, he wrote on September 26. Someone decided they could put pressure on judges with the help of journalists. It's not going to be like this.



Lvov pledged to appeal this matter on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and bring it to the attention of representatives of Western democratic institutions and U.S. congressmen.



Zelenskiys office has not commented publicly about the Schemes investigation.

Schemes Response



In a September 29 follow-up article, Schemes published instructions for readers to check its reported details about Lvovs passport in a Russian Interior Ministry online database of invalid passports.

Both sources show that the number that appears in Russian passport bearing Lvovs signature and name remains valid. The image from the Russian Federal Tax Service provides the judges tax identification number.



In response to Lvovs allegation concerning the 2012 passport application that bears his signature, Schemes has traced the application that featured in its investigation to the official application forms in use in Russia as of 2009. An April 2010 sample form on Elektronnaya Moskva, where the city of Moscow publishes official forms and regulations, fully corresponds to the one published by Schemes. It would have been in active circulation in October 2012, the month that Lvovs passport renewal form was submitted.



The Russian site Pasportist, which publishes samples of the document necessary to receive a Russian passport, contains a document for May 2012 that also fully corresponds to the passport application obtained by Schemes.



While the Russian passport registry automatically generated a form that suggests Lvovs passport application was first submitted in 1998, rather than in 1999, as Schemes reported, the photo beneath the 2012 passport application that the registry attributes to Lvov shows a written passport application with his signature from 1999.



Moreover, Russian government databases including the real-estate registry respond to the passport number included in the passport applications under Lvovs name.



Schemes provided evidence that Lvov previously used his Russian passport number not only to register his co-ownership of a Moscow apartment but to transfer that ownership to his wife. This information exists not only in Rosreyestr but also in older databases that were merged and that no longer accept new data entries.



Schemes requested an assessment from another investigative journalist accustomed to working with Russian official forms, Christo Grozev, the lead Russia investigator at Bellingcat.



Grozev said that he has found several Russian passports bearing Lvovs name in Russian databases that date back long before your investigation.



"So I rule out the possibility that he either was granted Russian citizenship recently or that he did not know about it. His passport is not listed as canceled in the public database of invalid passports. So, for me, these two verification methods prove that he has a valid passport from the Russian Federation," Grozev said.



Bellingcat is not the only entity reviewing the evidence.



Security Service Assessment



Prior to the September 15 publication, the SBU informed Schemes that it has information that may indicate that Judge Bohdan Lvov has Russian citizenship, but was working on obtaining materials that could finally confirm or refute the available data and, in particular, can serve as relevant legal evidence of Lvovs alleged Russian citizenship.



According to information Schemes has received from multiple sources, the SBU has now confirmed the judges Russian citizenship to several state bodies, including the State Migration Service and Zelenskiys office.



The SBU has not commented publicly on the reported confirmation.

A representative of the SBU press office earlier told RFE/RL that, in addition to the State Bureau of Investigation, which addresses alleged crimes committed by judges, the agency also was looking into the Schemes findings.



The position of the Security Service remains unchanged -- representatives of the judicial branch of government must possess Ukrainian citizenship only," the SBU representative stated.



Judges And Justice



Concern about the loyalties of Ukrainian judges has heightened since Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, dramatically expanding a localized conflict in the east into a full-blown war that has now killed tens of thousands of people.

Russia, which seized Crimea in 2014, staged so-called referendums this month in four Ukrainian regions it partially occupies and used the processes, which Kyiv and the West have dismissed as a sham and which are illegal under international law, to claim a large portion of Ukraine as its own.

In an interview with RFE/RL in May, Andriy Smyrnov, deputy head of Zelenskiys office, spoke of unnamed judges who he said really betray the interests of both the judiciary and the state and act as 'quiet' collaborators.

On September 15, the SBU reported that it had informed an unnamed judge on the Northern Court of Appeal about its suspicions and about evidence that the justice had justified the atrocities of the occupiers and incited acquaintances to cooperate with the enemy, while speaking disparagingly about the Ukrainian armed forces. The former two actions rank as criminal offenses.



No such criminal charges have been brought against Lvov.



Ukrainian Supreme Court Chairman Vsevolod Knyazyev told RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service that the Schemes investigation was the first he had heard of Lvovs alleged Russian citizenship. In his 2017 application to join the Supreme Court, Lvov had stated that he did not hold citizenship of any other state.



On September 16, after receiving notification from the SBU that it had suspended Lvovs access to state secrets, the Supreme Court, citing investigations into the information disclosed about Lvovs alleged Russian citizenship, did the same.



If Lvovs Russian citizenship is confirmed in the manner established by law, Knyazyev said, the 21-member Higher Council of Justice, the only state body that can dismiss or appoint a judge, must take the relevant decision.



The Supreme Court is currently fulfilling the Higher Council of Justices role since the councils membership is incomplete.

One newly appointed member of the Higher Council of Justice, Roman Maselko, emphasized that if official confirmation of Lvovs Russian citizenship is issued, the judge should lose his status.



Whether the Supreme Court or the Higher Council of Justice will address Lvovs case is unclear.



A separate procedure exists for Lvovs status as the appointed head of the Supreme Courts Commercial Court of Cassation. The courts 44 judges would have to agree by a secret, majority vote to remove him from office.



At a September 19 session, presided over by Lvov, the justices did not agree to hold a vote of confidence in Lvov or to suspend the automatic scheduling of cases he will hear, according to the courts press service.



One of the courts judges, Olena Kibenko, posted on her Facebook page that 13 of the courts judges had supported an initiative to discuss the prospect of Lvovs early termination on September 26, but the number was insufficient for a special session of the judges to occur. A separate but similar initiative is under way, she said.



However, Commercial Court of Cassation Judge Ivan Mishchenko said on September 30 that judges on the court had gathered enough votes to hold a special session and consider a no-confidence measure. The Supreme Court announced that the session, to consider Lvov's possible dismissal from his post as chairman, would be held on October 3.



Fellow judges do not claim that Lvov is a Russian citizen or has real estate in Russia, Kibenko said earlier in September: But such allegations, supported by documents, are too serious and cannot be ignored.

For now, Lvov is still hearing cases; most recently, on September 27, according to the Commercial Court of Cassations schedule.

Written by Elizabeth Owen based on reporting by Heorhiy Shabayev and Natalie Sedletska
(miningmx.com) - The owner of the Jagersfontein diamond tailings dam which burst on Sunday killing at least three people said that the assets were safe and secure based on a due diligence prior to buying them. According to a report by Bloomberg News, Johan Ruperts Reinet Investments sold its stake in the Jagersfontein diamond mine and tailings facilities to Stargems Group, a Dubai-based diamond trading company. A full due diligence was conducted prior to this acquisition showing that the assets, including the dam were safe and secure, Stargems said in an email to the newswire. The company will offer R20m to assist the community.
Autumn Bucket-Listing Up and Down the California Coast

Travel news from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco and Tijuanaa few ways to scratch your travel itch.
Warden, brother arrested after shooting 2 migrants near Mexico border in U.S. Texas

Xinhua) 16:06, September 30, 2022

HOUSTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A warden of a detention center and his brother have been arrested after opening fire on a group of migrants who stopped to drink water along a farm road in western Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border, Texas authorities said on Thursday.

One male migrant was killed and a female wounded in the shooting on Tuesday evening near the town of Sierra Blanca, about 140 km southeast of El Paso, a border city.

The wounded is recovering at the Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

"The preliminary investigation shows that a truck with two men inside pulled over and shot at a group of illegal immigrants standing alongside the road getting water," said DPS Lieutenant Elizabeth Carter.

The twin brothers aged 60 are facing manslaughter charges. One of them, a warden of a West Texas federal jail for immigrants in Sierra Blanca, has been fired in the wake of the shooting, according to local media reports.

"This killing was not vigilante justice," Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilbert Hinojosa said in a statement on Thursday. "It was a murder, and it was a hate crime."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said earlier this month that it recorded 203,597 migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border in August alone and expected the total number of encounters to rise to about 2.3 million by the end of the fiscal year on Friday.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Bianji)
Cacao, known as the money that grew on trees and as a food from the gods, was brought to the world stage by ancient Mesoamericans. The historical background and prehistory of cacao, particularly for the Maya, has been imbued with ceremony and luxury. Past efforts to identify cacao in ceramics focused on highly decorative vessel forms associated with elite ceremonial contexts, creating assumptions as to how cacao was distributed and who could access it. In new research, scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, examined 54 archaeological ceramic sherds from residential and civic contexts in El Pilar, located between Belize and Guatemala, representing a cross-section of ancient Maya inhabitants. Their results show that cacao was widespread and found in civic and residential units regardless of size and location.

It had long been assumed that cacao for the Maya was an elite exclusive, said Dr. Anabel Ford, an anthropologist and director of the MesoAmerican Research Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

We now know this is not the case. The imbibing of cacao was a luxury accessible to all. The importance is that it was a requirement of the rituals associated with it.

To test the exclusivity of cacao use, Dr. Ford and colleagues examined 54 archaeological ceramic sherds.

Originating from El Pilar, the sherds can be traced to Late Classic period civic and residential contexts (600 to 900 CE), representing a cross section of ancient Maya inhabitants.

The study included a chemical analysis of these sherds  specifically of the biomarkers for cacao: caffeine, theobromine and theophylline.

The discovery of chemical signatures of cacao made the investigation possible, but the main active ingredient, theobromine, it turns out is not sufficiently discrete to be certain of the cacao attribution, Dr. Ford said.

In their selection of ceramics to test, the authors prioritized the vases from which cacao was likely drunk.

They also tested bowls, jars and plates. All vessel types had evidence of cacao.

This was a surprise at first, but giving thought to the presence and understanding of their uses, bowls would be good for mixing, jars would be right for warming the drink (a traditional cacao preparation) and plates appropriate for serving food with sauces that can contain cacao (such as mole poblano), Dr. Ford said.

Now that we know that the presence of cacao is in all vessel types, we need to understand the greater distribution and use of these important household forms.

What is critical in our work is that the data I collected in the El Pilar-Belize River area emphasizes the ordinary households and not just the elite center.

Our research thus breaks ground on the identification and the distribution.

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

_____

Anabel Ford et al. 2022. New light on the use of Theobroma cacao by Late Classic Maya. PNAS 119 (40): e2121821119; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2121821119
Paleontologists have examined the shoulder girdle bones of an extinct species of temnospondyl amphibian called Metoposaurus krasiejowensis.

Metoposaurus krasiejowensis lived in what is now Poland between 225 and 215 million years ago (Triassic period).

This ancient creature is particularly known for its large and thick dermal pectoral girdle.

In addition, a larger temnospondyl species, Cyclotosaurus intermedius, and crocodile-like reptiles known as phytosaurs co-existed with Metoposaurus krasiejowensis.

Some researchers believe that modern frogs, toads and salamanders could be descendants of these temnospondyli, said Dr. Sudipta Kalita, a researcher with the Institute of Geosciences at the University of Bonn.

Metoposaurids are strikingly different from other temnospondyl species because of their large rounded skull tops, massive shoulder bones and small pelvic girdle with small legs.

In 1913, the German paleontologist Eberhard Fraas first proposed the role of metoposaurids pectoral girdle bones as weights for attaining negative buoyancy.

A similar strategy is used by manatees, which use the weight of their breast bones to submerge themselves in their shallow coastal habitat to graze on seagrass underwater.

A big bone doesnt have to be heavy. The density of the bone being crucial for understanding such an adaptation, said Dr. Dorota Konietzko-Meier, a researcher in the Department of Paleontology at the University of Bonn.

Like lead weights in diving, heavy bones facilitate descent. Otherwise, a lot of muscle energy would have to be used to compensate for resisting buoyancy through paddling movements while diving.

Eberhard Fraas conjecture raises the question of whether the shoulder bones of metoposaurids were actually heavy.

In the study, the authors examined the internal microstructure of Metoposaurus krasiejowensis bones to look whether there was actually a lot of bone mass there.

They focused on two questions: did the shoulder bones contribute to its underwater bottom-dwelling lifestyle? and did young and old metoposaurids occupy different niches at different water depths?

To test these hypotheses, the researchers cut open the two giant elements of the shoulder girdle: the clavicles and the interclavicle, a bone located between the paired clavicles.

They took very thin sections from these bones and examined them under a microscope. The sections were then scanned and converted into black-and-white images.

Using these data, a pixel-counting software calculated the percentage of compactness.

As a bone grows in size, so do the pores inside nullifying the added weight due to bone growth. These pores provide blood and oxygen supply to the bones when the animals are alive.

However, the researchers found that the interclavicles of Metoposaurus krasiejowensis still contained a lot of bone, even in the largest of specimens.

This suggests that the compactness of the bone at some locations within the interclavicles bears a striking resemblance to the compactness of the thoracic bones of modern manatees, Dr. Kalita said.

The interclavicles helped with sinking and allowed Metoposaurus krasiejowensis to lead an underwater bottom dwelling lifestyle.

This interpretation supports the conjecture of Fraas and later paleontologists who described Metoposaurus krasiejowensis as a bottom dwelling ambush predator, Dr. Konietzko-Meier said.

Moreover, young and old metoposaurs did not live at different depths of the waters, but in the same underwater ecosystem close to the substrate, added Dr. Elzbieta Teschner, a researcher at the University of Opole.

Considering the heavy interclavicles, Metoposaurus krasiejowensis only surfaced to catch its breath. It then slowly sank into the depths to wait for prey.

Unlike the metoposaurid, Cyclotosaurus may have lived closer to the water surface like modern crocodiles and alligators.

The teams paper was published in the Journal of Anatomy.

_____

Sudipta Kalita et al. To be or not to be heavier: The role of dermal bones in the buoyancy of the Late Triassic temnospondyl amphibian Metoposaurus krasiejowensis. Journal of Anatomy, published online September 27, 2022; doi: 10.1111/joa.13755
Ethiopia: Informal Interactive Dialogue

This afternoon (28 September), Security Council members will hold an informal interactive dialogue (IID) on the situation in Ethiopia. The meeting is being convened by France, the Council president for September. UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hanna Serwaa Tetteh is expected to brief. AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo was also invited to brief, but at the time of writing appeared to be unconfirmed. Ethiopia has been invited to participate in the meeting.

On 2 September, Ireland, together with Albania, France, Norway, the UK, and the US, called for a meeting on Ethiopia to be held as an open briefing in light of the resumption of fighting in the country since 24 August. However, this format was firmly opposed by the A3 members of the Council (Gabon, Ghana and Kenya), which only agreed to a meeting in the IID format. It appears that this was the meeting format preferred by Ethiopia. (IIDs are informal closed meetings which allow for the participation of non-Council members. There are no meeting records of IIDs and they are not included in the Councils monthly programme of work.)

It seems that the option of holding a private meetinga closed formal formatwas also considered. However, some members were not comfortable with this option, apparently fearing that holding a formal meeting would set a precedent that might lead to Ethiopia being placed on the Councils formal agenda. (When the Council convened formal meetings on Ethiopia in the past, they were held under the Peace and Security in Africa agenda item.) France convened todays IID in an effort to bring together differing views about the meeting format.

As members were deliberating the meeting format, Ireland circulated a draft press statement calling on all parties to end hostilities in northern Ethiopia and ensure humanitarian access to those in need. However, it seems that the A3, China and Russia were not willing to engage on the draft text, expressing a preference to consider the statement after the meeting. It appears that the discussion on the statement was then put on hold.

Council members last met to discuss the situation in Ethiopia on 14 April. Todays meeting will be the Councils first on the conflict in Ethiopia since fighting resumed on 24 August, breaking a five-month ceasefire. (On 24 March, the Ethiopian government declared an indefinite humanitarian truce effective immediately. In response to the federal governments declaration, the Tigrayan authorities committed their side to the cessation of hostilities, provided that adequate and timely humanitarian assistance reached Tigray. Subsequently there has been a lull in the fighting.) Council members have discussed the situation in northern Ethiopia 14 times since the conflict erupted in November 2020. Most of these meetings have been held under any other business, a standing item in closed consultations.

Due to ongoing access and communication restrictions, it remains difficult to verify the evolving situation on the ground. The Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray regional government have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire. Initially, fighting erupted around the town of Kobo, located near the south-eastern border of Tigray in the Amhara region. Violence then rapidly expanded, with fighting reported in several areas near Tigrays southern border, western Tigray, and in the north of Tigray. Fighting has seen the Tigrayan forces pitted against varying combinations of Ethiopian federal forces, Amhara regional forces, Amhara militias and Eritrean forces. Since mid-September, there have been reports of military mobilisation in Eritrea along the northern border of Tigray.

At todays meeting, members may seek an update from Tetteh on the status of fighting in northern Ethiopia, including regarding frontlines, areas of control, scale of the mobilisation, movement of troops and the human costs of the conflicts resumption. Tetteh may highlight the effects of the resumption of hostilities on the civilian population. In this regard, some Council members may stress that conflict parties must respect international humanitarian law. Some Council members may call for the withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Ethiopia.

Since the resumption of the hostilities there have been several reports of airstrikes, including drone attacks, mainly targeting the Tigrayan capital Mekelle but also affecting other cities and towns in the region, resulting in the death and injury of civilians. On 26 August, the Ethiopian air force bombed Mekelle, reportedly leading to civilian casualties when the strike hit a playground. In a statement on the same day, UNICEF strongly condemned the airstrike in Mekelle, noting that it had killed several children and injured others. The government has denied these allegations, saying that it only targeted military sites, and has accused Tigrayan forces of fabricating evidence of casualties in civilian areas.

Some Council members may refer to the 19 September report by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE). (The UN Human Rights Council established the ICHREE in December 2021, with a mandate to investigate violations and abuses of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law committed by all conflict parties in Ethiopia since 3 November 2020). While the ICHREE acknowledges having faced several obstacles in the preparation of the reportincluding the fact that the federal government did not grant it access to any area outside Addis Ababathe report states that the Commission is confident that its findings are supported by information that satisfies the standard of proof for UN investigations.

The ICHREE report says that war crimes, including rape and sexual violence, were committed by Ethiopian, Eritrean and Tigrayan forces. The ICHREE found evidence of the Ethiopian forces intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and of the Ethiopian and allied regional government forces committing crimes against humanity of persecution on ethnic grounds and other inhumane acts intentionally causing great suffering or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health based on their ongoing denial and obstruction of humanitarian assistance to Tigray. Ethiopia opposed the creation of the ICHREE in 2021, has rejected its report and may reiterate these views today. (For background, see our 19 December 2021 Whats in Blue story.)

Tetteh may update Council members on the humanitarian situation and on UN efforts to alleviate hardship on the ground. On 23 September, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said that hundreds of thousands of people are reportedly being displaced by fighting in parts of Tigray, Amhara and Afar, adding that fighting has made large parts of these regions inaccessible to aid workers. It seems that the delivery of humanitarian supplies by road to Tigray has been suspended since 24 August and that the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has been unable to fly in and out of Tigray since 25 August. The resumption of the conflict is taking place in a difficult humanitarian context in Ethiopia, where over 20 million people are food insecure, according to OCHA estimates.

Members are likely to call for unfettered humanitarian access to those in need and protection for humanitarian workers, and may condemn actions by conflict parties that impede or imperil the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Shortly after the hostilities resumed in August, Tigrayan forces requisitioned 12 fuel tankers from the World Food Programme (WFP), citing the need to reclaim fuel they had previously loaned to the WFP. On 26 September, WFP reported that debris from a drone strike hit one of its trucks, injuring a driver.

At todays meeting, members are likely to express support for the AU-led peace process in Ethiopia and may seek an update from Obasanjo and Tetteh on efforts by the AU, the UN and other key international interlocutors to incentivise the federal and the regional authorities to move away from attempts to establish military superiority on the ground and agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities. Members may seek the briefers views on how the Council can support the AU mediation efforts and might call for strengthening coordination among the special envoys on the Horn of Africa, including those deployed by the UN, the AU, the EU, and the US. Some members may mention the three rounds of informal talks facilitated by US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer in the Seychelles and Djibouti before the resumption of the hostilities. Some may also note the ongoing discussions about the possibility of changing the AU mediation format from one mediator to a three-person mediation panel.

Todays meeting may provide an opportunity to have a frank discussion in a private informal setting about what role the Security Council should play in the context of the conflict and its resolution. In its 19 September report, the ICHREE recommended that the Security Council place the situation in Ethiopia on its agenda.
Ukraine: Vote on Draft Resolution on Referendums in Ukraine

This afternoon (30 September), the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution titled Illegal So-Called Referenda in Ukraine. The draft text in blue condemns Russias referendums held in its occupied territories in Ukraine from 23 to 27 September and declares that such referendums have no validity and may not form the basis for Russias annexation of these regions.

Albania and the US, political co-penholders on Ukraine, circulated an initial draft to Council members on Tuesday (27 September). Following bilateral negotiations, the co-penholders placed a revised draft in blue yesterday evening (29 September). At the time of writing, it seemed unlikely that the draft resolution would be adopted. While the text in blue appears to have the support required for adoption, Russia is expected to veto the draft resolution. (Absent a veto, a draft resolution on non-procedural matters requires nine out of 15 votes to be adopted.)

Background

On 21 September, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to conduct referendums from 23 to 27 September in the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions and to partially mobilise military reserves to support Russias war effort in Ukraine. These announcements came as Russian forces were sustaining significant military setbacks due to Ukraines counteroffensive in the northern Kharkiv region and the southern Kherson region. In a 13 September address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces have retaken roughly 8,000 square kilometres since launching their counteroffensive in early September. Russian forces have since reportedly struggled to re-establish an effective front line along the Oskil River in eastern Ukraine.

Following Putins announcement on 21 September, Albania and the US requested a Security Council meeting to discuss what they view as an escalation of the conflict by Russia. (For more information, see our 26 September Whats in Blue story.)

Today (30 September), Putin signed treaties formally annexing the four regions currently occupied by Russian forces, which constitute 15 percent of Ukraines territory. In a speech delivered this morning, Putin said that People living in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens. Forever. Citing Article 1 of the UN Charter, which outlines the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, Putin stressed that the referendums on Russias annexation of the four occupied regions in Ukraine are an inherent right of the peoplebased on our historical affinity.

Western countries and the UN have strongly condemned Russias referendums and annexation. In a 22 September press release, the North Atlantic Council (NATOs decision-making body) described Russias referendums and partial mobilisation as further escalation in Russias illegal war against Ukraine, emphasising that no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal. Similarly, on 29 September, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell issued a declaration on behalf of the EU, condemning the illegal sham referenda and noting that their outcome is null and void and cannot produce any legal effect whatsoever. On the same day, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a strong retort to Moscow during a press briefing at UN Headquarters. Noting that Russias annexation has no legal value and that it flouts the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Guterres stressed that Moscows escalation deserves to be condemned[and] must not be accepted.

At a 27 September media stakeout, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (US) announced that the US, together with Albania, would table a Security Council draft resolution condemning Russias referendums. She said that if nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequences, then we are putting at risk everything that [the UN] stands for. Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged that the US was hoping to see the rest of the Council stand strong in refusing to accept the redrawing of borders through the use of force by any country.

Draft Resolution

The draft resolution in blue contains similar elements to the draft Security Council resolution (S/2014/189) tabled by the US on 15 March 2014 in anticipation of the 16 March 2014 Crimean status referendum. The draft text in blue condemns Russias illegal so-called referenda, noting that they had not been authorised by Kyiv, and declares that any actions taken by Russia on the basis of the referendums, including annexation of its occupied regions in Ukraine, have no validity.

Noting that the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions are under Russian control as a result of its invasion, the draft text also reaffirms that no territorial acquisition from the threat or use of force shall be recognised as legal. It determines that Russias annexation constitutes a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, the draft resolution calls on all member states, international organisations and specialised agencies to not recognise any change to the status of the four regions.

Reaffirming Ukraines sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, the resolution calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine to enable a peaceful settlement of the conflict through reengaged dialogue and diplomatic negotiations. In this regard, the draft text in blue expresses the Councils support for the Secretary-Generals efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

Negotiations

Albania and the US circulated an initial draft to each Council member separately on Tuesday (27 September) for comments. It appears that, while the co-authors received comments from several Council members, a number of Council members did not engage on the draft text, with at least one member citing concerns about the consultation process. It seems that Russia provided extensive comments to the draft. Following bilateral negotiations, the co-penholders placed a revised draft in blue yesterday (29 September). Several references to Crimea and a preambular paragraph citing Chapter VII of the UN Charter were omitted in the revised draft. Language describing the referendums as sham was also revised. As Russias comments were not fully incorporated into the revised text, it is possible that Russia may table a competing draft resolution.

At the 27 September Council meeting, several Council membersincluding Albania, Brazil, France, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Norway, the UK, and the UScondemned Russia for holding the referendums. Some membersincluding China, Gabon, India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)refrained from doing so. Many of these members did not even mention the referendums in their statements. While Mexico did not explicitly condemn Russia, it articulated its position by citing General Assembly resolution 1514, noting that any attempt to disrupt the national unity and territorial integrity of a UN member state is incompatible with the UN Charter. Mexico has previously condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine as well as attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

At the time of writing, it appears that the resolution has the support of at least 11 members of the Council. It seems that Russia is likely to use its veto, while the positions of China, India and the UAE remain unclear. At the 27 September media stakeout, Thomas-Greenfield implied that she expected a Russian veto, saying we know how one country will feel about this resolution. She added that should Russia employ its veto to shield itself from accountability, we will then look to the General Assembly to send an unmistakable message to Moscow.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai speaks at the forum (Photo: SGGP)

The Vietnam-Cuba business promotion forum today took place in Hanoi with the participation of visiting Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai.

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Khai stressed that the business promotion forum helps mutual understanding for better bilateral cooperation relationships.

According to him, although Vietnam and Cuba have faced many difficulties and challenges in recent years, the Vietnam - Cuba cooperation relationship still maintains development momentum in all fields, from politics and diplomacy to economy, science and technology, culture, and education. Especially, economic and scientific and technical cooperation through the intergovernmental committee mechanism has been maintained regularly, significantly contributing to the promotion of Vietnam  Cuba comprehensive cooperation.

At the forum (Photo: SGGP) Regarding trade cooperation, in recent years, two-way trade turnover has reached $250-$350 million a year. Vietnam always maintains a stable rice supplier to Cuba. In addition, Vietnamese enterprises also export a variety of goods to Cuba such as electrical appliances, electronics, clothing, shoes, cosmetics, construction materials, industrial materials, household appliances, and stationery, food.

Vietnam has also imported Cuban-made drugs, vaccines, and biological products and receiving Cuban medical experts to work.

Regarding the investment field, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai highly appreciated Vietnamese businesses that poured money into Cuba for investment in response to the Cuban governments appeal for investment.

In the context that the two sides are facing difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Viglacera Corporation and Thai Binh Company have been the two pioneers in implementing investment projects in Cuba and have achieved great results.

Some five present investment projects are underway in Cuba including four investment projects in Mariel Special Development Zone and one construction material production project in Santa Cruz, a diaper factory; ViMariel industrial park infrastructure development project. The Sanvig construction material production joint venture has come into operation, making an important contribution to meeting the demand for goods in the Cuban market, attracting new investors, and creating more jobs for Cuban workers. The Suchel laundry detergent joint venture and Thai Binh Green Power solar project will come into operation in November and December 2022, respectively, to meet market demand and increase electricity output in Cuba.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz speaks at the forum (Photo: SGGP) Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai believed that the two sides will have more investment cooperation opportunities, contributing to stronger promotion of Vietnam - Cuba economic, trade and investment cooperation.



Speaking at the forum, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz said that the Cuban government has allowed the participation of many economic sectors. The Cuban government has advocated promulgating a number of measures to promote domestic production in the fields of industry, agricultural products, and food. Cuba is in a period of strong transformation for the recovery and development of the economy.

With the good traditional friendship between the two countries, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz affirmed that he will give the highest priority and create all favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses in Cuba.

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz disclosed that Cuba will host the La Habana International Trade Fair in November 2022, Cuba's most important trade event taking place after more than two years of the pandemic, wishing that Vietnamese businesses would Join directly to learn about new investment opportunities in Cuba.

He believed that the trade and investment relationship between the two countries will enter a new phase.

After attending the forum, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and the delegation left Hanoi for Ho Chi Minh City. As planned, the delegation will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, visit the Saigon Hi-Tech Park and FPT Company, and meet some leaders of the southern largest city.

By Phan Thao  Translated by Dan Thuy
Page Content

The CEO of a marketing company headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., created a storm of outrage when she urged her employees to work in the office during Hurricane Ian.

In the e-mail, Joy Gendusa, head of PostcardMania, downplayed the seriousness of the hurricane, calling it a "nothing burger," and told employees to bring their pets and children to headquarters Tuesday and Wednesday if they needed to evacuate.

Social media backlash erupted, however, prompting Gendusa to change course. She announced headquarters would close and instead be used as a place for employees to shelter in place, according to the Tampa Bay Times, noting that the building is "in a non-evacuation zone and built to withstand Category 5 winds." The company employs more than 290 people and has a 69,800-square-foot campus, according to the Times.

Gendusa issued an apology to staff in a memo Wednesday, apologizing to those who felt her earlier comments "came across as insensitive," the Times reported. The hurricane, which made landfall Wednesday, has devasted Florida. President Biden said it could be the deadliest in the state's history.

SHRM Online collected the following news articles and resources on this topic:



Workers Urged to Go to Office Ahead of Hurricane Ian

As Hurricane Ian headed toward Tampa, Fla., this weekthe first major storm to threaten the area in a centuryPostcardMania's chief executive urged employees to come to work and bring their children and pets.

Gendusa insisted she wasn't scared, Vice reported, even as Pinellas Countyhome to its headquarters, based in Clearwaterordered some evacuations starting Monday.

(The Hill)

Florida CEO Faces Backlash After Asking Employees to Work Through Hurricane Ian, and to Bring Pets, Family to Office

"It's not going to be that bad," Gendusa said in a video recording of the meeting obtained by The Washington Post. "Obviously, you feeling safe and comfortable is of the utmost importance, but I honestly want to continue to deliver and I want to have a good end of quarter," Gendusa added. "And when it turns into nothing I don't want it to be like, 'Great, we all stopped producing because of the media and [thought] maybe that it was going to be terrible.' "

Employees received an automated text after the meeting encouraging them to bring loved ones to the office during the peak of the storm on Tuesday and Wednesday.

(Entrepreneur)

[SHRM members-only resource: Weather and Natural Disasters]

Who Has to Work During a Hurricane?

There should be clear protections for workers who are following orders to evacuate due to weather. While PostcardMania initially pressured its employees to work through Ian; the company later walked that back after being called out by Labor Notes writer and activist Jonah Furman.

(Slate)

When Disasters Strike: Pay, Leave and Related Issues

When business is suspended or employees can't get to work, numerous employment laws are implicated.

(SHRM Online)

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage from storm surge, wind damage, rip currents and flooding. They can happen along any U.S. coast or in any territory in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. Storm surge historically is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States. Here are some resources and tips from the U.S. government.

(Ready)

Worker Safety During Hurricane Season

With storm surges, high winds, large waves and flooding, hurricanes can be extremely dangerous for anyone in their paths. According to the Congressional Budget Office, damages from hurricane activity cost U.S. businesses $9 billion every year.

Here are five steps to keep your workers safe.

(National Medical Systems)


With Indonesia darting to incorporate the latest technology innovations in FSI, the countrys fintech is expected to generate $8.6 billion revenue by 2025. The move is further getting bolstered by Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK) that is bringing favorable regulatory changes and has even launched Master Plan for the Indonesian Financial Services Sector (MPSJKI) 2021-2025".

To support Indonesia in powering an inclusive Financial Services & Insurance industry, Tradepass is hosting the 11th edition World Financial Innovation Series (WFIS) at Hotel MuliaSenayan in Jakarta, Indonesia on 4  5 October 2022.

The event so far has drawn an array of the most spectacular technology providers to showcase their cutting-edge solutions from their exclusive exhibition booth on the event days. The list includes TigerGraph, Newgen, ExtraHop, Resulticks, SEON, Incode, Backbase, PT NEC Indonesia, Solace, Hazelcast, Perfios Software Solution, Freshworks, Weefer, Credgenics, PT CRIF Lembaga InformasiKeuangan, Provenir, 8x8, Feedzai, Teleperformance Indonesia, AI Rudder, M2P, Finastra, IT Group Indonesia, Outsystems, Perkasa and Mambu.

In a statement issued, following TigerGraphsparticipation announcement, HerfiniHaryono(Country Director Indonesia, TigerGraph) expressed, Graph technology is increasingly viewed as a gamechanger in the financial services space. With a projected transaction value of USD125 billion for digital payments in Indonesia by 2027, there is an urgent need to bolster fraud prevention and detection as well as data risk assessment capabilities to help companies lower costs of payment fraud, uncover latent fraud patterns and deliver holistic customer experiences. Deep-link analytics, when combined with AI and Machine Learning, will be indispensable to financial institutions and fintech players that require real-time insights to improve and strengthen internal security procedures.

WFIS 2022  Indonesia, will also host over 500 technology and business heads from the leading Banks, Insurance & Micro-Finance institutions across the country who will explore the ideal technology solutions for their firms at the eventsExhibition Hall. They will also get a chance to take back the latest industry intel shared by the most inspirational thought leaders comprising the best minds from FSI.

During an interview, the Co-Founder and CEO of Credgenics, Rishabh Goel gave a very interesting fact about the industry, he mentioned, We have observed that more than 50% of the collections in retail loans can be completed through digital and automated mode, without any need for manual effort intervention. However, this potential has been underutilized due to the lack of a modern, digital-first and analytical approach. We are changing this by working with lenders across India and South East Asia to make their debt collections digital, data-driven, and customer-centric. We are excited to be a part of WFIS Indonesia and looking forward to engaging with the industry leaders over the two days.

The event will power two knowledge-packed days filled with insightful presentations on the most pressing industry topics, deep dive panel discussions with the leading thought leaders, live showcase of the best fintech solutions and abundant networking opportunities.

Francesco-Strobbe, Lead Financial Sector Economist, The World Bank is of the opinion, this summit provides an excellent opportunity to bring together financial institutions, regulators and other stakeholders to exchange perspectives and discuss the future direction of the financial services industry in Indonesia. This is critical to ensure that financial institutions continue to support the real sector, facilitate the transition towards a green economy, and explore new technologies to disburse inclusive finance.

Some of the confirmed speakers for the event includeIMANSYAH, Deputy Commissioner of OJK Institute and Digital Finance, OJK, TRIYONO GANI, Executive Director Digital Finance, Innovation Group, OJK; RITESH VARMA, Global Head and Vice President for Business Solutions Group, Newgen Software; DANIEL CHU, Vice President of Systems Engineering, APJ, ExtraHop Networks; MANI GOPALARATNAM, CEO & CTO, Resulticks; GHULAM IMADUDDIN, Director, Solutions Engineering, TigerGraph; KAIJIE HO, Senior Account Executive, SEON; RISHABH GOEL, Co-Founder and CEO, Credgenics and many others.

Some of the crucial topics from the event include,Making Debt Collections Digital, Data-driven and Customer-centric, Defining An XDR Strategy, Data Driven CX in a Transformed World, Neo-Banks, Cloud Banking Platform, Building an AI Powered Bank and many others.

Organizer and CEO of Tradepass, Sudhir Jena expressed, At a time when Indonesia is geared up to establish financial inclusion in the country, World Financial Innovation Series (WFIS) will be of paramount importance as not only it will bring the latest developments from the industry to the fore but will also foster collaboration between the public and private sector.
A unique event "MetaVentures Bangkok" will be held on December 14-15 in Bangkok. The organizers are venture capital fund MetaVentures.

The "MetaVentures" brand is reorganized into a venture capital fund focused on digital projects related to Metaverse, NFT, Digital Art and other promising areas of the cryptocurrency industry.

"MetaVentures Bangkok" will be a vivid event due to the global experience of the organizers and unification industry leaders in the areas of NFT, DeFi, metaverse, regulation, investment, development and many others!

The exclusivity and uniqueness of the event opens the door to business and investment opportunities targeting a broad international audience.

Investments, Blockchain, Metaverse and NFT, Biotech, DeFi, DAO, Digital Art, mining, payment systems and regulation of digital assets are just some of the list of topics that will be discussed at the summit as well as networking.

Business and investment is a key focus. The most interesting investment opportunities and innovations in the world will be discussed along with how Metaverse/WEB3 developments are changing the world. DAOs impact on the economic mergers with the DeFi sector will be highlighted with a focus on how Fintech is helping to make investments more accessible.

An organized NFT exhibition will allow guests to experience the best of digital art and popular collections. A startup competition will take place, where participants will present their projects from the main stage, and fashion designers will show their collections in the "Metaverse".

"MetaVentures Bangkok" is an experience that will allow all participants to meet, conduct fruitful networking and get acquainted with leading committed leaders, entrepreneurs and investors.

Relaxing atmosphere of a memorable party at the AfterPaty in a unique location, will not leave anyone indifferent. A VIP dinner will be organized for VIP guests, speakers and influential persons.

The previous summit was attended by high-level technology leaders such as Nick Spanos, Alevtina Yakovenko, Davinci Jeremie, Monsak Socharoentum, Felix Mago, Ratanon Palanon. The event was opened by Vice Governor Pithet Panapong.

Strong business networking coupled with a packed program will allow us to continue to bring together crypto and blockchain enthusiasts and professionals from around the world in the warm environment of beautiful Thailand.

Book your tickets and join Thailand's premier crypto event "MetaVentures Bangkok".
With the introduction of the New Education Policy 2020, the Government of India seeks to reform and transform the education sector in India. Over the last couple of years, since the announcement of the NEP 2020, Indian Embassies in key countries have been interacting with foreign universities about the possibility of opening campuses in India. A lot will depend on the draft regulation and incentives we offer to institutions to open in India, said Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is in the process of finalising a draft document which will include all the rules and regulations for foreign universities looking to set up a base in India. Some of the incentives that are being used to attract top tier institutions and ensure their viability in India include:

Foreign institutions will be given substantial freedom in terms of setting their own curriculum and faculty appointments.

Academics and other day to day activities of these foreign institutions will not be interfered with. There will however be a set of rules and regulations that they will be expected to comply with.

Universities may have freedom to set their own fee which will be important for foreign universities. Having said that, Foreign universities will have to be mindful of the Indian students paying capacity while determining the fee. I would believe that fee structures will be affordable keeping in mind the students in India. Fee should certainly not be what these universities charge in their home country. This should enable our youth to get access to high quality education without the hassle of relocating to a foreign country, adds Vineet Gupta of Ashoka University

Why entry of foreign universities and institutions will be beneficial to the entire sector?

The entry of foreign institutions will bring much needed quality and competition in the Indian education sector. Students will now have more options than they ever had when making decisions about their education. There will be more collaborations between Indian and top tier institutions. Recently, we have seen IIT Delhi announce a special PHD programme in partnership with a top Australian University, which requires students from Australia to do their final year in India. Vice versa, Indian students will need to finish their final year in Australia under the said programme, adds Vineet Gupta . Dual Degree programmes which have been designed between Indian and foreign partners have been approved, whilst the creation of an additional 25 percent seats for foreign students in top tier Indian Institutions is one of the moves being proposed.

The NEP 2020 has accelerated a lot of reforms and with regulation incoming for foreign universities, we are truly at the liberalization moment for Indias higher education eco-system. The entry of foreign institutions will enhance capacity of the sector and also bring in some best practices. It will create more jobs for faculty and create competition for domestic institutions and they will need to up their game. Competition always creates excellence and the consumer benefits in the end. Look at Telecom or IT as examples where Indian products and services are world class. I am sure that with time this competition will get us higher quality education at more affordable fee points and the Indian student will benefit, concludes Vineet Gupta Ashoka University Founder.
We, Indians, are proudly known for celebrating festivals. Our rich culture, rituals, traditions, and celebration have already caught the worlds attention. In the pop culture trend, India has great admirers and followers of traditional customs. Each part of the country follows a particular value, so does its literary world.

Well, are you aware that yearly literary festivals take place in many parts of the country to draw large numbers of readers, writers, playwrights, and editors, who gather to exchange ideas with like-minded people? Sounds Interesting, right? If you are a fan of the literary world, then you might have visited many. And if not, give it a try.

Literary festivals are not only about conversations and debates but also cultural acts such as music and performances with literary leaders, authors, thinkers, etc. Each state has at least one literature celebration held in its capital, organized by Indias Ministry of Culture, so check out your states next one. It is also a fantastic incentive to travel around.

Bangalore Literature Festival

The Literary Festival of Bangalore glorifies reading and writing and takes place in Namma Bengaluru in November every year, engaging itself in the citys literary environment. Bookworms and bibliophiles visit to meet writers from all around. The Festival is city-owned, honors the creative energy it offers, and celebrates the diversity of literature, bringing it into conversation with the brightest brains in India and outside. It includes numerous Indian and international authors who gather here to share experiences and experiences.

Ahmedabad International Literature Festival

With the tagline 'Discuss, Debate, Deconstruct,' the 7th edition of the Ahmedabad International Literature Festival will be held in the traditional mode on October 8 and 9, 2022. Considered one of India's most reputed and content-oriented Literature festivals, Ahmedabad International Literature Festival's theme for this season is 'Humans, Nature, and the Future. A picturesque and natural venue epitomizing the theme is the Centre for Environment Education, ThaltejTekra, Ahmedabad.

Times LitFest

An annual event for authors, journalists, book lovers, and lecturers is called Times LitFest. This lighting festival has grown to become among the best in the nation. NamitaDevidayal and BachiKarkaria, two journalists, had the idea for this literary festival. The three-day Times Lit Fest has a different subject each year. In addition, there are discussions on mythology, history, crime, literature, storytelling, romance, and contemporary connections at the festival. Times LitFest offers a variety of workshops that concentrate on numerous aspects and dimensions of illustration, painting, parenting, gender, sexuality, etc., along with panel discussions. The festival stimulates lively discussions and debates while organizing a treasure of the nation's literature, films, and music.

Goa Arts And Literary Festival

A literary fest, sunsets, and waves by the beach sound like a perfect picturesque. GALF is a non-profit organization that has been fully volunteered every year since 2010. Its now become an attraction for the top writers in the country for political and social discourse. In the middle of this citys culture, it occurs at the International Center Goa. The event offers cultural fullness and lectures by famous writers, poets, and painters. The Goa Arts And Literary Festival also focuses on Goan and diaspora literature. Emergent and well-known scholars such as AmitavGhosh, Amish Tripathi, and Teju Cole have been welcomed. Goa is known for its beaches, beautiful architecture, and unique culture and is usually one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. But many things are less known: a flourishing theatre, musical, and film culture for some of Indias top artists and authors.

Queensline Lit Fest, Mumbai

Beautiful sunsets, elegant conversations, or heated disagreements with the sea breeze blowing your hair. Is there a better way to give life to your love of literature than while sipping a lovely glass of red wine and taking in the magnificent Mumbai skyline? The Queensline Lit Fest, described as India's first maritime literature festival, offers bookworms a prospect to converse about their passion for reading amid the sea. Some of India's most well-known figures share inspiring tales during the three-day festival. Onboard the 400-person capacity QueenslineNeverland and Queensline Sea YAH, two brand-new addresses of the Mumbai sea.

You should check out these literary events in any of the states. These events are meant to combine real and fantastical, spoken and written, and the past and present ideas. Literary festivals have developed into a fantastic hub for all literary enthusiasts and budding writers with a rising love of reading and writing.
India will stage a MotoGP race for the first time in 2023, organizers said on Friday, at the same track that once hosted Formula One.

The race is scheduled to take place at Buddh International Circuit in Uttar Pradesh, to the south of New Delhi.

The track has already played host to Formula One, staging three F1 grands prix between 2011 and 2013.

We have a lot of fans in India and were excited to be able to bring the sport to them, Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive of MotoGP organizers Dorna, said in a statement.

India represents a key market to expand the sport, organizers said, citing a population of 1.4 billion people and more than 200 million motorcycles.

Its a matter of great pride for Uttar Pradesh to host such a global event, Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh chief minister, said.

Indian authorities hope the event will boost foreign investment.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday urged startups to look at innovative ways to boost the export of value-added millets from India as consumers the world over see millets as gold for reasons of health and well-being.

The world will observe 2023 as the international year of millets, and India is the largest producer of millets, Sitharaman said, addressing the 105th annual general meeting (AGM) of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI).

India is the third largest exporter of millets, the Finance Minister said, but the key here was processing of raw millets and adding value. There was a large market overseas for ready-to-use millets, she said.

Sitharaman said it was not just software, pharma or medical devices, but millet processing too presented a big opportunity for the startups to work on, she said, and urged startups to look at innovative ways of adding value, and look at areas including packaging as well as price and market discovery.

The exports of value-added millets, Sitharaman said, will not only help farmers get a better price for their produce, but will also help India export to some more countries. She urged all stakeholders including chartered accountants and chambers of commerce to work towards this to accelerate Indias pace of growth towards becoming a fully developed economy.

India will host the G20 meet next year. The G20 meetings will be held outside of Delhi as well including in Karnataka. I hope, wish and will certainly do my bit for Karnataka to do its branding and to identify those products which can be showcased in G20 meetings, she said, highlighting that Karnataka was a lead producer of millets in India.
San Mateo, CA (94402)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 72F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 57F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Almost three years ago, a development in a long-running case in the Victorian Supreme Court would set Australian legal circles aflutter and have dramatic, if unintended, consequences for the countrys class action scheme. The Banksia Securities class action, it would emerge through reports in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald in 2019 and 2020, was beset with claims of deeply serious impropriety by the lawyers bringing the case and the not-so-arms-length litigation funder bankrolling the action. A 699-page judgment by Justice John Dixon in October 2021 would lay bare a legal horror show of most egregious conduct, and find that lawyers for the Banksia Securities noteholders bringing the claim against the company, including high-profile barrister Norman OBryan, had drastically inflated their legal fees and their cut of any settlement by using fake invoices. The case would become a lightning rod for critics of Australias class action regime who had long complained that the sector had become overrun by sharks and gamblers  particularly litigation funders who were seen to be raking in big fees at the expense of affected consumers and shareholders. It would help to open the floodgates for legislative reform by the Morrison government between 2019 and 2022 to clamp down on the sector  including attempts to cap fees charged by legal teams running these cases, and the requirement that all class actions be registered as managed investment schemes and be overseen by the corporate regulator. The Morrison governments treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, would also bring in changes to Australias rules about when a company has to tell its shareholders about material information. The new scope of those rules, known as continuous disclosure, would only hold companies and directors liable if they had knowledge, recklessness or negligence that the information they shared was wrong  a change that instantly made it much harder to prove a shareholder class action claim. In his first comments on the case and its political ramifications, Dixon says he was disappointed when the case and his findings were used by proponents of class action reform to demonstrate the so-called broken state of Australias class action regime - notably by Liberal Senator James Paterson who oversaw the parliamentary inquiry into class action funding as well as by other members of the government.

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Justice John Dixon of the Victorian Supreme Court. Banksia was very atypical because the nature of the conduct engaged in by the leading players, which Ive set out clearly in the judgment, is not the way that lawyers or their funders normally behave, Dixon said this week. I think that Banksia was misunderstood in Canberra. It shows what might go wrong in a litigation-funded class action, but it also shows that the legal system is pretty robust and protects itself from rogue operators. Thats ultimately what happened. The victims were awarded a massive judgment. (Legal sources who have represented defendant companies in class actions who declined to comment on the record for professional reasons, agreed it was a stretch for critics of class actions to rely on the Banksia case for their arguments. But others, including sources within the Coalition, still believe the case provided a salutatory example of the excesses in the unregulated class action market and point to the fact that the misconduct in the case was uncovered only by the persistence of the family of a member of the class action concerned about the handling of the case and the fee and funding arrangement.) Dixon, who is one of the states most prominent judges and has presided over some of Victorias biggest class actions including the Black Saturday bush fire claims, agreed to an interview ahead of speaking at the Maurice Blackburn class action symposium in Melbourne later this month. That conference will bring together plaintiff and defendant law firms, funders, barristers, academics and institutional investors to discuss the changes brought in by the Morrison government and prospects for reform by the Albanese government. The symposium will host Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus as its keynote speaker, and it is expected that many of those present will be keen to bend his ear to push for new laws and the reversal of laws brought in by the previous government that relate to class actions.

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Dreyfus has already flagged that the Albanese government will undo legislation requiring class actions to be registered as managed investment schemes, which he and Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones have described as plainly wrong. (A move which shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser told this masthead was a move to reduce accountability and transparency and an example of how Labor has no integrity on integrity.) Dreyfus declined to comment ahead of the symposium. Attendees will also be looking to talk about two other topics with the Attorney-General  changes to continuous disclosure laws and new federal laws for funding class actions that mirror Victoria put in place in June 2020. Andrew Watson of Maurice Blackburn says the class actions culture war is over. Credit: Andrew Watson, Maurice Blackburn principal class actions lawyer, is looking forward to the governments statutory review next year of the continuous disclosure law changes, changes which had such a dramatic impact on the sector. Loading Im hoping that the review of those laws can be done without the hyperbole that accompanies some of the commentary from the business community about shareholder actions, and that we can restore the continuous disclosure laws to the position that they were, which everybody including ASIC as the regulator, regarded as world-class, Watson says. Watson is not alone in his view, but its an opinion that can be contentious.

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Alexander Morris is a partner at King & Wood Mallesons and has worked on the defendant side on many of the countrys biggest shareholder class actions. Morris says tying the continuous disclosure law change to class actions is disingenuous. It is important to understand the anomaly those changes addressed. Originally, a company breached the continuous disclosure legislation if it intentionally, recklessly or negligently failed to disclose information as required by the listing rules, Morris says. Long before securities class actions took off in Australia, these intention, recklessness and negligence elements were taken out of the legislation. Morris says that plaintiff law firms and litigation funders in the past have been able to take advantage of this change and launch large-scale class actions against listed companies based on this notion of strict liability  a system he says was unique to Australia. Louise Petschler, who manages the Australian Institute of Company Directors governance and policy leadership, says the changes to continuous disclosure laws were a sensible reform that should not be undone. Louise Petschler, AICD general manager governance and policy leadership, says the changes to continuous disclosure laws brought in by Frydenberg are working well. Credit:Louie Douvis We feel that those reforms were an important rebalancing of the way that the continuous disclosure laws had been framed in Australia since that fault provision was removed, says Petschler.

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Those changes bring Australia more into line with overseas jurisdictions that incorporate an element of fault or culpability, and often thats at a higher level than negligence, which is what the changes brought in. Watson and Morris also believe the Albanese government will, in time, look to implement some of the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into class action proceedings in 2019. Top of the list is considering new federal laws to allow a new way of funding class actions by law firms, known as contingency fees, or group costs orders. This system allows law firms to take a cut of the settlement, instead of charging by the hour, plus an uplift on their fee if they win. It is hoped the rules will, in effect, cap funding agreements which have led to litigation funders taking as much as 50 per cent of settlement proceeds. Loading Watson says the group costs order regime in Victoria has already pushed down the costs associated with the case claimed by lawyers under the system. It is clear that the group cost order mechanism is likely to be a much cheaper mechanism for those who are in the class than what you might describe as the traditional funding model, says Watson. For Morris, a federal response on contingency fees would be expected to create uniformity between state and federal courts with jurisdiction in federal law class actions.

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AGL investors are clamouring for more details from the energy giant on how it will finance the $20 billion decarbonisation of the business, as labour shortages and supply chain issues threaten its earlier-than-expected exit from coal.

AGL, one of the countrys largest electricity generators and retailers, on Thursday announced it would shut its coal-fired power plant in 2035, a decade earlier than planned, and pump $20 billion over the next 12 years into clean energy to meet shareholder demand for urgent climate action.

AGL will exit coal a decade earlier than previously planned. Credit:Bloomberg

Interim chief executive Damien Nicks told this masthead on Friday that there was plenty of capital available for green projects.

There is a huge demand from investors and lenders to invest in renewable and clean firming assets and we are highly confident that the markets will support our plans, which represent a compelling opportunity to participate in the energy transition, Nicks said.
In the USA, where I am visiting, the past week has been Banned Books Week , an exercise to raise awareness of how many books are taken out of schools, universities and public libraries after they have been challenged by parents and community opponents. The American Library Association has catalogued more than 1700 such challenges in the past year , and this is only those that have come to light publicly. The ALA estimates that as many as 10,000 different titles are removed from the shelves of public school and local libraries each year.

There is a country where the classic novels To Kill A Mockingbird, 1984, Huckleberry Finn and The Handmaids Tale are frequently banned from public and school libraries. Kids favourites such as Where The Wild Things Are and the Captain Underpants series, even the Holy Bible and Harry Potter are on the most-banned list.

The sharp end of book bans is those that contain themes that are considered LGBTQIA-friendly. This year, half of the top 10 most targeted books  including the top three - were considered to have sexually explicit pro-gay content. Frankness about sex and racism is being challenged at a skyrocketing rate.

In his book Free Speech for Me  But Not for Thee, US author Nat Hentoff writes that the lust to suppress can come from any direction and the war on books is not exclusively being waged by social conservatives. Harper Lees To Kill A Mockingbird and John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men  the cream of 20th century American literature  are among the most-banned books each year for their supposed racial stereotyping. The Bible is often challenged by radical atheists and withdrawn from library shelves. The Kite Runner by Afghan author Khaled Hosseini, a global bestseller for its depictions of life under Taliban rule, has been banned for promoting Islam and leading to terrorism. The librarians oppose bans from every political direction, and have to devote increasing amounts of their time to the fight to restore books to their stocks after they have been challenged.

Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey. Credit:AP

It would surprise nobody that Americas cultural wars are more advanced than in Australia. Donald Trump exploited and became a totem of culture-war flash points, but to blame this war on the Trump presidency would be superficial and inaccurate. Even as a second Trump candidature in 2024 remains a real prospect, it is clear that the growing social divisions in this country have bubbled along for many years and will continue to do so whether Trump gets anywhere near the White House again or not. The number of book bans had been rising before Trump became president in 2016, and the curve has steepened during the Biden presidency. The book bans depict a cultural phenomenon for which Trump is only a symbol, not a driving force.

Australia does not have the same local mechanisms for book bans. Other than in private schools, concerned citizens cant band together and make noise to get books censored as they can in the US. But this does not mean the strong arm of book censorship does not exist in Australia. It can as easily come from the progressive as the conservative side  the most recent firm book-banning (later reversed) in Australia was when conservative Sydney Anglican minister Michael Jensens You: An Introduction was censored by the NSW Education Department in 2015. Some members of the diocese to which Rev Jensen belongs are so concerned about being oppressed by progressives that they have launched a new evangelical outreach movement  the Church of the Southern Cross  to counter what they see as the active censorship of their views. It is arguable that compared with the US, where the religious right has amassed decades worth of organisation in local politics, the perceived fear of censorship is far greater among conservatives than it is among progressives.
Fashion and beauty icon Iris Apfel celebrated her 101st birthday in August this year, but you wouldnt know it. A New York native, her career has included a stint at Womens Wear Daily, a home design deal with the White House that spanned nine presidencies, and a contract with global modelling agency IMG at 97.

Style icon Iris Apfel has launched a beauty collection with Ciate London, and believes that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Today, she shares her kooky style and sense of humour with her 2 million Instagram followers. I dont know why theres this mad obsession to look years younger than you are, Apfel tells The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. If youre lucky and God gives you extra years, I should think youd want to flaunt it and not hide it. I think you can be attractive at any age. I think trying to look like a spring chicken when youre not makes you look ridiculous.

Apfel this week launched a collection with London beauty brand Ciate. The line, available exclusively in Australia with Mecca, includes an eyeshadow palette, lipsticks, and nail decals. Its the second make-up collaboration for Apfel, who worked with MAC in 2011 on a 20-product range of colourful lipsticks, eyeshadows, eyeliners, and nail polishes, inspired by rare birds.

Asked what her favourite product is from the new line, she says, I couldnt possibly choose just one, its like saying who is your favourite child!
Blonde curls, red lips, a dainty beauty spot: Few stars have imprinted as firmly on our visual culture than Marilyn Monroe.

When Kim Kardashian stepped out onto the red carpet at the Met Gala earlier this year, the reference was unmistakeable. With Monroes famous sequinned naked dress clinging to her body, hair bleached white-blonde, the Kardashian paid homage (albeit controversially), to the stars staying power in the American imagination.

Now, Monroes image is being brought back to the big screen with Blonde: Marilyn is having a moment, it seems. The film, from Australian director Andrew Dominik, is based on Joyce Carol Oates loosely biographical account of Monroes life, and features pitch perfect recreations of her most iconic looks.

Ana de Armas portrays Marilyn Monroe in the new film Blonde. Credit:Netflix via AP

There are few make-up looks as iconic as that of Marilyn Monroes, says artist Katie Angus. She encapsulated old hollywood glamour like no other with her striking contoured eye and dazzling red lips, setting a precedent for beauty trends for years to come.
ClubsNSW said Stolz had initiated legal action, and it was only while preparing its defence that it learned he was in possession of millions of ClubsNSW files and engaged in the unauthorised disclosure of them. His behaviour was unrelated to his recent ill health, it said. There isnt a company in Australia which would have acted differently from ClubsNSW if a former employee acted against them as Mr Stolz has against us. While we appreciate James Packers thoughts on many topics, he has no understanding whatsoever about Mr Stolzs illegal and unethical behaviour. Federal Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has been pushing for gambling reform for years. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen But Packers comments come at an inflection point for the pokies industry, as the NSW Crime Commission is due to hand down its report on money laundering in pubs and clubs, and after Tasmania became the first state in Australia to introduce a cashless gaming card. Clubs own around three-quarters of the poker machines in NSW. Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie said that when he was deciding whether to back Tony Abbott or Julia Gillard to form government in 2010, he wanted to make maximum $1 pokie bets a condition of his support, but neither leader would entertain the proposition. Later, Packer told Wilkie that both leaders had called him to ask his views on a maximum $1 bet.

He told them that was the industrys worst nightmare, Wilkie recalled. So the government was at least sensitive to the influence of James Packer. But the deal that Wilkie ultimately cut with Julia Gillard  for mandatory pre-commitment technology to prevent gamblers from spending more than they intended  has become a cautionary tale among politicians who might be tempted to take on pokies reform. Julia Gillard stuck a deal with Andrew Wilkie on poker machines. Credit:Ken Irwin The pubs and clubs industry waged an aggressive campaign against the measures for the next two years, targeting Labor MPs in marginal seats. Passions ran high. An effigy of Wilkie was burnt in Braidwood. Police warned Labor MP Peter Garrett and anti-gambling activist Tim Costello against attending a debate because they could not guarantee their safety. Gillards minority government depended on Wilkies support, but Kevin Rudd was circling the leadership, and there were rumours that he had convinced the independent MP Bob Katter to provide supply if he became prime minister. Then Wilkie would not be required, and the pokie deal could be abandoned. In 2012, Gillard wooed the Liberal MP Peter Slipper to the speakers chair, giving her a one-seat buffer that allowed her to renege on her commitment to Wilkie. The reform was dropped, contributing to the slide in her authority within her party. One year later, Rudd beat her in a leadership spill.

We will never know what the party might have done or the industry would have done if she had stood firm, but its not like the story ended well anyway, Wilkie says. Loading She lost her position and Labor went on to lose to Tony Abbott. She was obviously under a lot of pressure, but if she had stared down her party and stared down the industry, people would have respected her. As it happened, the only respect that flowed was to the authority of the clubs. Few politicians were brave enough to attempt poker machine reform again until last year, when then NSW Gaming Minister Victor Dominello stuck his head above the parapet with a proposal for a digital gambling card. His model, based on a recommendation from the Bergin inquiry into Crown casino, would minimise problem gambling by allowing users to set limits on how much they spent and virtually eliminate money laundering by linking to each gamblers personal identity documents and bank account. Law enforcement authorities and anti-gambling activists were enthusiastic.

But shortly after Dominello put out the proposal, he was approached by a clubs industry figure (not from ClubsNSW). Dont persist with this, he was warned. Or we will f--- you like we f----d Julia Gillard. Tim Costello says ClubsNSW is in the box seat in NSW. Dominello lost the portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle in December. A trial of the card that he had arranged to begin in January is yet to eventuate. Australia owns 75 per cent of the worlds machines outside casinos and claims the worlds highest gambling losses per capita. Last financial year, the average punter lost $2800. In NSW, which is home to nearly half the countrys poker machines, average losses were more than $4500. At least some of this is likely to have occurred through money laundering.

Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman Tim Costello says the link between poker machine numbers and gambling losses are not coincidental. Most Aussies believe we have the greatest losses because we have the greatest passion for gambling, he says. Its nonsense. Why do we have the greatest losses? Because of entirely irresponsible gambling policies. Loading Unlike most countries where poker machines are predominantly confined to casinos, they are accessible in Australia at pubs and clubs on any suburban street, and permitted to operate up to 20 hours a day. In NSW, the maximum bet that can be placed is $10,000. And ClubsNSW has effectively recruited the public to its cause by appealing to the mythology that Aussies love a punt and arguing that grants to sport facilities would be at risk if further regulation were introduced. Once theyre in that position of power, they literally run the state, Costello said. After Dominellos digital card failed to get up in NSW, Costello says that Premier Dominic Perrottet told him that he did not like poker machines but that ClubsNSW was too powerful. I said, What about if you got [Opposition Leader] Chris Minns? and he said, That would give us protection.

But when Costello spoke to Minns, he demurred. He said, What happened with Julia Gillard, politically its just too difficult. So, I have the premier and the opposition leader telling me who runs the state. A spokeswoman for Minns says that Costellos account does not agree with his recollection of an introductory meeting they had. There was a discussion about the Dominello reforms, she said. The opposition leader and his colleague in the meeting made the point that it would be difficult to sign up to a proposal sight unseen given the government hadnt even released the policy. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Opposition Leader Chris Minns. Credit:Renee Nowytarger, Dominic Lorrimer The premier said: I dont divulge private conversations, however, I will say that problem gambling is a scourge on our state and I believe we can do much more to minimise its impacts. He said trials for cashless solutions would soon begin, and he would determine the best path forward based on their results. He was also waiting on the report from the crime commission.

My focus here is to reduce harm to families and minimise the ability of organised crime to put the proceeds of crime through poker machines. Loading Every Liberal Party leader since Barry OFarrell in 2010 has signed a memorandum of understanding with ClubsNSW ahead of each state election, pledging not to add new taxes or more regulatory controls for the term of their government. Labor has made similar commitments. Neither side will be drawn on whether they will sign such an agreement before the next election. ClubsNSW says the memorandums give business certainty and avoid customer confusion. We trust the sensible political parties will continue to publicly outline their plans for clubs, in advance of elections, especially in light of the extraordinarily difficult two years clubs just faced during COVID, it said in a written statement. It also says it has no problem with cashless cards such as the one proposed by Dominello, but they should be optional. Pleasingly, it appears very few, if any, people think Mr Dominellos approach was the right one.
A police officer has told a court he experienced fear as he crouched behind a car with his gun drawn to shelter from a barrage of more than 200 bullets on the NSW Central Coast.

In bodycam vision released by the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, Senior Constable Darren Hunt can be seen crouching behind a police car holding his pistol at about 6.12pm on March 17, 2020. At one stage, a loud crack can be heard.

Bradley Jason Mark White is arrested by NSW Police officers following the shooting. Credit:NSW Supreme Court

Oh shit, hes aiming this way, the officer says in the clip.

About 25 minutes later, Hunt was still crouching behind the car, with his bodycam recording his hand shaking as he held his pistol in front of him. I was shitting myself, to be honest, he said in evidence this week.
Senior NSW minister Rob Stokes will retire from politics at the next election, prompting upper house Liberal Natasha Maclaren-Jones to stake her claim over his sought after northern beaches seat of Pittwater.

Stokes confirmed on Friday morning he would resign at the March 2023 election after more than 15 years in state politics, joining a growing list of departing Coalition MPs.

NSW Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes will retire from politics at the next state election. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Ive had a great go, and now is the time to give others the opportunity to stand as Liberal candidate for Pittwater at the election next year, Stokes said in a statement.

In the meantime, I will use all my energy, experience and enthusiasm to support the Liberals and Nationals team as we fight to return the Perrottet-Toole government in 2023.
Your correspondent (Letters, September 30) suggests that an elected head of state would have a mandate conferred upon him/her, but thats not the case. Any future elected head of state can only do what our Constitution permits them to do. He or she cannot exercise discretion where the Constitution says they have none. At present, the Governor-General must always act on the advice of the government of the day, including signing bills into law. This would not change. Brendan Jones, Annandale By electing a head of state, what is created immediately is a counterpoint to an elected prime ministerial government. This creates enormous potential for conflict between two elected bodies and ambiguity. At present, this is not the case. Wayne Duncombe, Lilyfield Dates with destiny I was born on Christmas Day, 1931 (Letters, September 30). A young friend used to say kindly Aunty Coral and Jesus were born on the same day. Nice to be given precedence. Coral Button, North Epping My husband was one part of three sets of twins. His two children were born on the same date. My brother, born on my third birthday, has two sons who also share a birthdate. This reduces the number of dates to remember. Meredith Williams, Northmead

My wife and I were married on September 9, 1999, at 3.33pm. John Loveridge, Tewantin (Qld) My late husband and I each had our mother-in-laws birthday on our birthday. Now one of my granddaughters has her partners birthday on her mothers birthday. No forgetting any of these. Judy Powell, West Pennant Hills Birthday cake Credit:The Age My husbands parents and the postmistress who read out the telegram, Safe and happy in the ACT, that we sent from Canberra, have never forgotten our wedding anniversary. Elizabeth Maher, Bangor I was born on the day before Easter (1949). Since then, this triple event (birthday April 16 on a Saturday before Easter Sunday) has only occurred twice. Once in 1960 and this year. Ill have to live to 2033 for the next. Michael Hayden, Kiama Downs

Premiers plan to abolish isolation will end in disaster Premier Dominic Perrottet says we need to embrace personal responsibility and to stay home if sick (Abolish COVID-19 isolation, September 30). Has he, the PM, or chief medical officer cited evidence this is what people have previously done, especially without health orders in place? Or cited the evidence personal responsibility works? And did they first consult with the AMA and other peak community bodies caring for the Indigenous, the aged and the disabled? And, most importantly, did they agree? Jennifer Fergus, Croydon There is still much to learn about the effects of COVID-19, but the higher death rate for those with chronic health problems and life-destroying long COVID suggest the disease is insidious. There is only one sensible conclusion  COVID should not be treated lightly and everyone should take measures to avoid infection or reinfection for short-term and long-term health. Wearing masks on public transport and isolation periods may no longer be mandatory but for individuals and the health of others, I urge the continuation of these practices. Geoff Harding, Chatswood Premier Dom Perrottet Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The premiers plan to abolish five-day isolation for COVID is about as well thought out as some of the governments recent public transport decisions. The new British prime ministers poorly considered economic decisions have quickly sent Britains economy into free fall. The NSW premier appears determined to do something similar, by a different route. Paul Parramore, Sawtell

When Perrottet has completed his masters degree in epidemiology I will listen to his advice on mandated isolation and other COVID matters. Ask sufferers of long COVID how they are enjoying their freedom to live with it. David Baird, Burradoo When Little Johnny comes home from school with COVID, Mum will send the little contagion back to school the next day because there will be no mandatory isolation rule. So more teachers will be off sick, adding to the teacher shortage. Thats just the beginning of the domino effect this will have. And what about our overwhelmed hospital system and our overworked doctors and nurses? There is no sound reason to abolish a necessary rule that protected people in our community. Tracey Galanos, Hunters Hill How widely did Perrottet consult with the medical profession before advocating the abolition of COVID-19 mandatory isolation? Previous COVID spikes appeared to coincide with his relaxing of restrictions. I cant help wondering whether overworked doctors and nurses dealing with last weeks 69 COVID deaths and 1176 hospitalisations in NSW support his approach. Robert Baker, Chatswood People of note We got rid of the original colonialist $5 note with Joseph Banks and Caroline Chisholm (Letters, September 30) and replaced it with the monarch, who was already pressed into every coin. We also had a special federation commemorative edition for a year with Henry Parkes and Catherine Spence. And now we are having a little think about who will next adorn this popular banknote? Clearly, the Flying Purple People Eater is the front-runner. Wendy Janssens, Newport

My great-great-grandfather, Michael Temple, was one of the last convicts. Surely hes worth putting on a note? Keith Russell, Mayfield West Songs of Sydney Michael Koziol should have a listen to Richard Claptons Best Years of Our Lives (Why arent there more songs that glorify Sydney? September 30). I dont know if it glorifies Sydney but any song that mentions the ghosts are howlin on Oxford Street, Bondi Lifesaver and the Bondi Icebergs is, at the least, quintessentially Sydney. Lisa Clarke, Watsons Bay The Australian composer Moya Henderson Credit:Marco Del Grande Betraying, as he does, an affection for the music of his adolescence, Michael Koziol might be encouraged to broaden his tastes. Patrick Whites novels celebrate Sydney often, as do many of David Williamsons plays. Even those people with only a slight interest in the visual arts will be familiar with the harbour pictures and cityscapes of Arthur Streeton and his contemporaries. But music? Id urge him to explore the music of Moya Henderson, such as Confessions to my Dogs, about our criminal world, and Six Urban Songs (to Whites poetry). Sydney is well represented across the wide range of our arts. John Carmody, Roseville

Thank you, Michael Koziol, for raising our awareness of songs about Sydney  more particularly, the lack thereof. One song that you need to hear is Frankie Davidsons 1962 classic, Have You Ever Been To See Kings Cross? Paul Jonson, Malabar Gone to pot Im sure your correspondent (Letters, September 30) is aware that besides surreptitiously smoking cannabis at concerts, you can also eat it in cakes and biscuits. The only problem is you end up with a pot-belly. John Bailey, Canterbury Housing solutions In the old days you could rent a room in a private home or live more permanently in a boarding house (Letters, September 30). Rent was cheap and breakfast and dinner were often included. Renting a room in a private house helped me as a teacher in a new town and, later, letting a room helped me pay the mortgage on my little house in the suburbs. Could such arrangements be the solution to help ease mortgage costs and the rental crisis in one swoop, or has society changed too much to trust strangers? Ellie Hallett, Toowoomba (Qld)

Commission division The proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission will be charged with investigating possible corruption, not prosecuting those charged with corruption (Letters, September 30). Just like any other investigation of unlawful conduct this should be done privately, not publicly. The time for public hearings is when charges have been laid and the case is before the courts. Let us not damage peoples reputations, or public confidence in institutions, unnecessarily. Brian Rathborne, Greenwich Some of your correspondents have suggested the new federal anti-corruption body should sacrifice retrospectivity to ensure it will pass through parliament. Those of us who expect an effective body to be set up by the Labor government believe retrospectivity is vital. Im looking forward to those MPs who have been corrupt self-identifying by voting against the legislation, and will hope they form part of the short list for immediate investigation. Marjorie Sutcliffe, The Rocks If the commission has no retrospective powers, it will only function properly while Labor is in power. The convention is that the Coalition, if back in government, will find some way to defund, stack with cronies or otherwise neuter anything that threatens its activities. Greg Thompson, Bega Postscript
I was first introduced to this type of cake by pastry chef Jerrelle Guy in the US; its origins are in the American South. A spoon cake is just what it sounds like: a cross between a pudding and a cake.

September 30, 2022

by Danielle Alvarez
Tradies perform citizen's arrest in Brisbane

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BILLIE EILISH 

RAC Arena, September 29 - 30

The last time multi-Grammy Award winner Billie Eilish performed in Perth, it was at Fremantle Arts Centre to a sold-out crowd of 3400, before the term COVID-19 had entered anyones vocabulary.

Billie Eilish performs her latest tour Happier Than Ever to a sold-out crowd. Credit:Matty Vogel

But on Thursday night the alternative pop sensation finally returned to Perth for the final leg of her Happier Than Ever world tour to a 15,000-strong crowd at RAC Arena.

The 20-year-old kicked off with hit bury a friend from previous album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? jumping with a burst of energy from underneath the stage.
A gas-fed fertiliser plant on the Burrup Peninsula opposed by campaigners for the preservation of ancient rock engravings will likely be fully financed and go ahead by the end of the year after the federal government lent $220 million towards construction costs.

The US$4.2 billion ($6.5 billion) Perdaman urea plant that will process gas from Woodsides Scarborough project will receive the funds from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility that has already lent the WA government $255 million to improve port and water facilities for the project.

The Perdaman plant will be built on the Burrup Peninsula, home of the World Heritage nominated Murujuga rock art. Credit:Clough

Perdaman chair Vikas Rambal said the project won federal support because it offered local manufacturing of a commodity vital for Australian farmers.

In four to eight weeks we should get financing done, he said, with project approval expected before the end of the year and production beginning four years later.
In the lead-up to the 2019 election, I got to know a candidate running against a particularly bad MP, an MP whose name was associated with numerous scandals and who had a reputation for fighting against climate action, not using good arguments but by wielding mistruths and through maladministration. The opposing candidate was whip smart, ethical, personable and hardworking  a string of attributes that would have made her a much better local representative, and would have raised the bar in parliament.

Simon Holmes a Court was prepared to hand over his own money to help a credible major party candidate. Credit:Kristoffer Paulsen

Her tilt was unlikely to be successful at the election, but if she ran a strong campaign, maybe she could put pressure on the incumbent and chip away at his margin, perhaps winning it over a couple more electoral cycles. The candidate was from a major party and for various reasons didnt fit the criteria for Climate 200 support, but I thought her campaign was deserving of a personal donation. She disagreed, telling me: To be honest, your money would have more impact elsewhere.

I was taken aback. Why would a candidate not grab an offer of financial support with both hands?

It wouldnt be fair for you to invest more in my campaign than the party is planning to, she said. She then explained that, as a candidate running in a seat the party considered unwinnable, she would receive a box of T-shirts, a few hundred corflute signs to put up around the electorate, and several cartons of how-to-vote cards. She wouldnt be given a single helper from head office for the campaign and therefore was her own campaign manager. The partys investment in the seat was well less than $10,000, maybe even half that.
Australian Federal Police have launched Operation Guardian to protect Optus customers at high risk of identity theft after sensitive data was released online following a massive cyberattack.

AFP Assistant Commissioner of Cyber Command Justine Gough said the operations focus would be the 10,000 people who had up to 100 points of ID released online by the purported hacker earlier this week.

An estimated 10,000 Optus customers are at high risk of identity theft after their data was leaked by a purported hacker. Credit:Brook Mitchell

The announcement of the operation came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Optus had agreed to cover the cost of replacement passports for customers who had their passport numbers stolen.

I think thats entirely appropriate, Albanese said following a national cabinet meeting in Canberra.
It is a tale of two, competing visions for Sydney.

On one hand, Transport for NSW is seeking to rezone and redevelop 10 hectares of railway land south of Redfern station for up to 450 new apartments and tech office spaces in blocks between three and 28 storeys high.

On the other hand, the areas biggest tenant, Carriageworks, urges something extraordinary for this unique and historic part of the city.

Renders by Make Architects of a creative precinct at North Eveleigh from 2017 show a sound studio on the left, the steps of a railway bridge in background and Carriageworks on the right. Credit:Make Architects

In its first public response to a draft masterplan for the Redfern-North Eveleigh precinct, Carriageworks will call for the conversion of the underused railway workshops into a dedicated cultural precinct.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Nine years ago, the US retailer Target suffered a data breach. First the company announced credit card information had been taken from 40 million people. Then it said 70 million had personal information stolen. Then it clarified the two were separate but overlapping, taking the likely total towards 100 million. Relative to the national population, the Target breach was about the same size as the Optus hack that has gripped Australias attention since it was revealed at 2pm on the public holiday called to mourn the Queen last Thursday. Targets chief executive, Gregg Steinhafel, whose business has no connection to the Australian retailer of the same name, clung on for months. He apologised to customers. He said he would get to the bottom of the hack. He authorised a 10 per cent store-wide discount to try to regain goodwill. But five months later, after congressional hearings and revelations of disastrous cybersecurity at Target, Steinhafel resigned. Now, all eyes are on Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, who has vowed to stay on and lead the companys response, to see if she will do the same. Optus chief Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has endured a horror week that cyber experts and the government have argued her company should never have let happen. Credit:James Brickwood She got off to a good start. On Wednesday last week, someone at Optus noticed something was not right. The concern travelled up to the chief information officer, Mark Potter, who called Bayer Rosmarin. At that stage [Potter] did not understand the extent of it, just that we were sure something had occurred, Bayer Rosmarin later told a press conference. It was only late that night that we were able to determine that it was of a significant scope. I think that was sort of a late-night call. By Thursday the company had alerted the press, albeit after The Australian newspaper had published a story, disclosing a breach. The names, addresses and contact details of about 9.8 million people had all been exposed. Almost 3 million customers passport and licence numbers too. A perfect toolkit for cybercriminals to impersonate Australians and lift bank balances. Bayer Rosmarin fronted the press the next day, earning plaudits for showing she understood the emotional gravity of the breach. Im very sorry, and apologetic, she said. It should not have happened. But it did happen, Bayer Rosmarin said, because it was a a sophisticated attack. And we will not be releasing further details at this stage. The companys justification was that the Australian Federal Police were investigating.

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Meanwhile, the federal government was quiet. Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil, who is also cybersecurity minister, was tweeting about the AFL and NRL finals. It irked her opposite number, Liberal cybersecurity spokesman James Paterson, who shot back that she should be telling Australians what the government was doing about the breach. Over the weekend the story grew. Researchers who monitor the shadier parts of the internet found a forum user called Optusdata, with a default profile picture of an anime woman, claiming to have data from Optus on more than 10 million Australians and personal identity document numbers from about 4 million. They wanted a $US1 million ($1.54 million) ransom in a cryptocurrency called Monero in seven days, or else the cache would be sold to cyber criminals for $US300,000. They posted a sample of 200 customer records to substantiate their claims. Cybersecurity Minister Clare ONeil was initially quiet on the Optus hack, but then spoke with a steely directness that undercut the companys official line. Credit:James Brickwood When ONeil did become publicly involved on Monday, she made up for her absence immediately. She lambasted the company for effectively leaving the window open to data being stolen and when asked in a TV interview whether she believed Optus claim that it was the subject of a sophisticated attack, ONeil said: Well, it wasnt. So, no. It was a steely, direct performance that capitalised on the rising tide of consumer anger (Im fuming, one Optus customer emailed to say) and swung attention away from questions about whether federal law needed to be reformed to stop companies having to keep so much information. But backed with the authority of the security agencies investigating the hack and advising the government, ONeils answers also gave the public a diametrically different view of Optus claims. Optus seemed blindsided. At the time the ministers pre-recorded interview went to air on Monday night, she was speaking to the company. The next morning Bayer Rosmarin fronted the media, reiterating the companys stance and suggesting the minister had not been fully briefed by the company when she went on TV. We are not the villains, she said. That did not deter the federal government, which only redoubled its criticisms as the forum user with the anime girl avatar posted the records of another 10,000 people, this time including Medicare data. Since then, Optus has said very little. Police on Friday appeared to confirm these 10,000 records were genuine when they began an operation called Guardian to protect those people. Optus declined to make its chief executive or another spokesperson available for interview for this story and did not directly answer a list of questions. It has consistently defended its cybersecurity practices, and said it is doing everything it can to support customers  including providing a year of free credit monitoring. It urged people to be vigilant against scams.

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In a brief statement, an Optus spokeswoman pointed to a media release from the AFP that said police would not divulge information from their investigation to protect its integrity. To help protect customers, Optus will not comment on some details of the cyberattack, including, for now, technical details, the spokeswoman said. The company has separately taken out an ad in Saturdays papers, where it apologises to customers and reassures them the breach is over. Were deeply sorry that a cyberattack happened on our watch, the ad reads. We know this is unacceptable and that well need to work hard to regain your trust. From Prime Minister Anthony Albanese down, the government is now considering how it can make companies like Optus pay for major cyber breaches. The company is paying for affected customers to replace licenses, while the prime minister has said Optus will also cover passport replacements for affected people. That could cost Optus millions. In Australia, the maximum fine that we can attach to this kind of breach in the Privacy Act is [about] $2.2 million, which for a massive company like Optus is really a drop in the ocean, ONeil said on Wednesday. In Europe, it is up to $30 million, or 4 per cent of a companys global annual revenue. For massive internet companies like Google, or Facebook owner Meta, that would be many billions. But Graham Greenleaf, a board member of the Australian Privacy Foundation and professor at UNSW, said even under current laws Optus could be made to pay major compensation. Two class action firms, Slater & Gordon and Maurice Blackburn, are investigating claims. Either avenue could mean millions of customers could demand compensation for the costs and distress of their information being stolen. That could be very big with up to 10 million complainants, he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Asked for an estimate of how much money could be in play, Greenleaf said enforcement had been such a black hole before the current privacy commissioner that it was hard to know. Loading Whether Optus is liable will depend on whether it has breached a series of privacy principles that require big companies to only collect personal information that is related to their business and delete it promptly when no longer needed. I thought Id be safe because its April 2018 when I went back to Telstra after two dismal years with Optus, one former customer whose data was taken told the Herald and The Age. I cant see why they need to keep that information for so long, to be honest. Bayer Rosmarin said on Friday that the reason that we hold on to customer data for a period of time is that it is the law. We have to be able to go back in our records for six years and so we do hold information for the required length of time.

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Metadata laws say phone companies have to keep names, addresses and other information used to identify subscribers while their account is active and for two years after. The intention is to let law enforcement catch people who commit crimes online. But the laws are silent on what documents or ID numbers, if any, need to be kept to fulfil that rule. Former human rights commissioner Ed Santow said the Optus hack had validated other concerns about the laws expressed at the time. The former government justified the metadata law as being to catch the worst criminals, terrorists and murders. In fact, it has been used rarely if ever to combat those serious crimes. In fact, its used much more frequently to chase fines and debts and protect revenue. The bipartisan Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security recommended that access be tightened up two years ago, but nothing has happened. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who has promised to move quickly to reform privacy laws, said companies that inspected drivers licences or passports to confirm their customers identities should not need to hold on to the information. They dont seem to me to have a valid reason for saying we need to keep that for the next decade, Dreyfus said on Thursday. Rachael Falk, the chief of the Cybersecurity Co-operative Research Centre, an industry-government-academia partnership, has scant sympathy for Optus despite the ambiguity of the law on what information the company has to keep. That is because the law demands that firms protect the confidentiality of information kept under metadata law. Its unequivocal, said Falk, who was involved in discussions on the laws as a former senior Telstra executive. The security aspect is unequivocal. Privacy advocates have used the Optus breach to throw attention on how much data is kept by companies big and small across the country. Real estate agents, hoteliers and rental car firms routinely take copies of identity documents. Santow, now at the University of Technology Sydney, and his colleagues published a paper during the week outlining how scant protections are for the use of facial recognition technology, too. Lizzie OShea, chair of Digital Rights Watch, an NGO, said Australians had no guarantee that information was being stored properly and deleted quickly. The regulator is under resourced, she said, and individuals cannot go to court to have their data deleted. We dont have that in Australia, OShea said. Previously a top government cyber adviser and agency head, Alistair MacGibbon is scathing of how Optus has managed the crisis publicly. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Investigations into how the hack happened are still under way, but there is a view among cybersecurity experts that ONeil is right and someone at Optus made a major error in leaving a gateway to its data exposed online. Alastair MacGibbon, who used to run one of the government cybersecurity agencies now investigating the breach, says that theory is not confirmed but seems to be the consensus. It means all the hacker had to do was find the access point, called an API, and ask for customer data in the right way. Not sophisticated, quite simple, and sadly, understandable in complex compute environments, said MacGibbon, now with security firm CyberCX. If that is the case, then this was less a break and enter than someone walking in through the front door. Compared to the Target hack, where a criminal gang infected a third-party refrigeration company with malware to eventually access the retailer, the Optus breach may not even qualify as a hack. Police would provide no details at a press conference on Friday.

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Several industry insiders, who spoke anonymously because their employers had not authorised them to speak, said such a lapse should never have happened. They argued it fit Optus reputation for having a stingy approach to cybersecurity, which generates no money for businesses. And it is not the first data breach at Optus. In August last year the Information and Privacy Commissioner announced an investigation into how 50,000 Optus customers names, phone numbers and addresses were published without their agreement in the online and also, potentially, the print White Pages. A system error caused that breach, not a hack, Optus said in 2019, when it disclosed the problem. Loading If the Optus sceptics are right about this breach, then that could also make encryption, which Optus says it used, irrelevant. The data would be encrypted on Optus servers, and in transit to the thief, but it would be in plain text on arrival. Optus has not denied the central claim in this debate that the hacker used what is called an API  a common way of computers exchanging data  to request the customer information. But it has strongly contested other elements, with Bayer Rosmarin hitting out at misinformation, arguing the company has invested heavily in cybersecurity and pointing to checks by police and cyber agencies of the companys systems. It is not the case of having some sort of completely exposed API sitting out there, she has said. MacGibbon is critical of the language in these denials. Their crisis management has been very poor, he said. Things like the companys description of its data as encrypted, he said, were a word word salad that prevented people trusting the company because the data appeared to have been unencrypted when it reached the hacker. Optus is a victim, MacGibbon said, but the companys failure to actually have a crisis plan and execute upon how you deal with your stakeholders, has actually led to the situation being much worse for Optus. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones fed the sceptics on Thursday. If you just look at the amount of ransom or bribe that was sought by the actor  someone who asks for a million dollars thats more the ring of a kid in a garage than a state actor, Ive got to say, Jones said, before stressing that he did not know that as a matter of fact. Typically, hackers demand money from a company before going public, giving their targets maximum incentive to pay and avoid reputational damage. This hacker did not do that and later complained they could not work out how to contact Optus. And then on Tuesday the hacker backpedalled, claimed to have deleted the data and apologised, saying they were attracting too much attention. Deepest apology to Optus for this, the person said. That followed the FBI being called in and sparked rumours that Optus may have paid up, but an Optus spokesman told the Herald and The Age that day: We didnt pay. Loading The hacker also asked for $US1 million ($1.55 million), an amount that some wits compared to Dr Evils demand for the same amount in the movie Austin Powers. A million dollars isnt exactly a lot of money these days, a sidekick reminds the villain. That amount is well below some of the highest ransoms paid. The global meat processor JBS Foods paid $14 million last year to end a ransomware attack, but that had disabled its plants in America and Australia, threatening meat supplies for supermarkets. Colonial Pipeline, a company that supplies about half of the gas to the United States east coast, paid $7 million in Bitcoin to end another ransomware attack in the same year. Again, the potential consequences of not paying were dire. Optus, by contrast, has assured customers their phones and internet connections have remained safe to use. But the demand is not the lowest either; Uber paid $US100,000 in 2016 to have hackers delete stolen data on 57 million users.

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Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine: At least 23 people were killed and 28 wounded in a Russian missile strike that hit a convoy of vehicles carrying civilians near the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, the regional governor said.

A Reuters witness saw about 12 bodies, four of them in cars, and said a missile had left a crater in the ground near two lines of vehicles at a car market.

A Russian missile struck a civilian convoy leaving the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia. Credit:@maria_avdv

So far, 23 dead and 28 wounded. All civilians, Oleksandr Starukh, the Zaporizhzhia regional governor, wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Police and emergency workers had rushed to the scene of the missile strike, the impact of which threw chunks of dirt into the air and sprayed the vehicles with shrapnel. The windows of the vehicles - mostly cars and three vans - were blown out.
Kyiv: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed treaties for an illegal annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory in a sharp escalation of his seven-month invasion of Ukraine. Its leader immediately countered with a surprise application to join the NATO military alliance.

Putins land-grab on Friday (Russia time) and President Volodymyr Zelenskys signing of what he said is an accelerated NATO membership application sent the two leaders speeding even faster on a collision course that is cranking up fears of a full-blown conflict between Russia and the West.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during a ceremony to sign the treaties for four regions of Ukraine to join Russia. Credit:AP

Putin vowed to protect newly annexed regions of Ukraine by all available means, a nuclear-backed threat at a Kremlin signing ceremony where he also railed at the West.

Zelensky then held a signing ceremony of his own, releasing video of him putting pen to papers that he said were a formal NATO membership request.
Another friend sent her a message several days ago, in anticipation of their potential arrest. The last message that she sent for me [was] I made [sure] everything is safe in my phone. Dont be worried, and publish a beautiful picture of me, said Norouzi. It is well known that being arrested by the Iranian police can mean violence or torture, she explained, and when you hear stories of your friends being arrested, there is lots of fear inside your heart. Women burn their headscarfs together in protest against Mahsa Aminis death. I believe that my friend believed [that much in] what shes doing in her life [that] she wanted to keep the hope with this sentence, she said. [She meant] Im proud of what I did and I want to show up even in the news about my arrest, I want to show up beautiful and happy and hopeful.

Cities all over Iran have erupted in protest since Aminis death in a Tehran hospital on September 16. Amini, from Kurdistan, was arrested by Irans morality police on September 13. She was later admitted to hospital without any vital signs, according to the officials there, and died three days later. Protests began in response to her death, and evolved into a nationwide outcry against the Iranian regime. A road in Tehran named Hejab changed to No to Hijab. Some argue that this could be the beginning of systemic change in Iran. But with the official death toll at 41 and the real numbers estimated to be almost double, the humanitarian cost is already tragically high. An unknown number of people have been arrested across Irans 31 provinces in the past 15 days in connection to the protests, but it is estimated to be in the thousands.

The Iranian security forces have started raiding homes, said Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish author who is in touch with people on the ground in Iran. In Kurdistan  they have started to arrest people house by house, he said, because they want to control the protests. They want to arrest people who have influence in the society. Behrouz Boochani is warning security forces are going from house to house. Credit:Kai Schworer Norouzi said the Iranian people were paying a steep price for their demonstrations. But what began as protesting has evolved into something far more profound. Iranians want systemic change. People across the nation are standing up, calling for death to the dictator and an end to the regime.

Women are burning the mandatory hijab because its a symbol of Islamic Republic operation. This is important, said Norouzi. We are talking about a revolution, she added. Its engaging all the levels of the society  the students, the workers, the women, of course, the intellectuals, the artists. Demonstrators in Teheran in 1979 calling for the replacement of the Shah of Iran during the Iranian Revolution. Credit:Keystone In fact, Boochani feels that this is the most significant movement in the country since the Iranian Revolution of 1979. This protest actually is  a milestone in history of the Iran, he said. The demonstrations are far larger in scale than any other recent protests, he explained, comparing them to demonstrations in 2009, 2017 and 2019.

This time is different, he said. This time, more people, more cities and  they demand to change the system. Loading The protests were also displaying a unity that Iran had not seen since the Iranian Revolution, he continued. Iranian people, the opposition, people with different backgrounds, of course, they dont have the same political idea, Boochani said, but now, for the first time, they become really united. A Kurdish spokesperson for the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, Soma Rostami, agrees, highlighting the fact that this unity surpasses even the long-standing divides between ethnic groups.

One of the key slogans used by demonstrators is a Kurdish phrase  Zhen, Zhian, Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom)  which has been translated to Persian and is now being used across the country in both languages. Rostami said this phrase embodies three key messages. In the Middle East, women are usually repressed by different reasons  so thats why the first point is women, she said, and the second one is life. You know, life is everything and finally freedom. We all need it. Kurdish women activists hold portraits of Iranian Mahsa Amini, during a protest against her death in Iran, at Martyrs Square in Beirut. Credit:AP Maybe we lost freedom, she continued. Maybe we lost if for years, because of the regimes, different rules as well the religions and also the dictatorships. Everything was restricted for women in Iran, she said, from having and holding a job to studying at a university.

They want to just put them inside homes, which is impossible, she said. Fortunately, women in Iran are so open-minded, and they are educated, and they are trying to get their simple and basic rights in Iran. But the oppression and injustice felt by Iranians extends beyond womens rights. Economical problems, which is the main one, people are facing financial problems, they cannot do anything, said Rostami. The cost of things is just overwhelming. The money is losing its value every day, every second sometimes. And its really killing people. Knowing this, Boochani doesnt believe the Iranian people will settle for a return to the old dictatorship. But creating change was not an easy task, he said. We are not facing a normal government, it is an ideological government, and it is a government that is capable to kill many people. It is a  government that is capable  to attack cities, he said.

We are talking about a dictatorship system and  an ideological, religious dictatorship system. In lieu of democracy, there was no way for the Iranian people to fight for their rights other than protesting on the street, he said. Without elections, protest is the only way Iranians to press for political change. There is not an election mechanism that people really affect on politics. So there is not a free election in the country, the media are limited, the freedom of speech is limited. And the opposition are not free  [to] be active in the country, he explained. Rostami feels that the key to the Iranian people being successful in their protests is first and foremost unity.

The government has its own message to divide people  they are using peoples religion or different nations, different languages or different genders  So thats the only reason  the government could continue its authority for [43] years, she said. Another important factor would be whether the people gained the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, she continued, explaining that even in the Iranian Revolution 43 years ago, the Iranian people had been successful because of the armys support. Loading [Now] the army still is not doing anything, actually. We guess that they are forced not to do anything she continued. Both sides of the protests have called on the army to assist but they remain neutral. Maybe in the near future they join [the] people  but we need to wait to see  what they will decide, she said.
In the meeting, she volunteered to bring her husband into the scheme, saying Henry had information about military training the United States had provided to Ukraine, among other things. At another meeting later that day, Henry told the undercover agent he too was committed to Russia, and said he had even contemplated volunteering to join the Russian army. The way I am viewing what is going on in Ukraine now, is that the United States is using Ukrainians as a proxy for their own hatred toward Russia, Henry told the agent, according to prosecutors. The agent in turn urged them to read a book called Inside the Aquarium: The Making of a Top Soviet Spy, telling the pair it would help them understand what they were about to do. Its the mentality of sacrificing everything ... and loyalty in you from day one, the agent said. Thats not something you walked away from.

Henry had some reservations about providing healthcare data, saying it would violate US health law, according to the indictment, but Gabrielian had no hesitations. In a subsequent August 24 meeting, she told the agent her husband was a coward to be concerned about violating the US health laws but she broke the law all the time and would ensure they could provide Russia with access to medical records from Fort Bragg patients. By the end of the month, she had handed over information on current and former military officials and their spouses, the indictment says. The spying charges come as a Russian billionaire and three associates were criminally charged in New York on Thursday with conspiring to violate US sanctions and plotting to ensure his child was born in the United States. Russian metals magnate Oleg Deripaska. Credit:AP

The Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, 52, has faced economic sanctions since 2018, when he was designated for them by the US Treasury Department, which said he had acted for or on behalf of a senior Russian official and had operated in the energy sector of the Russian economy. Andrew Adams, a Manhattan federal prosecutor who heads a task force pursuing crimes by Russian oligarchs, said in a release that Deripaska had lied and evaded US sanctions as he sought to benefit from life in America despite his cozy ties with the Kremlin and his vast wealth acquired through ties to a corrupt regime. The hypocrisy in seeking comfort and citizenship in the United States, while enjoying the fruits of a ruthless, anti-democratic regime, is striking, Adams said. That Deripaska practised that hypocrisy through lies and criminal sanctions evasion has made him a fugitive from the country he so desperately wished to exploit. Only Olga Shriki, 42, of Jersey City, New Jersey, was arrested. Federal authorities said Shriki, a US citizen, tried to help another woman charged in the case  Ekaterina Olegovna Voronina, 33, of Russia  to get into the United States to give birth to Deripaskas child. An indictment said a third woman charged in the case  Natalia Bardakova, 45, of Russia  often directed Shriki to engage in illegal transactions on Deripaskas behalf. It said she also told Shriki to send flowers and gifts to a US television host, flowers to a then-former Canadian Parliament member and flowers to Voronina when she was in the United States to give birth in 2020.

Besides being charged with conspiring to violate US sanctions, Shriki was also charged with obstruction of justice after authorities said she deleted electronic records after receiving a grand jury subpoena requiring that the records be produced. Shriki was released on $US2 million ($3.12 million) bail. Her lawyer, Bruce Maffeo, declined comment. Authorities said Deripaska spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to make it possible for his child to be born in the United States so the child could take advantage of the US healthcare system and benefits of a US birthright. The child, upon birth, received US citizenship. Loading Following the birth, Deripaskas three co-defendants conspired to conceal the name of the childs true father by slightly misspelling the childs last name, the indictment said. The indictment said Deripaska counselled Voronina to be careful ahead of interviews with US immigration authorities when she applied for a US visa for a purported 10-day tourism visit that was actually a plot to stay for six months to give birth to Deripaskas child. It said a plot for her to have a second child in the US this year failed.
Honorable Prime Minister Rutte,

We took note of your address on the war in Ukraine at the opening of the 77th UNGA where you took the prestigious world stage of the UN to present your governments actions and future plans.

In our view and experience as a people of Bonaire that lived and endured your governments illegal annexation on the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on October 10, 2010, we only can say that everything your honorable expressed on that world podium is exactly is in every aspect true for our Bonerian People.

In our continued efforts to expose Dutch atrocities and seek justice for our Bonaire people, who are in the process to relist Bonaire on the Non-Self-Governing-Territories of the United Nations. Since we have no representation who could stand up for our truth and our rights on the United Nations stage, we will evaluate the address you gave. We will do this in direct clear words, the same way as you expressed your governments views and plans on the conflict in Ukraine. PM Rutte your vocabulary shocked us, and quoting your own words, delusional, deceitful, and outright lies. And then yet on the other hand, we were very puzzled because you spoke about, freedom, self-determination, rule of law, determine their own future, the peoples right to choose their own path, fundamental principles of the UN charter etc. We think PM Rutte your speech to be hypocrisy at the highest level because it was made at the highest level of the diplomatic world stage, the UNGA. Our assessment below of your speech is solely based on facts, quoting your own words.

Quoting H E Prime Minister Mark Rutte:

PM Rutte UN speech: we have to make a choice between might is right and an international community living in peace under the laws of justice...

The United Nations declared that colonialism is a crime against humanity, then why does your government continue to enforce by might colonial legislation and policies over our island Bonaire and the other Caribbean islands? Then why have our small island Bonaire international airport has been taken over by your Dutch government and transformed and expanded rapidly to beyond commercial norms to seemingly military norms?

PM Rutte UN speech: the people would only want to be left in peace... to decide their own future... we must uphold the international rule of law....it is a sovereign peoples right to choose its own path...it is about freedom.... who long for peace and justice...whose voices are not being heard

Yes PM Rutte, the Bonerian people would like to be left in peace. We would like you to stop the European-Dutch settlers-migration encouraged by the Netherlands incentives depopulating and making our Bonerian people a minority in their own island where the European Dutch immigrant on arrival can vote in 90 days in Bonaire local elections. Did your government uphold international rule of law when your government unilaterally annexed and embedded Bonaire in your constitution without equal rights and against the wishes of the people?

PM Rutte speech : we must uphold the fundamental principles of the UN charter ...principles we agreed to after the painful lessons of history.... to stand collectively for what we laid down in the UN Charter.... the Hague, the legal capital of the world

Does Your Honorable realize that your governments actions, decisions, laws, and policies toward our Bonaire people are infringements of these fundamental principles and resulted in a recolonization that violated articles 1, 55, 73 and 103 of the Charter of the United Nations and resolutions 742, 747, 945, 1514 and 1541 that affirm the inalienable rights of the people of Bonaire to self-determination? Are you aware that your government has systematically encroached several of our Bonaire peoples international legal instruments: United Nations Charter, United Nations Decolonization Declaration, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, International Covenant on All Forms of Racial Discrimination, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? Aren't you aware of the research and reports by numerous international experts including your own experts contracted by your government, Hoogers, Oostindie and Veenendaal reporting this heinous fact of your government continues colonial rule which is against and in violation of international laws of justice?

PM Rutte speech: who long for peace and justice.... there cannot be no justice without accountability... whose voices are not being heard.

These statements reflect exactly Bonaire's reality and situation since the illegal annexation of 10-10-10, by which Bonaire autonomy was reversed to a colonial with taxation without representation status through which The Hague decides without any accountability. Our voices have been silenced now and forever as we have become a minority on our own island. By displacement and reduction through settler-colonization policies, the indigenous population has fallen to under 40% in a decade and will fall to under 1/3 of the population by 2030.

PM Rutte speech: delusional narrative full of lies, deceit.... the world cannot and will not standby and do nothing.

These remarks are the storyline of our colonial history and this continues up to today. History keeps repeating, as we were colonized by one of the worlds biggest colonizer-nation and we are here today because of the biggest Dutch lie in history. When in 1955, Mr. Johan Beyen as Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs assisted by Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles, Mr. Jonckheer, mislead the United Nations that they represented the free people of the Netherlands Antilles, and thus the Netherlands obtained absolution from reporting obligations and had us removed from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGT). We were never decolonized and were never equal nor free.

PM Rutte speech: stands on the wrong side of history...we will continue on that path because adaptation is in our DNA...now is the time to speak out, now is the time to be at the right side of history

PM Rutte your government bereaved Bonaire and stole 200 nautical sea-miles Exclusive Economic Zone of pristine Caribbean sea from our people without a single bullet fired or any bloodshed and indeed you and your government stands at the wrong side of history. Curacao, Aruba, and St Maarten Prime Minister's could not speak as they sat in the 77th General Assembly and watched you incite and declare world war on behalf of the Dutch Caribbean. So much for equality, so much for the right side of history, so much for the truth, Your Honorable PM Rutte.

With kind regards,

James Finies, President Nos Ke Boneiru Bek

PM Rutte UN GA 2022 speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSXuhQQ7Yxo&t=199s
HARBOR VIEW:--- As part of the transition process in honor of the service of the outgoing Governor, drs. Eugene Holiday, and of the welcoming of the incoming Governor, Mr. Ajamu Baly, His Excellency Governor Holiday will meet with the youth and the elderly this week.

On Friday, September 30, from 4:00  6:00 p.m., the Youth Parliament under the leadership of Mrs. Connie Francis-Gumbs has organized a special event: A Conversation with the Youth. A total of 36 youths representing different layers of Sint Maartens society and various schools have been invited to discuss matters pertinent to the youth and Sint Maarten with His Excellency the Governor. One of the main questions that will pass the revue is the idea of how each person individually and the youth collectively can contribute to the further development of Sint Maarten. The youth are also able to ask any questions befitting for the Governor related to his 12 years in service and his upcoming departure. The event will be hosted at the Government Administration Building in meeting rooms 1 and 2 on the ground floor. Interested persons are welcome to witness the youth in their interaction with the Governor.

Joined by his wife, Mrs. Marie Louise Holiday, His Excellency will be visiting some of the senior citizens of Sint Maarten. On Friday, September 30, the visit to the Golden Age Foundation Home away from Home, led by Mrs. Patricia Flanders, is scheduled. On Saturday, October 1, the International Day of the Elderly, an event is organized by the St. Maarten Recreational Foundation and Meals on Wheels led by Mrs. Mary Bryson to which the Governor and Mrs. Holiday were invited. Both foundations cater to, among others, the seniors nutritional needs by providing regular meals at various intervals during the week.

The Governors Transition Committee that has been installed, comprising of the Director of the Cabinet of the Governor, the Secretary General of Parliament, and the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, continues with the coordination of various other activities. On Tuesday, October 4, there will be a special meeting of the Council of Ministers to bid Governor Holiday farewell. The following day on Wednesday, October 5, a solemn meeting of Parliament will take place where Governor Holiday will deliver his farewell address to the population. The meeting on Wednesday will be preceded by a church service at the Philipsburg Methodist Church at 9:00 a.m., which will be open to the public. Invited guests and the public should be present no later than 8:30 a.m.

On Saturday, October 8, the public can personally bid their farewell during a Meet and Greet at the Emilio Wilson Park from 4:00 p.m.  6:30 p.m. Sunday, October 9 has been reserved to display a series of videos highlighting the last week of His Excellency in office, which includes the different events hosted throughout the Kingdom and by neighboring French Saint Martin in honor of his farewell. The video presentation will be climaxed with an exclusive interview hosted by Mr. Cedric Peterson of the Department of Communication with His Excellency Governor Holiday and Mrs. Holiday. Further details on the upcoming activities are forthcoming.
~Psycho-social support workshop focused on trauma during disasters~

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten  September 30th  FLOW team members joined volunteers of the K1 Disaster Relief and Crisis Team (K1 DIRECT) during a recently held disaster management training session focused specifically on providing psycho-social support to the community in disaster situations. The telecom Operator funded the training sessions and the training plan provided the participants with the skill set to identify and manage distress and severe stress situations.

We would like to say thank you to FLOW and their team for partnering with us for this training and for seeing the importance of it. says Josiah Lamothe, K1 DIRECT Program Manager As a disaster relief team, this training is very important for us to stay prepared not only physically but mentally. It helps us to be better prepared to manage people and their emotions in high-stress moments in a disaster, which is important in our role as disaster first responders. Lamothe continues.

K1 DIRECT is the pillar of the K1 Britannia Foundation which focuses on providing critical support to communities after a natural disaster such as a hurricane, but also with crises such as the recent COVID19 lockdowns and their implications on the community. They do so on St. Maarten, but will also deploy to other islands/ countries in the region to support local disaster relief efforts in terms of coordination and manpower.

We were happy to support the K1 DIRECT volunteers in strengthening the skills they tap into when confronted with the very real and serious situations that arise in the aftermath of a disaster. We commend them for their readiness to help in times that our community needs it most. comments Rauf Engels, Statutory Director of Flow.

We were also very pleased that our own team had the opportunity to join the sessions to learn valuable new skills. Well use the learnings from the course to be there for our own staff in an even more meaningful and comprehensive way. The psychological impacts of disasters are often not recognized as immediately as a physical injury or other visible material damage, but that doesnt make it any less important. Were happy to support a community partner that recognizes that importance.

Thanks to FLOW for not only partnering with us for this training but for also assisting with our DIRECT communications for a year. adds K1 Britannia management team member, Chiaira Bowers Partnerships like these are what makes it possible to maintain and expand as a non-profit organization with a volunteer disaster relief and crisis team. We look forward to a continued partnership with FLOW as we continue to stay prepared and ready to assist affected communities locally or regionally.
SoftwareONE and CloudSwyft partner to deliver virtual labs to students globally

Stans, Switzerland a 29 September 2022  SoftwareONE, a global software and cloud technology solutions provider, and CloudSwyft, the global leader in virtual lab solutions for education, have formed a partnership to deliver scalable cloud-based virtual labs to universities, vocational colleges, K-12 and governments in over 100 countries.

With growing pressure on educational institutions to support hybrid learning while achieving cost and operational efficiencies, virtualizing existing campus IT infrastructure has become a top priority across all major markets. CloudSwyfta?s virtual labs achieve this by delivering controlled learning environments directly to students accessible by browser on their own devices.

The need for more flexible lab solutions is driven by an increase in active, hands-on learning by students at all levels, with an increasing number of software tools being graphics heavy and requiring specifications in excess of studentsa? own devices. Virtual labs, powered by an institutiona?s cloud infrastructure, allow all software tools to be accessed no matter the type of student device.

aSoftwareONE works with educational institutions around the world to help them digitally transform. The CloudSwyft solution is a standout leader in virtual lab solutions providing education-specific features to deliver a superior learning and teaching experience, with each student having their own personal lab environment accessible anytime, anywhere,a explains Florian Schultz, Global Head of Education at SoftwareONE. aWith the solution both aout of the boxa? a easy to use by institutions with small IT teams or limited cloud infrastructure expertise  and customizable, SoftwareONE is excited to offer the solution, bundled with our value-add services, to our education customers globally.a

aSoftwareONEa?s global reach in over 90 countries and established relationships with leading cloud providers will help CloudSwyft rapidly accelerate the adoption of our virtual labs solutions in educational institutions around the world,a said Dann Angelo De Guzman, CEO of CloudSwyft. aBy partnering with SoftwareONE, we will help our customers drive substantial cost and efficiency savings of 90% or more per annum on the total cost of delivering software tools to students.a
KOOS Receives $4m In Funding to Accelerate a New Era of Ownership

Posted by Publisher Software

KOOS Receives $4m In Funding to Accelerate a New Era of Ownership

a SaaS platform KOOS enables businesses to grow with their community, turning stakeholders into co-owners

a KOOS offers companies a fairer, more rewarding option than typical referral and loyalty programmes, and can be integrated and automated using KOOSa? standardised API

a Founded by Taavi Kotka and launched in Estonia this year it has raised $4M in Seed funding led by Plural Platform with participation from LocalGlobe, Tiny.vc and Matt Clifford. Plurala?s investment comes with advisory support from Estonian founders and Plural Platforma?s partners  Taavet Hinrikus and Sten Tamkivi  who will join KOOS as advisors

a Funds will see KOOS launch the platform in the UK and across Europe as more companies seek to elevate the role of stakeholders to drive business growth.

TALLINN, ESTONIA, 29 September 2022: KOOS, an Estonian-based start up, has today announced $4M worth of seed funding led by high profile investors at Plural Platform with participation from investors including LocalGlobe, Tiny.vc and Matt Clifford.

KOOS was launched in Estonia following an angel pre-seed round of $600,000 from an array of the high profile Estonian founders. Following Plurala?s $4m investment, KOOS now plans to launch and build its presence in the UK and across Europe.

KOOS, which means atogethera? and aalongsidea? in Estonian, was founded earlier this year by serial entrepreneur and former CIO of Estonia Taavi Kotka. Created to serve organisations who are committed to giving a true stake to their contributors, the KOOS stakeholder incentivisation platform provides a brand new way of rewarding and motivating everyone who contributes to a companya?s growth and success.

By leveraging KOOSa? equity-like growth programmes without giving away a single share, a company gives their community a reason to advocate for them with fairer rewards, which are paid out only when the company meets the predefined business goal. This makes KOOS programmes ROI-positive by design for the company running them and drives the stakeholder economy by rewarding equitably those who contributed to the corporate success.

Kotka, who led the Estonian governmenta?s world leading policies around digital democracy and e-government for four years, explained: aAt KOOS we believe technologies can be used to help build a more equitable society. To be successful you need to deliver great value to all your stakeholders and we have come up with a digital tool that allows businesses to engage and reward their community, widening the circle of people who have access to equity-like incentives which in turn increases the pool of people who will advocate for the business and want it to succeed. We offer companies a new way of achieving their business goals more efficiently, while simultaneously improving their financial and social impact performance.a

Plurala?s investment also comes with the support of founders-turned-investors Taavet Hinrikus, former CEO of Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Sten Tamkivi, co-founder of Teleport, both of which will take on active advisory roles to accelerate the roll out of the KOOS platform. The investors join a host of other successful technology founders backing KOOS, including fellow Estonians Markus Villig, founder of Bolt, and Kaarel Kotkas, founder and CEO of Verrif. KOOS is built with support from top legal firm Ellex in emerging tech, adopting a recognised legal framework that complies with EU and UK law.

Sten Tamkivi, adviser and Plural Platform co-founder, said: aPlural wants to invest to help create a more equal society. We believe that broader community ownership leads to more meritocratic systems so that wealth can be distributed based on actual contributions. KOOS has come up with a way to track the support of all stakeholders in a community or business, without having to give away equity. We anticipate that the platform KOOS is building will become an essential building block of many startups, funds and communities including charities and NGOs.a

Ziv Reichert, partner, LocalGlobe, said: aKOOS is spearheading the democratisation of community-led growth by allowing all stakeholders  users, partners, suppliers  of a given business to have the potential to earn their slice of the pie. KOOS enables businesses to easily align their key objectives with community incentives, turning stakeholders into shareholders. To us, this future is inevitable and the winners of the next decade will be those organisations that put their communities at the core of how they operate and grow. With genuinely world-class talent in the team, we are excited to see KOOS powering this shift.a

Since its introduction to the market just four months ago, 27 early adopter paying customers are running 35 programmes  which include start-ups, NGOs, SMEs and larger corporations. KOOSa? Saas pricing model includes an onboarding fee, a monthly retainer, and 1% of all rewards (tokens) created by the programmes on the KOOS platform.

Estonian ride-sharing company Forus Takso recently launched its business with 30% equity allocated to KOOS tokens. For any service consumed on Forusa? platform, 1% will be given as a KOOS token to the client, 1% to the service provider and 1% to contributors.

KOOS customer Toomas Loik, CEO of FleetGuru, said: aGreatness is never built alone. It is built by dedicated talented people and this dedication should never go unrewarded. KOOS has created a new way for companies to build a fairer world and acknowledge people who contribute to your success. We at FleetGuru are beyond excited for having this new option and will use the hell out of it.a
Wars and gold price

As the war between Ukraine and Russia continues, danger looms from China and Taiwan.

How long the Ukraine war will last is uncertain. Gold will not suddenly rise for that reason alone, as has been seen in recent months. However, if the nuclear sector in Ukraine is affected, the war is raised to a new level or China prepares for a war with Taiwan, then things will look different. However, these scenarios are rather unlikely and a rise in the price of gold is unlikely to last. At the beginning of the Ukraine war, the gold price did go up, but only for a short time. What is decisive when it comes to gold are the fundamental aspects for the long-term outlook, and these are good. But back to China and Taiwan. As China officially announces, \the complete reunification of the motherland\ is the goal. China has the military capability to invade Taiwan. This would probably have even more sensitive consequences than the war in Ukraine.

Taiwan, after all, is synonymous with the technology industry and the production of semiconductors. And the U.S. government, unlike in the Ukraine matter, would support Taiwan. Along with Japan and Australia, the U.S. has already verbally promised Taiwan intervention if China attacks. Then World War III would not be far off  and the gold price would probably be on its way up. In any case, gold should be in every investor\-s portfolio, for example in the form of shares in Tudor Gold or Victoria Gold.

Tudor Gold  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_kqNjeK0qc  is looking after precious and base metals in the Golden Triangle in British Columbia. Flagship project is the Treaty Creek project. In addition, there is a 100% interest in the Crown Project and a 100% interest in the Eskay North Project, all located in the Golden Triangle area.

Victoria Gold  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW9_kDLo0mQ  is the leading gold producer in Yukon, Canada, produced more than 32,000 ounces of gold at its Eagle Gold Mine in the second quarter.

Latest corporate information and press releases from Victoria Gold (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/victoria-gold-corp/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
Geneva, 30 September 2022 (SPSA) - A Saharawi delegation attending the works of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, in a series of meetings with the representatives of international delegations and organizations, shed light on the abuses committed by Moroccan authorities in the occupied Sahrawi territories, depriving Western Sahara people from their right to independence.



The meetings focused on "the latest developments of Western Sahara issue and the alarming situation of human rights in the occupied towns," after which the delegation "stressed the extremely serious violations committed by Moroccan occupation forces against the rights of the Saharawi demonstrators peacefully claiming Western Sahara people's right to self-determination".



In those meetings, the Saharawi delegation underlined the psychological and physical sufferings of Sahrawi political prisoners in Moroccan jails, giving details on the systematic policy of arbitrary displacement against them and the impact of such abhorrent practices on their families.



Sahrawi human rights activists and journalists are suffering from daily and various types of intimidation by Moroccan occupation authorities, said the delegation made up of civil society organisations, human rights activists and many personalities supporting the Sahrawi cause.



062/SPS/APS
The President of the Constitutional Court (CCR), Marian Enache, declared on Friday, after a meeting with the President of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), Koen Lenaerts, that there is no question of a conflict or a hierarchy between the national constitutional legal order and the European legal order, according to a press release sent by CCR.

The discussions of the two officials focused on aspects related to the institutional cooperation between the two courts in the sense of strengthening the judicial dialogue, a basis for the perspective of new relations between the two courts, the meeting being appreciated as particularly useful for all parties.

Marian Enache argued that the meeting falls within his main objectives, as they were announced from the first day of the mandate, one of the priorities being the promotion of the institutional dialogue with the constitutional courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

In turn, Koen Lenaerts argued that the meeting is part of the judicial dialogue with the national courts in our country, especially with the constitutional court, which is appreciated at the CJEU level.

The Court of Justice of the European Union does not keep European Union law in a vacuum. The CJEU interprets national laws so that they are applied uniformly and equally in all member states. National law must mean the same as in Belgium, Portugal, Estonia, Greece and I can say it 27 times. For this, the CJEU needs the contribution of national courts, national courts that discover problems in EU laws, possible problems of the interaction between national and EU laws, (...) sending these problems to the CJEU, and the CJEU to interpret the national law in such a way that it is adapted to the common constitutional traditions of the member states, the president of the CJEU stressed.

Lenaerts also stated that he is "very happy" to note that the president of the CCR, Marian Enache, and his colleagues are firmly committed to contributing to the consolidation of the common constitutional space by formulating preliminary references to the Court of Justice of the European Union every time European law is relevant for the rigorous implementation of the provisions of the Romanian Constitution, which is intertwined with European law since 2003, when the text of the Fundamental Law was revised with a view to joining the EU.

In this sense, the President of the Constitutional Court emphasized that the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court regarding the admissibility of the formulation of preliminary questions has evolved over time, and, at the present moment, the CCR can thus formulate preliminary questions regardless of the type of constitutionality control with which was vested, a priori or a posteriori.AGERPRES
Minister of National Defense Vasile Dincu will pay an official visit to Chisinau on Saturday and Sunday, the relevant ministry (MApN) informs.

Dincu will have talks with his counterpart, Anatolie Nosatii, on Saturday.

The official agenda also includes meetings with Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, and Igor Grosu, the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova .

The program of the Romanian delegation also includes a visit to the Agency of Sciences and Military Memory of the National Army, and the Military Museum in Chisinau.AGERPRES
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's combined tax and fee support policies have helped ease the burden on market entities and stabilize the macroeconomy, official data showed on Thursday.

The country's tax refunds, as well as tax and fee cuts and deferrals exceeded 3.4 trillion yuan (about 478 billion U.S. dollars) by Sept. 20, Cai Zili, an official with the State Taxation Administration told a press conference.

The total consists of approximately 2.21 trillion yuan worth of value-added tax credits that had been refunded to taxpayers' accounts, 591.6 billion yuan of tax and fee cuts, and 632.6 billion yuan of deferred tax and fee payments.

"Multiple policy tools have been effectively combined, creating synergy and supporting efforts to bail out businesses in difficulty," said Cai.

Official data shows that China has deferred 525.6 billion yuan worth of taxes and fees for 3.05 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector since the implementation of the tax and fee deferment policy.

It is estimated that the policy in general is expected to save over 20 billion yuan in financing costs for these companies.

Thursday's press conference also showed that China's accumulated export rebates and exemptions totaled 1.35 trillion yuan in the first eight months, playing a positive role in promoting the steady increase of the country's exports.
The National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) prosecutors, in collaboration with the US authorities, conducted searches on Thursday, in several places around Romania, in a corruption case, the DNA informed on Friday.

Judicial sources told AGERPRES that, the Military Base in Mihail Kogalniceanu was also among the places targeted by the searches.According to a DNA release sent to AGERPRES, the DNA prosecutors - the Section for Combating Crimes Assimilated to Corruption - are conducting investigations in a criminal case concerning suspicions regarding corruption crimes and crimes assimilated to corruption."On Thursday, as a result of obtaining legal authorizations from the relevant court, 26 house searches were conducted in several locations representing the residences of some individuals and the headquarters of some commercial companies," the press release states.In respect to this case, the DNA says the prosecutors are endorsed by the US judicial authorities.
President Klaus Iohannis announces that the members of the European Council have adopted, on Friday, a joint declaration "firmly" rejecting and condemning the "illegal" annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson by Russia.

"Today, together with the other members of the European Council, we have adopted a joint declaration in which we firmly reject and unequivocally condemn Russia's illegal annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson. The European Union, including Romania, does not recognize and will never recognize the illegal referendums orchestrated by Russia, in serious violation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the head of state wrote on Twitter on Friday.

Through the joint declaration, the signatories request all states and international organizations to reject the annexation of the four regions by Russia.

"The European Union, including Romania, is firmly with Ukraine. We will continue to offer strong economic, military, social and financial support to Ukraine," President Iohannis further wrote.AGERPRES
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, received the mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, on Friday, the Romanian official highlighting the interest in boosting collaboration in sectoral areas such as blue economy, green and digital transition, as well as technological innovation, areas in which Portugal has reached a level of excellence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) informed.

In the context of the war in Ukraine, the minister expressed his appreciation for the support offered by Portugal to Romania for strengthening the deterrence and defense posture of NATO's Eastern Flank and at the Black Sea through the presence of Portuguese troops on the territory of our country, a concrete example of allied solidarity.

Moreover, Aurescu emphasized the importance of intensifying joint actions to counteract the negative effects of Russian aggression in Ukraine.AGERPRES
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca on Friday said in a message occasioned by the 15th anniversary since the enthronement of Patriarch Daniel that the institution the latter leads, the Romanian Orthodox Church, represents a model of generosity and is "fully committed to the Romanian society."

"During this entire period of patriarchal service, you contributed decisively to the transformation of the Romanian Orthodox Church into a dynamic institution, fully engaged in the society, active in spiritual, social-philanthropic, educational and cultural terms. With the same determination and energy, you have dedicated yourself to strengthening the partnership between the State and the cults, which is based on common values - interreligious dialogue, good cooperation, religious freedom, balance, respect for fundamental rights," the Prime Minister said to the Patriarch, in a message posted on Friday on the Facebook page of the government.Nicolae Ciuca underscored the "support" of the Romanian Orthodox Church during the pandemic, but also the help offered to refugees following the war in Ukraine."The care that Your Beatitude showed continuously towards Romanian society was not limited to prayer, but extended into the practical sphere through the support shown by the Romanian Orthodox Church towards fellow citizens during the pandemic and towards those forced to leave their country because of the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Under the shepherding of Your Beatitude, the Romanian Orthodox Church represents a model of generosity and solidarity, a promoter and preserver of traditions and spiritual identity. With special appreciation, I wish you to continue your pastoral mission, with the same power until now, in the service of the Romanians in the country and in the diaspora," the Prime Minister's message also reads.
President Klaus Iohannis signed, on Friday, the decree designating Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization Sebastian Burduja as Acting Minister of Education.

The president also signed the decree by which he takes note of the resignation of Sorin Cimpeanu, minister of Education, and is noted the termination of the latter's position as member of the Government.

Sebastian Burduja said on Friday that he is honored by Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca's proposal to take over the portfolio of Minister of Education as interim, voicing his gratitude for the trust bestowed upon him, while at the same time acknowledging the challenges he faces.

"My mission is to ensure the administrative functioning of the Ministry of Education during the interim period," Burduja wrote on his Facebook page.

He said that no reform is simple and no "paradigm" change is accepted by everyone.

"However, all this must be done, and without Educated Romania, there can be no Romania of the Future. The difference between an ordinary politician and a politician who has a chance to write pages of history lies in one word: assumption," the minister argued.AGERPRES
The leadership of the Ministry of Education will be temporarily taken over by Research Minister Sebastian Burduja, spokesman for the government Dan Carbunaru announced on Friday morning.

Education Minister Sorin Cimpeanu announced his resignation on Thursday evening."I have decided, on my own accord, to step down as the education minister. It was an opportunity and an honour for me to start the fundamental reform of the national education system. I took over the portfolio not because I had nothing to do or to put ministry on my CV. I had both. I came at an extremely difficult time with a desire to change things for the better," Cimpeanu wrote in a Facebook post.
ST. PETERS  When paramedics respond to a crisis, they might be able to spend 10 minutes with a patient.

The visit ends with two options: We can take you to the hospital, or you can stay here, said Kimberlyn Tihen, battalion chief of St. Charles Countys Mobile Integrated Health division.

Then youre done, and youre left with all these questions, and youre making the story up in your mind, she said. How did they get to that point? And where did they go after?

In an effort to smooth out barriers to health care and keep people from getting sick enough to need 911 in the first place, more and more agencies are creating a new class of paramedic, one that regularly visits peoples homes. The house calls bring routine care to patients, connect them with services and prevent emergencies before they hit.

Its growing in Missouri, and a New York-based company has plans to expand into the state later this year.

The goals are simple: Make patients better. Keep them out of the hospital, said Justin Duncan, chief of the Washington County Ambulance District and president of the Missouri EMS Association.

The trend, called community paramedicine, poses an opportunity to get patients care that is more medically and financially efficient than emergency rooms, said Chris Prener, a social scientist and author of the forthcoming book Medicine at the Margins. Prener worked as an EMT in New York state from 2004 to 2008.

You have this connective tissue between where patients are and the health care system, Prener said. Lets use it for more than just bringing patients to the hospital.

Gaps in health care

St. Charles County was an early adopter in 2016, modeling its program after one in Denver. It launched with a group of 50 patients who, in the previous year, had logged 148 ambulance trips and 100 hospitalizations.

In the year following the program, the numbers dropped to 57 ambulance trips and 53 hospitalizations.

The district estimated that the community paramedics prevented upward of $42,000 in ambulance trips, nearly $6,000 in emergency department visits and $746,000 in hospitalizations, based on the rates Medicare typically pays for those services.

St. Charles County has been growing the program steadily ever since and today has 35 community paramedics.

Early on, some saw community paramedics as a threat to home health businesses. But Assistant Chief David Lewis, of the St. Charles County Ambulance District, said his staff do different things.

Were not here to replace or duplicate home health, Lewis said. The overarching goal is to fill gaps, not to replace current care.

In some cases, community paramedics have seen patients who had been judged ineligible for home health and uncovered additional risk factors that allowed them to qualify.

As it stands, community paramedicine is over and above the regular paramedic training. But within five years, Lewis thinks, it could become a part of normal curriculum for all paramedics.

The Washington County Ambulance District started its program after the pandemic hit in 2020. People were avoiding the hospital because of the coronavirus, so the workload for Duncans paramedics had slowed down.

The district enrolled 21 patients who were struggling with diabetes. For some, the issue was transportation. Others were reluctant to visit a medical facility because diabetes is a risk factor for COVID-19.

Duncan said all 21 patients blood sugar levels improved, and they had zero emergency department visits.

Last year, the program  known as mobile integrated health  logged over 7,000 patient encounters. Duncan eventually wants to expand into maternal and prenatal health.

On a recent morning, Washington Countys first  and so far, only  full-time community paramedic set out into Potosi, a quiet community in the rocky, green hills of eastern Missouris mining country. Washington County is located about 70 miles southwest of St. Louis, with a population of just under 24,000.

Bryan Buck Buckleys first appointment of the day brought him to a home a few miles from headquarters, where he was greeted at the porch by a pug named Molly and a Yorkshire terrier named Isaih.

His patient, 69-year-old Reynold Eugene Neff, was waiting at the kitchen table. Buckley greeted Neff and his wife, Judy, and opened his medical case. He started working through Neffs vitals: a scale to measure his weight, a pulse oximeter clip to gauge his blood oxygen level and then a blood pressure cuff.

Neff, a retired Chevrolet mechanic, had a stroke in July and spent 11 days in the hospital. Hes still struggling with weakness in his legs, but its getting better  he can walk up and down the back stairs of the house now. Hes also managing diabetes.

Buckley visits patients on regular schedules. For Neff, he comes by once every few weeks. The Neffs say the program saves them the costs and travel to medical appointments in Festus, more than 30 miles away.

Buckley put a mobile hotspot  a flat, black box with two antennas  on top of a Folgers tub on the kitchen counter and set up a secure video call on a tablet. A community health worker from a local clinic showed up on the screen, and Buckley read off Neffs vitals to her.

Then they waited for the doctor.

They cracked jokes and talked about Neffs prescriptions and church. Buckley and Neff sat at the table. Judy Neff leaned against the kitchen counter. The Yorkshire terrier napped at Neffs feet. The TV chattered in the background.

When the doctor showed up on the screen, Buckley propped up the tablet on the kitchen table. He leaned it against a decorative pumpkin with a proverb written on it: Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

If I can fix this ...

Because the community paramedic programs are relatively new, they face a significant financial roadblock: In Missouri, there isnt a universal system for them to bill insurers.

Washington Countys program is entirely funded through grants, Duncan said, which is financially unsustainable.

If we can get a reimbursable model, itll be in every community across the state, and arguably across the country, Duncan said.

The Washington and St. Charles County programs are run by local ambulance districts. A New York-based company called MedArrive, which dispatches community paramedics based on referrals from insurers, hospitals and doctors, plans to expand to the Kansas City area this year. It already has programs in New Jersey, North Carolina and Florida.

Some states are beginning to build out their payment models for community paramedicine, said Bryant Hutson, MedArrives vice president of business development, but there is still a lot of work to do.

The St. Charles County Ambulance District funds its community paramedicine programs through multiple sources. One of its programs, Lewis said, is part of a pilot that allows it to receive the same Medicare reimbursement it would get for a patient transport, minus mileage. For another program, which is geared toward preventing hospital readmissions, it receives fees from hospitals.

Weve developed several funding mechanisms, Lewis said. When we started, there was no money for any of this.

Community paramedics work often starts with the patients nonmedical needs. To treat a patients diabetes, for example, its important to know if they have access to fresh, healthy food. If a patient has a wound that is healing, they need to have clean, running water.

Tihen, the St. Charles County medic, said now she gets to hear the patients whole story, and figure out how problems built up over time. She looks in pantries and medicine cabinets. She meets patients family members. She learns what they eat for dinner and at what time.

Its like, Oh, thats why they keep calling 911. Thats why theyve called us three times at 1 oclock in the morning, she said. So if I can fix this, they wont call again.

Tihen recalled one patient she visited, who lived in an independent living community. Paramedics were called because he was wandering the grounds. He didnt want to go to the hospital, but everyone thought he needed help, so he was referred to the community paramedics.

When Tihen arrived, she looked in his fridge. Inside she found a QT cup and some rotten food.

We started asking those questions, like a detective: Whens the last time you had a meal? How did you get that meal? Does someone take you grocery shopping? she said. You wouldnt believe the number of patients that fly under the radar, where theyre just well enough that nobody catches it.

Sometimes the medics realize that the patients dont have a support system. They dont have someone to drive them to buy food or pick up prescriptions  and the community paramedics can see those things more easily than someone could at a doctors office.

When you go to the doctor, dont you get cleaned up, wear a nice outfit? You put your best foot forward, like when you go to church, Tihen said. And theyre going to say what the doctor wants to hear.

Not just health care

Before his second patient visit of the day, Buckley stopped by the garage at Great Mines Health Center. From among the stacks of medical supplies, he retrieved a pump sprayer and packed it in the back of the SUV.

He drove to the apartment of a patient who, hed noticed during a previous visit, was struggling with an insect infestation. The woman let him inside, and he sprayed insecticide around the doorway and behind the refrigerator and around the windows.

Buckley returned the sprayer to the car and brought back his medical kit. He sat next to the patient and drew a blood sample that her doctor had ordered.

Buckley began working as a paramedic in 1994. He became a community paramedic in December.

Im not going to lie, I was burnt out, riding on the truck 28 years, said Buckley, who is also a pastor at Bates Creek Missionary Baptist Church. Weve all sat back and said, If theyd only do this. Well, guess what? Im in a position now where I can do it.

My job isnt just health care, he said.

His point was well-illustrated during his fourth visit of the day.

A home health agency had declined to go to a patients house, because of a large hornets nest hanging from the roof by the front door.

I dont blame them, Buckley said. I dont know if their workers are allergic. Nobody wants to get stung. So if this is the obstacle to her getting help in her home, I kind of feel like its my obligation to do what I can.

Once he was sure the patient was safely inside the house, Buckley pulled the SUV close, and rolled his window down halfway. He held out a container of wasp and hornet killer and sprayed it at the nest, emptying two cans of white foam.

When Buckley got back to headquarters later, he parked the SUV in the ambulance bay and hung his stethoscope on the rear view mirror.

Another day at the office, he said.
Missouri lawmakers, haggling over tax cuts in a special session this month, know they can buy popularity with some timely election-year largesse.

They need to be reminded, however, that the way they structure the cuts can help or hinder the state's economy.

A growing body of research shows that changes in a state's income tax rate matter a great deal to the entrepreneurs who start businesses, create jobs and create wealth.

Economists Enrico Moretti, of the University of California, and Daniel Wilson, of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank, found that star scientists are especially mobile - and especially sensitive to changes in the top tax rate. Joshua Rauh, of Stanford University, found that a 2012 California tax increase accelerated the out-migration of high earners from the state.

Missouri's top rate of 5.3% isn't particularly high. California charges high earners 12.3%, New York 10.9% and Minnesota 9.85%. Gov. Mike Parson's proposed cut to 4.8%, though, should help attract and retain the innovators who are creating jobs in fields like agricultural science, health care and geospatial technology.

"You have St. Louis building up a better ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship," said Aaron Hedlund, an associate professor at Purdue University and chief economist at the Show Me Institute. "This would be like jet fuel added to that."

By contrast, a competing proposal to send Missourians $325 rebate checks would do nothing to change future entrepreneurs' incentive to invest, build or hire in the state. Parson vetoed a rebate plan this spring, but some legislators are trying to revive it in the special session.

Anything that puts money in taxpayers' pockets is valuable, Hedlund said, "but if we're talking about what we really need to do, which is to increase growth in the state, the more you can reduce marginal rates the better."

The Show-Me Institute, whose billionaire founder Rex Sinquefield has been a longtime advocate for eliminating Missouri's income tax, isn't the only think tank that thinks a lower marginal rate is feasible.

The Missouri Budget Project, a non-partisan organization that tracks state spending, crafted a tax-cut plan with the same 4.8% top rate as Parson's, but with a lower overall cost, $586 million instead of $700 million. Its proposal also beefs up some credits for low-income people who wouldn't benefit from Parson's plan.

The savings would come from eliminating a loophole that allows certain taxpayers, who organize their businesses as partnerships or limited liability companies, to avoid taxes on 20% of so-called pass-through income.

Traci Gleason, the Missouri Budget Project's vice president for external affairs, said the loophole "encourages companies to game the system, and there's not a good rationale for it." Missouri passed the tax break in 2014, copying an even more generous Kansas law that later caused severe budget problems in that state.

The ideal tax system is one that funds public services with the broadest possible base and the lowest possible rate. Down the road, Missouri should look for other ways to trim its thicket of special-interest deductions and credits, perhaps with an eye toward trimming the tax rate even further. For now, a cut to 4.8% would be

a good start. Politicians may like the message that rebate checks deliver to constituents' mailboxes, but economists prefer the message that a lower tax rate sends to innovators deciding where they want to live, work and invest.

In today's work-from-anywhere world, the competition to attract entrepreneurs and knowledge workers will only intensify. Missouri shouldn't miss this chance to send a positive message.

David Nicklaus  314-340-8213 @dnickbiz on Twitter dnicklaus@post-dispatch.com
BEIJING (AP)  While China's top leaders commemorated revolutionary martyrs Friday, far fewer Chinese are expected to be traveling during the upcoming Golden Week National Day holidays amid rigid anti-COVID-19 restrictions and calls from health officials for people to stay put.

Chinas transport ministry estimates some 210 million trips will be made by road during the week-long holiday that begins Saturday  down 30% compared to the same time last year.

China remains the only major country that has yet to reopen and continues to enforce strict case tracing, quarantines and mask wearing policies, along with rolling lockdowns affecting millions and the manipulation of health designations to prevent people traveling.

Chinas railways are also expected to see a 50% drop in travel, with some 68.5 million passenger trips from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, according to state-run TV network CGTN.

The holiday is typically seen as a barometer for consumer spending, and in pre-pandemic days, many Chinese residents seized on the opportunity to travel either domestically or overseas.

However, China's international borders remain largely closed, and those that do make it in must complete a mandatory quarantine at a designated facility, part of the zero-COVID strategy that has been criticized at home and by the United Nations' World Health Organization.

The hard-line approach is being cited as one reason why Chinas economic growth rate is expected to fall to as little as 2.8% this year, according to the World Bank. But China credits the policy with keeping its numbers of cases and fatalities far lower than other major nations, although its figures have been widely questioned.

The country reported 156 new infections for Thursday, and another 711 asymptomatic infections. Another 610 were reported as imported cases.

Health officials have advised residents to avoid travelling between provinces for the holidays, stating that increased movement will increase transmission risks in the country.

Authorities have also said that those travelling between different provinces should take a coronavirus test upon arrival at their destination.

Chinas Ministry of Culture and Tourism also urged people to avoid visiting places with COVID-19 risks and to practice social distancing while travelling.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top leaders attended a ceremony Friday in Beijing to pay tribute to those martyred in the struggle to establish the communist state, half a month ahead of a summit of Communist Party leaders.

The annual ceremony of Martyr's Day honors those who lost their lives in fighting for the countrys independence, on the eve of the Oct. 1 National Day that marks the establishment of the Communist Peoples Republic of China.

Veterans, students and representatives of all walks of life, following Xi and other top officials, paid their respects and laid chrysanthemums at the foot of the Monument to the Peoples Heroes in the center of Beijings sprawling Tiananmen Square.

Xi, considered the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, is expected to further consolidate his power at the Communist Party's 20th Congress that starts in mid-October and runs for a week.

Meanwhile, the city of Sanya in Hainan province, known for its resorts and beaches, has lifted many COVID-19 restrictions after it went under lockdown amid a local outbreak that left tens of thousands of tourists stranded in the city.

From Sept. 29, public transportation has resumed in the city and a ban on dine-in services was lifted. Attractions were also allowed to reopen ahead of the Golden Week holidays, with capacity capped at 75%.
Aisha Sultan Aisha Sultan is home and family editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Aisha Sultan 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

When Barbara Sheinbein, 64, went to vote in the April election her friend drove her to the polls. Her friend went inside the polling location in St. Louis County and told a worker that Sheinbein wanted to use an accessible voting machine because she is blind. She cant read a printed ballot.

We have a little issue, the worker said. One of the scanners had broken down, so they had replaced it with the accessible one. There wasnt an accessible one for her to use.

Sheinbein declined to have someone read the ballot to hear and mark her choices. She wanted to keep her vote private. Instead, they ended up driving to another location that had a working machine.

Not every person with a disability is able to do that.

Nearly 61 million Americans have a disability. This makes the group the countrys largest minority, but historically they have among the lowest voter participation rates, according to Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel for the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. The barriers to getting registered and casting a ballot are insurmountable for many.

That percentage improved significantly during the pandemic when many states expanded curbside, absentee and mail-in voting. However, Republican-controlled state legislatures have rolled back access to voting in more than a dozen states since the last election. The new restrictions will disproportionately impact low-income voters, minorities and people with disabilities.

A national expert on voting rights, Lieberman is leading the legal fight against barriers to voting recently enacted by the state legislature. The coalition hotline frequently receives reports from voters who struggle to enter older voting locations that lack fully ADA-compliant entrances. Another common complaint involves places where the accessible equipment is broken or unavailable.

If you have a disability or illness, you are entitled to curbside voting, Lieberman said. Voters dont have to provide any medical information about a disability. They are entitled to have their polling location permanently moved to one that is accessible, and members in the same household can also vote there, she said.

Sometimes the poll workers are poorly informed about the accommodations that must be present for those with disabilities. Sheinbein recalled another incident from a previous election where the device to hear the ballot was available but the headphones to use it were broken. Since then, she has brought a pair of headphones with her to vote.

Even the process of getting registered can present significant obstacles.

Aimee Robertson, of OFallon, Missouri, is the parent of an 18-year-old son with profound hearing loss and other disabilities. She documented their ordeal trying to get him registered to vote earlier this year in a letter to the League of Women Voters. Before the changes in state law going into effect next month, he was able to use his original birth certificate and a bank statement to cast his ballot. State lawmakers have decided that those forms of identification are no longer good enough. Her son does not have a drivers license. It took Robertson several days and repeated trips to the licensing office to get a state-issued ID. His birth certificate, school ID and bank statement were not enough proof, so they had to order a replacement copy of his Social Security card  in person.

I consider us to be lucky in that we do live within 10 miles of a licensing office, but if we were more rural, I would have most likely opted to throw in the towel rather than jump through all the hoops to get the identification he now needs to vote, she wrote. She also questioned why certain documents, like his birth certificate, social security card and proof of residence are good enough to get a valid form of photo identification in order to vote, but these same documents are not good enough to present while voting.

If we were more rural and lived further from the license place or if my son hadnt had my help, he would just not be able to vote in November, she said, adding that they were never offered the free state ID.

She had to take two and a half days off work to get his registration completed.

It raises the question of why some lawmakers are so invested in making voting for certain groups so difficult.

Any voter in Missouri who is turned away at the polls or experiences trouble trying to cast a ballot can call Call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to be directly connected with free legal aid.

The deadline to register for the next election is Oct. 12. Many area libraries can assist in registration.
Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger 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

It seemed like a simple request.

In July, I asked the city of St. Louis to provide 18 months of jail statistics for the Justice Center. The request followed a tip that administrative segregation  a bureaucratic phrase for solitary confinement  was on the rise at the jail.

At the time, there had been five deaths  it has now climbed to six  at the jail, and both detainees and attorneys were raising a stink about conditions there.

So I asked for the numbers to guide my reporting. The information I sought used to be publicly available without a request. It was posted online on the citys website  a monthly report showing use of force incidents, segregation, mental health needs and other statistics that nearly every jail in the country keeps on a regular basis.

They should be able to immediately produce those records. Any facility that is responsibly managed should be tracking those statistics, and theres no reason why those arent readily available, says attorney Elad Gross, an expert on the Missouri Sunshine Law. With the delays the city continues to impose, the strategy sure seems to be to make the records you requested less relevant by the time they are finally released.

Indeed, Ive made similar requests in other cities and received the information quickly, often the same day.

Its been more than two months since I made my request to St. Louis. All Ive received are delay notices from the citys Sunshine Law coordinator, Joseph Sims, pushing out the dates by which my records might be available. Such notices from Sims are becoming infamous among the circles of folks  especially reporters and attorneys  who regularly file requests for open records with the city.

Thats why Gross filed a 273-page lawsuit earlier this month alleging dozens of Sunshine Law violations in the city. His request also started by seeking information on the citys Corrections Department, only to encounter delay after delay. The lawsuit names Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, City Counselor Sheena Hamilton and Sims as defendants.

It was filed shortly before criminal justice reform advocates held a rally focusing on the tragedy of six detainees dying in the city jail in the past year. That Sunshine Law failures and bad news involve the same city department should not be a surprise. All too often, government obfuscation occurs when the news sought in public records sheds light on government failures.

So it was in the previous mayoral administration, when the city denied my request for bidding information related to the airport privatization effort, which has since been scuttled. Attorney Mark Pedroli later filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the Sunshine Law in that process, and the lawsuit is ongoing. To date, Pedroli has uncovered a trail of secrecy directed by the very city counselors office responsible for making sure the city is following the Sunshine Law.

Instead, that office, under two successive administrations, seems to work to obscure the inner workings of city government. In 2015, for example, Deputy City Counselor Michael Garvin directed his underlings to write a consulting contract with former mayoral chief of staff Jeff Rainford in a way that would ensure Rainfords communications with the city wouldnt be considered open records.

This is to ensure that our communications with him become privileged even though hes no longer employed by the city, Garvin wrote in an email uncovered by Pedroli in his lawsuit.

The contract with Rainford, who became a major player in the failed airport privatization scheme, was never produced, according to the citys recent response to my Sunshine Law request. (They responded to that one quickly).

Garvin still works for the city counselors office. And the Jones administration hasnt yet settled the airport privatization lawsuit, while it continues to struggle to follow the same Sunshine Law that the previous administration tried to avoid.

The citys failure to follow the Sunshine Law is system-wide and goes well beyond just my document request and covers a wide range of topics, Gross says. Any Missourian requesting any records from the City of St. Louis will likely have to make a substantial effort to access public records, which is not how the Sunshine Law is supposed to work at all.

Indeed, when detainees are dying at the jail, the Sunshine Law is supposed to ensure that their families and the public can see documentation that might reveal an explanation  bad conditions, too much use of force, too much solitary confinement or lack of mental health care.

According to Sims latest email, the earliest my records would be available was Sept. 23.

That date has come and gone. The records that could help explain an unacceptable spike in deaths are still nowhere to be found.
ST. LOUIS  A former New York youth pastor on Thursday was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in 2013 in Missouri.

Jesse Vargas pleaded guilty in March to one felony count of traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual contact and one felony count of coercion and enticement of a minor.

Prosecutors said Vargas met 11-year-old Molly Rodgers when he was working as a youth pastor at a Christian camp in Michigan. He then built a relationship with her and her family, staying twice in their Missouri home in 2013 where he sexually abused her.

During those visits, he gave sermons at the familys church.

Rodgers also traveled to New York and stayed in his home that year, where she was again sexually abused by Vargas.

The Post-Dispatch does not typically name victims of sexual assault unless they publicly identify themselves.

I was assured by him throughout my formative young teenage years that the world wouldnt understand the illicit affair of ours he was suggesting, but God had provided us a path that we should follow together in secret, Rodgers, 24, said to the court during her victim impact statement. Tell no one. Trust no one else.

She told the court she would spend the rest of her life in therapy working to repair the emotional damage she suffered because of the abuse.

Vargas defense attorney, Edward Sapone, asked the court to sentence him to eight years in prison. He argued the man was not evil and had worked to reinvent himself in the nine years since the abuse occurred.

Sapone focused his argument largely on the adverse effect his imprisonment would have on Vargas 15-year-old son and his wife of 23 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson asked the court to sentence him to 15 years in prison.

Vargas addressed the court before he was sentenced, expressing remorse and apologizing to the people he hurt with his actions.

I am probably the worst thing that has happened to this person or that will ever happen to this person, Vargas said of Rodgers.

Along with his 13-year, four-month prison sentence, Vargas will remain under court supervision for the rest of his life and was ordered to pay Rodgers more than $146,000 in restitution.

Speaking outside the courthouse following the hearing, Rodgers encouraged any child in a similar situation to trust their instinct when it tells them something is wrong.

I think the prosecution did a great job today highlighting the fact that this was not a boogeyman, this was not a stranger, she said. This was someone who was very well trusted and thats the reason why it was so difficult to come to terms with what happened to me.
ST. CHARLES  Richard Darren Emery says he doesnt remember much of the night when he killed his girlfriend, her mother and her two children.

He told jurors and a full courtroom that he has some recollection of shooting Kate Kasten, 39; Jane Moeckel, 61; and Kastens two children, Zoe, 8, and Jonathan, 10, on Dec. 28, 2018. He remembers parts of when he shot at police and stabbed a woman during the carjacking attempt that came after. And he remembers wandering around a neighborhood before arriving at the gas station where he was arrested.

But the details are hazy, he said.

I dont know whats happening, he said when describing the shootings. Im there, but Im not there. Its like looking through somebody elses eyes.

Emery testified for nearly eight hours Thursday in what was effectively a plea for his life. The jury will decide whether the 50-year-old St. Charles man should be convicted of four counts of first-degree murder, and if convicted, theyll decide whether he should be sentenced to death. Emery and his attorneys say he cant be held liable for the shootings because a mental illness kept him from making conscious choices. Prosecutors, however, argue he knew exactly what he was doing.

In fact, you were in control of everything, said prosecutor Lawrence Chrum. If there were no decisions being made, we wouldnt be here.

Emerys testimony started with his childhood in St. Charles, California and Florida. His parents divorced when he was a baby, and he said he missed having his father regularly in his life. But his mother eventually remarried to a high-ranking official in the Navy, and the family became more stable, he said.

Still, Emery faced challenges. He testified that he was sexually assaulted by another boy when he was 13 or 14, and he struggled with grades during high school. Emery eventually joined the Air Force and was there for a short time before being discharged over alcohol violations. He married and divorced two women and had a son.

His life took a positive turn when he met Kasten at a Guns n Roses concert in 2018, he said.

She was just bright and bubbly and full of life, he said.

But there was some trepidation, too. Kastens late husband, a Marine, had just died of cancer the previous year. Emery admitted that in some ways he felt inadequate.

He was, like, everything I didnt believe that I was, you know? Emery said. Im mean, hes tall. Im not. Accomplished. A tremendous, tremendous husband. I wish I would have known him.

Still, he tried to be the best boyfriend and father he could, he said, installing shelves in Jonathans bedroom to display his prized Lego creations and teaching Zoe to ride a bike. He recalled family dinners and a trip to Denver where he and Kasten saw a Pink Floyd cover band. He felt he could be there for her when she cried over her late husbands death during the song Wish You Were Here and later when Jonathan said he missed his dad.

It made me feel like I finally belonged somewhere, he said. I dont usually like myself very much, and it was just ... unconditional.

But on Dec. 28, 2018, things changed again.

Emery was out playing poker at a nearby bar. He said he came back to their house in the 100 block of Whetstone Drive, Jonathan showed him a Lego creation, and he headed up to bed for a potentially romantic evening with Kasten. But she came in the room angry at him for not being more effusive in his praise of Jonathan over the Legos, he said.

They started arguing, and Emery followed her into the bathroom. He said he didnt remember much of the conversation, but he did recall when she told him to get the (expletive) out of my house and slapped him across the face.

They started fighting, and he admitted to punching her in the head. Eventually, he retrieved his gun from his bedside lock box, turned, saw Kasten and it went off, he said.

He said he then went into another bedroom, where Moeckel had called 911. Zoe can be heard in the background of the recording screaming, Why, why? Prosecutors on Thursday showed photos indicating Emery broke down the door. He then shot Moeckel, Zoe and Jonathan.

Prosecutors required Emery to watch video of officers discovering Kastens body, photos of the bedroom where Moeckel lay and an autopsy photo of Zoe that he had declined to view earlier in the trial.

I dont want to see, Emery said through tears.

I dont want to see it, either, Chrum said.

After Emery left the house with a loaded handgun and an AR-15, police tried to pull him over. He said he put the handgun to his head and contemplated pulling the trigger. Instead, he got out and started shooting at police. He was shot twice but ran away, eventually cornering a woman in her car and stabbing her seven times. Emery, however, said he only remembered stabbing her twice.

He was eventually arrested at a nearby QuikTrip after the clerk called 911.

Emery said he did not deliberately kill his family. But when asked if he took responsibility, he said, Yes.

Im the screw-up, he said through tears. They did not deserve me, and I certainly did not deserve them.
Police said someone called dispatch and said they had found the man's body in a backyard in the 4600 block of St. Ferdinand Avenue and said he had "possibly been shot."
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis County man reported missing this week was found shot dead inside a car Thursday in St. Louis.

Jaran Rogers, 22, was discovered about 6:40 p.m. in a vehicle behind the 5900 block of Kennerly Avenue. He was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

Police were called to Kennerly for a supposed sudden death. St. Louis homicide detectives are investigating the killing. Police said they have no suspects.

The scene was in the citys Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood, north of Martin Luther King Drive.

Rogers lived in the 2200 block of Luxmore Drive, in unincorporated north St. Louis County.

On Monday, St. Louis County police had taken a missing person report on Rogers, said St. Louis County police Officer Adrian Washington.

Rogers had last been seen on a doorbell camera Monday afternoon, leaving the home on Luxmore where he lived with his mother, said Doug Inman, a former youth pastor at the First Baptist Church in Ferguson. The mothers doorbell camera showed him walking to his car and driving away, Inman said.

Rogers mother could not be reached Friday morning.

Inman posted details on social media while Rogers was still missing. Inman said that Rogers wallet was left at home and that his new cellphone apparently had been sold by someone other than Rogers.

Inman said Rogers had a heart of gold, was active in the church youth group and went on a mission trip to Texas. When Inman left First Baptist Church in June and gave his final sermon there as associate pastor, Rogers came to hear him speak.

He came up beforehand and gave me a hug. I said, Thanks for coming, and he said, I wouldnt miss it, Inman said.

Rogers is the third member of the churchs youth group to die in recent years. The first was Willie Owens, 18. He was killed in August 2020 while riding in a vehicle that crashed into a garage in the 3900 block of Del Lago Drive in unincorporated St. Louis County. Another was Shaleah A. Hamblin, a pregnant 19-year-old woman who was fatally struck on Interstate 170 by a hit-and-run driver in July 2021.

All three were good friends, Inman said. They were among about 15 people who were active in the youth group and mission trips.

Im sad and numb, and it just hurts to lose another student, another person who had a bright future, Inman said.
ST. LOUIS  Police on Thursday identified the 32-year-old man killed in a seemingly random shooting inside a barber shop in The Grove area of St. Louis.

Devin Trice was shot around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at Southside Barber and Beauty Salon, 4264 Manchester Avenue.

Investigators believe the shooting was random. Police on Thursday said Trice was not an employee of the barber shop and may have been a customer.

The suspect, a man in his thirties who stayed at the shop and was arrested by police, had not been charged as of Thursday afternoon.
JEFFERSON CITY  Despite calls by some lawmakers for more state oversight of religious boarding schools, legislative action likely will have to wait until 2023.

A bill filed last week by Rep. Sarah Unsicker, D-Shrewsbury, would require all residential care facilities to get licenses with the state. Unsicker said she filed the bill in the wake of numerous allegations of abuse at Agape Boarding School and the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch.

But Unsickers bill has not been scheduled for a hearing during the special session, which was called by Gov. Mike Parson to address an income tax cut and agriculture tax credits. Parson has previously refused to expand the scope of the session to include other issues.

Unsicker told reporters Thursday that shes tried to talk with Parson about the bill, but hes been unavailable. She also said she hasnt received any help or promises from House Speaker Rob Vescovo, an Arnold Republican who would be in charge of getting the bill to the floor for a vote.

Vescovo has been outspoken about closing down Agape but has remained silent on Unsickers bill. Vescovo last week wrote to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore of the Western District of Missouri insisting that federal intervention may be the only way to protect students at Agape.

Vescovos letter asked the U.S. Attorney to act immediately to shut down the school, saying it has been engaged in organized crime against children.

Unsicker said when she spoke with Vescovo about the bill, he told her hed look at it but made no commitments.

Thats it, she said.

Im disappointed with the disagreements, Unsicker told The Kansas City Star. I think some of the energy to shut down this school is maybe an attempt to save the other schools from having to be regulated.

Vescovo started a tweetstorm from lawmakers Wednesday when he used the hashtag #ShutAgapeDown.

I refuse to turn a blind eye! Lets call out the corruption that has allowed this organized crime against children to persist, Vescovos tweet said. It included video clips from news reports about abuse allegations at Agape.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, replied to Vescovos tweet, saying, This isnt partisan. Its past time. In a text to the Star, Quade said she supported Unsickers bill.

Republican lawmakers, including the official account for the House GOP, also voiced support for Vescovos call for the school to be shut down.

Unsickers bill further builds upon legislation passed in 2021 that gave the Department of Social Services oversight over unlicensed residential care facilities. That oversight includes background checks for employees and gives the attorney general power to shut down facilities that fail to maintain a safe environment for children.

However, the 2021 legislation did not require religious boarding schools to get licensed with the state. Under the new bill, religious boarding schools wouldnt be allowed to operate without a license. The states Childrens Division could also revoke a schools license if it found the school was allowing abuse.

During a news conference in Jefferson City on Thursday, Unsicker said that the disagreements over her bill likely stem from concerns about whether unlicensed schools and religious schools should be required to get licensed.

The dispute is whether to license them, and I know these schools do not want to be licensed, she said. It needs to be discussed now, and we need to be licensing these schools.

Unsicker later told The Star that although her bill faces long odds during the Legislatures special session, she plans to refile the bill during the next regular session if it doesnt pass.

It wasnt in the governors call, but this is the time to bring it up with everything thats going on  I wanted to bring attention to it, she said.

2022 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri prosecutors on Thursday came out against Amendment 3, which would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the state if voters approve on Nov. 8.

The Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, in a position paper, said the proposed constitutional amendment, at 39 pages, is nothing more than thirty pages of mischief.

The association said that if someone were charged or convicted of killing someone while driving under the influence of marijuana, Amendment 3 attempts to prohibit our courts from stopping that drivers continuing use of marijuana.

Prosecutors said Missourians should look to Colorado, where marijuana has been legal for nearly a decade, to examine the costs of legalization: For example, a 138% increase in traffic deaths in which drivers tested positive for marijuana, according to a 2021 report by the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

The prosecutors said legalization shouldnt be embedded in the Missouri Constitution.

Amendment 3 is bad government, the prosecutors said. Think how often you have heard about a law that had a problem and had to be fixed or changed  it happens all the time.

If any part of the law is invalid or does not do what it was supposed to do, our Legislature is powerless to fix it except to send the amendment back for an expensive statewide election, they said.

Prosecutors also dont like civil penalties for marijuana offenses included in the amendment.

Amendment 3 fails to protect our children from dealers in black market marijuana, the prosecutors said. Even though pot would only be legal for people 21 and older, a dealer can give or sell to middle schoolers and face only a civil penalty of $100.

The prosecutors also criticized limits on how cities could ban dispensaries and raised health concerns for people who use marijuana.

And they said high taxes in California are allowing the dangerous black market to thrive.

John Payne, campaign manager for Legal Missouri 2022, defended Amendment 3 in an emailed statement.

Under Amendment 3, both driving under the influence of marijuana and selling marijuana outside the regulatory system remain illegal, he said. And individuals who deal to middle schoolers would still face felony drug charges under Missouri law.

He said legalization will free up law enforcement to focus on serious crime instead of making tens of thousands of arrests and citations annually for marijuana possession.

He said a 6% tax  with cities able to levy an extra 3%  is far lower than Californias 15% tax on retail sales, which will dramatically undermine the illicit market and bring consumers into a legal, regulated, and taxed system.

Amendment 3 creates a thorough system of regulation, which will protect public health and safety far better than our current illicit and unregulated system, he said.
The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday set a January execution date for Scott McLaughlin, who was convicted of raping and killing an ex-girlfriend 19 years ago.

The execution at the state prison in Bonne Terre, scheduled for Jan. 3, would come six weeks after another convicted killer is scheduled to die. Kevin Johnson faces the death penalty on Nov. 29 for killing Kirkwood Police Sgt. Bill McEntee in suburban St. Louis in 2005.

McLaughlin, now 48, was convicted of killing 45-year-old Beverly Guenther on Nov. 20, 2003. She was raped and stabbed to death outside of her workplace in St. Louis County.

A judge sentenced McLaughlin to death after a jury was unable to decide on death or life in prison without parole. A federal judge in St. Louis ordered a new sentencing hearing in 2016, citing concerns about the effectiveness of McLaughlin's trial lawyers and faulty jury instructions.

But in 2021, a federal appeals court panel reinstated the death penalty.

The pace of executions nationally has slowed dramatically in recent years. Ten people have been executed so far this year in five states, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. One of them was in Missouri, where Carmen Deck died by injection in May for killing James and Zelma Long during a robbery at their home in De Soto, Missouri, in 1996.
As the nation grapples with the very real problem of border enforcement, Sen. Josh Hawley, as usual, offers not viable solutions but a self-serving stunt. The Missouri Republican has filed legislation that would give state and local officials the authority to patrol the border and enforce federal immigration law.

The bill has no chance of passage because, among other problems, it is unconstitutional. Hawley surely knows this, but his intent, as always, is the headline. Hesitant as we are to give that to him, its important to highlight this latest example of Hawleys unfitness for office.

Americas broken immigration system is a bipartisan fiasco decades in the making, with congressional gridlock being the main culprit and plenty of blame to go around through decades of punting the problem from one administration to the next. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have proven inept at negotiating legislative solutions. The Biden administration has defaulted to a status quo that doesnt work. Republican governors in Florida, Texas and Arizona have opportunistically used that genuine policy failure as an excuse for antics such as shipping migrants to politically liberal regions.

This would be a perfect time for cooler heads in both parties to lower the temperature and work toward real solutions. Instead, Hawley proposes tossing more gasoline onto the topic. His legislation would allow states to authorize local law enforcement to address immigration and border enforcement, which under the Constitution and court precedent have always been an exclusive federal domain.

The specter of local sheriffs deciding on their own how to enforce U.S. immigration law  including whom to deport and how to do it  is a recipe for chaos, abuse and tragedy. With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recent campaign stunt of flying misled migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, the nation got a taste of how red-state partisan extremists would handle this issue if given free rein. It would mean more problems, not solutions.

Hawley, who is said to have presidential aspirations, no doubt has chafed at watching DeSantis and other big-name Republicans so effectively politicize what limited immigration influence they have. His bill is an embarrassingly obvious attempt to get in on some of that red meat. In an accompanying statement, Hawley describes it as a way for states to fight back at the administration regarding the border. Thats not exactly a blueprint for the cooperation that is ultimately needed.

Recall that Hawley also tried to climb onto another DeSantis bandwagon  the governors ideological war with Disney  by filing legislation to alter U.S. copyright law in a direct kick at the theme-park giants storied cartoon characters. This one is just as cartoonish, but what it says about the deep cynicism of Missouris junior senator is nothing to laugh at.
Regarding the letter Busch Stadiums pro-Christian signage is disturbing (Sept. 24): I can appreciate the letter writers displeasure with the signs at Busch Stadium carrying Christian messages. However, as a Christian, my critique is more the content of the message.

The writers offense seems misguided to me. As the Cardinals front office explained, the messages are a corporate matter. What that means is, advertisers pay money to get those messages there. I dont care for those particular messages either. And I may not like or purchase other products that are promoted.

Frankly, I would welcome a Jewish organization purchasing an advertisement on those banner walls. That might be better than some of the other products were teased to purchase.

But we cannot fault whoever owns the place for taking ads from whoever can pay the bill  even if it were promoting another religion.

James Hatch  St. Louis
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I dentifying a Katharina Grosse painting by her signature would be tough. She signs paintings on the back. But viewers of a retrospective of her studio work will take in decades of her development, from comparatively small abstracts to huge works that can include cut or round canvas, outlines of kelp and twigs, or swirls from an industrial spray gun.

Even without the signature, paintings in the exhibition at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University offer visitors a sense of Grosse's work that will make it identifiable in museums around the world.

One unifier is the German painter's use of vivid colors, sometimes repeated in separate works, she says.

"I've defined the starting point," she says of the exhibition, "but then it's very possible that toward the end of the work, I'm very far away from where I started." She was in St. Louis last week for the preview and opening of "Katharina Grosse Studio Paintings, 19882022: Returns, Revisions, Inventions," which runs through Jan. 23.

Grosse has studios in Berlin, where she mostly works indoors, and also in New Zealand, where she likes to work outside near the sea, her paintings affected by wind or other confrontations of nature. She says she "likes the interference."

At 61, she is lithe, with bright eyes and a confident manner. Born in Freiburg im Breisgau, in southwest Germany, Grosse has always known she was interested in color and painting rather than something like photography, popular when she was young.

For much of her career she has painted directly on walls or architecture. At the Contemporary Art Museum in Houston, she once sprayed the gallery interior along with clothes, coins and papers on the floor. Even her home is full of color, she says, with pink bathrooms and a pink and baby blue library.

A few years ago she came to St. Louis with a commission to paint the wall of the university's recreation center. She says she planned the colors, the size, the placement and size of windows. But after that, she just worked "with the flow," painting on wallboard, wood veneer and steel and redoing sections if she didn't like them. How did she know when to stop? When it looked done.

"I liked painting in a place where people work out," she says. She likes working at a site where visitors likely know little about her work. "It makes you feel almost like a young artist, starting out again."

As the exhibition introduction says, Grosse is "internationally celebrated for her largescale, on-site works that she paints across built and natural environments. To date, less focus has been placed on her studio-based paintings. This is the first exhibition to explore these important canvases and the role they play in the artist's oeuvre." The artist likes both painting indoors and outside on buildings, comparing them to swimming in a pool or in the sea. She can do some things indoors that she can't outdoors, which require a crew and plan. "It's more like collaboration with everyone who participates."

Grosse says walking through the Mildred Kemper exhibition should be like experiencing a "catalog" of her studio work. Early on, framed canvases include geometric rectangles with just a few apparent colors. For one, she first painted the entire canvas one color, then over it created a few rectangles of secondary color, with brush marks revealing the earlier base color.

Later works among the 37 "Untitled" paintings, in a section called "Fissures/Ruptures," show Grosse reinventing the shapes, surfaces and color combinations, as the museum says. For one, she nailed branches to the canvas when she painted. The branches were removed, but the nail holes remain. At other times, she uses stencils or includes dirt.

A couple of pieces show sliced canvas hung on the wall, almost like a doorway. Grosse says she cut up the canvas first, then painted it. Also in the exhibition are silk panels digitally printed with photographs (including Grosse's paint-covered hand).

When using an industrial spray gun, Grosse wears a white coverall. She says controlling the spray and creating different effects depends on motion, including whole body movement, distance and the consistency of the paint.

"With this extensive testing of the boundaries of painting, especially the loosening of ties between the artist's hand, the paint, and the canvas, Grosse opens the artwork up to the world and vice versa," the museum says. For the artist, paintings are nonlinear; they can be viewed at once, unlike most books or films. A painting "allows us to see different moments in time at once," Grosse says.

Museum director Sabine Eckmann has edited the first large scholarly book on Grosse's studio work, "Katharina Grosse Studio Paintings, 1988-2022." With text in English and German, it includes 160 color plates with 38 other images documenting her work over three decades.

Five essays explore her processes, along with the way her paintings "interlace with the everyday to create uncertainties."

Eckmann says the exhibition tries to put Grosse's "fl uid practice" into a "fl uid exhibition itself, where the works really are in dialogue and we hope to see them anew every time we enter the gallery."

WHAT 'Katharina Grosse Studio Paintings, 1988-2022: Returns, Revisions, Inventions'  WHEN 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday Sunday; through Jan. 23  WHERE Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive  HOW MUCH Free  MORE INFO kemperartmuseum@wustl.edu; 314-935-4523
Taiwan was not part of the Chinese empire until 1683, and that was only because Chinese had been moving to the island since the 1200s and, by the 1600s, were numerous enough to dominate the native population. The Chinese empire ruled Taiwan until they transferred it to Japan in 1895 after losing a brief (about a year) war with Japan. The Japanese managed Taiwan more efficiently than the Chinese and by World War II the Taiwanese were generally pro-Japan. This was noted when American military planners were ordered in 1944 to prepare a plan for invading and conquering Taiwan, to use it as a base for warplanes bombing Japan and Japanese troops in China. General MacArthur was commanding forces approaching from the south and pointed that the Philippines would be easier invade and conquer than Taiwan while achieving the same strategic objectives. American military planners found that MacArthur was right. Taiwan was and is a nightmare for anyone staging an amphibious operation. The island is only 394 kilometers long and 144 kilometers wide at its widest point. The terrain is rugged with 258 mountains over 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) high. Many key highways are built in the many valleys and that creates a lot of narrow choke points that can be easily defended, often with the help of tunnels dug into nearby hills and mountains. This makes it very difficult for an invading force to get off the beach.

Taiwan has few (about a dozen) useful invasion beaches and lots of high ground behind those beaches. Since World War II the population quadrupled to 24 million. Most live in built up urban areas and this is a nightmare for any invader because all those structures favor the defender. Taiwan has built several air and naval bases that make use of tunnels built into nearby mountains. Many urban areas have built tunnels to protect the population during major storms, and soldiers during an attempt to invade and conquer the island. Taiwan is also surrounded by about a hundred small islands, most of them uninhabited but large enough to support some troops armed with artillery and anti-ship missiles.

The unique geography of Taiwan is one reason why post-World War II Taiwan emphasized manufacturing and a highly educated population. That led to Taiwan becoming a major provider of electronic and other high-tech items that most industrialized nations, especially China and the United States, depend on. If China seeks to conquer Taiwan, they must avoid destroying the many areas containing manufacturing operations that the Chinese economy depends on.

Currently, Taiwan can confront any invasion with nearly half a million troops. While the active-duty force is only 190,000, Taiwan has two million men with military experience in the reserves and 10-15 ten percent of these are kept at a higher state of readiness to quickly join the active-duty forces in the event of an invasion. Most of the men in the reserves are former conscripts who serve four months of active duty when they turn 18 and then continue serving in the reserves until they are 36. As the Chinese invasion threat increased over the last two decades, reserve duty has been regarded as more essential to the survival and an independent and more prosperous (than China) Taiwanese democracy. This means that more reservists are willing to continue serving after 36 and this increases the number of experienced men in the reserves. Taiwanese see themselves as an island version of Switzerland, Israel or Sweden, all of them dependent on a large, well trained, reserve force to deal with any invasion. These three Western nations have used this mobilization system very successfully, for centuries in the case of Switzerland. China noted how rapidly mobilized Ukrainian forces defeated a 2022 Russian invasion. Ukraine is largely flat terrain with some rivers to provide defensive barriers. But nothing beats an island with few invasion beaches and lots of mountains defended by a well-armed and determined population.

The current Taiwanese reserve system was developed in the last two decades and there is little public data on how well armed and equipped the reservists are. Switzerland has long mandated that reservists keep their rifle (now assault rifle) and ammunition at home. This has worked. Heavier weapons are kept at numerous storage sites throughout the country. Taiwanese military spending has grown considerably over the last six years and a lot of that has gone to the reserve forces to increase the ability to put armed reservists into action more quickly.

The increased military budgets have also improved intelligence devoted to the Chinese military and what they are capable of. This also involves dealing the growing Chinese use of spies and Taiwanese military officials who have been bribed or blackmailed into secretly working for China.

As a democracy, Taiwan gets a new government periodically and some of those governments are more supportive of defenses against Chinese invasion than others. Since the 1990s the Chinese economy has grown enormously and that was done with the help of existing Taiwanese firms looking to expand into China. That gave China an opportunity to influence Taiwanese politics and elections. The influence is currently less effective for China because most Taiwanese realize that China is determined to make Taiwan part of China once more. Most Taiwanese agree that this is not desirable and as long as the Chinese insist on submission, Taiwan will have to maintain its defenses.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / CanXGold Mining Corp., (TSXV:CXG)(FRANKFURT:3G8C)(OTC PINK:GDMRF), ("CanXGold" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement of 30,000,000 million units at a price of $0.025 per unit for gross proceeds of $750,000. Each Unit consists of one common share and one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase, for a period of 60 months from the date of issue, one additional common share of the Issuer at an exercise price of $0.05 per share. The term of the warrants may be accelerated in the event that the issuer's shares trade at or above a price of $0.10 per share for a period of 10 consecutive days. In such case of accelerated warrants, the issuer may give notice, in writing or by way of news release, to the subscribers that the warrants will expire 30 days from the date of providing such notice.

The Company also announces that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to 20,000,000 flow through units at a price of $0.08 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,600,000. Each Flow-Through Unit consists of one common share that qualifies as a "flow-through share" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act and one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase, for a period of 60 months from the date of issue, one additional non-flow-through common share of the Issuer at an exercise price of $0.10 per share. The term of the warrants may be accelerated in the event that the issuer's shares trade at or above a price of $0.15 per share for a period of 10 consecutive days. In such case of accelerated warrants, the issuer may give notice, in writing or by way of news release, to the subscribers that the warrants will expire 30 days from the date of providing such notice.

Directors, officers or other insiders of the Company may participate in the foregoing offerings, and such parties may sell securities of the Company owned or controlled by them personally through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange to finance participation in such offerings.

The net proceeds from the Offering will primarily be used by the Company for continued drilling at the Company's Phoenix property and maintenance of its Lexington project as well as for general working capital purposes.

A finder's fee may be paid to eligible finders in accordance to the TSX-V policies. All securities issued pursuant to the offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing. The offerings and payment of finders' fees are both subject to approval by the TSX-V.

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: [email protected]

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:
CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / September 30, 2022 / Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (TSXV:CMC)(OTCQB: CWSFF) ( "Cielo" or the "Company" ), a waste-to-fuel environmental technology company, today reports financial results for the three months ended July 31, 2022. All amounts in this news release are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

FINANCIAL HIGHLHIGHTS

Total assets decreased by $19.7 million as of July 31, 2022 compared to April 30, 2022, primarily due to the decrease in property, plant and equipment offset by an increase in cash, and prepaid expenses. During the current quarter, Cielo recognized an impairment loss on property, plant and equipment at its facility in Aldersyde, Alberta (the "Aldersyde Facility") of $25.4 million due to the decommissioning of current operations. On July 8, 2022, Cielo completed a public offering of units, issuing 139.6 million units at a price of $0.07 per Unit, for gross proceeds of approximately $9.8 million. The increase in cash resulted from proceeds of the offering net of share issuance costs. A portion of the proceeds was advanced to the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor to fund the fabrication of Cielo's research and development facility (the "R&D Facility") resulting in the increase in prepaid expenses.

Total liabilities decreased by $1.0 million as of July 31, 2022 compared to April 30, 2022 due to the decrease in accounts payables of $1.4 million offset by an increase of $0.4 million in long-term loans. The decrease in accounts payable was a result of a general decrease in activity associated with construction and research and development at the Aldersyde Facility as Cielo focused on development of the R&D Facility.

Total non-current liabilities decreased by $2.3 million as of July 31, 2022 compared to April 30,2022 due to the reduction of accounts payables resulting from decreased activity related to the Aldersyde Facility; and the reclass of royalty payable current to non-current as Cielo obtained the requisite approval of holders of the royalties to extend the repayment to January 2024.

The net loss for Cielo for the three months ended July 31, 2022 was $27.6 million, an increase of $24.6 million from $3.0 million for the three months ended July 31, 2021. The increase in net loss is primarily due to recognition of an impairment loss on the property, plant and equipment at Aldersyde of $25.4 million, offset by a decrease in general and administrative expenditures of $0.6 million as Cielo incurred costs relating to the TSXV listing in the prior year quarter; a decrease in research and development expenditures of $1.1 million as Cielo reduced activity at Aldersyde and ultimately suspended Aldersyde operations.

Working capital $9.0 million at July 31, 2022 compared to $1.2 million at April 30, 2022 primarily due to the increase in cash from proceeds of the public offering of units completed on July 8, 2022.

SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Thousands of dollars,

except per share amounts) Three months ended July 31,

2022 2021 Financing costs 635 122 General and administrative 981 1,556 Research and development 550 1,682 Impairment loss 25,366 - Net loss (27,635 ) (3,039 ) Net loss per share - basic & diluted (0.040 ) (0.005 )

CONFERENCE CALL

Cielo will host a conference call on October 4, 2022 at 1 p.m. MT (3:00 p.m. ET) during which Cielo's CEO Ryan Jackson and CFO Jasdeep K. Dhaliwal will discuss fiscal Q1 financial results, followed by a question-and-answer session. A live audio webcast of this call will be available by entering the following URL into your web browser:

https://app.webinar.net/6DLnqrp4bV3

Conference Call Details:

Date: October 4, 2022 Time: 1 p.m. MT / 3 p.m. ET

Dial In: North America: 1-888-664-6392

Dial In: Toronto Local / International: 416-764-8659

Replay: North America: 1-888-390-0541

Replay: Toronto Local/International: 416-764-8677

Replay Passcode: 801038#

The conference call replay will be available until October 11, 2022.

For further information please contact:

Ryan Jackson, CEO

Phone: (403) 348-2972

Cielo Investor Relations

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT CIELO

Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) on February 2, 2011. Cielo is a publicly traded company with its shares listed to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (" TSXV ") under the symbol "CMC," on the Frankfurt Exchange (" DAX ") under the symbol "C36", as well as on the OTC Venture Market (" OTCQB "), under the symbol "CWSFF." The Company's strategic intent is to become a leading waste-to-fuel company. The Company intends to use economically sustainable technology while minimizing the environmental impact. Cielo has a patented process that can convert waste feedstocks, including organic material and wood derivative waste, to fuel. Having demonstrated its ability to produce diesel and naphtha from waste, Cielo's business model is to construct additional processing facilities. Cielo's objective is to generate value by converting waste to fuel, while fueling the sustainable energy transition.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should" or similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes.

Forward-looking statements are subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, 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. Cielo is making forward looking statements, with respect to, but not limited to: the conference call, including the date and time, speakers and agenda, and the period of time during which an audio replay will be available.

Investors should continue to review and consider information disseminated through news releases and filed by the Company on SEDAR. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual performance and results to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV), nor OTCQB nor WKN, have reviewed, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of, the content of this news release.

SOURCE: Cielo Waste Solutions Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UBS Wealth Management USA today announced that Matthew Tashjian and Jason Farkas have joined the firm as Financial Advisors in Hartford, Connecticut. The team is responsible for managing a combined $428 million in client assets for high net worth individuals and families.

Matthew and Jason join the firms Central New England New York State Market, managed by William Cholawa, and are also joined by Client Service Associates Nicoletta Geraci and Alexandria Braithwaite.

Matthew and Jason are well-versed in helping families navigate different market environments by designing and implementing comprehensive plans for the accumulation, retention and transfer of wealth, said William Cholawa, Central New England New York State Market Head at UBS Wealth Management USA. They bring more than 50 years of combined experience to UBS, and will be invaluable as we continue to expand our client offering in the Connecticut area and beyond.

Matthew brings more than 25 years of wealth management industry experience to UBS. He focuses on providing a select group of high-net-worth individuals and families with tailored solutions that address their unique goals, ambitions and financial personalities. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Merrill Lynch as a Wealth Management Advisor. Matthew previously served on the internal teaching faculties at both Merrill and Smith Barney, where he developed a curriculum called Wealth and Well-Being, designed to help investors understand how personal aspirations and motivations for investing can contribute to life success.

Jason has more than 25 years of capital markets experience, having previously served as a technical analyst, trader, financial advisor and 401(k) plan consultant. His industry experience and deep perspective enable him to provide clients with personalized, tactical wealth management strategies, and help clients anticipate and pursue critical financial objectives. Prior to joining UBS, Jason spent ten years working at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He earned MBA certificates in Accounting, Finance and Negotiation at Heriot-Watt Universitys Edinburgh Business School after attending Arizona State University.

Notes to Editors

About UBS

UBS convenes the global ecosystem for investing, where people and ideas are connected and opportunities brought to life, and provides financial advice and solutions to wealthy, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as to private clients in Switzerland. UBS offers investment solutions, products and impactful thought leadership, is the leading global wealth manager, provides large-scale and diversified asset management, focused investment banking capabilities, and personal and corporate banking services in Switzerland. The firm focuses on businesses that have a strong competitive position in their target markets, are capital efficient and have an attractive long-term structural growth or profitability outlook.

UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 regions and locations, with about 30% of its employees working in the Americas, 29% in Switzerland, 20% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 21% in Asia Pacific. UBS Group AG employs more than 72,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

 UBS 2022. All rights reserved. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005510/en/

Media:

Christina Aquilina

[email protected]

https://www.ubs.com

Source: UBS Wealth Management USA
Erin Polek, Stephen Zadesky and Christopher Eberle Bring Expertise in Product Scaling, Finance, and Technology

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aeva (NYSE: AEVA), a leader in next-generation sensing and perception systems, today announced the appointment of Erin Polek, Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer at Qualcomm; Stephen Zadesky, former Vice President of Engineering at Apple; and Christopher Eberle, Global Head of Semiconductor and Hardware Investments at Sylebra Capital, to its Board of Directors, effective November 11, 2022.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005147/en/

New Aeva Board members: Erin L. Polek, Stephen Zadesky, Christopher Eberle (Photo: Business Wire)

We are pleased to welcome this diverse group of experienced leaders to Aevas Board of Directors, said Mina Rezk, Chairman of the Board, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Aeva. Already an advisor to Aeva, Steves tremendous breadth of experience and success in the development and commercialization of some of the most iconic products at Apple will be invaluable as we enter the next stage of growth at Aeva and work toward scaling our unique 4D LiDAR-on-chip technology.

Our new board members bring an extraordinary combination of commercialization expertise, strategy, and public company experience. Erin brings two decades of expertise in leading public company accounting and compliance, Chris has deep strategic insight into the technology landscape and the public markets, and Steve is arguably one of the foremost experts in new technology introduction and product scaling. We look forward to leveraging all of their experience as we execute on our mission to bring perception to everything, added Soroush Salehian, Co-founder and CEO at Aeva.

About the Appointed Board Members

Erin L. Polek: Ms. Polek is Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Qualcomm, a global leader in wireless technology for mobile devices and other applications, including automotive. Ms. Poleks principal responsibilities at Qualcomm include oversight of the global accounting department and external financial reporting and related compliance. Prior to her current role, she held a variety of leadership positions across the Finance organization since joining Qualcomm in 2006. Before that, Ms. Polek was a Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Accounting from San Diego State University.

Stephen Zadesky: Mr. Zadesky served in various management roles at Apple for over 20 years, including Vice President of Product Design for iPhone and iPod engineering and Head of Special Projects Group. Prior to joining Apple, Mr. Zadesky worked at Ford Motor Company in a variety of positions. Mr. Zadesky earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

Christopher Eberle: Mr. Eberle is Global Head of Semiconductor and Hardware Investments at Sylebra Capital, a global investment management firm focused on technology, media, and telecom companies, and has 15 years of experience investing in and analyzing the semiconductor industry and its complex supply chains. Prior to Sylebra, he worked at several global investment management firms and investment banks, and in addition to his network across the global technology space, Mr. Eberle brings with him deep financial management and operating knowledge. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Canisius College and a Master of Science in Finance from DePaul University.

About Aeva Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: AEVA)

Aevas mission is to bring the next wave of perception to a broad range of applications from automated driving to industrial robotics, consumer electronics, consumer health, security and beyond. Aeva is transforming autonomy with its groundbreaking sensing and perception technology that integrates all key LiDAR components onto a silicon photonics chip in a compact module. Aeva 4D LiDAR sensors uniquely detect instant velocity in addition to 3D position, allowing autonomous devices like vehicles and robots to make more intelligent and safe decisions. For more information, visit www.aeva.com, or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Aeva, the Aeva logo, 4D LiDAR, Aeries, Ultra Resolution, 4D Perception, and 4D Localization are trademarks/registered trademarks of Aeva, Inc. All rights reserved. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005147/en/

Media:

Michael Oldenburg

[email protected]

Investors:

Andrew Fung

[email protected]

Source: Aeva Technologies, Inc.
National Conference On Affordable Housing, Saturday, October 1st, 2022  11:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m. Nate Holden Theatre, Los Angeles

Housing Is A Human Right, key legislators and media partners to host and moderate national conference to discuss affordable housing solutions

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Housing Is A Human Right (HHR) and key state and local legislators will host a National Conference On Affordable Housing on Saturday October 1st, 2022 at the Nate Holden Theatre in Los Angeles. This national conference will feature elected officials along with community leaders from 6 different states (MA, IL, MN, NY, CO and CA) including National Coalition for the Homeless, the Bring America Home Campaign, Housing is a Human Right (AHF), Tenants and Neighbors New York, Hope Center of Chicago, Massachusetts Tenants Alliance, Pomona United for Stabilized Housing, Tenants Together, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, Progressive Democrats of America and more. Additionally, this event is sponsored by Housing is a Human Right and Los Angeles Council Office of Heather Hutt (10th District).

WHAT: National Conference on Affordable Housing, Rent Control and Homelessness WHEN: Saturday, October 1st, 2022 - 11:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m. WHO: SPEAKERS: Josh Haskell (Moderator), ABC7 News

Tammi Mac (Moderator), KJLH Radio, 102.3FM

Hon. Ben Allen, CA State Senator

Hon. Heather Hutt, Los Angeles City Councilmember (10th District)

Hon. Sue Himmelrich, Mayor, City of Santa Monica

Tony Vazquez, Board of Equalization

Lindsey Horvath, West Hollywood City Councilmember WHERE: Nate Holden Performing Arts Center 4718 W Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 WHY: Many cities throughout the United States, like Los Angeles, are facing an affordable housing and homelessness crisis. Rents have skyrocketed, homelessness is on the rise and residents face gentrification and displacement. Advocates representing six states from across the country will convene to share best practices on how to win and overcome challenges regarding affordable housing, rent control, tenant rights and homelessness.

Hosting this national conference is a way for community members, key legislators, and the media to come together and have a much needed discussion on ways to combat the homelessness crisis not only affecting Los Angeles but the entire country, said Susie Shannon, Policy Director, Housing Is A Human Right. With so many unhoused individuals dying on the streets each year, finding affordable housing and rent control solutions is long overdue.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.6 million people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare or subscribe to our podcast AHFter Hours.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005419/en/

Susie Shannon, Housing Policy Director, +1.213.880.3065 cell [email protected]

Lauren Hogan, Associate Director, Communications, +1.310.940.0802 cell [email protected]

Source: Housing Is A Human Right
Alkegen High Efficiency Filtration Business to unveil its new suite of products at the World Filtration Congress in San Diego, CA

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alkegen, a leading specialty materials platform that provides high performance materials used in advanced applications, announced they will be launching three new High Efficiency Filtration (HEF) products during their exhibition at the upcoming World Filtration Congress in San Diego, CA. These are the first new filtration products launched under the Alkegen brand name since the merger of Lydall and Unifrax last October.

This trio of HEF media  one for air, one for liquid, one for molecular applications  represents the first wave of advanced materials developed and released under our new Alkegen filtration product development team. These launches combine Lydalls well-known filtration and manufacturing expertise with Unifraxs proven, rapid innovation capabilities, said Paul Vallis, President of the Filtration & Catalysis Group. This is the first of many innovations we expect to deliver as our portfolio evolves to meet the continuous demand for ever-higher efficiency and reduced energy consumption.

TriboStatiX

Alkegens new air filtration media, TriboStatiX, is a MERV 13 high performance pleat media manufactured on a new best-in-class asset. The media provides lower initial resistance, reducing the amount of energy required in the HVAC unit and lowering overall operating costs. TriboStatiX improves indoor air quality through consistent filtration performance and high dirt holding capacity, providing longer service life and reduced energy demand.

With TriboStatiX, customers can expect high performance with longer service life, said John Albert Global Growth Leader. This means changing out filters less frequently for a more sustainable solution.

LyPore MB

Alkegens new line of meltblown liquid filtration media, LyPore MB, is designed to meet the most critical application requirements, while providing high filtration efficiency, low-pressure drop and excellent dirt holding capacity. Available in Polypropylene and PBT, single layer or composite and calendered to meet the most complex liquid filtration challenges. Chosen for such applications as food and beverage and lube oil, incorporating Lypore MB into your filter design improves filtration efficiency and extends filter life resulting in a higher performing finished filter and lower total cost for the end user.

In addition to our expanded portfolio of available grades, our talented research and development team routinely customizes LyPore MB to meet specific customer needs, said Aaron Frost, Growth Leader.

LydAir GP

Alkegens new molecular filtration media, LydAir GP, offer superior performance with expanded capabilities. State of the art manufacturing facilitates exceptional uniformity and layering of a wide range of functional adsorbents including activated carbon and ion exchange resins. Additionally particulate filter media can be laminated in line providing a combination media for both molecular and particle filtration. LydAir GP offers 20%-30% better performance per specific gram of media, which results in higher efficiency and product performance that can be engineered to meet specific application demands.

Behzan Shoar, Platform Manager, will be presenting the Multi-sorbent Gas Absorption Media, LydAir GP at the World Filtration Congress on Saturday, October 8th, 2022.

Alkegens Filtration Experts will be available to discuss these innovative materials and more during the World Filtration Congress in San Diego, CA October 5 -8th in booth #101. To learn more, visit Alkegen.com

About Alkegen

Alkegen, formerly Unifrax and Lydall Inc., creates high performance specialty materials used in advanced applications including electric vehicles, energy storage, filtration, fire protection and high-temperature insulation, among many others. Alkegen products are designed with the ultimate goal of saving energy, reducing pollution, and improving safety for people, buildings and equipment by delivering on our mission of helping the world breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. Alkegen has 75 manufacturing facilities operating in 12 countries and employs 9,000+ employees globally. More information is available at www.alkegen.com.

About Clearlake

Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with experienced management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to dynamic businesses that can benefit from Clearlakes operational improvement approach, O.P.S. The firms core target sectors are industrials, technology and consumer. Clearlake currently has approximately $30 billion of assets under management and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 300 investments. The firm has offices in Santa Monica and Dallas. More information is available at www.clearlake.com and on Twitter @ClearlakeCap.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005118/en/

For Alkegen:

Kristen Weiss

Director, Marketing Communication

[email protected]



For Clearlake:

Jennifer Hurson

[email protected]

845-507-0571

Source: Alkegen
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of bbb+ (Good) of Markel Corporation (Markel) (Glen Allen, VA), as well as its Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs). AM Best also has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of a+ (Excellent) of all the members of the Markel North America Insurance Group (Markel NA). Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of a+ (Excellent) of Markel Bermuda Limited (Hamilton, Bermuda) and its affiliate, Markel Global Reinsurance Company (Delaware) (collectively referred to as Markel Bermuda).

Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of a+ (Excellent) of the members of State National Group (State National). All State National companies are headquartered in Bedford, TX. At the same time, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of a+ (Excellent) of Lloyds Syndicate 3000 (Markel Syndicate Management Limited) (Syndicate 3000) (United Kingdom).

The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. See below for a detailed list of companies, Long-Term IRs and indicative Long-Term IRs.

The ratings of Markel NA, which is considered the lead rating unit in the Markel enterprise, reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The balance sheet strength assessment for Markel NA is supported by its risk-adjusted capital level, which is in the strongest category, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The balance sheet strength assessment further considers Markel NAs consistently favorable loss reserve development patterns over time and the effectiveness of its reinsurance program in protecting against major losses associated with large catastrophes. Offsetting these factors somewhat are variability in the capital base resulting from the groups equity investments, as it maintains a level of common stock leverage that is substantially elevated relative to peer group averages; its slightly elevated levels of net and gross leverage that result from its above-average retention of business; and the groups catastrophe appetite, which can result in surplus variations in years with an accumulation of smaller catastrophe losses.

Markel NAs adequate operating performance assessment is based on its underwriting results, which generally outperform peers by a significant margin based on better-than-average loss and loss adjustment expense ratios. This outperformance is offset by a weaker-than-average underwriting expense ratio and an operating ratio that has been just slightly better than average over the past five years. The groups investment policy reflects Markels long-term capital appreciation objectives. As a result, the group typically reports favorable total return metrics but below-average net investment income due to its above-average allocation to common stocks. The group has demonstrated an ability to increase surplus organically through underwriting profits, but policyholder dividends over the last five years have limited the level of surplus growth. This is reflective of the parents capital management strategy, in which profits are funneled upward to allow for greater financial flexibility within the enterprise.

The group maintains a favorable business profile, ranking among the 25 largest property/casualty insurance organizations in the United States, based on consolidated U.S. direct premiums written in 2021.

It is the fourth-largest writer of excess and surplus (E&S) business in the United States, after Lloyds, Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group and American International Group, Inc. The groups business is well-diversified by line of business and state within the United States. The group also includes Markels Europe-based operating companies, providing international diversification. The groups participation in admitted and nonadmitted markets provides it with advantages across market cycles.

Markel NAs ERM program is embedded appropriately within the organization to manage the risks of Markels complex global operations, which include insurance and noninsurance sectors. The group has demonstrated an ability to operate effectively at moderately higher levels of leverage than its peers, in part through the effectiveness of the ERM program.

The ratings of State National reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. State Nationals balance sheet continued to be supported by a strongest level of risk-adjusted capital level, as measured by BCAR. The groups balance sheet strength is enhanced by the effectiveness with which it has managed its Program Services business over time. State National continues to produce underwriting and operating results on its lender services business that consistently outperform its peers. The groups business profile reflects its leadership position in lender and program services, while taking into consideration the increasingly competitive nature of both segments.

The ratings of Markel Bermuda reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. The groups balance sheet strength assessment reflects its strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, which in recent years has benefited from reduced exposure to natural catastrophes as a result of its withdrawal from risk-bearing property catastrophe and property excess of loss businesses in its global reinsurance segment, as well as the levels of favorable reserve development. The groups operating results have been variable in recent years, reflecting competitive reinsurance market conditions and loss reserve development, which while generally favorable, did not reflect the levels of historical reserve redundancy enjoyed by a number of its peers. The assessment of business profile acknowledges the groups diverse geographies and lines of business in which the group operates, offset by the groups modest relative position within the global reinsurance market. Markel Bermudas ratings also reflect rating enhancement it receives as a result of its strategic importance to the Markel enterprise, as well as the benefits it receives through its relationship with other Markel subsidiaries.

The ratings of Syndicate 3000 reflect the balance sheet strength of the Lloyds market, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as the markets strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate ERM. Markel is the ultimate parent company of Syndicate 3000s managing agent, Markel Syndicate Management Limited, and of its corporate member, Markel Capital Limited. Syndicate 3000 is important to Markel as its main underwriting center for large U.S. and international marine, energy, specialty and financial lines written in the London market.

The ratings of Markel reflect the ratings of its operating insurance subsidiaries, as well as its financial leverage and coverage metrics, which remain within AM Bests guidelines. At June 30, 2022, Markels adjusted debt to total capital ratio measured 26.5%. Unadjusted debt to total capital measured 28.5% as of that date.

AM Best notes that Hurricane Ian, which recently passed through Florida and may make a second U.S. landfall in the Carolinas, may cause record-setting industry claim costs. Markel likely will have its share of those losses, in particular in its specialty insurance segment, while its Bermuda and other international operations have de-emphasized property-catastrophe reinsurance and other catastrophe-exposed lines of business. However, AM Best notes that Markels ERM discipline, and its purchase of aggregate catastrophe reinsurance protection, is expected to limit its net loss retention to a manageable level.

The FSR or A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of a+ (Excellent) have been affirmed, each with a stable outlook, for the following members of Markel NA, including European entities that are grouped with the rating unit:

Markel Insurance SE

Essentia Insurance Company

Evanston Insurance Company

FirstComp Insurance Company

Markel American Insurance Company

Markel Insurance Company

Markel International Insurance Company Ltd.

SureTec Insurance Company

The FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of a+ (Excellent) have been affirmed, each with a stable outlook, for the following members of State National:

State National Insurance Company, Inc.

National Specialty Insurance Company

United Specialty Insurance Company

City National Insurance Company

Independent Specialty Insurance Company

Pinnacle National Insurance Company

Superior Specialty Insurance Company

The following Long-Term IRs have been affirmed, each with a stable outlook:

Markel Corporation

-- bbb+ (Good) on $250 million 3.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2023

-- bbb+ (Good) on $300 million 3.5% senior unsecured notes, due 2027

-- bbb+ (Good) on $300 million 3.35% senior unsecured notes, due 2029

-- bbb+ (Good) on $200 million 7.35% senior unsecured notes, due 2034

-- bbb+ (Good) on $250 million 5.0% senior unsecured notes, due 2043

-- bbb+ (Good) on $500 million 5.0% senior unsecured notes, due 2046

-- bbb+ (Good) on $300 million 4.3% senior unsecured notes, due 2047

-- bbb+ (Good) on $600 million 5.0% senior unsecured notes, due 2049

-- bbb+ (Good) on $500 million 4.15% senior unsecured notes, due 2050

-- bbb+ (Good) on $600 million 3.45% senior unsecured notes, due 2052

-- bbb- (Good) on $600 million 6.00% preferred stock

The following indicative Long-Term IRs under the existing shelf registration have been affirmed, each with a stable outlook:

Markel Corporation

-- bbb+ (Good) on senior unsecured debt

-- bbb (Good) on subordinated debt

-- bbb- (Good) on preferred securities

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2022 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Robert Valenta

Senior Financial Analyst

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5291

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]

Alan Murray

Associate Director

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5535

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Communications Specialist

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098

[email protected]

Barnaby Unwin Hoskins

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7626 6264

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the resolution of its investigation of Barclays PLC (BPLC) and Barclays Bank PLC (BBPLC) relating to the over-issuance of securities by BBPLC under certain of its U.S. shelf registration statements. Pursuant to the terms of the resolution and as reflected in BPLCs and BBPLCs H122 Results Announcements, BPLC and BBPLC will pay a combined penalty of U.S.$200 million, without admitting or denying the SECs findings. The SEC has confirmed that BBPLCs independent rescission offer to noteholders satisfies its requirements for disgorgement and related prejudgment interest.

Financial impact of the over-issuance

Further to the announcement on 15 September 2022 concerning the expiration of the rescission offer, Barclays confirms that the net cumulative attributable loss after tax in relation to the over-issuance of securities in the U.S. is expected to remain materially in line with the financial impact disclosed in BPLCs and BBPLCs H122 Results. Further details will be provided as part of BPLCs Q322 Results Announcement to be published on or about 26 October 2022, including the extent to which changes in market prices of affected securities have resulted in a reduction in costs associated with the rescission offer, offset by a corresponding reduction in income associated with hedging arrangements.

Review led by external counsel

The previously announced review of the facts and circumstances relating to the over-issuance and the control environment related to such issuances led by external counsel (Review) is now complete. The over-issuance occurred because Barclays did not put in place a mechanism to track issuances after BBPLC became subject to a limit on issuance. Among the principal causes of the over-issuance were, first, the failure to identify and escalate to senior executives the consequences of the loss of well-known issuer status and, secondly, a decentralised ownership structure for securities issuances.

The Review further concluded that the occurrence of the over-issuance was not the result of a general lack of attention to controls by Barclays, and that Barclays management has consistently emphasised the importance of maintaining effective controls.

The Reviews findings will be used to consider individual accountabilities in relation to this matter and may include adjustments to remuneration, including to past variable remuneration, the potential for disciplinary action and performance management as appropriate.

Note: The BPLC and BBPLC H122 Results referred to above include further disclosures in relation to the over-issuance of securities.

About Barclays

Barclays is a British universal bank. We are diversified by business, by different types of customer and client, and geography. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as a top-tier, full service, global corporate and investment bank, all of which are supported by our service company which provides technology, operations and functional services across the Barclays Group. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website home.barclays.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to BPLC, BBPLC and the Group. Barclays cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results or other financial condition or performance measures could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as may, will, seek, continue, aim, anticipate, target, projected, expect, estimate, intend, plan, goal, believe, achieve or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of Barclays management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could impact Barclays future financial condition and performance are identified in BPLCs and BBPLCs respective filings with the SEC (including, without limitation, BPLCs and BBPLCs respective Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended 31 December 2021, as amended, and Interim Results Announcement for the six months ended 30 June 2022), which are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

Subject to Barclays obligations under the applicable laws and regulations of any relevant jurisdiction, (including, without limitation, the UK and the U.S.), in relation to disclosure and ongoing information, we undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005538/en/

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Chris Manners

+44 (0) 20 7773 2136

Media Relations

Jon Tracey

+44 (0) 20 7116 4755

Source: Barclays
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES & SAN DIEGO & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Biocom California, the association representing the life science industry of California, issued the following statement regarding passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Continuing Resolution in the Senate and House of Representatives this week. The statement can be attributed to Joe Panetta, Biocom Californias president and CEO:

Biocom California applauds the Senate and House of Representatives for passing legislation that not only funds federal agencies at fiscal year 2022 levels until December 16 but also reauthorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fees agreements until fiscal year 2027. The measure averts both a government shutdown and an expiration of FDA authority to collect and spend user fees, which would have had disastrous consequences for the life science industry.

California is a world leader in biomedical innovation, generating over $400 billion in annual economic activity and supporting more than 1.4 million jobs. The bill is essential to ensuring that the FDA is well-funded and can continue to review and approve life-saving products for the more than 12,000 life science establishments that call California home. These agreements are negotiated by the FDA and the life science industry every five years and have helped reduce application backlogs, hire specialized staff, approve ground-breaking technologies and better engage patients.

Biocom California also commends House and Senate committee staff who worked tirelessly this year to include important provisions, such as increasing diversity in clinical trials and enhancing FDA workforce, which were not included in the final measure. We look forward to working with Congress to address these important priorities in future legislation.

We also urge both chambers to come together in December to pass a full year omnibus to provide much-needed funding increases to federal agencies and their underlying programs that are at the forefront of advancing 21st-century medicine and giving hope to patients globally, including the FDA, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

About Biocom California

Biocom California is the leader and advocate for Californias life science sector. We work on behalf of more than 1,700 members to drive public policy, build an enviable network of industry leaders, create access to capital, introduce cutting-edge STEM education programs and create robust value-driven purchasing programs.

Founded in 1995 in San Diego, Biocom California provides the strongest public voice to research institutions and companies that fuel the local and state-wide economy. Our goal is simple: to help our members produce novel solutions that improve the human condition. In addition to our San Diego headquarters, Biocom California operates core offices in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, with satellite offices in Sacramento, Washington, D.C. and Tokyo. Our broad membership benefits apply to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, genomics and diagnostics companies of all sizes, as well as to research universities and institutes, clinical research organizations, investors and service providers.

For more information on Biocom California, please visit our website at www.biocom.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (@BIOCOMCA).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005560/en/

Biocom California Media Contact:

Carolyn Hawley

Evoke Canale

(619) 849-5382

[email protected]

Source: Biocom California
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Following the discovery of numerous unmarked graves at former residential school sites across Canada in 2021, there has been an increased focus on efforts toward truth and reconciliation with the Indigenous community across the country. While education and awareness of the tragedies that the Indigenous community has faced throughout history are very important, it is also essential to understand that there are still many obstacles and barriers that the community faces to this day.

Key highlights include the following:

Canadian banks and credit unions can bridge some of the gaps in providing basic financial services to the Indigenous community.

The Indigenous population in Canada is younger and growing faster than Canada's non-Indigenous population, creating opportunities for financial institutions to broaden their customer bases.

When it comes to access to basic financial services, there are several systemic challenges that many Indigenous people face, including lack of access to bank branches, lack of reliable and affordable internet access in some communities, and legislation that has deterred many mainstream financial institutions from lending to the Indigenous community; however, there are also opportunities for Canada's financial institutions to build strong relationships with this underserved community and work toward economic reconciliation, said Cheryl Saldanha, Assistant Vice President, Global Financial Institutions Group.

To read the full report and access the data, click here: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/403246/indigenous-communities-and-canadian-financial-institutions-more-work-can-be-done-toward-economic-reconciliation

The DBRS Morningstar group of companies consists of DBRS, Inc. (Delaware, U.S.)(NRSRO, DRO affiliate); DBRS Limited (Ontario, Canada)(DRO, NRSRO affiliate); DBRS Ratings GmbH (Frankfurt, Germany)(EU CRA, NRSRO affiliate, DRO affiliate); and DBRS Ratings Limited (England and Wales)(UK CRA, NRSRO affiliate, DRO affiliate). DBRS Morningstar does not hold an Australian financial services license. DBRS Morningstar credit ratings, and other types of credit opinions and reports, are no intended for Australian residents or entities. DBRS Morningstar does not authorize their distribution to Australian resident individuals or entities, and accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in this respect. For more information on regulatory registrations, recognitions and approvals of the DBRS Morningstar group of companies, please see: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/225752/highlights.pdf.

The DBRS Morningstar group of companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc.

 2022 DBRS Morningstar. All Rights Reserved. The information upon which DBRS Morningstar credit ratings and other types of credit opinions and reports are based is obtained by DBRS Morningstar from sources DBRS Morningstar believes to be reliable. DBRS Morningstar does not audit the information it receives in connection with the analytical process, and it does not and cannot independently verify that information in every instance. The extent of any factual investigation or independent verification depends on facts and circumstances. DBRS Morningstar credit ratings, other types of credit opinions, reports and any other information provided by DBRS Morningstar are provided as is and without representation or warranty of any kind and DBRS Morningstar assumes no obligation to update any such ratings, opinions, reports or other information. DBRS Morningstar hereby disclaims any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose or non-infringement of any of such information. In no event shall DBRS Morningstar or its directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, agents, affiliates and representatives (collectively, DBRS Morningstar Representatives) be liable (1) for any inaccuracy, delay, loss of data, interruption in service, error or omission or for any damages resulting therefrom, or (2) for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, compensatory or consequential damages arising from any use of credit ratings, other types of credit opinions and reports or arising from any error (negligent or otherwise) or other circumstance or contingency within or outside the control of DBRS Morningstar or any DBRS Morningstar Representative, in connection with or related to obtaining, collecting, compiling, analyzing, interpreting, communicating, publishing or delivering any such information. IN ANY EVENT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF DBRS MORNINGSTAR AND THE DBRS MORNINGSTAR REPRESENTATIVES FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID BY THE USER FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY DBRS MORNINGSTAR DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY, AND (B) U.S. $100. DBRS Morningstar does not act as a fiduciary or an investment advisor. DBRS Morningstar does not provide investment, financial or other advice. Credit ratings, other types of credit opinions and other analysis and research issued by DBRS Morningstar (a) are, and must be construed solely as, statements of opinion and not statements of fact as to credit worthiness, investment, financial or other advice or recommendations to purchase, sell or hold any securities; (b) do not take into account your personal objectives, financial situations or needs; (c) should be weighed, if at all, solely as one factor in any investment or credit decision; (d) are not intended for use by retail investors; and (e) address only credit risk and do not address other investment risks, such as liquidity risk or market volatility risk. Accordingly, credit ratings, other types of credit opinions and other analysis and research issued by DBRS Morningstar are not a substitute for due care and the study and evaluation of each investment decision, security or credit that one may consider making, purchasing, holding, selling, or providing, as applicable. A report with respect to a DBRS Morningstar credit rating or other credit opinion is neither a prospectus nor a substitute for the information assembled, verified and presented to investors by the issuer and its agents in connection with the sale of the securities. DBRS Morningstar may receive compensation for its credit ratings and other credit opinions from, among others, issuers, insurers, guarantors and/or underwriters of debt securities. This publication may not be reproduced, retransmitted or distributed in any form without the prior written consent of DBRS Morningstar. ALL DBRS MORNINGSTAR CREDIT RATINGS AND OTHER TYPES OF CREDIT OPINIONS ARE SUBJECT TO DEFINITIONS, LIMITATIONS, POLICIES AND METHODOLOGIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com. Users may, through hypertext or other computer links, gain access to or from websites operated by persons other than DBRS Morningstar. Such hyperlinks or other computer links are provided for convenience only. DBRS Morningstar does not endorse the content, the operator or operations of third party websites. DBRS Morningstar is not responsible for the content or operation of such third party websites and DBRS Morningstar shall have no liability to you or any other person or entity for the use of third party websites.

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Media:

Scott Anderson

Vice President, Communications  Canadian Operations

+1 416 597 7407

[email protected]

Source: DBRS Morningstar
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KBRA releases research in response to potential RMBS exposure of our rated universe of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) to the unfolding events surrounding Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in the southwestern coast of Florida on September 28.

Key Takeaways

Generally, KBRAs rated RMBS show moderate exposure to properties located in Florida, with an average transaction exposure of 7.1% by current balance.

Within Florida, six counties account for more than one-half of the exposure area by current balance within the statecounties include the cities of Miami and adjacent Atlantic beach locales as well as Orlando, Tampa, and Clearwater. The latter three are located within IA Counties.

The storms path appears to have directly crossed over some of these cities, which exacerbates potential exposures given the storms size and the correlation of the more populous and affluent cities with coastal regions.

21 KBRA-rated RMBS have more than 20% exposure to properties located in Florida.

In regard to IA Counties, which may be among the most affected within Florida, KBRA found its rated transactions to have 1.7% exposure, on average. However, the top 10 transaction exposures to these areas ranged between 4.7% and 8.4%.

Click here to view the report.

Related Publications

About KBRA

KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU, and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRAs ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005540/en/

Ashish Sharda, Managing Director

+1 (646) 731-2415

[email protected]



Jack Kahan, Senior Managing Director

+1 (646) 731-2486

[email protected]



Ryon Aguirre, Senior Director

+1 (646) 731-1239

[email protected]



Armine Karajyan, Senior Director

+1 (646) 731-1210

[email protected]



Business Development Contact



Daniel Stallone, Senior Director

+1 (646) 731-1308

[email protected]

Source: KBRA
Solution includes containerized and micro-serviced Converged 5G Packet Core, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Messaging, Orchestration, AI and Telco Analytics, and Open RAN products

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mavenir announces integration of cloud-native 5G solutions with public cloud infrastructure on Google Cloud, expanding on Mavenirs One Network, Any Cloud All Software strategy.

Mavenirs collaboration with Google Cloud will allow Communications Service Providers (CSPs) deploy its 5G products and applications with Google Clouds scalable infrastructure, container deployment, management technologies, and big data analytics services. By offloading parts of the standard telecommunication application business to cloud functions, Mavenirs solution reduces complexity and costs for CSPs without losing insights, performance, and network control.

Mavenir is a Network Software Provider innovating the future of networks with cloud-native software that runs on any cloud. This collaboration demonstrates true cloud-native Open RAN products in production deployment on Google Distributed Cloud. Open RAN technology separates software from hardware, meaning more flexibility for mobile operators and customers. The Open RAN approach will see many companies providing the components that make up a mobile network site, where previously one vendor would have delivered a closed solution. The technology is widely accepted as a disruptor for the telecommunications industry, with Tier 1 operators as some of the early adopters in supporting the development of this vendor ecosystem.

Validation of Mavenirs Open RAN product in Google Cloud allows CSPs to deploy Mavenirs 5G Open RAN products with Google Distributed Cloud Edge, global infrastructure and state-of-the-art unified container platform Anthos. The fully containerized Distributed Units (DUs) and Central Units (CUs) software run on Google Distributed Cloud Edge, enabled by Anthos, and Mavenirs Webscale Telco PaaS to deliver ORAN-compliant RAN networks. Validation testing includes end-to-end UE calls with other simulated 5G network components. The critical DU components are incorporated with Google Distributed Cloud Edges new OS and RT kernel.

Mavenirs cloud-native 5G core (5GC) and IMS solution are also suited for large-scale production deployment on Google Cloud infrastructure. By leveraging Google Clouds service-centric networking, advanced computers, and reliable and secure storage, Mavenirs Network Functions offer performance on par with on-prem deployment while benefiting from offloading the infrastructure services to Google Cloud. Google Clouds global reach extends CSPs services to new areas where they were previously unavailable. Tier 1 operators are planning Mavenirs Remote Packet Gateway (RPG) global deployments via Google Clouds expansive coverage in 200+ countries and territories.

The collaboration has benefited from deep technical engagement between Mavenir and Google Cloud. As an innovative ISV in 5G products and solutions, Mavenir continues to expand and optimize its offerings of fully end-to-end 5G network systems.

Working with Google Distributed Cloud Edge enables us to bring innovative 5G products to a broader customer base at faster pace with unique capabilities to realize true 5G potential leveraging strength within the Mavenir portfolio, said Bejoy Pankajakshan, Mavenirs Chief Technology & Strategy Officer. Mavenirs 5G solutions are proven to support full public cloud as well as hybrid cloud deployments.

Were delighted to collaborate with Mavenir to offer Open RAN solutions for 5G networks, said Amol Phadke, GM: Global Telecom Industry, Google Cloud. Combining Mavenirs expertise in Open RAN, 5G core, and IMS with Google Distributed Cloud Edge and global infrastructure, we look forward to providing cloud-native solutions that improve agility, scale, slicing, and resiliency for our CSP customers.

About Mavenir:

Mavenir is building the future of networks and pioneering advanced technology, focusing on the vision of a single, software-based automated network that runs on any cloud. As the industry's only end-to-end, cloud-native network software provider, Mavenir is focused on transforming the way the world connects, accelerating software network transformation for 250+ Communications Service Providers and Enterprises in over 120 countries, which serve more than 50% of the worlds subscribers. www.mavenir.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220929005844/en/

Mavenir PR Contacts:

[email protected]

Maryvonne Tubb (US)

Emmanuela Spiteri (EMEA)

Source: Mavenir
Private Equity Women Investor Network Announces 2022 Annual Awards Recipients at the Annual All Members Meeting

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN), the preeminent organization for senior-level women investment professionals in private equity, has announced the winners of its 2022 LP/GP awards. The awards were presented at PEWINs Annual All Members Meeting with over 200 members attending in person in New York and virtually.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005354/en/

Congratulations Winners of PEWIN Annual Awards 2022. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The PEWIN Annual Awards recognizes outstanding organizations who are transforming the private equity industry by supporting increased gender diversity in three categories: Female Founded/Led Firm of the Year, Limited Partner of the Year and General Partner of the Year, and in two regions: North American and International. The firms are nominated by 1000+ PEWIN members and voted on by the PEWIN Steering Committee. In past years, these awards have recognized the following outstanding institutions: 1315 Capital, Ancala, Asia Alternatives, Avante Capital Partners, Beringea, CalPERS, Development Partners International (DPI), Kinzie Capital Partners, Lightspeed, Luminate Capital Partners, Scale Venture Partners, TPG, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Hamilton Lane, Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, Riverside Company, Teacher Retirement System of Texas and the Cambridge University Endowment Fund.

Kirsty McGuire, Executive Director of PEWIN, said of the awards, PEWIN is so pleased to recognize Turning Rock Partners, Hadean Ventures, MetLife Investment Management, Commonfund, Advent International and Eurazeo, each of whom are leaders in empowering women in private equity. We are also grateful for the tremendous contributions of this years Member of the Year, Jill Kitazaki, who is the Co-President of PEWIN and President at Denning & Company.

Kate Mitchell, Vice Chair of PEWIN, presented the awards to the winners at the Awards Ceremony held on September 22, 2022 in New York. Seeing these impressive award winners highlights the impact female leaders are making across the PE industry and the value of having this incredible network of senior women as members of PEWIN.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005354/en/

Kirsty McGuire

[email protected]

Source: Private Equity Women Investor Network
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (Quinbrook), a specialist investment manager focused exclusively on new infrastructure needed for the energy transition, announced today the execution of binding contracts for the sale of its portfolio company, Scout Clean Energy (Scout), to Brookfield Renewable for c. US$1 billion in cash on completion.

Quinbrook acquired Scout as a start-up in 2017 for an initial investment of just US$6 million. A partnership was established with Scouts founder and CEO Michael Rucker to create a large-scale, vertically integrated wind power producer focused on the development, construction, ownership and operational management of large-scale wind power assets diversified across multiple US states and power markets.

Over that period, Quinbrook deployed a further US$470 million of equity capital from its managed funds and spearheaded the rapid growth of Scout into a fully integrated developer, owner and operator of a diverse and multi-technology asset portfolio spanning 1,200 MW of operational wind projects in four states, including 400 MW managed on behalf of third parties, and plans to deliver over 22 GW of wind, solar and storage projects across 24 states by the end of this decade. Of these projects, 8.6 GW have interconnection queue positions and 2,500 MW are in late-stage development with pending construction starts.

David Scaysbrook, co-founder and Managing Partner of Quinbrook commented, Building Scout from a start-up into the significant and successful business it is today has been a five-year long commitment by the Quinbrook team working in a close partnership with Michael and Scout management. We have endured and overcome many challenges together, which marks this venture a resounding success on many levels. Scout hosts a remarkable collective of professionals, and we are proud of all that we have accomplished together. We have exceeded our plans for investor value creation by sponsoring Scout from its infancy, and now is the right time for us to hand the business on for its next growth chapter. We fully expect Scout to feature prominently in the US renewables landscape in the coming years.

Scouts pipeline has grown rapidly since 2019, in particular, and has achieved 65 percent year-on-year growth in scale over that period. Over 130 landowners in regional areas have benefited from long term land lease programs, and local communities hosting Scout projects have benefited from more than 3,400 local jobs supported and over US$240 million in committed financial benefits. Scouts operating projects have generated an estimated 8.5 TWh of carbon-free power to date, avoiding an estimated 6 million tCO2e of carbon emissions based on average grid intensities.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Scout today employs over 112 professionals across development, construction and operations and occupies a credible ranking amongst the leading independent renewables businesses in the US market.

Michael Rucker, CEO and founder of Scout commented, When Quinbrook first decided to sponsor Scout as a portfolio company, we were a very small team with big dreams. With the leadership of David and his team, Scout has been able to rapidly expand its diverse pipeline of wind, solar and battery storage projects across the United States. The accelerated growth Scout has experienced is a direct result of Quinbrooks support and confidence in our business model. I am forever grateful that David and his specialist investment team at Quinbrook had the confidence to invest and execute on our plan to become a major vertically-integrated developer, owner and operator in US renewables.

BofA Securities, Inc. served as lead financial advisor and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. served as financial advisor to Quinbrook on the sale of Scout and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as external legal counsel to Quinbrook.

About Quinbrook

Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (http://www.quinbrook.com) is a specialist investment manager focused exclusively on renewables, storage and grid support infrastructure needed to drive the energy transition in the US, UK and Australia. Quinbrook is led and managed by a senior team of power industry professionals who have collectively invested c.US$8.2 billion equity in energy infrastructure assets since the early 1990s, representing a total enterprise value of c.US$28.7 billion or 19.5 GW of power supply capacity. Quinbrook has completed a diverse range of direct investments in both utility and distributed scale onshore wind and solar power, battery storage, reserve peaking capacity, biomass, fugitive methane recovery, hydro and flexible energy management solutions in the US, UK and Australia. Quinbrook is currently developing and constructing some of the largest renewables and storage infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the US, UK and Australia.

About Scout

Scout Clean Energy is a renewable energy developer and owner-operator headquartered in Boulder, Colorado with over 1,200 MW of operating assets. Scout is actively developing a portfolio of over 22,000 MW of onshore wind, solar PV, and battery storage projects across 24 US states. Scout has expertise in all aspects of renewables project development, permitting, power marketing, finance, construction, 24/7 operations, and asset management. Scout is a portfolio company of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners. For more information, please -visit www.scoutcleanenergy.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220928006126/en/

Quinbrook Media Contact:

Jennifer Pflieger

+1 (212) 446-1866

[email protected]

Scout Media Contact:

Chad Thompson

+1 (901) 331-0779

[email protected]

Source: Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners
CUSIP #: 246060107

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On September 30, 2022, Delaware Enhanced Global Dividend and Income Fund (NYSE: DEX) (the Fund), a closed-end fund, paid a monthly distribution on its common stock of $0.0519 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 23, 2022.

The following table sets forth the estimated amount of the sources of distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the related rules adopted thereunder. The Fund estimates the following percentages, of the total distribution amount per share, attributable to (i) net investment income, (ii) net realized short-term capital gain, (iii) net realized long-term capital gain and (iv) return of capital or other capital source. These percentages are disclosed for the current distribution as well as the fiscal year-to-date cumulative distribution amount per share for the Fund.

Current Distribution from: Per Share ($) % Net Investment Income 0.0061 11.8% Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gain 0.0000 0.00% Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gain 0.0458 88.2% Return of Capital or other Capital Source 0.0000 0.0% Total (per common share) 0.0519 100.0% Fiscal Year-to-Date Cumulative Distributions from: Per Share ($) % Net Investment Income 0.1942 32.69% Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gain 0.0153 2.57% Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gain 0.3846 64.74% Return of Capital or other Capital Source 0.0000 0.00% Total (per common share) 0.5941 100.0%

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds managed distribution policy. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this 19(a) Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Presented below are return figures, based on the change in the Funds Net Asset Value per share (NAV), compared to the annualized distribution rate for this current distribution as a percentage of the NAV on the last business day of the month prior to distribution record date.

Fund Performance and Distribution Information

Fiscal Year to Date (12/01/2021 through 8/31/2022) Annualized Distribution Rate as a Percentage of NAV^ 7.25% Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV^^ 6.92% Cumulative Total Return on NAV* -14.15% Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5-Year Period Ending 8/31/2022** 1.07%

^ Based on the Funds NAV as of August 31, 2022.

^^ Cumulative distribution rate is the cumulative amount of distributions paid during the Funds fiscal year ending November 30, 2022 based on the Funds NAV as of August 31, 2022.

*Cumulative total return is based on the change in NAV including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of these distributions for the period December 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022.

**The 5-year average annual total return is based on change in NAV including distributions paid and assuming reinvestment of these distributions and is through the last business day of the month prior to the month of the current distribution record date.

While the NAV performance may be indicative of the Funds investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholders investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholders investment in the Fund is determined by the Funds market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Funds shares in the open market.

About DEX

The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund invests globally in dividend-paying or income-generating securities across multiple asset classes, including but not limited to: equity securities of large, well-established companies; securities issued by real estate companies (including real estate investment trusts and real estate industry operating companies); debt securities (such as government bonds; investment grade and high risk, high yield corporate bonds; and convertible bonds); and emerging market securities. The Fund also uses enhanced income strategies by engaging in dividend capture trading; option overwriting; and realization of gains on the sale of securities, dividend growth, and currency forwards. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest: (1) at most 60% of its net assets in securities of U.S. issuers; and (2) at least 40% of its net assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by the Manager, in which case, the Fund would invest at least 30% of its net assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers; and (3) the Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in securities issued by real estate companies (including real estate investment trusts and real estate industry operating companies). In addition, the Fund utilizes leveraging techniques in an attempt to obtain higher return for the Fund.

The Fund has implemented a managed distribution policy. Under the policy, the Fund is managed with a goal of generating as much of the distribution as possible from net investment income and short-term capital gains. The balance of the distribution will then come from long-term capital gains to the extent permitted, and if necessary, a return of capital. Even though the Fund may realize current year capital gains, such gains may be offset, in whole or in part, by the Funds capital loss carryovers from prior years.

Currently under the Funds managed distribution policy, the Fund makes monthly distributions to common shareholders at a targeted annual distribution rate of 7.0% of the Funds average net asset value (NAV) per share. The Fund will calculate the average NAV per share from the previous three full months immediately prior to the distribution based on the number of business days in those three months on which the NAV is calculated. The distribution will be calculated as 7.0% of the prior three months average NAV per share, divided by 12. The Fund will generally distribute amounts necessary to satisfy the Funds managed distribution policy and the requirements prescribed by excise tax rules and Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. This distribution methodology is intended to provide shareholders with a consistent, but not guaranteed, income stream and a targeted annual distribution rate and is intended to narrow the discount between the market price and the NAV of the Funds common shares, but there is no assurance that the policy will be successful in doing so. The methodology for determining monthly distributions under the Funds managed distribution policy will be reviewed at least annually by the Funds Board of Trustees, and the Fund will continue to evaluate its distribution in light of ongoing market conditions.

The payment of dividend distributions in accordance with the managed distribution policy may result in a decrease in the Funds net assets. A decrease in the Funds net assets may cause an increase in the Funds annual operating expenses and a decrease in the Funds market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Funds net asset value per share. The managed distribution policy may also negatively affect the Funds investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the dividend distribution. The managed distribution policy may, under certain circumstances, cause the amounts of taxable distributions to exceed the amount minimally required to be distributed under the tax rules, such excess will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent loss carry forwards reduce the required amount of capital gains distributions in that year. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state, and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

About Macquarie Asset Management

Macquarie Asset Management is a global asset manager that aims to deliver positive impact for everyone. Trusted by institutions, pension funds, governments, and individuals to manage more than $US545 billion in assets globally,1 we provide access to specialist investment expertise across a range of capabilities including fixed income, equities, multi-asset solutions, private credit, infrastructure, renewables, natural assets, real estate, and transportation finance.

Advisory services are provided by Delaware Management Company, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, a registered investment advisor. Macquarie Asset Management is part of Macquarie Group, a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management, finance, banking, advisory and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity, and commodities. Founded in 1969, Macquarie Group employs approximately 16,400 people in 31 markets and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. For more information about Delaware Funds by Macquarie, visit delawarefunds.com or call 800 523-1918.

Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (Macquarie Bank), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this material is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities. In addition, if this document relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.

1 As of December 31, 2021

 2022 Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005577/en/

Investors

Computershare

866 437-0252

delawarefunds.com/closed-end

Media

Lee Lubarsky

347 302-3000

[email protected]

Source: Macquarie Investment Management
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The 19(a) distribution notices for ten Nuveen closed-end funds are now available. These informational notices provide further details on the sources of the funds regular monthly or quarterly distributions and follows the most recent monthly and quarterly distribution announcements. The full text of these notices is available below or on the Nuveen website via Distribution Source Estimates.

Important Information Regarding Distributions

September 30, 2022: THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NO ACTION IS REQUIRED ON YOUR PART. If you would like to receive this notice and other shareholder information electronically, please visit www.investordelivery.com if you receive distributions and statements from your financial advisor or brokerage account. An electronic copy of this notice is also posted under distribution notices at www.nuveen.com/cef.

This notice provides shareholders with information regarding fund distributions, as required by current securities laws. You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds Managed Distribution Policy.

The following table provides estimates of the Funds distribution sources, reflecting year-to-date cumulative experience through the month-end prior to the latest distribution. The Funds attribute these estimates equally to each regular distribution throughout the year. Consequently, the estimated information as of the specified month-end shown below is for the current distribution, and also represents an updated estimate for all prior months in the year. It is estimated that JRS, QQQX, SPXX, DIAX, NDMO, JRI and NPCT have distributed more than their income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distributions may be (and is shown below as being estimated to be) a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this 19(a) Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Each Fund will send a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. More details about each Funds distributions and the basis for these estimates are available on www.nuveen.com/cef.

Data as of 8/31/2022 Current Quarter Fiscal YTD Estimated Percentages Estimated Sources of Distribution Estimated Sources of Distribution of Distribution 1 Per Share LT ST Return of Per Share LT ST Return of LT ST Return of Distribution NII Gains Gains Capital Distribution NII Gains Gains Capital NII Gains Gains Capital JRS (FYE 12/31) .2090 0.0362 0.0000 0.1005 0.0723 0.6270 0.1086 0.0000 0.3014 0.2170 17.3% 0.0% 48.1% 34.6% QQQX (FYE 12/31) .4934 0.0001 0.0815 0.2341 0.1778 1.4802 0.0002 0.2444 0.7022 0.5334 0.0% 16.5% 47.4% 36.0% SPXX (FYE 12/31) .2940 0.0302 0.0255 0.0669 0.1713 0.8820 0.0907 0.0766 0.2008 0.5139 10.3% 8.7% 22.8% 58.3% BXMX (FYE 12/31) .2365 0.0215 0.0632 0.1518 0.0000 0.7095 0.0644 0.1897 0.4554 0.0000 9.1% 26.7% 64.2% 0.0% DIAX (FYE 12/31) .2867 0.0537 0.0252 0.0836 0.1242 0.8601 0.1612 0.0755 0.2508 0.3726 18.7% 8.8% 29.2% 43.3% JCE (FYE 12/31) .3952 0.0199 0.0000 0.3753 0.0000 1.1856 0.0598 0.0000 1.1258 0.0000 5.0% 0.0% 95.0% 0.0% NMAI (FYE 12/31) .3500 0.1306 0.2194 0.0000 0.0000 1.0500 0.3919 0.6581 0.0000 0.0000 37.3% 62.7% 0.0% 0.0% 1 Net investment income (NII) is a projection through the end of the current calendar quarter using actual data through the stated month-end date above. Capital gain amounts are as of the stated date above. JRS owns REIT securities which attribute their distributions to various sources including NII, gains, and return of capital. The estimated per share sources above include an allocation of the NII based on prior year attributions which can be expected to differ from the actual final attributions for the current year.

Data as of 8/31/2022 Current Month Fiscal YTD Estimated Percentages Estimated Sources of Distribution Estimated Sources of Distribution of Distribution 1 Per Share LT ST Return of Per Share LT ST Return of LT ST Return of Distribution NII Gains Gains Capital Distribution NII Gains Gains Capital NII Gains Gains Capital NDMO (FYE 10/31) .0765 0.0425 0.0000 0.0000 0.0340 0.7650 0.4253 0.0000 0.0000 0.3397 55.6% 0.0% 0.0% 44.4% JRI (FYE 12/31) .0965 0.0642 0.0000 0.0000 0.0323 0.7720 0.5136 0.0000 0.0000 0.2584 66.5% 0.0% 0.0% 33.5% NPCT (FYE 12/31) .1030 0.0616 0.0000 0.0000 0.0414 0.8240 0.4931 0.0000 0.0000 0.3309 59.8% 0.0% 0.0% 40.2% 1 Net investment income (NII) and capital gain amounts are as of the stated month-end date above.

The following table provides information regarding distributions and total return performance over various time periods. This information is intended to help you better understand whether returns for the specified time periods were sufficient to meet distributions.

Data as of 8/31/2022 Annualized Cumulative Inception Date Quarterly Distribution Fiscal YTD Distribution NAV 5-Year Return on NAV2 Fiscal YTD Distribution Rate on NAV1 Fiscal YTD Return on NAV Fiscal YTD Distribution Rate on NAV1 JRS (FYE 12/31) Nov-2001 .2090 .6270 9.78 4.72% 8.55% -23.18% 6.41% QQQX (FYE 12/31) Jan-2007 .4934 1.4802 22.45 7.37% 8.79% -21.15% 6.59% SPXX (FYE 12/31) Nov-2005 .2940 .8820 15.55 6.20% 7.56% -13.89% 5.67% BXMX (FYE 12/31) Oct-2004 .2365 .7095 13.03 5.11% 7.26% -11.80% 5.45% DIAX (FYE 12/31) Apr-2005 .2867 .8601 15.73 4.25% 7.29% -10.04% 5.47% JCE (FYE 12/31) Mar-2007 .3952 1.1856 13.95 7.66% 11.33% -15.17% 8.50% NMAI (FYE 12/31) Nov-2021 .3500 1.0500 15.53 -17.66% 9.01% -19.20% 6.76% 1As a percentage of 8/31/2022 NAV. 2 NMAI 5 year return figure reflects the annualized since inception return on NAV

Data as of 8/31/2022 Annualized Cumulative Inception Date Monthly Distribution Fiscal YTD Distribution NAV 5-Year Return on NAV2 Fiscal YTD Distribution Rate on NAV1 Fiscal YTD Return on NAV Fiscal YTD Distribution Rate on NAV1 NDMO (FYE 10/31) Aug-2020 .0765 .7650 11.82 -5.74% 7.77% -19.83% 6.47% JRI (FYE 12/31) Apr-2012 .0965 .7720 14.83 1.62% 7.81% -10.60% 5.21% NPCT (FYE 12/31) Apr-2021 .1030 .8240 13.55 -19.97% 9.12% -18.72% 6.08% 1As a percentage of 8/31/2022 NAV. 2 NPCT and NDMO 5 year return figure reflects the annualized since inception return on NAV

For more information, please visit Nuveens CEF homepage www.nuveen.com/closed-end-funds or contact:

About Nuveen

Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, offers a comprehensive range of outcome-focused investment solutions designed to secure the long-term financial goals of institutional and individual investors. Nuveen has $1.1 trillion in assets under management as of 3o Jun 2022 and operations in 27 countries. Its investment specialists offer deep expertise across a comprehensive range of traditional and alternative investments through a wide array of vehicles and customized strategies. For more information, please visit www.nuveen.com.

Nuveen Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC.

The information contained on the Nuveen website is not a part of this press release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements made in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These include, but are not limited to:

 market developments;

 legal and regulatory developments; and

 other additional risks and uncertainties.

Nuveen and the closed-end funds managed by Nuveen and its affiliates undertake no responsibility to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.

EPS-2447796PR-E0922W

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005502/en/

Financial Professionals

800-752-8700



Investors

800-257-8787



Media

[email protected]

Source: Nuveen
NBT Financial, Ciera Bank and FHLB Dallas Provide Funds

BURLESON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NBT Financial, Ciera Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) awarded $12,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) matching-grant funding to Natures Open Door Outreach Services (Natures Open Door), a southeast Fort Worth, Texas, nonprofit that primarily serves the Kennedale and Lillian, Texas, communities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220929005985/en/

NBT Financial, Ciera Bank and FHLB Dallas awarded $12,000 to a Fort Worth, Texas-based nonprofit that provides services to combat food insecurity. (Photo: Business Wire)

PGP grants help qualified nonprofit organizations fund a variety of operational and administrative activities that are critical to serving their communities.

Natures Open Door works closely with farms in the Fort Worth area to support the local economy through a food system network that provides nutritious meals and access to educational resources on how to grow food to low-income residents.

Organizations like Natures Open Door help to keep communities healthy and thriving, said NBT Financial First Vice President and Compliance Officer Lacy Bond. We are thankful that our investment in this amazing organization could be multiplied with the PGP match from FHLB Dallas.

Since 2019, the nonprofit has been providing these resources to children, senior citizens, those struggling with access to grocery stores and agricultural entrepreneurs. Students learn about food cultivation and can start their own farm operation or pursue employment opportunities related to their newfound knowledge and skills.

Food insecurity is a major problem in our community, and we applaud the innovative ways Natures Open Door is working to address this issue, said Ciera Bank CRA Lending Compliance Officer Tina Stivers. It is especially meaningful for us to be able to provide this funding to amplify the access our community members have to fresh food through our partnership with FHLB Dallas.

In 2022, FHLB Dallas awarded $400,000 in PGP grants, and its members provided an additional $158,985 for an impact of $558,985 in its five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.

The commitment from NBT Financial and Ciera Bank to bettering communities is commendable and we are proud to partner with them to provide this critical funding, said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

See the complete list of the 2022 PGP grant recipients. For more information about the 2022 PGP grants and other FHLB Dallas community investment products and programs, please visit fhlb.com/pgp.

About Ciera Bank

Ciera Bank is a state-chartered, full-service community bank proudly serving Texas since 1890. Headquartered in Graham, just a short drive outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Ciera was created from the merger of three banks owned and operated by First Graham Bancorp, Inc. Since merging, Ciera Bank has come full circle, uniting its branches as one cohesive, effective team with a singular mission. Ciera Bank provides checking, savings and loans to personal and business clientele alike, with business loan services extending to the Commercial, Real Estate, Healthcare, and Oil & Gas industries. Currently, Ciera operates nine branches, conveniently located in Fort Worth, Denton, Flower Mound, Hickory Creek, Aubrey, Aledo, Bryson, Burleson, and of course, Graham.

About NBT Financial

Since its inception in 1973, the shareholders and management of NBT Financial have maintained the same long-term vision for the bank. NBT Financial is a locally owned, independent, community bank that intends on providing prompt, courteous service to our customers, and looks to establish long term relationships. NBT Financial not only strives to meet the banking needs of those served, but through the staffs involvement with city governments, schools, non-profit organizations and service organizations.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $77.7 billion as of June 30, 2022, serves approximately 800 members and associated institutions across our five-state District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. FHLB Dallas provides financial products and services including advances (loans to members) and grant programs for affordable housing and economic development. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220929005985/en/

Corporate Communications

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

fhlb.com

(214) 441-8445

Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
The Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation will donate $15 million over five years to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund groundbreaking research addressing breast cancer disparities

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In the 30 years since Evelyn H. Lauder launched The Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign (The Campaign) and co-created the Pink Ribbon in 1992, The Campaigns mission to help create a breast cancer-free world for all has remained steadfast. The Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) has a long-standing commitment to helping women and girls achieve their highest potential. As ELCs largest corporate social impact program, The Campaign is a cornerstone of ELCs social investments in womens advancement and health, uniting people everywhere to positively impact the global breast cancer community. As breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world,1 ELC's continued commitment to improving the lives of all those touched by the disease remains unwavering.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005040/en/

The Estee Lauder Companies Launches 2022 Breast Cancer Campaign (Graphic: Business Wire)

Together, The Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign and The Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation (ELCCF) have funded more than $108 million globally for lifesaving research, education and medical services, with more than $86 million funding medical research grants through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, BCRF is dedicated to advancing the worlds most promising research. ELCs commitment to breast cancer research, spanning three decades, has been transformative. In partnership with BCRF, The Campaign has helped fuel research across the entire spectrum of the diseasefrom tumor biology, lifestyle and genetics, survivorship, treatment, and metastasismaking an indelible mark in the diagnosis, care, and prevention of breast cancer. In addition, The Campaign supports more than 60 organizations worldwide, facilitating real change aligned to the diverse needs of local communities.

Deaths from breast cancer have declined 42% in the U.S. since the late 1980s.2 However, that progress has not been experienced equally and certain populations are at higher risk for adverse breast cancer outcomes. At every age, Black women in the U.S. are more likely to die from breast cancer than any other race or ethnic group, and mortality rates remain 41% higher than in white women, despite lower incidence.3 The Campaign has and continues to support BCRF-funded research that identifies and addresses disparities that exist across the entire breast cancer landscape. ELCCFs $15 million donation over five years will fund a new BCRF research initiative to accelerate The Campaigns goal of reducing breast cancer disparities and improving outcomes. This comprehensive study of the intersection of social determinants of health, comorbidities, and the biology of breast cancer in Black women has the potential to significantly impact breast cancer disparities globally. It will help advance personalized breast cancer health care across prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for those at most risk of dying from the disease, and has the potential to be groundbreaking for the global breast cancer community.

William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. shared, The potential impact that this BCRF initiative will have in accelerating a crucial area of research cannot be overstated, as we collectively work towards a more equitable future for all. I know my mother, Evelyn Lauder, would be so proud of the advancements we have made through research, education, access to care and our commitment to help end breast cancer.

In the past 30 years globally, The Campaign has:

Funded medical research and fellowships, as well as medical resources, services and centers, including access to mammograms and screenings for vulnerable groups with limited access to healthcare.

Advanced conversations on the importance of breast health education and early detection by facilitating discussions between the breast cancer community, medical experts and key opinion leaders.

Supported therapy and counseling programs to help improve the lives of people with breast cancer and their families.

Distributed educational materials and more than 180 million Pink Ribbons to spread awareness.

The Estee Lauder Companies success is deeply rooted in living our shared values. Reflecting on the last 30 years, the incredible progress made by The Breast Cancer Campaign has had a lasting impact on our global community. As an authentic cornerstone of our commitments, The Campaign has been supported by our employees, consumers and partners worldwide. Today, it continues to inspire action in people everywhere. As a Beauty Inspired, Values Driven company, we look forward to the future and are committed to advancing positive change for all of those touched by this disease, said Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.

The Campaign will take the following actions aligned to its mission for its 30th Anniversary:

Double-down on The Campaigns efforts to reduce breast cancer disparities and improve health outcomes.

Mobilize ELCs passionate employees to unite in action and support more than 60 organizations worldwide.

Show support through 18 of ELCs brands: Estee Lauder, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD BEAUTY, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, and Dr.Jart+. Each will donate to BCRF and/or local cancer-focused organizations around the world, with brand participation varying by market.

Convene breast cancer thought leaders and advocates to advance education and share important messages about the disease.

Drive additional donations to BCRF through ELCompanies.com/BreastCancerCampaign and various points of engagement.

Accelerate communications on social media including TikTok and various Meta platforms to foster awareness, fundraising and engagement, including new calls-to-action.

Unveil a new series of global stories demonstrating the diversity of the disease.

Continue The Campaigns tradition of illuminating buildings, monuments and landmarks around the world in glowing pink lights to raise awareness of breast health, including the Empire State Building, New York City; the Eiffel Tower, Paris; LOTTE WORLD TOWER, Seoul.

Continue producing and distributing informative materials and Pink Ribbons worldwide.

As long as breast cancer remains a life-threatening disease, The Estee Lauder Companies commitment to the meaningful work that must continue will not waiver. Its #TimeToEndBreastCancer.

ABOUT THE ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES INC.

The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the worlds leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The companys products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estee Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, MAC, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD BEAUTY, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD.

ELC-C

ELC-I

_____________________________

1 World Health Organization

2 American Cancer Society Facts and Figures 2021-2022

3 American Cancer Society Key Statistics for Breast Cancer

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005040/en/

Erin Cohen

The Estee Lauder Companies

[email protected]

Source: The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.
CROISSY-BEAUBOURG, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

THERADIAG (ISIN: FR0004197747, Ticker: ALTER) (Paris: ALTER), a company specializing in in vitro diagnostics and Theranostics, announces the appointment of Crowe HAF by the Company's Board of Directors as independent expert within the framework of the proposed voluntary public tender offer filed by Biosynex.

On September 23, 2022, Biosynex filed with the Autorite des marches financiers (the "AMF") a proposed voluntary cash tender offer for the shares of the Company that it does not own, at a price of EUR 2.30 per share (the "Offer").

As THERADIAG's Board of Directors is composed of only two independent members, it was not possible to set up an ad hoc committee as referred to in III of Article 261-1 of the AMF's General Regulations. Within this framework, pursuant to Articles 261-1, I 1 and 4 and 261-1-1 of the AMF's General Regulations, and subject to the absence of opposition from the AMF, THERADIAG's Board of Directors met and appointed Crowe HAF, represented by Mr. Olivier Grivillers and Mr. Maxime Hazim, as independent expert in charge of drawing up a report on the fairness of the financial conditions of the Offer. As the AMF did not object to this appointment, it has now become effective.

Mr. Jacques Azancot, an independent director of the Company, will monitor the work of the independent expert in accordance with the applicable regulations.

The Board of Directors of THERADIAG will meet again to issue a reasoned opinion on the interest of the Offer and its consequences for THERADIAG, its shareholders and its employees, after having taken note of the report of the independent expert.

The independent expert's report and the reasoned opinion of THERADIAG's Board of Directors will be included in the draft note in response that will be prepared and submitted to the AMF for review.

Contact of the independent expert

Cabinet Crowe HAF

Mr Olivier Grivillers and Mr Maxime Hazim

16 rue Camille Pelletan,

92300 Levallois-Perret

Tel. +33 (0)1 41 05 98 40

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

About Theradiag

Theradiag is the market leader in biotherapy monitoring. Capitalizing on its expertise in the diagnostics market, the Company has been developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for over 30 years.

Theradiag pioneered theranostics testing (combining therapy with diagnosis), which measures the efficacy of biotherapy in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Going beyond mere diagnosis, Theranostics aims to help clinicians set up customized treatment for each patient. This method favors the individualization of treatment, evaluation of its efficacy and the prevention of drug resistance. In response to this challenge, Theradiag develops and markets the CE-marked TRACKER range, a comprehensive solution of inestimable medical value.

The Company is based in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris, has operations in over 70 countries and employs over 60 people. In 2021, the Company posted revenue of 11.1 million. The Theradiag share is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN: FR0004197747) and is eligible for the French PEA-PME personal equity plan. For more information about Theradiag, please visit our website: https://www.theradiag.com/

Important information

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, any Theradiag financial instruments. The tender offer documentation which, if filed, will include the terms and conditions of the tender offer, will be subject to review by the Autorite des marches financiers. Investors and shareholders are strongly advised to review the tender offer documentation when it becomes available, if the offer is filed, as well as any amendments or supplements to such documents to the extent that they contain important information about Theradiag, Biosynex and the proposed transaction.

This press release may not be published, broadcast or distributed, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction in which the distribution of such information is restricted by law. The tender offer will not be open to the public in jurisdictions where it is restricted by law. The publication, dissemination or distribution of this press release in certain countries may be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons in jurisdictions where this press release is published, broadcast or distributed should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Theradiag assumes no responsibility for any violation of these restrictions by any person.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005481/en/

Theradiag

Bertrand de Castelnau

CEO/Managing Director

Tel.: +33 (0)1 64 62 10 12

[email protected]

NewCap

Financial Communications & Investor Relations

Pierre Laurent / Quentin Masse

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

[email protected]

NewCap

Media Relations

Arthur Rouille

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

[email protected]

Source: THERADIAG
Exxon (NYSE: XOM) Chief Executive Darren Woods has warned the U.S. government against reductions of fuel exports, which was proposed by the Biden administration last month.

These limits would facilitate another negative impact on supplies and ultimately lead to higher gas prices in the U.S., Woods told the Energy Department (DoE).

Continuing current Gulf Coast exports is essential to efficiently rebalance markets - particularly with diverted Russian supplies, Mr. Woods wrote in a letter seen by the Wall Street Journal.

Reducing global supply by limiting U.S. exports to build region-specific inventory will only aggravate the global supply shortfall.

However, the Energy Department reiterated its stance that parts of the country, especially the Northeast, have oil and gas supplies that are not enough to meet demand as they sit on multi-year lows.

The administration has impressed upon the oil and gas industry that it must do more to ensure fair prices and adequate supply for all Americans, while meeting the needs of our allies, the spokesperson of the DoE told WSJ.

Still, Woods rejected these claims by saying that East Coast had 59.3 million barrels of total gasoline and ethanol in storage, which is only 1% lower than usual. He added that pipelines that take fuel from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast are full.

By Senad Karaahmetovic
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna March 16, 2010. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader/File Photo

By Alex Lawler

LONDON Reuters) - OPEC oil output rose in September to its highest since 2020, surpassing a pledged hike for the month, after production in Libya recovered from disruption and Gulf members boosted output under a deal with allies, a Reuters survey found on Friday.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has pumped 29.81 million barrels per day (bpd) this month, the survey found, up 210,000 bpd from August and the highest since April 2020.

OPEC and its allies, a grouping known as OPEC+, has been boosting output for months to unwind cuts made in 2020. But with oil prices weakening amid concern of recession, the bias shifted to cuts for October and OPEC+ looks set to tighten supply further at a meeting on Wednesday.

"There are talks going on with some support for a cut of less than 1 million bpd," an OPEC+ source said.

Their decision for September called for a 100,000 bpd increase in the group's output target, of which about 64,000 bpd was meant to come from the 10 participating OPEC countries.

OPEC managed to over-deliver on this with a 130,000 bpd increase by participating members from August and the 210,000 bpd hike by all 13 producers, the survey found. Stil, OPEC is still pumping far less than called for.

Output from the 10 members was 1.32 million bpd below the September target, versus a 1.4 million bpd shortfall in August.

Top exporter Saudi Arabia raised output by 50,000 bpd and reached its target of 11 million bpd, the survey found.

Libya, one of the members exempt from OPEC output agreements, and Nigeria each boosted supply by the same volume. Libyan output recovered further from disruption and tanker-trackers noted an increase in Nigerian exports.

Output in Iraq, OPEC's second-largest producer, was little changed, and the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait increased supply in line with their targets.

There were no significant declines in output during September, the survey found.

The Reuters survey aims to track supply to the market. It is based on shipping data provided by external sources, Refinitiv Eikon flows data, information from tanker trackers such as Petro-Logistics, and information provided by sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants.

(Reporting by Alex Lawler, additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
FILE PHOTO: Iran's and U.S.' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on companies it accused of involvement in Iran's petrochemical and petroleum trade, including five based in China, pressuring Tehran as it seeks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Washington has increasingly targeted Chinese companies over the export of Iran's petrochemicals as the prospects of reviving the nuclear pact have dimmed. Indirect talks on the accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have broken down.

"So long as Iran refuses a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the United States will continue to enforce its sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products," the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.

The Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a separate statement that the State Department designated two China-based companies, Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co Ltd and WS Shipping Co Ltd.

Blinken accused Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co Ltd of operating a commercial crude oil storage facility for Iranian petroleum and WS Shipping Co Ltd of being a ship manager for a vessel that has transported Iranian petroleum products.

Reuters could not immediately reach the two companies for comment.

The U.S. Treasury Department also slapped sanctions on a network of companies involved in what it said was the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian petrochemical and petroleum products to South and East Asia.

The action targeted Iranian brokers and front companies in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and India, the Treasury said.

Washington warned that it would continue to accelerate enforcement of sanctions on Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sales so long as Tehran continues to accelerate its nuclear program.

CRIPPLED ECONOMY

The 2015 nuclear agreement limited Irans uranium enrichment activity to make it harder for Tehran to develop nuclear arms, in return for lifting international sanctions.

But then-U.S. President Donald Trump ditched the deal in 2018, saying it did not do enough to curb Irans nuclear activities, ballistic missile program and regional influence, and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Irans economy.

"These enforcement actions will continue on a regular basis, with an aim to severely restrict Irans oil and petrochemical exports," Blinken said.

Anyone involved in such sales and transactions should stop immediately if they wish to avoid being subjected to U.S. sanctions, he said.

As part of Thursday's action, the Treasury targeted several companies it accused of dealing with Hong Kong-based Triliance Petrochemical Co Ltd, which has previously been sanctioned by the United States.

It said India-based petrochemical company Tibalaji Petrochem Private Limited purchased millions of dollars worth of Triliance-brokered products for onward shipment to China.

The Treasury also accused UAE-based Clara Shipping LLC of being paid millions of dollars by Triliance - through front companies - in freight charges for the shipment of Iranian petrochemical and petroleum products to East Asia.

Also designated over dealings with Triliance was Iran-based Iran Chemical Industries Investment Company and Middle East Kimiya Pars Co, Hong Kong-based Sierra Vista Trading Limited, and UAE-based Virgo Marine.

Hong Kong-based Sophychem HK Limited and ML Holding Group Limited were designated for dealings with U.S.-designated Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Commercial Company, including the purchase of Iranian petrochemicals for shipment to China and Singapore.

Reuters was unable to immediately reach the companies for comment.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Steve Holland and Simon Lewis; editing by Grant McCool)
DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (NYSE: DD) ("DuPont") and Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG) ("Rogers") today provided the following update on regulatory approval of the pending merger of Rogers and Cardinalis Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont, which was previously expected to close in the third quarter of 2022.

The parties have received all regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger except for approval, which remains pending, of the State Administration for Market Regulation of China ("SAMR"). At the request of SAMR, DuPont recently withdrew and refiled with SAMR the notice of the parties' planned merger. The parties continue to hold cooperative discussions with SAMR with the aim of securing regulatory approval of the planned merger. The parties continue to seek to close the merger as soon as possible, subject to regulatory approval by SAMR and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement.

As previously announced on November 2, 2021, Rogers entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by DuPont for $277.00 per share in cash. Rogers' shareholders approved the merger agreement at a special shareholder meeting held on January 25, 2022.
U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman gives her first public remarks as a Fed policymaker at an American Bankers Association conference in San Diego, California, U.S., February 11 2019. REUTERS/Ann Saphir

By Pete Schroeder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said Friday that averaging bank stress test results over several years could reduce volatility in bank capital requirements, as part of a broader speech defending a lighter regulatory approach to the industry.

Bowman, a Republican, argued that any efforts to further adjust rules for banks must be deliberate and not reflexively tougher, and suggested she could serve as a counterweight to Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr, a Democrat recently sworn in as the Fed's top regulatory official.

"Calibrating capital requirements is not a zero-sum game, where more capital is necessarily always better. Regulation is not cost-free," Bowman said at an industry conference, according to prepared remarks.

Barr said in a speech earlier this month the Fed was conducting a "holistic" review of bank capital requirements, and was considering imposing tougher rules on large regional firms.

While Barr is driving the Fed's regulatory agenda, the Fed historically has preferred to operate by consensus, suggesting Bowman could have a voice in any policy changes.

She defended the rule simplification that occurred under Barr's predecessor, Randal Quarles, arguing strong bank performance during the pandemic proved firms were sufficiently robust.

"That record of success is a testament to the progress we have made to date and argues for the same incremental approach to ongoing refinements in supervision and regulation," she said.

Bowman cautioned against any overhaul of bank merger policy that assumes "increased bank size is inherently problematic." She also suggested banks could play a "stabilizing role" as intermediaries for clients interested in cryptocurrency and other digital assets.

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
FILE PHOTO: Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard logo in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators will decide by Nov. 8 whether to clear Microsoft Corp's proposed $69 billion acquisition of "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard, according to a European Commission filing on Friday.

The deal, the biggest in the gaming industry, will help the U.S. software company better compete with leaders Tencent and Sony.

The EU competition enforcer can clear the deal with or without remedies after its preliminary review, or it can open a four-month long investigation if it has serious concerns.

The Commission is likely to do the latter because of recent regulatory concerns over deals by Big Tech, sources familiar with the matter said.

"The European Commission's review of the deal is progressing in line with the expected regulatory schedule and process, and we remain confident that the acquisition will close in fiscal year 2023," a Microsoft spokesperson said.

Britain's antitrust watchdog earlier this month said it would open an in-depth investigation into the bid after Microsoft declined to offer concessions during its initial review.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
A man helps a woman next to a damaged boat amid a downtown condominium after Hurricane Ian caused widespread destruction, in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S., September 29, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello

(Reuters) - More than 1.9 million homes and businesses in Florida were still without power on Friday after Hurricane Ian barreled across the state on Wednesday and Thursday.

That is down from more than 3.5 million power customers affected by Ian since it hit Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday as utilities restored service after the storm passed through their territories.

A resurgent Hurricane Ian was currently headed for a second landfall in South Carolina on Friday, where power outages were starting to grow as the storm approaches.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Ian, which strengthened from a tropical storm back into a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean after crossing Florida, was accelerating toward the South Carolina coast and would produce "life-threatening storm surge and damaging winds."

The system was located about 60 miles (95 kilometers) east-southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) and was packing maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, the NHC said.

North Carolina energy company Duke Energy Corp said it was readying crews to respond to potential power outages across the Carolinas.

In Florida, the utility with the most outages was Florida Power & Light Co (FPL), a unit of Florida energy company NextEra Energy Inc.

FPL said it had already restored service to over 1 million customers affected by the storm, but "anticipates some customers will face prolonged outages because portions of the electric system in Southwest Florida will need to be rebuilt rather than repaired."

FPL said it had increased its restoration workforce from around 13,000 before the storm hit to more than 21,000 personnel, including mutual assistance from utilities and others in 30 states.

Major outages by utility:

Power Company State/Pro Out Now Customers Served

vince

NextEra - FPL FL 967,400 5,280,000

Duke - Florida FL 462,000 1,766,000

Lee County Electric Co-op FL 213,000 238,000

Emera - Tampa Electric FL 193,900 800,000

Peace River Electric Co-op FL 36,600 55,200

Orlando Utilities Commission FL 26,900 269,000

Lakeland Electric FL 25,800 133,500

New Smyrna Beach Utilities FL 23,000 29,900

Glades Electric Co-op FL 11,200 17,000

Dominion - South Carolina SC 10,900 790,100

Total Out 1,970,700

Source: Company web sites, PowerOutage.us

(Reporting by Eileen Soreng in Bengaluru and Scott DiSavino in New York; Editing by Mark Potter and Bill Berkrot)
FILE PHOTO: Passengers carry their luggage at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, U.S., December 26, 2021. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -United Airlines said on Friday it will suspend service in late October to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK).

Earlier this month, United had threatened to take the action if the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not grant the air carrier additional flights.

United has been flying just twice daily to San Francisco and Los Angeles from JFK, the busiest New York-area airport, after resuming service in 2021.

"Given our current, too-small-to-be-competitive schedule out of JFK  coupled with the start of the Winter season where more airlines will operate their slots as they resume JFK flying  United has made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend service at JFK," United said in a memo seen by Reuters. The airline did not specify when it might resume service.

United said its "discussions with FAA have been constructive" but added "it's also clear that process to add additional capacity at JFK will take some time."

United said the decision would impact 100 employees who work at JFK but emphasized that "no one is losing their job" and employees will transition to other nearby stations.

United has been working to pursue additional slots - which are takeoff and landing authorizations - through the FAA and by seeking commercial agreements to acquire slots from other airlines.

The FAA said Friday it is "dedicated to doing its part to safely expand New York City airports and airspace capacity. We will follow our fair and well-established process to award future slots to increase competition."

United said without permanent slots it cannot serve JFK "effectively compared to the larger schedules and more attractive flight times flown by" JetBlue Airways and American Airlines.

United in 2015 struck a long-term deal to lease 24 year-round slots at JFK to Delta Air Lines as it ended JFK service to concentrate at its nearby Newark hub in northern New Jersey.

United argues there is room to grow at JFK, the 13th-busiest U.S. airport, because the FAA and the Port Authority since 2008 have made significant infrastructure investments, including "the widening of runways, construction of multi-entrance taxiways, and the creation of aligned high-speed turnoffs."

(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Sandra Maler and Aurora Ellis)
TORONTO, ON, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avante Logixx Inc. (Avante or the Company) (TSXV: XX) is pleased to announce the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on September 29, 2022 (the Meeting).

The Company put forward the following resolutions to be voted on by shareholders at the Meeting: (i) to set the number of directors at five (5); (ii) the election of directors; (iii) to appoint RSM Canada LLP as auditors of the Company until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company; (iv) to approve the Companys amended and restated 10% rolling stock option plan; and (v) to authorize the Corporation to change its name from Avante Logixx Inc. to Avante Corp. Resolutions (i) to (v) were approved by shareholders.

A total of 10,512,786 Common Shares of the 26,489,438 Common Shares of the Company that were outstanding as at the record date were voted at the Meeting, representing 39.687% of the Common Shares.

The results are as follows:

1. SETTING OF NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

Votes For % of Votes For Votes Against % of Votes Against 10,215,020 97.596 251,573 2.404

2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominee Votes For % of Votes For Votes Withheld % of Votes Withheld Daniel Argiros 10,214,093 97.588 252,500 2.412 Wade Burton 10,464,093 99.976 2,500 0.024 Robert Klopot 10,214,093 97.588 252,500 2.412 Emmanuel Mounouchos 9,796,793 93.601 669,800 6.399 Leland Verner 10,214,093 97.588 252,500 2.412

3. REAPPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

Votes For % of Votes For Votes Withheld % of Votes Withheld 10,510,286 99.976 2,500 0.024

4. APPROVAL OF STOCK OPTION PLAN

Votes For % of Votes For Votes Against % of Votes Against 9,748,695 93.141 717,898 6.859

5. APPROVAL OF CORPORATE NAME CHANGE

Votes For % of Votes For Votes Against % of Votes Against 10,511,213 99.985 1,573 0.015

Each of the directors elected at the Meeting, being Daniel Argiros, Wade Burton, Robert Klopot, Emmanuel Mounouchos and Leland Verner, will hold office until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Further information with respect to the matters considered at the Meeting can be found in the management information circular dated August 18, 2022, which is available under Avantes issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

About Avante Logixx Inc.

Avante Logixx Inc. (TSXV: XX), provides high-end security services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Avante Security Inc., serving residential customers located in Toronto and Muskoka regions of Ontario, Canada. With an experienced team, a focus on customer service excellence and development of innovative solutions, we remain committed to providing our shareholders with exceptional returns. Please visit our website at www.avantelogixx.com.

Avante Logixx Inc.Emmanuel Mounouchos CEO and Board Chair416 923 6984 [email protected]

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 shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities described herein 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. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities described herein have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.

Source: Avante Logixx Inc.
MIAMI, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ayr Wellness Inc. (CSE: AYR.A, OTCQX: AYRWF) (Ayr or the Company), a leading vertically integrated U.S. multi-state cannabis operator (MSO), will hold a conference call on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Ayr CEO Jonathan Sandelman, Co-COO Jennifer Drake and CFO Brad Asher will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period. The Company will provide its financial results in a press release prior to the call.

Date: Thursday, November 10, 2022Time: 8:30 a.m. ETToll-free dial-in number: (800) 319-4610International dial-in number: (604) 638-5340Conference ID: 10020429Webcast: https://services.choruscall.ca/links/ayrwellness2022q3.html

A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available for one month beginning at 11:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 10, 2022.

Toll-free replay number: (855) 669-9658International replay number: (412) 317-0088Replay ID: 9502

Please dial into the conference call 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact the companys investor relations team at [email protected].

About Ayr Wellness Inc.Ayr is an expanding vertically integrated, U.S. multi-state cannabis operator. Based on the belief that everything starts with the quality of the plant, the Companys mission is to cultivate the finest quality cannabis at scale and deliver remarkable experiences to its customers every day.

Ayrs leadership team brings proven expertise in growing successful businesses through disciplined operational and financial management, and is committed to driving positive impact for customers, employees and the communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.ayrwellness.com.

Company/Media Contact:Robert VaniskoVP, Corporate CommunicationsEmail: [email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:Sean Mansouri, CFAElevate IRT: (720) 330-2829Email: [email protected]

Source: Ayr Wellness Inc.




Bank of Aland Plc

Stock exchange release - Total number of voting rights and capital

30.9.2022, 15.00 EET

Bank of Aland Plc to annul own shares held by the Company

The Board of Directors of the Bank of Aland Plc (Alandsbanken Abp) has decided to annul a total of 40,179 of the Banks own Series B shares held by the Company, which comprise about 0.3 per cent of the number of shares in the Company. The annulment does not affect the Companys share capital.

After the annulment, the number of shares in the Bank of Aland Plc totals 15,524,949, of which 6,476,138 are Series A shares and 9,048,811 Series B shares, and the total number of votes is 138,571,571. After the annulment, the Bank of Aland has no holdings of its own shares.

The annulment of the shares takes effect when it has been registered in the Finnish Trade Register.

For further information, please contact:

Peter Wiklof, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Bank of Aland Plc, tel. +358 40 512 7505
Cool Company Ltd. (the Company) advises that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Company was held on September 30, 2022 at 08:00 ADT at 2nd Floor, The S.E. Pearman Building, 9 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda.

The Meeting was presented with the audited combined financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021, which were prepared for the purposes of admission to the Euronext Growth Oslo in February 2022.

The following resolutions were passed:

1) To set the maximum number of Directors of the Company to be not more than five.2) To re-elect Cyril Ducau as a Director of the Company.3) To re-elect Peter Anker as a Director of the Company.4) To re-elect Antoine Bonnier as a Director of the Company.5) To re-elect Neil J. Glass as a Director of the Company.6) To re-elect Mi Hong Yoon as a Director of the Company.7) To approve amended and restated Bye-Laws being adopted as the new Bye-Laws of the Company in substitution and replacement for the existing Bye-Laws.8) To re-appoint Ernst & Young Global Limited, UK as independent auditors and to authorize the Directors to determine their remuneration.9) To approve remuneration of the Companys Board of Directors of a total amount of fees not to exceed US$500,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Hamilton, BermudaSeptember 30, 2022

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

Source: Cool Company Ltd.
A first half of 2022, in development,

primarily dedicated to preparing for tomorrow's success

Dardilly, 30 September 2022  6.30 pm

Consolidated revenue increased by 22% to 8.5 million

The first commands related to the ISS Spotter and Countbot systems are effective

The program of strong reduction of operating expenses in France (DDSA branch) is completed and will have effect from the 2nd half of the year

half of the year The success of the 3 million fundraising operation sustains the group's cash flow

IFRS Standards



(in K) 1is sem. 2022 1is as.



2021 FY



2021 TURNOVER 8 530 6 987 15 865 Other products of the activity (393) 582 1 420 Purchases and inventory changes 3 861 3 533 7 164 Personnel costs 8 694 6 994 15 718 Other operating income/expenses. Current 240 268 534 EBITDA (4 658) (3 226) (6 131) Net depreciation allowances 1 241 1 040 2 066 Net provisions and impairments (241) (42) 294 RECURRING OPERATING INCOME (5 658) (4 224) (8 491) Other operating income and expenses (773) (118) (1 023) OPERATING INCOME (6 431) (4 342) (9 514) Cost of net financial debt (87) (101) (191)- Other financial income and expenses 1 267 4 283 5 334 RESULT BEFORE TAX (5 249) (160) (4 371) NET RESULT OF INTEGRATED COMPANIES (5 355) (256) (4 423) NET INCOME GROUP SHARE (5 075) 87 (4 347) EQUITY & ASSIMILATION 20 940 20 948 22 349 NET TRESORERIE 2 322 5 364 1 343

Comments on the half-year accounts

The Delta Drone group is organized into 4 branches, one of which crystallizes operational losses

The Delta Drone group consists of 4 clearly identified branches:

Delta Drone Human & Tech and its operational subsidiaries (DDHT): from its historical business in private security, DDHT contributes strongly to the dronification of the security sector by deploying a combined offer with security agents and technological means that are similar to "cyber-agents". DDHT is also the group's pool of human resources to train solution operators, both for the logistics sector (Countbot solution) and for the security sector (ISS Spotter solutions). For the 1st half of 2022, the DDHT division achieved a turnover of 6.2 million and a slightly positive current operating income (18.4 K).

and its operational subsidiaries (DDHT): from its historical business in private security, DDHT contributes strongly to the dronification of the security sector by deploying a combined offer with security agents and technological means that are similar to "cyber-agents". DDHT is also the group's pool of human resources to train solution operators, both for the logistics sector (Countbot solution) and for the security sector (ISS Spotter solutions). For the 1st half of 2022, the DDHT division achieved a turnover of 6.2 million and a slightly positive current operating income (18.4 K). Delta Drone International and its operational subsidiaries (DDI): following the sale at the beginning of the year of the Israeli subsidiary Parazero, DDI is now exclusively present in Africa and Australia, mainly in the southern hemisphere. It is developing a drone services activity for the mining and agriculture sectors. Operating historically in Africa (South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, Zambia, Ivory Coast) where its Rocketmine brand is the market leader, DDI has been developing since 2021 in Australia. For the 1st half of 2022, the DDI division achieved a turnover of 1.9 million and a negative current operating income (-836 K), mostly impacted by the weight of significant "governance costs", of the order of 300 K annually, which was terminated during the period.

UDT  United Drone Technologies : UDT is an investment company, which therefore does not achieve any turnover or bear any operating costs. UDT holds stakes, still in the minority, in 5 young companies in the drone sector, 3 French companies (Donecle, Elistair, Diodon), 1 Swiss company (Aero41) and 1 Israeli company (Sightec). In 2021, the transition of the group's accounts to IFRS standards led to the recognition of 4.2 million as "other financial income and expenses", reflecting the appreciation of the value of the portfolio in relation to the initial investment. For the first half of 2022, the continued development of certain holdings led to the recognition of revenue of 1 million.





: UDT is an investment company, which therefore does not achieve any turnover or bear any operating costs. UDT holds stakes, still in the minority, in 5 young companies in the drone sector, 3 French companies (Donecle, Elistair, Diodon), 1 Swiss company (Aero41) and 1 Israeli company (Sightec). In 2021, the transition of the group's accounts to IFRS standards led to the recognition of 4.2 million as "other financial income and expenses", reflecting the appreciation of the value of the portfolio in relation to the initial investment. For the first half of 2022, the continued development of certain holdings led to the recognition of revenue of 1 million. DDSA (Delta Drone SA and its French support subsidiaries): in addition to its role as the group's parent company, this branch supports the R&D investments necessary for the development of Countbot (logistics) and ISS Spotter (security) professional solutions. It is also responsible for their production and marketing. For the 1st half of 2022, the DDSA division achieved a turnover of 0.5 million and a negative current operating income (-4.8 million), which corresponds to the bulk of the group's consolidated loss.





The objective of achieving financial equilibrium is primarily due to a new impetus from the DDSA branch

The beginning of 2022 will have been marked by the end of heavy R&D investments and the beginning of the commercialization of the Countbot and ISS Spotter systems. Commercial contacts are now numerous and should lead, from the end of the financial year and especially in 2023, to a very significant growth in turnover within the DDSA branch.

However, it appeared necessary, in parallel, to work on the significant reduction of operating expenses. It is in this logic that two waves of workforce reduction were carried out, the first in May (6 employees concerned) and the second in September (9 employees concerned). In the end, these departures, combined with several resignations, will make it possible to start the 2023 financial year with a payroll divided by more than 2, i.e., an annual amount of around 2 million (against 4.8 million previously). At the same time, the reduction in other external expenses should reduce their amount from 2.5 million to 1.5 million year-on-year.

Finally, the placement under backup of the subsidiary Delta Drone Engineering (DDE) on August 31, 2022 is intended to leave open all opportunities for the evolution of this entity.

Finalization of the financing method through the equitization of simple bonds

Reminder of the modalities of equitization of the OS

Delta Drone (the "Company") has issued, in two tranches carried out on July 15, 2022 and September 15, 2022 in the context of reserved issues for the benefit of certain investors, a total number of 60,000 simple bonds ("OS") with a nominal value of  56 at a price of  50 each representing a bond issue of a principal amount total of 3.36 million, for a gross product of 3 million.

The issuance of the SO is part of the implementation of a mechanism called "equitization" of the OS, by (i) the constitution of a management trust (the "Trust") for the benefit of the holders of OS who have decided to transfer their OS to the Trust and (ii) the issuance of warrants for shares called "equitization" (the "BSA E " ") for the benefit of the Fiducie, whose terms and conditions of exercise will make it possible, from an economic point of view, to transform the SOs thus transferred into shares.

Incorporation of a Trust: on September 15, 2022, the Company incorporated the Trust, which is managed by equities Gestion as trustee (the "Trustee") under a trust agreement entered into on the same day between the Trustee and the Company (the "Trust Agreement").

Membership in the Trust: all PO holders joined the Trust between September 15, 2022 and September 29, 2022 and contributed to the Trust all of the 60,000 OS issued by the Company. Holders of SO who have joined the Trust will be reimbursed in cash through the net proceeds of the sale on the market, by the Trust, of the shares issued in connection with the equitization.

Redemption by the Company of the SOs held by the Trust: in order to facilitate the os equitization mechanism, all the OSes transferred to the Trust were repurchased today by the Company at par plus interest accrued from September 15, 2022 to September 30, 2022 inclusive. The repurchase price of the OS is the subject of a seller credit granted by the Trust to the Company (the "Seller Credit").

Issuance of BSA E : in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, the Company has today issued to the Trustee, as part of a reserved issue decided on the basis of the 7th resolution of the Combined Shareholders' Meeting of December 27, 2021, 500,000,000 BSA E whose main characteristics are presented in the Appendix and whose full features are available on the Company's website.

BSA E will not be admitted to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market or on any other financial market.

Exercise of BSA E by the Trustee: BSA E are exercisable for a period of three years from their issuance, i.e. until September 30, 2025. The Trustee, acting on behalf of the Trust, is responsible for exercising the E-BSAs by offsetting claims with the Seller's Credit, and then selling as and when on the market, under strict terms defined in the Trust Agreement, the new shares resulting from the exercise of the BSA E (the "New Shares").

The exercise of the BSA E will not give rise to any fundraising for the Company to the extent that the BSA E will be exercised only by offsetting against certain, liquid and due claims that the holder of BSA E will hold against the Company under the Seller Credit. The duration that will be necessary to proceed with the full repayment of the Seller Credit by the equitization mechanism will essentially depend on the liquidity of the Delta Drone share on the market.

The terms and conditions for the exercise of the E-BSAs and the sale of the underlying shares are available on the Company's website.

At the end of the Exercise Period, all BSA E that has not been exercised will be automatically null and void. In addition, the BSA E will automatically lapse once the claim that the holder of BSA E will hold on the Company in respect of the Seller Credit has been fully repaid.

Distribution of the proceeds of disposal of the New Shares: as soon as all the New Shares issued as part of the equitization relating to the transferred OS have been transferred by the Trust, the Trustee will proceed to the distribution in cash, among the holders of OS who brought them to the Trust, of the net proceeds of disposal on the Market of the New Shares.

New Shares

The New Shares will be ordinary shares bearing current enjoyment which will confer on their holder, upon delivery, all the rights attached to the existing ordinary shares detailed in the Articles of Association of the Company.

The New Shares will be the subject of applications for admission to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market. They will be immediately assimilated to the existing shares of the Company and negotiable on the same line as the existing shares (ISIN code: FR0014009LP0).

Dilution

As an indication, the impact of the issuance of the E-bonds on consolidated equity per share on the basis of (i) equity as at June 30, 2022, i.e. 20,939,542, and (ii) the number of shares comprising the Company's capital at the date of this press release, i.e. 6,617,563 shares, would be as follows:

Share of equity (in euros) Undiluted base Diluted base (1) Before issuing the New Shares 3.1642 0.6901 After issue of 25,055,928 New Shares resulting from the exercise of BSA E (2) 0,7672 0,4616

(1) Theoretical calculation based on the conversion of all orNAN not converted to date and Free Shares Awarded, not yet created.

(2) Theoretical calculation of the number of New Shares carried out on the basis of the closing price of the Company's share on September 30, 2022, i.e. 1.490 euros, an estimate of the exercise price of the BSA E equal to 90% of this value and an amount of OS of 3,360 thousand euros

As an indication, the impact of the issuance of the BSA E on the participation in the capital of a shareholder holding 1% of the company's share capital prior to the transaction and not participating in it, on the basis of the number of shares comprising the company's capital at the date of this press release, i.e. 6,617,563 shares, would be as follows:

Shareholder participation (%) Undiluted base Diluted base (1) Before issuing the New Shares 1.00% 0.18% After issue of 25,055,928 New Shares resulting from the exercise of BSA E (2) 0.21% 0.11%

(1) Theoretical calculation based on the conversion of all orNAN not converted to date and Free Shares Awarded, not yet created.

(2) Theoretical calculation of the number of New Shares carried out on the basis of the closing price of the Company's share on September 30, 2022, i.e 1.490 euros, an estimate of the exercise price of the BSA E equal to 90% of this value and an amount of OS of 3,360 thousand euros

About Delta Drone : Delta Drone Group is a recognized international player in the field of civilian drones for professional use. It develops a range of professional solutions based on drone technology as well as all associated services that form a complete value chain.

Delta Drone shares are listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market  ISIN code: FR0014009LP0

BSA Y  ISIN code: FR 0013400991

www.deltadrone.com

Investor Contacts:

Jerome Gacoin +33 1 75 77 54 65 [email protected]

Annex

Key Features of BSA E

BSA E are subscribed by the Trustee as part of the trust-management agreement.

The holder of BSA E will be entitled to choose, at any time during a period of three (3) years from their issue, to exercise all or part of the BSA E in New Shares.

Each BSA E will give the right to subscribe to one (1) New Share (the "BSA E Exercise Parity").

The E BSAs will be exercised at a price representing 90% of the lowest daily volume-weighted average price of the Company's share, observed on trading days during which the Trust has not sold any shares of the Company among the last fifteen (15) trading days preceding the applicable BSA E exercise date, without being less than the par value of the Company's share (the "Exercise Price of BSA E ").

The BSA E will be exercised only by offsetting against certain, liquid and due claims that the holder of BSA E will hold on the Company.

The detailed characteristics of the BSA E are published on the Company's website.

Attachment
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Town and Country Financial Corporation (OTC: TWCF) is happy to announce that Denise Skiles has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, following the retirement of Ed Depenbrok as of September 30, 2022.

Skiles joined Town and Country Bank in 1982 and has decades of experience in financial management, accounting and reporting, bank operations, and business analysis. Throughout her tenure at Town and Country Bank, Skiles has seen the company grow from $51 million in assets to approximately $900 million and expand throughout Central and Southern Illinois.

Town and Country Financial Corporation previously announced on August 23, 2022, an agreement to merge with HBT Financial, Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

We are pleased to recognize Denises significant contributions to our company over the past 40 years through this well-deserved promotion to Chief Financial Officer, said Micah Bartlett, President and Chief Executive Officer of Town and Country Financial Corporation. She will lead our finance and accounting functions as our organization grows and evolves. Denise is one of the smartest and hardest-working people with whom Ive ever worked. Her knowledge and commitment have been instrumental in our success.

I am excited to use my experience with the company in the Chief Financial Officer role, says Skiles. I look forward to growing in the position and assisting the company with our announced merger with HBT Financial, Inc. Ed has been an asset to the company, and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

Depenbrok joined Town and Country Bank as the interim Chief Financial Officer in 2020, bringing over 40 years of banking and leadership experience to the company. Using a combination of strategic planning, financial reporting, and business analysis skills, Ed has significantly contributed to the growth and success of Town and Country Financial Corporation.

Ed has been an extended member of the Town and Country family for many years on a consulting basis, said Bartlett. We have benefited immensely from the last two years in which he served as our Chief Financial Officer on an employment basis. Eds professional, organized, and forward-looking approach to finance helped us achieve our high-performing status. We are grateful that Ed will continue to serve our organization as needed.

While my time as Chief Financial Officer for Town and Country Financial Corporation was short, Ive worked as a consultant with the bank for 15 years, said Depenbrok. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the wonderful team at Town and Country and am thankful for the many friendships developed over the years.

About Town and Country Financial Corporation

Town and Country Financial Corporation, headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, operates as the parent holding company for Town and Country Bank including the Bank's subsidiary, Town and Country Banc Mortgage Services, Inc. (TCBMSI), with locations throughout the central, west-central, and metro-east areas of Illinois. While the Company specializes in commercial banking and mortgage lending, additional products and services offered through its 10 branch offices include retail banking, affordable housing finance options, Small Business Administration 504 and 7(a) loan programs, trust and investments, and agricultural banking. The Company, under TCBMSI, operates Community Mortgage Partners as a third-party provider for residential mortgages to other financial institutions throughout the United States. Town and Country Financial Corporation shares are quoted under the symbol TWCF.

Contact: Savannah CoadyPhone: 217.321.3529Email: [email protected]

Source: Town and Country Financial Corporation
LAS VEGAS, NV, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GPO Plus, Inc. (OTCQB: GPOX), a publicly traded company of diversified Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) that uses the power of Group Purchasing to save businesses money, announced they engaged North Equities Corp.

GPOX has entered into a 6-month marketing and consulting contract with Toronto-based marketing firm, North Equities Corp. (the "Contract"). North Equities Corp. specializes in various social media platforms and will be able to facilitate greater awareness and widespread dissemination of the Company's news. In connection with the Contract, the Company will issue North Equities 300,000 shares. North Equities currently does not own any shares of the Company.

Brett H. Pojunis, CEO of GPOX, stated, We are thrilled to begin working with North Equities! We feel they will do a fantastic job enhancing our online and social media presence while increasing our audience.

Sign up for your FREE account on the GPOX Investor Relations Portal:Once you Activate your GPOX Investor Account you will have immediate access to real time information available on GPOX. Sign up for alerts (email and SMS) to be the first to know about news, SEC Filings, Investor Events, updated Investor Presentations, and more: www.GPOPlus.com/ir.

Please connect with us on social media to view live video updates, content, and general information about GPOX and its GPOs: https://gpoplus.com/social.

About GPOPlus+ (GPOX)

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, GPOPlus+ (OTCQB: GPOX) is a publicly traded company of diversified Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs).

Our Purpose is to save businesses money by activating the power of Group Purchasing and our Mission is to create value for our GPO Members, partners, and suppliers while creating long term shareholder value.

Our Mantra:We Aggregate, Negotiate + Share!

Aggregate - We aggregate the purchasing power of our Members.

- We the purchasing power of our Members. Negotiate - We leverage buying power to negotiate discounts.

- We leverage buying power to discounts. Share - We share the discounts with our Members and save them money.

For more information please visit www.GPOPlus.com. To activate your free GPOX Investor Account at www.GPOPlus.com/ir.

Information about Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that include statements regarding expected financial performance and growth information relating to future events. Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond the control of the Company and its officers and managers, and which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or managements good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to; inability to gain or maintain licenses, reliance on unaudited statements, the Companys need for additional funding, governmental regulation of the cannabis industry, the impact of competitive products and pricing, the demand for the Companys products, and other risks that are detailed from time-to-time in the Companys filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can typically identify these forward-looking statements through use of words such as may, will, can anticipate, assume, should, indicate, would, believe, contemplate, expect, seek, estimate, continue, plan, point to, project, predict, could, intend, target, potential, and other similar words and expressions of the future. The Company expresses its expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and believes that its expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, there is no assurance that these expectations, beliefs and projections will prove to have been correct. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to its operations and future events, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to its proposed operations, including the risk factors set forth herein. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Companys actual results may vary significantly from those intended, anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or planned. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any favorable forward-looking events discussed herein might not be realized and occur. The Company has no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting GPO Plus, Inc. GPOX, please refer to the Companys recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available at www.sec.gov. 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.

Shareholder Success Team + Investor Relation Contacts: Brett H. Pojunis, CEO Email: [email protected] Shareholders Line: 855.935.GPOX (4769)

Attachment

GPOPlus+ Engages North Equities Corp. to Provide Digital Marketing Services GPOPlus+ Engages North Equities

Source: GPO PLUS INC.
Toronto, ON, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International Data Corporation (IDC) Canada and Foundry's CIO, are pleased to recognize our first class of CIO Award winners for Canada. Winners, attendees and the industry at large will convene virtually at the end of November at CIOs Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada to recognize these premier organizations and executives driving IT innovation in Canada. This year's winners exemplify how IT leaders are driving business forward and setting their organizations up for success.

CIO's Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards CanadaThe CIO Awards for Canada will be presented during our upcoming virtual Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada conference happening on November 29th and 30th. This event celebrates Canadian organizations and their innovative projects.

We're excited to celebrate our inaugural class of CIO Awards Canada 2022, which honours Canadian IT organizations for projects driving digital business growth through technology innovation. Many projects are related to solutions for data management, work collaboration for hybrid work culture and digital transformation to improve business processes like predictive approaches to drive data value and reducing the carbon footprints., said Lars Goransson, Managing Director, Canada, IDC. We are honoured to showcase these achievements and the people behind them as we gather virtually to experience CIOs Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada at the end of November. The event will be co-produced by IDC and Foundrys CIO. We're also pleased to co-present TECHNATION's Ingenious Awards at the Summit  it truly will be a celebration of innovation in Canada."

IDC + CIO are proud to feature the Ingenious Awards from Industry Partner TECHNATION as part of the conference. We're also pleased to welcome Sponsor Partners Cisco Systems, UiPath, SAP and Darktrace (as of press date). Our partners add further value to the agenda, providing in-depth knowledge and unique solutions to address many of the issues that attendees are facing in their daily roles.

Please visit CIOs Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada to learn more about the conference and our partnership opportunities. Registration is open if you'd like to attend the event.

2022 CIO Award Canada Winners:

Air Liquide Canada  Metal Fabrication Division

Cameco Corporation

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Canadian Red Cross

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Electrical Safety Authority

Exchange Solutions

GS1 Canada

Guillevin International

McCain Foods Limited

Mouvement Desjardins

New Brunswick Community College

SMI

Solicitor General - Office of the Chief Coroner

The Regional Municipality of Durham

TransForm Shared Service Organization

United Way Greater Toronto

About CIO Awards CanadaThe inaugural CIO Awards for Canada celebrate Canadian organizations and the teams within them that are using IT in innovative ways to deliver business value, whether by creating competitive advantage, optimizing business processes, enabling growth or improving relationships with customers. The award is an acknowledged mark of enterprise excellence and we are pleased to bring this award program to Canada. A list of all winning organizations will be available here later today.

About IDCInternational Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. To learn more about IDC Canada, please visit www.idc.com/ca or follow us on Twitter at @idccanada and on LinkedIn.

About CIO CIO focuses on attracting the highest concentration of enterprise CIOs and business technology executives with unparalleled peer insight and expertise on business strategy, innovation, and leadership. As organizations grow with digital transformation, CIO provides its readers with key insights on career development, including certifications, hiring practices and skills development. The award-winning CIO portfolio provides business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of ITs role in achieving business goals. CIO is published by Foundry (formerly IDG Communications) and recently launched in Canada. Company information is available at www.foundryco.com. Follow CIO on Twitter: @CIOonline & @CIOevents or on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About FoundryFoundry (an IDG, Inc. company) is a trusted and dependable editorial voice, creating quality content to generate knowledge, engagement and deep relationships with our community of the most influential technology and security decision-makers. Our premium media brands including CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, PCWorld and Tech Hive engage a quality audience of the most powerful technology buyers with essential guidance on the evolving technology landscape.

Our trusted brands inform our global data intelligence platform to identify and activate purchasing intent, powering our clients success. Our marketing services creates custom content with marketing impact across video, mobile, social and digital. We simplify complex campaigns that fulfill marketers global ambitions seamlessly, with consistency that delivers quality results and wins awards. Additional information about Foundry is available at https://www.foundryco.com.

Barbara Hall Associate VP, Event Operations & Marketing, IDC. [email protected]

Source: CIO
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH; OTCQX: SYHBF), a Canadian uranium exploration company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Skyharbour Resources Ltd. upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB Venture Market.

Skyharbour begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol SYHBF. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQB Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

Skyharbours President and CEO, Jordan Trimble, commented, Skyharbour has rapidly grown as a business in the last couple of years, emerging as a premier uranium exploration company with a significant project portfolio in the Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. With the recent resurgence in positive sentiment around nuclear energy as the world transitions from carbon-intensive energy sources to low-carbon sources, Skyharbour is well positioned to benefit from higher uranium prices and improving market fundamentals. Upgrading to OTCQX provides American investors with greater accessibility to trading the Companys common shares and gives the Company a much more robust potential shareholder and capital base.

About Skyharbour Resources Ltd.

Skyharbour holds an extensive portfolio of uranium exploration projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin and is well positioned to benefit from improving uranium market fundamentals with fifteen projects, ten of which are drill-ready, covering over 450,000 hectares of land. Skyharbour has acquired from Denison Mines, a large strategic shareholder of the Company, a 100% interest in the Moore Uranium Project which is located 15 kilometres east of Denison's Wheeler River project and 39 kilometres south of Cameco's McArthur River uranium mine. Moore is an advanced-stage uranium exploration property with high-grade uranium mineralization at the Maverick Zone that returned drill results of up to 6.0% U3O8 over 5.9 metres including 20.8% U3O8 over 1.5 metres at a vertical depth of 265 metres. Adjacent to the Moore Uranium Project is Skyharbours recently optioned Russell Lake Uranium Project from Rio Tinto, which hosts historical high-grade drill intercepts over a large property area with robust exploration upside potential. The Company is actively advancing these projects through exploration and drill programs.

Skyharbour has a joint-venture with industry-leader Orano Canada Inc. at the Preston Project whereby Orano has earned a 51% interest in the project through exploration expenditures and cash payments. Skyharbour now owns a 24.5% interest in the Project. Skyharbour also has a joint venture with Azincourt Energy at the East Preston Project whereby Azincourt has earned a 70% interest in the project through exploration expenditures, cash payments and share issuance. Skyharbour now owns a 15% interest in the Project. Preston and East Preston are large, geologically prospective properties proximal to Fission Uranium's Triple R deposit as well as NexGen Energy's Arrow deposit. Furthermore, the Company owns a 100% interest in the South Falcon Point Uranium Project on the eastern perimeter of the Basin, which contains a NI 43-101 inferred resource totaling 7.0 million pounds of U3O8 at 0.03% and 5.3 million pounds of ThO2 at 0.023%.

Skyharbour has several active option partners including: ASX-listed Valor Resources on the Hook Lake Uranium Project whereby Valor can earn-in 80% of the project through CAD $3,500,000 in exploration expenditures, $475,000 in cash payments over three years and an initial share issuance; CSE-listed Basin Uranium Corp. on the Mann Lake Uranium Project whereby Basin Uranium can earn-in 75% of the project through $4,000,000 in exploration expenditures, $850,000 in cash payments as well as share issuances over three years; and CSE-listed Medaro Mining Corp. on the Yurchison Project whereby Medaro can earn-in an initial 70% of the project through $5,000,000 in exploration expenditures, $800,000 in cash payments as well as share issuances over three years followed by the option to acquire the remaining 30% of the project through a payment of $7,500,000 in cash and $7,500,000 worth of shares.

Skyharbour's goal is to maximize shareholder value through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions.

Skyharbours Uranium Project Map in the Athabasca Basin:http://www.skyharbourltd.com/_resources/images/SKY-SaskProject-Locator-20220324.jpg

To find out more about Skyharbour Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SYH) visit the Companys website at www.skyharbourltd.com.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market and Pink Open Market.

Our OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, [email protected]

Source: OTC Markets
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recludix Pharma, a leader in platform approaches to discover inhibitors of challenging cancer and inflammatory disease targets, today announced the appointment of Matthew Caldemeyer as chief business officer.

We are excited to welcome Matt to our executive leadership team, said Nancy Whiting, Pharm.D., chief executive officer of Recludix. Matt has broad experience across business development, corporate strategy and finance. His established track record of productive business development transactions and successful alliance management will contribute to our goal of delivering important new therapies to patients.

Mr. Caldemeyer was most recently the vice president of business development at Everest Medicines, a publicly traded Shanghai-based biotech company, where he led business development transactions and managed a key alliance with Gilead. He previously served as head of business development at Ambrx and as director of corporate strategy and business development at Array BioPharma. From 2011 to 2015, Mr. Caldemeyer held progressive roles in strategy and corporate development at Amgen, based both in the United States and Switzerland. From 2004 to 2011, Mr. Caldemeyer was at Eli Lilly and Company where he held positions in business development, finance and manufacturing. Mr. Caldemeyer obtained a B.S. from Michigan State University and an M.B.A. in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Mr. Caldemeyer added, Recludixs drug discovery platform has been prolific. With several programs being advanced for oncology and inflammatory diseases, there are many opportunities for the company to transform treatment paradigms for these patients. I am delighted to join the Recludix team. About RecludixRecludix is a leader in developing platform approaches to discover potent and selective inhibitors of challenging protein targets. The company was founded by members of Blueprint Medicines founding scientific team and its management team includes industry veterans with a track record of success in the discovery, development and commercialization of multiple oncology drugs. Recludix has developed a unique drug discovery platform that integrates custom generated DNA-encoded libraries, massively parallel determination of structure activity relationships, and a proprietary screening tool to ensure selectivity. The company is employing this approach first in the development of SH2 domain inhibitors. Recludixs most advanced programs are focused on Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins -- STAT3 and STAT6 -- where abnormal activation is found in numerous cancer types, such as multiple leukemias and lymphomas, as well as inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and others. The company is advancing three other programs to undisclosed targets that also play a significant role in both cancer and autoimmune diseases. For more information, please visit the companys website at https://recludixpharma.com.

Recludix Contacts:Alexandra Santos [email protected]

Aljanae Reynolds[email protected]

Source: Recludix Pharma, Inc.
Washington, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for Americas 33 million small businesses in President Bidens Cabinet, announced over $5.4 million in funding to 44 awardees through the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. FAST provides small businesses and startups, particularly those in underserved communities, with specialized training, mentoring, and technical assistance for research and development. Grant selectees qualify for award amounts of up to $125,000 each.

When we enable equitable access to federal research funding, we empower more of our nations entrepreneurs and scientists to translate their cutting-edge ideas into commercial enterprises, said Administrator Guzman. This is why doubling our funding of FAST grants and expanding the network of awardees is so critical to building a stronger and more inclusive innovation economy that invests in all of our communities.

FASTs objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of small businesses and startups across the country, particularly those from underserved communities to help them benefit from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. Through FAST, the SBA continues to play a critical role in creating inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems and helping American entrepreneurs grow their networks and revenue opportunities with new capital, a priority of Administrator Guzman.

This years expansion of the FAST program created 12 additional awards and expands the programs footprint to 43 states and one U.S. territory. These organizations are led by state and local economic development entities, Small Business Technology Development Centers, Small Business Development Centers, Womens Business Centers, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, incubators, accelerators, colleges, and universities. The expanded reach of the program builds on the success of previous FAST cohorts. With $4 million in funding in fiscal year 2021, FAST helped small businesses to win over $88 million in SBIR and STTR awards, a 22:1 return for every taxpayer dollar spent.

The FAST program provides awards for a base period of 12 months, plus four optional continuation periods of 12 months each. Thirty-two FAST awardees from the 2021 cohort were also selected for second or third-year funding. The FAST grantees are as follows:

2023 Cohort  First Year

STATE ORGANIZATION Alaska University of Alaska Florida Florida High Tech Corridor Idaho Idaho State University Indiana Indiana Economic Development Corporation Iowa Iowa State University of Science Maine Maine Institute of Technology Minnesota MNSBIR, Inc. Michigan BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting New Jersey New Jersey SBDC North Dakota University of North Dakota Utah Utah Innovation Center Washington Life Science Washington Institute

2023 Cohort  Second Year

STATE ORGANIZATIONS Arizona Arizona Commerce Authority Georgia Innovation Gateway at the University of Georgia Kentucky Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation Louisiana Louisiana Business & Technology Center/LSU Missouri Missouri Small Business Development Center Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Small Business and Technology Development Centers South Dakota South Dakota Biotech Council Tennessee Launch TN Wisconsin Center for Technology Commercialization

2023 Cohort  Third Year

STATE ORGANIZATION Arkansas University of Arkansas at Little Rock- Arkansas SBTDC Colorado Colorado Small Business Development Center Connecticut Connecticut Innovations, Inc. Delaware Delaware Small Business Development Center Hawaii Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) Illinois EnterpriseWorks at the University of Illinois Kansas Wichita State University Maryland Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) Mississippi Innovate Mississippi Montana Montana State University TechLink Center Nebraska Nebraska Business Development Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha New Hampshire UNHInnovation New Mexico Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University North Carolina First Flight Venture Center, Inc. Ohio Ohio Aerospace Institute Oklahoma OK Catalyst Oregon VertueLab Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners Corporation South Carolina University of South Carolina Texas SWTXB SBDC Technology Commercialization Center Virginia Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation West Virginia TechConnect West Virginia Wyoming University of Wyoming Small Business Development Center

###

About FAST

In FY 2022, $6 million was appropriated for entities to carry out activities defined under the FAST Partnership Program legislative authority. Entities from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to receive funding to provide outreach, technical, and financial assistance. These efforts are focused on elevating and expanding the ecosystem support network that works with technology developing entrepreneurs, startups, and existing small businesses. FASTs primary goal is to help tech entrepreneurs who have traditionally been left out of federal R&D programs by successfully applying, winning, and executing SBIR and STTR awards. Additional information can be found at www.sbir.gov/about-fast.

About SBIR/STTR

SBA coordinates the SBIR/STTR programs, known as Americas Seed Fund across the 11 participating federal agencies. Over $4 billion in early-stage seed capital was provided in FY 2022 through over 7,000 awards to more than 4,000 small businesses. Federal agencies announce funding opportunities as either grants or contracts to address their research and development needs. Companies supported by Americas Seed Fund often generate some of the most important breakthroughs each year in the U.S. Additional information about the programs, as well as past and current topics can be found at www.sbir.gov.

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.

Tiffani Clements United States Small Business Administration [email protected]

Source: United States Small Business Administration
Press release

Paris, 30 September 2022  5 p.m.

At its meeting on 30 September 2022, the Board of Directors of Societe Generale, chaired by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, decided unanimously, on the suggestion of the Appointments Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee, to put forward to the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on the 23 May 2023 Slawomir Krupa as director to take over from Frederic Oudea who announced, at the Annual General Meeting of 17 May 2022 that he will not ask for the renewal of his term of office. Once voted in, Slawomir Krupa will be appointed Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors.

This choice is entirely within the time frame set out at the Annual General Meeting of 17 May 2022.

The appointment process was conducted in accordance with the highest standards of governance by Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, in coordination with the Appointments and Corporate Governance Committee, chaired by Gerard Mestrallet, bringing together all the independent directors in interaction with the entire Board of Directors. He was advised by independent consultancy firm and reviewed the panel of candidates of a high calibre, both men and women, from both inside and outside the company, French and international.

The European Central Bank was kept informed throughout the selection process.

Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Chairman of the Board of Directors stated:

I commend the excellent work of our independent directors, carried out under the supervision of Gerard Mestrallet, as well as the professionalism and rigour of the appointment process, as per the expectations expressed by our shareholders. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased with the choice that was made.

I have worked with Slawomir Krupa for several years. He has perfect knowledge of our Bank, as well as the challenges that await him; he has demonstrated his ability to lead Societe Generale, a major European bank.

His first mission will be to finalise the vast transformations in progress, such as the merger of the French networks, the acquisition of LeasePlan by ALD, the expansion of Boursorama, and the continued development of the corporate and investment bank, recentred on its core businesses. We appreciated in particular his potential to accelerate the development of Societe Generale as a responsible bank that is close to its customers and able to generate higher and sustainable profitability. He demonstrated an innovative spirit and a keen ability to rally the teams, giving him all the qualities needed to unite the Banks energies and step up the pace of the transformations required in a fast-changing global environment.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank Frederic Oudea as he continues the implementation of the Banks strategy and works alongside his successor over the transition period.

BIOGRAPHY OF SLAWOMIR KRUPA

Slawomir Krupa has over 26 years of experience in the international financial sector.

He joined the Societe Generale Group in 1996 and began his career as an inspector at the General Inspection. In 1999, he left the Group to found and manage an e-finance start-up in eastern Europe. He returned to the Group in 2002 in the General Inspection department where he was made a member of its management team in 2005. During his time at the General Inspection, he acquired an extensive and in-depth knowledge of the operations and challenges of financial institutions around the world.

In 2007, he joined the Corporate and Investment Banking division, where he took on successive responsibilities that enabled him to broaden further his expertise and his knowledge of the banks businesses, serving its large international clients.

In 2007, he was Director of Strategy and Development, head of Central and Eastern Europe, Middle-East and Africa (CEEMEA) in 2009, and Deputy Director of Financing in 2012, supervising in particular the primary markets business, securitisation and leveraged financing, while maintaining his regional responsibilities, which were extended in 2013 to include Private Banking, Asset Management, and Securities.

Appointed CEO of SG Americas in January 2016, he oversaw the turnaround of the Americas platform, both in terms of business performance and risk management, in a challenging regulatory environment.

In January 2021, he joined the Groups Executive Management team as Head of Global Banking and Investor Solutions. He strengthened the division by defining for its businesses a profitable and sustainable growth strategy, which he oversaw for 18 months. In doing so, he restored the trust of the stakeholders of this core business through an effective programme of risk reduction, cost control, and diversification of the business portfolio to seize development opportunities. He has also initiated an in-depth transformation of the business lines towards a sustainable growth model ESG by Design.

Press contact:

Societe Generale - Jean-Baptiste Froville_+33 1 58 98 68 00_ [email protected]

Primatice Conseil - Olivier Labesse_+33679114971_ [email protected] / Hugues Schmitt_+33671997458_ [email protected]

Societe Generale



Societe Generale is one of the leading European financial services groups. Based on a diversified and integrated banking model, the Group combines financial strength and proven expertise in innovation with a strategy of sustainable growth. Committed to the positive transformations of the worlds societies and economies, Societe Generale and its teams seek to build, day after day, together with its clients, a better and sustainable future through responsible and innovative financial solutions.





Active in the real economy for over 150 years, with a solid position in Europe and connected to the rest of the world, Societe Generale has over 117,000 members of staff in 66 countries and supports on a daily basis 25 million individual clients, businesses and institutional investors around the world by offering a wide range of advisory services and tailored financial solutions. The Group is built on three complementary core businesses:

French Retail Banking which encompasses the Societe Generale, Credit du Nord and Boursorama brands. Each offers a full range of financial services with omnichannel products at the cutting edge of digital innovation;

which encompasses the Societe Generale, Credit du Nord and Boursorama brands. Each offers a full range of financial services with omnichannel products at the cutting edge of digital innovation; International Retail Banking, Insurance and Financial Services, with networks in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and specialised businesses that are leaders in their markets;

with networks in Africa, Central and Eastern Europe and specialised businesses that are leaders in their markets; Global Banking and Investor Solutions, which offers recognised expertise, key international locations and integrated solutions.



Societe Generale is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of Societe Generales newsroom page where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the documents legitimacy directly on the web page.



For more information, you can follow us on Twitter @societegenerale or visit our website www.societegenerale.com .

Attachment
LAS VEGAS and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAAT GLOBAL ALTERNATIVES INC. (CSE: TAAT) (OTCQX: TOBAF) (FRANKFURT: 2TP) (the Company or TAAT) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting an exhibitor booth at the 2022 trade show held by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS, event known as the NACS Show), during which time TAAT will also be holding two private events for top-to-top meetings with executives from the convenience store industry who are attending the NACS Show. The NACS Show 2022 is being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Saturday, October 1 through Tuesday, October 4, 2022, featuring approximately 1,200 exhibitors. Historically, the NACS Show has had attendance of over 23,000 people from over 70 countries at each event. The NACS Show has ensured there is an outdoor smoking area at the Las Vegas Convention Center to allow adult smokers to sample combustible products such as TAAT at the show.

An overview of the Companys presence at the NACS Show 2022 is provided below:

TAAT Exhibitor Booth: North Hall Level 1, booth #1171

Sunday, October 2, 2022: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm (Pacific)

Monday, October 3, 2022: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm (Pacific)

Tuesday, October 4, 2022: 9:00 am to 1:30 pm (Pacific)

October 2 Afterparty: Cocktails and hors doeuvres at Skyfall Lounge (Delano Las Vegas, attached to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino)

Sunday, October 2, 2022: 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm (Pacific)

October 3 Afterparty: Cocktails and cigars at Eight Cigar Lounge (Resorts World Las Vegas)

Monday, October 3, 2022: Starting at 9:00 pm (Pacific)

At the NACS Show 2022, the TAAT booth is located in the North Hall near the booths of well-known global brands in the convenience category to include JUUL Labs and Red Bull North America. In addition to this presence at the NACS Show, TAAT will be hosting two private events in resorts on the Las Vegas Strip for executives from the convenience industry.

Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR or the Investor Relations section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

TAAT Chief Executive Officer Michael Saxon commented, I anticipate the value proposition of TAAT will stand out at the NACS Show 2022, as a no-nicotine and no-tobacco alternative to cigarettes at a lower price point that is already winning over adult smokers in our focus markets across the United States. This year we are emphasizing how retailers can enjoy considerably better profit margins from selling TAAT compared to tobacco products. I am particularly excited about this event because we have Brent Taylor and Brad Call from B&B Beyond (announced in our September 13, 2022 press release) working with us at the show, and I believe we can benefit considerably from Brads experience as the former Chairman of the NACS organization. We look forward to kicking off the show this weekend and interfacing with top convenience management executives from the U.S. and worldwide.

More information about the NACS Show can be found on the events website at the following link: https://www.nacsshow.com/

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

TAAT GLOBAL ALTERNATIVES INC.

Michael Saxon

Michael Saxon, CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

TAAT Investor Relations1-833-TAAT-USA (1-833-822-8872)[email protected]

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE (CSE) HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE, NOR HAS OR DOES THE CSES REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER.

About TAAT Global Alternatives Inc.

TAAT develops, manufactures, and distributes alternative products in categories such as tobacco, hemp, kratom, and other emerging CPG segments. Its flagship product is a nicotine-free/tobacco-free combustible with a patent-pending base material formulation, sold in several thousand U.S. stores. With over CAD $80 million in overall gross revenue annually, TAATs facilities include an operations centre in Nevada, as well as a distribution centre and multiple convenience stores in Ohio.

For more information, please visit http://taatglobal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, estimates, 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 information in this news release includes statements regarding the anticipated performance of TAAT in the tobacco industry, in addition to the following: Potential outcomes from the Companys presence at the NACS Show 2022 in addition to the two events it will be hosting as detailed in the press release. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse market conditions; (ii) changes to the growth and size of the tobacco markets; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape applicable to the Company's business; and (iv) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The statements in this news release have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As each individual is different, the benefits, if any, of taking the Companys products will vary from person to person. No claims or guarantees can be made as to the effects of the Companys products on an individuals health and well-being. The Companys products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This news release may contain trademarked names of third-party entities (or their respective offerings with trademarked names) typically in reference to (i) relationships had by the Company with such third-party entities as referred to in this release and/or (ii) client/vendor/service provider parties whose relationship with the Company is/are referred to in this release. All rights to such trademarks are reserved by their respective owners or licensees.

Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms

Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by TAAT Global Alternatives Inc. can be found under the Company's profile on http://sedar.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/435f9827-5664-4af4-a0ee-dd7d1bc88496

Picture 1 At the NACS Show 2022, the TAAT booth is located in the North Hall near the booths of well-known global brands in the convenience category to include JUUL Labs and Red Bull North America. In addition to this presence at the NACS Show, TAAT will be hosting two private events in resorts on the Las Vegas Strip for executives from the convenience industry.

Source: TAAT Global Alternatives Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tactical Resources Corp. (CSE: RARE) (OTC: USREF) (Tactical Resources or the Company), a mineral exploration and development company focused on the rare earth elements (REEs) that drive the critical technologies of the future, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mark Mukhija as a member of the board of directors effective immediately.

Mr. Mukhija brings over 15 years of experience in the mining industry including roles with global mining companies such as Teck Resources, Barrick, BHP Billiton, and TransAlta. Since 2018, Mark has been the General Manager (Australia) for Motion Metrics, an industrial artificial intelligence and machine learning company catering to the mining industry with a specific focus on safety and productivity. Mr. Mukhija is responsible for the P&L, business development, project management, and logistics of the Motion Metrics (Australia) operations. With BHP Billiton, Mark was responsible for life of mine planning and asset value optimization. At TransAlta, Mr. Mukhija began as the Engineering Team Leader at the Sunhills Mine with 14 direct reports and then moved into a capital planning supervisory role where he was responsible for a $60mm annual capital expenditure budget for the operation. Mr. Mukhija is a Professional Engineer and graduate from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining Engineering (2003).

Company CEO, Ranjeet Sundher, notes, We welcome Mark to our team and look forward to working with him. His background and experience are an excellent fit for our growing enterprise, and we expect will greatly benefit our governance and oversight requirements. Every aspect of our performance, from fieldwork to capital markets will benefit from his participation.

Directors Mark Mukhija and Garry Clark have each been granted 50,000 stock options (Options), with each Option exercisable for one common share of the Company at a price of $1.04 until September 29, 2024. The Options vest immediately, and are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day.

Tactical Resources is fully focussed on becoming a premier North American developer of REE products to meet domestic supply chain needs, and further to this goal, the Company announces it will not exercise its option to acquire the SAM gold property in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company terminated the property option agreement with respect to the SAM property effective September 30, 2022, and has no further obligations to make additional cash or share payments thereunder.

In furtherance of the companys REE objective, Tactical is pleased to announce the filing of a technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for the Lac Ducharme REE Project, Manicouagan, Quebec.

The technical report is titled NI 43-101 TECHNICAL REPORT on the LAC DUCHARME REE PROJECT, MANICOUAGAN, QUEBEC For TACTICAL RESOURCES CORP. and has an effective date of September 29, 2022. This is an updated NI 43-101 report that has been written with regards to the Lac Ducharme and includes all technical work on the property to date and includes the 2021 and 2022 field work completed by Tactical Resources. The report was written by Martin Demers (P.Geo and Ordre des geologues du Quebec). The technical report is available for download under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website (www.tacticalresources.com).

On Behalf of The Board of Directors,

Sincerely,

~Ranjeet Sundher~

Ranjeet SundherChief Executive Officer & DirectorTactical Resources Corp. www.tacticalresources.com

About Tactical Resources Corp. (CSE: RARE) (OTC: USREF)Tactical Resources is a mineral exploration and development company focused on rare earth elements based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and holds interests at the Lac Ducharme property located in Quebec, and the Peak Project in western Texas. The Company is also actively involved in the development of innovative metallurgical processing techniques to further unlock REE development potential. Find out more at: www.tacticalresources.com and follow us on Twitter.

Forward Looking Information DisclaimerThis news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as may, would, could, will, likely, except, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook, or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated benefits to the Company of the appointment of Mr. Mukhija to its board of directors.

Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; the Companys ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive conditions of the sector in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all, as well as all of the other risks as described in the Companys long form prospectus dated February 28, 2022, under the heading Risks Factors. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Companys management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tactical Resources Corp. Investor RelationsEmail: [email protected] Telephone: +1 (778) 588-5483

Matt Chatterton, DirectorTel: +1 (778) 613-2068Email: [email protected]

Media Inquiries[email protected]

Source: Tactical Resources Corp.
TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR; OTC: FLWPF) (Flowr or the Company) is pleased to announce results of voting at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders that was held on September 28, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario.

All matters submitted to the shareholders for approval as set out in the Companys Notice of Meeting and Information Circular dated August 15, 2022 were approved, including the election of directors of the Company. The directors will hold office until successors are duly elected or appointed. Additionally, in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Companys shareholders approved the Stock Option Plan. The Companys shareholders also re-appointed MNP LLP, as the Companys auditors to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until its successor is duly appointed.

The Company also announces that Joanne Lee has resigned from the board of directors in order to pursue other opportunities. The board thanks Ms. Lee for her service to the Company and wishes her great success in her future endeavours.

About The Flowr Corporation

The Flowr Corporation is a Canadian cannabis company with its operating campus, located in Kelowna, British Columbia. Flowr aims to support improving outcomes through responsible cannabis use and, as an established expert in cannabis cultivation, strives to be the brand of choice for consumers and patients seeking the highest-quality craftsmanship and product consistency across a portfolio of differentiated cannabis products.

For more information, please visit flowrcorp.com or follow Flowr on Twitter: @FlowrCanada and LinkedIn: The Flowr Corporation.

On behalf of The Flowr Corporation:

Darren KarasiukChief Executive Officer

CONTACT INFORMATION:

INVESTORS & MEDIA:[email protected]

Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to: the Companys expectation that it will build on its achievements as it continues to invest in sales and marketing; Flowrs business, production and products; Flowrs plans to provide premium quality cannabis to adult use recreational and medical markets; the Companys ability to obtain licensing from Health Canada and other regulatory authorities with respect to its properties and facilities; future legislative and regulatory developments in Canada and elsewhere; the cannabis industry in Canada generally; the ability of Flowr to implement its business strategies; and the ability of Flowr to produce or sell premium quality cannabis. Particularly, information regarding our expectations of future results, targets, performance achievements, prospects or opportunities is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, believe, estimate, plan, could, should, would, outlook, forecast, anticipate, foresee, continue or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Forward-looking information is current as of the date it is made and is based on reasonable estimates and assumptions made by us at the relevant time in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. We do not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws in Canada. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information as discussed in the Companys other publicly filed documents, which can be accessed under the Companys profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com, Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information.

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: The Flowr Corporation
Paris, Amsterdam, September 30, 2022

Press Release

URW appoints Audrey Arnoux as Group Director of Investor Relations

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) today announces the appointment of Audrey Arnoux as Group Director of Investor Relations, effective from 28th September 2022.

Arnoux has extensive experience of engaging with the investment community thanks to five years as Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communications at Groupe ADP, the listed international airport operating business, and a decade at Societe Generales Corporate and Investment Bank. Prior to joining URW, Arnoux was Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communication at Plastic Omnium, a major automotive supplier.

Reporting to Fabrice Mouchel, Chief Financial Officer, and based in Paris, Arnoux will work closely with Group and local teams to develop and expand relationships with investors and financial analysts in line with the Groups objectives.

Arnoux holds a bachelors degree in business from ESSEC Business School and a postgraduate degree in sociology and political communication from Universite Paris DauphinePSL. Fabrice Mouchel, Chief Financial Officer of URW, said: I am excited to welcome Audrey to lead our Investor Relations function. Her significant capital markets and investor relations experience will be a tremendous asset for URW and I look forward to working with her to further strengthen our relationships with the financial community.

# # #

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Audrey Arnoux+33 6 61 27 07 39[email protected]

Media Relations UK/Global:Cornelia Schnepf  Finelk+44 7387 108 998[email protected]

France:Nathalie Feld  Image7+33 6 30 47 18 37[email protected]

United States:Molly Morse  Kekst CNC+ 1 212 521 4826[email protected]

About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is the premier global developer and operator of Flagship Destinations, with a portfolio valued at 55.0 Bn as at June 30, 2022, of which 87% in retail, 6% in offices, 5% in convention & exhibition venues and 2% in services. Currently, the Group owns and operates 80 shopping centres, including 53 Flagships in the most dynamic cities in Europe and the United States. Present on two continents and in 12 countries, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield provides a unique platform for retailers and brand events and offers an exceptional and constantly renewed experience for customers.

With the support of its 2,700 professionals and an unparalleled track-record and know-how, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is ideally positioned to generate superior value and develop world-class projects.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield stapled shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam and Euronext Paris (Euronext ticker: URW), with a secondary listing in Australia through Chess Depositary Interests. The Group benefits from a BBB+ rating from Standard & Poors and from a Baa2 rating from Moodys.

For more information, please visit www.urw.com

Visit our Media Library at https://mediacentre.urw.com

Follow the Group updates on Twitter @urw_group, LinkedIn @Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Instagram @urw_group

Attachment

Source: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE
WAWA, Pa., Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a longtime member of the Florida community, Wawa believes strongly in the importance of giving back and providing support for our Florida friends and neighbors during times of need. Following the impact of Hurricane Ian, Wawa has reinforced its commitment to the state of Florida with support to aid in storm recovery efforts. These include:

$500,000 Contribution to the Florida Disaster Fund  The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Floridas official private fund established to provide financial assistance to Florida communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. As a proud member of the Florida community, Wawa has made a $500,000 donation to the Florida Disaster Fund to help aid in recovery efforts. Those interested in contributing can visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.

The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Floridas official private fund established to provide financial assistance to Florida communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. As a proud member of the Florida community, Wawa has made a $500,000 donation to the Florida Disaster Fund to help aid in recovery efforts. Those interested in contributing can visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222. Free Coffee and Fountain Beverages for First Responders in Florida  Wawa stores in Florida are providing free coffee and fountain beverages to all first responders in Florida, including police, fire, EMT and the National Guard for all they are doing to support and serve our communities during Hurricane Ian response and recovery efforts.

As a member of the Florida community for more than a decade, we believe Wawa has a responsibility to give back and provide much-needed support for our Florida friends and neighbors during times of need, said Chris Gheysens, Wawa President and CEO. While recovery efforts continue, Wawa will do everything in our power to help our community and remain stocked with essential food and fuel during these challenging times. We thank our heroic first responders and friendly neighbors doing their part to support our communities and get us back and running again.

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Wawa is also providing a detailed and regularly updated list of its Florida store status, including information on the stores opening status and its fuel supply. The list can be found at https://www.wawa.com/alerts/hurricane-alert and will be continuously updated every day until all stores are fully reopened.

About Wawa, Inc. Wawa, Inc., a privately held company, began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and certified process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, Georges grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa is your all day, every day stop for freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs. Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. The stores offer a large fresh foodservice selection, including Wawa brands such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly-brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, specialty beverages and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks. Forbes.com Ranks Wawa as #23 of Americas Largest Private Companies in 2021 and #12 on Forbes 100 Halo List in 2022. For more information, visit us on www.wawa.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @wawa.

CONTACT: [email protected]

Source: Wawa, Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) (Western or the Company) third quarter 2022 financial and operating results will be released on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

Western will host its third quarter 2022 analyst conference call on Friday, November 4, 2022 at 09:00 a.m. PDT (12:00 p.m. EDT).

Steven Hofer, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Companys third quarter 2022 results followed by a question and answer session with the analyst community.

To join the conference call, dial:Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-952-5114From Toronto: 416-340-2217Passcode: 1411714#

To access the instant replay of the call, dial:Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-408-3053From Toronto: 905-694-9451Passcode: 2870283#

The instant replay will be available until December 5, 2022 at 8:59 p.m. PST (11:59 p.m. EST).

About Western Forest Products Inc.

Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.0 billion board feet from seven sawmills, as well as operates four remanufacturing facilities and two glulam manufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products.

For further information, please contact:

Stephen WilliamsExecutive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer(604) 648-4500

Source: Western Forest Products Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A woman poses with a cigarette in front of Philip Morris International logo in this illustration taken July 26, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Marie Mannes and Richa Naidu

GDANSK/LONDON (Reuters) -Elliott Management Corp, which has raised its stake in Swedish Match, would consider taking a seat on the board of the Stockholm-based maker of Zyn nicotine pouches, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Along with three other investors and a chair, Elliott is on a nominating committee that under Swedish law can evaluate who should be on Swedish Match's board, according to the Swedish Match website.

Philip Morris International's $16 billion offer for Swedish Match is hanging in the balance after Elliott disclosed on Friday that it had increased its stake to 7.25% from 5.5%.

By Swedish law, 90% of Swedish Match shareholders need to approve the offer before Oct. 21, but some oppose the 106 Swedish crown per share bid for one of the world's biggest makers of oral nicotine products.

Elliott, an activist hedge fund manager, declined to comment.

Bloomberg reported in July that the activist investor was believed to be planning to oppose the deal under its current terms. Elliott's increased stake means the offer will fail if another 2.75% of shareholders take a similar view.

Philip Morris and Swedish Match did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Philip Morris in May offered to buy the company in a bet on the fast-growing market for cigarette alternatives.

According to Euromonitor International, Swedish Match controls about half the world market for snus - a Swedish-style snuff that is moist and smoke-free. The company is also the global industry leader for nicotine pouches.

Swedish Match shares traded at 110 crowns on Friday and have been trading above the offer price since late July, suggesting investors anticipate PMI will need to make a higher bid.

Philip Morris' CEO told Reuters this week the company is not considering withdrawing its offer despite deteriorating global economic conditions and has "options on the table" including holding a majority stake.

Shareholder Framtiden Partnerships, which has held Swedish Match shares for nearly two decades and owns 1%, told Reuters last week that it opposes the takeover.

($1 = 11.1382 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Marie Mannes in Gdansk and Richa Naidu in London; Editing by Matt Scuffham, Jan Harvey and Cynthia Osterman)
Shares of Barnes Group (NYSE: B) rose 3% in early trading Friday after a new activist hedge fund, Irenic Capital ...

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Stocks finished the day sharply in the red again to wrap up a brutal quarter. However, several rumors from around Wall Street drove trading action in a couple of names. Below we highlighted a few:

Barnes Group (NYSE: B) rose fractionally today on word that a new activist fund, Irenic Capital Management, has built a stake in the company and will push for a sale. The group thinks the stock can be worth $60 in a sale, or more than double the current price, Bloomberg News reported.

Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) gained 3% today on chatter that Hollywood super-agent Ari Emanuel is trying to broker a settlement between the social media company and Elon Musk. CNBC followed up on the rumors saying serious settlement talks between the two sides are not seen underway.

By StreetInsider.com Staff

Want this type of news in real-time as it happens? Upgrade to StreetInsider.com Premium Here
Shares of Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) jumped Friday, currently up more than 3% on news that Hollywood super-agent Ari Emanuel has attempted to open the door for a potential settlement between Elon Musk and the social media company regarding their disputed $44 billion takeover.

The news was reported by Bloomberg Law, citing people familiar with the matter.

Emanuel reportedly spoke to Twitter board member Egon Durban in the past few weeks to propose the two sides find a resolution to the dispute ahead of upcoming court proceedings.

Durban was said to have told Twitter's board about the conversation, although Bloomberg wasn't told if they responded, and it is unclear if the overture will lead to a settlement.

This week, various text messages have been released as part of the legal dispute between Musk and Twitter. The messages showed Musk spoke to a number of people regarding the potential takeover, including Twitter's management and board and potential investors such as FTX chief executive Sam Bankman-Fried.

By Sam Boughedda
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Buchans Resources Limited (the "Company" or "Buchans"), a Canadian mineral exploration and development company, reports that the Collaboration Agreement between the Company and Boliden l AB covering the Buchans VMS Project, at Buchans, central Newfoundland has terminated.

Buchans entered into the Collaboration Agreement on its Buchans Project with Boliden in early 2021. Boliden was granted exclusivity rights to evaluate the project for possible future investment and participation. Under the Collaboration Boliden invested approximately $1.1 million in the Buchans project and undertook considerable technical reviews.

The evaluation period was originally scheduled to end at the end of 2021 but was extended by subsequent amendments to August 31, 2022, as Boliden requested additional time to complete its due diligence and negotiate the terms of option and joint venture agreements.

Agreement was reached on the terms of the option and earn-in agreement, namely the cumulative optional expenditure of $8.6 million by Boliden over four years to earn a 51% interest in the Buchans camp property, but excluding the area of the Lundberg Deposit. The option and earn-in agreement also included an option for Boliden to increase its interest to 75% by incurring further expenditures of $10 million over an additional three years, for a cumulative expenditure of $18.6 million.

Buchans and Boliden were, however, unable to reach agreement on terms for the subsequent joint venture agreement that would be formed when Boliden would have earned its interest. These unresolved terms were specifically related to the future financing of any mine that might be developed on the property, the terms of any off-take rights, and residual interests to be retained by a non-participating and diluting party.

Buchans reluctantly concluded that, although the agreed expenditure terms were attractive and reflected the Company's investment to date and the potential of the property, the proposed terms of the potential future joint venture would not be in the best long term interests of Buchans and its shareholders and further negotiations were terminated by Boliden.

Accordingly, the Collaboration Agreement has terminated in accordance with its terms and the exclusivity granted to Boliden has ended. Boliden retains no interest in the property and all technical information developed by Boliden is to be delivered to Buchans. Boliden has been granted a right of first refusal for a period of six months ending March 1, 2023, if Buchans receives a bona fide offer from a proposed buyer to purchase the project or any part thereof.

Work completed in collaboration with Boliden

As a result of the collaboration with Boliden, advances were made at the Buchans VMS project on several fronts. Technical work on the Buchans Project was primarily focused on investigations of the project's volcanic stratigraphy and included reprocessing and modeling of historic geophysical data and various geological investigations including creation of a digital 3D geological model.

Among the outcomes of this work are the recognition of potentially more effective and technologically advanced exploration methods, including geophysics and geophysical applications that should be applied towards future exploration. These applications have already generated multiple targets considered prospective for the discovery of new buried high-grade ore bodies at Buchans and will continue to be applied by the Company.

Buchans Base Metals Project

The Company's 100% owned Buchans base metal project measures more than 79 square kilometres (7,900 hectares) and covers all of the camp's past producing orebodies and key undeveloped prospects. Historic mining by ASARCO within the current property produced more than 16.2 million tonnes of ore with a combined average grade of 14.51% Zn, 7.65% Pb, 1.33% Cu, 126 g/t Ag, and 1.37g/t Au from five separate deposits before ore exhaustion and mine closure in 1984.

Recognizing the exceptional high-grade nature of the former Buchans orebodies, the Company's approach at Buchans has been two-fold. First, to identify lower grade resources not developed by the past mining operations, and second, to discover new high-grade orebodies comparable to the historic mined orebodies.

With the objective of identifying high-grade mineralization, Buchans has undertaken multiple initial, target specific exploration programs throughout the Project including a variety of geophysical surveys and local exploration drilling programs. The Company has also devoted great efforts to assessing the camp's mineralized prospects and trends through systematic relogging of archived historic drill cores from the Project's previously mined orebodies and key undeveloped prospects. To date, the Company has relogged more than 181,000 metres of drill core from more than 900 holes as a means of identifying and delineating favourable areas for further exploration for new buried high-grade orebodies.

Seeking to benefit from this considerable knowledge of the Buchans Project, the Company entered into the Collaboration Agreement with Boliden, a leading European mining and metals producer of zinc, copper, lead, and nickel. The Boliden collaboration was undertaken as a means of identifying and evaluating additional exploration targets throughout the project that have potential for discovery of new high-grade Buchans orebodies.

Lundberg Deposit Open Pit Project and Two Level Target

The collaboration program with Boliden has identified multiple target areas warranting further exploration, including the Two-Level (Lucky Strike) mine area, located immediately north of the Lundberg deposit, where the Company believes potential exists to discover additional high-grade resources down plunge of previous exploration drilling that might supplement an open pit mine development at Lundberg as either additional in-pit or underground resources.

Among these is the Two Level Target area where diamond drilling last undertaken by the Company in 2018 returned intercepts of 1.8 m of high-grade mineralization assaying 9.48% combined base metals (Zn+Pb+Cu) as 5.57% Zn, 3.15% Pb, 0.76% Cu, 90.5 g/t Ag & 0.37 g/t Au, including 1.0 m assaying 14.83% combined base metals as 8.70% Zn, 4.87% Pb, 1.26% Cu, 133.2 g/t Ag & 0.47 g/t Au (Buchans news release dated November 19, 2018). The Two-Level target is located on-strike to the northwest of mineralization intersected by the Company's 2018 drilling campaign just north of Lundberg and beyond the reach of underground workings of the former Lucky Strike mine.

On March 1, 2019, Buchans reported an updated pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate for Lundberg containing more than 1.25 billion pounds Zinc Equivalent, with 97.8% of the Mineral Resources in the Indicated category [Technical Report entitled: "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate on the Lundberg Deposit, Buchans Area, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada", dated April 15, 2019, filed on SEDAR].

The Resource Estimate includes Indicated In-pit Mineral Resources of 16,790,000 tonnes grading 1.53% Zn, 0.64% Pb, 0.42% Cu, 5.69 g/t Ag and 0.07 g/t Au (3.38% Zn Eq) and Inferred In-pit Mineral Resources of 380,000 tonnes grading 2.03% Zn, 1.01% Pb, 0.36% Cu, 22.35 g/t Ag and 0.31 g/t Au (4.46% Zn Eq). These resources were estimated within an optimized pit shell at a cut-off grade of US$20/t NSR and are considered to possess reasonable prospects for economic extraction in the foreseeable future using conventional open-pit mining methods. Notably, the 2019 resource estimate applied metal price assumptions of US $1.20/lb Zn, $1.00/lb Pb, $3.00/lb Cu, $1,250/oz Au, and $17/oz Ag.

This Lundberg deposit hosts a large lower grade resource of near-surface stockwork sulphide mineralization immediately beneath workings of the previously mined, high-grade Lucky Strike massive sulphide orebody from which ASARCO mined 5.6 million tonnes of ore averaging 18.4% Zn, 8.6% Pb, 1.6% Cu, 112 g/t Ag & 1.7 g/t Au, essentially pre-stripping a large portion of the Lundberg resource.

Qualified Person:

Paul Moore, M.Sc., P.Geo., (NL), Buchans Resources' Vice President of Exploration, is acting as Qualified Person in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 with respect to this release and has reviewed the technical contents for accuracy.

ABOUT BUCHANS RESOURCES

In addition to the Buchans Project, Buchans Resources holds other interests in zinc, lead, silver properties located in Newfoundland; gold properties in Newfoundland and in Labrador; nickel, copper, cobalt properties in Labrador, and indirectly through its 22% shareholding in Xtierra Inc., in base metal and silver projects in Mexico and, through its 14% shareholding in Minco Exploration plc, in base metal exploration licences in Ireland.

Enquiries

John F. Kearney: Chairman & Chief Executive +1 416 362 6686

Paul Moore: V.P. Exploration +1 709 738 7384

Steve Dawson: V.P. Corporate +1 647 998 9495

Peter McParland: Director - Ireland +353 (0) 46 907 3709

Please follow us on Twitter and on LinkedIn. Additional information available at www.BuchansResources.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to, but not limited to, the Company's expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "goal", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may" and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information may include reserve and resource estimates, estimates of future production, unit costs, costs of capital projects and timing of commencement of operations, and is based on current expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, failure to establish estimated resources and reserves the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, delays in the development of projects changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, inflation and other factors. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Shareholders and prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/139132
Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Since 2014, KISS PR has been providing local SEO services to small business owners. One of the key components in local SEO and map ranking is building a local brand using public relations. KISS PR's brand storytelling services help local business owners get attention from their local community. They do this by creating and syndicating high-quality content that is optimized for local search.





Local SEO / Google Business Ranking BY KISS PR

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8033/138978_08a79bf4c40b68ea_001full.jpg

KISS PR's team of experienced writers and SEO specialists craft each brand story with precision, making sure to include all the right key phrases and locations.

KISS PR Google MAP SEO Initiative includes:

Local Content Marketing Content

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Keeping Business Name. Address and Place (NAP) unique.

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Dedicated account manager with weekly and monthly reporting.

Press Release Distribution

Full details of the program can be found on KISS PR plan page.

About KISPR.com, Digital Marketing Agency

Dallas based digital storytelling company, KISS PR is a digital marketing agency that specializes in helping small businesses get found online. They offer various services, including local SEO, brand storytelling, and public relations. The team of experienced writers and SEO specialists craft each brand story with precision, making sure to include all the right key phrases and locations.

Media Contact and inquiries

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/138978
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - September 30, 2022) - Today, The TON Foundation launched the latest products in The Open Network's (TON) ecosystem, TON Sites and TON Proxy. These two products mark important new steps in the genesis of the TON Foundation's vision of a decentralized next-generation internet. Network protocols were specifically designed for TON so that nodes could communicate with one another and exchange data, and as a result, TON is poised to offer a totally private, decentralized, and secure private computer network.





Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8653/139048_lunaweb3image.jpg.

The TON network is decentralized (has no central server), stable (a node disconnecting will not affect the functioning of the network), and anonymous (it's impossible or difficult to determine the IP address of the node). When transmitting data among nodes in the network, mandatory encryption and built-in data authentication without the mediation of third-party certification authorities are used.

Starting today, anyone who wishes will be able to launch a TON Site, a web server that is available on the TON network.

TON Sites powerfully combines with TON DNS to remove the need for centralized domain name registries. Domain names can no longer be blocked or taken away arbitrarily. With TON DNS, all that is required is an annual micropayment of less than 0.0001 Toncoin as a symbolic gesture to confirm domain ownership.

This sleek internet removes the necessity to create new passwords for every website. Users can sign in to TON Sites with a TON-based cryptocurrency wallet - the wallet authenticates their identity.

Also, users can send Toncoins by entering the domain as the recipient's address.

To first access the TON network, users need to connect to a special entry point, known as an "entry proxy." Currently, one can use public entry points launched by the TON Foundation. The experience is user-friendly, as TON Proxy is compatible with HTTP Proxy; all you need to do is open the settings in your browser and enter the address of a public TON Proxy as a proxy server. There, ".ton" sites will be available within your browser as if they were regular websites.

A host of TON wallets has said they plan to implement TON Proxy directly in their wallet applications and extensions, meaning that the TON network and TON Sites will soon be able to be accessed by all TON wallet owners without downloading additional applications.

Also published in the updated roadmap, in the next TON Proxy version, traffic on the TON network will be rerouted through a random set of intermediary nodes to ensure anonymity, while the third version of TON Proxy will launch a decentralized economy, and those running intermediary nodes will receive automatic payments in the form of Toncoins from users.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About The Open Network (TON)

The Open Network is a third-generation proof-of-stake blockchain initially designed in 2018 by the Durov brothers, the founders of Telegram Messenger. Later, it was handed over to the open-source TON community, which has been supporting and developing it ever since.

TON was designed for lightning-fast transactions. It's user-friendly, and fully scalable.

The TON Foundation is a non-commercial group of supporters and contributors who help further grow the TON blockchain.

Contact name: Tarek Al Fakih

[email protected]

SOURCE The Open Network (TON)

Learn more about TON: https://ton.org

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/139048
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a conference of heads of security and intelligence agencies of the Commonwealth of Independent States member countries via a video link in Moscow, Russia, September 29, 2022. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kr

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday denied seeking to revive the Soviet Union, moments after announcing Moscow would annex four Ukrainian provinces following "referendums" decried in Kyiv and the West as a sham.

In a speech from the Kremlin to hundreds of Russia's top politicians, Putin said Russia would defend its new territory with all the means at its disposal, remarks that could signal aN escalation in the conflict with Ukraine.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Located in Calgary, Alberta, Mr Home Buyer is a real estate investment company that buys houses anywhere in Calgary and other areas Of Alberta at any price.



People have difficulties selling their homes when they are trying to avoid foreclosure, are going through a divorce, are moving, or are in debt from their mortgage.

It doesn't matter if the house is occupied, rented out, vacant, or uninhabitable. Mr Home Buyer assists homeowners who have downsized and are unwilling to sell, have liens against their property, have inherited an unwanted property, possess an empty home, are behind on their payments, or own an unoccupied home. Mr Home Buyer will still buy a house in Calgary, even if it needs repairs that the owner cannot pay for, even if it has fire damage or unreliable tenants.

The Calgary property market is booming, and attractive homes are selling quickly. But Mr Home Buyer can assist in avoiding the difficulties of a conventional transaction. If owners have a property in excellent shape and have the financial wherewithal to wait for the appropriate buyer, listing with an agency works brilliantly.

Traditional buyers may experience financing issues, have many visitors tour their home during an open house, fret about inspections, and other factors that can add stress and months to the process.

Sell houses to Mr Home Buyer immediately; they buy houses from individual homeowners. Sell a house quickly without the headache of finding a buyer or paying commissions. The actual amount owners receive in their pockets is usually never the amount they are selling for after deducting the agent's commission and any items the buyer wishes to correct.

When the house owner contacts Mr Home Buyer and submits the short property information form, they will give the owner a fair all-cash offer on their place within 24 hours, and the best part is; that they can close whenever the owner chooses to close entirely up to the owner. The condition of the vacant status of the house doesn't matter; Mr Home Buyer will take care of everything. If the owner needs the cash quickly, they can close in as little as seven days as the purchase is conducted with money and don't have to rely on traditional banks.

To buy houses or sell property, visit the official website of MrHomeBuyer.

This is how the process works :

Step 1. The first step is to Call or Submit the required information and get a fair "As-Is" cash offer in minutes.

Step 2. Meet with the team at the home. Their home-buying specialist will answer any questions.

Step 3. Choose your closing date. Sellers will be able to sell their houses fast without any stress.

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Whenever homeowners or property owners contact the company, it is usually to sell the property as fast as possible due to the dire need for cash or any other reason. The sellers can't wait long to get some money for their property.

Mr Home Buyer buys properties all over the city for the top dollar of this industry and will make the sale easy, fast, and quiet. The company doesn't need to advertise in newspapers or newspapers because this is all they do all year long.

If a seller wants to sell the property quickly, that doesn't mean they don't want a fair price. Mr Home Buyer recognizes this situation and ensures the client a reasonable price for the property according to its state and condition. This dedication is the company's main focus and expertise to support the client's claim.

A client shared feedback about Mr Home Buyer, Mr Home Buyer bought our house when we were looking to sell our house quickly. They closed a deal with us within a week, paid in cash, and were wonderful in all dealings. The selling of the house was a stress-free process. I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to sell quickly."

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Mr Home Buyer provides a guaranteed fair offer for the property. A complete top-notch service from the first call till the last. The company adjusts to working with the client's schedule. Payment is in cash, which gives the owners a sense of certainty. Full transparency and good communication help the client understand that it's all professional. The owners won't have to fix or repair anything; the company will take care of everything. Mr Home Buyer takes no commission, which helps the seller save thousands in cash, and the company pays all the closing costs.

Megan Cruz sold her house through Mr Home Buyer and expressed, "Had a great experience with Mr Home Buyer. I lived in BC and had a rental property in Edmonton; I was looking to sell quickly. They were accommodating and fast! I didn't have to do any repairs or renovations as it was bought as is. I would highly recommend it."

Facilitating the owners and providing ease and comfort makes Mr Home Buyer unique and the best choice for homeowners to make a sale. The company offers a cash advance before closing, so the owners don't feel like being scammed or tricked into prolonging the duration of the sale. It helps facilitate the move so the owners can sit back and relax. Flexible closing date to ensure more time and providing homes to pets, so they don't get left out. Mr Home Buyer, a real estate company, goes above and beyond to facilitate clients and help in any way possible.

To learn more visit Mr Home Buyers official website: https://www.mrhomebuyer.ca



ABOUT MR HOME BUYER

Mr Home Buyer is a real estate solutions and investment firm that specializes in helping homeowners get rid of burdensome houses fast. They are investors and problem solvers who can buy a house fast with a fair all-cash offer.

Contact Info:

Name: Steve

Email: Send Email

Organization: Mr Home Buyer

Website: https://www.mrhomebuyer.ca/



Release ID: 89082460

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.
TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization in the country, has announced the BBBSA Youth Equity and Empowerment Scholarship with support from the Deloitte Foundation. The scholarship program will provide young people with financial support for college and credentialing programs through the awarding of 60 scholarships.

High school juniors, seniors, and post-secondary adults aged 18 to 24 and enrolled in Big Brothers Big Sisters throughout the 2022-2023 academic school year will be eligible to receive a scholarship through the program. The scholarships will be for those with career interests in areas including accounting, finance, economics, engineering, computer engineering, computer science, information systems, technology, data science, data analytics and math. Scholarships will be available to youth living or planning to go to school in 13 markets: Chicago, IL, Hartford, CT, Kansas City, MO, Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis, MN, Nashville, TN, New York, NY, Omaha, NE, Parsippany, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA and Tampa, FL.

"We know when young people gain exposure and access to educational and career opportunities, it widens their view to the possibilities and potential ahead of them in life and career," said Artis Stevens, president and CEO, BBBSA. "With the support of organizations like the Deloitte Foundation, we continue to empower the next generation on a path to graduate with a plan for their futures."

"We are thrilled to be able to support an organization that continues to change lives through mentorship," said Erin Scanlon, president, Deloitte Foundation. "Big Brothers Big Sisters of America uplifts communities and helps to empower youth so that they can aspire to fulfilling lives and careers.".

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of AmericaFounded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters' evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters has over 230 local agencies serving more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information, visit: www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.

About The Deloitte FoundationThe Deloitte Foundation, founded in 1928, is a not-for-profit organization that supports education in the U.S. through a variety of initiatives that help develop the next generation of diverse business leaders, and their influencers, and promote excellence in teaching, research and curriculum innovation. The Foundation sponsors an array of national programs relevant to a variety of professional services, benefiting high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and educators. Learn more about the Deloitte Foundation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-america-announces-350-000-in-youth-scholarship-awards-from-the-deloitte-foundation-301637890.html

SOURCE Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
BEIJING, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A forum promoting cultural exchanges between China and Argentina was held in Beijing on Wednesday with senior officials from both countries pledging to advance the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The China-Argentina High-Level Forum on Cultural Exchanges comes as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez sent congratulatory letters to the forum.

For half a century, China-Argentina relations have endured tests posed by the changing international environment, exemplifying the unity and mutual development between developing countries and emerging economies, Xi said in his letter.

Noting the comprehensive and rapid development of bilateral ties reflects the vitality of China-Latin America relations, Xi voiced the hope that participants of the forum will pool their wisdom and build a consensus to help write a new chapter in the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for China and Latin America and mankind in the new era.

Fernandez said the much accomplished media cooperation between the two countries has raised mutual understanding between the two peoples, and he looks forward to the deepening of bilateral cooperation so as to further strengthen the China-Argentina strategic comprehensive partnership.

Over 100 representatives from China and Argentina attended the forum, which was jointly hosted by China Media Group and Argentina's Public Media of the Nation. It was one of a series of events in 2022 marking the friendship between the two countries.

The many understandings reached between the two countries, such as a cooperation agreement between Argentina's Buenos Aires Province and China's Sichuan Province, will further upgrade bilateral trade and financial collaboration, Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero said at the forum.

Buenos Aires and Sichuan are important economic provinces, Cafiero said, adding that their collaboration marks a great achievement in the China-Argentina strategic comprehensive partnership.

Fruitful cooperation, exchanges

China and Argentina established diplomatic ties in March 1972. Under the principles of the non-aligned movement, the two countries made significant progress in their pursuit of a cooperative agenda.

In 2004, the two countries signed a series of agreements, drastically boosting economic cooperation. Bilateral trade has grown rapidly during the past two decades, with China becoming Argentina's biggest trading partner in April 2020.

In November 2018, President Xi paid a state visit to Argentina where he also attended the Group of 20 Summit. Over 30 agriculture and investment deals were announced during that visit.

In a letter addressed to Xi in January 2022, Fernandez said countries should be united, respect and support each other against the pandemic disruptions, and commit to building a community with a shared future for mankind, a concept proposed by the Chinese president.

Fernandez later attended the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where Chinese and Argentine officials also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making the Latin American country an official BRI partner.

In addition to the MoU, the two countries also signed cooperation documents in over 10 areas, including green development, the digital economy, aerospace, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, technological innovation and agriculture.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-china-argentina-pledge-to-promote-community-with-shared-future-301637468.html

SOURCE CGTN
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the agency's SpaceX Crew-5 mission with astronauts to the International Space Station.

The launch is targeted for noon EDT, Wednesday, Oct. 5, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, is scheduled to dock to the space station at 4:57 p.m. EDT Thursday, Oct. 6. Crew arrival, launch, the postlaunch news conference, and mission coverage through docking will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website. NASA also will host an audio only prelaunch news teleconference. Follow all live events at:

https://www.nasa.gov/live

The Crew-5 launch will carry two NASA astronauts Mission Commander Nicole Mann and Pilot Josh Cassada, along with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station for a science expedition mission.

This is the fifth crew rotation mission with astronauts using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket to the orbiting laboratory as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

The deadline has passed for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch. More information about media accreditation is available by emailing: [email protected].

All media participation in the following news conferences will be remote except where specifically listed below.

NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):

Saturday, Oct. 1

12:30 p.m. (approximately)  Crew arrival media event at Kennedy on NASA Television

Bob Cabana, associate administrator, NASA

Janet Petro, director, NASA Kennedy

Junichi Sakai, manager, International Space Station, JAXA

NASA astronaut Nicole Mann

NASA astronaut Josh Cassada

JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata

Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina

The event is limited to in-person media only. Follow Commercial Crew and Kennedy Space Center for the latest arrival updates.

Monday, Oct. 3

7:30 p.m. (approximately)  Prelaunch News Teleconference at Kennedy (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants:

Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy

Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station, Johnson

Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson

Kirt Costello, chief scientist, NASA's International Space Station Program

Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX

Junichi Sakai, manager, International Space Station, JAXA

Sergei Krikalev, executive director, Human Space Flight Programs, Roscosmos

Brian Cizek, launch weather officer, U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron

Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3 at: [email protected].

Wednesday, Oct. 5

8:30 a.m.  NASA TV launch coverage begins. NASA Television will have continuous mission coverage to docking and coverage of hatch open and the welcome ceremony.

1:30 p.m. (approximately)  Postlaunch News Conference on NASA TV

Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy

Joel Montalbano, manager, International Space Station, Johnson

Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX

Hiroshi Sasaki, vice president and director general, JAXA's Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate

Sergei Krikalev, executive director, Human Space Flight Programs, Roscosmos

Media may ask questions in-person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at: [email protected].

Thursday, Oct. 6

4:57 p.m.  Docking to the International Space Station

6:42 p.m.  Hatch Opening

8:15 p.m.  Welcome Ceremony

NASA TV Launch Coverage

NASA TV live coverage will begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/live

Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, -1260 or -7135. On launch day, "mission audio," countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135.

NASA Website Launch Coverage

Launch day coverage of NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 mission will be available on the agency's website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our launch blog at:

http://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

Launch also will be available on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz and UHF radio frequency 444.925 MHz, FM mode, heard within Brevard County on the Space Coast.

Attend the launch virtually

Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA's virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following a successful launch.

Watch and engage on social media

Let people know you're following the mission on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtags #Crew5 and #NASASocial. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:

Twitter: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research, @ISS National Lab, @SpaceX, @Commercial_Crew

Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab

Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab, @SpaceX Did you know NASA has a Spanish section called NASA en Espanol? Make sure to check out NASA en Espanol on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for more coverage on Crew-5.

Para obtener informacion sobre cobertura en espanol en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en espanol, comuniquese con Antonia Jaramillo 321-501-8425 [email protected].

NASA will provide a live video feed of Launch Complex 39A approximately 48 hours prior to the planned liftoff of the Crew-5 mission. Pending unlikely technical issues, the feed will be uninterrupted until the prelaunch broadcast begins on NASA TV, approximately four hours prior to launch.

Once the feed is live, you will find it here:

http://youtube.com/kscnewsroom

NASA's Commercial Crew Program has delivered on its goal of safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States through a partnership with American private industry. This partnership is changing the arc of human spaceflight history by opening access to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station to more people, more science, and more commercial opportunities. The space station remains the springboard to NASA's next great leap in space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and, eventually, to Mars.

For NASA's launch blog and more information about the mission, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

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SOURCE NASA
Vanderbilt University and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Partner on Survey of Paralysis Community to Inform Future Health Policy Implications

NASHVILLE, Tenn, and SHORT HILLS, N.J., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Newly published research from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation highlights the perspectives of the paralysis community on COVID-19 vaccine boosters. Among the key findings is evidence that individuals living with paralysis have specific safety concerns that should be addressed through important doctor-patient communication  especially as the nation considers recommending yearly booster shots.

This research builds on recent findings exploring the paralysis community's views on COVID-19 vaccines, published in November 2021. Published in Rehabilitation Psychology, the findings show important differences in the perspectives of individuals with and without paralysis regarding safety and government transparency related to COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

Between December 2021 - January 2022, the Reeve Foundation distributed a survey to the paralysis community via email. The survey, which included 44 questions, was aimed at learning about how informed the paralysis community is about the boosters, hesitancies about the boosters, and vaccination and booster rates. 774 individuals completed the survey: 470 survey respondents were persons with a disability (PWD; 377 of whom identified as a person with paralysis and 93 with another disability), and 304 individuals were family members/caregivers of a PWP, friends of PQP, healthcare professionals, and supporters of the Reeve Foundation, grouped into the Foundation Supporters group (FS group).

Most PWD respondents (86.3%) reported that they did not have safety concerns related to the vaccine boosters, and 61.3% of PWD had already spoken to a medical provider about the boosters. PWD were significantly more likely than members of the FS group to have spoken to a provider about the boosters. Some PWD's safety concerns were similar to hesitations of individuals without disabilities, including distrust of the government and/or pharmaceutical companies, belief that the boosters are unnecessary, and concern about booster side effects. PWP expressed unique concerns related to paralysis or other neurological symptoms, and believed that the booster would affect their paralysis.

The survey results also showed that persons with paralysis (PWP) and/or other disabilities were significantly less likely than individuals without paralysis to agree that they felt well-informed about COVID-19 vaccine boosters, that the boosters were safe, and that their state and federal governments provide transparent information about the boosters.

"The results from our study show that while individuals with paralysis do share many concerns about the boosters with individuals without paralysis, there are some concerns unique to individuals living with paralysis that affect their perceptions of the booster and their decision to receive a booster," said Claire Burdick, Senior Research Analyst at Vanderbilt and co-author of the study.

"The unique experiences and perspectives of individuals with paralysis need to be a central part of conversations with healthcare professionals, especially rehabilitation psychologists and physiatrists, in order to make sure that all of their needs, whether related to paralysis or not, are met. Due to the constant emergence of new variants and questions about boosters, it is important that medical professionals engage with their patients to provide accurate information that is targeted specifically towards the disability community," Burdick added.

Key findings of the study included:

Most individuals with paralysis or other disabilities (77.3%) were fully vaccinated. In February 2021, just 15.5% of PWP were fully vaccinated.

Most PWP respondents (74.1%) had already received a booster shot.

Most PWP who had family caregivers reported that their caregivers were fully vaccinated (87.3%), and of these caregivers, 80.3% had received a booster. In February 2021, most family caregivers (59.8%) had not yet received any doses of a COVID vaccine.

There were no significant differences in whether or not PWP vs. FS had already gotten a booster shot, but of those who hadn't, PWP were significantly less likely to plan to receive one. Of the PWP who had not yet received a booster, 37.9% planned to, while 60% of individuals without paralysis who hadn't yet gotten a booster planned to get one.

Open-ended responses showed that although PWP and FS had many similar concerns about the boosters (worry about side effects, rapid development, do not think the boosters are necessary), and although shared by both groups, distrust was expressed more commonly among PWP than FS. There were some concerns expressed exclusively by PWP, including concern about paralysis or other neurological symptoms, waiting to see how the booster affects others, and unknown vaccine content.

"We were happy to see that vaccination rates have greatly improved since our initial study in February 2021, and that fully-vaccinated members of the paralysis community are receiving boosters ahead of the national average of fully-vaccinated Americans. It was interesting to see that there were differences between groups related to feeling informed about the boosters, perceptions of safety, and information from government sources that we didn't see in our first survey. It's possible that individuals with disabilities distrust the government and the information provided due to the length of the pandemic and confusing and inconsistent guidance from government agencies," said Burdick.

Due to an inability to social distance due to caregiver assistance or medical needs, many individuals in the paralysis community reported high levels of stress and anxiety about contracting COVID-19 or exhibiting more severe symptoms. At a time when vaccines and boosters are widely available in the United States, it is promising that most individuals with paralysis reported receiving vaccinations and boosters. The results from this study show that there are important differences between the perspectives of PWP and the general population that must be considered in order to ensure that the paralysis community is treated equitably in public health efforts.

"Conducting research and surveys on COVID-19 with our trusted partners at Vanderbilt University helps spread awareness and gain key insight for the community we serve," said Regina Blye, Chief Program and Policy Officer, Reeve Foundation. "These results are helping paint a clearer picture of the specific effects of COVID-19 on the disability community, and we will continue to advocate and amplify their voices."

Visit the Reeve Foundation website to learn more about its COVID-19 resources.

This research was supported by the Administration for Community Living Agreement (#PRRC21000033), awarded to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and subcontracted to Vanderbilt University (PI: Caroline Christopher, Ph.D.). The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of ACL.

About Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a globally renowned research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. Ranked No. 14 among national universities, Vanderbilt offers an immersive living-learning undergraduate experience, with programs in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, music, education and human development. The university also is home to nationally and internationally recognized graduate schools of law, education, business, medicine, nursing and divinity, and offers robust graduate-degree programs across a range of academic disciplines. Vanderbilt is committed to inclusive excellence, drawing the world's brightest students, faculty and distinguished visitors from across all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and provides a collaborative atmosphere of discovery that drives positive change in the world. Learn more at www.vanderbilt.edu.

About the Reeve Foundation

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discovery across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services assisting over 100,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community's voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB's Charity Seal. For more information, please visit www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

Media Contacts:Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation973-933-7123[email protected]

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SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Event is part of company goal to plant 20,000 trees in 2022

FAIRMONT, W.Va., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to building a brighter and more sustainable future for the communities it serves, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) will be giving away 1,500 trees at the 2022 Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, West Virginia.

Green Team members from FirstEnergy electric company Mon Power  a group of employees who volunteer their time and talents to support a wide variety of environmental initiatives  will hand out Redbud, Red Maple, Red Oak and Serviceberry trees at the festival's Conservation Village located at the Elkins City Park on Friday, Oct. 7, from 9 am to 4 pm, and on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 am to 1:30 pm. FirstEnergy will also provide 600 reusable tote bags for children visiting the Conservation Village on the festival's Kids Day on Thursday, Oct. 6.

The giveaway is part of a larger company initiative to plant 20,000 trees in 2022. Nearly 16,000 trees have already been planted at parks and nature reserves throughout FirstEnergy's six-state service territory so far this year. Tree plantings and giveaways support FirstEnergy's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, promote the responsible use of natural resources and further the advancement of sustainable practices.

"The Mountain State Forest Festival highlights the critical role that natural resources play in West Virginia's culture and economic development. As one of West Virginia's largest festivals, it's an ideal venue for our largest tree giveaway in the state this year," said Carol Trembly, a senior scientist with FirstEnergy who leads the company's tree planting initiative.

In addition to the tree giveaway, FirstEnergy is donating $2,000 to the Mountain State Forest Festival this year. Mon Power is also making an in-kind donation valued at $10,000 by providing crews, trucks and equipment to set up the logs for the festival's annual Lumberjack Contest on Oct. 8 at Davis & Elkins College.

For more information about FirstEnergy's commitment to environmental initiatives, visit www.firstenergycorp.com/environmental.

Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firstenergy-to-give-away-1-500-trees-at-mountain-state-forest-festival-301638049.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage at 22 facilities across South Carolina and Georgia where storm surge, flooding and strong winds from Hurricane Ian are expected to leave residents in need of recovery assistance.

"Ian has already brought devastation to our neighbors in Florida," said Tinessa Edwards, U-Haul Company of Coastal South Carolina president. "The threat of flooding in South Carolina is high as Ian makes landfall here. Storms of this magnitude create an immediate need for dry and secure self-storage.

"Our U-Haul family is willing and able to help by making our disaster relief program available to anyone in need."

U-Haul has also made 43 self-storage facilities across Florida available to offer free assistance.

The free month of self-storage services is available to customers renting new units and is subject to vacancy at each U-Haul facility. People seeking more information about the U-Haul disaster relief program or needing to arrange 30 days of free self-storage should contact the participating facility nearest them (listed alphabetically by city):

SOUTH CAROLINA

U-Haul at Knox Abbott 901 Knox Abbott Drive Cayce, SC 29033 (803) 791-5992

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Wambaw Creek 2076 Wambaw Creek Road Charleston, SC 29492 (843) 884-4688

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Arcadia Lakes 125 Decker Park Road Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 699-9397

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Beltline 2826 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 807-2534

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Broad River Road 1003 Zimalcrest Drive Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 731-0067

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Dentsville 7325 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 636-2652

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Elmwood 1037 Elmwood Ave. Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 256-2499

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Fort Jackson 5604 Forest Drive Columbia, SC 29206 (803) 787-5154

U-Haul Moving & Storage at I-26 3754 Fernandina Road Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 798-4414

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Sandhill 1117 Sparkleberry Lane Extension Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 766-7417

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Spring Valley 8400 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 736-8582

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Two Notch Road 2339 Two Notch Road Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 256-7397

U-Haul Moving & Storage of West Florence 2020 W. Evans St. Florence, SC 29501 (843) 662-4935

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Greenwood 254 Bypass 72 NW Greenwood, SC 29649 (864) 538-4472

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Cayce 1500 Charleston Hwy. West Columbia, SC 29169 (803) 926-5252

U-Haul Moving & Storage of W. Columbia 400 Orchard Drive West Columbia, SC 29170 (803) 796-3724

GEORGIA

U-Haul Moving & Storage at 520 3455 Wrightsboro Road Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 733-3252

U-Haul Moving & Storage of Augusta West 3515 Wrightsboro Road Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 447-5225

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Broad St. 1589 Broad St. Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 722-4396

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Gordon Hwy. 1647 Gordon Hwy. Augusta, GA 30906 (706) 434-8798

U-Haul Moving & Storage at Wrightsboro 3363 Wrightsboro Road Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 738-6463

U-Box Storage of Savannah 3488 Ogeechee Road Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 233-9912

Customers needing cardboard boxes can utilize the in-store Take a Box, Leave a Box program. U-Haul offers an area where customers can drop off used boxes in good condition, and others can access the boxes at no cost. U-Haul encourages anyone who has reusable boxes to drop them at the nearest U-Haul store location to assist this environmentally friendly initiative.

In addition to its 30 days free self-storage disaster relief program, U-Haul is proud to be at the forefront of aiding communities in times of need as an official American Red Cross Disaster Responder.

About U-HAUL

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 23,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 186,000 trucks, 128,000 trailers and 46,000 towing devices. U-Haul is the third largest self-storage operator in North America and offers 895,000 rentable storage units and 76.6 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities. U-Haul is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., and continues to be the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry. U-Haul has been recognized repeatedly as a leading "Best for Vets" employer and was recently named one of the 15 Healthiest Workplaces in America.

Contact:

Andrea Batchelor Jeff Lockridge E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 602-263-6981 Website: uhaul.com

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SOURCE U-Haul
GMIS America Forum in Pittsburgh convenes more than 70 expert speakers from governments and the private sector to drive discussions on how digital technologies can accelerate the global energy transition

Panel discussions covered the role of manufacturers to drive the global energy transition, the circular economy and how finite resources demand changes to global supply chains

Industry must play a pivotal role in helping energy system transition from hydrocarbons to clean energy sources in pursuit of net-zero future

Industrialists urged to decouple economic growth from finite resources amid the fundamental shift in supply chains

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The first day of the inaugural US edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS America) opened with a firm call for energy leaders to increase collaboration efforts with industrial players to develop a practical roadmap for rapid decarbonization in wake of the current final decade of action to achieve the sustainable development goals.

Held under the theme of ''Advancing global industrialization and net-zero," day one of GMIS America held discussions on how digital technologies can accelerate the global energy transition and support the growth of sustainable manufacturing.

Hosted by the Honorable Thomas Wolf, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, GMIS America will convene more than 70 experts from governments and the private sector in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and provide a platform to mobilize the global manufacturing industry and enhance cooperation between American and Emirati industrial companies.

The day's first panel discussion covered the role of industry and manufacturing in helping to drive the global energy transition. With 81% of the global energy system still based on hydrocarbons  the same percentage as 30 years ago  panelists discussed how Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies can solve the trifecta of challenges facing the energy sector  security, access and climate progress.

The panel featured global energy and industry leaders including Hilary Mercer, Senior Vice President of Shell Polymers at Shell; Allyson Book, Vice President of Energy Transition of Baker Hughes; Mark Johnson, Special Advisor at the Advanced Manufacturing Office of the US Department of Energy; Marcelo Carugo, VP of Global Industry Programs and Alliances of Emerson, and Patrick Gallagher, Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh.

During the opening panel, Book noted that the burden to reduce carbon emissions is not just on energy companies like Shell and many of their customers, but it is on the global economy, highlighting how industrialists are the fastest-growing carbon producers in the world, followed closely by power utilities, and home-heating providers, and transportation, according to DC-based non-profit organization, World Resources Institute. Mercer emphasized the importance of data trial in reducing the carbon footprint and being able to demonstrate to people that we are really doing what we are saying.

In the panel discussion that followed, the focus shifted to a future enabled by 4IR technologies. Panelists explored how industrial players can unlock value from decentralized supply chains as they push towards net zero goals. Eng. Omar Al Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer of the ICT Fund was joined on the panel by Dr Lonnie Love, Corporate Fellow of the Energy & Transportation Division of Oakridge National Laboratory, and Tariq Al Hashimi, Director of Technology Adoption and Development at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, to discuss financial policy mechanisms and increasing local production amid a decline in globalized supply chains.

Eng. Omar Al Mahmoud commented that at the core of the fourth industrial revolution is innovation and how we approach innovation should be like how we manage a supply chain where you plan and track it like a separate supply chain and if you keep at it then you'll find solutions. Al Hashimi emphasised the importance of having financing toolkits that enable the private sector to drive the fourth industrial revolution. Al Hashimi said: "The 4IR technologies have a lot of potential but these are very risky investments and thus the private sector will be slow to invest."

A discussion on the circular economy was next on the running order, focusing on the role of innovation and technology in developing industrial processes. Participants included Dr. Hakkan Jonsson, Chairman and President of Covestro USA, Dr. Melissa Bilec, William Kepler, Whiteford Professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, John Thayer, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing of Nova Chemicals, and Steve Sikra, Vice President and Head of Americas at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste.

The panel discussed how decoupling economic growth from finite resources will require fundamental changes to supply chains, export markets and production and manufacturing processes. Thayer noted that polyethene is the world's most widely used plastic and the demand for polyethene is going to continue to grow but what is changing and what will continue to change is the way source feedstock.

Thayer said: "What's changing is where the feedstock comes from. More and more we will be looking for different feedstocks of recycled material. Those that are traditionally recycled like PET and high-density polyethene, but it will also be more hard-to-recycle items like low-density polyethene, and integrate those products into the feedstock."

Thayer added that between now and 2030 to 2050, there will be great demand for plastics as these do more for less. It is also an important aspect of decarbonisation and energy efficiency to feed the world.

The final session of the day focused on Innovative Manufacturing in Life Sciences, featuring Jeanne Cunicelli, President of UPMC Enterprises, Michael Paglia, Chief Operating Officer of ElevateBio Basecamp and Dr. Anatha Shekar, Senior Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.

The first day witnessed a gala dinner, and a special keynote delivered by Diane Holder, CEO of UPMC Health Plan. The day concluded with an impassioned keynote by CNN Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta which followed by a fire-side chate moderated by Dr. Robert Friedlander, Chair of the department of neurological surgery at UPMC.

Tomorrow, the second day of GMIS America will see participants discussing supply chain resilience, the future of industrial services and how to scale sustainably and efficiently. Several sessions will also be held on opportunities for manufacturing in the United Arab Emirates, as well as fireside chats with global leaders and experts from across the industry.

GMIS America is hosting multiple activities over three days from September 28  30, 2022. The event comprises of high-profile sessions across several formats, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats, as well as a gala dinner, interactive workshops and working groups on September 28 and 29. On September 30, GMIS America will host an exclusive site visit to Mill 19, a discovery workspace where Carnegie Mellon innovators partner with industry pioneers to apply digital innovation, advanced manufacturing technology, and human intelligence to the production of the future. The workplace features an additive manufacturing laboratory, a modern workshop, and advanced industrial facilities, and is home to some of the world's latest and most innovative advanced technology solutions.

About GMIS:

The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) was established in 2015 to build bridges between manufacturers, governments and NGOs, technologists, and investors in harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution's (4IR) transformation of manufacturing to enable the regeneration of the global economy. A joint initiative by the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), GMIS is a global platform that presents stakeholders with an opportunity to shape the future of the manufacturing sector and contribute towards global good by advancing some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Previous international editions of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit were held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in March 2017, Yekaterinburg, Russia, in July 2019, Hannover, Germany (Virtual), in 2020, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in November 2021, with each edition welcoming over 3,000 high-level delegates from over 40 countries.

GMIS will hold its inaugural edition of GMIS America in Pittsburgh from September 28-30, 2022, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DCC).

To learn more about GMIS, please visit https://gmisummit.com/ and follow GMIS on Twitter: @GMISummit, Instagram: @gmisummit, LinkedIn: GMIS - Global Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit, and Facebook: @GMISummit.

Press Contact:

Reethu ThachilHead of PR and Communications EYESOME X, Press Office for:Global Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit Mohammed Bin Rashid Initiative for Global Prosperity +971 58 847 6870/ [email protected]

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SOURCE Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
BOSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.6500 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of September 12, 2022, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Financial Opportunities Fund (NYSE: BTO) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 1, 2022, and payable on September 30, 2022. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: September 2022 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.6500

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 30, 2022, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

For the period 07/1/2022-09/30/2022 For the fiscal year-to-date period 1/1/2022-09/30/2022 1 Source Current Distribution ($) % Breakdown of the Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions ($) % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income 0.1127 17 % 0.4606 25 % Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains 0.0048 1 % 0.0000 0 % Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains 0.0839 13 % 0.6832 37 % Return of Capital or Other Capital Source 0.4486 69 % 0.7000 38 % Total per common share 0.6500 100 % 1.8438 100 % Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on August 31, 2022 6.97 % Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022 7.67 % Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through August 31, 2022 -12.08 % Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022 5.44 %

1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2022 and will end on December 31, 2022.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the September 2022 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.6500 per share.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above.

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 manulife.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund Inc. (NYSE American: NHS) (the "Fund") has announced a distribution declaration of $0.0905 per share of common stock. The distribution announced today is payable on October 31, 2022, has a record date of October 17, 2022 and has an ex-date of October 14, 2022.

Under its level distribution policy, the Fund anticipates that it will make regular monthly distributions, subject to market conditions, of $0.0905 per share of common stock, unless further action is taken to determine another amount. The Fund's ability to maintain its current distribution rate will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and stability of income received from its investments, the cost of leverage and the level of other Fund fees and expenses. There is no assurance that the Fund will always be able to pay a distribution of any particular amount or that a distribution will consist only of net investment income.

Due to an effort to maintain a stable distribution amount, the distribution announced today, as well as future distributions, may consist of net investment income, net realized capital gains and return of capital. In compliance with Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, a notice would be provided for any distribution that does not consist solely of net investment income. The notice would be for informational purposes and not for tax reporting purposes, and would disclose, among other things, estimated portions of the distribution, if any, consisting of net investment income, capital gains and return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of all distributions paid in 2022 will be made after the end of the year.

About Neuberger Berman

Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategiesincluding equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge fundson behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 25 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,500 professionals. For eight consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). Neuberger Berman is a PRI Leader, a designation, since last assessed, that was awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. In the 2021 PRI Assessment, the firm obtained the highest possible scoring for its overarching approach to ESG investment and stewardship, and integration across asset classes. The firm manages $418 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2022. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com.

Statements made in this release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or a decline in the Fund's performance, a general downturn in the economy, competition from other closed end investment companies, changes in government policy or regulation, inability of the Fund's investment adviser to attract or retain key employees, inability of the Fund to implement its investment strategy, inability of the Fund to manage rapid expansion and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations.

Contact:Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLCInvestor Information(877) 461-1899

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SOURCE Neuberger Berman
The contract agreement followed months of bargaining and a focused effort by NWH nurses to convince the hospital to provide the resources nurses and patients need

NEWTON, Mass., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The registered nurses of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, voted overwhelmingly on September 30 to ratify a new contract with the hospital that makes critical investments in nurses and their ability to provide safe, high-quality patient care.

"I am so proud of our nurses and what this agreement will do to help us recruit and retain the nurses we need to provide quality patient care at Newton-Wellesley Hospital," said Julie Gordon, a NWH cardiac care nurse and MNA Bargaining Committee Co-Chair. "With these improvements for nurses and our patients, we look forward to restoring Newton-Wellesley Hospital as a trusted place of healing for our community."

"This hard-won contract will help Newton-Wellesley Hospital nurses provide safe patient care and address staffing shortages that have contributed to nurses leaving our profession," said Adam Castagno, a NWH operating room nurse and MNA Bargaining Committee Co-Chair. "By sticking together through months of negotiations, we convinced the hospital and Mass General Brigham to do the right thing and put more resources into frontline staff and patient care."

Contract Agreement Highlights

A 5% across-the-board wage increase in year one (retroactive to April 1, 2022) and a 5% across-the-board wage increase in year two.

A new full 4.5% top step on the wage scale in year one (retroactive to April 1, 2022).

A brand-new Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Midwife wage scale.

Increases to the BA, MA, and doctoral degree differentials.

Increases to the evening and night differentials, OR Resource and Laser Nurse pay, relief charge/relief pod coordinator pay, and on-call pay.

Increases to the on-call pay categories, creation of a new on-call category for RNs in units requiring 96 or more hours of call in a six-week schedule.

Adds Juneteenth as a new premium pay holiday

Summer vacation bonus trial for the duration of the contract with an opportunity to extend if successful.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses  Instagram.com/MassNurses

____________________________________________Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

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SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
Above: Official logos of PwC Hong Kong and TerraZero Technologies, Inc.

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - TerraZero Technologies Inc. ("TerraZero" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated Metaverse technology company, announces that it entered into a collaboration agreement with PwC Hong Kong (PwC).

TerraZero's business model is focused on Metaverse product and service development, Metaverse experience creation and deployment, and platform development. Together, PwC and TerraZero are devising a go-to-market strategy to help businesses across all sectors attain, reclaim and invite new audiences and to engage with them in new ways through immersive 3D experiences. The two firms will collaborate to market each other's services to companies in Hong Kong looking to create experiences across a variety of metaverse platforms.

As well as public Metaverse experiences with B2B, B2G and B2C applications, PwC will work with TerraZero to explore new ways in which companies can build privately hosted metaverse experiences. These will have the enterprise level safety, privacy and security features that big brands need in order to interact and transact with their customers in ways that build trust with users. "The Metaverse will provide opportunities for all, from consumers to sole proprietors, small and medium-sized businesses, enterprise organizations and governments. There must be secure solutions for all," says TerraZero CEO Dan Reitzik.

"In addition to creating engaging experiences for customers and delivering sustained outcomes, it is important that companies can manage the risks around user privacy, data security, cyber, payments, tax and financial crime," says Peter Brewin, Partner, PwC Hong Kong. "TerraZero's solutions, combined with PwC's digital expertise in these areas, provide a tool kit for businesses to build experiences that their users can trust."

"This is a superb step into the metaverse for PwC Hong Kong and TerraZero together," says Guy Parsonage, Partner, PwC Hong Kong. "It enables us to take full advantage of the amazing experiences that can be created with the technology."

"TerraZero's strengths are in creating engagement, community and usability solutions which bridge the real world and the metaverse," says TerraZero CEO Dan Reitzik. "We are particularly excited about both decentralized metaverse worlds and what TerraZero is creating for private environments: where companies, entrepreneurs, artists and content creators of all kinds can safely conduct transactions and KYC processes, manage their brand IP, and more  all within an environment which brands can completely control themselves. This is the vision we will follow as the metaverse continues to grow and major entities enter the space."

Find out more about PwC's views on the metaverse's implications for business here:

https://www.pwchk.com/en/industries/financial-services/publications/the-metaverse-what-businesses-need-to-know-jun2022.html

Corporations or other entities which are interested in receiving additional information about TerraZero's commercial services and enterprise-grade technologies or which might be looking for an individual Metaverse experience or virtual reality solution for its business, could visit the Company's website www.terrazero.com or contact TerraZero at [email protected].

About TerraZero Technologies Inc.

TerraZero Technologies Inc. ("TerraZero") is a vertically integrated Metaverse development group and leading Web 3.0 technology company specializing in helping brands create immersive experiences. The Company's Metaverse-agnostic vision is to develop and implement products and services with scalable commercial applications to flourish engagement across gamified experiences where enterprise- level businesses, Metaverse platforms, and Web3 creators can seamlessly bridge and actionably grow their virtual world and the physical world endeavors together as one. TerraZero owns digital real estate for brands to establish presence in existing virtual worlds and can also offer brands their own private worlds to provide offices and services to those interested in the Metaverse. Furthermore, TerraZero acquires, designs, builds, and operates virtual assets and solutions to monetize the Metaverse ecosystem. The Company's businesses are segmented into five (5) divisions which include: (1) Immersive experience creation in existing or private virtual worlds; (2) advertising; (3) data analytics; (4) events and marketing; and (5) infrastructure. TerraZero aims to support the community, foster innovation, and drive adoption. For more information, please visit www.terrazero.com or contact [email protected].

About PwC - Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR

PwC Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR work together on a collaborative basis, subject to local applicable laws. Collectively, we have over 800 partners and more than 20,000 people in total.

We provide organisations with the professional service they need, wherever they may be located. Our highly qualified, experienced professionals listen to different points of view to help organisations solve their business issues and identify and maximise the opportunities they seek. Our industry specialisation allows us to help co-create solutions with our clients for their sector of interest.

We are located in these cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenyang, Tianjin, Dalian, Jinan, Qingdao, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Hefei, Suzhou, Wuxi, Wuhan, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Chongqing, Changsha, Kunming, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau, Haikou, Zhuhai and Guiyang.

About PwC - Globally

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We are a network of firms in 155 countries with over 327,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.

PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends," "expects," or "anticipates," or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results "may," "could," "should," "would," or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements," are not historical facts and are made as of the date of this news release, which includes without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates, and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the Company's intention to develop and drive traffic to its assets and platforms; the expected benefits and outcomes of the collaboration with PwC; that establishing an early presence within the Metaverse will provide the Company with new users, branding, and marketing opportunities; events, courses of action, and the potential of the Company's technology and operations, among others, are all forward-looking information.

Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, market and other conditions, business, economic, and capital market conditions; the ability to manage operating expenses, which may adversely affect the Company's financial condition; the ability to remain competitive as other better financed competitors develop and release competitive products; regulatory uncertainties; access to personnel, employees, and consultants; market conditions and the demand and pricing for products and services; the demand and pricing of cryptocurrencies and NFTs; security threats, including a loss/theft of TerraZero's NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and other assets; TerraZero's relationships with its customers and business partners; TerraZero's ability to successfully define, design, and release new products in a timely manner that meet customers' needs; the ability to attract, retain, and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; the impact of technology changes on the products and industry; failure to develop new and innovative products; the ability to successfully maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights and defend third-party claims of infringement of their intellectual property rights; the impact of intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect the business; the ability to manage working capital; and the dependence on key personnel. As a result, TerraZero may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. In addition, such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, the ability to develop software successfully, that there will be no regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business, anticipated costs, the ability to secure sufficient capital to complete its business plans, the ability to achieve goals, and the price of cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Given these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain regulatory approval, the continued availability of capital and financing, technology failures, failure to obtain any permits required to operate the business, the impact of technology changes on the industry, the impact of COVID-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate and hire personnel, competition, security threats including stolen NFTs and cryptocurrencies from TerraZero or its customers, consumer sentiment towards TerraZero's products, services and Metaverse technology generally, failure to develop new and innovative products, litigation, increase in operating costs, increase in labor costs, decrease in the price of cryptocurrencies and NFTs, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market, or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of or statements made by third parties

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SOURCE TerraZero Technologies Inc.
TOKYO, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- QunaSys and the University of Strasbourg launch "Quantum Computing for Chemistry  The Next Revolution," an intensive five-day industry training event that will be held from Monday Oct. 24 to Friday Oct. 28 as part of the QAREER pilot of the EU Quantum flagship's QTEdu learning ecosystem.

The workshop will be led by instructors from industry and academia specialized in quantum information, quantum chemistry, experimental and theoretical physics from QunaSys and the University of Strasbourg.

The training covers real world examples to help students understand the applicability of quantum computing in the chemistry field. Presented in a modular format, the workshop can be taken as a general overview of quantum computing and its industry applicability, a hands-on coding program to learn quantum computing algorithms and use case development, or as an end-to-end program covering both modules. Following successful completion of the training, students will receive an official certificate.

The training workshop is endorsed Japan's largest Quantum Practical Application Research Consortium (QPARC) that has retrained more than 170 students from 50 major Japanese corporations and the French Public Quantum Computing Infrastructure aQCess Atomic Quantum Computing as a Service, managed by the French National Research Agency under the Investments of the Future Program (reference ANR-21-ESRE-0032).

Training the workforce to be quantum-ready is crucial for corporations to be able to embrace the quantum revolution. Chemistry is considered one of the most promising fields for quantum computing advantage and this affects agriculture, aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, electronics, energy, or pharma. Tennin Yan, QunaSys CEO

Academia and Industry must work together to provide training opportunities in quantum that bridge foundational concepts with real-world practical applications. This is the first step towards unlocking the full potential of quantum computing for chemistry, innovative materials, and beyond. Shannon Whitlock, Professor at the University of Strasbourg

For more information please visit the workshop site, and register here.

About QunaSys Inc.

QunaSys is the world's leading developer of innovative algorithms in chemistry focused on accelerating the development of quantum technology applicability. QunaSys enables maximization of the power of quantum computing through its advanced joint research that addresses cutting-edge technologies providing Qamuy, the most powerful quantum chemical calculation cloud software; fostering development of collaboration through QPARC industry consortium; and working with research institutions from academia and government. QunaSys software runs on multiple technology platforms with applicability in all chemical related industries to boost quantum computing adoption.

E-mail: [email protected]

About the University of Strasbourg

The University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA) is one of the largest universities in France, with nearly 51 000 students (including 20% of international students) and over 2800 teachers-researchers. The event will take place at the ISIS institute of the University of Strasbourg and the CNRS - one of the leading research institutes in France and internationally. Founded in 2002 by Nobel Prize Laureate Mr Jean-Marie Lehn, it focuses on developing and promoting top level multidisciplinary fundamental and applied research at the interface between Chemistry, Physics and Biology. In 2019, the University of Strasbourg and the CNRS officially founded the new European Center for Quantum Sciences (CESQ) attached to ISIS, which aims to develop new lines of research and technology exploiting quantum principles, at the frontiers to chemistry, physics, materials science, and computing.

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SOURCE QunaSys Inc.
Second Southern Location of Liquor Distributor Successfully Unionizes

HOUSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers and helpers at Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), a beer, wine, and liquor distributor, voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 988. They are the first location of what will be many in Texas to organize, and just the second in the South.

"The last few years have made clear that workers who power this nation's supply chain are essential to our economy, and deserve better from their employers," said Robert Mele, Local 988 President. "The Teamsters are proud to lead this historic Houston organizing drive, and Local 988's 8,000 members are proud to welcome these hardworking RNDC staff to the Teamster family."

"These workers stood strong and refused to back down, and that's what being a Teamster is all about," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "It's a new day in Texas for the Teamsters and a new day for America's labor movement. We're going to bring the same intense energy to bargaining with RNDC that we bring to every contract, so buckle up and hold on tight."

"This victory was a long time coming," said RNDC Driver Martin Williams. "I'm so proud of all my coworkers, who stepped up and stuck together to make it happen. We are Teamsters, and now it's time to get the contract we deserve."

"We started this fight because we want what everybody wants  respect on the job and to be able to provide for our families," said RNDC Driver Osvaldo Herrera. "This was the first big step, but the fight's not over. We are in this for the long haul."

Chartered in 1967, Teamsters Local 988 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Houston and the surrounding communities. For more information, visit Teamster988.org/.

Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected]

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SOURCE Teamsters Local 988
SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SHIELD, the global risk intelligence company, today announced the winners of the SHIELD Trust Awards 2022. Winners have successfully completed the SHIELD Trust Check and attained the SHIELD Trust Certification. The certification is an industry first, representing an independent and non-sponsored evaluation of an organization's trust profile. The awards were presented to outstanding organizations at the inaugural SHIELD Trust Summit Asia 2022 in Singapore.

Honorees of the SHIELD Trust Awards hail from many of the industries that are changing the way people work, shop, and play. These include:

Astro, Indonesia's first quick commerce company

Baazi Games, India's biggest online poker platform

inDriver, the world's fastest-growing ride-hailing app

Legion Network, the first super-app for blockchain services

Maya, the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines

Mobile Premier League, one of the world's largest mobile and skill gaming platforms

Ralali.com, a leading online B2B marketplace in Indonesia

TrueMoney, Southeast Asia's leading fintech brand

The prevalence of bots and fake accounts have created a trust deficit between businesses and stakeholders. The SHIELD Trust Certificate was created to enable businesses to better understand how they can improve their security posture and deal with threats. It also provides assurance to investors, partners, and users about the strength of a platform's trust-building measures. As part of the certification process, organizations undergo the SHIELD Trust Check, which assesses metrics such as the proportion of genuine users, the user to device ratio, and the prevalence of malicious tools being used on the platform. Companies meeting industry benchmarks receive the SHIELD Trust Certificate. Top performers are honored with the SHIELD Trust Awards.

To find out more about the SHIELD Trust Awards, visit trust.shield.com.

Justin Lie, Founder and CEO, SHIELD"We launched the SHIELD Trust Awards as a way to recognize the trailblazers setting the bar for trust. I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to this year's award winners, which have made trust a competitive differentiator driving present and future growth."

Vincent Tjendra, Co-Founder & CEO, Astro"On behalf of all Astronauts, we are thankful for receiving this award. It is a testament on our team's hard work and continuous focus to deliver the best customer experience and many more exciting innovations in Indonesia!"

Avneet Rana, Co-Founder & Director of Technology, Baazi Games"Thank you for honoring us with the SHIELD Trust Award. PokerBaazi has been a vanguard in delivering the utmost level of security to our valued users. With SHIELD as our risk intelligence partner, we will continue to enhance and tighten our security features to make PokerBaazi the most secured online poker app in India."

Marut Petrosyan, Head of Fraud Prevention, inDriver"The SHIELD Trust Award is a testament of how inDriver seeks the highest level of trust amongst our users. Our commitment to fighting injustice drives us to assure a fair and safe experience for drivers and passengers alike."

Athar Jameel Ahmed, CEO, Legion Network"Legion Network believes that the world of blockchain should be accessible for everybody. We're proud to receive the SHIELD Trust Awards, which are a testament to our success in creating the safest and fairest ecosystem possible for genuine users, regardless of how experienced they are with blockchain services."

Mitch Padua, Group Chief Product Officer, Maya"User trust and safety remain top priorities for Maya as we continue to address the ever-evolving financial needs of millions of Filipinos. We are proud that our mission to help consumers and enterprises thrive in the new digital economy has been recognized with the SHIELD Trust Award."

Joseph Aditya, CEO, Ralali.com"Ralali.com is here to provide solutions for business in Indonesia through digital features that specially crafted to support business growth. In doing so, Ralali is on track to build a healthy digital business ecosystem which connects businesses according to brand credibility and trust."

Monsinee Nakapanant, Co-President, TrueMoney"As Southeast Asia's leading fintech brand, TrueMoney's mission is to enable access to innovative financial services for everyone, while ensuring that no shortcuts are taken for trust and safety. We are honored to receive the SHIELD Trust Award, which reflects our commitment to building trust with our users while driving financial inclusion."

About SHIELD

SHIELD is the world's leading risk intelligence company, empowering online businesses to stop fraud, build trust, and drive growth. Powered by the latest AI technology, SHIELD combines cutting-edge device fingerprinting with its proprietary Global Intelligence Network to detect new and unknown fraud threats in real time. With offices across the globe and customers on every continent, SHIELD offers a range of solutions that span device fingerprinting, enterprise-grade protection, ad fraud prevention, and alternative credit risk intelligence. To find out more, visit https://shield.com/.

ContactDesmond Wong+65 9066 2888[email protected]

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SOURCE SHIELD
Longstanding giving program furthers $18.5 million investment in national breast cancer advocacy work and continues support of community nonprofit organizations

GREENSBORO, N.C., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) announces the launch of its annual Pink campaign this October, building upon the company's commitment to breast cancer research and local breast cancer support groups within the communities it serves. Tanger continues its partnership of over a decade with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), bringing the organization's impact to life by spreading the message of its mission  supporting those impacted by breast cancer and committing critical funds that help save lives and improve outcomes. In addition to this company-wide partnership, Tanger's field teams continue to champion organizations in their 37 communities across the U.S. and Canada with local funding that supports research, care and patient services.

For nearly 30 years, the signature Tanger Pink program has contributed more than $18.5 million toward raising awareness for early detection, funding research programs and supporting those affected by a breast cancer diagnosis. Since 2011, the initiative has directed $4.2 million to BCRF, funding more than 84,000 hours of dedicated research. As a values-led organization that prioritizes philanthropic commitments, Tanger is proud to continue its pledge to help bring an end to cancer by advancing the world's most promising research. The company furthers this mission by empowering its local teams to identify needs in their communities and partner with cancer support organizations that make a direct impact in their own neighborhoods.

BCRF is the highest-rated breast cancer research organization in the United States and the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide. Tanger's sustained support of the organization is dedicated to underwriting the work of Dr. Shelley Hwang, Professor of Surgery and Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology at Duke University, who is focused on the latest medical trials to improve cancer diagnosis outcomes and save lives. "We all have a power within us to make a difference in the lives of these patients, and we must embrace this together as a community," noted Dr. Hwang. "I feel so privileged to be able to partner with BCRF and Tanger to do this important work."

"Tanger is deeply committed to raising awareness and funding for the fight against cancer," said Tanger President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Yalof. "The personal impact breast cancer has had on so many of our shoppers, team members and families inspires Tanger to continue our support for BCRF, alongside local nonprofit partners in our communities. The combined contributions of our shoppers help provide significant funding to this collective research that we hope will one day lead to a cure."

Throughout October, all 37 Tanger centers across the U.S. and Canada invite shoppers to help support breast cancer research and programs. As part of the new 2022 program, the Tanger Pink Savings Card provides two levels of savings at participating stores based on TangerClub status: 15% off a single item and 15% off an entire purchase for Tanger Insiders or 25% off a single item and 15% off an entire purchase for TangerClub members. Pink cards are available in either a physical or digital card format and can be purchased online at tangeroutlets.com or onsite by visiting Shopper Services. Brands participating in this year's Tanger Pink program include Columbia, J.Crew, Under Armour, Old Navy, Vera Bradley, Adidas, Puma and American Eagle. To learn more about Tanger Pink 2022, please visit tangeroutlets.com/pink and connect with Tanger Outlets on Facebook and Instagram.

Tanger Pink 2022 continues the company's relentless commitment to a better shared future for its local communities. The October program comes on the heels of the company's September education initiative, awarding more than $160,000 to local schools through TangerKids Grants. During this program, Tanger partnered with local educators to enrich learning opportunities for students, including grants to support more inclusive classroom environments for underserved schools and scholars.

About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers: Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) is a leading operator of upscale open-air outlet centers that owns (or has an ownership interest in) and/or manages a portfolio of 37 centers with an additional center currently under development. Tanger's operating properties are located in 20 states and in Canada, totaling approximately 14.0 million square feet, leased to over 2,700 stores operated by more than 600 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 41 years of experience in the outlet industry and is a publicly traded REIT. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's website at tangeroutlets.com.

About the Breast Cancer Research FoundationBreast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in the best minds in sciencefrom those investigating prevention to metastasisand foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. Our approach accelerates the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need. We can't stop now. Join us in fueling the world's most promising research. With you, we will be the end of breast cancer. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Brianna PoplaskieBRAVE Public Relations404.233.3993[email protected]

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SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.
Funds will support relief, recovery efforts across impacted region

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Truist Foundation today announced it is donating $250,000 to support relief and recovery efforts for South Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Ian.

A portion of the donation will be made to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy's (CDP) Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund for Hurricane Ian in South Carolina, specifically focused on medium- and long-term community needs such as rebuilding homes and livelihoods, mental health services and other challenges identified by communities that arise as recovery efforts progress.

"As hurricanes continue devastating communities across the Atlantic, from Puerto Rico to Florida to the Carolinas, Truist Foundation is committed to putting our purpose into action," said Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. "This donation benefitting local nonprofit organizations in South Carolina will help provide immediate and long-term aid as these communities assess and address specific needs. Our heartfelt thoughts remain with those in the wake of these storms as the restoration process begins."

"As a company committed to care, it's important to meet moments like Hurricane Ian by focusing on how to best support the developing needs in real time," said Mike Brenan, South Carolina regional president for Truist. "While the full extent of damage from this hurricane is still coming to light, we want to ensure that communities across the state of South Carolina have the funding necessary to begin the recovery process as quickly as possible."

Yesterday, Truist Foundation announced $1 million in grants to support disaster relief efforts for communities impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida. A significant portion of those funds will be directed to recovery efforts through the CDP's Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund for Hurricane Ian in Florida.

Earlier this year, Truist Foundation donated $1 million to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, designed to deploy assistance quickly to communities impacted by events such as Hurricane Ian. Those funds will help shelter and support thousands of families and individuals impacted by the storm.

About Truist FoundationThe Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Purpose/Truist-Foundation.

About TruistTruist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $545 billion as of June 30, 2022. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/truist-foundation-donates-250-000-for-hurricane-relief-in-south-carolina-301638248.html

SOURCE Truist Foundation
A person passes the logo of the Organization of the Petroleoum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in front of OPEC's headquarters in Vienna, Austria April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

By Alex Lawler and Maha El Dahan

LONDON/DUBAI Reuters) - OPEC+ oil producers considering lowering their output target at a meeting on Oct. 5 are focused on a cut of between 500,000 and 1 million barrels per day (bpd) to support the market, OPEC+ sources told Reuters.

Earlier this week, a source familiar with Russian thinking said Moscow could suggest a cut of up to 1 million bpd, while an OPEC source put the likely figure closer to 500,000 bpd. Talks are expected to continue ahead of the meeting.

"Maybe during the weekend or Monday it will be more clear. Usually, the consultations conclude just before the meeting date," an OPEC+ source said.

OPEC+, which combines the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, agreed to lower their output target by 100,000 bpd at its September meeting in their first cut since 2020.

Next week's meeting takes place against a backdrop of falling oil prices from multi-year highs hit in March, and severe market volatility.

Brent crude touched a 9-month low of $83.65 a barrel on Monday.

Analysts are expecting OPEC+ to agree further action to support the market.

"Odds are that OPEC+ will trim their output," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. "What's more, $90 oil is non-negotiable for the OPEC+ leadership, hence they will act to safeguard this price floor."

Top OPEC producer Saudi Arabia in August flagged the possibility of output cuts to address market volatility.

(Additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar and Rowena Edwards, editing by)
To celebrate the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of The Peoples Republic of China, on September 28, the Foreign Affairs Office of Anhui Provincial Peoples Government held an activity of "Celebrating the 73rd Anniversary of the Founding of The Peoples Republic of China" for foreigners living in Hefei at Anhui Art Museum. Foreigners from 17 countries, such as Britain, France, Germany, Canada, the United States, Pakistan, Cameroon, Japan, Tunisia and Indiagot-together to experience the traditional Chinese culture and feel the profound history of Anhui. (Speech by Yong Chenghan, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Anhui Provincial Peoples Government) The Foreign Affairs Office of Anhui Provincial Peoples Government organized this event, activities including visiting Anhui Art Museum special exhibition halls, watching videos about Anhui Province, having an outdoor tea party, inviting calligraphers, folk music artists and various other artists to perform on the spot. Colorful art and craft works let foreign friends linger; Calligraphy master demonstrated excellent works; Tea art performances showed traditional tea culture; Foreign friends were fascinated by Egg carving craftsmanship. The abundant activities have demonstrated to the foreign friends the splendid culture of Anhui province, the spirit of innovation in Anhui and the Reform and Opening-up achievements in Anhui. (Encounter art Classics, Tell China story) (Experience the folk performance and feel the charm of Anhui) The foreign participants, who came from different fields such as science and technology, education, commerce and trade, spoke highly of the event. Kong Yilong from Chile said that he saw Chinese culture and history here and appreciated Anhui artists' exquisite art works and handicrafts. Anthony from South Korea said excitedly: This activity makes it easier for us foreigners to understand China and Anhui and feel the progress and development of Anhui. In Anhui, we are treated the same as Chinese people at work and in life, whether it is going out for shopping or nucleic acid testing. This is a great feeling. Donald Rogers, whos from Canada, said the event was unforgettable. It was a feast of art. I have lived in China for 15 years and witnessed the country's growing prosperity. Anhui has developed strongly in recent years. I am very happy to live in Anhui. Reported by Hu Min
FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For 30 September 2022

Commission File Number: 001-10306

NatWest Group plc

Gogarburn, PO Box 1000

Edinburgh EH12 1HQ

________________________________________________

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F __ X __ Form 40-F _____

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes _____ No __ X __

If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _____

This report on Form 6-K, except for any information contained on any websites linked in this report, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into the company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-261837) and to be a part thereof from the date which it was filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

30 September 2022

NatWest Group plc

Directorate Change

NatWest Group plc (NWG) announces the appointment of Roisin Donnelly as an independent non-executive director with effect from 1 October 2022.

Howard Davies, Chairman of NWG, said:

"I am delighted to welcome Roisin to the board. Roisin has an impressive executive track record in customer experience, data and digital transformation, together with significant board and committee experience as a non-executive director. I am confident Roisin will make an important and valuable contribution to the board and look forward to working with her.

Roisin currently serves as a non-executive director of HomeServe plc and Premier Foods plc and was a non-executive director of Just Eat plc between 2016 and 2020. Roisins biography is set out below.

There are no further matters requiring disclosure under Listing Rule 9.6.13.

-------------------------------------------------

Biography

Roisin Donnelly is currently a non-executive director of HomeServe plc where she is a member of the Corporate Responsibility and People Committees; and Premier Foods plc where she is a member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees.

Roisins previous non-executive directorships include Just Eat plc where she led employee engagement and was a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees; Holland and Barrett Limited, where she chaired the Nominations and Remuneration Committee; and Bourne Leisure Limited.

Roisin spent over 30 years leading marketing and brand building at Procter & Gamble in different UK and international roles. Most recently Roisin served as Chief Marketing Officer for Procter & Gamble Northern Europe from 2014-2016 and prior to that served as Chief Marketing Officer for Procter & Gamble UK and Ireland from 2002-2014.

Roisin holds an MA (Hons) from the University of Glasgow and is an Honorary Fellow of the Marketing Society.

For Further Information Contact:

NatWest Group Investor Relations:

Alexander Holcroft

Head of Investor Relations

+44 (0) 20 7672 1758

NatWest Group Media Relations:

+44 (0) 131 523 4205

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Unless the context otherwise requires, we, us, our, LiveWire and the Company refer to LiveWire Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries following the Closing (as defined below). Unless the context otherwise requires, references to ABIC refer to AEA-Bridges Impact Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company, prior to the Domestication, and references to Domesticated ABIC refer to AEA-Bridges Impact Corp., a Delaware corporation, prior to the Closing. All references herein to the Board refer to the board of directors of the Company.

Terms used in this Current Report on Form 8-K (this Report) but not defined herein, or for which definitions are not otherwise incorporated by reference herein, shall have the respective meanings given to them in the section entitled Frequently Used Terms beginning on page iv of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined below).

Due to the large number of events reported under the specified items of Form 8-K, this Report is being filed in two parts. An amendment to this Form 8-K is being filed on the same date to include additional matters under Items 4.01, 5.03, 5.05 and 8.01 of Form 8-K.

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Business Combination

As disclosed under the sections entitled Shareholder Proposal 1: The Business Combination Proposal and The Business Combination Agreement beginning on pages 127 and 192, respectively, of the proxy statement/prospectus (the Proxy Statement/Prospectus) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) by ABIC and LiveWire on July 27, 2022, ABIC entered into a business combination agreement and plan of merger (the Business Combination Agreement), dated as of December 12, 2021, with LiveWire, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of ABIC; LW EV Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of LiveWire (Merger Sub); Harley-Davidson, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (H-D); and LiveWire EV, LLC (Legacy LiveWire). Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement: (a) on September 23, 2022, ABIC migrated to and domesticated as a Delaware corporation (the Domestication), in connection with which all of ABICs (i) outstanding ordinary shares were converted, on a one-for-one basis, into common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Domesticated ABIC, (ii) outstanding warrants were converted, on a one-for-one basis, into warrants to acquire one share each of common stock of Domesticated ABIC and (iii) outstanding units were canceled and instead entitle the holder thereof to, per unit, one share of common stock of Domesticated ABIC and one-half of one warrant of Domesticated ABIC; (b) on September 26, 2022, H-D and Legacy LiveWire consummated the separation of the Legacy LiveWire business and the other transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement (as defined below), by and between H-D and Legacy LiveWire, dated as of September 26, 2022 (the Separation); (c) following the Domestication and immediately following the Separation, Merger Sub merged with and into Domesticated ABIC, with Domesticated ABIC surviving as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of LiveWire (the Merger), and LiveWire continuing as the public company in the Merger, with each share of common stock of Domesticated ABIC being converted into the right of the holder thereof to receive one share of LiveWire common stock, par value $0.0001 (LiveWire Common Stock); (d) immediately following the Merger, H-D caused all of the membership interests of Legacy LiveWire (Legacy LiveWire Equity) held by ElectricSoul, LLC (the Legacy LiveWire Equityholder), a Delaware limited liability company and a subsidiary of H-D, to be contributed to LiveWire in exchange for 161,000,000 shares of LiveWire Common Stock and the right to receive up to an additional 12,500,000 shares of LiveWire Common Stock in the future (the Earn-Out Shares, and the transactions contemplated by this clause (d), collectively, the Exchange), and, as a result of the Exchange, Legacy LiveWire became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of LiveWire; (e) immediately following the consummation of the Exchange, LiveWire contributed 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Legacy Livewire to Domesticated ABIC (clauses (a) through (e) collectively, the Business Combination).
More soldiers might soon be permitted to move out of barracks as the Army explores expanding what ranks can live off base to combat overcrowded and unsafe conditions after years of budget tightening has caused living quarters to deteriorate, according to a senior service official.

In the face of funding challenges, the Army must examine a number of barracks-related issues to make sure investments are prioritized for optimal effect, said Rachel Jacobson, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. This includes analyzing barracks inventory, the physical condition of barracks and supporting infrastructure, and assignment policies for unaccompanied housing.

Single soldiers at bases in the United States must live in barracks until they are married or attain the rank of staff sergeant. At that time, they can collect a housing allowance and move off the installation. The Marine Corps has a similar policy, while the Air Force and Navy allow troops to move out on their own at a lower rank, according to Military OneSource, a Defense Department information hub for families.

The review is still in its early stages with no timeline of when any of its ideas and research could become service policy.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said this month that the service has not invested enough in housing and needs to improve soldiers quality of life.

Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Hood in Texas are two of the Armys largest bases in terms of population and where barracks problems have been reported.

At Fort Bragg, leaders in August ordered nearly 1,200 soldiers to move immediately because of unsafe living conditions in more than a dozen barracks buildings.

About 75% of those affected soldiers had moved by Friday as officials continued to track down available living quarters for the others. More than 400 troops were either approved to move off base or were waiting for approval.

The Army spends about $1 billion each year on its barracks projects across the active-duty and Reserve components using military construction funding and restoration and modernization money, according to a senior Army official who spoke on condition of anonymity. While its important to prioritize how all that money is spent, the official said the Army should also review policies to ensure that we're not housing soldiers who we don't need to be.

We need to think a little bit more than just about brick and mortar to solve our problems. When you combine what we're doing with military construction, and the restoration and modernization piece with maybe doing some other things that are innovative or thoughtful, then that helps you get at the overall requirement, the official said. There's no single solution for this.

The Fort Bragg evacuation forced the Army to shift $115 million in the services budget to pay for demolishing or renovating and refurbishing the more than 40-year-old barracks buildings at the North Carolina base where the problems persisted. But the budget shift did not cause any other projects to lose funding, according to a second Army official speaking on condition of anonymity.

Every year we'll identify some contingency funding in order to get after our emergencies, the official said. They can also redirect savings from projects that come in under budget or projects that dont move forward for some reason.

At Fort Hood in Texas, they are almost 4,000 beds short of whats needed for the force, according to Brian Dosa, director of the Fort Hood Directorate of Public Works. Limited barracks space forces soldiers to share rooms meant for one person and they dont have the space and privacy outlined in Army regulation.

Some of that is we never had enough barracks to start with, Dosa said last year. As we renovate barracks to the Army standard, we're giving soldiers the space that they're supposed to have, so we're coming out with less barracks rooms or beds at the end of the renovation.

Building enough barracks for all the soldiers on base is a huge priority, he said, but construction money is tougher to get than renovation funding.

Jacobson said the Army teams tasked with reviewing barracks issues will look at the active and reserve components as part of their work.

Army leadership, including senior enlisted leaders and representatives from across Army commands, is focused on establishing strong policies and practices to provide quality housing to single soldiers across the Total Army, she said.

Thayer.rose@stripes.com

Twitter: @Rose_Lori
STUTTGART, Germany  A new command at the Armys headquarters in Germany will be established to coordinate how the U.S. trains and equips Ukrainian troops, giving formal structure to an on-the-fly mission conceived in the wake of Russias full-scale war on the country.

U.S. European Commands Gen. Christopher Cavoli presented the plan to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for a command based in Wiesbaden, The New York Times reported Thursday. A final decision on the details is expected within weeks.

The Times, citing unnamed U.S. military and administration officials, said the plan involved the set-up of a headquarters with about 300 personnel, led by a high-ranking general who would oversee training efforts.

While the Wiesbaden headquarters would function as the administrative hub, much of the training is likely to be conducted elsewhere in places where the Army maintains large ranges. U.S. Army Europe and Africas training center in Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels likely would play a large role, as well as the services garrison in Baumholder.

Thousands of U.S. soldiers also are positioned at training areas in Poland and Romania, which could factor into the plans.

Training Ukraines military is nothing new for the U.S., which had rotated conventional and special operations troops into Ukraine for years as part of an effort to modernize the countrys military. But all U.S. forces were withdrawn from Ukraine ahead of Russias invasion in late February.

Since then, the U.S. and other allied troops have trained Ukrainian personnel in Germany and elsewhere.

A focal point has been getting Ukrainian soldiers skilled at using the wide range of weaponry that the West has sent to Ukraine, such as the mobile rocket system known as HIMARS.

Some steps already have been taken to make the Armys post in Wiesbaden a centerpiece of the train- and-equip mission.

A weapons logistics cell moved on Aug. 6 from EUCOM headquarters in Stuttgart to Wiesbaden, the command said Friday. That cell, which includes representatives from dozens of nations, arranges the logistics of getting everything from Stinger missiles and howitzers to drones and long range-artillery to secret locations within Ukraine.

The co-location with the U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters, as well as XVIII Airborne Corps increases the ability of the organization to rapidly support Ukraine operations, EUCOM said in a statement.
The U.S. seized nearly $100 million in illicit drugs this week from fishing vessels in the Gulf of Oman as part of a multinational effort in the Middle East to stem the tide of trafficking on the seas, Navy officials said.

On Tuesday, the Coast Guard fast response cutter Charles Moulthrope seized 5,313 pounds of heroin worth an estimated $85 million from a fishing vessel in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a statement the same day.

On Wednesday, the destroyer USS Delbert D. Black confiscated 15,873 pounds of hashish worth an estimated $10 million from another fishing vessel, also in the Gulf of Oman, the Navy said in a separate statement Thursday.

Delbert D. Black has been patrolling waters in the Middle East since August in support of 5th Fleet, which is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, the Navy said.

Homeported at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, the ship deployed in August as part of the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, which is operating in the Mediterranean Sea in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

This is the first deployment for Delbert D. Black, which has a crew of more than 300 and a detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48, the Navy said.

The Coast Guards Charles Moulthrope was operating in support of the Saudi Arabia-led Combined Task Force 150, one of four task forces under Combined Maritime Forces.

Homeported in Bahrain, the ship has a crew of nearly 30 and has been operating in the Middle East since May 2021.

The multinational partnership has made 13 drug interdictions so far this year, resulting in the seizure of nearly $300 million in heroin, methamphetamine, amphetamine pills and hashish, the Navy said.
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  A town hall meeting on Thursday at the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet was inundated by a barrage of questions about the lack of health care options for civilians at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka.

Teachers, contractors and other U.S. base workers have taken to social media over the past two weeks to voice concerns about their inability to make appointments at the hospital. At Thursdays meeting, hospital executive officer Capt. Jenny Burkett attempted to clear the air.

Part of the issue, Burkett explained, stems from the hospitals Feb. 28 shift from the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery to the Defense Health Agency. DHA assessed the Yokosuka facilitys performance between July and September and determined there werent enough available appointments for active-duty service members and their dependents.

We werent able to provide care to the people that we were tasked to care for, so we had to prioritize those people, Burkett told the town hall audience. And that left civilians feeling that they werent getting health care.

The hospital is authorized under DHA to provide care for Tricare recipients, while those who arent enrolled or have other insurance may make appointments on a space available basis.

However, the current issue is that there is zero space available for non-Tricare holders, Burkett said.

Staffing isnt the issue, she told Stars and Stripes after the meeting, but an influx of new active-duty patients who are given priority.

Burkett said she anticipates more space to open for civilians in the future but couldnt speak to when that would be.

Services that lack space for civilians include pediatrics, mental health, internal medicine and family medicine, Naval Hospital Yokosuka spokesman Gabriel Archer told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday. He said Tricare holders may also have difficulty securing appointments with those services, too.

Burkett suggested that civilians consider their other options, which include off-base care and telehealth services.

Many health plans have telehealth, so someone can talk to a U.S. provider in America that speaks English and get prescriptions, she told the town hall audience, adding that the hospital also provides a list of English-speaking medical services in the region.

But those suggestions didnt sit well with some in the audience. Some complained about the lack of notice; others raised concerns about seeking medical care off base.

Is there any leeway for people who are in these time crunches that are essentially left without health care? asked one audience member, who didnt identify herself, before adding that September is suicide awareness month. I know people who, when this came out, had less than a week of antidepressants left.

Burkett repeated her earlier guidance and said the hospital is working every day to scrub our appointments to make sure that we have more than we have now.

Others noted that language barriers and differences in health care between the United States and Japan could pose significant problems. One audience member questioned whether Japanese medical facilities might begin to deny them care after being flooded with thousands of new patients.

The base has a population of approximately 27,000, and around 4,000 of those are not covered by Tricare, Burkett said at the town hall.

Amber Malone, a teacher at The Sullivans Elementary School on base whos lived in Japan since 2017, said that while health care has always been a challenge for civilian employees, the lack of available appointments is concerning.

It leaves a lot of people in a bind, and even then, what theyre saying is the official policy is not being communicated the same by every department, she told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. The pharmacy is telling some people that theyre not going to fill their prescriptions anymore. Theres a lot of inconsistencies in the messaging.

Laura Merz, an investigator at Yokosukas Naval Criminal Investigative Service, said she felt that Burketts handling of the questions wasnt adequate.

It felt very disrespectful, to be honest, she told Stars and Stripes after the meeting, stressing that her comments do not represent the government. People have legitimate medical concerns, and we werent really given any answers other than to talk to our insurance providers or go off base, and it felt like our concerns were being dismissed.

After the meeting, base commander Capt. Les Sobol told Stars and Stripes that his main concern is that were addressing problems, and he encouraged anyone with questions or issues to speak to him directly.

They dont have to wait until the next time to discuss anything, he said. Even if its not something in my area, if theyre having a hard time, I can help with that. Theyre all of our community members, and we want to take care of all of them.
Five sailors who may have been sickened by water contaminated with jet fuel aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz are being monitored by medical workers, the Navy said.

Officials from 3rd Fleet on Thursday did not detail the concerns reported by the sailors aboard Nimitz, which has delayed a deployment after finding contamination in its water supply earlier in September.

Nimitz leadership is encouraging crew members to immediately report any illness or injury that could be connected to contaminated water exposure, Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a 3rd Fleet spokesman, said in an emailed response to Stars and Stripes.

If we receive any additional reports of potentially contaminated water, we will immediately investigate and take appropriate action to safeguard the crew, he said.

The source of jet propellant-5, or JP-5, contamination has been isolated to one of the 26 potable water tanks aboard the ship.

That tank has been isolated from the potable water system, according to the statement.

As an added precaution, three other nearby tanks have also been isolated, Robertson said. The Navy didnt offer details explaining how the jet fuel found its way into the tank.

About two weeks ago, sailors reported irregularities in the ships water supply. Subsequently, crew members identified trace amounts of jet fuel in the Nimitzs water while it was off the coast of Southern California.

Since then, the ship has been moored at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, Calif., while workers have tested the water and examined the water supply system.

The Nimitz has been connected to San Diegos city water system since Sept. 17 and the Navy also has made free bottled water available to sailors, according to the statement.

Tests of wastewater on Sept. 19 showed no measurable amounts of jet fuel, but tests on Sept. 21 of water used for drinking, bathing and cooking revealed detectable traces of hydrocarbons, Stars and Stripes reported earlier this week.

A targeted flush and fill of the ships potable water system started Sept. 17 and is continuing to ensure water safety, Robertson said. So far, more than 800,000 gallons of city water have been used in the process, he said.

Meanwhile, the Nimitz, which is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash., remains in port with no departure date yet announced, according to the statement.
SAN DIEGO (Tribune News Service)  A 21-year-old sailor was acquitted at a military court-martial Friday on charges accusing him of setting the devastating 2020 fire on the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard.

Seaman Recruit Ryan Sawyer Mays was charged with aggravated arson and the willful hazarding of a vessel in July 2021, more than a year after the blaze on board the $1.2 billion ship, which was moored at Naval Base San Diego at the time. The fire caused so much damage the Navy chose to sell the vessel for scrap.

Testimony and argument in the two-week trial  located in a military courtroom just 1,000 feet from the pier where the Bonhomme Richard had been moored when it burned  wrapped up Thursday morning. Capt. Derek Butler, the military judge overseeing the trial, began deliberating just before 11 a.m. Pacific time Thursday and returned with his verdict at 9:22 a.m. Friday.

Mays broke down sobbing when the judge read the not guilty verdict in court. He then entered the gallery, went to his mother and held her in a long embrace.

"I'm so grateful this is finally over  it's been a long two years," Mays told reporters after the verdict in a prepared statement. "I've lost time with friends, I've lost friends, I've lost time with family and my entire Navy career was ruined.

"I am looking forward to starting over," he said.

Other than a single eyewitness, the Navy's case against Mays was circumstantial, as Capt. Jason Jones, the lead prosecutor, acknowledged in closing arguments a day earlier. However, the defense team had other witnesses whose testimony contradicted the Navy's version of events  including their own eyewitness who said she saw a sailor with no resemblance to Mays near the scene where the fire began that morning.

Lt. Cmdr. Jordi Torres, Mays' lead defense attorney, told reporters Friday that the verdict confirmed Mays did not set the fire.

"This is, in fact, an innocent sailor, and we could not be happier for him," Torres said.

The Navy's prosecutors did not comment on the verdict.

A Navy spokesperson also declined to elaborate.

"The Navy is committed to upholding the principles of due process and a fair trial," said Lt. Samuel Boyle, a 3rd Fleet spokesperson.

Mays, who was 19 at the time of the fire, faced life in prison if convicted.

It was unclear Friday what's next for Mays  he is still on active duty but tested positive for drugs last year. He was reduced in rank to seaman apprentice, or E-1, in January. The Navy has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, and Gary Barthel, Mays' former civilian attorney, said it's possible he might still be separated from the Navy.

In further comments to reporters Friday, Barthel said it's time for the Navy to take responsibility for the blaze.

"I believe that throughout this entire mess, the Navy was attempting to clean up their mess by accusing Seaman Mays with these allegations," he said.

More than 20 Navy officers  including the ship's captain, executive officer and the former commander of Naval Base San Diego  were administratively punished in the wake of the blaze. The former commander of the San Diego-based Naval Surface Forces, retired Vice Adm. Richard Brown, was censured by the secretary of the Navy in July.

The fire erupted on the 844-foot warship the morning of July 12, 2020, while "the Navy slept," Jones, the prosecutor, said during closing arguments Thursday. It took two hours before firefighters were able to get water on the flames and, by the time they did, it was too late to save the ship, a Navy investigation found. The blaze was declared extinguished after burning more than four days. Soon after, the ship was declared a total loss.

It was decommissioned and scrapped last year.

The fire began in the ship's lower vehicle storage area, or "lower V," just after 8 a.m., investigators said. Amphibious assault ships are designed as mini-aircraft carriers, with a flight deck for helicopter and MV-22B Osprey operations. When deployed, the Bonhomme Richard would also carry Marines, who would launch and recover amphibious vehicles from the well deck of the ship.

The Bonhomme Richard had not been to sea in about two years at the time of the fire. The ship was nearing the end of a two-year, $250 million maintenance period in which it was retrofitted to be able to deploy with Marine F-35B Lightning II fighters.

Mays fell under suspicion soon after the blaze when a sailor told Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigators he saw somebody matching Mays' description walk down into the lower V about 20 minutes before first seeing smoke. The sailor, a deck seaman named Kenji Velasco, was on watch in the upper vehicle storage area between the ramp leading up to the ship's hangar bay and the one leading into the lower V, according to testimony.

Mays graduated Navy boot camp in July 2019, according to his Navy bio. He graduated from a Navy SEAL prerequisite school in Illinois before reporting to the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL school in Coronado that September.

However, according the Navy prosecutors, Mays quit BUD/S on his fifth day of training.

Sailors who fail to complete BUD/S are sent to the fleet as "undesignated" sailors, meaning they do not receive specialized job training or secondary schools before reporting to their duty stations.

Mays reported to the Bonhomme Richard in March 2020, his Navy bio says. He was assigned to the ship's Deck Department as a deck seaman  a job that mostly involves cleaning and painting the ship.

Mays did not like his new life as a fleet Navy sailor, according to testimony. His unhappiness with his new role in the Navy is what gave Mays motive to start the fire, Jones said Thursday.

"Deck Department on a big-deck amphib is about as far from the SEALS as you can be," Jones said during his closing argument. Jones said Mays felt the Navy's blue-water mission was "beneath him."

In the days before the fire, Bonhomme Richard sailors were told they'd have to move back on board the ship from their temporary living quarters on a nearby barge, according to testimony. Upon hearing this, Mays texted his division officer that the ship was "hazardous as (expletive)" because a spark from a ship contractor had recently struck Mays while in his rack in the Deck berthing, the former division officer testified.

Jones argued Mays set the fire "prove a point."

Mays' defense team, led by Torres, highlighted during the course of the trial what it said were examples of "confirmation bias" among investigators. From U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators to NCIS special agents, Mays' lawyers argued officials made a premature arson determination and became fixated on Mays without considering alternatives.

Defense fire investigators testified that fire-damaged lithium-ion batteries found in the fire's area of origin could not be eliminated as a potential cause of the fire, nor could a LiftKing Forklift that could have shorted and sent sparks into nearby flammable material.

The prosecution's burden went beyond proving the fire was intentionally set  they also had to prove it was Mays who set it. Velasco, who is now a petty officer 2nd class, was the only prosecution witness to testify to seeing Mays near where the fire began.

Velasco testified that on the day of the fire, he saw a person he believed to be Mays walk by him wearing a hat, mask and blue coveralls. He went down the lower V ramp carrying a metal bucket with both hands. "I love Deck," the person said to him as he passed, according to Velasco's testimony.

Defense attorneys pointed out that Velasco initially told NCIS he did not recognize the person he saw but over a series of interviews became more certain it was Mays.

Mays was on duty that day, but another sailor from his duty section testified that Mays went with him to the Deck berthing to retrieve cleaning supplies before the two split up.

Duty section muster was on the flight deck that morning at 7:45 a.m. It normally took up to 10 minutes to complete muster and assign tasks, according to testimony.

Prosecutors allege the fire was set just after 8 a.m.

Another eyewitness testified she saw a different sailor running from the lower V just before the fire. The sailor she described was dark-skinned, taller and had a larger build than Mays, who is white.

Special Agent Maya Kamat, the lead NCIS investigator, said in court she looked into the second suspect, who at one point became the focus of the criminal investigation. Mays  who was taken into custody Aug. 20, 2020  was released from the brig less than two months later as the investigation shifted focus.

The second suspect had Google searches for fire heat scales on his phone and a "burner phone" app, Torres said during his closing argument. Data was also missing from the device around the time of the fire, Torres said.

NCIS stopped investigating the sailor when he was discharged from the Navy in the spring of this year, Kamat said  in part because once he left the service, he was no longer subject to military law and military law enforcement.

Jones acknowledged in his closing arguments much of the evidence against Mays was circumstantial, but said that is normal in arson cases in which most direct evidence is destroyed by fire.

"Sunday morning, while the Navy slept, Mays decided to prove the Bonhomme Richard was hazardous as (expletive)," Jones told the judge.

Torres kept the focus on bias in his closing.

"This trial is a live-fire exercise in confirmation bias," Torres said. "The evidence is not there."

2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Visit sandiegouniontribune.com.

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WASHINGTON  New commanders are slated to take the helm of the Space Force and U.S. Strategic Command following unanimous votes of approval by the Senate.

Lt. Gen. Bradley C. Saltzman will command the Space Force, becoming just the second chief in the young services history, and Air Force Gen. Anthony Cotton will lead STRATCOM, which oversees the nations nuclear arsenal.

The Senate confirmed the leaders on Thursday ahead of an October recess.

Saltzman has served as the deputy chief of space operations for operations, cyber, and nuclear for the past two years. Space Force was established in 2019 to operate and defend military satellites and ground stations.

At Saltzmans confirmation hearing, he called for a shift to more resilient space architecture to counter threats from China and Russia and said he would seek to recruit guardians with highly technical skills and give them robust training.

If we have exquisite weapons systems, exquisite systems on orbit to provide joint capabilities but our guardians and our operators dont have the skills, the training, the experience they need to make the most of their systems, then I feel like were not fully combat ready, Saltzman told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month.

The Space Force is expected to expand by 200 guardians in fiscal 2023, from 8,400 guardians to 8,600. Most service members are transferred from other military branches, as Saltzman was from the Air Force.

Saltzman in his new role will succeed Gen. John Raymond, who has led the service since its inception and will retire this year.

Cotton will take charge of STRATCOM after serving as deputy commander and commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, a position that he has held since 2021. He will replace Strategic Commands outgoing chief, Navy Adm. Charles Richard.

During Cottons confirmation hearing, he said the U.S. needed to recalibrate its nuclear defense strategy to reflect the rising power of China, which has put the U.S. in three-way nuclear competition alongside Russia for the first time in history.

We have seen the incredible expansiveness of what theyre doing with their nuclear force.  They have a bona fide triad now, Cotton told senators this month. Were going to have to understand more deeply the Chinese nuclear strategy.

As commander, Cotton said he would chiefly focus on deterrence and modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad, a nuclear force structure consisting of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed submarines and aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles.

He said the U.S. needs to be a leader in preventing another nuclear arms race, though he cautioned the service members under his command would be ready to take any action, if necessary.

The role that I would play as commander is to make sure that those 150,000 men and women that are supporting Strategic Command are prepared to do what some folks might think is the unthinkable, he said.
TOKYO  Though the German military has prioritized keeping a close watch on the war in Ukraine, the country aims to demonstrate through frequent Indo-Pacific deployments that this region is a concern, too.

German warplanes are deployed to NATOs eastern flank to make clear to Russia that the alliances territory is a red line, Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, who leads the countrys air force, told journalists at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan in Tokyo on Thursday.

We will defend it if somebody attacks it, he said.

At the same time, Germany is sending forces elsewhere, including to the Indo-Pacific, where theres the potential for conflict amid Chinas rapid military buildup.

Thirteen German warplanes, including fighters, tankers and transports, have been carrying out a mission called Rapid Pacific since summer.

They kicked things off by participating in Australias Pitch Black exercise, which involved 100 aircraft from 17 nations, including the United States, between Aug. 19 and Sept. 8. The drills prepare air forces to work together in large-scale aerial combat by day or night.

Three German Eurofighter Typhoons involved in Rapid Pacific, including one piloted by Gerhartz, flew from Singapore to Japan on Wednesday.

The jets linked up with Mitsubishi F-2 fighters, including one piloted by the chief of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Gen. Shunji Izutsu, and circled Mount Fuji the same day, Gerhartz said. The Eurofighters landed at Hyakuri Air Base northeast of Tokyo. The German air force tweeted that one of its tankers also visited Japan that day.

Gerhartz said the recent three-day mission, which included training aimed at improving communication and tactical skills, involved only German and Japanese forces. The Germans were also interested in hearing about Japans experiences with the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, which Germany is also procuring, he added.

Japan has been a popular destination for foreign militaries, as of late. The German frigate Bayern made a port call in Tokyo last year after sailing through the South China Sea and training with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. Other European nations, such as France the United Kingdom, have also sent aircraft and warships sent to the Far East this year and last.

Next summer, German soldiers will travel to Australia for the biennial Talisman Sabre exercise, which typically involves tens of thousands of U.S. and Australian troops. The training is designed to test troops readiness to fight together on land, air and sea, according to the Australian Defence Force.

Tension has been rising in the region as China rapidly expands its navy, builds military facilities on disputed islands in the South China Sea and threatens to invade Taiwan.

However, the German deployment to the Pacific doesnt target China, Gerhartz said.

It is not a signal against anybody, he said. It is a signal in favor of our partners here, our partners who share the same values as us. We did not provoke anybody.

Asked whether Germany would defend Taiwan if it is attacked by China, Gerhartz said: I dont see any military option here at all. This has to be a political and diplomatic solution.

During Thursdays press conference, German Ambassador to Japan Clemens von Goetze called the U.S., which has more than 50,000 troops stationed in Japan, an important security partner and that diplomats from the two allies have strong contact in the region.

In the Indo-Pacific, we want to show with this deployment, both of the frigate and of the aircraft, and others  other deployments will follow in the future, that has been made clear  that the security situation in the region is relevant to us, he said.

The German navy will be back in the region in 2024, Gerhartz added.
Bonnie Carroll was making her first trip to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February when she was invited to a funeral by a woman shed met years earlier.

Carroll had grieved with Zinaida Voronova after her son, Sergey, was killed in 2014 fighting the Russians near Donetsk. Now, Voronova was grieving the loss of her last living son, Aleksandr, who was killed while fighting in the Donbas region.

They gathered in Dnipro, a city of about 1 million in southeast Ukraine.

With the sound of shelling in the distance, Carroll watched as Voronova mourned and the tearful pallbearers, the young mans comrades in arms, lowered him into his grave. Carroll reached out to his weeping mother.

We held each other, and without a common language other than grief, our hearts were one, Carroll wrote in her journal.

Grief transcends borders, Carroll said in a video call after completing her 10-day visit to Ukraine. We all grieve the same. The love lives on, and well continue to honor our heroes. Theres no difference in our grief and our love and our pride, she said.

Carroll is an expert on all three. Shes a former military officer and staffer in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush White Houses who spent a year working in Baghdad, advised the Department of Veterans Affairs, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.

She founded the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors in 1994, two years after her husband, Army Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, was killed in a plane crash in Alaska, where his family had deep roots and Carroll lives half the year.

Based in Arlington, Va., where Carroll lives when not in Alaska, TAPS provides care, casework assistance, emotional support, peer counseling and more for anyone needing help after the death of a military loved one. Last year, the nonprofit connected with more than 9,246 newly bereaved people, adding to the nearly 100,000 military survivors already receiving support from TAPS, according to the organization.

In 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea and the war in Donbas began, the U.S. State Department reached out to Carroll to mentor people in forming a similar organization for the people of Ukraine.

At that moment, our friendship started, said TAPS Ukraines international partnership coordinator Nataliya Chernyshova, speaking on a video call from the groups Dnipro headquarters. We followed her way and copied her model.

By 2017, after thousands of Ukrainians had been killed in the countrys east during conflicts with Russian-backed separatists, the organization was up and running. Now it boasts some 1,450 volunteers working out of a block-long building in Dnipro, a key logistical and humanitarian hub for Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a large-scale invasion Feb. 24.

Since then, thousands of Ukrainian fighters have been killed. Nearly 6,000 civilians have died and another 9,000 have been injured due to the Russian invasion, according to United Nations figures.

Russia stands accused by the U.N. and human rights groups of numerous war crimes and atrocities.

People cannot accept this in the 21st century,  Chernyshova said.

Among the TAPS Ukraine clients is a woman who fled the fighting after her husband was killed and her son joined the Army.

She found a home in Dnipro. She is a widow. She is a refugee, Chernyshova said. Sometimes we have very complicated situations.

Carroll sat in on sessions in which people spoke of their grief and fears of living in a war zone. She also visited a hospital for wounded soldiers and was awed there by the Wall of Heroes, photographic tributes to the fallen, both for Ukrainian and foreign fighters.

The country is so profoundly affected by loss. Loss touches everyone, she said. But we always say the love will go on. Thats important to hear.

The Ukraine group does many of the same things as its sister organization in the U.S., including offering counseling, with access to some 60 psychologists to help people work through their feelings of shock, grief, loss and war trauma.

It also has stockpiles of medicines and other supplies, conducts medical evacuations and at one point was making Molotov cocktails after Ukraines deputy defense minister called on citizens to make the homemade weapons and join the fight.

Its my life since 2014, said Yuliya Dmytrova, TAPS Ukraine director.

But she and Chernyshova said that they have not gotten used to living in a war zone.

Every day we hope it will soon be finished, Chernyshova said. People here dont watch films, they only watch the news.
The European Union plans to conduct a stress test of the physical security for key energy infrastructure as Norway said several European nations are sending help to safeguard its North Sea installations after the Nord Stream pipeline explosions.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said Friday at a news conference that she will work with her home affairs counterpart, Ylva Johansson, to prepare the stress test plan as more countries begin to point the finger at Russia for sabotaging the pipelines.

"Given the possible serious impact of an incident on the internal market and across borders, an EU-wide approach is needed and we will work with member states to define the test scope and timing to reinforce the resilience of the EU energy system to threats," Simson said. She said the bloc will consider new policy measures to protect critical infrastructure.

The pipeline attacks sparked new fears that Russia may stage surreptitious attacks on vital energy pathways to spike prices in the already-stressed bloc as winter sets in.

"Everyone's shocked by the sabotage of Nord Stream so it was very fruitful that colleagues from Denmark, Sweden and Germany informed us on the way that they're doing research to know what happened over there," Dutch energy minister Rob Jetten told reporters after a meeting in Brussels. "And we exchanged how member states can protect this crucial infrastructure as well as possible."

Norway has accepted offers of assistance from Germany, France and the U.K. as it increases its presence around oil and gas installations in the North Sea, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told reporters on Friday. It has redirected two of its coast guard vessels and a maritime surveillance aircraft to patrol the area, he said.

ConocoPhillips Skandinavia said Friday that it elevated the "security level and emergency preparedness for our offshore and onshore facilities" this week.

"We confirm having made drone observations and we cooperate with the authorities," the company said in a statement, adding that it won't disclose further details. TotalEnergies also said that it spotted an aerial drone close to an oil field in the Danish North Sea.

Countries have been reluctant to formally blame Russia since investigations haven't been possible while gas is still spewing from the ruptures, but Germany made clear that Moscow is the obvious suspect.

"Russia saying 'it wasn't us' is like saying 'I'm not the thief,'" German Economy Minister Robert Habeck told reporters Friday in Brussels. Russia has denied responsibility and President Vladimir Putin on Friday blamed "Anglo-Saxons" for the blasts, without providing any evidence.

The Danish Energy Agency said in a tweet that the company behind the Nord Stream pipelines has told it that Nord Stream 2 will stop leaking gas on Saturday while the Nord Stream 1 pipe will run out the next day.
(Tribune News Service)  Vladimir Putin vowed Russia's annexation of four occupied regions in Ukraine is irreversible as he prepared to formalize Europe's biggest land grab since World War II, defying efforts by Kyiv, backed by the U.S. and its allies, to recapture its lost territory.

"They will become our citizens forever," the Russian president told officials in a Kremlin ceremony Friday before the signing of annexation documents. He demanded Ukraine stop fighting and begin talks, but refused to negotiate about the lands he's absorbing.

The United Nations and many countries have denounced the annexation as illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday Russia would "annex itself to the catastrophe that it has brought to the occupied territory of our country."

With his troops losing ground to a Ukrainian counteroffensive, Putin has been struggling to revive his seven-month-old invasion. He's ordered the mobilization of 300,000 reservists to shore up his battered army, triggering an exodus of Russians trying to avoid being sent to the front.

An opinion poll published Thursday showed that an increasing number of Russians are concerned the war is going badly and most are alarmed at the decision to call up reservists.

Even so, Putin has brandished the threat of using nuclear weapons to protect Russia's sovereignty over the newly acquired territories, drawing warnings of harsh retaliation from the U.S. and its allies.

In his speech Friday, Putin said, "We will use all means available to us to defend our lands," but didn't mention nuclear weapons specifically.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the talk of nuclear escalation "irresponsible" and declined to say whether attacks on the annexed territories may meet the standard for using the weapons set out in Russia's military doctrine.

In an apparent sign of the hastiness of the latest moves, Peskov said he wasn't immediately able to say whether Russia will be annexing all of the territory of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions or just the areas held by its troops. He said the agreements Friday will cover the full areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, though Ukraine still controls parts of those.

If the whole territories of the four regions are included, Putin is laying claim to about 15% of Ukraine's land area, making the move the largest forced annexation in Europe since World War II.

"This is comparable to Austria and Belgium combined. Or Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands combined. Or 30% of Germany," Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in a statement. "Russia tries to rewrite the map of Europe."

Russian officials are moving quickly to try to formalize their grip on the occupied areas, promising to issue passports and to appoint senators representing the regions in the upper house of parliament.

Moscow has also stepped up threats to European energy supplies in an effort to sap support there for Ukraine. State gas giant Gazprom warned it may shut off the last pipeline carrying its gas to clients in western Europe, while leaks discovered in the Nord Stream links under the Baltic Sea have raised suspicions of sabotage and fears of attacks on other infrastructure.

By annexing the territories, Putin is effectively closing off avenues for a negotiated settlement. Ukraine has said it will only consider talks once Russian troops are driven back at least to their positions on the eve of the Feb. 24 invasion.

A Russian missile strike killed at least 25 civilians near Zaporizhzhia early Friday, Ukrainian officials said. The city is one that Russia has included in the territory it claims to annex, although its forces have never reached it. The victims had been lining up in a convoy to travel toward the Russian-occupied zone to evacuate relatives, Ukraine said.

Kyiv's allies in the US and Europe have vowed to continue billions of dollars in financial and military aid to support Ukraine's drive to oust Russian forces. Ukrainian troops closed in on Lyman on Friday, a key regional town in the Donetsk region, with some analysts suggesting a large number of Moscow's forces may be surrounded in the area.

Donbas, the eastern industrial heartland of Ukraine encompassing the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, has been the major focus of Russia's campaign, with the involvement of separatist pro-Moscow forces that since 2014 have been battling Kyiv's military.

With European countries facing the worst energy crisis since the OPEC oil embargo in the 1970s, the election of the first far-right government in Italy since World War II is raising hopes in Moscow that it can force a peace settlement on its terms. But with morale low in the Russian armed forces, Ukraine is pushing ahead with its bid to recover Kremlin-held areas.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to illegally annex more occupied Ukrainian territory in a sharp escalation of his war. Ukraine's president countered with a surprise application to join the NATO military alliance.

Putin's land-grab and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's signing of what he said is an "accelerated" NATO membership application sent the two leaders speeding faster on a collision course that is cranking up fears of a full-blown conflict between Russia and the West.

Putin vowed to protect newly annexed regions of Ukraine by "all available means," a renewed nuclear-backed threat he made at a Kremlin signing ceremony where he also railed furiously against the West, accusing the United States and its allies of seeking Russia's destruction.

Zelenskyy then held his own signing ceremony in Kyiv, releasing video of him putting pen to papers he said were a formal NATO membership request.

Putin has repeatedly made clear that any prospect of Ukraine joining the military alliance is one of his red lines and cited it as a justification for his invasion, now in its eighth month, in Europe's biggest land war since World War II.

In his speech, Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for peace talks but insisted he won't discuss handing back occupied regions. Zelenskyy said there'd be no negotiations with Putin.

"We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but  with another president of Russia," the Ukrainian leader said.

At his signing ceremony in the Kremlin's ornate St. George's Hall, Putin accused the West of fueling the hostilities to turn Russia into a "colony" and a "crowd of soulless slaves." The hardening of his position, in the conflict that has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people, further raised tensions already at levels unseen since the Cold War.

Global leaders, including those from the Group of Seven leading economies, responded with an avalanche of condemnation. The U.S. and the U.K. announced more sanctions.

U.S. President Joe Biden said of Putin's annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions: "Make no mistake: These actions have no legitimacy."

"America and its allies are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless words and threats," Biden added, noting that the Russian leader "can't seize his neighbor's territory and get away with it."

The European Union said its 27 member states will never recognize the illegal referendums that Russia organized "as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution Friday that would have condemned the referendums, declared that they have no validity and urged all countries not to recognize the annexation. China, India, Brazil and Gabon abstained on the vote in the 15-member council.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called it "the largest attempted annexation of European territory by force since the Second World War."

The war is at "a pivotal moment," he said, and Putin's decision to annex more territory  Russia now claims sovereignty over 15% of Ukraine  marks "the most serious escalation since the start of the war." Stoltenberg was noncommittal on Zelenskyy's fast-track NATO application, saying alliance leaders "support Ukraine's right to choose its own path, to decide what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of."

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council, said Zelenskyy's move toward the military alliance amounts to "begging NATO to accelerate the start of World War III."

Zelenskyy vowed to keep fighting, defying Putin's warnings that Kyiv shouldn't try to recapture what it has lost.

"The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy," he said. "Russia already knows this. It feels our power."

The immediate ramifications of the "accelerated" NATO application weren't clear, since approval requires members' unanimous support. The supply of Western weapons to Ukraine has, however, already put it closer to the alliance's orbit.

"De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards," Zelenskyy said. "We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other."

The Kremlin ceremony came three days after the completion in the occupied regions of Moscow-orchestrated "referendums" on joining Russia that Kyiv and the West dismissed as a blatant land grab held at gunpoint and based on lies. In his fiery speech, Putin insisted Ukraine treat the votes "with respect."

As the ceremony concluded, the Moscow-installed leaders of the occupied regions gathered around Putin, linked hands and chanted "Russia! Russia!" with the audience.

Putin cut an angry figure as he accused the United States and its allies of seeking to destroy Russia. He said the West acted "as a parasite" and used its financial and technological strength "to rob the entire world."

He portrayed Russia as pursuing a historical mission to reclaim its post-Soviet great power status and counter Western domination he said is collapsing.

"History has called us to a battlefield to fight for our people, for the grand historic Russia, for future generations," he said.

Moscow has backed eastern Ukraine's separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions since they declared independence in 2014, weeks after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Russia captured the southern Kherson region and part of neighboring Zaporizhzhia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubber-stamp the annexation treaties, sending them to Putin for final approval.

The orchestrated process went into a celebratory phase Friday night, with thousands gathered in Red Square for a concert and rally that Putin joined. Many waved Russian flags as entertainers from Russia and occupied parts of Ukraine performed patriotic songs. Russian media reported employees of state-run companies and institutions were told to attend, and students were allowed to skip classes.

Putin's land grab and a partial troop mobilization were attempts to avoid more battlefield defeats that could threaten his 22-year rule. By formalizing Russia's gains, he seemingly hopes to scare Ukraine and its Western backers by threatening to escalate the conflict unless they back down  which they show no signs of doing.

Russia controls most of the Luhansk and Kherson regions, about 60% of the Donetsk region and a large chunk of the Zaporizhzhia region, where it seized Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

But the Kremlin is on the verge of another stinging military loss, with reports of the imminent Ukrainian encirclement of the eastern city of Lyman. Retaking it could open the path for Ukraine to push deep into Luhansk, one of the annexed regions.

"It looks quite pathetic. Ukrainians are doing something, taking steps in the real material world, while the Kremlin is building some kind of a virtual reality, incapable of responding in the real world," former Kremlin speechwriter-turned-analyst Abbas Gallyamov said, adding that "the Kremlin cannot offer anything omforting to the Russians."

Russia pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets and suicide drones in Moscow's heaviest barrage in weeks, with one strike in the Zaporizhzhia region's capital killing 30 and wounding 88.

In the Zaporizhzhia attack, anti-aircraft missiles that Russia has repurposed as ground-attack weapons rained down on people waiting in cars to cross into Russian-occupied territory so they could bring family members back across front lines, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office.

Russian-installed officials in Zaporizhzhia blamed Ukrainian forces, but gave no evidence.

The strike left deep craters and sent shrapnel tearing into the humanitarian convoy, killing passengers. Nearby buildings were demolished. Bodies were later covered with trash bags, blankets and, for one victim, a blood-soaked towel.

A Ukrainian counteroffensive has deprived Moscow of battlefield mastery. Its hold on the Luhansk region appears increasingly shaky, as Ukrainian forces make inroads with the pincer assault on Lyman, a key node for Russian military operations in the Donbas and a sought-after prize. The Russian-backed separatist leader of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said Ukrainian forces have "half-encircled" Lyman. Ukraine maintains a large foothold in the neighboring Donetsk region.

Russian strikes were also reported in the city of Dnipro. Regional Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said at least three people were killed and five were wounded.

Ukraine's air force said the southern cities of Mykolaiv and Odesa were targeted with Iranian-supplied suicide drones that Russia has increasingly deployed.
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar  An air unit ended its mission Friday after transporting troops throughout the Middle East over two decades of combat.

The Air Forces 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron cased its colors during a deactivation ceremony in Qatar.

It was on the forefront of combat airlift during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Daniel Naske, the units commander, said at the ceremony.

The deactivation of the unit comes as the U.S. has reduced its Middle East presence, though the military continues to assist partner forces in Iraq and elsewhere.

The 816th, which started in World War II as a bomber squadron, was reactivated in 2006, according to the unit.

Its C-17 Globemaster III transport planes delivered supplies to troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, with 106,000 sorties flown and more than 3 billion pounds of cargo delivered, the unit said.

The 816th airlifted some 124,000 civilians from Kabul, Afghanistan, during evacuations last year.

Most recently, the unit helped deliver more than 1.5 million pounds of humanitarian supplies to Pakistan after heavy rains flooded a third of the country.

A majority of the stuff you see (in theater), the 816th moved it, said Airman 1st Class Benjamin Longyear, a loadmaster who worked on efforts to bring aid to Pakistan, said after the ceremony.

The 816th will be replaced by the 8th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

The new unit will be the first C-17A unit deployed under the services new Force Generation model, which was introduced in 2021 and prepares units to deploy in multiple phases over 24 months.
SULIMANIYAH, Iraq  Dara Qureshi scrolls through the contacts on his phone, each name an alias for activists across the border in neighboring Iran, where protests have been raging for two weeks.

Qureshi, a member of one of many Iranian Kurdish opposition parties exiled in Iraq, responds to one of them, "Brwa," who asks how to access Starlink, a satellite constellation operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, after the business magnate promised to allow Iranians affected by state-imposed internet restrictions to use it.

"What is your advice, comrade?" writes the unknown activist. Qureshi makes inquiries, knowing there are only a few precious minutes before the internet will cut out for the person on the other side.

The support that Kurdish exiles like Qureshi have given to protesters in Iran have fueled allegations by Iranian authorities that the protests, which have spread to over 40 cities, were entirely organized and buttressed by foreign elements.

But Iranian Kurdish exiles say their role is small. They say the Iranian government is trying to scapegoat them to divert attention away from the widespread anger fueling protests that erupted nationwide, have brought in multiple ethnic groups and have been focused on women and the oppression they face from the government. The protests were sparked after a woman, Mahsa Amini, who was Kurdish, died in custody after morality police in the Iranian capital Tehran arrested her for not wearing her headscarf properly.

This week, Iran sharply stepped up its military operations against Iraq-based Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, launching three sets of drone and missile attacks targeting their party bases in northern Iraq, killing at least nine. The strikes drew condemnation from Iraqi officials and the international community. Iran's ambassador to Iraq was later summoned by the Foreign Ministry.

Iran also has cracked down on others after Amini's death, announcing Friday that it has arrested nine foreigners over the demonstrations. That comes after rights groups reported leaked government documents show that Iran ordered its security forces to "severely confront" protesters, and that journalists had been arrested. London-based Amnesty International said security forces have killed at least 52 people since protests over the Amini's death began nearly two weeks ago.

The Kurdish opposition parties say their reach is limited to majority Kurdish regions in western Iran.

"It's true the political parties here issued a call for protests, but the one who went to the street and organized are inside Iran; it has nothing to do with party proclamations," said Rosaline Kamangir, 32, an Iranian women's rights activist and a Kurd who is regularly in touch with female protesters inside Iran.

"The organizers are local, and perhaps they see eye-to-eye with the parties, ultimately they are acting based on their own beliefs," she said.

The opposition groups jointly issued calls for a general strike and protests in the western Kurdish region of Iran after the death of the 22-year-old Amini.

With her family origins in the Kurdish city of Saqqez, Amini's death has sparked particular anger in Iran's Kurdish regions. Kurds refer to her by her Kurdish name, Zhina; Iranians often have an official name and another they use more regularly, and Mahsa is a Persian name on her official records.

The Kurdish majority areas have seen a separatist movement since the time of the shah, and in the past decades it has morphed into a low-level guerrilla insurgency between opposition groups and Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

But the protests have not taken a particularly Kurdish nationalist tone. Instead, as in the rest of the country, Amini has become a symbol of the oppression of women, rallying anger against Iran's repressive policies. Many women protesters burned their hijabs during the rallies and cut off their hair.

"I didn't know Mahsa, but her death pushed me to protest," said Nisreen, a woman in the Kurdish Iranian town of Bukan. "Her death made me angry. Women in Iran are oppressed, we have no opportunities," the 34-year-old said, speaking to the AP via WhatsApp on condition her last name not be used, fearing reprisal.

The first protest she attended in Bukan began peacefully, she said. "Then the shooting and arrests started," she said. On one occasion, the person standing next to her was hit.

Opposition parties have clout in her area, she said. "But that is not why I am protesting."

Every household in Iran's Kurdish regions knows someone linked to the Kurdish opposition parties in exile or has a family member who belongs to them, activists and residents said.

Banned inside Iran, the main parties based in Iraq are the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Iran; Komala, which has Marxist leanings; and the Kurdistan Free Life Party, or PJAK.

"Everyone among us has a relative protesting in Iran, everyone knows someone who has been arrested," said Kawser Fattahi, 33, a member of Komala, her fingers trembling while holding up a cigarette. Two of her cousins in Iran were taken and haven't been heard from in a week, she said. Qureshi's uncle was detained during a protest in Bukan.

Fattahi had been at her Komala party's headquarters compound in the Iraqi Kurdish town of Koya when it was bombed in one of the Iranian strikes. She spoke to the AP in Sulimaniyah, where she arrived Wednesday.

After the bombings, party members dispersed from their compound residence and took up residence with friends or in the rugged mountains.

Fattahi left her hometown Bukan in Iran a few years ago because of her political activities distributing party leaflets.

Her mother and brother are both protesting, she said. The last time she saw them was when they crossed the border illegally to see her some months back.

Like most party members she keeps two phones, one for daily use in Iraq and another, to speak to relatives and party affiliates back home.

Because of the danger in crossing the border from Iraq, the opposition parties' presence and activities inside Iran have always been limited. Social media is used to encourage supporters to take part in protests and conduct general strikes, said Fattahi.

But now with widespread internet outages in Iran, their supporters have not been able to access social media.

"Most of our communication requires the internet," said Qureshi. "And when they call us, it's always from an unregistered number."

Kamangir received hundreds of messages a day at the start of the protests in mid-September. Now she receives bursts of updates every two days, she said.

"Today, it's gone dark," she said.
WASHINGTON - "A woke military is a weak military," former CIA director Mike Pompeo tweeted Tuesday.

A few weeks earlier at CIA headquarters, in Langley, Va., current CIA director William J. Burns had a different perspective: cutting the ribbon on a new statue of abolitionist and military spy Harriet Tubman, a move some might decry as "woke" for an intelligence agency. Burns shared ribbon-cutting duties with Tina Wyatt, a descendant of Tubman's who was invited to the private ceremony.

"It was awesome," said CIA Museum Director Robert Byer, who attended the ceremony, in an interview with The Washington Post. He added it was "moving" but declined to provide further details, in classic CIA style.

CIA employees proposed the statue project after attending a team-building program in Maryland, where Tubman was raised and where she eventually led scores of enslaved people to freedom. It is a reproduction of a statue by artist Brian Hanlon that stands in front of the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center in Auburn, N.Y., and was made with the artist's permission.

The statue joins two others on the CIA campus that depict Nathan Hale, an American spy killed by the British during the Revolutionary War, and William J. Donovan, considered the "founding father" of the CIA.

At first blush, Tubman, a civil rights activist who famously and repeatedly broke the law, might seem an unlikely inspiration for today's foreign intelligence officers. But Byer said there was a lot of overlap between the "ethos" of the CIA and Tubman's.

Since 2018, the CIA has taken some employees on "Leadership Ethos Rides" retracing the path of Tubman's Underground Railroad missions along the Eastern Shore. On these missions, she led enslaved people to safety and freedom - actions that in the intel community would be classified as "exfiltration from a denied area," Byer said. The rides highlight Tubman and the CIA's shared traits, Byer said, like "dedication, sacrifice and stewardship."

The statue depicts Tubman when she was younger than she appears in most photographs. She holds a lantern in her raised right arm, symbolically lighting the path to freedom and perhaps evoking the Statue of Liberty. Her left arm reaches back, her wrist tilted just so, as if to warn her "passengers" on the Underground Railroad not to move just yet.

During the Civil War, when Tubman was in her 40s, she became the first woman to plan and lead a U.S. Army expedition. In South Carolina, Tubman went behind enemy lines dressed as a enslaved person to gather intelligence from enslaved people about the locations of Confederate torpedoes on the Combahee River. With this intel, Union gunboats were able to move up the river undetected and successfully raid Confederate strongholds. On their way back down the river, Union troops freed hundreds of enslaved people, many of whom joined the fight.

The Combahee River Raid has earned Tubman spots in the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame and the International Spy Museum, though Byer pointed out that since she wasn't stealing secrets and giving them to foreign intelligence, she wasn't a "spy" in the strictest sense, but an "intelligence collector."

Still, her remarkable service points to another of the CIA's goals, one that some people might dismiss as too modern, too "woke," but that Byer argued was key.

"We need diversity in order to do our mission here," Byer said. "If those slaves hadn't trusted Harriet Tubman, they wouldn't have given her information."
WASHINGTON  Congress on Friday signed off on a $12.3 billion aid package for Ukraine that allocates funding for U.S. military operations in Europe, continues weapons deliveries to Kyiv and provides assistance for a potential nuclear incident on the Continent as Russia moved to annex Ukrainian territory.

The third supplemental assistance package approved by Congress for Ukraine contains $7.5 billion in military support and $4.5 billion in economic and humanitarian aid to prop up the embattled countrys government services. It follows a $13.6 billion aid bill for Ukraine in March and a $40 billion assistance package in May that was designed to last until September.

We cannot stop now and were not going to, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday, crediting American weapons for helping Ukraine recently regain Russian-held territory in the northeast part of the country and turn the tide of the war.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Ukrainian troops need more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS, and tanks, fighting vehicles, longer-range rockets, air defense systems, drones and training to operate Western fighter aircraft.

Assisting Ukraine is not some feel-good symbolic gesture. It is literally an investment in our own national security and that of our allies, he said. Blunting [Russian President Vladimir] Putins offensive in Ukraine will diminish his capacity to threaten other targets throughout the free world.

The Senate approved the funding measure on Thursday by a vote of 72-25 and the House backed the legislation on Friday with a 230-201 vote. It is attached to a stopgap government funding bill that lawmakers had to pass to avoid a government shutdown on Friday and fund federal agencies through Dec. 16.

The supplemental funding for Ukraine adds $3 billion to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a program created shortly after Russias first invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014. The initiative allows the Pentagon to purchase weapons and equipment for Ukraines armed forces and pay for training, logistics support, supplies, services, salaries and stipends.

Another $1.5 billion will be spent on replenishing U.S. stocks of weapons delivered to the battlefield while $540 million will go toward increasing production of critical munitions for the U.S. and countries that contributed to the defense of Ukraine at the request of the United States.

The bill also authorizes President Joe Biden to pull up to $3.7 billion in security equipment from U.S. stockpiles, an authority that he has used 21 times since August 2021.

Lawmakers earmarked $2 million for the Pentagons inspector general to keep tabs on the aid surging into Ukraine and are requiring a certification by the Secretary of State that protects against corruption.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, said Friday that the safeguards will ensure weapons are used for their intended purpose by their intended recipients.

Nearly $3 billion in appropriated funds will flow to U.S. European Command, which has provided mission and intelligence support to Ukrainian forces beating back Russias invasion. The funds will also cover special duty pay for U.S. troops deployed to Eastern Europe to bolster NATOs eastern flank.

The supplemental package notably provides $35 million to the National Nuclear Security Administration to prepare for and respond to potential nuclear and radiological incidents in Ukraine. Putin raised the specter of a nuclear strike earlier this month when he announced the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of Russian reservists for the war effort.

In the face of a threat to the territorial integrity of our country, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal, he warned. This is not a bluff.

Putin on Friday proclaimed the annexation of four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by Russian troops. The regions  Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson  held Kremlin-orchestrated referendums during the last week to join Russia, with residents casting ballots at gunpoint, according to the State Department.

The spectacle of voting was denounced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday as a futile effort to mask what amounts to a further attempt at a land grab in Ukraine. Russia illegally annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and recognized Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states shortly before launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February.

The U.S. announced new sanctions Friday in response to Russias actions, condemning them as violations of international law that trampled on the U.N. Charter and showed contempt for peaceful nations.

We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russias brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbor, Biden said in a statement. I look forward to signing legislation from Congress that will provide an additional $12 billion to support Ukraine.

The third supplemental aid package brings the total amount of aid Congress allocated for Ukraine this year to more than $65 billion. The bill falls slightly short of the White Houses request, however, which called for $13.7 billion to sustain the pace of assistance to Ukraine through the end of the year.
AUSTIN, Texas  About 100 service members and 50 staffers who live and work at a medical clinic at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, are being moved after an illness-causing bacteria was found in the water system, base officials said Friday.

The legionella bacteria was discovered in the plumbing system during routine water testing of Liberty Barracks, which houses troops assigned temporarily to Fort Sam Houston for medical treatment. It also houses a behavioral health clinic.

Legionella is a bacteria that frequently lives in plumbing and water sources and can cause symptoms ranging from a mild case of the flu to a type of pneumonia called Legionnaires' disease. Its transmitted by breathing in mist or water droplets in the air that contains the bacteria.

There have been no reports of illness related to legionella, base officials said.

As of the last few months, we have been fortunate to have significantly fewer service members needing the care that Liberty Barracks was designed to support, said Brig. Gen. Russell Driggers, commander of Joint Base San Antonio and 502nd Air Base Wing. A significant portion of the facility, therefore, has been unoccupied. Water in the plumbing for these unoccupied rooms can sit stagnant, providing a breeding ground for bacteria like legionella.

Those who lived in the barracks will move to other barracks and dorms across the joint base, and the location will depend on the individuals medical appointment and treatment needs. The behavioral health clinic within Liberty Barracks will be temporarily moved too, and patients will be contacted regarding alternate arrangements.

Behavioral health appointments at other locations will not be affected, base officials said.

Once the facility is empty, the building will be treated through a process known as super-chlorination, according to Fort Sam Houston. After 72 hours, civil engineer and public health personnel will assess the buildings safety, test for legionella bacteria and test for residual chlorine before permitting the service members to move back to the barracks.

Liberty Barracks, which can hold up to 360 troops, was evacuated last year for the same issue, which is why the base has continued to monitor the water there closely. Civil engineers evaluated the buildings plumbing systems to rule out mechanical problems, such as malfunctioning hot water heaters.

JBSA leaders, along with civil engineer and public health experts, are evaluating long-term, sustainable solutions to prevent contamination from happening again, base officials said.

Thayer.rose@stripes.com

Twitter: @Rose_Lori
NORFOLK, Va.  Following years of delays and problems with its new technology, the U.S. Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier embarks on its first deployment next week and will train with other NATO countries at a time of increasing Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The USS Gerald R. Ford leaves the world's largest Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, Monday along with destroyers and other warships, the U.S. Navy said in a statement Thursday. The carrier strike group will join ships in the Atlantic Ocean from countries that include France, Germany and Sweden for various exercises, including anti-submarine warfare.

"The Atlantic is an area of strategic interest," Vice Admiral Daniel Dwyer said in a statement. "Our primary goal is to contribute to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region through the combined naval power of our Allies and partners."

Dwyer commands the U.S. Navy's 2nd Fleet, which oversees American warships as they deploy between the U.S. East Coast and the Barents Sea, off of the coasts of Norway and Russia. The U.S. has sharpened its focus on the North Atlantic in recent years after the Russian military ramped up operations to a pace not seen since the end of the Cold War.

Next week's exercises come seven months after Russia invaded Ukraine. Western countries, including the U.S., have provide weapons to Ukraine, increasing tensions with the Kremlin. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to send more troops into battle and potentially use nuclear weapons to ward off Ukraine's attempt to reclaim control of Moscow-occupied areas.

Bradley Martin, a senior policy researcher with the RAND Corporation, told The Associated Press that next week's exercises will showcase American military capabilities and support for NATO. Concerns about Russia are part of the mission's broader calculus.

"We're also showing Russia that there are an array of forces they'd have to deal with if they go beyond Ukraine or escalate in Ukraine in ways we find unacceptable," said Martin, a retired Navy captain.

American aircraft carriers demonstrate the U.S.'s unique ability to dispatch warplanes around the world, Martin said. Despite the USS Ford's well-publicized problems, he said it's still part of a larger display of the nation's military might.

The $13.3 billion warship  the nation's most expensive  is the first of the Navy's new Ford class of aircraft carriers. They're designed to carry a wider variety of planes and operate with several hundred fewer sailors. They use an electromagnetic system for launching planes, which replace steam catapults and are supposed to increase flying missions by a third.

The Ford's first deployment comes five years after it was commissioned. And it's been beset by various issues, including problems with the launch system and the elevators that bring missiles and bombs to jets on the flight deck.

A Congressional Research Service report from late August stated that the Navy had "struggled to meet promises it repeatedly made" to defense oversight committees to complete, test and certify the weapons elevators. The Navy said the ship's 11th and final weapons elevator was certified in December.

In 2017, then-President Donald Trump told Time magazine that the Navy should revert to steam for launching planes because the electromagnetic system "costs hundreds of millions of dollars more money and it's no good."

Dwyer, the admiral, told reporters in a phone call on Monday that the Ford "has already successfully conducted over 10,000 catapults and carrier landings."

Martin, of the RAND Corporation, said the system is yet to launch planes at the higher rate for which it was designed. And it will likely take years to do so, which he said is not unexpected for the first in a new class of carriers.

"Aircraft carrier strike groups are still a center of Navy power projection," Martin said. "The fact that the lead ship in a new class has had some significant development issues doesn't change that."
WASHINGTON  The United States and its allies hit back at Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions on Friday, slapping sanctions on more than 1,000 people and companies including arms supply networks as President Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin he can't "get away with" seizing Ukrainian land.

The Russian annexation, though expected, escalated an already heated conflict that's become fraught with potential nuclear implications.

Biden said his administration would support any effort by Ukraine to retake the annexed territories by force, setting the stage for further hostilities. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his country would make an "accelerated" bid to join the NATO military alliance, a plan not endorsed by the U.S. or other allies that could add fuel to the fire.

"America and its allies are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless words and threats," Biden told reporters. He added that Putin "can't seize his neighbor's territory and get away with it."

Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that Russia is incorporating four Ukrainian cities and areas was not unexpected following referendums this week that the West had denounced as shams. And the U.S. and Western allies had previewed what their reaction would be.

But the developments dramatically increased tensions to a point not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago during the Cold War.

Biden had spoken out against the annexation plans last week at the U.N. General Assembly, where a vast majority of other members also voiced support for respecting the territorial integrity of all nations On Friday, he used the moment to reiterate that the U.S. and NATO allies would not allow Russia to attack any of the nearby NATO members without facing a strong military response.

"America is fully prepared, prepared with our NATO allies to defend every single inch of NATO territory. Every single inch," Biden said. "And so, Mr. Putin, don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Every inch."

While the Biden administration has identified the suppliers of Russia's weapons and battlefield high-tech as a priority, many of Friday's other sanctions were in line with penalties already enacted on thousands of Russian individuals and companies, and may have comparatively little impact on the war effort. The administration hopes they will serve to further undermine support for Putin's invasion among Russia's elite.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and its European allies are rushing to complete agreement on a measure they hope will do more to damage Russia's economy: a cap on Russia's maritime oil exports that would undermine the prices Putin can demand for his country's oil globally.

For now, Biden said the new U.S. financial penalties, similar to those coming from like-minded countries, will impose severe costs on people and companies "that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory." The sanctions will apply to countries, people or firms that support or do business with Russia-backed authorities in the newly annexed areas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, echoing Biden, said the U.S. "unequivocally rejects Russia's fraudulent attempt to change Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. ... This is a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter."

"No one is fooled by what Moscow has done," Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with Canada's visiting foreign minister. "The entire process around these sham referenda was a complete farce. This territory is and will remain Ukraine, and Ukraine has every right to defend its land, to defend its people and to take back the territory that Russia has seized from it."

This suggests the U.S. will support the Ukrainians with weapons and ammunition to help them with military action to retake the annexed areas. The U.S. has warned Ukraine in the past not to use American weapons against Russian territory.

Blinken also spoke out against Putin's nuclear threats..

"This kind of loose talk about nuclear weapons is the height of irresponsibility, and it's something that we take very seriously," he said. "To date" he said, the U.S. has not seen that "Russia is actually doing anything that suggests they are contemplating the use of nuclear weapons."

"I can just tell you that we plan against every possible scenario, including this one."

Biden also pushed back against Putin's comments on Friday in which he accused the West of sabotaging Russia-built natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea to Germany. Nordic nations said the undersea blasts that damaged the pipelines this week and have led to huge methane leaks involved several hundred pounds of explosives.

The president said the U.S. and allies are still working to determine who was responsible for the blasts, but excoriated Putin over his accusation.

"Let me say this, it was a deliberate act of sabotage," Biden said. "And now the Russians are pumping out disinformation and lies."

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that "not many" countries have the ability to carry out such an attack on the pipelines. He stopped short of charging Russia was responsible but made clear the U.S. is suspicious that they may be complicit.

"Russia has done what it frequently does when it is responsible for something, which is make accusations that it was really someone else who did it," Sullivan said. "We've seen this repeatedly over time."

As for a broader guarantee of protection, Ukraine has sought NATO membership for years but has not yet been admitted due to concerns about its domestic governance. As a result of Russia's invasion, Finland and Sweden have applied for fast-track admission into the alliance.

The White House said Sullivan had spoken with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to highlight the U.S. and NATO's "firm commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

But the Biden administration isn't embracing Zelenskyy's push for an accelerated path to NATO membership. Sullivan said the U.S. was focused on supporting Ukraine through "practical on the ground support." He added that "the process in Brussels should be taken up at a different time."

Earlier, following Putin's announcement, the White House along with the State, Treasury and Commerce departments had announced the new sanctions in a series of coordinated statements. The sanctions expand on what have been escalating penalties against Russia and its proxies since the invasion began on Feb. 24.

Treasury designated hundreds of members of Russia's parliament, leaders of the country's financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations that include asset freezes and bans on Americans doing business with them. The Commerce Department added 57 companies to its list of export control violators, and the State Department added more than 900 people to its visa ban list, making them ineligible for travel to the United States.

Since the start of the invasion, the U.S. and European nations have imposed significant financial penalties on Russia, its leadership and wealthy oligarchs tied to Putin. The allies have gone after the central bank reserves that underpin the Russian economy and have severed many Russian banks from a vital global financial network called SWIFT.

The war is having a devastating impact on the global economy and has contributed to massive disruptions to supplies of energy and food throughout the world. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development this week said the global economy is set to lose $2.8 trillion in output in 2023 because of the conflict.

Putin appears undeterred. He warned that Russia would never give up the absorbed regions the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and would protect them as part of its sovereign territory.

Both houses of the Russian parliament will meet next week to approve the treaties for the regions to join Russia.

Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer and Zeke Miller contributed reporting.
Lee Gibson, with an address at Knocknarea Avenue, Drimnagh is charged with four counts of dangerous driving

Lee Gibson, with an address in Drimnagh, Dublin pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street. Pic: Paddy Cummins/IrishPhotoDesk.ie   Paddy Cummins - PCPhoto.ie

A DUBLIN man once named by CAB as a Kinahan gang "foot soldier" is facing trial on motoring charges after he was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving in the south west of the city.

Lee Gibson (25) had the case against him adjourned at Dublin District Court, to set a date for the non-jury hearing.

Mr Gibson, with an address at Knocknarea Avenue, Drimnagh is charged with four counts of dangerous driving. The offences, under Section 53 of the

Road Traffic Act, are alleged to have happened at Brickfield Park, Benbulbin Avenue and Lissadell Avenue, Drimnagh and Kells Road, Crumlin, all on June 28 this year.

He is also charged with driving without insurance or a licence on the same date and failing to produce the documents at a garda station. A further charge alleges he obstructed a garda under the Public Order Act.

Lee Gibson

Garda Sergeant Gail Smith told Judge Paula Murphy the DPP was directing summary trial in the district court. Judge Murphy asked if the accused was entering a plea.

Defence solicitor Donal Quigley said Mr Gibson was pleading not guilty. The judge noted that there were a number of charges and the case may take some time.

Sgt Smith said the hearing would last more than an hour and the judge adjourned the case to next week, for mention, to fix a trial date.

The judge granted free legal aid after Mr Quigley applied on Mr Gibsons behalf.

The accused was not required to address the court during the brief proceedings and was remanded on continuing bail to the next date.

In 2019, Mr Gibson was named in the High Court as an associate of Liam Byrne, the man who is now regarded as the leader of the Kinahan cartel in Europe.

CAB named him among a number of people as part of a case against Byrne. According to CAB, the Byrne organised crime group "works for, and is part of, the larger Kinahan group."
The 35-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Cork District Court where he was also charged with false imprisonment

A man was charged with a total of nine offences arising from an incident in Cork where three Garda patrol cars were rammed by a van which contained six young children, the youngest of which was just five months old.

The 35-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Cork District Court charged with a variety of offences ranging from dangerous driving and criminal damage to false imprisonment and failure to supply a test sample at the Bridewell Garda Station.

The false imprisonment charge relates to the man's partner at Carr's Hill, in Cork.

It is also alleged the man breached a protection order under the Domestic Violence Act, thereby leaving his partner in fear that she and her children would be harmed or killed.

The man was arrested following a major garda operation on Wednesday evening which was launched when a van was spotted driving erratically on the main Dublin-Cork motorway outside Fermoy shortly after 9pm.

Concerned motorists had raised the alarm with Gardai.

Over a 40km trek, three garda patrol cars were rammed in the general Mahon area and the van was only successfully stopped when members of the armed Regional Support Unit (RSU) deployed a 'stinger' device near Carr's Hill.

Three Garda patrol cars were seriously damaged during the incident.

Judge Colm Roberts was told it will be alleged that the van the defendant was driving was occupied by his partner and six children.

The children ranged in age from 10 years down to just five months.

Judge Roberts was told that, after being arrested, cautioned and charged by gardai, the man replied: "No comment to nine charges."

The court heard that as a result of the ramming incidents, two gardai had to be taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for medical treatment.

Gardai outlined the circumstances of the alleged incident involved and said officers attempted to stop a van on the approach to Mahon late on Wednesday evening amid concerns over the nature of driving involved.

It is alleged the vehicle then rammed several garda vehicles - twice ramming a SUV operated by the armed Regional Support Unit (RSU).

The van then allegedly drove at speed the wrong way down a ramp onto the busy N40 ring road around Cork city.

It is also alleged the speeding van drove the wrong way around a busy roundabout and was only stopped on Carr's Hill when gardai deployed a special 'stinger' device to puncture its tyres and immobilise the vehicle.

A total of five vehicles were damaged during the incident.

The defendant was arrested at the scene and taken to the Bridewell Garda Station for questioning under the Criminal Justice Act.

He now faces a total of three counts of dangerous driving on September 28, three counts of causing criminal damage to garda patrol vehicles, one count of false imprisonment and one count of failing to comply with a request to supply an oral liquid sample for testing on suspicion of drink driving when requested at the Bridewell Garda Station, contrary to the Road Traffic Act.

Garda Paul Dromey said the State was objecting to bail in the case and seeking a remand in custody given the serious nature of the charges involved.

In evidence to the court, Garda Dromey said the defendant had made "serious and very violent efforts to evade arrest" on Wednesday evening.

He said the nature of the incident involved had put the defendant's own life at risk - as well as the lives of his family, other road users and members of An Garda Siochana.

Gardai said they had a concern the defendant might attempt to intimidate his partner and family if granted bail.

There was also a concern that, if granted bail, the defendant may not appear in court to face the charges.

Judge Roberts refused bail and remanded the defendant in ongoing custody.

He ordered that he appear again, via videolink, before Cork District Court on October 6, next.

The court was told the case is being given the utmost priority by gardai with a large team of detectives and uniformed officers now assigned to it.

It is hoped that instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will be delivered by next month.
Cllr Deirdre Donnelly told her story on national radio last year.

A local politician who was the target of sexual harassment says the Government has failed so many victims.

Cllr Deirdre Donnelly revealed on RTEs Liveline last year that she had been assaulted at a political event by a public representative.

Despite making recommendations to the Government and the Department of Justice on how to better respond to sexual violence, the Independent councillor for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown says the majority of TDs and Senators do not seem to be motivated in anyway to reform the justice system.

Ms Donnelly is particularly concerned about how Minister for Justice Helen McEntee approaches allegations of sexual harassment.

I have been failed by the justice system and the political system, she says in a statement.

The Minister for Justice is not addressing these issues and yet she is hosting a conference for her peers from Council of Europe states.

This week, the conference arrived in Dublin to discuss how to prevent and end violence against women.

Ms Donnelly has said the move is quite hypocritical to have a Minister and a government who have failed so many victims to be hosting it.

The politician says she offered a number of reforms to the Government at the time to correct a system she believes is totally on the side of the accused.

They included better Garda training and legal advise for victims and a better system of the DPP informing victims whether they will prosecute or not.

Her primary concern was the access an alleged perpetrator can have to the victims counselling records.

"People dont believe this, but a victims personal counselling records can be subpoenaed in certain cases. This poses a huge invasion of privacy and is a violation of human rights.

The local councillor brought her experience to the attention of Oireachtas members last year after her complaints to the perpetrators political party were not handled adequately".

Women cannot be encouraged to enter politics when there are no guidelines on code of conduct and no support if a woman politician is assaulted, she added.

Ms Donnelly appeared on RTEsLiveline last year to share her story.

"I was at an event and there was an individual. I barely knew this person and he kept rubbing himself up against me, she told listeners.

"I dont think people realise what its like to be in a crowded place and someone is doing something to you and you dont know whether to scream.

The local councillor described the situation as frightening.

"It got so bad that I had to shout at him to leave me alone in front of everyone. They all stopped and looked over, I was so embarrassed and I left which I shouldnt have had to do.

The man followed her into the hotel lift and insisted on joining her to her room. Instead, she ran down the corridor to get away, sustaining a fall in the process.

On the radio programme, she said women should not complain and just move on.

"I stupidly made the mistake of putting faith in our justice system and at the end of the day, the justice system can be a lot worse.

"Every step of the way there was nobody on my side, she said.

Speaking in a statement today, the local councillor urged the Government and the Minister for Justice to take a critical look at how complaints can be better dealt with, especially as Dublin is in the spotlight with the recent conference.

Ireland hosted the two-day event as part of Irish Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Council of Europe.
Patrick Doherty told his victim that he was not bothered about the police

Patrick Doherty, 41, made contact with a man  a complete stranger  who had previously been told by a third party that she could help arrange the rekindling of a past relationship for a fee.

Doherty called at the mans home in late July, saying he had come to sort the matter out and that he wanted 1,000 for the woman in addition to a 2,000 cut for himself.

Mr Doherty said if he messed him around, he would turn up at his house with 10 lads and go through the front door, prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told Carlisle Crown Court yesterday.

There were also threats delivered to harm the mans parents and torch their caravan and boat. Doherty warned he and his people were not to be messed with, boasted that they were not bothered about CCTV nor the police.

He called himself an Irish traveller, said Mr Rogerson. He and his people were p***ed off as they wanted the money quickly. He said he was being decent and trying to put off the rest of his people.

Their contact continued in phone conversations, one of which was recorded by the victim on a dash-cam. Doherty made reference at one stage to the fact the man hadnt gone to work that morning, causing the victim to warily check his car mirrors and take an alternative route when he next drove.

In an impact statement, the man described being left on edge and of fearing for his safety and that of his family. It has kept him awake at night, said Mr Rogerson. He has cried himself to sleep. The issue is constantly on his mind.

After the man did report the matter, Doherty was arrested by police who found he had separated a SIM card from his phone and stashed it in his underwear.

Doherty  previously of Low Harker, near Carlisle, and now of Wokingham, Berkshire  admitted blackmail between July 20 to 24, and the possession of a personal use amount of cannabis which was found after his detention.

Defence lawyer Jeff Smith said in mitigation: He invites the court to look at his behaviour as drug-fuelled stupidity which he very much regrets.

Jailing Doherty, Judge James Adkin said the prison term had to be immediate, to deter those seeking to engage in blackmail.

It was wholly unwarranted. It was persistent, Judge Adkin told Doherty of his offending.
They also seized 320,000 in a seperate search in Dublin Port.

On Thursday, as part of routine operations and with the assistance of a detector dog, approximately 11.34kgs of herbal cannabis was seized.

The drugs were discovered in an air cargo consignment described as hops. The consignment was sent from Canada and was destined for an address in Dublin.

Meanwhile, on Friday officers at Dublin Port seized 320,000 cigarettes with a retail value of 240,000. This represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of over 188,000.

The smuggled cigarettes of various brands were concealed within tins of powered paint arriving on pallets from Cologne, Germany.

Investigations are ongoing in both cases.

Cigarettes seized at Dublin Port

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and smuggling.

If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on our confidential phone number 1800 295 295.
The accused has 25 previous convictions, including one for handling stolen property for which he received a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

A construction worker who stole two candles from Dunnes Stores was planning a celebration for his wife and wanted to surprise her, a court has heard.

Dmitrijs Jakovlevs (35) had already purchased a number of items in preparation for the celebration, his solicitor said, but took the candles and did not pay for them.

The defendant, of Thornleigh Road, Applewood Village, pleaded guilty to stealing the two candles valued at 15 from Dunnes Stores in the Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords on March 7th this year.

Sergeant Patricia McGarrity said the accused entered the shop at 7.30pm on the evening in question, put two candles into a black duffle bag and left the premises without making any attempt to pay.

He was stopped by security staff and the items were recovered in saleable condition, she said.

The court heard Jakovlevs is a married father of two young children who works in construction and earns 700 a week.

The accused has 25 previous convictions, including one for handling stolen property for which he received a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

This matter was a triggering offence for the suspended sentence, Sergeant McGarrity told the court.

The solicitor for the defence said Jakovlevs wished to convey to the court how sorry he was for what he had done.

At the time of his arrest, he had been planning a celebration for his wife the following day and wanted to surprise her.

She said he had already purchased other items for this celebration and that was the reason he took the candles.

The solicitor said Jakovlevs was very apologetic and very concerned about the suspended sentence hanging over his head.

She said that while he does have previous convictions, this matter was relatively minor, he was co-operative with gardai and the candles were recovered in saleable condition.

Judge Paul Kelly convicted the accused and imposed a fine of 150.

He adjourned the suspended sentence matter back to the CCJ on November 14.
It is unforgivable

A woman walks past the tent of a homeless person on Grafton Street in Dublin city centre   PA

The devastating new numbers show 10,805 people are now homeless in Ireland, with child homelessness up 47% since August 2021.

"It is unforgivable that this week's budget failed to offer a single measure to help prevent these households from losing their homes, Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said.

The stark reality remains that homeless services and local authorities nationwide fear that they may not be able to provide emergency accommodation for all the hundreds of households that will become homeless this winter.

Mr Dennigan warned that the Government cannot come to treat homelessness as inevitable as figures keep rising.

The crisis is the result of bad political choices and can be solved by the right policies, he said.

Many families will have a grim dilemma this winter between paying their rent, energy bills or putting food on the table.

The CEO said homeless services will struggle to cope with the demand of people needing support if urgent action is not taken by the Government.

There is a devastating lack of hope that the situation will improve, Wayne Stanley, Head of Policy and Comunication at Simon Communities said.

The housing charity called for the Government to undertake a number of measures that could help reverse the deeply concerning trajectory of the housing crisis as winter arrives.

Simon have told the Government to look at using 5,000 vacant properties to help people out of homelessness and the social housing list.

It is believed that the numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Ireland are much higher, as official numbers dont count those in hidden homelessness.

Couch surfers, those doubling up with friends or family, in hotels are among people who arent counted as officially homeless.

Almost 300,000 people are living in conditions like this, according to Simon Communities.

1 in 4 people know someone who has experienced hidden homelessness in the past 12 months, the charity said.

A number of Irish people have come forward in recent weeks to reveal the depth of their struggles to find accommodation in Ireland.

Some students have been living in cars, in tents or commuting long distances to make it to college.

A Galway student living out of her car told the Irish Independent this week of her struggle.

"I knew it was going to be rough because it was really rough last year but I didnt think it was going to be this bad.

The figures released by the Department of Housing today show a record number of young people experiencing homelessness. 1,274 people aged 18-24 are homeless.
Law enforcement officers use a tarp to block the view as one of five bodies are removed from a house in McGregor, Texas Photo: Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP   AP

Five people are confirmed deceased after a mass shooting in a small town in Texas, according to officials.

Police have a suspect in custody for the killings in McGregor, Texas, Department of Public Safety sergeant Ryan Howard told reporters.

Officials have not yet released the identity of the victims or the alleged shooter.

More to follow...
A married man who murdered his lover and their young son more than 45 years ago has been sentenced to life in prison, ending one of the longest unsolved murder cases in Scottish criminal history.

William MacDowell was handed a life sentence with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 30 years for killing Renee and Andrew MacRae in November 1976.

Her burnt-out BMW was found in a layby south of Inverness on the A9, but police never found the bodies of the 36-year-old mother or her son, three, with officers now urging the killer to disclose what he did so they can be provided with the dignity they deserve.

After MacDowell, of Penrith, Cumbria, was found guilty of murder at the High Court at Inverness, judge Lord Armstrong, told him: These murders appear to have been premeditated, planned and carried out in the most calculated way  not a spontaneous event or spur of the moment.

Renee MacRae, 36, and three-year-old Andrew Macrae. (Photo: Police Scotland/PA Wire)   PA

He added: These appear, in effect, to have been executions.

You murdered your victims and then disposed of their bodies and personal effects, including the boys pushchair.

You then took steps to conceal the crimes you had committed.

As well as being convicted of the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae, MacDowell was also found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of their bodies and personal effects.

Mrs MacDowell, who sat in the public gallery, stared down at the floor and, as her convicted husband was wheeled out of court by security officers, they looked at each other for the last time before he is put behind bars.

The court heard that MacDowell killed or abducted Mrs MacRae and their son in the layby on the A9 near Dalmagarry, south of Inverness, on November 12, 1976.

Ms MacRaes sister, Morag Govans, said afterwards; More than 45 years of the pain of losing Renee and Andrew doesnt ease. Not a day passes when both are not in our thoughts.

She said that if MacDowell has a shred of decency in his body, he will now reveal where they both lie.

William MacDowell and Renee MacRae. (Photo: Crown Office/PA Wire)   PA

Operation Abermule, the latest investigation, was set up to find the murderer and to discover the resting place of the pair's bodies almost 46 years after the crime. So far, it has only achieved one of its aims - with MacDowell convicted of the two murders.

But Detective Chief Inspector Brian Geddes, of Police Scotland, said he would "remain optimistic" that the bodies could still be found.

"We set out with that as our objective and we, the organisation, whoever comes after me, will not give up on that until there is no longer any hope, he said. "And there is hope at the moment, so we'll remain optimistic."

The next step will be to "attempt some re-engagement" with MacDowell and "see if he's willing to speak", the officer added.

MacDowell, who was married while having a relationship with MacRae, had been trying to keep their affair secret.

He admitted the affair  but not the murder  years after their disappearance.

Additional reporting by PA
Padre Pio appeared like a breeze, as clear as could be, and he was standing on his side

Another bright shape that some believe to be an apparition of St Padre Pio, photographed in Medugorje. Photo supplied by Limerick Padre Pio Prayer Group.

A bright light, which some believe to be an apparition of the dead Italian saint Padre Pio, photographed during a mass held in St Saviours Church, Limerick, on September 23, 2018, marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Saint Padre Pio. Will Stokes, Limerick, who was volunteering on the day, appears in the foreground of the photograph. Two women have said they saw the photograph, which was erected in St Saviours Church last Friday, marking the 52nd anniversary of the saints death, change colour and reveal St Pio in a brown coloured habit.

Nelly Cosgrave (92), from Ballybrown, Co Limerick, photographed here holding a glove with alleged healing powers that was worn by the late Italian saint, Padre Pio. Ms Cosgrave is one of two women who said they believe they saw an apparition of St Padre Pio, at St Saviours Church, Limerick Dominicans, during a mass last Friday which marked the 52nd anniversary of St Pios death. Photo Brendan Gleeson

Image of apparition - which believers are convinced is Padre Pio - at a church in Limerick City

Two women have reported seeing an apparition of the deceased saint, Padre Pio, at a church in Limerick City.

The women, who are involved in a local prayer group which organised a mass to mark the 52nd anniversary of the Italian saints death, claimed to have seen the apparition inside St Saviours Church, last Friday, September 23.

Around 500 people attended the mass organised by the Pray, Hope & Dont Worry prayer group, which is devoted to St Pio.

The two eye-witnesses, Mary Tynan, originally from Co Mayo and living in Limerick, and Nelly Cosgrave, from Ballybrown, Co Limerick, said the prayer group had erected an enlarged photograph inside St Saviours church which they believe shows an apparition of St Pio appearing during a mass in the Limerick church on the 50th anniversary of his death, in 2018.

Ms Tynan and Ms Cosgrave both attended last Fridays mass, attended by around 500 people. Attendees also received blessings with a healing glove previously worn by St Pio and which is now safeguarded by the Limerick prayer group.

The two women said a bright shape in the photograph changed colour and evolved into a discernible figure of St Pio dressed in a brown coloured habit.

Nelly Cosgrave (92), from Ballybrown, Co Limerick, photographed here holding a glove with alleged healing powers that was worn by the late Italian saint, Padre Pio. Ms Cosgrave is one of two women who said they believe they saw an apparition of St Padre Pio, at St Saviours Church, Limerick Dominicans, during a mass last Friday which marked the 52nd anniversary of St Pios death. Photo Brendan Gleeson

I think myself and Nelly saw it around the same time, it was absolutely amazing, I saw the picture lighting up, illuminating, it was wavering, you could see the light flashing on it, said Ms Tynan.

The photograph that was erected in the church was taken in the church in 2018 by Cindy Russo, an American Padre Pio.

Another bright shape that some believe to be an apparition of St Padre Pio, photographed in Medugorje. Photo supplied by Limerick Padre Pio Prayer Group.

I saw the picture changing colours, it went all silvery and shiny, I was three seats back and it got so clear, this was gong on for a while, said Ms Tynan.

The floor (in the photo) became very clear, and Padre Pio appeared like a breeze, right down to the front of the picture, I could see his brown Capuchin habit, I could see that as clear as could be, and he was standing on his side, Tynan continued.

It was so real, its very hard to explain it to people, it was remarkable, I kept looking, I was shocked but what do you do?

I think, because the two of us saw it, it proves that it did happen, Im not taken-in easily, I know it happened, and Im still trying to work it out.

Ms Cosgrave, (92), said she also became transfixed as the picture became illuminated.

I don't know what drew my attention to it, but it was as if you turned a light on the picture - it became illuminated and all of a sudden everything changed in the photo and I could see Padre Pio in his brown habit coming down standing on the altar, said Ms Cosgrave.

There was a blazing red colour and that lasted for about three to four minutes and gradually then, it just faded away and the picture went back to normal - it was most unusual.

What did I think? I was thinking is Padre Pio doing this for me, is this a sign for me to be more devoted to him or to talk about him, but it was really beautiful.

I gave Mary Tynan a nudge and I said look over at the picture, and she was in awe.

Will Stokes, 49, from Southill, appears in the 2018 photograph taken by Ms Russo - When contacted, he said he did not see anything on either occasion but he admitted he felt a strange presence around his head.

A bright light, which some believe to be an apparition of the dead Italian saint Padre Pio, photographed during a mass held in St Saviours Church, Limerick, on September 23, 2018, marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Saint Padre Pio. Will Stokes, Limerick, who was volunteering on the day, appears in the foreground of the photograph. Two women have said they saw the photograph, which was erected in St Saviours Church last Friday, marking the 52nd anniversary of the saints death, change colour and reveal St Pio in a brown coloured habit.

Mr Stokes, who is also linked to the prayer group, was standing beside a number of religious relics as a bright shape appears behind him on the altar at St Saviours Church at the 2018 anniversary mass.

While he said he was unaware of anything unusual happening behind him he felt like someone blew on the back of my neck and the hair on my neck actually stood up.

I turned around to check was there someone behind me and there wasnt, then it happened a second time, I felt something brush on my neck, like a nice gesture, like a calming touch on my neck, and I thought no more of it.

When he was shown the picture after the mass he had to sit on the chair because of the shock and fright.

I recognised it was Padre Pio, even though it was a silhouette, I recognised the shape, I was shocked.

Mr Stokes said he felt a presence again during last Fridays mass.

The groups next devotion to St Pio will take place at St Saviours Church, Limerick Dominicans, from 2-4pm, October 8, and there after, on the second Saturday of every month at the same times.
The family of an Irish man who died after he was struck by a car in England have paid fond tributes to their son.

Police in the UK are investigating the death of Robert Myers after he was struck by a car in Hampshire last Sunday.

Mr Myers (39), who served as a soldier in the British army, was struck by a BMW at around 2.10pm last Sunday in an area known as Down Farm Lane, Headbourne Worthy village, two miles north of Winchester while walking.

Private Myers, a member of the Royal Logistics Corps based at Worthy Down in Hampshire and originally from Kilkenny, was rushed to Southampton General Hospital and passed away two days later.

Despite losing his life, his family ensured that his organs were donated giving the chance of living to four people.

Specialist police officers are liaising with Pte Myerss family to support them.

His family in a statement issued by UK police described Pte Myers as a Son, brother, friend, comrade. Robert is greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

"In life, Robert pursued new opportunities and found his happiness and fulfillment. In death, Robert gave the greatest gift, a chance at life to four people through organ donation, they said.

Police spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary Sergeant Spencer Wragg of the Roads Policing Unit, said investigations into the circumstances of the crash were continuing.

Sgt Wragg explained that a motocross event was being held close to where the crash took place, adding: I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision but may have left prior to police arrival to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hampshire Constabulary quoting reference number 44220380622.
A forensic garda at the scene in Clarecastle on the outskirts of Ennis, Co Clare. Photo: Press 22

An eight-year-old Ukrainian girl brutally stabbed in refugee accommodation in Co Clare remains in a critical condition and is unfit to be interviewed by gardai

The child underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday night at Crumlins Childrens Hospital, and her condition is described as serious but stable.

Detectives investigating the horrific incident where the girl was stabbed 74 times have identified a suspect, but no arrests have been made.

The girls mother, who was found unconscious at the scene, remains in a serious condition at Limerick University Hospital but is expected to survive.

The mother and daughter were discovered injured at their accommodation, which houses Ukrainian refugees in Clarecastle in Ennis, around 8am on Tuesday.

The house, which was recently renovated, is occupied by up to 15 Ukrainians.

It is understood that occupants of the house overheard a commotion and attempted to access a room, were unable to do so.

Growing increasingly concerned, one occupant went outside and looked into the window, where they saw the child grievously injured.

When emergency services arrived minutes later, they were met with a horrific scene, a source close to the investigation said.

Emergency services stabilised the child, and she was transferred to Limerick University Hospital.

Due to weather conditions in the south-west on Tuesday, the girl could not be airlifted to Dublin and gardai provided an escort to Crumlin.

Stunned occupants of the property, including several children, were moved to alternative accommodation locally overnight on Tuesday.

Investigators have spoken to all residents of the house, and it is understood they have identified a suspect and expect to make an arrest.

As part of their enquiries, gardai have established the movements of the mother and child in the 48 hours leading up to the attack.

Gardai are also trying to trace who they may have communicated with.

It is understood that the girl had started attending a local primary school weeks ago.

Locals told the Irish Independent that they did not know any of the residents as the house only became occupied in recent weeks after lying derelict for years.

I have seen a couple of children going in and out. If she is the child I am thinking of, she is a lovely little thing, said one local woman.

They are only here for maybe three or four weeks.

But you wouldnt see them playing in the front because its on the main road.

There is a large group living there, but nobody would know them.

I dont know what to say or even think about what I am hearing. I didnt realise anything happened until I saw all the guards outside. There are a lot of elderly people living along this stretch of the road, and this is just the last thing you want to happen. It would make you afraid.

The poor child. I hope we get good news about her."

Another neighbour said: I couldnt tell you how many people are living there, but I have seen several children and a few men coming and going.

I have never seen any women.

Nobody locally would really know anyone living there because it is only recently occupied again.

It has been renovated for a long time. I suspect there are a few families there because the kitchen is at the front, and its like a communal kitchen.

Local Fianna Fail Councillor Pat Daly described the incident as a tragedy for the girl, her mother, and the local community.

It is a tragedy. Its a very sad situation the mother and daughter are in.

This has been an awful shock for the community here too. We didnt know those involved as they had been here a couple of weeks.

We can only wish everyone the best in this most tragic situation, he said.
Major work to ensure the delivery of a successful census in 2023 is underway, after a low turnout in 2018 was caused by the previous Governments decision to move the 5 yearly survey to a mostly online approach.

Statistics New Zealand announced today that the next census will be held on March 7, 2023.

The 2023 Census will have more of everything  more boots on the ground, more paper forms, more hours worked and more community engagement, says Statistics Minister David Clark.

Census data is used to plan infrastructure like water and roads, to build and resource services such as hospitals and schools, to support community applications for funding, and in the setting of electoral boundaries, so it is critical we get it right.

The previous National-led Government decided to shift the census to a mostly online survey and, at the same time, directed Stats NZ to cut costs over two census cycles. That resulted in a lower than usual coverage.

In particular the 2018 Census did not achieve a comprehensive population coverage for Maori and Pacific peoples.

As a result we are doubling the number of census workers on the ground and increasing the number of paper forms that will be delivered. This will help to plug any gaps we experience from digital returns.

The 2018 Census was underfunded by the previous Government. Since then the Government has invested approximately $110 million more into the census to ensure a successful result in 2023.

A big focus of the additional funding is investment in particular initiatives to raise response rates for population groups that have faced the most barriers, or have had the lowest response rates, historically, says David Clark.

Associate Minister of Statistics Meka Whaitiri says a lot of work has gone into ensuring the nationwide survey will increase the response rate for Maori.

Photo: Dom Thomas/RNZ.

Census data is used to make decisions about the planning, funding and delivery of services that impact Maori, whanau, hapu and iwi, says Meka Whaitiri.

One of the new initiatives for the 2023 Census includes Te Mana Whakatipu, a pilot to build iwi data analytical capability and to deliver iwi-led collections in two locations where response rates have been lower in the past.

Led by Te Kahui Raraunga, the operating arm of the Data Iwi Leaders Group, 2023 Census data will be collected by iwi collectives in the Far North by Te Ohua and on the East Cape  by Toitu Tairawhiti.

I encourage all iwi groups to participate and promote Census 2023 to ensure the Government can meet iwi data needs. The aim is to increase response rates across the motu, ensuring the 2023 Census delivers quality data for Maori, says Meka Whaitiri.
A newly published map and guide showcasing heritage sites on the northern part of the Te Papa peninsula has opened up a treasure trove of stories from early Tauranga days.

The Historic Tauranga Nga Tapuwae ki Te Papa | Footprints on Te Papa map and guide highlights 72 heritage buildings and locations from 6th Ave through to Sulphur Point.

This map and guide show that the entire area contains significant heritage locations, says Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga  HNZPT - Lower Northern area manager Ben Pick.

It is great that these cultural and historic heritage sites are being recognised for their unique and special heritage values.

Ben says the work of HNZPT is aimed at promoting the value of our distinct history and traditions inclusively to New Zealanders, and those with an interest in New Zealand.

I believe this map and guide are important because it will give people the opportunities to identify and connect in a meaningfully way with the rich resource of local historic and cultural heritage places located in the Te Papa peninsula.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Lower Northern area manager Ben Pick in The Bond Store, the oldest remaining commercial building in Tauranga. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

Entwined throughout the printed guide are elements of natural, cultural and built heritage found on Te Papa peninsula.

There are also wildlife and fauna to keep an eye out for.

The self-guided tour, designed for pedestrians, riders and drivers explores aspects of Taurangas historical pathway, including historic buildings that now house barristers, cafes and retailers.

Its very exciting to partner with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Tauranga City Council, Tourism Bay of Plenty, Sun Media Ltd and other key heritage partners to bring Nga Tapuwae ki Te Papa | Footprints on Te Papa to residents and visitors, says Taonga Tu |Heritage Bay of Plenty chair Bruce Farthing.

I thank fellow trustees, Binnie Brown and Stan Gregec, who, together with researcher and writer, Debbie McCauley and designer Michelle Reynolds, have worked hard to deliver this valuable CBD heritage resourse, printed by Kale Print, with accompanying website by MoCA.

Stan Gregec says the heritage map is long overdue to as a missing piece of Taurangas social, cultural and visitor identity.

Most people have little awareness of Taurangas history and the rich heritage that is concentrated on the Te Papa peninsular. It was time to give this its due recognition, says Stan.

Debbie says the guide and map honours the footprints of Taurangas first peoples settling here in the 13th Century through to today, as we leave our footprints for future generations.

Tauranga has such an incredibly rich history and heritage, across natural, built and cultural heritage- this guide is a fantastic resource for locals and visitors alike, to help reveal some of the stories and sites that make our city unique, says Tauranga City Council arts and culture manager James Wilson.

Tauranga City Council arts & culture manager James Wilson and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Lower Northern area manager Ben Pick. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.

Im particularly excited about the way that this map will encourage people to notice and seek out the stories and places that have shaped Tauranga, and discover parts of Te Papa that they have perhaps walked past or not noticed previously.

The oldest remaining commercial building in Tauranga is The Bond Store, established in 1883, and located at 1 The Strand.

The building which is a listed Category 1 Historic Place, was originally sited on the waterfront before land reclamation took place, and today is home to Sun Media.

Its wonderful that at long last heritage is becoming a much more visible part of Taurangas identity, says Stan.

With all the things underway in rejuvenating the city centre, I think the citys heritage will finally find its rightful place. All credit to the city leaders and heritage partners who have worked tirelessly to recognise this and make it happen.

With the recent changes to the school curriculum, bringing a greater focus on NZ Histories, this map will also be a fantastic resource for students wanting to know more about their city, says James.

The Historic Tauranga Nga Tapuwae ki Te Papa | Footprints on Te Papa map and guide has a section on wildlife in the area. Photo: Supplied.

We are seeing a real desire amongst our younger generation to learn the stories of Tauranga, and this map plays a key role in enabling these stories to be passed on. The map creates opportunities for inter-generational exchange, as those who have lived in Tauranga for many years can use the map to share their stories and connections to places in the city.

I would like to thank all the stakeholders involved in this piece of work, says Ben.

A really good resource has been developed from all their efforts.

The Weekend Sun will be publishing a series of stories based on some of the 72 locations.

The Historic Tauranga Nga Tapuwae ki Te Papa | Footprints on Te Papa map and guide has 72 locations listed. Photo: Supplied.

The Historic Tauranga Nga Tapuwae ki Te Papa | Footprints on Te Papa map and guide is available from Tourism Bay of Plenty, Sun Media, Tauranga City Library, EVES Cameron Road, and Tauranga i-Site, with the website www.footprintsontepapa.nz launching soon.
Love for Onepu Community Park is pouring in along with offers of funding.

Share the Love for Onepu campaign organiser Sarah van der Boom says along with support have come offers of funding that present a way forward for those wanting to retain public access to the park.

As a result of the recent media, people have come forward saying they'd be happy to put money toward it.

They might put in $100,000 or $200,000 each to purchase the park as a private investment, with the philanthropic goal of maintaining public access to the park.

Park founder Bill Clark considers a group of around 20 investors is ideal.

So far, after just a few phone calls, he said he had received investment interest totalling about $400,000.

Bill says it's a sound investment that will also have significant community benefit.

I have had a local chartered accountant run through the numbers and 8.45 percent (return) over nine years was the figure he came up with.

Sarah says there have also been several offers from people to gift money.

Ive gone from feeling very despondent to feeling quite optimistic, she says.

We really just want to test the idea out.

Bill says they plan to begin a Givealittle page.

If we succeed in raising enough funds, we will form an Onepu Park charitable trust to take over the recreational aspect of running the park and paying for the rates and insurance. We are optimistic that there would be a budget from Whakatane District Council to provide support for the running of the park.

Onepu Community Park has been established over the past 12 years on 72 hectares of privately owned land, 60ha of which is planted in radiata pine.

Earlier this year, Norwegian pulp and paper company Norske Skog sold the property to Shane Le Prou, who has since put it on the market and says it will be closed to the public as of mid-October.

The park has established trails that are well used by Whakatane mountain bikers, a restored wetland, arboretum and donated artwork. It is popular with dog walkers and wheelchair accessible.

The park has been subject to thousands of hours of hard work by volunteers, funding from charitable trusts and investment from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Several councillors and Mayor Judy Turner have suggested a partnership with other councils or even a public-private partnership could be a way forward.

Expressions of interest in either investing or making a donation can be made to sarah@cheekyrooster.co.nz

-Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The Wednesday Challenge Ferry took its first load of travellers across Tauranga Moanas harbour this week.

The ferry is part of the Wednesday Challenge, which kicked off in March to challenge Tauranga people to get out of their cars and use alternative travel instead.

Running for six weeks as part of the challenge until November 2, the ferry operates between Omokoroa, Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

The aim is just to give people options for different ways to get around and the idea of using harbours and ferries as one of our forms of transport is really exciting, says Wednesday Challenge project director Heidi Hughes.

She says the ferry is intended for everyone to use. Some retirees are coming over for day-trips, theres mums and bubs going over to Omokoroa to use the playground, then theres commuters  so our goal is to get people out of cars and just using public transport, and bikes, says Heidi.

Mount Maunganui resident Rebecca Cross, who commutes to Tauranga CBD for her job at Beca, made the most of the ferry on its Wednesday launch.

Rebecca says taking the Wednesday Ferry is easy and less stressful then taking her car.

It was much easier than jumping in the carand then finding a park, etcetera  it was actually quicker than my drive into work.

Rebecca says the $15 return ferry ticket balances out in comparison to paying for petrol, and the $12.50 per day parking fee at The Strand.

Asked if the ferry would be a regular way she would travel if possible, Rebecca says: It would definitely be something I would consider doing regularly, absolutely its just a really enjoyable way to get to work.

The ferry service is being delivered by Tauranga Water Transport and Tourism Bay of Plenty. Heidi says the regional council would come into conversation if the ferry is to operate beyond the Wednesday Challenge. The idea would be if the ferry service would want to compete really well, it would have a subsidy from the council as part of the transport network.

We hope this turns into something and promotes the ferry as a way to get around everywhere, says Heidi. If we had a whole lot of ferries buzzing around it would be amazing.

To book your Wednesday Challenge Ferry ticket, visit: https://www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz/trial-tauranga-ferry-service.
A new police district commander, Superintendent Tim Anderson, Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi has been officially welcome to the region.

Tim was formally welcomed with a powhiri to the Bay of Plenty District this morning at the Hungahungatoroa Marae in Tauranga by local iwi and guests.

Kaumatua and Hungahungatoro Marae representative, Tony Fisher says, Its a privilege to have a police officer of great experience and mana leading the district. Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Pukenga and Ngati Ranginui recognise the importance of our work together going forward so we can support Tim in his position."

Today's powhiri was an opportunity to officially pass the baton onto Tim, who is no stranger to the Bay of Plenty District.

Describing the powhiri as being an emotional experience Tim says he was extremely humbled by the occasion and is looking forward to being back in the area hes worked in several times over his 28 years in Police.

Having already started his duties as the new Bay of Plenty District Commander earlier in the year, he takes on a role previously held by Superintendent Andy McGregor, who retired in June, after seven-and-a-half years.

Tim has previously relieved as the District Commander not only in Bay of Plenty, but also Auckland City and Southern Districts.

Stepping into this role it is my desire to say and do things that make our collective community proud. I have a strong commitment to strengthening partnerships and increasing the publics trust in police, says Tim.

In every interaction I have, whether its dealing with offenders, victims, partners or the public, I want them to know that when they see me and they talk to me, that I am here for them and I am also here for my incredible team throughout the district.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the School of Law, Auckland University, majoring in International criminal law and employment law.

He joined the police in 1994 and has held a range of appointments across Auckland and Bay of Plenty, including supervising many investigations into a wide range of serious criminal offending.

As a trained Personal Protection Officer, Tim has been part of the operational security planning teams for major political events in New Zealand such as APEC and CHOGM.

As a Senior Sergeant, Tim managed the prosecution offices in Auckland.

In 2008, he moved to Rotorua as a Detective Senior Sergeant where he gained significant experience in serious crime investigation and the covert side of investigating organised crime.

As a Detective Inspector, he was the District Crime Manager in the Bay of Plenty for five years and during this time he solved several cold case homicides.

Tim has also served as the National Crime Manager for three years leading the National Criminal Investigation Group.

This national group is comprised of covert policing units across New Zealand, cyber-crime, digital and physical forensics units, child protection and adult sexual assault investigations and CIB training standards.

Tim also led the investigation into attacks on the Christchurch mosques in March 2019.
The Western Bay of Plenty District Council chief executive is calling for online voting to help increase voter participation.

The council is facing a lower voter turnout than the past two elections, despite a campaign to turn this around.

Voting document returns for the Western Bay of Plenty are at 15.8 per cent for eligible voters as of September 30. This is down from 16.33 per cent for the 2019 election and 20.19 per cent in 2016, for the same period.

Total voter turnout for the 2019 election was 39 per cent of eligible Western Bay of Plenty voters. This was well below the national average for district councils of 48 per cent, according to Department of Internal Affairs figures.

All votes for local government elections must be returned by mail or physically delivered to a voting box at designated collections sites, like libraries or council offices.

Council CEO John Holyoake told Local Democracy Reporting there was a lot to be said about the old-fashioned way the local government voting process is being run.

He says there is now a generation that have never experienced life without a smartphone in their hand.

As well as communities that no longer have post shops and there are people who didnt know where their post shop was, said Holyoake.

When's this [voting] going to be online and accessible and people can do it in two minutes?

Holyoake has the support of electoral officer Dale Ofsoske.

We [the local government sector] have been pushing for online voting for quite some years now, not as a replacement, but as an alternative [to postal voting], says Ofsoske.

What we're trying to achieve in that option, is that you can return them much more quickly rather than relying on the postal system, and it will appeal we believe to the younger generation as well.

A small group of councils proposed to trial online voting in the 2019 election and consultation was undertaken.

The trial was rejected by the Department of Internal Affairs because it was very mindful of the security concerns with online voting.

Any new voting methods need to be secure, accessible, and with high electoral integrity so the public can have confidence in the result, according to the DIA website.

On the topic of voter turnout, Ofsoske says Western Bay of Plenty is tracking reasonably well when compared to other areas of a similar size.

Whakatane District is at 14.3 per cent but Porirua was only at eight per cent, he says.

Across the board it [voting returns] is way down, and that is disappointing.

Holyoake said his council had a stretch target of 60 per cent voter turnout.

We'll be disappointed if we don't achieve better [voter returns] than we have in the past.

The council is running a Generation Change campaign to increase voter participation and attract a more diverse range of candidates and voters.

This included poll parties to encourage people to vote and going to places that dont have a post office, like Matakana Island, to collect voting papers, said Holyoake.

Increased social media presence, advertising and a Generation Change website were also part of the strategy.

Our campaign was about getting diversity and different lived experience from people actually running and I'm really pleased with what we've achieved in that space.

He said the council had done everything within its control, gone out and really pushed hard to increase voter participation.

The last part really is up to the people, [whether] to participate or not.

Voting closes at 12pm on October 8.

How the wards stack up:

Total Western Bay of Plenty voting documents returned as at 30 September:

Kaimai Ward: 2100 (14.7%)

Katikati-Waihi Beach Ward: 2250 (18.1%)

Maketu- Te Puke Ward: 1850 (14.8%)

Total: 6200 (15.8%)

Enrolled voters: Kaimai Ward: 14,265 | Katikati-Waihi Beach Ward: 12,421 | Maketu-Te Puke Ward: 12,542 | Total: 39,228

Source: www.generationchange.nz

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
MetService has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the North Island with heavy rain forecast for northern and eastern regions.

A heavy rain warning has also been issued for Coromandel Peninsula and parts of Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.

An area of low pressure to the northwest of New Zealand directs a moist northeasterly flow onto the North Island, which brings rain to many regions. This low is expected to move slowly southeastwards onto the North Island on Sunday.

People are advised to stay up to date with forecasts in case any of these Watches are upgraded to Warnings or further areas are added.

A heavy rain warring has been issued for the following areas:

Area: Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty about and west of Te Puke

Valid: 24 hours from 2:00 am Saturday to 2:00 am Sunday

Forecast: Expect 100 to 130 mm of rain. Peak rates of 10 to 20 mm/h.

Area: Bay of Plenty east of Te Puke and Gisborne north of Tolaga Bay

Valid: 17 hours from 8:00 pm Friday to 1:00 pm Saturday

Forecast: Expect 70 to 120 mm of rain but 120 to 170 mm about the ranges east of Whakatane. These amounts are in addition to the rain that has already fallen. Peak rates of 10 to 25 mm per hour, with the highest rainfall rates affecting the ranges east of Whakatane. Note, another period of heavy rain may affect this area from Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday morning, and this warning may be extended.

A heavy rain watch has been issued for the following areas:

Area: Northland, Great Barrier Island and Auckland

Valid: 24 hours from 8:00 pm Friday to 8:00 pm Saturday

Forecast: Periods of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Area: Gisborne from Tolaga Bay southwards and Hawke's Bay north of Napier

Valid: 12 hours from 8:00 pm Friday to 8:00 am Saturday

Forecast: A period of heavy rain. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria.

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.
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.
Jeremiah Rael, 31, is facing a charge for first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his girlfriend, 44-year-old Brandi Davis.
Taos Municipal Schools locations will be closed Friday (Sept. 30) after a community member was accused of displaying a 'dangerous weapon' while waiting to pick up their student at Enos Garcia Elementary.
GTO Team-BHP Support



Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 65,444 Thanked: 252,792 Times

View My Garage





Please suggest poverty-stricken areas for Mumbai-Pune Food Donation Drives Link to report (Team-BHP Meet & Food Donation Drive | Mumbai | Sunday, 14th August). We did our little bit for society & had a whole lot of fun too!



Many Pune BHPians then asked for a location that works for them too. This thread is to scout locations that will be doable for both, Bombay & Pune BHPians.



- Please suggest poverty-stricken areas that are 2 - 2.5 hours max from Bombay and Pune. Anything over that, and it becomes a Sunday that's too long.



- Idea is for Bombay & Pune BHPians to meet there directly, distribute food + supplies to the needy, then drive to a dhaba for a well-deserved lunch & car talk .



- This thread is only to suggest locations. We will start a new thread with dates once we close on the location.



Thanks!























Remember Team-BHP's Food & Donation drive in August?. We did our little bit for society & had a whole lot of fun too!Many Pune BHPians then asked for a location that works for them too. This thread is to scout locations that will be doable for both, Bombay & Pune BHPians.- Please suggest poverty-stricken areas that are 2 - 2.5 hours max from Bombay and Pune. Anything over that, and it becomes a Sunday that's too long.- Idea is for Bombay & Pune BHPians to meet there directly, distribute food + supplies to the needy, then drive to a dhaba for a well-deserved lunch & car talk- This thread is only to suggest locations. We will start a new thread with dates once we close on the location.Thanks! Last edited by GTO : 28th September 2022 at 09:34 .
In brief: Sony is not the only tech giant that believes smartphone cameras are on pace to eclipse DSLRs in the not-too-distant future. Judd Heape, VP of product management for cameras at Qualcomm, seems to agree with Sony's stance.

In a recent interview with Android Authority, Heape said that in terms of getting towards the image quality of a DSLR, he thinks the image sensor is capable enough and the amount of innovation that is going into mobile image sensors is faster and more advanced than what is happening in the rest of the imaging industry.

Another advantage lies in the processing power available inside smartphones.

According to Heape, the processing of a Snapdragon is 10 times better than what you will find in top-of-the-line Nikon and Canon cameras. Even with a smaller lens and a smaller image sensor, Heape said, they can do a lot more processing.

Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS) President and CEO Terushi Shimizu said earlier this year that he believes smartphone image quality will exceed what is possible with a DSLR within the next few years.

What's more, leading DSLR makers seemingly are not prepared to put up much of a fight. Over the summer, insiders said Nikon is preparing to exit the DSLR market to focus on smaller and lighter mirrorless cameras. Late last year, Canon confirmed it had produced its final flagship DSLR and would shift its attention to mirrorless models.

As for the megapixel war, Heape believes the sweet spot is around the 40-megapixel to 50-megapixel range and feels the industry should focus on that target instead of striving for sensors capable of hundreds of megapixels.

Samsung's latest Galaxy S22 Ultra ships with a 108-megapixel rear-facing camera and the company will start mass producing its new 200-megapixel Isocell HP3 image sensor later this year for inclusion in early 2023 flagships.

Bigger pixels could also help the cause as could larger sensors, but the latter is unlikely to expand past one inch in the foreseeable future.
Rumor mill: According to a new leak, Meta plans to release another affordable, consumer-focused headset for virtual and augmented reality next year. The strategy could maintain the company's advantage in VR/AR as more high-end models emerge from Sony, Apple, and Meta itself.

YouTuber Brad Lynch claims to have leaked the spec files for what may be the Meta Quest 3. The files indicate a device called "Project Stinson" with fewer bells and whistles than the headset the company plans to launch in October, likely offering customers a cheaper option.

An important detail is that headset shown in the Project Stenson files does not include eye or face tracking. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg already confirmed that the model coming in October  likely called the Meta Quest Pro  supports the feature. Sony's PlayStation VR2, coming next year, includes eye tracking, which could benefit player input and software performance.

Like the Quest Pro, Project Stinson will run on a Snapdragon SoC and feature pancake lenses, slimmer than those in some currently available headsets. The 2023 product has two tracking cameras for six degrees of freedom, an array of two black-and-white and two RGB cameras, a depth sensor, 2 LCDs, mechanical IPD adjustments, a pogo pin connector for a charging dock, and a strap similar to the Quest 2's.

Stinson sounds simultaneously like an upgrade from the Quest 2 and a more affordable option against the Quest Pro, which Meta may announce and launch at Meta Connect on October 11. The Quest 2 is currently the most popular VR headset because even after Meta raised its base price to $400, it's still significantly cheaper than kits from HTC or Valve. The Quest Pro kit could cost as much as $1,500, and Apple's mixed reality headset might run customers over $2,000 upon arrival sometime next year.

Even without eye tracking, releasing a new model at only a few hundred dollars would help Meta continue to stand out among the competition. The Pico 4  starting at 429  also looks to compete with Meta Quest. Sony hasn't announced a price for PS VR2, but it will probably land closer to the Quest 2's price than the upcoming premium models.

Image Credit: Brad Lynch
Facepalm: It probably happens more often than reported. An employee gets fired. The company forgets to take proper precautions. The disgruntled worker then exacts revenge by [insert unethical or illegal act]. The former employee's actions are inexcusable, but whose fault is it when the employer could have taken simple precautions to prevent the revenge and damages in the first place?

A former employee for an unnamed financial firm based in Hawaii took revenge against his employer by sabotaging the company's network. Casey Umetsu worked as an IT administrator before being terminated in 2019.

The US Department of Justice notes that his role with the firm allowed him access to the online admin panel for the network's internet domain. After being fired, the company failed to revoke his credentials allowing Umetsu to access and change configuration settings to redirect email and internet traffic to external systems.

The act effectively erased the company's web presence and made internal and external emails inaccessible for several days. Umetsu also changed the system credentials, so current admins could not fix the situation. Executives could not even figure out who had compromised their systems until the FBI conducted an investigation.

Umetsu pled guilty in front of Honolulu District Court Judge Jill Otake, claiming he was trying to get the company to hire him back at a higher wage.

"Umetsu criminally abused the special access privileges given to him by his employer to disrupt its network operations for personal gain," said US Attorney Clare E. Connors. "Those who compromise the security of a computer network  whether government, business, or personal  will be investigated and prosecuted, including technology personnel whose access was granted by the victim."

As ridiculous and funny as the man's excuse is, it's hard not to look at his former employer's lack of proper security hygiene and laugh just as hard. It's a very straightforward and routine matter to revoke terminated employees' privileges. For most companies, it's standard operating procedure to resecure systems before the fired worker is escorted out of the building. It does not excuse Umetsu's actions but illustrates how the firm could have avoided the incident entirely by practicing basic security hygiene.

The DoJ did not list the specific charges that Umetsu pled guilty to, but he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if Judge Otake is in a bad mood during his sentencing hearing. She will decide Umetsu's fate on January 19, 2023.

Image credit: CIPHR Connect
(Photo : Shatrughan Sinha)

Shatrughan Sinha is the man who paved the path of the successful journey of HolidayKeepers as one of the fastest-growing vacation rental businesses in the country. After a successful stint as a computer science engineer and in investment banking, Mr Sinha showcased his entrepreneurial skill in the real estate industry, especially the vacation rental business which has changed the dynamics of vacation stays.

In this interview, Shatrughan Sinha, the CEO, and founder of HolidayKeepers shed some insight into the amazing journey of HolidayKeepers, including, thoughts, vision, and growth prospects in the vacation rental business and about his latest take over of Mountain Laurel Resort.

So, let's start with your latest acquisition of Mountain Laurel Resort, was it in consideration for a long time, or a spontaneous decision?

Shatrughan Sinha: It wasn't a spontaneous decision, we have been working on expanding our business to other aspects of hospitality and were looking for the right opportunity. We heard about Mountain Laurel Resort and felt that this is the right investment. A perfect property located on the highway and at a booming vacation spot. So, we decided to grab this opportunity to enter the field. The current value of the property is $1 million and we are expecting and working toward increasing the value to $5 million in the next 5 years.

What's the story behind the origin of HolidayKeepers?

Shatrughan Sinha: It all started with my greatest passion, Travelling, and real estate. During my professional time, I traveled across the globe, met new people, and visited new places and it became a new normal for me. During my time with Credit Suisse in New York, we decided on a small family vacation trip to the Pocono Mountains. The experience was so overwhelming that it made us purchase our second home in the Poconos. And eventually decided to list the house as a vacation home and the response I received was too good to be ignored. I grabbed this opportunity with both hands and worked toward making HolidayKeeper a reality and since 2017, team HolidayKeepers is welcoming guests from all over the world.

Is there any specific reason for selecting the Poconos as the launchpad?

Shatrughan Sinha: Indeed, there are several reasons why I select the Poconos as the starting point for HolidayKeepers. First and foremost, is the breathtaking atmosphere. There're not many places that give "you all in one location" be it beauty, nature, or recreational activities. A true gem where you can come alone, with family, or as a couple. So, the Poconos offer something for everyone. Secondly, its proximity to New York City, Philly, and New Jersey, makes Pocono the quickest getaway where you can enjoy a quality vacation.

Other than these, the Poconos is a very popular vacation destination and offers a high return on investment, and one can recoup the investment much faster than other locations. Today, the real estate growth in the Poconos has shot-up to 400%. I foresaw this potential and decided to invest in the Poconos.

What were the initial challenges and how did you respond to the challenges?

Shatrughan Sinha: Yes, as with any other business we too had our share of struggles during our initial days. I had to quit my high-paying job and had to focus and invest my full time into real estate. I was involved in fixing & flipping, new constructions and rehab work, etc. The real challenge was dealing with different contractors, workers, etc. as I didn't have any prior experience in this, and of course, we did experience cash flow issues too. But we were so determined to establish our business, so we worked hard as a team, and within six months' time, we doubled our asset value, acquired Terracottage Realtor, Skimbox, a tech company, and recently we took over Mountain Laurel Resort in White Haven.

The vacation rental industry is a competitive business, so how difficult for newcomers like HolidayKeepers to compete against biggies like VRBO, Airbnb, & Booking.com?

Shatrughan Sinha: We are pretty unique from our competitors and unlike them, our business model is very diverse, other than booking, hosting, and property management, we are also an asset-owning company and that brings much more flexibility to do and control things. Our primary focus is to make guests feel comfortable and delighted during their stay at our vacation homes. All our listed properties go through a thorough inspection so that quality is not compromised and each one of these properties is located near popular attractions and beautiful surroundings.

What are your responsibilities as CEO and where do you see HolidayKeepers in the next 5 Years?

Shatrughan Sinha: My first priority as CEO of the company is to help create future leaders within the organization, and work closely with these future leads.

I am also involved in acquiring new assets and risk evaluation, plus I am also in charge of new business opportunities. My mantra for successful leadership is to improve by at least 1% every hour. The hunger for improving as a leader and an entrepreneur is what keeps my passion alive.

And the answer to the second part of your question is, in the next 5 years we want to be a globally recognized company, and grow our asset-based company from 30 to 125 houses. We are aiming to have at-least assets worth $125 million in the next 5 years. We are also venturing into the restaurants, resorts, and bar business and as a part of this, we have recently taken over Mountain Laurel Resort and 43 acres of land in lake harmony which will be developed into state-of-the-art vacation homes under the project "Reflections" undertaken by Mudiita developer (another business endeavor), and there are several projects in the pipeline. We are adding more and more world-class amenities for our guests and clients, plus we are also working on a platform for others to list their vacation homes.

And finally what is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Shatrughan Sinha: My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is, never be afraid of trying new things and taking bold decisions whenever required. Think out of the box, be innovative, identify the opportunity and grab it quickly. As an entrepreneur, be eager to learn, and one of the most important things is to add the right people to your business and take care of them and make them feel welcome.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission successfully smashed into asteroid moonlet Dimorphos on Sept. 26. However, the epic mission did not end there.

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Hera mission will reach the binary asteroid system Didymos, more than four years after NASA's DART probe struck one of the system's two space rocks, as reported first by Space.com.

Examining the Didymos Pair

The Didymos pair will become the most extensively examined space rocks in the universe by the time all the dust produced by the experimental collision has settled. Hera will be joined with two cubesats to make this exploration possible.

Hera or its predecessor AIM (Asteroid Impact Mission) were originally supposed to arrive at Didymos before NASA's DART.

Hera was intended to witness the historical experiment, which was created to confirm the "kinetic impact" technology that someday might protect Earth from a catastrophic asteroid impact. Hera was even outfitted with a complex set of cameras and sensors to observe the epic collision.

However, the $280 million Hera was unable to fulfill that job due to ESA's approval delays and a late financing decision. Hence, the tiny LICIACube cubesat, developed in Italy, stepped in to take Hera's responsibility.

According to experts, Hera has a lot to offer, even when it arrives at Didymos in late 2026 after its planned launch in 2024. In fact, they contend, the study wouldn't be complete, and there would still be a lot of unanswered questions without Hera's measurements.

Read also: [LOOK] NASA DART Mission Captures Epic Images Before Asteroid Impact

Telescopes Keep an Eye on Didymos

To ascertain how much the DART hit changed the orbit of the 0.5-mile-wide (780 meters) Didymos around the 534-foot-wide (160 meters) Dimorphos, hundreds of ground-based telescopes are now watching the Didymos system.

NASA's two most powerful space telescopes, James Webb and Hubble, are also keeping a close eye on the system.

Images of the collision and its aftermath were already available from the tiny LICIACube, but they were shot from a great distance. In the first few minutes following the DART impact, LICIACube conducted a close flyby of Dimorphos before completing its intended science mission.

In the following weeks, the cubesat might be able to perform more tasks, but with only two rather simple cameras, it will face some limitations, according to Space.com.

Hera will be equipped with a lidar ("light detection and ranging") sensor to precisely scan the surfaces of the two asteroids, a thermal camera to examine the surface's chemical composition, and an optical camera that will allow researchers to see the final impact crater and the unaltered Didymos.

Two cubesats named Juventas and Milani and other cutting-edge instruments will support Hera on its upcoming mission.

Related Article: Protecting Earth From Asteroids: Will NASA DART Spacecraft be Efficient? Global Cooperating Still Needed

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
MGM's Epix publicly stated it would receive a "+" in its brand name less than a week after Lionsgate renamed Starzplay to Lionsgate+. The ad-free streaming platform Epix confirmed recently that it will overhaul as MGM+ in the first half of 2023.

Epix Is Now MGM+

According to an Engadget report, on Jan. 15, 2023, MGM will relaunch its movie-focused Epix streaming service and TV channel as MGM+. It will keep up Epix's mix of original content and carefully chosen films from different studios. Similar to other digital services and tv streaming providers like Prime Video, this is its way to keep up with the times.

In 2015, Epix, a joint venture between Paramount Pictures, previously Lionsgate, and MGM, offered its subscribers the chance to watch movies offline for the first time. Epix, a premium cable network, asserts that it is the first traditional TV network to provide the option of offline movie viewing.

Read Also: eviivo CTO Eric White Shares How eviivo Suite Can Make Hotels or Real Estate Businesses Successful

Additionally, the service is offered directly to consumers through the exclusive streaming service Epix Now and through a la carte subscriptions offered by Apple TV Channels, Amazon Video Channels, and The Roku Channel in addition to a traditional pay television platform.

It is also unlikely that the timing of MGM's news and Lionsgate's announcement was just a coincidence, according to a TechCrunch report. This is particularly true given that Lionsgate and Viacom previously owned Epix. Epix was completely purchased by MGM in 2017 for $1 billion.

This rebrand is a promise to both current and potential viewers that MGM+ is the home of television that reflects and celebrates the legacy of the cinematic programming of the stalwart MGM brand according to Michael Wright, president of Epix, now MGM+. This is said to be reflected in sophisticated storytelling that entertains, delights, surprises, and transports. MGM is television for movie buffs, the announcement says.

More About the Epix Rebranding

Yahoo claims that this move by the streaming service is the same as the relaunch of CBS All Access as Paramount+. This type of branding revamps aims to maximize the potential of an established brand while acknowledging the streaming-first reality. Their streaming operations pale in comparison to industry giants like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.

This move by Epix is a positive step toward keeping up with on-demand streaming trends. However, a rebranding is unlikely to increase public demand. This could be effective if it is accompanied by more interesting original content that fans will undoubtedly root for. Perhaps they should capitalize on their momentary clout?

According to the same TechCrunch report, MGM+ will continue to provide the same content as Epix, which includes features from MGM's film lineup. MGM+ has also officially announced four original series, which will debut on the service next year as part of the rebranding.

The streamer, as well as other devices and the rebranded MGM+ app, will remain available on Amazon Prime Video in the United States.

Related Article: Garmin Adds Flashlight and Touchscreen Feature to its Fenix 7 Series

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The United States, particularly in Florida, is facing Hurricane Ian at the moment as another massive storm heads to the coastal area that Hurricane Fiona brought to the country from Puerto Rico. Now, there are fears about driving electric vehicles through puddles or shallow floods, with Elon Musk saying otherwise and that it is safe to do so.

However, this does not mean that it is recommended to do, especially in areas that bring in saltwater during the rainy season.

Tesla EVs: Can You Drive it Over Puddles?

(Photo : Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

A Twitter user ranted online, saying that there are a lot of people that confuse the public regarding EVs that are not capable of taking on puddles or shallow floods on the streets.

It is also a timely one as Hurricane Ian is now in Florida and brings in a powerful storm and wind, which endanger its citizens as of the moment, with many evacuations taking place.

Some spread misinformation or over characterize their fears of taking EVs through floods, particularly Tesla electric vehicles, which are abundant in the country now.

According to Elon Musk, submarines have electric motors that go underwater and submerge with the entire vessel, proven to bring its entirety to deep ends. This statement only means that people are safe to drive cars in puddles and floods, but deep water may cause water to seep through door linings and flood the interior.

Read Also: AI Day 2022: Elon Musk Shares an Image of Tesla Robotic Hands Forming a Heart Shape

Submarines use electric motors under water   Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 29, 2022

EV Drivetrains, Batteries Safe During Rainy Season?

EVs have no engine blocks and it only operates via electric drivetrains and batteries which center on the wheels to make the car move. It means that water cannot seep through any chambers or engines that may cause it to stall in floods.

According to The Drive.Io, EVs are safe even when fully submerged in water, and they may work during floods and through puddles despite fears behind them. However, do not attempt to drive or charge it after it sits on the water for a long time.

Additionally, ensure that an EV has enough mileage to avoid any problems during emergencies this rainy season.

Tesla's Test on Flooded Streets

Tesla electric vehicles have had a series of tests on flooded streets in different parts of the world, but one of its most significant performances took place in China where several EVs from the company waded through a tall one. Earlier this June, a storm hit China and flooded its streets, with a user video showing one stranded car, but the Tesla Model Y having no problems crossing it.

The EV also did not show any harmful effects as it crossed the flood or endangered the people submerged in it. The flood is also almost knee-deep in the video.

Another flooded road in China last July tested another Tesla electric vehicle as it went through the deep waters and drove straight without seeing any problems. Users called it a "Tesla boat" as it went through the flood and sprayed a lot of water around. This EV is the Tesla Model 3, another variant from the company's lineup which proved to be capable in floods.

People may drive their EVs through floods and during the rainy season as it would not have as many problems as one would expect or think of about the car. It comes equipped with a waterproofing system to protect its batteries or electric drivetrains, but only for freshwater or rains as salt water is known to cause problems, even leading to fires.

Related Article: Tesla EV Deliveries Expected To Be on 'Very High Volume' For the Remainder of Q3 2022





This article is owned by TechTimes





Written by Isaiah Richard

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Small businesses must now establish a strong online presence to go forward in their respective industries. However, a start-up company is still learning about websites, the costs involved, etc. Fortunately, there is already web hosting for small businesses to prove how technology is helping small businesses grow.

Aside from the advantage of not breaking the bank, the best web hosting for small businesses can successfully develop a brand reputation, establish trust, build an online community, and generate sales through promotional tactics.

How Does a Website Help Small Businesses?

In case you're not familiar with it yet, web hosting for businesses provides a safe and reliable online storage space where they can post about their offerings, advertise or market them, and maintain close relations with their stakeholders.

Moreover, all data housed on hardware known as web servers made by hosts enable easy maintenance so internet users can access them anytime without downtime. This is especially beneficial for small businesses in maintaining a good image, since it allows them to deliver regular service and accessibility to customers.

Best Web Hosting Sites for Small Businesses

That being said, the best web hosting for small businesses must have all the features to help them control, maintain, and make their brand reliable. To be credible and attract new customers without costing much, here are the best web hosts for small businesses that you should know of:

Hostinger is the best web hosting for small businesses, known for deploying unprecedented server technology, providing knowledgeable support, and making the web hosting experience as simple as possible.

Getting started with Hostinger is easy where you can build your website in just a few clicks and manage everything under one platform. To add, thanks to a simple and intuitive custom-built hPanel, you can make the most of Hostinger's major capabilities, such as domain and email administration, as well as file and database management.

hPanel also works best when it comes to overseeing File Manager, Manage Hosting and Email Accounts, and FTP services. You can also quickly monitor your bandwidth and disk space, park domains, and install applications such as WordPress or Joomla.

Besides its plethora of affordable web hosting plans, you get a 1-click WordPress installation with a commitment to maximizing the speed of your website with a 99.9% uptime.

Hostinger uses cutting-edge technologies to power your website, including HTTP/3 and IPv6, as well as LiteSpeed web servers and CDN. Aside from that, all their hosting plans feature unlimited bandwidth and traffic to your website, as well as a free unlimited SSL certificate. A containerized CloudLinux and LVE environment includes complete DDoS protection, automatic website backups, auto-updates, an in-house created WAF, and other capabilities.

Pros

Simple UI that is easy to set up

User-friendly hPanel

Top performance and speed

100 GB SSD Storage

1-click WordPress installation

Free domain checker and transfer

Free SSL certificate

Free mailbox

Built for all types of businesses

24/7 customer support

99.9% uptime

Multiple data centers

cloud plans have dedicated resources and IP address

Cons

No managed hosting services

You can also avail of additional 7% discount for web hosting plans, whether 12, 24, or 48 months using the coupon code TECHTIMES.

#2 DreamHost

With over 20 years of hosting expertise and a reputation in WordPress hosting, DreamHost's web hosting for small businesses places an exceptional emphasis on success. Besides that, it's entirely employee-owned and easy to use, making it more accessible than ever for beginners.

Pros

Easy to use

Offers free domain name

Guaranteed 100% uptime

24/7 customer support

Commits to a tight-knit security

Cons

Unintuitive control panel

Lots of additional costs for each service

#3 HostGator

HostGator has been operating since 2002 and provides a wide range of business web host services. It offers free services that you may use, but its cPanel is most notable for its interface. It is mainly used for blogging, but it may also be used for small company websites.

Pros

Intuitive and straightforward control panel

Unmetered storage and bandwidth

Free domain registration

One-click installation

Cons

Not guaranteed uptime

A bit pricey

#4 Liquid Web

Liquid Web is one of the best web hosting for small businesses, serving several well-known and highly regarded brand names that started small initially. The servers they supply are available in a variety of configurations based on your demands, and they have some of the strictest security in the industry.

Pros

Efficient and dedicated online servers

With high-security features

99.9% uptime

24/7 customer service

Cons

No shared hosting

A bit pricey

#5 SiteGround

Based on their consistent speed and improvements, SiteGround has to be one of the best web hosts for businesses. It's ideal for WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal small business web hosting. Plus, the customer support team is dedicated to help customers receive responsive and helpful service.

Pros

A free domain name, backup, and SSL

Dedicated customer support

Has data centers on 3 Continents

99.9% uptime

Cons

Limited web space

Costly renewal price

#6 A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting serves as one of the fastest business web hosts for an optimized WordPress, Drupal, and PrestaShop solution. Plans contain features and platforms geared for performance, security, and WordPress. You can even avail of Turbo Servers to deliver up to 20 times quicker speeds.

Pros

Unlimited storage and data transfer

Optimized web hosting solutions

SEO tools for blog websites

Turbo server for up to 20x speed

99.9% uptime

Cons

Turbo server only applicable for paid plans

No free server rewind backups

#7 GreenGeeks

GreenGeeks packs powerful, industry-leading green and best web hosting for small businesses. By providing high-quality and all-inclusive packages with limitless resource capabilities, it can host domains in all industries. It has one of the fastest servers and customer support among all competitors.

Pros

Free and unlimited domains

Unlimited web space and data transfer

Free data backup and restore

Free SEO tools

Real-time server security scanning and monitoring

Cons

No website staging

#8 AccuWeb

AccuWeb Hosting is one of the most feature-rich small business web hosts, and it excels as a dependable service for both company and personal use. It boasts an increased uptime that works in tandem with its eCommerce, security, and easy-to-build website features.

Pros

Easy to use

Security features

Most guaranteed uptime

Dedicated hosting plans suitable for you

Cons

No free SSL

No unlimited emails

#9 GoDaddy

GoDaddy is most well-known for its domain name registration services, but it is also the biggest web hosting provider. Its ongoing growth in terms of speed, customized web hosting plans, and extra features distinguish it as one of the best web hosting for small businesses.

Pros

Wide range of website hosting services

Unlimited storage and bandwidth

Intuitive cPanel and interface

Most-trusted web hosting platform

Cons

Not guaranteed uptime

Hardware specs are not detailed

Unavailable customer support

#10 NameCheap

Namecheap is not entirely a web hosting for businesses, but its domain registrar is well-equipped, allowing you to do everything you need to do. Most significantly, you also get Whois privacy for a year with every domain registration. It's straightforward to use, with an intuitive and basic user interface devoid of upsells.

Pros

Easy to use and intuitive UI

Free domain and Whois security

Free domain registration for your small website

24/7 customer support

Cons

Not guaranteed uptime

Pricey web hosting services

#11 Network Solutions

Network Solutions provides low-cost business web hosting options but is not entirely feature-packed. It is designed for complex problems and may not be the ideal choice for beginners. Nonetheless, its consistent uptime is sufficient, as its user-friendly website builder.

Pros

WordPress and other eCommerce web hosting

Easy to build a website

Dependable uptime

24/7 customer support

Cons

Complicated UI

Additional fees for extra features

No dedicated VPS servers

Building and maintaining a website has to be the norm for companies nowadays. As a small business, you need to ensure that your site is accessible and that it comes with a robust and user-friendly interface. Merely registering a domain name does not make it operational or accessible. Fortunately, our selection of the 11 best web hosting services for small businesses allows you to immediately get your business up and running in the web space.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A food delivery drone operated by Wing, a subsidiary of Google's parent company Alphabet, crashed into power lines in Brisbane, Australia, on Thursday, Sep. 29. Electricity company Energex had to shut down its network as the drone caught fire.

The incident happened after the drone made a "precautionary controlled landing" on the overhead power lines. Wing had to report it to Energex immediately. During the retrieval operation, a wide power outage occurred.

Around 2,000 residents of Browns Plains suburb were affected by the electricity outage, which lasted for 45 minutes, while 300 more customers in the immediate vicinity experienced no power for three hours.

"[The drone] landed on top of 11,000 volts, and whilst it didn't take out power, there was voltage tracking across the drone, and the drone caught fire and fell to the ground," said Energex spokesman Danny Donald, reported by The Age. He said this was the first time that it had happened.

There was no permanent damage to the network, as the Energex team responded quickly.

Donald described this event as a first. It is not a regular occurrence, which could be a good thing.

Nevertheless, he made a statement that everyone, including companies, must be careful not to let any object crash onto the power lines. These could be children's kites, drones, or even street and traffic lights. He called it a "common sense" that must prevail.

A spokesperson from Wing expressed the company's sorry to all affected households and individuals, saying its team is also conducting a review of what happened.

Also Read: Google's Project Wing drone delivery service takes flight in Australia delivering candy bars

Wing's Delivery Service in Australia

Wing's drone delivery service is currently available in three countries, such as the US, Finland, and Australia.

The company has found success in most suburban parts of Australia since it was launched in 2019. Customers' food, beverages, and other small products are being delivered by drones, operating as fixed-wing aircraft and hovering copters. The travel time is usually short, lasting less than 10 minutes.

August 2021, Wing marked a milestone for hitting a total of 100,000 successful deliveries.

Half a year since then, the firm made 200,000 more commercial deliveries after it announced its partnership with the country's leading supermarket chains. That was about 1,000 orders in a day, or one delivery per 25 seconds or so. Wing was able to deliver healthcare products and toiletry supplies on top of food and beverage items.

How Does the Drone Delivery Work?

Wing's success can be seen in the specifics of its technology.

Its aircraft device doesn't need to land to drop off the goods. The drone flies to its target location, descends to a height of seven meters, and then lowers the packages that are suspended using a tether. It is programmed to release the items onto the ground automatically.

Related Article: How The Drone Delivery Impact The Future Of Shipping Services?

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Trisha Kae Andrada

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The airplane-borne telescope, Sofia (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy), finally retires after eight years.

(Photo : Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)

View of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) on a media preview day at Santiago's International airport on March 31, 2022. - SOFIA, the only flying astronomical observatory in the world.

If you are not familiar with Sofia, this advanced telescope is carried by a modified Boeing 747 jetliner. It's quite different from other telescopes as Sofia is usually up in the skies.

Developed by NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the airplane-borne telescope is capable of flying above 99% of the light-blocking atmosphere (stratosphere).

However, its aerial activities are over after its final landing happened on Thursday, Sept. 29.

AirPlane-Borne Telescope Sofia Retires!

According to The Wired's latest report, Sofia officially completed its final landing at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, which is located in the desert near Los Angeles.





(Photo : Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)

View of NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) on a media preview day at Santiago's International airport on March 31, 2022. - SOFIA, the only flying astronomical observatory in the world, is a specially modified Boeing 747 fitted with a 2.8-meter (98-inch) German-made telescope mounted inside a telescope bay which opens for observation.

Also Read: NASA, SpaceX to Send Crew Dragon and Help Hubble Telescope Extend its Life in Space

Sofia was designed by NASA and DLR as an innovative way to observe the infrared universe. Before this advanced technology arrived, astronomers had trouble seeing the infrared light of the universe.

This is because the Earth's atmosphere's water vapor commonly blocks this heat radiation, preventing astronomers from seeing cosmic objects, such as galaxies and dust-shrouded stars.

But, this scenario changed after Sofia became operational back in April 2007.

Why Sofia is Essential for NASA

Astronomy Magazine reported that Sofia is very different from the conventional models. Usually, telescopes for space observations are built on mountaintops, such as those in Chile and Hawaii.

Meanwhile, Sofia is always carried by a Boeing airplane. This allows the advanced infrared-based telescope to reach altitudes of 37,000.

It even reaches 45,000 feet when needed to. Because of this, it can fly above all the water vapor of the Earth's atmosphere.

On the other hand, operators can also upgrade, repair, and acquire the gathered information with ease every time Sofia lands.

If you want to learn more about this retired airplane-borned telescope, you can visit this link.

In other stories, the NASA DART mission successfully collided with its targeted asteroid.

Previously, 3D animation of Jupiter's cupcake-looking clouds was released by NASA.

For more news updates about telescopes and other equipment used by NASA, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: NASA's James Webb and Hubble Capture Detailed Images of DART's Asteroid Impact

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Griffin Davis

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This happened while the Army was making a change in its information system, President Lopez Obrador explained.

On Friday, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) acknowledged that hackers attacked the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA), causing the leak of tens of thousands of documents related to drug trafficking operations and other confidential matters.

Previously, the Latinus outlet reported that the SEDENA servers and their tens of thousands of emails had been attacked. This happened while the Army was making a change in its information system, AMLO said.

According to the journalistic report, the hacked information includes data on the power of the Army within the Mexican state and disputes between the high command of SEDENA and the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR).

There is also information on the health of the Mexican president, who had a heart attack in 2013 and a catheterization in 2021. Leaked data include reports about the "Culiacanazo", a failed operation that tried to arrest the son of drug trafficker Chapo Guzman in 2019.

The Staggering Death Toll of Mexico's Drug War https://t.co/RBXwYfh1QB via @frontlinepbs  Bruce Waynejrv (@Bob_Stinson1234) September 24, 2022

"What do they disclose? What is in the public domain. Who owes nothing, fears nothing," AMLO commented, mentioning that similar cyberattacks have happened in Guatemala, Colombia, Chile, and El Salvador.

Previously, the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services (CONDUSEF) warned that Mexico ranks third in cyberattacks worldwide. Lopez Obrador, however, ruled out implementing further measures to protect the Armed Forces from future hacks.

"What problem can you have if you act with transparency, which is the golden rule of democracy, if you don't lie and speak the truth," AMLO argued.
U.S. arbitrary sanctions can "severely impact communities not only in Latin America but worldwide," the Bolivarian Culture Minister pointed out.

On Thursday, Venezuelan Culture Minister Ernesto Villegas called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to adopt measures to protect the cultural rights of peoples from the harmful impact of sanctions imposed by other countries.

UNESCO should offer a "mechanism to protect the cultural rights of peoples, their heritage and cultural diversity, from unilateral coercive measures," Villegas said at the 2022 World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT).

"Sanctions can severely impact communities, not only in Latin America but worldwide... those who have calculated the numbers say that half of humanity is being subjected to sanctions," he added.

Venezuela supports MONDIACULT's goal to officially recognize culture as a "global public good" in a joint declaration to be issued at the end of the conference, Villegas said.

A day like today, we declared El Cuatro as Venezuelas Cultural Heritage; a musical instrument that has accompanied the people in numerous cultural manifestations during history. We will continue rescuing and exalting our diversity and cultural identity. pic.twitter.com/BdivhIdYnj  Nicolas Maduro (@maduro_en) April 9, 2019

The Bolivarian government has repeatedly denounced the negative impact that U.S. arbitrary sanctions have had on its people, both socially and economically.

The 2022 MONDIACULT counts on the presence of culture ministers from 117 countries who are meeting in Mexico City to discuss and analyze the paths that policies must take to guarantee the cultural diversity and identity amid a global context in constant change.

Among the contemporary policy challenges are the control of illicit trafficking in cultural goods, the vulnerability of cultural professionals, the transformations prompted by new technologies, and the relationship between climate change and culture.
Egypt: Referring the papers of a student murderer in Sharqia to the Mufti of the Republic to take the legal opinion on his execution
The Hangzhou West Railway Station, in the capital of China's Zhejiang province, was recently put into operation. Photovoltaic panels covering 15,000 square meters have been on the station roof, which are expected to generate 2.31 million kilowatt-hours of green power and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2,300 tons every year. Sunlight shines on the train station through a gigantic cross-shaped skylight and light-transmitting shading film, and the light intensity in the station is automatically adjusted according to the passenger flow and weather changes by a smart indoor lighting system. Besides, the roof of the station is covered by heat-resistant films that help block the heat and reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning. "The station is constructed under the guidance of the green and low-carbon development philosophy. It is rated as a top-level green structure in China," said Du Liqiang from China Railway Construction Engineering Group, the company that managed the station construction, At the general debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, China announced that it would scale up its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions by adopting more vigorous policies and measures. The country aims to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. "Over the past two years, local governments and relevant departments have made concrete efforts, getting off to a solid start on its way to achieve the 'dual carbon' goals," Liu Dechun, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, told People's Daily. Its proved that China has achieved remarkable progress in the green and low-carbon transition of energy. As a major consumer of coal, China vigorously promoted the upgrading of coal consumption. It accelerated energy-saving upgrades and advanced retrofits in coal-fueled heating facilities, upgrading 240 million kilowatts of capacity in 2021. Another 220 million kilowatts of capacity is expected to be upgraded this year. China plans to build 450 million kilowatts of solar and wind power generation capacity on the Gobi and other desert regions. By 2020, the newly added wind and solar power capacity in the country has exceeded 100 million kilowatts each year, and the figure stands at 20 million kilowatts in the realm of hydropower capacity. Last year, the country's new energy power generation output crossed the one trillion kilowatt-hours mark for the first time. The country is seeing a higher ratio of green buildings. It has accelerated the transformation of urban and rural construction, operation and management models, actively promoted green structures and advanced low-carbon upgrading for existing buildings in accordance with urban renewal progress. As of the end of 2020, the country had completed energy-saving renovation of existing buildings covering a total area of 1.5 billion square meters, and the coverage of newly-built green structures accounted for 84 percent of all the newly constructed buildings last year. Low-carbon transport is becoming trendy in China. Last year, China manufactured and sold over 3.5 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), ranking first in the world for seven consecutive years. The monthly market penetration rate of NEVs in August this year was 30 percent, up from 2.4 percent in early 2020. In 2021, all the shipping bills of express parcels have turned electric, and the utilization rate of recyclable transit bags has neared 100 percent. A total of 6.3 million recyclable express delivery boxes were put into use, and 80.5 percent of e-commerce parcels avoided excessive packages. China has vigorously promoted carbon-reduction and energy-saving upgrading in iron, nonferrous metals, petrochemical and construction material industries. Last year, crude steel production in China dropped nearly 30 million tons from a year ago. Besides, the country has also made huge efforts to develop strategic emerging industries, eying on new technologies and businesses. The proportion of high-tech manufacturing in the added value of industries above the designated size reached 15.1 percent in 2021, and energy consumption and CO2 emission per unit of GDP decreased by 2.7 percent and 3.8 percent from a year ago in the same period. Last year, China planted 54 million mu (36,000 square kilometers) of trees, improved 46 million mu of grassland, and nurtured 34.67 million mu of forests. Besides, it also restored 14 million mu of degraded forests, and built and restored 1.09 million mu of wetlands. In 2021, the country's forest coverage reached 24.02 percent, with a forest stock volume of 19.49 billion cubic meters. Its grassland vegetation coverage stood at 50.32 percent, and the wetland protection rate reached 52.65 percent. China has realized the largest growth in forest resources among all countries in the world.
The pumpkin patch at New Song Church, Prairieville, will operate through Sunday, Oct. 30.
Guest column: The Missouri approach to juvenile justice would work here too, if Louisiana would give it a real chance
ESPIONAGE

The Secret History of the Five Eyes: The Untold Story of the International Spy Network

Richard Kerbaj

Blink, $32.99

In the Bond stories, 007 acts as though the British secret service is a global intelligence organisation that does not need help from anyone, except, perhaps, for the occasional assist from the CIAs Felix Leiter. But the reality, according to Richard Kerbaj, is that Britain is but one member of an extraordinarily long-lasting five-nation global intelligence alliance dominated by the US but which values participation of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Unlike other alliances, including NATO, which have expanded their membership base over time, writes Kerbaj, the Five Eyes has maintained its exclusivity since its creation. Another point of difference is that its very existence is not legally binding, but instead built on a framework of institutional and individual trust, secrecy, information assurance and friendships.

Edward Snowdens leaking of documents gave the Five Eyes a huge problem. Credit:AP

This is the first book by the British-based journalist and filmmaker, who specialises in national security. A virtue of his inclusive approach is the sense it gives of the big picture of international surveillance and espionage beyond the clandestine activities of the US and Britain, which so often are discussed as though they occur in isolation.
Many of us relish the promise of brighter evening skies brought on by daylight saving. But experts are scrutinising the consequences of the bi-annual clock changes have on our health.

Its a change that seems, on the face of it, fairly trivial, Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, chair of the Sleep Health Foundation, said. But theres evidence that a number of people dont adjust well to that daylight savings change.

NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania will set their clocks forward on Sunday. Credit:John Veage

Permanently disrupted sleep can shorten your lifespan and increase risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and dementia.

Rajaratnam said his organisation was launching a taskforce to review health impacts and public sentiment towards daylight saving as other countries, such as the US with the Sunshine Protection Act, seek to permanently enshrine daylight saving time.
Tarana Burke is an activist best known for founding the Me Too movement. The 49-year-old opens up about becoming a young mum, telling her husband about her sexual assault, and meeting Barack Obama.

My husband was the first person I told about the sexual assault that happened to me as a seven-year-old. He created a space for me to feel safe. Credit:AP

My maternal grandfather, Joseph Burke, was small in stature but larger than life. He was tough and firm and wasnt somebody to be played with. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents when I was younger. I am the first grandchild and was the apple of my granddaddys eye. He passed in April 1993. It was a devastating loss.

My granddaddy worked for General Motors for 37 years. When I was a little girl, he took my chocolate candy to sell to workers on his assembly line just so I could win the prize at my school for most chocolate sold. He also taught me the song Little Bunny Foo Foo. To see this man with a deep voice and serious nature getting down with me to sing was everything to me as a six-year-old.

My father [her stepfather], Wesley Thompson, was 20 years older than my mom. He was closer to my grandfathers age and was a giant at 6 feet 4 [193 centimetres]. He was very protective of me, and used to compete with my granddaddy over who could spoil me more as a kid  a wonderful situation to be in. He was a self-taught chef. To me, he was a big gentle teddy bear. It was nothing but piggyback rides as a child.
Author and former international rugby player Peter FitzSimons will step down as the public face of Australias republican movement after seven years at the helm.

Weeks after the Queens death spurred renewed debate about the British monarchs role as Australias head of state, FitzSimons announced he would not renominate to chair the Australian Republican Movement (ARM).

Australian Republican Movement chair Peter FitzSimons launches the new Australian republic model in January. Credit:Kate Geraghty

FitzSimons confirmed his departure when contacted by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, saying he first informed colleagues in June of his intention to step down. FitzSimons is a long-time Sydney Morning Herald columnist whose writing is occasionally published in The Age.

He said he always intended to depart before any republic referendum campaign, which may occur in a second term of the federal Labor government, but whose momentum has been overshadowed by a separate plebiscite on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The husband of missing fraudster Melissa Caddick now accepts that she was a thief who stole millions and millions of dollars from her friends and family, an inquest has heard.

You, too, were deceived into believing that she was an honest and diligent financial adviser? Anthony Koletti was asked by Dean Jordan, representing the corporate regulator ASIC. Yes, Koletti replied.

Anthony Koletti, rear, arrives at court on Friday. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Koletti, 40, a hairdresser and DJ, has been giving evidence for a fourth day at the coronial inquest into the disappearance and presumed death of his wife who vanished at 5.30am on November 12, 2020.

Hours before her disappearance, Caddicks Dover Heights home was raided by the Australian Federal Police officers acting on behalf of the corporate regulator, ASIC, relating to a $23 million Ponzi scheme Caddick had been running since 2012. Most of her victims were family and friends.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The Victorian government wasted at least $20 million on a commercial joint venture, run by the chief executive of the states rail authority, selling bridge safety monitors that did not work as they should have. Senior employees at the government-backed enterprise Eloque told The Age the company continued to install sensors on bridges across the state with the approval of rail authority VicTrack and the Department of Transport despite engineers and technology experts warning their bosses the devices could not accurately monitor bridges for structural problems. The idea was supposed to revolutionise infrastructure management globally and become a lucrative moneymaker for the state, with sensors that constantly monitored bridges for signs of corrosion, strain, damage or imminent collapse. The Victorian government committed a total of $82.5 million to the project, that aimed to commercialise FiBridge sensor technology touted as being to bridges, as the ECG is to the heart. By the time Eloque shut down in August, the Victorian government had spent at least $20 million of taxpayers money. The Age can also reveal the Queensland government rejected a proposal to buy Eloques technology after it commissioned an independent review that found it was unviable. The review, obtained by The Age, raises questions about the adequacy of due diligence conducted by the Andrews government before it poured taxpayers money into the technology. We were deploying on bridges, funded by the Victorian state government, knowing that we would probably have to go back at the governments expense and replace it, said a former senior manager. Transport officials have begun removing the sensors from 30 bridges around the state and laid off the last of its 46 employees  just 15 months after the Victorian government announced it was investing in the joint venture with US printing giant Xerox.

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The Age interviewed seven senior Eloque employees who were closely involved with its engineering, design, operational and commercial operations. The former employees spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters that remain commercially sensitive to Xerox and because they feared career repercussions. Campbell Rose, chief executive and driving force behind the joint-ventures ambitious business plans, was also the chief executive of the state rail authority VicTrack, which was Eloques only paying customer. A former chief executive of the Western Bulldogs AFL club, Rose was in charge of both VicTrack and Eloque for a period of about 10 months. Eloque monitors were installed on the tram bridge at St Kilda Junction. Credit:Justin McManus Roses former colleagues say he disappeared off the face of the earth in March, with no announcement or explanation from VicTrack about why he had stopped going to work, and the rail authority confirmed last week he was on extended leave. Rose declined to comment when contacted by The Age. In February 2021, Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan directed VicTrack to proceed with the joint venture, and approved the appointment of Rose as dual chief executive with appropriate financial and commercial governance arrangements in place to avoid conflicts of interest. VicTrack obtained legal advice from law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth about managing potential conflicts of interest with a management strategy that meant Rose and others with dual duties to the agency and Eloque would not receive board papers or other information about their commercial agreements. VicTrack promoted Chris Olds to the new role of deputy chief executive to manage the day-to-day running of the agency while Rose focused on Eloque. But Rose remained Olds boss and the accountable officer reporting to the minister.

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A VicTrack spokesman said the employment arrangement was an interim one to enable the start-up of Eloque whilst the recruitment of a new CEO for Eloque was undertaken. There is no suggestion Rose acted contrary to the management strategy that was in place. He was paid only one salary, from VicTrack. Eloques sudden collapse contrasts with the grand hopes on display when Allan  who is now also deputy premier  and Treasurer Tim Pallas announced the partnership with Xerox in May 2021. They said Victoria would invest up to $50 million installing its technology on state bridges and setting up the commercial company to rapidly expand around the world. As it turned out, the state lost less than half that: $7 million in capital for its 37.5 per cent shareholding, $9.85 million for bridge installations and $2.3 million on its early trials. It poured in another $1.12 million on September 2 to cover wind-down costs. Xerox invested $7 million of funding and $8 million worth of intellectual property. As well as being chief executive of Eloque and VicTrack, Rose was a director of the Australian trading entity, Eloque Pty Ltd, and was named in internal documents as vice president and secretary of the US parent company, Eloque LLC. He was also appointed secretary of the company the Department of Transport set up to manage its 37.5 per cent shareholding in Eloque. VicTrack briefed Allan on the executive arrangement in early 2021, in a document that explained Rose would be Eloques inaugural and interim chief executive while retaining the substantive role of VicTrack CE (chief executive). The recommendation to Allan to support this arrangement came from VicTracks head of government relations, James OBrien. He joined VicTrack in April 2020 after a stint as Allans chief of staff, replacing Diana Tremigliozzi, who then took his role in Allans office.

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Victorias public service code of conduct says public officials should avoid any real or apparent conflicts of interest, which it says may involve outside professional interests or closely associated commercial ventures. It began with a problem... Eloque grew out of VicTracks attempts to decide how best to spend limited funds maintaining billions of dollars worth of ageing bridge infrastructure. Seventy per cent of Australias bridges are more than 50 years old and manual inspections are expensive and time-consuming. In 2017 VicTrack obtained a $500,000 grant from the Department of Premier and Cabinet to run a trial with Xeroxs Palo Alto Research Centre (PARC) to see if its miniature optic fibres could measure the structural condition of four bridges. VicTrack deemed the trial a success and commissioned the consultancy firm McKinsey & Company to examine the potential to commercialise the technology. McKinsey found that within a decade, FiBridge could be installed on 14,000 bridges and be earning annual revenue of $422 million and profits of $167 million. The McKinsey report said the technology works  as proven by extensive piloting done on five bridges in Victoria in 2019.



Leaked VicTrack board papers show that in June 2020, Allan and Pallas successfully pitched the joint venture investment to the state governments COVID crisis cabinet, which included Premier Daniel Andrews and his most senior ministers, securing the $32.5 million government commitment it needed to get off the ground.



In November that year, the government doubled down and accepted VicTracks budget bid for $50 million to further support the project by installing Eloques technology on priority transport assets, the board minutes show.



Those documents reveal for the first time that the government was willing to spend up to $82.5 million on Eloque  significantly more than the $50 million announced when the state launched the project in 2021.

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Leaked company documents show Eloques management predicted astonishing growth: in nine years, they claimed FiBridge could be installed on 17,000 assets across the world, earning it revenue of $1 billion  a windfall for its investors, Xerox and the Victorian government. When Rose went on a whirlwind tour of the US and Europe in late 2021 to woo new customers, he gave them an even brighter picture of Eloques outlook. Briefing documents prepared for government agencies, obtained by The Age, claimed the technology was currently rolling out on 100 at-risk bridges in Victoria and would be on 300 bridges over the next 18 months. At the time, FiBridge was installed on fewer than 13 Victorian bridges. Eloque insiders said that soon after the company was established, experienced structural and product engineers, technology experts and other professionals working at its Docklands office and at PARC in California started to warn that, despite promising early testing, the technology was not ready to be sold. Optic fibre used in the sensors snapped, came unstuck from bridges or was picked out by birds and vermin, former employees said. Even when the sensors worked, there was no confidence the data collected was accurate. Insiders said the company never developed an analytics system that could use that data to reliably diagnose a bridges structural health and nobody at Eloque was building the artificial intelligence and machine learning capability it talked about publicly. In late 2021, an experienced structural engineer resigned from Eloque after claiming that management refused to listen to his grave concerns that the technology was giving inaccurate readings, according to four former employees with direct knowledge of the event. The engineer declined to comment when contacted. A number of those involved in Eloque believe the core technology held genuine potential and may have become a valuable tool to save money and even lives. But an aggressive commercial strategy took priority over ensuring its product was ready.

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The pandemic isnt over, he said. His wife Anne, who works in the medical sector, said she was pleased those in her field would still have to isolate if sick but was concerned about other people who wouldnt, or couldnt, stay at home when unwell. She hadnt had the virus but has had four jabs. She said she was still concerned about the risks she faced if the isolation period was cut. Another person who expressed concern about the move was Melbourne dad George Thomas. He and his wife had their three children in tow on Friday, and he said the family had so far been lucky to avoid the virus.

I think you might be interacting with people who might have COVID, and theyve just chosen not to isolate and so are obviously infecting others, he said. Itd be sad if I had interactions with someone who was positive, and they werent isolating. George Thomas was concerned about his family catching Covid. Credit:Eddie Jim He was particularly concerned about how it could impact his family if his children brought it back from school because there was no requirement to isolate. Weve got grandparents that are quite elderly and have issues that could be made worse by COVID.

Northcote woman Eve Urban said the rules had become very confusing and it was hard to know what sources to trust for information. Loading I have very mixed feelings about it, she said about ending the isolation period. She listened to former ATAGI co-chair Allan Cheng who she said was very trustworthy and was not a fan of scrapping the isolation period. I used to work in a place where they had so many off work [because of COVID], and its really difficult, so I get that difficulty, but I dont think weve quite got a handle on COVID yet, she said.

Sunshine Coast couple Julie and Kerry Bowd are spending six weeks in Melbourne but had the virus a few months ago, and were wary about people unknowingly spreading it. Ross Valerkou, Ash Simpson, Jo Simpson and Silka Valerkou were split on whether scrapping mandatory isolation and COVID payments was the right call. Credit:Eddie Jim Out enjoying Friday night drinks at Southbank, Ross Valerkou, 48, was a bit more relaxed. He said he thought the time was right to begin treating COVID-19 like any other disease, and he wanted the government to begin saving money by ending the pandemic leave payments. Its almost gone now. Its time to get over it, he said. Its a very expensive exercise for an issue that has almost gone away. However, Silka Valerkou and Jo Simpson  who both work in the education sector  were keen for the mandatory isolation period to remain to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Theres still vulnerable people. Were not all iron men like you! Silka said to Ross. The business world appeared to be less hesitant. Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra welcomed national cabinets decision. Its great news for everybody in Australia. Its great news for businesses, he said. Ultimately, now we get to join with the rest of the world and wave COVID goodbye. It means now we can take matters into our own hands. If we are not feeling well we stay home. Otherwise, its get on with it and lets grow Australia again.

The national view was similar, with corporate Australia welcoming the change in policy on Friday. Industry groups argued that mandatory isolation contributed to severe worker shortages across the country. The ultimate goal has always been for Covid to be treated just like any other virus and that people should be responsible for their own health  if youre sick, stay at home, but if youre well, you should be free to go about your business, Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said. Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss Andrew McKellar said the decision marked a turning point for Australia but acknowledged businesses will have to stay vigilant against the virus.
Palm Beach trophy home shoppers are on notice: one of only four grand estates alongside the surf club on Ocean Road has been quietly listed for sale, sparking speculation among those in the know that its sale result could hit $40 million.

When it last traded 20 years ago as a patch of dirt for a record $6.3 million, veteran property developers Bob and Margaret Rose were welcomed to the beachs front row because their purchase marked an end to a protracted four-year battle between locals and the propertys former owners.

Bellona is the Palm Beach holiday home built by Bob and Margaret Rose in 2003. Credit:

The Forsyth family, of Dymocks bookstore fame, had owned the property since 1918 and built a Californian bungalow called Willeroon in 1923, but by 1997 the family wanted to demolish the original house to replace it with a larger, intergenerational mansion with garaging for eight cars.

The late TV boss and next-door neighbour Sam Chisholm was having none of it, and instead spearheaded a campaign to save the house on the grounds that the low-built homes set back on the embankment were a unique part of the suburbs heritage.
For nearly a decade, actor Caesar Samayoa has been part of the family of Broadway's Come From Away. Only a few months before the production was scheduled to close at the Schoenfeld Theatre, Samayoa played his final performance in the ensemble piece to go onto a much more intimate musical: Michael John LaChiusa and Ellen Fitzhugh's Los Otros at the A.R.T./New York Theatre off-Broadway. Samayoa stars in the two-hander alongside Luba Mason; they play two very different people whose lives are connected in a mysterious way.

Here, Samayoa talks about the surprises in going from a big Broadway musical to a small off-Broadway one, and what it's like to say farewell to his "Islander" home after all these years.

Caesar Samayoa in Los Otros off-Broadway

( Russ Rowland)

What is it like for you to sing Michael John LaChiusa's music? Is it difficult? Rewarding? How long did it take for you to learn this score?

This score is one of the most thrilling pieces I've learned. I've always been a Michael John LaChiusa fan, and being able to work with him so intimately on a piece like this has been a dream. Our paths crossed way back at one of my first auditions in New York, and when I walked into the room the first day, he brought it up, saying, "I knew we would work together!" I was so flattered. Anyone immersed in his music knows that these are not easy scores to learn. It must be in your bones. You soar with his music. It's immensely satisfying. We only had a three-week rehearsal process  not the optimal amount of time for a piece like this  but it has also allowed Luba and me to keep growing and discovering long after opening night. Watching Luba nightly is a masterclass in storytelling.

As a performer, did going from an ensemble piece like Come From Away directly to an intimate two-character chamber piece where you're alone for most of the time take a while to get used to?

Los Otros really is two one-person shows. I always heard performers who did one-person shows say that it's a pretty lonely experience, and it's true. At a show like Come From Away, you are constantly surrounded by a company that becomes family. But there's something very centering about going into a chamber piece like Los Otros. You have no choice but to stay present, simplify, and feel gratitude for being able to explore a character so thoroughly. My character ages from four to late-70s. And you as the actor are the only thing that's telling it. No big sets, no multiple costumes. Just you and what your life brings to the piece. It has been an extraordinary "next step" after Come From Away and highly satisfying to be a part of.

How did you build your character's bond with Luba Mason? Had you worked together before?

I don't want to give too much away, but our characters only join towards the end of the piece. I watch Luba's brilliant performance nightly and find the moment we meet so satisfying. It's a beautifully simple and human story. When you work with someone like Luba, you can simply show up, listen and explore. I've fallen in love with our character's relationship and look forward to it nightly. We've never worked together before, but I hope it's the beginning of many future projects.

What was your way into the character you play in Los Otros? What kind of research, if any, did you do to help you build the role?

I deeply relate to Carlos's immigrant story of assimilation, belonging, realizing racism for the first time, being an "other," and finally accepting and honoring who he is and where he comes from. I think many immigrants can look at these stories and see themselves or their family members clearly in them. So it all felt very natural to me. Much more than many other characters I've played. I love that I have the opportunity to raise this story up and bring it to light. I feel a responsibility to my community to share our history and authentic experiences in this country as much as possible. Simply and honestly.

Was there a kind of "grieving process" that you discovered yourself going through after you played your final performance in Come From Away, having done that show for so long?

My final performance was a day I will never forget. Come From Away was a life-changing experience. But there is something very unique to that show that I've found. Come From Away has a beautiful way of welcoming you into the family for life. It sounds exaggerated, but it's true! There are days I miss telling the story, the community, and the incredible audiences, but I carry that story and its message in my heart. I always will, and we'll always be, Islanders.
If you want to repurpose ancient mythology into a feminist tale of empowerment, you're going to have to take a few artistic liberties. And so it is with the Kilbanes (that's husband-and-wife duo Dan Moses and Kate Kilbane) in their new rock opera Weightless, which is now making its off-Broadway debut with WP Theater. It takes a gruesome story from Ovid's Metamorphoses and sets it to 75 minutes of irresistible music.

It's about sisters Procne (Kate Kilbane) and Philomela (Lila Blue), seemingly inseparable and always dreaming about the Gods, especially the huntress Diana. When Philomena is betrothed to "some local halfwit" (Moses, being a good sport), they decide to run away and live in a shack on the beach. That is, until Procne encounters Tereus (Josh Pollock) and becomes obsessed with his bow and arrow  just like Diana's. She decides to go with him to his island, a brief holiday that inevitably leads to pregnancy and unbounded domesticity. But what about Philomela?

"When you run away we go together," Philomela says to her sister, her big doe eyes conveying hurt and confusion. Slightly quirky and painfully sincere, Blue has real sororal chemistry with Kilbane, who seems both more worldly and more vulnerable. Together, they're like an ancient precursor to Heart. Playing the bass guitar as she sings, Kilbane puts the roc(k) in Procne, and her riff battles with Pollock are indeed the stuff of legend.

Lila Blue plays Philomela in the Kilbanes' Weightless, directed by Tamilla Woodard, at WP Theater.

( Joan Marcus)

All of the musicians in the show are talented (Moses on keys, Dan Harris and Kofy Brown on percussion), but Pollock brings unimpeachable skill and a growly baritone to the role of a man who goes on to rape his sister-in-law and cut out her tongue. He would feel genuinely threatening if director Tamilla Woodard hadn't staged Weightless as a rock concert, keeping the characters mostly confined to the safety of their kit setups.

Stacey Derosier's pulsating lights accent the music, which is perfectly balanced within the intimate McGinn/Cazale Theater (sound design by Joanna Lynne Staub). Dina El-Aziz's costumes bridge the narrow gap between Bay Area rock band and fertility cult. And Peiyi Wong's set, while appearing like a standard band setup, provides multiple levels for action.

Watching from on high is the messenger goddess Iris (Kofy Brown) whose fascination with the sisters (and their fascination with flight) is bound to play an important role in the story. Brown brings an affably mischievous quality to this narrator and decisive player, whose actions are not entirely devoid of self-interest.

Kofy Brown plays Iris, and Lila Blue plays Philomela in the Kilbanes' Weightless, directed by Tamilla Woodard, at WP Theater.

( Joan Marcus)

Keen observers of the theater will notice certain similarities between Weightless and the Tony-winning musical Hadestown, which also tries to force the square peg of Greek mythology into the round hole of a modern political morality tale. I'm happy to report that the music in Weightless is even better, informed by a classic rock sensibility that foregrounds percussion in a way that will keep your head bobbing throughout. I've been singing hey-oh-way-oh-wake like a hipster swallow ever since I left the theater, and I won't soon forget the rock drama that ensues during the fatal confrontation between Procne and Tereus.

Perhaps to make the story more palatable to a modern audience, the Kilbanes considerably soften the true extent of Procne's revenge, turning a psychotic plot (think Titus Andronicus) into an unfortunate accident at the climax of an action movie. Nonetheless, Procne and Philomela are rewarded for their faith in the end. Human sensibilities may change over the centuries, but the Gods remain eternally the editors of a celestial tabloid  totally cool with you killing your kids as long as you do so in an amusing manner.

Unless you're a fusty classicist unwilling to entertain a little revisionism, you're going to have a good time at Weightless, a perfectly enjoyable spin on a perfectly dreadful tale.
In economic development, I think one of the most important aspects is the expansion of existing businesses. We cut the ribbon on a retailer that moved to a larger location to provide more opportunities for their customers and employees. Natural Grocers was started in 1955 in Golden, Colorado. From humble beginnings, they went door-to-door selling supplements, whole grain bread, and other natural whole foods. I enjoyed meeting over 100 folks in line for the grand reopening, and the chocolate sample I received. I wish Natural Grocers much success at their new location.

Some businesses require a city license to protect the health of the general public. A couple of them are massage therapists and tattoo artists. Unfortunately, we have a few of these businesses that are not getting the required licenses, and they are also causing injury to the public. We have a couple of tattoo folks working illegally out of their homes. I have seen pictures of tattoo infections causing much discomfort for the client. I would advise you to check with the city clerks office to make sure the business you are going to visit is licensed. Our Health Department and City Clerk are working to prevent potential health risks.

It was another busy Saturday for your mayor, as I was honored to take part in the opening ceremony for Laramie Countys Walk to End Alzheimer's. I learned that Alzheimer's and dementia are different animals. We should all get a baseline around 65 years of age. I also learned that many kinds of dementia can be caused by treatable medical conditions. If you have symptoms, dont wait to see your doctor. I learned that 13,000 Wyoming residents are part of the 6 million fighting Alzheimers in the US alone, and over 200 Wyoming folks die every year from the disease. I was proud of the many people who were there to support a loved one but sad at the number of patients who were there to walk the perimeter.

I spent lunchtime as a judge for a chili contest that raised money and awareness for muscular dystrophy. Representative Brown, Cody, and I tasted from the green, red, exotic, and hottest chili categories. Judy does not like chili, so it was a great day for me. Our local fire departments sponsor this event each year, and I can assure you, they can cook chili as well as they fight fires. It was an amazing event, and this year the heartburn was manageable. One surprise though came from a veggie chili made with sweet potatoes. I hate sweet potatoes, but I absolutely loved this chili.

Superintendent Crespo and I finally got to tape our PSA to encourage students to walk safely to school, and for drivers to pay attention while driving. I get a letter or phone call almost every day from residents concerned about the speed of drivers. I know we are all very busy and run behind schedule from time to time, but I implore you to slow down and stay away from distractions. Dr. Crespo and I were planning lunch after our thespian duties, but the threat to South High School caused us to postpone. Thankfully that situation ended with our kids and staff safe.

During our regular directors meeting, we discussed the Colorado River Compact and how it might affect our future water use. It sounds like in the next two or three years the drought will cause Wyoming users to be called on for the Colorado River drainage water. This will drastically reduce the amount of water we have available. I am happy to report our BOPU is working very hard to find additional water resources to help our community weather this upcoming storm. We can help by finding ways to reduce our personal water usage. I also learned the upgrades to US30, and Whitney Roads are being delayed by at least a year. WYDOT is managing these projects and has reported the new timelines.

Good news on our gymnastics program, we are moving toward constructing a new building. I met with our city engineer and community recreation and events director to discuss exactly where we are in the process. Pending final approval by the City Council, we will build a 150 x 200-foot building immediately west of our Ice and Events Center. This facility will comfortably hold our current need, plus allow our program to grow from 400 participants to 1,400. We are blessed that LCSD1 is hosting our gymnastics program until we can build the new facility. They are great partners.

Pastor Tom Perea stopped by my office to talk about the area surrounding his church. The city recently bought the properties behind his church, and along the creek. The land is in the floodway and FEMA does not want any activity in the area. Tom and his congregation would like to help beautify the area and increase parking for the church. I am hopeful we can work together to improve that area. Next summer, we will use the area to store the equipment and supplies that will replace the bridge over the creek on 5th Street. This will be a big improvement for the area.

I received a call from the Air Force Global Strike commander. It was one of the hardest conversations I have had since becoming mayor. He informed me that a fourth family has unfortunately moved from Cheyenne to another base because their children have been routinely racially harassed at school. It breaks my heart that children in our community are being treated this way. As a father, I cant imagine the pain these families are enduring. I would ask the parents in our community to have a discussion with their child(ren) about the use of the N word and making the children of our military members feel welcome in our schools. Cultural change comes with leadership from the top. I love Cheyenne and I believe we have the leadership, so please stand up and do your part.

Jay Sullivan is the third leader our Youth Alternatives program has been blessed with. He just reached his 30th year working for the city. I was pleased to spend some time with him and thank him for his service to our city and youth.

I have been working on educating myself on the affordable housing issue. It usually takes government involvement. Talking with the Wyoming Community Development Authority, Wyoming has very limited resources. I met with a gentleman from South Dakota who has some very innovative ideas on other ways we can achieve our results. It is exciting to learn we may be able to build affordable places for everyone to live. The Corporations Committee meets in the middle of next month, and Im looking forward to working with them to get things moving.

If you have a question for me, please send an email to media@cheyennecity.org. Ill continue to answer your questions or concerns in the following Mayors Minute column.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 58F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 36F. Winds light and variable.
After the 2021 disqualification rounds, resignation due to the government's pressure, and arrests of the pro-democracy parties, the Hong Kong District Council currently has 70 percent empty seats. The photo was taken at a Mongkok District Council meeting in 2020. (Photo by Max Lin/ The Epoch Times)

70 Percent District Council Seats Are Vacant After Mass Arrests of Pro-Democracy Councilors; HK Plan to Add More Pro-CCP Members

Former councilor: The District Council is almost wiped out

In 2019, democracy took over Hong Kong District Council Election when Hong Kong democratic figures celebrated a landslide electoral win. Their victory was short-lived, however, after waves of disqualification and resignation.

Under the National Security Law, most pan-dem legislators have been thrown to jail, exiled, or migrated to the west permanently, resulting in about 70 percent of vacant seats in the district council.

The current term of the District Council expires on Dec. 31, 2023. Pro-CCP party DAB, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, recently proposed a significant reduction in the elected seats in the District Council and an increase in the number of indirectly elected or appointed chairs.

Former district councilors describe the current state of the district council as close to its collapsing end, and other current and former members have zero influence.

They also estimated about 50 to 100 people have already fled Hong Kong.

In 2019, the anti-extradition movement broke out, and the democrats and non-establishment factions won the election by a landslide and dominated 17 district councils and 388 seats.

In 2021, the Hong Kong government leaked a rumor that any legislators who get disqualified after their sworn-in ceremony will have to pay back their salary of one million Hong Kong dollars. That caused a lot of district councilors to resign before the ceremony had even happened. On top of a mass amount of resignations, many of the councilors sworn declarations were made invalid.

The wipeout of democrats caused 333 vacant seats in the council.

As of Sept. 26, 53 nongovernment and 93 pro-Beijing members are in place. The pro-democracy camp has lost its advantage.

Mass Arrest and Persecution of Pro-democracy Councilors

Many pro-democracy district councilors have been arrested and prosecuted in different cases. Some of them are remanded for trials for over a year without bail; others are serving jail time or released from prison.

The case involving the most significant number of district councilors was the pro-democracy primary election. Among the Fifty-four democratic politicians arrested, 47 were charged with organizing or participating in subversion of state power under the National Security Law (NSL). Of the 47, only 13 were granted bail, and the remaining defendants were placed on pending trial for over 18 months.

Of the 47, 25 district councilors were arrested, including former Civil Human Rights Front Convener Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, veteran councilor Claudia Mo Man-ching, and social activist Lester Shum O-fai. Former Stand News reporter Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam was also one of the arrested district councilors.

In all pan-demographic camps, only Ray Kwong Chun-yu and To Kun-sun escaped the political retaliation.

June 4 Tiananmen Square Vigil 2020

The Hong Kong government banned the June 4 Tiananmen Square Vigil in 2020, citing due to pandemic concerns. Although the National Security Bureau refused the commemoration, people still showed up independently at Victory Park, an annual tradition for the vigil for the past 30 years. The Hong Kong Police had approved the event and coordinated with the organizers for the past 30 years until 2020 after the regime passed the national security law in Hong Kong.

Under the National Security Law, 24 democratic figures were arrested and charged with inciting others to participate in unauthorized assembly or participating in an unauthorized assembly. The national security appointed judges sentenced to prison from 6 to 14 months.

District Councilors Arrested or Wanted by the ICAC

In 202o, the ICAC arrested former district councilor and social worker Tsang Kam Wing he was charged with one count of submitting a false or misleading election declaration and one count of fraud, he was subsequently released on bail. On Sept 23, Tsang was arrested at Hong Kong airport by Immigration Officials while preparing to board a flight to the Philippines, he was traveling with a group of students whom he was planning to teach diving.

As of Sept. 26, the registered social worker is on bail. The case has been postponed to November 18.

Tsang was active in serving his community before the arrest.

In July, former district councilor Cheung Kam-hung was also arrested by the ICAC and charged with inciting others to cast invalid votes during the Legislative Council Election in 2021.

ICAC also issued arrest warrants for five other former District Council members, including exile Ted Hui Chi-fung, who is currently overseas

Former District Councilors Fled Hong Kong

In an interview with The Epoch Times, Rick Hui Yui-yu, former Sha Tin District Councilor, estimated that at least 50 to 100 former District Councilors must have left Hong Kong. Hui is currently residing in the UK.

Some former councilors have migrated to the west to continue speaking for Hongkongers.

For instance, Woo Yiu-cheung became a Canadian community outreach and communications consultant for Hong Kong Watch.

District Councils Almost Disintegrated

Former Yau Tsim Wong District councilor Lam Siu-bun stated, The current District Council is almost disintegrated. No one has political influence in Hong Kong anymore.

Lam pointed out that many pro-Beijing parties had proposed a 20 percent reduction in election seats. The reduction would reflect what Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu might announce in the Policy Address in October. The Hong Kong government plans to appoint many pro-communist party people to become the following district councilors or indirectly elected councilors through the District Committee, the Crime Suppression Committee, and the Fire Prevention Committee.

Lam, a former member of the Fire Prevention Committee, criticized that everyone in the district committees is pro-CCP members appointed by the government. These include school headmasters, senior officials of social welfare organizations, and pro-Beijing political figures.

Lam elaborated further, Most of these so-called appointed members lack representation because the people in the districts do not vote for them. The public does not approve of them. Hence their opinions can never truly represent the communities they serve.

##

Nie Law and Yat Lam contributed to the article.
Arizona Sues Biden Admin Over Student Debt Cancellation Plan

Move comes after 6 other Republican-led states filed separate federal lawsuit

The state of Arizona on Thursday filed a federal suit against the Biden administration challenging President Joe Bidens move to cancel billions in student loan debt.

The move comes shortly after six other Republican-led statesNebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and South Carolinaon the same day filed a federal suit against the Biden administration, also against the federal student debt cancellation.

The Biden administration announced in August it would provide up to $10,000 in debt relief to borrowers who earn less than $125,000 per year, or $20,000 in debt relief to Pell Grant recipients who meet similar income standards. The move comes after months of pressure from a vocal, progressive wing of Democrats who called on Biden to fulfill his campaign promise. An application to receive the student debt relief is expected in early October.

Arizonas legal challenge, filed in a federal court in Arizona against Biden, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, and the Department of Education, challenges Bidens authority to cancel the student debt. The state of Arizona is asking the court to declare Bidens federal student debt relief unconstitutional and otherwise not in accordance with the law, and stop it from going ahead.

The Biden administration does not have the authority to cancel student debt, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovichs office announced on Thursday. Despite being told by members of congress he cannot pursue such an action, Biden is relying on the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act (HEROES Act) and the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the lawsuit (pdf), the student debt relief is putatively based on using the COVID-19 pandemic to invoke the [HEROES Act].

Brnovichs office noted that the HEROES Act was a response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to relieve active-duty personnel from financial hardship while defending our nation. The act also provided for people who reside in disaster areas affected by a national emergency.

But Biden attempts to stretch the HEROES Act to assert authority over all borrowers in the country, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a national emergency and the entire United States as a disaster area, Brnovichs office said.

It is inconceivable, when it passed the HEROES Act, that Congress thought it was authorizing anything like the Administrations across-the-board debt cancellation, the lawsuit filed against the Biden administration stated.

The Biden administration and the Department of Education did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Costs of Student Debt Relief

The Department of Education on Thursday said its student debt relief is expected to cost the federal government $379 billion, or an average of $30 billion a year over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had earlier estimated the cost to be over $400 billion over the next 30 years.

The Biden administration previously estimated the plan would cost about $24 billion a year over the next 10 yearsabout $240 billion for the decade. Meanwhile, a separate estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget put the total cost at $500 billion or more over the next decade.
State Sen. Alan Clark (R-Lonsdale) speaks during a news conference at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., on Aug. 10, 2015. (Danny Johnston/AP Photo)

Arkansas Senator Suspended Over Filing Frivolous Complaint

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.An Arkansas state senator wont have access to Senate offices and cant participate in legislative meetings after the Senate on Tuesday ruled he made a frivolous ethics complaint against a fellow lawmaker in retaliation for sanctions he received earlier this year.

By a 264 vote, the majority-Republican Senate approved its ethics committees recommendation to suspend GOP Sen. Alan Clark for the rest of the 93rd General Assembly, which ends on Jan. 8.

The Senate earlier this month rejected a complaint Clark had filed against Democratic Sen. Stephanie Flowers accusing her of improperly receiving per diem payments for legislative meetings she attended via Zoom.

The ethics panel ruled that Clark had filed the complaint as retaliation after the Senate stripped him and another lawmaker of their leadership posts after Clark sought reimbursement for a meeting he didnt attend.

The committee felt that the comments and actions of Senator Clark, including bringing these ethics petitions for the purpose of retaliation, were bringing dishonor and disruption to the institution of the Senate, Republican Sen. Kim Hammer, who chairs the ethics committee, told senators before the vote.

Clark didnt attend Tuesdays proceedings, citing a long-planned trip with his family and said his attorneys would not have been able to attend. The lawmaker accused the Senate of punishing a whistleblower with its vote.

How can we be expected to fight corruption and wrongdoing in government if we cant reveal and stand against our own questionable behavior? Clark said in a statement via text message. I am saddened for this body that I love, more than anything else.

Rules the Senate adopted during the coronavirus pandemic allowed members to participate remotely, but not receive per diem funds. Flowers had not requested the payments and repaid the money in August after she realized she had received them because of a clerical error, the ethics committee found.

The ethics committee cited comments Clark made before filing the complaint on social media and a picture that circulated of him wearing a scarlet Esimilar to the scarlet A worn as punishment for adultery in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letterat a Republican Party event after he was sanctioned by the Senate.

The vote came after nearly three hours of contentious debate, with defenders of Clark criticizing the Senate for taking up the ethics charges without him present. Legislative leaders noted that other lawmakers had made time for the Senates proceedings, despite work and other obligations.

Republican Sen. David Wallace, who voted to suspend Clark, at one point complained about the drawn-out debate over the Senates ethics procedures.

Were tripping over mouse turds right now, Wallace said.

The suspension means Clark loses access to Senate offices and resources, including his email account, and wont be able to participate in legislative meetings except for organizational meetings for the next General Assembly. The Senate also voted to recommend to the next General Assembly that Clark lose his seniority.

The vote marks the first time a senator has been suspended under a 2018 overhaul of the Senates ethics rules that were enacted after several lawmakers were implicated in a federal corruption probe.

After suspending Clark, the Senate also voted to change its rules to require that an ethics complaint be filed by at least three senators, rather than just one.

By Andrew Demillo
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on agriculture issues via a video link in Sochi on Sept. 27, 2022. (Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

As Putin Claims Parts of Ukraine, Canada Imposes New Sanctions on Russia

Canada announced today it is imposing new sanctions on Russia in retaliation for its unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions affect 43 Russian oligarchs, financial elites and their families and 35 Russia-backed senior officials in four occupied regions of Ukraine.

They also target a so-called governing body in Kherson, a Ukrainian port city that Russian President Vladimir Putin declared independent earlier today.

The United States and United Kingdom also announced new sanctions today in response to the attempted annexation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Joly announced the measures in Washington, D.C., where she is undertaking two days of meetings with members of Congress and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The pair met today as Putin declared Russias intention to annex parts of Ukraine and defend them by all available means.

On Thursday, Swedish officials discovered a fourth leak along the Nord Stream gas pipelines, vital energy links for Europe that have been spewing methane into the Baltic Sea since Monday following two underwater explosions.

NATO says all evidence suggests the pipelines between Russia and Germany likely damaged by deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage.

The leaks are of deep concern and are also endangering shipping lanes, to say nothing of what is expected to be substantial environmental damage, the alliance said in a statement.

We, as allies, have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors.

A news release from Jolys office said she and Blinken hoped to make progress on shared priorities under the bilateral agreement forged last year between Canada and the United States.

Shortly after President Joe Bidens inauguration, he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership.

That agreement, however, became largely sidelined, first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Later Friday, Joly will speak at the Atlantic Council think tank, where shell detail Canadas efforts on Ukraines behalf.

By James McCarten
The national flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the shoulder of a Congolese colonel on Dec. 8, 2021. (Sebastien Kitsa Musayi/AFP via Getty Images)

At Least 22 Killed in 2 Uganda Helicopter Crashes, Congo Army Says

GOMA, Democratic Republic of CongoAt least 22 people were killed when two Ugandan military helicopters crashed on Monday and Tuesday in east Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, a Congo army spokesman who asked not to be named told Reuters on Wednesday.

Uganda sent troops to its central African neighbor in December to help fight a rebel group known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

The Ugandan army have not yet told us the circumstances of the crashes, the spokesman said.

It involves two helicopters. We are talking about 22 dead for the time being, he added. One of the crashes was near the village of Boga in Congos Ituri province on Monday, and the other was in the border zone of Kabarole, Uganda on Tuesday, he said.

Ugandas army spokesman Felix Kulayigye confirmed one helicopter crash and said there were fatalities, but I dont have any extra details at the moment.

The ADF began as an uprising in Uganda but has been based in Congo since the late 1990s. Uganda blames the group for a triple suicide bombing in its capital Kampala on Nov. 16, which killed seven people, including the bombers.

It is one of several militias fighting over land and resources in Congos mineral-rich east over the past decade, a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.

In June, Uganda and Congo extended their joint military mission, which was initially meant to last six months. It is the largest foreign intervention in Congo in over a decade aside from United Nations peacekeeping personnel.
A sign reading Go straight home and Isolate at the exit of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Highpoint shopping center in Melbourne, Australia, on July 4, 2020. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Australia Drops Mandatory COVID-19 Isolation Rules

Mandatory isolation periods for COVID-19 have been scrapped following a decision by the national cabinet.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state and territory leaders agreed people with COVID-19 will no longer be subject to a five-day stay-at-home order following Fridays meeting at Parliament House.

The changes will come into effect from October 14.

The isolation period, however, will still apply to employees in vulnerable settings such as hospital workers and those in aged care.

The decision to eliminate the mandatory isolation period will also mean the end of pandemic leave payments for affected workers, with the payments to end from October 14.

The payments that remain for workers in vulnerable settings would be split 50-50 between the Commonwealth and the states and territories.

Prime Minsiter Albanese said the measures would be proportionate and would target the most vulnerable.

We want a policy that promotes resilience and capacity-building and reduces a reliance on government intervention, he told reporters in Canberra.

It was a unanimous decision by the national cabinet today and had the support of all premiers and chief ministers.

Chief medical officer Paul Kelly said while case numbers were low and isolation requirement was easing, the pandemic was not over.

However, he said the emergency response phase of the virus had passed.

We will almost certainly see future peaks of the virus into the future, as we have seen earlier in this year, he said.

It is a time, though, now to consider that we have other things that we can do to protect those most vulnerable people, and that is absolutely our key aim.

Prof. Kelly said the removal of isolation measures was a reasonable course of action.

It is time to move away from COVID exceptionalism, in my view, and think about what we should do to protect people from any respiratory disease, he said.

We cant look at isolation by itself. We need to look at those measures and the protections we have as well as other protections. It is important that we keep an option for a change to these settings in the future.

The prime minister defended the decision to end the pandemic leave payments, saying it was the right time for the change.

He said state and territory leaders supported the decision.

It isnt sustainable for government to pay peoples wages forever, he said.

It was always envisaged that these measures were emergency measures that were put in place.

The flu has existed, and health issues have existed, for a long period of time, and the government hasnt always stepped in to pay peoples wages while people have health concerns.

Prof. Kelly said COVID-19 would be around for many years to come, and any response to the virus would be proportionate.

Some state and territory leaders, such as New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet, urged an end to mandatory isolation periods ahead of the national cabinet.

However, earlier on Friday, Australian Medical Association president Steve Robson blasted leaders who advocated for the scrapping of isolation measures.

People who are pushing for the isolation periods to be cut are not scientifically literate and are putting the public at risk, and they need to understand that, he told the ABC.

Were seeing a huge upswing in the numbers of COVID cases again. Its coming into the holiday season when people will be travelling around the world.

Its a period of significant risk, and were urging caution because we need to protect the health system.
Australian Housing Minister Says No to Lifting Support Payments for Renters

Australias housing minister has turned down calls to raise support payments to help vulnerable tenants cope with surging rents.

This came after a report by the Productivity Commission indicated that government rent assistance payments failed to keep up with the ballooning rental market.

The commission suggested the federal government peg support payments to rents or frequently adjust them to deal with price increases.

However, Housing Minister Julie Collins said lifting rental payments was not on the governments agenda.

We are focused on delivering our election commitments, she told ABC radio.

Reports Findings

The commissions report was released following a review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA), in which the federal government provides $1.6 billion (US$1.04 billion) each year to states and territories to improve Australians access to secure and affordable housing.

Nevertheless, the report found the agreement ineffective in preventing homelessness and housing stress.

Over the life of the NHHA, housing affordability has deteriorated for many people, especially people renting in the private market, Commissioner Malcolm Roberts said.

A real estate sign is seen at a property in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 6, 2022. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

The report noted that average low-income renters spent more than a third of their earnings on rent. One in five low-income households had less than $250 left after paying their weekly rent.

The NHHA, intended to improve access to affordable, safe and sustainable housing, is ineffective, Roberts said.

It does not foster collaboration between governments or hold governments to account. It is a funding contract, not a blueprint for reform.

Meanwhile, the housing minister welcomed the commissions findings, saying they would provide insights for the national housing supply and affordability council and a governments homelessness and housing plan.

This report confirms that the last decade of policy inaction by the former Liberal-National government has left us with serious housing challenges across the country, Collins said.

Proposed Solutions to The Housing Crisis

To solve the current housing crisis in Australia, the Productivity Commission proposed two approaches: providing more support for low-income renters and eliminating barriers that prevent housing supply growth.

At the same time, the commission said erecting more social housing was just part of the solution.

Building more social housing will increase the supply of housing affordable for low-income households, but social housing is relatively costly and can only be a partial solution to affordability, the report said.

It also recommended the government reserve social housing for those most vulnerable to homelessness in the long-term, as well as focus on improving the affordability of the private rental market.

Governments should trial a housing assistance model that provides equivalent assistance to people in need, regardless of whether they live in public, community or privately owned housing, the report said.

While calling on the government to set robust targets for new housing supply, the commission noted that the first-home buyers support scheme did not do much to improve housing affordability.

Specifically, the commission pointed out that providing first-home buyers with more resources would increase demand for housing. It said if an increase in housing supply did not accompany this elevated demand, the governments assistance would likely push up house prices.

State and territory governments should phase out assistance provided to first-home buyers through grants and stamp duty concessions, unless measures are tightly targeted to support people experiencing marginalisation in the market and who would otherwise be locked out of home ownership, the report said.

Nevertheless, the federal government has brought forward its regional first home guarantee scheme, which will come into effect on Oct. 1 and provide a guarantee of up to 15 percent to 10,000 eligible applicants in regional areas.
Australians View the Chinese Regime Negatively but Not the Chinese People: Survey

Wealthy Chinese may soon lose easy pathway to Australian permanent residency

According to Pew Research Center, despite the worsening relations between Australia and China, most Australians hold negative views toward the Chinese regime rather than its people.

The survey report released on Sept. 26 asked Australians to describein their own wordsthe first thing that comes to mind when they think of China. The researchers analyzed the 1,127 responses received while focusing on the most frequently mentioned topics.

Among the top mentioned subjects, Chinas political system was the first that came to mind among 29 percent of Australian adults, with some respondents directly critiquing the Chinese regime, describing it as a threat to the rest of the world or a totalitarian one-party state.

One Australian woman described China as a country that ignores rules and gets away with it, a country that wants to dominate the world, [and] a bully that has used Australia as an example to other countries that if you cross them, they will punish you.

While the Chinese regime received largely negative evaluations from the respondents, only 1 percent expressed negative views of the Chinese people compared with the 4 percent that described them in a positive light, the report states.

Relations between Australia and China began to deteriorate in 2018 due to growing concerns about Chinese influence in Australian politics, media, universities, and various critical sectors. The two nations relations worsened in 2020 when Australia called for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, to which China responded by imposing new tariffs.

Amid an ongoing trade dispute with China since 2020, the survey results indicate that most Australians sensibly direct their negative evaluations toward the regime in Beijing instead of Chinese citizens.

Different Public Perception Toward Wealthy Chinese

Although Australias public opinion showed more acceptance toward the Chinese people in general, recent calls to scrap the countrys Significant Investor Visa (SIV) program painted a different perception of the publics opinion toward wealthy Chinese immigrants, who paved their way into the country using money.

The Australian government said it is all but certain to scrap the Significant Investor Visa (SIV) program, a money-based, fast-tracked path to Australian permanent residency where 84.9 percent of visas issued were granted to high-net-worth Chinese between 2012 and 2020.

SIV applications require no English test, age limit, or business skills assessment. The main criterion is to invest 5 million Australian dollars in certain Australian investments, such as balanced funds, and maintain investment activity in the country.

The program was established in November 2012 by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, providing a pathway for significant investment from immigrants into Australia under the Business Innovation and Investment Visa program.

SIV applications are usually approved within one year. In addition, family members such as spouses and children under 18 can be included in the principal applications.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, 84.8 percent of the visas were granted to applicants from mainland China, which was also the lowest percentage since 2012.

From November 2012 to June 2015, 90.1 percent of the visas were granted to those from mainland China.

The controversial program has sparked many concerns and discussions over the past several years.

A Controversial Program

Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo lost his visa in December 2018 after being granted permanent residency. According to The Australian, a local newspaper, he was one of only a few whose visa was canceled on character grounds citing the reliability of answers he had provided.

Australian security agencies reportedly had serious concerns about his links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and his alleged donations to certain Australian political officials.

The move to cancel Huangs visa was labeled as Canberras most aggressive move so far to push back against Chinas campaign of influence in Australia, according to The Australian Financial Review (AFR).

Huang had donated large sums of money to both sides of the political aisle in Australia over five years and was seen attending functions with top Labor and Liberal Party figures.

However, Huang had denied the allegations of influencing the Australian political process, according to the AFR report.

I think most Australians would be pretty offended by the idea that weve got a visa category here where effectively you can buy your way into the country, Minister of Home Affairs Clare ONeil told Sky News on Sept. 11.

ONeil also mentioned that the SIV program could be axed after the immigration system review due in February 2023, as most granted with the SIV arrive to settle down and retire, which generally end up being a drain on Australias budget.

At the moment, I cant see a lot of reasons to maintain it as part of our program, she added.

Debate Over Future of Visa Program

Although ONeil said the SIV had become a problem for the immigration system, Feng Chongyi, an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney, argued that revising the SIV application requirements is a better path.

Its difficult for businesspeople to be clean-handed in the controlled business environment monitored by the CCP, but not all of them are cutthroat by nature. It would be a shame if the Australian government decided to ban the SIV. Revising the SIV application requirements is a better solution, Feng told The Epoch Times.

Private businesses in China have contributed to peoples livelihoods domestically, such as employment. Although these businesspeople dont have a good image in the eyes of the public for being closely tied to the CCP, we should leave them a way to be out of China if they choose to cut ties with the CCP.

Feng argued, there should be a way out even for the CCP officials if they are looking for a change.

On the other hand, Abul Rizvi, former deputy secretary of the Department of Immigration, wants to see the SIV abolished, The Australian reported.

In a regime like China, people who are rich and well-connected probably dont have a criminal record even if they may have done various nefarious things, Rizvi said.

The report added that 2,370 super-rich Chinese nationals had been granted primary visas and brought over 5,000 family members to Australia.
Police officers and security perform crowd control after an official flag raising ceremony to mark National Day next to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing, China, on Oct. 1, 2021. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Beijing Arrested 1.43 Million People in a 100-Day Security Campaign Ahead of National Meeting

Beijing has detained 1.43 million Chinese in a three-month security campaign ahead of the Partys national meeting. However, not all those arrested were criminals.

Tightened security is required as the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), scheduled for October, approaches. The regime set up a 100-day Operation that started on June 25.

In a press conference on Sept. 27, the Ministry of Public Security touted the campaigns success: To date, the operation has resolved more than 640,000 criminal cases and arrested more than 1.43 million people.

However, many so-called suspects are simply ordinary Chinese citizens, such as dissidents, activists, petitioners, Christians, and Falun Gong adherents.

Enemies of the People

The regime claims the operation was the hard fists needed to protect vulnerable groups, such, as women, minors, the elderly, and the disabled.

The Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times learned that police targeted many non-criminals, including people who dare to speak up and defend the interests of citizens in need.

For instance, lawyer Chen Jiahong has been missing since Sept. 24 when the police visited his home in Guangxi Province in southern China.

Chen was previously imprisoned on a charge of inciting subversion of state power for voicing his support of victims of the 709 Crackdown, a 2015 mass arrest of civil rights lawyers and rights activists.

Xiang Jinfeng, an outspoken rights activist from Fujian Province on Chinas southeastern coast, was detained by local police in Longyan City on Sept. 1 on an unknown charge. The family was only told that his detention would last a month, Xiangs brother told The Epoch Times.

On Human Rights Day, a few Shanghai petitioners took a group photo outside Beijing Train Station, after they arrived to petition on Dec. 10, 2020. The sign above the group states, Human rights are above sovereignty; Defending rights is patriotic. (Courtesy of interviewees)

CCPs Societal Risk Factor: Petitioners

Petitioning the government in Beijing has become routine for many Chinese who believe their voices need to be heard by the authorities. However, they too have become targets of the latest operation.

Hu Jianguo, for example, is a Shanghai activist, who once said, By defending our rights, we are fighting for democracy and freedom, which is our greatest hope in life.

He revealed to The Epoch Times on Sept. 28 that the police have been stationed in his garage, watching him day and night, for two weeks, just to prevent him from going to Beijing to petition the government.

According to Hu, some of the other Shanghai petitioners such as Yang Yonglan, Gu Guoping, and Peng Miaolin and her daughter Peng Jun, are also under 24-hour police surveillance.

He said, I told those communists that they are all embezzlers and thieves who keep money abroad and bully the people. For that, they sent a few more people [to my home], even a van was parked right outside watching us.

Since 2005, the annual number of petitions in China has remained as high as 10 million, according to a 2013 book titled, Petitions, Democracy, and the Rule of Law: China Topics, by City University of HK Press,

In fact, the total number of complaints about the regimes governance reached 10.24 million nationally in 2000, according to a 2005 research paper by Xiong Yihan, a researcher at Political Science, Fudan University.

People line up for a nucleic acid test to detect COVID-19 at a makeshift testing site in Chaoyang District on April 25, 2022 in Beijing. China is trying to contain a spike in coronavirus cases in the capital city after dozens of people tested positive for the virus, which caused local authorities to initiate mass testing in some areas and lockdowns in neighborhoods where cases were found, in an effort to maintain the countrys zero-COVID strategy. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Zero-COVID Versus Zero-Petitioners

In 2021 alone, there were more than 3.8 million complaints specifically addressed to the state anti-corruption offices, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervision Commission.

The regime claimed that corrupt officials at the grass-roots level are the major cause of mass incidents.

To crack down on corruption, local officials initiated the zero-petitioners campaign.

For example, Shanxi Province adopted the zero-petitioners initiative in 2020 as one of the main tasks of the provincial standing committee of the CCP.

This year, the Education Bureau of Jiyuan, Henan Province, also promoted the zero-petition initiative to ensure proper implementation of the zero-COVID policy.

Wu Shaoping, a human rights lawyer in the United States, said that the CCPs harsh controls put the entire society in a state of tension and anxiety. The pandemic is only an excuse to control people.

He believes the CCP is fully aware that peoples madness [anger] and protests may lead to the collapse of the regime, he said.

In a 2009 interview with the Voice of America, human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong said that many petitioners were finally enlightened through decades of petitioning.

He said, They realized its not just the grass-roots officials who are corrupt, but the further they went on with their petitionings, the darker it would get.

Jiang, also a victim of the 709 Crackdown, has been under house arrest and 24-hour police watch since he was released in 2019 after two years of imprisonment.

Haizhong Ning and Chang Chun contributed to this report.
The Biden administration quietly issued an update to its student loan forgiveness plan to scale back eligibility, as six states assert that the program is illegal.

The FDA is withholding autopsy results of people who died after getting COVID-19 vaccines. The agency says it cant give out the information, but not everyone agrees.

The Biden administration awarded contracts to a group that helps illegal immigrants fight deportation and has ties to George Soross Open Society Foundation.

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President Joe Biden announces student loan relief in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Aug. 24, 2022. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Admin Quietly Makes Reversal on Student Loan Forgiveness Program, Scales Back Eligibility

The Biden administration quietly issued an update to its student loan forgiveness plan on Sept. 29, drastically scaling back eligibility, on the same day that six Republican-led states filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden, claiming his student loan forgiveness plan is illegal.

As of Sept. 29, borrowers who have federal student loans that are owned by private entities and not by the Department of Education will no longer qualify for the relief program.

Previously, the administration had said those borrowers with student loans owned by private entities, many of which were made under the former Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program and Federal Perkins Loan program, would qualify for relief of up to $10,000 or $20,000 in loan forgiveness, as long as the borrower consolidated his or her debt into the federal Direct Loan program.

The guidance now states, As of Sept. 29, 2022, borrowers with federal student loans not held by ED cannot obtain one-time debt relief by consolidating those loans into Direct Loans.

More than 4 million student loan borrowers have privately held loans through the FFEL Program, according to NPR.

Our goal is to provide relief to as many eligible borrowers as quickly and easily as possible, and this will allow us to achieve that goal while we continue to explore additional legally-available options to provide relief to borrowers with privately owned FFEL loans and Perkins loans, including whether FFEL borrowers could receive one-time debt relief without needing to consolidate, the Department of Education said in an emailed statement to CNN.

Activists rally outside the White House on July 27, 2022, to call on President Joe Biden to cancel student loan debt. It turns out student loans cost taxpayers much more than the Government Accountability Office estimated. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Highly Uncertain Assumptions

Borrowers with privately held federal student loans who applied to consolidate their loans into Direct Loans before September 29, 2022 will obtain one-time debt relief. The FFEL program is now defunct and only a small percentage of borrowers have FFEL loans. This is a completely different program than Direct Loans, the statement said.

Biden announced in August that he plans to cancel up to $20,000 in federally held student debt for individuals making less than $125,000 per year or married couples who earn less than $250,000 per year in 2020 or 2021.

The Department of Education estimates the program will cost $379 billion, or about $30 billion a year over the next 10 years, although those estimates are based on highly uncertain assumptions about future economic conditions and participation rates.

Separately, the Congressional Budget Office, a federal agency, estimated the cost to be more than $400 billion over the next 30 years.

Approximately 43 million people are eligible for the relief, administration officials had previously said.

The drastic update came as a group of six GOP attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Sept. 29 to block the loan forgiveness program.

The states of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Carolina, in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Missouri, claimed that the move is illegal.

White House officials have argued that Bidens student loan forgiveness plan is legal under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003, which grants the Department of Education the authority to cancel so much debt for so many people because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge speaks during a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington on Feb. 27, 2018. (Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images)

Debt Relief Program Economically Unwise

Specifically, the law enables the education secretary to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs  in connection with a war or other military operation or national emergency.

Yet, as well as being economically unwise and downright unfair, the attorneys general stated in their lawsuit that the Education Department had previously concluded that the HEROES Act is not a hidden source of authority to cancel student debt.

The Biden administration itself concluded in a legal opinion (pdf) that any cancellation must be structured to put loan recipients back into the financial position they would be in were it not for the national emergency and limited only to the harm that has a relation to the borrowers federal loans, no matter how much [total] financial harm a borrower may have suffered because of a national emergency, the suit states.

The Biden Administrations Mass Debt Cancellation does not even attempt to meet these requirements. It instead justifies relief for all borrowers whose debt the Administration holds based on talismanic reference to the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes no difference to the Administrations cancellation whether the pandemic rendered a borrower better or worse off or how much financial harm the borrower suffered in relation to her loans, the suit reads.

Thus, the Mass Debt Cancellation is not remotely tailored to address the effects of the pandemic on federal student loan borrowers, as required by the HEROES Act.
An automobile running Blackberry QNX software during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 2, 2017. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

BlackBerry Takes a Knock as Cybersecurity Revenue Drop Clouds Automotive Demand

Canadas BlackBerry Ltd. on Tuesday reported a fall in cybersecurity revenue for the second quarter, as customers reined in spending due to an uncertain macroeconomic environment, sending its shares down about 3 percent in extended trading.

The company has also been facing tough competition from Microsoft Corp., Citrix Systems, and International Business Machines in the security software segment, with revenue in the unit falling 7.5 percent to $111 million from a year ago.

The company said in an earnings call that cybersecurity segment revenue in the third quarter is expected to be flat year-on-year.

However, revenue at the companys Internet of things (IoT) unit, which includes the QNX software for automotive customers, rose about 28 percent to $51 million as it signed up more customers.

BlackBerrys QNX software is now embedded in over 215 million vehicles worldwide, helped by surging demand for electric vehicles and connected-car technologies. The company recently added global carmakers such as Ford Motor, General Motors, Hyundai Motor, to its already strong client list of BMW, Honda Motor , Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota Motor.

BlackBerry in June said that a deal to sell its patents primarily related to mobile devices, messaging and wireless networking for $600 million to a special purpose vehicle has been delayed.

Total revenue fell 4 percent to $168 million for the quarter ended Aug. 31, compared with a consensus estimate of $166.7 million, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Excluding items, the company posted a loss of 5 cents per share, narrower than analysts expectations of loss of 7 cents.
The Boeing logo at their headquarters in Chicago on April 24, 2013. (Jim Young/Reuters)

Boeing, Taiwans China Airlines Finalize 787 Order

Taiwans China Airlines has finalized an order for 16 Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner jets, with an option for 8 more, the companies said on Wednesday, nearly a month after disclosing a provisional agreement.

The firm order for 16 jets is worth $4.6 billion at list prices, though discounts are normal in such orders.

China Airlines announced the 787 agreement last month, weeks after a visit to Taipei by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi angered Beijing and stoked Sino-U.S. trade tensions.

The airline now has 22 Boeing jets on order, including six 777 freighters, the companies said.
A 3D-printed Twitter logo on non-3D printed Twitter logos is seen in this picture illustration taken on April 28, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Brands Suspend Ads From Parts of Twitter Over Child Pornography Concerns

Some major advertisers including Dyson, Mazda, Forbes, and PBS Kids have suspended their marketing campaigns or removed their ads from parts of Twitter because their promotions appeared alongside tweets soliciting child pornography, the companies told Reuters.

DIRECTV and Thoughtworks also told Reuters late on Wednesday they have paused their advertising on Twitter.

Brands ranging from Walt Disney Co., NBCUniversal, and Coca-Cola Co. to a childrens hospital were among more than 30 advertisers that appeared on the profile pages of Twitter accounts peddling links to the exploitative material, according to a Reuters review of accounts identified in new research about child sex abuse online from cybersecurity group Ghost Data.

Some of tweets include key words related to rape and teens, and appeared alongside promoted tweets from corporate advertisers, the Reuters review found. In one example, a promoted tweet for shoe and accessories brand Cole Haan appeared next to a tweet in which a user said they were trading teen/child content.

Were horrified, David Maddocks, brand president at Cole Haan, told Reuters after being notified that the companys ads appeared alongside such tweets. Either Twitter is going to fix this, or well fix it by any means we can, which includes not buying Twitter ads.

In another example, a user tweeted searching for content of Yung girls ONLY, NO Boys, which was immediately followed by a promoted tweet for Texas-based Scottish Rite Childrens Hospital. Scottish Rite did not return multiple requests for comment.

In a statement, Twitter spokesperson Celeste Carswell said the company has zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation and is investing more resources dedicated to child safety, including hiring for new positions to write policy and implement solutions.

She added that Twitter is working closely with its advertising clients and partners to investigate and take steps to prevent the situation from happening again.

Twitters challenges in identifying child abuse content were first reported in an investigation by tech news site The Verge in late August. The emerging pushback from advertisers that are critical to Twitters revenue stream is reported here by Reuters for the first time.

Like all social media platforms, Twitter bans depictions of child sexual exploitation, which are illegal in most countries. But it permits adult content generally.

Twitter declined to comment on the volume of adult content on the platform.

Ghost Data identified the more than 500 accounts that openly shared or requested child sexual abuse material over a 20-day period this month. Twitter failed to remove more than 70 percent of the accounts during the study period, according to the group, which shared the findings exclusively with Reuters.

Reuters could not independently confirm the accuracy of Ghost Datas finding in full, but reviewed dozens of accounts that remained online and were soliciting materials for 13+ and young looking nudes.

After Reuters shared a sample of 20 accounts with Twitter last Thursday, the company removed about 300 additional accounts from the network, but more than 100 others still remained on the site the following day, according to Ghost Data and a Reuters review.

Reuters then on Monday shared the full list of more than 500 accounts after it was furnished by Ghost Data, which Twitter reviewed and permanently suspended for violating its rules, said Twitters Carswell on Tuesday.

In an email to advertisers on Wednesday morning, ahead of the publication of this story, Twitter said it discovered that ads were running within Profiles that were involved with publicly selling or soliciting child sexual abuse material.

Andrea Stroppa, the founder of Ghost Data, said the study was an attempt to assess Twitters ability to remove the material. He said he personally funded the research after receiving a tip about the topic.

Twitters transparency reports on its website show it suspended more than 1 million accounts last year for child sexual exploitation.

It made about 87,000 reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a government-funded non-profit that facilitates information sharing with law enforcement, according to that organizations annual report.

Twitter needs to fix this problem ASAP, and until they do, we are going to cease any further paid activity on Twitter, said a spokesperson for Forbes.

There is no place for this type of content online, a spokesperson for carmaker Mazda USA said in a statement to Reuters, adding that in response, the company is now prohibiting its ads from appearing on Twitter profile pages.

A Disney spokesperson called the content reprehensible and said they are doubling-down on our efforts to ensure that the digital platforms on which we advertise, and the media buyers we use, strengthen their efforts to prevent such errors from recurring.

A spokesperson for Coca-Cola, which had a promoted tweet appear on an account tracked by the researchers, said it did not condone the material being associated with its brand and said any breach of these standards is unacceptable and taken very seriously.

NBCUniversal said it has asked Twitter to remove the ads associated with the inappropriate content.

Code Words

Twitter is hardly alone in grappling with moderation failures related to child safety online. Child welfare advocates say the number of known child sexual abuse images has soared from thousands to tens of millions in recent years, as predators have used social networks including Metas Facebook and Instagram to groom victims and exchange explicit images.

For the accounts identified by Ghost Data, nearly all the traders of child sexual abuse material marketed the materials on Twitter, then instructed buyers to reach them on messaging services such as Discord and Telegram in order to complete payment and receive the files, which were stored on cloud storage services like New Zealand-based Mega and U.S.-based Dropbox, according to the groups report.

A Discord spokesperson said the company had banned one server and one user for violating its rules against sharing links or content that sexualize children.

Mega said a link referenced in the Ghost Data report was created in early August and soon after deleted by the user, which it declined to identify. Mega said it permanently closed the users account two days later.

Dropbox and Telegram said they use a variety of tools to moderate content but did not provide additional detail on how they would respond to the report.

Still the reaction from advertisers poses a risk to Twitters business, which earns more than 90 percent of its revenue by selling digital advertising placements to brands seeking to market products to the services 237 million daily active users.

Twitter is also battling in court Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk, who is attempting to back out of a $44 billion deal to buy the social media company over complaints about the prevalence of spam accounts and its impact on the business.

A team of Twitter employees concluded in a report dated February 2021 that the company needed more investment to identify and remove child exploitation material at scale, noting the company had a backlog of cases to review for possible reporting to law enforcement.

While the amount of [child sexual exploitation content] has grown exponentially, Twitters investment in technologies to detect and manage the growth has not, according to the report, which was prepared by an internal team to provide an overview about the state of child exploitation material on Twitter and receive legal advice on the proposed strategies.

Recent reports about Twitter provide an outdated, moment in time glance at just one aspect of our work in this space, and is not an accurate reflection of where we are today, Carswell said.

The traffickers often use code words such as cp for child pornography and are intentionally as vague as possible, to avoid detection, according to the internal documents. The more that Twitter cracks down on certain keywords, the more that users are nudged to use obfuscated text, which tend to be harder for (Twitter) to automate against, the documents said.

Ghost Datas Stroppa said that such tricks would complicate efforts to hunt down the materials, but noted that his small team of five researchers and no access to Twitters internal resources was able to find hundreds of accounts within 20 days.

Twitter did not respond to a request for further comment.

By Sheila Dang and Katie Paul
California Crime Wave Fueled by Well-Intentioned but Misguided Policies: District Attorney

Californias crime wave is fueled by well-intentioned but misguided policies aimed at reforming the criminal justice system and can only be remedied when people start voting for change, a district attorney told EpochTVs California Insider program.

Vern Pierson, district attorney of El Dorado County in Northern California, said state laws, such as Propositions 47 and 57, and some local directives that undermine law enforcement and prosecution, allow many criminal activities to go undeterred.

If you tell people you are not going to hold them accountable for their actions, theres a consequence for that, the prosecutor of 30 years said. And the consequence is increased crime.

Felony or Misdemeanor?

Passed by voters in 2014, Prop. 47 implemented a major change to Californias sentencing law by downgrading certain thefts and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.

It raised the minimum amount of stolen items to $950from the previous $400for a theft case to be classified as a felony, which critics consider to be the primary cause of a rise in petty theft across the state in recent years.

Police patrol Union Square in San Francisco on Nov. 30, 2021. Stores have increased security in response to a spike in thefts. (Ethan Swope/Getty Images)

The proposition also allows felons currently serving prison terms to petition for resentencing under the new classifications. Those who already served their terms can also have their past convictions reclassified as misdemeanors. The states superior courts received more than 200,000 petitions for resentencing and reclassification within the first 13 months after the proposition went into effect, according to a report (pdf) by the Judicial Council of California.

As such, Pierson said, most retailers in California discourage their employees from reporting low-level property crimes, which is why the data for such incidents may be inaccurate. Some stores stop reporting petty theft altogether because police cant do much, he said.

The practical reality is that most retailers have learned if they call law enforcement for a theft of less than $950, either law enforcement will not respond, or if they respond at most, what they will do is issue a citation [for court appearance], Pierson said.

Most theft suspects dont appear in court, he said, and suffer little or no consequences for their actions.

Moreover, a store can be sued by an attempted robbery suspect who is physically confronted by its employees, according to Pierson.

Were a very litigious society here in California, and the stores and their insurance carriers really are afraid of being sued for trying to stop a crime that has little or no consequence, he said.

The Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan research group, reported upticks in the number of property and violent crimes last year in the states four largest citiesLos Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Police crime scene tape closes off a parking area following a shooting at a 7-Eleven store in Brea, Calif., on July 11, 2022. (Eugene Garcia/AP Photo)

An analysis by the group also linked Prop. 47 to the rise of property crime, as personal property thefts were up by 9 percent from 2014 to 2016, with car break-ins accounting for about three-quarters of the growth.

Pierson noted that data generated by car insurance companies will be able to show a more accurate picture of property crimes statewide since they typically require individuals to file a police report when making a claim.

What weve seen in the last six or seven years is  auto burglaries and auto thefts are up dramatically, he said. And thats a truer set of data for where crime actually is in California.

Early Releases and Recidivism

Proposition 57, passed in 2016 to resolve prison overcrowding, allows individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes to be released early.

Although most crimes classified as nonviolent involve no physical injury, there are many crimes involving physical injury that are considered by state law as nonviolent, such as domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, battery with serious bodily injury, rape of an unconscious person, and human trafficking of a minor, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Video released by police showed the assault and robbery of an 80-year-old Asian man knocked to the ground in San Leandro, Calif. (San Leandro Police Department)

In Piersons El Dorado County, he said, a man was convicted of more than a couple dozen residential burglaries and sentenced to 40 years in prison. However, he was recently released after serving a little over four years, according to Pierson.

Granting such early releases can be very dangerous, he said.

One example, he said, is that one of the suspects arrested in a San Francisco mass shooting in April, which killed six and wounded a dozen more, was found to be a beneficiary of Prop. 57, which allowed him to leave prison in February after serving less than half of a 10-year sentence for domestic violence and assault.

Its as though this administration and California Legislature just dont want to hold people accountable. It started out saving money, but then its now gone to a point where we are just releasing people  If theres a way to release someone from custody, they are releasing them, he said.

According to Pierson, there were 165,000 inmates 10 years agoovercrowding a prison system that could only handle 135,000.

But now it is no longer justifiable for more recently convicted people to have their prison time shortened, he said, since only about 90,000 are still in custodymany of whom received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, making them ineligible for early release, according to Pierson.

A report (pdf) by the state department of corrections shows about 93,000 inmates in state prisons with a capacity between 85,000 and 116,000 based on the design and staffing of facilities, as of Sept. 21.

A California Department of Corrections officer speaks to inmates at Chino State Prison in Chino, Calif., on Dec. 10, 2010. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The proposition also prohibits prosecutors from charging juveniles as adults without a judges approval and allows those already tried as adults for crimes committed when they were juveniles to appeal their sentences.

In addition, as an emergency measure to further reduce jail population to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Judicial Council of California in April 2020 removed cash bail for some defendants accused of lower-level crimes. Though the council ended the statewide zero-bail order in Junewith some counties extending the ordercourts are required to consider each defendants ability to pay while setting bail amounts due to a California Supreme Court ruling in March 2021.

Los Angeles Police Department reported 649 cases where individuals arrested for a felony and released with zero bail were re-arrested between March 2020 and June 2022 on charges such as domestic violence, auto theft, assault with a deadly weapon, and human trafficking.

Progressive DAs Foster Culture of Lawlessness

Aside from state-level changes, differences in local policies can explain why residents in some communities experience more crime and a lower quality of life, Pierson said.

Serving as El Dorado Countys District Attorney since 2007, he said it is a prosecutors job to take care of victims of crime and hold people accountable for their actions.

However, in certain counties, there is a philosophical shift, a political shift  [to] a culture of lawlessness where the DA [district attorney] becomes more of a public defender sympathetic to defendants, as opposed to sympathetic to the victims of crime, he said.

Recently recalled by San Francisco voters as the countys district attorney, Chesa Boudinalso a former public defendercame under fire for progressive criminal justice reform policies that critics said have led to a sharp increase in thefts, including smash-and-grab robberies, car burglaries, shoplifting, and other property crimes.

San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin looks on during a news conference in San Francisco, Calif., on May 10, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

According to Pierson, the number of car break-ins in San Francisco County has been dramatically higher than that of San Mateo County next door because the former is known for not booking suspects into jail, or releasing them quickly from custody.

We know it. People who work within the system know where these [regional] variances are, and we are silly to think that criminals arent also aware of the same differences, he said.

Los Angeles County is in a similar situation, where District Attorney George Gascon has been accused of being soft-on-crime by critics who blamed him for the rise in crime, especially homicides.

Elected in 2020 after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Gascon vowed to make criminal justice reform a priority and issued a series of controversial directives, including the removal of sentencing enhancements for suspects who use a gun during a crime or if they have a gang affiliation.

He has faced two recall campaigns supported by residents, former district attorneys, law enforcement officials, and his own prosecutors.

Although Gascon has extensive experience in criminal justice, Pierson said, his policies are a well-intentioned but misguided effort to change the system.

People who before were going to do a strong-armed robbery wouldnt carry a firearm because they knew there was a significant consequence for that, he said. [After the sentencing enhancements were removed], they would feel free. I guess I will carry a firearm if nothing is going to happen to meif theres no real [difference in] consequence.

Pierson also mentioned there were examples of convicted felons celebrating Gascons directives at drinking parties, during recorded phone calls, and on social media, which have been widely reported by media outlets.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon speaks at a press conference in Los Angeles on Dec. 8, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Criminals know how laws have shifted, Pierson said.

Similarly, criminal activities statewide were rapidly decreasing in the 1990s, he said, right after the passage of the three-strike lawwhich imposes significantly harsher punishment on repeated offenders of violent crimes.

When inmates come into custody, they were all talking about whether or not [something they did] was a strike or not a strike. So there was a real communication amongst criminals regarding what the consequences would be, he said.

Positive Change Comes From People Waking Up

Having spent much of his childhood in Los Angeles County, Pierson said hes bothered by crime going up in the big cities.

I love to go to San Francisco or Los Angeles. Its not where I live, but I love to visit them, he said. To see the countless homelessness that goes on [and] the crime  throughout the state of California, its very disturbing. Id like to see some change.

Pierson said now the public is seeing whats actually happening, which is a hopeful sign that the situation can be fixable.

When you cannot walk the streets of San Francisco, when people are moving out of San Francisco or LA  [when people] dont want [their] kids to get off the bus and have to step over homeless people that have a needle stuck in their arms  I think there will be a consequence, he said. There will be a tipping point  when the public would begin more aggressively to push back against these misguided policies.

Pierson said voters need to pay more attention to their local elections, ask candidates tough questions, and observe whether they believe in personal accountability and responsibility in the way they manage their office.

Positive changes are possible and will come from Californians continuing to wake up and see whats actually happening for themselves, he said.

Epoch Times reporter Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) speaks at a campaign town hall in Tustin, Calif., on Oct. 22, 2018. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

California Rep. Katie Porter Calls Irvine PD a Disgrace After Town Hall Scuffle

A Democratic congresswoman from Irvine called the citys police department a disgrace in text messages allegedly sent to Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan in 2021.

Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine)an outspoken critic of law enforcement following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolisreportedly sent the messages to the mayor after one of her supporters was arrested at a town hall last July.

A scuffle broke out at the event between protesters and Porters supporters, during which Julian Willis was arrested by Irvine police after he allegedly punched a protester in the nose and was later released on a citation, according to media reports. Willis lives with Porter at her Irvine residence, property records show.

In a screenshot of the messages obtained by The Epoch Times, Porter told Khan the day after the incident she was meeting with the Irvine chief of police later that day.

I will never trust them again, Porter said. Well, your police force is a disgrace.

A screenshot of text messages between Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan where the congresswoman called the citys police department a disgrace. (The Epoch Times)

Khan appeared to be unaware of what disappointed Porter at the time and requested Porter to call her about her concerns, according to the text thread.

Porters spokesman Jordan Wong told Fox News, which first reported on the messages, the congresswoman was upset that a planned family-friendly town hall was hijacked by extremists, who made constituents feel unsafe, including using hateful slurs in front of children.

Wong said that since the event, Porter and her office have worked productively with Irvine Police Department, including hosting the new police chief at her office for a constructive and cooperative meeting.

Mayor of Irvine Farrah Khan speaks at Irvine City Hall on Nov. 15, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Running against Katie Porter for the congressional seat at the time, Republican Nick Taurus asked his supporters on social media to join him at the town hall to confront Katie Porter, according to local media reports.

The Epoch Times reached out to Porters office for comment, but did not hear back by deadline.
Owners of unwanted guns in San Luis Obispo can hand in the weapons in exchange for grocery cards on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in this file image. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Californian City Offering Groceries For Guns in Drop-Off Event

In an effort to curb shootings, Californias San Luis Obispo has set aside $12,000 in gift cards for the citys first Groceries for Guns event, which is planned for this Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Californians dropping off assault rifles will receive a $200 grocery store gift card while other rifles, handguns, and shotguns are worth $100 cards.

Non-operating guns will garner a $50 grocery store gift card.

The event is designed to clear the streets of unwanted guns that are not in use and inherited firearms that residents would like to discard but dont know where or how to do so.

Gun enthusiasts initially perceived the event as a gun grab until San Luis Obispo Police Captain Fred Mickel explained the program is not targeting responsible gun owners.

The event comes at a time when Attorney General Rob Bonta has been criticized by gun groups for asking major credit card companies to establish a specific code to identify purchases from gun stores.

No identification is required to participate in the local event and no questions will be asked as drivers remain anonymous when they drive up and drop off the guns.

Firearms must be unloaded and packed in the trunks of cars upon arrival at the parking lot of City Corporation Yard at 25 Prado Road.

Ammunition will not be accepted, according to Mickel.

San Luis Obispo isnt the first California city to hold a Groceries for Guns event.

Mickel used Petaluma, Sacramento, and Los Angeles Countys programs as templates.

Mickel told The Epoch Times that there is no political agenda underlying the program and that guns gathered by range masters during the four-hour event will be destroyed.
President Joe Biden addresses the nation in response to Hurricane Ian. He says hes focused on saving peoples lives and homes, not political differences with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Senate passed a short-term funding bill along with tens of billions in new emergency spending. Half of the Senate Republicans pushed back.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is now saying the GOP has a 5050 chance of winning back the Senate in November. Hes previously cast doubts.

The Department of Education will open applications in October for those who want to get their federal student loans canceled, while it faces a lawsuit for the plan.

The Pentagon has unveiled another arms package for Ukraines combat with Russia. The cost is $1.1 billion.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) addresses issues in the American veteran systemespecially the care they receive when they finish their service in the military. We caught up with the congressman to ask him what he is doing to help their situation.

Former President Donald Trumps lawyers said in a court filing that the FBIs filter team failed for the third time. Meanwhile, the FBI has its hands full with the Jan. 6 investigation.

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The president tells Americans that storm Ian is a crisis not just for Florida, but for the whole country. Whats the latest federal response?

A government shutdown is averted, but House Republicans put up a fight Friday against the temporary funding bill.

OpenTheBooks.com has been digging into the details yet again. They say Dr. Anthony Faucis net worth has nearly doubled from 2019 to 2021.

The White House estimates that forgiving federal student loans will cost close to $400 billion, as the Biden administration faces a lawsuit from six states over the plan.

A senior legal fellow from the Heritage Foundation breaks down the legality of the Biden administrations plans to cancel student debt. What authority did President Joe Biden use? And how will the plan impact the states?

Lawmakers pass a bill that exposes the Chinese Communist regimes persecution and propaganda tactics that target people of faith.

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A general view of the Centers for Disease Control headquarters in Atlanta on April 23, 2020. (Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images)

CDC: 222 People at the Grand Canyon Got Sick With Explosive Symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that a possible norovirus outbreak sickened at least 222 people who visited Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

At least 222 rafters and backpackers became infected, probably with norovirus, said the agency in a recent update. Strong partnerships with river outfitters and National Park staff members enabled implementation of prevention and control measures.

Between April 1 and June 17, tourists reported being sick during or after their trips to the Grand Canyon, the CDC said. Of that figure, 178 people reported being sick during their visits, and at least 94 rafters reported vomiting while another 79 reported diarrhea, according to the agency.

Specimens from portable toilets used by nine river rafting trip groups were tested  and test results were positive for norovirus, the CDC said.

In response, an executive with the Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association said that a norovirus outbreak of that scale is highly unusual.

For us to experience the several trips that did have norovirus, that was just unprecedented. Weve never experienced anything to that level ever, John Dillon, the executive director of the Grand Canyon River Outfitters Association, told local media outlet AZFamily.

And a spokesperson for the Grand Canyon park, Jan Balsom, told the Daily Beast that they havent seen something like this kind of outbreak in about 10 years.

In June, park officials said in a release that comprehensive control measures have been implemented in response to the outbreak. Since then, theyve seen a marked decrease in reports of illness, the release said.

CDC authorities did not elaborate on a possible cause of the outbreak.

The norovirus is a contagious stomach illness that causes vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. People can contract the norovirus after eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, having contact with someone who has it, or placing their hands in their mouth after touching a surface that was contaminated with the virus.

Lots of nausea, vomiting, explosive diarrhea usually within 12-24 hours, emergency medicine doctor Frank LoVecchio told AZFamily of the symptoms.

CDC officials say that norovirus outbreaks are common, mostly occurring between the months of November and April. Generally, the virus spreads most quickly when large groups of people congregate in close quarters, such as during cruise trips.

Diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting generally start from 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus, according to the Mayo Clinic, which added that symptoms generally last one to three days. Most people recover without treatment, although young children, elderly people, and those with compromised immune systems can require medical treatment.
A satellite image shows the eye of Hurricane Ian approaching the southwest coast of Florida at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sept. 28, 2022. (NOAA)

Climate Expert on Hurricanes: Numbers of Storms Actually Drop as Oceans Warm Up

As climate change alarmists try to link the catastrophic storm that hit Florida with human-caused global warming, geologist and climate expert Gregory Wrightstone refutes such claims, saying they arent based on facts.

The director of the educational organization CO2 Coalition and expert reviewer for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Wrightstone said his own family living in Wimauma, a town 20 miles south of Tampa, had to evacuate to Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Ian, which landed on Floridas west coast as a Category 4 and left a trail of destruction.

I was writing a commentaryas Hurricane Ian gathered strengthabout how quiet this hurricane season has been, then I got slammed by this hurricane, Wrightstone told NTD News, adding that he finds this experience ironic. That being said, he noted that satellite-based records do show a drop in the number of Atlantic storms over the past 40 years.

We know for a fact that the number of hurricanes has not been increas[ing], and you can recognize a slight decline, Wrightstone told NTD. And in fact, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agrees. They state there is no evidence showing an increase in hurricanes. They dont go as far as to say theres been a decline.

According to a summary of IPCCs latest assessment report by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), not only that there is a decreasing trend in Atlantic hurricanes during the satellite era, but also that major U.S. landfalling storms, or those of Category 3 to 5, have no significant increase since the late 1800s.

Not Statistically Meaningful

When asked whether there is any data to suggest the common notion that warmer oceans make hurricanes more severe, Wrightstone replied that even though warmth may make storms become slightly stronger, the actual effects are too small to be statistically meaningful.

Wrightstone pointed to the work of Christopher W. Landsea, who directs the tropical analysis and forecast program at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. According to Landsea, a 0.5C (1F) ocean temperature warming has likely made hurricanes stronger by about 1 percent, meaning that for an already powerful storm like Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans in 2005, a warmer ocean would add about 2 mph to Katrinas 170 mph winds.

The 1-2 mph change currently in the peak winds of strong hurricane[s] due to man-made global warming is so tiny that it is not measurable by our aircraft and satellite technologies available today, which are only accurate to about 10 mph for major hurricanes, Landsea wrote in 2011.

Wrightstone agreed with Landsea. I dont think if Hurricane Ian came on shore, you could tell the difference between 153 and 152 miles per hour, he said. Its its so small, you cant even measure that.

When it comes to what is causing the Earth to warm up, Wrightstone said there is not enough evidence to prove that this can be attributed entirely to human activities.

We dont know how much this is caused by man. Weve warmed about little less than 1C since 1900. Thats not too alarming to me. And thats all the warming weve seen, he told NTD. Go back the last 10,000 years, there were nine other warming trends similar to where we are today. Five of those nine had higher rates of warming than we saw in the 20th century.

So to conclude that increasing CO2 is driving this warming is just not supported by the data, he continued. We do agree that Co2 is a greenhouse gas and has some warming influence, but we see it as being completely overestimated by the IPCC and the climate industrial complex.

As of Friday, Hurricane Ian had made its second and final landfall in South Carolina after leaving Florida, where at least 20 people were killed. According to the National Hurricane Center, Ian struck the coast Friday afternoon near Georgetown, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.
Colleges Must Drop Vaccine Mandates

The American College Health Association might just be the problem

Commentary

A handful of colleges have recently announced they will require students to get the new COVID-19 bivalent booster shot.

Harvard University and Smith College are both requiring students to take the bivalent booster but not faculty and staff. Tufts is mandating the bivalent booster for everyone, and for the first time ever, mandating the flu vaccine for students only. Some University of California (UC) college websites state that the UC vaccine policy requires all staff and students to get the bivalent vaccine, but other UC websites invite comments to the proposed revisions to the UC Policy on Vaccination Programs by Dec. 1, 2022. Whitman College is requiring the bivalent booster for everyone, and Wake Forest has announced it will require the bivalent booster when it becomes available.

For thousands of college students, this means they will be required to get a second booster dose that was approved without any human clinical trials to establish the safety and efficacy of the new formula and that was rushed through development when we are at practically historic lows for deaths and ICU stays due to COVID.

On Aug. 11, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 guidance. Most notable is that the CDC stated that people with previous infection have some immunity from severe infection. Colleges that maintain blanket mandates ignore critical data, such as the benefit of prior infection and the data on adverse events per a study authored by academics from the Universities of Washington, Oxford, Toronto, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, UCSF, and others. The study estimates that per Covid-19 hospitalisation prevented in previously uninfected young adults, we anticipate 18 to 98 serious adverse events, including 1.7 to 3.0 booster-associated myocarditis cases in males, and concludes university Covid-19 vaccine mandates are likely to cause net expected harms to young healthy adults.

While updated CDC guidelines have made it clear that we are at the point of living with the virus and the guideline changes shift much of the responsibility for risk reduction from institutions to individuals, according to the New York Times, the American College Health Association (ACHA) is doubling down on instilling fear that COVID-19 cases are on the rise. This claim is highly suspect and difficult to verify as many college campuses such as the State University of New York (SUNY), the largest state college system in the country, no longer track COVID-19 cases, and UC Davis, which has the third largest student population of the University of California campuses, shows a decline in COVID-19 cases in the last month.

The self-proclaimed voice for student health and wellness, the ACHA represents over 700 institutions of higher education and the collective health and wellness needs of 20 million college students. The ACHA conducts research and provides educational materials to its member colleges in the hopes of being the voice of expertise in college health. A significant number of the most prestigious colleges in the United States are members of the ACHA, and most of those colleges are also the ones with the strictest vaccine mandates, unless theyre in states where vaccine mandates are prohibited by law.

In an effort to influence college COVID-19 policies as students returned to campuses in the last month, the ACHA recently released the results of a national study that assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake, attitudes, experience, and intentions among college students (pdf). The ACHA claims to recognize the continued importance of vaccination in reducing the impact of COVID-19 on our campuses, and the study is meant to support these efforts. The study concludes that [v]accine requirements are highly effective at boosting uptake on college campuses and at making students feel safer. However, markedly absent is any recommendation for accessing resources that communicate safety and efficacy data for young adults, and nowhere in the report does it mention that the CDC now recognizes natural immunity and that new guidelines have shifted towards individual responsibility.

When evaluating whether the ACHAs recommendations are unbiased and ethically sound, we should seriously consider the funding the ACHA receives from Pfizer and the $2 million grant it received from the CDC to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence.

It would seem that the ACHA expects resistance to continued vaccination on college campuses as it has also published a document (pdf) that advises colleges on how to manage aggressive opposition to vaccine campaigns so as to mitigate disruptions to vaccine efforts. If the ACHA is the voice for 20 million college students, why are they not advocating for the students who are opposed to vaccines? Why are they not advocating that colleges recognize natural immunity as protective? Why are they not analyzing studies that highlight the dangers of continued vaccination for young adults? Why are they advocating for vaccine requirements that make students feel better when [r]isk-benefit assessments should remain objective and avoid the use of some people feeling better or safer to justify behavioral rules with sanctions for non-compliance in the absence of rational justification, according to the abovementioned study?

Instead, the ACHA created a Vax Forward digital toolkit for the student ambassadors they want to use as pawns to coerce other students to get vaccinated. The toolkit is fraught with claims unsupportable by data. It encourages student ambassadors to frame vaccination as a way to protect family and friends, to state it is normal to have some side effects, to stress that long-term risks from getting COVID are greater than potential side effects of the vaccine, to state that researchers  didnt skip any safety steps, and finally to normalize COVID-19 vaccines by comparing them to other vaccines most students got before starting college.

Colleges have known since mid-2021 that COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent infection or reduce the community spread. In addition, college students are not at high risk for severe illness or hospitalization from COVID-19, yet they are forced to risk potential adverse events when they are stripped of the fundamental right to informed consent and a risk/benefit analysis in consultation with health care providers.

Colleges should immediately rescind all COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The most recent letter from campaign group No College Mandates, of which I am co-founder, to colleges urges them to drop vaccine mandates for both ethical reasons and their possible exposure to significant legal liability. Nearly 200 colleges that mandate vaccines have received this letter and more are on the way.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Communist China Cant Run Hong Kong

Commentary

Oct. 1 marks the 73rd anniversary of the founding of Communist China. For the Hong Kong government, it will, on the one hand, propagate that Hong Kong is writing a new chapter of history from chaos to governance, and from governance to greater prosperity under the National Security Law; on the other hand, the Hong Kong Police announced that 8,000 police officers will be deployed on Oct. 1, which contrasts sharply with the propaganda of governance and greater prosperity.

The continuous denial of the ongoing wave of emigration from Hong Kong and the endless letters from the top men in the Hong Kong government to the foreign media protesting their false reports about Hong Kong, the all-around regression of Hong Kong in the past three years shows that it is impossible for the loyal rubbish (a name coined by a Beijing scholar to refer to Hong Kongs incompetent, pro-establishment, politicians who flatter Beijing without doing anything useful) to run Hong Kong and accomplish anything significant.

Hong Kong has Changed

Before 1997, Hong Kongs last governor Chris Patten said, My anxiety is not that this communitys autonomy would be usurped by Peking [now Beijing], but that it could be given away bit by bit by some people in Hong Kong.

This prophecy, unfortunately, came true after the 1997 handover from Britain to China. The social elite know that the communists demand explicit allegiance in exchange for a secured rice bowl. Quoting Xi Jinping has become part of routine life, along with selectively praising the National Security Law despite its obvious disastrous effects on Hong Kong.

The educational sector is unquestionably a big part of the disaster. Since 1998, the Education Bureau has indulged itself in distorting history, and its latest achievement was to recruit a group of students to produce a musical celebrating communist Chinas National Day. The content is a distortion of a renowned essay by Liang Qichao, a famous modern Chinese constitutionalist, such as, the deletion of the phrase independent young people will make an independent China, which they (the CCP) fear will hint at Hong Kong independence. As flattery and taboo prevail, how can Hong Kong find a way out?

An open and transparent political environment is a prerequisite for an international city. But the Chinese communists do not agree. To date, they are still running a covert communist party in Hong Kong, making itself outside the law and unaccountable to Hong Kong residents.

According to Ching Cheong, a veteran Hong Kong journalist, there are 400,000 such underground communists in Hong Kong. It is noteworthy that the first place Leung Chun-ying went to thank his supporters after being elected chief executive was the Liaison Office. The Liaison Office is Hong Kongs de facto government, and the Hong Kong government merely an executive arm of it. The party media are Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po newspapers. Hong Kongs politics have become highly uncertain.

Red lines are everywhere, toppling the rule of law. The Hong Kong government remained silent on the request of the United Nations to translate the report on human rights in Hong Kong under the National Security Law into Chinese. Critics believe that it was a deliberate attempt to prevent the report from circulating among the public.

Now, the Hong Kong government primarily serves the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), not the Hong Kong people, which explains the setting up of a candidate eligibility review committee to screen out those legislative council candidates that the regime does not like.

Leftism has become a new norm in Hong Kong, and in order to not make mistakes, public servants compete to be as left as possible, resulting in extreme leftism. Compared to the 1967 Riots against colonial rule, at that time pro-communist bookshops could sell Maos books and leftist schools could preach their political beliefs, now Hong Kong is a city of banned books, and talk of democracy and freedom is taboo in schools. Meanwhile, it is acceptable to teach that imperialism was brought about by McDonalds and Disneyland.

The Reason

After 1997, the Hong Kong government adopted cronyism as its guiding principle, and most of the restaurants prosecuted for alleged violation of COVID regulations were yellow (that is, support a protest movement). Political neutrality, which has been a core value of civil servants and worked so well in the colonial era, has been shattered by the leftists, and replaced by politics in command.

As a result, the most fundamental cause of Hong Kongs governance failure emerged: treating Hong Kong residents the same way mainland Chinese are treated. There was a time when the CCP apprehended that a hardline policy on Hong Kong would not work.

Jiang Enzhu, a former director of the Liaison Office, once said that Hong Kong was a very difficult book to read and understand, and needed to be taken seriously.

In contrast to what the first chief executive Tung Chee-hwa said at the founding ceremony of the Hong Kong government, Hong Kong people were to be in charge of their own destiny, they have become a target of reform that begins in childhood. The recent efforts of the leftist newspapers to cleanse colonial nostalgia that arose from the public tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II is in fact trying to remove the features that have made Hong Kong.

The impact of the emigration wave from Hong Kong will be coupled with the wave of returning home (a term that residents apply to traveling to Japan, which is their first travel destination) that is to come. On the eve of the Communist China National Day, Hong Kongs COVID-19 restrictions were lessened and people flocked to book a trip to Japan. This may be seen as a form of referendum on the communist regime.

Wong Tai Sin Temple built a CCP flag-raising platform on its grounds in Hong Kong. (Sik Sik Yuen website/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Undated photo of Molly Russell, taken outside her home in Harrow, north west London shortly before her death in November 2017. (Russell family via PA)

Coroner Concludes Online Content Helped Kill Depressed London Teen in Landmark Ruling

Negative effects of online content was a contributing factor in the death of a British school girl who took her own life in 2017, a coroner concluded on Friday.

Coroner Andrew Walker, who made the conclusion, said the ruling is the first time that tech platforms have been formally held responsible for the death of a child.

Molly Russell, a 14-year-old girl from Harrow, northwest London, who her father said showed no obvious signs of mental illness, took her own life on Nov. 21, 2017, after viewing online content related to depression and self-harm for months.

Following a five-year inquest, Walker, who presided over the inquest, told North London Coroners Court that it would not be safe to leave suicide as a conclusion.

The teenage girl died from an act of self-harm while suffering depression and the negative effects of online content, Walker concluded.

Undated family handout photo from 2007 issued by Leigh Day Solicitors of Molly Russell who took her own life in November 2017. (Family handout/Leigh Day Solicitors via PA media)

In January 2019, more than a year after Mollys death, her father Ian Russell told The Times of London that the family had found several dozens of Instagram accounts Molly had followed with tags such as sad, lonely, or depressed, and the one they looked at had graphic self-harming images.

He also said Pinterest had sent the teen automated messages recommending depression-related content based on her browsing history.

After failing to request big tech firms release all information they had held on the teens accounts, Ian Russell enlisted Walkers help to obtain the information.

The inquest into Mollys death was delayed until Sept. 20 this year due to a number of delays.

Delivering his conclusions on Friday, Walker said Molly had access to images, video clips, and text concerning or concerned with self-harm, suicide, or that were otherwise negative or depressing in nature.

The platform operated in such a way using algorithms as to result, in some circumstances, of binge periods of images, video-clips, and text, some of which were selected and provided without Molly requesting them, he said.

Walker said some content romanticised acts of self-harm by young people on themselves, while other content sought to isolate and discourage discussion with those who may have been able to help.

Following the inquest, Ian Russell described Molly as a thoughtful, sweet-natured, caring, inquisitive, selfless, beautiful individual who wanted all those she loved to live long and stay strong, referring to one of her last notes.

Wed like to widen that invitation to include anyone who may be needing help, he said.

To anyone who has been affected by the issues raised in Mollys inquest, to anyone struggling, please remember that help is available, please find a way to seek it out, please take care when online.

A spokeswoman for Pinterest said: Our thoughts are with the Russell family.

Weve listened very carefully to everything that the Coroner and the family have said during the inquest, she said.

Over the past few years, weve continued to strengthen our policies around self-harm content, weve provided routes to compassionate support for those in need and weve invested heavily in building new technologies that automatically identify and take action on self-harm content.

Undated photo of Molly Russell, who took her own life in November 2017. ((Family handout/PA Media)

The ruling on Friday was followed by a fresh push to pass the governments Online Safety Bill, which was delayed due to concerns over some of its provisions on vaguely defined legal but harmful content that critics say will curtail the freedom of speech.

Charity National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Chief Executive Sir Peter Wanless said the bill offered a chance to achieve the step change needed to protect children on the internet.

Lucy Powell, Labours shadow digital and culture Secretary, said Mollys death should force action from government and social media companies to make the internet safe for children.

It is a scandal that just as the coroner is announcing that harmful social media content contributed to Molly Russells death, the government is looking to water down the Online Safety Bill, she said, referring to Prime Minister Liz Trusss statement earlier this month that the government will tweak the bill to make sure free speech is allowed while protecting children from harm.

Without measures on legal but harmful content in the bill, likely none of the suicide and self-harm content that Molly found online would be dealt with, she said.

Enough is enough. Children must be kept safe online. The government should bring forward the full Online Safety Bill at the earliest opportunity.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said the inquest showed the horrific failure of social media platforms to put the welfare of children first and that the government will use the Online Safety Bill and the full force of the law to hold social media companies to account.

Crossbench Peer Baroness Beeban Kidron said she will propose an amendment to the bill to make it easier for bereaved parents to access information from social media companies.

PA Media contributed to this report.
An Australian government research fund has granted $1.7 million (US$1.1 million) to target three major cardiovascular diseases using messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, accelerating the use of gene therapys treatment of diseases beyond COVID-19.

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, one of Australias oldest medical research organisations focused on heart disease, welcomed the grant from Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).

We are grateful to the MRFF for funding us to advance this important research, Baker Institutes head of molecular imaging and theranostics Xiaowei Wang said in a statement on Sep. 28.

Baker Institute team (Supplied)

Associate Prof. Wang said that the mRNA-based therapies will directly reduce inflammation and blockages for three major heart diseasesatherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, and abdominal aortic aneurysmwhich currently have limited cures and all start with inflammation.

For each of these cardiovascular diseases, we will design a unique delivery system using novel nanoparticles, target the disease, then trigger the release of the mRNA, Wang said.

She says that these therapies require smaller doses because they are targeted.

Current drug therapies require high doses because they are not delivered specifically to the disease area and have harmful systemic side effects, Wang said.

The mRNA-based targeted strategies that we are investigating can stop the progression of inflammation, providing the opportunities of preventing cardiovascular disease events like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure without the unwanted side effects.

Nanoparticles May Weaken Immunity

The rapid development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has made mRNA companies hopeful about developing therapies for other targets such as heart disease, cancer, liver disease, and multiple sclerosis.

However, an increased rate of diseases, including cancer, has been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) following COVID-19 vaccinations, of which the majority have been mRNA vaccines.

In the VAERS database, 284 cases of breast cancer were reported after COVID-19 vaccination, while just 350 cases have been reported in the history of VAERS.

There have also been concerning reports of shingles. VAERS data shows that 7,559 cases of shingles have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination.

Over the entire history of VAERS, 28,180 cases of shingles have been reported following any vaccination, meaning that around a quarter of shingles cases occurred after COVID-19 vaccination.

A pre-study recently observed that nanoparticles used to transport mRNA in COVID-19 vaccines inhibited and altered the immune response, shedding light on the adverse events.

The nanoparticles, claimed to be non-toxic and safe, were also found in a 2021 University of Philadelphia study to be highly inflammatory.

In Australia, a fifth dose has been recommended for people who are severely immunocompromised or have an underlying medical condition or disability.
This week, we feature the first film in an iconic action series about a New York cop and a swashbuckling fairytale sure to inspire giggles.

New Release

Bandit

Gilbert Galvan Jr. (Josh Duhamel) escapes a minimum-security prison in the United States and relocates to Canada. There, he reinvents himself as Robert Whiteman and falls in love with the kind-hearted Andrea (Elisha Cuthbert). But he turns back to crime and goes on a massive bank robbing spree.

Its a pretty straightforward bank heist movie based on a true story, with good tension and drama. But what makes it stand out are the excellent acting performances by its cast. Mel Gibson sizzles in his small role as a crime boss.

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Release Date: Sept. 23, 2022

Director: Allan Ungar

Starring: Josh Duhamel, Elisha Cuthbert, Nestor Carbonell

Runtime: 2 hours, 6 minutes

MPAA Rating: R

Where to Watch: Theaters

Rated: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Family Pick

The Princess Bride

Based on the William Goldman novel of the same title, The Princess Bride is an epic fairy-tale adventure. Framed with a plot device of a grandfather reading to his grandson, the story involves a simple farm boy turned swashbuckling pirate (Cary Elwes). He must overcome various challenges to save and be reunited with his one true lovethe princess Buttercup (Robin Wright).

This charming, thoroughly enjoyable film with its sometimes-zany script is both an ode to classic fairy tales as well as a satire on happily-ever-afters.

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Release Date: Oct. 9, 1987

Director: Rob Reiner

Starring: Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright

Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG

Where to Watch: Redbox, Vudu, Apple TV

Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5

An 80s Classic Action-Thrill Ride

Die Hard

John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York cop who is visiting his estranged family on Christmas Eve. When a group of terrorists, led by dastardly villain Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), takes over the high-rise party McClanes wife is attending, its up to McClane to save the hostages.

The action showcased in this thriller is consistently exciting and the cinematography is inventive. John McTiernan (Last Action Hero) directed this film with brisk pacing that keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

Action | Thriller

Release Date: July 20, 1988

Director: John McTiernan

Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia

Running Time: 2 hours, 12 minutes

MPAA Rating: R

Where to Watch: DirecTV, Vudu, Redbox

Rated: 4 stars out of 5

A Rom-Com With Fantastic Music

High Society

In this remake of The Philadelphia Story, C.K. Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby) and Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly) were childhood friends who married and quickly divorced. Now, Lord is set to marry an up-and-coming businessman, but Dexter-Haven wants her back.

This charming rom-com should appeal to fans of musicals and tongue-in-cheek comedies. Its hard not to smile as you listen to it.

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Release Date: July 17, 1956

Director: Charles Walters

Starring: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra

Running Time: 1 hour, 51 minutes

Not Rated

Where to Watch: Redbox, DirecTV, Vudu

Rated: 4 stars out of 5
Europes Generic Drugmakers Say They May Cut Output Due to Energy Bills

FRANKFURTEuropes drugmakers have warned they may stop making some cheap generic medicines because of surging electricity costs and are calling for an overhaul of the way they are priced, the latest industry to seek help as the energy crisis deepens.

The generic drug industry lobby group Medicines for Europe, which represents companies including Teva, Novartiss Sandoz unit, and Fresenius SEs Kabi business, on Tuesday sent an open letter to European Union member states energy and health ministers.

The blocs 27 energy ministers are meeting on Friday to seek agreement on measures to ease the energy crunch in Europe, with a levy on windfall profits of fossil fuel companies and a gas price cap on the table.

A spokesperson for the EUs Czech presidencyresponsible for preparing and chairing the meeting confirmed the receipt of the letter but said the Friday talks were meant to approve proposals by the blocs executive European Commission.

These have so far not included solutions aimed at drugmakers specifically.

The letter was also addressed to the Commission, which said it would reply in due course.

Electricity prices have risen ten-fold for some drug factories in Europe and raw material costs have risen by between 50 percent and 160 percent, according to the letter.

Its authors asked for the pharmaceutical industry to be exempted from EU moves to reduce electricity consumption, and for off-patent medicines sector to be involved in relaxed state aid rules meant to support the economy.

Generics associations in member states are also petitioning national heath authorities for more flexibility on drug prices, said Medicines for Europe.

We may discontinue maybe three, maybe five products due to the direct and indirect impact of increasing energy costs, said Elisabeth Stampa, chief executive of Medichem SA, a generic drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients maker based near Barcelona, Spain.

Medicines for Europes director general Adrian Van Den Hoven told Reuters that higher energy costs were hitting a sector that was forced to consolidate due to price pressure, making the market more vulnerable to supply outages and shortages.

Higher energy costs just eat all of the margins of many makers of essential medicines in the fixed price system that we operate under in Europe, he said.

The issue centers on the pricing regime. Off-patent medicines are typically sold by low-cost drugmakers at prices set by national health agencies or insurers associations, which frequently also cut prices.

Generics account for about 70 percent all dispensed medicines in Europe, many of them to treat serious conditions such as infections or cancer, but make up only 29 percent of the regions drug bills, according to the lobby group.

The surge in energy costs risks undermining a recent push to boost medicines production in Europe and make the region more self-sufficient after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a dependence on suppliers abroad and led to a breakdown of certain supply routes.

COVID-lockdown measures in China and the war in Ukraine have made matters worse for logistic and raw material supplies.

Drug supply shortages, which at times disrupt patient care when alternative sources are not available, have a decade-long history in the European off-patent generic drug sector, where pressure on prices by cash-strapped health systems allows only the most cost-efficient suppliers to survive.

While makers of patented innovative drugs are also typically banned from raising prices after a reimbursement rate has been set, the much higher margins keep most of those products profitable.

Energy Intense

Standard infusions for hospitals are among the most energy intensive drugs to produce because they need to be heated and cooled for sterility. The same goes for the fermentation process behind commonly used antibiotics and therapeutic hormones, said van den Hoven.

Medichems Stampa said the effects of expensive energy ranged from higher shipping rates to waste disposal contractors charging 30 percent more.

She declined to name drugs that might be affected as part of an annual review this year, but said customers would be given about six to 12 months to find a new supplier if a product is phased out.

The privately held group made 110 million euros ($106 million) in sales last year with off-patent products such as antibiotic drips, blood thinners, and schizophrenia drugs, selling to generic drug companies including Teva and Viatris.

Stampa said indexing drug prices to take production costs into account would be an affordable fix for health bodies in Europe where some off-patent prescription eye drops are reimbursed for less than the price of a pack of gum.

The president of the Italian pharmaceutical industry association, Marcello Cattani, said energy costs are seven times higher than last year, while the U.S. dollar, in which international ingredients are typically paid, is up against the euro.

The sector cannot pass on higher costs  The risks of negative impacts on the production and availability of medicines are very high, he said.

($1 = 1.0394 euros)

By Ludwig Burger
How to buy and cook the best of the most bountiful season

Autumn is the perfect time for visiting your neighborhood farmers market. Youre sure to find baskets brimming with sweet apples, plump cabbages, and luscious winter squash. Its the most bountiful season as the harvest reaches its peak, and farmers work in a frenzy to gather the abundance before the weather cools and fields lay dormant for winter.

Fill your baskets with some of these fall favorites for a season of delicious, nourishing meals.

Look for firm heads of cabbage with glossy leaves. (Wipat Boonkaew/Shutterstock)

Cabbage

Theres nothing fancy about cabbage, but its one of the thriftiest finds at your grocery store or farmers market. Its also a nutritional powerhouse, as its a good source of vitamins B6, C, and K, as well as the minerals potassium and manganese. Researchers are especially interested in the sulfur-containing compound sinigrin found in cabbage, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

When you buy cabbage, look for firm heads with glossy leaves. They store well in the fridge, and even if the outer leaves fade or wilt, you can often discard them, and the cabbages heart will still remain fresh. Shred cabbage for simple salads and slaws, or cut it into wedges for roasting or braising.

You might find rarer heirloom varieties of apples at your local farmers market. (BirdShutterB/Shutterstock)

Apples

Like many fruits, apples are rich in polyphenols, which are phytonutrients that support gut health and combat free radicals. Apples are also a good source of fiber and contain vitamin C.

While you may only see three or four types of apples at your local grocery store, there are more than 7,500 varieties in the world. About 2,500 varieties are grown in the United States. You might find many rarer heirloom varieties at your local farmers market in the fall. Each has a unique flavor profile, with some, such as the Gravenstein, being better suited for cooking than eating fresh. Tell your grower how youre planning to use the apples, and theyre sure to give you guidance on which variety to choose.

Chicories are known for their slightly bitter flavorand often dramatic appearances. (Nataly Studio/Shutterstock)

Chicories

Chicories are a family of leafy vegetables related to daisies that includes endives, escarole, and radicchio. Theyre known for their slightly bitter flavor. Chicories love cool weather, and youll find them available in both autumn and early spring.

Like many leafy vegetables, chicories tend to be high in fiber, as well as rich in vitamins. Theyre an excellent source of vitamin K, which may support brain health as you age, and contain folate, which promotes healthy cell growth and reduces the risk of certain birth defects.

Acid brings balance to their natural bitterness, so tossing them into a salad with a squeeze of lemon or sharp vinaigrette works well. Some varieties, such as radicchio, stand up well to grilling or roasting.

Fall heralds the arrival of winter squash, both decorative and cooking varieties, in myriad shapes, colors, and sizes. (Studio Barcelona/Shutterstock)

Winter Squash

Whether its delicata, butternut, kabocha, or pumpkin, the varieties of winter squash are nearly endless. These sweet, orange-fleshed vegetables are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, and vitamins C and E. They also contain concentrated amounts of carotenoids, an antioxidant pigment that gives them their vivid orange color. These compounds are a precursor to vitamin A, which bolsters the bodys ability to fight off illness while also supporting eye health. Remember that these micronutrients are fat-soluble, so serve winter squash with plenty of butter, olive oil, or coconut oil to best absorb those antioxidants.

From delicata to butternut, the varieties of winter squash are nearly endless. (Charlotte Lake/Shutterstock)

Winter squashes store for months at cool room temperatures, and you can help preserve them further by rubbing their skin with a bit of olive oil before storing them. Roasting is the easiest way to prepare winter squash, but you can also peel and cube them before adding them to soups or sautes.

Onions are available year-round, but their harvest season is late summer through fall.(MaraZe/Shutterstock)

Onions

Its easy to overlook the onion, but the ubiquitous allium is a nutritional powerhouse in its own right. Onions are rich in quercetin, an anti-inflammatory plant compound that fights free radicals. All onions contain quercetin and similar compounds, but red and yellow onions seem to be the richest source.

While you can find onions in your grocery store during any time of the year, their harvest begins in late summer and stretches through autumn. Most onions are cured in dry, cool warehouses. The curing process removes moisture from their outer layers, producing onions characteristic papery skin and preserving them for long-term storage.

During the harvest season, you can find fresh onions at your local farmers market. Unlike cured onions, they have a crisp, juicy quality reminiscent of apples and a distinct sweetness. You can use them exactly as you would the cured onions that you find in grocery stores. Saute them with a bit of olive oil, or simmer them with broth and vegetables for soup. You can also brush them with olive oil, sprinkle them with sea salt and fresh thyme, and toss them on the grill, where the heat will turn them deliciously sweet.

RECIPE: Cider-Braised Cabbage and Apples

RECIPE: Red Kuri Squash Soup

RECIPE: Radicchio Salad With Apples, Pomegranate, and Hazelnuts

Jennifer McGruther is a nutritional therapy practitioner, herbalist, and the author of three cookbooks, including Vibrant Botanicals. Shes also the creator of NourishedKitchen.com, a website that celebrates traditional foodways, herbal remedies, and fermentation. She teaches workshops on natural foods and herbalism and currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.
After realizing his COVID-19 booster shot may have sent his cancer into overdrive, Michel Goldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of immunology and pharmacotherapy at the Universite libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, said going public with the information was the right thing to do.

This article was originally published by The Defender  Childrens Health Defenses News & Views Website

Michel Goldman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of immunology and pharmacotherapy at the Universite libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, suspects his third dose of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine may have sent his cancer into overdrive.

Goldman, 67, is one of Europes best-known champions of medical research and a lifelong promoter of vaccines.

But he told The Atlantic he wants discussion of the COVID-19 vaccine to be transparent  so he went public about his suspicion that the Pfizer booster shot he received on Sept. 22, 2021, may have induced rapid progression of his angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), a type of lymphoma hed been diagnosed with before he got the booster shot.

After his diagnosis, Goldman said he rushed to get the booster shot, believing he would need it more than most people because once he started chemotherapy, his immune system would be compromised.

But after receiving the shot, Goldmans follow-up CT scan showed something unexpected: Within only a few days, his cancer had grown so fast that cancerous points were lighting up all over his scan.

It looked like someone had set off fireworks inside Michels body, The Atlantic reported.

Goldman and his brother, Serge Goldman, a fellow scientist and head of nuclear medicine at the teaching hospital of the Universite libre de Bruxelles, suspected Goldmans COVID-19 booster shot may have triggered the rapid proliferation of cancerous growth in his body.

The initial CT scan had been a bit disturbing, Serge Goldman told The Atlantic, because it showed an asymmetrical cluster of cancerous nodes around Goldmans left armpit, where Michels first two doses of vaccine had been delivered.

The CT scan done after Michels third dose showed the cancers asymmetry had flipped and was clustered by his right armpit, where he received the third shot.

The brothers knew it could be a mere coincidence, but they thought it was important to investigate the possibility that the vaccine might be behind the clustering  because it could mean other people with certain forms of cancer might be at risk of a COVID-19 vaccine causing their cancer to progress more rapidly.

So on Nov. 25, 2021, the brothers  who had written prior papers together  and other colleagues published a case report in which they described Michel Goldmans experience and urged the scientific community to study the phenomenon to see if it occurred in patients diagnosed with AITL.

Since nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccines strongly activate T follicular helper cells, it is important to explore the possible impact of approved SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines on neoplasms affecting this cell type, the authors wrote.

The brothers said the case study suggests that vaccination with the [Pfizer-BioNTech] BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine might induce rapid progression of AITL.

They noted, however, that it would be premature to extrapolate the findings from Michel Goldmans case to other patients with the same kind of cancer and that dedicated studies are needed.

Going Public Was The Right Thing to Do

Michel Goldmans case study added to the scientific literature that aims to understand the relationships between mRNA vaccines and the functioning of helper T-cells.

For instance, previous researchers have noted mRNA vaccines rev up helper T-cells, which may explain why Michel Goldmans AILT went into overdrive following his third booster shot.

Perhaps the shots gave such a jolt to his helper T cells that they went berserk, The Atlantic reported. If they were prone to forming tumors, or if they were already cancerous, then overstimulation could have made the problem even worse.

Research involving body scans of some people who get mRNA vaccines  including cancer patients  shows heightened activity in the lymph nodes near the armpit on the side where the shot was received.

In February 2018, a team of researchers at Columbia Universitys Institute for Cancer Genetics published a study using mice with a pair of gene mutations  the same two mutations found in Michel Goldmans tumor  showing that the mutations predispose T-cells to go rogue.

The study also showed that when the mice were injected with red blood cells from sheep  as an experimental stand-in for invading microbes  the mice developed the same subtype of lymphoma Michel Goldman had.

Michel Goldman previously headed a $2 billion European endeavor to accelerate the research of new medicines and in December 2020, he publicly spoke out in support of the safety of mRNA vaccines  the technology used in both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

At that time, he said the highest risk  especially for vulnerable people  is not to be vaccinated and that his main concern about mRNA vaccination was that people might use the possible side effects as an argument against getting the vaccine.

He currently leads the Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Healthcare, or I3h, a university hub aimed at assisting in drug-design projects.

Michel Goldman doesnt regret going public with his case, even though it presented challenging evidence regarding the safety of mRNA vaccines for individuals such as himself.

Im still convinced it was the right thing to do, he told The Atlantic.

He remains adamant that COVID-19 vaccines are useful for the vast majority of people, but he is unsure whether he himself will get another booster dose.

I dont know what I will do, he said.

This article was originally published by The Defender  Childrens Health Defenses News & Views Website under Creative Commons license CC

BY-NC-ND 4.0. Please consider subscribing to The Defender or donating to Childrens Health Defense.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
A crest of the FBI inside the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building in Washington on Aug. 3, 2007. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

FBI Lawyers Inappropriately Opined on National Security Matters in Bid to Influence Prosecutorial Decision-Making: Report

FBI lawyers within the agencys National Security and Cyber Law Branch (NSCLB) have inappropriately weighed in on matters typically reserved for federal prosecutors, according to a report released by the Department of Justice Inspector Generals Office on Sept. 29.

The report (pdf) found that aggressive attorneys working for the NSCLB had inappropriately opined on matters related to sufficiency of evidence, certain charging decisions, and discovery obligations.

According to the report, officials in the DOJs National Security Division (NSD) informed the Inspector Generals Office of the alleged behavior.

However, the report notes that NSD personnel stressed they did not believe that the lawyers overzealous behavior regarding prosecutorial decisions was part of an organizational effort to have greater influence on those decisions.

The report states that NSD personnel believe that these issues may arise when NSD attorneys and more aggressive NSCLB attorneys differ on certain legal judgments.

In such instances, the aggressive attorneys were likely trying to influence prosecutorial decision-making, the report said.

When we raised the issue of differing legal advice with FBI OGC leadership, they told us that different perspectives were part of the process and should not be surprising or necessarily be viewed as confrontational, the report states.

For instance, as it related to disagreements related to charging decisions, FBI OGC leadership recognized that in some circumstances NSCLB attorneys have expressed frustration with NSDs decision not to bring certain cases under statutes like the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Michael Horowitz, inspector general at the Department of Justice, at a Senate hearing in Washington on June 18, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Probable Cause for Search Warrant

In contrast, one NSD senior official stated that trial attorneys who worked in this officials section reported that NSCLB attorneys sometimes told agents what they wanted to hear about what charges were reasonable. This NSD official believed that, in cases like this, it was likely that the evidence did not support such charges, the report adds.

The report provides examples of such incidents in which lawyers have inappropriately opined on matters.

In one example, an FBI lawyer stated that they believed there was sufficient evidence to charge a target with espionage, while DOJ prosecutors maintained the view that evidence supported lesser charges, such as unauthorized disclosure of national security information or retention or transmission of classified data.

NSD stated that this type of advice from NSCLB may set unrealistic expectations for case agents on what charges can or should be brought, the report states. Such instances can negatively impact the working relationship between the agent and the prosecutor.

In another incident, an FBI lawyer determined that there was sufficient evidence to establish probable cause to obtain a search warrant but DOJ prosecutors later disagreed.

This official explained that in such circumstances case agents may initiate operational plans for a sensitive investigation based on the NSCLB advice only to learn later about NSDs different assessment of the evidence to show probable cause, potentially disrupting the investigation, the report states.

Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz said that overall, the DOJ concluded that the concerns raised in the report regarding inappropriate influence on prosecutorial decisions by FBI attorneys were indicative of a systemic problem.

Nevertheless, it believes that the examples discussed in the report, strongly suggest that improvements can be made in the collaboration, coordination, and communication efforts between NSD and NSCLB attorneys.

Despite the examples cited in the report, the Inspector Generals Office was advised by an NSD senior official that, in their view, FBI OGC leadership has set the correct tone and that FBI OGC leadership would agree that NSCLB attorneys should be focused on FBI policy and investigative matters, the report also states.

The report comes after FBI agents seized documents from former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in August following a search warrant that was approved by Judge Bruce Reinhart on Aug. 5.

Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump in West Palm Beach, Fla. drive around the Paul G. Rogers Federal Building & Courthouse as the court on Aug. 18, 2022 holds a hearing to determine if the affidavit used by the FBI as justification for the raid of Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate should be unsealed. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

Mar-a-Lago Raid

The 45th president and the DOJ have been locked in a legal dispute over the DOJs claims that hundreds of documents have classified markings.

A special master has been assigned to the case to determine whether any materials are protected by executive privilege or attorney-client privilege, as Trump has stated, and should thus be shielded from the DOJ probe.

Elsewhere in September, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell sued the FBI and the DOJ over the seizure of his phone while he was at a Hardees drive-through in Mankato, Minnesota.

According to the lawsuit, the search and seizure warrant was issued by Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung on Sept. 7, 2022. It states that Lindell is being investigated by the DOJ over alleged identity theft and damage to a protected computer relating to an alleged breach of voting machines in Colorado.

Lawyers for Lindell have argued that the phone seizure violated his First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights. He told The Epoch Times, We cant have the FBI weaponized against our people in the United States.

The FBI concurred with the recommendations made in the latest report, adding that it will implement actions based on the recommendations within the coming weeks.

When contacted for comment, the FBI referred The Epoch Times to its response in the report.
The seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is seen outside of its headquarters in Washington on Aug. 15, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

FBI Singles Out Conservative Agents in Purge, Retaliates Against Whistleblowers: GOP Lawmakers

House Judiciary Republicans are asking a senior FBI official to testify in a transcribed interview, alleging the official has signed off on many adverse personnel actions against conservative agents, saying they were being targeted in a purge.

Their allegations concern Jennifer Leigh Moore, the executive assistant director of the FBIs human resources branch, according to a Sept. 29 letter from Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and Mike Johnson (R-La.). Jordan is the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.

This is beyond outrageous, the House Judiciary GOP wrote on Twitter.

The lawmakers said they found out how conservative agents were being targeted while investigating serious allegations of abuse and misconduct within the senior leadership of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During the course of this investigation, we have received protected whistleblower disclosures that the FBI is engaging in a purge of employees with conservative views by revoking their security clearances and indefinitely suspending these employees, the lawmakers wrote.

They added, Many of the formal notices for these adverse personnel actions have been signed by you, referring to Moore.

Whats more, the three lawmakers allege that Moore has retaliated against at least one whistleblower who has made protected disclosures to Congress.

Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) listens during a House Judiciary Committee mark up hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on June 2, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

That whistleblower shared information with the House Judiciary Committee about the Justice Departments decision last year to create a threat tag label, to track cases of parents who protested at school board meetings, Jordan said in an interview with Fox News.

Once a whistleblower makes a protected disclosure, an agency is prohibited from retaliating against the employee for that disclosure by taking or failing to take a personnel action, the lawmakers wrote. Your efforts to interfere with FBI employees who seek to expose the Bureaus misconduct by communicating directly with Congress cannot be condoned.

They added, As we informed [FBI] Director Christopher Wray, we take whistleblower retaliation seriously and we therefore require that you appear for a transcribed interview as soon as possible.

Moore is asked to schedule her transcribed interview by Oct. 4, according to the letter.

The FBI has denied wrongdoing in a statement to media outlets.

The FBI does not target or take adverse action against employees for exercising their First Amendment rights or for their political views; to allege otherwise is false and misleading, an FBI spokesperson said. The FBI is required to follow established policies and procedures, to include a thorough investigation, when suspending or revoking a security clearance.

The FBI takes very seriously its responsibility to FBI employees who may make protected disclosures under the whistleblower regulations, the spokesperson added. FBI employees who report evidence of wrongdoing through a protected disclosure are protected from retaliation.

FBI special agent Steve Friend in file images. (Courtesy of Steve Friend)

On Monday, FBI agent Steve Friend revealed in his whistleblower complaint how the FBI was violating policies over its handling of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol breach investigation.

I believed the investigations were inconsistent with FBI procedure and resulted in the violation of citizens Sixth and Eighth Amendment rights, he wrote in his complaint. He added that one of his concerns was how the FBI was using SWAT teams to arrest Jan. 6 suspects facing misdemeanor charges.

He also wrote that he was told that child sexual abuse material investigations were no longer an FBI priority and should be referred to local law enforcement officials.

Friend, who has refused to participate in future operations relating to the Jan. 6 probe, has had his security clearance suspended, and has been stripped of his credentials, firearms, and badge.
Federal Judge Orders HHS to Properly Reimburse Hospitals for Prescription Drugs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must immediately halt 30 percent reimbursement cuts to hospitals made under the 340B program aimed at helping poor patients, a federal judge ordered.

The ruling (pdf) in American Hospital Association v. Becerra, civil action 18-2084, was issued on Sept. 28 by Judge Rudolph Contreras, an Obama appointee on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Contreras is also presiding judge for the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Xavier Becerra is the HHS secretary.

Contreras turned down an HHS plan to hold off restoring the full reimbursement rates until Jan. 1, 2023. His order vacated the drug reimbursement rate for 340B hospitals in the 2022 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) Rule.

HHS should not be allowed to continue its unlawful 340B reimbursements for the remainder of the year just because it promises to fix the problem later, the judge wrote.

His ruling followed the Supreme Courts unanimous June 15 decision finding that HHS had overstepped its authority by unlawfully reducing prescription drug reimbursements to hospitals by $1.6 billion per year for the program in 2018 and 2019.

As Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the high court, federal Medicare law requires HHS to reimburse hospitals for some outpatient prescription drugs that the hospitals give to Medicare patients. These reimbursements total tens of billions of dollars every year.

HHS didnt calculate reimbursements properly and should have conducted a survey of the hospitals costs, the court held, as The Epoch Times reported.

For those 340B hospitals, this case has immense economic consequences, about $1.6 billion annually, Kavanaugh wrote. The question is whether the statute affords HHS discretion to vary the reimbursement rates for that one group of hospitals when, as here, HHS has not conducted the required survey of hospitals acquisition costs. The answer is no.

Maureen Testoni, president and CEO of 340B Health, a nonprofit organization of more than 1,400 hospitals and health systems participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program, was pleased with the ruling by Contreras.

This is an important victory for 340B hospitals that have been fighting these unlawful Medicare cuts for nearly six years, Testoni told trade publication Healthcare Finance News.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has the clear responsibility to restore the appropriate payments for 340B drugs immediately, and now a federal court has ordered it to do so without delay.
General view of an Optus store in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 22, 2022. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

Federal Police Launch Special Ops to Protect Victims of Largest Cyber Hack in Australian History

The Australian Federal Police will move to protect 10,000 customers whose valuable data was released online following the largest cybersecurity breach in the countrys history.

Operation Guardian is part of a series of efforts by law enforcement, business entities, and the government to deal with the data breach of telecommunications giant Optus, which affected up to 10 million customers.

The AFP, along with state and territory law enforcement, will focus on protecting 10,000 individuals whose 100 points of identification, including passport numbers, were released online by cyber actors.

The police will monitor online forums, the internet, and the dark web to check if criminal syndicates may try to exploit the data breach.

Australian law enforcement is aware of current criminal activity attempting to target and exploit impacted Optus customers that have been the subject of this data breach, said Justine Gough, the assistant commissioner of Cyber Command at the AFP.

Operation Guardian should send a clear warning to cybercriminals. The AFP, state and territory police plus other agencies through the JPC3 have a laser-like focus, plus a significant number of resources and legislative powers, to identify cybercrime targets.

Law enforcement has encouraged customers to look out for suspicious and unexpected activity across online accounts and not to click on any emails or SMS claiming to be from Optus.

David Lacey from IDCARE, a not-for-profit charity, said it was important to support victims.

If you believe you have experienced identity misuse, you can book a time in with an IDCARE Case Manager via their Get Help for Individuals online form at IDCARE.org, Lacey said.

IDCARE says it has received more than 10,000 requests for information from the public.

Meanwhile, Optus will also potentially face a class action filed by law firm Slater and Gordon on behalf of customers affected by the cyber attack.

This is potentially the most serious privacy breach in Australian history, both in terms of the number of people affected and the nature of the information disclosed, said class action senior associate Ben Zocco.

We consider that the consequences could be particularly serious for vulnerable members of society, such as domestic violence survivors, victims of stalking and other threatening behaviour, and people who are seeking or have previously sought asylum in Australia.

Nina Nguyen contributed to this article.
First responders with Orange County Fire Rescue use an inflatable boat to rescue a resident from a home in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 29, 2022. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo)

Florida Official Warns of Specific Kind of Predator Looking for Victims After Hurricane Ian

A top Florida official warned that scammers and con artists often try to take advantage of desperate people following major natural disasters and called on residents to be vigilant in the wake of Hurricane Ians destruction.

You have these predators that will come in, and they will go door-to-door canvassing neighborhoods that they see the damage and they will sign over their [insurance] claims to contractors or they will have unscrupulous public adjusters  that are going to damage your ability to get made whole any faster, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis told Newsmax Friday.

After natural disasters like Ian, bad actors show up in droves, Patronis warned. If you are a policyholder and suffered damge, call your agent, call your carrier, or call my office, he added.

This will be the best way to ensure that your claim is being handled properly, and my office, we love handling peoples claims, we do a great job at it, he continued.

Ian made landfall near Fort Meyers and Sanibel Island on Wednesday afternoon as a strong Category 4 storm and caused significant damage to southwestern Florida. Power outages are also ongoing, as a Friday afternoon update from Poweroutage.us shows more than 2 million customers remain without electricity.

Lee and Charlotte are basically off the grid at this point, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a recent news conference, adding that power restoration will take some time. Charlotte and Lee reconnects are really going to likely have to be rebuilding of that infrastructure.

In this aerial view, boats sit grounded in a woodland area and along the side of the road after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach in San Carlos Island, Florida, on Sept. 29, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Damage

Video footage shows the storm leveled entire neighborhoods in coastal Lee County. Parts of Fort Meyers Beach are impassible, officials said.

Fort Myers Beach is impassable. We hear you. We understand you have loved ones on the island. Please understand its not safe to drive onto the island. Bicycles cannot even make it through clear pathways. Well keep you updated on when its safe to travel on the island, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said on Friday afternoon.

The storm flooded areas on both of Floridas coasts, tore homes from their slabs, demolished beachfront businesses, and left more than 2 million people without power. At least 21 were reported dead in the statea number that is almost certain to increase as officials confirm more deaths and search for people.

National Hurricane Centers update at 11 a.m. Friday said that Hurricane Ian is about 60 miles southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Hurricane warnings were issued for the entirety of South Carolinas coast, parts of Georgias coast, and parts of North Carolinas coast.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) logo is pictured on a wall in New York on Dec. 5, 2013. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Former Missouri Charity Executives Plead Guilty in Widespread Fraud Case

Two former Missouri-based non-profit executives pleaded guilty Thursday to their roles in a multimillion-dollar public scheme that involved embezzlement and bribing Arkansas elected officials, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Bontiea Bernedette Goss, 63, and her husband, Tommy Ray Goss, 66, received favorable legislative and official actions in return for bribes and kickbacks they, and other co-conspirators, offered and paid to elected officials in Arkansas over many years.

Federal prosecutors said one of the schemes involved elected officials directing funds from the states General Improvement Fund to their charity, Preferred Family Healthcare Inc., which provided services to people in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

Their charity provided mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, employment assistance, medical services, and aid to people with developmental disabilities. The majority of the non-profits funding comes from federally appropriated fundsmostly via Medicaid reimbursement, the DOJ has said.

The couple must forfeit to the government up to $4.3 million under the terms of their respective plea agreements, as determined by the court at their sentencing, according to the DOJ.

Bontiea Goss pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay bribes and kickbacks to elected public officials in Arkansas, the DOJ said in a statement. Tom Goss pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy by embezzling funds from the charity, as well as by paying bribes and kickbacks to elected public officials in Arkansas.

Tom Goss also pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false tax return.

The pair face prison terms without parole. A federal district court judge will hand down their sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Bontiea Goss could go away for up to five years while her husband faces up to eight years in federal prison. It is unclear what consequences the elected officials involved in the scheme are facing.

Charity Pays $8 Million Back

The DOJ in May said the Gosses non-profit, Preferred Family Healthcare, was ordered to pay more than $8 million in forfeiture and restitution to the federal government and the state of Arkansas under the terms of a non-prosecution agreement that acknowledges the criminal conduct of its former officers and employees.

U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore for the Eastern District of Missouri said at the time that several former officers and employees were being prosecuted in separate criminal cases for their individual criminal conduct.

This non-prosecution agreement holds the charity itself responsible for their actions as agents of the charity, she said in a statement. Public tax dollars were stolen and misused in the course of this public corruption scheme, and through this agreement and these separate prosecutions, those dollars are being restored to the public coffers.

Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of IRS-Criminal Investigation said the employees and officials used the charity to redirect funds meant to help people to instead illegally line their own pockets through fraud and bribery.

The public should not suffer or be responsible for individuals who abuse their leadership positions out of greed for personal financial gain, said Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBIs Kansas City Field Office.

Elected Officials Entangled

At least three former Arkansas elected officials caught up in the scheme who pleaded guilty for their roles between 2018 and 2019 have not yet had sentencing hearings scheduled, the DOJ said in May.

Former Little Rock, Arkansas, state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson pleaded guilty in June 2019 to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery.

Hutchinson, who is the nephew of Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.), used to be a state senator and representative before he resigned after facing federal charges in more than one criminal misconduct case.

Eddie Wayne Cooper, who served three terms as a Democratic state representative from Melbourne, Arkansas, pleaded guilty in February 2018 to conspiracy to embezzle more than $4 million from the non-profit.

He waived his right to a grand jury and admitted to receiving at least $387,501 from a lobbying firm and at least $63,000 in kickbacks as a result of his participation in the conspiracy.

Cooper was a state lawmaker from 2006 until he became a lobbyist in January 2011. He took a full-time position as regional director for Preferred Family Healthcare in 2009 and served on its board of directors until 2015 while working as a lobbyist.

Former lawmaker Hank Wilkins IV also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and devising a scheme and artifice to defraud and deprive the citizens of the state of Arkansas of their right to honest services.

According to court documents, the conspirators engaged in multiple schemes to unlawfully use the charitys funds to make political contributions, for excessive and unreported lobbying and political advocacy, and to unjustly enrich themselves, the DOJ said.
Even though the United States has a retirement system, it is not perfect. Compared with the retirement systems in other developed nations, it has become apparent that there are flaws in Americas systemchiefly because not everyone has access to a secure financial future.

1) Have a Retirement Plan

The biggest retirement system flaw, says Yahoo.News, is that most workplaces do not have a retirement system available for their employees. There are no 401(k)s, IRAs, or other plans available for them to save for retirement.

The result is that about 57 million people in the private sector are without a retirement plan in 2020, says a report by the Center for Retirement Initiatives, which is out of Georgetown University. According to that report, about 67.3 million have access to workplace-sponsored retirement plans, leaving 46 percent without one.

Another big problem with the retirement system is that too many retirees run out of money. They do not save enough to cover their expenses for the long haul. Many people are looking for early retirementnot realizing whether or not they have enough.

A report from Yale helps put this in perspective. In 2010, Yale said that most Americans (75 percent) getting close to retirement age had $30,000 saved in retirement accounts. While that may sound like a decent sum at first, when broken down over a 20-year retirement, it means only $4 per day (or, $120 per month). It is even less if people live another 25 or more years after retiring.

2) Start Saving Now

In order to ensure that you have enough money to retire comfortably, you need to start saving money as soon as possible. The power of compounding interest enables your money to multiply considerably more when you give it more years. It is just as important to put your money in the right places to protect it.

If your employer offers matching contributions in a retirement account, take advantage of them and contribute at least as much each year. Add more if possible. It is not too late to start if you have not made contributions yet.

3) Wait Longer for Social Security Benefits

One solution to not having enough is to wait longer before you retire. You get the maximum Social Security benefit if you wait until 70 to start getting payments. Payments increase by 8 percent each year after 62 if you wait; they stop growing at 70. Remember that the more you get from Social Security, the less you need from other sources. In your planning, keep in mind that payments from Social Security could be reduced to 80 percent in 2035.

Another solution to help ensure you do not run out of money too soon is to keep working past 70, or as long as possible. Consider the time waiting until you can get full benefits as an investment in your future and a way to ensure enough money will be available.

4) Open a Health Savings Account

The average 65-year-old couple will pay $315,000 during retirement for medical expenses. It is apt to be your biggest expense during your retirement years. Unfortunately, medical costs continue to rise.

One solution, for some people, is to open a health savings account (HSA). These are not for everyone because they require a high-deductible health insurance policy to go with it. The premiums are lower than standard health plans because of the high deductible.

Your contributions to an HSA are pretax, which will lower your taxes. You can contribute $3,650 as an individual and $7,300 for a family. The money earns interest tax-free. Money used for medical purposes is tax-free and can be used any time. At 65, you can withdraw money for any purpose, and it will still be tax-free. There is a penalty for money used for nonmedical purposes before 65.

An HSA works best if you can pay for your health costs out-of-pocket. When used this way, it enables you to build a bigger nest egg that is tax-free. BlueCrossMN says that if you maintain a balance of $1,000, you can invest it and earn money faster.

Some Further Thoughts

Taxes on Retirement Money

Some retirement accounts are subject to taxes when withdrawing the money. It happens because the money is put into those accounts pretax, before paying any taxes. You will pay taxes when withdrawing money from a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), a simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA, and a traditional 401(k). Taxes are often less for most people during their retirement years because they have a lower tax bracket.

If you want to eliminate taxes on your retirement income to ensure you have more money, you may be able to contribute to a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k). Contributions to these accounts are aftertax, which enables you to make tax-free withdrawals during retirement. A Roth IRA has the advantage of not having any required minimum distributions (RMDs).

If you are self-employed and do not have access to a retirement plan through an employer, you can open a SEP IRA account. Investopedia says that these accounts can be opened by an employer or by someone that is self-employed. The contribution limits are much higher for a SEP IRA than for a traditional IRA. You can contribute the smaller amount of either $61,000 (for 2022) or 25 percent of your compensation.

Protecting Your Retirement Accounts

IRAs and 401(k)s are subject to stock market fluctuations because they invest heavily in it. As a result, you can lose some or possibly all of your investment money in these accounts.

You can help protect your retirement money, says AnnuityExpertAdvice, by diversifying. While not new advice, understand that it means you should not put all your retirement money in one place. Annuities typically do not lose any money in a stock market crashbut they may not gain either. The exceptions for loss are a variable annuity or a registered index-linked annuity.

Fool.com mentions that you can prevent loss to your retirement funds by reducing your investment in the stock market. They recommend following the advice of subtracting your age from 110. The result gives you the percentage of investment you should have in stocksand put the rest in more stable products such as bonds.

Talk to a financial advisor to learn the best ways to save money for retirement and find out if you have enough. They can help you determine the best places to put your money and help you diversify them for the most protection. Check around for the best prices for services before you door you may lose more money than necessary.

The Epoch Times Copyright  2022 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
Gays Against Groomers has been praised for taking a stand against the use of gay culture to sexualize children. (Courtesy of Jaimee Michell)

Gays Against Groomers Takes Aim at Radical LGBT Agenda

Gays Against Groomers, a newly-formed national organization with 100,000 followers already, recently went toe to toe with a gay rights organization over protests it held against what they call a radically-left agenda to turn straight kids gay and normalize pedophilia.

The conflict started when the nonprofit group, which has formed 40 chapters in the United States since its inception in June, staged protests against LGBT banners installed by Castro Valley Pride at schools that make up the Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) in California.

Austin Bruckner, president of Castro Valley Pride, told The Epoch Times that he considers GAG a sad group made of self-hating homophobes.

I fully support anyones right to speak out and engage in the process, but I cant imagine the trauma that someone from the LGBT must have suffered to become a part of this group, said Bruckner.

Jaimee Michell is the founder of Gays Against Groomers. (Courtesy of Jaimee Michell)

He speculated that GAG members didnt have the kind of support that his group is showing gay children.

I think everyone has had a negative coming-out experience which if they had a more supportive environment like these murals provide, it would not have been so traumatizing, he added.

Jaimee Michell, founder of GAG, told The Epoch Times that Bruckners comments are reflective of the grooming process of children by the radical left LGBT movement.

Go along with us and you will be loved and accepted, she said.

Michell, a lesbian who said shes never experienced trauma from being gay, formed her group out of concern that the promotion of things like drag queen events at schools, gender ideology in the classroom, and sex changes for kids had become representative of the entire gay community.

GAG is especially focused on what members see as a growing number of parents using their own kids to join in the radicalism.

Michel likened it to Munchausen Syndrome by proxy, a well-known form of mental illness involving a parent exposing their children to harm in order to get attention.

The American Psychiatric Association lists Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy as a severe form of child abuse.

We call it trans-hausen syndrome by proxy, she said, only we now have parents using things like puberty blockers to make their kids sick in order to get attention.

Michell said based on her observations, trans-hausen syndrome by proxy is especially prevalent among white, progressive mothers looking to score woke points.

Frank Rodriguez, a GAG chapter leader in California, told The Epoch Times, he also believes a radicalized LGBT agenda is being used to normalize pedophilia.

Promoting inappropriate subjects and material like hard core gay pornographic books to kids, he said, is all being done under the guise of diversity.

Its not going to be long until you see P added to the LGBT acronym, said Rodriguez.

GAG has certainly ignited an unprecedented divide within the gay community. It has also created some unusual unions.

The conservative parental rights group Bay Area Against Mandates stood alongside GAG in protesting the LGBT school murals earlier this month.

Together they held signs with such slogans as Education Not Indoctrination and Stop Sexualizing Children.

Jackie Sarita, a Christian and founder of the group, told The Epoch Times, that if anything, people should view GAG as heroes for taking a stand against the use of gay culture to sexualize children.

Gays Against Groomers are in the best position than any of us to show that being gay is being used as a front to groom children, she said.

Bruckner called both groups dangerous, noting that gay children already suffer from severe depression and suicidal thoughts for not feeling accepted and normal.

In addition to LGBT murals at schools, both groups are also against transgender closets, gender-neutral pronouns, and safe spacesall of which, says Michell, are used to invent gay children.

GAG also recently shared another commonality with parental rights groupthey recently had its PayPal and Venmo accounts suspended for engaging in what the companies called discriminatory practices.
The logo of Gilead Sciences Inc. pharmaceutical company in Oceanside, Calif., on April 29, 2020. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Gilead Widens Battle Against Alleged Counterfeit HIV Drug Ring

A federal judge in New York has frozen the assets of dozens of people and entities accused of operating a massive nationwide scheme to distribute counterfeit bottles of Gilead Sciences Inc. HIV drugs, including two alleged kingpins.

Gilead, which has been pursuing alleged counterfeiters in a civil lawsuit since last year, said in a court filing unsealed on Wednesday it had uncovered an operation that was staggering in scope, responsible for sales of hundreds of millions of dollars of counterfeit bottles of its top sellers Descovy, Genvoya, and Biktarvy, and other medicines.

U.S. District Judge Ann Donnellys latest asset freeze order, also unsealed on Wednesday, targets more than 50 defendants newly added to Gileads lawsuit.

Many counterfeit bottles contain antiviral pills manufactured by Gilead but illegally bought off the street and repackaged, while some have been found to contain other, potentially dangerous drugs, including the powerful antipsychotic Seroquel, Gilead has said.

HIV drugs accounted for $7.6 billion of Gileads $12.6 billion revenue in the first half of the year. The company in January warned that more than $250 million of counterfeit drugs had been sold over the last two years, and said it had identified more than 85,000 bottles that were fake or tampered with.

The newly added defendants include alleged kingpins Lazaro Roberto Hernandez, who was arrested on drug counterfeiting and money laundering charges in June as part of a related federal investigation and remains under house arrest, and Armando Herrera, who lives in Florida.

Gileads ongoing investigation revealed that these two kingpins directed the initial sale of the counterfeits through suppliers created solely to sell counterfeit medications, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

Gilead said it had identified the two men, who took elaborate steps to conceal their identities, by matching approximate locations of their disposable burner cell phones with flight records.

The Foster City, California-based company first announced it was pursuing counterfeiters in August 2021, shortly after filing its lawsuit.

In addition to the alleged kingpins, the case now includes alleged mid-level leaders and a complex web of shell companies, distributors, and pharmacies.

It also involves so-called collectors, who pay cash on the street for the bottles used in the scheme, often acquiring them from people who are homeless or suffering from drug addiction, Gilead said.

By Brendan Pierson
Logos of the Big Tech giants are displayed on a tablet, on Oct. 1, 2019. (Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images)

House Passes Bill Aiming to Counter Dominance of Big Tech

The House on Thursday passed a package of bipartisan antitrust bills that target big technology companies and bring in more funds to federal regulators.

The Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act will update fees for the first time in two decades. The State Antitrust Enforcement Act will grant state officials the same deference as antitrust officials from the federal government with regard to where such cases will be heard. The Foreign Merger Subsidy Disclosure Act will make it mandatory for firms seeking merger approvals to disclose subsidies they receive from foreign nations that are deemed to pose economic or strategic risks to the United States.

The bill package was passed by a vote of 242184. Before the vote, Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) accused multibillion-dollar corporations of having grown into behemoths and eliminating any real competition in their industries, according to AP. Such companies are using market dominance to hurt customers and small businesses, she stated.

In reference to Facebook and Instagrams parent company, Trahan said, Metas monopoly power has enabled it to harm women, children, and people of all ages without recourse. Amazon has used its dominance to copy competitors products and run small businesses into the ground.

Those who support the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act praise it as a way for ensuring more funds for anti-monopoly regulators who are said to be underfunded.

Large companies looking for mergers and acquisitions will now have to pay higher fees to get government approval. For companies that seek smaller mergers, they have to pay lower fees.

The State Antitrust Enforcement Act will give greater freedom to state officials in deciding where they fight so-called Big Tech.

If the bill had been in effect, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton may have been able to keep his antitrust lawsuit against Google in Texas. The case is now being heard in New York.

Criticism, Radical Proponents

Though the bill has support from certain Republicans, many GOP members have opposed it. Before the Thursday vote, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) railed against the bill for giving more funds to what he claimed was a corrupt Department of Justice (DoJ).

This bill would actually give $140 million to the DoJ so they can work and continue what theyre already doing: work with Big Tech to censor certain information from getting to we the people, Jordan said, according to the New York Post.

In a tweet on Sept. 27, the House Judiciary GOP claimed that Democrats want to set aside more money for the DoJ and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to target conservatives.

Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) called Lina Khan, the head of the FTC, a radical leftist who is seeking to replace the decisions of customers with her own, according to AP.

At an event sponsored by the heterodox Law and Political Economy Project in July, Khan had called the free market a product of metaphysical forces and lamented that the government did not play enough role in shaping markets and economic outcomes, according to Breitbart.

The bill has the support of many Democrats in the Senate. On the Republican side, Senators Tom Cotton from Arkansas, Mike Lee from Utah, and Chuck Grassley from Iowa have announced their support for the bill.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 31, 2022. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Signs Temporary Budget Into Law, Averting Government Shutdown

Legislation provides more than $12.3 billion in Ukraine-related aid

President Joe Biden on Sept. 30 signed into law a continuing resolution (CR), likely averting the nation from a government shutdown with just hours to spare.

The legislation passed the House of Representatives earlier in the day by a mostly party-line vote of 230201, but with the support of 10 Republicans. The evening before, the Senate approved the temporary budget by a bipartisan vote of 7225.

The CR, which maintains current spending levels through Dec. 16, also provides more than $12.3 billion in additional U.S. aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The funding measure adds $1 billion more for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and $2 billion in emergency disaster aid assistance. There are also provisions making $2.5 billion available in compensation for victims of a devastating New Mexico wildfire, $20 million to deal with the Jackson, Mississippi, municipal water system crisis, and $112 million for enhanced security at federal courthouses.

The CR would add $19 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) coffers in the wake of severe hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and Florida. Hurricane Ian is also expected to cause additional flooding in the Carolinas and Virginia as it heads up the Atlantic Coast after pummeling Florida.

Because the CR only keeps the government open until Dec. 16, the current Congress will return after the Nov. 8 election for a lame duck session that will be dominated by debate over an omnibus spending bill to complete the 2023 federal budget.

The omnibus measure will provide Democrats of the 117th Congress their last opportunity to set federal spending levels for 2023 and thereafter. The 118th Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2023.

Passed Over GOP Opposition

The measure passed the lower chamber against strong GOP opposition.

For weeks, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has led a behind-the-scenes effort to oppose any CR put forward by Democrats that would expire before Jan. 3. Such a CR, Republicans warned, would allow Democrats to continue to fund President Joe Bidens failed agenda over the wishes of a potential GOP House majority.

Any spending that expires before [Jan. 3] would allow Dems to tie Republicans hands next congress, explained Roy in a statement on Twitter. Voters will have fired Speaker Pelosi, but she could still decide all government funding for FY2023.

In a memo (pdf) to members of the Republican Study Committee, chairman Jim Banks (R-Ind.) echoed Roy, writing that the sun is setting on House Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) speakership.

At the time, Banks warned that Pelosi was hoping for a last hurrah by hijacking the CR with provisions that would not be supported by Republicans.

Because the CR passed with a Dec. 16 deadline, Democrats will indeed have one last chance to set budgetary levels for next year, but Republicans are likely to oppose any of Democrats most ambitious appropriationsparticularly if the party takes back the lower chamber in November.

Because Republicans are currently in the minority in the lower chamber, there is little they could have done to counter a CR that makes wide-reaching changes to spending levels or ends before Jan. 3.

Still, Republicans in the Senate could be a headache for Democrats come December.

In an op-ed for Fox News, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) demanded a clean CR without extra baggage and called for Republicans to stand resilient against any efforts to include broad new spending.

Its time for Republicans to stand united and demand that Congress pass a clean continuing resolution (CR) that simply maintains current federal spending levelsand not a penny moreuntil a new Congress begins, they wrote.

The CR passed on Sept. 30 came to fruition after some negotiation between Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Braun had put forward an amendment offering a balanced budget as part of the CR. Braun later let the vote go ahead in the Senate after Schumer granted him 10 minutes of floor time to pitch the proposal.

Braun told reporters that Republicans have to be for something that we stand for, and we got to all be willing to pay for it without borrowing from future generations, which were currently doing.

But if Democrats try to reach too far with the next CR, it could be harder for Democrats to overcome Senate GOP objections, which could tank any effort Democrats put forward.

Mark Tapscott contributed to this report.

Update: This article has been updated with the latest details.
Spanish soldiers and Guardia Civil members patrol the border fence of the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, on May 18, 2021, while hundreds of African migrants seeking to breech the border stand on the other side, in Morocco. (Antonio Sempere/AFP via Getty Images)

How Civilizations Will Be Decided

Originally published by Gatestone Institute

Commentary

Fewer babies will be born in all of Europe than in Nigeria alone.

In Europe, at the rate at which things are going, the population will have halved before 2070, with the continent at risk of losing 400 million inhabitants by 2100, noted James Pomeroy, an economist at Chinas HSBC bank.

The growth of the world population has already reached its lowest rate since 1950 and Europes population will continue to contract until the end of the century, noted the Financial Times, citing the United Nations World Population Prospects report.

A collateral question is: where?

In the next four minutes 1,000 children will be born: 172 in India, 103 in China, 57 in Nigeria, 47 in Pakistanbut in all of Europe, only 52.

India, next year, is expected to overtake China as the worlds most populous country. India will also be 20 percent Muslim as well as the worlds largest Islamic community. How will this demographic trend impact the fragile coexistence between Muslims and Hindus?

In 2021, Europes population shrank by 1.4 million, the largest decline on any continent since 1950, when these rates were first recorded. Two-thirds of the worlds people live in a country where the fertility rate is below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman. Chinas population is projected to decline by 6 million per year in the mid-2040s and by 12 million per year by the end of the 2050s, the largest slump ever recorded in a countrys history. Chinas population will halve over the next 45 years and it will become a very old country: its GDP will contract as never before and society will have to manage an aging population it never before encountered.

Japans unprecedented aging is having a frightening impact on its military. Since 1994, the number of young people between 18 and 26the age for recruitmenthas been dwindling. Between 1994 and 2015, there was a fall off of 11 million, or 40 percent. Japan no longer has people to wage war, wrote Forbes. For the first time, the Japanese bought more diapers for adults than for babies. The same holds true for South Korea. The decline in births in South Korea has become a challenge to national security, the Wall Street Journal reported in 2019.

[F]ewer young people are around for military service. That is why Seoul officials said that South Koreas army will shrink to half a million, from the current total of 600,000 by 2022.

Taiwan has long lived with the terrifying prospect of an invasion of China, but one of the biggest threats to its security lies from within: the lowest birth rates in the world, noted the Telegraph. Taiwan today claims the lowest birth rate in the world; by 2050 it will have just 20 million inhabitants, the average age rising to 57, from 39 today. Taiwan might be so irrelevant that perhaps China will not even have to invade it.

The same downturn is expected in Italy, where the population will reportedly halve in 50 years. This year in Italy, 121,000 fewer students will enter school than last year, and 2,300 classes will disappear. Last year, there were 100,000 fewer students and 196 schools were closed. The previous year, 177 schools were shuttered, and 124 the year before that. Every year Italy loses 12 percent of its pupils. From 7.4 million students (latest available data: 2021), the number will supposedly drop by 2034 to 6 million in waves of 110120,000 fewer students each year. During the last eight years, according to data published by the ministry, 1,301 schools have shut, representing 13.3 percent of the 9,769 schools that are still active.

This crisis is not a projection, it is happening right now. By 2050, 60 percent of Italians will have no brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, or aunts. The Italian family, with the father who pours the wine and the mother who serves the pasta to a table of grandparents, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, will be gone, as extinct as dinosaurs.

Yemen, on the other hand, a failed country in the middle of a terrible civil war, will show a population increase that is double Italys.

In the north-central African Sahel region, the population is expected to reach 330 million, seven times its population of 2000. Egypt will reach 190 million. Algeria will go from the current 42 to 72 million (most of whom will likely head for Europe). Morocco will grow from 36 million to 43 million.

So, the old Europe will find itself facing a North Africa of 318 million inhabitants, not counting those residing beneath the immense sub-Saharan plateau. In France today, 29.6 percent of the population aged 04 is of non-European origin, compared to 17.1 percent percent aged 1824. Non-Europeans are also 18.8 percent in those aged 4044; 7.6 percent aged 6064, and 3.1 percent for those over 80, according to the national statistics institute, Insee. The institute also recently examined the last three generations in France: 16.2 percent of all children between the ages of 04 are children or grandchildren of North African origin; 7.3 percent are from the rest of Africa, and 4 percent are from Asia.

George Soros Open Society Foundation, which provides financial support for immigration to Western countries, disclosed as early as 2011 that in Marseille, the second-largest city in France, between 30 and 40 percent of the population is Muslim. It is not difficult to assume that by now, the symbolic threshold of 50 percent has already been exceeded, even if there are not yet official reports. The monthly Causeur bluntly states: Well over 50 per cent of the Marseille population is North African and black African.

Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish exclaves on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, form the only land border between the European Union and Africa. In Ceuta, two parallel fences, six meters high and topped with razor wire, run for eight kilometers along the border with Morocco. In Melilla, similar fences run 12 kilometers along the border. Nets, cameras, noise and motion sensors, spotlights, and surveillance posts help to monitor it. Every year, tens of thousands of migrants, hundreds at a time, try to cross the barriers of Ceuta and Melilla. According to the Spanish newspaper El Pais:

In 1887 there was only one Muslim registered in Melilla, he was originally from Casablanca and worked as a servant; today Muslims exceed 40 percent of the population and are approaching the majority.

We are a first observatory of what is happening in other cities of Europe, said Jesus Vivas, president of the Ceuta Assembly. A local newspaper reported:

Only in Ceuta, between April 1960 and today, 49 per cent of the population is Muslim, even if the real figure is significantly higher. Miracle? No, the incompetence and stupidity of the stormy nationalization process started between 1985 and 1990.

Ceuta and Melilla are what most of Europes cities will look like in 2030 years. Melilla is now the first Spanish city that has surpassed a 50 percent Muslim population due to immigration, family reunification, and a high birth rate.

This expansion was foreseen by Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the former U.N. secretary general, an Egyptian Copt who, on May 22, 2007, outlined his view of the future of Europe:

The unprecedented collapse of the population of Europe and its accelerated aging contrast with the still very rapid population increase in the southern and eastern Mediterranean. This will result in very acute imbalances!  Immigration without precaution risks imploding Western societies at the cost of very serious problems (culture shock, neo-colonial structures, unemployment, etc.).

Pakistan will become a young cauldron of 403 million people, almost the same as the population of the entire European Union (448 million); and its youth will go to the stans that will have been created around Europe. Afghanistan, one of the largest geopolitical black holes after the U.S. withdrawal last summer, will double its population to 64 million.

What will Poland build to keep out the mass of people who will press on the external borders of the EU? Eastern Europe will collapse in a terrifying picture. Romania will lose 22 percent of its population, followed by Moldova (20 percent), Lithuania (17 percent), Croatia (16 percent), and Hungary (16 percent). Le Monde cries that today Central and Eastern Europe are confronted with the anguish of disappearance. The U.N.s figures are impressive:

Bulgaria, which went from 9 million inhabitants in the 1990s to 6.8 million in 2022, could have only 5.2 million in 2050. Serbia had 8 million inhabitants in collapse [sic] of the iron curtain. It currently has 7.2 million and could drop to 5.8 million in thirty years. Over the same period, the population of Lithuania could plummet from 3.8 million to 2.2 million, that of Latvia from 2.7 million to 1.4 million.

Germany as we know it is, according to Die Zeit , disappearing: 22 million people, or more than a quarter of the population, are from another country or have parents born outside Germany. Germany is poised to become a country of legal immigration after it has long been a de facto onebut with major political and legislative breakthroughs, according to Neue Zurcher Zeitung. Christian Doleschal of the CSU denounced the open immigration plan of the German government: This will destroy Europe in the long term, he warned.

The celebrated German writer Uwe Tellkamp also criticized his countrys immigration policy. While respecting other cultures, I would still like to preserve mine. I do not want to be like Frankfurt, he told the Suddeutsche Zeitung , referring to the German city where the majority of the population is no longer native German. In Frankfurt, the first German city where Germans became a minority, 15 percent of the population is of Turkish origin.

The Western world has provided more wealth and convenience to more citizens than any other civilization in history. We are practically inundated with resources, but we are running out of people, the only truly indispensable resource.

Russia is the most obvious example: it is the largest country on earth, it is full of natural resources, yet it is dying: its population is declining disastrously. Vladimir Putin will no longer be Russias president when his country will have lost approximately 15 million inhabitants, and a third to a half of those remaining will be Muslims.

Is Russia afraid of disappearing? was the question asked in the weekly Le Point by Bruno Tertrais, the scholar author of the book Le choc demographique and vice-president of the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris. Behind the conflict over Ukraine loom Russian demographic anxieties about the increase in Muslim immigration.

Kamil Galeev, a researcher at the Washington, D.C.-based Wilson Center, recently posted a map of Russia:

Lets talk about Russian demographics. As you can see, vast spaces in Siberia and European Russia are depopulating. There are two factors behind it. First, low fertility. The only places with natural growth are the Muslim areas 

The official Russian news outlet, Pravda, posed the same question: Islam to become Russias predominant religion by 2050?

Janis Garisons, Latvias defense secretary, just offered Politico among potential scenarios after Putins eventual fall, an internal war  the disintegration and fragmentation of Russia, with pockets controlled by militias and warlords.

In that eventuality, Islam will have a unique opportunity to fulfill its dream of a caliphate by creating an unbroken chain of Muslim entities from Pakistan and Afghanistan to the North Caucasus and the Volga. In the worst-case scenario, the situation could get out of control. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, weapons of mass destruction began to spread around the world, posing a threat to human existence itself. Nobody knows what will happen if Russian missiles and high-tech weapons fall into the hands of the caliphs or emirs of the new Islamic Russian states.

By 2050, more than half the increase of the global population projected will be concentrated in just eight countries, mostly in Africa, according to The Economist: Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, and Tanzania. Nigeria will have more inhabitants than Europe and the United States.

In addition, Islam will have overtaken Christianity as the largest religion in the world. The Islamic population of the European Union, depending on the migratory flows, could reach 75 million within a generationlike an entire Muslim Germany or, if one prefers, like Denmark, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, and Sweden combined. Does that sound better?

They have not managed to change us. It is we who will change them, Norwegian imam Mullah Krekar told the newspaper Dagbladet.

Look at the development of the population in Europe, where the number of Muslims increases like mosquitoes. Each Western woman in the E.U. produces, on average, 1.4 children. Each Muslim woman in these same countries produces 3.5 children. By 2050, 30 percent of the European population will be Muslim . Our way of thinking in Islam stands in opposition to the Western way of thinking. Today it is our way of thinking that comes in and shows itself stronger than theirs 

Already today, Islam is the leading religion in Brussels.

Algerian author Boualem Sansal recently said on French radio:

France has made deals with Islamists: in France there were once 10 mosques, today there are 3,000 and Arabia and Qatar finance the Islamization of suburbs. The French government has been overwhelmed.

Islam is a growing social force in Britains second city, headlined The Economist, referring to Englands second-largest city after London, Birmingham, where the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer. A small portrait of a conquered city:

In the citys 200 mosques, Muslims come not only to pray, but also to buy books, receive instructions, marry, divorce and bury their dead. Every year hundreds of people approach its sharia council, which administers family law.

When Birminghams annual Eid Festival began in 2012, it was attended by 20,000 worshipers. In 2014 there were 40,000. In 2015, 70,000. In 2016, 90,000. In 2017, 100,000. In 2018, 140,000. Then COVID stopped all large gatherings. Now they are resuming.

The population of Birmingham will soon be half Muslim. Muslims in Birmingham in 2018 amounted to 27 per cent of the population, noted the Birmingham Mail. The number of Muslims increased from 21 percent in 2011. Business Live revealed that the number of Muslim children in the city has surpassed the number of Christian children:

In addition to Birmingham, Islam is now the dominant religion among children in Leicester, Bradford, Luton, Slough and the London boroughs of Newham, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets.

The recent clashes between Muslims and Hindus in Leicester have now moved to other British cities, including Birmingham, where a Hindu temple was attacked with the cry of Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest). Sectarian and religious hatred can spread all over England. The clashes between Muslims and Hindus at the birth of India and at the partition with Pakistan have now reached the multicultural enclaves of Europe.

According to Hungarian journalist Karoly Loran in the newspaper Magyar Hirlap:

[T]he United Nations estimates that world population will reach a peak of 11 billion people in 2100, three billion more than today. The increase will come from the sub-Saharan region. The Asian population will change little. The population of North America will grow by 120 million and that of the European Union will decrease by 60 million, due to Poland, Germany, Italy and Spain. If we fail to change the birthrate of 1.5 that characterizes the European Union and the current immigration of 1 million people per year remains, by the end of the century the share of the Muslim population will reach 40 percent on average. Some Western European countries will already have a Muslim majority. If we want to replace the declining population with immigrants, we will need 1.5 million immigrants a year and, by the end of the century, 60 per cent of the population of the European Union will be Muslim.

Do we fantasize that immigration at this rate will be able to integrate happily into host societies and that the migrants will become like us? Do we hope that before long, Europeans will return to having more children? What if we are wrong and these projections become reality? Are we resigned to the disappearance of our civilization?

In 1996, Samuel Huntington wrote in The Clash of Civilizations:

The balance of power between the various civilizations is changing: the influence of the West is decreasing; Asian civilizations increase their economic, military and political strength; the Islamic world is experiencing a demographic explosion with destabilizing consequences for Muslim countries and their neighbors; non-Western civilizations in general reaffirm the value of their own cultures.

What do you leave behind?, asked Britains Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Its the demographics, stupid.

Great demographics, great power, Nicholas Eberstadt, the American political economist summed up in Foreign Affairs. Crumbling demographics, crumbling powers.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
How Rick Caruso Can Become the Next Mayor of Los Angeles

Commentary

If I could have a thousand lives, I could live them all in Los Angeles, and never tire of this beautiful city. There arent enough words in the English language to describe greater Los Angelesthe way the sunlight reflects off the ocean, bounces off high mountains to the east, and dances in the haze; the endless urban plain broken up by rolling hills in unlikely places; boulevards that are fifty miles long, traversing countless neighborhoods, each with its own style and tradition; the people, millions of people, coming from every corner of the world, all of them with dreams that are nurtured in the mellow Southern California sun.

That poor attempt to describe the magic of Los Angeles doesnt begin to do it justice. I could go on, but others have offered homage to this wonderful and unique city with far more eloquence than Ill ever manage. Others have also done a better job than I ever could of describing the crisis facing Los Angeles today. Joel Kotkin, a writer of extraordinary depth, earned through a lifetime of research into urbanization and demographics, recently published in Spike Magazine an essay entitled The Fall of Los Angeles. Kotkin paints a grim and comprehensive portrait of just how bad things are getting in what still remains the most interesting city on Earth.

What Kotkin describes so well needs only a brief summary. An epidemic of crime and homelessness. Failing public schools. Unaffordable housing. Business flight. Precarious access to overpriced energy and water. And a city counciland county board of supervisorscontrolled by public employee unions.

Los Angeles Democratic Mayoral candidate Rick Caruso hosts a primary night event in Los Angeles on June 7, 2022. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Now two candidates are vying to become the next mayor of this magnificent but troubled city. At first glance, they couldnt be more different. Republican Rick Caruso, a wealthy real estate developer, versus Democrat Karen Bass, a career politician. But first impressions can be deceiving.

Karen Basss campaign website is predictable enough. To address homelessness, Bass intends to enlarge programs that have cost billions and only made the problem worse. She does not repudiate the folly of the housing first doctrine, which calls for permanent supportive housing to be granted with no behavioral conditions and before investing in drug treatment or job training.

A Mayor Bass would be a disaster. For every policy highlighted on her campaign website, Bass adheres to failed progressive mantras. She questions zero dollar bail but doesnt commit to stopping it. She deplores property crime but proposes to set up a fund to reimburse victims, instead of changing the laws that have effectively decriminalized theft. She calls for more investigation of hate crimes and racial profiling, but nowhere acknowledges that crime rates fall when criminals know that if theyre caught theyll go to jail.

Bass devotes a lot of verbiage to helping businesses and creating jobs, but almost everything she comes up with involves more government agencies, commissions, grants, and subsidies. At one point she does claim she will reduce excessive regulations, but even if she means it, whatever good some deregulation might accomplish is completely overshadowed by her plans to protect the climate.

Who does Bass think are going to pay for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, subsidize EV purchases, electrify all bus fleets owned either by the city, Metro, or LAUSD? Who is going to pay to retrofit every home and apartment to reach zero emissions, or achieve 100 percent zero emissions for all Port operations by 2030? How is it going to help commuters and delivery vehicles by expanding protected bike lanes and open streets in order to encourage shifts in modes of mobility beyond the use of cars?

Karen Bass is determined to outdo the competition to become the greenest politician of them all. In California, she has a lot of competition. On that note, under Landscape and Land Use Transformation, she wants to make water-sucking grass a thing of the past. Never mind the cooling, humidifying, recreational benefits of lawns, or that when lawns die, trees die. Reality check: almost nobody still waters trees growing on lawn they stopped watering. So never mind the inevitable dead tree uglification of an entire city, or the heat island effect of dead lawns and dead trees.

Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) speaks at her primary night event in Hollywood, Calif., on June 7, 2022. (Kaelin Mendez/Getty Images)

It is useful to reiterate that the whole green movement is often brown, and that abundant water ought to be the goal of every Los Angeles mayor, instead of calling anyone who wants to keep the city green a water waster. But to stay on topic, where is Rick Caruso on all these issues?

The problem with Rick Caruso is so obvious that when he loses decisively, he may in hindsight grasp the breathtaking negligence of his expensive political consultants. Rick Caruso has been portrayed as a gracious, moderate, not quite so progressive alternative to Karen Bass. And guess what? Nobody cares. Bass will outspend you. Bass has armies of public sector volunteers. Youre badly outgunned, despite your wealth. So swing for the fences, or go home.

For example, Los Angeles doesnt need a mayoral alternative who promises to impose a per unit cost limit of $350,000 on new housing for the unhoused. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, in 2022 there are at least 69,000 homeless people in the county. At $350,000 per unit, thats $21 billion dollars. Stop it. Thats not a plan. Its a bad joke.

Rick Caruso needs to stop trying to appease progressives, because progressive ideology is so riven with contradictory imperatives they dont know what they actually believe or really want. He needs to start talking to the gritty Angelenos who still have to work and live among the lawlessness and filth that has been created by the current policies. Heres what Rick Caruso should be saying:

We will get every homeless person off the street immediately and move them to inexpensive sites within the city limits or in the region. They will be screened so criminals, substance abusers, and the mentally ill are assigned to three separate locations. Those who do not have these afflictions will be given access to our already substantial shelter network.

I expect that once this policy is implemented, most of the criminals and substance abusers will either find shelter on their own with friends or family, or they will leave the county. I will divert existing funds to accomplish this and expect there will be plenty of money left over to provide counseling, drug treatment, and job training.

I will work with the Bureau of Prisons to process those convicted of minor crimes and recovering addicts into minimum security work camps where they can contribute to conservation programs, wildfire prevention, and other activities that will allow them to recover their dignity and also benefit society.

People walk in Skid Row in Los Angeles on Sept. 28, 2019. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Similar pronouncements from Rick Caruso would galvanize voters to support him, because they would know that finally, after so many years, the person about to become mayor is not a feckless, self-serving coward. Here are some soundbites that could get Rick Caruso elected:

I will use the full resources of the city attorneys office to challenge in court every law that prevents us from prosecuting criminals and eliminate vagrancy.

I am going to do everything in my power to support responsible prosecutors and marginalize the ability of others, such as Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, to do further damage to our great city.

We arent going to kill good jobs by shutting down our oil wells or our oil refineries because were not hypocrites who turn around and pay Venezuelan murderers to supply us the fuel we need to live.

I am not going to jump on the climate emergency bandwagon, because it is not an emergency, and will not support any climate oriented policy that doesnt also make life in Los Angeles easier and more affordable.

The City of Los Angeles, along with the County of Los Angeles, are run by public employee unions that are completely out of control. Only when they put the interests of all residents in front of their own, as public servants should, will I work with them.

Instead of making these bold assertions that voters are starving to hear, Rick Caruso is trying to appeal the political center. But there is no political center. Politics in Los Angeles, and in California, are in flux. The only thing holding the Democratic party together is money, greed, and the rhetoric of resentment and fear. Results matter now, not ideological positioning.

Caruso will not win by positioning himself on some optimal point along a theoretical left/right continuum that is obsolete. He can win by telling self-evident truths about crime, the economy, the environment, and the opposition he faces.

No matter what happens this November or thereafter, Los Angeles will never lose its mystique. It may morph from a city of dreams into a Blade Runner sort of dystopia, but either way, living in Los Angeles will always be a fascinating adventure.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
How to Make the Big Bucks While Wrecking a Country

Commentary

Of all these many sketchy characters involved at the highest levels in the great wreckage of 202022, Anthony Fauci of NIAID occupies a singular position. He is the most well-known of all the lockdowners and advocates of vaccine mandates. He has since spoken at many college commencements and still deferred to daily by an obsequious media. He is surrounded daily and only by sycophants and regards all criticism of him as a form of treason.

And yet, when pressed by Senator Rand Paul on his past statements and actions, even on the email we have from his own hand, he refuses any responsibility at all. He says he never locked anyone downwhich I suppose is technically true if by that you mean actually padlocked the churches and schools and personally enforced bans against weddings and funerals.

We know that he presided over the crafting of the regulations and yet he continues to say he only followed the guidance of others. When asked about his leaky shots, and the mandates thereof, he says he knows nothing about them because he doesnt serve on the FDA/CDC committees that approved them. For that matter, he still claims that he didnt sign off on funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan even though we have piles of receipts and personal testimony.

There might be some solace to experience from his retirement but even that doesnt go down well. The intrepid Adam Andrzejewski has once again taken a very close look at Faucis salary, awards, and various other benefits to conclude that Faucis Net Worth Soared To $12.6+ Million During Pandemic  Up $5 Million (20192021).

This is during a time when the real income of Americans has fallen for 18 months straightthe longest period of decline on record. It is lower now than before lockdowns happened. In other words, the large majority of citizens who suffered under the policies that he imposed have seen their standard of living fall dramatically even while the lockdown czar of America made an additional $5,000,000 and stands to enjoy a nearly half-million dollar retirement package.

Among the details of Faucis finances that Andrzejewski found through his FOIAs and sleuthing including totals of the Fauci household, which includes Christine Grady who is the chief bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health (you cant make this stuff up) with a salary of $234,284.

Net Worth: The Fauci household disclosed net worth increased from $7.6 million (Jan. 1, 2019) to over $12.6 million (Dec. 31, 2021).

Pay: Fauci continued to be the most highly compensated federal employee, earning $456,000 in 2021 and $480,000 in 2022. Fauci outearned the president, four-star generals, and roughly 4.3 million other federal bureaucrats.

Big Awards: In 2021, Fauci augmented his government income with nearly $1 million in prizes from nonprofit organizations across the world. For example, the Dan David Foundation, based in Israel, awarded $901,400 for speaking truth to power and defending science during the Trump administration.

During the ongoing pandemic year of 2021, the Faucis household income, perks and benefits, and unrealized investment gains totaled $2,832,876including federal income and benefits of $903,497; outside awards and royalties totaling $1,019,205; and $910,174 in investment gains.

We should take a moment to appreciate this kind of reporting, because it comes at a heavy personal and professional price. Adam Andrzejewski was once one of the more celebrated contributors to Forbes. After 206 investigative pieces, he was elevated by the magazine in 2018 to become senior policy contributor and was set up for a great and rising career with his aim of finding out financial details of powerful people and their actions.

Then he made the mistake of starting to look closely at Faucis finances. It was he who discovered that Fauci is the highest-paid employee in the whole of the federal government and further revealed that NIH employees enjoy generous royalty payments to vaccine companies. Soon after these investigative reports, Forbes started harassing him, then vetting him, then demanding pre-approval of article topics, and finally fired him.

Thank goodness he was able quickly to create a Substack where his work continues. In the course of trying to figure out what happened, Andrzejewski made another FOIA request of the emails between NIH and Forbes. Sure enough, he turned up an extremely incriminating paper trail and posted screenshots of them all.

Adam Andrzejewski, founder and CEO of OpenTheBooks.com (Courtesy of the Conservative Partnership Institute)

No question that NIH had a hand in killing Andrzejewskis career at the publication. Forbes gave in to government pressure to protect Fauci just as so many others have done and continue to do.

Again, we have all the receipts. This is a direct and obvious violation of the First Amendmentthe government using its power to kill the freedoms and careers of reporters who dare to take a close look. The picture is complicated further by Forbess own reliance on advertising dollars from Pfizer. The company spends $100 million on advertising and Forbes is one of the beneficiaries, even to the point of including a BrandVoice page on the Forbes site.

So the financial and power links here are complex and deep. We would be naive to believe that all of this is on the up and up.

Of course this is only the tip of the iceberg of the number of individuals, institutions, corporations, and government agenciesat all levels of government and all over the worldthat made out like bandits in the last three years even as the living standards and liberties of people all over the world were devastated.

All their tremendous gains came at the expense of everyone else. This is not the market at work in which everyone wins as wealth rises for everyone. This system of conquest and pillage is an ancient form of money making in which the gains of a handful of elites come at the expense of everyone else. When the New York Times on Feb. 28, 2020, recommended that we go medieval on the coronavirus, this might have been part of what they meant.

This is only one sign of a general devolution weve been on for several years now. It must be reversed if we are to preserve civilization as we once knew it. Finding out all the details of ill-gotten gains is certainly an excellent place to start. Those who are doing the hard work at great personal risk to their careers certainly deserve our respect.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The China Tribunal's seven-person panel at a public hearing in London, on Dec. 13, 2018. Tribunal Chair Sir Geoffrey Nice KC (center) was the lead prosecutor in the Slobodan Milosevic trial at the International Criminal Court at the Hague. (Courtesy of ETAC)

Human Rights Lawyer Decries Chinese Regimes Attempt to Suppress Reporting on Forced Organ Harvesting

An international human rights lawyer has decried the Chinese regimes efforts to smear reporting on Beijings forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience.

After Italian magazine Panorama published a piece on Aug. 24 titled China: When the State Wants Your Organs, the Chinese Embassy in the country publicly accused the publication of plagiarism and called on other Italian media outlets to eliminate the articles.

Panorama hit back at the embassys claims, publishing another piece citing more evidence of the Chinese regimes grisly practices.

Applauding Panorama for not backing down, international criminal lawyer Eleanor Stephenson called the embassys response abusive, inadequate, and misleading.

Stephenson is a barrister in England and Wales, and currently works for an international criminal tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. She is a legal officer at the International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC), an advocacy group that in 2018 initiated the China Tribunal, an independent panel of lawyers, medical professionals, human rights advocates, and other experts tasked to investigate forced organ harvesting in China.

China Tribunal

The China Tribunal, based in London, was chaired by noted human rights lawyer Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, who served as lead prosecutor in the war crimes trial of Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.

In its final judgment, dated June 2019, the tribunal concluded that forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale and that Falun Gong practitioners have been oneand probably the main source of organ supply.

The China Tribunal logo (Chinatribunal.com/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

The Chinese Embassy in the UK responded to the Panorama report on Aug. 28, and called the tribunals findings a show trial, accusing Nice of being a notorious expert in the abuse of lawsuits in the international human rights circle.

Stephenson, in an email to The Epoch Times on Sept. 22, said the embassys response should be dismissed because it provided no evidence to support its assertions.

The China Tribunal was an independent peoples tribunal that examined a wide range of evidence related to forced organ harvesting over the course of 12 months, Stephenson wrote. They questioned over 50 fact witnesses, experts, investigators, and analysts over 5 days of public hearing between December 2018 and April 2019. The China Tribunal reviewed written submissions, investigative reports, and academic papers and received expert legal advice on relevant international law, including in relation to core international crimes (crimes against humanity and genocide).

The China Tribunals judgment states that Chinas commission of crimes against humanity has been proved beyond reasonable doubt. It warns that governments and any who interact in any substantial way with China should recognize that they are interacting with a criminal state.

Beijing Ignored Invite to Participate in China Tribunal

For well over a decade, the Chinese regime has vehemently denied that it has engaged in forced organ harvesting, while refusing independent investigators access to its transplant system and data.

Stephenson noted that the government of China were asked to participate in the China Tribunal on 5 occasions, but no reply was ever received to the invitations.

Despite cogent evidence of forced organ harvesting of the Falun Gong and other persecuted groups, China appears unwilling and or unable to provide any evidence to rebut the obvious inferences of widespread and systematic forced organ harvesting in China  Presumably if the government of China had some evidence relating to forced organ harvesting which could allay the widespread concerns it would have provided it at one of the many opportunities it has had to do so.

She added, Protestations of innocence without evidence can themselves be incriminating.

The Chinese embassy insisted that the human rights of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are fully protected and there is no genocide or crimes against humanity.

Uyghur Tribunal

The International Criminal Court is the worlds first permanent international court, an international tribunal charged with prosecuting individuals for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. However, China did not sign the United Nations treaty governing the International Criminal Court, therefore the ICCs prosecutors have no jurisdiction in China.

For this reason, independent tribunals such as the China Tribunal play an important role in investigating the Chinese regimes rights abuses.

Another such tribunal is the Uyghur Tribunal, which Stephenson cited as an independent peoples tribunal established in September 2020 to investigate ongoing atrocities and possible Genocide against the Uyghur, Kazakh, and other Turkic Muslim populations. The Uyghur Tribunals findings echoed those of the China Tribunal. It heard from 70 witnesses over two sets of hearings in London in June and September of 2021, and provided its judgment on Dec. 9, 2021.

In its judgment (pdf), the Uyghur Tribunal found the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) guilty of torture, crimes against humanity, and genocide against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Stephenson said: There is clear and compelling evidence of forced organ harvesting ongoing across China including in the Xinjiang region. The response from the government of China is nothing more than evasion.

Rather than engaging in the remaining hyperbole and rhetoric of the response, the international community renews its repeated and very reasonable request that the CCP should engage constructively in providing uncensored and transparent access to Chinas transplant and organ donation activity data. They should permit independent international inspections as is the case with other countries.

European Parliament Condemns Forced Organ Harvesting

On May 5, 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on reports (pdf) on continued organ harvesting in China condemning the forced removal of organs from Falun Gong practitioners and expressing concerns regarding Uyghurs.

Multiple members of the European Parliament, including Hilde Vautmans (Belgium), Sean Kelly (Ireland), Miriam Lexmann (Slovakia), and Fabio Massimo Castaldo (Italy) spoke, condemning the CCPs practice of forced organ harvesting and asking the regime to provide full transparency on its organ donation and transplant system.

Finlands Jutta Urpilainen has served as the European Commissioner for International Partnerships since 2019. In her speech, Urpilainen said we will seize every opportunity, including at the highest political level, to raise serious concerns about the human rights situation in China. Doing so is becoming even more important as multiple reports continue to provide very credible evidence of organ harvesting in China.

The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the criminal, inhuman and unethical practice of forced organ harvesting.

Epoch Times reporter Chen Li contributed to this report.
Hurricane Ian knocked out power for over 2.5 million people and destroyed homes, leaving behind a wake of destruction in southwest Florida. Many are now picking up the pieces.

Advocates for victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests released a list of more than 300 accused abusers, demanding action from the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

A new Illinois law is eliminating cash bail for most offenses, with the changes having some fear for their safety.

Topics in this episode include:

1. Hurricane Ian Leaves Trail of Destruction in SW Florida

2. Florida Man Films Water Break Down Door

3. Police Rescue People From Sailboat

4. Floridians Lose Homes After Ian Unleashes Havoc

5. Hurricane Projected to Next Hit South Carolina

6. Trevor Noah Leaving The Daily Show

7. 300 San Francisco Clergy on Sexual Abuser List

8. Residents Fear IL No-Cash Bail Could Increase Crime

9. Republican Lawmakers Pressure Blinken

10. US Preparing $1.1 Billion Aid Package for Ukraine

11. Finland Closes Border to Russian Tourists

12. California to Handle Wild Pig Population

13. Student Gets Perfect AP Calculus Score

14. Controversial Love Letter

* Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List.

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A police officer walks down a street as rain from Hurricane Ian begins to cause flooding in Charleston, S.C., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall in South Carolina

A re-energized Hurricane Ian on Sept. 30 made landfall in South Carolina, according to U.S. weather officials.

The center of the hurricane made landfall at 2:05 p.m. near Georgetown, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm had sustained winds of 85 miles per hour, much lower than the 150 mile per hour winds that struck Florida when the hurricane hit there on Wednesday. The difference means the storm is a category 1, versus a category 4 when it landed in Florida.

This is not as bad as it could have been, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters in Columbia before the hurricane made landfall in his state. A lot of prayers have been answered but I would ask people, dont quit yet because its still coming. We are not out of the woods.

Officials warned people to stay indoors and avoid driving unless necessary.

The winds were already downing trees and power lines across the state, and causing storm surges along the central and northern portions of the coast, according to John Quagliariello, a National Weather Service meteorologist, who spoke at McMasters briefing. Over 69,000 households were already without power.

National Guardsman and state Guard personnel were prepared to conduct rescue efforts and other operations, Maj. Gen. Jeff Jones, South Carolinas deputy adjutant general, told reporters.

Rain from Hurricane Ian floods a street in Charleston, S.C., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

In this aerial view, a man tows a canoe through a flooded street of his neighborhood in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Moved Through Florida

Hurricane Ian moved north through Florida before going off-land. Along the way, it weakened to a tropical storm before gaining strength again before it reached South Carolina.

Forecasters project the storm will keep moving north before turning slightly to north-northwest by the evening. It is expected to move inland across eastern South Carolina and central North Carolina on Friday and Saturday.

The storm should dissipate over North Carolina or Virginia late Oct. 1, according to National Hurricane Center officials.

Storm surge warnings are in place from Savannah River to Cape Fear in North Carolina, in Neuse River in North Carolina, and in St. Johns River in Florida. Other warnings are in place in coastal South Carolina and Georgia.

The storm has been causing life-threatening water surges along with heavy rain and winds.

At least 21 people were killed in Florida, Kevin Guthrie, an emergency official there, told reporters earlier Friday. That figure is expected to climb in the coming days.
In this aerial view, homes show some damage after Hurricane Ian passed through the area in Sanibel, Fla., on Sept. 29, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Ian Strengthens Back to Category 1 Hurricane, Headed Toward South Carolina

After making landfall on Floridas west coast on Wednesday as a Category 4 hurricane, Ian gradually weakened to a tropical storm while crossing the Florida peninsula before regaining strength over the Atlantic Ocean as a Category 1 hurricane on Thursday afternoon as it heads toward South Carolina.

Ian is expected to cross the coast of South Carolina on Friday as a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane warnings have been issued for the entire coast of the state. According to the National Hurricane Center, life-threatening flooding, storm surge, and strong winds are possible.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Ian could slightly strengthen before landfall tomorrow, and is forecast to rapidly weaken over the southeastern United States late Friday into Saturday, the center said in a hurricane advisory on Thursday at 5 p.m. local time.

Earlier on Thursday, officials reported the first confirmed death. More deaths have been reported since, with some outlets putting the current death toll at nine, while other reports say at least 15 people have died in southwest and central Florida.

In this aerial view, boats sit grounded in a woodland area and along the side of the road after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach in San Carlos Island, Fla., on Sept. 29, 2022. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The true death toll could be in the hundreds but is yet to be confirmed, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said on Thursday morning in an interview with Good Morning America. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis later said the death toll estimate was likely based on 911 calls.

Sheriffs in southwest Florida said 911 centers were inundated by thousands of stranded callers, some with life-threatening emergencies. The U.S. Coast Guard began rescue efforts hours before daybreak on barrier islands near where Ian struck, DeSantis said. More than 800 members of federal urban search-and-rescue teams were also in the area.

Aftermath

President Joe Biden said Thursday that early reports indicate there may be substantial loss of life, although the death toll is still unclear.

Search and rescue efforts are underway after the hurricane trapped Florida residents in homes and buildings and knocked out electricity to some 2.67 million homes and businesses in the state, which accounts for nearly a quarter of utility customers.

Florida Power and Light (FPL), a unit of Florida energy company NextEra Energy, said on Thursday it had restored service to almost 700,000 customers affected by Ian. However, it said that it anticipates some customers will face prolonged outages because portions of the electric system in Southwest Florida will need to be rebuilt rather than repaired. The power utility said that it has dedicated more than 20,000 restoration personnel to restoring power outages caused by Ian.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Irreparable Damage Caused by One-Sided Advocacy of Gender Transition: Psychiatrist

This is what happens when medicine is captured by ideology

When a child is confused about their gender, health professionals and teachers usually affirm the childs new identity without addressing the underlying cause and encourage them to go through gender transition, which often has irreparable consequences, according to psychiatrist and author Dr. Miriam Grossman.

If someone feels that their gender differs from their biological sex and wants a medical gender transition, health professionals will not question why the person is feeling that way, nor will they address the possible mental health issues underlying that feeling, said Grossman.

The only response from doctors, therapists, and teachers is to affirm the persons stated identity, which leads him or her to believe that transitioning will solve all their mental health issues, Grossman said on EpochTVs Crossroads.

Gender Transition

The first part of gender transition for children is the social transition that involves a child choosing a new name and new pronouns; deciding how they want to present themselves to the world in terms of their clothing, haircut, makeup; and whether the child will use the bathroom of the opposite sex, Grossman explained.

Following the social transition, children often begin the medical transition, which starts with puberty blockers that can be prescribed as early as age 8 if the purpose is to block puberty, she said.

The basis for child gender transitioning is a study done in Holland, often called the Dutch study, the psychiatrist said, but the study population was different from the population of children in America who are being transitioned due to gender dysphoria.

The guidelines: Study participants had to have had gender dysphoria since early childhoodwhen they were 5, 7, or 8 years oldand they couldnt have any significant mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or autism, Grossman continued.

Whereas now we are in the midst of an epidemic of teenagers who develop their dysphoria as teenagers, not as children, she said. And they do have a lot of mental health problems. So they have the two criteria that would have excluded them from that Dutch study.

The study became the basis of the Dutch protocol for treating gender dysphoria, which was also adopted in other countries, including the UK and the United States.

Dutch Study

The purpose of the Dutch study, which included 55 children, was to determine which of them would be persisting with gender dysphoria, Grossman said, which is pretty much impossible to do. Its a guess.

There was no control group in the study, she said, which means there was no group with similar health conditions who did not receive the treatments given to the experimental group. The purpose of establishing a control group is to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy studied.

The study group was given puberty blockers at age 12before puberty beganin order to stop it, Grossman said. At age 16, they were given cross-sex hormones, estrogen or testosterone, and at age 18, surgery was available to them, Grossman explained.

After a year and a half of this protocol that they went through, it was found that they were doing quite well and their gender dysphoria had decreased.

It was a very small study and a problematic study as well, she said. Its impossible for us to know which children are going to continue having gender dysphoria, which is called persistence, and which children will desist, or stop having this discomfort with their body, but reach an acceptance of their biology.

There are a lot of studies showing that the majority of childrenbetween 60 and 90 percent, depending on the studyare going to stop suffering from gender dysphoria, Grossman said.

A lot of those kids will be gay or lesbian, [but] they will be fine with their bodies.  [and] not need to have any kind of medical changes to their bodies.

Impact of Puberty Blockers

There is an argument that puberty blockers are 100 percent reversible, but this argument applies to a different population of children who do not suffer from gender dysphoria, Grossman said.

The blockers are used to treat a medical disorder called precocious puberty, which causes premature puberty in kids at age 6, 7, or 8, due to hormonal imbalance, she explained. Once these children reach the age when puberty should begin, the medication is stopped, and normal puberty begins.

Puberty blockers are not FDA approved for treating gender dysphoria, but are approved to treat certain other medical conditions, Grossman said.

Children with gender dysphoria are perfectly healthy physically and dont have any hormonal imbalance, she added.

We are finding out now that, indeed, there are adverse effects that may not be reversible from these blockerssuch as effects on bone density.

It is also not known if puberty blockers might affect the development of the brain, Grossman pointed out. Adolescence is a time when the brain is undergoing an extreme makeover.

More Research, Debates Needed on Gender Transition

The use of puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria and facilitate gender transitioning is a very dangerous experiment, the psychiatrist stated.

The implications of this therapy necessitate further research and debates of different opinions, she noted.

Its very disturbing that both the mental health and medical worlds, [as well as] professional associations are not allowing open discussion and open debate.

When the government advocates for gender transition treatment in children, parents need to know that there is no scientific consensus and that the science is far from settled on this subject, Grossman said.

The same holds true for gender transitioning surgery, she said. Young women have their healthy breasts removed but after a year or a few years, they may realize they made the biggest mistake of their lives.

Those women visited various health professionals before the surgery, but none warned them against it, Grossman said.

This is what happens when medicine is captured by ideology, and we no longer take seriously the oath that we all took to do no harm.

Detransitioning

Once a child goes through the entire gender transition, including surgery, detransitioning is a tough road, Grossman said.

People who reversed their transgender identity must find a way to accept their new realitybeing a woman without breasts, some of them without ovaries and a uterus, and without the ability to become mothers and breastfeed, the psychiatrist said.

These people are some of the most courageous individuals youll ever see, according to Grossman. They have to forgive themselves and forgive the adults who facilitated their gender transition.

If it was up to me, Id have them on all the mainstream media 24/7. Theyre beginning to get a voice.

Ella Kietlinska Reporter Follow Ella Kietlinska is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on U.S. and world politics.
Irvine Vice Mayor Anthony Kuo Runs for Re-election

Im a big believer that nobody has a monopoly on good ideas, Vice Mayor of Irvine Anthony Kuo told The Epoch Times.

Kuo helped draft an ordinance to prevent catalytic converter theft in the city.

He said he ensured the ordinances wording was easily transferrable to neighboring cities, living up to his motto. Since then, other cities like Dana Point and Westminster have adopted similar ordinances.

When you think you have a good idea, you should share it with people, and so we made that available to others, he said.

(Courtesy of Anthony Kuo)

After tackling issues like property crime, affordable housing, fire safety, and taxpayer advocacy while vice mayor, Kuo is now seeking re-election in the upcoming Nov 8 election.

As vice chair of the Orange County Fire Authority, Kuo said he has been a tireless advocate for fire safety in the city.

One of the things that I really want to continue working on is the symbiotic relationship between the city of Irvine and the Orange County Fire Authority, he said.

He said he recently helped initiate two town hall meetings on fire safety with experts and firefighters, in which about 100 residents attended.

According to Kuo, Irvine is one of the largest funders, via property taxes, of the fire authority, and as such, he said, hed like to see more from the agency.

We really pay into our services much more than what were receiving from it, Kuo said.

He said he thinks, for example, the city can improve educating residents about saving lives from water accidents, like those from swimming pools.

The level of effort that [other cities] are putting towards drowning prevention, is much more significant than it is in Irvine, he said.

During his time on the council, Kuo said, he has spent a great deal of time with city police, from ride-a-longs, accompanying them at DUI checkpoints, and during open houses and town hall meetings.

Kuo said councilors need more understanding of what challenges police face when overseeing department funding and their needs.

There has to be some oversight, but its difficult to provide that if youre not fully understanding what it is theyre going through, he said.

Taxpayer advocacy is another accomplishment he boasts. According to Kuo, the city had a surplus of about $29 million in revenue last year from sales tax, and he has plans, if re-elected, to return some of it to taxpayers.

Kuo said he recently convinced councilors to return $5 million to city taxpayers from a utility taxwhich was adopted in 1987 and mostly funds streetlightsbut a delivery method for the refunds has not been decided upon yet.

We have moved forward on a four-to-one vote to send some of those taxpayers money theyve made back, he said. so Im definitely excited about that.

Developing more affordable housing in the city is also importantsomething Kuo said he has been working on.

He said as a child, his father managed a restaurant and his mother worked for a furniture company. He said with those jobs in todays economy it would be hard to find an affordable house in Irvine.

If in order to work in Irvine you have to live in Corona or Murrieta. That just doesnt make sense, he said.

To that end, Kuo is the chair of the Irvine Community Land Trust, a non-profit that works on affordable housing projects for the city. Recently, the organization received recognition for creating housing options for veterans and special needs residents.

Before his 2018 election to the council, he served on the citys planning commission for 8 years, and prior to that Kuo worked in communications for different industries such as hospitality, trade groups, and investment banks. His experience, he said, has made him a better-elected official.

Ive learned how to take fairly complex issues and communicate [them] to the masses in a way that everyone can understand, he said.

Hes running against educator and climate scientist Kathleen Treseder, incumbent councilman Larry Agran, Irvine commissioner and technologist Scott Hansen, Irvine commissioner and businessowner John Park, and college student Navid Sadigh.

According to the citys most recent filings, Kuo has raised over $16,000 in campaign contributions through the end of June.
Israeli Officials Were Warned to Present COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Data Carefully to Avoid Lawsuits

An expert hired by Israels government to help analyze COVID-19 vaccine adverse event reports warned officials in a closed-door meeting to carefully present the data to the public because of litigation concerns, according to leaked video of the meeting.

Dr. Mati Berkovitch, the expert, said that the phenomenon of rechallenge found by the team turned causal links between the events and Pfizers vaccine from possible to definitive, according to the video, which was reviewed by The Epoch Times.

Rechallenge means investigators find an adverse event worsens or reoccurs with subsequent vaccine doses. Causality means a vaccine is determined to be the cause of the adverse event.

Because of the rechallenge, we will also have to think medicolegal, Berkovitch said. Why medicolegal? Because there were quite a few phenomena, we said, okay, it exists, there is a report, but still get vaccinated.

I mean, you have to think about how to write it and how to present it correctly, so there wont be lawsuits after that, he said.

Berkovitch imagined a person who suffered an adverse event following vaccination.

Wait, wait, wait, you said that everything will pass and you need to get vaccinated. And now look what happened to me,' he said, pretending to be the person. The phenomenon continues. We need to think about the medicolegal aspect before we move forward, Emilia.

Berkovitch was speaking to Dr. Emilia Anis, a top official with Israels Ministry of Health (MoH), during a meeting in June.

Vaccine Safety Monitoring, Compensation

Berkovitchs team was charged with analyzing reports submitted to an updated safety monitoring system, after the old system was found to be unreliable in part because submitters were not required to give their names or other information, Israeli officials have said. The new system, which requires certain details such as names, went online in December 2021.

The meeting went over an analysis of reports lodged through May 2022.

The MoH issued a report to the public two months after the closed-door meeting. The report omitted key points of discussion, including the finding of causality for some side effects.

Israelis who have suffered an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine can file a lawsuit in court or file a claim with the governments no-fault compensation program that was established after the Vaccine Injury Compensation Law was passed in 1989.

The program is set up to make it easier for vaccine-injured individuals to get compensation by lowering their burden of proof and lessening their wait-time, but, according to Israeli researchers, that has not been the case. Rather, the strict requirement to prove a scientific causal link between vaccine and injury presents a serious obstacle to the claimants and thus does not advance the principles that underlie the law, i.e. fairness, solidarity, and trust, according to the researchers.

Sounds Very Bad

Iris Agassi Maimon, a lawyer in Israel preparing to bring a lawsuit on behalf of a doctor who suffered an adverse event from a COVID-19 vaccine, said that the lawsuit warning doesnt look good.

It sounds very bad, I think, for our country. Its something you shouldnt do, as you know the damages and youre just trying to hide them in order not to pay, Maimon told The Epoch Times.

She said she hopes that Berkovitchs remarks were not representing the MoH and that the remarks might help in the pending suit.

Dr. Harvey Risch, a professor emeritus of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, said Berkovitch admitted an intention to cover up what researchers found.

Instead of being transparent and publicly stating that extensive review has determined that some people have been seriously harmed by the vaccines, the statement here is to protect the government from the consequences of its bad decisions and policies, Risch told The Epoch Times in an email.

When health authorities promote a pharmaceutical product, they have now tied their reputation and legitimacy to the success of the product, Aaron Siri, an American lawyer, added. This can lead to dangerous results, as apparently occurred in Israel, where data reflecting harms from Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine was apparently suppressed as it did not comport with prior recommendations of the Israeli health authorities.

MoH Officials

Video of the meeting was obtained by journalist Yaffa Shir-Raz and reviewed by The Epoch Times, which has also had the entire meeting translated from Hebrew to English to accurately report on discussions that occurred.

After Berkovitch warned about lawsuits, Anis, the Israeli health official, said she would see about presenting the information to Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, an MoH official who has told American regulators that she is in charge of Israels COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring.

Fine. I will ask to present all this to Sharon [to see] what is possible, how can this whole issue be promoted, Anis said.

You guys are just amazing. I think we really got something and its important to continue it. So there is added value to the system, Anis added.

She departed the meeting moments later, claiming she had a different meeting she had to attend. She told Berkovitch and his team that she would update them after speaking with Alroy-Preis.

Anis refused to comment on the discussions that unfolded in the meeting. A query to her was returned by a MoH spokesperson, who declined to answer a list of questions. A different MoH spokesperson also declined to answer a query. Berkovitch, Pfizer, and Alroy-Preis have not responded to requests for comment. Sasha Zhurat, a member of Berkovitchs team who presented most of the data, declined to comment.

Zachary Stieber Reporter Follow Zachary Stieber covers U.S. and world news. He is based in Maryland.
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker is tugged towards a thermal power station in Futtsu, east of Tokyo, Japan on Nov. 13, 2017. (Issei Kato/ Reuters)

Japan Signs up With Malaysias Petronas to Secure LNG Supplies

The Japanese government has signed an energy agreement with Malaysias state oil and gas firm Petronas that includes supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks in the event of an emergency.

Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with Petronas at the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in Tokyo on Thursday.

The memorandum includes consideration of joint upstream investment, technical cooperation on cutting climate-warming methane emissions, mutual assistance in fuel supply, and the emergency use of LNG tanks.

Both sides agreed to discuss ways to supply fuel to whichever side has a shortage, given that the countries peak consumption periods differ. Malaysias peak demand is in summer, while Japans is in winter.

Petronas also signed an MoC with the Japanese government on Monday to enhance cooperation in developing energy sources and technologies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, which will help it expand cooperation with Japanese companies on international projects, according to its statement.

Japan has been our trusted and valued partner since the days of our first LNG exports in the early 1980s, and this partnership has expanded to include new areas of collaboration in the clean energy space, Petronas President Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik said.

Reducing LNG Reliance on Russia

Japan has been considering measures to reduce reliance on Russiaone of its biggest LNG suppliers in 2021and to avoid a power crunch during the winter season when heating demand is expected to surge.

Earlier in July, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the Japanese trade industry minister to have nine nuclear reactors operational by the upcoming winter season as he warned of potential power shortages.

There are concerns that [power] supply and demand will be tight again this winter. We must prevent such a situation at all costs, Kishida said at a press conference on July 14.

The nine nuclear reactors are expected to cover about 10 percent of the total energy consumption. Kishida also ordered the government to secure 10 thermal power generation units to help stabilize Japans power supply.

Japan had only allowed 10 of the 33 operable nuclear reactors to restart after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. But rising energy prices and the threat of a power shortage during a heat wave have pushed the government to reactivate some nuclear reactors.

Energy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said last month that he will push for the revival of the remaining nuclear plants that have been taken offline since the 2011 disaster to ensure a stable electric power supply in the country.

Reuters contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden announces student loan relief in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on Aug. 24, 2022. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Judge Denies Lawsuit Challenging Bidens Student Debt Cancellation Program

A federal judge has denied a lawsuit filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) challenging the Biden administrations plan to forgive student loans after the Department of Education (DoE) made some clarifications on its website.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of public interest attorney Frank Garrison, a beneficiary of the congressionally authorized Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that will forgive his student loans once payments are made for 10 years. Garrison has been making regular repayments on the loans. Bidens student loan cancellation program will automatically cancel his debts, but then stick him with a new tax bill, thus causing irreparable harm, the PLF argued.

However, the DoE updated its webpage on the student loan forgiveness program stating that those who wish to opt out of debt relief due to concerns about state tax liability will be allowed to do so.

As a result, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Young threw out the lawsuits motion for a temporary restraining order as well as a preliminary injunction to halt the forgiveness program.

The court, in view of the fact the Department of Education exempted Plaintiff from receiving debt relief, finds Plaintiff cannot be irreparably harmed as is required for preliminary relief, the court order states.

However, the judge allowed Garrison until Oct. 10 to file an amended complaint. The judge asked Garrison to consider whether he has any standing in the case and whether the DoE has taken sufficient action for the case to be ripe for adjudication.

Plaintiffs allegations speculate about the terms of the program. But as evidenced by the Governments recent addition of an opt-out provision, the plan is still evolving, the court stated.

Unconstitutional Act, Heavy Tax Burden

Following Judge Youngs decision, the PLF has promised to continue challenging the student debt cancellation program.

The entire program is brazenly illegal from top to bottom, said PLF attorney Michael Poon, according to The Hill. At no point did the Biden administration make a plausible argument that the underlying policy is legal, he stated.

Congress did not authorize the executive branch to unilaterally cancel student debt, Caleb Kruckenberg, an attorney at PLF, said in a Sept. 27 press release.

Its flagrantly illegal for the executive branch to create a $500 billion program by press release, and without statutory authority or even the basic notice and comment procedure for new regulations.

In addition to Garrisons lawsuit, Bidens student cancelation program is also facing a lawsuit from six states led by Nebraska that are calling the administrations decision illegal.

An analysis by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation estimates that the loan cancellation program will add $386 billion to $405 billion in net costs to taxpayers based on conservative assumptions. Each American taxpayer will have to bear a burden of over $2,500 due to the program.
Igor Danchenko leaves the U.S. courthouse after his arraignment in Alexandria, Va., in a Nov. 10, 2021, file image. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Judge Rejects Steele Dossier Sources Request to Dismiss Charges of Lying to FBI

An attempt by Igor Danchenko to get charges of lying to the FBI dismissed failed Sept. 29, meaning he will likely go on trial in October.

U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga, a George W. Bush appointee, declined to throw out any of the five charges filed against Danchenko after hearing arguments from special counsel John Durhams team and lawyers representing Danchenko, a key source for the anti-Donald Trump dossier compiled by ex-British spy Christopher Steele on behalf of Democrats.

Danchenkos position was based on arguments that the supposed false statements he told FBI agents during interviews were literally true.

Danchenko told agents that he did not talk with Charles Dolan, a longtime Clinton family associate, about any allegations contained in the dossier, both parties agree. Durhams team says that was false because Danchenko sources at least one of the allegations he conveyed to Steele from Danchenko. But Danchenko says that the Russian national accurately spoke, because talking does not include emails.

It was a bad question, Danchenkos lawyer, Stuart Sears, told Trenga, referring to how the FBI never followed up to specifically ask about other forms of communication. Thats the special counsels problem. Not Mr. Danchenkos.  He is not required to guess what the question actually means.

Durham, appointed in 2019 by then-Attorney General William Barr to look for government misconduct in the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane investigation into Trump, said that Danchenkos statements, if examined in context rather than in isolation, will show that he knowingly lied. He said Danchenko himself used the word speaking to refer written words posted on social media accounts.

Trenga said that the defenses theory can be a very persuasive, strong argument to a jury, but that ultimately the government met its burden to overcome a motion to dismiss.

It will be up to a jury to determine whether the government can meet its burden of proving a crime beyond a reasonable doubt, a much higher standard. Trenga said he will revisit the issue during trial after the government presents its case.

The trial is due to start on Oct. 11 in the federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.

Danchenko faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Trenga declined to rule for now on Durhams request to have the ability to bring up uncharged statements and acts that the government thinks establish a pattern, including how Danchenko allegedly emailed an associate in the past advising how to fabricate sources. Danchenkos lawyers oppose the request.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
People holding mobile phones are silhouetted against a backdrop projected with the Twitter logo in this illustration picture taken on Sept. 27, 2013. (Kacper Pempel/Illustration/Reuters)

Libs of TikTok Threatens to Sue Twitter Over New Suspension

Twitter temporarily suspended the popular Libs of TikTok account on Sept. 25, which boasts of around 1.4 million followers, accusing the account of propagating hateful conduct policy.

In a blog post on Sept. 29, Libs of TikTok stated that Twitter had wrongly imposed a seven-day suspension as a result of a targeted harassment campaign from the Left to deplatform the account. The truth is I havent engaged in hateful conduct. Ive just exposed the Lefts depravity by reporting the facts. Theres no rule against that, so they have to make up violations Ive never committed. But Im not taking it lying down. Ive vowed to sue Twitter if they permanently suspend me, and I meant it, the post said.

Libs of TikTok is run by former real estate worker Chaya Raichick. The post goes on to point out that a lawsuit against Twitter will be extremely expensive and that litigation could drag on for months and years.

To support Libs of TikToks fight against Twitter, a legal fund has been established whereby donors can send tax-deductible donations to cover legal fees and other expenses involved in the lawsuit.

The Twitter page of Libs of TikTok (LOTT) is currently accessible publicly. However, the last post on the account was made on Sept. 25.

On Sept. 27, Envisage Law, which is representing Libs of TikTok, sent a letter to Vijaya Gadde, the head of legal, policy, and trust at Twitter, asking that the platform reinstate their clients account.

Many Americans are tired of listening to your company talk the talk of free expression while walking the walk of censorship, the letter said.

If Twitter refuses to live up to its own words and aspirations and permanently bans our clients account, LOTT will have no choice but to ask a court to order Twitter to live up its own statements.

Censoring Content

In the letter to Twitter, Envisage points out that this is the second wrongful suspension of their clients account. The law firm had written a similar letter to the company on Sept. 1, when LOTT was earlier suspended.

In the letter of Sept. 27, Envisage affirmed that though their clients reporting might be offensive to some Twitter users, this is not sufficient enough to cut LOTT from the platform. Similar to the last suspension, Twitter failed to specify which LOTT content is blamed for violating the platforms hateful conduct policy.

The law firm pointed out that Twitter has sent emails to LOTT on numerous occasions in the past, saying that the accounts posts did not violate its harmful conduct policy. The letter contained images of LOTT content that Twitter reviewed and concluded, and subsequently decided were not subject to removal under the companys rules.

LOTTs most recent reporting is not materially different from any of its earlier posts. At the same time, Twitters speech code has not changed, the law firm noted.

The letter cites a recent case, NetChoice LLC v. Paxton, in which the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas rejected the notion that corporations have a freewheeling First Amendment right to censor what people say.

Twitters current censorship of LOTT violates Texas House Bill 20 and, if necessary, our client will not hesitate to seek injunctive relief under this statute if Twitter permanently suspends LOTTs account, the law firm warned.

Texas House Bill 20 prohibits large social media platforms from censoring users in Texas based on their viewpoints, unless such viewpoints are considered illegal according to federal law or if it falls into exempted categories.
Man Who Ran Over Conservative Teenager Charged With Murder, Arrested

Autopsy indicates Shannon Brandt ran over teen after he was struck

The North Dakota man who admitted to striking a teenager with his car has been charged with murder and taken back into custody, about a week after posting bail.

Shannon Brandt was charged with murder with a dangerous weapon and duty in an accident involving death or injury, both felonies, according to court documents obtained by The Epoch Times.

Brandt intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another human being  under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, Foster County States Attorney Kara Brinster said in charging documents.

Brandt could now receive life in prison without parole. Before, he only faced 25 years in prison, and he was able to post a $50,000 bond.

An arrest warrant was issued by District Judge James Hovey, who set the bond, on Sept. 29. Brandt was booked back into the Stutsman County Correctional Center on Sept. 30, according to the inmate roster. The bond is listed as $1 million.

Hovey also dismissed the previous charges filed against Brandt, at the request of Brinster.

An attorney representing Brandt declined to comment, telling The Epoch Times in an email to check back in a few weeks.

Brandt struck teenager Caylor Ellingson on Sept. 18 in McHenry. He admitted to targeting Ellingson, claiming the teenager was part of a Republican extremist group, according to court documents obtained by The Epoch Times. Authorities have said no evidence supports the claim.

Brandt left the scene and was located at his home in Glenfield, state trooper Christopher Allen said in a declaration to the court. Brandt acknowledged striking a person and consuming alcohol that night. He still smelled of alcohol when found, which was hours after the collision.

Ellingson was declared dead at the Carrington Hospital shortly after arriving there.

Cayler Ellingson in a file image. (Cayler Ellingson/GoFundMe)

Am I Going to Go to Prison?

Brandt called 911 after hitting Ellingson and said that the incident was intentional and not an accident, Jeramie Quam, an agent with the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation said in one of the newly filed documents supporting the upgraded charges.

I tried to take off. He wasnt going to let me go. I hit him. I didnt mean to and hes subdued. I was scared to death but hes subdued, he cant do anything to me now so this is why Im calling you, Brandt told the 911 dispatcher. I mean I almost, oh God, I almost just runaway [sic] but I thought jeez, obviously if it was a total accident I wouldnt be scared but I know it was more than that.

Brandt claimed that the teenager made calls to other people and Brandt was worried those people were on their way to the scene. Ellingson said in one call something to the effect of that person would have to come to the scene and handle him, according to Brandt. The defendant also said Ellingson would not let him leave.

Investigating authorities found that the only calls Ellingson received and placed during the relevant time were to his mother, Sheri Ellingson, and his father, Cole Ellingson.

An autopsy conducted on Ellingson indicated that the teenager was on the ground when he received the injuries that killed him.

Dr. Kevin Maley, who conducted the autopsy, indicated this means the injuries werent caused from being struck by Shannon Brandts vehicle and were caused by being run over, Quam wrote.

Ellingsons Parents

Authorities spoke with Ellingsons parents, who said they received a call from their son at 2:27 a.m. on the day in question. Ellingson told his mother that Shannon Brandt had asked who his parents were. When Ellingson disclosed their names, Brandt said that he knew who they were.

Sheri Ellingson said that her son asked her if he should contact his cousins or posse, according to Quam. She didnt know if her son was being threatened. She told her son not to contact others and that she would come to pick him up.

At 2:41 a.m., Sheri Ellingson and Cole Ellingson both missed calls from their son. At 2:42 a.m., Sheri Ellingson picked up a call from her son, who said that they are after me or he is after me. The call dropped. It was the last time she spoke to her son.

Sheri Ellingson has not responded to a request for comment.
Kelvin Goertzen, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Keeper of the Great Seal of the Province of Manitoba and Minister Responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance is sworn in at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg, on January 18, 2022. (The Canadian Press/David Lipnowski)

Manitoba Joins Saskatchewan, Alberta in Pushing Back Against Ottawas Gun Confiscation Program

The Manitoba government has joined Alberta and Saskatchewan in pushing back against the federal governments planned gun confiscation program as part of its mandatory buyback program for now-banned firearms.

Manitoba has consistently stated that our approach to gun violence is to focus on those who use weapons in crime, not law abiding gun owners, said Manitoba Minister of Justice and Attorney General Kelvin Goertzen, in a Facebook post on Sept. 28.

Goertzen said he wrote to federal public safety minister Marco Mendicino on Sept. 13 informing him of Manitobas concerns that the confiscation program would erode policing resources in the province.

We feel many aspects of the federal approach to gun crimes unnecessarily target lawful gun owners while having little impact on criminals, who are unlikely to follow gun regulations in any event, Goertzen wrote in the letter.

In Manitobas view, any buy-back program cannot further erode precious provincial police resources, already suffering from large vacancy rates, from focusing on investigation of violent crime.

Third Province to Oppose

Manitobas action against the federal buyback program comes just days after Alberta and Saskatchewan each informed Ottawa that they would not authorize the use of provincial policing funds in assisting with Ottawas planned gun confiscation.

The federal governments buyback program comes on the heels of its 2020 legislation banning more than 1,500 models of what it termed as assault-style firearms, including AR-15s.

Ottawa has stated that the buyback program will be mandatory and will require any Canadian owning guns banned by the new legislation to sell them to the government at prices determined by the feds, or else have them lawfully disposed.

Alberta was the first province to announce its opposition to the buyback, with Justice Minister Tyler Shandro saying in a press conference on Sept. 26 that the provincial government will not tolerate taking officers off the streets in order to confiscate the property of law-abiding firearms owners.

Saskatchewan followed suit two days later, as Christine Tell, the provinces minister of corrections, policing, and public safety, told RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore in a letter that the provincial government will not authorize the use of provincially-funded resources of any type for the federal governments buyback.

On Sept. 28, Shandro added that neither the Alberta government nor the Commanding Officer of Albertas RCMP supports the gun confiscation measures.

Neither the province or Albertas RCMP want police resources taken off the street in order to confiscate firearms, Shandro wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.

Noe Chartier contributed to this report.
Gas leak at Nord Stream 2 as seen from the Danish F-16 interceptor on Bornholm, Denmark, on Sept. 27, 2022. (Danish Defence Command/Forsvaret Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters)

NATO Asserts Sabotage in Damage to Nord Stream Pipelines

Commentary

Using a language, tone, and tenor not seen in many years, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) released a statement on the damage to the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. In the release, NATO cites that willful sabotage was the likely cause, but didnt affix blame on a nation or group. Voice of America added the interpretation that NATO vowed retaliation over this episode.

The situation is fraught with questions of motive, intent, and capability of the perpetrators. Much of this evolving situation doesnt make sense, and more must be revealed to fully understand the who, how, and why of this dramatic event.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines have been prominently in the news since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. Inexplicably, Europe continues to consume vast quantities of Russian gas and oil, while reducing their domestic energy options and declining to seek expanded energy options from the United States.

The Nord Stream pipelines are the most efficient and direct ways for Russia to provide gas to Germany. Nord Stream 1 has been in operation since 2011. Nord Stream 2, which doubles the capacity, was subject to opposition from the Trump administration, while the Biden administration caused considerable confusion by waiving sanctions against this pipeline in May 2021. As the Ukrainian conflict began to develop in February, President Joe Biden made comments about stopping Nord Stream 2 if necessary.

Tremors Detected

The breaks in the two pipelines (now apparently at four locations) appear to be to the southeast and northeast of Bornholm, a Danish island to the east of Denmark, in between Sweden and Poland, and at the point where both pipelines turn to the southwest in their final run to Germany.

The force of each blast that is thought to have damaged the pipelines was estimated at more than 1,000 pounds of explosives, based on seismic readings. For comparative purposes, thats the equivalent of four large aircraft-dropped bombs (which is likely beyond the ability of scuba divers to transport and place).

The waters where the breaks occurred appear to be in the 200- to 300-foot range. The depths of the last leg of the pipelines as they turn toward Germany from Bornholm are much shallower, and the preponderance of the Baltic Sea traffic transiting the area seems to run on the north/northwest side of Bornholm, according to the Baltic Sea traffic system.

Remotely operated undersea drones have become routine for any construction, inspection, or recovery below shallow scuba depth. These are often deployed by nondescript, oceangoing work vessels to support commercial, scientific, or military projects.

The NATO statement cites that the attack was conducted against critical infrastructure. Another way to attack critical infrastructure is through the cyber domain. Cyber capabilities can often be projected through the remote maintenance monitoring equipment thats normally part of most critical infrastructure. The ability to reach in and essentially destroy critical infrastructure through cyber methods was demonstrated in the Stuxnet attack on the Iranian nuclear efforts.

Recent Surge of NATO Naval Presence in Baltics

Recently (in August and September), the USS Kearsarge amphibious ready group (ARG) was in the Baltic Sea. This naval task force conducted operations with Finnish forces and visited the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Then, the Kearsarge ARG conducted training with Swedish military units, and it just recently exited the Baltic, going right past Bornholm and the area of the sabotage, and appears to currently be somewhere around Great Britain.

The USS Kearsarge is essentially a medium-sized aircraft carrier, in other words, a very large warship. The Russians have a large enclave in Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast (between Poland and Lithuania) and come to high alert when NATO surges resources in the Baltic.

Kaliningrad has been held by the Russians since the end of World War II. The Russians consider this enclave both sacred (they have vowed to always occupy this cut-off region due to the perception that this is the historic birthplace of Prussianism) as well as strategic, and they allegedly keep nuclear missiles here, a sore point with NATO.

The Russians become agitated whenever NATO projects military forces around Kaliningrad. The NATO surge of forces, essentially simultaneously with the Nord Stream attacks, adds to the questions around this episode.

There are clearly more questions than answers now, and more are likely to emerge from the high-stakes drama unfolding in the Baltic.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Navy personnel prepare doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site in New York City on Feb. 24, 2021. (Seth Wenig/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Navy Attempting to Remove Sailor Who Refused Vaccine Under Pretext of Attempted Desertion: Attorney

Navy Petty Officer Second Class Kristin Fregeau is being discharged from the Navy for attempted desertion, but her attorney contends that this is a cover for separating the sailor because she had a religious objection to the vaccine mandate.

The Navy couldnt separate [Fregeau] for vaccine refusal, so they drummed up a story about attempted desertion, Sean Timmons, Freugeaus attorney, told The Epoch Times.

The attempted desertion charge arose from Fregeau leaving her base for 20 days in December 2021 without prior approval.

But Timmons said the petty officer moved to Tennessee during that period to remove her child from moldy living conditions at the base that was harmful to their health.

She moved her family under duress, and out of necessity, away from mold-infested government quarters to move her children to reasonable living accommodations, the attorney said.

Fregeaus Story

In March 2020, Fregeau was temporarily assigned to shore duty at Navy Air Logistics Office (NALO) in New Orleans where she could receive help for dealing with postpartum depression. By November 2020, she had checked herself into a hospital program for mental health issues and began to address her struggles with some success.

After returning to her previous work assignment at NALO, she began to experience mold issues at her residence. After many encounters and arguments with the housing administration, Fregeau said the ducts were cleaned and the leaking air conditioning unit was replaced.

In the months prior to the mold issue being addressed, Fregeaus first child began having asthma-like symptoms. They subsided following the work on the homes duct and air conditioner. But four months later, the moldalthough not visible at this timereturned in the wake of Hurricane Ida in September 2021, Fregeau said.

Our daughter became physically ill again and was not getting better, the petty officer said. She was coughing uncontrollably, was in a constant state of congestion and unable to sleep.

Out of concern for her daughters health, Fregeau took the child to a pediatrician who advised it was an environmental mold issue and recommended we get out of the house, she said. Rather than going through the ordeal again dealing with housing and waiting for the mold issue to be addressed, she and her husband decided to move out.

The Fregeau family struggled to find immediate housing in the area due to Hurricane Ida. And thats when another issue cropped up to add to Fregeaus difficulties. In November 2021, she was denied religious accommodation for the COVID-19 vaccine mandate and the process to separate her from the Navy would begin.

Absent Under Duress: Lawyer

According to Timmons, a confluence of tough events led Fregeau to act out of necessity and under duress in moving her family off the base.

She moved her children to Tennessee to be with family while she sorted things out, he said. This is what ultimately led to an alleged 20-day unauthorized absence, beginning Dec. 2, 2021.

Timmons acknowledged Fregeau should have gotten express approval ahead of time. Because she didnt, he admitted, she is culpable and at fault. However, the attorney went on to say that service members are rarely discharged for being absent without leave (AWOL) for a couple of weeks.

She was absent under duress, only concerned about the care, safety, and welfare of her children, he said.

She didnt miss any movement, mobilization, or deployment; she missed some office work, he added. But now that the Navy cannot separate her for vaccine refusal, theyre putting forth this bogus pretext that shes being separated for attempted desertion.

Timmons argues that the elements for an unauthorized absence have not been met. Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice allows a service member to withdraw if its under necessity and under duress, he said, adding that desertion requires being gone more than 30 days.

Fregeau said, Once I pulled myself together, I didnt feel comfortable going back to work without any legal representation, but I wanted to make things right and return to work. With the help of a previous attorney, she checked back into command on Dec. 20, and it was business as usual.

At this time, Fregeau said, I was never sat down, and an investigation never took place to talk about any type of non-judicial punishment or anything of that sort. However, she said, the Navy would continue the process of separating her for refusing to take the vaccine.

But since then, the Navy did go ahead with pressing for non-judicial punishment (NJP).

I did finally receive NJP paperwork and the punishment they were trying to impose was bad-conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for six months, Fregeau said.

Following Timmons advice, the petty officer refused NJP. And despite a recommendation for medical retirement that would have taken effect on July 30, Fregeau is now being separated from the Navy under a general discharge with no consideration of her wellbeing, or her daughters health, the attorney alleged.

Its shedding light on what is happening to a lot of people, as they are being excessively harsh to those awaiting status for vaccine accommodation and currently protected by the injunction, said Timmons.

Fregeau said that her views do not reflect those of the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy. The Navy did not return an inquiry from The Epoch Times about Fregeaus case.
Watch what you sayU.S. spy services are listening and will strip you of your right to say it. A private-public consortium between Washington, D.C., and Silicon Valley is targeting alternative media and dissident voices to silence critics and turn America into a one-party state where opposition is outlawed and the truth is disinformation.

In this revealing new episode of Over the Target Live, Lee Smith speaks with former State Department official and information warfare expert Mike Benz about Americas censorship regime.

* Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List.



The Real Story of Jan. 6 Documentary102 Minutes, Color

The Real Story of Jan. 6, a documentary by The Epoch Times, reveals the truth that has been hidden from the American people. While a narrative has been set that what took place that day was an insurrection, key events and witnesses have been ignored, until now.

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A groundbreaking ceremony takes place at the proposed Orange County Veterans Cemetery site in Anaheim, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2021. (Courtesy of the County of Orange)

Newsom Clears Way for Study of Orange County Veterans Cemetery Potential Site

The effort to build a veterans cemetery in Orange County cleared another hurdle Sept. 27 after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to allow the study of a potential site for the project.

Assembly Bill 1595, authored by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), requires the state veterans department to study, design, and construct a state-owned and state-operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery in the county.

To move forward with the project, county supervisors have formally asked the California Department of Veterans Affairs and the state in mid-September to begin a feasibility study of the Gypsum Canyon site in Anaheim Hills.

Although another location at the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the City of Irvine has been proposed for nearly a decade, the majority of county and city leaders now favor building the cemetery at Gypsum Canyon.

Orange Countys Veterans Cemetery breaks ground in Anaheim, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2021. (Courtesy of Rachel Lurya)

Supervisor Don Wagner told The Epoch Times earlier this month the idea to build the cemetery in Irvines former marine base would not happen.

The Irvine City Council has made it clear that they support Gypsum Canyon, Wagner said. Every city in this county has passed a resolution saying theyre in support of Gypsum Canyon, so whatever pull there is for Irvine at this point, its pretty much over.

However, the Irvine site, favored by housing developers, has already undergone extensive studies for the purpose of making it the home of the proposed cemetery.

Currently, veterans and their loved ones in the county have to drive hours away to the veterans cemeteries in Riverside or Los Angeles.

The Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif., on May 5, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
Newsom Compromises on Union Bill to Maintain Path to White House

Commentary

Potomac Fever strikes politicians seeking the White House. It makes them do anything necessary to win. In that light, Gov. Gavin Newsoms spate of bill signings this past week confirms a year-long series of signs hes obviously running for the prize.

The most prominent was Assembly Bill 2183, which ends secret ballots for farmworker unionization votes, a severe blow to Our Democracy, as Democrats keep calling it. Newsom sensibly originally opposed the bill.

I quoted his spokesperson, Erin Mellon, who said, We cannot support an untested mail-in election process that lacks critical provisions to protect the integrity of the election, and is predicated on an assumption that government cannot effectively enforce laws.

Newsom also vetoed a similar bill last year.

But Newsom got massive pressure from the unions and President Biden. The latter is significant because in July, Newsom invaded Bidens territory in Washington, D.C., while the president was out of the country. Newsom accepted an award for Californias supposed education innovationeven though the state routinely scores near the bottom on national achievement tests.

Bidens pressure on AB 2183 showed Newsom whos still boss. Newsom kowtowed and signed the bill, which will bring inevitable court challenges.

Yet last Saturday Newsom also implicitly criticized Biden at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, saying the president has a messaging problem because he is hardwired for a different world. Actually, Biden must be doing something right because hes president and Newsom isnt.

Its very hard for him, Newsom continued. His decency, his honor, his character, his moral persuasion  those are tools in his toolkit. Biden wants to compromise, he wants to find our better angels, and he wants to find that sweet spot in terms of answering our collective vision and values but thats not how the system is designed.

Of course, Newsom knows the facts are the opposite: Biden has unilaterally taken numerous actions, from harassing former President Trump and his aides with raids and arrests, to executive orders on abortion, and killing the Keystone XL pipeline.

Biden has compromised only when forced to by the realities of a divided Congress50-50 in the Senate and 221 Democrats to 212 Republicans in the House, with two vacancies.

But for Newsom, cutting Biden as weak is a good line, portraying himself as the tough guy.

Newsom pointed out how, of the states with the highest murder rates, eight of 10 are governed by Republicans. How did Democrats not know that? Were losing that message.

The problem is murder rates are highest, and continue rising the fastest, in big cities, every one of which is run by liberal Democratic mayors, district attorneys, and city councils. Likewise the homeless crisis. And two of the most scandalous cities are San Francisco and Los Angeles, the features of numerous news articles and TV specials, such as Lester Holt of NBC News May 2021 report, Inside Los Angeles Homeless Crisis.

Newsom so far also doesnt seem to be dealing with something else I have highlighted: His aggressive liberal policy stances might play well among liberal Democratic primary voters, but wont sell well to moderates, independents, and working-class Democrats in the general election. Thats especially true in the swing states of the Midwest.

And if Floridas favorite son Gov. Ron DeSantis is not on the Republican ticket, then the Orange State, with 30 electoral votes, is also a swing state a Democrat could flip.

What Newsom is marketing might sell in Peoria, as they used to say, because Illinois now is a solidly Democratic state, with its 19 electoral votes. But what about Peoria, Arizona (11 electoral votes)? Peoria, Iowa (six)? Peoria, Kansas (six)? Peoria, Missouri (10)? Peoria, Indiana (11)? And Peoria, Colorado (10)?

Its no good gaining the Democratic nomination if you end up losing in the end, like such liberal stalwarts as Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, and Hillary Clinton.

The scrambling for the Oval Office starts on Nov. 9, the day after the midterm election. Newsoms strategy to gain that post means California will get the brunt of his actions pushing the state to the left. Given Newsom is on track for an easy reelection on Nov. 8, apparently most California voters like that.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Newsom Signs Legislation Making California a Trans Sanctuary State

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed gender-affirming health care legislation into law, making the state a refuge for transgender children and their parents fleeing child abuse laws in other states.

In California, we believe in equality and acceptance. We believe that no one should be prosecuted or persecuted for getting the care they needincluding gender-affirming care, Newsom wrote in his signing message on Sept. 29. Parents know whats best for their kids, and they should be able to make decisions around the health of their children without fear. We must take a stand for parental choice.

He accused other states of passing laws to demonize the transgender community.

The hate demonstrated by these laws is unfathomable and has contributed to soaring suicide rates, Newsom said. With the signing of this bill, California will ensure these kids and their families can seek and obtain the medical and mental health care they need.

The legislation, Senate Bill 107authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democratwas widely protested by parental rights groups opposed to minors receiving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and gender transition surgeries.

Chloe Cole, an ex-transgender teen, speaks in support of the Protect Childrens Innocence Act as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) looks on outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 20, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Chloe Cole, 18, who testified against the legislation, had both of her healthy breasts removed when she was 15 years old and now regrets the decision. She told The Epoch Times that she isnt surprised that Newsom approved the legislation but said shes incredibly disappointed that this heinous bill was signed into law.

This will open the floodgates to thousands of children suffering through what I have. No American child is safe from mastectomy, sterilization, or a disrupted development anymoreall under the veil of life-saving care, Cole said.

A self-described Democrat and the mother of a teen who once suffered from gender dysphoria, Erin Friday, who spearheaded opposition to the legislation as a California leader of the organization Our Duty, told The Epoch Times the legislation will have devastating consequences for families across the United States.

Gov. Newsom just told every parent in America that California courts can control their childs bodily integrity by passing SB107, Friday said. He just told every judge in the other 49 states that California judges have the final say with every custody agreement in the country. Newsom just gave permission for every noncustodial parent to abscond with his child to California to commit irreversible atrocities on the child.

The California Family Council (CFC) also opposed the legislation and warned of pending litigation.

SB 107 endangers every young person in the nation who experiences gender dysphoria. By signing this extreme bill, Gavin Newsom is telling all parents across the country that he knows whats best for their children, CFC President Jonathan Keller said in a statement.

Mothers and fathers in every state should demand their elected representatives push back against this unconstitutional assault on parental rights. Governors and legislators must defend their citizens from this out-of-control government in Sacramento.

The CFC joined with parental rights groups, including Moms for Liberty, in asking Newsom to veto the legislation.

More than 50 organizations sent a letter from the Promise to Americas Parents Coalition to Newsom on Sept. 19 urging him to veto SB 107, which the group called a dangerous piece of legislation which ignores the established authority of the other 49 states and also violates the fundamental rights of parents while increasing the risk of irreversible harm to Americas children.

The new law will allow state courts to remove out-of-state minors from their parents custody in many cases, according to the CFC.

Newsom, Wiener, and the mainstream media are ignoring the section of the bill that enables children to be kidnapped and enticed to the state against their parents wishes and against the court custody determinations and laws of other states, the CFC said in a Sept. 30 statement.

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Equality California, among other LGBTQ advocacy groups, supported the legislation.
Not Enough Attention Paid to Issue of Property Rights in UCP Leadership Campaign, Says MLA

EDMONTONAn Alberta MLA says he and his constituents are very disappointed in the lack of discussion on property rights in the leadership race to decide the next leader of the United Conservative Party (UCP).

Its time that politicians develop the political will to protect peoples right to earn and do what they want with their property, Independent MLA Drew Barnes told The Epoch Times.

Barnes, along with fellow MLA Todd Loewen who is currently running as a candidate in the leadership contest, were kicked out of the UCP caucus last year after openly criticizing provincial pandemic policies that restricted freedoms.

Barnes said hell be pushing the next UCP leader and premier to move forward with a referendum on whether to enshrine property rights into Canadas Constitution, saying property rights are fundamental for creating wealth and building economic freedom.

For too long in Alberta theyve been given a secondary position, he said.

The Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA says property rights matter to rural Albertans partly because of the long response time for the Alberta RCMP, but also because he says in many cases criminals are allowed to walk free without serving sufficient time in the penal system.

Its common that your first five property crimes dont get you any jail time. It is so wrong, he said.

Its hurting the fabric and the strength of our culture. Its absolutely hurting wealth creation and our chances to build a strong economic future.

Alberta Property Rights Protection Act

Barnes says there hasnt been much progress on the proposed Alberta Property Rights Protection Act which was part of UCPs platform for the 2019 election.

On the website keeping track of the governments pledges and their status, the UCP government says 88 percent of its 374 promises have been kept or in progress. When it comes to passing the proposed Alberta Property Rights Protection Act, the website says it is in progress/announced, but not completed.

The items related to the act that are reported to be in progress/announced include:

Propose an amendment to the Constitution to enshrine property rights in Alberta

Amend the Land Titles Act to bar adverse possession claims so that Alberta no longer allows squatters to make legal claims to someone elses property

Treat government regulation of real property the same as government expropriation for the purposes of compensation

Allow private property owners to convert government attempts to regulate property into an expropriation action if desired

The item related to the act that is reported as completed is:

Preserve the right of governments to expropriate and regulate for the public good

UCP members will elect a new leader, who will become the provinces next premier, on Oct. 6.
Ontario nurse Kristen Nagle (C) marches in the B.C. Grand Freedom Rally in Vancouver on Feb. 20, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Nurse Fined $10,000 for Attending Easter Church Service in Violation of Pandemic Restrictions

A former Ontario nurse who lost her job for speaking out against COVID-19 mandates and gained notoriety for helping organize public demonstrations, has been fined $10,000 for attending a church service during Easter in 2021.

Kristen Nagle, who worked at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in London, Ontario, received the fine from the Provincial Offences Court for attending an Easter service at the Church of God in Aylmer.

She was convicted of failing to comply with the Reopening Ontario Act by attending the service, which had over 100 in attendance at a time when provincial COVID restrictions stipulated that people could only gather in groups no larger than 10.

Here we are Canada, where you can be charged 10k for attending church, Nagle said on Instagram.

The LHSC fired Nagle, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse, following an internal investigation initiated in November 2020 after she and two other women were charged with organizing an anti-lockdown rally at Victoria Park in London.

In January 2021, after she took part in an anti-lockdown rally in Washington, D.C., the College of Nurses of Ontario also launched an investigation into Nagle and another nurse.

Nagle said in her Instagram post that she received 11 summonses, and on Sept. 22 she was convicted guilty  and fined 10k for attending church, as in their words I was not just a participant, but leading the way.

I stand on my word, I did nothing wrong, am not guilty, and caused no harm against anyone. But here we are, where they acknowledge our rights and freedoms have been infringed upon, but with reasonable cause that infringement is allowed, she wrote.

Nagle said she would be appealing the conviction and charge.

She also said she was joined at the service by former MP Derek Sloan and Ontario MPP Randy Hillier, both of whom have opposed COVID restrictions and vaccine mandates, but they did not get charged.

In fact, she said, no one else who attended the Easter service that day was charged.

The crown recently dropped charges against Sloan, Hillier, and Church of God Pastor Heinrich Hildebrandt for their involvement in a protest in Norfolk, Ontario, in June 2021. They were charged under the Reopening Ontario Act for the protest, which was attended by around 200-300 demonstrators in violation of strict capacity and attendance limits.

The charges were stayed because the crown prosecutor agreed that it was not in the public interest to proceed because the government no longer has these restrictions in place, Henna Parmar, a lawyer with the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, said in a previous interview with The Epoch Times.

Citizens have the right to make their opinions known. We are pleased in this case to hear that the Crown will not proceed with prosecuting citizens who spoke out against harsh government lockdowns.

Peter Wilson contributed to this report.
Families join the Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa after police distributed arrest notices to truckers and their supporters occupying Wellington St. and the Parliament Hill area on Feb. 16, 2022. (Richard Moore/The Epoch Times)

Ottawa Mayor Declined Call From Parliament Security Service During Freedom Convoy: Official

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watsons office would not take a call from the Parliamentary Protective Service (PPS) during the truckers Freedom Convoy early this year, the offices acting director told a parliamentary committee on Sept. 29.

Larry Brookson told members of Parliament and senators in a joint committee that he was concerned about the large number of vehicles that were gathering on Wellington Street near the precinct of Parliament Hill during the first week of the protest that called on the Liberal government to end mandatory COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions.

The call I requested to have with [Watson] was in the response of opening back up Wellington Street and escorting the trucks back up onto Wellington, he said.

The PPS, which is responsible for security on Parliament Hill, didnt have jurisdiction beyond its precinct, and Brookson said despite his concerns, the city and Ottawa police granted protesters permission to drive and park on Wellington Street, which faces Parliament but fell outside of the PPS governance. Brookson said the streets wouldve been blocked if he was in charge of the area.

My concern, when [the convoy protest] started, was the amount of vehicles already established on Wellington Street, and that was the first weekend, he said. During the first weekend, there started to be some removal of vehicles that were leaving overnight. So my discussions led with  security partners to start establishing jersey barriers because what I didnt want to see happen was a backfill of those vehicles that, on their own initiative, decided to leave.

Brookson said his team, however, only received a notification from Watsons office stating that the mayor was not available. He said he also reached out to the city manager, Steve Kanellakos, who gave Brookson a similar response.

The Epoch Times reached out to the city for comment but didnt hear back by publication time.

Brookson also told the committee that the mayors office did not communicate with the protective service about a failed deal between the city and convoy organizers to bring the protest to a negotiated end during its height.

According to Dean French, who negotiated with leaders of the Freedom Convoy, convoy organizer Tamara Lich acknowledged the protest was disturbing others, saying that that was never the intent of the movement. Lich said in a Feb. 12 letter to Watson that the convoy will reposition their vehicles starting Feb. 13.

However, they werent given enough time to carry out that task, French said, as the Liberal government invoked the Emergencies Act less than 24 hours later on Feb. 14, giving the police sweeping additional powers to remove the demonstrators in escalated operations over the next few days.

This was a black mark on Canadian history. History will show this was a total overreaction  and the inquiry is going to show that as well, French told CBCs Vassy Kapelo in an interview on Aug. 17.

Brookson told the committee that he supports the extension of the parliamentary precinct to include Wellington Street, a change that he said is currently under review.

The Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency is undertaking parliamentary hearings as part of a study on the federal governments unprecedented invocation of the Emergencies Act in response to the three-week convoy protests. The Emergencies Act replaced the War Measures Act in 1988, which had been invoked three times: during the two World Wars and the 1970 FLQ crisis in Quebec.

Other witnesses who testified at the committee on Sept. 29 include Sergeant-at-arms Patrick McDonell, who is the corporate security officer for the House of Commons, and his Senate counterpart Julie Lacroix.

Parliaments security actors testified that they did not receive any new powers under the state of emergency, and Brookson said he did not think that such powers would be necessary for the protective service to be able to govern a jurisdiction that includes Wellington Street.

Brookson previously testified in another House committee in June, saying that the PPS didnt request the Act be invoked.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
Parasitic Ideas and Why Rational People Fall for Them

'Its easy to infect people with bad ideas, especially when those bad ideas are alluring,' Gad Saad says

It takes professors to come up with some of the dumbest ideas, says Gad Saad, a Lebanese-Canadian professor of marketing at Concordia University and author of The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense.

The fact that you are educated doesnt mean you have properly administered the mind vaccine against all these idea pathogens.

Saad recently sat down with EpochTVs American Thought Leaders host Jan Jekielek to discuss the idea pathogens behind such recent phenomena as wokeism, the COVID dogmas, and postmodernism.

Jan Jekielek: The Parasitic Mind has been on my reading list for some time, but what really caused me to pull the trigger was your commentary about the Sam Harris TRIGGERnometry podcast. Ive taken in a lot of really interesting material from your book. And for those in the audience who might not be aware, Harris has talked eruditely on numerous topics including wokeism. In that TRIGGERnometry episode, he actually calls it a woke apocalypse, a big threat to society. At the same time, he has voiced some extreme views about former President Donald Trump, which is where your commentary comes in.

Gad Saad: Harris demonstrates that intelligent people arent inoculated from parasitic thinking. As I explain in The Parasitic Mind, all the idea pathogens that have parasitized the West originally stem from the university. It takes professors to come up with some of the dumbest ideas. The fact that youre educated doesnt mean you have properly administered the mind vaccine against all these idea pathogens.

Harris encapsulates this kind of parasitic thinking. So what is it? In Chapter 2 of The Parasitic Mind, I talk about the distinction between thinking and feeling, which is a false dichotomy. Its not that humans are thinking animals or feeling animals. Were both. We can trigger both systems. The challenge is to know when to trigger what system.

When it comes to Trump, what should be triggered is your cognitive system. What are the policies of Trump, Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama that you agree with or disagree with? When were choosing a president, we should be triggering our cognitive system. On the other hand, when you look at all of the reasons that people use to justify why Barack Obama is so beautiful and why Trump is such a threat, theyre based on emotional responses. People will say of Trump: He disgusts me. Hes grotesque. Hes cantankerous. He speaks like an eighth grader from Queens. All the things they despise in Trump have nothing to do with his views on monetary policy or immigration policy.

The first problem with the parasitic thinking of Harris is that hes succumbing to the triggering of the wrong system, the emotional system instead of the cognitive system. The second important thing that hes violating is the distinction, which I talk about in the book, between deontological ethics and consequentialist ethics.

Deontological ethics are absolute statements of truth. For example, if I say to you, Jan, it is never okay to lie, that would be a deontological statement. If I were to say, Its okay to lie when your spouse asks you, Do I look fat in these jeans? In this case, I would be putting on my consequentialist hat. Id like to remain married. I dont want to hurt the feelings of my spouse.

Most of us put on our consequentialist hats on many different occasions. But the fundamental principles of Western society should be based on deontological ethics. Harris basically says on the podcast: Sure, the media should be honest and fully report all stories. But suppressing the Hunter Biden laptop story was perfectly OK because, otherwise, Donald Trump could have won, and that wouldnt have been good. In this instance, he was taking a deontological principle and was violating it for consequentialist goals. Thats morally grotesque.

Mr. Jekielek: Later in the podcast, Harris says, and Im paraphrasing here, All bad things are a matter of peoples minds being out of control. He goes on to mention that so much of daily conflict and misery is born of people being captured by their own thoughts and unable to be skeptical of their own opinions. I thought, Youre so right about this, so what just happened 10 minutes ago?

Mr. Saad: I have a code of conduct where I try not to go after people I know out of loyalty and friendship. So for years, as Harris was becoming utterly unhinged about Trump, I kept quiet. But that silence was pitted against my deontological love for the truth. Should I be loyal to someone I know, or should that be superseded by defending the truth at all costs? Im happy to report that truth won.

A lot of people thought I had a personal animus against Harris. Nothing could be further from the truth. But if youre walking around positioning yourself as this great mediator, this dispassionate pursuer of rationality, and then you become the exemplar of hysteria, Im going to call you out on your hypocrisy.

Mr. Jekielek: I feel we owe Harris a debt of gratitude for revealing this kind of thinking, which seems prevalent among certain groups of people. To some extent, it helps us to understand this craziness and why these contradictions can exist. Do you think people actually get programmed through propaganda and marketing by people who already had this mind virus themselves?

Mr. Saad: Its easy to infect people with bad ideas, especially when those bad ideas are alluring. One serious problem is that most people are cognitive misers. A cognitive miser is someone who doesnt make the necessary cognitive effort to come to a valid decision. For example, they might say: If Barack Obama or George Bush says that Islam is a religion of peace, then its case closed. The president has said it; therefore, its good. They didnt expend the necessary effort to test the veracity of that statement.

Mr. Jekielek: Several experts on public health Ive spoken with believe we killed public health policy during COVID. We stopped looking at the evidence, the body of information, and the consequences that came as a result of enacting certain policies. Everything had to be based on the eradication of COVID, and forget all the other consequences. Effectively, thats what happened.

Mr. Saad: To be charitable, a lot of these errors in public policy were due to the fact there was a fog of war going on, and people were just trying to respond in any way they could. But my non-charitable side suggests that, in many cases, the policies enacted were willfully diabolical. As you may remember, Jan, hundreds of health professionals with Ph.D. and M.D. after their names wrote a letter essentially saying, From a public health perspective, regarding a gathering of 50,000 people, because it supports BLM, the pros and cons of the health effects downstream are such that we should permit the gathering. Thats how politics can even parasitize something as noble as public health policy.

Mr. Jekielek: Ive seen an internet video clip where a state department-type person is explaining to some Afghan women that the Duchamp urinal is art. Its up on a screen and in the eyes of the women, you can see them asking, What is this?

Mr. Saad: Those Afghan women are demonstrating, unbeknownst to them, that they disdain postmodernism. Postmodernism, as I explain in The Parasitic Mind, is an idea pathogen. Other examples of idea pathogens would be social constructivism, biophobiathe fear of using biology to explain human phenomenacultural relativism, and militant feminism. These and others I describe in the book are forms of idea pathogens, but the most insidious and worst is postmodernism, because it fundamentally attacks the epistemology of truth. Its not simply spreading specific falsehoods. Postmodernism rejects the possibility of seeking truth. It basically says we are always constrained by our personal biases, that there is no truth with a capital T.

I always tell people: Stop worrying about being canceled at your job. Stop worrying about being unfriended on Facebook. Truth is more important than you being canceled.

Mr. Jekielek: Theres a moral courage that youre describing, though its not quite courage. Its more a feeling where you couldnt live with yourself if you didnt do the right thing or be as honest as you could.

Mr. Saad: I call it existential authenticity, and one of the ways you can truly achieve happiness is to be authentic. If, at the end of your life, you look back with little regret, its probably because you really lived by that internal compass that had driven your life. When I lie down at night, I need to feel that I was true to truth, that I never equivocated. Authenticity is the way to happiness and liberation.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Jan Jekielek Senior Editor Follow Jan Jekielek is a senior editor with The Epoch Times and host of the show, "American Thought Leaders." Jans career has spanned academia, media, and international human rights work. In 2009 he joined The Epoch Times full time and has served in a variety of roles, including as website chief editor. He is the producer of the award-winning Holocaust documentary film "Finding Manny."
Penzeys Spices Doubles Down on Republican Discrimination

With its bright red heart logo and cheerful yellow Penzeys in the middle, Penzeys Spices appears like a welcoming establishment for all.

It helps that on its website, Penzeys says its trying to make the world a better place, and its running its business in such a way as to encourage the kindness and compassion thats needed to take on the worlds problems.

With such a warm and welcoming attitude in its About Us section, it came as a surprise to many when, on Jan. 6, Penzeys called Republicans racist in its Voice of Cooking email and said they were the #1 threat to the United States.

The backlash was sure and swift, and on Jan. 28, Penzeys again made its position clear, this time in a Facebook post.

Exotic spices at a marketplace. (Beverly Mann)

2022 is the year to say enough with the Republican obstruction and leave trying to appease them behind. After starting the year with our Voice Of Cooking email list calling out All Republicans  and following up with Republicans are Racists, weve set a nice little Boycott Penzeys! surge in motion.

According to Penzeys CEO Bill Penzey, calling Republicans racist didnt win him customers. Instead, he lost 40,005 email subscribersroughly three percent of total subscribersand was the subject of a boycott. He enjoined his customers to please buy a Choose Love gift card to help.

The loss of customers didnt deter Penzeys, however. Instead, the company doubled down and added its anti-Republican view next to its About Us section on its website. Its titled About Republicans.

Most recently, on Sept. 9, Penzeys again reminded its customers to ponder the awfulness of Republicans, and let this inform their vote in the upcoming November election.

About Republicans

Penzeys Spices has locations across the United States and is headquartered in Wisconsin. However, its not a public company and, as such, doesnt answer to shareholders. It is owned by Bill Penzey.

According to Penzey, the Republican party is in a slow decline, and while it may look like the decline is due to insanity, its actually due to a carefully designed plan intended to preserve the power of those who profit from inhumanity.

From the environment, to racism/discrimination, to health, to saving our democracy at home and growing it abroad, half the time Republicans are intentionally blocking the solution to the problems we face. The other half of the time, they are the problem we face, Penzey writes.

Penzey says hes taking this stance because hes trying to save America and planet Earth from the dastardly mechanism of Republican voters. But for those who might accuse Penzey of hate, he assures his readers thats not the case.

There is no HATE!!! in any of this, Penzey exclaims. I actually like and respect most of you guys. Sure, there are a growing number that are there for the racism, but I still believe the majority of you have good hearts that want to help and do the right thing.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump raises his fist while walking to a vehicle outside of Trump Tower in New York City on Aug. 10, 2022. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)

The problem, Penzey continues, is that Republicans have turned away from past morals to vote for people who are the antithesis of their values.

Remember when your distrust of big city types, and your deep rooted beliefs in paying your debts, respecting your marriage, raising kids willing to serve, honoring your word, and going to church every week had you voting for Donald Trump over Joe Biden all because Bidens son had a computer? Or how you couldnt vote for Hillary because she was over-prepared and used emails? Penzey taunts Republicans.

He says he cant pretend the Republican Partys embrace of cruelty, racism, Covid lies, climate change denial, and threats to democracy are anything other than the risks they legitimately are. However, if you, as a Republican, still want to be a Penzeyss customer, hes happy to serve you.

But he will, on a regular basis, try to get Republicans to wake up from their dream and realize how much of a threat they indeed are. If Republicans dont like that, Penzey concludes they might want to find spices elsewhere.

Profiting from Discrimination

The About Republicans section of Penzeys website clarifies the companys stance on Republicans. But its also easy to miss unless youre curious about the company.

Thus, to increase awareness about the insidious nature of Republicans, Penzeys again took to Facebooksomething its posts show hasnt happened since last February.

Sure the 2020 election was big, but in hindsight we had no idea just how dangerous the Republican Party had become, Penzey stated on Sep. 9.

In November of 2020 it was unfathomable that the leaders of an American party would seek to overthrow our government and end our democracy and in the aftermath purge all from the party who refused to declare loyalty to the coup leaders.

Demonstrators gather on the steps of the Montana State Capitol protesting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Helena, Montana in March 15, 2021. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP)

Republicans are so horrendous, Penzey said, that they intentionally spread lies about COVID-19 treatments so that they could keep it alive as a political issue. That resulted in hundreds of thousands of needless American deaths and millions of cases of long-term Covid, Penzey told his readers.

If Republicans gain control after the November election, theyll continue their rain of inhumanity, which includes intentional cruelty and bullying to LGBTQ+ school kids, Penzey cautioned.

Then, Penzey hit his readers with the solution to the looming Republican threat. Cooking is caring and its the antidote to the inhumanity the Republicans are hoping to grow.

So, buy Penzeys spices and use the code love during checkout to get a discount, Penzey happily concludes. Then use those spices to cook often, as doing so will let people know they are loved.

Missing the Love

Seeking clarity on why Penzeys decided to publish its stance on Republicans, The Epoch Times reached out to Penzeys Spices and Bill Penzey on Sep. 16.

Despite an autoreply from Penzeys which promised a response within one business day, The Epoch Times has not received a response.
Planned Parenthood Doctor Testifies Men Can Get Pregnant: This Is Medicine

A Planned Parenthood doctor affirmed at a Sept. 29 House hearing that men can get pregnant and have babies.

The hearing at House Oversight and Reform Committee was called by Democrats to examine the effects of abortion restrictions.

In response to a question from Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) Dr. Bhavik Kumar, medical director for primary and trans care at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast said, Men can have pregnancies, especially trans men.

His answer appeared to perplex Clyde as he repeated his question while emphasizing that he was referring to biological men.

So are you saying that a biological female who identifies as a man and therefore becomes pregnant is, quote, a man? Is that what youre saying? Clyde reiterated.

Kumar dodged the lawmakers query, contending such questions are really missing the point at a hearing about abortion.

He then re-affirmed his answer when grilled by Clyde, Somebody with a uterus may have the capability of becoming pregnant, whether theyre a woman or a man, Kumar said. That doesnt make a difference.

Clyde further dismissed his statement, saying, OK  Were done. This isnt complicated. Let me tell you, if a person has a uterus and is born female, they are a woman.

Not every person with a uterus has the ability to become pregnant, Kumar maintained. This is medicine.

The Republican congressman once again rejected his response, That is not a man, and the vast majority of the world considers that to be a woman because there are biological differences between men and women, he stressed.

Clyde then proceeded to lecture the doctor on biology: Clearly, any high school biology class teaches that men and women have different chromosomes. Females are XX chromosome and males are XY chromosome.

I cant believe its necessary to say this, but men cannot get pregnant and cannot give birth regardless of how they identify themselves.

Kumar further claimed that he had performed likely thousands of abortions, but Clyde questioned the reason why he was chosen to testify.

Why in the world would Democrats have brought in a person whose title is director of trans care for an abortion hearing when only biological women can become pregnant? asked the lawmaker.

Clyde also grilled Dr. Nisha Verma, a fellow at Physicians for Reproductive Health, about whether a fetal heartbeat is a manufactured sound, but Verma eluded his question, calling it a complicated issue.

Like so many things in medicine, its complex, she said.

Finally, she claimed that she needed a little bit of time to give an answer.

At the Thursday hearing, Democrats blasted Republicans for state restrictions on access while Republicans accused Democrats of advocating for unfettered abortion.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at the Conservative Party of Canada leadership vote event in Ottawa on Sept. 10, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Poilievre Decries Irans Revolutionary Guards Not Being Designated a Terrorist Organization in Canada

As the Iranian regime cracks down on anti-regime protests, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre decried on Sept. 29 that Irans Revolutionary Guards are not designated as a terrorist entity by Canada.

The government still refuses to list the IRGC, a terrorist organization, as a terrorist body, allowing it to legally operate here in Canada, said Poilievre in the House of Commons.

The Liberals claim they cannot do this, even though CSIS has reported that the IRGC is responsible for shooting down PS752, killing 50 Canadians.

The total death toll from that tragedy was 176, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents.

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) was formed on the heels of the Islamic revolution in 1979 as a means for the ruling clerics to have a loyal fighting force distinct from the regular armed forces.

While the IRGC in its entirety is not designated as a terrorist entity by Canada, its elite Quds Force (QF) has been listed since December 2012.

Public Safety Canada (PSC) describes the IRGC-QF as the clandestine branch of the IRGC responsible for extraterritorial operations, and for exporting the Iranian Revolution through activities such as facilitating terrorist operations.

PSC says the Quds Force is involved in providing support to groups like Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah.

Israel has also accused the Quds Force of being directly involved in terrorist plots, notably a failed bombing attempt in Bangkok in 2012. Iranian men were jailed over the plot, but Iran has denied involvement.

Along with listing the IRGC-QF, the Harper government also designated the Islamic Republic of Iran as a state that supports terrorism in 2012.

Flight PS752

There are many questions left unanswered when it comes to the downing of the Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 on Jan. 8, 2020, by the IRGC air defences.

Iran blames the incident on human error, but a group representing the families of the victims says it was an intentional act, adding that its Irans responsibility to provide evidence that it did not intentionally target the aircraft.

A report by a forensic team led by former CSIS executive Jeff Yaworski issued in June 2021 says Iran blamed the downing on mistakes made by the operator of the surface-to-air missiles (SAM), yet the report finds this version of events is not substantiated by evidence.

Iranian civilian and military authoritiesthrough their actions and omissionsdirectly put Flight PS752 and other civilian aircraft in danger by creating conditions in which a SAM operator could launch missiles at them and by failing to take adequate preventative measures to reduce this high risk, the report says.

Iranian air defences were on high alert after the country retaliated against the U.S. in Iraq.

The U.S. killed IRGC-QF commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq on Jan. 3, 2020, which prompted Iran to fire missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq on Jan. 7.

Lifting Sanctions

The recent bout of anti-regime protests in Iran were sparked by the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody on Sept. 16 after being detained for allegedly not wearing her hijab correctly.

Poilievre called the protests nothing short of inspiring.

The Conservatives, including my deputy leader [Melissa Lantsman], have been proud to join in these protests, he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sept. 26 Canada would sanction those responsible for Aminis death, but no official announcement has been made yet by Global Affairs Canada.

Weve seen Iran disregarding human rights time and time again, now we see it with the death of Mahsa Amini and the crackdown on protests, Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa.

Poilievre says his party has been demanding that Iran be held accountable for years, meanwhile, he said the Liberals lifted sanctions on Tehran soon after taking power.

The Trudeau government lifted sanctions on Iran in February 2016 after a multilateral deal on its nuclear program was reached in 2015.

Then-foreign affairs minister Stephane Dion had defended the move, saying the United Nations had asked countries to lift sanctions.

Canada will lift its sanctions but will maintain a level of mistrust for a regime that must not have nuclear weapons, a regime that is a danger to human rights and is not a friend to our allies, including Israel, said Dion at the time.

The Canadian government nevertheless hoped this move would signal to Iran a willingness to renew dialogue.

Former U.S. president Donald J. Trump withdrew his country from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, leading to its collapse. His successor Joe Biden has attempted to revive it since taking power in 2021.

Despite Ottawa lifting sanctions, diplomatic relations with Tehran that were suspended in 2012 have not been reestablished, with countries still remaining without the exchange of embassies.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre greet each other as MPs gather in the House of Commons to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth, in Ottawa II on Sept. 15, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Poilievre Holding Lead Over Trudeau as Choice for Prime Minister, New Poll Finds

A new poll shows that more respondents prefer newly minted Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as Canadas prime minister compared to incumbent Justin Trudeau.

The Ipsos poll, conducted on behalf of Global News, shows that 35 percent of the 1,002 Canadian adults surveyed said Poilievre is the best candidate for prime minister, while 31 percent were still putting their faith in Trudeau, who is falling behind the Conservative leader in major provinces.

The new poll, conducted from Sept. 19 to 20 and released Sept. 29, found Poilievre leading in all provinces except B.C., Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

In British Columbia, where Trudeau has traditionally garnered more support, the poll shows he now has 38 percent of respondents supportjust 2 percentage points ahead of Poilievre.

In Ontario, where the Conservatives have struggled for years to win over voters, 41 percent of respondents preferred Poilievre, compared to 34 percent for Trudeau.

Earlier Poll

The new poll follows another poll also by Ipsos, released a day earlier, on Sept. 28, that showed the Tories nudging ahead.

The earlier poll, conducted between Sept. 19 and Sept. 21 and also exclusively for Global News, found the Conservatives leading the Liberals by five percentage points among decided voters.

Among the 1,000 Canadian adults surveyed, 35 percent said they preferred the Tories compared to 30 percent for the Liberals, 20 percent for the NDP, and 7 percent nationally for the Bloc Quebecois. That gap is wider in Ontario, where 37 percent of respondents said they would vote for the Tories compared to 30 percent for the Liberals.

In total, two-thirds (67 percent) of the respondents said it is time for the Liberals to make way for another political party, while support for Trudeaus re-election dipped by four percentage points, to 33 percent, compared to polling done the same time last fall when it had just won re-election on Sept. 20, 2021.

The results of the new poll released Sept. 29 show that respondents are now viewing the Liberal leader in a more negative light compared to his new Conservative counterpart.

In particular, 37 percent of the respondents said Trudeau was in over their head as prime minister, compared to 21 percent for Poilievre.

The two Ipsos polls both carry a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Pro-Life Attorney Warns of Californias Abortion Apocalypse in Wave of New Legislation

Concerned that 'reproductive freedom' will override protection of children

According to Susan Swift Arnall, vice president of legal affairs for Right to Life League, an avalanche of new legislation in California will put into motion what she calls an abortion apocalypse that will be fully funded by the taxpayers.

New California Abortion Laws

The bills listed below were signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 27, 2022:

AB 1375: Reduces doctor oversight and standardized procedures for abortions.

AB 657: Fast-tracks abortion licenses for health care officials coming to California to provide abortions.

SB 1245: Funds abortion access in Los Angeles County.

AB 2626: Prohibits specified medical licensing boards from suspending or revoking a license from a provider for performing an abortion if the abortion was in accordance with the Medical Practice Act and the Reproductive Privacy Act.

AB 1918: Establishes the California Reproductive Health Service Corps, which will provide education and training to newly recruited abortion and reproductive health care workers in exchange for a three-year commitment by the trainees to work for the state to provide abortions and other reproductive services in underserved areas.

AB 2586: Awards funding grants to community organizations for comprehensive reproductive and sexual education, including information about abortion access.

AB 2091: Prohibits health care providers from sharing medical information regarding an out-of-state individual, even minors without the knowledge or consent of their parents, seeking an abortion in California.

AB 2134: Establishes the California Reproductive Health Equity Program, which provides grants to providers to cover the cost of abortion procedures and contraception for low-income clients.

SB 523: Expands birth control access regardless of insurance status by requiring health plans to cover certain over-the-counter birth control without cost sharing. It also prohibits employment discrimination based on reproductive health decisions by making reproductive health decision making a new civil rights category.

AB 2223: Blocks investigation of fetal death and shields anyone who aids in the death of a baby.

AB 1242: Prohibits California law enforcement and corporations from cooperating with out-of-state entities regarding a lawful abortion in California and prohibits law enforcement from arresting anyone having a lawful abortion in California.

SB 1142: Requires the establishment of an abortion care services website and an evaluation of the Abortion Practical Support Fund, which provides funding for travel, lodging, lost wages, and even child care for anyone who travels to California for an abortion.

Legislation Signed Into Law by Newsom:

AB 1666 and AB 1242: Forbid California from complying with other states valid court decisions, subpoenas, and orders that concern abortion.

Legislation Awaiting Newsoms Signature:

AB 2091: Prohibits a person from being compelled to provide testimony about another person who sought or obtained an abortion.

AB 2320: Subsidizes a pilot program to increase abortion access in rural counties.

AB 1940: Enables school-based health centers to provide reproductive health services to students.

SB 1131: Provides legal confidentiality protection to workers involved in abortion and other reproductive services.

SB 1400: Increases the minimum damages reward to $25,000 in civil suits brought by abortion workers whose names, addresses, or other personal information are posted online for the purpose of inciting harassment.

Then theres Proposition 1, which would define reproductive freedom as a constitutional right. Because it would require an amendment to the states constitution, Californias voters, not the Legislature, will decide the fate of this measure on Nov. 8, 2022.

Reproductive Freedom Undefined

The concern that the Right to Life League has about Prop 1 centers on the undefined, extremely broad term, reproductive freedom,' Arnall told The Epoch Times. These are powerful legal words. When you say the state shall, or the state shall not, thats on the same level as the Ten Commandments; Thou shalt not commit murder. When the state says it shall not deny or interfere with an individuals reproductive freedom, I really dont know what that means because reproductive freedom is not defined.

Moreover, Arnall said there is equal ambiguity regarding the states meaning of the words interfere with and deny, which opens the door to many things, including forcing California taxpayers to fund procedures never considered to be a right before. For example, if someone wants to have a gender change operation or an artificial womb implanted at taxpayers expense, it would be possible under the litany of new abortion laws.

Right to Life League President Theresa Brennan (L) and Vice President Susan Arnall march with the Right to Life League banner during the California March for Life event in August 2021. (Courtesy of Susan Arnall)

The main point is, I have not seen this in the media, Arnall added, lamenting how quietly this litany of legislation is becoming law and how little of it is being explained to the public.

According to Arnall, the mention of abortion and reproductive freedom in the the new legislation includes a fundamental right to choose to have an abortion or a fundamental right to choose or refuse contraception.

Abortion and contraception are included in reproductive freedom, Arnall explained, but we already know by reading the language that reproductive freedom means much more than just abortion and contraception because it says including. If theres misinformation out there I think its on the pro-Proposition 1 side, because theyre saying it will protect the rights of women to get abortions in the state.

Abortion: Fundamental to Constitutional Right

According to Arnall, the right of a woman to have an abortion in California is already protected by statute and by California Supreme Court rulings. The Supreme Court of California has already ruled that abortion is a fundamental right.

Im not sure what Proposition 1 adds to that, except that it has this very sweeping, broad language that says, reproductive freedom,' Arnall said. My concern is that reproductive freedom, as a fundamental, constitutional right will override existing laws that protect public health, specifically children.

As Arnall explained, many of the existing laws that are designed to protect public health could be deemed as a form of state interference with the passage of Proposition 1, like laws against polygamy and laws against children having sex with adults.

Those laws go out the window because youre interfering with someones reproductive freedom who, at the age of 13, might decide they want to sleep with a 30-year-old, Arnall posited. Who is the state to deny their reproductive freedom? Why cant they have multiple spouses or have sex with animals? All of that can be defined as reproductive freedom.'

Going further, Arnall suggested that Proposition 1 would enable women, and even female children, to sell their eggs and rent their wombs to private companies for profit, and the state would not be allowed to interfere in that process. They could even provide children and women with drugs that would produce hyperovulation, and the state would not be allowed to interfere with their reproductive freedom.

Opening the CRISPR Technology Door

While it may seem far-fetched, Arnall insists Californias abundance of ambiguous abortion laws could open the door to dangerous and unethical experimental tampering with human DNA.

It could even go so far as to permit embryonic experiments with CRISPR technology, which is a finely tuned method of using laser technology to edit human genomes, Arnall suggested.

In 2018, Chinese researcher He Jiankui claimed that he used CRISPR technology to create the worlds first genetically edited twin girls. A U.S. scientist claimed to have taken part in the work in China. However, gene editing such as this is banned in the United States because the artificially forced DNA changes could be harmful to other genes, which would be passed on to future generations. Shortly after his announcement, Jiankui went missing. Reports surfaced in April 2022 that Jiankui had just been released from jail. He had been arrested and thrown in jail because his work crossed the bottom line of ethics in scientific research. The report noted that a third child was born of the experiment.

That technology enhances reproductive freedom, does it not? Arnall asserted, adding that the legislation could extend to lowering licensing requirements for abortion clinics.

If someone wants to become an abortion doula, who is not licensed by the state, why does the state have the right to interfere with my reproductive freedom in who I choose to perform my abortion? Arnall posited.

The Abortion Apocalypse

While most of these bills have already become law, a plethora of other measures are following quickly behind. The deluge, Arnall insists, is intentional. Its meant to flood the state with so many measures that no one can keep up or understand whats happening.

They have so many bills, she said. Thats why I call whats coming the Abortion Apocalypse.

Susan Arnall, vice president of legal affairs at the Right to Life League, stands across the street from the California state capital in June 2022. (Courtesy of Susan Arnall)

One bill reduces doctor oversight and standardized procedures for abortions, she explained, saying there are usually policies and procedures in place that nurses, practitioners, and abortionists have to practice. But what theyre going to do is lower doctor oversight for nurses. Its going to lower the standard of care and make it easier for nurses and physician assistants performing abortions to do them without the direct oversight of a doctor.

Another dangerous door Arnall believes these laws open is the ability to fast-track abortion licenses. Not just for obstetricians, but for just about anyone who wants to practice abortion.

They want to build more abortionists, Arnall warned. When youre rushing someone toward a medical license, that lowers the quality of care.

Arnall also noted how California is also attempting to forbid compliance with state pro-life court decisions, subpoenas, and other lawful court orders with AB 1242.

Its a slap at the Texas Heartbeat bill, she suggested. What these California laws will attempt to do is say, We are not going to comply with other states valid court decisions, subpoenas, or court orders that concern abortion. All of these violate the full faith and credit clause of the United States Constitution. They just do.

Its All Virtue Signaling

According to Legal Match, the Full Faith and Credit Clause is an integral part of the U.S. Constitution. Found in Article IV, Section 1, the clause requires that all states decisions, public records, and rulings be honored in all the other U.S. states and that each U.S. court must give full faith and credit to the decisions rendered by other courts. Without the Full Faith and Credit Clause, conflicts might arise between states, and the legal system would be entangled in various overlapping rulings. But, according to Arnall, none of that matters in California.

For California, this is a matter of virtue signaling, she asserted, suggesting that eventually, all of Californias recent abortion bills will be struck down in federal court.

Its like gay marriage, she said. Some states allow for gay marriage and its very clear now that when you have a contract between two people in marriage in one state it has to be recognized in all of the others states. Thats the whole point of the Full Faith and Credit Clause. What California is doing is turning that around. They will marry gay people in California and then you have to recognize the valid contract between two men or two women in Wyoming or any other state that doesnt have gay marriage on the books. Well, California is actually going to refuse to recognize valid court decisions of rulings, like in Texas, where you cant perform an abortion after six or eight weeks after you detect a fetal heartbeat. So when an abortionist performs an abortion and is sued under the Texas Heartbeat Act.

AB 2223 Is the True Danger

As Arnall explains, AB 2223 and Proposition 1, the California Abortion Amendment, share the same broad pro-abortion language. However, she says Proposition 1 is essentially virtue signaling, as it will merely reiterate laws already on the books rather than expanding the states existing abortion laws.

Theresa Brennan, president of the Right to Life League, speaks through a bull horn in front of the Supreme Court to defend the draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which was leaked in May 2022. (Courtesy of Susan Arnall)

That is why AB 2223 is the true danger, Arnall said. AB 2223 will eliminate Californias current Roe v. Wade era restrictions on abortion, creating an unlimited right to abortion for all nine months of pregnancy, including after the live birth of a baby. It does this with the language perinatal death due to causes that occurred in utero. This phrase is vague and totally undefined.

Existing California law defines the term perinatal to mean the period from the establishment of pregnancy to one month following delivery.

According to Arnall, Californias Health and Safety Code already states that a baby born alive after a failed abortion needs to be provided the same care as another infant of a similar age, and the code also maintains protections against fetal homicide. However, she contends AB 2223 will prevent any investigation into the cause of a babys death, erasing justice for the unwanted baby born alive.

Worse, Arnall says, AB 2223 will make any investigation into a babys death actionable, effectively legalizing infanticide and incentivizing litigation by a radical pro-abortion plaintiffs bar by setting cause of action for a minimum of $25,000 plus costs of litigation and attorneys fees provision. The pregnant mother, and anyone who helps hernot just abortion doctors or clinicians, but anyone who aids or assists herwill enjoy a separate, private legal cause of action against anyone who asks questions about a babys death during the first 28 days of life.

Recent reports by both Fox News and Live Action illustrate exactly what will be beyond the reach of California investigators once AB 2223 is law. In April, a 41-year-old Nebraska mother bought abortion pills for her then 17-year-old pregnant daughter. The daughter took the pills, then gave birth to a viable 24-week-old baby boy. After his birth, the mother and daughter stuffed the baby into a plastic bag, tried to burn the evidence, and then buried the babys burned, dead body.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during a ceremony formally annexing four regions of Ukraine Russian troops occupy, at the Kremlin in Moscow on Sept. 30, 2022. (Grigory Sysoyev/Sputnik /AFP via Getty Images)

Putin Announces Official Annexation of 4 Ukrainian Territories

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a decree that will annex four Ukrainian territories into the Russian Federation in a move that was condemned by Western powers.

The order will impact the disputed regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Starting about a week ago, residents of those areas signed referendums, although U.S. and European Union officials claimed it was a sham.

You know that referendums have taken place, Putin said Friday at a ceremony in the Kremlin, according to state-run media. The results have been calculated. The results are known. People have made their choice, an unequivocal choice.

Describing the votes as the will of millions of people, Putin said that people living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever.

In February, the Kremlin recognized the disputed Donbass areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states and accused Ukraines government of failing to implement earlier agreements that would give those regions special status following widespread protests in Kyiv in 2014. Days later, Putin on Feb. 24 announced the invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a special military operation.

We will always remember the heroes of the Russian Spring, Putin said in reference to incidents in 2014, including protests against Ukraines government in the Donbass and Crimeawhich Russia ultimately annexed.

And Putin said he would remember those who died for the right in their native tongue, to preserve their culture, traditions, their faith. For their right to live, state-run media reported.

He urged Ukraine to cease military action and return to the negotiating table. Kyiv has vowed to recapture all the lands seized by Russia and said that Russias decision to annex the territories has destroyed any prospect of talks.

A man casts his ballot for a referendum at a polling station in Mariupol on Sept. 27, 2022. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)

It comes as Russian forces have faced setbacks on the battlefield. Pro-Russian officials acknowledged that Russian troops were on the verge of encirclement in Lyman, their main garrison in the north of Donetsk province.

A defeat there could open the way for Ukraine to recapture swathes of the territory that Putin has now declared to be part of Russia.

Criticism

The referendum votes were sharply criticized in the West, accusing Russia of perpetuating a sham.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on Twitter Thursday that he had assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Germany will never recognize the so-called results.

This is an attempt to steal the territory of another state, Zelenskyy said during a remote address to the U.N. Security Council Tuesday. This is a very cynical attempt to force the male population in the occupied territory of Ukraine to mobilize into the Russian army in order to send them to fight against their own homelands.

The U.N. Charter is clear, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters Thursday. Any annexation of a states territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the U.N. Charter and international law.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the United States will now likely hit Russia with additional sanctions. The United States has already placed penalties on top Kremlin leaders and their family members while banning all Russian oil imports.

In response, we will work with our allies and partners to impose additional economic costs on Russia and individuals and entities inside and outside of Russia that provide support to this action, she told reporters on Thursday.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a speech during a ceremony formally annexing four regions of Ukraine that Russian troops control, at the Kremlin in Moscow on Sept. 30, 2022. (Grigory Sysoyev/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin Declares Annexation of Ukrainian Lands in Kremlin Ceremony

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday presided over a ceremony to annex four Ukrainian regions partly occupied by his forces, escalating the seven-month war.

This is the will of millions of people, he said in a speech before hundreds of dignitaries in the St. Georges Hall of the Kremlin.

The ceremony took place three days after the completion of hastily staged referendums in which Moscows proxies in the occupied regions claimed majorities of up to 99 percent in favor of joining Russia.

Ukraine and Western governments said the votes, announced only 10 days ago, had been conducted at gunpoint and were bogus and illegitimate.

Ukraine, the United States, and the head of the United Nations have all said the annexation ceremony has no legal value, with Kyiv describing it as a Kremlin freak show.

In his speech, Putin declared that Russia had four new regions. People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region, and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever, he said.

He urged Ukraine to cease military action and return to the negotiating table. Kyiv has vowed to recapture all the lands seized by Russia and said that Russias decision to annex the territories has destroyed any prospect of talks.

He evoked the memory of Russian heroes from the 18th century to World War Two and repeated familiar accusations against the West, accusing it of colonial practices and recalling the use of nuclear weapons by the United States against Japan at the end of World War Two.

The hurried annexations mean that the front lines of the war will now run through territory that Russia is declaring as its own and that Putin has said he is ready to defend with nuclear weapons if necessary.

Putin explicitly denied accusations from Western politicians calling that a bluff. The United States says it has warned Russia of catastrophic consequences if it does use a nuclear weapon.

By Mark Trevelyan
Quebec Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime speaks to supporters at a rally where he announced he will run in the Chauveau riding in the next provincial election in October, in Quebec City on April 5, 2022. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Quebec Tory Leader Calls for Inquiry Into Pandemic Management by Private Firm

Quebec Conservative Party Leader Eric Duhaime on Friday called for an inquiry into the outsourcing of many facets of the provinces pandemic management to U.S. consulting firm McKinsey, including any potential conflict-of-interest issues.

Should we understand that the [Francois] Legault government gave a consulting firm the duty to manage Quebec in 2020, with all the negative consequences this had on the lives of millions of Quebecers? Duhaime said in a statement.

Who really managed the pandemic in Quebec? Were Mr. Legault and Mr. Dube the puppets of McKinsey? he asked, referring to the premier and Health Minister Christian Dube.

The leader of the Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) was reacting to an investigative report by Radio-Canada (French CBC) published on Friday.

The involvement of McKinsey with Quebecs government had been known since 2020, but not the extent.

In May 2020, Legaults Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) blocked a motion by the opposition requesting the disclosure of documents produced by McKinsey for the province.

Radio-Canada says it was able to draw a better portrait of McKinseys impact on pandemic management by reviewing over 200 internal emails, contracts, and work documents, obtained through sources or access to information requests.

Key Role

Radio-Canada revealed that McKinsey had a key role in managing the vaccination campaign in Quebec.

On Dec. 14, 2020, the first day of the campaign, a McKinsey partner provided guidance to the top official in charge.

Congratulations for that first day, which is going well. Here are my notes on follow-ups (action, person in charge, delays). Dont hesitate to make modifications, the partner said in an email to Daniel Pare, director of the vaccination campaign.

While McKinseys contract with the government of Quebec says the firm would work to prevent conflicts between its interests and those of the government, another provision says it would not disclose its list of other clients.

Duhaime says this is problematic, given reporting that McKinsey had Pfizer as a client during the vaccination campaign.

That information was discovered by a French Senate investigation into McKinseys activities in managing Frances pandemic.

The Senate report indicates that McKinsey has other large pharmaceutical companies as clients, along with pro-vaccination organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube speaks during a news conference as then Public Health Director Horacio Arruda looks on, in Montreal on Sept. 20, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Radio-Canada revealed McKinsey advised in November 2020 that a deal should be made with Pfizer regarding distribution sites.

In December 2020, a McKinsey adviser suggested to then public health director Horacio Arruda that he make a recommendation to the minister regarding the importance to have an in-depth discussion with Pfizer regarding the need to keep the second dose.

There is certainly an appearance of conflict of interest and its essential this issue be looked at thoroughly, said Duhaime about the potential McKinsey-Pfizer links.

Along with the vaccination issue, Radio-Canadas report says McKinsey was involved in crucial decisions during the pandemic by providing advice and help with strategic communications.

The private firm coordinated decision-making teams and summoned at will top officials, in group meetings or one-on-one, wrote Radio-Canada.

McKinseys services came at the cost of $35,000 a day. In total, the government paid the company $1.7 million to craft the provinces re-opening strategy, and another $4.9 million for a plan to relaunch the economy.

Radio-Canada also revealed McKinsey had access to confidential documents.

The Epoch Times reached out to McKinsey and Quebecs executive council but didnt hear back before publication time. The Epoch Times also requested comment from the provinces health department, but was was deferred to the executive council.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks during a Labor Campaign Rally in Brisbane, Australia on May 15, 2022. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Queensland Scraps Multi-Jurisdiction Land Tax Proposal

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has shelved a contentious proposal to introduce a nation-first multi-jurisdictional land tax after an apparent lack of support from her state counterparts.

The proposal would have seen Queensland charge investors land tax based on the value of all their property holdings across the country, not just within the state, which is the usual practice.

For example, if an individual owned 10 properties around Australia and they were to buy just one in Queensland, the government would charge land tax based on an aggregated valuation of all the properties added together.

Palaszczuk originally planned to take the proposal to National Cabinet, but an earlier meeting with the states treasurers resulted in the idea being torpedoed.

It  came out of the treasurers meeting. There were discussions held at that forum, and it relies on the goodwill of other states, she told reporters on Sept. 30.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the government was not aware their state counterparts would be unwilling to assist.

I think the principle of that measure made sense when the decisions were made, but since then, weve had these positions taken by other states and territories that they wont assist to close that loophole, he said.

The opposition Treasury spokesperson David Janetzki said the policy reversal was an economic embarrassment of epic proportions.

Despite this embarrassing back down, the fact remains the confidence of renters and investors has been rocked, and Queenslanders no longer trust the Palaszczuk Government, he said.

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet had been one of the most vocal critics of the scheme saying the state would not cooperate with Queensland on implementation.

This is a tax implemented by a state that impacts the residents of NSW, he said in comments obtained by AAP. It is wrong, and we are not going to comply with it, so we are not going to provide that information.

The land tax relied on the Queensland government compiling and identifying what properties individuals owned across the countryeach jurisdiction runs its own land registry with little crossover.

The most recent iteration of the plan relied on an honesty system where individuals complete a declaration of their land holdings.

Queenslands deputy under treasurer, Leon Allen, has previously conceded that no existing arrangements for sharing data existed and the success of the policy would be highly dependent on what information could be obtained.
President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington on Sept. 28, 2022. (Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images)

Republicans Express Alarm After Bidens Wheres Jackie Comment

Republicans are calling for President Joe Biden to take a cognitive test after he called for the name of a House lawmaker who died last month during an event this week.

During a White House event, Biden asked, Wheres Jackie, referring to Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.). Walorski and several other people died in a car crash in August, drawing condolences from Biden, who had issued a statement about her death.

No amount of spin from the White House can justify President Joe Biden forgetting the tragic passing of Jackie Walorski  the latest gaffe that calls so much into question, Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer said. The American people deserve a straight answer, not a political talking point, as to how the President of the United States could forget that a congresswoman he was purportedly trying to honor had passed away just last month.

Biden made the comment during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on Sept. 28.

I want to thank all of you here, including bipartisan elected officials like  Senator Braun, Senator Booker, Representative  Jackie, Jackie are you here? Biden stated. I think she wasshe wasntgoing to be here to help make this a reality.

Top of Mind

When asked about what Biden meant, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claimed the president was trying to note that Walorski was one of four lawmakers who sponsored legislation trying to tackle hunger.

The president was naming the congressional champions on this issue and was acknowledging her incredible work, Jean-Pierre said. He had already planned to welcome the congresswomans family to the White House on Friday. There will be a bill signing in her honor this coming Friday. So, of course, she was on his mind. She was top of mind for the president.

(L-R) U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), and Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) listen during a meeting between President Donald Trump and congressional members in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington on Feb. 13, 2018. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), a former White House doctor who has been calling for Biden to take a cognitive test, again demanded the president to take one.

It doesnt take a neurologist to realize hes in serious cognitive decline, he told Fox News this week. The American people know whats going on here, and they dont think the commander in chief is capable of doing his job. Its past time for White House staff and the liberal media to stop shielding him from questions about his mental acuity and demand he answer my call for a cognitive test.

Walorski died in a car accident that killed two of her staffers and a woman who was driving in another vehicle on Aug. 3. The driver of Walorskis vehicle was found to be at fault, according to the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office in Indiana.

On the day of her death, Biden issued a statement saying both he and his wife, Jill, were shocked and saddened.

Born in her beloved South Bend as the daughter of a meat-cutter and firefighter, she spent a lifetime serving the community that she grew up inas a journalist, a nonprofit director, a state legislator, and eventually as a Member of Congress for the past nine and half years, he said.

The Epoch Times has contacted the White House for comment.
Republicans Probe Whether China Quarantined US Diplomats to Steal Intelligence, Demand Investigation

Two Republican Congressmen requested that the State Department preserve documents linked to the forced quarantine of more than a dozen U.S. diplomats in China, citing concerns that the communist regime may have pressured them into surrendering intelligence.

The Sep. 29 letter (pdf), which was addressed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and signed by Reps. James Comer (R-Ky.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), said that Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials may have used COVID-19 quarantines to pressure diplomats into giving up vital intelligence.

U.S. Embassy officials in Beijing recently confirmed that 16 U.S. diplomats and their family membersthroughout the pandemichave been involuntarily held in quarantine camps and subjected to strict confinement measures with no definitive release date, the letter said.

Committee Republicans are concerned that U.S diplomats could be or have been pressured to surrender intelligence while detained in [Chinese] quarantine camps.

Comer is the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which published the letter. McCaul leads the GOPs China Task Force and is the ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

We must protect our personnel from Chinese counterintelligence efforts, said a statement by the Oversight Committee on Twitter.

Comer and McCaul suggested that the involuntary quarantine of American diplomats in China was a national security threat, and suggested that the CCPs quarantine of key U.S. officials could be part of a larger espionage effort.

The confinement of U.S. diplomats in [China] raises grave national security concerns, the letter said.

[China] poses a geopolitical threat to the United States and should not be coercing U.S. diplomats into and surveilling them under draconian quarantine policies.

The letter also cited evidence from internal whistleblower correspondence made available to Congress and original reporting from The Washington Post to outline how CCP officials forcibly tested U.S. diplomats for other diseases in addition to COVID-19 and attempted to separate American diplomats from their children for extended periods by placing them in a fever clinic.

It also underscored the history of CCP operations against U.S. citizens and partners, saying that the United States and CCP were in a cool war, and noting that the regime previously executed 30 U.S. intelligence sources during the Obama administration.

Given that troubling reality, the letter said, it is reasonable to wonder and worry about the threats posed by [China] to U.S. diplomats while they are or were being involuntarily and unjustly quarantined, ostensibly under the guise of COVID-19 protocols.

Unfortunately, these extreme containment measures are part of [Chinas] attempt to undermine United States national security and undermine basic reciprocity in diplomatic relations.
Former pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui Chi-fung appears outside West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts in Hong Kong on Nov. 19, 2020. (Lam Yik/Reuters)

Self-Exiled Hong Kong Democrat Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Jail in Absentia

HONG KONGA court in Hong Kong on Thursday sentenced a pro-democracy activist and former lawmaker, Ted Hui, to 3.5 years in jail for criminal contempt after he failed to show up for trial in several criminal cases.

Hui, 40, fled Hong Kong in December 2020, several months after the Chinese regime imposed a sweeping national security law punishing offenses like subversion and foreign collusion with possible life imprisonment.

In a judgment posted online, Judge Andrew Chan outlined how Hui had deceived the court with false documents in late 2020 to have travel restrictions lifted and to evade criminal proceedings.

Hui went overseas after he was allowed to travel and did not return, eventually settling in Australia.

Hui had been facing criminal charges in several cases at the time, including perverting the course of justice, access to a computer with dishonest intent, and alleged criminal damage.

The deception was carefully orchestrated by the respondent [Hui] with the consequences that public confidence in the administration of justice had been greatly undermined, wrote Chan, who had found Hui guilty on four counts of contempt of court in June.

Hui was among dozens of democrats who took part in an unofficial primary election in August 2020, that was later deemed illegal by authorities. Forty seven of these democrats were arrested in early 2021 for alleged conspiracy to commit subversion that could see them jailed for life.

Legal proceedings are ongoing, with many of the democrats detained and denied bail ahead of the trial.

In a social media post on Thursday, Hui described the sentence and criminal proceedings against him as contemptible.

After the National Security Law came into effect in Hong Kong, the courts in Hong Kong have been reduced to become courts of the [Chinese] Communist Party. Political trials, and sentencing against dissent has become the norm in Hong Kong, Hui wrote.

More than 200 people have been arrested for alleged violations of the national security law since 2020.
Chief of Ottawa Police Vern White speaks to members of the media on Dec. 29, 2009. (The Canadian Press/Pawel Dwulit)

Sen. Vernon White Leaving the Senate

Sen. Vernon White is leaving his Senate post, saying he will be moving to Finland where his wife is originally from.

My wife is from Finland, and we will get to spend time with them, which for now is very important to us, White said in an email to The Epoch Times. I have some work lined up overseas and will see where that takes me.

White got media attention when he travelled to Finland in January 2021 during the pandemic. However, he followed all of Finlands guidelines, isolating for 10 days and doing COVID-19 tests, he told CBC.

Ive been lucky enough to serve Canadians for over 40 years, White said in an interview with CTV News, mentioning his time served in law enforcement and now in the Senate. I think Ill find something else that gives me some passion, and the Senate right now is not doing it.

White said that since he came into the Senate in 2012, he always said he would not stay for the full tenure allowed, and anticipated that he would only stay six to nine years.

White has a doctorate in police leadership from Charles Sturt University and a master of arts in conflict analysis and management from Royal Roads University. He has taken on guest lecturing roles in Finland and done work at many universities as a part-time or visiting professor. Currently, he is a fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Before working in the Senate, he worked in the RCMP and was the police chief in Durham, then for Ottawa Police, and was a member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.

White was appointed to the Senate by former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2012. After winning the 2015 election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dissolved the Liberal caucus in the Senate, saying he wants to remove partisanship in the Upper Chamber.

White says recent changes have not meant that the Senate is more or less effective, but that its rather different.

I think the independence of the Senate has changed the environment, and we now have four groups/parties, rather than two prior to my arrival, he told The Epoch Times.

As I have said many times, the best work done in the Senate is the work of committees. Often the House has neither the time or maybe the inclination to delve into an issue to the level needed. The Senate work helps to educate parliamentarians on the issues Canadians face.

Peter Wilson contributed to this report.
Attorney General Merrick Garland tells reporters Aug. 11, 2022, that he won't take questions about the FBI's raid on former President Donald Trump's home in Florida. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Republicans to Investigate Excessive FBI Raid of Pennsylvania Pro-Life Activists Home

Attorney General Merrick Garland has received a flurry of stern letters, including notice of an investigation, from Republican members of Congress in the days since the FBIs Sept. 23 raid on the Pennsylvania home of pro-life activist Mark Houck.

Not only did your office turn a local dispute into a national case, but the FBI reportedly executed the search warrant in as extreme a manner as one can imagine, a Sept. 26 letter, sent individually by Sen. Josh Hawley said. The FBI admitted in a statement that as many as 20 agents were present with their guns drawn.

Houck was handcuffed in front of his wife and seven children during the 7 a.m. arrest and search of his home.

A Sept. 27 letter from 22 Republican House and Senate members asked why the FBI was deployed for state-level assault charges were dismissed by local authorities in Philadelphia.

At the moment, it appears to be an extraordinary overreach for political ends, the joint letter said. We request an explanation for the excessive level of force used by the FBI in this case, and why the power of federal law enforcement was once again used against an American citizen in what should be a state and local matter.

Next, a Sept. 28, a letter to Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray from 12 Republican senators, offers more insight into the incident and askes Garland to provide answers to five specific questions by Oct. 12, so Congress can perform an independent review of the matter.

This letter was led by Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and signed by Sens. Toomey (R-Pa.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

More Details About Raid

The FBI arrest warrant is based on an event that happened on Oct. 13, 2021.

According to the letter, the incident involved an abortion clinic worker who allegedly shouted obscenities at Houcks then-11-year-old son and invaded his personal space, refusing to leave him alone. Houck allegedly pushed the individual away from his son.

Houcks attorney for that incident, John Williamson, told the committee the Philadelphia Police declined to arrest or prosecute Houck. Despite that, the clinic worker filed a criminal complaint against Houck which was dismissed after the clinic worker failed to appear in court at least twice.

During that case, the district attorney suggested settling the matter as a civil case instead of a criminal one, but the abortion clinic worker disagreed, the Senate letter said.

After the complaint against Houck was dismissed on April 22, 2022, he received an April 27, 2022 letter from the Justice Department, advising that he was under investigation for potential violations of the FACE Act. The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act prohibits threatening or obstructing people entering or exiting an abortion clinic.

Houck was likely familiar with the act as he regularly volunteered as a sidewalk counselor.

After receiving a letter from the DOJ, Houck hired attorney Matt Heffron, a former federal prosecutor. Heffron told the committee that he left two voicemails and sent an email to Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Eve but did not hear back.

Mark Houck and his family as seen in a file photo. (GiveSendGo screenshot via The Epoch Times)

In the communications, Heffron told the DOJ that if it intended to indict Houck, he would receive the summons on Houcks behalf and that he would appear voluntarily.

Given their cooperation with federal law enforcement, the family did not expect to be awakened at 7 a.m. with reportedly over 20 FBI agents surrounding their home wearing armor plated tactical vests, ballistic helmets and holding ballistic shields and long guns, the Senate letter said.

Once he was handcuffed, the letter says Houck asked his wife for his Catholic rosary and a sweatshirt. Then he was taken to jail.

The committee notes that on May 20, 2022, Garland sent a memo to Justice Department employees about its use of force policy. The memo, titled De-escalation, said officers must be trained in de-escalation tactics designed to gain voluntary compliance from a subject before using force, and such tactics should be used if feasible and if they would not increase the danger to the officer or others.

The actions taken by the FBI call into question whether they complied with DOJs use of force policy, the committee letter said.

The FBI must explain their justification for their actions on September 23, 2022, the letter said.

Five Questions

The letter signers ask the following questions about why Houck was not allowed to self-report for his arrest and arraignment after his attorney said he was willing to do so, and whether political considerations were made to approve and execute the warrant.

1. Why did the Justice Department wait 11 months after the October 2021 incident to indict Houck?

2. Please provide a list of Justice Department and FBI officials who approved the decision to open a grand jury investigation into Houck after the state criminal complaint had already been dismissed.

3. Please provide a list of Justice Department and FBI officials who approved the execution of the arrest warrant for Houck.

4. How many law enforcement personnel did the FBI use in executing the arrest warrant?

5. In light of Mr. Houcks alleged cooperation with federal authorities, what factors led to the Justice Department and FBI executing an arrest warrant against him instead of using less aggressive tactics, including a summons to appear? Please explain how the execution of the search warrant complied with Attorney General Garlands use of force memorandum.

The Epoch Times reached out to the DOJ for comment.
Workers fix a banner reading "Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, KhersonRussia!" on top of a construction installed in front of the State Historical Museum outside Red Square in central Moscow on Sept. 29, 2022. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)

Sham: New Zealand Refuses to Recognise Russian Referendums in Ukraine Regions

New Zealand has joined its Western allies in denouncing the sham referenda held in four Ukrainian regions to join the Russian Federation.

These so-called referenda were not free or fair, and they very clearly were not held in accordance with democratic principles, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said.

Russian sources have reported that the results of the referenda in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson showed significant support for leaving Ukraine.

But Mahuta said they were hastily organised under the threat of force and called on Russia to immediately cease the invasion of Ukraine and return to diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict.

New Zealand remains in solidarity with Ukraine in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the rules-based international system, she said.

This war which has inflicted immense suffering on Ukraine and displaced millions of its civilians.

New Zealand also stands firmly against the escalation of Russias invasion of Ukraine, including mobilisation of Russian citizens. Escalation flies in the face of Russias lie that they are there to liberate Ukraine.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta speaks during a Labour press conference at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Nov. 2, 2020. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Western Allies Denounce Illegitimate Referendums

Most western capitals say the move amounts to the de facto annexation of the four regions by Russia.

U.S. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the referendums illegitimate and frankly outrageous and said the country would never recognise the attempts to annex Ukrainian territory.

We will work with our allies and partners to impose additional economic costs on Russia and individuals and entities inside and outside of Russia that provide support to this action, she said.

We will rally global opposition to Russias attempts at annexation, including at the United Nations.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Canada would do what it could to make sure the sham referendums werent endorsed by other countries.

While Trudeau already said stronger sanctions would be announced soon, no further details have been revealed.

Across the ditch, Australia has yet to release a statement, but previously also condemned the referendums as illegitimate and invalid.

They wont form a lawful basis for any purported acquisition of Ukraines territory by Russia and wont be recognised by the international community, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a Twitter post before the referendums were held.

Zelenskyy thanked various Western leaders for denouncing the referendums as sham.

Thank you all for your clear and unequivocal support. Thank you all for understanding our position, he said in a late-night video address on Sept. 28, as reported by Reuters.

Ukraine cannot and will not tolerate any attempts by Russia to seize any part of our land.

Ukrainian political advisor Mikhailo Podolyak also indicated that Ukrainians involved in the referendums will face treason charges and at least five years in jail.
A view of the education center that was attacked by a suicide bomber, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sept. 30, 2022. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

Suicide Bomber Strikes Kabul Education Center, Killing 19

KABUL, AfghanistanA suicide bomber struck an education center in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital on Friday, killing 19 people and wounding 27, including teenagers who were taking university practice entry exams, a Taliban spokesman said.

The morning explosion at the center took place in Kabuls Dashti Barchi neighborhood, an area populated mostly by ethnic Hazaras, who belong to Afghanistans minority Shiite community. The ISIS terrorist group has carried out repeated, horrific attacks on schools, hospitals, and mosques in Dashti Barchi and other Shiite areas in recent years.

Around 300 recent high school graduates, boys and girls, had come to the Kaaj Higher Educational Center at 6:30 a.m. to take practice exams, said one survivor, 19-year-old Shafi Akbary. The facility helps students prepare and study for the entrance exams, among other activities.

About an hour into the session, the blast went off.

First, we heard the sounds of a few gunshots at the main gate. Everyone was worried and tried to run to a different direction, said Akbary, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone. Soon after that, a huge explosion occurred inside the center.

Akbary, who was unharmed, said he saw dozens of bodies and wounded people scattered around him. I was so afraid and couldnt even move myself to help them. Later, other people ran inside and took us out, he added. Akbary said he has attended classes at the center for the past six months

Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman of the Kabul police who gave the casualty toll, said students were among the victims of the blast, but he did not specify how many. He said education centers in the area will need to ask the Taliban for additional security when they host events with big gatherings like Fridays exam prep.

Police have arrested a suspect who may have links to the attack, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said later. He was unable to provide any updates on the casualties.

The Emergency NGO Hospital in Kabul said in a tweet it had received 22 patients so far, adding that most of them were women aged 1825 who were taking an exam.

Husnia Azimi was one of those killed in the suicide bombing. She left home Friday morning to attend the exam, even though her sister Zainab told her it was late and not to go.

The family of a 19-years old girl who was victim of a suicide bomber mourns, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sept. 30, 2022. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

Once she left, it was around 09:00 a.m. that we heard about the explosion, said Zainab. We didnt hear its sound, but once we got the news, we went to all the hospitals, Ali Jinnah hospital, Watan hospital, and other hospitals.

But when we went to the Emergency Hospital, we got a call from Ali Jinnah hospital that my sisters dead body was found. Then we went back there and saw her body.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. But the ISIS, the chief rival of the Taliban, has been waging a campaign of violence that has intensified since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Afghanistans Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite Muslims, have been a frequent target of the violence. In Dashti Barchi, ISIS carried out a 2020 attack on a maternity hospital that killed 24 people, including newborn babies and mothers, and an attack on a school in 2021 that killed more than 90, mostly schoolgirls. The neighborhood sees frequent bombings of minibuses and, earlier this year, a school and another education center were hit near simultaneously, killing six.

The local police chief, Abdul Rahman Nafiz, criticized the center for failing to inform security officials about the practice exam.

Amnesty Internationals South Asia campaigner, Samira Hamidi, said Fridays attack showed the utter failure of the Taliban, as de-facto authorities, to protect the people of Afghanistan.

She said the Taliban have taken few measures to protect the public, especially Shiites and Hazaras Instead, their actions of omission and commission have only further aggravated the risk to the lives of the people of Afghanistan, especially those belonging to ethnic and minority communities, she said.

The U.S. charge daffaires for Afghanistan, Karen Decker, condemned Fridays attack in a tweet.

Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear, she said. We hope for a swift recovery for the victims & we grieve with the families of the deceased.

The United Nations childrens agency UNICEF said it was appalled by Fridays horrific attack. Children and adolescents are not, and must never be, the target of violence, it said in a tweet.

Since seizing power, the Taliban have banned most girls beyond the sixth grade from attending school. But female high school graduates from previous years can go to university.

By Ebrahim Noroozi and Rahim Faiez
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh listens during the first day of his confirmation hearing in front of the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 4, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Supreme Court Stays Order Barring Executive From Banking Industry

The Supreme Court has put a bankers lifetime ban from the industry on hold while he pursues an appeal over the ban.

The order (pdf), which also stays a $125,000 fine, came late on Sept. 29 in Calcutt v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), court file 22A255.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh issued the order without referring the matter to the full court. He provided no reasons for his decision.

The order states that if the bankers petition to the high court is denied, this stay shall terminate automatically.

Administrative Law Judge Christopher B. McNeil recommended on April 3, 2020, that Harry C. Calcutt III, the former president and CEO of Traverse City, Michigan-based Northwestern Bank, be prohibited from working in the industry and assessed a civil financial penalty under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

Calcutt allegedly participated in improper lending practices that led his small bank to incur more than $8 million in losses.

Calcutt engaged in unsafe and unsound banking practices and breached his fiduciary duties to the Bank by increasing the Banks exposure to its largest borrower relationship to enable the borrowers to make payments on their existing loans, while concealing the true nature of the transactions from the Banks board of directors and its regulators, according to an FDIC enforcement order (pdf) dated Dec. 15, 2020.

In June, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit turned down Calcutts appeal.

According to Calcutts filing with the high court, the FDIC issued a legally flawed agency order, and the 6th Circuit erred in failing to ferret out record facts that might support the agencys judgment on other grounds.

This approach contravenes this Courts precedents and opens a glaring circuit split with every other court of appeals on a fundamental question of administrative law that arises in virtually every case involving judicial review of agency action, the filing states.

And the Sixth Circuits no-remand ruling is so patently incorrect that even the FDIC agreed a remand was warranted, at least to let the agency decide whether the effects properly considered under the panels legal standard  support prohibition, the filing states, quoting a legal brief filed in the case.

Calcutts attorneys have argued that because the FDICs board members are appointed by the president to fixed terms, but may not be removed at the will of president, they are not politically accountable, which calls into question the constitutionality of the boards structure.

A similar issue was raised in Seila Law LLC v. U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) which the Supreme Court decided in a 5-4 ruling on June 29, 2020.

The CFPB was designed to be free of the influence of the president. Federal law blocked the president from dismissing its director, who has to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, before that persons five-year term lapses, unless the termination is for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.

The Supreme Court decision found the president has the authority to fire the director at will, but refused to strike down the statute authorizing the creation of the CFPB. The ruling was a victory for the Trump administration at the time.

The Epoch Times reached out for comment to the U.S. Department of Justice but had not received a reply as of press time.
Taiwan to End COVID Quarantine for Arrivals, Welcome Back Tourists

TAIPEITaiwan will end its mandatory COVID-19 quarantine for arrivals from Oct. 13 and welcome tourists back, the government said on Thursday, completing a major step on its plan to re-open to the outside world.

Taiwan had kept some of its entry and quarantine rules in place as large parts of the rest of Asia relaxed or lifted them completely, although in June it cut the number of days required in isolation for arrivals to three from seven previously.

Taiwan has reported 6.3 million domestic cases since the beginning of the year, driven by the more infectious Omicron variant. With more than 99 percent of those showing no or only mild symptoms, the government has relaxed restrictions in its new Taiwan model.

Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng told reporters that with a well vaccinated population and the pandemic under control at home, the time had come to re-open borders.

Arrivals will still need to monitor their health for a seven day period and take rapid tests, but tourists will be allowed to return, he added.

The government had previously said it was aiming for an Oct. 13 re-opening.

A series of other measures came into force on Thursday, including ending PCR tests for arrivals and resuming visa-free entry for citizens of all countries that previously had that status.

Throughout the pandemic Taiwanese citizens and foreign residents have not been prohibited from leaving and then re-entering, but have had to quarantine at home or in hotels for up to two weeks.
Screenshot from video recorded by undercover independent journalist Tayler Hansen while investigating the new Transparent Closet at the First Christian Church of Katy, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

Texas Church Introduces Children to Drag Bingo and a Transparent Closet

'They take the kids back there one by one'

The transgender ideology was first pushed on children through schools, frequently without the knowledge or consent of parents. Now, a church in Texas has opened a Transparent Closet, where children are encouraged to embrace the transgender lifestylealso without the knowledge or consent of their parents.

The Growing Transgender Movement

Schools, once considered by parents to be a safe place for their children, have become indoctrination centers where children are encouraged, brainwashed, and even forced into adopting the transgender ideology, frequently without the knowledge or consent of the parents. Parents warned others that their children may be in danger of being indoctrinated into the transgender ideology. In Florida, one mother was horrified when her 13-year-old daughter inadvertently revealed that school officials wanted to know which bathroom she preferred to use as a result of her requested name change. More shocking was her discovery of a plan devised during a private meeting between her daughter and school officialswithout her knowledge or consentthat their daughter would be comfortable rooming with boys on overnight school trips.

According to the Leon County School Districts transgender gender nonconforming student support planfilled out during a private meeting and obtained exclusively by The Epoch Timesa Part A checklist was used to record the childs new non-binary status, preferred name, and preferred pronouns. The child also indicated that, while her parents were aware of her choice to identify as non-binary, they were not supportive and would not use her preferred name or pronouns at home.

After months of similar secret meetings with a school counselor at Paterson Elementary School in Fleming Island, Florida, a 12-year-old girl attempted suicide on school propertytwice.

There is an explosion in the number of children who identify as transgender in the United States. In an effort to fight back, some parents have even filed lawsuits. Experts in both the United States and the United Kingdom have warned that the surge in the number of children seeking to change their gender is directly related to peer pressure on social media. According to one report, parents have been warned that transgender influencers from the LGBT community are patrolling social media and actively recruiting young, vulnerable children to join their movement, promising a place to belong. These influencers prey on the vulnerability of children while actively trying to replace the loving influence of parents in childrens lives and hearts with their own welcoming and accepting rainbow community.

A study by a Brown University professor in August of 2018 showed how a new social contagion called rapid-onset gender dysphoria among teens and young adults may be linked to increased internet contact with peers who identify as LGBT in an identity politics peer culturewas quickly yanked from Browns news releases following objections from transgender activists.

Another Family Friendly Event

It was Tayler Hansen who exposed the new church trans event. Hansenthe same independent, undercover reporter who exposed the Drag Your Kids to Pride event in Dallas, Texas, billed as a family friendly performance where kids were encouraged to give money to half-naked drag performers and to participate in the showagain dawned a disguise to infiltrate a Drag Bingo event at a church in Katy, Texas.

Screenshot from video recorded by undercover, independent journalist Tayler Hansen, capturing a shot of himself disguised in drag as he was taken on a private tour of the Transparent Closet at the First Christian Church of Katy, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

During what was billed as another Family Friendly event, an establishment calling itself the First Christian Church, hosted a Drag Bingo event on Sept. 24. The event does not appear on the church calendar, nor was it promoted on their Facebook page. But according to an Instagram post, the Transparent Closet debuted on July 15, at an event described as a Fashion and Drag Showbilled as a coming out partyfeaturing drag queens.

According to their website, The Transparent Closet is a FREE clothing boutique designed for trans and exploring teens, youth and young adults to have a safe place for clothing needs and beyond.

When you come to the closet you will be welcomed into a space just for you, the description reads further. Here you will find all kinds of clothes, undergarments, shoes, hair accessories, style accessories, make-up and more. The Transparent Closet is open Thursday through Saturday, or otherwise by appointment.

It was similar to other events, Hansen told The Epoch Times, describing how he showed up in disguise in order to explore the venue undetected. However, he also noted how theyre starting to catch on to people going undercover to expose what goes on at these drag events so there was significantly more security.

AK47s, Handguns, and AR-15s

They had a security checkpoint where between 50 to 60 ANTIFA members were stationed for security, Hansen recalled, noting that many of them were armed with AK47s, handguns, and AR-15s. One even had a pistol caliber carbine.

Screenshot from video recorded by undercover, independent journalist Tayler Hansen showing liberal supporters of the new Transparent Closet at the First Christian Church of Katy, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

While Hansen said an email had been sent to those who purchased one of the $20 tickets for admission to the event proclaiming that no protesters from either side would be allowed at the event, he quickly discovered it was obviously a lie.

One video captured by Hansen shows hundreds of protesters from opposite camps shouting at each other from opposite sides of the street. At one point, Hansen said he saw ANTIFA members pepper spraying members of the Proud Boys, and that was pretty much all of the violence for the entire night.

Screenshot from video recorded by undercover, independent journalist Tayler Hansen showing conservative opponents of the new Transparent Closet at the First Christian Church of Katy, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

Another video captured by Hansen shows a female supporter of the Drag Bingo/Transparent Closet event yelling at a member of the local sheriffs department about the anti-drag protesters outside of the event. While repeatedly pointing her finger in the face of the officer with one hand, she holds a firearm in the other. Its the type of firearm described by leftists as an assault weapon, the very sort of weapon they repeatedly try to have banned.

Screenshot from video recorded by undercover, independent journalist Tayler Hansen showing an armed liberal supporter of the new Transparent Closet at the First Christian Church of Katy, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

Hansen also saw three black female Katy, Texas, police officers, in uniform, checking parking passes and handing out parking passes.

Ive never seen police officers working private security while in uniform at such a politicized event, Hansen noted.

According to GA-0435, a reserve peace officer employed by a municipal police department may not wear his official uniform and display the insignia of an official law enforcement agency while working as a private security officer licensed by the Texas Private Security Board.

Several inquiries to First Christian Church by The Epoch Timesto verify whether or not the three police officers were licensed by the Texas Private Security Board, and whether or not they were hired for private security during their off-duty hours or assigned by the department to check parking passes during the eventwent unanswered.

Once past that checkpoint, Hansen said there were two muscled gays, dressed in drag and wearing makeup, who appeared to be acting as bouncers.

The Transparent Closet

Once he was on the church property, Hansen saw a metal trailer, which was where the church was hosting the Drag Bingo event. The trailer, he said, is attached to the actual church building. Its also where the Transparent Closet is located. As he entered the trailer, Hansen said there were two girls sitting at a table with a bucket of pens, raffle tickets, and drinking wrist bands because they were selling alcohol inside of the church.

I thought that was a little peculiar, Hansen said, adding that because he has exposed what goes on at enough of these events he knew it would be unwise to accept a drink from anyone at any of these events.

Another oddity was the pins that were handed out to those who attended the event. They were round, with a black background, printed with bold, rainbow, all capital lettering that said: NOT ALL CHRISTIANS SUCK.

Pin handed out at the Drag Bingo event, hosted by the First Christian Church in Katy, Texas on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

During the 30 minutes Hansen sat waiting for his turn to tour the closet, he saw approximately eight unaccompanied children who appeared to be under the age of 10, and around five whom he estimated to be around 13 to 14 years oldbeing taken into the closetalone.

In my video, there were two guys referred to as Church Worker #1 and Church Worker 2, Hansen explained. Theyre basically walking around pulling children away from their parents, if they even had parents there. If the kids are unaccompanied, theyre just walking up to them offering a tour of the Transparent Closet. Then they take the kids back there one by one.

Screenshot from video recorded by undercover, independent journalist Tayler Hansen showing Church Worker #1 and Church Worker #2, who took him on a private tour of the Transparent Closet at the First Christian Church of Katy, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

When it was Hansens turn for a tour, Church Worker #2who Hansen said is seen struggling to open his doughnut bag the entire timestarted saying how he could provide him with nipple tassels or nipple covers.

The video shows Church Worker #1 and Church Worker #2, describing the various items made available to the children. Particular attention is given to the chest of drawers, where chest binders, underwear and bras can be found.

Were trying to get more binders and things like that, Church Worker #1 explains, adding that the cant get those or underwear used cause its gross.

Off camera, Hansen said the workers described chest binders as a confidence booster.

Thats how they see it in their eyes, Hansen said. Its a way to express your gender ideology.

Theres purses, theres hats, Church Worker #2 exclaims, seeming to make a reminder to himself aloud that they need more hats.

Do you want jewelry, darlin? Church Worker #2 chimes in, pointing to their collection of necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.

Church Worker #1 tells Hansen that they try to make the Transparent Closet look like a store as much as possible. He then explains how the bags they give the kids to take home the items they select from the Transparent Closet make it easier for them to hide it all from their parents.

I Went Shopping. I Went to Home Goods

In the video, Church Worker #1 openly admits to Hansen that children are provided bags from Home Goods for a very specific reason.

The bags are the bags they are because anyone can go home with those bags and its like I went shopping. I went to Home Goods,' he explains, because we get a lot of teens, families arent supporting.

Home Goods is a national retail chain that specializes in home decor from around the world.

They have it designed so that when you go home and your parents arent accepting or they dont want you engaging in all the gender ideology, theyll just see a Home Goods bag and wont worry about it, Hansen explained.

The Epoch Times reached out to Home Goods to find out if they were aware that shopping bags, bearing their company name, were being used by First Christian Church in an intentional effort to help children hide the transgender clothing they are obtaining from the church from their parents.

Thanks for reaching out, Jessica Stevens, Home Goods public relations manager responded by email, but we wouldnt have anything to add to your story.

According to Hansen, there are two female pastors at the church. One is named Amanda. He is not familiar with the other one. Aside from Senior Pastor Rev. Heather Patriacca Tolleson, a second female pastor is not mentioned on their website.

Screenshot from video recorded by undercover, independent journalist Tayler Hansen, showing someone he identified as Pastor Amanda, who began recording him when she discovered him recording his private tour of the Transparent Closet at the First Christian Church of Katy, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2022. (Courtesy of Tayler Hansen)

According to Hansen, Amanda gave him a smug look when she noticed he was recording. She then began recording him. When Hansen went to go sit back down he was swarmed by around six other attendees who stood around him. Amanda then told him to follow her because he had to leave.

Once outside, he was confronted by one of the armed police officers, who told him he was going to get trespassed if he didnt leave. She demanded that he hand over his parking pass so he could not get back inside.

According to Hansen, he wasnt the only one there investigating the event. An associate of his, a man identified only as Paul, informed Hansen that drag queens were also dancing at the event. However, with the awareness that their events were being infiltrated by investigative journalists who would expose them if they got the chance, guests were told to turn off their cell phones and that no photography or videos were allowed, and that anyone caught taking photos or videos would be removed immediately.

For a church-sponsored Drag Bingo event benefitting something they called a Transparent Closet, Hansen said there was little transparency involved.
Do you love dogs? But cant decide on the type of dog to get as a pet for your family? Well, this blog post will help you with that. We have compiled a list of the most trainable dog breeds in the world. Whether youre looking for a small lap-sized pup or one that loves to swim and play fetch, weve got it all right here!

Trainability is crucial when choosing a breed because these dogs are going to be your companion for years to come. Who wants an untrainable pooch who doesnt listen or obey commands? This can cause unnecessary frustration, for both you and your dog. So, without further ado, lets dive into our list of the six most trainable dog breeds in the world.

Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are a favorite for many dog owners around the world, and this is probably due to the fact that they look almost like teddy bears, not to mention their amazing personalities. The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed between the Golden Retriever and a Poodle, and they can vary in size depending on the size of the parent Poodle, which can be seen at ABCs Puppy Zs, a premier Goldendoodle breeder.

One of the biggest benefits of choosing a Goldendoodle to join your family is that they are highly trainable and learn new commands and behaviors fairly quickly. They are prone to suffering from separation anxiety, so crate training might be a good idea.

Dobermann

Another great dog breed that was developed in 1890 by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann from which it gets its name, is the Dobermann. Dobermanns were developed to be guard dogs, and are very good at their job. Due to the reason for which they were bred, they are eager to please their owners, and like most working dogs, they are highly trainable because of it.

In addition to being highly trainable, they are also very intelligent, obedient, alert, confident, loyal, and fearless. If youre worried about the Dobermann being aggressive, you dont have to worry, especially if they were socialized from a young age, and were raised in a family with other dogs.

Corgi

For those who love small dogs, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi might be for you. Corgis were bred to herd horses, sheep, and cattle, and paired with the eagerness to learn and intelligence, and the result is a highly trainable dog breed that is also very adorable.

Corgis originated from Pembrokeshire, Wales, and are described to be outgoing, protective, playful, bold, and friendly. They make for perfect family dogs that will get along with everyone and can be house trained within two weeks to a month.

German Shepherd

The next dog on the list is perhaps one of the most highly trainable dogs in the world, and as a result, is used in law enforcement, and was once used as a guide dog. German Shepherds originated in Germany as working dogs to be herding dogs.

Among being one of, if not the most highly trainable dogs, they are confident, loyal, obedient, intelligent, watchful, courageous, and sometimes a bit stubborn. Because of their intelligence and desire to please, as well as have a purpose, puppies can be trained to understand basic commands, as well as be house trained within 2-3 months.

Border Collie

Another very high trainable dog that was also bred for herding is the Border Collie, which can be considered a more energetic and softer in nature German Shepherd if you were to compare. Border Collies originated in the Anglo-Scottish border region and are highly driven working dogs.

Because Border Collies are so trainable, they are still used as herding dogs, and often used as guide dogs, as well as for search and rescue missions, narcotics, and bomb detection by law enforcement.

Rottweiler

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood dog breeds in the world is Rottweilers. This dog breed originated in Germany, and their ancestors descended from mastiffs of the legions of Rome and were used to pull carts to the market, as well as to herd livestock.

Rottweilers have very strong guarding instincts, and naturally due to their purpose of breeding initially respond with aggression. This doesnt mean that they are difficult to train, however, since they are highly intelligent and love to learn, but they do have willful and independent personalities, so consistent training and early socialization is essential.

This article was originally published on petbloglady.com.

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The Myths and the Motivations Behind the American Revolution

Commentary

Our culture has many myths regarding Americas founding principles and the American Revolution. I highly recommend the EpochTV series entitled The American Story to learn the inspiring and true story of Americas early years, which often contrasts with the narratives we hear today. In episode six, The Road to the Revolution, host Timothy Barton, president of WallBuilders, and Jonathan Richie, former assistant director of the American Journey Experience, use historical documents and artifacts to tell of the events and values that led to the American Revolution.

Biblical Values

In episode five of the series, Barton and Richie explain how early colonial pastors had taught the colonists biblical principles of government and liberty and how those ideas eventually expressed themselves in the American Revolution. Taxation without representation is tyranny was one of these values that originated in the writing of Pastor John Wise. However, the American Revolution was about much more than taxation.

In episode six, the hosts take viewers on a journey to the early colonies, where the French and Indian wars led to taxes being imposed on the colonists. Realizing they had no representation in Parliament, Barton says the biblical teaching of the previous few decades met the political culture. The colonists resisted the kings Stamp Act, causing it to be repealed. However, in its place, Parliament passed an act recognizing the colonies as dependent on Britain. Relations continued to diminish, and tensions escalated. The Massachusetts State Assembly even made a statement against Britain. When they refused to take it back, the king abolished the assembly, and more tyrannical leadership was imposed. Britain sent troops into Boston, leading to the event that planted the first seeds of the Revolution: the Boston Massacre.

The Boston Massacre

The significance of the Boston Massacre should not be overlooked. The event was incited when a young American allegedly said something negative to a British soldier. The soldier decided to teach the young colonist a lesson by hitting him with the butt of his gun. When the child cried out, a crowd gathered to see a soldier standing over the youth with his weapon. This situation appeared to fuel the fire of frustrations the colonists had with the British occupation. Reinforcements were sent to protect the British officer, resulting in armed officers facing off with a crowd of angry colonists. The colonists began throwing snowballs, rocks, and sticks, which led to the officers firing into the crowd, killing three people immediately. Eight more were wounded, two of whom died later. The first man shot and killed was an African American patriot named Crispus Attucks.

John Adams, American Founding Father and eventually the second president of the United States, was an honorable attorney in Boston. Although he did not like the British troops, he was asked to defend the British officer as the case went to trial, which he agreed to do. Later, Adams wrote of the significance of the Boston Massacre to the Revolution, claiming that the blood of the martyrs, right or wrong, proved to be the seeds of the congregation, more than all the other battles fought in the Revolution.

Barton notes that many people see the American Revolution as Americans breaking away from Britain. However, initially, the colonists wanted to unite with Britain and be treated according to their rights as English subjects. However, as these fundamental rights continued to be eroded, tensions grew.

Slavery in the Colonies

One source of frustration was that the king and Parliament would strike down laws passed by legislative bodies in the colonies. Interestingly, many of these laws had to do with the abolition of slavery or against the slave trade. The colonists biblical values went against the practice of slavery, but when they tried to apply those values to their laws, it was not allowed. The EpochTV episode contrasts this to some of the assertions made by the controversial 1619 Project today: that America was founded on slavery, and the Revolutionary War was fought to defend slavery. The historical documents show that the desire of the colonists to free enslaved people was one of the major causes of the Revolution.

Benjamin Franklin, who released his slaves, as did several other Founding Fathers, and eventually became president of an abolition society, wrote in 1773 that the disposition to abolish slavery prevails in North America. He noted that many colonists had set their slaves free and that the Virginia Assembly had petitioned the king for permission to make a law preventing the importation of more in the colony. This request, however, will likely not be granted, as their former laws of that kind have always been repealed. Barton said that if Americans studied the historical documents, there would be a very different narrative today regarding the Founding Fathers and slavery.

The Boston Tea Party

Eventually, the king placed a tax on something the colonists used in high demandtea. The American people, driven by their values of natural rights and liberty, were vigilant about their freedom. They decided they had to say no to the unjust tax on tea. Because the tax would be imposed as soon as the tea was unloaded from the ship, they could not allow the ship into port. Fellow Founding Father Samuel Adams and a patriot group called the Sons of Liberty met and formulated a plan to try and resolve this issue peacefully. While this was being decided, the ship was not allowed to be unloaded and was kept in the harbor. The ship captain was told he would be held responsible and face the consequences from the king if he returned with the tea. Finally, the men decided dumping the tea into the harbor would resolve the dilemma. Adams and his men peacefully carried out their plan, being careful not to destroy anything else on the ship. Barton clarifies that the documents show this event was not a riot and was not destructive of anything except the tea. The British Governor himself said it was done peacefully and with civility. According to historical documents, the men cleaned the ships deck after dumping the tea.

The EpochTV episode highlights many factors that aided the tensions eventually leading to the Revolution. It was not simply driven by taxation; the colonists were frustrated with a number of issues. Judges were striking down their laws, the slave trade remained active, British troops occupied the streets, which the colonists were forced to house and feed, and many other events were taking away their liberties as English subjects. Of the 27 grievances in the declaration of Independence, taxation without representation was No. 17, revealing much more to the story.

Rebellion Against Tyranny

The colonists, raised their entire lives by pastors based on biblical teachings, had a strong set of values regarding the role of government and Christians facing tyranny. As they saw their rights being taken away, they spent decades petitioning the king to no avail. Eventually, Richie says the colonies had to take action to resist tyranny and, in doing so, obey their biblical principles and, ultimately, God. The colonists believed that rebellion against tyranny was obedience to God because they recognized there was a creator and that their rights came from the creator, not the government. But unfortunately, the British government and king were rejecting those God-given rights.

Barton stresses the importance of gleaning the facts from historical documents instead of being misled by the narratives of today. With regard to the motivations behind the American Revolution, when reading the historical documents, Barton states, you find with clarity and even strength of position many times that the primary driving force was the exact opposite of what were being told today.

Watch The Road to the Revolution on Epoch Cinema here.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The leader of the Sweden Democrats Jimmie Akesson arrives at the party's election watch in Nacka, near Stockholm late Sunday evening on Sept. 11, 2022. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images)

The Sweden Democrats Won on Making Sweden Great AgainWhat Does That Mean?

Leading Sweden Democrat pinpoints migrant crime as driver of youth vote

News Analysis

In the fullness of time, Swedens Sept. 11 parliamentary election may mark a minor turning point for the West: a country long famous for leftism is heading in the rights direction.

The Sweden Democrats, once a marginal party, received 20.5 percent of the vote, second only to the left-wing Social Democrats.

Whats more, the Sweden Democrats coalition with other parties on the right beat a left-wing coalition associated with the incumbent government. Theyll have real influence in the new parliament.

The Swedish flag flies in Stockholm on April 4, 2020. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images)

The partys leader, Jimmie Akesson, was quoted prior to the election as saying the contest would give Sweden Democrats an opportunity to make Sweden great again.

Some of the Sweden Democrats strongest gains have been among the young. Support among voters ages 18-21 surged from 2018 to 2022, nearly doubling from 12 percent to 22 percent according to Sveriges Radio.

What in the world persuaded young Swedes, of all people, to give conservatism a shot?

The lost sense of personal security among the youth is a very strong driving force for this shift, said Charlie Weimers, a Sweden Democrat and member of the European Parliament.

Weimers spoke with The Epoch Times on Sept. 29.

He cited a rise in violent crime by migrants, many of whom live in segregated no-go zones.

When you read about gangs waiting outside schools to ambush pupils after the school day, this does something to young people, he said.

They know that despite years and years of denial, this is directly linked to a too high migration.

Police organize a line of refugees on the stairway leading up from the trains arriving from Denmark at the Hyllie train station outside Malmo, Sweden, on Nov. 19, 2015. (Johan Nilsson/AFP/Getty Images)

The countrys generous social democratic policies, extended to just about anyone who walks through the front door, may prove the downfall of the Social Democrats.

Migration has been driven to a large extent by the very generous welfare system, Weimers said.

While the welfare state doles out benefits, the countrys criminal justice system struggles to administer punishment.

For example, a mere 13 percent of foreign nationals in Sweden convicted of child rape were deported to their countries of origin, according to government statistics spanning 2010 through 2014.

They arent a tiny percentage of those criminals either.

An UnHerd analysis by Ayaan Hirsi Ali details the over-representation of foreign-born individuals among rapists in Sweden.

Weimers said rising energy prices and aggressive green policies have also contributed to youthful support for the Sweden Democrats. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunbergs popularity may be waning with Gen Z.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg poses for a picture holding a sign reading School strike for Climate as she protests in front of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagen) in Stockholm on Nov. 19, 2021. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images)

Moderate Turn

As with Italy, where the national conservative Brothers of Italy made huge gains in the Sept. 25 election, the legacy media has been eager to dredge up any links between the Sweden Democrats and extremist views. (Left-wing European parties historical links to global communism, and more specifically to the Soviet Union and the Peoples Republic of China, remain curiously under-examined.)

Days before the election, then-Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, a Social Democrat, warned that the Sweden Democrats have deep roots in the Swedish neo-Nazis and other racist organizations in Sweden.

Swedens Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announces the country will officially apply to join NATO, in Stockholm on May 16, 2022. (Henrik Montgomery/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

Weimers said his own affiliation with the Sweden Democrats reflected the partys moves toward normalization on the Swedish political scene, particularly its turn toward national conservatism.

Earlier this year, in fact, Weimers spoke at the National Conservatism Brussels Conference, aligning him with a growing anti-globalist movement on the Wests center-right.

He highlighted Akessons zero-tolerance policy toward racism in the ranks.

For a long time, Weimers explained, the Sweden Democrats were pretty much the only option for migration skeptics in ultra-liberal Sweden.

As such, it would attract sensible opponents of open borders, and it would attract not-so-sensible opponents of open borders. This is a question of the party maturing, he said.

Pivoting Against Russia

The rise of the Swedish Democrats comes as Sweden departs from its long tradition of neutrality, officially maintained through World War II and the Cold War, to oppose Russian expansionism.

The country is expected to succeed in its bid to join the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The Sweden Democrats have warmed to the idea, supporting Swedens accession to the alliance contingent on Finlands accession.

The fate of Finland and Swedens NATO applications hinges on Turkey. In recent weeks, the three states have held talks to hammer out a deal satisfactory to Ankara, which seeks the extradition of alleged Kurdish terrorists from the Nordic countries.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, and Swedens Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson take part in a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, on June 28, 2022. (Henrik Montgomery/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

Weimers explained why his party looked favorably on NATO membership despite the aversion to potential military entanglements among some conservatives.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has forced several parties to update their security analysis, he said.

He stressed the strategic value of the Baltic Sea, which laps at Swedens eastern shores. Both NATO and Russia can be expected to contest the area, making it even trickier for Sweden to remain strictly neutral.

Russian fighter jets in Swedish airspace east of the Swedish Baltic Sea island of Gotland, on March 2, 2022. (Swedish Air Force/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

Yet the Sweden Democrats growing taste for multilateralism has its limits, including when it comes to the European Union.

Weimers described his party as EU-critical yet reformist, saying they wanted to reign in Brussels while focusing on cooperation over trade and other core strengths of the union.

The EU elite drew all the wrong conclusions from Brexit, he said, arguing that the blocs leadership class had doubled down on the sort of policies that helped drive away the United Kingdom.
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)

Third Suspect Arrested in Rapper PnB Rocks Killing

COMPTON, Calif.A third suspect sought by police in the shooting death of rapper PnB Rock at a South Los Angeles restaurant was arrested in Las Vegas Sept. 29.

Freddie Lee Trone, 40, was located and arrested at about 1 p.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was booked in Las Vegas and is pending extradition to Los Angeles.

Freddie Trone and his 17-year-old son, who was arrested Sept. 27 in Lawndale, are charged with one count each of murder and conspiracy to commit robbery and two counts each of second-degree robbery involving the Sept. 12 killing of 30-year-old Rakim Allen at Roscoes Chicken & Waffles at 106 W. Manchester Avenue, near Main Street, where he was eating lunch with his girlfriend.

The teen, whose name has not been released because of his age, made his initial court appearance Sept. 29 in a Compton juvenile courtroom, according to the District Attorneys Office. He is due back in court Oct. 19 for a pretrial hearing.

A third defendant, Shauntel Trone, 38, was charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact. ABC7 reported that she is the teen suspects stepmother.

Police said a male suspect walked up to the couple, drew a handgun, demanded PnB Rocks jewelry, and shot him. The rapper died at a hospital.

TMZ and Fox11 reported that Freddie Trone is believed to have been the getaway driver following the shooting, allegedly carried out by his teen son. TMZ reported that the pair later burned the vehicle used during the crime.

TMZ and Fox11 both reported that Trone and his son were already in the restaurant parking lot when PnB Rock arrived, contradicting earlier suggestions that social media posts by the rapper and his girlfriend showing his jewelry and tagging their location led to the robbery and shooting.

Witnesses said the suspect and the rapper argued during the heist, culminating in the shooting, which was captured on the restaurants video surveillance system.

The shooting and its apparent link with an Instagram post were reminiscent of the 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke in the Hollywood Hills. In that case, the rapper had made a series of social media posts revealing his location and the valuables he had in his possession.

In a statement announcing the criminal case, District Attorney George Gascon said, The murder of Mr. Allen dimmed a bright light in the lives of his fans, friends and most importantly his family. The accused individuals alleged actions in this case were heartless and cruel and robbed the world of Mr. Allens talents.
Geoffrey Cain, author of "The Perfect Police State," in New York on Sep. 22, 2022. (Bao Qiu)

TikTok Is Everything That You Do Not Want in a Modern Democracy: Tech Expert

Social media giant TikTok and its nebulous connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) present a threat to U.S. national security, according to one expert.

Geoffrey Cain, an independent investigative journalist and author of a book on the CCPs efforts to build a totalitarian surveillance state, believes that TikToks troubled emergence, shadowy corporate structure, and connection to Chinas data laws make it a unique threat to the United States.

The problem of TikTok is that it is a national security threat to the United States and to countries outside of China, Cain said during a Sep. 29 interview with NTDs American Thought Leaders.

It is a disaster waiting to happen, because TikTok, though the company denies it, is fundamentally obligated to follow the laws of China, the laws that were created by the Chinese Communist Party.

TikToks Move to US Shrouded in Secrecy



Cain highlighted that TikTok is not only owned by Chinese corporation ByteDance, but was also created by one of the companys leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) using funding from U.S.-based Sequoia Capital.

Moreover, Cain said that TikToks move into the world market occurred under dubious circumstances, as the company only reached a global audience after it was paired with the Santa Monica office of Music.ly, another Chinese-owned social media company.

TikTok did not inform U.S. officials about the merger despite both companies ties to China, Cain said.

There are many red flags, but the biggest red flag about this acquisition is that TikTok did not notify the U.S. government about the acquisition, Cain said.

That should sound alarm bells. Why did TikTok decide not to do that review? Its as if they kind of snuck into the market and placed their software in the hands of the next generation.

Following that revelation, the Trump administration attempted to get TikTok banned or otherwise sold to an American parent company, and the case has been under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) ever since.

Cain recently testified before the U.S. Senate about the issue. In his testimony (pdf) he discussed documented ties between ByteDance, TikTok, and the CCP, including internal meetings at the companies in which employees allegedly praised the CCP.

Now, Cain said he believes the CCP is using TikTok to spread its surveillance and censorship around the globe.

TikTok executives have admitted in the past that the algorithm that TikTok [uses] has been used to suppress bad news coming out of China, Cain said.

Cain referred to the sworn testimony of one TikTok executive who testified before the British Parliament in 2020 that TikTok censored or otherwise suppressed information about the genocide of the Uyghurs in Chinas Xinjiang province at the request of CCP authorities.

Cain also pointed to a moderation guideline leaked back in back in 2019 that showed that TikTok and ByteDance instructed the global moderators, including in America, to suppress any videos showing poverty, slums, or ugly people in China, and to censor critical comments about Chinas actions in Tibet and Tiananmen Square.

TikTok has said that these policies are no longer in effect.

The CCP Can Access Everything

At the heart of Cains concern about the risk of TikTok was the intersection of CCP data laws and the relationship between the company and its China-based owners.

The CCPs National Intelligence Law and National Security Law, for example, require all companies operating within mainland China or with a majority Chinese stake to hand over all data to the CCP upon request.

This means that any executive at TikTok or ByteDance, if based in China, could be legally compelled by the CCP to hand over the companys data, including information on users facial recognition, browsing activity, and key-logged passwords.

As such, some security experts have said that TikTok is a weaponized application that benefits the CCPs military and espionage campaigns.

This is where the TikTok and the ByteDance connection becomes extremely problematic, Cain said.

Theres not going to be a separate line between [TikTok and ByteDance], the Chinese Communist Party will see TikTok as fundamentally a Chinese company and one that needs to report to the Chinese Communist Party.

TikTok previously said that all American user data was stored within the United States.

TikTok has since admitted that this is not true, however, and in a September congressional hearing, TikTok executives refused to commit to stopping the flow of American data to China.

Cain feared that such data could all too easily be leveraged by the CCP to hunt down and silence its political enemies.

These could be Hong Kong dissidents, these could be American military commanders, [these] could be anybody who might be of an interesting nature to the Chinese Communist Party, Cain said.

Those executives are required by Chinese law to hand over the data.

A Threat to the Free and Open Flow of Information



With that in mind, Cain said that allowing TikTok to continue to operate in the United States while it was still owned by ByteDance was a direct threat to U.S. national security.

Moreover, he said, it was incompatible with the freedom of expression valued by democratic nations.

What is it that separates TikTok and ByteDance operating around the world from whats happening in Xinjiang? Cain asked.

[TikTok] might not be literally running the concentration camps, but they have been involved in suppressing and censoring news about these atrocities. Theyre using fundamentally the same technologies as what the Chinese government has been using to monitor and surveil its people.

To that end, Cain said that the only way to effectively render the threat posed to U.S. citizens by the app inert was to ensure its relationship with ByteDance, and China, is terminated.

Only by transferring ownership of the company away from the CCP and to a domestic company, Cain said, could the threat be mitigated.

TikTok should at minimum be sold to an American company, Cain said. We cannot have major Communist Party-connected companies in China running massive social media platforms in America.

Its the Trojan horse. Its the mole. Its everything that you do not want in a modern democracy.

The Epoch Times has reached out to TikTok for comment.

Andrew Thornebrooke Reporter Follow Andrew Thornebrooke is a reporter for The Epoch Times covering China-related issues with a focus on defense, military affairs, and national security. He holds a master's in military history from Norwich University.
U.S. ex-transgender teen Chloe Cole holds a body brace that she used while she was taking transgender hormonal treatments, in Northern California on Aug. 26, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Trans Youth Group Faces Charity Watchdog Probe Over Breast-Binding Complaints

The British charity Mermaids, which promotes transgenderism in gender-dysphoric children, is being scrutinised over safeguarding concerns after claims it supplied chest-binding devices to teenagers.

On Friday, the Charity Commission, the regulatory body for charities in England and Wales, confirmed that it is looking into concerns about Mermaids approach to safeguarding young people.

Mermaids is a childrens charity that supports gender variant and transgender youth. It also provides gender-diversity training in many places such as the NHS, schools, social services, children and adolescent mental health services, police and uniformed services, as well as other charity and corporate clients.

An investigation in The Telegraph alleged that the charity sent chest-flattening devices to children as young as 13 and 14 against their parents wishes or behind their parents backs.

It also claimed that staff with no medical training were found to have given advice to users as young as 13, and that puberty-blocking drugs were being promoted as safe and totally reversible.

After the publication of the story, the Charity Commission received and assessed a number of complaints about Mermaids.

A breast-binder is a body brace device for girls who want to flatten their breasts to appear male.

Top British pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, who wrote the interim Cass Review (pdf) on the now-closed transgender clinic for minors, Tavistock, said that binding processes used to conceal the breasts of those suffering from gender dysphoria were painful, and potentially harmful.

A Charity Commission spokesperson told The Epoch Times by email: Concerns have been raised with us about Mermaids approach to safeguarding young people. We have opened a regulatory compliance case, and have written to the trustees. We now await their reply.

The case is a regulatory compliance case and not a statutory inquiry, meaning that this is not in itself a finding of wrongdoing, but rather it is the first step the Commission can take in examining potential wrongdoing.

The Tavistock Centre in London in an undated file photo. (Aaron Chown/PA)

Mermaids

A Mermaids spokesperson told The Epoch Times by email that it had received the letter from the Charity Commission and would be responding directly to the regulatory body in due course.

The spokesperson pointed to a Mermaids statement on Sept. 26 that responded to The Telegraph article saying that it had robust security and moderation processes in place to ensure our forums are a safe space for trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people and their families.

In August 2022, an individual, possibly a journalist, tried to gain access to the Youth forums by pretending to be a 14-year-old in need of support, seemingly with the aim of discrediting Mermaids, it wrote, adding that it will continue to regularly review our processes and procedures to make sure our forums remain safe and secure.

On breast-binders, it said that it takes a harm reduction position with the understanding that providing a young person with a binder and comprehensive safety guidelines from an experienced member of staff is preferable to the likely alternative of unsafe practices and/or continued or increasing dysphoria.

It added that puberty blockers are an internationally recognised safe, reversible healthcare option which have been recommended by medical authorities in the UK and internationally for decades.

In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned that puberty blockers can cause vision loss in children. Medical authorities in England, Sweden, Finland, and France have started to turn their backs on such treatments.

Thorough Investigation

James Esses is the co-founder of Thoughtful Therapists, a group of psychotherapists and counsellors working in the area of gender dysphoria.

In 2021, Esses was ejected from his psychotherapist training course, three years in, for openly discussing his fears that young children expressing discomfort in their bodies were being actively encouraged to transition.

Esses told The Epoch Times that he was extremely pleased to see the Commission is taking some action against Mermaids.

The main thing now is that they do a proper and thorough investigation, he said.

The type of content they put out to young people, through the website and the podcast is extremely concerning. There are lots of ideologies being pushed on children. Theres subtle coercion towards transitioning, alienation from parents and families, he added.

He said that there are many large companies associated with Mermaids through its fundraising.

I would hope that having had these safeguarding issues brought to their concerns, they would now be cutting ties with Mermaids. And if they dont, then they are complicit with what is going on, said Esses.

Not a Criminal Offence

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Epoch Times by email that the supply of a breast-binder is not a criminal offence.

The Met supports transgender and gender-diverse individuals who freely choose to wear a breast-binder, the spokesperson added.

If an individual case regarding the practice of breast ironing, or concern regarding the use of a breast-binder, is reported to police, it may be assessed jointly with social services. The same approach would be taken regardless of culture, faith or community to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individual concerned, they said.

We would like to reassure individuals who choose to wear a binder that they are not committing a criminal offence, added the spokesperson.
Illegal drugs and cash seized during drug raids on Sept. 26 is on display druing a press conference at Port Jervis City Hall in N.Y., on September 28, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Tri-State Task Force Disrupted Major Drug Trafficking in Port Jervis

A total of 36 defendants were charged following a major drug raid in Port Jervis and surrounding areas, according to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler at a Sept. 28 press conference.

The raid was a climax of a months-long investigation by several law enforcement agencies to disrupt Port Jervis-based illegal drug operations.

On Sept. 26, over 200 police officers executed 17 search warrants, resulting in arrests and the seizure of large amounts of illegal drugs.

Seized drugs included two kilograms of cocaine, 74 grams of heroin, and 165 grams of fentanylenough fentanyl to kill 82,500 people.

Two milligrams of fentanyl can potentially kill a person, according to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Seven illegal firearms and $153,690 in cash were also seized.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation included the Orange County Sheriffs Office, the Port Jervis Police Department, Middletown Police Department, and state police of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Pictures and names of defendants arrested as a result of a major drug raid trageting operations in Port Jervis were on display during a press conference at Port jervis City Hall on September 28, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Four individualsWayne Smith of Deer Park, Joseph Bruno of Port Jervis, Christian Shomo of Mount Hope, and Jose Parra of Port Washingtonwere charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first degree.

Each faces up to 20 years in state prison if found guilty.

All four and two Sullivan County defendants are held on bail at Orange County jail.

The rest of the defendants were charged with conspiracy in the second degree for having agreed to engage in or aid the illegal drug operationa nonbailable offense under New York bail reformand were subsequently released.

About a third of all defendants are Port Jervis residents.

Police are still locating four individuals wanted on felony complaints: Christopher Stubble and Kristie Hemion of Port Jervis, Adam Russ of Wurtsboro, New York, and Williams Cummings of Pike County, Pennsylvania.

Hoovler said all defendants are assumed innocent until found guilty under the law.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a Save America Rally at the Aero Center Wilmington on September 23, 2022 in Wilmington, North Carolina. (Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Trump Factor May Decide Arizona US Senate Election

In one of the four toss-up races that could decide control of the U.S. Senate for 2023, Arizonas incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat, is seeking to fend off a challenge from Republican political newcomer Blake Masters.

The two couldnt be more politically opposed.

Kelly bills himself as a lawmaker willing to work across the aisle although, according to FiveThirtyEight, he has a voting record that suggests hes fairly progressive.

Masters, on the other hand, secured former President Donald Trumps endorsement in the primary and hasnt been shy about his view that the Swampthe D.C. political establishmentis a threat to the United States.

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly speaks to supporters during the election night event at Hotel Congress in Tucson, Ariz., on Nov. 3, 2020. (Courtney Pedroza/Getty Images)

In September, an Emerson College poll showed Kelly and Masters in a tight race; Kelly received 47 percent and Masters received 45 percent, which is within the surveys plus or minus 3.85-point margin of error.

The polling numbers resemble Arizonas 2020 Senate race, in which incumbent Sen. Martha McSally, a strong Trump supporter, lost to then-challenger Kelly. The loss was the second time McSally has lost to a Democrat. The first loss occurred in 2018, when Kyrsten Sinema successfully flipped retiring Republican Sen. Jeff Flakes seat to blue, and became the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona since 1988.

The question is whether a strong Trump supporter with a matching personality and campaign win in an increasingly purple state? Or will candidate quality, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) alluded to at a Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce luncheon, hamper the GOP in Arizona?

History Repeats

In 2018, McSally lost to Sinema in what, at the time, was considered a significant upset.

We didnt get a chance for [voters] to get to know me  We were very aware of these challenges at the time, but we ran out of airspeed and altitude. And we werent defined and resilient enough, McSally said at the time, according to Rollcall.

But in a twist, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in 2018 appointed then-Rep. McSally to the U.S. Senate seat that had been held by the late Sen. John McCain. Ducey had named former Sen. Jon Kyl to the seat in September of that year, but Kyl, after serving for several months, resigned at the end of the year.

McSally lost to Kelly in a special election in 2020 to serve the last two years of McCains term.

Arizona Central called McSallys campaign the worst campaign ever and said she lost specifically because her campaign didnt appeal to moderates. Instead, she was a mini-Trump that sent voters running to Kellyan issue at the heart of McConnells recent caution.

U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters of Arizona speaks at an America First rally in Prescott Valley, Ariz., on July 22, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

In 2020, Emerson College Polling had Kelly at 46 percent and McSally at 45 percent, and Kelly led among independents by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent. Additionally, the economy ranked as the No. 1 issue for voters (33 percent), while health care was second (18 percent), and immigration was third (13 percent).

For its most recent election polling, Emerson College showed that the economy is again the No. 1 issue (36 percent), but abortion access and immigration tied for second (16 percent), while health care slipped to third (11 percent).

In a hypothetical matchup between President Joe Biden and Trump, Emerson College Polling had Trump at 44 percent and Biden at 41 percent. Thirteen percent of voters would vote for someone else, and 2 percent were undecided.

Purple

With political vitriol at a fever pitch around the country, its easy to forget that not everyone falls into specific ideological camps. Instead, many voters just want a functional government and for both sides to work together. Thats a definite possibility for semi-purple states like Arizona in the last two elections.

As with McSally in 2020, Masters is a hard-core Trump supporter. His campaign website speaks heavily about how Masters is running to help fix a broken Washington and declining America. He doesnt promise bipartisanship and echoes Trumps approach of taking on not only progressive ideology but also compromised RINO Republicans.

In that way, Masterss 2022 campaign echoes McSallys 2018 and 2020 campaigns.

Conversely, while his voting record doesnt always back up his website, Kelly is running a campaign centered on his being an independent leader and his role in advancing bipartisan legislation. He also points out that he introduced laws to ban stock trading by members of Congress, something House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has repeatedly opposed.

Kellys 2022 campaign resembles his 2020 bid.

However, one big difference between the 2022 and 2020 elections is that voters now live under the leadership of President Joe Biden Biden instead of Trump. Historically, voters have used midterm elections as a referendum on the current administration.

Still, in recent elections, Arizona voters have shied away from heavy partisanship and, as polling numbers indicate, have shown a desire for more moderate candidates.
Elon Musk on smartphone placed on printed Twitter logos, on April 28, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Twitter Lawyer Tells Court Musk Has Not Backed Up Claims of Fake Accounts

WILMINGTON, Del.Elon Musks review of Twitter Inc. accounts by his advisers did not back up the billionaires allegation that the number of fake users was wildly higher than 5 percent as he claimed when he said he was ending the Twitter takeover deal in July, a Twitter lawyer told a judge on Tuesday.

Documents obtained from two data scientists employed by Musk showed they estimated in early July that the number of fake accounts on the platform at 5.3 percent and 11 percent, the Twitter lawyer told a Delaware judge.

None of these analyses so far as we can tell remotely supported what Mr. Musk told Twitter and told the world in the termination letter, said the lawyer, Bradley Wilson.

Musk and his attorney did not immediately respond for a request for comment.

Musk and Twitter are locked in a court fight and Twitter is seeking an order directing Musk to close the deal at $54.20 per share.

They are scheduled to go trial starting Oct. 17 in Wilmington, in Delawares Court of Chancery.

Musk agreed in April to buy Twitter for $44 billion but within weeks was complaining the number of bot accounts was much higher than Twitters estimate of less than 5 percent of users.

On July 8, Musk said the actual figure was wildly higher and that Twitter had misled him, allowing him to walk away without penalty from the deal.

Wilson brought up the report by data scientists during a hearing at which both parties were asking the judge to order the other side to turn over more messages or documents, the process known as discovery.

Also on Tuesday, a court notice said Musks deposition was being rescheduled from this week to Oct. 67.

Musks deposition is expected to be a key part of the litigation.

Brian Quinn, a professor at Boston College Law School, said that the timing of depositions matter, and Twitter might be better off delaying the interview of Musk until after they have obtained his communications.

Youre going delay your best witnesses for the end, as much as possible, so you have all the discovery, Quinn said.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss ahead of a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Downing Street, London, on Oct. 1, 2022. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

UK Will Never Recognize Territory Annexed by Putin, Prime Minister Says

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said that Britain will never recognize the four regions annexed by Russia as anything other than Ukrainian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sept. 30 presided over an elaborate ceremony in Moscow marking the accession of four regionsDonetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Khersonto the Russian Federation.

Kyiv and its allies criticized the move, which they say amounts to de facto annexation of the territories by Russia.

The referendums have no legal value, Mikhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told the Italian press on Sept. 30.

Under international law, the regions are and remain territories of Ukraine, and Ukraine is ready to do anything to take them back.

In comments broadcast on live television, Putin said Moscow was ready to return to negotiations with Kyiv, but wouldnt overturn the results of polls that Russias critics say lack legitimacy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signs treaties formally annexing four regions of Ukraine occupied by Russian troopsLugansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhiaat the Kremlin in Moscow on September 30, 2022. (Photo by Dmitry Astakhov/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

In five days of polling that ended on Sept. 27, the vast majority of voters in the four regions opted to leave Ukraine and join Russia, according to Russian and pro-Russian sources.

The results are known. The people have made their choice, Putin said.

Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia used their right to self-determination, as enshrined by the U.N.

He went on to voice confidence that Russias parliament would swiftly ratify the four regions accession to Russia.

Both the United States and European Union have vowed to redouble sanctions on Russia, some of which will reportedly target Russian officials involved in organizing the polling.

Although Western-led sanctions are ostensibly aimed at crippling Russias economy, they appear to have failed to damage the ruble, which hit an eight-year high on Sept. 30 against the faltering euro.

A couple hug each other near cars damaged by a missile strike on a road near Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Sept. 30, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Genya Savilov/AFP)

Counteroffensive Stalls

After retaking positions in the northeastern Kharkiv region late last month, Ukrainian forces have since run up against much stiffer Russian resistance.

According to military experts, seasonal rainfall expected beginning this month will likely hinder the Ukrainian counteroffensive at least for the next several months.

Nevertheless, skirmishes continue along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (about 620-mile) front line, with reports of fierce fighting around the strategic areas of Bakhmut and Lyman in Donetsk.

On Sept. 30, western media reports appeared to suggest that Ukrainian forces had captured Lyman, but this has yet to be substantiated.

In its Sept. 29 daily briefing, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian artillery and aircraft had continued to inflict significant losses on Ukrainian manpower and equipment. The Epoch Times was unable to verify the ministrys assertions.

Kyiv generally doesnt disclose casualty figures, but one prominent New York newspaper recently interviewed Ukrainian soldiers who described massive losses of men and materiel.

Both sides accuse one another of using artillery to target civilian areas.

On Sept. 21, Putin announced the call-up of 300,000 experienced army reservists, many of whom are expected to reinforce areas where fighting is heaviest.

Russian forces and their local allies currently hold about 60 percent of Donetsk and almost all of Luhansk. Together, the two territories comprise the Russian-speaking Donbas region, which has remained the primary focus of Russias so-called special military operation in Ukraine, now in its eighth month.

Pro-Russian figures in Donbas say that since 2014, the regions civilian population has suffered frequent abuseslargely ignored by the Western mediaat the hands of the Ukrainian army and paramilitary groups.

Kyiv denies the claims.

Russian forces also currently control broad swaths of the southern Zaporizhzhia region and almost all of neighboring Kherson, which shares a border with the Black Sea region of Crimea.

Moscow has made it clear that, once the four regions are officially incorporated into Russia, attacks on those regionsby Ukrainian forces or otherswould be construed as attacks on sovereign Russian territory.

In 2014, Crimea voted overwhelmingly to leave Ukraine and join Russia in a similar referendum. The results of that poll remain unrecognized by all but a handful of countries.

Gas emanates from a leak on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea on Sept. 28, 2022. (Photo by Swedish Coast Guard via Getty Images)

State Terrorism

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, has described the rupture of two strategically vital gas pipelines linking Russia to Northern Europe as an unprecedented act of state terrorism.

Such an act, Peskov told reporters on Sept. 30, should not do without a serious international investigation.

Since Sept. 26, a total of four gas leaks have been detected in Russias Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. Both pipelines run under the Baltic Sea, linking gas fields in Russia to Germany and to other European energy markets.

Scandinavian seismologists claim to have recorded underwater explosions in areas where the leaks were later found, prompting claims of sabotage by EU leaders.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that any deliberate disruption of Europes energy infrastructure would yield the strongest possible response.

According to Russias TASS news agency, the head of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) has said that FIS agents had obtained material indicating western involvement in the attack on the pipelines.

When asked about the claim on Sept. 30, Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, declined to comment.

A day earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted that NATO member countries had conducted deep-sea exercises in July in areas where the leaks were later discovered.

In his Sept. 30 address, Putin went so far as to accuse the United States of destroying European energy infrastructure.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A man walks with his bicycle past banners informing about a referendum on the joining of Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine to Russia, in the Russian-controlled city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Sept. 26, 2022. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

Ukrainians Involved in Russian-Backed Referendums Face Treason Charges, Prison Term

KYIV, UkraineUkrainians who help Russian-backed referendums to annex large swathes of the country will face treason charges and at least five years in jail, Ukraines presidential adviser said.

We have lists of names of people who have been involved in some way, presidential adviser Mikhailo Podolyak said in an interview with Swiss newspaper Blick.

We are talking about hundreds of collaborators. They will be prosecuted for treason. They face prison sentences of at least five years.

Podolyak said Ukrainians who were forced to vote would not be punished. Ukrainian officials have reported ballot boxes being taken door to door and residents being coerced into voting in front of Russian-backed security.

Reuters could not immediately verify reports of coercion.

Moscow hopes to annex the provinces of Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia, in the east and south, which make up about 15 percent of Ukraine.

None of the provinces are fully under Moscows control and fighting has been under way along the entire front line, with Ukrainian forces reporting more advances since they routed Russian troops in a fifth province, Kharkiv, earlier this month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons to protect Russian soil, which would include the four provinces if annexed.

Voting on whether to join Russia began on Friday in the regions and ended on Tuesday. Putin will proclaim the annexation of the four Ukrainian regions on Friday. The head of the upper house of the Russian parliament has said the chamber could consider the incorporation of the four regions on Oct. 4, three days before Putins 70th birthday.

Kyiv and the West have dismissed the referendums as a sham and pledged not to recognize the results.
U.S. President Joe Biden (C) and leaders from the Pacific Islands region pose for a photograph on the North Portico of the White House September 29, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

US Pledges $810 Million to Pacific Islands as Enduring Commitment to Counter Beijings Influence

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sept. 29 announced US$810 million in new funding to Pacific Island nations over the next decade as the U.S. seeks to counter Beijings growing influence in the region.

The meeting comes after Beijing and the Solomon Islands signed off on a security pact in April, which received strong pushback from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Soloman Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare also reportedly signalled hesitancy to sign any end-of-summit statement critical of China, according to Reuters.

Speaking to more than a dozen Pacific Islands leaders at a first ever summit in Washington D.C. on Sept. 29, Biden said his administration is committed to developing closer U.S.-Pacific Island partnerships, as well as bolstering U.S. presence in the region.

A great deal of the history of our world is going to be written in the Indo-Pacific over the coming years and decades, Biden said. And the Pacific islands are a critical voice in shaping that future. And thats why my administration has made it a priority to strengthen our partnership with your countries.

The United States has directly provided over $1.5 billion to support the Pacific Islands over the past decade and today has announced over $810 million in additional expanded programs.

Biden said he wanted to show an enduring commitment to the pacific island nations adding that the security of America, quite frankly, and the world depends on your security.

Peace Corps, Coast Guard, NOAA and Defence to See Increase in the Region

Of the new funding, US$20 million will be used for the development of tourism for the Solomon Islands, while US$600 will support and develop the fisheries industry across the South Pacific over 10 years.

The Biden administration also released the first-ever Pacific Partnership strategy on Sept. 29, which is meant to compliment the earlier Indo-Pacific strategy.

Under the Pacific strategy, the U.S. will expand U.S. diplomatic missions from six to nine across the Pacific region, deploy additional personnel across, increase the presence of the U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of Defense in the area, and lift Pacific Islands out of the emergency phase of COVID-19. The U.S. will also return Peace Corps volunteer presence to Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Vanuatu this year and actively explore options for opening missions in other countries.

Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Glenn Harris pull a person from the water on April 13, 2021, after a 175-foot commercial lift boat capsized 8 miles south of Grand Isle, La. (U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

Biden said the U.S. would also recognise New Zealand realm countries the Cook Islands and Niue as sovereign states, which would allow both territories to develop diplomatic relations directly with the U.S.

This recognition would also make the Cook Islands and Niue eligible for some of the U.S. funding, according to Meg Keen, the director of the Pacific Islands program for the Australia-based Lowy Institute.

The White House said that U.S. embassies would also open in Tonga and Kiribati.

Blinken Optimistic Despite Sogavares Reported Hesitancy to Sign Declaration

Following reports that Soloman Islands Sogavare would not sign any end-of-summit statement critical of China, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that pacific leaders involved in the summit have come together around a declaration of partnership between the U.S. and the Pacific, one that shows that we have a shared vision for the future and a determination to build that future together.

So Im very pleased that we have this today, that weve agreed on it, and it will give us a road map for the work that were doing in the future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
South Africa: SAA not scaling down operations

State-owned airline, South African Airways (SAA), has moved to assure customers that it will continue to service the routes it currently offers.

This after reports suggested that the International Air Services Licencing Council revoked 20 of the airlines domestic and international route rights.

SAA continues to operate its current network and schedule, with six regional and three domestic destinations. Currently, the airline has deployed additional capacity on the Cape Town route to meet demand, and we have increased the aircraft size on the Harare route.

SAA made a representation to the International Air Services Licensing Council (The Council) on its current route allocation and the decision by the Council to review some of the frequencies on the routes that the airline is currently not serving, SAA said in a statement.

The aviation company added that it will be ramping up operations with additional equipment being purchased for its current fleet.

The first addition arrived on [Tuesday]. SAA has taken delivery of an Airbus 320 which allows the airline to continue to gain momentum with the intention to resume full regional and international services.

There is no doubt that SAA still retains a high brand equity and customer loyalty, demonstrated by successfully operating six in-demand routes on our Continent, high occupancy rates on domestic routes, and robust increase of Voyager members, SAA said.

Earlier this month, the airline celebrated a year of operations after it faced an uncertain future after it was grounded for at least 16 months and underwent business rescue.  SANews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Jun Sheng

In the eyes of some US politicians, international organizations can be used as a tool to reshape the US' global influence, and also as amusement parks where it can come and go freely. The various actions of the US deviating from multilateralism have fully demonstrated its unilateral mentality of seeking hegemony and ignoring its own international responsibilities.

Fanning flames, instigating and detonating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, wooing allies, and continuing to strengthen sanctions against Russia, the US creates chaos here and there, causing a huge impact on various fields in the world including energy, finance, and food. Since the Ukrainian crisis broke out, it has once again exposed its hideous conduct to engage in unilateralism and safeguard its hegemony.

From fanning flames and instigating conflicts to create confrontation, to forcefully overthrowing the regimes of other countries, causing continuous turmoil in many parts of the world; from adhering to the American Exceptionalism, ignoring international law and basic norms of international relations, to abusing long-arm jurisdiction, frequently wielding the stick of "sanctions"... Behind the US's hegemony as shown by domineering and bullying actions, lies its own long-standing unilateralism gene.

The unilateral acts of the US are numerous as shown by its addiction to "withdrawing from organizations" to "break contracts". Since the 1980s, the US has successively withdrawn from multiple international organizations or agreements including the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and the Treaty on Open Skies. In the eyes of some US politicians, international organizations can be used as a tool to reshape US' global influence, and also as amusement parks where it can come and go freely. The various actions of the US deviating from multilateralism fully demonstrate its unilateralist mentality of seeking hegemony and ignoring its own international responsibilities.

Knowing that unilateralism has been unpopular in recent years, the Biden administration has shouted to "return to multilateralism" from time to time in an attempt to confuse the world. But its so-called multilateralism is, as a matter of fact, another insidious variant of unilateralism, focusing on ganging up allies as demarcated by ideology and splitting the world by forcing other countries into taking a side. Its unilateralist words and deeds have been rampant as shown by its implementation of the "Indo-Pacific Strategy", strengthening the Five Eyes Alliance (FVEY), peddling the "quadrilateral mechanism" (Quad), piecing together a trilateral security partnership, and tightening the bilateral military alliance, and forming a little clique and an exclusive "club".

In order to maintain global hegemony, the US tends to repeatedly resort to unilateral sanctions to coerce its opponents into making concessions. For a long time, the US has abused its financial hegemony and technological advantages, frequently resorted to unilateral bullying and imposed sanctions on multiple countries, which have seriously violated international law and basic norms of international relations. These acts of hegemony have not only seriously damaged the international trade environment, but also put the economies of relevant countries into trouble, and even led to serious humanitarian crises.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Venezuela, Syria, and Iran, which have been sanctioned by the US for a long time, have had domestic economic and medical conditions increasingly deteriorating, so the pandemic prevention and control situation. The US, on the other hand, has continued to enhance sanctions applied and even imposed so-called extreme sanctions on these countries, making the economic and people's livelihood of these countries even worse. According to statistics, the number of sanctions imposed by the US has increased tenfold in the past 20 years.

Hegemonic acts harm all other countries across the world, and unilateralism is unpopular. History has repeatedly proved that indulging in the hegemonic dream by assuming the air of self-importance and the attempt to put one's own interests above the common interests of the international community will inevitably end in failure and eventually be cast aside by the times.
U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (R) and South Korea's landing platform helicopter (LPH) ship Marado (2nd L) sail during a joint military exercise at an undisclosed location on June 4, 2022. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

US, South Korea, Japan Stage Trilateral Anti-Submarine Drills Following North Korean Missile Tests

The United States, South Korea, and Japan launched their first trilateral anti-submarine drills in five years on Sept. 30, just a day after North Korea launched its third ballistic missile test this week.

The drills were held in waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, involving the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, Japans Asahi-class destroyer, and South Koreas Munmu the Great destroyer, among others.

The three allies aim to enhance their navies interoperability and tactical capabilities to respond to any security challenge in the region, according to a statement issued by the U.S. IndoPacific Command.

South Korean commander Capt. Cho Choong Ho said the drills are designed to enhance their combined capabilities against enemy submarine threats. South Korea previously warned of a possible submarine-launched ballistic missile test by North Korea.

We will continue such realistic high-intensity exercises so that we can react decisively and overwhelmingly against any form of provocations, Cho said.

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea on Thursday, hours after U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris ended her visit to South Korea. She also visited the Demilitarized Zone separating the two countries.

Japans Defense Ministry said the first missile flew about 300 kilometers (186 miles) at an altitude of 50 kilometers (31 miles), followed by a second missile on the same trajectory. Both missiles landed on the eastern coast of North Korea.

It was the third round of missile launches by North Korea this week, extending a record pace in weapons testing as it accelerates a push to expand its arsenal and pressure Washington to accept it as a nuclear power.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired nine minutes apart from an area just north of the capital, Pyongyang, and flew toward waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol pose for a photo as they hold a bilateral meeting in Seoul on Sept. 29, 2022. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP)

Earlier, Harris met with President Yoon Suk Yeol at his office in Seoul and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defend the South with a full range of its military capabilities in the event of war, Yoons office said.

They expressed concern over North Koreas threats of nuclear conflict and pledged an unspecified stronger response to major North Korean provocations, including a nuclear test.

Harris described this weeks missile launches as provocations meant to destabilize the region and said the United States and South Korea remain committed to the complete denuclearization of the North.

I cannot state enough that commitment of the United States to the defense of the Republic of Korea is ironclad, she said.

Washington said it has attempted to engage North Korea in dialogue for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but the Kim Jong Un regime has responded only with provocations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
White House Chief of Staffs Wife Tapped for New Ambassador Post

The wife of a top Biden administration official was named this week to a new ambassador post, raising questions about whether the official helped secure her the job.

Monica Medina was named on Sept. 28 to a newly created post, the U.S. special envoy for biodiversity and water resources. The position is inside the State Department, which is part of the Executive Branch.

Medina is married to Ronald Klain, the White House chief of staff.

Federal law prohibits public officials from advocating for employment or promotion in an agency in which they are serving, or in an agency in which they exercise authority.

If a person is found to be appointed or promoted in violation of the law, the Treasury Department must withhold pay from the person.

I think it all boils down to a question of fact: did Ronald Klain advocate for his wife to get this job? And if he did, under this statute, I think shes disqualified, Richard Painter, a professor of corporate law at the University of Minnesota and the chief ethics lawyer during the George W. Bush administration, told The Epoch Times.

Klain could not be reached for comment. The White House did not return an inquiry. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment. An inquiry to Medina was not returned.

The Epoch Times has submitted a Freedom of Information Act to see if Klain or other White House officials were in communication with State Department officials about his wife before the appointment was announced.

Medina helped found Our Daily Planet, which describes itself as the leading independent environmental news platform covering the climate crisis, conservation, and beyond. She was already working as an assistant secretary at the State Department.

In a public statement, Medina said she was deeply honored to be designated as special envoy, adding that shes looking forward to taking American diplomacy to the next level to conserve our incredible planet and its rich but at risk biodiversityand to help all the communities across the world that depend on nature.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a Biden appointee, tapped Medina for the post, which she will perform in addition to her other duties.

As special envoy, Medina will coordinate the government effort to address what the administration described as the climate change crisis, as well as other issues such as the loss of biodiversity.

Medina will also help in the White House effort to implement a water security action plan and a global water strategy, the announcement said.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives for the opening session of the rubber-stamp legislatures conference in Beijing, China, on March 5, 2022. (Leo Ramirez/AFP via Getty Images)

Xi Jinpings Fake Coup

Commentary

Many readers reported reading that strange things were happening in China. For example, Twitter and Newsweek reported that China mysteriously canceled thousands of commercial flights and trains. Some bloggers wrote that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was under house arrest, and others reported seeing hundreds of military vehicles heading toward Beijing.

Others said these rumors were fake news.

Whats Really Going On?

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hasnt confirmed or denied the rumors. The CCP wants people to wonder whats going on.

Xi is conducting a palace coup to flush out his opponents and remove them before the 20th National Congress begins on Oct. 16.

Many dictators and autocratic rulers conduct these actions to ensure they stay in power. In 2016, Turkish President Erdogan acted similarly and subsequently declared a state of emergency, imprisoning opposition politicians, arresting tens of thousands of perceived opponents, journalists, and civil society leaders, confiscating opponents businesses and bank accounts, and cracking down on the remnants of the free press, according to think tank American Enterprise Institute.

The Print, an Indian online newspaper, observed that when Xi returned from the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting on Sept. 17, the following six senior CCP members were arrested or sentenced to prison under corruption charges:

Sun Lijun, former vice minister of public security, who has been accused of leading a political clique, was sentenced to death, which could be commuted to life in prison without parole after two years.

Fu Zhenghua, the former justice minister, was imprisoned for accepting bribes.

Liu Xinyun, former vice governor and head of the public security department in Shanxi province, was sentenced to 14 years for bribery and abuse.

Gong Daoan, former deputy mayor of Shanghai and the citys public security bureau, was sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes worth 73.43 million yuan ($10.4 million).

The former police chief of Chongqing, Deng Huilin, was given a 15-year sentence.

Wang Like, former secretary of Jiangsu provincial political and legal affairs commission, was also sentenced to death with a potential life sentence after two years.

Sun Lijun, then a vice minister of public security, attends a meeting in Wuhan in central Chinas Hubei Province on April 7, 2020. (Chinatopix via AP)

CCP leaders have a tradition of purging those who disagree with them. Below are some previous examples and how they relate to Xi.

Maos Yanan Rectification Movement (194245)

Mao Zedong conducted many purges during his rule. From 1942 to 1945, Mao killed those who had questionable loyalty to establish his unquestioned position as party leader. The CCP ordered the murder of at least 10,000 people as the Chinese Communist Party attempted to attack and replace intellectuals with people who supported the Communist ideology.

Xi is following in Maos footsteps by using the legal system to murder or incarcerate his opponents.

Maos Purges During the Cultural Revolution (19661976)

Most experts estimate that during the Cultural Revolution, Mao caused the death of 1 to 8 million people and inflicted cruel and inhuman treatments on hundreds of million people.

The Cultural Revolutions purpose was to destroy the Four Oldsold ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habitsin order to bring the areas of education, art and literature in line with Communist ideology. Anything that was suspected of being feudal or bourgeois was to be destroyed.

Xi is no stranger to these purges. When he was a young teenager, his father, Xi Zhongxun, was publicly humiliated, beaten and sent into exile. President Xis half-sister, Xi Heping, is said to have taken her own life after being persecuted, according to The Guardian.

October 1976 Coup

Mao died on Sept. 9, 1976. Hua Guofeng became the chairman of the CCP on Oct. 7, 1976. Hua conducted a fake coup against four members of the senior CCP committee (the Gang of Four), who were responsible for carrying out Maos Cultural Revolution and were designated by Mao to continue his legacy.

As part of his consolidation of power and to prevent others from removing him, Hua ordered the arrest of Jiang Qing (Maos last wife), Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen. Hua sent forces to Shanghai to prevent protests against the arrests; Shanghai was the Gang of Fours main base of support.

Xi also purged many of former CCP leader Jiang Zemins supporters, who were also mainly from Shanghai. Xi replaced most of his competition with his loyalists.

After removing his competition, Hua became the first CCP leader to hold the titles of party leader, premier, and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). Mao did not hold the title of chairman of the CMC. Xi is the second CCP leader to have these titles.

Xis Anti-Corruption Campaign

Just as Xi promotes a zero COVID policy, he also initiated a zero corruption policy when he came into office, which conveniently removed many opponents. Between 2013 and 2016, the first three years of Xis zero corruption rule, the CCPs Central Committee for Discipline Inspection reported that more than 1 million people were punished. During Xis tenure, six senior CCP leaders were prosecuted and sentenced: Bo Xilai (2013), General Xu Caihou (2014), Zhou Yongkang (2015), Guo Boxiong (2016), Ling Jihua (2016), and Sun Zhengcai (2017).

Zhou Yongkang, the former Chinese Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee member in charge of security, sits in a courtroom at the First Intermediate Peoples Court of Tianjin in Tianjin, China, on June 11, 2015. (CCTV via AP Video)

CCPs 20th National Congress

A famous quote from Ecclesiastes states that there is nothing new under the Sun. As Mao did, Xis false coup sets the stage for his dramatic coronation as the CCP general secretary (for life) when the 20th congress convenes in October.

All is not perfect in the Land of Xi. The CCP has several internal disputes. CCP internal squabbles include how to proceed with Chinas relations with Russia, how to repair the economy, whether the newly appointed CCP persons who replaced formerly pro-Jiang Zemins supporters are still reliably pro-Xi, and whether the CCP should strategically focus its efforts on taking over Taiwan or Russia.

We hope to receive information from leaks and indicators before, during, and after the CCPs 20th National Congress. In previous national meetings, the proceedings were predetermined and choreographed, and no one questioned the revised CCP platform once published for its goals and objectives for the following five years.

A Brighter Future?

Even though we can pray for the demise of the CCP, the coup rumors are false. A false coup occurred in preparation for another culling round of CCP officials who have run afoul of Xi Jinping. Many people hope for the end of the CCPs totalitarian control over the Chinese population that will lead to a democratic China without communist or socialist characteristics.

A quote from Sun Yat-sen (18661925)known as the Father of the Nation in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Forerunner of the Revolution in Chinashows that democracy was on his mind even as the Qing Dynasty fell over a hundred years ago:

Which, autocracy or democracy, is really better suited to modern China? If we base our judgment upon the intelligence and the ability of the Chinese people, we come to the conclusion that the sovereignty of the people would be far more suitable for us.

(Sun Yat-senThe Principle of Democracy, lecture one, delivered on March 9, 1924.)

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A total of 62 Nigerian lawyers who applied for the coveted title have been announced to be successful.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is a professional title that may be conferred on Nigerian lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal career. It is usually conferred on practitioners of not less than 10 years experience.

According to Wikipedia, ..the conferment is made in accordance with the Legal Practitioners Act 207 Section 5 (1) by the Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee, headed by the Chief Justice (as Chairman). The title was first conferred on April 3, 1975.

Among the successful candidates is Emmanuel Idemuda Oboh. He is listed as number seven. He began a journey in the legal profession in 1988 after successful completion of Nigerian Law School program in Lagos and subsequent call to bar in the same year. Prior to that, he acquired a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B) from Bendel State University, presently known as Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. An old student of Government College Ughelli in Delta State, he became a notary public in 2009 . A notary public is deemed to be an officer of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and has the power to attest to the authenticity of a document and such document will be recognised internationally for any purpose it is meant for. In 1990, he incorporated Emman .I. Oboh & Associates, a legal firm which he is the Principal.

Emmanuel Idemuda Oboh, SAN

In the course of his legal career, Mr Emmanuel Idemuda Oboh has done extensive legal research covering both civil and criminal litigation and commercial transactions. Banks and other financial institutions have subscribed to his services and professional consultations. He has severally prosecuted criminal and civil litigations up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He is the author of: Rhodes  Vivour JSC: The Final Verdict Vol. I &II.

Prominent among the cases that he has prosecuted are:

Muritala Oladapo v. The State (2020) 7 NWLR (pt.1723) 238

Issa Bio v. The State (2020) 7 NWLR (pt. 1723) 218

Alabi Tope v. The State (2019) 15 NWLR (pt. 1795) 174

Iheanacho v. Egbula (2021) 14 NWLR (pt. 1795) 174

Mathew v. The State (2019) 8 NWLR (pt. 1675) 461 and numerous others.

Emmanuel Idemuda Oboh, SAN

Barrister Frank Ezechueche, a professional colleague described Mr Emmanuel Idemuda Oboh: he is a urbane gentleman per excellence, hardworking, conscientious, diligent, painstaking, and quintessential advocate whose word is his bond. His integrity both as an advocate and a gentleman has no question mark.

The Benin born legal practitioner per excellence is married with 4 children. In the spirit of their father, three of his children are licensed and practicing lawyers.

We congratulate a complete gentleman with a befitting candour of a Senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). This honour is yet another bold statement to acknowledge your exploits in the legal arena in Nigeria. Congratulations the learned silk
As the nation marks it's 62nd Independence Day Anniversary, a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Comrade Edwin Uhara has congratulated Nigerians, saying the best is yet to come for the nation.

In a statement released to newsmen in Abuja to mark the event, Uhara said Nigeria is still the apple of God's eyes despite pockets of challenges here and there.

Noting that every nation has it's own peculiar challenge which requires peculiar solution because one size does not fit all when it comes to proffering democratic solutions to leadership questions.

He however urged Nigerians to believe in the future as well as strengthen their faith in the unity and progress of the country.

The party Chieftain who was full of praises for the resilient spirit shown by Nigerians; especially during the virulent period of Covid-19 and the economic recession noted that God did not make mistake when He allowed us to be one indivisible nation under His watch.

He also urged Nigerians to use the opportunity presented by next year's general elections to prove our democratic maturity to the world by running a disciplined and issue-based campaigns without resorting to violence or any act capable of jeopardizing the entire process.

The party stalwart however called on Nigerians to show more supports for the Buhari administration in order to enable him complete the many laudable and legacy projects, policies and programmes started by his government which Nigerians will surely remember and miss him in years to come.

Uhara however advised politicians to eschew politics of bitterness and hatred and to always consider the interest of the nation first before any other interests because Nigeria will always win in any contest.

His words: "Politicians should remember that there would still be elections after 2023 and should not suffocate the glue that hold us together as a nation nor destroy our bond of affection because they want to emerge victorious next year."

In all, the UN-trained Negotiator urged political parties and their candidates to always be guided by the pledge they made in the recitation of our 'National Pledge' especially the last paragraph which says "To defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory, so help me God."

Happy Independence Day Anniversary fellow compatriots!

Signed:

His Youthfulness,

Comrade Edwin Uhara,

APC Chieftain and UN-trained Negotiator


If you are a job seeker or need to change jobs, the best career advice is for you to become an activist. Sure, you are passionate about something: the environment or climate change, out-of-school children, drug addictions among juveniles and the likes. You are not just becoming an activist, Im talking about the biggest of all  a political activist. This is the latest goldmine many young people arent currently exploring.

Like every other career, you must be meticulous and deliberate in your choices. To make it big, you just need a quick few steps to become a star political activist.

You may wonder why Im sharing this information with you. Believe me, its been the same pattern since my undergraduate days at Obafemi Awolowo University. Its the last home of Students Unionism in Nigeria. So, trust me if I say you can make it as an activist. I just chose not to make a career of it because I dont see activism as a career but as a vocation. But, I want you to make it a career because everyone seems to be doing it.

Before we go, please dont come out in the beginning to use the tag political activist. That is an automatic red flag. Everyone suspects politicians. Politicians are not trustworthy people. Just call yourself things like human rights activists, active citizen, civic organizer etc. the tag human rights activists seems overused. So, I dont strongly recommend it.

Following the caveat, you can now follow me in your journey to become an activist  sorry, political activist. Do the following and you will be just fine:

1. Attack the government

As an activist, I dont need to tell you that the easiest route is to attack the government. Everyone does not trust the government. So, attack. Say very ridiculous things. Attack the governments fault lines.

Dont neglect this step. Its crucial in getting credibility. Pretend you care about justice. Emphase your rights to propagate absolute falsehoods in public.

It may not be easy in your first few weeks but continue. Nothing good ever comes easy. If it looks like things arent working, change the plans a bit. Single out some politicians you know people hate, then launch the missile on them. Do not stop. Call them names. The more the name sticks, the more your credibility.

Becoming a political activist is showbiz. You will need all publicity you can get. The easiest way to get this is by attacking the government or specific politicians.

Mind you, some politicians will ignore you but others will care for their reputation. The point is to pick your battles carefully.

2. Organise Protest

After youve invested heavily into attacking the government, you will need to further demonstrate your credibility and capacity for your growing audience. At this point, I need not tell you about the importance of social media.

Your followers will believe whatever you tell them. They trust you absolutely by now. With this trust earned, look for anything to protest against. Just anything but make it something many people dont like. It could be government officials using sirens on public roads.

If your followers dont turn up in their numbers, dont be discouraged. Nothing good comes easy. Continue pressing for protests. Jump at every opportunity to organize protests  online or offline. If organizing an offline protest isnt working, start organizing Twitter Space. It is cheaper and safer for your growing followers. You need to keep them engaged. Let them talk, rant, and vent. You need to get them as angry as you can. Make them look stupid for not getting angry enough. Talk angrily, yourself. After all, holy anger is in the Bible.

At all costs, organize a protest. That is your work experience as a political activist. Nobody will take you seriously without this all-important work experience.

3. Get Arrested

As a political activist, the peak of your career is to get arrested by security agencies. If it seems the security agencies are ignoring you, arrange to be arrested. Be desperate to get arrested.

There are so many ways to do this. If you are a lawyer, commit contempt of court deliberately. Make the case that the judge does not have the right to stop you from talking.

You can even deliberately assault a law enforcement officer on duty and claim you were arrested because youre an activist.

In everything you do, get arrested. After the arrest, add it to your profile like I was detained four times by the Buhari regime.

4. Open an account for Donation

As an activist, you need money. A lot of it. Activism is not cheap. You need money to buy data and move around. Noise-making costs money. This money will come from donations.

You will have to open a GoFundMe account where you will be receiving donations. You dont need to account for this money at all. Accountability should be the least of your worries. After all, politicians are embezzling billions, so, why care about a few millions in my account? Its not taxpayers money in any case, why should I be accountable when you didnt donate to my account?

5. Set up an NGO

You will need to have your non-governmental organisation. You cant rely on existing NGOs except they have agreed to fund your activities. I doubt they will. Even if they do, as your profile grows, so will your need to be independent. So, you will need to have your NGO where you will be the absolute authority over funds.

You cant be following protocols every time you need to withdraw N100,000 for your hookup babe now? In which account will you write that?

6. Keeping making noise and increase your voice

Your noise level tempo will need to be increased. Always have hot takes on social media no matter how controversial. Unleash your growing online mob on anyone who questions your credibility. Let them fight for you. Youre too big to be responding to small fries. After all, you are the one who fought the might Federal Government. Why should you stoop so low to be dealing with ants when your ever-loyal followers have the best responses?

7. Try seeking asylum The state is after me

At this point, you may have to deal with some scandals: financial impropriety, sexual predation and the likes. The best thing to do is leave the country by claiming the government is after you for exposing them. Say it as you mean it. You need to distract attention away from your dirty linens. Claim that your life is in danger to get asylum in neighbouring countries.

You are now a career activist if you can just do all these. You may not become Gani Fawehinmi or Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. But, that is how its done in Nigeria, at least!

Olalekan Adigun, an Accidental Writer, sent this piece from Lagos. His Twitter handle is @MrLekanAdigun. His email address is [email protected]
Body in suitcase might be missing Lao businesswoman

NAKHON PHANOM: An unidentified murder victim found in a suitcase in the Mekong River might be a Lao businesswoman missing from Vientiane since last week, relatives told police after seeing photos of her clothes. The dead woman was found on Wednesday (Sept 28) in That Phanom district.

deathmurdercrimepolice

By Bangkok Post

Friday 30 September 2022, 03:15PM

Police watch as a rescue worker opens the suitcase found to hold the body of a murdered woman. The suitcase was found in the Mekong River in That Phanom district, Nakhon Phanom province, on Wednesday morning (Sept 28). Photo: Pattanapong Sripiachai / Bangkok Post

Col Thawil Khamket, chief of That Phanom police, said on Friday (Sept 30) that the missing womans business associates had contacted police asking to see the body, so they could maybe identify it, reports Bangkok Post.

Col Thawil Khamket, chief of That Phanom police, said on Friday that the missing womans business associates had contacted police asking to see the body, so they could maybe identify it.

They had seen news of the discovery and the clothes the woman wore led them to believe she was their missing relative. They would travel from Vientiane to Nakhon Phanom to identify the body, he said.

Police were awaiting the autopsy report from Khon Kaens forensic institute to learn the cause of her death.

The body of a woman aged 25-30 years was inside a suitcase in the Mekong River in That Phanom district on Sept 28. Earlier reports mentioned the woman might be aged around 40.

Injuries to her face indicated she had been bludgeoned with a hard object, police said. However, there were no marks on the rest of her body, and she had not been tied up.

A large rock had been placed inside the suitcase, presumably to make it sink. There were no documents with the body to identify her, but she was wearing brand-name clothing, which suggested that the woman was wealthy.

Police believed she was killed and then packed in the suitcase, which was tossed in the river.

Pol Col Thawil said if relatives confirmed her identity, investigators would hand the body and autopsy result over to Lao authorities. Thai police would have no authority to further investigate the matter, he said.
Layan Beach demolition begins

PHUKET: Heavy machinery was brought to Layan Beach today (Sept 30) to knock down the last remaining illegal beachfront buildings on some 178 rai of state land, altogether estimated to be worth over B10 billion.

landcrimecorruptionconstructiontourism

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 30 September 2022, 05:46PM

The Department of Special Investigations (DSI) originally served eviction notices in 2017 after the Supreme Court ruled that the occupiers were illegally encroaching on state land. Several final warnings had been made since then, with the last eviction notice served on Sept 12, 2022.

The encroachers were ordered to vacate the plots by Sept 30 or else officials would remove their buildings for them. Contrary to the previous warnings, this time officials were serious.

Traiyarit Temhiwong, Director-General of the DSI, arrived in Phuket to witness in person the beginning of the demolition process. He was accompanied by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, Vice Governor Anuphap Rodkwan Yodrabam and a slew of officials from local government agencies as well as the Office of the Auditor-General.

Speaking on the case, Director of Phuket Legal Execution Office Paween Kumar said that the owners of the buildings had been given time to remove their property from the state land voluntarily.

"The eviction notices were posted on Sept 12, 2022, ordering the occupiers to vacate the land within 15 days. The notices said we would be coming to check the area on Sept 30, and we came in accordance with the notices to demolish [the illegal buildings]. There are four separate sub-cases in this case and six separate plaintiffs who tried to appeal but lost in court, Mr Paween said.

It was announced that the demolition would be finished within Sept 30. Any people found doing business or living on the land after that will be charged with trespassing.

It took 22 government agencies to make todays work possible, Mr Paween said about the demolition.

We focus on dismantling all the structures so that there are no people left [encroaching on the land], he added.

Mr Traiyarit of the DSI stressed that the provincial Office of the Ombudsman sent a representative to oversee the demolition process.

"The authorities are entering the demolition process. He came in person as an observer to encourage the officers doing their job to recover valuable natural resources, Mr Traiyarit said.

If the average price of the land is B1 million baht per square wah and the area in total is 178 rai, the value of the land to be returned to the nation is about B50bn. It is the property of the nation as a whole and should not belong to anyone seeking illegal benefits from these 178 rai, he added.

Mr Traiyarit emphasised that the DSI accepts all the special cases, just as its name presupposes.

Here is a backhoe demolishing a building right now. The structure is built with a lot of concrete, but no piling makes the demolition very easy. I think in about a month there will be a beautiful clean beach here, Mr Traiyarit said.

The local Government will organise everything for people to use this land together for the joint benefit of the community and the society. I believe that the strong integration of law enforcement efforts as well as the cooperation and strength of all the relevant agencies guarantee nobody dares to encroach on this land [again]. If it happens, serious legal action will be taken then," Mr Traiyarit added.

See also:

Layan lockout: Public access denied amid Supreme Court wrangle for B10bn beachfront land (Click here)

Not For Sale: Attempt to sell Phuket beachfront state-owned land for B3.6bn draws fire (Click here)

Phuket beachfront businesses at Layan, Leypang ordered: Get out, or be demolished (Click here)

DSI posts encroachment warning signs at Layan, Leypang beaches (Click here)

Layan beach encroachers given seven days eviction notice (Click here)

Layan Beach encroachers finally face eviction (Click here)



Final eviction notices served at Layan (Click here)
Noru kills one, wreaks havoc upcountry

BANGKOK: Tropical depression Noru, formerly a super typhoon, has left four northeastern provinces awash, with one person dead and two others injured as it reached the upper section of Thailand yesterday (Sept 29), said the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

weatherSafety

By Bangkok Post

Friday 30 September 2022, 08:44AM

Residents check the strength of a raised walkway through their community around Wat Thewarat Kunchorn in Dusit district of Bangkok yesterday (Sept 29) as they race against time to beat the rising Chao Phraya River due to the influence of Storm Noru. The wooden walkway was built jointly by the district office, the army and Jitr Arasa volunteers. Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya

The storm has set off emergency alarms in 17 provinces in the North, Northeast and Central Plains, which have all braced for the risk of heavy flooding in the days to come, reports the Bangkok Post.

From Wednesday night until yesterday morning, much of Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket, Yasothon and Ubon Ratchathani experienced torrential rainfall and unrelenting thunderstorms that led to floods, said the departments update released yesterday morning.

Several main roads in these provinces were swamped, making them impassible, said the department, adding that strong winds had knocked down trees on roads and obstructed public transportation routes in five districts across the four provinces.

Surging floods were reported in Muang and Lue Amnat districts of Amnat Charoen, Muang district of Si Sa Ket, Muang district of Yasothon, and Muang district of Ubon Ratchathani, according to the department.

In Si Sa Ket, one person was killed and two injured when a large tree toppled by a strong wind fell onto the pick-up they were travelling in, said the department.

As of 11am yesterday the depression was centred in Chaturaphak Phiman district of Roi Et with a wind speed of 50 kilometres per hour, said Chomparee Chompurat, director-general of the Department of Thai Meteorology. The storm was heading west and is expected to weaken further to a trough, she added.

Despite the downgrade, the storm still packed intensity, which when coupled with the impact of the southwest monsoon will continue bringing more rain to all parts of the country, especially the North and Northeast where strong winds are also forecast in the days ahead, she said.

Ubon Ratchathani province recorded more than 100 millimetres of precipitation from Wednesday night until yesterday morning in all districts as water levels in the Mun River, its main waterway, looked set to increase by one to two metres.

A total of 1,518 households in 46 communities in this northeastern province have already been evacuated to safety.
Rain fails to dampen spirits at Veg Fest processions

PHUKET: Street processions for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival continued by two main shrines on the island despite heavy downpours drenching participants this morning (Sept 30), on Day 5 of the nine-day festival.

cultureChinese

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 30 September 2022, 09:50AM

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The Tha Reua Shrine procession made its way along Thepkrasattri Rd while traffic passed by. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Devotees and Mah Song spirit mediums from the Jeng Ong Shrine located near Vachira Phuket Hospital took to the streets at 6:30am, making their way down Yaowarat Rd into the heart of Phuket Town. The procession continued onto Dibuk Rd, Thepkrasattri Rd, Phang Nga Rd, Montri Rd, Soi Surin, past Ocean Robinson shopping centre, right onto Ong Sim Phai Rd, left back onto Phuket Rd and from there to Saphan Hin, where ritual ceremonies were observed before the participants made their way back to the shrine near the hospital.

The street procession by Tha Ruea Shrine, located near Heroines Monument, saw devotees and Mah Song spirit mediums travel by car from the shrine to in front of Mission Hospital Phuket, from where they continued on foot along Thepkrasattri Rd, through the centre of Phuket Town and also arrive at Saphan Hin to perform their own ceremonies before making their way back to the shrine by car.

Surin Circle (also called the Clocktower roundabout) became the main gathering point for people observing both processions this morning.

Also a popular gathering point was in front of the Lan Nawamin courtyard on Phuket Rd, where Phuket Municipality set up a large table of offerings for the Mah Song passing by. Many people gathered at the site in the hope of receiving blessings from gods through the spirit mediums. Children were not disappointed, with some of the Mah Song handing out sweets and candy, and blessed handwoven cloth wristbands.

The Mah Song today featured more of the traditional items for piercings, including traditional weapons such as Hua Monong as well as swords and knives.

Rain continued throughout the duration of both street processions this morning, though people lining the streets, including local residents and foreign tourists, remained undeterred and remained steadfast in the rain to witness the spectacle.

Other shrines observing street processions today this morning were Tai Seng Pud Jor Shrine (Chalong) - 7am; Tae Gun Tai Tae Shrine (Baan Pasak) - 7:15am; Hok Ong Tong Shrine (Chalong) - 7:30am; and Bang Jo Shrine (Srisoonthorn) - 7:30am.

Seng Leng Tong Shrine in Muang Mai will conduct their street procession at 3pm today and devotees from Sapam Shrine will return to the streets for their second street procession at 6:45pm.

The street processions will continue tomorrow, as follows:

Gim Su Ong Shrine (Baan Don) - 6:30am

Bang Liao Shrine (Bang Neow, Phuket Town) - 7am

Cherng Talay Shrine - 7am

Guan Tae Gun Shrine (Baan Pon) - 7:30am

Tai Houd Tong Shrine (Surin Beach) - 3pm

Ngore Choon Gend Baanya Shrine (Baan Ya) - 4:45pm

For a full list of the remaining street processions to be held, click here.
As new estimates come in it becomes increasingly likely that the damaged Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea will spew more climate-changing methane into the atmosphere than any previous known single event
While most Europeans are watching their energy bills soar as the war in Ukraine drives up the price of natural gas, oil and electricity, the tiny German town of Feldheim has been energy self-sufficient for a decade
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.

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My husband and I have a fixed-rate tariff with British Gas which runs until June 2023.

We're moving home next month and looked on the British Gas website to see how we go about moving our tariff with us as it is far better than anything else out there.

The website says it is possible to transfer the tariff but trying to do this online is impossible as the website keeps crashing.

Our reader was told by British Gas that she could not keep her current energy tariff when they move house

We spoke to someone on the online chat and then someone on the phone and were told we were not able to transfer the tariff. This is despite it saying on the British Gas website you can.

We were told that because of all the customers that have been taken on by British Gas after other suppliers went bust, they will not transfer our tariff because they are too busy. We feel they are dumping existing loyal customers to make a profit from new ones.

We complained and were told this is British Gas policy. Is there anything we can do? Via email

Angharad Carrick of This Is Money replied: Moving house is a stressful time so I'm sorry to hear that things aren't going as smoothly as they could be.

More often than not your energy supplier will allow you to transfer your fixed-rate tariff to a new property. British Gas is one such supplier.

Most suppliers are fairly accommodating if you are moving house and want to keep you on your existing fixed contract. As long as your name is on the energy bill at your new address you can just ring your supplier before you move.

It therefore seems odd that you claim British Gas told you you weren't allowed to transfer the tariff particularly as the website seems to suggest you can.

The wording on the British Gas website is careful as it says 'you can usually' take a tariff but it does not set out scenarios in which you would not be able to.

You have been customers of British Gas Evolve, which has since been rebranded to British Gas, since July 2021 when you took out your two-year fixed rate contract.

Evolve customers were brought back into the British Gas main brand last year which may have complicated matters because there is no mention on the website of what former Evolve customers can do when moving house.

I understand there was no reference to keeping the tariff when moving house in your contract either, which has further added to the confusion.

This would have been incredibly stressful. Usually finding a new provider and tariff would be inconvenient but you would have been able to find a similar deal on the market.

However, with soaring energy prices, moving from a fixed tariff to a default deal at the new property will have cost you thousands more per year.

You raised a complaint with British Gas but this was quickly closed, which is when you emailed us.

I am pleased to say British Gas has rectified the situation and accepted you were given the wrong information by their first line reps.

It also clarified that there is no connection between the new customers British Gas has taken on and their existing ones.

It seems that there was an IT issue which prevented you from using the British Gas website to transfer the tariff online.

British Gas has apologised for the confusion and said it is 'entirely unacceptable that this situation was mishandled in this way'.

You and your husband will be accepted as a British Gas customer on the new property. You will need to inform them of your new address, your meter readings on your old meters and readings from the new meters.

British Gas will also offer a financial gesture of goodwill which will be credited to your energy account.

A spokesperson for British Gas said: 'We've spoken to [the customer] to let [them] know we'll move [their] old tariff across to his new property.

'In general, we will honour customers' current fixed tariff if they are moving into a new property and want us to supply it.

'We've provided feedback to make sure this doesn't happen again and we'll also be providing [the customer] with a goodwill gesture.'

Angharad Carrick adds: British Gas will usually honour the old tariff but there are sometimes rare situations where the tariff cannot be moved immediately. Or if there is a long gap between when the customer moves to their new property and when they ask for the old tariff to be reinstated.

It shouldn't have taken an intervention by us to sort this and I hope British Gas make it easier in the future for customers to understand whether they can keep their tariff, and if not, why.

> How much will you pay under the energy price guarantee? Check different bills

What to do when you move house and want to keep your energy tariff

If you are currently on a fixed contract at your current property and don't want to pay an early exit fee, you can ask your supplier if you're able to transfer your tariff to your new home.

If your new property has a prepayment meter, you will need to pay for any gas and electricity usage up front.

Given soaring energy prices, suppliers may not be shouting about keeping existing tariffs but do check your contract and your supplier's website.

Energy providers such as SSE or Ovo Energy won't be able to transfer your specific contract to a new property, as their rates are location-based.

To stay with them, you would need to negotiate a new deal and put yourself at the mercy of higher prices.

British Gas, Octopus and EDF do generally allow customers to transfer their existing fixed tariff contracts.

Sometimes a supplier won't be able to move a contract to a new property, or the home mover may want to take the opportunity to switch provider for another reason.

The good news, is that, in many cases, customers won't be charged a fee if they need to move out and cancel their contract before the fixed term ends.

British Gas, EDF, Octopus and SSE all say they won't charge an exit fee in this situation - though those with other suppliers are advised to check.

Gareth Kloet, GoCompare's energy expert said: 'For the incoming occupier, the existing supplier will put them onto their standard variable tariff and continue to bill the new occupier on that tariff until they opt for an alternative tariff.

'Customers can also use apps or online methods to contact their suppliers, but in these situations, a phone call is often easier and more efficient as the supplier can talk you through the options and finalise everything whilst you are on the call.

'For example, they may have to issue a credit to you when the account is finalised at your existing property, and possibly make arrangements to pay any outstanding bills if the final account is in debit.

'Getting on the phone and speaking to your supplier about what is and isn't possible is always the best way to deal with the complications of switching suppliers when moving home.

'All issues can then hopefully be resolved there and then, and all parties will know where they stand with their energy bills.'
Tesco shareholders will be hoping for a positive update next week, having seen its shares tumble around 30 per cent this year.

Like its rivals, the supermarket giant is being buffeted by the rising cost of doing business and subdued demand among customers desperately seeking bargains.

With Aldi and Lidl on the march, the Big Four of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons are reluctant to raise prices  as that could send shoppers flocking to discounters in even greater numbers.

Morrisons has been leapfrogged by Aldi, which is now Britain's fourth-biggest supermarket. Tesco remains dominant, with a 26.9 per cent share of the market, according to Kantar.

But with the shares falling, its management is under pressure to deliver reassuring half-year results on Wednesday, though analysts at Goldman Sachs believe the bleak market outlook towards the stock is 'overdone'.

So Tesco will hope to meet, if not beat, expectations for half-year sales of 31.2billion, up from 30.4billion a year earlier.

First-half profits last year came in at 1.5billion. The City will also want to know if Tesco remains on track concerning its cash flow targets as it aims to generate between 1.4billion and 1.8billion a year.

Rewards for investors should be nailed on. So far Tesco has returned 300million to shareholders through its current buyback programme, with a further 750million to be handed back by April 2023.

Analysts expect the proposed full-year dividend to be 10.9p a share, meaning the first-half payment will be flat at 3.2p.
HSBC could quit its global headquarters in Canary Wharf.

In a memo sent to staff, the bank said it wanted to assess its best future location in London ahead of its lease expiring at 8 Canada Square, a 45-floor tower, in 2027.

HSBC, which is defending itself against calls for a break-up from its top investor, has been urged by some stakeholders to shift its HQ to Asia, where it makes the majority of its profits.

London HQ: HSBC's lease at the 45-floor tower at 8 Canada Square expires in early 2027. In a memo sent to staff, the bank said it wanted to assess its 'best future location in London'

The bank said the review would include the option of staying and renovating the tower, but it would keep its global HQ in London.

It has occupied the building, one of the tallest buildings in Canary Wharf and an icon of Britains banking industry, since 2002.

The skyscraper has been home to up to around 8,000 staff, some of whom refer to it as the Tower of Doom.

HSBC confirmed the contents of the memo.
But warn thousands of businesses will suffer without further support next year

After months of uncertainty, British businesses have at last been handed the lifeline of an energy price cap ahead of a difficult winter.

Businesses have been hit hard by volatile energy prices because their usage is not included in the regulator Ofgem's price cap, which only covers homes.

Leading figures in the hospitality industry had warned of mass job losses in the absence of any help, with the sector still reeling from the impact of coronavirus.

After mounting pressure and the introduction of a domestic energy cap, ministers have now announced that business energy prices will be capped until March 2023.

Lifeline: The Government has introduced an energy price cap for businesses until next March, but there are concerns the package does not go far enough for the most vulnerable firms

The Government says it will halve bills for British businesses over the next six months, but industry figures warn further support will be needed after the winter.

This is Money takes a detailed look at the energy bills support being offered to businesses, how the scheme works and what might happen when it ends in March.

What does the energy support package look like?

Last week the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said that wholesale energy costs will be capped at 211 per megawatt hour (MWh) for electricity and 75 per MWh for gas.

These rates will be the base costs with other add-ons, like standing charges, being added by energy suppliers.

Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said the reduction in costs represents a 45 per cent discount to closing wholesale prices as at the end of last week, bringing the market back to where it was in the spring.

The support will no doubt come as a welcome relief for the thousands of businesses who were bracing themselves for a catastrophic winter.

It comes after the Government outlined its support for households earlier this month and has been broadly welcomed by trade bodies and businesses alike.

Matthew Fell, chief policy director of the Confederation of British Industry, said: 'We welcome government's quick and decisive action to provide hard-pressed businesses with a substantial short-term fix to a long term problem.

'The package will ease worries about otherwise viable businesses shutting-up shop and smaller companies especially will benefit from the discounted rate.'

It is hoped the price cap will allow many firms that were facing closure, particularly in the hospitality industry, or having to lay off staff to keep trading through the winter.

Could support be better targeted?

The cap applies to fixed tariffs agreed since April 2022, as well as flexible and variable tariffs, and businesses do not need to apply as the discounted wholesale price will be automatically reflected in their bills.

However, there are concerns that businesses will still suffer this winter, even with this blanket price cap.

Those coming to the end of longer-term fixed contracts, for example, still face big increases in their bills due to the huge price rises since they signed their contract - even with the new support in place.

There are also concerns that the support will not come soon enough. The savings will be first seen in October bills, which are typically received in November.

ARE STANDING CHARGES CAPPED? A standing charge is added to most gas and electricity bills to cover the cost of supplying energy to your property. It is a fixed daily amount that you have to pay, regardless of how much energy you have used. The average unit price for domestic customers will be limited to 34.0p/kWh for electricity, with a daily standing charge of 46.36p, and 10.3p/kWH for gas, with a daily standing charge of 28.49p, inclusive of VAT, from 1 October. Standing charges have become increasingly controversial, as even if you are conscious of your energy usage you will still have to pay for a bill. There is no mention of a cap on rises to standing charges in the Government's support package for businesses, however. Shirley Leader, director of clothing boutique, Velvet & Rose said: 'The help with energy bills is very much welcome. We would also welcome capped charges for standing charges as well as unit charges, because after six months we will still be in a vulnerable position if this is not addressed.'

'The exact level of support will vary greatly from business to business depending on the detail of its contract, so some will inevitably do better than others,' said Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce.

'We now need action to get this saving passed onto business as soon as possible - every day will put some firms closer to the edge and they cannot hang on much longer.'

For many small businesses, the support will be seen as too little too late, particularly for those still struggling after the pandemic.

Government High Streets Task Force expert and ShopAppy founder, Dr Jackie Mulligan said: 'This announcement has come too late for many small businesses, and the length of time they may need to wait for payments to be backdated will exacerbate the already critical cashflow issues they are facing.

'Whilst it's good to finally have some support announced, small businesses, particularly those that line our high streets, need to be helped right now. There is no time for delay.'

Businesses who have paid higher bills since April will struggle, notes the Federation of Small Businesses. This is because the Government's support only kicks in for October usage, which is billed in November.

The FSB is calling on energy suppliers to allow those customers to switch to new fixed contracts without charge.

The support has also been criticised for not being better targeted.

Darren Jones, chair of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said: 'Capping the price for all businesses is a waste of taxpayers' money, which should be targeted at those which need it the most. Why should British taxpayers collectively get into even more debt to hand over public funds to Amazon?'

What happens after six months?

The scheme will help to avert a winter crisis, but with support tailing off in March some businesses are already concerned about how they will cope.

The Government has hinted that further help will be offered to vulnerable firms that need support beyond March, but the lack of certainty has created a precarious position for businesses.

There has been little to no detail on the eligibility for further support although Liz Truss said the Government was looking at extra help for the hospitality industry.

'What I can say is that for businesses that are vulnerable, who don't have the wherewithal to invest in their own energy supply, we will be providing support in the longer term And that does include businesses like pubs,' she said in a speech.

Hospitality businesses have only just recovered from the impact of the pandemic and now face another difficult winter

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, warned that the the Government must avoid a cliff edge when the support ends next March.

'This intervention is unprecedented and it is extremely welcome that Government has listened to hospitality businesses facing an uncertain winter,' she said.

'The Government has recognised the vulnerability of hospitality as a sector, and we will continue to work with the Government, to ensure that there is no cliff edge when these measures fall away.'

Haviland added: 'For those that will benefit, six months support is not enough for most firms to make plans for the future. We understand there are a range of unknowns for the Government in looking ahead, but without that reassurance very few firms will make plans to invest or grow.'

The six-month support risks paralysing businesses who need to make decisions based on what their costs will be in the long-term.

There may well be businesses who will be forced to slash production and let go off staff without a concrete plan in place beyond March.

Jonathan Dudley, head of manufacturing business for accountancy firm Crowe, added: 'Support for just six months will not stop key strategic decisions being made. It's a sticking plaster on a bleeding wound.'
En el encuentro tambien participaron los titulares de @MinemPeru, @midagriperu y @MTC_GobPeru, asi como el gobernador regional de Ucayali, alcalde provincial de Coronel Portillo, congresistas de la Republica y representantes de la sociedad civil. pic.twitter.com/XdYKOYkNuH
Emergency crews on helicopters and boats raced on Thursday to reach stranded residents of Floridas Gulf Coast after Hurricane Ian left behind deadly floodwaters, downed power lines and widespread damage.

Ian, one of the strongest storms ever to hit the U.S. mainland, flooded Gulf Coast communities before plowing across the peninsula to the Atlantic Ocean, where it was expected to recoup some of its depleted power before making a second landfall in South Carolina on Friday.

The extent of deaths and injuries remained uncertain, as rescue workers were only starting to respond to calls after not being able to go out sooner during the treacherous conditions.

President Joe Biden, speaking at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington, said Ian could prove to be the deadliest in Florida history.

The numbers are still unclear, but were hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life, Biden said.

More than 2.6 million homes and businesses in Florida remained without power, according to utility companies. Governor Ron DeSantis said that Lee and Charlotte counties, home to more than 900,000 people, were basically off the grid.

Ian blasted ashore at the barrier island of Cayo Costa on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour (241 km per hour).

The storm transformed Floridas southwestern shoreline, dotted with sandy beaches, coastal towns and mobile home parks, into a disaster zone as Ian swept seawater into waterfront homes.

Sanibel Island is destruction  it got hit with really biblical storm surge. It washed away roads. It washed away structures, DeSantis said during a news briefing as he described the damage sustained by the popular vacation destination.

DeSantis said earlier that 28 helicopters were performing water rescues and that the bridge to the island was impassable.

There have been a number of people identified and brought off the island safely, and those efforts are ongoing, he said.

Two area hospitals were evacuated, with patients moved to higher ground.

By midday on Thursday, residents in hard-hit areas like Venice, located in Sarasota County about 75 miles (120 km) south of Tampa, hunted for family and friends while rescue crews worked to reach people trapped in flooded homes.

Kurt Hoffman, sheriff of Sarasota County, told residents in a Twitter post that there were more than 500 calls for help.

Sit tight, we know many of you need help, Hoffman wrote.

The search for loved ones was made more difficult as cellphone services were often cut.

A lot of down trees, a lot of flooding everywhere. We are trying to get a hold of my daughter, said Terri Byrd in a vehicle in a Walmart parking lot trying to get cell service after spending the night at an elementary school in Venice.

Across the region, officials and residents spent the morning assessing the damage.

In Punta Gorda, a town directly in the hurricanes path, trees, debris and power lines covered roadways, though many buildings remained standing, having withstood the storms onslaught better than many had feared.

It was insane, local landscaper Jeffrey Chambers, 53, said, noting the storm brought sideways rains and white out conditions. I was like Please stop already, just stop. And it kept going and going.

In the Orlando area, some 170 miles northeast from where Ian made landfall, emergency workers waded through waist-deep water carrying residents and pets to dry land, video clips on Twitter showed.

DISASTER DECLARATION

Ian, now a tropical storm, slackened as it trekked across Florida but was still producing strong winds, heavy rains and storm surge, including in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

German automaker Mercedes Benz (MBGn.DE), U.S. planemaker Boeing Co (BA.N), and the seaports that support manufacturers will suspend operations in South Carolina on Friday due to the potential impact of Ian.

The storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph), was about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of Cape Canaveral, the Miami-based forecaster said, and was expected to regain hurricane strength by Friday evening. Up to 30 inches (76 cm) of rain was forecast to fall on parts of central Florida, the hurricane center said.

Biden spoke to DeSantis on Thursday, saying his administration was committed to close coordination and that Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell will be in Florida on Friday. Biden said that he will travel to the state when conditions allow.

Biden also approved a disaster declaration, making federal resources available to the counties impacted by the storm.

SOURCE: REUTERS
By Anna Fitzgerald

Last Thursday, the TYs at St. Joseph's College, Borrisoleigh, took a historical trip to Craggaunowen, Co. Clare, where they learned about the way of life in ancient Ireland.

Our first task was to learn how to make a wattle and daub wall.

We then visited the crannogs, which were little huts that the druid lived in, and learned about life in the Bronze Age.

It was interesting to learn that during this time, the druids gave a symbol, usually different trees, for the first letter in your name.

During our workshop, we made clay pots similar to the ones they would have used during this time.

After this, we made our way back through the woods to the 16th-century castle, where a woman dressed in medieval clothes was sitting in front of a spinning wheel.

She showed us how to spin wool with both a spinning wheel and an oldbronze-age wool spinner, and we learned the history of wool spinning and how it dates to hundreds of years ago.

We all got to use carding brushes for separating the wool.

Our last activity was to braid our own bracelets.

We returned to Borrisoleigh feeling tired and closer to their ancestors than ever.
Ireland could receive up to two billion euro if the EU introduces a windfall tax on energy companies, the Environment Minister has said.

Eamon Ryan said he was confident EU countries would reach agreement on implementing new measures in a bid to reduce soaring energy prices.

EU energy ministers were due to meet in Brussels on Friday morning in an attempt to approve the implementation of emergency energy windfall levies.

Speaking from Brussels, Mr Ryan said the text had been agreed and that the measures will be useful for Ireland.

Good news. An extraordinary meeting of the EU energy council has agreed measures which will allow us redirect some of the windfall gains in the gas & electricity markets to Irish households and businesses. We are also being asked to agree ways to cut peak hour demand. #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/VJXbCrAScr  Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) September 30, 2022

Our officials here in my department have been working at length with the (EU) Commission, Mr Ryan told RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland programme.

Weve a good text now, weve a good mechanism which will allow us to identify some of the windfall gains that are going to energy companies and to be able to bring them back to help Irish households and businesses to add to what was done in the Budget earlier this week.

I expect we will get agreement, it will be useful for Ireland, he added.

Asked about how much it would raise for Ireland, the Green Party leader replied: One to two billion (euro), sort of, is the expectation of what we should expect.

But that depends on so many different factors  you cant exactly be clear, but its that sort of amount of money.

Im in Brussels today at emergency EU Energy Council. We will agree two things. 1. A windfall levy on fossil fuel producers. 2. Structural reform of electricity market to limit profit on generators whos costs have not gone up. pic.twitter.com/qGlo3ITs3S  Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) September 30, 2022

On Tuesday the Government announced 600 euro worth of energy credits for households as part of its 11 billion euro Budget measures.

The 200 euro credits will be paid in three instalments over the coming months.

But the Government stopped short of introducing a cap on energy prices to bring certainty to customers over their energy bills, despite mounting pressure from the opposition.

France, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are among a number of EU countries who have introduced an energy price cap.

EU countries are prepared for the winter season ahead. Gas storage facilities across the EU are already filled at almost 90% of their capacity.  This will help gas supply for the cold months. #EnergySecurity #EnergyPrices #TTE  EU Council (@EUCouncil) September 30, 2022

Mr Ryan said his German counterpart had told him that they have not decided on a price cap as of yet.

They havent actually decided on a price cap, he said. They may do some mechanism. But theyre working on that and they havent concluded.

Like ourselves, they are also adapting and evolving their position and we will continue to do that.

Mr Ryan described the scale of the intervention in the Budget earlier this week as significant.

But he said they would have to continue to review the measures.

What weve agreed and said is we will look and see how they work to get through this winter period.

Particularly those on very difficult situations within the social welfare system, there is mechanisms where they can go to the Social Welfare Service to look for additional supports.

We dont want anyone going cold or through real acute fuel poverty this winter.
Apropos for #TBT and with thanks to TKC Tipsters . . . We notice an "author from Kansas City's past resurfacing and pushing a questionable version of local history.



An excerpt from her book promo . . . Here's how Gloria Squitiro imagines her story . . .



"When Funk, the quiet, ethical auditor of Kansas City, announces he wants to run for Mayor against an entrenched political regime, his wife, Gloria, puts aside her own ambitionstemporarily (ha!)to run his campaign. Here is a true story of democracy at work: a rented, broken-down trailer for HQ; a campaign cobbled together by scrounging, loans, and thousands in family savings; a staff of one plus volunteers; fear, anxiety, financial instability, and the recognition that with Funks resignation as city auditor, the family has no income unless he wins. Gloria is the glorious heroine of this page-turner memoir that reads like a novel, busts open politics today, and makes you want more Gloria. "

The cover is actually pretty cool . . . Like a new wave romance noel and the city in flames is a nice if not overly dramatic touch. The reality is the KCMO is much better off without yet another political power couple . . . They cashed out of their Brookside home last we heard . . . A good move for those who pay attention to crime stats . . .



But here's the much needed TKC fact check on this tawdry bit of fiction . . .

Gloria Squitiro single-handedly destroyed Mark Funkhouser's political career and I guess she doesn't want to give up on embarrassing the poor guy. Her public post about her latest opus reveals that the dude will be playing mail-boy for her self-publishing efforts.

A few key points . . .

- Tax fighters propped up former City Auditor Mark Funkhouser because he was silly and easy to manipulate. The majority of his "work" at City Hall was highlighted by conveniently leaked info & dox to the Kansas City Star back when people still read their columns.

- Within a week of taking office the Mayor had expended his political capital with needless public drama and fighting over minor issues.

- In the end, employee lawsuits and agonizing debate resulted in Mark Funkhouser earning the tragic distinction as the first KCMO Mayor to lose a reelection in more than 70 years.

Worst of all . . . Beyond the bare feet at the office issue that I don't have time or will to get into right now . . .



Mark Funkhouser & Gloria Squitiro wasted everyone's time. There were serious people ready to help them with a desperately needed agenda that focused on fiscal conservatism and building greater efficiency in local government . . . That effort & a great deal of money was wasted on this pair. As politicos they were so incompetent, arrogant and loony that they were easily bested by urban activists and then became so desperate for friends that they ended up pushing light rail by the end of his term.

Gloria Squitiro's first chapter in this saga merited only a bit of mention . . . This one doesn't seem to be garnering much traction outside of a few dozen worthless likes.

We wish her luck attempting to clean up her image but the Kansas City Funkhouser/Squitiro legacy has already been written and is now quickly, deservedly forgotten.


More than anything, let's be practical . . .

As we reported previously . . .

POLLING REVEALS AMENDMENT 4 LEADING BY MORE THAN 40 POINTS!!!



It looks like it's going to be one of the most important and definitive "defund the police" smackdown in national history.

In fact the voter backlash is so obvious that detractors of Amendment 4 are already running for cover.



Consider . . .

- Following a lawsuit defeat . . . Mayor Q & Council plead with everyone and anyone to stop calling their police funding cat & mouse games "defunding" and claim their slush fund merely wanted more "community" control despite any semblance of a public vote or glimpse at their budget.

- The claim that Amendment 4 is "taxation without representation" targeting Kansas City is also debatable. Even some of our blog denizens jump on this stretch of the imagination. Fact is . . . Missouri approves big money for KCMO every year . . . That's why we have an army of suit lobbyists. Missouri puts money into KC coffers, KCMO voters are Missouri taxpayers . . . A statewide vote for a fairly boring issue like police funding isn't oppression, it's Democracy. Still, this tactic imagines that KC didn't answer all these questions years ago . . . What's worse is that advocates of council control won't answer questions about protection from corruption that the current system has helped to thwart. Last point: STL earned so-called "local control" recently and by all accounts they deeply regret it as their homicide rate has skyrocketed even higher since that point.

To be fair . . . Here's a glimpse at the other side of the argument as the election nears . . .



"Kansas Citys councilmembers seem split on this issue. Third District Councilmember Melissa Robinson commented that Amendment 4 adds up to overreach at the state level, and the intention isnt to defund police.



I want residents to be able to have a voice in how their tax dollars are being spent. Unfortunately, Amendment 4 takes away that voice. It takes away that power from local residents, Councilmember Robinson said."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Family drama is connected to tragedy and a recent deadly shooting . . .



Here's more info on the story . . .



"Jackson County prosecutors charged a 21-year-old and 22-year-old, who are identified as cousins in court documents, in the death of John Greer."



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Cousins now charged in deadly Kansas City shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Kansas City men are now facing charges in a deadly August shooting that left a 23-year-old dead.

Developing . . .
In this quick post we round up courthouse news, police action and more ALLEGED misdeeds.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

2 teens shot while walking down street in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Two teenagers were hospitalized Thursday night after being shot while walking down the street in Kansas City, MO, according to the Kansas City Police Department. Police and emergency medical crews responded at 6:41 p.m. to a call of a shooting on East 27th Street and Brooklyn Avenue.

Blue Springs, Missouri man arrested and charged with killing his cousin, family says he was "tweaking" on meth A Blue Springs, Missouri, man has been arrested and charged with shooting his brother while reportedly high on meth on Thursday. Jeffrey A. Ultican, 64, has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting death of his cousin, Gregory D. Ultican.

Johnson County district attorney charges three with capital murder, sets $10 million bond following November double homicide JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. (KCTV) - Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe charged three individuals with capital murder as the result of an investigation into a double homicide that happened Nov. 20, 2021, in Olathe, Kansas. Howe announced the arrest of 39-year-old Salvador Garcia-Zarate, 40-year-old Jesus Enrique Cereceda-Soto and 37-year-old Axel Arellanes-Vara on Friday.

'High risk vehicle stop' in Johnson County, Kansas results in arrest of three armed kidnapping suspects, rescue of 3-year-old A quick-thinking Eudora, Kansas police officer, with help from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, rescued a child after a reported armed kidnapping during a "high-risk" vehicle stop. According to a release from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, a Eudora police officer spotted a vehicle associated with an armed kidnapping report out of Topeka, Kansas, in eastern Douglas County on K-10, near the Johnson County line.

Springfield, Missouri, woman sentenced in Jan. 6 riot participation case KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Springfield, Missouri, woman who plead guilty to participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was sentenced in the U.S. District Court Friday. Mahailya Pryer, 34, was sentenced to 45 days of incarceration followed by 36 months of probation.

Missouri man charged in slaying of two Wisconsin brothers pleads guilty, will avoid death penalty A Missouri man charged in connection with the murders of two brothers from Wisconsin over cattle has pleaded guilty to his role in their deaths.Garland "Joey" Nelson of Braymer, Missouri, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder Friday in Cass County.

Homicide suspect injures Topeka officer in downtown shootout TOPEKA, Kan. - A homicide suspect injured at least one police officer in a shootout Thursday in downtown Topeka that came after the suspect led law enforcement on a chase through Kansas' capital city. Police said the unnamed suspect, identified only as an adult male, was wanted in connection with a double shooting around 9:30 a.m.

Clay County Sheriff's Office reports recent investigations recovered acrylfentanyl in powder form CLAY COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - After previously warning parents, teens and community members about deadly fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, the Clay County Sheriff's Office has a new warning Thursday. Investigators say they are now seeing acrylfentanyl in powder form in Clay County.

FBI Data Shows Missouri Is 6th Highest In The Nation For Violent Crime The FBI has released data on violent crime across the nation in 2020 and it indicates that Missouri had the 6 th highest rate in the nation. An analysis shows the state recorded more than 33,385 violent crimes and that equals around 543 crimes per 100,000 residents.

Prosecutor: Kansas man used pit bull as deadly weapon LAWRENCE, Kan. - A Douglas County man is charged following an attack earlier this year. Douglas County Prosecutors charged Malachi S. Thomas with two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of battery connected to an assault this summer. The court complaint accuses Thomas of using a pit bull dog to purposely injure a man and nearly attack a second person.

No action likely on religious boarding schools during Missouri special session JEFFERSON CITY - Despite calls by some lawmakers for more state oversight of religious boarding schools, legislative action likely will have to wait until 2023. A bill filed last week by Rep. Sarah Unsicker, D-Shrewsbury, would require all residential care facilities to get licenses with the state.

Raytown police ask for help finding teen last seen on Wednesday Police in Raytown are asking for help in finding a 14-year-old girl last seen on Wednesday.Authorities said Johnae Jones was reported missing when she did not return home from school. Police said she was last seen wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.Anyone who has seen Johnae is asked to contact the Raytown Police Department at 816-737-6020.

KCMO Municipal Court closed after water leak KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A major water leak forced the Kansas City, Missouri, Municipal Court to close just before noon Friday, the city said in a news release. Cases are being continued, and parties have been notified. For updates and information about appearances, visit the court's .

Developing . . .
Here's at TKC we're going to be VERY surprised if this happens before election season.

Meanwhile a bevy of clergy & activists are working diligently to influence the decision.

Behind the scenes info . . .

KCPD Deputy Chief Doug Niemeier is likely the front runner and has support of many law enforcement officials across Missouri.

But here's the official word . . .



In a statement, board president Mark Tolbert noted that the board used an executive search firm to help the board with the selection process.



After the conclusion of the search, the members of the BOPC reviewed the twenty-one applicants with the search consultant and after deliberating reduced the pool to a reasonable number to interview, Tolbert said in a written statement. The BOPC is thankful to have had so many qualified candidates apply for the position.





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link/embed . . .

Developing . . .
This Senate contest isn't even close and we've warned that the down ballot implications are even more dire for the future of Missouri Democrats.



Here's a peek at the numbers getting even worse . . .



According to the poll, 33% of the people surveyed have a very favorable view of Schmitt while 20% have a somewhat favorable view of him.

Hes over that 50% threshold for voters, and Busch Valentines in the 40s, so she has a lot more work to do to improve her name recognition, Kimball said. So I think at this stage in the race, hes really winning on the name recognition, which obviously carries a lot of weight in the state.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
It seems that mobile phone tech is now teaching the youth of the nation.



Accordingly . . .

Here's an example of why faith in the school system is fading . . .



Participants in the current poll were also asked to identify their biggest concern about public schools in Kansas, and the results are not surprising.



Among the options they could choose, the top concern (27%) is what is being taught in school. Many parents have expressed frustration to legislators and school board members with students being exposed to objectionable material like critical race theory and gender issues.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansans give the public school system a 'C' - The Sentinel Not quite a year ago, Kansans gave the public school system in their district a pre-pandemic grade of 'B' (GPA 2.8) in a statewide public opinion poll. But now, the GPA for schools near voters is 2.6 GPA, and the system overall gets a 'C, 'with a GPA of 2.4.

Related reading from a progressive blog . . .

Kansas public university, community and technical college headcount declines by 1% - Kansas Reflector TOPEKA - Enrollment at state universities, community colleges and technical colleges in Kansas this fall semester dwindled 1% to accentuate a five-year decline in student headcount of more than 9%, officials said Thursday. The Kansas Board of Regents, which has oversight roles among seven universities, 19 community colleges and seven technical colleges, reported 165,198 students enrolled at start of the 2022 academic year.

You decide . . .
How much does it cost to fuel up in Toronto?
An Oshawa resident and two others are facing charges following the execution of multiple search warrants across Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Toronto and Oakville.
New radar technology used to search for Indigenous Brantford graves

Six Nations use radar to search for the bodies of children from Brantford, Ont. residential school
?? El Ministerio de Salud informa que 2047 personas han sido dadas de alta por #ViruelaDelMono y se han detectado 41 casos nuevos. Todos vienen recibiendo asistencia medica y se viene realizando seguimiento a sus contactos. pic.twitter.com/b29mkX37cR
Read an excerpt: Billy-Ray Belcourts debut novel "A Minor Chorus" and the legacy of residential schools: We are still haunted by it

I wanted to return to the site of the Indian residential school my relatives were forced to attend as children ... We are still haunted by it.
12:00 | Lima, Sep. 30.

Gonzalo Gutierrez Reinel





Via Supreme Resolution No. 132-2022-RE, the duties of Gonzalo Gutierrez Reinel as Peruvian Ambassador to the European Union were ended, thanking him for the services rendered to the Nation.





The aforementioned diplomat also served Ambassador of Peru to Belgium and Luxembourg duties that have also been concluded, as indicated in the aforementioned document.





The date of termination of functions will be set by Ministerial Resolution, the document added.





David Malaga Ego Aguirre





According to Supreme Resolution No. 131-2022-RE, David Malaga Ego Aguirre was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to Trinidad and Tobago, thus extending him the corresponding credentials and full powers.





The diplomat will also represent Peru before the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)





Maria de Fatima Trigoso





Via Supreme Resolution No. 129-2022-RE, it was provided that Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru to El Salvador, Maria de Fatima Trigoso, will simultaneously take up duties before the Government of Belize.





Her residence will remain in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador.





Luis Alberto Campana





According to Supreme Resolution No. 130-2022-RE, the Foreign Affairs Ministry provides that Peruvian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Austria, Luis Alberto Campana, will simultaneously perform a similar function before the Republic of Slovenia.





The aforementioned diplomatic representative will remain based in the Austrian city of Vienna.





The four aforementioned Supreme Resolutions were published in the Official Gazette El Peruano on Friday.
Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, expressed his confidence that in the event of Russia employing nuclear weapons against Ukraine, the international response would be immediate and drastic.

The statement came as the top security official was speaking on the air of the "Great Lviv Speaking" show, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Whether they will resort to this act depends only on whats on Putin's mind. I can say that if, God forbid, even if a single nuclear tactical weapon is used against our country, the world's response will be immediate and absolutely radical. Im more than sure of this," the official stressed.

Regarding the claim that the world will offer no response and let the move slip, the official emphasized that it would be the first time nuclear weapons could be used since World War 2, when Japan was bombed.

"This may be the first such attempt by a nation to employ nuclear arms. And therefore the world, it is quite clear, must react to it. Im more than sure that they will react," said the NSDC secretary.

At the same time, Danilov said that nothing can be ruled out, but tactical nuclear weapons cannot inflict massive damage to a large area.

"We should all understand that whatever concerns the use of tactical nuclear weapons is not alike Hiroshima or Nagasaki  this is a completely different situation. These are tools that can cover 10, 5, or 20 square kilometers, depending on how crazy our neighbor - the Russian Federation - may get. Still, we should really prepare for any developments, taking into account the crazy neighbor we have next to us. As they say, unfortunately, we dont get to choose our neighbors," the NSDC secretary added.

The official said that in the near future, the NSDC would issue recommendations for the civilian population on how to act in case of such threats as they have already been drafted.

"These recommendations will be released. Moreover, there is a lot of useful information about this in the media. But Id say that sheltering in a basement in case of any threat is a fundamentally important thing. I can talk about this for a long time because we have plenty of information," the security official said.

The NSDC secretary added that defense experts recommend that citizens not stay in wooden houses at the time of the alert. A concrete structure, preferably a basement, is a recommended option.

"But in no case must people panic," Danilov urged the audience.

As reported, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency said they saw no signs of Russia preparing its nuclear arsenal for actual use.
In Zaporizhzhia, Russian missile attack on a humanitarian convoy killed at least 23 people and wounded 28 more.

Oleksandr Starukh, the head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, said in a Telegram post, Ukrinform reports.

"As of now, we know about 23 dead and 28 wounded. All civilians, our compatriots. Burn in hell, the damned rashists," Starukh wrote.

As Ukrinform reported, this morning Russian troops launched a missile attack on a humanitarian convoy heading to the temporarily occupied territories.

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Sixteen new drones had been handed to Ukrainian defenders fighting in the south of the country as part of the Army of Drones project.

Ukraine's Operational Command South said this in a post on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"Sixteen new drones will help our fighters in the southern direction to conduct reconnaissance, destroy the occupiers and protect their lives," the report said.

The military thanked the Army of Drones project and the Ministry of Digital Transformation for the initiative, everyone who donates to Ukraine's army of drones - for support and participation in the joint fight against the enemy.

American actor Mark Hamill, who played the role of Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars," supported the Army of Drones project. He became an ambassador of the United24 fundraising platform and the Army of Drones project.
.@SecBlinken will visit Colombia, Chile & Peru October 3-7, highlighting the importance of our partnerships in the region on a range of priorities, from migration to equity and inclusion. In Peru, he will participate in the @OAS_official General Assembly. https://t.co/OambIb4Vtm
The first consequence of the attempt at the annexation of the Ukrainian territory by Russia will be that they will simply choke on these new chunks of land.

This was stated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"The first consequence for Russia will be that it will simply choke on these new chunks of territory that they are attempting to annex," he said.

Kuleba noted that in New York at the UN General Assembly, the leadership of Ukraine has ensured partners readiness to not only condemn Vladimir Putin's annexation decision as harshly as possible, but also to strengthen military and financial support for Ukraine in response to the move.

Also, no one will recognize the annexation attempt, and there will be no deterrent factors for Ukraine from the point of view of running military operations to liberate these territories, the minister assured. "No one will grab us by the hand and say: 'Now stop, now you can't go there,'" the head of the MFA emphasized.

The minister emphasized that Ukraine had completely changed the logic of its partners.

"In fact, Im absolutely calm in terms of the expected reaction of the international community to an attempted annexation," said Kuleba.

As reported earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia would not gain a new territory of Ukraine, but will rather join itself in the disaster that it brought to the occupied territory of our country.
In a phone call with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed the Kremlin's decision on the attempted illegal annexation of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The Head of State said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.

During the conversation with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen we discussed bilateral defense cooperation in detail. We mainly focused on the Kremlin's decision on the attempted illegal annexation of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, he wrote.

Denmark's assistance in accelerating Ukraine's movement towards the EU and NATO was also discussed, Zelensky wrote.

According to the presidents press service, Zelensky expressed gratitude to Denmark and personally to the head of the government for the effective defense, financial and humanitarian support of Ukraine from the very beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia.

The importance of the fact that Denmark does not recognize and categorically rejected the pseudo-referendums held by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine was noted.

The Head of State said that the Ukrainian side is counting on the strengthening of EU sanctions and the speedy approval of the eighth package of sanctions, which should be much stronger than the previous ones. Zelensky also called on Denmark to recognize Russia as a terrorist state.

In addition, the interlocutors focused on issues of Europe's energy security. Zelensky congratulated Frederiksen on the official opening of the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline, which became an important event in building security, strengthening the energy independence of the entire region and opening up additional opportunities for Ukraine. The recent incidents with the Nord Stream pipelines were also discussed.

The leaders separately focused on the issue of reconstruction of Ukraine. Zelensky thanked Denmark for the decision to join the restoration of infrastructure facilities in Mykolaiv region. The President invited Denmark to actively participate in the implementation of the Ukraine Fast Recovery Plan.

As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky discussed further support for Ukraine in a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.

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U.S. Senate adopted by an overwhelming majority a bill to fund government operations through December 16, which provides, among other things, defense and economic assistance for Ukraine.

Senators voted Thursday afternoon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

A total of 72 legislators backed the bill, while 25 voted against it.

Among other articles, the document provides more than $12 billion for security and economic assistance to Ukraine to help the nation repel Russian aggression. Articles of assistance to victims of natural disasters in the U.S. are also included in the bill.

In order for the bill to enter into force, it must be approved by both houses of Congress and signed by U.S. president.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet have discussed the situation with Russia's holding of pseudo-referendums in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine.

The head of state said this in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"The first-ever visit by the head of the lower house of the French parliament, Yael Braun-Pivet, is taking place at a crucial time for our country. The number one topic of our meeting was the illegal holding of pseudo-referendums in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine," Zelensky said.

He said it was very important that all partners of Ukraine and all leaders of the civilized world condemn Russia's sham "referendums" as harshly as possible.

"We are grateful to France for the support of Ukraine and a clear position on this issue!" Zelensky added.

On September 28, Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet made a trip to the Chernihiv region.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Switzerland to increase its support for Ukraine and block Russian assets.

He said this during a conversation with the university community and public figures of Switzerland, according to the president's press service.

"I would very much like Switzerland to be able to block Russian assets, so that we could absolutely fairly receive compensation for the occupation of Ukrainian territories and for the aggression that Russia committed against Ukraine," Zelensky said.

The president called on the citizens of Switzerland to convey the truth about the events in Ukraine to Europe.

"It is important to tell what is happening so that support for Ukraine does not decrease. For this, people can come to Ukraine and see with their own eyes what is happening here," he said.

Zelensky also invited the Swiss to participate in volunteer support for our country and join the implementation of the Fast Recovery Plan.

"The academic year has begun, many schools and universities have been bombed, and they need to be repaired and restored. Both finance and technical assistance are needed here," he said.

The president stressed that there should be no place for neutrality in the issue of the struggle between good and evil.

As Ukrinform reported, the Federal Council of Switzerland on September 16 suspended a simplified visa regime with Russia, following a similar decision by the European Union.

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China's current position regarding the ongoing war is more beneficial to Ukraine than to Russia.

Thats according to Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports referring to the ministers interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"Who benefits from China's current position? Of course, its Ukraine, not Russia. Russia would like to see a much larger engagement. Would we like to see more from China? Of course, we would. But, weighing the situation realistically, we understand that the current position is that with which we can work," said the head of Ukrainian diplomacy.

At the same time, Kuleba noted that, if China supports Russian aggression against Ukraine in any form, it will have a devastating effect on bilateral relations.

Also, according to the head of the Foreign Ministry, there is a lack of regular contact between Ukraine's leaders and those of China and India.

"We are offering these talks, but they are being held back for political reasons. India's position is the same as China's  it can be worked with. I, of course, have questions about the purchase of oil, but Indias argument is simple: Europe is buying so why can't we? So its complicated. But we also see positive dynamics there, for example, the refusal of the Indian military industry to cooperate with Russia on a number of projects," the minister emphasized.

Kuleba noted that India's political position has always been clear  they stand for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

As reported, since the onset of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, China has declared neutrality, refusing to provide military-technical, financial, and other material assistance to any of the parties.

On September 22, Beijing called for peace talks between the parties to the "conflict".
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine is ready for a dialogue with Russia, but already with another president of Russia.

Today I held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The meeting of the National Security and Defense Council has just ended. We have a decision. First  it is only the path of strengthening Ukraine and ousting the occupiers from our entire territory that restores peace. We will complete this path, the President said in his address.

Second, he noted, Ukraine was and remains a leader in negotiation efforts.

It was our state that always offered Russia to reach an agreement on coexistence on equal, honest, decent and fair terms. It is obvious that this is impossible with this Russian president. He does not know what dignity and honesty are. Therefore, we are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but already with another president of Russia, the Head of State stressed.

He noted that Russias first full-scale attack on Ukraine had been launched on February 24 and Russia would not have stopped at our borders if we had not stopped it.

Other states would have been under attack. The Baltic countries, Poland, Moldova and Georgia, Kazakhstan... Russia claimed to subjugate various nations of Europe and Asia. Claimed six months ago. This criminal ambition is breaking down in Ukraine. It was broken down in the suburbs of Kyiv and Chernihiv. In "Azovstal". In the Sumy region and Kharkiv region. On Zmiinyi Island. It will be broken down in Donbas and in the south of Ukraine when we liberate them. Definitely - in Crimea, in the free Ukrainian Crimea. The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy - the enemy not only of Ukraine, but also of life itself, humanity, law and truth, Zelensky stressed

As noted, Russia already knows this. It feels our power. It sees that it is here, in Ukraine, that we prove the strength of our values.

And that is why it is in a hurry. Organizes this farce with the attempted annexation. Tries to steal something that does not belong to it. Wants to rewrite history and redraw borders with murders, torture, blackmail and lies. Ukraine will not allow that, the President underscored.

As reported, on September 30, the Kremlin held a ceremony of "admission " of the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine to Russia.

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The United States condemns Russias attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory.

The United States condemns Russias fraudulent attempt today to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory. Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere. Make no mistake: these actions have no legitimacy. The United States will always honor Ukraines internationally recognized borders. We will continue to support Ukraines efforts to regain control of its territory by strengthening its hand militarily and diplomatically, including through the $1.1 billion in additional security assistance the United States announced this week, reads the statement by U.S. President Joe Biden released on the website of the White House.

As noted, in response to Russias phony claims of annexation, the United States, together with our Allies and partners, are announcing new sanctions today.

These sanctions will impose costs on individuals and entities  inside and outside of Russia  that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory. We will rally the international community to both denounce these moves and to hold Russia accountable. We will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself, undeterred by Russias brazen effort to redraw the borders of its neighbor, And I look forward to signing legislation from Congress that will provide an additional $12 billion to support Ukraine, the U.S. President stressed.

He urge all members of the international community to reject Russias illegal attempts at annexation and to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

As reported, on the night of September 30, Putin signed a decree recognizing "the independence" of Kherson and Zaporizhizhia regions. As a reminder, Putin recognized the "independence" of "DPR" and "LPR" on February 21, and the agreement on their "protection" became the reason for the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On September 30, the Kremlin held a ceremony of "admission" of the puppet entities "DPR" and "LPR", as well as the territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions seized by the Russian army.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky discussed further support for Ukraine in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.

The leaders paid primary attention to the reaction of the international community to the illegal referendums that Russia held in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the press service of the Head of State informs.

Zelensky thanked Kishida for Japan's clear support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The importance of the Japanese Prime Minister's condemnation of Russia's nuclear blackmail during his speech at the opening of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York was noted.

"We appreciate these powerful signals of support for Ukraine and pressure on the aggressor," the President said.

The Head of State highly appreciated Japan's unprecedented provision of non-lethal military aid to our country, as well as significant financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.

"We expect that this important and comprehensive support for Ukraine will continue and deepen until the complete victory over the aggressor," Zelensky said.

The leaders separately touched on the issue of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the conditions of ongoing aggression and noted the importance of its full-scale continuation.

Zelensky and Kishida exchanged views on current issues of bilateral relations.

The Head of State expressed hope that Japan will actively participate in the post-war reconstruction of our country. The importance of further implementation of large infrastructure projects initiated by Japan in Ukraine was also emphasized.

The President also expressed hope for fruitful interaction with Japan during its G7 presidency in 2023 and invited Fumio Kishida to visit Ukraine.

The Head of State also thanked the Prime Minister of Japan for the meeting with First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

As reported, Ambassador of Ukraine Serhiy Korsunskyi said that Japan was preparing a new aid package for Ukraine, which, at the request of the Ukrainian side, should include the necessary high-tech equipment.

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Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone conversation with the Italian senator, the head of the parliamentary committee for the security of the Italian Republic, Adolfo Urso.

Ukrinform reports this with reference to the presidents press service.

Yermak congratulated the "Brothers of Italy" party and its leader Giorgia Meloni on winning the elections held on September 25, and expressed hope for the implementation of the position in support of Ukraine after the creation of the new Italian government.

"This support is very important for us, as it will help bring our victory closer," the head of the Office of the President said.

Yermak also emphasized the importance of Ukraine receiving reliable international security guarantees.

The head of the President's Office recalled that the international working group on security guarantees for Ukraine, which he heads together with former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, prepared recommendations for the Kyiv Security Compact. Ukraine aims to hand over this document to Italy for review and expects the Italian Republic to act as one of the guarantors of the security of our country, Yermak said.

"We would be happy if Italy became one of the security guarantors for Ukraine," he said.

The head of the Office of the President separately noted the importance of a tough reaction to Russia's holding of so-called "referendums" on the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and the adoption of the illegal decision on their annexation.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The trilateral working group chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan has carried out a major work within almost two years. As a result of negotiations, the sides have a vision of the routes, the implementation of which could lead to the regional unblocking, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexei Overchuk said in an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily.

However, Overchuk notes that roads could be opened or built only after the sides clearly determine the legal regime for border crossing between the two countries, as well as the traffic order on that roads.

Its important that a principle has been developed during the talks which served as a base for approaches on determining that regime. The principle is the following: the sovereignty over the road is exercised by the country through which territory it passes. It means that if the road passes through Armenias territory, it is an Armenian road, and if through Azerbaijani territory it is an Azerbaijani road. Russia has always supported the principle of the sovereignty of the sides and clearly follows the positions of the 2020 November 9 and 2021 January 11 statements of the leaders of the three countries.

This means that there is no talk of any extraterritorial corridor in the negotiations of the deputy prime ministerial working group, that could in any way violate the sovereignty of any of the parties, and there cannot be such a talk, the Russian Deputy PM said.

He said that the implementation of this principle in practice means that border and passport measures will be implemented in order to enter Armenia via the unblocked or newly-built roads, such as say, when entering from Iran to Armenia. The same passport control will be applied also while entering Azerbaijan from Armenia.

In addition, issues relating to paying for the use of roads in accordance with the national legislations of the sides, and ensuring the safety of citizens, vehicles and cargo traffic through the territory of one country are being discussed.

It seems, all sides today have the understanding of the possibility of practical implementation of these issues without violation of the sovereignty of any side. However, the negotiations will end only when there will be a full confidence that all legal aspects have been taken into account, nothing has been left open and no one will interpret the result reached as a victory against the other side. The successful end of talks will be the common victory of all sides, Overchuk said.

When asked whether the trilateral task force is working in order to make the border crossing regime between Armenia and Azerbaijan the same as everyone is used to seeing between the countries having normal relations, the Russian Deputy PM said: You are absolutely right. We are going for it, he said.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) cooperates with the Government of Ukraine and local authorities to repair and insulate homes, which were damaged during shelling by Russian military forces.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with the Government and oblast authorities to repair and insulate damaged homes of Ukrainians before the winter comes

As reported by Ukrinform, the UN Refugee Agency informs on this.

In close coordination with the Ukrainian government, its local authorities and communities, UNHCR identifies families with specific vulnerabilities, like older age, disability or low income, who need support to repair their homes. This is part of UNHCRs contribution to the collective effort to provide people with access to dignified and warm housing during the winter, statement says.

It is reported that since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February, almost 14 million people fled their homes in search of safety, and more than 800,000 families have had their homes destroyed or damaged in missile attacks and shelling.

As part of its winterisation response, UNHCR aims to repair and insulate 8,200 houses through its programme of light and medium repairs, to create or improve 14,400 sleeping spaces in collective centres for IDPs who cannot return home and do not have the means to secure private accommodation. Some 337,000 people will receive cash support to cover increased costs associated with the winter period and 567,000 people will receive essential items like thermal blankets, thermoses and heaters. Overall, UNHCR aims to reach more than 940,000 vulnerable individuals in the winterization response to complement the Governments efforts.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Since 1950, UNHCR has led international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and prosecution.

The organisation provides them with life-saving assistance including shelter, food, as well as water and also helps safeguard their fundamental human rights.

UNHCR has been working in Ukraine since 1994.
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has triggered multiple new problems for Russia and deepened the existing ones.

Strengthening of sanctions, massive withdrawal of foreign investors, withdrawal of capital, depreciation of assets  all of this hit the economy of Russia. The Ukrainian military made efforts to destroy the myth of the invincibility of the second army of the world. The closure of enterprises, the rise in prices and unemployment, the implementation of covert mobilization are not a complete list of challenges that Russia must overcome now. To convince the Russians that everything is going according to plan, a powerful propaganda machine helps the Kremlin, with plenty of petrodollars spent on its development in the last two decades. However, its units that worked for foreign audiences, primarily in Europe and North America, suffered serious losses.

Russian propaganda in the US, Canada, and the EU found it harder to work already in late Februaryearly March. Due to sanctions and decisions of local regulators, RT America, RT UK, RT DE, and RT France TV channels were closed. Broadcasting of other RT channels, Sputnik news agency websites, which is also part of the Russia Today media holding, was blocked in many countries. EU users have been denied access to RT- and Sputnik-related YouTube channels. Owners of Android and iOS smartphones cannot install RT News and Sputnik News apps on their gadgets. They are currently unavailable on either the PlayMarket or AppStore outside of Russia.

In the countries of Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the situation for Russia has not changed significantly. RT and subsidiary channels are broadcast there. RT en Espanol continues to work with the multi-million audience in Argentina, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Chile, Cuba, and elsewhere in the region, reinforcing anti-American, anti-Atlantic, and anti-Ukrainian sentiments. RT Arabic carries out similar activity promoting anti-Israeli narratives, as well as the parent English-language RT channel, which is broadcast via satellite.

After having its channels and news sites blocked, the Kremlin still has many channels to convey propaganda to the western audience. However, the Russians had to somewhat adjust their work with it.

The Cente for Strategic Communication and Information Security tracked the key channels for the dissemination of pro-Kremlin narratives in the West.

Quoting in White Media

After the blocking of RT and Sputnik, they remain a source of news for Western media, as well as other Russian state resources: TASS and Ria Novosti news agencies, government websites, Twitter accounts of officials, government agencies, and diplomatic missions of Russia.

Quoting the statements by Russian government officials, politicians, and diplomats is used to inform the audience about the position and intentions of the Kremlin. Publications in high-quality media are usually accompanied by reminders of the aggression of Russia against Ukraine and an openly hostile policy towards the West. However, even in such cases, there are fails, in particular, the use of names of settlements in Russian, not Ukrainian transcription, or in general outdated names.

The re-publication of news from Russian sources without context is the dissemination of Kremlin narratives. Some online media, including Newsweek, re-publish translations of messages by Russian government agencies and news from Russian state news agencies.

Read more about this in the Centres study on Russian narratives in Western online media.

Television

Blocking of RT and subsidiary TV channels did not leave the Kremlin without channels to promote its narratives on Western television.

The co-owner of one of the largest European TV channels  Euronews  is VGTRK (All-Russia State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company). After a number of operations, the share of VGTRK Euronews decreased from almost 17% to 2.29%. However, the narratives of Kremlin propaganda are promoted not only by the Russian office of the broadcaster. In June 2022, the National Council of TV and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine appealed to the leadership of Euronews to not only stop cooperation with the Russian office, but also to prevent the dissemination of Kremlin narratives by other offices. The National Council drew attention to the story about Azot in Sievierodonetsk, broadcast in French on June 12. There were no comments of official representatives of Ukraine in the piece. Instead, its authors let Leonid Pasechnik, head of the LPR, speak, who justified the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Russian narratives are promoted by numerous friends of Putin from among Western politicians. Marin Le Pen periodically gives interviews and comments to BFM TV, RTL, France Inter, Euranet Plus, and other European TV and radio stations. The medias interest in this person is growing during the presidential and parliamentary elections in France. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, given his status, also regularly appears on air.

American professor Charles Kupchan, who regularly calls on the West to reckon with Russia (at the expense of Ukraines security) on the pages of online and print media, does the same on television. He was one of the main speakers in the CBS Arming Ukraine film, which claimed that allegedly only 30% of Western aid reaches the front. Kupchan once again criticized Western military aid and shifted responsibility for the war to the NATO bloc, justifying the Kremlin.

Pro-Kremlin narratives are promoted by the host and participants of the Tucker Carlson Tonight show, which airs on Fox News. Although Carlsons show does not reflect the general information policy of the TV channel, and key leaders of the Republican Party of the United States do not appear there, the show has high ratings. In 2021, each episode had an average of more than 3 million viewers. Tucker Carlson uses the Ukrainian topic to criticize the Biden administration, resorting to rebroadcasting Russian propaganda. In particular, he talked about American biolabs in Ukraine, quoting statements by Russian and Chinese officials and accusing his own government of lying, criticizing the supply of weapons to Ukraine, anti-Russian sanctions, and claiming that the American authorities were responsible for the war.

Public agents of Russian influence, including well-known media personalities (filmmaker Oliver Stone, founder of Pink Floyd Roger Waters), politicians, dozens of political commentators and journalists not only appear on TV and radio and print materials in online publications  the most stable source of content they generate is their social networks and YouTube channels.

From time to time, international human rights organizations play into the hand of Russian propaganda. The most resonant case was the scandalous August report by Amnesty International. AI held the AFU responsible for exposing civilians to danger during hostilities in populated areas, ignoring the defensive nature of the war for Ukraine. Human Rights Watch reached a similar conclusion, equating the responsibility of the Ukrainian and Russian military. Propagandists, officials, and diplomats of Russia actively referred to the conclusions of human rights defenders as evidence of war crimes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The apparent imbalance of the Amnesty report triggered a sharp response from Ukraine, caused reputational damage, and caused a split in the organization. However, the management of the central office refused to admit the mistakes.

Social networks

On March 1, Meta blocked RTs Facebook and Instagram pages. Restrictions are also imposed on the Zvezda TV channel and Sputnik news pages, but they are only valid in European countries. In the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, access to the pages is granted.

Kremlin propaganda on Facebook and Instagram is disseminated by Russian agents of influence, including those who collaborated or are collaborating with RT and other Russian media.

For Russian propaganda, Twitter is one of the key platforms for the distribution of its narratives and disinformation. The nature of this network, the audience, and the algorithms make it convenient for promoting political messages.

On March 2, the day of the UN General Assembly voting for the resolution Aggression against Ukraine, a massive publication of tweets with the hashtags #IStandWithRussiaand #IStandWithPutin was recorded. By March 9, nearly 10,000 accounts had shared at least one of these hashtags at least five times.

UK CASM Technology experts identified several message distribution clusters with these hashtags: Indian, Iranian-Pakistani, and African. Until February 24, account holders did not pay much attention to Ukraine. Another cluster was formed with accounts without geo-referencing, created on February 24 and March 2.

The publications were aimed at justifying the Russian invasion, discrediting Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and contained false information. Accounts were involved in the spread of manipulative memes with anti-Western and pro-Russian messages aimed at supporting Putins aggression.

Analysts suggest that Russia or its agents are paying account holders in Asia and Africa to tweet. In addition, the Russians are actively using bot farms.

For the information support of the war against Ukraine, the Kremlin uses Twitter accounts of diplomatic and other government agencies. The authors of a study published in The Conversation found that during February 25-March 3 alone, of 75 government accounts, 1,157 tweets were posted, three-quarters of which justified the Russian invasion and contained false information about Ukraine. The total number of subscribers of these accounts is 7 million. In August, the English-language page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia on Twitter was blocked for seven days for distributing a fake about American biolabs in Ukraine.

Twitters policy does not provide for censorship. At the same time, the social network tries to counter fakes, destructive narratives, and Russian propaganda in particular. In mid-March, 75,000 accounts and over 50,000 tweets were deleted. Accounts of RT, TASS, Sputnik, and other Russian state information agencies are marked as Russia state-affiliated media. The social network policy does not provide for promotion and recommendation of accounts and tweets of the media in this category to users. Since August 5, access to RIA Novosti and some of its subsidiaries has been blocked for users in the UK and EU countries.

Despite this, the spread of Russian propaganda on Twitter continues. According to CASM Technology, more than 50% of accounts spreading Russian propaganda survived during the large-scale purges.

Russian narratives are systematically disseminated by accounts whose owners declare far-left communist or far-right views.

Despite the fact that Vkontakte was created as a Russian-language social network, today it is also used to spread Kremlin fakes and propaganda not only in Russia and in the post-Soviet space. According to SimilarWeb, Russian audience generates more than 80% of VKs traffic, another 10% is accounted for by users from Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. The remaining 10% are other countries of the world, with Germany and the USA in the lead. Foreign users other than Russian diaspora may be attracted to this network due to its anti-system nature and the absence of imperialist censorship. Proponents of conspiracy theories and anti-globalists are not deterred by numerous evidence of the social networks cooperation with Russian special services and the children of Russian high-ranking officials in the positions of VK top managers.

Messages about Ukrainian Nazis and Azov war crimes in VK can be read in English, German, Spanish, French, Greek, Serbian and other languages. Individual accounts and language-based communities alike specialize in propaganda and disinformation. Many public agents of influence from the USA and European countries have active accounts on VK.

TikTok is also used by the Russians to spread propaganda both within Russia and abroad. Experts of the NewsGuard analytical project found out that as soon as in the first 40 minutes after registration, network algorithms give the new user videos with both truthful and fake information about the war in Ukraine. One of the most popular narratives identified by experts is American biolaboratories in Ukraine. Profound analysis of content published on TikTok is complicated because this Chinese social network is one of the least transparent in the world. Restrictions imposed on Russian users are avoided with the help of VPN services. TikTok houses in the Russian Federation and in the occupied territories are engaged in the creation of patriotic content.

In the West, Telegram is behind WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger in popularity. SimilarWeb and TGStat analytics show that Russia is the unequivocal leader in terms of the number of Telegram channels and their audience. The second and third places are shared by Iran and India. However, the number of Telegram users in Europe and North America is gradually increasing. French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Likud Party leader and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other politicians already have their own Telegram channels.

Given the rise in the messengers popularity, the Kremlin is using it to work with audiences in Europe and North America. Russian narratives in English, French, Spanish, German, and other European languages are promoted in the Telegram channels of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions, state media (Sputnik, RT), channels of agents of influence and anonymous channels, some of which specialize in covering hostilities in Ukraine.

After RT America and RT UK editorial offices were closed in March, their Telegram channels stopped being updated. The RT News channel over 250,000 subscribers remains available to the English-speaking audience. RT France (almost 65,000 subscribers) and RT DE (55,000 subscribers) continue to function despite the closure of their TV counterparts. RT en Espanol (180 thousand subscribers) is aimed at residents of Central and South America.

The Chronicles of the Conflict Telegram channel, created on March 7, publishes messages from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Emergencies, Ministry of Defence, stories from the TV channels Zvezda and RT, and other propaganda materials, including fake news.

Publications from other English-language Telegram channels (UkrLeaks, DonbassDevushka, EarlGrey) and the channels of Eva Bartlett, Alina Lipp, Vittorio Rangeloni, Juan Cinimedo and other reporters working for Russian propaganda are also regularly shared. Since mid-May, all publications of the channel are in English; before that, they were also available in Russian.

YouTube

On March 1, YouTube channels RT and Sputnik were partially blocked. As with Facebook and Instagram, the restrictions only apply to users in Europe. In other parts of the world, the content of these Russian media remained accessible. There are users on YouTube who upload video recordings of RT programs to the hosting, which can be considered an attempt to circumvent restrictions. They also rapidly published the inaccurate CBS documentary Arming Ukraine, removed from the official YouTube channel. As expected, the pirated videos have a much lower reach than the ones published on the original channels.

Kremlin propaganda, in particular, briefings of the Russian Ministry of Defence, statements of Russian government officials and L/DPR militants, are also shared by YouTube channels ShanghaiEye and other Chinese media.

A number of channels created by users from the EU and the US are a platform for promoting Russian narratives on YouTube. Among them are channels created by former or current RT employees.

Far-left channels spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda as part of the fight against American imperialism and the promotion of pro-Kremlin and pro-Beijing narratives. This agenda is promoted by Multipolarista, Moderate Rebels, laborvideo, Historic_ly, International Peoples Assembly and other similar channels.

The Multipolarista channel was created in 2017. As of mid-September, its author, Benjamin Norton, has published 146 videos: 137 in the last five months and only 19 in the previous five years. One in ten videos this year is dedicated to Ukraine.

Norton accuses the US and NATO of starting a civil war 8 years before the Russian invasion, claims that Ukraine was sold to Western corporations and talks about Zelenskyys huge problems with Nazism. Reflections on the Ukrainian Nazis and the Ukrainian puppet government are regularly broadcast on the Late Night with Lenin show on the Historic_ly channel.

Online Media

In addition to foreign-language versions of TASS websites and other Russian media, the Kremlin uses other resources to promote its narratives.

Project NewsGuard analysts have found that in the first four months since the beginning of the full-scale invasion alone, the number of websites disseminating disinformation about the Russian-Ukrainian war doubled: from 116 to 250. Among these resources, researchers discovered a group mimicking RT after the websites of this Russian state-owned outlet were blocked in European countries. The design of websites is identical to RT; they share RTs materials, but their URLs are different from rt.com.

Each of these 250 websites disseminated at least one of the 54 Kremlin propaganda myths about the Russian-Ukrainian war identified by NewsGuard researchers. The most popular stories include biolaboratories, staging of mass killings of civilians in Bucha, non-involvement of Russians in the missile attack on Kramatorsk, etc. During the liberation of Kharkiv oblast from the Russian occupiers and the beginning of the exhumation of a mass grave in Izium, Scheerpost columnist Patrick Lawrence published an op-ed with a cynical title Atrocity porn, in which he questioned Russians involvement in the deaths of civilians.

Disinformation and pro-Russian narratives are spread by English-language USSA News, AntiWar.com, German-language SNA, FAZ, Italian-language Contro Informazione, Vietato Parlare, and other sources. Some of them even use Telegram channels of Russian military personnel as sources of information. The far-left portal Multipolarista makes publications in Spanish and English and targets audiences in South, Central and North Americas.

The Saker Community group of websites deserves special attention. While the Ukrainian issue is not the main topic for the resources mentioned above, the websites of this group specialize mainly in anti-Ukrainian propaganda. The English-, Italian-, German-, Spanish-, Serbian-, and Russian-language versions of the website differ in content, but publications about special operation and the fight against Ukrainian Nazism occupy a prominent place. The Saker Community YouTube channel mainly publishes videos of the Russian propaganda resource Politnavigator with English subtitles.

Max Blumenthal, the founder of the website The Grayzone, has been systematically spreading the narrative about Nazis in Ukraine for several years, and in mid-April, he posted an extensive piece about the persecution and killing of Zelenskyys opponents by the Nazis and the SBU. Blumenthals co-author Esha Krishnaswamy (host of the Late Night with Lenin podcast) published an article in July about child rapists released from prison by Zelenskyy to strengthen a depleted army. The author completely faked the story, since former commander of the disbanded Tornado company Ruslan Onishchenko was released after serving his sentence, not on the Presidents pardon.

While propaganda tried to discredit the military, who were indeed released from pretrial detention centers to participate in the defense of Ukraine, a campaign was already underway in Russia to recruit prisoners of correctional colonies to the ranks of the Wagner PMC. Notably, The Grayzone has a page on the Russian social network VK.

The aforementioned websites position themselves as independent resources and sources of alternative information allegedly hidden by mainstream media. But the only alternative they can offer to the audience is fakes, manipulation and outright propaganda.

Thus, the restrictions imposed on Russian state media in Europe and North America did not deprive Kremlin propaganda of access to foreign audiences. Russian agents of influence regularly appear on the air of TV channels and radio and generate stories. Numerous analysts and commentators promote narratives beneficial to Russia in online media. Information websites of dubious quality are responsible for outright propaganda. Russian diplomats and their Twitter accounts became the drivers of disinformation and outright fakes. Conspiracy theorists and radical fighters against American imperialism have become allies of the Russian propaganda, failing to notice the imperialist nature of dictatorships.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling on young people to join its global network of Young Champions and help advocate, create content, volunteer and fundraise to support people forced to flee worldwide. Become a UNHCR Young Champion

Who are Young Champions?

UNHCR Young Champions are a dynamic community of young supporters and refugees motivated to create a more welcoming world for people who have fled war and persecution. They are students or young professionals between the ages of 15 and 25. They are motivated and passionate about using their skills to help refugees in their communities and around the world.

How do Young Champions help refugees?

Young Champions receive updates with actions to take. They meet with refugees and experts and attend training and brainstorming sessions to inform UNHCRs communications work.

With UNHCR's guidance, each Young Champion is expected to take five actions each year and stamp them in a digital Action Card in order to obtain an official UNHCR certificate. The actions fall into three categories:

Learn and advocate Advocate for refugees and asylum seekers within your school or university (e.g. scholarships, curriculums)

Call for more welcoming policies and solutions

Join UNHCR's annual Model UN Refugee Challenge. Create and inspire Give talks and organize events about forced displacement

Amplify online campaigns to support displaced and stateless people

Create your own content, art and written pieces. Volunteer and connect Volunteer to help refugees and asylum seekers feel included in your community

Find innovative ideas to tackle local challenges they face

Organize fundraising events.

How do I become a Young Champion?

At the moment, you can join our network as an individual change-maker. In the near future, we will also encourage the creation of Young Champions Clubs in your school or university.

What kind of Young Champion are you? Take this personality quiz to find out what kind of Young Champion you are, and the role you can play in supporting refugees. Are you an Advocate, determined to use your voice to bring attention to the worlds most pressing challenges, or a Volunteer, who thrives on helping those around you? Maybe you are a creative and energic Creator or a problem-solving Innovator? Take the quiz to find out

What is expected of a Young Champion?

By joining our network, Young Champions agree to follow a set of rules in relation to their communication, actions and use of the Young Champions lock-up and name. You can always contact [email protected] if you have any questions. Make sure to read and abide by our Code of Conduct .

What resources does UNHCR provide?

Action toolkits : Follow some easy steps to advocate, volunteer and fundraise for refugees.

: Follow some easy steps to advocate, volunteer and fundraise for refugees. Newsletters: You will receive emails with news, stories and ideas of actions to take.

You will receive emails with news, stories and ideas of actions to take. Monthly sessions : Join our chats to welcome new members, answer questions and discuss priorities.

: Join our chats to welcome new members, answer questions and discuss priorities. Action cards : Update your 'Action card' to record the actions you are taking to support people forced to flee.

: Update your 'Action card' to record the actions you are taking to support people forced to flee. Young Champions logo: Contact [email protected] .org to use the logo in your events and communications.

Contact .org to use the logo in your events and communications. UNHCR offices : We connect you to local UNHCR offices to invite speakers, support campaigns, share ideas, etc.

: We connect you to local UNHCR offices to invite speakers, support campaigns, share ideas, etc. Featured content: Your accomplishments may be featured on UNHCRs websites and social media channels.

Your accomplishments may be featured on UNHCRs websites and social media channels. Certificate and badges : We recognize outstanding contributions through badges and certificates.

: We recognize outstanding contributions through badges and certificates. Training and brainstorming sessions : You will be invited to attend training on various aspects of our work with displaced and stateless people as well as brainstorming sessions to share your ideas.

: You will be invited to attend training on various aspects of our work with displaced and stateless people as well as brainstorming sessions to share your ideas. UNHCR support: Contact us anytime at: [email protected]

Toolkits to help you get started

Other ways to get involved
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. For a very long time people have been wondering if time travel is actually possible, to go back to the past and witness any historic period or travel into the far future.

In the 20th century, with the development of the general theory of relativity, scientists tried to give answers to these questions. Among them is American theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, who argues that the wormholes in universe could be used for time travel. This idea was spectacularly visualized in the 2014 Christopher Nolan film Interstellar, for which Thorne served as scientific consultant and executive producer.

Thorne was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics along with Rainer Weiss and Barry C. Barish "for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves".

LIGO - the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory  which was created in 1984 with Thornes participation, detected a signal at 09.51 UTC on 14 September 2015 of two ~30 solar mass black holes merging about 1.3 billion light-years from Earth.

Thorne visited Armenia for the STARMUS VI Festival.

In an ARMENPRESS Exclusive, the renowned theoretical physicist spoke about time travel, the hypothesis of multiverse, scientific achievements and his current projects.

ARMENPRESS: Professor Thorne, your research on gravitational waves and black holes changed the perception of the Universe. Many of us at nights look up at the sky trying to understand what is there in the unknowns of the Universe. What do you think when you look at the sky?

Kip Thorne: When I look at the sky, I recognize - and I always have at least as an adult - that what we see is such a tiny portion of what is there, that our eye and mind should be open to wide possibilities to go far beyond what we see with our eyes or other optical electromagnetic telescopes. Certainly now with gravitational wave telescopes, we for first time are beginning to have direct contact with objects, black holes, that emit no light, no electromagnetic waves that made warp space and time. For me, the key thing about this is recognizing that objects that have interesting properties, rich properties can be made from warp space and time without any matter being present, or can be made from a mixture of matter warp space and time. So the Universe is much richer than we have thought a few decades ago.

ARMENPRESS: Whats your attitude towards the hypothesis of multiverse taking into account the fact that its virtually impossible to determine whether its actually real or not?

Kip Thorne: I think its a real possibility, but Im certainly not convinced that it exists. But I do believe that theres a possibility, but we dont have observation data, as you say, that enable us to answer the question.

ARMENPRESS: Professor Thorne, youre very frequently asked whether time travel is possible or not. But my question to you is the following; if time travel is possible, where would you want to go, which part in time?

Kip Thorne: I think I would like to go to the far future to see what happens and then come back. And going to the far future is certainly possible. We dont have good enough technology to go there very fast. But its the return that is the problem.

ARMENPRESS: In your opinion, where can space exploration take humanity in near future?

Kip Thorne: I think the mixture of robotic exploration, exploration with telescopes, including gravitational wave detectors and human exploration is really the future. I think human exploration is important as well. I am particularly intrigued by the possibility that in the next few decades it may be possible to send very tiny robotic missions to Proxima Centauri, Alpha Centauri system, and carrying telescopes that image whats there once they fly through, and that I think will change our whole mental point of view on interstellar travel, just to have done it with the tiny robotic mission. I know that many scientists think its ridiculous to put the effort into sending humans into Space and other planets. Well, I disagree. I think humans dont bring us much. Robots are probably better for scientific exploration, but therere strong cultural reasons to send humans. Humans have a desire built into us, deep curiosity, desire to explore. I think those cultural reasons are very valid reasons and go beyond the specific geophysical and biological science exploration that could be done robotically.

ARMENPRESS: What do you consider the greatest scientific achievement of the 21st century?

Kip Thorne: I dont know what its going to be in terms of scientific achievement. I think that the greatest technological achievement is going to be the mature quantum information science. Transition from classical computers to quantum computers, from classical cryptography to quantum cryptography. From classical measurement technology to quantum measurement technology. Thats going to radically change human technology and everyday life, as well as in high-tech over the coming century.

ARMENPRESS: Whats the best advice you love to give to your students?

Kip Thorne: Two pieces of advice. Well, one piece of information. If you want to study science and do interesting things in science, you have to work very, very hard. That means to do that successfully you need to enjoy it. My grandfather told me when I was 4 years old - If I got a job, that was like play than I would be a big success. And I believe thats true. That having a job like I have had as a scientist is enormous fun and has been a big key to what success I have. So when my granddaughter decided she wanted to be a physicist, I told her You dont love it enough. You use it as a springboard to go to other directions, but if you find yourself something that is tremendously fun, that you are going to love. Finally she did find something in physics that she loves that shes still doing in physics. This issue  doing something that you are gloriously enthusiastic about, is very important.

And the second, third thing beyond those two, you have to work hard Although youre likely to need to and may want to focus quite narrowly in order to have big success in some direction, its very important to spend some of the amount of time, a few percent or even a few tenths of percent of your time looking broadly so that you discover new opportunities you would never thought of, which may cause you to make major changes in direction as a scientist and may radically change what you do and enable you to do amazing things that you would never had done if you hadnt identified unexpected opportunities. So, spend some amount of time and effort looking broadly although your research may be focused very narrowly.

ARMENPRESS: What are you working on now?

Kip Thorne: I am 82, I made the decision a few years ago that I would do things that are fun, that I love, that are very different from what I have done. So, well, one thing that Im doing, is Im writing with five other colleagues a history of the LIGO gravitational wave project, the history that is intended largely for future historians. Because it was in some way the hardest thing that has ever been done in science. It took 50 years, to tie the things that weve done, and the mistakes we made in the wrong direction, as well as in the right direction, to the documentation of unpublished reports. So thats one thing Im doing.

Ive just finished and sent to a publisher together with Lia Halloran a book of my poetry and her paintings. So Ive decided for a couple of years Ill be a poet.

Im working on a movie, second movie after Interstellar, because I enjoyed that. The poetry, and painting book and the both movies  Interstellar and the current movie, theyre enormously enjoyable. They are collaborations with people who are very different than I am. And they have the possibility to be highly inspiring to non-scientists.

ARMENPRESS: Can you disclose details from the upcoming movie?

Kip Thorne: All I can say is thats a science fiction movie thats quite different from Interstellar.

Interview by Araks Kasyan

Photos by Hayk Manukyan
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The trade turnover between Russia and Armenia during 2016-2021 has increased by almost two times, from 1,35 billion dollars to 2,6 billion dollars, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said in an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily.

He said that this growth is very balanced as both the export from Russia to Armenia and vice versa has almost doubled. This growth in trade became possible thanks to Armenias joining the Eurasian Economic Union in 2015, he stated.

More than 40 Russian major companies work in Armenia. They are also large taxpayers, in other words, they ensure the revenue part of the countrys budget to a great extent.

We are interested in developing the mutual trade and investments also in the future. The Russian business is ready to propose effective development solutions in transportation, energy, social infrastructure and digital economy fields. For Armenia, our decisions in the field of providing digital public services to the citizens could be interesting, he said.
Washington, Sept 29 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2022 ) :US President Joe Biden vowed Thursday to "never, never, never" recognize the results of Russian-led referendums in Ukraine, which he called a "flagrant violation" of international principles.

"I want to be very clear about this. The United States will never, never never recognize Russia's claims on Ukraine sovereign territory," Biden said as he met Pacific Island leaders in Washington.

"The so-called referenda was a sham, an absolute sham. The results were manufactured in Moscow," he said.

"The true will of the Ukrainian people is evident every day as they sacrifice their lives to save their people and maintain the independence of their country," Biden said.

Referring to President Vladimir Putin, Biden said, "Russia's assault on Ukraine in pursuit of Putin's imperial ambitions is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

" The Kremlin said that the annexation of four parts of Ukraine would be formally announced on Friday, with Putin delivering a speech.

Putin has made veiled threats to use nuclear weapons to defend the territories, amid Ukrainian gains on the ground against Russia, which invaded on February 24.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier called the Kremlin-staged votes an affront to international peace.

"The Kremlin's sham referenda are a futile effort to mask what amounts to a further attempt at a land grab in Ukraine," Blinken said in a statement.

The votes came in areas controlled by Kremlin proxies and follow a playbook in 2014 when Russia took over the Crimean peninsula.

Blinken earlier called the latest votes part of a "diabolical scheme," saying that Ukrainian residents were forced out and Russians bussed in, with the results themselves also under question.
Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept 30 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2022 ) :Ukraine on Friday blamed Moscow for shelling a convoy of civilian cars in the southern Zaporizhzhia region that killed at least 23 on the front line.

Zaporizhzhia regional governor Oleksandr Starukh said the strikes had also injured 28 people, "all civilians, local people." A pro-Kremlin official in Russian-occupied region of Zaporizhzhia blamed Kyiv and denied the Russian army was behind the attack.

"The regime in Kyiv is trying to portray what happened as shelling by Russian troops, resorting to a heinous provocation," Vladimir Rogov said on social media, accusing Ukrainian troops of carrying out a "terrorist act".

The Zaporizhzhia governor said Russian forces "launched a rocket attack on a civilian humanitarian convoy on the way out of the regional centre".

"People were standing in line to leave for the temporarily occupied territory, to pick up their relatives and to take away aid," he said on social media.

Governor Starukh also posted a photograph, showing two rows of crumpled cars and several corpses lying nearby.

The industrial hub of Zaporizhzhia, with a pre-war population of 700,000, is under Ukrainian control but subject to Russian rocket attacks.

Part of the region is occupied by Moscow and the Kremlin has said it plans to formally annex the region at a ceremony in Moscow on Friday.

Separately, a Moscow-installed official in Kherson, a southern Ukrainian region controlled by Russia, was killed in strikes by Kyiv's forces, Russia's state-run news agency cited local officials as saying Friday.

"(Alexei) Katerinichev died as a result of a pinpoint strike from Himars. Two rockets hit the house in which he was," Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of the Moscow-controlled region, said, referring to the US-supplied weapons systems.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. On September 29, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan had a meeting with representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region headed by Chair Nora Hovsepian. Members of the Board of the Armenian Educational Foundation and a group of benefactors also participated in the meeting, the Foreign Ministry said.

Issues related to the implementation of various programs in Artsakh were discussed.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to ANCA for constantly supporting Artsakh and protecting the interests of our Republic.

David Babayan highly appreciated the efforts of the Armenian Educational Foundation in achieving tangible results in the scientific-educational sphere, stressing that the institution has its specific role in the development of the intellectual potential of the Armenian people.

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the USA and Canada Robert Avetisyan was also present at the meeting.
(@FahadShabbir)

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram met Roza Otunbayeva of Kyrgyzstan, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Afghanistan and the Head of UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in the country on Thursday

UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Sep, 2022 ) :Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram met Roza Otunbayeva of Kyrgyzstan, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Afghanistan and the Head of UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in the country on Thursday.

Ms. Otunbayeva succeeded Deborah Lyons of Canada.

According to a press release of the Pakistan Mission, Ambassador Akram congratulated Ms. Otunbayeva on her appointment and reviewed the current situation in Afghanistan, which is under the Taliban rule since August last year.

He also discussed with her UNAMA's important role in providing humanitarian and economic support to Afghanistan and overcoming its current challenges.

In a speech to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, the Pakistani envoy urged the international community to respond positively to the Secretary-General's appeal for $4.

2 billion in humanitarian and economic assistance to Afghanistan and release the country's financial reserves to revive its banking system.

The early resumption of reconstruction activities and implementation of regional connectivity projects with central Asia, as well as the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan can provide a pathway to economic growth and stabilization in the country, he said, adding tat Afghanistan's frozen national reserves should be released and channeled through Afghan institutions. Doing so can contribute to reviving the Afghan economy and its banking system.
(@FahadShabbir)

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Qamar Zaman Kaira here on Wednesday inaugurated Gulpur Hydropower Project, capability of generating an average annual energy of 102 megawatt (MW).

KOTLI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2022 ) :Adviser to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Qamar Zaman Kaira here on Wednesday inaugurated Gulpur Hydropower Project, capability of generating an average annual energy of 102 megawatt (MW).

Addressing at inaugural ceremony, the adviser remarked the critical step was the announcement of first ever Power Policy of the country which opened the doors of huge private investment in the sector.

He said Pakistan offered immense opportunities of investment in developing the infrastructure including the Power Sector.

"When I see this beautiful hydropower project, it reminds me one of the remarkable initiative taken by first ever lady Prime Minister of any Muslim country Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in shape of Independent Power Plants to meet the growing energy needs of that time," he added.

"Hydropower is a lifeline for Pakistan as it not only offers the cheap and clean energy but also contribute immensely to the growth of economy through creation of job opportunities and use of local materials," he maintained.

He expressed his gratitude to Koria South East Power Company (KOEN) to deliver such a beautiful project for the people of Kashmir and hoped that it would keep on investing in Pakistan.

The minister said Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and GB had huge potential in mineral tourism and hydel power, adding that his Ministry would go an extra mile and extend all possible support and cooperation to reduce difficulty for all the investors.

Commenting on the increasing number of catastrophic, climate-related events across the world, he said Pakistan despite less contribution towards global emission was paying a heavy price for mistakes committed by others countries.

Kaira pointed to the way Pakistan has been disproportionately impacted from global warming, giving the example of recent devastating floods which affected around 33 million people, damaging crops and collapsing the entire infrastructure especially in Sindh and Balochistan.

He said developed countries had done most to cause climate change and should do more to help underdeveloped countries, that were being hit hardest.

"We have contributed 0.8 percent of the carbon footprint, but now we are one of the ten most climate stressed countries on earth," he added. He cited the United Nations Secretary General Antnio Guterres call for urging the developed countries to come forward and help Pakistan in this catastrophe.

He said the coalition government was making all out efforts to provide relief the flood affected people.

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi noted that the project was started with an initiative 'power with prosperity' to generate cheap electricity with creation of thousands of jobs for the local community.

The hydropower projects in AJK had the potential to change the fate of local community, he added.

The regulator, he said had put entire efforts on green energy including Hydropower, solar and wind to reduce green house gases.

CEO Mirapower Han Seungnam gave a detailed presentation over the project.

Gulpur Hydropower Plant is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation project located on Poonch River, a major tributary of Jhelum River near Gulpur in Kotli District Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The project started back in 2015 was first ever in the history of the country which is developed on declared National Park having endangered and critically endangered species.

The lenders approved the project financing after accepting of Mira Power strategy to ensure net gain in the population of endangered and critically endangered species including Mahaseer Fish.

To achieve the net gain, Mira Power (a subsidiary company of KOEN devised and successfully implementing a comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan to the satisfaction of lenders and Wildlife & Fisheries Department of Government of AJK.

More than 50 per cent of the jobs at site are filled with local community.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2022 ) :In the aftermath of the most destructive floods in the country, teams from Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF), an international humanitarian organization, are responding to urgent humanitarian needs in the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Our emergency teams, including some staff who lost their own homes to the devastating floods, have set up mobile clinics, clean water distribution points and distributed relief kits in different affected locations in the country, says a press release issued here on Friday.

Since August 20, we have provided medical consultations to over 17,000 patients, most presenting with skin diseases, fever, eye infections, respiratory infections, malaria and diarrhoea.

We have distributed over 5,000 relief kits including kitchen and hygiene items, mosquito nets and repellent to more than 4,000 flood-affected families, and our teams have provided 1.7 million litres of clean drinking water to the affected people in the three provinces.

"Our teams on the ground see a growing number of patients with diseases related to unsanitary living conditions and drinking contaminated water, the statement added.

Accessibility is a big challenge as many villages and cities are still cut off by the water and our teams are using boats to reach them.

We are working to provide medical and water and sanitation aid to thousands of displaced people and try and prevent further outbreaks of disease", says Dr Ahmed Bilal, MSF's emergency medical coordinator.

Giving details of relief work by MSF, he shared in Sindh, we are running two mobile clinics in Dadu city, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Johi town, and assessments are being undertaken in Sukkur and its surroundings as well as in remote areas of Jacobabad.

In Dadu district, our teams have provided medical care to over 4,000 patients, donated relief items to over 300 families and distributed over 100,000 litres of drinking water.

We have installed water tanks to provide clean drinking water to displaced people taking shelter in Labour Colony flats and Lab-e-Mehran camp in Sukkur district.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the response teams have started running mobile clinics in Sara Sang, Bela, and Miaonlay villages in Charsadda district.

Our medical teams have so far provided outpatient basic healthcare services to over 1,900 patients.

We have distributed of relief items to over 2,500 families in these villages, he continued.

MSF is also strengthening the capacity of the flood-hit Kot basic health unit and providing support with a team of doctors and nurses, medications and logistics.

After assessing the needs in Nowshera district we have identified two sites for mobile clinics and our registrations are ongoing for the distribution of relief items.

We will soon expand support to basic healthcare, clean drinking water and distribution of relief items in both Charsadda and Nowshera districts.

In Balochistan, our teams are providing outpatient basic healthcare, water and sanitation, and undertaking health promotion activities in Quetta, Chaman, Nasirabad and Jaffarabad districts.

Our teams have also set up water distribution points to provide water to the flood-hit population and are distributing relief items among families.

We are running two mobile clinics in Dera Murad Jamali and Dera Allah Yar, and will be expanding to reach out more patients in surrounding districts.

"Internally displaced people living in tents by the riverbanks or in temporary shelters are waiting to return to their homes once the water levels go down.

However, this could take several months, and millions of houses have been destroyed or damaged, says Frank Ross Katambula, MSF emergency coordinator.

Our teams are bringing experts in different departments to increase our response capacity in the country.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2022 ) :Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Agha Hassan Baloch Friday reiterated his commitment to prioritize the promotion of Science, Technology and Innovation across the country particularly in the neglected or least developed areas.

He was chairing a review meeting in the ministry for promotion and funding of Scientific and Technological Research and Science popularization in the country.

The Secretary Pakistan Science Foundation Haider Khattak briefed the minister about the steps and initiatives taken so far for enhancing the research in government institutions, setting up of science centres and promotion of Scientific societies in detail.

Agha Hassan Baloch directed the Secretary PSF to effectively disseminate latest scientific and technological information with the universities and research related institutions across the country.

During the meeting, the matters regarding strengthening of science laboratories of government sectors' high schools from Balochistan province were discussed in detail. Agha Hassan Baloch directed the Secretary PSF to ensure the provision of experimental equipments and scientific materials to five govt sector high schools of Balochistan including Govt model high school, Kalli Noshki, Govt Yazdan Khan High School, Alamdar Road Quetta, Hazara govt high school Barai, Kachi Bay Govt high school, Saryab Road Quetta, and Govt high school Kuchlak.

The Federal Minister for Science and Technology also directed the Secretary PSF to send a Science Caravan working under PSF to arrange scientific exhibitions in all the provincial government schools phase wise.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Colombia, Chile and Peru from October 3-7 to discuss cooperation and partnerships, the State Department said on Friday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Colombia, Chile and Peru from October 3-7 to discuss cooperation and partnerships, the State Department said on Friday.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Colombia, Chile, and Peru October 3-7, 2022," the press release said.

On October 3-4 in Colombia, Blinken is due to meet with President Gustavo Petro, Vice President Francia Marquez, and Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva.

"Secretary Blinken's meetings will focus on our shared priorities of supporting strong democratic governments and respect for human rights throughout the Western Hemisphere, tackling the climate crisis, supporting regional efforts to address irregular migration, and implementing a holistic approach to counter narcotics trafficking and address its impacts on health, security, and the environment," the State Department said.

The next day in Santiago, Chile, Blinken will meet with President Gabriel Boric and Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola.

"He will reaffirm U.S. support for democratic governance, bilateral opportunities for trade and investment, regional security and human rights, regional migration management, and climate change mitigation. Secretary Blinken will visit Chile's National Electric Coordinator where U.S.-owned companies help advance our joint goal of greater reliance on renewable energy sources. He will also meet with alumni of the U.S.-sponsored Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative to discuss how their innovations provide economic growth and positive change to their communities," the release added.

On October 6, Blinken will make a stop in Lima, Peru, to lead a US delegation at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS). He will chair the Summit Implementation Review Group to discuss implementation of commitments from the Ninth Summit of the Americas.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) European Union countries reached an initial agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia on Friday, Reuters reported, citing diplomatic sources.

Ambassadors of the 27 EU countries discussed the proposals and gave a preliminary green light to them, the three sources were quoted as saying by the news agency.

The final decision on the new sanctions package is expected next week, Reuters reported, citing the sources.
The European Commission recommended the EU member-states stop issuing visas for Russian citizens, should they apply out of their home country, Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs said on Friday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) The European Commission recommended the EU member-states stop issuing visas for Russian citizens, should they apply out of their home country, Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs said on Friday.

"In the guidelines we say that member states should not accept Schengen visa applications from citizens of Russian Federation that are present in a third country they have to do that from their home country Russia," Johansson said during a briefing.

The commissioner also said that the bloc should not issue visas for those Russian citizens who intend to stay in the EU for longer than 90 days.

"We have a lot of Russian citizens leaving Russia because of the mobilization. If a Russian citizen intents to stay longer than 90 days in the EU he or she should not be issued a visa," Johansson added.

In retaliation for the start of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine on February 24, the West has launched a massive sanctions campaign against Moscow. In addition, the EU has decided to limit the movement of Russian citizens, terminating an agreement on the simplified visa regime with Russia.

However, the European Commission said EU member countries cannot completely stop issuing Schengen visas to Russians but can decide for themselves whether to issue short-term visas and consider each application on an individual basis, with a number of EU countries, including France and Germany, being against a complete visa ban.
Rescue workers went door-to-door in Florida on Friday to assist survivors of Hurricane Ian as the Carolinas braced for the arrival of the Category 1 storm

Fort Myers, United States, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Oct, 2022 ) :Rescue workers went door-to-door in Florida on Friday to assist survivors of Hurricane Ian as the Carolinas braced for the arrival of the Category 1 storm.

Ian, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the United States, left a trail of devastation across Florida and officials said they have received reports of at least 20 deaths in the southern state.

After weakening as it crossed over Florida, the storm regained strength over the Atlantic and is bearing down on the coast of South and North Carolina packing maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (140 kilometers per hour), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

It warned Carolina residents that Ian could bring "life-threatening storm surge" of up to seven feet (two meters) and damaging winds.

The storm left hundreds of people in need of rescue in Florida, many trapped in flooded homes.

Governor Ron DeSantis said more than 1,000 rescuers were going "up and down the coastline" checking on residents.

"Rescue personnel have gone to more than 3,000 homes in the hardest hit areas, going door to door to check on the occupants of those residences," he told reporters.

Helicopter crews also plucked people from the rooftops of homes inundated by floodwater while other rescues were made by boat.

DeSantis said the coastal town of Fort Myers where the hurricane made landfall on Wednesday afternoon, was "ground zero" but "this was such a big storm that there are effects far inland." Many people evacuated, but thousands chose to shelter in place. DeSantis said Florida officials had so far contacted 20,000 people who chose to stay.

DeSantis said that it was too early to give a death toll, and that concrete information about casualty numbers could be expected over several days.

State officials said there had been one confirmed death from the hurricane and at least 20 others had been reported but have not yet been confirmed as being due to the storm.

In addition, 17 migrants were missing from a boat that sank during the hurricane on Wednesday, with one person found dead and nine others rescued, the Coast Guard said. Among them were four Cubans who swam to shore in the Florida Keys.

- 'It was all submerged' - In Bonita Springs, Jason Crosser, 37, was inspecting the damage to his small store.

"The water went over the whole building. It was all submerged," Crosser said. "It's all saltwater and water damage." After making landfall in South Carolina, Ian is expected to weaken fast and dissipate by Saturday night.

Fort Myers, where Ian came ashore as a monster Category 4 storm, took much of the brunt, as streets became rivers and seawater poured into houses.

Dozens of boats moored in the marina were sunk while others were tossed onto downtown streets.

DeSantis described the destruction as a "500-year flood event." He said about 1.9 Florida residents remained without power on Friday.

Two barrier islands near Fort Myers, Pine Island and Sanibel Island, popular with vacationers, were essentially cut off when the storm damaged causeways to the mainland.

- Electricity returning in Cuba - Before pummeling Florida, Ian plunged all of Cuba into darkness after downing the island's power network.

Electricity was gradually returning, but many homes remain without power.

Laura Mujica, 20, joined dozens of Cuban women gathered in the capital Havana on Thursday to demand electricity be restored.

"We took to the street, because we haven't had electricity for several days and we are tired of it," Mujica said.

Human-induced climate change is resulting in more severe weather events across the globe, scientists say -- including with Ian.

According to a rapid and preliminary analysis, human-caused climate change increased the extreme rain that Ian unleashed by over 10 percent, US scientists said.
(@FahadShabbir)

TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday that Motoki Tatsunori, a consul of the Japanese Consulate-General in the Russian city of Vladivostok who was expelled for collecting classified information, left Russia on Wednesday but have yet to arrive in Japan.

"The diplomat left Russia on (September) 28 but has not yet arrived in Japan. Due to the nature of the circumstances, I will refrain from details," Hayashi told a briefing.

The minister said that Tatsunori had not engaged in the activities of which he had been accused, expressed regret over the expulsion of the diplomat, and called the actions of the Russian side unacceptable.

The Japanese side is considering countermeasures to the expulsion of Tatsunori, Hayashi added.

"We are currently considering appropriate measures; however, I am not ready to make them public yet," the foreign minister said.

On Monday, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had detained Tatsunori, who was obtaining, for a monetary reward, classified information about Russia's cooperation with an Asia-Pacific regional country, the impact of Western sanctions on the economic situation in the Primorsky region. In an FSB video, the diplomat admitted his guilt in violating Russian law. Moscow expressed a protest to Japan through diplomatic channels, and the consul was declared persona non grata. In response, Tokyo summoned the Russian ambassador, according to media reports.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Kyiv is requesting fast-track NATO membership after Russia formally annexed four Moscow-held regions of Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2022 ) :Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Kyiv is requesting fast-track NATO membership after Russia formally annexed four Moscow-held regions of Ukraine.

"We have already proven our compatibility with (NATO) alliance standards," Zelensky said in a video posted by the Ukrainian presidency on social media.

"We are taking a decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated accession to NATO," he added.

He also said that Kyiv would not negotiate with Russia -- which sent troops into Ukraine on February 24 -- as long as President Vladimir Putin was in power.

"Ukraine will not hold any negotiations with Russia as long as Putin is the president of the Russian Federation. We will negotiate with the new president," Zelensky said.

His remarks come after Putin signed treaties to annex four Moscow-occupied Ukrainian regions -- Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk and Zaporizhzhia -- at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin.

The pro-Kremlin leaders of the annexed territories claimed the regions voted in favour of becoming part of Russia in referendums that Western capitals and international organisations did not recognise.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Exhibition entitled Under the Spell of Ararat: Treasures from Ancient Armenia, which opened in the Drents Museum in the Assen city of the Netherlands on May 10, has been named as the best exhibition in the Netherlands as a result of public voting and received the first award, the History Museum of Armenia said.

Among many other exhibitions, the Armenian exhibition was selected by the professional jury in the top ten and also received 40% of the public votes.

The exhibition is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the Netherlands. It includes a significant archaeological collection from the History Museum of Armenia, consisting of 160 exhibits, as well as the relic of Noahs Ark kept in the Museum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Tools, weapons, jewelry and other cultural values excavated from the territory of Armenia were displayed during the exhibition.

The ceremony of handing over the award was held on September 27 at the Art Museum in Hague (KunstMuseum).

Armenias Ambassador to the Netherlands Tigran Balayan also attended the ceremony.

The exhibition will remain open until October 30.
BELGRADE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st October, 2022) Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovich on Friday accused Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic, an Albanian by nationality, of advancing the goals of Serbia and Russia to create a structural crisis in Montenegro and deprive the country of independence.

"The intention is to present Montenegro as institutionally dysfunctional and incapacitated in order to prove the thesis of great Serbian nationalism that Montenegro should not exist as such and should be returned to great Serbia," Djukanovich said at a briefing.

He also touched upon Russia's desires to get a port on the Adriatic sea, and Serbia's aspirations of establishing itself in the new borders, gathering all Serbs in one state.

"The contractor for the implementation of these 'works' is the current Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic," Djukanovich added.

On September 20, the President of Montenegro submitted to the parliament an initiative to reduce the mandate of the current legislature by holding early elections, and rejected the candidacy of the prime minister proposed by the majority parties, namely his old political opponent Miodrag Lekic from the DEMOS party. Djukanovich also announced his readiness to dissolve the parliament. On Friday, the parliamentarians could not approve the initiative and the issue of reducing the mandate was not considered.

On Thursday, the Montenegrin Foreign Ministry declared six Russian diplomats personae non gratae amid an anti-espionage investigation unfolding in the republic. The Russian diplomatic mission in Podgorica said that the work of the consular section was suspended indefinitely due to hostile actions of the republic's authorities.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st October, 2022) Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain to discuss bilateral cooperation, the Kremlin said on Friday.

"At the initiative of the Bahraini side, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Topical issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed. Mutual disposition was expressed for the further development of Russian-Bahraini relations in a traditionally friendly, mutually beneficial and constructive manner," the statement says.

Putin briefed the King of Bahrain about the signing of agreements on the admission of four regions into Russia, the Kremlin said.

"Vladimir Putin informed about the signing of agreements on the admission of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions into the Russian Federation, which took place today," it said.

In addition, Putin noted in a conversation that Moscow was ready to resume the negotiation process, if Kiev was interested.

The leaders also discussed interaction within the SCO in the light of the initiated procedure for Bahrain to obtain the status of a dialogue partner of the SCO.

"The closeness of the approaches of the two countries on key aspects of the situation in the region of the middle East and North Africa was stated. Cooperation will also be established through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the light of the procedure launched at the recent summit in Samarkand for Bahrain to obtain the status of a dialogue partner of the SCO," the statement says.

In addition, Putin confirmed the earlier invitation to the King to pay a visit to Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia was "not striving" to recreate the Soviet Union as he prepared to annex four Moscow-occupied Ukrainian regions at a Kremlin ceremony

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2022 ) :Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia was "not striving" to recreate the Soviet Union as he prepared to annex four Moscow-occupied Ukrainian regions at a Kremlin ceremony.

"The USSR is no more. We can't bring the past back. And Russia doesn't need it anymore. We are not striving towards that," Putin said.

He also accused the last leaders of the Soviet Union of "destroying our great country".

Putin was speaking at a televised ceremony to formalise the annexation of four Russian-held regions in Ukraine, where pro-Moscow authorities conducted hastily organised referendums, denounced by Kyiv and the West as a sham.

In his speech, Putin also claimed the West wanted to see Russia as a "colony".

"It is out of greed, with the aim of maintaining its unlimited power. These are the real reasons for this hybrid war that the West is waging against us... They want to make us into a colony," Putin said in televised remarks.

"They don't need Russia at all," he said.

"The West is ready to step over everything to preserve the neo-colonial system, which allows it to parasitise, and, in fact, plunder the whole world," Putin added.

He claimed it was "critical for them that all countries surrender their sovereignty to the United States".
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed treaties to annex four Moscow-occupied Ukrainian regions -- Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk and Zaporizhzhia -- at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Sep, 2022 ) :Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed treaties to annex four Moscow-occupied Ukrainian regions -- Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk and Zaporizhzhia -- at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin.

He then joined hands with the Moscow-installed heads of the regions on a stage in front of the Russian elite and chanted alongside them "Russia! Russia!".

Putin annexed the regions despite warnings from the West and the fact that Moscow's forces do not control the entirety of the regions.

The long-time Russian leader said the people of the regions had made an "univocal choice" to join Russia after so-called referendums that Moscow organised.

"I want to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters in the West: People living in the Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia (regions) are becoming our citizens forever," he said.

The West and international organisations did not recognise the voting, which was organised after Russia seized the territories by force.

In a speech before signing the treaties, Putin demanded that Kyiv stop all military action.

"We call on the Kyiv regime to immediately stop fighting and stop all hostilities... and return to the negotiating table."Putin, who turns 70 next week, sent troops to Ukraine in February.

Last week, he announced a mobilisation to prop up Russian forces fighting in Ukraine who have suffered heavy losses in recent months.
(@FahadShabbir)

Uzbekistan and Russia will sign agreements worth $4.6 billion during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Samarkand, the office of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Thursday

SAMARKAND (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th September, 2022) Uzbekistan and Russia will sign agreements worth $4.6 billion during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Samarkand, the office of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Thursday.

On Thursday, Mirziyoyev and Putin met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand.

"It was noted that as part of the current visit of the President of Russia to Uzbekistan, a package of new investment agreements worth $4.6 billion is being signed in the fields of engineering, chemistry, petrochemistry and geology," the statement says.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) The US State Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) is launching a project to audit the humanitarian assistance sent to Ukraine amid Russia's special military operation, the OIG said on Thursday.

"This project has two objectives: (First,) to describe the Department's humanitarian assistance response for people impacted by the situation in Ukraine and (second,) to determine whether the Department implemented Ukraine related humanitarian assistance in accordance with Department policies, guidance, and award terms and conditions to ensure funds achieve the intended objectives," the OIG said in a statement.

The United States has increased humanitarian funding for Ukraine by 79% between fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the statement said.

The increase in funding likewise increases interest in providing effective oversight of how the State department uses taxpayer funds, the statement added.

There were 17.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance as of August, according to the statement.
BEIJING (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) Taiwan's first amphibious assault ship, the Yu Shan, has entered service in the island's navy, the head of the Taiwanese administration, Tsai Ing-wen, said on Friday.

"Today is an important day for Taiwan and the island's armed forces, after many years of hard work, the first independently developed and built by Taiwan landing dock ship Yu Shan with a displacement of 10,000 tons was officially inducted," Tsai Ing-wen said, as quoted by the defense ministry.

According to Taiwan's government head, the ship will be able to carry out the tasks of supplying and transporting personnel to remote islands, and it can also be used to provide assistance, including medical, in cases of natural disasters.

In wartime, the Yu Shan can be used as a combat-ready transport ship, Tsai Ing-wen added.

The Yu Shan was built as part of the Taiwanese authorities' plan to increase their own defense production. Taiwan spent about $163 million on its construction. The ship has a displacement of 10,600 tons, is 153 meters (501.9 feet) in length and 23 meters in width, and is capable of carrying up to 673 people, as well as helicopters, landing craft, amphibious vehicles etc. The Yu Shan is to replace the Xu Hai landing craft, which Taiwan acquired from the United States in 1999.
UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) A vote on the United States and Albania's resolution condemning referenda held in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics (DPR and LPR), the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions will be held at the United Nations Security Council at 3 p.m. (19:00 GMT) on Friday, a UN SC source told Sputnik on Thursday.

On September 23-27, the LPR and DPR, the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions held referendums on whether to become part of Russia. The vast majority of voters supported joining Russia.

"Tomorrow 3 p.m.," the source said when asked when the vote will take place.

The vote is expected to be followed by a UN Security Council meeting on the issue of attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines, convened at the request of Moscow.

On Monday, the Nord Stream AG pipeline operator told Sputnik that a dispatcher had registered a rapid gas pressure drop on Line A of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The incident occurred in Danish waters near the island of Bornholm. Later that day, the operator said that a pressure drop had been registered on both strings of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The Swedish and Danish authorities said they had detected undersea explosions, with the consensus being that the incident was a result of sabotage. The incidents are being investigated by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office, as well as the authorities of Sweden and Denmark.
(@FahadShabbir)

The US Department of State will introduce visa restrictions against 910 persons including military officials in Russia, Belarus and regions that recently rejoined Russia, the Treasury Department said in a press release on Friday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th September, 2022) The US Department of State will introduce visa restrictions against 910 persons including military officials in Russia, Belarus and regions that recently rejoined Russia, the Treasury Department said in a press release on Friday.

"The Department of State is also taking steps to impose visa restrictions on an additional 910 individuals, including members of the Russian Federation's military, Belarusian military officials, and Russia's proxies acting in Russia-held portions of Ukraine," the release said.
Presidents Student Leaders Advisory Committee Establishes Connections to USM Executive

Fri, 09/30/2022 - 16:00pm | By: David Tisdale

USM President Dr. Joe Paul, foreground, holds the first meeting of the Presidents Student Leaders Committee Sept. 22 at the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building Conference Room.

(USM photo by David Tisdale)

The newly formed Presidents Student Leaders Advisory Committee at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) gives student organizations at the school a direct line of communication with the USM Office of the President.

The committee recently held its first meeting with USM President Dr. Joe Paul at the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building Conference Room, where various student organization executives and the president shared information and ideas about how to advance the student experience at the university through collaboration on academic and extracurricular initiatives.

The group plans to meet bi-weekly and will serve as direct points of contact between the student body and President Paul.

Students are our (universitys) reason for being, said Dr. Paul in discussing the purpose of the committee. They are, as Simon Sinek (author and inspirational speaker) would say, our why. When we engage, listen, and respond to our students, we become a better university.

Ashley Lankford, president of the USM Student Government Association (SGA) and Aaronda Owens, who serves as president of both the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the Student Involvement Ambassadors, believe the committee is a great concept and important step forward for the entire USM student community.

Allowing us as student leaders to speak on behalf of the student population directly with the universitys president is such a great concept, said Owens, a senior criminal justice major from Mobile, Alabama. We can voice opinions, concerns, and discuss changes we as students would like to see at the university.

Im honored to be able to speak not only for myself but my USM peers in this role, and my hope as a leader within this committee is that I continue to be outspoken in not only voicing my opinion, but inspiring new ideas for the university to implement.

Lankford, a native of Satsuma, Alabama and graduate student in the School of Media and Communication, said Dr. Pauls establishment of the committee shows USM students he genuinely cares about their needs and wants to hear direct feedback from various student leaders about student life at the university.

This committee gives us the ability to share some of the most pressing needs our students face on a daily basis that would otherwise go unnoticed, Lankford continued. Im proud to say we are already seeing the direct impacts of these conversations, and Im looking forward to seeing the positive impacts that come from discussions at future meetings.

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Dee Dee Anderson believes hosting meetings with students through the committee is a great opportunity for the USM administration to hear about students experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Through these informal conversations with Dr. Paul, ideas and solutions will develop to help students on their path to the top, she said.

For information about Student Life at USM, visit https://www.usm.edu/university/student-life.php.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of Parliament Hakob Arshakyan met on September 29 with Taro Kono, Minister for Digital Transformation, Minister for Digital Reform, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Food Safety, Minister for Administrative Reform of Japan, the Parliaments press service said.

Welcoming the Vice President of the National Assembly, the Minister informed about his visit to Armenia in 2018, noting that he was impressed by the development of high technology. The Japanese side was interested in the cooperation with TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.

The Vice Speaker presented the ongoing developments in Armenia and informed that our country is concerned about the close cooperation in the sphere of high technologies, including the artificial intellect and cyber security.

Hakob Arshakyan noted that there is unused considerable potential with respect to developing the economic relations.

The establishment of the branches of Japanese companies in Armenia was highlighted, which will give an opportunity for developing the collaboration between the two countries.

A number of issues regarding the development of cooperation in the spheres of innovation, science and technologies between Armenia and Japan were also discussed.
Even though there are only 5,000 Catholics living in Estonia, the local Church community continues to grow thanks to the imprint left by German Jesuit Eduard Profittlich, the Archbishop who promoted Catholicism in the Baltic nation before he died a martyr during the Soviet persecution of the 1940s.

By Mario Galgano  Tallinn, Estonia

Even though Estonia is a small country, it is still not easy for the Catholic minority to attend Mass. Many of the faithful face long car rides to receive Communion or to talk to a priest.

Bishop Philippe Jourdan is the Apostolic Administrator in Estonia. He and theologian Marge-Marie Paas are the postulators for the Cause of Beatification of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich, SJ, whose ministry in Estonia in the 1930s has left a strong imprint on the country's faith.

Ms. Paas was head of press communication on the occasion of Pope Francis' visit in 2018; she is now responsible for drafting Archbishop Profittlich's positio and will continue to take care of official communication on the beatification process.

Role of Ecumenism in Estonia

Ecumenism plays an important role in the Baltic country.

The two Estonian Orthodox Churchesthe Orthodox Church linked to Constantinople and the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchateactively participate in talks between the different denominations.

Topical political issues are avoided, as a member of the Catholic minority told us. Catholics in Estonia are mostly foreigners or local converts.

Ms. Paas is one of them; an Estonian convert to Catholicism. She is also involved in ecumenical work.

"Dialogue and listening," she says, "are important factors in achieving peace.

Growth of the Catholic Church in the country

"In Kodasema, the geographical center of the country, we have a Catholic youth center," Ms. Paas explains.

The building stands in the middle of a forestaway from the worldand is available for young people to use.

It was then-Father Profittlich who began its construction: the Jesuit arrived in 1931 as Apostolic Administrator in Estonia and was appointed Archbishop in 1936.

After the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church had been practically eliminated.

On 15 April 1783, the Catholic community in Estonia became part of the Archdiocese of Minsk-Mahiljou, until the Diocese of Riga was created on 22 September 1918.

Against the backdrop of the Holy See's growing commitment to dialogue with the Orthodox Churches in those countries, the Vaticans "Commissio pro Russia" created Estonia as a special Apostolic Administration on 11 May 1931, and Fr. Eduard Profittlich was appointed Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis.

Despite pastoral difficulties due to the small number of Catholic faithful with their multilingualism and their dispersion throughout the territory, this new legal status allowed a fruitful development of the Catholic Church in Estonia.

The Estonian public soon began to take an interest in the work of the new bishop: even people belonging to other denominations came to listen to his homilies.

Forced Annexation

With the forced annexation of Estonia by the Soviet Union on 17 June 1940, Soviet laws on religion were imposed with coercive administrative measures.

Pope Pius XII sent a letter of encouragement to Archbishop Profittlich on 12 March 1941, as persecution in Estonia escalated into a campaign of terror, in which more than 60,000 people would be arrested, deported, tortured and killed.

Eventually, Archbishop Profittlich was deported after being accused of espionage on behalf of Germany.

Of what happened thereafter, nothing more was heard for a long time.

Only after Estonia's proclamation of independence on 30 March 1990 did the country's Supreme Court notify (on 12 June 1990) the Catholic community in Tallinn of the full rehabilitation of Archbishop Eduard Profittlich.

Archbishop Profittlich was sentenced to death on 21 November 1941, and died as a martyr on 22 February 1942, in the Kirov Prison in Siberia from exposure, ahead of his scheduled execution.
Pope Francis visits an indigenous parish in Edmonton during his Apostolic Journey to Canada in July (Vatican Media)

The Bishops of Canada wrap up their first in-person Plenary Assembly since 2019, and pledge to continue to walk together with Indigenous Partners on the Healing and Reconciliation Journey.

By Christopher Wells

In a year that saw Pope Francis historic penitential pilgrimage to Canada, the nations Bishops have renewed their commitment to working with indigenous peoples on the path of reconciliation and healing.

2022 has been a historic year for listening, learning, and working to rebuild longstanding relationships that have been profoundly damaged by the legacy of residential schools, said Bishop Raymond Poisson, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).

Healing and reconciliation

In a statement issued by the CCCB following their annual Plenary Assembly  their first in-person meeting since 2019  Bishop Poisson noted the Popes apology on behalf of the Church for the sins of her children, in which the Holy Father acknowledged the catastrophic impact of the residential school system.

During his visit to Canada in late July, Pope Francis called on the local Church to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples and to favour processes of healing and reconciliation.

At the Plenary Assembly, the Canadian Bishops pledged to continue in their commitment to foster healing and reconciliation, especially through concrete actions.

These include supporting the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, aimed at raising 30 million Canadian dollars over the course of five years; fostering greater understanding of Indigenous cultural, linguistic, and spiritual traditions and values; and providing documentation or records that will assist residential school survivors in finding truth.

Committed to transparency

During their four-day Plenary Assembly, which took place from September 26-29, the Bishops of Canada also discussed the upcoming Synod on Synodality ahead of the continental phase of the synodal process, which will culminate in Rome with the Synod of Bishops in 2023.

The Bishops also received an update regarding the launch of the Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop. This latter initiative, the Bishops say, demonstrated a commitment by the bishops to responsibility, accountability, and transparency in matters of clergy sexual abuse.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Alfred Kocharyan had a meeting with Mexicos Deputy Minister of Culture Marina Nunez within the framework of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development.

Kocharyan and Nunez addressed the importance of intensifying cooperation in the area of culture, as well as exchange of experience in various directions. Issues of organizing cultural events, mutually promoting the two countries and developing cultural tourism were discussed. In this context the parties considered the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding, the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport said in a press release.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Vahram Dumanyan is leading a delegation to Mexico for the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development.
Tensions between Greece and Turkey over the divided island of Cyprus appear to be escalating. Turkey says it's increasing its military presence on the island in response to Washington's lifting of an arms embargo against the Greek Cypriot administration.



Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized the United States Friday for its stance toward Greece, saying it has become a toy of Athens in the Cyprus dispute.



He said the ones standing with the Greeks just for the sake of pleasing the Greeks should not expect friendship from Turkey.



Earlier this week, Cavusoglu announced that Turkey will increase its military presence on Cyprus after Washington lifted its military arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot administration.



The Mediterranean Island has been divided between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1974. The Greek Cypriot administration is the only internationally recognized government.



Washington's action comes as U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price appeared to offer support to Athens amid rising tensions with Ankara over Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.



Greece's sovereignty over these islands is not in question, said Price. But we call on countries, including our allies, to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty and avoid actions that inflame tensions.



Ankara has condemned Greece's militarization of some of its islands close to Turkish shores, which Turkey claims violate an international agreement. Athens insists its only protecting its territory from Turkish threats.



University of Athens political scientist Cengiz Aktar said the Greek government is calculating that it has Washingtons support and is in no mood to back down from what it considers Turkish bullying.



There is a common wisdom in Greece, don't belittle small countries. We have a live example of Ukraine and Russia. I mean, yes, the Greeks are ready, Aktar said.



Turkish-Greek tensions are nothing new, with the two countries going to the brink of war in 1996 over an uninhabited islet. U.S. intervention prevented open hostilities.



But with Turkey saying Greece is using U.S.-supplied weapons to militarize its islands, observers say Washington's status as an honest broker is in question.



Asli Aydintasbas, a visiting fellow of the Brookings Institution, a Washington research group, said she is worried the countries are moving closer to war.



I think this is significant and potentially very dangerous, said Aydintasbas. Clearly, both countries feel each other as a threat. We are used to occasional flare-ups in this relationship, but I think right now, the global environment is very uncertain, chaotic, and almost conducive to a military confrontation between Turkey and Greece.



For now, neither Athens nor Ankara appears ready to step back. Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu said Friday that Turkey is prepared to resolve tensions diplomatically but warned Turkey wouldn't hesitate to use hard power if diplomacy failed and Turkish interests are threatened.
Islamist militants from al-Shabab on Friday killed 12 people drilling a well in drought-ravaged southern Somalia, a local resident and official said.

Conflict between the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, which wants to implement a strict implementation of sharia, or Islamic law, and the central government has killed thousands of people since 2006.

Somali security forces say they have made gains on the battlefield in recent weeks while fighting alongside local self-defense groups, but al-Shabab has continued to conduct deadly raids.

The latest attack happened in the town of Gariley in the southern Gedo region when the militants attacked the crew at its work site, burning their bodies and drilling equipment, said Mahad Abdi, a local resident who visited the scene and counted the bodies.

The area is suffering from the Horn of Africa's worst drought in 40 years, leading the United Nations to warn of a looming famine.

"I am very sorry that al-Shabab is causing such trouble for us while we are suffering from drought and lack of water in our area and we don't want water 100 km away from us," Abdi told Reuters.

Mahmoud Abdel Warsame, the mayor of Gariley, confirmed the death toll and said security forces also killed six al-Shabab fighters.

Al-Shabab has in recent weeks burned houses, destroyed wells and beheaded civilians in other parts of central and southern Somalia, residents say.

The attacks, and the group's demands for tax payments despite the drought, have pushed some residents to take up arms against al-Shabab.

In a separate incident in the capital Mogadishu, al-Shabab fighters killed Mogadishu's head of police, his two bodyguards and a police-based journalist, President Hassan sheik Mohamud was reported as saying on Somali National News Agency.
Azerbaijans president this week approved the rules that will govern a media registry that the countrys journalists warn could further stifle press freedom.

President Ilham Aliyev on Monday signed off on the rules for maintaining a media registry  a set of regulations around media credentials and official recognition that would provide approved media with privileges and benefits, such as accreditation to state and other bodies.

The rules lay out how the registry will work, the requirements journalists must meet to be eligible for inclusion, what data will be publicly available, and what conditions can result in being excluded or removed from the database.

The government-run Media Development Agency will oversee the registry and legal entities, and each individual included in it will be issued a certificate and journalistic license.

Zahid Oruj, chair of the Human Rights Committee of the National Assembly, told VOA that the adoption of the rules is to continue the will for the formation of free, independent and strong press agencies that was outlined in the new power-building policy that has been implemented since 2019.

Journalists, however, have criticized the plan since parliament first passed the law in December 2021. They warn it could allow Azerbaijans government to determine who is recognized as a journalist and cited concerns that the registry will include details on reporters and their work contacts.

Media outlets that operate in exile will also be affected, including through provisions that ban disseminating information from unofficial sources, rights groups including Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said.

Mehman Aliyev, director of the independent Turan News Agency, said independent media already work under restrictive policies and that access to information is difficult.

Instead of improving access to information, Aliyev believes the new media registry will restrict freedoms.

It is intended to prevent establishment of new media agencies in the future and to create conditions for media outlets that are in the interests of the authorities," Aliyev said.

Without an official license, journalists could find it harder to gain access to officials or events.

Lawyer and media rights expert Alasgar Mammadli said the registry would make it hard for many freelance journalists to obtain the information they need.

I believe that keeping [a] journalist registry is an interference with media freedom, he told VOA.

Mammadli believes the registry goes against protections for freedom of expression, as laid out in Azerbaijans constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

According to the constitution, everyone can receive information. In other words, it is not important whether you have a title of a journalist in front of your name, or whether or not you are a state-qualified journalist, he told VOA. In the future, any dispute related to this will result in the European Court making a decision against Azerbaijan.

Criticism rejected

But Azerbaijani officials have dismissed that criticism.

Oruj said journalists not on the register would still be able to work.

Being included in this registry only gives advantages and makes it possible to benefit from various privileges, some subsidies, state measures, Oruj said.

RSF said nearly all Azerbaijani media are under government control. The few remaining independent voices find access to information difficult and say that some government agencies refuse to engage with them, according to the organization.

RSF ranks Azerbaijan 154th out of 180 countries in its World Press Freedom Index, where 1 signifies the best media environment.

This story originated in VOAs Azerbaijani Service.
Its a photo that caught the worlds attention: A news anchor at one of Afghanistans most prominent news outlets, pictured with her head in her hands after the Taliban ordered women to cover up.

The woman pictured, TOLOnews anchor Khatera Ahmadi, says that despite increasing restrictions on women in Afghanistan, at the time that photo was taken in May, she still planned to stay and be a voice for other women.

But mounting pressures and a later attack on her husband forced the family to rethink their plans. In June they moved to Pakistan.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders estimates nearly 60% of journalists lost their jobs since the Taliban returned, with women disproportionately affected. Female journalists no longer work in 11 of Afghanistans 34 provinces.

A spokesperson for the Taliban did not respond to VOAs request for comment.

At the time when women were ordered to cover up on air, a spokesperson said it was a religious order that helps with their modesty and honor.

The Taliban have also said they would respect media freedom and womens rights.

In an interview with VOA, Ahmadi says she has no faith in Taliban comments that women are free to work in journalism or other professions, saying the restrictions already imposed are suppressing (womens) voices and forcing them to stay home.

This interview has been translated and edited for length and clarity.

VOA: When the Taliban ordered female journalists to cover their faces, your picture was widely shared. How did you feel in that moment?

Ahmadi: I wanted to reassure myself that everything was fine, and (tell myself) If you keep fighting, things will get better, you can be the voice of thousands of Afghan women who are oppressed today. I wanted to boost my morale.

Our male colleagues, in solidarity, wore masks, and this began with our station, TOLOnews. They wanted to show we were not alone in our fight.

But after a few days, they received threatening messages.

Taliban officials tweeted that if the men did not remove the masks they would act against them. The threats increased. Some even received death threats.

Eventually, they removed their masks.

VOA: How and when did you decide to leave Afghanistan?

Ahmadi: The situation in Afghanistan is very difficult for everyone, particularly female journalists. Every day, we faced a new law. The [Talibans] Vice and Virtue Department had no other job but to make new laws for women.

Our outfits in the media were not acceptable to them. Faces of women presenters had to be covered. We faced threats on the street. Taliban spokespersons were not willing to be on our shows because we were women.

Our cars were followed. At every checkpoint, we were stopped and told that as a Muslim woman, as an Afghan woman, we should not appear on TV. Our drivers were slapped and asked where they were taking us and why we sat in the front seat.

We were known because reputable international media had interviewed us. They knew where we were [living] and working. Even when we went to the bank, we would hear the Taliban saying our names and pointing.

We were very scared. But we were saying that this is our country, and we have to be there and adjust to the (Talibans) laws.

That changed when my husband was attacked.

He was on his way to work when he was taken by the Taliban and beaten.

That was the day I decided we could not stay in Afghanistan anymore.

Editors Note: Ahmadis husband Ekram Asmati was a journalist for a local news station. He was left unconscious in the attack. Officials at the time said they would investigate.

VOA: How are your former colleagues in Afghanistan doing?

Ahmadi: They are all depressed, as I was in Kabul. Their situation is worse now.

They call and ask how life is (in Pakistan).

Being a refugee is difficult. But their situation is worse. Each one of them calls and asks, How can we find a way out of Kabul to another country?

I tell them it is not easy to go to a new place. When you become a refugee, the situation becomes more difficult. It is tough when you leave your country and those you know. Getting passports and visas is also a problem [in Afghanistan]. Some of our colleagues had to leave [without families]. They had to make a difficult decision, just like I did.

VOA: The Taliban claim they have no problem with women working, including female journalists. What is your view?

Ahmadi: I have no faith in what the Taliban say. People don't believe them either because they have not fulfilled any of their promises. They said that they would open schools. A year has passed since their return. They have not.

They said they do not have any problem with women working outside, but we witnessed that women in [government] ministries were told to introduce male members of their families to replace them.

They said they have no problem with women journalists and women working outside, but all the rules they have imposed on women and girls are aimed at suppressing their voices and forcing them to stay home.

But as far as I know, [Afghan] women will not stop fighting [for their rights].

This story originated in VOAs Afghan Service.
Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed four additional Ukrainian regions Friday. Its a move that Ukraine said it will never accept and goes against the United Nations Charter and international law. What impact will it have on the war moving forward? Plus, living under Russian occupation.
Hurricane Fiona was already a deadly storm when it reached Atlantic Canada late on September 23, having taken several lives in the Caribbean. Now the death toll from Fiona in Atlantic Canada is three and counting.

Canadas CBC News reported that the total insurance bill for Fiona in Atlantic Canada could top $500 million (Cdn 700 million), and that much of the damage is not covered by insurance policies, which do not provide for storm surges.

A week later, the cleanup for what was described as the strongest storm to ever hit Canada drags on. Countless houses are still without power, and debris remains scattered across the city in Halifax, Nova Scotia's capital.

Help your neighbors

My message would be to the people who have done OK, which is to help the ones who havent, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage told VOA. This was a strong storm and the unfortunate thing is were going to get more of them and were going to have to be as ready as we possibly can for them.

Were in pretty good shape overall. Weve moved hundreds of trees off public property. We didnt have houses that were washed away like other communities.

Debris from fallen trees is a common sight across the city, the biggest in Atlantic Canada and a regional hub for government and commerce.

Savage said he learned a great deal by watching from Halifaxs Emergency Operations Center as the storm passed through, including the importance of response personnel taking notes that can be checked on later.

At the Emergency Operations Center, dont throw anything away. Every note that you make, see what kind of things were happening in real time, see if we can improve it, he said.

This reporter personally lost all of his belongings when water started pouring into his basement apartment after the batteries on the sump pumps ran out during a weeklong power outage. He was told on Wednesday that he had an hour to rescue any items of sentimental value from his apartment before it was left to flood for an indefinite period.

Much of the province was blindsided by the widespread power outages that kicked in as the storms outer edges reached Nova Scotia, prompting a rash of fearful postings on Twitter. For most, the sense of foreboding was more severe than during Hurricane Dorian, that last major storm to rattle Atlantic Canada in 2019.

'Incredible' storm

I have never seen anything like it before, said Scott Ellis, who works in the nonprofit industry and ran for office in the 2021 provincial election for the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. The wind and storm surge that occurred were incredible. They told us it could be historic, but with these things you always hope theyre wrong.

Our region does not have the infrastructure built for these types of storms and obviously the destruction is quite evident. While the damage is widespread and saddening, Atlantic Canadians are coming together to support their communities in the recovery.

Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood, an expert at the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives, said scientists have been warning for decades that climate change would lead to more frequent and more extreme weather events.

The awful destruction left by Fiona points to a big oversight in Canadian climate policy, which is adaptation to the effects of climate change, he said in an interview.

Even if we were to cut our greenhouse gas emissions to zero overnight, we're still going to suffer the effects of all our previous accumulated emissions. A certain amount of global warming is already locked in. So we need to be preparing our infrastructure for more storms like this in the future, even as we make every effort to reduce our greenhouse emissions in the present, Mertins-Kirkwood said.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia expects a clear political assessment from the CSTO, PM Nikol Pashinyan said during an interview with Public Television in response to a question on Armenias membership to the organization.

Recently as a result of contacts with several CSTO colleagues I recorded that within the CSTO it has been recorded that certain public moods grew very rapidly in Armenia. During a conversation someone said that there are fears that Armenia could leave the CSTO, but I formulated it otherwise, I responded that there are fears that the CSTO could leave Armenia, Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan reminded that he is the presiding Chairman of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

Most importantly, we expect a clear political assessment for the situation. In the past, when weve had discussions with CSTO colleagues on Armenias security, and the CSTO being Armenias number one institutional security instrument, we received very clear assurances that Armenias border is a red line for the CSTO. When the Sotk-Khoznavar events [Azeri incursion] took place last year, we naturally applied to the CSTO, but we received a very perplexing reaction, saying that the border isnt demarcated or delimitated. A question emerged here, in that case where was that red line passing? Pashinyan said.

He said Armenia clearly formulated the need for a clear response to this question.

This is important not only for Armenia, but also for the CSTO, because to say that there is no border between Armenia and Azerbaijan would mean to say that there is no CSTO, because the CSTO has its area of responsibility, which is marked with borders. If there is no border, then there is no area of responsibility, then there is no responsibility, and subsequently there is no organization, the PM said, adding that even the border between Belarus and Russia and the border between Azerbaijan and Russia arent demarcated.

Now, when Azerbaijan is saying that the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan isnt demarcated and that the border situation escalated because of this, does this mean that for example, hypothetically Azerbaijan could invade Russian territory or Russia could invade Azerbaijani territory and say that the border isnt demarcated?

Pashinyan stressed that the border exists between Armenia and Azerbaijan and these borders are the administrative borders of the Soviet Union which were re-defined as state borders in 1991 and approved by parliaments of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

When people ask whether or not Armenia will leave the CSTO, this is a wrong terming. The question is the following, will the CSTO leave Armenia or not? Or will the CSTO affirm its area of responsibility, its red line in Armenia? the PM said.

The act of aggression against Armenia must be recorded and a clear roadmap for eliminating the act of aggression must be presented. And thus it must affirm the red line, which is affirmed de-jure, which is the cornerstone of the CSTO, the PM said.
Nepali tea producers are increasingly worried about a proposal in India's parliament that could make it much harder for them to sell tea to their giant southern neighbor and most important customer.

The proposal, contained in a June 2022 recommendation from India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, calls for much stricter standards on the certificates of origin required for all Nepali tea imported into India.

Nepali tea exporters say they already face exacting requirements for entry to the Indian market, even when their products have met certification standards maintained by Japan, the United States and the international Certification of Environmental Standards organization.

"There have been constant policy changes that we have to comply [with], which makes it difficult to export tea to India," said Shanta Banskota Koirala, co-owner and managing director of the Kanchanjangha Tea Estate and Research Center.

"Usually there is also a lot of hassle on borders, things such as asking for more documents than what was initially required, and even if provided the required documents, the work doesn't get done on time," Koirala told VOA.

The stakes are high for Nepal, which sells about 90% of its high-grade orthodox tea  loose-leaf tea produced by traditional methods -- and about 50% of its lower-grade crush, tear and curl tea  tea whose leaves have been crushed torn and curled into pellets -- to India. The industry employs almost 200,000 people in Nepal and contributes more than $40 million a year to its economy.

The orthodox tea, grown at higher altitudes in the Himalayan nation, is especially prized around the world, with its taste and quality attributed to the region's climatic conditions, soil, the type of bushes planted and even the quality of the air.

But critics in India accuse the Nepalese exporters of mixing their product with similar-tasting tea from the neighboring Indian region of Darjeeling, which sells in India for a much higher price. The recommendation from the parliamentary committee calls for much stricter measures to ensure that all tea sold from Nepal was indeed grown in Nepal.

For the Nepalese growers, the threat of new bureaucratic hurdles is compounded by indignation over the suggestion that their tea is of lower quality than the Darjeeling variety.

"The comments from the committee on the quality of the tea has hurt the traders and farmers in Nepal," said Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai, executive director of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board Nepal.

"We have raised our concern with the counterpart Indian government officials. We are hopeful that the trade between the two countries will go on smoothly as the two countries share good relation with each other on many fronts including trade," Bhattarai added.

Suresh Mittal, president of the Nepal Tea Producers Association, also rejected the parliamentary committee's complaints, pointing out that the quality of all the tea sold into India is certified by India's Food Safety and Standards Authority.

"Without this proof of origin, we cannot sell even a single leaf abroad. We are exporting tea that has been grown and processed here in Nepal," Mittal insisted.

Mittal said discussions on the proposal are continuing between the two countries, and that, so far, the trade in tea is proceeding smoothly.

"However, sooner or later it can be a problem for the Nepalese tea industry and will have an adverse effect to over 70% of tea industry of Nepal. We have to start looking for alternate markets," he said.
Italy has elected its most right-wing government since the end of World War II, and China watchers are anticipating a different type of relationship between Giorgia Meloni, in position to become Italy's next prime minister, and Beijing based on her comments about Taiwan during her campaign.

Diplomatic issues are not usually the focus of political debate in Italian elections, but analysts noted that before the election, Meloni made a rare statement on Taiwan, voicing opposition to China's military threats to the island. She also said she would promote bilateral contacts between Italy and Taiwan, something Beijing strongly opposes.

In July, Meloni posted on Twitter a pre-election statement on Taiwan. The post showed a photo of her and Taiwan's representative in Italy, Andrea Lee Sing-ying. Meloni called Lee an ambassador. The tweet continued by saying she "always stands alongside those who believe in the values of freedom and democracy."

Taiwan and Italy do not have formal diplomatic relations. Like many other nations, Italy has diplomatic relations with China. Beijing claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and bristles at any official contacts between Taipei and other nations.

Last week, in an interview with Taiwan's official Central News Agency, Meloni said the party that she leads, the Brothers of Italy, would join democratic countries in condemning China's military threat to Taiwan and that the European Union should use all of its diplomatic and political means to exert pressure to avoid conflicts in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan as bridge

Meloni also noted she would deepen exchanges with Taiwan in culture, tourism, public health, scientific research and the semiconductor industry, despite differences in political philosophies with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

Meloni did not specify in which areas she differed with Tsai's philosophies. Tsai is Taiwan's first female president, and Meloni is set to become Italy's first female prime minister, but it is widely known that Tsai supports same-sex marriage, something Meloni opposes.

At a regular briefing this week, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin voiced confidence that ties with Italy would remain strong but urged "certain individuals" in Italy to recognize the "highly sensitive nature" of what Beijing calls the "Taiwan question."

"The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no foreign interference," Wang said. He also cautioned against "sending wrong signals to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."

Guido Alberto Casanova, an associate researcher at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, told VOA Mandarin that as a nationalist, from Italy's far-right, Meloni's adversarial position on China speaks to the need to protect the interest of Italian industries from Chinese takeovers. But her position is also aimed at building up her international credibility, he said.

"She has a very controversial background. She comes from a post-fascist era of Italian politics; she was mutating in the far right.  So, she needs to calm people both in Europe and the United States," he said, speaking with VOA in a phone interview.

"The hot issue, in the United States, at least, is the defense of democracy and human rights. Taiwan, of course, is the key. That's why she needs to present herself as in solidarity with the American support for Taiwan, because she needs to win approval," he said.

Belt and Road in the balance?

The Italian government has long had friendly relations with Beijing and has rarely spoken out on China issues. Chinese state media reports on Italy have mostly been positive.

However, the changes in Italy's political landscape and the dramatic shift in opinion toward China globally, as well as among Italian citizens, could have an effect on relations between Rome and Beijing, analysts said.

One area in question under the new leadership is China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure project that Italy has previously supported.

Italy is the only G-7 country to have signed a memorandum of understanding with China on the BRI. It was signed by then-Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and China's President Xi Jinping during the Chinese leader's visit to Italy in 2019. The document is valid for five years and will remain in force if there are no objections from either side.

The Italian government had hoped the deal with Beijing would boost Italian exports to China. However, some observers said China was more interested in building infrastructure in the country and buying up companies than boosting trade. For her part, Meloni has already voiced skepticism and called the signing of the agreement with China a huge mistake.

"If the memorandum is renewed tomorrow, I hardly see the right political conditions," she said in a September 23 interview with Taiwan's state Central News Agency.

Francesco Sisci, a longtime political analyst of China affairs and a visiting professor at LUISS University in Rome, told VOA Mandarin that the BRI had practically stopped in Italy.

"The Italian government has promised a lot but very little has been carried out  in fact, almost zero. The memorandum is completely empty," Sisci told VOA in a phone interview. "The Belt and Road Memorandum is a failure for both Italy and China. Both sides had a big misunderstanding, so the document should not have been signed."

While Meloni is expected to become the next prime minister of Italy, it will take weeks for the new Italian government to be formed.

Bo Gu contributed to this report.
Kenyan health officials are investigating a suspected case of Ebola in the countrys west near Uganda, where an outbreak of the deadly virus has been blamed for at least 35 cases and seven deaths.



Kenya is on high alert after one patient suspected to have Ebola is being treated at St. Marys Hospital in western Kenya.



St. Marys Hospital administrator Hildah Apwao told reporters the man recently traveled to Uganda and visited a health facility there for treatment of a cut. The man is now in an isolation unit at St. Marys hospital located in Mumias, Kakamega County awaiting laboratory results.



Kenyas neighbor, Uganda, has recorded 35 Ebola cases and seven deaths since the first case was confirmed last week.



The current outbreak of Ebola is attributed to the Ebola Sudan strain and is believed to have started in the Mubende district in central Uganda.



Last week, Kenya issued health guidelines  like screening travelers from Uganda  following the outbreak. East African health experts advised against closing the border to deal with the virus.



Health officials in Kenya called for more awareness about the disease and better follow-up if symptoms are witnessed. Ebola is a disease spread through contact with an infected persons body fluids. Symptoms include body aches, vomiting and internal bleeding.



Uganda recorded the presence of a different strain of the virus in 2019 and the Sudan strain was found in 2012.
Visits to Taiwan by its official and unofficial allies are returning to pre-pandemic levels with increasingly high-level officials and parliamentarians visiting to strengthen ties and show diplomatic support.

While a wave of visits by U.S. legislators followed in the footsteps of a historic trip by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in early August, visitors from other countries such as Japan, Guatemala, Palau, and Tuvalu, and from Europe signal growing interest in Taiwan.

The visits also coincided with several days of Chinese military exercises around Taiwans main island to protest Pelosis visit, raising tensions to some of the highest levels seen since late 1995 and early 1996, when China test-fired missiles across the Taiwan Strait.

While some of these trips may have been planned months in advance, some commentators called the wave of trips the Pelosi effect -- as the Taiwan Strait heats up, officials are eager to show their support for Taiwan or, conversely, that they are tough on China.

Japans conservative party ups its visits

Visits by Japanese politicians to Taiwan have increased since last year, said Sheila Smith, a senior fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, with most hailing from the ruling conservative Liberal Democratic Party.

Last summer, the LDP held its first interparty dialogue with Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party on defense and other issues. Since then, there has been a significant uptick in visitors, Smith told VOA, including former LDP defense ministers.

Delegations of Japanese legislators also visited shortly before and after Pelosis trip to Taiwan and several subsequent days of military exercises staged by China in protest. Smith said these politicians may have hoped to grab some of the spotlight as had their American counterparts.

My sense is as the American congressional delegations are going one after the other after Pelosi, the Japanese decided they need to be in the communications as well and demonstrate their empathy or sympathy with Taiwanese democracy, Smith said.

Taiwans security is also becoming a domestic concern in Japan, as a Chinese attack on Taiwan could quickly affect Japans outlying islands such as Okinawa because of their proximity to Taiwan, said Eleanor Shiori Hughes, a Washington-based analyst who follows Taiwan and Japan. This was underlined in August when Chinese missiles landed in Japans exclusive economic zone nearby, she said.

As the security of Japans outlying islands becomes a domestic issue in Japan, media there reported in mid-August that Tokyo was considered building a civilian evacuation shelter off the southern island of Okinawa citing anonymous government officials.

Europeans returning to pre-pandemic levels

Taiwan is a frequent destination for European visitors and trips are finally returning to their pre-pandemic levels, according to data compiled by China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe, a Prague-based analysis group. Twelve European delegations have visited so far this year, including groups from France, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic between July and September -- around and just after Pelosis trip to Taiwan.

Filip Sebok, China research fellow at the Czech Republic-based Association for International Affairs, said by email that while numbers are still returning to pre-pandemic levels, the tone of the trips has changed as almost any delegation to Taiwan is now a political statement.

Higher-level officials have also started visiting, as well, which since 2020 have included members of the European Parliament with a political interest in Taiwan. Many European legislators have also expressed interest in Taiwans world-famous semiconductor industry as the region tries to solidify their chip reserves amid a global shortage.

Recent trips include one made by Lithuanian Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Agne Vaiciukeviciute in the midst of Chinese military exercises in early August. While the trip was intended to discuss issues like electric buses, China sanctioned Vaiciukeviciute for the trip by suspending all types of exchange with her ministry and suspending all cooperation with LIthuania in the field of international road transport in its latest punitive measure against the tiny Baltic state for befriending Taiwan. China suspended imports from Lithuania last year to punish it for closer ties to Taiwan.

Marcin Jerzewski, head of the Taiwan office of the Center for European Values, said while these visits may be largely symbolic, they help Taiwans soft power diplomacy in Europe.

"This is why MPs are important, Jerzewski told VOA. "They can bring the story of Taiwan back to constituencies and strengthen the importance of Taiwan not only at the elite level but also among individuals and the electorate.

Treaty allies and Pacific security concerns

High-level visits by Taiwans treaty allies, mostly small countries in the Pacific, Caribbean, and Latin America, have also trickled in despite recent tensions with China.

Over the past month, Taipei received visits from the Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Bucaro, Palauan Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior, and Tuvaluan Prime Minister Kausea Natano.

Maintaining ties with even its last few allies is difficult because of pressure from Beijing, said Mihai Sora, a research fellow in the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute in Australia.

In 2019 Beijing snapped up two Pacific allies from Taiwan -- Kiribati and the Solomon Islands  thanks in parts to its deeper pockets.

Its become increasingly difficult for Taiwan to be able to keep up with the bidding war against China for influence in the Pacific, Sora told VOA, with Beijing reportedly offering the Solomon Islands $500 million to cut ties with Taipei.

The issue has taken on a new dimension in the Pacific as China attempts to expand its naval presence and acquire logging, mining, and fishing rights, he said.

Chinas recent security pact with the Solomon Islands also caught countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States off guard, said Mark Harrison, a senior lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Tasmania.

Taiwans relationship with its last four Pacific allies, Palau, Tuvalu, Naru and the Marshall Islands will be watched more closely by Washington and Canberra so that Beijing does not just marginalize Taiwan but also further expand its position in the Pacific, Harrison said.

Harrison told VOA it was important to watch which legislators have been visiting Taiwan as much as who has failed to visit so far. Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited earlier this year, but no sitting Australian officials or legislators have followed in his wake.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to accept a precedent-breaking third term in office at a Communist Party summit in October, a new study of global public opinion trends shows how views of China in the United States and other advanced economies have declined throughout his tenure.

In recent years, those declining views worsened following Beijings mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the Pew Research Center.

Xi took office in 2012, when global public opinion of China had been relatively consistent. Then in 2017, polls indicated that opinion started to significantly worsen, with the most dramatic declines coming from 2019 to 2020. Researchers attributed the drop in favorability to concerns about military power and human rights issues.

The places where people are particularly concerned about China's involvement in their domestic politics; or China's neighbors, which are particularly concerned about China's military; or places that view China's human rights as a particular problem tend to have more negative views of China, Laura Silver, co-author of the report and senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, told VOA Mandarin.

Views of Xis leadership

Xi, 69, appears set to win another term as Chinas top leader at the Chinese Communist Party congress that begins in Beijing on October 16.

Views of Xi started as quite negative in 2014, just a year after he took office, and have become increasingly negative in recent years, Washington-based Pew said.

Xi's tenure has involved a number of controversies, including China's military expansion in the South China Sea, the suppression of mass pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, human rights abuses against Uyghurs and the increasing consolidation of Xi's personal power.

By 2022, majorities in all but two advanced economies surveyed by Pew had little to no confidence in his approach to world affairs. In Australia, France, Sweden and Japan, more than half of respondents had no confidence at all in Xi. But in Malaysia and Singapore, more than 60 percent of respondents said they had confidence in Xi.

He's not doing particularly well relative to the other leaders that we asked about, Silver said. We asked on this particular survey about [American] President Biden, [French] President Macron and [German] Chancellor Scholz. What we found is that he is much less popular than those three leaders in almost every country that we surveyed. The only leader he's quite a bit more popular than is [Russian President] Putin.

Chinas zero-COVID pandemic policy is also blamed for negative views of China and the lack of confidence in Xi. In 2020, around half or more in every country surveyed thought China had handled the pandemic poorly. In the U.S., Sweden, Denmark, Australia, South Korea and Japan, two-thirds or more of respondents felt this way.

Silver noted that since the original survey, although Chinas strict COVID policies appear to have been more effective in containing the spread of COVID-19, this has not led to an overall positive view of China among respondents.

China as an economic superpower

Despite China's economic rise and growing overseas investments, Beijing's international image has not become more positive, according to Pew.

In Australia, for example, 53 percent of respondents in 2020 considered China to be one of the worlds dominant economic powers. This does not seem to correlate with popularity, with this year's poll showing that 86 percent of those surveyed held unfavorable views of China.

China is a top trading partner for the U.S., but 82 percent of the U.S. respondents held a negative view of China this year, up from 79 percent in 2020. This number was higher than in most countries surveyed.

For many advanced economies, including the U.S. and Australia as well as Japan and South Korea, economic competition with China was seen as a serious problem, according to Pew.

Chinas human rights was the issue that concerned people most. In the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan and every European country surveyed, a majority of respondents has consistently said, since the question was first asked in 2008, that the Chinese government does not respect the personal freedoms of its people.

In nearly all places surveyed, those who see Chinas human rights policies as a very serious problem are more likely to favor promoting human rights regardless of economic consequences.

Countries that are geographically close to China generally have a more negative view of China, citing China's military expansion and its interference in their domestic politics.

More than 80 percent of respondents in the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and South Korea said they were very or somewhat concerned about military conflict with China.

Most respondents, however, did not conflate their attitudes toward the Chinese government with their attitudes toward the Chinese people.

The survey noted that respondents are generally referring to Chinas leadership or government, not the people, when thinking about China.

The people are basically good, but leader Xi is too controlling and should not be in power this long, said a U.S. respondent to Pew.
Ukraine said Sunday it has taken full control of Lyman, the eastern logistics hub that was part of the territory Russian President Vladimir Putin had illegally claimed last week was now part of Russia.

Lyman is fully cleared, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared in a short video clip on his Telegram channel.

Russia did not comment Sunday on the fate of Lyman but said Saturday that its troops were retreating from the area because it feared Ukrainian forces were about to encircle them. Russia had captured Lyman in May and had used it as a logistics and transportation hub for its operations in the north of the Donetsk region.

Russias loss of Lyman was its biggest battlefield defeat since Ukrainian forces last month swept through the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine, pushing Russian forces back toward their border.

David Petraeus, a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency director, told ABCs This Week show, that Putin is going to continue to lose on the battlefield. The only question, he said, is when larger Russian units start to surrender.



Petraeus said that even Putins threatened use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine wont change this.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio told CNNs State of the Union show, There really is no way for Russia to win this war. But Rubio said he worries that Putin could attack Western supply depots helping Ukraine in such NATO countries as Poland that could lead to a wider conflict, assuming Western allies respond to any attack on a fellow NATO member.

Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region that neighbors Donetsk, said control over Lyman could give Ukraine help in reclaiming lost territory in his region, which Moscow announced in early July that it had captured.

The Lyman takeover by Ukraine came swiftly despite Putins declaration, in an elaborate ceremony at the Kremlin Friday, that his government was proclaiming to annex four regions of Ukraine, about a fifth of the land territory of its neighbor, an independent country since 1991 that was once part of the Soviet Union.

Putins action was illegal under international law and widely condemned by Ukraine, along with the U.S. and its Western allies that have been supplying armaments to the Kyiv government in its seven-month fight against Moscows invasion.

Britains Defense Ministry said in an intelligence update posted on Twitter Sunday that the Russian force that retreated from Lyman "probably experienced heavy casualties as it withdrew along the only road out of the town still in Russian hands.

The update also said: The withdrawal has led to a further wave of public criticism of Russias military leadership by senior officials. . . Further losses of territory in illegally occupied territories will almost certainly lead to an intensification of this public criticism and increase the pressure on senior commanders.

Video posted on social media Saturday showed Ukrainian soldiers on the outskirts of the city waving a flag, with one soldier saying, Lyman will be Ukraine. Since May, its railroad hub has been used by Russia as a key logistical area to support thousands of its soldiers fighting in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said Russian forces killed at least 20 people, including 10 children, in an attack on a convoy carrying people fleeing northeastern Ukraine. The report could not be independently verified.

The reported attack follows a missile strike on another civilian convoy in the Zaporizhzhia province Friday in which 30 people were killed and scores were wounded.

Britains Defense Ministry said Saturday the missile used in Fridays attack was likely a Russian long-range air defense missile being used in a ground attack role.

The ministry said in an intelligence report posted on Twitter the use of the high-value resource in the ground attack near Zaporizhzhia has almost certainly been driven by overall munitions shortages, particularly longer-range precision missiles.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Several people in a violent crowd attempted to enter the Iranian Embassy in Oslo, police said Thursday, with scuffles breaking out and rocks being thrown at officers. Authorities said 90 people had been detained.

A crowd had gathered outside the diplomatic mission in Oslo to protest the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody in Iran after she was detained by Iran's morality police. Several were shouting, others had Kurdish flags around their shoulders. Some called for freedom for Kurdistan, women's freedom and shouted the name of Amini.

Police in the Norwegian capital said "many people were behaving violently."

Amini was arrested for allegedly breaking headscarf rules and died on Sept. 16. The Iranian police said she died of a heart attack and wasn't mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account. The Oslo clashes came as protests over her death spread across dozens of Iranian cities, towns and villages.
A powerful suicide bomb explosion ripped through a packed classroom in Afghanistans capital, Kabul, early Friday, killing at least 19 students and injuring 27 others.

Victims in the incident include girls. Witnesses and police officials said the bombing occurred inside the Kaaj Education Center in the western Dash-e-Barchi area of the city, a predominantly Hazara Shiite neighborhood.

Khalid Zadran, a Kabul police spokesperson, confirmed the casualties to VOA and denounced the violence. He said that Taliban security forces had reached the area and an investigation is under way.

"Students were preparing for an entry exam when a suicide bomber struck the educational center. Unfortunately, 19 people have been martyred and 27 others wounded," Zadran said.

Survivors told local media there were 400 boys and girls, separated by a curtain, in line with Taliban instructions, taking a mock university entrance exam when the bomber hit them. They reported a much higher death toll and said the bomber blew himself up near the girls section.



The Islamist Taliban have barred grade seven to grade 12 girls from resuming secondary schools, but they have opened public and private universities across Afghanistan for female students seeking higher education.

An official at Kaaj educational center told VOA on condition of anonymity that at least 25 students were killed and 35 others wounded.

No one immediately took responsibility for the bombing.

Social media videos and photos showed bloodied victims being carried away from the scene to nearby hospitals.

The head of the U.S. diplomatic mission to Afghanistan condemned Fridays attack. Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear, Charge d'Affaires Karen Decker said on Twitter. We hope for a swift recovery for the victims & we grieve with the families of the deceased.

UNICEF said it was appalled by the horrific attack and denounced as never acceptable violence in or around education establishments.

This heinous act claimed the lives of dozens of adolescent girls and boys and severely injured many more, UNICEF tweeted.

The local offshoot of the self-proclaimed, Sunni-based, Islamic State group, known as Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, has previously claimed credit for plotting such attacks in the area and elsewhere in Afghanistan.

ISIS-K has intensified its extremist activities in the country since the Taliban seized power in August of last year, when all U.S.-led foreign troops withdrew from Afghanistan after almost 20 years of war.

Shiite Hazara Afghans are seen as the most persecuted community in the country. In April, bomb blasts at two educational institutions in Dasht-e-Barchi killed six people and injured 20 others.

Just before the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year, several bombs exploded simultaneously near a school in the same area, killing at least 85 people, mostly girls who were students, and wounding 300 others.
The Taliban say they will arrest and try for "treason" anyone using Afghanistan's soil against Pakistan or other countries, as skepticism grows over the Islamist group's counterterrorism assurances to the world at large.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued the warning in a VOA interview, amid a recent spike in cross-border terrorist attacks that have killed dozens of Pakistani security personnel.

The latest attack took place on Friday when "terrorists from inside Afghanistan" opened fire on Pakistani troops, killing one soldier, according to a Pakistani military statement.

Officials in Islamabad believe that since seizing power in Kabul a year ago, the Taliban have turned a blind eye to activities of their Pakistani offshoot, the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)  also known as the Pakistani Taliban  operating out of Afghan sanctuaries.

The Taliban reject the allegation and have hosted talks between Pakistani and TTP negotiators in recent months to try to broker a peace deal between the adversaries. But the effort has not eased the terrorism threat originating in Afghanistan and the peace process seemingly has fallen apart.

'Treason'

"Whoever is present here, they aren't allowed to carry out any such activities because they have assured us, they would not threaten another country," Mujahid told VOA in his Kabul office earlier this month when asked for a response to allegations TTP insurgents enjoy greater operational freedom and mobility since the Taliban returned to power.

The spokesman argued the Taliban's return following the withdrawal of the United States and allied troops has brought an end to the two-decade war and peace to much of Afghanistan. But Mujahid acknowledged that border security remains a challenge for Taliban forces.

"Afghanistan and Pakistan are separated by a long (boundary) line running through mountains and treacherous territory. There are even sections where our forces have not yet established a foothold or need air support to secure them," he said.

"It is quite possible some people might be taking advantage of this situation. And if so, these people are committing treason against Afghanistan first. They must be hunted, arrested and punished," Mujahid stressed.

"We are seriously committed to this issue and assure Pakistan that our soil will not be used against them. They (Pakistan) should also need to make sure their territory is not used to harm us," he said.

The border between the two countries is more than 2,600 kilometers long. Kabul disputes the demarcation with Pakistan drawn up by 19th-century British colonial rulers and called the Durand Line.

Islamabad rejects the objection, saying it inherited the international border after Pakistan gained independence from Britain in 1947.

Pakistani officials, however, downplay concerns that the TTP factor threatens to disrupt ties between the two countries, describing the relationship as "positive and thriving" despite frustrations over counterterrorism cooperation.

Pakistan notes that the Taliban have only recently returned to power after two decades and face serious governance as well as financial challenges, saying they need time and political space to address counterterrorism and issues related to human rights of Afghans, especially women.

Engaging Taliban

Funding for Afghanistan has dried up because no country has recognized the Islamist group as the legitimate rulers of the country, citing its restrictions on women's rights to education and work, among other human rights issues.

"The answer has to be engagement," Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told an event organized by Washington's Wilson Center on Wednesday, when asked for his response to the resurgent TTP threat originating in Taliban-governed Afghanistan.

"We have to build their (the Taliban's) capacity to take on these terrorist groups before we can give a definitive verdict on whether they have demonstrated the will to do so," Zardari said.

Pakistan has maintained closed ties with the Islamist Taliban since they first ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.

While U.S. and former Afghan government leaders accused the Pakistani military of covertly supporting Taliban insurgents in the years that followed, the Pakistani Taliban  designated a terrorist group by the U.S. and United Nations  provided recruits and safe havens on Pakistani soil for the insurgency.

The new rulers in Kabul now appear to be returning the favor by refusing to crack down on TTP leaders, as Pakistan has requested. Instead, they have urged both Islamabad and TTP to revert to talks to find a resolution.

Common ideology

Critics remain skeptical that the Taliban would use force against their Pakistani offshoot, noting they share a common ideology, with the TTP leadership renewing its allegiance to Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada after his group took over Kabul last year.

The revelation that deceased al-Qaida leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri had been staying in a safe house in the heart of Kabul also has fueled fears the Taliban are reluctant to cut ties with terrorist groups that supported their insurgent operations over the years. Al-Zawahiri was killed in a U.S. drone strike in July.

Trade links

Despite prevailing skepticism, Pakistan says it has taken a series of measures in recent months to boost economic cooperation with Afghanistan and will continue to do so. The policy has tilted the balance of trade in favor of the crisis-ridden country for the first time in the history of bilateral ties.

The change is attributed mainly to increased purchases of Afghan coal in the wake of rising global prices in a bid to reduce Pakistan's dependence on expensive supplies from South Africa.

Traders say about 10,000 metric tons of coal is being exported daily to Pakistan, helping the Taliban generate much needed revenue to govern the country.

A high-level Pakistani delegation is expected to visit Afghanistan next month to discuss whether daily coal imports could be raised to around 30,000 metric tons to meet Pakistan's estimated monthly needs of at least 1 million metric tons.

Taliban spokesman Mujahid echoed Pakistani assertions that sustained Afghan peace and economic stability can help counter "spoilers" threatening peace in both countries.
Thailand's top court ruled Friday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha can keep his job at least until next year's elections, settling a legal dispute that echoes the country's deep political fault lines and dashing the opposition's latest bid to remove the 2014 coup leader from office.

The military-drafted constitution of 2017 caps a prime minister's time in the job at eight years.

In a 6-3 decision, the Constitutional Court said the clock on Prayut's time in office started ticking Aug. 6, 2017, the day the charter took effect. The court had suspended him from the job when it took up the case last month.

Friday's ruling both reinstates Prayut and clears the way for the ex-general to run for reelection in polls set for May and, should he win, to serve until 2025. He won a disputed vote for prime minister in parliament in 2019 thanks to the votes of senators appointed by his own junta.

"The tenure of the accused [Prayut] from April 6, 2017, to August 24, 2022, has not reached its limit and the court rules by a majority vote that his premiership has not ended in accordance with the 2017 constitution," the court said Friday.

August 24, 2022, was the day the opposition parties that filed the court case say Prayut's term should have ended. That's exactly eight years after he was officially endorsed by then-King Bhumibol Adulyadej as prime minister of the military leadership that toppled an elected government months earlier. The parties argued that his years at the helm of the junta should count toward the eight-year cap.

Legal experts in the opposition's corner also pointed to a clause in the constitution that says the cabinet in place just before the charter takes effect  the prime minister included  will remain the cabinet just after it takes effect and until the next election, implying continuity.

Prayut's boosters disagreed. They argued that the years before the constitution took effect could not count toward the eight years and that his official time in office started either in 2017 with the new constitution or in 2019, after the elections.

In a Facebook post just after the ruling, Prayut thanked his supporters and said he would focus his efforts on developing the country.

Prayut's legal adviser, Wira Rojanawas, said his client would return to his full duties as prime minister Monday and urged his critics to respect the court's verdict, according to local media.

Spokespersons for the government did not immediately answer VOA's calls or answer requests for comment.

'Disappointed but not surprised'

Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward, one of the parties that filed the case, told VOA he was "disappointed but not surprised" by the court's decision. He counts three prior occasions in which the court, most of whose members were appointed since the coup, has saved Prayut from having to step down.

In 2019 it rejected a case claiming Prayut was a state official while heading the junta, which would have disqualified him from running for prime minister earlier that year. It also upheld his right to live in army housing even after leaving the military and bowed out of deciding whether he was a legitimate prime minister despite failing to recite the full oath of office after the 2019 elections.

Prayut's critics accuse him of toppling a legitimate government in 2014 and ruling with an iron fist even after the 2019 polls.

In the wake of that election, several pro-democracy activists were beaten in public by masked men in a spate of attacks that have yet to be solved. Academics, advocates and activists especially critical of the government have reportedly had their phones hacked with sophisticated Israeli spyware  only other governments are believed to possess though the Thai government has denied any involvement.

Through much of 2020, mass protests rocked the capital, Bangkok, with calls for Prayut to resign and for reform of the monarchy, which critics accuse of helping to prop up his military and civilian governments. Police repeatedly used rubber bullets, water cannons and pepper spray to push back protesters. Hundreds have been arrested and charged with crimes. Authorities said they were using proportionate force to maintain order.

But Pita said the court's decision Friday portends more of the same.

"If nothing is done ... it's total chaos in terms of abuse of power, in terms of rule of law, as well as economic conditions here in Thailand," he said. "It means that a majority of politicians are too concentrated or focused on remaining in power."

Focus on upcoming elections

Analysts say anti-government protests, which died down as the COVID-19 pandemic dragged on, may pick up again, but only slightly, and won't reach the pitch of 2020.

Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of the political science faculty at Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani University, said opposition parties will not want to encourage the protests either, for fear of triggering another coup.

"The opposition, like Pheu Thai and Move Forward, they are also focusing on elections, so I don't think they would want to put too much energy [into] mobilizing a large-scale protest ... because it could also set a pretext for military intervention like what we have seen in the past," he said.

But Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, a lecturer and constitutional law expert at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, said opposition parties could still use the court's decisions from Friday and earlier to build support.

"The opposition parties [are] going to capitalize on all these decisions and ask the people to vote Prayut out," he said.

That assumes Prayut will run, as some analysts expect him to. While his party, Palang Pracharath, has not yet named its candidate for prime minister, Prayut himself has hinted at making another run.

It won't help his case that he will be able to serve only half the four-year term, Khemthong said. Then again, he added, the same junta-appointed Senate that helped vote Prayut into office in 2019 could help either keep him there or vote in someone else of the military's liking in 2023.

"So, a change in [the] government is not like a shift or a change in the regime," he said.


YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on a question regarding the unblocking of connections in the region.

In an interview with Public Television, addressing Russian Deputy PM Alexey Overchuks statement that the negotiations of the trilateral task force has never included and cant include anything on any extraterritorial corridor violating sovereignty of any party, the PM said that he fully agrees with Overchuk and there is nothing in his statement that he would like to proofread.

The PM said this issue wouldve been long solved if Azerbaijan hadnt continuously made aggressive statements showing that despite the working groups content Azerbaijan is trying to put territorial claims against Armenia. What is this narrative about the corridor? Also the Western Zangezur narrative, if there is Eastern Zangezur, it means there is also Western Zangezur, that kind of narrative is this? Pashinyan said.

He cited the November 9 trilateral statements 9th clause.

Not only are we ready, but we also want this very much. In order for our desire to be clearly expressed, we also have a name for the project, the Armenian Crossroad project. We are doing this to show that we consider this work important, our own. There must be consent over legal procedures of commissioning the roads. There is principled consent that the roads will function under the sovereignty of the countries through which they pass. This means that border control must be in place at the border, and customs control. And there is the disclosure of these mechanisms, on how to conduct passport control and customs control, the PM said.

Pashinyan said Azerbaijan doesnt present any objections around this on the working level. However, there are nuances.

For example, Azerbaijan says since there is an acute conflict situation they dont want their citizens to deal with Armenian border guards or customs officers while crossing the border into Armenia. And we tell them that we dont want it too, given the conflict situation we dont want the Armenian citizens to encounter an Azerbaijani border guard or customs officer while crossing the border into Azerbaijan. How do we solve this issue? We have institutional possibilities for solving this issue, for example Russian border guards can be deployed on the border. In case of Azerbaijan this principle will be violated, will Russian border guards be deployed there too? If there will be Azerbaijani border guards deployed there it means the principle gets violated, Pashinyan said.

He said Armenia has offered a solution. We have offered, for example, let Armenia and Azerbaijan outsource the border and customs services for each others citizens. There are countries in Europe where customs control is conducted not by the customs service but other specialized organizations. The same can be done for border control, Pashinyan said.

It is unclear if Azerbaijan agrees to this.

He said there is seemingly consent that road toll must be charged and the transit of certain items will be banned.
As protests in Iran over the death of a young woman in police custody spread to about 80 cities, authorities have responded by arresting protesters and journalists, many of them women.

As of Friday, media rights groups tracking the arrests of journalists who covered the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, and the ensuing protests have documented the detention of at least 28 journalists.

"With the current crisis  the protests after Mahsa Amini's death  we have seen an unprecedented stifling of the press, and we see women to be one of the primary targets," said Kiran Nazish, founding director of the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ), a grassroots organization that focuses on the protection of women and LGBTQ journalists.

Nazish told VOA that although CFWIJ has been able to confirm the location of several of the imprisoned journalists, "we don't even know which authorities took" the others.

In Iran, she said, "journalists are being imprisoned and then they just disappear."

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which is also tracking arrests, has said that many are taken from their homes at night by agents who do not provide court documents or arrest warrants. Many of those detained have not been formally charged.

Others targeted

Reporters are not the only ones targeted. The Iranian Human Rights Organization, a nonprofit based in Norway, has reported that at least 83 protesters have been killed and thousands arrested.

Security agents have fired into crowds with live ammunition, and families have been threatened with legal action to prevent them from speaking out about the deaths, the organization reported.

Iran's mission to the United Nations did not respond to VOA's email requesting comment.

Internet blackouts and the blocking of social media apps have made it difficult to get information from Iran.

"The regime does not want news of their brutal crackdown to get out," Yeganeh Rezaian, senior researcher at CPJ, told VOA. "They don't want people to be connected with each other and with the outside world."

Despite restrictions, the CPJ and CFWIJ have been working to protect journalists and to ensure the rest of the world sees what's happening.

For the CFWIJ that has meant working directly with journalists and activists on the ground in Iran who are connected to the local communities. Nazish said that because of the increased threats, her contacts have had to change locations and use assumed names.

Lack of authorities' response

Even before the protests, advocating for imprisoned journalists in Iran was much different from what CFWIJ is able to do in the 127 other countries where it works.

Typically, lawyers are the main line of communication, but in Iran they are often kept from speaking to journalists.

"One of the biggest challenges, even before this moment that we're in right now, has been that Iranian authorities don't respond. You can't get in and you can't talk to the journalist no matter how much we push back," Nazish told VOA.

Appealing to opposition leaders and members of the government are also nearly impossible because of state control. "The only people who are there as stakeholders are other activists, who are also under threat," Nazish said.

And moving at-risk journalists to a safer country is problematic.

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the CFWIJ was able to safely evacuate 402 journalists.

But in Iran, removing people has not been an option. There, authorities often confiscate documentation from detained journalists, preventing them from obtaining passports even after they are freed.

Prior to the protests and arrests, Iran was already on CFWIJ's radar for its treatment of women.

Female journalists faced salary disparities, restrictions on the stories they could cover, gender-based attacks on social media, threats to family members and physical violence, said Nazish.

"Women journalists don't really work in an industry that is very advantageous for them," Nazish told VOA. "It's not that they're enjoying a thriving career as a journalist in Iran. They're doing it because they care about democracy, equity, civil society. They care about their rights as women, they care about what's happening to the people of Iran, and they are committed to that work."

An Iranian journalist living in the United States, Rezaian of CPJ, said that women's voices are essential in countries like Iran and Afghanistan where men "may not necessarily be welcomed or allowed in all female sections of that community."

Years of repression

The current protests in Iran have been led by women and come after decades of repression.

"In the last 44 years, the Islamic Republic has tried to put women to the sideline and treat them as second-class citizens," said Mahtab Divsalar, senior editor of Zamaneh Media. The independent Persian-language news organization is based in Amsterdam.

"They just want to reduce the face of women from society. They're doing this with their laws that they are imposing, with their propaganda, and also with their own narrative," Divsalar said.

Divsalar, who spent eight years reporting in Iran before leaving for the U.S. and later Amsterdam, said the current protests are not just about the compulsory wearing of the hijab. Women are fighting for other basic rights, including the rights to divorce and to receive equal inheritance.

The journalist has reported for several news outlets, including VOA Persian.

Rezaian of CPJ also believes that a lack of social and press freedoms as well as human rights abuses and economic pressure have contributed to the current situation in Iran.

"All these led to an environment of suffocation that the younger generation doesn't want to tolerate anymore," she said.

Nazish believes it will take "international pressure" to ensure imprisoned journalists in Iran are released.

"Essentially, Iran wants to stifle the press," Nazish told VOA. "They don't want massive media coverage of what women are talking about  they don't want a civil society that is mobilized  and they want to silence the press that is trying to cover that."
As U.S. border officials report high numbers of Cuban migrants hoping to enter the country at the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) told VOA more than 10,000 people are in the pipeline of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program.

CFRP provides a pathway to the United States for certain Cubans with approved family-based immigrant petitions.

"Expanding access to lawful migration pathways offers migrants safe and orderly alternatives to irregular migration and its numerous dangers and indignities," a USCIS spokesperson wrote in an email to VOA.

This means resuming operations of the CFRP program where Cubans living in the U.S. as American citizens or legal permanent residents can petition certain family members who then receive an invitation letter and are allowed to apply for parole in the United States.

With approved parole, these family members are then allowed to travel to the United States. Once in the U.S., CFRP program beneficiaries can apply for employment authorization while they wait to apply for permanent residency status.

New invitations have not been issued since September 2016.

"(USCIS) is collaborating closely with interagency partners to effectively rebuild the capacity in Havana needed to conduct CFRP program interviews.  We are not issuing new invitation letters at this time as we work through the pending caseload. USCIS will update its website and make public announcements when it issues the next round of CFRP program invitation notices," the spokesperson wrote.

But even with a family reunification path to the U.S. available, border officials at the U.S.-Mexico border reported 178,000 Cubans were encountered crossing the border in the fiscal year 2022.

The current exodus has surpassed the number of Cubans fleeing the island during the Mariel boatlift in 1980 and the Balsero crisis in 1994.

"[This] is the result of multiple causes," Maria Espinosa, an economist and foreign policy expert at the Center for Democracy in the Americas, told VOA. She said this particular flow "is being impacted by the government's repressive reaction to the July 11 [in 2021] protests and the aftermath. With the detention and harassment of civil society and the censorship of independent media, we're seeing many young Cubans migrate."

Espinosa is talking about demonstrations in Cuba last year where the population took to the streets in dozens of cities to demand changes in living conditions, urging solutions to shortages of food, medicine and personal hygiene items. They were also fighting constant blackouts and lack of electricity on the island.

Immigration to the US

While some migrants have the option to be sponsored by family members, others choose often dangerous paths to reach the United States.

On Thursday, U.S. Chief Patrol Agent Walter Slosar said on Twitter that nine Cuban migrants were safely located and rescued after border patrol officers responded to a call of Cuban migrants landing on Stock Island, Florida.

Two migrants swam to shore after their vessel sank due to inclement weather. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing for 14 other Cuban migrants who are still missing.

Cubans, who often arrive in the U.S. by crossing at the southern border without authorization, face a lower risk of being deported or expelled under Title 42  a public health authority that has been used to block asylum to thousands of migrants of other nationalities due to COVID-19.

Ricardo Torres, a Cuban economist and research fellow at the American University, said Cuban authorities were expecting an important recovery in 2022. But with recent events, including a massive fire in August that worsened blackouts and the effects of the pandemic, recovery is happening "very slowly."

"So slowly, that it is not really making a difference in the lives of ordinary Cubans.  Part of the reaction to that crisis. is, you know, leaving the country, essentially," Torres said.

Torres explained that between 2014 and 2016, the changes under the Obama administration allowed for a generation of Cuban entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities and develop businesses. But by 2019, the enthusiasm to start new businesses or invest in new ventures was gone as significant restrictions were enacted under the Trump administration.

"We're talking about a situation that started roughly in 2018. So, it's been already a number of years in which Cubans are seeing their living standards dropping, and more importantly, right now, they don't see a way out of this crisis. They don't see the light at the end of the tunnel," Torres said.

While addressing world leaders at the recent U.N. General Assembly, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said, "The Cuban economy has withstood extraordinary pressure, which is having an impact on industry service provision, leading to scarcity in food and medicine, and leading to a decline in consumption and thus resulting in a decline in the general well-being of our people."

Rodriguez commended the return of visa processing at the U.S. embassy in Havana and reiterated Cuba's readiness to move toward better relations with the United States.

Besides reinstating the family reunification program, in May, the Biden administration announced a series of measures to restore engagement with Cuba, including an increase in capacity for consular services at the U.S. embassy in Havana to process immigration services, authorization of flights from U.S. destinations to cities in Cuba other than Havana and removal of limits on remittances established under the Trump administration.

Staffing limitations still mean some people applying for immigrant and nonimmigrant U.S. visas have to travel to the U.S. embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, the closest country that does not require visas for Cubans.

On Sept. 21, the U.S. government announced for the first time since 2017, full immigrant visa process in Havana will resume in early 2023.

Although Cuban experts called the measures "good news," they said they hope the administration continues to expand opportunities for the private sector and provide more pathways for Cubans to migrate in safe, humane and orderly conditions.

"But we need to keep working with Congress to make [these] changes more permanent," Espinosa, of the Center for Democracy in the Americas, said.
Ukraines bid to fast-track its efforts to join NATO, following Russias annexation of four more Ukrainian territories, is being met with caution in Brussels and Washington, where top officials are trying to shift the focus to their unwavering support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted video to social media Friday that shows him signing a formal bid for an accelerated membership with the Western alliance.

"De facto, we have already made our way to NATO," Zelenskyy said in a statement that accompanied the video. "Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure."



But when asked during a briefing whether the alliance would move quickly on the application, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg demurred.

"Our focus now is on providing immediate support to Ukraine, to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian brutal invasion," Stoltenberg told reporters.

"That is the main focus and the main effort of NATO allies as we speak," he added, saying such support would be forthcoming "for as long as it takes."

Officials with NATO and NATO member countries have long said that sovereign nations, like Ukraine, should have the freedom to seek membership in the alliance. And this past June, Ukraine attended a NATO heads of state and government summit in Madrid.



There has been no rush, however, to grant Ukraine full membership.

"Our view is that the best way for us to support Ukraine is through practical on the ground support in Ukraine, and that the process in Brussels should be taken up at a different time," White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Friday.

Russia has repeatedly called the possibility of NATO expansion an existential threat, while arguing prior to its invasion of Ukraine in February that Ukrainian membership in NATO would be a provocation.

Western and U.S. officials, though, argue Russias actions have had the opposite effect, with Sweden and Finland moving to join NATO in July.

The U.S. Senate approved NATO membership for the two countries in August. Only Hungary and Turkey still must ratify their applications for membership.
A report by the U.N. human rights office finds systemic racism against people of African descent is deep-rooted and says urgent measures are needed to dismantle discriminatory systems.

It took the death of a Black man, George Floyd, 46, at the hands of a police officer in the United States in May 2020 to draw global attention to the problem of systemic racism. There was a groundswell of global support in the immediate aftermath of the event, which has since largely fizzled out.



The United Nations reports some countries have taken steps to address racism. But those, for the most part, have been piecemeal. They fall short of what is needed to dismantle the entrenched, societal racism that has existed for centuries.



U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani says people of African descent in many countries have less access to health, food and education, and they often are victims of enforced disappearance and violence.



She says the U.N. report finds African migrants and migrants of African descent are victims of excessive use of force and killings by law enforcement officials. She says they are subject to punitive drug policies and arrests and are overly represented in prisons.

Where available, the data continues to point to disproportionately high rates of death of people of African descent by law enforcement in different countries," Shamdasani said. "And families of African descent continue to report the immense challenges, barriers and protracted processes that they face in their pursuit of truth and justice for the deaths of their relatives.

The report focuses in detail on seven cases of police-related fatalities of people of African descent. They include the cases of Floyd and Breonna Taylor, an African American medical worker shot and killed by police in March 2020.



Shamdasani said their families are still seeking justice, as are the families of five other people of African descent killed by police agents in France, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Colombia.



A year later, the report states that while there has been some progress toward accountability in some of these emblematic cases, unfortunately, not a single case has yet been brought to a full conclusion, she said.

Shamdasani said the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been mandated by the U.N. Human Rights Council to follow the issue. She said the office would be producing annual reports on progress and on new violations that come to light.
Editor's note: Here is a fast take on what the international community has been up to this past week, as seen from the United Nations perch.

Ukraines Zelenskyy briefs Security Council

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the U.N. Security Council Tuesday that Russia must be completely isolated internationally for its sham referendums in his country. In a video briefing to the council, he warned such a move would destroy the possibility of any peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy to UN: Isolate Russia

On Friday, President Putin held a ceremony in Moscow to officially annex the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraines east and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in its south. Later in the day, Russia used its veto at the U.N. Security Council to block a resolution brought by the United States and Albania condemning the sham referendums and Russias illegal attempt to annex Ukrainian territory. Brazil, China, Gabon and India abstained in the vote.



As this article was published Friday afternoon, the Security Council was about to be briefed on leaks that appeared earlier this week in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that carry gas from Russia to Europe. Russia requested the briefing. Ahead of the meeting, the U.N. ambassadors of Sweden and Denmark sent a joint letter to the U.N. Security Council president. They said two massive explosions probably corresponding to an explosive load of several hundred kilos caused the leaks. They assess that those explosions are the result of a deliberate act. The two countries are investigating.

More on the leaks from the Nord Stream pipeline here:

Mystery Leaks from Pipelines Bubble Up in Baltic Sea

Human rights office calls for release of Russian anti-draft protesters

Russian President Vladimir Putins military call-up last week has sent tens of thousands of Russian men fleeing the country. Thousands of Russians have also taken to the streets in several cities to protest the mobilization of 300,000 men to fight in Ukraine. As of Wednesday, nearly 2,400 protesters had reportedly been arrested. The U.N. human rights office is calling for their release.

UN Calls for Release of Russian Draft Protesters

Secretary-General calls for prompt investigation into death of Iranian woman

Secretary-General Antonio-Guterres called Tuesday for a prompt, impartial and effective investigation into the death of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old woman died in Iranian police custody after she was detained for not covering her hair properly. Massive street protests have erupted in more than a dozen Iranian cities and around the globe following her death, to which security forces have reacted with force. Guterres office said he stressed to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a meeting on September 22 the need to respect human rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. The U.N. human rights office also condemned the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against the protesters.

UN Rights Officials Condemn Violent Crackdown on Protesters in Iran

Security Council considering new sanctions on Haitian gang leaders

Mexico and the United States are working on a draft resolution to sanction the criminal gangs who have been seeking to exploit a political vacuum since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise at his home in the capital on July 7, 2021. Haitis foreign minister welcomed the action at a council meeting on Monday. The gangs have paralyzed the Caribbean nation, terrorizing civilians, blocking main roads and looting aid warehouses.

UN Security Council Considering Sanctions on Haitian Gang Leaders



In brief



 Secretary-General Guterres deplored a powerful suicide bombing Friday that ripped through a packed classroom in Afghanistans capital, Kabul, killing and injuring more than 60 mostly female students of the Hazara Shia minority. Guterres said the Taliban must protect the rights of all Afghans  regardless of ethnicity or gender  to access education safely and securely. UNICEF said in a statement that schools must be havens of peace and the U.N. mission in Afghanistan said education must be prejudice and violence-free. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

 The U.N. chief also condemned Mondays deadly attack on a convoy carrying vital supplies to the town of Djibo, in Burkina Faso. The attack happened near Gaskinde, in Burkinas Sahel region. Eleven troops, who were among those escorting the aid convoy, were killed and dozens of civilians are missing. Armed groups affiliated with al-Qaida and Islamic State terror groups operate in the area. Burkina Faso is in dire humanitarian condition, with nearly a fifth of the population in need of assistance. As of June, 1.5 million people were displaced from increasing insecurity in the country.

 The General Assembly on Tuesday approved U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi for another 2.5-year term. Grandi served his first five-year term from January 2016-2020. When the secretary-general wanted to recommend his reappointment for a second five-year term, Grandi suggested a shorter one, but has since agreed to extend to the full five years. His tenure will now continue through December 31, 2025.

 The World Health Organization said Tuesday that cases and fatalities are rising quickly from a highly contagious strain of the Ebola virus in Uganda. On September 20, WHO declared an outbreak from the Sudan virus (SUDV) in the country. It is the first time in 10 years that strain has been detected in Uganda. As of September 25, WHO recorded 36 confirmed and probable cases in three districts. There have been 23 deaths.

 Thursday was the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. The U.N. Environment Program says more than 930 million tons of food waste were generated in 2019  about 20% of available food. The waste levels are similar in rich and poor countries alike. Food waste has serious implications for global hunger, but also for climate change. The U.N. says the food waste is responsible for 8-10% of total global greenhouse gas emissions.

Good news

On Tuesday, Ukraine surpassed the 5 million metric ton milestone via the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has helped to start moving 20 million metric tons of grain that had been stuck for months in silos and on ships due to Russias blockade. By Friday, that number had reached 5.5 million metric tons. The grain and other food stuffs have been credited with gradually easing international food prices.

Quote of Note

It flouts the purposes and principles of the United Nations. It is a dangerous escalation. It has no place in the modern world. It must not be accepted.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday condemning Russias announced intention to officially annex the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The Kremlin went ahead and did it on Friday anyway.

What we are watching next week

The U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva is expected to vote on a resolution presented by the United States condemning Chinas human rights violations against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang province. The move follows a report released by former High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in the final minutes of her term, which concluded that there were credible allegations of widespread and serious abuses of the Uyghurs. China has been very vocal in saying the allegations are false.

Have you seen 

The giant mural brightening up the U.N. Dag Hammarskjold Library building? Renowned Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra completed it just ahead of the General Assembly high-level week. It is a gift of Brazil to the U.N. as part of the countrys 200-year independence commemorations. The mural of a man and a little girl holding a greened earth is about sustainable development. It will be on display till the end of the year.
The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday unsealed an indictment charging Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska and two associates with conspiracy to evade U.S. sanctions.

Deripaska, 52, who is considered a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2018 for acting on behalf of a senior Russian official and for operating in Russias energy sector.

He was among seven Russian oligarchs and 17 government officials targeted in response to the Russian governments malign activity around the world, including its continued occupation of Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine.

Deripaskas name also surfaced during the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

However, he was not charged with any wrongdoing in connection with the Russian scheme, and the Treasury Department announcement of sanctions against Deripaska made no mention of the Russian election interference.

Deripaskas two indicted associates  Natalia Mikhaylovna Bardakova, 45, a Russian national, and Olga Shriki, 42, a naturalized U.S. citizen living in the state of New Jersey  are accused of conducting hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of financial transactions in support of his business and personal activities, according to the 31-page indictment. Among other things, the two are accused of helping Deripaskas pregnant girlfriend, Ekaterina Olegovna Voronina, travel to the United States so she could give birth to their child and gain U.S. citizenship for the baby. Voronina has also been charged in the indictment.

Shriki was arrested earlier Thursday. The other three defendants remain at large.

The criminal charges against Deripaska and his associates are part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to punish Putin allies for supporting Russias war effort in violation of sweeping sanctions imposed by the United States following the February 24 military incursion into Ukraine.

In the months since, the U.S. government has designated nearly 2,000 Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian individuals and entities for their involvement in or their support of the war, James OBrien, the State Departments coordinator for sanctions policy told a Senate panel on Wednesday.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland launched the interagency law enforcement effort known as Task Force KleptoCapture just days after the Russian assault.

"In the wake of Russia's unjust and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, I promised the American people that the Justice Department would work to hold accountable those who break our laws and threaten our national security, Garland said in a statement. Today's charges demonstrate we are keeping that promise.

The sanctions slapped on Deripaska and other oligarchs made their assets subject to seizure and barred U.S. nationals from doing business with them.

Yet for four years afterwards, and in violation of those sanctions, Deripaska continued to retain Olga Shriki andNatalia Mikhaylovna Bardakova  to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of services for his benefit in the United States, the indictment says.

In 2019, Shriki allegedly facilitated the sale of a California music studio Deripaska had owned through a series of shell companies, according to the indictment.

Deripaska then allegedly tried to transfer the more than $3 million in proceeds from the sale through a California shell company to an account in Russia, the indictment alleges.

In the indictment, the grand jury alleges that in 2020 Deripaskas girlfriend Voronina, with Shrikis help, flew on a private jet to the United States where she delivered her child, allowing the baby to receive U.S. citizenship.

But a 2022 attempt to deliver a second child in the United States failed, according to the indictment.

After flying into the United States on another private jet and misleading federal agents about Deripaskas and his associates roles in the sanctions evasion scheme, Voronina was refused entry, according to the indictment.

In addition to evading U.S. sanctions, Shriki is accused of destroying evidence sought by a grand jury while Bardakova and Voronina face charges of making false statements to federal agents investigating the scheme.

According to the indictment, between 2005 and 2008, Deripaska purchased at least three luxury properties in New York and Washington worth tens of millions of dollars.

Last year, FBI agents searched two of the properties in Washington and New York apparently as part of the criminal investigation that led to the indictment.

In 2019, the Treasury Department lifted sanctions against Deripaskas aluminum behemoth, Rusal, and two linked entities after Deripaska agreed to reduce his ownership interest in them.

But sanctions against Deripaska have remained in place even as Deripaska has mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge in the United States to get his name removed from the Treasury Department list of designated Russian tycoons linked to Putin.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said the indictment of Deripaska and his associates "reflects the FBI's commitment to use all of the tools at our disposal to aggressively pursue those who attempt to evade the United States' economic countermeasures against the Russian government."

"We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who violate measures imposed to protect the national security and foreign policy of the United States, especially in this time of Russia's unprovoked aggression toward Ukraine," Wray said in a statement.
Here's a summary of Uyghur-related news from around the world in the last week.

Why many African countries joined Chinese statement on Xinjiang report

African countries make up nearly half of the 28 countries that joined China in saying a U.N. report on China's human rights record drew "erroneous conclusions." Analysts say Chinese investments on the African continent and some countries' own history as former colonies of Western countries are some of the reasons African countries may either support China or stay silent on China's policy in Xinjiang, which rights groups have described as genocide, and which China has denied.

Indonesia releases, deports Uyghur convicted of terrorism

A Uyghur man who was arrested and convicted on terrorism charges in Indonesia was released in July after serving his sentence. Police said he had been deported, and he may have been sent to China, reported BenarNews. Three other Uyghurs were believed to have been handed over to China in 2020 after their release from Indonesian custody.

US, others ask UN to hold debate on China's human rights record in Xinjiang

The U.S., Canada and several European countries asked the United Nations in a draft resolution to debate alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang in the next U.N. Human Rights Council.

Uyghur leader urges Japan to do more on Uyghurs plight in China

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said in Tokyo that Japan needs to do more than make an "empty promise," calling on the country to support the push by the U.S. and other Western nations for a debate about the human rights situation in Xinjiang at the U.N. Human Rights Council.

News in brief

More than 60 Uyghur rights organizations around the world called on other countries to support the U.S.-led draft resolution to debate China's human rights record in Xinjiang at the U.N. Human Rights Council. The U.N. report last month said that China may have committed "crimes against humanity" against Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic groups. Beijing has vehemently denied the allegation as "lies" and says the country's policy fights "terrorism, extremism and separatism" in the region.

Quote of note

"The international community must remember its obligation to end atrocity crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity."

 Dolkun Isa, World Uyghur Congress president
Editor's note: Here is a look at immigration-related news around the U.S. this week. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com

Thousands of Cubans in Pipeline of US Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program

As U.S. border officials report high numbers of Cuban migrants hoping to enter the country at the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) told VOA more than 10,000 people are in the pipeline of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program. New invitations have not been issued since September 2016. While some migrants have the option to be sponsored by family members, others choose often dangerous paths to reach the United States. Story by VOA's immigration reporter Aline Barros.

Biden Keeps US Target for Refugee Admissions at 125,000

President Joe Biden on Wednesday formally kept the nation's cap on refugee admissions at 125,000 for the 2023 budget year, despite pressure from refugee advocates to raise it even higher to meet the need after falling far short of that target this year, The Associated Press reports.



As Shelters Fill, New York City Weighs Tents to House Migrants

New York City's mayor says he plans to erect hangar-sized tents as temporary shelter for thousands of international migrants who have been bused into the Big Apple as part of a campaign by Republican governors to disrupt federal border policies, The Associated Press reports.



Migration around the world

Turkey Signals Possible Rapprochement with Syria

Recently there have been signs of reconciliation between Turkey and Syria, which have been at odds for more than a decade as Ankara supported Syrian rebel forces fighting Damascus. Ezel Sahinkaya, VOAs Extremism Watch Desk journalist, reports.

Migrant Priest Makes Streaming Debut on VOA+

Since 2003, Father Mussie Zerai has received thousands of emergency calls from distressed refugees and migrants stranded in the Mediterranean Sea. The Eritrean priest, head of the refugee rights organization Habesha, travels to the Italian island of Lampedusa to commemorate October 3, 2013, when a fishing vessel caught fire and sank near the coast, killing 368 people. Leaning on his faith, Father Zerai helps survivors start anew. The 2015 Nobel Peace Prize nominee fields crisis calls as Europe struggles to accommodate the ongoing influx of migrants and refugees desperate to escape war, famine, and persecution.

Rohingya Seek Reparations from Facebook for Role in Massacre

With roosters crowing in the background as he speaks from the crowded refugee camp in Bangladesh thats been his home since 2017, Maung Sawyeddollah, 21, describes what happened when violent hate speech and disinformation targeting the Rohingya minority in Myanmar began to spread on Facebook. But a new and comprehensive report by Amnesty International states that Facebooks preferred narrative is false. The platform, Amnesty says, wasnt merely a passive site with insufficient content moderation. Instead, Metas algorithms "proactively amplified and promoted content" on Facebook, which incited violent hatred against the Rohingya beginning as early as 2012, The Associated Press reports.

Survey Finds Ukrainian Refugees Eager to Work but Need Help

A report by the UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, says Ukrainian refugees in Europe are eager to work but need help to do so. The report, "Lives on Hold: Intentions and Perspectives of Refugees from Ukraine," is based on responses gathered in August and September from 4,800 Ukrainians across Europe. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

Thousands of Congolese Refugees Return Home From Exile

The U.N. refugee agency says nearly 6,000 Congolese refugees have been helped to return home since December 2021, after years of exile in Zambia. The voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees was based on a tripartite agreement signed in 2006 by the UNHCR and the governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The refugees had fled political and inter-ethnic clashes in the DRCs southeast region in 2017. They have gone back to their communities of origin in Haut-Katanga. Many parts of the DRC are riven with conflict and remain highly insecure. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

News Briefs

 Some GOP lawmakers sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on September 22 citing an alleged report saying the Venezuelan government is sending prisoners to the U.S.-Mexico border. In a statement to VOA over email, the DHS said a border official "screens and vets every individual encountered at the border, and all asylum applicants undergo continuous vetting while their applications are pending," adding, on background, that these claims are "unverified."

 U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced September 27 the departure of all Afghan nationals from the National Conference Center Safe Haven in Leesburg, Virginia. Since March 1, more than 4,500 Afghan nationals were temporarily housed at the NCC before moving across the nation. To date, approximately 88,500 Afghan nationals have arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome.
US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed U.S. support for South Korea during a trip to the tense border between the two Koreas on Thursday. The visit comes in the face of an increasingly belligerent North and marks the highest profile trip to the area by a US official in three years. She also voiced support for East Asian allies in the face of growing Chinese aggression. VOAs Anita Powell reports from Washington along with Seoul Bureau Chief Bill Gallo, who traveled with the vice president.
On the day that Russia is set to celebrate its annexation of four Ukrainian territories, a humanitarian convoy was hit by Russian shelling near the town of Zaporizhzhia.

Officials say at least 23 people were killed in the incident and 28 people were wounded. The convoy was headed to the area to rescue family members from the occupied territory.

Russia is set to formally announce annexation of four Ukrainian territories -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia -- on Friday. The Kremlin is to mark what many view as an illegal move with celebratory concerts and rallies in Moscow.

Meanwhile, Finland is the latest country to close its border to Russians. The Finland closing comes as hordes of Russian men are leaving the country to escape Russias military mobilization for continuing the invasion of Ukraine. In addition, Russia has begun opening draft offices at its borders to intercept men who may be leaving the country to avoid the mobilization.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the planned annexation, saying it is illegal and must not be accepted.

The U.N. Charter is clear, Guterres told reporters Thursday. Any annexation of a states territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the U.N. Charter and international law.

SEE ALSO:

He said any decision to proceed with the annexation would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned.

The move has been dismissed as illegitimate by Ukraine and its allies, who are readying new sanctions against Moscow in response.

This can still be stopped, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in in his daily address Thursday in a direct appeal to Russians with an indirect reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But to stop it, you have to stop that one in Russia who wants war more than life. Your life, citizens of Russia.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Fridays ceremony will include Putin, who is to make a major speech, and the Russian-appointed heads of the regions, where the Russian orchestrated referendums ended earlier this week.

U.N. chief Guterres said Thursday, I want to underscore that the so-called referenda in the occupied regions were conducted during active armed conflict, in areas under Russian occupation, and outside Ukraines legal and constitutional framework. They cannot be called a genuine expression of the popular will.

He warned that if Russia goes ahead with the annexation, it will be a dangerous escalation and will further jeopardize the prospect for peace.

It is high time to step back from the brink, Guterres said.

Guterres spokesperson said the U.N. chief had conveyed this message to the Russians when he spoke with their U.N. ambassador Wednesday.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tweeted Thursday that he assured Zelenskyy that Germany will never recognize the so-called results.

The sham referendums carried out by Putin in the illegally occupied areas of Ukraine are worthless, Scholz said.

In Washington, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal spoke about proposed legislation he and Republican Senator Lindsay Graham are supporting in response to Russias latest moves.

Senator Graham and I are introducing today legislation that would very simply immediately require cutting off economic and military aid to any country that recognizes Vladimir Putin's illegal annexation of four regions of Ukraine, he said Thursday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday that no matter what Russia says, the areas remain Ukrainian territory.

In response, we will work with our allies and partners to impose additional economic costs on Russia and individuals and entities inside and outside of Russia that provide support to this action, she said.

At the U.N. Security Council, the United States is working with Albania on a draft resolution condemning the sham referenda, calling on states not to recognize any altered status of Ukraine and compelling Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

Russia will certainly use its veto to block the measure, but that will then allow member states to move to the General Assembly to seek condemnation there. A similar strategy following Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea drew the rebuke of 100 countries.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday the EU is planning to respond with sweeping new import bans on Russian products and to expand its export ban to deprive the Kremlins military complex of key technologies.

"This will keep Russian products out of the European market and deprive Russia of an additional 7 billion euros in revenue," von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels. The EUs 27 member countries would have to approve the sanctions for them to take effect and the bloc has had difficulty in reaching agreement on some previous sanctions.

We are determined to make the Kremlin pay for this further escalation, she said.

The Ukrainian territory Russia wants to annex represents about 15% of the country.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Armenia was not anti-Russian and there shouldnt be anti-Russian contexts in it, the visit was a step aimed at deepening the Armenian-American relations and this step should not be underestimated, PM Nikol Pashinyan said.

I dont understand the reasoning. What has the House Speakers visit have to do with some moods? American officials are always visiting Armenia, Pashinyan said during an interview.

He said that the issues of intensifying the Armenian-American relations were discussed. Let me remind that in 2019 the Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue was launched. I mean that this must be perceived as an individual event. But on the other hand it is obvious that this visit was a very important and major event. Why? Because Nancy Pelosi is the highest ranking US official to ever visit Armenia. Id like to note that this wasnt a regional visit, but specifically a visit to Armenia. It was mentioned that this is an assessment of Armenias democracy. I wouldnt want anyone to give an anti-Russian context to the visit, because it wasnt anti-Russian, Pashinyan said.
President Vladimir Putin proclaimed the annexation of four Ukraine regions, even as Russian troops were poised to suffer one of the worst defeats of the war.

"People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever," Putin said during a ceremony Friday at the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the annexation by announcing he is submitting an accelerated bid to join the NATO military alliance.

The White House condemned Russias land grab. In a statement, President Joe Biden called the annexation fraudulent.

Russia is violating international law, trampling on the United Nations Charter, and showing its contempt for peaceful nations everywhere, Biden said.

SEE ALSO:

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States and its allies will impose swift and severe costs targeting additional Russian government officials, their family members, Russian and Belarusian military officials, and defense procurement networks, including international suppliers supporting Russias military-industrial complex.

Russia says the result of referendums held in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia  all of which are partially-occupied areas of Ukraine  showed that overwhelming majorities of people in those areas wanted to become part of Russia. The regions represent nearly one-fifth of Ukraine.

Ukraine says the referendums violated international law and were carried out under the coercion of occupation.

Before the annexation, the Kremlin advised that any aggression in the annexed regions would be considered an attack on Russia. Reporters asked Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov if Ukrainian attempts to retake annexed territories would be considered an attack on Russia.

"It would not be anything else," Peskov said.

Putin has said he is willing to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia's "territorial integrity."

Even as Putin moved forward with annexation on Friday, however, Ukrainian troops encircled hundreds of Russian troops at one of their main garrisons in northern Donetsk.

The pro-Russian leader in Ukraine's Donetsk province acknowledged his forces have lost full control of two villages north and east of the city of Lyman, leaving the garrison half-encircled.

The Ukrainian army was "trying at all costs to spoil our historic events", Denis Pushilin said. "This is very unpleasant news, but we must look soberly at the situation and draw conclusions from our mistakes."

Pushilin was scheduled to attend the Friday annexation ceremony at the Kremlin.

Ukraine's military confirmed that an operation to encircle Russian troops in the area was under way but said it was withholding any details until the situation is stabilized.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko tweeted: "Lyman is surrounded! The Ukrainian army is already in Yampil. The Russian army is trying to escape."

Defeat there could give Ukraine and opportunity to recapture the swathes of the territory that Russia now claims.

Also on Friday, missiles struck a convoy of civilian cars preparing to cross from Ukrainian-held territory in Zaporozhzhia province. Officials say at least 23 people were killed and 28 people were wounded near Zaporizhzhia, and at least three were killed in Mykolaiv with at least 12 injured.

The convoys consisted of vehicles carrying families who were headed to the areas to rescue relatives from the occupied territory.

Zelenskyy said Russia was raging, seeking revenge for our steadfastness and his failures."

"Bloodthirsty scum! Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. You will definitely answer. For every lost Ukrainian life!"



Meanwhile, Finland is the latest country to close its border to Russians. The Finland closing comes as hordes of Russian men are leaving the country to escape Russias military mobilization for continuing the invasion of Ukraine. In addition, Russia has begun opening draft offices at its borders to intercept men who may be leaving the country to avoid the mobilization.

On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the planned annexation, saying it is illegal and must not be accepted.

The U.N. Charter is clear, Guterres told reporters Thursday. Any annexation of a states territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the U.N. Charter and international law.

He said any decision to proceed with the annexation would have no legal value and deserves to be condemned.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz tweeted Thursday that he assured Zelenskyy that Germany will never recognize the so-called results.

The sham referendums carried out by Putin in the illegally occupied areas of Ukraine are worthless, Scholz said.

In Washington, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal spoke about proposed legislation he and Republican Senator Lindsay Graham are supporting in response to Russias latest moves.

Senator Graham and I are introducing today legislation that would very simply immediately require cutting off economic and military aid to any country that recognizes Vladimir Putin's illegal annexation of four regions of Ukraine, he said Thursday.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday that no matter what Russia claims, the areas remain Ukrainian territory.

In response, we will work with our allies and partners to impose additional economic costs on Russia and individuals and entities inside and outside of Russia that provide support to this action, she said.

At the U.N. Security Council, the United States is working with Albania on a draft resolution condemning the sham referenda, calling on states not to recognize any altered status of Ukraine and compelling Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

Russia will certainly use its veto to block the measure, but that will then allow member states to move to the General Assembly to seek condemnation there. A similar strategy following Moscows 2014 annexation of Crimea drew the rebuke of 100 countries.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday the EU is planning to respond with sweeping new import bans on Russian products and to expand its export ban to deprive the Kremlins military complex of key technologies.

"This will keep Russian products out of the European market and deprive Russia of an additional 7 billion euros in revenue," von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels. The EUs 27 member countries would have to approve the sanctions for them to take effect and the bloc has had difficulty in reaching agreement on some previous sanctions.

We are determined to make the Kremlin pay for this further escalation, she said.

VOA correspondents Margaret Besheer and Katherine Gypson contributed to this report. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The U.S. has warned Russia that using nuclear weapons in Ukraine will trigger extraordinary consequences. Russia's Vladimir Putin said last week that if Russia was threatened, he was prepared to "use all the means available to us." VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.
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North Las Vegas (0.9 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : It was like a load bang sound an the whole house shook for at least 30 seconds very load an scary. I didn't even know we lived on a fault line! | One user found this interesting.

North Las Vegas (8.3 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : From downstairs, it felt like something hit the back of our house, which faces south. Felt like a big jolt. No swaying or wave motion like in previous quakes. This was definitely different.

Las Vegas, Sunrise Manor 8:06pm (7.6 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : I was watching television and it felt and sounded like something hit my mobile home. It was a loud thump,for just a second. I checked the USGS immediately and it showed up about 1 minute later. It was 2.5 at Sunrise Manor at 8:06 I checked back on the USGS site and it has disappeared. Why would that happen when hundreds of people reported it. Not our imaginations. A cover up? Nellis AFB?

NORTH LAS VEGAS (2.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I thought someone ran a vehicle into our house. There was a rumbling sound and vibration in the floor, and the walls shook, windows rattled.

Las Vegas (7.6 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : My home started shaking. My blue/gold macaw had been restless before and wont quit screaming now!! Hope theres not more coming! Across from Nellis Air Force Base.

Sunrise Manor Lake Mead & Christy (10.2 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : My home sits on a stem wall I felt a vibrating in the floor like someone was running in the next room.. no rolling motions

North Las Vegas (1.7 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : My walls in my kitchen/ living room shakes and my kids bedrooms, my son heard it through his headphones, and my stuff on my shelfs went to the edge. It sounded like something hit the side of the house, but nothing was there.

north las vegas, nevada (7.4 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : It was sudden jolt lasting maybe 2-5 seconds, i was downstairs and one upstairs both felt it and knew what it was.

North Las Vegas Nevada (1.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was sitting on my bed studying when I heard a loud sound and began to feel the bed rock back and forth decreasing in intensity. I rolled with it and then when to check on family. Everyone was good, needless to say! We are from California so this quake was not alarming.???? love and peace.

N Las Vegas (0 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : shaking and rumbling while watching a movie. Thought I bumped my chair on something when it happened lol

North Las Vegas (13.7 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short : It felt like someone might have ran into our house, just a bump that knocked a few items out of place and items falling in the closet.

North Las Vegas (3.2 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / very short : The wave of shaking came from the north traveled towards the south. It wasn't very strong but every person that was awake in my house felt it. We could also hear the sound of the quake. I can't describe it: like and boom and rattle all in one wave.

No Las Vegas (4.6 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Sitting my recliner, lasted maybe 2 seconds.Building shook and stopped. Never felt anything since I have been here, 14 months.

Las Vegas (8.9 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : Bed and windows started to shake like after shocks wasnt intense but enough to wake up out of sleep

711 E Nelson North Las Vegas (18.4 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : My Bed was shaking very hard while I was laying down. Felt like someone was moving my mattress. Hard Shaking with rumbling noise

N. Las Vegas (4.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short : Felt as if a rolling rumbling was going on and went from the back side of the house to the front. Sounded almost like a growling rumble.

North Las Vegas (3.6 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s : Watching a movie downstairs when I felt the couch shake and the floor beneath my feet as well. My parents upstairs felt the house shake slightly as well.

Aliante casino (5 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake : I was sitting on the couch when I felt a bit of a rumble and then the whole house seemed to shift, once left the once right in quick succession.

NORTH LAS VEGAS (5.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : My family felt it on the second level in our home and everyone is in different rooms on the second floor

North Las Vegas, Clark, Nevada (3.1 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : I was sitting on the couch watching TV. It started on one side of my room ... heard it shake toward me across the room.

North Las Vegas (5.4 km SE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Thought someone fell off a bed | One user found this interesting.

In my room sitting down on my futon . / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s : It felt as if people were running up my inside stairs my whole room was shaking I automatically thought it was an earthquake due to the intensity

North las vegas / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : Se escucho como una fuerte explosion en los cimientos de la casa y como que caimos en seco pero no vibro ni se sacudio estuvo rato

Las vegas , sunrise mtn area watching t.v. / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : I was sitting on the couch watching t.v. and felt the couch shake slightly. I actually wondered if it was a small quake.shaking intensity on scale of 10 probably 4

Las Vegas-- The Lakes - Sahara Ave & Durango / not felt : I was on the phone with my friend at the time who lives in North Las Vegas. She felt it and mentioned it, asking me if I felt it. I'm ten miles south away from her and felt nothing.

North Las Vegas / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short : Just a,quick bump with a quick slight horizontal movement. But family members upstairs felt it even more. We live 215 Decatur north area.

North las vegas / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : Only a few miles away, abrupt shake, felt like something dropped from the sky, lights flickered, felt intense.

89115 / not felt / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Sitting on couch felt a lateral movement like something fell on my roof or fell on the wall directly behind my couch. Two other people, in two seperate rooms felt it & asked if we felt that. 1 story house with equal reports from 3 rooms. Neighbors came out seeking same answer on shaking. 89115 in Sunrise Manor is location of experience.

N Las Vegas / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : I was downstairs and heard things drop from upstairs as the house rattled and shook. I thought somebody dropped something, but that didnt explain the rattling and shaking. My daughter came downstairs and said what just happened?

Las Vegas 89106 / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : There was a loud thump in my wall and just felt the floor vibrate like if something hit the wall hard.

North Las Vegas / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was outside in my driveway. I not only felt the earthquake but actually heard it as well. It woke my mother on the ground floor and my 2 cats that were sleeping upstairs came running out of the house.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. As of this moment the possible meeting between PM Nikol Pashinyan and Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Prague is neither confirmed nor ruled out.

Neither us nor the Turkish side have ruled out a meeting between me and Erdogan. It depends on several circumstances. There is an EU-organized event where both Turkey and we are invited. Both us and they must decide on the participation in that summit or the format of participation, and in case of participation whether or not the meeting will take place is another matter. I have a decision to go to Prague, I plan to participate in the summit, and I can say that at this moment a meeting is not ruled out. But I cant say that it is confirmed either, Pashinyan said.

In case of a meeting taking place, the agenda will include opening of borders and normalization.

Asked whether or not the Artsakh issue will be discussed, Pashinyan said: When regional security matters will be discussed, many issues will be discussed. It also depends on our conversation. It will be our first meeting and the issues depend on how the meeting will proceed.

He said that there is no signal or agreement that the meetings of the Armenia-Turkey normalization envoys are suspended, but at the same time the timeframes or location of the next meeting isnt yet determined.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is taking maximally possible practical steps to deepen partnership with Iran, PM Nikol Pashinyan said during an interview, addressing Irans statements made in support of Armenias territorial integrity.

Pashinyan was asked what steps are being taken to deepen partnership with Iran on the basis of Irans position which was expressed in numerous statements in support of Armenias territorial integrity after the Azerbaijani aggression.

Drawing parallels between the assessments made by the CSTO and Iran regarding the Azeri aggression, Pashinyan emphasized that in this regard what matters is the formulation of a clear political position because actions stem from that positions.

If there is no clear political position there cant be actions. In this regard we are very closely cooperating with Iran. You saw that I met with the President of Iran in New York City. We had a very long, detailed discussion, we spoke about developing our relations, and we also discussed the regional situation. We are in very intensive relations, mutual visits are taking place, working discussions are taking place, phone conversations, and we, of course, are interested in developing our relations with Iran and we are trying to make maximally possible practical steps in this direction, Pashinyan said.
On September 29, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh David Babayan had a meeting with representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region headed by Chair Nora Hovsepian. Members of the Board of the Armenian Educational Foundation and a group of benefactors also participated in the meeting, the Foreign Ministry said.

September 30, 2022, 13:42 FM Babayan and representatives ANCA-Western Region discuss implementation of various programs in Artsakh

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: Issues related to the implementation of various programs in Artsakh were discussed.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to ANCA for constantly supporting Artsakh and protecting the interests of our Republic.

David Babayan highly appreciated the efforts of the Armenian Educational Foundation in achieving tangible results in the scientific-educational sphere, stressing that the institution has its specific role in the development of the intellectual potential of the Armenian people.

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the USA and Canada Robert Avetisyan was also present at the meeting.
Art museums in Rome and Milan show support with peaceful protests.

Two of Italy's leading contemporary art institutions have launched a peaceful, symbolic protest against the violent response by Iran's security forces to a wave of demonstrations over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

The Milan Triennale and the MAXXI National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome invite visitors to leave a small lock of their hair, tied with a thread of string, in special containers in the museums.

The collected locks of hair will then be delivered to the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a symbolic protest.

Una ciocca di capelli per le donne in #Iran, liniziativa della Triennale di #Milano

Marco Rizza#TogetherforIran pic.twitter.com/ey9mA1X9kA  AGTW (@AGTW_it) September 30, 2022

Triennale Milano president Stefano Boeri said the initiative was sparked by a request from members of Milan's Iranian community to stage a form of protest after Amini died in custody two weeks ago following her arrest by Iran's morality police who accused her of wearing an improper hijab".

"We join Triennale Milano in this peaceful demonstration of protest against the murders and the unacceptable violence that are affecting young women and young men in Iran", said MAXXI president Giovanna Melandri, adding: "We cannot remain indifferent".

Iran Human Rights (IHR), a Norway-based organisation, says that at least 76 protesters have been killed and hundreds arrested during the ongoing crackdown by Iranian authorities, the BBC reports.

Photo FanPage
Italy's general election provided ample material for a popular new Twitter account. We spoke to its founder.

As Italians headed to the polls on the last Sunday in September, the leader of the far-right Fratelli d'Italia party Giorgia Meloni caused a stir on social media when she circumvented a ban on election day campaigning.

Posting a TikTok video in which she held two melons in front of her chest, the presumed next prime minister of Italy winked into the camera as she said: "25 September. I have said it all." The video was a reference to her surname which means "melons" in Italian and is also slang for breasts.

Seen as hilarious by some, crude by others, Meloni's cheeky video was perhaps a fitting end to an electoral campaign that saw Italian politicians make ever wilder and more bizarre use of their social media channels.

Giorgia Meloni holding two melons - and yes, this is a real video posted by her on TikTok.



Sept 25, 2022 pic.twitter.com/egakcD8jf8  Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) September 25, 2022

Capturing these moments, one by one, was a newly formed Twitter account called "Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics". The founder, a 34-year-old from northern Italy, spoke to Wanted in Rome about the journey that has seen him reach more than 66,000 followers in a matter of months.

Choosing to stay anonymous, he introduces himself as "just a man with a cellphone and an internet connection having some fun on Twitter". He set up the account in March after "falling in love" with a similarly titled page devoted to the absurdities of American politics. Realising that so-called clone pages were being created for other countries, he decided to "seize the moment" and open the Italian version.

Comedy gold

While convinced that he would never be left lacking in terms of comedy gold, he could not have foreseen the plethora of material coming down the tracks. When Mario Draghi's national unity government fell in July, it sparked a highly-charged election campaign with politicians tripping over themselves in a bid to out-do each other on social media.

Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics was ready for them and, significantly, captioned each post in English. The Italian founder admits that using English can be problematic "especially when explaining certain contexts that are difficult for a non-Italian to understand" but says it helps to reach audiences outside Italy as well as letting Italians see their politics with new eyes. "Perhaps in this way things appear more entertaining than they already are", he adds.

One-man army

Clocking up hundreds of new followers each day, the independent Twitter venture is run by a "one-man army, a man who divides his time between work, family and now politics". He keeps his political views to himself, maintaining a neutral stance and even poking fun at politicians he has voted for in the past. "I keep my perspective as detached as possible"  he says - "My policy is not to make concessions to anyone."

In the quieter days of the spring, the account gained appeal for its quirky and concise posts, such as an old video of Matteo Salvini, leader of the rightwing Lega party, blowing kisses to a bunch of cows for absolutely no reason.

Former Minister of Interior Matteo Salvini sending kisses to a bunch of cows for absolutely no reason. 2021. pic.twitter.com/JWyVkqukKO  Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) April 28, 2022

Then came an unprecedented summer election campaign which provided rich pickings for the account even during the usually sleepy Ferragosto holiday. So what were the highlights of the past months?

Definitely foreign minister Luigi Di Maio re-enacting the famous "flying" scene from the Dirty Dancing movie in a Naples restaurant. Then there was Enrico Letta, leader of centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), who was left stranded after the battery died in his electric-powered campaign van.

And how could we forget Peppa Pig? "A member of Fratelli d'Italia railed against the famous children's cartoon because there is a character with two mothers, and +Europa's response was 'We are on Peppa Pig's side'. You have to see it to believe it", he says.

Nobody puts Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio in a corner.



Sept 14, 2022 pic.twitter.com/TBUcEc6SQ0  Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) September 14, 2022

Asked what the biggest social media surprise was during the election, he singles out the "sudden debut" of so many politicians on TikTok in a desperate bid to woo young voters. Silvio Berlusconi, the 86-year-old leader of the centre-right Forza Italia, boasted of "record numbers" after launching himself on the social media platform whose name he pronounced with a clock-like tick tock of his head.

Translating politicians' messages into English often guarantees an extra chuckle. The leader of the centrist Azione, Carlo Calenda, kicked off on TikTok with the message: "I can't dance because I look like a drunk bear. I can't give you make-up advice because I am fat and ugly. But I can talk to you about politics".

"Now I turn to those over 18. To ask you what? To introduce me to your girlfriend? Not at all! To ask you to vote for me."



Sept 13, 2022 pic.twitter.com/Mk6rBYzogD  Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) September 13, 2022

Who are Italy's most media-savvy politicians? The mystery man behind Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics is quick to nominate Salvini and Berlusconi: "They are unbeatable, real bosses".

Winners and losers

In terms of who succeeded and who failed on the social media front during the election campaign, he says he believes in the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity.

He cites as an example Letta's pro/con campaign, in which voters were given a 'good' and 'bad' option and invited to choose. Somewhat inevitably the concept became a meme which, he suggests, was "in its own way a success". It was hard to tell reality from satire when Letta shared a carbonara meme based on his own campaign, urging people to always choose guanciale over pancetta.

Silvio Berlusconi's birthday cake. Sept 29, 2022. pic.twitter.com/Pi0pS6w27C  Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) September 30, 2022

Now that the election is over and it's down to the serious business of forming a government, does he think politicians will continue to use TikTok or was it just a summer fling? He has already noticed a "drastic" drop in TikTok activity in the days since the election but his guess is that politicians will keep the platform to "cultivate potential new voters, in the long run".

If they are smart they will continue to use it, and improve their performance"  he says  "If they abandon it then it means that they did not believe in it enough or that, deep down, they did not care.

Followers

So who follows Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics? Most followers are Italian, with around 30 per cent foreigners, often journalists or political writers. The account registered a spike in non-Italian followers, he says, after Politico.eu suggested following the page to stay up-to-date on Italy's elections.

And what about the future? My goal is to expand my audience abroad as much as possible  he says  After all, the things you see in our political landscape, in what other country do you see them?

By Andy Devane

This article is published in the October 2022 online edition of Wanted in Rome magazine. Cover photo ANSA.
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Dubai-based shipping giant DP World said Tuesday it has won another ruling in a longstanding legal battle over the operation of a strategic port in the African nation of Djibouti. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Dubai-based DP World said an appeals court in Hong Kong agreed with its request to keep its lawsuit against China Merchants Port Holdings in Hong Kong courts, where that company is based, rather than transfer it to Djibouti.

DP World accuses China Merchants of successfully pressuring Djiboutis government to expel DP World from the country and hand over the Doraleh Container Terminal to the Hong Kong-based firm. It also accuses China Merchants of operating other ports and free zones in violation of DP Worlds exclusivity rights.

China Merchants did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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DP World is seeking billions of dollars in damages. International courts and tribunals have already awarded it some $686.5 million in damages, and the 2006 concession to operate the port remains in force, the company said.

The Doraleh Container Terminal is the largest employer and biggest source of revenue in Djibouti, and has operated at a profit every year since it opened, according to DP World.

Djibouti seized the container terminal after DP World created another corridor for imports to landlocked Ethiopia in Somaliland, endangering Djiboutis near-monopoly on Ethiopias imports.

Djiboutis port alone accounts for 95% of Ethiopias imports. With a population of 110 million people, Ethiopia is the largest economy in the Horn of Africa.

DP World, which is majority-owned by the Dubai government in the United Arab Emirates, operates nearly 80 marine and inland terminals around the world.

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MEXICO CITY  A massive trove of emails from Mexicos Defense Department is among electronic communications taken by a group of hackers from military and police agencies across several Latin American countries, Mexicos president confirmed Friday. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The acknowledgement by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador comes after Chiles government said last week that emails had been taken from its Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Mexican president spoke at his daily news conference following a local media report that the hack revealed previously unknown details about a health scare he had in January.

Lopez Obrador downplayed the hack, saying that theres nothing that isnt known. He said the intrusion apparently occurred during a change of Defense Department systems.

But Chile was so concerned by the breach to its own systems that it called its defense minister back from the United States last week where she was attending the United Nations General Assembly with President Gabriel Boric.

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The 10 terabytes of data taken by the group also include emails from the militaries in El Salvador, Peru and Colombia, as well as El Salvadors National Police. The Mexico portion of the data appeared to be the largest.

A group of anonymous, self-described social justice warriors who call themselves Guacamaya say they use hacking to expose injustice and corruption in defense of Indigenous peoples. Hackers using the same name previously hacked and released the emails of a mining company long accused of human rights and environmental abuses in Guatemala.

In a statement accompanying the most recent action, the group complained of the plundering of Latin America, which it refers to as Abya Yala, by colonizers and the continuing extractivist goals of the Global North.

The group issued a 1,400-word comunique saying that the militaries and police of Latin American countries, often with extensive training by the United States, are used by governments to keep their inhabitants prisoner.

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The police minimize the risk that the people exercise their honorable right to protest, to destroy the system that oppresses them, the group wrote.

The group said it would make the documents available to journalists, but so far only a tiny portion has been reported  in part, perhaps, because of the sheer quantity of the data.

In an email exchange, the hackers said that their review of the Mexico emails so far indicated that much of the information was already publicly available and they doubted there were explosive emails  possibly because more sensitive communications were better protected.

But they said there was evidence of the military closely following political and social movements.

They said those include relatives of 43 students who were kidnapped by local police and allegedly handed over to be killed by a drug gang in 2014  a case in which some military officers have been accused of involvement  as well as the Zapatista rebel movement that staged a 1994 uprising in southern Mexico and groups opposed to Lopez Obradors current effort to build a tourist train around the Yucatan Peninsula.

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Rather than seeking monetary benefit or ransom for compromising government information systems through a cyberattack, Guacamaya appears to be more of a hacktivist hack-and-leak operation with social justice goals.

Lopez Obrador was responding to a television report by Mexican journalist Carlos Loret de Mola who said among the hacked emails were medical records about the president, including a previously undisclosed emergency air flight to the capital from his ranch in January, when he was suffering serious chest pains and at risk of a heart attack.

Later that month he underwent a heart catheterization, which was made public, but at the time was described as the result of a routine examination. Lopez Obrador suffered a heart attack in 2013 and has high blood pressure.

The 68-year-old president noted at his news conference that he suffers from a number of ailments and undergoes checkups every few months.

__

Bajak reported from Lima, Peru.

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Palantir Technologies had a secret plan to deepen its relationship with the UKs National Health Service without public scrutiny. The US data-analytics company aimed to buy up smaller rivals that already had an existing relationship with the NHS, according to emails and strategy documents seen by Bloomberg. This approach would hopefully allow Palantir to avoid further scrutiny in working with one of the largest depositories of health data.

Palantirs regional head Louis Mosley described the strategy in an email entitled Buying our way in! sent in Sept. 2021, which outlined hoovering up small businesses serving the NHS to take a lot of ground and take down a lot of political resistance.

The NHS, one of the worlds largest employers with a recent annual budget close to 190 billion ($208 billion), has become a key client for Palantir. It hired the US tech firm to help with its Covid-19 response, and currently has a 360 million contract coming up for tender -- a deal Palantir is hoping to win.

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While Palantir has so far been unsuccessful in buying up NHS suppliers, the documents seen by Bloomberg show how Palantir hopes to deepen its business with a key client, both by making key hires from the NHS and via potential acquisitions.

Palantir has consistently faced criticism in countries including the US and UK from civil liberties groups, who have been concerned by its track record for providing tools to government agencies that help enable broad surveillance of populations, for example by US Customs and Enforcement to find undocumented migrants for deportation. Lawmakers in the UK have also voiced concern over Palantirs technology.

Palantir exists to help the most important institutions solve their biggest challenges -- and there are none more important in the UK than the NHS, Palantir spokesman Ben Mascall said in a statement. Palantir has already enabled the NHS to improve millions of peoples lives. We want to do more of this and we make no apology for that.

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The spokesman added that some of the language from Mosleys email was regrettable and not an accurate characterization of our relationship with the NHS.

Palantirs spokesman said that the firm works with some of the most respected intelligence and defense agencies in the world, and these institutions continue to trust its softwares capability to protect sensitive data. They said the company was winning NHS business on merit and that its software was world-class and the result of several billion pounds of investment. Its website states that the company was founded on the conviction that its essential to preserve fundamental principles of privacy and civil liberties while using data.

NHS England spokesman James Kell said the upcoming contract would be awarded through an open and transparent process with strict requirements including ensuring data remains secure and within the NHS. Eighty-six suppliers attended pre-market engagement events, he said.

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Start Scoping

Co-founded in 2003 by Facebook Inc. board member Peter Thiel, Palantir quickly won the attention and financial backing of In-Q-Tel, the venture investing arm of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The startup counted the CIA among its first customers, and cultivated an early reputation for secrecy.

Named for the all-seeing stones used in J.R.R. Tolkiens fictional The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Palantir now counts dozens of US government agencies as customers, with a a significant number in the national security and defense space. Palantir leadership has forsworn doing business in China and other regions not aligned with US interests, elevating the importance of UK deals. However, despite predicting $1.9 billion in revenue for 2022, the firm has struggled to turn a profit. Its share price is down about 56% so far this year.

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According to Mosleys email to colleagues, suitable UK takeover targets were those with credible leadership, annual revenue of between 5 million and 50 million, and already selling software services to the NHS. Founders would be offered a v. generous buyout schedule (say 10x, especially if all stock), he wrote.

Palantir would offer compensation to founders for their equity stake if they shifted all of their services into Palantirs main data handling platform, Foundry, which was designed to organize data from disparate sources.

I doubt anybody else is likely to come along and offer them something as generous as we would (we might even be their only real exit option), Mosley wrote.

Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, Foundry was used by the NHS to track the take-up of vaccines and, more recently, to manage the backlog of patients waiting for elective surgeries. Since 2020, Palantir secured more than 37 million in contracts with the NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care, according to public spending tracker AdviceCloud.

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One of the companies Palantir sought to acquire, shortly before Mosley emailed his plan, was Beautiful Information, an NHS-private partnership that generates real-time information for hospitals to use for balancing resources with patient demand. Palantir lost out to Canadian health-tech firm VitalHub Corp, which announced it bought Beautiful Information for 1.55 million in January.

Im keen to start scoping more acquisition targets like [Beautiful Information], Mosley wrote, adding that he had a kitty, a British term for a pot of money.

Late in 2021, Palantir was also in advanced talks to invest more than 21 million into British data-analytics firm Sensyne, in a deal codenamed Project Gondor -- a reference to a fictional kingdom depicted in The Lord of the Rings -- in return for Sensyne using Palantirs Foundry, according to an internal document seen by Bloomberg.

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There is nothing unusual about a company exploring investments or acquisitions, Palantirs spokesman said. He said the company had been approached with two such opportunities in 2021. We declined to proceed with either and have not acquired any companies that work with the NHS, he said.

Sensyne and Beautiful Information did not respond to requests for comment.

Palantir was also part of a group of several investors that contributed $230 million to support Babylon Holdings Ltd. going public in 2021, as part of a longer-term partnership between the two companies that saw Babylon migrate some of its data to Palantirs Foundry platform, Bloomberg reported.

Lobby Efforts

Deals and takeovers were only part of Palantirs approach, however, the messages seen by Bloomberg show. At the same time as the Babylon partnership, Palantir urged industry lobby group TechUK to encourage government agencies to buy commercial off-the-shelf products, such as Foundry, instead of building their own bespoke tools.

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A spokeswoman from TechUK declined to comment.

Palantir hired Global Counsel -- the strategic advisory firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, a British Lord and former leading adviser to ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair -- to help lobby UK government. It also recently hired Indra Joshi and Harjeet Dhaliwal, key figures from the NHS.

Global Counsels work for Palantir is a matter of public record, a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The relevant declarations to statutory registers and the NHS in relation to this work have been made.

Critics have challenged the NHSs lack of transparency over hastily executed deals during the pandemic. Palantir was paid a nominal 1 fee in March 2020 to run a Covid-19 data store to help the NHS allocate resources more efficiently, but has used the work as a case study in pitches for other NHS contracts, according to two senior NHS officials who were not authorized to speak to the media.

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Ahead of that deal, Palantir spent months wooing NHS chiefs, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported in February 2021. In December 2020, Palantir was granted a new contract to continue the data-store work in a 23.5 million deal that was not subject to a public tender process.

Palantir declined to comment, but NHS England said in a statement at the time that it had always acted in accordance with its legal responsibilities.

Despite hiring Global Counsel, Palantir received criticism from lawmakers over their deepening relationship with the NHS.

Patient trust is vital to our NHS, so foreign tech companies such as Palantir, with their history of supporting mass surveillance, assisting in drone strikes, immigration raids and predictive policing, must not be placed at the heart of our NHS, British lawmaker David Davis, a member of the Conservative Party and former Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, said during a House of Commons debate in June 2021.

Independent media company OpenDemocracy sued the UK government with the support of legal nonprofit Foxglove for awarding business to Palantir without a public tender process. The government agreed not to extend the contract beyond Covid without a public consultation. The push-back continued in Sept. 2021, when the Department of Health and Social Care ended another data deal with Palantir, Bloomberg reported.

Cori Crider, founding director of Foxglove, said there are real concerns about whether Palantir offers the NHS value for money, or whether there is just a shiny dashboard thinking infecting some officials.

Its not known when the NHS will make a decision for its upcoming 360 million tender. Other potential bidders include major consulting firms as well as large US tech companies.

Foundry as a piece of software is entirely competent, said Phil Booth, coordinator of British data-privacy campaign organization medConfidential, adding that he did not have concerns about unauthorized people accessing patient data as that would be suicidal for Foundry.

However, he said that Palantirs history as a Peter Thiel-backed, CIA-initiated company could deter patients from sharing their data. We should get rid of Palantir and build our own open-source software, he said.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

2022 Bloomberg L.P.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko asserted that Belarus has been and will be together with Russia while their union is closer than that of NATO.

September 30, 2022, 14:44 Belarus to be together with Russia, their union tighter than NATO  Lukashenko

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: "You should not accuse us of co-aggression or something else. We have been, we are and we will be together with our Russia. Our union with Russia is tighter than that of the NATO bloc. What else do you expect of us? That said, we are saying that we wont fight in Ukraine. Lets cooperate peacefully," the Belarusian leader told the ambassadors of foreign countries at the credentials presentation ceremony on Friday, according to the BelTA news agency.

In Lukashenkos opinion, Ukraine cannot accuse Belarus of anything. "We did not begin a conflict with Ukraine. It was them who closed their airspace to our planes and declared an economic blockade of Belarus before Western countries and the US [did the same]," he said, adding that Belarus has always been fulfilling its obligations to Russia but was not involved in the armed conflict in Ukraine.

The head of state reiterated that three rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine were held on Belarusian soil. "Why the negotiations folded, who folded them? A rhetorical question," he said adding that Belarus was doing everything to stop the conflict but "somebody needed this bloodshed."
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SOFIA, Bulgaria  Azerbaijans president said Friday that his country is a reliable partner and will stick to an agreement to double gas exports to the European Union by 2027. Speaking to reporters in Bulgarias capital, President Ilhan Aliyev called a new gas interconnector with Greece a historic achievement and an opportunity for Azeri gas to reach Europe in larger quantities.

Aliyev was in Sofia for the official launch Saturday of a new pipeline that will supply natural gas from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria, whose vital supply of Russian gas was cut off in April amid the fallout from Russias invasion of Ukraine.

At the event on Saturday, he will join heads of state and governments from the region, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The 182-kilometer (115-mile) pipeline is designed to run from the northeastern Greek city of Komotini to Stara Zagora in central Bulgaria. It is expected to start with an initial capacity of 3 billion cubic meters of gas a year, with the prospect of future expansion to 5 billion cubic meters.

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Bulgarian President Rumen Radev stressed the importance of the new gas link not only for Bulgaria, but for the continent. It decisively changes the energy map of Europe, he said.

The desire for other sources of gas increased significantly after Moscow decided to turn its natural gas deliveries into a political weapon.

In late April, Russia cut off gas supplies to Bulgaria after it refused Moscows demand to pay for the deliveries in rubles, Russias currency. Relations between the two former Soviet bloc allies have tanked in recent months, and last month Bulgaria ordered the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats, triggering an angry response from Moscow.

Bulgaria, which has a contract for 1 billion cubic meters of Azeri gas, or one-third of the countrys annual needs, wants to increase the volume by between a half-billion to 1 billion cubic meters more per year following the suspension of Russian gas flows were suspended.

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Radev said he received a letter Thursday from gas system operators in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia that offered to transport gas from Azerbaijan using the integrated networks of their countries. He said Bulgaria could host a summit of the four countries to discuss possibilities for such gas transfers.

The topic has become important after Russia said it would suspend some maintenance and repair work of a gas pipeline that supplies Turkey and countries like Serbia and Hungary.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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JACKSON, Miss.  Amid backlash over the fatal shooting of a Mississippi man, the states top law enforcement official said officers of a special police unit in the capital city of Jackson will not change the way they pursue suspects. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell met with community members following a spate of recent shootings involving the Capitol Police, a unit that patrols areas around state government buildings and other neighborhoods near downtown Jackson.

Anytime there is a loss of life, its tragic, Tindell said Thursday night at a Jackson church. But we cant be deterred in trying to make the city safe and doing policing the way its supposed to be done.

Jaylen Lewis, 25, was shot during an encounter Sunday night with Capitol Police officers. He later died. According to the Department of Public Safety, the officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop when the shooting occurred. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave until an internal investigation is completed, a department spokesperson said.

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The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, another division of the Department of Public Safety, is handling the investigation.

In a community meeting organized by Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Tindell vowed that bad actors in the Capitol Police would be held accountable. He also said there is a criminal element in Jackson that is not used to being policed.

Dont sit here and complain about crime and death and murder and kids killing kids and tell me theres respect for law enforcement. Because theres not, Tindell said.

One woman she her son died fourth months ago. She said arresting and killing people shouldnt be the only way to prevent crime.

Theres not a lot to do in Jackson. A lot of people are lost, said the woman, who did not give her name when she spoke at the meeting.

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Stokes said some of his constituents fear that some Capitol Police officers might not be trained on how to deal with Black people in Black neighborhoods.

How do we stop the killing? Stokes asked.

About 80% of Jackson residents are Black. The public safety commissioner and the Capitol Police chief are white.

Tindell said Capitol Police could do a better job of connecting with residents. He also said officers couldnt reduce tension with people through police work alone.

One of things we see again and again is a lack of accountability, particularly with young people who have no supervision, Tindell said. They grow up a with a sense of nobody cares about them, so why should anybody else.

Before Sundays shooting, Capitol Police officers were involved in one shooting Aug. 14 and another Sept. 12. The department said those two shootings were not fatal. On Sept. 7, a man died in a car wreck after he was chased by Capitol Police.

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Responding to questions over the recent altercations between citizens and officers, Capitol Police Chief Bo Luckey said his officers have changed tactics.

The way were going to police the area is not going to be the same as its been in the past, Luckey said.

Luckey said Capitol Police have made close to 100 arrests since he became chief in late May, which he characterized as a very large number of arrests for any agency. He said those arrests primarily stem from more proactive policing, which involves patrolling areas more often to show an increased police presence.

Police chases have been fatal in and around Jackson. In July, officers from another department chased someone from a suburb into Jackson. The chase ended in a wreck that killed a postal worker caught in the fray. Jackson has a high number of stolen vehicles, which makes pursuits necessary, according to Luckey.

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Getting a tag and running it later does nothing. Surveillance cameras do nothing, Luckey said. We have to take further steps to identify these actors.

Tindell said rising crime in Jackson makes necessary the Capitol Polices new approach to policing.

I got news for you, Tindell said. The businesses are leaving, the lawful- abiding citizens are going to leave. And Im trying to build that confidence back that we will be here for the long term to turn it around.

David Archie, a member of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, said the recent incidents between Capitol Police and people in Jackson require more community engagement.

If youre going to come into this community, please sir, Im asking you not to come into this community like youve got all the answers, Archie said.

__

Michael Goldberg 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 him on Twitter at twitter.com/mikergoldberg.

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QUETTA, Pakistan  A bomb exploded inside a sweet shop in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least one person and wounding 14 others, officials said. The bombing happened in the town of Kohlu in Baluchistan province, according to district administrator Qurban Ali. He said authorities transported the victims to a nearby hospital and police were investigating.

Provincial Home Minister Ziaullah Langu condemned the bombing and said he had ordered a probe into the incident.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, but previous such attacks have been blamed on militants and separatists.

Baluchistan has been the scene of a long-running insurgency by Baluch secessionist groups that for decades have staged bombings and shooting attacks on civilians and security forces to press their demands for independence.

The Pakistani Taliban and the Islamic State group also have a presence in the province. Islamabad insists that Pakistani forces have quelled the insurgency in Baluchistan, but violence has continued there.

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OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso  More than a dozen soldiers seized control of Burkina Fasos state television late Friday, declaring that the countrys coup leader-turned-president, Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, had been overthrown after only nine months in power. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight A statement read by a junta spokesman said Capt. Ibrahim Traore is the new military leader of Burkina Faso, a volatile West African country that is battling a mounting Islamic insurgency.

Burkina Fasos new military leaders said the countrys borders had been closed and a curfew would be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The transitional government and national assembly were ordered dissolved.

Damiba and his allies overthrew the democratically elected president, coming to power with promises of make the country more secure. However, violence has continued unabated and frustration with his leadership has grown in recent months.

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Faced by the continually worsening security situation, we the officers and junior officers of the national armed forces were motivated to take action with the desire to protect the security and integrity of our country, said the statement read by the junta spokesman, Capt. Kiswendsida Farouk Azaria Sorgho.

The soldiers promised the international community they would respect their commitments and urged Burkinabes to go about their business in peace.

A meeting will be convened to adopt a new transitional constitution charter and to select a new Burkina Faso president be it civilian or military, Sorgho added.

Damiba had just returned from addressing the U.N. General Assembly in New York as Burkina Fasos head of state. Tensions, though, had been mounting for months. In his speech, Damiba defended his January coup as an issue of survival for our nation, even if it was perhaps reprehensible to the international community.

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Constantin Gouvy, Burkina Faso researcher at Clingendael, said Friday nights events follow escalating tensions within the ruling MPSR junta and the wider army about strategic and operational decisions to tackle spiraling insecurity.

Members of the MPSR increasingly felt Damiba was isolating himself and casting aside those who helped him seize power, Gouvy told The Associated Press.

Gunfire had erupted in the capital, Ouagadougou, early Friday and hours passed without any public appearance by Damiba. Late in the afternoon, his spokesman posted a statement on the presidencys Facebook page saying that negotiations are underway to bring back calm and serenity.

Fridays developments felt all too familiar in West Africa, where a coup in Mali in August 2020 set off a series of military power grabs in the region. Mali also saw a second coup nine months after the August 2020 overthrow of its president, when the juntas leader sidelined his civilian transition counterparts and put himself alone in charge.

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On the streets of Ouagadougou, some people already were showing support Friday for the change in leadership even before the putschists took to the state airwaves.

Francois Beogo, a political activist from the Movement for the Refounding of Burkina Faso, said Damiba has showed his limits.

People were expecting a real change, he said of the January coup detat.

Some demonstrators voiced support for Russian involvement in order to stem the violence, and shouted slogans against France, Burkina Fasos former colonizer. In neighboring Mali, the junta invited Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group to help secure the country, though their deployment has drawn international criticism.

Many in Burkina Faso initially supported the military takeover last January, frustrated with the previous governments inability to stem Islamic extremist violence that has killed thousands and displaced at least 2 million.

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Yet the violence has failed to wane in the months since Damiba took over. Earlier this month, he also took on the position of defense minister after dismissing a brigadier general from the post.

Its hard for the Burkinabe junta to claim that it has delivered on its promise of improving the security situation, which was its pretext for the January coup, said Eric Humphery-Smith, senior Africa analyst at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.

Earlier this week, at least 11 soldiers were killed and 50 civilians went missing after a supply convoy was attacked by gunmen in Gaskinde commune in Soum province in the Sahel. That attack was a low point for Damibas government and likely played a role in inspiring what weve seen so far today, added Humphery-Smith.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday that nearly one-fifth of Burkina Fasos population urgently needs humanitarian aid.

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Burkina Faso needs peace, it needs stability, and it needs unity in order to fight terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in parts of the country, Dujarric said.

Chrysogone Zougmore, president of the Burkina Faso Movement for Human Rights, called Fridays developments very regrettable, saying the instability would not help in the fight against the Islamic extremist violence.

How can we hope to unite people and the army if the latter is characterized by such serious divisions? Zougmore said. It is time for these reactionary and political military factions to stop leading Burkina Faso adrift.

___

Mednick reported from Barcelona. Associated Press writers Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

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ISLAMABAD  Pakistan on Friday launched a hotline for transgender people in an effort to protect them from discrimination and harassment, a senior government official said. Trans people in Pakistan are considered outcasts by many, especially in conservative areas in the country, where they are often sexually abused, assaulted and even murdered. They also hesitate to enroll in regular schools to avoid discrimination.

Salman Sufi, an adviser to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, said in a tweet that the much-awaited hotline for the protection of trans people from discrimination and harassment had been set up and was live.

The hotline is connected to top police officers and the Ministry of Human Rights, he said.

We are glad that this so-called hotline has been set up for us, Almas Bobby, a spokesperson for transgender people in Pakistan, told The Associated Press by phone. Bobby said in most cases of harassment, trans people are either beaten, arrested or publicly harassed by police across the country.

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How can we can call on this hotline when our phones are snatched? When we are arrested like a robber from wedding parties where we have to perform and earn? Who harasses us the most? Bobby said. Yes, indeed, the police. And we will have to call the police to seek justice.

The hotline comes as the government tries to pass an amendment in its transgender rights bill, which will let trans people choose their gender identity for previously issued government documents, educational certificates and national identity cards.

But the proposed amendments have caused controversy, with hardline clerics opposing them.

Although Pakistan has in recent years made some progress on transgender rights in the Muslim-majority country, human rights experts say a lot is still to be done to ensure recognition of trans people on a social level.

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Bobby estimates there are around 10,000 trans people living in Pakistan.

Last year, Pakistan opened its first government-run school for transgender students in the central city of Multan, promising to set up more such schools in the future.

In 2019, Pakistans Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling designating trans people as a third gender.

In the past, trans people were often denied medical treatment because doctors could not decide whether to treat them in a male or a female ward.

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KABUL, Afghanistan  A suicide bomber struck an education center in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital on Friday, killing 19 people and wounding 27, including teenagers who were taking university practice entry exams, a Taliban spokesman said. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The morning explosion at the center took place in Kabuls Dashti Barchi neighborhood, an area populated mostly by ethnic Hazaras, who belong to Afghanistans minority Shiite community. The Islamic State group has carried out repeated, horrific attacks on schools, hospitals and mosques in Dashti Barchi and other Shiite areas in recent years.

Around 300 recent high school graduates, boys and girls, had come to the Kaaj Higher Educational Center at 6:30 a.m. to take practice exams, said one survivor, 19-year-old Shafi Akbary. The facility helps students prepare and study for the entrance exams, among other activities.

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About an hour into the session, the blast went off.

First, we heard the sounds of a few gunshots at the main gate. Everyone was worried and tried to run to a different direction, said Akbary, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone. Soon after that, a huge explosion occurred inside the center.

Akbary, who was unharmed, said he saw dozens of bodies and wounded people scattered around him. I was so afraid and couldnt even move myself to help them. Later, other people ran inside and took us out, he added. Akbary said he has attended classes at the center the past six months

Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman of the Kabul police who gave the casualty toll, said students were among the victims of the blast, but he did not specify how many. He said education centers in the area will need to ask the Taliban for additional security when they host events with big gatherings like Fridays exam prep.

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Police have arrested a suspect who may have links to the attack, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said later. He was unable to provide any updates on the casualties.

The Emergency NGO Hospital in Kabul said in a tweet it had received 22 patients so far, adding that most of them were women aged 18-25 who were taking an exam.

Husnia Azimi was one of those killed in the suicide bombing. She left home Friday morning to attend the exam, even though her sister Zainab told her it was late and not to go.

Once she left, it was around 09:00 a.m. that we heard about the explosion, said Zainab. We didnt hear its sound, but once we got the news, we went to all the hospitals, Ali Jinnah hospital, Watan hospital, and other hospitals.

But when we went to the Emergency Hospital, we got a call from Ali Jinnah hospital that my sisters dead body was found. Then we went back there and saw her body.

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No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. But the Islamic State group, the chief rival of the Taliban, has been waging a campaign of violence that has intensified since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Afghanistans Hazaras, who are mostly Shiite Muslims, have been a frequent target of the violence. In Dashti Barchi, IS carried out a 2020 attack on a maternity hospital that killed 24 people, including newborn babies and mothers, and an attack on a school in 2021 that killed more than 90, mostly schoolgirls. The neighborhood sees frequent bombings of minibuses and, earlier this year, a school and another education center were hit near simultaneously, killing six.

The local police chief, Abdul Rahman Nafiz, criticized the center for failing to inform security officials about the practice exam.

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Neither police officials nor intelligence officials were aware of any activity going on or a big exam happening in this center, so the officials from the center were very reckless, he said. Now our mujaheddin (Taliban police) are here, and they are investigating the incident.

Amnesty Internationals South Asia campaigner, Samira Hamidi, said Fridays attack showed the utter failure of the Taliban, as de-facto authorities, to protect the people of Afghanistan.

She said the Taliban have taken few measures to protect the public, especially Shiites and Hazaras Instead, their actions of omission and commission have only further aggravated the risk to the lives of the people of Afghanistan especially those belonging to ethnic and minority communities, she said.

The U.S. charge daffaires for Afghanistan, Karen Decker, condemned Fridays attack in a tweet.

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Targeting a room full of students taking exams is shameful; all students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear, she said. We hope for a swift recovery for the victims & we grieve with the families of the deceased.

The United Nations childrens agency UNICEF said it was appalled by Fridays horrific attack. Children and adolescents are not, and must never be, the target of violence, it said in a tweet.

Since seizing power, the Taliban have banned most girls beyond the sixth grade from attending school. But female high school graduates from previous years can go to university.

___

Faiez reported from Islamabad.

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In order to prepare the next meeting between the former Presidents of Armenia and Artsakh, His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, held separate meetings with the former leaders these days, Director of the Information Center at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Yesayi Artenyan wrote on Facebook.

September 30, 2022, 15:34 Catholicos Garegin II prepares new meeting with former presidents of Armenia and Artsakh

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: Yesterday, a meeting was held with the First President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

The materials being spread over the content of the private conversation and also the meeting with the Prime Minister are false. We think that all of this is aimed at failing the process of initiated discussions, he said.
Singapore: The Vatican has revealed it disciplined and placed restrictions on the Nobel Prize-winning former head of the Roman Catholic church in East Timor after receiving allegations that he sexually abused boys during the countrys independence struggle in the 1990s.

South-east Asias newest nation has been rocked by the claims against Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo, which were made in a report this week by Dutch news magazine De Groene Amsterdammer.

Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo pictured at his home in Dili in 1996, the year he was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Credit:AP

Reacting to the publication of the allegations, the Vatican said in a statement it had taken action against Belo, who is now 74 and living in Portugal, when it became aware of the claims two years ago.

Reuters reported Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in his statement that the Vaticans doctrinal office, which handles sex abuse cases, first became involved in the matter in 2019 in light of the accusations it received concerning the bishops behaviour.
The number of those killed in a blast that rocked an education center in western Kabul earlier on Friday has grown to 32, with at least 40 more people injured, Al Jazeera reported, citing an official at Afghanistans interim government formed by the Taliban.

September 30, 2022, 15:48 Death toll in Kabul explosion rises to 32

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: The TV channel reported earlier that the blast left at least 20 people killed and 35 injured. The official told Al Jazeera that a suicide bomber was behind the deadly attack. Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported on its Twitter page that 19 people had been killed and 27 more sustained wounds, according to TASS.

In recent months, a number of explosions, armed attacks and shootouts were reported in a range of Afghan provinces, including the area around the countrys capital, in which both Taliban supporters and civilians were killed. The Islamic State  Khorasan Province, an affiliate of the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia), claimed responsibility for most of the incidents.
Russia will view strikes on its new territories as an act of aggression, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday, Tass informs.

September 30, 2022, 16:54 Moscow to view strikes on new territories as act of aggression against Russia  Kremlin

STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: "It will be nothing else," the spokesman said, answering a question if Moscow will view Ukrainian strikes on the new territories as an act of aggression against Russia.

Referendums on accession to Russia took place in DPR and LPR, as well as in Zaporozhye and Kherson region between September 23 and 27. In all four entities, the vast majority of voters favored accession to Russia. The ceremony of signing of accession treaties will take place on 15:00 Friday in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
(Dave Benett/Getty Images for The)

A Grade I-listed townhouse belonging to the Nick Cave and his wife, fashion designer Susie, has gone on sale for 3.25 million.

The couple bought a maisonette in the house for 165,000 in 2002.

They later bought an adjoining property and turned them into one larger home, becoming favoured local celebrities in Brighton.

The eight-bedroom terraced house is part of a classic stucco-fronted Regency crescent and is spread across 6,397 square feet over five storeys.

It has four bathrooms, four reception rooms, a library, gym and sauna.

The lower ground floor, housing two of the bedrooms, is a basement apartment, with its own entrance, sitting room, kitchen and bathroom.

Upstairs, theres an open-plan kitchen and dining room, spanning the length of the house.

Painted entirely in lilac with black kitchen units, theres a long farmhouse table and homely fireplace at the centre of the room.

A grand piano stands in a sitting room on the floor above where tall, floor-to-ceiling windows give views over the sea. The walls are pale pink, complemented by a darker pink carpet and red velvet upholstery.

A fan of period property, fashion designer Susie bought an abandoned 1860 Sunday school and turned it into the headquarters for her brand, The Vampires Wife.

The label is best known for the Falconetti, dubbed the dress of the decade by Vogue and worn by everyone from Kate Middleton, who picked an emerald green number for her first official portrait, to Margot Robbie and Holly Willoughby in ruby red and Caves fellow Australian and collaborator Kylie Minogue in pink.

Although a restrained cream colour on the outside, the houses interiors are as rainbow coloured as her fashion range from the pink-walled gym to the lilac kitchen and bold green master bedroom suite with its plant-filled bathroom with clawfoot bathtub.

The house was the work of leading Regency architect Charles Augustin Busby, who designed a number of buildings around Brighton, and retains its original shutters, wooden floors and decorative architraves.

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Originally from Australia, Nick Cave found fame as the frontman of the band The Birthday Party and, later, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

Having lived in London, Berlin and Sao Paulo, Cave married Susie Bick in 1999 and moved to Brighton shortly afterwards.

[Brighton is] about as close to the edge of England as you can get before falling into the sea, said Cave in an earlier interview.

Australians always kind of cling to the edge. I just like having a bit of a view. I like the view. Im literally looking out over the sea, so its nice.

Following the tragic death of Caves 15-year-old son Arthur in 2015, the family moved to Los Angeles. Brighton had just become too sad, wrote Cave on his open question forum The Red Hand Files.

We did, however, return once we realised that, regardless of where we lived, we just took our sadness with us.

Despite returning to Brighton, Cave says the couple have begun to spend more time in London, in a tiny, secret, pink house, where we are mostly happy.

Cave and Bick put their house on the market last week, cementing their slow departure from Brighton. Cave lost his eldest son, Jethro Lazenby, earlier this year.

It seems to me that the common agent that binds us all together is loss, he wrote to a fan this month.

We reach out and find each other in the common darkness. By doing so we triumph over our collective and personal loss.

Through kindness we slant, shockingly and miraculously, toward meaning. We discover, in that smallest gesture of goodwill laid at the feet of our mutual and monumental loss, the point.

The property is listed for 3.25 million with Hamptons.
If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here.

PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS

- Monocacy Development will demolish an existing structure and put up a new building with 55 apartments and retail space on the first floor at 128 E. Third St. in Bethlehem.

- The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission approved materials and designs for ArtsQuest's new cultural center at 25 W. Third St. in the city.

- The gangster-themed restaurant Capo & Co. in Emmaus held a ribbon-cutting last week for its speakeasy-style bar and restaurant.

- An attraction that started in downtown Easton may go global, as Crayola said it has reached a licensing agreement for at least five more Crayola Experience venues over the next five years.

- Curaleaf marijuana dispensary has taken the place of the old Chess N Checkers bar on Airport Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

- Ms. Velvet's Cafe held a ribbon-cutting last week for the new restaurant in honor of owner Carlos Marrero's sister Ruby, who died in 2017 after a hit-and-run accident.

- Pressed Bouquet, which preserves flowers in a variety of forms, recently held a ribbon-cutting with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

- The Bethlehem Township Board of Supervisors approved the subdivision plan for River Hills, a Kay Builders plan for 44 single-family dwellings and 36 multi-family units on 29 acres near Shannon Avenue.

- Bethlehem City Council delayed a decision on the certificate of appropriateness for Skyline West, a plan is for 40 apartments in a five-story building overlooking Monocacy Creek and the city's Moravian industrial quarter.

- The Pocono Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting for Ideal Property Management, a manager of vacation rental properties.

- The Palmerton branch of KeyBank on Delaware Avenue and the Sellersville branch on Main Street will close Dec. 2 as KeyBank and other companies move toward online finance.

- The Quakertown-area theater Regal Cinemas in Richland Township has closed after its parent company, Cineworld, filed for bankruptcy.

- Saint Rocco's Treats, a Pipersville-based gourmet kitchen for dogs, will hold a ribbon-cutting Friday, Oct. 14 from noon to 1 p.m., in conjunction with the Upper Bucks County Chamber of Commerce.

- Two diners on Route 22 in Warren County caught fire on the same day: Catch 22 and Key City Diner.

- After 22 years, the casual restaurant Sullivan's on the Main in Phillipsburg has been sold.
Four people have been shot and killed by an armed rebel group in Indonesia's restive West Papua province, the latest in a string of attacks on civilians, police say.

The West Papua National Liberation Army, which the government has designated as a terrorist organisation, said its members on Thursday night shot people they believed were Indonesian intelligence personnel disguised as road construction workers.

"Our troops succeeded in shooting dead four Indonesian intelligence officers disguised as workers," Sebby Sambom, a spokesperson for the rebel group said in a statement, adding that the victims' bodies were still being held by the group.

He did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim that the victims were intelligence officers.

Indonesia's easternmost provinces of Papua and West Papua have seen a long-simmering independence movement, which has intensified in recent years. The Indonesian military maintains a heavy presence in the impoverished region, and has been accused by activist groups of human rights abuses, which it denies.

West Papua's police spokesperson, Adam Erwindi, said a total of 12 road construction workers had been shot, but added that an investigation had been launched into whether the deceased were in fact civilians or military personnel.

"We are also still looking into the conditions of the remaining victims, and where their exact locations are now," Adam told Reuters.

A military spokesperson in West Papua declined to comment on the attack.

The rebel group, which is the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, also killed nine civilians in July, and eight telecommunications technicians in March, according to police.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  Former executives and directors of Pacific Gas & Electric have agreed to pay $117 million to settle a lawsuit over devastating 2017 and 2018 California wildfires sparked by the utility's equipment, it was announced Thursday.

The settlement was announced by the PG&E Fire Victim Trust, which was established to handle claims filed by more than 80,000 victims of deadly wildfires ignited by PG&E's rickety electrical grid. The trust's lawsuit, filed last year, alleged that former officers and board members neglected their duty to ensure the utility's equipment wouldnt kill people.

The complaint was an offshoot of a $13.5 billion settlement that PG&E reached with the wildfire victims while the utility was mired in bankruptcy from January 2019 through June 2020.

As part of that deal, PG&E granted the victims the right to go after the utilitys hierarchy leading up to and during a series of wind-driven wildfires that killed more than 100 people and destroyed more than 25,000 homes and businesses, including the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 people and destroyed much of the town of Paradise in Butte County.

PG&E pleaded guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter for causing the fire and was fined $4 million, the maximum penalty allowed.

All told, PG&E has been blamed for more than 30 wildfires since 2017 that wiped out more than 23,000 homes and businesses and killed more than 100 people.

Those sued by the fire trust included two of PG&Es former chief executives, Anthony Earley and Geisha Williams, who were paid millions of dollars during their terms, and former board members. They were covered by liability insurance secured by the utility, the trust has said.

PG&E is the nation's largest utility, with an estimated 16 million customers in central and Northern California.

In a statement, PG&E said the settlement is another step forward in PG&Es ongoing effort to resolve issues outstanding from before its bankruptcy and to move forward focused on our commitments to deliver safe, clean and reliable energy to our customers, and to continue the important work of reducing risk across our energy system."

The settlement money won't go to fire victims. Instead, under a bankruptcy court order, the money will be used to satisfy the vast majority" of claims made by federal agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, that helped fight the blazes and assist the victims, said a statement from Frank M. Pitre, lead attorney for the trust.

That means the money won't have to come out of funds earmarked for the trust, which has paid out $4.9 billion to victims.

The trust has said it faces a huge shortfall because half of the promised settlement consisted of PG&E stock that has consistently traded at less than what was hoped for when the deal was struck toward the end of 2019.

The stock closed Thursday at $12.38 a share on the New York Stock Exchange, down more than 30 cents.

Would-be investors might be spooked by PG&E's continuing wildfire woes. In June, the company pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges it faces after its equipment sparked the Zogg Fire, which killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes in Northern California two years ago.

Also earlier this year, PG&E agreed to pay more than $55 million to avoid criminal prosecution for two other major wildfires sparked by its aging Northern California power lines. But the company didn't acknowledge wrongdoing in those cases.

And last week, federal investigators seized a utility transmission pole and attached equipment in a criminal probe into what started the Mosquito Fire in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

The fire that broke out on Sept. 6 destroyed nearly 80 homes and other buildings. The fire, which has burned nearly 120 square miles (311 square kilometers), was 85% contained Thursday.
BIRDSBORO, Pa.  As part their on-the-road meeting series, the Berks County commissioners were welcomed Thursday night at Birdsboro Borough Hall.

Commissioner Kevin S. Barnhardt said Birdsboro may play a role in economic development for the county.

"We have introduced and approved the IMAGINE Berks plan, or economic development plan, for the entire county," Barnhardt said, "and we're soon going to be networking with municipalities, and we feel Birdsboro is really key to economic growth in this area."

"So, we're going to invite you and your staff and members of council to participate in regional meetings," Barnhardt continued. "We might potentially have that here to really discuss and get into the details of the IMAGINE Berks plan, of how it impacts our municipalities and how we can grow stronger together."

The commissioners were greeted by Birdsboro Mayor Tony Scioli, who painted a picture of Birdsboro as a community-oriented, safe and friendly place to live.

"This borough is about 5,000 citizens here," Scioli said. "It's about a 1-square-mile town, and it's mostly hardworking, church-going people with families who are just trying to make ends by working together."

Scioli also praised the borough's community organizations and government boards.

"Our council is a mixture of Democrats and Republicans and independents, and we get along," the mayor said. "We negotiate, we talk and we provide solutions. In a small town that's not as divided, it's amazing how you can get things done."

The commissioners began their traveling meetings in the latter portion of 2021, with meetings taking place in the Borough of Wyomissing and then later at Muhlenberg Township, the Borough of Hamburg and Cumru Township.

Other business

As part of their meeting agenda, the commissioners adopted resolutions authorizing:

A letter of support for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program application to the state for ByHeart, Exeter Township, in the amount of $3.1 million for construction and related site upgrades, which will enable an expansion of the production lines and quadruple production output. ByHeart produces infant formula.

A bridge loan agreement with the Berks County Redevelopment Authority in the amount of $5 million to assist with various infrastructure and capacity upgrade projects. The loan will be repaid by the authority upon receipt of the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
KUTZTOWN, Pa.  Power restoration is underway in Florida, including for one family with ties to Berks County, staying in Davenport.

A Kutztown University grad traveled to Florida to visit family, and now he and his family are left in the dark. Dan Makauskas said he bought a one-way ticket to Florida.

"It wasn't until I landed that I realized there was even a hurricane on the way," he said.

Makauskas is now living in Philadelphia, but he traveled to Florida to meet up with his wife and in-laws. They are visiting family to celebrate the birth of a new baby boy. The celebration, however, was cut short.

Makauskas' wife, Becky Steele, said she was able to spend about a week with her new nephew.

"Then, we had to bunker down and start getting things prepared," Steele said.

Makauskas and Steele, who are also expecting, are staying at a family home in Davenport, between Tampa and Orlando. They lost power around 5 a.m.

"It has not come back on yet," Steele said. "We lost internet as well. We don't have anything to do in here right now."

The couple said the family home suffered only minor exterior damage, but the waiting and not knowing when they can return home is exhausting.

Makauskas said the family is spending this time reading books "and playing Nintendo Switch with what little battery we have left."

They know, though, that others in Florida are dealing with much worse.

"It's terrible," Makauskas said. "I can't imagine what it must be like for not only everybody that evacuated and has to go home to see what's left, but for anybody that stayed and couldn't afford to evacuate."

The couple plan to drive back to Pennsylvania on Saturday, as long as the conditions are safe for travel.
READING, Pa.  Police are looking for the motive behind a stabbing in Reading.

RPD officers and paramedics responded before 7 p.m. Thursday to the 200 block of West Douglass Street, near Weiser.

The male victim, whose age wasn't immediately available, was found with a non-life-threatening stab wound, according to the police.

Investigators said they plan to release additional information about the incident at a later time.
We're hearing a harrowing story from a family that survived Hurricane Ian Wednesday night, and saved other families in the process.

They're friends of our very own reporter Rob Manch, who lived in Southwest Florida for two years. The water came right up to Jacqueline Perez's front door in Island Park, Florida Wednesday. She said, as the waters rose, they started getting calls from people stranded. Her husband Evelio and a neighbor went to save them.

"They both held onto the straps and they went into the water. I mean it was up to their collarbones," said Perez.

Perez said she watched her husband and the neighbor from her balcony. The winds raged as they rescued a family from their house.

"Evelio held onto one dad with a baby to make sure he didn't lose that dad with the little baby in his arms," said Perez.

We spoke with that man's son, who was thankful to be rescued.

"We had a lot of people, two dogs, an infant. By the grace of God we made it over to safety," said Greg Duttko. "There absolutely is other people that tried to do what we did, and they got swept away. It's terrifying, and we're all still in shock."

Perez said they ended up with four other families in the house, moving to the second floor because the first floor flooded out, but others couldn't be saved.

"You could hear people screaming, asking for help during the night, you could see flares being shot off. There were homes on fire. It was chaos," said Perez.

Perez said, after saving several families, she doesn't regret the decision not to evacuate.

"We were meant to stay for a reason. We were meant to stay for a reason," said Perez.
There are new concerns about how drugs are being sold on the streets in our area, following a recent warning from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Officials in 18 states have seized brightly-colored fentanyl, and they say it's being marketed toward young people.

But local officials and advocates tell 69 News that while they're keeping an eye out for the so-called "rainbow fentanyl," none have come across it yet.

Officials say, however, there are some new concerns in the area. For one, they're seeing fentanyl disguised as other pills, more these days. They're also seeing more crystal methamphetamine on the streets, as prices drop.

The CDC says fentanyl is already the deadliest drug threat in the U.S. And in Lehigh and Northampton counties, officials say they're finding more of it on the streets, disguised as other pills.

A Northampton County detective, who asked to remain anonymous due to this undercover work, tells 69 News it's a big priority with his Drug Task Force.

"They make it so it looks like the Percocet pills," the detective said. "And that's kind of the scary part of the whole thing."

Advocates say they're seeing the effects of the disguised pills.

"You think you're taking a Percocet for pain, or even heroin," Brian Sabo said.

Sabo is the program director for two recovery centers in Northampton County: Hope Center and Change on Main.

"Instead you get fentanyl," he said. "Good probability you'll overdose and possibly die."

The CDC says more than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

The Lehigh County Drug Task Force said in an email: "The supply of fentanyl remains very high and prices are extremely low right now. We believe the open border in Mexico has a direct correlation to this."

Meanwhile, the Northampton County detective, who is supervisor of the drug task force, tells us his team is seeing more crystal meth on the streets as well.

"I've been doing drug work, you know, many years and the price has really dropped, what we're seeing currently," he said.

The detective says an ounce of methamphetamine was once sold for about $800. Now it's half that price or even less.

"Currently, we're seeing that same ounce of meth for $350, $400," he said.

He too, attributes it to what he describes as the open southern border.

"It just makes it easier for it and there's just much more of it coming," he said.

Sabo says there are resources to combat the drug epidemic.

"My big thing is stigma," he said. "It's okay to be addicted. It's okay. To have an issue. You know, it's okay to ask for help. Here in Northampton County and treatment trends, that's what we do."

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you can call Hope Center at 484-788-3665.

For free drug or alcohol assessments in Northampton County, you can call 610-829-HELP.

For more resources in Northampton County, head to the county website.

For resources in other parts of the state, head to the state's website.
NORTH CATASAUQUA, Pa. - Police in North Catasauqua, Northampton County are warning residents after two dogs attacked people and killed a cat.

On Sept. 9, officers were sent to the area of Willow Drive for a report of a female who was attacked by two dogs, according to a news release from borough Police Chief Christopher Wolfer.

While officers were searching for the dogs, police received another report, of a domestic cat that was attacked and killed by the same dogs, Wolfer said. A reverse 911 call was initiated requesting residents to shelter in place at their homes until the dogs could be located and contained, borough police said.

"He was unrecognizable," Cindy Drummer said of her cat, who was killed by the dogs.

Shortly after, officers found the dogs' owner, who helped police find and contain the dogs, Wolfer said. Officers secured the dogs in the borough kennel until the proper authorities could be contacted, according to the news release.

Contact was made with the Pennsylvania State Dog Warden on Sept. 12. The owner of the dogs declined to sign over possession, Wolfer said.

Wolfer said police have started legal procedures to have the dogs classified as "dangerous dogs" throughout the state. If declared dangerous dogs, severe restrictions will be placed on the dogs, according to the news release.

The Dog Warden said the dogs must be returned to the owner until the hearing is complete, Wolfer said.

On Sept. 24, the same dogs escaped their yard again, and aggressively charged multiple people and pets, according to the news release.

After calling several authorities, including the county district attorney's office, borough police found that they had no legal authority to remove the dogs from the community and that nothing more can be done until the court hearing, Wolfer said.

Neighbors say they are scared, especially for the children that just want to play outside.

"There are 22 children, school age children that live on this street. 15 of them are five years and younger," said neighbor Cathy Spieth.

Michael Andrei and his wife just brought home their newborn baby girl last week. Not knowing what these dogs will do next makes him uneasy about taking her outside.

"It's just worrisome and unfortunate that we can't take our daughter out," said Michael Andrei.

Wolfer says charges have been filed against the owner.

Borough police are asking residents to stay vigilant, and that if anyone sees loose dogs they should call 911 immediately and get to a place of safety.

Neighbors have been passing out flyers urging everyone to attend Monday's borough meeting at 7 p.m. to raise their concerns.
Artist Samson Kambalu unveils his artwork entitled, Antelope on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

Artist Samson Kambalu has said his new sculpture for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square represents standing up for justice and equality.

The Malawi-born artists piece, Antelope, depicts a 1914 photograph of European missionary John Chorley and Malawian Baptist preacher John Chilembwe, who fought against colonial rule.

Speaking at the unveiling of the sculpture in central London on Wednesday, Kambalu told the PA news agency that he was glad he could carry forth Chilembwes message of fighting for a better world.

The preacher died in 1915 in an uprising while fighting colonial injustices, one of which was the rule that forbade Africans from wearing hats in front of white people.

Kambalu explained: Before the uprising he made a photograph with his friend, they were simply standing side by side wearing hats, and he distributed this photograph amongst his followers as a political stance to say We are equal to white people so I can wear a hat in front of a white person.

Of course, he was killed months later, but his message lived on.

The artist admitted that when he came across the photograph in an Oxford library he was not initially sure of why it was so significant but felt there was a message behind it, and when he was approached to submit a proposal for the Fourth Plinth he said he knew it would be the subject matter immediately.

Reflecting on what it means to have his sculpture stationed in central London, he told PA: Chilembwe standing there, this sculpture represents not only standing up for justice and equality, but it also represents his own African heritage.

Kambalu added that the title of Antelope alludes to the mask culture of the Chewa people, who reside in Malawi, and is a symbol of generosity.

So hes not only proposing equality and injustice, but hes also proposing actually a radical economy right in the middle of the Empire, he added.

The artist said he feels the metaphor of who gets to wear the hat today is still a pertinent question.

Story continues

He said: Hence, we have movements like Black Lives Matter, the George Floyd movement.

His (Chilembwes) act of protest is still relevant today, and Im glad that I can carry it forward.

I can carry his message to contribute to the fight for a better world thats still going on today.

The sculpture was due to be unveiled earlier in the month, but it was delayed following the death of the Queen.

Last week, there were calls in the House of Commons for a statue of the late monarch to be erected on the Fourth Plinth instead in honour of her reign.

Previous Fourth Plinth commissions include Heather Phillipsons sculpture The End, which depicted a whirl of cream topped with a drone and a fly; Marc Quinns sculpture of pregnant Alison Lapper and Yinka Shonibares scaled-down replica of HMS Victory, contained in a glass bottle.

Sir Antony Gormley also created One & Other, in which people  including a man who posed naked  took it in turns to spend an hour on the plinth.
The water of the Lehigh River Watershed can vary from the extreme of high flooding to the serene of recreation. It can now include high levels of toxic chemicals linked to reproductive health risks.

"It was second highest in the nation and also ranked in the top 34 chemicals that are linked to cancers. So really one of the most polluted waterways in the country," said Flora Cardoni of environmental group Penn Environment.

She is referring to the "Wasting our Waterways" report released this week.

It looked at the number of pounds of toxic chemicals dumped into waterways. While the Lehigh is second for the most toxic chemicals linked to reproductive health, overall, it showed Pennsylvania has the 9th worst pollution in the country.

"I'm shocked by it and disappointed to hear that it is as bad as it is," said Matt MacConnell, who has been the Chair of the Sierra Club Lehigh Valley for more than a decade.

MacConnell has been testing area waterways. He says the health of the Lehigh has been good but hasn't tested for chemicals in the recent report.

"We know people are dumping things in the water but unless you kill fish you can't get anyone's attention," he said.

The report used self-reported data from industrial companies to the EPA. It showed more than 5.8 million pounds of toxic chemicals were dumped into the Pennsylvania waterways in 2020.

It shows that Whitehall-based cement manufacturing plant Holcim, Inc., which sits on the banks of the Lehigh River, released the most toxic chemicals into rivers of any facility in the state and is the 15th highest polluter in the country.

Holcim did not respond to our calls for comment.

"Every single one of those individual chemicals may have an allowable limit but cumulatively all those chemicals together create something else," said Northampton County Commissioner Tara Zrinski.

She says that's why laws, especially the Federal Clean Water Act, need to be strengthened. She says that federal and state agencies are under staffed and can't keep up with polluters.

The PA Department of Environmental Protection, which regulates water quality under the Clean Streams Law and federal Clean Water Act, said it had not reviewed the report.

On Monday the United States Supreme Court will hear a case based out of Idaho that could strip the federal government of enforcement powers over water and wetlands.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A World War II veteran from Allentown died Friday.

Clarence Smoyer, who was known as the Hero of Cologne, was 99.

His daughter said Smoyer had been in hospice. She said she is glad he is no longer in pain.

He celebrated his 99th birthday on June 25.

On March 6, 1945, as a tank gunner, Smoyer fired the first shot in the key battle of Cologne. His crew defeated a feared German Panther tank. The epic battle was captured on film. Smoyer, who destroyed five German tanks, was known as the Hero of Cologne.

"My tank commander said 'gentleman I give you Cologne. Let's knock the hell out of it.' And we obliged," he said back in 2019 about his time in Cologne, Germany.

However, only his captain and the cameraman were awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. A piece of gum cost Smoyer the Bronze Star. A few days after the fight, he was walking in rubble and came across some German kids who wanted gum.

The military banned talking to the enemy no matter the age. After looking in his pocket for gum and taking the kids across the street to their mom, MP's came around the corner. They cited him. It cost him the Bronze Star.

He finally received the Bronze Star at a ceremony in Washington D.C. in 2019. In a ceremony fit for a hero, complete with old army buddies that served alongside him, the Army awarded the honor to Smoyer and posthumously to his three crew members.

Those at the ceremony saluted and thanked Smoyer for his service and bravery.

"I wear this medal in memory of all the young boys who lost their lives and never got to live out their lives," Smoyer said.
HELLAM TWP., Pa.  The 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show will be "rooted in progress."

That will serve as the theme of the show, state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced during a visit to Flinchbaugh's Orchard in York County on Friday.

"This year's theme honors our roots and vision for the future," Redding said. "We were 'Harvesting More' in 2022 following a virtual year in 2021 during the pandemic  and now, we're celebrating accomplishments in agriculture, while recognizing the agricultural drive and vision to innovate and inspire."

The 2023 show is scheduled to take place Jan. 7-14 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. It will feature the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, the food court, bunny-hopping and sheep-shearing competitions, cooking demonstrations, and more than one million square-feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who power Pennsylvania's $132.5 billion agriculture industry.

"It's the mix of old favorites and new attractions that make this event so exciting year after year," said Sharon Myers, the farm show complex's executive director. "Come join us for good food and a fun, educational experience for the whole family."

Admission to the show is free. For the first time, payment for parking will be by credit card only. No cash will be accepted.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States and its allies hit back at Russias annexation of four Ukrainian regions on Friday, slapping sanctions on more than 1,000 people and companies including arms supply networks as President Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin he can't "get away with" seizing Ukrainian land.

The Russian annexation, though expected, escalated an already heated conflict that's become fraught with potential nuclear implications.

Biden said his administration would support any effort by Ukraine to retake the annexed territories by force, setting the stage for further hostilities. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that his country would make an accelerated bid to join the NATO military alliance, a plan not endorsed by the U.S. or other allies that could add fuel to the fire.

America and its allies are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless words and threats," Biden told reporters. He added that Putin "cant seize his neighbors territory and get away with it.

Russian President Vladimir Putins announcement that Russia is incorporating four Ukrainian cities and areas was not unexpected following referendums this week that the West had denounced as shams. And the U.S. and Western allies had previewed what their reaction would be.

But the developments dramatically increased tensions to a point not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago during the Cold War.

Biden had spoken out against the annexation plans last week at the U.N. General Assembly, where a vast majority of other members also voiced support for respecting the territorial integrity of all nations On Friday, he used the moment to reiterate that the U.S. and NATO allies would not allow Russia to attack any of the nearby NATO members without facing a strong military response.

America is fully prepared, prepared with our NATO allies to defend every single inch of NATO territory. Every single inch, Biden said. And so, Mr. Putin, dont misunderstand what Im saying. Every inch.

While the Biden administration has identified the suppliers of Russia's weapons and battlefield high-tech as a priority, many of Friday's other sanctions were in line with penalties already enacted on thousands of Russian individuals and companies, and may have comparatively little impact on the war effort. The administration hopes they will serve to further undermine support for Putins invasion among Russias elite.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and its European allies are rushing to complete agreement on a measure they hope will do more to damage Russias economy: a cap on Russias maritime oil exports that would undermine the prices Putin can demand for his countrys oil globally.

For now, Biden said the new U.S. financial penalties, similar to those coming from like-minded countries, will impose severe costs on people and companies that provide political or economic support to illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory. The sanctions will apply to countries, people or firms that support or do business with Russia-backed authorities in the newly annexed areas.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, echoing Biden, said the U.S. unequivocally rejects Russias fraudulent attempt to change Ukraines internationally recognized borders. ... This is a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter."

No one is fooled by what Moscow has done, Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with Canadas visiting foreign minister. The entire process around these sham referenda was a complete farce. This territory is and will remain Ukraine, and Ukraine has every right to defend its land, to defend its people and to take back the territory that Russia has seized from it.

This suggests the U.S. will support the Ukrainians with weapons and ammunition to help them with military action to retake the annexed areas. The U.S. has warned Ukraine in the past not to use American weapons against Russian territory.

Blinken also spoke out against Putin's nuclear threats..

This kind of loose talk about nuclear weapons is the height of irresponsibility, and its something that we take very seriously," he said. To date he said, the U.S. has not seen that Russia is actually doing anything that suggests they are contemplating the use of nuclear weapons.

"I can just tell you that we plan against every possible scenario, including this one.

Biden also pushed back against Putin's comments on Friday in which he accused the West of sabotaging Russia-built natural gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea to Germany. Nordic nations said the undersea blasts that damaged the pipelines this week and have led to huge methane leaks involved several hundred pounds of explosives.

The president said the U.S. and allies are still working to determine who was responsible for the blasts, but excoriated Putin over his accusation.

Let me say this, it was a deliberate act of sabotage, Biden said. And now the Russians are pumping out disinformation and lies.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that not many countries have the ability to carry out such an attack on the pipelines. He stopped short of charging Russia was responsible but made clear the U.S. is suspicious that they may be complicit.

Russia has done what it frequently does when it is responsible for something, which is make accusations that it was really someone else who did it, Sullivan said. Weve seen this repeatedly over time.

As for a broader guarantee of protection, Ukraine has sought NATO membership for years but has not yet been admitted due to concerns about its domestic governance. As a result of Russias invasion, Finland and Sweden have applied for fast-track admission into the alliance.

The White House said Sullivan had spoken with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to highlight the U.S. and NATOs firm commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

But the Biden administration isn't embracing Zelenskyys push for an accelerated path to NATO membership. Sullivan said the U.S. was focused on supporting Ukraine through practical on the ground support. He added that "the process in Brussels should be taken up at a different time.

Earlier, following Putins announcement, the White House along with the State, Treasury and Commerce departments had announced the new sanctions in a series of coordinated statements. The sanctions expand on what have been escalating penalties against Russia and its proxies since the invasion began on Feb. 24.

Treasury designated hundreds of members of Russias parliament, leaders of the countrys financial and military infrastructure and suppliers for sanctions designations that include asset freezes and bans on Americans doing business with them. The Commerce Department added 57 companies to its list of export control violators, and the State Department added more than 900 people to its visa ban list, making them ineligible for travel to the United States.

Since the start of the invasion, the U.S. and European nations have imposed significant financial penalties on Russia, its leadership and wealthy oligarchs tied to Putin. The allies have gone after the central bank reserves that underpin the Russian economy and have severed many Russian banks from a vital global financial network called SWIFT.

The war is having a devastating impact on the global economy and has contributed to massive disruptions to supplies of energy and food throughout the world. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development this week said the global economy is set to lose $2.8 trillion in output in 2023 because of the conflict.

Putin appears undeterred. He warned that Russia would never give up the absorbed regions the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and would protect them as part of its sovereign territory.

Both houses of the Russian parliament will meet next week to approve the treaties for the regions to join Russia.

Associated Press writers Ellen Knickmeyer and Zeke Miller contributed reporting.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

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. .

Tonight

Cloudy. We can't entirely rule out a stray shower late. There will likely be a little bit more rain, certainly late, to the south.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed treaties to begin the process of absorbing parts of Ukraine into Russia, defying international law.

In a ceremony in the Kremlins opulent white-and-gold St. Georges Hall, Putin and the heads of the four regions of Ukraine put their names on treaties for them to join Russia. The action represents a sharp escalation in the seven-month conflict in Ukraine.

The signing came three days after the completion of Kremlin-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that were dismissed by Kyiv and the West as a bare-faced land grab, held at gunpoint and based on lies.

The separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine have been backed by Moscow since declaring independence in 2014, weeks after the annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. The southern Kherson region and part of the neighboring Zaporizhzhia were captured by Russia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Both houses of the Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubber-stamp the treaties for the regions to join Russia, sending them to Putin for his approval.

***

WARNING: This gallery contains graphic images
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A new law aims to stop other states from punishing children who come to California for transgender surgeries and other gender-affirming care, a move that will intensify conflicts between Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Republican governors amid the country's escalating culture war.

Newsom signed the law on Thursday, but it won't take effect until January. It is designed to stop Texas and other conservative states from removing children from parents who allow them to receive gender affirming health care, defined as medically necessary health care that respects the gender identity of the patient, as experienced and defined by the patient."

That would include hormone therapy to suppress secondary sex characteristics and other treatments to align the patient's appearance or physical body with the patient's gender identity.

The law will block out-of-state subpoenas, stop health providers from sharing information with out-of-state entities related to gender-affirming care. And it would give California courts authority to make an initial child custody determination if the child is in California for the propose of obtaining gender-affirming care.

The law was in part inspired by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has treated gender-affirming care as child abuse and ordered investigations of families who allowed it. A Texas judge has temporarily blocked the state from doing that, but the case is on appeal.

As so many states work to erase trans kids and criminalize their families, California must always have their backs, state Sen. Scott Wiener said. California is forcefully pushing back against the anti-LGBTQ hatred spreading across parts of our nation. The rainbow wave is real, and its coming."

The law has already inspired similar proposals in at least 19 other states, Wiener said. But it's not clear if the law will survive a challenge in court. The U.S. Constitution in general requires states to give full faith and credit to other state's laws. But it also guarantees people the right to travel to other states.

At this time, the interplay between these two constitutional provisions and the constitutionality of the other states' laws have yet to be determined, so it is unclear whether this bill will run afoul of the constitution," legislative staffers wrote in an analysis of the bill before Newsom signed it into law.

Wiener's office believes the law is constitutional because it does not change the requirement that California recognize valid court judgments issued in other states. They said the law limits California courts from enforcing subpoenas issued by out-of-state courts and protects information about gender-affirming care provided in California. The law does block extradition to other states, but only to the fullest extent permitted by federal law," said Catie Stewart, a spokesperson for Wiener's office.

The law continues California Democrats' plan to push back against laws they don't like in other conservative states. Earlier this week, Newsom signed laws to make California a sanctuary for women in other states seeking abortions now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade.

Newsom signed the law because he said he was taking a stand for parental choice, saying parents know what's best for their kids, and they should be able to make decisions around the health of their children without fear. That elicited cries of hypocrisy from some critics, who note Newsom has ordered all school children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine  an order that has been delayed until at least next summer.

The California Family Council opposed the law. The conservative group fears the law could be used to entice children to California against their parents' wishes.

By signing this extreme bill, Gavin Newsom is telling all parents across the country that he knows whats best for their children," said Jonathan Keller, the group's president. Mothers and fathers in every state should demand their elected representatives push back against this unconstitutional assault on parental rights.
TEQUA, West Bank (AP)  A throng of men clutching the body of a 7-year-old Palestinian boy marched through a town in the occupied West Bank toward the child's final resting place on Friday, a day after his parents say he died from fear of Israeli soldiers.

Rayan Suleiman, with bright eyes and a backpack emblazoned with an animated race car, was walking home from school on Thursday when his family says he and his brothers were chased by Israeli soldiers. After the boys bolted home, the troops banged furiously on the door and threatened to arrest the children, their parents say. Just moments later, Rayan, the youngest of the three brothers, was dead.

The story shot across the occupied West Bank, providing an emotive focus for fury over Israels military tactics and what Palestinians contend is their victimization by the Israeli occupation. The Israeli army called the death a tragedy and said its soldiers were not to blame.

Heavily armed Israeli soldiers routinely arrest Palestinian children in the West Bank, where nearly half a million Israeli settlers live on land that Palestinians want for a future independent state.

Rayan's death also struck a nerve with Palestinian parents. Fear for their children's safety and the dread of soldiers knocking on the door are part of daily life under an entrenched Israeli military rule that is now in its 56th year.

He was just an innocent boy, just 7 years old, what can he do? Yasser Suleiman, Rayan's father, told The Associated Press outside the hospital morgue on Friday, choking back tears.

The State Department demanded an investigation. The European Union said it was shocked by Rayans tragic death. U.N. Mideast envoy Tor Wennesland said he was saddened and called for an immediate probe.

Photographs of Rayans tiny, lifeless body under a sheet in the hospital became a potent new symbol overnight, threatening to fuel already heightened tensions just a day after the deadliest Israeli raid since the military escalated its crackdown on the West Bank earlier this year.

And like many such incidents in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, his death has sparked contention. The Israeli military has denied any violence in the interaction with Rayans family, saying that just one officer came to the familys house after spotting children throwing stones.

Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a military spokesman, said the officer spoke in a very calm manner with Rayan's father and left.

There was no violence, no entry into the house, Hecht said.

Rayan's father said his son collapsed after he saw the Israeli soldiers who chased him appear at his front door. Yasser Suleiman said he was trying to reason with the soldiers, who accused his children of throwing rocks. The soldiers threatened to return at night and arrest all three children, including Rayan's older brothers, ages 8 and 10, Suleiman said. Rayan tried to run away and fell on the floor, unconscious.

He died of fear on the spot, Suleiman said.

Doctors at a hospital in Beit Jala, a Palestinian town south of Jerusalem, could not resuscitate him. A pediatric specialist, Dr. Mohamed Ismail, said Rayan was healthy and had no previous medical conditions.

The most probable scenario of what happened is that under stress, he had excess adrenaline secretion, which caused the increase of his heart beat, Ismail said. He developed cardiac arrest.

A forensic doctor is currently conducting an autopsy on Rayan. Until the doctor makes his determination, no death certificate will be issued.

In the meantime on Friday, mourners thronged his body outside his stone house in Tequa, a Palestinian town that borders an Israeli settlement with some 4,000 residents. They kissed his head and feet, shrouded in a Palestinian flag.

God is great! they shouted, some jogging to stay ahead of his small body on the wooden pallet. Oh Rayan, light of the eye!"

At the Suleiman house on Friday afternoon, women wept and wailed over Rayan's bed, displayed in the family's courtyard along with his English school books. His mother was crumpled over, inconsolably crying and calling out for her son. Extended family with watery eyes milled about in mourning.

Rayan's aunt, who was home at the time of the incident, said even she was terrified when Israeli soldiers burst into the home. She said they handed her a paper in Hebrew she couldn't read and yelled, We want the boys, where are the boys?"

"The kids are always in danger, from settlers from the army, on their way back from school," said Rayan's aunt, who gave her name as Umm Ali, noting that soldiers sometimes patrol a verdant shortcut that kids take from school to their homes. Rayan is not the first one, he is only the latest."

His brothers are refusing to go to school again out of fear, she added.

Palestinians have seized on Rayans death as the latest Israeli provocation as deadly violence rises in the West Bank. Following a surge of Palestinian attacks inside Israel last spring that killed 19 Israelis, the Israeli military has conducted almost nightly raids into cities and towns to arrest suspects. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed, making 2022 the deadliest in seven years.

Human rights groups say that across the West Bank, Palestinian children live under constant threat of violence. Under Israeli military law, Palestinian children age 12 and above can go to prison for six months. Israel arrests hundreds of teenagers during night raids each year, bundling them handcuffed and blindfolded into armored cars for interrogation, reported Israeli human rights organization, HaMoked.

That's hugely traumatizing for the teenage kids being arrested and for their mothers and fathers, said Jessica Montell, executive director of HaMoked. In this case, it was fatally traumatizing for this little boy.

After Rayan's funeral, small crowds of young men cursed and hurled rocks at Israeli armored vehicles rumbling through the streets of Tequa.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to illegally annex more occupied Ukrainian territory in a sharp escalation of his war. Ukraine's president countered with a surprise application to join the NATO military alliance.

Putins land-grab and President Volodymyr Zelenskyys signing of what he said is an accelerated NATO membership application sent the two leaders speeding faster on a collision course that is cranking up fears of a full-blown conflict between Russia and the West.

Putin vowed to protect newly annexed regions of Ukraine by all available means," a renewed nuclear-backed threat he made at a Kremlin signing ceremony where he also railed furiously against the West, accusing the United States and its allies of seeking Russia's destruction.

Zelenskyy then held his own signing ceremony in Kyiv, releasing video of him putting pen to papers he said were a formal NATO membership request.

Putin has repeatedly made clear that any prospect of Ukraine joining the military alliance is one of his red lines and cited it as a justification for his invasion, now in its eighth month, in Europe's biggest land war since World War II.

In his speech, Putin urged Ukraine to sit down for peace talks but insisted he wont discuss handing back occupied regions. Zelenskyy said there'd be no negotiations with Putin.

We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but  with another president of Russia," the Ukrainian leader said.

At his signing ceremony in the Kremlin's ornate St. George's Hall, Putin accused the West of fueling the hostilities to turn Russia into a colony and a crowd of soulless slaves. The hardening of his position, in the conflict that has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people, further raised tensions already at levels unseen since the Cold War.

Global leaders, including those from the Group of Seven leading economies, responded with an avalanche of condemnation. The U.S. and the U.K. announced more sanctions, and the U.N. Security Council scheduled discussions about the developments later Friday.

U.S. President Joe Biden said of Putin's annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions: Make no mistake: These actions have no legitimacy.

America and its allies are not going to be intimidated by Putin and his reckless words and threats, Biden added, noting that the Russian leader cant seize his neighbors territory and get away with it.

The European Union said its 27 member states will never recognize the illegal referendums that Russia organized as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called it the largest attempted annexation of European territory by force since the Second World War.

The war is at a pivotal moment, he said, and Putins decision to annex more territory  Russia now claims sovereignty over 15% of Ukraine  marks the most serious escalation since the start of the war. Stoltenberg was noncommittal on Zelenskyys fast-track NATO application, saying alliance leaders support Ukraines right to choose its own path, to decide what kind of security arrangements it wants to be part of.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council, said Zelenskyys move toward the military alliance amounts to begging NATO to accelerate the start of World War III.

Zelenskyy vowed to keep fighting, defying Putin's warnings that Kyiv shouldn't try to recapture what it has lost.

The entire territory of our country will be liberated from this enemy," he said. Russia already knows this. It feels our power."

The immediate ramifications of the accelerated NATO application weren't clear, since approval requires members' unanimous support. The supply of Western weapons to Ukraine has, however, already put it closer to the alliance's orbit.

De facto, we have already proven compatibility with alliance standards," Zelenskyy said. We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other.

The Kremlin ceremony came three days after the completion in the occupied regions of Moscow-orchestrated referendums on joining Russia that Kyiv and the West dismissed as a blatant land grab held at gunpoint and based on lies. In his fiery speech, Putin insisted Ukraine treat the votes with respect.

As the ceremony concluded, the Moscow-installed leaders of the occupied regions gathered around Putin, linked hands and chanted Russia! Russia! with the audience.

Putin cut an angry figure as he accused the United States and its allies of seeking to destroy Russia. He said the West acted as a parasite and used its financial and technological strength to rob the entire world.

He portrayed Russia as pursuing a historical mission to reclaim its post-Soviet great power status and counter Western domination he said is collapsing.

History has called us to a battlefield to fight for our people, for the grand historic Russia, for future generations, he said.

Moscow has backed eastern Ukraine's separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions since they declared independence in 2014, weeks after Russia's annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula. Russia captured the southern Kherson region and part of neighboring Zaporizhzhia soon after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The Kremlin-controlled Russian parliament will meet next week to rubber-stamp the annexation treaties, sending them to Putin for final approval.

The orchestrated process went into a celebratory phase Friday night, with thousands gathered in Red Square for a concert and rally that Putin joined. Many waved Russian flags as entertainers from Russia and occupied parts of Ukraine performed patriotic songs. Russian media reported employees of state-run companies and institutions were told to attend, and students were allowed to skip classes.

Putin's land grab and a partial troop mobilization were attempts to avoid more battlefield defeats that could threaten his 22-year rule. By formalizing Russias gains, he seemingly hopes to scare Ukraine and its Western backers by threatening to escalate the conflict unless they back down  which they show no signs of doing.

Russia controls most of the Luhansk and Kherson regions, about 60% of the Donetsk region and a large chunk of the Zaporizhzhia region, where it seized Europes largest nuclear power plant.

But the Kremlin is on the verge of another stinging military loss, with reports of the imminent Ukrainian encirclement of the eastern city of Lyman. Retaking it could open the path for Ukraine to push deep into Luhansk, one of the annexed regions.

It looks quite pathetic. Ukrainians are doing something, taking steps in the real material world, while the Kremlin is building some kind of a virtual reality, incapable of responding in the real world, former Kremlin speechwriter-turned-analyst Abbas Gallyamov said, adding that "the Kremlin cannot offer anything omforting to the Russians.

Russia pounded Ukrainian cities with missiles, rockets and suicide drones in Moscows heaviest barrage in weeks, with one strike in the Zaporizhzhia regions capital killing 30 and wounding 88.

In the Zaporizhzhia attack, anti-aircraft missiles that Russia has repurposed as ground-attack weapons rained down on people waiting in cars to cross into Russian-occupied territory so they could bring family members back across front lines, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraines presidential office.

Russian-installed officials in Zaporizhzhia blamed Ukrainian forces, but gave no evidence.

The strike left deep craters and sent shrapnel tearing into the humanitarian convoy, killing passengers. Nearby buildings were demolished. Bodies were later covered with trash bags, blankets and, for one victim, a blood-soaked towel.

A Ukrainian counteroffensive has deprived Moscow of battlefield mastery. Its hold on the Luhansk region appears increasingly shaky, as Ukrainian forces make inroads with the pincer assault on Lyman, a key node for Russian military operations in the Donbas and a sought-after prize. The Russian-backed separatist leader of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said Ukrainian forces have half-encircled Lyman. Ukraine maintains a large foothold in the neighboring Donetsk region.

Russian strikes were also reported in the city of Dnipro. Regional Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said at least three people were killed and five were wounded.

Ukraines air force said the southern cities of Mykolaiv and Odesa were targeted with Iranian-supplied suicide drones that Russia has increasingly deployed.

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The Real Estate Agency in Auburn has acquired Bouck Real Estate, a firm that's been in business for 60 years.

Agency owner Matthew Chalanick announced the acquisition in a news release Friday. A sale price wasn't disclosed, but Chalanick said he purchased all the firm's assets and name effective immediately.

Bouck Real Estate will continue to run under that name as a commercial branch of The Real Estate Agency, Chalanick said. It will be rebranded with new signage and marketing, and a new website.

I am looking forward to being able to add a more modern twist to commercial real estate and giving our clients the best possible service they deserve," he said in the release.

Bouck founded the firm in December 1962. About 20 years ago he transitioned it to primarily commercial real estate. Since then, he said, his firm has been involved in the sale or lease of almost every major commercial real estate property in the Auburn area.

Bouck will continue to work as a consultant with the agency, and will retain his broker licenses in New York and Florida. But it was also time for him to retire, he said, and begin the next phase of his life. It will include more travel with his wife, Connie, and writing.

"Im very happy that The Real Estate Agency, and Matt Chalanick, will carry on the very important work for the commercial sector in central New York," Bouck said. "The Real Estate Agency is an honest, hard-working group, that Im certain will prove to be of great benefit to the areas business owners, now and into the future.

Chalanick said Bouck will work with Steve Baier, a top producer at The Real Estate Agency, during the transition.

I am excited for Steve to take this opportunity and hit the ground running," Chalanick said. "With his experience and expertise as a real estate agent combined with his work ethic, Steve will exceed expectations and maintain Bouck Real Estate as the leading commercial brokerage in the area.

For more information, visit the-realestateagency.com.
You can always rely on Henrik Ibsen to throw a grenade of gloom into any bad situation. When Nicholas Hytner planned the staging of the great Norwegian brooder's penultimate play, written in 1896, he could hardly have predicted that it would open in the midst of a financial crisis, with the pound tanking, the markets queasy and the rising cost of living on everyone's mind.

But he clearly did realise that this story of a disgraced banker whose ambition has ruined his family and friends as he tried one last roll of the dice to make a fortune had a lot to say to our own age. In Lucinda Coxon's brisk, contemporary translation, Borkman's dream is not for personal wealth but to enrich society. "I was poised to generate such prosperity! All the new mines I'd open! The new shafts I'd sink! The waters power, quarries, the factories brought to life feeding the trade routes A great humming network all over the globe. Only I could have done that."

You hear the conviction politician, the gambling city banker in the unreflective hubris of much of what he says. The idealism is there but so is the entitlement. Yet the greatness of Ibsen's play is that it is so much more than a study of a man whose delusions imprison him even more strongly that the gaol to which he was once sent; it's a staggering, dark portrayal of family dynamics that have been warped by misplaced values and the denial of love.

The intensity of Hytner's production, powered by Simon Russell Beale as Borkman, Clare Higgins as his wife Gunhild and Lia Williams as her sister and his lost love Ella, means that the resonances of the writing, the way that Borkman has "traded" love for his dream, the imagery of wealth and loss, gleam as strongly as the riches Borkman imagines mining. You realise how all the characters are subservient to their past, and blind about their future  apart from Erhart, Borkman's son, who is determined to pursue only his own present happiness.

The sense of claustrophobia afflicting the family group is emphasised by Anna Fleischle's brooding, corrugated set which conjures the modernist palace in which Borkman is confined, pacing the landings of the upper room while Gunhild watches TV and tries to shut out the noise below. The sheer size of it separates each character from the other; they are always trying to have intimate conversations while shouting across a vast expanse of space.

In the same way, their essential loneliness is quietly underlined by the fact that there is only one chair for anyone to sit on. In the great central scene when Ella confronts John Gabriel about the way he has sacrificed their love for something he regarded as more precious, the shock of him kneeling in front of her, closing the distance between them, is almost visceral. Yet when she leans to kiss him, he still shies away.

When the sisters finally hold hands at the close, years of bitter misunderstanding suddenly swept away, it feels electric; a touch in a play in which feeling is frozen, like the windows facing out onto the bleak landscape. The suppression and misanthropy is brutal. "I have no further use for you," says Borkman, dismissing his only friend (Michael Simkins). "Women ruin everything," he muses, a little twitch of his shoulders revealing his distaste.

Russell Beale, rumpled and ragged, makes each rejection count. His voice and his silences beautifully chart Borkman's denials, of his self and of others, registering the pain, but never reaching anything approaching self-knowledge. Williams paints her agony across her face, comments received like blows, each change of mood marked by tiny, devastating inflections, while Higgins prowls like a wounded beast, her bitterness and loss distorting her every movement.

It's a strange, provoking play, full of difficult emotions and fierce feeling. No wonder it's not as often performed as some of Ibsen's more familiar works, yet its re-emergence here, at this time, feels doubly apt, as if by its very bleakness it brings a little light of insight.
The city of Auburn will hold a public hearing Oct. 4 on proposed changes to its zoning code, several of which concern the possible opening of cannabis businesses in the city.

The hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. that Tuesday during the Auburn Planning Board meeting in council chambers on the first floor of Memorial City Hall, 24 South St., Auburn.

The cannabis changes would take effect as New York prepares to launch its industry after the substance was legalized by the state last year. They include the addition of retail uses to general commercial-zoned areas, the addition of both retail and consumption sites to highway commercial areas, and preempted uses like cannabis nurseries added to commercial greenhouse or heavy commercial.

Cannabis dispensaries and consumption sites, which the city did not "opt out" of, would be limited to operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., per the changes. They will also be prohibited from opening within 1,000 feet of another cannabis retail business; 500 feet of a school, nursery school, day care or playground; 300 feet of a single-family, two-family or townhouse residence; and 200 feet of a church.

The changes also include several regarding smoke shops. They would be subject to the same time and distance restrictions as cannabis businesses, and required to post signage that minors may not enter.

Additional changes concern prohibited home occupations. Joining the list would be animal hospitals and kennels, motor vehicle-specific uses, restaurants and nightclubs, sales of retail goods and tobacco, vape and adult-use marijuana uses. Other changes concern stormwater management, landscaping and buffers, lighting, off-street parking and loading, and outdoor seating.

For more information, including a full list of the proposed changes, visit auburnny.gov.

Skaneateles, Auburn prepare zoning for legal cannabis As New York gets closer to the day when recreational cannabis can be legally sold in the majority of the state, local municipalities are using
President Joe Biden has signed a bill co-authored by U.S. Rep. John Katko to assist Federal Emergency Management Agency reservists who respond to disasters.

Katko, R-Camillus, and U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat, introduced legislation to add FEMA reservists to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Under federal law, the personnel who deploy to disaster areas will now receive employment protections. They do not have to notify their employers if they will be absent from work due to a deployment.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act took effect in 1994 and protects members of the armed forces and veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, it requires companies to reemploy service members at the same pay and status they would have held if they were not deployed.

While Katko and Titus introduced the House bill, U.S. Sens. Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, and Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, carried the measure in the Senate. The Senate passed it in December 2021 by unanimous consent, which means no senators opposed the measure. In the House, the final vote was 387-38.

Biden signed the bill in a private ceremony at the White House on Thursday. Katko attended the event.

"It was an honor to be at the White House to celebrate the enactment of the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act," Katko said in a statement. "When disaster strikes, FEMA reservists are often required to deploy at a moment's notice. But under current law, FEMA reservists do not receive important protections that prevent them from losing their full-time employment. I helped introduce this bipartisan bill to protect FEMA reservists and ensure they do not have to choose between their careers and responding to a disaster."

The White House announced the bill's signing by thanking the sponsors of the bill, including Katko, for their leadership.

The legislation was signed into law as FEMA responds to Hurricane Ian, which caused significant damage in Florida.
The storied Golden Rule anti-nuclear sailboat will be arriving in Winona Sunday evening and departing Tuesday morning, to continue its mission of raising awareness about the growing danger of nuclear war and to build support for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

The 34-foot wooden ketch is sailing on a 15-month voyage around the Great Loop of the central, southern and eastern United States, making 100 ports-of-call. The Golden Rule is a national project of Veterans For Peace, which owns the boat.

The public is invited to see this historic peace boat, to hear about nuclear issues today, and to learn how we can stop the possibility of nuclear war. Boat tours will also be available.

Church, school and civic groups are welcome to schedule an educational presentation by contacting the Golden Rule project manager Helen Jaccard at vfpgoldenruleproject@gmail.com or 206-992-6364.

We are sailing for a nuclear-free world and a peaceful, sustainable future, says project manager Helen Jaccard. Our mission is all the more urgent now that the two nuclear superpowers are confronting one another in Ukraine, greatly increasing the possibility of nuclear war

History of Golden RuleFrom 1946 to 1958 the U.S. dropped 67 nuclear bombs in the Marshall Islands, displacing the indigenous inhabitants and spreading radiation around the globe. The concerned public tried to stop the nuclear weapons testing, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Finally, in 1958, four Quaker peace activists tried to sail Golden Rule to the Marshall Islands to interfere with the tests. They left out of Los Angeles and stopped for supplies in Honolulu, where the crew was arrested and prevented from continuing. The arrests sparked worldwide awareness of the dangers of radiation, which was also being found in mothers milk. In 1963, President Kennedy, along with leaders of the UK and the USSR, signed the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, banning nuclear testing in the air, the water, or space, but allowed it to continue underground. Today, most nuclear testing is done via computer simulation.

In 2010 Golden Rule was found as a sunken, derelict wreck in northern Californias Humboldt Bay. Over the following five years, she was lovingly restored by members of Veterans For Peace, Quakers and wooden boat lovers. Her original mission was also restored  sailing for a world free of nuclear weapons. Since 2015 the Golden Rule has plied the waters of the West Coast, in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California and Mexico, even sailing to all the Hawaiian islands.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Milwaukee man who allegedly pointed a gun at another driver after he caused a scene in the drive-thru of the Wisconsin Dells McDonalds by arguing with employees.

Herbert M. Stokes, 24, was charged with felony robbery with use of force and intimidating a victim as well as misdemeanor counts of intentionally pointing a firearm at a person and battery. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and 10 years of extended supervision.

According to the criminal complaint:

Wisconsin Dells Police Officer Dylan McKedree responded to the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Hwy 23 after dispatch received a 911 hang-up call around 8:30 a.m. Aug. 1. A caller was able to tell dispatchers that a man who had been driving a white 2021 Chrysler Voyager van with out-of-state license plates fled south along Trout Road and Clara Avenue.

A woman said she had been sitting in the drive-thru of McDonald's, 2325 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, when a man believed to be Stokes was arguing with staff and the driver of a vehicle ahead of hers. The vehicle left but Stokes stayed near the exit, yelling at other drivers.

When the woman was leaving, she honked at Stokes. Their vehicles left the parking lot at the same time, which is when the woman said she yelled at Stokes to Get it together which is when he stopped the van in the middle of the road and leaned out of his window to point a gun at her.

He drove away. The woman followed him onto Hwy 12, attempting to get a photo of his license plate number. Stokes yelled, threatening to shoot the woman and got out of his van.

According to the complaint, Stokes walked to the woman and grabbed the cellphone she was holding. The woman told police she got out of her vehicle and followed Stokes, asking for the phone back but he got back into the van.

The woman said she reached into Stokes vehicle to get back the phone. She also opened his door, which is when Stokes allegedly punched her in the face before shoving her to the ground. The woman got back up and again tried to reach for her phone but Stokes hit her and knocked her to the ground a second time, she said. When she tried a third time, the door was locked. The light turned green and Stokes drove off with the woman dragging along with the vehicle while holding the door. She complained of knee pain to emergency responders.

According to the complaint, a Dunkin' Donuts employee spoke to a separate police officer. The worker said the woman and the man driving the Chrysler had been in a fight and the worker saw the van drive off while the woman was still reaching into the vehicle. When the woman got back into her vehicle and drove to a nearby parking lot, the Dunkin' Donuts employee talked to her and then called the police.

Another driver also told police he saw Stokes push the woman to the ground before turning onto Trout Road.

An Uber driver found the phone in the intersection of Hwy 13 and Trout Road.

Through photos taken with the cellphone, police identified the vehicle and noticed it had Louisiana license plates, along with the plate number. It was a rental vehicle through Enterprise. Company officials reported to police that Stokes was the last renter of the vehicle.

The officer requested photos of Stokes from the Milwaukee Police Department.

After identifying Stokes, the officer called a woman who was allegedly staying at Tamarack Resort in Wisconsin Dells with him that weekend. They had rented a vehicle to drive from Milwaukee with two children, a 1-year-old and a 7-month-old.

When the officer spoke to Stokes over the phone, he denied being involved. Stokes did not respond when asked to fill out a written statement, the officer noted.

Photos of the driver taken with the womans phone match the photos provided by the MPD. The officer also found the womans social media page with photos of Stokes from their trip to Wisconsin Dells. In his hand, Stokes held a lanyard which matched the one the man driving the van had and was wearing the same outfit.

Stokes was charged Sept. 22. Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Barrett issued the warrant for his arrest that day.
The Portage Police Department has a lot going on: a new patch, a new K-9 unit and a continuing effort at engaging more with the community, beginning with two events held this summer and more community programs ahead.

Weve gotten quite a few comments on the new patch, Portage Police Chief Keith Klafke said. Good comments on the patch that is now on everyones uniform.

Klafke presented his department report to the Portage City Council on Wednesday after their regular meeting was cancelled on Sept. 22 due to the council not being able to reach a quorum.

The department continues to work on their goals set by Chief Klafke to continue being more involved in the community. Kids Safety Day and National Night Out were well attended this year, Klafke said. About 47 kids participated in Kids Safety Day on June 24 for the second year after starting in 2021. The event, which allows children to meet with emergency personnel, is held with Portage Fire Department and other local first responders.

National Night Out was held on Aug. 2 at Collip-Worden Park and Klafke said over 1,000 people attended that event.

It was a huge success and an entirely free event, Klafke told the council. Weve been really busy this summer. Its good to get out there in the community for us.

Klafke said the department is bringing back the Citizens Police Academy in January. The academy, which is coming back after being cancelled in 2021, gives citizens a first-hand experience of what Portage Police Officers go through on the job. Topics covered by the academy in the past have been, basic law and police procedures, criminal investigations, traffic stops and even active threat responses.

Its a good way to get an inside view of what we do, Klafke said.

He is also planning on holding Chats with the Chief sessions for people to be able to speak directly with him about their concerns.

In other department updates, there were 252 more traffic stops this year than at the same time last year.

Klafke said Portage Police have a new K-9 unit following the death of K-9 unit Ares earlier this year. Officer Jacob Kubelt has been working with K-9 Xilos for about two weeks, Klafke said. He said the department is currently planning on fundraising for a second K-9 unit.

The Portage Police Department is also hiring a new officer. Klafke noted the recent drop in applicants for the position. Klafke explained when he was hired, in 2001, there were just over 120 applicants for the position and this recent position had just nine applicants.

The department has purchased a security camera system with $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, according to city records.

Klafke said the plan is to put one of the cameras up at Goodyear Park, one at the corner of Cook Street and DeWitt Street and a third camera that the department will be able to move around for different purposes.

Sup. Mike Charles asked why that intersection was chosen for the camera. Klafke said that position will allow the department to see the majority of downtown Portage which will help monitor traffic and the bar district in the area.

Following Klafkes report, Mayor Mitch Craig thanked the police department for their work across the city.
A 63-year-old La Crosse man has been charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide after he allegedly fired a shot that nearly struck a woman in the head.

Dang Lor also faces a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the criminal complaint, a woman went to the Wausau Police Department on Sept. 25 and described a shooting that occurred the previous day at a Rose Street residence in La Crosse. She told police she had opened the trunk of her vehicle to load paper towels when Lor pulled a black handgun from his waistband and fired a single shot, which entered the trunk and struck several items before lodging in a spare tire. She recalled a stinky smell and seeing white smoke after the round was discharged.

The woman told police that she was inside Lors apartment prior to the shot being fired. She said Lor accused her of dating other men and threatened to kill her. She drove to an acquaintances house in La Crosse before driving to Wausau.

The woman said she had known Lor for only about month and that they werent in any kind of relationship.

Lor was arrested without incident at his residence Sept. 26. A search of his person allegedly found a pipe containing methamphetamine.

Police obtained a search warrant for Lors residence and reportedly found a loaded Hi-Point 9 mm handgun concealed under a garbage bag. He told police it was birthday gift from his grandson and that he keeps it for protection.

During an interview with police, Lor denied threatening to kill the woman. The complaint says he acknowledged firing a shot but said he wasnt aiming for the woman.

Lor appeared to repeat that denial during Wednesdays initial hearing. Speaking through an interpreter, Lor said he was trying to help the woman and, Its not a crime that I have killed someone. In my history I have helping fighting alongside with the Americans. And now being with this person and not knowing, I have been caught with this.

Judge Scott Horne ordered Lor held on $50,000 cash bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Oct. 5. Lor faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted on the attempted homicide charge.
The Sheiham Sefularo lecture for 2022

When: Tuesday, 04 October 2022 - Tuesday, 04 October 2022 Where: Online Event

Start time: 13:00 Enquiries: Sumaya Mall Sumaya.Mall@wits.ac.za RSVP: link

Race, inequity and mental health in the time of Covid 19 : benefits and lessons from mixed methods approaches in the United Kingdom

The Wits School of Public Health cordially invite you to attend Professor Aubrey Sheiham and Dr Molefi Sefularo 2022 lecture.

Guest speaker Professor Stefani Hatch, co-leader of the Marginalised Communities and Mental Health programme within the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health as well as co-leader of the development of the Health and Social Equity Collective, funded by Kings College London and Impact on Urban Health. Hatch has over 25 years of experience delivering interdisciplinary health inequalities research with an emphasis on race at the intersection of other social identities. Professor Hatch leads the Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in Health Services (TIDES) study, funded by a Wellcome Trust Investigators Award, that was expanded in 2020 with Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding as part of the UK Research and Innovations (UKRI) rapid response to COVID-19, with an aim to identify and mitigate the impact of the pandemic on racial and ethnic inequalities experienced by health and social care staff.

Professor Hatchs talk will be followed by a discussion with Professor Mary-Ann Davies. Davies is a Public Health Medicine Specialist in the Western Cape Department of Health, responsible for Epidemiology and Surveillance, and Director of the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER) at the University of Cape Town. She leads several HIV cohort research projects to address key policy and implementation questions and was extensively involved in the Western Cape COVID-19 response. Mary-Ann will give the South African perspective.
The contribution of SRCs to Wits

We must be reminded about the evolution of SRCs, about how past SRCs contributed to the struggle against apartheid, brought consciousness and transformation.

As you would know, Wits University was one of the first Anglo institutions that permitted the admission of black students on their campuses in 1939, just nine years after its founding, becoming what was known then as an 'open university'.

Unfortunately, there was an abrupt shift to this mission because of the Nationalist victory in the 1948 election, and their policies enforced apartheid. As a result, the university never evolved into a fully open university until our eminent victory against the apartheid system. Its policy of academic non-segregation and social segregation was under constant political threat. As expected, these threats harmed the production of afro-centric schools of thought, resulting in further marginalisation of the black community.

History informs us that its taken so much for all of us to have the privilege of being students and for me to be the Wits SRC President in the centenary year. Before I indulge in the simple delights or pains, of our history and envision the future and promises of our alma mater, it is important to note that the Wits Centenary SRC has ushered in revolutionary methods of student governance and paved a higher standard for the next 100 years. It is only fair that I use this platform to share with you some of the victories the current SRC enjoyed on campus.

Following the fees crises experienced every year on university campuses across the country, we teamed up with the private sector to fundraise over R12 million that saw more than 2000 Wits students who were on the verge of financial exclusion be allowed to register, and our campus enjoyed a peaceful registration process for the first time in seven years. We took to the ground through various initiatives, to ensure that all students on these hallowed grounds have a holistic and equitable university experience by providing those of us who are from poor backgrounds with reliable, and stable accommodation, food, and academic support. We made a strong attempt to make student life on campus more vibrant, welcoming, and robust by hosting intellectual conversations focused on freedom, equity, and empowerment throughout the year.

SRCs transformed the University

It is no coincidence that I stand here, armed with the power and grace of my parents and forefathers who named me Cebolenkosi  which loosely translates to Gods plan, and I believe this is the reason why I am the President today. We must be reminded about the evolution of SRCs, about how past SRCs made it possible for black students to be recognised, how they contributed to the struggle against apartheid, how past SRCs brought about consciousness in the early 1960s and 70s, how past SRCs forced the institution to build residences for students, how the past SRCs forced the institution to build more libraries and 24-hour libraries and computer labs for students, how the past SRCs forced the institution to build unisex toilets, how they forced the conversation of inclusivity intersectionality and transformation to be of paramount importance within the institution, how the past SRCs forced the university to insource the workers who are our parents, to be recognised as staff and have the staff benefits like any other staff member that exist within the institution, how we fought for free education And clean governance in the country. Today, I honor you all.

It is only befitting that as the 100th SRC President, I give a dignified preamble to the next century and how we can all work together to make Wits the best, for good. Many of you will know that Wits University is the microcosm of our society, the intellectual hub of the African continent that has produced high-caliber change makers, business leaders, politicians, and a dependable civic society  however that is a privilege only enjoyed by the few of us who were lucky enough to toil upwards in society using education as a key. We must not forget about our brothers and sisters, parents, and relatives who didnt enjoy the same fortunes that we have and take it upon ourselves to further strengthen the ideals that were adopted in our constitution at the founding of this Republic, strengthen our experiment in self-government and ensure that all people can share in the economic fruits of this here land that many sacrificed their lives for.

We can no longer look the other way, and keep a stiff upper lip when our country is a ticking time bomb and the poor are ready to eat the rich. We ought to be bold, as those who were in power when they made Wits University an open University after its founding. Now, as a nation, we dont promise equal outcomes, but we were founded on the idea everybody should have an equal opportunity to succeed. No matter who you are, what you look like, or where you come from, you can make it. That's an essential promise of democracy. Where you start should not determine where you end up.

We cannot in good conscience, look away when our people live through the worst energy crisis ever experienced, when we have the joint capacity to provide solutions. We cannot ignore the high unemployment rates when the people have the means of capital to assist our graduates in starting their small businesses. We cannot sit idly and watch as our people lose hope in the promise of democracy and abstain from the only power they have  voting. The systems of governance in our country have continually failed the majority of our people, we have an immense ability to change that for them, and I implore you to.

To paraphrase President Barack Obama, We, the People, recognise that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy. Yes, we all come from different backgrounds, but were bound by the blue and gold of this mighty institution that flows through our veins. We can no longer afford to produce conveyor-belt graduates who are only trained to perform a particular role, but rather those who are multidimensional by offering interdisciplinary degrees based on the evolving needs of the economic markets. Our graduates must be prepared to take center stage in strategic roles and be ready to make a consequential impact on society. Africa is our home, and we have to drive her growth.

Further, I ask that you give back to our community by investing in the #PavingTheNext100 fund and the technology innovation fund that is currently in the pipeline and will see Wits University become the Silicon Valley of the Continent. I ask that you promote and strengthen the Wits brand, speak positively about our institution, that you tell people were leading intersectionality and inclusivity dialogues on campus and in the country. That women are empowered in our university and so is the queer community. Tell them that if theres to be any change and reform in our country it will most certainly come from Wits.

We must always remember, It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. This years SRC began the work of making sure that the world we leave the next generation is a little bit better than the one we inhabit today.

Cebolenkosi Khumalo is the 2021/2022 SRC President. He is pursuing a Masters degree in Governance and Policy. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and Bachelor of Art degree from Wits.
A renewable energy project in Cayuga County was celebrated Friday with a ribbon-cutting for the commissioning of a natural gas facility at Spruce Haven Farm on White Road in Fleming.

The process begins with anaerobic digestion of dairy manure. A digester produces renewable natural gas that is upgraded to pipeline quality, compressed and injected into an existing interstate pipeline adjacent to the farm.

The company in charge of the project said that Spruce Haven is Cayuga RNGs first of four announced projects in the Finger Lakes region. Spruce Haven incorporates an anaerobic digester that generates biogas. The biogas is then processed through gas upgrading equipment, generating pipeline quality gas. The Spruce Haven project is anticipated to produce 50 million cubic feet of renewable natural gas annually from on-site dairy manure.

The supply will be delivered to a local natural gas utility serving its regional distribution system. The project was developed by Cayuga RNG Holdings, a joint venture of UGI Energy Services and Global Common Ventures. The aim of the project is to increase the use of renewable energy while reducing waste and long-term greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing water quality.

We are excited to commission our first RNG project in New York, Executive Vice President of Natural Gas, UGI Corp., Robert Beard said in a news release. Renewable natural gas projects, like this one at Spruce Haven Farm, provide an environmentally friendly energy source. In addition, these projects provide an opportunity to work with farmers like Doug Young, whose critical work is helping to feed the region and the country. Spruce Haven RNG is one of several renewable projects within UGIs portfolio that will advance our long-term sustainable strategy.

We are thrilled for the commissioning of Spruce Haven RNG, Doug Young, Managing Member of Spruce Haven Farm, said. We appreciate our partnership with Cayuga RNG, as we have been waiting 20 years to bring RNG to market.

UGI Energy Services markets natural gas, electricity and liquid fuels to commercial, institutional and industrial customers at approximately 43,000 locations in eleven eastern states and Washington, D.C. To learn more, visit www.ugies.com.

We look forward to growing Cayuga RNG, starting with Spruce Haven RNG, GCV President Robert J. Foxen said. With UGIES support, the dairy industry can become more environmentally sustainable while reducing the demand for fossil fuels. These types of projects also provide family-owned and operated financial support by monetizing a former waste stream.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday exchanged congratulatory messages over the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi pointed out that 50 years ago, the then Chinese and Japanese leaders grasped the situation with foresight and made a major political decision to normalize China-Japan diplomatic relations, which opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.

He said that over the past 50 years, thanks to the joint efforts of the two governments and peoples, the two sides have successively signed four political documents and reached a series of important consensuses, and continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation in various fields, bringing important benefits to the two countries and their people as well as promoting peace and development of the region and the wider world.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Japan relations, and stands ready to work with Kishida to lead both sides to jointly build a China-Japan relationship that meets the demands of the new era by taking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties as an opportunity and following the trend of the times.

In his message, Kishida said that 50 years ago, the then Chinese and Japanese leaders, with strategic thinking and political courage, opened a new historic course in Japan-China relations.

During the past 50 years, Japan-China cooperation in a wide range of fields such as economy, culture and personnel exchanges, has made remarkable progress, Kishida said, adding that it is of great significance for the two sides to jointly create a new future for Japan-China relations.

The Japanese side stands ready to join hands with the Chinese side to focus on promoting the development of constructive and stable Japan-China relations as well as peace and prosperity of the two countries, the region and the world in the next 50 years, he said.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Kishida also exchanged congratulations. Li said China and Japan are geographically close to each other and culturally connected, and are both important countries in the region and the international community.

China is willing to make joint efforts with Japan to work for peaceful and friendly coexistence, maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly manage conflicts and differences, and push for a healthy and stable development of China-Japan relations with the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties as a new starting point, Li said.

(Source: Xinhua)
Pictured left to right: Paraprofessional Paige Stefanik, Data Specialist and former Harris Secretary Amanda Huguenin, Savoie Nurse Renee DiCenso, WHS Custodian Raymond Messe and Technology Specialist Linda Tracy. Not pictured is custodian Al Notarianni, who also received an award.
A survivor of the Holocaust and the Tree of Life massacre has died. He never lost hope in humanity
Six Republican-led states sued President Joe Biden on September 29 in an effort to block his student loan forgiveness plan from taking effect.
SAN FRANCISCO  FalconStudios.com on Fridasy is set to debut the opening scene of its newest feature, Give and Take.

From award-winning director Steve Cruz, the new release stars Falcon/NakedSword exclusive Beau Butler and Michael Boston. The scene is available for promotion through the Buddy Profits affiliate program. The full DVD and scene downloads will soon be available on the Falcon/NakedSword Store.

In the scene, a naked Michael Boston is ready to cuddle the day away and relax while watching movies, but BFF Beau Butler has some other plans.

When two versatile superstars come together, theres an electricity in the air, Cruz said. We had that passion and energy all day on set with these two. The intimacy here is real. Perfectly matched in strength, perfectly matched in masculine beauty. Since you never asked, I do love me some foreskin times twobest day ever!

FalconStudios.com features more than 2,500 gay adult scenes, while the Buddy Profits affiliate program members can choose between $35 pay-per-signup or 50 percent rev share for all memberships they refer, including trials. Affiliates are encouraged to visit BuddyProfits.com for promotional material. For more information about the Buddy Profits affiliate program, contact the Affiliate Manager at [email protected].
Former President Donald Trump, seen here in Youngstown, Ohio on September 17, is pushing back against a plan that would require Trump to declare in court whether the Justice Department's inventory from the search is accurate.
AUSTIN, TexasThe MON App, an audio community that brings together experts and enthusiasts to talk about sex, launches on the Android market with all-new features, including content creator tools, MON media library, and live comments.

We wanted to provide a place to store original and premium content on the app for the community to explore. It was important we populated the library with content from our community to support their growth, said founder Caleth Jones.

Launched alongside the media library is a room recording featureor room replays as theyre called. Replays allow creators to host rooms and create dynamic and original content from their time spent on the app. Creators have the option to turn the replays into podcast episodes with a click of a button.

With so many members creating quality content on the app, we knew the next step would be to provide features to capture that content so that members can build an archiveor podcastfrom that content, says Jones. With the launch of room replays, members can create dynamic podcast content or erotic audio directly on the app and host it in the media library. As the community continues to grow, so will the features and the opportunities for creators to monetize on the app!

Another part of the Android launch is the live comment featureor in-room chat box. Live comments provide the opportunity for more users to participate in discussionseven if they are in a place where they cant openly speak about intimate topics. We know the power that comes from using your voice, but we also understand that providing more opportunity for engagement and expression is vital to building an open and accessible community, says Jones.

We launched only a few short months ago in beta with the mission to provide a safe space to talk about sex. Since then, weve onboarded hundreds of experts, thousands of users, and have surpassed 1 million live minutes of talk time! states Jones. While the live chats are what were known for, we're excited to expand the features to include room replays, live comments, and the MON media library made up of content from our community! We are here to support the community and the creators, so each new feature is carefully considered to do just that.

To kick off the new version, MON is working with creators to launch a new programming series directly on the app. The new series will cover everything from expert-led chats to interviews with well-known names in the industry. Included in the series are Mistress Ks Toy Box Tease, Dr. Ley David Elliette Ph.D.s Buddhism and BDSM, Mehgan Sapphires Horny for Horror, Catherine Drysdales Sex + Relationships, Stefanie Weiss - Monthly SexScopes, and many more.

Backed by a queer founder, MON prides itself on being inclusive by bringing together community and conversations from all backgrounds to one platform to share experiences and knowledge.

Jones says, We believe you dont need to be an expert to talk about sex. Were honored to have over 300 leading experts adding their voices to the community, but believe there is a place for everyone to add to the conversation

To learn more, visit themonapp.com and download on Apples App Store and the Google Play Store.
Nursery plans for former village police station set for go ahead

Plans to convert a former village police station into a childrens day nursery could finally be given the go ahead next week.

The interim chief planning officer at Wrexham Council has recommended an application for a change of use of the Gresford Police Station, on Chester Road, is approved.

It will be the second time proposals for the building will have been debated by committee members, after previous plans were rejected by both the local authority and planning inspectorate.

Earlier this year it was reported that a renewed application to convert the former police station  which was put on the market for almost 230,000 several years ago  had been put forward for consideration.

The fresh plans included a reduction in the number of children the nursery could accommodate in a bid to alleviate concerns about traffic and parking.

The applicants said that as a result of this change the 10 parking places at the front of the site will be more than adequate to cater for the 24 proposed children and eight staff.

Of these spaces eight will be made available to parents and two reserved for staff parking.

They proposed that a staff travel plan will be used to ensure that only two staff vehicles will ever be on site at any one time.

Despite the change in parking plans, the local community council has raised concerns that the new proposals are unenforceable and the same traffic and highways problems remain.

As a result the community council have objected to the application.

However there has been broad support for the change of use from the local residents, with 15 letters of support submitted in favour of the application.

These include praise for the use of a currently empty building, providing a nursery service for the local community and the site being on a public transport route.

The councils highways department has also raised no objection the redevelopment of the property, subject to traffic and parking conditions being in place.

Wrexham Councils interim planning officer said: The proposal would bring back into use a prominent derelict building within a residential area.

The use would provide an adequate level of parking to minimise disruption within the locality, and together with a car parking management plan and newly created access point will minimise issues of highway safety for both pedestrians and vehicles.

The application will be considered by members of Wrexham Councils planning committee at 4pm on Monday 3 October. The meeting will also be webcast on the Wrexham Council website.
Wrexham MP appointed Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families

Wrexhams MP has been appointed Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families in Prime Minsters new Government



Sarah Atherton, Member of Parliament for Wrexham, was promoted to a ministerial position in Prime Minister Liz Truss new Government, approved by King Charles III.



The role means the MP for Wrexham will have responsibility within the Ministry of Defence for service personnel and veterans affairs.

However, for the first time, this role now includes responsibility for service families also.



Since her election in 2019, Sarah has sat on the Defence Select Committee and chaired an inquiry into the experiences of women in the military and female veterans.

Although Sarah is no longer able to sit on the Defence Select Committee, she now has the responsibility for delivering on many of the recommendations from her ground-breaking report which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already agreed to.



Sarah Atherton MP said: As a veteran myself, its the job of a lifetime for me to become Minister for Veterans.

I am also thrilled to have defence people and service families in my portfolio, something which is very close to my heart as I have a service family  my husband was in the navy and son in the university air squadron.

As a woman who served in the Army, I have first-hand knowledge of the portfolio I have been given and I am looking forward to using this and the skills I gained from 26 years and as a nurse and social worker in this role.

During my time on the Defence Select Committee I have spent two years hearing from servicemen, women, veterans and charities about serving conditions and improvements that can be made.

My report into the female military experience has been the best preparation for this role, and thats why it was honour to have been asked by the Prime Minister to serve in her Government as the first female Minister for Defence People and Veterans.



As a city, Wrexham has a proud military heritage and large veterans community  of which I am part.

And now, thanks to the Defence Secretarys commitment last year to return a reserve unit to Hightown Barracks in June 2023, we now have a serving military community.

As the former HQ and historical home of Royal Welch Fusiliers, it is fitting that Wrexham has a revived military focus and now both an MP who is a veteran and a Minister within the MoD.
Hurricane Ian has inflicted a catastrophe in Florida, with a large but as yet uncounted death toll, and massive destruction of homes, buildings, vehicles and infrastructure. Millions across Florida remain without power and many were left trapped in their homes due to widespread flooding. This is not simply a natural disaster, but was prepared by the staggering negligence of government officials at both the state and federal level.

The storm made landfall on Wednesday as a dangerous category 4, with maximum winds only 2 miles per hour below Category 5, and hit much of southwest Florida with significant flooding, a threateningly high storm surge and powerful winds in its first few hours. Poweroutage.us reported almost 2.4 million customers in the state without electricity Thursday, including nearly everyone in coastal Lee County and Charlotte County, where the cities of Fort Myers and Punta Gorda are located, respectively.

The southwest counties worst hit by the storm have seen a huge increase in population and urbanization over the past 25 years, with nearly 1 million people living in Lee and Charlotte counties alone. A significant share of the population is crowded into neighborhoods built in the low-lying coastal areas which were inundated by record-breaking storm surge flooding Wednesday.

Cheap mobile homes and trailer parks were left especially vulnerable, without any measures taken to evacuate residents systematically. Everything was left to individual responsibility, meaning that the poor, the ill and the bedridden were left to fend for themselves.

Instead of systematic efforts to evacuate residents, officials in Orange County, which includes Orlando, resorted to inadequate check-ins for mobile homeowners, passing out informational flyers and encouraging residents to relocate in the face of the hurricane.

After Ian pummeled the southwest and caused wide-scale flooding in central Florida, it finished its west-to-east crossing of the peninsula and reemerged in the Atlantic Ocean. There it began to pick up energy from warm waters and turned to the north-northwest. It is expected to make a second landfall in South Carolina on Friday.

The first estimates of deathsthe sheriff of Lee County indicated that hundreds had likely died in his jurisdiction alonehave been largely hushed up by the media, which appears to be under an injunction not to alert the American public about the scale of the catastrophe.

However, while speaking Thursday at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington, President Joe Biden said he was hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life and referred to Ian as potentially the deadliest hurricane in Floridas history.

If that turns out to be true, the death toll would surpass the more than 2,500 killed by the Okeechobee hurricane of 1928. It was so named because the bulk of the victims were migrant farmworkers, mainly African-American, drowned by flooding from the huge South Florida lake caused by the storm as it crossed the state east to west, from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico.

Biden has signed a disaster declaration for all 67 Florida counties, making them eligible for federal emergency funds. But any such aid will be dwarfed by the scale of the damage, which is likely to run into the tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars.

The actual priorities of the Biden administrationand the capitalist ruling class as a wholeare demonstrated by the decision to spend more than $50 billion for the war in Ukraine, a sum that far exceeds all rescue and recovery efforts in all natural disasters this year. The continuing resolution passed by the Senate Thursday provided another $12 billion for Ukraine and only $2 billion more for disaster relief for hurricanes, floods, wildfires and earthquakes.

The working class must reject these priorities and demand the immediate cancellation of all US funding for the war in Ukraine, with the funds diverted to meet the urgent social needs that are evident from the pictures and video already pouring in from Floridas hurricane disaster zone.

Videos on social media from homeowners in Naples have shown their backyards inundated with water and doors plowed through by rushing water. Emergency officials in Fort Myers Beach reported Thursday morning that they expected to find bodies piled in the rubble of the homes wiped out in the coastal area.

In Port Charlotte, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital saw its lower-level emergency room flooded while intense winds tore into parts of its fourth floor roof, exposing its intensive care unit to the elements, according to a physician. Countless staff and the hospitals sickest patients, some of whom were on ventilators, were forced to evacuate to other floors.

The disaster in Florida is another demonstration of the failure of capitalist society to address the predictable environmental consequences of climate change and global warming. This year alone, hundreds of thousands in Jackson, Mississippi were left without running water after record rainfall collapsed the sewage system, while unprecedented heat domes fueled forest fires across the West.

In Florida, state and local officials, both Republicans and Democrats, have made zero strides in revamping the states preparedness protocols and buildings after being slammed by prior storms. In 2017, Hurricane Irma cut a swath right through the peninsula, killing nearly 100 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. In 2018, Hurricane Michael destroyed sparsely populated areas of Floridas panhandle as a category 5 hurricane, the highest intensity.

Like all recent natural disasters, Hurricane Ian has exposed both the incapability of capitalist society to apply the proper planning and organization needed to safeguard the population and the criminal indifference of the ruling class to human life.

Seventeen years ago, the Bush administration shocked the world by its indifference to the destruction of New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina, with nearly 1,800 dead and tens of thousands left stranded and ignored, trapped in their homes without food or water, forced to cling to rooftops with no means to escape the floodwaters.

In the coronavirus pandemic, this indifference has escalated into a homicidal frenzy. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have presided over a negligent and criminal response, which has already sacrificed more than 1 million lives to a preventable infection, in order to ensure that businesses remain open to rack up profits and billionaires continue to amass even greater wealth.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who hopes to replace Trump as the leader of an American version of fascism, has spearheaded the rejection of even the most minimal COVID-19 mitigation measures. He is responsible for more than 7 million infections and more than 81,000 deaths. The governor must regard a few thousand hurricane deaths as a footnote by comparison.

Despite the occasional green gestures by the Biden administration, nothing has been done by the Democrats to address the growing impact of climate change. The Democrats refuse to enact any measures on climate change that would cut into the profits of giant American corporations or threaten the wealth of the billionaires.

The Biden administration and the Democratic Party routinely refer to the climate change deniers in the Republican Party as their colleagues and friends and seek bipartisan collaboration with them. On Thursday, Biden voiced more platitudes about how Americans would pull together as one team.

Meanwhile, extraordinary rainfall and deadlier storms are becoming more common as climate change is pushing global temperatures to unprecedented levels. Warmer temperatures have led to increased air moisture, leading to historic rainfall.

Climate scientists have warned that the rise in ocean temperatures is fueling stronger storms both in speed and intensity. Hurricane Ians maximum wind speed increased by 35 mph in less than three hours, going from a Category 3 to a strong Category 4 as the storm was approaching Florida Wednesday morning.

It is an indictment of capitalism that despite societys vast technological advances, the social conditions that led to thousands of deaths from the Okeechobee hurricane nearly a century ago have not been resolved.

The only way forward to prevent environmental catastrophe is to expropriate the trillions hoarded by the corporations and banks, abolish the anarchy of the profit system and establish a socialist planned economy on a world scale which can take the necessary measures to reduce global warming and protect the worlds population.
At the United Nations general assembly last week, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated her governments continued and deepening support for the US-NATO war against Russia over Ukraine.

President Joe Biden meets with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) [AP Photo]

The gathering of world leaders took place as Russia and the United States exchanged threats to use nuclear weapons in the worsening conflict, which is developing into a third world war. In response to its profound economic crisis, US imperialism is seeking to use its overwhelming military might to defeat and subjugate Russia, while simultaneously staging provocations against China, with the aim of bringing the entire Eurasian landmass under its hegemony.

In New Zealand, both the Labour Party-Greens government and the opposition parties support the war. The Ardern government has sent 230 troops to Europe and is providing military aid, intelligence support and training to Ukraines armed forces. As a minor imperialist power, NZ depends on the alliance with US imperialism to secure its own neo-colonial interests in the Pacific and its place in the global financial system dominated by the US.

In a profoundly hypocritical speech at the UN, Ardern repeated NATOs propaganda that Russia bears sole responsibility for the war, which she called illegal and a direct attack on the UN Charter and the international rules-based system.

In fact, Putins invasion of Ukraine in February was a reactionary, nationalist response to the US and NATO military encirclement and threats against Russia. In 2014 the imperialist powers supported a coup in Ukraine, which installed an aggressively anti-Russian government backed by extreme right-wing forces, which play a major role in Ukraines military and political structures.

Referring to the Russian threat to deploy nuclear weapons, Ardern hypocritically said: What country who claims to be a liberator, threatens to annihilate the very civilians they claim to liberate? This war is based on a lie.

The US and its allies, however, are entirely unconcerned about Ukraines population. At every step they have sought to escalate the war in order to entrap and severely weaken Russias military. Washington responded to Putins statements by issuing its own threats of catastrophic consequences for Russia, and NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg declared that nuclear war cannot be won by Russia.

Arderns refusal to criticise these statements exposes the hollowness of her calls for global nuclear disarmament. She told the UN: In New Zealand, we have never accepted the wisdom of mutually assured destruction. Her government, however, has used the war against Russia, and preparations for war against China, to integrate New Zealand more closely than ever with the US military, which has roughly 3,700 nuclear warheads. The Biden administration spent $44.2 billion on the nuclear arsenal in 2021 alone. The US remains the only country to have used such weapons against civilians in two Japanese cities.

New Zealands ruling elite does not oppose illegal wars based on lies when they are launched by its allies. Over the past two decades successive governments, beginning with Helen Clarks Labour-Alliance coalition, sent troops to join the US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. More than a million people were killed in these brutal imperialist wars, justified with lying propaganda about a war on terror, non-existent weapons of mass destruction, and supposed concern for womens rights and democracy.

Now, the Ardern government has dragged New Zealand into an even more explosive conflict that could rapidly develop into a nuclear war.

While in New York, Ardern met with Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on September 21, who thanked NZ for supplying military systems for training [our] military, [we] appreciate this so much. Meanwhile, New Zealands foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta said the expulsion of Russias ambassador in Wellington was under active consideration.

As the government places New Zealand on a more open wartime footing, Ardern is also ramping up her global campaign for internet censorship.

While at the UN, Ardern and French President Emanuel Macron chaired a summit of the Christchurch Call to Action, which they both founded in the aftermath of the 2019 Christchurch terror attack. The fascist Brenton Tarrant live-streamed his attack on two mosques, which killed 51 people, across multiple online platforms. Under the pretext of preventing such attacks and stopping the promotion of violent extremism, the Christchurch Call is aimed at increasing state and corporate control over online information and discussion.

The Christchurch Calls new initiative will coordinate research on algorithmic outcomes, in partnership with the US government, Twitter and Microsoft. The aim, Ardern said in a statement, is to understand the outcomes of algorithms and other processes that may drive users towards terrorist and violent extremist content, to make changes where this occurs, and to develop effective interventions based on information sharing.

In fact, such interventions will be used to suppress and censor online information and discussion about social inequality, mass COVID infection, militarism and war. Twitter, Facebook and Google have censored content from the World Socialist Web Site, including our exposure of the Wuhan lab leak conspiracy theory and our defence of Australian zero-COVID activist Dr David Berger.

This anti-democratic agenda was also made clear in Arderns speech to the UN General Assembly, where she linked the Christchurch Call to the war with Russia. Ardern characterised online mis- and disinformation as weapons of war which spread hateful and dangerous rhetoric and ideology and cause chaos and reduce the ability of others to defend themselves. She added: we have an opportunity here to ensure that these particular weapons of war do not become an established part of warfare.

What this means is that governments and tech giants must be empowered to clamp down on opposition to the US-NATO war effort. In Europe, the US and internationally the ruling class is alarmed by the growth of strikes and protests over the soaring cost of living, fuelled by the war in Ukraine and the diversion of unprecedented sums of money to the military. The ruling classes everywhere, including in New Zealand, are seeking to divert anger over the social crisis by whipping up nationalism, militarism and anti-Russia and anti-China hate.

The reckless escalation of the war, including the use of nuclear weapons by both sides, can only be halted by the intervention of the working class. Governments have already proven, during the pandemic, that they are willing to sacrifice tens of millions of lives to protect the profits of big business, which opposes the necessary measures to stop the virus.

Masses of working people in the US, Russia, Ukraine, China, New Zealand, and internationally face the same danger of a global catastrophe. They must respond by urgently adopting a socialist political strategy to end war by abolishing its fundamental source: the global capitalist system, and its reactionary division of the world into rival nation states.
A day after the January 6 House Select Committee charged with investigating ex-President Donald Trumps failed coup postponed what might have been the final hearing held by the committee, Virginia Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, appeared for a voluntary interview with the committee. For over four hours, the long-time Republican activist and Christian fascist answered questions behind closed doors on her role in Donald Trumps failed coup.

In brief comments to reporters following the conclusion of the interview, Chairman Bennie Thompson (Democratic-Mississippi) revealed that during her testimony, Thomas confirmed she still believes Trumps Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen and that President Joe Biden is an illegitimate usurper.

Thompson told reporters that Thomas answered some of the questions posed to her and that when she was asked if the election was stolen she replied, Yes.

She said that, Thompson confirmed.

Republican operative and Trump co-conspirator, Virginia 'Ginni' Thomas, appears for a voluntary interview with the January 6 committee at the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. House Office Building, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Washington [AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta]

A statement issued by Thomas lawyer, Mark Paoletta, following the interview declared that Thomas, who had refused for months to appear before the committee, was happy to cooperate and clear up the misconceptions about her activities surrounding the 2020 elections. She answered all the Committees questions.

Confirming Thompsons statement that Thomas still maintains that the election was stolen, Paoletta wrote: As she said from the outset, Mrs. Thomas had significant concerns about fraud and irregularities in the 2020 election. And, as she told the Committee, her minimal and mainstream activity focused on ensuring that reports of fraud and irregularities were investigated.

Thomas role in Trumps failed coup was far from mainstream. As the wife of Clarence Thomas, and a decades-long influential activist in the Republican Party, Thomas had unparalleled access not only to Trump and the White House, but to congressional Republicans and the Supreme Court itself. All three branches of government, along with elements in the police-military-intelligence apparatus and on-the-ground fascist militias, were enlisted by Trump and his Republican backers to overturn the election on January 6.

The World Socialist Web Site has written extensively on Thomas leading role in the coup. This includes her texting QAnon conspiracies and suggesting fascist lawyer Sidney Powell to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows following the November election, and personally emailing legislators in Wisconsin and Arizona to overturn the popular vote. She attended the Stop the Steal rally outside the White House on January 6 and worked with with Trump coup-lawyer John Eastman, as well as mediating disputes between mid-level Trump organizers leading up to the attack on the Capitol.

The intersection of Thomas and Eastman in the coup is particularly significant. In a damning memorandum circulated to Trump and his co-conspirators, Eastman argued that Vice President Mike Pence had the power to unilaterally reject Electoral College votes from states Trump lost. Eastman, who is from California, did not know Trump personally prior to him becoming president. However, Eastman was a former law clerk for Clarence Thomas. In addition to Eastman, William Consovoy and Patrick Strawbridge, former Clarence Thomas law clerks, are also lawyers for Trump, according to Business Insider.

Needless to say there is plenty of material for the committee to question Thomas about, including what influence she had in her husbands decision to cast the lone dissenting vote earlier this year over whether the Select Committee should have access to White House documents and text messages which directly implicated his wife in Trumps coup plot.

That it has taken this long for the committee to even question Thomas speaks to the true role of the committee, which is not to reveal the depths of the fascist conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, but to contain the investigation safely within official channels so that the exposure is limited to Trump and a few crazies. In this way the bipartisan committee hopes to preserve the integrity of capitalist institutions, such as the Republican Party and the Supreme Court, in the eyes of the public and the working class in particular, whom both the Democrats and the never-Trump Republicans fear more than the fascists who dominate the Republican Party.

Thompson, fulfilling his task of chloroforming the working class, sought to conceal any explosive revelations beyond Thomas belief that the 2020 election was stolen, which is now the consensus view in the Republican Party. Following the interview, Thompson curtly answered reporters questions telling them that the committee was glad she came in. Thompson added he would not be able to commit to releasing her interview in its entirety, only saying that portions might be disclosed if theres something of merit.

Thomas in-person testimony came one day after the Select Committee, according to published reports, was slated to hold their final hearing, roughly six weeks before the November midterm elections. The stated reason for postponing the September 28 hearing was due to Hurricane Ian which has devastated Florida. One of the nine members of the committee is Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy; her district includes Seminole and Orange counties, Florida, directly in the path of the storm.

While the catastrophic weather emergency no doubt provided the necessary pretext to cancel the hearing, it does appear as if the Select Committee was already hesitant to proceed.

On Tuesday, CBS News reporter Scott MacFarlane reported that unlike previous hearings, he and other mainstream media outlets had not yet been provided an expected witness list or even a theme of what the final hearing would entail, less than 24 hours before it was set to begin.

MacFarlane said he had been told by sources on the committee that some of the hearing was set to be focused on clips filmed by a Danish documentary filmmaker which were taped before the 2020 election and through January 6. The clips feature Republican agent Roger Stone promoting the idea that Trump should declare victory before the election results were tabulated. The hearing would also, finally, detail the nexus between Stone and fascist Oath Keeper and Proud Boy militia groups, one of the six centers of gravity in the coup identified by former Republican congressman and January 6 investigator Denver Riggleman in a recent CBS 60 Minutes interview.

In a report on Thomass testimony Thursday, MacFarlane noted that Thomas was not under oath during her questioning. He surmised that while some of Thomas testimony might make it into a future Select Committee hearing, it is entirely possible that given the upcoming elections, such a hearing does not materialize until after the November midterms, if at all.
The Defense Department announced Wednesday that the United States and its allies are planning to expand their nations industrial base for building bombs, rockets and artillery for the war with Russia in Ukraine.

In the name of providing long-term support to Ukraine, the worlds leading imperialist powers are massively escalating their wartime production of ground-based long range fires, air defense systems, air-to-ground munitions.

The New York Times called the announcement a Turning Point for Allies Arming Ukraine and a sign that the United States and its allies believe that the fighting in Ukraine will last years.

That same day, Washington announced plans to more than double the number of long-range HIMARS missile launchers sent to Ukraine. According to the Pentagon, the US will spend another $1.1 billion on arms shipments to the country.

These moves come as Russia has declared that it would recognize the independence of four Ukrainian territories partially under its control, in what is expected to be the prelude to their formal annexation on Friday.

On Monday, a series of attacks took place on the Nord Stream I and Nord Stream II pipelines, which have the capability of transferring natural gas from Russia to Germany. Ending the Nord Stream II pipeline project was a major goal of the United States in seeking to provoke a war with Russia.

Although no state has taken responsibility for the attacks, Radosaw Sikorski, the former Foreign Minister of Poland and husband of US state operative Anne Applebaum, tweeted, Thank you, USA, before subsequently deleting the tweet.

These developments follow a major military debacle for Russian forces in northeastern Ukraine earlier this month, in which Ukrainian US-NATO proxy forces advanced dozens of miles in a matter of days. In the wake of the collapse of Russian defenses in the Kharkiv region, the Kremlin threatened to use nuclear weapons in the war, while US officials declared that they would not be deterred from escalating their involvement in the war by the threat of nuclear annihilation.

The lightning advance by Ukraine was made possible by the fact that the United States had provided its most sophisticated ground-based missile and anti-aircraft systems to Ukrainian troops and had proposed, organized and led the offensive.

The United States, having transformed the Ukrainian army into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Pentagon, has effectively emptied its armories of all available weapons to send to the country.

The weapons shipment announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday will be the first in which the United States is not drawing down existing inventories of weapons but rather directly commissioning defense contractors to build weapons potentially years in the future, the Pentagon said.

Unlike Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which DoD has continued to leverage to deliver equipment to Ukraine from DoD stocks at a historic pace, USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry, the Pentagon said. This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine in the mid- and long-term.

The Pentagon noted, In total, the United States has now committed approximately $16.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021. Since 2014, the United States has committed approximately $19 billion in security assistance to Ukraine more than $16.2 billion since the beginning of Russias unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24.

The US has, for example, sent more than 1.5 million 155mm howitzer shells to Ukraine, while it only produces 30,000 shells per year in peacetime.

The military stocks of most [European NATO] member states have been, I wouldnt say exhausted but depleted in a high proportion, because we have been providing a lot of capacity to the Ukrainians, Josep Borrell, the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, said earlier this month.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg declared, We are now working with industry to increase production of weapons and ammunition, somehow as a whole to increase production.

The United States needs to maintain stockpiles to support war plans, Mark Cancian, a former US Marine Corps colonel and a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), told CNBC. For some munitions, the driving war plan would be a conflict with China over Taiwan or in the South China Sea, he said.

Alongside its rearmament plan, the United States has this week announced plans to reorganize how it commands, arms and equips its proxy forces in Ukraine, creating a unified command structure to organize the war effort.

So far, the Pentagon has not admitted to the creation of the new command structure in order to, according to the New York Times, avoid feeding into the narrative of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia that his country is at war with the United States.

The Times reports that The system would be placed under a single new command based in Germany that would be led by a high-ranking U.S. general, according to several military and administration officials.

The newspaper added, The new command, which would report to General Cavoli, would carry out the decisions made by the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of 40 countries that the Defense Department created after the Russian invasion to address Ukraine's needs and requests.

About 300 people would be dedicated to the mission, which would be in Wiesbaden, Germany, the U.S. Armys headquarters in Europe. Much of the training of Ukrainian soldiers on U.S. weapons systems is already taking place there or nearby, the New York Times reported.

Amid the escalation of the war, the US Embassy in Moscow has urged its citizens to leave Russia, declaring, U.S. citizens should not travel to Russia, and those residing or traveling in Russia should depart Russia immediately while limited commercial travel options remain.
Canada, Japan and Malaysia all rank high on the list of countries Arizona imports the most goods from, according to data from the U.S. Census 
Cairo  More than 200 years after scientists decoded the Rosetta Stone, campaigners in Egypt have launched a petition calling on the country's leader to submit a formal request for England to return the iconic artifact to its home country. The campaigners argue the Rosetta Stone, along with 16 other artifacts that have been in the U.K. for centuries were removed from Egypt illegally, and it's time to get them back.

There have been many previous requests for the stone's repatriation, but Dr. Monica Hanna, an Egyptologist and member of the team leading the campaign, told CBS News she was confident that the new approach  seeking support from Egyptian, British and any other members of the general public  will succeed.



Dr. Monica Hanna, Acting Dean of the College of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, is one of the organizers of the "Repatriate Rashid" campaign. FACEBOOK/MONICA HANNA

"Previously it was the government alone asking for Egyptian artifacts, but today this is the people demanding their own culture back," Hanna told CBS News on Wednesday. "Definitely all these objects are going to be repatriated, it is just a matter of when."

In July 1799, a year after Napoleon invaded Egypt, the Rosetta Stone was discovered by chance in the Nile Delta city of Rashid. A French military engineer supervising digging at an old fort thought the stone looked special, so he sent it to Cairo for examination.
Within weeks of his arrival in Sudan, the first US ambassador in 25 years has already threatened Khartoum with consequences if it follows through on a deal with Moscow for a Russian naval base on the Red Sea.

All countries have a sovereign right to decide which other countries to partner with, but these choices have consequences, of course, Ambassador John Godfrey told the Sudanese daily Al-Tayar on Tuesday.

The government in Khartoum had signed an agreement with Russia in 2017 to establish a naval facility at Port Sudan, on the Red Sea. President Omar al-Bashir has since been overthrown in a coup and imprisoned. Godfrey warned the new government against proceeding with the deal, saying it will be harmful to Sudan's interest.

It is essential to say that international isolation around Russia and President [Vladimir] Putin is currently increasing due to the... invasion of Ukraine, Godfrey told the outlet, according to Middle East Eye. He also told Al-Tayar that he wanted to see a civilian government in charge of Sudan.

Godfrey is the first US ambassador to Sudan since 1996, when Washington shuttered the embassy in Khartoum. Though it reopened in 2002, it was run by a series of interim charges d'affaires for 20 years, until Godfrey presented his credentials on September 1.

Under the deal, Russia would build a base capable of hosting nuclear-powered vessels and lease the site for 25 years, with automatic 10-year extensions unless one of the parties objected. Port Sudan handles about 90% of the countrys maritime trade and a presence there would let Russia keep an eye on the nearby Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Moscow moved to reactivate the agreement in November 2020, but the Sudanese government sought to negotiate in July 2021, reportedly after the US offered it a multimillion-dollar aid package.

Letting Moscow set up a Red Sea base would lead to further isolation of Sudan at a time when most Sudanese want to become closer to the international community, Godfrey told the newspaper, using the euphemism for the US and its allies.

Prior to his confirmation, Godfrey was the acting State Department coordinator for counterterrorism, and was previously posted to Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria and Iraq.
European leaders blame sabotage as gas pours into Baltic from Nord Stream pipelines

Aerial footage of leak in Danish waters from Nord Stream 1 pipeline  video

Sabotage is the most likely cause of leaks in two Baltic Sea gas pipelines between Russia and Europe, European leaders have said, after seismologists reported explosions around the Nord Stream pipelines.

A seismograph on the Danish island of Bornholm, near where the leaks occurred, twice recorded spikes on Monday, the day on which the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines underwent dramatic falls in pressure, the German geological research centre GFZ said.

A Danish military flight over the leaks brought back striking images from the ruptures, including one showing an area of bubbling gas a kilometre wide on the seas surface.

Explosions reportedly damage Nord Stream pipelines causing gas leaks in the Baltic Sea

GFZ declined to be drawn on whether the tremors recorded could have been the result of an explosion but scientists at the research centre ruled out the possibility that the leaks could have been caused by earthquakes.

A seismologist quoted by Swedish television suggested the activity may have been the result of explosions. Bjorn Lund, director of the Swedish National Seismic Network, SNSN, which measures Swedish earthquakes and explosions, told the SVT television channel that the event  one of which registered a magnitude of 2.3  may have been caused by undersea detonations.

Breakage of gas pipelines is extremely rare, Danish authorities said in a statement. The steel pipe itself has a wall of 4.1 cm (1.6 inches) and is coated with steel-reinforced concrete up to 11cm thick. Each section of the pipe weighs 11 tonnes, which goes to 24-25 tonnes after the concrete is applied.

One UK insider speculated that any explosions were unlikely to have been caused by a submarine or underwater vehicle, because their presence would have been detected in the relatively shallow Baltic waters. Sections of the pipelines are between 80 metres and 110 metres deep.

An alternative scenario could be that mines were dropped from a disguised commercial vessel days or weeks ahead of the attack, then remotely detonated to cause the explosions. But the latter scenario was entirely hypothetical, they stressed.

The day of drama began when the Danish energy agency said it had found the leaks on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline north-east of the island of Bornholm, and a third in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in Swedish waters south-east of the island. This is not a small crack. Its a really big hole, the energy agency said.

A five-mile exclusion zone for shipping has been set up around Bornholm, and flights below 1,000 metres have been banned in the area. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, partially dissolves in water, is not toxic and creates no hazard when inhaled in limited quantities.

Nord Stream AG, the pipeline operator, had on Monday morning reported an unexpected overnight drop of pressure from 105 to 7 bar in Nord Stream 2, which is filled with gas but was cancelled by Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, shortly before Russias invasion of Ukraine.

A further drop of pressure was reported on Monday afternoon in Nord Stream 1, which Russia shut down indefinitely at the start of September, initially saying it needed repairs.

With three separate leaks almost simultaneously, with some distance between them, it was difficult to imagine it was a random accident, Frederiksen said at a short press conference during a visit to Poland, where she was participating in the opening of the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline.

The news magazine Der Spiegel, quoting government sources, said officials were not ruling out sabotage, designed to cause further uncertainty on Europes energy markets.

Since no gas has flowed through either of the pipelines since the start of the month, German authorities have been quick to reassure people that the leaks will not affect its plan to fill gas storage tanks in time for winter.

Environmental NGOs said the leaks were likely to cause large-scale damage to the environment. As soon as methane in gas form raises from the surface of the sea into the atmosphere, it will massively contribute to the greenhouse effect, said Sascha Muller-Kraenner of the pressure group Environmental Action Germany.
The Beatrice Public Schools Board of Education held a special budget and tax request meeting on Thursday evening to approve its budget.

BPS Superintendent Jason Alexander reviewed the budget, as required by Legislative Bill 644.

The financing and educational programming that supports the best interest of students attending Beatrice Public Schools will always be the primary goal in our budget process, Alexander said.

During the public forum portion of the hearing, Jim Nelson asked questions regarding the inflated budget compared to the history of the actual revenue and expenditures.

There could be a tornado, an injury or a piece of equipment could break down, Alexander said. We have no way of knowing what could happen.

Also, during the public forum, Missy Timmerman, Beatrice Community Preschool Director, and Kevin Jansen, principal of Lincoln and Stoddard elementary schools, made statements of support to the budget and the opportunity to have a new elementary building in which to work.

Board of Education President Eric Trusty previously released a statement regarding the districts tax levy.

"The district levy is capped at $1.05 by state statute when you add the general fund levy ($0.909) and the building fund levy ($0.139) together to total $1.048," he said. "No school in the state can go over that levy of $1.05 between the general and building fund. The past year, the district had a general fund levy of 94-cents and the coming year, that levy would decrease to 90-cents under the proposed budget. The district's building fund levy would go from 10.6 cents to nearly 14-cents. Increased valuations set by the county will increase our revenue, it is not a tax asking increase but a by-product of the increase in valuations.

Regardless of the new building project we would have moved our levy to the building fund to cover needed maintenance and reconditioning of the old buildings. In short its a choice to recondition old buildings and continue to operate inefficiently in areas of personnel and safety, or upgrade to a new building that meets the goals of providing a building that meets code."

Alexander explained that the budget was divided into sections dedicated to the general fund, depreciation fund, employee benefit fund, activities fund, school nutrition fund, bond fund, special building fund and qualified capital purpose undertaking fund.

As of Sept. 1, there were 2,107 students enrolled for the 2022-23 school year. The figure was an increase from the previous year of 2,044.

This number is important in the state aid equation, said Alexander.

A discussion of the Tax Equity Educational Support Act was also held. The legislature adopted the equation in 1990, but has been modified.

Need minus resources equals state aid, said Alexander. When evaluations go up, state aid goes down.

Beatrice Public Schools is one of 86 school districts that is an equalized district. There are 246 school districts in Nebraska.

Alexander reviewed information on history of state aid, evaluations and actual disbursements.

The budget reflects anticipated expenditures, he said. We have a budget in place and we budget for the worst case scenario in all areas.

The school board voted unanimously to approve the budget as presented. In addition, the school board voted to adopt Resolution 2223 setting the Property Tax Request.

Based on the proposed property tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of Beatrice Public Schools will decrease from last years budget by -1.13%.
Officials gathered in east Beatrice Friday morning to break ground on the site of a new elementary school that will serve students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grades.

The school will be built near the intersection of Lincoln and North 33rd streets, north of the current high school. Its the result of a joint venture between Beatrice Public Schools and Educational Services Unit 5, and Superintendent Jason Alexander thanked ESU5 and other partners who are making the school a reality.

This is an all inclusive project, a project that the School Board should be proud of, knowing that their vision and dreams have come to fruition that theyve been working so hard on for so long, he said. I cannot thank our partners enough for believing and trusting us. There are two rules for achieving success. One, get started. Two, keep going. Beatrice Public Schools will keep going.

Alexander added that 3D renders of what the school will look like are going to be available soon.

The school is expected to be put into service in the fall of 2024.

The district's vision for the building has been a priority since 2015, a press release stated.

Myron Dorn, District 30 senator, attended the event and said the new school is an investment in Gage County that will help attract new families to the area.

This building today is an investment in the future, for not only Beatrice Public Schools, but also the community, he said. These young people here are our future leaders and our future workforce. The direction of this community in the future will be how we educate and how we teach the young people.

School Board President Eric Trusty said the building will include the latest safety standards, a community tornado shelter and that having one centralized elementary school will give students a greater sense of community.

This is a building which expresses and defines the importance of education in our community, he said. Our new elementary will be state of the art, environmentally friendly and a safe and secure facility. One of the unique features of this building will be that it offers all of our individualized programs in one location.

Both the Beatrice Public Schools Board of Directors and Educational Services Unit 5 Board of Directors approved resolutions last October to enter into the agreement that forms the Southeast Nebraska Education Agency.

The interlocal agreement formed a new public body to plan a new school for pre-kindergarten through fifth grades.

Over the last three years Beatrice Public Schools has been researching building options that would address the learning conditions, life safety code violations and inefficiencies with the current prekindergarten through eighth grade schools.
WASHINGTON  The eldest grandson of President Harry S. Truman pulled down a black cloak to unveil a towering bronze statue of his late grandfather during a Thursday ceremony at the U.S. Capitol to dedicate the sculpture honoring the 33rd president.

My grandfather was a modest man, Clifton Truman Daniel said. And, frankly, slightly embarrassed by statues.

The statue of Truman, known for making some of the most crucial decisions in American history, both abroad and domestically, will reside in the heart of the Capitol, part of the National Statuary Hall Collection of 100 statues. Each state gets two, and Truman will represent his home state of Missouri.

The front inscription of his statue is carved with Trumans well-known motto: The Buck Stops Here.

Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt said he often thinks of the difficult decisions Truman had to make as president, such as ending World War II, facilitating the ratification of the United Nations charter and transitioning the country from a time of war to peace.

Its great for us today to see him now in the building he loved, in a democracy that he cherished, in a world that he made so much to design and create and make it what it is today, Blunt said.

The 7-foot, 1,000-pound bronze statue resides on a 3-foot pedestal in the Rotunda, which is a large, circular room in the center of the Capitol. The statue is nestled between historical paintings of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York.

The Truman statue joins those depicting nine other presidents in the Rotunda. The others are Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Ulysses Grant, Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, Andrew Jackson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford.

The Truman statue replaces one of founding father Alexander Hamilton, which staff relocated to the Hall of Columns.

Years of work

The Truman Library Institute  the nonprofit fundraising arm of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri  and Missouri lawmakers had lobbied for the former president to take his place among various American political icons in the Statuary Hall Collection that is visited by millions of tourists, and frequently passed by congressional staff, lawmakers and journalists.

Nebraskas honorees J. Sterling Morton His statue was placed in the hall in 1937. Morton was a Nebraska newspaper editor. He served as agriculture secretary under President Grover Cleveland and the founder of Arbor Day. Chief Standing Bear Standing Bears statue joined the collection in 2019. In 1879 the Ponca chief argued successfully in U.S. District Court that Native Americans are persons within the meaning of the law and have the right to habeas corpus.

The institute raised about $400,000 for the transportation and installation and commission by artist Tom Corbin for the Truman statue.

This statute proves that government can work, and work quickly, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, a Missouri Democrat, said. This only took us 20 years.

The crowd of 100 or so chuckled.

Cleaver touted Trumans civil rights legacy. The president desegregated the military, was the first president to meet with the NAACP, established the Presidents Committee on Civil Rights and signed an executive order that prohibits race-based employment discrimination in the federal government.

President Truman truly helped create the Black middle class that enabled African Americans to advance and participate in the prosperity of this great nation, Cleaver said.

Before he was president, Truman served in the U.S. Senate representing Missouri. President Franklin D. Roosevelt tapped him as his vice presidential running mate in 1944.

Eighty-two days into his term as vice president, Truman was called to the White House, where he would learn of Roosevelts death and be sworn in as president.

During his term, he would shape the countrys foreign policy for decades to come. He formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, facilitated the United Nations charter and established global alliances to deter the spread of communism.

Domestically, he signed into law the National Security Act of 1947, creating the CIA, Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff and National Security Council, and also paved the way for national health care.

Statue collections

Due to overcrowding  and aesthetic preferences  only one statue from each state is placed in Statuary Hall.

The House of Representatives used to convene in Statuary Hall, but lawmakers moved into a bigger chamber, leaving the room empty. Former Rep. Justin S. Morrill, Democrat of Vermont, in April 1864 proposed that each state be allowed a statute in the hall, which Congress then passed into law three months later.

However, the aesthetic appearance of the Hall began to suffer from overcrowding until, in 1933, the situation became unbearable, according to the Architect of the Capitols website.

In 1933 Congress passed a resolution stating that each state is allowed one statue in the hall. The other 50 statues can be found in various locations such as the Rotunda, the Senate Wing, the Crypt or the Capitol Visitor Center.

Truman will replace Missouris statue of Democratic Sen. Thomas Hart Benton, who served from 1821 to 1851.

Benton was somewhat of a hothead. He dueled President Andrew Jackson, leaving Jackson, then a general during the War of 1812, with a bullet in his arm.

Benton was also nearly shot on the Senate floor on the cusp of the Civil War in 1850 during a heated exchange with Mississippi Sen. Henry Foote.

I have no pistols! Let him fire! Benton said, according to Senate archives. Stand out of the way and let the assassin fire!

Foote never fired.

Benton advocated for Missouri to become a slave state during its early formation in 1821, believing the issue would divide the nation. His views changed in 1835, not wanting slavery to spread, but also not wanting it to be abolished, according to the State Historical Society of Missouri.

Bentons statue will be moved to the State Historical Society of Missouri, in Columbia.

The second statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection representing Missouri is of Francis Preston Blair Jr. The state of Missouri gave the statue to the collection in 1899.

Blair was a lawyer from St. Louis who was instrumental in keeping Missouri part of the Union during the Civil War, where he served as a major general.

Known for his anti-slavery views, he served in the Missouri Legislature from 1852 through 1856, where he opposed the extension of slavery and urged the South to gradually abolish slavery.

Blair unsuccessfully ran as a Democratic candidate for vice president in 1868.

He became a U.S. senator in 1870, filling a vacant seat, but lost his reelection bid in 1872.

He died in 1875 and was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
Its giving modern-day flapper.

Getty Images

Whether shes stunning in red lace or a slinky mint green gown, Amal Clooney has yet to meet a red carpet that she doesnt absolutely conquer  and her latest appearance was no exception.

On Thursday, the human rights lawyer (and supportive wife) stepped out to walk the carpet at the inaugural Albie Awards, an event hosted by her husband George Clooneys Clooney Foundation for Justice. Fully embracing the glitz and glamor of the evening, Amal called on a vintage silhouette for the occasion by sporting a gorgeous Versace gown reminiscent of a 1920s flapper.

:

Clooneys modern-day take on the iconic ensemble featured a structured bodice and fitted skirt covered in layers of intricate white-and-gold beading, which was complemented by thick white beaded straps and a front slit. Further indulging the 20s nostalgia, the lawyer styled her hair in a voluminous version of the eras sleek waves and swiped on a bright red lip. Finishing the look, Clooney accessorized with glitzy silver heels, gold jewelry, and a bedazzled purse.

For his part, George Clooney looked equally as sharp in a black tuxedo complete with white button-up and a bow tie. Aside from looking immaculate, the doting husband was also sure to gush about what he liked most about creating this new awards ceremony, which aims to honor those who devote their lives to justice, alongside Amal when talking to People ahead of the event.

Well we collaborate on everything. We collaborated on twins!" the actor said. "But you know, this is an exciting one because Amal's gotten journalists out of Egypt, out of Azerbaijan, prisons, out of  all over the world, Myanmar.

He added, My father's a journalist. I have a great affinity for them  her mother's a journalist. So it's really exciting for me when she's able to get people who are wrongly accused for doing their job out [of prison]. So, for me, it's just  I couldn't be more proud of my wife.


mage: Red Cross 03 Staff and volunteers at the Red Cross Capital Area Chapter organize and prepare to help those affected by Hurricane Ian on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Electrical workers and medical volunteers from the South Bend area and around Indiana have gone to Florida or are in the process of going to respond to Hurricane Ian.

The American Red Cross is sending 30 volunteers and although none of them are from the South Bend area, one is preparing to go from northwest Indiana, the spokesman for Indiana's Red Cross headquarters, LaMar Holliday, said.

They will be helping storm victims with shelter, mental health services, food and other needs. More volunteers may yet deploy, the nonprofit agency reported, as it worked to identify the needs of storm victims.

This morning:Ian regains hurricane strength as it targets South Carolina; at least 14 dead in Florida: Sept. 29 recap

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is seeking donations of money and blood as blood distribution in disaster areas is often hampered.

In times of disaster, relief agencies often discourage giving material goods because they overwhelm and get in the way of efficient response efforts.

The Red Cross says it can move blood donations around the country to where its needed.

"It can go anywhere from your community to Florida, Texas or wherever that need is," Holliday said. "It helps us keep that supply on the shelves."

The South Bend Medical Foundation also collects blood locally. It serves local hospitals, but its also part of a national network that is now trying to boost an excess supply of blood across the country  so that it can help disaster victims. When a partner like SBMF has excess blood, it offers that to the network, and communities in need can reach out to receive it, the foundations blood donor recruitment supervisor, Mary Ankrapp, said.

Desert Storm remembered:Clay High School graduate leads the effort to build the National Mall's newest memorial

But, locally, she noted, We need to first be sure we are meeting the needs of the local hospitals.

She said local blood supplies were already tight having just come out of the summer.

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On average, blood collection organizations nationwide had only 1-2 days worth of blood supply heading into the storm, according to a press release from the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism. Anticipated disruptions in blood collections  as well as transportation challenges  in Florida and the Southeast throughout the next several days are likely to exacerbate already low inventories, particularly in the affected areas.

Turning the lights back on

Another contingent of local volunteers heading down to Florida are electrical workers with Mishawaka Utilities. Earlier this week, eight volunteers, in two trucks, joined with hundreds of crews from around the country in making the trip down to help cities in Florida repair power lines once the most severe weather passes.

Matt Lentsch, executive director of development with Mishawaka Utilities, said the city got the call for aid from the Indiana Municipal Electric Association, which operates a mutual aid program with other states during natural disasters. Though many volunteered, eight workers were selected and departed for Florida earlier this week.

"Were thrilled to be in a position to have the expertise and have the equipment to be able to provide help to our neighbors. And while theyre not in Indiana, theyre still neighbors to us," Lentsch said.

The contingent will be working in and around New Smyrna Beach, Fla., which is around 60 miles northeast of Orlando on the Atlantic coast of the state. Repair work is expected to take about a week and the crew will be paid by IMEA during that time. Lentsch said Mishawaka crews have helped out-of-state communities with severe weather work before and were mobilized to help out in southern Indiana and Kentucky when flooding hit the region, but ultimately were not deployed.

Indiana Michigan Power this week also sent multiple crews south to help with electrical restoration. More than 350 workers from South Bend, Elkhart, Muncie and Fort Wayne, made the trip to Florida, the company said in a release.

According to some estimates, more than 1.5 million people still remain without power in Florida as of Friday afternoon.

To help:

 Donate money: Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS. Or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 in order to make a $10 donation.

 Volunteer: To serve as a disaster action team volunteer, visit redcross.org/dat.

 Donate blood: Visit redcross.org/give-blood.

 South Bend Medical Foundation: To make blood donations, visit https://www.sbmf.org/ or call 574-234-1157.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: How to help Red Cross hurricane response and blood donations
President Jair Bolsonaro Holds Campaign Event

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's President, during a campaign event in Santos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Credit - Victor MoriyamaBloomberg/Getty

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has spent much of the past four years imitating one man: Donald Trump. Bolsonaro did so during his 2018 presidential campaign, when his iconoclastic political style and crude statements about women, Indigenous groups, and the media earned him the moniker Trump of the Tropics. He did so again during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he railed against lockdowns and spread misinformation about the safety and efficacy of lifesaving vaccines. And he did so in the aftermath of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, when Bolsonaro became one of the few international leaders to back Trumps baseless claims of voter fraud, and was one of the last to finally acknowledge Trumps defeat.

The fear now facing many Brazilians is that Bolsonaro could pull off his biggest Trump tribute act to date when their country goes to the polls for the first round of its general elections on Sunday. The far-right Brazilian leader has spent much of the past year claiming, without evidence, that his countrys electronic voting system is susceptible to fraud. (Brazils electronic voting system, which was introduced more than two decades ago explicitly to combat fraud, has a strong track record for reliability.) Bolsonaro has repeatedly refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose reelection, presenting his only options as victory, arrest, or death. With polls showing him trailing his left-wing rival, the former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazilian democracy seems poised to be put on a collision course with Bolsonaro and his most loyal supporters, some of whom have threatened violence against their opponents.

Trumps Stop the Steal playbook might seem like an odd one for the Brazilian President to follow. The former U.S. President didnt, after all, stop the transition of power to Joe Biden. His supporters storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 also earned Trump the distinct dishonor of being the first President to ever be impeached twice. The seemingly obvious question, then, is what Bolsonaro stands to gain from emulating a strategy that ultimately failed?

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The answer is a lot. Yes, Trump did not retain the presidency. But by virtually every other metric, he has been a success. He remains the de facto leader of the Republican Party and is widely seen as the favorite to win his partys nomination for the 2024 presidential election. Unlike most former presidents, who often tend to retire into relative post-political obscurity, Trump continues to be relevant. While this is partly driven by the range of criminal and civil investigations he faces, it is also influenced by the intrigue over whether hell indeed stand as a candidate in 2024. Ive already made that decision, Trump told New York magazine in July, without specifying further. A good entertainer knows how to keep his audience engaged.

If Bolsonaro has learned anything from Trump, its that the politics of grievance can have its advantages. It can be weaponized to galvanize your base, lend support to your allies, and, perhaps most crucially for Boslonaro, shield yourself from prosecution by declaring any such efforts to be a politically-motivated witch hunt. For Bolsonaro, who previously faced potential criminal charges over his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, this could factor into his decision making. It doesnt guarantee immunity, but it provides you with an extra layer of protection, says Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of international relations at Fundacao Getulio Vargas, a university and think tank in Sao Paulo. Bolsonaros interpretation is that there is an actual incentive not to concede and that in many ways hed be better off if he contested the result.

Read More: What To Know About Brazils Crucial Election

But Brazilian democracy would stand worse off for it. The countrys faith in democracy had already taken a beating under Bolsonaro, with 44% believing that Brazil is becoming less democratic, according to a recent study conducted by YouGov. Analysts fear that Bolsonaros unfounded claims about voting machines stands to only further undermine Brazilians trust in the democratic process and could even lead to widespread unrest or, worse yet, an attempted coup. Claims of electoral fraud and content discrediting the electoral process have already run rampant on Brazilian social media.

While U.S. institutions ultimately withstood Trumps efforts to subvert the election, its consequences are still being felt today. Trumps Stop the Steal campaign continues to have widespread tractionso much so that candidates endorsing his election fraud claims are expected to appear in ballots in nearly every state in the U.S. midterms this November. Brazilian democracy could prove to be even less robust. Faith in institutions was already much lower in Brazil than in the United States, says Christopher Sabatini, a senior researcher fellow for Latin America at Chatham House and founder of Americas Quarterly. Even if an attempted coup doesnt materialize, the country could still be left with millions of hardcore Bolsonaro supporters who no longer have faith in the democratic process. In this way, Sabatini adds, The damage has already been done.

What Bolsonaro ultimately does is anyones guess. During the final weeks of the campaign, the Brazilian leader has offered contradictory statements. On a podcast earlier this month, he appeared to acknowledge the prospect of electoral defeat, saying that he would quit politics if that ever came to pass. Days later, while visiting London for Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral, he told a Brazilian broadcaster that if he wins less than 60% of the vote in the first round of voting, something abnormal has happened. (If neither candidate exceeds 50% of the vote in the first round, there will be a runoff at the end of October to determine the winner.)

He is a famously intemperate and capricious person and so we wont know until the moment, says Sabatini. He probably wont even know until the moment. What is certain, however, is that win or lose, Bolsonaro can count on Trumps support.
History usually exists in two dimensions. The past can be told excellently through words and photographs, but its always missing that tangible element. You cant spin it around, look at it from the other side. Its static.

Voices of the Past seeks to change that. Its a living history event at the Mountview Cemetery in Billings, put on by the Western Heritage Center. This year, seven actors are portraying seven historical Billings residents. They dress the part, and act it, too. For a moment, they step into the past and connect to something thats still there. The performances are given at the gravestones of the people that inspired these performances. Flowers mark the headstones.

The event was held last Saturday, and will go again this Saturday. There are timeslots available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and once ticket holders are there, they can stay as long as theyd like to explore Mountviews rich history.

Lee Stadtmiller is always eager to share that history. He was the manager of Mountview from January 2000 until Halloween 2018. He loves talking about the cemetery, and how its had multiple lives, first as the private Billings Cemetery, and then a 1920 transition into the publicly held property it is today. The new section, where people are still buried today, is orderly and neat. But the old section is chaotic. Some stones are toppled. People were buried in wooden caskets, and as decay inevitably happens, the earth starts to depress, creating little indentations where folks rest.

Everybody loves a good death story, Stadtmiller said.

Thats true. But the real draw of Voices of the Past is the life stories. The people buried here dont look like legendary figures in a book. Theyre real. Theyre right in front of you. They have hopes and dreams and desires, just like you do. Sometimes looking into the past is like looking at a mirror.

Voices of the Past is a great way for the Western Heritage Center to share the stories and the research that we do about the communities that we live in, said Lauren Hunley, the Centers Community Historian.

Only so many people like to come to lectures, she continued, laughing. I can only do so many school tours.

Voices of the Past lets that history come to life. Its real. You can interact with it. The actors take questions and chat, all without breaking character.

The event is in its second year. Last years Voices, like this years was during the fall, when it feels most natural to explore a graveyard.

But the process started way back in March. The museums planning committee met and created a shortlist of potential historical figures theyd like to see portrayed.

Gwynivere Cusak plays Dorothy Gray, the woman who designed Pioneer Park. Gray was, as Cusak said, the best, and only, landscape architect in the Billings area at the time of her life. Cusak is one of the productions most practiced actors. Shes a senior at Lockwood High School, but shes already acted in 26 plays. And does cabarets and recitals on top of that. But this role is different.

Its not a normal acting role, she said. You cant just take liberties and make stuff up. You have to actually do all this research and find out who this person was.

That research was extensive. They needed to make sure theres enough information available about the historic figure so the actors can portray them fully and accurately.

An audition process followed.

Were very, very intentional about matching our potential actors with the right historical figures, Hunley said.

Because this is no easy gig. The Voices of the Past need to perform constantly through when the event begins at 9:30 a.m. all the way through to mid-afternoon.

Were asking them to learn a historic figure so much theyre able to improv conversation and answer questions as that person, Hunley said. Its a lot of work.

The actors are paid. Thats something that the Western Heritage Center was very insistent on. Not only because its so much work to ask someone to volunteer for, but to ensure the quality of the event.

We want to maintain the historic integrity and to be respectful of the historic figures that we are portraying, Hunley said. So were asking our actors to do the same thing.

It can be heavy stuff, to act in a graveyard and portray a real person as they really were, even after their death. But dont worry, Voices from the Past is also a blast.

Nickolas Goettel plays Dr. Frank Bell, a Billings dentist. In 1904, he became the first person to use an electric drill on teeth in the city. But Bells bigger claim to fame is that he's a pioneering pilot. He was issued one of the first 200 pilots licenses in America. Goettel portrays Bell with zeal, decked out in a leather flight jacket, hat and goggles. Its a good look. Goettel joked that he might wear it at school, although hed probably leave the goggles at home.

J.G. Link, a Montana architect, is brought to life by Casey Visser. Link was an icon of early Montana architecture. He built the Northern Hotel. He built the Billings bus depot. He built the Montana Power Building, and the wings of the Montana Capitol in Helena. His fingerprints are over so much of Montanas landscape. He even built the Mountview mausoleum hes buried in. Youll find him in there next to Alberta Bair and other early Montana luminaries. That mausoleum, recently nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, isnt usually open to visitors. Voices of the Past is a rare opportunity to check out a Montana landmark.

Vissers portrayal gives a face and a voice to a man whose fingerprints are over so much of Montanas contemporary landscape. Visser is an American History teacher at the Billings Career Center. He takes this stuff seriously.

But so does everyone else at Voices of the Past. Meet P.B. and Mattie Moss, whose eponymous mansion was built on the edge of town in 1903 and is now one of the citys most recognizable landmarks. Theyre portrayed by real-life married couple Jerod and Sue Schaefer.

And dont miss the story of Augusta Schuster, played by Gwendolyn Satterfield. Its got so many twists it could be a movie. Satterfield delivers the performance from Schusters graveside, where shes buried with all three of her husbands.

Theres so much high drama here. But the most striking story featured at Voices of the Past is a quiet one.

Jessie Mahler was a homesteader and mother of the cutest triplets youve ever seen. Thats the opening line delivered by Rosalyn Visser, a Western Heritage Center volunteer and social studies major at Rocky who helped write not only her own script, but the scripts of some of the other actors.

This really does humanize history, Visser said. To be able to tell these unknown stories of amazing figures is surreal. Its such an honor to be a part of this event.

Mahlers story is a beautiful one. She was a homesteader, and a county school teacher in Pompeys Pillar who supplemented her income by nursing. She married Clarence Curly Mahler, and on Independence Day 1907, she gave birth to identical triplets. They became so popular that when Curly added an addition on their cabin, he included a big picture window.

But in 1919, the Spanish Flu came.

When we first lost our taste and smell, I knew it was going to be bad, said Visser in character, in a line that could have been written in 1918 or 2022.

Curly made it. Jessie didnt. She was buried in Mountview that year. Her triplets grew up, and prospered. She was gone, but her legacy wasnt.

One person who came to the performance last Saturday is a part of that legacy. Her name is Pamela Gustafson, and shes Jessies granddaughter. Donald, one of Jessies triplets, was her father.

Gustafson never got to know her grandmother. And her father died when she was young. So shes made preserving their story a part of her life. She wrote a book, called Finding Jesse, that Visser used as the main source for her script.

The two met on Saturday.

I just started bawling, Visser said. She gave me a big hug.

It was emotional, said Gustafson. I could imagine deeply that it was her. That was the first time I experienced meeting my grandmother. 

Voices of the Past doesnt eschew the tragedy. But it amplifies the life that keeps happening afterwards.

I think its okay to walk on peoples graves, former manager Stadtmiller said. I think they like the company.
Kerry Kastler Burt

If you dont believe in climate change, know now that it is not a leap of faith but clearly a leap of fact. Truly the time has come to jump on board.

Our globe is warming in palpable ways. Our wonderful southwest homeland, once summered in thermometer readings rarely above 105 degrees, now regularly sees heat upward of 110, 112 and 117. Our capitol city baked to 107degrees in what we often consider a fall month, September. In climate related disasters, cars are turned away from the road home, cars are melted in fires that currently rage in our near neighbor state of California and are drowned in floods in the South. And of course, more disturbing, and much sadder, its not just cars, people too are meeting their fates in the ravages of climate change both nearby, such as the recent death in our beloved Zion National Park and around the world.

Looking a bit further away, yet still here in the southwest, a drying up Lake Mead, the worlds largest reservoir, and a less than a 90-minute drive from St. George, has grimly revealed the human remains of individuals who have lost their lives recreating in this popular recreation site. Climate change and our historic drought have also impacted Lake Powell. Spanning areas in both Utah and Arizona, it has touched the lives of so many in southwest Utah. Now having reached its lowest level since its initial filling, its receding to reveal buried arches and the full magnitude of the iconic Lone Rock. Many who fondly remember boating and fishing around this iconic landmark will now find its open again to hikers.

While the damning of the Colorado River remains controversial, a significant takeaway from its receding shorelines must be its very real and serious signal of climate change in our own backyard. And if youre wondering about climate change beyond our area, simple attention to national and world news communicating such noteworthy physical and biological identifiers as the rate of retreat in glaciers, timing of the leafing out of plants and the arrival of spring migrant birds will bring you up to speed.

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With the leap of factual climate change must come human change. We must begin learning and practicing new everyday habits, implementing modifications, and acknowledging limitations to demonstrate a new understanding and alertness to our climate. Furthermore, we must begin advocating for these modifications.

So, what can we do? The ideas and steps are not new. Humanity must work toward the reduction of climate warming gases, like carbon dioxide and at the same time remove excess carbon from our atmosphere. We must commit to the reality that water in the southwest and elsewhere is a resource to be protected and stewarded in a manner that preserves it for clearly necessary use and the preservation of all life. Unwarranted, recreational, and ornamental uses must be carefully weighed against the heavy risks and toll they may very well inflict upon the dangerously uncertain supply.

Of course, its not just large-scale runaway residential or commercial developments that threaten our water resources here in Washington County, its also small-scale individual disregard for or disengagement from simple conservation measures. Utah has the highest per-capital water usage in the country, a distinction in which none of us can take pride. Here in our area, we use more than 285 gallons of water per person each day, an amount twice that of those in Las Vegas. Really? Surely we cant be that much more thirsty!! Surely we can do better. Decisions such as landscaping with grass, overfilling tubs, driving to a nearby neighborhood home or store when walking or biking is possible, printing double sided to save paper, turning off lights, and adjusting thermostats are actions that all of us can implement.

Lets acknowledge the leap of facts and make conservation a priority.

Kerry Kastler Burt is a long time St. George resident. She is the Retired Chief Development Officer of Intermountain Healthcare Southwest Region, Current Development Coordinator of Conserve Southwest Utah. Previous member of The Spectrum Writers Group, and former chairman of the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce and St. George City Planning Commission.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Climate change: Not a leap of faith but fact
George Clooney and Amal hosted their inaugural Albie Awards, which honours social-rights activists (Timothy A Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

George Clooney praised wife Amal at the inaugural Albie Awards, hosted by their Clooney Foundation for Justice on Thursday (September 29).

The 61-year-old star has partnered with Amal, 44, to launch the awards, which honoured those who devote their lives to justice.

Outside of the event at the New York Public Library, the Oscar-winner told People when asked why the pair joined forces on the initiative: Well, we collaborate on everything. We collaborated on twins.

But, you know, this is an exciting one because Amal's gotten journalists out of Egypt, out of Azerbaijan, prisons, out of  all over the world, Myanmar.

L-R, Jodie Turner-Smith and Charlotte Tilbury attend the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards at New York Public Library (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Albie Awards)

He added that their work on the Albie Awards and with their foundation is something that his wife happens to be really especially gifted at.

He added, My father's a journalist. I have a great affinity for them  her mother's a journalist. So it's really exciting for me when she's able to get people who are wrongly accused for doing their job out [of prison]. So, for me, it's just  I couldn't be more proud of my wife.

From left, Dominic Cooper, Gemma Chan, and Phoebe Dynevor at the Albie Awards (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Albie Awards)

The pair, who recently celebrated their eight-year wedding anniversary, were joined at the event by the likes of Meryl Streep, Dua Lipa, John Oliver, Julia Roberts, Bruce Springsteen, and Patti Scialfa.

Jodie Turner-Smith, Dominic Cooper, and Gemma Chan also joined the army of celebrities at the star-studded bash.

As for what the Oceans 11 star hopes the pair will teach their five-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, about social-justice work, he said: There's tons of stuff. But the number one thing is: challenge people with power and defend people without power.

Julia Roberts supported old pal Clooney on Thursday night (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Named after Justice Albie Sachs, Clooney and Amal created the Albie Awards to shine a spotlight on defenders of justice who are at risk for what they do.

Justice Sachs received a lifetime achievement award Thursday for his heroic commitment to ending apartheid in South Africa.
Crews from Xcel Energy are joining others from West Texas and the region in responding to Florida to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Xcel Energy confirmed it is sending support to Florida for restoration efforts after Hurricane Ian made landfill mid-day Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 storm. Xcel is providing approximately 270 contract workers who are currently enroute, Xcel announced Wednesday.

Damaged homes and debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla.

The companys support could possibly grow as the storm continues to cause damage in Florida and portions of the southeastern United States.

The lineworkers are from Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas.

When the call for help comes in, Xcel Energy and the entire electric industry answers that call, says Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. When our customers experience adverse conditions, we know that they would do the same for us. Its imperative that the electric companies work together to ensure the resiliency of our essential product as storm volatility increases.

Xcel Energy is part of the Edison Electric Institutes Mutual Assistance program. Following major storms that bring significant outages, electric companies use this program  a voluntary partnership of electric companies from across the country  to help speed restoration. For more about mutual assistance and Hurricane Ian visit Ian | (eei.org)

On Tuesday, Lubbock Power & Light announced it would send 15 vehicles and 18 crew members to Lakeland, Florida to assist with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.

The effort comes as a result of a mutual service agreement that LP&L signed, committing to assist in disaster recovery events, according to a news release from the municipal utility.

LP&L is proud to represent our community in lending assistance to Floridians in the aftermath of what could be a potentially damaging event, said Joel Ivy, Director of Electric Utilities. A cornerstone principle of our industry is helping our neighbors in need, because there will come a time when Lubbock faces a daunting storm recovery, and their helping hand will turn the tide.

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The LP&L crew left Wednesday morning and will wait in Montgomery, Alabama until the storm passes to ensure they can reach Lakeland as safely and quickly as possible.

The 18 crew members who departed for Lakeland include two construction crews, three service crews, and one mechanic, according to the LP&L statement.

Given the federal disaster declaration already issued, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse all expenses related to LP&L's efforts in restoring power for Hurricane Ian victims.

Hurricane Ian comes just days after Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Eastern Canada, killing at least 27 individuals in its path and leaving more than 1 million individuals without power in Puerto Rico and

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Crews from Xcel, others from West Texas assisting after Hurricane Ian
As the seasons change, and Fall's brilliance paints a mosaic of orange, yellow and red leaves across the once-green forestry of the Poconos, many outdoor enthusiasts may seek to catch a glimpse of nature's splendor for themselves.

Whether hiking, camping, boating, or enjoying other forms of outdoor activity, it is vital to keep in mind how easily one might lose their way as the path from the recent autumnal equinox to the approaching winter solstice brings night on sooner.

"The most common thing the dispatchers in our emergency communications center hear when someone is lost is that they have no idea where they are," said Kathleen Sandt, Public Affairs Specialist for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA). "And sometimes, they don't even know where they started. But in most instances, they are not far from a road or parking lot."

When exploring the natural resources of the Poconos in autumn, one should keep in mind the weather patterns in the area.

Daylight hours grow fewer and fewer as fall advances, and forests will grow darker before open areas. Sandt relayed that park rangers recommend planning one's trip early enough to conclude in daylight hours and to know what time the sun sets. They also suggest packing things such as flashlights and lanterns to light the way if sunlight wanes.

The average person can hike around two miles per hour, Sandt said. As such, a 10-mile trail would take the average hiker about five hours to complete. This speed could be reduced by poor weather conditions, a steep climb or other difficult terrain.

When planning trails and gauging time, Sandt reminds outdoor enthusiasts to check whether their intended trail is a loop trail or a one-way. "If it's not a loop trail, be sure to double the mileage and time allotted for the round trip in your planning. A three-mile long out-and-back trail is a six-mile hike," she said.

Hikers may also lose their way if spooked by a bear or other wildlife.

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"Rangers suggest that you back away, make some noise to let the bear know you are there, and then patiently wait for it to go its way which might take a few minutes or longer," Sandt wrote. "When the bear moves on, you can return to the trail without deviating from the plan."

Sandt recommends packing weather-appropriate clothing whenever planning an outdoor trip.

Before you leave for your hike

In the Poconos, September averages temperatures range between highs below 70 and lows above 50, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This range drops by about 10 degrees in October and a further 10 degrees in November.

Pocono rainfall averages eight days per month in September, October and November, and snow is possible as the temperature drops. With heavy rains possible during hurricane season, flash flooding is also something to keep in mind when planning an outdoor trip in the Poconos.

"Not getting lost starts before you even leave the house," Sandt said, "It starts with doing research about the area you plan to visit and then making a plan."

Some things to consider when planning include one's hiking ability, weather forecasts in the intended area, intended route and terrain difficulty.

Sandt also suggests wearing bright orange when hiking in autumn to be visible to hunters, who are permitted in most areas of the DWGNRA during hunting season.

K-9 searches, Amber Alerts:How police handle missing person cases in the Pocono Mountains

Of interest:Have you seen me? These people from the Poconos are missing

Have information on hand when you go hiking in the Poconos

As part of its disaster preparedness emergency communication plan, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having key phone numbers and other contact information for family members, emergency contacts, emergency services and other critical resources written down and on hand in the event of a disaster.

"Having this important information will help you reconnect with others in case you don't have your mobile device or computer with you, or if the battery runs down," states FEMA.

Additionally, FEMA recommends listing at least one contact in your phone as "In Case of Emergency" or "ICE," "This will help someone identify your emergency contact if needed."

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recommends carrying a paper map and compass on hand when camping or hiking. This can help save phone battery and provide navigation if there is no signal a common occurrence in rural areas or the battery depletes entirely.

Some trail markers are less obvious, but finding them will still point a hiker in the right direction.

Communication is key

When traveling, leave an intended trip plan with a friend or family member. Include estimated times of departure and arrival and intended stops along the way.

DCNR recommends: "Write down your plans and indicate on a map where you are going. Let [someone] know that you will call when you return. If they do not hear from you they can contact the proper authorities and a search can be started. Also leave a copy of your plan in your vehicle, too. Do not leave your plan on the dash or seat, where it can be easily spotted by someone hoping to break into vehicles."

Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDAFS) recommends telling one's confident the make and model of one's vehicle and where it will be parked.

Keep those who know your plan updated along the way to let them know your last known location. This will help narrow down a search if one is needed. FEMA notes, "You will want to let others know you are safe and where you are. Short messages like, 'I'm OK. At library,' are good."

"Use the internet to communicate by email, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media networks," FEMA adds, "These communication channels allow you to share information quickly with a widespread audience or to find out if loved ones are OK."

Conserve your cell phone battery

FEMA recommends sending messages via text to conserve battery. When that is not possible, keep calls as brief as possible and give only vital information to emergency personnel or a family contact. FEMA also recommends waiting at least 10 seconds between calls to reduce the likelihood of network congestion.

You can also conserve phone battery by reducing the brightness, switching to airplane mode and not playing games or watching videos on the phone.

When possible, travel with a car charger.

As a last resort, if one cannot find shelter or a safe location to bunker down, following a river downstream will eventually lead to a road in PA.

Pack a survival kit

In addition to having a physical map and compass, DCNR also recommends campers, hikers and others enjoying the outdoors also pack useful outdoor gear such as matches, a knife, a whistle, food and water.

The whistle in particular can come in handy should one lose their way. Blowing it in periodic bursts can help alert rescuers to one's position. Other items useful for signaling one's location include a small mirror, strobe light and bright strips of cloth which can tied to something and left to flap in the wind.

During colder months FEMA suggests keeping a survival kit on hand. These could include things such as a blanket, boots, spare non-perishable food and bottled water, spare medication as needed, jumper cables, a flash light and more.

The USDAFS recommends packing survival critical items such as blankets, matches, flashlights and more in a water-resistant container to keep them dry.

Food and water are essential in order to have the energy to complete a hike or other outdoor activity. Sandt recommends packing more than one thinks they might need just in case they get lost or otherwise delayed.

If you get lost

Should one find themselves in unfamiliar territory, whether from getting lost while hiking or otherwise, DCNR recommends above all, staying calm. "While this sounds easy," states DCNR, "many people will panic when in an undesirable, unfamiliar situation. Remaining calm will help a lost individual make sound, rational decisions."

With a calm mind, DCNR further recommends someone who is lost to immediately stop walking, "Walking with unfamiliar landmarks will often lead someone who is lost to wander in circles and potentially cause a longer rescue time."

As an absolute last resort, if no one knows where you were going or if you have no means of staying warm and dry, DCNR suggests finding a stream and following the current downstream. "All streams in Pennsylvania will eventually lead to a road," says DCNR.

USDAFS cautions following a stream in this way could be dangerous. Similar to DCNR, the USDAFS likewise urges those who may be lost, "Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step."

Finally, DCNR recommends seeking shelter and a means of staying warm and dry. " Staying warm and dry are two key elements to surviving an extended period in the wild," states DCNR. "Preventing hypothermia a condition where your body core temperature is too low to sustain your health is critical."

Prompton State Park greets hikers at its trailhead with a map of all the trail systems found ahead. Maps play a critical role in helping hikers avoid getting lost.

USDAFS also recommends practicing the following self-rescue tips to maximize one's chances of survival:

Stop and rest when you start to feel tired. Dont wait until you are exhausted.

Your body cant hike hard and digest food at the same time. Rest in the shade for at least 30 minutes when you stop to eat. If you are still tired after 30 minutes, continue to rest.

Make sure to drink enough water to avoid dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration could include thirst; dry/sticky mouth; not urinating very much or dark yellow urine; dry, cool skin; headache; muscle cramps.

Stop and fix small problems while they are still small. If you ignore your body and keep pushing, the pain or illness will only get worse and make recovery more difficult.

Avoid hiking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on hot days. If you are on a trail between those hours, find a shady spot and stay there until the temperature cools down. Adjust your hiking pace to one you can comfortably maintain and rest when you feel the need.

For a more in-depth look at emergency planning, consult FEMA's guidelines for emergency communication online at Ready.gov, the United States Forest Service (fs.usda.gov), or DCNR's Outdoor Safety page (dcnr.pa.gov).

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: How to be rescued if lost in the Pocono wilderness
For true stories of Halloween horror, watch Homicide for the Holidays, which has new episodes airing Friday, October 7 and October 14 at 9/8c on Oxygen.

Since the first the Halloween film debuted in 1978, its impact on the horror genre has been undeniable. John Carpenters classic slasher flick permanently ingrained Michael Myers mask and its pale, emotionless expression in our minds while simultaneously introducing America to a budding star in the form of Jamie Lee Curtis.

Now, almost exactly 40 years later, Curtis will reprise the role of the tenacious Laurie Strode in the latest chapter of the franchise  a direct sequel to the 1978 original.

While the original Halloween was undeniably influential, its central themes  for which the film is often credited with popularizing within the slasher genre  actually precede Carpenters film. The image of a nanny stalked by a vicious escaped mental patient has haunted the American imagination since the mid-20th century.

The urban legend of "the babysitter and the man upstairs" began spreading in the 1960's, according to a Snopes investigation. The story generally goes that a young girl hired to watch the children for a middle-class suburban family received repeated phone calls from an unknown source pleading her to check on the sleeping kids. Eventually, after the alerting the police, she is informed that the call is coming from inside the house, prompting her to run into the arms of law enforcement that at the last second save her from the vicious killer, who had snuck in through a window and killed her wards. In some versions of the tale, the butcher knife-wielding killer had recently escaped from an unspecified mental hospital or sanitorium.

This folkloric account is referred to almost directly in several horror films, including "When A Stranger Calls" (1979) and "Urban Legend" (1998). The 1974 film "Black Christmas" (often cited as one of the earliest examples of a slasher film) may also have served as inspiration for "Halloween," and similarly derives its story from the legend.

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Aside from the tropes it inspired and absorbed, true crime stories also influenced the legend of Michael Myers. The babysitter and the man upstairs" may have been fabricated out of longstanding cultural fears about vulnerable young women, motherhood and the dangers of telecommunication, but the myth resembles and has been connected to the case of Janett Christman.

In March of 1950, 13-year-old Christman was hired to babysit 3-year-old Gregory Romack at his home in Columbia, Missouri. At 10:35 p.m., police received a call from someone screaming, urging them to "Come quick!" but could not obtain any more information from the girl on the other end of the line before the connection dropped, nor could the call be traced, according to The Columbia Tribune, a Columbia, Missouri-based news organization.

When the Romack parents returned home, they found their doors unlocked and Christman dead in a pool of blood.

Investigation into the killing showed that Christman had resisted her assailant, who had raped her before strangling her to death.

The case of Christman was never solved. The primary suspect, Robert Mueller (no relation to the current head of the Special Counsel investigation into the Trump campaigns alleged collusion with Russia), never faced any charges due to lack of evidence. Mueller's noted sexual advances towards Christman before her death had piqued the interests of police, but his testimony while being administered a polygraph test suggested he was not involved in the crime. He later sued the police department for holding him illegally, according to court documents.

The tale of Christman bears little resemblance to the fictional Laurie Strode, who famously survived her attack from a nightmarish masked assailant. Still, the lore spawned from the case seems to have influenced Carpenter, especially in a key scene in the original film in which Strode mistakes a muffled call from a friend as a potentially obscene or threatening gesture.

Another key aspect of Myers' mythology is his unrivaled ability to bust out of psychiatric facilities: In the upcoming 2018 installment, directed by David Gordon Green, Myers once again flees from confinement to hunt Strode.

Stories of murderous psychopaths slipping past sanitarium security also haunt the collective American psyche, but one particular instance stands out amongst the many.

The case of Andre Rand, discussed extensively in the 2009 documentary "Cropsey," also generated urban legends that bears resemblance to the Michael Myers mythos.

Rand, a convicted serial kidnapper also known by the alias Frank Rushan (and, possibly, Andre Rashan, according to some sources), committed his first known crimes in 1969 when he was caught right before sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl, according to a 1987 report by The New York Times.

In 1983, Rand kidnapped a busload of children and took them to a local White Castle without the consent of their parents, for which he was confined for ten months.

Five years later in 1988, Rand would be found guilty for the kidnapping (but not murder) of 12-year-old Jennifer Schweiger, a girl with Down's Syndrome whose body was discovered near the grounds of the Willowbrook State Mental Facility, a treatment center that had fallen into disgrace after an expose by Geraldo Rivera revealed several human rights abuses. Rushan has since been linked to several other unsolved cases concerning missing children, and in 2004 was convicted for the kidnapping of Holly Ann Hughes, whose body was never found, 23 years earlier, according to The New York Daily News.

Eventually, Rushans alleged crimes morphed into the stuff of urban legend. "Cropsey" explores how through word-of-mouth, he transformed into a hook-wielding mass murderer who sacrificed kids to Satan within the imaginations of local Staten Island children.

And although Rushan never in fact escaped his confinement, his linkage of his crimes to local mental health facilities and his connection to various unsolved cases has turned him into a figure of mythic proportion in New York, with many still blaming the disappearances of children on (a distorted version of) him, despite the fact hes currently incarcerated.

The Myers character was invented as Cropseys legend started to take form.

Like Cropsey, Myers also became imbued with supernatural qualities over the course of his 11-film journey, in which he is depicted as possessing demonic strength and is able to survive gunshot wounds and other lethal attacks.

In "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers" (1995), Michael's unearthly abilities are even explained as the result of an ancient Druidic curse connected to the holiday of Samhain, the pagan version of Halloween.

Meanwhile, several other real life stories of escaped dangerous mental patients may have fueled rumors about Rushan, and perhaps inspired the continuation of Myers' tale.

In 1983, for example, two dangerous patients escaped from a psychiatric facility on Wards Island in New York, according to The New York Times.

More recently, in 2017, a man described as a "violent psychopath" escaped from a psychiatric in Hawaii and was quickly re-apprehended, according to USA Today.

To say that any of the "Halloween" films are inspired by one or several true crimes, then, might be a bit of a stretch. But the genius of Carpenter's character is that Myers draws on several legends, which, themselves, are only tenuously linked to actual events.

As with Myers' infamously faceless white mask, the real terror of "Halloween" is not the killer himself, but the fears we project onto him. The extent to which those fears are based in any kind of reality is truly up to the viewers.

[Photo Credit: Michael Myers Cosplayer by Albert L. Ortega/Getty]

For true stories of Halloween horror, watch Homicide for the Holidays, which has new episodes airing Friday, October 7 and October 14 at 9/8c on Oxygen.
Photo credit: Maison Mumm

A four-year research project produced a newly developed champagne bottle that meets space standards.

Rules about gaseous liquids in space requires, among other things, all pressure to remain contained in the bottle.

Stainless steel and aeronautical-grade aluminum combine with glass and cork on the SPADE-designed bottle.

When Axiom Space fully commercializes its space station plans, the Houston, Texas-based group wants a bit of Earths creature comforts up there: namely, champagne.

But you cant just have pressurized glass bottles floating about in a space habitatgetting champagne to space requires an extra level of scrutiny. So, Frances Maison Mumm, one of the largest champagne producers in the world, partnered with the aeronautics-focused design firm SPADE to create a space-compliant bottle that meets not only exacting French champagne standards, but also French space agency requirements.

 Science explains the world around us. Well help you make sense of it alljoin Pop Mech Pro.

Cordon Rouge Stellar is poised to become the first champagne that can be tasted in space and that will embark on future human space flights, according to a Maison Mumm press release.

Resulting from a four-year research and development process, the Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar has met full space compliance with help from the French space agency Centre National dEtudes Spatiales. That meant dealing with a complex set of constraints on gaseous liquids in the absence of gravity, pressure contained in the bottle, food compatibility, material specifications, size, ergonomics, and intuitive use (more on a fancy little button later).

The trickiness was two-fold because Mumm also had to adhere to rules from the Champagne Appellation dOrigine Controlee, the regulatory commission for the tightly controlled beverage. Regulations for champagne require it to be stored in glass and corked with a traditional mushroomcork. So, the 12.6-ounce bottle uses glass on the interior layer, with stainless-steel opening and closing devices securing the champagne in place. The champagne only ever encounters the glass bottle interior and the stainless steel, identical to Mumms blending vats in Reims; the two materials are used for preservation and to meet regulatory requirements.

Story continues

Space rules require a pressurized liquid container to have a second protective layer. The outer shell of the two-layer bottle comes in aeronautical-grade aluminum to protect the glass bottle insideglass shattering in space would be a major problem. The top of the bottle, dubbed the service part, features a long neck topped by a cork and a ring. This keeps the cork from popping open and helps lock the bottles stainless-steel mechanism.

To match the traditional champagne bottle and tasting experience as closely as possible, SPADE needed to do something about the zero-G conditions that would otherwise make the iconic champagne bottle pop impossible.



After uncorking, when pressing the button located at the bottom of the bottle, the champagne exits through the neck and gathers in the ring that once held the cork in place, Octave de Gaulle, the founder of SPADE, tells Dezeen. When a sufficient amount of champagne has exited, a small movement of the wrist separates a sphere of Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar champagne from the ring that is then gathered by our specially designed glass and ultimately tasted by the astronauts.

Because of the lack of bubbles rising to the top of the bottle when in space, there is a limited release of aroma molecules. So, Mumm blended grapes from the 2016 harvest, which includes the houses signature Pinot Noir grape variety, supplemented with reserve wines from the past five years. Mumm says 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.

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Former President Donald Trump will return to Arizona for an Oct. 9 rally in Mesa to support his endorsed Arizona candidates ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Trump is expected to speak in support of his endorsed candidates including Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Blake Masters and the entire Arizona Trump Ticket.

Trump last visited Arizona in July before the primary and held a rally at a Prescott Valley arena to boost his favored candidates, including Lake and Masters.

The event will be held at Legacy Sports Park in Mesa.

Parking lots, vendors and registration will open at 7 a.m. and doors open at 11 a.m. Remarks will start around 1 p.m. and Trump is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m.

The rally comes as early voting kicks off in Arizona. Counties begin mailing ballots to voters on Oct. 12, the first day of early voting. Arizonans have until Oct. 11 to register to vote in this election and voters can request a ballot by mail until Oct. 29.

Election guide: November 2022

Arizona GOP candidates endorsed by Trump face tough races, according to a recent Arizona Republic and azcentral.com/Suffolk University statewide poll.

Katie Hobbs, the Democratic nominee for governor, took a single percentage point lead over Lake, 46% to 45%, meaning the race is a toss-up. Both candidates are aiming to win over the one in five independent voters who remain undecided in the race.

Masters, the Republican Senate nominee, isn't faring as well. He trailed Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly by 7 percentage points in the poll.

Trump-backed candidates in Arizona largely dominated their GOP primaries, showing the former presidents continued sway over Republicans in the state.

Trump also endorsed Abe Hamadeh for attorney general and Mark Finchem for secretary of state, among others.

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Trump and his circle are facing ongoing and mounting legal woes on multiple fronts related to the Mar-a-Lago search, the aftermath of the 2020 election, his businesses and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

And the Washington Post reported this week that American Freedom Tour, a company that organized paid speeches for Trump after he left office, is struggling financially, including with paying employees, vendors and investors, and has had to cancel events.

At the July rally in Prescott Valley, Trump spoke for around 1 hour, 40 minutes, raising false claims of election fraud, attacking Democrats from Joe Biden to Kelly and hailing his administration a success. He encouraged Arizonans to vote for an outstanding slate of true conservative warriors such as Lake and Masters, who also spoke at the summer rally.

The Mesa rally will be held by Trumps political organization Save America.

General admission tickets for the Oct. 9 event can be reserved online at https://events.donaldjtrump.com/events/save-america-rally-in-mesa-az.

Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump returning to Arizona to support Kari Lake, Blake Masters
ESTANCIA  Migrants held by U.S. authorities at a detention center in rural New Mexico have endured retaliation rather than aid after reporting unsanitary conditions at the government-contracted jail, a coalition of civil rights advocacy groups said Wednesday.

A public letter signed this week by at least a dozen migrants within the Torrance County Detention Facility describes broken plumbing, insect infestations, insufficient access to medical care and rationed bottles of drinking water.

A companion complaint Wednesday to the office of civil rights at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security documents retaliation, including restrictions on access to legal representation and a falsified accusation of misconduct against an immigrant under the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

The new complaint adds to concerns raised in August by the coalition  which includes the American Civil Liberties Union, Innovation Law Lab, the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center and the El Paso, Texas-based Justice for Our Neighbors  drawing on information from interviews with scores of migrants at the center.

The Torrance County Detention Facility, privately operated by CoreCivic, is among about 130 detention centers used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold migrants while their immigration cases are reviewed, though in many cases it allows people to remain free under monitoring.

Representatives for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately return messages seeking comment. However, officials with CoreCivic disputed the allegations, saying the migrants were making false claims about conditions at the lockup.

Matthew Davio, a spokesperson for CoreCivic, said the detention center is monitored closely by ICE and is required to undergo regular reviews and audits to ensure an appropriate standard of living for all detainees. He also said ICE employs a compliance officer to ensure the detention center adheres to the agency's strict standards and policies.

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The Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, N.M. is seen on Monday, March 21, 2022. The facility has been managed by CoreCivic, a private company, since 2019.

Orlando de los Santos Evangelista, a 39-year-old construction worker from the Dominican Republic, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he stopped eating Monday with five other inmates to protest conditions. He said he ate reluctantly on Wednesday after jail officials threatened to force- feed inmates through a tube.

Jail officials said Thursday that no one had missed a meal.

De los Santos said detainees also fear being placed in a solitary cell that he called the hole. He said the corridors at the detention facility smell of feces, and water enters his sleeping area through a broken window, soaking his bed and immigration paperwork.

The Dominican national said he arrived in the U.S. in June and was shocked to be transferred to a prison-like facility.

The conditions are inhumane. Ive suffered from verbal mistreatment and psychological torture, he said. We ask that you listen to us.

A government watchdog in March cited unsafe and unsanitary conditions at the detention facility and suggested everyone held there should be removed and transferred elsewhere.

Those findings from the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General were based on an unannounced inspection in February. The findings were disputed by CoreCivic and ICE.

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., speaks to reporters in the rain outside of the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, N.M. on Monday, March 21, 2022, after the private contractor CoreCivic ordered journalists off the property.

More recently, a 23-year-old Brazilian national held at the Torrance County Detention Facility was found unresponsive by staff on Aug. 17 and died several days later at a hospital in Albuquerque. The death is under review by ICE, while the ACLU says it appears to be linked to a suicide attempt.

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury said the Torrance County Detention Facility within her district has a long and troubled history under private, for-profit management.

I continue to stand with over a hundred of my House colleagues in opposition to the use of private for-profit contracts for immigrant detention and am continuing to monitor the situation closely, the congresswoman said in a statement.

More New Mexico news:

Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Groups: Retaliation after migrants report Torrance County detention center
A coalition of Haitian immigrant advocacy groups on Friday filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, claiming authorities have not responded to freedom of information requests regarding the treatment of Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas, in September of last year.

The lawsuit comes a year after nearly 15,000 Haitian migrants encamped under a bridge in the remote Texas border town, attracting national attention with images of alleged abuse against the migrants by the Border Patrol.

There is an urgent need for transparency about the manner in which the fU.S. government responded to the thousands of Haitian migrants who attempted to seek asylum at the border in September 2021, and regarding the governments ongoing response to the migrants who continue to attempt to seek asylum at the southwest border every day, the plaintiffs wrote in the complaint.

The suit was filed by Haitian Bridge Alliance, African Communities Together and Undocublack Network, advocacy groups who filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests shortly after the events in Del Rio.

A large majority of the Haitians who crossed into Del Rio to seek asylum were expelled to Haiti by the Biden administration under whats known as Title 42, a Trump-era policy that allows U.S. officials to skip statutory asylum screenings under guise of pandemic protections.

While Haitians account for a relatively small number of border apprehensions, they have accounted for a disproportionate number of Title 42 expulsions, in part because the current Haitian government is willing to take in its expelled citizens, unlike countries like Cuba or Venezuela.

The lawsuits plaintiffs allege that the defendants  the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Prisons  engaged in mistreatment of the migrants both during the crisis in Del Rio and after, by expelling them to Haiti, a country in serious danger of sociopolitical and economic collapse.

Story continues

In September 2021, approximately 15,000 Haitian migrants seeking asylum were sequestered by the United States government in an encampment near the Del Rio, Texas port of entry (hereinafter CBP Encampment); surrounded by armed guards; and given little or no access to basic necessities like food, water, shelter, and medical attention, despite triple-digit heat, read the complaint.

U.S. agents harassed and intimidated migrants, including through physical force. And then, abruptly, the government rounded up and expelled thousands of the migrants, forcing many to return to Haiti, a country that could not safely receive or protect them, the complaint continued

The exact nature of the events at Del Rio has been a point of contention between human rights advocates and the Biden administration.

The plaintiffs in Fridays suit filed a FOIA requesting that [Defendants] produce records relating to the treatment of the migrants in Del Rio, as well as the governments policies and directives on treatment and processing of migrants.

A year later, the groups say they have received only one document from the Bureau of Prisons and nothing from DHS or its subsidiary agencies, CBP and ICE.

Plaintiffs need for the requested information has only grown more urgent with each passing day, as more Haitian migrants seek safety in the United States and Plaintiffs advocate for their rights, and the rights of all Black migrants. Reports of mistreatment of Haitian migrants continue. Moreover, the government continues to expel Haitian migrants at record numbers: at least 25,000 in the last year, despite acknowledging the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, wrote the plaintiffs in their complaint.

The Del Rio incident is perhaps best remembered by a news photo of a Haitian man being chased by a Border Patrol agent on horseback, where the agents flailing reins seem to show an attempt to whip the migrant.

In July, the CBP  the Border Patrols parent agency  put out a 511-page report that found failures at multiple levels of the agency, a lack of appropriate policies and training, and unprofessional and dangerous behavior by several individual agents.

Media attention was drawn to the fact that the report found that agents did not whip the migrant with his reins, but four Border Patrol agents were disciplined.

Still, Haitian advocates say the report was one-sided, as the CBP did not interview victims of the abuses certified in the report.

We offered to help facilitate our clients participation in the investigation as long as CBP took reasonable steps to ensure their safety and to enable them to safely participate in the process, as is common in such investigations. CBP did not even respond, despite our repeated attempts to engage with them, and instead released their report without interviewing a single Haitian, said Lauren Wilfong, an attorney with the Justice Action Center named as one of the litigators in the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo credit: Netflix

Jeffrey Dahmer is one of the most prolific and high-profile serial killers in US history, a notorious murderer whose gruesome crimes earned him the nickname the Milwaukee Cannibal.

Between 1978 and 1991, Dahmer murdered at least 17 murdered men across Milwaukee, Wisconsin  most of whom were gay men of colour  to seemingly satisfy his own sexual urges.

After drugging, torturing and murdering his victims, some as young as 14, he would use their bodies for sexual acts, eat their remains, or preserve parts of their corpses in his apartment.

It was only when one potential victim, 32-year-old Tracy Edwards, escaped from Dahmer's apartment that the killer's crimes were uncovered. Edwards had gone back to Dahmer's home after Dahmer had offered him $100 to pose for some nude photos, but was immediately wary after he entered and smelt a foul odour that he believed was coming from a plastic drum in the corner of the room.

Although Dahmer brandished a knife at him, Edwards managed to flee the apartment and ran into the street, flagging down two police officers who then returned to Dahmer's apartment with him. They arrested him after one of the officers found a collection of Polaroids in a drawer that showed a number of human bodies in various stages of dismemberment that had been taken there.

When the police thoroughly searched the apartment, they discovered four severed heads in Dahmer's kitchen, alongside bagged up human organs and body parts. The giant drum Edwards had seen in Dahmer's bedroom contained four torsos dissolving in acid.

But what do you do with a man like this when the death penalty has been abolished in the state?

Photo credit: Curt Borgwardt/Sygma - Getty Images

Dahmer would later willingly confess to everything he had done in recorded interviews, without a lawyer present. He contested the idea that he would target people of colour deliberately, instead stating he had a preferred body type.

These tapes are due to be released on October 31 on Netflix as part of their ongoing Conversations With A Killer series, following the success of the Ryan Murphy-produced drama series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, starring American Horror Storys Evan Peters in the title role.

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Whether or not Dahmer suffered from a mental disorder that prevented him from controlling his emotions became the debate in his court hearing, rather than whether or not he was guilty. Dahmer pled guilty, but with an insanity defence in the first hearing in February 1992.

Both the prosecution and the defence brought in expert witness testimony from psychiatrists and doctors who claimed Dahmer suffered from numerous psychological disorders including schizotypal disorder, borderline personality disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Both sides agreed he was a paraphiliac (ie had deviant sexuality) and necrophiliac (had sexual attraction to dead bodies).

However, the distinction comes with whether any of these diagnoses would mean he was incapable of stopping himself and his compulsions. The defence argued that he was not of sound mind when the crimes took place, while prosecution retorted that his missed opportunities to come clean, as well as his preparation for the murders and hiding of the evidence, meant that he knew what he was doing.



Photo credit: EUGENE GARCIA/AFP - Getty Images

The jury eventually declared him sane enough to understand what he was doing was wrong at the time of each murder, given his otherwise charming persona, ability to conceal his dark urges in public, knowledge to get his victims alone to prevent witnesses, and his concealing of the crimes.

Wisconsin had abolished the death penalty and as a result he was handed a total of 15 life sentences. He was dead by the end of 1994.

How did Jeffrey Dahmer die?

Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered at Columbia Correctional Institution on November 28, 1994.

He had spent his first year in prison living in solitary confinement due to concerns hed be targeted by other prisoners aware of his horrendous crimes.

However, upon Dahmers request he was later moved into general population, saying that the solitary confinement had been too restricting for him and he needed some kind of mental stimulation.

As part of his work duty, he had to clean the toilet block for two hours a day.

Photo credit: Donaldson Collection/Bureau of Prisons - Getty Images

While in prison, Dahmer became obsessed with Christianity, having requested a Bible while waiting for his court hearing. He later devoted himself to the faith and was baptised in May 1994.

There had been attempts made on his life, including one just two months after his baptism, where an inmate came at his throat with a makeshift shank created from a razor embedded in a toothbrush while he was attending church.

It has been reported by multiple sources close to Dahmer, including his parents, that he was ready and willing to die for what had occurred.

Photo credit: Netflix

On November 28, he was bludgeoned to death by convicted murderer Christopher Scarver using dumbbells taken from the prison gym. Jesse Anderson, another killer on the block, was also badly injured in the same attack.

Dahmer survived long enough to get to hospital, but died an hour later. Anderson died two days after the fact.

Scarver confessed to the murders quickly after the attack, claiming that God had told him to do it. He was given two further life sentences.

Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is available now on Netflix.

If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotlands helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.

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The Continuum of Care coalition will receive $210,000 from Billings to run a low-barrier shelter for the next year, located in First Congregational Church downtown.

Continuum of Care, a coalition of local organizations and government entities that assist, manage or treat members of Billings' vulnerable and transient populations, organized and operated the low-barrier Off The Streets shelter, which closed earlier this year.

The Montana Rescue Mission will receive $76,700 from the city to boost its administrative services and fund more complete data entry within the organization.

The move comes after months of debate on how to use funds from last year's public safety mill levy and revenue from recreational marijuana sales to better address Billings' transient and unhoused populations.

Part of that debate included whether to fund and re-open a low-barrier shelter downtown and which organization would run it. Both Continuum of Care and the Montana Rescue Mission had put in proposals.

The discussion became pointed earlier this week, as council members openly discussed the frustrations many organizations in town had with operations at the Montana Rescue Mission.

MRM is a private, Christian shelter that's operated for more than 70 years in Billings and focuses on providing shelter, training and services for those looking to get off the street, tackle their addictions and find work.

In the past, other shelters and services in town have been frustrated by MRM's operations, which they argue have turned away certain clientele. They've also complained about a lack of transparency with the Mission.

Council member Tom Rupsis described it as a "trust deficit" and implored the organization to "participate collaboratively."

"We need you to be leaders," he said at a council meeting earlier this week.

"The reality is MRM has lost the confidence of our Continuum of Care," Mayor Bill Cole told the organization at the meeting.

The various agencies making up the Continuum of Care  including Riverstone Health, the two hospitals, law enforcement and the Billings Crisis Center  use a coordinated entry system to log who uses the various services and track their progress through the different programs offered in the region.

MRM is the only group that doesn't use the system, which has been a source of frustration for the other agencies in town. The data used by the federal government to track homelessness and to allocate funding is pulled from the coordinated entry system.

Without MRM's data, homelessness in Billings is undercounted and the agencies in town serving those populations receive less federal funding.

For that reason, City Council approved the funding for MRM to finance better data collection.

Following the vote to approve the funds, Council then voted unanimously to require that with the funding, MRM must adopt and be trained to use the coordinated entry system to track its services, entering its data in a timely manner.

Council also required that both MRM and Continuum of Care participate in good faith to serve the city's vulnerable populations. Reopening a low-barrier shelter will help serve a population in Billings that often falls through the gaps of other services in town.

Finally, council directed that the Billings Crisis Center be the first stop for law enforcement looking to take transients or the homeless to a shelter in town. The Crisis Center provides immediate crisis care and connects individuals with a case worker and services within a 24-hour stay.

Last year, before a person could stay at Off The Streets, the person was required first to check in at the Crisis Center, which would determine the best service for that person.

As a low-barrier shelter, Off The Streets was a space for those who didn't need the immediate help of the Crisis Center but were not ready for the more structured services offered by the Montana Rescue Mission.

As part of the $7.1 million public safety mill levy, voters approved two mills worth $432,000 to be used for mental health and addiction recovery services as a way to address crime prevention.

With the addition of tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales, Billings has $864,952 for use specifically on substance abuse, mental and behavioral health and housing essential to public safety.

Representatives from Substance Abuse Connect, the various local agencies represented by the Continuum of Care, the Montana Rescue Mission and RiverStone Health have all offered proposals to council for different programs.

To accommodate the various proposals, the city has settled on dividing the money into three roughly equal parts to fund a low-barrier shelter, a downtown crisis response unit and a preventive family support program run by RiverStone Health.
After two years away because of the pandemic, Colorado State University held its annual presidential address to the campus community Thursday. Interim President Rick Miranda spoke primarily about making the campus a more equitable place for students, faculty and staff.

The address lasted just under 30 minutes and was given to a crowed of mostly faculty, staff, alumni and other community members. A handful of students were sprinkled among the crowd and stood along the perimeter of the CSU Oval.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the event. Miranda bookended his speech with reminders of the 1997 Spring Creek Flood, which prompted the university to add a picnic to the address and make it a more community-focused event, Miranda said.

More:From math professor to president: Rick Miranda to focus 'on the basic stuff' for CSU

"The days, weeks and months after the flood were challenging in so many ways, and yet the community came together to clean up, to rebuild and in many cases, to reinvent," Miranda said.

Since then, Miranda said the CSU community has become better and more resilient. "There's a lot to be proud of, but we aren't done, though, are we?" Miranda asked, noting the parallels the community faces coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some key takeaways from Miranda's speech on where the university is and hopes to be in the future.

The pandemic revealed weaknesses in the university's operations

"We know that the impacts from COVID have not been born equally by all groups. The burden has been greatest for the most vulnerable," Miranda said.

A major weakness, Miranda said, is the inequitable opportunities at CSU and that conversations around diversity and inclusivity have led to polarization in the community.

Miranda said the university will make more of an effort to clearly communicate its values to protect free speech and academic freedom. He said this includes being better at educating students on how to effectively communicate their free speech, speak out against hate speech, counter misinformation and provide more support to "vulnerable" communities on campus.

Story continues

"We should always strive to be more effective champions of the truth than we've been," Miranda said.

CSU Interim President Rick Miranda speaks at The Oval on Thursday.

Miranda says CSU will prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion for students, faculty and the community

"We can be more inclusive than we've been," Miranda said.

Here's a look at how the university plans to address each area.

Students:

Enrollment: Miranda shared this year's incoming class was the largest in the university's history at around 5,500 students and is much closer to reflecting the diversity of the state, particularly in Hispanic communities. The university will focus on how to improve diversity in enrollment, Miranda said.

Student success: CSU has a goal that 90% of first-year students at the university will enroll in a second year and that it will have an 80% total graduation rate with zero equity gaps. Miranda said the university's leadership has provided funding to make this possible and they expect to reach this goal in five years.

Curriculum: The university will add more opportunities for students to earn certificates in specialized skills and update the curriculum to focus on "experiential learning and interdisciplinarity" as well as more online options.

Teachers:

Compensation: The university will prioritize the salaries of faculty and staff at the lower end of the pay scale in the next budget cycle. Miranda said this includes primarily graduate program staff, and the university will focus on reducing fees for them as well.

"We're committed to a higher attention to pay equity than before," Miranda said. This point received the loudest applause from the crowd.

Broader Colorado community:

Rural communities: Miranda said CSU will continue to fund and support the Sturm campus in Castle Rock, which opened in 2019 to create pathways for local high school and community college students to earn college degrees with CSU.

Research and innovation: Miranda said CSU's research expenditures are around $450 million, indicating the strength of the university's research programs. The university will continue to fund research in new areas and make necessary hires to support new and existing programs.

New construction projects: The university will make an effort to improve its existing facilities including a $100 million commitment to expand and renovate the Clark Building, which holds CSU's College of Liberal Arts. Miranda said CSU will also spend money to upgrade infrastructure like the campus' IT systems.

Spur Campus: CSU Spur campus in Denver received a $250 million investment from the Colorado General Assembly and is nearly complete, Miranda said. The campus focuses on animal and human health, food and agriculture and water research. Miranda descried the campus as an "anchor institution" to help connect with the Colorado community outside of Northern Colorado and make research more accessible for "underrepresented groups who will begin to see themselves in the work that we do here." Miranda said he hopes through initiatives like the Spur Campus, CSU can demonstrate the benefit of higher education.

In his closing remarks, Miranda acknowledged that the goals were not easy, but "easy is not worthy of our attention. We have great challenges ahead as a campus, as a state, as a society, as a planet ... we can emerge from the pandemic stronger than before."

Members of the CSU Color Guard perform during the Fall Address and University Picnic at The Oval on Thursday.

Students react, noting exclusion of campus housing challenges

Notably missing from Miranda's speech was mention of the housing challenges on campus. Miranda acknowledged the high cost of living in Fort Collins and how faculty and staff should be able to live where they work, but did not speak to campus housing issues, which forced hundreds of students to live in a Best Western hotel near campus.

More:CSU, on track to have its largest incoming class ever, deals with growing pains

"I feel like people are afraid to mention the negatives," said Ray Hernandez, a senior neuroscience and math major at CSU. "It's a failure from the university to have students living in a hotel, but I understand why he didn't mention it."

Hernandez said he thought Miranda's speech showed his understanding that he had "big shoes to fill after Joyce McConnell, but reflected his desire to fill those shoes appropriately."

Suzette Andino, a graduate student in CSU's business program, said it was "nice to hear what they're planning to do and it's reassuring to hear plans on renovations."

Andino said she wished Miranda had addressed housing and rent. "It's hard to get a house here. I was lucky enough to get on-campus housing, but I have classmates who weren't as lucky."

CSU students and staff members listen to an address by Interim President Rick Miranda at The Oval on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado State Interim President Rick Miranda gives fall address
Ian hammered the coast of South Carolina with flooding as a Category 1 hurricane, then took aim at North Carolina as a post-tropical cyclone, according to USA Today.

The storm brought widespread power outages, ripping apart piers and flooding streets in South Carolina.

In North Carolina, over 96,000 customers were without power Friday afternoon, according to poweroutage.us, as the state also braced for flash floods and the potential for isolated tornadoes.

How did Hurricane Ian impact Hilton Head?

Hilton Head Island: Hurricane Ian brought strong winds and rain but passed without causing much damage, according to local television station, WTOC11.

There were some reports of downed trees.

The station reported while lots of restaurants and bars were closed Friday night, people were returning to the beach after the storm passed.

Remnants of a pier is seen in the wake of Hurricane Ian, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

How did Hurricane Ian affect Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach was among the hardest-hit areas on the South Carolina coast, according to WRAL News.

The news outlet reported the area was experiencing power outages and flooding from the storm surge. Roofs were ripped off some businesses and homes.

The Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach was ripped apart, according to reports.

Are Disney World, other attractions still closed?

Following Ian's "historic" heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge, Florida's biggest theme parks were left assessing the damage.

Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida shuttered on Wednesday as Ian rampaged through the state, according to USA TODAY.

Disney World Resort announced it would resume theme park and Disney Springs operations in a phased approach starting on Friday. Guests should check Disney Parks' Twitter page @DisneyParks and website for updated hours of operation.

The walkway at the Yacht Club at Walt Disney World Resort was strewn with debris Thursday morning.

Universal Orlando Resort announced on Twitter that the resort and its Halloween Horror Nights event would reopen to all guests Saturday.

"The Universal Orlando Resort Guest Contact Center is currently experiencing higher than expected wait times and is currently assisting guests whose travel is directly affected by the hurricane," the theme park's website states.

Story continues

SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove reopened on Saturday morning.

All tickets for Wednesday and Thursday have been extended through the end of the year. Annual pass member guest tickets expiring Friday through Sunday have been extended through Oct. 16.

LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park was slated to reopen at 10 a.m. Saturday and Peppa Pig Theme Park was scheduled to reopen at noon, the park said in a tweet. The water park and beach retreat remain temporarily closed.

People with tickets through Sunday will have them automatically extended through Dec. 31.

Will Ian's remnants impact Greater Cincinnati?

The National Weather Service's forecast doesn't show any major impacts from Ian in Greater Cincinnati this week.

Remnants of Ian are expected to arrive in portions of Southeast Ohio Saturday, the weather service said.

"Isolated water issues are possible in heavier bands of rain associated with the remnants of Ian into this afternoon," a hazardous weather outlook reads.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hurricane Ian: Conditions in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, North Carolina
For all the talk of how much the Arizona Cardinals were going to rely mainly on their offense to win games, it's the Cardinals' defense that has found its footing the past two weeks, while the offense seeks consistency.

Defensively, there was much to be addressed after a 44-21 blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1, with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes dissecting the Cardinals' defense. And things looked much the same in the first half at Las Vegas, where Derek Carr and the Raiders moved the ball almost at will in the first half on the way to a 20-0 halftime lead.

Things got better in a hurry. The Cardinals held the Raiders to three points in the second half, kept Carr off the field for long stretches, held one of the best receivers in the game, Davante Adams, without a second-half catch, and won the game on a defensive turnover in overtime, Byron Murphy Jr. running back a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

And last week, a respectable showing in which the Cardinals held the Los Angeles Rams to 20 points and gave the team a chance to win a game, Arizona lost 20-12.

"It's been three weeks of football for us. First week, not good enough. Obviously, I thought the Raider game we got better in the second half, and last week we had some spurts where we played good defense," Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. "Still too many explosive plays, but the guys played hard and we're getting closer."

Analysis: No touchdowns, no comeback for Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 loss to Rams

Sep 25, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) tries to force his way into the end zone against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.

Some of last week's explosive plays came in long yardage-to-go situations. On a second-and-11 in the first quarter, the Rams gained 16 yards on a short pass from Matthew Stafford that turned into a 16-yard pickup. There was also a 14-yard play on second-and-11, a Cooper Kupp reception that led to Kupp running 20 yards on an end-around for a touchdown.

Another short pass over the middle turned into 28 yards with the run after the catch. That was immediately followed by a 26-yard completion. All five plays happened before the end of the first 15 minutes.

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There were more  a 26-yard pass-and-run gain to tight end Tyler Higbee and two Cam Akers 14-yard runs, the second one for the game-clinching touchdown in the third quarter  capped off by a 32-yard gain which included a long open field run in the fourth.

Related: Cardinals WR Rondale Moore says he's ready for Sunday against Panthers

Jan 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph calls a play against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game.

Joseph said the defense is growing and playing hard. And in the second half of the Las Vegas game, the unit was playing with confidence. However, he noted that 80 yards were gained on the Rams' screen passes.

"That's got to stop, right? We've got to fill the screens better and contain the screen a little bit better, you can't give up 80 yards on screens," Joseph said. "Outside of that, you know, we gave up some explosive plays that led to points. So if we can cut down on the explosive plays, it will keep the point numbers down. But as a whole, um, you know, I'm excited. "It's getting better, it's getting closer to what we're used to seeing as a defense. And hopefully this week we grow."

Joseph is preparing his defense to face do-everything running back Christian McCaffrey, who did not practice Wednesday or Thursday due to a thigh injury. He labeled the current state of the Cardinals' defense as "functional."

"The key is McCaffrey. I mean, if he's playing, to take him away first," Joseph said, "and that's our order of business and then after that, figure it out. But if he's having success, that's a problem for our defense."

Week 4 matchup: How Cardinals' roster stacks up for game vs. Panthers

The Cardinals feel they were a couple of plays away from the defense changing the game and giving their offense momentum to possibly win the Rams game. They did get a turnover late, a fumble forced by safety Budda Baker and recovered by Jalen Thompson.

"There's always room for improvement each week, you know, still in the beginning of the first quarter of the season," defensive lineman Leki Fotu said. "But I feel like each week we're taking steps that needed to be taken."

On offense, the Cardinals know they have to do more.

"The last three halves our defense has played extremely well. For us (on offense), we've got to be able to capitalize. It's one thing to get turnovers but that doesn't mean anything as far as an offense if you don't go down and score points," tight end Zach Ertz said. "Points off turnovers to me is the biggest stat that we need to pay attention to. And so whether the defense gets a turnover at the 1-yard line like Budda did last week, making an unbelievable play ... we've got to find a way to just put points on the board consistently. We've got the talent, we've got the players, it just comes down to execution."

Cardinals offense: Cardinals' pass catchers need to stay locked in, ready

Get in touch with Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Improved Arizona Cardinals defense looks to keep team alive in games
Just over a decade after releasing her forward-thinking anthem Im Proud (Remix), JB the First Lady is poised to empower the next generation.

At the end of September the Vancouver-based, Nuxalk Onondaga Nations MC will perform at a local high school that will host her for four assemblies in order to accommodate all the students coming to see her. The last time she played there, four years ago, a student thanked JB for her inspiring set. Its great to run into someone who shared my story, and it affected them positively, she says.

Its by no means the first time JB and other seasoned vets of Canadas Indigenous hip-hop scene have reached out to younger fans. From British Columbias trap-subverting Haisla Nation duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids to Afro-Indigenous artist Boslen (who is signed to the major Capitol Records/Universal Music Canada in partnership with Chaos Club Digital) to queer Indigenous MC Dio Ganhdih and more, JB and her fellow OGs have helped usher in a golden age of Indigenous hip-hop in Canada.

As JB puts it, Im not saying I opened doors for themthey stepped onto that path. But I was able to guide them and say, Hey, this is a good path to go down. One of my main things with them: Polaris is the top level in Canada. And Snotty Nose did that. And seeing Boslen play major festival stagesits such a beautiful sight.

Through solidarity, unflinching lyricism, and production that combines hip-hop with traditional sounds, Indigenous rappers are bursting into Canadas mainstream with songs to galvanize the marginalized.

New Brunswicks City Natives are particularly noteworthy because they are helping the overlooked East Coast get its due. The Honour Song Remix, the lead single off LP The People of the Dawn, is a remix of the Mikmaq Honour Song a drum song and community anthem by George Paul, an elder from their region.

Pauls traditional rhythm was honed into a hip-hop beat by Classified, who sampled both Polaris Prize-winning, classically trained Indigenous musicologist Jeremy Dutchers remix of Pauls song, and Pauls original. Over that groundswell of an instrumental, City Natives indict the Indian Act and lay other ugly truths bare with their lyrics.

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Im not saying I opened doors for themthey stepped onto that path. But I was able to guide them and say: Hey, this is a good path to go down. - JB the First Lady

This album is a piece of our lives, as we talk about what we live and see happening on reserve or being indigenous in the city, says Brandon Arnold, who co-founded the duo with Blake Francis. Arnold (who is Maliseet and from the Tobique First Nation/Wolastoqiyik Neqotkuk, while Francis is Mikmaq from Eel Ground/The Natoaganeg First Nation) described the album as the struggle and the success. On one side, you see family or friends on welfare struggling to get by you [also] see other family and friends that overcame the welfare system and became something. Theres some harsh realities living on reserve that you dont hear artists talk about, like how certain members dont get help from the band because of who they are connected to, or how Chief and Council actually work for the government.

When asked about producing the song, Classified calls Pauls original a classic. And then, when Jeremy did it over, it became even something bigger. Sonics aside, Class says when he heard what City Natives were speaking on, I thought it was super dope and something that people needed to hear. The verses definitely took it to the next level.

Although City Natives have rapped for a few years and have begun breaking bigger recently, a number of even younger Indigenous artists are making New Brunswick a hip-hop hotbed. Pabineau First Nation (near Bathurst) MC Wolfcastle leapt into the national limelight last year with Get Lit. Theres also Flacko Finesse, whos Wolf Castles cousin and also grew up on Pabineau. On Pay the Price, Flacko lends a chilling objectivity to rhymes about the meth addiction ravaging his community. He also declares love for my mama and the rez, thats it.

Songs like Pay The Price definitely fit into this renaissance of Indigenous rap, Finesse says. We deal with issues like substance abuse and lack of services every single day on the rez, so when I hop on the track and be honest about what we experience, it allows more people to notice it and talk about it.

Indigenous hip-hop talent goes beyond the coasts. Manitoba MC Caid Jones was praised by Exclaim! last year for No Distractions Please. Frozen City, details the rising homicide rates disproportionately affecting indigenous residents in Winnipeg. He delivers aspirations on the albums title track, including lines about buying his family a mansion and fixing the damage inflicted on his community. Though Jones is non-status, his father is of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and was raised by adopted parents outside that community. Jones began going to ceremony in 2014 and reconnected with his Indigenous heritage.

[Were here] to bring awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, to residential schools, to no clean water on 90 reserves. On my reserve, Six Nations, there hasnt been clean water for three years. And thats not OK.  JB the First Lady

With prominent issues in the inner city such as homelessness, addiction, poverty, and underfunded programming, it has always been something close to my heart, Jones says. Whether Im involved in the community doing programs and care packages or we are supporting other organization, I have always been around the community. Theres a lot of work to be done when it comes to true reconciliation and healing for Indigenous people. But there are a lot of good people doing good work here in Winnipeg. This sparks a lot of passion when Im writing.

This increased attention followed years of steady growth. In 2008, Indigenous supergroup Rezofficial dropped the rugged Lonely and has drawn praise to this day, including a spot on Complex Canadas 20 Best Canadian Rap Songs of All Time. JB The First Lady dropped Get Ready Get Steady in 2011. A year later, fellow B.C. rapper Ostwelve released Indigenous Summer. Before all that, and before his political career, Wab Kinew dropped Live by the Drum in 2009.

There have been milestone moments, and when news about the discovery of unmarked residential school graves garnered international headlines, it affirmed the harsh history Indigenous MCs have long known and written about. Seeing T-Rhyme featured in international outlets like The Guardian, not to mention an earlier Vice documentary, was exciting for up-and-coming MCs like Valkyrie. The Edmonton MC says an Indigenous rap renaissance has been happening for years. I feel the rest of the world is just finally waking up and listening to our stories and finally hearing our voices. I love to say were taking back space, utilizing music to heal and reconnect with our identities and culture.

With all this momentum, The International Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards held its second ceremony in late August. The awards marketing director Chris Sharpe says, Hip-hop is a beautiful culture, and Indigenous hip-hop in Canada has its root messages hitting very powerful topics and life issues such as standing up for human rights, missing and murdered women and girls, fighting for the land, and more. Hip-hop at its core started in the Black community in the USA, and I feel it has always been a voice for the voiceless. So yes, a renaissance has begun and the reason is simple: Its all in the messages coming from these young and powerful talents in the First Nation Communities.

Many of those points are seconded by JB. [Were here] to bring awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, to residential schools, to no clean water on 90 reserves. On my reserve, Six Nations, there hasnt been clean water for three years. And thats not OK.

Indigenous people are oral history people. I see myself as capturing oral history in a contemporary way, called hip-hop. Its amazing to see that evolution.
James Meredith was expected at the Clarion Ledger offices at noon but arrived for his interview at 10:45 a.m. Not one to wait on others, Meredith knows life is lived in his time frame, not others', because he is on a mission, even at 89 years old.

His mission is to continue opening doors to eradicate racism in the state of Mississippi by showing that Black and white people can live together in harmony with the love of Jesus Christ.

His latest mission is an extension of his life's work, efforts that extend well beyond his Oct. 1, 1962 desegregation of Ole Miss. Black students who enroll at the state's flagship university every year feel that impact. Students of color at other schools should also know the doors he opened.

Eddie Fair, the first African-American to be elected Hinds County tax collector, said Merediths influence allowed Black people to attend other previously white schools in the state, not just Ole Miss. Fair emphasized that no Black people were attending Mississippi State or Delta State until Meredith was admitted to Ole Miss.

The many things he (Meredith) went through to go to school there, I dont know many Blacks who could have gone through what he went through," Fair said. "Hes an extraordinary guy to go through those things. He was a door opener.

Saturday will mark the 60th anniversary of Meredith becoming the first African-American to integrate the University of Mississippi. That feat did not come easily and was years in the making.

I always thought I was on a mission from God, Meredith said. The mission was to break the system of white supremacy, and then to desegregate Ole Miss.

Jackson State president Thomas Hudson said he is proud that Meredith started his educational journey at JSU. He has heard some of the stories Meredith went through to integrate Ole Miss.

What Meredith showed, Hudson said, "is the courage of one man, that can really change the trajectory of the whole state. I really feel that is what he did in part by saying I want to continue my education.

Story continues

More:University of Mississippi announces James Meredith desegregation 60th anniversary events

More:Remembering the time Mississippi civil rights icon James Meredith coached vs. Bill Russell

More:Why James Meredith told Deion Sanders his decision to coach Jackson State football was important

His journey included spending nine years in the Air Force, serving in Japan and in the United States. There were times he felt the sting of racism, rejection and isolation at home and abroad.

I remember going to work in the Air Force one day, Meredith said. And by the time I got home, everyone in the barracks had moved out.

During his time in the military, Meredith wanted an education and a better life for himself. After getting out of the service, he took classes at Jackson State for two years. While listening to President John F. Kennedys 1961 inaugural speech, he decided to have his constitutional rights upheld.

Meredith applied to Ole Miss and wrote in his application that he wanted admission for his country, race, family and himself.

Meredith was advised by civil rights leader Medgar Evers and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. After being denied access twice to the school and after a Sept. 29 riot broke out between students that saw two civilians die by gunshots, the Mississippi National Guard and federal troops took control of the campus. On Oct. 1, Meredith was enrolled at Ole Miss.

Merediths footprints

Fair said Meredith's act led to Black people having the ability and courage to run for office, leading to the redistricting of some areas with higher Black populations.

He may have been from Jackson, Fair said. But what Meredith did was affect was the whole state. He is also responsible for so many Blacks being elected to public office.

Civil Rights icon James Meredith stands on Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza at Jackson State University Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. Meredith attended Jackson State before going to the University of Mississippi. While popular at JSU, particularly with student-athletes, it was well known that Meredith was pushing to enroll at Ole Miss. Sixty years ago, in October 1962, James Meredith entered Ole Miss as its first Black student.

Dr. Robert Luckett, associate professor, Department of History at Jackson State and Director of Margaret Walker Center, said Merediths integration of Ole Miss was a signal to the old guard of white supremacy that they were losing.

"That type of line in the sand, toes to the fire to any type of Black advancement was not going to happen until the federal government and the Kennedy administration was willing to step in and enforce federal law," Luckett said. "To begin ensuring the rights of African-Americans, was the turning point in Mississippi.

Luckett said Meredith was one of two or three Mississippians who impacted the history of the state. In 1962, Mississippi attorney general Joseph Turner Patterson stated that because James Meredith desegregated the university, he had made himself the most segregated man in the state.

If you look at it, Luckett said. Meredith was re-segregating and had to have armed personnel with him to graduate. If asked how much power did he wield and what change did he make? Incredible change.

Hudson said Merediths actions showed a good education was accessible to everyone. Hudson graduated from JSU in 1999 before earning a juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law.

"What Meredith did, Hudson said, was give students the freedom to choose where they attend school to get an education and live out their dreams. He made that possible during a time when that was frowned upon.

Mississippi was the epicenter of the civil rights movement. Hudson said JSU is working on a plan to honor Meredith in the future.

"In Jackson, we can attribute this to Coach Primes (Deion Sanders') decision to relocate to the capital city and elevate the program into something weve never seen, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said. This in turn has elevated the City of Jackson. It has inspired a deep sense of pride, hope, and faith, and has provided Jackson State fans and alumni something to cheer for.

"But the truth is, what we see today might never have happened were it not for James Meredith, who  almost 60 years to the day  courageously integrated into the University of Mississippi at great risk to his own life. This hard-worn path in the struggle for human rights has opened the doors for so many others, including the residents of Jackson. We are forever grateful for Mr. Merediths steadfast contributions to human rights. We stand on his shoulders.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How James Meredith's college integration transcended Ole Miss
If youre delivering booze to your buddies in a war, street smarts can be helpful. Thats the most fascinating aspect Zac Efron found about John Chickie Donohue, the real-life guy he plays in The Greatest Beer Run Ever (now streaming on Apple TV+).

In 1967, the merchant seaman, then 26, brought his suds to his neighborhood pals serving in Vietnam. In the movie, members of the military assume hes with the CIA, and Chickie doesnt correct them as he makes his improbable trip.

The onscreen character mostly maintains his cool. But Efron? I would be terrified, the actor confesses. I would cave in seconds.

Director Peter Farrelly agrees: That's probably the craziest thing, that he would do that. I'd be afraid they'd blow my brains out.

More: 'Greatest Beer Run Ever' takes Zac Efron 'outside of my comfort zone' and into Oscar territory

Zac Efron (left) and John "Chickie" Donohue attend "The Greatest Beer Run Ever" premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.

Ask Donohue about how he pulled it off, and he credits his mustache. The military don't have facial hair  at least they didn't in those days, he tells USA TODAY. I don't remember the letters CIA ever mentioned, but they thought I was some sort of federal agent. And when I was forced to tell them actually who I was, I'd tell them I was a merchant mariner. Most of them didn't even know what the term meant, so they just left me alone.

The crazy true story of Beer Run  based on Donohue and J.T. Malloys 2017 memoir  was the stupidest idea I've ever heard of, Farrelly says, explaining why he had to direct the film. This is like Dumb and Dumber meets Apocalypse Now.  But it did actually happen, and Donohue, 81, attended the recent premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival with all four friends he brought beers to on his epic quest. It was like the ultimate old man's Disney World: surrounded by beautiful women, no lines to wait in and everything paid for, he says of his big night.

Donohue breaks down the facts (and occasional fiction) of key Beer Run moments:

Story continues

Was Chickie's far-fetched mission really inspired by a stirring bar speech?

The Colonel (Bill Murray) delivers a rousing speech about the boys over in Vietnam in "The Greatest Beer Run Ever."

In the film, Chickies out with his friends at their local hangout when their bartender, The Colonel (Bill Murray), takes issue with anti-war protesters calling American soldiers baby killers and murderers. It was a scene that also played out in real life. It affected me. That, in addition to so many funerals and so many young guys who had already died, Donohue says.

When the Colonel wished he could bring beers to the boys over there, I said, All right, I can do that, Donohue recalls. And because of his experience as a former Marine and knowledge of military lingo, I knew I had a good chance of getting there.

Did Chickie (played by Zac Efron) actually haul a duffel bag of beer all the way to Vietnam?

Chickie (Zac Efron, left) comes bearing Pabst Blue Ribbon cans for servicemen in the war dramedy "The Greatest Beer Run Ever."

Efrons Chickie packs up a duffel bag with Pabst Blue Ribbon cans, heads to Vietnam and quickly finds his pal Tom Collins (Archie Renaux) partying all night with his fellow MPs. But in reality, the original stash didnt make it.

Donohue took a job in the engine room of a World War II Victory ship for the monthlong voyage to Vietnam. After a shift, I would go upstairs and have a couple of beers. So if I had two beers for 31 days, that's what, 62 beers? That's a lot of beers, he says. But he knew where to get more once he arrived: I went to the enlisted men's clubs and refurbished the beer.

The visiting civilian almost sat in a pile of elephant poo

John "Chickie" Donohue (center, with sister Christine) at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of "The Greatest Beer Run Ever" with the men he delivered suds to in Vietnam: Kevin McLoone, Rick Duggan, Bobby Pappas and Tom Collins.

In the movie, Chickie is on a road late at night when a pack of elephants inexplicably walks in front of him. Next thing he knows, a Jeep approaches; it turns out to be his friend Kevin McLoone (Will Ropp), whos shocked to see Chickie in the country. In real life, Donohue randomly ran into McLoone, but I didn't actually see elephants, he admits.

That said, an earlier scene in which Chickie found pal Rick Duggan (Jake Picking) and went to sit on what he thought was a rock actually happened. He said, That's not a rock, Chickie. That's elephant (poop). I said, What the hell, there's no elephants here. So he says, Oh yeah, (the Viet Cong) use them to carry their artillery and their heavy weapons.

Russell Crowes photographer is an amalgam of personalities

Arthur (Russell Crowe, left) and Chickie (Zac Efron) get caught in a dangerous situation caused by the Tet Offensive in "The Greatest Beer Run Ever."

In Saigon, Chickie meets photojournalist Arthur Coates (Crowe), who helps him when things get hairy during the Tet Offensive and wants Chickie to tell folks back in America whats really happening in Vietnam. Coates is a composite of people Donohue met there, including journalists and also a businessman who sold computers to the Vietnamese government.

As in Beer Run, Donohue would often talk with them at the rooftop bar of the Caravelle Hotel. I had a concern about them throwing a hand grenade or something into the restaurant, (but) I didn't know anybody even playing for the Yankees who could throw a ball that high, Donohue says.

Chickie saw the truth of war up close and personal

Chickie (Zac Efron, left) realizes he's in over his head visiting his friend Rick (Jake Picking) in "The Greatest Beer Run Ever."

The film is mostly a lighthearted adventure until Chickie visits Rick, has to run for his life during an ambush and spends the night in a foxhole. Like his onscreen counterpart, Donohue felt in danger for the first time. I realized this might have been a dumb thing to do (but) there was no turning back, he says.

The whole bonkers trip gave Donohue a new perspective. His initial attitude of duty for to country became a big distrust of what our government and every government says. It was clear that we weren't defending the United States of America. It was purely political.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Greatest Beer Run Ever': Zac Efron's real counterpart fact-checks
Jordan Peterson broke down in tears during an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored (via Mediaite) when asked about Olivia Wilde referring to him as a hero to the incel community. Wilde was on her Dont Worry Darling press tour when she revealed to Interview Magazine that Chris Pines villainous character in the film, Frank, is based on Peterson. Wilde called Peterson this pseudo-intellectual hero to the incel community.

Sure. Why not? Peterson said when Piers Morgan asked if Wildes assessment of him was true. You know, people have been after me for a long time because Ive been speaking to disaffected young men.

More from Variety

Peterson then broke down into tears and said, Its very difficult to understand how demoralized people are, and certainly many young men are in that category. You get these casual insults, these incels  what do they mean? These men, they dont know how to make themselves attractive to women who are very picky, and good for them. Women, like, be picky. Thats your gift, man. Demand high standards from your men. Fair enough. But all these men who are alienated, its like theyre lonesome and they dont know what to do and everyone piles abuse on them.

After calling Peterson a hero to incel community, Wilde described incels as disenfranchised, mostly white men, who believe they are entitled to sex from women. And they believe that society has now robbed them  that the idea of feminism is working against nature, and that we must be put back into the correct place.

This guy Jordan Peterson is someone that legitimizes certain aspects of their movement because hes a former professor, hes an author, he wears a suit, so they feel like this is a real philosophy that should be taken seriously, Wilde added.

Story continues

Peterson told Morgan that he wasnt too offended by Wildes comment (it was a low-level insult, he said). Instead, the diss convinced Peterson to check out the Dont Worry Darling trailer.

I thought, Id go see that movie. and perhaps I will, Peterson said. It didnt really bother me [Chris Pine] is a very good looking man I hope he gets my fashion style choice right.

When asked about why he got emotional discussing Wildes comment, Peterson again fought back tears and said, Its really something to see  constantly how many people are dying for lack of an encouraging word and how easy it is to provide that if youre careful.

Dont Worry Darling is now playing in theaters nationwide. Watch Peterson and Morgans full discussion below.

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.
Kansas is among the states that have filed suit to challenge President Joe Bidens plan to cancel billions in federal student loan debt in federal court, a move long rumored to be coming.

Nebraska is leading the lawsuit, and Kansas joined Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and South Carolina in signing on to support the challenge.

In a statement, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Biden's plan was nothing more than a political gambit that "has everything to do with election-year politics but is not authorized by law."

"Im standing up to challenge the legality of this Biden maneuver that makes hardworking families bear the cost of repaying student loans that were voluntarily undertaken by college graduates in families earning up to a quarter-million dollars per year," Schmidt said.

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is among those who have signed on to a lawsuit to challenge President Joe Bidens plan to cancel billions in federal student loan debt in federal court.

More:Here's how many Kansans are set to be affected by President Joe Biden's student debt plan

Schmidt is the Republican nominee for governor, challenging incumbent Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly.

Its the second challenge announced this week, and it comes just days before the administration's early October plan to share an application for people who want debt relief.

Lawsuit will say President Biden acted beyond his authority

The states are seeking a preliminary injunction  which would halt the administration's plans  given the Education Department may begin discharging debts in October.

"When President Biden attempts to circumvent the Constitution in order to deliver on a political promise, myself and other state attorneys general take issue with this," Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said.

Earlier this week, the Pacific Legal Foundation also filed a suit against the administration, saying some borrowers would be hurt by the debt cancellation. Specifically, some states plan to tax the debt forgiveness, and the foundation, a libertarian-aligned law firm, argued that borrowers residing in those states would be harmed by widespread debt discharge.

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But White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday that borrowers are allowed to "opt out" of debt cancellation if they choose. She accused opponents of trying to stop Biden's action on student loan debt "because they know it will provide much-needed relief for working families."

Biden's plan provides $20,000 in relief for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in relief for other borrowers, provided they make under $125,000 or $250,000 for a household. It also caps payments for current low-income students and forgives loan balances after 10 years, rather than 20.

The story has been updated to clarify that Nebraska, rather than Arkansas, is the lead state on the lawsuit.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kansas among states to challenge Biden's student debt forgiveness plan
Kid Cudi is back with his eighth studio album Entergalactic as promised. The record, which was originally announced back in June and carries his lead single, Do What I Want dropped on Friday (Sept. 30).

The album comes after a relatively eventful summer for Cudi. His To The Moon world tour included headliner slots at both New York Citys Governors Ball music festival and his very own one-day-only Moon Mans Landing festival hosted in Cleveland, Ohio.

More from Billboard

Cudis album drop coincides with the release of the Entergalactic television special on Netflix, thanks to the Grammy-winning artists collaboration with the streaming giant.

Wait til yall hear and see Entergalactic. U have no idea. I really wanna thank Kenya Barris, Mike Moon, Elizabeth Porter and the whole team for believing in my vision and helping bring it to life, wrote Cudi on Twitter Sunday. Everything about this show is next level. Ull see

Cudis special delivers an entirely animated musical romance to audiences and its soundtrack features songs like By Design and Do What I Want. In the series, he voices a New York City artist, Jabari. The role pairs him with co-star and longtime fan, Timothee Chalamet in addition to Jessica Williams and Vanessa Hudgens.

The special is truly meant to compliment Entergalactic as a visual component, according to Cudi, who told Esquire in an August interview that he recorded the albums songs before going on to outline the show. He characterized the project as an emotional one for him, rooted in the liberation that comes with romance.

This project will move you, it will take your heart places and make you fall in love again, wrote Cudi on his Instagram. I am so proud of every single person involved who helped bring my vision to life.

Story continues

Stream Entergalactic below.

Click here to read the full article.
(Getty Images)

Comedian Trevor Noah announced he is leaving the American satirical news and talk show The Daily Show, after a seven-year run.

The 38-year-old said he was filled with gratitude for the journey but that there was another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring.

Noah announced the news at the end of his show on Thursday night, prompting shocked gasps from the studio audience.

He added the exact date of his departure would be announced later and that he would continue as host in the meantime.

Since joining the The Daily Show in 2015, Noah went on to become one of the highest-paid hosts on television. Here is everything you need to know about his fame and salary.

What is Trevor Noah famous for?

Noah is a comedian, writer and host who began his career in his native South Africa, releasing a string of stand-up specials and hosting a late-night talk show called Tonight with Trevor Noah before relocating to the US in 2011.

Following his move, he made appearances on The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman and was a panelist on Channel 4s 8 Out of 10 Cats.

In 2015, he was chosen to take over the Daily Show on the Comedy Central network. Since then, he has gained recognition throughout the world and received various television accolades.

What is Trevor Noahs net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Trevor has an estimated net worth of a whopping $100 million (89 million) in 2022.

Noah took home $5-8 million per season in the first two years of joining The Daily Show.

This sum increased to $16 million in September 2017, when he signed an extension of his contract with Viacom.

His seven-figure book deals, podcast and tours helped augment his fortune over the years.

His memoir Born a Crime, which was published in 2016 will be adapted for the big screen starring Lupita Nyongo as his mother.
A Billings woman is facing felony charges after two of her children allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine and her toddler was found alone wandering a parking lot.

Starla Cheri Keller, 37, was arrested Thursday on a $50,000 warrant. The mother of four has been charged with six counts child endangerment. County prosecutors are accusing Keller of allowing her 3-year-old daughter to wander out of her house, which was filled with garbage, and neglecting all four of her children.

The home was so full of trash and broken items that most of the home was not usable as a living area. Of three bedrooms on the ground floor, only one bedroom was moderately clear enough to be used as a bedroom, prosecutors wrote in charging documents.

In late June, multiple Billings police officers responded to a toddler found walking alone behind the Albertsons on the 2300 block of Central Avenue. She didnt know many words, but made it clear to police she wanted some water, court documents said.

The 3-year-old girl showed signs of neglect, detailed in court documents, which included having only one shoe on, a bite mark on her chest and a head wound. She was allegedly wearing a diaper that was several days old and filled with feces. She was covered with urine, and when an ambulance crew arrived, crew members told police they could smell that the girl possibly had a urinary tract infection.

Employees at Albertsons gave police diapers, wipes, food and water for the girl. A witness gave an officer the contact information for the girls mother, identified as Keller. She allegedly did not answer when called. Police called CPS agents to assist in the investigation.

After learning her address, police went to Kellers home. Charging documents do not state Kellers address, or how far the 3-year-old had wandered from her house. A Billings officer allegedly found the front door was open, and outside of the house there was a hatchet laying on the ground amidst toys, empty Twisted Tea cans and cans of bug spray. The officer knocked and announced himself through the open door.

Keller came to the door. After hearing that her daughter was found alone at Albertsons, court documents said, she told the officer she thought her 13-year-old daughter was watching her three other kids when she went to sleep. She left the house with her 4-year-old daughter and walked on foot to Albertsons.

By the time she arrived at Albertsons, her teenage daughter had reached the scene. With three of her children at Albertsons, Keller allegedly became irate with CPS workers. She said she would be calling an attorney, and accused authorities of trying to take her kids, court documents said.

CPS took custody of all of her kids, according to charging documents. Kellers 7-year-old son was found with a relative that same day. Her 3-year-old daughter was taken to a local hospital for further treatment. Within days, CPS tested two of the children for methamphetamine by taking hair samples. Both allegedly tested positive for high concentrations of meth, according to court documents.

Police documented the interior of Kellers home, but she allegedly refused to let them access the basement. Along with the trash littered throughout the house, police found bottles of chemicals such as ammonia lying within easy access of the children, charging documents said.

In August, county prosecutors charged Keller with two counts of felony and four counts of misdemeanor child endangerment. District Judge Jessica Fehr signed a $50,000 warrant for her arrest a few days later. Keller is scheduled to make her first appearance in court on Monday. The investigation into the accusations against Keller is still ongoing.

That same month, an interim committee of state lawmakers advanced a draft bill for the upcoming Legislature that, if passed, would reform the operations of CPS workers. Should the bill become law, the Montana Free Press reported, child protective specialists and law enforcement would need a judicial warrant to take children out of their homes in most cases, and legal counsel would be required for all children in cases of abuse and neglect.

The exceptions to the warrant requirement, according to the current language of the draft, would be in instances where children are likely to be victims of sexual or violent abuse in the time that it would take to receive a warrant.

In the most recent annual report from the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman, 51 people in 2021 contacted the office with concerns that CPS had removed children from their homes without adequate evidence of abuse. The OCFO, tasked with identifying problems within the states child welfare system, also reported eight child fatalities in Montana for 2021, an increase from six in 2020 but a significant drop since the 17 reported in 2019.

In nearly every child fatality in 2021, according to the OCFO, there were prior indications of abuse and neglect. Those indications included drug and alcohol use on the part of their parents, along with domestic violence. Montanas Child and Family Services Division had prior reports on seven of the eight children who died in 2021. CFSD has investigated an average of 620 reports of neglect and abuse every month over the past year, according to data from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

If convicted of felony child endangerment, Keller could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison. A misdemeanor child endangerment conviction comes with the possibility of up to six months in jail.

Tips of potential child abuse can be made to Child and Family Services Division by calling 1-866-820-5437.
Joe Raedle/Getty

When Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida on Wednesday, it raged through the state with a ferocity that surprised even weather experts. The Category 4 storm flooded cities, wiped out power for millions of people, and the death toll could rise into the hundreds. Since then, Ian has since been downgraded to a tropical storm before bouncing back to a Category 1 hurricane so the danger remainsand will remain for the next week.

The last few days have been a sobering reminder of the power that hurricanes have, and what little we can do when they arrive. Moreover, Ian is yet another indication of the deadly forces weve come to reap from runaway climate change, and an example of the grim reality were only beginning to grapple with as a society: It only gets worse from here.

After all, the reason that hurricanes and tropical storms are becoming deadlier and deadlier is due to rising ocean temperatures, which is directly caused by anthropogenic climate change. Short of the worlds nations getting together to help reverse this trend (and we all know thats not happening soon), things are looking dire. But theres some hopeand it comes in the way of solutions that can only be described as Looney Toons-esque.

Flooded homes after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on Sept. 29, 2022, in Port Charlotte, Florida. Win McNamee/Getty

Enter geoengineering, a term used to describe the technologies and strategies to artificially cool the worlds climate through what is essentially environment hacking. Researchers have proposed many different approaches over the decades, but the most common involves marine cloud brightening, a process where fine aerosols are sprayed into the air, which then reflect sunlight away from Earth and lead to cooling temperatures for the rest of the planet.

Sea surface temperatures are what drives hurricanes, and I want to put them back to where they used to be or perhaps to even more favorable ones that experts advise, Stephen Salter, a marine engineer at the University of Edinburgh, told The Daily Beast. Salter is one of the worlds foremost marine engineers and one of the loudest proponents of geoengineering. He was one of the first researchers to propose marine cloud brightening as a tactic to cool global temperatures.

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Over the course of his career, hes invented numerous concepts and devices in order to solve some of the most pressing climate issues of our time. Perhaps his most famous is a machine known as Salters duck. The device was created during the 1970s energy crisis, and was supposedly capable of converting ocean waves into usable electricity. But after oil prices bounced back in the 1980s, his funding was cut and the device never saw large-scale use.

This wouldnt be his only potentially game changing innovation to fall on deaf ears either. Salter later devised a machine in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2007 that he believed could weaken or even stop tropical storms and hurricanes. Dubbed the Salter Sink, it would be a series of tubes buoyed with recycled tires that would essentially funnel the warm surface level seawater down while drawing cold deep ocean water up where it could cool surface temperatures. The idea is that, with cooler water, storms would have less warm fuel to draw their strength from. Salter once described it as: Like a siphon, exploiting gravity to create a 'drain' through which warm surface water flows.

The Salter Sink acts as a funnel that draws surface-level warm water down while pulling deeper, cold water up. M. Scott/Stanford

The Salter Sink drew plenty of interest from climate change innovatorsBill Gates even joined forces with Salter to patent the idea more than a decade ago. Atmocean, a marine engineering startup based in New Mexico., even proposed their own variation of the device that drew water up instead of funneling it down.

However, as with his previous invention, the Salter Sink fizzled out like a tropical storm hitting cool waters. There hasnt been any real progress in turning this machine into a practical, hurricane-fighting tool. Atmocean has also quietly transitioned away from geoengineering solutions in order to focus on wave energy technologythough an old web page outlining their ocean pump design still remains. (Atmocean did not respond to The Daily Beasts questions.)

But there are still geoengineering projects being researched and developed focused on stopping hurricanes today. Norway-based marine engineering startup OceanTherm hopes to employ an even more eyebrow-raising solution to cool sea temperatures: bubble curtains.

This would be a system of perforated pipes lowered deep into the ocean. Air would then be pumped through the pipes, creating bubbles. As the bubbles make their way to the surface, they would draw the cold water up.

A test of the OceanTherm bubble curtain technology in 2020. OceanTerm

The idea is that if you attach the system to a boat, you could tug it through the ocean ahead of a potential hurricane or tropical storm to create a curtain of cool ocean water. Once the storm meets the curtain, it wouldin theorylose its strength.

Our concept focuses on reducing the energy available for the hurricane to maintain or grow in intensity, Olav Hollingstaeter, the founder and CEO of OceanTherm, told The Daily Beast.

The company conducted a research project in 2021 that was supported by the Norwegian government. Using computer modeling, Hollingstaeter claims that they were able to show that the bubble curtain method is achievable at the scale necessary to prevent tropical storms from developing into devastating levels.

OceanTherm believes strongly in preventive thinking, both in terms of technological and economical feasibility, he added. It will be easier to stop a tropical storm from growing than weakening a major tropical cyclone.

A Dose of Reality

A hurricane-killing machine would be one of the most important tools ever invented. But are bubble curtains or giant funnels really just pie-in-the-sky moonshots by eccentric scientists with too much time on their hands? Could these contraptions actually work?

In principle, yes, Kerry Emanuel, a hurricane researcher at MIT, told The Daily Beast. Hurricanes naturally churn up cold water from deeper in the ocean, and we know that that reduces their wind speeds. The real question is whether it is economically feasible.

Emanuel co-authored a 2011 paper published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology that calculated the cost savings of deploying a water-pump system like the one proposed by Atmocean. The authors found that if the pump was launched ahead of a hurricane season, it would drastically lessen the damage of a hurricane. In fact, they found that the cost savings alone would more than make up for the deployment of the pumps.

So, it could work and theres evidence that shows that it could save lives and money. So why dont we start geoengineering?

Salter laments that even though theres research to suggest that these innovations do indeed work, the powers that be arent going to roll the dice on them. He continues to be frustrated by the lack of funding or even serious interest in these technologies from the rest of the scientific communitydespite the urgency posed by climate disaster.

Salter doesnt hold his disdain back. Geoengineering solutions have not been adopted because the funding has been zero due to the criminal stupidity of decision makers, he said, referring specifically to the U.K. governments objections to using marine cloud brightening as a method to prevent temperature rise in 2005. All we should try is to aim for patterns of sea surface temperatures proposed by governments of hurricane damaged countries.

In order to employ solutions like bubble curtains, the Salter Sink, or a water pump, they would also need to be scaled up large enough to cover a massive region of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast. That would require hundreds of millions of dollarsmoney that even investors with the deepest pockets wouldnt be comfortable ponying up on experimental and largely untested technology.

On top of all this, there are the environmental concerns. What if these solutions end up doing more harm than good to the ecosystems and environment its supposed to help? Some experts fear that cooling the Earth using methods like marine cloud brightening could actually lead to an inadvertent drop in temperatures in ecosystems that cant handle the cold. This might result in crop failure and eventual famine.

Salter balks at that idea. The amount of sea salt we put into the atmosphere [for Marine Cloud Brightening] is a tiny fraction of what is already being thrown up by breaking waves, he said. [Hurricane] Ian has already lofted more salt than a thousand spray vessels would do in a year. We can stop spraying with one mouse click and the effects will be gone at the next rain shower.

Even the folks at OceanTherm acknowledge that geoengineering isnt a permanent fix. We do not consider this a method to limit or reduce the climate crisis, Grim Eidnes, the chief scientific officer of OceanTherm, told The Daily Beast, although we can see positive consequences of a temporary cooling of the sea surface.

Could Cooling the Planet Through Geoengineering Lead to More Disease Outbreaks?

And therein lies one of the biggest issues that critics have with geoengineering solutions: Theyre not really doing anything to stop and reverse the root climate changes that are leading to more severe hurricanes and tropical storms. At best, geoengineering is a Band-Aid solution that, admittedly, could save thousands of lives and billions of dollars in property damage. But it wont be the tool that eliminates carbon emissions and gives the planet a chance to cool down again. At worst, geoengineering could even exacerbate things by causing us to outright ignore the greenhouse gas conundrum.

Thats likely little comfort to anyone who finds themselves caught by severe storms and floods these days. If we know how to stop these deadly hurricanes from occurring, or at least diminish their effects, why havent we done so already? Each storm means another flooded home, another community rent asunder, and another set of victims injured or even killed. Preventing storms like Ian might mean finally taking the pie-in-the-sky ideas seriously.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Nearly five years after launching direct-to-consumer mens footwear brand Marc Nolan, founder Sebastian Malczewski is preparing to open the companys first flagship next month in its hometown of Chicago.

Located at 169 N Sangamon Street in the West Loop neighborhood, the new 1,300 square foot space showcases the brands range of casual-meets-dress shoe styles across loafers, boots and sneakers. According to Malczewski, he chose the West Loop area for his first permanent store following a recent pop-up he opened in Oakbrook Center mall in the suburbs of Chicago.

More from Footwear News

I realized being in a mall was too limiting for what I wanted to accomplish, Malczewski told FN. This new West Loop space will allow the store to be more of a community hub that can host events with artists and musicians along with weekly DJ nights on Fridays. The kind of experience I want to provide consumers will fit in well with the artsy and bohemian vibe of the neighborhood.

Malczewski added that West Loop is one of the fast-growing areas of the Windy City, with his new flagship located next to a Lululemon and down the street from an Allbirds outpost and Soho House.

Outside Marc Nolans new West Loop flagship slated to open in October. - Credit: Courtesy of Marc Nolan

Courtesy of Marc Nolan

As for the stores design, Malczewski said it widely features Marc Nolans signature vibrant blue color on the walls and ceiling, with reddish orange piping, mid-century modern lighting, custom modern shelving, and a giant custom plant wall. We wanted the design of the space to feel both cool yet welcoming, a shopping destination our customers will want to hang out in. It was also important for us to retain integrity of the original space, and not just be another place for Instagram, added Malczewski.

Asked if this first store was just the beginning, Malczewski said that he would love to open more stores in the coming years. New York City, California, Texas, Florida, and Atlanta are all markets he is interested in having a physical presence. These regions represent our top e-commerce markets, so it would be great to have a physical space for our customers to visit in these areas.

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Whats more, Malczewski mentioned that international expansion is also top of mind. The founder said that following the war in Ukraine, the brand paused its plans to open a distribution center in Malczewskis home country of Poland in order to service European customers. I think we can try again in two years. In the meantime, I am thinking about Canada as a possible international play.

This new opening comes as the mens shoe brand has experienced rapid growth in the last few years. Marc Nolan recently landed on Inc.s 5,000 Most Successful Companies list, having seen a three-year revenue growth of 2,390%. Malczewski added that the brand saw sales of over $5 million in 2021, up from $1.5 million the prior year and just $250,000 in its first year.

Credit: Courtesy of Marc Nolan

Courtesy of Marc Nolan

Best of Footwear News

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Click here to read the full article.
In this weekly data series powered by Parrot Analytics, we look at the top breakout shows of the past week. Breakout shows are the most in-demand series that have premiered in the past 100 days.

Netflixs Cyberpunk: Edgerunners premiered on Sept. 13 and reached 29.3 times the demand for the average series last week in the United States, placing it in third place on this weeks list of the 10 most in-demand new shows  according to Parrot Analytics data, which takes into account consumer research, streaming, downloads and social media, among other engagement.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is based on the Cyberpunk 2077 video game and looks set to continue the recent trend of successful shows being based on video game IP. Netflix is no stranger to the power of video game IP. Arcane, which is based on the League of Legends universe, had an incredibly successful premiere earlier this year. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is also an anime and is benefitting from the growing popularity of that genre. Anime series are regularly among the most in-demand shows available to stream on platforms in the U.S.

Also Read:

Demand for House of the Dragon Could Soon Double That of Rings of Power | Chart

Meanwhile, HBOs House of the Dragon remained the most in-demand recent series release in the U.S. for a fourth consecutive week. Its demand seems to have stabilized around the 55 times the average series last week, having changed little from the previous week.

This show has done an exceptional job of attracting audience attention in a crowded field, but its value for HBO is greater than its own audience. It has also driven demand for the original Game of Thrones series to the highest levels since that shows record finale in 2019. With more shows planned in the Game of Thrones universe, it looks like HBO will continue to maximize the value it gets out of this franchise.

Disney+s latest addition to the Star Wars universe, Andor, ranked as the fifth most in-demand breakout show this week. It had 27 times the average series demand, but only released its first three episodes on Sept. 21. With only a partial week of post-release data reflected in this number, we should expect demand for the series to rise in the coming weeks.

Story continues

10 most in-demand new shows, U.S., Sept. 17-23, 2022 (Parrot Analytics)

Tokyo MXs Lycoris Recoil is another anime series that ranked in the top 10 new releases for the week. It has regularly featured in this ranking since its premiere on July 2. Demand for the show was up by 30% last week and its finale is scheduled to released last Saturday. With this amount of momentum going into its finale, it looks likely to go even higher in next weeks ranking once that data is in.

Christofer Hamilton is a senior insights analyst at Parrot Analytics, a WrapPRO partner. For more from Parrot Analytics, visit the Data and Analysis Hub.

Also Read:

How Pluto TV Plays a Core Role in Paramounts Content Strategy | Charts
Photo credit: A24

Spoilers below.

Much of what makes A24s moody drama Gods Creatures so quietly devastating is owed to whats shown rather than spoken. The film stars Emily Watson and Paul Mescal as mother Aileen and son Brian, whose isolated, tight-knit fishing village on the Irish coast is lovely and decrepit, shot with a tender but unflinching gaze by directors Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer. Many of the films best shots are of nothing but the rolling tide, the crumbling cliffs, and the rows of rusted oyster cages tangled in seaweed and brine. Gods Creatures is a film you can smell, not the least of which is thanks to close-ups of the fishery where Aileen works as a supervisor, a gentle but firm mother hen to a clan of mostly female employees.

Her life is balanced, if not exactly happy, when Brian appears at the tragic funeral of a boy, an oyster farmer who drowned when the tide rose too fast. (Most of the local workers dont learn how to swim, its explained; such lessons are considered bad luck.) We learn hes finally returned home from a years-long trip to Australia, where hes lived without any contact with his family. Despite the joy radiating from Aileen as she finally holds her boy, too many hurts and betrayals linger, and Davis and Holmer allow these to fester within the films ominous, breathtaking score and sound design. Its not exactly clear what evil is about to take place, only that something in this idyllic landscape is tainted.

Mescal is exactly as magnetic as you might remember from his much-lauded screen debut in Hulus Normal People, but as Brian theres a new tension to his gait, a swelling in the set of his shoulders. These small character choices of Mescals crystalize when its revealed that one of Aileens co-workers, Sarah (Aisling Franciosi), has accused Brian of sexual assault.

Aileens immediate instinct is to protect him, to lie on behalf of her boy, and once the trap is set Brian is quick to trap her in it. Mescals charming but cagey performance is as much a lure for the audience as for Aileen herself, and Watson is breathtaking to watch as the cycle of furies and fears and doubts warp her countenance.

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When, at last, the films climax arrives and Aileen makes the unthinkable choice not to save her son from a rapidly rising tide, Watson knows the responsibility her performance carries. It is impossible to believe a mother would do this; it is equally impossible not to be convinced of Watson as Aileen, so haunted as to be resolute.

To understand the nuances of this choiceand of the weight Gods Creatures carries as an artifact of its timeELLE.com spoke with Watson and Mescal about developing a mother-son dynamic, and wading into the water together.

I want to know, first and foremost, why this particular project stood out to you both.

Watson: It was such a strong script. It was so unusually, beautifully written, and so specific to the place and felt so authentic. But it also had the sense of being a Greek tragedy and its about a very hot topic. So I was in from about page 3.

Mescal: There was no kind of internal deliberation. Once I finished it, it wasnt like, Should I do this? Should I not? It was apparent from the first reading of it. I felt like it was dealing with a topic that I was interested in, and discussed in a way that I feel like is challenging and accessible at the same time. You know? With that material, how do you make this not triggering for an audience but force them to lean in and ask difficult questions of themselves, and I think the script navigated that perfectly.



Part of what I think is so entrancing about the script is what it leaves unsaid, and how the two of you are able to communicate without words. But thats a challenging thing to do without a particular connection between yourselves as actors. So tell me how you developed that dynamic.

Watson: I think, its the kind of family where if they actually said what they thought, what they felt and what they meant, they would explode. Because they are just bound together by those very strong, atomic ties. But they dont emotionally articulate or psychologically articulate. They would probably fall apart if they were. Theres intergenerational violence built in...We were able to be very aware of that and play that. But also we had a very strong sense of the joy of this, the mother-son relationship.

Mescal: Yeah. And its also the joy of doing it with somebody who is as talented as Emily is. The work, I think, is very serious, but I think you go about it in a light way, which allows it to be kind of dexterous and fun. It kind of reminds me of forming an opinion on acting in drama school. The principles are still the same; I just think the stakes become higher.

Photo credit: Enda Bowe/A24

Watson: It was interesting working with Paul because hes in a stage where hes immensely curious and inquisitive about the process. He may be brilliantly talented and doesnt need help, but was often asking me questions in a way I hadnt really talked aboutor that I hadnt really kind of crystallized or realized.

We see that really deep, authentic connection between the two of you from the first moment youre on screen together, when Brian arrives unexpectedly at the funeral and Aileen is so startled and overjoyed to see him. The whole film is infused with the balance between those two emotions.

Watson: You absolutely have to, as an audience, invest in that relationship. You have to enjoy that [first meeting]. Its an overwhelming sense of coming alive for her, of suddenly: This is the light back in her life. Everything feels like its going right. Its reviving the oyster farm; the familys back together. But even in those first moments when I say, Jesus Christ, Brian, there are unanswered questions hanging in the air, the hurt of seven years. Where were you? Why havent we heard from you? I didnt know where you were. And also the knowledge that, if you ask too many questions, hes gone.

Paul, how did you toe the line with Brian, knowing he needed to be approachable and affable and familiar, but also to have this glint of a dark side?

Mescal: Well, I think its... If you removed sexual assault from the film, I wanted that to beI know this sounds vague and obviousbut I wanted it all to make sense. I wanted you to feel like Brian can go in any direction, up until the point that he goes past the point of no return. So its like: How can you make an audience feel sympathy for somebody who goes away to Australia and has a rough time and doesnt have the emotional capacity to talk about that? And then what is it about his sense of entitlement and his relationship with women that makes him so hard? And I think that was one of the main reasons that I wanted to do the film. I really wanted somebody who commits an act of sexual violence to look familiar to people. I didnt want it to be a kind of villainous, creepy, obvious template. I wanted it to be somebodys son, somebodys friend, somebody who we recognize as good in the world. Statistically, people who commit [sexual violence] know the victim and the victim knows them.

Watson: Its interesting youre talking about entitlement because Aileen is absolutely complicit in your sense of entitlement.



Mescal: For sure.

Watson: Not just in the lies she tells, but in the, Yeah, you want the oysters? Have some money. You are the son. Youre entitled.

Mescal: Well, she facilitates.

Watson: You are entitled to everything you want that can be yours.

Mescal: And [you see this play out] in that scene in the car after the police station, where you see the politics of their whole relationship. He knows that his mothers on the hook, and he manipulates her. Hes like, If you dont get in behind me and support me and love me, Ill fuck off to Australia. And he knows.

Watson: Within a couple of minutes there are two moments of what seem like decisions, but are not decisions. One is the lie. I am an animal, and I cannot do anything except go, He was with me. And then when he says, [If you tell the truth] Im going to leave. That would break me. That would be breaking the atom. I cant countenance that either. So then Im immediately into a lose-lose situation.

Photo credit: A24

Its interesting, then, how much her mindset transforms over the course of the filmto the point that she stops defending Brian entirely. Well get to that, but first and foremost, when do you think that transition takes place in her mind? Is it gradual or a singular inciting incident?

Watson: I think she immediately starts to call into question who she is. Because shes always seen herself as kind of a pillar of the community. Shes a leader amongst the women. Shes a supervisor. She looks after people; shes kind. And then suddenly shes in this situation where shes destroying her life, and thats like a crack inside her.

Theres a moment in [a scene in which a blessing of the boats take place], when Sarahs standing there singing this religious song, and everybodys singing around her. Just like, Who are we? Were inhabiting this moral structure that has a black hole at the center of it. And then I think at the funeral, when Sarah spits, its another animal moment [for Aileen]. Dont fucking touch her. That makes me realize what side Im on.

So lets discuss that pivotal scene at the end, when Aileen is in the boat and Brian is trying to get to her, desperately trying to reach the boat. How many takes of this moment did you end up doing?

Mescal: The practicalities of that day were... It was tough.

Watson: We did it over two days, I think.

Mescal: Not many takes. [We were] chasing the tide.

Watson: And also our body temperatures were dropping, and we had to get out of the water.

Mescal: The doctors thought we were hypothermic

Watson: If you got water in your waders, you were really screwed... Trying to maintain the emotional stuff, the world integrity of it and deal with all the physical things was [challenging].

What was going through your head in that scene? How did Aileen get to that point, where she makes this terrible choice, one that Id imagine most mothers would think impossible?

Watson: We talked about it very specifically, me and Saela, about it being another moment of prayer. One of my biggest questions from the beginning was, How does a mother do that?

And we came to the answer, really, that its that moral construct, which allows you to surrender. I surrender this moment to God. Its God's decision. Im not going to rescue him. God can decide. Its abdicating that responsibility, but I don't thinkits not a conscious, thought-through, rational decision. I mean, my overriding feeling was, Am I about to die?

It just felt so extreme. Theres something about it that felt so fucking extreme. And in a way, you just have to go through the mechanics of it. There was a guy underwater lifting me up, and then theres six people around you, leaning over you, and it all is very artificial. And then maintaining the emotional reality amongst all of that is quite challenging. But we sort of protected ourselves enough to keep that.

Mescal: [To Watson] I think one of your big teachings to me was, How do you protect that? The little kernel of creativity or whatever that word is.

The purity.

Mescal: Purity or inspiration. Or even just protecting the quiet that I think is sometimes required, that I think [to Watson] you are the master of, and kind of allowed us as a group of young actors to watch. And I thought it was really something that I will carry.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Sangita Patel stunned fans in a brown bodycon dress.

Sangita Patel is kicking off autumn in style  and her fans are loving it.

The "ET Canada" personality took to Instagram to share an Instagram Reel, in which she sashayed in a $335 faux leather chocolate brown bodycon midi dress from Anthropologie. She paired the plunging dress with a pair of brown, metallic stiletto pumps from Aldo, and sparkly hoop earrings.

The Canadian TV host penned a caption swooning over how "snatched" the dress made her look, and compared the look to something Kim Kardashian would wear.

"This dress!" she said, before admitting that the dress wasn't the most practical. "What the hip is going on?! Snatched me good. I couldnt walk up the stairs."

"The length, the material, the cut, the metallic heels  Im feeling it," she wrote before asking her fans if they also think the dress is a keeper. "Keep it, right?!"

Fans quickly responded to Patel's video with praise for "serving the perfect fall look."

"Serving the perfect fall look. Go off, queen. You look stunning as always!" one Instagram user commented, while another wrote, "You look sensational," alongside several flame emojis.

"Love the dress Sangita, you look so pretty as always!" added another.

One fan commented: "I love this dress on you!"

"Ummm, this looks incredible on you! Better keep that," someone else weighed in.

"This isn't just any dress. This is the dress. Definitely a keeper. It looks amazing on you," another penned.

Earlier this month, fans not only applauded Patel for her red carpet look at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), but also for the "impressive" fitness challenge she was able to do in it.

"Well, I havent been to the gym all week  eating burgers and fries and lacking on my water intake. My body is like, 'Yo, whatcha doing?'" she captioned a clip of herself demonstrating the challenge on the red carpet, wearing a stunning, vibrant sleeveless red gown and black open-toe high heels. "But you know me  Ill find a way to get a good challenge in, in heels, in a dress, on the red carpet."

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"Love how you are doing this on the red carpet in heels," one person commented. "Slay, girl!"

"You are fearless to do that in heels! Well done," added another.

One fan echoed: "In heels  now thats amazing!"

"Dn. I cant even do it in shorts and bare feet. Imagine in heels," commented another. "You go, girl."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Universal Studios

From the moment Sigourney Weaver appeared in The Good House as Hildy Good, the top real estate broker of the fictional Massachusetts town of Wendover, who wears smart blazers and expertly extols the selling points of seaside life, I was sure I had found a new favorite film. It may sound strangeand trust me, I can hardly believe its true myselfbut for whatever reason, Hollywood isnt churning out movies about older women in sleepy coastal towns with complicated lives and endless ambition. Go figure.

So, as someone who was born with a gene that causes them to obsess over the inner lives of women characters over the age of 45 (a trait known in most scientific circles as homosexuality or just having good taste), I was in my element. Im also a person of Massachusetts experience, having spent a great deal of the last five years all over the state. Therefore, its just simple math that I should enjoy any film that gives Weaver the chance to tell prospective homebuyers, I could get you a wicked good price for it.

But The Good House, which was adapted from Ann Learys 2013 novel of the same name, is by no means a predictable comfort. Nor does it ever allow its audience to be so naive as to think theyll guess how Hildys story will play out. By that measure alone, its impressive. What may look like the latest Nicholas Sparks adaptation actually aims to go much deeper, probing into the intricacies of aging, love, and desire of all kinds. Think (and I cant believe Im saying this) Nights in Rodanthe meets Serenity.

And that would be fascinatingit should beif it werent for The Good Houses confusing desire to present and market itself as a rom-com. And not just any rom-com, but one thats celebrated as the second onscreen reunion between Weaver and Kevin Kline, who starred together in 1993s Dave and again in 1997s The Ice Storm. Except Sigourney and Klines third outing is fundamentally not a rom-com. Its also not a drama. Nor is it a straight comedy.

Story continues

In fact, it bounces between genres at such a whiplash pace that its flightiness makes it difficult to enjoy, let alone nail down. Seeing a film that refuses to fall into the tropes of genre fare can sometimes be a pleasant surprise, but The Good House does a major disservice to the very real battles Hildy faces by struggling to decide what it wants to say. In turn, it makes what could be a well-drawn character into a silly caricature, and The Good House into a dull film.

I need a good year. Thats what Hildy tells herself after her youngest daughter calls to inform her of a raise in the rent of her already-overpriced Brooklyn apartment. Hildy pays for it, as she has with all of her familys extravagant expenses. She even pays alimony to her ex-husband, despite the fact that he left her to marry a man. On top of it all, her former assistant, Wendy (Kathryn Erbe), left Hildys brokerage to open one of her own, taking a sizable chunk of Hildys clients with her.

Amsterdam Is a Way Bigger Disaster Than Dont Worry Darling

All of this stress has driven Hildy back to her favorite vice: a glass of wine. Or a bottle or two, just to take the edge off. The only problem is that Hildy is 18 months out of a rehab facility, which she voluntarily checked into after her family staged an intervention. She downplays her drinking, justifying it in the way many alcoholics do: she doesnt drink before 5 p.m., she doesnt binge drink, and she doesnt drink aloneshes got her two dogs to keep her company.

At first, Hildys alcoholism seems functional. She manages to be on time for showings and she has no problem turning down a drink at parties. But when Rebecca (Morena Baccarin), one of Wendovers newest residents, shows up unannounced at Hildys house just as shes about to crack a bottle of wine, Hildy begins to slip. She and Rebecca gossip and clink their glasses together a couple times a week, and its not long before Hildy has the chutzpah to sneak vodka into her virgin Bloody Mary at Thanksgiving dinner and drive drunk on her way home.

Trying to guide her back onto the path of sobriety is Frank Getchell (Kline), the kooky town contractor Hildy has known and flirted with for decades. When Hildy makes a big sale that requires Franks company to fix up the house before the new owners move in, he comes back into her life, already able to tell shes fallen off the wagon. But when Frank is around, Hildy doesnt feel tempted.

Blonde Is the Most Polarizing Film of the Year

People who work a program or know anything about being a recovering alcoholic can tell you that replacing one vice with another, as Hildy is doing by subbing merlot for a man, is an almost certain path to destruction. Unfortunately, The Good House is all too comfortable forgetting that until its convenient, letting Hildy and Frank shack up with no signs of Hildys addiction anywhere to be found, not even lurking in the shadows of their blossoming love. The charming alcoholic saved by the gruff bricklayer: a tale as old as time!

When things do come crashing down, all of The Good Houses poorly layered subplots ram into one another headfirst. Suddenly, the audience is forced to care about all of the minor characters the film has been poorly juggling for the last hour or so. And in its final 30 minutes, the movie makes such a gobsmacking narrative turn that I almost became convinced I had missed anywhere from 15 to 50 major plot points.

I wish I meant it as a compliment when I say that the climax of The Good House is something you have to see to believe, or even an attempt to applaud its bold tonal heel turn. Really, its just a way to make sense of one of the strangest and most convoluted endings of any film this year. And thats a real pity, because so much of what comes before it is genuinely striking, largely due to Weavers outstanding performance.

She manages to elevate The Good House beyond its confused screenplay, even as its writers spend the entire runtime trying to break the film out of its book club-ready source material. This movie might have all the trappings of a Lifetime network drama, but Weaver still goes for broke, tapping into the well of pain behind Hildys decisions and disease. And yet, for all of Weavers hard workespecially in that bewildering climaxthe film betrays her subtleties by giving Hildy a horribly predictable ending.

Still, its hard not to take note of the films rarity. How often do women over the age of 65 get the chance to play complicated, hard-nosed characters like this? Whats more, how often does that same age bracket get to be unabashedly horny onscreen? With the great Nancy Meyers all but hanging up her hat, theres been a dearth of these kinds of roles available for older actors. No matter how muddled a screenplay might be, its gratifying to see Hollywood remember that older people exist, and not just to play grandparents or politicians.

The Good House might not be a thoughtful film about the very real and nuanced issue of substance abuse, but it is a wild movie filled with incomprehensible choices. So at least its a fantastic dinner party conversation starter! Sometimes, thats enough to make you stop lamenting that theres a great film hidden somewhere here, and instead accept the extremely mediocre Hallmark knockoff you got instead. What a shamethis house had some damn good bones.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ready for Fort Collins to become Fort Corgi?

In its eighth year, Tour de Corgi is back in the Choice City this weekend, drawing hundreds of costumed corgis downtown for its annual pup-centric festival and corgi parade.

Here's what to know ahead of this year's festivities.

The basics

Tour de Corgi will take place Saturday in Civic Center Park, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event's costume contest starts at 10 a.m. and its parade begins at noon. The event will wrap up around 2:30 p.m., according to its website.

For the corgi owners

If you're planning to bring your corgi and participate in either the costume contest or corgi parade, registration is required. While online registration has ended, a limited number of Tour de Corgi wristbands can be purchased at Civic Center Park starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Proceeds will benefit 4 Paws Pet Pantry, Colorado Corgis and Friends Rescue, the Wyoming Dachshund and Corgi Rescue and Bandit's K9Care, formerly known as Bandit's BandAid.

Ready to fall?Here's your Northern Colorado fall bucket list

For the lucky onlookers

Don't have a corgi? Well, then just sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Registration is not required to watch the costume contest or parade. If you're planning on enjoying the parade, stake out a spot along its route, which travels east on Laporte Avenue, south on College Avenue, around Old Town Square and back to Civic Center Park via Mountain Avenue.

It's officially pumpkin seasonTake your pick from these NoCo pumpkin patches

A new addition

In memory of the late Queen Elizabeth, who was a devoted corgi owner, Tour de Corgi has added a Queen Elizabeth category to its corgi costume contest. The new category will mark the finale of the contest, which also includes categories like "completely creative," "purdiest," "baddest to the bone" and "greatest group." Costume contest judges are Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt, local "Dude Dad" content creator Taylor Calmus and Megan Wolfe, resident neurologist at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Following the costume contest, the Queen Elizabeth costume groups will move to the front of the parade in memoriam of the late queen.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Tour de Corgi: Your guide to Fort Collins' famous corgi parade
Ukrainian military intelligence claims the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons is now 'very high,' report says

Russian Yars ballistic nuclear missiles on mobile launchers roll through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade rehearsals on May 6, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

The Ukrainian military this week responded to Vladimir Putin's recent nuclear threats with alarm.

A Ukrainian intelligence deputy told The Guardian the risk of Russia using a nuke is "very high."

Still, experts believe the risk of nuclear war is still low.

The Ukrainian military isn't taking Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats lightly.

The Russian president last week in a brazen escalation of his war in Ukraine made a thinly-veiled threat of nuclear warfare, warning that "this is not a bluff."

Several intelligence experts have since said that the threat of nuclear war remains minimal, but Ukraine is sounding the alarm nonetheless. In an interview with The Guardian this week, Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine's deputy intelligence chief, put the threat of Russia using a nuclear weapon against Ukraine at "very high."

"They will likely target places along the frontlines with lots of [army] personal and equipment, key command centres, and critical infrastructure," Skibitsky said. "In order to stop them we need not just more anti-aircraft systems, but anti-rocket systems."

The Ukrainian military intelligence boss did not provide evidence for his claims, and officials in his organization have repeatedly spread baseless theories, including that Putin is personally ill. US officials are reportedly closely following signs that Russia has changed the location of its nukes or their alert status, with no signs to emerge of that activity as of Thursday.

Putin is poised to announce the annexation of four occupied Ukrainian territories on Friday. Some Russia watchers and military experts have expressed concerns that these annexations will raise the risk of Putin employing a nuclear weapon. The president has repeatedly made nuclear threats since the war began, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently said that any territory formally incorporated into Russia will receive the Kremlin's full protection.

"The red lines against fighting on Russian territory will be suddenly crossed," Retired US Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Ryan, a former defense attache to Russia, said in recent comments to Insider on the implications of the annexations, adding, "NATO weapons will be fighting and shooting inside Russia. And most importantly, the Russian state will be under direct attack. And as we know, that is a trigger for using nuclear weapons."That said, there are also many analysts who believe that Putin's nuclear threats are largely designed to limit Western support for Ukraine."

Story continues

"Putin's threats of escalation, including his implicit threat of nuclear escalation, are an attempt to frighten the West and deter it from continuing to arm Ukraine by deploying the false myth that the Kremlin leader is most dangerous when he is cornered. The United States and its allies should not fall for this ruse," Brian Whitmore, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, recently wrote.

And there is also skepticism that Russia's depleted military could even pull off a tactical nuclear strike.

"The problem for the Russians is that in order to properly exploit the conditions that are created by a tactical nuclear weapon, you need to have forces that are cohesive, coherent, and with a high level of morale," George Barros, a military analyst with the Institute for the Study of War, told Insider in mid-September.

"I don't think the conventional Russian military, at this point, has the capability or the morale to be able to do that," Barros added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Babar Azam carried his bat for 87 not out, leaving England chasing 170 in their must-win Twenty20 clash in Lahore.

With the in-form Mohammad Rizwan missing  officially rested despite his hot streak  Babar thrived on the responsibility as he held court throughout the 20 overs and guided his team to 169 for six.

Babar was a class apart, hitting three sixes and seven fours in his 59 balls, as he gave the hosts a chance of pushing for an unassailable 4-2 lead in the series.

We have been set a target of 170 to win the sixth IT20. Scorecard: https://t.co/VPMsyjQEre #PAKvENG  pic.twitter.com/W8AboK0FGq  England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 30, 2022

Rizwan has been a constant thorn in Englands side and without him the Pakistan powerplay got off to a false start. The pressure began building early, as Reece Topley and David Willey both worked through cheap opening overs, and early wickets quickly followed.

Rizwans replacement, Mohammad Haris, found the shoes too big to fill, managing one clean blow for six before horribly mis-judging his angles and threading Richard Gleeson straight to short third-man.

Shan Masood was close behind, trapped on the crease as Willey rapped his knee-roll, leaving Babar to shoulder the burden. The skipper responded by sending three of his next four balls to the boundary, jump-starting the innings to 40 for two at the end of the powerplay.

David Willey took two wickets (Anjum Naveed/AP)

Babar had eased himself into his usual rhythm but needed support from the middle order. He managed stands of 47 and 48 with Haider Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed, but both partnerships came to a halt thanks to Sam Curran.

The all-rounder turned in handy figures of two for 26, hustling Pakistan with a selection of gently deceptive short balls and cutters. Haider, who gave Adil Rashid a warm welcome with a hack for six over long-on, holed out on the pull and Iftikhar made a quick 31 before picking out Harry Brook in the deep.

Pakistan piled on 63 in the last five as Babar moved through the gears, with Topleys tidy figures spoiled by a final over that leaked 19.
Two men who admitted to trying to rape children in Billings were sentenced to prison time this week.

A federal judge sentenced Jason Robert Kroepelin on Thursday to eight years in prison, plus a lifetime of supervised release. And Garrett Alan Lee will spend at least the next 25 years in prison after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in Yellowstone County District Court. Both men were investigated and prosecuted by a multi-agency task force focused on online sexual predators in the Billings area, the efforts of which have led to the arrest of well over a dozen people in the past year.

United States District Court Judge Susan P. Watters said she had no doubt it will take years of treatment to address Kroeplins behavior before issuing his sentence.

Kroepelin was one of several men arrested by local and federal authorities in the fall of 2021 and subsequently charged by county attorneys with child sex abuse. Prior to his arrest, according to statements made in court Thursday, Kroepelin had a history of viewing and possibly sharing child sex abuse material. He then began messaging with a man Kroepelin thought was offering a 13-year-old girl to rape.

Throughout the exchange, the man made it clear how old the girl was, and Kroepelin responded with messages detailing graphically that he wanted to have sex with her, court documents said. Kroepelin also sent photos of himself before agreeing to meet with the man and the girl at a Billings residence. On that day in late October, police intercepted Kroepelin and arrested him.

He was carrying condoms and lubricant in his pocket, court documents said. Investigators were granted a warrant to search his phone, where they found the conversation of his arranging the meeting with the 13-year-old girl. They also found images and videos of child sex abuse material.

In January, the charges against Kroepelin in Yellowstone County District Court were dropped and federal prosecutors indicted the 33-year-old. He was charged in U.S. District Court with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor into sex and possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to both counts in April. Per the agreement he reached with prosecutors, the possession of child pornography charge was dropped at his sentencing.

In his argument that Kroepelin be sentenced to eight years in prison, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan T. Dake said the facts of the case were simple but could not be overstated.

Mr. Kroepelin went to a house with the intent of having sex with a 13-year-old girl, he said.

At the time of his arrest, Kroepelin was a firearms inspector and gun counter clerk for a Billings sporting goods store. He grew up in California and joined the U.S. Army after graduating high school, according to court documents. Kroepelin received an other-than-honorable discharge, his separation precipitated by him posting an online ad for sex. During his time in the service, he was adjudicated for bestiality, court documents said.

An evaluation by a mental health expert concluded Kroepelin was comfortable with dangerous sexual desires, and he was more than likely to act on those desires outside of custody. To ensure Kroepelin wasnt a threat after his release, Dake argued for a lifetime of supervised release.

Judge Watters said a lifetime of supervision would be absolutely required after eight years in prison. While in custody, Watters required Kroepelin undergo sex offender and mental health treatment. Prison, she said, will also give Kroepelin a chance to learn a new trade as he will no longer be allowed to own or handle a firearm once released.

Kroepelin cant stand the man he sees in the mirror, he told the court when given the chance to speak. In between emotional pauses, he said he will strive every day to change who that man is.

On Tuesday, Yellowstone County District Court Judge Jessica Fehr sentenced Lee to 100 years in Montana State Prison for child sex abuse. Sixty-five of those years will be suspended, but Lee will not be eligible for parole for the first 25 years.

Lee was arrested in April after connecting via a social media app with someone who identified themselves as a 12-year-old girl. He immediately started asking if she wanted to have sex with him, according to court documents. Two days after the exchange began, he arranged to meet with her in Billings. When Lee drove to that location, officers were waiting for him.

After pleading guilty to the charge in late July, Lee underwent multiple mental health evaluations that determined he too had a dangerously high chance to reoffend without intensive treatment. He will be required to complete sex offender treatment while in custody at MSP.

Of the more than 20 people arrested in the past year after operations targeting potential child rapists, Kroepelin was the first of four men to be sentenced following federal charges. Thomas Clay Sebastian and Jacob Ramirez are slated to be sentenced in November for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Kyle Jason Swindler is scheduled to plead guilty to the same charge in October.

Among the agencies contributing to the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are the FBI, the Billings Police Department and the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office.
Theater companies have taken a particular hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have had to tighten belts as productions have been canceled or postponed and audiences have returned only sporadically since the virus struck in March 2020.

Burlingtons professional-theater company is taking a different approach. Instead of cutting, Vermont Stage is adding. The organization in its 28th season has hired its first-ever executive director, Vermont native Noah Blocker-Glynn, to help usher its longtime audience back into the theater and bring in new audiences.

Right now our world is looking at the performing arts as a salve and social-conversation piece, according to Blocker-Glynn, who joined Vermont Stage in early September. I think were primed as a culture and society to begin some conversations that are only going to support our community and make it a better place.

Other changes are coming to the Burlington theater scene as well. An underground favorite  the Off Center for the Dramatic Arts  is making a comeback.

Opening with The Pitmen Painters

Vermont Stage opens its 2022-23 season Wednesday, Sept. 28 with The Pitmen Painters. The company lost the end of the 2019-20 season and the 2020-21 season to the pandemic.

Vermont Stage returned for a full season in 2021-22 but reduced crowd sizes when it blocked off several seats in the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center to create social distancing to guard against COVID-19. Theater audiences tend to skew toward an older demographic considered more at risk from the serious effects of COVID-19, which has kept some theater-goers away from indoor productions.

Theater companies will continue short-term to stagger out of the pandemic, according to Blocker-Glynn. The key, he said, is to look not just at the here-and-now but at the long view for theater companies and their audiences.

The pandemic on many fronts opened the eyes of companies and other performing-arts organizations to really think of how we cultivate and develop audiences, said Blocker-Glynn, who grew up in Wells River and most recently served as associate dean of The Hartt School for music, dance and theater at the University of Hartford.

Story continues

Artistic director Cristina Alicea and her small staff who were busy organizing productions lacked the bodies and bandwidth to focus on the duties an executive director can take on, Blocker-Glynn said. Hell seek grants and other sources of fundraising to help Vermont Stage rebuild audiences and better communicate that the company is not as inaccessible or stuffy as some in the community might envision.

Blocker-Glynn wants to look at programming and engagement with the community that creates an onramp for new audiences  including under-resourced populations  and demystifies what theater companies offer.

Where Vermont Stage has an opportunity is to introduce new people to that art, Blocker-Glynn said. That in large part takes time and resources.

Laura Roald, board president for the Off Center for the Dramatic Arts in Burlington, posts on social media as a crowd gathers for a performance of "The Stick Wife" on Feb. 1, 2019.

Off Center for the Dramatic Arts returns

A theater organization in Burlington that shut down in 2020 is returning in a new location.

The Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, which hosted small, often avant-garde productions in a space in the Old North End, will resurface in November in a new venue in the Ethan Allen Shopping Center on North Avenue.

For ten years dedicated Off Center community volunteers worked to make theater production accessible to Vermont performing artists at all levels of experience and funding, board president Laura Roald said last week in a news release announcing the Off Centers rebirth. Closing our doors in July 2020 was heartbreaking, but that depressing COVID hibernation means we bring a fresh spirit of theatrical renewal to our new space and neighborhood.

The Off Center location in the New North End will provide space for up to 80 audience members. The organization is booking shows, classes and rehearsals for dates starting in November, and will hold a grand-opening celebration coinciding with its 8th Fringe Festival running Dec. 8-11.

Vermont fall theater season

Vermont theater productions this fall include:

Through Sunday, Oct. 23, the Tony Award-winning rock musical Spring Awakening presented by Northern Stage keeps going from its Sept. 27 opening in the Byrne Theater, Barrett Center for the Arts, White River Junction. $10-$69. www.northernstage.org

Wednesday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Oct. 16, Vermont Stage finally presents its pandemic-delayed production The Pitmen Painters, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington. $31.05-$38.50. www.vermontstage.org

Wednesday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Oct. 23, Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie continues its run that began Sept. 28 at the Weston Theater Company, Walker Farm Theater, Weston. $25-$74. www.westontheater.org

Thursday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Oct. 15, the Stowe Theatre Guild offers up the Stephen Sondheim production A Little Night Music, Town Hall Theatre, Stowe. $15-$20. www.stowetheatre.com

4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, Very Merry Theater stages the family-friendly production Pinocchio, O.N.E. Community Center, Burlington. Free. www.verymerrytheatre.org

Thursday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 23, the musical revue Side by Side by Sondheim arrives at Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall Arts Center. $10-$35. www.lostnationtheater.org

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, the Broadway musical Chicago stops for one night only at the Flynn, Burlington. $36-$98. www.flynnvt.org

Friday, Oct. 7-Saturday, Oct. 15, the romantic comedy Almost, Maine is staged by The Shelburne Players, Shelburne Town Center. $15-$20. www.shelburneplayers.com

Friday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 16, the Middlebury Acting Company stages the Joshua Harmon drama Admissions, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. $15-$30. www.townhalltheater.org

Friday, Oct. 7-Saturday, Oct. 22, the Essex Community Players tackle Neil Simons Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Memorial Hall, Essex. $14-$18. www.essexplayers.com

Friday, Oct. 7-Sunday, Oct. 23, the Valley Players perform a 1940s-radio-style script reading of a theatrical version of The Great Gatsby, Valley Players Theater, Waitsfield. $14-$18. www.valleyplayers.com

Thursday, Nov. 10-Sunday, Nov. 13, theres more Stephen Sondheim to be seen and heard when Lyric Theatre presents his twist-on-a-fairy-tale musical Into the Woods, the Flynn, Burlington. $19-$45. www.lyrictheatrevt.org

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com. Follow Brent on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BrentHallenbeck.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Fall 2022 theater: Vermont Stage's new leader, Off Center's return
A bill to avert a federal government shutdown passed the House on Friday, just hours before the midnight deadline.

The House voted 230-201 to pass the stopgap legislation, which will keep the government funded through mid-December -- past the midterm elections.

The bill now heads to President Joe Biden's desk. He'll need to sign it before the end of the day Friday to avert a shutdown.

The Senate voted 72-25 to advance the legislation on Thursday afternoon after some stumbles earlier this week over energy permitting reform.

The legislation moved forward after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., agreed to drop the provision -- which was opposed by some progressives and most Republicans -- from the continuing resolution. All 25 "no" votes came from the GOP side of the aisle.

MORE: Government shutdown likely avoided after Sen. Manchin reverses course on energy permitting

PHOTO: The Senate entrance stands at the Capitol in Washington, Sept. 18, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP, FILE)

The bill includes an additional $12 billion in military and economic aid for Ukraine, $1 billion in heating and utility assistance for low-income families, $20 million in response to the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, and includes a five-year reauthorization for Food and Drug Administration user fees.

The measure also includes money for Federal Emergency Management Agency's main disaster relief fund, an infusion that comes amid Hurricane Ian's leveling of southwest Florida and after Hurricane Fiona's devastation on Puerto Rico.

In floor remarks just before the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., highlighted some of the emergency appropriations included on the bill, including aid for Ukraine and to assist with the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. She also highlighted a relatively small amount of funding that could be immediately deployed to assist with Hurricane Ian recovery effort, but noted that even more funds will likely be needed.

"This legislation is a package for the people. I urge a strong bipartisan yes on the continuing resolution so that we may swiftly send this bill to the President's desk," Pelosi said on the floor.

Story continues

What's not included in the legislation is the billions of dollars the White House requested to continue its COVID-19 response. The Biden administration requested $22.4 billion for vaccines, treatments and next-generation research.

"This legislation avoids a very bad thing --shutting down the government -- and does a lot of good things: money for the people of Ukraine, funding for communities reeling from natural disasters, aid to families with their heating bills, just to name a few," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said just before the vote.

"Millions and millions of people can breathe easy," Schumer added.

Republicans tried to get the continuing resolution to lapse early next year, rather than mid-December, in the hopes that the GOP will gain control of the House after the November midterm elections.

PHOTO: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell walks to the Senate Floor to vote on the government funding continuing resolution in the US Capitol, in Washington, Sept. 29, 2022. (Shawn Thew/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Sen. Schumer announced Thursday that the Senate will not return for its next vote until Nov. 14, giving members time to campaign in their home states from now until Election Day.

MORE: Senate vote on marriage equality delayed until after midterm elections

When the Senate returns for the lame duck session, it will have a hefty to-do list to tackle. Members will have to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, fund the government, confirm nominees and potentially take up legislation to protect same sex marriage.

Schumer warned of an "extremely busy" final two months of the calendar year.

Government shutdown averted after House, Senate pass funding bill originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Andrew R.C. Marshall, Joseph Tanfani and Peter Eisler

(Reuters) - Two far-right U.S. politicians who want to upend the way votes are cast and counted are tied or leading in races to become the top election administrators in their states, according to recent polls.

Republicans Jim Marchant of Nevada and Mark Finchem of Arizona promote wild conspiracy theories about how the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. A victory in November could allow them, as secretaries of state, to restrict voting access or seek to block certification of results in these two critical battlegrounds for presidential elections.

Marchant and Finchem want to curtail or abolish early voting, mail-in voting and ballot drop-boxes, claiming without evidence that they breed fraud. Both advocate banning electronic voting machines and returning to hand-counted paper ballots to secure elections. Election experts and officials of both major parties have said such changes would actually make elections more prone to fraud and error, while making it harder for citizens to vote.

Finchem and Marchant are among the strongest of 13 secretary-of-state candidates who falsely claim the 2020 election was rigged. Two, in the Republican strongholds of Wyoming and Alabama, are expected to win easily. Four others are running competitive campaigns in Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana and New Mexico. The remainder are long shots.

The movement to seize control of election administration is part of a broader phenomenon that makes Novembers midterm elections unique in American history. Election deniers are campaigning in every state, according to politics website FiveThirtyEight. Out of 552 Republican nominees for Congress, governor, secretary of state and attorney general, 262  nearly half  have rejected or questioned the 2020 result.

The prospect of controlling state voting offices is bringing national money into once-sleepy secretary-of-state races and drawing support from some of Trumps most prominent allies. Right-wing provocateur and former Trump White House advisor Steve Bannon declared last week on his podcast that Democrats are not going to be winning anymore because the likes of Marchant and Finchem will be in the counting room, rooting out ballots they deem illegal or illegitimate.

Story continues

At a recent Florida conference featuring right-wing secretary-of-state candidates, Marchant cast himself as an outsider and claimed that vicious elements of his own party are scheming to help his Democratic rival. He has claimed Nevada elections have been rigged for the last decade by a deep state cabal bent on establishing "a socialist, communist, tyrannical government."

Marchant vowed to simplify the election system. Its way too complicated, he told Reuters.

Finchem, an Arizona state representative since 2015, appeared at the same conference, sporting a cowboy hat and Old West mustache. In an interview with Reuters, he dismissed accounts that he's a "far-right fringe" politician as "propaganda crap." Finchem has been linked to the Oath Keepers, the far-right extremist group, and once accused a whole lot of elected officials of being sex-trafficking pedophiles, an apparent reference to the QAnon conspiracy theory.

Trump has endorsed Finchem's campaign, but not Marchant's. In an interview at the Florida conference, Marchant said Trump has been influenced by the "uniparty," a derisive right-wing term describing a hostile political bloc of Democrats and mainstream Republicans.

Hes not really helping us, Marchant said of Trump. We have decided that we're just going to do this on our own. . . We dont need him!

A spokesperson for Trump didn't respond to requests for comment on Finchem, Marchant or other secretary-of-state candidates echoing his false voter-fraud claims.

Recent polls show Marchant and Finchem doing well. An August Reno Gazette/Suffolk University poll put Marchant ahead by nearly five points, with 31.6% compared to 26.6% for Democrat Cisco Aguilar, and 26% undecided. A mid-September survey by the Trafalgar Group has Finchem leading Democrat Adrian Fontes by six points - 47.5% to 41.1%, with 11% undecided.

NATIONAL SUPPORT

The Florida conference was organized by America First Secretaries of State, a group created by Marchant, and sponsored by a Marchant-led political action committee (PAC) largely funded by The America Project, which was co-founded by millionaire Patrick Byrne.

Byrne resigned as CEO of internet retailer Overstock.com in 2019 and has since become one of the top financiers of the election-denial movement. Byrnes America Project has donated $155,000 to Marchants PAC, Conservatives for Election Integrity.

Before the conference, Byrne met with Marchant and Finchem at a $500-a-head fundraiser at the same hotel. Byrne took the conference stage the next day and said the 2020 election heist was part of a decades-old plot by communist China to turn the United States into a food-producing colony.

Byrne didn't respond to a request for comment.

In Arizona, Finchem has raised more than $1.2 million, far exceeding the totals in previous Arizona secretary-of-state races and nearly doubling that of his Democratic opponent, according to his most recent campaign finance disclosure. More than half of that sum came from out-of-state donors.

"Secretaries of state have suddenly become the subject of great interest, Finchem told Reuters.

Marchant, who built a fortune in the internet and telecoms industry, has financed much of his campaign himself. As of June 30, he had donated nearly $200,000 in personal funds, leftover funds from a previous congressional campaign and money from his PAC, campaign finance records show.

The unusual level of media attention on the controversial campaigns of Finchem and Marchant may help their chances in these typically low-profile races, said Robert Cahaly, chief pollster and strategist for Trafalgar Group.

It may be the only name some voters have ever heard of, he said.

The money and notoriety heaped on those candidates has also galvanized their opponents, who have generated substantial donations by casting themselves as alternatives to extremists.

Aguilar, Marchants opponent, said his campaign has raised more than $2 million with help from national groups sounding alarms about election deniers. One such group, MoveOn, said it will spend more than $1 million to help Democratic secretary-of-state candidates this year.

Semedrian Smith of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, a political organization working to defeat election deniers, said her organization and an affiliated nonprofit have raised a total of $16 million.

If one election denier wins in November, that could easily put us in a constitutional crisis, Smith said.

THE GOLDEN THREAD

Finchem effectively launched the post-2020 election-denial movement in Arizona by organizing a meeting where Trumps allies gathered to plan an attempt to overturn the results.

During the Nov. 30, 2020 event  held in a Phoenix hotel because Arizonas legislative leaders wouldnt allow it in their chambers  Trumps lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis, among others, aired conspiracy theories about machines switching votes and trucks carrying fraudulent ballots. Trump called in to say he had won.

Finchem drew a standing ovation for denouncing tyranny and urging attendees to put on the armor of God to fight Satan.

The Arizona lawmaker was outside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot and was subpoenaed by the congressional committee investigating it. Finchem denies participating in the violence and has said the committee called him as a witness.

Finchems Democratic opponent, Fontes, is the former election administrator in Maricopa County, Arizonas largest and the target of an expensive vote audit, approved by state senators, that found no fraud evidence.

Fontes, in an interview, called Finchem a wide-eyed conspiracy theorist.

Elections in America are basically the golden thread that holds the whole fabric together, he said. Were in some really, really unpredictable, scary ground.

Finchem moved to Arizona in 1999 after retiring from the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he worked for 21 years as a firefighter and a police officer. He identified himself as a member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right extremist group, on a candidate questionnaire in 2014, according to a news report. Finchem also appears on a leaked membership list for the group, which shows he signed up for an annual membership, according to a spokesman for the Anti-Defamation League, which reviewed the database.

Finchem told Reuters he was not aligned with the Oath Keepers but did not respond to further questions.

On a financial disclosure form required of state legislators, Finchem lists his Kalamazoo pension as his only source of outside income. Im a pauper, Finchem told Reuters at the Florida conference. Then, cradling a bourbon at the hotel bar, he quoted the book of Exodus, urging voters to choose Godly men disinterested in personal gain.

(Reporting by Andrew R.C. Marshall, Joseph Tanfani and Peter Eisler; editing by Jason Szep and Brian Thevenot)
Eric Buchannon speaks as families and activist gather to protest the Alabama Department of Corrections outside the Alabama Criminal Justice Center in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.

A protest and labor strike on opposite sides of Alabamas prison walls began Monday morning to denounce what activists call inhumane treatment of Alabamas nearly 20,000 incarcerated people.

Protesters gathered outside the Alabama Department of Corrections central office in Montgomery at 9 a.m. with a list of demands for prison and criminal justice changes, including a repeal of the states habitual offender law and additional oversight of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

Individuals incarcerated at all of Alabamas major prisons began a labor strike the same day, and activists in contact with people in prison said that strike will continue until demands are met.

ADOC confirmed the worker stoppages in an email to the Montgomery Advertiser on Monday afternoon and said, Controlled movement and other security measures have been deployed." They didn't elaborate, citing safety concerns.

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Alabama prisons rely on the labor of those they incarcerate, using cheap or unpaid inmate labor for cooking, cleaning, maintenance and manufacturing products like license plates and furniture for Alabama Correctional Industries.

Despite the strike, ADOC Commissioner John Hamm said the prisons remained operational.

All facilities are operational and there have been no disruption of critical services, Hamm said in a statement provided to the Advertiser.

ADOC hasnt responded to Advertisers requests for clarification. Organizers in contact with inmates said nearly all prisons have denied recreation time, education and substance abuse classes, meals and movement around the prisons in response to the strike.

The protest  organizers called it the Break Every Chain Rally  featured testimony from activists, formerly incarcerated individuals and those with loved ones in prison. Independent gubernatorial candidate Jared Budlong, who has focused much of his platform on criminal justice and prison reform, also spoke.

Story continues

Eric Buchannon, a contract painter in Birmingham who was released in 2018 after seven years in prison, shared the groups platform via a megaphone.

The group made the following demands to the state:

Establish mandatory parole criteria to guarantee parole to all eligible who meet the criteria

Repeal Alabamas Habitual Felony Offender Act, which requires stricter punishment for those with prior felony convictions, among other mandates

Eliminate life-without-parole sentences

Reduce the 30-year minimum for juvenile offenders to no more than 15 before they are eligible for parole

Create a review board to oversee the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles

Streamline the review process for medical furlough

Ensure eligible persons receive good time  incentive time shaved off a sentence earned through good behavior

Create a statewide conviction integrity unit to investigate possible wrongful convictions

The state of Alabama is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis due to 8th Amendment violations. This crisis has occurred as a result of antiquated sentencing laws that led to overcrowding, numerous deaths, severe physical injury, as well as mental anguish to incarcerated individuals, the protests organizers wrote on a flyer delivered to the ADOC office. This humanitarian crisis led to the Department of Justice filing suit against (Gov.) Kay Ivey and ADOC yet, nothing has changed or gotten better only worse.

Protesters objected to the states plans to open two new 4,000-bed mens prisons.

A building is an inanimate object. It does not correct. It does not reform, said Tracy Eason, a healthcare worker who traveled from Deatsville for the protest. As long as youve got a lack of heart, new prisons will not fix it. The abuses will continue.

Alabamas prison system, plagued by violence, sexual assault, drug use and death and suffering from severe understaffing and overcrowding, was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2020.

DOC cant build itself away from sexual assault, said Travis Jackson of Montgomery.

From October 2021 to July 2022, 179 people died in Alabama prisons, according to ADOCs most recent monthly report.

As Buchannon spoke, Jackson held up a sign.

Am I next?"

Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanMealins.

Your subscription makes our journalism possible. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama prison laborers strike, activists deliver demands to ADOC
LONDON  William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales have made their first royal Welsh visit with their new titles.

The royal couple visited Anglesey, an island in Wales, where they resided in Wales between 2010 and 2013, when William was helicopter pilot for the RAF.

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Since Queen Elizabeth IIs death on Sept. 8, the princes and princess roles have changed, and they have added responsibilities as they step one step closer to the throne in the line of succession.

Catherine, Princess of Wales being presented with a posy of flowers by four-year-old Theo Crompton while William, Prince of Wales stands by during their visit to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Wales. (Photo by Paul Ellis  WPA Pool / Getty Images)

Kate Middleton marked the end of the royal mourning period by wearing a red wool coat from LK Bennett with gold detailing. She carried a Grace Han bag and wore gold earrings from Welsh jewelry brand Spells of Love.

Since becoming the Princess of Wales, Middleton has been nodding to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, in her sartorial choices. On Thursdays visit, she wore a black collarless coat from Dolce & Gabbana similar to Dianas black double-breasted coat by Jasper Conran that she wore to the service commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

When Diana married Prince Charles, then Prince of Wales, they went on a three-day visit to Wales in October 1981.

Diana, Princess of Wales wearing a red suit with a black pleated skirt designed by Donald Campbell and a hat by John Boyd in 1981. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)

On the trip, Diana wore a red suit with a black pleated skirt designed by Donald Campbell and a hat by John Boy.

On Thursday, the couple stepped out for their first royal engagement since the queens death. The couple were in full mourning clothing which ended on Monday.

The mourning period extends for seven days after the state funeral for the royal family, which means that members of the royal household must follow the protocol of wearing black or dark clothing.

Launch Gallery: 13 Times Kate Middleton Channeled Princess Diana

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Click here to read the full article.
When Carolyn Burkhart walked from Mexico to Canada 46 years ago, she pieced together her route along remote trails and logging roads, navigating with torn paper maps and a 50-pound pack bouncing on her back.

Her hike along the vaguely defined Pacific Crest Trail took six months, as she trekked through forests and deserts, across snowy mountain passes, out of touch for weeks at a time. Occasionally crossing paths with hikers making the same epic journey, she'd compare notes about finding their way.

Just 11 people made the journey that year, making Burkhart and those 10 others literal trailblazers along a route designated by Congress in 1968 but not yet formally laid out on any maps. The forests were lush, the snows deep, the route vague.

"Back then, for maybe one-third of California, there was no trail," said Burkhart, who believes she was the first woman to hike the trail alone.

Carolyn Burkhart, 67, was one of the first 100 people to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. She's pictured at the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail on the U.S.-Canada border after finishing the trail for the first time in 1976 at age 21, on left, and again in recent years.

Today, modern PCT hikers known as thru-hikers make the grueling trek in about five months, aided by lighter camping gear but also a precisely defined 2,650-mile route they download to their phones and GPS trackers. In 2019, the last year before pandemic restrictions, nearly 1,000 people completed the hike, with 1,189 finishers in 2018.

But while the trail today is clearly defined, there's a growing challenge that Burkhart or her peers never envisioned in the 1970s: Increasingly devastating wildfires are forcing land managers each year to temporarily close large sections of the trail for safety.

And those closures are raising questions about whether future generations of hikers will ever be able to complete the epic journey in a single year.

After all, who wants to spend months hiking though forests devastated by catastrophic wildfires, complicating what is already a body-shredding journey?

"Hiking in smoke is terrible and is really bad for the lungs, obviously," said Emory Wanger, who hiked on the PCT in 2017. While he hasn't experienced major side effects, he said many people get headaches and sometimes nosebleeds from smoke.

Story continues

"Some push through, but Ive also seen smoke end a hike entirely. The thicker the smoke, the worse it is and it really sucks if youre stuck on a section where bailing is not an option," he said.

He added: "As for reroutes, its a gut punch and often adds road walking, hitching or additional miles that were not accounted for just to reach a trailhead."

IN COLORADO: People die summitting 14,000-foot mountain peaks. These climbers do it anyway.

The Dixie Fire sparked on July 13 and has burned over 217,000 acres, over 50 structures, and has over 5,000 people fighting the blaze on July 27, 2021.

Almost no one finishes the PCT

Congress created the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail to help Americans access and enjoy public lands. Although the general route was finalized in 1972, the trail wasn't finished until 1993, with rangers linking existing trails with new stretches, replacing the logging roads Burkhart used.

Although millions of people hike on portions of the PCT, only about 800 to 1,000 people annually complete what's considered a true thru-hike: walking the entire trail from start to finish in a single summer.

To date, 8,671 people have attested their completion, the vast majority of them since the 2012 publication of Cheryl Strayed's book "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail," according to the Pacific Crest Trail Association. About 780 people completed the trail in 2021.

Hikers have traditionally walked from south to north, chasing the spring thaw up and over California's Sierras so they can finish up in at the Canadian border before the winter snows return.

Will "Akuna" Robinson, 41, first heard about the Pacific Crest Trail in when he saw the movie "Wild," which features actress Reese Witherspoon as author Strayed. Robinson had returned from war in Iraq and was depressed, disabled and battling PTSD.

"Id never backpacked in my life, but I knew that was I needed to do," said Robinson, who is now a sponsored hiker based in Texas. "I got on Amazon right then and I was on the trail a couple of weeks later."

Will "Akuna" Robinson poses for a photo at the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail at the Mexican border in this undated photo.

That first go, Robinson hiked about 1,500 miles but had to leave due to injuries. He re-started and finished the trail in 2017 on his way to becoming the first Black man to complete what's known as the Triple Crown of thru-hiking: the PCT, the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, and the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail.

Hiking the trail requires more than just walking. Because it's impossible to carry enough food for the entire journey, most hikers establish food drops, either by mailing packages to themselves to be held at local post offices, or by arranging drop-offs where trails cross roads. And because weather conditions vary, many thru-hikers swap out sleeping gear, shelters and clothes as needed.

On the trail, hikers leapfrog each other, sometimes for the entire season, sometimes walking with a group, sometimes alone. And they usually adopt a trail persona or nickname. Robinson's references the phrase "hakuna matata," popularized in the 1994 Disney animated movie "The Lion King."

When he started his hike, Robinson closely followed the exact PCT route. But after thousands of miles of hiking, he's come to understand the actual route doesn't matter that much.

"For me, it really just is about hiking the trail that's open to you," Robinson said. "You might think you're in control but you're not. Nature is. And you have to adjust and adapt."

Will "Akuna" Robinson poses for a photo on the Pacific Crest Trail in this undated photo.

How climate change is changing the journey for hikers

That attitude is increasingly what Mother Nature requires, said Scott Wilkinson, a spokesman for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. The nonprofit oversees thru-hiker permits, and Wilkinson said trail closures monitored by the PCTA have increased, particularly since 2020, when there was always at least some portion of the trail closed during the main hiking season of April to September.

"Particularly in the past two or three years, it's been difficult, if not impossible, to hike every mile of the trail in order from one end to the other," Wilkinson said. "It's absolutely a concern, and it's concern driven by climate change."

The amount of land burned by wildfires annually has quintupled from when Burkhart hiked the trail, according to researchers at UC San Diego Scripps Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes. They predict more large-scale wildfires will burn in months that were traditionally fire-free.

FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE: Controlled burns remain essential as wildfires intensify

TRAVEL: What national parks can do to make the outdoors more accessible

Meanwhile, hikers in California are already seeing the impact of climate change on the trail, from shorter, warmer winters to unusually heavy rainfall caused by atmospheric rivers, the researchers said.

"For the most part, dealing with the weather is fine: a storm moves in and you can hunker down, you can wait for it to pass," Wanger said, who hiked the PCT in 2017 after serving two tours as a Marine in Iraq. "But the thing that closes down a trail is fire. There are no ifs, ands, and buts about it."

Wanger said he's seen a growing trend of thru-hikers fixated on "redlining" the trail, where they feel compelled to follow the trail's exact mapped route via GPS. He doesn't consider himself a true thru-hiker because he missed hiking 100 miles of an unusually snowy portion during his hike.

"Every single year, the trail is different," said Wanger, 38. "Thru-hiking, I realized at the end of it, it's not so much a hike. It's more of a pilgrimage. What I regret missing most is the things I would have learned about myself on those sections, rather than the regret of the actual miles I missed."

Experts say the challenge of hiking the PCT will continue growing as long as climate change keeps exacerbating existing fire danger in forests that are already primed to burn due to drought.

In Northern California's Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Dixie Fire in 2021 prompted widespread trail closures, including a 20-mile section of the PCT. Park managers closed the trails before the fire even arrived, worried out-of-touch hikers might get trapped by the advancing flames, said Amanda Sweeney, one of the park's rangers. The closures blocked some hikers from finishing the trail.

Today, the Drakesbad Guest Ranch inside the park, along with a campground  both popular with PCT hikers looking for showers and toilets  remain closed, even though the trail is back open.

"That window for PCT hikers is small. Even a short closure can have a huge effect," Sweeney said. "And that Dixie Fire footprint is massive, so even with the trail being open, the experience is so awful that a lot of people were opting to skip that section."

DIXIE WILDFIRE'S AFTERMATH: Charred buildings, burned cars and an abandoned town

Wildfire smoke itself is unhealthy to breathe, even from hundreds of miles away, and burned areas are dangerous to hike through because embers can smolder for weeks, dead trees can topple, and mudslides can destroy the trail.

UCLA professor Glen MacDonald said the forests Burkhart hiked through in the 1970s saw fewer and smaller wildfires, in part because federal officials aggressively extinguished them. But that policy ultimately led to unhealthier forests primed to burn, he said, and now those ready-to-burn forests are even more dangerous due to ongoing drought and a longer wildfire season.

MacDonald, who is the John Muir Memorial Chair in Geography, said he recently had to end a forest research project because there was so much smoke in the air.

"Hiking through a burned landscape is not that pleasant. It's not pleasant visually but you also have all that ash and dust," he said, adding that the fires cause water quality issues.

'Every mile has meaning'

While it's easy to say hikers should simply alter their route, younger backpackers who grew up watching YouTube videos, reading Strayed's book or seeing the movie are heavily invested in seeing specific sights, said Chris "Rad" Carter, 26. Carter thru-hiked the PCT in 2018 and then did both the Appalachian and Continental Divide trails in 2021.

"We want to experience every mile because every mile now has meaning," he said. "It's a magical journey, and to be asked to skip 700 miles because of a fire, well, this isn't just a weekend adventure."

Craig "Oh That Craig" Giffen, 49, remembers seeing the same rock formations from different angles because the trail was re-routed in between his journeys when he hiked large portions of the trail in 1994, thru-hiked it in 1996, and then again in 2013. Giffen in 1997 created what has become a popular PCT planning website, using his expertise as a computer programmer to help hikers plot their route and resupply stops.

He got his nickname because so many of the hikers he encountered knew his name from the planning website.

"It's hard to hike it 'correctly,'" Giffen said of the PCT. "Jobs come and go. Relationships come and go. But the trail will always be there."

Carolyn Burkhart poses for a photo along the Pacific Crest Trail in this undated picture.

'Change your path'

For decades, Burkhart's name and identity have been closely tied to the PCT.

Burkhart, whose nickname is Ravensong because she can imitate ravens, operated a hikers lodge called Ravensongs Roost in Mazama, Washington, about 30 miles from the trail's northern terminus at the Canadian border, often hiking portions of the trail with her kids.

But she recently sold the lodge. Speaking to USA TODAY from Norway, where she now lives, she recalled how the southern portions of California used to be greener, with more water available. The more frequent wildfires have become, the less she wanted to hike there anymore, she said.

Burkhart encouraged hikers to reconsider what it means to hike the PCT in a time of wildfires, not just from a simple logistics standpoint, but from a philosophical one.

"We're talking about a journey from Mexico to Canada or the reverse," she said. "It's not about just following a line on a map. This is journey. The destination is not necessarily the point."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hiking the PCT: How climate change is ruining the Pacific Crest Trail
Long before launching her namesake label, Kika Vargas dreamed of designing clothes that were inspired by and rooted in her Colombian heritage. The Bogota-born designer, who previously worked for the Italian label Missoni, says her mission was to go back [to Colombia] to build something for us, as a community, as a country.

That dream has become a reality for Vargas inner child, who used to fantasize about making clothes during family trips to Europe. A graduate of both School of the Art Institute in Chicago and the Instituto Marangoni in Milan, Vargas grew up surrounded by creativity, thanks largely to her parents, who are art collectors and gallery owners. At Missoni, Vargas learned firsthand the craft of print-making from a storied house known for its 70s-inspired, vibrant prints, but she longed for home. By 2010, she moved to Bogota and kicked off her eponymous brand.

More than a decade later, Vargas is on her way to becoming an international household name. Known for its voluminous ruffles, bubble-hemmed frocks, and cottagecore-ready puff sleeves, Vargas label is now sold in luxury retailers worldwide, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Matches. In 2021, the brand was a finalist for the 2021 LVMH Prize, alongside names like Christopher John Rogers and Charles de Vilmorin. Just recently, Vargas became part of Targets annual designer collaboration, alongside Sergio Hudson and La Ligne.

Even as the label grows, Vargas mission remains the same. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Vargas and her Colombia-based team started a new phase for the business, focusing on working with and sourcing from the countrys local pool of craftspeople and traditions. It was always my dream to have something in Colombia and support the industry there, she says. I like saying that instead of building our country, were tailoring it.

In the past, Latin American fashion designers have done things a little differently. Similarly to Vargas, designers like Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Narciso Rodriguez, and Isabel Toledo cut their teeth and grew their brands in the United States, yet few opted for their native countries as a home base. For Vargas, this is what distinguishes a new generation of Latin American creatives from their predecessors: Before, people would leave and never come back, and now, young creatives want to bring new tools to their country with pride.

Story continues

Beyond geographical location, Vargas brand is also heavily inspired by Colombias look and feel. You see it in the frothy textures, colorful prints, ruffled hemlines, and detailed construction that has always characterized Latin American craftsmanship. The overall effect is also embedded with a bit of fantasy, or what is known in the literary and art worlds as magical realism. Latin America has a unique type of beauty that feels like magic wherever you look, says Vargas. The garments speak to this aesthetic: ethereal frocks that are equally appropriate for a day at the market or cocktail event, as well as prints, all hand-drawn by Vargas, that come alive with stories as you look closer.

Later this month, when her collaboration with Target launches, Vargas label will be available to millions in the United States at a newly accessible price point. She considers it a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between mass retail and luxury design: Its super important that people know they can buy designer clothes for an affordable price, and that its still well-made in the details and materials, she says. Although Colombians at home wont be able to buy the collection  Target is not established in Latin America yet  Vargas is excited to introduce her brand to a new slew of customers in the US, bringing them a piece of her homeland.

Im just very proud, she says.

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PARIS  Angel, the blockbuster womens fragrance from Mugler, turns 30 this year and to kick off celebrations it will get a new campaign.

Sandrine Groslier, president of Mugler Fashion and Fragrance at LOreal, reminisced about how Angel was like a UFO when it landed in 1993. It was a blue fragrance with a sweet, candy-like scent coming in a star-shaped, refillable bottle that lay on its side.

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What is most important is to make everyone understand that Angel is new forever, she said, describing the perfume as having glamour, breaking the mold, being audacious, luxurious and today  iconic and still young. We really wanted at the same time to pay tribute to the past 30 years of creation of Angel and Thierry Mugler Parfums, and to project the brand into the future.

Its also a tribute to Manfred Thierry Mugler, the brands founder, who died last January.

Angels celebration will have four parts, with the first being the new fragrance campaign, called We Are All Angel, meant also to fete the One Mugler strategy that unites the brands fashion and fragrance businesses. The campaign, intended to seduce new generations of consumers, as well, will be teased on Monday and revealed on Mugler social media platforms on Tuesday.

It is to run for three months in the perfumes three largest markets sales-wise  France, the U.S. and U.K.  with biggest play on TV and online.

Angel

Casey Cadwallader, Mugler Fashions creative director, was in charge of the artistic direction of the campaign, which features seven talents. He worked with Publicis Luxe and Torso Solutions.

Since it is the 30-year anniversary of Angel, we wanted to both pay homage to Mr. Muglers creation of the fragrance and its meaning, but also redefine what Angel means today, said Cadwallader. We built this campaign around an amazing cast that shows that Angel has different facets.

Story continues

Mugler doesnt have just one muse, and we do not conform to one standard of beauty, he continued. We show amazing people, being their strongest selves. I believe in this for our shows, and I believe in this for Angel.

We really wanted to bring that freshness, energy and vision of the brand, and all the diversity, inclusivity and self-affirmation, continued Groslier.

The concept of the campaign is the expression of seven different contemporary femininities, because at the end of the day what is Angel about? she continued. Angel is about the expression of yourself, your femininity and to express the limitless possibilities of metamorphosis.

To appear in the campaign, Mugler chose people who are close friends of the house  from the past and present. One is Irina Shayk, who was the common dream of Mr. Mugler and Casey Cadwallader to be in a campaign, said Groslier.

Theres also a close friend of Muglers, Berlin-based artist Nina de Lianin.

She was the ultimate muse of Manfred Thierry Mugler, said Groslier, who added the designer had told her that one day he wanted Nina to be part of a cast for Angel.

From Cadwalladers community comes actress and model Yilan Hua; poet, activist and model Kai-Isaiah Jamal, and Jazzelle  aka Uglyworldwide.

Shes really an emblem of the Generation Z, said Groslier.

Theres also Raya Martigny, a model and artist, and model Ariish Wol.

Ariish Wol

For us, community is really important, continued Groslier. We wanted to bring altogether in that new, inclusive and diverse cast [the representation of] the different facets of femininity without the idea of gender. Its really a broad vision of what femininity is about and close to Mr. Mugler and Caseys vision of femininity.

Numerous spots were produced. In the 60-second version, the talents strike a pose, then each is featured with star imagery or an Angel bottle. Theyre reunited again, dancing and posing. The tagline Were all Angel is said at the end.

Weve got a lot of snackable content with all these models or artists, and they are very keen to collaborate on this project, said Groslier, explaining each will share the content on their own social platforms.

The executive said Angel is really back in Europe. It is strong in France, for instance. There, it figured in the top five, top 15 in the U.K. and top 12 in Europe in 2021, according to statistics from NPD Group.

In the U.S., Angel is bouncing back, after having ranked among the top 10 there a few years ago, she said.

Since Mugler wants to pay tribute to the customers and retailers in its key countries, there will be two events taking place in November.

In London starting Nov. 6 and running for a month will be a One Mugler pop-up embodying the brands new retail image. What specific retailer it will be housed in still remains under wraps.

It will be a tribute to the global brand, but also with a specific tribute to Angel, said Groslier, of the shop-in-shop. A specific [limited-edition] Angel star will be developed for that city and event.

In New York, the hit exhibition Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, a comprehensive retrospective, will be showcased at the Brooklyn Museum, from Nov. 18 to May 7. That will be the final stop of the traveling show, and the New York iteration will have two rooms dedicated to Muglers fragrance world, including Angel. The city is close to the brand, as its first campaign was shot there, and it was where the designer Thierry Mugler spent 15 years of his life.

The third part of the anniversary festivities will take place in early 2023, when Mugler enters into the metaverse and Web 3.0 to mark Angels anniversary there. Then, events and projects in Paris, in March 2023, will make up the final, and fourth, phase of the birthday festivities.

Click here to read the full article.
A Fox News anchor is being mocked on social media for apparently forgetting that Puerto Rico is a US territory as she covered Hurricane Ian.

Martha MacCallum was telling Fox News viewers about the devastating impacts of hurricanes in places such as Cuba and Puerto Rico on Wednesday when she quipped: Thank God we have better infrastructure in our country.

She continued: Weve put a lot of investment in to make sure were ready for these things but its an act of nature. You never know what to expect.

Many scolded MacCallum for failing to mention that Puerto Rico was in fact part of the US and had been battered by Hurricane Fiona earlier this month before Hurricane Ian passed on its way to Florida, where it made landfall with 155mph winds.

Puerto Rico has been a US territory sense the flippin 1800s! wrote one Twitter user. And does she mean the better infurstructure that was destroyed by the 150 plus mile an hour winds?

Another wrote: Pretty Bad when FOX news or better yet the MAGA broadcast network doesnt know Puerto Rico is a US Territory.

Puerto Rico is our country & theres few areas in the continental US that arent one severe weather event away from looking like The Walking Dead, added a third person.

Many in Puerto Rico are still without power or electricity despite a disaster declaration by President Joe Biden and the release of emergency federal assistance to the territory, which had only just begun recovering from a devastating hurricane in 2017 that destroyed the islands power network when it was hit by Fiona.

Puerto Rico has been a US territory sense the flippin 1800's! And does she mean the "better" infurstructure that was destroyed by the 150+ mile an hour winds?#FoxNewsIsAJoke https://t.co/5M7zALdECC  Vaxed Marine (Jon Jon) (@LukeDa58) September 29, 2022

As reported by Politico, Biden promised to visit Puerto Rico in recent days despite the recovery and rescue operation underway in Florida, which has been devastated by a Category 4 storm.

Millions are still without power and many remain waiting to be rescued, while entire coastal communities have been destroyed in the state.

I want to be clear: To the people of Puerto Rico, were not going away, Mr Biden said on Thursday. I am committed to you and the recovery of the island. Well stand by you for however long it takes to get it done.
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter on Saturday broke up an investigation carried out in apparent coordination between federal and Canadian authorities at a Great Falls gun show, saying those agencies had not contacted his office beforehand.

Although state law does not require federal investigators to obtain approval from local law enforcement to conduct operations, the agents left the fairgrounds "reluctantly" and without issue. Slaughter has positioned himself as a "constitutional sheriff," which theorizes sheriffs are the ultimate authority in their county  above local, state and federal officials  raising questions in this incident about possible friction between layers of law enforcement.

According to a Sept. 24 report compiled by the Cascade County Sheriff's Office, Slaughter and a deputy responded to a complaint that a man at the Montana Expo Park was acting suspiciously by taking photographs of vehicles. According to the fairgrounds director, the man was driving around the property in a black SUV with Canadian license plates, but never entered the show.

A deputy contacted the man, who identified himself as Richard Kurina, a Canadian police officer with the Lethbridge Police Department working with a Royal Canadian Mounted Police task force. According to the sheriff's office report, Kurina said the task force was designed to catch Canadians smuggling illegal firearms into Canada and that he was with another officer, Agent Craig Howe with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

According to the report, Slaughter questioned Howe on why his office wasn't contacted about the investigation; Howe said he had made contact with city police. The fairgrounds however are under the county's jurisdiction. Howe added the person they were investigating was an American who did not have a federal firearms license to sell guns, according to the report. Slaughter noted this was a different reason than that provided by the Canadian police officer.

After a discussion under the fairgrounds' grandstands, Slaughter "informed them they had to leave, to which they did."

"I told Craig that because he did not tell me about the operation, they were no longer allowed to continue conducting it," Slaughter wrote in his section of the report. "Craig then stated he does not have to tell me, insinuating that because he is a federal agent he is not required to do so."

In a phone interview Thursday, Slaughter acknowledged that federal agents in fact do not have to make contact with local law enforcement.

"They're supposed to, it's a courtesy thing," Slaughter said. "They need to tell us what's going on, because we're responsible for that jurisdiction."

The offices of the ATF, the RCMP and Lethbridge Police Department did not immediately return requests for comment Thursday.

Slaughter said he had several concerns after learning of the investigation underway at the fairgrounds, primarily a public safety concern that if the federal or Canadian authorities were to use force in any way, they might be mistaken as a citizen assaulting another citizen. Citizens, local law enforcement or the agents involved could have been injured "if something went awry," he said.

The sheriff also said he has constitutional questions about the legality of the investigation.

"I don't know what their investigation was, it's important that you print that," Slaughter said, noting again the two investigations he was told about; looking for Canadians smuggling guns to the north, and investigating an American who was not licensed to sell firearms.

Slaughter said that had the federal and Canadian agencies contacted his office prior to Saturday's incident, he would have been able to call off questions of who the agents were, or what they were doing, allowing the investigations to proceed.

Asked Thursday if drawing attention to the federal agents put those law enforcement officers in jeopardy, Slaughter said their police work outed themselves.

"We don't know they're undercover," Slaughter said. "We don't know who they are, but we have them acting suspiciously."

Slaughter said he expects next legislative session, which begins in January, to see passage of a bill that would require federal agencies to make contact with local law enforcement before launching an investigation on the ground. Such a law would further validate his stance as a "constitutional sheriff."

Such proposals, known previously under the banner of "Sheriffs First," have failed to pass muster in the state Legislature before. In 2011, a Republican state Senator from Thompson Falls introduced a bill that would have subjected federal agents to kidnapping or trespassing charges if they failed to obtain permission from the local sheriff to effectuate an investigation. Supporters said the legislation would prevent the bloodshed seen in episodes like the 1993 federal raid in Waco, Texas.

But state law enforcement officers and prosecutors called the measure unconstitutional, adding it would disrupt important federal operations and interagency cooperation of state, local and federal officials.

A legislative committee ultimately gutted that bill by removing the requirement agencies receive permission to begin investigations and replacing it with non-binding language merely encouraging agencies to "use the knowledge and expertise" of local law enforcement.

Gov. Marc Racicot, a Republican, had vetoed similar legislation in 1995 and in 2011, Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer vetoed the proposal again, writing it was "unenforceable and therefore unnecessary."

"Communication between federal and state law enforcement officials is established when those law enforcement officials talk to each other," Schweitzer's April 13, 2011 veto read. "Communication is not established through passage of frivolous legislation."

It's unclear if federal agencies have become less inclined to work with Slaughter since he has taken a public stance as a constitutional sheriff. Asked if he believed they had, Slaughter deferred.

"If that's the issue, that's their issue, not mine," he said. "I've always had a cooperation with the federal government. But it has to be reciprocal. It's not just a one-way communication.

"We're all on the same team and we should be working together, not separately."
George Clooney gushes about wife Amal at their first Albie Awards: Couldnt be more proud

George Clooney has spoken highly of his wife Amal Clooneys passion for helping free journalists who have been wrongly accused of and detained for their work all over the world.

The couple hosted their inaugural Albie Awards through their Clooney Foundation for Justice on Thursday night (29 September) at the New York Public Library.

The Albie Awards, named after South African lawyer and former judge Justice Albie Sachs, honoured those who have devoted their lives to justice and recognised judges, lawyers and rights groups for their work.

In a speech outside the library, the Ticket to Paradise star revealed what he loved most about creating the event with his wife.

We collaborate on everything. We collaborated on twins! George said. But you know, this is an exciting one because Amals gotten journalists out of Egypt, out of Azerbaijan, prisons, out of all over the world, Myanmar.

My fathers a journalist. I have a great affinity for them. Her mothers a journalist. So its really exciting for me when shes able to get people who are wrongly accused for doing their job [out of prison].

The Oscar-winning actor added: So for me I couldnt be more proud of my wife.

Amal is a Lebanese-British barrister specialising in international law and human rights. Aside from helping journalists secure freedom, she also frequently represents victims of mass atrocities as well as political prisoners.

The awards ceremony was attended by celebrities including Meryl Streep, John Oliver, Julia Roberts, Dua Lipa, and Bruce Springsteen.

Amal Clooney and George Clooney attend the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards at New York Public Library on September 29, 2022 (Getty Images for Albie Awards)

Sachs, who worked to end apartheid in South Africa and was a key player in writing the countrys constitution, was given a lifetime achievement award for his work.

The Justice for Journalists award was received by Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, who also became the first Filipino recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.

Elsewhere, iAct, an organisation that supports survivors of genocide in refugee camps, was honoured with the Justice for Survivors award, while Belarusian human rights group Viasna received the Justice for Democracy Defenders award.

The Hollywood power couple founded their organisation in 2016 to create a world where human rights are protected and no one is above the law.

They write on the Clooney Foundation for Justice website: We believe that justice, like war, must be waged; it doesnt happen on its own. So we gather evidence of mass human rights abuses, provide legal support to victims, and work to ensure that perpetrators are held to account.
The SI Swimsuit model is a bona fide pro. The model displayed absolute class during her first shoot for the SI Swimsuit Issue.

Georgina Burke is a bona fide pro. The model displayed absolute class during her first shoot for the SI Swimsuit Issue. In an interview with fellow SI Swimsuit model Camille Kostek on the red carpet at the 2022 launch event in New York City, Burke revealed that she found out only 24 hours before call time that shed be included in the 2022 issue.

I was actually in Montana at my boyfriends place and received a call, she said. Theyre like, How can you get to Barbados? Burke hopped on a midnight flight to New York City where she flew to Barbados just in the nick of time for her first shoot.

Watch the Video:

Kostek then asked Burke what her favorite look was at her shoot. The Burke NYC swimwear founder/designer noted that her fave was actually one of the suits she had created.

Burkes size-inclusive line was born out of her difficulty of being able to find great plus-size swimwear. The Australian model created the change she wanted to see by making her own swimsuits. The suits have noticeably clean lines, good structure and fabric, and will make anyone feel super confident.

While Burke has worked incredibly hard to establish her foothold in the swimwear industry, she makes it a priority to put her mental health first. In fact, she attributes being in good mental standing as the most important part of being a model. So if youre wondering how Burke maintained her glow in the midst of her unexpected rookie shoot, you may have just found your answer.
Vice President Harris on Thursday visited the Demilitarized Zone as part of her trip to South Korea, hours before South Koreas military reported that North Korea fired another ballistic missile.

Harris visit was the last stop on her four-day trip to Asia and she stressed the ironclad commitment the U.S. has to South Korea.

Here you see at the DMZ, U.S. soldiers serving shoulder to shoulder with soldiers from the Republic of Korea, she said with visiting the heavily guarded area dividing the Korean Peninsula.

They are training together they are committed to working in solidarity around a shared purpose and goal, which is to maintain the security and the stability of this region of the world. I cannot state enough that commitment of the United States to the defense of the Republic of Korea is ironclad, she added.

North Koreas launch on Thursday was the third round of missile tests by the country this week, following two ballistic missiles test-fired on Wednesday right before Harris arrived in South Korea. They started tests on Sunday, before Harris left for her trip.

It is clearly a provocation, and it is meant we believe to destabilize the region and were taking it seriously, and everyone should, Harris said when asked about North Koreas nuclear threats.

And that is one of the reasons why the visit that I have made to Korea, to the Republic of Korea is important because it is a statement about the strength of our alliance and our dedication, the United States dedication, to this alliance both in terms of security, American stability for the region and for the Indo-pacific as a whole, she added.

In later remarks, Harris said she spoke to President Biden about threats from North Korea earlier on Thursday.

The DPRK has the ballistic missile launch program, apparently, including just yesterday and are destabilizing the peace and security of this region. Our shared goal, the United States and the Republic of Korea is a complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, she added.

Story continues

Harris used binoculars to look toward North Korea as she was briefed on the area, including how communication happens between both sides at the DMZ.

She asked briefers on the ground a few questions, including what is the process for preparing for high level talks and the average delayed response from the other side. She was told some responses on routine items take as little as 30 minutes.

She was also told about the two villages that fall within the DMZ. The vice president asked for the population of the villages and when the briefer responded, she laughed and said, Whens the last time you took a census? Babies get born, things change.

This is historic, she said as she left. Weve stepped into history.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Utahs High West Distillery has announced the launch of the tenth edition of its limited-release A Midwinter Nights Dram Act 10, a blend of rye whiskeys finished in port barrels. And to celebrate a decade of this Shakespeare-inspired spirit, the distillery is also releasing A Midwinter Nights Dram: The Encore, an even more limited limited-release that was finished in white port barrels.

The formula for A Midwinter Nights Dram changes from year to year, but the 2022 release is as follows: the liquid consists of High Wests Rendezvous Rye that was finished in tawny and ruby port barrels, a blend of 80 percent rye and 20 percent malted rye distilled in-house, and 95 percent rye and 5 percent barley malt from MGP in Indiana. Its bottled at 49.3 percent ABV with an SRP of $150. The Encore has the same blend at its core, but this whiskey was finished in white port barrels from Portugal, an unusual cask finish for American whiskey. According to the distillery team, this type of barrel is much harder to get, and the effect of this cask finish was to give the whiskey similar characteristics to brandy. This whiskey was actually supposed to be blended into the new A Midwinter Nights Dram, but after tasting it master distiller Brendan Coyle liked it so much he decided to release it on its own. Encore is bottled at 50.8 percent ABV and is a distillery-only release ($150).

More from Robb Report

It goes without saying that A Midwinter Nights Dram is our most anticipated launch each year, said Coyle in a statement. We really started to notice it taking off the past five to six years, and the line that now forms at the distillery bright and early on release day speaks for itself Each years Act is a slightly nuanced expression thanks to the flavors the whiskey picks up from the barrels, which are sourced from different wineries and have unique characteristics. With this years release of Act 10, youll taste notes of dark rye bread, black currant jam, candied ginger, bergamot, and smoked apple wood.

Story continues

Both whiskeys will be available next week, although youll have to travel to Utah to get your hands on a bottle of The Encore. Of course, it will hit the secondary market eventually as well, and a rep for High West mentioned that it is expected to sell for about $1,000 a bottle once it does. I guess congratulations are in order, High West, because it looks like youve got a baby unicorn on your hands.

Best of Robb Report

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Indiana State Excise Police logo. Photo provided

SOUTH BEND  Officials are investigating a Thursday night exchange of gunfire on the northeast side of South Bend between an Indiana State Excise Police officer and a person the trooper was following.

There were no reported injuries, state police said in a release, and the shooting started around 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of North Jacobs Street and Rockne Drive when the individual got out of their car and began firing at the trooper's unmarked vehicle.

The trooper shot back as the person ran and got back into their car to drive away. It's unclear if the individual was hit, police say.

The state's excise police typically enforce regulations from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission in addition to performing duties similar to other police agencies. Members of the state police's Bremen post are investigating the incident and will forward their findings to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's office once completed, the release said.

Police say the excise officer was working a "special detail" around local convenience stores and began following a late 1990s or early 2000s model Honda Civic going northeast on Rockne. When the silver Civic approached North Jacobs Street, the driver stopped in the road, got out of the car and started shooting at the trooper's car. The person fired "multiple shots," police say, and the officer returned fire.

Niles homicides:Residents feel unsafe after string of connected shootings

The person "briefly fled on foot" before getting back into their car and speeding off. The trooper didn't pursue the suspect's vehicle after the exchange, police say, and the individual has not been detained as of Thursday morning.

It is unclear why the excise trooper began following the Civic or if the officer tried to identify themselves before being shot at. An ISP spokesman did not immediately return a phone call seeking additional information about the incident Friday morning, but this story will be updated if he does.

Email Marek Mazurek at mmazurek@sbtinfo.com. Follow him on Twitter: @marek_mazurek

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana Excise police exchange shots with a suspect in South Bend
Sioux Falls 35th annual Festival of Bands kicks off Saturday morning, with 40 bands from South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota competing for first place honors in the parade, field competition and evening finals.

The citys five host bands  Washington, Roosevelt, Jefferson, Lincoln and OGorman High Schools  perform exhibition-only in the parade, and at the evening field finals. All proceeds from the days events are equally distributed to the five band departments.

Its a chance for Sioux Falls residents to cheer on all five high schools along with other area bands, especially the Lincoln High School Patriot Marching Band, which won the Bands of America regional competition in Waukee, Iowa, on Saturday.

More:How the Sound of USD adopted the university's provost into the band to play trombone

The Patriot band made history as the first-ever South Dakota band to win the regional competition against 15 other bands. The closest a South Dakota band has come to winning the competition was in 1985, when Lincoln won second place.

Lincoln marching band members cheer in unison from the stands on Friday, September 10, 2021 in the Presidents Bowl at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls.

The event is run by more than 30 volunteer members, who spend more than half a year organizing the festival. Theyre supported by more than 400 parent volunteers from the community, who help coordinate and run the days events, which sees more than 5,000 students and more than 10,000 spectators each year.

What to know about the parade:

Thirty-one bands will march in the parade starting at 8 a.m. Sioux Falls School District Superintendent Jane Stavem is the parades grand marshal this year.

The parade will be held adjacent to Covell Lake and near the field competition at Howard Wood Field, starting on West Madison Street and turning onto North Lake Avenue. The parade judging platform will be on North Lake Avenue behind the Boy Scouts headquarters.

A motorcade from the Sioux Falls Police Department will lead the parade, followed by El Riad Fife and Drum, Washington and Roosevelt.

Harrisburg marching band members wait to perform at halftime on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Harrisburg High School in Sioux Falls.

Tea Area, McCook Central, George Little Rock, Menno, Adrian, Alcester-Hudson, Beresford, Murray County Central, West Central, Sioux Falls Christian, Luverne, Pipestone, Vermillion, Madison, Milbank, Sioux Falls Lutheran, Tracy Area and Jefferson will follow.

Story continues

More:5 college homecoming celebrations in or near Sioux Falls, from Dakota Days to Hobo Days

Then, three Sioux Falls middle schools  Ben Reifel, Patrick Henry and Memorial  will strut in the parade, followed by Bishop Heelan Catholic School, Waseca, Lincoln Northeast, then hosts Lincoln High School and OGorman High School, followed by the Sound of USD.

A South Dakota pep band member wears a basketball net hat while during a semifinal game against South Dakota State on Monday, March 7, 2022, at the Summit League Tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.

What is the field competition?

Bands compete according to their enrollment size in categories 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A. First, second and third place plaques and trophies are awarded in the parade and preliminary field competitions in each group.

Following the parade, 25 bands will take part in the preliminary field competition at Howard Wood Field, with gates opening at 8:45 a.m. and competition starting at 9:45 a.m. with Chamberlain, Sibley-Ocheyedan, Sheldon, Vermillion, Luverne, Lennox, West Central, Pipestone, Madison and West Lyon.

At 12:15 p.m., judges will announce A and AA awards for those bands, as well as all of the parade awards, before kicking off class AAA and AAAA performances from MOC Floyd Valley, Waverly, Waseca, Huron, Mitchell, Brookings, Yankton, Harrisburg, Columbus, Lincoln Northeast, Norfolk, Marshall, Aberdeen, Sioux City North and Brandon Valley.

More:Sonia Sotomayor, Holy Spirit named Blue Ribbon Schools in Sioux Falls

There will be a performance from Jefferson and the Sound of USD before AAA and AAAA awards are announced at 5:30 p.m.

The top bands will advance to the evening field competition finals at Howard Wood Field starting at 6 p.m. FInals will begin at 6 p.m. with Augustana University performing the national anthem and their field performance, then performances from hosts Roosevelt and Washington.

Students perform in the newly launched drumline for Augustana University this fall. The drumline is part one of a two-part plan to bring back the university's marching band by fall 2021.

The top 10 bands that made finals will begin performances at 6:45 p.m., followed by a 9:15 p.m. performance from OGorman and 9:30 p.m. performance from Lincoln High School. Final awards will be announced at 9:45 p.m.

Admission to the field competition is by wristband only, which can be purchased in advance at all Lewis Drug locations in Sioux Falls and Brandon, or from volunteers at the parade and Howard Wood Field on the day of the festival. Admission fees are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for children age 5 and under.

A free live stream of the field competition, both the preliminary and finals, will be available at festivalofbands.com.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls Festival of Bands kicks off 35th year on Saturday
September 30, 2022 marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, a day intended to acknowledge the impact of the residential school system on the countrys legacy. But for many, its also a day to heal, celebrate, teach, listen and learn about the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities in the country, as well as spotlight the issues that still plague many of them.

For some, the year thats passed since the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has brought a heightened curiosity and eagerness from many Canadians to learn more about issues faced by Indigenous Peoples that may have been overlooked otherwise.

This isn't just about trauma of residential schools, professor says

Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo, Special Advisor on Indigenous Issues Emmanuel College of Victoria University in University of Toronto

Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo is Mohawk from Kahnawake, a First Nations community outside of Montreal and works as an assistant professor at Victoria University in the University of Toronto. He's also the special advisor to the schools president on Indigenous issues.

He says hes noticed a buildup of interest and support since Orange Shirt Day started happening in 2013 on an unofficial basis. Since the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became official in 2021, it appears that awareness keeps growing.

(Residential schools) had a definite influence on so many aspects of Indigenous people like language loss, abuses that impact individuals and families for years to come, he tells Yahoo News Canada. (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) has helped deepen the understanding of the resilience of Indigenous people. Despite what people went through, communities are still here. Theyre working towards healing and progressing.

He sees the statutory holiday as helping open up conversations to other issues and how to revisit these types of relationships to better understand each other. Particularly, that Indigenous communities should be recognized for more than the trauma thats been brought upon them.

Story continues

Its important to understand how much (residential schools have) impacted us but to think about other facets of Indigenous culture and people. Not just to always focus on the negativity but also understand that the cultures are starting to thrive again. Theres a revitalization of language and ceremony. Were seeing the contribution of Indigenous people today and recognizing the past, the people whove contributed.Jonathan Hamilton-Diabo, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Hamilton-Diabo stresses that not all Indigenous people feel the same way about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, but at least it encourages discussions.

There might be people in our communities who dont like the day or think its not solving issues, but what it brings forward is that it allows us to have conversations, he says. If we didn't do it then how would we have space for conversations both positive and negative. And get a better understanding in the news, in schools and in so many aspects its being spoken about.

A 'difficult but transformative' year in Canada

Sabre Pictou Lee is Mikmaq from Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick. Sabre is an experienced Indigenous liaison and researcher. She has worked in Indigenous-related program development, facilitation, and policy development and analysis.

Sabre Pictou Lee is Mi'kmaq from the Eel River Bar First Nation in Northern New Brunswick and the CEO and co-founder of consulting firm Archipel Research and Consulting.

She describes the past year as difficult but transformative, especially with the on-going effort to honour unmarked graves of residential school victims and the attention thats brought from the general Canadian population to understand the depths of severity of the residential school legacy.

Ive noticed quite a bit more public uptake to engage more in these difficult conversations and a willingness to learn, she says. I believe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day of unlearning and relearning and thats the purpose of this journey together.

She explains that theres a very thin line between the awareness and learning journey and publicizing Indigenous trauma.

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation isnt a day that Indigenous people have to be re-traumatized and relive the trauma of being survivors, Pictou Lee says.Its a day to learn and heal and celebrate the resilience and complexities that make up Canada.

She adds that the day also isnt intended to be around shaming non-Indigenous people who may not be quite sure how to observe the day.

Its about stoking the desire to learn and build better relationships, she says.

At the foundation of reconciliation is responsibility and relationships. When you build relationships you have responsibilities in those relationshipsIf were stuck in a cycle of shame and re-traumatization, were not building good relationships and thats not what the calls to action are about. Theyre very much founded in need to acknowledge and then the need to heal and the need to build something new and collective.Sabre Pictou Lee, CEO and co-founder of Archipel Research and Consulting

She challenges Canadians to reexamine Indigenous/settler relationships by the way we think about water. If we all think we have a right to a cup of water that shifts how we view water, she says. If we start thinking about how we have a responsibility to the water versus a right to the water, how we interact changes entirely.

When it comes to what Canadians can do to mark the day, Pictou Lee says a lot of municipalities and provinces are putting on events and that a good place to start is through a Native Friendship Centre, which can be found in many communities, or the Native Womens Association of Canada.

Its not just about going to an event or specific actions but starting that journey somewhere, says Pictou Lee. Maybe we dont have people who know too much about residential schools or what the calls to action are. Those are great places to start.
For the first time in history, there was a Rosh Hashanah party at the White House. Today, President Biden welcomed Jewish leaders to the White House to celebrate the Jewish New Year.

Both President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden delivered remarks, along with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. Vice President Kamala Harris was also in attendance. Emhoff, the nation's first Second Gentleman, is also the first Jewish spouse of a president or vice president.

Photo credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI - Getty Images

"Good morning!" Dr. Biden began. "As we gather in honor of the High Holy Days, I know that all of our hearts are with those affected by the hurricanes," referencing the devastation Hurricane Ian has left in its wake. Dr. Biden spoke about the upcoming holiday of Yom Kippur, which starts the evening of October 4, and how Jewish communities in Florida may not be able to celebrate as they have in previous years.

Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images

She then introduced Emhoff, who spoke about his own family's Rosh Hashanah traditions and what being a Jewish spouse of the VP means to him. "I can still smell that brisket cookingand burningin the kitchen. I can still taste the slightly warm challah, slightly stale," Emhoff recalled in his remarks.



Photo credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI - Getty Images

Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images

After, Biden took to the podium and spoke at length about his relationship with the Jewish community, and how neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville in 2017 inspired him to run for president. He also spoke about Rabbi Michael Beals of Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington, Delaware, whom he credits with his Jewish education. "I probably went to shul more than most of you all," Biden joked.

Earlier this week, President Biden released a statement on Rosh Hashanah, writing, "Jill and I offer our warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah in the United States, Israel, and around the world. May your prayers be heard and your faith revitalizedand may we all be inscribed in the Book of Life. Shana Tovah."

Photo credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI - Getty Images

Photo credit: Chip Somodevilla - Getty Images

When he was Vice President, Biden hosted a Rosh Hashanah reception at the Naval Observatory.

Story continues

You can watch all the remarks from the White House's Rosh Hashanah here:

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Photo credit: Netflix - Netflix

Netflix's new historical drama, The Empress, dropped on Sept. 29, and it's already taken the No. 2 spot on the streaming service's charts. If you're a fan of Bridgerton and The Crown, this is the perfect show to satisfy all of your binging desires. And it's based on a true story. (It is in German, though, so you'll want those subtitles on!)

The series focuses on Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress of Austria from 1854 to 1898, and follows the spirited royal on her adventures within the Viennese court, The Cinemaholic reported.

And while it's easy to get caught up in the romance, old language, and costumes of The Empress's world, it's important to distinguish between which parts of the show are based in fact, and which are fictional.



Here's everything you need to know about the true story of the Austrian empress.

Who was Elisabeth?

The real Elisabeth von Wittelsbach was born into the royal Bavarian House of Wittelsbach on December 24, 1837, per Tatler.

The rebellious royal, nicknamed "Sissi" or "Sisi," had an informal upbringing where her parents encouraged her to explore the countryside and enjoy creative activities. Sissi was described as free-minded and considered to be the first celebrity royal in Europe after she married Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, and claimed the title of Empress of Austria, per The Cinemaholic.

She was later crowned the Queen of Hungary on June 8, 1867, according to Brittanica.

She broke a lot of royal rules.

Married at 16, Elisabeth was not a fan of the formal Vienna court life her marriage required, per Tatler. She found royal life to be boring and often rebelled against from the court's norms. She was a common topic of gossip thanks to her habits of smoking, riding, and doing vigorous exercises like gymnastics, according to Tatler and History.com.

However, Elisabeth was beloved by the common people and was a popular figure throughout her entire adult life, per The Cinemaholic.

Story continues

When did she marry Emperor Franz Joseph I?

Elisabeth married Emperor Franz Joseph I when she was 16 years old. Franz was 23 years old, per Britannica.

Franz was originally supposed to marry Elisabeth's older sister, Helene, but when both sisters showed up at a party on his twenty-third birthday, Franz fell in love with Elisabeth instead, per The World of Habsburg. Their engagement was announced soon after they met, and they wed in Austria in 1854.

Did Elisabeth and Franz love each other?



The series definitely shows a very rosy and romantic picture of the couple, but it's not totally clear whether she really returned his ardor IRL.

Photo credit: ilbusca - Getty Images

She is thought to have suffered from an eating disorder.

She was idolized for her beauty and famous for her laborious beauty regimens and anti-aging concoctions.

Photo credit: Grafissimo - Getty Images

Indeed, Elisabeth was obsessed with her appearance, spending hours each day styling her (very long) hair and exercising to maintain her 19-inch waist, per History. It's commonly thought that the empress suffered from an eating disorder and fellow courtiers even described her as "graceful, but too slender," according to Tatler.

Franz and Elisabeth had four children together.



Elisabeth gave birth to three daughters and a son. Their first daughter, Sophie, was born in 1855, but she died in infancy, according to Tatler.

She then gave birth to another daughter, Gisela, followed by their son, Rudolf, and a third daughter, Marie Valerie, per The Palaces of Europe. Sadly, Rudolf also lived a short life, and died by an apparent suicide with his mistress in 1889. He was just 30 at the time.

Franz's mother, Archduchess Sophie, was very involved in her grandchildren's upbringing and would often take over the children's care. And true to the series, Elisabeth really did have a rather rocky relationship with her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, according to Brittanica.

Elisabeth was assassinated in 1898.

Elisabeth was stabbed by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni while traveling to Switzerland. She died from the attack on September 10, 1898, at the age of 60, according to Britannica.

She's been the subject of other movies.

Elisabeth has been portrayed in various media forms long after her lifetime (remember, she was considered the first royal celebrity royal!). Actress Vicky Krieps is set to play Elisabeth in Corsage, a 2022 film premiering in December. The movie focuses on Elisabeth's relationship with beauty and her fear of aging.

This isn't the first time she's been remembered for her looks in pop culture. In 1955, Romy Schneider played Elisabeth in the German film Sissi, which mainly focuses on the Empress's beauty and her love life.

Is the Netflix show historically accurate?

While the producers of The Empress took artistic liberties on some occasions, their goal was to be as historically accurate as possible, according to The Cinemaholic. They did not mess with timelines or shift events in history in order to create a more dramatic narrative arc.

However, the show is called a truthful interpretation, and some situations and conversations were imagined when developing the complex relationships between characters.

I know what's at the top of my watch list!

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Sweden's Princess Madeleine is focused on hurricane relief. The princess, who resides in Florida with her husband, Christopher ONeill, and their children Princess Leonore, Prince Nicolas, and Princess Adrienne, shared a slideshow of Hurricane Ian photos on her Instagram.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives were devastatingly impacted by Hurricane Ian," Madeleine wrote on Instagram. "Please join me in contributing in any way you can, through one of the many charitable organizations who are helping those in need. I also thank the huge number of volunteers and army reservists who have already commenced the rebuilding process."

Princess Madeleine moved to Miami, Florida in 2018, but regularly travels back to her home of Sweden. It's unclear if she and her family were in Florida at the time of the storm. However, the Miami-Dade area was spared the worst impacts of the hurricane, but as of yesterday, around 13,000 customers were without power. While Princess Madeleine did not direct her followers to any specific resources, here are ways you can help the victims of Hurricane Ian.

Princess Madeleine's private life in Florida mirrors decisions by European monarchies in recent years (and days) to slim down official members of the royal family.

Photo credit: Rune Hellestad - Getty Images

In 2019, Princess Madeleine's father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, stripped her children of their "Royal Highness" titles (along with the children of her brother, Prince Carl Philip), though they still retained their titles of prince and princess. At the time, the palace said in a statement, "His Majesty The King has decided that the children of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and the children of Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine and Mr Christopher ONeill will no longer be members of The Royal House."

"This change has been planned for a long time. Chris and I think its good that our children are now getting a greater opportunity to shape their own lives as private individuals in the future," Madeleine wrote on her Instagram in response to the news.

Story continues

Just this week, Queen Margrethe of Denmark followed suit and removed the prince and princess titles from four of her grandchildren.

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If there were to be brownouts for NorthWestern Energy customers, let them be in Missoula, a conservative Montana Public Service Commissioner declared this week in a rambling speech that seemed to startle his peers as he declared, among other things, that it was time for Montanas Republican officeholders to flex their political power.

To be clear, NorthWestern Energy has never publicly suggested that brownouts were imminent, or informed regulators that it couldnt meet demand. But, Randy Pinnocci told fellow commissioners during a Tuesday meeting that the utility had confided in him that it was twice on the verge of brownouts in the last year.

Pinocci wanted PSC staff to tell him whether commissioners would have any say in where brownouts would take place.

The ratepayer is asking me to find out some answers on this because I think were seeing for the first time, maybe in the history of Montana, to be prepared for this. I noticed some Missoulian people here, that they didnt mind if their power shut off now and then. So, Maybe Missoula is the one to turn off. I think in the event that happens at 20-below, theyre gonna have a very different attitude.

The PSC regulates monopoly utilities, including the state's largest, NorthWestern Energy and Montana Dakota Utilities. Customers of monopoly utilities are recognized as "captive," meaning they lack the free-market choice of shopping around for a better deal. The commission determines the price these customers pay.

Pinocci's remarks follow a day of coordinated protests against NorthWestern Energy in Missoula and Bozeman. Members of Families for a Livable Climate delivered petitions bearing more than 1,000 signatures and calling for NorthWestern to abandon fossil fuels by 2030. A student-led group, Fridays for Future Missoula rallied at Main Hall at the University of Montana. The Sunrise Movement in Gallatin County, which advocates for renewable energy, demanded in Bozeman that NorthWestern decarbonize.

I would love to know the source of who's signing up Missoula for brownouts because I think that seems like an odd comment. No one to my knowledge has said that, said Winona Bateman, of Families for a Livable Climate.

The groups letter to Northwestern is really saying that we want the company to go in the direction of clean and affordable and renewable energy, which is what lots of Montanans across the state want, Bateman said. There's broad support for that. Lots of people showed up to ask them for that, but the company's leadership keeps not going in that direction.

Specifically, petitioners are critical of the net zero by 2050 emissions plan NorthWestern rolled out in March. That plan calls for investments in new fossil fuel generation to continue into the 2030s and the retirement of coal-fired power plants to begin in the 2040s. Carbon dioxide emissions would fall sharply when the four coal-fired power plants in which NorthWestern has a stake begin leaving its portfolio in 20 years. During this time, a pivot to gas-fired power plants and renewables would lower the "carbon intensity" of NorthWestern's portfolio, meaning that while existing carbon emissions persisted, additional generation would produce less greenhouse gas.

The city governments of Missoula, Bozeman and Helena have also told NorthWestern they want to be fully powered by renewable energy in 15 years, or less. Each has signed a memorandum of understanding with the utility attempting to firm up these goals. They were dismayed in 2021 when the utility announced its next lasting investment in generation would be a gas-fired power plant west of Billings. NorthWestern's customers in the communities numbered 118,996 in 2020, or 31% of the company's Montana customers, according to its own data.

Warning of blackouts

However, there is an increasing push in Montana politics to rally around coal power. In August, Pinocci and fellow Commissioner Tony ODonnell issued a bogus warning on PSC letterhead that blackouts were imminent for customers of Montana Dakota Utilities in Eastern Montana because, commissioners said, energy was in short supply. The warning included a proclamation that only Colstrip Power Plant could keep Montanans from freezing in the winter or going without power in the summer.

MDU debunked the warning, telling Lee Montana Newspapers it had adequate power even for the hottest days of air conditioning season. The utility questioned why the Colstrip appeal was logrolled into the warning, given that MDU isnt a Colstrip customer. However, MDU did retire the coal-fired units at Lewis and Clark Generating station last year, which Pinocci attempted to prevent.

There were no rolling blackouts in MDUs service area during an extremely hot August.

A few weeks after the Pinocci-ODonnell advisory, the PSC announced it was opening an investigative docket to address issues of resource adequacy and risk surrounding Montana's energy future. Commissioners indicated that Gov. Greg Gianforte was doing something similar. The investigation is an extraordinary step for the PSC. For years, conversations about resource adequacy in the region centered around the Northwest Power Plan, a regional document that calculated the probability of a loss of load, meaning a power shortage resulting in rolling blackouts.

For years the Northwest Power Plan forecasted that blackouts were becoming more probable during times of peak demand as coal-fired power plants were slated for retirement and permitting for new power plants did not appear brisk enough to fill in the gaps. However, the forecasting changed in 2021 when the draft of the latest plan concluded that if within the six years, 3,500 megawatts of renewable energy came online, then the expected retirements of coal-fired power plants in the region was manageable. The references to the Northwest Power Plan by Montanas fossil fuel advocates have since died down.

Pursue coal more

At the same meeting in which Pinocci tabbed Missoula for brownouts, state Rep. Ed Hill, a Havre Republican, asked commissioners to issue an alert about a Montana energy crisis if Colstrip shut down.

Someday we might possibly be able to get away from coal as our baseload power, you know, maybe we can move into nuclear. I think that's a good option. But for now, we don't have nuclear we do have coal and I think that we need to pursue coal more, said Hill. He attempted to recite the Montana Republican platform position on Colstrip, which supports continued private investment in Colstrip beyond 2025.

Colstrip, which primarily delivers power to utilities in Oregon and Washington, faces several challenges to remain open, starting with state laws banning coal power in its primary service areas. The first ban in Washington begins at the end of 2025. A second ban in Oregon begins in 2030. Currently, utilities in Oregon and Washington hold a 70% ownership share in Colstrip. But non-utility owner, Talen Energy is acquiring a larger share of the power plant, even as it progresses through bankruptcy.

Talen has relied on Republicans in the Montana Legislature and Gov. Gianforte to create laws nullifying portions of the power plant ownership agreement so that majority owners from the Pacific Northwest cant call the shots.

During his rant, Pinocci said it was time for the Republican Party, through its elected officeholders to do more, by lowering taxes on NorthWestern Energy. He explained his rambling speech was preparation for an upcoming presentation to Republicans.

When I explain it this weekend in Lewistown, I'm going to remind the Republican Party that they have control of the House and Senate, the governor the Public Service Commission, and they all tell me that they're going to lower property taxes, but that's not what I'm seeing, Pinocci said. So I'm gonna put them on the spot to say, you've got to get a handle on some reasonable property taxes because my ratepayer winds up paying it.

Not long after, PSC Commissioner Jim Brown asked Pinocci not to ask speculative questions of PSC staff, the caution coming after Pinocci asked if commissioners could decide which Montana communities would suffer brownouts, Brown also reminded Pinocci that the subject before the commission wasnt brownouts, or coal power, but whether to approve a large rate increase for NorthWestern Energy customers. The commission did eventually approve a $92.2 million rate increase, one that would inflate residential electric rates $134.28 a year for a customer using 750 kilowatt hours a month.

ODonnell then stated that the Republican Party didnt control the PSC, which is comprised of five elected officials, all of them Republican.

Couple things that I think need to be clarified one very, very friendly clarification, in that Commissioner Pinocci referred to the Republican Party controlling the Legislature, the Senate, the governorship, the Public Service Commission, ODonnell said. Just to clarify, we are all Republicans, but the Republican Party does not control this Public Service Commission in any way, shape, or form.

This is a big election year for the PSC. Brown is a candidate for the Montana Supreme Court and though court candidates cannot declare party affiliation, Republicans have identified Brown as part of their plan to gain control of the only branch of state government where they feel underrepresented.

Brown is currently the PSC president, both he and Vice President Brad Johnson would exit the commission at years end if Brown wins the court spot. Johnson is term limited out. The most experienced members of the commission in 2023 would be Pinocci and ODonnell, followed by Jennifer Fielder, a yet to be elected Johnson replacement and an appointee to replace Brown.

Johnson represents a district anchored by the Flathead Valley and Lewis and Clark County. Republican Ann Bukacek and Democrat John Repke are competing for the position, which pays $112,444 a year. Theirs is a district Republicans have dominated.

Pinocci is on the ballot this November, as well, in a district that stretches from northcentral to northeast Montana, but he is unopposed.
The University of Oregon welcomed its largest class of incoming freshmen ever on the first day of classes Tuesday, breaking several other records as well.

For the second year in a row, UO saw a high increase in its freshman class. In fall 2021, the freshman class totaled 4,617 students, a 17% increase from 2020. This fall, UO saw a 16% increase from 2021 with 5,338 first-year students, claiming a 36% increase in its freshman class over the past five years.

Additionally, UO is highlighting several other enrollment numbers that were either new records or tied with previous records:

Average high school GPA: 3.76

Freshman students from a diverse race or ethnicity: 36%

Transfer students: 1,012

New undergraduate students: 6,350

Anna Shehab, right, and Sena Arlandson welcome students to their dorms during move-in day on the campus of the University of Oregon on Sept. 22.

Roger Thompson, vice president for student services and enrollment management, said one of the factors in the higher enrollment is the Oregon Guarantee, an initiative launched in 2020 that promises a static tuition rate from a student's first year for up to the next five years at UO.

Thompson said the UO enrollment team has also worked to reach out to prospective students.

Enrollment through COVID-19

University-wide enrollment numbers will come out four weeks after the first day of classes, according to Thompson. However, he did affirm that there will be an overall increase.

Thompson noted that compared to other universities nationwide, UO's enrollment suffered minimally during the pandemic. Overall, enrollment at UO decreased 3.6% from 2019 to 2020, but saw a 2.2% increase from 2020 to 2021.

"We've read about plenty of schools across the country that really haven't been able to do that. Their freshman class is shrinking, or barely staying the same," Thompson said. "For us to basically go up by, you know, 36% in the last five years, with three of those years impacted by the pandemic, we're pretty proud of that."

Similarly, Oregon State University welcomed an increased number of students this school year, which started for them on Sept. 21.

Story continues

Preliminary estimates find overall enrollment, including the OSU online Ecampus, to be up about 3.5%, according to district officials. Last year, university-wide enrollment increased by 2.2%. Enrollment at the OSU main campus in Corvallis has an estimated 1% increase from last fall.

However, these numbers could change before enrollment is finalized in the coming weeks, OSU spokesman Steve Clark said in an email. He added that this will be the 26th consecutive year of enrollment growth for the university.

"Preliminarily, we anticipate that OSU will set many enrollment records this fall," Clark stated. "This is a strong indication of Oregon State University being a destination of choice for more and more students across Oregon and beyond to get a high-quality education."

For freshman enrollment, specifically, OSU is seeing a clear increase. Freshman enrollment at the OSU main campus will increase almost 10% from last year, according to school officials. OSU-Cascades  the university's branch campus in Bend  estimates a 15% increase in freshmen.

Clark stated OSU also anticipates a more diverse freshman class, with a 38% increase in Black students and a 2.4% increase in Latino students.

Strengthening the community

UO also saw a boost in out-of-state students.

Thompson said UO had 22 states set new record numbers of first-year students enrolling in the university, including Washington, California, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland and Louisiana.

"Our team has been working for the better part of a decade to try to expand our reach to make the University of Oregon more appealing in other states," Thompson said. "We did really well across every county in the state of Oregon, every state across the country and around the world."

Thompson said the new crop of Ducks will hopefully bring new perspectives to the broader Eugene community.

"We are bringing talented young people with creative, innovative approaches to their learning and to life, and how they will create their future to Eugene," Thompson said. "That creates a vibrancy that the city needs, and that the city should embrace. The University of Oregon is really important to the city of Eugene. And so for us to be enrolling a record-breaking class of this nature, I think helps our community tremendously."

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: UO breaks freshman enrollment record for second year in a row
Photo credit: Matt Kennedy

Hocus Pocus 2 is officially streaming on Disney+! While the story takes us back to Salem, Massachusetts, the movie was actually filmed at locations across Rhode Island. From a park used to recreate a 1600s version of Salem to the street where the Sanderson Sisters indulge in their first trip to a Walgreens, weve laid out every filming location used to bring the long-awaited sequel to life. Start planning your visit to these spots, and consider extending your tour to include the original films Massachusetts filming locations, too.

Chase Farm Park

Located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, the sprawling land at Chase Farm Park serves as the location where Disney built a replica of 1600s Salem, Massachusetts, for the film. While the village was taken down, the green space is typically used for summer concerts, sledding, hiking, and other special events.

Washington Square

The extravagant Halloween carnival takes place in Newport's Washington Square. One of the easy buildings to spot in the film is the historic Newport Colony House. The Salem Scare Fest concert stagewhere the Sanderson Sisters give a riveting performance of Blondie's 1979 hit "One Way or Another"was erected in front of this building.

Photo credit: Matt Kennedy

Newman Congregational Church and Cemetery

Naturally, the cemetery across from Newman Avenue in East Providence was used to shoot night scenes set in a cemeteryincluding ones with Doug Jones reprising his role as Billy Butcherson. The Newman Congregational Church can be seen in the background of these scenes.



Atwells Avenue

This Providence street was transformed into a Salem-inspired Halloween village for the film, and it even includes the Walgreens where the Sanderson Sisters take their first trip down the beauty aisle.

Photo credit: Matt Kennedy

Benefit Street

Tucked into the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Benefit Streets collection of colonial homes help bring the town of Salem to life for the film. A stroll down the historic street would surely make for an excellent autumn activity.



Story continues

La Salle Academy

The private Catholic high school La Salle Academy in Rhode Islands Providence was used as the high school the teens attend in Hocus Pocus 2. Brown Universitys campus was also used to represent the Salem high school, The Providence Journal reports.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Cranston Street Armory

No, the Forbidden Woods scenes weren't actually filmed in the middle of a forest. They were shot on a sound stage in the Cranston Street Armory, according to The Providence Journal.

Touro Street

While the Olde Salem Magic Shoppe, aka the Sanderson Sisters' cottage, was a temporary facade made for the movie, it was built on an empty parking lot at 51 Touro Street in Newport, according to Discover Newport .

You love discovering filming locations. So do we. Lets obsess over them together.

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Tokyo  Bearing her husband's ashes in a brocaded box, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's widow entered Tokyo's Budokan arena to the sounds of a dirge and a 19-gun salute on Tuesday. Kept away by unusually tight security, scattered demonstrations against the staging of the $11 million state funeral for the controversial former leader, who was assassinated in July, continued to roil the country. Inside the martial arts hall, a vast portrait of Japan's longest-serving prime minister looked down from a mountain of flowers at the more than 4,000 guests and dignitaries gathered for the funeral. They watched a tribute video of Abe's political triumphs that highlighted his friendships with successive U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Current Vice President Kamala Harris joined a long line of people laying flowers and paid her respects on behalf of the American people.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (C) walks off the stage after offering flowers, followed by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel (R), during the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, September 27, 2022. / Credit: EPA/Franck RobichonPool/Anadolu Agency/Getty

Abe was shot with a homemade gun as he gave a campaign speech in early July. Tetsuya Yamagami, a 42-year-old former member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, is now waiting to be tried for murder, but his alleged crime has brought an unexpected fallout.

It has ignited an epic scandal focused on the right-wing Unification Church. Popularly known as the Moonies, the organization's ties to former Prime Minister Abe's party, and its high-pressure tactics to raise money from vulnerable members, have all come under intense new scrutiny.

Yamagami told police that his mother, a Moonie, gave the church so much money that she bankrupted their family.

Tetsuya Yamagami, bottom, is detained after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was hit by gunshots in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, July 8, 2022. / Credit: Katsuhiko Hirano/AP

The church has since said that it has not calculated the exact amount it received from Yamagami's mother, but that it had returned 50 million yen (almost $350,000) to her over the decade leading up to 2014.

Yamagami said he killed Abe, according to officials, over the former premier's links to the church, which he referred to as a religious cult. He said it was a 2021 video of Abe speaking to and praising the group that set him off.

Story continues

Founded in the 1950's by the South Korean Reverend Sun Yung Moon, the church claims to have 600,000 adherents in Japan, though lawyers for former members estimate that only about 10% of that number are active. Yamagami's story dominated the headlines all summer, with Japanese media concentrated on the connections between the church and politicians. A Kyodo News Agency report said at least 100 of the 712 members of Japan's Parliament have admitted having ties to the church, including using members as unpaid campaign workers and accepting donations. In one tabloid spread, supporters called his action not a crime, but "revenge."

Guests stand at the start of the state funeral of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on September 27, 2022. / Credit: JAPAN POOL VIA JIJI PRESS/JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty

There have been demonstrations outside the church's Tokyo headquarters, and former members have come forward to describe their experiences. A self-described homemaker in her 60s, who agreed to speak to CBS News on condition of anonymity, fearing church reprisals, said she was coerced into "donating" more than $100,000 to the Moonies.

"I have four kids," she said. "That money was supposed to be for their education. But I was talked into giving it all away to the church."

The woman said she was lured by an unusually persistent missionary who "dropped by" repeatedly. Careful not to identify herself as a Moonie, the missionary invited her to an innocuous-sounding lecture on genealogy. Five years later, she had drained her family savings and helped draw other converts, lured in by free palm readings that "discovered" their destiny was about to change  with church help. The victim later hired a lawyer and was able to retrieve the full amount. She called the group a "money-making machine." Her lawyer showed CBS News what's known in Japan as "spiritual merchandise" - an array of church products, from a bulky $20,000 urn to a hefty volume of the founder's teachings, sold for $30,000.

Protesters against the state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hold up a banner during a demonstration near the funeral venue in Tokyo, Japan, September 27, 2022. / Credit: Yusuke Harada/NurPhoto/Getty

Jeff Hall lectures at the Kanda University of International Studies in Japanese politics and culture, and has closely followed the assassination and its aftermath.

"Until now this was mainly something that wasn't discussed in the media outside of tabloids. But now every media outlet in the country is reporting on how the Unification Church has victimized people," he told CBS News. "The church will forever be targeted by this scandal, and it will have a lot of trouble getting new recruits in Japan." Hall said that since the 1960s, Japan has been the source of billions of dollars of funding for the church, used to invest in businesses including the Washington Times, and plowed into building ties with politicians around the world. While Japan has many other self-styled "new religions," the Unification Church has been notably aggressive in its fundraising, even after 2009, when church officials said they had reformed their tactics.

The peculiarities of the Japanese political system, Hall said, have made it easy for the church to woo parliamentarians by offering them free labor during election campaigns and providing reliable voting blocs.

"Many people would consider it an unseemly relationship, or a relationship that pushes the ruling party towards views on things like gay marriage or on sex education, on other issues, farther to the right than most people would be comfortable with," Hall said. So in a way, Yamagami may have got what he wanted. But in his determination to hurt the church, he killed a man who will go down in history as the most powerful and memorable leader of modern Japan.

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SPELLING ITALIAN FASHION: Readying for the debut of the video series Italian Fashion From A to Z, writer Grazia DAnnunzio wants viewers to remember that fashion is serious, not frivolous.

Produced by Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo at New York University, the series features videos dedicated to famous Italian designers and brands. It also highlights the roots of the made in Italy initiative, with a look at the pioneers as well as emerging talents. Starting on Tuesday, a new episode will be released every Tuesday on YouTube and on Casa Italianas site.

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DAnnunzio, who is a journalism professor at the Universita Statale di Milano, cooked up the idea for a simple dictionary for fashion that is geared toward students and people who are interested in fashion. She started working on it during the pandemic in 2020. It took me a couple of years to finish it because fashion is a living creature. Sometimes you have to polish everything and update it. Hopefully, everything will be good until January. We will see if we have to change anything after the new year, she said. DAnnunzio will chat with Casa Italiana director Stefano Albertini about the series at a special event Monday night.

Alphabetizing Italian fashion wasnt a snap, considering the challenges of the letters X, W and Z, she said. Each letter is linked to an adjective that is linked to a designer or group of designers with the aim being to present the major Italian designers, forgotten but important ones, and founders of Italian fashion of the 20th and 21st centuries. Armani, Versace, Prada, Ferre, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara and all the big names made the cut.

But you cant forget the beginning of Italian fashion, the filmmaker said. It didnt start with Armani, Missoni or even Walter Albini. It was in the early 1950s in Florence. Giovanni Battista Giorgini, an aristocrat and Italian entrepreneur, who is considered the founder of Italian fashion put together a group of Italian designers  Emilio Pucci, the lesser-known Germana Marucelli and others to show in Florence.

Story continues

Grazia DAnnunzio

Each episode in the A to Z series will range from three to 15 minutes long and will provide students with a glimpse of the beauty and talent in Italian design in different forms.

Italy is famous for great craftsmanship, great attention to details and high quality. All of the designers I am going to present are famous for their exquisite taste, great fabrics, embroidery and craftsmanship, DAnnunzio said.

With the YouTube series good to go, DAnnunzio is working on a book written in Italian about fashion and film and continues to teach in Milan. She is also crafting a Zoom conference with a University of Bologna colleague about Italian fashion in the U.S. that will debut next fall with international scholars.

Italian fashion is growing immensely with young designers that are very Gen Z, she said.

Partial as she is to Italian designers, the New York-based DAnnunzio, who worked as Vogue Italias special projects editor in the U.S. from 1995 to 2016, said she wears Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and other American designers, too. Living here in New York, you have to have a metropolitan look. When I came here in the 90s, Calvin, Donna, Ralph and Isaac Mizrahi were so hot that having a piece of that made me  not look like  but feel part of the bigger community, she said. But I like Italian fashion, yes.

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Click here to read the full article.
U.S. United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft address the U.N. Security Council after a failed vote on a humanitarian draft resolution for Syria, Thursday Sept. 19, 2019 at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Kelly Craft has a campaign for governor of Kentucky like none the state has ever seen.

At first look, it is audacious.

Crafts main political asset is the wealth she shares with her husband, coal magnate Joe Craft. Shes been ambassador to Canada and the United Nations, but has no experience in state government, and no apparent accomplishment in business  unlike our two wealthy governors who lacked government service, John Y. Brown Jr. and the late Wallace Wilkinson.

Craft needs credible people to vouch for her, but she lacks an endorsement from Donald Trump, who made her ambassador; hes for Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

But Craft does have the backing of U.S. Rep. James Comer of Tompkinsville, who went to Congress after he lost the 2015 Republican primary to Matt Bevin by 83 votes. Comer, who also has a home in Frankfort and would still like to be governor, has maintained much of his statewide organization, and it seems headed for Crafts corner.

More from Al Cross:ow much is Trumps endorsement worth now? Or later?

Sen. Max Wise listened as his colleagues explained their votes on a bill he sponsored that would ban abortion after 15 weeks during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort, Ky. on Mar. 10, 2022.

Comer also helped Craft find a running mate for lieutenant governor. So says the running mate, state Sen. Max Wise of Campbellsville, whom Craft announced as her choice in his hometown Sept. 21.

Wise told me that after he expressed interest in running for governor, My good friend Jamie Comer had also reached out to Kelly and said, Kelly, I got somebody you may want to keep in mind. I gotta give a lot of credit to Congressman Comer for his introducing me to Kelly.

Candidates for governor no longer have to start out with a running mate for lieutenant governor, as they did in 1995-2019. Republicans changed the law in 2020 to let gubernatorial nominees pick their No.2s after the primary.

That could enable party-building after what might be a fractious primary to pick an opponent for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, but it could also be a boon to Craft. She needs a running mate who can shore up her lack of experience with state and local issues  and answer journalists questions.

Story continues

She didnt do that after her first campaign rally in her hometown of Glasgow Sept. 13. At Campbellsville, as she moved through the crowd after she and Wise left the stage, I asked her why she thought she needed a running mate.

I am so excited to get on this campaign trail, she said, trying to move on. I interrupted her and asked the question again. She turned away to shake more hands.

More:Who's in, who's a maybe, who's out: Our way-too-early look at 2023 Kentucky governor candidates

Craft had spoken for less than five minutes, saying little of substance other than praise of Wise. He spoke for more than 16 minutes, and on Sept. 27 answered questions about his speech in a no-limits interview.

Wise said in his speech, Were gonna put parents in charge of their childrens education. Asked how, he said he was referring to choice of schools, not decisions about books or curriculum, but he said school boards should listen to parents on those questions.

A Catholic in Baptist territory, Wise told the crowd that he is one of the most pro-life legislators not just because Im a believer but because life begins at conception. Period, end of story. What if an abortion is needed to save a womans life? I would have to see how thats written up as legislation, he said, in a typical dodge. Few Republicans want to be definitive on that issue right now; the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade made them the GOP the dog that caught the car.

Wise said in his speech that Beshear chained the doors to the churches while letting woke businesses and abortion clinics remain open early in the pandemic. No doors were blocked; what are woke businesses? The only specific example Wise could give was liquor stores, saying most Kentuckians wouldnt believe those are necessities. Alcoholics not in recovery might disagree.

But Wises speech line won applause, as did his mention of closing your business doors for seven weeks due to an overreaching governor. Asked if most governors didnt do likewise, following public-health advice, he said, I only care about one governor, and that this one.

So, Wise knows issues, and can thrust, dodge, and parry. In a primary where there may be little substantive difference among candidates on issues, many voters could pick the campaign that looks like the best one to beat Beshear. But voters want to see that from the top of the ticket, too. Craft needs to talk about more than keeping Kentuckys promise. Or is it now restoring Kentuckys promise? One is as vapid as the other.

Wise said Crafts diplomatic skills would help the state close business deals. But first she has to close the deal with Republican voters, and then with Kentuckians at large. To do that, she will need to fully engage.

Al Cross, a former Courier Journal political writer, is professor and director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky. He writes this column for the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism. Reach him on Twitter @ruralj.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kelly Craft has wealth, a running mate and James Comer; what else?
Students work on site words in Tracey Jiles's first grade classroom at Freedom Elementary School in Buckeye on April 13, 2022.

We should be putting more money in the classroom and taking the politics out of it. Thats the common sentiment Ive heard about Arizonas public education system when meeting voters across Greater Phoenix.

The universal wisdom of such a simple concept almost makes too much sense; I call it common sense.

Thats why I recently announced the Pay Teachers First plan to give every Arizona public school teacher a $10,000 raise  with 100% of new state dollars going directly to teachers, rather than bureaucracy, and significantly boosting starting teacher pay. We set our students up for success by attracting and retaining amazing teachers.

Teachers never got the full 20x2020 raise

As Arizonas budget director, Ive developed and negotiated state budgets that included the largest and fastest growth in per pupil education funding in Arizona history. According to the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), Arizona spends approximately $13,300 per student. The most ever.

However, according to the Arizona Auditor General, roughly 55 cents of every dollar our school districts spend goes to instruction.

Where voters agree: Almost all want 'quality' teachers, poll shows

When the state enacted the 20x2020 teacher pay raise plan in 2018, the Legislature allocated enough funding to raise the average teacher salary by 20% over a three-year period. In fact, average teacher pays increased by only 16.5%.

The nonprofit Goldwater Institute concluded in a report that if school administration hadnt rerouted hundreds of millions of dollars away, teachers could have received a whopping 28% raise.

The long-term practice of schools diverting state funds away from teachers and the classroom must come to an end. It has devastated the teaching profession.

My plan includes budget accountability

The Pay Teachers First plan pays teachers, not bureaucracy, and allows our state to aggressively raise starting teacher pay.

The plan includes budget accountability and more extensive parental/taxpayer transparency measures to protect investments for our teachers; prioritizing school funding for teachers first before any other spending can be budgeted  ensuring Arizona students receive the best education possible.

Story continues

As part of the proposal, schools must report more detailed, school-by-school level information to the Auditor General regarding academics, budget and procurement to qualify for the extra pay raise, promoting financial transparency and connecting spending with academic outcomes.

Hard-working parents deserve clear-cut information about their childs progress and school performance. And Arizonans deserve to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are spent.

Giving Arizonas estimated 60,000 teachers a $10,000 raise would cost the state roughly $600 million to $800 million a year, but its a critical commitment we must make.

Teachers are crucial. We must retain them

While Arizonas average teacher salary has increased from $48,372 to $56,349 since the 20x2020 plan took effect, the starting salary remains in the low $40,000s  which is highly problematic for recruitment.

At the start of this school year, the ongoing critical teacher shortage  a six-year stretch  remains bleak with more than 2,000 regular education vacancies and 800 special education vacancies.

Typically, substitute teachers cover these classes, but in many cases, teachers double up and cover multiple classes.

As a former teacher, I can tell you  one of the most important factors in the academic development of a child is the teacher at the front of the classroom. Arizonas teacher shortage acts as a barrier to ensuring that every child in Arizona has the opportunity to learn and reach their potential.

Consider recent data from the Department of Education, which showed the worst student performance in reading and math in more than 40 years. Post-pandemic, schools kept teachers and students out of the classroom. In turn, experts expect this learning deficit to impact Americas economic future and national security.

Teachers dont go into this profession to get rich, but they also arent expected to live in poverty, either. Our students rightfully deserve the best education, and our teachers rightfully deserve to be valued.

I am proud to team up with dedicated public servants and prominent education leaders to strengthen Arizona schools. We will pay teachers FIRST.

Matt Gress is a Republican candidate for the state House in Legislative District 4, which includes north Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Gress serves as Arizona's budget director and was previously a public school teacher and school board member. Reach him at matt@mattgress.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona teachers deserve a $10,000 raise that schools can't take away
Bruce Willis (AFP via Getty Images)

Bruce Willis could make a surprise return to acting after selling the rights to allow a digital twin of himself to be created.

Willis, 67, struck the deal last year with Delaware-based artificial intelligence company Deepcake, before retiring due to his aphasia diagnosis.

Engineers at the AI-powered content optimisation web platform created an ultra-realistic digital likeness of the Die Hard star by putting images of his face into their network and can now use both his moving and talking image within films and TV productions.

Willis twin made his debut in August 2021 by having his face grafted on to understudy Konstantin Solovyov for a commercial for Russian telecoms giant MegaFon.

It now only takes engineers three to five days to recreate Willis in projects, but his estate will have final sign-off on what is created.

In a statement posted to their website, the star said: I liked the precision with which my character turned out. Its a mini-movie in my usual action-comedy genre.

For me, it is a great opportunity to go back in time. With the advent of modern technology, even when I was on another continent, I was able to communicate, work and participate in the filming. Its a very new and interesting experience, and I thank our entire team.

Willis family announced on social media earlier this year that he would be stepping back from the limelight after being diagnosed with aphasia.

Aphasia is an inability to comprehend or formulate language because of damage to specific brain regions due to stroke, head trauma, brain tumor, brain infection, or neurodegenerative disease.

Bruce Willis family announced he was stepping back from the limelight due to health issues earlier this year (Getty Images for Film at Lincoln)

Star Wars producers use deepfake technology for all of their cast members and celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Carrey, and Michelle Pfeiffer also reportedly have digital copies.

Deepcake has targeted becoming the worlds largest talent agency, bringing actors both living and dead back to the big screen.

Founded by Ukrainian-born CEO Maria Chmir, she says discussions are underway to strike similar deals with film studios and the estates of dead stars.

She said: We create digital twins of celebrities and the actual production process doesnt require the physical presence of a celebrity on stage.

It means comics like Charlie Chaplin and Kevin Hart can interact in one frame now.
Donald Trump Jr., speaks during a news conference at Georgia Republican Party headquarters Thursday. The president and his confidants are alleging election fraud.

Businessman and author Donald John Trump Jr. is the eldest child of former President Donald Trump, and the late Ivana Trump.

In the dark of night in North Dakota, a boy named Cayler Ellingson called his mother pleading to be rescued  he told her a man was chasing him through the streets in his SUV.

By the time Caylers mother arrived, hoping to help her son, Cayler was dead. He was just 18.

This was not a random mistake.

Bridgeland: J.D. Vance, others advance myth election was rigged. Vote country over party

Associated Press: Little evidence of political argument before teens death

It appears to be the targeted, intentional act of a deranged killer with a political vendetta against Republicans. That alleged killer, 41-year-old Shannon Brandt, mowed Cayler down after an argument over Calyers conservative political beliefs.

Just days ago, Joe Biden declared that my father and his tens of millions of supporters represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic. When given the chance, Tim Ryan refused to distance himself from Bidens comments.

Even worse, Ryan doubled down: he slandered the majority of Republicans as Republicans as extremists on national TV, saying "we've got to kill and confront that movement. "

.@RepTimRyan on extremist Republicans: We have to kill and confront that movement pic.twitter.com/yklr39nMzw  Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 13, 2022

After the killing, Brandt admitted to police that he thought the boy was a Republican extremist. Brandts twisted view of conservative Americans is eerily similar to the attacks launched by Tim Ryan and Joe Biden.

Of course, because our political leaders are insane, Brandt, despite his criminal record and the fact that he had just killed a teenager, has already been released from jail on bond.

Story continues

And then theres the left-wing mainstream media, which has been all too eager to sweep this story under the rug. Over the past month, the New York Times, the so-called paper of record, has written 20 articles mentioning political violence. They have not bothered to cover Caylers death even a single time.

Make no mistake: that silence is intentional.

Take a step back to realize how disgusting and un-American this situation is. In Joe Bidens America, a deranged man can kill a boy, allegedly because of his conservative views, only to be released from jail just two days later.

All the while the liberal media will let Tim Ryan, Joe Biden, and the other Democrat politicians who slander Republicans as enemies off the hook.

Associated Press: North Dakota AG condemns teens death after alleged argument

To the people of Ohio: you voted by landslide margins to elect my father to the Presidency in 2016 and 2020.

Your support of him and his movement, the MAGA movement, does not make you extremists  it makes you patriots who love your state and your country, patriots who know your families deserve far better than the destruction Joe Biden and Tim Ryans decades of failed leadership has created.

US President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, September 28, 2022. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP) (Photo by OLIVER CONTRERAS/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_32KB6VH.jpg

More:In Trump embrace of QAnon, election experts see potential for midterm 'chaos' and more election denying

Rather than apologize for making you less safe, less secure, and less prosperous, Joe Biden and Tim Ryan have decided to brand you an enemy of the state.

That should tell you all you need to know about them and their Democrat party.

Businessman and author Donald John Trump Jr. is the eldest child of former President Donald Trump, and the late Ivana Trump.

More:How to submit guest opinion columns to the Columbus Dispatch

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Donald Trump Jr. says Tim Ryan's kill and confront movement remarks endangers Republicans
Danish Defence Command

Ex-CIA Director John Brennan thinks Russia is the "most likely suspect" behind the apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines.

"This is clearly an act of sabotage of some sort," Brennan said during an interview with CNN.

He added,"I do think it's a signal to Europe that Russia could reach beyond Ukraine's borders."

Former CIA Director John Brennan said that he believes Russia is the "most likely suspect" behind the apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream natural-gas pipelines off the coast of Denmark and Sweden.

"This is clearly an act of sabotage of some sort and Russia certainly is the most likely suspect," Brennan said during an interview on Wednesday with CNN while speaking about the suspected explosions that caused leaks in the underwater pipelines.

Brennan noted that the pipelines, which run from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea, lie "only" in about 200 feet of water.

"Russia does have an undersea capability that would easily lay explosive devices by those pipelines," Brennan said, explaining that he believes the apparent sabotage is likely a Russian "'signal to Europe" that the Kremlin can cause damage beyond Ukraine.

"I do think it's a signal to Europe that Russia could reach beyond Ukraine's borders," Brennan said.

The Russian submarine force is believed to have capabilities that could tap or even sever infrastructure on the seabed like communications cables, and at a depth of 200 feet it's even possible the charges could have been emplaced by a diver. CNN reported that Russian warships were seen near the areas where the pipeline ruptures occurred.

Brennan, who served as CIA director under former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, continued, "This might be a sign that Russia is intent on doing whatever it believes it needs to do in order to weaken a European resolve."

"This just might be the first salvo of some additional things that might be coming toward Europe," Brennan warned.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has threatened to retaliate against the suspected sabotage of the pipelines after several European leaders blamed Moscow for the leaks.

Story continues

Meanwhile, Brennan said that Russia is in a "downward spiral" amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's seven-month war with Ukraine as he pointed out how Moscow's forces have suffered recent defeats by the Ukrainians on the battlefield.

The ex-CIA director called Putin an "autocrat" who is "feeling increasingly beset by problems and by the miscalculations that he has made as far as going into Ukraine."

"He's isolated. He's also trying to hold on to power and I think we're seeing increasingly desperate steps that are being taken," Brennan said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This weeks contribution is from Shaul Hurwitz, research hydrologist, Patrick Muffler, emeritus geologist, Andy Calvert, research geologist, and Jake Lowenstern, research geologist, all with the U.S. Geological Survey.

USGS geologist and the founding scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Robert (Bob) Christiansen passed away on Sept. 15, 2022, in Palo Alto, California. Bob, or Chris, as his colleagues and friends often called him, leaves a legacy of scientific achievement, articulate writing, and a warm and humble personality that endeared him to all. He received his PhD from Stanford University and then began working at the USGS in 1961. He initially worked for 10 years in the Denver, Colorado, office and then in the Menlo Park, California, office. He retired in 2003 but remained an active emeritus scientist until his death.

Bob was part of a USGS group that was tasked in 1965 with creating a comprehensive geologic map of the young volcanic rocks in Yellowstone. The study was funded mainly by NASA as a test area to compare with images captured by satellites from space. Bob and his colleagues tried to understand when and how the volcano erupted, how much magma was vented, and where it went. From 1966 to 1971, Bob and USGS colleagues (mainly Dick Blank) spent the summer months in Yellowstone carrying out field work and mapping. In other times of the year, they analyzed aerial photographs, scrutinized the rocks they sampled, measured the chemical composition of the rocks, and determined their ages. The work lasted long beyond the initial field seasons as Bob and his collaborators worked to understand the complex geologic history of the region.

The results of these monumental efforts were published in a 2001 USGS Professional Paper that is a comprehensive description of the volcanic history of Yellowstone and a geologic map of the Yellowstone Plateau. Bob also led the publication of a 2007 USGS report titled Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity.

Bob recognized that three large explosive eruptions were associated with formation of calderas 2.08, 1.30, and 0.63 million years ago. Bob also published two journal papers, in 1984 and in 1991 (mainly with USGS colleague Wes Hildreth), that describe in great detail the chemical and isotopic composition of Yellowstones volcanic rocks. With USGS colleagues led by Gordon Eaton, Bob co-authored a 1975 journal paper that used multiple datasets to identify magma beneath Yellowstone.

Although very well known for his work in Yellowstone, Bob also contributed fundamental advances to our understanding of volcanoes throughout the United States. In the early part of his career, Bob published several papers with USGS colleague Peter Lipman on volcanism in Southern Nevada as part of the Department of Energy efforts to develop the Nevada Test Site northwest of Las Vegas. Bob and Peter also published seminal papers on volcanism and plate-tectonic evolution of the Western United States in the Cenozoic period, which began about 66 million years ago and extends to the present. Between 1971 and 1973, Bob was stationed at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, where he investigated explosive eruptions at Kilauea Volcano, including the tragic base surge in 1790 (which killed several hundred Hawaiians) with USGS colleague Don Swanson, and violent hydromagmatic eruptions that left extensive deposits in the volcanos summit region.

Bob was the chief scientist for monitoring and scientific analysis of the 1980 eruption at Mount St. Helens in Washington, where he detailed the chronology of eruptive activity. His work in the Cascades was not solely restricted to Mount St. Helens. With USGS colleague C. Dan Miller between 1973 and 1977, Bob mapped and studied the voluminous and long-lived Mount Shasta in Northern California. In the 1980s he returned to study its large sector collapse, which was only conclusively identified after the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption left deposits that closely resembled those at Mount Shasta.

In the 1990s and after retirement, he expanded his mapping east to connect with USGS colleague Julie Donnelly-Nolans mapping at Medicine Lake volcano. With USGS colleagues, in 2002 he published a detailed study of the remarkable Shastina eruptive phase of Mount Shasta  an episode that might have lasted 200 years during which the entire Shastina cone grew on the west shoulder of the volcano, and the Black Butte dome formed on the volcanos west flank. With USGS colleague Mike Clynne he also worked to better understand the details of the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak.

Bob Christiansen will be remembered by his many colleagues and friends as insightful and meticulous in his many scientific investigations. In addition to his incredible scientific achievements, Bob served in several management positions at the USGS. He was the coordinator of the USGS Geothermal Research Program between 1976 and 1979, and he served as chief of the USGS Branch of Igneous and Geothermal Processes between 1987 and 1991.

Bobs comprehensive research at Yellowstone is the foundation for our current understanding of the volcanic, earthquake and hydrothermal systems of Yellowstone. It is taught in every evening lesson by a ranger and written in every pamphlet and book on geology handed out in the park visitor centers. Bob fondly described his years of research at Yellowstone in a 2009 interview that is available online (https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/inside-usgs-no-1-robert-christiansen-yellowstone). He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, and we are better scientists and people, and know far more about the volcanoes of the United States, thanks to his wisdom, mentorship and dedication.
A YF-22 and a YF-23 in flight. US Air Force

On September 29, 1990, the YF-22 demonstration aircraft took off for the first time.

The YF-22 would become the F-22, a dominant air-superiority stealth fighter for nearly 30 years.

Now the F-22's future is in doubt, with Congress and the US Air Force at odds about its retirement.

On September 29, 1990, a unique aircraft took off for the first time in Palmdale, California. During its 18-minute flight, it reached a speed of about 290 mph and a height of 12,500 feet before landing at Edwards Air Force Base.

The aircraft was the YF-22, the test demonstrator for what would become the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter. It was the second model of the US Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter program to take to the skies, with the test itself the culmination of a nearly 50-month demonstration and validation phase.

Thirty-two years later, the F-22 has proven itself as an air-superiority fighter and inspired and informed the development of other fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Despite its accomplishments and reputation, Congress and the US Air Force are at odds over the future of one of the deadliest aircraft ever to take to the skies.

'First look, first shot, first kill'

A Soviet MiG-29 at an air show in Farnborough, England in September 1990. DAVE GAYWOOD/AFP via Getty Images

The Advanced Tactical Fighter program grew out of concerns over Soviet development of new fighter jets, specifically the MiG-29 and Su-27, and advanced surface-to-air missiles in the 1980s.

Air Force officials worried that the new F-15 fighter could become outdated sooner than anticipated and wanted to develop a new fighter that could dominate the skies into the 2000s.

Studies of air-to-air combat in Vietnam, along with data from Korea and World War II, showed that air superiority was most achievable when pilots attacked enemy planes while unseen.

Consequently, it was decided that stealth should be the prime attribute of the Air Force's next fighter, and that the new jet would be built around the concept of "first look, first shot, first kill."

A US F-15 in Saudi Arabia in September 1990. Eric BOUVET/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

In addition to stealth capabilities, the fighter needed to be able to "supercruise"  to fly at supersonic speeds without using its afterburners. It also needed to take off from a shorter runway, handle better than the F-15, and be easier to maintain than the Air Force's other fighters.

Story continues

Seven companies submitted designs. By 1985, only two were committed to building flyable demonstrators: Lockheed Corporation and Northrop Corporation. A deadline for flight tests was set for 1990.

Each company had experience designing stealth aircraft, Lockheed with the F-117 Nighthawk, the world's first stealth attack aircraft, and Northrop with the B-2 Spirit bomber.

For the new fighter, Lockheed teamed with Boeing and General Dynamics while Northrop worked with McDonnell Douglas.

First flight

YF-22 prototypes conduct aerial refueling in 1990. API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Both companies made the 1990 deadline. Northrop built two YF-23s, while Lockheed produced two YF-22s.

One jet in each pair had General Electric-made YF120 engines, while the other had Pratt & Whitney YF119 engines, allowing the Air Force to evaluate how each engine performed with each aircraft.

Northrop's YF-23 was first to fly, spending 15 minutes in the air on August 27, 1990. Lockheed's YF-22 was unveiled on August 29 and flew for the first time a month later.

The YF-22 was a futuristic marvel. It had two clipped diamond-shaped wings, four trapezoidal tail wings, thrust-vectoring engines with specially designed slot-like exhausts, and internal weapons bays from which missiles would be launched.

Unlike the F-117, the YF-22's radar-absorbent materials were only applied on some parts of the YF-22, specifically the edges, cavities, and crucial surface areas.

The YF-23 prototypes in flight. US Air Force

The flight tests were a resounding success. Both the YF-22 and YF-23 were easily able to outrun F-15 chase planes and demonstrate aerial-refueling capabilities.

Though the YF-23 was lighter and stealthier, the YF-22 proved better in the long run. It was much more agile due to its thrust-vectoring engines and successfully demonstrated the launch of AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles from its internal bays. It also flew more test flights than the YF-23  72 over three months.

The YF-22 and Lockheed received another advantage thanks the F-117s stellar performance in Operation Desert Storm

. F-117s spearheaded the 42-day bombardment campaign, demonstrating the value of stealth and Lockheed's ability to deliver top-of-the-line aircraft.

The YF-22 and Pratt & Whitney's YF119 engine were selected by the Air Force as winners of the ATF in April 1991.

Low-rate initial production of the fighter, designated the F-22 Raptor, was approved in 2001 and was followed in 2004 by successful completion of initial operational and test evaluations by the Air Force. Full rate production began in 2005.

Proud service and uncertain future

Then-Secretary of the Air Force Donald Rice at a press conference about the selection of the YF-22. Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma via Getty Images

At the ATF program's inception, the Air Force planned to build 750 of its new fighter, but only 187 F-22s were actually built. The rest were cancelled by 2009 because of budget constraints, the acceptable performance of the F-15, the lack of a worthy adversary, and the need to divert resources to the F-35.

Despite being a relatively small fleet, the Raptors have become a dominant air-superiority fighter and are loved by their pilots. Their overseas deployments are often meant to deter adversaries and reassure partners.

In 2014, the F-22 made its combat debut, bombing ISIS targets in Syria and deterring hundreds of Russian, Iranian, and Syrian aircraft from endangering US forces there. F-22s have also conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan.

While the Air Force continues to upgrade and deploy F-22s, it also wants to retire 33 of the oldest Raptors in 2023 as part of its plan to transition to four fighter aircraft: the F-35, the F-15EX, the F-16, and the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, which is in development.

An F-22 Raptor. US Air Force

The Air Force argues that upgrading the older F-22s is prohibitively expensive and that it needs to focus its resources on developing longer-range missiles and NGAD, which will produce the US's first sixth-generation fighter.

Those F-22s are "just not upgraded to the state that we need to meet the current threat," Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told the Senate Armed Services Committee in May, adding that it would cost about $2 billion to upgrade the 33 fighters  roughly $50 million each.

"It's not a high-enough priority for us to do, relative to other investments," Kendall said.

Congress, meanwhile, is worried about losing such advanced aircraft without replacements on hand, especially as the Air Force plans to retire its F-15Cs and to cut its orders of F-15EXs by nearly half.

The House version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act outright prevents the Air Force from retiring the 33 F-22s, while the Senate has indicated that it may prevent their retirement until the Air Force shows that there won't be any loss in combat capability.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Families leave a Publix grocery in Cape Coral, Fla. ahead of the landfall of Hurricane Ian, on Sept. 27, 2022. (Scott McIntyre/The New York Times)

They each decided to stay as a powerful storm neared Floridas southwestern coast, weighing the threat of destruction and flooding against that of trouble evacuating on clogged highways.

Now, they wait.

A retired meteorologist sticks it out in his condo.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

In Cape Coral, Jim Farrell, 67, was counting on his shutters to withstand the wind and on the expertise accrued from his years as a television meteorologist, which had led him to sell his waterfront home and move to higher ground. He was staying put in his second-story condo, despite being in a mandatory evacuation area, he said.

It would take the end-of-the-world type of hurricane to chase me out of here, said Farrell, who retired last year and is watching the approaching storm from the perspective of his longtime viewers. I specially picked this condo because its at the highest elevation point in Cape Coral.

In 2004, Farrell projected a path for Hurricane Charley that diverged from the National Hurricane Centers after he noticed a deviation in models. His prediction was correct, and many in Charlotte County credit his warning with saving their lives after the area was hit by the storm.

Although he personally feels safe, he said he was concerned for the thousands of people living in lower-lying areas along the Caloosahatchee River.

This has the potential to be one of the most famous hurricanes for this side of Florida, he said.

Second-guessing the decision to stay.

Molly Capiga in North Fort Myers was banking on the generators, gas cans, tarps and batteries her family had amassed in recent years.

Her home was not under mandatory evacuation orders, but she was on edge with water already pooling inside her shed by Tuesday evening. Capiga, 43, was second-guessing her familys decision to stay but said she felt they hadnt had enough time.

I am scared. But we are prepared, she said. I do not think that Florida has the infrastructure to facilitate an orderly evacuation and did not want to get caught in traffic and run out of gas.

Story continues

A doctors business keeps her in town.

Dr. Giselle Prado-Wright moved expensive medical equipment and computers from her cosmetic surgery and wellness clinic in Fort Myers to her home in a more sheltered area.

She has two children under 2 and said she had no choice but to stay because of her business, with patients looking to schedule liposuction before the storm. She hasnt even had the time to get her home ready for the storm, she said.

Its not that simple to just up and leave town when you own a business, she said.

Choosing home over an evacuation route.

Sarah Schafer, a cook living in Sarasota, tied down her kayaks and brought a gazebo tent indoors.

Schafer, 33, said she decided not to evacuate because she felt safer hunkering down in her own home than taking her chances on the road along the evacuation route. She is also skeptical of media reports on hurricanes, saying that they always seem to show only the worst-hit areas.

Even so, she and her girlfriend made sure their gas tanks were full and took measures to secure their home, Schafer said.

We do know its not a joke, she said.

 2022 The New York Times Company
City Council members listen as Mandy White, senior vice president of economic development for the Jackson Chamber and Jerry Spore, attorney from Spragins, Barnet and Cobb, discuss the details of the land deal resolution that will allow Georgia-Pacific manufacturing to enter in a land purchase with the city.

Georgia-Pacific Manufacturing has announced that it will be investing $425 million into Jackson for the building of a Dixie manufacturing facility on the 241 acres of land recently purchased by the city in an elaborate land deal.

The project is the largest single investment in Jackson's history.

The facility will mark the first new Dixie Manufacturing plant built since 1991.

The facility, which will provide over 200 jobs, will sit on the land located between Highway 223, Lower Brownsville Road and Anglin Lane, which was purchased by the City of Jackson in December and sold to Georgia-Pacific manufacturing in February.

More:Jackson City Council finally signs off on Georgia-Pacific land deal

We are excited and grateful for the $425 million investment Georgia-Pacific is making at its Jackson Dixie plant in our growing community. This is a thrilling moment for Jackson as this project is the largest single investment in our history, said City Mayor Scott Conger, in a press release. It has been a pleasure working with the Georgia-Pacific team over the last 18 months, and we are proud the company is calling Jackson home.

Construction is slated to begin by the end of the year, with startup in summer 2024, according to the official statement made by Georgia-Pacific.

Once operational, the 900,000 square-foot plant will produce tableware products, including the Dixie and Dixie Ultra plates and bowls.

Companies choose to invest in Tennessee because of our skilled workforce and unmatched business climate, said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. I commend Georgia-Pacifics commitment to create more than 200 jobs in Jackson so that Tennesseans across the region can thrive.

The company has named Mike Cook as the plant director for the new operation.

Georgia-Pacific currently directly employs approximately 460 people and operates six facilities in the state of Tennessee, according to the release.

Although we have invested to expand existing sites, this is the first new Dixie plant the companyhas built since 1991, explains Fernando Gonzalez, president of the consumer business at Georgia-Pacific. This added capacity will help us meet the needs of our customers as consumer demand forhigh-quality, durable paper plates and bowls continues to grow.

Story continues

The economic impact of the company contributes to 1,430 additional indirect jobs, $100 million in labor income, with the capital investment in the state totaling more than $250 million since 2011.

According to the release, the company recently announced additional plans to invest more than $20 million in its Lebanon, Tennessee, corrugated plant.

This major investment in our community not only further strengthens our local economy but emphasizes our areas qualified workforce and great location for companies to thrive, said Madison County Mayor AJ Massey. Through our K-12 schools, technical college and universities, we are continuing to focus on developing the skills to create a workforce capable of meeting the needs of our industries both now and in the future.

New facility a long time coming

The facility's new site is the product of a long succession of Jackson city council meetings, which pushed the intricate deal through the dredges of bureaucracy earlier this year.

The land deal, originally titled Project Cardinal before Georgia-Pacific announced their involvement, allowed the city to purchase three separate property parcels that lie between Highway 223, Lower Brownsville Road and Anglin Lane at a total cost of $4.9 million.

The city then combined two of the newly purchased parcelsParcel A, a land parcel previously purchased from Tall Oaks Farms, and the Freeman Property, purchased from the Freeman familywith 121 contiguous acres already owned by the city, and sold the total 257 acres to Georgia-Pacific for a net profit of $3.86 million in February.

(The deal) gives us great opportunity going forward, said Conger, at the February meeting finalizing the purchase. Getting Georgia-Pacific landed allows us to also leverage more and look at more industrial properties, so we can be more attractive to those industries coming in.

The city will use that profit to purchase another plot of landParcel Bwhich is beside the 257 acres, and will cost $2.525 million, leaving the city with a total profit of $751,800.

However, although Parcel B is not yet ready for sale, the city expects to be able sell Parcel B in the future rather easily  due to its proximity to railroad access  with an estimated minimum price tag of $3 million.

Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 731-343-5212, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Georgia-Pacific Manufacturing to invest $425 million into Jackson
Iranians are protesting in the streets after the death of Mahsa Amini. SOPA Images/Getty Images

Footage has circulated on social media of protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini.

Iranians have maneuvered around internet outages and restrictions implemented by the government.

Though there are risks, internet-savvy Iranians are willing to take the chance.

In one video that has been viewed nearly 100,000 times on TikTok, an Iranian girl speaks with her parents about how nobody is safe in their country, saying "the regime kills and doesn't feel guilty," according to creator @persian_femme's translation. The girl, who says in the video that she's 14-years-old, has her face blurred.

As Iranian authorities have periodically shut off internet access in the country since the start of antigovernment protests in earlier this month, videos of protestors, activists, and average citizens in their homes have broken out onto Instagram and TikTok and been shared with audiences all over the world. A wave of footage has shown women in Iran protesting in the streets, including cutting their hair and removing their hijabs, in solidarity with Mahsa Amini  a woman who died in police custody on September 16, who witnesses say was beaten for allegedly breaking Iran's compulsory rules on wearing a hijab.

Iranians have been able to document the brutality they currently face through savvy social media use, maneuvering around internet outages and restrictions on WhatsApp and Instagram. The hashtag #MahsaAmini has appeared on hundreds of thousands of Instagram posts, millions of tweets, and TikToks with over 700 million views in total. But there are also dangers to being so transparent on the internet and fears that authorities could use protesters' posts against them.

"Iranians know that if they actually take photos, videos, they put themselves in danger  that's a thing they definitely know," journalist Niki Mahjoub, who has covered women's rights in Iran and the ongoing protests, told Insider. "But with all of that, they want to change the Islamic Republic narrative about what happened  Nobody should be killed because they just don't want to wear hijabs."

Story continues

Internet blocks have happened before, and Iranians know how to get around them

The Supreme Council of Cyberspace is responsible for the controls being placed on the internet in Iran, which it has said is a matter of "national security."

"Of course, their definition of national security includes repressing anyone who stands up for their rights," Mahsa Alimardani, a senior researcher with human rights organization Article 19, told Insider. Controls have spread so far as to restrict all direct messaging on video games, for example.

"They also want there to be no flow or documentation of the crimes of the Islamic Republic," Alimardani said. "Social media does not allow them to control the narrative and propaganda they often try to push through the state-controlled media."

On state-controlled television, protestors are depicted as "violent rioters destroying ambulances," Alimardani added, while citizen media has alleged that ambulances have been used to transport armed security forces for the purpose of arresting protestors.

Social media posts have also aided in documenting death counts in the protests, Alimardini said. Iranian officials have acknowledged at least 41 deaths in the demonstrations, although rights groups and activists contend that the actual number is greater.

Iran has shut down access to the internet multiple times in the past as protests have flared, most notably instituting a near total shut down in 2019 after increases in fuel prices drove demonstrators into the streets. Hundreds were killed in security force's crackdown following the internet blackout, according to rights groups.

Women have been cutting their hair and removing their hijabs in solidarity with Mahsa Amini. picture alliance/Getty Images

Demonstrators in this year's protests have been more effective at circumventing internet censorship through tools such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that mask their location, with several activists in Iran telling the Los Angeles Times that their methods for avoiding government tracking them online have advanced in recent years.

"Iranians learned how to play hide and seek with the government," Mahjoub told Insider. "They choose different platforms to work with the way that they want to tell the story."

In response, Iran has a sprawling surveillance apparatus that it uses to monitor online activity and in-person protests. Last month, an Iranian official stated that authorities would use facial recognition technology to enforce its mandatory Hijab laws. Bot accounts have also targeted Iranian Instagram users who post feminist content, according to Coda Story, swarming women's accounts with fake followers.

But there is also a lot of renewed hope associated with the movement driving recent demonstrations. Amini's death has brought the whole country together, Mahjoub said, uniting people with different backgrounds and opinions, because "it's not a thing that a government should do  kill somebody."

This solidarity is spreading further thanks to Iranians finding ways around government censorship. They are "amongst the most tech savvy population in the world," Alimardani said.

"This is not only a women led movement, but it's a Gen Z led movement," she said. "Solidarity is crucial  it helps embolden and empower protesters knowing their fellow Gen Z peers outside of Iran are sharing content and standing with them."

Read the original article on Insider
BAGHDAD (AP)  Iraq summoned the Iranian ambassador on Thursday to deliver a diplomatic complaint following a deadly drone bombing campaign, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Iranian drones targeted an Iranian-Kurdish opposition group in northern Iraq on Wednesday, killing at least nine people and wounding 32 others. The strikes took place as demonstrations continued to engulf the Islamic Republic after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who died while in the custody of the Iranian morality police.

Irans attacks targeted positions of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan in the town of Koya, some 65 kilometers (35 miles) east of Irbil, the main city and capital of Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The group, known by the acronym KDPI, is a leftist armed opposition force banned in Iran.

The Foreign Ministry said in its statement that civilians were among those killed. It added that the Iraqi government condemned "this crime, which represented the continuation of Iranian forces encroachment on Iraqs sovereignty.

The ministry also warned of repercussions on "the societal peace of both countries and on regional security and stability.

Irans state-run IRNA news agency and broadcaster on Wednesday said the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard targeted bases of a separatist group in the north of Iraq with precision missiles and suicide drones.

Gen. Hasan Hasanzadeh of the Revolutionary Guard said 185 members of the Basij, a volunteer force, were injured by machete and knife in the unrest in Iran. Hasanzadeh also said rioters broke the skull of one Basij member. He added that five Basij members were hospitalized in intensive care.

United Nations' agencies, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom all condemned the attacks on northern Iraq.

The U.N. mission in Iraq said in a tweet that the Mideast country cannot be treated as the regions backyard,' where neighbors routinely, and with impunity, violate its sovereignty.

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Rocket diplomacy is a reckless act with devastating consequences, the U.N. mission said.

In Washington, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel confirmed to reporters that an American citizen was killed in the rocket attacks in the Iraqi Kurdish region. He offered no additional information, citing privacy concerns, and also reiterated the U.S. condemnation of Iran for the attacks.

Protests in Iran have raged following Amini's death in custody in Tehran, and spread across at least 46 cities, towns and villages across Iran. State TV reported that at least 41 protesters and police have been killed since the demonstrations began Sept. 17. An Associated Press count of official statements by authorities tallied at least 14 dead, with more than 1,500 demonstrators arrested.

Meanwhile, Turkeys defense minister said Turkish military jets carried out a new aerial offensive against suspected hideouts of Kurdish separatists from Turkey in northern Iraq, striking as deep as 149 kilometers (87 miles) deep into Iraqi territory.

The jets targeted 16 caves, shelters and command centers allegedly used by Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in northern Iraqs Asos region on Sept. 27, Hulusi Akar told journalists. He did not provide further details.

The PKK maintains bases across the border in Iraq and has led an armed insurgency inside Turkey since 1984 in a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people.

Turkeys military has over the years launched numerous cross-border offensives in Iraq in pursuit of PKK militants.
Pennsylvania Democratic Senate nominee John Fettermans lead against former television host and retired physician Mehmet Oz has narrowed, according to a new poll from New Insider Advantage and FOX 29 Philadelphia.

Mr Fetterman leads Dr Oz 45 per cent to 42 per cent, putting him well within the margin of error. Mr Fetterman leads with female voters, 49.1 to 33.8. But his lead with African American voters is surprisingly low for a Democratic nominee, with 62 per cent of African Americans supporting Mr Fetterman compared with 16 per cent supporting Dr Oz.

Dr Oz slightly leads Mr Fetterman among independent voters, 36.1 per cent to 35.1 per cent, which is within the margin of error, as well as with male voters 48.8 per cent to 40.1 per cent. But Mr Fetterman leads with white voters 44.5 per cent to 41.6 per cent.

But Dr Ozs biggest trouble might be enthusiasm from his own party. Only 75.3 per cent of Republicans said they would vote for Dr Oz, whom former president Donald Trump endorsed ahead of the bruising May primary. By comparison, 80.4 per cent of Democratic voters said they would vote for Mr Fetterman.

The poll surveyed 550 likely voters between 23 September and 2 4 September.

Conversely, a new poll by Marist found that Mr Fetterman holds a more comfortable lead over Dr Oz, 51 per cent to 41 per cent.

The two have engaged in a vicious war of words throughout the campaign, with Mr Fetterman pillorying Dr Oz for living in neighbouring New Jersey as Dr Oz has criticised Mr Fetterman for avoiding debating him after Mr Fetterman suffered a stroke ahead of the primary.

Dr Oz has also attacked Mr Fetterman for being weak on crime, which Mr Trump also attacked Mr Fetterman on during a rally in Wilkes-Barre earlier this month.

The two will finally face off in a debate on 25 October.
The Providence Journal, in partnership with The Public's Radio, Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island, will host two candidate forums leading into the general election.

The Providence Journal is proud to partner with The Public's Radio, the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College in holding these forums so the public is better informed on where our candidates stand on the issues that matter the most to the people of Rhode Island, said David Ng, The Journals executive editor.

On Thursday, Oct. 13 will be a gubernatorial candidate forum at RIC at 6:30 p.m., and on Monday, Oct. 17 will be a forum among Congressional District 2 candidates at URI, also at 6:30 p.m.

The Providence Journal, The Public's Radio and Rhode Island College will hold a forum among rivals for the governor's office Oct. 13.

All candidates on the general election ballot for both races have been invited to participate.

The candidates will field questions from moderator Ian Donnis, political reporter for The Public's Radio, along with Journal political reporter Patrick Anderson. For the gubernatorial forum, they will be joined by Raymond Baccari, a student reporter for Rhode Island College, and for the congressional forum they will be joined by Juliana Lepore, news editor of URI's student newspaper, The Good Five Cent Cigar.

Latest on RI governor candidates: Rivals in the state's top race, McKee and Kalus scrap over 'Paw-tucket' and seagulls

In the congressional race: Warwick Democrat delivers Chamber endorsement to GOP's Fung for 2nd congressional district

As we see our ability to reason together become shattered by partisanship, it is important that our institution, founded to be a communications resource for all, helps provide the setting for discussion and debate. We are proud to join with the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Providence Journal in this effort, said Torey Malatia, TPR president, chief executive officer and general manager.

The Providence Journal, The Public's Radio and the University of Rhode Island are holding a forum for candidates running for the Second Congressional District on Oct. 17

Each forum is free to attend, but registration ahead of time is required. Each forum will also be livestreamed and there will be broadcasting available in Spanish.

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Tickets for the gubernatorial candidate forum can be reserved here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-rhode-island-gubernatorial-candidate-forum-tickets-425931411317

Tickets for the CD2 forum can be reserved here: https://www.uri.edu/news/cd2-forum-2022/

Have questions for the candidates?

We are looking to collect questions from the public, which can be submitted in advance here: https://bit.ly/3drvuii.

We will be reaching out to a select few who submit questions for a video component to the forum, which will involve their recording themselves asking a question and sharing that video with the candidates during the forum.

How to attend

Gubernatorial forum

When: Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Where: Rhode Island College, The John Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts  Sapinsley Hall 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3BM7LSa

Congressional District 2 forum

When: Oct. 17 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Where: University of Rhode Island, Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Rd.

Tickets: https://www.uri.edu/news/cd2-forum-2022/

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The Journal hosting candidate forum for RI governor, CD2 candidates
Sen. Joe Manchins (D-W.Va.) push to speed up the pace of energy infrastructure approvals faces an uncertain future after the proposal couldnt garner enough support when attached to a must-pass government-funding bill.

Democrats on Tuesday pulled the package out of the stopgap measure amid opposition from both conservatives and progressives.

Theyre expected to try to move Manchins measure again, but hurdles remain as the package will continue to have detractors on both the left and the right.

Tying permitting reform to the government funding measure was expected to improve the chances that Manchins bill would get across the finish line. The idea was that opponents in the Democratic Party would not want to vote against funding the government.

But Republicans didnt play ball. They said Manchins bill didnt go far enough on permitting reform, and they did not want to vote to help him get a political victory he could hail back home.

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that he, Manchin and others will continue to have conversations about the best way to ensure responsible permitting reform is passed before the end of the year.

Manchin a day after the measure was pulled indicated that hed like to work with his West Virginia colleague Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R) on compromise legislation.

I think we both have an interest in doing something, and both Senator Schumer and Senator McConnell both showed great interest, Manchin said Wednesday, referring to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.).

Manchin has proposed a series of changes to the countrys approval process for energy infrastructure.

He wants to impose speedier environmental reviews, provide more federal authority over electricity transmission lines and require the president to designate 25 priority projects that include both fossil fuel and clean energy infrastructure.

His package also included a requirement for federal agencies to issue approvals of a specific natural pipeline in his home state called the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

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Schumer, along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the White House, agreed to take up permitting reform as a condition for Manchins approval of the Democrats sweeping tax, climate and health care bill.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have indicated that they want to keep talking.

Weve got to let the dust settle and then we have to keep negotiating, said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said he wanted to see more people at the table and more teeth for the timelines compared to Manchins proposal.

Youve got to have more involvement than just Joe and Chuck, he said, referring to Manchin and Schumer.

Id like to have some sort of shot clock with teeth so that agencies cant just do a pocket veto of things that otherwise meet every criteria. This permitting reform didnt really have that, he said.

Its not clear how many votes the original legislation would have won, with Republican leadership whipping against it, and about nine Democrats expressing their own opposition.

Any effort to get permitting reform across the finish line moving forward will likely require a delicate balance: shifting it rightward enough to garner Republican support, but not so far to the right that it loses Democrats worried about climate change and pollution.

A vehicle is also an issue.

Its conceivable that the legislation could be approved as a stand-alone measure, but given time constraints it is more likely to pass if it is attached to another must-pass piece of legislation.

The National Defense Authorization Act and an omnibus government funding measure are two possibilities, though some are already saying the defense bill should only include measures specific to national defense.

Id rather see germane amendments, said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

I dont know that that is the path forward right now, she said of putting permitting reform into the defense bill.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Bismarck man facing several felonies in connection with two incidents in early September has been sentenced to serve four years in prison.

Timothy Colton, 32, after serving his time will be extradited to Nevada, where he is wanted for a probation violation on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Colton on Thursday pleaded guilty to felony terrorizing, contact with law enforcement by bodily fluids, criminal trespass, preventing arrest, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a violent felon. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. A misdemeanor count of domestic violence was dismissed. South Central District Judge Bobbi Weiler sentenced him to serve four years, with credit for 21 days already served.

The charges stem from Sept. 2 incidents on North 17th Street and North 19th Street in Bismarck. A man told officers he saw Colton hit a woman as the two drove past his home on 17th Street. The man confronted Colton when he pulled over, and Colton allegedly pulled a handgun from a backpack, pointed it at the man, then drove away, according to an affidavit.

Officers later were called to a domestic incident on 19th Street and found a woman with a bloody nose outside the residence. The woman handed police the backpack and gun, and they arrested Colton inside. He struggled with officers, who said he kicked at and spit at them after he was in a patrol car.

Colton was released from custody on bond after his arrest but was arrested again on Sept. 8 when authorities received verification of his Nevada warrant.
Marvels Armor Wars, originally planned as a TV series for Disney+, is being redeveloped as a feature film, Variety has learned.

Armor Wars will star Don Cheadle, reprising his MCU role of James Rhodey Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine. The project is based on Marvel Comics seven-issue arc of the same name within the story of Iron Man, and follows Rhodes as he must face what happens when Tony Starks tech falls into the wrong hands.

More from Variety

Yassir Lester, who was originally set as the series head writer, remains attached to write the project.

This is Marvels second big shake-up of the week. Blade director Bassam Tariq stepped away from the project on Tuesday, just two months before the film was set to begin production, signaling a potential delay from the originally set Nov. 2023 premiere date. However, Armor Wars wont slide into that date  its unclear when the new movie will arrive in theaters.

At the D23 Expo in Anaheim earlier this month, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige stated that Armor Wars would follow the events of Secret Invasion, the MCU TV series set to debut in early 2023 on Disney+, in which Cheadles Rhodes will also appear. On the red carpet with Varietys Marc Malkin, the actor explained how the two projects are tied together.

Related video: Marvel's Kevin Feige talks not recasting T'Challa for 'Black Panther 2'

In the trailer, you see that hes got to confront Nick [Fury.] He and Fury are gonna go at it throughout this show, as far as what they need to do, given whats happened on this planet at this point, Cheadle teased. Its kind of a thriller and a different kind of show than you usually see in the MCU, which is great that we can continue to keep changing it up and switching it up. Its lots of fun.

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Cheadle also confirmed that hes finished with his initial contractual obligations to Marvel Studios, but noted that hes open to additional MCU projects. Now its just, if something sounds fun and Im presented with it, its like Yeah, lets go.' To note, the actors last appearance as Rhodes  a guest spot on 2021s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier  earned Cheadle a Primetime Emmy nomination.

Speculatively, based on the comic books, villains that could potentially appear in Armor Wars include Stilt-Man, the Crimson Dynamo and Justin Hammer, who was played by Sam Rockwell in Iron Man 2. The Armor Wars comics were written by David Michelinie and Bob Layton in 1987 and 1988 with art by Mark D. Bright and Barry Windsor-Smith.

The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the switch from series to movie.

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.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has spoken about her decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, revealing she thinks it will be good for them in their future.

The Danish monarch, 82, announced her decision in a statement shared by the royal palace on Wednesday, in which it was revealed that the children of the Queens second son, Prince Joachim, will no longer have prince or princess titles, nor His/Her Highness titles.

The ruling will impact the Queens grandchildren Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10, who, from 1 January 2023, will instead go by their titles of Count and Countess of Monpezat.

Her Majesty has decided that, as of 1 January 2023, His Royal Highness Prince Joachims descendants can only use their titles as counts and countess of Monpezat, as the titles of prince and princess that they have held up until now will be discontinued, the statement read.

While reflecting on her decision, which will not impact her grandchildrens places in the order of succession, the ruler told reporters during an event at the National Museum at Copenhagen on Wednesday that it is one she has been mulling over for some time.

It is a consideration I have had for quite a long time and I think it will be good for them in their future. That is the reason, she said, according to Hello Magazine. The Queen was then asked if the ruling was for the sake of her grandchildren, to which she replied: Yes, of course.

In the statement shared by the Danish palace, it noted that the monarch hopes her four grandchildren will be able to go on to lead lives that are not shaped by their royal titles as a result of the decision.

With her decision, Her Majesty The Queen wishes to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent without being limited by the special considerations and duties that a formal affiliation with the Royal House of Denmark as an institution involves, the statement read.

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However, the shock announcement was met with criticism from Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, the mother of Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, and ex-wife of Prince Joachim, who said the family was confused by the decision, and that it had left the children feeling ostracised.

They cannot understand why their identity is being taken away from them, the Queens former daughter-in-law said in a statement from her press advisor to Danish magazine Se og Hr, according to People.

After divorcing Alexandra in 2005, Prince Joachim married Princess Marie in 2008, with the couple later welcoming Prince Henrik and Princess Athena.

While speaking to reporters, the Queen was asked about the claim that her grandchildren feel ostracised by the ruling, to which she replied: Well, you have to see how you  I havent seen it myself, I must say, according to the outlet.

However, on Thursday, Prince Joachim revealed in a statement of his own that he and his children are all very sad, and claimed that he was given just five days notice about his mothers intention.

We are all very sad. Its never fun to see your children being mistreated like that, he told the national newspaperEkstra Bladet, according to People. They find themselves in a situation they do not understand.

Joachim then acknowledged that he was presented with a plan about the Queens decision in May, which he told the outlet basically stated that when the children each turn 25, it would happen. However, he noted: Athena turns 11 in January.

As for how the decision has impacted his relationship with his mother, the prince said: I dont think I need to elaborate here, according to People.

In addition to a consideration for the futures of her second sons children, the palaces statement also noted that the rulers decision was made after witnessing similar changes to other monarchies.

The Queens decision is in line with similar adjustments that other royal houses have made in various ways in recent years, the statement said.

The Queens ruling will not impact the four children of Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary: Prince Christian, 16, Princess Isabella, 15, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 11, who will continue to hold royal titles.
Mike Merrill has rescued animals from disasters and war zones, but as Hurricane Ian barreled down on Florida, he realized that his next mission would be saving animals in his home state.

Earlier this year, Merrill coordinated with other rescue workers from France, Austria and Portugal to save dogs from conflict zones in Ukraine. There he crossed the border from Poland to rescue more than 100 cats and dogs.

But he said rescuing animals near Jacksonville ahead of Hurricane Ian with his animal rescue organization Florida Urgent Rescue (FUR) was uniquely difficult.

"That's a different type of challenge here where we're kind of in the path of the storm ourselves ... we're personally affected as well, and all of our other fosters and volunteers are affected," he said. "The good news is that we're close to home, and the bad news is that we're close to home."

Mike Merrill, Founder & Executive Director of Florida Urgent Rescue, pictured with a dog ahead of a drive between Putnam and Suwanee County rescues.

His goal: To keep dozens of dogs from suffering in outdoor kennels amid the ferocious storm as it lashed his home state.

Merrill knows that without his help relocating at-risk animals from shelters already close to full, more cats and dogs could face euthanization amid a predictable overcrowding that hits shelters following a natural disaster.

WATCH: Powerful winds and flooding in Florida as Hurricane Ian moves onward

WATCH: Strong winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Ian wreak havoc on Florida

In the case of one of the U.S.' worst hurricanes, Louisiana ASPCA estimates as many as 104,000 pets were left behind during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with over 15,500 animals ultimately rescued.

Puppies relocated to Paws Humane Society through FUR.

Instead of suffering through the storm, or worse, the animals relocated by Merrill rode out the hurricane in loving foster homes or safe shelters out of the path of the storm.

It's a complex operation that requires advanced planning to build out a network of shelters and foster homes ready to help when disaster strikes.

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GET TEXT UPDATES: Sign up here for text updates on Hurricane Ian.

HURRICANE IAN TRACKER: Where is Ian headed? See the map.

His first foray into animal rescue efforts in disaster relief came after Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas and Louisiana in 2017, and since then, Merrill and FUR have coordinated fostering and relocation efforts related to nine hurricanes, including Hurricane Ian.

"Any kind of storm, it's terrifying for these dogs, much less a hurricane or some sort of a major event," Merrill said.

Elsie and her four puppies at the Paws Humane Society.

Sally, a kitten rescued through FUR.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Ian animal rescue: Cats, dogs saved from storm by group
Analysts noticed the movement of military equipment throughout the territory of Russia

According to him, the deployment of equipment after the announcement of mobilization indicates that it was not prepared in advance.

Read also: Belarus kicks off military drills on liberation of occupied territories

Mikhailov noted that if the Kremlin wants to mobilize a million people, they will definitely not have enough weapons at the mobilization depots. Additionally, if this equipment is quickly de-mothballed and pulled out of storage, its quality and reliability will be questionable.

Read also: Belarus preparing to accommodate 20,000 new conscripts from Russia, says intelligence

He added that at the current intensity of the fighting, Russia's tank stocks should suffice for several more years of war.

"But these calculations were made before large-scale offensives, first of all in the area of Izyum where rather modern tanks were destroyed or damaged," Mikhailov stated.

Russia has nothing to replace them with. Russia can get some T-72s from storage and repair them. But to modernize such a tank  to install a thermal imager, a fire control system, a normal commander's observation station  there is not enough capacity and there will not be enough (in the future). They will have to look for alternative supply channels. And this, of course, will be problematic for Russia.

Read also: Lukashenko denies rumors of mobilization in Belarus

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced a "partial mobilization" in Russia on Sept. 21. The call-up came after the Russian army suffered a heavy defeat in Ukraine, losing swathes of formerly occupied territory in Ukraines Kharkiv Oblast.

According to official data from the Russian Defense Ministry, the plan is to draft about 300,000 reservists. However, the part of the published decree ordering the mobilization dealing with the number of draftees is marked only for official use.

According to Russian opposition media, the secret paragraph of the plan details the mobilization of around one million Russians for the war in Ukraine.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
New York Film Festival

Euripides Medea has been adapted countless times over, and yet Alice Diop breathes urgent and timely life into the Greek classic with Saint Omer, a blistering drama about a young immigrant woman charged with murdering her infant daughter and the novelist who attends the trial with a plan to turn the tale into a book. Told primarily through testimonial dialogue from the accused, a judge and witnesses, its a morally complex affair defined by faces, expressions and words, at once unsparing and compassionate, sparse and subtly evocative. Inspired by the real-life 2016 case of Fabienne Kanou, its a haunting (and haunted) film that exists both on the screen and, in another sense, inside ones mind, and its there that it takes up lasting residence, challenging ones idea of innocence and guilt and gnawing at ones sense of right and wrong,

Premiering at the New York Film Festival following critically hailed debuts at the Venice and Toronto festsnot to mention Frances entry for Best International Feature Film at this years OscarsSaint Omer initially focuses on Rama (Kayije Kagame), a Paris-born professor and writer whose parents are of Senegalese descent and whos in a committed relationship with a Caucasian man named Adrian (Thomas de Pourquery). Rama is tall, slender and has a look of near perpetual sorrowful detachment, such that its not surprising when one of her sisters, at an afternoon get-together, remarks that she was always reserved. Its not her siblings, however, who cause Rama grief; rather, its her mother, a cold and stern widow whose silence during this meeting speaks volumes about her disposition and attitude toward her daughterwhich is likely why, over a meal, Adrian alludes to making renovations at their home (a hint about a forthcoming baby) and Rama cuts it off, not wanting to broach the topic with her mom.

11 Minutes Is the Most Terrifyingand FrustratingDocuseries of the Year

Co-written by Amrita David and Marie Ndiaye, Saint Omer sporadically flashes back to Ramas childhood with this harsh matriarch via dialogue-free sequences that appear and disappear with almost unconscious fluidity, and which are infused with anger, fear, distress, and tension. Diop says little but conveys much in these fleeting interludes, filling in the gaps of a mother-daughter relationship strained by decades of alienation, misery, and trauma. Much talking follows, though, once Rama travels from Paris to Saint-Omer to sit in the audience for the prosecution of Laurence Coly (Guslagie Malanga), a Senegalese mother whos admitted to taking her 15-month-old daughter Elise to Berck, where she left her on the beach to be washed away by the tide. Laurence doesnt dispute the facts of this heinous crime, nor her culpability (regarding others disgust over her baby killer conduct, she confesses, I share their horror). Nonetheless, shes pleaded not guilty, and its that defense which transfixes Rama and makes up the majority of Diops film.

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With a round face and eyes that veer from pained to enraged, Malanga is an arrestingly cagey center of attention. Once Laurence takes the stand, shes interrogated by a judge (Valerie Dreville) and also, on intermittent occasions, by defense and prosecution attorneys. The evidence she gives is her life story, which begins with her difficult upbringing in Senegal with a callous mother and equally demanding father who prioritized her education and eventually sent her to university in France so she could become a doctor. A switch in majors (to philosophy) soon damaged her bond with her parents, and when a nanny job fell through after she was financially cut off by her dad, the 24-year-old Laurence turned to Luc Dumontet (Xavier Maly), an apparently cruel and oppressive 57-year-old white man with whom she commenced a romantic and sexual affair, this despite the fact that he was decades her senior and remained in constant contact with his ex-wife, with whom he had a daughter.

Laurences narrative is one of abandonment, shame, displacement and loneliness, brought about first by her mother and then by Luc, who she says hid her away out of humiliation and refused to accept paternity for their child. Its a stirring account of mistreatment that, like the entire film, is laced with overt and covert racial and ethnic prejudicesthe issue of the dark-skinned Laurences eloquence and decorum is a frequent, pointed subjectas well as domineering misogyny. Saint Omer, however, avoids easy answers. In Lucs self-serving testimony, in some of the facts introduced by the judge and prosecutor (which reveal Laurence to be less than wholly truthful), and in Laurences own claim that sorcery led her to murder her progeny, disquieting impressions emerge about the intertwined forces at play here. Such complications are exacerbated by the tentative rapport struck by Rama and Laurences mother Odile Diata (Salimata Kamate), who attends the trial and seems torn between sympathy and scorn for her offspring.

Snapshots of Rama lying in bed, her hand on her belly and her countenance wracked by unease, convey her feelings of kinship with Laurenceand, in particular, her fear of impending parenthood and the possibility that she too might beget a toxic mother-daughter dynamic. Still, if those parallels are clear, Saint Omer remains an ambiguous character study, one that seeks empathy for Laurence even as it frustrates a wholly reliable notion of who she is, and why shes committed this unthinkable crime. Diops camera gazes at Laurence and Rama in mesmerizing long-take close-ups as if struggling to see them, and it moves about the courtroom with revealing acuitymost notably, an early seesawing pan that captures the proceedings literal and figurative back-and-forth nature.

Rife with echoes linking the past and the present, Laurence and Rama, Saint Omertaking a cue from its ancient spiritual source materialattempts to comprehend its infanticidal protagonist as a fiend, a victim, or perhaps some indecipherable combination of the two, created by a family, and society, that sought to strip her of autonomy. What ultimately emerges is a plea for understanding, both between the films mothers and daughters, and between us and Laurence. Its this latter vein that Diop mines to powerful ends during her climax, staging the defense attorneys closing argument as a to-the-camera speech that addresses the fundamental mystery of this tragedyWhy?via the concept that all mothers and daughters share chimeric cells and, thus, are terribly human monsters. Questioning its viewers while leaving space for various responses and interpretations, Saint Omer proves a troubling portrait of the ties that bind, and the ways in which they sometimes strangle.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Arizona Republic recently reported about the bipartisan outrage regarding foreign investors exploiting, or arguably squandering, Arizonas water resources (Arizona AG, governor candidates call for Saudi Arabian water leases investigation, Aug. 30).

The anger is justified, but it is important to remember that this problem extends far beyond a single corporation growing alfalfa.

It is a statewide concern.

Though it is easy to focus on foreign actors, aggressive investor-owned outfits have been threatening water resources all over Arizona.

Equity firms, cities could drain rural Arizona

In Cochise County, for example, intensive drilling for corporate agriculture has jeopardized the livelihood of residents and imperiled small farms.

On the opposite corner of the state in Mohave County, so much water has been withdrawn for investor-owned large-scale farming operations that the future economic development of the region is in doubt.

Meanwhile, in La Paz County, a private equity firm is buying up land for the sole purpose of selling the water rights to a suburb of Phoenix.

This last example brings up another point. Fondomonte, the corporation which is the target of the candidates outrage, is using an aquifer that, according to the article, could be tapped as a future water source for metro Phoenix and other urban areas.

The controversy: Inside Arizona's sweet deal to a Saudi farm

The implication here is that the concern is not for the residents of La Paz County, but for a suburban town more than 150 miles away over mountains and desert valleys.

The residents of La Paz County have their own needs and their own vision of their future as a community, and these deserve at least some consideration in the discussion of water. The wells will be just as dry whether local water resources are monopolized by corporate farms or are redirected elsewhere.

Rural areas need the power to manage their water

The emphasis on foreign boogeymen and the needs of one metro area tends to ignore the larger problems here, chiefly the fact that the use of groundwater is largely unregulated in much of the state.

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Rural communities are even limited in their capacity for land-use planning. Local governments in rural areas do not have the same tools for comprehensive planning available to them that those in Arizonas urban counties do, so measures to control water use by limiting certain development are not feasible.

An effort to address this shortcoming in the last legislative session by creating a system of rural management areas to oversee local regulation of groundwater use stalled in spite of broad bipartisan support.

It calls for action on the issue from elected officials and community leaders across the state.

An appropriation of $440 million for conservation and water reliability projects, passed in the waning hours of the session, is a significant step. But a more comprehensive approach, including planning and regulation, is necessary to sustain whatever progress we can make.

This conversation must continue, and as Arizona revisits the way it manages this precious resource, we must include the empowerment of local communities to determine their water future.

Arizona native Tom Prezelski is a program manager for Rural Arizona Action, a nonprofit organization based in Coolidge that works to boost voter empowerment and civic engagement. He is a former state lawmaker. On Twitter: @tomprezelski.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Saudi firm isn't the only investor draining rural Arizona water
Those mobilized from the Russian Federation are of low qualification, the General Staff reported

According to military command, seven Russian tanks crewed with newly mobilized soldiers were deployed to Lyman, Donetsk Oblast on Sept. 26. However, two of them got into an accident on the way.

In addition, the formed crews did not undergo proper fire training with the use of standard tank weapons.

Read also: Seven key takeaways from Putins partial mobilization

It was also reported that on Sept. 27, 2,000 newly mobilized conscripts from Crimea were sent from Sevastopol to Kherson Oblast.

Moreover, military commissars in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea received an order to prioritize the recruitment of Crimean Tatars into the ranks of the Russian occupation troops. They are being specially assigned to combat units, in order to participate in zones with the most intense fighting.

In the Saky district alone, 21 Crimean Tatars were mobilized on Sept. 26.

Read also: Russian mobilization of Crimean Tatars tantamount to ethnic cleansing, official says

Earlier, the Dept. One Telegram channel reported that Russian conscripts are not given any exercises, medical examinations, or training before being shipped off to the front.

Russian investigative media outlet iStories also discovered that Russian conscripts mobilized in Belgorod Oblast were sent to the battlefield in Svatove, Luhansk Oblast, without any prior training.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
WASHINGTON  Even as the fallout continues over its controversial abortion ruling in June, the Supreme Court is gearing up for a new term in which its conservative majority will wade into questions about race, LGBTQ rights and federal elections.

The nation's highest court has agreed to hear 27 arguments so far  roughly half its expected caseload for the term that will likely end in June 2023.

This guide will be updated throughout the nine-month term.

Affirmative action

Background: Perhaps the most closely watched cases at the Supreme Court this term involve race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard College and the University of North Carolina. Those schools consider race as one of many factors in deciding whether to accept prospective students, a policy that is consistent with current Supreme Court precedent. But an anti-affirmative action group has argued the policies discriminate against Asian American and white candidates in violation of federal law and the Constitution.

Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on March 12, 2020.

The cases were initially consolidated but then were split up to accommodate Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will recuse herself from the Harvard litigation because she had sat on that university's board of overseers. Jackson is expected to take part in the University of North Carolina arguments and decision.

Argument: Set for Oct. 31.

Decision: Expected at the end of the term, perhaps in June.

Title: Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College; Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina.

Read more:

Explainer: How has affirmative action shaped higher education

Spillover: Supreme Court's affirmative action cases could affect private employment

Firms: U.S. companies support Harvard, UNC in Supreme Court cases

Granted: Supreme Court to consider use of race in college admissions

Elections and voting

Background: The Supreme Court is set to hear two major cases with profound implications for how federal elections are conducted.

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After the 2020 census, North Carolina approved a congressional map that would have benefited Republican candidates. The North Carolina League of Conservation Voters and a group of voters sued in state court, alleging that the map was a partisan gerrymander in violation of the state constitution. The state courts agreed and ordered a new set of maps.

At issue for the court is the meaning of a clause in the Constitution that delegates responsibility for federal elections to the "legislature" of each state. The state lawmakers say a plain reading of that clause makes it clear that state legislatures have the power to set election rules without interference from state courts. Others say the clause has long been interpreted to be more encompassing and that state courts have always been able to act as a check on state legislative power.

Rea Egan, of Chesterfield, N.H., exits the voting booth after filling out her ballot at the Chesterfield polling station during the state's primary on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.

Some fear the Supreme Court could give state legislatures broad authority to change election rules in ways that benefit one political party. Others say that some state courts have gone too far, usurping the legislative power of elected lawmakers.

The other election case involves the Voting Rights Act of 1965. At issue is an Alabama congressional redistricting map that includes only one majority Black district out of seven, even though African Americans make up more than a quarter of the state's population. The plaintiffs say the new map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Black voters. Alabama counters that the Voting Rights Act prohibits states from approving discriminatory maps but that it does not act as a command compelling states to draw an additional minority-majority district at the expense of all other factors, such as keeping counties and other political subdivisions together.

Argument: Set for Oct. 4 in the Alabama redistricting case. Oral argument is not yet scheduled in the "independent state legislature" doctrine case from North Carolina.

Decision: Uncertain.

Title: The redistricting case is Merrill v. Milligan. The voting administration case is Moore v. Harper.

Read more:

2020: How the Supreme Court is already influencing the November midterm elections

Midterms: Time running out to block voting restrictions ahead of midterms

Alabama: Supreme Court permits Alabama congressional map

Elections Clause: How a Supreme Court case could upend 2024 election laws, lawsuits

A gay pride flag flutters with the American flag at Seattle's City Hall for the month of June to recognize the LGBTQ community during pride month, Wednesday, June 14, 2017, in Seattle.

LGBTQ rights and speech

Background: Seven years after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in a watershed civil rights decision, religious business owners and LGBTQ individuals remain locked in a battle over whether businesses that sell goods and services to the public may reject LGBTQ couples as customers. This term, the high court must decide whether a graphic designer may decline to make websites for same-sex marriages. The designer asserts that Colorado's anti-discrimination law forces her to create the websites  and to condone a message approving of same-sex marriages  against her will, which would violate the First Amendment's prohibition on compelled speech. The state counters that it is not attempting to regulate speech but rather commerce: The designer can say whatever she wants on her websites, but she can't deny selling them to same-sex couples.

Argument: Not yet set.

Decision: To be determined.

Title: 303 Creative v. Aubrey Elenis

LGBTQ rights: Supreme Court to decide latest LGBTQ same-sex wedding fight

Granted: Supreme Court to decide if designer may decline same-sex weddings

Denied: Supreme Court declines case of florist who sought to deny same-sex wedding

Native American adoptions

Clouds roll over the U.S. Supreme Court building, Monday, June 27, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ORG XMIT: DCPS302

Background: Congress passed a law in 1978 to stop the forced removal of Native American children from their tribes  a practice that began in the 19th century and led to hundreds of thousands of removals. One of the law's many provisions at issue in the pending case is a mandate that authorities give preference to Native American families when a Native American child is placed for adoption. Several states and non-Native families seeking to adopt sued, arguing the preferential treatment violates the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. In defending the law, President Joe Biden's administration says the preference is not racial but rather honors the legal framework that treats tribes as sovereign entities separate from the United States.

Argument: Set for Nov. 9.

Decision: TBD.

Title: There are multiple consolidated cases, including Haaland v. Brackeen.

Read more:

Granted: Supreme Court takes up battle over adoption of Native American children

Schools: Mass grave in Canada reminder of Native American boarding schools in US

Tribal law: Native Americans are winning at the Supreme Court with help from Gorsuch

Immigration

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.

Background: Like other administrations, Biden's Department of Homeland Security wants to prioritize for deportation immigrants it believes pose a threat to national security or public safety. Other immigrants would be less of a priority. Texas and Louisiana sued. The states assert that federal immigration law requires the administration to detain and deport specific categories of immigrants and that Biden is reading more leeway into the law than is permitted. A lower federal court blocked implementation of the Biden policy. The administration asked the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the lower court's ruling but a 5-4 majority of the justices in July backed the states. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case on the merits and decide the broader legal questions it raises.

Argument: The actual date for argument has not yet been set, but the court has said it will hear the case in early December.

Decision: Because it was initially filed on the emergency docket and moved to the merits docket, this one could be decided faster than some of the other major cases this term.

Title: U.S. v. Texas.

Read more:

Granted: Supreme Court blocks Biden from implementing immigration policy

Appeal: Biden appeals for power to prioritize some immigrants for deportation

Andy Warhol, Prince and copyright

Parliament staff view the work of Andy Warhol at the Pop, Power and Politics exhibition at the Scottish Parliament on October 10, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Photographer Lynn Goldsmith took a portrait of the musician Prince in 1981. The artist Andy Warhol, who died in 1987, relied on the image to create a work of art. Goldsmith sued Warhol's foundation for copyright infringement. The Warhol foundation argued that the art was "transformative," one of the standards courts use to decide such claims. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit said that a work of art is not transformative if it is "both recognizably deriving from, and retaining the essential elements of, its source material." Otherwise, the appeals court reasoned, movie adaptations of books could, for instance, make subtle changes to get around copyright laws. The question for the high court is whether an artwork is "transformative" if it conveys a different meaning or message than the original work it is based on.

Argument: Oct. 12.

Decision: Unclear.

Title: Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts v. Goldsmith.

Read more:

Copyright: Supreme Court to hear dispute over Andy Warhol artwork

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A guide to the Supreme Court's momentous nine-month term
Tsitsi Dangarembga (left) and her friend Julie Barnes have both been sentenced

Acclaimed Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga has been convicted of inciting violence by carrying a placard calling for political reform.

The magistrate said the protest could have incited other people to join, and cause a breach of peace.

Ms Dangarembga paid a fine of about $110 (100) to avoid serving a three-month jail term.

She had pleaded not guilty in a trial that critics say is the latest sign of a government crackdown on dissent.

Outside the court, she told the BBC she was not surprised by the conviction.

"The space for freedom of expression and freedom of the media is shrinking and increasingly criminalised" in Zimbabwe, she said, adding that she intended to appeal against the judgement.

When President Emmerson Mnangagwa took power in 2017, he vowed to introduce reforms after the decades-long repressive rule of his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, however critics say little has changed.

Ms Dangarembga is one of Zimbabwe's most famous authors. Her novel, This Mournable Body, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, in 2020.

She was convicted along with a friend Julie Barnes.

The pair had walked along a road in the capital, Harare, two years ago, holding placards which called for political reform and the release of two government critics.

The courtroom gasped and the two women stood motionless as the verdict was pronounced.

"Guilty of inciting public violence and breaching the peace," came the judgement.

The magistrate said that as they protested on a public road, and pictures were shared on social media, others could have been provoked to protest.

If they reoffend within the next five years they will be jailed for six months.

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Jurors on Friday saw time-stamped surveillance camera video of a man and woman entering and leaving a Bismarck hotel and a home northeast of the city on the day authorities say the two carried out a plan to kill Chad Entzel.

Entzels wife, Nikki, 41, and Earl Howard, 43, a man with dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada, were accused in early 2020 of plotting his death and attempting to cover it up through several means including starting fires in the Entzel homes furnace room and bedroom.

Chad Entzel, 42, was shot twice with a shotgun and died of his wounds in the bedroom, according to Dr. William Massello, who was the state medical examiner in 2020.

Authorities say Nikki Entzel and Howard were having an affair, with plans to cash in on insurance. They were charged with three conspiracy felonies -- murder, arson, and evidence tampering. Howard about a year ago pleaded guilty under a deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison.

Furnace calls

Matthew Heinz, of Dickinson, Nikki Entzels brother, testified Friday in her trial that it appeared his sister was pretty close to being moved out of the home when he visited her hotel room the day Chad Entzels body was found on Jan. 2, 2020, by emergency crews who responded to the house fires. Nikki Entzel told him the next day that she had insurance plans in place, and Heinz testified that he told her to notify the companies handling the policies.

Heinz said he and his sister got along OK but didnt see each other often. He met Earl Howard about a month before Chad Entzels death, when Nikki and Howard went to Dickinson to drop off Christmas gifts for Heinzs children. Nikki Entzel sat next to Howard when they left, which Heinz said upset him because she was married, and not to him.

Authorities say Nikki Entzel was staying in the hotel room with Howard at the time of her husbands death. Surveillance video showed them at the house in the hours leading up to his death, according to earlier trial testimony. Investigators maintain Nikki Entzel thought she had disabled the video surveillance at the home, but that her efforts had failed.

Entzel told investigators that she was tired of living in a house that was having furnace problems in the middle of winter.

Technicians from two furnace repair companies testified Friday that during service calls to the home in the weeks before Chad Entzels death, they found no issues or only minor ones with the homes heating system. Anthony Ortega with H.A. Thompson and Sons in Bismarck said that during one call he found no gas was getting to the furnace because someone had turned off the valve at the tank.

Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer in her opening statement to the jury on Tuesday said Nikki Entzel in the days after her husbands death inquired with an insurance company about widow benefits and claims to renter and life insurance policies. The renter policy was only a few days old and worth up to $31,000, the prosecutor said.

Nikki Entzel inquired about life insurance benefits through her husbands employer the day after his body was found, Interstate Power Co. Benefits Specialist Heather Schwartz testified Friday. No benefits from the companys basic life policy, which Schwartz said was worth between $113,000 and $120,000, were paid.

Case background

Jurors on Thursday heard testimony related to the two fires in the Entzel home.

A portion of a cigarette package found at the homicide scene matched the brand found in Howards pickup, and was a possible ignition source for a furnace fire, according to state Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Michael Mees.

Another fire was in the bedroom where Chad Entzels body was found. Mandan Fire Department Battalion Chief Shane Weltikol testified Thursday that a dog trained to detect fire accelerants signaled that the substances were present on the bed next to the body, which was on the bedroom floor. Weltikol is the dogs handler.

Former Deputy State Fire Marshal Levi Roline testified that the two fires were set separately.

Jurors Thursday also heard testimony related to Nikki Entzels claims that her husband drank heavily and abused her. Friends, co-workers and Chad Entzels former wife, Susan Entzel, disputed that, describing him as a nonviolent man and a social drinker.

The jury earlier in the week watched an hourslong videotaped interview that then-Deputy Burleigh County Sheriff Aaron Silbernagel and state Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Joe Arenz conducted with Nikki Entzel in January 2020.

The investigators bit-by-bit revealed information to her they said proved she was lying, and the back and forth ended with Entzel telling them she felt a sort of relief that her husband was dead.

She also maintained that Howard shot and killed her husband. Authorities have said that an evaluation of the gun didnt conclude who pulled the trigger.

Nikki Entzel could face life in prison if convicted. Friday was the fifth day of her trial, which is scheduled for two weeks. Twelve jurors ultimately will decide her fate.

Lawyer told South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr she expects to finish her case late Monday or early Tuesday. Defense attorney Thomas Glass at the start of the trial reserved his opening statement until he presented his case.
Uncle Nearest has made a big impact on the whiskey world since it launched a few years ago, and continues to expand its core lineup with new expressions. The latest is a rye whiskey, which for now is only available at the distillery but will be in wider release over the coming months.

Uncle Nearest is named after Nathan Nearest Green, the formerly enslaved man who is now recognized as teaching Jack Daniel to distill and is credited as being the first master distiller of his namesake Tennessee whiskey. Fawn Weaver founded the brand in 2017, and it has exploded in popularity over the years, with Victoria Eady Butler, a descendant of Greens, now holding the title of master blender. The Shelbyville, TN distillery only opened its doors last year, so the whiskey released under the brand name was sourced and is now a combination of contract distilled and sourced, depending on the expression. But this new rye whiskey is the first of this style to be part of the portfolio.

More from Robb Report

The official name is a long oneMaster Blend Edition Portfolio: Uncle Nearest Uncut/Unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey (the first in this new series). The whiskey actually comes from Canada, but according to the brand it was made in the American style of straight rye whiskey. That means there has to be at least 51 percent rye in the mash bill (this is actually 100 percent rye) and its aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years, as opposed to rye from Canada that may or may not contain that type of grain and can be aged in used barrels. It was matured in New York for a minimum of four years before heading to Tennessee, and while this is a distillery-only release there will be future rye releases that will be more widely available like a straight rye and single barrel rye.

Story continues

The whiskey is uncut and unfiltered, as indicated by the name, so this inaugural batch clocks in at a relatively high 119.7 proof. As Butler puts it on the bottles label, My great-great-grandfather was known for his whiskey filtration method. But this 100 percent rye is so spectacular, we dared not cut or filter it. The whiskey has some heat on the palate, along with black pepper, vanilla and a surprising amount of fruitiness to itapple, orange and even some red berries. Theres a bit of young graininess on the palate as well, and overall this is completely different from other Uncle Nearest whiskeyswhich, by its very nature, it literally is. It seems unlike there will be a Tennessee rye whiskey in the near future, however, as the bottles back label makes it clear that rye doesnt grow very well in the Volunteer State. But fans of Uncle Nearest should definitely give this Canada-New York-Tennessee whiskey a taste.

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Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
CONSTANTINE  Constantine village council has set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Oct. 3 to get input for Sunday marijuana sales and consumption lounges.

At a Sept. 6 council meeting, the council heard a request from Dominic Iemma, founder of Prosper Cannabis Co., the largest cannabis provisioning center in southwest Michigan, to allow Sunday sales of marijuana. Prosper is a division of the Fawn River Cultivation Co. The two are located in the same building in the Industrial Park, creating a full seed-to-sale operation. Fawn River is a 60,000-square-foot facility with 20 growing rooms and processing areas.

Iemma told the council that all the other local businesses can operate on Sunday, and surrounding municipalities allow marijuana dispensaries to be open Sunday.

The village is also re-reviewing an application for a consumption lounge/event center at 230 N. Washington St. Village manager Mark Honeysett, referring to an application from Tranquility Fields, a state marijuana franchise, said village attorney Catherine Kaufman advised scheduling a public hearing to consider amending the adult use marijuana ordinance, prior to approving a consumption lounge.

Applications for marijuana licenses were received from two businesses at the Sept. 19 council meeting. Focus Enterprises, 190 N. Washington St., applied for an adult use permit, and Green Tree Relief, a recreational and medical marijuana retail facility at 130 Broad St. applied for a provisioning center/dispensary application. Grean Tea will offer marijuana flowers, edibles (candies and baked goods) and extracts (waxes, crystals, sauces and vape cartridges).

The council did not take action on the applications, but did decide to accept new applications.

"I think they will have to adjust the number of permits accepted by resolution, Honeysett said. Thankfully when the ordinance was originally adopted, they included a clause that says they can increase or decrease the number of permits by resolution, rather than to amend the ordinance. The window for submitting new applications will close on Oct. 31. I'm guessing that the council will act on any new applications at either the first or second meeting in October after they adopt an appropriate resolution. I'm not sure how we'll get the word out that applications will be reviewed for either consumption lounges or other adult use permits. I'll depend on Catherine Kaufman's counselor for that."

Story continues

In other business

Honeysett said asbestos was found at a home that the village owns at 270 E. Water St. and that he was contacting several companies for quotes on asbestos removal. Earlier, at an Aug. 1 council meeting, council authorized him to take bids on demolition of the house, citing it as a hazard. The home was owned by Clare Hoffman (1875-1967) a congressman in Washington who served 14 consecutive terms from 1935-1962.

The village was not selected to receive grant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act Revitalization and Placemaking program. Funds would have been applied to fund a new fire station and pay for new village residents' electronic water meters. Honeysett said the village will apply for more grants, specifically one for water meters through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

In March, the village submitted an application to the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, to construct a new sewer plant. The application was recently approved. Honeysett said that, out of a list of 38 tasks to be done before the village can close on a $13.4 million 40-year USDA rural development loan, most are completed. He said that hopefully the village will be ready to close on the loan in a few weeks, so Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering will begin bidding processes for contractors beginning in October or November.

The planning commission is reviewing a survey of villagers, to complete the goals and objectives to develop a new five-year master plan for the village.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Village of Constantine wants public input on Sunday marijuana sales
Katie Hobbs and Kari Lake at a forum hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 9, 2022, in Phoenix.

Arizona voters will choose their next governor on Nov. 8, picking between Democrat Katie Hobbs and Republican Kari Lake.

The governor's job includes overseeing operations of the executive branch that includes state agencies and departments, signing or vetoing bills passed by the Legislature, proposing the annual state budget, appointing judges and appointing members of the Arizona Board of Regents, among other duties. The Governor's Office affords its occupant broad powers, including the ability to issue executive orders.

Current Gov. Doug Ducey is in his second term and cannot run again due to term limits. The Republican will have held the office for eight years and is set to be the first governor to complete two terms after Democratic Gov. Bruce Babbitt, who served until 1987.

These are the candidates for this years election and their stances on some of the major issues today.

Election guide: November 2022

Katie Hobbs: Democratic candidate

Currently the secretary of state, Hobbs, 52, previously served eight years in the Arizona Legislature. Having secured a national presence after defending the 2020 election in Arizona, she defeated former Nogales Mayor Marco Lopez by a large margin in the August primary.

Arizona gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs speaks at a press conference outside Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich's office in Phoenix on Sept. 24, 2022.

Hobbs earned bachelors and masters degrees in social work and has done lobbying work for the Sojourner Center, one of the nations largest domestic violence shelters.

In 2015, Hobbs participated in the firing of Arizona Senate staff member Talonya Adams  a Black woman who later won a lawsuit against the Senate based on claims that she was fired for discriminatory reasons.

Where Hobbs stands on some issues:

On abortion: Hobbs said that abortion is a healthcare decision that should have no involvement from the government. She plans to oppose any legislation that restricts abortion and wants to increase access to abortion services and reproductive care.

Story continues

Border and immigration: Hobbs said she would encourage the Biden administration to provide more work visas for immigrants. She sees the issues as the purview of the federal government. She has said Title 42, a public health measure that allows for the suspension of immigrants into the U.S., does not work but has also said canceling the policy without a backup plan would be a disaster.

Guns: Hobbs believes that "common sense" gun reform is necessary to stop "senseless acts of violence in Arizona.

Education: Hobbs wants to advocate for the implementation of refundable tax credits for Arizonans seeking career and technical education. Hobbs also wants to increase teacher pay and push for universal pre-kindergarten education.

Kari Lake: Republican candidate

Endorsed by Donald Trump, Lake, 53, won the primary against Karrin Taylor Robson, defeating her by about 5 percentage points.

Gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake speaks during the Turning Point Action event at South Mountain Pavilion in Tumbleweed Park in Chandler on Aug. 27, 2022.

Lake was a television journalist for 27 years before landing in politics as a newcomer in 2021. She received her degree in journalism from the University of Iowa before starting at 12News in Phoenix as a weekend anchor and ending her career as the longtime nightly anchor at Fox 10.

During her primary campaign, Lake claimed stealing occurred but never offered proof or submitted evidence to law enforcement. She has not, however, stopped furthering the false claim that Donald Trump defeated Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Neither the Arizona election audit nor court cases prove widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

Where Lake stands on some issues:

On abortion: Lake opposes abortion with exceptions for incest, rape and when the life of the mother is at risk.

Border and immigration: Lake wants to increase law enforcement presence and secure the border by finishing the building of Trump's wall. She has said she would declare an "invasion" on her first day in office, which likely would lead to a legal fight with the federal government.

Guns: Lake wants to remove restrictions to bear arms and according to her website, the Second Amendment "Shall. Not. Be. Infringed."

Education: Lake wants students to have access to any educational institution with no barriers on funding  a universal voucher program that lets students choose where they want to study. She also wants to increase teacher pay, start sex education in the fifth grade and has proposed placing cameras in classrooms to monitor teachers.

Reach the reporter at TChristopher@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake, Katie Hobbs face off for Arizona governor in November
Photo credit: Curt Borgwardt - Getty Images

This article contains references of murder and sexual assault that some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised.



Ryan Murphy's DAHMER Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story shared a fictional retelling of Jeffrey Dahmer's life. The series examined everything from his childhood to becoming a notorious serial killer who drugged, raped, killed, and dismembered the bodies of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. The Netflix series has led many true crime enthusiasts on a journey to uncover new details about Jeffrey Dahmer and his family members. Questions have emerged about whether Jeffrey's father, Lionel Dahmer, is alive and how his brother, David Dahmer, was impacted by his unfathomable crimes. The fourth episode of the Netflix series touched on Jeffrey's enrollment in the United States Army, raising questions about whether or not he truly served or if that was fictionalized for the series. Read ahead to find out if Jeffrey Dahmer served in the military and why he was kicked out.

Did Jeffrey Dahmer serve in the army?

Six weeks after Jeffrey murdered his first victim, 18-year-old Steven Hicks, he enrolled in Ohio State University, where he was expelled after one semester. Jeffrey's father, Lionel, encouraged him to join the military as an alternative to college. According to Military.com, he worked as an Army medic at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He was later stationed with the 2nd Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 8th Infantry Divison at a base in Baumholder, West Germany, where he worked as a combat medic.

Did Jeffrey Dahmer commit any crimes during his time in the army?

Twenty-year-old Preston Davis accused Jeffrey of sexually assaulting him while they worked in the field together between October 5 and October 25, 1979. According to a letter Preston wrote on Protect Our Defenders, he was "sexually assaulted, which included penetration," during a three or four-day period while he was "isolated and alone" with Jeffrey, who he claimed was a racist. "He was a very racist individual, and once he started drinking, he became a very obnoxious individual," Preston told TheWrap.

Story continues

Preston believes he was drugged because he "lost time" and has "memory gaps." According to TheWrap, Preston confirmed that Jeffrey admitted to previously killing someone and would brag about it when he'd get drunk. "Jeffrey had killed his first victim a year before joining the military, and he would get drunk in the barracks and say, 'I killed the guy in Ohio," he recounted. Preston left the unit he worked in shortly after the assault, but his standing as an "outstanding soldier" was largely impacted. He received an honorable discharge in May 1986.

Billy Capshaw was 17 years old when he met his roommate Jeffrey. Billy claims he was sexually assaulted, tortured, and controlled by the infamous serial killer for 18 months. According to Survivingjeffreydahmer.org, Billy alerted officials of the abuse by Jeffrey, who would often be drunk, but those in power often ignored it. He said Jeffrey beat him with an iron bar across his knuckles and shins. Billy said that he was often locked in their room because Jeffrey was the only one with a key and that Jeffrey intentionally made sure his family's mail and phone calls would go unanswered. Billy claims things got so bad that his status was changed to AWOL (absent without leave) when he had not left the base.

"It was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," he revealed to TheWrap. "I was in a room I was scared to come out of. I would steal Jeff's money, thinking that if he didn't have any money, he wouldn't drink anymore and, therefore, wouldn't hurt me anymore. He beat me so badly for that, and to stop me from screaming; he hit me harder."

Did Jeffrey Dahmer kill anyone when he was in the military?

According to the Associated Press, police officials across Germany reviewed all cases of unidentified male murder victims or missing men after Jeffrey's arrest in 1991. German officials did not discover any links connecting Jeffrey to cold cases during his time in Germany.

Why did Jeffrey Dahmer get kicked out of the army?

One year before he completed an entire three-year enlistment, Jeffrey received an honorable discharge from the Army in March 1981. According to Military.com, Jeffrey's superiors believed his consistent drinking impaired his ability to function as a soldier.

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American sportswear giant Nike will partner more closely with one of Europes largest online fashion retailers, Zalando, from October onward.

The two businesses have already worked together for nearly a decade, but this new version of the Nike-Zalando partnership will mean, firstly, that consumers in 10 European countries who already have a Nike account will be able to link it to the Zalando site.

More from WWD

There, they will be able to access a wider selection of products only available to Nike members on the more wide-ranging fashion platform. Zalando customers will also be able to create a Nike account if they wish to access what Zalando is calling the member-gated assortment.

The partnership will begin in Austria in mid-October, then be rolled out to customers in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Poland.

The logistics will be facilitated by Nike as they are part of our partner program, said Sara Diez, Zalando vice president for womenswear, explaining further how the relationship will work. Partners take over logistics and warehousing themselves, unless they [already] use our fulfillment services.

A statement released by both companies says their long-term partnership reflects a mutual passion for innovation and provides a pioneering customer experience.

We are thrilled to now take this partnership to the next level by offering our customers exclusive benefits, Zalando-co-chief executive officer David Schneider added.

Sara Diez, Zalandos vice president of womenswear.

But beyond the corporate congratulations, whats really in it for all those involved? A look at a similar partnership with U.S. retailer, Dicks Sporting Goods, that Nike announced last November offers some clues.

Both that partnership and this European one are just the latest in Nikes ongoing plan to be more selective about its stockists and to expand direct-to-consumer sales via e-commerce.

Story continues

The sportswear giants plan, aptly named the Consumer Direct Offense, was announced in 2017, and over the past five years Nike has become far fussier about where its products are sold and by whom.

Nike has deprived thousands of brick-and-mortar retailers, including department stores, of its wares. During an earnings call in March this year, executives said the brand had cut more than half its stockists over the past four years. It has also opened more doors of its own, with many offering unique customer experiences to showcase the brand.

In 2019, the company also stopped selling via Amazon, ditching a two-year-old pilot program that was supposed to allow Amazon to sell a limited Nike assortment on the global platform, in exchange for stricter control of the Nike brand.

Nikes plan, market analysts have explained, was all about selling more product at higher prices while minimizing stock overlap and discounting, as well as developing better relationships with, and harvesting more data from brand fans.

Partnering with fewer and more successful retailers means Nike can showcase its quality product. Getting together with online giants like Dicks, which sells a wider variety of sports equipment, and Zalando, which aims to be the biggest fashion platform in Europe, means there is potential for the U.S. brand to reach customers it couldnt attract as easily on its own.

As Christopher D. Burns, a sneaker industry analyst and the author of a book about Nikes Consumer Direct Offense, recently pointed out to journalists, Nike doesnt want to do as much business with companies  like Foot Locker  which rely heavily on it for success. Nike prefers to partner with sellers that are doing well without Nike, he said, and which can offer the biggest sportswear brand in the world something new, too.

Both Dicks, which had been engaged in a revamp of its digital business, and Zalando fit that description.

Customer data is also a potential draw. Nike is a tech-driven company consistently working on ways to move closer to the consumer, and every engagement in the [Nike] app provides evidence of how well a Nike store could perform, Burns pointed out on his blog. Zalando can potentially share information with Nike that it has gathered on 49 million active customers in 25 European markets.

We dont only offer access to new customers, we also help our partners understand their customers on Zalando and build real connections with them, Diez told WWD shortly before the partnership was announced.

And whats in it for Zalando? Certainly, the prestige. Being Nikes preferred e-commerce partner cements the fashion platforms reputation as the go-to platform in Europe.

It could also draw more customers to Zalando. In the U.S., Dicks Sporting Goods saw share prices rise when the Nike partnership was announced. And more recently, the company has credited its ongoing growth and strong relationships with key vendors, including Nike, for better-than-expected sales results.

This is a win for everyone involved, Diez said. Customers experience an even more inspiring and exciting journey when shopping for Nike on Zalando, Nike gets to understand those customers even better and we move closer to being [Zalandos oft-stated ambition] the starting point for fashion, in Europe.
QUINCY  The smells, sounds and tastes of Albania will be on display in Quincy's Kilroy Square on Sunday, Oct. 2, for the first Greater Boston Albanian Festival hosted by restaurateur Leo Keka.

Keka, an Albanian immigrant who owns the Alba restaurants in Quincy and Hanover, said he was inspired by a feast that used to be held by three Albanian churches in South Boston. The gathering, full of food and music, turned into a quasi-family reunion and a chance for members of the community to connect, he said.

Restaurateur Leo Keka, owner of Alba in Quincy Center, on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.

"Everybody would get together and it was nice," he said. "There are still two Albanian churches in South Boston, but as the generations grew, some people started to forget their roots. We decided we needed to get that back, needed to get together all of the Albanians in Massachusetts."

The festival will take place from noon to 5 p.m., admission is $10 per person and is free for children. All food will be provided by Alba and is included in the price of the ticket.

Newsmaker: Leo Keka went from Albanian immigrant to Quincy restaurateur

There will be traditional Albanian cuisine  which Keka describes as a mashup of Italian, Greek and Mediterranean food  including spinach pies, cheese pies, bean soup and roasted lamb, as well as music and a costume contest for kids who dress in their best traditional Albanian outfits. Keka said he expects about 1,000 people to stop by throughout the day.

"There will be a lot of Albanian pride," he said. "Everybody is welcome. ... I'm going all in with this. I'm enjoying the idea of getting us all together and enjoying our culture and celebrating where we came from."

A look back: 10 modern-day Quincy buildings that used to be something else

Blueberry season ends: How the summer drought affected New England growers

The festival will honor the Rev. Arthur Liolin, a former longtime priest at the St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in South Boston.

Story continues

"He's been instrumental in keeping the traditions alive in the Albanian community," said retired Judge Bob Tochka, who is helping to organize the event. "He is very well respected. There probably isn't a photo of an Albanian wedding or baptism (at the church) that he's not in. He's been very influential in a lot of people's lives."

If the festival goes well, Keka said he hopes to make it a regular event.

The Greater Boston Albanian Festival hosted by restaurateur Leo Keka will take place in Quincy's Kilroy Square on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Festival to celebrate Albanian culture, togetherness in Quincy
Christian Bale may have impressed his teen daughter by getting to sing with Taylor Swift in the new film Amsterdam, but his vocals left a little something to be desired.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winning actor recalled telling his daughter about harmonizing with one of the world's biggest pop stars. "That was a real nice surprise, and I actually didn't tell anybody about that until afterwards," he said. "I went to my daughter and said, 'You know who I sang with today? Taylor Swift.' And she was like, 'Wait, what? Why would you be doing that?'"

But Bale  who has previously showed off his singing chops in movies like Empire of the Sun and Newsies  also admitted that he was a little rusty.

Christian Bale and Taylor Swift in 'Amsterdam'

20th Century Studios (2) Christian Bale and Taylor Swift in 'Amsterdam'

"It was a very funny scene, actually, because [John David Washington] and myself had been practicing that song a little bit," he said. Director David O. Russell "had us sing it all day long, but then there were moments where I would forget the lyrics. So I'd look at J.D., he'd look at me and then he'd forget, too. So I would have to mouth it to him. And then we were going flat. Our pitch was all over the place, but we were like, 'Yeah, but the feeling is right!'"

That's when Russell put his foot down: "All of a sudden, David just goes, 'How about Christian and J.D. just shut up for this one and let Taylor do it?' And it was like we had been drowning out an angel's voice all day long with our cacophony and our rough, terrible voices. So it's really something when you have someone with as beautiful a voice as hers, singing right next to you."

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, Amsterdam stars Bale, Washington, and Margot Robbie as three friends who become embroiled in the murder of a U.S. senator. In addition to Swift, the ensemble cast also includes Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Rami Malek, and Robert De Niro.

Story continues

Amsterdam hits theaters Oct. 7.

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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who has assailed customer disruptions after M&T Bank merged its account system with Peoples United Bank, will get daily updates from the bank, including specifics on how account holders who have complained to his office are getting their troubles resolved.

Tong met Monday with M&T Bank Executive Vice President Michael Keegan, who heads community markets for the Buffalo-based bank that acquired Bridgeport-based Peoples United in April.

M&T merged the account systems of the two banks over the Labor Day weekend, with some customers finding limited or no access to their accounts.

Tong said Monday his office fielded nearly 50 complaints this past weekend alone and he took aim at wait times that were unacceptably long.

They are appointing a president for the Connecticut portion of the bank and that person would be personally responsible for responding to me and my staff, specific customer-by customer complaints for as long as it takes, Tong said.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who is running for re-election, called Friday for federal investigations into the matter.

Keegan, in an interview Monday night, said the situation surrounding the account conversion has improved significantly from last week.

Were in a vastly different place, Keegan said. Branches are not as crowded. People are experiencing more normal times in terms of their branch interactions. Customers are being addressed one-by-one where there was any kind of disruption for them. And youre seeing call center times returning to pre-merger levels. Were very encouraged by it.

Tong, also in a re-election bid, said he demanded that M&T make customers whole, covering late fees and other charges if payments were delayed because of problems on the M&Ts end.

Keegan said M&T is still trying to determine the extent customers may have been harmed by any disruption  and how that is resolved will be on a customer-by-customer basis.

Story continues

The reality is, that weve seen so far, people who experienced some disruption may have not incurred any financial situation like a bounced check or a returned check fee or something like that, Keegan said.

Keegan said, If we did something wrong, and there is a cost, weve got to make that right.

Tong said there were definitely enforcement actions under state consumer protection and banking statutes as well as federal laws. Those could include fines, Tong said.

But Tong said his main goal is to ensure the success of M&T and establish confidence in a new banking name to Connecticut that by acquiring Peoples United became one of the states largest banks. Peoples United had hundreds of thousands of consumer and business accounts in Connecticut.

So, the spirit of the meeting was firm and I said in no uncertain terms that I was going to hold them accountable, Tong said. At the same time, I said that in the spirit of helping to make this situation better.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
On July 14, 2017, Fairfax County, Virginia, patrol officers busted through the front door of a million-dollar home. They quickly discovered the bodies of Pam Hargan, 63, and her daughter, Helen, 24, who had a rifle at the scene. Almost as quickly, police told reporters it was a murder-suicide and told Helen's father her wound appeared to be "self-inflicted."

Pam and Helen Hargan / Credit: LinkedIn/Carlos Gutierrez

But when lead homicide Detective Brian Byerson looked at the evidence, he wasn't so sure.

So, he made a decision: "Wait. Wait and do the job," Byerson tells "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant in "Death Hits Home: The Hargan Killings." "You will make mistakes in these cases if you make assumptions before you actually do the work."

Though investigators found no suicide note, Helen's oldest sister, Megan, 34, told them Helen was "depressed" and had been "so angry, like, just so angry all the time."

Megan had been living at home with Pam and Helen. She told investigators her mom and sister had been fighting, but that Pam was alive when Megan left the house that afternoon.

According to Megan, Pam announced that very morning that she was canceling the contract on the house she was buying for Helen. Why? Because Pam did not approve of Helen's boyfriend who was planning to move in.

Soon thereafter, Pam was dead.

Could this have been the motive for Helen to kill her mom and then take her own life?

As investigators combed the house for clues, the medical examiner  aptly named Dr. Posthumus  delivered Helen's autopsy findings: She had been shot in the top of her head. The rifle bullet had traveled downward into her neck.

Byerson says it's impossible for Helen to have shot herself in that way with that gun.

"She would have to hold it straight up and be able to reach the trigger to accomplish this," he says. "She would [have] had to have done magic. It just isn't possible."

As far as Byerson was concerned, this was no murder-suicide. This was a double murder.

But who was the murderer?

Story continues

"Our job is to try to put that puzzle together and figure out what happened," says Byerson.

As he and his squad continued to investigate the killings, Byerson says that the evidence did, in fact, point toward one of Pam Hargan's daughters. But it wasn't Helen.

"It becomes very obvious to us," he says. "It's Megan Hargan."

Megan Hargan

Byerson soon learned that Megan had a six-figure motive for wanting to kill her mother. Pam Hargan was a wealthy woman with an $8 million estate, and Megan Hargan wanted a house of her own.

Five days after Pam and Helen's deaths, Byerson brought Megan in for an interview. It would last for more than four hours. He says she did confess to trying to steal her mother's money, but she was adamant that she hadn't killed her family.

Despite Byerson's lingering suspicions  and a growing pile of evidence against Megan Hargan  police did not arrest her that day.

That would take almost a year-and-a-half  until November 9, 2018.

"Why in the world did this take 16 months to file murder charges?" asks Peter Van Sant.

"So, murder investigations can be extremely complex," says Det. Byerson. "You not only have to be sure, you have to be right. And that decision  does not just rest on me.  I have to be on the same page as the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. So, in consultation with them, we decided to wait."

The surviving Hargan family would have to wait three-and-a-half more years for Megan Hargan to stand trial.

Commonwealth of Virginia prosecutors Tyler Bezilla and Whitney Gregory opened by telling the jury that on the day before and the morning of her mother's murder, Megan had tried to secretly steal more than $400,000 for a new house from Pam's bank account. Pretending to be Pam, Megan called her mom's bank and tried to wire transfer the money.

The prosecution says Megan got so desperate for the cash that she killed her mother. Then, the theory goes, Megan killed her sister to keep her quiet, staging the scene as a murder-suicide.

"This is an individual who murdered two of her closest family members for money," says Bezilla.

But the defense insists Helen  not Megan  was the killer. Megan's lawyers describe Helen as mentally unstable and depressed. They tell the jury that Helen was furious at her mother for saying that if Helen didn't break up with the man she hoped one day to marry, she wouldn't get the new house.

The prosecution contends there is no evidence that Helen was depressed.

But the defense argues police got it right the first time. This was a murder-suicide.

Forensic specialist Iris Dalley Graff reconstructed Helen Hargan's death scene. She testified on behalf of the prosecution and told Peter Van Sant that Helen's arm was not long enough to pull the trigger.

The defense has a surprising theory, one that doesn't rely on the length of Helen's arm.

They tell the jury Helen Hargan shot herself in the head with the rifle by pulling the trigger with her toe.

Strange? Improbable? Perhaps.

But as Graff conceded to Van Sant, though highly unlikely, it is possible. "Her legs are long enough that her toe could reach the trigger," she says.

In their closing argument, prosecutor Bezilla challenged the defense's assertion that Pam Hargan was going to cancel the contract on Helen's new house. But the defense insists there's a mountain of reasonable doubt in this case. They argue the prosecution's forensics are inconclusive and the "toe on the trigger" theory cannot be ruled out.

Will the jury believe it?

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The Vampire Queens invite you to come join them in their dungeon at Springbok Casino this Halloween

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Family and friends are mourning the death of a homeless man who police say was found stabbed to death near the Fort Lincoln Trolley bridge in Mandan late last week.

Kevin Greybull, 65, had no permanent address but spent time in Bismarck and Mandan, authorities said. His body was found on Friday, Sept. 23 by officers who responded to a call of an unresponsive man in the 1900 block of Third Street Southeast near the trolley bridge. Greybulls death has sparked reaction from family members and those who helped him during his lifetime.

A niece of Greybulls commented in a Facebook message to the Tribune on the impact her uncle made during his lifetime.

My Uncle Kevin was a gifted artist that saw beauty in places where others saw nothing  He enjoyed the soundtrack of local restaurants, the intersections of mind, notebooks, pens; relished the mood of cafes, the savor of coffee and the linear equations of individual lives, Spirit Grey Bull said in the message.  Our gratitude to those who showed kindness, thank you.

She did not respond to Tribune requests for more information on Greybull's life. She spelled his last name as two words, Grey Bull, while police have spelled it with one word.

Greybull would stop by the Ministry on the Margins nonprofit ecumenical ministry in Bismarck for a cup of coffee once or twice a week for at least the past five years, Executive Director Sister Kathleen Atkinson said, adding that He came into stores, he was at the library. He was a member of the community. Greybull was known to be a very kind, respectful person, she said.

Ministry on the Margins held a memorial service for him Thursday.

He did his own thing. He wasnt loud, he didn't have friends that he was around. He read, he walked, he kept to himself, Atkinson said, pausing. I think that his death is extremely unfortunate ... it has to be a call to the Bismarck-Mandan community -- how are we treating our vulnerable citizens?

Greybull would occasionally stop at Heavens Helpers Soup Cafe in Bismarck for a bite to eat, Executive Director Mark Meier said.

From the little bit of interaction that I had with him and seeing him around, he was just (a) very friendly, mild-mannered gentleman. (He) minded his own business, Meier said. (We) were shocked and surprised how that could happen with such a kind man.

He added, Just because he didnt have a home and he lived on the streets so to speak, it doesnt mean that hes any less of a person and that his life wasnt valuable. It was very valuable, and he has family somewhere.

Police have asked for the public's help in tracking Greybull's whereabouts in the days before he was killed. They are treating his death as a homicide but have not commented on whether they have any potential suspects.

Greybull was last seen around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, in the area of the 700 block of Third Street Southeast in Mandan. He was wearing an orange Philadelphia Flyers shirt, khaki pants and gray shoes.

The Mandan Police Department, Morton County Sheriff's Office and state Bureau of Criminal Investigation are conducting the probe into Greybull's death. People with information about Greybull or his movements can contact Mandan police at 701-667-3250.
PETERSBURG A Petersburg man is expected to be OK after state police said he was shot by a passing motorist on Interstate 95 in the city.

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Virginia State Police Sgt. Jessica Shehan said in an email, the unidentified 37-year-old man was driving his Dodge Durango on I-95 when it was hit multiple times by gunshots from a passing vehicle. The driver was hit in both of his legs, but Shehan said the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The victim was able to drive himself to the Bon Secours Emergency Care Center just off the Southpark Boulevard exit in Colonial Heights and called authorities from there. Shehan said it has not been determined exactly where on I-95 the shooting occurred.

A description of the suspect vehicle was not immediately available. Shehan said an investigation is ongoing.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg man shot in legs by passing motorist on I-95 Thursday night
SYDNEY, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global renewable energy storage innovator Gelion (AIM:GELN) has commenced industrial production of its gel-based zinc bromide battery, with the launch of a manufacturing facility in Western Sydney capable of producing 2 megawatt hours of batteries annually.

L-R: Hon Chris Bowen MP, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy & Member for McMahon; Hon Ed Husic MP, Federal Minister for Industry & Science & Member for Chifley; Gelion Founder, NED & Principal Technology Advisor Prof Thomas Maschmeyer; Gelion CEO Hannah McCaughey; and Ziyad Zalda, mechanical engineer at Battery Energy

Gelion's non-lithium battery lasts for 6 to 12 hours, and will be critical in replacing fossil fuel-produced energy on the grid by providing new storage options for a higher percentage of renewables. In the future, Gelion could scale its facilities to gigafactory level and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Gelion partnered with Battery Energy at their lead-acid manufacturing site in Fairfield to accelerate speed to market, with the battery designed to fit standard lead acid racks, and its manufacturing line utilising 70 percent of existing lead-acid battery processes.

Scaling the Gelion manufacturing capacity will also require many similar skills as those used in other legacy industrial processes, including coal fire power stations, meaning Gelion could absorb, retrain, and grow thousands of fossil fuel-reliant or otherwise diminishing jobs as Australia's energy transition occurs.

This marriage between established and new technology shows Australia could scale sovereign domestic manufacturing capacity extremely efficiently by leveraging existing processes and supply chains, according to Gelion.

The global battery market is expected to reach $265 Billion by 2026 but there are currently significant challenges with unsustainable, unreliable, or risky global supply chains, including a dependence on finite rare-earth materials and a predicted global lithium shortage.

Gelion's gel-based zinc bromide battery solves for these issues by being more cost effective, unreliant on rare earths, sustainably produced, recyclable, safe in high temperatures, providing long duration storage with lower maintenance costs, and being scalable on a predominantly Australian supply chain.

Story continues

Tests performed on the first batch of Gelion batteries have shown their performance meets customer requirements, and the batteries will be supplied to the Acciona Energia solar plant in Narrava, Spain to potentially become part of Acciona's supplier portfolio as a renewable energy storage provider.

The Acciona Energia deal is just one of many in Gelion's pipeline - Gelion is in advanced discussions with multiple global customers in the energy, resources, mining, and oil & gas sectors for trials and offtakes. Gelion and Battery Energy are also experiencing significant interest from Australian customers and industry looking to decarbonise and improve energy security.

According to Gelion, this ability to create scalable onshore production facilities that can assist Australia's energy transition, and which produce sophisticated exportable products from Australian technology and industrial know-how, is absolutely critical to securing Australia's sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

Hannah McCaughey, CEO of Gelion, said: "We are delighted to be launching production of our breakthrough battery, proving it can be produced at scale with existing lead-acid battery manufacturing processes. Our game-changing technology will now be deployed to Acciona to support its development of renewable battery systems. This milestone is a significant step forward in Gelion's growth strategy and also strengthens our position in the rapidly expanding energy storage market."

The new Western Sydney facility officially launches on 30 September 2022 at a ceremony attended by Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and Ed Husic, Federal Minister for Industry and Science. Minister Husic will play a key role in implementing Australia's first National Battery Strategy.

According to Hon Chris Bowen MP: "This is a great day for Gelion, starting the first industrial production line for their new Endure Battery, right here in Fairfield, the industrial heartland of Sydney. This is what Australian innovation is all about; cutting-edge technology and new manufacturing opportunities, which means more well-paying local jobs and upskilling in the workforce."

According to Hon Ed Husic MP: "It's fantastic to see Australian scientific know-how turned into battery manufacturing capability right here in Western Sydney. Through the National Battery Strategy, the Albanese Government wants to see the creation of a thriving energy storage industry supporting renewable technologies."

Available for interview

Gelion CEO, Hannah McCaughey

Gelion Founder, NED, and Principal Technology Advisor, Prof Thomas Maschmeyer

Gelion ("gel: ion", www.gelion.com) is a global renewable-energy storage innovator. By designing and manufacturing the world's best batteries for stationary and mobile energy, we support the transition to a sustainable economy while delivering value for customers and investors.

Stationary storage  Gelion Zinc-Bromide Battery: the sustainable energy storage solution

Gelion has developed patented technology for a breakthrough zinc-bromide battery to support the transition to a carbon neutral economy by 2050. The technology is a low-cost, robust, safe and recyclable alternative to lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries making them ideally suited for the expanding energy storage market.

Gelion's zinc-bromide gel battery uses non-flow technology, which is scalable, can deliver 100% depth of discharge and has a higher temperature tolerance and longer duration discharge than competing lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. With applications at grid scale as well as in agriculture, mining, water management and irrigation the battery is also highly adaptable for off-grid use.

Mobile storage - Tomorrow's transport systems will rely on mobile renewable energy.

Gelion is also developing performance additives to improve the safety, longevity and energy density of lithium-based batteries for mobile applications. Using nanotechnology, Gelion's lithium-silicon and lithium-sulfur additives will help power the EV and e-aviation markets.

Gelion was spun-out from the University of Sydney in 2015 by Professor Thomas Maschmeyer, one of the world's leading chemists, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and recipient of the Australian Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation 2020, that country's highest honour for scientific entrepreneurship.

The Company's ESG credentials are strongly aligned to six of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Gelion's shares are listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and it received the Green Economy Mark at IPO in November 2022 recognising its commitment to energy transition.

SOURCE Gelion
The 10th anniversary of the Global Citizen Festival, which included performances from Metallica, Mariah Carey and Usher, generated more than $2.4 billion in commitments to fight extreme poverty and disease.

Related

Global Citizen Live festival.

Why Mariah Carey, Usher, Metallica & Industry Power Players Keep Returning to Global Citizen 09/27/2022 09/27/2022

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and others addressed the crowds gathered in New Yorks Central Park and Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana, for nine hours Saturday.

More from Billboard

Amidst all the doomsday messages we hear today, hope lies in the fact that millions of citizens are rising up to take action, more than any other point in history, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans said at the event. Ending extreme poverty is not a partisan issue, and those most in need cannot be treated like political pawns. Our job is to not let our leaders forget that.

What makes Global Citizen Festival different from other fundraisers is that tickets for the event are not for sale. To attend, supporters must volunteer time to take various actions  from signing petitions and calling or messaging world leaders on social media to address certain issues  during a six-week campaign. This years campaign generated more than two million actions, more than doubling the previous record for the advocacy nonprofit.

International leaders announced new policies at the festival, influenced, in part, by Global Citizen supporters. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that he would reallocate 30% of his countrys Special Drawing Rights reserves with the International Monetary Fund to the worlds poorest countries, specifically in Africa, to help them fund projects battling extreme poverty and climate change. The governments of Ghana and South Africa announced the formation of the $1 billion African Prosperity Fund, to finance infrastructure, technology and sustainability projects across the continent.

Story continues

Rotary International President Jennifer Jones announced a $150 million, three-year commitment to fight polio through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, part of the service organizations work against the disease since 1985.

Quite honestly, until everyone is protected, no one is protected, Jones told The Associated Press in an interview. And we see now with the state of emergency being declared in New York and the case of vaccine-derived polio that has entered here, its close to home. I think its a little bit of an alarm bell to a lot of people who thought, Well, this is something thats gone. Why do we even need to immunize our children?

Jones said she wanted to announce Rotary Internationals new commitment at Global Citizen Festivals 10th anniversary because the organization made a similar announcement at the first festival.

They have millions and millions of Global Citizens and we have 1.4 million citizens who are people of action, who are doing things every single day in the field, Jones said. So the ability for us to take our activated populations and showcase that we want to help and help people understand what they can do to make a difference, its just a great synergy between our two organizations.

Click here to read the full article.
Disney character Big Al entertains children during Hurricane Ian shut in (Orlando Sentinel)

As Hurricane Ian barrelled down on central Florida on Wednesday night, guests at Disney World tucked into all-you-can-eat buffets while staff in Country Bear outfits entertained children.

The resorts four theme parks closed on Wednesday, but in the 32 hotels that sit on the 27,000 acre theme park near Orlando, Disney staff went to every effort to keep the magic alive.

Theres really no better place to be in a hurricane than at Disney because youre truly insulated from the outside world, Steve Boutet, who is on a nine-day vacation from Scarborough, Maine, told The Independent.

Mr Boutet, an innkeeper, is staying at the Wilderness Lodge, near Magic Kingdom, and said there was barely any sign that a hurricane has passed through.

There was minimal damage in his part of the park, with just a few fallen trees. The buzz of chainsaws and woodchippers on Thursday afternoon meant that Disneys clean up operation was already underway.

He dined at Wilderness Lodges popular Whispering Canyon Cafe on Wednesday night, and said the normal $35-$60 fee for bottomless platters had been reduced to just $15.

That hurricane discount was due to guests being unable to leave the resort for their own safety.

At about 9pm Wednesday, Disney asked all guests to remain in their rooms for the rest of the evening.

On Thursday afternoon, the hotel lobby was full of guests watching Disney movies.

I saw kids all lined up with grass skirts on, they were playing with the Country Bears. Theres a lot of activities going on. Anybody who wants to be entertained is being entertained.

Disney character Big Al entertains children during Hurricane Ian shut in (Orlando Sentinel)

Steve Boutet has been hunkering down at Disney Worlds Wilderness Lodge during Hurricane Ian (Courtesy of Steve Boutet)

Mr Boutet said the theme park had relaxed its no pet policy to allow guests to bring their cats and dogs to ride out the storm.

He has a daughter living in St Petersburg, Florida, but had been unable to book her a room at Disney World as it was completely full.

You cant get anywhere else as theres no Disney transport since they shut everything down on Tuesday night. Heres hoping we can get back to the parks.

Story continues

While confined to his hotel, he had been glued to news coverage of the hurricane.

Its so awful whats going on elsewhere, I feel terrible.

Disney World became a safe haven for tens of thousands of guests as Hurricane Ian wrought havoc on large swathes of the state.

Among them were locals like Jaison Davis, 32, who lives near Orlando and decided to book into Disney World when he realised the storm was headed his way.

He was able to get one of the last rooms available, thanks to his family being in the ambassador programme, and drove 15 minutes to the Magic Kingdom to check in on Wednesday night.

You could tell it was going to get crazy, he told The Independent.

I was very blessed and thankful to have a place to retreat to.

Mr Davis posted a series of videos to his Twitter account JaiHawkFly as the storm hit on Wednesday night, showing the ferocity of the winds and rain.

It was flooding a lot, the water was settling in places, he said. But there was no danger of the power going out.

Mr Davis, who moved to Florida last year from Pennsylvania, said he would carry the experience with him for the rest of his life.

Im going to go to Disney next time theres a natural disaster. I guess Im a real Floridian now.

A video posted to Twitter by At the Double Tree by Hilton hotel near Universal Studios, vehicles were trapped in about a foot of water on Thursday morning.

In a statement released on on its website on Thursday, Disney World said it planned to reopen theme park operations from Friday.

While the theme parks and many operating areas remain closed to guests today, we anticipate weather conditions to improve his evening.

Earlier in the week, Disney World had dismantled spires of Cinderella Castle in preparation for Hurricane Ian.

While Disney was pulling out all the stops for its guests, a theme park consultant told Florida Politics a two-day closure would cost the company $60m to $75m in lost earnings.

There were also reports on social media of guests who were due to check out on Thursday becoming stranded after they were unable to rebook their rooms.

Disney is not accommodating (Disney Vacation Club) points renters during hurricane, wrote Reddit user Lianaseviltwin.

Our checkout day was today, but airport/resort/parks closed... so were stuck.

Disney did not respond to a request for comment.
Florida is a well-known hotbed of professional golfers. And while many players are currently hours away in Jackson, Mississippi, at the Sanderson Farms Championship, their hearts are back home.

For the last 24 hours, Hurricane Ian has ravaged Florida, causing mass flooding and 2.5 million Floridians to lose power. President Joe Biden said Friday during a Federal Emergency Management Agency briefing that this could be "the deadliest hurricane in Florida history."

Hayden Buckley is one of the Florida residents playing at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Though this week's event is his home event, the Mississippi native currently lives in Fort Myers, Florida, one of the storm's epicenters.

"I'm lucky to live pretty far inland," Buckley said after an opening 1-under 71. "I don't think our house got flooded. We are very lucky, but there's a lot of people that weren't so lucky, so hopefully everybody got to safety. I might go back next week or the next just depending on the schedule. Hopefully, when I go back, they're starting to rebuild."

Even though Buckley was fortunate, the natural disaster still heavily weighed on his mind.

Full-field scores from the Sanderson Farms Championship

"I am getting married there in two months as well," he said, "so hopefully things can clean up a little bit. It's a tough situation. Man, I watched it yesterday morning. It's really hard to watch that to my new home for now. It's really hard to see."

Understandably, knowing what's transpiring at home made it difficult for the 26-year-old to focus during his round on Thursday.

"You try to block out everything you can," he said, "but the reality is either I go home in the next few weeks and my house is there or it's not. I've never dealt with anything like this living in North Mississippi. We've been pretty fortunate. Me and my fiancee were talking about it yesterday, and we just hope everything is there.

Story continues

"We've got some great neighbors that take care of our house when we're gone. It is tough, but I think I did a good job of focusing on what I can when I'm out there. Now, I'll make a few calls to the neighbors and make sure everybody is okay and just hope everybody is doing well."

Rookie Kevin Roy, who's T-4 after an opening 68, was another player who was anxious about the condition of his home as he embarks on trying to notch his maiden Tour win at the CC of Jackson. The 32-year-old was "glued" to the news yesterday and, like Buckley, said it was hard to block out what was happening at home. However, his Tampa home avoided major wreckage.

"I think we dodged a pretty good bullet there," Roy said. "I think we lost some power, lost some trees, but we didn't get any flooding, which was big. I got some pictures this morning while I was warming up. There's a lot of downed power lines and everything. I know my family and our houses and everything, they're all okay."

For the next three days, many players will have to balance trying to win a golf tournament while keeping their thoughts and prayers at home.
Farmworkers prepare for extreme heat in August 2021 Brooks when temperatures were forecast to surpass 100 degrees in the Willamette Valley.

When temperatures climbed above 90 degrees and wildfire smoke saturated the air this summer, some farmworkers faced a difficult choice: end the day early and lose wages, or keep working in dangerous conditions.

New heat and smoke rules from Oregon OSHA aimed to protect workers against extreme weather conditions this summer. But for many, the safest option was to call it quits early. For farmworkers making hourly wages, that meant losing critical income.

A new fund is available to help fill in the gaps. The first-ever Climate Change Fund was announced this weekfor agricultural workers who lost wages due to extreme heat or smoke the last two summers.

"Agricultural workers are more vulnerable than other workers to extreme heat and smoke conditions," said Andrea Gonzales, program manager for Innovation Law Lab for Oregon Worker Relief. "They shouldn't have to choose between earning a paycheck or protecting their health."

The Oregon Legislature allocated $10 million to the Climate Change Fund as part of a larger emergency bill that distributes general funds to state agencies.

It is distributed by the Oregon Worker Relief Coalition, which includes more than 100 community partners and also distributes the Oregon Worker Relief Fund for undocumented workers.

Gonzales said the coalition estimates roughly 7,000 workers will apply. Workers can receive compensation for up to two weeks of work or $1,250, so the funds could benefit as many as 8,000 workers.

In order to qualify, workers must demonstrate that the heat index at their worksite reached 90 degrees or higher, or the air quality index (AQI) was rated "unhealthy" (150 or higher). Workers with health conditions that put them at higher risk are eligible if the AQI at their worksite reached 100.

The funding is retroactive, so workers who have lost hours or wages since February 2021 are eligible to apply.

Oregon saw several heat waves that prompted a state of emergency and nearly broke records for the number of consecutively hot days.

Story continues

Last year's heat dome reached a deadly 117 degrees and killed nearly 100 Oregonians, including a nursery worker who collapsed at a nursery in St. Paul.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) found in 2008 that agricultural workers are 20 times more likely to die from heat-related illness.

"Agricultural workers are increasingly impacted by climate change through deadly heat waves, wildfires, and unhealthy air quality," PCUN policy and advocacy director Ira Cuello-Martinez said in a press release. I believe the Climate Change Fund will help prevent tragedies by giving farmworkers a viable choice.

The funds are available until June 2023, but Gonzalez said the coalition is "always trying to advocate" for relief funds for agricultural workers, especially as climate change "[fuels] heat waves that are longer, hotter, and more frequent."

To apply, call 1-888-274-7292. Trained staff will walk applicants through the process. There is no cost to apply.

Shannon Sollitt covers agricultural workers through Report for America, a program that aims to support local journalism and democracy by reporting on under-covered issues and communities. Send tips, questions and comments to ssollitt@statesmanjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Relief available to Oregon farmworkers affected by extreme climate
Sep. 29RECRUITING UPDATE

Brandon Baker, a 4-star offensive lineman from Santa Ana, Calif. Mater Dei High School, ranked the No. 80 recruit nationally in the 2024 class, has received an offer from Ohio State. In addition to OSU, he has offers from Florida, Miami, USC, Oregon, Oklahoma, Michigan and Penn State. He has 19 offers overall.

Kam Pringle, a 4-star offensive tackle from Woodland High School in Dorchester, S.C. in the 2024 recruiting class, has put OSU in his top 10, along with North Carolina State, Virginia, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson and Auburn. He has 21 offers overall.

SAY WHAT

"Fastest kid on our team."

 Julian Fleming on Jayden Ballard

BUCKEYES TRIVIA

1. How many football conference championships has Rutgers won?

2. How many buildings on Ohio State's campus are named for football coaches?

3. Who is the last Ohio State football player to also play basketball for OSU?

4. Who was the first Ohio State quarterback to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season?

Answers: 1. One (Big East in 2012); 2. Two (Woody Hayes and John Wilce); 3. Nate Salley in 2002-2003; 4. Bob Hoying in 1995.
SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OneUniverse, an affiliate of YJM Games, announced on the 28th that it has successfully completed the 2022 OneUniverse Developer Conference (ODC) ASIA.

2022 ODC Asia On-Site Photo

The conference in Vietnam on the 27th discussed topics of web3, such as blockchain and metaverse, and the latest development trends, such as AI. Furthermore, content related to traditional game development has been discussed. Local developers and students could sign-up for the event free of charge. The event was so popular that the tickets were sold out within the first three days of opening.

In the event presentation session, executives of leading Korean game companies such as NCsoft and Krafton gave lectures on business, technology, and art. The following presentations attracted industry attention because they dealt with development know-how and behind-the-scenes stories delivered by veteran Korean developers. The rest of the session extensively discussed business and marketing experiences, visual art and its production matters, and so on.

Wonjon Choi, CBO of OneUniverse, stated, "The age of metaverse is where everyone can transcend physical boundaries and barriers and communicate with one another. We aim to expand the metaverse ecosystem from Korea and Southeast Asia, the center of global development trends."

He continued, "This conference allowed us to grow together by exchanging global game development trends with various talents at this conference." He concluded his statement by reaffirming the goal of ODC. "We will work hard to make ODC become Asia's largest developer conference and play an important role in fostering developer talent."

OneUniverse encouraged the audience to participate with free gifts such as Samsung Galaxy Flip 4, Nintendo Switch Limited Edition, Sony Wireless Headphones

About OneUniverse

OneUniverse is a comprehensive metaverse company that combines Korea's largest VR developer, OneImmers, next-generation meta-human maker MSM Studio, Web3 developer Uniflow, and Bombus, Korea's No. 1 visual tech company. Putting Korea's best VR and AR (Augmented Reality) technology, it will focus on metaverse fields such as games, platforms, virtual real estate, medical care, and online conferences.

Story continues

[Inquiry]

Minsoo Park, Team Lead, YJM Games / andrew@yjmgames.com

SOURCE OneUniverse
Stephen Kenny has told his Republic of Ireland team to forget about their resounding Nations League win over Scotland as they prepare to head to Glasgow for the return match.

The two sides meet again in the same competition at Hampden Park on Saturday evening with Ireland determined to repeat Junes 3-0 victory over their neighbours and the Scots desperate to avenge it.

However, Kenny has warned his players those heroics at the Aviva Stadium will count for nothing on the other side of the Irish Sea.

FT | Ireland 3-0 Scotland What a result  Goals from Michael Obafemi, Troy Parrott and Alan Browne secure the win for Ireland #COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #IRLSCO pic.twitter.com/VsoBXApaWP  FAIreland  (@FAIreland) June 11, 2022

Asked if that win had represented his best day yet as manager, Kenny replied: I havent really thought of it like that, to be honest, but it was a very good performance.

It wasnt perfect  we conceded a couple of chances in the game and I think there are areas of that performance we can improve on, numerous areas we can improve on.

It was a very, very good performance, but we have to move on from it. That was then, now weve got to go to Hampden very determined because Scotlands home record is excellent.

Were going to have to put in a really brilliant performance to get a result there and thats what were trying to do.

The win over Scotland was just Kennys third competitive victory in 18 attempts and was followed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Ukraine in the Polish city of Lodz.

The result and performance in both games signalled an upturn in fortunes for Ireland after they had opened their League B1 campaign by losing in Armenia and at home to the Ukrainians.

Story continues

Understandably, they are keen to build upon that foundation against the Scots before the Armenians visit Dublin on Tuesday evening.

Kenny said: The players were terrific in the last window. We had a mixed window, if you like  we started slowly and were disappointed, and then we finished strongly, and did brilliantly against Scotland.

Both games against Ukraine were very evenly contested, so it is a big game, a great game.

Wolves defender Nathan Collins is sent of for a challenge on Manchester Citys Jack Grealish (Nick Potts/PA)

Kenny, who led Dunfermline to the Scottish Cup final at Hampden in 2007, has big decisions to make ahead of his return with key men Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Shane Duffy and Michael Obafemi not currently playing at their respective clubs.

He said: Its not ideal any of the players not playing in their teams, it is not an ideal situation, particularly over a long period of time. You wouldnt want to go in with too many players not having played matches.

One man who has been playing is Wolves defender Nathan Collins, whose involvement against Manchester City on Saturday lasted just 33 minutes before he was sent off for an ugly challenge on Jack Grealish.

Asked if he had spoken to Collins about the incident, Kenny said: I havent discussed it with him yet. I may do, between now and Saturday.

It is uncharacteristic of Nathan, he is quite disciplined. I am sure he will learn from it.
North Dakota needs a dream -- a dream of equality for rich kids and poor kids, white kids and minority kids, smart kids and slow kids because every kid deserves an equal chance to succeed. We have the money to lift our kids out of a mediocre education system into the brightest one in the United States. Yes, we have the money.

In this dream, we quit exploiting teachers and start treating them as professionals dealing with a wide variety of parental expectations. That means higher licensing standards and better salaries. Then we convince parents that ignorant meddling in the system is detrimental for the kids.

In this dream, education and support will be tailored to the needs of every student. For the slow students, tutors will be provided so they can keep pace with their classes. For the bright students, special assignments to capture their abilities to the fullest.

In this dream, the personal needs of each kid will be identified and met. If kids can't afford backpacks, furnish backpacks. If they have inadequate clothing for windy North Dakota, the thrift stores have a good supply. If kids don't have food at home, provide them with food for the weekend. Kids should at least have food security.

In this dream, there would be no homeless high school or junior high students but all of them would be situated in stable situations that enable them to focus on classes rather than wondering where they are going to sleep. (Perhaps you didn't know we have homeless kids struggling through school without parents.)

In this dream, we would have universal anxiety screening of all kids to identify emotional and mental health problems and respond to them before they become more aggravated with age. Those with inclinations to bully other kids would be identified. Universal screening would head off many adult problems and require specialized staff skills to interpret and interact with parents.

In this dream, teachers would not have to pay for pencils, paper, maps and other supplies out of their own pockets but would be adequately supplied. Teacher salaries are mediocre enough without expecting them to shell out for school expenses but it is happening.

In this dream, we would have more professionals in education, social work and tutoring to meet the personal needs of every child so every one would end up with an equal opportunity to succeed.

Of course, this dream would require funding -- a lot of money but we have it. The state is planning to commit $1 billion of its $9 billion oil trust fund to strengthen the state's economy. Good objective; good idea. But private industries have already snapped up the sure bets, leaving the state with the long shots.

Building a dream education system is not an either or proposal. North Dakota should tackle both in-state investment and a first class education system. The success of the fabulous post-war veteran education subsidies resulted in billions of dollars in economic growth. There is no risk in a superior education system. It's the best investment North Dakota could make.

Suddenly, the dream evaporates, destroyed by our inability to think beyond the biennium. Happy with a mediocre education system that produces more than its share of mediocre students. Many kids fall by the wayside and become liabilities requiring public support for the rest of their lives.

The kids of this generation are entitled to their share of the $9 billion oil trust fund stashed away in state coffers.

Even though the term limit ballot measure is flawed, maybe passage would send a message to the Legislature.
Jake Sullivan, the US national security advisor, at a daily briefing on May 18. Win McNamee/Getty Images

The US national security advisor on Tuesday described the Nord Stream leaks as "apparent sabotage."

He tweeted that the US was supporting efforts to investigate the leaks.

European officials, including in Germany, have similarly suggested the leaks weren't accidental.

The US national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, used the phrase "apparent sabotage" Tuesday to describe leaks in key pipelines connecting Russia and Europe, and he underscored US efforts to aid in the investigation into the incidents.

"I spoke to my counterpart Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe of Denmark about the apparent sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines," Sullivan tweeted Tuesday night. "The U.S. is supporting efforts to investigate and we will continue our work to safeguard Europe's energy security."

The leak in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was discovered in the Danish part of the Baltic Sea on Monday, the Danish Energy Agency wrote in an announcement. "The Danish Maritime Authority has released a navigational warning and established a prohibitive no sail zone around the area," the agency added.

A press representative for the Swedish Maritime Authority told Insider the agency was informed about one leak on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, southeast of the Danish island of Bornholm. Later the same day, it learned of two separate leaks on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline northeast of Bornholm.

Sullivan's comments echo similar statements from Germany, where government officials are said to believe the pipelines were sabotaged.

Der Tagesspiegel, a newspaper in Germany, reported a government source as saying: "We can't imagine a scenario that isn't a targeted attack. Everything speaks against a coincidence." A representative for Germany's economy ministry told Insider it "doesn't participate in speculation." Germany's energy regulator, the Federal Network Agency, said in an email it was working to clarify the situation.

Story continues

Later Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said it was "difficult to imagine" the damage was accidental.

On Tuesday, the Kremlin also said it couldn't rule out sabotage, per Reuters.

Following the incident, governments around the region issued warnings to ships to not sail within 5 nautical miles of the leaks.

The Danish Navy sent an Absalon-class frigate to the site of the leaks for monitoring purposes and to warn ships to stay away, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation reported Tuesday. A German government official told Insider a no-fly zone was in operation over the affected area.

The incidents on the Nord Stream pipelines could exacerbate Europe's energy crisis this winter, given that Russia typically supplies about 40% of Europe's natural gas, most of which is transported via pipelines.

Russia exported about 155 billion cubic meters of the fuel to Europe in 2021  and more than one-third came from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, per Reuters.

The Russian state-controlled gas giant Gazprom turned off its gas supply to Europe via Nord Stream 1 in September, citing technical reasons.

The Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline, which runs parallel to Nord Stream 1, has never been operational because Germany shelved the project in February, days before Russia invaded Ukraine. Construction on the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline was completed in September 2021.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Wisconsin Badgers play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday, and if youre wondering how you can watch the action live, youve come to the right place.

The Badgers struggled in their blowout loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes last week, and they will be looking to rebound against the Fighting Illini. The Badgers defense will look to get pressure against Illinois QB Tommy DeVito, who has been sacked nine times already this season. They will need to lean on outside linebacker Nick Herbig that has racked up four sacks to begin the year.

The Badgers offense will also look to get back on track after their poor performance against the Buckeyes. Wisconsin will need to see more production from their trio of running backs that struggled to break free until the game was too far gone last week.

It should be an exciting game to watch as the Badgers will try to hold off the Bret Bielema-led Illini in his return to Camp Randall Stadium.

Heres when you should tune in to see the game:

Date: Oct. 1, 2022

Time: 11 a.m. CT

TV Channel: BTN

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)

Illinois at Wisconsin injury report:

Wisconsin QB Chase Wolf: Out

Wisconsin TE Cam Large: Out

Wisconsin TE Clay Cundiff: Out

Wisconsin OLB Aaron Witt: Out

Wisconsin S Hunter Wohler: Out

Wisconsin CB Alexander Smith: Out

Wisconsin K Vito Calvaruso: Out

Players to watch:

Passing Leaders

Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz: 55-82, 791 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns

Illinois QB Tommy DeVito: 89-129, 954 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns

Rushing Leaders

Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen: 73 attempts, 497 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns

Illinois RB Chase Brown: 95 attempts for 604 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns

Receiving Leaders

Wisconsin WR Skyler Bell: 12 receptions, 201 receiving yards and two touchdowns

Illinois WR Pat Bryant: 14 receptions for 262 receiving yards and two touchdowns

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire
Ukraines national police says the death toll from a Russian missile strike on a convoy of cars on the outskirts of Zaporizhzha has risen to 30 people, including children
Cranes gather at the Hula Lake conservation area in northern Israel in January. Thousands of migratory cranes have died from bird flu. The virus has also been found in wild waterfowl in Seattle's Green Lake and Volunteer parks. (Ariel Schalit / The Associated Press)
Jake Moses, 19, and Heather Jones, 18, explore the debris from destroyed businesses in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Thursday.
"In the scheme of things, it isn't a big amount of money. What's bugging me is the trust."

-- Rep. Keith Kempenich, R-Bowman, commenting on a state auditor's investigative report into a $1.8 million building cost overrun incurred under late North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.

q q q

"We're going to try and institutionalize lessons learned."

-- Sen. Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, who led the drafting of the Legislature's workplace harassment policy in 2018, on planned updates.

q q q

We have equipment but we dont have the workforce. So thats our No. 1 issue.

-- State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms, discussing a shortage of trained workers in the Bakken oil patch.

q q q

"Workforce shortage is what I'm hearing everywhere I go."

-- Burleigh County Commissioner Becky Matthews, commenting on the difficulty of hiring quality employees for the county.

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"When you talk to people on the street, virtually nobody complains about their state income tax ... That is not what is on people's minds. They're asking for property tax relief."

-- Sen. Mark Weber, R-Casselton, helping pitch a GOP property tax relief plan that could compete next year against income tax relief championed by Gov. Doug Burgum.

q q q

Itll be interesting to see (the results) because thats really what were going to be looking at from 2019 to 2023 -- with the pandemic, are we going to see a huge increase? Were expecting that.

-- School Health Specialist Sarah Massey, on a survey next spring that will show whether the coronavirus pandemic has worsened already-high obesity rates among high school students in North Dakota.

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Its truly a new day, its truly a new beginning to help us address the economic disparity in Indian Country in North Dakota. I believe this to be a model.

-- Cynthia Lindquist, president of Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten, on an apprenticeship program that aims to improve opportunities for graduates of tribal colleges in North Dakota, and help address the state's workforce shortage at the same time.

q q q

New construction isnt always the answer, especially when there are existing housing units that can be revitalized, bringing new life to a neighborhood and providing the tenants with ready access to established services.

-- Dave Flohr, executive director of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, which helped finance the new Boulevard Avenue Apartments affordable housing project in Bismarck.

q q q

I am always impressed with the caliber of the art submitted, and each and every entry reminds us of the beauty of the natural world the Duck Stamp is designed to protect."

-- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams, after the conclusion of the 2022 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, which was based in Bismarck before being moved to an online event due to COVID-19 concerns.
According to the Onet journalist Jacek Harukowicz, R4S Consulting Hungary signed "a contract for the provision of PR services" on August 31, 2021, that is, five months before MOL was revealed as Orlen's transaction partner. For 10,000 a month, R4S was supposed to help Hungary secure a favorable decision from the Polish government. Among other things, R4S committed itself to providing "regular and up-to-date political analysis related to the Polish energy market, including the context of events relevant to MOL", creating proposals for solutions to serve the Hungarian company's interests, "identifying and warning of threats, including those of political nature", and "organizing meetings with key government stakeholders in Poland".

It is almost certain that the 10,000 per month was not the only payment the company received. Usually, such companies receive a so-called success fee once a deal goes is closed. In this case, it did. But how much could such a bonus have amounted to?

- There are two options - a person familiar with this market sector told "Wyborcza". - If it's a bonus, it could amount to about 2-3 million. If it's a success fee, it could be a percentage of the entire transaction, in which case were talking about 6-10 million. I'm betting on the latter because of the relatively low lump sum of 10,000 per month"- he added.

Onet inquired about the bonus but did not receive an answer. Instead, journalists were contacted by attorney Artur Wdowczyk, who limited himself to instructing them on what they should not be doing.

From Victor Orbans biography to a partial acquisition of Lotos

Adam Hofman's notorious R4S PR agency was founded in July 2015, shortly before PiS won the parliamentary election. It was co-founded by former Police spokesman Mariusz Sokoowski and Micha Wiorkiewicz, the assistant to two Polish Prime Ministers - Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz and Jarosaw Kaczynski. A few years later, Hofman's friend Robert Pietryszyn (a member of PZUs board of directors and then CEO of Lotos) and former journalists Igor Janke and Sawomir Jastrzebowski joined R4S as partners.

REKLAMA

Igor Janke initially agreed to answer some of Onet's questions, but then sent a text message saying: "I guess that you are interested in talking about the company where I was associated with for over two years. I closed this chapter of my life more than a year ago and I don't want to return to it. I do not participate in any disputes. I also can't speak on this topic because of the contract I signed when we parted ways. I hope you understand, I just don't want to talk about it".

However, given that Mr. Janke had a good relationship with Hungarys Prime Minister Orban and even wrote an apologist book about him, he must have been an important figure in this transaction. While working for Hofman, he told the Press magazine: -We don't specialize in working for the government and were not looking for clients there. Viktor Orban accepted the invitation to open our Hungarian office in because of an acquaintance from my days as a journalist writing his biography.

But - as it now becomes clear  the relationship certainly paid off.

REKLAMA

According to Onet, the Polish prosecution knew about the cooperation between MOL and R4S for a year. The contract itself, including detailed documentation on the cooperation, was among the documents seized by investigators during a search at R4S's Warsaw office. The Central Anticorruption Bureau (CBA) conducted the search on June 22, 2021, at the request of the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Szczecin, which is investigating irregularities at a local chemical plant operated by the agency and owned by the Azoty Group. The investigation has been going on since July 2016.

The search at the company's headquarters was the beginning of the end for R4S. After that, Hofman and Pietryszyn started another company, Butterfly Strategies. Wiorkiewicz and Sokoowski are operating under the brand name Prostrategic Communications, while Janke and Jastrzebowski are trying to get back into the media industry: the former runs a podcast, and the latter took over the Salon24.pl online service from Mr. Janke's wife. - There is currently no contact between Wiorkiewicz and Sokoowski on the one hand, and Pietryszyn and Hofman on the other. They have parted ways in an atmosphere of mutual accusation and resentment. There were some money issues, too - a person familiar with the backstory of the end of R4S told Onet.

The (Hof)man behind Daniel Obajtek

Mr. Hofman's success was made possible thanks to his close relationship with PKN Orlen CEO Daniel Obajtek and Orlen board member Adam Burak.

REKLAMA

Shortly after becoming Orlen's CEO, Mr. Obajtek announced that the state-owned oil giant would take over the Gdansk-based Lotos, and that part of Lotos' assets would be acquired by the Hungarian state-run company MOL. The information was met with strong opposition, not least from important members of the ruling camp. Viktor Orban, Hungary, and the state-owned energy company MOL itself are exponents of Russian interests in Europe.

11 former ministers of the economy wrote an open letter warning that handing over Lotos-owned filling stations to MOL would result in an influx of Russian fuel to Poland. But the idea was also attacked by members of the United Right coalition government. Among the critics of this transaction were former PGNiG CEO and Minister of the Economy under the first Law and Justice government in 2005-07 Piotr Wozniak, and Piotr Naimski, who until recently served as the government's plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure.

Is Adam Hofman still making money off MOL's presence in Poland? As Wyborcza found out, the answer is yes. Hofman's agency is active, for example, within the Polish Organization of Oil Industry and Trade. When asked about it by "Wyborcza", however, Hofman denied this. On paper, MOL is handled by a little-known company called LitteraPR.

- Daniel Obajtek was created by Hofman and Pietryszyn. And up to a certain point, he was simply an emanation of that group. And I think that with an Orlen-type conglomerate there are infinite possibilities to substitute intermediary, consulting, legal firms to arrange secure financing. Without going beyond periscope depth, however- claims one of our sources.

After Onet's publication, PKN Orlen issued a statement assuring that the deal with MOL was transparent and that the Polish oil company never cooperated with Hofman's agency. Only that no one claimed that R4S was working for Orlen. The article refers to the PR agency's contract with MOL.

Part of Jarosaw Kaczynski's new plan?

Inside the ruling camp, Hofman is considered a person who, while not wanting to return to politics, wants to have a say in what is happening inside the Law and Justice party. A person inside the government who is close to Hofman is MP Zbigniew Girzynski. When he left PiS, threatening to offset the ruling camps parliamentary majority, his move was interpreted by former PiS spokeswoman Anita Czerwinska rather unambiguously. - Mr. Girzynskis decision is related to an issue that was commented on a few days ago. It is about what happened in Adam Hofman's office. It's no secret that the men have a social, formerly professional relationship- she said at a press conference.

In response, Girzynski accused Czerwinska of lying. When he returned to the ruling camp, many saw this as a sign of Hofmans improved relations with the Law and Justice party. Moreover, Girzynski announced that he is starting a new party. This looks like a move against PiS, but our sources inside the ruling party note that it might be Jarosaw Kaczynskis new idea: he wants to use Girzynski to dismantle United Poland (the junior coalition partner led by the Minister of Justice Zbigniew Ziobro).

In an interview with Wyborcza, Girzynski himself rejects the idea. At the same time, he admitted that he is in conflict with United Poland, maintains a close relationship with Hofman, and has had a one-on-one conversation with Jarosaw Kaczynski at the ruling party headquarters. Getting into Kaczynski's office is not easy. Girzynski, however, claims that the Law and Justice party leader only told him that the new party's chances of success were slim. Allegedly, that's all the conversation was about.

***

Every day, 400 journalists at Gazeta Wyborcza write verified, fact-checked stories about Polish politics and society, keeping a critical eye on the ruling camps persistent assault on democratic values and the rule of law; the growing cultural tension between religious fundamentalism and human rights; and the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine. Our journalists are on the front lines in 32 Polish cities, reporting from the streets, hospitals, and courtrooms about issues that move public opinion.

We decided to make our service available to everyone free of charge in order to provide access to high quality journalism for expats and English speakers interested in Polish affairs.

The access to information should be equal for all.
YORK  Brittney Jochum, 35, a former inmate at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women, who was earlier sentenced to traditional probation in a case involving the assault of another inmate while she was in custody, is back behind bars.

She was sentenced this week in York County District Court.

Jochum had been scheduled for sentencing earlier, but upon her no-show for the proceedings a warrant was issued for her arrest.

She was initially charged with a Class 2 felony, which was later amended to a Class 1 misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement.

When the assault took place, Jochum was serving a two-year sentence for two convictions of possession of methamphetamine out of Lancaster County.

When she was originally sentenced, Judge Stecker told her, For priors, you have two convictions of possession of a controlled substance, a theft, making false statements, DUI, MIP, theft, forgery and two infractions for possession of marijuana. You have an extensive criminal history and you are currently on post-release supervision. You have taken steps to address your behaviors and the probation officers believe you are appropriate for probation given your progress, and she was sentenced to two years of probation.

Earlier, Judge Stecker told her she was accused of violating nine areas of probation compliance, which included that she had to obey laws, reside in Nebraska, obtain employment, cooperate with probation, abstain from using alcohol and controlled substances, enter a treatment program, attend meetings, complete outpatient programming and serve 90 days in jail.

She admitted to five violations and the prosecution dismissed the rest.

This week, Jochum was sentenced to six months in jail as well as two years of probation.
I want nothing but usefulness to God and my country (Diaries, February 22, 1827)

When the funeral procession of Lord Shaftesbury progressed through the streets of London toward Westminster Abbey on October 8, 1885, thousands of people lined the streets, bands gathered to play Christian hymns, and hundreds of banners were held high with Bible verses. The representatives of more than 200 voluntary societies linked to Lord Shaftesbury attended. The Times, in its obituary, described Lord Shaftesbury as the most eminent social reformer of the present century and one of the most honoured figures of our contemporary history. Who was this extraordinary man remembered in the Anglican calendar on October 1?

Shaftesbury served in one house or the other of the English Parliament for nearly 60 years, from 1826 to 1885, with just one short break of 18 months. He was offered cabinet office by prime ministers of both major political parties of the day, three times in 1866 alone.

And yet he encapsulated the ideal of the Christian philanthropist and evangelist. In his view, religion and life should be united, not separated. He developed a quite remarkable evangelical Christian vision for society. He understood there was a proper function for the state, for government, in protecting the weakest and most vulnerable, especially children. Yet he also recognized that the role of the state was a limited one. Shaftesbury believed in the Christian mission of the conversion of the soul, but also that the Christian faith should shape and transform society. He believed that God had provided the most extraordinary instrument to achieve both these purposesthe Christian voluntary society. Through these societies, large and small, Shaftesbury set out to mobilize and motivate the Christians of Victorian England. He founded schools, chaired missionary societies, and established clubs and societies that provided micro-finance loans for the poor. The list could go on. A committed Tory, he viewed socialism as anathema. He often felt the world to be against him and suffered from an intense introspection that bordered on the depressive. But he was in all things motivated by his Christian beliefs, the centrality of Scripture, and, not least, the principle of faithful discipleship in the light of the second coming.

Anthony Ashley Cooper was born on April 28, 1801. He took the courtesy title of Lord Ashley when his own father succeeded to the earldom in 1811. He retained this designation until he became the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury on his fathers death in 1851. His early family life was difficult, and his relationship with his parents less than congenial. Ashley described his mother as a dreadful woman. His own later happy marriage (to Emily Minny Cowper) and family life was a significant contrast to what he experienced in childhood.

The really important influence in his early years was the family housekeeper, Maria Millis. She read the Bible to the young aristocrat and taught him to pray. Lord Ashley later looked back saying that under God it was to her that he owed the first thoughts of piety and actions of prayer. He also described in his journals how his eyes were finally opened by reading the evangelical writer Philip Doddridge and the impact of acquiring Thomas Scotts commentary on the Bible. He was slowly embracing the evangelical faith that was to shape his life. As early as 1825 he sought to establish social policy based on the Scriptures.

We see this in his parliamentary campaigns on behalf of Londons climbing boys. Prior to mechanization in the later 19th century, children were used to climb the narrow chimney flues of both homes and factories. To navigate these narrow openings, the younger the child, the better. Sweeps employed children as young as five or six years of age to clean these chimneys, often bonded into the Master Sweeps employ by poor and desperate parents.

Some of these child laborers became stuck in the chimneys, while others died from inhalation of fumes or the effects of toxic gases from the hearths and the fires. Shaftesbury introduced legislation to Parliament to ban the employment of children as sweeps in 1840, 185356, 1864, and in 1875, when the practice was finally outlawed. (One of Lord Shaftesburys characteristics was tenacity.) He presented evidence of children being stolen and forced into the sweeps employment and the use of pins pressed into their feet or fires lit in the hearths to force the children up the chimneys. The children suffered sores, bruises, deformities, and burns. He described the practice as Satanic. The rich, he said, preferred not to ask how their chimneys were cleaned. The country could never claim to be Christian while such practices continued.

Shaftesbury, then, did not hesitate to campaign for national legislation when that was needed. The real dynamic of his vision, however, lay in the voluntary society. He had a particularly close relationship with the London City Mission, chairing the annual meetings from the 1840s through to his death. The City Mission was founded in 1835 on the principle of taking the Christian faith to the urban poor of London primarily through home visitation. The work grew into reaching out to particular employment groups (such as flower girls and cab drivers), and many missionaries were also involved in founding schools. The City Missionary was in a unique position to watch for and counteract the rise and progress of evil, whether physical or spiritual. Shaftesbury relied heavily on the work of the City Missionaries in his campaigns and concerns, walking the streets of London in their company.

By way of illustration, there is the most remarkable story of Lord Ashley encountering some of the hardest criminals of London. Crucial to Ashleys approach was the combination of self-help, social provision, and spiritual salvation. In 1848, Ashley was invited by a London City Missionary, Thomas Jackson, to accompany him to a meeting of Londons convicted felons. It must have been a quite extraordinary scene for this English aristocratic gentleman to walk with Jackson into the heart of one of Londons most notorious slums. Three meetings total were held, and a total of 394 convicts attended. Ashley had two aims: to preach the gospel and to assist these individuals in finding a new life. He supported various schemes of emigration designed to help those who had fallen into criminal ways to make a new start. Standing next to Jackson, Ashley preached the faith to his hearers and then sought to persuade them to lift themselves out of the quagmire.

The name Ragged schools seems quaint and old-fashioned, certainly an unlikely choice in the contemporary age. This should not distract us, however, from the impact of this movement in Victorian England. Shaftesbury was associated with the Ragged school movement for over 40 years, and it represented one of the main ways in which he expressed his commitment to Christian social welfare on the ground. The basic aims of the Ragged schooland the numerous individual schools that came under the umbrella of the Ragged School Union in 1844, with Shaftesbury as presidentwas the Christian education of the poor. The poorest were often excluded from existing provisions, and there was an urgency to teach the Bible. Many of the early Ragged schools came into existence through the efforts of individual City Missionaries. The Ragged School Unions annual report in 1845 noted the aim of placing poor, destitute children in the path of industry and virtue. Here was the wonder of the Christian voluntary society. The same building that housed a Ragged school would also support a school of industry for teaching trades (tailoring and shoemaking being examples) and training for employment and penny banks to encourage the principles of saving, thrift, and prudence. By 1868 there were 257 schools with 31,357 students.

It should be noted that the Ragged schools were not glamorous. They often met in crowded and inadequate conditions, perhaps a room 15 feet square, accommodating 50 to 60 children and eight to 10 teachers, occasionally paid but mostly Christian volunteers. Ashley described one particular school as follows: There was an average Sunday evening attendance of 260, ages five to 20, including 42 who had no parents, seven who were the children of convicts, 27 who had themselves been imprisoned, 36 who had run away from home, 19 who slept in lodging houses, 41 who lived by begging, 29 who never slept on beds, and 17 who had no shoes or stockings.

Growing out of the Ragged schools was the Shoeblack Brigades, founded in 1851 under Shaftesburys patronage. The purpose was to provide employment and encourage disciplined lives. The boys earnings were split three ways. A third was banked for the future, a third went to the mission to cover costs, and a third was retained by the boys themselves.

For Shaftesbury, the voluntary society was essentially local and relational, neither of which could be said of government interventions, which would not nurture the personal dependence on God the hoped to instill in each of these children along with the virtues of thrift and self-discipline. While he believed that government had the responsibility to protect the most vulnerable, he always insisted that the voluntary principle was the ideal to spread the Christian faith and to act as the locus of social welfare. When in 1870 compulsory state education was introduced in England, Shaftesbury was incandescent. He was deeply skeptical of the march of state power.

The godless, non-Bible system is at hand; and the Ragged Schools, with all their divine polity, with all their burning and fruitful love for the poor, with all their prayers and harvests for the temporal and eternal welfare of the forsaken, heathenish, destitute, sorrowful, and yet innocent children, must perish under this all-conquering march of intellectual power. Our nature is nothing, the heart is nothing, in the estimation of these zealots of secular knowledge. Everything for the flesh, and nothing for the soul; everything for time, and nothing for eternity.

We have barely scratched the surface of this great mans life. One thing we can say is Thank God for Lord Shaftesbury.
YORK  In 2019, Jay Monson, now 32 years of age, of Lincoln, was sentenced in a case where he broke into a York residence while the couple living there was asleep. This week, he was re-sentenced in York County District Court, to jail, because he was not in compliance with the terms of his post-release supervision.

According to court records, the case began when the York Police Department was contacted by the couple, as they said they discovered someone had broken in during the night and stole a wallet and checkbook off their kitchen counter. The wallet contained debit and credit cards.

They said the door was locked when they went to bed.

Upon further investigation, paint damage was found by a door to the house (indicating forced entry) and it was discovered other things were missing, including tools and a grill cleaning kit.

The investigating officer, according to his affidavit submitted to the county court, said financial transaction cards were used several times shortly after the burglary occurred, including at a York car wash. One vehicle was in the car wash during the middle of the night  when the card was used there  and it could be seen on surveillance. Upon reviewing that recording, it was established that the driver appeared to be Monson, who had earlier been named as a possible suspect.

There was also additional evidence leading police to Monson, when he tried to withdraw $800 from the couples bank account at an ATM in York.

This week, because of his non-compliance, his post-release supervision was revoked and he was sentenced to six months in the York County Jail.
By deferring implementation of the norm to make six airbags mandatory in passenger cars by one year to October 1, 2023, the government has recognised genuine concerns of the automobile industry, Maruti Suzuki India Chairman R C Bhargava said on Thursday. The government had earlier planned to make six airbags mandatory in eight-seater vehicles for enhanced safety of occupants from October 1, 2022. "Industry had been seeking postponement because there was not enough time (to comply) and the market was down and it is great that the government has recognised the validity of what we were saying and they have acted very supportive of the industry," Bhargava told PTI when asked about the development.

He, however, added that the next year date (October 1, 2023) may be adequate for some carmakers but would not be enough for companies who would need to make structural changes in the car to accommodate the six airbags.

"Those cars which require modifications to the body to accommodate the airbags will take a longer time, other cars can be done in the timeframe," Bhargava stated. Earlier, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the government's stance regarding the matter.

"Considering the global supply chain constraints being faced by the auto industry and its impact on the macroeconomic scenario, it has been decided to implement the proposal mandating a minimum of six airbags in passenger cars (M-1 Category) w.E.F 01st October 2023," he tweeted.

The minister further asserted that the safety of all passengers travelling in motor vehicles irrespective of their cost and variants is the foremost priority. An airbag interferes between the driver and the vehicle's dashboard during a collision, thereby preventing serious injuries.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in a statement said that in order to enhance the safety of occupants of the motor vehicle against lateral impact, it has been decided to enhance safety features by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989.

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, over 1.55 lakh lives were lost in road crashes across India in 2021 -- an average of 426 daily or 18 every single hour -- which is the highest death figures recorded in any calendar year so far.
To advance the growth of its budding EV industry and address climate threats, India has partnered with the US state of California for research and innovation in the field of zero-emission vehicles. The most cutting-edge zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) regulations are found in California. Its mandate for 100% ZEV by 2035 is ambitious. A new India ZEV Research Centre was developed as part of a collaboration with the University of California's Davis Institute of Transportation Studies.

The California-India ZEV Policy programme aims to support ZEV uptake in India, spurring the development of an EV industry in India and contribute to India's industrial growth. In addition to addressing policy, technology, and investment strategies for a ZEV transition, it would identify opportunities for India to emerge as a strategic leader in the global ZEV transition.

Announced in Pittsburgh last week on the sidelines of the Clean Energy Ministerial attended by Union Science and Technology Minister Jitender Singh, the California-India ZEV Partnership provides a unique opportunity for sub-national policy design as a lever for vehicle electrification and, importantly, harness the role of states as key laboratories of innovation, in both the countries and the global south, officials said.

Also read: 'Govt has recognized...' Maruti Suzuki Chairman welcomes govt's move to defer 6 Airbags norm

"While ZEV policies have been implemented in various parts of the world, the State of California is probably the only regional government to have the most comprehensive and oldest ZEV policy ecosystem," said Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, Washington, DC, Sripriya Ranganathan during a round table in Pittsburgh on 'Accelerating ZEV Transitions: California-India Policy Cooperation' last week.

"The learnings from the California experience, along with other regions, would offer India an opportunity to consider a mix of policies that would support the uptake of ZEVs while simultaneously spurring the development of a nascent industry that can bring with it important industrial growth," she said.

According to Ranganathan, this California-India ZEV policy collaboration is very timely and will only further enhance the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It will also elevate the amount of information and research brought to the transportation decarbonisation policy process in India, providing an opportunity to engage policymakers globally in well-orchestrated efforts, she said.

The role of California as a state government and collaboration with potential other Indian states, in addition to the Government of India, can provide a unique opportunity to leverage sub-national policy design as a key lever for vehicle electrification targets and, more importantly, harness the role of states as key laboratories of innovation, she said.

"There already exists a strong precedent for a California-India ZEV Policy Collaboration with similar efforts in other sectors having been done in the past, with collaborations on air quality and electricity sector reforms to name a few," she noted.

"As India prepares to host both the Clean Energy Ministerial and the G20 next year in 2023, this platform presents us a unique opportunity to accelerate ZEV transitions in developing countries, including India jointly, and continue to build on our commitment to addressing climate risks in the coming year," Ranganathan said.

According to the India Centre for Energy and Transportation of UC Davis, India has led innovations in public procurement to spur EV adoption in public transportation and electrification of last-mile passenger and freight mobility in cities.

"While the two regions have unique differences, such as India's large portfolio of two and three-wheelers, there are also common challenges such as electrification of hard-to-abate segments including medium and heavy-duty trucks," it said.

A California-India ZEV partnership provides a unique opportunity for sub-national policy design as a lever for vehicle electrification and, importantly, harnesses the role of states as key laboratories of innovation in both the countries and the global south, the university said. The California-India ZEV policy programme, among other things, will showcase best practices in EV adoption from India on international platforms and unlock strategic dialogues on international climate finance for a ZEV transition.

With inputs from PTI
Air India cuts down on concessions offered to students and senior citizens by half. The airline has announced to offer only 25 per cent concession to student and senior citizens, earlier which stood at 50 per cent. Considering the overall market situation and dynamics, we have decided to rationalise our fares in line with the broad industry trend. Even after this adjustment, Air Indias discount on base fares for both students and senior citizens will be nearly double when compared to other private airlines, reports Hindustan Times quoting an Air India spokesperson. The airline, however, has not introduced any cut on concessions that were being offered under other categories.

Armed personals, paramilitary force individuals, war-disabled officers, and recipients of gallantry awards will continue to receive the 50 per cent concession that was offered earlier as well. Notably, the updated discount slab has already come into effect. A circular of the airline read,  (under senior citizen and student concession) for tickets issued on/after 29th September 2022, 25 per cent (discount) of basic fare will be applicable on select booking classes in economy cabin. Also, another notification circulated on September 28 revealed, it has been decided to revise the concessionary fares with effect from 29th September 2022. The changes are applicable for tickets issued on/after 29th September 2022.

Also read - Alliance Air's Dornier D-28 aircraft lands successfully at Ziro ALG in Arunachal Pradesh after multiple failures

The airline, however, defended itself against the high reduction in concessionary benefits to students and senior citizens in a statement, saying, Even after this adjustment, the discount on base fares for both students and senior citizens will be nearly double when compared to other private airlines. Considering the overall market situation and dynamics, we have decided to rationalise our fares in line with the broad industry trend, an Air India spokesperson further added to the statement.
In an effort to increase its global reach, Air India on Friday disclosed the addition of 20 weekly flights to San Francisco in the US and Birmingham and London in the UK. This is a part of the flag carrier's ongoing effort to take back the top spot on the global aviation map. The extra flights will be added gradually between October and December. Air India will be able to offer more than 5,000 additional seats per week to customers and ensure plenty of choice in terms of connectivity, convenience, and cabin space with the addition of five additional flights per week to Birmingham, nine additional flights to London, and six additional flights to San Francisco.

Air India`s current schedule of 34 flights every week to the UK will go up to 48. Birmingham will receive an extra five flights per week, three from Delhi and two additional from Amritsar. London will receive nine additional weekly flights, of which five are from Mumbai, three from Delhi, and one from Ahmedabad. Altogether, seven Indian cities will now have non-stop Air India flights to the UK`s capital.

Flights from India to the US will increase from 34 to 40 per week. Air India will now connect Mumbai with San Francisco with a thrice-weekly service and reinstate a three-times-weekly Bengaluru operation. This takes Air India`s San Francisco offering from 10 to 16 weekly, with non-stop service from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Also read: 'Bomb in bag' hoax threat by passenger delays Malaysia-bound flight from Delhi Airport

Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, commented on the development: "As Air India reinvents itself under the Vihaan.AI transformation programme, adding frequency and improving connectivity from major Indian cities to more international destinations is a significant focus.

"This sizeable frequency increase to the US and the UK, as well as the addition of new city pairs and improved aircraft cabin interiors, comes just 10 months after Air India`s acquisition by the Tata Group. It is a clear signal of our intent and an early step towards a much bigger aspiration."

In addition to leasing new aircraft, Air India has been working to restore existing narrow-body and wide-body aircraft to the operating fleet. Prior to the expansion described above, the airline had already enabled frequency increases between Delhi and Vancouver, as well as the addition of numerous domestic services.

With inputs from IANS
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of treacherous terrain. While the state offers roads of mixed variety, it also has airports of varied levels of severity. The states Ziro ALG airport is one of the most dangerous airports in the country, due to its short runway. The airport once catered to daily flights operated by Vayudoot and Air India. However, it is now being redeveloped to be operational again, and after a couple of failed landing trials, a Dornier D-28 aircraft of Alliance Air made a successful landing attempt at the Ziro ALG in Lower Subansiri district on Thursday.

The 17-seater aircraft, being operated by Alliance Air, landed at the Advance Landing Ground at 12.30 PM with four persons on board, including two pilots, one cabin crew and a senior flight operation inspector from the director general of civil aviation, District Information and Public Relation Officer (DIPRO) Gyati Kacho said.

Officials of Alliance Air and DGCA interacted with the district administration on the successful test landing and also on the next plan for operating commercial service to Ziro from Mohonbari and Hollongi Airports.

It is the third destination of fixed wing operation in the state with ATR-72 and Dornier D - 228 flights already in operation at Pasighat and Tezu airports under the Centre's UDAN scheme.

Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, Extremely delighted to share the successful test landing of Dornier flight of @alianceair at Ziro advance landing ground today.

Also read - Diagnostic lab asked to pay Rs 15,000 after a man misses flight to Dubai, here's WHY?

I had promised to my sisters & brothers of Lower Subansiri district to have regular flights for Dibrugarh from Ziro. The wait is going to be over now! Khandu said in another tweet.

The terminal building of the Ziro ALG, which has all the facilities to run the commercial service, was inaugurated by Khandu on September 26.

The state government plans to start Donier D-228 service to Mechuka and Tuting in Shi-Yomi and Upper Siang districts soon, the official added.

With inputs from PTI
After a brawl between two passengers on board the aircraft at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here, a flight with a destination of Malaysia was delayed on Friday due to a hoax bomb threat, according to officials. Around 1 pm, swift response teams received a bomb call from Malaysia Airlines flight MH173, which prompted them to properly check the aircraft, according to the officials. After a two-hour and forty-minute delay, the plane finally took off for Kuala Lumpur, and the four passengers who were reportedly involved in the incident were given over to the local police, according to the reports.

"A fight broke out between two passengers for keeping their bags in the overhead cabin of the aircraft. When one passenger asked the other what was in his bag, the other replied, 'bomb'. The flight was then grounded as the pilot was informed about it, and the pilot intimated the ATC (air traffic controller)," official sources told PTI.

"A bomb threat assessment committee immediately probed the matter, and the flight was put through checks after which the bomb call was declared a hoax," the sources said. A total of four passengers -- all Indians -- were handed over to the police, they added. According to sources, the passenger who made the bomb claim was identified as Varindar Sidhu.

Also read: Air India cuts 50 percent concession for Senior Citizens and Students by THIS much

With inputs from PTI
The pandemic made countries seal their international borders, and when they were opened, travellers were asked to show a negative report for the Covid-19 test. While certain nations are now letting international travellers enter on the basis of a vaccination certificate, while others have still restricted entry, subject to the availability of a negative Covid-19 report, and Dubai is one of those cities. Recently, a Thane, Maharashtra resident was about to fly to Dubai and due to an error from the pathology labs end on his Covid-19 report, he ended up missing his flight to Dubai. Agitated by the labs mistake, the man raised a complaint at the Thane District Consumer Complaints Redressal Commission, which directed the lab to pay a sum of Rs 15,000 to the man as a compensation.

The man, his wife and child were to travel to Dubai on December 2, 2020 and, as per rules at the time, they took a test within 72 hours of departure to obtain a COVID-19 negative certificate. However, the labs inability to deliver a fuss-free report made them miss their flight.

While the date on the certificate was November 29 for his wife and child, the date on his document was erroneously put as November 28, due to which he was not allowed to board the flight.

Also read - 'Wear proper undergarments...' Pak's national airline's SHOCKING rule for cabin crew

After the lab refused to pay his ticket amount, the man approached the TDCCRC with a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act for "deficiency in service and unfair trade practice", an official said.

Commission president VC Premchandani and member Poonam V Maharshi's compensation order was of September 22, the details of which were made available on Thursday.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: As we all know Disha Patani is currently shooting in Goa for Suriya's 42nd Project. As the actress never misses a chance to explore something new in her life, now she discovered a photographer inside her while her time on the sets of the film.

While taking to her social media, the actress shared some really amazing photos that captured beautiful beach scenes and other mesmerizing sunsets captures while on the sets of Suriya's 42nd Project. She wrote the caption, "Shot by me #surya42"

Moreover, Disha has recently won the hearts of the audience with her amazing performance in 'Ek Villain Returns'. The actress played a negative character in the film while leaving everyone stunned with her acting spectacle.

Meanwhile on the work front, While Disha has ignited the excitement among the audience with the announcement of her lead in Suriya 42 upcoming film, the actress will also be seen in Karan Johar's Yodha co-starring Sidharth Malhotra and 'Project K' alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone.
New Delhi: 'Ponniyin Selvan: I' is the first part of a two-part franchise that has been shot on a massive budget of 500 crore rupees. The ensemble star cast of the film includes Chiyaan Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Trisha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Lal, and Sobhita Dhulipala, among others.

The film is a story that revolves around the early life of prince Arulmozhi Varman, who later on went on to be known as the great Raja Chozhan.

Ponniyin Selvan: 1 released today after a long wait and fans cannot keep calm! Look at the Twitter review and reactions to Aishwarya-Vikram starrer:

Film critic Ramesh Bala shared his review on Twitter and wrote, "#PS1 [4.5/5] : An Epic Screen Translation of #Kalki 's Great Novel.. Story and screen play have enough twists and turns that are interesting and transport to Chola Great Dynasty.. Only Dir #ManiRatnam could have done this.."

#PS1 [4.5/5] : An Epic Screen Translation of #Kalki 's Great Novel..



Story and screen play have enough twists and turns that are interesting and transport to Chola Great Dynasty..



Only Dir #ManiRatnam could have done this..  Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) September 30, 2022

One of the fans tweeted, "#PonniyinSelvan1 - WOW! Firstly Superb Work Of "FICTION" from Kalki..What a Writing..! Maniratnam Amazes Bigtime.. Fantastic Cinematic Experience It Was Ar Rahman -A King is Always a KING Ravivarman Cinematography & Lightings..Most important Asset Of the Film."

#PonniyinSelvan1 - WOW!



Firstly Superb Work Of "FICTION" from Kalki..What a Writing..!



Maniratnam Amazes Bigtime.. Fantastic Cinematic Experience It Was



Ar Rahman -A King is Always a KING



Ravivarman Cinematography & Lightings..Most important Asset Of the Film  (@RjAadhi2point0) September 30, 2022

Another one wrote, "#PonniyinSelvan - Maniratnam recreates the epic Movie stays very very true to it's story & just follows that which is engrossing till the end! Characters & drama is felt well Vandiyathevan & Kundavai.. Visuals & Music.. APT & GOOD"

#PonniyinSelvan - Maniratnam recreates the epic



Movie stays very very true to it's story & just follows that which is engrossing till the end!

Characters & drama is felt well



Vandiyathevan & Kundavai



Visuals & Music



APT & GOOD https://t.co/zlsnxgXJuB pic.twitter.com/NxSL2kLkGq  Shreyas Srinivasan (@ShreyasS_) September 30, 2022

#PonniyinSelvan1 is the first Non- Thalapathy movie to cross 31K mark in pre booking !!!  Rhevanth Charan (@rhevanth95) September 29, 2022

Also, many fans across the state celebrate the release of film director Mani Ratnam's #PonniyinSelvan1 as they gather in huge numbers outside Rohini Silver Screens movie theatre in Chennai's Koyambedu.

TN: Fans across the state celebrate release of film director Mani Ratnam's #PonniyinSelvan1 as they gather in huge numbers outside Rohini Silver Screens movie theatre in Chennai's Koyambedu



Visuals from Madurai show fans offering milk to actor #Vikram's poster, bursting crackers pic.twitter.com/0ixbmkbsLK  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

In the movie, Aishwarya will be seen in a double role. She will be seen playing the role of queen Nandini and Mandakini Devi.
Here's a whale of a place! Roadside America's site of the week is the Blue Whale, in Catoosa, Oklahoma, right along historic Route 66. Built in 1972, it's eighty feet long, created from pipe and concrete, and quite a charming beast, with a goofy grin, and one eye permanently open and the other closed. It's built at the edge of a pond and has a wide-open mouth that you can walk into, water slides as fins, and a diving platform as a tail. It was built by Hugh Davis and a welder named Harold Thomas, as a gift for Hugh's wife Zelta, who were owners of a now-abandoned amusement park called Nature's Acres, which included an animal attraction ("Animal Reptile Kingdom," AKA A.R.K.) housed in a replica Noah's Ark.

According to Roadside America:

Hugh died in 1990, Zelta in 2001, and the former swimming hole became an overgrown, swampy mess. The Whale's blue skin faded and peeled. But it was not forgotten. By the early 2000s local officials had expressed an interest in preserving the whale, and volunteers who Liz [Huckleby, the current Blue Whale Park director] affectionately called "nerd highway people"fans of the Mother Roadpartnered with the city of Catoosa for property maintenance. "This hardcore group would come out here and spend days repainting and doing clean-up," said Liz. Hugh's solid construction (and Zelta's shotgun) had kept the whale standing long enough to be saved. Catoosa finally purchased the 14-acre property in 2020, turning it into a city park and hiring Liz. Blue Whale Park now has picnic tables and a gift shop (where visitors can purchase turtle food for the pond's residents), and although swimming is no longer allowed, tourists don't seem to mind. "The whale makes people smile," said Liz. "Even if I come to work in a bad mood it won't last, because everyone who comes here is so happy. They'll say, 'We're seeing Route 66. This was our most important stop.'"

You can still go see the Blue Whale, which is open daily from 8 am to dark, and is located at 2680 N. Hwy 66, Catoosa OK, 74015. Travel OK explains:

Pack a picnic lunch and head to the Blue Whale for a fun-filled day of fishing. This quirky attraction also has seasonal restroom facilities. Explore the different angles of this jovial concrete mammal and you'll find a small ladder leading into a secret compartment in the whale's head. This area has been a family favorite for generations and continues to be a must-see for any traveler on Route 66.

It's definitely on my list now! And if you want to read a great, in-depth article all about the history of the Blue Whale, check out this piece by Melanee Morin in Route Magazine, which provides a deep dive into the lives of Hugh and Zelta Davis, courtesy of an interview with their son Blaine Davis, and excerpts from the writings of Dee Dee Davis, their daughter.
New Delhi: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Thursday said it has frozen the account balance to the tune of Rs 21.14 crore of OctaFX India Private Ltd and related entities in a case related to the violation of FEMA regulations.

ALSO READ | Japanese conglomerate SoftBank to lay off 30% staff globally: Report

Earlier, ED had conducted searches at various premises of OctaFX India Private Ltd and related concerns under the provisions of FEMA in the case of Illegal Online Forex Trading through International Brokers namely OctaFx Trading App and website www.octafx.com.

ALSO READ | New Debit & Credit card rule: Check step-by-step guide to tokenise your cards

The FEMA investigation revealed that the aforesaid online trading app and website are operating in India in association with India base entity OctaFx India Pvt Ltd, ED said in a statement. This forex trading platform is widely promoted on social networking sites and is also following referral-based incentive models for acquiring users to their platforms.

It is observed that funds are collected from users, majorly through UPI/local bank transfers and are channelised through dummy entities.These funds are credited in the bank accounts of various dummy entities and domestically transferred to other banks for the purpose of layering and later on cross-border transactions have been undertaken.

Further investigation has revealed the nexus between international online forex trading brokers and their Indian Partners/agents. The said app (OCTAFX) and its website have not been authorized by RBI to deal in Forex Trading.

The conduct and operations of forex trading (not being conducted on recognised stock exchange) is illegal, and also violates FEMA Regulations. It has emerged in the investigation that multiple accounts of different Indian banks were being shown to investors/users on OctaFx trading app/www.octafx.com for collecting funds in the guise of facilitating forex trading.

The said accumulated funds, after defrauding these investors/users, were simultaneously transferred to multiple e-wallet accounts such as Neteller, Skrill or to bank accounts of dummy entities. Further, it is also revealed that a major portion of the defrauded amount on this trading app was used to purchase cryptocurrencies/assets through Zanmai Labs Pvt Ltd.

Zanmai labs is providing banking channels and a bridge to deposit the INR to Wazirx wallets which ultimately were being transferred to Binance exchange (a crypto exchange based in Cayman Island) leading to transfer the Indian currency to overseas entities in the form of cryptocurrencies. Further investigation is under progress, ED said in a statement.
Bengaluru: Leading online travel portal Cleartrip on Thursday partnered with Myntra to reward the top three spenders of the Big Fashion Festival (BFF), an all-expense paid vacation to the tropical island of Bali.

The platform said that it is a part of Myntra's BFF sale, which started on September 23 and served customers with more than 1.5 million styles from over 6,000 international and domestic brands across categories like fashion, lifestyle, home, and beauty and personal care.

"The reward trip to Bali will entail four nights and five days stay, enabling the three highest spenders from Myntra BFF to enjoy Bali's picturesque beaches, along with its magical blend of culture, people, nature, activities, culinary delights and nightlife," Cleartrip said in a statement.

In addition to this, some of the shoppers from the BFF's festive fashion frenzy will also receive assured coupons from Cleartrip that gives them 12 per cent off on domestic flights and 20 per cent off on hotels. Myntra's celebrated festive event across the country presented a wide range of value deals and ingenious customer engagement propositions such as the curtain raiser deals and the deal o'clock.

Throughout BFF, Myntra offered consumers unprecedented BFF Rewards, like coupons from Lakme Salon, Zoomcar, Zee 5, Domino's, Baskin Robbins, Lenskart, Cleartrip, PVR and Discovery+, among others, making the festive shopping experience a truly joyous one.
New Delhi: Payments company Paytm said e-commerce sales are back and all eyes were on a unique partnership -- Flipkart and Paytm -- this festive season. During Flipkart`s, The Big Billion Days Sale 2022, Paytm app provided exclusive access where users can click on the Flipkart icon in the shopping category on the app.

This Flipkart icon will direct the users to the Flipkart Lite page. Users can also get access to amazing deals and discounts that can be accessed from Paytm app`s homepage and also benefit from the advantage of faster, secure, and hassle-free checkouts with Paytm. Earlier this month Paytm announced a partnership with Flipkart for The Big Billion Days Sale as its payments partner.

This, the companies then said, would ensure deeper penetration of digital payments in smaller towns and cities and this would give a boost to the digital revolution in the country in which Paytm has been at the forefront of driving financial inclusion in India.\

Paytm Super app is a one-stop shop for all needs, be it bill payments or financial services like insurance, education fee payment, medicine delivery, lab tests, and shopping, among others.

Paytm is a digital payments pioneer and offers a wide range of payment options -- Paytm UPI, Paytm Wallet, Paytm Postpaid (buy now, pay later), net-banking, and credit and debit cards. It said its robust multi-payments architecture has revolutionised both online and offline payments.
A Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has replicated Vatican Citys St. Peters Basilica Church. From Renaissance artwork to the dome inside the Church, from corinthian pilasters and columns to baroque sculptures, every minute detail has been perfectly replicated by the very popular Shree Bhumi Sporting Club.

The St. Peters Basilica Church is one of the most significant Catholic churches built in the Renaissance era and is a pilgrimage for Catholics across the world. This Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is a splitting image of the original church structure.

People are visiting this marvellous pandal and are in awe of the creativity and detailed artwork of this pandal. The 'Shree Bhumi Sporting Club' committee has outdone itself this year.

Another example of a great puja pandal is the Saltlake FD Block Sarbojanin in Kolkata where a tribal village from Latin America has been recreated. The tribal clan was apparently on the verge of extinction when it was saved by Goddess Durga after a Globetrotter from Bengal reached the village coincidentally and asked them to worship Goddess Durga. The tribe was saved by the blessings of the mother Goddess and since then, they have been worshipping the Goddess every year and so is depicted in the themed pandal.

#WATCH | A #DurgaPuja pandal in Kolkata has replicated Vatican Citys St. Peters Basilica Church. pic.twitter.com/0fmPL6LDhw  Zee News English (@ZeeNewsEnglish) October 2, 2022

Also Read: Eat, pray, love! 5 things to do while visiting Kolkata during Durga Puja 2022; visit THESE top 20 pandals

The Durga Puja pandals this year are really eye- catching not just in Kollata but across the country. Do visit one such pandal and soak in on the positive energy the pujo has.
New Delhi: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said India will be the pillar of the global economic revival as it exhibited steady growth and emerged as the fastest-growing country among large economies of the world.

ALSO READ | India's current account deficit widens by 2.8% of GDP in April-June: RBI

Addressing the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual general meeting virtually, he said if all stakeholders of the economy work together with a sense of 'Kartavya bhav' (spirit of duty), the national goal of USD 30-trillion economy will be achieved by 2047, the year when the country will celebrate 100th anniversary of its independence.

ALSO READ | ED freezes bank accounts of OctaFX in illegal forex trading case

"India is already the fifth largest economy in the world and is turbocharging its growth to become the third largest in the coming years. The prime minister's vision is to make India a developed nation by 2047 with an economy size of USD 30 trillion as we will celebrate our 100th independence in that year," Goyal, the commerce and industry minister, said.

All sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction are doing quite well, he claimed. "India is an island of stability and will be the pillar of global revival. Our economy has shown resilience during the pandemic and is on a steady path of growth," the minister said.

Asserting that India is the best destination for investments, Goyal said the government has taken several structural reforms, and more are in the pipeline.

The minister, who also holds food and textile portfolios, urged industrialists for private investments and asked them to believe in India's growth story and help the country in achieving its goals with greater participation.

Goyal cited McKinsey & Co CEO Bob Sternfels comment - 'it's not India's decade, it's India's century'- to showcase the country as an important destination for investment. India is targeting USD two trillion in exports by 2030, equally divided into merchandise and services, he said.

The minister appealed to industrialists to help India become a global base for manufacturing and invest in tier II and tier III cities, which hold "immense potential". Goyal stressed on the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises by strengthening the local supply network as the sector is a job creator and a major contributor to the economy.

He also called for more dialogue with the government and active participation in the FTA (free trade agreement) negotiations.

"The government is pursuing FTAs with like-minded countries. Our FTA negotiations are based on in-depth analysis, and stakeholder consultations are truly reflective of the principle of reciprocity for a win-win scenario," Goyal said.

He stated that the 5G rollout in the telecom services across the country will contribute USD 450 billion to the economy in the next 15 years. The minister also mentioned that India is taking leadership roles on global platforms. Exide Industries Ltd Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Subir Chakraborty became the new president of the chamber.
New Delhi: Offline payment aggregators (PAs) who aid in face-to-face transactions at merchant outlets will now come under the regulatory purview of RBI, Governor Shaktikanta Das announced on Friday.

"Keeping in view the similar nature of activities undertaken by online and offline PAs, it is proposed to apply the current regulations to offline PAs as well," Das said after announcing the bi-monthly policy review.

Das said there will be "convergence on standards of data collection and storage" after the move, meaning that such companies will not be able to store details like those of credit and debit cards of a customer.

The Governor said PAs play an important role in the payments ecosystem and hence were brought under regulations in March 2020 and designated as Payment System Operators (PSOs).

However, the current regulations are applicable only to PAs processing online or e-commerce transactions, he said, adding that they do not cover offline PAs who handle proximity/face-to-face transactions and play a significant role in the spread of digital payments.

Meanwhile, Das also announced that the criteria for regional rural banks (RRBs) to be eligible to provide internet banking to their customers are being rationalised.

The RRBs are currently allowed to provide Internet Banking facility to their customers with prior approval of the Reserve Bank, subject to fulfilment of certain financial and non-financial criteria, he said.

Das said the decision has been taken keeping in view the need to promote the spread of digital banking in rural areas and added that guidelines will be issued on the same soon.
LML was once known for selling a couple of enthu-friendly motorcycles in the Indian market. The company, however, had to pull the plug on its Indian operations. Now in 2022, the brand is preparing to make a comeback with a host of electric 2-wheelers in the Indian market. The company has recently completed its 50 years in the Indian market, and it used the occasion to reveal its three upcoming electric two-wheelers under the Reimagining the Legend theme, namely Star, Moonshot, and Orion. The Star is an electric scooter, while the Moonshot is an e-Hyperbike. The Orion, on the other hand, is an e-Bike from the brand. Although, these models are currently revealed in their concept forms.

Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Yogesh Bhatia, Managing Director, LML Emotion opined  Its been a long and arduous journey for the last couple of years and truly what has emerged is not just engineering marvels but a range of products which go beyond the product promise and deliver on an Emotion which can only be experienced not expressed. Our products are poised to redefine the norms of personal and urban commute and set new standards of safety, intuitive intelligence, and unmatched ride quality to only name a few aspects. This truly is LML Reimagined. Reborn.

The LML Star electric scooters design is said to be inspired by a Swan, and the company claims that it will offer a personified riding experience to users. Moving over to the Orion, its name is derived from the Greek term meaning constellation known as a hunter as suggested by its name. What makes the Orion truly unique is its unconventional design philosophy, as it uses a hydroformed 6061 alloy frame to give it that light yet agile frame.

Also read - Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic luxury electric car launched at Rs 1.55 crore, gets India's best 857 km range

Furthermore, there are tilted butterfly handlebars for added comfort in city riding posture. The LML Orion will feature an IP67-rated battery pack, along with vehicle telematics on board. The LML Moonshot in terms of a product concept packs the best of both worlds - the chill of a bicycle and the thrill of a motorcycle. It will get a portable battery and two riding modes - surge and city.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday warned that the Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) co-incharge of political affairs in Gujarat Raghav Chadha may be arrested soon. The AAP chief did not specify which agency was working on the alleged plan to arrest Chadha and on what charges.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the BJP wanted to prevent its defeat in Gujarat by getting AAP leaders arrested, claiming that the people of the state wanted to give their mandate to Kejriwal this time.

Chadha, a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, put up a brave face and said he was neither afraid of going behind bars nor even facing death sentence. The BJP has lost sleep seeing the growing support base of the AAP in Gujarat, he claimed.

Chadha, who is credited with playing a significant role in the AAP's victory in the assembly elections in Punjab earlier this year, was recently appointed as co-incharge of the party's political affairs in Gujarat where elections are due this year.

"We are hearing that these people will arrest Ragav Chadha now since he has been appointed as co-incharge of Gujarat and he has started participating in poll campaigns in Gujarat," Kejriwal, the AAP's national convenor, said in a tweet in Hindi. "In which case they will (arrest) and what will be the allegations, these people are working on these points at present," he added.

                       ,                     ,         Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 30, 2022

Kejriwal's claim comes after the CBI arrested the party's media communications in-charge Vijay Nair in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy "scam" on Tuesday.

"The BJP wasted 27 years of the people of Gujarat. Neither opened good schools nor hospitals (in the state). Be it youth wandering in search of jobs or farmers, cow keepers or rickshaw pullers, everyone now wants to give a chance to Arvind Kejriwal," Sisodia said in a tweet in Hindi following Kejriwal's claim.

By getting AAP leaders arrested, the BJP wants to prevent its defeat in Gujarat, he alleged. On his part, Chadha tweeted, "Gujarat is demanding change and the BJP has lost its sleep seeing the Aam Aadmi Party marching forward each day.

"We are followers of Bhagat Singh -- neither afraid of your prison walls nor of the hanging noose. Long live the revolution."

On Wednesday, Kejriwal slammed the BJP-led Centre over Nair's arrest and asked his party workers and leaders to be ready to go to jail, saying anyone from AAP could now be arrested on false charges as the BJP was scared of losing Gujarat. "They are going to arrest Sisodia next week," he had claimed. Kejriwal also defended Nair and said he was just a "small worker" of the AAP and that he had nothing to do with the excise policy.

The Delhi chief minister alleged that the CBI arrested Nair following several rounds of questioning over the past few days after he refused to buckle under their pressure to give a false statement against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to implicate the senior AAP leader in the alleged excise "scam".

Nair was arrested also because he was engaged in preparing the AAP's communications strategy to drive the party's poll campaign in Gujarat after the elections in Punjab earlier this year, Kejriwal alleged.
New Delhi: Congress Veteran Mallikarjun Kharge is preparing to run for Congress presidential Elections and planning to fill his nomination on Friday, September 30. Mallikarjun Kharge is the third Congress leader to contest in the race, after Shashi Tharoor and Digvijaya Singh. According to sources, Kharge has the Gandhis' support and is reported to enter the elections by filling his nomination today.

Earlier, Ashok Gehlot backed off from the presidential elections and also apologised to Sonia Gandhi, in a 90-minute meeting, for his loyalists unusual resistance on Sunday. According to the media reports, he also offered to resign from his position as Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Digvijaya Singh has also entered the race revealing that his decision was decided on the spur of the moment, after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot opted out the race. Mr Singh stated that if elected, he would carry out the decisions of the party, as is customary in a democratic society. He emphasised that a successful leader is "not a dictator," but rather "first among equals."

Also, Shashi Tharoor has commented that the presidential election is a not a fight between rivals, but a friendly battle.

The last day of filing nomination is today, i.e. September 30. The elections will be held on October 17 and the results will be declared two days after.
AP TET Result 2022: The Department of School Education, DSE Andra Pradesh will soon release the APTET Result 2022. According to the AP TET official website the APTET Result 2022 will be declared in the first week of October. "APTETAugust 2022 results will be declared in the Last week of September 2022," read the official statement. However, the authority has not issued the release date and time of AP TET results and the official schedule for the same is awaited. Once released, candidates will be able to check their APTET Result 2022 on the official website- aptet.apcfss.in.

ALSO READ: AP TET Result DECLARED

Here's how to download AP TET result 2022

Once released, Candidates can download the Manabadi scorecard for APTET Result 2022 following the simple steps given below

Visit the AP TET official website, aptet.apcfss.in. On the homepage, click on the AP TET results 2022 link. Enter the login details and press the Submit button. APTET 2022 results will appear on the screen. Download and save for future reference.

Candidates must notice that the Andhra Pradesh DSE has already released the AP TET final answer key 2022 on September 14, 2022. The AP TET final key 2022 PDF was released for Paper 1 (Part A & B) and Paper 2 (Part A & B) Mathematics & Science and Social Studies subjects. As per the official schedule, the APTET Result was supposed to be declared on September 14, 2022. However, the result is being delayed for unknown reasons.
In an interview with the excellent Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan, Alex Jones sarcastically screams that he personally killed the murdered children in the Sandy Hook massacre. He also admitted to being Hitler: "I was in a time machine in Germany. I did all that, OK." This is Jones' way of feeling sorry for himself for merely inciting his listeners to harass and threaten the parents of the slain children.

Callaghan is a brilliant interviewer. His deadpan approach is the perfect way to goad Jones into revealing the abominable depths of his depravity.

"Do you feel any sense of responsibility for the way the lives of the Sandy Hook families were affected?" asks Callaghan.

The video then shows news clips of Sandy Hook families' testimony of the horrific suffering they endured as the result of Jones' lies. When the video returns to Jones, he says, "Uh you know, it's an industry, it's a business. They got 73 million dollars from Remington, they've sued all these different groups of people. So no, I didn't kill their kids. I already said I was sorry before they ever sued me and now they just attached themselves to my name and who I am. They can get all the judges they want against me. I have hardly any money."
Gundlupet: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has warned the BJP not to obstruct the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra led by party MP Rahul Gandhi as it entered Karnataka on Friday. The former Karnataka chief minister also warned the state police officials saying those colluding with the ruling party would be taught a befitting lesson. Welcoming the march and addressing a gathering here, the former Chief Minister said the yatra is to highlight various problems plaguing the country.

"There's unrest in the country. There are many problems. Corruption is rampant. There's a 40 per cent commission government in Karnataka," the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly said.

Siddaramaiah called upon people to make the yatra a success and claimed that the BJP is "not able to see this event happen in the state." He also held out a warning to the BJP leaders if they obstruct the march. "I warn you not to interrupt us or else we will not let you roam around in Karnataka".

Siddaramaiah also cautioned police officers in Karnataka not to 'collude' with the BJP. "We will come to power after six months. The change is going to happen. All the policemen are not alike but whoever will collude with the BJP, we will teach them a befitting lesson," he said.

Siddaramaiah alleged that communalism and divisive and hatred politics have intensified in the country after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.

"There's fear among Dalits, backward communities, women and farmers," Siddaramaiah said. He charged the BJP with never having faith in democracy and the Indian Constitution. "They (BJP) believe in one leader, one ideology and one symbol," he alleged.
New Delhi: BJP leader and contractor Bablu Singh was shot at by unknown assailants in Friends colony in Bihar's Arrah on Thursday (September 29, 2022). According to the police, the BJP leader was shot when he was on a morning walk. He was shot from a close range, said police.

He was on a morning walk & was shot at by armed criminals today. He was shot from a close range. His health condition is stable now. Police investigation underway, said SP Himanshu.
New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Partys national president JP Nadda began his two-day visit to Odisha's Puri by offering prayers at Shree Jagannatha Temple on Friday morning. He was accompanied by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Nadda arrived in Puri late Thursday evening and was warmly welcomed by party workers.This is Nadda's first visit to the state since taking over as BJP president in 2019. He will pay tribute to late party leader Bishnu Sethi and meet his family at Tihidi Kalipadia at around 10.10 a.m. today. Sethi died at the age of 61 on September 19 this year due to kidney failure at AIIMS hospital in Bhubaneswar. Later, Nadda will attend an event at the Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR) in Cuttack. Nadda is visiting various states of the country, holding meetings with the party's state units and reviewing the BJP's poll preparedness for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He also met the party workers and assigned them tasks.

He also attended the training camp on September 13 and 15, according to sources. During his visit to the state, Nadda will address nearly 30,000 workers. The party believes that an address by the national president will energise them for the upcoming elections."This is the reason why Nadda is visiting every state," quotes the sources.

#WATCH | BJP national president JP Nadda, along with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, visits Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri, Odisha to offer prayers. pic.twitter.com/Ng6p1r2lHg  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

Nadda will also meet with MPs, MLAs, office bearers, and district presidents at the Orissa party office to get feedback on the delivery of the central government's schemes. During his visit, Nadda will also meet with prominent members of Odisha's Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

On the second day, Nadda will meet with the core committee in Odisha to discuss the party's situation in the state and to instruct party workers. Nadda will develop the poll strategy for the general elections in 2024.
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday alleged that the ruling BJP and the Election Commission "snatched power" from his outfit, a day after he accused the poll panel of striking off names of their supporters from the voters' list.

Yadav on Thursday had claimed that the Election Commission at the "behest of the BJP" struck off names of Muslim and Yadav voters in every Assembly constituency, apparently referring to the state elections earlier this year.

"The BJP and the Election Commission together snatched power from the Samajwadi Party," he said addressing Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders at the Ram Manohar Lohia auditorium here, according to a statement.

Yadav alleged that the BJP is "adamant on murdering democracy and misusing power", which is tarnishing transparency and impartiality of the elections.

"The BJP is hatching different type of conspiracies. It does the politics of fear and temptation. The BJP is the most corrupt party and soaked in ego. The BJP is making the soil of Uttar Pradesh impure," he said, adding the need is to remain awaken to save democracy.

He stressed that to remove the BJP from power in the 2024 parliamentary polls, Uttar Pradesh will be playing a leading role.

They will be removed from the Centre if they are wiped out from Uttar Pradesh, he said.

"For this, we will have to strengthen the party organisation up to the booth level and reach out to people with our policies and programmes," he said.
CEED, UCEED 2022: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay will begin the registration for UCEED and CEED 2023 in online mode today i.e. September 30. To fill UCEED registration form candidates will have to visit uceed.iitb.ac.in and for the CEED application form candidates will have to log on to ceed.iitb.ac.in. Candidates will be able to fill UCEED and CEED application form till October 21 and with late fee CEED and UCEED registration last date is October 29. Candidates satisfying the specified UCEED and CEED eligibility criteria will be able to apply for the same.

CEED, UCEED 2023: Here's How to register

Go to the official website of CEED 2023 or UCEED 2023

On the appeared homepage, click on the registration portal tab

A new registration page would open, key in the asked details and generate your login credentials

Login using the asked credentials

Access the CEED 2023 application form or UCEED 2023 application form

Fill in the form and upload documents as asked

Now, pay the application fee and submit the form

Take a print out of the application form

CEED, UCEED 2023: Required documents

Scanned files of Photograph, signature

Educational certificates

Category certificate (As required)

PwD certificate (As required)

Date of birth validating certificate

CEED 2023 application fee is Rs 3600 for all candidates and for the SC/ ST/ PwD/ Female category it is Rs 1800. Post closing of CEED and UCEED registration window, authorities will release CEED and UCEED admit card in online mode on its official website. CEED and UCEED admit card will be available from January 13, 2023 onwards. It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of admit card on the day of examination.
New Delhi: Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who filed his nomination for the post of party president on Friday, appealed to all delegates to vote for him. After filing his nomination papers at the AICC office, Kharge told reporters, "I thank senior leaders from all states for supporting me in the Congress presidential election," adding that he was fighting for big change in the party. Friday is the last day for filing nominations for the top party post.

Mallikarjun Kharge's candidature was proposed by party leaders Ashok Gehlot, Digvijaya Singh, Pramod Tiwari, PL Punia, AK Antony, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Mukul Wasnik.

Total 30 Congress leaders have proposed Mallikarjun Kharge's name for the election of the president of the Indian National Congress pic.twitter.com/1M65uYhjWc  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

G23 leaders Anand Sharma and Manish Tewari have also backed him saying Kharge is one of the most experienced persons in the party and is a Dalit leader too, Tewari said.

Earlier, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Jharkhand leader KN Tripathi filed their nomination for the topmost position. Ahead of filing his nomination, Tharoor had visited Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi today. He told reporters, "Congress President assured me that the party has no official candidate, the Gandhi family will stay neutral in this race and they welcome as many candidates as possible. In that spirit, I put forward my candidacy. It's not to disrespect anyone; a friendly contest."

Congress President assured me that the party has no official candidate, the Gandhi family will stay neutral in this race & they welcome as many candidates as possible. In that spirit, I put forward my candidacy. It's not to disrespect anyone; a friendly contest: Shashi Tharoor pic.twitter.com/haqP7wZUsn September 30, 2022

Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi also filed his nomination for the party`s topmost position and said that "the decision of party leaders is respected," adding "I belong to a farmer`s family. The country is seeing that son of a farmer who has experience of serving with the Indian Air Force, minister in state government and elected as deputy leader of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, can also contest for the post of AICC President."

Earlier, former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot were also a part of the race which they eventually stated to have dropped. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister visited Kharge at his residence this morning. "I told him that I stand by him and can`t even think of contesting against him, I will be his proposer," Singh told reporters.

Congress MP Deepender S Hooda also said: "I welcome Mallikarjun Kharge`s nomination for Congress president post and am confident that he will get elected. Over the years, he has raised the voice of the people in Parliament. I`ve signed his nomination papers as a proposer."

Earlier on Thursday, Ashok Gehlot said he is pulling out of the contest after he met with Sonia Gandhi and apologised to her for the ruckus in Rajasthan triggered by his loyalists over a possible leadership change in the state after Gehlot was set to file his nomination papers for the Congress chief polls.

Nominations for the post of Congress president closed today at 3 pm. The results will be declared on October 19.

(With Agency Inputs)
New Delhi: Congress Central Election Authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry on Friday made it clear that the Gandhi family is not supporting any candidate for the party`s president post. Mistry also added that while no one is a favourite, a total of 20 nomination forms have been received. This comes after Mallikarjun Kharge, who is a known Gandhi family loyalist, entered into the fray at the eleventh hour. While several top leaders including from the G-23 faction flanked Kharge when he filed the nomination papers today.

Mistry added that 14 nominations were received by Mallikarjun Kharge, five by Shashi Tharoor and one by Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi."14 forms were submitted by (Mallikarjun) Kharge, 5 by Shashi Tharoor and one by KN Tripathi. Tomorrow, we will scrutinise forms and tomorrow evening we will announce forms that are valid and the names of candidates," said Mistry at the press briefing.

He further said that the Gandhi family has not endorsed any candidate for the presidential polls. "None of these three is an official candidate of the party. They are contesting on their own. The Gandhi family has not endorsed anyone`s nomination. Congress president has made it very clear that she will stay neutral throughout the process and if someone claims he has her blessings and it is incorrect, Madhusudan Mistry

He also added that candidates are in the fray of their own volition and Gandhis are neutral in this contest and are not supporting anyone.

Senior Congress leader and MP, Shashi Tharoor on Friday filed his nomination for the post of party President at the office of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in the national capital.

Kharge received support from nearly 30 Congress leaders for the party`s presidential polls. These names include Deepender Hooda, Salman Khurshid, Ashok Gehlot, Digvijaya Singh, Manish Tewari, Prithviraj Chavan, and others.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Congress leader KN Tripathi also filed his nomination for the party`s topmost position and said that "the decision of party leaders is respected".

"I belong to a farmer`s family. The country is seeing that son of a farmer who has experience of serving with the Indian Air Force, minister in state government and elected as deputy leader of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, can also contest for the post of AICC President," Tripathi had said before filing his nominations today.

Terming Kharge as the Bhishma Pitamah of the Congress, Tharoor said that he will not withdraw his nomination and that the contest will be friendly and there is no rivalry between the candidates.

Both Tewari and Tharoor belong to the G-23 grouping of senior leaders within the party. Reports had suggested Tewari was himself thinking of contesting.

Meanwhile, former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh dropped out of the Congress presidential race. He too extended his support to Kharge, saying he "cannot think of contesting an election" against a senior leader like Kharge.

Singh was the second Congress leader to pull out of the race after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot amid political turmoil in his state. Gehlot said he would be the proposer for Kharge.

Nominations for the post of Congress president close at 3 pm today and results will be declared on October 19. With the Gandhis not running for the top post this time around, the grand old party is all set to get a non-Gandhi president after over 25 years.
New Delhi: While addressing a press conference on Friday, September 30, Arvind Kejriwal discussed the Winter Action Plan to control pollution in the coming winters in Delhi. The Kejriwal-led government has released a 15-point agenda to tackle pollution. In his address, CM Arvind Kejriwal said that 18.6% of pollution has come down. The pollution situation has improved in his government. Also, Delhiites together took many steps in 7 years to control pollution.24 hours electricity started in the AAP government, which has helped in reducing pollution.

There were which were closed by AAP resulting in a significant pollution reduction. AAP also fixed dust and pollution. A heavy fine was imposed on the construction site. Polluted fuel was used in the industry. But now all the registered industries use PNG- piped natural gas

Green cover is increasing in our government. Today there is 23.6 green cover in Delhi. Got the support of Delhiites. In 2020, they brought the vehicle policy along with electric vehicles. We added many new buses to public transport. An anti-smog gun is mandatory for a construction site of 5000 sqm. Pollution under control certificates are now checked strictly. Construction sites which are more than 500 sq meters have to register on a portal for real-time dust control monitoring. For road pollution - 80 road sweeping machines, 521 for water sprinkling, and 150 mobile anti-smog guns will be installed.

Here how the action plan looks like:

Parali Decomposer- Providing free-of-cost bio-decomposer to the farmers which are prepared by the Pusa Institute.

Anti-dust pollution campaign will be run from 6th October. 586 teams are formed

Vehicular Pollution under control certificates is now checked strictly.

Waste Burning Ban- The government had formed 611 teams to check garbage burning in the open and would run an anti-dust campaign

Industry- Polluted fuel was used in the industry. But now all the registered industries use PNG- piped natural gas

Cracker Ban- The government has also formed teams to enforce the cracker ban.

Real-time source- Construction sites which are more than 500 sq meters have to register on a portal for real-time dust control monitoring

Paryavaran Mitra

E-waste Park- in the process of making an e-waste park where electronic waste collected from the national capital will be processed

Green cover is increasing in our government. Today there is 23.6 green cover in Delhi. Got the support of Delhiites

Green War Room- "The government has also created a green room with nine scientific experts to monitor the situation," he said during a digital briefing.

The chief minister stated that the government, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, had established a supersite at Rouse Avenue to monitor and forecast air quality in real-time.

Green Delhi App, Hotspots

GRAP- Implemented GRAP as per the directions of the Supreme Court

Other states should co-operate to control pollution.
New Delhi: Congress presidential poll candidate Shashi Tharoor on Friday (September 30, 2022) said he is aware of his underdog tag and talk of an 'official candidate' in some quarters but he has been assured by the Gandhi family repeatedly that they are "neither directly nor indirectly" backing anyone.

Tharoor, who filed his nomination papers for the top post at the AICC headquarters here, also said it is apparent that not everything about the electoral process has been ideal, but added that there is no point seeking perfection now as if one wants to play the match, one has to "bat on the available pitch".

The Thiruvananthapuram MP, however, asserted that he remains convinced of the party's commitment towards ensuring that these elections take place in a free and fair manner.

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Tharoor said he believes that a fresh leader, who has not been "jaded by being entrenched within the current system for too long", could energise the party and also appeal to more voters than the Congress managed to during the last few elections.

The 66-year-old leader also said he hopes that the Gandhi family will recognise that they are and remain the foundational pillar of the Congress, "our moral conscience and ultimate guiding spirit".

They cannot and must not withdraw from that role, whatever the formal designations they choose to retain, Tharoor said.

"To my mind, though the party presidential election is an internal exercise, it also represents an opportunity to ignite widespread public interest in the Congress and to galvanise its party workers," he said.

He said that when, following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi offered to resign as the party president to take accountability for the stinging defeat, he was one of the many who tried to talk him out of it.

"At the end of the day, he stuck to his decision and we must respect that. That said, the longer the Congress waits to get its act together, the greater the risk of a steady erosion of our traditional vote bank and their gravitation towards our political competitors," the former Union minister said.

"Which is why I have long been an outspoken advocate for free and transparent elections within the party, including for the post of President -- because a leader elected by the party workers will have a great advantage in addressing organisational challenges, as well as the process of rebuilding that is required to internally strengthen the rank and file of the party," Tharoor said.

He argued that such a president would have extra legitimacy in reaching out to the public for support.

In any case, "business as usual" will not lead us anywhere, he added.

Tharoor said whosoever is elected must develop and implement a roadmap that will allow the party to find a way to appeal beyond the 19 per cent of the electorate that voted for the party in both 2014 and 2019.

"The party has to appeal to those who did not vote for it in those two elections and drifted away to the BJP, most of whom did so for reasons other than Hindutva," he said.

This would require a leader who, while anchored in the history of the party, looks beyond the past to speak to the aspirations of young India -- one who firmly believes the party can set the country on the route to a better society, one that is ready to take on the opportunities offered by the world of the 21st century, Tharoor said.

"The challenge, therefore, for the Congress is two-fold: We need to both articulate a positive and aspirational vision for the nation as well as work to fix the organisational and structural deficiencies that have impeded our recent efforts," he said.

"To my mind, the answer lies in a combination of effective leadership and organisational reform," he added.

Tharoor called for re-imagining the organisational culture in the party to decentralise authority and truly empower the grassroots office-bearers of the party.

He argued that delegating powers to state leaders and empowering grassroots workers will not only free the new leader from the onerous burdens of over-administration but also help create the strong state leadership that in past eras strengthened the Congress' national appeal.

Tharoor said he took the decision to contest as it will strengthen the Congress and he has several ideas to reform and re-energise the party after the recent electoral setbacks such as decentralising authority within it, increasing consultative mechanisms and giving 'karyakartas' more access to the leadership at all levels.

Asked about the concerns raised by him and some other MPs over the fairness and transparency of polls, Tharoor said they had raised certain practical and process-related queries regarding the upcoming elections before the chairperson of the party's Central Election Authority.

He said the queries have since been addressed by Madhusudan Mistry and he appreciates the constructive manner in which the party's poll panel chief reached out personally to discuss these issues at length.

"It is apparent that not everything about the process has been ideal, but don't forget we have not had a contested election in two decades. There is no point seeking perfection now: if you want to play the match, you have to bat on the available pitch" he said.

"In some quarters it has been suggested that there will be an 'official candidate' backed by the leadership but on the contrary, it has been repeatedly stressed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in my conversations with them over the last two weeks that the Nehru-Gandhi family welcomes these elections, that they would like to see a diverse field of candidates contesting and are neither directly nor indirectly backing any one candidate," Tharoor said.

He said he was happy to accept their assurances and remains convinced of the commitment of the party towards ensuring that these elections take place in a free and fair manner.

"Like many other Congress workers, I am glad to move on with an election process that in my view will only strengthen the party," he added.

Asked how realistic are his chances in the polls, Tharoor said he has never contested an election without seeking to win.

"A hat trick of victories from Thiruvananthapuram, a seat won by the Left in two consecutive elections prior to my arrival will tell you that my results have so far vindicated that approach," he said.

"I appreciate that I am widely seen as the underdog in this race, and that many people believe the establishment will come together to defend their own vested interests in the status quo.

"But sometimes one must have the courage of one's convictions to do the right thing, regardless of the likely outcome," he asserted.

Asked about the crisis in the Rajasthan Congress, Tharoor said he doesn't want to comment on the developments there, especially at a time when the party president is actively engaging with all stakeholders to find a resolution.
New Delhi: India has entered the top 40 countries in the Global Innovation Index (GII) for the first time, owing to increases in information and communication technologies (ICT) services exports, the value of venture capital recipients, and startup financing. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Thursday that India has risen from 81st to 40th place. "We were 46 last time the ranking was done. We have also maintained first rank in ICT services exports over the years," he said.

Goyal made the remarks while delivering a virtual message to mark the World Intellectual Property Organization's launch of the Global Innovation Index 2022. (WIPO).

Also Read: India's Global Innovation Index ranking improved from 81 in 2015 to 46 at present due to Centre's efforts: PM Modi

According to the minister, GII has established itself as a tool for governments all over the world to reflect on policies and their impact.

"GII has over the years recognised India`s continuous rise due to the progressive measures taken by the government and industry working hand in hand," he added.

He also thanked WIPO on behalf of 1.3 billion Indians and stated that India now aspires to be among the top 25 in the GII Index. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) said on Thursday that India's six-notch jump to 40th place in the 132-nation GII in 2022 from 46th place in 2021 elevated it to the top most innovative lower middle-income economy in the world, surpassing Vietnam.

The GII identifies the world's most innovative economies by ranking the innovation performance of 132 economies. According to the report, India continues to lead the world in ICT services exports, ranking first, while also ranking first in other indicators such as Venture capital recipients' value (6th), Domestic industry diversification (14th). Graduates in science and engineering (11th), Labor productivity growth (12th), and Finance for startups and scaleups (8th)
The New York City Council is considering a bill that, if passed, would make it illegal to discriminate against individuals who have tattoos in the context of the workplace and when renting a place to live or accessing public services. Apparently, tattoos of "hate speech" or "vulgarity"as judged by the City Human Rights Commissionare exceptions to the rule. From Gothamist:

Councilmember Shaun Abreu, the bill's lead sponsor, called tattoos a form of personal self-expression that often incur bias and discrimination from employers, landlords and service providers.

"We don't need any artificial barriers to getting jobs or housing," said Abreu, who plans to introduce the legislation to the City Council on Friday.

The bill would add "tattoo" to the list of categories in the city's administrative code that are already prohibited from discrimination, such as race, sexual orientation, gender and age. It would still allow bosses to require their employees to cover a tattoo if it is a necessary condition for the job. However, employers would have the responsibility of proving that the absence of a tattoo is necessary and that there is "no less discriminatory means of satisfying the occupational qualification."
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor, who on Friday filed his nomination for the post of Congress President at the AICC office, said that he has great respect for party veteran Mallikarjun Kharge who is also contesting the presidential election. Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination, Tharoor said, Mallikarjun Kharge Ji is the Bhishma Pitamah of Congress, no disrespect to him. I will represent my ideas.

(LoP Mallikarjun) Kharge Ji's nomination is welcomed. Many candidates are needed for the party's benefit... I won't pull out of Congress President Election as I won't let down workers from around the country who've gone out of their ways to extend their support to me, Tharoor said.

(LoP Mallikarjun) Kharge's nomination is welcomed. Many candidates are needed for the party's benefit... I won't pull out of #CongressPresidentElection as I won't let down workers from around the country who've gone out of their ways to extend their support to me: Shashi Tharoor pic.twitter.com/e1dEqkdcC2  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

Tharoor said that he believes that a fresh leader, who has not been "jaded by being entrenched within the current system for too long", could energise the party and also appeal to more voters than the Congress managed to during the last few elections.

Earlier today, the Thiruvananthapuram MP submitted his papers to the party's central election authority chairman Madhusudan Mistry at his office here at the AICC headquarters.

Amid the sound of drumbeats and fanfare, Shashi Tharoor made an entry at the party office. Earlier in the morning, he visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi ahead of filing his nomination papers for the party's presidential poll.

Meanwhile, Mallikarjun Kharge too filed his nomination for the post of party president. His candidature was proposed by party leaders Ashok Gehlot, Digvijaya Singh, Pramod Tiwari, PL Punia, AK Antony, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Mukul Wasnik.

G23 leaders Anand Sharma and Manish Tewari are also the proposers for Kharge's candidature. Kharge is one of the most experienced persons in the party and is a Dalit leader too, Tewari said. Congress leader Singh on Friday announced that he will not contest the party president's election and would instead propose the candidature of his senior Kharge.

Friday is the last day for filing nominations for the top party post.
New Delhi: A Jamia Millia Islamia University student was injured after he was allegedly shot at by another student inside the Holy Family Hospital premises on Thursday. According to Delhi Police, a PCR call was received around 9 p.m. on Thursday at Jamia Nagar police station regarding a brawl at the university's library.

Following an investigation, police discovered that the fight had occurred between two groups of students. Noman Chaudhary (26), a law student from Meerut's Sardahan village, was injured in the head in the incident. He was taken to Holy Family Hospital for treatment, according to police, and another student, Nauman Ali, an associate of Nauman Chaudhary, also went to see his friend.

Meanwhile, one of the second group's students, Zalal, a resident of Mewat, Haryana, arrived at the hospital with his friends and opened fire on Nauman Ali outside the Emergency ward. Nauman Ali had a superficial scalp injury, according to police. He was transferred to AIIMS Trauma Center, and police began an investigation. More information is awaited.
New Delhi: The Congress presidential election witnessed a new twist on Friday as reports came that senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, will file his nomination after meeting interim president Sonia Gandhi. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari confirmed this development by saying that his colleague Kharge will file nomination for the party president's election, adding that he and PL Punia will be proposers for Kharge's candidature and Digvijaya Singh, who collected nomination papers on Thursday, may not contest.

Pramod Tiwari also indicated that a consensus could be reached on who will take over the top party post from Sonia Gandhi, adding that Kharge is one of the most experienced persons in the party and he is a Dalit leader too. Notably, Friday is the last day for filing nominations for the top party post. Kharge is likely to enter the contest with the blessing of the Gandhi family.

Ahead of filing his nomination for the Congress presidential poll, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh met his colleagues Mallikarjun Kharge and K C Venugopal here on Friday. On Thursday, Singh collected nomination papers for the party president election while Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot decided to opt out of the race.

There is speculation that Singh may replace Kharge as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha if the latter becomes the party chief. The 'one man, one post' formula will apply to Kharge, as in the case of Gehlot, who was asked to quit as chief minister if he contested for the top party post.

Also read: Congress BIG WARNING to Ashok Gehlot loyalists: Dont comment on internal party matters

Talking to reporters at his residence, Digvijaya Singh said that he would withdraw his nomination. "Had I known that Kharge ji would file his nomination I would not have filed the papers," he said, adding that he would rather be one of the proposers

Meanwhile, ahead of filing his nomination for the Congress president election, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday said that there is no "no rivalry" among party leaders who are in the fray adding that it is a "friendly contest"."We all share the same ideology, values and ideals. We want the party to be strengthened. It is a friendly contest, no rivalry," Tharoor said while speaking to the reporters here today.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP said, "I`m going to be filing at noon. You`ll see me at 24, Akbar Road." When asked about the candidature of senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Tharoor said that the more candidates for contesting the better it will be for the party, adding "I only see speculation (of Kharge contesting). He`s also a very respected colleague, we worked together in Lok Sabha. It will be good to have more people in the fray. From the beginning, I have said, the more candidates, the better."

Tharoor also quoted former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi as saying, "India is an Old country but a young nation... I dream of India Strong, Independent, Self-Reliant and in the front rank of the nations of the world, in the service of mankind."

He offered prayers on the occasion of the fifth day of Navaratri and paid a visit to Raj Ghat to pay his homage to Mahatma Gandhi. When asked if there are chances that he will pull out from the race the Congress MP denied the possibility.

Late Thursday night, the G-23 leaders, including Manish Tewari, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Prithviraj Chavan met at Anand Sharma`s residence but did not divulge details of the meeting. According to sources, Manish Tewari, a face of the G-23 group of leaders (those seeking reforms in the party) is also mulling filing the nomination for the top post.

Also read: G-23 leaders meet in Delhi as Congress presidential poll race heats up

G-23 leaders on Thursday evening met at the residence of Anand Sharma. Former union minister Manish Tewari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were present at the meeting.

It may be noted that nominations for the post of Congress president close at 3 pm today and results will be declared on October 19.

(With Agency Inputs)
Bhopal: The ruling BJP on Friday won 417 out of 814 seats in local body elections in Madhya Pradesh and claimed to have secured majority in 38 out of 46 local bodies. The elections had been held on Tuesday.

The main opposition Congress won 250 seats, Independents 131, Aam Aadi Party seven, Gondwana Ganatantra Party (GGP) six and Bahujan Samaj Party three seats in the polls to 46 local bodies, an official said.

As many as 3,397 candidates were in the fray in the elections to 17 nagar palikas and 29 nagar parishads. Voter turnout of 72.60 per cent was recorded in the polls held across 18 districts.

At least 25 corporators were elected unopposed.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath congratulated Congress candidates on their performance and alleged that the BJP misused the official machinery to contest the elections.

Congress candidates were harassed by the administration at the BJP's behest, he alleged, adding that the results showed that "the truth can be harassed, but it can't be defeated."

Claiming that a large number of Congress-supported candidates won the polls, Nath said the party will return to power in the state in the next 12 months (after Assembly polls) as people have supported it.

State BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi said that out of 46 local bodies, the party secured majority in 38.

The BJP emerged victorious in all seats in Khurai and Garhakota local bodies in Sagar district, while the party's performance was also good in Chhindwara, Nath's bastion, he said.

"He (Nath) should tell why the Congress lost in his stronghold," Chaturvedi said.

The BJP spokesperson also claimed that the party had won many seats in the tribal areas too.
New Delhi: In Madhya Pradesh's famous Vyapam scam, 5 accused have been sentenced to 7 years by the CBI court. Along with this, the court also imposed a fine of 10 thousand on these accused. In the court of Special CBI Judge Niti Raj Singh Sisodia, the CBI presented a supplementary charge sheet. This charge-sheet was presented in the case of the Police Constable Recruitment Examination 2013. CBI Public Prosecutor Manuji Upadhyay said that Vyapam had conducted the Madhya Pradesh Police constable recruitment examination in 2013.

A Special CBI court in Bhopal convicted five people and sentenced them to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the Vyapam scam. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each, while their two co-accused were acquitted due to lack of solid evidence. pic.twitter.com/h8S0gggWKa  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

In this, 4 examinees Kamal Kishore, Amar Singh, Nagendra Singh and Suresh Singh had passed the examination with the connivance of touts and mediators to pass the written examination by placing another person in their place in the examination. Ravi Kumar Rajput took the exam in place of Nagendra Singh. After the results came, the four accused had passed the police constable recruitment examination.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case

The court sentenced Ravi Kumar along with four examinees Kamal Kishore, Amar Singh, Nagendra Singh and Suresh Singh based on 32 witnesses, 220 documents and 19 articles. After the sentencing, the court sent all the accused to the Bhopal Central Jail in judicial custody. In this case, many accused have gone to jail in the past. After STF, CBI is investigating the Vyapam Maha scam.
New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader shared a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy stopping for a brief time to give way to an ambulance while travelling to Gandhinagar from Ahmedabad on Friday (September 30, 2022). PM Modis kind gesture to give way to an ambulance had won hearts and received applause from many. The party called it yet another move by the prime minister against the VIP culture and termed it a big humanitarian gesture.

A video shared by the Gujarat BJP's media cell shows two SUVs, which were part of the prime minister's convoy, slowly moving to the left side on the Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar road to give way to the ambulance.

The incident took place when Modi was on his way to the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar after finishing his public rally near Doordarshan Centre in Ahmedabad in the afternoon.

On the way to Gandhinagar from Ahmedabad, PM Modi Ji's cascade stops to give way to an ambulance. No VIP Culture in the Modi era, BJP leader Rutvij Patel wrote while sharing the video on Twitter.

On the way to Gandhinagar from Ahmedabad, PM Modi Ji's carcade stops to give way to an ambulance.



No VIP Culture in the Modi era pic.twitter.com/rCtiF0VVaJ  Dr. Rutvij Patel (@DrRutvij) September 30, 2022

On the second day of his Gujarat visit, the prime minister flagged off the Gandhinagar-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express train and also launched the first phase of Ahmedabad Metro rail project.

In the evening, the prime minister will be in Banaskantha district to address a public gathering and perform aarti at the famous Ambaji temple.

(With agency inputs)
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday lashed out at the Union government for banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates and linked the move with the upcoming assembly elections in several states. "Considering the nationwide ban of government on PFI and its eight affiliates as politically selfish and union appeasing move before the assembly election, there is more restlessness among the people than satisfaction," Mayawati said in her tweet in Hindi.

The BSP chief further said, "this is the reason why the opposition is also angrily attacking the move by believing it a flaw in the government`s intentions and are openly demanding for a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) stating if PFI can be a threat for the country`s internal security, why other such organisations should not be banned?"

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday made the announcement through a notification declaring "the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect".Along with PFI, the ban was also imposed on its fronts, including Rehab India Foundation (RIF).

Also read: Shashi Tharoor files nomination papers for Congress prez poll at AICC office

Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women`s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an "unlawful association".

Opposing the move, the lone MLA from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Bihar, Akhtarul Iman on Thursday, said that it is not fair to ban the outfit without proving its crime in a court of law."It`s not fair to ban PFI without proving its crime in court," Iman had said, adding that the PFI is a "political organisation".

Meanwhile, the Campus Front of India, the student wing of PFI termed the five-year ban as "undemocratic and anti-constitutional", and said they would challenge the government`s move in Court. Issuing a statement against the ban, CFI tweeted on Wednesday, "Ban on Campus Front is Undemocratic and Anti-Constitutional; will be challenged in court. Stopped Activities in Accordance with Law".

On Wednesday, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the PFI ban and said, "Actions of some individuals who commit a crime does not mean that the organisation itself must be banned."
New Delhi: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who pulled out from the Congress presidential race, has claimed that no post is important for him as he wants to strengthen the party. His statement came as all eyes are now on Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who is likely to take a call very soon on the post of next Rajasthan chief minister.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot extended his support to senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge for the Congress president post, but soon after he withdrew his own candidature. "For me, no post is important. The Congress in the country needs to be strengthened and every Indian is saying so," Gehlot told reporters after he became a proposer for Kharge's candidature.

Asked whether he had offered to resign as the Rajasthan chief minister when he met Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot evaded a direct response. "I have held several positions for the past 50 years with the blessings of the Gandhi family.

Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have showered their blessings on me. For me, it is not the position that matters, but what matters is how to strengthen the party. I will make every effort towards it," he said.

The senior leader, however, said, "If I leave any position now, there will be talks that Ashok Gehlot is running away when the Congress is in trouble." "I would do whatever the high command tells me," he added.

The Rajasthan chief minister had opted out of the race for Congress president after a rebellion in the party's state unit, with a majority of MLAs holding a parallel meeting and not allowing a legislature party meeting last Sunday to pass a one-line resolution authorising the party chief to nominate a successor to Gehlot.

Gehlot has said he felt sorry and apologised to Sonia Gandhi, which he repeated publicly outside her residence on Thursday, taking moral responsibility for having failed to get a one-line resolution passed at the CLP meeting. K C Venugopal, however, later said a decision on the Rajasthan chief minister would be taken by Sonia Gandhi in a day or two.
New Delhi: Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan (retired) took charge as the Chief of Defence Staff on Friday, September 30. CDS Chauhan received the Guard of Honour at the South Block, Delhi today. In his first speech as CDS, he expressed his gratitude to the forces and promised to fulfil the expectations and tackle all challenges and difficulties together.

I'm proud to be assuming the responsibility of the highest rank in the Indian Armed Forces. I will try to fulfil the expectations from the three defence forces as the Chief of Defence Staff. We will tackle all challenges & difficulties together, he said.

Delhi | I'm proud to be assuming the responsibility of the highest rank in the Indian Armed Forces. I will try to fulfill the expectations from the three defence forces as the Chief of Defence Staff. We will tackle all challenges & difficulties together: CDS General Anil Chauhan pic.twitter.com/QDkPijylxy  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

Army chief General Manoj Pande, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Navy vice chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade and Air Marshal BR Krishna were also present at the ceremony.

Delhi | CDS General Anil Chauhan with Army chief General Manoj Pande and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari along with Navy vice chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade and Air Marshal BR Krishna pic.twitter.com/mDO5BxiJng  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

A photo with his wife Anupama Chauhan in the office of Chief of Defence Staff after taking charge today. CDS Anil Chauhan is the second CDS after General Bipin Rawat.

Delhi | General Anil Chauhan with his wife Anupama Chauhan in the office of Chief of Defence Staff after taking over today.



He is India's second Chief of Defence Staff. pic.twitter.com/cIgxOF7CbB  ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2022

The decorated Army officer, 61-year-old Chauhan will also be functioning as Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs. On Wednesday, the government announced appointing Chauhan as the new Chief of Defence Staff, more than nine months after the post fell vacant following the death of General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash.

Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) is from the 11 Gorkha Rifles, the same regiment as Gen Rawat. Lt Gen Chauhan (retd) was the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Army during the Balakot air strikes in 2019 when Indian airplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan in response to the Pulwama terror strike.

He retired from the service in May last year when he was serving as the eastern Army Commander. As the Eastern Army Commander, he played a significant role in bolstering India's overall combat readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim sectors.

(With Agency Inputs)
New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being non-serious as a politician, behaving like "a feudal lord" and being arrogant. The Assam CM said that Rahul Gandhi "does not have systematic seriousness" but wants to have power without responsibility while talking to ANI. Sarma, who was in Congress for over two decades, said he had told the party`s leadership that they will lose the northeast without a course correction.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who joined BJP in 2015, further said, "The first thing is he is not fit for politics. Probably, the work he should not do, he is doing," adding that Rahul Gandhi can sometimes leave a meeting in between and go for his exercise routine like jogging or suddenly go to the next room and come after half an hour.

Sarma said, "Rahul has taken moral responsibility that the party lost the Lok Sabha elections under my leadership, so I will not be the president. But who is running the party today, who is leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra? Who is the whole party running after? That means you want to enjoy the power without accountability. In a democracy, when somebody wants to enjoy the power without parliamentary accountability, without party accountability, without the accountability of the people, that is the most dangerous thing."

Also read: Congress WARNS Gehlot loyalists: Dont comment on internal party matters'

"You are not Congress president but you take all the decisions. If you are not Congress president, taken up moral responsibility after losing the election, why entire party is behind you now," ANI quoted the Assam CM as saying.

Sarma said that Rahul Gandhi is on Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari but has failed to convey his vision for the country, adding "They (Gandhi family) go to the poor people, but do the poor come to their house? Have you ever seen Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi having dinner with poor people at the same dining table."

Also read: Pilot meets Sonia, says 'will accept high command's decision on Rajasthan'

He further said that Congress has an ecosystem where only the Gandhi family matters, adding "I must give credit to Congress party, they create an environment that beyond Gandhi family you have nothing. When someone resigns from the party, the Congress spokesperson says he has betrayed the family, they will not say he has betrayed the nation. They will say that the family gave you everything but the fact is that the people of the nation give power. But they create a buzz that family had made you MP. This is the environment of Congress."

"The day you join Congress...the Congress has an inside culture that your life starts and ends with Gandhi(s). Like you get attached to any guru, you just surrender everything to that guru. There is an atmosphere. I don`t know who started this, who will end but this ecosystem is very strong in Congress." the Assam CM said. Notably, Sarma also added that a lot of people will come to the BJP from Congress.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday entered Tamil Nadu from Kerala, nearly 22 days after launching the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' from Kanyakumari. He alleged that Governors were being used to "topple" the opposition-ruled states while addressing a rally in Gudalur on Thursday evening.

The Congress leader accused the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre of 'using' the offices of the Governors to target the non-BJP ruled states in the country and claimed that it was pursuing its agenda of thrusting a one-nation, one language policy on the country. The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been at loggerheads with Governor R N Ravi over several issues, including its Anti-NEET bill, seeking to exempt the state's students from the ambit of the entrance test.

(With ANI/PTI Inputs)
History repeats itself, so the saying goes. It seems more accurate to consider that people repeat history and make choices similar to those others have made in the past. The continuity of choice is also the endurance of what is not chosen. People are repeating history every day. In Italy, people have re-embraced fascism in the election of Giorgia Meloni, whose party, Brothers of Italy, was formed in the neo-fascist aftermath of World War II. People repeat history every day.

Across the US, adherents to right-wing ideologies of intolerance, judgment, and punishment are censoring what young people are learning in school. Banning books, trolling adolescents, and creating conditions for intimidation and violence are now commonplace. Not only Florida, but Michigan, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Iowa are a few states where reactionary politics are putting people, their families, and communities in danger.

Though published in 2014, History Repeats Itself: The Republication of Children's Historical Literature and the Christian Right by Gregory M. Pfitzer is profoundly relevant and worth a leaf-through at your local public library.

"Recently, publishers on the Christian Right have been reprinting nineteenth-century children's history books and marketing them to parents as 'anchor texts' for homeschool instruction. Why, Gregory M. Pfitzer asks, would books written more than 150 years ago be presumed suitable for educating twenty-first-century children? The answer, he proposes, is that promoters of these recycled works believe that history as a discipline took a wrong turn in the early twentieth century, when progressive educators introduced social studies methodologies into public school history classrooms, foisting upon unsuspecting and vulnerable children ideologically distorted history books."

For the religious right, revisionism seems more sacrosanct than tradition, even as they rail against difference. Or, put another way, perhaps revision is tradition.
New Delhi: Former JNU student and activist Sharjeel Imam was on Friday granted bail by a Delhi Court in connection with a 2019 sedition case. However, he will remain in custody as he did not get bail in other pending cases. The bail on which he got bail was a case registered against him in New Friends Colony Police Station in 2019. A detailed order will be made available later in the day. On July 23, Additional sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat of Karkardooma court dismissed the interim bail plea of Imam, who is in judicial custody under sedition charges, among others.

JNU scholars and activists Imam and Umar Khalid are among the nearly dozen people reportedly involved in the alleged larger conspiracy linked to the Delhi riots of 2020, as per the Delhi Police. Imam and Khalid are facing charges in connection with making inflammatory speeches which allegedly fuelled the violence, as per the police.

The former JNU student was approaching the lower court after withdrawing the interim bail application from the Delhi High Court as the prosecution had raised the issue of maintainability.

Imam had approached the high court first for relief following the historic Supreme Court verdict that put on hold the colonial-era penal provision of sedition (Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code).

In his bail application, Imam said that since the top court has put sedition in abeyance, his case has improved for the grant of bail.

Also Read: Delhi Police opposes Umar Khalid's bail plea in HC, claims 'he tried to build narrative'

"The appellant has been incarcerated for nearly 28 months since January 28, 2020, whereas the maximum punishment for the offences not including 124-A IPC are punishable for up to a maximum of seven years imprisonment," the plea read.

The riots broke out in the national capital in February 2020 as clashes between the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-CAA protesters took a violent turn. The mayhem saw more than 50 people lose their lives besides leaving over 700 persons injured.
New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is under fire from Opposition leaders over accusations of not heeding to his own pre-poll advice against 'VIP culture'. The allegations came after an apparent RTI response posted by Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa stated that the Punjab CMs convoy has 42 cars, up from the 33 cars that Parkash Singh Badal, Amarinder Singh and Charanjit Channi had maintained in their cavalcade.

Punjab Congress' Partap Singh Bajwa on Friday (September 30, 2022) shared the screenshot of the RTI response indicated Mann had more vehicles than three of his predecessors and lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party leader.

"Shocking revelation...Badal had 33 vehicles when he was CM from 2007-17 in his cavalcade... no change when Captain Amarinder S became CM but it has been revealed through RTI that CM Mann - 'the so called Aam Aadmi' - has 42 cars in his cavalcade, Bajwa said in a tweet.

Shocking revelation-



CM Badal had 33 vehicles when he was CM from 2007-17 in his cavalcade & there was no change in number of vehicles when Captain Amarinder S became the CM but it has been revealed through RTI that CM Mann The so called Aam Aadmi has 42 cars in his cavalcade. pic.twitter.com/lEFt6Ve3xm September 28, 2022

"In the past Mr Mann used to question what 'kings and maharajas' do with convoy of so many vehicles? Will CM Mann himself clarify now what he is doing with the convoy of 42 vehicles?"

The document shared by Bajwa shows a steady rise in the number of cars in the CMs convoy since the AAP government came to power in the state.

Bajwa also took a dig at Mann asking if he would tell the citizens of Punjab what purpose this big convoy of vehicles serves. Why does he spend taxpayers' money so recklessly? How can he afford to have such a huge cavalcade now?" he asked.

The AAP has not yet responded to the Congress' jab.
Kishanganj: The lone MLA from AIMIM in Bihar, Akhtarul Iman, has opposed the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI), saying it`s not fair to ban the outfit without proving its crime in a court of law. "It`s not fair to ban PFI without proving its crime in court," Iman said, adding that the PFI is a "political organisation".

The Amour legislator claimed that the PFI works for society`s welfare, and this ban is a result of the political rivalry between the RSS and the PFI. He claimed that when Dalits and minority community members raise their voices for their rights, efforts are made to curb them.

"Those who instigated the riots in Gujarat and demolished the Babri Masjid have not gone to jail yet."

The government on Tuesday banned the PFI for five years for allegedly having terror links. In a notification, the Home Ministry declared "the PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts as an unlawful association with immediate effect".

Also Read: 'Islamic country by 2047; RSS, BJP leaders were on radar': Maharashtra ATS chief on PFI plan

Along with PFI, the ban is also imposed on its fronts, including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women`s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as an "unlawful association".

The notification clearly mentioned that the ban had been imposed against PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts for "indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country and have the potential of disturbing public peace and communal harmony of the country and supporting militancy in the country.
Speculation continues on the candidates for the Congress Presidential election. Now on Thursday, the name of General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also came into the discussion. Although nothing has been said officially by Priyanka or the party till now, the meeting with interim president Sonia Gandhi has given fuel to the discussions. Friday is the last day to file nominations for the election of the party president. According to sources, Sonia had reached Priyanka's residence on Thursday. It is reported that the party president stayed there for about an hour. According to reports, there are discussions in party circles about the pressure being put on Priyanka to contest the elections. The special thing is that, whether it is the political developments in Rajasthan or the search for a candidate for the Congress President's election, the party general secretary seems to be away from these matters at the moment.

However, former Congress national president Rahul Gandhi is in no mood to take over the reins of the party this time.There are reports that even after being told by many leaders, including Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, he has refused to contest the elections. News agency ANI had quoted sources as saying that Rahul wants to hand over the top post of the party to a non-Gandhi and hence he is not allowing Priyanka Gandhi to nominate either.

On Wednesday, Congress MP Abdul Khaleque had appealed to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to take over as the party president. She had argued that she was the daughter-in-law of the Vadra family and hence she was not a direct member of the Gandhi family. He tweeted, "As Rahul Gandhi is refusing to be the President of Congress again, in my opinion, Priyanka Gandhi is the best candidate. Being the daughter-in-law of the Vadra family, she is no longer a member of the Gandhi family as per Indian tradition."

The meeting of leaders took place at the residence of senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday evening. According to ANI, the sources said that the leaders discussed the situation regarding the election of Congress President and these leaders will meet again. Chances are being raised that a leader of the group may file for a nomination for the post of party president on Friday. Former Union Minister Manish Tewari, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda were present at this meeting. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Gehlot has distanced himself from the election of the President. He took this decision after meeting Sonia on Thursday. Here, on Friday, Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh are preparing to file their nominations. September 30 is the last date for nominations.
SRINAGAR: In a major breakthrough, the security forces on Friday managed to kill two terrorists in an encounter at Yedipora village of Pattan area in the Baramulla district in North Kashmir. Sharing more details, ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, 01 more terrorist killed (Total 02). Both the local terrorists linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM. Search operation in progress.

A senior police officer while confirming the killing of terrorists said their identity is being ascertained however searches in the area are still on.

Earlier a joint team of Police, army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area after having input about the presence of terrorists in the area. A police officer said, As the joint team of forces cordoned the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired which was retaliated and an encounter started. In the anti-terrorist operation, terrorists managed to escape from the cordon, a police officer said.

There was a lull after a gunfight broke out been terrorists and security forces in the wee hours in Chitragam village in the Shopian district of South Kashmir.

A top police officer said, after a brief exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces in wee hours today. Terrorists might have escaped from the encounter site taking advantage of darkness, however, we are not taking any chance as a cordon and search operation will continue in the area to trace fleeing militants.

The security forces have managed to kill 158 terrorists till now this year since January and out of those killed, 41 terrorists were Pakistani. 20 security personnel and 21 civilians have lost their lives.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir police with other central paramilitary forces have also managed to arrest 74 active terrorists mostly hybrid terrorists this year since January and have arrested 208 terrorist supporters in Kashmir.
New Delhi: Benchmark indices fell in early trade on Friday amid weak global market trends and a cautious approach by investors ahead of the Reserve Bank's monetary policy decision. The 30-share BSE benchmark fell 262.73 points to 56,147.23 points in initial trades. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty dipped 70.4 points to 16,747.70 points.

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Among the 30-share Sensex pack, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Mahindra & Mahindra and Hindustan Unilever were the major laggards in the early trade. However, Power Grid, Sun Pharma, Reliance Industries and UltraTech Cement were in the positive territory. Elsewhere in Asia, markets in Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong were quoting lower while Seoul traded higher.

ALSO READ | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max likely to come with exclusive features: Check details

The US markets had ended sharply lower on Thursday. "Markets are expected to be volatile before the announcement of RBI's policy decision scheduled today. Weak global cues will continue to rupture any intra-day strength in the Nifty," Prashanth Tapse - Research Analyst, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd, said.

The BSE benchmark fell 188.32 points or 0.33 per cent to settle at 56,409.96 points on Thursday. The Nifty dipped 40.50 points or 0.24 per cent to end at 16,818.10 points. Meanwhile, the international oil benchmark Brent crude futures dipped 0.19 per cent to USD 88.32 per barrel. Foreign institutional investors offloaded shares worth Rs 3,599.42 crore on Thursday, according to data available with BSE.
New Delhi: Actress Kriti Sanon is on a release spree as two of her most awaited and highly anticipated projects, Bhediya and Adipurush are gearing up for their release. Especially with the first look of Adipurush being dropped today, its teaser release date being announced and the teaser of the Bhediya being released. This calls for a double celebration for the actress as her projects crossed roads. Her fans and the audience are excited to see her play two iconic roles.

The positive response that the actress has been receiving throughout the day is overwhelming. The kind of love the viewers have showered over proves how this is the Rise and Rise of Kriti Sanon. With every project hitting the screen, the actress and her promising lineup are making more noise than ever. Post the success of her blockbuster film Mimi in the past, Kriti Sanon is looking forward to these releases.

Recently, the actress won a highly acclaimed Filmfare Award for the best actress at the 67th segment of it. For a girl who debuted in Heropanti next to Tiger Shroff in 2014, winning a Filmfare award as the best actress was a dream which came true this year. Her performance in Mimi did surprise everyone.

This was the first time we saw Kriti Sanon tapping into a new side of acting where suddenly she pulled off a very mature role with utmost grace. Now it will be exciting to see Kriti Sanon play two different characters in both Adipurush and Bhediya. The actress will also be seen in Ganapathy next to Tiger Shroff and Shehzada with Kartik Aaryan.
New Delhi: Actor Rani Mukerji is all set to come up with her memoir, which is scheduled to release on her birthday, March 21, 2023.

The memoir will be a deeply personal, disarmingly honest account of Rani`s inspiring journey.

Sharing more details about it, Rani said, "In the 25 years that I have so lovingly spent in the Indian film industry, I have never spoken my heart out about my life and my journey in cinema. As women in cinema, we are constantly judged and the book delves into my personal trials and tribulations and the impact it had on me, as I navigated the industry and my career. I haven`t had the time to pause, look back on my life, retrospectively and introspectively. This memoir was my way of reminiscing what I have been through right from my childhood. This one`s for my fans and for every single person who has given me boundless love and kept me grounded. I look forward to their reactions when this book releases on my birthday next year, making the day even more special."

The book will be published by Harper Collins India.

Rani made her acting debut in 1996 with Bengali film Biyer Phool when she was just 16. She later appeared in Hindi film Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in the same year and since then she has acted in several films. `Ghulam`, `Kuch Kuch Hota Hai`, `Badal`, `Bichhoo`, `Saathiya`, `Yuva`, `Hum Tum`, `Bunty Aur Babli`, `Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna` and `Mardani` among several others.She will now be seen in `Mrs Chatterjee VS Norway`, which revolves around a journey of a mother`s battle against an entire country.
New Delhi: Veteran actor Asha Parekh was on Friday honoured with the Dada Saheb Phalke award, the highest recognition in the field of Indian cinema. Parekh, 79, was presented the award by President Droupadi Murmu during the 68th National Film Awards ceremony, held at Vigyan Bhawan here.

The veteran said she is grateful to receive the prestigious award a day before her 80th birthday. "It is a huge honour to have received the Dada Saheb Phalke award. It makes me very grateful that the recognition comes to me just one day before my 80th birthday.

"This is the best honour I could get from the Government of India. I would like to thank the jury for the recognition that they have bestowed upon me, my long journey and fulfilling the journey in the film industry," said Parekh, who is the recipient of the award for the year 2020.

Describing the Indian film industry as the "best place" to be in, the actor said she continues to be attached to the movies in her own small way even after 60 years.

"Our film industry is the best place to be in. And I would like to suggest to the youngsters who are in this industry to have perseverance, determination, discipline, and to be grounded, and I congratulate all the awardees tonight," she added.

The five-member Dada Saheb Phalke Award committee -- comprising Asha Bhosle, Hema Malini, Poonam Dhillon, Udit Narayan, and TS Nagabharana -- selected Parekh for the honour.

Parekh, whose stardom was at par with male contemporaries Rajesh Khanna, Rajendra Kumar and Manoj Kumar in the 1960s-1970s, started her acting career at the age of 10 with the 1952 film "Aasmaan".

In a career spanning over five decades, she starred in over 95 films that include titles such as "Dil Deke Dekho", "Kati Patang", "Teesri Manzil", "Baharon Ke Sapne", "Pyar Ka Mausam", and "Caravan".

She made foray into films as a child artist with 1952's "Aasmaan" and went on to star in Bimal Roy's "Baap Beti" two years later. Parekh made her debut as a leading lady in Nasir Hussain's 1959 movie "Dil Deke Dekho", opposite Shammi Kapoor.

A director and producer as well, Parekh had helmed the acclaimed TV drama "Kora Kagaz" that aired in the late 1990s. The screen legend was also the first female chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). She served from 1998-2001.

The actor came out with her autobiography, "The Hit Girl", co-written by film critic Khalid Mohamed, in 2017. She was also honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of the country, in 1992.

Last year, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019 was conferred on Rajinikanth.
New Delhi: In the month of October, bank branches will remain closed for upto 21 days. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mentioned some days when the banking operations will remain closed in the month of October 2022, although online banking activities will continue to work.

While some bank holidays will be observed nation-wide, some others will be local holidays. Several bank branches will remain closed in various states owing to these festivities. Before visiting your bank branch in the month of October, you must note down the list of important days during which banks will remain closed.

Banks will remain closed for total 21 days in the month of October-- 15 as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holiday calendar list and the remaining days are that of weekends. However, you must note that the banks will NOT be closed for 21 days in all states or regions. This is the total number of days when banks in different parts of the country will remain closed for state-observed holidays.

For example bank branches might be closed for Kati Bihu in Assam but not closed for the same in other states.

Reserve Bank of India places its Holidays under three brackets --Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act; Holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act and Real Time Gross Settlement Holiday; and Banks Closing of Accounts. However, it must be noted that the bank holidays vary in various states as well not observed by all the banking companies. Banking holidays also depend on the festivals being observed in specific states or notification of specific occasions in those states.

Check City wise list of Bank holidays in October 2022

Here is an elaborate list of bank holidays falling in the month of October 2022. Check out the list.

Half Yearly Closing of Bank Accounts: October 1

Durga Puja (Maha Ashtami): October 3

Durga Puja/Dussehra (Maha Navami)/Ayudha pooja/Janmotsav of Srimanta Sankardeva: October 4

Durga Puja/Dussehra (Vijaya Dashmi)/Janmotsav of Srimanta Sankardeva: October 5

Durga Puja (Dasain): October 6

Durga Puja (Dasain): October 7

Milad-i-Sherif/Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammed): October 8

Karva Chauth: October 13

Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi: October 14

Kati Bihu: October 18

Kali Puja/Deepavali/Diwali (Laxmi Pujan)/Naraka Chaturdashi: October 24

Laxmi Puja/Deepawali/Govardhan Pooja: October 25

Govardhan Pooja/Vikram Samvant New Year Day/Bhai Bij/Bhai Duj/Diwali (Bali Pratipada)/Laxmi Puja/Accession Day: October 26

Bhaidooj/Chitragupt Jayanti/Laxmi Puja/Deepawali/Ningol Chakkouba: October 27

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patels Birthday/Surya Pashti Dala Chhath (Morning ardhya)/Chhath Puja: October 31



Apart from the above bank holidays, the second and fourth Saturdays, Sundays of the month are falling on the following dates:

Sunday: October 2

Second Saturday: October 8

Sunday: October 9

Sunday: October16

Fourth Saturday: October 22

Sunday: October 23

Sunday: October 30

Holidays of the mentioned days will be observed in various regions according to the state declared holidays, however for the gazetted holidays, banks will be closed all over the country.

If you keep a track of these holidays, you would be able to plan bank transaction activities in a better way. For long weekends, you can even plan your holidays well.
Town residents of Grand Island will get new access to a quarter-mile of Niagara River frontage, after the developers planning to remake a struggling hotel on Whitehaven Road agreed to grant a public easement to the town in order to win municipal approval of their $25 million redevelopment project.

Architect Michael Conroe of Elev8 Architecture and Justin B. Earl of Springville, Utah-based J.B. Earl Co. are proposing to transform the Radisson Hotel Niagara Falls-Grand Island into an apartment complex called Haven 100 for the project's address at 100 Whitehaven.

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Plans call for turning the six-story hotel's 263 rooms into 132 market-rate apartments for both long-term and short-term rentals, along with an 8,310-square-foot restaurant, an 18,305-square-foot banquet center, and a public fitness center. The hotel is owned by an affiliate of the McSam Hotel Group in Great Neck, N.Y., on Long Island, but Conroe and Earl have it under contract, with closing expected by year-end.

The duo is seeking a "planned development district" designation, which would allow a unified set of zoning rules for a single project that would not be permitted by the zoning code. They also need to be approved for incentive zoning because a PDD is normally reserved for properties of at least 25 acres  twice the size of the hotel site.

In exchange, they negotiated a community-benefits agreement with the town, in which they will provide an easement for a two-acre strip of land along the entire length of the waterfront property in front of the building and parking lot, and extending south along East River Road. That will allow for creation of a waterfront park with picnic benches and a pedestrian path, Conroe said.

Town officials initially expressed interest in gaining the southernmost corner of property belonging to the hotel, on a half-acre site where remnants of a former dock still remain. That's all that's left of a historic ferry that used to operate between Tonawanda and Grand Island, and town officials thought they could reuse it as a boat launch. So they pressed the developers to give them that.

But town officials finally realized that the speed and direction of the river's flow would not be conducive for motorboats. "Its a really bad location for a marina," Conroe said.

Instead, the developers are proposing a public kayak launch just to the north, where the current is more reasonable, Conroe said. And the town is actually getting far more land in the new deal than they would have at the dock site. "Now we've included the entire waterfront," he added.

Meanwhile, several residents who live across East River Road from that site also wanted the land for themselves and to prevent a boat launch. Conroe said the developers are still talking with those neighbors about a possible land sale to them.

Conroe said the duo hope to get Town Board approval for the PDD in early September, followed by site plan approval by early November. Construction could begin in January, with completion by January 2024.
Cybercriminals have changed the way they used to operate. They now track and monitor your online presence before tricking you into their trap. You may lose your hard-earned money if you get into their trap. Cybercriminals are now calling their targets by posing as relatives who are in foreign countries.

Many Indians are living in foreign countries either for their jobs or education and cybercriminals are now taking advantage of this. Punjab and Haryana contribute a large chunk of NRIs and people often disclose these proudly on their social media platforms like Facebook. Cybercriminals understand that people back home are concerned about their relatives in foreign countries and thus they call posing as relatives to seek urgent financial aid. When a family member gets a call from a foreign number and hears about some financial urgency, they immediately transfer money to the number given to them and thus get trapped in the scammers' plot.

In one such case, Prem Chand and his wife, residents of Panchkula, got a call from an unknown foreign number. Their nephew is studying in Canada. The scammer posed as his nephew over the phone and claimed that he had a fight with someone during the party. He further said that the person got injured in the fight and if he is not treated, Canadian Police will take action against Chand's nephew. The scammer then demanded urgent money from them. The Panchkula family sent Rs 7.5 lakh in three installments. However, when they realized that they had been cheated, Prem Chand lodged a complaint on the 1930 and swift action by the police helped him get back 2.5 lakh.

According to police, scammers find their victims by connecting on social media platforms and then they collect information to carry out the crime in a planned manner.

Also Read: Senior Citizens Savings Scheme: Centre issues 'BIG' clarification for investors; check details

A similar incident happened to Kaithal resident Sahib Singh who got a call from a scammer posing as a Canadian lawyer. The scammer promised him to resolve his ongoing case and thus demanded advance payments which Singh paid. Singh also complained on helpline number 1930 and got saved Rs 90 thousand.

Such cases are gaining prominence in Haryana and Punjab. Police appealed to the people to not make payments to any number before verifying facts. The police also asked the residents to not respond to calls received from foreign numbers demanding money.
New Delhi: The beneficiaries of PM-KISAN scheme, who have eagerly been waiting for the PM Kisan 12th installment money might hear the great news very soon. As per latest media reports, the Modi government might transfer the PM Kisan 12th installment of Rs 2,000 in the bank accounts of eligible farmers on Friday (30 September 2022). While, some media reports are also stating that the government might credit Rs 2000 in beneficiary farmers accounts on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti).These are however just initial reports, while the government has not officially confirmed anything regarding the transfer of Rs 2,000 to beneficiary accounts of PM-KISAN scheme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 11th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on May 31. PM Modi transferred an amount of around Rs 21,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2019. The Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions.

Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In a financial year, PM Kisan installment is credited thrice through --Period 1 from April-July; Period 2 from August to November; and Period 3 from December to March.
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 30, 2022

JIMYLVT46V2Z

BJKNXUB96C9P

8FEUQJXPDKA7

MCPKE62KW5MX

FF10617KGUF9

87JR8K8AKP64

9BYDPUM5WK6Z

MV9CQ27LQJOL

30VTN5443GFQ

PUSROKI57R77

FKJHBNJKOPPOL

FMKLPOIUYTFD

JCDKCNJE5RTR

FDRDSASERTYH

FHBVCDFQWERT

FMKI88YTGFD8

KLLPDJHDDBJD

EDXXDSZSSDFG

HDFHDNBHNDJL

VFGVJMCKDMHN

NDJDFBGJFJFK

(Also read: OMG! An 18-year boy hacks Uber, employees' thoughts someone is joking)

How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, September 30, 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)
Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and Tesla CEO Parag Agrawal bonded on over-engineering and solving technical design problems, showed a text exchange between the two tech leaders. During their conversation, Musk said that he doesn't want to be the boss of anyone to which Agrawal replied that the Tesla CEO should treat him like an engineer and not as the CEO of Twitter.

The conversation dates back to April this year, as per a TechCrunch report.

"Frankly, I hate doing mgmt stuff. I kinda don't think I should be the boss of anyone. But I love helping solve technical/product design problems," Musk told Agrawal. To this, Agrawal replied, "Treat me like an engineer instead of a CEO."

At one point during the conversation, Musk told Agrawal, I love our conversations!

Musk also said that he has a lot of ideas and he just wants Twitter to be an amazing platform.

Also Read: Senior Citizens Savings Scheme: Centre issues 'BIG' clarification for investors; check details

"I would like to understand the technical details of the Twitter codebase. This will help me calibrate the dumbness of my suggestions," he wrote to Agrawal.

"I used to be CTO and have been in our codebase for a long time. So I can answer many, many of your questions," Agrawal replied.

Agrawal told the Tesla CEO that even if Musk tweets 'is Twitter dying?', it won't help make Twitter better in the current context.

"Next time we speak, I'd like to provide you with a perspective on the level of internal distraction right now and how it is hurting our ability to do work. I would like the company to get to a place where we are more resilient and don't get distracted, but we aren't there right now," Agrawal told Musk.

The leaked chats have surfaced at a time when Twitter and Elon Musk are all set to commence their fierce legal battle in the Delaware Court of Chancery in the US on October 17.

The trial will decide whether Musk will be forced to complete his agreed-to $44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
Kabul: A suicide bomber struck an education centre in a Shiite area of the Afghan capital on Friday, killing 19 people and wounding 27, including teenagers who were taking practice entry exams for university, a Taliban spokesman said. The morning explosion at the centre took place in Kabul's Dashti Barchi neighbourhood, an area populated mostly by ethnic Hazaras, who belong to Afghanistan's minority Shiite community. The Islamic State group has carried out repeated, horrific attacks on schools, hospitals and mosques in Dashti Barchi and other Shiite areas in recent years.

Around 300 recent high school graduates, boys and girls had come to the Kaaj Higher Educational Center at 6:30 am to take practice exams, said one survivor, 19-year-old Shafi Akbary. The facility helps students prepare and study for the entrance exams, among other activities. About an hour into the session, the blast went off. First, we heard the sounds of a few gunshots at the main gate. Everyone was worried and tried to run in a different direction," said Akbary, speaking to The Associated Press over the phone. "Soon after that, a huge explosion occurred inside the centre.

Akbary, who was unharmed, said he saw dozens of bodies and wounded people scattered around him. I was so afraid and couldn't even move myself to help them. Later, other people ran inside and took us out, he added. Akhbary said he has attended classes at the centre the past six months

Khalid Zadran, the Taliban-appointed spokesman of the Kabul police who gave the casualty toll, said students were among the victims of the blast, but he did not specify how many. He said education centres in the area will need to ask the Taliban for additional security when they host events with big gatherings like Friday's exam prep.

Police have arrested a suspect who may have links to the attack, Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said later. He was unable to provide any updates on the casualties. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. But the Islamic State group, the chief rival of the Taliban, has been waging a campaign of violence that has intensified since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
New Delhi: Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in the US state of Florida on Wednesday, September 29, has left more than 2.5 million homes and businesses without electricity, according to media sources. According to local police, a 72-year-old man who fell into a canal in the city of Deltona died as a result of the storm, while rescuers are searching for missing people. Hurricane Ian has reportedly regained strength after inflicting significant damage on Florida. 15 people have been reported dead, according to a news agency, across southwest and central Florida due to the lethal hurricane.

According to the latest National Hurricane Center advisory issued on Thursday, Ian is approaching the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surge, and powerful winds, according to Xinhua news agency. The storm is expected to hit the coast of South Carolina on Friday before moving inland over the Carolinas on Friday night and Saturday.

Ian is forecasted to strengthen slightly before landfall on Friday before rapidly weakening across the southeastern United States late Friday into Saturday, with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h.

It made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in southwest Florida on Wednesday afternoon, delivering devastating storm surges, heavy rainfall, and destructive winds, as well as severe floods to both the coast and interior areas.

On Thursday, US Vice President Joe Biden referred Hurricane Ian as the deadliest storm in Florida history. "The statistics are still uncertain," Biden said during a visit to the offices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C. "However, we're hearing early reports of a significant loss of life."

According to PowerOutage.us, approximately 2.5 million consumers in Florida were without power as of Thursday evening. The catastrophic Hurricane has also trapped people in flooded homes, cut off the only bridge to a barrier island, and destroyed a historic waterfront pier.

Ian made landfall on Wednesday near Cayo Costa, a barrier island just west of heavily populated Fort Myers, as a Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph (241 kph) winds, tying it for the fifth-strongest hurricane, when measured by wind speed, ever to strike the US. Ian's centre came ashore more than 100 miles (160 kilometres) south of Tampa and St. Petersburg, sparing them their first direct hit by a major hurricane since 1921. Water drained from Tampa Bay as it approached, then returned with a surge.



(With agency inputs)
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned the West that the people of four Moscow-occupied Ukrainian regions are "our citizens forever" as he prepared to formally annex them at a Kremlin ceremony. "I want to say this to the Kyiv regime and its masters in the West that people living in the Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia (regions) are becoming our citizens forever," Putin said, adding that they had made an "unambiguous choice" to join Russia.

Putin then signed off on the annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions on Friday in one of the most significant turning points yet in the seven-month war on Kyiv. Putin confirmed the annexation of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions as well as the southern Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in a televised ceremony in the Grand Kremlin Palace's St. George's Hall.

Will defend our land using all means: Putin

We will defend our land with all the means we have available to us, Putin told the room filled with hundreds of officials, including the occupied regions Moscow-installed leaders.

"Russia is ready to return to the negotiating table with Ukraine. But Moscow will not discuss the results of the referendums in the liberated territories," Vladimir Putin said in the grand ceremony.

Vladimir Putin also launched a passionate defence of Russia's action and accused the West of trying to colonise Russia. Speaking about the use of nuclear weapons in the newly annexed regions, Putin said the United States is the only country to have used nuclear weapons twice, creating a precedent.

Russias Parliament is expected to ratify the treaties next week, after which the four regions will formally become part of Russia. The land grab takes place seven months into Moscows invasion of its pro-Western neighbour, a campaign that has been marked by repeated military setbacks including the failure to take in the first months of the war and a rapid retreat from northeastern Ukraine earlier this month.

Ukraine and its allies in the West have vowed never to recognize the annexation, calling it a blatant violation of Kyivs sovereignty.
Advocacy groups gathered Thursday to discuss concerns about the student suspension rate in Buffalo Public Schools.

So far this academic year in city schools, there have already been more than 200 suspensions in less than a month, said Samuel L. Radford III, of the Community Action Organization of Western New York.

And more than 20% of the suspensions occur at one school, McKinley High School, Radford said.

A December 2018 report found that the district suspends students at a higher rate than any of the large urban districts in New York State and that Black students in Buffalo are more than twice as likely to be suspended than their white classmates.

State probes suspensions, access to advanced courses in Buffalo public schools The New York State Attorney Generals Office has opened an investigation into whether Buffalo Public Schools students are being disciplined differently based on race and ethnicity and if all students receive equal access to advanced courses or to the districts gifted and talented programs. The offices Civil Rights Bureau sent a letter last month notifying district officials of the

Parents and students are not often apprised of their rights when it comes to suspension, said Johanna Miller, a lawyer with the New York Civil Liberties Union, which sponsored a town hall meeting along with CAO. Attendees were encouraged to discuss alternatives to suspension or share specific cases in which they believe their child was unfairly suspended with a lawyer.

Miller  a policy expert on student privacy rights and civil liberties issues, such as the school-to-prison pipeline  offered a presentation outlining the rights of students who are suspended.

"We're always looking for those opportunities to keep kids in the classroom, and not cut off those sources of support, particularly for those kids that may be struggling with substances or mental health challenges. Those are the kids who need to be in school the most," Miller said while meeting with reporters before Thursday night's presentation. About 50 people attended the session in the Northland Workforce Training Center on Northland Avenue.

The State Attorney General's Office opened an investigation into whether Buffalo Public Schools students are disciplined differently based on race and ethnicity in January 2020.

The Attorney General's Office also is investigating if all students receive equal access to advanced courses or to the district's gifted and talented programs.

At-Large Board Member Larry Scott said in a press release Thursday that the district has made "significant investment in trauma informed-care, restorative practices, culturally and linguistically responsive initiatives and social-emotional learning." The district also hired additional mental health staff and there are numerous community-based organizations working with schools, students and families, he said.

Radford disputed Scott's claims.

"This is the reason why it's so important to have the NYCLU here, because Larry Scott, as a school board member, can say that and it's not necessarily true," Radford said.

He said suspensions may be down from last year, but that is because they were at an all-time high after the Covid-19 pandemic.

"So it may be lower, but that's not the point. The point is it's too high. We're suspending kids. So we don't want to allow the conversation to get shifted to the number as if one suspension too many or one suspension that we could have handled differently, shouldn't have been handled that way," said Radford.

"What we're saying is that Buffalo has the highest suspension rate in New York State. They've historically had the highest suspension rate in New York State and we've got to do something to actually keep kids in the classroom, get them educated, get them to be able to read, write and do math on grade level, whether they're college or career ready. Suspending them en masse is not doing it. It hasn't worked up until now and what we want to go in the other direction," he added.

Organizers of the forum said they are concerned about the denial of educational opportunities in Buffalo.

Teachers, schools, families, and students in Buffalo deserve better. We are asking directly impacted families to speak to us about their experiences with suspensions at the Town Hall in order to provide them with key resources, better understand the situation in Buffalo, and determine next steps," Rae Shih, education counsel at the NYCLU, said in a statement.
A mother, father and daughter survived the Tops shooting but were left traumatized by the terror of being hunted inside a grocery store and the horror of what they escaped. The family is moving forward, trying to navigate a world that was already difficult in one of the state's most economically challenged communities.
Jason Kobza got some unexpected family time, but not in the relaxing, refreshing way.

During the throes of Hurricane Ian, the Category 4 disaster that hammered southwest Florida this week, Kobza was about 40 miles north of the eye, which stared down Fort Myers and Naples. Still, he and his wife, toddler and baby spent more than two days barricaded without power in their Sarasota house, joined by his parents, who were forced to evacuate from their home in Bradenton, Fla.

"We played a lot of Scrabble," Kobza said.

Hurricane shutters protected the Kobzas' concrete home from wind gusts that exceeded 80 mph Wednesday night, and unlike Fort Myers, Sarasota avoided the storm surge flooding that reportedly exceeded 8 feet in areas nearby. Confident in the protection of his house, Kobza, who grew up in Lancaster and attended the University at Buffalo, still was in awe of the hurricane's power, which peaked between 6 and 9 that night, he said.

"Palm trees were completely bent over, large oaks and magnolias were shaking violently," Kobza said via a Facebook message, due to lack of phone data and spotty cell service. "You could see the winds rushing down the street pushing the rain sideways. It looked like youd imagine an apocalypse."

While paling in comparison to the storm surges that cascaded through entire neighborhoods in Fort Myers, Kobza said being in the dark  literally and figuratively  was unnerving.

"The intensity of the wind and rain was unlike anything Ive ever experienced. The hardest part is when you lose power/data and you have no idea what is happening and how long we were going to be dealing with the punishing winds."

Kobza, who's lived in Sarasota since 2012, said there were two military Hummers in the neighborhood and "hundreds of vehicles from all over the country" in preparation for Ian's path.

His power was restored at 2:30 a.m. Friday, Kobza said, and he was able to first view the devastation of nearby Fort Myers.

"I think Sarasota dodged a bullet," he reflected.

The news was not as good for employees of his charter boat company, Low Tide Tours. Two of his captains, he said, could not access their home in Englewood, roughly halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers along the west coast.

An hour north in Tampa, Buffalo-area expats prepared early this week for the worst. Storm predictions zeroed in on the city, which had not experienced a major hurricane in about a century.

Lisa Esposito, an Orchard Park native who works as a nurse at St. Joseph's Women's Hospital in Tampa, compared the worry about the impending storm to how Western New Yorkers would prepare for a blizzard. Grocery store shelves were empty, bottled water was nowhere to be found and gas stations were without gas, she said.

The threat was real enough that all Tampa hospitals called a "disaster code," which signals to employees to begin emergency operations. Esposito's hospital was locked down, and all visitors required to leave by 5 p.m. Tuesday, per county ordinance. She said that's happened only once before in her tenure in the hospital: before Hurricane Irma struck five years ago.

Ian largely spared inland Tampa, although coastal areas were given evacuation orders and suffered more damage. Esposito's family never lost power, which gave her a glimpse through social media and friends to the devastation two hours south.

"It's so awful, especially considering they had very little notice," she said. "Weve had a few days to prepare, and I think they had less than 24 hours."

Danny Galuski, a real estate broker who grew up on Buffalo's East Side but moved to Tampa about 20 years ago, said he expected from the storm "five direct hits, but they all dissipated," he said.

Still, Galuski  the former owner of Buffalo bars Danny's Essex Street Pub and Merlin's on Elmwood  heard harrowing stories from friends and former clients as he cleaned up debris and tree limbs scattered outside his home. He said one told him that waves of water had kissed a second-story balcony, while another saw pontoons and yachts floating down streets. He referenced the images of the destroyed bridge that once connected Fort Myers to Sanibel and Captiva.

"We're blessed in Tampa that we didn't get it," Galuski said Thursday, "but I don't feel good for the people who got hit hard."
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate passed a short-term spending bill on Thursday that would avert a partial government shutdown when the current fiscal year ends at midnight Friday and provide another infusion of military and economic aid to Ukraine as it seeks to repel Russia's brutal invasion.

The bill finances the federal government through Dec. 16 and buys lawmakers more time to agree on legislation setting spending levels for the 2023 fiscal year. It passed by a vote of 72-25 and now goes to the House for consideration. All of the no votes came from Republicans.

As has become routine, lawmakers waited until the final hours before the shutdown deadline to act. But passage of a bill to fund the government was hardly in doubt, particularly after Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin agreed to drop provisions designed to streamline the permitting process for energy projects and greenlight the approval of a pipeline in his home state of West Virginia. Those provisions had drawn opposition from both sides of the political aisle.

Still, the bill merely puts off for a few months the maneuvering that will be required after the midterm election to pass a massive government funding package, as negotiators will have to bridge their differences over spending on hot-button issues such as abortion, border security and climate change.

The bill approved Thursday, with some exceptions, keeps spending at federal agencies at current levels through mid-December. The most notable of those exceptions is the more than $12 billion that will be provided to aid Ukraine, on top of more than $50 billion provided in two previous bills. The money will go to provide training, equipment and logistics support for the Ukraine military, help Ukraine's government provide basic services to its citizens and replenish U.S. weapons systems and munitions.

Seven months since the conflict began, it's crystal clear that American assistance has gone a long way to helping the Ukrainian people resist (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's evil, vicious aggression," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. But the fight is far from over."

Republican leader Mitch McConnell also voiced support for the Ukraine aid, while admonishing the Biden administration to get it out the door more quickly.

Assisting Ukraine is not some feel-good, symbolic gesture," McConnell said. It's literally an investment in our own national security and that of our allies."

Disaster assistance was attached to the stopgap bill, including $2.5 billion to help New Mexico communities recover from the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, the largest wildfire in the states history; $2 billion for a block grant program that aids the economic recovery of communities impacted by recent disasters and $20 million for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements previously authorized for Jackson, Mississippi.

An additional $18.8 billion was included for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to current and future disasters, such as Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida on Wednesday.

The bill would provide an additional $1 billion for a program that helps low-income households heat their homes. And it would transfer $3 billion from a Pentagon aid program to the State Department for continued Afghan resettlement operations.

Lawmakers also included a reauthorization of the Food and Drug Administration's user fee agreements for five years, which ensures the agency can continue critical product safety reviews and won't need to issue pink slips for thousands of employees working on drug and medical device applications.

One thing missing from the bill is the billions of dollars in additional funding that President Joe Biden sought to aid the response to COVID-19 and monkeypox. Republicans criticized the health spending as unnecessary. The White House said the money would have been used to accelerate the research and development of vaccines and therapeutics, prepare for future COVID variants and support the global response.

The bill's passage is the last must-do item on lawmakers' list before returning to their home states and districts to campaign before the mid-term elections that will determine which party controls the House and Senate over the next two years. Lawmakers were anxious to get out of Washington and focus on campaigning without the specter of a shutdown.

The last thing the American people need right now is a pointless government shutdown," Schumer said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and top legislative leaders announced Thursday that they will fast-track more money to hire 25 additional forensic lab positions as the states turnaround times for sexual assault kits face scrutiny after a high-profile killing.

The news comes just weeks after authorities confirmed that the man charged with abducting and killing a Tennessee teacher had not been charged in the 2021 case of the rape of a woman due to the delay in processing the sexual assault kit.

Cleotha Henderson was eventually indicted in the case just days after he was arrested in the death of Eliza Fletcher, a mother of two and a kindergarten teacher. An autopsy report released Thursday showed Fletcher died from a gunshot wound to the head.

In the earlier case, Memphis police say they took a sexual assault report on Sept. 21, 2021 but it wasnt analyzed in a state lab until nearly a year later. When the 2021 DNA was entered into the national database, it returned a match for Henderson on Sept. 5. Fletcher disappeared on Sept. 2.

TBI said police in Memphis had made no request for expedited analysis of the kit and no suspect information was included in the submission.

The news quickly sparked outrage among state leaders and victim advocates demanding that officials fix how the state processes sexual assault kits. It also prompted questions about why Memphis didnt seek to fast-track the kit, which can cut the wait to only days.

According to Lee, the 25 additional positions will include scientists, technicians and administrative support staff in labs based in Jackson, Nashville and Knoxville. Six of the positions will focus on DNA, while the rest will have other specialties, according to TBI spokesperson Josh DeVine.

Funding will come from the states current budget, and Lee said hell push to fund it again in next years budget, which Lee will propose and lawmakers will consider in early 2023.

While there is absolutely more to do, I am pleased that we are able to take this additional step towards eliminating this backlog. We have to get these violent criminals off the streets and keep them off, said Senate Speaker Randy McNally, a Republican.

As of August, Tennessees three state labs averaged from 28 to 49 weeks to process rape kits under circumstances that dont include an order to rush the test, and more than 950 rape kit requests were pending in labs. TBI attributed the delays to staffing woes: the agency requested 40 more special agent/forensic scientist positions and 10 more technicians in the budget that is now in effect, but Lee and the legislature funded half that amount. TBI also says low pay makes recruiting and keeping scientists difficult.

DeVine said the funding announcement Thursday covers the remainder of the positions TBI had sought in the current budget. There are several different roles for forensic scientists at the agency other than DNA, ranging from toxicology to forensic chemistry. In the current budget, for example, the 20 new special agent/forensic scientist positions funded included eight forensic biology/DNA positions.

Legislative leaders indicated this was an initial step, and other moves would be needed to address the turnaround times.

TBI Director David Rausch said the agency has several other approaches in the works, as he aims to reduce turnaround times to eight to 12 weeks within a year for all evidence. Some efforts include: Offering overtime for lab workers; operating the labs on weekends; outsourcing eligible kits to private labs; and contracting with retired TBI workers to help provide training so current scientists can shift their time training employees to more case work.

The labs currently have 26 DNA-focused special agent/forensic scientist positions, including some being hired or trained. Supervisors  six focused on DNA  can conduct lab work too. Three DNA-tasked forensic technicians are in the hiring process.

Currently, the TBI says it accepts rush DNA cases when requested to do so by local law enforcement agencies. There is no timeline, however, on when a sexual assault kit must be received and analyzed.

Henderson, who also has gone by the name Cleotha Abston, is charged with kidnapping and killing Fletcher, 34. Henderson is being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond on the charges stemming from Fletchers death.

Staff writer Adrian Sainz in Memphis contributed.
Texas and Florida governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis are complaining that certain Democrat politicians are not doing enough to stem the tide of humanity immigrating north over the U.S. southern border.

The governors should recognize that climate change, and the droughts, floods, hurricanes and heat-waves it causes or worsens, are some of  though admittedly not the only  the reasons Central American migrants are making the dangerous journey to seek refuge in the United States.

In 2020, Hurricanes Eta and Iota slammed into Central America, causing torrential rain, flash floods, landslides and crop damage across Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. While climate change may not cause more frequent hurricanes, it increases their average intensity.

Longer-term, droughts in Central America contribute to political and social instability, especially in the so-called Dry Corridor along the Pacific coast there. Often, the droughts decimate crop harvests, leading successively to internal displacement, exposure to gang violence, and international migration.

All the while, these governors seem to use every opportunity to exacerbate climate change. Abbott, in 2021, pushed Texas Public Utility Commission to strengthen incentives for fossil fuel power generating companies. That year, too, DeSantis signed a law preventing local governments from switching to 100% clean energy. This year, DeSantis banned Floridas pension funds from considering environmental, social and governance standards when making investment decisions; and Abbott signed into law HB 2189, which prohibits state and local governments from doing business with money managers that avoid fossil fuels investments.

Abbott and DeSantis could take responsibility for their states roles in supercharging climate change and, thereby, the immigration crisis, but they instead blame Northern, liberal jurisdictions such as Marthas Vineyard and New York City, transporting there hundreds of new immigrants.

One wonders where Texans and Floridians will flee when the climate crisis renders much of their land, too, uninhabitable.

Andrew Hartley, PhD

Elma
(Bloomberg) -- The US imposed sanctions on a Chinese crude-oil storage operator and nine other entities accused of violating restrictions on Iranian oil exports, as the Biden administration looks for ways to sever a financial lifeline and press Tehran to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The sanctions targeted Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co. Ltd., a company that provides a vital conduit for the Iranian petroleum trade, the State Department said in a statement. Nine other entities from China, Hong Kong, Iran, India and the United Arab Emirates were also targeted, it said.

In a separate statement, the Treasury Department said the sanctions focused on a network of companies tied to the sale of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum products to end users in South and East Asia.

Iran has stepped up oil exports in the face of a sanctions regime that went back into effect after former President Donald Trump quit the multinational Iran nuclear deal in 2018. Those exports have recently fallen from a peak of 1 million barrels a day as Tehran faces increased competition from Russia, which is eager to sell at discounted prices to counter a separate array of sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine.

The Biden administration started talks to return to the multinational accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action shortly after coming into office. But those talks have run aground over Irans insistence that President Joe Biden guarantee any future US administration wont quit the deal as Trump did -- something US officials say he cant do.

Story continues

As Iran continues to accelerate its nuclear program in violation of the JCPOA, we will continue to accelerate our enforcement of sanctions on Irans petroleum and petrochemical sales under authorities that would be removed under the JCPOA, the State Department said.

Read more: Irans Oil Exports Fall as Competition From Russia in Asia Grows

A return to the deal could bring relief to Irans lucrative oil trade, but most analysts doubt it will be restored before the US midterm elections in November, if then. Iran has found no shortage of buyers -- mainly from China -- willing to buy its oil in the meantime.

The US should end its wrong policy of applying sanctions and do more to resume negotiations with Iran, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Friday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

(Updates with comment from Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20, 2022 /CNW/ - Hakemi & Ridgedale LLP and MLT Aikins LLP are pleased to announce they will be joining forces on December 1, 2022. Adding Hakemi & Ridgedale, a leading litigation boutique in Vancouver, will allow MLT Aikins to offer its clients a broad range of litigation services in British Columbia.

Hakemi & Ridgedale LLP is a commercial litigation boutique serving Canadian and international clients. Our lawyers are experienced in representing clients in complex business disputes across a variety of industries. We efficiently resolve litigation matters before courts, regulatory bodies, as well as tribunals. We serve clients in English, French and Chinese. Hakemi & Ridgedale LLP has been ranked by The Legal 500 as a Leading Firm in Dispute Resolution in British Columbia. (CNW Group/MLT Aikins LLP)

"Hakemi & Ridgedale's exceptional litigation experience adds to the depth and breadth of our Vancouver presence and to our firm's overall litigation bench strength," said Aaron Runge, managing partner of MLT Aikins. "MLT Aikins is a growing firm. We look forward to welcoming the entire Hakemi & Ridgedale team and introducing our full service offering to their impressive group of clients."

Established in 2012, Hakemi & Ridgedale is a respected commercial litigation boutique recognized as a Leading Firm in Dispute Resolution in British Columbia by Legal 500 and as a Benchmark Litigation recommended firm. Led by name partners Tom Hakemi and Lisa Ridgedale, Hakemi & Ridgedale has received numerous Canadian Law awards.

"We're pleased to join the MLT Aikins team and bring our litigation experience and client portfolio to a firm that spans across the entire West," Hakemi said.

Hakemi & Ridgedale has experience in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including corporate and commercial disputes, securities litigation, administrative law, and defamation law. The firm's lawyers act for clients in several sectors, including private equity and investments, financial services and banking, mining, resources, energy and infrastructure, construction, real estate, and retail and consumer markets.

Tom Hakemi advises clients in complex business disputes often involving alleged breaches of commercial contracts, including shareholder and partnership agreements, allegations of fraud, defamation, anti-competitive conduct, and violations of securities laws. He also acts for clients being investigated by securities regulators.

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Lisa Ridgedale advises clients involved in business disputes and regulatory enforcement actions, in addition to advising clients on compliance with securities laws. She also acts for clients involved in civil proceedings and draws on her past experience as a prosecutor for the British Columbia Ministry of the Attorney General and senior enforcement counsel at the British Columbia Securities Commission.

"By joining MLT Aikins, we'll be able to better serve clients by benefiting from the combined resources and experience of one of Western Canada's most recognized law firms," Ridgedale said.

MLT Aikins LLP is a full-service law firm of more than 270 lawyers with a deep commitment to Western Canada and an understanding of the market's unique legal and business landscapes. Established in 1879, MLT Aikins is the 13th largest law firm in Canada (Lexpert, American Lawyer Media), with offices in Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

For Media inquiries, please contact: Greg Dalgetty, Content Marketing Specialist, MLT Aikins LLP, gdalgetty@mltaikins.com, (204) 957-4745

MLT Aikins LLP is a full-service law firm of more than 270 lawyers with a deep commitment to Western Canada and an understanding of the markets unique legal and business landscapes. Established in 1879, MLT Aikins is the 13th largest law firm in Canada (Lexpert, American Lawyer Media), with offices in Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. (CNW Group/MLT Aikins LLP)

SOURCE MLT Aikins LLP

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2022/20/c1001.html
Itau Corpbanca

SANTIAGO, Chile, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ITAU CORPBANCA (NYSE: ITCB; SSE: ITAUCORP) announced that it filed today a Material Event Notice with the Chilean Commission for the Financial Market reporting the closing of the transaction with Minsait Payment Systems Chile S.A. (a subsidiary of Indra Sistemas S.A., a company duly incorporated in Spain) as informed through a material event notice, dated November 30th 2021 to sell our share ownership in Operadora de Tarjetas de Credito Nexus S.A. (hereinafter Nexus). As a result, Minsait Payment Systems Chile S.A. has taken control of Nexus and Itau Corpbanca, as well as all other shareholders, have ceased to be shareholders of Nexus.



The full Material Event Notice is available on the companys investor relations website at ir.itau.cl.

Investor Relations  Itau Corpbanca

+56 (2) 2660-1701 / IR@itau.cl / ir.itau.cl




The Prime Minister has warned she will not allow the impasse over the Northern Ireland Protocol to drift.

Liz Truss reiterated that the UK remained open to a negotiated solution with the EU on issues with the contentious post-Brexit arrangement which has created economic barriers on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

However, Ms Truss again stressed that she would act unilaterally to address problems with the protocol, by way of domestic legislation at Westminster, if a deal with Brussels proved elusive.

The Governments Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which is progressing through Parliament, would empower ministers to rip up parts of the protocol without the approval of the EU.

Brussels says it would represent a breach of international law and could prompt retaliatory action.

Powersharing in Northern Ireland is on ice because the regions largest unionist party, the DUP, is blocking the formation of a devolved executive in protest at the protocol.

The Prime Minister said the problem needed to be sorted out one way or the other, as she made clear the absence of a regional government at Stormont was not sustainable.

In an interview with BBC Northern Ireland, Ms Truss said: Weve always been clear that we want to resolve the issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol, ideally with a negotiated settlement, but we have put through the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill because we hadnt been able to achieve a negotiated settlement.

We will remain open to a negotiated settlement. But there are some fundamental principles that we have to achieve.

We are open to a negotiated solution, but we are progressing with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill as we stand, because what we cant allow is this situation to drift.

Ms Truss said she had encouraged all parties in Northern Ireland to get back into devolved government.

Im very clear that I want to see all parties part of the Assembly and the Executive, she said.

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I have made it clear to everybody Ive spoken to that I want to see the Executive and the Assembly operating. The people of Northern Ireland need a government.

What Im about is making sure we restore the primacy of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Thats whats important  that we are treating both communities in Northern Ireland fairly.

So that means having free-flowing east-west trade, as well as free-flowing north-south trade. It means making sure that the people of Northern Ireland can benefit from the same tax benefits as the people of Great Britain. So these are fundamental principles that we need to fix in order to resolve the situation in Northern Ireland.

Im determined to fix those. We put through the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to fix those problems. Im very clear that Im open to negotiate a solution, provided it fixes the problems that weve identified.

I want to see the (Stormont) parties working together. I want to see that government back up and running. Thats my priority.
Liz Truss has insisted that people in Northern Ireland will not lose out on energy support being offered to consumers elsewhere in the UK.

Northern Irelands energy market operates differently to the model in Great Britain, with specific rules and regulations.

The region is also without a devolved government due to the political row over the Northern Ireland Protocol post-Brexit trading arrangements.

This weekend the Government will introduce its Energy Price Guarantee in the rest of the UK, under which a typical household will pay on average 2,500 a year for their energy for the next two years from October 1.

Last week it announced a similar price cap scheme for Northern Ireland.

The scheme limits the price suppliers can charge customers for units of gas and electricity.

It will take effect from November, but the Government said it will ensure households receive the same benefit overall as those in Great Britain by backdating support for October bills through bills from November.

It has also said it will provide an additional payment of 100 to households that do not receive support through the price cap, such as those who use home heating oil.

A previously announced 400 discount on energy bills that will begin to be rolled out in Great Britain from October is also being paid to Northern Ireland customers.

However, there has been uncertainty about when that money will be paid in the region.

In an interview with BBC Northern Ireland on Thursday, Ms Truss was asked when consumers might expect their electricity top-up to be paid.

Ms Truss did not make specific reference to the energy price cap or the 400 discount, but said: We will be providing the same support to Northern Ireland as we are providing for people in Great Britain.

It will be backdated to the 1st of October, so people will be getting that same support.

My understanding is that will happen in November, but it will be backdated to October.

I will get further details on that but what I can assure people is a scheme that applies in Great Britain will apply in Northern Ireland, it will be backdated to the first of October, so people have reassurance that theyre not going to be struggling with those very high energy bills.

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Earlier on Thursday, DUP Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said he hoped the 400 could be paid in November.

Gordon Lyons (Liam McBurney/PA)

He said good progress had been made in recent days getting the scheme arranged with local suppliers.

The energy suppliers are coming to a legal agreement and a mechanism to allow that money to be paid, he said.

I had previously said that that money would be delivered in November/December time, and that will still be the case. Were still hoping that that will be November time.

We will still get it in one payment, whereas in the rest of the United Kingdom that is going to be over a period of six months. We will get all of our money in Northern Ireland before the rest of the UK.

So were getting that money, using our influence to make sure that comes as quickly as possible to those who need it.

Commenting on households using oil-powered heating being offered 100, Mr Lyons said that was not enough, adding that he had been speaking to officials and ministers about the issue.

Over 65% of people in Northern Ireland have home heating oil, I dont want them to be left out, and thats why I have been engaging with Government to try to tell them why its so important that that 100 is increased. It is not going to be enough for those who are struggling this winter, he said.

On the Governments mini-budget last week, Mr Lyons said he was disappointed that it did not include a VAT cut for hospitality.

That would have made a real difference for tourism more generally and that hospitality sector in particular, and it is disappointing that that hasnt happened, he said.
SAN FRANCISCO, September 30, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vagaro, the leading comprehensive business management platform for the beauty, fitness, and wellness industries, celebrated a successful close to the companys inaugural conference, iconic.22, in San Francisco on Monday.

Over 400 guests registered for the event, headlined by celebrity speakers Venus Williams and Tabatha Coffey.

The two-day conference allowed small business owners to network, learn business growth strategies from industry leaders, and hear directly from Vagaro CEO Fred Helou.

Contributions from key sponsors were vital to the events success.

VP of Marketing, Charity Hudnall said, "Our sponsors are a huge part of the Vagaro family. Together, we are always looking for ways to innovate and create opportunities for the businesses we serve.

"I am so grateful that our sponsors were there to help make our very first conference a memorable one. Thanks to them, we created an inspirational event in an inclusive environment, making every attendee feel special."

iconic.22 sponsors included: American Express, a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.

Chase for Business, which offers various business banking solutions including loans, credit cards, and lines of credit.

Certegy, a leading provider of payment & risk management technology for retailers and financial institutions across North America. Backed by more than 60 years of experience in payments, Certegy incorporates AI, machine learning and other innovations into its platform to securely serve todays growing digital payment demand.

Liberis, a leading global embedded finance platform with a mission to provide small businesses with accessible and responsible finance, based on the belief that funding should always be a positive force for small businesses. Liberis provides partners with the technology platform and financial solutions to offer hyper-personalized and accessible funding, empowering their small business customers to grow their revenues.

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Gusto, a modern, online people platform that helps businesses take care of their teams. In addition to full-service payroll, Gusto offers health insurance, 401(k)s, expert HR, employee self-onboarding, and team management tools. The company serves over 200,000 businesses in the United States and has offices in Denver, New York City, and San Francisco.

Thrivo, which empowers salons with omnichannel capabilities through technology that seals customized salon hair color, to serve the entire hair color market sustainably.

SalonEVO, a leading industry magazine for hair, nail and beauty professionals in UK, Ireland, and North America.

iconic.23 sponsorship opportunities available soon.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005614/en/

Contacts

press@vagaro.com
(Photo: Garena)

The fourth Free Fire World Series tournament and the second this year will begin with a bang on November 25 for Play-ins, before the Finals happen on November 26.

This time around, the esports event will not take place in Singapore, unlike the previous iteration.

Instead, it is set to take place at the homeground of the last two tournament FFWS winners, All Around (FFWS 2022 Sentosa), and EVOS Pheonix (FFWS 2021 SG).

The first Free Fire World Series took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2019, and was won by Brazilian squad Corinthians.

Qualifiers for Free Fire World Series 2022 Bangkok will take place in several regions in the next few months.

Regions that directly qualify will include Brazil, Latin America, Europe, CIS, the Middle East, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

Other regions such as Taiwan and Pakistan will only qualify for the Play-Ins and will go up against the runner ups from the above regions.

Organised by Garena, the prize pool for FFWS 2022 Bangkok has not yet been revealed.

If it's anything like previous tournaments, then expect a US$2 million pool, with the winner taking home the lion's share of US$500,000.

However, with Garena's parent company SEA currently on a cost cutting streak, it remains to be seen if the prize pool for the tournament will match the earlier series.

Aloysius Low is an ex-CNET editor with more than 15 years of experience. He's really into cats and is currently reviewing products at canbuyornot.com

For more esports news updates, visit https://yhoo.it/YahooEsportsSEA and check out Yahoo Esports Southeast Asias Facebook page and Twitter, as well as our Gaming channel on YouTube.
The Queen shakes hands with Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness watched by First Minister Peter Robinson at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast (Paul Faith/PA) (PA Archive)

The sole photographer to capture the historic moment the Queen greeted Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness has recalled it as the longest handshake he has ever shot.

Paul Faith, from Co Antrim, was asked to take the image of the monarchs meeting with the former IRA commander inside the Lyric Theatre in Belfast in 2012.

The handshake between the Queen and Mr McGuinness, who was then Stormont deputy First Minister, was a highly symbolic gesture and is considered a landmark moment in Northern Irelands peace process journey from conflict toward reconciliation.

The PA news agency was asked to photograph the encounter and Mr Faith, who was then PAs main photographer in Northern Ireland, was given the high-profile assignment.

The event at the Lyric Theatre was organised by peacebuilding organisation Cooperation Ireland and centred around an exhibition of portraits of Troubles victims painted by Northern Ireland artist Colin Davidson.

The Queen and President of Ireland Michael D Higgins were invited, as were then DUP First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Mr McGuinness.

The first meeting between the Queen and Mr McGuinness, who died in 2017, took place privately within the theatre before a handshake in public soon after.

And Mr Faith was on the spot to capture it.

Its the longest handshake I think Ive actually shot, he said.

I actually timed it and think it was about four seconds, and four seconds for a handshake is quite long.

So I got plenty of frames of it and it was perfect  really, really nice.

The Queen met a couple of other people and left and that was it.

And then we turned around and walked up the stairs and Martin McGuinness said well, thats it done.

Mr Faith, from Glenarm, said his bosses were more stressed about the job than he was.

The night before an editor rang me and he was in a real panic and I wasnt. He said I hope youre nervous, its healthy if you are nervous.

He said you need to be on your game for this and I said look, its a handshake, Ive done hundreds and thousands of handshakes in my career, itll come together and be all right.

More people were nervous about it than I was.

He added: Working with the Queen over the years I photographed her so many times and have been in close proximity to her and I always found her very courteous.
Londoners account for more than a third of e-scooter casualties (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive)

The number of collisions involving e-scooters almost trebled in the last year - with Londoners accounting for more than a third of casualties.

There were 1,352 reported collisions involving the battery-powered devices in Great Britain in 2021, up from 460 in 2020, according to the Department for Transports annual road casualties report.

Ten people were killed - all of them e-scooter riders - and 421 seriously injured. This number included 67 pedestrians and 20 cyclists. A further 162 pedestrians suffered minor injuries.

There was one e-scooter fatality and 129 serious injuries in 2020.

Separate provisional data from Transport for London suggests there have been two e-scooter deaths in the capital this year.

One involved a 14-year-old girl colliding with a van in Newham in March. The other involved a 32-year-old man, Joshim Uddin, killed in a hit and run by a car in Tower Hamlets in July.

There were three e-scooter fatalities in London by the same point in the year last year.

The huge increase in deaths and serious injuries will add to concerns about the anti-social use of e-scooters and the danger they pose, in particular to pedestrians when ridden illegally on pavements.

E-scooters are meant to be limited to 15.5mph but some are fixed to reach higher speeds. They are also illegal to use on public roads unless they are rented from a Government-approved trial scheme.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: As E-scooter trials continue across the country, crashes involving e-scooters rose by 193 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020.

The wider introduction of micromobility into the national transport picture must look at how we can adopt new and emerging personal mobility tech without compromising the safety of all road users, including pedestrians.

The report revealed there were 1,558 road deaths last year, up seven per cent on the previous year but down 11 per cent on pre-pandemic levels.

The UK remains the sixth lowest in the world for road deaths. Norway, Malta, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland have better rates of road deaths per million residents.

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There were 21 per cent fewer cyclist deaths, down year-on-year from 141 to 111. A total of 100 cyclists were killed in 2019.

A total of 4,353 cyclists were reported to be seriously injured and 11,994 slightly injured last year.

The number of journeys by bike has risen between 2004 and 2021 faster than serious injuries.

Some 56 per cent of cycle fatalities happen on rural roads and 44 per cent on urban roads.

Not wearing a seatbelt contributed to 30 per cent of car deaths last year - rising to 47 per cent at night.

There were an estimated 128,209 casualties of all severities last year, a decrease of 16 per cent compared with 2019.
UK and EU officials will meet soon following a call on Friday between the Foreign Secretary and the ECs Maros Sefcovic to discuss the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Foreign Secretary had his first call with the European Commission vice president, amid an ongoing row over post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland.

Talks have stalled in recent months and relations between London and Brussels remain at a low ebb, after the Government angered the EU with plans to rip up swathes of the protocol in a bid to address the concerns of unionists in Northern Ireland.

In a tweet following the call, Mr Sefcovic said that teams will meet soon, raising hopes in some quarters for progress in talks between the two sides.

Good to speak to @MarosSefcovic today on important shared issues including the Northern Ireland Protocol. We agreed we want to look for solutions to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. We will speak again soon.  James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) September 30, 2022

Mr Sefcovic called it a good conversation, adding: Both sides agree to look for solutions around the Protocol, to bring predictability & certainty to people in Northern Ireland.

He said that the EU is committed to joint efforts, adding: Teams will meet soon. James & I will stay in contact.

Mr Cleverly, who has only been in the role a matter of weeks, offered similarly warm words after the call, which is understood to have included discussions about both the protocol and other issues.

Another call between them could be held again in a couple of weeks.

Good to speak to Maros Sefcovic today on important shared issues including the Northern Ireland Protocol, the foreign secretary said.

Story continues

We agreed we want to look for solutions to protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. We will speak again soon.

Good conversation w/ @JamesCleverly on Protocol on IE/NI. Both sides agree to look for solutions around the Protocol, to bring predictability & certainty to people in Northern Ireland. The  is committed to joint efforts. Teams will meet soon. James & I will stay in contact. pic.twitter.com/F4orAvSi8Z  Maros Sefcovic (@MarosSefcovic) September 30, 2022

The protocol, signed by former prime minister Boris Johnsons government, effectively keeps Northern Ireland aligned with many EU single market rules to avoid a hard border with Ireland, therefore requiring some checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea.

Despite elections in May, there is currently no sitting powersharing executive in Northern Ireland, after the DUP withdrew its first minister from the governing executive in protest in February at the economic border created in the Irish Sea by the protocol.

It was Prime Minister Liz Truss as foreign secretary who introduced legislation which effectively tears up parts of the agreement, worsening relations with the EU.

Both sides have said a negotiated outcome is the preferred option amid hopes that some form of compromise can be reached.

In an interview with BBC Northern Ireland on Thursday, Ms Truss said that the Government remains open to a negotiated settlement, but said the situation cannot be allowed to drift.

Irish premier Micheal Martin said that he believes there is a genuine willingness on all sides to resolve the dispute around the Northern Ireland protocol.

I think there is genuine willingness to make every effort to resolve this issue by negotiation, the Taoiseach told reporters at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in Dublin.

That said it will be difficult.

I think what is important is that a process is entered in to that will facilitate in negotiated resolution for the issue.
Recruitment

EAB Acquires Concourse to Help Colleges and Universities Recruit Students

EAB, a company that partners with over 2,500 K12 and higher education institutions, recently announced the acquisition of Concourse Global, creator of an alternative college admissions platform to help increase access to higher education. The company also announced it is expanding its Greenlight Match program, a partnership with Concourse launched in 2021.

Concourses proprietary technology flips the script on the traditional application process, enabling schools to compete for students with proactive offers of admission and financial aid, EAB said in its release. The technology allows students to work with counselors and organizations to create anonymous profiles of their academic records, achievements, and preferences, which are then sent out to prospective colleges and universities before a formal application is ever submitted. Institutions review profiles and send information to prospective students about college costs, along with preliminary competitive offers. Students can receive multiple potential offers before engaging in a time-consuming application process.

EAB said acquiring Concourse will help to streamline its goal of helping underserved students. The current college enrollment process works well for many but not all students, the company said. Students who come from families with lower incomes, those who are the first in their families to attend college, or students applying to U.S. schools from overseas face outsize obstacles. At the same time, schools are struggling to diversify their student bodies. The Concourse platform reinvents the admission process to support underserved students and help schools recruit diverse and global communities of learners.

The Greenlight Match program is a partnership with Concourse launched in Chicago in 2021 to help underserved students reduce barriers to higher education. It resulted in nearly 2,000 admission offers and over $135 million in scholarship and financial aid offers to over 650 local students. With the programs expansion, EAB hopes to help over 13,000 students in six new metropolitan areas.

For more information, visit the EAB website.
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@captimes.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this weekend people will have the chance to support the Center for Survivors, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Although based in Columbus, the Center for Survivors serves Boone, Butler, Colfax, Nance, Platte and Polk counties.

We offer, of course, our crisis advocacy, emergency services, said Volunteer Coordinator Denise Kollath. We do have satellite offices in those other counties that are certain times. We also have our BHR, which is (short for) building healthy relationships, that are in schools. We do offer the 24-hour crisis line that people can call.

BHR helps teens define and identify healthy and unhealthy relationships and is designed to help teens know how and where to get help if they or someone they know has experienced or is experiencing dating violence or sexual assault.

Additionally, the nonprofit has a Revolution program in which local high schoolers volunteer their time to spread awareness on dating violence and sexual assault to their peers and provide outreach in the community.

Kollath added the Center provides a Monday night support group for clients. Those interested in the support group can contact the nonprofit to find out more information.

All Center for Survivors services are offered in both English and Spanish, Kollath said.

Anyone can come here to our office, there's no need to make an appointment, Kollath said. You can walk in and get a list of services. If they want to come and talk, we can find them an advocate that could sit down and meet with them one on one.

As stated in a press release provided by the Center, on average, nearly 24 people are victims of physical abuse by an intimate partner every minute in the United States.

According to statistics provided by the Center for Survivors, 419 clients were served in 2021. There were a total of 3,726 client contacts for services including crisis counseling, follow up advocacy, education, training and personal advocacy. There were 715 calls to the Centers crisis line.

The Center for Survivors is the only agency within our six-county service area to provide services specific to the needs of domestic violence survivors, said Lia Grant, executive director of the Center. While its not often talked about, the reality is that many people in our community are affected by domestic violence. On average, we serve approximately 500 victims (unduplicated) each year.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, 13th Street Again will be holding Shop for Survivors.

Ten percent of all sales from the following participating businesses (during the following times) will be donated to the Center: Urban Farm Boutique, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Cork & Barrel, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Tooleys, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Barbara Jeans, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fabulous Forever, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Artzy Haven, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Valencia Boutique, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; BeYOUtiful Boutique, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Lavender Thyme, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reginas Kitchen will not be open but will be matching the donation from the sales of Lavender Thyme.

Also on Saturday, the Seventh annual Cooking for a Cause fundraiser will take place in front of the Center for Survivors building, 3103 13th St., in the east parking lot.

For a free-will donation, people can receive meals between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Held by the Pitmasters, all proceeds go to the Center.

These events help bring awareness to the issue and also help make a tremendous impact on the safety and well-being of our community. By participating in these events, you are helping keep our doors open to provide services to those who are in desperate need of our help, Grant said.

Last year, each event brought in close to $2,500, which means a grand total of $5,000! We hope these events will continue to grow each year! We are so grateful for the generosity of the Pitmasters and the participating businesses on 13th Street. Together, we can make a difference!

At the end of October, the Center for Survivors Board of Directors is holding a Fun Pianos Dueling Pianos fundraiser at the Columbus Eagles club. According to Kollath, on Oct. 28, there will be the performance, a silent auction and hors d'oeuvres.

I think everybody's had a pretty good turnout for them. I've been to them before and they're just a blast, Kollath said. It's a great time to just sit down and relax and being in the Eagles, it's going to be a nice, relaxed atmosphere.
Cumberland County and the Midstate will see rain this weekend from Hurricane Ian, but heavy flooding isn't expected as the heart of the storm should stay south of Pennsylvania before heading out to sea.

Strong winds were blowing early Friday morning in Charleston, South Carolina, with powerful gusts bending tree branches and sending sprays of the steadily falling rain sideways as Hurricane Ian approached the Carolinas as a Category 1 storm.

Ian is expected continue to push inland and then stall over Virginia and the Carolinas through the weekend. High pressure to the north will help steer Ian inland and then help to lock the low to the south of Pennsylvania through early next week.

The National Weather Service says rain should arrive in Cumberland County by Friday night, with steady rain through Saturday.

"There will be a steady period of rain from tonight into early Saturday morning," ABC27 meteorologist Brett Thackara said. "This rain could be heavy at times too. During the day Saturday, a coastal low will develop and pull moisture away from our region while the remnant low will continue spinning to our south.

"While the bulk of our rain will occur tonight into Saturday morning, showers will still occur from time to time through Monday and possibly even into Tuesday. Storm totals through that time period will be 1-2 inches for most areas."

Temperatures are expected to only reach the upper 50s through Tuesday, with winds at 10-15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph for the region.

With winds holding at 85 mph, the National Hurricane Center's update at 8 a.m. Friday placed Ian about 105 miles southeast of Charleston and forecast a life-threatening storm surge and hurricane conditions along the Carolina coastal area later Friday.

The hurricane warning stretched from the Savannah River to Cape Fear, with flooding likely across the Carolinas and southwestern Virginia, the center said. The forecast predicted a storm surge of up to 7 feet into coastal areas of the Carolinas, and rainfall of up to 8 inches.

In Florida, rescue crews piloted boats and waded through flooded streets Thursday to save thousands of Floridians trapped amid flooded homes and buildings shattered by Hurricane Ian.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said at least 700 rescues, mostly by air, were conducted on Thursday involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Guard and urban search-and-rescue teams. At least nine people were confirmed dead in the U.S.  a number that was expected to increase as officials confirm more deaths and search for people.

Ian had come ashore Wednesday on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane, one of the strongest storms ever to hit the U.S. It flooded homes on both the state's coasts, cut off the only road access to a barrier island, destroyed a historic waterfront pier and knocked out electricity to 2.6 million Florida homes and businesses  nearly a quarter of utility customers. Some 2.1 million of those customers remained in the dark on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A North Carolina sheriff was caught on tape using racist language about his fellow officers amid an election dispute in 2019, a local TV station reported on Wednesday.

Im sick of these Black bastards, Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene said in a recorded phone call, reported by Wilmingtons WCET. Im going to clean house and be done with it. And well start from there.

After narrowly winning the election for county sheriff in 2018, Greene was temporarily replaced by former Cpt. Jason Soles as a lawsuit proceeded to determine whether Greene or his opponent Lewis Hatcher was the rightful sheriff, according to WCET.

Soles, who is currently running against Greene for the position, told WCET that he started receiving calls from Greene at the time, in which he used racist language about Hatcher and ex-Sgt. Melvin Campbell, both of whom are Black.

Well cut the snakes head f off. Period, Greene said in a February 2019 call, according to WCET. And Melvin Campbell is as big a snake as Lewis Hatcher ever dared to be. Every Black that I know, you need to fire him to start with, hes a snake.

Greene believed that someone in his department had leaked information to Hatcher and Campbell that led to the lawsuit over the 2018 election and was trying to obtain phone records from Verizon to find the source of the leak.

Soles began recording the calls upon hearing Greenes racist language and brought them to the county commissioners. However, it fell on deaf ears, leading Soles to approach the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), WCET reported.

After obtaining a copy of the recording on Tuesday, the SBI said it was investigating the sheriffs office for obstruction of justice, according to WCET.

Greene denied any racial intent to his language in a Facebook post on Wednesday, noting that the department serves all citizens no matter their race, color, or creed.

I feel the recording is a personal attack, an attack on my accomplishments as Sheriff, and an attempt to discredit the successful work of the Sheriffs Office for the last four years, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sep. 28The state Office of Attorney General charged a former Scranton School District maintenance supervisor with endangering children despite evidence he shut down water fountains shortly after he was advised lead levels exceeded federal guidelines, according to a federal lawsuit.

Joseph Slack alleges prosecutors had verifiable proof he did not commit a crime, but continued to pursue the high-profile case to advance their political careers. Charges against him were ultimately dropped, but not before he suffered serious health issues brought on by the intense public scrutiny.

Slack, of Scranton, was arrested Sept. 30, 2020, along with former Superintendent Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D., and former Chief Operating Officer Jeff Brazil based on a statewide grand jury investigation into asbestos issues and elevated levels of lead in the water at multiple schools.

The trio were charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person for allegedly failing to act to address the issues. Just less than a year later, all charges against Slack and Brazil were dropped. Kirijan initially had charges reduced to three misdemeanors, but two of those counts were later withdrawn. She was admitted to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program on one misdemeanor count.

The lawsuit, filed by Scranton attorney Vincent Cimini, names the Office of Attorney General, state police and several employees of both organizations as defendants. It does not name Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the Democratic nominee for governor in the November midterm elections.

In a statement, Jacklin Rhoads, communications director for the office, defended its handling of the case.

"Our task is to pursue justice and when new information came to light, we dismissed charges against Mr. Slack," she said. "We will defend any allegations of wrongdoing to the fullest extent."

The lawsuit faults the office for filing the charges in the first place. It cites emails that show Slack took action to remediate the problems shortly after Kirijan and Brazil learned about the elevated lead levels in January 2019 from Guzek Associates Inc., a company hired to test the water.

Story continues

According to the suit:

Brazil emailed Slack on Jan. 15, 2019, to advise him of the issue and directed him to place the identified water fountains and sinks "off limits immediately." Over the next 11 days, Slack placed signs that said "do not drink or cook with" on the affected fountains and sinks, and/or shut off the water supply to them.

Shortly after placing the signs, Kirijan, whom Slack later learned had not yet notified the school board of the issues, angrily confronted him and forbade him from taking any further remediation steps unless she authorized them.

Slack provided Senior Deputy Attorney General Erik Olsen a statement on Feb. 20, 2020, detailing the actions he took. He also identified a witness who saw him make the signs and the confrontation he had with Kirijan. Despite that evidence, authorities pushed forth with charges.

During his highly publicized arrest, Slack was handcuffed and shackled and paraded before the media in an attempt to shame him, the suit says. The attorney general's office later issued a "scathing" press release alleging Slack, Brazil and Kirijan "hid the truth" and exposed "children to dangerous levels of lead."

On April 15, 2021, Slack provided a written statement, again summarizing the steps he took. The next day, Olsen left a voice message for Slack's criminal attorney, Tim Hinton, expressing ethical concerns about proceeding with the case. He indicated he would seek to dismiss the case, but he had to "get approval for those types of things." The charges were not dismissed until June 12, 2021.The suit says the case took an emotional toll on Slack, who was subjected to threats and scorn that left him "humiliated and ashamed." The stress caused him to suffer a cardiac emergency in March 2020.

The suit seeks damages on five counts, including false arrest, malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

In addition to the state police and Office of Attorney General, it names as defendants Olsen, two other attorney general employees, Robert McHugh and Brian Zarallo, and Michael Mulvey, a state trooper.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter.
MADISON  One Madison County church is working to make life just a little better for children in Uganda.

Mountain View Chapel in Rochelle is working with Victory Covenant Church in Kampala, Uganda to provide food, shelter, education and hope to families in Uganda.

The two churches formed Victory 1:27, a non-profit with a mission of helping some of the poorest people on the planet.

The organizations name come from James 1:27. The scripture states that true religion that God the Father accepts as pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Almost half of Ugandas population is under the age of 15, representing one of the youngest populations in the world. More than 40% of the population lives in poverty.

Uganda also hosts the largest refugee population in Africamore than one million refugees have fled their home countries to seek asylum in Uganda.

These all contribute toward making Uganda one of the poorest nations of the world, a place where success is measured not by worldly possessions but simply by survival.

Rochelle resident Stacey Donnelly has traveled to Uganda several times and was struck by the contrast between life in the U.S and Uganda.

So many of the people there are simply trying to stay alive, said Donnelly. Things that even the poorest Americans take for granted just arent there. Most people scrape by on subsistence farming and there are few jobs. It is rare for children to finish elementary school.

Victory 1:27 Coordinator Jan Crouthamel explained how fulfilling basic needs is a full time job.

When we are hungry we walk a few steps to the refrigerator or the pantry, said Crouthamel. When we are thirsty we turn on the faucet and quickly fill a glass with drinkable water. Life is very different for our kids in Uganda.

Crouthamel said most families helped by the churches search every day to find food to feed their children.

Our rice and beans fund is so critically important in fulfilling this basic need, providing nourishment to those that would otherwise often go without, she said.

They do not have running water in their homes, so they have to go to a community water source [up to two miles away] and carry the water back home in jugs, she said.

Those jugs can weigh between eight and 48 pounds.

This trip to the spring to gather water is an important part of every day life, she said, and even that water must be boiled before it is able to be used.

The group is currently seeking a piece of land in Uganda suitable for farming. The idea is to use the land to train and educate children in the study of agriculture as well as provide a continuing source of food for the families being served.

In addition to the rice and beans fund, which also provides potatoes and fruit, Victory 1:27 has completed a three-phase Victory House project which houses teachers who teach at the Victory Primary School.

The first floor of the house is comprised of seven apartment units. The second phase of the project added a girls dormitory for 44 students. The dorm has bathrooms, four housing units for teachers and a housing unit for the dorm mother.

The third phase added a boys dormitory with bathrooms, a room for a dorm supervisors, a lounge and an additional housing unit for teachers.

The organization has also completed renovations to the Victory Primary School, adding working bathrooms with a septic system as well as an upgraded kitchen with working appliances.

The group also added additional classrooms and is in the process of constructing a third and fourth floor consisting of more classroom space, additional bathrooms and a multipurpose room.

Children are sponsored through Victory 1:27 to attend the school. Bishop Herbert Buyondo, of Victory Covenant Church, estimates that it costs about $35 per child per month to send a child to school.

Victory 1:27 seeks to find long-term sponsors for needy children and hope to change their life course through education.

After completing their secondary education, theres also the V127 Scholarship Fund which supplements the child sponsorship payments and provides extra funding for children to keep learning.

Recipients have pursued degrees and certificates in medicine, engineering, agriculture, environmental science and more.

There are numerous ways to get involved with Victory 1:27. Recently, the group held a large community yard sale at Hoover Ridge.

To find out more about the organization, or to donate, visit v127.org.
One local church is working to make life just a little better for children in Uganda.

Mountain View Chapel in Rochelle and Victory Covenant Church in Kampala, Uganda work together to provide food, shelter, education and hope to families in Uganda. The two churches formed Victory 1:27, a non-profit with a mission of helping some of the poorest people on the planet. The organizations name come from James 1:27, True religion that God the Father accepts as pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Almost half of Ugandas population is under the age of 15, representing one of the youngest populations in the world and more than 40% of the population lives in poverty. Uganda also hosts the largest refugee population in Africamore than one million refugees have fled their home countries to seek asylum in Uganda. These all contribute toward making Uganda one of the poorest nations of the world, a place where success is measured not by worldly possessions but simply by survival.

Rochelle resident Stacey Donnelly has traveled to Uganda several times and was struck by the contrast between life in the U.S and Uganda.

So many of the people there are simply trying to stay alive, said Donnelly. Things that even the poorest Americans take for granted just arent there. Most people scrape by on subsistence farming and there are few jobs. It is rare for children to finish elementary school.

Victory 1:27 Coordinator Jan Crouthamel explained how fulfilling basic needs is a full time job.

When we are hungry we walk a few steps to the refrigerator or the pantry, said Crouthamel. When we are thirsty we turn on the faucet and quickly fill a glass with drinkable water. Life is very different for our kids in Uganda. Most of our families must search every day to find food to feed their children. Our rice and beans fund is so critically important in fulfilling this basic need, providing nourishment to those that would otherwise often go without. They do not have running water in their homes, so they have to go to a community water source (up to 2 miles away) and carry the water back home in jugs that range from 8-48 lbs. This trip to the spring to gather water is an important part of every day life, and even that water must be boiled before it is able to be used.

The group is currently seeking a piece of land in Uganda suitable for farming. The idea is to use the land to train and educator children in the study of agriculture as well as provide a continuing source of food for the families being served.

In addition to the rice and beans fund, which provides rice, beans, potatoes and fruit, Victory 1:27 has also completed a three-phase Victory House project which houses teachers who teach at the Victory Primary School. The first floor of the house is comprised of seven apartment units. The second phase of the project added a girls dormitory for students, housing 44 girls with bathrooms, four housing units for teachers and a housing unit for the dorm mother. The third phase added a boys dormitory with bathrooms, a room for a dorm supervisors, a lounge and an additional housing unit for teachers.

The organization has also completed renovations to the Victory Primary School, adding working bathrooms with a septic system as well as an upgraded kitchen with working appliances. The group also added additional classrooms and is in the process of constructing a third and fourth floor consisting of more classroom space, additional bathrooms and a multipurpose room.

Children are sponsored through Victory 1:27 to attend the school. Bishop Herbert Buyondo of Victory Covenant Church estimates that it costs about $35 per child per month to send a child to school. Victory 1:27 seeks to find long-term sponsors for needy children and hope to change their life course through education. After completing their secondary education, theres also the V127 Scholarship Fund which supplements the child sponsorship payments and provides extra funding for children to keep learning. Recipients have pursued degrees and certificates in medicine, engineering, agriculture, environmental science and more.

There are numerous ways to get involved with Victory 1:27. Recently, the group held a large community yard sale at Hoover Ridge. To find out more about the organization, or to donate, visit v127.org.
Brush, bump, or shoulder slam: The tiff between Virginia House of Delegates members  and expected GOP primary opponents  Wren Williams and Marie March continued Thursday with Williams announcing that a witness had come forward to back his version of events.

That version was that Williams did not commit assault and battery against his legislative colleague, as March claimed in a criminal warrant sworn out at the end of a Republican Party gathering Saturday in Wytheville. March said that as people were walking out of the event at the Wytheville Meeting Center, Williams changed course in the centers lobby to ram into her, or intentionally pushed/shoulder slammed into me, as she said in the warrant.

Williams said Sunday that he accidentally bumped into March and apologized. He presently has a hearing on the misdemeanor charge scheduled for Dec. 15 in Wythe County General District Court.

March and Williams, both first-term delegates, presently represent the 7th and 9th House districts, respectively. But redistricting approved in December put both delegates in the new 47th House District and both have said they plan to compete for the Republican nomination for the new seat. The nomination process probably wont start until next year but Williams and March have been criticizing one anothers positions for months.

This week, however, it was the accusation of delegate-on-delegate assault that stirred hubbub. The legislators issued dueling statements and both sent out video clips that they said supported their accounts.

Williams released grainy footage from the meeting centers security cameras that was too indistinct to show details of the encounter. But the video did not show anyone reeling away from anyone else. A second part of the video that Williams released was higher resolution and showed March reenacting the encounter for police officers, waving her arms over her head and taking three steps backward.

March responded with body camera videos from police officers, including one that showed Williams, a criminal defense attorney, at first declining to give even his name to an officer who followed him into the parking lot.

Marchs version of events has been supported by Carroll County Supervisor Jody Early, who said Sunday that he was standing near March and it looked to him like Williams intentionally veered over to run into March.

On Thursday, Williams presented his own witness: Debra Atwell, the treasurer of Washington Countys local Republican Party.

In a news release, Williams relayed that Atwell, of Abingdon, was standing directly behind March when the two delegates met.

It was not a hard bump, Atwell said in Williams statement. It was just like if you passed someone in the airport and brushed against their shoulder. She didnt waver at all, or even move.

He did not veer to hit her  As soon as they had the shoulder tap, Wren turned around and said, Oh, excuse me, Im sorry.  I didnt think anything of what had happened, Atwell continued.

It was not until Monday, when a friend showed Atwell a news article, that she realized a criminal charge had followed, Atwell said.

I think these charges are ludicrous.  I was shocked and appalled and disgusted that Marie March had blown this so far out of proportion  way, way out of proportion. Maries response has been ludicrous and crazy.

In Williams statement, Atwell called on March to drop the charge, adding, I hope that we can all heal as a party from this misunderstanding.

Reached by telephone Thursday, Atwell said that if the charge actually makes it to court, she was ready to testify on Williams behalf. Atwell said that she was moved to contact Williams by the video that showed March talking to police and seeming to show the contact made her lurch backwards.

I was standing right behind her. She did not stagger. If she did stagger, she would have knocked right into me, Atwell emphasized.

That totally did not happen, Atwell said.

Atwell said that she had known Williams for several years and did not think of him as a troublemaker. She said that she knew March through being at party events but did not know her personally.

Atwell said that she had not realized until this week that the two delegates were now in the same district.

March did not reply to a message seeking comment Thursday afternoon.

In his statement, Williams thanked Atwell.

Of his likely primary rival, Williams said, It is sickening that March has continued to double down on her lies to police officers that evening, claiming this was Assault and Battery. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is truly unhinged behavior. March is putting spectacle over decency, and that is unbecoming of an elected official.
Albany spa-goers soak in the hot water to alleviate their pain and relax. But the current spa at Albany Community Pool is not accessible some say, so they are forming their own reconstruction project.

The group came before the City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 28 to lodge their complaints and dream of a hot tub. Whether those dreams will come to fruition, however, remains to be seen.

When Monica Weber first went to the spa to alleviate her chronic pain at Albany Community Pool, she was distressed.

This is the most horrible, decrepit hot tub Ive ever seen, she said in a phone interview.

There are cracks in the deck, no ramps to help navigate an entry, and there is always sand at the bottom from the sand filters, she said. The spa is often closed too, she added.

Anyone who can't access the spa with the steps has to use a lift, Weber said. The device is a sling attached to a chain with a crane-like metal arm. It looks like something out of the movie "Jurassic Park," she said.

Despite the theatrics, the crane is not functional, Weber added. She watched as a man who uses a wheelchair was aided by two people and still could not make it into the hot tub, she said.

In practice, it isnt accessible at all, Weber said. That means the people who need the spa the most, those in pain, can't access it.

A success story

Sixty-nine year old Cass Templeton attributes her ability to walk on the beach with her grandchildren to the spa at the Albany Community Pool.

Templeton has a degenerative disease that required her to have multiple steroid injections. She had a very sharp, constant pain in her lower back that used to shoot down to her legs and immobilize her, she said.

But she found refuge in the hot water of the spa.

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.

In the water, there is no pain at all, she said in a phone interview.

She would take a dip before and after her deep water aerobics sessions in the pool to relieve her pain, she said.

But getting into the water wasn't easy, Templeton said. Climbing up the steps was painful, and at one point she even fell.

She added that many of those who flock to the spa are older. Templeton hopes improvements can be made so that the people who need it can be better served, she said.

Aside from the physical benefits, the spa offers great social benefits and an important amenity for the community, Templeton said.

A plan gels

The city needs to support this, she said.

Thats why Templeton, Weber and a handful of others came forward to the City Council on Wednesday. After speaking with Mayor Alex Johnson II, Weber and the group came to present their new plan for the spa and share personal testimonies.

A retired architectural designer, Weber drafted a plan for a new spa. It would have three points of access, a larger space to accommodate more individuals, and more space in between the doors, a configuration which currently makes make it difficult to access the tub, Weber said.

She knew it wouldn't come cheap, so Weber started collecting cans to pay for it, she said. Supporters since have held garage sales and other fundraisers, bringing in a total of $21,000 so far.

But that may be just a drop in the proverbial hot tub.

Supporter Tom Cope, a retired grant writer, said to attract grants, some form of community support is needed, from the city itself, private businesses, other organizations or private individuals.

Private foundations look for support that is local and demonstrates a community need, he said in a phone interview.

A dispute bubbling?

There is difference of opinion, though, between the citizen supporters and the city whether the current spa complies with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.

It isnt the nicest looking or efficient, but it is ADA-compliant, City Manager Peter Troedsson said during the City Council meeting.

But Weber said that in order to be ADA compliant, the spa needs two points of access, and it currently has one, she said by phone.

Troedsson noted the water has helped him a lot too, but the city is limited in what it can do.

Its wonderful to fund, but the question is what do we not fund to pay for it, he said.

It wasn't that long ago, Troedsson reminded the councilors, that they had discussed closing the pool to cut costs, especially in light of the pandemic-driven economic toll.

Of all the city departments, Parks and Recreation was hit the worst, he said.

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.

Weber hoped to inform the city of the project by coming forward and that they could get aid through community business and local government funding.

It needs total reconstruction, in her opinion.

"There's no way to make the current one accessible," she said. And with an aging population, she believes the need for this spa will be greater than ever.
Art for Ukraine: "Art for Ukraine" is an exhibit that is a fundraiser for Ukrainian refugees, on display through September at New Morning Bakery, 219 SW Second St. in Corvallis. Uzhhorod, Ukraine, is a sister city to Corvallis. Thousands of people have fled the eastern border of Ukraine to take refuge in the relative safety of Uzhhorod in the West, overwhelming its limited resources and necessitating outside help to manage the crisis. Six local artists are donating the proceeds of their work to the Corvallis Sister Cities Association, which will use the money to provide housing, food, medical care and other services for the refugees. Prints by Earl Newman, abstracts by Bruce Osen, mosaics by Alice Sperling and Lyn Radosovich, hand-cut silhouettes by April Fisher, and a Steven Evans sunflower design made in honor of Ukraine are on display along the brick wall of the bakery and are for sale.
South Africa: Luxury vehicle of EC supply chain chief director probed

The East London Division of the High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authoritys Asset Forfeiture Unit an order to preserve the luxury vehicle of the Eastern Cape Department of Educations supply chain Chief Director.

This after an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that Marius Harmse allegedly indirectly received a payment of more than R300 000 from a supplier for the vehicles purchase.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the payment was made by Sigqibo Makupula, the director of Kups Trading, after Harmse signed off on a R4 million Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender for the department.

The SIU probe showed that Harmse was the beneficiary of a sum of R328 000, which was paid to Ronnies Motors, East London. This was done to conceal the benefit accrued as a deposit for the purchase of the car, which was ordered by Makupula, which purchase deal Makapula subsequently cancelled.

The said amount, together with the sum of R305 000 was paid by Harmse, giving a total of R633 000 to Ronnies Motors as a deposit for the purchase of the motor vehicle which was ordered by Makupula. However, after the cancellation of the deal, the said motor vehicle accumulated a penalty of R60 000, which was levied by Ronnies Motors.

Makupula was subsequently reimbursed a sum of R573 000. This is where the layering of the proceeds of crime took place. It is on this basis that Harmse knowingly acquired; used or attained possession of the property and or ought reasonably to have known that it is or forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activities of another person, he said.

Kganyago explained that the investigation into the tender came as a result of governments action to crack down on PPE tender corruption.

The SIU investigation comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed Proclamation R.23 of 2020, which authorised the SIU to investigate all Covid-19-related contracts in all State institutions in respect of the procurement or contracting for goods, works and services, during, or in respect of the National State of Disaster, by or on behalf of State institutions.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, evidence pointing to criminal conduct is referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
David is an award-winning Senior Investigative Reporter at The Gazette and has worked in Colorado for more than two decades. He has been a journalist since 1982 and has also worked in New York, St. Louis, and Detroit.
Police have arrested an Aurora man on suspicion of multiple counts of sexual assault on a child following a year-long investigation.

Leopoldo Zapata-Valdenegro, 64, was arrested on Sept. 21, according to the Aurora Police Department.

A female child, whose identity is not public, reported sexual assault to a trusted adult and detectives opened a case involving Valdenegro in September 2021. Aurora Police Crimes Against Children detectives identified multiple juvenile victims since then.

An arrest warrant was issued on Sept.19, 2022 and detectives arrested Valdenegro two days later on suspicion of multiple counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, with a pattern of abuse, according to police. The charges were filed into the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office in Adams County, Colorado, where the case will be prosecuted.

Detectives believe there are more victims, possibly going back 10 years. Police urge people to report incidents involving Valdenegro.
Dozens of Colorados tax deduction and exemption programs are being underutilized, with many having absolutely no use at all, according to a new state audit.
The Raxio Group, a leading pan-African data centre developer and operator, recently held a ground-breaking ceremony that formally kicked off the construction of its Tier-III carrier neutral colocation data centre, located at Beluluane Industrial Park (MozParks) in Maputo, Mozambique.

It is called Raxio MZ1 and, as the name implies, this is the countrys first carrier-neutral, privately owned data centre and Raxios first data centre in Mozambique. It is set to commence operations in Q1 2023.

The event was attended by members of the government, including the Governor of Maputo Province, as well as executives of MozParks, and senior representatives of the Raxio Group.

In addition to providing colocation capacity to the countrys digital backbone, Raxio MZ1 will nurture interconnection through redundant meet-me rooms. Mobile network operators, ISPs and carriers will be able to interconnect to each other and their customers, reducing the cost of access to content across the country at a time when new submarine cables will also be providing Mozambique with enhanced international connectivity.

Raxio MZ1 will be fully equipped with industry best-in-class cooling technology, security, AC/DC power compatibility and redundancy in an always-on environment.

The facility will aim to adhere to the companys core sustainability principles to minimize the environmental footprint through optimal equipment selection and sustainable design. In addition, the MozParks location will allow Raxio MZ1 to meet its electricity requirements from renewable sources.

To complement its internal team, Raxio has assembled experienced local and regional technical partners specialised in design, engineering, and construction.

Raxio Mozambique is part of the Raxio Group portfolio, which includes Raxio divisions in Uganda, Ethiopia, DRC, Cote dIvoire and Tanzania.
Hungarian telecoms operator group 4iG has agreed conditions to acquire a minority stake in Israeli company Spacecom, as part of a move for the company to launch Hungarys first commercial satellite to expand coverage and services.

In a statement, 4iG detailed that it is initially acquiring 20% shares in Spacecom after gaining approval from the Israeli Ministry of Communications. The operator has the option after three years to increase its stake by an additional 31%. The acquisition was valued at US$68 million when revealed in October 2021.

Gellert Jaszai, 4iG Group chairman said: By this agreement, 4iG can be the very first Hungarian enterprise that bears capabilities from landline to space communication assets, with full-scale and interoperable services in the fields of digitalisation and telecommunications.

Jaszai added the 4iG plan to launch the first Hungarian commercial satellite within four to five years once the deal is finalised.

Spacecom is listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange and sells broadcast and broadband satellite connectivity to customers globally.

The company sells its services in Hungary through the AMOS 3 satellite using the Hungarian geostationary orbit until 2024. From 2024, Hungary will be able to gain control over its orbit and frequency, noted 4iG.

The company will use its JV firm CarpathiaSat to launch its satellite into geostationary orbit. CarpathiaSat holds the rights to operate in Hungarys orbit for 20 years from 2024, replacing the AMOS 3 satellite.
FORT RUCKER  A remembrance ceremony to honor fallen warriors was held at the Aviation Museum here Friday.

Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Perry Alliman was keynote speaker at the 29th Annual Battle of Mogadishu Remembrance Ceremony Friday. A retired Army aviator and combat wounded veteran, Alliman serves now as a missionary to the Fort Rucker military community with the Navigators, a 29-year-old international, interdenominational Christian ministry.

The ceremony was held to honor the 19 members of Task Force Rangers who died during Operation Gothic Serpent Oct. 3 and 4, 1993. Seventy-three American soldiers were also wounded during the battle in Mogadishu, Somalia between United States military and the forces of the Somali National Alliance.

Fort Rucker Chaplin Lt. Col. Peter Hofman gave an overview of the battle that was initiated as a raid with the mission of seizing two of the enemys high-ranking officers while they were attending a meeting in the middle of Mogadishu. The goal of the operation was achieved but the raid that was intended to last an hour turned into a 19-hour standoff and rescue operation extending into the next day.

During the battle, Somali forces shot down three American Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters during what came to be known as Blackhawk Down. Hofman said that as the number of armed Somalis increased into the thousands, the American Army Rangers heroically defended multiple crash sites as they were surrounded by armed militia in what Hofman described as the most intense, sustained urban combat since the Vietnam War.

In the aftermath of the battle, television news broadcasts showed the bodies of the dead American soldiers being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu by Somalis. The battle shifted American foreign policy and led to the eventual pullout of the United Nations mission in 1995.

Its a good thing that we remember our fallen comrades, Alliman said that although he knew many of the aviators involved in Blackhawk Down, his personal experience in Somali took place about a week prior to the Battle of Mogadishu. He said he was watching the news accounts of the battle from his hospital bed in a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas, where he had been sent following being wounded in Somalia. My prayer today is that my words will honor the fallen."
Megan Miller wavered on whether she would evacuate as Hurricane Ian approached Florida.

Ultimately, she decided to leave, pulling her camper from Sarasota to Dothan with her dog in tow. Her mother remained in Punta Gorda, about 60 miles south of Sarasota and not far from where Ian slammed Floridas southwest coast.

She was like right in the thick of it, Miller said on Thursday. I actually lost contact with her from yesterday afternoon until this morning when she called from a neighbors house.

Miller was prepared to hook up her camper and leave Dothan Thursday morning until she heard from her mom. She was without power but OK.

Miller was one of several Ian evacuees at the Dothan RV Park on U.S. 231 South in Dothan.

While Hurricane Ian weakened to a tropical storm on Thursday, it was forecast to become a hurricane once again before making a second landfall in South Carolina.

Hurricane Ian hit Floridas Gulf Coast Wednesday as a Category 4 storm with winds topping 155 mph and storm surge that flooded streets and buildings. Ian made landfall at Cayo Costa near Fort Myers and moved across the state, its center entering the Atlantic Ocean around Daytona Beach.

Miller grew up in Sarasota, and earlier forecasts put the storm on a path closer to Tampa Bay and her hometown. Miller, who lives in her camper, said in her experience hurricanes always make a last-minute turn. It has been decades since Sarasota received a direct hit, but a friend convinced her to evacuate rather than taking the risk. She plans to stay in Dothan until the winds calm down more.

Driving this thing is a beast, and with wind it will blow me all over the place, Miller said.

Dave Kemp and his wife left their home in Williston, Florida, near Gainesville on Sunday to stage their RV in Perry. They returned to Williston until Tuesday when they evacuated to Thomasville, Georgia, before eventually coming to Dothan.

We really were lucky because it was going to come right up through Tampa, right up through us, Kemp said. It would have slowed down, but still we would have had wind and damage and a lot of rain.

James Sturgeon evacuated with his wife, son, and the familys dog in their motor home that he keeps fueled up and ready. They live in Plant City, Florida, inland between Tampa and Lakeland.

The family left Tuesday after Sturgeon finished work with the county school system. Like other evacuees, Sturgeon wasnt exactly sure where to go based on the storms uncertain path.

We stopped at a few rest areas and took our time because the storm wasnt moving very fast, so I knew I had time and I didnt know how far we had to go to get out of the path, he said.

When he saw the hurricane could move into Georgia, Sturgeon decided to travel west to Dothan.

If they had told us that it was going to make the turn sooner, if we had known that, I probably would have stayed, Sturgeon said. The way they had it coming straight through Tampa, it looked like it was going to come right up Highway 301, and I was right to the right of 301.
A medical worker holds a vial of the Pfizer vaccine in HCMC, October 27, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Vietnam has spent nearly VND79.7 trillion ($3.32 billion), to combat the coronavirus pandemic for the past two years, according to a recent government report.

Of this amount, about two-thirds or over VND51.22 trillion was spent in 2021 alone, according to the report submitted to the National Assembly to review government management of economic and social affairs.

Of this VND51.22 trillion, the Ministry of Health spent over VND8.8 trillion to buy Covid vaccines.

In 2021, Vietnam also received 95.08 million doses of vaccination from other countries or international organizations either free of charge or with partial sponsorships.

As for 2022, the government is continuing to manage over VND36.1 trillion to combat Covid-19. Roughly less than half of this amount is slated for vaccination procurement this year.

To save money, last year the central government also slashed at least half of its administrative costs in organizing conferences and work trips, and saved 10% in other typical regular expenses.
Carl S. Bonner, 33, of Spring Creek was arrested Sept. 24, 2022, at 101 Licht Parkway for lewdness with a child under 14. Bail: $250,000

Todd L. Dixon, 53, of Elko was arrested Sept. 24, 2022, at the Elko County Jail for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime.

Chase E. Gardner, 22, of Reno was arrested Sept. 25, 2022, at Bush and Willow streets in Carlin for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence.

Robert T. Hogan, 45, of Elko was arrested Sept. 23, 2022, at 3021 Idaho St. for attempted possession of stolen property and failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $3,815

Jordan V. Odell, 27, of Elko was arrested Sept. 24, 2022, at 6128 Jacinto Drive for two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of domestic battery, four counts of child endangerment, four counts of discharging a gun within a structure or vehicle, and false statement to obstruct a public officer. Bail: $451,980

Jacob G. Paden, 43, of Kalispell, Montana was arrested Sept. 23, 2022, on U.S. Highway 93 for two counts of owning or possessing a gun by a prohibited person, felony possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, open container of alcohol in vehicle, speeding 11-20 mph over limit, and driving under the influence. Bail: $25,400

Kevin A. Sneed, 29, of Elko was arrested Sept. 24, 2022, at Fifth Street and Rolling Hills Drive for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence.

Shawn M. Warren, 30, of Lemon Valley was arrested Sept. 25, 2022, at 2770 Jennings Way for felony child endangerment, domestic battery-second offense, two counts of destroying the property of another, and false statement to obstruct a public officer. Bail: $33,560

James C. Adams, 46, of Elko was arrested Sept. 26, 2022, at Stockmens Casino for felony possession of a controlled substance and violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence.

Jamie L. Cochran, 42, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was arrested Sept. 27, 2022, in Winnemucca on a felony warrant for home invasion with a deadly weapon, burglary while in possession of a gun, grand larceny of a gun, assault with a deadly weapon, and two counts of grand larceny of a motor vehicle. Bail: $120,000

Chancy K. Yates, 28, of Spring Creek was arrested Sept. 27, 2022, at 12th Street and Opal Drive for residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle. Bail: $40,000

Christiphor D. Key, 24, of Elko was arrested Sept. 29, 2022, at 10th and Silver streets for felony possession of a controlled substance, 14-28 grams. Bail: $10,000

Myka L. Schwanke, 26, of Elko was arrested Sept. 29, 2022, at 10th and Silver streets for possession of stolen property $25,000 to $100,000; owning a gun by a prohibited person; and felony possession of a controlled substance, 14-28 grams. Bail: $50,000

Thomas G. Wall III, 34, of Elko was arrested Sept. 28, 2022, at Iron Horse RV Park for violation of probation, felony possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a hypodermic device.

Dallas M. Barnett, 39, of Wells was arrested Sept. 29, 2022, at 573 Sixth St. in Wells for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence.

Myranda Reich, 28, of Elko was arrested Sept. 29, 2022, was arrested at 2050 Idaho St. for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail: $25,000
CARSON CITY  Work is slated to begin Monday on installation of flashing crosswalk signals at Mountain City Highway and Terminal Way.

The beacons will allow pedestrians to activate the signs to help stop traffic as they cross the street. Enhanced street lighting also will be installed for pedestrian visibility.

The Nevada Department of Transportation announced that intermittent lane and sidewalk closures will take place at the intersection from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays Oct. 3 through November. Following the first week of construction, work will take a two-week hiatus while concrete cures before continuing again with signal installation.

The improvements will help enhance safety for pedestrians traveling across the road between nearby hotels, restaurants, businesses, and the Elko Regional Airport, stated NDOT. The rapid rectangular flashing beacons will not only facilitate safe pedestrian access, but will also reduce the need for short-range vehicle trips across the intersection.

Additional state highway information is available at dot.nv.gov or by calling 775-888-7000. Also follow @NevadaDOTElko on Twitter for traffic and project updates in northern Nevada, and @nevadadot on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates from across the state.
(Oona Tempest / KHN)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

The day after his 8-month-old baby died, Kingsley Raspe opened the mail and found he had been sent to collections for her care.

That notice involved a paltry sum, $26.50  absurd really, given hed previously been told he owed $2.5 million for treatment of his newborns congenital heart defect and other disorders.

Raspe and his wife, Maddie, had endured watching doctors crack open the chest of their pigtailed daughter, Sterling, whom they called sweet Sterly gurl. The health team performed so many other procedures. But it couldnt keep her  or her parents dreams for her  alive.

The bills lived on for them, as they do for many other families of premature and very sick infants who dont survive.

What a lasting tribute to the entire experience, Kingsley said angrily. The process was just so heartless.

More than 300,000 U.S. families have infants who require advanced medical attention in newborn intensive care units every year. Some babies stay for months, quickly generating astronomical fees for highly specialized surgeries and round-the-clock care. The services are delivered, and in U.S. health care, billing follows. But for the smaller fraction of families whose children die, the burden can be too much to bear.

A patchwork of convoluted Medicaid-qualification rules seek to defray these kinds of bills for very sick children. But policies differ in each state, and many parents  especially those, like the Raspes, who have commercial insurance  dont know to apply or think they wont qualify.

Also, because many crises that befall premature or very sick babies are in-the-moment emergencies, there may not be time for the preapprovals that insurers often require for expensive interventions. That leaves parents in crisis  or in mourning  tasked with fighting with insurers to have treatment covered.

Three families detailed for KHN how medical bills compounded their suffering during a time when they were just trying to process their loss.

Bennett Markow

As the hospital in Reno, Nevada, was converting a parking garage into a covid-19 unit in November 2020, Bennett Markow came into the world four months early. He weighed less than a pound. His care team loved to sing Bennie and the Jets to him as a nod to the jet ventilator keeping his tiny lungs working.

On Jan. 20, 2021, when Bennett was 2 months old, his parents were told he needed to go to UC Davis Childrens Hospital in Sacramento, California, for specialized care that could keep him from going blind. The transfer team would be there in an hour. And the Nevada care team said that because it was an emergency, the family neednt worry about their insurance or the method of transportation.

Bennetts eye problem ended up being less severe than the doctors had feared. And Crissa Markow and her husband, A.J., were billed for the plane ride from REACH Air Medical Services, which turned out to be out of network. Jason Sorrick, vice president of government relations for REACHs parent company, Global Medical Response, said the ride happened during a lapse in Bennetts Medicaid coverage.

The Markows said there was no lapse. They hadnt applied yet because they thought they wouldnt qualify  the family is middle-class, and Bennett was on Crissas insurance. They did not know they should until a social worker at UC Davis gave them more information  after the flight.

Crissa Markow said her heart dropped to her toes when she realized she was being billed over $71,000, more than she makes in a year as a social worker. (The No Surprises Act, which aims to eliminate surprise billing, could have prevented some of the familys headaches  but Bennett was born before it went into effect this year.)

Although Crissa was used to working toward solutions, the billing quagmires she found herself in while juggling Bennetts care, her job, her other son, and the travel logistics to stay with Bennett about 2 hours away from her home were overwhelming. Crissa estimates she spent six to eight hours a week dealing with medical bills to keep them from being sent to collections  which still happened.

Bennett died last July after doctors said his lungs could not fight anymore. The Markows spent their bereavement leave battling with insurers and other billing agencies.

Finally, Crissa called REACH, the air transport company, and said: Look, my son died. I just want to be able to grieve, I want to focus on that. Dealing with this bill is traumatic. Its a reminder every day I shouldnt have to be fighting this.

By October, the Markows had settled the bill with REACH on the condition that they not disclose the terms. Sorrick said that the company reaches agreements based on the financial and personal situations of each patient and their family and that the companys patient advocates had talked to Crissa Markow 17 times.

If every settlement amount was disclosed publicly, then those rates become the expectation of all patients and insurance providers, Sorrick said. Ultimately, that would lead to all patients wanting to pay below cost, making our services unsustainable.

Crissa Markows employer-provided insurance paid $6.5 million for Bennetts care, not including what was covered by Medicaid. The Markows paid roughly $6,500 out-of-pocket to hospitals and doctors on top of their REACH settlement. But it was not those amounts  which the couple would have happily paid to save their son  but the endless harassment and the hours spent on the phone that haunt them.

I just wanted to be with Bennett; thats all I wanted to do, Crissa Markow said. And I just spent hours on these phone calls.

Jack Shickel

Jack Shickel was born with stunning silver hair and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Even though he was surrounded by wires and tubes, the nurses at UVA Childrens Hospital would whisper to Jessica and her husband, Isaac, that they had a truly cute baby.

But his congenital disorder meant the left side of his heart never fully developed. Each year in the U.S., over a thousand babies are born with the syndrome.

After two surgeries, Jacks heart could not pump enough blood on its own. He made it 35 days.

Weeks after his death, when the Shickels were trying to muddle through life without him in Harrisonburg, Virginia, they called the hospital billing department about two confusing bills. They were then told the full cost of his care was $3.4 million.

I laughed and then cried, Jessica said. He was worth every penny to us, but thats basically $100,000 a day.

Bills from out-of-network labs and other prior approval notifications continued to overwhelm their mailbox. Eventually, they figured out how to get Medicaid. The Shickels ended up paying only $470.26.

Jessica got the final bills in March, seven months after Jacks death.

She noted that all of this was happening as the University of Virginia Health System said it was rolling back its aggressive billing practices after a KHN investigation found the prestigious university hospital was putting liens on peoples homes to recoup medical debt.

UVA Health spokesperson Eric Swensen expressed condolences to the Shickel family and added that the health system works to help patients navigate the complex process of evaluating financial assistance, including Medicaid coverage.

After KHN reached out for comment, the Shickels got a call from UVA saying that the hospital was refunding their payment.

The hospital care team had given the family a pamphlet about what to do when grieving, but a more useful one, Jessica said, would have been titled How Do You Deal With Medical Bills After Your Child Has Died?

Sterling Raspe

Kingsley Raspe likes to say Sterling was one special little lady  not only did she have the same congenital heart defect as Jack Shickel, but she was also diagnosed with Kabuki syndrome, a rare disorder that can severely affect development. Sterling also had hearing loss, spinal cord issues, and a compromised immune system.

An explanation of benefits from the Raspes commercial insurance indicated the couple would need to pay $2.5 million for Sterlings care  an amount so large the numbers didnt all fit in the column. Even Kingsleys suspicion that the $2.5 million charge was likely erroneous  in large part or in whole  didnt erase the sheer panic he felt when he saw the number.

A computer programmer making $90,000 a year, Kingsley had decent insurance. He frantically Googled medical bankruptcy.

Sterling had been denied Medicaid, which is available to children with complex medical problems in some states. Kingsley had filed an application for the government insurance, which had to be submitted by mail from the family home in Gary, Indiana. In doing so, he broke the strict protocols on covid exposure set early in the pandemic at the Ronald McDonald charity house near the Illinois hospital where Sterling was being treated and jeopardized his ability to stay there.

In rejecting the application, Indiana cited an income threshold and other technical reasons.

Everyone kept telling Kingsley and Maddie to get divorced so Sterling would qualify for Medicaid. But that wasnt an option for Kingsley, a British citizen who is in the U.S. on a green card after meeting Maddie on Tinder.

Ultimately, Kingsleys insurer revised the faulty notice that he owed $2.5 million. The family was told the mistake had occurred because Sterlings initial hospital stay and surgeries had not been preapproved, although Kingsley said the heart defect was discovered halfway through the pregnancy, making surgery inevitable.

Throughout Sterlings life, Kingsley did his programming job at his daughters bedside, in her hospital room. As a web developer, he created visualizations that break down Sterlings expensive care  it helped him make sense of it all. But he cries when he remembers those days.

He hates that Sterlings life can be reduced to a 2-inch stack of printed-out medical bills and the phone calls he still must endure from errant billers.

Despite receiving a plethora of other bills in the tens of thousands, he and his wife eventually paid their $4,000 deductible, along with a smattering of smaller charges and fees for equipment rentals that werent covered. In April, Maddie gave birth to a son, Wren, and Kingsley said he knows Sterling served as her brothers guardian angel.

My daughter passed away. Im not unscathed, but Im not in financial ruin. The same cant be said for every family, he said. How lucky am I? I went through the worst thing imaginable, and I consider myself lucky  what kind of weird, messed-up logic is that?

Navigating the NICU Contact your insurance company to talk through your NICU stay costs, including what is covered and what is not. If your babys not already on your plan, make sure to add them. Speak to a social worker immediately about applying for Medicaid or the Supplemental Security Income program, known as SSI. If your child qualifies, it can dramatically reduce your personal cost for a child with extensive medical bills. The March of Dimes offers a My NICU Baby app designed to help you wade through the overwhelming experience. The nonprofit says the app can help you learn about caring for your baby in the NICU and at home, as well as monitor your babys progress, manage your own health, and keep track of your to-do list and questions. If particular insurers or bills are confusing, reach out to your state insurance office. All states offer consumer support, and some states have dedicated advocates who can help you. Kingsley Raspe also compiled advice for other families navigating neonatal intensive care unit stays for their babies.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
The stabbing death of reporter Jeff German outside his home in Las Vegas Sept. 3 stunned many of us who take pride in journalism that holds authorities accountable. The investigative news coverage Mr. German was known for is the kind all communities need if they stand a chance of learning about corruption, abuse, scams, lies and other threats to public well-being. One such story published by the Las Vegas Review-Journal back in May appears to be the reason the 69-year-old reporter was killed.

Five days after the stabbing, police announced another stunner. The arrested suspect is elected Clark County government official, Robert Telles. The office that he led had been the subject of Mr. Germans report, which detailed allegations of mismanagement.

We mourn the outrageous loss of Mr. German, who was described by his editor as the gold standard for his many years reporting some of the most difficult stories in Nevada.

This isolated attack occurs at an unsettling time in media for many reasons. These concerns are not always connected, not all equal in impact. But when a journalist loses his life for simply doing his job well, there is cause to reflect.

Murderous attacks on journalists are rare in the United States. However, episodes of harassment, threats and hostile environments for journalists simply seeking to report the truth have been startlingly common in recent years. For example, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, which has cataloged such incidents for the past six years, no fewer than 40 journalists were assaulted every year between 2017 and 2021, with 629 assaults in 2020 alone, a year of particular social and political unrest.

The spread of disinformation is another concerning challenge, and not just for committed newsrooms. The health of community discourse is at stake. More credible information flows more freely than ever before, but so does more garbage. A shameless faction of politicians and trolls unleash known lies with reckless repetition. The wily ones even seek to demean and demonize reporters who dare to publish verified facts.

As faculty members who prepare future generations of professionals, we help students value the promise of credible information as the lifeblood of democracy.

There is much to debate about the evolving role of media who serve an evolving audience in times of pervasive disinformation, but the essence of reporting is no mystery. It requires journalists who are motivated to find facts and present truth  the way colleagues of Jeff German describe his lifes work. It requires an informed public that demands as much. It requires understanding that we are all responsible for holding authorities accountable. And it demands that none of us tolerate those who would vilify, threaten, or harm people who are committed to ensuring that accountability.

This statement is co-signed by the following faculty members from the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno: Caesar Andrews, Kari Barber, Richard Bednarski, David Calvert, Claudia Cruz, Nico Colombant, Todd Felts, Patrick File, Kelsey Fitzgerald, Alison Gaulden, Kyung Hwan Kim, Dave Maass, Donica Mensing, Paro Pain, Myrton Running Wolf, Jim Scripps, Alan G Stavitsky, Gi Woong Yun. These are the views of these individuals and do not represent the position of the university.
This fall, voters across the Silver State will face a choice between two candidates for Nevadas U.S. Senate seat.

On one hand, you have Adam Laxalt. Adam is a Navy veteran who stepped forward and answered the call to serve during the height of the war in Iraq. On the other, you have Catherine Cortez Masto  a career politician who spent her entire life working in government.

I volunteered for the Marine Corps when the Vietnam War began, but due to a heart condition, I could not serve my country in uniform. Since then, Ive always wanted to do my part to help those who served in our military. So, as a state assemblyman, I did my best to serve Nevadas veterans through legislation, and by cofounding Elkos annual veterans parade.

When deciding for whom I should vote in this Senate race, I considered my passion for helping Nevadas veteran community and all that Ive learned about the issues affecting veterans during my time serving in government. I am proud to support Adam Laxalt for U.S. Senate because he is the one person in this race we can count on to fight for the 200,000-plus veterans in Nevada.

Most politicians these days are all talk and no action. They seem content to just sit back, relax, and go along with the status quo. Well, I can tell you that is not Adam Laxalt. Adam is a fighter. He is the type of guy who takes the initiative and gets things done.

Throughout his career, Laxalt has proven that he will go above and beyond to deliver results  especially for Nevadas veterans. For example, while serving in the Navy, Adam saw that far too many service members and veterans were struggling to afford legal representation for critical services such as wills, medical powers of attorney, veterans benefits, and housing issues. So when he was elected Nevadas Attorney General in 2015, Adam set out to fix the problem by establishing a first-of-its-kind Office of Military Legal Assistance. His program provides veterans, active duty personnel, and their families with access to pro-bono legal representation on a variety of important civil issues. Since its inception, it has served more than 20,000 Nevada service members and veterans and has been duplicated in numerous other states.

That is the type of leadership we can expect from Adam Laxalt. As Nevadas Senator, Adam will work to protect and expand the Veterans CHOICE program, which enables vets to seek medical treatment outside of the VA. He will draw on his experience as Nevadas top law enforcement officer to hold the VA accountable when it fails to provide veterans with the quality of care they deserve. He will work with his fellow vets in Congress to establish new programs to help veterans assimilate to civilian life and secure well-paying jobs. And he will fight to immediately reinstate every serviceman and woman who was discharged from the military for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Ive spoken to Adam quite a bit about the challenges many veterans are facing today. And I can tell this topic is deeply personal for him. We can trust that he will be our advocate and that he will fight on behalf of all those who have worn the uniform, both past and present. Adam is accessible to our veterans and will host multiple veteran town halls each year while Senator, unlike his opponent who we only hear from during her reelection.

I was especially disappointed in Senator Cortez Masto when she was silent about the Biden Administrations disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that abandoned American citizens and our allies to the Taliban, allowed terrorists to kill 13 U.S. soldiers, handed over $85 billion worth of military equipment to our enemies, embarrassed our nation, and emboldened our enemies. Public recognition and disapproval of Bidens failure should not be a party-line issue, but Cortez Masto has proven she will not stand up to Democrat party leadership for our military or our veterans sake.

Ultimately, though, my support for Adam is not entirely predicated on his desire to support our veterans and active duty service members. I am voting for Adam Laxalt because he is the type of person who will break the hyper-partisanship in Washington and actually work with the other Senators to get things done.

Adam is not a career politician. He is a principled leader who has served Nevada and this country with integrity, civility, and honor. And I have no doubt he will continue to do so as Nevadas next U.S. Senator.
Building a community with a shared future for mankind, a China-initiated concept calling on all countries to strengthen cooperation, will help promote global peace and prosperity, a renowned Senegalese economist has said.

"The world today faces more and more challenges such as inequality, climate change, and security problems. All countries need to strengthen coordination and cooperation to address these challenges," Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, rector of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Regarding Africa-China cooperation and related projects, he said infrastructure -- the foundation of a country's development -- is an important area of Africa-China cooperation.

In March, the opening of the Foundiougne Bridge, built by a Chinese company, in the Fatick region of Senegal has greatly reduced the travel time and related costs between Senegal and its neighboring countries.

African countries are eager to have high-quality infrastructure, and China has strongly supported them in improving infrastructure, he said, adding that Senegal has also benefited a lot from Africa-China cooperation.

Having observed China's development for years, Mbaye said that as the second largest economy in the world, China's achievements have proved the superiority of its political system, and its economic development model has also been generally recognized by other countries.

"What impresses me is that every time I go to China, I saw a lot of extraordinary changes," said the economist, who has visited China many times.

From the large number of clean energy facilities, such as the solar photovoltaic power stations and wind farms, Mbaye said he can see China's willingness and determination to deal with climate change.

He also appreciated China's firm stance and unremitting efforts in reducing inequality and poverty.

"At present, there are huge inequalities in the world, especially in some Western countries, and China is committed to eliminating inequality. I think that it is very positive," he said.
At the workshop (Photo: CPV)

With support from the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi, the Norwegian Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF), in coordination with the Vietnam Cement Association (VNCA), on September 29 organized a workshop on co-processing of alternative fuels and raw materials in the Vietnamese cement industry.

The workshop aims at sharing international experiences in co-processing of wastes in the cement industry, informing the industry of the results of the recent demonstration using non-recyclable plastic wastes at the INSEE plant in Hon Chong, Kien Giang, and discussing the potential for future co-processing in the Vietnamese cement industry.

The workshop provided an effective forum for scientists, managers at both central and local levels, cement companies, entities generating non-recyclable plastic wastes, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to share information about opportunities and difficulties in application of co-processing in Vietnam. All the participants share a wish that the Government of Vietnam would soon have in place an adequate legal framework to enable the cement industry to be a partner in improving the management of solid wastes. Besides, it is necessary to ensure a stable and appropriate source of wastes for co-processing, which needs to be mapped out and implemented in the Vietnamese context of collection, transportation, and storage of wastes. Therefore, all kinds of assistance: techniques, facilities, human and physical resources, are crucial for the cement companies to soon apply co-processing in Vietnam.

In her opening remarks, Deputy Head of Mission (DHOM) of the Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam Mette Mglestue said, Both Norway and Vietnam, as signatories of the Paris Agreement, are strongly committed to combating climate change and implementing our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions (GhG). This requires a cross-sector involvement. The Norwegian Government highly recognises the significant role of the academia, private sector, NGOs, and industries in this process. I am glad that SINTEFs research findings about using non-recyclable plastic wastes as alternative fuels for cement kilns have been successfully demonstrated and could be scaled up in Vietnam. Through the OPTOCE Project funded by the Norwegian Government and being implemented in five Asian countries, including Vietnam, we hope that Norway can help Vietnams cement industry to improve its capacity to treat non-recyclable plastic wastes, and to contribute to implementing Vietnams net-zero target commitment by 2050.

The cement industry requires massive volumes of coal and other raw materials. However, we can substitute part or all of these with non-recyclable plastic wastes. Per our research findings, co-processing of non-recyclable plastic waste as a fuel-substitute in cement kilns does not increase emissions of dioxins while still complying with the strictest international limit values. The successful demonstration of this method in Vietnam at the INSEE plant sends a message of hope about the future of Vietnams cement industry. Co-processing in cement kilns can improve management of non-recyclable plastic waste in Vietnam. It reduces coal consumption in the cement industry and lowers the need for building expensive WtE (Wastes to Energy) incinerators. More importantly, the cement industry at large can play a more important role in reducing GhG emissions and preventing plastic wastes from ending up in the oceans, said Chief Scientist Dr. Kare Helge Karstensen from SINTEF, who has been heading the OPTOCE Project.

While co-processing is very popular in Europe and Norway, this is not the case in Vietnam where only a handful of cement plants are currently co-processing wastes. According to Associate Professor, Dr Luong Duc Long, VNCA, Vietnam has 82 clinker kilns in operation, which together each year consume over 10 million tons of anthracite coal. The current rate of use of alternative fuels in the whole cement industry remains low. The Government of Vietnam has a policy to increase this rate by 15% by 2030 and by 30% after that. Thus, there is a huge potential for co-processing of wastes including non-recyclable plastics in the cement kiln in Vietnam.

We are very happy to be part of the OPTOCEs plan to turn plastic wastes into opportunities to develop a circular economy in Vietnam. INSEE Ecocycle VN has been in the co-processing business for the last 15 years. During that time, we have been investing continuously into new equipment in order to expand our waste treatment capability and capacity. Our first priority is zero harm to people and the environment. Therefore, experience and expertise are needed, especially when treating hazardous waste. Co-processing is not a new concept, but in Vietnam it is in its infant stage. There is a big opportunity for the cement industry to become a substantial solution provider for non-recyclable waste materials in a widely underdeveloped waste management infrastructure. We hope many of the Vietnamese cement companies would be inspired from this Workshop and become our like-minded friends. Together, we can reduce the use of fossil fuels such as coal and contribute to a greener and cleaner Vietnam, said Mr Bruno Fux, Ecocycle & Sustainability Director of INSEE Ecocycle.

However, there exist a number of challenges: investments in co-processing; unavailability of entities specialized in collection and preliminary treatment of wastes for delivery to cement plants; inadequate legal procedures for recognizing plants that adopt waste co-processing as waste treatment facilities; lack of incentives and presential for the co-processing plants or the entities/enterprises in their supply chain.

Dr. Kare Helge Karstensen added, We acknowledge that implementing sound and safe co-processing in the cement industry takes time and will be dependent on many local and national factors and conditions, first of all: a regulatory and legislative framework must be in place, the cement company and co-processing operator must have adequate competence/knowledge, sufficient equipment and relevant licenses; there must be a willingness of local and central government to support the concept, and there must be a level playing field for all players in the waste-management-market.

On March 2, Vietnam, together with other 175 countries, adopted a historic Resolution on Plastic Resolution at the 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) which will lead to a final treaty to be signed in 2024. This Resolution was described by Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of UNEP, as the most important international multilateral environmental deal since the Paris climate accord.

On June 7, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai signed Decision 687/QD-TTg approving a circular economy development scheme and setting several ambitious targets for the period ahead, which is aimed to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions per GDP by at least 15 per cent by 2030 and achieve the net-zero emission target by 2050.

By 2025, Vietnam also aims to reuse, recycle, and treat 85% of the plastic waste generated, reduce 50% of the plastic waste in the seas and oceans, and reduce the volume of non-biodegradable plastic bags and disposable plastic products that are used in daily life./.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz (Photo: VNA)

During a meeting with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, who is in Vietnam for an official visit from September 28  October 2, Chairman Hue stressed that the Vietnamese NA and people always stand side by side with the Cuban people in their revolutionary cause, attach importance to and wish to develop the special solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

He congratulated the Cuban PM on being awarded the Ho Chi Minh Order by the Vietnamese Party, State and people, and the good results of his talks with the Vietnamese PM, especially the agreement on cooperation in economy, agriculture, food and healthcare.

The leader briefed his guest about the Vietnamese NAs recent activities and contributions to socio-economic development following COVID-19 and the development of bilateral ties.

He also offered sympathy to Cuba over the great loss caused by the fuel depot explosion on August 5 this year and by Typhoon Ian that landed in western Cuba on September 28 (Cuban time).

Hue asked the Cuban PM to convey his regards to leaders of the Cuban Party, State and legislature and an invitation to his Cuban counterpart Lazo to visit Vietnam.

PM Cruz, for his part, conveyed regards of Gen. Raul Modesto Castro Ruz, First Secretary and President Miguel Diaz Canel and President of the National Assembly of People's Power Esteban Lazo to Chairman Hue.

He also conveyed Lazos letter and thanks to the Vietnamese legislative leader for the valuable support the Vietnamese NA has offered Cuba over the years, along with an invitation to visit Cuba in the near future.

Expressing delight at the results of his talks with PM Pham Minh Chinh, Cruz said it marks an important milestone in bilateral ties.

On the occasion, he also informed the host about Cubas situation, especially the Cuban legislatures activities with the adoption of important laws such as those on food security, personal data, human rights and penal code, among others./.
Delegates at the conference (Photo: thoidai.com.vn)

The conference was attended by more than 100 officials, experts, scholars and economists from Vietnam and India.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Dr. Do Thanh Hai, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, emphasized that the shipping corridor is important for trade and investment between the two countries, reducing transportation and logistics costs, supporting businesses to exchange goods, access each other's markets.

Despite the rapid development of aviation and the expansion of the road network, 90-95% of goods are transported by sea./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero Cruz (Photo: VNA)

PM Chinh expressed joy at the constant development of Vietnam-Cuba ties over the past years, noting that even during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020-2021, the two countries held regular phone and online talks, and conducted visits by leaders of the two Parties, States, Governments and legislatures. He also thanked Cuba for providing timely and effective support for Vietnam in its fight against the pandemic.

The Vietnamese PM appreciated new developments in bilateral cooperation, especially in agriculture, investment and health care as well as the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

PM Manuel Marrero Cruz congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic recovery and development after putting the pandemic under control and wished to learn from the Southeast Asian country's experience in the field.

Cuba always treasures and wishes to further deepen the special traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, he said.

The two sides agreed to maintain dialogues and the exchange of delegations at high level and between ministries, sectors, localities and businesses while improving the efficiency of bilateral cooperation via mechanisms such as theoretical workshop between the two Parties, the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Scientific-Technological Cooperation, political consultation between the two foreign ministries, and defence policy dialogue.

They highlighted a need to share theoretical and practical experience in each countrys socialism building, particularly important guiding views like the article entitled Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam written by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

On the occasion, PM Chinh announced the Vietnamese Party and States decision on presenting Cuban people 5,000 tonnes of rice to help them overcome recent socio-economic difficulties.

The Cuban PM thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for giving support to Cuba, especially the help following the fire at fuel storage facility in Matanzas province on August 5, Typhoon Ian on August 27 and the rice aid this time.

The two PMs discussed measures to enhance practical and effective coordination in politics-diplomacy, national defence-security, trade-investment, agriculture, health care, education-training, toward bringing economic ties on par with the two countries' fine political relations.

They reached consensus on several measures to intensify collaboration in agro-fisheries, food security, health care and pharmaceuticals.

Both sides pledged to offer all possible support to their firms to do business in industrial zone and tourism infrastructure, construction materials, consumer goods, renewable energy and other promising fields.

They pledged to enhance the sharing of experience in building an independent, self-reliance economy with global integration and in responding to global economic challenges.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, they concurred to continue with consultations and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums. They also shared the stance on supporting the settlement of disputes by peaceful means based on respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.

The Cuban side affirmed support for ASEANs central role and the wish to strengthen ties with the bloc, evidenced by its entry to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in November 2020.

The Vietnamese side also reaffirmed its consistent stance on demanding the lifting of unilateral economic and financial embargoes on Cuba.

PM Manuel Marrero Cruz invited PM Chinh to pay an official visit to Cuba in the near future. PM Chinh accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Following the talks, PM Chinh, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party and State, presented the Ho Chi Minh Order, the noble distinction of the Vietnamese State, to the Cuban PM.

The two Government leaders also witnessed the signing of three bilateral cooperation agreements, including an Action Plan for the implementation of the Vietnam-Cuba economic agenda for 2023-2025, an MoU on agriculture and food cooperation between the two agriculture ministries, and an Action Plan on medical cooperation between the two health ministries./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) welcomes Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero Cruz (Photo: VNA)

Following the ceremony, the two leaders held talks.

This is Manuel Marrero Cruzs first visit to a country outside Latin America since he took office in December 2019, and also the first to Vietnam by a Cuban leader since 2018.

The visit aims to promote the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries leaders and develop Vietnam-Cuba special ties, manifesting both countries' determination to further tighten the loyal friendship and solidarity, mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, Governments and peoples.

Earlier, the Cuban Government leader paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and is scheduled to pay courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and meet National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Also on the occasion of the visit, the Cuban PM will witness the signing of cooperation agreements, attend a Cuba-Vietnam business forum, and meet leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, among other activities./.
Delegates watch video clips about Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

It was the first tourism promotion event organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only introducing the culture, country and people of Vietnam, the seminar also provided information on regulations for entry to Vietnam, Ambassador Tran Viet Thai said to partners before the event.

According to the diplomat, the seminar is an opportunity for businesses of the two countries to connect and sign cooperation agreements on tourism, towards recovering the industry and promoting Vietnam-Malaysia relations.

Speaking at the event, MATTA Vice President Cynthia Tan said she was especially impressed with the long and beautiful beaches in Nha Trang and Phu Quoc of Vietnam, expressing hope that the number of Malaysian tourists to Vietnam will increase after a direct flight route connecting Kuala Lumpur and Da Nang is launched.

She affirmed that MATTA will effectively exploit Vietnam's tourism market through its 13 agents in states across Malaysia.

VNTE Chairman Nguyen Son Thuy said that Vietnam will have more opportunities to expand cooperation and explore the Malaysian market with updates on tourism products suitable for the market.

At the event, delegates also enjoyed art performances by overseas Vietnamese in Malaysia and video clips about famous destinations and cuisine of Vietnam.

The number of Malaysian visitors to Vietnam has increased rapidly since the two countries exempted visa requirements for ordinary passport holders in September 2001. In 2019, Vietnam welcomed over 605,000 Malaysian holidaymakers, up 12.2% compared to 2018./.
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday exchanged congratulatory messages over the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi pointed out that 50 years ago, the then Chinese and Japanese leaders grasped the situation with foresight and made a major political decision to normalize China-Japan diplomatic relations, which opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.

He said that over the past 50 years, thanks to the joint efforts of the two governments and peoples, the two sides have successively signed four political documents and reached a series of important consensuses, and continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation in various fields, bringing important benefits to the two countries and their people as well as promoting peace and development of the region and the wider world.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Japan relations, and stands ready to work with Kishida to lead both sides to jointly build a China-Japan relationship that meets the demands of the new era by taking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties as an opportunity and following the trend of the times.

In his message, Kishida said that 50 years ago, the then Chinese and Japanese leaders, with strategic thinking and political courage, opened a new historic course in Japan-China relations.

During the past 50 years, Japan-China cooperation in a wide range of fields such as economy, culture and personnel exchanges, has made remarkable progress, Kishida said, adding that it is of great significance for the two sides to jointly create a new future for Japan-China relations.

The Japanese side stands ready to join hands with the Chinese side to focus on promoting the development of constructive and stable Japan-China relations as well as peace and prosperity of the two countries, the region and the world in the next 50 years, he said.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Kishida also exchanged congratulations. Li said China and Japan are geographically close to each other and culturally connected, and are both important countries in the region and the international community.

China is willing to make joint efforts with Japan to work for peaceful and friendly coexistence, maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly manage conflicts and differences, and push for a healthy and stable development of China-Japan relations with the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties as a new starting point, Li said.

Editor: WXL
Students attend a job fair at Anhui University of Science and Technology, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 29, 2022. A total of 76 enterprises participate in the job fair and offer university graduates around 3500 jobs. (Chen Bin/Guangming Picture)

Students attend a job fair at Anhui University of Science and Technology, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 29, 2022. A total of 76 enterprises participate in the job fair and offer university graduates around 3500 jobs. (Chen Bin/Guangming Picture)

Students attend a job fair at Anhui University of Science and Technology, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 29, 2022. A total of 76 enterprises participate in the job fair and offer university graduates around 3500 jobs. (Chen Bin/Guangming Picture)

Editor: WXL
The situation on the cash foreign exchange market, although subject to the influence of a number of temporary factors, remains under control, while the situation on the non-cash foreign exchange market has noticeably improved recently, which has led to an increase in international reserves, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Yuriy Heletiy said.

"There are no grounds for a new exchange rate correction now," he said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"The largest share of foreign exchange transactions is carried out in the non-cash segment, so to say that temporary fluctuations in the cash segment can become the basis for exchange rate correction would be a clear exaggeration," he added.

The banker noted that when the National Bank adjusted the exchange rate in July, it first of all solved the problem of accumulated macroeconomic imbalances at that time, while now such a problem is irrelevant.

"We expect that as the psychological factor fades and the problem with the (cash) currency shortage is finally resolved, the situation in the cash foreign exchange market will improve," he added.

According to him, the positive impact on the cash market from the decisions taken by the National Bank in previous months should also increase. In particular, the matter concerns giving citizens the opportunity to buy currency with its subsequent investment on a deposit and allowing banks to increase the supply of cash currency.

"By the way, we are actively working on tools that will increase the interest of citizens and businesses in savings in hryvnia. Now the situation is much better than in June and July," he added.

Heletiy pointed out that the announced international financial assistance adds confidence - about $10 billion by the end of the year.

He noted that the National Bank also hopes for a positive decision to expand emergency financial support from the IMF under the RFI instrument, thanks to which Ukraine will be able to receive about $1.4 billion more in October, and also awaits a decision on approving an additional $4.5 billion assistance package for Ukraine from the USA.

"All these factors will help us keep international reserves at a sufficient level and maintain the official exchange rate at the current level," the deputy head of the NBU said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said that there will be decisions at a special meeting of the NSDC on Friday, because "we know how to respond to any Russian actions."

Tomorrow is another day of our struggle, another day on the path to victory. Will it be special for us? It will be another day that will bring us closer to security and peace, to restoration of our territorial integrity. Because millions of Ukrainians fight and work for this. A special meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, which I convened, will take place tomorrow. There will be decisions. We know how to react to any Russian actions, he said in his video address Thursday.
Russia will not get a new territory of Ukraine. Russia will join itself to the catastrophe that it brought to the occupied territory of our country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a traditional video message on Thursday evening.

Russia will equate itself with the so-called DPR and LPR, and will completely finish off those institutions of normal statehood that still remained in Russia, he said.

The occupier fills the occupied territory of Ukraine with graves, and there are more and more graves on the territory of Russia itself. The occupier sets up torture chambers in the occupied territory - and will fill the entire territory of Russia with torture chambers. This is the only way the Russian police and Russian special services will work now. The law in Russia has been obliterated, the president stated.

According to him, those who brought all these deaths, torture, rape from Russia will take them home. Everywhere in the seized territory, the occupier destroys any basis for life - economy, social sphere, culture ...

Depriving the entire Russian society of a normal economy, a decent life and respect for any human value will be the price for the fact that one person in Russia wants this war to continue. This can still be stopped. But to stop it, you have to stop that one in Russia who wants war more than life. Your life, citizens of Russia, Zelensky said.
McDonalds is opening ten restaurants in Kyiv for visitors, which in September began operating in the mode of delivery by specialized services.

The company announced on Facebook that the establishments are opening for visitors at the following addresses: 2a Gagarina Avenue, 7 Hryshko Street, 3b Bazhana avenue, 4 Theodor Dreiser Street, 33a Vyshgorodska Street, 22 Velyka Vasylkivska Street, 27 Brovarsky 27 Avenue, 7a Academician Palladin Avenue, 19a Les Kurbas Avenue, and 26a Obolonsky Avenue.

"We want to see everyone as soon as possible, but we warn about possible long lines. Therefore, plan your time and remember: now we are open every day," the restaurant chain clarified.

As reported, on September 20, McDonald's began a phased opening of restaurants in Kyiv. Three points on the left bank of the Dnipro River were the first to start working on delivery. On September 26, the restaurant chain opened seven more restaurants in Kyiv in delivery mode.

The restaurants of the chain in Ukraine closed on February 24, 2022 due to security reasons. The company maintains a team of more than 10,000 people, while continuing to pay wages. In addition, more than 700 tonnes of products were donated for humanitarian needs. Together with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, McDonald's initiated and implemented humanitarian aid programs to support Ukrainians. Ukrainian families have already received more than 100,000 food kits, and medical institutions have received 200 vacuum therapy devices for the treatment of extensive wounds, which are used to treat most patients with mine-explosive wounds.
Western support for Ukraine will increase after new attempts to annex Ukrainian territories, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"The President of Ukraine, working from Kyiv, last week and this week (the President had six international calls exclusively on this topic only on Wednesday), the Prime Minister and I in New York at the UN General Assembly achieved that not just partners are ready to condemn in the strictest way Putin's possible decision on annexation, but also to strengthen military and financial support for Ukraine in response," Kuleba said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

The Minister stressed that the first consequence for Russia in connection with its attempt to annex the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will be "that it will simply choke over these new pieces of territory that it is trying to annex."

"Also, no one will recognize this annexation, and there will be no deterrent factors for Ukraine in terms of conducting military operations to liberate these territories. No one will grab us by the hand and say, Now stop, you can't go there now," Kuleba stressed.

He confirmed that in response to the attempted annexation of Ukrainian territories, support for Ukraine will be increased, unlike in 2014.

"Yes. We have completely changed our partners' logic, which was after 2014 and for the first time after February 24, 2022, when they told us: Be careful, don't do this, so as not to provoke Putin to escalate. Now the logic is this: if Putin does this, then we do this, and no one will try to do something to somehow stroke him, pacify him, stop him. This result didnt appear in one day. This is the result of a long work. The President's contacts were crucial here. But, in principle, I am completely calm in terms of the expected reaction of the world to a possible annexation," the minister said.
Against the background of losses on the battlefield, the Russian Federation continues to strike at the peaceful Ukrainian population, this is another demonstration that Ukraine's struggle is not only for freedom and sovereignty, but also for survival, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.

Horrific news of Russian attacks against civilians in Zaporizhia and Dnipro. Amid its losses on the battlefield, Russia continues strikes on Ukrainian civilians, a further demonstration that Ukraine's fight is not only a fight for freedom and sovereignty, but for survival, she said on Twitter.
By-elections to the US Congress will not affect support for Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

"Whatever happens there, there are two factors  the Republicans and Democrats are objectively united around Ukraine. There is a wing of the Republicans, which is 'anti,' it exists, but it will not have mainstream influence. Like in Italy. Everyone sprinkles ashes on their heads: 'That's it, we're all finished, Berlusconi, Salvini.' Everything will be fine, we need to look at the issues a little deeper and more subtle. Therefore, in terms of possible changes in the balance of American domestic policy, I do not see any risks for Ukraine following the results of the congressional elections," Kuleba said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, from the point of view of domestic policy, he is not interested in America as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

To the remark that the topic of the inadmissibility of nuclear war will be one of the strategies of former US President Donald Trump in the by-elections, Kuleba pointed out that "this is an internal political struggle."

"The opposition always accuses the government of doing everything wrong, and then, becoming the government, it often supports the policies of the previous government. Trump is a unique person, and let me remind you that his attitude towards Ukraine is extremely complex, but it was under his presidency that Pompeo's Crimea Declaration came out, and the first batch of Javelins arrived. Policy, especially in a country like America, is not one person, it is a system that follows a certain line. And Donald Trump, being president, did not break this system, including in the issue of Ukraine," he said.

The minister added that Ukraine is working with US President Joseph Biden and is very grateful to him for all his support. No country in the world has done more for Ukraine than the United States, this is a fact, Kuleba stressed.

"But I would not consider any apocalyptic scenarios now, because our support used to be based on one element  bipartisan support in the Congress, and now we have two elements  the first one that I named, and the second one is the tremendous support from the American people. These are two guarantors of the stability of the US policy towards Ukraine," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister is sure.

At the same time, Kuleba said that now he did not see a leader in the world who would be able to break the President of Ukraine and force him to do something contrary to the interests of Ukraine.

"Besides, even if tomorrow someone calls and tells President Zelensky to sit down at the negotiating table and agree on something unfavorable for Ukraine, he will not do it. I don't see a leader in the world right now who would be able to break the President of Ukraine and force him to do something contrary to the interests of Ukraine. I am calm," the minister added.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba does not see a single European government that can refuse to support Ukraine.

"I don't see a single government in Europe that could afford to refuse to support decisions related to Ukraine and completely ignore it," Kuleba said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

The minister expressed confidence that no one would definitely lift the existing sanctions against Russia.

"What is support for Ukraine? These are very different forms. Sanctions. Nobody will definitely lift the existing sanctions, there will be no consensus in the EU on this. You can be absolutely calm here. It will be more and more difficult to apply serious new sanctions. Yes, we already see it, it is already happening. Weapons. The theoretical situation: if one government is now supplying us with tanks and shells, and a new one comes and says that for political reasons it can no longer supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, then we will receive non-lethal weapons from them. And then we will return to the lethal one," he said.

According to him, there are three factors to support Ukraine.

"The first factor is the logic of EU consensus decisions. If you try to 'twist off' somewhere, they will sit down with you, talk, explain, offer some solution, and as a result, you will be forced into a common frame," he explained.

Kuleba pointed out that the second factor is the position of Ukraine.

"It must be admitted that Ukraine now has the highest moral and political authority in Europe, as a state. This is a reality. Maybe someone does not want to recognize it, because it is inconvenient, but this is a fact. With its position, Ukraine is able to change the position of other states, even if they do not like it, they say: 'We are tired of you, you constantly criticize us, you constantly create problems for us,'" he said.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister pointed out that there is also a third factor, which also should not be discarded.

"Even in the most skeptical country in Europe, there is a clear understanding that Putin is a threat to entire Europe. It's just that not everyone allows themselves to openly implement this understanding in politics, even, relatively speaking, Prime Minister Orban, but they all understand what modern Russia is, and understand that Europe is finished if it loses now. The end is not in terms of falling apart, but the end is that it will be forced to obey the will of Russia on certain issues of its development. But no one categorically wants to allow this," he said.

Kuleba stressed that for the EU to allow Russia to win in Ukraine is to lose itself, because then Russia will begin to dictate completely - from energy and cyber threats to creating a threat directly on the EU border, a military presence.

"The entire military colossus that is now creating problems for us and that we are destroying, it will then start creating problems everywhere in the same way. Drone flights and violation of airspace by aircraft will be just 'fluff' compared to what may come. Therefore, no matter what the most allegedly pro-Russian politicians say, none of them wants to lie under Putin," he said.
Members of the European Council firmly reject and unequivocally condemn Russia's illegal annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine.

"We firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. By wilfully undermining the rules-based international order and blatantly violating the fundamental rights of Ukraine to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, core principles as enshrined in the UN Charter and international law, Russia is putting global security at risk," the European Council said in its statement on Friday.

The EU Member States said that they do not and will never recognize the illegal 'referenda' that Russia has engineered as a pretext for this further violation of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor their falsified and illegal results.

"We will never recognize this illegal annexation. These decisions are null and void and cannot produce any legal effect whatsoever. Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk are Ukraine. We call on all States and international organizations to unequivocally reject this illegal annexation," it said.

In the face of Russia's war of aggression as well as Moscow's latest escalation, the European Union stands resolutely with Ukraine and its people.

"We are unwavering in our support to Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. 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 recognized borders," the European Council said.

The nuclear threats made by the Kremlin, the military mobilization and the strategy of seeking to falsely present Ukraine's territory as Russia's and purporting that the war may now be taking place on Russia's territory will not shake our resolve, it said.

"We will strengthen our restrictive measures countering Russia's illegal actions. They will further increase pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. We reiterate that the European Union firmly stands with Ukraine and will continue to provide strong economic, military, social and financial support to Ukraine for as long as it takes," it said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine applies for rapid NATO accession.

Ukraine should legally document all of its actual achievements, the head of state said.

"We are de facto allies. This has already been achieved. De facto, we have already completed our path to NATO. De facto, we have already proven interoperability with the Alliance's standards, they are real for Ukraine  real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction. We trust each other, we help each other and we protect each other. This is what the Alliance is. De facto," he said in a video address.

"Today, Ukraine is applying to make it de jure. Under a procedure consistent with our significance for the protection of our entire community. Under an accelerated procedure. We know it's possible," the president said.

He recalled that Finland and Sweden started accession to the Alliance this year without a Membership Action Plan.

"This is fair. This is also fair for Ukraine. This is the consolidation at the level of the treaty of what has already been achieved in life and what our values are," Zelensky said.

The head of state noted that Ukraine understands that this requires the consensus of all members of the Alliance.

"And therefore, while this is happening, we offer to implement our proposals regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and all of Europe in accordance with the Kyiv Security Compact, which was developed and presented to our partners," he said.
Ukraine ready for dialogue, but with another Russian president  Zelensky

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president.

"Ukraine has been and remains a leader in negotiating efforts. It was our state that had always offered Russia to agree on coexistence on equal, honest, worthy and fair terms. Obviously, this is impossible with this Russian president," Zelensky said in his video message.

The head of state stressed that incumbent Russian President Vladimir Putin "does not know what dignity and honesty are."

"We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another Russian president," he said.

The President also noted that only the expelling of the Russian occupiers from all the territory of Ukraine would return peace.

"We will follow this path," Zelensky concluded.
The Russian Federation has buried the hope for a peaceful settlement, the increasingly desperate Putin regime has crossed another red line, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda says.

"Today, Russia has once again flagrantly violated international law and has buried hope for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Today, Putin's increasingly desperate regime has crossed yet another red line. The announced decision to annex the Ukrainian regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhia is illegal and void," Nauseda said in a statement published on the website of the President of Lithuania on Friday.

He stressed that sooner or later Russia would have to pay.

"Sooner or later, Russia will have to pay the price. It will have to answer for Bucha, Irpin and Izium. For the massacre of fleeing civilians in Kramatorsk and for the recent bloody attack on the humanitarian convoy in Zaporizhia. Also, for nuclear and energy blackmail. Ukraine will never forget these crimes. And neither will we, Lithuanians," Nauseda said.

Addressing the Lithuanian people, he noted that today the fate of Lithuania is being decided in Ukraine.

"The fate of the whole of Europe is being decided in Ukraine. If we do not stop the aggressor now, we will risk losing everything that we have created in over three decades of everyday hard work. That is why Lithuania will never, under any circumstances, recognize the sham 'referenda' in the occupied regions nor their results. Just as it does not recognize the earlier annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. And the entire civilized world will do the same," the president said.

Nauseda stressed that Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk are Ukraine.

"We will continue to provide economic, military, social, and financial support to Ukraine until its final victory. We will continue to push for the strongest possible international sanctions against Russia. This is the least we can do. In this dark hour, which always comes before dawn, we firmly know that Ukraine's fight for freedom is our fight, and we will win it," he said.
Georgia continues to support territorial integrity of Ukraine and rejects gross violation of international law by Russia, President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili has said.

"Formalizing sham referendum to support a blatant violation of international law and forceful annexation has no legitimacy, no future. We reject such gross violations of international law and reiterate our full support to Ukraine's territorial integrity," she said in Twitter on Friday.
Kuleba: Ukraine's accession to NATO under new circumstances allows our partners not to repeat mistakes made since 2008

Ukraine's acquisition of NATO membership under the new circumstances does not require a MAP and allows its partners to reset and not repeat the mistakes made since 2008, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

"Ukraine's membership in NATO is long overdue and overripe. Ukraine is already an integral part of Euro-Atlantic security. We do not yet have Article 5 umbrellas over ourselves, but all NATO members are de facto under the umbrella of Ukraine, under the protection of our Armed Forces. Therefore, today Ukraine applied for NATO membership, which, under these new circumstances, does not require the provision of a MAP and allows our partners to nullify and not repeat the mistakes made since 2008," Kuleba wrote on Facebook on Friday.

According to him, the collective security of Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic space can be ensured only by ensuring the operation of seven elements, one of them is Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU.

In addition, Kuleba pointed out that another such element is the expansion of the international coalition in support of Ukraine.

"Intensive diplomacy of recent weeks is working towards this, including dozens of presidential talks and the active work of the Ukrainian delegation at the UN General Assembly, where we focused on attracting, first of all, the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America," the minister said.

Kuleba included in the list of elements an increase in the supply of weapons to Ukraine, the removal of all political barriers for all types and volumes of weapons for the Ukrainian army.

"We will do everything so that after this attempt of annexation, Ukraine will receive even more weapons," the minister assured.

In addition, he advocated a significant increase in sanctions against Russia in the sectors of energy, money, nuclear energy and others.

"The Kyiv Security Compact as a guarantee of security for Ukraine on the way to our membership in NATO. The Kyiv Security Compact is a security model for all countries that are not parties to collective security agreements or do not yet have security guarantees from third countries," the Foreign Minister wrote.

As the last element, Kuleba called the active opposition of other countries in the Euro-Atlantic space to Russian military and hybrid threats, as well as their implementation of an effective strategy for Russia's nuclear deterrence.

"The victory of Ukraine is the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic space. There is no alternative to this. And our signal to the whole world and the aggressor state today is that by trying to annex Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, Putin is trying to seize territories that he does not even physically control. Nothing changes for Ukraine: we continue to liberate our land and our people, restoring our territorial integrity," the minister said.
Ukrainian Ambassador Yevhen Korniychuk visited the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashome, where Ukrainian servicemen Oleksandr and Danylo, who were seriously injured as a result of Russian armed aggression against Ukraine, are undergoing treatment and prosthetics. This is reported on the Facebook page of the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel.

The ambassador met with the Ukrainian defenders, their treating doctors, the management of the medical center. Yevhen Korniychuk expressed his gratitude to the Government of the State of Israel, in particular to the Minister of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the decision to finance and treat wounded Ukrainian soldiers in Israel, - the message reads.

The Embassy also notes that the course will cover a total of 20 Ukrainian defenders.

We sincerely believe that this is only the first step, because among our guys who are protecting Ukraine from enemy invasion, unfortunately there are still many who need and will need complex medical care. We hope that the Government of Israel will be able to expand this extremely important humanitarian initiative, - the diplomatic mission emphasized.
Like every year, Arz Mohammed had planted his little patch of land in southern Pakistan with cotton. The crop would earn him enough so that, as he puts it, his family of five wouldnt be reduced to begging. Then came the deluge.

Pakistans massive floods this summer collapsed Mohammeds home and destroyed his four acres of cotton, wiping out most of his income.

On top of that, his land and that of his neighbors remain underwater, three months after the heaviest rains stopped. Like many farmers across southern Pakistan, he may not be able to plant his next crop, wheat, in time.

That could spell trouble for the countrys food supply.

These rains have destroyed everything for us, said Mohammed, who lives in a tent with his wife and children near his wrecked house in Khairpur, one of the countrys hardest-hit districts. We dont even have anything to eat.

This summers flooding, caused by monsoon rains nearly triple the usual ferocity, wiped out huge swaths of crops, leaving already impoverished families struggling to obtain food.

Farmers and officials warn that Pakistan could now face serious food shortages at a time when the government is strapped for cash and world food prices are high.

Nearly 15% of Pakistans rice crop and 40% of its cotton crop were lost, according to officials. The waters also wiped out the personal grain stores that many farming families rely on for food yearlong.

The flooding, blamed in part on climate change, killed nearly 1,600 people, damaged nearly 2 million homes and overall wreaked damage estimated at more than $30 billion.

At the United Nations last week, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif told The Associated Press that crops on 4 million acres were washed away. We need funds to provide livelihood to our people. We need funds to compensate for the loss of crops to our people, to our farmers.

The government says there is no immediate worry about food supplies. In a statement to the AP, the state disaster agency said wheat stock are enough to last through the next harvest and that the government is importing more.

However, the upcoming wheat crop has been thrown into uncertainty. Planting usually starts in October. In Punjab province, the countrys main wheat producer, fields suffered less damage and can be sown in time.

But in southern Sindh province, the second largest producer, some 50% of the fields remain underwater, according to Jam Khan Shoro, a provincial irrigation minister in Sindh.

Aerial footage in Sindh shows field after field still inundated. The province, in Pakistans southern lowlands at the downstream end of its major rivers, is where the floods hit hardest: 80% of the rice crop and 70% of cotton were destroyed, devastating the livelihoods of the small farmers who make up most the production.

Altaf Hussain Marri, a larger and relatively well-off landholder in Khairpur, said he normally gives away wheat as a gift to friends and family.

Now hes worried about having enough for himself and his children, unsure if his 400 inundated acres will drain in time. The floods demolished his cotton and rice crops, worth around $40,000.

If we fail to grow wheat ... next year we might not have even wheat to eat, Marri said. It will create food insecurity in the country. The poor will suffer a lot. There will be no flour.

Pakistans agricultural sector had been growing in recent years, allowing the country to export some wheat and rice.

Now we will have to import wheat and other food items, Pakistans Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal told the AP.

Sharif, the prime minister, said Pakistan may have to import about a million metric tons of wheat, and it could come from Russia, but Pakistan is open to other offers if the price is right.

Pakistan has already put out orders to import 500,000 metric tons of wheat, Planning Ministry officials say. There are contingency plans to buy as much 2.5 million tons over the next year, but officials are waiting to see how much wheat is planted, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the policy was not yet set.

Ashfaq Ahmad, a senior economist, said the additional wheat needs to be brought in quickly, by next month.

Otherwise, I am seeing a food crisis in December, he told the AP. Any delay in the import of wheat will cause food shortage.

The flooding was also a blow to Pakistans important cash crops. Losses will mean lower exports of rice, which earned $2 billion in 2020.

Cotton losses could hurt the countrys biggest export, textiles and clothes, which brought in more than $20 billion annually in recent years.

But the greater damage and danger is likely to Pakistans poor, with no margin to endure losses in income and food.

In Dasht, a remote district of Baluchistan province, hundreds of orchard owners worry about their future after losing crops of grapes, apples and other fruits. In parts of Baluchistan, piles upon piles of rotten apples can be seen in submerged areas.

Even before the floods, some 38 million Pakistanis, more than 16% of the population, were living in moderate or severe food insecurity, meaning they were uncertain about being able to obtain food or at times have outright gone without eating, according to the World Health Organization. Nearly 18% of children were acutely malnourished.

The blow to the food supply and incomes will tip those populations deeper into hunger, U.N. agencies have warned. The U.N.s World Food Program has so far delivered food to 600,000 flood survivors.

Iqbal, the planning minister, said Sindh province is the countrys biggest producer of vegetables for domestic markets. Those crops were lost, along with families personal stores of grains for themselves and feed for their livestock.

So, therefore we have a real food security challenge at hand, he said.

On the ground in Sukkur, another hard-hit district neighboring Khairpur, the local agricultural director Rasool Bux Junejo fears the worst. Farmers wont be able to grow wheat or other key crops like sunflowers and mustard.

That will be a huge loss in the coming months. If you ask me as an agriculture worker, I foresee famine, God forbid, he said. We will be unable to provide food to our people.

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Pakistan's foreign minister wants the world to engage the Taliban, warning of dangerous consequences if Afghanistan's rulers are again isolated.

In an interview with AFP on a visit to Washington, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari cautioned against creating "parallel governance" after the United States, distrustful of the Taliban, put Afghanistan's frozen assets in a professional fund in Switzerland.

"We've learned from the past that when we wash our hands and turn our backs, we end up creating unintended consequences and more problems for ourselves," Bhutto Zardari said Tuesday.

"I believe that our concerns of an economic collapse, of an exodus of refugees, of a threat of new recruits for organizations such as ISIS-K and others, outweigh concerns that there may be about their financial institutions."

The Taliban returned to power last year after the United States ended a two-decade war. Relations had soured with Pakistan, whose powerful military and intelligence apparatus was accused in Washington of quietly nurturing the Islamist militants despite providing logistical access to US forces.

In contrast to some previous Pakistani officials, the foreign minister -- whose mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in 2007 -- offered no warm words for the Taliban.

But he said the militants needed "political space" on concerns such as women's rights, which have been sharply curtailed.

"Throughout history, theocratic, autocratic regimes haven't exactly tended to expand rights at times of economic strife," he said.

"In fact, they tend to hold on to cultural issues and other issues to engage their population."

The United States came away unpersuaded from a series of talks with the Taliban and in August said the militants had violated promises by welcoming Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was found at a house in Kabul and killed in a US strike.

'Great power rivalries'

Bhutto Zardari, the Oxford-educated 34-year-old scion of a preeminent political dynasty, took office five months ago amid political turbulence in Pakistan after a no-confidence vote in former prime minister Imran Khan.

The strife comes as Pakistan is ravaged by floods that have submerged one-third of the country, displacing millions.

At a meeting Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised long-term support. In a message less welcome by Pakistan, the top US diplomat also called on Islamabad to ask China to restructure debt accumulated as Beijing builds billions of dollars of infrastructure in a quest for Indian Ocean port access.

Asked about Blinken's remarks, Bhutto Zardari said he has had "very productive conversations" with China and said he hoped that assistance after the historic floods "does not fall prey to great power rivalries and geostrategic issues."

With Beijing seen by many Pakistanis as an uncritical ally, successive governments in Islamabad have rebuffed US calls to weigh in on the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim people, a campaign Washington calls genocide.

"I'm sure that the United States would like for us to comment more on China's internal affairs," Bhutto Zardari said.

"But maybe if we start by addressing disputes that are recognized by bodies such as the United Nations as disputes of an international nature, that would be more productive."

He was referring to Kashmir, the Himalayan territory divided between India and Pakistan and the trigger for two of their three full-fledged wars.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist, in 2019 stripped Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir of its historic autonomy and opened the way for other Indian citizens to live there.

Bhutto Zardari recalled that when his Pakistan People's Party was in power in 2010, it moved to open trade with India, then led by prime minister Manmohan Singh.

"We were willing to take the political risk, stick our necks on the line, and touch the third rail of Pakistani politics -- but because we knew that there was a rational, reasonable player on the other end who would perhaps be willing to reciprocate," Bhutto Zardari said.

"Unfortunately, that space does not exist today. It's a very different India."

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Russia confirmed on Thursday it will formally annex parts of Ukraine where occupied areas held Kremlin-orchestrated ``referendums'' on living under Moscow's rule that the Ukrainian government and the West denounced as illegal and rigged.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend a ceremony on Friday in the Kremlin when four regions of Ukraine will be officially folded into Russia, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov said the pro-Moscow administrators of the regions will sign treaties to join Russia during the ceremony at the Kremlin's St. George's Hall.

The official annexation was widely expected following the votes that wrapped up on Tuesday in the areas under Russian occupation in Ukraine and after Moscow claimed residents overwhelming supported for their areas to formally become part of Russia.

The United States and its Western allies have sharply condemned the votes as ``sham'' and vowed never to recognize their results. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday joined other Western officials in denouncing the votes.

``Under threats and sometimes even (at) gunpoint people are being taken out of their homes or workplaces to vote in glass ballot boxes,'' she said at a conference in Berlin.

``This is the opposite of free and fair elections,'' Baerbock said. ``And this is the opposite of peace. It's dictated peace. As long as this Russian diktat prevails in the occupied territories of Ukraine, no citizen is safe. No citizen is free.''

Armed troops had gone door-to-door with election officials to collect ballots in five days of voting. The suspiciously high margins in favor were characterized as a land grab by an increasingly cornered Russian leadership after embarrassing military losses in Ukraine.

Moscow-installed administrations in the four regions of southern and eastern Ukraine claimed Tuesday night that 93% of the ballots cast in the Zaporizhzhia region supported annexation, as did 87% in the Kherson region, 98% in the Luhansk region and 99% in Donetsk.

Ukraine too has dismissed the referendums as illegitimate, saying it has every right to retake the territories, a position that has won support from Washington.

The Kremlin has been unmoved by the criticism. After a counteroffensive by Ukraine this month dealt Moscow's forces heavy battlefield setbacks, Russia said it would call up 300,000 reservists to join the fight. It also warned it could resort to nuclear weapons.

Also on Thursday, Ukrainian authorities said Russian shelling has killed has killed at least eight civilians, including a child, and wounded scores of others. A 12-year-old girl has been pulled out of rubble after an attack on Dnipro, officials said.

``The rescuers have taken her from under the rubble, she was asleep when the Russian missile hit,'' said local administrator Valentyn Reznichenko.

Reports of new shelling came as Russia appeared to continue to lose ground around a key northeastern city of Lyman while it struggles to press on with chaotic mobilization of troops and prevent the fighting-age men from leaving the country, according to a Washington-based think-tank and the British intelligence reports.

The Institute for the Study of War, citing Russian reports, said Ukrainian forces have taken more villages around Lyman, a city some 160 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. The report said Ukrainian forces may soon encircle Lyman entirely, in what would be a major blow to Moscow's war effort.

``The collapse of the Lyman pocket will likely be highly consequential to the Russian grouping in northern Donetsk and western Luhansk oblasts and may allow Ukrainian troops to threaten Russian positions along the western Luhansk'' region, the institute said.

The British military intelligence report claimed the number of Russian military-age men fleeing the country likely exceeds the number of forces Moscow used to initially invade Ukraine in February.

``The better off and well educated are over-represented amongst those attempting to leave Russia,'' the British said. ``When combined with those reservists who are being mobilized, the domestic economic impact of reduced availability of labor and the acceleration of `brain drain' is likely to become increasingly significant.''

That partial mobilization is deeply unpopular in some areas, however, triggering protests, scattered violence, and Russians fleeing the country by the tens of thousands. Miles-long lines formed at some borders and Moscow also reportedly set up draft offices at borders to intercept some of those trying to leave.

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi held on Thursday a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to offer condolences to victims of his country's devastating floods, the Egyptian presidency announced.

President El-Sisi told the Pakistani Prime Minister that Egypt has allocated humanitarian aid to contribute to the relief efforts in the crisis the Pakistani people are currently facing, according to the presidency.

El-Sisi also praised the historical relations between Egypt and Pakistan, adding that he looks forward to developing bilateral relations with Pakistan and exchanging expertise in all fields and consulting on different regional issues as well as issues of common interest, the statement read.

From his side, PM Sharif expressed his thanks to President El-Sisi and the Egyptian people for their support for Pakistan asserting the depth of the relations between the two friendly countries and peoples.

He added that he is looking forward to more cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of climate change as Egypt is set to host the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh from 6-18 November.

Seasonal monsoon rains and melting glaciers that followed a severe heat wave in Pakistan this summer caused unprecedented floods that covered a third of the country since June, killing over 1,000 people in what is considered the worst natural disaster in the history of the country.

Pakistani officials have linked the cause of that heat wave and melting glaciers to the impact of climate change.

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A pro-Russia ally said Friday that Russian troops were "partially surrounded" in the key Ukrainian town of Lyman and that Kyiv's forces were recapturing villages in the area.

"The news from Lyman is disturbing. At the moment, Lyman is partially surrounded," said Denis Pushilin, the pro-Moscow leader in the breakaway region of Donetsk, on social media.

Two nearby villages were "not fully under our control," he added.

Moscow's forces took weeks to take control of Lyman in the spring.

Its possible imminent recapture by the Ukrainian army comes as Russia prepares to formally annex four occupied regions in a grand Kremlin ceremony later on Friday.

Lyman lies in the north of Donetsk, which Moscow says it will annex despite only controlling part of the region.

Pushilin said Ukrainian forces are "trying to overshadow with all their might this historic event for us."

"Our guys are fighting, we are pulling up reserves and we must hold out but the enemy has also thrown in serious forces."

Kyiv's forces confirmed they were at the doorstep of Lyman, saying they had retaken a nearby village just five kilometres away.

A Ukrainian military unit operating in the area, the 66th mechanised brigade, said on Facebook that it had "liberated the village of Shchurove in Donetsk region."

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The UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) will focus on the agriculture and food sector transition in order to curb climate change, Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN climate change high level champion for Egypt and UN special envoy on financing 2030 sustainable development agenda, said on Thursday

Mohieldin added that creating an agriculture and food system more resilient to the impacts of the climate change requires updating databases, applying new technologies and scientific solutions and providing skills to all participants in implementing the transition process, beside pooling just and sufficient finances.

Transitioning the agriculture and food sector will not result in food security unless it happens as part of a holistic approach that balances mitigation and adaptation measures, he said during his virtual participation in the Food Security Symposium held by World Food Programme and Ministry of International Cooperation.

It also requires an immediate shift to actual implementation through pragmatic steps taken by all actors, he noted, adding that the Sharm El-Sheikh conference will prioritise the holistic approach and actual implementation of climate and environmental action.

The climate champion stressed the importance of the regional dimension of the agriculture and food sector transition. He also emphasised joint work by the same regional countries, especially as collective efforts are more effective than solo work.

In addition, he pointed out that the importance of localising the transition process of this vital sector so that it involves all participants in the implementation, including farmers and other local actors.

Mohieldin highlighted the necessity of mobilising required finances for the agriculture and food sector transition through more commitment of governments.

He also urged wider participation of the private sector in finance and implementation, including increasing public-private partnerships, creating an attractive investment atmosphere, de-risking project financing, activating debt swaps to co-invest in agriculture and food projects and establishing carbon markets that suit the priorities of the developing countries and emerging markets economies.

Egypt is set to host COP27 in the Red Sea city of Sharm El-Sheikh 6-18 November.

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Egypt aims to include 2.7 million persons with severe disabilities in its nationwide integrated services card system by 2023, said Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Qabbaj on Thursday.

In a meeting with leading associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), El-Qabbaj discussed the challenges faced by people with severe disabilities registering with the integrated services system to gain access to much-needed support.

El-Qabbaj stressed that in keeping with the spirit of Law 10/2018  the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law  the government wishes to work alongside civil society entities in order to provide integrated services across the health, education, rehabilitation, work, transportation sectors to people with disabilities.

According to statistics issued by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) in 2017, 2.7 percent of Egypts total population suffered from severe disabilities.

The online registration process encompasses all the data of the person in question in order to assess the difficulties they experience in their daily lives and determine which services they are eligible for.

The government issued 877,000 such cards in the first stage of registration.

In order to further ease the registration process for people with severe disabilities, El-Qabbaj stated that a medical report no older than March 2019 of proof of disability can be presented in lieu of a medical examination.

Medical reports issued by government hospitals, private hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health, hospitals of the Armed Forces, or hospitals of the Ministry of Interior are all accepted.

Moreover, El-Qabbaj confirmed the ministrys intention to increase the numbers of disability proof cards issued through 65 rehabilitation centres operating within Egypts borders.

Of these, 26 are affiliated with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, 17 with the Sharjah association and 22 with the presidential Decent Life initiative.

All centres will operate six days a week, six hours a day, with some operating overtime if needed.

In the case of governmental entities, the solidarity ministry has proposed coordinating with the Ministry of Endowments to provide services through Islamic and Christian places of worship within the country.

Furthermore, a cooperation protocol was signed with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to train volunteers to find and approach people with severe disabilities to register them for the integrated services system, announced El-Qabbaj. The Red Crescents doctors are to assist in data entry and registration as well as providing medical reports to workers in rehabilitation centres and NGOs.

Moreover, El-Qabbaj asserted there is an ongoing process of interventions by the ministry to increase general accessibility for people with disabilities.

In partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Communications the solidarity ministry coordinates with the Ataa Charitable Fund to provide wheelchairs, spoken instructions for people with visual disabilities and light signals as well in metro stations for those in need, at a cost of EGP 100 million.

Access to equal education opportunities has been subsidised, confirmed El-Qabbaj, with the ministry paying for those unable to do so.

The provision of prosthetic devices such as talking laptops, white canes, hearing aids, and wheelchairs en masse is also a priority, declared El-Qabbaj.

The minister has also expressed interest in reaching people with disabilities in rural areas and villages through community-based rehabilitation programmes. In addition, the ministry has also been able to register 92,000 people with physical disabilities through the presidential Decent Life initiative.

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Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israeli men on Thursday blocked a major Jerusalem intersection to protest attempts to force them to register for Israel's military draft.

Military service is mandatory for most Jewish Israeli men, but the ultra-Orthodox often receive exemptions in order to continue their religious studies.

The exemptions have long infuriated secular Israelis, but ultra-Orthodox communities have resisted repeated attempts to force them to register for the draft.

During Thursday's protest, the black-clad religious demonstrators blocked traffic at a main intersection near the entrance to the city and chanted: "I will not join the army of destruction.''

Police said they were trying to restore order. There were no immediate reports of violence.

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The BBC announced on Thursday its Arabic radio service will cease as part of a broader cost-cutting programme and move to digital platforms.

The BBC, which marks its centenary next month, said its international services needed to make savings of 28.5 million ($31 million) as part of wider reductions of 500 million, which unions blamed on the UK government.

Nearly 400 staff at BBC World Service will lose their jobs as part of the plan.

In July the broadcaster detailed plans to merge BBC World News television and its domestic UK equivalent into a single channel to launch in April next year.

BBC World Service -- one of the UK's most recognisable global brands -- currently operates in 41 languages around the world with a weekly audience of some 364 million people.

But the corporation said audience habits were changing and more people were accessing news online, which along with a freeze on BBC funding and increased operating costs meant a move to "digital-first" made financial sense.

"Today's proposals entail a net total of around 382 post closures," the public service broadcaster said in an online statement.

Eleven language services -- Azerbaijani, Brasil, Marathi, Mundo, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese -- are already digital only.

Under the restructuring plans they will be joined by seven more: Chinese, Gujarati, Igbo, Indonesian, Pidgin, Urdu and Yoruba.

Radio services in Arabic, Persian, Kyrgyz, Hindi, Bengali, Chinese, Indonesian, Tamil and Urdu will stop, if the proposals are approved by staff and unionsNo language services will close, the broadcaster insisted, although some production will move out of London and schedules would change.

The Thai service will move to Bangkok, the Korean service to Seoul and the Bangla service to Dhaka.

The "Focus on Africa" television bulletin will be broadcast from Nairobi, it added.

BBC World Service director Liliane Landor said there was a "compelling case" for expanding digital services, as audiences had more than doubled since 2018.

"The way audiences are accessing news and content is changing and the challenge of reaching and engaging people around the world with quality, trusted journalism is growing," she added.

Government criticised

The head of the broadcasting union Bectu, Philippa Childs, said they were disappointed at the proposed changes.

"While we recognise the BBC must adapt to meet the challenges of a changing media landscape, once again it is workers who are hit by the government's poorly judged political decisions," she said.

The government's freezing of the licence fee which pays for BBC World Service had created the funding squeeze and the need for cuts, she added.

Bectu will push for staff to be redeployed where possible and to ensure it "mitigates the needs for any compulsory redundancies", Childs said.

BBC World Service is funded out of the UK licence fee -- currently 159 for a colour TV and payable by every household with a television set.

The BBC has faced repeated claims from right-wingers since the UK's divisive Brexit referendum in 2016 of political bias, and pushing a "woke", London-centric liberal agenda.

But it has faced similar accusations of political bias in favour of the right from the left.

The government announced a freeze on the licence fee in January, in what was seen by critics as an attempt to save the then-prime minister Boris Johnson's job.

At the time Johnson was facing mounting claims of wrongdoing in office, which ultimately forced him to resign.

Ministers claimed the funding model needed to be revised because of technological changes, including the uptake of streaming services, as well as increases in the cost of living.

Opposition parties however said the monthly payments -- equivalent to some 13.13 -- were small change compared to energy bill increases totalling thousands of pounds a year.

The culture secretary at the time, Johnson loyalist Nadine Dorries, had previously accused the BBC of "tokenism" in diversity hiring and elitist "group think" but denied wanting to dismantle the corporation.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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The EU on Friday said it "condemns in the strongest possible terms" deadly strikes this week by Iran on Iraq's Kurdistan region.

Iran launched cross-border missile and drone strikes that killed 13 people on Wednesday after accusing Kurdish armed groups based there of stoking a wave of unrest that has rocked the Islamic republic.

"Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. These attacks are a violation of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity," and EU spokesman said in a statement.

"The EU reiterates its full solidarity with the Iraqi people, the Iraqi Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government."

The September 16 death of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, 22, while in the custody of Iran's morality police has sparked a major wave of protests and a crackdown that has left dozens of demonstrators dead.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has accused the Iraq-based Kurdish groups of "attacking and infiltrating Iran... to sow insecurity and riots and spread unrest".

The Revolutionary Guards warned on Thursday that they will press on with attacks on rear bases in neighbouring Iraq.

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The NATO military alliance warned Thursday it would retaliate for any attacks on the critical infrastructure of its 30 member countries and joined other Western officials in citing sabotage as the likely cause of damage to two natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

The warning came as the Swedish coast guard confirmed a fourth leak on the pipelines off southern Sweden, which is in the process of joining NATO. The first leaks in the pipelines that extend from Russia to Germany were reported on Tuesday, prompting energy companies and European governments to beef up security.

The fear of further damage to Europe's energy infrastructure has added pressure on natural gas prices, which had already been soaring. Russia, a major supplier to Europe, cut off deliveries earlier this year in retaliation for sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. That has caused widespread economic pain across the continent.

NATO ambassadors said in a statement that "any deliberate attack against allies' critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response.'' They refrained from saying who they thought was responsible, even though some allies like Poland, and many experts, have said they believe that Russia is responsible.

"All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage,'' the envoys said.

The rising tensions around energy security in Europe come as Russia prepares to annex four regions of occupied Ukraine, a move widely condemned by the West. Russian energy giant Gazprom heightened uncertainty around energy supplies Wednesday by threatening on Twitter to cease dealing with a Ukrainian company that controls one of the two remaining pipelines that ship Russian gas to Europe.

Rather than assigning blame to anyone specific, EU officials on Thursday said they would await the outcome of an investigation, which probably will not start in earnest until next week once the undersea pipelines are empty.

The two lines between Russia and Germany were not in operation. But they were filled with tons of methane, a major cause of global warming that is being emitted into the atmosphere and will continue to bubble to the Baltic Sea's surface, probably until Sunday, according to energy experts.

Danish Defense Minister Morten Bodskov turned to Twitter to call the NATO statement a "joint condemnation and very strong signal from the alliance.'' But NATO has made many statements of resolve to defend its members and their territory since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Two of the leaks are on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that Russia recently turned off as it ramped up energy pressure on Europe. The other two are on Nord Stream 2, which has never been used. The Danish and Swedish governments have said that they believe the leaks were "deliberate actions.''

According to seismologists, the leaks were preceded by explosions. A first explosion was recorded early Monday southeast of the Danish island of Bornholm. A second, stronger blast northeast of the island that night was equivalent to a magnitude-2.3 earthquake. Seismic stations in Denmark, Norway and Finland also registered the explosions.

Speaking Wednesday before the fourth leak was reported, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said it would have taken a large explosive device to cause the damage.

Norway was among the first countries on Wednesday to beef up the protection of its energy installations. Finnish Finance Minister Annika Saarikko said Thursday that security measures have been tightened around the Balticconnector line running in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia.

"Very exceptional and serious actions that point to sabotage give reason to intensify our preparations,'' Saarikko told reporters.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that the Nord Stream pipeline incident would have been impossible without a state actor's involvement.

"It looks like a terror attack, probably conducted on a state level,'' Peskov said in a conference call with reporters.

He dismissed media reports about Russian warships spotted in the area as "stupid and biased,'' adding that "many more aircraft and vessels belonging to NATO countries have been spotted in the area.''

The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at Russia's request to discuss the suspected pipeline sabotage.

Torben rting Jorgensen, a former admiral with the Danish navy, told The Associated Press that it was "not so demanding" to carry out an operation either by using a remotely operated underwater vehicle or sending divers from a submarine or a surface vessel.

"Those who carried out the operation knew they wouldn't get caught,'' rting Jorgensen said. "Who would have thought of an operation against pipelines in the Baltic Sea?''

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The four leaks affecting the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea were caused by underwater explosions corresponding to hundreds of kilogrammes of explosives, a Danish-Swedish report said Friday.

"The magnitude of the explosions was measured at 2.3 and 2.1 on the Richter Scale, respectively, probably corresponding to an explosive load of several hundred kilos," the two countries said in a joint report to the UN Security Council.

Following a request from Russia, the Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting on the leaks later on Friday.

"All available information indicates that those explosions are the result of a deliberate act," the countries said.

The source of the explosions has remained a mystery, however, with both Washington and Moscow denying responsibility.

The Scandinavian countries also said that "the possible impact on maritime life in the Baltic Sea is of concern, and the climate effect would likely be very substantial".

All the leaks, which were discovered on Monday, are in the Baltic Sea off the Danish island of Bornholm.

Two of the leaks are located in the Swedish exclusive economic zone, and the two others in the Danish one.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which connect Russia to Germany, have been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation against Western sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

While the pipelines are not currently in operation, they both still contained gas.

On Thursday, the pipeline's operator said it had so far been unable to assess the damage but said it would do so "as soon as it receives necessary official permits".

It said access could be allowed "only after the pressure in the gas pipeline has stabilised and the gas leakage has stopped".

Danish authorities have said the leaks will continue until the gas in the pipelines is exhausted, which is expected to occur on Sunday.

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The attack came before police fired tear gas and stun grenades to push back several hundred supporters of firebrand Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr who were seeking to reach the fortified area, an AFP correspondent said.

Iraq's deeply divided political factions have failed to form a new government since inconclusive elections in October 2021, and the parliament has been at the centre of the political paralysis.

Rockets hit different parts of the Green Zone, home to Western embassies and government offices, as well as to the legislature, which has been the site protest camps this year.

"One rocket fell in front of the Iraqi parliament," the government said in a statement, adding that casualties had risen to seven, after providing an initial toll of four wounded.

No group immediately claimed the rocket barrage, which the Sadrists condemned in a statement.

In the evening, authorities said that around 100 security force personnel and 11 civilians were wounded in clashes in Baghdad between police and Sadr supporters.

The turmoil also came as Iraq was reeling from Iranian missile and drone attacks on its autonomous northern Kurdistan region that killed nine people.

'Against The Corrupt'

The Baghdad rocket attack took place as parliament was meeting for the first time since deadly unrest in the Green Zone late last month.

Of 235 lawmakers present at the session, 222 voted against the resignation of influential parliamentary speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi, his office said in a statement. Analysts had said it would be a vote of confidence in the Sunni politician.

Halbussi told lawmakers that Iraq's protracted crisis required "a comprehensive political solution".

Iraq's political standoff is dominated by an intra-Shia schism.

The impasse has left the country without a new government, prime minister or president since the elections almost a year ago.

It pits the cleric Sadr against his rivals the Iran-backed Coordination Framework, which includes lawmakers from the party of his longtime foe, ex-prime minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Sadr's bloc emerged from elections last October as the biggest in the legislature, with 73 seats, but far short of a majority.

In June, Sadr's lawmakers quit in a bid to break the deadlock, which led to the Coordination Framework becoming the largest bloc.

Earlier Wednesday, Sadr supporters brandishing pictures of their leader and draped in the colours of the Iraqi flag had gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to oppose the parliamentary session.

"We are against the corrupt. We want to change all the politicians," protester Rassoul Shandi, 32, said.

Sadr wants snap elections and the dissolution of parliament but the Coordination Framework wants a new head of government appointed before any new polls are held.

'No Value'

In July, Sadr supporters stormed the assembly and staged a month-long sit-in on its grounds.

Tensions boiled over into clashes on August 29 between the Sadrists, rival Iran-backed factions and the army in which more than 30 Sadr supporters were killed, after their leader said he was quitting politics.

The violence came after Sadr's supporters rejected the Coordination Framework's nomination for prime minister in late July.

"We have provided martyrs, and they (the Framework) want to form a government, we have no value in their eyes," protester Shandi said.

Iraq has been ravaged by decades of conflict and endemic corruption, and many of its people are in poverty, despite its oil wealth.

"The current security situation reflects the political situation," Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi said in a statement, repeating a "call for dialogue" between political forces.

Protests are also expected this Saturday to mark the anniversary of the start of a massive youth-led anti-government protest movement that erupted in 2019.
Tor Wennesland told the council that no progress was made by Israelis and Palestinians on other demands in the resolution, preventing all violence against civilians, refraining from acts of provocation, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric, distinguishing between Israeli territory and territories occupied since the 1967 war, and exerting "collective efforts to launch credible negotiations.''

He did cite several positive steps during the three-month period ending Sept. 20, two contacts between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and high-level Israeli officials in July, Israel's issuance of some 16,000 permits for workers and businesses for Palestinians in Gaza, and a 1.5% increase in imports and 54% increase in exports through the main Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel to Gaza compared to the monthly average for the first two quarters of 2022.

But Wennesland said "We continue to see little progress'' in implementing the resolution since its adoption in December 2016.

The resolution was approved by the Security Council when the United States, in the final weeks of the Obama administration, abstained rather than using its veto to support longtime ally Israel as it had done many times previously.

The Trump administration strongly opposed the resolution.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council Wednesday that from day one the Biden administration has supported a two-state solution, a position President Joe Biden reiterated to world leaders at last week's high-level meeting at the General Assembly.

She said many leaders made similar calls, praising Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's "courageous and impassioned speech that articulated his vision of `two states for two peoples.''

"The significance of his appeal for peace between Israelis and Palestinians should not be underestimated,'' Thomas-Greenfield said.

And I also want to acknowledge president Abbas' stated commitment to non-violence and reaffirmation of his support for a two-state solution.''

She said now it's time "to turn these words into action'' and make real progress, stressing that " there are no short-cuts to statehood.''

Speaking to reporters afterward, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, called for the Security Council to start implementing its resolutions.

It should now propose "practical steps'' to open the doors "for a meaningful political process'' to begin implementing the "global consensus'' for a two-state solution, he said.

Wennesland warned that "the absence of a meaningful peace process to end the Israeli occupation and resolve the conflict is fueling a dangerous deterioration" across the Palestinian territories, particularly the West Bank, "and driving the perception that the conflict is unresolvable.''

"Israelis and Palestinians must determine how they envision the future,'' he said. "Negotiations can no longer be pushed indefinitely.''

"The current course is leading us towards a perpetual state of violence and conflict,'' The Mideast envoy warned, and "meaningful initiatives'' are needed quickly to turn this trajectory around.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned they will press on with attacks on rear bases in neighbouring Iraq until Kurdish rebels they accuse of spreading unrest nationwide have been disarmed.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a barrage of missile and drone strikes on Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region on Wednesday, killing 14 people, including a US citizen.

In a statement late Thursday, the Guards said they were using "all kinds of missiles, kamikaze and combat drones" in the operations against bases and headquarters of what they called "terrorists".

"These operations will continue until the terrorist groups are disarmed and we ask the central government and the government of the northern region of Iraq to show more seriousness in their responsibilities towards Iran as a neighbour," the statement added.

The Guards have accused Iraq-based Kurdish groups of "attacking and infiltrating Iran... to sow insecurity and riots, and spread unrest".

Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani "strongly condemned" Western statements criticising the cross-border strikes.

"Unfortunately, the countries that issued the statements, while violating their international responsibility to fight terrorism, continue their regrettable habit of selective and discriminatory behaviour," Kanani said.

He warned that Iran "reserves the right to defend its national security against acts of aggression from any territory and decisively confront any terrorist actions".

On Wednesday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States "strongly condemns" Iran's "brazen attacks" across the border.

Germany too condemned the "escalation" and rejected "attempts to locate the causes of the Iranian protests in the neighbouring country".

A wave of unrest has rocked Iran since Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old from Iran's Kurdistan province, died on September 16 three days after her arrest by the morality police in Tehran for allegedly not observing the mandatory dress code for women.

The street violence has led to the deaths of dozens of people -- mostly protesters but also members of the security forces -- and hundreds of arrests.

The protests have been particularly well observed in Kurdish communities in western Iran that share strong connections with Kurdish-inhabited areas of Iraq.

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The United Nations Secretary-General strongly condemned Russia's plan to formally annex four areas of Ukraine in a ceremony on Friday, saying it is illegal and "must not be accepted."

"The UN Charter is clear," Antonio Guterres told reporters Thursday. "Any annexation of a state's territory by another state resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the principles of the U.N. Charter and international law."

He said any decision to proceed with the annexation of the four Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south, would have "no legal value and deserves to be condemned."

The Kremlin announced earlier in the day that it will hold a ceremony on Friday to officially incorporate the four areas of Ukraine into Russia. The move has been dismissed as illegitimate by Ukraine and its allies, who are readying new sanctions against Moscow in response.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the ceremony will include Russian President Vladimir Putin along with the Russian-appointed heads of the four regions, where Russia orchestrated referendums that ended earlier this week.

"I want to underscore that the so-called 'referenda' in the occupied regions were conducted during active armed conflict, in areas under Russian occupation, and outside Ukraine's legal and constitutional framework," the UN chief said. "They cannot be called a genuine expression of the popular will."

He warned that if Russia goes ahead with its planned annexation, it will be a "dangerous escalation" and will further jeopardize the prospect for peace. "It is high time to step back from the brink," Guterres said.

Guterres' spokesman said the UN chief had conveyed this message to the Russians when he spoke with their UN ambassador on Wednesday.
The Finnish government announced it is closing its borders to Russians with European tourist visas effective at midnight Thursday night, after thousands of people streamed over their shared border with Russia in recent days.

At a news conference in Helsinki Thursday, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told reporters the government is taking the action because the current situation "endangers Finland's international relations." He said Finland had discussed the plan with Ukraine and other nations before making a decision.

Since last week's announcement Russian President Vladimir Putin was seeking to "mobilize" 300,000 reservists for his war in Ukraine, nations sharing borders with Russia have seen thousands of Russian citizens entering their countries. Reuters news service reports Finland saw an 80 percent increase in border crossings.
"Squid Game" star Jung Ho-yeon has been named in TIME Magazine's "TIME 100 Next" list for this year.

She was the only Korean actor to make the list released on Wednesday, which "recognizes 100 rising stars from across industries and around the world," in the categories of artists, phenoms, innovators, leaders and advocates.

Jung was included as a phenom and described as a "warrior" by "Squid Game" director Hwang Dong-hyuk.

For her role in Netflix's hit Korean series, which marked her acting debut, she won Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice Super awards. She was also nominated for an Emmy for best supporting actress.

Earlier, her management agency confirmed that Jung will appear in Apple TV+'s new thriller series "Disclaimer" directed by Academy Award-winning director Alfonso Cuaron, who won Oscars for his films "Gravity" and "Roma."

Jung has also been cast in Joe Talbot's new film "The Governesses" alongside Hollywood star Lily Rose Depp and Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve, and appeared in the music video for The Weeknd's new single "Out of Time."
The latest missile launch was a further show of force as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris paid a flying visit to South Korea and the two allies conducted massive maritime drills.

It was the North's third missile provocation in five days. It fired one short-range ballistic missile from North Pyongan Province on Sunday, and two more from the Sunan area of Pyongyang on Wednesday.

Pundits say it is rare for the North to fire missiles while South Korea and the U.S. are holding joint military exercises, especially when a U.S. aircraft carrier is stationed in the South. But the launches occurred when Harris had already left South Korea and was on her way back to Washington.
Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province is filled with signs informing visitors that it is the ginseng-cultivation hub of Korea. The Punggi area in particular has been growing the medicinal root for hundreds of years. Ginseng should be grown in optimum climactic and soil conditions, which is why Punggi's ginseng is valued more highly than roots grown elsewhere. This includes a latitude between 36 to 38 degrees, which gives Punggi 50 to 60 more days of the year than other areas to grow ginseng and makes it superior to its rivals' in terms of texture and scent.

Farmers harvest ginseng on a farm in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province on Sept. 20.

Ginseng is sold in different forms there -- fresh right after harvesting, white ginseng following four years of drying, and red ginseng after repeated steaming and drying. Red ginseng contains higher amounts of saponin, which decreases blood lipids, lowers cancer risks, and reduces blood sugar. There are around 1,000 merchants selling ginseng in Yeongju, including a cooperative of farmers. Kim Woo-gyo, a spokesman for the city, said, "Ginseng is harvested here from late October, about a month later than other areas, which makes it more fully ripe." Kim added that ginseng can help fortify the immune system, which is vital in fighting COVID-19.

Women look at ginseng in a market in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province in this undated photo.

A ginseng expo is being held in Yeongju from Friday until Oct. 23. The city spent the last five years to make this year's event the starting point for the global expansion of Korean indigenous ginseng. The expo offers various events including classes that teach visitors how to treat ginseng and make liquor, desserts, soap and cosmetics using the root. Yeongju Mayor Park Nam-seo said, "This expo will be the first step to promote the city as the biggest cultivation hub for ginseng in Korea."
KYODO NEWS - Sep 30, 2022 - 20:06 | All, Japan

A Japanese court on Friday upheld the denial of a long-term residency visa to an American man who married his same-sex Japanese partner in the United States.

The Tokyo District Court also rejected damages of 11 million yen ($76,000) sought by the U.S. national, Andrew High, and his Japanese partner, Kohei, who claimed the denial of the visa impinged on their freedom to live as a family. The Japanese man has requested his family name be withheld.

The two married in 2015, and High has applied unsuccessfully for a Japanese long-term visa five times since 2018. He currently resides in Japan on a temporary visa.

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan said long-term resident status based on marriage to a Japanese national is not available to same-sex couples.

The court instead said that High should be granted a "designated activities" visa.

Since 2013, two foreigners in a same-sex marriage can effectively live in Japan if one partner is granted long-term residency, which allows the other to acquire a "designated activities" visa, according to the immigration agency.

However, presiding judge Yoshitaka Ichihara said there was a problem with the practice of handling foreigners' visa status based on whether or not their same-sex spouse was Japanese, saying there was no "rational basis" behind it, and that it "goes against the intent of the Constitution, which stipulates equality under the law."

The couple has been seeking resident status for High based on their long-term relationship, which began nearly 18 years ago, according to lawyers representing the couple.

In 2019, a Taiwanese man became the first foreign same-sex partner of a Japanese citizen to be granted special resident status by the Justice Ministry, following the revocation of a deportation order for overstaying his visa.

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 30, 2022 - 23:51 | All, World, Japan

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday that Japan will never recognize Russia's annexation of parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, emphasizing it is an act that violates international law.

Kishida also told reporters after his telephone conversation with Zelenskyy that Japan will consider further sanctions on Russia and continue supporting Ukraine in efforts to end the war, launched by Moscow in February, as soon as possible.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday declared the annexation of four occupied Ukrainian regions, in an escalation of his country's now seven-month-long war against its neighbor.

Voting in what Western officials say are sham referendums to be used as a pretext for Russian annexation took place in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in the south as well as Donetsk and Luhansk in the east.

Ukraine has condemned the votes, while leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations issued a statement vowing they will also "never recognize" the referendums or an annexation.

Earlier Friday in Tokyo, Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi lambasted Russia, saying that Moscow's move "infringes on Ukraine's sovereignty."

Japan will "never overlook unilateral action that changes the status quo by force" and will work closely with the G-7 and the international community to support Ukraine, Hayashi told reporters.

Kishida and Zelenskyy talked over the phone for around 30 minutes in a call that was held at the request of Ukraine, a Japanese government official said.

The G-7 major developed nations have been ramping up pressure on Moscow, tightening economic sanctions against it and pledging to reduce their reliance on Russian energy resources. Russia launched cross-border military operations on Feb. 24.

Speaking to Japanese lawmakers by video link in March, Zelenskyy asked Japan to ban trade with Russia to stop what he called the "tsunami" of its invasion into Ukraine, as he stressed the need to ramp up sanctions to punish Moscow.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed up energy and food prices across the globe, which has created a drag on the economy of resource-poor Japan. Japan depends on imports for more than 90 percent of its energy needs.

As the yen's rapid depreciation has also driven up import costs while wages in Japan have remained stagnant, the Kishida administration has been urged to implement measures to ease the impacts of price hikes.

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, relations between Tokyo and Moscow have deteriorated sharply.

In early September, Russia scrapped an agreement with Japan to allow visa-free visits by Japanese former residents of disputed islands off Hokkaido. Russia has criticized Japan for participating in Western sanctions against Moscow in response to the war in Ukraine.

The dispute over the islands -- Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group -- has prevented the two nations from signing a post-World War II peace treaty.

The row stems from the seizure of the territory by the Soviet Union, Russia's predecessor state, in the weeks following Japan's surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.

The G-7 is made up of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

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By Maya Kaneko, KYODO NEWS - Sep 30, 2022 - 10:28 | World, All, Japan

At a time when bilateral relations between China and Japan remain fraught, personal relationships established by Chinese alumni of a Japanese government-backed exchange program have helped create ties that would not otherwise exist.

As the two nations celebrated the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, former participants of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program from China, who once worked as coordinators for international relations at municipalities in Japan, fondly recalled their "life-changing" experiences.

Although the program is not widely known in China, JET has a 30-year history in the country.

Chinese who have taken part were employed primarily as local government coordinators rather than assistant language teachers, who account for some 90 percent of total participants in the program. This reflects the fact that Chinese is not a subject covered by compulsory education in Japan, while English, an official language of nations where most of the program's participants come from, is.

So far, about 1,500 Chinese JETs have worked in Japan, accounting for only 2 percent of the participants who have hailed from around 75 countries, according to data from the program organizer, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations.

About 90 percent of Chinese JETs are recruited through recommendations from their workplace -- usually, Chinese local governments -- and the rest are selected through open recruitment. According to the CLAIR Beijing office, many are sent to Japanese municipalities that are sister cities of their hometowns.

To work as a coordinator, Chinese JET applicants must have a Japanese proficiency equivalent of "N1," the highest level under the five-category Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. Hence, many major in the Japanese language at university.

Dispatches of Chinese JETs have been greatly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demand from municipalities for Chinese coordinators was strong before the global health crisis, as regions competed to attract Chinese tourists and promote their products for export, CLAIR officials said.

Li Di, who now works at trading house Mitsui & Co.'s Beijing office, said she developed a teamwork ethic at Kirishima city hall in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, where she worked as a coordinator between 2017 and 2019 alongside JETs from South Korea and the United States, as well as local government officials.

"I learned how to work toward a common goal with people from different backgrounds and developed skills to plan exchange events. That experience helps me in my current job" in corporate planning and administration, said Li, now in her late 20s.

As a JET coordinator, the Xian native provided Chinese translation for the city's website and pamphlets, welcomed guests from China, communicated with Chinese-speaking residents and tourists, and introduced Chinese culture at workshops for locals, including children.

"Unlike (people in) big cities, residents in Japan's countryside have few chances for international exchanges," Li said. "I felt it rewarding to interact with children who were really curious and enjoyed" the workshops, in which she introduced Chinese greetings, cooking, songs, crafts and traditional games.

Although she sometimes noticed "discriminatory" attitudes, such as Japanese who might deem Chinese "rude," and felt "misunderstood" at times, Li said there were no serious difficulties as most of her colleagues were keen to promote and enhance the Japan-China relationship.

"It cannot be helped because in Japan, people almost every day hear negative news" about China, Li said.

She added the JET program is extremely important because it can help create more foreign fans of Japan though alumni relaying their experiences and perceptions of "real" Japanese people when they return home.

She says such benefits can only be gained from long-term stays, not short trips.

Another former Chinese JET, who did not wish to be identified by name, said when she worked as a coordinator at the Iwate prefectural government in northeastern Japan between 2012 and 2014, governmental exchanges were temporarily suspended due to strained bilateral ties over a territorial row, which sparked anti-Japan protests across China.

But it did not stop her from encouraging Chinese tourists to visit.

"At that time, 'Nambu' ironware (of Iwate Prefecture) was hugely popular in mainland China as well as Taiwan and I promoted the craftwork to visitors" from the island and southern China's Guangzhou city, she recalled.

The former JET said despite worsening Japan-China ties, she never heard a disparaging word from Japanese colleagues and enjoyed her stint with two other JET coordinators from other countries.

Zhao Hanhong, 44, said she is "grateful" for her 2003-2005 JET experience as a coordinator in Yonago city in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, because the joy of teaching Chinese to locals led to her current profession as a Japanese language teacher back home. She has started a business supporting those who wish to study in Japan.

"I was the second JET coordinator from China in Yonago and many residents were interested" in exchange events such as cooking "gyoza" dumplings, Zhao said. Some elderly people who were born in China before and during World War II also participated, she added.

Although sent to Yonago on a recommendation by the foreign affairs office of Shanxi Province, Zhao decided not to return following the end of her term, instead enrolling at Hiroshima University graduate school to become a Japanese language teacher.

She is also thankful to the program on a more personal level as it introduced her to her husband, who worked as a JET coordinator at the Mie prefectural government.

The two met at his send-off party and since had a daughter, now 5, to whom Zhao has begun teaching simple Japanese. "I want her to become a JET when she grows up so we can be a JET family," she joked.

In July, a Sennan city assemblywoman in Osaka Prefecture sparked controversy by questioning the municipal government policy of hiring a Chinese JET coordinator, citing national security concerns.

Her comments drew criticism from Sennan Mayor Yuma Yamamoto and human rights groups as discriminatory, and the city assembly later adopted a resolution seeking an apology. At present, one Chinese JET coordinator works at the city hall.

Zhao said her old Japanese friend always says friendship transcends nations. "I believe actual contact and exchanges with Chinese people could clear up misunderstandings" of some Japanese who have never communicated with Chinese, she said.

Shigehiro Chikamatsu, head of the CLAIR Beijing office, said he believes Chinese JETs and alumni can "act as bridges" that will help develop the program in the future.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 30, 2022 - 13:11 | All, Japan

A pro-Russia hacker group that commenced cyberattacks on Japan in early September has stopped the operation due to financial difficulties, the group said Friday.

Killnet claimed responsibility for attacking the websites of Japanese ministries, Tokyo Metro Co., Osaka Metro Co. and other Japanese companies, making them temporarily inaccessible.

"We cannot attack unless we find new sponsors. Japanese people do not have to worry anymore," a Killnet spokesperson said.

The Japanese entities experienced distributed denial-of-service attacks, in which networks are overwhelmed by hackers sending floods of data from multiple sources over a short period.

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Killnet, which has previously asserted that it is not affiliated with the Russian government and that its operations are funded by donations, said the group's multiple bank accounts in Russia have been frozen since late September.

It wrote on messaging app Telegram on Tuesday that the group is inoperable as it lacks "budget and servers."

Killnet told Kyodo News that it comprises ordinary people, such as taxi drivers, students and civil servants. It described them as "hacktivists," or hackers with the goal of making a political statement, who united after seeing the difficult situation Russia faces.

The group also claimed that it has attacked Lithuanian and Moldovan government entities, as well as Lockheed Martin Corp., whose weapons have helped Ukraine fight in its war against Russia.

U.S. cybersecurity company Mandiant has said that Killnet and a state-backed cyberattacking group are believed to have coordinated some of their activities.
By Miya Tanaka, KYODO NEWS - Sep 30, 2022 - 20:11 | All, World

The United States and Pacific island nations agreed to strengthen their partnership at a summit meeting that ended Thursday, with Washington committing to $810 million in support for the region as it seeks to push back against China's growing clout.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden also unveiled its first-ever national strategy dedicated to the Pacific islands that warned China's "pressure and economic coercion" has the potential to undermine peace and security in the region.

"Today, security in the Pacific and for the Pacific islanders remains as critical as ever to us...and the world depends on your security," Biden said during the first-ever U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit in Washington, attended by leaders from countries including Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

China's recent outreach to the Pacific has alarmed the United States and its allies, particularly the signing of a security pact between Beijing and the Solomon Islands in April. The deal has sparked concern that it could lead to China establishing a military presence in the islands to Australia's northeast.

In the Pacific Partnership Strategy, the Biden administration indicated that "heightened geopolitical competition" had led the United States to elevate "broader and deeper engagement" with the region to a foreign policy priority.

"Increasingly, those impacts include pressure and economic coercion by the People's Republic of China, which risks undermining the peace, prosperity, and security of the region, and by extension, of the United States," the strategy said.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference Friday that Beijing "never engages in economic coercion" as it fully respects the sovereignty and will of island countries, and expressed its firm opposition to "slander and smear" by the United States.

She said China believes Pacific island countries "should not be pawns in the game of great powers" and warned the United States against "engaging in geopolitical games in the name of cooperation."

The declaration issued by Biden and representatives from around a dozen Pacific island states did not specifically mention China, but they vowed to work together "in genuine partnership" in the face of "a worsening climate crisis and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment."

They also expressed their resolve to maintain peace and security in the region and said they recognize the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight.

"We will oppose all efforts to undermine the territorial integrity and sovereignty of any country, large or small. We condemn all wars of aggression, including Russia's brutal war against Ukraine," they said in the declaration.

A list of U.S. financial commitments was also made available on Thursday, which included a previously announced request to the U.S. Congress for a 10-year, $600 million economic assistance agreement with the Pacific islands including support for fisheries development.

With the Pacific countries particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and other impacts of climate change, the Biden administration said it plans to provide a total of over $20 million to help forecast climate and extreme weather events in the region.

It also aims to offer $50 million in direct support to the Pacific islands to enable strong economic growth, and will establish a trade and investment dialogue with them by the end of this year to promote trade and address market access barriers.

The islands' security capabilities are a key area the United States hopes to bolster, with over $3 million in funds earmarked to enhance U.S. Coast Guard training and capacity-building in the region for maritime security.

The administration will also invest in infrastructure across the Pacific, including environmentally-friendly transportation.

China has been stepping up its economic engagement with the region such as through its Belt and Road infrastructure projects, although the program has often been criticized for a lack of transparency, poor environmental and labor standards, and saddling developing countries with debt.

The Biden administration is also seeking to increase its diplomatic presence in the region by beginning discussions on the establishment of embassies in Kiribati and Tonga, in addition to its plan, announced in February, to open an embassy in the Solomon Islands.

The United States previously had an embassy in the Solomon Islands' capital Honiara, but it was closed in 1993, according to the State Department.

The Solomon Islands, which switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019, has been signaling a tilt toward Chinese influence.

The latest plan would expand the number of Pacific island embassies from six to nine, according to the White House.

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New U.S. strategy to enhance Pacific ties amid China's rise in region

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 30, 2022 - 07:58 | All, World

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on companies based in China and elsewhere over their alleged involvement in sales of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.

The move came as Tehran continues to accelerate its nuclear activities in violation of a 2015 multilateral deal, under which Iran agreed with the United States and five other major powers to limit its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

The State Department targeted two entities based in China, including Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co., which operates a commercial crude oil storage facility for Iranian petroleum.

The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on eight entities based in Hong Kong, India, Iran and the United Arab Emirates for their alleged involvement in Iran's petrochemical trade.

The sanctions block the assets held by the designated entities in the United States and prohibit them from engaging in transactions with American citizens.

"The United States is committed to severely restricting Iran's illicit oil and petrochemical sales," Brian Nelson, undersecretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.

"So long as Iran refuses a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the United States will continue to enforce its sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products," he added, referring to the official name of the nuclear deal.

The United States exited the deal in 2018 under the administration of then President Donald Trump. The current administration of President Joe Biden has been struggling to revive the deal.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 30, 2022 - 22:01 | World, All

Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled Friday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha can stay on in his job, after suspending him from the post in August amid a dispute over the duration of his tenure.

With the current Constitution stipulating the premier can serve for a total of eight years, the opposition asked the court to rule on whether the former coup leader had already done so, including his time as interim prime minister of a junta government following the 2014 coup.

In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled his term as prime minister began on April 6, 2017, when the current Constitution was promulgated. That means Prayut, who was re-elected prime minister in June 2019 following a general election held under the new charter, will be able to serve until April 2025.

Prayut posted a message on his Facebook page saying he respects the court ruling and thanked people for their support. The prime minister also vowed to spend the remainder of his tenure carrying out government projects on behalf of the Thai people.

Since the court on Aug. 24 suspended Prayut from performing his duties as premier, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has been serving as acting leader.

The main opposition Pheu Thai Party said it accepts the ruling but warned the decision could cause a deeper rift among Thais. Another opposition party, The Move Forward Party, expressed disappointment, saying the ruling showed the court is helping prolong coup plotters' rule.

The Constitutional Court was widely expected to rule in favor of the prime minister as it had previously sided with the government on key cases, including ordering the popular pro-democracy Future Forward Party to be dissolved after the opposition party had a surprisingly good result in the 2019 election.

Anti-government activists led by a student group gathered in downtown Bangkok on Friday to protest the ruling. The group and its allies are calling on people to dress in black for a week to express their opposition to the decision while pledging further action to fight what they describe as a "dictatorship."

As army chief, Prayut led the coup that toppled the civilian government in May 2014.

Related coverage:

Thailand to downgrade COVID-19 as disease from Oct. 1

FOCUS: Thai PM Prayut faces censure but eyes keeping power in 2023 election

FEATURE: Thailand betting on dramatic "boys' love" tourism boom
KYODO NEWS - Oct 1, 2022 - 21:19 | All, World

North Korea on Saturday conducted a fourth round of ballistic missile tests in one week, the country's most ever, launching two of them toward the sea off its east coast, the Japanese government said, in an apparent protest against joint naval drills held this week involving the United States and South Korea.

North Korea had already fired ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on three occasions since last Sunday, in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, driving a record-breaking pace of such testing this year.

The two short-range ballistic missiles were fired from the Sunan area of Pyongyang between 6:45 a.m. and 7:03 a.m., according to the South Korean military. The fourth test came a day after Japan joined the United States and South Korea for anti-submarine drills.

The missiles traveled about 350 to 400 kilometers with a maximum altitude of 50 km before apparently falling into waters off the country's east coast and outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, Toshiro Ino, Japanese senior vice defense minister, told reporters.

They may have flown on irregular trajectories, Ino said without elaborating. Japan lodged a protest with North Korea via the Japanese Embassy in Beijing.

"It threatens the peace and security of Japan, this region and the international community, and is absolutely unacceptable," Ino said.

In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol said in a speech delivered at a military ceremony that "North Korea has not abandoned its obsession with nuclear weapons and missiles," adding Seoul will strengthen its alliance with the United States to counter Pyongyang's provocations.

The United States and South Korea held joint military exercises in the Sea of Japan between Monday and Thursday for the first time in about five years.

The South Korean military said the missiles had a maximum altitude of about 30 km, flying 350 km with a maximum speed of Mach 6. The latest round launched by North Korea brought the total number this year, including cruise missiles, to 22.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said it had assessed that the latest missile launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. territory or its allies but highlighted the "destabilizing impact" of North Korea's "unlawful" weapons programs.

The U.S. commitments to the defense of Japan and South Korea remain "ironclad," the command added.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to the Demilitarized Zone on the border of the two Koreas on Thursday, showing Washington's commitment to the defense of South Korea.

Related coverage:

N. Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles into Sea of Japan

North Korea fires 2 short-range ballistic missiles
*The Eighth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, which took place from Monday to Wednesday in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius (551 B.C.-479 B.C.), east China's Shandong Province, provided a platform for a dialogue among different civilizations.

*Themed "Diversity of human civilizations and common values of mankind," the forum saw over 600 participants join online and offline to share views on the thoughts of the ancient Chinese sage, thus shedding light upon possible solutions to the most pressing challenges of the times.

*Participants agreed that the diversity of civilizations is the source of human progress. Civilizations keep flourishing through exchanges and mutual learning. In a world where countries are increasingly interdependent and share weal and woe, respecting diversity is key to cooperation and obtaining win-win outcomes.

JINAN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- When the world is living through profound changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, accompanied by geopolitical tensions, there is a common call for a dialogue among different civilizations to seek a better future for humanity.

The Eighth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, which took place from Monday to Wednesday in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius (551 B.C.-479 B.C.), east China's Shandong Province, provided a platform for such a dialogue.

Themed "Diversity of human civilizations and common values of mankind," the forum saw over 600 participants join online and offline to share views on the thoughts of the ancient Chinese sage, thus shedding light upon possible solutions to the most pressing challenges of the times.

Aerial photo taken on Sept. 27, 2022 shows the site of 2022 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival and the Eighth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, in east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

As recorded in The Analects of Confucius, "Youzi said, 'Make harmony a top priority in the application of rites. That was a key feature of governance by sovereign rulers in the ancient past. Always act upon the rule of harmony, no matter whether the issue at hand is minor or major.'"

For thousands of years, the traditional ethos of harmony has played an active role in the continuity and inheritance of the Chinese civilization, rooting the proverb "harmony is the most precious" in the minds of Chinese people for countless generations.

During his remarks at the opening ceremony of the eighth Nishan Forum, Wu Weihua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said that the Confucian thoughts of harmony, including exchanges and dialogue, inclusiveness, and mutual learning, have provided enlightenment for exchanges and cooperation among different nationalities and civilizations.

Wu noted these thoughts also pointed to the fundamental ways to handle relations among countries, peoples, and civilizations.

Peace and development should come first, and humanity's shared values should be promoted to build a community with a shared future for all, he added.

Photo taken on Sept. 27, 2022 shows the opening ceremony of 2022 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival and the Eighth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, in east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Over the three-day event featuring various sub-forums, participants acknowledged the contribution of excellent traditional Chinese culture to world civilizations, saying it is of great significance in tackling global challenges.

They agreed that the diversity of civilizations is the source of human progress. Civilizations keep flourishing through exchanges and mutual learning. In a world where countries are increasingly interdependent and share weal and woe, respecting diversity is key to cooperation and obtaining win-win outcomes.

"Civilizations are equal. There should be no discrimination, hostility, or conflict between different civilizations," said Chen Lai, dean of the Academy of Chinese Learning at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Countries should promote common values, such as peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom, on the premise of respecting diversity, added Chen.

The role of youth in seeking the harmonious coexistence of civilizations was also emphasized.

A ceremony marking the 2,573rd birth anniversary of Confucius is held at Confucius Temple in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 28, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Zhao Kejin, deputy dean of the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, said that with the rapid development of information technology, the younger generation should shoulder their responsibilities to practice and carry forward the concept of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, and strive to be a strong force in civilization exchanges.

In the opinion of Roger T. Ames, humanities chair professor from the Department of Philosophy at Peking University, the pressing issues such as global warming, environmental degradation and income inequalities, are themselves organically interrelated.

Traversing all national, ethnic and religious boundaries, these issues can only be addressed effectively by a global village working collaboratively for the good of the world community as a whole, said Ames. 

(Video reporters: Feng Yuanyuan, Wu Feizuo; Video editors: Hong Liang, Li Qin)
VIENTIANE, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people in the southern provinces of Laos have been affected by flooding from Tropical Storm Noru.

The storm caused devastation in the southern provinces of Attapeu, Sekong and Champasak, with local authorities being ordered to evacuate people stranded, according to a report by Lao National Radio on Thursday.

In Sekong province, 28 villages experienced flooding after the Sekong River burst its banks. Two roads became impassable and landslides were reported on nine other roads, while electricity and water connections were cut off in several villages.

Rescue operations and emergency relief efforts have begun as authorities battle to assist those in need.

Lao Ministry of Labor and Social welfare has instructed local authorities to provide assistance to displaced families or those who lost their possessions in the floods.

Sanxay and Sanamxay districts in Attapeu province are among the worst affected areas and local authorities are trying to help people who are stranded by floodwaters.

In response, the Provincial Disaster Management Committee has ordered rescue teams to use boats, vehicles and personnel at their disposal to help affected villagers.

Local authorities are monitoring river levels and formulating plans to cope with the situation.

In Champasak province, 73 villages were reported to be affected, with power lines down in Champasak district and numerous houses and other properties inundated.

People living on the banks of the Mekong have been particularly affected by flooding and authorities have warned of the possibility of landslides in hilly areas.

Meanwhile, people are trying to rescue their livestock and move them to higher ground.

Local authorities were continuing to collect information about the extent of the damage.

Heavy rainfall in Laos in August triggered floods that damaged houses and infrastructure and inundated hundreds of hectares of farmland in many provinces and Lao capital Vientiane. 
A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, on Sept. 29, 2022. Kuwaitis headed to parliamentary polls on Thursday to elect 50 members of the National Assembly from among 305 candidates representing five constituencies in the country, state news agency KUNA reported. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua)

KUWAIT CITY, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Kuwaitis headed to parliamentary polls on Thursday to elect 50 members of the National Assembly from among 305 candidates representing five constituencies in the country, state news agency KUNA reported.

Nearly 800,000 citizens are eligible to vote in the Kuwaiti elections and 22 of the 305 candidates are women, said KUNA.

The Ministry of the Interior has selected 123 schools as polling stations, it added.

This is the first time that the voting system based on national identity is adopted in Kuwaiti elections, meaning each voter can only go to the polling station in their own constituency.

Kuwait officially dissolved the parliament on Aug. 2 in a royal decree saying the dissolution resulted from "lack of harmony and cooperation ... and behavior that threaten national unity."

With a mandate of four years, the unicameral Kuwaiti parliament was last dissolved in 2016 and established in December 2020. Over the years, tensions between Kuwait's cabinet and parliament have frequently resulted in cabinet reshuffles and dissolutions of the parliament. 

A man casts his vote at a polling station in Jahra Governorate, Kuwait, on Sept. 29, 2022. Kuwaitis headed to parliamentary polls on Thursday to elect 50 members of the National Assembly from among 305 candidates representing five constituencies in the country, state news agency KUNA reported. (Photo by Ghazy Qaffaf/Xinhua)
TEHRAN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri on Friday vowed to respond to any U.S. "hostile action" towards Iran's drones, Tasnim news agency reported.

Making the remarks about the U.S. claims concerning the destruction of Iranian drones, Bagheri said that "if the Americans take action against the Iranian drones, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to this hostile action, and we reserve the right to confront and take revenge."

The U.S. Central Command on Wednesday announced that it had shot down an Iranian drone heading towards Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan.

Bagheri also stressed that "if a hostile action against Iran, its national security and national interests takes place from the American bases in neighboring countries, we will definitely respond to those bases." 
Chinese engineers and technicians with CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd., together with their Argentine colleagues, inspect a train in Llavallol, some 33 km south of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 16, 2020. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)

By singing the lyrics of a well-known Chinese song, Sabino Vaca Narvaja, Argentine ambassador to China, expressed his respect for the CPC and appreciation of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visions on governance and global issues.

by Chen Yao, Alberto Lebron

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- "Without the Communist Party of China (CPC), there wouldn't be the New China," Sabino Vaca Narvaja, Argentine ambassador to China, spontaneously sang the lyrics of a well-known Chinese song during a recent interview with Xinhua.

The song, which was created in 1943 to extol the CPC's care-for-the-people attitude and policies, can be heard everywhere in China.

By singing the song, the ambassador expressed his respect for the CPC and appreciation of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visions on governance and global issues.

Given the challenges that the world is currently facing, building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Xi is of special significance, the ambassador said.

Only through cooperation will it be possible for countries to overcome difficulties, Vaca Narvaja said.

Born in Argentina's second largest city of Cordoba, Vaca Narvaja had been devoted to China studies before he became an ambassador in 2021. He founded a research program on China-Argentina cooperation at the National University of Lanus in the South American country, and edited several books on relations between China and Argentina as well as China and Latin America.

On the ambassador's table are several books on China, among which the Spanish and English versions of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" stood out.

The inclusion of the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind in the book is of enormous importance, Vaca Narvaja said. "It seems to me a really comprehensive concept because it has a spirit of seeking a harmonious scheme and of seeking a solution together."

Expounding his understanding of the concept, Vaca Narvaja mentioned three words: harmony, diversity and future.

The multilateralism included in this concept allows "all countries to be heard, including small, large, (and) medium countries," the ambassador said.

The concept also defends the value of respecting the world's diversity, and "the future of humanity has to do with this philosophy," he stressed.

In February, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez paid a visit to China. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly promoting the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The two sides signed cooperation documents in various fields, including infrastructure, science, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

Noting that many developing countries are facing structural problems, Vaca Narvaja said the initiatives that involve infrastructure projects to improve connectivity will help "reduce imbalances and asymmetries in development."

Staff members carry vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm in La Plata, Argentina, March 3, 2021. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)

During the interview, Vaca Narvaja mentioned several moving stories about cooperation between Argentina and China in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting China's support for Argentina at the most challenging moments of the pandemic in the country.

In July, the ambassador visited a remote village in China's central Sichuan province and later told the Argentine people about the development of China's villages through a documentary film.

The CPC has "the welfare of the people" as its goal, a motivation that President Xi has promoted around the world, he said, stressing that the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind reflects "the fundamental purpose of the Communist Party of China: to serve the people."

Therefore, in the eyes of Vaca Narvaja, Xi is a leader who cares for not only the people of China but the people from all over the world.

In February, the ambassador participated in the meeting between Xi and Argentine President Alberto Fernandez. At the end of the session, Vaca Narvaja said in Chinese: "Without the Communist Party of China, there wouldn't be the New China." Xi responded with a smile, saying: "Well said. Thank you for your support."

"It has really been the leadership of the Communist Party of China that has led the country to prosperity," the ambassador said. Enditem

(Xinhua reporters Huang Shunda, Liu Yuchen, Chen Yin, Li Jiaxu, Fan Haoyu, Xu Liang, Pang Jie in Beijing also contributed to the story.)
Photo taken on Sept. 19, 2022, shows the Shobak wind farm operated by China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI) in the Shobak area, south of Jordan. (Xinhua/Ji Ze)

Chinese companies, including the China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI), are playing a critical role in Jordan's aspirations of a greener future through environment-friendly power projects.



According to Jordan's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, renewable energy sources contributed around 29 percent of Jordan's total energy output as of the end of July 2022, and the country aims to increase the proportion to 50 percent in 2030.



AMMAN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- On the barren desert of southern Jordan, numerous towering wind turbines are working to generate the renewable energy that the country needs to spur its green transition.

One noticeable wind farm there is the Shobak wind farm, which was put into operation in 2021 by China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI), providing electricity to the country's network with an installed capacity of 45 megawatts.

CTGI, which acquired the wind farm in August 2021, held a strong belief in the importance of Jordan's new energy market, including wind and solar power projects, Jiang Songwei, project engineer of CTGI Jordan, told Xinhua in an interview at the Shobak wind farm.

Jiang Songwei, project engineer of CTGI Jordan(R) communicates with his colleague Nezar Alkhoshaman, the site engineer for the operation and maintenance of the Shobak wind power project at the Shobak wind farm in the Shobak area, south of Jordan, on Sept. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Ze)

Mahmoud Alhamaideh, site manager of the Shobak wind power project told Xinhua, that the Shobak project is not only providing green and clean energy to Jordan, but also helping mitigate CO2 emissions, save water consumption, and provide much-needed jobs for the local communities in the area.

"This project is supposed to save around 75,000 tons of CO2 and around one 30,000 cubic meters of water," he said, adding that the project has already created more than 100 jobs for the local community.

He indicated that the project could power around 30,000 Jordanian households in a year.

In addition to the wind farm in Shobak, the Chinese company also operates another wind farm and a solar power plant in Jordan, said Mohammad Abu Atieh, country manager of CTGI Jordan.

Mohammad Abu Atieh, country manager of CTGI Jordan poses for photos at the Shobak wind farm in the Shobak area, south of Jordan, on Sept. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Ji Ze)

The three projects, with a capacity of 156 megawatts, could provide Jordan with 440 million kWh of clean energy in one year, the manager said.

According to Jordan's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, renewable energy sources contributed around 29 percent of Jordan's total energy output as of the end of July 2022, and the country aims to increase the proportion to 50 percent in 2030.

Chinese companies including the CTGI are playing a critical role in Jordan's aspirations of a greener future through environment-friendly power projects, Abu Atieh said.

Photo taken on Sept. 19, 2022, shows the Shobak wind farm operated by China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI) in the Shobak area, south of Jordan. (Xinhua/Ji Ze)

For Jiang, Chinese investments have also brought various benefits to the local market.

"We brought China's advanced management experience to the project here and also absorbed the ideas of local management," he added.

Zhao Chongchong, the project representative of CTGI Jordan, said that Chinese enterprises not only helped to develop the renewable energy industry in Jordan but also engaged in empowering local youth by teaching them technical skills.

"We have signed internship contracts with local universities in Jordan, offering them technical training every year," Zhao said.

Nezar Alkhoshaman, the site engineer for the operation and maintenance of the Shobak wind power project, agreed with him.

"By solving the project's technical issues with my Chinese colleagues, my technical skills have been greatly improved," he said. 
WARSAW, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Of all the certificates of merit and honorary credentials he has won at different times as a publisher, Adam Marszalek treasures the most the Special Book Award of China and the honorable membership of the China Book International Advisory Board.

The president of Marszalek Publishing Group, one of the largest and most influential publishing houses in Poland, told Xinhua that it is a creed of his business to present the "colourful and modern" China to the world.

The Polish edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was translated and published in a collaborated effort by China's Foreign Languages Press and the groups' affiliated Adam Marszalek Publishing House. The 70-year-old remembers each highlight of the releasing ceremony in 2019.

"It took place at a prestigious venue -- the Royal Castle in Warsaw, with the participation of prominent figures in Poland's political, scientific, and cultural spheres, and the ambassador of PRC (People's Republic of China) to Poland," he recalled.

In his eyes, the book enjoys "huge" popularity. "The book is addressed practically to everyone but mostly it raises the interest of politicians, businessmen, and managers because it facilitates their understanding of China, its institutions, and ultimately, contact," he said.

"We don't have the book anymore. We sold the last copy," he added.

Marszalek said he reads all important books they publish. "For me, the most important is the message," he said. "The message includes the whole idea of China's openness to the world. We can see the change that have occurred."

Marszalek shared his observation on the great changes China has undergone in the past 10 years, saying that the Chinese economy and the "pragmatism of action against the COVID-19 pandemic" are two points having impressed him most.

Noting "a tremendous change" in the "capability to adjust to changing circumstances" of China's economy, he said that under President Xi's leadership, the internal market expands thanks to a growing middle-income group.

On the COVID-19 pandemic, Marszalek said the fruitful results of pandemic prevention and control in China is "absolutely impressive," adding that Europe and the United States can see the Chinese efficiency.

"There is a need for more Chinese books in Poland," he said, and "we want to increase the number of Chinese books published" here.

Regarding what drives the publisher's business on Chinese books, Marszalek told Xinhua: "Here comes our creed -- we want to present China in the eyes of Chinese authors, not only by the writings of Americans, Poles, Russians, Germans, or French."

He said that he knows many politicians -- Polish and foreign -- who see China as it was decades ago.

"When we publish works of the best experts in various fields -- best writers or ministers -- it reflects the Chinese way of thinking and goals, which is, to bring people together," he said.

In Marszalek's eyes, China today is "so colourful and modern." "I visited China 20 years ago and have observed how Beijing has changed up to today," he said.

For foreigners, he added, it must be "one shock at each time." 
by Xinhua writers Chen Xiao, Deng Nan

WUHAN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Cao Guiyuan has had a busy harvest season on her peach plantation in central China's Hubei Province.

The 34-year-old has done well to transform more than 200 hectares of barren land in Xinzhou district in the city of Wuhan into a vast and thriving peach plantation.

"With the higher temperatures and drier weather, the quality of the peach gum improves," Cao said, adding that the continuous fair weather this summer has resulted in plump globs of peach gum, which can be processed into food products.

Over the past few days, her processing workshop has been running non-stop. Cao calculated that the amount of gum processed since June has doubled that during the same period last year. Batches of gum have been sold across the country and exported to Singapore, Malaysia and other countries.

However, her plantation was once a piece of barren land that few were willing to cultivate due to irrigation difficulties.

Cao, who used to run a fruit store, spotted an opportunity. Noting that peach trees, being drought-tolerant, seemed to thrive in this otherwise difficult soil, she decided in 2012 to start her own peach orchard.

"It usually takes a peach tree three years to bear fruit, and requires much work and investment in the early stage," Cao said.

Cao gradually mastered the techniques of peach tree cultivation and saw good results on her land. Meanwhile, she started mulling new ways to boost the wealth of local farmers, many of whom followed her example and planted peach trees on their own land.

"In March, the peach blossoms came out, and we held a peach blossom festival to attract tourists," she said. "In May, the trees bore fruit, and we provided tourists with a fruit-picking experience. In June, the peach gum began exuding and could be processed and sold."

In time, Cao's company was able to build the facilities for sorting, processing and packing the peach products. Now, making use of its mature processing skills and high-quality products, it has expanded to process raw peach gum from all over the country.

These days, the plantation's annual peach gum output is about 600,000 kg, while the annual revenue from processing and selling peach gum is about 35 million yuan (4.9 million U.S. dollars). About 20,000 jobs have been provided to locals.

Farmers are employed by Cao in various processing jobs and a "poverty alleviation workshop" has been established.

He Jianjun, an official with the Sandian Subdistrict of Xinzhou District, said the base has promoted local employment. It provides opportunities for locals, especially the elderly and women left behind in the village, to work and earn money.

"I work at the base in my spare time. In 2021, I worked for almost eight months and earned more than 16,000 yuan, which is much higher than the income from farming," said Zhou Xi'ai, a 69-year-old villager.

"Dare to think, dare to act, decide on a good direction and stick to the end," said Cao. "I believe that with such qualities, we can make a difference on the rural land." 
Al-Anoud Al-Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah is pictured in Kuwait City, Kuwait, in July 2022. (Xinhua)

Against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and a sluggish global economy, China, the world's second largest economy and a key link in global supply chains, has always played an indispensable and important role, said a Kuwaiti Chinese culture researcher.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- China has always been playing a very important role in building a community with a shared future for mankind, which shows that it shoulders its responsibility as a major country, said a Kuwaiti Chinese culture researcher.

In a recent telephone interview with Xinhua, Al-Anoud Al-Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah said that against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and a sluggish global economy, China, the world's second largest economy and a key link in global supply chains, has always played an indispensable and important role.

Anoud has been closely following the China-proposed vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

In her eyes, only by "relying on and cooperating with each other" can countries jointly cope with the huge impact of COVID-19 on human society and the economic crisis, and jointly move towards a better future.

The researcher, who is affectionately called "Princess Anoud" by the Chinese people in Kuwait as she is a member of the royal Sabah family, was entranced by China in 2012 when she visited Beijing and Shanghai and was touched by the combination of tradition and modernity in the two cities.

After returning to Kuwait, Anoud began to learn Chinese. In 2020, she not only got the Certificate of the Chinese Proficiency Test, but also obtained a doctorate in Chinese studies from a Spanish university, becoming an academic researcher specializing in Kuwait-China relations.

The researcher is also fascinated by Chinese culture, especially Chinese calligraphy and ink wash painting. "Whenever I immerse myself in the creation (of ink wash painting), I can feel the unprecedented comfort and relaxation, and sense the broad and profound Chinese culture."

Anoud, who has been to China many times over the past 10 years, said she was impressed by China's rapid development every time she visited China.

"I hope that Kuwait can also benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative and become better and better," she said.

Anoud said that Kuwait and China have always prized bilateral political and economic cooperation. The two sides are not only cooperating on international and regional issues, but are also long-term and stable economic partners.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China has sent medical expert teams to Kuwait, providing important assistance to the country, she added.

Anoud, who has been committed to Kuwait-China friendly exchanges, said that cultural cooperation between the two countries has broad prospects.

"The Kuwait Chinese Culture Center is currently running online, actively promoting Chinese culture, which is welcomed by Kuwaitis. I hope that more cultural exchanges between Kuwait and China can be carried out in the future," she said. 




GENEVA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States, the United Kingdom and other Western countries to reflect on their colonial history and correct past mistakes.

Li Song, deputy head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, told a panel discussion at the ongoing 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council that colonialism is "the historical sin" of those Western countries, "the darkest moment in the history of the promotion and protection of global human rights and a scar that cannot be healed in the history of human civilization."

"Although mankind has entered the 21st century, the legacy of colonialism still exists widely with far-reaching impact," he said.

He called for full respect for the human rights development path chosen independently by former colonized countries, noting that in the current democratic state of international relations, no country should intimidate, oppress or preach to other countries.

"How can those former colonial countries claim themselves as 'human rights defenders?' We urge relevant countries to abandon the practice of interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, not to politicize and instrumentalize human rights issues, and not to force regime change in the name of human rights," he said.

The Chinese envoy also called for increased economic assistance to former colonized countries.

"Bearing in mind that the prosperity of former colonial countries was built on the sacrifices of former colonized countries, the economic assistance provided by former colonial countries is not a favor bestowed, but an obligation to be fulfilled," he said.

He urged developed countries to take more concrete measures in debt relief, development assistance, technology transfer to help the general realization of the right to development of former colonized countries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calling for eradicating the ideological roots of colonialism, Li also told the panel discussion that colonialism seems to have become a historical vocabulary, while it remains in today's world in various forms, including hegemonism, racism, and xenophobia.

"All parties should uphold the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, carry forward common values of all mankind, and promote the healthy development of the global human rights cause," he said.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
A worker operates machines at a China-funded waste treatment center in Narayani Hospital in Birgunj, Nepal, Sept. 29, 2022. Narayani Hospital in Nepal's southern city of Birgunj has its own health care waste treatment center now, bringing much relief to those inside and around the health facility. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Narayani Hospital in Nepal's southern city of Birgunj has its own health care waste treatment center now, bringing much relief to those inside and around the health facility.

The health care waste management center was inaugurated on Thursday at the hospital, with a ceremony held to mark the handover of essential healthcare equipment for the operation of the center.

The center is equipped with a set of autoclave machines, which use steam to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi and spores.

Under a project run by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with financial support from China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF), the hospital has also received medical equipment and parts like segregation chambers, medical trolleys, waste bins, needle cutters and personal protective equipment to ensure proper waste management.

In addition, 20 officials and 45 others from the hospital have been trained on standard operating procedures regarding health care waste management.

The waste treatment center was built in an area where all types of waste were piled up without segregation in the past, and it came as a huge relief to patients, hospital staff and those living around the hospital.

"I had been living with the stench of garbage for the last several years," said Krishnaa Barma, a senior nurse from Narayani Hospital. "This waste management facility has brought me and my other colleagues who live in the building near this facility a huge relief."

Sachin Shrestha, a grocery shop owner, had to burn incense to dilute the stench of hospital garbage.

"I did not believe that such a quick transformation took place here in the last two weeks or so when the waste management facility was set up," he said.

The stench was not the only trouble for locals, birds had also carried medical waste to their homes in the recent past.

"The birds even brought waste created during the delivery of a baby," recalled Anupa Gautam, a local resident.

For poor children who used to collect garbage, the medical waste rendered them vulnerable to various diseases including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B because of used needles left in the garbage, according to hospital officials.

Things are turning for the better after Narayani Hospital became one of the very few hospitals in the city to have its own waste treatment system.

In Birgunj, there are only two hospitals running their own waste treatment plant, said Rajeshman Singh, mayor of the border city.

"The metropolitan city has its own two small waste treatment plants and we use them to sterilize hazardous garbage collected from various hospitals," he added.

At Narayani Hospital, the largest in Madhesh Province with 300 beds, 170.26 kg of waste was generated per day, according to an assessment conducted in 2020.

"As much as 15 percent of the total garbage is hazardous, according to a recent assessment," said Sruti Sah, head of the hospital's nursing department.

Along with the operation of the waste treatment center, Narayani Hospital has started to collect and segregate all the non-disposable items such as plastic, gloves and metal.

"We plan to sell these items and make an income, which we can use to fund the sanitation staff," said Sah.

Besides Nepal, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are also covered by the project of Learning from China's Experience to Improve the Ability of Response to COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific Region, with technical support from the Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, China National Health Development Research Center under the National Health Commission, and Tsinghua University/Basel Convention Regional Center for Asia and the Pacific.

In addition to Narayani Hospital, six other hospitals in Nepal are covered under the project as well.

Addressing the inauguration and handover ceremony at Narayani Hospital, UNDP Nepal's Deputy Representative Bernardo Cocco voiced his hope that the new waste management system would allow the hospital to provide better health care services in Birgunj.

To mark the occasion, a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal congratulated the handover ceremony.

China always put the people first, for nothing in the world is more precious than people's lives, the representative said, expressing hope that the program can "keep on bringing safer health services to the communities and benefiting the local people."

"China is ready to provide the most needed medical expertise and critical supplies," the representative added. 

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Nepal's Deputy Representative Bernardo Cocco (1st R, front) inaugurates the China-funded waste treatment center in Narayani Hospital in Birgunj, Nepal, Sept. 29, 2022. Narayani Hospital in Nepal's southern city of Birgunj has its own health care waste treatment center now, bringing much relief to those inside and around the health facility.(Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

Workers operate machines at a China-funded waste treatment center in Narayani Hospital in Birgunj, Nepal, Sept. 29, 2022. Narayani Hospital in Nepal's southern city of Birgunj has its own health care waste treatment center now, bringing much relief to those inside and around the health facility. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)
Students wearing bulletproof vests hold a rally near the Capitol Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., the United States, June. 6, 2022. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

"Gen Z ranks gun violence as a bigger problem than climate change or abortion access," says the survey.

NEW YORK, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Thirty percent of U.S. teens and young adults have experienced gun violence personally and another quarter (24 percent) have a friend or family member who has, according to "Gen Z Gun and Culture Insights" released on Wednesday.

More than a quarter (28 percent) say either they themselves or a friend or family member have been shot at, and among Black and Latino young people, more than 60 percent have personal experience with gun violence or know someone who has, it said.

"Gen Z ranks gun violence as a bigger problem than climate change or abortion access," said the survey conducted by Global Strategy Group which polled 1,000 Americans, ages 13 through 25.

"Most young people believe the myth that having a gun makes them safer, and that myth is driving up rates of gun ownership, and by extension, gun deaths, across the country," said Nina Vinik, founder and executive director of Project Unloaded, an organization changing the cultural narrative about gun violence and safety.

"Still, there's reason to hope: when presented with the facts about the risks of using guns, young people in all demographic groups shifted their views against seeing guns as a means of protection. The research shows that it's possible to shift the culture around guns, and that will save lives," added Vinik. 
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cao Guangjing, former vice governor of central China's Hubei Province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China (CPC) and dismissed from public office over serious violations of Party discipline and laws, the country's top anti-graft body said Thursday.

The punishment was handed down following an investigation into Cao conducted by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission upon the approval of the CPC Central Committee. Cao was also a former member of the leading Party members group of the provincial government.

The investigation found that Cao lost his ideals and convictions, engaged in political speculation and superstitious activities, and resisted investigation by authorities. Disregarding the Party's eight-point frugality code, Cao accepted gifts and money, as well as banquets and tours that might compromise his impartiality in the performance of official duties.

Cao took advantage of his power for personal gain, traded power and money for sex, and intervened in judicial affairs in breach of relevant regulations, said the statement.

He was also found to have used his positions to seek benefit for others in business operations and project contracting, taking a huge amount of money and valuables in return.

In line with Party regulations and laws, a decision was made to expel Cao from the Party, remove him from public office, confiscate his illicit gains, and hand over his case to the procuratorate for criminal investigation and prosecution. 
BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory letter on Thursday to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on the launch of the Global Innovation Index 2022.

In his letter, Li said that sci-tech innovation is a powerful driving force for the development of human society. Attaching great importance to innovation, China has vigorously integrated into the global innovation network, protected intellectual property rights (IPRs), and strengthened global cooperation in sci-tech innovation on all fronts, he said.

China has made remarkable progress on increasing sci-tech strength and innovation ability, the premier said, adding that its innovation drive and business startups have boosted market vitality as well as social creativity, and have helped new growth drivers thrive.

Looking ahead, Li said that China would improve international exchanges and cooperation with a more open attitude, deepen its participation in global science and technology governance, and explore new areas for global cooperation regarding sci-tech innovation.

China is also willing to maintain friendly cooperation with the WIPO to jointly foster international IPR rules that are open, inclusive, balanced and effective, Li said. 
XIAMEN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The BRICS Cardiovascular Health Innovation Center was inaugurated in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, on Thursday, which marks the World Heart Day.

The center was established in the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, affiliated with Xiamen University.

According to Wang Yan, president of the hospital, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the world. It is important to strengthen cardiovascular exchanges and cooperation among BRICS countries to reduce cardiovascular mortality.

BRICS is the acronym for an emerging market bloc that encompasses Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Wang said the center would serve as a platform to carry out cooperation projects such as providing international medical services for cardiovascular health, developing talent training and promoting academic exchanges among these countries.

The center is expected to recruit eight to 10 visiting scholars from BRICS countries to receive cardiovascular training in Xiamen.

At the inauguration ceremony, the hospital signed a letter of intent with Apollo Hospitals Group, one of the largest medical groups in India, to carry out in-depth cooperation in medical technology, clinical research, talent training, academic exchange, and smart hospital. 
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Dialogue and consultation is the only way to resolve the Syrian chemical weapons issue, a Chinese representative said Thursday.

The latest monthly report by the director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) indicates that from Sept. 11 to 18, the OPCW Technical Secretariat conducted the ninth round of inspections of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, which China welcomes, said Sun Zhiqiang, counselor of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

"We have taken note that the Syrian government and the Technical Secretariat have begun consultations by correspondence on the declaration assessment," Sun told a UN Security Council briefing on chemical weapons issue in Syria.

China urges the OPCW Technical Secretariat to give full attention to the state parties' concerns on visa, and encourages both sides to continue the communication regarding the OPCW director-general's meeting with the Syrian foreign minister, Sun said.

The OPCW's investigation and attribution of the alleged use of chemical weapons should be strictly limited to the framework of the Chemical Weapons Convention, with compliant procedures, reliable evidence and credible conclusions, he said.

Sun expressed hope that the director-general and the Technical Secretariat will take practical measures to maintain the technical attributes of the OPCW. 
As a US tool for financial hegemony, "vulture funds" have over decades held Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Vietnam & many others hostage while nabbing astronomical amounts of money.
A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries to reflect on their colonial history and correct past mistakes. #GLOBALink





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SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Six people were injured in a mass shooting at an Oakland public school, in the western U.S. state of California, the San Francisco Bay Area city's police chief said Thursday.

The shooting occurred at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday local time at Rudsdale Newcomer High School. The victims were two students, a counselor, a security guard and two people working at the school.

The gunmen entered the school building to target specific people, and fired more than 30 rounds before fleeing in a vehicle. Police linked the shooting to conflicts between groups and gangs within the city.

One or more of the shooters likely used handguns with large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 bullets apiece, which are now banned in California, according to the police.

Surveillance video captured "two specific shooters and one driver," but "we had calls that there could have been up to four," police chief LeRonne Armstrong said during a video news conference on Thursday.

As of Thursday afternoon, three of the injured remained hospitalized, The San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Campus facilities will be closed indefinitely while the school district repairs damage, both from the burst of gunfire and from police breaking into rooms, district spokesperson John Sasaki said. 
SANAA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Houthi group demanded the Yemeni government pay for the salaries of the government employees living in Houthi-controlled areas, stressing the request is a premise for renewing the current truce.

According to a statement posted on the Houthi website on Thursday evening, Mahdi al-Mashat, chairman of Houthi's political council, put forward the request when meeting with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, who left Sanaa on Thursday afternoon without holding a press conference.

Grundberg arrived in the Houthi-controlled capital on Wednesday to discuss with the Houthi leaders the renewal of the ongoing truce between the Houthis and the internationally-recognized Yemeni government, which will expire on Oct. 2.

"Paying the salaries of all state employees and the pensions of retired people is a basic demand for the Yemeni people. If this demand is not achieved, we will not accept the truce renewal," al-Mashat was quoted in the statement as telling the UN envoy Grundberg.

Thousands of civil servants in the Houthi-controlled cities have not been paid for over seven years.

The Yemeni government has not commented yet on the Houthi new demand.

Grundberg's visit to Sanaa came three days after meeting with Rashad Al-Alimi, president of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, and top officials of his government in the Saudi capital Riyadh, where they welcomed the UN efforts to extend and expand the ongoing truce.

Grundberg on Tuesday warned that the war will return to Yemen if the truce renewal efforts collapsed.

The truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthi militia went into force for the first time on April 2. It was later renewed twice through Oct. 2.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern cities and forced the Saudi-backed Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa. 
BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's non-manufacturing sector came in at 50.6 in September, down from 52.6 in August, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Friday.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below it reflects contraction.

The construction sector maintained brisk expansion in September, with the sub-index for business activities in the sector reaching 60.2, 3.7 percentage points higher than the August level, according to the NBS.

The service sector was weaker this month as the epidemic and other factors weighed on market activities. The sub-index for business activities declined 3 percentage points from last month to 48.9.

Friday's data also showed that the PMI for China's manufacturing sector came in at 50.1 in September, up from 49.4 in August. 
HANOI, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam on Friday held an online event celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo and Vietnam's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan who is also a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, attended the event and delivered speeches.

China's National day falls on Oct. 1.

Extending festive greetings to all Chinese compatriots in Vietnam, Xiong said that under the guidance of the leaders of both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the CPV, the development of relations between the two parties and between China and Vietnam have enjoyed good momentum, with achievements made at all levels and in various areas.

The two developing countries have worked to jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core as well as true multilateralism and international equity and justice, and defend their common strategic interests, Xiong said.

Facing changes in the world, China is willing to work with Vietnam to build a community with a shared future that bears strategic significance, advance the development of the socialist causes of both countries, and bring China-Vietnam relations in the new era to new heights, said the Chinese ambassador.

Hoan sent festive greetings to Xiong and all Chinese people. Vietnam has attached great importance to consolidating and developing the relations with China, which are regarded as a top priority and strategic choice in Vietnam's foreign policy, Hoan said.

Vietnam is very happy to see the steady development of Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in recent years, with positive results achieved, especially in agricultural cooperation, said Hoan. 
Malaysia-China Digital Economy Forum 2022 was held Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.



Themed "bridging the Malaysia-China digital economy ecosystems," the one-day forum looks to promote technology development and cooperation to drive the future of the digital economy ecosystems between Malaysia and China.

Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said at the event that the Chinese government gives high priority to digital economy development and continues to deepen cooperation with its international partners.

The forum attracted hundreds of officials, experts and business leaders in the digital economy from both countries.

Renowned companies like Huawei, Tencent, Hikvision and Alibaba Cloud showcased the latest technologies, products, services and business models to highlight the advanced digital transformation tools from China.





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BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A power storage utility has been built in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian, Liaoning Province, with the capacity to meet one day's electricity demand of some 200,000 people.

The first phase of the Dalian Flow Battery Energy Storage Peak-shaving Power Station has been connected to the power grid and is expected to be put into operation in October, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on Thursday.

The utility has a storage capacity of 400,000 kWh, and it will be doubled to 800,000 kWh after an extension in the future, according to the CAS.

The project is based on the vanadium flow battery energy storage tech developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) under the CAS, which is safe, reliable, enduring, recyclable and eco-friendly.

The station works like a reservoir of power. At electricity troughs, the batteries will be charged by renewable energy sources, and at peak-load hours, the chemical energy in them can transform into electricity for use.

"Given the volatile and intermittent generation of clean energy including wind and solar power, this project can increase clean energy utilization and ensure grid stability," said Li Xianfeng, deputy director of the DICP. 
Al-Anoud Al-Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah is pictured in Kuwait City, Kuwait, in July 2022. (Xinhua)

Against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and a sluggish global economy, China, the world's second largest economy and a key link in global supply chains, has always played an indispensable and important role, said a Kuwaiti Chinese culture researcher.



KUWAIT CITY, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- China has always been playing a very important role in building a community with a shared future for mankind, which shows that it shoulders its responsibility as a major country, said a Kuwaiti Chinese culture researcher.

In a recent telephone interview with Xinhua, Al-Anoud Al-Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah said that against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and a sluggish global economy, China, the world's second largest economy and a key link in global supply chains, has always played an indispensable and important role.

Anoud has been closely following the China-proposed vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

In her eyes, only by "relying on and cooperating with each other" can countries jointly cope with the huge impact of COVID-19 on human society and the economic crisis, and jointly move towards a better future.

The researcher, who is affectionately called "Princess Anoud" by the Chinese people in Kuwait as she is a member of the royal Sabah family, was entranced by China in 2012 when she visited Beijing and Shanghai and was touched by the combination of tradition and modernity in the two cities.

After returning to Kuwait, Anoud began to learn Chinese. In 2020, she not only got the Certificate of the Chinese Proficiency Test, but also obtained a doctorate in Chinese studies from a Spanish university, becoming an academic researcher specializing in Kuwait-China relations.

The researcher is also fascinated by Chinese culture, especially Chinese calligraphy and ink wash painting. "Whenever I immerse myself in the creation (of ink wash painting), I can feel the unprecedented comfort and relaxation, and sense the broad and profound Chinese culture."

Anoud, who has been to China many times over the past 10 years, said she was impressed by China's rapid development every time she visited China.

"I hope that Kuwait can also benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative and become better and better," she said.

Anoud said that Kuwait and China have always prized bilateral political and economic cooperation. The two sides are not only cooperating on international and regional issues, but are also long-term and stable economic partners.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China has sent medical expert teams to Kuwait, providing important assistance to the country, she added.

Anoud, who has been committed to Kuwait-China friendly exchanges, said that cultural cooperation between the two countries has broad prospects.

"The Kuwait Chinese Culture Center is currently running online, actively promoting Chinese culture, which is welcomed by Kuwaitis. I hope that more cultural exchanges between Kuwait and China can be carried out in the future," she said. 
South Africa: Relatives caring for orphaned children called to apply for grant top-up

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has called all relatives who are caring for orphaned children to apply for Child Support Grant (CSG) Top-Up at their nearest South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) offices.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Social Development said the Top-Up is an additional amount of R240 that is added to the standard CSG amount of R480.

This means that a relative caring for an orphaned child; specifically a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt or cousin of the child, can now receive a higher valued Child Support Grant per month of R720, instead of the standard Child Support Grant (CSG) amount of R480.

It is important to note that the CSG Top-Up is not a new grant, but an additional amount to the basic Child Support Grant, the department said.

The department said that the same eligibility criteria that apply to the CSG will therefore also apply to the CSG Top-Up.

The only additional proof required is proof that the child is an orphan and to prove this, caregivers will need to submit death certificates of the childs parents.

If they only have one death certificate because they do not know the other parent or do not know whether the other parent has passed on or alive, they can complete an affidavit at SASSA Offices, which explains this matter, the department said.

Minister Zulu said that she desires that all caregivers of orphans know that the CSG Top-Up is available now at all SASSA offices and relatives do not need a social worker report or a court order to access it.

She explained that the department is now using the successful and easily accessible CSG programme to reach orphans so that relatives caring for orphans have speedy access to an adequate social grant to cover the childs basic needs.

Increasing the amount of the Child Support Grant for orphans is governments latest investment aimed at creating a better life for children living in poverty.

The CSG currently reaches over 13 million children living in poverty. It is governments most successful social protection programme in terms of coverage and positive impact for children.

The Department just completed a review of child poverty and the Child Support which has revealed that as the CSG was expanded to reach more children over the years of 2003 to 2013, the child food poverty decreased by 20 percentage points from 53% to 33% over the same period.

This recent review and numerous previous empirical studies have proven that increased government investments in childrens grants have resulted in improved outcomes for children in the areas of poverty, health, nutrition, and education, Minister Zulu said.

The minister added that many relatives caring for orphans are already receiving the CSG of R480.

She said that for many households this may not be enough to provide for the childs basic nutritional needs as it is below the food poverty line of R624/month.

The Department has therefore, introduced the Top-Up to increase the amount for orphans to R720.

This provision was introduced on 01 June 2022 and allows for relatives caring for orphans to have access to an adequate social grant without having to go through the Foster Care System.

This means caregivers do not need to see a social worker or get a court order to apply for the CSG Top-Up which will ensure that all orphans living in poverty receive an adequate social grant speedily.

A related caregiver who is caring for an orphaned child and is already receiving a R480 CSG for that child, can now go to their nearest SASSA office to apply for the Top-Up of R240 to be added to their monthly CSG.

In regards to a related caregiver who is caring for an orphaned child that is not yet receiving a CSG for the child in their care, the department said they can apply for the Child Support Grant and the Top-Up at the same time.

It is anticipated that the application process, verification and payment would be processed within a month to ensure that relatives caring for orphans receive their social grants speedily, the department said.

The public is urged to note that the only caregiver that needs to see a social worker before they can approach SASSA are children under 18 years who are looking after their orphaned siblings in a Child Headed Households.

Before they approach SASSA, they need to see a social worker who will assess their situation, complete a form in terms of s137 of the Childrens Act, and provide them with the extra support they need due to not having an adult in the household, the department said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
HONG KONG, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Shaw Prize Award Ceremony 2022 was held here online on Thursday, with six scientists commended for their prominent work in the prize's three categories.

The Astronomy category went to Lennart Lindegren, professor emeritus of Lund Observatory at Sweden's Lund University and Michael Perryman, adjunct professor at the University College Dublin in Ireland for their lifetime contributions to space astrometry.

The prize in Life Science and Medicine went to Paul A Negulescu, senior vice president of San Diego Research of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Michael J Welsh, professor of internal medicine at the University of Iowa for their landmark discoveries of the molecular, biochemical, and functional defects underlying cystic fibrosis, and the identification and development of medicines that reverse those defects, which can treat most people affected by this disorder.

Noga Alon, professor of mathematics at Princeton University, and Ehud Hrushovski, Merton professor of mathematical logic at the University of Oxford won the Shaw Prize in Mathematical Sciences in equal shares for their remarkable insights that have transformed modern geometry.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee delivered a video speech at the ceremony.

Lee said that the inspiring work of the six Shaw laureates reveals what can be accomplished in the lifetime pursuit of scientific excellence and societal progress, serving as role models for the next generation of scientists in the HKSAR and all over the world.

Hong Kong is blessed with the support of the country's 14th Five-Year Plan in developing into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, Lee said, noting that Hong Kong will work hand in hand with cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to expand the scale of outstanding research platforms.

Lee added that Hong Kong will build up a healthy I&T ecosystem that attracts global experts and nurtures local talents.

Established in November 2002, the Shaw Prize is managed and administered by the Shaw Prize Foundation based in Hong Kong and is awarded annually. Each prize bears a monetary award of 1.2 million U.S. dollars. 
Xi Jinping straightens the red ribbon on flower basket during a ceremony to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022.

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state attended a ceremony on Friday morning in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes.

The event was held to mark Martyrs' Day, a day ahead of the National Day in China.

The other leaders included Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Heroic spirit lives forever. A ceremony of presenting flower baskets to China's fallen national heroes was held on Friday morning at Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, to mark the country's Martyrs' Day. Leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state including Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan, joined representatives from all walks of life to attend the event.

At the grand Tian'anmen Square, the national flag flies high and conspicuously and the Monument to the People's Heroes stands majestically. A huge display in the shape of a flower basket is placed in the square center. Words in it read "Best wishes to the motherland," expressing the wishes for a more prosperous and stronger China, and "Looking forward to the CPC 20th National Congress," conveying the high expectation of the whole Party, the armed forces, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups for the upcoming congress.

As the clock was about to strike 10, Party and state leaders including Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan arrived to attend the ceremony.

The band of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) played the trumpets, blowing the "Martyrs' Day Bugle."

"Guards of honor on your marks!" At the word of command, PLA guards of honor marched to the front of the monument with parade steps and stood still, holding their guns.

At 10 a.m., the ceremony commenced. The military band played the national anthem "The March of the Volunteers" and all participants sang to the tune.

Then, they paid a silent tribute to the martyrs who devoted their lives to the liberation of the Chinese people and the development of the People's Republic of China.

After that, a group of children, holding flowers in their hands and facing the monument, sang the song "We Are Communist Successors" and saluted to the monument as Young Pioneers.

In front of the formations, nine large flower baskets were placed in a line in the names of the CPC Central Committee; the National People's Congress Standing Committee; the State Council; the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; the Central Military Commission; non-communist parties, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and patriotic persons without party affiliations; people's organizations and people from all walks of life; veterans, retired senior officials and relatives of martyrs; as well as the Chinese Young Pioneers. "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes," read the golden characters in the red ribbons hung on the flower baskets.

As the military band played the soulful "Flower Presenting Melody," 18 guards of honor steadily lifted the baskets, walked slowly to the monument and laid them on the pedestal.

Xi and other leaders of the Party and the state walked onto the pedestal and stopped in front of the flower baskets. Bright-colored anthuriums, fragrant lilies, and blossoming oncidiums... all were telling people's cherished memory of and sincere respect for the deceased heroes.

Taking a few steps forward, Xi carefully straightened the ribbons, and led other leaders in a walk around the monument to pay tribute.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Party, the armed forces, and the people of all ethnic groups have been forging ahead in solidarity, achieving historic accomplishments and transformations in the cause of the Party and the state. Sustaining the spirit of the martyrs and drawing on strength from it, China will surely write a more glorious chapter on the new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal.

Children and other attendees also laid bouquets of flowers at the foot of the monument and paid tribute.

The ceremony was presided over by Cai Qi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC.

Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, some vice chairpersons of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, state councilors, president of the Supreme People's Court, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, some vice chairpersons of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and members of the Central Military Commission attended the ceremony.

Leading officials from central authorities and Beijing municipal government, representatives of central committees of non-communist parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, public figures without party affiliation, veterans, senior officials, the relatives of martyrs, recipients of national medals and honorary titles, representatives of groups and individuals who made outstanding contribution to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and representatives from all walks of life in Beijing also participated in the ceremony. 

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attend a ceremony to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022.

The event was held to mark Martyrs' Day, a day ahead of the National Day in China. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attend a ceremony to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022.

The event was held to mark Martyrs' Day, a day ahead of the National Day in China. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan attend a ceremony to present flower baskets to fallen national heroes in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022.

The event was held to mark Martyrs' Day, a day ahead of the National Day in China. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

A ceremony offering floral tribute to fallen national heroes is held at Tian'anmen Square to mark the Martyrs' Day in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
TEHRAN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the Islamic republic will not leave the negotiation table aimed at the revival of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, the official IRNA news agency reported on Friday.

"We are serious about achieving an agreement, and we will not hesitate to reach a good, strong, and stable deal. We will continue our efforts, and we will not leave the negotiating table," Amir-Abdollahian told IRNA.

"It is the American side that must show now whether it has necessary courage to make a decision on this issue or not," he was quoted as saying.

The Iranian diplomat pointed to the latest EU-drafted proposal to settle differences between Iran and the United States concerning the restoration of the nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and said that the U.S. response had some "ambiguities."

"After we received the opinions of the American side, we saw that in some issues that are important and fundamental for us, the American side had made the text interpretable and created some ambiguities," he said, adding that one of the dimensions of "strengthening" the text is "clarification" so that the readers can have a single understanding of that text.

Besides, more important for Iran is the implementation of the commitments under a possible agreement, he stressed.

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for removing sanctions on the country. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its commitments under the pact.

The talks on the JCPOA's revival began in April 2021 in Vienna but were suspended in March this year because of political differences between Tehran and Washington. The latest round of the nuclear talks was held in the Austrian capital in early August after a five-month hiatus.

On Aug. 8, the European Union put forward its final text of the draft decision on reviving the JCPOA. Iran and the United States later indirectly exchanged views on the proposal in a process that has so far failed to produce any favorable outcome. 
BAGHDAD, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's foreign exchange reserves have surpassed 87 billion U.S. dollars, the highest level the Iraqi Central Bank (ICB) has seen since its establishment in 1947, official Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported Thursday.

"The financial reserves (of foreign currency) in the ICB reached the highest level and are expected to exceed 100 billion dollars in the future," Ihsan al-Yaseri, an ICB advisor, told INA.

The country's foreign exchange reserves have increased thanks to the rise in oil prices in the global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, benefitting Iraq and other oil-exporting countries, according to al-Yaseri.

However, he warned that the size of foreign exchange reserves is not an absolute indicator for economic recovery because the most important thing is the financial guidance and the discipline of government expenditure."

"Every uncontrolled government spending indirectly affects and decreases the reserves," al-Yaseri said.

Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for more than 90 percent of the country's revenues. 
TEHRAN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian security forces aborted a "terrorist" attack on a police station in the southeastern city of Zahedan on Friday, Tasnim news agency reported.

According to the security council of Sistan and Baluchestan province, the attackers "planned to make the situation in the city unsafe by shooting," but security forces reacted with vigilance and kept the situation under control.

Several police officers were injured during the attack, according to Tasnim. 
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged all relevant parties in Yemen, including the government forces and their allies, the Houthi rebels and their international backers, to "choose peace for good."

The hiatus since April 2 has been twice renewed, providing the longest period of relative calm since the beginning of the intensified conflict in 2015, the secretary-general said in a statement.

"I strongly urge the Yemeni parties not only to renew but also to expand the truce's terms and duration, in line with the proposal presented to them by my special envoy, Hans Grundberg," Guterres said.

The UN chief said the truce had "delivered tangible benefits and much needed relief to the Yemeni people, including a significant reduction in violence and civilian casualties countrywide."

It has also allowed an increase in fuel deliveries via the main Red Sea port of Hodeidah, and the resumption of international flights to and from the Houthi-controlled airport in the capital, Saana, for the first time in nearly six years.

"Yet more needs to be done to achieve its full implementation, including reaching an agreement on the reopening of roads in Taiz," in the south, and other governorates, the secretary-general added.

Guterres strongly urged all those involved in the long-running conflict to "seize this opportunity."

"This is the moment to build on the gains achieved and embark on a path towards the resumption of an inclusive and comprehensive political process, to reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict. The United Nations will spare no efforts to support the parties in this endeavor," he said. 
Photo taken on Feb. 28, 2022 shows the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"The Treasury Department and U.S. government are taking sweeping action today to further weaken Russia's already degraded military industrial complex and undermine its ability to wage its illegal war," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden slapped new sanctions on Russia on Friday, following Moscow's formal recognition earlier in the day of four Ukrainian regions under Russian control since the early stage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as Russian territory.

Among the punitive measures announced by three cabinet-level departments were those from the Department of the Treasury that designated "14 persons in Russia's military-industrial complex, including two international suppliers, three key leaders of Russia's financial infrastructure, immediate family members of some of senior Russian officials, and 278 members of Russia's legislature" for enabling the referendums that resulted in Moscow claiming the four regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia as Russia's sovereign territory.

"The Treasury Department and U.S. government are taking sweeping action today to further weaken Russia's already degraded military industrial complex and undermine its ability to wage its illegal war," said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

The Treasury Department also issued new guidance that "warns of the heightened sanctions risk that international actors outside of Russia would face for providing political or economic support to Russia as a result of its illegal attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territory," the department said while announcing the sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department added 57 companies located in Russia and the Crimean Peninsula - which Russia declared as its territory in 2014 following a referendum -- to the so-called Entity List, designating them as export control violators.

Photo taken on July 28, 2022 shows the Commerce Department building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

In addition, the Commerce Department issued new guidance warning that "the United States' export controls on Russia can be applied to entities in third countries that seek to provide material support for Russia's and Belarus's military and industrial sectors."

What's more, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on Russian national Ochur-Suge Mongush for torturing a Ukrainian prisoner of war, according to a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Visa restrictions are also being applied to another "910 individuals, including members of the Russian Federation military, Belarusian military officials, and Russia's proxies for violating Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, Blinken said.

Responding to the Kremlin's formal recognition of the four regions joining the Russian Federation, Biden said in a statement that the United States "will rally the international community to both denounce these moves and to hold Russia accountable," adding Washington "will continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself."

Noting that his administration on Wednesday announced an additional round of security assistance to Ukraine worth 1.1 billion U.S. dollars, the president said he looked forward to "signing legislation from Congress that will provide an additional 12 billion dollars to support Ukraine." 
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with foreign experts who have received the Friendship Award in 2022, given annually by the Chinese government to honor outstanding foreign experts in China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022.

Vice Premier Han Zheng also attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- China will provide convenient conditions and quality services for foreign talent to work in China and give more support to their research environment and innovation platform, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Friday.

Li made the remarks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing when meeting with foreign experts who had received the Friendship Award in 2022, given annually by the Chinese government to honor outstanding foreign experts in China.

He spoke highly of the contributions made by foreign experts in China's reform, opening-up, and exchanges between China and foreign countries.

Li noted China is still the largest developing country globally, and its modernization remains a long and arduous task. He said no matter how the international situation may change, China will focus on running its affairs well and ensuring a good life for the Chinese people.

This year, due to the impact of unexpected factors, the Chinese economy did face some new downward pressure, but on the whole, it has shown a steady recovery, Li said.

"We have the confidence and capability to keep the economy operating within a reasonable range and promote sustained and sound economic development," he added.

Pointing out that China owes its rapid development to reform and opening-up, Li said China would continue to deepen reform, open up even more, and inject strong impetus into growth.

"We will continuously deepen reforms to delegate power, streamline administration and optimize government services, treat all types of market entities as equals, and foster a market-oriented and law-based international business environment," Li said.

China will promote global cooperation on scientific and technological innovation with a more open attitude and promote innovation achievements to benefit the world, he added.

Noting foreign experts are envoys for friendship and important links between China and the world, Li said China welcomes foreign experts to participate in China's modernization drive in various ways.

The awardees thanked Li and the Chinese government and expressed willingness to continue contributing to China's development and exchanges between China and the world.

At the invitation of Li, the foreign experts later attended a reception to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The meeting was also attended by vice premiers Han Zheng and Liu He.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presented the Friendship Award to the honorees and delivered a speech at the awarding ceremony, which was also held at the Great Hall of the People.

This year, 49 foreign experts from 21 countries received the award.

The Friendship Award is the highest award to commend foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive. Since its establishment in 1991, a total of 1,848 foreign experts have received the award. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with foreign experts who have received the Friendship Award in 2022, given annually by the Chinese government to honor outstanding foreign experts in China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022.

Vice Premier Han Zheng also attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with foreign experts who have received the Friendship Award in 2022, given annually by the Chinese government to honor outstanding foreign experts in China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022.

Vice Premier Han Zheng also attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses a ceremony to present the Chinese Government Friendship Award to foreign experts, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Security Council on Friday failed to adopt a draft resolution, which "condemns" the referendums held in four Ukrainian regions under Russian control from Sept. 23 to 27.

The draft resolution titled "Illegal So-Called Referenda in Ukraine," prepared by Albania and the United States, was vetoed by Russia, one of the five permanent members of the council.

Of the 15-nation council, 10 nations, including the United States, France and Britain, voted in favor of the draft, while China, Gabon, India and Brazil abstained from voting.

A ceremony was held on Friday for the signing of treaties to incorporate Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson into the Russian Federation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the event, which took place in the Kremlin. 
* With continuous massive investments, a large number of foreign-funded enterprises still regard the world's second-largest economy as their priority market.



* Many foreign-funded businesses find that there is no reason to leave, given China's massive market, complete industrial chain and friendly business environment.

* China has remained the world's largest manufacturing country for over a decade, with the quality of its supply system significantly improved, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- For Jeffrey Lou, president and chairman of BASF Greater China, the inauguration early this month of the first plants of BASF's Verbund site in China, its largest overseas investment to date, was a hugely exciting moment.



"With a total investment of 10 billion euros (about 9.8 billion U.S. dollars), the Zhanjiang Verbund site will be BASF's third-largest Verbund site globally upon completion," Lou said.

The project in Zhanjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, represents a new paradigm for China's high-level opening-up and improved business environment, according to Lou.

Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2022, shows a view of the BASF Zhanjiang Verbund site in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua)

With continuous massive investments, a large number of foreign-funded enterprises still regard the world's second-largest economy as their priority market.

China remains a hot investment destination. Foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 20.2 percent year on year to 138.41 billion U.S. dollars in the first eight months of the year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

China's huge and more open market, comprehensive industrial system and friendly business environment are among the key factors behind the country's appeal to foreign enterprises.

EXPANDING INVESTMENT

Despite the sluggish global economy and COVID-19 pandemic, German chemical giant BASF has been an active player in the Chinese market.

"BASF entered the Chinese market in 1885 and had 31 production sites with more than 11,000 employees at the end of 2021. We are progressing several projects in full swing," Lou said.

The third phase of the BASF Shanghai Pudong Innovation Park, the headquarters of BASF Greater China, is expected to be completed in early 2023. By then, BASF's total investment in the integrated site will reach around 280 million euros.

Since 1995, global health care giant Novo Nordisk has expanded its investment in its facility in north China's Tianjin Municipality eight times to boost its local presence and better serve patients in China and worldwide.

A staff member works at a workshop of Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in north China's Tianjin, on Sept. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

The Tianjin facility is not only one of Novo Nordisk's strategic manufacturing sites but also its only provider of durable insulin injection devices and the largest insulin production site.

In March, the Europe-based Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) broke ground for a joint venture in Guangzhou, aiming to cover feed protein processing, high-tech ecological aquaculture, trading, food innovation and plant-based clean energy production.

LDC has benefited from China's opening-up policy and outstanding business environment. "We have built longstanding and positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in the country along the way," said Jerrity Chen, head of North Asia at LDC.

"China is a priority market for LDC. We continue to look for opportunities here to expand our presence and capacity, to help meet China's growing demand for high-quality food and feed products and ingredients," Chen added.

NO REASON TO LEAVE

Many foreign-funded businesses find that there is no reason to leave, given China's massive market, complete industrial chain and friendly business environment.

"We have never considered leaving China," said Huang Dongwen, general manager of the Strategic Planning Division at Hitachi Elevator (China) Co., Ltd. He said that China's stable economic development, huge market demand and various investment incentives are key forces that continue to attract Hitachi's investment and business rollout.

Photo taken on Sept. 28, 2022, shows an automatic production line of Hitachi Elevator (China) Co., Ltd. in Dashi of Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Huang Guobao)

Hitachi Elevator, with five whole-elevator factories in China, has enjoyed strong growth over the years as China's urbanization drives demand for elevators. China has a huge elevator market, with the country's elevator ownership nearing 8.8 million units in 2021.

When its first China factory in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, began production in the 1990s, its annual production and sales volume was below 2,000 units. In 2021, its millionth elevator was delivered, and its annual revenues totaled more than 27 billion yuan (about 3.8 billion U.S. dollars).

China is one of the most important overseas markets for Hitachi Elevator, contributing more than half of its global revenues.

Huang said the layout of the industrial chain in China not only enables the company to respond quickly to the needs of local customers, but also allows it to export products to Southeast Asia and Australia, gradually reaching more markets.

The added value of China's manufacturing sector increased from 16.98 trillion yuan in 2012 to 31.4 trillion yuan in 2021, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the global total, up from 22.5 percent. China has remained the world's largest manufacturing country for over a decade, with the quality of its supply system significantly improved, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

"Therefore, our development in China is a vital engine that stimulates our entire global supply chain," Huang said.

Ma Qinghai, general manager of SMC Investment Management China Co., Ltd., a Japanese-funded enterprise in Beijing, said there is talk of manufacturing companies withdrawing from China when in fact, there is still a big gap between the manufacturing capabilities of China and other countries.

A staff member works at a factory of SMC Corporation in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area of Beijing, capital of China, June 4, 2022. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

"China's industrial supporting facilities have been established over decades. The scale is large, and the supply chain has strong integrity," Ma said. He added that the populations of most other countries are much smaller and therefore the labor markets and supply chains are completely different.

"Some overseas factories are even built with the help of the Chinese, and become operational with the help of Chinese technicians as much knowledge and many technological innovations are unique to China. It is impossible to replace China in the short term," Ma said.

LDC's Jerrity Chen said China has world-class infrastructure and the country has given the company a lot of confidence in terms of physical infrastructure, education systems, medical systems and social welfare systems.

"The Chinese government is very pro-business and we can see during the pandemic period that we have a lot of support from the government," Chen said.

China's business environment has continued to improve with its ease of doing business ranking ascending to 31 from 91 in 2012, according to a World Bank report.

MARKET POTENTIAL

Airbus delivered the 600th A320 family aircraft assembled at its Asia final assembly line in Tianjin (FAL Tianjin) on Sept. 23.

The company inaugurated the A320 family's final assembly line in Tianjin in 2008. By the end of 2021, Airbus had assembled and delivered 555 A320 series aircraft from the facility.

Staff members work at Airbus' Tianjin final assembly line for the A320-family of jets in north China's Tianjin, Feb. 24, 2022. (Airbus China/Handout via Xinhua)

China remains Airbus's largest single-country market globally. Commercial aircraft deliveries in the country accounted for more than 23 percent of Airbus's global deliveries in 2021, according to Airbus China.

"Airbus is confident in the Chinese market. We are committed to deeply integrating into the market and getting prepared together with local partners," said George Xu, executive vice president of Airbus and chief executive officer of Airbus China.

Many more foreign enterprises share similar optimism about the potential of the Chinese market. Consumer goods giant Unilever will continue to serve Chinese consumers in the coming 100 years, said Zeng Xiwen, president of Unilever China Public Affairs.

Since 1923, Unilever has been doing business in China and has built eight production bases and one R&D center.

A woman visits the booth of Unilever during the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in east China's Shanghai, Nov. 8, 2021. (Xinhua/Lu Peng)

Unilever began building its full-category plant in August in Guangzhou. With an investment of 1.6 billion yuan, the plant is its largest investment project in China in recent years.

Upon completion in 2025, it will produce all categories of products, such as personal care products, food and ice cream, and its annual output value is expected to reach about 10 billion yuan.

BASF's Lou sees more potential in the Chinese market. The company's sales in Greater China, BASF's second-largest market globally, hit a new high of 12 billion euros in 2021, accounting for about 15 percent of BASF's global sales.

"China has become the world's largest chemicals market, with more than 45 percent of the market share. That's why we are investing in China." Lou said, adding that the Zhanjiang Verbund site mirrors BASF's confidence in the Chinese market, where the supply chain is well established. 

(Reporting by Ma Xiaocheng, Ding Le, Lu Hao, You Zhixin, Zhang Yuqi, Guo Yujing, Li Baojie; Video reporters: You Zhixin, Sun Qing, Li Haiwei, Huang Guobao, Ding Le, Lu Hao, Ma Xiaocheng; Video editors: Zhao Yuchao, Wei Yin, Liu Xiaorui, Hui Peipei, Zhang Yuhong)


SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Saturday.

The JCS said in a statement that it detected two short-range ballistic missiles, launched by the DPRK from the Sunan area in Pyongyang between 6:45 a.m. and 7:03 a.m. local time into the eastern waters.

The DPRK fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters on Thursday and Wednesday respectively and one short-range ballistic missile into the eastern waters on Sunday.

According to the South Korean military, in 2022 alone, the DPRK has test-fired ballistic missiles 20 times and cruise missiles twice. 
MOGADISHU, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) forces backed by the local pro-government militia group Ma'awisley on Thursday killed 40 al-Shabab militants in an attack in the Hiran region of central Somalia.

SNA commanders told the Somali News Agency that the 40 terrorists were killed during fierce fighting in Ceel-Qooxle village. "We are now searching for the remaining extremists who are on the run," the agency quoted SNA commanders as saying.

Elmi Hagar Gure, a prominent elder and frontliner in the fight against al-Shabab, died during the fierce fighting. Hagar was a strong pillar in the offensive operation against the al-Qaida allied group and his efforts helped in liberating several areas under al-Shabab control in the Hiran region.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has since sent his condolence message to the family of the slain peacemaker who was at the forefront of the fight against insurgency.

"The peacemaker is a good example of the successful uprising of the Somali people to liberate themselves from the anti-peace group," Abdi said.

The Ceel-Qooxle village is among several villages liberated in the recently intensified security operations in southern and central Somalia by both government forces and the locals.

The government forces have recently stepped up an offensive against the al-Shabab terror group, flushing it out of several of its former strongholds, which it had held for over a decade.

The extremist group still controls some parts of rural southern and central Somalia and continues to carry out high-profile attacks in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, and elsewhere. 
OUAGADOUGOU, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- President of Burkina Faso Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba on Friday called on people to remain calm and united following a confusing situation created by certain army units earlier in the day in Ouagadougou, the national capital, according to a statement published by the presidency.

The statement said negotiations are underway to restore "calm and serenity," and that "the enemy attacking our country only wants division between us to accomplish its destabilization action."

Gunshots were heard in Ouagadougou Friday morning and access to the presidential palace, the public television (RTB) and certain strategic points in the city were blocked by soldiers.

On Jan. 24, former Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was overthrown in a coup.

Damiba was sworn in as the new president of Burkina Faso on Feb. 16. 
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Friday launched a new report that suggested that one in every 10 Cambodian children was subjected to online sexual abuse and exploitation in the past year.

Conducted by the Cambodian National Council for Children of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, and UNICEF-Cambodia, the report, named Disrupting Harm in Cambodia, found that 11 percent of Internet-using children aged 12-17 had experienced clear examples of online sexual exploitation and abuse in the past year.

"If scaled to Cambodia's population within this age group, that represents an estimated 160,000 children subjected to online sexual exploitation and abuse," said a joint press statement.

The report also found that 16 percent of children were subjected to sexual comments about them that made them feel uncomfortable, of whom 31 percent said it occurred on social media.

Sixteen percent of children were sent unwanted sexual images, of whom 36 percent said they received the images on social media, it said, adding that 9 percent of children surveyed received unwanted requests to share sexual images of themselves.

More boys than girls were subjected to clear examples of online sexual exploitation and abuse, such as receiving unwanted requests to share images or videos showing their private parts, and being threatened or blackmailed to engage in sexual activities, the report said.

"Disrupting Harm in Cambodia found that very few children who were subjected to online sexual exploitation and abuse reported it through formal reporting mechanisms," the report said. "Survey data with children indicated that one common barrier to reporting and disclosure was not knowing where to go or who to tell."

UNICEF Cambodia said it will continue to work with the Cambodian government and all partners to prevent and respond to online child sexual abuse and exploitation.

"A particular emphasis will be placed on increasing the awareness, knowledge, and digital skills of children, adolescents, parents, caregivers, and teachers so children can better protect themselves online," UNICEF Cambodia said. 
YANGON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A passenger plane of the state-owned Myanmar National Airlines was attacked during landing near Loikaw airport in eastern Myanmar on Friday morning, leaving one injured, according to local authorities.

"A Yangon-Loikaw plane was shot near the Loikaw airport from nearby Wah La Poe Village. A passenger was injured in his ear because of the bullet pierced through into the cabin of the plane," Zaw Min Tun, head of the State Administration Council's Information Team, told Xinhua.

The plane carrying 63 passengers safely landed and the injured was sent to Loikaw general hospital for medical treatment, he said.

Security forces were tightening security near the spot where the attack took place, he added. 
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- A soldier of the Pakistani army was killed on Thursday by cross-border firing from Afghanistan in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a statement from the Pakistani army said on Friday evening.

The Inter-Services Public relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said that terrorists opened fire from the Afghan side of the border at the Pakistani troops in the Kharlachi area of Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The ISPR added that the Pakistani troops responded in a befitting manner and credible intelligence reports revealed that terrorists suffered heavy casualties. However, a Pakistani soldier lost his life during the exchange of fire, said the media wing.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan," said the ISPR.

The ISPR added that the Pakistani army is determined to defend the country's borders against the menace of terrorism. 
YANGON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will extend its COVID-19 preventive measures until Oct. 31, according to the Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment for COVID-19 on Friday.

The extension is applied to all COVID-19 restrictions that expired on Sept. 30, except the ones that will be eased, the committee said in a statement.

The statement added that the extension covers all orders, announcements, directives previously issued by respective government organizations and ministries in order to contain the pandemic.

The Southeast Asian country confirmed 364 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total tally to 623,166, official data showed.

The total number of deaths from COVID-19 reached 19,459 on Friday after one more death was reported in the past 24 hours.

According to the health ministry, a total of 598,126 COVID-19 patients have recovered in the country as of Friday. 
JAKARTA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 jolted Indonesia's western province of North Sumatra on Saturday morning, and there were no preliminary reports of damages or casualties, authorities said.

The quake hit at 02:28 Jakarta time Saturday (1928 GMT Friday) with the epicenter at 15 km northwest of the North Tapanuli district and a depth of 10 km, said the country's meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency.

The quake, followed by two tremors with magnitudes of 5.1 and 5.0 respectively, did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami, according to the agency.

So far there were no reports of damages or casualties, including in the hardest-hit areas of the North Tapanuli district, said Agus Wibisono, head of the Search and Rescue Office for the Nias Island of the North Sumatra province.

"We got information from the rescuers in the North Tapanuli district that so far there are no damages or casualties there," he told Xinhua via phone.

The tremors were also felt in the nearby province of Aceh, according to the agency. 
STOCKHOLM, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The climate impact of the Nord Stream gas leaks is on par with Sweden's annual greenhouse gas emissions, an expert at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency told Swedish Television (SVT) on Thursday.

The methane leaking from four holes in the twin pipelines under the Baltic Sea could cause significant climate risks, said Mats Bjorsell, an environmental economist at the agency.

Nord Stream, the company operating the pipelines between Russia and Germany, told the Danish Energy Agency that the pipelines contained around 778 million cubic meters of methane when mysterious blasts damaged them on Monday.

Methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but breaks down faster in the atmosphere. Over a 100-year span, methane causes 28 times greater warming than carbon dioxide, while over a 20-year horizon, it is 84 times more powerful. The calculations of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency are based on the leaks' climate impact over 20 years, which is more relevant in this case.

The leaks are, therefore, calculated to contribute as much to global warming as 40 million tons of carbon dioxide -- and last year, Sweden's combined emissions were 48 million tons.

Nord Stream realized that there was a problem when the pressure in the pipes suddenly dropped on Monday. Later, Swedish and Danish authorities filmed vast areas where sites of gas streaming out from the holes are visible on the Baltic Sea surface.

Two of the leaks are in Sweden's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Baltic Sea, and two are in Denmark's EEZ.

Since there were several leaks, foul play was suspected, and an analysis of the seismic activity in the area of the leaks revealed a pattern corresponding to explosions on the seabed.

The Swedish Security Service is now investigating the two leaks that occurred in Sweden's EEZ.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said that "the detonations must be seen in the light of the security policy situation." However, she added that the Swedish government has so far refrained from speculation. 
BERLIN, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The recent mass fish deaths in the Oder river that runs through Poland and Germany were caused by the proliferation of brackish water algae, which in turn was triggered by a sudden increase in the river's salinity levels, according to a German expert report published on Friday.

Fishermen first discovered dead fish in the river near the Polish town of Olawa at the end of July. The fish deaths down the river in Germany were only reported around two weeks later.

Tons of dead fish have been pulled from the Oder river as the micro-algae at issue -- known as Prymnesium parvum, or golden alga -- produces a toxic substance that is lethal to fish and other aquatic organisms. A Polish-German expert group was subsequently set up to investigate.

The fish deaths in the Oder are a "serious environmental catastrophe," Germany's Minister for the Environment Steffi Lemke said, stressing that it was "caused by human activities." Alongside attempts to fully understand what happened, the focus now is on the regeneration of the Oder river.

The exact cause of the high salinity level could not be determined "due to a lack of available information," the Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) said in a statement.

It also remained unclear about how the algae, which naturally occurs in salty brackish water near coasts, reached the Oder river. Salinity levels in other rivers in Germany are also too high without the phenomena occurring. 
BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine and Russia on Friday blamed each other for a strike on a convoy of civilian cars in the southern Zaporizhzhia region that killed at least 23.

The following are the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis:

At least 23 people were killed and 28 others wounded in a missile attack on a humanitarian convoy in the city of Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, head of the Zaporizhzhia regional administration Olexandr Starukh said.

The attack targeted civilian cars that were waiting in a line to head from the city to Russian-held territory in Zaporizhzhia province, Starukh wrote on Telegram. The city, capital of the province, is still controlled by Ukraine.

All those killed in the shelling were civilians, Starukh said, blaming Russia for the attack.

- - - -

Vladimir Rogov, a pro-Russia official in the Russian-controlled region of Zaporizhzhia, on Friday accused Ukrainian troops of carrying out the strike.

"23 people killed ... in (a) Ukrainian strike on (a) convoy of cars at (the) exit to (the) liberated part of Zaporizhzhia region," he said on Telegram.

Rogov said the strike is a retaliation against the referendum in favor of Russia.

- - - -

Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Friday that over 5.5 million tons of agricultural products have been exported from Ukrainian seaports since the beginning of the implementation of the United Nations-brokered "grain initiative."

The government-run Ukrinform news agency cited Kubrakov's remarks made in a TV program. The minister said a total of about 250 ships with food have left Odesa's ports to deliver grain to African countries.

- - - -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Switzerland to increase its support for Ukraine and block Russian assets, Ukrinform reported on Friday.

Zelensky made the remarks during a conversation with the university community and public figures of Switzerland, the report quoted the president's press service as saying. 
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ian regained hurricane strength on Thursday afternoon after inflicting significant damage on the southeastern U.S. state of Florida.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory that Ian is taking aim at the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia with life-threatening flooding, storm surge, and strong winds.

Forecasters said the storm will approach the coast of South Carolina on Friday and the center will move farther inland across the Carolinas on Friday night and Saturday.

With maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour, Ian could slightly strengthen before landfall on Friday and is forecast to rapidly weaken over the southeastern United States late Friday into Saturday.

Ian made landfall in southwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon, bringing catastrophic storm surges, heavy rains and destructive winds, and dangerous flooding to both coast and inland areas.

In southwest and central Florida, at least 15 people have been reported dead due to the storm, according to CNN.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Ian "could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida's history."

"The numbers are still unclear," Biden said during a visit to Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. "But we're hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life."

As of Thursday evening, nearly 2.5 million customers were without power in Florida, according to PowerOutage.us. 
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- California officials, representatives of local organizations and Chinese communities extended greetings and congratulations on China's National Day, which falls on Oct. 1, during an online celebration held by the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles on Thursday.

U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu said in her video message at the online event that she hopes such events will "promote great cooperation between the United States and China."

"This will ensure a safer and better future for us all," she noted.

Chu said she was proud of her roots. "My mother came here from Xinhui in Guangdong province, so did my father's parents. Imagine from there I could become the first Chinese American woman ever elected to (U.S.) Congress."

"I am proud that many residents of my district who came from China, who established themselves so successfully here, and who contributed enormously to the community in Southern California," she added.

Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2009. She represents California's 27th congressional district, which includes Pasadena and the west San Gabriel Valley of Southern California. San Gabriel Valley, renowned for its large Asian American community, is home to over half of Los Angeles County's Chinese American population.

Anthony Rendon, speaker of the California State Assembly, congratulated China on its National Day on behalf of California.

"I understand the tremendous accomplishments made by the people of your country. I am looking forward to continued cultural, educational and environmental exchanges," he said.

The Golden State, home to around 40 million residents, is the most populous state in the United States. China is one of California's largest trading partners and California attracts the biggest amount of Chinese investment, tourists and students among all U.S. states.

Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, also delivered her warm congratulations to China.

"With sincere congratulations and best wishes, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles does hereby join your celebration," said Barger in a written message.

With a population of more than 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in California and the country.

Curt Hagman, chairman of Board of Supervisors, County of San Bernardino, also offered his well wishes to China.

"Thank you for your partnership and your friendship. Looking forward to opportunities for cooperation and friendship in the future," he noted.

Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, extended to China cordial greetings and best wishes on behalf of the organization, representing the famed "Flying Tiger" veterans who served in China to help the Chinese combat the Japanese invasion during World War II.

Many of the veterans, who returned to China in trips organized by the organization, witnessed the remarkable growth of China, Greene said.

"They all feel proud of what they see," he said, adding that those veterans felt they were part of it because they helped to defend China 80 years ago.

Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Zhang Ping expressed heartfelt thanks in his video speech to all the friends for their support for China's modernization efforts and the development of China-U.S. relationship.

He stressed that a sound and steady China-U.S. relationship is the shared expectation of the international community and the common aspiration of the two peoples.

"Sub-national exchanges and cooperation is an important part of China-U.S. relations and plays a vital role in promoting bilateral relationship," Zhang said, noting that the consulate general is willing to join efforts with people from all walks of life in its consular district to enhance mutual understanding and expand win-win cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples. 
London- Ramesh Awasthi, the Chairman of the National Media Club of India is conferred with the Global Humanitarian Award 2022 for the category of Excellence In The Media and Social Sector by the World Humanitarian Drive in London. The World Humanitarian Drive (WHD) is an international non-governmental organisation that promotes peace, education, and business harmony initiatives globally. This Award was presented at a solemn function by the Former President of Trinidad and Tobago, Former Justice of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago, and former Justice of the International Criminal Court Anthony Carmona SC Ortt, alongside by the First Female President of Luxembourg Parliament Erna Hennicot Schoepges. The honour was bestowed upon him owing to his efforts for promoting Regional Journalists work in India and also for his work during the Covid-19 Pandemic when he financially assisted a journalist family who unfortunately lost his life due to Covid-19.

This event witnessed the presence of renowned people invited as special guests including many dignitaries and representatives of more than 43 countries from around the world, current and former parliamentarians, former head of states, academicians, and prominent entrepreneurs. Dignitaries from around the world who attended the program praised Ramesh Awasthi for his incredible work in the Media and Social Sector and congratulated him on receiving the Global Humanitarian Award 2022.

The jury formed for the selection of this prestigious award included prominent names such as MP Yusif Zainal, MP Lamin J. Sanneh, MP David Gourzong, Harvard University Director Amb. Sam H. Zakhem, Princess Angelica Sapehia of Poland, UN NGO Ambassador, and Queen of Osun State HRM Queen Angelique Monet, former Minister of State for Transport - United Kingdom Rt. Paul Clark, Former Albanian Finance Minister Prof. Dr. Arben Malaj, Former Telecom Minister of South Sudan Nyenagwek Kuol Mareng, Former Director of the World Bank Dr. James Jung sang Lee and Former Head of UNESCO Dr. Sonia Ramzi.

Being the first Indian Journalist to garner this privilege, Ramesh Awasthi has worked for more than 25 years in the field of Journalism and Social Work and has been a former Member of the Hindi Rajbhasha Advisory Committee, Government of India. He has extensively worked towards promoting Hindi throughout India. The ace journalist is also known to be a Sahitya Premi alongside having a huge respect for Bharat Ratna Former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. As a mark of respect for Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ramesh Awasthi is known for organising Atal Kavyanjali on his birth anniversary since many years.

During the program Ramesh Awasthi , stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Hindi has taken on a new identity on the Global Stage. Also, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the country has got a new direction and energy, under his leadership the country is progressing on Global stage. India is emerging as a new superpower. Due to which the respect of Indians has increased all over the world, it is a matter of pride for all of us as Indians. Apart from Ramesh Awasthi, Dr. Abdul Basit, who is the Chairman of World Humanitarian Drive said that he is confident that India will soon become a superpower and make its presence felt on the world stage. He said that India means peace and peace means India. The era of black-tapism is over in India. Due to better coordination, trade between India and Britain will be 50 billion dollars in the coming 5 years.

It should also be acknowledged that Ramesh Awasthi is the Chairman of the National Media Club of India which has been running a continuous campaign in the country to promote cleanliness and public awareness programs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath including several other Chief Ministers and Governors has also praised the work of National Media Club, former Governor of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik launched the NMC annual Swachh Bharat Calendar in Uttar Pradesh Governor House & praised the efforts of this club , on various occasions numerous Union Ministers, Social Figures, Dignitaries have also praised National Media Club for their work.

National Media Club's annual Media Directory is well-known throughout the country. For the past 15 years, Ramesh Awasthi has been organising NMC India Mango Festival in Delhi, where more than 300 varieties of mango have become a major draw for visitors. More than 150 Indian Parliamentarians, 14 Union Ministers, 12 Former Union Ministers , Ambassadors from various countries, and social figures attended the 2022 Mango Festival in Delhi. Later, this event is known as India's biggest Festival with several Dignitaries from different fields at a single place. Recently Former MP and Bollywood actress Jayaprada also awarded Ramesh Awasthi for his outstanding contribution in the field of Journalism.

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Taipei: Taiwan's navy on Friday received a new amphibious warfare ship built in Taiwan as part of President Tsai Ing-push Wen's call for defense self-reliance. The ship could be used to land troops and strengthen supply lines in vulnerable islands.

The 10,600-ton Yu Shan, which bears the name of Taiwan's tallest mountain, is the most recent improvement in Tsai's ambitious plan to update the armed forces in response to increasing pressure from China, which claims sovereignty over the island.

Also Read: Future Italian PM Meloni is prepared to sour relations with China

Tsai said the ship was a testament to Taiwan's efforts to increase production of its warships and to achieve "national defense autonomy" during a delivery ceremony in the southern port city of Kaohsiung.

He argued that true peace can be achieved only by increasing our capacity for self-defense to face military threats from China. To ensure that the military has the best possible equipment to defend the nation, national defense autonomy is an ongoing policy and goal of ours.

Also Read: Satellite data reveal that China is expanding its submarine base close to the South China Sea

In response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei last month, China held war games close to Taiwan. Since then Chinese military activity has continued at a very slow pace.

The ship is equipped with an anti-aircraft cannon for use against both air and surface targets, anti-aircraft missiles and rapid-fire Phalanx close-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile guns. It was created by the state-backed CSBC Corporation Taiwan.

Also Read: China Announces Precision-Strike Reconnaissance Drone to Strengthen Defense at India Border

According to CSBC President Cheng Wen-lung, in addition to serving as an amphibious warfare vessel with room for helicopters and landing craft, it is the "main transport" for the islands of Taiwan off the coast of China and South China. Is. Sea. role", which has long been seen as a potential target of China in the event of war.

Despite the fact that Taiwan's main international arms supplier is the United States, Tsai has supported the domestic arms industry in an effort to make Taiwan as independent as possible.

Although expensive items such as the new and upgraded F-16 have helped Taiwan's air force, Tsai is also focusing on the Navy, with submarines in production and a fleet of highly efficient stealth corvettes to be launched in 2020.
Canada urges citizens to leave Russia 30 September, 11:22 AM Canada urges citizens to leave Russia (Photo:ElasticComputeFarm/pixabay.com)

Canada has called on its citizens to leave Russia, according to the advice posted on the website of the Government of Canada on Sept. 29.

The Canadian government has also urged Canadian citizens to avoid any travel to Russia due to the consequences of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, including partial military mobilization, restrictions on financial transactions, and increasingly limited flight options.

"If you are in Russia, you should leave while commercial means are still available, the statement reads.

Video of day

If you remain in Russia, maintain a low profile.

The Foreign Ministry added that Canadians who have Russian citizenship may be called up for compulsory military service.

On Sept. 28, the U.S. Embassy in Russia called on its citizens to immediately leave the territory of the aggressor country, while there are still limited opportunities for commercial travel.

On Sept. 27, Bulgaria recommended its citizens to leave the territory of Russia as soon as possible "due to the difficult situation".

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The Indian MSME sector has always been a key driver of economic growth in the country, as it contributes to nearly 30% of our GDP and is the second largest employer, providing over 110 Mn jobs to the domestic workforce. However, despite being such a significant contributor to the overall progress of the country, this sector continues to face many legacy challenges in terms of infrastructure, regulatory reforms and financial support. While the MSMEs might be able to take a few of these issues in their stride, the lack of financial inclusion remains a major deterrent for their growth. As per recent industry reports, the total MSME credit gap in India stands at $375Bn and nearly 95% of this addressable credit demand comes from micro and small enterprises. But however, only 14% of the total outstanding loan ($800Mn) is with MSME sector indicating that this sector is grossly underserved.The Fintech sector has the potential to bridge this credit gap and achieve financial inclusion in its true sense by taking the digital banking to the last mile. The widespread accessibility to internet and smartphones, adoption of the digital marketplace by businesses, and improving digital literacy of the masses has created a favourable environment for new-age Fintech players to provide the financial impetus for the growth of MSMEs in India. So, what are Fintechs doing differently than traditional financial institutions? The answer is that Fintechs are leveraging technology to enhance their service and also help them make data-backed smart decisions which are in the best interest of the business. Most of the traditional banks still have over-emphasis on formal credit-data and documentation, manual process-heavy methodology and long wait period for loan disbursals.Moreover, these banks preferred working with larger companies seeking large ticket-size loans and the MSME sectors requirements are different. Adding to this, nearly half of the MSMEs (nearly 40Mn) in India were either new-to-credit or have limited credit data. The fintech sector realized that technology can be smartly implemented to tackle these roadblocks which banks faced in serving the MSME sector. They used technology to digitize most of the processes right from submission of the paperwork to verification to quick disbursals of the loans, with minimal human intervention. They have also invested in state-of-the-art security measures to safeguard the sanctity of all data and information, which builds credibility and trust among the customers.In addition, these Fintechs can easily expand their digital operations to meet high-volume demand and can be replicated across any remote geographies, ensuring the last mile accessibility. Another major implementation by Fintechs is the use of Big Data, AI, ML etc. to create a repository of the customer data which helps in making informed business decisions, thus reducing the burden of delinquencies and also assisting in better understanding of the customers financial traits.New-age Fintechs deep dive into this consumer data and statistics for early fraud detection, credit monitoring, making underwriting safer, and timely repayment loans. These data triggers also help Fintechs to identify credit demand patterns and anticipate business needs, thus create customized solutions for the MSMEs. New age lenders also give loans to new-to-credit MSMEs and help them create a credit score / bureau report which will help them ahead, to facilitate larger loans.In fact, MSME finance companies are now moving beyond being facilitators of credit access and looking to curate a complete financial ecosystem that includes activities like lending, insurance, wealth generation, to name a few which are required as part of their growth journey. So far, the Fintechs have been a great catalyst to push for financial inclusion as nearly 72% of the transactions in the MSME sector has moved to digital as compared to the 28% still in cash. India is bullish of becoming a 5 trillion economy and in order to achieve this goal it is imperative that we support the growth and development of the MSME sector. The government is already extending its support for the MSMEs through various schemes and policy reforms, while the burgeoning Neobanking segment in India, will provide the required financial impetus to the sector.In addition to the infrastructure and regulatory framework, we need to provide data security and have a strong redressal system, to maintain the trust and credibility of the sector. We also need to provide financial literacy and growth incentives to make financial inclusion more efficient and accessible, in order to significantly support the MSMSE sector in India.
One by one, armed with handfuls of belongings or cellphones and cameras, residents of cities along Floridas Gulf coast returned to their homes on Thursday to survey the damage.

Some of the first signs of the historic destruction left by Hurricane Ian were evident on Interstate-75 near Golden Gate, about 40 miles south of Fort Myers Thursday morning as at least 50 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission vehicles towed airboats and other watercraft, ATVs and mobile generators and bathrooms.

On Thursday afternoon, many residents set out on foot at the corner of Davis Road and McGregor Boulevard Thursday afternoon in Iona, an unincorporated area of Lee County, to walk down flooded Davis Road back to the homes that they fled earlier in the week. With water rising about knee-high in the deepest parts, people made the trek, pulling kayaks with their pets aboard.

Michele Reidy, her daughter, son, and two grandchildren evacuated from their first- and second-floor apartments on Pine Needle Lane to a hotel in Fort Myers late Wednesday morning ahead of the brunt of the hurricane reaching Lee County. Reidy and her family came back to their neighborhood Thursday morning to rescue Reidys two cats, Mimi and Harpo, and were dragging them inside their cat carriers placed safely inside an inflatable kayak.

Reidy said shes lived in the area for nearly 30 years and not seen damage this extensive.

This is the first time that Ive ever lost everything, she said.

Even the kitchen cabinets in her daughters first-floor apartment are gone, she said. Marks inside the apartments showed stagnant water had been sitting at least 6 feet high.

Becky Schoedel walked to the safe-haven corner of Davis Road and McGregor Boulevard with nothing. She hugged her daughter who waited there with her young son and husband.

Ian was the first Hurricane for Schoedel, who moved to Florida from Pennsylvania a year ago. She evacuated to stay with her daughter and son-in-law in north Fort Myers Tuesday morning. Her villa was in chaos when she returned to see the aftermath for the first time.

Story continues

Everything inside is trashed. Upheaved, on top of things that only an ape could lift. It was really sickening. I had to leave, she said. I couldnt even stay in there. It was breaking my heart.

She walked down the road with water up to her knees.

Noah Warrick, 35, has lived on Heald Lane since 2014. He evacuated with his 7-year-old son Tuesday to a hotel in Naples.

This was my first trip to see that my home is no longer livable, he said. Hes in between jobs after working as a truck driver for 10 years and is now left with the immense task of finding a new home for his family.

The first thing I noticed was the sludge on the floor, he said. It smelled like fecal matter.

As Warrick stood on the corner, a small baby alligator swam alongside debris littering the water.

Rescues and ruins

Jonathan Strong, a Cape Coral resident who said he formerly worked in law enforcement for two years in Florida and as a volunteer firefighter in Virginia for six years, was among the volunteers helping with rescues in Iona.

I cant just sit around while my house is intact and let other people suffer. Its what we do. Community helping community, he said.

Cassandra Fitzgerald and her husband Kyle Fitzgerald, who live in Citrus County, volunteered for the first time with Cajun Navy Relief, a nonprofit that has deployed volunteers to natural disaster sites. They arrived at a mobile home community in north Fort Myers near Tamiami Trail about 4 a.m. to start rescue operations.

Cassandra said several people they rescued needed to be hospitalized. She drove one woman to Gulf Coast hospital after Lee Memorial officials said the hospital was closed.

This morning we had a veteran that was stuck in his house pretty much chair-bound on oxygen, Kyle said. He spent the last 24 hours in there basically sitting on top of his sink. [Water] was four feet into his house.

The Fitzgeralds said they rescued an elderly woman in the same mobile home park who stayed home during the storm by herself; a neighbor found her floating through the flooded street.

Shock. Disbelief. Most of them are just grateful that somebody showed up, Kyle Fitzgerald said.

Fortunately for us weve never really had to deal with anything catastrophic and finally were just in a position where we can offer some assistance, Kyle said about why they volunteered.

Residents who live near the Centennial Park at Fort Myers Wharf trickled into the waterfront park on the Caloosahatchee River about 10 a.m., taking pictures and videos of the destruction.

Rising waters and strong winds shoved a floating concrete dock and cement railing that lined the edge of the park about 100 yards inland. Boats of all sizes near a Joes Crab Shack flipped over onto their sides, overturned or nearly completely swallowed by the river. Several were pushed onto land, stacked on top of each other and crushed into unrecognizable parts.

Glynn Rivers, a resident of Fort Myers since 2000, and her son Max Garramone walked along the waterfront assessing the damage. Rivers said she waited out Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Irma in Fort Myers before. But Ian was a much different experience for her, she said.

Despite living off of McGregor Boulevard, an area that was included in an evacuation zone, she stayed.

For Charley we were new, so I was a little inexperienced. Irma wasnt bad, but this was terrible, really for 20 hours. There were waves rolling up our street. Im lucky that my house didnt get flooded, she said.

Rivers said her previous home on the same road closer to the water was destroyed. The windows are gone, rising waters flooded at least two feet into the home, dragging furniture away and docks are now parked in peoples yards, she said.

Rivera said her daughter works at Gulf Coast Hospital and will be there until Saturday; at the hospital, the showers, toilets and sinks are inoperable.

Chris Ulm, who moved to Fort Myers four years ago from Indiana, said he watched the rising waters from his second-story apartment window at Trident Cay on First Street near the riverfront park, second-guessing the decision not to evacuate.

When we woke up Wednesday morning and realized the path had changed and probably coming directly for us  Did we make the right call? Ulm said. It was too late to get on the road ...

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
The 19th National Congress of Communist Party of China was held in 2017. Simon Song/South China Morning Post via Getty Images

The China Securities Regulatory Commission recently contacted multiple banks, including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, according to the WSJ.

The regulator advised against publishing politically sensitive research ahead of China's key Communist Party summit next month, the report said.

China's twice-a-decade leadership gathering begins October 16, and party members are expected to extend President Xi Jinping's rule to a third term.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission contacted several investment banks, including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, telling them to avoid publishing politically sensitive research ahead of the Communist Party's National Congress summit, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Chinese regulator sent an advisory to the domestic units of large international banks, and the message was spread internally by some firms, the Journal reported, adding that strategists at JPMorgan's private banking arm in Asia were told not to comment on sensitive subjects for the time being.

In a comment for the Journal, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said: "The content of your inquiry is not true, please do not spread it."

JPMorgan did not respond immediately to a request for comment, while Goldman Sachs declined to comment.

China's twice-a-decade leadership gathering will begin October 16. Communist Party members will discuss the next five years of policy and are expected to extend President Xi Jinping's rule to a third term.

Previously, securities regulators have sent memos to banks ahead of key political events with the aim of preventing market turmoil or downbeat headlines. But the 20th National Congress comes amid growing public discontent over Beijing's handling of the economy.

Topics that are likely sensitive include zero-COVID policies that have generated increasing backlash, and the country's real estate crash. One recent JPMorgan note dissected a mortgage revolt in China and whether it could spark a "Lehman moment," according to the Journal.

Story continues

Meanwhile, China's economy is slowing down and could miss growth targets, while the yuan has been falling.

Beijing's policymakers have been busy with financial markets over the past week. Reuters reported that China told state-owned banks to get ready to sell dollars and buy yuan in an effort to prop up the currency, which has faltered in recent months.

However, at the same time, the People's Bank of China boosted bank liquidity by 843% this week compared to last, which could have been motivated in part by the upcoming Communist Party summit as well as the approaching Golden Week holiday.

That large cash injection, however, adds more pressure to the yuan, which is on pace for its worst annual performance since 1994. It fell to a record-low against the dollar earlier this week.

Read the original article on Business Insider
ReportLinker

The global cloud compliance market is projected to grow from USD 30. 0 billion in 2022 to USD 59. 1 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14. 5% during the forecast period. The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a definite surge in cloud adoption globally across diverse industries.

New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cloud Compliance Market by Component, Application, Cloud Model, Organization Size, Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323917/?utm_source=GNW

The worldwide lockdown and remote working necessitated by the pandemic have forced enterprises to adopt cloud services to a large extent. Major cloud companies, such as Amazon and Google, heavily invest in enhancing their cloud security offerings to combat the ever-evolving cyberattack scenario. Microsoft reported a 775% increase in the demand for its cloud service platform during the pandemic. However, migrating to cloud also makes organizations more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Enterprises operating on cloud environments, such as Google Cloud, Azure, and AWS, highly demand cloud security offerings.

 By component, the services segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period



The services segment is expected to grow at a higher growth rate during the forecast period.The segment has been broadly classified into professional and managed services.



Services aim at training and developing expertise, providing timely upgrades to software solutions, and helping customers integrate these with other Information Technology (IT) solutions. With the increasing adoption of cloud compliance solutions across organizations, the demand for supporting services is also expected to increase among organizations.

 By organization size, the large enterprises segment is expected to account for the largest market share



The large enterprises segment is expected to account for the largest market size.Organizations with more than 1,000 employees are called large enterprises.



These enterprises are the early adopters of cloud compliance software and the associated services, as they use many cloud applications susceptible to cyberattacks. As these enterprises are large, with different types of IT infrastructure, they face various difficulties while managing security and compliance on several applications across enterprises.

 By vertical, the healthcare segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period



The healthcare segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.The vertical has always been more cautious when it comes to new deployment mechanisms, especially when they involve cloud.



In healthcare, patient care is of the utmost importance, and this goes beyond clinical care. The rising need to safeguard patient private data and records and comply with privacy and data security requirements is driving the adoption of cloud compliance software solutions in the healthcare vertical.



The breakup of the profiles of primary participants is given below:

 By Company: Tier 1 - 40%, Tier 2 - 35%, and Tier 3 - 25%

 By Designation: C-Level Executives - 45%, Directors - 30%, Others - 25%%

 By Region: North America - 35%, Europe - 30%, Asia Pacific - 20%, Rest of the World - 15%



Notes:

Others include sales managers, marketing managers, and product managers.

The companies have been categorized based on their total annual revenue.

Tier 1 = Companies with revenue of more than USD 10 billion, Tier 2 = Companies with revenue between USD 1 and 10 billion, and Tier 3 = Companies with revenue between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion

The figure above represents the indicative list of primary profiles.



Source: Secondary Literature, Expert Interviews, and MarketsandMarkets Analysis

The following key cloud compliance vendors are profiled in the report:

 Microsoft (US)

 IBM (US)

 Check Point (Israel)

 AT&T (US)

 Broadcom (US)

 Qualys (US)

 Nutanix (US)

 Sophos (UK)

 Oracle (US)

 Palo Alto Networks (US)

 AWS (US)

 Lacework (US)

 Zscaler (US)

 McAfee (US)

 Fidelis Cybersecurity (US)

 Fortinet (US)

 Atos (France)

 Radware (Israel)

 Proofpoint (US)

 Orca Security (US)

 Aqua Security (US)

 Secureframe (US)

 Cavirin (US)

 Vanta (US)

 Horangi Cyber Security (Singapore)

 Cloudcheckr (US)

 Threat Stack (US)

 Fungue (US)

 Sonrai Security (US)



Research Coverage

MarketsandMarkets segments the cloud compliance market based on component (software and services), application (audit & compliance management, threat detection & remediation, activity monitoring & analytics, visibility & risk assessment, and other verticals), cloud model (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS), organization size (large enterprises and SMEs), vertical (BFSI, government, healthcare, IT & ITeS, retail & eCommerce, manufacturing, utilities, and other verticals), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America).

The report also provides a comprehensive review of the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges in the cloud compliance market. It covers the qualitative aspects in addition to the quantitative aspects of the market.



Reasons to Buy the Report



The report would help market leaders and new entrants in the following ways:

 It comprehensively segments the cloud compliance market and provides the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall market and its subsegments across different regions.

 It would help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide information on the key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities in the market.

 It would help stakeholders understand their competitors better and gain more insights to enhance their positions in the market. The competitive landscape section includes a competitor ecosystem, new product launches, product enhancement, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323917/?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.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




US Army Veteran Brent Woodward takes home five trophies, including coveted Ron Ashimine Award for top angler

"Game On" earns inaugural Josh Miles Award, given to the boat with the highest average points per angler

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the transformative three-day War Heroes on Water (WHOW) sportfishing tournament, United States Military veterans turned-anglers joined together for an emotional awards ceremony Tuesday evening at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, Calif. Set against the backdrop of WWII-era planes and artifacts, 125 veterans, many of whom have received some of our nation's highest military decorations including the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals, and the Purple Heart, celebrated their accomplishments on the water with captains and crews as they reflected on the event's critical impact.

US Army Veteran Maggie Bilyeu fishes aboard the vessel "Bad Company 75" during the fifth annual War Heroes on Water transformative sportfishing tournament. In its largest tournament to-date, the event featured 50 of Southern Californias finest sportfishing vessels and raised well over $1 million. WHOW has raised $5 million since the tournaments inception, which supports Freedom Alliances year-round therapeutic services and scholarships for combat-wounded service members and their families.

The evening kicked-off with a speech from Tom Kilgannon, President of Freedom Alliance, WHOW's charitable partner. Kilgannon praised the veterans for the sacrifices they have made, "You have so much more to give to this country; your contributions to the Unites States are far from over. You all are very special people, who have gifts and talents and I'm blessed to be able to know you."

In its fifth annual and largest tournament to-date, the event featured 50 of Southern California's finest sportfishing vessels and raised well over $1 million. WHOW has raised $5 million since the tournament's inception, which supports Freedom Alliance's year-round therapeutic services and scholarships for combat-wounded service members and their families.

Kilgannon passed the mic to WHOW Founder Anthony Hsieh who reflected on the beginning of WHOW and shared his overwhelming appreciation for our veterans and civilian supporters. "I hope all of you are as proud as I am in the fifth year of this tournament. We take so much for granted as civilians, and when you look around this room at our heroes who sacrifice so much  as a civilian, I can't comprehend what you have gone through. I couldn't ask for a better event with a better spirit and a better community."

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Hsieh went on to thank the Southern California sportfishing community for its invaluable support, adding "We realize the most important spoke in this wheel are our yacht owners and captains. No matter how much money we raise, without your support, this couldn't happen, so I want to recognize each and every one of you. I hope this event has changed you just a little bit, as it has changed me  and especially the lives of our veterans."

Before handing out awards, WHOW tournament director Rod Halperin projected, "I am incredibly proud of WHOW - it is a great event, it has changed my life, and I hope it's changed all of your lives. I'm so proud of all of our veterans. You all make me proud of my country, proud of the flag. You make me proud to be an American and that is a great feeling, that is the best feeling in the world."

US Army veteran Brent Woodward collected the most trophies of the night with five in total, reeling in the highest cumulative weight at 245.2 pounds, the biggest Yellowfin Tuna (49.7 pounds) and Bluefin Tuna (195.5 pounds), and his team placed third in the "Top Boat" category.

Woodward also took home one of the most coveted prizes of the night, The Ron Ashimine Award for the top angler, which is especially poignant as it is named for a Vietnam veteran and close friend of Hsieh. Together, Anthony and Ron spent more than 800 days at sea, fishing around the world. Ron participated in the first WHOW tournament, held in 2018, but passed away in 2019.

Woodward was onboard Hsieh's "Bad Company 75" with Navy veteran Cyndi Miles, who recently lost her husband, a highly decorated Marine Corps veteran and the former Director of Military and Charitable Programs for Freedom Alliance. Josh Miles was known as the heartbeat of the tournament and worked tirelessly to help it thrive, all out of his love for his fellow servicemen and women.

The inaugural Josh Miles Award for "Top Boat" was presented to the vessel "Game On," which hosted veterans Alhajie Fofanah and Thomas Pacheco. Accepting the inaugural honor, Fofana raised his trophy in the air and led the crowd in a powerful tribute to Josh. The Award was created to honor and recognize Josh's teamwork, leadership, and dedication.

Pacheco, a first-time WHOW participant and retired Army telecommunication systems chief, who also took home honors finishing second in the "Top Angler" and third in the "Weight Points" categories, shared the impact this year's tournament had on his life, "Back in the military, I really felt like I was somebody important and when I retired, I felt like I was nobody. This tournament brought me back up to where I was somebody again, so thank you very much."

While the eventand the awards ceremony itselfwas epic, all in attendance echoed one sentiment: this event provides a singular opportunity for veterans from across the country to form deep and genuine bonds with one another, as well as with the WHOW fleet captains and crews, creating an enduring safety net and long-term support system. Set against the calming backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, WHOW allows these veterans to forge new relationships, open up to each other and bond over similar experiences and feelings, allowing for much needed healing to occur.

Retired Marine Corps Corporal Larry Draughn, who placed first in qualifier points and third in the "Top Angler" category, took a moment to speak to his fellow participants and civilian supporters reflecting, "I struggle with my own demons every day. I've had a rough last few months but this event has given me something to look forward to and kept my head above water mentally. Sometimes some of us lose to those demons but WHOW really helps us to fight them off, so we have a purpose, and something to look forward to."

Another honorable mention included Army Veteran Mea Peterson's second place finish in the "Weight Points" category aboard El Cazador, reeling in 210.3 pounds of Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna. In her second WHOW, Peterson was one of six female veterans who joined this year's tournament.

A total of 20 trophies were handed out during the celebration, including awards for Species, Qualifying Points, Weight Points, Overall Points and Top Boat.

Top Angler Top Boat Weight Points Qualifier Points 1. Brent Woodward, Bad

Company 75 *Ron Ashimine Award 1. Game On *Josh Miles Award 1. Brent Woodward,

Bad Company 75 1. Larry Draughn,

Zoriana 2. Thomas Pacheco,

Game On 2. Seaclusion 2. Mea Peterson,

El Cazador 2. Wayne Taylor, Play N

Hookey 3. Larry Draughn,

Zoriana 3.Bad Company 75 3. Thomas Pacheco,

Game On 3. Jeff Duarte, Bottom

Line

Species Winners Calico Bass: Aaron May, Aquila Rockfish: Wayne Taylor, Play N Hookey Halibut: Aaron May, Aquila Yellowtail: Larry Draughn, Zoriana Yellowfin Tuna: Brent Woodward, Bad Company 75 Bluefin Tuna: Brent Woodward, Bad Company 75 Dorado: Wayne Taylor, Play N Hookey Marlin: Jack Graham, Kea Kai

About War Heroes on Water

War Heroes on Water (WHOW) is an annual sportfishing tournament of unprecedented scale that supports combat-wounded veterans' programs. It was created by Anthony Hsieh, who is also the owner and leader of Team Bad Company, a world-class, record-holding competitive sportfishing fleet. Through Hsieh's deep connections with the Southern California sportfishing and business communities, WHOW has grown exponentially over five years and is now the largest nonprofit sportfishing tournament in the US.

About Freedom Alliance

Freedom Alliance is a charitable organization which provides help and support to wounded troops and military families. Freedom Alliance has awarded more than $20 million in college scholarships to the children of military heroes killed or disabled in military service and has spent millions more helping injured veterans and military families with outdoor recreational therapy trips, Heroes Vacations, care packages for deployed troops, mortgage-free homes, all-terrain wheelchairs and much more. To learn more, visit www.FreedomAlliance.org or Facebook.com/FreedomAlliance.

Contact

Jonathan Fine

781.248.3963

jfine@loanDepot.com

(PRNewsfoto/War Heroes on Water)

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SOURCE War Heroes on Water
ReportLinker

INTRODUCTION Non-adherence to prescribed medication regimen is one of the major factors that not only causes negative implications on the patients health, but also adds to the overall pharmaceutical industrys burden.

New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Combination Product Services Market by Type of Device Service Focus Area, Company Size, and Key Geographical Regions : Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2022-2035" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323413/?utm_source=GNW

According to an article published by Contract Pharma in April 2022, non-adherence to prescribed medicines is estimated to cost more than USD 250 billion annually to the drug developers. Further, lack of effective methods / solutions for sustained / controlled release of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) at the targeted delivery sites is another challenge in efficient drug delivery. Notably, inadequate methods to control the release of API into the body cause fluctuations in plasma levels, leading to various side effects. Among other approaches used for efficient drug delivery, the introduction of combination products has garnered the attention of many developers within the pharmaceutical industry. Combination products comprise of two or more FDA- regulated components that provide controlled release of the APIs. , However, the development of drug-device combination products is a long-drawn-out process that not only requires novel technologies and processes but also a huge amount of capital and expertise. In addition, drug-device compatibility, user needs, release testing / testing methods, production, and packaging requirements are other factors that add to complexity in commercialization of combination products. In order to overcoming these challenges and enhance patient experience, several combination product developers are outsourcing their operations to companies that offer services for testing and validating the efficacy of their combination products.



Presently, there are several combination product service providers which claim to employ various strategic approaches to support product development and testing to provide safe, effective combination products that meet user needs. These players provide the most suitable characterization methods that help manufacturers throughout the development and manufacturing process. Some of the common features provided by the combination product service providers include providing access to GMP-certified facilities, larger capacities, new technologies, and greater operational flexibility. Further, in order to address the existing challenges in combination product development and manufacturing, service providers are actively expanding their current geographical reach and broadening their respective services portfolio. With rising need for effective drug delivery in terms of controlled drug release and the increased focus of service providers towards the development and commercial manufacturing of combination products, the combination product services market is likely to witness a significant growth in the coming years.



SCOPE OF THE REPORT

The Combination Product Services Market (Focus on Particle Testing, Performance Testing and Product Development) by Type of Device (Autoinjectors, Prefilled Syringes, Large Volume Wearable Injectors and Other Types of Devices) Service Focus Area (Particle Testing, Performance Testing and Product Development), Company Size (Very Small, Small, Mid-sized, Large and Very Large Companies), and Key Geographical Regions (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World): Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2022-2035 report features an extensive study of service providers engaged in development and testing of combination products. The study features an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various industry stakeholders engaged in this domain.



Amongst other elements, the report features:

A detailed assessment of the market landscape of combination product service providers based on several relevant parameters, such as year of establishment, company size (very small, small, mid-sized, large and very large), location of headquarters, type of combination product(s) (drug delivery device / system, device coated / impregnated with drug, and other types of combination products), type of device(s) (autoinjectors, pen-injectors, prefilled syringes, large volume wearable injectors and other types of devices), service focus area(s) (particle testing, performance testing, and product development), type of service(s) offered (chemical characterization / testing, closure integrity testing, packaging validation, process development and validation, stability studies and other types of services), location of facility and leading players (in terms of number of services offered).

A detailed company competitiveness analysis of combination product service providers, based on supplier power (based on the experience of the developer in this industry) and service portfolio strength based on several relevant parameters, such as type of combination product(s) (device coated / impregnated with drug, drug delivery device / system, and other types of combination products), type of device(s) (autoinjectors, pen-injectors, prefilled syringes, large volume wearable injectors and other types of devices), service focus area(s), (particle testing, performance testing, and product development), types of service(s) offered (chemical characterization / testing, closure integrity testing, packaging validation, process development and validation, stability studies and other types of services), and number of accreditations / certifications.

Elaborate profiles of key players that offer services for development and testing of combination products. Each profile features a brief overview of the company, along with information on year of establishment, location of headquarters, number of employees, key executives, recent developments and an informed future outlook.

A detailed analysis of the recent expansions undertaken by various combination product service providers, based on several relevant parameters, such as year of expansion, type of expansion (capacity expansions, facility expansions and new facility addition), location of expanded facility, most active players (in terms of number of recent expansions) and geographical distribution.

A case study on most advanced and popular combination products, including large volume wearble injectors and prefilled syringes combination products, providing information on their developer(s) and combination product specific features. Details of specific parameters captured for different product categories are mentioned as follows:

Large Volume Wearble Injector Combination Products: These products have been analyzed based on phase of development, type of device, drug compatibility, type of dosage, route of administration, method of administration, therapeutic area, storage volume / capacity, usability, technology used, mechanism of action and type of drug container.

Prefilled Syringe Combination Products: These therapies that have been approved / are being developed in combination with prefilled syringes have been analyzed based on type of drug molecule, year of approval (for approved therapies), geography (for approved therapies), route of administration, therapeutic area, dose strength (for approved therapies), and other available dosage forms (for approved therpies).

A list of more than 90 combination product developers that are likely to partner with combination product service providers (with regard to likely collaboration opportunities for combination product development and testing). These players have been shortlisted based on various parameters, such as pipeline strength, developer strength and product strength.

An insightful outsourcing: go or no go framework analysis, highlighting the various factors that need to be taken into consideration by combination product developers while deciding whether to develop their respective products in-house or engage the services of a service provider. Further, the analysis highlights all the key parameters that must be considered by players based on company sizes (very small, small, mid-sized, and large), while taking the aforementioned decision.



One of the key objectives of the report was to evaluate the existing market size, primary growth factors and future opportunity within the combination product service providers market in the mid to long term. Our year-wise projections of the current and future opportunity within the combination product service providers market have further been segmented across types of devices (autoinjectors, prefilled syringes, large volume wearable injectors and other types of devices), service focus areas (particle testing, performance testing and product development), company size (very small, small, mid-sized, large and very large), and key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia and rest of the world). In order to account for future uncertainties and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base, and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of the industrys growth.



All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.



The opinions and insights presented in the report were also influenced by discussions held with senior stakeholders in the industry.



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Who are the key players that provide services for the development and testing of combination products?

What are the most common services offered by combination product service providers?

What are the different types of expansion initiatives being undertaken by combination product service providers?

Who are the leading players that are currently engaged in the development / commercialization of combination products?

What are the most advanced features of combination products?

Which factors are likely to influence the decision of combination product developers for outsourcing development and testing operations?

How is the current and future market opportunity likely to be distributed across key market segments?



CHAPTER OUTLINES



Chapter 2 is an executive summary of the key insights captured during our research. It offers a high-level view on the current state of the combination product service providers market and its likely evolution in the mid to long term.



Chapter 3 provides an overview of combination products, along with information on various types of combination products. Additionally, it includes information on the various challenges associated with development and testing of combination products. Further, it features a brief discussion on the growing need for outsourcing within this domain.



Chapter 4 provides a detailed review of the overall landscape of combination product service providers along with information on over 25 service providers that claim to provide development and testing services for combination products. Additionally, it features an in-depth analysis of service providers, based on several relevant parameters, such as year of establishment, company size (very small, small, mid-sized, large and very large), location of headquarters, type of combination product(s) (drug delivery device / system, device coated / impregnated with drug, and other types of combination products), type of device(s) (autoinjectors, pen-injectors, prefilled syringes, large volume wearable injectors and other types of devices), service focus area(s) (particle testing, performance testing, and product development), type of service(s) offered (chemical characterization / testing, closure integrity testing, packaging validation, process development and validation, stability studies and other types of services), location of facility and leading players (in terms of number of services offered).



Chapter 5 features a detailed company competitiveness analysis of the combination product service providers, based on several relevant parameters, such as supplier power (based on the experience of the developer in this industry) and service portfolio strength based on several relevant parameters, such as type of combination product(s) (device coated / impregnated with drug, drug delivery device / system, and other types of combination products), type of device(s) (autoinjectors, pen-injectors, prefilled syringes, large volume wearable injectors and other types of devices), service focus area(s), (particle testing, performance testing, and product development), types of service(s) offered (chemical characterization / testing, closure integrity testing, packaging validation, process development and validation, stability studies and other types of services), and number of accreditations / certifications.



Chapter 6 provides detailed profiles of the key players (shortlisted based on a proprietary criterion) that are active in the combination product services market. Each profile provides an overview of the company, along with information on year of establishment, location of headquarters, number of employees, key executives, details on recent developments, and an informed future outlook.



Chapter 7 presents a detailed analysis of the recent expansions undertaken by various combination product service providers, based on several relevant parameters, such as year of expansion, type of expansion (capacity expansions, facility expansions and new facility additions), location of expanded facility, most active players (in terms of number of recent expansions) and geographical distribution.



Chapter 8 features an elaborate discussion on combination products, with special focus on large volume wearable injectors and prefilled syringes. The chapter includes a detailed analysis based on specific parameters for each product category, namely [A] large volume wearable injector combination products based on their phase of development, type of device, drug compatibility, type of dosage, route of administration, method of administration, therapeutic area, storage volume / capacity, usability, technology used, mechanism of action and type of drug container and [B] prefilled syringe combination products (therapies that have approved / are being developed in combination prefilles syringes) based on type of drug molecule, year of approval (for approved therapies), geography (for approved therapies), route of administration, therapeutic area, dose strength (for approved therapies), and other available dosage forms (for approved therapies).



Chapter 9 features a list of 90+ stakeholders that are anticipated to partner with combination product service providers in the foreseen future. The players have been shortlisted based on a detailed analysis of relevant parameters, namely pipeline strength (in terms of number of product that have been / are being developed by the player), developer strength (based on players experience in the domain) and product strength.



Chapter 10 presents an insightful analysis that highlights the various factors that need to be taken into consideration by combination product developers, while deciding whether to manufacture their respective products in-house or engage the services of a CMO. Further, the analysis highlights all the key parameters that must be considered by players of different company sizes (very small, small, mid-sized, and large) while taking the aforementioned decision.



Chapter 11 features a comprehensive market forecast analysis, highlighting the likely growth of the combination product services market, for the period 2022-2035. Additionally, the report features the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity across types of devices (autoinjectors, prefilled syringes, large volume wearable injectors and other types of devices), service focus areas (particle testing, performance testing and product development), company size (very small, small, mid-sized, large and very large), and key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia, and rest of the world).



Chapter 12 is a summary of the entire report. In this chapter, we have provided a list of key takeaways from the report, and expressed our independent opinion related to the research and analysis described in the previous chapters.



Chapter 13 provides the transcripts of interviews conducted with representatives from renowned organizations, which are engaged in the domain of combination product services.



Chapter 14 is an appendix, that provides tabulated data and numbers for all the figures included in the report.



Chapter 15 is an appendix that provides the list of companies and organizations that have been mentioned in the report.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323413/?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.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




A rendering of the planned warehouse in Sutton.

SUTTON  Construction started Monday off Providence and Boston roads, where a local packaging company plans to open a 1-million-square-foot warehouse and manufacturing space.

UN1F1ED Global Packaging, an international packaging company headquartered in Sutton, plans to erect two buildings on a 448-acre lot.

A representative of the contractor, RP Masiello Inc. of Boylston, did not specify how long the project will take to finish, but he did say that it will be "multiyear."

UN1F1ED specializes in producing the elements needed for foam packaging, air pack packaging and wood packaging for industries that range from commercial to life sciences.

This will be the company's third manufacturing location in Sutton off Providence Road and the 11th in the state.

Owned by a partnership between The Kraft Group and Atlas Box and Crating Co., the company has a nationwide reach and locations in Ireland and Poland.

The new location in Sutton was previously owned by Aggregate Industries, a manufacturer of construction materials such as concrete and cement.

RP Masiello Inc. said in an announcement that the buildings will be made of steel-frame structure with insulated metal wall panels and a decorative split-block facade.

The buildings will be located at the end of a new road called Unified Parkway.

The contractors announcement cited, a surging demand for packaging driven by the exponential growth of online consumer purchasing, as the reason for the new location.

These new buildings will help UN1F1ED keep pace and create capacity for future growth, announcement said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Unified2 Global Packaging building huge warehouse in Sutton, Mass.
NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) participated in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, to foster collaboration among nations around the digital economy and enable digital prosperity for all. DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya held bilateral meetings and participated in events during the UNGA.

Digital Cooperation Organization advances global discussion on digital prosperity for all at United Nations General Assembly 2022

The DCO hosted a high-level round table in New York, which included DCO Member State representatives; H.E. Ahmad Hanandeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Jordan; Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA); Jonathan H. Adashek, Chief Communications Officer and Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, IBM; and high-ranking officials from several UN agencies.

Commenting on the DCO's participation, Deemah AlYahya, DCO Secretary-General, said "Driving economic growth, eliminating gender inequality, and promoting sustainability are global economic challenges outlined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These global challenges can only be addressed by multilateral cooperation, in areas such as innovation and emerging technologies and more importantly in developing innovation friendly regulatory frameworks." DCO presents a platform for multilateral, multi-stakeholder collaboration that allows for accelerating a vibrant, sustainable and, more importantly, inclusive digital economy."

Deema AlYahya met with Dr. Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology., and Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, to discuss aligning the DCO with the UN SG's Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.

The Secretary-General held a number of bilateral meetings with ministers, NGOs, and private sector leaders including H.E. Nele Leosk, Ambassador-at-Large for Digital Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; H.E Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information Communications Technology and Innovation, Rwanda; H.E. Dr. Abul Kalam Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of Bangladesh; Hon. Kyriacos Kokkinos, Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Republic of Cyprus; H.E. Mohammed Thamer Al-Kaabi, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Kingdom of Bahrain; H.E. Ivan John Uy, Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Republic of the Philippines; H.E. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and H.E. Amb. Hissein Ibrahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

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Secretary-General AlYahya held several meetings with executives from the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) at the United Nations Foundation, NVIDIA Corporation, and the Global Partnerships Forum.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1911949/DCO_at_UN.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1867632/DCO_Logo.jpg

The Digital Cooperation Organization Logo

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The Flowr Corporation

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR; OTC: FLWPF) (Flowr or the Company) is pleased to announce results of voting at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders that was held on September 28, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario.



All matters submitted to the shareholders for approval as set out in the Companys Notice of Meeting and Information Circular dated August 15, 2022 were approved, including the election of directors of the Company. The directors will hold office until successors are duly elected or appointed. Additionally, in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Companys shareholders approved the Stock Option Plan. The Companys shareholders also re-appointed MNP LLP, as the Companys auditors to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until its successor is duly appointed.

The Company also announces that Joanne Lee has resigned from the board of directors in order to pursue other opportunities. The board thanks Ms. Lee for her service to the Company and wishes her great success in her future endeavours.

About The Flowr Corporation

The Flowr Corporation is a Canadian cannabis company with its operating campus, located in Kelowna, British Columbia. Flowr aims to support improving outcomes through responsible cannabis use and, as an established expert in cannabis cultivation, strives to be the brand of choice for consumers and patients seeking the highest-quality craftsmanship and product consistency across a portfolio of differentiated cannabis products.

For more information, please visit flowrcorp.com or follow Flowr on Twitter: @FlowrCanada and LinkedIn: The Flowr Corporation.

On behalf of The Flowr Corporation:

Darren Karasiuk

Chief Executive Officer

CONTACT INFORMATION:

INVESTORS & MEDIA:

investors@flowrcorp.com

Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to: the Companys expectation that it will build on its achievements as it continues to invest in sales and marketing; Flowrs business, production and products; Flowrs plans to provide premium quality cannabis to adult use recreational and medical markets; the Companys ability to obtain licensing from Health Canada and other regulatory authorities with respect to its properties and facilities; future legislative and regulatory developments in Canada and elsewhere; the cannabis industry in Canada generally; the ability of Flowr to implement its business strategies; and the ability of Flowr to produce or sell premium quality cannabis. Particularly, information regarding our expectations of future results, targets, performance achievements, prospects or opportunities is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, believe, estimate, plan, could, should, would, outlook, forecast, anticipate, foresee, continue or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Forward-looking information is current as of the date it is made and is based on reasonable estimates and assumptions made by us at the relevant time in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. We do not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws in Canada. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information as discussed in the Companys other publicly filed documents, which can be accessed under the Companys profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com, Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information.



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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.








Former eBay execs jailed for almost 5 years after they sent threatening messages and delivered a fetal pig to a couple's house

The eBay executives viewed David and Ina Steiner's newsletter as critical of the company. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Two former eBay executives were sentenced to prison on Thursday for the harassment of a couple.

The couple published a newsletter that was seen as critical of the company.

The two men and their co-conspirators sent deliveries to the couple's home, including a fetal pig.

Two former eBay executives were sentenced to prison on Thursday for partaking in the harassment of an editor and a publisher of a newsletter, eCommercebytes.

James Baugh, eBay's former director of safety and security, and David Harville, eBay's former director of global resiliency, both pled guilty to the charges, according to a press release from the US attorney's office in Massachusetts.

Baugh was sentenced to 57 months in prison and Harville was given two years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of $20,000, per the release.

As Insider's Dominick Reuter reported in May, the harassment took place in 2019. As well as sending threatening messages, the two men and their co-conspirators sent deliveries to David and Ina Steiner's home including a book on surviving the death of a spouse, a bloody pig mask, a fetal pig, a funeral wreath, and live insects. They also invited people to visit the couple's house for sexual encounters via Craigslist.

Baugh and Harville had targeted the Steiners because they believed their newsletter had been critical of eBay, per the press release.

EBay did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours.

Rachael S. Rollins, the US attorney for Massachusetts, said in the press release: "The defendants' toxic brand of online and real-world harassment, threats, and stalking was outrageous, cruel, and defies any explanationall the more because these men were seasoned and highly paid security executives backed by the resources of a Fortune 500 corporation."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Adroit Market Research

Global bifenthrin market research is a complete, proficient report conveying statistical surveying information that is significant for new market participants and established players.

Dallas, Texas, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research studies and market experts have anticipated the behavior of the global bifenthrin market and how are the market dynamics are likely to change in future. Experts and latest studies predict that current dynamic aspects of customers, competitors, and capabilities may propel the global bifenthrin market reaching close to USD 350 Million by the end of 2029. Also, compound annual growth rate may rise to 7.3% during the forecast span 2022-2029.

From controlling borers and termites in timber, insect pests in agricultural crops such as pears, bananas, and other types of pest control, bifenthrin have had a front seat globally. This is further propelling the global bifenthrin market. This remarkable jump is due spike in the amount and variation of supply, which unearthed significant customer demand.

Request for a sample report here: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/3375

The bifenthrin report profiles the following companies, which include

Yangnong Chemical

FMC

Jiangsu Huifeng Agrochemical

Jiangsu Chunjiang Agrochemical and others

Based on type, the bifenthrin market is categorized into-

0.95

0.97

Others

According to applications, bifenthrin market classifies into-

Cotton

Rice

Fruit Tree

Others

Owing to benefits such as low toxicity, bifenthrin is potentially used as a good candidate insecticide compared to other pyrethroids such as permethrin and deltamethrin thus fostering remarkable progress of global bifenthrin market.

Also advantages such as low vapor pressure, low water solubility, non-irritant to skin, the bifenthrin use is rapidly increasing fostering remarkable progress of global bifenthrin market. The forces behind total-market demand are favorable economic impact of bifenthrin due to its use in range of agricultural pests, and others, support of bifenthrin materials to the growth of several technologically advanced industries.

Story continues

The primary drivers of change to the global bifenthrin market are increasing use of the metal and its alloys in aforementioned industries. A secondary driver of change is increasing economic importance due to its very unique combination of properties leasing to high demand in high-tech applications.

Ask our Expert if You Have a Query at: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/3375

Globally, bifenthrin market spread across-

North America (United States, Canada) South America (Mexico, Brazil, Rest of South America) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Korea) Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy) Other (Middle East, Africa, GCC)

Bifenthrin brings unrivaled advantages to its end-use applications. Bifenthrin is making life at home, work, airport, and medical procedures safe and easy that were thought unattainable. It also provides environmental benefits as it is lightweight and recyclable.

However, studies have investigated that lower bifenthrin resources, high production methods, and high production costs to suppress demand hampering the global bifenthrin market.

Despite decades of global leadership and a large area of market coverage likelihood of other insecticides in vast quantity, lack of product availability may probably function as the degree of threat to the global bifenthrin market. Also, public health effects of bifenthrin, high toxicity, rapid decomposition when exposed to light are key limitations that have hurt the industrys financial situation.

At the same time, the global bifenthrin market could regain market leadership and move forward again because of capabilities such as extraordinary combination of material properties making it highly favorable in various applications, and political, macroeconomic, or biological innovations is driving the global bifenthrin market.

The key market divisions of global bifenthrin market on the basis of application are agricultural crops, general pest control, control of borers, and termites in timber. They key application segment experiencing highest market demand is pest control. The segment is witnessing higher demand due to growing mosquito bite related diseases across the world.

Globally, the market divisions of bifenthrin are North America, APAC, Middle East and Africa, South America, and Other regions. APAC is the leading market of bifenthrin. New types of mosquito led diseases especially in the areas affected by malaria. Thus bifenthrin demand is witnessing explosive growth in APAC countries.

Direct Purchase Report @ https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/researchreport/purchase/3375

About Us:

Adroit Market Research is a global business analytics and consulting company incorporated in 2018. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps.

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-- New IBM Transformation Index: the State of Cloud helps business leaders to assess gaps in their transformation journey

-- More than half of respondents are currently concerned about security, while 53% believe ensuring compliance in the cloud is currently too difficult

-- Nearly 70% surveyed say their team lacks the skills needed to sufficiently manage cloud environments

SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- New global market research from IBM (NYSE: IBM ) revealed that more than 77% of respondents have adopted a hybrid cloud approach which can help drive digital transformation, yet the majority of responding organizations are struggling with the complexity to make all their cloud environments work together. As organizations face skills gaps, security challenges, and compliance obstacles, less than one-quarter of respondents across the globe manage their hybrid cloud environments holistically  which can create blind spots and put data at risk.

Hybrid Cloud image

The IBM Transformation Index: State of Cloud commissioned by IBM and conducted by independent research firm, The Harris Poll, was created to help organizations map their cloud transformation and empower them to self-classify their progress. Built on a foundation that leverages insights from experienced cloud professionals, enterprises can use the Index to gain measurable metrics that can help quantify their progress and uncover areas of opportunity and growth. The Index consisted of more than 3,000 business and technology decision-makers from 12 countries and across 15 industries including financial services, manufacturing, government, telecommunications and healthcare, to understand where organizations are advancing, or merely emerging, on their transformation journeys.

The Index points to a strong correlation between hybrid cloud adoption and progress in digital transformation. In fact, 71% of those surveyed think it's difficult to realize the full potential of a digital transformation without having a solid hybrid cloud strategy in place. At the same time, only 27% of those surveyed possess the necessary characteristics to be considered as "advanced" in their transformation. So, why the disconnect? A sampling of findings include:

Story continues

Compliance: Businesses believe ensuring compliance in the cloud is currently too difficult  especially as we see enforcement of regulatory and compliance requirements heat up across the globe.

Security: While businesses have embraced a variety of security techniques to secure workloads in the cloud, concerns about security still remain.

Skills: As organizations face the realities of a talent shortage, they are failing to implement a holistic hybrid cloud strategy  which can create gaps in security and compliance and cause risk across cloud environments.

"As we see regulatory requirements grow across the globe, compliance is top of mind for business leaders. This concern is even greater for those in highly regulated industries. Yet at the same time, they are facing a growing threat landscape  one that demands holistic management of their multicloud environments to avoid the risks of a Frankencloud  an environment that's so disconnected, it's difficult to navigate and can be nearly impossible to secure, particularly against third and fourth party risks," said Howard Boville, Head of IBM Cloud Platform. "An integration strategy to bring together these different piece parts is what we believe separates the leaders from the rest of the pack  the alternative is to pay the price of the Frankencloud."

"The key value of cloud for businesses is rapid access to innovative technologies, data sources, and applications required to navigate current disruptions and transform businesses. No individual cloud can address all of an enterprise's requirements, so they must be able to use and effectively control hybrid cloud assets across many locations. IBM with its focus on providing a holistic hybrid cloud strategy is well positioned to help organizations address the security, data management and compliance complexities that can prevent them from taking full advantage of cloud innovation," says Rick Villars, Group Vice President of Worldwide Research at IDC.

The 2022 IBM Transformation Index: State of Cloud revealed:

Lack of the right skills is inhibiting progress

When it comes to managing their cloud applications, 69% of respondents say their team lacks the skills needed to be proficient. This is a major roadblock to innovation, with more than a quarter of respondents saying skills and talent shortages are impeding their business's cloud objectives. The effects don't stop here  these limitations are also preventing organizations from leveraging the power of partnerships. More than one-third of respondents say a lack of technical skills is holding them back from integrating ecosystem partners into cloud environments. This challenge is even greater in the US, where nearly 40% admit to this lack of skills  pointing to the need for talent.

Exposure to cyberthreats continues to lurk despite embracing security techniques

While more than 90% of responding financial services, telecommunications and government organizations have adopted security tools such as confidential computing capabilities, multifactor authentication and more, gaps remain that are preventing organizations from driving innovation. In fact, 32% of overall respondents cite security as the top barrier for integrated workloads across environments and more than one quarter of respondents agree security concerns present a roadblock to achieving their cloud business goals.

Security concerns can even hold organizations back from unlocking the full potential of partnerships. As potential security gaps can cause third and fourth party risks to loom, respondents say data governance (49%) and cybersecurity (47%) are the top challenges to fully integrating their business ecosystem into the cloud. In Brazil, cyberthreats are an even greater concern to ecosystem innovation -- 51% say cybersecurity risks pose a major challenge for businesses that want to integrate business ecosystem partners into cloud environments.

Regulatory and compliance requirements remain center stage causing businesses to pause

With regulations on the rise, so too are compliance challenges. 53% of respondents believe that ensuring compliance in the cloud is currently too difficult and nearly one-third cite regulatory compliance issues as a key barrier for integrating workloads across private and public IT environments. In financial services, for example, more than a quarter of respondents agree that meeting industry requirements is holding them back from fully achieving their cloud objectives. These challenges span the globe and are especially prevalent in countries such as Singapore, China, India and Japan.

Based on the Index, IBM will launch an interactive tool to serve as a continual source of feedback for organizations to measure their transformation progress. With the ability to help companies assess how they fare against others; the tool will allow them to identify areas where transformation is stalled and where it may be excelling  unlocking the ability to diagnose and act with efficiency even against the real-world of complexity of cloud transformation.

IBM will make the IBM Transformation Index: State of Cloud tool publicly available in the coming months, aiming to provide business leaders with valuable benchmarking insights that can inform their hybrid cloud strategies. The IBM Institute for Business Value also published a new report, "A Comparative Look at Enterprise Cloud Strategy" with an action guide for how leaders can use the Index to help advance their organizations' digital transformation.

Singapore Fact Sheet

The IBM Transformation Index: State of Cloud points to a strong correlation between hybrid cloud adoption and progress in digital transformation - 77% of those surveyed in Singapore think it's difficult to realize the full potential of a digital transformation without having a solid hybrid cloud strategy in place. (Global is 71%)

Hybrid cloud offers the power of choice  enabling enterprises to host workloads wherever they need to be . Industry clouds such as IBM Cloud for Financial Services are key to a successful hybrid cloud strategy for enterprises in highly regulated industries to reduce risk while driving innovation .

Enterprises aren't holistically managing their hybrid cloud infrastructures for a number of reasons - concerns over security, skills, and compliance. These concerns are getting in the way of reaching the full potential of the hybrid cloud  creating blind spots that can put data at risk. The conversation has shifted  it's no longer hybrid, it's how to do it better to derive business value.

In Singapore, hybrid cloud is the dominant architecture, but enterprises aren't holistically managing their infrastructures for several reasons - concerns over security, skills, and more.

More than three-quarters (77%) of those surveyed in Singapore agree that without a hybrid cloud strategy, it's difficult to realize the full potential of a digital transformation.

Hybrid cloud has become the dominant architecture (78% use one in Singapore), yet less than a quarter (25%) of respondents in Singapore manage their cloud environments holistically.

In Singapore, difficulty managing complex environments (44%), regulatory compliance (38%), and security are the top barrier to integrating workloads across cloud environments.

Regulatory and compliance roadblocks stand in the way of cloud goals in Singapore

Regulatory and compliance limitations are holding organizations in Singapore back from fully achieving their cloud goals.

Over a quarter of respondents in Singapore cited regulatory compliance issues as a key barrier to integrating workloads across private and public IT environments (38%).

Businesses in Singapore have the tools to secure their workloads in the cloud, but roadblocks indicate there remains a gap of some sort -- either in understanding, skills, trust, or technology

More than half (57%) of respondents in Singapore agree/strongly agree that " The Public Cloud is not secure enough for much of our data."

Security & compliance is cited in Singapore as one of the top reasons (32%) for moving work off the cloud; Security concerns also present a roadblock (22%) in Singapore to achieving cloud business goals.

High rates of adoption for all security tools in Singapore - Confidential computing, multifactor authentication, single sign-on, VPN, Virtual Desktop Interface, DevSecOps, Zero trust.

Lack of skills and talent in Singapore is holding back cloud initiatives

Businesses in Singapore struggle to have the right talent to help them manage their cloud applications 77% of respondents in Singapore said their teams lack skills to be proficient.

Lack of technical skills is among the top 3 challenges (34%) for businesses that want to integrate business partners into their cloud environments.

Lack of talent or skills remains a roadblock for companies in Singapore - with more than a quarter (34%) of respondents saying it impedes them from their cloud objectives.

Data privacy concerns are holding back enterprises in Singapore from unlocking the full potential of partnerships in the cloud

Data governance (55%) and cybersecurity (49%) are the top 2 challenges in Singapore to fully integrate their business ecosystem into the cloud.

34% of respondents in Singapore cite a lack of technical skills as a hindrance to integrating ecosystem partners into the cloud.

Methodology:

This survey was conducted online in 12 countries (US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, India, Japan, China, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, Australia) by The Harris Poll on behalf of IBM from June 8th, 2022 to July 17th, 2022. The survey was conducted among 3,014 IT and business professionals in companies with annual revenue over $500M who have deep knowledge of their organization's Cloud strategy. The IBM Transformation Index: State of Cloud was developed by combining the data from 25+ question batteries of various formats across 9 Cloud-related dimensions that were informed by input from industry experts.

About IBM

IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting services provider, helping clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,800 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. For more information, visit www.ibm.com .

Media Contact Seri Rahayu External Communications IBM ASEANZK - Singapore & Vietnam seri.rahayu@ibm.com +60122106907 (Mobile) Selvi R Communications Leader IBM ASEANZK & Singapore selvir@sg.ibm.com +65 9795 4165 (Mobile)

State of Hybrid Cloud Singapore

Lack of skills and talent - Singapore

Security concern - Singapore

Data and privacy challenges - Singapore

Regulatory and compliance roadblocks - Singapore

IBM Corporation logo.

SOURCE IBM Singapore
ReportLinker

The concept of digital twin factories and virtual showrooms in the virtual space is in trend among automotive OEMs and dealers at present has triggered the growth of automotive metaverse industry. Many software companies and startups have developed AR/VR technologies and are still doing research and development towards the incorporation of metaverse applications in the automotive sectors.

New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Metaverse Market for Automotive by Products, Function, Application & Region - Global Forecast to 2030" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323919/?utm_source=GNW

Users and customers are showing their interest in the NFTs and crypto to be used in the asset marketplace in the virtual space. Metaverse technologies has made the things much more convenient in the field of simulation and testing the vehicle. The metaverse market for automotive is dominated by established players such as NVIDIA (US), Roblox Corporation (US), Unity Technologies (US), Meta Platforms Inc. (US), and WayRay (Switzerland). They develop products and provide service offerings for the automotive metaverse ecosystem.



Advertisement applications to be leveraged at a higher level by automotive manufacturers and dealers during the forecast period.

Many automotive manufacturers and dealers have leveraged metaverse technologies to showcase their products in virtual space.OEMs have leveraged NFT releases, new product launches (of automobiles), virtual marketing events, and other resources.



Meta, for instance, has been selling virtual billboards as part of its metaverse.The company has allowed dealerships to sell cars directly through its online platform and allowed digital purchase rights of virtual estates for showrooms.



Many local dealerships across regions have leveraged this platform.With the rising usage of metaverse, the market for advertising in the metaverse will grow exponentially, with companies finding new ways to advertise on these platforms.



The concept of virtual showrooms has grown rapidly across the automotive industry, where companies can advertise their products virtually without leveraging actual cars. The company plans to reduce costs by launching its cars only in the virtual space.



North America is likely to be the largest market during the forecast period.

North America has the largest metaverse market for the automotive industry.Software is expected to be the largest segment in this region, with top software and metaverse platform providers like Roblox, Unity Technologies, Epic Games, Upland, and Sandbox, among others, present in this region.



The presence of top metaverse hardware providers like Microsoft, Meta, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm, among others, and a large part of the population using metaverse will make this the largest metaverse market for automotive.The US is expected to lead the market in this region due to the presence of most metaverse ecosystem providers in the country.



Metaverse software and platform providers like Roblox (US), Unity Technologies (US), Upland (US), Sandbox (US), and Epic Games (US) have been key players in this region.These companies have been working with OEMs to provide software for the metaverse market for automotive.



Roblox and Unity Technologies have worked with Hyundai for metaverse solutions. Similarly, Ferrari has worked with Epic Games for its metaverse offering for digital assets.



In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in this market.

 By Company Type: Metaverse Ecosystem Providers - 67%, Others - 9%, and OEMs - 24%

 By Designation: CXOs - 33%, Managers  52%, Executives  15%

 By Region: North America - 20%, Europe - 31%, Asia Pacific - 41%, Rest of the World - 8%

The metaverse market for automotive is dominated by established players such as NVIDIA (US), Roblox Corporation (US), Unity Technologies (US), Meta Platforms Inc. (US), and WayRay (Switzerland). They develop products and provide service offerings for the automotive metaverse ecosystem. They have initiated partnerships to develop their metaverse technology and provide finished products and services to their respective customers in the metaverse market for automotive.



Research Coverage:

The report covers the metaverse market for automotive in terms of Offering, Products (Hardware, Software, Others), Technology (AR, VR, MR), Application & Region (Asia Pacific, Europe and North America). It covers the competitive landscape and company profiles of the major players in the metaverse market for automotive ecosystem.

The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.



Key Benefits of Buying the Report:

 The report will help market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of revenue numbers for the overall metaverse market for automotive and its subsegments.

 This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and plan suitable go-to-market strategies.

 The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323919/?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




ReportLinker

during the forecast period. Various key players in the ecosystem have led to a competitive and diverse market. Government initiatives to establish smart cities and WTTx-5G deployment coverage in untapped rural and urban regions are expected to drive the adoption of the WTTx market in the future.

New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "WTTx Market by Component, Operating Frequency, Organization Size And Region- Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323920/?utm_source=GNW

Recognizing the significance of high-speed internet to economic development, governments worldwide are pursuing large-scale projects to fund or subsidize the construction of broadband networks in underserved areas. For instance, the Federal Communications Commissions Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) awarded USD 9 billion to various wired, fixed wireless, and satellite operators in the US. It also introduced Connected America Fund 2 (CAFFI), whose funding allowed broadband deployment to rural areas.



By component, customer premise equipment segment to account for larger market size during forecast period

Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) is an equipment in networking used to deploy wireless broadband that is kept at the user terminal.CPE devices convert wireless signals, such as 3G, 4G, and 5G, and wired broadband transmissions into LAN signals for usage by terminal devices.



CPE can be considered to be a combination of router and MiFi.CPE is a device that can repeat mobile signals such as 4G signals and issue Wi-Fi signals.



It allows various devices to connect to the internet simultaneously by converting 4G/5G signals to Wi-Fi signals and supplying them to hardware devices for networking.

 By organization size, SMEs segment to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period



SMEs face a greater challenge of a limited budget than large enterprises and require better methods to resolve complexities and optimize the cost of their business processes.Implementing wireless broadband solutions can help SMEs reduce costs and improve business efficiency.



For less affluent markets and those without 5G coverage, a 4G connection is available as an alternate. Adopting WTTx solutions would reduce service costs and help provide greater coverage, high-speed, and low-latency networks, which would warrant enhanced subscriber experience and growth for SMEs.



Asia Pacific to register highest growth rate during forecast period

The investment and participation of Asia Pacific in the development of WTTx technology has made the region a hotspot for this industry.According to the GSMA Mobile Economy report, the region had planned to invest USD 331 billion between 2020 and 2025.



The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of connected, digital solutions to enable business operations efficiently in this region and witnessed the rapid growth of the internet and wireless broadband service users.According to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), internet users in this region increased by 24% between 2019 and 2021.



Asia Pacific has emerged as a central hotspot for wireless solutions and services and drives the growth of the WTTx market.



Breakdown of primaries

The study contains various industry experts insights, from solution vendors to Tier 1 companies. The break-up of the primaries is as follows:

 By Company Type: Tier 1  18%, Tier 2  9%, and Tier 3  73%

 By Designation: C-level  9%, D-level  18%, and Others  73%

 By Region: North America  55%, Europe  9%, Asia Pacific  36%



The major players covered in the WTTx report include Huawei (China), Nokia (Finland), Ericsson (Sweden), Qualcomm (US), CommScope (US), Samsung (South Korea), Eltel Group (Sweden), Airspan (US), Inseego (US), Gemtek (Taiwan), Fibocom (China), Anritsu (Japan), Keysight Technologies (US), Technicolor (France), Lumine (Canada), Remcom (US), Cohere Technologies (US), EDX (US), Kelly (Canada), Digi International (US), BLiNQ Networks (Canada), AVSystem (Poland), Tarana Wireless (US), Telrad Networks (Israel), and Jaton Technology Ltd (China). 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 WTTx.



Research Coverage

The market study covers the WTTx market size across segments.It aims at estimating the market size and the growth potential across segments, including component, organization size, operating frequency, and region.



The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the leading market players, their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and market strategies.



Key Benefits of Buying the Report

The report will help the market leaders/new entrants with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the global WTTx market and its subsegments.This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies.



Moreover, the report will provide insights for stakeholders to understand the pulse of the market and provide them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323920/?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




A group of House Democrats has unveiled a new bill that aims to put limits on the use of facial recognition technologies by law enforcement agencies across the United States.

Dubbed the Facial Recognition Act, the bill would compel law enforcement to obtain a judge-authorized warrant before using facial recognition. By adding the warrant requirement, law enforcement would first have to show a court it has probable cause that a person has committed a serious crime, rather than allowing largely unrestricted use of facial recognition under the existing legal regime.

The bill also puts other limits on what law enforcement can use facial recognition for, such as immigration enforcement or peaceful protests, or using a facial recognition match as the sole basis for establishing probable cause for someone's arrest.

If passed, the bill would also require law enforcement to annually test and audit their facial recognition systems, and provide detailed reports of how facial recognition systems are used in prosecutions. It would also require police departments and agencies to purge databases of photos of children who were subsequently released without charge, whose charges were dismissed or were acquitted.

Facial recognition largely refers to a range of technologies that allow law enforcement, federal agencies and private and commercial customers to track people using a snapshot or photo of their faces. The use of facial recognition has grown in recent years, despite fears that the technology is flawed, disproportionately misidentifies people of color (which has led to wrongful arrests) and harms civil liberties, but is still deployed against protesters, for investigating minor crimes and used to justify arrests of individuals from a single face match.

Some cities, states and police departments have limited their use of facial recognition in recent years. San Francisco became the first city to ban the use of facial recognition by its own agencies, and Maine and Massachusetts have both passed laws curbing their powers  though all have carved out exemptions of varying degrees for law enforcement or prosecutorial purposes.

Story continues

But the current patchwork of laws across the U.S. still leaves hundreds of millions of citizens without any protections at all.

Protecting the privacy of Americans  especially against a flawed, unregulated, and at times discriminatory technology  is my chief goal with this legislation," said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA, 33rd District) in a statement announcing the bill alongside colleagues Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX, 18th District), Yvette Clarke (D-NY, 9th District) and Jimmy Gomez (D-CA, 34th District).

"Our bill is a workable solution that limits law enforcement use of [facial recognition technology] to situations where a warrant is obtained showing probable cause that an individual committed a serious violent felony," Lieu added.

Gomez, who was one of 28 members of Congress misidentified as criminals in a mugshot database by Amazon's facial recognition software in 2018, said that there is "no doubt that, left unchecked, the racial and gender biases which exist in FRT will endanger millions of Americans across our country and in particular, communities of color."

The bill has so far received glowing support from privacy advocates, rights groups and law enforcement-adjacent groups and organizations alike. Woodrow Hartzog, a law professor at Boston University, praised the bill for strengthening baseline rules and protections across the U.S. "without preempting more stringent limitations elsewhere."
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

WHO: The Africa and Caribbean Presidential Leadership Awards Gala, www.CAFBLC.com

WHAT: A press conference, VIP reception and 2022 Presidential Leadership award show gala

WHEN: Thursday, September 29, 2022

Press Conference: 5:15-6:00 pm

VIP Reception: 6:00  7 pm

Gala & Award Show Begins: 7:30 pm

WHERE: The National Press Club, 529 14th St N.W., Washington, DC 20045

VISUALS: Performances by Aaron Exie Triplett aka ExieJ (Saxophone), Ed Botts (keyboardist), Onyx Chibuikem Onunkwo (4-Year-Old Prodigy), Her Excellency Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the United States of America, Minister Tobi Olowokande, Jesus House D.C., Ministers Matthew Boateng & Jonathan Laws, Miracle Arena for All Nations of Ontario, Canada, keyboardist, Jazmyn McKoy (Soloist),and Biney Traditional Dancers

Attendees Include: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Rep. Yvette Clarke (New York), Tomekah Burl from Rep. Karen Bass office, Dennis O'Leary (DarkPulse CEO), His Royal Majesty Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III (King of Sanzule Kingdom, Ghana West Africa), Reverend Dr. Dike (CAFBLC President and Founder), Office of Washington D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser Office on African American Affairs as well as the office of Caribbean American Affairs, Jan DuPlain (DuPlain Enterprises), Shanelle Simmonds (Charge d' affairs, Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis), H.E. Dr. Erieka Bennett, H.E. Nardos Bekele Thomas

Limited Media Dinner Gala Comps Available

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hundreds-of-vips-from-africa-the-caribbean-and-the-united-states-gather-at-the-national-press-club-to-honor-2022-recipients-of-the-presidential-leadership-award-301637337.html

SOURCE The Caribbean African Faith-based Leadership Conference
CIO

Winners and the industry at large will convene virtually at CIO's Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada at the end of November.

Toronto, ON, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International Data Corporation ( IDC ) Canada and Foundry's CIO , are pleased to recognize our first class of CIO Award winners for Canada. Winners, attendees and the industry at large will convene virtually at the end of November at CIOs Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada to recognize these premier organizations and executives driving IT innovation in Canada. This year's winners exemplify how IT leaders are driving business forward and setting their organizations up for success.



CIO's Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada

The CIO Awards for Canada will be presented during our upcoming virtual Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada conference happening on November 29th and 30th. This event celebrates Canadian organizations and their innovative projects.

We're excited to celebrate our inaugural class of CIO Awards Canada 2022, which honours Canadian IT organizations for projects driving digital business growth through technology innovation. Many projects are related to solutions for data management, work collaboration for hybrid work culture and digital transformation to improve business processes like predictive approaches to drive data value and reducing the carbon footprints., said Lars Goransson, Managing Director, Canada, IDC. We are honoured to showcase these achievements and the people behind them as we gather virtually to experience CIOs Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada at the end of November. The event will be co-produced by IDC and Foundrys CIO. We're also pleased to co-present TECHNATION's Ingenious Awards at the Summit  it truly will be a celebration of innovation in Canada."

IDC + CIO are proud to feature the Ingenious Awards from Industry Partner TECHNATION as part of the conference. We're also pleased to welcome Sponsor Partners Cisco Systems, UiPath, SAP and Darktrace (as of press date). Our partners add further value to the agenda, providing in-depth knowledge and unique solutions to address many of the issues that attendees are facing in their daily roles.

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Please visit CIOs Future of Digital Innovation Summit & Awards Canada to learn more about the conference and our partnership opportunities. Registration is open if you'd like to attend the event.

2022 CIO Award Canada Winners:

Air Liquide Canada  Metal Fabrication Division

Cameco Corporation

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Canadian Red Cross

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Electrical Safety Authority

Exchange Solutions

GS1 Canada

Guillevin International

McCain Foods Limited

Mouvement Desjardins

New Brunswick Community College

SMI

Solicitor General - Office of the Chief Coroner

The Regional Municipality of Durham

TransForm Shared Service Organization

United Way Greater Toronto





About CIO Awards Canada

The inaugural CIO Awards for Canada celebrate Canadian organizations and the teams within them that are using IT in innovative ways to deliver business value, whether by creating competitive advantage, optimizing business processes, enabling growth or improving relationships with customers. The award is an acknowledged mark of enterprise excellence and we are pleased to bring this award program to Canada. A list of all winning organizations will be available here later today.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group ( IDG ), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com . To learn more about IDC Canada, please visit www.idc.com/ca or follow us on Twitter at @idccanada and on LinkedIn .

About CIO

CIO focuses on attracting the highest concentration of enterprise CIOs and business technology executives with unparalleled peer insight and expertise on business strategy, innovation, and leadership. As organizations grow with digital transformation, CIO provides its readers with key insights on career development, including certifications, hiring practices and skills development. The award-winning CIO portfolio provides business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of ITs role in achieving business goals. CIO is published by Foundry (formerly IDG Communications) and recently launched in Canada. Company information is available at www.foundryco.com . Follow CIO on Twitter: @CIOonline & @CIOevents or on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Foundry

Foundry (an IDG, Inc. company) is a trusted and dependable editorial voice, creating quality content to generate knowledge, engagement and deep relationships with our community of the most influential technology and security decision-makers. Our premium media brands including CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, PCWorld and Tech Hive engage a quality audience of the most powerful technology buyers with essential guidance on the evolving technology landscape.

Our trusted brands inform our global data intelligence platform to identify and activate purchasing intent, powering our clients success. Our marketing services creates custom content with marketing impact across video, mobile, social and digital. We simplify complex campaigns that fulfill marketers global ambitions seamlessly, with consistency that delivers quality results and wins awards. Additional information about Foundry is available at https://www.foundryco.com.

CONTACT: Barbara Hall Associate VP, Event Operations & Marketing, IDC. bhall@idc.com




BOSTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.1380 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of September 12, 2022, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) with important information concerning the distribution declared on September 1, 2022, and payable on September 30, 2022. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: September 2022 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.1380

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable September 30, 2022, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 09/1/2022-09/30/2022

For the fiscal year-to-date period

11/1/2021-09/30/2022 1 Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions ($)

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1065

77 %

1.2326

81 % Net Realized Short-

Term Capital Gains

0.0137

10 %

0.2853

19 % Net Realized Long-

Term Capital Gains

0.0178

13 %

0.0000

0 % Return of Capital or

Other Capital Source

0.0000

0 %

0.0000

0 % Total per common share

0.1380

100 %

1.5179

100 %

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on August 31, 2022

7.08 %





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022

6.59 %





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through August 31, 2022

5.87 %





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of August 31, 2022

6.04 %

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1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2021 and will end on October 31, 2022.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the September 2022 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.1380 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Effective October 1, 2021, copies of all notices informing shareholders of distributions made by the fund in excess of accumulated net investment income will be posted on John Hancock Investment Management's public website (jhinvestments.com) and on the Legal Notice System (LENS), a service offering of the Depository Trust Company (DTC) accessible by broker-dealer firms. To the extent required, notice may also be provided via press release. John Hancock Investment Management will continue to distribute paper copies of these notices by mail until March 30, 2022, after which date the notices will be delivered exclusively via the methods described above.

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 manulife.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
Lindsay Marsh

Courtesy Lindsay Marsh

Lindsay Marsh was shocked when she found out her ex-husband, Chris Marsh, asked to keep a book of her intimate photographs as the two figured out the details of their divorce.

She tells PEOPLE the situation took an unexpected turn when Utah 2nd District Judge Michael Edwards, who presided over their divorce, agreed to let Chris keep the "boudoir album" after they were censored by a third party to obscure Marsh's body.

"It was shocking and quite disturbing to me," Lindsay, 43, says of the dispute over the album, which includes topless pictures meant as a gift for someone she loved.

"I never would've thought my husband of 25 years, my high school sweetheart, the man that I chose to have three beautiful children with, would one day turn his back on me in a revengeful, disgusting retaliation and be so cruel as to ask for something like this," she adds. "And I think it's even more appalling that a judge that has taken an oath to protect and to uphold the law has not done that."

In messages sent to PEOPLE, Chris explained that the "main focus" of his request for the album was the inscriptions Lindsay wrote on the photographs  something he says his attorney argued to Judge Edwards. He also claimed Lindsay shared some of the pictures on social media in the time since they were taken.

RELATED: Amy Cooper, Woman Who Called Cops About Black Birdwatcher, Loses Lawsuit Against Former Employer

PEOPLE reached out to Utah State Courts for comment about the decision.

In a ruling cited by the Salt Lake Tribune, Edwards ordered the original photographer of the images to do "whatever it takes to modify the pages of the pictures" so that any of [Lindsay] in "lingerie or that sort of thing or even without clothing are obscured and taken out."

But, the judge explained, the letters Lindsay wrote to Chris have to be "maintained for memory's sake," according to documents obtained by news station KSL.

RELATED: Oberlin College to Pay $36.59M to Local Bakery After Allegedly Accusing Owners of Being Racist

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Lindsay says the photographer, a friend of hers, initially refused to make the edits after the ruling, fearing it would "jeopardize her business" since her clients trust her with their privacy. Lindsay hoped the decision to hand over the photographs would be dismissed, but Edwards then decided the modifications would have to be done by someone else, she says.

Lindsay Marsh

Courtesy Lindsay Marsh

"The judge ended up ordering me to have to give these books to this other man that I don't know so that he can make the edits and get the inscription for my ex-husband," Lindsay says. "I have no idea who he is."

Lindsay's photographer ultimately changed her mind and agreed to black out the images after the judge ruled they'd have to be sent to someone else. But the initial decision  to allow a third person to gain access to her intimate pictures  was something Lindsay says made her feel "violated."

RELATED VIDEO: Walmart to Pay Oregon Customer $4.4M for Racial Profiling After He Was Allegedly 'Spied' on

Lindsay says her ex-husband now has a "redacted version of the book with just the inscriptions," but she must hold on to the original images until December in case there is a change in the ruling.

She says she has filed a complaint to the Judicial Conduct Commission of Utah but has not heard back from the organization.

"I just hope that having gone through this process, if I can help one other person who's gone through something maybe similar or could be potentially in the future, go through something similar, won't have to go through the same feelings I felt," Lindsay says. "If I can protect someone from going through this, then this will all be worth it for me."
Company to deploy over 200 associates and host relief events to help affected communities in Florida

MOORESVILLE, N.C., Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's today announced it will donate $2 million to support relief efforts in Florida after Hurricane Ian left devastation across the state, causing catastrophic flooding and damage. Lowe's donation will support disaster relief partners and nonprofit Pro customers, helping organizations provide emergency shelter, food and rebuilding supplies to those affected by the storm. Lowe's also will host relief events to distribute critical supplies.

Lowes stores continue to help those affected by the storm, with more than 200 Emergency Response Team (ERT) members being deployed beginning today to the hardest-hit areas.

"It's heartbreaking to see the devastation and the impact on our customers and associates who have been affected by this storm. Their safety is paramount," said Marvin Ellison, Lowe's chairman and CEO. "While we know recovery will take many months, we're here to help these communities return to some form of normalcy as soon as possible. We'd also like to thank the first responders and our associates who are serving these communities."

Lowe's stores continue to help those affected by the storm, with more than 200 Emergency Response Team (ERT) members being deployed beginning today to the hardest-hit areas. These specially trained associates voluntarily leave their home stores to provide additional customer support at stores affected by storms and give fellow associates a chance to focus on their families. The Emergency Response Teams are traveling from stores across the region.

Lowe's Emergency Command Center in North Carolina went into activation on Friday, Sept. 23 to support stores and communities ahead of the storm and in its aftermath. Lowe's has shipped more than 1,000 truckloads across the region to keep stores well-equipped with emergency supplies. The company is poised to deploy its Tool Rental Disaster Response Trailer to Florida to give impacted residents affordable rental options for one-time use equipment such as generators and chainsaws.

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In immediate response to Hurricane Ian, Lowe's stores in the hardest-hit areas will host bucket brigade events to distribute free cleanup supplies to residents who are continuing recovery efforts. Buckets include supplies such as dust masks, goggles, bug spray, bottled water and mold remover.

Lowe's is providing additional assistance to help associates. The company is poised to deploy its mobile disaster relief convoy to provide showers, washers and dryers and meals to associates in high-impact areas. Lowe's is also expanding its financial assistance through the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund. Lowe's is doubling the company's match, contributing $2 for every dollar an employee donates now through Oct. 31.

Visit Lowe's Newsroom for updates on Lowe's relief events and continued support. For cleanup, repair and rebuilding advice, visit lowes.com/hurricane.

About Lowe's

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 Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Contact:

Candace Gordon

Candace.Gordon@lowes.com

Lowes stores in the hardest-hit areas will host bucket brigade events to distribute free cleanup supplies to residents who are continuing recovery efforts.

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SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Ndahecho Gondie Ghaade (Following the Words of Our Elders) Agreement includes a new model for the Nahanni National Park Reserve cooperative management body, and additional provisions for economic benefits and employment and training opportunities

NAHANNI BUTTE, NT, Sept. 30, 2022 /CNW/ - Protected areas play a vital role in conserving natural and cultural heritage, fighting climate change and biodiversity loss, and providing Canadians with opportunities to learn more about iconic cultural and natural settings. The lands, waters, and ice that Parks Canada administers overlap with traditional territories, treaty lands and ancestral homelands of Indigenous peoples. Parks Canada recognizes the important roles Indigenous peoples play in protecting and conserving these cherished areas.

Nailicho (Virginia Falls). Nahanni National Park Reserve.  Parks Canada. All rights reserved. (CNW Group/Parks Canada)

Today, Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, together with Chief Steve Vital, Naha Dehe Dene Band, and Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, Dehcho First Nations, announced the signing of the Ndahecho Gondie Ghaade Agreement to support social and economic opportunities for Naha Dehe Dene and Dehcho Dene with regard to Nahanni National Park Reserve. The signing of this agreement builds on 20 years of successful cooperative management, and enhances the relationship in a context of respect and reconciliation.

This agreement recognizes and supports the crucial participation of Naha Dehe Dene Band and Dehcho First Nations in the management of Nahanni National Park Reserve. Key elements include new and innovative models for cooperative management, funding for the new Naha Dehe K'ehodi (Guardians on the Land) program within Nahanni National Park Reserve, employment opportunities, capacity development and economic provisions, as well as support for Elders and youth to participate in "on the land" programs within Nahanni National Park Reserve.

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Shared governance arrangements, as described in this agreement, provide ways for Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples to engage in collaborative decision-making for protected heritage places. They are an important way for the Government of Canada to honour its commitments to renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership, rooted in the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This agreement will help ensure Indigenous connections to the land are honoured, and Indigenous rights are respected. It will also advance the shared interest of Parks Canada, Naha Dehe Dene Band and Dehcho First Nations to protect the ecological and cultural integrity of the ecosystems found within Nahanni National Park Reserve.

Quotes

"Nahanni National Park Reserve is and always will be the traditional territory of the Naha Dehe Dene Band. The Naha Dehe people are proud Guardians of these lands and waters. Signing this agreement provides our community with the resources to honour this responsibility to our elders and ancestors, and gives our youth opportunities to learn and prosper as they do it."

--Chief Steve Vital, Naha Dehe Dene Band

"Naha Dehe Park Reserve is in the homeland of the Naha Got'e Territory. It belongs to the people of the Naha Got'e  as Naha Got'e belongs to its land."

--Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, Dehcho First Nations

"Nahanni National Park Reserve is an ecological and cultural treasure. Honouring Indigenous peoples' histories, cultures, and the special relationships they have with ancestral lands and waters  is part of our commitment to reconciliation. Signing the Ndahecho Gondie Ghaade Agreement today recognizes the deep, indelible connection Naha Dehe Dene Band and Dehcho First Nations share with the land of Nahanni. This agreement will ensure Indigenous connections to the land are honoured, and integral to the protection of this wholly unique ecosystem."

--The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"The signing of this agreement is a prime example of how positive outcomes are achieved when nations come together to work toward a common goal. It emphasizes the unwavering involvement and dedication of Indigenous peoples in the management of Nahanni National Park Reserve, and strengthens the relationship between the Government of Canada, the Naha Dehe Dene Band and Dehcho First Nations."

-- Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"Parks Canada, Naha Dehe Dene Band and Dehcho First Nations are partners in conserving natural and cultural heritage of Nahanni National Park Reserve, and in sharing the stories of this treasured place. Let us celebrate this occasion, a day when we signed this agreement together. This is an important day for the future of Nahanni National Park Reserve, and for the benefit of all of us, and the future generations."

--Michael V. McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

Quick Facts

Shared governance agreements are mechanisms to support collaboration with Indigenous peoples in various projects, such as the stewardship of Nahanni National Park Reserve.





The agreement also includes social and economic opportunities, as well as the establishment of a new structure for the cooperative management body, the Naha Dehe Consensus Team, which will be supported through new administrative staff and new facilities to be constructed in Nahanni Butte.





The agreement is expected to support at least ten new jobs and three new buildings in and around Nahanni Butte.





Spearheaded in 1972 through an initiative led by then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the Government of Canada recognized the immeasurable value of this place by establishing it as a National Protected Area in 1976.





In 2009, with the support of the elders and community leaders, the park was expanded six-fold to 30, 050 km 2 , making it the third largest national park in Canada. Shortly after, Parks Canada, Naha Dehe Dene Band and Dehcho First Nations started working towards this agreement.





With its mile-deep canyons, rugged mountain ranges, towering waterfalls, hot springs, karst topography and rich wildlife ecosystems, Nahanni National Park Reserve is a spectacular example of the vast, varied and majestic landscape Canada has to offer from coast to coast to coast. Nahanni National Park Reserve was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1978.





In recognition of its valuable natural and recreational heritage, the South Nahanni River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River within Nahanni National Park Reserve in January 1987.

Related Document

Related Links

Logos of the Partners Signing Historical Agreement Today. (CNW Group/Parks Canada)

SOURCE Parks Canada

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SpaceX and NASA have signed a new agreement to study the feasibility of sending a commercial crew in a SpaceX Dragon to boost the orbit of the Hubble Space Telescope. If completed, the mission could extend the operational lifespan of the telescope by as much as 20 years.

NASA officials cautioned that todays news is not a mission announcement. For now, its just a feasibility study to consider whether such a mission is sensible, given technical and other constraints. Indeed, one might assume that an uncrewed space tug might be best suited for an orbital boosting mission, and there are plenty of space startups working on that kind of technology. But apparently the mission was SpaceXs idea, and for some reason, they (and their partner, Jared Isaacmans Polaris Program) want humans involved.

The agreement starts to make more sense with NASAs acknowledgement that the mission, should it go forward, would come at no cost to the government. NASA and SpaceX are also each funding their participation in the study, NASAs Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen said during a media briefing, though he didnt specify how much the study will cost.

One of the main goals of the six-month feasibility study is to explore how a crewed Dragon capsule, possible under the aegis of a Polaris Program mission, could safely rendezvous and dock with Hubble, and then boost the Hubble Space Telescope to a higher orbit. While SpaceX has plenty of experience docking with the International Space Station, SpaceXs VP of customer operations and integration Jessica Jensen acknowledged that Hubble represents an entirely different challenge.

Hubbles different, she said. Its in a different orbit, different mass, different vehicle [] it will all be unique to the telescope.

The feasibility study, which will be predominately technical but will also consider cost and schedule, might determine that an uncrewed mission is more appropriate, Jensen added. At this point, everything is on the table, she said.

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It seems likely that the mission would be part of the Polaris Program, a private spaceflight program headed by Jared Isaacman, the billionaire that flew to space on the Inspiration4 mission. That mission, which was conducted in partnership with SpaceX, was estimated to cost less than $200 million. Isaacman, who made his fortune from the payment processing company Shift4 Payments, footed the bill.

Hubble recently lost its place as the worlds most famous space telescope, after the newer and more powerful James Webb Space Telescope released its first images this summer. But Hubbles contributions to science over its 32-year lifespan are arguably immeasurable: The telescope has made more than 1.5 million observations and helped generate material for more than 19,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers, Patrick Crouse, Hubble project manager, said.

But Hubble has not been immune to Earths gravity. Since the last servicing mission in 2009, its lost about 30 kilometers of altitude, dropping from around 565 kilometers to just under 535. This mission could provide 40-70 kilometers of boost, which could add 15 or even 20 years to the Hubbles operational life, Crouse said. Should a reboosting mission not take place, Hubble may need to be de-orbited by the end of this decade.

The news is notable not just as the latest sign that the space agency is increasingly turning to commercial partnerships to execute essential missions. It also shows that NASA is theoretically open to working with private, non-astronaut crews, too.

Alongside NASA, exploration is one of many objectives for the commercial space industry, and probably one of the greatest exploration assets of all time is the Hubble Space Telescope, Isaacman said. Its absolutely exciting to think about extending the life and capabilities of one of our greatest explorers.
(Bloomberg) -- The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan is looking to potentially double staff in its Singapore office as the C$243 billion ($177 billion) Canadian fund steps up its expansion in Asia.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Toronto-based investor is moving into new offices in the city-state next year with capacity for about 45 to 50 people, from about 25 now. That would surpass the 35 staff in the funds Hong Kong office.

We are planning to be able, to double headcount in Singapore, said President and Chief Executive Officer Jo Taylor. You know what happens when you open a nice new office, they tend to get filled.

Ontario Teachers joins other Canadian pension funds adding staff and deploying more capital to Asia. The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System aims to triple assets in the region over the next eight years from C$13 billion now, President and CEO Blake Hutcheson said at the Milken Institute Asia Summit on Thursday. The Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec plans to invest C$15 billion over five years, the Business Times reported.

The Singapore expansion will allow Ontario Teachers to invest in a wider range of assets as it builds on its C$20 billion exposure to the region. Both the firms real estate unit, Cadillac Fairview, and the infrastructure team already have staff in the Southeast Asian nation.

Singapore gives us another dimension in terms of dealing with Southeast Asia and Australia, said Taylor, in an interview Friday from the Singapore office, which was opened in 2020. Its clearly a vibrant financial hub with lots of really helpful co-investors and financial advisers.

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Asian Assets

Taylor said the fund has no hard target for its Asian assets, though it will naturally grow as it looks to deploy about half of new investments outside North America. Traditionally, the fund has held about 70% of assets in Canada and the US.

If we doubled our exposure would that be fine, probably yes, said Taylor, who was in Mumbai this week opening a new office in India.

Hong Kong will remain a base for the funds investments in the Greater China area, said Ben Chan, executive managing director for Asia-Pacific.

We have seen movement from Hong Kong to Singapore for some financial services, Chan said in the same interview. For us, if we are going to be active in Southeast Asia and Australia, then naturally the place to be is here.

Ontario Teachers manages funds for 333,000 retired and working teachers in Canadas most-populous province. It has set a target to have C$300 billion in net assets by 2030, according to its website.

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2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Press Release

September 30, 2022 OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA

Committee on Finance, Sub-Committee "G"

Briefing by the Department of Foreign Affairs

Senator C.M. Recto Room and via Cisco Webex

30 September 2022 Our sincerest gratitude to the DFA. At the height of the pandemic, the Department worked tirelessly to ensure the safe return of our kababayans and with a vow to "leave no one behind," the DFA repatriated over 461,263 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from all around the world. We applaud, of course, the Department's efforts to promote the welfare of our OFWs, we also applaud its work to develop strong international ties and of course, the protection of the nation's interests. As we all know, it is a critical time for our country. Major challenges await us, including combating the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising to the challenge of the climate crisis, strengthening cultural diplomacy, and supporting global economic recovery, and facing all the issues of national security and regional security, as well. In an increasingly interconnected global landscape, it is imperative, now more than ever, that we strengthen our nation's foreign relations. However, as you face these challenges, know that you are not alone. I share your commitment to an independent and friendly foreign policy and your desire to forge productive alliances with other nations. As your former Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, I was always ready and willing to sponsor international agreements and treaties submitted to the Senate for concurrence. And as your former Chair of the Finance Committee, we always endeavored to ensure that the Department's needs and requirements were met and provided. So, today, as your Senior Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, we once again stand before you as an ally and as a friend. I have always been, and will always be, a partner of the DFA. Former Speaker and now Senator once again, Alan Cayetano, when he was DFA secretary, I think fondly called me the "ninang" of the DFA - even at the time of Secretary Teddy Locsin because really, it was during our time that... there are many challenges but we were able to provide the support for this, which the current Chair also does, Senator Angara. Of course, it is important not only to project a stronger image in the international community for our country, but also to facilitate trade and commerce, and cultural, and diplomatic relations but also for meeting the needs of our kababayans here at home and abroad. We need to work together if we are to strengthen the position of the Philippines in the international community. We must continue to work for progress, nation-building, and the faithful adherence to the pillars of Philippine foreign policy. Thank you.
OTC Markets

NEW YORK, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Bravo Mining Corp. (TSX-V: BRVO; OTCQX: BRVMF), a Canada and Brazil based mineral exploration and development company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Bravo Mining Corp. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market.



Bravo Mining Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol BRVMF. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. 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.

Luis Azevedo, Chairman and CEO of Bravo Mining stated: Our Luanga Project, located in the prolific Carajas Mineral Province in Brazil is an emerging Tier 1 Palladium + Platinum + Rhodium + Gold + Nickel deposit. As a newly-listed company in the TSX Venture and with an aggressive drilling plan underway, we felt important to begin trading in the OTCQX in order to increase accessibility to U.S.-based retail and institutional investors.

Securities Law USA, PLLC acted as the companys OTCQX sponsor.

About Bravo Mining Corp.

Bravo Mining Corp. is a Canada and Brazil based mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100% owned Luanga PGM+Au+Ni Project in the world-class Carajas Mineral Province of Brazil.

The Luanga Project benefits from being in a location close to operating mines, with excellent access and proximity to existing infrastructure, including road, rail and clean and renewable hydro grid power. The project area was previously de-forested for agricultural grazing land. Bravos current Environmental, Social and Governance activities includes replanting trees in the project area, hiring and contracting locally, engagement with local communities, and ensuring protection of the environment during its exploration activities.

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About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market and Pink Open Market.

Our OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN and OTC Link NQB are each an SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:

OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com




ReportLinker

Major players in the seamless pipes market are Nippon Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal SA, JFE Steel Corporation, Tenaris S. A. , Vallourec AG, Jindal Saw Ltd. , Sandvik AB, Shalco Industries Pvt. Ltd. , United Seamless Tubular Pvt.

New York, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Seamless Pipes Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06323512/?utm_source=GNW

Ltd., IPP Europe Ltd., TMK Group, United States Steel Corporation, Salzgitter Mannesmann Stainless Tubes GmbH, Tubos Reunidos S.A., Zekelman Industries Inc., and Kamal Steel.



The global seamless pipes market is expected to grow from $217.42 billion in 2021 to $227.21 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The seamless pipes market is expected to grow to $272.73 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%.



The seamless pipes market consists of sales of seamless pipes by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) are long steel pipes that are lightweight pipes with benefits such as high-temperature resistance, fatigue resistance, and good impact resistance and are used for applications such as transportation of water or oil, and heavy wall tubing applications that can withstand high pressure or perform in extreme environments. Seamless pipes refer to solid steel pipes, which are in sheet or bar form and are formed into a solid round shape and then heated and cast over a form such as a piercing rod to create a hollow tube or shell.



The main types of seamless pipes are hot finished and cold finished seamless pipes.Hot finished seamless pipes refer to pipes, made by heating a solid billet or bloom and then punching or piercing it to make a hollow out of it.



The various materials used in the manufacturing of seamless pipes include steel and alloys, copper and alloys, nickel and alloys, magnesium alloys, and other materials.The production process used in the manufacturing of seamless pipes includes continuous mandrel rolling, multi-strand plug mill, cross roll piercing, and pilger rolling.



Seamless pipes are used in various industries such as oil and gas, building and construction, power generation, automotive, aviation, and other applications.



North America was the largest region in the seamless pipes market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in the seamless pipes market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.



The seamless pipes market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides seamless pipes market statistics, including seamless pipes industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a seamless pipes market share, detailed seamless pipes market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the seamless pipes industry. These seamless pipes 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 installation of new transmission pipelines is expected to propel the growth of the seamless pipes market going forward.Transmission pipelines refer to large-diameter steel pipes, used to transport crude oil from their respective gathering systems to refining, processing, or storage facilities.



The rapid growth in the installation of new transmission pipelines is expected to boost the utilization of seamless pipes, as they are used as the primary component in these pipelines. For instance, in November 2021, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a principal agency of the U.S. federal statistical system, new transmission pipelines were constructed that have about 3 million miles of mainline and other pipelines are also being built that link natural gas production areas and storage facilities with consumers. Further, in 2020, this natural gas transportation network delivered about 27.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to approximately 77.3 million customers. Therefore, installing new transmission pipelines across the globe is expected to boost the demand for seamless pipes during the forecast period.



Technological advancements are a key trend gaining popularity in the seamless pipes market.Major players operating in the seamless pipes market are focusing on developing innovative products for various industries such as oil and gas, hydrogen energy, and others to strengthen their position in the market.



For instance, in July 2021, TMK Company, a Russia-based manufacturer of seamless pipes developed smart pipes for trunk gas pipelines with Gazprom, a state-owned multinational energy corporation based in Russia.The new technical solution was developed to monitor and diagnose pipeline infrastructure integrity.



The pipes have uniquely built-in sensors, which provide updates on gas pipeline stress-strain behaviour in real-time and assess its remaining service life to prevent emergencies.



In April 2020, Maruichi Steel Tube Ltd, a Japan-based producer of seamless pipes, welded steel pipes, structural tubes, and conduit tubes acquired Kobelco Steel Tube.Co.



Ltd for the deal amount of $100 million.The acquisition is expected to strengthen Maruichis businesses by expanding manufacturing plants in USA and Asia to grow and support decreasing domestic demands for structural steel pipes both in domestic and international markets.



Kobelco Steel Tube.Co.



Ltd is a Japan-based manufacturer, specializing in seamless stainless steel pipes and tubes.



The countries covered in the seamless pipes 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/p06323512/?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.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




(Changes the arrival date of Arctic Discoverer, LNG Enterprise, LNG Rosenrot and Energy Glory, removes Grace Dahlia and BW Tulip, adds Sonangol Etosha, Gaslog Gladstone, Santander Knutsen and Maran Gas Roxana, adds the arrival of LNG Enterprise and Al Samriya) Sept 30 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (L). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN Arctic Discoverer 155,000 Sept. 30 Norway Isle of Grain Ribera Del Duero Knutsen 173,000 Sept. 28 (A) United States Dragon LNG Enterprise 174,000 Sept. 30 (A) United States Isle of Grain Al Samriya 258,000 Sept. 30 (A) Qatar South Hook BW Pavilionaranthera 171,000 Sept. 30 United States Isle of Grain Golar Glacier 162,000 Oct. 3 United States South Hook Methane Mickie Harper 167,000 Oct. 7 United States Dragon Gaslog Windsor 176,000 Oct. 8 United States Isle of Grain Maran Gas Ithaca 170,000 Oct. 12 United States Milford Haven Cool Runner 158,000 Oct. 17 United States South Hook Sonangol Oct. 20 Angola Isle Etosha 158,000 Of Grain BELGIUM Al Sheehaniya 206,000 Sept. 30 Qatar Zeebrugge Al Ruwais 210,000 Oct. 5 Qatar Zeebrugge Transgas Power 174,000 Oct. 7 United States Zeebrugge Lusail 143,000 Oct. 10 Qatar Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS Cool Discoverer 174,000 Sept. 28 (A) United States Gate LNG Rosenrot 177,000 Sept. 30 United States Gate Wilpride 156,000 Oct. 4 Equatorial Guinea Gate Energy Glory 165,000 Oct. 4 United States Gate Maran Gas Delphi 156,000 Oct. 8 United States Gate Gaslog Oct. 9 Trinidad Gladstone 170,000 and Tobago Eemshaven Santander Oct. 10 United Knutsen 170,000 States Eemshaven Maran Gas Oct. 1 United Roxana 170,000 4 States Eemshaven Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date estimated based on flows data (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin)
Adroit Market Research

The global market has experienced tremendous expansion as a result of rising cyberattacks and deficiencies. These risk management systems have been adopted by small and medium-sized businesses more quickly than by large businesses.

Dallas, Texas, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global third party risk management market is likely to grow close to USD 19.3 Bn market value by the end of 2032. Also, compound annual growth rate may rise to 14.9% during the forecast span 2022-2032.

Third party risk is becoming a first priority which organizations and businesses are struggling to cope with. Reducing the extended enterprise risk is growing the need which is further driving the demand of third-party risk management.

The factors that drive forecasts of total-market size increasingly stringent compliance mandates, rising instances of cyberattacks, and growing competencies across organizations. This remarkable jump is due to creating a spike in the amount and variation of services, which unearthed significant customer demand. The key benefits that are propelling the adoption of third-party risk management are its huge benefits. The benefits are standardized processes and proactive decision making, customized tools supporting decision making, trained professionals aligning the service delivery. Most importantly, third party risk management is better aligned with your enterprise strategy.

For Right Perspective and Competitive Insights, Get Sample Report @ https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/1538

The primary drivers of the total market demand are increased incidents related to vendors, regulators focusing on supplier risk, and businesses and organisations facing pressures from economic volatility. These have become opportunities in short-term uptrends for the market players.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022-2032 Base Year 2022 CAGR 14.09% Historical Data 2021-2022 Segment Covered Type, Application, Regions Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America

Businesses facing financial/reputational losses, legal and regulatory aspects, risk of third party disrupting the operations is driving the demand for solutions or services that manage third party risks. Furthermore, lack of actionable insights, risks, complexities, lack of policy awareness and training, inefficient technology, and credit risk are some key factors hampering the adoption of third party risk management. These have hurt the industrys financial situation. Furthermore, despite been regarded as the best, likelihood of vagaries of technology, negative views among businesses, poor uptake by providers, and several legal, ethical and administrative barriers may function as a higher degree of threat to the global third-party risk management market. Inability to address volatility, overcrowding, and hidden traps that reduce profits are also limiting the adoption of third-party risk management.

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Enquire before purchasing this report at: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/1538

At the same time, the global third-party risk management market could regain market leadership and move forward again because of capabilities such as advances in technology and research capabilities leading to emergence of innovative enhanced solutions. Also, political, macroeconomic, or technological changes may also change the future market conditions and possibly drive the global third-party risk management market. Furthermore, mergers and acquisitions and collaborations would possibly develop a winning strategy to the market players.

Furthermore, the drivers of demand of third-party risk management increased consumer willingness, regulatory changes enabling greater focus on adopting third-party risk management strategies, reinvention of previous services and solutions, improved business outcomes, and affordability.

Region-wise, North America leads the global third-party risk management market. Evolving participation also certainly had a significant impact on growth of the North American third-party risk management market as it develops. Experts have forecasted the drivers of demand in North America are likely to change the global third-party risk management market dynamics. Enterprises have highly adopted third-party risk management, competitive business environment in US demanding managing third-party risk is of ongoing process, strong governance introduced in the U.S. Hence, North America is expecting explosive growth in global third-party risk management market.

Table Of Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Research Methodology

3. Market Outlook

4. Third-party Risk Management Market by Deployment Model, 2022-2029 (USD Billion)

4.1. Cloud-based software

4.2. On-premises software

5. Third-party Risk Management Market by Industry, 2022-2029 (USD Billion)

5.1. BFSI

5.2. IT & Telecom

5.3. Government

5.4. Retail

5.5. Manufacturing

6. Third-party Risk Management Market by End Use, 2022-2029 (USD Billion)

6.1. Software & Services

6.2. Professional & Managed Services

6.3. Audit Management

6.4. Contract Management

6.5. Operational Risk Management

7. Third-party Risk Management Market by Price Range, 2022-2029 (USD Billion)

7.1. Starter

7.2. Mid-range

7.3. Enterprise

8. Third-party Risk Management Market by Region, 2022-2029 (USD Billion)

8.1. North America

8.1.1. The US

8.1.2. Canada

8.2. Europe

8.2.1. The UK

8.2.2. Germany

8.2.3. France

8.2.4. Rest of Europe

8.3. The Asia Pacific

8.3.1. China

8.3.2. Japan

8.3.3. India

8.3.4. Rest of Asia Pacific

8.4. South America

8.4.1. Brazil

8.4.2. Mexico

8.4.3. Rest of South America

8.5. The Middle East & Africa

9. Competitive Landscape

10. Company Profiles

11. Appendix

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SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan Institute commends Best-in-Class Companies with Global Enlightened Growth Leadership Best Practices Recognition for 2022. Representing around 1% of all global Organizations, the recipients of the Enlightened Growth Leadership Recognition are making noteworthy strides toward 'Innovating to Zero'.

Representing around 1% of all global Organizations, the recipients of the Enlightened Growth Leadership Recognition are making noteworthy strides toward 'Innovating to Zero'.

"Sustainability is a megatrend that many companies are adapting to by developing forward-thinking, socially responsible strategies. An emphasis on sustainability also paves way for opportunities in process and technology innovation," said Aroop Zutshi, Director, Frost & Sullivan Institute.

Frost & Sullivan Institute follows its proprietary, 8-step, measurement-based methodology, combined with extensive research, in-depth analyses, and benchmarking, to shortlist deserving companies. Our Global think tank does a comprehensive review of all perspectives on where and how companies enhance the future of the planet. With performance indicators such as growth excellence, innovation to zero on key global priorities, customer value chain, and technology innovation forming the basis of the selection process, the winners represent the best of the best.

Frost & Sullivan Institute congratulates all recipients of the Enlightened Growth Leadership Best Practices Recognition. As we did last year, we will recognize and celebrate the 2022 recipients at our Virtual Awards Banquet in November.

Recipients:

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Moderna, Inc.

Modivcare Inc.

The Mosaic Company

MSCI Inc.

Mueller Industries, Inc.

Netflix, Inc.

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Newmont Corporation

Northland Power Inc.

Novavax, Inc.

NRG Energy, Inc.

Nutanix, Inc.

Nutrien Ltd.

NVIDIA Corp.

Occidental

OGE Energy Corp.

Olympic Steel, Inc.

Omnicell, Inc.

OpenTex

Option Care Health

Ovintiv Inc.

Palo Alto Networks

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.

Paycom Software, Inc.

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

PerkinElmer Inc.

Pfizer Inc.

Pinterest, Inc.

Pioneer Natural Resources

Poly

Primoris Services Corporatio

Parametric Technology Corporatio

Pure Storage

Quaker Houghton

Qualcomm Incorporated

Qualtrics

QuidelOrtho Corporation

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

Story continues

About Frost & Sullivan Institute

The Frost & Sullivan Institute (FSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing business practices to address global priorities. The genesis of the institute goes back to the vision of either creating, or becoming part of, a solution that addresses threats to humanity. The Institute has identified strategic imperatives for transformation and believes that we can truly accelerate innovation to zero. To learn more about FSI, visit www.frostandsullivaninstitute.org

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.

Media Contact:

Prerna Mohan

Email: prerna.mohan@frost.com

Related Links

www.frost.com

www.frostandsullivaninstitute.org

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Toronto Regional Real Estate Board

TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) will release September 2022 market statistics on Wednesday, October 5 at 5:00 a.m. EDT.



TRREBs news release will highlight market trends, including the following:

New Ipsos polling results ahead of Ontario municipal elections show the majority of people surveyed continue to agree that lack of housing supply is a major issue, and there are numerous current and potential municipal policies that do or will further constrain listings and new home construction.





Up-to-date sales, listings and price metrics will be presented for September in comparison to last year and last month.





How market conditions have progressed in the current lower sales and lower price environment, plus the fact that new listings are at lows not seen for two decades.





TRREB spokespeople, including President Kevin Crigger and Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer, will be available on Wednesday, October 5 for interviews.

Media Inquiries:

Genevieve Grant, Manager, Public Affairs genevieve.grant@trreb.ca 416-443-8159

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board is Canadas largest real estate board with more than 68,000 residential and commercial professionals connecting people, property and communities.

www.trreb.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/trebypn/

https://twitter.com/TheReal_TRREB

https://www.youtube.com/user/TREBChannel

http://www.linkedin.com/company/toronto-regional-real-estate-board/

https://www.instagram.com/thereal_trreb/

https://www.trrebwire.ca/




The Atlantic Council, Embassy of Iceland, and Green by Iceland convened key players in the energy transition and green energy solutions at the US-Iceland Clean Energy Summit

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, The Atlantic Council, the Embassy of Iceland and Green by Iceland hosted the U.S.-Iceland Clean Energy Summit, Our Climate Future. The Summit convened Icelandic and U.S. government leaders, businesses, and civil society groups to discuss opportunities to strengthen international cooperation to achieve ambitious climate goals. Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir; Iceland's Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir; U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree; Iceland's Ambassador to the U.S. Bergdis Ellertsdottir; and officials from the U.S. Departments of Defense, Energy, and State; joined top executives from companies including Microsoft, BlackRock, Carbfix, Carbon Recycling International, Landsvirkjun, HS Orka, ON Power, and Running Tide to discuss opportunities and challenges to accelerate public and private partnerships to advance the energy transition and achieve urgent climate goals.

Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir joined Icelandic and U.S. government leaders, businesses, and civil society groups to discuss opportunities to strengthen international cooperation to achieve ambitious climate goals at the U.S.-Iceland Clean Energy Summit in Washington, D.C.

"Politicians and big corporations carry the biggest accountability," said Jakobsdottir. "We can do a lot as individuals  I can take my bicycle and go to work and all that. And that's very important to make those decisions as an individual. But it's us politicians who need to create a society where it is easy to make those decisions. Where it is actually easier to make climate-friendly decisions than climate-hostile decisions. For the big corporations, who are the biggest emitters, we have to hold them accountable."

The summit aimed to highlight recent advancements in clean energy, including geothermal and carbon capture utilization and storage, and to draw attention to technological solutions to accelerate the energy transition and seek ways to enhance cooperation and sharing of knowledge between Iceland and the United States. The need for greater ambition in decarbonizing the energy system while ensuring energy security stood out as another major theme throughout the day.

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"The United States and Iceland recognize an undeniable truththat energy security and combating climate change go hand-in-hand," said Harry Kamian, principal deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources, U.S. Department of State.

"We are living in times where the lack of energy is an immediate threat to large populations, even in very rich and very prosperous societies," said Gylfadottir. "Without energy, civilization as we know it will not survive. Meanwhile, with the risks posed by climate change, we also know that unless we fundamentally reform our energy production and consumption, we will not find ourselves on a sustainable path. I strongly believe that strengthening energy security and addressing climate change do not have to be regarded as mutually exclusive. With the right policies and investments, a win-win situation can emerge."

"I see fantastic opportunities for the U.S. and Iceland to work together over the next year on energy security," said Michael McEleney, senior advisor, Arctic Energy Office, U.S. Department of Energy. "Going ahead, Iceland's technological advances, such as electric aviation, are very important to the North American Arctic."

Congresswoman Pingree discussed her recent bipartisan visit to Iceland with bipartisan delegation which focused on energy and security in the Arctic.

"To see the impact of the transition that Iceland has made from a carbon-based economy into a geothermal economy is something that all of us had to see firsthand," said Pingree. "Sometimes you're in these debates, you're on cable TV and it all gets so contentious, but in reality, we all know we have to make these changes."

Given Iceland's achievement in being the world's largest green energy producer per capita and a leader in harnessing renewable energy for more than a century, much of the dialogue centered on lessons learned with the potential to help other nations do the same.

"The history of geothermal in Iceland started around a hundred years ago, when individual farmers decided to use the energy next to the farm to heat their houses. Interestingly, they heard about this potential from Icelanders who had moved to the U.S., so there's already a link between Iceland and the U.S. on geothermal," said Berglind Ran Olafsdottir, the CEO of ON Power, the largest geothermal energy provider in Iceland. "It didn't make financial sense then, but it took courageous people making a decision and we thank them for that todayit is important to keep in mind that it is a decision, we can decide how we react and not just hope for it."

"As Iceland has shown, no one needs to be scared of this transition," said David Livingston, senior advisor to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. The energy market this century is the largest in world history. Four to five billion users today going to eight to nine billion in the coming decades. This is the largest market and financial opportunity since the Industrial Revolution. Just this month, Secretary Kerry traveled to Greece, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Scotland, Nigeria, and Senegal. Across all of these countries, the message was the samethere is a will but all of us just need to find the way. All of these countries want to invest in one way, shape, or form in today's climate solutions."

"A successful energy transition relies on international cooperation," said Reed Blakemore, acting director of the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center. "The Atlantic Council is delighted to count Iceland as a bold, committed partner in shaping a sustainable future."

To learn more about Green by Iceland, click here. To watch a recording of the US-Iceland Clean Energy Summit, click here. Visit our Digital Press Kit for photos and additional information.

The Atlantic Council

Driven by our mission of "shaping the global future together," the Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that galvanizes U.S. leadership and engagement in the world, in partnership with allies and partners, to shape solutions to global challenges.

U.S. Embassy of Iceland

The Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C., represents Iceland vis-a-vis the United States. The Embassy's mission is to promote political, economic, and cultural relations between Iceland and the United States.

Green by Iceland

Green by Iceland is a platform for cooperation on climate issues and green solutions that promotes the export of Icelandic green solutions and renewable energy expertise while supporting Iceland's reputation as a leader in sustainability. It is housed within Business Iceland, a public-private partnership established to improve the competitiveness of Icelandic companies in foreign markets and to stimulate economic growth through increased export.

CONTACT: SustainabilityIceland@finnpartners.com

Green by Iceland is a platform for cooperation on climate issues and green solutions that promotes the export of Icelandic green solutions and renewable energy expertise while supporting Icelands reputation as a leader in sustainability.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-and-icelandic-government-officials-business-leaders-strengthen-international-cooperation-to-achieve-climate-goals-301638058.html

SOURCE Green by Iceland
Uzbekistan now requires licensed cryptocurrency companies in the country to pay monthly fees that will mostly go towards the state budget, an official document published Wednesday shows.

The new rules set out by the National Agency of Perspective Projects, the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan are already in force. How much a firm will have to pay each month depends on the type of service it provides as well as a base figure set for crypto companies at the time the monthly payment is to be made, the document says.

Russian language crypto news publication Forklog puts the amount at 120 million Uzbekistani soums ($11,000) for crypto exchanges. The document also lays out proportionally smaller payments required from cryptocurrency stores, custodial services, mining pools as well as individual miners.

The central Asian country is cracking down on the local crypto industry. A crypto regulation framework published in April mandated crypto exchanges, custodians and mining pools operating in the country to register with regulators. In August, the country moved to block crypto exchanges like Binance, Huobi, FTX and Bybit, saying local regulations did not allow citizens to trade crypto on foreign platforms.

According to the new rules, 80% of the monthly fees paid by crypto users and companies will go to the country's budget, while the rest will go to the treasury of the National Agency of Perspective Projects of the Republic of Uzbekistan (NAPM).

Companies that fail to pay the new fee will face penalties including the suspension of their licenses, Forklog said.

CoinDesk has reached out to NAPM for comment.

Read more: Binance Among Crypto Exchanges Blocked as Uzbekistan Clamps Down
DUBLIN, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Artificial Intelligence Chip Market by Chip Type, by Application, by Architecture, by Processing Type, by End User - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo

The Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chip Market size was valued to USD 20.77 billion in 2021, and it will elevate to USD 304.09 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 29.9% from 2022-2030.

Artificial Intelligence Chips are special silicon chips, programmed for machine learning. AI Chips can process vast amount of data, identify the underlying patterns, interpret the trends and utilize the feed to achieve specific goals. AI Chips are multi-functioning and can proficiently manage multiple operations at a time.

The demand for AI Chip is consistently raising due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in almost every industry, in areas such as voice recognition, object detection, medical or military simulation, intelligent routing, and autonomous driving among others. Adoption of artificial intelligence not only reduces the cost of operations, but increases the efficiency or the response time and minimizes the risk to human life at various levels in specific industry verticals.

Market Dynamics and Trends

With the technological advancements the market is switching towards smart devices, smart homes, and smart cities, resulting to a tremendous elevation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chip market. Furthermore, increased investments in AI start-ups along with emergence of quantum computers, are expected to elevate the market growth in future.

Other factors like wide application of AI technology and increase in robotics, catalyze to promote the market growth. However, high development cost and lack of skilled work-force tend to impede the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) chip market over the forecast period.

Moreover, the massive upsurge in research and development, increased use of autonomous robotic at various industry verticals, and high-tech product launches shall create new market-opportunities, fueling-up the growth-rate of artificial intelligence (AI) chip market, over the forecast period.

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Market Segmentations and Scope of the Study:

The global artificial intelligence (AI) chip market share analysis is based on chip type, application, architecture, processing type, end user and geography. Based on type of chip, the market is fragmented into GPU, FPGA, ASIC, CPU, and Others. Based on application, the market is segmented into Natural Language Processing (NLP), Robotic Process Automation, Computer Vision, Network Security, and Others.

Based on architecture, the market is segmented into system-on-chip (soc), system-in-package (sip), multi-chip module, and others. Based on processing type, the market is divided into edge and cloud. Based on end-user, the market is segmented into media & advertising, BFSI, IT & telecom, retail, healthcare, automotive, and others. Geographic breakdown and analysis of each of the previously mentioned segments include regions comprising North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW.

Geographical Analysis

North America represents the higher adoption of the artificial intelligence chip technology, henceforth it is expected to hold the highest market share in the global Artificial intelligence (AI) chip market during the forecast period. This is attributable to the factors like; massive use of AI technology, increased use of smart devices, and wide application of AI chip in various industries.

The emerging economies, specifically the Asia-Pacific region shall witness an increasing market size in the global Artificial intelligence (AI) chip market, owing to the amplified adoption of AI technology and increased investment in the AI start-ups.

Competitive Landscape

The artificial intelligence (AI) chip market is highly competitive and consists numerous market players. Some of the major market players are, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., IBM Corporation, Micron technology, Inc., Qualcomm Incorporated, Xilinx, Inc., Alphabet Inc. (Google), Intel Corporation, NVIDIA Corporation, Samsung electronics Co., Ltd., and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. among others.

There have been various developments taking place in the market that further enhance the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) chip market on a large scale. For instance, in September 2019, ZTE, a provider of integrated military communication solutions from Cambrian, jointly demonstrated the integration of edge computing and artificial intelligence in the 5G era. The business display adopts ZTE's edge computing server ES600S, video acceleration card, and contains the Cambrian Siyuan 100 intelligent processing card which not only helps in realizing the edge video data collection, but also provides the artificial intelligence analysis.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Executive Summary

3. Market Overview

3.1. Market Definition and Scope

3.2. Market Dynamics

3.2.1 Drivers

3.2.1.1. Growing Adoption of Deep Learning and Neural Networks

3.2.1.2. Increase in Demand for Smart Homes & Smart Cities

3.2.1.3. Emergence of Quantum Computing

3.2.1.4. Rising Use of Adas Features in Cars

3.2.2 Restraints

3.2.2.1. Lack of Skilled AI Workforce

3.2.2.2. Limited Structured Data

3.2.3 Opportunities

3.2.3.1. Increasing Focus on Human-Aware AI Systems and Development of Smarter Robots

4. Global AI Chip Market, by Chip Type

4.1. Overview

4.2. GPU

4.3. GPU Market, by Region

4.4. ASIC

4.4.1 ASIC Market, by Region

4.5. FPGA

4.5.1 FPGA Market, by Region

4.6. CPU

4.6.1 CPU Market, by Region

4.7. Others

4.7.1 Others Market, by Region

5. Global AI Chip Market, by Application

5.1. Overview

5.2. Natural Language Processing (Nlp)

5.2.1 Natural Language Processing (Nlp) Market, by Region

5.3. Robotic Process Automation

5.3.1 Robotic Process Automation Market, by Region

5.4. Computer Vision

5.4.1 Computer Vision Market, by Region

5.5. Network Security

5.5.1 Network Security Market, by Region

5.6. Others

5.6.1 Others Market, by Region

6. Global AI Chip Market, by Architecture

6.1. Overview

6.2. System on Chip (Soc)

6.2.1 System on Chip (Soc) Market, by Region

6.3. System in Package (Sip)

6.3.1 System in Package (Sip) Market, by Region

6.4. Multi Chip Module

6.4.1 Multi Chip Module Market, by Region

6.5. Others

6.5.1 Others Market, by Region

7. Global AI Chip Market, by Processing Type

7.1. Overview

7.2. Edge

7.2.1 Edge Market, by Region

7.3. Cloud

7.3.1 Cloud Market, by Region

8. Global AI Chip Market, by End-User Industry

8.1. Overview

8.2. Media and Advertising

8.2.1 Media and Advertising Market, by Region

8.3. Bfsi

8.3.1 Bfsi Market, by Region

8.4. It and Telecommunication

8.4.1 It and Telecommunication Market, by Region

8.5. Retail

8.5.1 Retail Market, by Region

8.6. Healthcare

8.6.1 Healthcare Market, by Region

8.7. Automotive

8.7.1 Automotive Market, by Region

8.8. Others

8.8.1 Others Market, by Region

9. Global AI Chip by Region

10. Company Profiles

10.1. Alphabet Inc.

10.1.1 Company Overview

10.1.2 Company Snapshot

10.1.3 Operating Business Segments

10.1.4 Product Portfolio

10.1.5 Business Performance

10.1.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.1.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.1.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.1.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.2. Apple Inc.

10.2.1 Company Overview

10.2.2 Company Snapshot

10.2.3 Operating Business Segments

10.2.4 Product Portfolio

10.2.5 Business Performance

10.2.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.2.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.2.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.2.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.3. Arm Holdings

10.3.1 Company Overview

10.3.2 Company Snapshot

10.3.3 Product Portfolio

10.3.4 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.3.5 Primary Market Competitors

10.4. Huawei Technologies

10.4.1 Company Overview

10.4.2 Company Snapshot

10.4.3 Operating Business Segments

10.4.4 Product Portfolio

10.4.5 Business Performance

10.4.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.4.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.4.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.4.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.5. IBM Corporation

10.5.1 Company Overview

10.5.2 Company Snapshot

10.5.3 Operating Business Segments

10.5.4 Product Portfolio

10.5.5 Business Performance

10.5.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.5.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.5.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.5.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.6. Samsung Electronics

10.6.1 Company Overview

10.6.2 Company Snapshot

10.6.3 Operating Business Segments

10.6.4 Product Portfolio

10.6.5 Business Performance

10.6.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.6.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.6.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.6.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.7. Qualcomm Inc

10.7.1 Company Overview

10.7.2 Company Snapshot

10.7.3 Operating Business Segments

10.7.4 Product Portfolio

10.7.5 Business Performance

10.7.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.7.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.7.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.7.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.8. Nxp Semiconductors

10.8.1 Company Overview

10.8.2 Company Snapshot

10.8.3 Operating Business Segments

10.8.4 Product Portfolio

10.8.5 Business Performance

10.8.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.8.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.8.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.8.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.9. Nvidia Corporation

10.9.1 Company Overview

10.9.2 Company Snapshot

10.9.3 Operating Business Segments

10.9.4 Product Portfolio

10.9.5 Business Performance

10.9.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.9.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.9.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.9.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.10. Microsoft Corporation

10.10.1 Company Overview

10.10.2 Company Snapshot

10.10.3 Operating Business Segments

10.10.4 Product Portfolio

10.10.5 Business Performance

10.10.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.10.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.10.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.10.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.11. Microsemi Corporation

10.11.1 Company Overview

10.11.2 Company Snapshot

10.11.3 Operating Business Segments

10.11.4 Product Portfolio

10.11.5 Business Performance

10.11.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.11.7 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.11.8 Primary Market Competitors

10.12. Micron Technology

10.12.1 Company Overview

10.12.2 Company Snapshot

10.12.3 Operating Business Segments

10.12.4 Product Portfolio

10.12.5 Business Performance

10.12.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.12.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.12.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.12.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.13. Mediatek Inc

10.13.1 Company Overview

10.13.2 Company Snapshot

10.13.3 Product Portfolio

10.13.4 Business Performance

10.13.5 Sales by Business Segment

10.13.6 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.13.7 Primary Market Competitors

10.14. Intel Corporation

10.14.1 Company Overview

10.14.2 Company Snapshot

10.14.3 Operating Business Segments

10.14.4 Product Portfolio

10.14.5 Business Performance

10.14.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.14.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.14.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.14.9 Primary Market Competitors

10.15. Texas Instruments Incorporated

10.15.1 Company Overview

10.15.2 Company Snapshot

10.15.3 Operating Business Segments

10.15.4 Product Portfolio

10.15.5 Business Performance

10.15.6 Sales by Business Segment

10.15.7 Sales by Geographic Segment

10.15.8 Key Strategic Moves & Developments

10.15.9 Primary Market Competitors

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1qcmvd

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Outdoor public sculpture is a family affair for Jennifer and Adam Garey and their 7-year-old daughter, Keira.

The Pennsylvania-based Gareys traveled to Fredericksburg on Friday to install their piecestwo of the three works selected by the Fredericksburg Arts Commission for the citys rotating public sculpture projectwith the help of city staff and Keira, whos been accompanying her parents on installations across the country since she was a baby.

She draws the dots on the ground for where we need anchors and she puts anti-seize on the bolts, which is like a goopy, gross paint, so we make her wear gloves, said Jennifer Garey. Her big role is to check the load of the trailer, which is walking around and plucking every strap to make sure nothing gets loose between stops. She likes to do things.

The Gareys have traveled from Pennsylvania as far west as Chicago and as far south as Florida to install their outdoor sculptures.

The work Jennifer Garey is bringing to Fredericksburg, Flat Curves, resided in Chicago for much of the past year.

The piece is part of a theme she has long been exploringrepresenting the female form on a large scale using industrial materials. Her art expresses the way women are manipulated into an ideal shape by clothing and then judged by external forces, she said.

Flat Curves, which Garey completed last year, is a 6-foot-tall depiction of a corset, constructed out of flat pieces of fabricated steel layered on top of each other.

Iron [one of the elements that makes up steel] is industrial and supposed to not be feminine, so that juxtaposed with this female figureI like that conflict that creates, Garey said.

The Fredericksburg Arts Commission has selected three locations for the display of large-scale, freestanding outdoor sculpturesDixon Park, the VRE station and Fall Hill Avenue near the intersection of Village Lane.

Artists are invited to apply each year and finalists are selected through a juried review. Selected artists receive an honorarium of $2,000.

The public sculpture project started in 2016. Funding is provided by the citys Economic Development Authority.

The city also has four permanent outdoor sculptures, located at Canal and Prince Edward streets; Riverside Drive and Welford Street; Old Mill Park; and the Wolfe/Kenmore/Prince Edward street triangle.

Artists from as far away as Missouri, Florida and Connecticut have brought their best work to Fredericksburg. And artists from as far away as Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe have submitted works to our juried selection process, said Preston Thayer, a former adjunct professor of art history at the University of Mary Washington who works as a volunteer coordinator for the sculpture project.

The artwork has ranged from butterflies, sunsets and popsicles to more abstract works that quote famous sculptures of the past, or evoke hotrods, or encourage us to appreciate how we too, defy gravity to stand erect on the land.

Ken Lecky, who chairs the Fredericksburg Arts Commission and co-owns LibertyTown Arts Workshop with his wife, said public art is a highly visible way that Fredericksburg shows our residents and visitors that we value art here in the city.

The Public Sculpture Project lets us bring in exciting new works every year and exhibit them in prominent locations around the city. Im always grateful to see a sculpture welcome me back to Fredericksburg when getting off a train or driving into Mayfield, he said.

City Council Member Kerry Devine said public art helps make a city special and unique.

Fredericksburgs public art, whether it be murals, sculptures or exhibits, creates authenticity and contributes vastly to place-making, she said.

Garey has artwork in museums as well public sculptures.

Its a big honorthe fact that a piece is in a museumbut it might live in storage, she said. With outdoor pieces, I like that theyre always available. You can impact people who would never walk into a museum being impacted by walking past a sculpture every day.

She said public art can be a way for cities to revamp underused public spaces and create tourism destinations.

Its great for the citys economy, she said.

In addition to Flat Curves, the Gareys will install Adams sculpture, Deflection, a 7.6-foot-tall piece in fabricated steel, which is also coming from a stint in Chicago.

Garey said her husbands art is non-representational and comments on the process of building and engineering.

The Fredericksburg Arts Commission also selected Washington, D.C.-based artist Matt Duffy to participate in the public sculpture project this year.

According to a statement on his website, Duffys work is both site-specific and based on archetypes, and combines cutting-edge technology like laser-cutting, 3-D printing, and CAD modeling, with traditional aesthetics and methods of sculpture-making.

For more about the citys public sculpture project, visit fredarts.com.
Press Release

September 30, 2022 SEN. REVILLA DENOUNCES THE CONTINUOUS SPATE OF KIDNAPPINGS IN THE COUNTRY Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. decries the recent spate of kidnappings not only in the metro but also in the nearby provinces. While some of these incidents have been disputed as fake news by authorities several weeks ago, the lawmaker has once again raised the alarm with the recent verified kidnapping in Cuenca, Batangas, involving a 32-year old man. This report has been verified by the Cuenca Police, who said that the victim was just walking along the street when he was taken by four to five unidentified men in bonnets riding a white van. It can be recalled that the veteran lawmaker from Cavite already called the attention of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on August 26, 2022. In his letter to Police General Rodolfo S. Azurin, Jr., PNP Chief, Sen. Revilla urged the PNP to seriously look into the matter in order to prevent its proliferation. This triggered the filing of Senate Resolution no. 207, which he authored, to inquire into the alleged increasing kidnapping incidents and recent spate of other criminal activities. Sen. Revilla denounces these series of criminal activities for causing widespread panic and fear, thus disrupting the rather peaceful daily lives of our people. Parents now fear for the safety of their children, especially at this time when schools have resumed face to face classes, and family members worry about their spouses and parents as recent occurrences involve not only women but also ordinary men. In fact, as confirmed by the Cuenca Police, the victim was an ordinary resident in the community. The lawmaker is again urging the PNP to intensify their efforts in pursuing these criminals, bring them to justice, and punish them with the full force and effect of the law. "It is our bounden duty to act with urgency and put an end to these atrocities. We owe it to our constituents to make them feel safe and secure in their homes and community, and assure them that they have a government that protects them at all times," said Sen. Revilla.
Hy-Vee, Inc. deployed its Disaster Relief Fleet on Friday to locations in Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Hy-Vee employees departed Friday morning from the Hy-Vee Fresh Commissary in Ankeny, Iowa, in several of the companys response vehicles with supplies and food to assist with providing up to 1 million meals.

The fleet that has been dispatched to Florida includes Hy-Vees mobile command center, Hy-Vees mobile water system (which includes a tank and pump trailer), two Hy-Vee rapid response pickup trucks, and nine Hy-Vee semis filled with water, ice, snacks, cleaning supplies and protein.

Hy-Vees disaster relief team is working with local emergency responders, food banks and nonprofits to assist with efforts specifically in Port Charlotte and Bradenton, Florida. The team will also be working with Operation BBQ Relief to help provide up to 1 million meals to those responding to the disaster as well as impacted residents in Florida.

The caravan includes 23 Hy-Vee employees who will take part in the companys 12-day response effort.
The Dodge County Sheriffs Office is seeking information regarding the death of a man found dead on Sept. 22 on U.S. Highway 275, south of Morningside Road.

Law enforcement identified the man as Yashua Martinez, 27, of La Vista, formerly of Georgia.

On Friday, the sheriffs office released information indicating the mans death was caused by a car-pedestrian traffic collision.

Anyone familiar with Martinez or who had previous contact with him in the Fremont area is asked to contact investigator Smith at the sheriffs office at 402-727-2700 or utilize the P3 APP to submit information to remain anonymous.

The investigation is ongoing with the assistance of the Douglas County Crime Lab, Nebraska State Patrol and Fremont Police Department.

There is no risk to the public.

Deputies were advised at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22 of a possible deceased party discovered by construction crews.

During the investigation Highway 275 was shut down at Morningside Road for approximately seven hours.
When he returned from serving in Vietnam, Staff Sgt. Allen Way had wounds an average person couldnt see.

The former Fremonter suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a traumatic brain injury.

In his older years, Way became forgetful and began to age quickly. Family members thought he was showing early signs of dementia.

Then on Aug. 28, 2017, the combat veteran took his own life.

He was 71 years old.

In 2018, his daughter, Meredith Smith of Carroll, Iowa, brought an endeavor called Flags for Forgotten Soldiers to Fremont.

With this event, the Fremont Avenue of Flags team and other volunteers helped place small flags for a display at Fremont Veterans Park on Military Avenue.

Another event is planned this weekend.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the public is invited to the fifth Fremont Flags for Forgotten Soldiers. The event starts at 1 p.m. at Fremont Veterans Park near Sidner Ice Arena.

Volunteers are sought to help place the small flags. They will receive instructions on the meaning of these flags, which represent veterans who succumb to the internal wounds of the stresses of their service and lose that battle to suicide each month.

Veterans Park Chairman Chris Madsen, also co-chairman of the Avenue of Flags, said the event is intended to bring awareness to the suicide epidemic among veterans.

Last year, when we put these flags up, we put up 518 flags, Madsen said. Now, were going up to 560. We want to change that number.

During Saturdays event, Madsen will give a speech.

He will introduce the group, Guitars for Vets (G4V), which will sing the National Anthem and another patriotic song.

Madsen said there is a hotline veterans can call if they need someone to talk to or mental health support.

In July, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new veterans crisis line number. Vets can dial 988 on their phones. They then press 1 to get the Veterans Crisis Line.

During a crisis, every second counts, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a prepared statement. This new, shorter number makes it easier for veterans and those who care about them to reach lifesaving support without having to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care.

The original number: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, remains available, and veterans can continue to reach out via chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or by text to 838255.

Madsen, who knows what it is to lose a fellow veteran to suicide, stresses the importance of awareness and events like Flags for Forgotten Soldiers.

Right now, people dont talk about it (veterans suicides), Madsen said. Sometimes, they (veterans) need a friendly voice to talk to and sometimes they dont know how or where to reach out. This program can bring awareness of the epidemic that we have.

The late Howard Berry of Ohio founded Flags for Forgotten Soldiers after his son, Staff Sgt. Joshua Berry, committed suicide on Feb. 13, 2013. Joshua Berry had suffered from PTSD after serving in Afghanistan and also witnessing the Fort Hood, Texas, shooting on Nov. 5, 2009.

Howard Berry, 64, lost his battle with cancer in 2020, but not before helping create awareness of suicide among veterans.

In 2018, Smith told the Tribune about her late fathers experiences.

She said Allen Way, a 1964 graduate of Fremont High School, had been active in track. He went to the University of Iowa in Iowa City and after he graduated from college was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Way was 24 when he left for Vietnam in June 1970 and was stationed in Ahn Khe. Way later recalled having five concussions while in Vietnam  four from explosions and one from a 20-foot fall.

He returned home in May 1971 and had successful careers. He and his wife, Sue, had three children, Meredith, Heather and Chris, and were married 50 years before his death.

Way retired at age 66.

About a year before his death, Way was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Doctors had asked the former platoon leader to think back on how many times he would have had a concussion while in Vietnam.

Thats when he counted five.

Months before he died, Way had poor balance and began falling down a lot.

He began having difficulty remembering simple tasks and doing things, like woodworking, at which hed excelled his entire life.

After Ways death, family members were asked to donate his brain to Boston University where it was determined he had Stage 3 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy caused by concussions.

CTE is a degenerative brain disease found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma. Early symptoms usually appear in a patients late 20s or 30s. Common changes can include impulse control problems, aggression, depression and paranoia.

As the disease progresses, some patients may experience various problems, including memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, and eventually progressive dementia.

Smith said her dad didnt demonstrate any violent or abusive behavior, but did have memory loss.

After her fathers death, Smith found Flags for Forgotten Soldiers on Facebook and contacted Howard Berry. She volunteered to put up a display in Carroll, Iowa.

Smith also thought it would be good to put one up in Fremont and contacted Madsen. The event took place in 2018.

About 60 people attended and Smith and Madsen later told the Tribune they were pleased with the turnout.

Smith offered some insight regarding veterans.

I dont think they (veterans) ever stop thinking about what they went through  and so we need to remember that, she said. When you see a veteran thank them for their service, look them in the eye.
Are you like me?

You could watch a Hallmark Christmas movie in April.

Or July.

Or September.

I watch the movies when Im exercising or folding laundry or sorting through papers.

The other night I watched one of my favorites: A Very Merry Mix Up.

This is a romantic comedy about a young woman named, Alice, who becomes engaged to an ambitious salesman called Will.

Alices fiance is all about making a sale. And hes in the middle of a big deal when he sends Alice to the airport to fly to meet his parents in another community.

Poor Alice.

Shes never met Wills parents. She doesnt know what they look like. She apparently doesnt even know their first names.

I guess Will only calls them Mother and Father.

Anyway, nothing seems to go right for Alice. Her luggage is lost in the airport and shes waiting to fill out a claim form when she meets another traveler named, Matt.

Poor Matt.

The airport lost a special clock he made for his grandfather.

Matt begins a conversation with Alice while theyre filling out paperwork.

As they prepare to go their separate ways, a coffee-spilling mishap occurs.

Its the start of a sweet romance  which later seems doomed, because Alice is already engaged to be married.

At one point, a very miserable Alice is with her prospective in-laws and her self-absorbed fiance, when she decides to take a walk by herself.

Thats when she gets an unexpected visit from Matts grandpa.

Alice tells Grandpa that Matt is wonderful, but the timings all wrong.

Shes engaged.

Grandpa has some advice.

I dont know if we make our own fates or if its written down somewhere even before youre born  maybe a little of both, Grandpa says. But I do know one thing for sure, life is about timing and timing is everything in love and loss.

OK. Stop the bus.

No, they werent on a bus.

I just want to tell Grandpa something.

Its true, we can make our own choices  good or bad.

But if youre a Christian and you want Gods will for your life, I have some great news.

Turn to the New Testament. Here youll find a book, which is actually a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to a group of people called the Ephesians.

Its here that Paul tells the Ephesians  and us  that were Gods handiwork.

Weve been created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Isnt it wonderful to know God knew ahead of time  and still knows  what great things he has planned for us to do in our lives?

Now, turn to the beautiful Psalm 139, written by David, who killed the evil Goliath and later became king.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be, David writes.

That speaks to us today.

God has all our days written in his book before they ever come to pass.

He loves us and sees the future that we do not.

Its helpful if we ask God to speak to us through his word  the Bible.

And read it.

I also believe we must ask God what he wants us to do and to seek his will for our lives.

What about timing?

If you read the story of Esther in the Bible, you can learn how important this is.

Esther had to expose a murderous plot by the evil and powerful Haman. When allowed to see the king, Esther could have blurted out the whole scheme immediately.

But she waited until the right time  and helped save all the Jewish people living in Persia.

Paul writes about the importance of time to the Romans.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly, Paul says.

Christ didnt wait until everybody got their act together.

He knew that wouldnt happen on this earth.

So while humanity was still deep in its muck, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross for us.

Because Jesus did this, those who place their faith in him can have eternal life.

Now, I know the mix up movie is a secular film. But I wish Grandpa would have encouraged Alice to pray, read Scripture and ask God to direct her.

I wish he would have let her know that our God loves us and is full of surprises.

And theres always hope as we trust our Lord to write the stories of our lives.

Grandpa doesnt say any of that in the movie.

I guess thats OK. The movie is still sweet and charming and Ill watch it again.

By the way, do I believe  like Grandpa  that timing is everything in love and loss?

I dunno.

Timing is important. But to me, God is everything.

He works things out and can help us at every turn.

Whats more, I believe Jesus, who walked this earth, understands the human perspective of love and loss.

Jesus knows what it is to love people, even those who dont love you back. He knows the grief of losing precious loved ones.

I also believe our God  for whom a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day  understands time and timing in a way we dont. I believe we can trust God in his timing.

And I trust him, even when things dont happen as quickly as Id like them to.

In the meantime, Ill probably keep watching Christmas movies in March or May or October.

I guess some things are just timeless for me.
Welcome to Gandhara's weekly newsletter. This briefing brings you the best of our reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

If youre new to the newsletter or haven't subscribed yet, you can do so here.

This week's Gandhara Briefing highlights our reporting on the devastation caused by the floods in Afghanistan, an Afghan woman accusing a Taliban official of rape, and the militants holding their first film festival.

Pakistan's Taliban Ties Take A Nosedive

I write about tensions increasing between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, longtime allies who appear to have fallen out.

In recent weeks, the Taliban has accused Islamabad of permitting its airspace to be used by U.S. drones to strike targets in Afghanistan. In turn, Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring terrorists.

"The Taliban may have accepted Pakistani support for years but do not wish to be Pakistani proxies forever," Husain Haqqani of the Washington-based Hudson Institute told me.

Graeme Smith, a senior consultant for the International Crisis Group, says the sides have no option but to cooperate.

"The relationship will remain very fractious," he noted. "It's worth monitoring the flare-ups of violence, but the incentives for cooperation are overwhelming."

Pakistan Reels From Effects Of Climate Change

Majeed Babar reports on how the residents of the picturesque Swat Valley are grappling with the impact of climate change, which has been blamed for torrential rains and widespread flooding across Pakistan.

The floods have damaged key infrastructure, destroyed hundreds of homes, and displaced thousands of people in Swat.

Local resident Khayal Muhammad said his 75-year-old father died after learning the floods washed away their home.

"None of our elders have any memories of such destruction," said Shah Faisal, a lawyer.

University student Shahab Shaheen expressed the anger and bewilderment felt by many locals. "We didn't do anything wrong to the climate, so why are we getting slapped back?" he asked.

Taliban Harasses Diners

Radio Azadi reports on how Afghans are no longer visiting restaurants because of Taliban harassment. The Taliban's morality police often target couples, demanding they prove they are married.

"They asked my husband, 'Who is she, and why have you brought her here?'" Maryam Hotak, a housewife in Kabul, said of her treatment. "When we told them we were married, they asked us to prove it."

Idrees, a manager at an upscale Kabul restaurant, says the Talibans harassment of his customers has affected his earnings.

"The Taliban ask [people] why they are sitting together," he said. "This is why people are avoiding restaurants, which has ruined our business."

Another Unexplained Disappearance

Radio Azadi reports on the mysterious disappearance of a former senior Afghan aviation official.

The family of Mahmood Shah Habibi says the Taliban detained him in early August. But the militants claim to not know of his whereabouts.

"He never committed any crimes, so why did the Taliban detain him?" his brother Ahmad Shah Habibi asked. "Why are they keeping him for so long?"

The Taliban declared a general amnesty soon after seizing power last year. But rights groups have accused the militants of killing, torturing, and arbitrarily detaining former members of the toppled Afghan government and its armed forces.

"His arrest and unknown fate are extremely worrying," said Qasim Wafaizadeh, Habibi's former colleague. "It does not leave any confidence in the general amnesty the Taliban declared."

That's all from me this week.

If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do so here. I encourage you to visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook..

You can always reach us at gandhara@rferl.org.
Pakistan has been the Afghan Taliban's key foreign sponsor for decades, with Islamabad harboring the militant group's leadership during the nearly 20-year U.S.-led war in neighboring Afghanistan.

But since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, its ties with Islamabad have deteriorated amid deadly border clashes. More recently, the militants have accused Islamabad of permitting its air space to be used by U.S. drones to strike targets in Afghanistan. In turn, Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring terrorists.

Experts say the longstanding alliance, which dates back to the emergence of the Taliban in southern Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, is coming under unprecedented strain as their interests diverge.

"The Taliban may have accepted Pakistani support for years but do not wish to be Pakistani proxies forever," said Husain Haqqani of the Washington-based Hudson Institute who previously served as Pakistan's ambassador to the United States.

Last month, the Taliban accused Pakistan of allowing U.S. drones to use its airspace to conduct strikes inside Afghanistan. The August 28 claim came after an American drone strike in Kabul killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri in July. Islamabad has denied involvement in or advanced knowledge of the strike.

On September 14, Islamabad accused the Taliban government of harboring Masood Azhar, head of the Jaish-e Mohammad (JeI) extremist group and a UN-blacklisted terrorist. The Taliban strongly rejected Pakistan's claims.

In his speech to the UN General Assembly on September 23, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad "shares the key concern of the international community regarding the threat posed by major terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan."

Sharif mentioned the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaeda, the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan as groups based in Afghanistan that "need to be dealt with comprehensively, with the support and cooperation of the interim Afghan authorities."

The speech provoked a sharp rebuke from the Taliban, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai on September 27 claiming Islamabad was "receiving millions of dollars" from Washington for allowing American drones to conduct flights over Afghanistan.

"How long can we tolerate this?" Stanikzai asked a gathering in Kabul. "If we rise against this [Pakistani interference], no one will be able to stop us."

Experts say another source of tension is the Taliban's unwillingness to crack down on the TTP, a close ideological and organizational ally. From its bases inside Afghanistan, the extremist group has intensified its insurgency against Islamabad in recent years.

The Afghan Taliban has mediated peace talks between Islamabad and the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban. But doubts have been cast over the peace process as Pakistan has conducted air strikes against TTP fighters inside Afghanistan. There have also been suspected TTP attacks in Pakistan.

"Pakistan keeps assuming that the Taliban are reliant on them economically and politically," said Obaidullah Baheer, a lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan. "The Taliban, on the other hand, are overreacting to Pakistani statements because, for a long time, they were accused of being allied to Islamabad."

Graeme Smith, a consultant for the International Crisis Group, says Pakistan and the Taliban have many incentives to cooperate despite their differences. He cites the rapidly growing trade volume between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"The relationship will remain very fractious," he said. "It's worth monitoring the flare-ups of violence, but the incentives for cooperation are overwhelming."
Two minutes of mindful reaction could have stopped the horrifying train collision which happened just north of Platteville nearly two weeks ago, according to a rail safety expert who watched the video and was interviewed about it by The Gazette.
Jimmy Sengenberger is host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6-9am on News/Talk 710 KNUS. He also hosts Jimmy at the Crossroads, a webshow and podcast in partnership with The Washington Examiner.
Senate President Migz Zubiri on the Supreme Court Decision on POGO Provision in the Bayanihan 2

We respect the decision of the Supreme Court declaring the unconstitutionality of the POGO provision in the Bayanihan 2 Law as it finally puts to rest the applicable tax regime for offshore gaming activities.

We note that the issue may have been rendered moot by the subsequent passage of the Republic Act No. 11590, otherwise known as "An Act Taxing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations," which provides for the detailed tax obligations of the offshore gaming industry.

We however reiterate our call for the government to take a hard look at our POGO policy. We have to undertake an in- depth review of the pros and cons of allowing POGOs to operate in our country in light of the recent spate of abduction cases and other established negative social costs.
DENVER  On a downtown corner under the shadow of glitzy, high-rise apartments and condos, theres a faded-brick building that looks like it doesnt belong. There are faded murals of the faded frontier and cracked antlers and busted wagon wheels.

Theres a plaque proclaiming this buildings rightful place.

Its a plaque proclaiming the Buckhorn Exchange a National Historic Landmark, recognizing this as Denvers oldest restaurant, established in 1893.

Everything changes around us, says the longtime manager inside, Anthony Perez, but were still the same.

The clientele is different  in the place of grimy, rowdy railroad men, miners and gamblers, now high-paying tourists and regulars coming for wild game and prime cuts of beef sliced tableside, the very best from the citys most legendary steakhouse.

Its no longer railroad builders across the street, but instead commuters of the light rail. The original, copper register sits idle upstairs, under the states first liquor license. Modern technology handles transactions now.

But the bar is the same, the white oak magnificence built in Germany in 1857 and ferried across the Great Plains. The tables are the same, with the holders underneath for poker players drinks. The wooden floors, the tin ceilings, the bathrooms where patrons swear they see ghosts  its all the same.

As is the whiskey cocktail said to be the choice of Buffalo Bill. As is the bean and ham soup said to be craved by another reveler of the day, Teddy Roosevelt.

But these are not the things making eyes widen and jaws drop through the door.

Its as much a museum as it is a restaurant, says server Jake Roberts.

Theres the cape buffalo said to be killed by Roosevelt, among taxidermy beasts covering the walls. There are bison, elk, lamb, duck and quail, which you will find on the menu, along with the occasional rattlesnake and alligator. Theres a 9-foot Kodiak bear upstairs by the chuckwagon, a swirly-horned kudu here, a brown-striped zebra there, and elsewhere peacocks, monkeys, mountain goats, mountain lions and a sea lion.

These are all explained by the man behind the Buckhorn. Henry H. Zietz was a hunter, and an ambitious, globe-trotting one at that. And he was much, much more.

Zietz was a truly historical Western character, read his 1949 obituary in The Rocky Mountain News. The paper remembered him as the last of the Buffalo Bill Scouts, a former intimate of H.A.W. Tabor, mining king of the early days, and a friend of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Zietz left his home of Prairie du Chien, Wis., at an early age. He initially landed at the mines ruled by Tabor. But his true, Western dreams were realized when he got to riding and hunting with Col. William Codys band. Zietz would become known as Shorty Scout, a name given to him by a top associate of Buffalo Bill, Chief Sitting Bull.

Zietz was noticed beyond his stature. President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted: Ive hunted all over the world and by jove, Shorty is one of the best guides Ive ever had!

Zietzs entrepreneurial spirit led him to the brick, corner building across from the expanding Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.

Hed call it the Rio Grande Exchange for the agreement with workers across the street: Theyd cash their checks and be given a token for one beer. Of course, Zietz knew theyd buy more.

And of course, his pal in Washington would make the Exchange known far and wide.

Theodore Roosevelt apparently loved that soup so much that he brought it back to the White House, says Roberts, serving the hot, fragrant bowl of ham and beans today. They say they still make that soup at the White House today.

Its but one specialty that has stood the test of time here. Traditions were maintained by Zietzs family after his death, before the decades gave way to the unrelated ownership group of today.

Theyve maintained a reputation impossible to ignore among the rich and famous. The Buckhorn Exchange has been visited by several presidents and members of British royalty, along with countless pro athletes and celebrities.

Von Miller, Wayne Gretzky, Dana White, Roberts says. I just did the Pawn Stars guys.

Says fellow server Kay Haas: I think my favorite was Garth Brooks.

Haas is one of the Buckhorns longtime employees, like the manager, Perez. Hes worked here 32 years.

My autographs are that high, he says, motioning far above the creaking floor.

But its not those encounters with fame that keep him and others around, he says. They are as much managers, servers and hosts as they are tour guides, showing anyone and everyone around the place.

Its the history, Perez says. Were here because we dont want it to die.

On the menu

Among beloved starters: Rocky Mountain oysters ($13); smoked buffalo sausage served with a red chile polenta and spicy mustard ($14); grilled duck rubbed with lavender and pepper and complemented by a raspberry, red zinfandel sauce ($16); and sirloin game tips ($19). Look for fried alligator tail and rattlesnake.

Soup or salad and bread served with all meals. Also garlic mashed potatoes, baked potato and baked beans.

Choices of New York strip, beef tenderloin and T-bone steaks ($50-$60). Also steak dinners made for two, three, four or five people ($100-$230). Steaks are cut lean with all but a very thin layer of the fat cover, the menu describes, forming a lovely crust. Carved tableside and topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions.

The restaurant promises lean and sweet from its buffalo prime rib, roasted to medium rare ($50-$60).

Other proteins ($32-50): velvety elk medallions grilled with peppercorn crust; slow-smoked and saucy pork ribs; lamb marinated in olive oil, rosemary and thyme; charbroiled salmon with a side of red chile hollandaise; quail over a pear and apricot glaze; and Cornish game hen over wild rice and an orange chipotle glaze. Those can be mixed and matched on combo plates.

The favorite dessert is the slice of hot Dutch apple pie ($12), coated in a cinnamon rum sauce and topped with whipped cream and ice cream.

Wide array of specialty cocktails, whiskey and wines.
Coffee created by a Crested Butte speciality roaster is set to go to space, according to a press release from First Ascent Coffee.

Nearly a year after the company received an inquiry from NASA about their products and sent in samples, an order from the agency has been received. A crew is set to take First Ascent's instant coffee product onboard the upcoming SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station, with lift-off scheduled for October 4.

It's no surprise NASA ended up selecting First Ascent to be included in the mission  the company's Ethiopia Instant Coffee was dubbed the best 'all-around' instant coffee by Outside Online.

The specific product that will be headed to space is the company's Dawn Patrol Dark Roast, with about 250 individual servings on the cargo list.

According to the company, the entire coffee production process at First Ascent is unique, as it all happens in the same building, from roasting to brewing to freeze-drying to packaging.

Find out more about First Ascent on the company website here.
A Colorado Springs police officer-involved shooting in December of last year was found to be "justified" after a review by the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, according to a news release Friday by the DA's office.

On Dec. 8, 2021, Colorado Springs police responded to an attempted break-in at the 1700 block of Herd Street. When officers Jacob Kelly and Peter Mandry arrived they found 45-year-old Michael Pantoja outside covered in blood and holding a knife, according to the news release.

Both officers ordered Pantoja to drop his knife on the ground multiple times before Pantoja ran at the officers with the knife. The press release states that Mandry deployed his Taser unsuccessfully before Kelly discharged his weapon four times at Pantoja.

The entire interaction with Pantoja occurred within 2 minutes, according to the DA's office.

The district attorney's office investigated the incident by interviewing both of the officers and reviewing their body-worn camera footage to determine that Kelly was justified in his use of force.

"This was a Homicide, but the use of deadly force by Officer Kelly was justified," the news release states. "Officer Kelly considered and used less lethal options and only turned to the use of deadly physical force after Mr. Pantoja continued rushing at him with a raised knife creating an imminent deadly threat.

"Colorados 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office has determined the use of deadly physical force by Colorado Springs Police Officer Jacob Kelly was justified based on all the facts and circumstance of this case under the law of the State of Colorado," the release states.

Pantoja died on scene despite Kelly's eventual life-saving attempts.
A man wanted on five felony warrants for violent crimes was arrested Monday after allegedly stealing a car and trying to evade detectives, Col
A former Boy Scouts leader accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy last year pleaded not guilty to all charges in court on Thursday, with the caveat that his defense attorneys still hope a plea deal will arise.

Anthony Fruzia, 49, is accused of having sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy in a Colorado Springs hotel on Dec. 30, 2021, after the boy's dad allowed him to stay in the hotel with Fruzia because he trusted him, according to an affidavit acquired by The Gazette.

The arrest warrant states that the boy was sleeping on a couch in the room when Fruzia asked the boy come to bed with him. Fruzia sexually assaulted the boy that night, the document states.

After the assaults, Fruzia told the boy "his life would be ruined" if the boy "said anything," the arrest warrant alleges.

On Thursday, Fruzia appeared in 4th Judicial District Court to enter a plea on charges of sexually assaulting a child in a position of trust and sexual assault against a child. Fruzia pleaded not guilty, but his defense attorney Theodore McClintock cautioned that the plea could change in the next few weeks.

McClintock stated that he is still in discussions with the District Attorney's Office over a potential plea deal, and that it was unlikely the case will go to trial.

Because of the not-guilty plea, Fruzia is now scheduled for a jury trial on March 20, but an interim disposition date of Nov. 10 was set for a potential change of plea.

According to the New York Daily News, Fruzia also was named in a 2020 federal lawsuit that alleges he abused an 11-year-old boy when he was an assistant scout leader in Lake Dallas, Texas.

The 43-page lawsuit details the stories of eight men who claimed they were sexually assaulted by Boy Scouts of America leaders as children while the organization kept quiet. Fruzia is named as one of the scout leaders.

The lawsuit claims that Fruzia abused the 11-year-old boy for five years starting in 1991. The victim, whose name is redacted from the lawsuit, stated that over the five years, he was assaulted by Fruzia 20-30 times.

The lawsuit also states that the boy believed Fruzia was abusing one other troop member during that period, and that Fruzia tried to "connect [the victim] with other adults who would pay to have sex with him."

The lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America is in limbo as the court has to await the results of a Bankruptcy Court hearing involving the Boy Scouts of America, according to court records.

If Fruzia is found guilty of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 15 in a position of trust, a Class 3 felony, it could result in a four- to 12-year prison sentence.

Fruzia, who is currently free after posting a $10,000 bond in March, lives in Denton, Texas.
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Abkhazia's de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs Inal Ardzinba responded to the statements of the Georgian side regarding the arrival of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in occupied Abkhazia."The Republic of Abkhazia is an independent state, a subject of international law and geopolitical reality. We consider Belarus an important partner of our foreign policy. They are our friends. Regarding this visit, the reaction of third countries, for example, Georgia, does not worry us", said Ardzinba.According to the statement of the 'Shame' movement, the document, which the speaker of the Russian State Duma spoke about at the session held in the Duma, was created by an activist of 'Shame' and Volodin considered it to be a real document.At the session of the State Duma, Volodin said that Russian citizens are required to recognize Russia as an occupation regime upon entering Georgia. Volodin stated that he had a document confirming the fact.According to the 'Shame' movement, the mentioned 'document' was created by an activist of 'Shame' and sent in a telegram chat called "Zemo Larsi - Chat". The form was specially made with spelling mistakes and it was removed from the Russian chat within a few minutes, and the activist was blocked.During the session of the Duma, Volodin said that those who sign this document "have already betrayed us"."Here, Nikolay Kolomeitsev recently handed me a document that those who cross the Russian-Georgian border are asked to sign - a statement on the recognition of Russia as an occupation regime on the territory of Georgia. If this is true and our citizens sign this document, it is quite obvious that this is a crime.We must investigate this because according to the first paragraph, the signatory admits that his country is the aggressor. This is already a criminal responsibility," Volodin said.
A North Korean flag flutters at the propaganda village of Gijungdong in North Korea, in this picture taken near the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, July 19, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/Pool/Files
South Africa: Minister Patel to host SA-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission (JEC)

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel will host the 9th session of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Trade and Investment Forum next week.

The forum is set to take place on Monday in Pretoria alongside the 9th Session of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission (JEC).

Minister Patel and Saudi Arabias Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, are expected to address both the forum on Monday and the Plenary Session of the JEC on Tuesday.

In a statement on Friday, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council will be launched on the first day.

The objective of the forum is to provide South African and Saudi Arabian companies with a strategic platform to engage on bilateral trade and investment opportunities in both markets, while simultaneously affording them access to senior decision-makers and stakeholders, the department said.

According to the Acting Deputy Director-General of Invest SA, Yunus Hoosen, the JEC between South Africa and Saudi Arabia is envisaged to explore areas of cooperation, which will provide and promote opportunities on trade and investment, and industrial development.

The JEC is an ideal platform to unlock investments through establishing networks with key Saudi Arabian officials and private sector leaders, and importantly to attract investment. Significantly, the launch of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Business Council will bring together captains of industry from both countries to develop a roadmap to deepen economic ties, Hoosen said.

According to Hoosen, Saudi Arabia continues to be South Africas strategic partner in the Middle East. It is South Africas second largest trading partner in the Middle East and largest source of imports from the region.

He added that the exchange of political and business visits, as well as trade and investment exhibitions and seminars by both countries in the past years have had a positive effect on trade and investment trends.

Total bilateral trade between South Africa and Saudi Arabia stood at R66.15 billion in 2021 with South African exports at R5.54 billion and imports from Saudi Arabia amounting to R60.61 billion.

South Africas main exports to Saudi are concentrated in agriculture,and agro-processing; mineral resources, chemicals, automotive parts and components, and metals.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia ranked as a largest source of imports, mainly for oil supply. Saudi Arabia plays an important role as a source of oil, as well as a destination for South Africas exports. SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan is offering the most realistic opportunity for a more reliable energy supply to Europe, Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on his official Facebook page, Azernews reports.

With the volume of gas from Azerbaijan set to double in the coming years, it is important that the European Union supports the infrastructure investments that will allow Azerbaijani gas to be transported to Central Europe, he wrote.

The minister added that the green electricity supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe will begin in the future, with the necessary transport route passing through Georgia, Romania, and Hungary.

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.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on April 27, 1992. Around 50 documents have been signed between the two countries. Azerbaijan and Hungary have also had fruitful cooperation within international and regional organizations. Hungary signed a strategic partnership agreement with Azerbaijan on November 11, 2014.

In 2021, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Hungary was $35.1 million, with exports totaling $1.7 million and imports totaling $33.3 million.
Allowing judges from the Colorado Court of Appeals to stand in judgment over a Supreme Court justice accused of misconduct would be fraught with the appearance of impropriety and potential conflicts of interest.

So says the state Commission on Judicial Discipline in a letter to a panel of legislators scheduled to take up a trio of proposals Friday that could dramatically change how judges are disciplined in Colorado.

In a 10-page letter to the Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline, the commission charged with investigating and administering punishment to judges accused of misdeeds said the appellate court should not preside over any disciplinary matter that would involve a sitting or retired Supreme Court justice.

An initial proposal by the interim committee would create a special council called a special supreme court that would be composed of appellate court judges should a disciplinary case involve a Supreme Court justice and require the other justices to remove themselves because of the conflict.

Currently, there is no specific provision in state law requiring a justice to recuse themselves if a colleague is accused of misconduct or is a material witness to a disciplinary case against another judge. The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of any disciplinary matter that the commission wants to make public, such as removing a judge from the bench or other serious sanction.

The collegial nature of the court is the reason for the imputed disqualification of the entire court, the commission wrote in its Sept. 22 letter noting that Supreme Court justices ought not to sit in judgment over one of their own. On a very fundamental level, there is an appearance of impropriety and conflicts of interest where judges who regularly work closely together are required to judge their own or one of their colleagues credibility and compliance with ethical standards.

But allowing appellate court judges to take the justices place, especially when the discipline involves a member of the higher court, is also problematic, the commission wrote.

Unfortunately, creating a special supreme court composed of Colorado Court of Appeals Judges does not fully address the possibility of continuing conflicts of interest, commission executive director Christopher Gregory wrote. Like the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals is a collegial court. Because the Court of Appeals is often a path to becoming a Colorado Supreme Court justice, there will be circumstances where a special supreme court composed entirely of Court of Appeals judges would be reviewing the conduct of a current or former colleague.

Ultimately, a special supreme court composed of Court of Appeals judges does not correct the conflicts that necessitate the underlying recusal of the whole Colorado Supreme Court.

Instead, the commission is recommending that any panel named to replace the Supreme Court include district court judges as well as one member of the appellate court.

In a statement, the Judicial Department said the proposal doesn't need any of the changes the commission suggests.

"The proposal from the interim committee brings Colorado in line with numerous other states that use a similar system for disciplinary cases involving a justice of the supreme court," the department said in a statement. "We do not share the commissions concerns with the proposed structure."

The committee proposal was inked with the input of the Judicial Department and initially was to name a member of the appellate court to replace any Supreme Court justice who recused themselves. That proposal changed when it was clear the close-working justices would fundamentally have a potential conflict sitting in judgment over a colleague.

Keeping the new judgment panel limited to appellate court judges creates a problem if the justice facing discipline had come from the lower court, Gregory wrote.

The judiciary scandal that led to the interim committee and consideration of a constitutional amendment to change how discipline gets done is rooted in accusations that some judicial misdeeds were intentionally overlooked or handled softly. Those accusations came from a two-page memo that outlined some of the misbehaviors and was read to then-Chief Justice Nathan Ben Coats in a meeting intended to garner a multi-million-dollar training contract for a former employee threatening a lawsuit.

Coats is under investigation by the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel in the matter and could be under inquiry by the discipline commission, whose work is secret.

As evidence of why the special supreme court proposal is problematic, the memo cited the case of a Court of Appeals judge facing a harassment complaint by an intern. The matter was handled quietly and the intern given a settlement, allegedly so as not to impact the judges chances of being named to the Supreme Court, which ultimately happened.

Its unclear if that justice is under investigation by the commission over that incident.

The commission is recommending that any panel named to replace the Supreme Court include district court judges as well as one member of the appellate court.

In addition to recommending a panel that includes district court judges, the commission and judicial department recommended a number of other changes to the proposals legislators are considering, including:

 A requirement that a new ombudsman report all complaints of misconduct to the commission rather than only founded ones, leaving the investigative work to the commission rather than the ombudsman.

 Ensure all forms of discipline shared with committees reviewing judicial performance for retention remain confidential and not be shared with voters. Currently, those committees do not automatically learn of a judges discipline record.

 Decriminalization of disclosure of the existence of a inquiry into judicial misconduct. Currently it is a misdemeanor to disclose the commissions work and its believe that such punishment is a deterrent to anyone wanting to file a complaint.

 A structure of rulemaking for the new judicial discipline process that would equally include input from the commission and the judicial department. Currently, the department creates the rules and may, but is not required to, request the commissions input.
DES MOINES  Jerry Foxhoven, the former head of the Iowa Department of Human Services, filed an appeal this week with the Iowa Supreme Court to reconsider his wrongful termination lawsuit against Gov. Kim Reynolds and the state of Iowa.

A Polk County District Court judge appointed by Reynolds in 2018 dismissed Foxhovens suit last month. Foxhoven alleges he was fired by Reynolds in June 2019, after two years on the job, because he refused to engage in Medicaid fraud.

According to the suit, Foxhoven objected to paying a portion of the salary of a former DHS employee who transferred to the governors office, which he believe was a false claim for payment of Medicaid funds, as the employee no longer performed duties related to Iowa Medicaid.

Foxhoven alleges he told Reynolds staff he planned to report the issue to the Iowa Attorney Generals Office, but was terminated before he had the chance.

In her Aug. 31 ruling, District Court Judge Sarah Crane wrote that as an officer of the state in one of the highest positions in state government, Foxhoven served at the pleasure of the governor.

Foxhoven, in his suit, claimed protection as a whistleblower under both state and federal law. Crane, however, ruled that Foxhoven could not bring a claim under the False Claims Act. The statute allows whistleblowers to sue people or entities that are defrauding the government and recover damages and penalties on the government's behalf.

Crane, though, wrote that federal courts have held the statute was intended to ensure independent contractors could sue and was not intended to allow suits against a state and state officials acting in their official capacity.

Des Moines attorney Thomas Duff, who is representing Foxhoven, argues the district court determined Reynolds was entitled to discretionary function immunity, but never commented on the factual merits of the lawsuit.

These are all purely legally defenses having nothing to do with the merits of the case, Duff told The Gazette. No one has ever said that what the governors and her staffs conduct on firing him was in any way legitimate or correct. We just havent gotten that far.

Reynolds office declined to comment on Foxhovens appeal.

WEBSITE FOR VOTERS: The state website with information for Iowa voters has been given a makeover just in time for this falls general election.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced that voterreadyiowa.iowa.gov has been updated and has all the information Iowa voters need, including how to register to vote, download an absentee ballot request form, track the status of an absentee ballot request, find where to vote, and learn important dates and deadlines for the Nov. 8 election.

Pate said his office is promoting the website on myriad media platforms with the goal of informing Iowa voters about the upcoming election.

The Nov. 8 general election is less than six weeks away and voters are already requesting their absentee ballots. Lets keep Iowas great track record of being one of the best states in the nation for voter participation, Pate said in a news release.

IAB HEARING: The Iowa Utilities Board has scheduled an oral argument to clarify the scope of a petition for a proposed underground electric transmission line filed by SOO Green HVDC Link ProjectCo, LLC. The hearing will be 9 a.m. Dec. 15 at 1375 E. Court Ave. in Des Moines.

SOO Green has proposed a 174-mile electric transmission line that would cross through Allamakee, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Dubuque, Floyd, Jackson, and Winneshiek counties in Iowa.

JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT: Erik Howe, assistant Polk County Attorney from Polk City, has been appointed a district associate judge by Gov. Kim Reynolds. Howe will serve as an associate judge in Judicial Election District 5C, which is in Polk County.

Howe fills a vacancy created by the addition of new district associate judge positions created this year by state lawmakers and Reynolds.

FEDERAL GRANT AWARDED: Iowas Vocational Rehabilitation Services will receive a federal grant of $13.8 million over the next five years to support increasing access to well-paid jobs for people with disabilities.

Iowa is one of 14 states receiving a combined $177 million in grants from the federal Department of Education to provide employment opportunities at industry-standard wages to people with disabilities.

Federal labor law allows employers in some cases to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage or below the prevailing wage for the job, if the disability affects the persons productivity in the job.

According to a news release, the grants will help decrease the use of subminimum wages and increase access to more competitive employment for workers with disabilities, where they will work alongside non-disabled workers. Job opportunities afforded by the grants include green jobs, essential industries, transportation and the arts.

Our Real Pay for Real Jobs Initiative is about Building a more equitable, inclusive workforce that thrives on the talents of Americans of all abilities. These grants will support innovative efforts underway across the country to provide educational opportunities to youth and adults with disabilities so they can secure better-paying jobs, build economic security, and lead more fulfilling, independent lives, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in the news release.

 Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
Discofreak wrote:

You might be in a pretty sticky situation if you pull out of an Early Action decision. I have a few years experience in undergraduate admission and generally the rule is that one must withdraw all other applications once accepted via EA. Schools generally hold the right to take action against you if you choose to go to a different school despite having been accepted EA. Schools tend to take EA decisions very seriously and depending on the program, they may view your more recent acceptance as a violation of their conduct/ethics code and revoke your acceptance. In such a case, you would no longer be welcome at either school. Tread lightly. If you signed an agreement with your first school you might be in a tough situation. An example of one early action statement is below. Notice the bold text.



From the Duke MBA website: *The Duke MBA Early Action option is ideal for applicants who have completed their MBA research and have decided that The Duke MBA is the best program for them. Applicants admitted in the Early Action round must submit the non-refundable $3,000 tuition deposit along with official transcript(s) by December 20, 2011. In addition, any applications submitted to other schools must be withdrawn upon an offer of admission from The Duke MBA.



From Columbia: Candidates have decided that Columbia is their first choice and must sign the following statement of commitment within their applications: I am committed to attending Columbia Business School and will withdraw all applications and decline all offers from other schools upon admission to Columbia Business School.

The Brain Dump - From Low GPA to Top MBA (Updated September 1, 2013) - A Few of My Favorite Things--> http://cheetarah1980.blogspot.com Signature Read More

Honestly, even with these statements there is little a school can do if a person decides to not attend. I personally know of someone who applied EA/ED, was accepted and chose to go to another school. Besides the lost deposit there haven't been any additional repercussions. While I wouldn't personally apply to a school EA if I wasn't going to abide by the conditions, I can understand how these situations arise._________________
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

As many as 2,449 citizens improve their living conditions as part of the rent-to-own system, Head of Mortgage Loans Department under the Azerbaijani Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund Rasim Abdullayev said.

The remarks were made during media training.

"As of September 27, the Fund has offered business loan guarantees and subsidies in the amount of 320.7 million manats ($188.8 million). A total of 40,438 borrowers in 50 regions were issued 2.85 billion manats ($1.6 billion) of mortgage loans," he said.

He specified that Azerbaijani banks' maximum margin on conventional mortgage loans is four percent.

According to Abdullayev, the margin on concessional loans is three percent.

"The value of the fund attracted funds is three percent at ordinary interest, and one percent is the margin determined by the fund," he added.

Further, Deputy Director of the Rental housing department Aslan Zeynalov stressed that a total of 2,462 rental housing agreements have been concluded in Azerbaijan as of today,

Zeynalov noted that the total amount of offered apartments is 2,852, and the remaining apartments - 390.

More than 51 percent of those who applied from the public sector, and about 49 percent were in the private sector. The average monthly income of those who applied is 1,300 manat ($764), the average monthly payment is 1,140 manat ($670)," he stated.

During the same briefing, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Director-General for Central and Western Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov stated that the bank continues to support Azerbaijans effort to increase its share of renewable energy.

We fully support the government of Azerbaijan's effort to increase the share of renewable energy and overall energy capacity through the development of the offshore solar power capacities and we will be looking very carefully at any possibilities to invest in this area, he said.

Recently ADB approved an investment of about $20-22 million to support a solar power project in Azerbaijan.

We are very happy to see that Azerbaijan has ambitious plans to diversify into renewable energy and we would be there to support the government with public sector finances and also looking for private sector opportunities, he added.

According to Zhukov, ADB currently starting preparations for the next Country Partnership Strategy for Azerbaijan and in the coming month will be discussing with the government priority areas for investments over the next 5 years period.

The Mortgage and Credit Guarantee Fund was established following the Presidential Decree in 2017 through the reorganization and merger of Azerbaijan Mortgage Fund OJSC and Azerbaijan Credit Guarantee Fund OJSC.
Helena Sun Run to benefit local schools

The Helena Sun Run returns to Central School and the surrounding neighborhood this Saturday morning for its seventh annual running.

The run is an annual fundraiser for installing solar panels around the City of Helena on public and nonprofit buildings, with the ultimate goal of making Helena a beacon example of a renewable energy-powered community. The event includes a 5K run but also a one-mile walk and bike parade for those looking for a more kid-friendly or relaxed option.

This years event partners with Helena Public Schools for the third season in a row  this time aiming for the installation of a 50 Kilowatt solar system at Bryant Elementary School. The last two Sun Runs raised funds for 50KW systems on Central School (2019) and Jim Darcy (2021), both local elementary schools.

If goals are met this year, Helena Public Schools will be aided by the addition of 150 Kilowatts of renewable energy.

Founded in 2015 by then-Race Director Shiloh Hernandez, the race has been an annual collaboration between the Helena Vigilante Runners, Sleeping Giant Citizens Council, a local conservation group, and the partner organization benefitting from the run in any given year. In 2015, the first year of the event, the Sun Run raised funds for for a solar array that now sits atop the Lewis and Clark Public Library and was so successful that there was leftover funding to install smaller systems at the librarys branches in Lincoln and Augusta. Subsequent years fundraised for panels at the Holter Museum of Art, Carroll College, and the elementary schools mentioned above.

Sign up for this years run/walk or donate at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Helena/HelenaRunfortheSun.

Bridge dedication to commemorate Race to the Sky

The U.S. Forest Service and Montana Mountain Mushers have joined together to dedicate the new bridge across Beaver Creek Road near Lincoln. The bridge dedication is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3:30 p.m. on the bridge site, which is near the Beaver Creek Campground just outside Lincoln. Everyone is welcome.

The Forest Service, Lincoln District, placed the permanent bridge over Beaver Creek giving multi-use access for Race to the Sky trails connecting Lincoln to Seeley Lake for the 300 mile sled dog race held every February.

A sign at the bridge commemorates Race to the Sky and its beginnings through today, Jack Beckstroms part in seeing the race happen, and the history of the race. There will be representatives from the organizations to speak briefly about the bridge and sign. Everyone is invited.

Directions: About half a mile west of Lincoln is a road called Beaver Creek Road, head north on Beaver Creek Road, (you are on the flats near Lincoln but will be climbing slightly to rolling hills), stay left at the Y (on Beaver Creek Road) to Pine Grove Campground, go through campground, (about 5 miles from highway turn-off), at the north end of the campground there is an ATV parking area. Park there and the bridge is about 100 yards from the ATV parking area right on the creek. The campground is about 5 miles from the highway turn-off near Lincoln.

For more information, call 406-881-2909 or email adanac@adanacsleds.com.

Voter registration at library this week

Attention Lewis & Clark residents. Hurry up and get registered to vote so you can vote in the upcoming Nov. 8 General Election. This election will decide Montana's Representatives to Congress, Montana Supreme Court Justices, County Commissioner, Public Service Commissioner, County Attorney, County Sheriff, County Treasurer/Clerk and Recorder to name some of the races. Also, all state representatives and half of Montana state senators are up for election.

For your convenience, voter registration volunteers will be at the Lewis & Clark Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch, from 5 to 7 p.m. every night, starting Monday, Oct. 3, through Friday, Oct. 7. Registering to vote is an easy process that just takes a couple of minutes and no ID is required.

All Montana U.S. citizens who are 18 and older by Nov. 8, and have lived in Montana for 30 days can vote. This includes Montanans on probation or out on parole, those in a pre-release center, and felons who have served their sentence and are now out of prison.

Need assistance voting? Call Montana Women Vote at 406-317-1505.
A fire. A pandemic. If those cant stop the Mt. Helena Project, perhaps nothing can.

The 2022 Mt. Helena Project took place on Thursday with around 100 seventh-grade C.R. Anderson Middle School science students and nearly 25 volunteers in tow.

Coming out of COVID, so much of what we had to do was isolate from each other, so much of what we had to do was on a screen, said Liz Burke, forest conservation education specialist with the Helena National Forest. You just cannot replace the experience you have with the extra effort it takes to get up to some of these spots and to be able to touch these trees and to measure these trees, see with your own eyes the three-dimensional world of what forestry looks like and what forest management looks like on Mount Helena.

This program with C.R. Anderson has been running for around 20 years, but during COVID-19, the students did not partake in the inventorying because Zoom and nature dont mix well.

The volunteers came from Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, the Society of American Foresters, the Montana Discovery Foundation and some parents of the students. They all had diverse job backgrounds such as forestry, superfund managing, city work, etc., which helps expose the students to possible career avenues.

I hope that a lot of students who havent even had the chance to come to Mount Helena, even though they go to school a couple hundred yards away, that they will come away with an appreciation for what an amazing resource this public land is, said Burke. I think that kids who have this experience are always going to remember their time up here, how hard it was to get to the site, maybe. Sometimes those challenges make you appreciate places like this a lot more.

The students walked from C.R. Anderson to Tubbs Trailhead around 8:30 a.m. Before starting the hike, Burke presented an award to Sam Gilbert, the program originator for the Society of American Foresters, and Leslie Hagengruber, a seventh-grade life science teacher at C.R. Anderson, for the hard work theyve put into the program for years now.

Gilbert spent 35 years working for the U.S. Forest Service in Montana and Northern Idaho before retiring. In 2002, Gilbert set about educating kids on the forests around them in Helena. He and Burke spend days preparing for the field trip each year to make sure the plots are ready for students' inventorying.

Hagengruber has helped organize the academic side of the program for the students since 2009. On the first day of school, shes preparing her students for the Mt. Helena Project by teaching them about trees and how to read them, local vegetation, research projects, nature documentaries and more.

Theres good people who give up this day every year to spend it with our seventh-graders, said Hagengruber. Getting kids out of the classroom and into the real world where they collect real data with real equipment, that makes it real. Theyre a part of something thats real.

After the day on the mountain, Burke and Gilbert bring the data along with past years' data to the classes to look at and compare. The data is also sent to the city of Helena.

This was the first year that a grant covered the expenses. A $9,500 Greening Stem Grant was given through the Forest Service and the Montana Discovery Foundation. The extra money funded more students attendance, substitute teacher coverage, new equipment and new resources for Hagengrubers classroom.

There were 20 groups made up of four or five students, and each group was assigned their own plot to collect data from. Each group was assigned a GPS with pre-programmed coordinates of their plot.

Burke and her four students trekked up Mount Helena to Backside Trail. Because of the sheer number of plots on the mountain, Burke mentioned they cycle plots, and about every five to six years, data will be taken from the same plot. Once groups arrived at their assigned spots, their volunteers guided them through activities that real forest managers do.

Burkes group located the tree with an orange stripe marking their assigned plot. They found the center of the plot, marked by a metal pole in the ground spray-painted orange.

A student measured out almost 17 feet and marked a circle with red tape at various points around the center. Inside the circle, the group counted the total number of seedlings and saplings. The main young tree present in this plot was our state tree, the Ponderosa Pine. The Ponderosa Pine sheds its pine needles about every three years or so.

Burke and the students used a clinometer to measure the height of the mature trees that had previous tagging on them. They also looked at tree diameter, the facing of the slope, amount of shade, bugs, weeds, scat and dead trees in the plot.

The last thing the group did before heading out to try and beat the afternoon rain was increment boring a tree to see its age. To do this, a student turned a borer bit into the bark until they were about half way into the tree. Then, the extractor tray was placed into the hollowed out bit and some more turning was done. Once it was ready, the extractor tray was removed with a string of wood from inside. Burkes group determined that their tree was around 45 years old.

Around 1 p.m., on the way down the mountain, students were taken to see the burn scar from the Aug. 28 Mount Helena fire.

Think about how this place has changed. Weve had 20 years of us taking pictures and collecting data, said Burke. When we revisit these students in the coming weeks and compare maybe 2002 data to 2022, what I hope they come away with is just the fact that things change over time, and that if you want to be able to keep this beautiful places open for recreation, to keep our wildland urban interface safe, its going to require lots of decisions as far as how its been managed Im so much more appreciative of Mount Helena every time I come here, and I feel proud to be a partner along with the City of Helena and all the other organizations who work so hard to keep this place open for us.
A Montana organization received one of 27 grants offered through the American Federation of Teachers to strengthen relationships with parents, students, teachers and their communities as a whole.

Through the Powerful Partnerships Institute Grant Program, the Montanans Organized for Education will use its $75,000 grant to recruit and train those in the education community across the state to increase participation in school board meetings and other public settings to push back against school privatization efforts.

People in Montana love their schools, they have always loved their schools and supported them across the state, said Moffie Funk, the director of Montanans Organized for Education. Unfortunately, in more recent years, people have come in wanting to privatize. They see Montana as ripe for the picking, that this is a place where they can come in and privatize and truly undermine our public education system.

Affiliates of the American Federation of Teachers doled out $1.5 million in grants across 16 states this school year to strengthen and formalize relationships it argues are critical to student success. The grant awards range from $25,000 to $75,000.

What these programs, these grants are about is allowing educators and parents and entire school communities more opportunities to work together on the things that kids need, said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Montana Federation of Public Employees President Amanda Curtis joined Funk to speak at a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Thursday regarding the grants. Several other affiliates and community partners from Connecticut, Michigan, California and Texas also received grants and spoke at the event. The AFT release noted its Montana grant was made "in preparation (for) expected attacks in its own Republican state Legislature."

School privatization advocates have also been active in Montana politics. The conservative policy group Americans For Prosperity has been running workshops training and recruiting Montanans to run for public office and campaign for expanded school choice. In 2017, financial reviews of Gov. Greg Gianforte's Gianforte Family Foundation donated almost $900,000 to the Montana Family Foundation, whose work is "focused on four areas: life, marriage and family, religious freedom and school choice," according to the Associated Press.

Montanans organized for education can really be a united front sending the same message to our political leaders on our school boards and in our Legislature, Curtis said. Were really ready to get to work.

Funk, who also served as a Democrat in Montanas House of Representatives, formed Montanans Organized for Education a few years ago in an effort to help organize parents who wanted to take action.

During the press conference Funk said that during the height of the pandemic school board meetings across the country were full of vitriol when it came to the topic of reopening, mask guidance and other issues, and Montana was no exception.

That just undermines everything, Funk said. We talk about what kids need, kids need to see adults acting like adults and not going to public meetings and throwing slurs around and misinformation. We need to be the people that support the kids by showing that were all in this together.
New cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus were detected in wild birds in parts of Montana and the rest of the United States this fall, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

The disease was prevalent earlier this year but appeared to decline over the summer. HPAI viruses are extremely infectious and fatal to poultry and some species of wild birds.

Some scientists have been concerned that the U.S. would see a resurgence of the virus during the fall migration. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is monitoring the situation by testing wild birds that display symptoms consistent with HPAI infection. While HPAI is considered a potentially zoonotic disease, the Centers for Disease Control continues to consider the risk to people from wild birds to be low.

Since it was first detected in the eastern United States in January 2022, it has spread to all four bird migration flyways, including the Central and Pacific flyways which include parts of Montana.

Human infections with bird flu viruses are rare but can occur, usually after close contact with infected birds. The current risk to the general public from bird flu viruses is low; however, it is important to remember that risk depends on exposure, and people with more exposure might have a greater risk of infection. Although the CDC considers risk of HPAI spread to humans to be very low, Montanans should take precautions when handling game birds or any sick or dead bird they find. Whenever possible, avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife. Even if a bird is not suspected to have died from a contagious disease, gloves should always be worn if a dead animal must be handled for disposal.

Raptors are susceptible to HPAI and are typically exposed via eating infected birds. The general recommendation for falconers is to avoid hunting and/or feeding wild birds, particularly waterfowl, during the outbreak. Enhanced biosecurity practices for cleaning and limiting contact with wild birds or birds from other facilities is also warranted. Sick falcons should be promptly reported to a veterinarian and be quarantined.

Bird hunters should follow these simple precautions when processing or handling wild game:

 Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.

 Wear disposable latex or rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.

 Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.

 People and equipment that have been in contact with wild game birds should avoid contact with backyard poultry flocks.

 Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.

 Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% solution of chlorine bleach  one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water.

 Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.

 Cook game meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.

 Do not keep bird feeders near domestic poultry.

For more information on AI in wild birds, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/diseases/avian-influenza, or visit the USGS website at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/avian-influenza-surveillance.
The Fort Belknap Indian Community on Wednesday commemorated three years of their successful swift fox recovery program by releasing three additional swift foxes onto tribal land. Twenty-five additional foxes will be released later this week.

Our people could not be prouder, Harold Main, director of the Fort Belknap Fish and Wildlife Department, said in a statement.

After being absent for more than 50 years, 103 swift foxes roam the Fort Belknap Reservation and surrounding areas, according to a news release. GPS collar tracking shows that some foxes have traveled far, including one that is more than 200 miles away. Most have stayed on the reservation or within Phillips and Blaine counties. Scientists also collect blood and fecal samples prior to releases, so they can use DNA tests to confirm survival and offspring post-release. At least 20 kits have been born in the wild since the original reintroduction of 27 foxes in 2020.

Students at Aaniiih Nakoda College, Clemson University and George Mason University assist ongoing data collection and fieldwork. Daniel Kinsey of Aaniiih Nakoda College said the program is an important educational opportunity for our students.

Historically, swift foxes lived across much of the Great Plains, but the species declined in the late 1800s due to the loss of their grassland habitat and by ingesting poison intended for coyotes and wolves. In 1983, in Canada and on the Blackfeet and Fort Peck reservations, swift foxes made a comeback. By growing the population on the Fort Belknap Reservation, the species will expand its occupied range.

The Fort Belknap Aaniiih and Nakoda Tribes partnered with the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Aaniiih Nakoda College, Defenders of Wildlife, American Prairie, World Wildlife Fund and Wilder Institute on the reintroduction effort.
We have two Montana Supreme Court races this year, each, as always, extremely important. One of those races however, demands even more urgent attention than our judicial races normally requirenamely the election involving Justice Ingrid Gustafson and her challenger, Republican Public Service Commission Chairman, James Brown.

In 2003, Republican Governor Judy Martz appointed Gustafson to the Yellowstone County District Court after 16 years in private practice. That was a year before her opponent finished law school. In 2017, Judge Gustafson was appointed to the Supreme Court by Democrat Governor Steve Bullock, and retained her seat by a vote of the people the following year.

Gustafsons opponent has been a lobbyist, counsel to the Montana Republican Party, and presently serves as the Republican chair of the Montana Public Service Commission, having initiated his first and only term less than two years ago in 2021.

The separation of powers and the Rule of Law embodied in our constitutions is unequivocally indispensable to the life of a democratic republic. In Alexander Hamiltons words, there can be no liberty if the power of judging is not clearly and completely separated from the legislative and executive functions. Having neither the power of the purse or the sword, a free people cannot and will not exist without the complete independence of the judiciary.

Thats why federal Article III judges have lifetime tenure and why the elections of members of the judiciary in Montana are nonpartisan.

It is also why the Montana Code of Judicial Conduct provides in Rule 2.4 that a judge is prohibited from conveying, or permitting others to convey the impression that any person or organization is in a position to influence a judge. In addition, the Code also provides in Rule 3.1 that a judge shall not participate in activities that would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the judges impartiality. And finally, Rule 4.1 prohibits a judicial candidate from seeking, accepting or using endorsements from a political organization, or partisan or independent non-judicial office holder or candidate.

Both of Gustafsons appointments to a judicial vacancy were based upon the recommendations of the Judicial Nomination Commission, a seven member body designed to provide judicial independence and created in 1973 to examine applicants for judicial vacancies and then forward three to five names to the governor, who would then appoint one of the nominees to serve until the next election.

Regrettably, after 48 years of serving to protect and defend the impartiality and independence of the judiciary, the 2021 Montana Legislature passed, and Republican Governor Greg Gianforte signed, a bill that eliminated the Judicial Nomination Commission in favor of allowing the governor to directly fill judicial vacancies between elections.

Important to note as well, there were an astounding 18 bills introduced by Republicans in the 2021 Legislature focused upon reshaping and controlling the judiciary in Montana, including bills to require the partisan elections of judges and the election of supreme court justices by politically gerrymandered" districts instead of statewide.

Brown made it publicly known early on in the Supreme Court race that Governor Gianforte had  called and asked me to consider running for the state Supreme Court of Montana because of the Governors concern that what were seeing in Montana is were seeing the court systems acting as a shadow Legislature.

In addition, according to a June 7 Montana Republican Party press release, Brown has been endorsed by Governor Gianforte, Senator Daines, Congressman Rosendale, Attorney General Knudsen, the Montana Republican Party and over 80 Republican legislators. That release has been followed by Republican Party campaign materials distributed throughout Montana emphasizing the same endorsements listed above.

Apparently, the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, required by the Montana and United States Constitutions, and without which our democracy cannot survive, cannot compete with the desire of the aforementioned Republicans to control all three branches of state government. Sadly, that approach fulfills neither the express promise, nor the spirit, of the constitutional oath of office taken by each of the aforementioned officeholders.

Having been appointed by both Republican and Democrat governors, Gustafson has served, as a district judge and supreme court justice, with fidelity, integrity and tireless dedication to the people of Montana for 19 years. Throughout, she has abided by her oath to impartially and independently support, defend and protect our constitutions and the Rule of Law.

Based on the foregoing, I would urge my fellow Montanans to once again place their trust in Justice Gustafson and reelect her to the Montana Supreme Court.
Potbelly awards franchise for Central Illinois

Macon County diners may soon be able to add a Potbelly Sandwich Works to their list of restaurant options.

Potbelly Corporation has announced the signing of an agreement with Rob Wilbern that will bring five of its locations to the Springfield-Champaign-Decatur area.

Wilbern runs a certified public accounting firm, an automotive dealership, several other businesses, and previously self-developed a restaurant concept in Springfield, a news release from the corporation said.

Potbelly is a fast-casual restaurant chain that focuses on submarine sandwiches and milkshakes. Potbelly was founded in 1977 in Chicago.

The support of the leadership team is what drew me to Potbelly. I was looking at a couple of different franchise opportunities and did a good amount of research. Potbelly stood out among the rest, Wilbern said in the news release.

Our new Shop Development Area Agreements come at an eventful time for us at Potbelly, said Bob Wright, the company's CEO.

The announcement advances the corporations Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative, which calls for reaching 2,000 units with at least 85% of those being franchised shops over the next 10 years.

The corporation has 400 company-owned shops in the United States. Additionally, Potbelly franchisees operate over 40 shops in the United States.

Coney McKanes has new owner

For three years, Nick Cox has been a familiar face at Coney McKanes, having worked as the chef and kitchen manager at the restaurant, located at 104 E. Prairie Ave.

He now owns the business, known for its desserts and homemade dishes.

It was that familiarity that made his transition from chef/manager to owner of the restaurant that much easier.

The joke is Its like family, but in reality, they actually are, Cox said. I feel like Im semi-adopted into the family, too. And the family pretty much stayed.

Cox said the staff has changed very little since he took over ownership more than three months ago. The only personnel to leave was the former owner, Lea Stukins.

Cox only recently announced he is the new owner. We wanted to do it quietly to make sure that everyone understood the consistency was still going to be there, he said. Its status quo. And Im lucky to be a part of it.

The popular baker, Grandma Flo Coombes, continues to work making the restaurants pies and baked goods. People know and have learned from her, Cox said about Coombes' baking secrets. When it comes to Thanksgiving, we have hundreds of pies on order. Its all hands-on-deck.

The menu has also stayed the same, although seasonal items will be added. As far as the favorites, Grandmas meatloaf is still Grandmas meatloaf. Her potato soup, her chili, her vegetable soup, these are still her recipes, Cox said. Coney McKanes is the house that Grandma built.

Brilliant Smiles and Tans by Katie

Katie Lewis recently announced the grand opening of her business, Brilliant Smiles and Tans by Katie LLC, at her new location at 445 E. Main St., Warrensburg.

The business provides teeth whitening, regular and spray tanning, and tooth gems. "They're cute little gems that go directly on your tooth," Lewis said.

Lewis moved her business to Warrensburg, from a downtown Decatur location, to be closer to her family. She began providing the services nearly six months ago in Central Illinois.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Brilliant Smiles and Tans by Katie website at brilliantsmilesbykatie.com or call 217-413-6708.
Dulcimer Club

DECATUR  Dulcimer Club Meeting at Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, will be Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your instrument and learn a new tune. Free to public.

***

NARVRE unit #77

DECATUR  N. A. R. V. R. E. the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Bistro 537 at the Richland Community College, Decatur.

Guest speaker will be Zack Shields from the Ag Academy, speaking about the new FFA Agriculture Education Center to be built in the Decatur area.

For those wishing to stay for lunch please contact Pam Hahn by Oct. 2 for menu choices and cost at 217-454-2950.

***

Books Between Bites

DECATUR  Books Between Bites meets Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 12:15 p.m. in the Decatur Public Librarys Madden Auditorium.

Linda Castleman, a retired lawyer will review the book "The Emperor of All Maladies -A Biography of Cancer" by Siddhartha Muherjee.

Books Between Bites is a free program at the Decatur Public Library, sponsored by Friends of Decatur Library.
FREEPORT  A northern Illinois woman has died about two weeks after she was seriously injured when her house exploded and caught fire, officials said.

Bonnie Bawinkel, 60, of Freeport died Monday evening as a result of thermal injuries from the Sept. 13 explosion, the Winnebago County Coroner's Office said in a news release.

Bawinkel and her husband, Al, were initially treated at a Freeport hospital before being airlifted to the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, the Rockford Register Star reported.

Al Bawinkel is in critical condition at the medical center, a spokesman said.

The cause of the explosion in Freeport, the Stephenson County seat, remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Stephenson County Sheriff's Office.

Freeport is located about 110 miles northwest of Chicago.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Baku and Islamabad have discussed the export of Azerbaijani chemical industry products to Pakistan, Azernews reports.

The discussion took place during a meeting between Azerbaijan's Deputy Economy Minister Samad Bashirli and Pakistani Industry and Manufacturing Ministry Secretary Imdadullah Bosal and Chairman of the Pakistani Trading Corporation Rafeo Bashir Shah. The meeting was also attended by Pakistani Ambassador Bilal Hayee.

During the meeting, the parties underlined the importance of joint projects in areas of mutual interest between the two countries. They also discussed the opportunities for agricultural products trade.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan cooperate in various sectors of the economy. The relations between the two countries date back to 1991. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.

The trade turnover between the two countries totaled $11.7 million in 2021.
Something noticeably different this year at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas.

Its not new uniforms or facilities. Its the absence of something that accounts for what principal Oscar Ortiz calls a remarkable cultural shift.

No cellphones are in use during the school day. Students are required to keep them in backpacks inside their lockers.

If students are caught using their phones, the devices are confiscated and must be retrieved by a parent or guardian after a small fine is paid.

To a home-schooling parent like me, this doesnt seem a novel or even particularly harsh policy. Arent smartphones almost always prohibited in places of learning?

According to federal data, close to 77% of schools in the U.S. reportedly ban cellphone use in schools. But practice looks different than policy.

Before this year, Nolan had a no-cellphone policy in place. But as Ortiz explained, when such policies dont take into account what that means for teachers in the classroom, they are difficult to enforce and make other rules seem arbitrary.

That isnt just the case at Nolan.

A friend who has taught at an area public school for nearly a decade laughed when I asked about his experience with cellphones in the classroom. The school had a policy, he said, but kids were on their phones anyway and there was nothing he could do about it.

I would teach to the two or three students who actually came to learn, he said.

Ortiz, though, has seen previous cellphone policies implemented successfully. At Nolan, he wanted to be intentional about creating a space where children can learn the right way, free from distraction.

So far, this more robust policy seems to be working. Ortiz estimates the school has minimized cell phone use by 85% to 90%. In the first seven weeks of school, teachers and administrators have collected only 12 devices, compared to last years 12-15 a day.

Device denial is a difficult adjustment at first, but teachers report that students are already more engaged, livelier and more attentive.

Whats truly extraordinary about the policy is the effect its had on student culture.

For the first time in a long time, [the students] can actually have friendships again, Ortiz said. Real conversations in the hallways and lunch rooms. Real human interactions.

It seems that when kids are allowed to use their devices during the school day, they ambulate the hallways like extras on the set of The Walking Dead, barely lifting their eyes, never acknowledging each other.

Now, they greet adults in the hallway. Even their posture has changed. Now, they look up.

Parents are reporting that the positive behavioral changes extend beyond the classroom and into the home, Ortiz said. Family dinners are more engaging. Conversations are more frequent. Cell phone use in the home is now comparatively minimal.

Its a throwback to a simpler time, before the ubiquity of smartphones changed the way we interact with the world around us, frequently for the worse.

A bounty of data suggests that smartphone use  social media apps in particular  is a primary factor driving teenage anxiety and depression.

Smartphones allow for constant communication, but they also expose kids to a litany of vices and dangers, from prolific online pornography and sexting to cyberbullying and online predators.

Being off their phones during the school day wont eliminate those dangers, but it certainly reduces the number of opportunities for kids to be exposed to them.

Most schools are already dealing with issues regarding porn and [cyber] bullying, Ortiz said. We have not this year.

Protecting kids from online dangers, keeping them focused on academic work and allowing them the freedom to be kids again without the sense that every interaction could end up circulating through school in a social media post  all are positive outcomes of cellphone policies like Nolans.

But for Nolan, which is a Catholic institution, the cell phone policy also serves a higher purpose. It creates an atmosphere conducive to pursuing what is true, beautiful and good.

We dont want our children changing their behavior only due to external factors, Ortiz said.

Prohibitions help reduce distractions, but motivating kids to want to do good for its own sake takes something a bit more, something a bit harder to pinpoint.

But if Nolans cell phone policy success is any indicator, the school is well on its way to achieving that goal.
Most of us can conjure vivid memories of lessons learned from teachers.

There may have been a moment of sudden realization keyed by a teacher's observation or encouragement. An instructor's words might suddenly coalesce days, months or even years after they're uttered. Or a simple quiet act of kindness may have unknowingly changed life for the better.

Many of today's students are being deprived of those experiences. Today, teaching is one of the most stressful occupations in the U.S., prompting some of the highest turnover rates ever.

After an alarming early August headline in the Washington Post -- "America faces catastrophic teacher shortage" -- earlier this week a Post headline said "Staffing shortages continue to plague schools."

Southern states are seeing the highest amounts of raw teacher vacancies, with Florida coming out on top at 3,911. Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia each have over 3,000 vacancies.

In the midwest, Illinois has a whopping 1,700 vacancies, the most of any state north of the Mason-Dixon line with the exception of Wisconsin's 2,500-plus openings.

Illinois is 13th in the country in average teacher salary. According to teacher advocacy group Education Commission of the States, Illinois is the fourth-easiest state to acquire teacher license reciprocity, behind Arizona, Florida and Hawaii.

Teachers are needed. Illinois is generally among the better locations for potential teachers. If a person wants to be a teacher, the numbers say Illinois is a good place to get a job at a reasonable salary. What's the problem?

Even if taxpayers consider the salary generous, some candidates clearly do not. In many ways, teaching is similar to those other businesses looking to fill open positions. Some find the additional issues to difficult with which to deal.

Think about how we're presently setting the field for teachers. They're asked to be counselor, parent and law enforcement. One of the reasons we don't hear about the wonderful things teachers do is because of the amount we focus on what they do not do.

"Critical race theory" has become a catch-all phrase for what critics see as "indoctrination." But one person's indoctrination is another's truth, just as no person has the same definition for "propaganda."

So potential teachers see those slings and arrows -- in front of school boards all around the country -- before they enter a classroom.

And the classrooms have been the sites of tragic massacres. Even though the likelihood of shootings is dramatically small, they are all vivid in our mind's eye. Teachers hear about proponents of having them armed on school grounds.

Given that confluence, they have every right to say, "You don't trust me to talk and teach to your kids, which is what I've trained to do. Yet you're going to trust me with a firearm in a room full of children?"

As is the case with most employee shortages, the problem cannot be solved overnight. And similar to so many tax-funded issues -- law enforcement, road repair and mental illness are among the hottest right now -- we as taxpayers have to be willing to sacrifice to solve a problem if we don't have other ideas.

Successfully turning around teacher shortages takes money and additional effort. None of us wants to be in a society where we don't succeed at teaching our youth.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 88F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 61F. Winds light and variable.
The Bluff City Town Councils monthlong search for a new board member concluded this week when the board held a special meeting Tuesday and voted to appoint new Alderwoman Julie Venable to the position.

Bluff City Mayor and Town Manager Jeff Broyles is glad to have all five seats on the Town Council filled.

Our citizens are fully represented with five board members and, you know, each one of the board members is at large, Broyles said. There are no districts in Bluff City. So, it allows the citizens to reach out to any of the five and to discuss issues or ask questions or whatever they desire, as far as representation.

Venable, who has been a resident of Bluff City, Tennessee, for 32 years, is ready to take on her new role. She stressed she will not just be voting on the issues that come before the board, to just vote.

Im not gonna pick fights, none of that, you know what Im saying. But Im not gonna vote just for the sake of voting To get along with them (her fellow board members). Im gonna vote what my heart says, what my neighbors think its best. Im gonna go around and ask my neighbors. The pros and cons of if you do this, if you do that, how do you think about it? Venable said. Im going to vote for what I really thinks good for the city.

Venable, who at first did not know if she wanted to be on the board, is looking forward to helping get the town back on track after the delays to projects due to COVID-19.

I didnt know if I could handle it. Theres more pressure than people realize the decisions and the money that you spend and how you get grants and all that. I need to learn all that, which Im going to, Venable said. Im looking forward to getting into some projects thats been delayed.

The next Bluff City Tennessee Town Council meeting will be Tuesday, October 4.
A few years ago, while walking the streets of Paris, I chanced upon an historic apartment building. A gentlemen walking with my group shared the apartment was the place where John Paul Jones, the American naval commander during the countrys revolution, died of kidney failure in 1792.

Jones is remembered as an epic leader and a pirate; raiding English shipping lanes during the American Revolution and sacking the British ability to bring as many supplies to the colonies for war. He is most noted for his leadership during the famous battle of Flamborough Head off the coast of England. Jones and his crew proved their mettle in a nearly four-hour-long battle against an up-and-coming English sea commander, Richard Pearson.

As night fell on Sept. 23 1779, Jones, commanding the Bonhomme Richard, a former French vessel renamed in honor of Ben Franklin and Poor Richards Almanack, moved to broadside against the Serapis. The English vessel had more guns than Jones Richard. In fact, during the beginning moments of the battle, some of Jones older cannons exploded when fired and tore chunks out of the Richards hull. The cannon fire from the Serapis caused a lot of destruction across the decks of his ship and nearly destroyed Jones private cabin.

The fighting was fierce. Jones sent sharpshooters high into the rigging of his own ship and gave them orders to shoot anyone on the deck of the Serapis. Other sailors, armed with grappling hooks, slung them over into the rigging of the Serapis and attempted to board the ship. The English sailors began cutting away the hooks and rope in an attempt to protect their own vessel.

Two hours or more into the battle, the decks of both ships were awash with debris such as bits of rope, sail, burning wood from cannon and grenade, and human blood and waste.

Jones, for most of the entire battle, concentrated a cannon on the 3-foot-wide mainmast of the Serapis. While his own ship began to sink and stall below the water line, he kept plugging away. Eventually, the remaining crew of the Richard boarded the Serapis after American grenades managed to destroy a few crucial enemy guns. After three and a half hours, the English surrendered their ship and the Bonhomme Richard sunk.

Jones, who desired another command in the American Navy, unfortunately never had another sweeping victory like Flamborough. To his dismay, he held no other important command in the Navy. He served for a time in the navy of Catherine the Great in Russia, but was eventually ousted from the position. He returned to Paris, his adopted home, and began to drink heavily. He died while waiting for a commission in the American Navy.

He was given a small funeral and his casket was placed in a cemetery for foreign Protestants. Jones always hoped he would eventually be given some American honors and provided special instructions for his body to be covered in alcohol for preservation.

In the early 1900s, a former soldier and U.S. Ambassador to France, Gen. Horace Porter, began what amounted to a six-year expedition in Paris to find the grave of the great commander. Porter knew he had been buried in the Protestant cemetery in two coffins, one of which was lead, in order to preserve the body. The trouble was other buildings and a parking lot had been built on top of the cemetery site. No one could be sure if a coffin was found, it would contain his remains.

On the last day of March 1905, Porter and his crew found a possible match for Jones remains. They opened the two coffins and noticed the face had been well preserved as a result of the alcohol. Using measurements of the bodys face and crossing them with suggested measurements and facial representations of Jones, Porter concluded the body lying in the alcohol-laden casket was John Paul Jones.

On April 24, 1906, Jones remains arrived at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland. Amid national celebrations and fanfare, the hero of the Battle of Flamborough was reburied in a crypt beneath the chapel at the academy.

When Jones body was discovered in Paris just over a century ago, several disputed Porters claim. Some historians and archeologists still fault Porter for the techniques he used to identify the body. However, more recent scholarship supports Porters conclusions.

As the story goes, the night of Sept. 23 1779, as the Bonhomme Richard was sinking, the English naval captain asked Jones if he wanted to surrender his vessel and break off the engagement. Jones shouted, I have not yet begun to fight.
PPDs had become a four-letter word in dairy farmers lexicon when negative producer price differentials (PPDs) exploded onto the scene in June 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While those negative numbers PPDs most certainly looked ugly on the milk check, ample time to reflect on the entire series of events has delivered this perspective: Any possible solution to negative PPDs may be worse than the situation itself.A little over two years later and the economic pendulum has swung in the entirely opposite direction. The producer price differential for August 2022 for the Northeast Order set a record high at $5.32 per hundredweight (cwt.) at the base location of Boston, Mass., announced Shawn Boockoff, market administrator for the Northeast Federal Milk Marketing Order.The PPD is one portion of the total revenue paid to dairy farmers marketing milk in a federal order that pays producers based on milk components, continued Boockoff in the Federal Order No. 1 August 2022 newsletter. It represents the difference between the market-wide pool revenue, or the pool classified value, and the amount paid out to producers for their milks component value (butterfat, protein, and other solids) at the standardized level.The pool classified value is determined by the amount of milk utilized in each class, along with the price level for each class. Producers are paid for their components from this pool classified value. Components are paid at the Class III level for butterfat, protein, and other solids, Boockoff shared in the orders August newsletter. Any value that still exists in the total pool classified value is then paid out to producers based on their volume shipped to regulated handlers. This extra value, if there is any, is shown as the PPD.Boockoff and his team went on to explain that the PPD can have extremely varied levels of contribution to the overall Statistical Uniform Price (SUP). The added value occurs when producer milk is used in classes other than Class III that have prices above the Class III price. That is certainly taking place given the high Class IV prices largely driven by butter.For the month of August 2022, the difference between the classes other than Class III ranged from $4.71 to $8.28 per cwt., Boockoff pointed out. With nearly 70% of the total pool volume priced at the higher valued classes and those classes having significantly higher prices than Class III in August, a larger than usual amount of money was generated that was then distributed to producers resulting in the $5.32 PPD. Each producer would receive this PPD adjusted to the location of the plant where their milk was delivered.A high or large PPD is not necessarily an indicator of better prices, shared Boockoff. The second highest ever PPD since the Northeast Orders inception occurred in November 2000 at $4.79 per cwt. For that same month:

The SUP was only $13.36 at Boston

Class I was $15.07 per cwt.

Class II $13.68 per cwt.

Class III $8.57 per cwt.

Class IV $13 per cwt.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022

September 26, 2022

Boockoff continued, During November 2000, Class III usage was 28.4% (compared to 30.1% in August 2022), while the other three classes combined for 71.6% of the total pool (compared to 69.9% in August 2022).Another point worth making is that a high SUP may occur in times of low or negative PPDs, Boockoff noted. For example, April 2014 reported a SUP of $25.46, slightly higher than the most recent SUP, but the PPD for that month was only $1.15 per cwt., he continued. July 2020 reported the lowest PPD, a negative $5.46, but a SUP of $19.08, lower than current prices, but well above the November 2000 price when the PPD was $4.79 per cwt.This shows that a negative PPD does not necessarily result in diminished producer revenue. The negative PPD results when the total value of producer components exceeds the pools classified value  when the Class III price is the highest of the class prices, shared the Northeast order administrator. The calculation of the PPD can be thought of as an accounting method to balance the books of the monthly federal order pool.Read The Calming Seas for PPDs to learn more on the topic.
Big Star Productions meaningful brand experiences with measurable impact by bridging the gap between our client and their audiences by developing experiential brand connect

If all the world's a stage, we're the ones who make sure your messages are in the spotlight, the special effects are spectacular, and the backstage operations are seamless", says Rajani Jadhav, MD & CEO of Big Star Productions.Big Star a diverse team, each offering expert knowledge in their field. From strategy planning, budgeting, and comprehensive event support to marketing and branding Big Star brings the most current, innovative and professional market expertise."For us, our satisfaction lies in client's contentment and we invest industry's best resources to gratify our clients to the utmost", says Rajani Jadhav, MD & CEO of Big Star Productions.When it comes to the event management solutions portfolio, the company offers pin to plane services for MICE(Meetings. Incentives.Conferences. Exhibitions), Experiential Marketing Activations, Retail Branding, BTL & Virtual Events. What crests an added coat of excellence is its expertise in ideating extraordinary concepts for corporate events, conferences, award & reward shows and product launches that ensures crowd pulling, and meaningful success.Big Start Productions focuses on becoming client concerned to under stand the clients and offer bespoke tailor made event solutions. Big Star caters to various industry categories(Banking & Insurance, Retail, Pharma, RealEstate, FMCG, IT, Electronic, and more) and proudly creates memorable event that build team relationships and business results."We create meaningful brand experiences with measurable impact by bridging the gap between our client and their audiences by developing experiential brand connect", says Rajani Jadhav, MD & CEO of Big Star Productions. Assist in developing a business case for event and delivering an event that exceeds expectations. Right from building client loyalty, increasing employee morale or celebrate an important milestone, the Big Star team possesses the event management expertise and business background to ensure your event is a success.Team BigStar is Restless and diverse group of curious searchers, original thinkers, bold visionaries, savvy prognosticators and creative trendsetters.For the future the company is planning to increase their physical branch offices team strength and upskill them to perform and serve clients exceeding well. They also have plans to extend their footprint beyond India, most likely Dubai and UAE.
By Trend

A draft law on amendments to the Law 'On custom tariff' submitted to the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis) on the legislative initiative of the Head of state, provides for the exemption from customs duty of a number of imported equipment, instruments, devices and other means related to educational activities, Trend reports.

This draft law was discussed today during the plenary session of parliament.

According to the draft law, the list of equipment, instruments, devices and other means related to educational activities, that are exempt from customs duty, will be approved by the relevant state body. The proposed amendments to the law will be in effect within two years from January 1, 2023.

These amendments are aimed at strengthening the material and technical base of general education facilities, obtaining better practical knowledge by students of these facilities and improving the quality of general education.

After discussions, the changes were put to a vote and adopted.
Jupiters icy moon, the American space agency (NASAs) Juno spacecraft flew very close to Europa on Thursday. In the last twenty years, a spacecraft has come closest to the moon: about 357 kilometers.

An ocean may lie beneath Europas icy surface, and scientists hope that on a planet the size of Earth, the spacecraft will be able to detect plumes of water that erupt from the moons surface.

We have to be in the right place at the right time, but if we are lucky, we can succeedScott Bolton, chief scientist of the Juno mission, who works at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, wrote in his statement.

John Bordi, deputy mission manager of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, said: he expects the spacecraft to speed by fairly quickly past Europa, at a relative speed of about 23.6 kilometers per second.

The images taken by Juno can be viewed on Friday, the American space agency (NASA) announced. The spacecrafts observations will be used to plan NASAs Europa Clipper mission, which will launch in 2024.

The European Space Agencys (ESA) spacecraft Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, also known as Juicea, which will take off next year, also wants to take a closer look at Europa. Up until now, NASAs Galileo spacecraft came closest to Europa, when it flew by at a distance of 351 kilometers in 2000.

Launched in 2011, Juno has been orbiting the largest planet in the Solar System with a diameter of 143,000 kilometers since 2016. It collects information about its atmosphere, surface structure, internal magnetic field and the region around it. Last year, NASA extended the mission by another four years, until 2025.

Our featured image: This false color image of Jupiter, published by NASA on August 22, 2022, taken by the American James Webb Space Telescope on July 27. (Photo: MTI/AP/NASA)
Analysts already warned the European Union in February: Russia and Gazprom could completely block gas exports to the continent. In the case of the North Stream gas pipeline, deliveries did not resume at the end of August, after the maintenance was completed, and due to the explosions, it seems unlikely that the supply will resume, reports napi.hu.

Gazprom announced this week that due to the settlement dispute with Ukraines Naftogaz, it may end transit through Ukraine. The Russians do not accept the argument of the Ukrainian grid operator and gas trader that since they have delivered less gas, they should pay less. If the shutdown occurs, then

only Russian natural gas would arrive from the Turkish Stream via the Balkans and Hungary.

Gazprom claims that it is unable to carry out the necessary repairs and maintenance on the infrastructure in Turkey due to the sanctions. In the case of the German-Russian pipeline, despite the fact that the Siemens turbine sent to Canada for repair was exempted from the sanctions, and despite the fact that it was delivered on time, the transmission on the pipeline did not resume.

There is no interruption in gas delivery After the publication of the article, Mate Paczolay, the foreign affairs spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, announced:

Transportation on the Turkish Stream pipeline is uninterrupted. According to Gazprom, no change is expected in this, legal clarification of the issues published in the press is underway.

The Russian operator of the pipeline supplying Turkey and the Balkans with natural gas has announced that it is suspending part of the maintenance and repair work, citing European Union sanctions. At the beginning of September, Oleg Aksyutin, the director of South Stream Transport BV, sent a note to the department heads, in which he informed them that the Dutch import and export authority would withdraw the export license from September 17, reports RFERL.org.

South Stream Transport is the Dutch unit of Kremlin-controlled natural gas giant Gazprom, which operates the TurkStream pipeline under the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey and on to the Balkans and Central Europe. Oleg Aksyutin said gas exports should continue, but only with emergency support. , in order to prevent environmental damage.

Turkish Stream is capable of transporting 31.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, half of which is intended for Turkey and the other half for the Balkans and Central Europe. Serbia and Hungary are the main European consumers. The pipeline is inspected by special ships, and the equipment required for repairs is largely imported from the West. The suspension of South Stream Transports contracts means that no one will be able to carry out repairs if a pipe is damaged, gas leaks or if part of the pipeline falls apart due to an earthquake.

Russian gas imports

Earlier this year, Russia cut exports through its main natural gas export pipeline to Europe, Nord Stream 1, citing Western sanctions, making Norway the largest gas exporter in Europe.

Russian gas imports accounted for only 9 percent of total imports in August.



The move raised EU gas prices to a record high. Prices for November deliveries on the Dutch gas exchange stood at 203.75 euros on Thursday, while the record measured in August was 249.9 euros/megawatt hour.

Western leaders say Russia has used the sanctions as a pretext to cut natural gas exports to Europe, exacerbate economic problems in the region and weaken EU support for Ukraine. There are no valid sanctions for natural gas, most member states do not support the punishment of the energy carrier.

Opening image: MTI/EPA-PAP/Marcin Bielecki
Dimon Kendrick-Holmes has been named executive editor of the Greensboro News & Record and North Carolina state editor for Lee Enterprises. He begins his new role on Oct. 10. The Independent Tribune is owned by Lee Enterprises.

Kendrick-Holmes has been editor of the Opelika-Auburn News in Alabama since December 2020. His previous journalism leadership roles include executive editor, metro editor, features editor and senior editor of projects and planning for the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Georgia, where he worked for 16 years.

As part of his new role in North Carolina, he will oversee daily news operations in Greensboro, as well as coordination of coverage from Lees newsrooms throughout the state. His primary focus will be growing the digital audience in the Triad region, which includes Greensboro and Winston-Salem and is home to 1.6 million people and includes more than 20 colleges and universities.

Im really looking forward to getting to know the community here. We have incredible opportunity to grow our audience with the best local content and give our readers stories they cant find anywhere else, he said.

Kendrick-Holmes, 54, grew up in LaFayette, Alabama. He attended Vanderbilt University on an Army ROTC scholarship, then served as an intelligence officer in Germany for four years. He and his wife, Bess, will relocate to Greensboro this fall. They have four adult children.

Jennifer Fernandez will continue to serve as the News & Records managing editor.
CHARLESTON  As he prepares to step down as the president of Eastern Illinois University, David Glassman's goal is the same as when he arrived  to solidify the institution's financial standing.

Coming into his presidency the same day a crippling state budget impasse began in Illinois, one of Glassman's main focuses throughout his tenure has been keeping the university afloat amid the impasse as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past four years, the university has operated with a balanced budget, something Glassman hopes will continue.

During his final State of the University address Thursday afternoon, Glassman said he is pleased with the current financial status of the university and believes it is on the path of "long-term sustainability."

"Most end of year excess funds have been utilized to help build back the universitys designated fund balances  or reserves  that were decimated during the states two-year budget impasse that began in Fiscal Year 2016. This replenishment has not yet reached its pre-impasse level and will need to continue to grow, otherwise leaving the university vulnerable to any major unexpected challenges to the universitys finances," Glassman said. "Nevertheless, we recognize that any excess funds and budget planning must also be balanced with our other institutional priorities of employee and infrastructure investments."

For fiscal 2022, Eastern has been appropriated $43.5 million.

"Our most critical fiscal responsibility remains ensuring our spending does not exceed or outpace our revenue for this year or any year," Glassman said.

Looking back on the budget impasse and the decisions made at the time, Glassman said he does not "look back on those times with any envy" but has pride in how the university came together during those times.

"The result led to disheartening, but necessary layoffs impacting approximately over 300 dedicated employees over two years...," Glassman said. "(However), I am incredibly proud of how our university was able to pull together and successfully emerge in achieving balanced income fund budgets, broader financial stability, and a return to a position of incremental financial improvement over the last four years."

Glassman said he is aware that many at the university are disappointed in some of the financial choices made, specifically the contracts with the union representing its building service workers, cooks, kitchen laborers, clerical workers and technical workers and and its ongoing negotiations with unionized professors.

"I realize many of you are frustrated by our institutions fiscally conservative philosophy held by the administration, and that salary increases provided in recent past years have not met your hope or expectation. However, our pathway to success and sustainability has been and continues to be dependent upon our commitment to that conservative philosophy. I can assure you we will do our very best to provide salary increases to all our negotiated and non-negotiated employees at the highest level possible without putting our university in financial jeopardy now or in the future," Glassman said. "All our university employees across campus, and I mean all, are equally important to our success and no one area can exist without the work of the others."

Glassman also acknowledged the role enrollment plays in the university's financial successes.

The university hit its apex in 2006 with 12,349 students enrolled. From that year until 2018, the year the university began offering high school dual credit courses, the university saw a drop to 7,030 students.

Beginning in 2018, the university has seen continued growth in enrollment with a 2.9% in enrollment from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022.

Glassman attributed the success to those in enrollment management, the office of undergraduate admissions, the office of international students and scholars, and individuals involved in graduate student recruitment.

He also boasted a 92% increase in international student enrollment, a 14.4% increase in graduate student enrollment and a new freshman class with an average GPA of 3.44.

Glassman also drew attention to enrollment challenges the university faced, specifically a drop in transfer student enrollment and freshman retention rates. Both issues are being seen nationally, but are areas the university hopes to address.

With financial and enrollment successes and shortcomings in mind, the university is set to create and initiate a plan to evaluate the university's current status and implement strategic goals to strengthen the institution.

The plan will span from 2023 to 2028.

Areas of interest for the university currently are working to address include diversifying the staff, being reaccredited by the Higher Learning Commission and finding Eastern's next president.

Acknowledging the speech as his last State of the University address, Glassman said being Eastern's president was the peak of his career in higher education.

"I want to thank everyone for your friendship and support over these last seven years. Together, we made positive change in our beloved university, and we are absolutely marching forward on that pathway to success," Glassman said. "Although my presidency came with some very unexpected and unprecedented challenges, my choice to lead our university will always remain the highlight of my 43 years in higher education."

He said he hopes to help the university with a "seamless transition" to its 14th president.

As he wraps of the end of his tenure at the university, Glassman said he is taking in all of the "lasts," after announcing his plans to retire nearly a year ago.

"I knew ... as soon as I got up there and started speaking, in the back of my head that this was the last time I was going to be doing this," Glassman said after his address. "This is the last time I was going to be setting out a vision to the institution of what we're going to accomplish this year and it's strange and it's sad."
Amazon on Wednesday unveiled a collection of product updates that tie together its vast suite of services and help ensure it remains at the center of peoples' lives and homes.

Nearly a year after Amazon was met with criticism over its controversial vision for the future of home security, the company is doubling down on new features for Astro, its dog-like robot, to help it better patrol the household when the owners are away. Amazon also announced a new sleep-tracking device as well as an updated Alexa-powered Fire TV that knows when you're in the room, among a number of other products.

The new updates, announced at an invite-only press event, come a week after the company introduced four new Fire HD 8 tablet models and appear aimed at drumming up excitement for its products ahead of the all-important holiday shopping season.

Amazon, like other tech companies, must convince customers to upgrade or buy new gadgets at a time when fears are mounting about a possible global recession. At the same time, Amazon must also confront shifting comfort levels with its growing reach into the lives of consumers and how closely its household products may be tracking them.

Last month, Amazon agreed to buy iRobot, the company behind the popular automated Roomba vacuums, in a $1.7 billion deal that quickly raised concerns. The Federal Trade Commission is now probing the deal after more than two dozen groups wrote to the agency alleging the acquisition could help Amazon "entrench their monopoly power in the digital economy."

Amazon did not mention the Roomba at Wednesday's event, but Amazon clearly remains committed to investing to make every home a little more of an Amazon home.

Here's a look at what the company announced:

Astro updates

Amazon is rolling out its first major software update to Astro, an autonomous 20-pound dog-like robot with large, cartoon-y eyes on its tablet face, and a cup holder. The robot -- not unlike an Alexa on wheels -- uses voice-recognition software, cameras, artificial intelligence, mapping technology and voice- and face-recognition sensors as it zooms from room to room, capturing live video and learning your habits.

Soon Astro will be able to detect cats and dogs in the home, take short video clips of what they're up to when owners aren't around and watch and talk to them in real time. Amazon is also adding the ability to monitor if windows or doors are left open, building on what the company said users have been already doing, such as checking to see if the stove was left on.

Amazon is also opening Astro up to the developer community by offering tools that enable them to build software or specific commands for the robotic pup. And Astro will now work with a real-time subscription service from Amazon's smart-doorbell company, Ring, to provide security monitoring to small and medium-sized businesses.

The company emphasized that Astro was conceived with security and privacy as a priority, with data processed on the device itself and the ability to restrict where Astro can go in the home.

Astro is currently available for $999, which includes a six-month free trial of Ring Protect Pro. (Pricing will later jump to $1,499.)

Smarter TVs

Amazon unveiled a new series of Fire TV Omni QLED models  the first Fire TV to ship with Dolby Vision IQ.

Through adaptive technology, the 4K TVs know when you walk into a room and leave, so it can save on power and turn off when needed. It also features a gallery of 1,500 curated pictures that can be displayed when not in use -- a concept similar to Samsung's existing Frame TVs.

Its deeper integration with Alexa could be a true standout: with its built-in microphones, users can access widgets such as sticky notes, the calendar, the weather or dim the lights by talking directly to the TV. A 65-inch model costs $799 and 75-inch version costs $1,099.

Amazon is also rolling out a premium remote, called Alexa Voice Remote Pro, that includes a feature to make it easier to find when the remote gets misplaced.

Halo Rise

Amazon is expanding its suite of Halo wellness products beyond wearables into sleep tracking. The new Halo Rise sits on the nightstand and monitors the sleeping and breathing patterns of the person closest. It also tracks humidity and light in the room, and presents a natural light to wake up to as an alternative to an alarm.

The device, which uses sensor tech and machine learning to approach sleep, works even if the person is turned in the other direction, or covered in pillows and blankets, as it can detect micro-movements, according to the company.

Amazon said it developed the product to offer consumers more choices around sleep tracking, noting many people don't like sleeping with a wearable device and that batteries often turn off mid-sleep cycle.

Halo Rise is $139.99 and includes a six-month Halo membership, which provides workouts, insights and tools for health tracking.

Kindle Scribe

Fifteen years after launching the Kindle, Amazon is introducing a higher-end version that also serves as a writing device.

With a 10.2-inch HD display and its first-ever Kindle pen, the Kindle Scribe allows users to write to-do lists, journal entries and review documents imported from their phone. Amazon said it will partner with Microsoft to support its suite of products on the Kindle Scribe early next year.

The new Kindle supports USB-C charging and has a battery designed to last for months. The device starts at $339 with a pen and 16 GB of storage and costs $369 for a premium pen and 32 GB. (The company did not go into specifics on the premium pen.) In comparison, a basic Kindle starts at $99, while its higher-end Kindle Oasis is $249.

New Echo speakers

Amazon updated its Echo Dot speaker lineup. The new devices feature twice the bass, updated processors and can serve as a Wi-Fi extender for the company's Eero mesh system. Amazon is also rolling out a software update to its high-end Echo Studio speaker to include new spatial audio processing and improve sound quality. The speaker, which is $199, now comes in white.

The company is also taking another shot at getting Alexa into the car. Its Echo Auto device ($54.99) is now smaller, sleeker and can be more easily mounted in a vehicle. The gadget is intended to let users send hands-free messages, listen to music and podcasts, access navigation and seamlessly sift from the car to another device when you get home.

A smarter Echo Show 15

Amazon also announced a number of software updates coming to its existing Echo Show 15, a device the company said is especially popular in the kitchen.

The upgrade includes free access to Fire TV and a much more personal Alexa. The voice assistant can now rattle off a morning routine for each person in the home, including providing calendar updates, playing specific music and highlighting traffic reports for commuters.

Other new features include receiving alerts for weather forecast changes; the ability to record video messages that can be displayed on the Echo Show screen or via the Alexa app; asking Alexa to dim the lights up to 24 hours in the future; and receiving updates about when a Whole Foods Market curbside pickup order is ready. The updates will roll out in the coming months.

The Echo Show is also getting an interactive storytelling feature that lets kids pick from a handful of themes, such as an undersea or outer space adventure, and characters like an octopus or an astronaut, to create a story that is immediately animated on the gadget's display and told by Alexa. The story is generated using a number of AI models that determine elements including the script and music, making it different each time.

"Amazon has invested in embedding more intelligence in its Alexa devices for awhile now and the ability to extend that capability into greater system-wide intelligence is significant," said Jonathan Collins, a research director at market research firm ABI Research. "New functionality, including its Routines feature, could help make Amazon smart home systems more intelligent, responsive and helpful, and more tightly integrated with other Amazon offerings from grocery shopping and beyond."
CHICAGO  A former Chicago police officer has been indicted on a federal civil rights charge for allegedly kidnapping and sexually abusing someone while on duty, U.S. prosecutors said Wednesday.

James Sajdak, 64, of Chicago, was charged with one count of deprivation of rights under "color of law," or government authority, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The charge is punishable by up to life in federal prison.

The abuse allegedly happened on March 5, 2019, the indictment said.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Sajdak resigned from the police department the following month after 29 years on the force, according to the department.

Sajdak's defense attorney, Timothy Grace, noted his client's decades as a police officer and told the newspaper, "We look forward to confronting the evidence."

Sajdak and the city of Chicago also faced a federal lawsuit stemming from the episode, WBBM-TV reported.

A transgender woman sued Sajdak and the city in 2019, accusing Sajdak of sexually assaulting her, the broadcaster reported. The lawsuit accused Sajdak of approaching her and demanding a sex act. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted.

The lawsuit also claimed the city "knew or was recklessly blind to" a pattern of misconduct by Sadjak. It said he had faced at least 44 misconduct complaints by 2019.
Wake Forest University will close its Reynolda Road, downtown, Brookstown and Charlotte campuses today (Sept. 30) at noon.

Except for the School of Law, which moves to online classes, all Friday undergraduate and graduate school classes at the Reynolda campus are canceled.

Offices will be closed, and all events and activities are canceled.

The university made the decision to minimize travel to and from campus as heavy rain and high winds, fueled by Hurrican Ian, move across North Carolina.
The two events, if event is even the right word, couldnt have been much different.

One, held Tuesday at Tanglewoods Red Barn, was celebratory and held to mark the 75th anniversary of a trust with some $575 million in assets doing Gods work in our community.

The other, reported Monday about British American Tobacco, was basically a weed deal. That one involved big money, was corporate and speculative  not to mention smart  but a pot buy nonetheless.

Worlds away from the celebration at Tanglewood.

Dig down just below the surface, however, and youll find a common denominator  the name Reynolds  which, like it or not, has molded the towns past and present and will play a large role in its future, too.

And in a weird twist, both events represented to differing degrees turns away from tobacco, which made it all possible.

Prudent investment

Neither the first of its kind nor (likely) the last, details of the weed deal came out first.

British American, the parent company of Reynolds American Inc., acquired a minority stake in a German company called Sanity Group Gmbh, which is trying to position itself in a prime position in the emerging cannabis industry in Europe.

It was founded in 2018 in Berlin by medical researchers and provides products for consumer goods and pharmaceuticals while eyeing legalization of recreational marijuana in Germany.

And to the surprise of no one, rapper/crossover TV star/beer pitchman Snoop Dogg is an investor.

Weed, people, is rapidly becoming a global industry. Last one in  were looking at you, Raleigh, misses out on millions in new tax revenue.

Proof here in the good old USA can be found in the states that have legalized recreational and medical marijuana. Massachusetts and Illinois reported last year taking in more tax money from pot sales than alcohol.

Massachusetts raked in about $150 million in marijuana excise tax and $100 million from booze. Illinois, which went legal in 2020, took in some $387 million from weed and $291 million from alcohol.

And with Virginia scheduled to go full retail in 2024, that giant sucking sound youll hear soon enough will be money flying out of North Carolina wallets to build schools and fire stations for Virginians.

Not that any of that is new news.

BAT, like the tobacco industry, has recognized for years the potential for expanded earnings. To ignore something in which it has considerable expertise  think eCigs and vape pens  would be near malpractice.

In 1970, then-Philip Morris president George Weissman peered into the crystal ball and wrote a memo about marijuana at the urging of other company executives looking to help the federal government research.

(Altria USA, the parent of Philip Morris, had invested $1.8 billion into recreational cannabis through 2019.)

While I am opposed to its use, I recognize that it may be legalized in the near future  Thus, with these great auspices, we should be in a position to examine: 1. Potential competition, 2. A possible product, 3. At this time cooperate with the government.

Acknowledge the good

Over in Tanglewood, the celebration of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust looked forward while acknowledging the past in announcing it was breaking from tobacco-related investments.

And while the trust has zero to do with the company, that fact is interesting due to the name at the top of the marquee.

The trust started in 1947 as a byproduct of Reynolds Tobacco heiress Kate Bitting Reynolds leaving the nonprofit $5 million in stock that would be worth some $66.4 million today.

This is not an anti-tobacco effort, said Dr. Laura Gerald, the trusts president. We recognize the incredible wealth accumulation that occurred as a result of initial investments and continued investments in tobacco.

We recognize that many people in this community have had tremendous economic opportunity afforded to them by tobacco.

Thats just a fact.

A large swath of Winston-Salems middle class was sustained for generations by good jobs in Reynolds factories.

Oh, and lets not overlook the companys role in the transformation of the downtown.

The iconic Reynolds Building, a sister to the Empire State building that opened in 1929, now houses a swell hotel and high-end living quarters.

Three company buildings that were sold to the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for $1 million  a steal for downtown real estate anywhere in America  serve as anchors to the Innovation Quarter.

None of that happens without Reynolds involvement.

And thats important to keep in mind while noting the divestiture of the Kate B. Reynolds Trust and a forward-thinking, albeit unusual, investment by the parent company of Reynolds American.

Tobacco may not be king anymore, but a prominent name in the industry still matters.
By Trend

Criminal prosecution of individuals who organize transfer of funds in the amount of more than 50,000 manat ($29,410) through compensation or other methods of mutual settlements, without signs of a crime under Azerbaijans Criminal Codes article on smuggling is envisioned in the country, Trend reports.

The relevant amendments to the Criminal Code have been discussed at a meeting of the Azerbaijani parliament.

According to the amendments, the commission of these acts by an official using his official position, or on a large scale, is considered as an aggravating circumstance.

In recent years, law enforcement agencies have identified cases of illegal money transfers. The perpetrators of these acts, acting through their own network, both within the country and abroad, committed illegal money transfers between Azerbaijan and foreign countries, thus creating conditions for the uncontrolled withdrawal of large foreign exchange funds from the country, damaging the financial and economic stability of the country, and leading to the expansion of money laundering mechanisms.

The bill established the amount of fines provided for the commission of these acts by introducing appropriate amendments to Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. At the same time, the bill proposed to introduce criminal law measures against legal entities for committing acts provided for in Article 206-1 of the Criminal Code.

After discussions, the amendments were put to a vote and adopted.
Pat Sangimino Night editor Pat Sangimino is a San Francisco native who has been the Journal Stars night news editor since April 2018. Follow Pat Sangimino 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

The old adage about Carnegie Hall  and how you get there  isn't lost on Marcelo Lian, a native of Argentina who now calls Lincoln home.

"You have to practice," said the 43-year-old classically trained pianist. "It is true. Practice. Practice. Practice."

Lian, who earned his master's degree and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and now works in the Music Department at Lincoln High School, will play a 90-minute recital at New York City's renowned concert hall on Oct. 17.

"I am so happy," he said. "Basically, the last couple of years have been like living the American dream."

Over the last few years, everything that's come his way has turned to gold. First, he got his doctorate and then was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.

Add to that what he calls the perfect job at Lincoln Public Schools, as well as teaching classes at UNL's Conservatory of Music, and he considers himself a lucky man.

"And now I am playing Carnegie Hall," he said with unadulterated excitement. "I guess I can retire now."

He jokes. He knows he's still got at least 20 good years of work ahead, but he's accomplished his share of life goals in recent years.

It would be easy to say things have worked out just as planned, but how could anyone have planned for everything that has come his way?

He grew up in Argentina, playing the piano and knowing that's what he wanted to do with his life.

His original goal was to move to Germany, where he would attend college and continue with his training. He'd even started studying the language to make the transition to the Rhineland more smooth.

But then he met Ana Maria Trenchi Bottazzi, a pianist in New York, who took a liking to Lian's piano skills.

"She changed my life," he said. "She asked me why I would go to Germany and told me to come to New York."

He did but soon found that New York was crazy expensive. So moved south and finished his bachelor's degree at the University of Kentucky.

He had several offers for graduate school but said he knew he was home when he stepped onto the UNL campus in 2008 and into Paul Barnes' studio.

"I knew right away this was the place for me," he said. "I think the main difference is how warm and friendly the people are here. When it was time to get my doctorate, I didnt apply anywhere else."

Today, Marcelo Lian spends the school year in Lincoln and then performs all over the world  from Italy to Paris to his homeland in Argentina  in the summer.

"Every time I land back here, I say, 'OK, I am home,'" he said. "Lincoln is my home and it always will be my home. I have wonderful friends here. They are my family."

His Nebraska family, which includes countless Lincoln High students, couldn't be more proud of Lian. They plan to watch the livestream of the Carnegie recital  something that thrills Lian.

"That means so much," he said.

The daily practice routine will take care of the physical muscle memory that comes with playing a concert. However, the mental focus is what separates the good from the great.

"The biggest challenge is staying focused," he said. "The challenge is the mental stamina. There are things that can come up, like there might be a fly (buzzing around) or you might think about how you dont like the shoes you're wearing."

Those things have to get blocked out, he said.

"It takes massive concentration when you are performing," he said.

Last summer, while performing in Italy, there was a man in the front row, just in his periphery, taking pictures and using  can you believe it!  a flash.

"I had to give that person a mean look," he said, almost  ALMOST  apologetically. "You cant let anything break your concentration, but were humans."

Perhaps the most amazing part of playing Carnegie Hall is that it comes before ever stepping to center stage of Lincoln's Lied Center for Performing Art.

Maybe someday. Lian isn't bothered by it at all. Instead, he pulled out an old saying from his past life: "Nadie es profeta en su tierra natal."

Translation: Nobody is a prophet in his homeland.
PORTLAND, Ore.  A renewable energy plant commissioned in Oregon on Wednesday that combines solar power, wind power and massive batteries to store the energy generated there is the first utility-scale plant of its kind in North America.

The project, which will generate enough electricity to power a small city at maximum output, addresses a key challenge facing the utility industry as the U.S. transitions away from fossil fuels and increasingly turns to solar and wind farms for power. Wind and solar are clean sources of power, but utilities have been forced to fill in gaps when the wind isnt blowing and the sun isnt shining with fossil fuels like coal or natural gas.

At the Oregon plant, massive lithium batteries will store up to 120 megawatt-hours of power generated by the 300-megawatt wind farms and 50-megawatt solar farm so it can be released to the electric grid on demand. At maximum output, the facility will produce more than half of the power that was generated by Oregons last coal plant, which was demolished earlier this month.

On-site battery storage isnt new, and interest in solar-plus-battery projects in particular has soared in the U.S. in recent years due to robust tax credits and incentives and the falling price of batteries. The Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility in Oregon, however, is the first in the U.S. to combine integrated wind, solar and battery storage at such a large scale in one location, giving it even more flexibility to generate continuous output without relying on fossil fuels to fill in the gaps.

The project is getting closer and closer to having something with a very stable output profile that we traditionally think of being whats capable with a fuel-based generation power plant, said Jason Burwen, vice president of energy storage at the American Clean Power Association, an advocacy group for the clean power industry.

If the solar is chugging along and cloud cover comes over, the battery can kick in and make sure that the output is uninterrupted. As the sun goes down and the wind comes online, the battery can make sure that thats very smooth so that it doesnt, to the grid operator, look like anything unusual.

The plant located in a remote expanse three hours east of Portland is a partnership between NextEra Energy Resources and Portland General Electric, a public utility required to reduce carbon emissions by 100% by 2040 under an Oregon climate law passed last year, one of the most ambitious in the nation.

PGEs customers are also demanding green power  nearly a quarter-million customers receive only renewable energy  and the Wheatridge project is key to that decarbonization strategy, said Kristen Sheeran, PGEs director of sustainability strategy and resource planning.

Under the partnership, PGE owns one-third of the wind output and purchases all the facilitys power for its renewable energy portfolio. NextEra, which developed the site and operates it, owns two-thirds of the wind output and all of the solar output and storage.

The mere fact that many other customers are looking at these types of facilities gives you a hint at what we think could be possible, said David Lawlor, NextEras director of business development for the Pacific Northwest. Definitely customers want firmer generation, starting with the battery storage in the back.

Large-scale energy storage is critical as the U.S. shifts to more variable power sources like wind and solar, and Americans can expect to see similar projects across the country as that trend accelerates. National Renewable Energy Laboratory models show U.S. storage capacity may rise fivefold by 2050, yet experts say even this wont be enough to prevent extremely disruptive climate change.

Batteries arent the only solution that the clean energy industry is trying out. Pumped storage generates power by sending huge volumes of water downhill through turbines and others are experimenting with forcing water underground and holding it there before releasing it to power turbines.

But interest in batteries for clean energy storage has grown dramatically in recent years at the same time that the cost of batteries is falling and the technology itself is improving, boosting interest in hybrid plants, experts say.

Generating capacity from hybrid plants increased 133% between 2020 and 2021 and by the end of last year, there were nearly 8,000 megawatts of wind or solar generation connected to storage, according to the U.S. Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which is managed by the University of California.

The vast majority of such projects are solar power with battery storage, largely because of tax credits, but projects in the pipeline include offshore wind-plus-battery, hydroelectric-plus-battery and at least nine facilities like the one in Oregon that will combine solar, wind and storage. Projects in the pipeline between 2023 and 2025 include ones in Washington, California, Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois and Oregon, according to Berkeley Lab.

Many researchers and pilots are working on alternatives to lithium ion batteries, however, largely because their intrinsic chemistry limits them to around four hours of storage and a longer duration would be more useful.

There is no silver bullet. Theres no model or prototype thats going to meet that entire need ... but wind and solar will certainly be in the mix, said PGEs Sheeran.

This model can become a tool for decarbonization across the West as the whole country is driving toward very ambitious climate reduction goals.
RACINE  A 45-year-old Racine woman has been arrested and is accused of having nearly a pound of crystal meth in a shoebox in her car, in addition to various other narcotics in her home.

According to estimates from the Department of Justice, the drugs she possessed would be worth more than $50,000 on the street. A criminal complaint filed Thursday said that agents had received information about the womans plan to pick up the meth. Her vehicle was seen traveling to Illinois then returning on Interstate 94, and she was pulled over after she exited the interstate onto Highway 11.

Agents from the Racine County Metro Drug Unit on Tuesday at approximately 7:30 p.m. arrested Jill T. Fennell, 45, from Racine, in reference to an ongoing drug investigation involving multiple controlled buys of crystal methamphetamine, according to the Racine County Sheriffs Office.

The agents searched the vehicle Fennell was in and reported finding approximately one pound of crystal methamphetamine as well as three cellphones. A criminal complaint said the meth was weighed and found to equal 435.8 grams, or 0.9608 pounds.

Fennell allegedly told deputies that she started selling meth to make money after her ex-boyfriend got arrested; she also said she uses meth on occasion.

Also found in the car was an ID belonging to Anthony Monfeli, who was identified as Fennells boyfriend and is also accused of selling meth in Racine.

Thirty-two criminal charges were filed against Monfeli Thursday related to allegations that he more than once sold meth, totaling 11.9 grams, to a confidential informant over the summer.

During the investigation, agents developed information that Fennell was keeping illegal narcotics at her residence in the 1500 block of North Street, Racine.

Agents executed a search warrant at Fennells residence and reported finding the following:

29.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine

53.4 grams of psilocybin (magic mushrooms)

2.9 grams of fentanyl

1.6 grams of heroin

3.6 grams of crack cocaine

Digital scales, packaging materials and identifiers

Agents transported Fennell to the Racine County Jail where she the RCSO said she is being held on a cash bail of $775,000.

The Racine County District Attorneys Office on Thursday charged Fennell with nine felonies and three misdemeanors.

Two felony counts of delivery of methamphetamine.

Three counts of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.

Two counts of felony possession of narcotic drugs, one for fentanyl and the other for heroin.

Possession of cocaine, a misdemeanor.

Misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, psilocybin.

Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Two felony counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place.

Monfeli has been charged with:

Two felony counts of delivery of methamphetamine as a repeat offense.

Two felony counts of delivery of fentanyl as a repeat offense.

Felony maintaining a drug trafficking place as a repeat offense.

Seven counts of felony bail jumping.

Twenty counts of misdemeanor bail jumping.
Proponents of bipartisanship and law enforcement got a big victory last week in the U.S. House of Representatives. A large bipartisan majority voted to approve a measure that will give $60 million over the next five years to law enforcement agencies with fewer than 125 officers to do things like purchase body cameras, provide de-escalation training and improve recruitment and retention.

The Invest to Protect Act passed the House overwhelmingly  360-64  with heavy support from both Democrats and Republicans. Only nine Democrats and 55 Republicans voted against it. The bill also split the five Republican and three Democratic representatives from Wisconsin, with members of each party voting for and against the bill.

Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican who represents much of northern Wisconsin and has been frequently critical of the defund the police movement, voted against the measure. He did not respond to questions asking why he did not support a bill that would send funding to nearly all of the law enforcement agencies in his mostly rural district.

Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, the largest law enforcement union in the state, celebrated the bills big step forward.

Since the 9/11 attack on our country in 2001, federal support for law enforcement has dramatically shifted towards large metropolitan law enforcement agencies and away from smaller departments, he wrote in an email. This bipartisan bill will help agencies address the growing shortage of officers in Wisconsin and provide more training and mental health resources to law enforcement personnel. These priorities are in line with what we have learned through our statewide polling effort each year, and its a strong rebuke of those that would like to defund the vital services that law enforcement officers provide.

Like most industries across the county, law enforcement is struggling to recruit officers while unemployment rates are at near record lows. Wisconsin is no different. The total number of law enforcement officers in the state hit a record low in 2022.

The bill now goes back to the Senate, where a version had already passed. The House version of the bill would need to pass the Senate before the president can sign it into law.

UW-Madison political science professor David Canon said he doubted the Senate would pass the Houses version without further tweaks. A conference committee of House and Senate members might be needed to reach a compromise on the bill, he noted. Canon guessed a final version of the bill wont pass until the lame duck session in December after the election.

He applauded the passage of the bill, saying it follows his mantra for how politics should operate: dont let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

We have to compromise to be able to get things done, Canon said. Youre never going to have the perfect bill. You have to (tolerate) some things in the bill that you may not like, but theres a lot of good stuff that you do like. Thats why the extreme left and right voted against it, because theyre still operating in that mindset of I want the perfect bill that does everything I want it to do. Well, the legislative process doesnt work that way.

The nays consisted of the most right-wing Republican representatives like Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene, and the most left-wing Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush.

Heres how the eight congressional representatives from Wisconsin voted on the bill, and what, if anything, they had to say about it.

Nay votes

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah)

Grothman voted against the bill. His office did not respond to messages seeking comment. Democrats did not run a candidate against Grothman this election, so he has little to fear from voters in his heavily Republican district.

Mark Pocan (D-Madison)

Pocan, a leader of the Houses left-wing Progressive Caucus, was one of the nine Democrats to vote against the bill. Through a spokesman, Pocan said he voted no because I had questions about the bill that werent answered because it didnt go through the committee process. Pocans district, which includes liberal Madison and Dane County, is safely Democratic.

Tom Tiffany (R-Minocqua)

A hardline right-winger who has repeatedly criticized the defund the police movement, Tiffany voted against the bill.

Earlier in September, he joined several other Republicans to introduce a bill named the Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act, which they say will strengthen violent crime laws.

As a result of the Democrats defund the police movement, soft-on-crime policies, and reckless bail reform efforts, far too many Americans have become victims of the deadly crime wave plaguing our neighborhoods, Tiffany said in a press release announcing the bill.

His office did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Yay votes

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)

The son of a Chicago police officer, Fitzgerald voted for the bill. His office did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Allouez)

A former Marine and a veteran of the second Iraq War, Gallagher voted for the bill. His office did not respond to messages seeking comment. Democrats did not run a candidate against Gallagher this fall, but he will face two challengers  a Libertarian and an Independent  in his heavily Republican district.

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee)

Moore, a Racine native, voted in favor of the bill. Her district consists mainly of Milwaukee, which has suffered record homicides the past few years, but whose police department would not receive money from the bill. Her office did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse)

Kind, a moderate Democrat, voted in favor of the bill. His office did not respond to messages seeking comment. Kind is retiring from Congress in December after representing western Wisconsin for more than 20 years. Republicans hope to flip his seat in the fall.

Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville)

Steil, whose district includes all of Racine and Kenosha counties, voted in favor of the bill. In the most recent round of redistricting, Steils district in southeastern Wisconsin moved from being very favorable to Republicans closer towards the political middle, making it more competitive for Democrats.

The Invest to Protect Act makes critical investments in our local police departments, Steil said through a spokeswoman. This will provide the training and resources necessary to keep everyone in our communities safe. Ill continue working to support law enforcement.

The Badger Project is a nonpartisan, citizen-supported journalism nonprofit in Wisconsin. Visit thebadgerproject.org for more.
RACINE  Trick-or-treating in the City of Racine will be 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. Caledonias will be at the same time and day.

A few safety reminders for parents and kids:

Cross at street corners, use traffic signals and look both ways prior to crossing the street.

If you are ill, stay home.

Minimize spreading viruses by placing candy on a table instead of a bowl.

Put electronic devices down, keep your head up and walk across the street.

Always walk on sidewalks and paths; when one is not available, walk facing traffic.

Bring a flashlight or wear bright clothing to make yourself visible.

If you are driving a vehicle, allow yourself extra time to get to your location.

When driving, dont forget to slow down and stay alert.

Like so many kids, my children are already looking forward to trick-or-treating, stated Racine Mayor Cory Mason in a news release from the city Thursday. Lets have a fun and safe Halloween this year.
MOUNT PLEASANT  A suspect from Racine has been arrested in the Wednesday afternoon shooting of a Case High School student.

Police identified the suspect as a 19-year-old Racine man who was taken into custody in Illinois and is facing extradition to await possible charges of attempted homicide.

Mount Pleasant police announced the arrest Friday afternoon, saying that the suspect was arrested at about 11 a.m. Friday. He was being held at the Cook County Jail in Illinois.

In announcing the arrest, police said the shooting was gang-related, although they did not elaborate. Police later clarified that the suspect is believed to be affiliated with gang activity, but the victim is not.

The as-yet-unidentified victim has been described as a 16-year-old boy who attends Case, 7345 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant. Police found him in serious condition with a gunshot wound shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Delta Hotel, 7111 Washington Ave., located across the street from the school.

At the time, police said the shooting had taken place at the hotel.

Police said Friday the victim was still recovering from his injury, but that his condition had stabilized.

The suspect fled the scene of the shooting on a bicycle, police said, and he was later linked to the incident with help from Chicago police, the U.S. Marshals office and an FBI Gang Task Force.

The suspect, who is not being identified by The Journal Times because he has not been charged, is on probation for an undisclosed prior offense, police said.

Case High School went into lockdown Wednesday afternoon after the shooting was reported across the street.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The spectacular musical The Greatest Showman was premiered at the Rashid Behbudov State Song Theater, Azernews reports.

The production was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Jam SS theater studio.

The musical in Baku impressed the audience with a large number of dance numbers, bright costumes, and beautiful songs.

The author and creator of the project is the head of the Jam Group Aziz Azizov, who also took part in the theater production, playing the main role.

"The preparation of the musical took about three months. A lot of work on the mass numbers was done by the main choreographer of the team Zarina Rahimova and assistant Dilara Mursalova. The vocal and choral part of the performance was staged thanks to the main vocalists of the Jam SS theater studio Natavan Guliyeva and Aliya Ragimova. Andrew Freeman and Margo Isma were engaged in the work on the scenery and costumes that could convey the entire atmosphere of the musical," Aziz Azizov told Trend Life.

" I would like to note that the Jam SS team and Rasul Gasanov, who staged the musical, played an equally important role in the musical. As a performance, The Greatest Showman, staged in Baku, can be called a world premiere," he said.

Recall that The Greatest Showman is a 2017 American biographical musical drama film directed by Michael Gracey.

The film is based on the story and life of P.T. Barnum, a famous showman and entertainer, and his creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and the lives of its star attractions.
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
JACKSON, Miss.  In mid-September, Howard Sanders bumped down pothole-ridden streets in a white Cadillac weighed down with water bottles on his way to a home in Ward 3, a neglected neighborhood that he called a war zone.

Sanders, director of marketing and outreach for Central Mississippi Health Services, was then greeted at the door by Johnnie Jones. Since Jones hip surgery about a month ago, the 74-year-old used a walker to get around and wasn't able to get to any of the citys water distribution sites.

Jacksons routine water woes became so dire in late August that President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency: Flooding and water treatment facility problems shut down the majority-Black citys water supply. Although water pressure returned and a boil-water advisory was lifted in mid-September, the problems arent over.

Bottled water is still a way of life. The citys roughly 150,000 residents must stay alert  making sure they dont rinse their toothbrushes with tap water, keeping their mouths closed while they shower, rethinking cooking plans, or budgeting for gas so they can drive around looking for water. Many residents purchase bottled water on top of paying water bills, meaning less money for everything else. For Jacksons poorest and oldest residents, who cant leave their homes or lift water cases, avoiding dubious water becomes just that much harder.

We are shellshocked, were traumatized, Sanders said.

Jacksons water woes are a manifestation of a deeper health crisis in Mississippi, whose residents have pervasive chronic diseases. It is the state with the lowest life expectancy and the highest rate of infant mortality.

The water is a window into that neglect that many people have experienced for much of their lives, said Richard Mizelle Jr., a historian of medicine at the University of Houston. Using bottled water for the rest of your life is not sustainable.

But in Jackson an alternative doesnt exist, said Dr. Robert Smith. He founded Central Mississippi Health Services in 1963 as an outgrowth of his work on civil rights, and the organization now operates four free clinics in the Jackson area. He often sees patients with multiple health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or heart problems. And unsafe water could lead to death for people who do their dialysis at home, immunocompromised individuals or babies who drink formula, Smith said.

Residents filed a lawsuit in September against the city and private engineering firms responsible for the citys water system, claiming they had experienced a host of health problems  dehydration, malnutrition, lead poisoning, E. coli exposure, hair loss, skin rashes and digestive issues  as a result of contaminated water. The lawsuit alleges that Jacksons water has elevated lead levels, a finding confirmed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

While Jacksons current water situation is extreme, many communities of color, low-income communities and those with a large share of non-native English speakers also have unsafe water, said Erik Olson, senior strategic director for health and food at the Natural Resources Defense Council. These communities are more frequently subjected to Safe Drinking Water Act violations, according to a study by the nonprofit advocacy group. And it takes longer for those communities to come back into compliance with the law, Olson said.

The federal infrastructure bill passed last year includes $50 billion to improve the countrys drinking water and wastewater systems. Although Mississippi is set to receive $429 million of that funding over five years, Jackson must wait  and fight  for its share.

And communities often spend years with lingering illness and trauma. Five years after the start of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, about 20% of the citys adult residents had clinical depression, and nearly a quarter had post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a recent paper published in JAMA.

Jones, like many local residents, hasnt trusted Jacksons water in decades. That distrust  and the constant vigilance, extra expenses and hassle  add a layer of psychological strain.

It is very stressful, Jones said.

The day that Jacksons boil-water advisory was lifted, Sanders was diagnosed with a hernia, probably from lifting heavy water cases, he said. Still, the following day, Sanders drove around the Virden Addition neighborhood with other volunteers, knocking on peoples doors and asking whether they needed water.

He said he has no plans to stop water deliveries as Jackson residents continue to deal with the long-term fallout from the summers crisis. Residents are still worried about lead or other harmful contaminants lurking in the water.

Its like a little Third World country over here, Sanders said. In all honesty, we will probably be on this for the next year.
When her teenage daughter came out as a lesbian several years ago, one of the first things Caroline Joyce did was to Google, "Can you be gay and be a Christian?"

The family was attending a conservative Southern Baptist church in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area that considered homosexual activity to be sinful.

"We had been taught one thing, but we knew our daughter loved Jesus," Joyce said. "She was very open with us during her struggle to figure out what was going on with her."

And Caroline and her husband, Chuck, began their own struggle.

Their daughter and a younger sibling found a gay-friendly church, College Park Baptist Church in Greensboro. They "started attending with our blessing because we knew if she continued attending our church, she'd be totally turned off to God," Caroline Joyce said.

The College Park church found itself in the news last week when the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee voted to remove it from its rolls because of its "open affirmation, approval and endorsement of homosexual behavior." That action came 23 years after the congregation itself voted to leave the SBC, but according to the Executive Committee, it had remained on its rolls until now.

But the very thing that prompted the Southern Baptists' disapproval is what attracted the Joyces themselves to College Park. The parents eventually followed their children's path and joined the congregation. They even moved from the suburbs to the city of Greensboro to be closer to the College Park church, its activities and the friends they made there.

"It really makes a difference when you hear from the pulpit and hear in the hallway that God loves everybody," Caroline Joyce said. She said their daughter eventually grew up to become a minister, as is her wife.

The Rev. Michael Usey, the lead pastor, said that Southern Baptist officials actually identified the church's ethos correctly.

"It's good when people reject you because they understand clearly who you are," he said. "The irony is, they're excluding us for not excluding people."

The Executive Committee vote didn't take leaders of the congregation completely by surprise. They'd been receiving registered letters from Southern Baptist officials in recent months, explaining that the church was still listed on its rolls and seeking more information, Usey said.

"At first they were kind of demanding we clarify our position on homosexuality," Usey said. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, the Southern Baptists' state affiliate, sent similar inquiries, he said.

Usey said church leaders decided not to respond, and to let the SBC expel it if that was the decision.

"I just don't really want to engage in that," Usey said. "There's hungry people in Greensboro. This is what God calls us to, to do something for the children who are half a mile from our building who are hungry."

Southern Baptist churches are self-governing, so the convention can't tell them what to do or believe. But the convention deems churches to be affiliates  in "friendly cooperation"  if they share its beliefs and support its ministries.

The convention "had no record of a request from the (College Park) church to disaffiliate from the SBC," said a statement Thursday from Linda Cooper, who chairs the SBC's Credentials Committee. "This church was brought to the attention of the committee. The committee inquired of the church about their desire to disaffiliate and received no response."

The Credentials Committee then recommended the Executive Committee cut ties with the congregation, which it did.

The convention has in recent years declared a small number of congregations to be not in friendly cooperation if they are LGBTQ-affirming. The denomination's statement of belief, the Baptist Faith and Message, says Christians should oppose "all forms of sexual immorality, including  homosexuality." The denomination has similarly cut ties with a small number of churches for failing adequately to address sexual abuse, and last week it also broke with a New Jersey church over "alleged discriminatory behavior."

College Park Baptist Church voted in 1999 to leave the SBC, shortly after the convention's annual meeting approved a doctrinal statement that a wife should "submit herself graciously" to her husband's authority.

The congregation's website makes clear that College Park is an "LGBTQIA Affirming Baptist Church" that "fully welcomes and affirms all persons without distinction regarding race, ethnicity, national origin, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other human category."

Usey said the church, with about 400 members, has a progressive legacy. Founded by Southern Baptists in 1906, it supported the civil rights sit-in at the Greensboro Woolworth's in 1960, began ordaining women in the 1980s and became openly LGBTQ-affirming about two decades ago, he said.

While church members were surprised the SBC hadn't removed the church from its roster years ago, the recent action "gives us an opportunity to say we're not that kind of Baptist," he said.
NEW YORK  Prosecutors cracked open a trove of emails and other communications at a federal trial on Thursday that they say shows how the former chair of Donald Trump's inaugural committee worked behind the scenes in 2016 to get the future president to embrace the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Some of the email traffic was between Tom Barrack  accused of working at the direction of the UAE as a secret foreign agent  and Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign manager at the time. The exchanges focused in part over an energy policy speech by Trump in 2016.

In one email read to the jury by an FBI agent, Barrack complained to Manafort that an original draft of the speech didn't mention either the UAE or Saudi Arabia, or the importance of their role in the Middle East.

"Wow. I'm just stunned by how bad this is," the billionaire private equity manager wrote about the draft.

Manafort responded: "Send me an insert that works for our friends."

The speech Trump gave ended up referring to the need to team with "our supportive Gulf allies" as part of a broader strategy to fight terrorism in the region. Afterward, Barrack received an email from a UAE official congratulating him for doing a "great job."

In other emails, Manafort assured those in the back-channel network that he would get Trump to tone down his anti-Muslim rhetoric and that he would set up face-to-face meetings between Trump and UAE and Saudi leaders.

Another Barrack email indicated he lobbied Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner on Manafort's behalf to get Manafort the campaign manager post. Manafort was eventually convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation; Donald Trump later pardoned him.

Prosecutors say the communications demonstrate Barrack's efforts to manipulate the Trump campaign and later his administration to advance the interests of the UAE. They say at the same time, the energy-rich Gulf state poured millions of dollars into business ventures operated by Barrack.

Barrack, 75, pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government, obstruction of justice and making false statements.

In his opening statements this week, defense attorney Steven Schachter insisted there was no evidence that Barrack ever took orders from the UAE or betrayed his country by becoming a covert agent.
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KEARNEY  More than 300 students from 54 different high schools gathered Wednesday at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and they all have one thing in common.

Theyre interested in health care careers.

Joined by an additional 150 current UNK students, these future doctors, dentists, nurses, physical therapists and pharmacists came together for the annual Health Careers Fair on campus.

Organized by UNK Health Sciences, the event gives attendees an opportunity to meet with employers and representatives from various professional schools while learning about UNK and its academic programs. Its part of the Health Science Explorers program, a UNK initiative that addresses the ongoing need for health care workers by introducing more middle and high school students to these careers and educational paths.

Theres such a shortage of health care professionals right now, and high school is the age when students are really trying to decide where they want to go to school and what their major is going to be. We want to show them all the different possibilities and hopefully guide more people to those health care professions, said Sara Bruner, coordinator of the Health Science Explorers program.

Representatives from UNK and other postsecondary schools across the state and region were on hand to share information about training programs and several area health care providers were available to answer questions and discuss employment opportunities. Students also participated in breakout sessions focusing on job shadowing, nursing, medical laboratory science and radiography.

Allisen Jelinek, a senior at Aquinas Catholic High School in David City, already plans to pursue a career in pharmacy, so she was focused on learning more about the next step in her education.

Jelinek wants to attend UNK, following in the footsteps of her mother Amy, who works as a pharmacist at Butler County Health Care Center, and shes interested in the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP). A collaboration between UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, KHOP is available to students from rural Nebraska who are committed to practicing in these areas as medical professionals. Participants receive a full-tuition scholarship to attend UNK and guaranteed admission to UNMC if all requirements are met. The KHOP Learning Community provides additional support, mentoring and professional development opportunities for first-year UNK students, along with a $2,000 room waiver.

Back in David City, Jelinek is preparing for her career by job shadowing at a local pharmacy.

That experience is really valuable because it kind of solidifies whether or not you want to go into a specific area, she said.

At Gothenburg High School, guidance counselor Jerry Wiggins is seeing more and more students interested in health care.

And theres a big need throughout the country, he noted.

Wiggins brought eight seniors to the UNK Health Careers Fair, an event hes been attending since its inception. He wants to expose students to a broad range of options in higher education and get them thinking about college.

For some of our students, its the first time theyve actually stepped on a college campus, Wiggins said. That opportunity just to walk around a college campus serves a purpose for them.

For employers like CHI Health, the career fair is the perfect place to connect with their future talent pool and promote their positions.

This event allows us to make those connections and show students there are lots of different job opportunities available in health care, said Jill England, who recruits for CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney and CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.

In addition to high wages and job stability, the health care industry offers another perk many careers cant. It allows employees to truly impact others and help improve their lives.

If thats something that really drives you, then health care is definitely the place for you, England said.
LINCOLN  Nebraska, along with five other conservative states, filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging President Joe Bidens plan to forgive student loan debt for millions of Americans.

Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Carolina signed on to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Missouri. The states requested the court immediately enact a temporary stay on any relief sought through the program.

Bidens forgiveness program will cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

The White House estimates that about 232,100 borrowers in Nebraska, including 136,000 Pell Grant recipients, would be eligible for the one-time debt relief.

The lawsuit requests a temporary stay because federal officials indicated they may begin canceling student loan debt as early as next week, according to a press release form Nebraska Attorney General Doug Petersons office. Nobody with debt will be disadvantaged by the stay, Petersons office argues, because federal student loan repayments have been on pause since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and will continue through the end of this year.

The lawsuit is the second this week challenging the program. A libertarian advocacy group filed a similar complaint in an Indiana federal court on Tuesday.

The Thursday complaint alleges that Biden is overreaching his executive power in cancelling student loan debt  a power given to Congress.

Determined to pursue across-the-board debt cancellation and stymied by repeated failures to achieve that goal through legislation, the Administration resorted to the now-concluded COVID-19 pandemic and a federal law that applies in the context of military operations or national emergencies as its justification for taking this dramatic action, states the press release from the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office.

According to the complaint, the Biden administration has justified the program citing the Higher Education Relief Opportunities For Students Act of 2003, which was signed into law in 2003 by President George W. Bush, and is meant to provide federal student loan relief for active duty military, those residing or working in a disaster area, or people who have suffered economic hardships due to wars, military operations or national emergencies.

Biden has pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a national emergency warranting the relief, but the complaint claims the law was never intended for relief of this magnitude.

Since it was first announced in August, the presidents plan has drawn strong opposition from Republicans, including Nebraskas congressional delegation and Gov. Pete Ricketts. Among other arguments, critics contend the plan is fundamentally unfair and will benefit the well-off.

In a statement Thursday, Ricketts thanked the attorney general for stepping up with these other states to hold the Biden-Harris Administration accountable to the law.

President Bidens student loan forgiveness scheme is fundamentally unfair and would harm the American families forced to pay for it, the governor said. Additionally, the Executive branch does not have unilateral authority to impose a sweeping student loan cancellation plan..

The White House has said that nearly 90% of relief dollars will go to those earning less than $75,000 per year and no relief will go to any individual or household in the top 5% of incomes in the U.S.

Republicans have also seized on the plans price tag. The Congressional Budget Office said this week that the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades. The White House countered that the CBOs estimate of how much the plan will cost just in its first year, $21 billion, is lower than what the administration initially believed.

This report includes material from the Associated Press.
The value of an internship is unmistakable. It teaches marketable skills, it builds professional networks, and it helps students test-drive careers.

But the benefits are not available to all: Close to half of all internships are unpaid, putting them out of reach for students who need wages to keep up with their bills, even if the work has nothing to do with their intended careers.

Unpaid internships are facing new scrutiny from colleges, state lawmakers - and even the White House, which announced its interns this fall will be paid for the first time to help remove  barriers to equal opportunity  for low-income students.

And students are leading the effort - saying they cant afford to meet internship requirements, and shouldnt be expected to work unpaid to make it in a given field.

Denice Brambila, 26, last spring completed an unpaid internship that was required by her social work masters program at San Diego State University.

To support herself, she worked 12 hours a week at a paid job at an elementary school office. That was on top of the 16 hours a week she spent at her internship, all while trying to keep up with her studies.

It was pretty hard, especially on those days when I felt really drained and stressed out, Brambila said.

The people who can take unpaid internships have financial safety nets, and that means they tend to benefit students who are wealthier and white, perpetuating wealth gaps. Three out of four unpaid interns in 2020-21 were white, according to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Lets just face it, its very difficult to take an unpaid internship, unpaid work experience, when youre from a lower-income background. Thats why were pushing for more paid internships, less reliance on unpaid internships, and in the hopes that it helps diversify the workforce and these industries, said Joshua Kahn, associate director of research and public policy at NACE.

Unpaid internships can be found across industries. More than two-thirds of internships in state governments and at nonprofit organizations were unpaid, according to the 2021 study by NACE. At universities, professional programs in fields like social work, teaching, and journalism are among those that commonly require field work that is often unpaid.

In some fields unpaid internships are likened to apprenticeships because they are considered essential training for careers.

We really dont believe students can learn how to work with people, unless they have some practice working with people, said Darla Spence Coffey, president and CEO of the Council on Social Work Education, the accrediting body for social work programs.

The council calls for undergraduates to spend 400 hours on internships, and 900 hours for master's students. The goal, Coffey said, is for students to learn how to toggle back and forth between what the theory says and how to apply it.

But many of the underfunded nonprofits and clinics where students work cannot afford to pay them. Students would love for the accrediting body to say you must pay your students, but that is something we just cant do, Coffey said.

Shannon Swanson, 23, has seen firsthand the disparities in who can afford to take unpaid work.

As an unpaid intern in the California State Capitol, she worked up to 40 hours a week, well beyond the 15 hours expected of most interns. She wanted the experience and could work longer hours because she had paid campus jobs with flexible hours and financial help from her parents.

Some of her peers had to take paid, full-time jobs to get by and couldnt devote more than 15 hours to their Capitol internships.

After she graduated from Sacramento State University, Swanson was hired as a legislative aide in the same office where she interned. She went on to get a job in higher education policy. As much as the experience helped her career, she bristles at the attitude she heard from staff that newcomers should slog through unpaid internships like they once did.

We really need to retire this attitude of It was hard for me so its going to be hard for you, she said.

A legislative measure under consideration in California includes a $5 million fund for stipends to help 650 low-income students and recent college graduates take unpaid work in the state Legislature and other state departments.

Its important we focus on those who need it most and have been historically excluded, says state Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath, a Democrat, who plans to introduce the bill early next year.

Some businesses are exploring new ways to make internships accessible. One company, Parker Dewey, has partnered with college career centers to connect students with micro-internships - short-term, paid projects that can appeal to students from different backgrounds who may need more flexible hours.

Colleges also have taken steps to make internships more accessible to their students.

At Pomona College in California, students can apply for stipends for internships that offer little or no pay to help them explore possible careers.

Marina Aina, a Pomona student majoring in American Studies, has had paid internships in politics and leadership development in the past. Last summer, she was able to intern with a nonprofit organization that works with Tongan Americans - an opportunity she saw as a chance to help give back to people like her.

Without the stipend, she could not see herself taking an unpaid opportunity over a summer job.

If I felt that it wasnt compensated then I wouldnt go for it because I wouldnt have the funds to cover it, said Aina, 21. I wouldnt want to ask my parents, who are helping me pay for college, to pay for something Im doing over the summer.

The internships also gave her insight into a potential career.

It was nice to see a grassroots organization predominantly run by a woman that is serving the community and theyre successful, Aina says. I personally wanted to see what that looks like because I could see myself in it.

Naomi Harris covers race and equity for Open Campus, a nonprofit newsroom focused on higher education. Jocelyn Gecker covers education for The Associated Press.

The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Candidates for the 95th Assembly seat recently answered a series of Tribune questions and provide information about themselves. Here are the responses from challenger Chris Woodard (R) and incumbent Rep. Jill Billings (D), followed by their bio information.

What do you think is the top issue facing the district that you want to tackle?

Woodard: I believe the top issue besides community safety would have to be PFAS on French Island. Many other communities around the state are dealing with this same issue, it seems like little movement has happened. Quite frankly, we dont have any more time. We have people who cannot drink from their faucets, which for a great state like Wisconsin is completely unacceptable. We need to work harder to help these people in a multitude of ways, whether it be procuring a municipal water source and providing connection to the homes of those affected or individual well clean up. We need to act now to help these people.

Billings: It is difficult to pick one issue. Education is a top issue in my district, including early childhood care, K-12 schools and higher sducation  Viterbo University, Western Technical College and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Children need a good, healthy start in life. We know that the majority of brain development occurs in the early years. We must have quality, accessible, affordable childcare in our area. This also aids in attracting and keeping a workforce, as parents need good childcare. In K-12 we have seen our school board and administration struggle with budget whether its fair pay for teachers or infrastructure needs. The state must come through on the commitment to the two-thirds funding formula so K-12 schools are adequately funded. Finally, our higher education institutions add immensely to our quality of life and are major economic engines for the Coulee Region. They provide us with a quality, trained and educated workforce for our businesses and healthcare institutions. The important investment in our higher education institutions also promotes innovation for the future of Wisconsin.

How urgent do you think it is to act on climate change, and what policies do you support to combat its effects, especially in the 95th District?

Billings: We must act urgently to combat climate change, and there are efforts we can implement here in the 95th District. For example, I co-sponsored the Forward on Climate legislative package, which includes a variety of actions to combat climate change, create good paying jobs and protect Wisconsin for future generations. Included in that package is legislation to provide state funding and staffing resources to help communities plan for the impacts of climate change. Tools like this will make it easier to account for our local effects of climate change and combat them. Additionally, the Forward on Climate package would provide more funding to Focus on Energy, a proven program, to help businesses and individuals to implement cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. In our region, we have already felt some of the effects of climate change, such as increased heavy rainfall, which induces flooding and taxes our infrastructure. These effects will only increase in the coming years, so I believe these efforts to combat climate change are necessary now.

Woodard: Our climate is very important, it helps to sustain life. It is important to note that clean energy is not quite affordable at this time. Many believe utility companies should use more clean energy. However, those costs would be passed down to consumers, many of whom cannot simply afford increases. I would support efforts by private households and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and policies that boost clean energy usage while keeping utilities reasonable.

La Crosse Schools is currently eyeing one of the largest referendums in state history, partly because state funding for schools hasnt grown in recent years. Do you think the state should boost funding for school districts, and where do you rank schools when it comes to prioritizing state funding?

Woodard: Wisconsin received nearly $2.6 billion in federal aid for K-12 schools. In addition to this, state aid to schools has increased every year for nine years. Last session, Legislative Republicans passed a budget that provided significant increases in funding for K-12 education, including increases for school-based mental health and special education funding. I support continuing to fund schools as our children are our future. I do not, however, support the current La Crosse School District referendum.

Billings: Public schools are the backbone of a functioning democracy and, as such, are one of my highest priorities. Good schools foster healthy families and communities and as vital institutions; I believe we must prioritize adequately funding schools at the state level. We must return to the promised two-thirds funding that existed under Gov. Tommy Thompson to get out of the loop of requiring referendums all over the state to bridge gaps in funding. Additionally, given the challenges that face this generation of students as a product of distance learning during the pandemic, we must fully fund schools to shore up the educational deficits and address student mental health. I have supported Gov. Evers proposed investments into K-12 education, which included $800 million in additional aid, raised special education reimbursement to 50% and raised school district revenue limits to allow more funds to be spent directly in classrooms. These policy efforts will allow us to revitalize our school systems, attracting teachers to good paying jobs, and attracting new families to our communities where they know their children will receive a high quality education.

The state is currently working with a $3.8 billion budget surplus. How do you think that money should be spent?

Billings: A significant portion of the surplus should go back to taxpayers. I have heard from people who are struggling to pay heating bills and are feeling the pinch of the increase in groceries, fuel and consumer goods. The return of surplus dollars would be a needed relief for hard working families and those on fixed incomes in our area. I would also put in some surplus funding to help create healthy children and families. The National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs found that high quality early childhood programs can yield a $4-$9 return for every $1 invested. That investment in the early life of children can save dollars and human suffering down the road. This includes mental health, substance abuse and incarceration costs.

Woodard: I think we should be sending at least a portion of this money back to taxpayers. We can also continue to focus on cutting income taxes for middle-class families or eliminating the burdensome personal property tax which continues to hamper some small businesses. The ways in which this money is utilized should be well thought out and not used recklessly.

Chris Woodard

Age: 36 years old, born on Feb. 25, 1986

Hometown: I live in La Crosse, grew up in Wisconsin Rapids

Family: Married, one child

Job: HRIS Analyst at Kwik Trip Inc.

Prior elected office: La Crosse City Council Member since 2021

Other public service: Washburn Neighborhood Association, chair since 2020

Education: Western Tech, Entry Level Firefighter 1&2

Jill Billings

Age: 60 years old, born on Jan. 19, 1962

Hometown: Stewartville, Minnesota

Family: Single, two children

Job: State Assembly Representative, State of Wisconsin

Prior elected office: La Crosse County Board, 2004-2012

Other public service: Brownie Troop Co-Leader, Emerson Elementary 2007-2010, Volunteer Emerson Elementary, Northwoods Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, Sunday School Teacher, English Lutheran Church 2005-2008, Teacher ESL and Citizenship to Hmong adults, The Friendship Program 1991-2000

Education: Bachelor of Arts, English, Augsburg College

Email or website: jillbillingsforassembly.com
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

The Heydar Aliyev Center will premiere the film Treasures of the World - Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Azertac.

Supported by the Baku Media Center, the film was produced by SandStone Global Productions Company (UK), in partnership with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and bp Azerbaijan.

President of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva attended the film premiere.

The film, which tells about the wonderful history and cultural treasures of Baku, the cities of Shusha, Gobustan, and Shaki, aims to promote Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage internationally.

The author of the film is an English historian, writer, presenter, and screenwriter of the popular documentary series Treasures of the World Prof. Bethany Hughes.

BBC World News has already broadcast the first and second episodes of the Wonders of Azerbaijan program, entitled The Land of Fire, and The Silk Road, during which Hughes visited Gobustan, before heading north of the country - to Shaki city, an important stop for merchants traveling on the ancient Silk Road, where she met weavers still making silk in a traditional way.

The second episode provided insight into the Azerbaijani cities of Baku and Shusha, as Hughes ventured into the Caucasus Mountains to discover why Azerbaijan is well-known as the Land of Fire.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation and bp also prepared a 60-minute full version of the film in Azerbaijani and English for the Azerbaijani audience.
WASHINGTON  A bill authored by U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville, passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously Wednesday to create more congressional oversight of how the U.S. Treasury allows U.S. entities to do business with sanctioned individuals.

Bipartisan and partisan

Despite unanimous support from Democrats, Steil, whose district includes all of Racine and Kenosha counties, celebrated the passage as a way to hold President Joe Bidens administration accountable  although on the House floor Steil did praise Democrats for their support and bipartisanship.

In a statement after passage of the bill, Steil said: Time and again, the Biden Administration has skirted Congress, weakening the United States credibility on the world stage. This bill ensures the executive branch must tell Congress if it will be waiving any sanctions that let our enemies use our financial system. Sanctions are a critical tool in our toolkit, and we need to keep them viable.

On the House floor prior to the vote Wednesday, Steil said: Im pleased to note that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have long supported this oversight, and they provided helpful input as weve developed this important legislation ... Our majority support for this measure is reflective of a strong spirit of bipartisanship on the Financial Services Committee when it comes to safeguarding our national security ... Its important to have a government thats accountable, and this bill brings much-needed accountability to our efforts.

More congressional oversight

The bill requires the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to report to Congress twice a year on all cases in which the Treasury approved a waiver that would allow a transaction between a financial institution  such as a bank  and sanctioned individuals.

Sanctions effectively block assets and restrict trade between U.S. entities and those sanctioned. Those sanctioned are often connected to terrorism or other human rights abuses.

Thousands of individuals, as well as businesses and other entities, are on public lists as being sanctioned by the Treasury. Just this year, hundreds of Russians and others related to Russia were added to the Treasurys sanctions list since Russias invasion of Ukraine that began in February. On Friday, the Treasury announced it was sanctioning 14 suppliers for supporting Russias military supply chains.

Steil noted that his bill does not stop the Treasury from allowing exemptions for U.S. entities to engage with those who have been sanctioned. Exemptions are often approved to allow trade related to humanitarian aid or agricultural goods.

In prepared remarks Sept. 20 at the Global Food Security Summit in New York, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that to prevent famines and other preventable disasters as the war in eastern Europe continues: We have to get emergency aid to the people who need it ... One way that we can do that is to ensure that sanctions do not impair access to food or medicine in any country beyond just Russia and Ukraine.

On the House floor Wednesday, Steil said: While OFAC may have good reasons to issue a license (exemption), its essential for Congress to be aware of bad actors access to our financial system. Though some OFAC licenses are made public, others are not disclosed or even their existence may be unknown to Congress ... Without this knowledge, Congress is limited in its ability to oversee the implementation of sanctions.

The Senate still must pass its own version of Steils bill and the president must sign it into law in order for this new oversight requirement to take effect.
Sept. 29, 2022 (EIRNS)Retired U.S. Army Colonel and former Virginia State Senator Richard Black issued the following Open Letter to Members of the United States Congress on Sept. 28, which is now being circulated. It is also available on the Schiller Institute website.

Dear Representatives and Senators:

I am troubled by the loose talk about launching a nuclear attack on Russia. From time to time, senior Republicans and Democrats have suggested employing such weapons. This appears to be a deliberate effort to acclimate Americans to the idea of nuclear war.

Now, we have Zelenskys office jumping on too. On September 21, 2022, Newsweek ran this headline: U.S. Needs To Threaten Russia with Nuclear Strike: Ukraine. The article quotes Mykhailo Podolyak, Zelenskys senior aide, as saying, The other nuclear states need to say very firmly that as soon as Russia even thinks of carrying out nuclear strikes on foreign territoryin this case the territory of Ukrainethere will be swift retaliatory nuclear strikes to destroy the nuclear launch sites in Russia.

Of course, it is impossible to limit retaliatory nuclear strikes to destroying only the nuclear launch sites. Not only would damage be widespread, but Russia would be forced to respond in kind to threats targeting its nuclear deterrence capability. Russia would launch an immediate, massive nuclear response, including air and ground-based hypersonic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Each Russian submarine would shower down 100 nuclear warheads, sufficient to incinerate the entire National Capital Region or the Western European industrial heartland.

As the Ukrainian War drags on, globalists are marching us relentlessly toward this nuclear Armageddon. Why?

There would have been no war had we not overthrown the democratically-elected government of Ukraine by violently ousting President Yanukovych in 2014. We promoted war by flooding Ukraine with massive arms shipments afterwards.

The U.S. could have achieved peace by simply pressing Ukraine to implement the 2014 Minsk Peace Agreements which it had signed, establishing a clear framework for settling outstanding issues peacefully. Ukraine promised to implement the Minsk agreements, but chose instead to make war on the Donbass for the next seven years. Ukraines attacks killed 14,000 people before Russia ever entered the war.

Within two months after Russia crossed into Ukraine, Russia and Ukraine were finalizing a draft peace agreement. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson suddenly flew to Kiev to block its implementation, undoubtedly coordinating with the U.S. State Department beforehand. War would continue, regardless of the parties longing for peace.

NATO had ample opportunity for peace but deliberately chose war. The U.S. realized that, with Russias back to the wall, it would have no choice to but to attack. In 2007, U.S. Ambassador to Russia William Burns pointedly warned that movement toward absorbing Ukraine into NATO might well trigger war between Ukraine and Russia. Nonetheless, the Obama administration overthrew the Ukrainian president and flooded in weapons, knowing that doing so would trigger war.

Today, wealthy globalists have billions at stake, and they intend to have their war profits even if it means gambling the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the globe.

Few Americans knew anything about Ukraine before February 24th. Was Ukraine in South America, Asia, Africa, or Europe? Many Americans couldnt have answered that question. But now, in order to address a local border dispute on the other side of the globe, war hawks demand concrete steps toward a nuclear war that might-exterminate 60% of humanity, plunging mankind into a primitive state.

Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton all approached nuclear confrontation with utmost caution. But the Obama administration changed course when it recklessly overthrew the Ukrainian government in 2014 and flooded Ukraine with weapons aimed at Russia. It did so knowing that it was threatening Russias most vital national interest: the defense of its territory against nuclear aggression.

Now, the Biden administration threatens to cast caution to the winds. Many of its allies suggest a game of one-upmanship where the U.S. and NATO fire nuclear missiles in response to Russias use of such weapons to defend its territory. In other words, we would destroy the entire world as our way of saying, Oh yeah? Well take this!

Would simple revenge justify killing hundreds of millions of unknowing people? Should we annihilate the worlds population to intervene in a border war where the U.S. has no vital national interest?

The U.S. can promptly end this war by making Ukraine a neutral, non-aligned state, just as we did during the Cold War with Austria in 1955. Yes, there would be some territorial adjustments resulting from the war. But peace would end the ongoing bloodshed, avert a nuclear conflagration, and assure Ukraines long-term safety and independence.

Nuclear war is unthinkable; peace is the better course of action. Please consider it.

Sincerely, Senator Dick Black (ret.)
Russian Ambassador to U.S. Makes Clear That Limited Nuclear Conflict Means Global War

Sept. 29, 2022 (EIRNS)Anatoly Antonov, Russias Ambassador to the United States, has issued a warning to Washington: stop threatening Russia with nuclear war. Antonov cut to the chase in his article published by The National Interest on Sept. 28:

I would like to warn American military planners about the fallacy of their assumptions that a limited nuclear conflict is possible. They apparently hope that the United States would be able to take cover behind the ocean if such a conflict happens in Europe with British and French nuclear weapons. I would stress that this is an extremely dangerous experiment. It is safe to assume that any use of nuclear weapons could quickly lead to an escalation of a local or regional conflict into a global one.

Yet he added:

I want to believe that, despite all the difficulties, we and the Americans have not yet approached a dangerous threshold of falling into the abyss of nuclear conflict. It is important to stop threatening us. Today, it is difficult to predict how far Washington is ready to go in exacerbating relations with Russia. Will the U.S. ruling circles be able to give up their plans aimed at wearing out our country with the prospect of its dismemberment?

Antonov reviewed the collapse in relations between Moscow and Washington, arguing that it is the result of U.S. policy decisions made over the last three decades.

Washington withdrew from the [INF, ABM, and Open Skies] treaties in order to gain security advantages, especially in confronting Russia. It is in a constant search for opportunities to achieve global military dominance, Antonov writes.

Over previous decades, the NATO military machine has approached Russias borders in several waveswhere a powerful striking fist was raised over my Motherland. How should we have reacted? We warned our colleagues that such steps were counterproductive, increased the risk of an arms race, and we could not ignore the aggravating threats along the perimeter of the Russian boundaries, especially our Western boundaries. I remember long-hour gatherings at NATO headquarters where I had to participate repeatedly in discussions on the harmfulness of global missile defense, the importance of respecting international commitments on strategic stability, and the danger of deploying shorter- and intermediate-range missiles in Europe. Russian exhortations turned out to be in vain. The last straw that broke the camels back, he continued, was NATOs attempt to launch the military-technical exploitation of Ukraine and cultivate in Kiev a regime desiring to wage a bloody war against Russia.

Antonov noted that today, Russia is accused of all sins. In fact, Washington is pushing the situation towards a direct confrontation of the major nuclear powers fraught with unpredictable consequences, he said. U.S. officials continue to escalate the situation, intimidating the American and international public with sham Russian nuclear threats. Such rhetoric twists the statements of the Russian leadership.

We are not threatening anyone, he went on. But we confirm that, as President Vladimir Putin said on September 21, Russia is ready to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and our people with all weapon systems we have. What is so aggressive about this statement? What is unacceptable? Would the United States not do the same if faced with an existential threat?
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

Will Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage Prove One Step Too Far?

Sept. 29, 2022 (EIRNS)The blowing up this week of both Nord Stream pipelines through which Russian natural gas could flow to European nations, leaving, it is now reported, four separate ruptures in the pipelines which may take months to repair, if at all, marks a turning point in the global breakdown crisis which threatens all Mankind. Whether that turn leads even more quickly to direct NATO-Russia conflict and a resulting global nuclear war, or proves to be a trigger for the people of Europe and the United States to finally say enough is enough, and act to overturn the current murderous policies of destruction and the elites imposing them, is the question of the day.

Quickly review the rapidly shifting situation on the Western battlefield in the wake of the sabotage.

Neither NATO nor Russia questions that the pipelines have been put out of commission by deliberate sabotage. It is also much discussed that doing that kind of damage required technical capabilities which only a State could provide. Which state (or states) is the decisive issue in disputeand that can only be competently addressed by asking the question, cui bono?

On Thursday, NATO prepared the way to charge Russia with responsibility. Its governing political body, the North Atlantic Council, issued a statement which did not name Russia, but stated menacingly that NATO allies have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors, and specified that any deliberate attack against Allies critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response. The formulation echoes NATOs Article 5 collective action clause. On cue, NATO and intelligence assets began explicitly pointing the finger at Russia.

Russias Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the accusation against Russia as ridiculouswhat does Russia have to gain by destroying its own gas capabilities?but he also suggested that the sabotage seems to be some kind of terrorist attack, possibly at the state level. Russia has called an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss an investigation of the incident, now expected to be held this Friday afternoon, Sept. 30. But as Peskov warned, conditions for the kind of close cooperation required for a serious investigation appear to be virtually non-existent.

Washington is pushing the situation towards a direct confrontation of the major nuclear powers fraught with unpredictable consequences, Russias Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov warned in his Sept. 28 article in The National Interest, titled Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0 Over Ukraine? Antonov took on the delusion of those American and British military planners breezily discussing options for limited nuclear conflict, as if only Europe would be hit, not the United States. Antonov reminded: This is an extremely dangerous experiment. It is safe to assume that any use of nuclear weapons could quickly lead to an escalation of a local or regional conflict into a global one.

Retired American Col. Richard Black issued an Open Letter this week to the U.S. Congress similarly warning of the growing nuclear risk in the Ukraine conflict. Col. Black warned that loose talk about launching a nuclear attack on Russia by senior Republicans and Democrats appears to be a deliberate effort to acclimate Americans to the idea of nuclear war. But there will be no limited, retaliatory nuclear exchanges to any U.S. use of these weapons. Russia would launch an immediate, massive nuclear response, including air and ground-based hypersonic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Each Russian submarine would shower down 100 nuclear warheads, sufficient to incinerate the entire National Capital Region or the Western European industrial heartland.... Nuclear war is unthinkable; peace is a better course of action, he urged the Congressmen and women.

This horrific nuclear danger, combined with the accelerating collapse of peoples ability to access food, housing, electricity, medical care, and decent education, either because of their prohibitive cost or because those necessities are no longer available, have created the tinder for a general explosion by the people of Europe and the U.S. Now, on top of that crisis, comes the news that NATO and Western governments may well have deliberately pushed the Ukraine conflict into direct NATO-Russia confrontation by blowing up pipelines which could have brought affordable gas into Europe.

The belief that the United States is behind the attack is dominating discussion in well-read alternative media sites such as NachDenkSeiten, (in German) whose motto is For Everyone Who Still Has Their Own Thoughts. Consider the implications for Trans-Atlantic relations of what Albrecht Muller, editor of that site and an institutional figure who formerly served as chief of planning for two Social Democratic Chancellors and served in the Bundestag for seven years, wrote today:

It is not yet 100% certain that the U.S.A. is behind the sabotage of the two Baltic Sea pipelines. But the evidence and the interests speak for it.... Are we actually aware of what that would mean? Our main ally, whom most Germans and official Germany consider a friend in politics and the media, is destroying the transport route for our most important energy supply and with it an important base of industrial activity in our country.... To permanently weaken an industrial competitor in Europe. To withdraw industrial companies from Germany to the U.S.A.! To document that the U.S. claims to be the only world power. We should be clear about what that means. It is the brutal termination of a friendship.... Our problem is the U.S.A. You have also ensured that the understanding with Russia is torpedoed. Millions of Germans will suffer as a result.

Within the United States, too, there are signals some institutions recognize that the lies have gone too far, and the stakes are too high, and the American people better mobilize against the war drive. On Tuesday night, Fox Newss Tucker Carlson broadcast a frontal attack which raised the possibility, even likelihood, that the United States had blown up the Nord Stream pipelines, thus enter[ing] a new phase. One in which the United States is directly at war with the largest nuclear power in the world. On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump weighed in, warning World War III anyone? in response to the video of President Biden promising to shut down Nord Stream 2 in February, one way or the other. U.S. leaders must remain cool, calm, and dry.... Do not make matters worse with the pipeline blowup, Trump warned. A negotiated deal must be done NOW. Both sides need and want it. The entire World is at stake. He volunteered to head up negotiations.

If it turns out that NATO and the United States were in fact responsible for destroying the Nord Stream pipelines, driven to such madness by their collapsing trans-Atlantic financial system, the dawning realization of what that really means may be enough to arouse the populations of Europe and the United States sufficiently to force their political leaders to act to stop the madness.
A new documentary series examines the worst mass shooting in American history through witness reports, videos and other material.

11 Minutes is a telling of the 2017 massacre at a country music festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, and how it affected people who were there. The film is more than three hours long and appearing in four parts on the Paramount+ streaming service.

I've never felt more useful or more like the universe put me exactly where I was supposed to be, said Ashley Hoff, a survivor of the attack and lead producer of 11 Minutes.

She was at the outdoor show on October 1, 2017, with her husband Shaun. They were watching Jason Aldean perform when they heard gunfire. They first thought it was fireworks.

But then, Hoff saw a bullet hit another concertgoer in the face. She and Shaun began running, dropping to the ground whenever they heard gunshots.

At one point, Hoff kicked off her cowboy boots so she could run faster. She and Shaun escaped to safety. The shooter, from high up in a hotel, killed 60 people and hurt more than 850 others.

Nine months later, an FBI agent was at Hoff's door with her boots  part of a little-known team that returns property left behind in such incidents. Hoff, who was already in the film business, thought the property return was an interesting subject. But she soon expanded on the idea.

Many survivors, like herself, were unhappy with media coverage of the shooting. They said they thought it was too concerned with the gunman instead of the victims.

We all went back to our corners to suffer in silence, she said.

The film describes the event with cellphone and police body camera recordings. The cooperation of Las Vegas police was important to the production. The police provided video that shows medical teams racing to get injured people to hospitals. The film also includes video of special police bursting into the room where the gunman had barricaded, and then shot, himself.

The film presents the experiences of others at the event, including Jonathan Smith and Natalie Grumet. Both were seriously wounded in the attack.

Is it easy to watch? No, but it shouldn't be easy to watch, said SiriusXM host Storme Warren, who was onstage in Las Vegas that night. I don't know why you would tell the story if it were easy to watch.

Warren did not immediately agree to be part of the film. He was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the attack. He also was not pleased with past media coverage on the attack.

Hoff believes that her own experience that night, even though it is not included in the film, helped persuade some of those involved to talk.

After the shooting stopped, police talked of hearing the rings of cellphones, unanswered, as they walked among bodies still on the ground.

Along with concertgoers, 11 Minutes looks at the effects the violence had on emergency workers. I was a very angry man. Very angry, paramedic operations chief Brian Rogers, said in the film.

Part four of 11 Minutes begins at daybreak, October 2, 2017. It centers on some of the lasting ties made among survivors and rescuers.

It is Hoff's favorite part of the series. I do like to encourage people that there is goodness in the end, so hang in for that, she said.

There are extraordinary acts of courage and human beings helping human beings, said Susan Zirinsky, chief of the See It Now Studios production company. They're just regular people. In the darkest hours, people found each other.

Zirinsky, a former CBS News president, produced the critically praised documentary 9/11 about the 2001 terrorist attack in America. She considers 11 Minutes the most powerful film she's worked on since.

The gunman, who was dead when police reached him, was 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada. But, the filmmakers purposely did not identify him by name. Days before the shooting, Paddock had searched the internet for information on how to become a social media star.

Hoff did not want to give the killer any publicity.

The film ends by recognizing the names of victims of every mass shooting in the United States since the attack in Las Vegas.

I don't call it a political statement, Zirinsky said. I call it a statement of reality.

Both Hoff and her husband escaped the show without any gunshot wounds. Hoff had broken her arm when she fell while running. That is when she left her boots behind.

She did not notice her injury, however, until they reached safety.

Hoff hopes the film shows the depth of damage caused by mass shootings.

We need to stop turning away, and we need to understand what going through this was like, she said. It changes a person forever.

Im Caty Weaver. And Im Mario Ritter Jr.

The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

documentary  n. a movie or television program that tells about real people or events

massacre n. the violent killing of many people

barricade v. to block or prevent others from entering a place

paramedic n. a person whose job is to provide emergency medical care to people who are being taken to the hospital

regular adj. normal or usual

encourage v. to make people more hopeful

______________________________________________________________________

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.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev met up with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan on September 27.

The members of the Azerbaijani delegation also took part in high-level meetings with Khari Bulbul flower-shaped badges.

Later, Hajiyev expressed his appreciation for the meeting on Twitter.

"We highly appreciate the efforts of @jakejsullivan for bringing together in the White House the Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations to discuss and move forward the agenda of sustainable peace and stability in our region," the official wrote.
As cold weather comes to Europe this autumn, energy prices are rising. A main reason for the cost increase is Russias war with Ukraine.

Russia has been a main supplier of oil and natural gas for many European countries. Supplies have been limited because of the war and financial restrictions meant to punish Russia. As a result, home and business owners from Bulgaria to Spain are worried about the cost of energy in the coming months.

German leader Olaf Scholz said his country prepared during the summer so that it can go bravely and courageously into this winter.

Scholz said no one could have made the same statement earlier this year.

In Paris, a decision to reduce energy use means the lights on the Eiffel Tower will turn off one hour earlier than normal. Also, businesses and restaurants that kept their lights on even when they were closed will now turn off their lights at night.

Here are some other measures concerned business owners around Europe are taking to save money:

A Hamburger seller in Hungary

In Hungary, Richard Kovacs manages business for a group of hamburger restaurants called Zing Burger. He said the restaurants are already heating their cooking surfaces, or grills, less often and making sure lights are off in little-used storage areas. Some of the restaurants have seen a 750 percent increase in electricity costs since the beginning of the year.

He said the restaurants cannot do much more to lower their costs.

We cant turn off the lights and make our guests sit in the dark, he said.

A fruit grower in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, some businesses are in survival mode. They are doing everything they can because they do not want to lose the customers they have worked so hard for.

Wouter van den Bosch helps run Bosch Growers, a company that has been in his family for generations. They grow peppers and blackberries. Already, he has reduced costs by lowering temperatures in his indoor growing spaces. But the lower costs also mean fewer peppers and blackberries for sale.

He said he needs to keep selling his produce because he does not want to ruin the reputation his family made over so many years.

A baker in Germany

Andreas Schmitt is a baker who owns 25 stores in Frankfurt, Germany. He said he is not heating as many ovens as before and not making as many different products. He said he is reducing his energy use between five and 10 percent. However, his energy costs will still rise from about $300,000 this year to over $1 million next year.

A small change to his energy use, he said is not going to shift the world.

Schmitt leads the local bakers industry group. He said some smaller business owners are thinking about giving up.

He hopes the German government will give small bakers some money so they can stay in business this winter. Over the long term, he said, energy markets need to be changed.

Bruegel, a research business in Belgium, is looking at both short-term and long-term solutions. In the coming months, the company said, some European governments plan to help pay for peoples energy costs. They also plan to help energy companies buy more gas so they can meet demand.

Some nations are changing their gas suppliers. Instead of buying gas from Russia, they are getting gas from Norway, Azerbaijan and buying liquefied gas that comes by boat from the United States.

They also are considering raising taxes on energy companies that are making money from higher energy prices. And they are thinking of ways to control electricity markets so natural gas prices do not affect them so much.

However, European Union officials believe the way to get out of the current situation is to increase the use of renewable energy. That is power that comes from wind, water and the sun.

In Madrid, Spain, some people are installing solar panels. Manuel Ruiz said he and the other people who live close to him are now reducing their use of gas by 40 percent.

A political problem

While European governments are going away from Russia as an energy provider, it is not easy to give it up completely.

One energy policy expert who looks at Eastern Europe is Agata Loskot-Strachota. She is based in Warsaw, Poland.

Because Russia is still supplying some gas, Loskot-Strachota said, the countrys leader, Vladimir Putin, still has power over Europe. The threat of Russia completely cutting off its supply has some people worried that those currently supporting Ukraine will change their minds. There have already been energy-related protests in Belgium and the Czech Republic.

Every molecule counts, Loskot-Strachota said. She called the flow of gas leverage, and noted that an energy crisis could send some European countries into poverty.

Bulgaria is one of those countries. It is the poorest member of the European Union. Right now, the cost of fuel, such as firewood, is going up. People are reducing their spending now to be sure they have money to pay for heat and medicine over the winter.

Gregor Iliev is 68 and retired. He lives in a small apartment in Sofia, Bulgaria with his wife. When price increases were announced for their old heating system, the two decided to buy a new one. The new system provides heat in the winter and cools their home in the summer. It is costly, but Iliev said they will make their money back in the long run.

In Budapest and Prague, people who own restaurants and bakeries say they have done everything possible to cut costs. The next thing is to raise prices.

Eszter Roboz runs a bakery in Budapest. She raised prices by 10 percent and said if prices remain stable from now on, she can stay in business. But she is worried about what will happen if they continue to go up.

We will really need to think about whether we can continue this, she 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

courageously adv. done in a brave way that shows courage

guest n. people who are invited to stay with someone; customers

mode n. a way of doing things or of behaving

reputation n. the common opinion that people have about someone

install v. to make a machine ready for use

leverage n. influence or power that can be used to get a result

stable adj. not changing sharply; in a good state that is not easily changed

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The government called her a 'a serial fraudster.' Linn County pulled the plug on the beleaguered festival in 2018.
GOTHENBURG  The lady Swedes played at home in a double header against the Hershey lady Panthers on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

The first three innings were scoreless for both teams.

Gothenburg shut out the Panthers in the top of the fourth inning.

The lady Swedes went hard at the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning to score eight runs.

The final score was eight to zero in Gothenburgs favor.

Lady Swede Hannah Devlin pitched a no hitter and only walked two lady Panthers. Devlin struck out nine Panther batters and scored one run.

Swede Wren Herrick had three at bats and scored two runs. Taysia Holbein had two hits on three at bats with one RBI and one run scored. Hayden Ricley had one hit on two at bats with one RBI and one run scored. Brianna Houchin ran in one score with one hit on two at bats and two RBIs. Ally Goad saw three at bats and scored one run.

GAME TWO

The lady Swedes stuck it to the lady Panthers in the second game of the night.

Gothenburg took the lead in the bottom of the first inning with four runs scored.

In the second inning, the lady Swedes shut out the Panthers as they went on to score two more runs.

The third inning was quiet as both teams went scoreless.

The fourth inning went to the lady Swedes as they scored four more runs.

Gothenburg took the second game 10 to zero.

At the mound for the Swedes, Devlin allowed only one hit, walked one Panther batter and struck out seven. Devlin had three hits on four at bats with two RBIs and scored one run.

Swede Houchin had one hit on two at bats and scored two runs. Holbein had two hits on three at bats with one RBI and one run scored. Chloe Daharsh swung two hits on three at bats and scored one run. Addisyn Streeter had one hit on two at bats with one RBI and scored two runs. Sierra Herfel had one hit on three at bats with two RBIs.

Gothenburg heads to Districts on Monday, Oct. 3 with an 18 and four record.
KEARNEY  More than 650 civic, business, education, health care, and political leaders from 108 Nebraska communities and 29 states gathered in Kearney for a conference focused on the importance of quality early childhood care and education for all children and families in Nebraska.

The fifth annual Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference gave attendees the opportunity to learn about quality early childhood education programs and services and their important role in economic development and community vitality. The conference returns to an in-person format for the first time since 2019.

The conference featured keynote speakers Dr. Dana Suskind, professor of surgery, pediatrics, and public policy at the University of Chicago, co-director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, and New York Times bestselling author, and Barry Ford, the president and CEO of Council for a Strong America. Nebraska Sen. Myron Dorn (District 30) will provide opening remarks.

In addition to the keynote speakers, a community lunch panel highlighted how Nebraskans are engaging with the recently launched statewide campaign, We Care for Kids. The conference also offers 17 breakout sessions focused on economic development and community vitality, early childhood research, programs, policy, communications and outreach, and philanthropy. Additionally, in-person attendees will have the option to tour the Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus to see firsthand how to help children grow and explore in a rich learning environment.

Fresh off the release of her book, Parent Nation: Unlocking Every Childs Potential, Fulfilling Societys

Promise, Dr. Dana Suskind will talk about the importance of building public support to create a society that better supports families.

I want [people] to be inspired that they are a key factor in changing the lives of children and families in this country, Suskind said. The healthy development of children is a barometer of the health of a society. We all benefit from it, because a healthy next generation ensures the strength of our communities and our nation.

Suskind has dedicated her research and clinical life to optimizing foundational brain development and preventing early cognitive disparities and their lifelong impact. In 2013, Suskind and her team led the first-ever Bridging the Thirty Million Word Gap convening at the request of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Barry Ford underscores the importance and impact of quality early childhood education.

The need for investment, the need for support, the need for systemic change around early childhood investments is true in rural America, its true in urban America, its true in suburban America, Ford said.

At Council for a Strong America, Ford is the president and CEO of an organization whose members include prominent law enforcement, military, and business leaders who champion early childhood education as an essential strategy for preparing the next generation of Americans to live productive lives.

Were losing incredible potential brainpower by not investing in every child," he said. We need to create conditions so that parents and caregivers are able to create the opportunity, the structure, and the environment for the kids they care about to be successful."

The conference returns to an in-person event this year but will also offer a virtual livestream of the keynote presentations for those unavailable to attend in Kearney. Attendance for the 2022 conference is more than double that of the inaugural 2018 conference and has attracted national attention. The growth demonstrates the importance of and increasing demand for quality early childhood care and education programs. Nebraska ranks as one of the top states in the nation where all available parents work, yet research shows Nebraska, like many other states, faces great challenges, including a shortage of quality early childhood programs and services. The COVID-19 pandemic made clearer than ever before the critical role that quality early childhood education plays in the ability of children, families, and entire communities to thrive.

This years event is sponsored by First Five Nebraska, Northeast Nebraska Growing Together, the

Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties, Nebraska Association for the Education of Young

Children, the Nebraska Association of School Boards, Nebraska Business Development Center, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Nebraska Community Foundation, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Nebraska Department of Education, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, Nebraska ESU Coordinating Council, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association, Nebraska Early Learning Connection, Panhandle Partnership, Inc., the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, the Buffett

Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Economic Developers Association, and Nebraska Head Start Association.

For more information on the conference and to view the livestreamed keynote sessions, visit thrivingchildrenconference.com/2022.
LEXINGTON  A Lexington man who said he heard, voices in his head, before shooting his mother twice is currently on a waiting list for competency restoration by DHHS.

Tyson Garcia, now 22, has been charged with first-degree assault, a Class 2 felony, and use of a firearm to commit a felony, a Class 1C felony.

Garcias attorney, public defender Kenneth Harbison, had filed for a psychological and competency evaluation which was granted.

It was the opinion of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services that Garcia, at the moment, was not competent to stand trial due to a mental condition, but he could become competent in the future with treatment, according to court documents.

A hearing was held on Monday, Sept. 27 in Dawson County District Court. Judge James Doyle told Garcia he was to be placed in the custody of DHHS for treatment at the Lincoln Regional Center.

However, due to their case load, Garcia remains on a waiting list for treatment in Lincoln. Judge Doyle said he would contact DHHS and inquire if anyone could be sent to the Dawson County Jail to at least get the treatment process started.

Garcias counsel requested a bail reduction, which Judge Doyle denied.

According to court documents, the Dawson County Sheriffs Office was dispatched to Road 434 on March 7. Garcia told the dispatcher he allegedly shot his mother after hearing voices in his head.

Garcia was waiting on the front porch when law enforcement arrived and he was detained. The deputy entered the residence and saw a blood trail near the entrance. The mother was located and she said she had been doing her taxes when Garcia shot her twice.

She was transported to Lexington Regional Health Center. Her condition was not made available.

Garcia was then booked into the Dawson County Jail.
By Trend

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva have met with the servicemen wounded during the Armenian military provocation that launched on September 27 and treated at the Central Military Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry.

Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov reported to President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state made a speech at the meeting.

Speech of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev

- May Allah grant you healing. Dear guys, you received various injuries, you were wounded in the battles for the Motherland. The doctors are taking good care of you. I am sure that the doctors will do their best for you to recover as soon as possible and return to normal life.

According to the information provided to me, all our wounded soldiers and officers live with the desire to recover soon and go back to the zone of military action, to continue the just war for the Motherland. Ours is the cause of justice, we are fighting on our own lands, we are fighting for the Motherland. We are fighting for a fair cause, and I am sure that in this conflict we will achieve what we want. Justice will be done and Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. Our compatriots who have been living as IDPs for many years will also return to their native lands.

As you know, special attention is being paid to the families of martyrs in our country, and all necessary work is being done by the state. I can say that Azerbaijan can be considered an exemplary country in the world for the attention being paid to the families of martyrs. You know that on my instructions, all the families of martyrs are provided with apartments and houses by the state. This year alone, 1,500 families of martyrs will be provided with housing by the state. In the next two to three years, the families of our heroic sons who died in the first Karabakh war will be fully provided with houses and apartments. We still have martyrs today. We have had martyrs in the battles for the Motherland. May Allah rest their souls in peace, may Allah give patience to their families and relatives. Their blood does not and will not remain unavenged. The enemy is receiving a fitting rebuff.

At the same time, the state provides the necessary support to the veterans of Karabakh. Their day-to-day problems are being solved. You can also be sure that the state will be by your side, the doctors are doing and will do everything possible for you to recover here as soon as possible and return to normal life.

Azerbaijan is fighting on its own lands and you have been wounded on the path to justice. Our soldiers are saviors, while Armenian soldiers are occupiers. That is the difference. We are fighting on our own lands, while an Armenian soldier dies on the land of another state  Azerbaijan. I want to address the Armenian people and urge them not to become hostages of the ugly deeds of their leadership. Let them hold their government accountable today. They should not send their children to Azerbaijan. What is the Armenian soldier doing in Azerbaijan? We are fighting on our own lands. Our soldiers and officers are dying on their own lands, are getting wounded on their own lands, and we are liberating our own lands. During the fighting that has been ongoing for four days now, the Azerbaijani Army successfully conducted an operation and liberated strategic heights and several settlements. We are returning to these lands after a long break. We have hoisted our flag on these lands and no-one can take us out of these lands. We must restore our territorial integrity. This is why the Armenian people must understand this, the head of state said: "The Armenian people must understand that it is a crime to occupy the land of another state for 30 years, destroy all buildings and historical sites, expel more than 1 million people from their homeland and commit genocide against the Azerbaijani people. We are restoring historical justice, historical justice! Karabakh is our native, ancient and historical land. Suffice it to look at the history of the Karabakh khanate to see that the people of Azerbaijan have lived, built and created on these lands for centuries. Our sacred city of Shusha was built by the Azerbaijanis. The lands under occupation today are our historical lands. Our cause is the cause of justice. We want to restore our territorial integrity, we have the right to do so, we are doing it and we will do it.

If the Armenian people want to live in peace, they should hold their government accountable. Because the misfortune of the Armenian people lies in the fact that for many years they were governed by a bandit criminal regime, the regime that committed genocide against the Azerbaijanis only in its own personal interests and keeps our lands under occupation. I am sure that the Armenian people will understand my words correctly. We have nothing against the Armenian people. Azerbaijan is a multinational state, many nations live here in peace and tranquility, including the Armenian people. Thousands of Armenians live on the territory of Azerbaijan. No-one says anything to them, they are our citizens. Therefore, our struggle is a struggle for a just cause. We are right from the point of view of history, from the point of view of international law, from the point of view of justice. Azerbaijani soldiers and officers are fighting for their native land. Fierce battles are under way in Fizuli, Jabrayil and other occupied territories today, we are suffering losses, our veterans and servicemen are getting wounded. But this fight is a fight for a just cause. Therefore, I want to say again that our cause is just, historical truth, international law and justice are on our side by 100 percent.

On 27 September, the Armenian armed forces committed another military provocation against us. I warned them. I spoke to them from the UN rostrum. I told the entire international community that Armenia is preparing for a new war and that Armenia must be stopped. Unfortunately, the international community and the parties involved in this issue were unable to influence the Armenian government at the required level. If they cannot stop the occupier, then the Azerbaijani soldier will stop them. The Azerbaijani soldier will remove them from our lands and restore justice. I said that if the military provocations committed against us in July and August are repeated, then Armenia will regret it, and I stand my ground. The advantage gained on the battlefield, our liberated settlements and strategic heights once again show that Azerbaijani soldiers, Azerbaijani officers are fulfilling their civic duty with dignity.

Armenia must end its policy of occupation. Instead, the prime minister of Armenia puts forward conditions. He put forward seven conditions to us. I said some time ago that we reject these conditions. We have one condition  they must leave our lands unconditionally, completely and immediately. This condition is still in force, and if the Armenian government fulfills it, the fighting will stop, blood will not be shed, there will be peace. Peace will come to our region. We want peace, we want a solution to the issue. Otherwise, we would not have cherished hopes for negotiations for 30 years. The only reason we remained committed to the negotiation was that there was hope. We were encouraged, they sent us signals that we should bear with them a little and the issue would be resolved. But I said that the Azerbaijani people will never accept this occupation. I said that if the issue is not resolved through negotiations, then Azerbaijan has every right to resolve this issue by military means. The Azerbaijani people gave us this right, the norms of international law gave us this right. The charter of the highest international body of the world, the United Nations, states that every state has the right to self-defense, and we are exercising it to defend ourselves. Having launched a counteroffensive, we are inflicting crushing blows on the enemy.

It is not too late. I want to say again: Armenia must vacate our lands immediately. You know that the leaders of various international organizations and different countries are calling me, enquire about this issue, express their views. My word is the same  both internationally and domestically. We are on the right path, the battles are going on in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is restoring its territorial integrity, and we have every right to do so. Because no country in the world recognizes the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh republic. This is our historical land. From the point of view of international law as well, this is our land.

I am confident that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. There is high morale in the army. You know that too. There is high morale in society. I have been receiving many letters every day for the last three to four days, both from citizens of the country and from other countries. Most letters from abroad come from brotherly Turkey. In those letters, our Turkish brothers express their desire to fight with us for this just cause. I express my appreciation to them. But I want to say again that there is no need for that. The Azerbaijani Army is quite strong and well-equipped. We must resolve this issue so that historical justice is restored. At the same time, on behalf of all of us and all the people of Azerbaijan, I express my deep gratitude to brotherly Turkey, its President, my brother Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his resolute and brotherly position. Because my dear brother's very open and harsh statements show again that Azerbaijan is not alone. Turkey is with Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan is always with Turkey!

I have already said this but I want to say again that these bloody battles are the moment of truth for us, for the entire Azerbaijani people. We see who is who. We see that sometimes those who say nice words and make good statements do not keep their word. One thing is said and a different is done. But Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan have unequivocally supported Azerbaijan. You know, there is an international format for negotiations. Unfortunately, this format has not achieved any results. Therefore, in the current situation, calls for dialogue from any side are not relevant. This is done by international organizations, the UN is doing it. We naturally accept that. The OSCE is doing this and we accept it because the OSCE has the mandate. But when someone says to us, let's start such a dialogue, we will also help, there is no need for that. Now is the moment of truth. Which side are you on? Truth or lie? On the side of a friend or an enemy? This is the moment of truth for me, for our people, for all of us.

Of course, we will never forget the countries, organizations and people who support us these days. You know that Azerbaijan has strong positions in the world. In recent years, we have carried out quite effective activities in international organizations and have been able to prove our case. We had to prove our case. We can already say that all major international organizations support our position. The UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Parliament, the OSCE  all these organizations have issued statements in support of our position. We are grateful for that. This is the legal side of the issue. As for the historical side, the historical truth is on our side. Anyone can go online and read. There are materials related to the history of the Karabakh Khanate. There is information about the inclusion of the Karabakh Khanate into the Russian Empire. There is information about the Kurekchay peace treaty. On the one hand, the Kurekchay peace treaty was signed by Ibrahim Khalil Khan of Shusha and Karabakh. This is the way he is referred to in the agreement  Ibrahim Khalil Khan of Shusha and Karabakh. On the other hand, it was signed by a general of Tsarist Russia. There is not a word about the Armenian people in the Kurekchay peace treaty. What does this mean? This means that there was no Armenian population there at that time, they were resettled there after that. When they were settled there, they put forward territorial claims against us. Therefore, we are absolutely right. Our fight is a fight for justice. We will not deviate from our principled position. I have repeatedly spoken about this from all international platforms and I say today that we are on the path of justice. We must restore our territorial integrity and we will restore it.

The information I receive shows that the events of the last three to four days do not become a lesson for the Armenian leadership. They are preparing new provocations, they want to bombard our settlements again and continue to do this. Our civilian casualties are growing every day. According to information as of yesterday morning, 10 of our civilians were killed. According to information provided to me this morning, the number of civilians killed has reached 13. What does this mean? This demonstrates the ugly face of Armenian fascism. We have never fought against civilians. As soon as the counter-offensive operation began, I instructed all our commanders and the Ministry of Defense that no action should be taken against the civilian population. Our goal is the positions, equipment and manpower of Armenias armed formations. But they bombard our villages and cities, 13 civilians were killed, more than 40 civilians were wounded, 168 houses were destroyed. This is the face of Armenian fascism. They cannot resist us on the battlefield, therefore they strike at our villages and towns. But all our compatriots living there are there and everyone says Long live the Motherland. They have not retreated a centimeter and, I am sure, will not do that. They are confident that the Azerbaijani army will protect them. They are looking forward to the moment when the Azerbaijani flag is raised in the occupied territories and the occupation ends.

I want to congratulate you. At a young age, you showed true heroism and courage, fought for your Motherland with dignity and inscribed your names in the history of Azerbaijan. At the same time, it is very difficult for me, for all of us to see you in this state. But you can rest assured that we will do everything necessary for your health. Everyone who is undergoing treatment in all our hospitals, in our military hospitals now deserves special care, and all our doctors, in fact, not only doctors, but also our entire people should support you. You can be sure that the state will be by your side. We dream of one thing  for you to get well as soon as possible, return to normal life and continue your glorious mission. You should be an example for the young people. The people of Azerbaijan are a heroic people, because they raised sons like you.

I want to take this opportunity to pay a tribute of respect to your parents and the parents of our other wounded and martyred servicemen. I want to thank them on my own behalf and on behalf of all the people of Azerbaijan. They have raised heroic children. I am sure that both them and all the people of Azerbaijan are proud of you. We will win, Karabakh is ours, Karabakh is Azerbaijan!

Major Etibar Jamalov: Mr. Commander-in-Chief, Mr. President, thank you very much! Indeed, the Azerbaijani soldier stopped the enemy and gave them a fitting rebuff. Today, everyone is ready to return to the front line. We are proud of your great words. We are always ready to burn like a candle for our land, for our state. Many thanks to the medical staff, they are looking after us very well. We are ready to return to the front line with all our fighting friends in the near future. Thank you very much!




James George (Texas A&M University School of Law) has posted Running on Empty: Ford v. Montana and the Folly of Minimum Contacts (George Mason Law Review, Forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract:

Jurisdictional contests are in disarray. Criticisms date back to the issuance of International Shoe Co. v. Washington but the breakdown may be best illustrated in two recent Supreme Court opinions, the first rejecting Californias sliding scale that mixes general and specific contacts, the second using the discredited sliding scale to hold Ford amenable in states where accidents occurred.

Californias sliding scale is one variety of the contacts-relatedness tests, used in lower courts to have general contacts bolster weaker specific contacts. Some statesMontana and Minnesota for exampleuse the opposite extreme requiring a causal connection in defendants forum contacts, often using foreseeability or proximate cause. In Bristol-Myers Squibb v. Superior Court, California used the sliding scale to support jurisdiction over a class action by mostly nonresident members for a drug not made in California. The Supreme Court reversed, pointedly rejecting the sliding scale as a spurious form of general jurisdiction.

Four years later, the Court found the unconstitutional scale handy in Ford v. Montana, affirming Montana and Minnesota decisions asserting jurisdiction for local accidents involving local residents. Ford objected to suits in those states because the cars were originally sold in other states. The Supreme Court unanimously rejected Fords contact-causation argument, holding that Fords overall forum contactsa veritable truckloadrelate to the claims because plaintiffs would be less likely to buy a used car if it werent for Fords name and presence. Using these general contacts to find specific jurisdiction, the Court gave up the last semblance of logic in the worn-out minimum contacts test.

Ford is not an outlier but the product of an unworkable maze of a test whose precedents are a patchwork of contradictions. This article reviews the origins, confusion, and doctrinal deviation in the minimum contacts test, then focuses on the particular conceptual breakdown that occurred with the Ford decision. It includes critiques of contacts problems like imputed consent and relatedness, and balancing problems like interest analysis and interstate federalism. While the article covers a number of problems, its focus is Ford as the breaking point. The article concludes with solutions, some proposing a revised test, others arguing the benefits of a statutory scheme, and my proposal to re-focus on the historical emphasis on access to an adequate forum and a de-emphasis on vague political theories.

Important. Highly recommended. Download it while it's hot!

Professor George does not address the original meaning of the Due Process of Law Clauses, but an originalist approach would address the important problems that he raises.

The original public meaning (OPM) of the Due Process of Law Clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment do not support International Shoe. The OPM of the Fifth Amendment Due Process of Law Clause is quite narrow, extending only to the requirement of "process" in the sense that term has in the phrase "service of process."

The Fourteenth Amendment Due Process of Law Clause may well have a broader OPM that encompasses legal procedures generally, but in my opinion, Justice Black's view of that clause is correct: states must follow legally established procedures (the procedural law of the land) before depriving any person of life, liberty, or property. In the context of personal jurisdiction, that means that state jurisdictional statutes and service of process statutes must be followed, but the content of those statutes is a matter of state law.
Local

featured top story

Program teaches independence and valuable soft job skills

JESS HUFF/The Lufkin Daily News John Davis grins after a day of class at Burke. He is one of a dozen individuals participating in Burkes apprenticeship program that teaches people diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health or substance abuse disorders the skills they need to succeed.

John Davis likes to work, he loves to help people and he is passionate about safety. And in a few weeks, he will complete his final cycle of Burkes apprenticeship program so he can take those skills out into the world.

He will be one of the first people to work for the city of Lufkin through the program after the city council agreed to let city manager Kevin Gee contract with Burke. Davis hopes the city will put him in a maintenance type field.

Im good at fixing stuff, he said.

The program has taken 12 individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health or substance abuse disorders in each 15-week cycle and provided them training.

An estimated 2.5 million Americans live with an intellectual disability, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult Americans experience mental illness, while 1 in 25 live with a serious mental illness, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. And 60% of adolescents in a community program also meet diagnostic criteria for other mental illnesses, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

But researchers also have found that individuals facing these types of issues are more likely to be unemployed or underemployed regardless of the individuals ability, desire or willingness to work.

So a program like the one Burke is participating in offers those individuals the opportunity to take more control and move forward.

They learn a lot inside a classroom before they go on to work at the various businesses that contracted with Burke. These training sessions cover the basic skills the individuals would need to have to work in any type of environment.

The people who are in our program dont have to be clients of Burke, said Hannah Hickman, Burke Industries Director.

Davis favorite part is the focus on safety and the ability to teach other members of the group about safety, he said.

If youre not going to be safe, then why are you going out there? he asked. We have to be safe, plus we have to watch each others backs.

I recommend people stay behind the cone. Because if they dont, they might get flattened like a pancake out there.

Davis thinks a lot of people could gain something if they learned from Burke how to be safe and not foolish. He also was glad to learn to stand up straight, look potential employers in the eye and speak with them in job interviews. There also was a lot to learn about banking, writing a check and reading a pay stub.

You dont want to write hot checks, Davis said.

Hickman was impressed by the group of apprentices she had and how well they have picked up some of the lessons. Davis enjoyed Hickmans use of different activities to learn the skills  one day there was a word search about safety terms.

So I teach them a lesson and then I put it to practice with them, so whether it was a word search  or, tomorrow, were playing a game of Jeopardy, Hickman said. So we try to put our lessons to practice so we can make sure theyre actually learning the terms.

The program has helped some of the individuals develop in other ways, as well. One individual was nonverbal and spoke his first words with the other members of his class, Hickman said.

Its just amazing to see how they blossom, she said.

Many of the individuals accepted into the program have preferences for where they would like to work, as Davis does, Hickman said.

Davis wife of nine years, Julie, who also is a part of the program, prefers work where she is in service to another person. So she was connected with Pinecrest Retirement Community. Her first day was Wednesday, and she will work a number of different jobs: housekeeping, planning and facilitating activities and in food service.

Julie is a little more shy and reserved than her husband, who she convinced to join the program in the first place, but she lit up when she arrived at Pinecrest, Hickman said.

I love to go with them on their first day to see how excited they are to be there, Hickman said.

But while some applicants have a preference, that does not necessarily mean they will receive the job they want.

Were trying to get them some different experiences to show them there are other things out there that you can do, Hickman said.

Davis wants to work in maintenance, but Hickman also believes other parts of the city  like Parks & Recreation  could be good for him so he can see other aspects of this kind of work. But maintenance is the goal because its what he is most interested in, Hickman said.

His first gig as part of the program was at Cook Saw Shop in Hudson.

He was hard at it 90% of the time, shop manager Aaron Cook said of Davis.

It took a bit of a learning curve for Cooks other employees to understand how Davis worked, but he quickly built a reputation as someone who did as he was asked and was excited to learn, Cook said.

He was thirsting to learn  he wanted to learn more, Cook said. He never said no. He just wanted to know the ins and outs, how you worked on a mower or a weed eater.

I put like 15 weed eaters together, Davis said. As soon as I put it on the rack, we would sell them  they went right out the door.

While others may have required some type of manual to put the weed eaters together, he was shown once how to do it and then he could see how it worked, he said.

Cook believes the shop will continue to work with Burke if the center is approved for another round of funding in the next year. The business does not have plans to work with another individual in 2022, he said.

I would recommend it, he said. The No. 1 thing is patience and learning the individual that is coming. You have to learn about them and how they work. Patience is key, because if you dont have patience, then they wont achieve success.

Burke is waiting to see if the program will be funded again; the Angelina County program was one of five statewide approved for the first round of funding. If the state perceives the work in Angelina and other counties as a success, there will be more funding for more programs like Burke to start this work, Hickman said.

While great, this is bittersweet for Hickman, who has fallen in love with the work she is doing through the program. If Burke receives another round of funding, the agency will hire someone full-time to take on the program while Hickman returns to her original job.

Regardless, she wants individuals interested in trying out the program to apply. The next round of funding could mean more resources for more individuals to participate for a longer time.

Those interested can apply by reaching out to Burke and asking for information on the program. There are people capable of helping applicants fill out an application and make it through the process, Hickman said.
Despite the headlines, college is still the surest path toward better lifelong earnings. But a degree is far more likely to pay off if you haven't borrowed a small fortune to get it.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a key step in making college affordable. Applications for the 2023-24 school year open on Oct. 1, and those who apply early stand the best chance of getting more free money for school.

D. Jean Hester, who oversaw college enrollment and admissions at schools in Ohio and Oregon for over a decade, advises getting in line as quickly as you can. While the federal government doesnt run out of money for need-based aid, colleges and states do.

Do it this fall. Theres absolutely no reason to wait, Hester says.

When you submit the FAFSA, you are applying for need-based aid that can make a big difference in where you decide to go to school and how much debt youll face after graduation. Every dollar you get in grants, scholarships and work-study is one you wont have to beg from family or borrow.

Filing early also means youll get your financial aid offer from the colleges you apply to sooner, Hester notes, allowing you time to compare offers or resolve any discrepancies.

Its one of those things you just need to get out of the way, she says.

Types of aid covered by the FAFSA

The FAFSA is used to calculate your familys Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. Subtract the EFC from your schools official cost of attendance to reveal your financial need; the completed FAFSA then serves as your application for financial aid to help fill that hole.

A completed FAFSA unlocks these types of need-based federal, state and school aid:

Pell Grants.

Work-study.

Scholarships.

Grants.

The current maximum Pell Grant award is $6,895; any combination of grants, work-study and scholarships can cover some or all of the difference between the schools official cost of attendance and your familys expected financial contribution.

The great thing: These types of aid don't need to be repaid.

You also need to complete the FAFSA to access federal student loans.

Watch your student loan debt tally

After completing the FAFSA, you are likely to be offered subsidized federal loans as well; they are called financial aid because the government pays the interest on them until you graduate. But they must be repaid like any other loan.

The FAFSA also serves as the application for unsubsidized federal loans, which aren't tied to need. For freshmen, the amount is capped at $5,500 a year, but that rises to $7,500 by junior year.

If you need to borrow money beyond that amount, you could get a private student loan.

Any loan  whether subsidized or unsubsidized or private  becomes part of the debt youll have to cope with once you graduate. A NerdWallet analysis suggests the high school class of 2022 could face an average debt of nearly $40,000 by the time they graduate college.

And while student loan news is currently focused on President Joe Bidens recent cancellation announcement, the administration has made clear that this allowance is tied to COVID relief and wont happen again.

Cecilia Clark writes for NerdWallet. Email: cclark@nerdwallet.com.
When Catrina Sparkman, a local Black artist, was teaching theater at UW-Madison, two male students approached her after class one day to discuss what they called her behavior in class.

These two men became very irate and abusive, raising their voices and cursing at her, she said. What they were saying was that I was oppressing them as white men.

Despite the students attempts to block the doorway, Sparkman was able to leave the room. The men were later removed from her class by the dean of students.

Two years later, Sparkman said, the incident came up at a faculty meeting and was cited as a reason for not granting her a permanent teaching position at the university.

Sparkman recounted the incident as part of a panel discussion with four other artists at Madison Area Technical Colleges Goodman South Campus last month titled Black Women Artists Speak about what they described as a pattern of being overlooked and alienated by members of their own arts community.

You almost cant be a Black woman creative and not experience some sort of institutional or personal racism, Sparkman said.

The panel was sponsored by the Madison Arts Commission, Friends of Madison Arts Commission and Seein is Believin, a local organization dedicated to diversifying K-12 curriculum.

This city needs to look around and see the lack of support, said Fabu Carter, a local poet and chair of the Madison Arts Commissions Grant Committee. There are too many Black women artists who have these same stories.

Artist Sonia Valle decried what she said was a lack of opportunity for Black artists in Madison.

There needs to be more space available for us to exhibit our work and share our talents, Valle said.

Black women artists in Madison are often encouraged by fellow artists to go to other cities like Milwaukee and Chicago for their work to be seen, Carter said.

We live and create in Madison, Carter said. We shouldnt have to go anywhere else.

The challenges some Black women artists face came sharply into focus in March when artist Lilada Gee was working on a mural for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Arts Aint I a Woman exhibition highlighting the work of Black women artists. After leaving to retrieve art supplies from her car, she called the museums director of events to let her into the museum, but the two Black women were accosted by a white staff member at the adjacent Overture Center for the Arts when they tried to enter a door not usually open to the public. The staff member was later fired.

Gee left the piece unfinished as a statement about Black womens experience. In June, two children and their mother who apparently mistook Gees piece for do-it-yourself artwork painted on the canvas and took it. The museums director called Gee to ask if the guests could keep the work they had taken in an effort, the museum said later, to defuse the situation. But Gee said that put the pressure on her when protecting the piece was the museums responsibility.

Neither police nor the museum would provide any information about the woman and children, including their race.

Ten artists pulled their work from the show in protest and demanded that museum director Christina Brungardt be fired over the treatment of Gee and other artists. The museums board has supported Brungardt.

While struggling and artist have always gone together, Black women artists said they feel particularly invisible when it comes to getting commissions or finding places to display their work.

Ive sat on many boards and commissions. I would be the Black representative, Carter said. If they hadnt heard of you and didnt know your work, which they had not because the Black community was invisible to them, then they would be saying, Who knows this person? Who knows their work?

Karin Wolf, director of the Madison Arts Commission, which gives grants to artists, said the commission doesnt currently track the demographics of the recipients. But she pointed to the Womens Artist Forward Fund, which is supported by both the Madison Arts Commission and Dane Arts and grants 80% of its funds to women of color.

Setting my own table

Some Black women artists arent waiting for change, but are carving out creative spaces of their own.

As soon as my career started, I noticed that I was not invited to every table, Sparkman said. I had to build my own house and set my own table.

For years, Sparkman wanted to open a makers space, where artists and community members could create, shop, eat and even sleep. After visiting similar art-making spaces throughout the country and renovating her former home in South Madison, Sparkman opened the Creators Cottage in March 2020.

Its a makers space for artists and dreamers, explained Sparkman. This is a space where writers and artists can come to retreat, they can come to relax and they can come to create.

The cottage features a multipurpose room, a retail space, a fiber arts studio, a writers cafe and three bedrooms that artists can book to stay overnight. Sparkman offers a variety of programming including book launches, movie nights, quilting classes, writing retreats and more.

Sparkman sees the cottage as an oasis for all artists, but especially for women of color to grow and learn from one another.

We want to offer classes in such a way where we get our wisdom from the women who look like the women who this cottage serves, she said.

Looking forward, Sparkman said she wants to expand programming and make it as accessible as possible. Currently, the space is largely financially supported by funds from her work. If given more support, Sparkman wants to ensure that every interested artist can make use of the space.

A lot of people of color cant take advantage of spaces like this because they dont have the expendable income to devote to developing their craft, she said.

While Sparkman is adamant that the cottage is for everyone, she is passionate about how it could serve the most marginalized of artists.

Theres something about this space being led by a Black woman that tells other Black women, Hey, Im going to be safe here, she said. You can be all of who you are here.
By Azernews

By Fuad Muxtar-Aqbabali

Remembrance Day in Azerbaijan on September 27 once again laid bare the simple truth about the Karabakh conflict, that is, who the real owners of the blood-soaked sacred Karabakh lands are.

The philosophy behind the love for Karabakh is simple but hard to grasp for those, who have nothing in common with Azerbaijan and various ethnicities on this land, who under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, joined hands and stood up for the liberation of Karabakh.

Each citizen of Azerbaijan irrespective of his/her ethnicity, shoulder to shoulder, fought and showed prowess for 44-day for the de-occupation of the lands from the Armenian yoke.

When the nation across the country rushed to pay tribute to the martyrs of the second Karabakh war on September 27 on the second anniversary of the liberation war, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva remained loyal to the voice of their hearts and traveled to the blood-soaked holiest Karabakh lands to pay homage to the martyrs on the venue where they became the nation's immortal heroes.

First, the president unveiled a memorial plaque in Qaraxanbayli village, Fuzuli District, the scene where the nations courageous sons first became martyrs, while assaulting the enemys fortified positions.

Our martyrs sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland. We are proud of our martyrs. We are proud of our heroic soldiers and officers. The blood of our martyrs did not remain unavenged. We have avenged the blood of our martyrs. We took our revenge on the battlefield. We freed our native lands from the enemy and restored the territorial integrity of our country, the Azerbaijani president said proudly.

The 44-day Patriotic War is Azerbaijans glorious history as the nation rose like a phoenix from its ashes and mobilized all its strength, united like a fist, and expelled the enemy from the native lands.

As the president eloquently underscored, the nations resolve and determination were tested in those fateful days, and thanks to the sacrifices and heroism of the heroic soldiers and officers, today the lands, razed to the ground by the archenemy, are being rebuilt.

We are proud of our glorious Victory. At the same time, we are proud that we, the owners of these lands, are bringing life back to these lands, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized in Fuzuli, indicating the nations might and resolve to bring life back to Karabakh against all odds.

With farsightedness appropriate for the leader, driven by the nations wellbeing and reliable future in all senses, the Azerbaijani president added that today, remembering the dear memory of our martyrs, we must make a promise to ourselves, we must make an oath that we will forever stand guard over our independence, we will forever stand guard over our territorial integrity.

His call for the nation to love and care for the army reminds us in which part of the world we live and who our neighbors are, that is, we and the generations to come have to keep the powder dry to avert possible threats.

We will not let the enemy raise its head again, we will not let them create a threat for us again. If we see it, we will act immediately. I am sure it won't be necessary because the increasing power of our country, including military power, is the guarantor of our independence and comfortable life, the president added.

We are a happy generation that this glorious mission has fallen upon us. We are a happy generation that we are both witnesses and actors in this historical event. The next generations will always be proud of this glorious mission and history. We are proud that we are children of this land. We are proud that we have restored our rights on the battlefield, defeated the enemy, and from now on, we will live forever as a victorious nation, as a victorious country.

Once again, praying for peace for our martyrs, we must state that their dear memory will forever live in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people.
Author Charles Leerhsen has responded to criticism from the family of celebrated chef, writer and world traveler Anthony Bourdain condemning his unauthorized biography of the "No Reservations" star that includes some of the last text messages Bourdain sent before dying by suicide in 2018.

"I set out to write a full biography, from birth to death, of Tony Bourdain and along the way I obtained texts and emails," Leerhsen told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday. "I used these like biographers of a previous era used personal letters. I didn't steal them; they were given to me by a source or sources, the way letters have been given to biographers. I did not have to show my manuscript to anyone in return, hence it is unauthorized even though I received cooperation."

Bourdain, who died at 61 on location in France while filming his CNN travel and food show "Parts Unknown," reportedly texted estranged wife Ottavia Busia-Bourdain, to whom "he still confided his most intimate thoughts," that he hated his life and his fame, according to an advance copy of "Down and Out in Paradise: The Life of Anthony Bourdain" reviewed by the L.A. Times.

And on the night he died, he got into a heated text exchange with actor Asia Argento, with whom he had a volatile two-year relationship, and apparently called it quits, the book says. He asked, "Is there anything I can do?" She told him to "[s]top busting my balls" and he responded with "OK" before he hanged himself.

The biography also delves into Bourdain's "never-before-reported childhood traumas" that "fueled both his creativity and the insecurities that would lead him to a place of despair." It's the latest project focused on the renegade chef, who was also the subject of the 2021 Morgan Neville documentary "Roadrunner."

Even before its publication, the "Butch Cassidy" author and journalist's new book had already upset Bourdain's family, former co-workers and closest friends, and, at times, casts the TV star  who was best known for his savage honesty and wit  as a beaten, lovesick puppy making off-brand decisions because of Argento.

"It was an especially horrible thing for Tony to learn about himself, that he had lost his integrity in pursuit of a woman who seemed to spend her life performing for the paparazzi and clowning on Instagram, but perhaps there was some consolation and peace in finally seeing things for what they were," the author wrote in the book.

Bourdain's brother, Christopher, called the book "hurtful and defamatory fiction" and refuted the allegations made in it, according to the New York Times. He also said that two emails were sent to the publisher to correct errors.

"Every single thing he writes about relationships and interactions within our family as kids and as adults he fabricated or got totally wrong," Christopher told the newspaper.

But publisher Simon & Schuster stood by Leerhsen's book, which will be released Oct. 11, by saying: "With all due respect, we disagree that the material in the book contains defamatory information, and we stand by our forthcoming publication."

In an email to the Los Angeles Times, Leerhsen said Thursday that Christopher's "objections are at once vague and sweeping."

"He says I got everything wrong about everything. When pressed to get specific he often begins arguing for my side," the author said, noting that the brothers had been estranged and that Bourdain grew to dislike Christopher "intensely, partly because Chris campaigned to replace Tony on TV, when Tony contemplated retirement."

Leerhsen also alleged that Christopher "teased the idea" of writing a book for Simon & Schuster "that would be better than mine."

"Other family and friends who've seen advance copies have confirmed that my take on the Bourdain family dynamic is accurate. [Chef] Eric Ripert [who was with Bourdain just before he died] also said he saw mistakes but offered no specifics and in fact marveled at some of the information I got," Leerhsen added.

Meanwhile, the text messages about Bourdain's fans and fame were cribbed from a text exchange Bourdain had with his estranged wife about Argento, who had apparently been upset over a Father's Day post Ottavia shared of Bourdain and their daughter, Ariane, on Instagram. The chef condemned the paparazzi and the focus on their tumultuous relationship, comparing it to "Brangelina."

"And I hate my fans, too. I hate being famous. I hate my job. I am lonely and living in constant uncertainty. And I'm sorry," Bourdain wrote, according to the book.

The alleged texts also discussed his anguish over Argento's threats to pull out of an episode he had set in Puglia, Italy, three days before they were set to shoot it. From there, the book goes into his and Argento's history, particularly how he backed her when she accused disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein of raping her and, months later, was herself accused of sexual assault by actor Jimmy Bennett in 2013.

"She just constantly asked him to do things for her, to fix her issues, help her with her 'activist career,'" Ottavia said. "And she wasn't even nice about it. She would tell him her life would be over if all of her issues weren't taken care of immediately and he of course would be terrified."

Leerhsen told the New York Times that the biography was based on more than 80 interviews and documents, texts and email exchanges sourced from Bourdain's phone and laptop. He did not confirm whether Ottavia was interviewed for the book, but she is quoted in it, and that his estate, which she controls, "has not objected" to it. (The estate includes files and messages pulled from Bourdain's phone and laptop.) He also said Bourdain's first wife, Nancy Putkoski, was a helpful source.

The book contends that Bourdain paid Argento's legal fees and hired a private investigator to blackmail Bennett "for the sake of a woman who respected him less for each effort he made on her behalf," Leerhsen wrote.

The author told the New York Times that he had exchanged a few emails with Argento, who responded with the Oscar Wilde quote: "It is always Judas who writes the biography."

Argento, 47, told the newspaper that she had not read the book, adding: "I wrote clearly to this man that he could not publish anything I said to him."


On the day he was arrested on multiple warrants and for allegedly making racially tinged threats at a UW-Madison dorm and resisting police, David Clash-Miller, 20, and his attorneys signed an agreement to pay him and them $1.1 million to settle a federal civil rights suit related to his violent 2019 arrest by Madison police.

The settlement with the city of Madisons insurer comes a little less than a year after Clash-Millers attorneys filed the lawsuit claiming police used excessive force to arrest the then-17-year-old foster child who was experiencing a mental health crisis on June 3, 2019.

It will not be filed in court, Madison City Attorney Mike Haas said. The Wisconsin State Journal learned of it Thursday from a source not authorized to discuss the matter, and one of Clash-Millers attorneys, Bob Gingras, confirmed it Friday.

According to the lawsuit, officers Andrew Slawek and Chad Joswiak were sent to Clash-Millers foster home after his foster parents and a school liaison officer organized a police escort to a mental health facility because the boy had failed to take his medication and was acting irrationally at home and at school.

As Clash-Miller was walking toward officers, and after passing Slawek, Slawek wrapped his arms around Clash-Miller from behind, then slammed him against a door, the lawsuit says. He then threw Clash-Miller onto a couch, choked him and pressed his hand into Clash-Millers face.

Officers ultimately restrained Clash-Miller on a couch as he struggled and spit on officers, a police investigation showed, and Sgt. Joe Engler put a hood over his head and delivered three blows to his head before he was taken into custody.

The incident was caught on home surveillance video and shared widely on social media.

Unfortunately, even today, there are some police officers that act as bullies instead of guardians of peace and safety, Clash-Millers attorneys Gingras and Jessica Giesen said in a statement. The settlement in this case will compensate David for the injuries he suffered in this traumatic event and send a message that using unwarranted, excessive force will not go unpunished. It is our hope and Davids hope that this settlement will not just help David but will also help to prevent future abuse by those with power.

Haas said in a statement that an outside agency reviewed all of the evidence surrounding this incident and determined that the officers use of force was within accepted methods and procedures of their training, as well as objectively reasonable under the relevant legal standard.

Officers did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the agreement, he said, which was entered into in recognition of the uncertainties and significant expense associated with continued litigation.

Threat to kill

An external review of the incident conducted by a UW-Madison Police lieutenant states the officers said the teen accused them of being racists and told them to Tase, shoot or pepper-spray him, and that once Clash-Miller realized he was going to be taken into custody he threatened to kill Slawek, and that Slawek decided to physically detain Clash-Miller after he gave Slawek what the officer described as a thousand-yard stare.

But it also found the officers didnt do enough to engage in a dialogue with Clash-Miller, leaving them with few options once he was in a confined area in his home and resisted police attempts to handcuff him.

A Madison Police Department internal review of the incident found that Engler committed what then-Police Chief Mike Koval called minor violations of department policy related to documenting use-of-force incidents and operation of his squad cars video system. A police spokesperson said in September 2019 that the policy violations did not result in any disciplinary action.

Clash-Millers attorneys will get $475,000 under the settlement, and Clash-Miller is to get monthly annuity payments of $2,671.06 for 30 years beginning Jan. 1, for a total of more than $961,000. The annuitys current purchase price is $675,000.

Thursday arrest

Clash-Miller was arrested early Thursday after police were called to Witte Hall on West Johnson Street at about 12:40 a.m. because he threatened a woman and called her an Asian (expletive), according to a criminal complaint filed Friday. He ran from the scene when police arrived but was caught nearby along North Lake Street.

Police were also at Witte on Monday because Clash-Miller was making threatening statements to other students, according to the complaint, including to a group of students playing pool who felt targeted because they were speaking Spanish.

Clash-Miller, who is Black, was booked into the Dane County Jail Thursday and is charged with threatening and resisting police, disorderly conduct and disorderly conduct with a hate-crime enhancer, and multiple bail-jumping counts.

According to online court records, Clash-Miller actively refused to participate in an initial court appearance Friday. His initial court appearance has been rescheduled for Thursday.

Clash-Miller has eight other misdemeanor or felony cases pending against him in Dane County Circuit Court going back to 2018, according to online court records, including for criminal damage to property, use of a dangerous weapon and theft.
HARRISONVILLE, Mo.  A northwest Missouri man has pleaded guilty to killing two brothers from Wisconsin after they came to his farm in 2019 to collect a debt from a cattle contract.

Garland Nelson, of Braymer, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 24-year-old Justin Diemel and 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel, of Shawano County.

He was given two life sentences without parole, which will run consecutively.

In exchange for his plea, charges of abandonment of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, armed criminal action and tampering with a motor vehicle were dropped. the St. Joseph News-Press reported.

In 2020, one of Nelson's defense attorneys said the state planned to seek the death penalty if Nelson was convicted in the killings. Despite that the Diemel family was "shocked" he pleaded guilty, but Brady Kopek, the Caldwell County prosecutor, said the deal had been on the table for a year.

The brothers' father reported them missing July 21, 2019, after they didn't return from a visit to Nelson's farm, where they had gone to collect a $250,000 debt. Nelson was supposed to be caring for cattle for the brothers, according to court records.

The Diemel family sent livestock to Nelson's farm to be cared for and sold between 2018 and 2019. The animals were neglected and many died but Nelson charged the family full price, according to court documents.

When the Diemels asked for their money back, Nelson intentionally sent a damaged check to Nicholas Diemel, which prompted the brothers' visit to his farm.

Prosecutors said Nelson shot the brothers and drove their pickup truck off of his farm. He told authorities he put the men's bodies in 55-gallon barrels and burned them. Nelson told investigators he dumped the remains on a manure pile and hid the barrels on his property, about 70 miles northeast of Kansas City, Missouri.

The remains were later found in Missouri and in a livestock trailer in Lincoln County, Nebraska, that had been purchased in Missouri.

When Nelson confirmed the details of the murders on Friday, it was the first time most members of the Diemel family heard what happened. Some family members cried, and Pam Diemel, the victims' mother, left the courtroom.

"I'm sick to my stomach right now," Pam Diemel said after the hearing. "Life is very empty without them here."

In 2020, the families of the victims reached a $2 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against Nelson, his mother, Tomme Feil, and the family's cattle business, J4S Enterprises.

At the time of the brothers' deaths, Nelson was on parole after serving 17 months in federal prison for an October 2016 conviction for cattle and insurance fraud. Prosecutors said he sold more than 600 head of cattle that did not belong to him, causing more than $262,000 in losses.
A McFarland School District administrator is facing allegations of using the N-word to refer to a Black student earlier this month, with district officials saying only that they have addressed the incident and are declining further comment.

Superintendent Aaron Tarnutzer said in an email to families on Sept. 15 that an incident took place involving the racial slur and that the district has addressed this matter with the students and staff members involved.

The District hopes students, families and staff members appreciate that the District cannot comment further on this matter as it involves a confidential pupil and personnel matter, Tarnutzer said.

In a lengthier statement on Monday, McFarland High School Principal Jeff Finstad and Associate Principal Sarah Busalacchi said they were reaching out to student groups to listen and generate a dialogue to identify how we can move forward.

For some students, this incident has led them to share other experiences in their life that they hadnt shared, the two administrators said. We are grateful for the wisdom they have shared, and their courage to speak their truth.

An online petition that had received more 500 signatures as of Saturday evening is calling on the district to fire the administrator. The petition also accuses the administrator of covering up sexual misconduct at the school.

The Wisconsin State Journal is not naming the administrator because it could not confirm the persons identity.

State Journal reporter Chris Rickert contributed to this report.
Wisconsin wildlife officials say the states wolf population likely fell by almost 20% over the past two years but is not in jeopardy.

The Department of Natural Resources estimates there were about 972 wolves in 288 packs last winter, down from about 1,136 the previous year, prior to a court-ordered hunting season in which state-licensed hunters exceeded state and tribal quotas combined.

This is the second straight year of decline from a population peak of 1,195 in 2020.

Surveys also showed a decrease in average pack size across the state, which the DNR says is consistent with observations following hunting and trapping seasons.

Despite the observed decline in wolf population abundance, there are several biological indicators that continue to indicate the Wisconsin wolf population is healthy, biologically secure in the state, large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson told the Natural Resources Board on Wednesday. The department is committed to maintaining a sustainable and healthy wolf population in the state into the future.

The gray wolf is currently on the federal endangered species list.

Adrian Treves, a professor of environmental studies at UW-Madison who studies coexistence of humans and carnivores, questions the estimates and faults the DNR for not sharing its data.

Treves said the agencys model creates a risk counting individual packs multiple times because the areas sampled are too small.

Since they havent released their methods, theres no way to know if theyve successfully avoided it, Treves said. The DNR is doing it backwards: Theyre communicating their results before we can see anything.

Jennifer Price Tack, a large carnivore and elk research scientist with the DNR, said the agency stands behind its methods and its peer-reviewed model has proved to produce reliable, accurate results.

Price Tack said the DNR does not release wolf location data because doing so would undermine basic concepts of ethical hunting and would jeopardize the health and genetic diversity of Wisconsins wolf population.

The state hasnt held a hunt since February 2021, when hunters killed at least 218 wolves in less than three days.

Johnson said the agency hasnt done a detailed analysis of localized impacts, but even in areas where there was concentrated harvest ... we still see wolf packs occupying generally the same areas.

The sky didnt fall entirely with that February hunt, Natural Resources Board member Bill Bruins said.

Folks can interpret the change as they see fit, but we feel good about this result, Johnson said. I would caution reading too much into a single data point between a couple of years.

Last winters hunt was put on hold by a Dane County judge who ruled the DNR must first update its 15-year-old management plan and adopt rules for setting quotas and issuing licenses. That case was dismissed in April, though the DNR has yet to update the plan. Johnson said he hopes to release a draft for public review this fall.

In February, a federal judge restored protections for gray wolves across much of the United States after finding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in the Midwest and portions of the West without protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Wildlife advocates had argued state-sponsored hunting threatened to reverse the gray wolfs recovery over the past several decades.

Wisconsin law requires the DNR to hold a hunting season from November through February whenever the wolf is not listed as endangered.
To the Democrats at the top of the ticket this November, the answer is simple: Win or lose, Gov. Tony Evers and U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes say, they will accept the results.

But for their Republican opponents  Tim Michels and Ron Johnson  the question is more fraught, with neither willing to say unconditionally whether he would agree to the outcome once the results are certified.

It is certainly his hope that he can, Johnson campaign spokesperson Alec Zimmerman said when asked whether the senator would concede if he loses.

He would feel much better about the 2022 election had Governor Evers signed bills the Legislature passed to restore confidence in our election system, Zimmerman continued. That said, we are doing everything we can to ensure guidances and election procedures comply with state law. We will be monitoring everything closely.

Evers challenger Tim Michels earlier this year said the 2020 election was maybe stolen and that decertifying the elections results would be on the table if hes elected governor.

His spokesperson Anna Kelly said Friday Michels would accept the Nov. 8 results, provided the election is conducted fairly and securely.

UW-Madison political science professor Barry Burden said that many conservatives, taking their cue from former President Donald Trump, are finding that pushing baseless claims of widespread fraud in the last election and raising doubt about the upcoming balloting does animate a lot of the base.

By fudging the issue, these Republican candidates hope they can keep their coalition together going into the general election, Burden added.

They dont want to lose the hardcore Trump backers who doubt the election, but they also dont want to sacrifice any of the more moderate or established kinds of Republicans in the party, Burden said. And so the strategy seems to be, by making a bland or vague statement, you can allow your supporters to imprint on that what they think you have said and what they think the truth is.

But is that a risk?

Some conservatives arent buying it, said Dale Schultz, a former Republican state Senate majority leader who has bucked his party on various issues in the past. While questioning the results of the 2020 presidential election played well among primary voters, Schultz said the message may turn off more moderate voters in the general election.

The reality is, its killing the Republican Party, its killing conservativism, and party leadership is failing  and failing badly  and its going to have repercussions, Schultz said.

Among likely voters, 86% of Democrats and 12% of Republicans are very confident the votes in Wisconsins 2020 presidential election were accurately cast and counted, according to a September Marquette Law School Poll. Those numbers include independents who lean Democratic or Republican. Sixty-two percent of Republicans were not too confident or not at all confident in the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin, compared with 6% of Democrats, according to the poll.

Faith in system

Like their supporters, Evers and Barnes are confident in the elections, their campaigns said.

Gov. Evers trusts Wisconsin election officials and will accept the results of the 2022 election, Evers campaign spokesman Sam Roecker said.

Similarly, Barnes said, I will commit to accepting the result of the election, and its shameful that Ron Johnson wont do the same.

Retired GOP strategist Brandon Scholz said it was a smart campaign strategy for Republicans to hold out the possibility something could go wrong.

What if there was something where 100,000 votes in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay or other places were lost? Scholz said.

No loss of votes at that magnitude has ever occurred.

While Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has raised questions about the results of the 2020 election, the Rochester Republican has also adamantly refused to entertain Trumps call for decertifying the results  something that cannot happen under state law or the U.S. Constitution.

Vos narrowly avoided being unseated in the Aug. 9 primary by longshot candidate Adam Steen, who was endorsed by both Trump and former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman. Vos hired Gableman last summer to lead the taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 election that ultimately found no evidence of widespread fraud. Vos fired Gableman three days after the primary.

Fear from the top

Johnson and other top Republicans around the country have often said voting reforms are needed because many Americans dont have confidence in elections.

UW-Madison journalism professor Mike Wagner called those statements disingenuous.

The 2020 election is over. Heres what happened (and what didnt) The 2020 election was the most secure in American history, according to the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructu

There is no evidence of an organic worry about election integrity, he said. The worry about election integrity comes from the top; it comes from (Republican) party elites whove expressed that we cant trust our election results ... The worry is there because they planted the worry.

In 2020, Wagner, UW-Madison graduate student Yiming Wang and Washington State University associate professor Porismita Borah interviewed the same Wisconsinites before and after the presidential election, and after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Their goal was to understand the effect news consumption had on voters values. The more they consumed far right-wing news, Wagner said, the less confidence they had in electoral and other democratic institutions.

Evers vetoes

Saying they wanted to increase confidence in Wisconsin elections, the GOP-controlled Legislature passed multiple voting-related bills earlier this year. A report from the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau last year found no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election but made several recommendations for improvements. But Evers vetoed all of them, saying he wouldnt sign into law any measure that would make voting harder.

One of the bills Evers vetoed would have given the GOP-led budget committee the ability to enforce staffing cuts or reduce agency funding at state agencies if the committee found the departments failed to comply with election-related laws. Another would have required the Elections Commission to submit to the Legislatures rules committee any guidance issued to elections officials. One measure Evers rejected would have limited who could claim indefinitely confined status, typically used by voters who cant get to the polls to request absentee ballots without having to submit a photo ID.

Evers also vetoed a bill that would have barred election clerks from filling in any missing information on a voters absentee ballot envelope and prohibited anyone other than a voter, immediate family member or guardian or designated individual to return an absentee ballot. But a Waukesha County judge earlier this month found the elections commission wasnt authorized to allow clerks to correct those envelopes, and the agency has since told clerks they cant correct errors on absentee ballot witness certificates.

All Wisconsinites would feel more confident in the process had Tony Evers signed the numerous election integrity bills sent to his desk, but provided the election is conducted fairly and securely thanks to the historic efforts to ensure election integrity this cycle, well accept the outcome, Kelly said.

Michels has signaled he would sign those bills into law if he becomes governor.

Other court decisions have also gone conservatives way, including a July decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court barring the use of absentee ballot drop boxes in the state. The courts conservative majority also held that no one but the voter can return a ballot in person, but a federal judge later ruled that voters with disabilities are entitled to receive third-party help mailing ballots or delivering them to a clerk.
Local election clerks should be able to accept absentee ballots with partial witness addresses, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin argues in a lawsuit filed Friday.

The lawsuit, filed against the Wisconsin Elections Commission in Dane County Circuit Court by liberal law firm Law Forward, follows a similar lawsuit filed Tuesday arguing that absentee ballots with partial witness addresses should be accepted as long as clerks can discern the correct addresses.

Both lawsuits follow a Waukesha County judges ruling in early September that election officials cant fix or fill in missing address information on absentee ballot envelopes  a ruling that threatens to unlawfully disenfranchise Wisconsin voters, the latest lawsuit states.

Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Aprahamian ruled against guidance issued in 2016 by the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission that had allowed clerks to fix errors on witness certificates. Voters must have a witness sign a certificate, typically printed on the back of an absentee ballot envelope, for the ballot to be valid. The witness has to include his or her address on the certificate, but under the guidance, election officials were able to fill in missing or incorrect pieces such as the state or ZIP code.

The judge ordered the Elections Commission to tell clerks not to correct errors or fill in missing information on witness certificates  a process called ballot curing. But he did not specify what information is required for the witness address to be valid.

The ruling has led to confusion among election officials, with no consensus on whether, for example, they can count a ballot if the witness certificate is missing a ZIP code. State law does not specify what constitutes an address.

While WECs cure guidance remained in effect, clerks were empowered to resolve address omissions or defects to avoid ballot rejection, the lawsuit states. So, whether a witness address was missing was a purely academic question. No longer. That question now holds the fate of numerous Wisconsin voters.

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin seeks a declaratory judgment defining that a missing address entails when the address field is left entirely blank. The organization also seeks to allow clerks to accept absentee ballots if the witness has included his or her street number, street address and municipality.

Wisconsin voters need an answer to the unresolved legal question of whether a witness address is missing, the lawsuit continues.

The now-rescinded guidance first went into effect in 2016, but began receiving criticism from Republicans following the 2020 presidential election that saw President Joe Biden defeat former President Donald Trump by about 21,000 votes in the state.

A recount, court decisions and multiple reviews have affirmed the elections results and found no evidence of widespread fraud. Only 24 people out of nearly 3.3 million who cast ballots have been charged with election fraud in Wisconsin.

Top legislative Republicans in January told the Elections Commission to withdraw the guidance or resubmit it as an administrative rule.

It became a rule in July. That same month, the GOP-controlled Administrative Rules Committee struck it down, leaving only the nonbinding guidance in place.

The Elections Commission rescinded the ballot curing guidance in mid-September, following the Waukesha courts ruling. A memo sent from the agency to local election officials following Aprahamians ruling stated the court didnt overturn its existing definition of an address, which calls for the street number, street name and municipality name. It does not mention ZIP code or state.

Now, with that cure guidance enjoined and withdrawn, Wisconsin law fails to define missing such that there is clarity and uniformity in processing absentee ballots statewide, threatening countless voters with disenfranchisement for technical omissions, and fails to mandate notice to all voters whose ballot certificates are missing a witness address, the lawsuit states.

The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau last year reviewed 14,710 absentee ballot certificates in 29 municipalities and found that 1,022 certificates, or 6.9%, were missing parts of witness addresses; 15, or 0.1%, did not have any witness address at all; eight, or less than 0.1%, did not have a witness signature; and three, or less than 0.1%, did not have a voter signature. Clerks corrected 66, or about 0.4%, of those certificates.
Two Illinois residents are being sought for attempting to steal from the Somers Walmart and then fleeing local law enforcement in the wrong lanes of Highway S at a high rate of speed.

Samuel M. Anderson, 32, of North Chicago, and Marcus Smith, 17, of Zion, have been charged in Kenosha County Circuit Court.

Anderson is charged with felonies of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, fleeing or eluding an officer and retail theft of $500 to $5,000. Smith was charged with felony retail theft of $500 to $5,000.

On Wednesday, Court Commissioner Loren Keating issued warrants for their arrest. As of Thursday morning they were not in custody in Kenosha County.

According to the criminal complaint, on Sept. 15 around 12:30 p.m. a Kenosha County Sheriffs Department deputy responded to the Walmart store in Somers for a report of suspected retail theft. The deputy was outside the store when both subjects  identified as Anderson and Smith  exited the store. Both reportedly immediately abandoned their shopping cart, entered a black 2021 Nissan Versa with Illinois registration and fled.

The Nissan reportedly went westbound on County Highway S at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic. In the 9600 block of Highway S, the vehicle reportedly entered the eastbound lanes while traveling westbound around 80 mph.

The deputy terminated vehicle pursuit for safety reasons. Other deputies advised that the vehicle continued in the wrong lane of travel, almost colliding with multiple vehicles, according to the complaint. The vehicle entered Interstate 94 and traveled south into Illinois.

The deputy returned to Walmart and spoke with a member of the stores loss prevention team. The total value of the items taken and abandoned in the parking lot was reportedly $1,923.10.

According to the complaint, the owner of the vehicle is a Zion woman who reportedly told police that Smith borrowed the vehicle and Anderson was likely the other occupant.

On Sept. 19 the Kenosha County deputy identified Anderson and Smith as the individuals involved in the incident based on Illinois booking photos and photos from the Walmart. Their photos were not immediately available.
This State Journal editorial ran on Sept. 28, 1992:

Wisconsin members of the House of Representatives should vote this week to override President (George H.W.) Bushs veto of legislation that would require some employers to give workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and personal medical emergencies.

The Family Leave and Medical Emergency Act isnt perfect, but it offers better protection for most workers  and employers  than current Wisconsin law. Its also superior to the tax credit alternative offered by the president.

The Senate overrode Bushs veto Thursday, sending the bill back to the House, where it had passed by a 241-161 margin earlier this month. The legislation would require employers of 50 or more people to allow their workers unpaid leave, with health insurance kept in force, to care for a sick child, parent, husband or wife, or for the workers own medical needs, such as pregnancy.

It would not apply to employees who worked fewer than 25 hours per week, and employers could exclude the highest-paid 10% of their workers. About 5% of employers and 50% of all U.S. workers would be covered.

The House committee that helped write the bill studied similar laws in four states including Wisconsin and tried to stitch up loopholes that had been a source of irritation to businesses. For example, workers will not be allowed to stack the 12-week federal leave with a six-week Wisconsin leave. Employers can ask for written certification of an illness.

Employees who take 12 weeks off and then leave for another job could be forced to repay the cost of the health insurance. Workers would have a difficult time taking their 12 weeks in stop-and-start intervals (every Friday off, for example). Finally, the bill attempts to avoid the problem of workers substituting paid sick leave for unpaid family leave.

Some Republican members of the House will wince at appearing disloyal to Bush on the eve of a presidential election, but Bush vetoed a workable, bipartisan bill. His substitute (tax credits to encourage businesses to set up leave programs) seems more expensive and less uniform in application.
Stories are waiting to be told in every Madison neighborhood.

Many have revealed themselves as I explored the region for the past few months since becoming executive editor of the Wisconsin State Journal.

Ive come to know South Madison, where I also happen to live, and its neighborhood restaurants and stores. Along the way, Ive had a chance to visit with leaders working to revitalize the area, including the Rev. Alex Gee, who is leading plans to build the Center for Black Excellence and Culture, and Brenda Gonzalez at the UW South Madison Partnership. The partnership has made it possible for people to get help with anything from taxes to navigating the health system.

These leaders and others on the South Side are changing the area with a series of projects that could be a renaissance the size of which has been unseen in Madison.

I was graciously invited to community organizations such as the Rotary Club, and to visit with leaders of both UW-Madison and Madison Area Technical College, schools where staff and students alike gush about their innovations.

Along the way, I talked to artists, restaurant workers and other community members. I ventured out on the lakes and hiking trails and visited suburbs and small towns in the region. This whirlwind tour, just a taste of south-central Wisconsin really, reminded me time and again of the newspapers responsibility to celebrate the regions success and highlight its challenges.

Neighbors, preservationists to fight proposal to build next to landmark tavern on Near West Side The current owner of the Old Spring Tavern and an adjoining vacant lot contends that any new structure next door will fit the neighborhood and adhere to city rules.

When I moved here, I told you that newspapers historically have not done as well as they could have to ensure that every community member had a voice. I said our coverage would reflect the diversity of people living here.

Restaurant review: Dude, go to Borough for truffle mac and cheese, avoid grilled Caesar The new brewpub and restaurant, which took the place of Rockhound Brewing Company on Park Street on July 1, has perfected mac and cheese.

I have also reiterated over the last few months our commitment to covering local news, which is vital to any community. We would continue to serve as watchdogs of your public money and show you the heart of Madison in our stories about the people working to lift up this region.

Those commitments are top of mind today, as I introduce six talented journalists who have joined our staff to help work on those efforts.

These journalists will be part of a staff that works hard every day to bring you the most important news of the day. Like you, they care about the community in which they live and work, and you wont find a more dedicated newsroom.

Melissa Perry, a Northwestern University graduate who most recently interned at WBEZ Chicago, will cover race, culture and community in a newly created beat. Everyone in the newsroom shares the responsibility of reflecting the diversity of Madison in our coverage, but Perry will amplify those efforts with her news stories and profiles. She also will be part of a team that regularly discusses our coverage to make sure we represent diverse perspectives.

Daniela Jaime, an Illinois State University graduate, joins us as a general assignment reporter. She is committed to covering issues that highlight injustice and also will be part of a team of newsroom staff to discuss diversity issues. She previously worked as a writer and editor at Fontenelle Art in Chicago and as a reporter at Chicago Documenters and City Bureau.

Kirsten Adshead joins us as a seasoned journalist with more than 20 years of experience, including covering Wisconsin government and politics. Adshead also organized the Badger State Spelling Bee, which the State Journal sponsors. Were thrilled to have her as a leader in the newsroom as assistant city editor.

UW doctor resigns as head of orthopedics after surgery center proposal denied Dr. Tom Zdeblick steps down after Dr. Robert Golden, UW medical school dean, blocks plan for center mostly owned by UW doctors.

Olivia Herken came here from the La Crosse Tribune, where she worked as a reporter primarily covering local government. She is a graduate of UW-Madison. Shes back in Madison covering education. Shell be writing news about local school districts as well as issues facing students and the education system.

Addison Lathers is a UW-Madison graduate and was editor of The Daily Cardinal, one of the student newspapers on campus. She most recently interned at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel with that newsrooms investigations team. Addison will cover the Wisconsin Dells and Juneau County areas.

Kimberly Wethal will cover higher education issues. She worked most recently with the Janesville Gazette. Shes covered education, general assignment and government, and she hit the ground running in her beat covering colleges and universities and tackling issues that affect students today.

I trust youll welcome these new Madisonians, and feel free to reach out to them if you have a story of your own. Well continue to enhance the coverage of our community.
RTHK: Ian barrels into Carolinas as Florida toll mounts

A resurgent Hurricane Ian barreled toward South Carolina on Friday, a day after carving a path of destruction across the Florida peninsula, washing away houses, causing a causeway to collapse and stranding thousands along the state's Gulf Coast.

The hurricane led to at least 21 confirmed or unconfirmed deaths in Florida, Kevin Guthrie, director of the state's Division of Emergency Management, said at a morning briefing. It was the first time a state official offered an estimate of the human toll.

Ian, which had weakened to a tropical storm during its march across Florida, was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane on Thursday as it churned toward South Carolina with maximum sustained wind speeds of 85 mph, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The hurricane was forecast to hit north of low-lying Charleston at about 2pm ET on Friday, bringing potentially life-threatening flooding, storm surges and winds. Hundreds of miles of coastline, stretching from Georgia to North Carolina, were under a hurricane warning.

Officials in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina urged residents to prepare for dangerous conditions.

By mid-morning on Friday in Charleston and Charleston County, South Carolina, everyone was ordered off the roads and the Charleston International Airport was closed because of high winds.

Kelsey Barlow, a spokeswoman for Charleston County, home to more than 400,000 residents, said that the county has two shelters open and a third on standby.

"But it's too late for people to come to the shelters. The storm is here. Everyone needs to shelter in place, stay off the roads," Barlow said.

Barlow said a storm surge of more than seven feet was expected, on top of the noon high tide that could bring another six feet of water, causing massive flooding.

With the eye of the storm still hours away, torrential rain had already arrived in Charleston. Video clips on social media showed several inches of water in some streets in the historic port city, which is especially prone to flooding. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2022-09-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Armenia is failing to meet its obligations under the agreements, signed by the leaders, stymieing international attempts to normalize relations with Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

The top diplomat made the remarks at a meeting with Isabelle Dumont, French presidential advisor for continental Europe and Turkiye on September 29.

The sides discussed the Azerbaijani-French political and economic cooperation as well as, regional tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and crucial steps toward normalization.

Bayramov provided thorough information regarding Armenia's provocations along border regions. Armenia fails to fulfill its commitments within the framework of agreements reached at the level of leaders, stymieing international attempts to normalize relations, he stressed.

The minister underlined Azerbaijans stance on ensuring regional stability, opening communications with Armenia, the delimitation process, and signing the peace deal.

Dumont, for her part, highlighted the need for stabilizing the region, adhering to the truce, and resuming the normalization process and discussions, adding that France is willing to assist in this process.

The diplomats also exchanged views on other regional issues.

Prior to Bayramov, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also received Dumont to discuss the restoration of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations, the drafting of a peace treaty, the delimitation of borders, and the opening of communications.

Aliyev underlined Azerbaijan's landmine problem, as well as the fact that almost 4,000 Azerbaijani civilians have gone missing since the first Armenian-Azerbaijani war. The significance of tackling these challenges was emphasized.
TWIN FALLS  Jim Jones, former attorney general and Idaho Supreme Court chief justice, will give a presentation titled Defining and Understanding Critical Race Theory at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Twin Falls Presbyterian Church, 209 5th Ave. N.

The presentation is a result of the efforts of Twin Falls residents who recognized that they  and likely many others  had no clear understanding of critical race theory, Melody Lenkner of Twin Falls said. The group of about eight people was also concerned about the rhetoric surrounding critical race theory.

The group formed an ad hoc organization called the Magic Valley Knowledge Seekers and asked Jones to speak. The groups intent is to provide the public with a balanced and objective overview of critical race theory, allowing people to form their own opinions regarding the topic, said Lenkner, who serves as co-chair.

Idaho Senate passes resolution against critical race theory teachings The Idaho Senate passed a concurrent resolution Wednesday encouraging Idaho schools to teach a full and accurate history of the United States along with the principles of freedom and individual liberty.

Idaho resolution criticizes critical race theory, 1619 Project as divisive content A resolution that encourages Idaho schools to teach history clearly and wholly and calls out critical race theory and The 1619 Project is headed for a Senate vote.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a new law in May 2021 that aims to restrict critical race theory from being taught as a subject in schools and universities, but group member Charlie Lenkner said the law doesnt do an adequate job of defining critical race theory.

Jones willingly offered to speak, Melody Lenkner said, and is not charging a speakers fee.

He really is a community servant, Lenkner said.

The Twin Falls Presbyterian Church isnt sponsoring the talk but church leaders made the sanctuary available. Lenkner hoped to fill its 250 seats.

The presentation might also be live streamed on YouTube, Lenkner said.
TWIN FALLS  Idaho State Police Sgt. Mike Wendler is coming home.

After being struck by a motorist on Interstate 84 on Sept. 8 while he was outside his car providing traffic control, the trooper is expected to arrive in Twin Falls on Saturday afternoon. He has spent the last several weeks at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, much of it in the hospitals intensive care unit.

The fact that he is returning home so soon is nothing short of miraculous, family friend Tabitha Baker said. Now shes hoping for a big turnout at the Perrine Bridge to welcome him back to Twin Falls.

We are very excited and very hopeful that our community will turn out and show how much his service means for us, Baker said.

She and other members of a group named Wendlers Warriors are asking local residents to show up at 2 p.m. at the Twin Falls Visitor Center. The group will then walk to the Perrine Bridge, where the vehicle transporting Wendler, along with a supporting cast of fellow state troopers, is expected to cross the Snake River Canyon between 2:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. as he proceeds to his Twin Falls home.

Participants are urged to wear blue and bring a sign if possible. But if you cant do that, still come to the bridge and cheer, Baker said.

A long recovery process lies ahead for the Marine Corp veteran and 16-year veteran of the Idaho State Police, she said, and Wendler will still need support.

Wendler was critically injured in the collision in Jerome and he has made much progress since then, friends said.

Miraculous is the only word to describe his progress, Baker said.

Wendlers wife, Amy, provided an update on her husband Wednesday on a GoFundMe page. Wendler has a fractured jaw and has had a hard time eating.

He is looking forward to getting to eat more food, she said.

The traumatic brain injuries her husband suffered are tricky and unpredictable, she said, but he is continuing to progress cognitively.

He beat several women at a memory game on Monday, she said.

One fortunate circumstance that likely saved his life was that a crew from a fire engine was on the scene when the accident occurred and rendered first aid, she said.

Five Fish Press from Twin Falls printed 50 T-shirts with a Wendlers Warrior logo, at no cost to the group. These shirts were given to first responders, dispatchers, medical staff and others who helped Wendler after his injury. People wanting a T-shirt can order them from the Wenders Warriors Facebook page.

There has been a ton of support and engagement from the community, Baker said.

The GoFundMe page has raised almost $56,000 as of Friday afternoon.
BURLEY  The story of the 1995 murder of a local girl in her bedroom and the conviction of the man who did it 26 years later will air Oct. 9 on a national crime show.

Gilberto Flores Rodriguez was given a fixed life sentence in prison in October 2021 after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in the brutal death of Regina Kreiger, 14.

The story caught the eye of Investigation Discoverys On The Case with Paula Zahn, which brought a film crew to Burley in May, according to Kreigers mother, Rhonda Hunnel, who now lives in Twin Falls.

Viewers will have to check their local listings for the exact time and date the segment is available to them.

The producers had been trying to catch me for three years after Gilbert was arrested and they had kept a close eye on the case, Hunnel said. I avoided them for a while.

Eventually, Hunnel agreed to be interviewed by the team, which set up a filming area in a conference room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Burley.

The shows producers were not available for an interview on Thursday.

Hunnel said the shows crew interviewed a Federal Bureau of Investigation officer along with the Cassia County Prosecutor and a couple members of the Cassia County Sheriffs Office, including Lt. Dan Renz, who was a detective on the case.

It was an experience Id never had before, Renz said about sitting in the interview chair facing the bright lights and camera.

Renz said once he was called as an extra for a film crews B roll, although he had not investigated the case, when Investigation Discoverys Motives & Murders: Cracking the Case, Cross Dressed to Kill spot lit the 1999 murder of Kacy Kay Ray.

Ray was a Mini-Cassia teacher who was bludgeoned, stabbed and raped by Troy David Alonzo, who followed her home from a grocery store and had been dressing as a woman to try to gain entry into womens homes.

Alonzo was sentenced to life in prison and died there in 2006.

Renz said Zahn joined the group for the Kreiger story by satellite, due to COVID-19 concerns.

It was a good experience. I was nervous, of course, Renz said. But they were very professional and very prepared and you could tell they do this a lot.

Hunnel said the crew also filmed at the cemetery where Regina is buried and they utilized a drone.

They didnt get to film Cody (Thompson), they tried but the prison wouldnt let them, Hunnel said.

Thompson was a prison inmate witness in the case, who had been a teen at the time of Kreigers murder and testified that he was with Rodriguez the night of the murder and helped Rodriguez dispose of Kreigers body in the Snake River.

I wasnt really nervous, Hunnel said about being in front of the camera and crew for her portion of the story. I had been sharing my daughters story for two decades.

They made me feel very comfortable although I didnt have a hair and makeup team, Hunnel said in a joking manner.

Hunnel said the show will bring to light some details of the case never heard during the trial.

Hunnel, who plans to create a victims rights advocacy organization, said she has taken some time away from it this year but plans to return to her passion in 2023.

In two years, she said, she also plans to publish a second book about her daughters case.

Hunnel published her first book, Snake in the Grass, about her daughters murder, prior to the arrest and conviction of Rodriguez.
Walt Disney World and other tourist attractions in central Florida appeared to have avoided severe damage from Hurricane Ian. But many businesses on the state's southwestern coast were hammered and face a long rebuilding process.

In Fort Myers, video posted on social media showed the Times Square, a colorful area of shops and restaurants, leveled by the storm. Sanibel, a barrier island dotted with resorts and connected to Fort Myers by a causeway, was devastated.

Carol Dover, president of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, paused in the middle of an interview to watch live television, and was relieved to see the Westin Cape Coral Resort along the marina in Fort Myers still standing.

But now everything that they are showing on CNN is flattened. I dont see anything but rubble, she gasped. We have a lot of rebuilding to do, and its not done in a month. This sometimes takes years.

Ian came ashore in southwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane accompanied by storm surges that left thousands trapped by flooding and millions without power. As it moved inland and weakened  eventually to a tropical storm  high winds and heavy rain continued. But theme parks and other tourism magnets in central Florida appeared to have dodged crippling harm.

In the Orlando area, Walt Disney World and other attractions that had closed ahead of the storm remained shuttered, and it was unclear when they would reopen.

Disney posted a message on Twitter, promising to help its employees and the community get through this together.

As we keep safety in mind, our theme parks and other operating areas remain closed (Thursday) while crews assess the impact of the storm and clear debris, Disney said.

Damage assessments had barely begun on Thursday, as the storm moved toward the Carolinas  taking a parting shot at St. Augustine and the Space Coast before leaving Florida.

President Joe Biden declared the state a disaster area, clearing the way for federal aid to people in numerous counties. The aid can include grants and low-interest loans to help residents and business owners hit by the disaster.

The storm disrupted air travel to Florida, but only briefly. Some airports that closed were beginning to reopen, and two of the biggest, in Orlando and Tampa, planned to resume flights on Friday morning, according to federal officials.

Florida's leisure and hospitality sector accounts for nearly 1.3 million jobs, a 9.6% increase from a year ago, according to figures from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Most of those jobs are in lodging and food services, and they have helped cut Florida's unemployment rate to 2.7% in August  a full percentage point lower than the national average  from 4.3% a year earlier.

Previous strong hurricanes have caused a temporary spike in unemployment in leisure and hospitality businesses and some real estate fields such as property management, followed by a surge in hiring by construction crews during the rebuilding phase, said Sean Snaith, director of the economic forecasting institute at the University of Central Florida.

Snaith agreed that southwest Florida faces a long process of repair and rebuilding.

As far as tourism, unfortunately they were rolling into their high season  the fall and winter months up north  so the timing is extra unfortunate, he said. But the beaches are still there, the theme parks are there, the weather is still nice outside of the hurricane. Tourists will come back."

This story corrects the spelling of the name of Carol Dover, president of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.
BOISE  Idaho universities are warning staffers not to refer students to abortion providers or tell them how to get emergency contraception because they could be charged with a felony under a new state law.

One of the universities is also barring employees from telling students how to get birth control, because of a separate law first written more than 150 years ago that was last updated nearly half a century ago.

The guidance from the University of Idaho and Boise State University represent the latest restrictions in a state that already holds some of the strictest abortion laws in the nation.

This is going to have a very broad impact. It's going to have a very strong chilling effect on free speech, said Mike Satz, an attorney and former faculty member and interim dean at the University of Idahos College of Law. I'm afraid it's going to scare people from going to school here or sending their kids to school at Idaho institutions.

The prohibition against referring students or promoting abortion in any way comes from the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, a law passed by Idaho's Republican-led Legislature in 2021. Boise State University, like the University of Idaho, told faculty members in a newsletter earlier this month that they could face felony charges for violating the law. Idaho State University did not respond to phone messages from The Associated Press asking if it had issued similar guidance.

The law also bars staffers and school-based health clinics from dispensing or telling students where to obtain emergency contraception except for in cases of rape. Emergency contraception drugs prevent pregnancy from occurring and do not work in cases where someone is already pregnant.

The University of Idaho's guidance goes a step further, also warning employees about a pre-statehood law first written in 1867. That law prohibits dispensing or advertising abortion services and birth control  leading to UI's advice that condoms be distributed only to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, but not to prevent pregnancy. Lawmakers last updated the law in 1974, roughly a year after the U.S. Supreme Court said women have the right to abortion in the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade.

It's not yet clear how the the law barring advertising or promoting abortion and birth control services could impact students or other state employees who may use state-owned computers or wireless networks to share information about how to access reproductive health care on Instagram or other social media sites. Scott Graf, a spokesman for Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, said his office planned to discuss the guidance given to university staffers and the abortion laws in an internal call on Tuesday.

Jodi Walker, spokeswoman for the University of Idaho, said the university follows all laws and said UI officials were still working through some of the details.

This is a challenging law for many and has real ramifications for individuals in that it calls for individual criminal prosecution, she said of the public funds law. The section does not specify what is meant by promoting abortion, however, it is clear that university employees are paid with public funds. Employees engaging in their course of work in a manner that favors abortion could be deemed as promoting abortion.

Abortion can still be discussed as a policy issue in classrooms, Walker said, but the university recommends that the employees in charge of the class remain neutral or risk violating this law.

We support our students and employees, as well as academic freedom, but understand the need to work within the laws set out by our state, she said.

That could be nearly impossible, said Satz. Both the University of Idaho and Boise State University rely on grants to fund major research and academic projects, and the federal government is among the largest sources of those grants. The federal government also provides abortions through the Veterans Administration, Satz noted, and the No Public Funds for Abortion Act bars the state from contracting with abortion providers.

Rebecca Gibron, the CEO of the regional Planned Parenthood organization that serves Idaho, called the guidance the canary in the coal mine.

These attacks on birth control are not theoretical. They are already happening, Gibron said in a prepared statement. The University of Idaho's new policy is just the latest example of extremists and draconian laws threatening to strip us of all control over their reproductive health care.

Idaho's lawmakers could fine-tune the laws to ensure they don't violate 1st Amendment free speech rights or lead to major funding losses, but the deeply conservative state Legislature isn't scheduled to meet again until January.

Boise State's advisory to employees noted that abortion-producing medications or procedures can still be prescribed if they are used to remove a dead fetus, to treat ectopic pregnancy or to preserve the health of the unborn child. But some of those scenarios are gray areas under other state laws criminalizing abortions, including one targeted in a U.S. Department of Justice federal lawsuit against the state of Idaho.

Idaho isn't the only state where employees have been cautioned not to give abortion advice. Social workers, clergy members and others have raised concerns in Oklahoma about being exposed to criminal or civil liability just for discussing abortions.

Lisa Bostaph, a criminal justice professor at Boise State University, said she didn't understand how the birth control law could be enforced, since the U.S. Supreme Court in 1965 said states can't criminalize the use of contraception. She fears Idaho's laws will have vast repercussions.

Unintended pregnancies can dramatically impact a woman's ability to complete higher education, Bostaph said in a morning phone interview from her home, before her work day began. As a faculty member, how do we have conversations about abortion and birth control in a neutral manner?

That seems easy enough to do in many general classroom discussions, Bostaph said, but it's likely much harder when students are studying topics like medicine or the criminal justice system.

Nursing students will need to learn about when and why birth control is prescribed, and criminal justice students may have assignments related to reproductive coercion or the increased homicide risk experienced by that pregnant domestic violence victims, Bostaph said.

If the science says the right thing to do is to provide birth control in this patient, is presenting that information neutral? she asked.
The ill-named Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) has encountered substantial reversals in recent months in its avowed war against Idahos public school system. Lest anyone forget, IFFs chief bottle washer, Wayne Hoffman, famously declared: I dont think government should be in the education business. It is the most virulent form of socialism (and indoctrination thereto) in America today. The dark-money-funded IFF is flailing in its quest to find a new weapon to defund and discredit our public schools.

IFF initially achieved success in its crusade against our schools by compelling its legislative minions to fight against practically every effort to adequately fund educational programs (IFFs current minions are legislators who scored over 70% on the groups Freedom Index). When the meager funding resulted in less-than-stellar student performance, IFF claimed that our government schools were failing.

In recent years, IFF has intensified its hostilities against public schools by employing fake culture war claims. The obvious intent is to discredit our school system and try to replace it with private, but publicly-funded, schools. Some of IFFs dark money appears to come from interests that just happen to be invested in such private schooling opportunities.

In 2020, IFF made the false claim that Idaho schools were indoctrinating children with critical race theory (CRT). The legislators owned and operated by IFF parroted those claims throughout the State, even though most of them had no idea what CRT is. Two of IFFs favorite cheerleaders, Janice McGeachin and Priscilla Giddings, conducted a witch hunt to ferret out the dreaded CRT and came up empty.

The problem was that, after the dust settled, local school patrons realized their locally-elected school boards would not put up with any sort of improper attempts to indoctrinate their kids. They knew their local teachers, many of whom grew up in the community, were doing their level best to educate the kids, not indoctrinate them.

IFF then tried selling the false claims that teachers were engaging in various supposed evilssocial emotional learning and social justice. Jesus was a big advocate of social justice, so it could not be all that horrible. Those claims more or less fell flat.

Most recently, IFFs supposed education experts falsely claimed that Idahos schools were giving Porn Literacy to K-12 students. The IFF report was discredited and fully debunked practically before the ink on it was dry. No wonder, one of the authors was Scott Yenor the disgraced professor who claimed college women were medicated, meddlesome and quarrelsome. Ouch!

The primary elections produced another setback for IFF. In the southern part of the State, it lost three of its leading lights in the HouseRon Nate, Karey Hanks and Chad Christensenand made few gains. About half of the IFF acolytes who made it through the primary election voted in favor of the Governors special session education plan to increase education spending by $410 million. That indicates a substantial lessening of IFFs influence, even among its primary election survivors.

In another recent blow to IFF, the Heritage Foundation, which is generally a powerful IFF fellow traveler, has reported that Idaho public schools are much better than anyone would expect, based on their low level of funding. The Foundations September 9 report card ranks Idaho first in the nation for return on investment. According to Heritage, Idaho taxpayers will be glad to know theyre getting bang for their buck. What Heritage did not say, is that we would be getting even more bang if we put more state funds into teacher pay so that we did not have so many teacher vacancies across the state.

The Heritage Foundation report has some deficiencies, but it is a powerful rebuttal of the false claims that IFF has been tarring our public school system with over the years. Public schools are the heart and soul of every community across the State. Instead of trying to tear them down, like IFF loves to do, we should be doing our level best to build them up with proper funding and strong public support.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt made the ill-advised decision last week to join a Republican amicus brief in defense of private citizen Donald Trump after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate to secure thousands of pages of government documents he unlawfully possessed, including some containing highly classified nuclear secrets. The brief reads more like a political statement than anything a real attorney would put before a judge. In fact, for the court to have paid any attention to Schmitts argument, judges would have been required to disregard the actual law rather than follow it.

Schmitt now proposes to represent Missourians as a U.S. senator. If they send him to Washington, he will become the writer of laws that, as attorney general, he is asking courts to ignore for political expediency. His brief deserved to be taken about as seriously as Schmitts lawsuit against China. And judging by the appeals courts ruling against Trump later last week, the arguments by Schmitt and other Republican attorneys general amounted to a waste of taxpayers money.

The nonsensical arguments amounted to a string of non-sequiturs and were exceedingly weak even if the basic premise of the brief was solidly grounded. Schmitt tried to apply court rulings against the Biden administration regarding immigration, the pandemic and other issues as somehow a reason to side with Trump in a wholly unrelated case.

The opening sentence of the amicus brief signals exactly where the argument would head for the next 21 pages: In response to the Biden Administrations unprecedented nine-hour search of former President Donald J. Trumps private residence and its seizure of more than 10,000 documents, President Trump filed a lawsuit seeking the return of privileged and potentially privileged documents that were taken during the Biden Administrations raid.

Note the absence of any mention of the FBI and Justice Department. The FBI, which conducted the Mar-a-Lago search, isnt mentioned anywhere in the brief. The FBI doesnt represent any administration. Its director, Christopher Wray, was appointed by Trump himself in 2017. Although Trump tried to manipulate the Justice Department to serve his political ends, he failed repeatedly. His two attorney general appointees, Jeff Sessions and William Barr, tried hard on certain occasions to appease Trump by twisting legal arguments to suit Trumps needs, but they ultimately chose to uphold the Constitution and the Justice Departments independence over Trumps ego-driven political whims.

The point is, this wasnt a Biden administration raid, and President Joe Biden says he wasnt informed about it in advance. It was a search by an independent law enforcement agency to uphold the law and prevent classified intelligence from being compromised. Schmitts amicus brief suggests the Justice Department should not have upheld the law and instead should have prioritized Trumps made-up rights and nonexistent privileges over crucial issues of national security.
After discussing the future of Paradise Inn at two meetings this week, Martinsville City Council will hold a third meeting on the matter next month before deciding how to proceed.

On Monday, city council went on a bus tour and then held a somewhat boisterous West End neighborhood meeting at Albert Harris. Those events were followed up with a public hearing regarding the historical Paradise Inn building on Fayette Street at a regular meeting Tuesday night.

The meeting in council chambers began with City Manager Leon Towarnicki giving a 35-minute recap of the neighborhood meeting that lasted one hour longer than the recap.

A public hearing then commenced and Albert Davis of Randolph Street was the only person to speak.

Back in my day, when I was 20, 21 or 22, it was wide open and now we have one place standingParadise Inn, said Davis. Yall have taken everything away from us. All of it is going to the Southside. Ive heard they have grants, wheres that money going? Its not going on Westside or Eastside.

Davis said that Paradise Inn was the only historic Black place in town left standing and yall want to tear it down.

Why does money have to be an issue when it comes to an historic place? Davis asked. We have rights too; were supposed to have something that we can look up to.

The Paradise Inn, at 802 W. Fayette Street, has been vacant for many years and the city administration has determined that the building has deteriorated to the point that the cost of restoring it to a useable condition is prohibitive.

During a tour of the property on Monday, council members saw a large hole in the roof, railings and gutters in poor condition, and the building in a general state of substantial disrepair.

Comments during a neighborhood meeting on Monday were mixed considering the building has community historical significance from its prior use as an inn and music venue.

A final public hearing will be held at a regular meeting on Oct. 11 before council is expected to vote on the matter.

City council voted unanimously on Tuesday to have the city administration research historical African-American sites throughout the city to determine possible eligibility by the state for historic markers, suggesting that if the Paradise building is torn down, it could be replaced with a marker acknowledging the sites historical significance.

In other matters, council:

Appointed Crystal Dallas to the Southern Area Agency on Aging Board.
RICHMOND  On Tuesday the Virginia Board of Elections approved a new risk-limiting audit manual ahead of the general election this November. Though election officials were already conducting risk-limiting audits in Virginia, they are now going to happen before state election officials certify election results.

Thats because the General Assembly passed legislation that repealed and replaced previous state code relating to the audits.

Risk-limiting audits are a type of post-election audit that utilizes statistical methods and a manual review of paper ballots to confirm that the voting equipment accurately reported the correct outcome of an election, the manual reads.

The audits analyze a random sample of hand-counted ballots to confirm election results along with using auditing software called Arlo. The process helps confirm that voting accurately reported election results.

Now its going to be done prior to the certification of the election, whereas before we did it in the months after the election, said former elections commissioner Chris Piper.

For instance, the most recent such audit took place this past January  two months after the 2021 elections and analyzed the results of the 13th and 75th House of Delegates districts.

In District 13, Del. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, defeated Republican Christopher Stone. In District 75, Republican Otto Wachsmann defeated Del. Roslyn Tyler, D-Sussex.

According to the 2022 legislation, every locality must conduct a risk-limiting audit at least once every five years, under the supervision of the Department of Elections.

Also, at least one randomly selected General Assembly contest must be audited. This year, the board will choose an election in one of the states Congressional districts to be audited. The manual states that the State Board of Elections will meet the second Wednesday after an election to do this.

Aside from the randomly selected audits, election workers have a detailed process called canvassing ahead of certifying election results. This is where election workers upload results to the Virginia Election Registration and Information System, which is the repository for voter records in Virginia.

The states Board of Elections later meets on the first Monday of December to ascertain the results.

Election results are checked at the precinct level, locality level and state level before being certified, said Susan Beals, commissioner of the Department of Elections. Virginia voters can have confidence in processes and safeguards in place to protect their vote.

But some have expressed concerns in recent years  largely members of the Republican Party. President Donald Trump allies claimed that he won the 2020 election and that the contest had been stolen from himassertions that multiple judges rejected. Some of his supporters carried out a deadly insurrection in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent certification of Joe Bidens victory.

In February the Virginia Senate rejected a proposal by Sen. Amanda Chase, R-Chesterfield, to spend $70 million in state tax funds on a forensic audit of the 2020 presidential election in Virginia, in which Biden beat Trump by 10 percentage points.

More recently, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the formation of an election integrity unit. Composed of more than 20 attorneys, investigators and paralegals, the unit will provide legal advice to the Department of Elections as well as investigate and prosecute violations of state election law.

When casting her own vote last week on the first day of early voting, Beals said that she has faith in Virginias elections and urged anyone with questions to reach out to election officials.

Seek out an election official and ask them how the process works, she told Virginia Mercury at the time. Because most of them would be very happy to tell you.

Piper commends Beals for her comment and added that he believes more election workers should speak out about the process and offer to answer questions.

Weve always been happy to sink in the background, Piper said. Weve always wanted people to come get their ballot, cast their ballot, go home, watch the results, and now have given a second thought to how elections are conducted  because if we arent the story that means that we did our job.

But amid ongoing questions about legitimacy or how the process works in recent years, he said its incumbent upon election officials to begin to speak out to talk more about the process.
Multiple sections of the popular Blue Ridge Parkway will close Friday, Sept. 30, in anticipation of Hurricane Ian track through the North Carolina mountains.

Four sections amounting to 114 miles will be blocked off in late afternoon and will not reopen until midday Sunday Oct. 2, according to the National Park Service.

The parkway is narrow (two lanes) and winding, and is known to experience rock slides and downed trees during intense storms.

Ian began Thursday as a tropical storm, but was upgraded to Category 1 hurricane status (winds of 74-95 mph) when its sustained winds hit 75 mph late in the afternoon. It will make landfall in South Carolina Friday, then move farther inland over western North Carolina Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm caused widespread damage in Florida and remains a large cyclone, with storm-force winds extending 415 miles out from its center, experts say.

National Park Service officials are closely monitoring the projected path of ... Ian and preparing for a range of potential impacts across the Blue Ridge Parkway, the park service said in a news release.

Visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway should expect closures and use caution due to expected periods of heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong wind.

Two to 4 inches of rain is possible in the mountains, along with gusts upwards of 45 to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service office in Asheville, N.C.

The sections of parkway to close include:

Milepost 318 - 375.2 from Linville Spur Road to Bull Gap.

Milepost 393 - 406 from the French Broad overlook to Rte 151 entrance (north side)

MP 412.9 - 443 from Hwy 276 (south side) to Balsam Gap.

MP 446 - 469 from Balsam Gap to southern terminus.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has arrived in the Republic of Bulgaria for an official visit.

A guard of honor was lined up for the head of state at the Sofia Airport decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President Ilham Aliyev was met by high-ranking state and government officials of Bulgaria.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Thursday, led by Congresswoman Lisa McClain, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressing concern about Algerias growing ties with Russia and calling for sanctions against officials in the government of the North African country for an arms deal with Moscow.

The letter follows a similar and previous call from Senator Marco Rubio for the Biden administration to issue sanctions against Algerian regime under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which Congress passed in 2017. The sanctions are to be imposed against countries that strike defense or intelligence deals with several countries, including Russia. The Trump administration issued sanctions, using CAATSA, against Turkey after it went ahead with a deal to acquire Russian S-400 air defense systems.

Various reports indicated that Algeria signed an arms deal with Russia worth more than $7 billion. The deal reportedly would see Russia sell Su-57 fighter jets, air defense systems and more.

This recent Algeria-Russia arms purchase would clearly be categorized as a significant transaction under CAATSA. Yet, no sanctions available to you have been crafted by the State Department, stated the letter to Blinken, which 27 members of Congress signed.

US lawmakers from both political parties have been pressing the administration to crack down on countries or individuals that engage with Putin and his government, which ordered a further invasion of Ukraine in February.

The United States needs to send a clear message to the world that the support for Vladimir Putin, and his regimes barbaric war efforts will not be tolerated, the letter to Blinken read. Therefore, we request you begin to immediately implement significant sanctions on those in the Algerian government who were involved in the purchase of Russian arms.

Thursdays letter cited Russias desperate need for funds to continue its war on Ukraine and the Kremlins subsequent efforts to punish the EUs involvement by blocking natural gas sales to European countries.

Saying that Russia is likely to continue to push for additional arms sales to other countries, the US lawmakers said: It is critical that President Biden and his administration prepare to sanction those who attempt to fund the Russian government, and its war machine, through the purchase of military equipment.
The United States has approved a $350 million grant for infrastructure projects in Malawi, praising good governance in the southern African country.

The aid, which will be channeled through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, an organization designed to help developing countries that meet certain democratic criteria, will be used to build roads in the country to connect rural and urban areas.

At a signing ceremony in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised President Lazarus Chakweras commitment to democratic and economic reforms and said the road project was essential to increasing the countrys agricultural production.

This will be granted to Malawi  not debt, Blinken said, contrasting this with China, which is investing heavily in Africa in the form of loans that Washington considers unfavorable.

Chakwera won the 2020 presidential election by campaigning on the fight against corruption in the poor southern African country.

My government has opted for a zero tolerance policy on corruption, no one is exempt from prosecution, the Malawian president said at the ceremony.

He also called on the United States to support a joint project with Zambia and Mozambique that would give landlocked Malawi sustainable access to the Indian Ocean.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced Thursday his intention to reform the tax system to make it more equitable by making the richest pay more, in his first speech to Parliament.

Ruto, 55, who was elected in August in a close election as the voice of the resourceful, said he was determined to ensure that Kenyas tax system responds to the needs of the economy and to make it more progressive.

The new tax system must be fair, efficient and the tax burden must reflect the ability to pay of each taxpayer, said the head of state, a former chicken seller who started from nothing and is now the head of one of the countrys largest fortunes.

We are taxing business too much and wealth too little, said Mr. Ruto. The new head of state also promised to tackle the debt, which has increased sixfold since 2013 to about $70 billion.

Our financial situation is not very good, assured Ruto, who served for nine years as vice president to his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta. Kenya, an East African country of about 50 million people, is the regions economic powerhouse, but a third of its population lives below the poverty line.
Togo President Faure Gnassigbe wrapped Thursday an official visit to Japan during which he met with Premier Fumio Kishida, one month after 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit held in Tunisia.

The Togolese leader, his office said in a statement, also attended the funerals of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe killed in a gun attack while he was on campaign trail.

The African leader also met with Japans monarch Naruhito on September 28.

The meeting with Kishida, extended to the two countries delegations, mainly focused on the priorities of the partnership between Togo and the Land of the Rising Sun. The two countries maintain indeed a multiform cooperation marked by several agreements and conventions in the diplomatic, strategic and economic fields, the presidential office said in the statement.

The meeting with Kishida comes on the heels of the TICAD 8 summit held late last month in Tunisia. Japan vowed to invest $30 billion in Africa. Togo was present at the gathering.

Japan is present in the West African country via its International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and has invested in several areas including infrastructure, food security, health and planning.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in Uganda has risen to seven, the health ministry said Friday, after President Yoweri Museveni ruled out a lockdown to contain the highly contagious virus.

Authorities declared an outbreak in the central district of Mubende last week, the East African nation's first Ebola fatality since 2019.

On Friday, the health ministry shared a graphic on Twitter showing that the cumulative deaths were now seven, up from five on Wednesday, while the total number of confirmed cases had reached 35.

In a televised press briefing on Wednesday, Museveni said some 19 others classified as probable Ebola cases had also died, but said they were buried before they could be tested for infection.

Since the initial outbreak was discovered in Mubende, infections have been found in three other districtsKassanda, Kyegegwa and Kagadibut Museveni vowed not to cordon off the affected regions.

"We decided that we shall not have lockdowns. It is not necessary," the 78-year-old leader said, telling Ugandans that there was "no need for anxiety".

Ebola is an often-fatal viral haemorrhagic fever named after a river in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where it was discovered in 1976.

Human transmission is through body fluids, with the main symptoms being fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhoea.

Outbreaks are difficult to contain, especially in urban environments.

People who are infected do not become contagious until symptoms appear, which is after an incubation period of between two and 21 days.

At present there is no licensed medication to prevent or treat Ebola, although a range of experimental drugs are in development.

Uganda, which shares a porous border with the DRC, has experienced several Ebola outbreaks, most recently in 2019 when at least five people died.

The DRC on Tuesday declared an end to an Ebola virus outbreak that emerged in eastern North Kivu province six weeks ago.

Only one case of the virus had been confirmed, according to the World Health Organization, making the DRC's Ebola outbreak its "least catastrophic".

The worst epidemic in West Africa between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 alone. The DRC has had more than a dozen epidemics, the deadliest killing 2,280 people in 2020.

Explore further DR Congo declares end to latest Ebola outbreak

 2022 AFP
Graphical Abstract: A practical, evidence-based framework to leveling up health. Credit: Public Health in Practice (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100322

Experts are calling on the government to continue focusing on "leveling-up" health, arguing that reducing the health gap is too important an agenda to abandon.

Writing in Public Health in Practice and based on a review of all the previous literature, the team sets out a five-point framework to help level-up health and tackle health inequalities, which they say have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UK government committed to a program of "leveling-up" to help left-behind areas and regions to recover and prosper to the same extent as other parts of the country. With the departure of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, the researchers urge the new government to reaffirm their commitment to leveling up.

With the fallout from the pandemic and rise in the cost of living, the impact on health is expected to be substantial due to the long-term economic repercussions of the pandemic, including food and housing insecurity, debt, and poverty.

Dr. John Ford from Cambridge Public Health at the University of Cambridge says that "it feels like we're at a pivotal point as the government moves its focus away from leveling-up and towards economic growth. It's crucial that they consider closing the health gapwhich has only got worse during the pandemicas an urgent priority."

"This will not be straightforward to achieve and will require cross governmentand cross-partysupport and long-term planning. That's why we're setting out five evidence-based principles that will help ensure the success of any health leveling-up programs."

Dr. Ford and colleagues carried out a review of the research literature to develop a practical, evidence-based framework to level up health that can be implemented across sectors, including governments or non-profits, and across a diversity of scales, from local to national, and a diversity of contexts.

The five overlapping principles identified by the group are:

Make interventions healthy by default and easy to useIn other words, make healthy choices easier to make. Past examples that have proven successful include: taxing unhealthy foods and subsidizing healthy foods was consistently documented as an intervention type; providing fluoride toothpaste for home use and daily toothbrushing supervision for 5-year-olds.

Focus on long-term solutions working across many sectors For example, while tackling housing conditions may be important, this alone is unlikely to be effective when individuals are still impacted by other factors such as working conditions or access to healthy foods: housing interventions are more likely to be effective in improving health and reducing inequalities when there were multiple interventions targeting several social determinants of health.

Tailor initiatives at a local levelFor example, flu vaccination programs are likely to be more successful if they can be offered outside of traditional working hours, while including community-based infrastructure developments in physical activity interventions can make them more sustainable, maintain increased adult physical activity levels and reduce inequalities.

Target disadvantaged communitiesUniversally-applied programs that do not also target disadvantaged communities or account for their particular needs, assets, and barriers to health are less effective in reducing health inequalities and may even widen them. Provision of benefits to disadvantaged groups may also reduce health inequalities, such as food subsidy programs for women of low-socioeconomic status that aim to reduce inequalities in mean birthweight and food/nutrient uptake.

Allocate resources according to needStudies have shown that allocating resources where they are most neededfor example, the allocation of NHS resources proportionate to geographic need, with more deprived areas receiving more resourcesis most effective at reducing inequalities.

Professor Clare Bambra from Newcastle University says that "health inequalities have arisen over decades, if not centuries, but underlying them is often the same root cause: an unequal distribution of the wider determinants of health, such as access to resources, opportunities, wealth, education, and power."

"There is no silver bullet that will solve this problem. If we are serious about tacking this problem, then we'll need a holistic approach, with long-term, collaborative and cross-government strategies that look beyond just one election cycle."

Explore further Growing social and economic inequalities across northwest England directly impacting health

More information: Fiona Davey et al, Levelling up health: A practical, evidence-based framework for reducing health inequalities, Public Health in Practice (2022). Fiona Davey et al, Levelling up health: A practical, evidence-based framework for reducing health inequalities,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100322
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Young women cancer survivors are at much higher risk of sexual problems, including loss of libido and discomfort, according to research published in the peer-reviewed journal Acta Oncologica.

The studyone of the largest of its kind to datealso suggests that cancer type and intensity of treatment influence the quality of a patient's sex life.

The findings are based on nearly 700 women diagnosed with breast and other cancers before the age of 40. They show women are equally sexually active as those without these diseases but a significantly higher proportion experience intimacy difficulties.

Lack of interest in sex (45%) was the number one issue cancer patients reported, followed by problems around achieving orgasm (34%) and satisfaction with sex life (22%). These concerns were also common among women in the general population without a cancer diagnosis but to a lesser extent (32%, 28%, and 19% respectively).

Now, the authorsa team of researchers including from Uppsala University and Karolinska Institutet, both in Swedenare urging medics to provide sexual well-being support where appropriate. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), vaginal moisturizers and psychosexual counseling are among strategies they suggest, including for single women.

"This is one of the largest population-based studies of sexual function ever conducted in young women following cancer," says lead author and the principle investigator Lena Wettergren, a Professor in Care Sciences at Uppsala University. "Our results show two out of three women experienced sexual dysfunction and the problems are related to their cancer treatment and emotional distress. These findings underscore the need to routinely assess sexual health in clinical care and follow-up. We recommend development of specific interventions directed to women in addition to offering counseling and other aids."

More than half a million women in young adulthood are diagnosed with cancer every year globally. Hormone changes and body image issues are among biological and psychological factors which can undermine their participation in or enjoyment of intimacy.

Yet the full extent of the link between cancer and sexual dysfunction is unknown. Some studies have suggested around half of young women report sexual issues in the first years after diagnosis. But breast cancer dominates the research and few studies have compared patients with the general population.

The authors of this study wanted to determine the extent and cause of the problems young female cancer patients face.

Data was based on 694 women aged 18 to 39, diagnosed between January 2016 to August 2017, and identified through official national health registries.

Half had breast cancer and the rest gynecological cancer, brain tumors or lymphoma. A total of 53% had undergone treatment rated "very" or "most" in terms of its intensity, or how extensive it was.

All were surveyed one and a half years after diagnosis about their sex lives over the most recent month. Questions were based on eight topics relating to sexual activity, such as satisfaction with sex life, interest in sexual activity, discomfort and pain when engaging in sexual activity, and ability to orgasm.

In addition, patients were asked to give reasons for not having sex with a partner, and questioned about body image such as whether they found it hard to look at themselves naked. They also rated their own emotional distress.

Results were compared with a random sample of 493 women aged 19 to 40 without a cancer diagnosis. Findings showed that the majority of women with cancer and those without (83% vs 87% respectively) had sex in the last 30 days, either with a partner or through masturbation.

However, two in three (63%) cancer patients complained of at least one sexual issue such as vulvar discomfort. Survey participants were also more likely, overall, to report issues relating to any type of sexual activity.

Older women and those with breast or gynecological cancer were at higher risk of sex-related problems. This was also the case with patients undergoing more intense treatment such as high-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Emotional distress and a distorted perception of their bodies following cancer treatment were associated with greater sexual dysfunction.

Vaginal dryness or pain, and feeling unattractive were the key factors linked to lack of sexual activity with a partner. This was among cancer patients and the authors highlight that these are all potentially related to cancer treatment.

Limitations of the study include that the participants who did agree to take part may have been more sexually active and had fewer sex problems, or vice versa. It therefore could have created results that over- or underestimated the findings; but most people (72%) asked to complete the survey did so.

Explore further Sexual dysfunction high among women with lung cancer

More information: Prevalence and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in young women following a cancer diagnosisa population-based study, Acta Oncologica (2022). Prevalence and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in young women following a cancer diagnosisa population-based study,(2022). DOI: 10.1080/0284186X.2022.2112283
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Italy's outgoing government is easing measures against coronavirus from Saturday despite an increase in cases, weeks before handing over to a far-right administration that has criticised the tough restrictions.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government said it would not renew regulations requiring FFP2 face masks to be worn on public transport when they expire on Friday.

However, it has extended for another month the requirement to wear face masks in hospitals and other healthcare settings, as well as residential facilities for the elderly.

By the time that rule expires on October 31, a new government led by far-right leader Giorgia Meloni is expected to be in placewith a very different attitude to Covid-19 restrictions than Draghi's.

Italy was the first European country to face the full force of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020, and has had some of the toughest restrictions.

Last winter, it required certain categories of workers to be vaccinated and demanded proof of a negative test, recent recovery from the virus or vaccinationthe so-called Green passto enter public places.

The pass was strongly criticised by Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, which swept to a historic victory in elections on Sunday.

"We are against this certificate, full stop," the party's head of health policy, Marcello Gemmato, La Repubblica newspaper on Friday.

He said it gave "false security" because even after vaccination, people could get and spread coronavirus.

Gemmato said vaccines should be targeted at older people and those with health problems, but not be obligatory, adding that the requirement for healthcare workers to be vaccinated would not be renewed when it expires at the end of the year.

Cases of coronavirus are rising slightly again in Italy, likely due to the return of schools and universities.

More than 177,000 people with coronavirus have died in Italy since the start of the pandemic.

Explore further Italy to exit COVID-19 state of emergency on March 31

 2022 AFP
A marijuana plant at a cannabis growing and consuming club in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Uruguay was a pioneer in the legalization of recreational cannabis use, a move that helped to push many drug traffickers out of the domestic market.

But a bland and insufficient state supply has meant most consumers still prefer the diversity of the black market.

In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana usewhich came into effect four years latereven permitting its sale in pharmacies.

There are three legal ways for registered users to get hold of marijuana: purchasing it at pharmacies, through home growing for personal use, and by belonging to an official cannabis-producing club.

The most sought after legal method is membership of one of the 249 consumer clubs, which offer a greater variety to their 7,166 members than pharmacies do.

But many clubs have long waiting lists to join as they are limited by law to between 15 and 45 members.

Pulla, the treasurer and technical manager of a cannabis club in Montevideowho uses a nickname to avoid falling foul of the ban on promoting cannabis useexplained that the waiting list "is an indicator that demand is not satisfied."

"Many more people want to access the legal market who still cannot," he said.

There are just over 14,000 registered home growers and another 49,600 people are registered to purchase marijuana at one of the country's 28 approved pharmacies at around $10 for five gramsbelow the black market rate.

According to a study by the local IRCCA institute that regulates cannabis, only 27 percent of Uruguayan consumers buy their drugs through approved channels, a figure that reaches 39 percent when taking into account sharing with friends.

A person holds a bag with illegally purchased marijuana in Montevideo.

'Main objectives met'

Joaquin, a cannabis user who purchases on the black market and goes by an alias, explained that one problem with the legal supply is the need to make an appointment at the pharmacy.

The black market is quicker and simpler. You "have a contact, talk to him and in the day, or the next day, coordinate and buy," he said.

Buying on the black market does not necessarily mean getting involved with dangerous drug traffickers, though.

Organized drug traffickers selling "Paraguayans", a cheaper quality marijuana imported from nearby Paraguay, represent just 30 percent of the illegal market, says Marcos Baudean, a professor at ORT University and researcher at the Monitor Cannabis project.

"There are many more domestic growers who are simply not registered" but have already overtaken trafficking networks in the sale of cannabis.

In that respect, "the main objective has been met: people can consume cannabis without needing to be linked with criminal organizations," said Daniel Radio, secretary general of the National Drug Board.

The perception of the illegal market has also changed.

Agus, 28 and using an alias, said she originally registered to buy cannabis from pharmacies but now acquires it on the black market while growing her own plants despite not being registered.

A cannabis grower at a club in Montevideo tends to plants in an indoor greenhouse that uses artificial light.

"I don't see it as the black market," she said. "It has good prices for what is sold and you don't feel like you're making use of drug trafficking."

There is "a friend or an acquaintance who passes you a contact from someone who has flowers and sells them."

Some people simply prefer to avoid registering, even though the information is used only for the study of consumption.

Cannabis tourism 'potential'

"The regulation of cannabis has been more effective than repression in terms of the blow to drug trafficking," explained Mercedes Ponce de Leon, director of the Cannabis Business Hub, a platform charged with developing the drug's ecosystem in the country.

However, Radio acknowledges that the black market preference of some users demonstrates limits to the current system.

Radio said users tend to be after a higher percentage of THCtetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive substance in the drug, which is limited to 10 percent in the pharmacy productor more variety such as variants that produce different psychoactive effects.

"That conspires against the effectiveness of the system," said Radio.

The government now plans to increase the THC percentage and offer greater variety in pharmacies by the end of the year to attract more recreational consumers to the formal market.

A registered user smokes cannabis at a legal marijuana club in Montevideo.

Legalization, introduced by leftist guerrilla-turned president Jose Mujica, in power from 2010-15, created an industry of medicinal cannabis exports that have brought more than $20 million to Uruguay's economy since 2019.

Uruguay sells mainly to the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Israel, Argentina and Brazil.

Although current center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou insists the legalization move was a mistake, the left-wing opposition wants Uruguay to go even further.

Currently reserved for residents, they want the market to be opened up to tourists.

"It's a simple formula: if tourism increases, spending increases, employment increases and investments increase. Models like that in California demonstrate the potential" for cannabis tourism, said Eduardo Antonini, an opposition politician and vice-president of the tourism commission in congress.

Other than Uruguay, 15 American states have legalized recreational marijuana use, as well as Canada.

Explore further Uruguay to sign up users to buy cannabis in pharmacies

 2022 AFP
The U.S. government will invest $266 million to shore up the community and public health workforce using American Rescue Plan funding.

About $225.5 million will go to 83 recipients to support training and apprenticeship for 13,000 new community health workers, CNN reported before Friday's announcement. These workers specialize in helping people find care and serve as a contact point between patients and providers.

"Thirty million people in America get their health care through community health centers that treat people regardless of their ability to pay," said Carole Johnson, administrator of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration, which is facilitating the grants.

"Time and time again, we have seen community health workers make the difference when it comes to reaching out in communities and getting people engaged in care and then helping people stay connected to care," Johnson told CNN.

In all, the rescue plan is allotting $1.1 billion in funding for community health, outreach and health education workers.

The largest grants will be $3 million and will go to 30 of the 83 recipients.

Among the recipients is El Sol Neighborhood Education Center in California.

"As a community-based organization, we have had challenges to really be able to reach this federal funding for years," Alexander Fajardo, project director for the center, told CNN. "The big entities like universities or these big players, it's hard for us to compete with them."

The center will use the funding for basic and advanced training for more than 250 community health workers.

Johnson explained the need to have health workers who can build trust and provide communication.

"When you lead a very complicated life and you have to take three buses to get to a doctor's appointment and you have to take time off work, it can be very, very hard to do what is routine for a lot of other people," she said.

"And so community health workers can be that essential bridge that can help make sure people stay connected to their health care provider," Johnson said, whether it's for chronic disease management, mental health and substance use disorders, or maternity care.

Fajardo pointed to community health workers, also called promotores, as key in transforming a community.

They "are people from the community. They speak the same language; they face the same challenges," Fajardo said. "Those qualities make them more effective when they are doing the work in the community. Because when they are talking about COVID-19 or diabetes or any situation, they relate with it. They have the same experience. 'He's my neighbor. I know them.'"

Another $40.7 million will be sent to 29 schools to encourage public health training and employment as part of the Public Health Scholarship Program.

The funding is vital as workers have left amid backlash and burnout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies, such as record-high drug overdose deaths, the monkeypox outbreak and now the reemergence of polio, the news agency noted.

"There's no doubt that there has been significant underfunding at the state and local level for years in the public health workforce," Johnson said.

Gene Sperling, coordinator of the American Rescue Plan and a senior adviser to President Joe Biden, said funding community health is one of the plan's "crown jewels."

The administration's aim is to "use these types of funds to build careers, to give people a chance to both serve their country during this pandemic but also build a public health career and to be professional community health workers that could make such a big difference," Sperling said.

More information: Healthcare.gov has information on how to receive Healthcare.gov has information on how to receive low-cost health care in communities.

Copyright  2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Russia has dismissed Armenian premier Nikol Pashinyans plans for the deployment of international observers on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border as "unrealistic", Azernews reports, citing Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

Zakharova condemned the idea as "imaginary" and "unrealistic" at a weekly briefing on September 29.

"We stand for the full and strict implementation of all agreements, signed by the three countries [Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia] to resolve the intractable conflict. This is a real, not an imaginary roadmap," she stressed.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for an international observer mission to be deployed along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border during a government cabinet meeting on September 29, citing continuing military threats from Azerbaijan. He added that the proposal will be communicated to the country's international partners.

Under such circumstances, we consistently propose to the international partners the following formula and believe that the deployment of an international observer mission on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, be it of the UN Security Council, the OSCE, or any other international organization, could be a solution, Pashinyan said.

To recap, units of the Armenian armed forces carried out large-scale provocations along the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in Dashkasan, Kalbajar, and Lachin directions on the night of September 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 that erupted led to military losses between the sides, in which 79 armed forces personnel of the Azerbaijani armed forces were killed. On the other hand, Armenia lost 207, 293 were wounded, and 20 soldiers were taken as prisoners.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The odds that a doctor will diagnose your child with pediatric cancer are slim, and the chances of a brain cancer diagnosis are even smaller.

Each year, roughly 4,000 kidsout of about 73 million in the United Stateswill be diagnosed with a brain tumor. Of those, roughly half will have one of several types of a malignant, aggressive tumor. For instance, medulloblastoma is among the most common type of malignant brain tumor in children: About 500 new cases are diagnosed each year. That's 0.0007% of all children nationwide, or one in almost 150,000.

Pediatric brain cancer is so rare that doctors and researchers are still learning why it occurs. The Inquirer spoke with Garrett Brodeur, a pediatrician and director of the Cancer Predisposition Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, about what causes cancers in kids, and why some may be more vulnerable. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Why do kids get brain cancer?

We don't know for sure. I would say we have a good suspicion that it has to do with mistakes made as cells are multiplying during development, either prenatally or postnatally. When a person is conceived, they're one cellone fertilized egg. And when they're born, they're 10 trillion cells.

Each time one cell becomes two, it has to copy 6 billion base pairs of DNA exactly. It's a very complicated process.

Do cellular 'mistakes' always lead to cancer?

When mistakes happen, most of the time, those cells end up dying. They end up not being able to surviveeither because the mistakes may cause the cells to die, or there are other protective mechanisms that recognize that something's wrong and internally activate a self-destruct mechanism, or cellular suicide.

But it doesn't always happen. A cell gets some growth advantage, and it doesn't die. And that's probably what causes most childhood cancers of the brain or elsewhere.

Are some kids more vulnerable?

We know that some patients are genetically predisposed to get their cancer, because they have a mutation in a gene that puts them at increased risk. Sometimes that increased risk is very high compared to the general population.

How can I know if my child has a higher risk of getting brain cancer?

There are really just two ways. One way is there's a family history of a certain cancer, or group of cancers, that tend to go together related to a syndrome. The second way is they have physical features of that syndrome. For instance, there's a syndrome where you get thyroid cancer and a lot of those patientsbut not allwill have a very large head.

What can we learn after a brain cancer diagnosis?

We biopsy tumors and see what it's like under the microscope to make the diagnosis, but then we genetically analyze the tumor itself. So virtually every tumor has some, or in many cases, a lot of genetic changes. When we look at the changes in the tumor, sometimes we'll see a change in a gene that we knowif it were in all the cells of the bodyit would have predisposed them to get that cancer.

What can be done if I know my child is genetically at higher risk?

The main thing we can offer right now is surveillance. So if we know what type of tumor they're likely to get, we can do tests, whether it's a physical exam, blood tests, ultrasounds, MRIs, X-rays, or whatever. We can do tests to try and identify the tumor when it's small and when it's easy to remove surgically, and they usually don't need radiation. They need very little chemotherapy. It's usually not spread throughout the body and they have a very good prognosis. So if we know someone has an increased risk for a brain tumor, we can do MRIs of the brain every six months or a year.

Although it's rare, are there any warning signs of brain cancer to be aware of?

The general signs are headache, vomiting, and abnormal eye movements caused by paralysis or impairment of some of the cranial nerves that control the eye muscles.

Explore further What do you know about these three rare childhood cancers?

2022 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A large, nationwide study from Taiwan shows that people with a specific type of glaucoma, called normal-tension glaucoma, are at high risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The researchers say people with this type of glaucoma should be screened for Alzheimer's disease. The study will be presented at AAO 2022, the 126th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, the tissue that connects the eye to the brain. The most common types of glaucoma involve abnormally high pressure inside the eye. But normal-tension glaucoma, also known as low-tension glaucoma, is a form of glaucoma in which damage occurs to the optic nerve even though eye pressure is within the normal range.

Previous studies evaluating the link between glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease offer mixed results, but few studies focused only on normal-tension glaucoma.

To learn more, researchers analyzed data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database collected over a 12-year period. They compared the incidence of Alzheimer's in 15,317 people with normal-tension glaucoma and 61,268 age- and gender-matched people without glaucoma.

After adjusting for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease and stroke, they found that people with normal-tension glaucoma were 52 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer's compared with those without glaucoma. Those who were older, female or had a history of stroke had the highest incidence. Additionally, they found that use of glaucoma eye drops did not protect against Alzheimer's disease or increase the incidence.

"From a public health perspective, policy makers are encouraged to enforce Alzheimer's screening for at-risk patients with normal-tension glaucoma and to provide more substantial and integrated care," said lead researcher Yu-Yen Chen, MD, Ph.D. from the Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan.

While not everyone with glaucoma will develop Alzheimer's disease, this study underscores how they are related. They both occur when nerve cells deteriorate and die, a process called neurodegeneration. In glaucoma, neurodegeneration affects the retinal ganglion cells in the optic nerve, causing blindness over time. In Alzheimer's, it affects nerve cells in the brain responsible for memory and cognition.

It is hoped that further investigation into the similarities and differences between these illnesses will reveal new treatments for both conditions.

Explore further Type of glaucoma linked to increased risk of cognitive impairment

Provided by American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
Comparison of occipital power spectral density of treatment responders and nonresponders based on an average of recordings performed prior to both active and placebo stimulation. The shaded areas represent standard errors of the spectral density estimate. Credit: Ophthalmology (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.06.041

Using a non-invasive stimulation on the brain may be effective in reducing the frequency of visual hallucinations in blind patients, a new study has found.

A technique called "transcranial direct current stimulation" (tDCS) has been trialed on patients by researchers at Newcastle University and Kings College London, as part of the 18-month study.

The technique involves passing a weak electric current between electrodes placed on a person's scalp and has been found to change activity levels in certain areas of the brain.

Exciting findings

Previous research suggests that loss of information from the eyes results in increased spontaneous activity in the visual cortex, which contributes to the occurrence of visual hallucinations in Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS). The study aimed to use tDCS to reduce this activity and return it to normal levels.

Results from the study, which has been published in Ophthalmology, have shown that the stimulation may reduce the frequency of visual hallucinations in people with CBS, particularly individuals who have increased spontaneous activity levels in the visual parts of their brain.

Dr. John-Paul Taylor, from Newcastle University's Faculty of Medical Sciences, said, "CBS, where people experience visual hallucinations is a common experience for people who develop eye disease and visual loss.

"We don't unfortunately have any good treatments for CBS and drugs which are typically used are often associated with significant side effects.

"We are excited by our initial findings that using a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, which was well tolerated and can be delivered in a person's own home, may reduce the frequency of visual hallucinations for people with CBS.

"Our next steps are to conduct a larger, multicenter trial to prove whether this treatment is truly effective and can be used clinically."

Dr. Dominic ffytche, from the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, added, "CBS can be considered a normal response of the brain to loss of vision.

"Once you know what it is, most people don't need specific treatment. But for those that do, this study provides the first glimpse of what treatment might look like in the future.

"It is not a cureCBS did not stop completely for anyonebut by reducing how often hallucinations occur, the hope is we can shift CBS from a highly distressing and unpleasant experience to something that no longer troubles you."

Distressing hallucinations

CBS hallucinations are experienced by up to half of all people with macular disease. They can be simple unformed flashes of light, colors or shapes, while many people also see geometrical grids and lattices.

Other people have reported seeing more complex visual experiences, including disembodied heads, small figures in elaborate costumes and snakes. Around one third of people with CBS report that hallucinations can be distressing and cause disruption to their daily lives.

In the study, 16 people diagnosed with CBS who have recurrent visual hallucinations received four consecutive days of active and placebo treatment, with non-invasive stimulation to the visual parts of the brain.

The study findings highlight that tDCS may prove to be a feasible option for patients with CBS with no significant side effects. However, further work will be required before it can considered for wider clinical use.

Explore further Hallucinations associated with brain hyperactivity in people with macular degeneration

More information: Katrina daSilva Morgan et al, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Visual Hallucinations in Charles Bonnet Syndrome, Ophthalmology (2022). Journal information: Ophthalmology Katrina daSilva Morgan et al, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Treatment of Visual Hallucinations in Charles Bonnet Syndrome,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.06.041
ZAMBOANGA CITY  Four people were killed and three others wounded in separate gun attacks in the restive Muslim province of Basilan in south...
FRIDAY, Sept. 30, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Places of worship may provide respite for Black men that not only enhances their lives, but may extend them, new research suggests.

"Black men have been oppressed, commodified, surveilled and criminalized like no other group in U.S. history and they often experience disproportionately high levels of social and psychological stress from structural racism, institutional discrimination and unfair treatment from early childhood through late adulthood," lead researcher Marino Bruce and colleagues said in the study.

At places like a church, mosque, synagogue or other center of worship, Black men find sanctuary where they can feel safe and free of judgment or suspicion, according to the study.

"Churches and similar institutions represent a safe space," Bruce said in a University of Houston news release. "They receive affirmation, and the messages delivered are intended specifically for them." Bruce is an associate dean for research in the university's Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine.

The new study suggests that regularly attending religious services may lower death rates for Black men in their 50s and older.

The researchers used data from the U.S. National Health and National Examination Survey (NHANES), randomly sampling data of Black men for more than 17 years. The team tracked health status and generated death rates.

Those men who attended services at least once weekly had better health profiles than those who attended less frequently or did not attend, the study found.

For one thing, there was a higher percentage of nondrinkers and nonsmokers in the sample of regular attendees.

Black churches, in particular, provide members with an environment conducive for social and spiritual bonding, researchers found.

"Black houses of worship have traditionally been centers of advocacy," Bruce said. "Churches and church leaders have a history of being catalysts for social change that has transformed the lives of African Americans and other marginalized populations."

He noted that churches have been at the center of efforts to improve the daily lives of community residents by providing information related to jobs, health, recreation and general well-being. They have launched several historically Black colleges and universities. They have served as community health centers.

Black houses of worship have offered and continue to offer resources that touch individuals and their loved ones during every phase of life, Bruce said.

The additional resources African American churches offer are more relevant as their congregants age, the study authors noted.

They also noted the powers of both prayer and positivity as they relate to health.

Research has suggested that prayer and meditation can reduce heart disease risks, treat post-traumatic stress disorder and may improve death rates.

Still, while these houses of worship may be therapeutic, theyre not a silver bullet, Bruce said.

"The tradition of worship includes time and space where individuals can lay their burdens down," he said. "When people participate in practices such as standing before an altar and participating in corporate prayer, they can realize that they are not alone, and their troubles are not insurmountable. These longstanding practices can help people get through whatever is ailing them. They're not a cure-all, but those long-held traditions provide positive energy needed to take on challenges and perhaps provide a new outlook on life."

The study findings were published recently in the journal PLOS ONE.

More information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has more on meditation and mindfulness.

SOURCE: University of Houston, news release, Sept. 27, 2022
FRIDAY, Sept. 30, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Wearing a fitness tracker may help you get more steps in -- even if you never give it a glance.

A new study found that folks who wore a pedometer averaged 318 more steps a day than those who didn't, even without specific fitness goals or incentives and even if they couldn't see the step count.

"Humans are hardwired to respond to what is being measured because if it's being measured, it feels like it matters," said study co-author William Tayler, a professor of business at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

"When people go get an Apple Watch or a Fitbit, of course it's going to affect their behavior; they obtained the device with the goal of walking more," he said in a university news release. "But it's helpful for individuals to know that even without trying, just being aware that something is tracking your steps increases your activity."

To learn how much people walk with and without a pedometer, researchers needed a way to measure step counts.

So they asked the 90 participants for permission to pull information generally from their phones because the iPhone has a default step-tracking feature that few participants were aware of. They didn't tell participants they were gathering their step counts from the weeks prior to the study.

"It was a bit of a sneaky way to get the data we needed," Tayler said.

Then, researchers gave some participants a pedometer without a display. Other participants, without the pedometers, did not know the study's purpose.

Two weeks later, the team gathered step counts from participants' iPhones again. The finding: Wearing a pedometer was associated with higher step counts.

"Measurement and tracking precede improvement," said study co-author Christian Tadje, a BYU graduate who spearheaded the research as a student working with the Healthcare Industry Research Collaborative.

"If you want something to improve -- for example, a key performance indicator in the workplace or a personal health goal -- our study shows that you should consider tracking your progress," Tadje said in the release.

Modest increases in physical activity have cumulative benefits, according to the study, so the findings could be useful to those who promote public health.

"If I were an insurance executive, I'd be interested to know that you can hand out basic fitness trackers to people, and as long as they put them on, they're going to walk more," Tayler said.

The findings were recently published in the American Journal of Health Behavior.

More information

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests fitness activity guidelines.

SOURCE: Brigham Young University, news release, Sept. 22, 2022
Six Republican-led states are suing the Biden administration to try and halt its plan to forgive student loan debt for millions of Americans. They're accusing it of overstepping its executive powers. Its at least the second legal challenge this week to the sweeping proposal laid out by President Joe Biden in late August, when he said his administration would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt for millions of borrowers. As the lawsuit was being filed, the administration quietly scaled back eligibility rules for the debt relief, eliminating a relatively small group of borrowers who are the subject of legal debate in the suit.
FRIDAY, Sept. 30, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Public health officials tried everything to convince Americans to get vaccinated against COVID, including giving away cash, but that wasn't enough to change hesitant minds, a new study shows.

Researchers were surprised by the findings.

"There is literature and evidence from other vaccination campaigns like the flu, and even some childhood vaccinations, showing that financial incentives do move the needle. We were expecting similar results," reasoned study co-author Mireille Jacobson. She's associate professor at the University of Southern California's Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

However, it looks like "people have much stronger beliefs and objections about COVID-19 vaccination," Jacobson concluded in a university news release.

The researchers evaluated vaccination intentions vs. actual uptake in mid-2021, after vaccines had become widely available and numbers of people receiving them had stalled. The team surveyed more than 2,700 unvaccinated members of a Medicaid managed care plan in California.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of a few groups. Some received a video message to encourage vaccination. Others were offered $10 or $50 financial incentives for vaccination. Another group was given access to a simple vaccination appointment scheduler.

The goal was to see whether participants received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine within 30 days of recruitment.

Public health messaging increased the number who said they would get a vaccine, but it didn't increase the actual number of folks who followed through and did get a vaccine, nor did either of the other interventions. A 10% increase in vaccination intentions was associated with only a 1.5% increase in actual vaccinations, the researchers noted.

When money was offered, sometimes vaccination rates even declined, the study found. That happened for two groups: people 40 and older, and those who said they had voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

"The main lesson I took away from this is that in our increasingly tribal and politically polarized environment, some people have become so entrenched in their beliefs that a nudge is just not enough to get them to act on simple, widely accepted medical advice," said co-author Tom Chang, an associate professor of finance and business economics at USC's Marshall School of Business.

"In some cases, the narrative seems to be more important than life and death," he said in the release.

The survey respondents were an average age of 36.4 years old, and about 74% were women. The participants had a self-reported median household income of $20,000 to $29,999. About 8% had less education than a high school degree. About 55% had voted for Joe Biden for president in 2020, and 15% for Donald Trump. About 36% of participants were white, 34% were Latino and 31% were Black.

Based on their findings, government mandates or employer rules may be needed in future public health crises, the researchers noted.

The findings were published recently in the journal Vaccine.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 vaccines.

SOURCE: University of Southern California, news release, Sept. 2022
NEW YORK (AP)  U.S. companies have added women to their boards of director at a slower pace this year compared with last year as the pandemic and a difficult economy shift priorities, according to a new report released Thursday.

Women have continued to make gains, now holding a record 28% of board seats on the Russell 3000 index of publicly traded companies, according to an annual report by the advocacy organization 50/50 Women on Boards, which used data from executive data firm Equilar.

That's a 2.4% jump from the 25.6% of seats held by women in 2021, but the pace was slower than the 3% rise seen the previous year. And during the first half of 2022, the share of new seats going to women declined by 8 percentage points compared to the preceding six months.

Companies have responded in recent years to pressure from politicians and investors to appoint more women and minorities to their boards, which continue to be overwhelmingly male and white.

Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, chief executive officer of 50/50 Women on Boards, cited California's landmark law requiring a certain number of women on boards. But that law was ruled unconstitutional by a Los Angeles judge in May because it violated the right to equal treatment. Supporters have nonetheless credited it with bolstering the ranks of on company boards in California and beyond.

California companies have the biggest representation of women directors in the country, at 34.1%  a 4.8% increase over 2021, according to the report. Companies in Washington state, which now has a similar law, have the second highest at 30%.

When comparing industries, energy and financial services companies had the fewest share of women on boards at 23% and 26%, respectively. Utilities had the most at 32%.

Companies have increased their gender parity mostly by expanding their boards, rather than replacing men with women. Nearly two-thirds of seats that went to women in 2022 were newly added positions, the report said.

The report said the slower pace of progress suggests companies are contending with competing priorities, including a volatile economy, the pandemic and pressure to meet other social, environmental and governance goals, such as commitments to fight climate change.

But Berkhemer-Credaire said she is optimistic that companies remain on track to achieve gender equality in the near future. At the current pace, companies would achieve gender parity on their boards in 10 years.

The numbers are increasing. That's important to note, said Berkhemer-Credaire. I'm not discouraged at all."

Achieving racial diversity has proved more difficult, in part because it is has been difficult get data on the number of minority directors.

In May, Equilar study released its first racial breakdown of boards for Russell 3000 companies, pulling from disclosures from companies, data from affiliate networks and lists of influential executives from racial and ethnic minorities. The survey found only 6.2% of directors are Black and 5% are of Asian or Pacific islander descent. Just 2.7% of directors were Hispanic.

But only 27% of directors serving on Russell 3000 companies self-report their race and ethnicity, according to the report from 50/50 Women on Boards. Of those, 16% identified as people of color in 2020, up from 12% in 2021.

More board members need to self-identify their racial backgrounds, Berkhemer-Credaire said. If board members don't self-identify ... the statistics of percentages are not as accurate as they could be."
An official welcome ceremony has been held for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia, Bulgaria.

A guard of honor was arranged for the Azerbaijani President at the square decorated with the national flags of the two countries.

President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev welcomed President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the Azerbaijani President.

The military orchestra played the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.

The presidents reviewed the guard of honor.

President Ilham Aliyev saluted the Bulgarian soldiers.

State and government officials of Bulgaria were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev and members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to President Rumen Radev.

The guard of honor marched in front of the presidents.




Here's some business news in the Missoula area:

The YWCA of Missoulas Board of Directors has selected Jen Euell as the organizations next executive director. Longtime YWCA Missoula director Cindy Weese will retire once Euell assumes her position in January 2023.

In a press release, the YWCA said Euells deep commitment to gender equity and passion for women-led change is evident in her experience and achievements.

Euell has spent more than 25 years working toward equity for Montana women and girls, including over a decade at YWCA Missoula, where she held numerous staff and volunteer roles. Euells experience as an advocate in the domestic violence shelter inspired her to co-create the GUTS! (Girls Using Their Strengths) program  designed to help young women build their self-confidence, identity, and peer support systems  at Womens Voices for the Earth, in 2000. Euell brought GUTS! to the YWCA in 2007.

I am thrilled with the Boards decision, said Cindy Weese. I have known and worked with Jen for years, and I am confident in her ability to usher YWCA Missoula into its second century of service to the community. She is a passionate and visionary leader who believes that real change is possible.

Euell currently serves as director of the Student Advocacy Resource Center at the University of Montana. Previously, she was the program director of the Womens Foundation of Montana. Euell holds master's degrees in social work and environmental studies from the University of Montana.

It is my privilege to join the long line of strong, visionary women to work toward the YWCA mission of empowering women and eliminating racism, said Euell. I believe now is the perfect time to build a culture of care at the organization, advance policy changes to benefit the most marginalized populations, and expand our prevention work to address root causes of harm and inequity.

YWCA Missoula provides services to end domestic and sexual violence in the lives of adults and children, offers emergency housing, support and rent assistance for unhoused families, and transforms the community with programs that foster girls leadership and promote racial justice.

To learn more, visit ywcamissoula.org.

There's a new permanent Mexican restaurant in Missoula. The Mexican Moose, which has operated a food truck for the past year, now has a permanent location inside the Dark Horse Bar, right next to the Sunrise Saloon. They still operate the food truck at certain events.

Recently, the Department of the Treasury announced that it has awarded Clearwater Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Missoula, $16.8 million through the Emergency Capital Investment Program.

The Treasury made over $8.28 billion of investments in 162 community financial institutions across the country through the Emergency Capital Investment Program. 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 communities served by these ECIP investments are geographically diverse and many share a common characteristic of having suffered from a lack of investment as opportunity has been disproportionately concentrated in certain neighborhoods and areas of the country.

"These Emergency Capital Investment Program funds are providing opportunity to underserved communities across the country, helping them to regain their footing following the pandemic and strengthening their resilience against future shocks, said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. These critical investments represent a significant step toward expanding access to the capital and services required to rebuild and fuel long-term economic growth.

The Missoula Montana Airport has received $3.6 million in federal funding to expand the existing deicing area an additional 18,100 square yards.

The money comes from the federal infrastructure package, through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Grant program.

"Airports are essential infrastructure in Montana that help create jobs and keep families connected across our state, said U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in announcing the funding. Im proud to have secured these investments that will upgrade the deicing apron at the Missoula Montana Airport, which will help expand operations at the facility, improve safety for folks flying in and out of Montana in the winter, and grow Missoulas economy.
The Continental Divide Trail could finally be completed before it turns 50 years old.

A bill introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) would direct land management agencies to prioritize the elimination of gaps in the 3,100-mile continent-spanning path that generally follows the geographic Continental Divide. The trail is 95% complete, according to the Golden, Colorado-based nonprofit Continental Divide Trail Coalition, which lauded the bill on Friday.

Heinrich introduced S. 4995, the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, into the Senate on Wednesday, according to Congress' official website. Daines is an original co-sponsor of the bill. The bill has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The text of the bill was not available Friday, but a bill with the same name was introduced into the House on Aug. 27, 2021. That bill, HR 5118, directed the Secretary of Agriculture, which oversees the U.S. Forest Service, to "substantially complete the land acquisition program necessary to ensure the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail" by Nov. 10, 2028, the 50th anniversary of the trail. The new Senate bill also aims to complete the trail by that date.

The Continental Divide Trail, technically named the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, runs from Canada to Mexico, and spans Montana from the Canadian border on the north to the Idaho border on the south. As many as 14 gaps ranging from less than 1 mile to nearly 50 miles interrupt the trail's path along the Rocky Mountains.

In Montana, the trail is interrupted by a 0.75-mile gap near Cadotte Pass northeast of Lincoln, a 5.7-mile gap along Interstate 15 near Elk Park north of Butte, a 9-mile gap along the interstate south of Butte, a 1.4-mile gap near Wise River, and a 10.5-mile gap near Monida Pass.

"By filling in the gap sections," Teresa Martinez, the coalition's executive director stated, "the CDT will not only become a safer and more accessible experience for all trail travelers, but this mandate for completion will also help to ensure that the original promise made by Congress 44 years ago, of a continuous footpath offering a remote, natural experience from Mexico to Canada along the Divide, becomes a reality."

In the coalition's announcement of the bill Friday, Visit Helena Executive Director Andrea Opitz noted that hikers and cyclists generate $4.3 million in economic activity annually.

In all, the trail traverses five states, 20 national forests, 25 wilderness areas, three national parks, one national monument, and 19 designated "gateway communities," according to the coalition.
A person was arrested after law enforcement resolved a critical situation at the Veterans Administration clinic on West Broadway on Thursday afternoon.

Missoula police responded to a report of a disturbance and threat of a weapon at the VA clinic on the 3800 block of West Broadway shortly after 2 p.m. on Thursday, according to Missoula Police spokesperson Lydia Arnold.

VA officials evacuated their staff and visitors from the clinic while police officers evacuated workers from several nearby buildings during the encounter. Officers set up a perimeter also searched several cars in the parking lot.

One person was taken into custody, Arnold said. As of Friday, a police investigation determined the initial reported concerns couldn't be corroborated. The Missoula County Attorney's Office is reviewing the case and will decide if any criminal charges are filed.

Missoula Police along with Missoula Fire and medical personnel were on scene.

At 3:15 p.m., people evacuated from nearby buildings were allowed to re-enter. The clinic and surrounding businesses reopened shortly after. No one was injured in the incident.
MILAN (AP)  Italian right-wing leader Matteo Salvini on Friday criticized Germany and other European Union nations for not working together on a common response to the energy crisis but instead protecting their own interests.

The European Union in these days, in these weeks, has been very much everyone for himself. The Spaniards protected their own interests, the French protected their own interests, Salvini said at a Milan demonstration by farmers protesting the impact of high energy prices.

He was especially bitter about the 200 billion-euro ($195 billion) package for industry and consumers Germany announced this week Germany, from which we expected a response, did not wait for a European intervention. It put up 200 billion euros cash, Salvini said.

Italy has spent some 60 billion euros since last year to ease the pain of higher energy prices for households and industry. But the Coldiretti agriculture lobby behind Fridays protest said aid to farmers has been mostly in the form of tax credits and not help with electricity bills, which have gone up 500% since last year, or fertilizer costs, up 170%.

The outgoing government of Premier Mario Draghi has refused to borrow more money for a deeper aid package, citing Italys high debt level. Italy instead has pressed for a European price cap on Russian natural gas, leveraging on the blocs collective market power, but so far has been unable to persuade the rest of the EU to go along.

Germany is worried that Russia would cut off gas, crippling its industry, and France has set its own national price cap.

Salvinis League is part of the right-wing coalition led by Giorgia Melonis far-right Brothers of Italy and also including Silvio Berlusconis Forza Italia that is expected to form Italys next government in the coming weeks.

Salvini told the farmers protesting in Milan that his party would make protecting Italian agriculture a priority, citing unfair competition from other countries. League members served as the agriculture ministers in two previous governments.

Coldiretti President Ettore Prandini warned that 70,000 Italian farms working at a loss could go out of business due to high energy prices and said few of them would be able to relaunch under more favorable conditions.

Those who spend 200 billion euros wind up creating a form of unfair competition inside the European community, Prandini said, referring to Germany's aid package.

Prandini was joined by young farmers who were protesting the high energy costs during a fair highlighting Italian agricultural excellence that featured 2 kilometers (more than a mile) of stands selling a range of fruit, produce, dairy, meat and cheeses.

We hope to let consumers know who buy from us that if there are higher prices, that it is because of everything around us, said Claudia Roggero, who is the third generation to work a family farm focused on honey production.

Roggero said they raised the price of a kilo of honey from 11 euros to 12 euros to cover the rising cost of glass, but are still taking a hit.

Besides the higher energy costs, there is also the lower production due to climate change. If production is down and energy prices are going up, we can no longer find the right balance, she said.

Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Ciaran Gilles in Madrid contributed.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  Two adult students and four school workers were shot and wounded at an Oakland school campus in a gang-related attack that officials said Thursday was perpetrated by at least two shooters who fired more than 30 rounds.

Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said a student counselor, a security guard, two students and two workers who were at Rudsdale High School were wounded after two suspects breached the school and immediately opened fire around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. He said a third suspect drove a getaway car. No arrests have been made.

We thank God that many more students were not injured as a result of this action, he said.

Surveillance video shows the shooters entered the school and identified an individual or individuals that they were looking to target, and began to fire, Armstrong said.

He said detectives are still trying to determine if any of those wounded were the intended targets.

John Sasaki, a spokesperson for Oakland Unified School District, declined to say whether the entrance door to the school was supposed to be unlocked.

Armstrong said officers didn't wait to enter the school and that when they arrived, there was a need for keys to enter certain classrooms.

Our officers did not wait to receive keys, they used breaching tools in order to enter every classroom and conduct a thorough search of the entire campus to ensure no individuals were barricaded on the campus and the entire campus was safe," he said.

Three of the victims remain hospitalized on Thursday, two in serious condition and the other in stable condition, he said. Armstrong declined to say who remained hospitalized, citing the need to protect their safety.

Rudsdale High School has a continuation program for 16- to 18-year-old students who are at risk of not graduating from a regular high school. It also has a newcomer program that serves recent immigrants ages 16-21 who have fled violence and instability in their home countries, according to the schools website.

Armstrong declined to say which program the wounded students attended.

Rudsdale is one of four adjacent schools located on a block in east Oakland. One of the schools has no students on campus. The other two immediately went into lockdown when reports of the shooting began, officials with the Oakland Unified School District said. Classes were suspended at all the schools on Thursday.

Asked if there have been other violent incidents at the schools, Armstrong said that in August officers made an arrest at the sprawling campus known as King Estate after an incident involving a stabbing and a firearm.
MILWAUKEE (AP)  Test scores for Wisconsin grade school students show declines since the coronavirus pandemic and persistent gaps, though there were signs of progress in the last school year.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Thursday on the math and language arts tests for grades three through eight released by the state Department of Public Instruction. The results showed fewer than half of Wisconsin students were deemed proficient in 2022, a drop of about 10% of students who were deemed proficient in 2019.

The tests were canceled in 2020 and had low participation in 2021.

Still, state education officials said there were signs of progress.

Recovery from something is a journey, and we have not yet reached a destination we are satisfied with, said Abigail Swetz, communications director for the state Department of Public Instruction.

About 39% of Wisconsin students scored as proficient or higher in math on the spring 2022 Forward exams, compared to about 43% in 2019. And about 37% were proficient or better in language arts, down from 41%.

The numbers also show continued disparities by race, income and other factors. Swetz said they point to areas that need more support from state programs, including proposals for universal free meals, more mental health support, and more funding for special education and general aid.

DPI Superintendent Jill Underly, with the backing of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, is proposing a $2 billion plan to boost education funding over the next two years. But that plan is subject to Evers winning reelection and the Legislature, controlled by Republicans, agreeing to it.

Evers' Republican challenger, Tim Michels, said the scores show that Evers has driven Wisconsin schools into a ditch. Before he was elected governor in 2018, Evers served ten years as state schools superintendent.

Michels has suggested he would not provide public schools with any new funding and would consider plans that could lower the amount some public schools get, while increasing funding for vouchers for private schools.
Two islands in the Yellowstone River totaling 107 acres and located west of Reed Point are proposed for purchase by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks through the Montana Natural Resource Damage Program.

A draft environmental assessment has been released outlining the proposed $140,150 purchase. Public comments on the Otter Creek Islands draft EA will be accepted through Oct. 28.

The complex would be acquired with the $12 million in restoration funds administered by the NRDP following the ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. July 1, 2011, Yellowstone River oil spill. Included in the property purchase are two approximately 50-acre parcels on islands in the Yellowstone River, just upstream of the Indian Fort fishing access site near Reed Point.

These islands would be the third such purchases with the oil spill restoration funds of island property on the Yellowstone River. In 2021, 45 acres of islands east of Reed Point were signed over to FWP for a remote fishing access site. Also in 2021, a grant to purchase the 288-acre Dover Islands for management by the Yellowstone River Parks Association was approved.

The islands near Reed Point are in a high-priority reach of the Yellowstone River for additional public access, according to FWP. In addition, the NRDP has goals to promote natural river functions and recruitment of large woody debris  typically cottonwoods  to the river during floods by securing cottonwood riparian areas that are exposed to natural riverine forces. Large woody debris is critical in a natural river system for healthy fish and wildlife habitat.

The NRDP proposes to fund FWP to purchase the islands from Otter Creek Ranch, LLC, in partnership with the Beartooth Group from Bozeman. FWP would hold title to and administer the property on behalf of the state of Montana. The islands would remain as an undeveloped area for wildlife habitat and provide recreational opportunities for the public such as boat-in angling, hunting, birdwatching and camping.

The Beartooth Group is a conservation real-estate firm. They focus on partnering with landowners and public agencies to craft unique solutions beyond the simple sale of ranch properties that meet landowner needs and result in conservation, increased public access and other benefits.

In this case, the Beartooth Group offered the sale of the Otter Creek Island parcels to NRDP and FWP in hopes of providing property to meet the programmatic needs of NRDP and access needs of FWP and the recreating public.

The environmental assessment can be viewed at: https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/news/public-notices/2022/region-5/otter-creek-islands-acquisition-draft-ea-september-28-to-october-28-2022-r5.pdf.

Physical copies of the draft EA may be obtained at the FWP office located at 2300 Lake Elmo Drive in Billings or requested in the mail by phoning 406-247-2940.

Written comments can be mailed to: Sean Flynn Padraig Cunneen, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Montana NRDP, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive P.O. Box 201425, Billings, MT 59105 Helena, MT 59620

Emailed comments can be sent to fwpregion5pc@mt.gov; please use subject: Otter Creek Islands.

Phone comments can be directed to Flynn at 406-431-6112, or NRDP's Padraig Cunneen at 406-565-6294.
Stockpile some huckleberries for the graduation of University of Montana Class of 2027, future fruit of the 6% increase in incoming freshmen this fall. College, like education in general, takes a long time to grow and evolve. What UM President Seth Bodnar calls a cycle of growth bodes well for the stability of the institution that forms so much of Missoulas identity and economy.

Were not sure who to ship the chokecherries to in Flathead County; the person who abandoned 19 husky puppies and young dogs along Doris Creek near Kalispell, or the person who shot one of them assuming it was a wolf. Perhaps we can get both of them to suck on some bitter fruit around an unattended campfire started by the miscreant responsible for igniting the 130,000-acre Moose fire in Idaho.

A gigaton of huckleberries to the forward-thinking planners, engineers and leaders on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation who are about to uncork gigabits of internet service across their 1.5-million acre homeland. What seemed to be a technology problem in an isolated Indian reservation was symptomatic of a much larger, systemic deficit for Native American communities across the country. By exploring what a world-class telecommunications solution would look like, Indian Country internet consultants revealed how far behind many parts of the world remain in internet infrastructure  and laid out a blueprint for how to fix it. Ironically, the massive improvements to Blackfeet and other reservation telecom services wouldn't have been noticed, and wouldn't have been solved, without the COVID pandemic forcing the nation into problem-solving mode. Were not moving the last two years of SARS death and disruption out of the chokecherry column, but this may be a clear example of not letting a crisis go to waste.

And once again, a civic wreath of huckleberry branches to the six Missoulians whove offered to serve as City Council Ward 2 representative after the elevation of Jordan Hess to the mayors office. Rough-and-tumble politics is the alternative to rough-and-tumble street fighting. Anyone willing to step into that public arena and defend their interests through persuasion and fair play deserves their communitys respect.

Big changes require big thinking, not short cuts. The Flathead National Forests presumption that changes to the Holland Lake Lodge special use permit might qualify for a categorical exemption from in-depth review has chokecherry smears all over it. The recent dust-up over imposing visitor fees on Holland Lakes public beaches and picnic areas should have alerted Forest officials to the level of participation Seeley-Swan residents and the wider world expect of management there. We wont pre-judge the merits or risks of putting a new 28-room lodge and 26 new cabins on that gateway to the Bob Marshall Wilderness. That job belongs to the Forest Service, which controls the permit allowing private business activity on the publics land. Flathead Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele said he would like to make it clear that the use of a categorical exclusion does not mean there will not be an environmental analysis. However, the National Environmental Policy Act states A categorical exclusion (CE) is a class of actions that a Federal agency has determined, after review by CEQ, do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is normally required. The use of categorical exclusions can reduce paperwork and save time and resources. One thing we will pre-judge about the Holland Lake project: It is anything but normal.
Following the official welcome ceremony, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has paid tribute to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia.

The guard of honor was arranged for the head of state here.

President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
I've posted on both of these places many times; but I'm going to focus on something I noticed. When we decide on an "unplanned" meal; that is something eating out or doing take out at sort of the last minute, there are three immediate things that come into play. I call them the "Three C's" - Craving, Convenience, and Curiosity. There is a fourth "C" that I'll get into later.

The first one, "Craving" comes into play quite a lot, I mean I've done a ton of these craving posts over the years.

I'm not sure you noticed, but we just returned from two separate "trips" in the last couple of weeks; the first was to Mexico City and Oaxaca, the second was hitting up the Southwest United States again.

When in CDMX and Oaxaca we aren't really searching out Asian food; though in CDMX that seems to be changing; there's a ton of Korean Restaurants in Zona Rosa, and we've noticed quite a few Chinese/Japanese restaurants during our trips. And FLG - Southwest Colorado - Santa Fe, our other trip, well we had mostly planned out our meals ahead of time.

So, when we got back......well, after Mexico, the first thing the Missus wanted was Her Salted Fish and Chicken with Eggplant from Noble Chef. Which is what we got on the first day back in town.





Funny thing; I was craving some noodles....so the Soy Sauce Chow Mien fit the bill.

The guy working knew my order when I walked in the door.....

The Noble Chef

6159 Balboa Avenue

San Diego, CA 92111

Note - "FOY" KennethB has said that Eastern Dynasty has improved; so I gotta get back there soon! Thanks Kenneth!

After driving the 8 1/2 hours from Winslow to home, we were both starving. The Missus wanted something with a "little zip" and decided on takeout from Sizzling Pot King. Talking about the guy working knowing my usual order! This fine young man even added; "I haven't seen you in a while....."

The dry pot, ma-la, medium spicy, with tripe, intestine, and frozen tofu is the way we go.

But here's the kicker; remember I mentioned the "Fourth C"? That's kind of the wildcard......."cost". Our order from SPK is now around $45! Now after a 530 mile drive forty-five bucks was perfectly fine. But on a normal day? Even though this is a "meal-and-a-half" for us...back in December of 2020 this was $32.99. And while it used to be two meals for us; the portion size has gotten even smaller.

It might give me pause in the future.

Sizzling Pot King

8058 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92111

So, let's have some fun!

Here's my question for you:

Did you notice; or do you follow a regular "decision tree" or protocol when doing these unplanned takeout or dine in meals? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks for indulging me and have a great weekend!
A person walks past a sign for TikTok. Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images

A new study by a site that tracks online misinformation found that 1 in 5 videos on TikTok contain misinformation.

The study found that TikTok often yields more partisan search results than Google.

Gen Z users are increasingly turning to TikTok instead of Google as their primary search engine.

TikTok is no longer just a place for viral dances and food hacks. Gen Z users have begun replacing Google with TikTok as their primary search engine, The New York Times recently reported.

That might be a serious predicament.



A new study by NewsGuard, a site that monitors misinformation across the internet, found that one in five search results on TikTok contains misinformation. The study analyzed the top 20 search results across 27 different news topics ranging from "2022 election" to "mRNA vaccine."

NewsGuard's study found that TikTok also prompted users with biased search terms. For example, if a user searched for "covid vaccine." TikTok would offer suggestions for more biased search terms such as "covid vaccine truths" or "covid vaccine hiv." More than half of the search results that popped up about the 2022 midterm elections contained "hyper-partisan left-leaning rhetoric," the study noted.

The rampant misinformation on TikTok is particularly significant given the number of home remedy videos circulating on the platform. The ongoing baby formula shortage has led to a nebula of videos promoting DIY baby formula that pediatricians have labeled as "dangerous."

After the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, herbal remedies for abortion began trending on TikTok. Videos that suggested everything from bitter garnish parsley to mugwort, a flowering plant, were toted as remedies for abortion. Insider reported that a TikTok video that suggests that mugwort can induce a miscarriage had over 1 million views on TikTok. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health noted that "very little research has been done on Mugwort in people."

Story continues

Meghna T., a senior from suburban Michigan, said that if she's searching for anything health or education related she still uses Google. For "everything else" though she turns to TikTok.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Traditions have a strong footing in the fire service, something a local department highlighted earlier this month when it unveiled a new apparatus.

Brendletown Fire and Rescue celebrated its new fire engine with a push-in ceremony at the fire station on Bennett Road on Sept. 12.

The new fire truck has a larger pump and can hold than the departments other apparatuses, said Brendletown Fire Chief Steve Johnson.

Most of our trucks are 1,000 gallon per minute pumps and hold 1,000 gallons of water, Johnson said. This ones a 1,500 gallon per minute pump, and has 1,900 gallons of water on it. It can almost carry two loads of water.

During the push-in ceremony, firefighters pushed the apparatus into the fire station the way they wouldve done in the early days of firefighting.

Johnson said in the days of horse and buggy firefighting, firefighters would have to unhook the buggy from the horse and push it into the fire station when they returned from a call.

That was for a couple of reasons, Johnson said  the most obvious being that horses dont go in reverse, and the other being if the buggies didnt have the scent of the firefighters on them, the horses didnt want anything to do with them.

As the years went on and technology advanced, the tradition of pushing the apparatus into the station remained, Johnson said.

This fire engine has been highly anticipated by the department, which ordered it in June of 2020 but just received it from the manufacturer in August, Johnson said. Production was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its addition to their apparatus rotation is something else residents of the fire tax district can celebrate, Johnson said. It helped the department improve its ISO rating, which could give residents a better deal on their homeowners insurance.

The North Carolina Department of Insurance inspects departments every few years to make sure they have the bare minimum to be a fire department, Johnson said. That bare minimum rating is a score of 9.

That score improves depending on a departments amount and types of equipment, training records, inter-departmental training with mutual-aid departments, community involvement and other items, Johnson said.

Just a couple months ago, Brendletown got word that its rating improved from a 6/9 to a 5/9, which could mean better home insurance rates for residents in their fire tax district.

He said residents should reach out to their insurance broker to make sure theyre getting the best rate possible with the new ISO rating.

The department, like others in Burke County, always is looking for community participation. Anyone interested in the department can come by their meetings every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the fire station on U.S. 64.
Flathead Valley native and retired international mining executive Dan Rovig will receive Montana Technological Universitys Chancellors Award of Distinction on campus Friday, Sept. 30, during homecoming festivities.

The award, established in 2021, recognizes individuals who have achieved the most distinguished personal and professional accomplishments while also serving and bringing distinction to Montana Tech.

Rovig received his bachelors in mining engineering from the Montana School of Mines in 1961. In 1965, he received a masters degree in mineral dressing. Montana Tech also awarded Rovig a professional degree in 1976 and an honorary doctorate of science in 2008.

It is a pleasure to recognize and celebrate the incredible career and accomplishments of Dan Rovig, Chancellor Les Cook said. From his long career in minerals and extraction to his service to professional associations and Montana Tech, Dan has truly embodied our vision to be the institution of opportunity and innovation. We couldnt be prouder of all that he has achieved.

Rovig used his education at Montana Tech to launch a successful career in mining that spanned 50 years. During that time, he served as senior vice president, minerals operations for the Anaconda Mineral Company; technical director of BP Minerals International Ltd.; and president of Amselco Minerals Inc. and Glamis Gold Ltd.

In his working career, Rovigs professional leadership opportunities brought him back to Butte. Rovig said his time working as head of Butte operations for the Anaconda Mineral Company from 1975-1979 was one of his greatest career experiences.

In his tenure on the Goldcorp Board of Directors, Rovig played an instrumental role in establishing substantial gifts to Montana Tech that continue to support faculty in the Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Departments.

Rovigs accomplishments include induction into the American Mining Hall of Fame in December 2001. He also received the Gold Medallion Award from Montana Tech in 1995. Rovig is also the author of several technical papers in the mining industry.

Ive been active with Montana Tech for a long time, and the awards Ive received from this college have been incredible, Rovig said. To receive the Chancellors Award makes me very happy. Its such an honor. It was unexpected. When I talked with Dr. Cook this summer, I was swept away by the enormity of the award.

Rovig, who graduated from Flathead County High School, is descended from early settlers of Columbia Falls. His father moved to Montana in the 1930s from South Dakota. Rovig and his wife, Maureen, own a small cottage on the west shore of Flathead Lake and try to spend significant time there every year. Maureen is a native of Libby.

Its like coming home when we get back there, Rovig said.

Rovig says he is grateful for the opportunities he and his siblings accessed via the Montana University System.

Rovigs brother David Rovig is also a Montana Tech graduate and former mining executive who resides in Kalispell.

His brother Steve Rovig graduated from Montana State University with his bachelors and earned a J.D. from the University of Montana. Steve currently serves as the Chair of the Montana State University Alumni Foundation.

Sister Lorna Rovig Fett is a retired nurse who was educated in Missoula. She now resides in Cascade with her husband.

All of my siblings were afforded the opportunity to get an education in Montana, and we feel very fortunate about that, Rovig said.
Friday, Sept. 30

BERKELEY PITS AT ELKS

The Berkeley Pits will perform at 8 p.m. at the Butte Elks Lodge, 206 W. Galena. The bar opens at 6 p.m. For more details, call 406-490-2864.

MUSIC AT 51 BELOW

Chad Okrusch performs at 7 p.m. at 51 Below Speakeasy, 53 W. Park St. For details, call 209-624-6880.

CLUBS AND MEETINGS

The Butte Public Library offers after-school science club from 4 to 5 p.m. in the teen zone at the library for teens and tweens. Snacks and materials are provided. For details, call the library at 406-723-3361.

Books and Babies starts at 11 a.m. followed by Story Time on Fridays at 11:15 a.m. in the childrens room at the Butte Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St. Stories, songs, finger-plays and crafts are available. For details, call Cathy at 406-723-3361.
Steel and steel products manufacturer Nucor announced Friday it will bestow a $2 million Endowed Distinguished Professorship to Montana Technological Universitys Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department.

The endowment will help support and sustain faculty in the metallurgy department, said Techs chancellor, Les Cook.

Were fortunate to have a partnership with Nucor, Cook said.

Nucors been a supporter of Techs for 10 years, and this is the biggest gift the company has given the university, according to Nucor metallurgical engineer and 2019 Tech alum Airika McClafferty.

Over the last decade, Nucor has employed around 50 Tech graduates full-time and hired roughly 100 Tech students as interns, McClafferty said.

She said her degree from Tech helped prepare her for her career at Nucor because the program is very hands-on and allows students to get one-on-one time with their professors, due in part to the program's small class sizes. The department typically graduates between 10 and 20 students a year and has a 100% job placement rate.

It prepares students to dive feet-first into the industry, she said.

Marc Brooks, Nucors manager of talent and acquisition, made the announcement during the metallurgy departments centennial celebration.

The major metallurgical and material sciences is critical to Nucors success, Brooks said. He said the endowment will help ensure the department has the resources to continue to produce talent and work on its research projects.

The department is currently working on a couple different research projects with the United States Army Research Laboratory. One looks at aspects of materials that would be useful in the Army, specifically in the field, and another looks at new ways to recover rare-earth elements from natural and secondary sources that could be critical for both civilian and military purposes.

We believe in the university and want to invest in it, Brooks said.

Cook said the endowment might encourage industry partners to follow Nucors lead, and added that metallurgical engineers are in increased demand because of a growing interest in recovering and utilizing rare-earth metals.

Were producing graduates the world needs, Cook said. (The department) could have 100 students and still be highly sought after.

The endowment is a big deal for Tech because the investment in the metallurgy departments professors will help keep its programs ahead of the curve, said the Montana Tech Foundations new CEO, Jaime Heppler.

Nucor is the leading recycler of steel, Heppler said. And thats really appealing to future generations of students. She added that the endowment will help the department look at curriculum in a way that helps (the department) take the next step and move into the future of sustainability.

Shannon Sullivan Panisko, the Montana Tech Foundations director of annual giving and departmental engagement, said the endowment may also potentially attract prospective students to the department.

If we have the best professors, that might attract more students, Panisko said. Theres an incredible need for metallurgical engineers right now.
As we talk with our neighbors and friends about our hunting, fishing and outdoor adventures, one thing we share is our love and gratitude to live in Montana. Here we have access to world class wildlife, fish and wildland resources that is second to none. We didnt get here by chance. It took leadership and vision by private landowners, public land managers, resource advocates, wildlife and fish managers and the support of our elected officials.

We know the political divide is currently great. However, this mantra of vote for one party is harmful. As hunters and anglers, it is imperative that we scrutinize candidates. What is their voting history in regards to public lands and wildlife? Are they influenced by special interests? Do they support that wildlife and waterways belong to the people of Montana and not just a few lucky, wealthy citizens? These elected officials will have a huge say in how we will hunt, fish and recreate in the years to come.

This year we will have the opportunity to select an additional legislator to the U.S. Congress to represent Montanans interests. The differences between the candidates in regards to how they will develop and support resource policies are striking. Currently the wildlife and fish in our beautiful state belong to all of us. We are also blessed with huge, sprawling, wild public lands. These are too important to all of us to entrust to someone who doesnt have their roots in the land and an understanding of what Montanans need. Outside, wealthy interests are looking to develop and capitalize on our public land and wildlife resources. We need a representative in Washington who can stand up to outside interests and has a record of battling and winning against attempts to privatize and limit public access to these resources.

Ryan Zinke has no strong ties to the land. He has turned his back on Montana for grander promotions. As Secretary of the Interior (a position he had to resign from in disgrace), he

scrapped the national plan to protect sage grouse habitat, and removed protections from

thousands of acres of public land to oil and gas leasing and development, permanently altering

your public land and wildlife. He oversaw the placement of William Perry Pendley, a person

who spent much of his career calling for the sell off our public lands, to lead the Bureau of Land

Management. Zinke was given a chance to show that he could represent Montanans interests and he failed. Its one thing to say youre for hunters, anglers and the lands and waters we all enjoy, and another to actually conserve special places and strike a balance on the management of our public lands.

Monica Tranel is opposing Zinke. She has the knowledge, skills and experience to provide the Congressional leadership Montana deserves. She grew up in rural Eastern Montana, one of several children where chores and hard work were the norm. She is an avid outdoors person herself and understands how important our hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities are to all of us. As a skilled litigator, she has stood up to and won against outside interests. As a citizen she has testified before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, standing up for your public trust, wildlife and fish resources. If elected to Congress she will defend our wildlife, fish, water, wildlands and our outdoor way of life.

We all need to put partisanship aside, and look at whose background and record clearly shows support for our beliefs as hunters, fisherman and outdoor recreationists. Its clear that Monica Tranel should be our representative in Congress.
MUSCATINE  As the state of Florida begins assessing the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Ian, many homes are still without power.

With restoration efforts requiring all hands on deck, many other states and power companies from across the U.S. are sending who they can to help with the cause as part of the American Public Power Associations mutual aid agreement. This includes Muscatine Power and Water (MPW), which sent down a crew of three line workers earlier this week.

According to MPW General Manager Gage Huston, the three-man crew of Dave Scott, Chad Behnke and Barry Garretson, arrived in Florida on Thursday afternoon with three separate trucks and are heading to New Smyrna Beach to help with that specific areas power restoration.

We may not be able to send everybody, but we can spare one crew, Huston said.

Despite the distance between Iowa and Florida, Huston emphasized the necessity of power companies sometimes needing to reach far out in order to get the proper resources needed in events such as these wherever they can.

This is one of the things that I really enjoy about working for a utility, Huston said. We have these mutual aid programs that are established in advance, so when we have these major events, people just respond. There are hundreds of thousands of trucks and crew members responding right now, and its a pretty neat thing to see.

It has been said that over 90% of New Smyrnas 29,000 customers were offline when the storm came through, while the states grand total of those who are without power have reached around 2.5 million.

All three Muscatine crew members volunteered to take on the Florida assignment, but many of MPWs other crew members have experienced a mutual aid event.

Weve responded to a handful of different mutual aid events over the years. We always just ask if there are any volunteers who are willing to go, and we always have people put their hand up. Weve never had trouble putting a crew together, Huston said. I think they get a lot out of responding and helping not only our fellow utilities but also all the residents and citizens down there.

With these three specific crew members, Huston referred to them all as really talented, having the experience from previous disaster events needed to help the New Smyrna work crews in an effective manner.

They have the skills, and they know how to stay calm in situations like these, he continued. They know how to prioritize work, what it takes to actually rebuild the infrastructure and how to stay safe while doing it. Were very proud of the employees that we have here, and theres no doubt in my mind that these will be some of the top-tier individuals theyll have responding down in Florida. Theyll definitely be valued.

With an estimated time frame of at least two weeks, Huston also took the time to thank both the crew for being willing to work hard in what are sure to be rough and tiring conditions as well as the families of these three crew members.

Like with any first responder-type worker, the families back home are the ones that carry a heavy burden when those people have to respond  of worrying about them while also taking care of the day-to-day stuff, he said. We definitely want to give a huge thank you to families of (Scott, Behnke and Garretson).
WAPELLO  Following a public hearing on Thursday, the Wapello City Council approved a voluntary request from the Wapello Development Corporation (WDC) to annex approximately 29 acres west of Wapello into the city.

City Clerk Mike Delzell said two rural landowners who own property adjacent to the WDC land attended the public hearing, along with several members of the WDC.

He said the rural landowners questioned costs and other issues but were told those details still needed to be resolved.

Following the meeting, Delzell said he would now submit the required paperwork to the Iowa Secretary of States office for final review and approval.

WDC officials had previously indicated they hoped to eventually develop around 50 building lots in the area.

In other action, Delzell reported the council agreed to use the appointment process to fill one existing and one pending vacancy on the council. Second Ward council member Tony Hammer announced his resignation from the council on Sept. 15, effective that evening.

Hammer said he and his family were moving to the Third Ward, which would force him from his position.

Delzell said Third Ward council member Richard Taylor had apparently decided not to seek reelection next year and decided to resign now and recommend Hammer be appointed to his position.

The council will fill the positions at its Oct. 20 meeting, Delzell added.

He said anyone wishing to apply for either position could contact City Hall for more information.

City residents can also petition to have a special election to fill the vacancies.
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in telephone call Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemned Russias new annexation of parts of Ukraine as illegal and a violation of the country's sovereignty.

I told him that the process that Russia called a referendum and its annexation of parts of Ukraine should never be accepted, and that I strongly condemn them, Kishida said afterward.

Kishida said he also reassured Zelenskyy in their 30-minute conversation that Japan is committed to working with other Group of Seven nations and the broader international community in further supporting Ukraine, and plans to impose more sanctions against Russia.

Western leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden have also condemned Russias annexation of four occupied Ukrainian regions days after voters supposedly approved Moscow-managed referendums on joining Russia.

Kishida, who is to host a meeting of leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations next year, told Zelenskyy he plans to propose that they impose tough sanctions against Russia, and will lead a discussion on Ukraine's reconstruction.

He said Japan is assessing when it can reopen its embassy in Kyiv, which he described as important for close contacts between Japan and Ukraine. Japan closed its embassy in March as Russia's invasion of Ukraine intensified and moved part of its operations to Lviv in western Ukraine.

Japan has closely cooperated with other G-7 members and European nations in imposing sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine. Most recently, Japan banned exports of sensitive materials that could be used to make chemical weapons.

Japan's sanctions against Russia have further damaged their ties, already strained over a group of islands taken by Moscow at the end of World War II that have prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty formally ending their war hostilities.

In retaliation for Tokyo's sanctions, Moscow terminated peace talks, including negotiations over the islands.
Azerbaijani and Bulgarian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Rumen Radev respectively have held a one-on-one meeting in Sofia.

The presidents first posed for official photos.
One of the 10 teenagers charged with murder in the drive-by shooting death of a 15-year-old boy outside a downtown Des Moines high school in March has entered a plea deal with prosecutors and a second is considering it. Court documents say 17-year-old Manuel Buezo entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and two counts of willful injury on Wednesday. Sentencing is May 30. Prosecutors agreed to a term of 20 years in prison. A second teen, 16-year-old Kevin Martinez, was scheduled to appear at a plea hearing on Friday. They are among eight juveniles charged with murder as adults and two in juvenile court in the March 7 shooting that killed 15-year-old Jose Lopez and injured two girls.
The biggest territorial losses, during Azerbaijan's last aggression, Armenia suffered in Jermuk, Major General Arakel Martikyan, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Armenian Armed Forces, stated at a meeting with accredited ambassadors in Armenia in Kut village of Gegharkunik region today.

According to him, as a result of the provocation on September 13-14 the enemy managed to seize several combat positions in the direction of Vardenis. They are not important from the tactical point of view, the representative of the General Staff noted.

"However, they are important from a strategic point of view," Martikyan noted.

At the same time, the Armenian side's biggest territorial losses were in the direction of Jermuk.

"We cannot say that they had a serious territorial advance here. They only managed to capture a few combat positions. However, those fighting positions are not that important from a tactical point of view. They are important from a strategic point of view because they overhang directly over our settlements. Thus, the enemy can establish a degree of control over our roads and routes. And most importantly, their presence morally oppresses the residents of the nearby villages," said the deputy chief of the General Staff.

In his turn, Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan reminded that Armenia repeatedly offered mirror withdrawal of the troops, duly informing his counterparts.
A former US Army major and his anesthesiologistand Armenianwife have been criminally charged for allegedly plotting to leak highly sensitive healthcare data about military patients to Russia, the US Justice Department revealed on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Jamie Lee Henry, the former major who was also a doctor at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, and his wife, Dr. Anna Gabrielian, were charged in an unsealed indictment in federal court in Maryland with conspiracy and wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information about patients at the Army base.

Although the indictment identifies Henry with the pronouns "he" and Henry used male pronouns during an initial court appearance on Thursday, in prior media interviews dating back to 2015, Henry came out as a transgender female.

Henry's attorney David Little declined to comment on the charges, but said his client was released on home detention.

The indictment alleges that after the start of the war in Ukraine in February, the pair sought to assist the Russian government by providing it with data to help the Putin regime "gain insights into the medical conditions of individuals associated with the U.S. government and military."

The couple met with someone they believed was a Russian official, but was in fact an FBI undercover agent, the indictment says.

At a hotel in Baltimore on Aug. 17, Gabrielian told the undercover agent "she was motivated by patriotism toward Russia to provide any assistance she could to Russia, even if it meant being fired or going to jail," the indictment says.

In the meeting, she volunteered to bring her husband into the scheme, saying Henry had information about military training the United States had provided to Ukraine, among other things.

At another meeting later that day, Henry told the undercover agent he too was committed to Russia, and said he had even contemplated volunteering to join the Russian army.

"The way I am viewing what is going on in Ukraine now, is that the United States is using Ukrainians as a proxy for their own hatred toward Russia," Henry told the agent, according to prosecutors.

Henry had some reservations about providing healthcare data, saying it would violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), according to the indictment, but Gabrielian had no hesitations.

In a subsequent Aug. 24 meeting, she told the agent her husband was a "coward" to be concerned about violating HIPAA, but she broke the law "all the time" and would ensure they could provide Russia with access to medical records from Fort Bragg patients.

By the end of the month, she had handed over information on current and former military officials and their spouses, the indictment says.
The "Tatoyan" Foundation Center for Law and Justice has discovered that in Google Map and Google Earth applications, the names of locations of a number of communities in the Syunik Province of Armenia are referred to as Azerbaijani names of places and in the Azerbaijani language. The investigation was initiated after one of the residents of Sisian city sounded the alarm by notifying of these falsities to the "Tatoyan Foundation, the latter informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Our investigation shows that schools, parks, squares, etc. have been renamed and given false or non-existent names. For example, the river "Vorotan" is indicated by the Azerbaijani name Bazarcay, the Sisian park is falsely named after the former president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, another park is named after Ataturk, the location of the Syunik governorate is identified only in Azerbaijani language as "Zngzur Vilayti Administrassy", etc. They even tried to change the name of Sisian to Qarakilise. The details of these falsities are presented in the attached photos prepared by "Tatoyan" Foundation.

It is apparent that these descriptions took place with the intervention of the Azerbaijani authorities. With such intervention, first of all, an attempt is made to subject the people of Armenia and especially the residents of specific communities to psychological oppression. Further, by doing so, an attempt is made to present to the world false information, specifically, that Syunik is Azerbaijani, an absolutely false thesis of the Azerbaijani authorities. Finally, an attempt is also made to legitimize the Azerbaijani attacks and criminal invasions on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

A similar approach has taken place with falsely renaming locations in Meghri and Kapan by referring to them in Azerbaijani.

The "Tatoyan" Foundation, in cooperation with the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR), is already in contact with the Google" company and is taking measures to correct the misinformation campaign. As a result of measures already taken, some of the fake names are now removed. If these steps do not result in corrections of all the misinformation, further measures will be undertaken with American Armenian lawyers to launch judicial proceedings with a demand to remove the Azerbaijani forgeries, the "Tatoyan" Foundation added.
By Trend

Azerbaijans parliament has approved four agreements of the country with Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

At the first plenary meeting of the autumn session, bills on the approval of agreements between the governments of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of quarantine and plant protection, military-technical cooperation, international road traffic, and cooperation in the field of industrial property protection have been put up for discussions.

Following the discussions, the documents were put to the vote and adopted.
In the negotiations of the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, there is no mentionand there cannot beof an "extraterritorial corridor" that would in any way harm the sovereignty of any of the parties. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said this in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

He recalled that for unblocking economic and transport links in the region, a working group was created by the decision of the heads of states, and under the joint chairmanship of the deputy prime ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia.

"Achieving this goal will be a decisive step in order to turn the South Caucasus from a hotbed of tension into a region of stability and economic prosperity.

Open communications will make possible the development of commercial and humanitarian ties, will enable neighbors to communicate with each other, and this is the best plaster of perennial wounds. Those roads are very necessary for Russia, too, as the entire length will pass through the territory of our friendly countries and will go out to our friendly countries," he said.

Overchuk noted that the South Caucasus has been a crossroads of civilizations and trade routes throughout its history, the actual geo-economic hub of Eurasia.

"It is important to see the main thing: nobody in the region needs a conflict, everyone is interested in the development of communications and wants to participate in that process.

Of course, the trilateral working group cannot work in isolation from the events taking place between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Every escalation of the situation at the border slows down the negotiation process. Every use of terminology unacceptable to one of the parties inhibits the negotiation process. Every time, the process is inhibited when they try, perhaps with good intentions, to include new participants. Every time something like this happens, there is a pause in the negotiations, and we have to wait for the situation to calm down a little and be clarified.

From constant contacts with my colleagues, I know that both sides sincerely understand and strive for peace and prosperity, which cannot be achieved by living in conflict with neighbors. Almost immediately after the September tragedy, I managed to meet face-to-face with my negotiators from both sides. None of the parties wanted such a development of events, but the level of tension and mistrust is such that any careless action by each of the parties can have consequences that no one would want.

From the very beginning of the work in the format of the trilateral working group, the Russian side's approach to all the discussed issues was extremely unambiguous and clear: to ensure, through negotiations, the implementation of the goal agreed by the leaders of the three countries. This is our approach until now, it has not changed.

A lot of hard work has been done in less than two years. As a result, the negotiators have a vision of routes, the implementation of which can lead to the unblocking of the region.

However, the opening or construction of roads is possible only after the parties clearly define the legal procedure for crossing the border between the countries, as well as the traffic on those roads. It is important that a principle was developed during the negotiations, which has become the basis for the approaches regarding the definition of that legal procedure. The principle is as follows: Sovereignty over the road is exercised by the country through whose territory the road passes. This means that if the road passes through Armenian territory, then this is an Armenian road; if through Azerbaijani territory, thenAzerbaijani.

Russia has always defended the principle of the sovereignty of the parties, and it clearly stands by the positions of the statements of the leaders of the three countries on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021. This means that there is no, and there cannot be any, mention of any "extraterritorial corridor" in the negotiations of the trilateral working group at the level of deputy prime ministers, which would in any way violate the sovereignty of any of the parties.
Italy's outgoing government has criticized Berlin's decision to cap the price of gas for domestic consumers by taking on a new debt of 200 billion euros.

"We cannot be divided according to our fiscal space to maneuver, we need solidarity," Prime Minister Mario Draghi said, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

"No EU member state can offer effective solutions in the long term, acting alone, if we do not have a common strategy, even those that seem less financially vulnerable," he said.

The criticism came on the eve of a meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels, where they are going to discuss ways to combat the energy crisis. Italy, along with 14 other countries, is pushing for price caps on all EU gas imports, which Berlin opposes, fearing it would jeopardize security of supply.

"The EU response must cut costs for households and businesses and avoid market distortions. We must show ourselves united, determined, as in our support for Ukraine," Draghi said.

EU heads of state and government are likely to discuss the issue at a summit in Prague next Friday.
If the Armenian diaspora does everything in an organized manner, a serious result can be achieved in terms of imposing targeted sanctions on Azerbaijan. Edmon Marukyan, Ambassador-at-Large of Armenia and Chairman of the Bright Armenia Party (BAP), stated about this live on Facebook.

Marukyan noted that BAP representatives have prepared a list of 136 Western companies operating in Azerbaijan.

He announced plans to publicize the entire list, and called on these companies to launch appropriate actions and carry out targeted actions.

Marukyan recalled that international companies have a task of maintaining their good image.

"Isn't it a shame for a Western company which respects human rights and freedoms to continue its activities in Azerbaijan, in a country that has attacked a neighboring country, committed war crimes and atrocities, and does not allow the removal of the bodies of those killed? [Azerbaijani president] Aliyev goes to Europe, talks about his willingness to increase [natural] gas supply, and makes toasts to European officials.

It is necessary to show the western companies that they should be ashamed to continue working in Azerbaijan, to enrich the one who spends this money on killing innocent people, attacks democracy," Marukyan emphasized.

In his opinion, it is enough for a few western companies to start discussing the matter of leaving Azerbaijan, it is enough for a few western countries to start discussing the matter of imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan, so that the latters military leave Armenia very quickly and return to their initial positions as of November 9, 2020.

Marukyan expressed hope that the Armenian diaspora will get organized and start the campaign in this regard.

"We should use the capabilities of the [Armenian] church as well. This is not a political problem, but a problem of defense of Armenia. It is necessary to wage a network campaign so that the authorities of Azerbaijan feel the threat of sanctions," he said.

The Armenian politician assured that at the political level, Armenian diplomats are doing everything in order for foreign countries to condemn the Azerbaijani military aggression against Armenia, and to demand the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the territory of Armenia.
By Trend

Azerbaijan's Karabakh is becoming important for the entire Turkic world, Director of the Eurasian Research Center of Turkiye Alev Kilic who visited Shusha within the delegation of the 1st Azerbaijan Think tank Forum participants told Trend.

Today we have seen a devastated region and it usually takes a long time to conduct restoration work after destruction of such a scale. Besides, there is a huge problem of mines, Kilic said.

Despite all this, Im really impressed with what has already been achieved during the restoration of the territories, from the construction of the Fuzuli airport to the restoration of old buildings in Shusha, along with the construction of new buildings. The new road, called the Victory Road, is very practical," he noted.

The guest also said that all this inspires confidence that Karabakh will very soon become not only a tourist attraction, but will also take a huge place in the Turkic world.

He noted that the demarcation process [between Armenia and Azerbaijan] should be carried out immediately.

Armenia still doesnt want to accept the consequences of its defeat [in the 2020 second Karabakh war], but achieving peace is the only way out for it, added Kilic.
The United States armed forces have shipped a new shipment of stolen Syrian oil to northern Iraq, while Washington continues to plunder the Arab country's natural resources by illegally crossing the border, the Syrian news agency SANA reported.

U.S. occupation forces stole additional amounts of oil on 14 tankers under cover of military armored vehicles to the illegal al-Walid crossing from Iraqi territory, the report said.

Another 85 tankers were ferried by U.S. forces into northern Iraq through the illegal Mahmudiyah crossing a day earlier.

U.S. forces routinely steal Syrian oil despite international condemnation.

Earlier in September, 88 oil tankers were moved into areas of Iraq through illegal border crossings. In late August, Syria's oil ministry announced that the U.S. and its proxies looted more than 80 percent of Syria's daily oil production in the first half of 2022.

The ministry said in a statement that oil production for the first half of 2022 was about 14.5 million barrels, with an average daily production of 80,300 barrels, of which 14,200 are delivered daily to refineries. U.S. occupation forces and their mercenaries steal up to 66,000 barrels daily from fields occupied in the eastern region, the statement said.

According to the ministry, the Syrian oil sector lost about $105 billion from the start of the war to the middle of this year as a result of the U.S. campaign of oil theft.
The Republic of Armenia is not going to discuss any capitulation, Ruben Rubinyan, deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia told Radio Azatutyun, stressing that he does not agree with the use of that word, which is heard very often today, including in the context of discussions between the former presidents.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia are not bargainable, stressed the deputy of the ruling Citizens' Agreement faction.

Asked if Ter-Petrosyan is right that the task now is to find the least painful solution, there is no other way out and delaying will be worse, Rubinyan said, "We need a solution, and we need a solution that will ensure a lasting peace and ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia; the government is moving in that direction and is ready to do everything to achieve such a solution. But I, for example, see, also in the context of the discussion of the former presidents, that the word " capitulation" is heard very often. I strongly disagree with the use of this word not only in the context of the November 9 statement, but in the context of any decision in general. The November 9 document was a cease-fire with hard conditions, but it was not a surrender, and the Republic of Armenia is not going to discuss any surrender. The Republic of Armenia will preserve both sovereignty and territorial integrity at any cost, we are talking about solutions."

To the question of what is the red line of Yerevan in that case in the issue of making a decision, the NA Vice President answered that "The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia are not subject to bargaining.

In response to the comment that if a peace treaty is signed with Azerbaijan that does not mention Nagorno Karabakh, tomorrow Azerbaijan will say, "you signed this document, we will solve our issues with Karabakh Armenians ourselves," Rubinyan said that this is why the Armenian side insists that the security and rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh must be resolved.

"If the goal of a peace treaty is to establish a lasting peace, it means that there must be adequate guarantees on all of its components, or not just all of its components, but all of the components that violate the peace. We believe that it would be logical to hold negotiations between the representatives of Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh - ed.] and Azerbaijan," he noted.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

French Special Envoy for the South Caucasus Brice Roquefeuil will visit Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The French Foreign Ministry noted that the envoy will visit both Baku and the capital of Armenia - Yerevan.

Moreover, Roquefeuil will visit Georgia to strengthen the dialogue with the Georgian authorities on all issues of mutual interest, in particular, on relations with the EU and regional issues.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN?Habitat), Maimunah Mohd Sharif, will visit Azerbaijan.

The organization noted that the visit is scheduled for October 2022.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in general, it should be noted that there is tension on the border, and at the moment this tension can be said to be stable. In this sense, given Azerbaijan's aggressive and bellicose rhetoric, new provocations are certainly not excluded. His remarks came during the interview with the Public Television of Armenia today.

When asked why the September 13 escalation took place at this stage, Pashinyan replied: "It's hard to predict anything in terms of the day itself, but in terms of the timeframe, I think it's essential that all international attention is focused on the events around Ukraine. The period of the 44-day war, when the focus was on the epidemic and the ensuing domestic problems, is also notable in this respect.

It is the same situation today, when because of the situation around Ukraine, many countries are now focused on preparing for the coming winter, and perhaps the increasing importance of the energy component plays a role in this, which is why Azerbaijan's position is becoming more and more aggressive.

Referring to the fact that the list of the dead has not been published yet, the Prime Minister said: "Given the experience of the 44-day war, we have concluded that it is right to publish the names of the dead through an institutionally planned mechanism. It is a list fixed at the insurance fund of servicemen of Armenia and the names are published there. The names of those who died in the 44-day war were also published there. That should be the institutional approach, but not making the list of victims public doesn't mean that everything is kept secret. Naturally, families are informed. Let's also consider that there are bodies that need to be definitively identified. Given past experience, we know that there have been cases where the wrong names have been published.

There was even a case where relatives visually recognized the deceased, but DNA identification revealed otherwise. In order to avoid such misunderstandings, an institutionally functioning mechanism should be used, and it should publish those cases that are de jure confirmed."
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a Decree conferring the highest special ranks on employees of the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says if by "action" one means security, his conviction remains unchanged which is only peace can ensure guaranteed security. His remarks came during the interview with Public Television of Armenia today, responding to the question of what practical steps Armenia is taking so that the assessments of the international community, which is already giving appropriate assessments to Azerbaijan's actions, become actions.

"Until we have comprehensive peace, we cannot speak about comprehensive security. And so all our efforts, even in the most acute situations, are aimed at peace. If we believe that the inviolability of our borders must be protected, including by the efforts of our army, by our diplomatic means, then the long-term goal of this action is also peace," Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister said that they are trying to make Armenia's position clear for the international community and to provide as objective information about the situation as possible.

Pashinyan said that when asked about actions, whether sanctions against Azerbaijan, arms sales, border monitoring are to be understood as the Prime Minister suggested at the UN, "these are different issues. I must say we are actively working in all areas necessary to ensure Armenia's security."

The reporter noted that after 2020, when speaking about monitoring, the head of government always mentioned the mission of Russia or the Minsk Group co-chair countries, while recently at the UN he spoke about the need for international observers. Asked what is the reason for such a change and if an international observation mission will arrive in Armenia (there is information that France has also announced that it will send a delegation to Armenia), what is the ultimate goal of all that, the Armenian Prime Minister explained that the mission that France has announced on the spot is to assess the security situation.

"When we speak about an international observation mission, we mean a mechanism of either long-term or permanent observation mission, one of the most important goals of which is to transmit unbiased information on the situation to the relevant international structures, after which appropriate actions will follow. This logic comes from the fact that Azerbaijan never says it has violated the ceasefire. They always try to present that there was some kind of provocation and so on.

Naturally, we deny this groundless information by all means possible, but on the other hand, we say: since this is an ongoing situation, it would be right for the international community to have an observation mission to assess the situation on the spot," Pashinyan said.

He said that there has been no change in the positions, as all the missions mentioned by the journalists are international ones. The Prime Minister noted that "we do not close the door to anyone." "But there are international organizations that can play such a role. For example, the OSCE, the UN Security Council, etc. I mean, there has been no change in positions. We never ruled out, for example, that there could also be an OSCE mission," Pashinyan concluded.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says a part of the participants of the famous meeting between the former presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the Catholicos of All Armenians, is fully aware of the negotiation process, while the other half has always had the opportunity to be kept informed. His remarks came during his interview to the Public Television of Armenia today, responding to the question whether he is ready to meet the former presidents and present the details of the negotiations.

Pashinyan described as a misunderstanding the viewpoint that only a narrow circle of people are aware of the negotiation process.

"A fairly wide range of people are aware of the negotiation process, even at the letter level. The parliamentary faction of the Civic Agreement Party is fully aware, as is the Security Council. I will say more, the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities are fully aware of everything. The President of Nagorno-Karabakh is aware of every phrase I uttered and sentence I heard during the talks. I know that he, in his turn, informs at least the Council of Ministers and former high ranking officials," the head of the Armenian Cabinet of Ministers said.

According to him, a part of the participants of the well-known meeting of former presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the Catholicos of All Armenians is fully aware of the negotiation process, while the other half has always been able to keep abreast of the events. "At least two of the mentioned persons, I am sure, are aware of everything. I have always expressed readiness, in particular, to present to the parliamentary opposition the negotiations in their entirety. Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan are, in fact, the leaders of the two factions and have actually refused to receive this information. Levon Ter-Petrosyan's force also refused. At one time, the ANC was also invited to participate in meetings with non-parliamentary forces, but they refused," Pashinyan stressed.

Quite a wide range of expert community is periodically informed about the discussions, the head of the government said. According to him, if all the details of the issues are presented to such a wide circle, it means that he is ready to present them to the people directly and openly, but he doesn't do that because the diplomatic ethics don't allow presenting details in closed format.

"The authorities, the government and I are ready to take responsibility. We have not and will not avoid responsibility. If there are political forces who would like to contribute to the establishment of long-term peace around Armenia, they can do it, the information for these forces is not closed, it is closed in terms of format. If there is such a context that the authorities cannot take responsibility and they should be helped, I can say that the authorities and I personally are aware of the responsibility for the fate of the country, and we are ready to take that responsibility. And we took it from our people," the Armenian Prime Minister concluded.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has responded during a speech in Brussels to a journalist's question about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request to admit the country to the alliance as soon as possible, Euronews has reported.

According to Stoltenberg, the consent of all NATO members is necessary for a country to be accepted into the alliance.

According to DW, Stoltenberg also said that "NATO's doors remain open" and that any European country has the right to apply to join the alliance, adhering to the line previously pursued by NATO leaders.

"Our focus now is on providing immediate support to Ukraine, to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian brutal invasion," he added.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that following today's meeting of the NSDC, Ukraine would apply to join NATO on an expedited basis.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at the moment his possible meeting with the President of Turkey is neither confirmed nor excluded. His remarks came during his interview to the Public TV Channel.

"Neither our side nor the Turkish side has ruled out my meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The possible meeting is related to a number of circumstances: there is an event organized by the EU, where both Turkey and we are invited. Both we and they have to make a decision about participation in the summit and the format of participation, and if there is participation, we do not know whether there will be a meeting or not. I made a decision to visit Prague, and I am going to take part in the summit. At the moment I can say that the meeting is not excluded, but I can't say that it will take place for sure," Pashinyan said.

According to him, opening of borders and normalization of relations will be on the agenda of a possible meeting.

Asked whether Artsakh would be discussed, Pashinyan said: "When regional topics are discussed, many issues will be discussed. It depends on our conversation. It will be our first meeting, and the questions will be related to the course of the meeting."